Soft morning sunlight filtered into Kurt's room. Kurt's eyes fluttered open; he smiled as he felt Blaine's weight resting against his chest. He peered down and had to stifle a purr. Blaine looked adorable. His long eyelashes kissed his cheekbones as he drew soft breath in and out. His curls were a mess atop his head, his toned arm was thrown across Kurt's chest and Kurt could feel a bit of drool pooling against his abdomen. He studied Blaine's face – his bruises and cuts were healing although there were still reminders of his injuries. Kurt's fingers reached out to tug Blaine's curls very gently. He didn't want to wake him yet but he couldn't resist the cute spring of curls around his finger. He was enjoying the view. He was enjoying being able to simply take in the man he loved. Blaine stirred and drew his hand along Kurt's side, drawing him closer. He murmured and snuffled gently against Kurt's skin then nuzzled in to continue sleeping. Kurt was in heaven. He would have stayed there forever.

About an hour later, after a repeated pattern of dozing and gazing at the adorable creature snuggled to his chest, Kurt made himself slide from Blaine's grip – it was either that or wet the bed. As he entered the bathroom he heard Blaine whine gently, "Kurt…" But when he returned from the bathroom Blaine was peacefully asleep again hugging a pillow. He pressed a kiss gently to his temple then slipped out of the room to join his dad for breakfast.

About the time Kurt was clearing the breakfast dishes, Blaine woke up to buzzing. He haphazardly slammed his hand down on the nightstand trying to find his phone then realized it must've been in his pocket still. He grumbled and sat up. A small pout framed his lips as he realized Kurt was not beside him. He yawned, rubbed his eyes then reached down for his pants to retrieve his phone. Part of him knew who it would be from. He had been ignoring the threats all week and didn't know how much longer he could ignore them for. He had no doubt that the threats were real. He read the texts. His eyes widened and his breath became more rapid as the anxiety set in. "Please just leave me alone," he whispered … "Please, please, please," he chanted like a prayer. But he knew Tyler would never leave him alone – not unless Blaine did something about it.

Every time Tyler had hit him and left any type of markings Blaine had taken pictures of the injuries – at the time he didn't know why he had because he thought he would never have the courage to report him. Now, though, Blaine was glad he had them – he had a feeling that before this nightmare was over he was going to have to use them – as much as he didn't want to go to the police. He was still ashamed and embarrassed about the situation he had gotten himself into. He didn't want to expose himself more than he had to.

So, he decided that he would first try to talk some sense into Tyler. Maybe if Tyler had closure – if Blaine could tell him once and for all that it was over – he would move on and leave him alone. He locked himself in the bathroom in case Kurt came up looking for him and dialed Tyler's number.

"It's about time you came to your senses, Blaine. Where are you?"

"Tyler. Listen. I can't live like this anymore. You hurt me badly and I can't put my life in jeopardy like that anymore. It's over. Please stop with the threats. I would really appreciate..."

Blaine was cut off by Tyler's laughter. "Do you really think you run this show?"

Blaine was silent, trying to process what to say next and wondering why he retreated into a scared child every time Tyler spoke to him. "I…"

"You, nothing," Tyler growled. "Do you think I really don't know where you are? Do you think I don't know who you're with? You are my boyfriend and you walked out on me. Did you think I wouldn't come for you? I know you're shacked up with that sissy ex-boyfriend of yours. Once a cheater, always a cheater I guess."

Blaine was furious at Tyler's attack on Kurt but he was also scared. "Tyler, I'm not coming back."

"You are. You are coming back right now or I will come to you and you will hurt, Blaine."

"I'm not scared of you," he lied. "You can't threaten me. It's over. I'm moving on with my life and you should consider yourself lucky I've not called the police."

"It's not a threat. It's a promise," Tyler growled. "But, I will give you a choice. You can stay but if you do that sissy will be the one getting beat."

"DO NOT THREATEN HIM," Blaine startled even himself with his yelling. "Don't you lay a finger on him, you son of a bitch."

"Then come home. I know where and when his AA meetings end – in fact, he has one today. I think I'll watch him from the parking lot like I did yesterday."

Blaine's heart stopped. "You're lying…"

"Am I? He was wearing black jeans and a mint green Henley, wasn't he?"

Blaine was silent. Oh my God. Oh my God. He's here. Tyler is here in Lima.

Tyler continued, "If you think I'm joking you will soon find out that I'm not. It's him or you. You choose. You're lucky I'll grant you 24 hours to tell me your decision."

Blaine hung up violently. He noticed that he was gasping for air as all of the oxygen seemingly was sucked out of the room. His entire body broke out in a cold sweat as he fell to the floor on his knees. This can't be happening, not again. He became light headed as he could feel his chest start to convulse … and that is when he vomited.

Kurt met Blaine on the stairs. Blaine had just been on his way down to breakfast, not because he was hungry but because he knew Kurt would come looking for him. He had frantically tried to get himself under control after he had emptied his stomach but Kurt could see right through it. Blaine's eyes were wet and red-rimmed. He looked pale and anxious. Kurt knew him well – there was no fooling him. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"

There was no way Blaine could tell Kurt the truth. Kurt deserved better – he didn't deserve to be threatened or to have to deal with such a dramatic life as his. "I'm fine. I think it's just allergies." Blaine kissed his cheek and pushed passed him and into the kitchen.

Kurt whirled and followed, "Blaine? You don't look well. What's really the matter?"

Blaine was scooping up a cinnamon roll which Carole had baked earlier, "no, no, I'm fine." He turned to Kurt. "You going to your meeting today?" He desperately tried to change the subject.

Kurt's eyes narrowed as he moved closer toward Blaine. He was getting a little irritated because he knew Blaine was hiding something. Maybe after last night Blaine had had second thoughts. Maybe he really didn't want to try it again. Maybe it was all too much and too fast. Kurt panicked. "Please Blaine, tell me what's going on."

"Nothing, okay?" Blaine threw his plate on the counter and walked out through the sliding door and into the back yard, despite his lack of winter clothing. He sat down on a patio chair and slid his hands into his hair as he desperately tried to keep the tears at bay. He knew that he couldn't fool Kurt but he couldn't tell him either. He was a coward. A pathetic coward. Before he knew it Kurt was sitting beside him. He placed his hand over Blaine's forearm. "Honey, you're scaring me. Remember we said that we would be honest with each other? Remember we said we would help each other?"

Blaine wanted nothing more than to pull Kurt to his chest and hold him forever. Love him forever. He whispered in a shaky voice, "I just can't. I'm sorry."

"You can't what?" Kurt's chest seemingly caved in on itself.

"I can't do this, anymore." And suddenly Blaine stood and retreated up to his room and locked the door. He threw himself on the bed huddled in fetal position. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he chanted as this pillow became soaked with tears.

Kurt was unable to concentrate as he sat among others attending the AA meeting. He knew he was supposed to be present and that participating was the key to healing but he just didn't have it in him. Something was troubling Blaine but what was worse is that Blaine was not being honest and forthcoming with him. That is what Kurt had always had an issue with – Blaine not being one hundred percent honest. It had started his senior year of high school when Blaine had become distracted and anxious but wouldn't come clean until they had almost broken up – he had been scared for Kurt to move to New York and that he would be left behind. Next came the whole Eli fiasco – another notch in the Blaine-not-being-forthcoming list. Instead of talking to Kurt about he was feeling he ran off and cheated – although Kurt has now admitted that it was as much his fault as it was Blaine's. Finally Blaine had lied about Tyler – he was being abused and when Kurt asked him about it he blamed it on kickboxing. Now he was doing it again. Kurt didn't know if he … if they … could ever get past this.

"Kurt? Would you like to share how your week has been?" Marjory, the meeting leader asked.

"Oh. Um. It's actually been bearable. I mean, I haven't really felt like having a drink because I've been preoccupied with my boyfriend and my family."

"So you have had support, then."

"Yes. Amazing support." Kurt was telling the truth but his gut rumbled in uneasiness as he thought about Blaine and how much longer he would have his support for … and why Blaine would not let Kurt in to support him.

I'm okay but I need to go home – to Boston. I'm sorry Kurt. I'm sorry that I'm not a stronger person but I just can't do this. I love you with my entire soul. Until we meet again… Blaine.

Kurt had read the handwritten note about fifty times. It had been taped to the front door when he returned home from the meeting. He hadn't cried, which for Kurt was a big feat, but the truth is he was too angry. Blaine had abandoned him… I'm not going to walk away this time. Kurt knew that Blaine was battling something but why did he insist on running and battling it on his own? Was Kurt not trustworthy? Was it Tyler? Was it that Blaine couldn't commit to Kurt anymore? Was it something else?

Kurt knew that he shouldn't … he knew that it would be going backwards … he knew that he didn't have Blaine to help him through this … he knew that Santana was not around to pull him out of whatever mess he would get himself into ... but, he was hurting and he was angry and he didn't know how to cope. He placed the note on the table with a trembling hand. He grabbed his wallet and keys then slipped out the door.