The Storm: Redemption

Chapter Nineteen

By Gayforkurt

Summary: Famous countertenor Kurt Hummel and billionaire entrepreneur Dave Karofsky must come to terms with the past but bitter feelings make a future for these two headstrong men highly unlikely. This is rated M.

A/N 1: Thank you all so much for the reviews, alerts and favorites, guys. I've never written a story this length before and your kind words really encourage me. I'm enjoying this universe and this version of my fave boys and I promise to give Puck some real loving eventually. Keep reading!

Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs belong to me, alas.

KHDK

Kurt wrapped himself in a fabulous vintage Bill Blass black wool coat and stared into the full-length mirror. "Hmmm, what do you think of this one, Devon? Too stark?"

Devon, the agent assigned to Kurt at that time of day, came over to the singer, wending his way past dramatically-posed mannequins to get to Kurt. He stopped and let out a low wolf-whistle.

"Oh, yes, that's the one; go for it, Kurt. It suits you perfectly." He eyed the singer admiringly, taking in the way the ankle-length coat skimmed Kurt's tall, slender body and accentuated his broad shoulders. While Kurt may give off the impression he was some delicate waif, in actuality he was quite toned; he had to be to keep up with the physical demands of a popular West End show.

Kurt grinned broadly and twirled, loving the black-and-white herringbone pattern that lined the inside of the wool coat. He was wearing a tight, white, long-sleeved, turtle neck sweater with white jeans tucked into soft, black suede boots. The Bill Blass complemented his outfit perfectly, almost as if it had been designed just for the outfit Kurt was wearing.

As that thought occurred to him, Kurt hummed happily and strode over to the manager who had been hovering discreetly. He informed the man that he would wear the coat out of the store and he could see to putting his own coat in a bag for him. The man nodded obsequiously, having recognized Kurt when he first stepped into his boutique, and snapped his fingers at an assistant.

Devon watched the people scurry around Kurt to attend to him, loving the way the diva took all this as his due without being snobbish or condescending. His attitude seemed to be the same with everyone; courteous, polite but with a 'don't piss me off with your stupidity' attitude that Devon secretly found hilarious.

Watching the attractive singer, he could see why both David Karofsky and Puck had feelings for him; he was gorgeous and talented. His sarcastic wit often had the men on his team chuckling privately whenever they had to escort him anywhere. Kurt's snide observations on the antics of everyone from the politicians to the rich and famous dilettantes were spot on and he delivered them in that light, airy voice that somehow had a sting to it.

Now Kurt moved to the doors without waiting for Devon to catch up, a no-no with their situation but Devon, anticipating Kurt, headed him off and stepped out before the singer. He looked back at Kurt with a smirk and a quirk to his eyebrow, a silent rebuke in his smiling eyes.

Before Kurt could deliver a no-doubt teasing comment about his gallantry, a guy on a bicycle, a messenger from the look of him, jumped onto the sidewalk and barreled into Devon. A couple of passersby yelled out curses and Kurt leapt back into the doorway of the store, his eyes and mouth widening as he watched.

In the waiting car at the curb, Ian leapt out, rushing towards the men entangled on the ground but keeping one eye on Kurt at the same time. "Stay back," he yelled at Kurt, holding one hand out to stop him from stepping out onto the sidewalk. Kurt froze in place but his eyes darted about to see who was watching the commotion. Just as his eyes swept back over the rubbernecking passersby, he glimpsed a face that was vaguely familiar.

Emma!

When she realized Kurt had spotted her, she dashed down a side street and Kurt yelled out after her. How she'd known where he'd be that afternoon he couldn't imagine. Realizing that she had too much of a head start, Kurt turned his attentions back to his men grappling with the boy, his bicycle lying twisted beside them.

"Who!" Ian was shaking the boy, having grabbed him by the front of his zipped-up hoodie. "Who paid you, boy? Answer me and I won't break your arm."

This last was delivered so softly only Devon and Kurt heard and Kurt recoiled, staring at Ian in horror. "No! Stop, please," he implored the furious man. He stepped up beside the agent, Devon trying to hold him back. "Let me talk to him; he's just a kid."

He turned to face the scruffy youth, taking in the pale, spotty complexion and the frightened washed-out grey eyes. Kurt smiled reassuringly as Ian moved his grip to the boy's arm.

"Did you do this deliberately? Did someone pay you to run me down?" His voice was low, soothing even, and the boy subconsciously relaxed as he stared into Kurt's mesmerizing eyes. Yeah, he'd rather look at this bloke than the one who looked like he wanted to rip him to pieces! He gulped as he answered Kurt.

"Yeah, yeah, someone paid me, innit? She said I only had to scare you a bit. I didn't plan to hurt you or nuffin'." His head nodded rapidly as if his earnestness would get him off.

"She?" Kurt's eyes narrowed dangerously and the boy cringed back against Ian's unmoving form. "What did she look like?"

At the boy's quick description, the three men looked at each other. Suddenly, Ian shook the boy, hauling him closer as he shouted in his face. "Here, what's this in your pocket?"

The boy almost fainted as the scary bald guy shook him roughly and he almost wet himself as the man's hand dipped into one of the hoodie's pockets and came out with a bottle. Holding up the bottle to the light, Ian's eyes narrowed and a murderous expression appeared on his face.

Devon grabbed Kurt's arm and moved him away from the two; the crowd murmured and several people had their phones clicking away as they took quick shots of the four men. He couldn't do anything to stop them as they were in public but he quickly punched a number on his own phone to alert Puck.

Ian suddenly punched the guy and when the kid was lying flat on his back, he planted one of his army boots square on the kid's neck. He watched him squirm in pain for a bit and then he flipped the lid of the bottle open.

"I think I'll try out some of this harmless-looking liquid on you, eh?" The boy on the ground screamed in fear, trying to lift Ian's boot from his throat but to no avail. His eyes widened alarmingly and he started begging and crying, his confession causing the crowd to draw back.

"Okay, okay, oh god, please don't do it! She said he needed to learn a lesson! Please, it's acid, oh god, please!"

Ian leaned over, hauled the boy to his feet and slammed him face-first against their car just as sirens sounded and somewhere a whistle blew. The crowd's murmur was building and the sound of cars pulling up and doors slamming added to the cacophony.

Devon and Kurt had retreated to the store's doorway, standing beneath the awning and watching the unfolding scene, Kurt pale-faced and Devon grim. Just after the police arrived, Kurt saw a larger, shiny black vehicle pull up and Puck, along with Julian and Xavier, jump out.

Puck walked purposefully up to Kurt, nodded at Devon approvingly and took Kurt's arm to lead him back into the store. The manager, his assistants and the few customers still in the store looked on curiously. Really, one never knew when something newsworthy would erupt right in front of you!

Puck frowned at the gawkers and moved to block their view of Kurt. He hugged the singer to him, rubbing his back and murmuring soothingly. Kurt still couldn't believe what had just happened and slid his arms around Noah's waist gratefully. They stood like that for a few more minutes before Puck eased away, looking at Kurt carefully to check if he was okay.

"You alright, babe?" As Kurt nodded, trying to smile, he glanced out the front display window. One of the uniforms was handcuffing the kid while a man in a tan trench coat seemed to be questioning Devon and Ian. He saw Ian nod towards the store and he and the man moved towards the door.

When they entered, Ian came over to Puck and Kurt while Devon hovered near to the front door. The young, curly-haired agent tilted his head towards the manager who almost ran over to him. Clearly the men accompanying the singer were not ordinary shoppers, the man could see, and if he read people right, he could tell they were some type of bodyguard. Oh, he would have so much to spill when all this was over, he thought delightedly.

Meanwhile, the detective was questioning Kurt though the singer didn't have much to say. He had been shopping, he and Devon, a friend, stepped out the door and a youth on a bicycle tried to run them over. When the policeman questioned him as to what exactly Devon and Ian's jobs were, Puck intervened, explaining they were actually private security for Mr. Hummel.

"Our client, Mr. Hummel, is rather well-known in certain circles. Since his company values his talents, they felt it better that he not venture out in public without some sort of protection," Puck concluded, so professional and so calm it probably pained him somewhere.

The policeman, not being an idiot, knew there was loads more to the story but he knew the ropes. He eyed Kurt for a few seconds then turned to examine the other men. Finally, he nodded briskly, closed his notepad and looked at Puck.

"Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Puckerman; if I need to contact you further…" he paused as Puck flicked out a card and handed it to him. "Ah, thanks. That will do it, then. G'day, gentlemen," and he headed out of the store, jumping into one of the unmarked police cars on the scene.

Puck turned to Kurt again, his arm sliding around the singer's waist and asked again if he was good.

Kurt smiled wanly. "Really, I could do with a stiff one…" and at the look on Puck's face he smacked his arm lightly. "Drink, a drink, you perv!" He giggled as Puck chuckled, glad once again that Puck had the uncanny knack of making him laugh at the oddest moments. Shaking his head ruefully, he looked at the other men, noticing that they were relaxing only slightly though still on the alert.

Devon nodded at him and Kurt smiled at the youngest agent. He went over to him, hugged him briefly and whispered a soft thank you. Devon blushed but grinned back as he held the door open for the men. "All in a day's work, mate. Come on, I'm hungry!"

Kurt shook his head, wondering at Devon's hollow leg, and joined Xavier and Julian who were still standing outside. Puck, Ian and Devon piled out behind him and they all separated to their designated vehicles.

Returning to the hotel, Puck made plans to change their location. He'd been sloppy, thinking that their being so close to the theatre would mean Kurt was safer. He'd underestimated that harpy, Emma, too. Clearly she was doing things randomly and using anyone that would fly under the radar. Until they caught her and put a stop to this, there was nowhere safe for Kurt in town. He had to talk to Dave.

He listened to the men chattering as they ordered room service, Kurt trying hard to make things seem normal and the men going along with the charade. They really didn't want Kurt to be worried and they also trusted that Puck would have new arrangements and orders for them soon. There was no way that they would remain at this base of operations after today.

David came barging into the luxury suite, his eyes going immediately to Kurt who moved towards the bedroom, wanting to get his lover away for some privacy.

The two men entered the bedroom, closing the door behind them firmly. Dave grabbed Kurt, tilted his head back and plunged his tongue into the singer's mouth. Kurt whimpered but clung to David, welcoming the tender assault and giving as good as he got. Dave tore his lips away, panting even as he planted little kisses all over Kurt's face.

Kurt smiled at the feeling of the soft yet firm lips that rested now against his forehead. Being enveloped in David's arms made him feel so protected that even the memory of the recent incident faded some more. He rolled his forehead so David's lips dragged softly over it and then leaned back.

The two men stared into each other's eyes, aquamarine and hazel, and reveled in the depths of the love they had for each other. Finally, Dave's eyes closed as he pulled Kurt back to him. He sighed and then moved with his love over to the bed where they sat without speaking for a while. Then Dave, taking Kurt's hands in his, started to speak.

"We have to leave."

Kurt sat quietly for a few seconds and then nodded, a sad little smile on his face. "I guessed we would. Where do you want to go?"

Dave smiled at his beautiful lover; Kurt knew when to pull the diva card and clearly he knew now was not the time to throw a fit. So, now, Dave had a question to ask him and he was worried at what the response would be.

"Would you want to come away with me? Abroad, that is." He watched as Kurt's eyes widened slightly before a little line appeared between them.

"Sweetie, what about the show? I really couldn't leave them in the lurch, could I?" Kurt looked pleadingly up at David's anxious face. "Tell you what, why don't we move somewhere else but still in London. Maybe we made a mistake staying in such a cramped area as the West End."

Dave thought about what he said and realized Kurt was right. He understood about obligations and commitments and, as his lover had posited, maybe they could find somewhere a little less obvious. He would run it by Puck now. He smiled at Kurt, planted a swift, sweet kiss on the pink lips and got up.

"Come, the food will be here soon. I think Devon would eat everything if left to himself," and smiled at Kurt's answering chuckle.

Upon exiting the bedroom, they watched the other men straighten up and turn towards them. They seemed a little relieved that Dave seemed to have everything under control; Kurt's reputation had no doubt preceded him.

While the men ate, putting a serious dent in the food room service had brought up, Dave and Puck ran over several ideas. Finally, they both agreed on one plan and turned to the other men. Puck opted to explain the new arrangements to his team and Kurt.

"Okay, here's the thing. Kurt still has about two weeks left of his run with 'Midsummer' and then there's the command performance gig." He looked over at Kurt who nodded.

"So, we've decided that we'll change location by tonight. Kurt, I don't think you should do tonight's show. Let your understudy do it, okay?" Puck looked seriously at Kurt until the singer nodded a reluctant agreement. The memory of the little bottle with the innocuous-looking liquid was still uppermost in all their minds.

"Right, then; the boss and I will make the arrangements for our new base of operations and you guys," here he looked directly at each member of his team, "will be issued new rosters to reflect the changes."

The men nodded in understanding and Puck wrapped everything up with these final words. "We're not letting this bitch win. If things need to get physical, then we'll deal."

The grim expressions on each man's face told Puck they were all onboard with his declaration. Nodding in satisfaction, he turned to Dave who'd looked as if he wanted to speak.

Dave turned to the men. "Thank you, gentlemen," he paused, knowing that each man knew what he was referring to. "Puck has a great team in you guys and I know things will be resolved satisfactorily."

The men nodded, no one needing to speak and they all rose to head to their suite. It was on the same floor so they were always in close proximity to their primaries. Puck clapped each man on the shoulder as they trooped past and with a weary sigh, shut the door behind them. He turned to Kurt who had been uncharacteristically silent only to see the singer with his face buried in Dave's shoulder.

Puck looked at Dave in mild concern and the other man shrugged gently as he rocked the singer. They had moved to the couch and now Puck suspected that everything was just coalescing for Kurt. It could not be an easy thing to know someone hated you so much they would hire people to hurt you.

Kurt tried to hold back the tears but it was impossible as the memory of the day's events welled up in his mind. The thought of what that acid would have done to his face, his eyes! Kurt shuddered at the thought and huddled further into David's arms, feeling safe as usual.

Puck moved over to the bar and poured small shots of brandy for each of them. He moved over with Dave's and Kurt's, placing Dave's on the coffee table but handing Kurt's to the larger man. Dave nodded his thanks and murmured to Kurt, nudging his lover with his chin.

Kurt straightened up, saw the brandy and sent a watery smile of thanks over to Puck. He took one sip, barely swallowed it before he was leaping to his feet and dashing towards the bedroom. Dave exclaimed softly and Puck stared after them in surprise as he too jumped up. Dave shook his head and followed Kurt, realizing as he entered that his lover had gone into the bathroom.

He went over to the bathroom door and watched as Kurt leaned against the sink, struggling to contain the deep sobs. Dave went over to him, sliding his arms around the slender body and pulling him back against his chest. Kurt shook his head, moved away and grabbed a bunch of tissues to wipe his eyes. Finally he turned to Dave and his eyes blazed at the older man.

Dave knew Kurt wasn't angry with him but Kurt's fury wasn't something any sane person wanted to stand close to. He braced himself as Kurt started to rant. He watched as Kurt stormed around the en suite, glad that at least he wasn't throwing things, and his mind returned to their brief time on the island.

He shuddered as the torrent of blistering words spewed out of Kurt, half-formed plots of revenge mixing with truly nasty plans for torture. A wave of nausea swept over Dave as he wondered if Kurt would get so frustrated with the situation that he would just chuck in the whole thing.

Kurt, caught up in his absolute fury at the bitch who had upended his life and now was determined to physically hurt him, didn't notice how pale Dave had become as he watched him. Finally, the silence registered and he wound down, panting hard as his fury became more manageable. He stopped his aggressive pacing and turned to look at David, only now seeing the anguish on the other man's face.

"Sweetie, what is it?" He came towards the older man, his own anger forgotten as he watched David struggling to say something. He pressed his palms against David's chest as he peered at his lover.

Dave, dipping his head as he closed his eyes, braced himself as he asked, "D-do you… regret… being with me?"

Tears sprang to Kurt's eyes as he looked at the agonized man before him. "Oh, sweetie, no, what are you talking about?" His heart broke just watching David struggle. "Why would you think I'd regret this? David, I love you!"

Dave, his heart stuttering in his chest, could only stare at the beautiful man in his arms who stared back at him, just as surprised. Kurt had definitely not planned to blurt out his love for David like this. He paled dramatically and then the color rushed back almost immediately. His cheeks burned as he lowered his eyes but then he straightened his shoulders, hauling his diva face on determinedly.

"What, did you think this was just an extended booty call for me?" He flicked his eyes nervously up at David's, waiting on the man to say something, anything, dammit!

Dave blinked, blinked again, and then his lips stretched into a huge, goofy smile. He grabbed Kurt's butt, his hands sliding down to his thighs, and lifted up the slimmer man. Kurt gasped and clung to him, his legs coming up automatically around Dave's waist. He laughed out loud as Kurt pouted at him adorably even as he leaned into Dave and nipped him gently on his earlobe.

"You'd better not drop me, Karofsky, I'd make you suffer!"

"I love you so much, Kurt," Dave said just before capturing the smiling pink lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. When he pulled back, admiring the flush in Kurt's cheeks, the singer looked at him saucily.

"I know, that's why I've decided to keep you!" His giggles erupted uncontrollably, the previous tension mixing with his current euphoria at having leapt over a personal hurdle, his confession of love.

Dave laughed too, much louder this time, and Kurt clung tighter as Dave moved them to the bedroom. He threw Kurt down onto the bed, smirking triumphantly as Kurt bounced and squeaked indignantly.

He crawled up the singer's squirming body and once he'd reached eye level, he lowered himself gently. Kurt's arms and legs came around him automatically and their groins rubbed quite satisfactorily.

Kurt loved the sound of David's groan and he smiled softly before lunging up to kiss Dave, quick and hard. He pulled back, enjoying the way David's hazel eyes changed color when he was aroused.

"Nothing, not my career nor any unhinged ex-lover of yours is going to keep me from you, understand?" Kurt declared.

David nodded happily, his hips grinding against Kurt's, loving how surprisingly big Kurt's dick was though he'd never said it out loud. The lush moan that escaped the singer made him harder and he wanted nothing more than to fuck Kurt into the mattress but he had to say something first.

Getting distracted by Kurt's luscious mouth and the feel of the singer writhing beneath him, it was several more minutes before an overheated Dave pulled back, Kurt whining as he straightened away from him.

"Kurt, wait… mmmm, sweetheart, I have to ask you something…." he kissed Kurt one more time before disentangling the singer's arms from around his neck. He didn't move away from the long, strong legs wrapped around him, though; he wasn't that stupid. He did, however, catch one of Kurt's slender hands in his and looked soulfully into Kurt's eyes.

"Uhm, when this whole… situation… has been sorted out," he paused to breathe deeply, "would you come away with me... for a while at least?"

Kurt relaxed against the pillows and stared up at David contemplatively. He couldn't figure out why David was making such a big deal of this; of course, he would go away with him. He raised one eyebrow as he nodded at his lover.

"Of course, sweetie, why wouldn't I… wait, where did you have in mind?" Kurt now had a faint suspicious gleam in his eyes.

Dave ducked his head but smiled gamely. "Well, I do have a villa in Sete – that's in France – that would be great for an extended vacation but…" he paused again though he kept the smile. "I thought we could, maybe, visit your dad? If you wanted to, of course."

Kurt looked at him in astonishment before one corner of his swollen pink lips lifted in a reluctant smile. He caressed the side of David's face and he leaned up to place a soft kiss on the older man's smiling mouth.

"Yes, sweetie, I'd love to go visit my dad. Oh, David, I really do love you, though I took so long to say it. You're the sweetest, kindest person I know," and he leaned up to kiss his lover again, this time parting his lips to slip his tongue inside.

Dave sighed in relief as the kiss deepened. He'd never get enough of kissing Kurt and here, in the huge four-poster bed, lying wrapped in each other's arms, he felt as if nothing could hurt them. He would move heaven and earth, fight anyone, just to have the privilege of loving Kurt.

Boy, he was really a sap, Dave laughed mentally at his own sentimentality. Still, he admitted to himself, the beautiful man kissing him so rapturously did stir him to heights he'd never before known.

The temperature between them escalated as he eased up to strip Kurt of his white sweater. He pulled back to kiss and caress the toned chest, paying extended attention to the tight pink nipples, loving Kurt's soft hisses and moans as he squirmed beneath his mouth. Dave was almost painfully hard already and he shucked his clothes in record time, helped along by an eager Kurt.

Naked, erect and panting, he dragged off Kurt's suede boots one at a time, flinging them behind him and not caring where they landed. Kurt laughed delightedly at Dave's lustful growl as the larger man pounced on him. As Dave fumbled with the waist of Kurt's sexy white jeans, getting more frustrated even as his lover laughed at him, he had only one complaint.

Why in heaven's name must his lover torture him so with these blasted skintight jeans?

TBC

A/N 2: Seriously, folks, it just feels right stopping this chapter here... and keep those insightful reviews coming, please.