thanks for the great reviews. here is the chapter that really ramps things up. very dark (which is hard for me because i am definitely a sunny kind of person)

The usual disclaimer applies

Chapter 11

"Okay, here are the release papers for you to sign if you are happy with everything. The nurse will come by and give you a couple of weeks' worth of essentials so you don't have to worry about getting to your regular physician in a hurry. The doctor has sorted out your medications and painkillers, so once you have everything, you're good to go." Elise handed over the paperwork for Quinn to sign.

"I thought I was going to have to do another week. The doctor said he wasn't happy that I still needed the nurse for …. well, you know?"

"I suggested that the resources needed could be provided by an external agency. Your chair came last week, you can manage your bladder independently and you have a support team in place until you can take care of everything yourself. I don't see why you have to stay here when you can attend outpatient services in Lima, Quinn."

Quinn glanced at the discharge papers and dropped them back on her bed. "I just …. I guess I just don't feel ready."

Elise glanced at her watch. She had time to talk. "Come with me to the café; let's go get something to drink."

Quinn looked at her. "Don't you have work to do?"

"Nothing that won't keep," Elise nodded towards the door and Quinn followed.

The moved down the hallway following the familiar journey to the café.

"What are you worried about?"

"Everything," Quinn was honest enough to admit that. "I guess you think that sounds kind of dumb. It's not like I haven't done this before."

Elise was quiet for a moment, sensing the younger woman needed to get some things off her chest.

"It's just that, while I am here, it's not forever. Once I leave….."

"It's the finality that is getting to you?"

Quinn sighed. "I've known all along even though it's only been two months, that I wasn't going to get away with it this time. I feel a fraud."

Elise raised an eyebrow. "A fraud? You're going to have to explain that one to me." They turned into the café, where the noise of cups, brewing coffee and steam proved to be a distraction for a couple of minutes. Elise didn't ask the blonde to elaborate any further until they had decided upon a drink and taken a spot at a nearby table. "So, you were about to explain the fraud situation to me."

Quinn lowered her eyes. "I have been determined to put on a good show here. Busted my ass to do the training and impress Angela and Larissa, I speak like I know what I am doing but it's all just an act. In reality, I'm scared witless about leaving here. I don't know what to do, where to go, how to act or anything. How am I supposed to go on with a normal life now?"

Elise gave her a sympathetic smile. "It's going to be difficult and sometimes painful to see how your life has changed, but if you make sure you try as much as possible, to do the things you used to, it gets easier."

"But Rachel is just expecting me to go home and then we pick up where we left off and I'm not so sure I can do that."

Elise knew what she was talking about, but wanted her to admit it to herself. "What are you afraid of?"

"Being in a relationship. I don't want to disappoint Rachel, but I think I might and I don't know where to go with that."

"She won't be disappointed. She'll be nervous, worried even, that you are in pain, or upset, or uncomfortable, but she won't be disappointed. I've spoken to her a lot over the last few weeks and I know she is committed and motivated to making sure your relationship is a healthy one. She doesn't feel the need to be your nurse; she wants to be your emotional equal. That's all you have to remember. The rest is easy. You'll find a way."

"Really?" Quinn's brow was furrowed in thought. "I don't want to lean on her too much, emotionally or physically. Do you think I am ready to leave?"

"No one ever feels ready. You will, over the next few weeks, wish you were back here at times. The familiar routine is comforting, but you need to find a new routine. Remember when you felt uncomfortable here and exhausted by the constant moving from one therapy to the next?" Elise watched for Quinn to agree.

"It was like an unwelcome conveyer belt. I couldn't get off it even though I wanted to."

"That's deliberate. The last thing anyone wants is to lie around waiting for life to happen to them. So you have to find a new routine. Plan your days and stick to the plan until you have a new normal. Make sure there is a reason to get dressed and do something every day."

"No wallowing in self-pity?"

"Absolutely none whatsoever."

Quinn allowed herself to breathe a little easier. "I guess I should go and pack my things then?"

"Your wife is on her way over with a car and some 'volunteers' according to my PA who called her a while ago to tell her."

-The VIPs-

The Berry's were good at entertaining and clearly had a plan to entertain Quinn into submission. There were jokes and songs on the way back in the car. Santana tried to block it out as she drove them home. It was still odd to think that this was them taking Quinn home for good and it was the start of a new life for her friends. Whatever happened from now on, they would stay in touch. Rachel had made it clear to her already that they weren't going to allow the detective to fade out of their lives again after the last six weeks.

Hiram and LeRoy were both on top form, explaining that Judy was busy preparing a feast for them and then after their dinner together, everyone would leave them alone to get used to living together again.

Quinn was quiet and apprehensive but smiled a lot even if the situation was a little overwhelming. She was thinking about all the people that she was going to have to get used to having around for a while. Normally, she would have gone to Lima Memorial for continued outpatient rehab services where she had been last time, but they were still having to keep a low profile and so the therapists were going to have to come to the house. PT was going to happen three mornings a week and OT on the opposite mornings. A nurse was going to be there every other day for her bowel routine, until she could manage it completely on her own and finally a social worker would visit fairly often because apparently she was now registered with adult protective services whether she liked it or not and was entitled to their 'support' whatever that meant.

"Is everything alright?" Rachel tugged her arm.

"Sorry, I was just lost in my own thoughts. I'm fine Rachel, really," she smiled reassuringly. "Any news today?"

It was the same question she had asked repeatedly for weeks. Was anyone any closer to finding the man responsible for her current situation? She has stopped hoping for anything, because every time she allowed herself that fleeting moment of joy that perhaps they had, she was soon disappointed.

"Nothing yet," Santana had replied. "They are scheduling a meeting of all interested parties next week to review everything, but we are sort of treading water right now."

Quinn just nodded. Nothing had happened since the attack. Maybe he had been scared off. Maybe they could just get on with life again now.

-The VIPs-

He had thought they might return to Lima somehow. It's what people did when they were scared, run home. He had scoped out the old family home, but only the gay guys had been seen going in and out. He should have guessed really, now that he thought about it. He had never been so embarrassed in his life. All that bragging he had done about knowing the Rachel Berry, how they had gone to school together, how they had been together through high school. In his mind it was all true and he had been to see her shows. He hadn't worked up the courage to speak to her yet, but he wanted to. He had wanted to tell her that they were meant to be together; just like he had made it known to everyone he worked with.

And then she had gotten married to someone else. Not just someone else either, a woman of all things. Their pictures had been in the news and on social media. He had become a laughing stock. They had said cruel and unkind things about him and it was all her fault.

He had bought one of those ridiculous celebrity magazines and their pictures had been all over it. They were just doing it to make him mad, make him look stupid so he decided they needed to be taught a lesson. When he saw who it was she had married he was even madder. Quinn fucking Fabray of all people. He had slushied her so many times when she was a sophomore that he almost laughed. His Rachel Berry had married a loser and he was angrier than he had ever been in his life. He was a joke because of the two of them so they had to pay.

He watched for a few days, then talked to a gardener at one of their neighbors houses. He knew nothing about them except they were related to that 'singer girl' that everyone liked. He kind of just wanted to stab him for saying it so dismissively but he had to remember the real purpose and stopping to kill some jerk was only going to risk being caught before he finished off the job he needed to.

He had driven by the Fabray house a few times in the last week but it was in darkness all the time. Still he figured that would be where they went. Apparently he hadn't killed her like he thought, but she was crippled as a result. That brought a smile to his face. He had liked the poetry of it, seeing as though she had gotten away with it during school. He had laughed with his team mates about her when he had come back to school in senior year in a wheelchair. It had seemed fitting somehow that the uptight bitch got her come-uppance. And then she got better and worse still the bunch of loser geeks went and won that dumb competition and everyone loved them. Everyone in high school was so two-faced.

He waited for something to happen.

After a while he saw a woman get out of her car. He thought it might be Fabray's mother from the look, but he didn't know for sure. She took bags into the house, grocery bags from what he could see. Something had to be happening if food was arriving on site.

But then he saw the police car and that spooked him. It was a good job he had died his hair black. They passed by but he was in his brother-in-law's van. He worked at a ton of properties in this area so no one would guess. He told his sister that her husband was seeing another woman. The dumb bastard had been hitting her since the day they wed five years ago, so he had beat the crap out of him and tied him up in the basement of his parents' old place where he had been hiding out. No one knew he was there. If everything worked out okay he would be gone later tonight and maybe he would take pity on the stupid fuck and call the paramedics for him.

He waited for the police car to circle the block and then he drove off. The people he wanted weren't there yet, but he would be back later to end this once and for all. No one made a fool out of Rick Nelson.

-The VIPs-

Quinn took a deep breath as she paused before exiting the car. She looked around for the transfer board which had slipped down from where it had been placed. She had to brace herself using her arm to avoid collapsing down still. It was becoming second nature, but there was the occasional slip up and it just made everyone embarrassed when she fell forward onto her own knees.

She held the board and waited for one of her volunteers to bring the chair around.

Rachel held the chair steady so Quinn could slide across the board.

"I guess we should really think about the car as well. It's probably going to need some work so you can drive again."

Quinn nodded. "I can still use the bus, but a lot of the subway is inaccessible in New York."

Rachel nodded. "Driving in Manhattan isn't exactly easy either is it?" She was beginning to think about their long term future in a city that was somewhat less than ideal. But if they chose to live elsewhere, that would probably mean the end of Broadway for her, but Quinn was her priority now, not singing on a stage. There were other stages, but Quinn had given up her legs to protect her.

"I suppose I'll just have to roll everywhere," the blonde grinned and then noticed Rachel was off inside her own head again. "Rach?"

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"Never mind. Let's get in the house." Quinn looked at the front path. The cement ramp that her mother had put in to replace the two steps was still there. She always wondered why a permanent one had been put in, rather than a temporary one.

Shaking the thought from her mind, Quinn left the others to bring her bags and rolled up the smooth path to the door, which opened as she approached, her mother already ahead of the game.

Judy crouched as Quinn crossed the threshold with a small bounce of the wheels. Adjusting her feet which had been jostled slightly by the raised threshold, Quinn leaned across and gave her mom a hug. Judy pulled against the curved backrest of the chair, wary that if she wasn't careful, Quinn was likely to lose her still precarious sitting balance.

"It's good to have you home, sweetheart. Was the journey okay?"

"Yeah, mom. Thanks for getting everything ready."

Everyone shuffled into the house and Santana had a quick walk around the perimeter to make sure there was no one watching. It was a quiet day, but she spotted a neighbor watching from the front door. She vaguely remembered the woman from years ago.

Wandering over, she acknowledged the detective and gave her a smile. "I remember you from years ago. You're a school friend of Quinn's."

"That's correct ma'am," Santana just kept quiet and let the woman talk for a moment. She didn't want to draw any undue attention to the return of her neighbor.

"I just saw the car pull up but everyone was already inside before I could get over to say hello. I don't suppose you know what's happening over here, do you?"

"Happening?"

"Well, we had the police here a while back arresting a man who was lurking around and since then we have had the police around all the time. I know about their marriage." The conspiratorial tone was evident as she pointed to the Fabray house. "Of course, it's a good job Russell isn't around anymore; he would never have tolerated that. He was an unpleasant man sometimes. I have always found the Fabray girls very polite and though there are a few people with raised eyebrows about it, you know small town syndrome, right? Anyway what was I saying? Oh yes. Conservative types aren't too fond of them owning the property, but honestly, they are very quiet when they do come home which isn't that often and I know Judy would prefer they be closer. I saw her the other day and she said she was spring cleaning but then I saw Ms Berry arriving with you and I wondered what was going on. Are they having problems?"

"Problems? You know, marital problems."

"Oh I see, no ma'am they aren't."

"Are you one of Ms Berry's entourage these days? I suppose she needs people now she's so well known."

"No ma'am, I'm just a friend as you said before. Actually Quinn is here too now so all is well. I do think we might have some press around though so if you see anyone, perhaps you can give me a call? I can give you my cell number and if you notice anyone lurking, let me know. Rachel and Quinn prefer their anonymity if you know what I mean?"

"Oh I do. I had a nosey man the other day asking me questions and I refused to say anything to him."

"You did? Was it the reporter who got arrested?"

"No, it was just the gardener from two houses down. He said he thought Ms Berry might be around and did I know she lived in the old Fabray house. I told him to mind his business and not be gossiping."

"Gardener? What did he look like?"

"Oh, I guess tall, kind of lanky, short red hair."

Santana's heart raced suddenly. "And its two doors down you say he works?"

"Yes, the Essen's. They've had the same people do their gardening for years."

"Thanks for being such a good neighbor, I'll tell Judy to come say hi later," Santana started walking down the street, once she was out of earshot she started running. Her phone started ringing in her pocket but she didn't stop to answer it.

Her fist beat heavily on the door and she quickly pulled out her badge, trying desperately to catch her breath. She didn't know if it was the run or the adrenalin coursing through her. "Dammit, hurry up!"

A shuffle behind the door resulted in its opening a crack. "Hello?"

"Ma'am, can you open the door please. I'm Detective Lopez, state police." She placed the badge to the crack in the door and it closed briefly before the sound of the security chain being withdrawn. "Ma'am sorry to disturb you but I need to talk to you about your gardener."

-The VIPs-

Rick drove around the block to check that there weren't any police cruisers roaming around. Everything looked clear but he wanted to check. He parked up in the next street and waited for a while. He pretended to look at his phone in order to see if the area was under surveillance or not. He left it half an hour so it was just starting to get dark. So far nothing had driven past yet. Everyone must already be home.

Santana suggested moving Rachel and Quinn out, but it might already be too late for that. Instead she decided they would just bolt down the house. Rachel had listened to their concerns, but refused to go anywhere, she wanted him caught and if they ran, the process would have to start again. They needed to be decoys and lure him in.

The neighbor across the road had been most accommodating and allowed the local police and FBI task force to come through from another street and wait out the stalker. Santana knew the woman would be dining out on the story for years, but she was nice so it was okay.

There was an officer in pretty much every house on the street by seven that evening. They all sat and waited. It wouldn't be long now.

Rick decided the time had come. Rachel Berry and Quinn Fabray were going to experience payback for embarrassing him. He picked up the tool bag and exited the truck then calmly started walking towards the house he wanted.

Quinn refused to lie down, they could all sense this was coming to a conclusion and she didn't want to be caught immobile. Santana had them in the room upstairs so she had already suffered the indignity of being carried up because they didn't have a stair lift or elevator; only the ground floor was accessible.

Santana had one purpose; keep the couple safe. She had two service weapons and both were loaded and ready to be used. Everyone had on a security vest, they were taking no chances. He had used a knife last time, but who knew what he would do in desperation. His brother-in-law was currently in ICU at Lima Memorial with bleeding on his brain from being attacked by bare hands. The guy was nuts. The local police had found him after they had been to speak to his wife, Richard Nelson's sister. She had told them he ran off with another woman, but they weren't buying that. Her brother had told her and he had been seen with her husband's truck. That was what did it for her. She told them about the old place her parents owned and when it was raided, they found the husband unconscious and the truck gone, but evidence of Nelson having been there was all over the place. They had their man, if only they could find the crazy sonofabitch.

"Visual acquired, repeat we have the suspect in view. Headed towards target property. He is carrying a large tool bag so could be armed."

The radio crackling to life spooked Rachel and she just sat very still hardly daring to breathe. Quinn's hand was in hers and it squeezed. The radio chatter was disconcerting.

"Confirm suspect is I-C-1 male, Richard Nelson. Looks like he gave himself a bad dye job too."

The radio went again and the tears were already pouring down Rachel's face.

"Patience everyone, no one move until suspect attempts entry to target property."

"Copy that, be aware we need evidence of threat to life for prosecution."

"Anyone have visual, confirm please?"

"Repeat, anyone have visual?"

"Shit, I think we lost him."

"Must have gone into a garden, find him."

Rick edged the building and glanced around. He could see lights on in the Fabray house. Question was, were they upstairs or downstairs? There were lights on both floors.

He followed bushes to where he knew there was a gap into the Fabray garden.

"Anyone, confirm visual please?"

"Nothing yet. We need to be on the ground."

"Negative, keep looking. We need to catch him in the act."

"He's on the ground somewhere, just waiting for him to come into the open. Target residence is secure."

Santana turned the volume down after Rachel looked spooked.

"Where is he? Why haven't they arrested him yet?"

"They're waiting for him to attempt to enter the house. The street is crawling with cops, try to relax. He can only enter from the ground floor and we have eyes on the whole house.

Rick kind of knew that they were probably watching him and he had already figured there would be a security system in place, so he wasn't going in on the ground floor. He opened the tool bag and pulled out what he needed.

"Repeat, no visual for twelve minutes, suspect must have gone to ground."

"Confirm orders please."

"New orders are to go door-to-door to locate suspect. Caution is advised. He is likely armed."

Santana breathed in and glanced up at Rachel pacing the floor. She approached the window. It was so tempting to just want to look out and see what was happening.

"Rachel please move away from the window. We don't want shadows appearing."

"Oh, god. Do you think he has a rifle?"

Quinn rolled over and took her wife's hand. "Rach, babe. Come and sit down. Read a book or something."

Rachel wanted to argue, but didn't dare.

Santana opened the door to the hallway and waved in the uniformed officer standing guard. "Come watch in here I need to powder my nose, if you get what I mean?"

"Sure thing ma'am," the eager young patrolman replied.

"Please don't call me ma'am again," she looked at his badge, "Ekland. It's just Lopez okay?"

"Sorry, ma….. I mean Lopez."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Get in here and keep the radio turned down, they're spooked okay."

He nodded and tipped his hat to the two women in the room. He glanced around and decided standing against the wall where he could see the door and the window together was the best idea.

Santana went into the bathroom, glanced at the dark circles around her eyes and took a deep breath before 'powdering her nose.'

Rick started up the base of the tree. It was hidden by bushes and by the time he was clear of them, the branches would hide him from the eyes he suspected were watching out for him. It only took a couple of minutes to get about fifteen feet up. His knee was aching as always, but he gritted his teeth and continued, careful to avoid heavy movements that disturbed the leaves too much. The overhang was pretty big and if he could just drop onto the roof, there was an attic window he could get in through.

"Anything guys. Throw me a bone here," a voice again crackled loudly through the radio on Ekland's chest. "I need an update." He had forgotten to turn it down.

"Feds, think they're I charge of everything," Ekland grinned and then stopped when he saw the look on the faces of the two women opposite. "Sorry." He went back to staring at his shoes.

Rick crawled along the roofline until he got to the attic window and prized it open with nothing more than a screwdriver. So much for the fancy security system. He could actually see the cop's flashlight trained on the back door below. Dumbass. He listened out carefully, trying to figure out where people were in the house. He couldn't hear much of anything at first, but as he moved towards the center of the attic, he could hear a strange voice. He cracked open the hatch that would allow him access to the second floor hallway. He listened once more and peeked through to see if anyone was there.

It was empty. He dropped lightly to the floor.

Ekland called out to Santana. "Lopez, you done yet?"

"Shut up yammering!" She called back. "Can't a girl pee in peace," she mumbled to herself.

Quinn looked at Rachel and gave her a soft smile, trying to get her to believe that this would all soon be over.

"Hey, ssh!" Ekland quieted them and turned the radio up.

The radio crackled again. "Confirm suspect is not on the ground, he's either inside one of the houses or outbuildings or he got spooked and took off."

"The truck is still in position, no movement here," another voice replied.

"Search all outbuildings first," an order went out to the officers in the street.

Ekland shook his head as if he thought the FBI agent in charge was an idiot. He heard a sound outside in the hallway and figured Lopez was about to come back in. He went to the door about to say 'what took you so long?' as he opened it but he didn't get a chance to because before he could say anything Rick shot him in the neck with a handgun.

love your thoughts on this chapter so please review and i apologise for the ending - all good thrillers need a cliffhanger!

i'll try not to keep you waiting too long for the next chapter