Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters.

Chapter 64

Fran looked back to Sue who motioned her forward. "Have a seat."

She looked at her apprehensively then moved to sit on the chair in front of her. "What's up coach?"

Sue leaned back. "I received a phone call this evening and I think we need to have a talk."

Fran just looked at her confused. "Ok, what about?"

"Harvey from the Clearwater center called wanting to talk to you. He was impressed with you today and with all that your friend Michael had told him about your studies and accomplishments. He wants to offer you an internship this summer."

Fran gaped at her in shock and couldn't speak. Sue smiled and leaned forward. "Do you want to tell me about school? About why he would want you so bad and why your mom knows nothing about it?"

Shaking out of her shock she sighed. "Please don't say anything to mom. I already have my dad basically disowning me over it but I changed by major and I'm taking marine biology, amphibian wildlife, and veterinary science alone with my generals."

Sue took her hand. "Look, I don't know anything about your father except for what I've heard from Judy and Quinn. Which is not much and from what I do know I'd like to find him in a dark alley somewhere and teach him a lesson in how to treat people, but I do know your mom. I know that she only wants you to be happy Fran."

Fran pulled back and shook her head. "No, I can't risk it. I'm just starting to get on an even keel with her and Quinn. I have been closer to them in the last few days then I have in too many years to count. I don't want to jeopardize that with my foolishness about school. I can't…"

Sue sighed and scooted closer to her. "Your choice of career path is not foolish. I watched you today and I have to say I was impressed and you know how hard it is to impress me." Fran chuckled nodding and she continued. "I think what you have chosen is admirable and it takes special people to do what they do at that center and you just slid right in there like you belonged there, like you were home and I believe you were. So does Harvey. It takes a lot for him to seek out a student and not just let them come to him."

Fran sat with tears in her eyes as she listened and looked out over the ocean. "I love it here. My fondest memories from being a kid are here playing with Quinn in the ocean and just being around all the sea animals wherever we went. I love it. Oh I love it so much but mom and Quinn are all I have in this world and I don't know what I'd do if I lost them."

When she finished she bowed her head and just cried softly. Sue moved to her and sitting beside her pulled her into her lap and let her cry. Fran stiffened at first then just melted into her and let it all out.

Sue just sat and rubbed her back as she calmed. "You won't lose them Fran unless you keep pushing them away. I truly believe that they will be happy for you that you have found your calling. I saw them watch you today in awe of what you were doing. You are all still figuring out how to be together now that you don't have that ass dictating your lives. You've seen Quinn and how she chooses to live her life. I don't know if you agree with it or if you are just dealing with it to stay in your family's life but I know she appreciates that you haven't been negative to her girls. She just wants to have a real relationship with you and she is showing you her true self the real her. Your mother is too. Give them a chance to see the real you because from what I can see, the real you is pretty awesome."

Fran sobbed into her neck and held on for dear life. Never in her life has anyone talked to her like this and she was a little overwhelmed. "I don't know how? I only know how to be Russel's bitch daughter."

Sue lifted her face and wiped her tears. "That is not true. Michael knows the real you, Harvey saw it today and wants you in his program. You have been showing us all week the real you. It's time for that final push to let them all the way in so they can let you all the way in. You owe it to yourself to talk to them about who you are so you can just be."

Fran nodded and buried herself back into her and just held on. Sue sat back and just let her soak up whatever she needed. After a while she noticed Fran's breathing even out and she smiled down at her. She didn't get any concrete answers from her tonight but she hoped that she at least got through to her so she would try. Content for the moment she just relaxed and looked out over the ocean.

Shelby and Judy had come out to check on them and Judy moved to rush to them when she saw that Fran was crying but Shelby stopped her. "Let it be."

She pulled her back into the house out of earshot of the two on the patio. Judy pulled against her hold getting upset. "What do you mean let it be? She's upset. I need to check on her."

Shelby shook her head and grabbed her by her upper arms. "Stop, Sue has her and would call for you if she needed to. Whatever it is obviously she is letting Sue in so let her get it all out. Hopefully she will come to you with it later but at least she's getting it out."

Judy deflated and fell into her on a sob. "I'm such a worthless mother."

Shelby cut her off with a 'hey' but she pushed on. "No… My children have been through hell. A hell that I helped facilitate and didn't pull them out of until he went completely too far and slapped Quinn. Then after that what do I do? I decided to throw myself a pity party for how my life had turned out and went out partying and drinking and was never home. I wasn't there for Quinn when she needed me. I wasn't there for her when Rachel was hurt and they all needed me. I left her alone so much."

She jerked away and started pacing. "Fran was already gone but I wasn't there for either of them when I should have been. I should have kicked him out when he started pitting them against each other and expecting perfection in all they did. I let him try to turn them into little Stepford children like the Stepford wife I let him turn me into and I am so grateful that they seem to be getting away from that attitude but it still wasn't by my doing that helped them change."

She stopped moving and turned back to look at Shelby. "It's was you and Sue that were there for them when they needed help. It was you and Sue and the girls that helped my Quinn. Now it's Rachel and Sue that are helping my Fran. They don't need me and that's my fault."

She sobbed and fell to the ground and Shelby rushed to gather her in her arms. "Ok that's enough. Those girls still need you. Yes you made some mistakes and yes you screwed up royally with both of them but it is not too late. They are still here."

Judy looked up and shook her head violently. "It is too late."

Shelby gently took her head in her hands to stop her from shaking it and looked into her eyes. "It's not too late. You have already started the healing process with both of them. Quinn adores you Judy and has come out of her shell so much more since you've been around more. All you can do is keep trying. Keep doing what you have been and just be here for them. That's what they need. They just need you to be present and supportive."

"Do you really think so?"

Shelby pulled her in and hugged her close. "I do. That's all I do. I'm not sure that I always do or say the right thing and I'm sure that there are other mothers that would look at me and see how things are in my home and shake their head at me but I don't care. I do my best with them and they know they are loved, wanted and safe with me and with Sue. They also know they are safe with you now. In the last few weeks they have figured out that they can depend on you to be there too. Just keep doing that. As far as Fran, let Sue talk to her tonight and tomorrow we can see what's up. Sometimes it's easier to talk to an interested third party instead of someone closer to the situation."

Judy sighed and nodded into her chest. "Ok."

Shelby tightened her arms and leaned against the couch pulling her closer. "Ok."

They stayed that way for a few moments then Judy pulled back and sat up. "Thank you. I'm sorry I unloaded all that on you."

Shelby took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Don't apologize we're family and you needed to get that out. Now it's time to move forward."

Judy smiled and nodded. "You're right, it is." She finished composing herself then stood helping Shelby up as well.

She moved to the bathroom to wash her face and when she came out she found Shelby standing at the back door with an adoring smile on her face.

When she saw her Shelby waved her over and pointed out the door. Judy came up beside her and sighed laying her head on Shelby's shoulder with a soft smile of her own. On the deck was Sue sound asleep still holding a sleeping Fran.

Shelby leaned her head against Judy's. "Do you think we should wake them?"

Judy straightened and shrugged. "I'm not sure. I think if I did Fran wouldn't like anyone seeing her like that. I don't know."

Shelby nodded agreeing. "Let me try and wake just Sue. Then she can wake Fran once I come back in. Why don't you head on to bed? I'll come up and talk to you before I go to bed myself."

Judy nodded moving away from the door as Shelby went out. When she got close she ran her hand lovingly over Sue's cheek. "Wake up love."

Sue stirred slightly leaning into her hand. Shelby smiled and leaned into her ear. "Come on baby you need to help Fran get to bed."

Sue opened her eyes confused looking around then smiled as she looked down at Fran then back up to Shelby and whispered. "How long have we been out?"

She just shrugged. "I'm not sure but I'm going to head up. Why don't you wake her and get her off to bed. The rest can be handled tomorrow."

Sue nodded and kissed her lightly then watched as she went back into the house. With a sigh she gently rubbed Fran's arm. "Fran… Fran wake up dear."

Fran blinked her eyes opened and looked around confused then sat up quickly when she realized where she was. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have fallen asleep on you like that."

She shook her head and turned her face back to look at her. "Stop, you're fine. I didn't mind but for now why don't we head up to bed. I'm sure your mom is still waiting up for you to get home. Go on up and tell her goodnight and get some sleep."

Fran stood and looked back out to the water. "What about the…"

Sue stood with her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it anymore tonight. For now just sleep on it and think about what I said. You can figure it all out tomorrow and I'll get you Harvey's contact info so you can let him know about that internship."

Fran nodded and turned to leave but stopped and turned back to look at Sue. "Thanks Coach."

Sue just smiled. "Anytime, I'm here for whatever any of you girls need and Fran. You have more than just your mom and Quinn. You have me and Rachel, and Shelby and San. Just let us in and you never have to be alone in this world."

Tears sprang to her eyes and she ran over hugging her quickly then rushed inside. She climbed the stairs and stood at Judy's door for a minute composing herself then knocked lightly. She entered and shut the door behind her when Judy called for her to come in. "Hi honey how was the rest of your time at the center?"

Fran smiled. "It was good. I got to help a lot of animals today."

"I know, we watched for a while. You were pretty amazing in there."

Fran blushed and moved closer. "Would it be ok if… I mean if it's not too much trouble… Can I…"

Judy leaned over and grabbed her hand. "Hey, it's ok, just ask baby."

She sighed and looked down. "Can I lay with you for a while?"

Judy was a little stunned but immediately moved the covers and scooted over so she could get in. "Oh course honey, climb in."

Fran scrambled on the bed and snuggled into Judy on a sigh. "Thanks mom."

She kissed her head and covered her. "Anytime baby."

With that Fran settled fully into Judy and fell asleep quickly. Judy just held her. She had no idea what was going on with her but was just happy that she at least sought her out for comfort that she was more than happy to give and followed her into sleep.

A little bit later Shelby stuck her head in and smile seeing them both sleeping. Fran wrapped in Judy's arms. She makes her way back to her own room and crawled in bed snuggling up to Sue. "Fran is with her. They're both sleeping."

Sue smiled and pulled her close. "Good, I think they'll be ok. I just hope Fran actually talks to her tomorrow."

Shelby yawned and groggily replied. "I'm sure she will love. Goodnight."

Sue kissed her head and snuggled down. "Goodnight baby."

A/N: Ok that was that. More with Fran and Judy next and maybe a little fapezberry goodness too.