Rachel's tears burned as she gripped Sam's hand. Her face beet red as the pain shot through her. She locked eyes with Sam and felt desperation and fear engulf her.
Sa-Saaam!" Rachel cried as the pain caused her to lose her breath.
"I'm right here with you Rachel, you hear me?! I'm not going anywhere, just stay with me! Please stay with me!"
His words filled her with something she couldn't describe.
In the future she will recite the event with emotional fondness when she explains that, that was the moment when she gained her brother.
It was the moment his promise solidified himself in her life.
That moment in his presence, while he held with unrelenting support and security to her, she knew she'd be forever safe and protected in his hands.
Sam will be the third man in her life, other than her fathers, to fully gain her love and respect forever and always.
Rachel felt the nausea and dizziness hit her then as her eyes began to flutter before she passed out completely from the pain.
"Rachel?! No,No,No,No,No! Rachel?! Wake Up!"
"Sir please calm down!" The paramedic tried.
"Rachel!"
Shelby sped through the streets in hot pursuit.
She couldn't think.
She felt like she couldn't breath.
Everything seemed to be falling apart at the seams. Why was this happening? Why did life always seem to curse her family?
Rachel's words looping repeatedly through her mind.
"I HATE YOU SHELBY! I FUCKING HATE YOOOU!"
"You shouldn't trust her Sammy-boy, she'll only disappear on your ass the second something better comes along."
"Oh look at that Shelby, you managed to get yourself a guard dog! Or better yet another child you won't actually be there for!"
It hurt...
It hurt like her soul had been ripped from her body. Her heart dipped and searing to nothing in acid, melting before her very eyes.
The fury and hate that scorned in Rachel's eyes will forever be ingrained in her brain.
She didn't know if it would ever end and worst of all when Rachel turned eighteen; she knew and feared in her heart that, that would be the moment when Rachel would leave their lives for good.
Because there would be nothing she could do about it then.
That's why Shelby always feels like she's racing against the clock to save Rachel.
The clock mocks her.
Everyday she loses time to mend things with with her daughter.
She's thought about it a millions times, if she hadn't been hadn't been the lead and on tour she would have never been there for the event that alter so many lives.
If she hadn't been the lead she could have been at home with her girls.
Nothing would have unfolded the way it had if that fateful day her life hadn't changed in the blink of an eye.
She was suppose to be there for them... but she wasn't.
That day will haunt her for the rest of her life.
Shelby screamed in frustration when the red and blue lights flashed in her rear view mirror.
"No! Not now! Please god not now!" Shelby cried.
Quinn paced with tears running down her cheeks in worry.
Skylar was sat on the couch as if she were a statue. The only sign of life were the tears silently running down her face.
The two had heard Sam's panicked voice with how loud he had been yelling through the phone. Then to have to sit and wait for news had churned the teens inside out with fear.
Just then the screen door creaked then the front door opened revealing Charlie.
The blonde didn't look up so she didn't see the tears or fear in the other girls eyes.
She didn't want to see the anger or disappointment. Her anxiety about coming home had done enough to her that transitioned into anger to protect herself.
"Charlie-" Quinn began.
"Don't Quinn, I don't need to hear one of your bullshit talks-"
Charlie didn't turn when Quinn spoke so she didn't realize the shock nor pain on her sister's face.
"Charlie you don't-"
"I said fuck off Quinn!"
Charlie stormed through the living but before she could go further she was halted by the sheer force of Skylar's snare.
"Don't you dare!-walk any further you self piece of shit!"
Quinn's eyes bulged and Charlie froze as she felt the feeling of being socked in the gut. "Excuse me?"
"Don't fucking feed me your bullshit 'I'm so proper' charade! You've got a lot of nerve to act shock! You walk around like the sun and moon rises and sets on your ass that you can't even see what's happening around you!"
Charlie turned to face her but the moment she did her eyes widened at the sight of the two crying in front of her.
"What's going on?"
"Like you have a right to fucking know!"
"Sky I-"
"No! You don't get to speak because all you do is not talk every second of everyday unless it's to Sam, Rachel, or my mom! Oh no wait, that's right it's just Rachel who knows your secret! It's Rachel you trust even though you two fight like barbaric assholes! Though you had the audacity to call your sister for help and still expected her to act as if nothing happened!"
"Skylar you don't-"
"I'M NOT FINISHED!" Skylar exploded.
Causing Quinn and Charlie both to jump in surprised as her vocal range made it self known. Skylar stepped into Charlie's personal space with fury burning in her eyes.
"If you think I'm going to sit here and let you manipulate this conversation just because you know I have feelings for you then you have another thing coming! Because I am sick and tired of your bullshit games and woe is me tears! You don't want to tell us what's hurting you? Fine! You want to walk around engulfed in that hell cage you call your mind? Then go-the fuck-ahead! But let me be clear when I say that all the pain I can clearly see you holding in and the fear that chokes you every time you have a nightmare is only going to eat you alive in the end! I give up! So do me a favor don't look at me, don't speak to me, and stay the fuck out of my life! Because you have done nothing but cause me pain! Though I shouldn't be surprised because your so far up your own ass that you couldn't hear the clear indication of the emotional hitch of fear in your sister's voice! So if you can't hear her then you obviously will never hear me!"
Skylar shoulder checked the blonde before promptly storming out the house leaving a silently crying Charlie in her wake.
The silence was deafening.
Charlie looked to Quinn as her sisters distraught eyes connected with her own.
"Quinn..."
Quinn shook her head and scoffed in disdain as she followed after Skylar.
"Officer, is there a problem?" Shelby asked doing her best to keep the anger and frustration from her voice.
"License and registration."
Shelby bit her tongue knowing that any further verbal interaction would not go over well with the way she was feeling.
The second the officer walked back to his patrol car Shelby whipped out her phone.
"Kevin it's me. I've been pulled over. Rachel's being rushed to the E.R, Sam is with her and if this officer is in Russell's pocket you know which way this is going to go. Get to Sam and call Sue."
"On it and Shelby-"
"I know, keep my mouth shut."
"See you soon."
"See you soon."
Shelby hung up the phone. Her nerves shot and her anger slowly boiling to the surface. Just then the officer returned.
"Ma'am, I need you to step out of the vehicle."
Shelby took a deep calming breath. She knew it, the moment the officer pulled her over her gut told her everything she needed to know.
She also knew that her greatest card right now was her silence.
No talking, no questions, and definitely no resistance. Kevin would get her out and Sue would handle the kids.
However her greatest fear and worry was Rachel and how once again her absence would further solidify and fuel Rachel's accusations that Shelby didn't care about her because she wouldn't be at the hospital when Rachel needed her most.
"You have a right to remain silent..."
Charlie stood in the living silently crying. Every time Skylar was angry with her she seemed to only have two settings either she cried or she'd be angry.
This time though she didn't expect the explosion or the hurtful words.
Words that she knew deep in her heart were true. She had been selfish and stupid.
She had disregarded every ones feelings. She snapped at Quinn without recognizes the emotion in her sister's voice that had been painfully clear.
No, she was too worried about her own feelings. She felt full to the brim with emotions and wanted to let them out but she didn't know how.
She wanted to mend things with Skylar, work things out with her sister, and apologize to Rachel.
She had thought about that when she had been hidden in one of the willow trees and saw Skylar and Quinn looking for her earlier.
She hadn't made herself known in the moment because she still hadn't gotten hold of her anger and didn't want to actually take it out on them.
As she sat in the tree and watched night fall she had time to herself to really reflect.
This thing with Puck has done nothing but plague her in every way imaginable.
Her heart was screaming for her to confide in someone. Tell the truth and be released so maybe the nightmares would go away.
So that maybe when Skylar put her arms around her she wouldn't freak out.
She also knew that after the fight with Rachel, she wasn't in a calm place to have the conversation.
Which is why when she finally decided to walk home she felt anxiety then the anger came on it's own accord in defense because she didn't want to have to explain herself.
She hadn't considered that her actions would cause someone to explode, especially not Skylar.
The longer she stood there the more Skylar's words echoed in her mind.
"Because I am sick and tired of your bullshit games and woe is me tears! You don't want to tell us what's hurting you? Fine! You want to walk around engulfed in that hell cage you call your mind? Then go-the fuck-ahead! But let me be clear when I say that all the pain I can clearly see you holding in and the fear that chokes you every time you have a nightmare is only going to eat you alive in the end!"
Skylar has no idea how true her words hit home. She's drowning and she can't seem to break the surface but maybe...
Maybe the reason she can't break the surface is because she's not even trying to swim up to begin with.
Sam sat with his head in his hands.
Seeing Rachel go from cursing him out to leave her alone to gripping his hand as tight as she could in desperation for him to stay, haunted him.
They rushed Rachel into the E.R a while ago and still no one has come out.
It also didn't help that Shelby hasn't shown up yet and to top it all off Sam is paranoid that his father is lurking around every corner.
He's tried Shelby three times so far but nothing. He hadn't called his sisters nor Skylar because he knows come hell or high water they'd be at the hospital somehow and they were suppose to be hiding from their father. It's bad enough he's out and about without protection.
"Sam!"
Sam's head shot up in surprise at coach Sue marching toward him followed closely by Mr. Richards Shelby's lawyer. Sam jumped to his feet swollen red eyes and all as he rushed to Sue.
"I-"
"Don't say anything let's go." Sue said.
"Go? But Rachel-"
"Sam, Kevin has got Rachel-"
"Where's Shelby?"
"Now's not the time. I'll explain in the car."
"No, I-I can't leave Rachel. She needs me here."
"Sam, I told you Kevin will-"
"No! You don't understand. You weren't there. She begged me not to leave. I swore I wouldn't and I'm not going to and you can't make me. If Shelby can't be here then I understand but I'm not leaving Rachel behind and no one-not even my father is going to make me." Sam said fiercely.
His eyes maybe swollen and his jaw strong but the emotional attachment to Rachel could be heard clear as day. He wasn't budging and he meant it.
Sue and Kevin made eye contact. They both sighed.
"Okay, but you can't sit out here in public. We'll be escorted up to the room they plan to take Rachel to when they're done examining her. Kevin already made the call so let's go bud." Sue clapped him on the back as she guided him away.
None of them noticed the woman sitting in the corner watching and listening to the entire thing.
The woman watched them go and immediately pulled out her phone.
"Helen, you are not going to believe who I just saw in the E.R?"
"Who?"
"Sue Sylvester but she wasn't alone she was with some guy in a suit and they were talking with Samuel Fabray, you know, Judy and Russell's boy."
"Do you know who they were there for? Is it Judy? Because she hasn't been at bridge club in two weeks."
"I don't know but I do know he's refusing to leave and he mentioned someone named Rachel. Do you know a Rachel?"
"No, never heard of her."
"He also said someone named Shelby?"
"Shelby Morgan or Shelby Flowers?"
"I have no idea..."
After that phone call from Carol to Hellen. It went on from Helen to April and from April to Kathleen and the gossip tree of the Catholic church the Fabray's attended spread like wildfire with Shelby Morgan and Shelby Flowers both denying they were the ones being discussed by the Fabray boy and Sue Sylvester.
Unbeknownst to Sue that she was now going to be a suspect/target in Russell's pursuit of his family.
Skylar wait up!" Quinn called after her.
"I fucking hate her Quinn!"
"Sky-"
"No! She's a fucking selfish asshole and idiot!"
"I know."
"She had no right to speak to you that way!" Skylar growled as she wiped her tears angrily.
"I know that too."
"I wish I could bleach my brain so I never have to remember her ever again!"
"I get that."
"She's stupid and selfish and problematic and selfish-"
"You said that already."
"She's always so angry and moody and just has this blank look in her eyes like she's not even there!"
"Not always."
"Well she does with me! She hates me and I can see it! I feel it! I can see how much even me breathing air infuriates her!"
"Are we talking about Charlie or Rachel?"
"God why can't she see that what she does affects people! It's hurts okay!"
"I know, I know.. Come here." Quinn said as she pulled her first true best friend into a hug as Skylar began to sob.
"Let it out, I'm here okay? I'm here just let it out." Quinn said softly.
"Why did this have to happen to her?!" Skylar sobbed as her body shook uncontrollably.
"I don't know." Quinn sniffled in emotion.
The blonde understood that Skylar was so emotionally wrecked that she was talking about both Charlie and Rachel.
The two being so much alike it was hard to differentiate who her pain was deriving from.
Quinn sighed sadly before speaking. "I don't know why this happened to either of them. I don't know what to do to help them. None of us may ever know but what I do know is that you don't hate Charlie and you'll never forget Rachel. They are a part of you just as much as the rest of us. I know right now you're angry and so am I but we can't let that anger manifest to a false hate that would only rip this family apart. We are all each other has right now and maybe ever. I don't know if you feel the same way but to me I've grown to really care about you in a way that feels like your my little sister. I hope that's not weird?"
Skylar chuckled emotionally before shaking her head no. "I feel like your my sister too. I really appreciate you being here for me the last week. I know it might seem a bit much to most people but I feel like I gained family being around you guys."
Quinn smiled this radiate thing that really accentuated her beauty. "That means a lot to me. To be honest other than Rachel and sometimes my siblings I've never had a friend like you before and to know that I can fully trust you with all of this feels like I'm not so alone, you know?"
"Yeah, I feel the same way. Other than my mom I never told anyone about Rachel. I never felt safe enough to, if that makes sense?"
Before Quinn could reply they heard the grass rustle and soft footfalls then Charlie appeared. Quinn sighed tiredly and Skylar's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Can we talk?" Charlie sniffled.
"That depends, are you going to actually talk or get angry and storm off because you can't handle your own emotions?" Skylar sneered.
Charlie swallowed thickly. "I deserve that."
"You deserve more than that but seeing as how right now things are up in the air with Rachel-" Quinn began.
"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" Charlie asked confused.
"No, don't change the subject." Skylar demanded with folded arms and a no bullshit posture. "If you want to know we'll tell you but you have to talk first because I'm not doing this whole thing again, when you say you're going to talk but the second something comes up you switch up then shut down. So either you take this opportunity to share or don't bother trying again later because I sure as hell won't listen."
"She's right. My lips are sealed too until yours aren't." Quinn followed copying Skylar's posture as she also folded her arms in challenge.
Charlie took a deep breath. "Fine then take a seat. This might take a while."
"You swear to give full disclosure?" Skylar asked.
Charlie hesitated. "Y-Yes... I... " The blonde voice took on one of fear.
"I'm serious Charlie, if you can't then say you can't and we can end this here but if you can... Then I swear to give you all my patience and support in whatever compacity you need me to." Skylar promised.
The brunette's words alone were like a balm on Charlie's withered heart. It's been a while since she's heard any true sincerity come from Skylar let alone her attention when it wasn't on Quinn.
Charlie felt her vocal cords wobble and her lips tremble. "I want to but... It's really hard, you know?"
The thick emotion coupled with the rapidly watering eyes softened Skylar's resolve but she didn't want to fall for it. She didn't want to give in though it hurt not to.
"I understand." The brunette replied.
"It may be hard Char but it's harder carrying the burden of a secret alone. I know that just as much as you do. Look at the secret our family held because of our father. Yes, we had each other and that made it easier but the burden never truly lifted until we spoke our truth to Shelby because she was outside of our situation." Quinn added.
Charlie nodded her understanding of the truth. "I know and I've tried to speak about it but every time I do I feel this weight on my chest and the mem-memories... they... I-I don't want..." Charlie bit her lip as her eyes squeezed shut in silent anguish.
"You don't want what?" Quinn asked.
"I-I don-don't..." Charlie felt her breathing becoming erratic as she felt her anxiety building. Her body began to tremble as she crossed her arms in a protective manor.
Quinn and Skylar furrowed there brows in worry. The two exchanged a look and Quinn nodded toward Charlie and mouthe 'Remember what we agreed... Anything'
Skylar nodded she understood what Quinn meant. In the kitchen she agreed to do anything to get Charlie to confide in her but she didn't have to pretend to be nice because truth be told her body itself along with her heart had been aching to hold the blonde. She'd been wishing, hoping, and praying that she and Charlie can rebuild what they had before whatever happened changed Charlie. So right in this moment she finally will get to make contact physically with the blonde.
Skylar stepped forward and cupped Charlie's cheeks as she wiped her tears she spoke softly. "Baby, I'm right here."
Charlie whimpered not having heard anything like that from the brunette in so long.
"What are you trying to tell us? What is it you don't want?"
Charlie whimpered a response but her emotions were everywhere.
"Baby, I can't hear you. Can you speak up, please... for me."
"I-I don't wan-want you to be disgus-disgusted with me." Charlie cried and both Quinn and Skylar's eyes widened before furrowing in confusion.
Quinn decided to stay shut and let Skylar take the reigns. They needed the whole truth and she knew if she spoke it would break the spell Skylar had over her sister.
"Baby... I could never be disgusted with you. Don't you understand what you mean to me?" Skylar's voice had it's own wobble and Quinn could tell that she and Charlie both had forgotten that she was there.
It's in this small pocket of time that years from now Quinn will swear that this is the true moment that she knew the two were going to get married one day. That they displayed what true love looked like to her young inexperienced eyes.
Charlie shook her head as the tears became more harsh. Her mind began conjuring that night as she began to cry. "I'm sor-sorry I didn't know! I didn't know what he was pla-planning to d-do!"
"Who?" Skylar asked with desperate emotion.
"P-Puck, he-he said we were going to din-dinner with his parents and-" Charlie cut off as she choked for breath as her panic began to rise. "Ple-Please Sky, I didn't know!"
Skylar felt her own anxiety as the back of her mind began to piece together what she assumed weeks prior.
"It's okay, baby, don't worry I'm not mad at you. You can tell me." Skylar said softly as she stepped into Charlie's personal space and slid one arm around her waist as the other kept hold of her cheek. Her eyes tried to catch Charlie but the blonde had her head bowed in shame.
Quinn felt her nostrils flaring as she too understood what was being said without being said.
Her own tears fell in silent fury as she clenched her fists and her jaw doing her best to not move a muscle should she disturb the safe bubble Skylar had created.
"It-It's so hard!" Charlie cried.
"I know but sweetie as hard as it is, it can't beat us. Do you know why?"
Charlie shook her head no.
"Because you and me are forever and nothing and no one will get between us."
"You-You don't want m-me, you want B-Bianca!"
Skylar clenched her jaw as she felt anger toward herself in that moment.
Here Charlie was carrying such a painful secret that Skylar knows is exactly what she thinks it is and she had made Charlie feel unwanted because of her conversations with Bianca.
She damned herself and knew she had to rectify the situation immediately!
"I don't want Bianca, Charlie, I want you! It's always been you!"
Charlie shook her head as a war raged in her mind.
"You won't want me when you know..." Charlie whispered brokenly then slowly Skylar could see the change happen instantly as Charlie's tears stopped and she stared off into the distance.
"Know what, baby? Please tell me." Skylar pleaded as her emotions got the best of her.
"We-We were in his car and go-going to his parents house..." It was like a veil had come over Charlie. Her eyes became unfocused and her body went rigid, unmoving. It was clear her mind was taking her else where. It made a chill run up Skylar and Quinn's spine.
"He pulled over. It was so dark... There was no street lamp. I said: "Hey, I thought we were going to your house to have dinner. He said: "Change of plans, babe."
Quinn's eyes slammed shut as she clenching her jaw harder. Skylar did her best to keep the soft understanding look in her eyes when really the fury was building.
"I told him we need to stop but he shushed me and told me to "Just feel the moment, babe." I told him again we need to stop and tried to push him off but all he said was "You're so hot. you fe-feel so good." Charlie recited with a tremble in her voice.
"I said: "Puck, I'm serious. I'm not ready." and he said: "It's cool, babe, trust me." I begged... and I begged. I told him I swear I did. I said: Puck, please... Don't, I'm not ready!"
"And now every night when I'm dreaming I hear his voice. I hear my dad's voice. I hear the zipper of his jeans... I feel his gross, sweaty hands pawing at me."
Skylar felt the bile rise up her throat. Quinn was seething.
"If it wasn't for Rachel he would have taken my virginity-"
"Rachel?" Skylar asked in shock.
Quinn's eyes bulged. "What could Rachel possibly do to a guy as big as Puck?"
It was that moment that Charlie snapped back into focus as she remembered her sister was there and she herself was in Skylar's arms.
Charlie was hesitant with answering, she knew Rachel would be pissed if everyone knew she had saved her that day but Charlie didn't care because Rachel deserved the merit.
"Wh-When he was going to..." Charlie made a gesture with her hand to herself Quinn and Skylar nodded. "Rachel punched his window in with her fist."
Quinn and Skylar gasped in shock.
"What?!" (Skylar)
"How the hell?!" (Quinn)
"She grabbed him by the mohawk and pulled his head through the window and started punching him repeatedly in the face. I couldn't see well but then she opened the door and when he hit the ground she started kicking him and I still didn't know it was her. I just saw a black figure stomping him out. The next thing I knew my door was being opened and she held out her hand for me to take and so I did and we ran away together." Charlie explained as her silent tears fell.
Skylar and Quinn stared at Charlie in disbelief. Rachel of all people not only saved Charlie from the situation but took down the meat head herself.
"Oh my god.." Quinn said in awe as she wiped her tears that wouldn't stop, thinking of the brunette who wasn't there for her to thank.
Skylar had tears coming down her face as she stared back at Charlie. Her sister saved the girl she deeply cares for from a horrific event.
Yes, that was her sister being the warrior she's always been. Protecting even when she doesn't know the person. Skylar's lips trembled as she cupped Charlie's face.
The two made eye contact and held it.
"You see, baby..." Skylar whispered emotionally. "You're not disgusting. You're everything I still want and just as beautiful as you've always been."
Charlie's lips wobbled dangerously as the tears returned. "I'm.. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you."
"No, sweetie, don't be sorry. You were scared. That's all, okay? You took the first step to healing just now and I am so happy you did. Thank you for trusting us."
Charlie nodded as her tears fell more.
"Come here, baby." Skylar said softly as she pulled Charlie into a tight hug and the blonde cried harder as she felt the weight of the chains uncuff from her.
"Shhh-Shhh it's okay. We have you, right cap." Skylar said as she released her only to guide Charlie to Quinn.
"Yes, yes we do." Quinn replied as she pulled her sister into a tight hug. Charlie held on fiercely as she cried in her sister's arms and feeling like she could breathe for the first time in so long.