A quick note before I start: I've had a few complaints about the way I format my stories. It's the way I prefer to do it and I know it's not proper, but I didn't think it would be such of an issue. Is it really bothering that many people? Shouldn't the content be more then the format? Just something I thought I'd put out there. I read all messages and reviews, so if you have any questions let me know.
Quinn had been at the hospital for a while, recovering. There were still bruises on her legs, her stomach still weak and her frame still small, but at least her bruised ribs were recovering and she could now pretty much move around by herself. It had been two weeks, and they needed to do something.
Puck, Kitty & Finn had been discussing possible options over dinner, when Quinn's doctor rang up. Puck answered the phone, standing up and moving away from the table. "Hi Doctor Jones, is Quinn okay?" He asked softly, worried about the young girl. "She's done alright today, but she was sad when she figured out that none of you were going to visit her. I was actually calling to discuss future options. We can't keep her in a hospital forever. She does need to stay in here for an extra few days so we can trial some therapy again and keep an eye on her stomach, but then she'll need to move out. Have you thought of anywhere you she can go?" Doctor Jones asked and Puck sighed, rubbing his head. "We are looking at information now…I just don't like anywhere. Anyone from her past could come back and get her from a home, and she wouldn't be able to protest." Puck muttered. "Well just keep looking at options. Has the investigation progressed?" Doctor Jones asked softly and Puck shrugged, despite the doctor not being able to see him. "She still won't tell us or the therapist anything, but she's trusting us more and more every day. We tracked down the owner of the car she was locked in. One of the employee's of the bar. We are continuing our investigation with her tomorrow." Puck spoke. "I hear Quinn crying, I better go check that she hasn't tried to take her IV out again. I'll keep you updated." Doctor Jones replied, and quickly hung up the phone.
Puck slumped back down at the table, reaching for his beer again. "She got upset that none of us came into visit her. And he said that he had to go because he heard her crying…I suppose I'm not the only one worried about the darn IV." He sighed, chugging half his beer. "Poor angel, I'll make sure I pop in early tomorrow morning before work to make sure she's okay." Kitty sighed, throwing a pamphlet down into the 'definitely not' pile as Finn rubbed the back of his neck, tiredly. "Look, does she even need to go to one of these stupid houses? It's full of brand new people and she'd absolutely be destroyed." He yawned, standing up. "I think we could tell her about a home. Maybe she could even go in and look at one? Then we could decide if she's okay with something like that or if it was terrible?" Kitty suggested. "Alright, we might aswell give it a shot."
Puck was regretting this decision already. They had gained permission from the hospital and the therapist to take Quinn out on a small afternoon trip. To look at an adults home. With promises of ice cream, they had managed to get Quinn to the front door of the building. She was dressed in a simple purple sweatshirt and denim shorts, and aside from the bruises on her legs and the teddy bear dangling from her hand, she looked like a normal young girl. Tears were threatening to spill as she tried to hide behind Finn, letting out a whine. "Come on sweetheart, let's just go inside and have a look around at all the pretty rooms." Kitty coaxed, grabbing her free hand gently and leading her into the foyer. "It's so lovely to meet you all! You must be Kitty, who I chatted to on the phone! And is this the little one?" A large lady rushed forward, bending down to coo at Quinn. Quinn didn't respond, silently staring at her. "She's just a bit unfamiliar with everything." Puck murmured, smoothing down Quinn's hair. "That's alright, I'm sure she'll warm up eventually. Now let's get started on the tour, shall we?" She energetically led them down the hallway but Quinn didn't move, standing exactly where they had left her. "Quinn, don't you want to go on a tour sweetheart?" Finn spoke loudly but kindly. Quinn shook her head, wrapping her arms around her teddy bear as tears threatened to spill over. "Go on, we will catch up." Puck called out and he slowly approached the small blonde. "Do you think you can use your big girl words for Noah?" He asked gently. She shook her head, the tears finally rolling down her cheeks. Puck scooped her up into his arms and onto his hip, and followed after the group. Quinn buried her face against Puck's neck and barely raised her eyes the whole tour, her cries and little whimpers being heard the whole time.
Puck was relieved when they finally got to leave and they were now sat in a park, Puck helping Quinn use her spoon for her ice cream sundae. Her tears were finally dried and despite her previous crying was obvious, she looked quite happy to be in the park. "Noah isn't going to be mad at you, pumpkin. But why didn't you like the nice house we looked at?" He chose his words carefully, helping her reposition the spoon in the plastic container. Kitty frowned, nudging him. "Don't! We just got her in a happy mood." She hissed. "No, we need her to use her words and to tell us. Her opinion matters do." Puck muttered to Kitty, before turning his focus back onto Quinn who was opening and closing her mouth almost like a fish, struggling over her words. "There…there no…no.." She wrinkled her nose. "It new." She changed her words, reaching for her ice cream spoon again. "And you don't like new?" Puck prompted, helping her grab it. "I…I like you. No jiggling lady and weird..weird stares.." She stammered, looking ashamed. "You didn't like the lady that took us around? And honey, people weren't staring at you there. Everyone's a little different and that's okay." Puck cooed. "She…she think…she…no! No like! Want you!" Quinn blurted out, throwing her ice cream sundae bowl down and bursting into tears, due to her pure embarrassment of her blurting out. "Oh honey, your okay. Your such a good girl for using your words." Puck pulled her into his lap, kissing her head and jiggling his knees to try and sooth her. 'You want to stay with Noah, Kitty and Finn?" He asked, when her wailing had reduced to pathetic whimpers. "Like you. Safe." She buried her head against his neck, sniffling. "Looks like we have our solution then." Puck mumbled. "I can't take her, man! Rachel would kill me." Finn protested. "Well..I..I would but I can't afford to." Kitty sighed, frowning. "I'll sit down and take a look at everything..but..I can do it. I think she needs me…even if it's only for a few weeks to start off with." Puck stood up and carried her back to the car, rubbing her back soothingly as the other guys followed.