Chapter 29

Kurt pulled up to his house, cut the engine and rested his head on his arms, on the steering wheel. He was exhausted, in pain and, despite being home, scared to death.

How could he have been so stupid?

He knew Blaine's father's politics. He should have realized that people on his staff might have fucked up ideas about homosexuals and, it was obvious Kurt was gay. How could he have allowed his curiosity to get the best of him? The whole thing was so stupid. And now...now he's in pain and Blaine...

He didn't want to think about Blaine.

Kurt slowly climbed out of his car and walked around to the backdoor. He was sure his dad and Carol were out but, he didn't want to take any chances. He just had to get to his room. He wanted to take some ibuprofen, take a bath and inspect the damage to his body. He would need to come up with a great concealer plan to hide the bruises on his face.

He crept into the house and was grateful Finn was engrossed in a video game. Once in his room, he removed his clothes and stood in front of the mirror. The sight of his bruised skin pained him almost more than the physical pain. Kurt loved his porcelain skin but, Blaine loved it even more. It bothered him that he would be less than beautiful for his boyfriend. He sat down on his bed.

Damn.

How was it that he cared more about looking beautiful for Blaine than about the physical pain he was in? Kurt was drowning in this relationship. He glanced at his reflection again. Yes, he was drowning, and he never, ever wanted to come up for air. Right or wrong, he was consumed by love for Blaine.

Blaine.

What was Blaine doing right now?

Kurt shook the thought from his head and went to run a bath.

As he sat in the warm water, he allowed the tears to fall. Where was his boyfriend? What was he doing? Was he killing someone because of him? Did Jack deserve to die for what he had done to him? Was it that, really, really, really good reason, he and Blaine had talked about just a few weeks ago?

Kurt shuddered as he heard his mind answer, yes.

But did he really want Blaine to do it?

It didn't matter.

Kurt knew Jack was already dead.

He looked at the palms of his hands. Would he tell Blaine about pushing Jack off of him? How, as he was on his knees, his head painfully pulled back, Jack's dick frighteningly close to his mouth, his hands had suddenly become warm and felt strong and he had pushed against Jack's thighs and sent him flying across the room.

He wasn't sure he was going to tell him. Not yet anyway.

Kurt climbed out of the bath and the exhaustion hit him in full force. He put on his robe and laid down on the bed but found it impossible to sleep.

He was still scared.

He needed Blaine.

But, Blaine was busy.

Committing murder.

Finn opened the door.

"Hey Finn. What's up?"

"Nothing much. What's up with you?"

"Nothing. Just tennis. Kurt upstairs?"

"Uh, yeah. I think so."

"Okay. Thanks."

Blaine didn't bother to knock. He opened the door and went inside, closing the door completely. Kurt was still laying on his bed. Blaine took off his shirt and sat down on the bed. Kurt looked up at him, his eyes red from crying. There was a bruise just under his left eye and one on his cheek. Blaine caressed his hair and leaned down to gently kiss each bruise.

"Can you stand up?" Kurt nodded and slowly climbed off the bed. He had expected this.

Blaine gently removed the robe, leaving Kurt naked. Blaine inhaled deeply. The darkness swirled slightly, expressing its disapproval. Kurt's back and legs were covered in red welts. His clothes had protected his skin to a degree but, not completely. His stomach and side had purple-blue bruises, similar to those Blaine had after his father's attack. Pain seared through Blaine's heart. He fell to his knees and began lightly running his fingers over each mark, kissing them softly. Tears ran down Kurt's face but, he found himself comforted by Blaine's gentle caress. Blaine slowly worked his way all the way up. He licked the tears from Kurt's face and kissed him softly before putting Kurt's robe back on and settling them down on to the bed. Kurt melted against Blaine, trying to get as physically close as possible. He wanted to disappear inside him. Blaine wrapped his arms tightly around him. Kurt began to sob and Blaine's heart broke into pieces.

How could he have failed so miserably?

He had promised Kurt that he would take care of him, protect him, keep him safe.

His heaven depended upon him and he had failed.

Failed. Failed. Failed.

He should have killed Phil that night at Collin's. The moment he mentioned Kurt, he should have killed him.

He held Kurt tighter.

He would never, ever make that mistake again. Ever.

Eventually, Kurt fell asleep and Blaine dozed off as well. He was awakened an hour later by Finn.

"Yo, Blaine? Blaine? Dude, wake up! A state trooper is here!"

Blaine sat up carefully, so as not to disturb Kurt.

"What?"

"There's a state trooper downstairs who says he needs to see you."

Blaine climbed off the bed and reached for his shirt.

"Damn!"

He looked at Finn. Finn was looking at Blaine's back in awe.

"Do you own a cat?"

"Yes. Kurt the Cat."

"What? Wait. Huh? Oh. You mean...oh!"

Blaine laughed at Finn's shocked expression and headed downstairs.

"Are you Blaine Anderson? Son of James and Elaine Anderson?"

"Yes sir."

The officer exhaled and pushed a button on his phone.

"Yeah, Officer Richards here. I've got him. He's here and he's fine. Yeah. Yeah. I'll tell him."

"You need to call your parents immediately. There's been a fire at your dad's office. Your parents have been frantically calling your cell phone. They were scared you were in the building when the fire broke out. Why haven't you answered your phone?"

"I lost it. I can't find it anywhere."

"All right. Well, call your parents. They're worried sick about you."

"Yes sir. I'll call them right now."

After the trooper left, Blaine turned to Finn. "Can I borrow your phone?"

Blaine braced himself and dialed his mom's cell phone.

"Mom?

Elaine screamed so loud, Blaine moved the phone away from his ear.

"Blaine! Blaine! Oh, my God! Blaine! James! It's Blaine! Oh, Blaine!" Elaine was sobbing.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"Oh, honey. Headquarters caught on fire...and we couldn't find you...and we thought...oh, Blaine." Then her tone switched from sobbing relief to anger. Just like a mother.

"Why the hell haven't you been answering your fucking cell phone!" Damn. Blaine wasn't sure he had ever heard his mother drop an f-bomb.

"I don't know where it is. I can't find it."

"Oh. Hold on a minute. Your dad wants to talk to you."

"Son?"

"Yeah dad."

"Um, listen. You haven't talked to Phil today, have you?"

"No. Isn't he with you guys?"

"Uh, he was supposed to come and then he changed his mind at the last minute. Said he had somethings to take care of...at the office." Blaine could hear his mother gasp in the background.

"Do I need to come home right now?"

"Uh, no. We are on our way to see how bad things are but, you should probably plan to come home within the next two hours. Your mother was pretty shaken up when we couldn't find you."

Blaine noticed his dad did not use the words, we were shaken up.

"Okay."

"Your mother wants to talk to you again."

"Blaine, darling?"

"Yeah mom."

"I love you."

Blaine hesitated. "Okay mom. I'll see you later." He hung up and handed the phone back to Finn.

"Damn dude."

"What?"

"Your parents can't find you so they send state troopers after you? That's gotta suck."

Blaine laughed and headed back upstairs.

He laid back down, wrapping his arms around Kurt and allowed himself to drown in his feelings of guilt and self-hatred over what had happened and could have happened to Kurt. His only comfort was knowing that Phil was dead.

He wondered how Kurt would feel about that.

His fiancee is a murderer.

X-X-X-X-X

An hour later, Blaine quietly got up to leave. Kurt woke up.

"No! Please Blaine! Please...don't leave me!"

Blaine looked into his frightened eyes. His heart plummeted. He had to go home. He couldn't raise suspicions. He had a role to play. But...Kurt looked so scared and desperate...

"Listen beautiful, I have to go. My mother is expecting me and there's going to be lots going on. I need to be there."

Kurt was crying and holding on to him tightly.

"Please, please don't leave me alone. Please Blaine? Please..."

Blaine looked at him. He had already fucked up and failed Kurt once. He wasn't fucking up again.

"Get your things. You're coming home with me."

I can not thank all of you enough for the wonderful reviews and notes of encouragement. Of course, now I'm terrified of disappointing all of you. Please continue to review and let me know how I'm doing. You guys and gals keep me on track while Blaine keeps trying to run me off the road.