** I have never been to the places in the fic, so I am taking creative liberties. Spoilers through at least 3 X 07. T for language, and just in case.
Santana walked over to the baggage claim, once she landed back in Lima. She grinned as she saw her Mom waiting, and stepped into her open arms.
"I have missed you, you need to come home more!"
"Missed you too, thanks for flying me home."
"Let's get your bags, and get you home."
"Actually Mom, if it is ok, can we stop by the hospital first?" Santana asked.
"Sure. I have a lot to fill you in on, on the way there though." Her mother replied, as they picked up Santana's bags.
A bit later, as they hit the road, her mom took a deep breath. "OK, I don't even know where to start. I told you Judy is not doing too well. They are giving her 6 months at the most, but that could change at any time. She is remaining pretty positive, and trying to be strong for Quinn, but you know how good the Fabray's are about facades." Santana nodded at that point. "Quinn….well I think I will let her tell you when she is ready, about what she has been going through. I will tell you she is not the Quinn you remember in many ways, physically or emotionally. Expect her to have even more of a guard up. But I know she needs someone she can trust."
"Mom, please tell me so I can prepare myself. What the hell happened?"
"Let's just say she was in a really bad relationship…"
"Was she abused? I swear on all that is holy, that I will go all Lima Heights on whoever it was-"
"You need to wait until you hear more, from her." Santana's mother cut her off, as they pulled into the hospital.
"Can you tell me where she is, and come back and get me later? I think I need to talk to her alone."
Her mother nodded, and quickly gave her directions.
As Santana strode down the hallway, she felt a knot building in her stomach. If Quinn was hurt she wasn't sure how she was going hold it all together.
She approached the room, and saw a blonde with her back turned to her.
"Quinn?" Santana said quietly.
As Quinn turned around, Santana froze. Quinn was noticeably skinnier, and she was wearing baggy clothes. Santana's eyes were drawn to her face, where she was sporting a large nasty looking bruise on her left cheekbone. Santana opened her mouth, but she couldn't find words.
"I don't want your pity." Quinn said softly, but firmly. Santana pulled herself together.
"I'm Santana Lopez, I don't do pity." Than softer she said, "I am just here just to be here for you."
Quinn stared at her for a moment, with her lower lip quivering.
"Get over here," Santana said softly, as she opened her arms up to Quinn, who hesitantly stepped into them, and then buried her face onto Santana's shoulder, her body shaking with silent sobs.
They stood that way for a few minutes, until Santana felt she couldn't stand up much longer. She guided Quinn gently over to some chairs, and held on to Quinn's hands, letting her continue to sob on her shoulder.
After a few more moments, Quinn sat up and rubbed her eyes. Santana noticed she didn't have any mascara on to smear. Quinn Fabray, without makeup? What the hell was going on.
"I'm sorry for crying so much…I just…haven't been able to at all…" Quinn muttered, avoiding eye contact.
"No need to apologize." Santana tilted Quinn's chin up, and made eye contact. "What the hell happened to you, and whose tires do I need to slash?"
Quinn almost smiled at that, Santana noted joyously at that.
"It was just a mistake. A big mistake, that I can't fix, and that you can't fix. I messed up, big time." Quinn said, stretching her neck from side to side.
"Are the police involved?" Santana asked quietly.
"Yeah, right. Would have made it worse." Quinn scoffed.
"I know that is a common stigma with domestic violence. I really think you need to talk to someone though."
"It wasn't domestic violence."
"I'm not stupid Quinn. You are a classic walking example of it."
"Santana. The person I was involved with did not do this to me."
"Then how the hell do you explain that imperfection to the most beautiful face in at least an 1000 mile radius?"
Quinn looked down for a moment, and took a deep breath.
"I can't tell you here. My mom knows, but I can't handle anyone else overhearing. Can we go someplace tomorrow?"
"We can go someplace, but you are telling me today. There is no way in hell I am going to get any sleep tonight unless I know exactly what is going on." Santana said firmly.
"I guess since you flew here from California, I owe you that much." Quinn said, a small smile toying at her lips.
"You sure do. How about this—we get Breadsticks delivery at my mom's house, and then talk there? You can spend the night, and we will bring you back in the morning. Sound ok?" Quinn nodded in response.
"Let me go say goodnight to Mom and then we will go. " Quinn stood up, and then hesitated before turning to Santana. "You can come in and see her, but I will warn you, I'm not sure which one of us is bleaker at this moment.
Santana followed Quinn into Judy's room. Judy was laying in her bed watching TV. When she realized it was Santana in her room, her jaw dropped open.
"Santana Lopez, what in the sam hill are you doing here?"
"Hey Judy, a little bird told me there was some amazing woman that was sick in the hospital, and I couldn't not grace her with my presence." Judy laughed and opened her arms up for a hug. Santana leaned forward and felt Judy really hug her—Santana tried to fight back her tears, but she quickly lost that battle, and she let the tears flow.
As Santana sat back down, Judy smiled at her and asked, "So are you and Brittany still going strong?" Santana turned pale, while Quinn quickly said, "Mom, didn't we talk about this like a year ago!"
"Oh sorry, Santana…"
"It's ok, we took a break when I started Berkley and we just drifted apart. Actually, I just got a call yesterday that she is engaged. To Artie." Santana said, biting her lip. She felt Quinn's hand clasp on to her own, and she looked up into hazel eyes.
"I'm so sorry Santana."
"It is what it is. Ex getting married, Judy's in the hospital, your best friend from high school is wearing a nasty bruise and looks like she hasn't eaten in a month..." Santana realized what she was saying and shut her mouth, after muttering a quick sorry. To her surprise, Judy chuckled.
"I missed you. You and those rants." Quinn said squeezing her hand. "You are one of the few people that I know will tell it like it is."
They made chit-chat for a few moments, and then noticed Judy yawning, and said their good-byes for the night.
"A moment alone with Santana please?" Judy asked.
"Sure Mom, I love you." Quinn said and walked out.
"How much has she told you?" Judy asked.
"Not much," Santana admitted. "She says she is going to tell me tonight."
"Please listen before you judge her. She has been through a lot, but my choice is to stand by her. I know I don't have a lot of time left, so I choose to be on her side. I know you wouldn't have come if you didn't have her best interest at heart, just be careful of how you react. I know you guys haven't kept in good contact recently, but I know you are one of the few people that she respects and trusts. Please help her Santana." Judy said, tears forming in her eyes.
"You got it. I did tell my mom I am ready to go all Lima Heights on someone if I need to." Judy laughed and they hugged goodnight.
Quinn was sitting in a chair, staring off into space. Santana touched her shoulder gently, and hazel eyes looked into brown. Quinn stood up, and they walked out of the hospital, into a rainy, dreary night.
***I am probably going to work on Chapter 3 right now as I have some ideas. Feedback would be delightful
