A/N: I'm no legal expert or by any means sure of the exact years of sentencing for Gavin's crimes but I just guesstimated and hoped for the best. Also there has been a time lapse between this chap and the last (I'd go with a few months, anywhere from 2 - 4, have gone by regarding the trial). So... this is it. The beginning of the end. I will follow up with an epilogue so please stay tuned. And as always, please review, comment, say whatever you feel. Your words have been unbelievable, kind, and for me really inspiring. Thank you with my whole heart.

Jerry approached him, his tie unknotted and his once crisp white shirt untucked. He looked disheveled but content. Kurt wasn't sure if it was good news, or if he was simply being Jerry: the nice man who knew when to put a smile on his face for others sakes.

He plopped down next to Kurt on the piano bench. No one else was scheduled to come into the Arts room for another few hours. Kurt had learned the daily schedule in order to squeeze in some alone time within the space whenever he could manage it. Kurt was subconsciously tugging at his bracelet, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. He remained silent, waiting...

"Four years, no probation. And he'll be doing the full four. None of that time served crap. The full sentence for the counts of sexual abuse was three. They tacked on an extra year for the assault against Puckerman."

Kurt closes his eyes, squeezing the bracelet between his fingertips; a smile ghosting his full lips.

"He won't ever be able to work with children or adolsecents in his natural born life, and he'll officially be a registered sex offender if he gets out."

Kurt exhales a breath it felt like he'd been holding for hours. He opens his eyes then.

"If..?"

"Last I heard a lot of dude's in jail don't take too kindly to sex offenders. Not when it comes to kids anyway."

Kurt nods in understanding. His heart somehow feeling so much lighter.

"What about you Jerry?"

"What about me kid?"

"I mean, what are you going to do?"

Jerry huffs, then laces his fingers together before responding.

"Well, Dr. Schuester asked me if I wanted to stay on."

"That's really great Jerry -"

"But... I turned him down."

"What? Why?"

Jerry grins, running his hand over his bald head and resting it on the back of his neck.

"I suppose I feel like it's time for a change. I've been doing this for a lot of years kid. It's just time for a change."

Kurt feels the heaviness begin to return. He hadn't realized it until this moment, but Jerry had unknowingly become the father figure he'd never really had.

"So w-when are you leaving?"

Jerry pats him on the shoulder, the way he always seemed to do as a means to help others stay grounded.

"Today. It's my last day today."

Kurt wants to protest, to beg and plead for him not to go. He feels like one of the most important people in his life is slipping away. Leaving him alone here to rot. Mercedes had left months before, and Tina only a few days ago. Slowly but surely the number of people making up his support system was dwindling.

"I don't know... I don't know if I can do this without you."

Jerry smiles gently, his brown eyes shining.

"Boy please. All the shit you've been through so far. And you're worried about gettin' through it without me bein' there? Hell, I wasn't there any of the other times and you got through it alright. And I wasn't gonna be there forever. You know that."

Kurt is crying silently, trying to will himself to stop but his damn eyes keep defying him.

"All I know is that you're one of the strongest people I ever got the privilege to meet Kurt. And it was you that helped me realize that its never too late to find your happiness; that sometimes a change doesn't have to be a bad thing. I mean you really turned this place around in a lot of ways. You helped more folks then you know, including the one that everyone truly thought couldn't be reached."

Jerry pauses, digs in his coat pocket and pulls something out to present to Kurt.

"Here. I noticed that you have that bracelet. But it never hurts to have a back up."

Kurt stares in wonder at the locket. It looks to be white gold, untarnished and shiny in the flourescent light. Kurt carefully opens the door of the jewelry piece.

"One of the Rehab Coordinators who watches the Crafts class snapped it when you guys weren't paying attention. I was able to bribe it off her though, then shrunk it so it'd fit just right."

It was a small photo of him and...

"Noah," he breathes as he traces his fingertip over the boys smile. They were laughing, Kurt ducking his head against Noah's shoulder while Noah smiled down at him.

Kurt knew then that what Jerry said was true. That he could be strong... And that maybe in time, he would be alright. He knew this because his heart had swollen at the sight of the photo, but not with grief, nor overwhelming hurt as expected... But love.

Love was what he'd had with Noah. The best love he had ever known. He felt a twinge of happiness, a nostalgic feeling of content and assured passion coursing through him as he quietly closed the locket, then pulled it around his neck. Jerry hastened to clasp it for him, which Kurt allowed with a bittersweet grin.

"There," Jerry announced once the clasp had been fastened.

Kurt stood up, wiping his eyes and nose with the back of his hand. Then he put his hand out for Jerry to take. Jerry chuckled, then pulled Kurt forward into a crushing hug.

"You take care of yourself now son. Ya here me?"

Kurt nods against his chest, and eventually pulls away. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"Till next we meet Mr. Hummel," Jerry says warmly, then disappeared out the door.

Kurt stared at the closed door for a moment, then re-opened the locket in order to get lost in the happy memory waiting for him behind the glass window.