A/N:

No real notes for this chapter. Just my continued thanks to each and every one of you for continuing to read! I know some of you weren't keen to see Rachel here but trust me she is pivotal to Kurt's story. Reviews are extremely appreciated!

Chapter Nineteen – Goodbyes

When we arrived home, I wasn't surprised to see that Burt was up waiting for me. All the house lights were on which was a total giveaway but my mind drew a blank as I scrambled to think of what reason I could possibly give Burt that I was leaving.

"Jesse isn't here," I heard Blaine say to Puck, "Help Kurt out of his seat."

Puck reached over to help me. "Don't worry man. We'll take care of things around here."

I felt a surge of warmth towards Puck in that moment. We barely even knew each other and the fact that he was willing to help both me and Rachel was overwhelming. I knew saying bye to him was only a taste of what was about to come but it didn't help in the slightest.

Puck disappeared into the darkness surrounding the house. Blaine opened my car door and took my hand then brought me swiftly to the front of my house.

"Fifteen minutes," Blaine said. "That's all we have." He looked a little impatient but I could easily read the sadness written on his face too. I nodded in response and took his face into my hands. "I love you," I told him. "I will always love you, despite anything that happens after now."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Kurt," Blaine promised. "I won't let Jesse do anything to you. Or Rachel."

"Please keep Burt safe for me. And Carole and Finn too. If something happens I-"

"Don't talk like that – what you're thinking - it's not going to happen." I felt his lips quickly brush mine, "Hurry Kurt. We don't have much time."

I made another swift nod and then led myself into the house.

Sure as I had predicted, Burt was fighting sleep to make sure that I arrived back home in one piece. He was sitting in the lounge watching a game but his eyes were full of sleep.

"You're home," was all he said.

"And you're still up."

"Had to make sure that Cullen boy brought you back home in one piece. How was the game?"

"It was good… I mean, I got to spend a lot of time talking with Rachel but I'm sure the game was good too."

Burt yawned. "Well I'm glad you had fun, kiddo. But now that you're back I'm gonna hit the sack."

My heart was racing. It was now or never. I had to be fast or Burt was going to head up those stairs and I would lose the only opportunity in these too short fifteen minutes I had to tell him.

"Rachel's leaving Forks," I said casually.

At this Burt was shocked but not for the reason I was thinking. "She is? Does Finn know? Poor kid. Where's she off to anyway?"

I didn't have time to worry about the fact that Burt was only worried about how this was going to affect Finn. Sure, I may have had an ulterior motive with lying, but even if I had been telling the truth, Burt knew Rachel was my best friend – why wasn't he worried about how that was going to affect me?

"I have no idea if she's discussed it with Finn yet but she's going back to Lima," I told him, careful not to meet his eye. I hated lying to Burt.

But I had to keep him safe.

"Have you heard her sing, Dad? She's really talented but she's never going to make it anywhere here in Washington."

"I s'pose she really was that ambitious. Can't help feel bad for Finn though. When's she leaving?"

"Tonight." I told him, finally aware of where exactly I was going to take this. "And I'm going with her."

Burt looked like he was about to laugh. "Is that so?"

"Dad, I'm being serious. I can't do this anymore. I can't have my talent stifled in the prison that you sentenced us to because you couldn't get over mom's death!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa hang on a second! I never forced you into nothing, Kurt! I never said we had to come here unless you were sure you wanted to. In fact, at the airport, the last I remember sayin' to you was we didn't have to come here! But you just can't expect me to up and leave now 'cos you changed your mind! What about that Cullen kid then, eh? And what about Carole and Finn? They're family now Kurt."

"Don't you get it?" I said trying to increase the frustration in my voice. "I hate it here!"

Burt shook his head trying to make sense of where all this was coming from. "Did Blaine break up with you?"

"No!" I said angered, "I broke up with him."

My fifteen minutes were soon becoming five. I didn't have much time. I bolted up the stairs and it wasn't long before I could hear Burt coming right after me, ("Slow down, would ya? What's going on, Kurt?") I hurried open my bedroom door where Blaine was standing alone and serious, a duffel bag in his hand.

"Go," he whispered, and then he was gone.

"Kurt, open this door now! What the hell is up with you?"

I unlocked the door and pushed past Burt ignoring him as I made my way down the stairs again.

"Calm down, kid! Can't we just talk? I thought you liked this guy."

"I do!" I said, willing the tears to rim my eyes, "And that's the problem. I can't have any more ties here. I refuse to be stuck in this boring old town where I don't belong. I'm leaving – and you can't stop me."

Burt grabbed my elbow. His grip was firm but didn't hurt. "Kurt," he said quietly, and it was more painful listening to him talk like that then it would have to hear him shout. "At least sleep on it. It's dark outside and the roads ain't clear. Don't leave. If you still want to go in the morning I won't stop you but please son, don't do this."

This time when I cried, I wasn't faking it. "I have to. We've already booked our departure and we can't be late. I really, really, hate it here. I'll call you later. Goodbye, Dad."

I tried to push him off but he wouldn't let me go. He looked shocked, like he seriously couldn't believe what I was saying.

"Why didn't you talk to me about this? We're a family; we work out this stuff together! Why didn't you come to me sooner and tell me that this was how you were feeling? We could have done something to fix it! We can still do something to fix it! Just don't leave Kurt, don't do this to me."

I felt like a broken record but there really was no other option. "It's too late Dad. Rachel is waiting for me, and I've made up my mind."

Burt shook his head. His hand was still holding my elbow. "I don't know what's going on Kurt, but this, it isn't you. It's not like you to just up and leave without talking to me…. So you walk through that door son, you're on your own. I don't want you coming home unless you bring my son back. Cos right now all the two of you share is a face and a name. My boy would have never left me like this."

"Dad…"

Burt let go of me as though he'd been burned. He stayed frozen on the doorstep unsure of the situation rapidly unfolding before him. I turned and ran wildly for the truck, throwing my bag in the back as I got into the driver's seat. The key was already waiting in the ignition.

"No, no, no you don't! Kurt get back here! Kurt!"

I ignored Burt, reversed, and kept driving. I could hear him yell my name but Burt didn't follow me. I half expected him to. I was so caught up worrying about my dad that I jumped when I felt Blaine's hand on me.

"Pull over," he said as the house, and Burt, disappeared behind us.

"I can drive," I said through the tears pouring down my cheeks.

"Are you sure?" Blaine asked. "Are you going to be able to find the house in the dark?"

"Yes! Goddamnit Blaine, just let me drive! It's all that's keeping me focused right now."

He didn't say another word.

"Where's Mercedes?" I asked him, suddenly remembering the plan.

"Behind us. Rachel is with her too in the back seat. Take it easy, Kurt."

He took my hand again trying to comfort me but my mind was filled with the image of Burt in the doorway. "And Jesse St. James?"

"He heard everything. He's following us too, running behind us."

I was driving with such earnest that when I felt a loud bang on the top of my roof I screamed and almost swerved. What in the world had just happened?

"Kurt, relax!" Blaine said, "It's just Puck."

I glanced in my mirror to see a smug Puck in the backseat. "Sorry about that," he said, raising his hand up and flattening the dent he had so easily molded onto my roof when he landed. "I thought Blaine would be driving."

"I'm not made out of glass!" I told him, "I know how to drive my damn truck!"

Puck grinned. "Feisty!" was all he said.

"It's okay, Kurt," Blaine assured me. "We know you're okay."

We raced through the quiet town toward the north highway. "So you're escaping Forks with Rachel to become a star?" I knew Blaine was just trying to diffuse the tension in the truck but my mind was in ten places at once.

"Burt knows I'm just as ambitious as her," I confessed, avoiding looking at him and keeping my eye on the road instead. "I really hurt him saying those things and leaving like that but I know he won't follow me. He's upset with me but he knows me and I guess he's always been a little scared that this was something I would do. But at the same time that's what prepared him for it. I don't think I'll be any less grounded when I return. You should have seen his face, Blaine."

"Don't worry. He'll forgive you." He smiled a little, though it didn't touch his eyes. He must have noticed something in mine because soon he was reassuring me again. "Kurt, it's going to be all right. Don't forget that this was your idea."

"It was the best idea — of course it was mine."His answering smile was bleak and disappeared immediately.

"I don't think I have any choice but to kill Jesse now," he muttered.

"Will won't like it," I answered. I could hear the tires cross the bridge, though I couldn't see the river in the dark. I knew we were getting close. There was something I had to ask.

"How do you kill a vampire?"

"The only way to be sure is to tear him to shreds, and then burn the pieces."

"And the other two will fight with him?"

"Sebastian will. I'm not sure about David. They don't have a very strong bond — he's only with them for convenience. He was embarrassed by Jesse in the meadow…"

"But Jesse and Sebastian — they'll try to kill you?" I asked my voice raw.

"Kurt, don't waste time worrying about me. Your only concern is keeping yourself safe and looking out for Rachel."

"Is Jesse still following?"

"Yes. He won't attack the house, though. Not tonight."

I turned off onto the invisible drive, with Mercedes and Rachel following behind. I drove right up to the house. Puck shielded me as I got out hurrying me to the front door; Mercedes guarded Rachel and brought her inside with us.

When we reached inside I was relieve to see all the Cullens waiting for us with one surprising addition: David stood in their midst. I could hear Puck mumbling a few swears as he sat me down next to Blaine. Mercedes sat Rachel beside me and she instinctively reached out for my hand. No words were exchanged between us but I could tell from the redness in her eyes that she had been crying miserably too. I wondered what she had told her dads.

"Jesse St James is tracking us," Blaine announced, glaring at David.

David looked a little pissed off. "I was afraid of that." Mercedes went over to Sam side and whispered in his ear; her lips quivered with the speed of her silent speech. They flew up the stairs together. It must have been hard for him to be around us.

Quinn watched them, and then moved quickly to Puck. Her beautiful eyes were intense and — when they flickered unwillingly to Rachel's face — furious.

"What will Jesse do?" Will asked David in chilling tones.

"I'm sorry," David answered. "I was afraid, when Blaine defended them, that it would set him off."

"Can you stop him?"

David shook his head. "Nothing stops Jesse when he gets started."

"We'll stop him," Puck promised. There was no doubt what he meant.

David snorted. "Your courage is amusing. I've never seen anyone win against Jesse. That's why I joined his coven."

He was shaking his head as he glanced at me and Rachel, perplexed, and back to Will. "Are you sure it's worth it?" Blaine took offense to this and made such a loud noise that David cringed.

Will looked gravely at David. "I'm afraid you're going to have to make a choice." David understood. He deliberated for a moment. His eyes took in every face, and finally swept the bright room.

"I'm intrigued by the life you've created here. But I won't get in the middle of this. I bear none of you any enmity, but I won't go up against Jesse. I think I will head north — to that Dalton clan." He hesitated. "Don't underestimate Jesse. He's unstoppable at what he does. He's every bit as comfortable in the human world as you seem to be, and he won't come at you head on… I'm sorry for what's been unleashed here. Truly sorry."

He bowed his head, but I saw him flicker another puzzled look at both Rachel and me.

"Go in peace," was Will's formal answer.

David took another long look around himself, and then he hurried out the door.

The silence lasted less than a second.

"How close?" Will looked at Blaine.

Emma was already moving; a gloved hand touched an inconspicuous keypad on the wall, and with a groan, huge metal shutters began sealing up the glass wall. I gaped.

"About three miles out past the river; he's circling around to meet up with Sebastian."

"What's the plan?"

"We'll lead Jesse off, and then Sam and Mercedes will run Sebastian south."

"And then?"

Blaine's tone was deadly. "As soon as Kurt and Rachel are clear, we hunt him."

"I guess there's no other choice," Will agreed, his face grim.

Blaine turned to Quinn.

"Get Rachel upstairs and trade clothes," Blaine commanded. She stared back at him with livid disbelief.

"Why should I?" she hissed. "What is she to me? Nothing but a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us." I flinched back from the venom in her voice.

"Lucy…" Puck murmured, putting one hand on her shoulder. She shook it off.

"Don't call me that!" she snapped.

I was watching Blaine carefully, knowing his temper, worried about his reaction but he surprised me. He looked away from Quinn as if she hadn't spoken, as if she didn't exist.

"Emma?" he asked calmly.

"Of course," Emma murmured. "Come on Rachel."

As soon as they returned, Blaine and Puck were ready to leave. Puck was carrying a heavy-looking backpack over his shoulder. Will was handing something small to Emma.

He turned and handed Mercedes the same thing — it was a tiny silver cell phone.

"Emma and Quinn will be taking your truck, Kurt," he told me as he passed. I nodded, glancing warily at Quinn. She was glowering at Will with a resentful expression.

"Mercedes, Sam — take Rachel, Kurt, and the Benz. You'll need the dark tint in the south." They nodded as well.

"We're taking the Jeep." I was surprised to see that Will intended to go with Blaine. I realized suddenly, with a stab of fear that they made up the hunting party.

"Mercedes," Will asked, "will they take the bait?"Everyone watched Mercedes as she closed her eyes and became incredibly still.

Finally her eyes opened. "He'll track you. Sebastian will follow the truck. We should be able to leave after that." Her voice was certain.

"Let's go." Will began to walk toward the kitchen.

But Blaine was at my side at once. He held onto me tightly as if this was the last time he would ever see me again. He seemed unaware of his watching family as he pulled my face to his, kissing me intensely, my body between the car behind me and his chest. For the shortest second, his lips were icy and hard against mine but then everything about the kiss felt smooth and natural. Then it was over. He was still holding my face, his beautiful eyes burning into mine. And then he was gone.

The silent moment dragged on, and then Emma's phone vibrated in her hand.

It flashed to her ear.

"Now," she said. Quinn stalked out the front door without another glance in my direction, but Emma touched my cheek as she passed.

"Be safe." Her whisper lingered behind them as they slipped out the door.

I heard my truck start thunderously, and then fade away.

Sam and Mercedes waited; Mercedes' arms linked with Rachel's. It was probably a psychic thing but Mercedes' phone seemed to be at her ear before it buzzed.

"Blaine says Sebastian is on Emma's trail. I'll get the car." She vanished into the shadows the way Blaine had gone.

Sam and Rachel looked at each other. He was still standing his distance from her.

"You're wrong, you know," he said quietly to her.

"What?" she asked, choking out a small voice as her throat had dried up from crying.

"I can feel what you're feeling now — and you are worth it. You and Kurt."

"Of course Kurt is. But I'm not," she mumbled. "The world doesn't know who I am. My name's not lit up in stars just yet. Half of Forks hates me. I won't really be missed. Especially not after what I said to my dads."

"You're wrong," he repeated, smiling kindly at her. "And Finn will forgive you too."

"Stop that," Rachel said weakly.

"Stop what ma'am?"

"Reading my mind."

"Wrong Cullen. That's Blaine's gift, not mine. "

"You are most unusual, Sam Hale. But you're good to Mercedes so I'll allow you that."

"Well," he said then, "I'm so glad I have your approval."

For the first time since Jesse, I saw Rachel smile. I would have sworn Sam was being sarcastic and when he turned and winked at me, I knew he had been. He raised a finger to his lips as if to say it was only between the two of us. Well, whatever made Rachel feel better, I suppose.

I heard nothing, but then Mercedes stepped through the front door and came toward me with her arms held out.

"Kurt?" she asked.

I nodded.

She lifted me as easily as Puck had shielded me protectively, and then we flew out the door, leaving the Cullen's house behind us.