A/N: Here is the next chapter! Just to let you know, though, I'm not sure when chapter four will be up. I'm going to be busy with real life stuff for a while, and I still have to finish writing it. Hopefully it won't be too long of a wait, though.

A/N2: A great big thanks to Emberwillow14 for being an awesome beta!

Chapter Three

Kurt didn't sleep at all that night. Once his father had finally gotten home (it was past midnight!) and Blaine had to go to bed, he had stayed locked in his bathroom, huddled on the cold tile floor. He didn't want to admit it out loud, but he was scared.

Forget scared; he was terrified.

He really had hoped that everything would be fine after Karofsky got expelled. He wanted everything to go back to normal. He didn't want this overwhelming terror that would course through his body every time he woke up in tears after the nightmares every night. He didn't want to have the nightmares at all. He didn't want to have to continuously look over his shoulder in fear that his tormentor would be there, watching him.

He just wanted everything to god back to normal. Was that really too much to ask for?

When his wake up alarm on his cell phone finally went off, Kurt slowly and stiffly climbed to his feet and sluggishly went through the motions of his morning care routine.

The terror from the night before still was radiating throughout his whole body.

His father was already in the kitchen when Kurt finally emerged from his basement bedroom. Burt was reading the morning newspaper while sitting at the table, a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of him.

"I didn't expect to see you this morning considering how late it was when you got home last night." Kurt poured himself a cup of the strong smelling coffee. He didn't indulge in drinking it all that often (it was horribly bad for you), but he figured he could use the caffeine boost this morning.

"I didn't know you were still awake when I got home." Burt watched in concern as his son practically chugged down the scalding black coffee. "Are you okay?"

Kurt frowned deeply and tightened his grip on the coffee cup to discourage himself from hurling it at his father's head. Burt must have noticed this, because he chuckled awkwardly.

"I just meant, why are you so tired? Did you even sleep at all last night?"

Kurt sighed softly and gently placed his mug down on the spotless counter. He really didn't want to explain about the phone call from Karofsky last night, but he knew it would most likely be for the best. Probably. If it didn't cause his father to have another heart attack, which it probably would. Possibly. Hopefully not.

"Kurt?" Burt called out softly when he noticed his son's reluctance to answer the question.

"He called here last night." Kurt winced noticeably at how small and scared his voice sounded. He really should be stronger than this.

"Who?" Burt's eyes narrowed dangerously when Kurt didn't immediately answer. "Who called, Kurt?"

"Karofsky." When the reply finally came, it came out as barely a whisper.

"WHAT?" Burt snarled furiously, slamming his paper down causing the kitchen table to shake."That- that- kid who assaulted you actually had the nerve to even think about calling you?"

"Dad, please calm down!" Kurt whispered fearfully, worriedly, watching his father's face slowly start to turn beet red in anger. "Think about your heart!"

Burt looked into his son's worried and frightened face and took a deep breath to try and calm himself. He really didn't need to freak Kurt out any more than the kid obviously already was. "What did he say to you?"

Kurt shook his head wordlessly, wrapping his lithe arms tightly around his torso. He could still hear the growled, vulgar words; and he really did not want to repeat them. Not to his father.

Not to anyone. Ever.

Burt's frowned deepened as he watched Kurt's face close off. "Kurt," he said slowly, "what did he say to you?"

"I refuse to repeat those words," Kurt muttered stubbornly, once again shaking his head.

"Kurt-"

"How was your date with Carole?" Kurt cut his father off swiftly, desperately wanting, needing, to change the subject.

Burt sighed in defeat. He knew very well that he wouldn't be able to get Kurt to say anything now; not when the boy was being so defensive. "It was great. We went out to some fancy restaurant for supper, then went to go see that new action flick that just came out. After that we went to get some coffee at this great little twenty four hour diner and talked." He paused in thought for a moment before hesitantly continuing. "I know I said that Blaine could come to the Friday Night dinner tonight, but is it possible to switch that to next week instead?"

"Why? Is something wrong?" Kurt's mind automatically jumped to the worst case scenario.

"Oh, no," Burt hurriedly replied to ease his son's mind. "Nothing's wrong. It's just that Carole and I would like to discuss something with you and Finn, and it's kind of just a family type thing."

Kurt frowned slightly. He had been looking forward to seeing his boyfriend tonight after the horrible nights he's been having. But if it was important enough to his father to ask, he knew that he would agree.

"I guess so. I'll have to call him at lunch to let him know, though."

"You do that." Burt glanced discretely at the clock. "Do you think you're actually up for going to school today?"

Kurt scowled. "Of course I'm going to school. Why wouldn't I?"

Burt sighed once again, this time in frustration. "You didn't sleep last night. You barely sleep most nights. Even I can see that you're exhausted under all that goop on your face. I don't think it's even safe for you to drive to school; not to mention being able to concentrate when you're actually at school!"

"I have to go to school." Kurt was adamant. "Dad, I know you're worried by my lack of sleep, but . . . I'm not going to be able to fall asleep just because I stay home from school. Besides, I just want everything to go back to the way it was before. I can't just hide out in my bedroom all the time because I'm scared!"

"Kurt-"

"I have to get going or else I'll be late for school." Kurt turned to walk out of the kitchen, but Burt grabbed his wrist lightly.

"Give me five minutes to get dressed, and I'll drive you."

"Dad-"

Burt cut off his son with a stubborn stare. "I do not want you driving when you're this tired. Give me five minutes, then we'll go."

Kurt pouted childishly, but relented. He knew that there would be no way his father would let him drive.

The problem with having Burt drive him to school was that Kurt didn't have a way to get home afterwards. It seemed that every one of his friends had some kind of after school plans that didn't allow them to give him a ride. Mercedes and Quinn had left already for some kind of girl's night out. Puck was driving Finn and Rachel somewhere so there was no room for him in the mohawked teen's truck. Brittany and Santana were making out in the janitor's closet; only an idiot would actually be stupid enough to disturb them. Tina and Mike were planning on walking home. Artie had some kind of Halo marathon or something he absolutely had to get home right now for. And Sam hadn't even been in school for the entire day.

To top it off, Kurt was pretty sure his dad had gone to Carole's after dropping him off at school, because there was no answer at home, and the guys at the shop had said that he hadn't been in all day.

Kurt sighed deeply. It was times like these (or all the time) that he wished his boyfriend lived closer. He had no doubts that if he called right now, even after cancelling their date for tonight, Blaine would drive the two hours from Westerville just to drive him home. A small smile graced his lips at the thought of Blaine. The older boy had been so completely understanding when Kurt had called at lunch to cancel the "Officially Meet the Father and the Father's Girlfriend, with Appearances by the Girlfriend's Son and his Girlfriend" dinner (so-called by Blaine). In fact, Blaine had suggested that they could go out tomorrow afternoon on an actual first date.

Kurt was ecstatic. Of course he had said yes.

His mind snapped back to his current predicament. He still needed a way to get home, and it was starting to look like the only option was walking. Alone. All the way home.

Kurt really didn't want to do that. Not after the note; not after that phone call last night.

He took a deep, calming breath and started the long trek home. Much to his surprise, and immense relief, nothing happened. He still wasn't entirely sure what he was expecting to happen, but he was glad that he got home without incident.

Kurt went down to his huge closet to pick out an outfit for dinner that night.

Just as Kurt was finished getting ready and debating whether or not he would get in trouble for driving to Breadstix, Burt pulled up in his truck.

"Sorry I didn't pick you up from school, kiddo," he said in apology as Kurt slid into the front seat. "I kinda lost track of time."

"It's fine." Kurt forced a smile onto his lips, trying to make his father feel less guilty. "Blaine asked me out tomorrow afternoon. You know, like an official first date? I just wanted to make sure you didn't need me."

Burt frowned thoughtfully. "First date, huh? What are you planning on doing?"

"We're going out for coffee, then probably to a movie."

"A movie? For a first date? I don't know, Kurt. Sitting alone in a dark theatre with a boy. Teenage boys tend to let their hands wander during a movie. I don't think I trust him enough not to try anything funny."

"Oh. My. God. Dad!" Kurt covered his face with his hands to hide his embarrassment. "Blaine is a gentleman! And he knows about the . . . the situation with Karofsky; he wouldn't try anything!"

Burt chuckled softly and reached over to ruffle his son's hair. "I know, Kurt. I'm only teasing you. I'm surprised that I managed to get through it all without turning beet red like you did. Have fun on your date. Although, I'm pretty sure that you guys have already had your first date."

"Blaine and I have never been on a date." Kurt glared at Burt as he tried to fix his damaged hair. "Anytime we went out before, it was as friends. Now that we are actually dating, this will be our first date."

"Whatever you say, kiddo." Burt chuckled again as he pulled into the parking lot of Breadstix.

Carole and Finn were already there waiting for the Hummel men. They all placed their orders, and then fell into silence.

"So what did you need to discuss?" Kurt asked cautiously after they had received their drinks.

Burt and Carole shared a small smile.

"Well," Carole started slowly, "you boys know Burt and I have been seeing each other for a while now, and you two seem to be getting along better than last year . . ."

Kurt wanted to roll his eyes, but refrained. He was still pissed off at Finn for a great number of things.

"And ever since my heart attack I've been thinking a lot about my life," Burt continued, grasping affectionately at Carole's hand, "and about how I feel about us. So last night at dinner I-"

"He proposed!" Carole interrupted excitedly.

"Wait, what?" Finn frowned in confusion, staring at how happy his mother was.

"Oh my god!" Kurt would deny later that he squealed, but right now he was too happy for his father and Carole to care. "Oh, can I help plan the wedding? I have so many ideas . . ."

"Of course you can, dear," Carole smiled at Kurt before turning her gaze to her own son. "What do you think Finn?"

"You're really getting married?" Finn didn't exactly sound happy. He glanced around at every face at the table before continuing cautiously. "But that means moving in again, right?"

Kurt heard the unspoken "I don't want to share a room with him again" in Finn's question, and it hurt like a punch to the face. Finn still didn't trust him, after all that had happened? He still was disgusted by the mere thought of sharing a room?

Burt must have heard it too, because he leaned forward to look Finn straight in the eye. "I get that you don't feel comfortable sharing a room with Kurt-"

"It's not that," Finn interrupted quickly, an embarrassed flush spreading across his face. "I just-"

Burt held up a hand to silence the tall teen. "We don't want a repeat of what happened last year. So we've decided that it would be best to clear out the spare bedroom for you to use until we can get that addition built. How does that sound?"

Finn just nodded and let out a tiny relieved sigh.

Kurt, on the other hand, stared at his father in shock. All of his mother's things were in the spare room; that's why Finn couldn't use it last time.

Her dresser was in there.

"Where . . . where are you going to put all . . . everything that's in there?" Kurt asked slowly, trying not to sound as though he were bothered by it. He failed spectacularly, and everyone noticed.

"We never use any of that anymore, Kurt," Burt said slowly. "It's probably time we got rid of it."

"Got rid of it? You mean, like throw it out?" Kurt finally understood why Finn had been so upset when their parents started dating. To hear that his own father was going to throw out everything of his mother's felt like a stab to the heart.

Burt sighed. This was supposed to be a happy announcement. "Come on Kurt, she's been gone for years. Don't you think it's time to move on?"

Kurt knew he was being irrational and selfish. Carole had sold/thrown out a lot of the furniture from her first marriage, and Finn had learned to accept it. He could accept it too. He could. Really.

"Dude, it's okay to be upset," Finn whispered softly to him, placing a hesitant hand on his shoulder. "I mean, it's your mom's stuff. It's kinda like, I dunno, having a piece of her around."

Everyone shot a surprised look at the tall teen.

"That was very insightful, Finn," Kurt whispered. "Thank you."

"How about this, then?" Carole said after a brief silence. "We'll put your mother's stuff in the attic while Finn uses the room, and then when the addition is done we'll decide what to do with it all."

"Good idea!" Burt clapped his hands together. "It's settled, then. This weekend, we'll clean out the room, and next weekend you guys can move in!"

Thankfully, their food was brought out then, so everyone was glad to change the topic back to the wedding.

Kurt couldn't help the feeling of heartbreak that engulfed him at the thought of losing what was left of his mother, though.