A/N: Thanks for the feedback those of you who are reading this little story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee


Chapter 4

Quinn returned from the therapy session worn out, the lack of sleep had finally begun to take its toll and she collapsed onto the mattress, barely moving her arms were so tired. "Sorry, but I really need to sleep a while."

Rachel took hold of her hand and told her to rest. "I'm going to go back to the house for a while. I need to unpack and see what state it is in. The cleaning company should have been by last week to give it a good spring clean. I need to call in and see your mother as well as my Dads. I'll try to make it back this evening before you go to sleep."

"Don't come back all this way again, Rach. Get some rest and come back tomorrow. It's quite a long drive and I am done for so I will probably be out of it before too long."

"Alright, if that's what you want. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," the short brunette stood and leaned over so they could share a hug. After holding each other a while, they released and kissed briefly.

"I love you too. Sleep well. Look after her for me please, Santana and thank you as well." Santana reached out to give her a quick hug before they let her get some rest.

"See you tomorrow," Santana waved as she led Rachel out, back on alert now they were headed out of the hospital again.

The car ride was uneventful and Rachel soon dropped off to sleep while they were on the highway headed northwest for Lima. As they approached the city limits, Santana reached across and shook Rachel awake.

Rachel jolted awake, startled at the touch. Her heart thudded in her chest as she looked around her for any danger. Her gaze landed on Santana as her memory returned; she was safe in a car with her former high school classmate and not in New York City. Rachel leaned her head back against the head rest. She was still a little groggy. "Was I asleep the whole way?"

"Pretty much. Where do you want to go first?" Not wanting to embarrass her, Santana remained silent about Rachel's jitters. It was normal after all to become hyper-vigil after experiencing the trauma that the Broadway star went through. She would keep an eye on it to make sure it didn't get out of hand.

Rachel thought about it briefly. "Quinn's mom, I need to see her and let her know where she is so she can arrange to visit."

"I don't know where she lives now," Santana looked expectantly. Rachel leaned forwards and entered the address into the satnav for her. Santana glanced over and recognized the street. "Nice area, that's near your old house isn't it? Your dads are still living in the same house I take it?" Rachel nodded and then fell quiet almost instantly. "I need to call into the Sherriff's office in town today if possible, do you mind if we go there beforehand?" Rachel shook her head, almost relieved that she had a little longer to organize her thoughts.

Detective Lopez pulled up outside and looked around. There were a few people out on the streets, but nothing untoward seemed to be happening. Rachel had the vest on and Santana made her wait until she was out of the car before opening the door. Rachel placed a hat on her head and had dark glasses with her to keep from being recognized easily. Santana quickly led her into the building. Inside she spoke to the desk officer and was led through to the Sherriff's office.

"Detective, what can I do for you?"

"Good evening sir, Santana Lopez. I am here on behalf of the State Police VIP task force and the FBI. May I introduce you to Rachel Berry."

They shook hands and he seemed suitably impressed.

"We are here because I have been assigned to protect her from the threat of a stalker who seriously injured her wife in an attempt to kill Ms. Berry three weeks ago. Ms. Berry's wife is in hospital in Columbus for now and she will be staying here for the time being. Here is the address. I will be staying with her and we feel it is unlikely that the attacker will have followed her here from New York where the attack took place. That said, until the FBI catch him, we need to be ultra-vigilant and I may need to call upon your deputies or the local Police for back-up. I wanted to let you know about the situation and have been asked to give you this file of information about the investigation to date."

"Thank you, Lopez. I'll look over this and brief my deputies. Call if you need anything. I'll also talk to the local Police chief, do you know him?"

"I know a little, I am from Lima, as is Ms. Berry and her wife. We are old school friends as coincidence would have it."

Rachel interjected at this point. "Sherriff, please thank your deputies in advance for their assistance. I am aware that this is inconvenient for you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Berry and no inconvenience at all. We are glad to welcome you home to Lima, though I wish it were not under such circumstances."

"I feel much safer here than in New York, so it's good to be back," Rachel stood and shook hands once again and they were quickly on their way.

"Do you want to call ahead?" Santana asked Rachel as they followed the satnav's guidance.

"I really should but I am worried about Judy's reaction. I don't think she's my biggest fan."

"I can call if you like," she offered.

"No, I'll do it." Rachel sighed and then called.

Santana heard emotion in both Rachel and Judy's voices in their brief conversation, but no acrimony and they pulled up outside the house fifteen minutes later.

"Wait a second," Santana instructed. She was taking no chances. "Okay," she tapped on the window having seen the front door open to reveal a familiar blonde woman at the door.

Rachel moved quickly and found herself being pulled inside the house and into an embrace. Santana closed the door and fastened the deadbolt before turning. As she did, the face of Quinn's mother was a picture. She was obviously upset and relieved to see Rachel but also astonished at the Latina.

"Santana?" she released Rachel and moved to hug the taller woman.

"Mrs Fabray, good to see you again."

"What's going on? Why are you with Rachel and is that a gun strapped to you?"

She looked from one brunette to the other and back again.

"I'm a detective with the State Police in Columbus, I didn't know about Quinn until this morning when I was assigned to protect Rachel. I'm sorry about what happened to her and I wish I could do more to help."

"Santana, please. You're doing more than enough." Rachel gave her arm a squeeze. "We just came from the hospital in Columbus, but had to stop off at the Sherriff's office in town. Is Richard here?"

"Yes, come through. Have you eaten yet?"

"No Ma'am," the young detective replied.

"You don't need to Ma'am me Santana," Judy waited until the Latina nodded her head in acknowledgement. We are just about to have dinner, please join us; there's plenty." She headed through to the dining room and introduced Santana to Richard, a pleasant-looking man in his fifties at a guess. He was smartly dressed, as was Judy.

Explanations went on for a while before Judy insisted they sit down and eat with them. Were it not for the unusual circumstances, it would have been a very pleasant evening. Santana took time to explain her role and the procedures in place at the hospital so Judy and Richard could visit safely. She also told them that it was unlikely they would be followed or attacked, bearing in mind Rachel had been the target, but gave them her number and advice about what to do if they thought they were being watched or followed at any time.

"What do we do?"

"If you think someone is following you in your car for example, do not come home, drive straight to the nearest Sherriff's or Police office and explain. If you can write down the license plate numbers of cars you don't recognize parked on the street. I don't want you to be paranoid, but do be careful and alert. Until we get the guy, we need to be vigilant. If anything, and by that I mean anything seems a little off at all, let me know straight away. That means whatever time of the day or night, call me. I won't be far away."

The stop at the Berry's was even more emotional and both were glad to leave an hour later. Mr and Mr Berry were almost insistent that Rachel stay with them and Santana wondered why she didn't, but as they drove away found out.

"I don't want either of them hurt if anything happens. It's safer for them if I stay away for now."

It was a sobering thought.