Quinn's eyes lifted to the door as Aggie entered the room.

The blonde had been trying to think if she's ever met the white haired woman but for the life of her can't recall ever meeting her.

"You shouldn't think so hard. Life isn't a complicated equation. I've brought you some crackers just in case you feel any nausea. They'll help." Aggie said with a warm smile as she set the bed tray down across Quinn's lap.

Quinn eyed the tea cups with their saucer plates, the small tea pot that she thought was cute. The cup of sugar cubes, bottle of raw honey, a small pouring cup of cream, and tea spoons with a small plate of crackers.

For all of her intelligence she couldn't understand the kindness people just easily gave anymore.

Ever since her mother's passing people have only showed her how cruel they could be.

Aggie cleared her throat as she lightly grasp the small tea pot and began pouring Quinn's tea.

"Sugar?" Aggie asked sweetly.

"No, thank you." Quinn replied softly.

"Cream?"

"Yes, please."

"Honey?"

"Yes, thank you."

Aggie smiled at her politeness. After handing Quinn her tea and adjusting her own to her own liking, Aggie smiled across at the blonde. "So, I suppose it's time to become acquainted."

"You don't have to-" Quinn began only for Aggie to wave her off.

"Nonsense, Lucy, I would like for you to trust me and the only way to do that is by getting to know each other. Now sit back, enjoy your tea, and let me share my story with you." Aggie replied with a warm smile.

Quinn nodded and did just that.

"Let's see where shall I start? Hmm.. Oh, yes! I'm not originally from the U.S as you've most likely gathered from my accent." Quinn nodded. "I'm from Walton-On-Thames. It's on the south bank of the Elmbridge borough of Surrey, England."

Quinn's eyes shined at the information.

She never thought she'd meet someone from England and that's a place she's been infatuated with since she was a child.

Aggie knew the moment she had Quinn hooked. She smiled and continued.

"My mother was a nurse and my father was a banker...


Rachel opened her locker with a sigh. She was still exhausted.

The day seemed to be dragging on forever. Every time she checked the time it seemed no more than two minutes passed at a time.

Granted she's more than sure it has everything to do with the fact that she's been up since four am with Beth and Jaxon.

The brunette raised her hand, pinching the bridge of her nose as she squeezed her eyes shut.

The brunette completely unaware of the eyes on her across the hall.

Though that could be because the hall was full of students and the loud rambunctious noise was giving her a head ache.

Thankfully her next period is a free one which she will be utilizing wisely in the back seat of her car. Getting some much needed sleep for the hour.

A throat cleared behind her and she turned to find Finn with his stupid expectant smile.

"Yes?" Rachel asked in a dismissive tone that clearly went over his head.

"Hey, I was wondering if we could go some where and talk."

"No." Rachel replied flatly.

Unbeknownst to the brunette how accurately similar to Quinn she sounded in that moment.

Finn looked confused and surprised by her answer. "Come on, Rach, you can't still be pissed at me for getting upset about that other guy."

A few feet down the hall not too fair away in perfect ear shot.

Leaning across the row of lockers listening and watching with a raised brow was someone Rachel would not be happy to know was listening.

'Other guy? Why would Finn care if she's not his girlfriend?' The onlooker thought before their cellphone went off and they bolted from their post upon receiving it. Completely missing Rachel's response.

"Finn, for the last time. Who I spend my time with is none of your Business. Now will you please act as if you have sense and leave me alone!" Rachel replied before slamming her locker shut and storming away.

"Is this about Quinn?" Finn asked following her hurried footsteps with his calm casual stride.

"Of course Quinn is a part of it, she's your-"

"I knew it! Your still in love with me!"

"Oh for the love of Barbara!" Rachel gritted out, throwing her hands in the air in a huff before she stormed out of the front doors with Finn on her heels.

"Rach, it's okay. I understand that your upset about Quinn and me being together but like I told you-"

Finn spoke as Rachel dug in her purse looking for her car keys to get the hell out of there and as far away from Finn Hudson as her vehicle could take her.

"We can still hang out." Finn continued and Rachel halted her movements for a moment to send him a death glare that he countered with a sly smirk that he thought was sexy. "We can still be friends. Great friends actually."

Finn's hand went to reach out to her and Rachel chose that moment to yank her car door open hitting his hand before it could touch her on purpose.

"Ow!"

"Once again, the answer is no Finn, now move!" Rachel growled with attitude before slipping into the car and slamming the door on Finn.

She started the car and quickly put it in reverse effectively causing Finn to jump back as she pulled out than stomped the gas that caused the tires to squeal as she made her exit.

Finn stood there for a moment before a slow smile crept on his face. "Puck was right.. She is jealous of Quinn and me." Finn chuckled out to himself. "So that means she's gonna put out when we're hanging out." Finn fist bumped the air before pulling out his phone.

He dialed the number and within three rings it picked up. "Go for Puck."

"Dude! You were right, Rachel's jealous of me and Quinn. She basically just told me."

"Alright, now that we're sure. All you gotta do is tell her you want to hang out as only friends. Than when your alone you start talking about how amazing Quinn is. It'll piss her off than she'll be ripping your clothes off before you know it." Puck assured him.

"Awesome! Puck, dude, your a genius! You should write a book or something."

"I know. I'm a sex shark. It's what I do." Puck nodded to himself with a confident smirk.

"I owe you one, dude."

"Hey, remember our deal, dude. I help you nail Rachel on the side regularly and you help me find out where Quinn's hiding my kid."

"Of course, bro. After everything you helped me with? Don't worry, I'll find her."

"Cool, she wasn't in school Monday and now it's Tuesday. If she's not here by tomorrow than I know she's hiding for real. There's no way she's getting away with this. Beth is part mine and she needs to bring her home."

"Definitely. It's not cool she did that to you."

"Did you text her?"

"Yeah, all weekend like you told me to. She hasn't answered."

Puck stood in the locker room, he palmed his face in aggravation. "Where the hell could she be?! I even went to her church and she wasn't there. I went to her old job, the Lima Bean, and the book store and still I haven't found out anything."

Just as Puck finished his sentence Finn spotted Santana and Britney down the hall.

"Dude, that's it." Finn said in realization.

"What?" Puck asked in confusion.

"Santana and Britney."

"Holy shit, I didn't even think of that." Puck replied with hope and surprise in his tone.

"Yeah they're down the hall, I'm going to ask them."

"Nah man, don't say anything. I want to catch Quinn when she least expects it. I don't want to give her a head start to run."

"So what do you want to do?" Finn asked confused.

"Stake out, you and me at Santana's house first. Then if she's not there we stake out Britney's."

"Cool, I'm in."

"Thanks dude, remember don't say anything to any of them."

"No problem."

The two hung up and Puck smirked down at his phone.

He grabbed the weights off the rack and began doing curls in front of the mirror.

He hasn't heard from Quinn or seen her since their argument in the cafeteria and he's pissed.

He's barely scraping by. His rent is due and he only has half of it. He had no food other than ramen noodles and Chef Boy R D.

The house smelled like shit and the place was severely dirty.

He had no clean laundry and he couldn't find any of his PlayStation controllers in the mess.

Hell, you could barely find the couch under the mess. Though that maybe attributed by all the parties he's been throwing since she left.

Still ever since she's been gone things have been hard and things are never hard.

Normally the rent is paid, the bills are paid, there's food in the fridge, dinner ready when he comes home every night without fail.

His clothes are always washed, ironed, folded and hung in their respected places.

The house always smells lemon fresh. Everything's always organized where he can find it.

The bed even use to smell like something really good, now they smell like they haven't been washed in months.

The scents are vanilla and Sandlewood.

Though Puck isn't aware it's those specific scents nor does he know that those scents are from Quinn, what her perfume smells like along with her natural scent.

Unbeknownst to Puck he's experiencing loss. What it's like to be left by a real woman who takes care of her family.

A woman Puck has never encountered because his own mother didn't do what Quinn did for him. The way Quinn took care of him and the household.

Quinn may not have been in love with him but she treated him the way a wife -in love- is suppose to treat her husband.

The way she witnessed her mother love her father and vice versa. Just as her mother was the dutiful wife her father was a dutiful husband.

Her father did everything for her mother, her laundry, cleaned dishes, cook dinner, fixed her car, cleaned the house, bathe the children, put them to sleep with a very theatrical story, rubbed her mother's feet, brushed her hair, drew her bath.

Everything Quinn did was a reflection of the love she was raised around. How to truly take care of your household.

However; unfortunately for Quinn, Puck was nothing like her father use to be. He drank beers leaving them on every surface of the house.

He'd come home and drop his clothes on the floor not two inches away from the clothes hamper she bought specifically for that reason.

He'd eat dinner than put the plate in the sink and leave it there.

He'd take a shower before every one else, using up all the hot water after Quinn asked him repeatedly to keep it short so there'd be enough hot water for every one to shower.

She'd keep her own showers to a minimum of no longer than 8 minutes using her cell phone as an alarm to time herself, to conserve the hot water.

So every one could have a bath with out having to wait forever to get one because the water system in the building sucked.

He'd eat all the snacks she'd buy for Charlie and take her suv without her consent, when he didn't have gas in his truck and Quinn had no money for him to give him after paying bills.

He'd come back with an empty tank after taking it for three days and didn't even tell her.

She had to find out herself when she would get she and Charlie ready for school only to end up being late.

Because she had to walk to the gas station with Charlie and a small gas pitcher to get enough gas in her suv to get her back to that same gas station to get more gas, to get she and Charlie to school.

He never asked how she felt or if she needed a foot or back rub. He never told her she looked beautiful or gave Charlie any form of attention.

He never said thank you but always managed to complain about something he didn't like.

He just didn't do anything other than cause her pain and sadness.

Causing her to work harder for their household when it should have been him taking care of her like he promised he would.

And now.. Now Noah Puckerman stood in the school locker room lifting weights in anger.

There was no sadness, no remorse nor regret. No he was angry that she took away his help, his source.

The source and help being Quinn herself and their daughter.

Charlie didn't bring any assistance to the household so she wasn't even a fragment of a thought in his mind.

He actually completely forgot about her. No he wanted his daughter and Quinn back and if he had to call the police he would.

Until he knew for sure Quinn gave their daughter up for adoption, he wouldn't believe her.

No, he was going to find them and bring them home where they belonged.

Whether Quinn liked it or not.


"Bulgarian?!" Quinn asked with wide shining eyes and a little more color to her cheeks.

"Yes." Aggie chuckled as she shook her head at her younger self and her bad choice in boyfriends. "He was handsome and strong but he was also very slow."

Quinn giggled. Quinn was not completely better but some how this woman was making her feel less sick.

They have been talking for a while now and the woman's life sounded like a movie.

Quinn can't remember the last time she has gotten along with an adult that didn't turn their nose up at her in disdain.

"So, what happened after you left?" Quinn asked eagerly.

"Well, as I've explained I was running out of money. I had already been away from home for a year and I couldn't bring myself to go back. I was free of restriction and didn't have to answer to anyone. So I went looking for work and lucky for me there was a pizza parlour with a very handsome pizza boy there when I went to inquire about employment." Aggie replied with a smirk.

Quinn shook her head softly with a disbelieving smile in wonderment. "Oh boy.."

"Oh boy, indeed." Aggie smirked.


Rachel had just entered Mckinely after her much needed nap though she wished it could have been longer, she's still grateful for it.

She knew she was once again going to be late to her next class and rushed to her locker.

She paid no mind to the two people down the hall at first. Not until she heard it.

The unmistakable whimper of one Britney S. Pierce.

Rachel toned her ears to hear it once more just in case she was imagining it due to lack of sleep.

"Now, I'm not going to ask you again. Who did you tell?"

"N-No No one.." Britney whimpered.

Rachel couldn't tell you what possessed her.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe it was fielding the inquisition that was the glee club that pass weekend.

Or maybe.. Just maybe she was sick and tired of the boys in this school thinking that they were entitled to everything.

Maybe she was sick of the Noah Puckermans' and Finn Hudsons' of the world feeling like they own you or that you can't live without them.

Which of course has to be the reason why she steps in to Zack Coleman's face with a death glare so severe he looks appropriately shock and slightly fearful of it.

"Is there a problem here?" Rachel asks in such a dark tone. A stark contrast to her more softer, light voice.

"Nothing that concerns you man hands, so mind your own damn business." Zach sneers.

Rachel felt the burn of those words. Quinn's nick name that everyone still felt the need to use on her.

Her eyes narrowed and her shoulders squared as her hands clenched into fists.

"Oh you see, Coleman, that's where your wrong. It is my business. Because Britney is my friend and I don't take too kindly to people harassing my friends. So, I'm going to give you a chance to walk away now or-"

"Or what, treasure trail?" Zack said as he stepped into her personal space and shoved her causing Britney to gasp.

"Please, Zach, she didn't mean it. Sh-She's leav-" Britney tried to intervene.

"Shut up, I'll deal with you when I'm done with her." Zach spoke low and threateningly as his gaze snapped to Britney's before falling back on an unaffected Rachel.

Lifting his hand and shoving her once more. "What are you going to do? Huh? You can't do anything s-"

Before Zach could speak another word Rachel grabbed his hand twisted it behind his back, manipulating his entire by that one hand and slammed him into the locker in one swift motion. Causing him to yelp in pain and Britney to gasp in shock.

"Listen closely, Coleman, because I'm going to say this only once. If I catch you anywhere near Britney again any where in this school. Even if your just drinking from the water fountain and she happens to pass you by. You can kiss your precious football scholarship goodbye because this arm won't be the only thing useless by the time I'm done with you." Rachel growled in his ear, scaring the ever living shit out of him if his whimper is anything to go by.

"RACHEL!"


"-Not entirely a fan. I mean don't get me wrong I love Jane Austin, I do. Her books were amazing but I just love Emily Bronte too much." Quinn gushed.

Books. They were on the subject of books. They had gone from non fiction to fiction and Quinn could honestly say she's never met another human being other than her own mother who loved books as much as she does until this woman sitting before her, that is.

The woman's literary knowledge is astounding.

"Yes, I agree but my darling Austin is an original. Could you imagine the life she must of had lived to have such mind that filled her pages?"

"That's true but come on, Emily devours you page by page! You can't beat that!" Quinn argued and Aggie laughed.

It was loud and joyous but somehow still melodious.

And Quinn.. Quinn couldn't help but feel like she's heard it before.


Rachel was fuming. How is it that she always gets caught defending the honor of herself or someone in duress but no one ever sees the reason behind it.

She's suspended. AGAIN! How the hell is she suspended again when Zach was the one intimidating a girl smaller than him, two girls smaller than him!

"Rachel, what is going on with you?" Mr. Shuester asked in disapproval.

"Are you kidding me?!" Rachel asked in disbelief with fire in her eyes aimed at Mr. Shuester. "Your seriously asking me that after what I just told you?!"

"Ms. Berry, it doesn't matter either way. You assaulted a student!.. Again!"

"I was defending a fellow students honor!"

"It was still a physical assault Ms. Berry and it is strict school policy that no violence is-"

"School policy?!" Rachel scoffed indignantly. "So does that mean the entirety of the football team, cheerios, hockey team and every other popular kid in this school is suspended as well?! Because I'm pretty being slapped in the face with a SLUSHIE IS ALSO ASSAULT!"

Rachel screamed the end of her sentence red faced and furious as her eyes became wild with rage as she jolted from her seat, knocking over her chair in the process.

Before promptly turning on her heel and storming away.

Leaving a slack jawed Mr. Shuester and wide eyed principal Figgins and a surprised to be proud Sue Sylvester in her wake.

"Wow.. She should be on my cheerios instead slumming it with your pathetic band of mouth breathers, curly Sue."

"Shut up, Sue."


Rachel stormed pass Britney and Zach Coleman and his parents.

Britney jumped to her feet to chase her.

"Rachel! Rachel, wait up!" Britney said doing her best to catch up to the fast walking brunette.

"I'm sorry Britney but I'm not in the mood to talk."

"Rachel, please wait!"

Rachel halted her steps but knew if she didn't leave the school soon. She'd likely storm back in to that office and slap the shit out of Mr. Shue and principal Figgins.

"Listen Britney, I'm sorry but I'm not in the right frame of mind to have a conversation-"

"But Rac-"

"Britney please!" Rachel gritted out as she did her best to quell her anger as everything started to really sink in. "Please just - Please just give me space. I will talk to you when I'm not upset and can actually have a calm conversation."

With that Rachel turned on her heel and stormed away leaving a sad Britney behind.

Britney watched her go and could literally feel the burdens that Rachel seems to be carrying weighing her down.


"Honestly, it's a delightful sight. The water is crystal clear and-" Aggies words are cut off and both she and Quinn's smiles slip from their faces when they hear the front door slam.

Both women completely confused as to why Rachel would be home so early. Though Quinn is a little scared that it's not Rachel but who else could it be?

"I'll check what is the matter." Aggie spoke softly with reassurance. Quinn nodded her agreement.

Aggie stood up and made her way out the room. She heard silence in the house once more.

She walked down the stairs to the living room. She looked out the window and saw Rachel's car in the drive way.

Which meant only one thing. Aggie walked to the back of the house through the back yard to Leroy's old shed.

She opened the door to hear the music blasted and Rachel already with just her BJJ Gi pants on and her sports bra going at the punching bag with fury.

She entered quietly than walked over to the speaker and shut it off. Rachel huffed and whipped around in her direction.

Aggie smiled softly. "Something the matter, darling?"

Rachel took a deep breath and grit her teeth before turning around and landing a solid blow on the bag, the force jostling it.

"Excuse me ma'am but I believe I asked you a question." Aggie spoke with authority, raising her brow in warning.

Rachel growled as she started wailing on the bag as a she spoke.

"Stupid boys! With their stupid entitlement! And their stupid stupidity!"

"Very articulate darling, I'm going to take a wild guess and say the problem is to do with a boy?"

Rachel shot her a glare before turning her attention back to the bag.

"Understatement of the century. How do I end up in these situations?" Rachel asked herself.

"I beg your pardon?" Aggie asked as she came around to the bag.

"I.." Rachel took a deep cleansing breath. "I got suspended again."

"How on earth?" Aggie's eyes widened in surprise.

"I.." Rachel blew a breath and licked her lips to start again. "A fellow classmate of mine - one of Quinn's friends from the cheerleading squad and Glee was being intimidated by some guy from the football team."

Aggie nodded her understanding.

"I intervened. He shoved me more than once and I.. I let him get to me and I put my hands on him and one of the teachers - my teacher to be exact, caught me. I also may have over reacted to them telling me I'm suspended. I screamed at them and left the office than I came home." Rachel finished her retelling and Aggie stood quiet for a moment.

"I see.. And this boy, did he put a hand on Quinn's friend?"

"I don't know but I do know she was scared and he's bigger than her. He's bigger than both of us."

Aggie nodded her head in understanding once more. She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket and pressed speed dial.

Rachel watched already knowing what Aggie was about to do but this time she wasn't sure if Aggie could even help.

"Charles, darling I need you tomorrow at 11 am." Aggie waited as Charles spoke. "Yes, the matter may not be legal but I refuse to go without having you present." Again Aggie waited. "Mckinely high school. Be sure to wear your best suit." Aggie replied with a smirk. "Thank you, Darling. Have a good day." With that she hung up.

She looked at Rachel with a smile. "Come now, sweetheart, let's get you some rest. You look like a raccoon."

Rachel gasped indignantly at the insult, her hands reaching below her eyes instantly. "I do not!"

"Yes, I'm afraid you do. Now come along. You've let out all your anger and now all we can do is wait for tomorrow." Aggie said as she guided Rachel out of her private dojo/gym.

The two headed for the house with Aggie's arm around Rachel's back in a side embrace.

"Thanks Aggie." Rachel said as they entered the house.

"Don't mention, darling. Now if you'll excuse me, you've interrupted my time with Quinn."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. It isn't permanent interruption."

"How is she, anyway?"

"Quinn?"

Rachel nodded.

"She's doing better. Her eyes have cleared a little more and she's having less coughing fits. I suspect she should be better in another week give or take."

Rachel sighed in relief. "And the kids?"

"Beth and Jaxon woke up for a little while earlier but I didn't bring them in to see Quinn yet and she understood. They went down about an hour ago after lunch. Charlotte is in the guest room watching TV in bed and I have the video monitor on her and the children. She knows she can call me if she needs anything. I just fed her a small cup of soup. Her fever hasn't returned as you know. She hasn't had a headache either. She just feels a little achy but other than that she's fine." Aggie finished.

"Good."

"So now that you know every one is okay. Why don't you head down to the basement for some shut eye." Aggie suggested.

"You know what? I think I will. Thank you again, Aggie."

"You don't have to thank me but you're welcome, my darling. Now go on." Aggie said with a kiss to Rachel's head.

"Okay." Rachel said with a tired smile and headed for the basement.

Aggie shook her head as she watched her go. Rachel was strong but she was also hurting herself by not opening up very much.

Rachel was a loner through and through. Though that wasn't always the case, it is now.

Aggie worries about Rachel so much. She worries about her sister as well.

Aggie has been taking flights out to New York to check on her daughter constantly and she's happy to see that she's doing better than she has been in a long time.

Aggie's eyes welled with tears just thinking about her two brunette's.

Rachel may not be her daughter but she does consider her, her granddaughter because she thought of Hiram and Leroy as her adoptive family. Her adoptive sons though they were grown men.

She had met Leroy and Hiram when she agreed to the reunion of Rachel and her sister.

Their deaths had hit her hard and when she found out about Rachel's emancipation she was worried.

Her worries were confirmed when her daughter called in tears one time when Rachel ended up in the hospital beaten.

Rachel had told the hospital she was attacked by a group of kids but Aggie knew Rachel was trained in martial arts thanks to her dad Leroy and could have easily defended herself.

It wasn't until last year when she and Rachel were talking after another family death did Rachel tell the truth.

That she provoked the three girls and because at the time she just wanted to feel pain, she let them beat her up.

Rachel has come a long way since she was hit with the reality of her actions via a home pregnancy test.

Aggie isn't certain and no one would really know if Rachel would ever have stopped her downward spiral on her own but that positive sign is what had saved Rachel's life from further destruction.

Jaxon had saved his mother and Aggie can see it in Rachel's eyes everyday when she looks at her son that she believes that to be the truth as well.

Aggie took a deep breath and said a prayer because now there was a blonde girl upstairs to worry about.

Said girl was currently fighting to keep herself and her little family a float on her own.

Quinn was just as strong as her mother Judy but Aggie could see that Quinn was scared and a little lost.

She doesn't know where Frannie is but she will find out. She just needs a little time.

Aggie sighed to herself as she headed back upstairs. She checked the babies than Charlie than headed back to Rachel's room.

What she was greeted by was a slouching, knocked out, slightly drooling Quinn. Aggie smiled adoringly at her.

The older woman walked toward the bed quietly and removed the tray from Quinn's lap.

She leaned down and gently began adjusting Quinn.

She may be old but she was as strong as an ox or so Rachel and everyone else in her life says.

Quinn made no sound as she was laid down correctly and covered. Aggie brushed Quinn's hair from her head and leaned down laying a feather light kiss to her forehead.

She stood back up and watched Quinn for a moment. She felt her eyes welling with tears for the young blonde and knew that was her cue to go.

Aggie quietly shut the door behind her. Made her way back through the house and down the stairs to the living room.

She sat in the recliner and reached for her Knitting tools and began to Knit.

The house was silent as everyone was asleep. Even Charlie had succumb to slumber.

Aggie smiled to herself thinking that this whole thing may very well be a blessing in disguise.