Hi Everyone! Welcome back once more!

Not much to say in this A/N, although a huge, huge thank you to my Beta GleekMom, who knows more about US laws than I do. Being Canadian makes it a bit more difficult to make the story believeable, so she's been helping with getting it right! Much love to you, my dear!

Once again, if I haven't told you all yet that I love you, well, I do! You guys are all amazing, and I'm sending out virtual hugs to you all!

The sweet sound of a child's laughter bubbled up from the front door, waking Blaine from his half doze. He looked up from the couch, where he had fallen after the incredible soup Kurt had made, and watched Ariel walk through the door, chuckling together with Burt Hummel. He made a small, sleepy smile.

"Hi, you guys," Kurt called from the kitchen, popping his head in long enough to note that it was Burt and Ariel. "Are you hungry?" Burt's stomach gave a very loud growl, and Ariel burst into giggles again. Burt rubbed his stomach ruefully.

"Apparently, I am. This little cutie managed to laugh every single time my tummy growled all the way home. Then we both had to laugh, just before coming through the door, because her tummy growled right back at mine!" He and Ariel burst into another round of laughter, while Blaine slowly got up from the couch. He wandered over to the kitchen, taking deep breaths while trying to figure out what Kurt had going on the pot on the stove. Whatever it was, it made his mouth water.

"Good, because supper is almost done. Do you know if Carole or Finn will be joining us tonight?" Kurt asked, returning to the kitchen to give the food another quick stir. Smiling gently at Blaine, he lifted the lid to show Blaine the stir-fry he had thrown together. It looked to Blaine like the absolute best stir-fry he had ever seen.

"Carole is working until midnight, but I think Finn will be home soon." Burt offered, and went to sit in his easy chair in the living room, flipping on the Buckeyes game. Ariel stared at Kurt and Blaine for a couple of seconds, then wandered after Burt, seating herself delicately on the edge of the couch, while Burt started explaining the game to her.

"She'd better watch herself," Kurt snickered softly, watching Burt's animated gestures. "Or she's going to become a football fan too!" Blaine smiled, watching the girl as she tried to understand the difference between the coloured flags, of which a yellow had just been thrown.

"That means there was a penalty," Burt was explaining. "And if there is a red flag, it means that the play is being challenged by one of the coaches…" Ariel sat transfixed, watching as Burt explained all the rules.

At that moment, a huge young man came bounding through the front door, dropping his backpack at the door, and flung himself with practised ease onto the couch. He unsettled Ariel, who bounced off in fright and clambered up Burt's legs to perch warily in his lap.

"Finn, could you please try not to scare the living daylights out of my young friend?" Kurt asked icily, and Finn's eyes popped up over the back of the couch as he sat back up, then looked around at the youngster still seated carefully on Burt.

"Who…? What's going on?" Finn's mouth kept opening and closing, giving Blaine the impression of a perch he had caught once when he had gone fishing with his dad as a kid. Actually, his wide eyes didn't help the situation either, and Blaine had to stifle a laugh behind a small cough.

Burt sighed and slid his arm around the frightened young girl in his lap. "Don't you mind Finn, Ariel. He's a nice guy, just a bit… awkward, sometimes. He won't hurt you, I promise. As for you, young man," Burt glared at Finn, but he held a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "You need to stop flopping down on that couch like you do. One of these days, you really are going to break it." Finn grinned sheepishly; it was an argument they'd had ever since Finn and Carole had moved in. Finn certainly wasn't gentle with his things.

"But who is that?" Finn asked tentatively, sliding his feet back to the floor and sitting forward on the edge of the couch, much like Ariel had done earlier. "And who's in the kitchen with Kurt?" Blaine pinked slightly; he hadn't known that Finn had seen him at all. Apparently Finn wasn't as oblivious as he'd first appeared.

"This here is Ariel, Finn," Burt replied softly, lowering the leg rest of the easy chair to the floor, allowing the girl to clamber down if she wanted to, but not forcing her to. "And over there, that's Blaine." He pointed to Blaine, who had followed Kurt from the kitchen and stood slightly behind him. Blaine was actually a bit afraid of the jock, who towered over him as he lumbered forward with a goofy smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you, man!" Blaine blinked at the outstretched hand, looking back and forth between Finn's face and his hand, as though he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Finn's face fell a bit, and he turned a confused look to Kurt. After a few seconds Blaine's training kicked in, and he clasped Finn's hand firmly, ready to yank his fingers away if Finn tried to squeeze the life out of them. But instead, Finn shook his hand politely, and released it. Blaine tried hard not to breathe a sigh of relief as he managed to get his hand back in one piece.

Finn turned back to Ariel, smiling gently. "Hey there. I'm sorry I bounced you off the couch, Ariel. If you had weighed any less, you might have gone all the way to the ceiling!" He knelt down, and Blaine's protective streak tried to assert itself, causing him to take a step forward towards the shy little girl. But Kurt placed his hand on Blaine's arm, and shook his head slightly; Ariel would be safe.

Ariel slowly slid down from Burt's lap, her head bobbing back and forth slightly as she tried to figure out Finn. Finn sat back on his heels, watching the little girl step close to him, but trying not to make any sudden movements, or do anything that might scare her. Since he was kneeling, their heads were at the same height, and Blaine could see the slight trembling in his hands as he tried to hold still.

"Finn's never met a little girl before, Ariel. He's a bit nervous." Ariel raised her eyes to Kurt, who had spoken, incredulity written all over her face. Finn smiled, his slightly off centre smile rendering him endearing, rather than threatening. Ariel looked back at Finn, who swallowed nervously.

"He's right, you know." Finn croaked, clearing his throat carefully before continuing. "I've never met a little girl before, especially not one so pretty. I'm sorry I scared you earlier. I'm just not used to being around very little girls. Sometimes," He whispered conspiratorially. "I act like a big moose! All lumbering and falling over everything, and very clumsy!" He grinned again, and Ariel giggled softly, her face changing to delight as she imagined Finn as a moose.

"Now," Finn asked carefully, to everyone in the room. "I came home specifically to watch the Buckeyes kick some… uh, tail." He caught himself before swearing in front of the little girl. "Can we go back to doing that, please?" Ariel clapped her hands, and took a place on one side of the couch, leaving enough room for Finn on the other side, who gingerly sat down. Then Burt sat, and that was that; Ariel had met Finn.

Kurt returned to the kitchen with Blaine, who watched as the young man completed the delicious smelling stir-fry, along with a pot of sticky rice.

"Are you sure she's going to be okay in there, Kurt?" Blaine asked, his eyes flickering back and forth from what Kurt was doing and the doorway to the living room. Kurt slid in beside Blaine, reached around him, and slipped a serving spoon from the jug containing those utensils that was conveniently behind Blaine. As he pulled away, he looked deeply into Blaine's eyes.

"She'll be just fine, Blaine." Kurt whispered softly, lingering where he was for just a moment, before turning back to the rice. Blaine's face lit up like it was Christmas, even as his cheeks turned what he was sure was a humiliating shade of pink. Was Kurt flirting with him? Should he flirt back? What if he wasn't? What if Kurt was just trying to be reassuring? Blaine felt his enthusiasm, which had burned incredibly brightly a second ago, begin to waiver. His heart stopped pounding as hard, and his face fell. He didn't know it, but Kurt had watched every second of his reaction, and was determined to make the smile light up Blaine face once more.

Unfortunately, at that moment, dinner was ready, and Kurt would have to put away his plans until later.

After dinner, Burt brought Ariel, Blaine and Kurt to visit Maggie in the hospital. She had been moved to a different room, and they had spent almost twenty minutes looking for her. When they did finally find her, the nurse was in with her, and they had to wait a few more minutes. By the time they were allowed to see her, Ariel had begun yawning softly.

"Goodness, Blaine! How wonderful it is to see you! And Kurt too!" Maggie's gentle voice carried across the room, where the small group stood. Ariel walked straight over to the bed, clambered on, and hugged Maggie tightly. As Maggie hugged back, a twinkle of tears appeared in her eyes.

"I missed you too, pumpkin," Maggie whispered, kissing the girls' brow. She turned her attention back to the group. "Boys, I have a bit of a problem." Blaine and Kurt looked at one another, surprise showing in both men's faces.

"I'm not going to be getting out of this bed anytime soon. The doctor says that because of my age, he wants to keep me here for no less than a month, and then set a home care worker on me, once I get out. I don't really mind, a lot of the workers are good friends of mine, but it means my home is no longer open to being able to foster anyone." Maggie's tears overflowed, slipping cautiously down her wrinkled cheeks. She hugged Ariel closer to her.

"I am so sorry, Ariel," She told the little girl. "I never expected anything like this, and I wish it had turned out differently." Blaine's mind was racing, worried about the little girl and himself. How on earth was he going to be able to look after them now? Burt coughed, and everyone turned to look at him.

"What about with us? I have an extra bedroom at my place, and we can fix it up for Ariel. She already stayed last night, and we figured she would be fine until you got out. Can we make that, say, a bit more permanent?" Maggie raised an eyebrow.

"Have you been screened approved as a foster home?" Burt shook his head, and Maggie sighed softly. "So the agency will need to start a homestudy and approve things on an emergency basis. Ariel's worker needs to be notified that I'm in the hospital, and a couple of other things need to be done. I'm not sure all of that can be accomplished tonight, but I'll make a couple of calls, and find out."

"Ariel, how about you and I go and get some Jell-O from the cafeteria, if it's still open?" Burt gently coaxed the girl from the bed, and they wandered away in search of the treat. Kurt and Blaine decided to take a bit of a walk as well, and found themselves outside the hospital, walking along the green grass in the twilight.

"Do you think it'll work out?" Blaine asked nervously. He shoved his hands deep into his pants' pockets, his nervousness showing in the tightness of the muscles in his shoulders. Kurt reached over to gently slip an arm around those shoulders, giving a soft squeeze as Blaine slowly began to calm.

"We'll find a way, Blaine." Kurt whispered, leaning his head toward Blaine's as he tried to comfort the other man. "Even if Ariel ends up being taken to a respite home for the night, we can have them come check the house for safety tomorrow, and hopefully be declared suitable for foster care. Having two working parents is a plus, especially when one of those parents is a nurse." Blaine blinked. He'd forgotten that Kurt had told him Carole was a nurse.

The evening was a cool one, and Blaine shivered slightly as they passed under a willow tree. It was a secluded area of the hospital now, with no one around as they walked. The first autumn leaves had begun falling, and they made a nice crunching sound under the boys' feet as they walked. Kurt tugged him closer, and they walked in silence, simply enjoying the time together and the closeness. Blaine could smell the lotion Kurt used on his face, and he was momentarily entranced. He stopped, allowing Kurt to walk a couple more steps before turning to look at Blaine with a quizzical smile.

"You okay?" Kurt whispered, walking back to Blaine and slowly taking his hand. Blaine looked down where their hands were joined, a light fluttering in his belly making its presence known before he looked back up at Kurt.

"I'm perfect." Blaine realised, that at this particular moment, it was true. He was walking in a secluded area with a man he would very much like to know better, and thanks to said man, he was calm and in control of his emotions for the first time in a very long time. He felt balanced, like there was something about Kurt that evened out his rough patches, fixed his mental issues, and allowed him to become one with the universe. He took a deep breath.

"Kurt, there is a moment, when you say to yourself, Oh! There you are. I've been looking for you forever." Blaine reached his hand out, taking Kurt's in his own, wondering if this was even a good idea. But he had to know.

"Watching you, with Ariel, this week, that was a moment for me, about you. You… move me, Kurt. And I would love any excuse to spend more time with you." Leaning forward, he placed his lips gently against Kurt's, a small inhalation from the other man the only sign of his surprise. Very carefully, he pulled back, his flaming cheeks showing his slight embarrassment at having been so bold. He lowered his eyes to the ground, wondering if he had just ruined the incredible friendship he had developed with this amazing man.

"Blaine." Kurt whispered once more, and Blaine's eyes came up, meeting the glaz eyes of the young man before him. Kurt shuffled forward once more, and their lips touched again, sensation exploding through Blaine as he moved his mouth gently against Kurt's. He wrapped his arms around the other man's waist, as Kurt placed one of his hands against Blaine's cheek. After a minute or two, they finally broke apart, with Kurt leaning his head carefully against Blaine's.

"It's about time," Kurt whispered, and Blaine blinked up at him. What?

"I've been waiting for you to come to your senses for a week now. I've been in lo… Well, I've been interested in you since the first moment I saw you. However, it's been almost an hour, we should probably be getting back." Turning, he looked back at Blaine, who still had stars in his eyes.

"Come on, silly. We have to find out what's going to happen to you and Ariel."

A woman Blaine vaguely recognised sat in the room with Maggie, Ariel and Burt when Kurt and Blaine finally appeared. Maggie smiled at them, and gestured them to come closer.

"Kurt, Blaine, I would like to introduce you to Isabelle Reese. She's a good friend from social services, and she's offered to help as much as she can." Maggie smiled toward Ariel, who was currently sitting in Burt's lap, both of them listening to the conversation. Isabelle stood.

"Hello Kurt. Hello… Blaine?" Blaine's heart jumped as he recognised the young woman before him; she had been his caseworker six months before, when he had just gotten out of the hospital. He shook her hand loosely, pulling away quickly as his mind raced over the events long past.

The fears that he would be returned to his house, the anguish of being separated from his mother, the doubt that had surrounded his return to Dalton. Every emotion he had felt then came back in full force, and he spent several minutes trying to calm himself after shaking Isabelle's hand. Kurt noticed.

"You okay?" Kurt whispered, reaching out to take Blaine's hand. But Blaine was not okay. None of this was okay. He had to leave before she recognised him, if she hadn't already.

"I have to go." Blaine whispered back to Kurt, giving his hand a soft squeeze, before slowly backing toward the door. Kurt refused to let go of Blaine's hand though. Their hands stretched out, until Blaine had one foot out the door, and Kurt was forced to follow silently along.

"Kurt?" Came a call from in the room, but Blaine finally was able to get Kurt to release his hand, and he walked quickly away. Kurt turned back into the room, keeping an eye on which way Blaine went.

"Blaine is just running to the washroom. He'll be right back. Actually, that sounds like a good idea. I'll be back too." Following Blaine down the hallway, Kurt ducked into a small room designated a quiet room, finding Blaine sitting with his head propped on his hands.

"It was her." Blaine muttered softly, not even looking up from where he was contemplating his shoelaces. "She was the one that I spoke to when I got out of the hospital after my dad…" Kurt sat softly beside Blaine, reaching his arm once more around this incredible young man. He waited a couple of minutes, until Blaine began talking again.

Blaine explained everything that had happened to him six months earlier, starting with his coming out to his family. By the time he had completed his story, they were both in tears, with Kurt hugging Blaine fiercely.

"He'll never get his hands on you again, Blaine." Kurt vowed, as he pulled a couple of tissues from the box on the table. "I'll never let him anywhere near you, I swear it." Blaine chuckled wetly, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his shirt.

"Eww, Blaine, please at least try to use the tissues," Kurt giggled, trying to diffuse the overwhelming sadness that permeated the room. He handed Blaine the box of tissues, and the young man took a couple, blowing his nose and wiping his eyes.

"I'm just afraid, Kurt," Blaine finally whispered, his voice so soft Kurt had to bend his ear close to catch it. "I'm afraid that Isabelle will recognise me, and make me go home." Kurt shook his head, but Blaine looked up at him, pleading. "They can do that. If they think the home is safe, they will return me to him." Blaine's final word ended in a choked sob, causing Kurt once more to wrap his arms around him, trying to comfort the best way he knew how.

After a couple more minutes, a pair of soft soled shoes sounded at the door, and the two looked up to see Isabelle standing at the doorway, one hand perched on Ariel's shoulder. Taking one look at the tear-stained faces, Isabelle crouched down to Ariel's height.

"Ariel, honey, how about you go say bye to Maggie for tonight, and Blaine and I will be right along, okay?" Ariel nodded, skipping softly back down the hallway. Isabelle stood, and made her way to the open chair that sat across from the small couch the boys were nestled together on.

"Blaine. I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to see you again. How have you been?" Isabelle looked carefully between the two young men, noting the distinct panic on Blaine's face, and the protectiveness in Kurt's. She sighed softly.

"I failed you, didn't I, Blaine?" Blaine's face shot up, glaring at the social worker as Kurt raised an eyebrow in query.

"I did, and I'm so sorry. I know now that your father was never going to change, Blaine. I know this, for a couple of different reasons. But the one that's going to hurt you the most, is the one I have to tell you first, I'm afraid." Blaine's eyes grew round as he pondered the implications of that ominous statement.

"Mother?" Blaine whispered, a single word that had the young woman lowering her head in acquiescence.

"He shoved her down a flight of stairs about a month after you ran, Blaine. I'm so sorry." A small tear traced down the workers' cheek. "She made it to the hospital, but she slipped into a coma. She lasted for almost a week, but then her body simply gave up. She never awoke." She lifted her eyes to him, silently begging him to forgive her.

Blaine burst into a fresh wave of tears, his agony at having lost his one caring parent too overwhelming as he buried his head into Kurt's shoulder. Kurt's eyes filled once more too, as he cuddled Blaine close, offering as much comfort and sympathy as he could provide.

"I truly am so sorry to have to tell you this, Blaine. I know it comes as a shock to you. Your father has been arrested, Blaine. He's been remanded to police custody, and has spent the last five months in jail. Seems like the District Attorney will be going to go for a murder one charge, rather than manslaughter. I hope you can take some small comfort in that." Isabelle stood, smoothing down the wrinkles in her dress pants.

"I have a very dear friend, Logan Mayweather, who, along with his wife Mary, is willing to keep Ariel for the night, until more permanent arrangements can be made." Blaine's heart jumped, and he stood abruptly, his hands clenched into fists as he sought to control his emotions once more. Kurt stood carefully beside him, his hands gently clasping Blaine's wrist in a gesture of restraint.

"Is there no way that Ariel can come home with us?" Kurt asked plaintively, his eyes locking with the woman across from them. He begged her to say yes. "If you separate Blaine and Ariel, it could be as traumatic for her as it will be for Blaine." Isabelle studied the look on the young man's face.

"I agree, but I simply don't have anyone to come out to assess your home tonight. The earliest I could have it done is tomorrow, but that doesn't help us for tonight." She walked out the door and down the hall to Maggie's room, checking twice to make sure the young men were following her. As they stopped before Maggie's room, Isabelle introduced them to an unassuming gentleman in his late forties. She then explained her dilemma to Logan.

"If you don't mind staying on a couch, Blaine, you are more than welcome to stay with us as well for this evening." Logan offered. "I'm sure that Ariel would appreciate the company." Isabelle looked toward the two boys, wondering if Blaine would be willing to part from Kurt for the night.

Blaine looked toward Kurt, who slid his arm once more around Blaine. He leaned his head forward, resting his forehead against Blaine's.

"You should stay with her, Blaine. She'll be terrified without you there, you know that." Kurt breathed, the warm puff of his breath helping to calm Blaine once more, even though he was still devastated at the notification of his mother's passing. Tersely, he nodded his head once, then turned to stare the young woman in the face.

"I'll stay with Ariel." Those four words were some of the hardest Blaine had ever uttered, but he knew the little girl would need him in the night; every time she had awoken during the past week he had been there, comforting and helping her. He couldn't let her down now.

Isabelle nodded, then entered Maggie's room. The seventy-five year old woman was telling a bedtime story to the young girl, just as they had done together every night since Blaine and Ariel had found a place with her. Isabelle waited a few moments, to allow Maggie to finish her story, then held out her hand for the young girl.

"Ariel, sweetie. It's time to go."

So what do you think? I originally had taken this in a darker direction, but thanks to the wisdom of GleekMom, I revised it, and I like this much better. Don't you? ;)