Summary: Rachel and Kurt talk a few days after Kurt is released from the hospital.

Warnings: Talk of assault, talk of Finn

Rachel sits on the fire escape, looking up at the stars. After a while, she hears the sounds of someone climbing out of the window to join her.

Kurt sits next to her and drapes a blanket around her shoulders. "It's so peaceful out here," he says as he sits down next to her, gently putting an arm around her waist.

Rachel snuggles up to Kurt's side. "I come out here to think sometimes."

"I know."

They sit in a companionable silence for a few moments.

"Finn's somewhere up there. I don't know where, I never could find him. But he's up there."

Kurt nods. "The star he bought you." Kurt chuckles at the memory of Finn, smiling widely as he explained to the family what he bought Rachel for Christmas. "He was so proud of that gift. It really was a great gift. Very romantic. I didn't think he had it in him."

Rachel smiles softly. "He was very sweet when he didn't try so hard." She looks back up to the stars. "He didn't know it at the time—none of us did—but that star has given me so much comfort over the last few months. Whenever I miss him too much I come out here and it just feels like he's here with me."

Kurt takes Rachel's free hand in his and squeezes. "He is here with you. Always. And he will be with you forever. He loved you so damn much Rachel."

Rachel smiles again. "I know." She looks down at their joined hands. "But when bad things happen, Kurt, it's hard to think he's watching over me and letting it happen." She sniffles.

"What bad things?"

"You getting attacked, all the drama with Santana, sometimes just little inconveniences. It makes me wonder if he really is up there watching over us."

"Well, I can't speak to the little things or the Santana thing, but me getting attacked had nothing to do with Finn not watching over me."

"But if he had been watching none of that would've happened. You wouldn't have cuts and bruises all over right now."

Kurt squeezes Rachel's hand again. "Look at me, Rach." He waits until she glances at his face to start talking. "What happened to me wasn't a random attack. I ran into that alley. I had to. I couldn't sit idly by and let those assholes kill that boy. And do you wanna know something?" Rachel nods slightly. "I felt Finn there. He was there, right behind me, before I ran into that alley. 'Go protect that boy, little brother,' he said. 'Go protect him like I tried to protect you. I've got your back, little brother.' I knew that nothing really bad was gonna happen because he was there with me. He did protect me, Rachel." Rachel starts crying in earnest. "If he hadn't been there it could've been hours until someone found me in that alley. But he got someone to go find me and he got me the help I needed quickly."

Rachel throws her arms around Kurt. "I'm just so glad you're okay! I couldn't imagine losing you, Kurt! You're my best friend!" She sobs.

Kurt hugs Rachel and gently rocks them back and forth while Rachel cries. He looks up to the night sky. Thank you, big brother. I'll take care of Rachel for you.