''Kurt, I have to tell you something….''

Kurt raised his eyes to face Blaine.

Blaine opened his mouth to continue but he suddenly felt speechless when faced with those melancholy eyes staring back at him.

''what is it?'' Kurt spoke but it came out as barley a whisper.

Unexpectedly a stampede of glee kids came bursting through the doors.

''Kurt, my god are you ok?''

''yeah, cedes I'm fine''

''You scared me something rotten, white boy'' Mercedes suddenly realised that Rachel and Blaine were in the room. She felt a whole load of mixed emotions towards Rachel for moving in on Blaine like she did. They both knew how Kurt felt and yet she went ahead and did what she always did – anything she pleased regardless the cost.

Blaine didn't like the looks he was getting from Mercedes but always the dapper gentlemen tried to make nice with the pleasantries.

''Hey Mercedes, how you doing?''

She slowly looked him up and down with a look of distain; she was just as angry with Blaine as she was Rachel, maybe even more so. She'd been the third wheel on many a nights out with Kurt and Blaine; she was so sure Kurt had finally lucked out. She was shocked and appalled to hear from Kurt the night of their argument and discover Blaine had decided to play straight. She knew Kurt wouldn't want her to say anything but boy was she mad!

''I've been better'' she said indifferently.

''He really gave us all a fright'' Blaine stated.

''Yeah bro, coach said we couldn't leave school with the ambulance and had to wait till after classes' I've been worried sick'' said Finn.

''We all have, you got to be careful unicorn'' interjected Brittany.

''Careful'' Puck huffed before continuing, 'Careful my arse, we gotta go kick Karofskys arse that's what we gotta do''

Everyone broke out into a heated discussion trying to decide the best course of revenge. All were oblivious to the increase in pain Kurt was feeling though it was clearly visible on his face; all except one.

Blaine stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Kurt's arm. ''Hey, how are you doing? You don't look too good. Are you in pain? Do I need to get someone?''

Everyone went quiet and turned concerned eyes towards Kurt.

''I'm kind of sore and tired. I'm really sorry guys. I appreciate you coming all this way to visit me but I think I need to take rest. The nurse is due to give me another dose of pain meds anytime now and I'm pretty sure were exceeding the total number of visitors allowed.''

''Don't worry boo. You rest up and we'll head out. Do think you'll be up for visitors tomorrow?''

''Yeah, that would be really nice. Thanks a lot cedes, you too guys''

''Don't worry about it Kurt. You rest up now ok?'' said Tina

''Yeah lady face, take it easy. Maybe we can arrange for a hottie male nurse to come give you a bed bath'' Santana winked at him as Kurt rolled his eyes.

No one noticed the frown that appeared on Blaine's face following Santana's statement.

Slowly everyone started to usher out of the room.

Finn informed Kurt that Burt was getting something to eat in the hospital restaurant and that he was going to go down and join him. ''My mom should be here in about 20 minutes so the three of us will come back then, that ok bro?''

''Yeah, that fine.''

Everyone had left apart from Blaine who was attempting to prolong his stay by Kurt's bedside; Rachel remained lingering in the door way.

''Are you going to be much longer Blaine? I know you're concerned but Kurt's alright. We really should be making a move; we need to stop off at the store to grab some snacks and I want to stop by the mall to check out the new releases ''

Blaine never wanted to shout 'get lost' to someone as much as he did towards Rachel right now.

Its funny how so much can change in a few minutes; how one small act can suddenly open your eyes to prospects that never even crossed your mind. If someone had asked him about Kurt last week, it would have generated a simple reply that he was his friend. Yesterday the response would have been that he was a pain in the arse and a hypocrite, but now... Oh boy, he was Kurt, his best friend and potential love of his life. He was smart and caring and funny and stubborn and beautiful. Blaine swallowed and looked at Kurt again.' God, you're so beautiful' he thought to himself.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by Rachel repeatedly calling his name over and over like some kind of annoying chi wawa.

''Look Rachel''

She abruptly stopped talking and stared blankly at Blaine.

He recognised the tone used was perhaps a little harsh but he didn't care. She wasn't his number one priority; Kurt was.

''I'm not coming round tonight''

''But I thought…'' she interrupted but Blaine continued to talk over her. ''I want to stay with Kurt for a while and then I have some warbler busy to take care of. I'm sure you understand''

''Of course, I completely understand you should have said''

Blaine wasn't buying the falseness in her voice but didn't care. He was just keen for her to go.

''Rain check'' she suggested.

''Yeah sure, I'll speak to you later''

''I'll look forward to it'' she turned to face Kurt '' you take care Kurt and I'll see you tomorrow, ok?''

Kurt was struggling to keep his eyes open but was able to acknowledge her with a semi-conscious nod and a sleepy 'ok'.

Once they were alone, Blaine turned to face Kurt. He could tell the injured boy was trying to keep his eyes open but that it was in vain.

'Hey'' Blaine lowered his voice and gentle brushed some hair off Kurt's forehead, ''close your eyes and rest for a bit, ok?''

''Don't want to, I'm not tired'' Kurt replied sleepily.

''Course you're not'' Blaine replied with a slight smirk on his face as he gazed down at him.

''You're not going to leave, are you?'' Kurt whispered

''Not a chance'' he responded as he continued to run his figures through Kurt's hair.

THOUGHTS?