A/N: I was a little sick this week, so replies to your comments will be late. I figured you'd like the chapter first :D
This is the last "intro" chapter. Next chapter it's time to go to school.
Chapter 3
"You'll stay with Reverend Michael Carter. He's good friends with the Chief and will be the only other person who knows you're both police. But he will always treat you like you're his nieces. He won't break the cover for anything short of mortal danger. You'll be his sister's kids, Quinn and Santana Bond. Santana you're adopted, because Quinn's mother couldn't have any more children after complications during Quinn's birth.
Your parents died in the car crash that paralyzed you, Quinn. And after lots of operations, physical therapy and stuff you're now going to live with your uncle for the last year of high school. Since you missed a lot of school, you're already 18.
Obviously you can't carry your guns around, but there will be a hidden gun safe in your room. You need to keep your guns, badges and the rest of your stuff in there.
As we all know it's highly unusual to send rookies into an undercover mission,but you two are our best option because of your history AND because of your age. We all know why you left college for the academy and Quinn has the scars to prove her accident real. You are perfect for this. We'll have to work hard these next few weeks, but you two are smart and will make it work. That being said, you will need to memorize everything-there can be no paperwork trail.
Quinn will be going to physical therapy twice a week. Your contact will meet you there, so Santana has to accompany you every time. Make sure to join some clubs. You can decide on which will be the most helpful, but be diverse. From what I hear the Cheerleading Squad is on top at the school, so that would be a good place to start.
You are sisters and you're close enough to totally pull it off. You will fight like sisters and get into each others business and generally annoy the hell out of each other. Santana, you hate that Quinn needs you so much, and Quinn hates that she needs you, but at the end of the day, you support each other and fight for each other like a momma bear for her young.
Oh and the most important thing: You can do the dating game, but don't get serious, don't get personally involved. They are mostly under age and you have to play by the book. And for the love of God and everything holy: Don't fall in love."
"No worries, chief. They're just kids. We won't fall for anyone."
Two hours later they were in their car heading towards Ohio. Their real identities were hidden in a secret compartment in their luggage. Quinn Fabray and Santana Lopez were gone.
It wasn't a long drive and by noon Santana parked the car in front of the Reverend's house. There was a slow slope leading towards the house and the neighboring church. Quinn was delighted. No steps!
Santana killed the engine and stepped out of the car. She pulled the chair out of the back, unfolded it and put the brakes on. She then unceremoniously lifted Quinn out of the car and settled her down in the chair carefully, adjusting her feet on the foot rests.
"You okay there, sis? Comfortable?" she asked.
"I'm just glad to be out of the car, San. Come on, no time like the present." With that Quinn started pushing herself towards the front door, Santana following just a step behind her.
Just when she was about to knock the door opened and a middle aged man in jeans and a blue shirt opened the door.
Quinn recognized him from the pictures and beamed at him.
"Quinn! Santana!" The Reverend hugged the blonde dearly. "It's been too long. I missed you girls. Come in, you must be exhausted. We'll get your stuff later."
The Rev spoke a tad too loud and hugging some strange man she'd never met before felt weird, but Quinn threw herself into it. There were most certainly people watching them.
"Uncle Mike." She squealed. "It's so good to see you again."
He switched from Quinn to Santana, hugging her equally warm before speaking again.
"My God, look at you two, all grown up. How long has it been? Eight years?"
Quinn nodded. "Something like that."
"I'm really sorry what happened to you two; especially you, Quinn. But you're here and we'll concentrate on your future now. It will get a little easier every day. The Lord never burdens you with more than you can handle."
Though she couldn't see her, she could practically hear Santana roll her eyes at this statement. They had agreed long ago that they had to fend for themselves; God would not help them.
"Thanks, Uncle Mike. We're really grateful to you for having us. It must be hard for you, too. Mom was your sister after all." Hell, she never thought her upbringing, with her religiously fanatic, alcoholic and abusive parents would come in handy like this.
"Thank you, dear. And yes, I miss her and pray for her every day. But it's been a few months already and with the Lord's help I have found my peace with it. Now come on in. Let's have some tea and talk about the living arrangement and house rules. Later you can get your stuff and get settled. I have cleared my schedule for a bit for you, but tonight is bingo night and my congregation needs me there."
He opened the door wider to let Quinn pass. The hall was not big, but there was just enough room for her to maneuver her chair through.
"Second door on the left."
Quinn was able to enter the dining room without problems. At the table was a spot without a chair, obviously meant for her. Santana sat down beside her, taking one of her hands in her own. A Hispanic looking, young woman entered through the second door, which assumingly lead to the kitchen.
"Girls, this is Anna. She's been my house keeper for five years now. Anna, these are my nieces, Quinn and Santana."
"It's very nice to meet you two," Anna said with a slight accent.
"Likewise," Santana and Quinn answered in unison.
"Anna usually works from seven in the morning until five in the evening. She cleans around the house, cooks, does the laundry and goes shopping. Everything a single man like me can't handle on his own." He smiled sheepishly. "So if you have any wishes regarding your diet, talk to her."
"Now, let's talk for a bit. I'm sure you understand that when living together under one roof, there have to be some rules. We'll have breakfast together in the mornings. The rest of the day I will be busy with my work, and that way we have at least a little time to talk. Most evenings are group meetings of some kind, like bible group or AA meetings. During school nights I want you to be home by ten. On the weekends you can come home later, since you're both of age, but only if all your assignments for school are done. You won't smoke or drink in this house and of course, there will be no boys in your room, right Quinn?"
He waited for the girls to acknowledge what he had said and continued.
"Sundays you will attend mass and we will have dinner together after. Do you have any questions?"
"These rules are only reasonable, Uncle Mike," Quinn said. "What if we have some school or club activity running late or something, how can we contact you? And what about money?"
"Ah yes, of course there are exceptions to those rules. If the request is reasonable, you can be excused, just send me a text. Your parents' money is secured in a trust fund that's supposed to pay for your college next year. In the mean time, you will have $150 each per month to cover necessities. If you need additional money for clothes or school you'll have to come and ask me. Anything else?"
Anna brought in a tray with cups and a pot full of tea and they spend the next hour with idle chit-chat about what they were planning the coming year and for college after that. Finally the Reverend stood.
"Okay, I need to be going soon. How about I give you a small tour and you can get settled? Oh and before I forget, here are your keys."
"We took one wall down in here, so it would be easier for Quinn in her wheelchair. I also thought you'd like a room together, so Santana is always close by. I had some rails installed and the shower adjusted so you can go in there with your chair."
Their room was huge. Despite two beds, two desks, two wardrobes and several bookshelves, Quinn could move around easily. The adjoining bathroom was spacious with lots of handrails and a drive-in shower. It was as perfect as Quinn could have hoped for, and she was thrilled that she could shower alone.
After the Reverend left, Santana threw herself onto her bed with a huff.
"Oh hell, being a teenager sucks!"
"Watch your language, hot stuff. This is the Lord's house," Quinn smirked.
"Oh, shut it, blondie. Or would that be pinky now?"
"Ha ha! Move your sexy ass. We need to get our stuff. Maybe we can get our first glance at Lima tonight."
It took them a couple of hours to haul all their stuff in and put it all away. When they were finally done, Santana flopped down on her bed again. Her stomach growled loudly.
"Think Anna's still around?"
Quinn checked her watch; it was past seven already.
"I don't think so, but let's check the kitchen."
The kitchen, like the rest of the house, was deserted.
"San, this feels really weird. I'm not comfortable just taking some food; it could be the Rev's breakfast or something."
"Well, we wanted to check Lima out anyway, so let's go into town for some food."
They had one week to settle in before classes started. They checked out the school (from the outside), the mall, the restaurants and coffee shops. They met a lot of people - mostly curious neighbors or people from the Reverend's congregation and keeping track of them all proved to be impossible.
They talked to the Reverend over breakfast and with Anna whenever she had the time. They got to like her quickly, because she was open and funny. Whenever possible they would hang in the kitchen while Anna cooked, chopped, stirred or baked and just talk to her. She loved to sing and dance along to the radio and goofed around a lot. Also she proved to be a real resource for information about everyone and everything in Lima.
Of course Anna was just as curious about them as everybody else. How could they be sisters? How had she never heard of their existence before? Did they have boyfriends back home? And some more general stuff, like what food they liked, what kind of music, films or books? Talking to her was easy and fun, since she was barely older than the girls.
The week went by in a blur and all too soon it was Sunday evening. Santana had helped Quinn get into bed and was now sitting on the edge holding one of her hands firmly in her own.
"The week was pretty good, don't you think?"
"Yes, it was. Nobody tried to kill us, yet. That's a pretty good thing in my book."
"Are we ready to tackle the next level?"
"As ready as we will ever be, I guess."