Summary –When Brittany's secret is exposed, help comes from an unexpected source. However, Brittany must make some difficult decisions about the group she has made into her 'family'.

Series – The Life of Brittany part two

Disclaimer – I don't own Glee. Everything in this is pure fiction. Title is inspired by the song 'Rule the World' by Take That, which I do not own nor claim to own.

A/N – Please read my other fic 'A Lifetime in the Dark' before this as it is the first in the series. This will be a multi-chapter continuing from ALITD :) Please Review because I love to know what people think!

Chapter 1 – Planning

One Monday morning, Brittany walked into school as she always did. However, she could feel that this wasn't a normal morning. People were staring at her as she walked by, and not in a good way. Their eyes searched Brittany for any sign of weakness, any truth in the rumours that had spread like wildfire that weekend. Suddenly, Brittany feels a tug on the shoulder and feels herself being pushed into the nearest classroom. She spins around to be greeted with the face of one Rachel Berry.
"Brittany, I just wanted to know, are they true?" Rachel asks, her voice slightly softer than its usual shrill tone.

"Are what true?" asks Brittany

"The rumours ... that you're homeless"

"I'm not, I do have a home ..." Brittany sighs "Well, a sort of home"

"Oh Britt, I really want to help you" Rachel sighs

"Why would you want to help me? I was mean to you," Brittany says quietly, a tear escaping from the side of her eye.

"Because now I know why, and I admire you for staying so strong." Rachel smiles, genuine warmth in her eyes.

"Come to mine tonight, yes?" Rachel asks

"We'll have to go to the hostel first so I can let Max know. I'll have to go to work too."

"No, you deserve a rest Britt"

"But, they're my family; I can't just ditch them because I could make a better life for myself and not them"

This statement causes Rachel to tear up slightly and she can see the adoration Brittany has for her 'family'.

"Can I bring Hollie with me? She's only young; Max will protect the rest of them."

"Sure Britt" Rachel smiles gently "I'll sort something out, Just trust me, please?"
"Okay" Brittany smiles, hugging Rachel as the bell goes off.

After school has finished for the day, Rachel meets Brittany by the front of the school, and together they walk over to the hostel.

"Here we are" Brittany says weakly and Rachel looks up at the crumbling building, taking a sharp inhalation of breath.
"You ... you live here?" Rachel asks feebly

"Yeah, 6 of us do" Brittany sighs, seeing the confusion in Rachel's eyes as to how they could survive in here. She takes Rachel's hand and leads her into the main room.

"Hi guys" Brittany smiles as brightly as she can muster up

"Hey Britt" Hollie grins back, bouncing over to give her big sister a hug "You brought someone with you?"

"Yeah, this is Rachel, from school"

The other 5 say hello to Rachel and she timidly says hello back.

"I'm going to Rachel's house for a little bit, Hollie you're coming with me okay?" Brittany says

"Wait" Max stands in front of Brittany "If she's another one of your conquests"

"No, no. Just a friend who wants to help" Rachel smiles, offering her hand to Max, who brushes it away.
"You can't just swan in here and take her away; she has to work so we can live. I bet you've never had to do that, Miss fancy-pants," Max snarls. George gently pulls Max away and Brittany tears up slightly. She bends down in front of Hollie.
"Holls, you go outside with Rachel okay? I promise you can trust her. I'll be out in a minute"

Hollie nods and gently takes Rachel's hand, picking up her backpack and teddy bear from the side before Rachel guides her out. Brittany walks over to Max, who is still angry.

"Listen, I've been one of the main contributors to this household ever since we started" She says, "We have a chance of a better life. Someone at school found out and is spreading the gossip about. If it hadn't of been for Rachel, I would of been made a laughing stock. Soon, it will reach Jack and he will stop funding us and split us up. Rachel has offered me the chance of a life away from all this, and Hollie too. Her dads are lawyers so they could sort the rest of you out so you could stay together. Why can't you see that this is the opportunity to get out of here?"

Max is stunned into silence.

"I ... I didn't even know you knew the meaning of all that" he states, trying to offend Brittany as little as possible but still amazed at what she just said.
"My English teacher has been helping me with my speaking and writing" Brittany smiles.

"Are you coming back then?" Max asks

"Maybe." Brittany says, putting her hands on Max's shoulders "We will sort something out, I promise. I couldn't just leave you all. We're family." With that, Brittany walks to the door to see Rachel and Hollie and together they walk to Rachel's house.