A/N I know the last chapter was a little short, but I didn't want the events to get lost in this chapter, which is probably going to be pretty long. WARNING CHEESYNESS AHEAD! And some Angst. And a dash of sugar.

Okay, seriously though, Trigger Warning, as Kurt goes into a little more detail about the attack. Proceed with caution.

I really can't express my gratitude to the response this story has gotten. I'm not sure how much more there is to write. I have an idea of how it's going to end, but not how many more chapters it will take to get there.

As always, reviews make me happy, even if you are hating on me for putting our favorite Ohio boys through hell.

Courage

Monday morning arrived in a flash of lightning and rumble of thunder. Kurt sat at the breakfast table chewing his toast carefully and sipping at his cup of tea. He usually would have had more for breakfast, some fruit and yogurt at least, but he was nervous and didn't want to risk putting too much food in his stomach.

"You don't have to go in today, you know." His Dad said softly, still worried about his boy. "You can take a few more days off if you want. Finn can bring you your assignments."

"Yeah, dude, I don't mind."

"Don't call me dude. I'll be fine. I promise, if even the smallest thing happens, I'll call you to come get me, Dad."

"Okay, kiddo, okay. I know I can't keep you locked in a tower for the rest of your life, no matter how much I want to protect you."

"I love you, Dad. They may call me Porcelain, but I won't break."

"We better get going, or we're going to be late for first period." Finn stuffed another sausage link in his mouth as he stood. Kurt leaned over and hugged his Dad and kissed his cheek.

They gathered up their bags and rain coats and umbrellas and dashed out to Finn's truck. As they drove, the taller boy talked about everything that had been going on in Glee Club the past week.

"Oh, by the way, Santana switched lockers with you. She and Brittany moved everything for you, made sure that everything was placed in the new locker just the way it had been in the old."

"Santana did that?"

"Yeah, she thought maybe it would help out if you didn't have to go down that hallway as often."

Kurt sat in silence for a while, holding back the tears. Santana, of all people, had understood his biggest fear of returning to McKinley. He knew he would still have to face that space again, his English Lit class was at one end of it. But now he wouldn't have to face it first thing on coming back. Kurt would have to find some way of thanking the Latina.

They pulled into the parking lot, and Kurt just sat there, staring at the building for several heartbeats. He could do this. His phone chimed with an incoming text.

Courage. -B

Kurt smiled at the single word. His boyfriend must have gotten his schedule from someone, and had timed the message just perfectly. He slid the phone back into his bag, and reached for the door handle.

He was used to people whispering about him in the halls. The not so subtle glances in his direction. In that regard nothing had changed. Only the words murmured about him had. Instead whispering about the gay kid who had been bullied, now their hushed conversations where about the boy who had been raped.

It didn't matter that technically he was still a virgin. Sexual assault was sexual assault, no matter the form it took. Kurt had managed to block out the voices through his first two classes, but now came the moment he had been dreading. English Lit. Which meant he had to walk down That Hallway.

"Are you're sure you're ok, Kurt?" Artie, who shared the same class as him, asked as he sat in his wheelchair beside him. Kurt had stopped walking as he had entered the familiar stretch of paint chipped walls and crimson lockers.

Kurt's stomach had begun to churn and bile rose in his throat, but he fought it down. "Let's go." His voice cracked, but Artie smiled and pretended not to notice as they began to move at a rapid pace.

As they approached that section of lockers, Kurt's steps faltered.

"Grab on to my chair and close your eyes." The nerdy baritone said. "I'll get you there safe."

A brief struggle took place in Kurt's mind. He didn't want to be needy and cling to someone else for protection, but he didn't think he had the strength yet to move on his own. He smiled gratefully at his friend and did as he suggested.

He allowed the other boy to guide him through the crowd, past the place of his worst nightmare. Once they reached the door, Artie reached back and took his hand. "We're here."

Kurt nodded, and moved to take his seat, still shaking. His face was paler than usual, and a cold sweat chilled his face and back, but he hadn't vomited, hadn't completely freaked out. He could do this.

Courage.

He would have to face that hall once more to get to lunch after this class, but for the moment, it was a small victory.

As he and the bespectacled boy headed back down that hallway, once more with Artie guiding him again, he realized the other boy was leading him away from the cafeteria. "Where are we going?"

"It's surprise."

It wasn't hard to figure out after a minute that they were going to the auditorium. He found all of New Directions waiting for them. As they entered, Puck and Finn helped carry Artie's chair on stage.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked.

"Well, we thought you could use a little break, so we decided we'd all eat lunch in here together, so you didn't have to put up with the staring and whispers in the cafeteria or courtyard." Tina smiled as she drew him up on stage. "And we have something for you."

Quinn smiled and took his other hand. "Last year you were there when I needed a friend. Now it's time for us to repay the favor. So sit down and listen."

Music began to play from Rachel's iPod. Santana's sultry voice lead into the song.

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.

Brittany joined her for the next line.

Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest nights.

Mercedes, Tina and Rachel took the chorus

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend.

Finn and Sam started in on the next verse.

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,

Mike and Puck came in with the next line.
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.

Artie's voice came in next with Quinn.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.

Rachel sang the next line, with the other girls all bringing in an added harmony.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.

Mercedes took over the lead for the final chorus, with the others blending their voices in an echo.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.

Kurt smiled at his friends, tears sliding down his face as they all fell around him in a massive group hug. "Thank you all. You don't know how much this means to me. You all are the greatest friends ever."

They laughed and started settling down to their lunches when Kurt's phone chimed another text alert.

Did you get the present I sent you? -B

Kurt looked confused for a moment, but just then Quinn and Tina pulled a box from behind the curtain and handed it to him. "Blaine said to give you these after lunch," Tina grinned.

There was a note attached. "Something sweet for you to share with your friends."

Kurt opened the box to find two dozen chocolate covered strawberries. He laughed and showed the others before texting his boyfriend back.

Delicious -K

He was exhausted when Mercedes dropped him of at home since Finn had football practice that afternoon, but his spirits were high. He'd made it through his first day back without any major panic attacks or other issues. He could handle the stares and the whispers.

As he made his way through the hall to the stairs, he was surprised to hear his Dad call out to him. "Kurt, can you come in here for a minute, there are some people who'd like to talk to you."

He walked into the living room, curious. There were three people in the living room with Burt. One was a woman who was about three inches taller than Kurt, and wearing a navy blue dress suit that was tailored perfectly for her. Her red hair was swept up into a classic french twist. Next to her was a tall blond man in an ill fitting brown suit that had a badge clipped to his belt. The other man also had a badge on his belt. He was about the same height as Kurt, maybe a smidgen taller, with black hair that was graying around the temples. His suit was blue.

"Hello, Kurt?" The woman spoke. "I'm Angela McBride, I'm an attorney with the State Prosecutors office. I've been assigned to your case. These gentlemen are from the Lima PD. Detectives Williams and Madison would like to ask you a few questions about what happened that night."

Kurt felt a cold chill on his back, but nodded. He sat on the couch with his dad on one side of him, and Ms. McBride on the other side. The taller detective sat in the recliner Burt usually sat in, while the shorter man took the rocking chair near the TV.

The blond officer, Detective Williamson, spoke first. "I know you gave a partial written statement last week, but we need more information so that when we go to court, the accused doesn't get off on some technicality."

Kurt nodded, though his heart was beginning to race. "Okay."

The other detective opened his small notebook and began taking notes. "Why don't you start from the beginning. We've talked to some of the other kids at your school, and they told us that this has been an ongoing issue."

Kurt was nervous. He still hadn't told his Dad everything that had happened, but he knew he had do this. "Um, can I get some tea before I start? My throat is hurting."

The Detective nodded, and Kurt stood. "The water is already hot. I figured you'd want something to drink when you got home." Burt told him. Kurt nodded his gratitude and went into the kitchen to get his drink, as well as to let his nerves settle for a moment.

He returned a few minutes later with a tray that had a large tea pot and several cups, along with sugar, honey, lemon, and cream, as well as a plate of lemon cookies. He set it on the coffee table and fixed his cup. Burt helped himself to tea and a cookie. The others helped themselves.

Kurt took a couple of sips from his cup, then set it on the table before he started talking.

"The teasing has been going on for years, pretty much nonstop since my Mother died. It was mean, but it wasn't so bad. I mostly just ignored it. It got worse when I started high school, but only because they'd learn knew words to taunt me with. Fag, homo, things like that. Things didn't start getting physical until last year. Dumpster tosses, slushie facials. Everyone in Glee Club got picked on, though.

After a while, most of the ones taunting me lost interest. The only ones who still picked on me were Karofsky and Azimio, and a couple others. Things really started escalating near the end of the year. That's when they started deliberately bumping into me in the hallways, knocking books from my hands, things like that. They threatened to beat me up often.

That was when my friends in Glee Club realized that the worst of the bullying was focused on me. They began trying to run interference for me, and stood up to them, but they'd just wait till I was alone, and things would be worse. When school started again in September, things really got bad. That was when the shoving started. I'd get slammed into lockers three or four times a day."

Kurt paused and drank some more of his tea. He was getting to the parts he hadn't told his Father about. He glanced over at the bear of a man sitting beside him. Ever since the death of his Mom, he'd relied on his Dad for warmth and comfort. He knew his Dad would do anything to keep him safe, and he know that what he was going to say now would upset him.

"When my Dad had his heart attack, they backed off for a week or two, but then it got even worse. The names, the slushies, the shoving, all came more frequent, especially from Karofsky. One day I just got so fed up that I followed him into the locker room and confronted him. I yelled at him and asked him what his problem was. I thought he was going to beat the crap out of me. I told him he couldn't beat the gay out of me anymore than I could beat the ignoramus out of him.

Imagine my shock when he kissed me instead."

He could see the anger filling his Dad's eyes as he realized what he'd just said. He was about to say something, but Kurt interrupted.

"The next day he threatened to kill me if I told anyone. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell my Dad, he was still recovering from his heart attack, and he was getting married. I didn't want to worry him or put any more stress on him. I couldn't tell my friends, because they'd get themselves in trouble trying to attack Karofsky.

I decided I'd wait until Dad and Carole left for their honeymoon, and then I'd report the death threat to the police. Somehow he found out what I was going to do. He attacked me in the parking lot. He beat me up some, but then he started t-touching me."

Kurt had to stop and take a deep breath, and refilled his tea cup. "He told me that since he and I were the only gays in the school, I should just give in and be his boyfriend. In secret, of course. No one had to know that he was a fag too. When I declined his offer, he shoved me so hard, I fell and slammed my head on the hood of my car, knocking me out and giving me a mild concussion."

Burt was squirming in his seat. Kurt knew that if Karofsky wasn't already in a jail cell, his Dad would hunt him down and beat the crap out of him. Kurt reached out and took his hand, wanting to comfort the man, but also seeking comfort.

"I'm not sure how they figured it out, but some how my friends in Glee knew something had happened between him and me. They didn't know what exactly, but they started walking me to my classes, making certain I was never alone. Even Coach Sylvester found excuses to follow me around so that he couldn't get near me again. That seemed to work. Things got better. I thought he'd finally given up. Until the night we won regionals."

Kurt could feel the bile rising again. He fought it, forcing it back down. "There wasn't supposed to be anyone else in the building. It was a Saturday evening, it should have been just us.

We got back from the competition a little after six. We were so excited about winning, no one wanted to go home just yet. We had a party in the choir room. Somehow I got soda spilled on my shirt and didn't notice it right away. People eventually started heading home around eight. It was just Mercedes, Brittany, Santana and me left. San and Brit were leaving when I noticed the stain. I told Mercedes to go ahead and go home, I was just going to stop by my locker and change my shirt.

I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't think anything of it. I figured one of the Glee kids, or Mr. Shue or even Ms. Pillsbury had come back for something. I glanced back to see who it was, just because I was curious.

When I saw him, I knew he was going to do something. I started running, and tried to dial 911, but I was crying and couldn't see my screen, plus my hand was shaking so much I couldn't even hit the numbers right. Somehow my contact screen came up. I jabbed at it blindly, just needing someone to know I needed help.

I didn't know who I had called. I heard the ringing, and I think I heard someone answer, but then he grabbed my arm. My bag fell to the floor. The phone must have fallen too. He shook me hard. I told him to leave me alone, I didn't want him near me. I pulled away, and the sleeve on my shirt ripped off.

We struggled some more. He twisted my wrist painfully, and then swung me around, slamming me into the lockers so hard. I remember pain in my shoulder and head. I was dazed. The next thing I remember he...he had...he..."

Kurt was beginning to hyperventilate. He was trembling hard, fighting the nausea. Burt placed his hand on the back of his neck and pushed him forward, placing his head between his knees. "Breathe, Kurt. It's ok. You're safe."

Tears flowed down his face as he gasped for air. After a moment, he forced himself to calm down. He took a deep, shuddering breath, and sat up, wrapping his hands around his stomach. He couldn't look at any of them as he began speaking again.

"He was in my mouth. When I realized what was happening, I started to struggle again. He slapped me, and then began choking me as he continued to...do that. I couldn't breathe. I started to pass out, I think, but then he...he finished, and pulled away, and I could breathe again. I threw up.

He said something to me, I can't remember exactly what he said. Something about not telling anyone, that if I just did as he wanted he wouldn't hurt me anymore. That's all I remember."

He said, still crying, still fighting the rising bile in his throat. Burt pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back soothingly as the boy sobbed into his neck.

The detectives and Ms. McBride thanked the Hummels for their cooperation, and let themselves out a few minutes later. Once they were alone, Kurt and his Dad just sat there holding each other for several minutes in silence.

Kurt sniffled, and sat back, looking at his Father. "I'm sorry, I know I should have told someone what had been happening, but I didn't know who I could talk to. I didn't want to stress you out any more than necessary with your heart, And I didn't want New Directions to do anything that could get them in trouble. If I had just told someone, none of this would have happened!"

"Stop right there! You have nothing to apologize for! None of this was your fault! That boy is seriously confused and sick. You didn't do anything wrong. Yes, you should have told me, but I know how scared you were. You were afraid of losing me. It's understandable after losing your Mom. I love you, Kurt. I promise, I'm not going to leave you any time soon."

They held on to each other for a while longer, and eventually Kurt fell asleep. Burt gently laid him out on the couch and covered him with the blanket. He slept through dinner, not even waking when first Finn and then Carole got home.

He roused around nine, only to go up to his room and change into his pajamas and crawl into his bed. He had a text message from Blaine asking him about his day. He'd sent a quick message that he'd fallen asleep when he'd gotten home, and that he'd call during lunch the next day to talk.

Tuesday dawned grey, with the promise of more rain. Kurt woke up feeling stuffy, as if he had a cold. He got ready for school and headed down to breakfast, some of the reclaimed happiness from the previous day having faded after the interview with the Detectives.

He had a bowl of corn meal mush for breakfast, his stomach still not fully settled. Burt watched him with some concern, but didn't say anything.

He made it through his first two classes, his stomach still twisted in knots. He and Artie headed for English Lit. The younger boy chatted amiably, but Kurt wasn't really paying attention. Sweat had started to gather on his forehead as they approached the stretch of lockers. He kept a tight grip on the handles of the other boy's wheelchair. He closed his eyes, letting his friend lead him through again. He almost made it. Almost.

He dashed into the closest bathroom, and heaved into the trashcan in the corner.

When lunch time came, Kurt considered calling his Dad to come get him. He'd managed to make it back down that hall without another incident, but instead of heading to the cafeteria, he went to the library. He didn't feel like eating. He found a quiet corner far away from anyone else and dialed Blaine's number.

"Hey, babe, how you doing? I was worried when you didn't text me back yesterday afternoon."

Kurt sighed. "I had visitors when I got home. A couple of Detectives and a lawyer from the DA's office. I had to tell them what happened. Everything."

Blaine's voice was filled with emotion when he spoke. "Are you okay?"

Kurt held back a sob. "I've been better. My Dad knows everything now, too. We cried, both of us, for a long time. I was so exhausted I fell asleep on the couch, and then managed to crawl upstairs to my room to sleep some more. And then I threw up on my way to English Lit."

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Are you at lunch now?"

"I'm in the library. I don't feel like eating right now."

"Do you want to meet me at The Lima Bean after school?"

Kurt wasn't sure if he was up for going out today. "Could we just go to my place maybe?"

"Of course, what ever you want."

"Thank you, Blaine. I just need to pull myself back together again."

"I know, babe. I'll see you after school."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

He made it through the rest of the day, even managing to sit through Glee rehearsal, since he had a little while before Blaine would come.

Once home, he sat in his room watching Cinderella, waiting for the other boy. When he arrived, they just lay beside each other, neither of them talking for the longest time. Kurt knew that there would be more days like this in the future. He knew that some days would be worse than others. He also knew there would be good days. Yesterday had proven that.

Eventually the good days would out number the bad. He just had to take them one day at a time. Or as Blaine had put it, one minute at a time.

They heard Finn get home a while later. They decided to go downstairs and get dinner started before Burt and Carole got home. Kurt wasn't sure if he'd be able to eat much, but having Blaine there always seemed to make it a little easier.

They made penne with chicken and broccoli, with a light garlic butter sauce. By the time his Dad and Carole arrived, the table was set and Blaine was putting a bowl with a tossed salad in the center of the table.

They sat down, and Kurt managed to eat most of the small portion he'd served himself. They had vanilla ice cream and blackberries for dessert. Afterwards, Kurt walked Blaine out to his car to say good night.

"Feeling better now?" Blaine asked him. Kurt sighed and nodded his head, feeling tired again, but not as exhausted as the day before.

"Thank you for coming over."

"Hey, what are boyfriends for? Besides, I like spending time with your family."

"They like you too."

Blaine smiled, and kissed him. "Coffee tomorrow after school?"

"I think I'll be up for that." He looked down at their joined hands. "Blaine?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

The curly haired boy smiled so wide his jaw hurt. "I love you too, Kurt."

They kissed again, hearts racing. Finally the shorter boy pulled away, brushing his thumb over the paler boy's cheek. "Good night, Kurt."

"Night, Blaine."