Controlling Our Fates

Disclaimer: I do not own iCarly!

AN: "'The past is past, that is why they call it the past.'–C. Hurn. Yes one must look at the past, and then learn from it, but to ruminate and dwell on it is counterproductive. There is a new path ahead of you that YOU and only YOU created. There will be a time when you can walk it safely and be happy. I promise you."


Chapter 52 (A Second Chance at Life)

"So when are you and Valerie going on another date?" Freddie asked as he and Jonah made their way into the prison with Mark and Zach. It had been a couple days since the surgery and Margaret was recovering tremendously well. Now, it was time for Quincy to be released. "Saw her in her home economics class the other day, she was actually glowing. Everyone in that class was her friend."

"I know. I was there, dude." Jonah chuckled and smiled as they rounded the corner. There was a tremendous joy that he felt, knowing Valerie's life was turning around. She was really recovering and didn't doubt herself at all anymore. Rodney had, surprisingly, been leaving her alone. Then again, he was messing around with the others just as badly. "Valerie and I are going on another date tomorrow after school. She's really getting more confident in relationships." Freddie huffed and glanced to the side.

"Yeah, and while that happens, Sam's drifting farther away."

"Just give her time, Freddie. Give her time. She's delicate, you know that. Of all the girls we know, Valerie and Sam are probably the most delicate, so we just have to treat them right." He heard from Valerie that she'd seen the webshow when Freddie got pissed and tackled Quincy to the ground. She didn't think he was wrong to do that, but she did wonder what happened after the realization of being related to the man. "There is a lot of drama going on right now, more so than needs to be. I'm not sure exactly what's causing it all, but it'll all be over soon enough."

"If only we could be sure of that, right? I mean…look at who we still have leaving 'gifts' at our doorsteps and whatnot." Jonah frowned as Freddie looked off to the side. True as it was, Rodney was still around and not even Carly could bring him down, since, even she was afraid of him at this point. "At least you and Valerie's family keep her safe from him."

"Yeah, he fears her family so much that he doesn't go near her house. She never goes anywhere alone, but that doesn't stop him from spying on her…Maybe we shouldn't talk about that guy right now, huh?"

"Yeah, whatever. After what he did to Sam, I want to kill him."

"Watch it though, those thoughts are exactly what everyone wants you to avoid." Freddie sighed and turned the corner with Jonah. Mark and Zach remained behind them, having their own conversation. Jonah pushed his hands into his pockets and furrowed his brow a bit at the thought that popped in his mind. Carly helped everyone, and did she really not intend to help Quincy? Managing to get him arrested actually managed to connect him with Freddie, which in turn, made them learn about Margaret, which led to the doctors saving her life. Then, one would have to add to the mix that both Mark and Zach, knew her, Uncle Roy had the money and the means, so Quincy would be free, but still with his penalties. "Damn."

"What?"

"Carly's more of a genius than we give her credit for." Freddie laughed as they walked through the double doors leading into the holding cell. "Seriously, she helped everyone, even Quincy. She knew about him, she knew about his mother, so something tells me she wouldn't just sit at the sidelines if she knew of a way to save the woman. Right?" Freddie blinked and raised an eyebrow up. His shoulders rose and fell.

"I guess. She's a brilliant person, but she can have her stupid moments too. I have been thinking, maybe we should repay her for all of this." His eyebrow scrunched up and he waited as Freddie continued. "Think about it. It's like you said, everyone has their problems too, so by that rule, even Carly should have something wrong. I just question what that is."

"Me too, she seems way too 'perfect' to have anything major. But then again, it's always the ones who don't act it in any way that have to have something. I'll bring it up with Val and you could bring it up with Sam, whenever she's done with her 'sabbatical'. Until then…" They stopped in front of a prison cell and looked inside, Quincy was kneeling over the bench, praying with the bible next to him. Freddie smiled and the others remained silent, out of respect.

As they listened to his prayer, they heard him praying for forgiveness for the wrongs that he did, praying for his mother's health, and praying to turn his life over to God. To be a better person, even if the rest of his life was in a cell. His eyes were fresh with tears, which was a surprise. The prayer went on for a good five or so minutes, until he brought it to an end and opened up his eyes. He looked over and was astonished to see the others standing at his cell. He slowly stood up and walked over. "Okay, so either my execution's coming rather early because the chief is here, or-"

"You're being released," Zach said with a subtle smile. Quincy's jaw dropped and his eyes started to fill with confusion. "All your 'sins' have been paid for…by that, I mean your robberies. Jonah's uncle has graciously paid off every dime you've ever stolen. You won't get that chance again, but you are getting a second chance at life. Not without its penalties, however."

"Such as?" Zach closed his eyes and his smile turned into a smirk.

"We'll let your brother tell you." Quincy lifted his eyebrows and looked over to Freddie. "He's the one that orchestrated it all, with the help of Jonah, that is." Freddie nodded his head and stepped closer, resting the palm of his hand on the bar of the cell.

"You're being released, but you still will be required to talk to a psychologist at this clinic that I go to. Along with that, you're confined to the farmhouse we live at out in the country for a year, you won't be allowed to leave the premises for a yeah without someone else with you. You also will have to work as a farmhand. Which pretty much means you have more work than those of us doing simple chores…but either way, you're getting a fresh start. We're kind of out of Seattle, really. Also, it would be good of you to start college. Jonah's starting college soon, so maybe you can start when he does."

"I see…I…I don't know what to say." Jonah chuckled gently and turned his eyes to the door. He knew Quincy would probably just die when he learned the news about his mother. The former burglar who acted afraid of nothing, now seemed small and confused. "Why would you do all that for me, anyway?"

"You're family. That would point to why. I guess you need to be with family, I mean…it's important to have family and to have a second chance at life. Why not take the opportunity, right?"

"I guess. It's just…" Seeing this conversation going nowhere, the point already reached, Jonah quickly made a motion for Mark to go ahead and open the cell. He was bored and wanted to get back home as soon as possible. He was missing his family time with his little sister. Olivia wanted to ride horses with Jonah and June.

"Come on, let's get you out of here. Someone's waiting for you back home." Quincy raised an eyebrow as Mark opened the door for him. They'd already helped Margaret move all her things from the house, at the risk of being spotted by Rodney. It really didn't matter to anyone, the restraining orders really were useless, and everyone had one against him!

"Who is?"

"You'll see." Quincy stepped out of the cell and took a deep breath. He had nothing of value in the cell, just the bible, which was in his hand. "You're a free man. I just hope you'll use it to the best of your ability. You only get one chance to make things right, one second chance, and that's it."

"I know. Thank you…"

"Now, let's get moving, there's one more thing."

It was not much longer, though it was almost an eternity. There was the paperwork that needed to be signed, the process of ensuring all was well, then final release. The drive had been quiet, even phone calls were silent. Quincy had no idea what to expect, but he seemed happy to be out of the prison. He'd been reading his bible the entire drive, until they reached the farmland, where he stopped and started taking in the peacefulness of the land.

Jonah was on the phone with Valerie, discussing what was going on. She was happy for Quincy and wished him the best of luck, even saying that she and her family would pray for him to be able to rest. With as Christian as her family was, they understood Quincy's quest for meaning.

In other news, she was looking forward to their third date and hoped that nothing would interrupt. This time around, they were going to try ice-skating. Jonah was good with roller skates, but when it came to those blades, he wasn't the best, but he was good enough to move around a little. Valerie, on the other hand, admitted that she was not a seasoned skater in any way.

Valerie also agreed to talk to Sam for Freddie, to see what the situation was. She understood why Sam was afraid and needed to ensure her that things would be okay.

When the car stopped moving, Jonah said his goodbyes and exited with the others. Quincy looked around, tears in his eyes. They'd driven past a long brown fence and along a gravel path to a large looking wooden home. The land was about five acres long. He was going to enjoy it here. Freddie walked up to him and breathed in. "You know Quincy. I think Carly may have actually meant to help you too. There are some things that she had to know would happen…"

"Like…"

"Well…" Freddie reached into the car and hit the horn. Within minutes, June walked around the back of the farm. She was wearing a white cowboy hat, brown boots, a button up shirt and denim jeans. She had brown gloves on and was covered in dirt. Freddie raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "June? Why aren't you on your own farm?"

"Mom and Dad suggested I come over and help with the land work." She pointed to her farm house across the street. The others looked over and smiled at Roy and Christa, they were sitting on the porch with Ryan. "Uncle Michael's inside with Olivia and Marissa." Her eyes fell onto Quincy and her lips curled up into a smile. "Oh, also, someone's working with me. Hold on, let me grab her, I think she's in the chicken coop." Quincy watched her curiously as she hurried off. He pointed at her and turned to face Freddie.

"Who is that? Also, who's she talking about?" Freddie closed his eyes and folded his arms over.

"Jonah's cousin, June. She purchased the farm across the street with her parents and grandpa. Jonah, his dad and sister moved in with them and purchased this farm when Mom and Michael got engaged. So, we all live out here now. Yeah, it's a ways off from the girls and the school, but hey, it's relaxing."

"Definitely different than the noise of the city…"

"Exactly."

"I might enjoy it here, then…but what about Mom?" Freddie spoke no words, much to Quincy's disdain. Instead, he pointed to the house as June rounded the corner. Marissa, Olivia, and Michael stepped out on the porch and looked back to June, who was leading none other than Margaret around the house. Quincy's eyes widened and his jaw fell. His heart beat hard as he saw his mother, healthier than he'd ever seen her, walking without any effort. Truly, a miracle like no other. "Mom?"

"Quincy." Her lips moved into a smile as her hands overlapped at her waist. She had her hair neatly groomed into a braid over her chest. It laid neatly on her floral blouse. She had a handkerchief resting on top of her head and color present in her cheeks. "They saved me, they paid for a kidney transplant. I'm going to make it." June pushed her forward and she started to walk, slowly, but steadily.

Quincy was frozen with tearful joy, moving only when Freddie smacked his back and pushed him to walk. He swallowed and quickly moved ahead, meeting his mom halfway and embracing her in a tearful hug. Their hearts beat together and tears dripped from their cheeks. "I can't believe it, Mama."

"We're family, this is our home now Quincy. Right here."

"I…"

"You don't have to break the law anymore." He sobbed once and met her eyes, they were filled with love and pride. He never wanted to break her heart, but she was his mother and would love him no matter what. "We can make it now. Don't you think we can?"

"Yes Mama…"

"Now you and your brother get along, okay? No more fighting between you two." Quincy chuckled, his tone cracked and wavered. Freddie laughed and met his brother's thankful eyes. It looked like the start of a beautiful family, but they might still have to work through some kinks, but those would be found and ironed through with time. "June is showing me the ropes on the farm. She wants to show you the layout, I think it would be good to go through that with Freddie as well."

June walked over and pat Quincy's shoulder, smirking deviously. "Yep. It's a lot of work here on the farm. Think you can handle it, handsome?" He blushed slightly and Freddie laughed. "I don't think you'll even make it out of training."

"I think I will." He pushed his chest outward and June wagged her eyebrows.

"We'll see about that. Let's get moving!" She grabbed his wrist and started pulling him away. Freddie snickered and followed after, Jonah wasn't far behind. They wanted Quincy to meet the rest of the family first, but June always considered work first.

Freddie rubbed his chin and stared at the two in thought. He had to wonder, what would happen if the two actually dated? He wasn't one to play matchmaker, but it was still a curious thought, brought to him by their exchange just then. Being that she was Jonah's cousin, Jonah was only Freddie's step brother, then Quincy was only Freddie's half brother, there was absolutely zero connection between Quincy and June. So there wouldn't be anything wrong with them dating. What chemistry they had, too, right off the back. He could feel it, even if they didn't.

Ah yes. Quincy would get quite the second chance here, and June would most definitely whip him into shape. Within minutes, she had him chasing a pig in a pen. She was watching and laughing while leaning against the wooden fence and he was covered in mud, with the pig running over him. "I will get this pig!"

"Keep going Quincy! It took Freddie about ten minutes to catch the pig, Jonah took six minutes, and it only takes me about two minutes. You've already passed Jonah's time! If you don't beat Freddie's time, there's no shower for you!"

"Not fair! I smell worse than the pig does!"

"Quit your complainin' and catch that pig!"

"On it!" He turned to the pig, mildly trying to show off to her. He licked his lips as the pig stared up at him, trembling from the corner. "Come on Babe, nowhere left to run." He lunged forward. The pig squealed and ran through his legs. He screamed and landed face first in the mud. June laughed and he spit out the dirt and rolled his eyes. "I'll get it…" At least, he could appreciate this freedom, this new life.


Hope you enjoyed this chapter plenty well.

"I don't know. Honestly, he always talks about how he would have been a martial arts instructor if he didn't throw his back out when he was younger. Maybe it has something to do that." To see his nephew succeed where he failed? It seemed to make sense, but it was still somewhat funny to imagine the teacher delivering a can of whoop-ass to a bunch of villains.