Barbi hadn't seen Kurt since before she was arrested, and right now, seeing him lying in a hospital bed, she suddenly felt guilty. Yes, their marriage was a loveless one, but he was still her friend. He was there for her when she needed him, and that was more than she could say for most people.
"How's it feel to be a free woman?" Kurt's voice was weak.
"Nice. Feels good to wear something other than orange." She laughed, glancing out the window.
The doctor said that Kurt would be fine, but he still looked like hell. His skin was pale, his, his short hair was a mess. She had never seen him like that before. It was kind of scary.
"Barbi, I have to tell you something."
Barbi didn't like the tone in Kurt's voice. It was the same tone she had heard girlfriends use when telling their boyfriend that they were pregnant. Well, at least she didn't have to worry about Kurt getting pregnant.
"I've been sleeping with Gio." He spoke slowly, but with strength.
She looked at him, but she wasn't shocked. She knew he had been cheating. Hell, she was cheating. The fact that it was Gio didn't shock her. It was a little bit of a surprise, to be sure, but it wasn't any worse or any better than if he had said he had been sleeping with one of the female models.
Still, she had to admit that she was a little hurt. That was the surprise. That she actually felt a little disappointed that Kurt had just admited that their marriage was nothing but a front. At least, that was what it had become.
"Are you going to go public with it?" She kept her voice calm, soft. She didn't want to freak out, not at Kurt, not while he was like this.
"No." He looked away, she could see the shame in his eyes. "I'm going to tell Rick. He's been on me for an alibi, so I'll give him mine. Otherwise, it'll be quiet."
"That's fine." She nodded. "Shouldn't I be pissed off?"
He smiled, nodded.
"Are you?" He didn't break eye contact with her.
"No." She laughed. "Surprisingly, I'm not. A little sad, but... are you happy?"
"Yeah, I am." He smiled.
Obviously this was going better than he had thought it would.
"I think this is the first time you've been honest with me." She stood, walking over to the window. "So, the question is, do we keep up the marriage of appearance sake, or do we end it, and go our seperate ways."
"For now," he paused, collecting his thoughts, "we'll keep things up for appearance sake, but when all this blows over. When they catch the killer, we should probably..."
"Alright." She could feel her chest tighten. Was she actually close to tears?
She turned, walking over to the bed, and in a move that surprised both of them, she hugged Kurt, kissing him on the forehead.
"You'll find someone who can really make you happy Barbi." Kurt's voice was a whisper. "I know it."
"Thanks." She wiped the tear that was running down her cheek.
She stood up straight, took a deep breath, brushed her long blonde hair behind her shoulders, and headed towards the door. She stopped before leaving the room, glancing back one last time.
Kurt was watching her, a weak smile on his face, shock in his eyes, and tears running down his cheeks.
Barbi knew that even though they were going to stay together that the marriage was really over. At that moment, with Kurt being totally honest with her, she knew the truth.
It hurt.
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