Well, that certainly took longer than I said. I do have a real excuse, though! I've been sick, like legitimately sick, in and out of the hospital and ER. And they still haven't figured out what's wrong...so, a prayer would be awesome if you want :)

Hope this works, trying go upload this on my phone! The format might be a bit wonky, so once I get out of the hospital and feel a little better I'll fix it on my computer.

Burt Hummel stood ramrod straight, Carole clinging to his chest, begging for his only son to be all right. Tears streaked Carole's face as several officers conferred quietly just beyond the barrier of yellow crime scene tape. Luckily, most of the students had already left the school, save for the Glee club and a few football players who had snuck out the weight room's back door. Just beside them, Sam's younger siblings were holding onto their parents' legs, obviously scared and not fully understanding what was happening.

Suddenly one of the nearby officers' radios burst to life, barely heard over the sounds of concerned parents and static. "...one confirmed injury, male, teenage. ."

Carole's sobs intensified and Burt held her tighter as visions of Kurt being brought out on a sheet-covered gurney floated unwelcomed into his mind.

Suddenly the school's glass front doors flew open, and three girls Burt recognized as Rachel, Mercedes, and Quinn stumbled out, escorted by two police officers. Their clothes were soaked through with fresh blood, and they broke into a run the moment they saw their parents, falling into their open arms.

Soon after more of the kids spilled out - Brittany, Santana, Sam, Puck. The only ones left were Kurt, Finn, Blaine, and their teacher. Carole was near hysterical, knuckles white around his flannel button-up.

The doors opened yet again, and a stretcher was carried down the concrete steps. The body was so covered in straps and blankets, he couldn't tell who it was. He shoved his way to the ambulance, staring as the boy was loaded in. Blaine's face, bruised and bloody, stared up at him. He was conscious but looked severely dazed.

Burt felt slightly guilty at the rush of relief he felt when he realized that Kurt and Finn weren't on the gurney. That disappeared when he saw Finn and Will Schuster walk out, covered in blood and supporting an obviously shaken Kurt between them.

"Kurt!" he yelled, surprising himself at the desperation in his tone. His son broke from the others' grasp, tumbling into his father's arms. Carole had grabbed Finn, sobbing as she held him at arm's length to make sure he wasn't hurt before drawing him close.

Burt stared down into Kurt's chestnut hair, which was sticky with blood and sweat. "Buddy, are you hurt? Are you okay?" Tears were slipping down his own cheeks, and he held Kurt as tightly as he could.

"I'm - I'm o-okay," Kurt stuttered, voice muffled as he hid his face in Burt's chest. "Blaine - it - it was his d-dad, he h-hurt him..."

Burt frowned in confusion. It was whose dad? What did that even mean? Instead of questioning it right at that moment, Burt just held his son tight. The next hour was a whirlwind of officers taking statements and the kids being checked over by a paramedic.

"They're both in light shock," the young EMT said, checking over both Kurt and Finn. She pulled two scratchy emergency blankets from the ambulance, wrapping them around the boys' shoulders. "They'll be just fine."

Burt gently tugged Kurt to his feet. "Let's go, buddy. We'll get something to eat, you can shower-"

Kurt cut him off with a startled protest, flinging the blanket aside. "What? No way, Dad, we have to go to the hospital! Blaine's Mom is in Cuba, and I doubt she'd come anyway. He's by himself, Dad..."

Burt pursed his lips. Really, all he wanted to do was go home and take care of Kurt and Finn. But Blaine was a sweet kid, and if his parents were away...

"I'll tell you what - we'll go home, and you can rinse off." He held up a hand to silence Kurt's protest. "Then, we can go to the hospital. Sound fair?"

Kurt reluctantly nodded, shuddering slightly as he chipped dried blood off his nails. He'd really rather just go straight to Lima Memorial, but he did hate the feeling of blood coating his skin. And remembering whose blood it was only made it a hundred times worse.

He followed his dad, Carole, and Finn to the car, settling heavily in the backseat by his stepbrother. The taller boy was trembling minutely, wiping at his arms and hands with a wet wipe.

Burt watched the scene in the rearview mirror as he pulled out of the school's lot. Hearing bits and pieces Kurt's description of what had occurred had been horrible; he couldn't imagine actually living it. His best friend, beaten and shot...it was just awful.

Five minutes later he pulled into the driveway of their modest two-story house, killing the engine. Kurt, restless to see Blaine, scrambled out and hurriedly ran into the house. Thanks to Burt and Carole's hasty departure earlier, the front door had been left carelessly unlocked.

Carole twisted around in the passenger seat to look at Finn. "You okay, honey?"

Finn bit his lip. "Did you know it was his dad?" he asked quietly, mimicking Kurt's earlier statement. Carole glanced questioningly at Burt, who shrugged.

"What was his dad, sweetheart?"

"The shooter," Finn mumbled. "It was Blaine's dad."

Carole gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. Tears sparkled in her eyes. "Are you sure, hon?"

Finn nodded, fists clenched. "He was mad at Blaine. Got fired or something because his boss is some homophobic jerk." He shook his head, angry. "It's just so wrong. His boss, first of all, for firing him because his son's gay - but attacking Blaine for being himself? Beating him, shooting him?" He wiped away several angry tears. "I don't get why."

A couple tears escaped Carole's sad eyes. "Neither do I, sweetie. I wish I did..."

Burt nodded to his wife before exiting the car and heading inside. He walked into the living room just in time to hear the upstairs shower shut off. Soon after Finn and Carole came in, both glassy-eyed and tired-looking. They collapsed on the couch and just sat there, relishing the presence of mother and son.

It only took five minutes for Kurt to come barreling down the stairs, dressed in skinny blue jeans and a plain black button-up. His hair was still damp and limp against his forehead, a testament of how badly he wanted to get to the hospital.

"We'll come later," Carole said quietly, running her fingers through Finn's spiky hair. Burt nodded, ushering Kurt out to his truck.

The drive to the hospital was twenty minutes and silent. Burt pulled into one of the few empty spaces left in the lot closest to the emergency room. Kurt practically ran inside, spotting Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury talking quietly in two of the drab chairs. Blood still speckled Mr. Schue's shirt, and Emma was dabbing at it with a damp paper towel.

"Kurt!" Mr. Schue stood and wrapped his student in a quick hug. "Are you okay?"

Kurt frowned and shrugged. "Any news on Blaine?"

Mr. Schue sighed, glancing at the double doors that led to the serious part of the ER. "We only got here ten minutes ago, but so far, no." He glanced at Burt, who had walked up from behind Kurt. "Mr. Hummel," he greeted with a nod.

"Schuester," Burt answered.

"Kurt, didn't you pick up Blaine's phone on the way out of school?" Emma asked. Shd continued at Kurt's nod. "The emergency number we have at the school is for his dad's cell phone, and we haven't been able to get a hold of his mom. I thought maybe he had some other numbers for her in his phone?"

Kurt dug in his back pocket, bringing out a slightly cracked iPhone. "Even if his mom doesn't answer, he has a big brother who practically raised him." He scrolled through Blaine's contacts, holding it out. "Cooper Anderson - he lives in LA."

Emma reached for the phone, but the doors suddenly opened and Rachel came barreling in with her dads, looking frantic and talking a mile a minute. Burt took the phone from Kurt's hand, walking out the automatic glass doors and taking a seat on the uncomfortable wooden bench, selecting the contact titled 'mom'. It rang twice and then went to voicemail, indicating she'd ignored the call. Annoyed, he then called Cooper.

"Blaine! God, I was so worried, it was all over the news. I was just about to book a flight. I'm so glad you're okay!"

Burt winced, knowing what he'd have to do. "Cooper Anderson?" There was silence on the other end for a moment.

"Yeah. Who are you? Is Blaine okay?" The voice was mature, and sounded like a man well into his twenties.

"I'm his best friend's father," he said slowly. "Blaine...Blaine was injured in the shooting. I don't know much right now, I'm sorry."

Cooper swore, and Burt heard the sound of frantic typing. "I'll take the first flight back. How...how badly is he hurt?"

Burt closed his eyes. "Like I said, I don't know much, I'm sorry. From what I've gathered he was beaten and...shot."

A long string of curse words followed. "Right. I'll be there soon, thank you."

"I haven't been able to reach your mom," Burt said before the man could hang up. There was a muffled snort.

"Don't bother. She doesn't care about us, especially Blaine. I'm his parent in every way that counts."

He hung up after that, leaving Burt with a dial tone. He shoved the phone in his pocket and went back inside, where several of the Glee club members had arrived with their parents. Some of the kids - Mercedes, Sam, Quinn, Tina, and Mike - had understandably been kept home by their parents. Puck, Rachel, Santana, and Brittany had joined Mr. Schue, Emma, and Kurt in the chairs.

"His brother's on his way from LA. His mom...I couldn't get her."

It took several hours for them to hear anything. Finn had finally come with Carole, and immediately began draining the vending machine (and Burt's pockets.) Kurt adamantly refused the powdered sugar donuts offered to him.

"There's a reason you have more acne breakouts than I do," he sniffed, wrinkling his nose at the snack. "That is pure, processed sugar drenched in grease."

Finn shrugged, shoving three in his mouth, disgusting Kurt even more. But he was pretty hungry. Maybe the vending machines had sunflower seeds or something...

"Family of Blaine Anderson?"

The words spoken by the petite nurse caused everyone in their group to fall silent. Will Schuester hesitantly stood and approached her. "I'm one of his teachers; his parents are...away."

The nurse, a young woman who seemed to barely break five feet, appraised him with sharp blue eyes. "Alright, then. Blaine is being moved to the pediatric intensive care unit as we speak. The bullet, as you know, went in through the left shoulder. This caused a shattered scapula and fractured humerus and clavicle. That will need surgery but for now we've simply stabilized it." She glanced down at her clipboard piled with papers. "He had a moderate concussion, his knee was severely sprained, and he had several contusions and cuts which needed a total of twenty-three stitches."

Kurt realized he was holding his breath and quickly let it out. "So...what does all of that mean?"

She smiled brightly, eyes crinkling at the edges. "We think he's going to be just fine."

A cheer erupted through the kids and adults alike. Kurt was pretty sure Finn kissed Rachel smack on the mouth, and felt someone -Puck?! - slap his butt in excitement. He didn't really care, however, and grabbed his father in a hug, laughing happily. Brittany simply nodded.

"Lord Tubbington told me he'd be fine," she said calmly, before Santana grabbed her.

The other waiting room occupants cheered politely, the joy contagious. Kurt spun towards the nurse, grinning.

"So can we see him?"

Sooooo I wrote this on my phone so I really hope there's no typos!

This was originally supposed to be a long chapter story, but now I think it'll only be between 5-10 chapters. I'm really sorry! I've already been in the hospital (this time) for almost a week and I have no idea how much longer I'll be here. [Hopefully not for too much longer - since I'm under 18 I'm in the children's ward and the nurses keep trying to make me play I Spy -_-

anyways, thanks everyone who reviewed/favorited/followed! Till next time!