Chapter 12:

Dave watched as Kurt jumped out of his car, slamming the door shut behind him. He'd offered to accompany Kurt into the hospital, for moral support, but Kurt had refused. He needed to do this on his own. Dave sighed, dreading going back to his house alone. Without Kurt, the place was dark and lonely. No use getting comfortable living with him. His father'll be fine, he'll go back home. Dave tried not to think about the fact that this might be a fluke, that Kurt would forget about the stupid, chubby boy who was too chicken to hold his hand in the hallways.

"I need to see my father" Kurt said to the woman behind the desk. "Burt Hummel."

Trent perked up at the familiar voice. He jumped up from where he was sitting in the waiting room and ran off to find Blaine and Coach Sylvester.

The receptionist checked Kurt's ID, and a nurse lead him to his father's room. Burt lay still, breathing, in a large bed surrounded by beeping machines.

"Kurt?" Burt whispered, reaching a hand out. Kurt grasped his father's hand, never wanting to let go.

"It's all right, Dad. I'm here."

"I was wondering when I'd see you, kid." Burt smiled weakly.

"I missed you so much!" Kurt cried out, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Father and son embraced, Burt patting his son's back.

"How are things at the Karofsky's? Dave giving you any trouble?" Burt asked.

Kurt smiled, blushing, and shook his head. "No. He's different now, Dad. He's...changed somehow."

There was a knock at the door. Both Hummels turned around to find Brittany, smiling and holding a toy dog. "Hi Kurt! Hi Mr. Hummel!" she said enthusiastically.

"Oh, what a nice surprise!" Kurt laughed.

"Hey there, Brittany" said Burt. Brittany offered him the toy dog, which he accepted with a chuckle.

"Kurt, how'd things go with Dave last night? Do you like him?" Brittany asked.

Burt looked at his son questioningly, and Kurt stammered, "Well, yes, I do, Britt, but, um-"

Another knock sounded on the open door, and in walked Sue Sylvester, with Blaine and Trent in tow.

"Coach?" Kurt said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"We've come to get you, Porcelain" she replied.

"Get me?" Kurt was confused. He eyed the two Warblers warily.

"Don't worry. They'll take good care of you at Dalton." Sue smiled.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Kurt protested. "I'm just fine with the Karofskys."

"That boy is a terrible bully! We all know that!" Trent piped up, looking to Blaine for approval.

Kurt shook his head. "I'm not going."

"Kurt?" Burt asked from his bed. "What's going on?"

"Ah, Mr. Hummel!" Trent approached the bed. "You know that Karofsky boy has been terrorizing Kurt for months!"

Burt bit his lip. "Well, yes, I was aware of a bullying problem...but Paul Karofsky's a good friend of mine...he'd never let his son hurt Kurt..."

Trent scoffed. Burt narrowed his eyes at the boy. "Got a problem with that, son?"

Blaine and Trent both placed hands on Kurt's shoulders. "Poor Kurt. It's a shame you had to put up with such a bully." Blaine said, steering him towards the door.

"He's not a bully anymore, Blaine" Kurt countered.

Blaine smirked. "I might be able to clear up this...little misunderstanding. If..."

"If what?" Kurt asked.

"If you'd go out with me." Blaine leered at the boy.

"What?" Kurt pushed him away.

"One little word, Kurt. That's all it takes."

"Never!" Kurt exclaimed, jumping out of Blaine's grasp.

"Have it your way!"

Kurt turned back to his dad. "Look, all of you, Dave has changed. I can prove it." He pulled out his iPhone and called Dave on FaceTime.

"Hey, Kurt." Dave's voice seemed strained, his eyes red.

"Hi, Dave. Are you all right?"

"Fine. What'd you want?"

Kurt was taken aback. "I..."

"Look, I'm...busy. Later." Dave hung up.

Kurt looked up at the incredulous faces around him.

"He still looks angry to me" Blaine commented.

"No! No, he'd never hurt me, Blaine. I know he seemed...upset, but he's so kind and gentle. He's...my friend." Kurt sighed.

Blaine frowned. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had feelings for this monster!"

"He's no monster, Blaine! You are!" Kurt yelled, his face red.

"You're crazy! Karofsky's a psycho! He's just waiting to get you alone!" Blaine shot back.

"No!" Kurt cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"You're not safe till that Neanderthal's been taught a lesson!" Blaine grabbed Trent's arm and stalked out of the room. Kurt followed, enraged.

"No! I won't let you hurt him!" he cried.

"If you're not with us, you're against us!" Blaine grabbed Kurt's shoulders, and Trent grabbed Brittany, who had followed them into the hallway. With a quick glance around, the Warblers threw the two gleeks into the supply closet.

"Can't have them running off to warn that creature!" said Blaine.

"Let us out!" Kurt screamed, pounding on the door. It was no use, Blaine had locked it somehow. He could hear faint voices outside.

"Where's Porcelain?" Sue asked.

"Oh, Kurt...he left" said Blaine. "Anyhow, it seems he remains unconvinced. Thanks for your help, Miss Sylvester. We've got Warblers practice to get to. Come, Trent."