A/N: Thank you for the reviews.. the last 2 chapters should be up by Friday! :)

Chapter 25: Home

Burt Hummel was sat on the recliner armchair in his living room watching football. Kurt and Finn were due home tomorrow and to say he was glad was an understatement. The house had been too quiet without them. Carole came into the room and took the remote off Burt, switching it to the news channel.

"Not the news, it's always the same old rubbish they're talking bout." Burt grumbled, reaching out to try and get the remote back.

"No shush, wait a minute" Carole said, pointing to the screen. "It's Kurt and Finn's school."

Burt looked up at the TV "Breaking news: Earlier today four students from William McKinley high were found on the side of a road by Shawnee State forest. They are survivors of a serial killer attack that took place during a school trip. One is in a critical condition."

Burt looked over at Carole who was shaking. Her eyes never left the TV screen. She kept mumbling the same two words over and over again in between sobs. "My boys."

"We are now joined by one of the surviving teenagers, Rachel Berry. Rachel, can you explain to us what happened and how you are feeling?" Tears were streaming down her usually chirpy face and Burt really didn't understand why they would ask the poor girl questions while she was in such a state. "I'm devastated" she stammered. "I'm scared and I'm upset. It just seems so unreal. Just last week we were all rehearsing together in the choir room and now they're all gone."

Carole had begun to cry and Burt got up from his armchair to sit with her. "Why has this happened Burt? Oh god, they're so young."

"News just in: Brittany Pierce has been confirmed as the murderer, killing a total of eleven people before reportedly killing herself. Another student allegedly took their own life during the attacks."

"Brittany? She was so sweet. The few times I met her it was like she wouldn't hurt a fly." Burt commented, eyes still transfixed on the screen.

"More breaking news: we now have the names of the victims of this attack." Photos and names started flashing up on the screen. "Artie Abrams, Michael Chang."

Carole let out a loud sob as a picture of the tall, Asian dancer appeared on the screen. She had known him since he was about six and he along with Matt and Puck were always round her house.

"Tina Cohen Chang, Quinn Fabray" She sobbed again as Finn's ex girlfriend's photo appeared.

"Finn Hudson"

As the picture of Finn showed on the screen Carole closed her eyes and began shouting "No, no, no, not Finn. Not my Finn. They've made a mistake Burt. It's not my Finn"

Burt pulled her towards him and tried to comfort her. He wanted to support Carole but Kurt hadn't come up yet so he needed to see if his son was alive. He let out a stifled tear, as he tried to stay strong for Kurt and for Carole.

"Mercedes Jones, Emma Pillsbury" Kurt's best friend came up onto the screen. Burt let out another silent tear for Mercedes. He had grown very fond of her during her visits to the Hummel's.

"Matthew Rutherford and William Schuester." The news reporter then continued by saying "There were three more victims that have yet to be identified. Noah Puckerman is currently in Lima Hospital being treated for severe gun wounds and neck injuries. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends."

Carole stood up and, wordlessly walked over to the staircase. Burt didn't go with her; he understood she needed to be alone. He needed to be alone too, but more than anything he needed to hear about Kurt. It tore him in pieces not knowing if his son was dead or alive.

Carole walked into Finn's room and shut the door behind her. On the desk was a photograph of Finn, Matt, Mike and Puck all happy, smiling and laughing. She picked it up and held it close to her heart. Then she lay down on her son's bed and began sobbing.

Burt still sat with his eyes glued to the TV. They hadn't said Kurt's name, did that mean he was one of the unknown victims or did that make him a survivor? The screen once again showed the view of the outside of McKinley High where a reporter stood with another survivor, a young Latina girl Burt vaguely recognized. "I am joined now by Santana Lopez. Santana what can you tell us about what happened?" Santana stared at the reporter with a blank expression. "I really don't want to talk about this. If you don't mind I'd really like to be left alone, I've been through a lot, we all have." She then turned and walked away from the reporter and walked over to a bench where someone else was sitting.

The camera zoomed in on the pair as they sat huddled together and Burt was now able to recognize the boy. It was Kurt. As the camera got closer to them Burt could just about make out what Kurt was saying "I just want to go home. I want to go home to my dad."

Burt ran out to his car and jumped in, not even remembering to do up his seatbelt before heading off towards the school. He broke the speed limit by about fifteen mph but he didn't care. He just needed to get to his son. He pulled into the school car park and rushed around looking for Kurt. The second Kurt saw him he ran over to him, tears streaming down his unusually pale face. "Dad" he cried burying his head into Burt's chest.

Burt was elated. He had never been happier to see his son but he had also never felt sadder. A fierce pang of guilt shot through his heart as he thought of Carol crying over a photograph of her son. Her son who she would never see again. A part of Burt had died as he heard Finn's name called out on the news. It still didn't seem real that he was dead. It was unnatural for him to die so young. It wasn't fair.

Burt and Kurt lost track of time standing there outside Mckinley High. They just stared at each other gratefully. They hugged each other like they would never let go. No need for words. It was as though they hadn't seen each other for fifty years. That's what it felt like. Burt squeezed his son and vowed never to let him get in any harm ever again. He would always be there, and he always would protect him.

"It's alright son. I'm here now, it's alright."

A/N: In case you didn't work it out the 3 "yet to be identified victims" were Sam the bus driver and Tim and Sophie, the house keepers. (i wanted them to be unknown so that Burt was unsure about Kurt for a bit longer) and also another point Brittany did NOT kill herself (Kurt and Rachel said she did to protect Santana) i know that wasn't very clear x