Revenge is a dish best served as humble pie.

Glee

Pairing: Rachel Berry/Quinn Fabray

Author: myIllusion

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters-no copyright infringement intended.

….

Okay so…The Hiatus is over. I know I promised to upload the rest of the story all at once, but I'm still not finished with it and I've been receiving PM's requesting that I update. So, with that in mind, I decided to post this chapter. The following chapter will come very quickly as well. After that, I have a few kinks to work out in the final Scenes of Rachel's Play so it may take longer.

I'm easing my way back into this story so this is kind of short.

This chapter starts out with the conclusion of the 'Schmanson' trial. I've woven a flashback into this first part that mainly addresses Finn's ongoing self absorption, and Mr. Schuester's deplorable behavior to Rachel in the choir room. Also, the set-up for Rachel's Act III, Scene II: ' Hey Teacher ' is revealed.

Also, thanks so much to those of you who continued to review, and also, to those of you who PM'd during my absence.

…..

(Previously)

"And, incidentally, Mr. Parker, if she ever does get out...just so you know, you'll be at the top of her list. Believe me I know a list maker when I see one, and Stephanie Hanson is a list maker. You had the arrogance to play with her plea bargain and you manipulated her parents into going forward with this trial. You won't see it coming but you'll be dead when it's over Mr. Parker. Don't say I didn't warn you. I'll make sure to send your wife and kids a sympathy card. Mark my words Mr. Parker, should your appeal for Ms. Hanson's freedom succeed - you would be wise to get your affairs in order."

The whole of the court room was stunned by Sue Sylvester's final declaration. The gaping stares were split between Mr. Parker (who had been pacing back and forth in front of Sue) and Stephanie, who was sitting up a little straighter in her chair. Throughout the whole proceeding the girl seemed to be spacing out, completely uninterested in what was being said.

Until now.

Mr. Trevor Parker's face had turned pale white, he looked as though he was about to faint, because when he glanced at his client to gage what her reaction might be, she was wearing a miniscule grin. A grin that could curl one's toes. A grin that could curl the toes of Michael Myers, Freddy Kruger and freakin' Charles Manson.

Oh my God!

…..

Chapter XXXIX: Satisfaction

(The conclusion of Stephanie's trial)

Quinn, Santana, Finn and David Karofsky. (Waiting their turn to testify.)

Quinn and Santana were seated next to one another at the small conference table in the room they had been sequestered in with Finn and David. Both were dressed in their, 'Courtroom Best.' Quinn was wearing a yellow sundress that was patterned intricately with the silhouettes of little blue sparrows swooping and diving about. Santana silently snickered upon seeing the ridiculous dress. Berry was really wearing Quinn down and painstakingly re-shaping the HBIC into a bonafide dweeb. Soon the two of them would be wearing matching butterfly sweaters which sported bright pink bows. Dios mio! If Quinn started wearing white knee highs and Mary Jane's she and Britt would have to invoke a Rule #7, which was the Tribe of Sogima's version of a 'fashion intervention.'

Santana was also spiffed up a bit for her courtroom appearance, but her outfit held no eye bending patterns. Her sleek black dress was rather understated; the only hint of her flair for the more risqué was the moderate, not quite plunging neckline, and a bright red sash encircling her trim waistline. She had her wild dark hair ensnared by a decorative clip; the whole ensemble was tastefully subdued for their day in court. Santana knew this real courtroom experience would be nothing like the practice sessions that she and Brittany had enjoyed. Oh no. There would be no fantasy games of 'Disorder in the court' today. These proceedings were depressingly intense and serious.

Quinn and Santana were fairly calm in spite of their unique circumstances. Considering that they would both probably lie under oath on the witness stand; if Mr. Parker deviated from the questions he had asked them in their deposition. And they both suspected that he would dig much deeper than he had in that deposition.

The lying part wasn't an issue for either girl; both of them were expert liars. Quinn was well known for fabricating fantastical mistruths in the early days of her high school career. You know, that whole 'Hot Tub' version of her pregnancy being the most notorious, but there had been many other less substantial, but equally creative deceptions.

Santana, of course, was also guilty of telling a tall tale, or two, or three, or fifty. Her whole 'Lima Heights Adjacent' rep was completely farcical, considering she lived in a very posh, modern, suburb and was, basically, a pampered spoiled brat. There was really no need for her to present herself as such a hardcore badass, except for that little issue she had about coming OUT. She and Britt had gone through a rough patch the previous year because Santana was terrified of being 'OUT' in the real world. So, for Santana, behaving like the meanest, toughest bitch in the Universe enabled her to keep people at bay. Keep people out of her business. Keep people fleeing in fear of the razor blades (total fib) she had hidden in her hair.

No, the lying wouldn't be a problem for either girl. Well, it sort of could be, because that asshole Trevor Parker had really done his homework while investigating the School. He was going to question them about everything. Everything they had ever done as the HBIC and Second in command. By the time he was finished with the two Cheerios, they would appear to be just as evil (in a certain ugly way) as Stephanie Hanson.

Neither of them really minded if the ugliness of their past behavior was revealed. They had both owned their behavior and were sincerely trying to make amends. What they did mind, however, was how it would effect the outcome of this trial.

How it would affect Rachel.

Because that was the real issue for Quinn and Santana; if Hanson got off because of all the crap that they had done in the past, neither girl was sure that their current relationships would recover from such a blow. And not because Rachel and Brittany wouldn't forgive them; that was already a foregone conclusion because they had already been forgiven.

But, mostly because they didn't know if they could forgive themselves. Deep down in the darkest part of both girls souls, lay that self-hatred, that suffocating and smothering belief that they were undeserving of forgiveness, that they could never truly be loved.

Sigh….

So, Quinn and Santana sat together at that conference table, whispering and wondering what lies would save them today? Hopefully, they would be good lies. Lies about how truly terrified they were; upon waking up after being drugged, only to find themselves strapped in wheelchairs on the eve of that harrowing Halloween.

David was sitting by himself in an armchair by the door. He wasn't nervous at all. In fact, he could hardly wait to testify. He really hoped that Mr. Parker would show the vid the Tricky Trickster had blackmailed them with on Halloween. The former bully wanted everyone to know what a jerk he'd been. And he wanted them to see that he had changed. He would accept the responsibility for his behavior. All of it, and he would make sure the Jury knew he needed to be punished for what he had done to Kurt. Just like Stephanie Hanson needed to be punished for what she had done to Rachel, and Giles, and Cindy.

And then there was Finn.

Finn was pacing about the room, wearing yet another Rugby jersey, muttering under his breath about Mr. Stinkster. He was talking to himself and reliving moments from his recent past. Finn Hudson was psyching himself up for his very important testimony. He was going to tell the whole of the courtroom who the Skunker was! Finally, he would have a captive audience, and finally, someone would listen to him!

The boy moron continued to pace, and continued to mumble, all the while rewinding in his mind the sequence of events that would lead him to his moment of GLORY. He flexed his eyebrows tightly and squinted his beady eyes as he remembered…

…Finn decided to, finally, have a little chat with Mr. Schuester .

The two were left alone in the choir room after everyone stormed out. Mr. Schue accused Rachel of being a schemer, and said that he didn't believe that stuff about psycho Stephanie.

Well, Finn believed it, totally. Dude! After just two weeks of dating the Sophomore Cheerio he was way over the freaky chick. She almost bit his earlobe off when they were making out in his bedroom, and then she squeezed his…umm…. well, she twisted it so hard (and not in a nice way) that he passed out. When he woke up she was gone, but before she left she'd scrawled a nasty note across his forehead. She'd used a permanent marker and had written…umm… Finn didn't even want to think about what that note had said, except that it was not nice. No. Stephanie Hanson was not nice.

Finn really thought that Mr. Schuester had acted like a dick, but he still refused to stomp out of the choir room with the rest of the gleeks. He was pissed because Rachel brought that Jeremy kid to brag about his heroics. Finn could also tell that Jeremy really liked Rachel and he hated the idea that someone else (on top of Quinn and Puck) was getting his girlfrien….um…ah…was getting Rachel's attention. Darn!

Anyway, Finn had some business of his own with his glee teacher so he'd stayed, anchored to his seat while watching the glee club stomp and huff their way out the door.

The poor boy was really confused about STUFF. But he wasn't confused about Mr. Stinkster! He was so certain that Mr. Schuester was the Skunker. He'd tried to tell Figgins first, but the weirdo Principal wouldn't even let him finish one sentence. Then, to prove how clever he could be sometimes, and show his leadership abilities, he decided to tell all the Jocks in the lunch room who the Skunker was. But all that accomplished was an unnecessary amount of laughter.

His unlucky streak continued when he approached Coach Sylvester with his suspicions.

"Listen very carefully Finncredible Hudson. You are, in all probability, the largest imbecile on the entire planet. You move your mouth and words come out, but all I do is wonder if some type of alien parasite isn't residing inside your body, directing and driving that ungainly frame with a joystick from an early version of Super Mario Brothers. No true human being could rub their very last brain cells together and spew forth such dimwitted drivel.

William Schuester can't even tie his own shoelaces! Nor can he determine his right foot from his left! How I ask you, How? How? How do you think he could conceive of even one of the masterful pranks that have been plaguing this institution since the very first day of school? Get out of my office you overgrown oaf! I don't have time for remedial anything today. Be gone I say! Go pay a visit to the Gingerbread Nut. I'm sure she has a pamphlet that addresses the long term issues you must be suffering from your Alien Invasion. Be sure to ask about the residual effects from the aftermath of an anal probe! "

"Huh?"

The insulting (and kinda confusing ) tongue lashing he got from Coach Sylvester was really bad, but it could hardly compare with what happened next. He still flinched even thinking about his terrifying confrontation with Santana. The frightening Cheerio had been waiting outside the Principal's office for him.

"Well, if it isn't Finncapable!

Did you Finnish Finnangling your Finntastic, inFinncible, Flight of Finncy? Did you conFinnce the interim Finniggins that Mr. Schuester is the Skunker?

Isn't it funny Finnocence?

I always thought you were Mr. Schue's pet project and the very first chance you get you're throwing him under the bus. What, for fucks sake, were you thinking Frankenteen? Mr. Schue is a dope, and sort of a selfish jerk, and his taste in music sucks, and he has a horrible…no he doesn't even have a sense of style. However, he is the glee club advisor Finncompetent.

He's our teacher and you accused him of something that, not only is it impossible for it to be true, but you ratted him out to the school Jocks! To the bullies! And to Coach Sylvester! It couldn't possibly be true and yet you made a dumb fuck, freakishly Finnept speculation based upon emails that the real Skunker sent you.

Did you even once consider the idea that you might be being played? The Skunker sent you an email telling you who the Skunker was! Didn't that send up a red flag for you? Didn't you think, hey... um... why would the Skunker tell me who the Skunker was? Didn't you wonder, hmm... why would Mr. Schuester write me an anonymous email telling me that he was the Skunker?

Ay Dios Mio…Moron!

News flash Finnkenstoop: The Skunker isn't Mr. Schuester, but even if he was you should have come to the glee club with your suspicions first! Or, confronted Mr. Schue yourself, instead of running around the whole school stirring up more trouble for all of us. Shut your freakin' mouth about the Skunker, and stop being such a stupid Finncompoop."

And with that said, Santana Lopez linked her pinky with that of Brittany Pierce; they eased on down the hall, swinging their hands lazily between them, laughing and smiling while whispering endearments to one another.

Huh?

Santana had made up some new nicknames for him, he thought she probably had a crush on him again because she found all those neat ways to combine his name with big words. Well, he wasn't interested in her at all, (flinch) and even if he was interested in her, (flinch) Brittany would chop his balls off. So, no, he wouldn't go there with the scary Cheerio, but she did give him the idea to have it out with Mr. Stinker.

So, now, here he was alone with Mr. Schuester and decided it was time to get some fatisaction with the man. Or, satisfiction from him, or, umm…he would just tell him. Yeah! He would let Mr. Schuester know, that he knew, that he was really Skunky. The sulky boy was still perched on the top riser in the corner of the room, watching Mr. Schuester try to recover from the shock of being told to, basically, 'shove it' from his entire glee club.

His entire glee club, except for Finn; who was about to tell him to 'shove it' in a very different way.

"I figured it out when you stood up for Rachel and Quinn instead of me Mr. Schue. You know, on the day they made out in front of everybody during glee? And then you let everybody say it was great that they were together. I knew right then that you were up to something Mr. Schue…and…and…I haven't forgotten when you blackmailed me with the medical marijuana. That's your whole Moo isn't Mr. Schuester? Blackmail! "

Mr. Schuester spun around in surprise; stunned that Finn was still in the room. He had assumed that everyone had stomped out, and was still in a state of bewilderment, still trying to catch up with what had happened.

The somewhat addle brained teacher was rewinding in his mind everything that had been said. Rewinding the tale that Jeremy Miller had told. Will, couldn't quite believe what an idiot he had been! How could he have been so insensitive to Rachel? He knew now. He knew with a certainty that everything Jeremy said was undeniably true. And he had just attacked Rachel…again. He accused her of wanting attention and creating a super drama. He abused his role as a teacher and bullied his own student; after she had already suffered an impossible ordeal. How could he?

Tears were streaming down his cheeks as the full horror of what he had done settled upon him, within him.

How could he ever fix this? Oh God!

Finn, completely misunderstanding the reason for Mr. Schuester's tears, proceeded to bombard his teacher with juvenile snark.

"Aren't you going to say anything Mr. Schue? Or should I call you, 'Skunky?' Or, 'Mr. Skunker ?' Or, how about… 'Mr. Stinkster?' " Finn snickered at that last one, it really was his favorite.

"Finn…"

Mr. Schuester finally addressed the star Quarterback of the lousiest team in the history of McKinley High School.

"We need to make this right with Rachel and the rest of the glee club. We need to let her know that she has our full support and that we are sorry for what happened here today. And, also that we are sorry for what we've allowed to occur in this room in the past."

"Huh?"

Finn was broken out of his reverie when the door to the conference room burst open revealing a very excited DeputyMinnieSparkle. She was decked out in her dress uniform, looking particularly 'cute' (in Santana's opinion) but somewhat flustered.

"Come!" She shouted at the group of teens, all the while frantically gesturing with her hand for them to exit the room.

"Something's happened and you won't be needing to testify. If we hurry we'll be able to make it into the courtroom before Judge Destrampe makes his ruling."

DeputyMinnieSparkle shuffled them into the courtroom, she left David and Finn in the back by the doors, but guided Santana and Quinn up to the front. Somehow, she managed to convince the spectators seated behind Brittany and Rachel to vamoose. She deposited Santana and Quinn into the now empty seats, grinned wildly at them, winked at Brittany and Rachel (who both giggled) and left them all to enjoy this moment together.

A moment later the Honorable Judge, Francis Destrampe, entered the courtroom.

"Everyone rise." Was shouted by the bailiff. Everyone rose, but the whole of the gallery was astir. Whispers, and mumbles could be heard, the feeling in the room was electric, something really exciting was about to happen.

The Honorable Judge, Francis Destrampe, took his seat, pounded his gavel, and proceeded to make his ruling. He didn't even bother to wait for the courtroom onlookers to be seated. This whole ridiculous trial had been a waste of the taxpayers dollars. But more infuriatingly; it had caused that beautiful little brown eyed girl more distress than anyone deserved to go through.

"In the matter of: The State of Ohio, District Court 17 vs. Ms. Stephanie Hanson, the Prosecution and the Counsel for the defense have come to a plea agreement. These proceedings are over, the witnesses are dismissed. The defendant is hereby placed in the custody of the State of Ohio. A Formal Hearing by which the defendant will Allocute to all charges will be set for one week from today, Wednesday, December 27, 10:00 a.m."

Blam! His Honorable Judge, Francis Destrampe, pounded his gavel.

"This court is adjourned."

Whoa!

And just like that it was over.

After Sue Sylvester's final words of testimony, and after the whole court room got a glimpse of psycho Stephanie's creepy little grin, Mr. Trevor Parker requested (begged for) a sidebar with the Judge and the Prosecutor. They withdrew from the court for and hour, in which Stephanie and her parents were also led away. When they returned the Judge made his announcement.

Stephanie was going away to prison, or technically, the Funny Farm for the violently criminally insane.

"Yay!" "Whew!" "Oh My God!" "La perra loca tiene lo que se merece!"

…..

(Wednesday evening, after the trial)

Rachel, Quinn, Santana and Brittany.

Rachel and her girls were staying up late to celebrate the incarceration of one Stephanie 'Looney Tunes' Hanson.

Rachel had Coach Sylvester to thank for her current state of peace and calm. Sue Sylvester had single handedly taken that slimy Mr. Parker down. She could hardly believe how ingenious Sue's testimony had been. Not only had she masterfully played Stephanie's lawyer, but she accomplished that incredible task by telling the truth; the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Sue's entire testimony had been brutally honest. Even that final bit describing the imminent demise of Trevor Parker if Stephanie was ever set free.

Wow! Had run through Rachel's mind for the better part of the afternoon, and she had continued with that line of thought into the evening.

Wow!

And also Hmmm?

Hmmm?… ?….as in, now what am I going to do? I had Act III, Scene II: 'Hey Teacher' scheduled to run tomorrow but now I don't know if I want to go through with it. The tiny diva was talking herself through the details of this Scene and feeling a bit guilty about it. After Sue's testimony she decided it might not be fair to go after the teachers so aggressively like she intended. Sue had shed some light on the obstacles the teaching staff went up against in relation to the Administration and the School Board. Now she started to feel that she should be pranking those School Board members instead. But to do that she would have to take her Play off campus, and that was the type of risk she didn't think she should involve herself in.

No, she would stick with her original Scene, but just modify the voiceover section. They would still deliver the 'gifts' this evening. Most of the teaching staff still needed a ' heads up ' or more clearly a 'pay attention.' The teachers needed to know that they were letting their students down.

Rachel's Cast, with the exclusion of Quinn, Brittany and Santana were also staying up late on this Wednesday evening. But they were not celebrating the outcome of Stephanie Hanson's trial. They were at the High School at 2:00 am, delivering very thoughtful 'gifts' to the classrooms of certain members of the faculty.

Puck had volunteered to lead this evening's Op, and Rachel had agreed with almost no reservation. She thought it would do him good to put the near folly of the swim meet behind him. It would also give Sam and Mike an opportunity to redeem themselves from their over exuberant performance with Mr. Wiggly.

Ultimately, Puck, Sam, Mike, Artie, Kurt, Tina, Lauren and Mercedes headed to the school in Peter's borrowed van, while Rachel, Quinn, Santana and Brittany cuddled up together in Rachel's bedroom and came undone together.

Rachel was grateful that Brittany was present to translate for her.

Moments after the four girls settled onto Rachel's bed to have their 'Pow Wow,' Quinn erupted into a puddle of tears with Santana falling apart less than a moment later.

Rachel sat with her mouth hanging open and her eyebrows crunched together in confusion.

"It's okay Rachel," Brittany explained while at the same time she stroked Santana's back with soothing fingers.

Quinn had crumpled into a ball on Rachel's lap.

"They just need to let their grief out. They didn't think we would win so they told themselves a bunch of dumb stuff in their heads. That dumb stuff in their heads usually leads to dumb stuff on the streets and they haven't figured out why they didn't fall into a hole this time."

Brittany winked at Rachel, bobbed her head dramatically, and mouthed the words: 'Void in the Balance' at her.

Rachel smiled her agreement, returned Brittany's wink and proceeded to soothe her hysterical girlfriend with gentle kisses and soft caresses.

some little time later…

Santana and Brittany had re-located to the floor with Rachel's star quilt and half of the pillows from the bed. The two couples were finally celebrating the days fortuitous outcome.

"Ay Dios Mio!" Santana complained. Me and Britt are heading over to the guest room, Berry. We can't get our mack on with you and Quinn making all those disgusting noises!

(snort!…giggle)

To be continued…

"La perra loca tiene lo que se merece!" (The crazy bitch got what she deserves!)

Next chapter: Act III, Scene II: 'Hey Teacher' of Rachel's play. Also, Nate Minetti and the swim team plan their retaliation. Plus, lots of Faberry in the next chapter.

Thanks again to all of you who have had the patience to read this long story, and also to those of you who will, hopefully, continue to follow along.