A/N- Sorry about the confusion about chapter updates, if you have received emails saying there was a new chapter only to find a new time line hate to break it to you, but you missed a chapter! So I suggest going back and seeing if you missed a new chapter, to that end I will not be doing another timeline until the end, if you're confused leave a review or drop me a PM!

(October 27, 2014)

Santana was right, of course. She always is. For the two weeks that school was suspended, there was at least one funeral a day. On the days where two families had scheduled a service, mourners would flood the small diner across the street between services.

Everyone would sit in the same spot for these funerals, family and close friends in the front two pews, and beyond that there was unspoken silent arrangements. The remaining Cheerios clumped together in the back left, athletes behind them. Glee club was toward the front on the right, and theatre or band behind them.

It was amazing how after everything had been shaken up so badly, there was still some semblance of order.

The hardest funeral came on the second Monday.

Santana donned her black dress and didn't even bother trying to apply eyeliner or mascara. She knew it would be a mess before the service even began. She picked up Brittany on her way to the church.

They arrived on time and made their way to the second pew, this funeral was different. Up on the altar was a picture of the blonde, her smile was so wide, so genuine. It was hard for Santana to wrap her head around the fact she would never see it again.

As predicted, tears were falling hotly down her cheeks before a single word was spoken, Brittany held her hand tightly from one side, and the rest of the Cheerios were silently supporting her from the other. The survivors of the squad all mourned the loss together.

(October 17, 2014. 8:14 AM)

Rachel's cheek was wet. Initially she assumed it was from blood. Which, granted, is an odd thing to assume unless you had the morning that Rachel did. And there was a faint humming in her ears accompanied by something more melodic. It reminded her of a music box she had as a child. When she opened the top, a pretty ballerina wearing a pink tutu and rhinestoned leotard would pop up and spin. For the longest time, that had been her favorite possession, until one day she clumsily dropped it trying to put it back on it's shelf and the ballerina broke.

The music still played, but it no longer sounded right. Just like what Rachel was hearing now, it didn't quite sound right.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Once Rachel understood the sympathetic words, her eyes flew open. Leaning over her was a sight more devastatingly beautiful than her broken music box ballerina. Quinn Fabray was crying, still clutching Rachel's upper arm where she had been shot. Her tears fell hotly onto Rachel, some hitting her cheek.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Rachel gathered all her strength to reply, "For what?"

Quinn's eyes shot open and she let out a strangled humorless laugh, "You're still alive." She whispered as though saying it aloud might break the spell, "I couldn't find a pulse, I thought you were gone too."

The brunette tried to smile though it looked more like a grimace, "Still here." She confirmed.

"You have to stay with me Rachel. I can't lose you again."

Quinn's eyes were red from the crying and they were so vulnerable and scared that it instantly brought Rachel back to alertness.

"Why?" Rachel whispered, "Why were you apologizing?"

Tears began anew as Quinn debated lying again, but decided against it, "Because I love you. I've loved you ever since I met you, I love you with every fiber of my being, I can't imagine a day without you and pray I never have to."

Another gunshot sounded, this one closer than the others, before Rachel could respond, Quinn was moving, "We need to go. You've lost too much blood already." She stood and scooped Rachel's petite frame easily into her arms before beginning to carry her bridal style out of the locker rooms. Quinn knew her ability to do this given her likely concussion was entirely thanks to the pain blocking adrenaline coursing though her blood.

As the crested the top of the stairs and Quinn paused a moment in hiding, Rachel finally had the strength to reply, "Quinn? I love you too."

It was all the motivation Quinn needed to push off the wall and charge around the corner. The doors were less than 40 yards away, but one obstacle stood between the girls and safety.

"Dave?"

(1996)

"Ok, honey, just one more big push for me!" The midwife chanted.

Catherine tightened her grip on her husband's hand before gathering the last of her strength and bearing down. Moments later, the youngest person on the planet entered Lima General hospital. The doctor easily caught the child, flipping the umbilical cord out of the way around his neck and clamping it. Soon enough, the baby was lifted into his mother's arms swaddled in a soft blue blanket.

The midwife smiled at the tender interaction; the father was near tears as he held one hand on his wife's shoulder and the other gently stroked his son's head, and Catherine held her baby's innocent stare. The baby wasn't colicky, he just took in the world around him with a bright eyed gaze and the hints of a smile already on his thin pink lips.

"David," his mother whispered. It was a promise and wish in one, "He's perfect."

All anyone ever wants for their children is for them to grow up with the most potential and have every opportunity available to them. The midwife could see that promise brimming in both parent's eyes, and she made her exit so as to not intrude any longer on the delicate scene.

She went down to the nurse's station to prepare the birth certificate, "David Karofsky, welcome to the world." She smiled, shutting the door behind her.

(October 17, 2014. 7:57 AM)

"We need to be logical about this," Puck said, rubbing the heels of his hands against his eyes in the darkness of the closet, "We can't just go running out there."

"Last I know of, Quinn was in the gym."

"It's not just Quinn," the boy released a deep sigh, "I was planning on finding Rachel. Mike has first period with her and when I texted him he said that Rachel left the classroom before the teacher locked the door."

Immediately Santana was on her feet again, "No way in hell Puckerman! I'm not risking my life for manhands Berry, that's so not what I signed up for." She hissed angrily.

"Well I'm not leaving without her."

Though the closet was pitch black, Santana could hear the finality in his voice and she knew that whether or not she wanted to, she would not be exiting the school without Rachel.

"Fine, but if push comes to shove I'm taking Q and running."

"Fine."

A/N- Thank you beautifuls for your amazing reviews, keep them coming. Also JustCharlieAndMe, thanks for your review, it made my day. Rachel isn't abused what was being alluded to previously was just being bullied but yes, I did want it to be confusing if Quinn lives so I'm glad that worked haha. And your review gave me ideas for like three new stories so thank you!

Also, I GOT ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!