Fall break was fast approaching. There hadn't been any new developments in the case with the attack at the Puckermans' since Quinn and I had arrived at Yale. She would check in with Ofc. Petrowski and Ofc. Dalton periodically, and they her as well. It drove them crazy not to have anything new to tell her.

That all changed two days before Puck and Beth were due in town. Quinn and I were walking out of class together when her phone vibrated in her purse. She grappled for it frantically through all the others items before it stopped ringing. Her eyes grew in nervous anticipation when she saw the number of the Lima PD flash on her screen.

"Hello," she answered breathlessly, "This is Quinn."

"Hi, Quinn. It's Ofc. Dalton of the Lima PD," he responded.

"What can I do for you officer?"

"Actually, I've got a piece of news for you. We have a suspect in custody in your daughter's case. We're questioning him now, we notified the Puckermans earlier. I just wanted to be sure you were also made aware of the situation."

"Oh my gosh!" Quinn clapped her hand over her mouth in shock.

I gave her a look but she didn't acknowledge it.

"We'll be in touch if something comes of this," Ofc. Dalton told her.

"Thank you for letting me know, Ofc. Dalton. Please, call me any time," she answered.

"Hopefully we'll be talking to you again soon with more good news."

"I sure hope so. Have a great day."

"You too. Bye Quinn."

"Bye officer."

Quinn ended the call and threw herself at me.

"They have a suspect! My little is hopefully one step closer to getting justice. Real soon," Quinn squealed happily.

"That's great, babe! Did they say who it is?" I answered.

"No. But he couldn't yet anyway. Not unless there are formal charges brought against whoever it is."

I nodded my understanding. It would be great to know who was in custody but Quinn was flying high just knowing that someone was in custody.

"Well, at least they're talking to someone, right?"

Quinn nodded as a smile lit up her face. We were approaching one of the many coffee carts on campus when Quinn stopped suddenly. I wasn't looking and crashed right into her. Almost sending us into the coffee cart.

"What the -" I stammered as I grabbed her by the arm and steadied us.

"Russell," she muttered as she pointed. Just like that, the high spirits that were there seconds earlier, were gone.

I followed Quinn's hand and saw a disheveled middle-aged man, glowering at her. Since I had never actually met the man I didn't know what her father looked like, but I figured that had to be him. The closer I looked at him, the more I saw a resemblance to Quinn. Which, I of course, made no mention of to Quinn whatsoever.

Quinn ducked behind me when Russell began walking in our direction. I turned to face him and he just kept coming. The glower never leaving his face.

"Lucy, what were you thinking?" he demanded angrily when he finally stood still. Not three feet from me.

I noticed Quinn wince at the sound of her first name on his lips.

"What are you talking about, Russell? What was I thinking about what?" Quinn shot back.

"I know you got yourself knocked up a second time. Before marriage. Do you like dragging my good name through the mud that much? I never should have let you make all those changes to your appearance. And I certainly wouldn't have if I knew you'd become the slut that you so obviously are now. You're a disgrace."

"Hey!" I yelled, "Quinn is not a slut! You're just some bitter asshole who is a terrible excuse for a human being. Not to mention the shittiest father on this planet."

"Who the hell are you to be talking to me that way?" Russell demanded as he got closer to me.

I could smell scotch heavy on his breath. I wrinkled my nose and backed up a step to breathe in fresher air. Quinn looked appalled when she too caught a whiff of the alcohol stench emanating from her so-called father.

"Someone who actually cares about Quinn. About her feelings and her needs."

"Oh please. You're just a child. You couldn't possibly understand the first thing about what she needs. And good luck providing for this spoiled brat. She'll milk you for everything you've got."

"Not a chance."

"Why are you here, Russell?" Quinn shouted when she had decided she'd heard enough, "You know, if you wanted to lecture me about my life choices, you could have done that over the phone. Or in an email even."

Russell stood, speechless, as he stared at Quinn. Her eyes were blazing hot with anger. She had her arms tight across her chest and she kept tapping her foot on the pavement as she waited for him to answer her.

"If you can't be bothered to answer me – leave," she breathed in the most venomous tone I'd ever heard escape her lips.

Quinn and I watched as Russell turned, wordlessly, on his heels and walked away. He didn't even look back. I could hear Quinn start to cry and I pulled her into a hug.

"Did he ever love me?" she cried repeatedly.

"Oh, baby, I'm sure he did. I bet he still does," I answered softly.

"No he doesn't! He called me a slut! You heard him. Russell Fabray thinks his daughter is a fucking slut! That is not love!"

"I'm sorry, Quinn. You're right. That's not love."

She sniffled in my arms for a few more minutes. I had moved us out of the pathway of the coffee cart before she had really gotten upset. When she started to calm down, I bought us coffees and we walked through the quad. We had a little bit of time before our next class was starting.

"Damn, babe, you were wrong. This coffee doesn't suck at all," Quinn laughed.

"It is pretty delicious isn't it?' I replied good-naturedly.

She nodded as we continued on to the next class. I could tell her mind was still on the confrontation with Russell even as the class had started. Sighing, I realized seeing Russell and hearing him call her a slut, would be with her for a while. There was a big part of me that wanted to find him, and rip him apart. Much like he had done to Quinn, even if she wouldn't admit to it.

Since this particular class was one in which the professor was okay with laptops in the classroom, and Quinn and I had ours, I knew she'd be on Facebook. So rather than send her a text and disrupt Dr. Bayliss's flow, I sent her a message online.

Sebastian Smythe: stop thinking about him

L. Quinn Fabray: who?

Sebastian Smythe: Russell. I can see in the way you're sitting that you're still thinking about what he said. Stop.

L. Quinn Fabray: I'm not thinking about Russell.

Sebastian Smythe: you're not being honest with me, I know he hurt you. Don't let him get the best of you.

L. Quinn Fabray: how am I supposed to get over my so-called "father" calling me a SLUT?

Sebastian Smythe: I didn't say get over it. Just don't think about it. We both know he's wrong.

L. Quinn Fabray: what if he's not? What if I really am a slut?

I furrowed my brow when I saw that question pop up on my screen.

Sebastian Smythe: stop it, Quinn. He's wrong. You're not a slut. Two pregnancies does not a slut make. Maybe you're just a "fertile Myrtle"

There was a burst of stifled laughter and I smiled knowing where it had come from. It wasn't look before I noticed a serious stature returned to Quinn.

L. Quinn Fabray: yeah right. We'd still be having our baby if I was.

I swallowed my groan as I stared at the screen again. She had been doing much better about the miscarriage as of late. So to see her bring it up again hit me pretty hard.

Sebastian Smythe: if Beth is the only child you ever have, I don't care. I love you and I love her. Please don't beat yourself up about the miscarriage anymore.

L. Quinn Fabray: I love you...marry me?

"WHAT?!" I practically shouted.

"Something you want to share with the rest of us, Mr. Smythe?" Dr. Bayliss asked in a bemused tone.

"Uhh...no. Sorry, sir," I responded apologetically.

Despite the entire class laughing, all I could hear was the distinct sound of Quinn's laughter. She turned and smiled at me.

L. Quinn Fabray: sorry...you don't have to answer that

Sebastian Smythe: I love you too...so, so much. But the girl isn't supposed to ask the guy.

Quinn turned her face enough that I could see a bright smile on her lips. And her raised eyebrows.

L. Quinn Fabray: you, me, my room...after class ;)

I gulped as I realized what she was implying.

Sebastian Smythe: are you sure?

L. Quinn Fabray: absolutely

Sebastian Smythe: then yes – definitely. Your room, after class.

By the time class ended and we had our stuff packed away, Quinn and I practically sprinted to her dorm room. She opened the door eagerly and was disappointed to find Jenna and Alex were there.

"Gee, don't look so happy to see us guys," Jenna teased.

"I'm sorry, J. It's just that -" Quinn started to say before she was cut off.

"Ew, oh my gosh! You guys totally wanted to have sex right now!" Alex freaked out.

"Oooh, Quinn. You little slut," Jenna teased.

I sucked in a tense breath as I waited for Quinn's reaction. She bristled then took off back out the door without a word. Jenna and Alex looked at me, stupefied, from their desks.

"What was that about?" Jenna asked meekly.

"She's super sensitive to that word, especially when it's aimed at her. To make matters worse, her father showed up out of the blue today and he called her a slut," I explained.

I watched as Jenna's face fell. She got up from her desk and flew out of the room, leaving me with Alex.

Jenna found Quinn sitting on the grass, head in her hands, and rushed to her side. She sat down next to her sobbing roommate and hugged her tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Quinn. I didn't know. I was only teasing. You're not a slut," Jenna apologized tearfull

"I h-hate when p-people call me tha-that! Yeah, I-I've be-been pre-preg-pregnant tw-twice. I-I'm n-not a sl-slu-slut b-be-because of it!" Quinn cried.

"I know you're not. It was stupid of me to say differently. Forgive me?"

Quinn nodded her head as the tears continued to fall from her eyes. She leaned her head on Jenna's shoulder and grabbed her roommate's hand. They sat in silence for a few more seconds before they stood up to go back to their room.

"You okay, babe?" I asked Quinn when her and Jenna walked back in.

"Yeah," she replied quickly.

I raised my eyebrow at her and she nodded with a smile.

"Oh, hey! Did you tell the girls the good news today?" I asked Quinn knowing full well she hadn't yet.

"You know I haven't," she replied.

"Tell us!" Alex demanded.

"Yeah, Q. What is it?" Jenna pleaded.

"Ofc. Dalton called me earlier. They have a suspect in custody in Beth's case," Quinn told the girls excitedly.

"That's great!"

"Oh, Quinn, that's so awesome!"

The three girls wrapped each other in an embrace and bounced around the small room briefly. I couldn't help the smile that played on my lips as I watched them.

"We have to celebrate! This is big news," Alex declared.

"Yes! Chinese food and movies," Jenna supplied.

"I'm in," Quinn said cheerily.

I realized then that they were all looking at me. Suddenly feeling a little put on the spot, I looked away.

"Babe, do you wanna join us?" Quinn asked.

"No, that's okay. I'll let you girls have the night to yourselves. Maybe we can do breakfast or something tomorrow," I replied.

Alex and Jenna nodded. Quinn gave me a pouty look. I rolled my eyes playfully at her.

"Okay, I guess we can do that," Quinn finally conceded.

"Awesome. I'll see you ladies in the morning," I said.

"We aren't getting Chinese food now. Alex and I have another class first. So you and Quinn can...you know," Jenna said as she winked at me.

"Jenna!" Quinn stammered.

"What? That's what you came here for in the first place. You practically announced it with your dramatic entrance."

I blushed ridiculously making all three of them chuckle. Quinn stood behind me, arms around my neck, and nipped and kissed my ear. I shuddered visibly under her touch.

"Okay, I think that's our cue, Alex. We'll text you later, Quinn. Bye, Sebastian," Jenna said as she jumped from her bed.

As soon as she and Alex were out the door, I moved to Quinn's bed and pulled her down with me.