They go to school, go to work and football, cheer on Carden at his games, and even visit Gracie a couple times. Rae delights in the surprise on everyone's faces when they see Tim Riggins with a baby and Gracie actually having fun with him. During his free period he even stops by the guidance office to watch her for a little bit to give Mrs. Taylor a much-needed break.

"I can't believe he actually was holding a baby." One of the rally girls gossips as a group of them walk by.

"I bet it's because he knocked that bitch of his up. She's always wearing his big sweatshirts. I bet she's hiding the bump." Another one snickers loudly. Rae sighs and rests her head against the lockers.

"Really Sara, ya wanna talk about being pregnant and babies, cause didn't your sister have one with your boyfriend?" Tim calls and the girl turns red and stomps off. "Don't listen to them, you know that I love you in my clothes." He says lowly, hugging her from behind.

"I've been here a year and still I want to murder every single one of them." She mutters, squeezing her eyes shut.

"I've been here my whole life and I still think about it." He reassures her, pulling her away from the lockers. She leans into him, suddenly very tired. "One more year baby then we're out of here." He says, kissing her head and disappearing into his classroom. She stands in the hallways, stunned. Then she makes her way straight for Mrs. Taylor's office.

"I need help." She says wildly, picking up Gracie and rocking her. Mrs. Taylor raises an eyebrow. "I am in love with Tim Riggins." She says, more to Gracie than Mrs. Taylor.

"I know that and you know that, why are you in my office clinging to my daughter like she's your saving grace?" She demands and Rae looks down at Gracie then back up, slowly calming down.

"Because I love him and I would actually go to a school in Texas if that meant I could keep him by my side. And that is terrifying. That I would keep myself in this god-awful place, so far away from my mom's grave and people that actually care. All because some long haired idiot with puppy eyes and a crooked smile took my heart and ran with it, all the way into the end zone." She rambles. Mrs. Taylor smiles and gets up, hugging her gently.

"I can take a look at some schools for you." She promises.

"I'm an idiot." Rae mutters, kissing Gracie's head gently. "An idiot Gracie, who fell in love with an idiot, who is eighteen years old and wants to spend forever with this idiot. So idiotic of me."

"Rae, I promise you, we'll figure it out." She says, holding her arms out for Gracie. Rae relinquishes her hold on her and takes a deep breath. "Go to class." Mrs. Taylor suggests. Rae nods and goes.


Tim walks in with his hood up. Rae looks at him then does a double take, trying to see his face.

"Tim…" She says slowly, walking towards him.

"Rae." He warns, putting his hands up defensively. "Don't panic."

"You tell me not to panic Tim Riggins, I am more apt to panic. Do not tell me not to panic because I will panic if I find it necessary." She warns, reaching up for his hood and pulling it down.

His eyes are closed, mostly because one eye is black and blue. He has a gash across his forehead and more on his arms, and when he turns to try and brush past her, the back of his head is bloody as well.

Rae screams and it goes on for a while, one high, unbroken scream. Tim flinches at the noise. Carden crashes out of his room, hockey stick in hand. He promptly drops the stick at the sight of Tim's bloody face. He doesn't scream but he does stumble back, eyes wide.

"Rae, quit screaming." Tim says, grabbing her arms and shaking her slightly to get her attention. "I'm fine."

"YOU ARE NOT FINE TIM RIGGINS THIS IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF FINE I SWEAR TO GOD WHO DID THIS TO YOU I AM GOING TO KILL THEM GET IN THE CAR I AM TAKING YOU TO THE HOSPITAL THIS INSTANT!" She shrieks, her voice so high both he and Carden flinch.

"No hospital." He orders calmly. "Car, get some towels, ice, that kind of stuff. Rae, I'm gonna tell you something and do not freak out."

"If you haven't noticed it already TIM RIGGINS I AM FREAKING OUT THIS VERY SECOND!" She says shrilly.

"Billy couldn't make rent. You had just bought new cleats for Carden and we had gone to Austin for the day." He says calmly, ignoring the fact that she is nearly hyperventilating. "I kinda stole the cash from a guy I knew a long time ago. He makes meth right now. Him and his buddies beat me up. Please calm down." He requests. She just stares at him.

"Carden." She says quietly. He freezes, ice packs and towels in hand. "Go into your room. Put in your headphones, read a book, do homework, do not come out until I tell you." She orders, not looking at him.

"Uhh…" He hesitates, holding the towel and ice unsurely.

"Carden I swear on mom's grave that if you don't do exactly as I say you will not live to see the sun come up tomorrow." She says and he drops the stuff instantly and runs for his room, slamming the door. "Get in the tub." She commands Tim, pointing to the bathroom.

"Rae, I'm not three!" He complains.

"GET IN THE TUB!" She bellows and he gingerly pulls his sweatshirt off and undresses. She watches him, her mouth a hard line. She runs the water and he looks at her, confused. She gestures to it and he climbs in, flinching at the heat. He sits in it, soaking, while she sits on the toilet, in silence.

"Rae." He says softly, nervous. He's never seen her eyes so dull and emotionless. She turns and looks at him, face flat. He reaches out a hand and she takes it. He gently rubs her fingers with his thumb, until a little color comes back into her face. She shakes her head and stands up.

"Go under." She says tenderly. When he comes up, Rae is undressing. She climbs in and he eyes her unsurely. "Come here mister." She says, taking the towel and whipping his face, gently cleaning up his wounds. He sits there, as she cleans him up and rubs his back. He buries his face in her shoulder and actually lets her hold him for once.

"Are you mad at me?" He asks, climbing out and wrapping a towel around his waist. Rae, still in the tub, raises an eyebrow.

"What do you think Tim Riggins? Use that brain of yours, that I know you can." She says calmly and he sighs.

"You're pretty pissed aren't you?" He asks warily. She just stands up and gestures for a towel. "I like it better when you're hollering, you're damn scary when you're quiet."

"Put on clean clothes. I want you to meet someone." She says, not looking him, getting dressed.

"I'm not exactly in the shape to go parading around town." He points out, inspecting his face in the mirror.

"Good thing we're not leaving the house." She says and he stares at her, uncomprehending. "Do it." When he's finally dressed, she leads him to a closet in the living room. She drags a huge box out and opens it up, pulling scrapbook after scrapbook out, filled with pictures.

"Rae, what's this?" He asks curiously, kneeling next to her. He's never seen any photo albums around her house before.

"I want you to meet my mom." She says, not looking at him. Stunned, he sits back on his heels and pulls one album toward him, flipping it open.

The first picture is Rae, jumping off of a dock, no older than 10, limbs too long for her body. The one below that is a younger Carden, destroying a sandcastle. The caption next to is in sprawling handwriting, faded from time and almost too messy to be read.

'Maisie Rae, 9, loves the water and isn't scared of the big fish her dad teases her about.'

The one next to Carden reads,

'Carden, 4, is too busy being a boy and stomping on things to even smile for his mama'.

He looks at the other page and a younger version of Rae's father is grinning, at the grill, turning hamburgers. And the one below it is her mother.

She's got Rae's long blonde hair and high cheekbones. Carden's sharp jawline and slightly pointed nose. She's sitting at a picnic table, smiling up at the camera and he's taken aback.

"That's your smile." He says, looking at Rae, realizing how much they look alike. She smiles sadly, gently touching the picture.

"They always told me just how much I was like her." She says faintly. "Ever since I was little, that's all I heard."

"Yeah, you do look like her." He agrees, flipping the pages, finally getting a glance into her past. All over the place are notes written by her mother, about Rae not liking spicy pickles, Carden getting a splinter and not even crying when they pulled it out, how Rae loves to dance more than anything.

"I wanted to show you these because I understand why you would do anything to protect Billy. And because I thought it was high time that we figured out what we want to do with our future. Because I'm tossing my lot in with yours. I'll do anything for you, you idiot." She explains.

"I'm not an idiot." He mutters, still fascinated by the photos. She rolls her eyes and continues regardless.

"Even when you come home after being beat up by meth heads. I will clean you up and take care of you. But I ask that you don't do it to me very often. Because it kills me to see you hurt. I will pull the money you need out my savings and I'll cover it. But in return, I want you to think about college and do everything you possibly can to get there. That is when I'll forgive you." She offers. He nods, setting the book aside and pulling her in for a hug.

"Anything for you." He whispers.

"Good. Now clean these up, they upset Carden." She says, getting up, wiping tears from her eyes. He nods and does as told. Then Rae goes and gets Carden from his room.

Rae walks across the yard and knocks on Billy's door. Tim stands behinds her, raking his hand through his hair. Billy answers, looking at them, confused. Rae hands him the envelope full of cash. He looks down at the money then quickly up at her, shocked.

"Rent. If those guys lay a hand on Tim's head again, I will murder them. Fact." She vows, folding her arms.

"Rae-" Billy starts but Rae just turns and spins, walking away. "You sure can pick um." Billy calls to Tim, who shrugs and follows Rae.

AN: Another favorite Tim Riggins moment... Why is he almost more attractive when he's been beaten up? Please review and tell me what you guys think. I'm so glad my whole smushing seasons 2 and 3 is working well for you all, please favorite and follow and all that good stuff!