Author's Note: Well, this is the first chapter of a multi-chapter fic. It bounces around time wise, but it'll all come together. Don't worry. :)

"I have no say in this."

"What are you talking about? Of course you do! It's your life. Not his."

"I'm sorry. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do."

"Miss? Excuse me, miss?"

The blonde snapped back to attention. She looked toward the elderly woman behind her in line. She blinked slowly and switched the child in her arms to the other side.

"The line's moving," the woman said, indicating for Quinn to step forward.

"Thanks."

Quinn forced a smile and pushed her cart forward. The line needed to be moving faster. She looked around the store. The other two open lanes were also long. She was better off waiting here. She wished she had some way to get to the front of the line.

"That looks painful."

The elderly woman was talking to her again and Quinn turned slightly to look at her. "Hm?"

"Your arm." She pointed at the bruises.

Quinn swallowed the lump in her throat and tugged her sleeve down, covering the spot. "Yeah. Skiing. Last weekend. I'm not very good." She offered another smile and turned away from the woman completely. She stepped up in line.

"Your son is adorable."

Trying not to heave a sigh, the blonde smiled back at the woman. "Thanks."

"What's his name?" the woman reached out and touched the toddler's arm.

"Alex." At the mention of his name, Alex said a shy "hi" to the woman.

"He's so sweet." The woman smiled at the boy, then looked to Quinn. "Is he your first?"

"No," she tried to keep her tone firm enough to indicate that she really didn't want to be talking to a stranger. "I have a daughter."

"I had two boys and three girls," the woman told her.

"That's... a lot," Quinn replied and bounced Alex a little. He seemed to be getting tired. She needed to get home.

"Not back then it wasn't," the woman said with a smile.

Quinn smiled back and was thankful that it was finally her turn in line. She quickly unloaded the few items in her cart while balancing the boy. She cursed the slow movements of the woman behind the cash register. The blonde checked the time on her phone. She had to get home.

As soon as she paid, she was out the door, carrying the bags while still holding the boy. He snuggled against her and placed his face into her neck.

"We'll be home soon, baby," she told him as she practically sprinted to her car. She fastened Alex into the car rapidly and noticed the boy's green eyes beginning to droop in his sleepiness.

Quinn pulled out of the parking lot and cursed every time she caught a red light on the way home. She was speeding most of the time, even though she knew she shouldn't have been, especially with Alex in the car. By the time she got home, she knew it was too late. She took her time getting her son from the car and carrying the bags inside.

The house was quiet when she entered. She set her bags in the kitchen. She needed to get started on dinner. She didn't see her husband or daughter. After Quinn placed Alex in his room for his nap, she moved toward the kitchen.

Quinn jumped at seeing Michael there. He looked calm, his blue eyes set on her. He cleared his throat as Quinn moved to unpack the bags, trying to act nonchalant. Michael ran a hand through his brown hair and stepped in her way, coming into her space.

"You're late," he said softly.

"I'm sorry." The blonde felt panicky. She looked up into those blue eyes. "There was a long line at the grocery store and—"

"I gave you twenty five minutes," he cut her off sternly.

Quinn looked away now. She didn't want to seem like she was challenging him. "If the line wasn't so long..."

"I don't care," Michael told her. "It's your responsibility to be home when I say you should be home." He grabbed her by the wrist. "Now, come on."

"No, no, please, Michael, please." The blonde twisted her arm, trying to break out of his grasp.

"Mommy?"

Quinn looked to the dark haired girl standing in the kitchen doorway. Her blue eyes were wide and she looked between her parents, an expression of fear on her face.

"Go to your room," Michael told the child.

She didn't move. "Mommy, what's wrong?"

"Maybelle, please," Quinn told her softly. "Go to your room. I'll come get you when it's time to eat dinner. Play with your dolls."

The girl looked at both parents before running down the hall to her bedroom. Michael yanked Quinn toward the hallway once they heard the door close. Quinn tried to break free again, but she didn't want to be too loud. She didn't want their daughter to hear.

Michael shoved Quinn into their bedroom and closed the door. He locked it as Quinn put distance between them. She pressed herself up against the wall.

"Please, Michael, I sped home to try and make it in time," she whispered, trying to reason. "I was going fifty five in a thirty five, please. I tried."

"It's not good enough." He took off his belt and folded it over on itself. "We have rules here."

"Michael... please... don't."

Quinn had backed herself into the corner. Michael grabbed her at the wrist and yanked her forward as his other hand raised the belt high above his head.

"I can barely walk!" Quinn screamed out as she stumbled into Rachel. The brunette caught her, keeping her from falling and the blonde laughed. She hadn't been drunk in a long time and it was the first party of their sophomore year at college.

"We're almost there," Rachel told her and laughed as well. She half carried Quinn up the stairs to her apartment door. She lived on campus, but was one of the few sophomores to score an apartment this year. She propped Quinn up as she opened the door.

Rachel flicked on the light and pulled Quinn inside. She closed and locked the door before leading her to the last bedroom on the right. She unlocked the door and moved inside.

"My roommate's out, if you wanna sleep in her bed," Rachel told her, but Quinn ignored that and stumbled to Rachel's bed, climbing on.

"That was fun," Quinn slurred. "I can't believe you did those shots. Where was this Berry in high school? I saw her, like, once."

"Yeah," Rachel agreed, smirking. She hadn't really partied in high school. "Trying not to get in trouble with the Berry dads."

"Mmmm, yeah." Quinn nodded then flopped back on Rachel's bed.

"Are you going to be okay?" Rachel asked as she moved toward her bed and sat down next to Quinn.

"Mmmm, yeah." The blonde's eyes slid shut.

Rachel watched her a moment. "Quinn?"

"Hm?"

She paused. "You shouldn't sleep on your back."

Quinn sat up carefully and fell forward slightly. Rachel caught her, holding up. Quinn looked to Rachel, meeting her eyes before she let her eyes close. She leaned in and kissed the brunette softly. Rachel kissed her for only a moment before breaking the kiss.

"Quinn," she said, still surprised. "You're not in your right mind... Here. Lay down here. On your side." She helped Quinn lay down. "Yes. There you go. You'll be all right."

Rachel stumbled out of her bed, mind reeling. What just happened? And why did she feel all tingly and giddy? It must have been the alcohol. She took off Quinn's shoes and then her own, deciding not to think about it anymore tonight. She turned off the light and climbed into bed beside Quinn, making sure to keep her distance.