Second Chances, Strippers & Stars

by K.I.DofXstream

The dream of a second chance, the dream that life crushed and the dream to shine brightest. Everyone has dreams and this is the story of three dreams that come together. Some will be achieved, some will change completely & some will fade away but at least they'll be together?

13. PastRhodes, TrustedRhodes & CrossRhodes

SURPRISE MOTHER... (Well that wouldn't be very nice would it?)

Guess who's back, back again?

Charley's back, tell a friend.

Okay so first off, I know that I owe you one hell of an explanation for my damn year (?) , over a year absence, well buckle your seat belts because it's one of 'those' stories.

So as some of you may remember or be aware, last year I was very sick, even when I was writing this fic.

Well basically what was happening was I was losing all feeling in my body, from my feet, to my hands, right up to my ribcage. On top of the numbness and loss of sensation it was also very painful, shooting pains and like coming out of pins and needles pain but constantly. The pain and numbness was so serve that I couldn't even hold a pencil to sign my own name, not to mention I couldn't see anything as my eyesight was also affected. I had near perfect eye sight before and now I can only read things fourteen cm's from my face.

Due to the numbness and pain my motor skills were severely affected, mainly my walking as you can imagine. I am now having to wear feet splints, to keep my feet straight and walking with the aid of crutches. They only help on short distances and periods of time, the rest of the time I am wheelchair bound. I've also ended up with some brain damage. Oh it's all fun.

I was also sleeping nearly fifteen-twenty hours a day, I had absolutely no energy what so ever. I was living on half a sandwich a day and lost around four stone in three months, which was over the Christmas period. (Which I cannot remember like my birthday, which is in March, even in the summer is spotty)

On top of that I was having heart palpitations and then there was a fire at my house two weeks before Christmas so it was all very hectic and a nightmare.

Anyway after Christmas and lots of fighting with doctor's and the such, I was able to see a neurologist who reluctantly gave me some tests sighting my numbness, well paralysis as part of my depression and anxiety. (Yeah I was not happy)

So after the tests, M.R.I's, nerve end testing, eye tests and anything and everything else you can think of they all came back with something wrong.

To cut a long story short I ended up in a neurological hospital for two weeks and two days for a battery of tests, seriously everything you could imagine and more, to try and figure out what was going on with me.

Finally it turned out I was very near to dying as I was deficient in b12 and in the late fourth stage of the deficiency, which is both rare and beyond dangerous because once in the fifth stage your organs shut down and you end up dying of heart failure. I was put straight on b12 injections every other day and then let home to recover.

I will be on the injections every six weeks for the rest of my life and well most if not all of the damage caused is most likely irreversible so my condition is permanent, the injections, one of which I just had actually, just keeps my levels topped up and gives me an energy boost but everything else like the numbness and such is always the same, only some of the pins and needles and some numbness in my hands has reduced minimally.

As you can imagine the last, well over a year really since I started getting sick, has been hell but I am learning how to adjust and cope, all be it slowly.

I really can't apologise enough for the long gap between my chapters but I honestly just didn't have the energy or time to update, I was barely functioning full stop. I have never given up on this fic and I won't either, many times I contemplated updating to explain what was going on. However I know how disheartening and annoying it can be when you get that email and it turns out to be notes and not a chapter and I didn't want to do that to anyone so I thought I would wait.

I hope you all understand the enormous delay and I do promise, that all being well with my health, there will never be such a long delay again between chapters.

Now writing up chapters because of my vision and the numbness in my fingers and all round energy levels, is going to take longer but I swear this story has a lot of twists, turns, hopefully shocks and the like coming your way, which I hope you will all enjoy and stick with me through.

It's been a bumpy road and my life has changed completely in the past year on so many levels that I didn't even really think possible and couldn't even truly begin to explain. (Believe it or not this is the short, basic version lol)

However I am still alive, which I very nearly wasn't not so long ago and please don't get me wrong I am and will forever be grateful for that fact and the things I do still have and the improvements I've been lucky enough to receive ,no matter how small they may be.

For me I'm adjusting and doing my best to stay positive and keep going, which just like this fic I will never give up on.

All of the reviews, pm's, messages and encouragement in general, means and will always mean more to me than you'll ever know. You have truly kept my love for this fic and my determination to continue burning strong and for that I can never say thank you enough. I just hope that I continue to write chapter's that you will enjoy and that will keep you reading and leaving those amazing reviews and comments that always give me such motivation and a boost.

So enough of my whining and whinging on, here FINALLY is the next chapter! ENJOY

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Chapter 13

"Past Rhodes, Trusted Rhodes & Cross Rhodes"

As both Shelby and April's acknowledgement of each other creeps in to both Rachel and Lexi's consciousness, both teenagers immediately seek each other out with matching confused expressions etched on their faces.

Rachel's mouth actually falls and hangs wide with shock, her right eyebrow cocking up slightly in a questioning manner and her head tilting to the side as if trying to get a different perspective of the sight in front of her. 'Not the most ladylike of expressions you are exhibiting now Rachel is it?' The youngest brunette's, always conscious of appearance, brain reminds the stunned teenager.

Lexi may only have the ability of sight from her left eye but it was enough to see an unspoken past and tension that was clearly present between the two adults in the hospital room. 'Wait so they know each other?' Lexi's mind, considering she had only just woken up from a night of disturbed sleep, was still on strong painkillers and antibiotics and not to mention dealing with the stress of the trauma she had been through the day before, questions rather quickly. 'Unless they are both wearing name tags, it seems that way' Lexi's sharper side of her brain quickly reminds the injured teen as she starts to wake up some more.

Staring at each other knowingly, the two sisters share a silent conversation, asking the same questions they were wondering silently to themselves. How in the world did these two, presumed strangers know one another? And for Rachel the added question directed to her sister of just who in the world the blonde woman was.

Shelby's legs seem to move independently of her mind as she positions her body between both Rachel and April's, suddenly aware of how she must look. 'Just perfect, a day old blouse, hair like a rat's nest and jogging bottoms just to finish the look off. Fantastic.' The teacher silently rants inwardly with rage at her own appearance. Shelby always looked presentable and together, at least to other people, being caught looking like this was horrifying for the teacher.

"Would you mind explaining to me just what in the world you are doing here?" The brunette, still slightly over tired mother asks, her voice finding it's sharpness that was lacking earlier from the pure shock of seeing April again after so many years.

April's blue eyes shine brightly in shock for a few awkward, silent seconds as Shelby's impatient breathing starts to ring out through the hospital room. 'Same old Shelby' April silently realises, unable to help the smirk tugging at her thin lips.

"Well, if you put a please on the end of that sentence, I might just think about it." April sasses, her eyebrows quirking upwards knowing her every word has just rubbed Shelby up the wrong way. 'Even all these years later it is still as fun as it was to get her going' April's mind tells the tiny blonde silently as Shelby visibly starts to shake and her jaw clenches.

"Do not test me April, I am running on an inadequate amount of hours sleep..." Shelby starts to snap back her response as both Rachel and Lexi fall deeper into the realm of confusion and intrigue.

"That would explain your hair because the Shelby Corcoran I know never leaves the house with so much as a stray hair, let alone a..." The blonde's lips upturn in to a deeper smirk with each word she speaks, once again enjoying riling Shelby up. "...well whatever we are going to call what your hair is doing right now." April finishes the smugness rising on her features only serving to make Shelby's body more ridged and Rachel and Lexi look for the nearest cover.

"What are you doing here?" Shelby chants out in response, each word slow and deliberate as her green eyes burn like beams in to April's unfaltering blue ones.

"You do realise I can ask the exact same question right?" April counters, on the outside seeming cool and collected but her somersaulting heart and stomach proving it was a different story completely on the inside. Noticing the last question may have been a step too far; April pushes out her chest and gives a half playful roll of her eyes. "Calm your boobies Hair Bear." April quips, a delicate chuckle reverberating from her chest as Shelby's eyes grow wide in horror and both Lexi and Rachel share a look of pure pleasure from hearing the nickname, each knowing this could come in handy in the future.

'She did not just call me 'Hair Bear' in front of my children. Brilliant, just brilliant' the teacher mentally groans knowing no teenager was going to give up the chance to use their mother's ridiculous nickname against her.

"I am here visiting..." April starts to explain, turning to indicate to Lexi who was still laid in her hospital bed suddenly turning a deathly white.

"She's my boss." Lexi quickly interrupts knowing there was no way their true relationship could be revealed, so thinking quickly, just shoots out the first thing that comes to her mind. "April is my boss at the cleaning company." Lexi further explains, her brown eye giving April a pleading glance that she prays the small blonde would recognise and understand.

"Your boss at the cleaning company?" April parrots, all though her voice breaks towards the end in a questioning manner which causes Lexi's good eye to quirk in panic. Noticing the injured teens worry, April quickly paints on a smile and nods in unbreakable agreement. "That's right; I'm her boss at the cleaning company." April affirms praying that the years apart had somehow made Shelby weaker to knowing when she was lying.

Thankfully Shelby's mind was already far too frazzled to notice April's near slip and just nods still trying to figure out how in the world she had gotten in to this current situation. 'Apparently I need more sleep than even I am aware' the brunette teacher's mind silently rattles off in conclusion to the growing stress headache building above Shelby's eyes.

"So wait you just regularly hire sixteen year olds and work them in to exhaustion do you?" Shelby snipes, everything her daughter's had been through playing heavily on her mind and heart, that mixed with worry and lack of sleep was enough to leave one very on edge and sharp Shelby Corcoran.

"Shelby!" Lexi interjects before April got a second to process what Shelby had said let alone respond to it, Lexi couldn't risk that, she needs to take control. "She knows how old I am but she hasn't forced me to work so hard, I did that all on my own. April she's..." Her good eye slowly connects with April's worried features and a soft sense of gratitude for what April had done for her and was doing now overwhelms the teenager. "She's done nothing but help me, without her and the job me and Rachel wouldn't have survived." Lexi adds pointedly, gazing back to Shelby knowing her words were having the right affect as Shelby's shoulders level. "I know none of this is perfect but she really was and is just trying to help."

April tries to hide a smirk that is growing on her thin lips hearing Lexi's words and seeing the instant affect they are having on Shelby. 'Kid is good' April silently praises the quick thinking teen.

Shelby lets out a deflating sigh realising her eldest daughter was right but that didn't mean the teacher was happy about the situation because she was far from it. 'As if today wasn't going to be complicated enough, now April Rhodes is back in my life.' Shelby's worried side of her brain ponders silently as Lexi and April share a few silent words through looks alone.

"Wait a second..." April finally interrupts the good minute silence that was filling the hospital room as the shock from seeing Shelby again starts to clear. "Oh my goodness Shelby you found them!" April practically squeals with pure excitement, catching both Rachel and Lexi off guard. "When did this happen? I'm guessing recently?" The blonde questions eagerly practically bouncing on the balls of her feet for a second reminding Rachel of herself.

Shelby's face quickly turns into a smile at the thought, hearing the excitement in April's voice quickly reminds the teacher of just how amazing the fact she now had both her daughter's back in her life truly was.
"Yes, very recently actually." Shelby answers honestly, the sense of shock and awe of just how this situation had come about not fully lifted from the older brunette's consciousness yet.

April beams and strides forward quickly her smaller frame crashing into Shelby's with a thud, her arms squeezing tightly, trapping Shelby's down at her sides as she gets caught in the once familiar position.
"Well hot damn 'Hair Bear' if that isn't the most amazing news I have had in a LONG time" April exclaims, her head lifting to gaze at Shelby with an enthusiastic grin plastered across her features.

'Same old April never one to let personal boundaries get in the way of a hug.' Shelby mentally sasses, unable to fight the growing warmth in her heart, as her green eyes lock intently into April's blue ones sending a familiar sensation through both females that changes the atmosphere around them instantly.

"Uh excuse me but could someone possibly inform me on just what is going on because right now I feel like I've just woken up in the middle of the twilight zone." Rachel huffs loudly, making sure to use full use of her lung capacity. She stuffs her hands into the pockets of Shelby's jacket that was still ever present on the youngest brunette.

"Rachel." Shelby warns sternly not liking her youngest daughter's tone in the slightest; it was far too early for this as it was.

Rachel just shrugs her mother's protest off, her brown eyes not daring to actually look directly at Shelby but instead stay focused on the small blonde woman.

"Well come on, how was she even aware that Lexi was in hospital?" Rachel questions with an uneasy feeling rising through her stomach. 'I know my sister and something just isn't right here.' Rachel's mind quickly rants silently within the young brunette's head.

Lexi's relief at having seemingly avoided disaster quickly plummets, along with her stomach at Rachel's nosy, yet completely understandable questions. 'Trust my sister to be the logical thinking one in this situation.' The eldest sister quips silently, almost resigning herself to the fact that the jig was up.

Just as Lexi was mentally deciding her funeral arrangements, the tiny blonde once again comes to the teen's rescue.

"Well actually, Rachel right?" April asks, knowing full well but just attempting to ease what was now a rising tension, in the increasingly packed hospital room, as well as buy a few extra seconds to concoct her answer, well lie if you want to get technical.

Rachel's brown eyes quickly narrow in suspicion as they focus on the small, blonde, stranger who apparently was only a stranger to the youngest brunette in the room, that in its self suspicious for the inquisitive teenager.

April can quickly surmise that the intense gaze of mistrust from the smaller teenager in the room, was as good of a form of an answer she was going to receive, so she recuperates with a fully charged smile, picked up and perfected after years of working stages, bars and unfortunately polls.

"Well as I was saying, Rachel. I was informed by some of my other employees that Lexi, no showed last night, which as I am sure you know, is extremely out of character. As a responsible employer and knowing some of the, how shall I phrase this, unique circumstances, I decided I should check in and make sure everything was okay." April continues, her southern twang making what she was saying almost too sweet.

'Still able to cure cancer with the charm, I see 'Bubi bear'.' Shelby mentally surmises, her arms crossing over her chest protectively, after all the chest housed her heart. 'Wait what in the world are you doing Shelby?' The teacher quickly asks herself as she snaps from her thoughts and memories of the past. 'Deal with this before things get out of hand.' the brunette instructs herself knowing things were quickly leaving her grasp.

"April, would you please join me in the hallway for a second please?" Shelby requests, her green eyes showing the petite blonde, it wasn't so much a request, more of a demand. The teacher's arms stay locked securely over her ample chest as she takes the lead, expecting April to follow instantly, she knew better than to not.

'You say jump and I ask how high, right 'Hair Bear' ?' The skinny blonde, silently retorts, those green eyes were still capable of striking fear into April's fluttering heart and she wasn't in fighting clothes, besides even if she was the confident smaller woman was fully aware she wouldn't stand a chance.

"Yes ma'am" April replies, along with a mock salute and click of her heels, of course only doing so once Shelby was out of slapping reach. The bubbly blonde, gives both teenagers a knowing smile, playing up to her audience as always. "Best follow, wouldn't want to forfeit my treat for being a good girl." She adds with a wink, bouncing through the hospital room door with glee, masking the fact her stomach was knotted with nervousness.

The second the two teenage girls are alone, their matching chocolate brown eyes connect with the same questioning and intrigued look lingering with a hint of mischievousness. Rachel quickly jumps into action and slides back first against the hospital room wall, right up against the door frame, doing her best spy impression to listen in on the two adults now alone in the hallway.

'Typical, a chance to eavesdrop on my mother and clearly someone from her still mysterious past and I'm confined to a hospital bed, just my luck.' Lexi surmises silently, a roll of her eyes in disgust at her predicament thrown in for good measure. Oh this whole, out of the loop thing was not going to last long if the older sister had her way, which she was more than determined to have.

Shelby's stance was enough to tell April, the brunette teacher's 'don't even think about messing me around' attitude was still burning strong within her old friend's body. 'So, I may not actually make it out of here alive then.' April silently resigns herself to that fact as Shelby's foot starts to tap an impatient and frustrated rhythm out on the shining hospital floor. 'I wonder if I could manage a final drink before my murder by death stare?; The blonde mentally ponders as Shelby awaits some kind of verbal response from the smaller woman.

"So you're just going to stay silent? Well that has to be a first for April Rhodes doesn't it?" Shelby sarcastically snipes, knowing the blonde didn't truly deserve all she was going to get, frustration wise but Shelby was tired and stressed and well that was bound to manifest it's self in some way and unfortunately for April, if anyone could illicit a reaction from the taller lady, it was her.

April's tight lips straighten at the dig, not that she could argue with it, it was painfully true, her and silence just didn't mix like orange juice without vodka, yuck!

"Nice to know, you're tongue is still as sharp and talented as ever 'Hair Bear'." April quickly replies in a antagonising manner, if Shelby wanted to play, April was happy to reach a new high score. Physically the tiny blonde wouldn't stand a chance, however in the battle of words both Shelby and April are more than aware the blonde could easily hold her own. "Besides you beckoned me out here Shelby, like a dog, which by the way, yes I have taken offense to. I own dog's, I'm not one, unless... well I guess I can be a form of one." The skinny, short firecracker adds with a raised eyebrow and telling chuckle rising in her voice towards the end of her statement, which luckily breaks Shelby's wall causing the brunette to crack a smile.

Letting out a defeated and exhausted sigh the teacher's arms fall to her sides, the defensive wall falling away simultaneously. Her brunette locks, in need of a good brushing, start to bounce as an almost broken laugh rises from her chest as she gives a soft nod of recognition of her wrong doing.

"I'm sorry okay? I shouldn't be taking out my lack of sleep and need for headache tablets, not to mention a shower, out on you." Shelby begins to apologise, her generous backside pressing up against the hospital wall as any strength in the brunette's body seems to evaporate. "Things, to say the least have been and are crazy right now. I don't know if I'm coming or going to be perfectly honest and now you're here? It kind of feels as though I've taken too many sleeping tablets, drank a few bottles of red wine and slipped into some twilight zone." The teacher continues, in a weak attempt to explain her current state. Shelby's green eyes slowly search for April's crystal blue ones, as the brunette slowly drags her fingertips down her tired, worn out face. "Not that it's not nice to see you." She adds with a knowing smirk, which again goes a long way in cutting the rising tension between the two old friends.

The blonde easily lets out a receptive chuckle of her own, that no matter how much she tried, which if she was honest wasn't truly that much, always escaped her mouth in the dirtiest and infectious way possible, not to mention loud. "Ah, forget about it honey. I'm just going to count the fact you didn't knock me onto my pretty little ass a win and leave it at that." April quips in reply, her hand brushing in front of her own face in a gesture to back up her statement to forget about it.

Shelby can't help but smile at the blondes reply and lets out a long sigh of relief, the stresses of everything that had happened clearly weighing heavily on the newly found mother's shoulders and heart.
"Well it wouldn't have been much of a fall onto that pretty ass, now would it?" Shelby jokingly replies as the tension between the two old friends having all but disappeared.

April gives a smirk of recognition to the quip from the teacher and just shakes her head with a slight giggle.
"Well I don't know 'Hair Bear' my heels are giving me at least four extra inches of height." April effortlessly retorts clicking the heels of her shoes together, reminiscent of Dorothy from the wizard of oz.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, although that lack of height did often come in handy." Shelby outwardly reminisces, the memories of giggling and carefree times swirling her over working mind almost in a welcome distraction that the brunette was subconsciously seeking.

"Oh jeez, those were the days. Paying child prices or you and 'Square Bear' pretending to be my lesbian mother's just for the reaction." The blonde quickly adds to the memories as tears of laughter quickly fill her crystal blue eyes. "Eek, do you remember that couple in Central park who literally chased us because they were so outraged?" April asks in a squeal of the blonde's characteristic giggle and excitement.

"Oh my god, yes and you tripped and somehow landed head first in the trash can and me and 'Square Bear' just picked up the entire thing and ran with it." Shelby instantly remembers the time April was referring to and the laughter is instantaneous. "Oh dear god that was the funniest thing I've ever seen your white, skinny legs flailing around from that thing as we ran, I nearly choked on my own tears of laughter." She adds after taking in a few needed, deep breaths in an attempt to regain control and composure, both traits the teacher and especially coach Corcoran was famous for.

As the almost howling laughter echoes through the hospital hallway and into Lexi's room, both brunette teens share a look of amusement, tinged with confusion and curiosity. The smallest brunette's brow quickly furrows 'What in the name of Barbra Streisand are they playing at out there? They sound like a bunch of laughing hyena's.' Rachel silently questions in annoyance, they were supposed to be the adults in this situation.

Lexi however was suffering from a much different reaction, wanting to join in with the hysterics but like Rachel also very much curious as to the reason for said laughter. 'I could have sworn, I was the only one on medication. Sure April may have a problem, well rather serious issue with alcoholic beverages but that doesn't explain Shelby's cackles.' Lexi mentally tries to work through the situation to come up with an explanation.

"Can you not hear what they are saying Rach?" The older sister asks in a hushed whisper, towards her just as nosy sister whose ears were practically straining at the bit to listen in on the commotion within the not so private confines of the hallway.

Rachel spins on the heels of her Mary Jane's so fast the fourteen year old is almost certain she's done damage to her neck in the form of whiplash. "No, not with you talking Lex, I can't. Sounds like they're just laughing anyway. I mean really, don't they think it's slightly inappropriate people could be dying in here." The smallest brunette asks rather indignantly at the lack of respect shown by her own mother of all people, as both arms slap down to her sides in frustration.

"Way to cheer me up Rach." Lexi scoffs at the 'dying' comment. " I mean, yeah, how dare they laugh and try to lighten the mood of the situation. Rude." Lexi sarcastically replies complete with a roll of her non swollen shut eye. 'I love you Star but sometimes even for me you blow my mind.' The oldest sister silently continues her assessment of Rachel's reaction knowing no good would come of saying the words aloud.

'Trust my sister not to understand, I sometimes wonder just how in Gold stars we are so closely related.' Rachel equally mentally replies to her sister, only her reasons for silence stemming from fear of physical harm much more than anything else.

"Forget that for now, just what do you think is the deal between those two though?" Lexi quickly asks, able to tell by her sister's facial expression that a full on 'Rachel rant' was brewing within the tiny brunette and the sixteen year old honestly just didn't have the strength for that.

"Oh, well they clearly have history. My guess at this point would be former friends, with some kind of acrimonious final meeting?" Rachel quickly suggests, with a shrug of her shoulders, as an explanation to the odd connection between the tiny blonde and the two teen's newly found mother.

Before the older, injured, rather highly medicated sister could process her young siblings reply an intentional, attention grabbing cough, echoes through the room of course causing a once sneaking Rachel to jump a good five feet into the air while simultaneously clasping at her chest to stop her heart making an escape.

Rachel's acrobatic jump of shock is landed with a gasp of horror from the fourteen year old as she comes face to face with the coughs owner, a raised eyebrow wearing Shelby, who seemed to be sporting more 'Coach Corcoran' in this moment than Rachel was hoping for.

Thankfully, for both Rachel's, clearly on edge nerves and the headache brewing above Shelby's tired eyes more important matters were at hand.

"Girl's, the police are here." The brunette teacher explains as softly as possible, very aware the mention of police was bound to illicit an unfavourable reaction from both of her daughters and understandably so. "Calm down, they are just here to get our statements on what happened yesterday, what we saw and heard, things like that." The mother side of Shelby quickly regains control as she attempts to soothe Lexi and Rachel's fears.

Rachel's chocolate brown eyes instantly search out Lexi's, however terrifying talking to the police may be for her, the fourteen year old was more than aware it would be worse for her sister, who had already been through an ordeal. 'They cannot be serious, can they? Lexi was attacked less than twenty four hours ago and they want to bring it all back up now? Barbra forbid they may actually allow her space to breathe.' The tiny spitfire mentally rants, her arms crossing defensively over her barely there chest in annoyance at these insensitive police.

Lexi just feels her stomach plummet down into her shoes, she had been far too tired and medicated to worry about this the night before but the brunette was clearly making up for that now. 'I'm going to be sick, actually physically sick. not that I'll have anything to bring up other than water and pills.' The dialogue within her now panicking brain quickly starts up as things carry on around the teen but part of her zones out.

"Lex, Lexi honey did you hear what I said?" Shelby's voice suddenly comes back into the eldest teenagers consciousness as her good eye focuses back to her hospital room.

'Huh? What, no I have no idea.' Lexi honestly answers but within her own mind as Shelby softly strokes the injured girl's shoulder, very aware of the amount of bruising and swelling on her child's body and not wanting to cause her any pain or discomfort.

Lexi's 'good' eye connects with both of Shelby's green ones and the teen gives a clearly bewildered and nervous look to the mother. The fact it was now just herself, Shelby and two suit wearing detectives in the hospital room finally sinking in for the sixteen year old and making her heartbeat increase.

"Shelby?" Lexi instantly hurries out, the young girl's voice going up at least a whole octave as her hand desperately seeks Shelby's , the fear in her chest both rising and spreading at an alarming speed. What if they took Rachel and her into care anyway? What if Lexi's lies were exposed? There was so much that could go wrong that the teenager almost couldn't function.

The desperation in the poor girl's voice, easily tugs at Shelby's already weakened heartstrings, seeing her daughter in such a state both physically and emotionally was quickly threatening any strength the teacher had left within her to crumble. 'No, you cannot let that happen Shelby.' The brunette's inner voice quickly reminds the frantic mother. 'Your girls, they need you to be strong right now, so pull it together.' The inner monologue quickly orders, which in a way was the kick Shelby needed.

"It's okay Lexi, it's okay. They just want to ask some questions about yesterday and what you remember okay?" Shelby explains, her strong left hand softly tucking a strand of Lexi's dark hair, that was peeking from the bandage around the teen's head, back into place. "They know you are still very weak and need to rest so they won't be long alright?" The teacher, expertly and pointedly adds, her green eyes for a second connecting with the detective's in a knowing manner, which both men had to hide smirks at.

"That's right Lexi, me and my partner, Detective Hunter here, don't want to upset or distress you we just need to get information from you about what happened..." The taller detective starts to explain only to get a startled reaction from the hurt teenager.

"But... I... I don't remember much." Lexi quickly interrupts, stuttering over her words as her grip finds Shelby's wrist, which the mother quickly moves to her hand and squeezes Lexi's back reassuringly.

"That's okay, we know you have been through a lot. All me and Detective Hayes, can ask is you just tell us what you remember as best as you can okay?" The second, older detective explains, doing his best to calm the young girl who had clearly suffered one hell of a beating, he'd seen a lot in his career but even for him this was hard to see.

Meanwhile, having been banished to the confines of the hallway, Rachel's curiosity was quickly getting the better of the brunette wannabe Broadway star. 'Hmm, she seems to be even shorter than me.' The fourteen year old mentally points out to herself, it wasn't often she got to make that statement unless talking about children still under double digits and even then it wasn't a guarantee. 'Can... Can I smell alcohol?' Rachel's always on edge mind asks as a whiff of a rather unfamiliar fragrance starts to fill the young teens nostrils.

"Are you drinking an ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?!" Rachel asks in nothing less than a squeal as a glass, screw top bottle comes into view from the blonde's oversized, yet fashionable handbag.

April's free hand is instantly clamped down, not entirely gently around the young girl's mouth. 'Someone has inherited their mother's lung capacity and ability to use it to their full decibel reach, clearly!' The flustered blonde's inner voice informs the woman's, now racing, mind.

With a stronger grip than the brunette would have imagined, April pulls Rachel's head closer and takes a few seconds to construct her reply to the squirming teenager. "...Yes." finally falls from the blonde's tight lips, knowing a lie now would be pointless. "Now you listen to me, very carefully Pocahontas. I am going to remove my hand very slowly and you are going to keep the volume down. Is that a deal?" The blonde question's, a picture perfect smile painted almost painfully across her face as she speaks directly into her captive's ear, not wanting any nosy person walking by to become suspicious.

'She is certifiable, what in the world has my mother left me in the company of?' The tiny framed brunette asks herself, knowing it was just as certifiable but who else was she supposed to rant to in this moment? There was a hand across her mouth for gold stars sake.

With a muffled hum, Rachel's head nods in agreement to the blonde's demands and is rewarded with the ability to once again breath through her mouth and have full control of her head and it's movements.

"You see, quiet is much better isn't it?" April quips, her voice becoming even sweeter than normal as the hand, which had been used to muffle and stop the young girl's outburst, is rubbed along the adult's jean clad leg. If stripping had taught April anything, it was you could never be too careful.

Rachel's not amused face, sends what the blonde recognises as a 'Shelby pissed off' glare, in response. 'Well you did nearly crack the poor girl's neck April, what did you expect a hug and thank you card?' The petit blonde's mind quickly provides her with the answer for said look, as her mental monologue runs wild.

"Okay, so I may have overreacted slightly..." April begins to explain, which is of course met by another Shelby move, the raised eyebrow. Oh the amount of time's the blonde had been on the senior version of that move, never was it pleasant. "Okay, okay, I did overreact but you were loud enough to wake the recently deceased in the morgue." She quickly adds on, which thankfully seems to work in softening the teenager's hostility slightly.

"I'll give you that but I think you'll find my horror was perfectly understandable in the circumstances'." Rachel retorts, her arms only now coming down from their crossed placement over her chest.

"Wait, what do you mean, morgue? We aren't near it are we, near the dead people? Oh, gold stars!" The fourteen year old asks in a blur of slightly delayed horror, her young frame instantly jumping to her feet ready to make an escape from any kind of zombie attack that may occur.

'Well done April, you were supposed to be keeping her volume down not causing her to have a heart attack." The blondes inner voice quickly chastises herself, a small hand reaching out to the now traumatised brunette and with a firm grip around her flailing arm, tugs her back down into the uncomfortable chairs they'd been banished to as they wait.

"No, okay sweetie? We are nowhere near the morgue, it was a stupid thing to say. Calm your boobies, Pocahontas." April playfully quips, giving the over-reacting teenager a gentle bump of her shoulder. "Just breathe okay?" The blonde adds, noticing the still overly dilated pupils belonging to the teenager and trying her best to calm her.

"You're sure?" Rachel replies, still hesitant to believe some form of 'Night of the living dead' wasn't about to transpire. 'Why did I ever allow Lexi to watch those darn horror films, that she is so worryingly obsessed with. They are actually starting to affect your sanity now Rachel.' The brunette's inner voice surmises as her once quickened breathing begins to level out.

"Positive sweet cheeks." The blonde woman, instantly replies, as part of her starts to warm towards the youngest brunette. April had a unique position of being able to see the traits of Shelby, within each girl, the more time she spent with them. 'Genetics really are something else.' April's inner monologue again starts to connect the dots.

"So, Alexis..." The older of the two detectives, Detective Hunter, starts to ask the injured teen the first question about the events of the night before, only to again be interrupted. This was quickly becoming a frustrating pattern for the bearded detective, who was quickly wishing his decision to give up smoking had waited a month.

"Lexi." Both Lexi and Shelby, surprising one another, remark at the exact same time. Sharing a soft smile, each woman's attentions quickly refer back to the detectives now stood at the foot of Lexi's bed.

'Both mother and daughter clearly have no issue with correcting mistakes.' Detective Hayes' inner monologue silently surmises with an amused smirk spreading across his face, more than aware of his older partner's growing annoyance by the colour change occurring on his partner's skin.

"Yes Lexi, my apologies." Detective Hunter, quickly corrects, not liking his chances of survival if he didn't. The young girl's mother had a presence about her which years as a detective and just ;living, not to mention nearly twenty five years of marriage to an equally headstrong and assertive wife, told him, she was not to be tested.

Removing his notebook from his coat's pocket, the slightly balding man returns his full attentions back to the teenage girl in her hospital bed. 'They certainly did a number on you.' His mental voice kicks in still struggling with the severity of the teenagers injuries. It was clear to him that the brunette had inherited her strength from the older version of herself, sat beside her in the very uncomfortable looking hospital chair.

"As I was about to ask, if you could just take us through what you can remember when you arrived back at the apartment building last night? Any details, no matter how small they may seem, could be very important so take your time." He encourages, like his younger partner, sensing the teens, understandable uneasiness.

Lexi can feel her mouth suddenly become unbearably dry and her heart rate increase. Why she was so fearful of retelling what happened, the teen wasn't entirely sure. Was it from fear of what she'd remembered? Fear of the secrets she still hid, coming to light? Fear of reliving what she had experienced and had desperately hoped would be able to bury and move on from? The brunette teenager was more than aware that any of the above, if not all, could be the reason but knowing this didn't change the fact she was about to give herself heart failure.

'Lexi, calm yourself! Just be honest and tell them what you remember.' Lexi's always over working mind, starts to instruct. 'Whoa! Maybe not too honest, you still have skeletons in that closet dear.' The other side of Lexi's mind instantly adds in, just adding to what was already an eternal debate within the young girl's mind.

Realising both the detectives and the woman, known as her mother, whose hand she was grasping at as the older brunette sat beside her, were all awaiting her answer, the injured teen gulps down the dry lump now lodged in her throat.

"Well uh, I uh parked the car in my usual spot." Lexi begins, struggling to keep her voice from cracking from the uneasy tension that was brewing underneath, what the teen prayed was a calmer exterior. "Uh, I got out and grabbed my school bag off the passenger's seat, I locked up and went up to uh, to my apartment." She continues, her good eye searching out a glance from Shelby, encouragement to continue maybe? Just reassurance the woman was still there? Lexi couldn't figure out the reasoning behind it but is all the same relieved when their eyes connect.

The mother instantly responds to this tell- tale sign, which years of teaching had become blatantly obvious to the brunette, by giving her eldest child's hand a reassuring squeeze. Shelby, of course, makes sure though that her action doesn't hurt the still very fragile teenager, in any way.

Lexi was almost shocked at the teacher's action, sure it had been what she had been craving but Lexi was never used to someone actually offering her comfort and reassurance, other than Rachel of course. 'Okay, so apparently 'Coach Corcoran' has mind reading abilities to add to her, apparently limitless, list of super powers.' The sixteen year old, silently surmises in the few silent seconds she'd taken to gather her thoughts before continuing her account of the previous nights events.

"Everything, seemed, felt, well was, I thought, normal I guess." Lexi continues, she had no idea how she should be wording this, so she just did what the sixteen year old did best, she lead with her gut instinct. "I was exhausted so all I was really focusing on was, sleeping. I opened the door and walked in, same as always." The teenager adds, flashes of doing that very action rushing across her mind like it was happening all over again.

Shelby watches Lexi closely as the brunette teen recounts and no doubt in the mother's mind also relives, the events of the night before. 'This is torture, why can't I just do this for her? Or at the very least ease my own child's pain? What kind of mother can't do that for her own baby?' The normally, rational and together, 'coach' Corcoran side of the mother's brain, silently questions. 'This is not the time for you to feel sorry for yourself Shelby, imagine what Lexi is thinking and feeling right now and focus on that!" Another part of Shelby's brain instantly fires back, apparently the 'Coach' Corcoran side had again found it's voice, something the treading water, thirty seven year old was beyond grateful for.

"I threw my keys at the kitchen table, it's a habit I guess." Lexi continues, the burning intense looks she was receiving from all three adult's in the room enough to tell her to carry on. "I wanted to grab a quick shower before I crashed so I walked into the bathroom but..." The brunette teen hesitates for a second, still reliving every word she spoke. "but uh, I heard a noise." Lexi reveals as her heartbeat starts to increase and physically tenses up.

The squeeze to Shelby's hand from her injured child, along with the hesitance in the young girl's story, was more than enough of a signal that Lexi was struggling. It didn't take a genius to notice, so Shelby shifts out of her seat and perches next to the teenager, the teacher's long, toned arm wrapping around her eldest daughter's shoulders.

Lexi's good eye watches the newly found mother as she moves and then to the sixteen year olds shock feels the woman, who days before would have been nothing more than a stranger or even worse a up herself, nosy teacher, wrap her arm around her bruised and aching body. No one had offered Lexi a gesture like that in what felt like years to the teen. Pulling or pushing Shelby away would have been Lexi's usual actions but something now, with it being Shelby, her mother, stopped the teen's knee jerk reaction and instead she felt her always tensed body actually melt into the woman, into the arms of her mom.

For Lexi, finally coming to terms with the fact that the woman, who for so many years the teen had held such resentment and anger towards, was not only now in her life but actually providing the brunette with much needed and surprisingly accepted comfort.

"Just take a second Lexi, it's okay no one is going to rush you." Shelby assures the now slightly shaking teen in her arms, her daughter. If the situation was under any other circumstances the mother may have taken a moment to savour the interaction but this was anything but the time.

Both detectives share another glance as Shelby's blatantly obvious remark cuts through the air like a knife, although secretly both men admire the mother's protective nature, clearly any boyfriends in the future would need to watch their backs.

'How can such a simple, cliché sentence I have used on Rachel so many times actually work? Is it because she has some unknown super power to add to the list or perhaps it's because she's my... mom?' Lexi silently ponders how within moments and one sentence, Shelby had given the teen a wave of calm she couldn't explain. 'My mom, huh I never thought I'd call anyone that but she is isn't she? My mom and comforting their kids, that's what moms do or at least they're supposed to do.' The sixteen year old silently adds in her growing inner monologue, her confusing emotions surrounding the entire situation taking hold of her thoughts.

It was odd but with Shelby's close presence and contact, continuing suddenly didn't feel as overwhelming or intimidating for Lexi. The teenager looks to both the detectives and then her mother before she draws in a large breath and prepares to continue her story.

"Sorry..." Lexi begins shifting slightly but almost to her shock it's not away from Shelby so she can keep her defences up and deal with everything alone, it was to move closer and soak up the support that the brunette, older version of herself was offering and providing.

'She's not pulling away or swearing at me to get off so I guess we can call this progress?' The mother silently surmises, a rush of relief washes over her at the realisation her eldest daughter was actually, maybe, possibly starting to allow Shelby in and be the mother she so desperately had always wanted to be. 'Baby steps Shelby, baby steps.' The 'Coach' side of the older brunette's mind quickly chimes in.

"No need to be sorry Lexi." The younger, detective Hayes replies to Lexi's apology, pulling Shelby from her thoughts and reassuring the injured teenager at the same time. "We understand, take your time." He adds as his partner nods in agreement, both men much to frightened of the mother to hassle or rush the teenager in anyway.

Lexi gives a thankful nod to the detectives at their understanding and for a moment closes her non-swollen eye to calm her still thudding heart, her bandaged head using Shelby's shoulder as a substitute pillow. 'Just tell them what happened Lexi, pull it together, you are stronger than this, you have to be.' The still exhausted teenager instructs herself within the confines of her always over working mind.

"I heard a noise as I walked into the bathroom, I guess it was footsteps but I didn't really think, I just turned around and the next thing I know I feel this... pain." Lexi starts to continue but as she explains what happened her mind is washed with flashes, memories of what had occurred not even a full day before.

Shelby instinctively starts to run her hand up and down her daughter's shoulder and arm in an attempt to soothe what the adult was sure was overwhelming memories and emotions.

"I fell to the floor and I just tried to curl up into a ball I guess, I could hear shouting but I wasn't really taking it in, I just... I had no idea what was going on. I was scared, well no, I was terrified." Lexi continues as an uncontrollable stream of tears that the teen normally would be able to fight and contain, flow from the girl's tired eyes. "All I could think about was Rachel, I just prayed whatever happened they did before she got home." The emotional brunette explains lifting her hand to wipe her face free of her tears but is beaten to it by the soft texture of Shelby's thumb sliding over her cheek and wiping them away for her instead.

It was a small gesture, maybe one that for others wouldn't garner much attention but to Lexi, it meant so much. Lexi was used to being the one in Shelby's position, wiping the tears away and providing the comfort but to actually have someone providing that for her instead truly made the stubborn and independent sixteen year old second guess the perks that having a mother in her life might just provide.

Lexi gives a subtle nod in Shelby's direction to thank the teacher for the small gesture which probably unknown to anyone else had meant more to Lexi than the sixteen year old could even truly understand.

"Did you see anything? Was it a man or a woman, more than one person, did you pick up any distinctive features or hear any signs of an accent maybe?" Detective Hunter asks, realising the poor girl was clearly struggling with the memories she was being forced to relive.

With a slow and very careful shake of her head, considering her injuries, Lexi sniffles back her tears in an attempt to regain control of herself and the situation. "Uh no, I just heard noise and felt pain." Lexi replies before clearing her throat, it was a way to give herself some extra time to compose herself.

'You do not cry in front of people Lexi, what is wrong with you? Did the beating knock your spine from your body? Act your age.' The brunette teen silently berates herself for allowing her weakness and emotions to show, this was not who Lexi was and certainly not who she knew she had to be in order to get through, not only this situation she was now in but her life in general.

"I know this is hard but any detail you can remember, no matter how small, could really help us find whoever did this to you. You clearly went through an ordeal but even if you don't know it, you had to have seen something." The older man, Detective Hunter again takes the lead unable to shake a growing tense feeling within his stomach that this teenager wasn't being entirely honest.

Shelby feels her jaw clench as the tone in the detectives question seems to take a shift. 'This idiot better watch what he is insinuating because my daughter has clearly been through enough without some overworked, near to retirement, jackass jumping to conclusions or upsetting her further.' The mother silently rants, apparently the lack of sleep and the mounting stress and worry effecting the teacher more than even she had planned.

Stopping the rubbing motions of her injured child's shoulder and arm, the mother seems to grow as she protectively leans forward letting Lexi slip somewhat behind her frame. "I'm sorry, just what exactly are you getting at? If my daughter says she didn't see anything then she didn't, okay?" Shelby explains warningly, her voice and all around presence becoming sharper and much more 'Coach' Corcoran than it had been since waking up, even April's sudden reappearance hadn't been able to stir the sleeping dragon of a pissed off 'Coach' Corcoran, these detectives however were getting awfully close.

Lexi doesn't have a chance to respond, well Shelby didn't allow her chance to respond, to the detective's more direct question. The sixteen year old couldn't help but feel a rush of gratefulness towards her mother. 'So this is what it's like to have someone fighting your corner and standing up for you.' The injured girl's mind realises with an unconscious movement of her hand, which was IV free, grips onto Shelby's day old blouse almost as if holding on would keep the mother from disappearing or leaving the teenager to be left to fight her own corner, single handed, once again.

Both detectives take a defensive step back, away from the hospital bed at the mother's outburst, all conclusions both men had made about the mother seemingly being confirmed.

"Calm down Ms Corcoran, no one is trying to upset you or your daughter, we are just trying to get as much information as we possibly can." The slightly younger of the two detectives interjects, very aware that this situation needed to be calmed down and by the glare which the teacher was now providing, the quicker the better. "The more information we have hopefully the stronger the chance we have of catching whoever did this." Detective Hayes continue to explain.

Lexi gulps down the forming lump in her throat, the detective's words making her head spin, she just wanted this to stop. The stress in which the teen had been experiencing for so long now coupled with the trauma and pain she was still in left the sixteen year old just wanting to completely shut off, for good preferably.

High heels click rhythmically through the hospital's bright white corridor, 'Why are hospital's always so damn bright anyway, to punish people with hangovers?' The petite blonde, responsible for the clicking heels, rants within her own mind as she re-approaches the small brunette who was sat waiting patiently to rejoin her mother and big sister.

"I hope you like hot chocolate sweet cheeks because I'm fairly sure the coffee was filtered through something furry. " April quips as she offers one of the two cups of vending machine hot chocolate towards the fourteen year old.

"Oh, thank you." A slightly startled Rachel replies as she accepts the drink with both hands, both of which were hiding within the large sleeves of her mother's jacket, she was still hibernating within. It was just far too comforting and warm to even contemplate taking off.

Rachel's chocolate brown eyes examine the rather bubbly, if not a little loud, blonde lady now keeping her company. 'Carrying two hot drinks, navigating this busy hospital in those heels really is some accomplishment, I feel like I should give her a round of applause for not scolding herself, or me for that matter.' The fourteen year olds, always conscious inner voice quips as an amused smirk crosses her features. 'Maybe I am starting to understand how this woman could become, clearly a prominent part of both my sister's and mother's lives.' The voice continues as Rachel realises that April was quickly growing on her, what was it about this tiny, blonde bombshell?

Bringing the still piping hot cup to her lips, Rachel crosses one of her legs over the other, scooting back into the chair slightly a clear defensive manoeuvre that the teenage often would use. After letting the warm liquid refresh her the brunette teenager takes in a steadying breath and lets her nails tap along the cardboard cup.

"So you umm obviously have a rather deep history with my..." Rachel hesitates for a moment and almost smiles at the realisation she finally was able to refer to someone as her mother. "mom?" She finishes her question curling into said mother's jacket a little more.

April finds herself smiling as she watches this younger version of Shelby, so many qualities she could see, flashes of the woman who April had spent so many amazing, emotional and life changing times with.

"Yes, me and your mother have a rather... detailed past." April answers as even more memories start to spread across the active blonde's brain.

'Detailed past? Really April, that is how you are going to phrase this?' The blonde's inner voice quickly questions her choice of words in her reply to the small brunette. 'Way to make things sound suspicous and dark April. the woman's mental monologue continues.

"Oh, I see." Rachel replies as her brow furrow's slightly, much as April was surmising because of the blonde's choice of words. 'Detailed past? What in 'gold stars' name does that mean?' The smaller girl mentally questions within her mind.

"I mean I knew Shelby a long time ago, for a long time." April quickly interjects in an attempt to give Rachel some more clarity and hopefully distract from what the adult was fully aware was a confusing comment."We actually lived together at one point, went to auditions together, even worked together actually." The blonde adds seeing a spark light in the young girl's brown orbs the more she talks about the teen's mother.

"You did?!" Rachel exclaims in reply, her heart instantly upping in pace at the possibility to find out some more information about her mother who really was still very much a mystery and enigma to the girl.

"Yeah, in New York. It was anything but glamorous but we had some pretty fun and interesting times in our young days." April answers, unable to contain the chuckle that accompanied her sentence.

"New York?!" Rachel practically squeals and bursts from her seat as April's rather offhand comment strikes the biggest nerve within the fourteen year old. Her smile becomes mega watt at the very thought of the tales she could learn about from April involving both New York and her mother, it was a dream come true.

'Oh my 'Gold Stars' she lived with Shelby in New York, New York for Barbra's sake. Oh April could become very helpful in my training and preparation for when I leave for New York myself.' Rachel's always over working mind starts to rattle off idea's and formulate plans regarding this new information. 'Hmmm, I haven't even thought about leaving for New York in, well too long.' The teen continues to realise within the confines of her mind.

Leaving for New York and chasing her dream hadn't been something that had been on Rachel's radar for a rather long time now, since Hiram died if she was honest. Now apparently this change in school, finding Shelby and maybe even having Jesse in her life had, without the fourteen year old noticing, changed her attitude on this.

'Oh Jeez, she sure is Shelby's daughter if she has the same obsession over New York which good old 'Hair Bear' has always had.' April's own inner voice quickly warns the petite adult as she attempts not to laugh or even show any form of fear at Rachel's response.

"Where did you live? How long for? Where did you work? What was she like? Did you get on all the time or did you have disagreements? Ooh, which auditions did you go to, did you ever get any role, did my mom?! I want to know everything you can remember about New York, no detail is too small or non relevant okay?" Rachel quickly rambles out her tirade of questions which quickly increase at speed the further the fourteen year old gets in her one, apparently huge breath.

"Wow, okay sweet cheeks maybe giving you a sugar rush wasn't such a bright idea." April jokes playfully although for a brief moment she wonders if taking the hot chocolate away may just be a smart choice after all. "That was a lot of questions you just asked ands I'm going to let you in on a little secret okay?" The blonde continues leaning in towards Rachel as if to tell the girl the secret location of an upcoming Barbra Streisand concert.

Rachel eagerly leans in for what she was now certain would be precious information. 'Maybe I should be taking notes?' Rachel silently questions before deciding that she'd just have to make in depth mental notes as well as her over fatigued brain could cope with.

Taking the almost aggressive nodding from Rachel as a 'yes' April uses her right hand to take hold of the now shaking cup of hot chocolate from Rachel's grasp, it was just safer that way, for everyone. "I'm hung over like your pretty, young brain couldn't possibly begin to understand and when hung over people get asked that amount of questions at that speed well all we hear is a lot of noise an normally just go and get a drink." April explains in an almost overly sweet voice.

Rachel's eyes instantly narrow at the blonde's remark, clearly someone thought this was some kind of humorous situation which in Rachel's eyes it most defiantly was not.

"Hey now Pocahontas,, don't go and give me that 'Corcoran' glare that you have so expertly inherited from your mother. I'm just pulling your leg and trying o get you to just calm down slightly before you burst one of those pretty veins in your head okay?" The small blonde explains with a chuckle still reverberating through her words and chest.

'Boy, she really does have that look down though.' April's inner voice quips, it was endearing as well as slightly unnerving.

Rachel's now rather guarded and clearly annoyed stance starts to melt as April explains her comments leaving the teen fighting the urge to laugh. 'Why is this woman so infectious to the point that sustaining anger towards her is darn near impossible?' The small brunette asks herself as she lets her hunched shoulder's again slip back down into a more relaxed manner.

"There we are you're much more less intimidating when you're smiling than wishing me dead within that mind of yours. You're just like your mom, I could always read what she was thinking through her eyes too." April quips again sensing her tactics of somehow calming the fourteen year old were working.

"I apologise, sometimes I tend to get rather worked up especially about matters in which I am very interested in." Rachel explains as she can feel a hot, slightly embarrassed rush of heat rising against her cheeks. "It's just, New York has always been somewhat of a aspiration, well dream for me. Not to mention there is just so much about Shelby that I don't know and well, I guess I just thought you were kind of a way to kill two birds with one stone. Not that I agree with animal cruelty because I don't!" The teen continues, her rambling tendencies once more rearing their head.

"It's perfectly okay sweet cheeks, I actually think it's admirable to have such strong ideas of what you want for your future. I was... very different from you at your age and believe me you are going about it the right way." April replies attempting o ease any sense of embracement Rachel may be feeling. "I can and will answer any questions you want to know honey, just one at a time okay?" The blonde adds sweetly, reaching across and passing the hot chocolate back to the teen.

Rachel accepts the drink with a growing smirk as she looks up through the curtain of her dark locks which had fallen somewhat like a curtain across her face. 'April seems to be able to deal with me and defuse my sometimes over excitable tendencies rather effectively, I wonder if that is a trait she picked up from her time with Shelby, like Lexi has without question attained the same ability through me?' The fourteen year old mentally ponders as she brings the cup up to her plump lips for another sip of the hot liquid.

"I think that is enough for today, we know you are still under treatment and medication for your injuries and we don't want to upset you at all or tire you more than you must already be. " Detective Hayes finally announces to conclude the questioning of Lexi who had gone over the event's numerous times at this point and not been able to add any more information.

"Yes, well I am sure she's already over tired she's been through a lot not only physically but mentally also and any added stress really isn't going to be of any help." Shelby once again, pointedly adds knowing her words were making each detective shrink somewhat where they stood. The mother just hoped they felt guilty for even daring to suggest that Lexi, her child, was holding anything back.

"Well thank you for your time Lexi, we hope that you get better soon, we'll be in touch with any developments. If you do remember anything else, anything at all or just have some questions please don't hesitate to call." Detective Hunter says as he offers his card, hoping to somewhat defuse the situation.

'I truly am starting to dislike this detective's attitude.' Shelby's inner voice instantly starts up, her protective nature for defending her child unable to be controlled. The mother stands back up from her spot sat beside her daughter on the hospital bed. Her green eyes narrow in on both men stood in front of her knowing she was giving them a warning glare.

"We'll just leave the card... here." The detective states, allowing his information card to be placed on the bedside table as Shelby's crossed arms were a crystal clear sign she would not be taking the card willingly.

"Now, Ms Corcoran we would still like to ask yourself and your other daughter a few questions as well, about what you saw when you found Lexi last night." Detective Hayes chirps in knowing there may be some information that could really help their investigation.

"That will be fine but my other daughter, Rachel, has also been through a lot so I would like to make sure it doesn't last too long as you can imagine none of us have gotten a good night's sleep." Shelby explains as she looks from the detectives to Lexi giving her eldest a warm smile knowing and seeing the exhaustion in her still badly beaten face.

"You try and get some sleep okay? Me and Rachel won't be long and then we'll see what we can find out about you being released alright?" The mother softly explains wishing that she could take away the pain and worry which was, understandably boiling under the surface.

Shelby uses her left hand to help guide Lexi, so she is laid more comfortably in the bed to rest. Tugging the blue hospital blanket and tucking it securely around her child's battered and bruised body was a surreal experience for the teacher. 'I have to give her credit, she is masking how terrified she is rather well. If I didn't know she was my daughter I may even buy she was okay. Luckily though I know that trick of pretending and hiding behind an act to cover how you truly feel.' Shelby's 'Mother' voice instantly starts to voice the mother's concerns within the confines of her mind.

"Yes Shelby, I'll be fine though. It's not like there is a lot else I can get up to while you're gone either, I mean I don't think I'm really up to practicing my free running." The sixteen year old sasses, even with a swollen shut eye and multiple stitches and drugs running through her body, the teen tries her best to at least appear as though she is being her usual self.

'I'm not sure if she's being outstandingly brave or acting her ass off right now but either way it scares me.' Shelby again lets her inner voice point out her fears, it was therapeutic for the brunette to try and get some gauge on just what she was thinking and what was going on. It really had been too long since she'd gotten a full night's sleep.

"Well I'm glad your sense of humour doesn't seem to be affected at all." Shelby quips in return as she leans down and lays a peck of her plump lips on the bandaged head of the injured teen.

'Oh crap! Was that okay?! Should I have done that? Should I expect a punch or at the very least a glare, considering her physically condition?' Shelby's mind instantly starts to questions the mother's automatic actions that had just happened so organically. naturally even. 'Oh dear lord, what if I've pushed her too fast? Rachel seems to be the one much more eager for physical contact and reassurance, Lexi though ...' the teacher continues to frantically worry within her overworking mind.

"Take's more than a skull fracture, some stitches and a beating to take away my sense of humour. I don't have many talents so the ones I have I like to cling on to." Lexi replies with a much more relaxed smile across her face as, unbeknownst to her, the adult in front of her has a panic attack of worry over the gesture that to Lexi had oddly just felt right.

"Ms Corcoran?" Detective Hayes, cautiously interjects as himself and his partner wait half way out of the hospital room. "If we could start the interviews with you and Rachel now?" He asks almost having to force the words out very aware that the teacher's reaction could further damage his confidence in dealing with women in general.

Shelby wakes from her dazed state of worry for a moment and nods in agreement to the suggestion just wanting to get this over with so she could sort out getting both of her girl's back home and hopefully away from all of the chaos and catch a damn breath.

"We won't be long Lexi, I'll send April in to stay with you so you're not alone." Shelby informs Lexi not giving the teen chance to object, there was no chance she was about to leave her still seriously hurt baby to be alone, in a hospital or not.

'I'm sixteen, do I really need a baby sitter I mean I'm in hospital for god's sake?' The teenager mentally questions the mother's motives but secretly bites back a smile, it was nice to know someone actually gave a damn and was being protective of her.

"Okay Shelby." Lexi replies with a slight chuckle, she hadn't known Shelby long but the stubborn, independent teenager was quickly learning that fighting and arguing with Shelby was fighting a losing battle and in all honestly she just didn't have the strength.

Within five minuet of leaving Lexi's room, Shelby, Rachel and the detectives were sat in one of the consulting rooms. Rachel was visibly shaking as she sits beside Shelby and without thinking snakes her smaller hand down between the two seats and grips onto her mother's hand as a form of support and encouragement.

'They do not want to try and start the same games they did with Lexi because I swear to god...' Shelby silently starts to promise her actions but is interrupted by the older detective clearing his throat to signify he was ready to start. 'Oh I don't like him' The mother quickly quips as she brings her free hand to gently stroke up and down her daughter's arm.

"So Rachel, this isn't an interrogation or anything like that we'd just like to know what, if anything you may have saw last night when you first found your sister." The older detective explains, a headache looming above his tired eyes.

For a second Rachel can feel her heart actually freeze, these were actual policemen and however they may be wording it they were asking her questions. 'What if I forget something? Or say the wrong thing? What if because of me the monster who has assaulted my sister never gets caught and goes on to do this to someone else or 'Barbra' forbid comes back to hurt Lexi again?' Rachel mentally worries, her chocolate brown eyes frantically searching around the unfamiliar room for some kind of reassurance that the teen would usually find in Lexi.

"Rachel?" Shelby coos softly as she sees the pure panic hat was swimming in her youngest eyes, it made the mother's heart ache, to see both of her children in such distress and knowing there was next to nothing she could do to help was s kind of pain that the teacher hadn't ever truly contemplated before now.

"Hmm?" The dazed teen hums in response as Shelby's voice comes into her consciousness.

"It's okay Rach, just try and tell them what happened and what you remember okay? I'm right here with you, I'm not going anywhere either so just take your time." The mother continues to try and coax the worrying teen out of her own thoughts.

Having to try and support both your teenage children through police interviews about an attack in which one of them was half killed, wasn't exactly a scenario the mother had envisioned or prepared for in the years apart from her girl's. Falling out with best friends, home work, hell even boys and broken hearts, Shelby knew how to handle that, at the least she was prepared, somewhat for it but this, how could any mother be prepared for that, let alone one who had been out of her children's lives for fourteen years?

Rachel slowly nods towards Shelby, the thankfulness for this woman's support something that almost catches the teen off guard. Her eyes focus back to the detectives, aware that they were awaiting her to tell her story.

"Well, Shelby had dropped me off and..." Rachel starts to tell her story but falters almost instantly, the brunette had spent all the time since it happened trying to block it out now she was supposed to go into detail.

A gentle squeeze from Shelby though is enough to give Rachel that extra nudge to continue. 'You can do this Rachel, Shelby is here with you and this is for Lexi. Pull it together and just tell them what happened.' The frightened fourteen year old mentally assures herself.

"Everything was normal until I reached the apartment, the door wasn't closed and my sister always locks it behind her because, well I constantly nag her about it. I read statistics, especially in our neighbourhood, for burglaries and such so I guess I'm slightly paranoid." Rachel explains as she feels her chest slowly starting to tighten the further into her memories she gets in to.

Detective Hayes eyes instantly grow larger at the teen's revelation, it seemed like a small detail but to him it was helpful. "Now when you saw the door was it partly closed, wide open and did it have any marks on it at all?" He asks as his partner jots down the notes beside him.

"It wasn't all the way open but enough to notice it hadn't even been attempted to be closed. There was a mark, on the front... it was when I first saw..." Rachel begins to answer but as the images run across her brain she starts to falter once more. "Blood." The small brunette forces the word out, it was like if she held it inside any longer it may burn her tongue.

"Okay, you're doing really well Rachel. Now did you touch the door when you walked in or see anything else important?" Detective Hayes again asks as his partner was being cautious he could sense he'd pushed his luck too far already today with Shelby.

"Uhh, I remember I just ran inside, I didn't think about it. All I was thinking was that Lexi may have cut herself or something, she is kind of clumsy or accident prone sometimes in the kitchen." Rachel continues her lips for a moment forming into a smile as many memories of her older sister's random injuries fill her brain.

"Once I got in though, something wasn't right. It was silent, eerily silent. The bathroom door was shut and, Lexi almost always has music on when she's having a shower or just alone in the apartment. Usually rap, why I don't know she seems to have a much more mainstream taste, I'm more refined." The teen adds fondly, talking about her sister and those quirks which would often do Rachel's head in was a lot easier than just focusing on what she'd seen the night before.

"That's good, so you are inside and the bathroom door is shut? Did you see any other sign of a struggle or blood or anything else out of the ordinary?" Detective Hayes once again prompts.

Rachel can feel the tightening in her chest once again increasing and has to increase her grip around Shelby's hand as some kind of emotional anchor. 'Why are they making me relive this? Isn't it bad enough I had to go through this once?' Rachel mentally sasses, not brave enough or annoyed enough to voice her grievances outwardly.

"I don't remember anything else, I called for Lexi but it just came out a whisper. I started walking towards the bathroom, something was telling me to be careful and quiet, I have no idea what, just a... feeling I guess." Rachel finally answers with a shrug of her shoulders, the material of Shelby's jacket brushing across her cheek and giving the brunette a sweet waft of what she was learning was her mother's perfume.

'My poor girl's, both of them have been through hell, not only last night, these detective's really want to hurry their asses up with these questions.' Shelby silently rants, her own emotions of guilt and pain for what her children have had to suffered becoming increasingly suffocating for the newly found mother.

"I remember I opened the door to the bathroom and as I pushed it back I saw... blood. So much blood." Rachel continues, the words becoming stuck in the young girl's throat the further on in the sentence she gets. The tired and emotional teen's on edge emotions were clearly becoming too much for her.

Shelby instinctively shuffles slightly closer to her youngest daughter and gently wraps her arm around the tiny framed girl in an attempt to support her through what must be such a hard thing to remember, let alone talk about in detail, with strangers.

"Lexi was on the floor but she wasn't moving, I thought she was..." Rachel trails off as the realisation of just what the teen had thought in that moment comes into Rachel's consciousness.

'Oh dear 'Barbra' and 'Gold Stars' above, I thought she was dead. I thought my sister was dead and I just ran away? What kind of a sister am I?' Rachel's inner voice almost instantly starts up, a guilt wave overcoming the traumatised fourteen year old and making the normally tanned skin upon her cheeks pale.

"But she wasn't, she wasn't Rachel and that's because of you okay sweetie? You got her help, you did the right thing." Shelby quickly attempts to reassure her baby as the teen's self doubting worries jump out at the teacher like a red flag to a bull. Shelby wasn't sure if reading her children's true emotions and thoughts came from motherly instinct or was just from years of working with, normally overly dramatic, teens.

"Your mother is right Rachel, you raised the alarm and got your sister help, you saved her life and you can still help her now by telling us what you saw." The older man, detective Hunter pipes up, wishing he hadn't almost instantly though as Shelby's green eyes again glare into his like a snake who is about to stroke their prey.

Shelby's jaw clenches as the detective's words echo almost ominously through the room. 'Is he on some kind of medication?!' The brunette adult's 'Mother' voice instantly screams within the woman's mind as her temper flares. 'I did just warn this idiot didn't I? More than once, I could have sworn I did.' The voice sarcastically asks herself in some kind of an attempt to self defuse her rage. 'Yes, yes you did Shelby but apparently English is not this man's first language or whiskey has pickled what is left of his brain.' The mother's slightly more rational and calmer side of her brain interjects, talking the temper flared side down off of the edge, or at least attempting to.

"The thing is detectives, I don't remember anything else." Rachel answers, her voice was softer than before as her eyes start to glaze over with tears. "The next thing I know, I'm outside with blood almost dripping from my hands, frantically banging at Shelby's car window, begging her for help." The frightened and emotionally drained fourteen year old concludes her story. The unshed tears brimming Rachel's eyes start to over flow, so in an attempt to keep some dignity Rachel shifts and turns to lay her head against Shelby's chest, just wishing she could disappear and erase every last memory of the night before.

Seeing that the fourteen year old was becoming distraught both detectives share a silent conversation and nod in agreement between the two of them to end the questioning there. It was obvious to both detectives that there wasn't any more information the poor girl could offer them and the last thing they wanted to do was upset her further.

Before taking their leave though the detective least likely for Shelby to murder with her bare hands, cautiously approaches the clearly and understandably stressed mother. Shelby had walked Rachel back to Lexi's hospital room knowing the teen was craving to be around her sister.

"Ms Corcoran, I know today has been... well stressful I am sure. I would just like to apologise for my partner, he is a good detective just a little headstrong at times, I assure you that no offense was meant." The young detective expertly apologises, a protective mother who is looking out for her children wasn't a first for him.

The brunette teacher, quickly slips from mother into 'Coach' Corcoran stance, her arms folding firmly across her ample bust, her weight shifting to one leg as her eyebrow cocks in a questioning manner towards the man.

"Well, I appreciate your apology." Shelby states firmly keeping her reply short and sweet.

"We just received a call from the forensic team and they are finished with the apartment so we can give you back the keys. I am sure you are egger to get both of the girl's home as soon as possible. " Detective Hayes surmises earning a slight smirk and nod of agreement from the mother in front of him.

'Progress' The detective mentally sasses, taking the gesture as a small victory, at least she wasn't slapping or punching him which the detective was fully aware, with this mother was more than a possibility.

" The only thing I will say is well, be careful from everything we've learnt this wasn't some unlucky occurrence of a bodged robbery or random attack. We strongly believe that Lexi was targeted, for what reason? We aren't sure but we hope to find out and catch the culprit." Detective Hayes explains as he hands over the keys to the apartment.

"If you or either of the girl's have any questions, worries or remember anything please don't hesitate to call either me or..." The detective trails off as Shelby's eyebrow seems to only grow higher and he nods in understanding. "Well me then."

"Thank you very much detective and don't worry I'll be in touch, I want whoever did this to my daughter to be caught and punished. As far as the apartment goes, we'll only be returning to collect the girl's things and then they will be coming back to mine." Shelby explains as she takes the keys into her hands for a moment allowing a sense of relief to wash over her, one step closer to getting her girl's home.

After both detective's leave Shelby leans back against the wall to the side of Lexi's hospital room and just takes a few breaths, how she was still able to function she wasn't entirely sure but she was adamant to get things sorted as quickly as possible and hopefully start to help both of her daughter's through not only this but everything else they have been through.

"'Hair Bear?'" The sweet, always somewhat overly upbeat voice of April awakens Shelby from her thoughts and plan making.

April's heel rhythmically click as the blonde enters the hallways. "Are you okay? The girl's seem to be a bit more relaxed now the cops have left. Lexi seems to be pretty exhausted though, not that I blame the poor thing, I think I talked her ear off while you were with Rachel." April attempts to joke, lightening the mood was clearly needed in this situation and April was always the queen of light hearted.

"I'm fine thank you 'Bubi Bear', just trying to formulate some kind of a plan."Shelby explains unable to help from smirking at the blondes presence and words. If anyone could talk someone's ear off it would be April.

"Ah, you and your plans, good to see nothing has changed, well apart from your outfit choices."April sasses with a questioning glance of the brunette's outfit.

"Someone is still as funny as thrush I see." Shelby instantly quips back earning a huge grin from her blonde friend who was practically ready to clap with giddiness at the brunette's reaction.

'She's insulting me back, now that's the 'Hair Bear' I remember!' April mentally beams as her blue eyes notice the keys clasped within the brunette's left hand.

"Oh good, you got the keys back to the apartment, did you want to go and get their stuff now? I can stay and keep an eye on the girl's, I think they are both itching to get out of here and I can't imagine you are relishing the thought of anymore time here." April offers, she could see the tiredness in Shelby's features, which with years since the last time she'd seen them, really hadn't aged at all.

'Those girls have some good genes coming their way, lucky beautiful bitches.' The blonde's inner voice sasses with playful envy.

"Really? You wouldn't mind doing that? Don't you have some work to do or something, I mean if you own a cleaning business I would have thought you would be rushed off your tiny feet?" Shelby replies, unable to help the playful jibe at the end, April always had managed to bring out the playful side in the teacher easier than anyone else.

"Nah, being the boss has it's perks you know besides you're practically family and I hear it's nearly lunch time and Lexi promised me her jelly, so..." April explains as she smirks, titling back on her high heels bashfully.

"Thank you, seriously April I... just thank you. I'll go and talk to the girl's now." Shelby thankfully accepts and walks into the hospital room where she could hear both of her daughter's talking about the detectives.

It wasn't half an hour later before Shelby had left for the apartment, Rachel had volunteered to accompany her, she knew where everything was after all so they could get everything done much faster, at least that was how Rachel stated her case as she practically picked up Shelby's car keys and made her way out to the car park.

April was sat in the chair besides Lexi's bed, her legs up on the bed, crossed at the ankles as she licks the spoon from the jelly clean. For the twentieth time in twenty minutes or so April's phone rings but the blonde just hits ignore, earning a look of suspicion from Lexi, even with one swelled shut eye April knew she was being given the 'Corcoran' glare.

"It's Spider isn't it? Look, April I'm fine, I'm just going to rest anyway so you may as well go back to the club before you get in even more hot water with Spider than I've already got you in." The injured teen suggests, she already felt beyond guilty for the hell she knew Spider was going to put April through for daring to help her the other night.

"Kiddo, don't you worry about Spider, I'm a big girl I can handle him besides I told your mother, the one with the scarier glare than you, that I would stay so I'm going to stay. Now hush and pass me that roll if you're not going to finish it because I skipped breakfast." April replies light-heartedly trying to change the subject more than aware that she was in serious danger when it came to annoying Spider anymore but Shelby scared the blonde more.

Before Lexi can ever think of a response to change the blonde's mind, the phone rings yet again and the aching teenager just lets her good eye stare at April pointedly.

"Damn you kiddo, you are so much like your mother you have NO idea." April huffs as she swings her legs down off of the bed and stands up straightening out her outfit slightly. "You promise me that you are going to sleep okay? No hitting on any of the doctors or causing a riot?" The petite woman adds in a joking manner but the serious undertone was crystal clear.

"Yes, I promise you April. Now go okay, I may actually get to eat some of my dinner if you do." Lexi replies playfully with a huff and roll of her good eye but quickly stops at her body lets her know she is in need of rest and sleep rather desperately.

"Alright that is enough sass out of you missy, you rest up okay? I'll be in touch to see how you're doing when it's safe okay? Get better soon beautiful." April says sincerely as she leans across the bed and gives the hurt teenager a sweet peak on the cheek before helping her lie more comfortably in the bed and taking her leave.

"Thank you for everything April." Lexi mumbles out tiredly as the brunette finally allows her body to succumb to sleep and rest.

As an unsuspecting and helpless, already hurt fourteen year old lies in a needed slumber of rest and peace, outside lurks a dangerous presence whose main goal is to threaten the very teen who was now vulnerable and alone. The hospital room is silent but for the soft breathing of Lexi and the continuous beeping of certain machinery within the room, a small creek is heard as the door is cautiously opened up and the danger enters.

The lock on the hospital room door echoes through the room as the leather gloved hands of the intruder also make sure to pull all blinds so that their actions would be left undetected and the ensuing events would be undisturbed.

As this transpires mere feet away, a sleeping Lexi is left completely oblivious to the danger that is lurking closer and awaiting the opening of her eyes.

---

I know, I know I am evil for leaving you hanging for a (well over) a year and then coming back with a cliff-hanger but I assure you this as always planned and it will not be another year before the next chapter.

I wish I could tell you exactly when the next chapter will be up but due to my health and other things I won't be able to give you an exact date without, well not being able to live up to it and upsetting your beautiful selves and then leaving myself feeling terribly guilty. Soooooo, instead what I am going to say is I am aiming for a chapter a ,month to start off with.

Now I know that is a long time and ridiculous and everything else but bare with me, I really want this to be the best story it can be for you lovely people. Now for that to happen, especially with my brain and body the way they are, this will take time, especially to start with. I have to get back into the swing of writing and everything, so also if this chapter sucks or doesn't seem like me or whatever I can only apologise and hope I get better once I have gotten back into the habit and what not.

I do try to make my chapters full and long and will continue to do so in an attempt to make up for the space between updates and I hope that makes it up to all you wonderful people.

Now, I have no idea what kind of a reaction this chapter is going to receive or even if any of you are still interested in this story but I thought I at least owed you amazing readers this chapters and an explanation so if no one reviews or wants to read more at least you have that.

As always I cannot put into words just how much your reviews, comments, PM's, favourites, follows and everything else mean to me, I just hope it shows through how much I appreciate each one and try my best to create something that entertains all of you as way of saying thank you for being so awesome!

So I think that is enough from me for one day

Until next time stay safe, happy and well ;;'x