Sorry about the massive delay in this chapter being posted - I've barely been able to write any fanfiction recently due to being mega busy and I wanted to do the chapter justice. here you go!

Liz xxx

Chapter 45 - Recovery

"KURT!" I was awoken abruptly by the sound of a voice. A voice I knew very well.

"Oh hell." Scrambling up to a sitting position Blaine stirred, his arms flailing out to try and pull me back towards him again. His leg was wrapped around mine and he also pulled with that, so I nearly fell over.

"Kurt." He mumbled in the most adorable way possible. I shook him awake by the shoulder

"Blaine, my Dad is here."

"What?" That woke him up. Immediately he sprung up and began frantically flattening his hair down and sorting out his clothes. I could hear Dad storming down the corridor, probably tearing my room apart. It would only be a matter of time before he came here.

"I'd better go see why he's here." I said, even though I knew full well. Running my fingers through my own hair I walked to the door and opened it cautiously, not quite knowing what to expect. Dad was currently having a huge argument with Mr Cox, his face red with anger.

"WHERE IS MY SON?"

"I'm here Dad." The words had come out sheepishly but Dad instantly flicked his gaze over to me. Relief spread across his face.

"Kurt!" Running over I held out my arms and was instantly engulfed in a huge hug. Dad picked me up off the floor and I buried my head in his chest, just taking in that familiar smell and aura that surrounded him.

"Oh Kurt." He said, beginning to rock me from side to side just as Blaine had. He sounded like he wanted to cry. "Why were you staying in that room?"

"Um…" I replied, not really knowing how to explain it. "I just didn't want to be reminded of what had happened." I took in another deep breath, savouring the rough feeling of his checked shirt against my skin and Dad sighed,

"Right." He continued, suddenly pulling me away so he could look me in the eye. "Get your stuff together – we're taking you back home now."

"What?" My expression had dropped. Dad seemed confused.

"We're going back home. You can't stay here anymore." Huh?

"What? Why?" I began to protest but Dad ignored me.

"You can't stay here – it's unsafe."

"No it's not!" I pulled away and he looked at me, still confused.

"Kurt. There's a maniac and an arsonist running around!"

"Gabriel has been taken into custody by the police-" Mr Cox tried to intervene but Dad shot him a glance and he fell silent. Just as I was about to protest again Blaine appeared from the room, coming up beside me.

"What's going on?" He asked, looking concerned. "Oh, hey Mr Hummel."

"Blaine?" Dad asked. "What were you doing in there? Were you and Kurt…?" He looked between the two of us, now taking in my slightly dishevelled appearance and I blurted out my next words.

"Dad wants me to leave Dalton!" I would much rather talk about that than the conversation that was headed our way otherwise. Blaine immediately looked upset.

"What? You can't leave!"

"I'm sorry Blaine, but this isn't your decision." Dad said, taking hold of my arm again and pulling me towards him. "I transferred Kurt here so he could be safe, and that's not the case anymore."

"DAD!" I shouted, finally getting his attention. Everyone stopped and stared at me, shock written on their faces.

"I am NOT leaving!" Dad paused, not seeming to understand.

"This is not up for discussion-" He began.

"-No. Because I'm not leaving. Ever." Walking back over to Blaine I linked arms with him and stamped my foot defiantly. My boyfriend seemed to tense up, not wanting to be in the middle of a family argument. Or the source of it.

"Kurt." Dad seemed annoyed – like he was dealing with the six-year-old me having tantrums about not being able to shop in the girls section of stores. "This is ridiculous."

"No, what's ridiculous is you taking me away from the things I love. You said you want me to be safe? Well I feel safe with Blaine." I squeezed Blaine's hand and watched a small smile quirk on his face, his hazel eyes sparkling with delight. "Blaine is about the only person I feel safe with right now."

"But… you were attacked…"

"I wasn't attacked, Blaine was. And he's still here. Gabriel is gone now and isn't coming back. There's nothing for you to be worried about."

As a stood there, across from my Dad with my boyfriend proudly next to me – it almost felt like I was introducing him again. That moment where I'd stood up and said that this was what I wanted, this was who I was. I almost felt emotional. Dalton was such a huge part of my life – I hadn't realised it until this point. The thought of leaving filled me with more fear than even Gabriel could conjure up from his little cell.

For a while Dad was silent. I was suddenly worried that I'd upset him and loosened my grip on Blaine's hand slightly, squeezing it beforehand so he would understand what I was doing. I looked at his face, trying to gauge the expression.

"Kurt." He began. I instantly jerked forward, wanting to hear everything he was saying. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" Holding out his hand I looked back at Blaine, who nodded. We went into my room and for once I didn't even think about the memories it brought up.

Once we were inside I expected Dad to pause for a while longer, build up the courage to speak the way he always did. To my surprise however, he spoke instantly.

"Is this really what you want?" I stopped. The question could have meant several different things.

"Umm…is what what I really want?"

"To stay here." Dad seemed nervous, looking down at the floor after he spoke. I shifted my weight to my other foot.

"Well yes. More than anything."

"You're not just doing it for him?" Suddenly it clicked.

"For Blaine?" Dad nodded, withdrawing like he felt like he was stepping on my toes. I paused. Was I doing this for Blaine? I mean, I loved him, I knew that. And the thought of him not being around sent a stabbing pain through my whole body that was hard to control. But was he the only reason?

"No." Finally I spoke. Dad looked up, surprise evident on his face, "Blaine is a very big reason yes. He's pretty much the most important person in my life after you. But he's not the only reason." I took another step forward, wanting to make my words completely clear. "I have so many friends here. Lasting friends, like Scott and Artem. Hey, Nathaniel let himself get stabbed because of me. If I left here I'd be leaving them behind too. I know it sounds silly now – but before all of this Gabriel nonsense Dalton was the place I felt the most safe in the world. And now he's gone. I hope you understand." Now it was my turn to listen. Dad sighed, looking right into my eyes, searching for any sign that I might not be telling the whole truth. He found none.

"I know." He replied, his voice sounding kind of sad. "I could see it the moment you saw me in the corridor. You belong here. Not at home. I just…miss you." Suddenly I saw a single tear roll down his cheek. I barely ever saw Dad cry – not unless we were talking about Mum. My own emotions taking over I closed the final steps between us and threw my arms around him, burying my head into his chest as my own tears split out.

"I miss you too."

When we went back into the corridor Blaine was waiting nervously outside. When he saw my tear-stained face his lip immediately trembled and he went to start crying himself.

"No!" I said quickly, rushing over and giving him a hug. "Dad says I can stay." I felt his whole body sag in relief before I pulled away and saw his eyes filled with thanks.

"Thank goodness for that." He mumbled, now beginning to smile again. Moments like this really brought home how much Blaine cared for me – something I would never quite fathom. With my arms still clasped around him I turned round and saw Dad looking at me with what could only be described as happiness in his eyes.

"You need to look after him." He said to Blaine. It sounded like a warning, but I knew it was acceptance. Accepting that he was a part of my life now.

"Oh believe me, I will." Stroking the top of my head Blaine looked fiercely passionate. Him and Dad shared a nod and I smiled.

"And I want you to make sure that no more lunatics enter this school again!" Abruptly my father spun round to address Mr Cox, who had been about to nod off in the corner. He jumped to attention and I had to bury my face in Blaine's shoulder to stifle the giggle that threatened to come out.

"Oh, yes, of course." For a second Mr Cox didn't think Dad was joking, but then he saw his face and realisation spread across his face. "Eh hum, yes."

"Hey Dad." I said, making him focus back on me. "Do you wanna come see Nathaniel with us?"

Somehow the hospital seemed a lot more light and airy in the daytime compared to when we'd last been in it. The nurses were all very friendly and greeted us with big smiles, directing us to Nathaniel's room. He'd been moved out of intensive care but was still being monitored.

As I knocked on the door I suddenly felt a rush of butterflies go through my stomach as I remembered just why he was in here. Blaine noticed and squeezed my hand gently, giving me a warm smile before placing his hand on the wood and pushing it open. Nathaniel wasn't alone. There were a few other Wilde students there, all sat round his bed smiling and chatting with him. There were also dozens of flower bouquets scattered on tables and in baskets. It was like walking into a wedding reception.

"Kurt! Blaine!" Nathaniel said as soon as he looked up and saw us. The rest of the boys also turned to look and smiled warmly, a couple of them acknowledging me.

"Hi." I said, happy to see him so upbeat. He was sitting up properly now, and though his movements were stiff he seemed to be in less pain. "This is my Dad." I motioned to Dad, who had been silently standing behind Blaine and I to this point.

"Oh, hell Mr Hummel." Nathaniel replied, suddenly reverting back to his formal Head Boy voice. I wondered if they remembered each other from my first day at Dalton.

"I heard what you did for my son and Blaine." Dad said, also sounding quite formal, but grateful. "Thank you."

"Oh. No problem." Nathaniel blushed and I bounded over, dragging Blaine with me and pulling up another chair.

"Sorry Scott couldn't make it – he's having to sort out rooming arrangements since Wordsworth is uninhabitable." I perched down, speaking fast with enthusiasm. "Where did all the flowers come from?" Picking up a particularly nice bunch of tulips I held them to my face, taking in the sweet smell.

"Just people at Dalton. I've got chocolates coming out my ears too if you want some." He pointed to a box to the side of me and I looked inside it to see at least ten chocolate selections staring back at me.

"Woah."

"I can't believe it. Everyone has been so nice. I didn't think I had so many friends." As Nathaniel looked back at the several other Dalton students they all made noises of disbelief. I joined in.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're amazing." Moving my hand to rest over his I looked back and saw him almost crying – the emotion in his eyes making me well up too.

"Does it still hurt?" Blaine asked, rubbing my back comfortingly as I tried to hold back sobs.

"A bit. But they have me supped up on painkillers." Motioning to a bottle on his bedside table I saw the painkillers, as well as the intravenous drip attached to his wrist. "I could go into business with these." He laughed and I tried harder not to cry. The fact that he was being so good about this. He had nearly died.

"When do you think you'll be back at Dalton?"

"I'm not sure. They want to keep me here for a while because there's no way I can walk or anything. But I told them exams are coming up…" Suddenly a loud laugh escaped from my lips. Everyone in the room turned to look at me, including Dad.

"What? You've just been shot and you're thinking about exams?" As everyone got the joke they slowly began to laugh, until the whole room was alive with noise. Dad moved forward to rest his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him, smiling.

"Hey Nate, tell them about your girlfriend!" Once the laughter had died down one of the Wilde boys, Christian Gard, spoke. Immediately I stopped making noise and raised my eyebrows.

"What?" Nathaniel's face flushed crimson.

"She's not my girlfriend." I was about to enquire further when the door abruptly opened behind us and a tall nurse walked in. She couldn't have been older than eighteen, so looked like an apprentice.

"Oh!" As soon as she saw the crowd of people her face flushed bright red and she almost dropped the tray she had been holding. She was very slim and seemed quite fragile, but she had the most gorgeous brown hair tied up in a bun, and soft green eyes.

"Hey Sarah." One of the Dalton boys said with a smirk. She blushed further and I looked to Blaine, wondering if he was thinking them same thing.

"I'm sorry, I was just going to take your temperature, I'll go…" Mumbling her words the girl immediately turned round to leave, but Nathaniel called out.

"No!" She spun round and he blushed again. "I mean, it's ok. You can come in…" Slowly Sarah stepped forward, moving past me to Nathaniel's side. I could tell she was conscious of everyone staring at her and her hands shook as she fumbled around with the thermometer, placing it delicately in his mouth. Moving my eyes to Nathaniel's face I saw in wonder a look in his eyes that could only be described as love. It reminded me of how I looked at Blaine and the butterflies scattered through my tummy for a completely different reason.

For a while the room was silent as the two shared their moment. I noticed Sarah seemed to have to same look in her eyes, but smaller, and she was attempting to disguise it with formality and purpose. When she removed the thermometer she studied it for a second before smiling.

"You seem to be on track." Her eyes wandered to Nathaniel's and for a second they both locked, making her breathe in sharply. Her hand drifted over to graze his shoulder but she suddenly realised what she was doing and pretended to pat down a fold in his gown, adverting her gaze quickly and blushing again.

"Ok, I'll go now." She almost ran out of the room and Nathaniel followed her with his eyes as she left, his expression falling when the door closed behind her.

"Woah." Blaine said with a smile after a second of silence. The other Dalton boys laughed and Nathaniel flushed red for the umptienth time.

"You know you can't date your doctor." Christian said, earning himself a slap on the shoulder, which despite being in a wheelchair he somehow managed to half dodge.

"Shut up. She's not my doctor. She's just a nursing student."

"A nursing student that you looooove!"

"Maybe next time you should check her temperature." Nathaniel cried out in annoyance and I laughed. Blaine chuckled too, pressing his nose to my face and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I wondered if Dad had noticed but decided that I didn't really care. The sound of the cars on the street outside drifted through the open window and I sighed, letting all the sounds mingle together in my head and squeezing Blaine's hand tightly.