Mistakes probably happened in this story.

RCV

Puck leaned against the lockers and munched on an apple. LJ and Tori looked meaner than ever. They made a Cheerio cry. A full-blown, trained by Santana and respected by Sue Cheerio break down into tears in the middle of the hallway right before their third period. The two also got into a massive row midway through the second period and had to be separated by teachers. Naturally, they were the best of friends ten minutes later, but it was obvious something was going on in the Berry household. He decided not to ask. He had enough family drama to worry about.

Puck scratched at the bandage covering the side of his face. He was adamant it made him look bad ass. He was still having a hard time remembering the little details, but the pain was gone so he counted that as a small win. He turned to the side and stared at the biggest sign something was wrong with the Berry family. Rachel was there, technically, but she was having Quinn-like blow-ups and was kicked out of class twice.

"Stop staring at me or I'll shove that apple up your ass."

Puck blinked and pushed off the locker. "Alright. Spill. You three are walking time bombs and even Sue is giving you guys a longer than normal leash. What happened yesterday?" he asked quietly.

"The usual. Hiram and I had a fight. He snapped, asked for a divorce, and then this morning, left a note that said we had to be out of the house by the end of the week."

"What the fuck? Where are you supposed to live? What about all your shit? What about your siblings? Like, what-

"If I knew the answers to those questions, don't you think I would be in a much better mood?" she snapped.

Puck winced and Rachel took a deep breath.

"Sorry. It's been a long morning."

"Don't sweat it. I wish I could do something to help. I feel like all I'm doing is standing on the sidelines and I hate that feeling."

"It's okay. No one's blaming you."

At that point, Sue walked up to them and grabbed Rachel by the back of her hoodie. Rachel willingly let herself be dragged down the hall while Puck shut her locker and jogged behind them. Sue practically threw Rachel into her office and Puck slid in just before the door closed. He tossed his apple into the trashcan. Sue glared at him momentarily but didn't kick him out. Inside the office was LJ and Tori, both who avoided looking at Rachel.

Sue slammed her palms down on the table and the three Berry siblings jumped.

"You three need to get it together. All three of you have made it very hard to keep you from being suspended. I can only do so much. I already lost Santana to bureaucracy, don't make me lose either one of you as well. Plus, Rachel, if you haven't forgotten, you're on thin ice and I have no authority to keep you from being expelled or worse, sent to prison because the judge feels like you haven't learned anything. That new case Simmons was talking about? It's true. They're seriously considering re-opening it, and once they do, there will be nothing I can do for you."

Rachel swallowed and looked down. No one replied. Sue slammed her palms again and looked at the three of them with so much anger that even Puck felt like crawling under a rock.

"Stop moping around! Jesus. Yes, this is happening, but accept it and help your father bounce back. He needs you guys to be strong, not temperamental children. He is literally fighting to keep what is left of his family together. LJ and Tori, yes, you are biologically his children, but he practically raised Rachel as his own."

"What do you mean?" LJ asked.

Sue sighed and sat down. "Leroy called me an hour ago, crying. Apparently, Hiram's changed his mind," she said.

"About what?"

"Rachel. He wants sole custody."

"Hell no!" Tori exclaimed. "Not after that shit! No fucking way!"

Rachel stared at the table. She could only hear muffled voices. A hand landed on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. She got up from her seat and paced the small room.

"I'm eighteen," she said, her voice blank of emotion.

"That's what I said, but Leroy cried harder. He said Hiram threatened to take you regardless."

Rachel shook her head. "No. No way. I can't- I can't-

She started to hyperventilate. Puck wrapped his arms around her and held on tight. "Come on, Berry. Don't break down now. You can't afford to lose your head over this. I don't care what the courts say or that crazy ass Dad of yours says. I'm not letting you go without a fight. And I'm sure San and Q won't let it happen either," he said.

It took ten minutes for Rachel to calm down. Once she did, Puck loosened his grip, but didn't let go. Sue put her head in her hands and sighed.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. I saw the three of you falling apart and I knew you needed to pull it together. You have to be strong for each other and for your Dad, okay? He needs you guys," she said.

"And we're sorry for making things so hard for you today," Tori said.

"We're just scared," LJ said. "We don't know what'll happen next."

At that, Rachel slid out of Puck's grasp and went to her siblings. They all hugged, and Puck went back to his spot against the wall. He watched Sue as she watched the siblings, and Puck saw what she was trying to hide. She was scared, it was hidden well by hurt, but she was scared. He ground his teeth. He meant what he said.

He wasn't letting Rachel go anywhere without a fight.

Santana bustled around the kitchen, bored out of her mind, but she was glad that she had the place to herself. Her father left before she got out of bed, and thankfully, the pain in her chest was gone. It was weird. She put the dishes from her breakfast in the sink. Just as she started to wash them, there was a knock on her door. Wiping her hands with a nearby towel, Santana shuffled to the door and opened it slightly.

It was Leroy.

"H-hey, do you mind if I come in?" he asked nervously.

Santana nodded and opened the door wider. Leroy came in and wiped his shoes on the mat before he took them off and placed them by the couch. His eyes were red and puffy, and Santana escorted him to the kitchen.

"Not that I don't mind your company, but I have to say it's kind of weird for you to show up at my house while I'm here alone."

Leroy sniffed and sat down at the counter. "I was out for a walk. I ended up in the neighborhood and thought I'd check in on you," he muttered.

"How'd you know I was even here?" she asked. "Oh. You want some coffee?"

"My children told me you were suspended for the week, and yes please, black."

Santana bobbed her head and poured what was left of the coffee into a mug. She handed it to him and he smiled gratefully.

"Thanks," he sighed. "So, I take it Rachel has already told you?"

"Told me what?"

"About the divorce?" Santana's face told him that she hadn't talked to Rachel, and he winced. "Oh. Sorry," he added.

"No, no, don't apologize to me," she said. "This is- I'm so, so sorry."

He waved off her apologies. "That's, thank you, but that's not why I brought it up. I wanted to talk to you about something," he said. "Ask you for a favor."

Santana looked at him and leaned down on the table. "Hit me, Papa Berry. What can I do for you?" she asked.

"I know about your other job," he said.

Santana narrowed her eyes at him. "What job?"

"The one your mother helped you get," he said. "And I need your help."

Santana cocked her head and pursed her lips. She studied him for a moment before she stood up straight. She crooked her finger and left the kitchen. Leroy stood up and followed Santana into the basement, leaving a hot mug of coffee steaming on the island while the sound of the basement door being locked echoed through the otherwise empty home.

Quinn walked slowly down the street towards her house. She still wasn't able to go to school, the pain in her ribs still tender, but she was prepared to go back the next day. She kind of missed it. As she made her way home for more clothes, a cop car pulled up beside her. She nearly tripped when she recognized the driver.

Simmons.

He grinned at her and wiggled his fingers as he rolled down the window.

"Hello, Quinnie," he said.

"Don't call me that."

"Touchy, touchy."

"What do you want?"

"Just to warn you. I wouldn't get so close to the Berry family right now," he said. "They're caught up in the wrong thing."

Quinn ignored him. She saw her mother speed walking down the side walk, a look of anger on her face, and a part of Quinn relaxed. Judy got closer and she gently grabbed Quinn's arm.

"Stay away from us," Judy hissed.

"That's a Texas sized 10-4 good sis," he teased.

Simmons rolled up the window and sped off. Judy took a deep breath and turned around, searching Quinn for any other injuries.

"I'm fine," Quinn said, removing her arm from her grip.

"Right. Of course."

Quinn rolled her eyes and walked off. Her mother easily caught up with her in those heels. Then again, Quinn wasn't walking that fast.

"Where's your friend?" she asked.

"What do you want?"

"Your father-

"Oh, God. Not again. This is why I didn't come back. You-

Judy nudged her gently and whispered, "You should've stayed with Sue."

"How did you know I was with her?"

"I know the people of this town. Your options were limited."

Quinn narrowed her eyes on her mother and asked, "Why should I have stayed there?"

"Because your father would have never thought to look there. But now that you're here, well. There's a service tonight."

"No way. I'm not going."

Judy said nothing as they arrived at the Fabray house. Quinn's anger flared at the sight of her father.

"Where have you been?."

"Just a walk, sweetheart," Judy said, her voice strained.

"Go shower and get dressed. We have somewhere to be within the hour. And yes, Quinn, you are coming with us this time. No more too sick or too tired. You both must be there."

Judy's flinch was well-hidden, but Quinn saw it. She was looking for it. She turned back to her father and gave him a tight smile. She had no interest in being beaten again for not obeying.

"Is there anything specific you want me to wear?" she gritted out.

"I've already placed an outfit for you on your bed. Now go. I'm leaving at six and I expect you two to be ready by five-thirty."

Quinn nodded and her mother nodded, and walked into the house. Quinn mentally wished she could run away, but it wouldn't do any good. She was caught.