SKYLER, SAM AND CHARLIE.

"Hey!" Sam said with a smile coming up to Skyler. The brunette smiled back just as wide, happy to see her new friend. Sam had been coming over every few days for 3 and a half weeks.

They talked, played video games. Sam stood for dinner a few times (When Russell was away on busy and they ordered Take out) and he could honestly say, he'd never experienced a dinner like Shelby and Skyler's.

They were funny and goofed around. Still there was something off about them when a certain something would slip. Like Shelby saying 'Don't forget to save some for..' Than she'd cut herself off and her mood would shift.

Skyler would just nod but her mood would lower as well. He had no idea who they were talking about but he never asked questions. It wasn't his place, that was the only time he had seen any sadness in their eyes.

"So, this Friday?" Sam asked. Russell would be leaving for the weekend on business and Sam already asked his mom if he could hang out at his friends house for the day and she agreed. Skyler beamed.

"Hell yes!" Skyler said just than a voice called out Skyler's name.

The blonde and brunette turned around eyes searching the crowded hall than smiled at the approaching blonde. Charlie was making her way over from down the hall.

So far both girls thought the other was dating Sam and both unknowingly promised them selves to not mention anything about it and just let it play out. Sam engulfed the blonde in a too tight hug and Skyler kept her smile on her face though her chest flared in jealousy.

"Hey.." Charlie said as she let go of Sam and turn to Skyler with a smile. They weren't at the hugging stage, yet but both girls were dying to.

"Hey yourself. Where were you at lunch? I thought we were gonna go over our chem notes?" Skyler asked in disappointment.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I was helping Sammy with something." Charlie was helping Sam apply ointment and re gauze the cuts on his back from the beating he got from Russell a few days ago, for being 3 minutes late to dinner.

He lost track of time at Skyler's house. He was still sore and they were still fresh but just like Quinn, Charlie and Sam knew how to mask their pain with a calm smile.

Skyler felt her heart ache as her thoughts raged and spat with jealousy. 'Sammy? Guess they really are dating, though they look like they could be related.. gross.'

"It's cool, don't worry." Skyler replied smoothly. She was getting better at pretending not to be crushing on the blonde.

"So! I have Friday all clear, if you want to hang out. I thought maybe we could do a movie." Charlie said with a smile. Sam was about to speak when Skyler spoke.

"Actually, I already made plans with Sam. He was going to come over and hang out but! You are also invited seeing as how you never come over when I invite you because you Ms. Popular, are some how always busy." Skyler finished with a smile.

That was a lie, Charlie was never busy, she didn't even have any real friends other than San and Brit plus her siblings. She wasn't even dating anyone, Hell!, she's never even been kissed.

She just knew if she went to Sky's she'd lose track of time. She'd lose all coherent thought, actually. Skyler had that affect on her. She did not want to be late and have Russell practical murder her like he did Sam.

Sam may be a boy but Russell's height and weight over powered her little brother. That was proven the many times he was brave enough to fight back for the women in his house only to be beaten to a inch of his life.

Charlie looked apprehensive, she didn't want to cock block her brother but this was an entire weekend with no Russell around and she wanted to take full advantage.

"I don't want to impose." Charlie said. Sam threw his arm over her shoulder and smiled.

"Your not imposing, char. It's gonna be awesome and you'll love her mom. She's so cool." Sam said with enthusiasm.

Skyler was literally going to shoot herself. 'Char? Even their nicknames for each other are cute. Ugh! So freaking charming!.'

"Yeah, it'll be awesome, I promise." Skyler said taking Charlie's left arm and linking it with hers while Sam had his arm slung over her shoulder on her right. The trio walked the halls with everyone watching them in envy.

"If your both sure, than I'll be there." Charlie said with a smile causing Sam and Skyler to cheer and wolf whistle loud and obnoxiously, making Charlie giggle at their antics.

Quinn was down the hall and smiled at the three fools. She had been watching Skyler with her siblings over the last few weeks and was slowly warming up to the girl, though Skyler had no idea because Quinn never spoke a word to her.

She had to hand it to the brunette. Both of her siblings looked a lot more happy these days. Sam had told Quinn that he had been hanging out at Skyler's house almost all the time now.

Ever since Mike and Tina began dating Mike has always been busy with her and Sam no longer had anywhere to escape to after school to relax away from Russell.

He was stuck there like Charlie and Quinn but Skyler had changed that greatly. Quinn thought it was hilarious to watch her sister restrain herself from staring at the girl.

It was clear the two had a thing for each other but neither would say anything and she was pretty sure neither Sam or Charlie had remembered to mention to Skyler that they were actually siblings because it was common knowledge in Lima.

The Fabray triplets were well known. They probably assumed she already knew. Eventually, she'd figure it out. Quinn was just happy her siblings now had somewhere to escape. Skyler may not know it but she was bringing happiness into her siblings lives.


SKYLER AND RACHEL.

Friday night came quickly and Skyler was setting up her snacks and finger foods, For her friends. She already had told her mother all about Charlie and how she had the hugest crush on her but also that she might actually be Sam's girlfriend but didn't think her heart could take the answer right now to ask.

Just as she set down the tray Rachel rounded the corner on her way to the kitchen. Both girls froze in place. Skyler was gazing at her pleadingly while Rachel stared forward.

"Hey.." Skyler said softly. Silence followed.

"I'm not throwing a party or anything, just so you know. I'm just having 2 friends over. Your more than welcome t-to join us-if you want-I mean. No pressure I just..." Skyler sighed as Rachel said nothing.

Skyler's eyes couldn't hold in her tears anymore. "Ra-Rachel?.. What did I do? I-I-I don't know what I did. I don't know how to fix this. I m-miss you! I miss my sister! And I-" Before Skyler could say anything else Rachel turned on her heel and walked out of the house slamming the door behind her.

Skyler sunk to her knees crying as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I don't know what I did! I'm so sorry, Rachel!...Please come back.. I-I nee-need you.. I don't know what to do.." She sobbed out in a high pitch voice to an empty house.


RACHEL.

Rachel walked in anger. She felt so many emotions and couldn't make out what they were exactly.

She walked all the way to the river court taking her place again staring out at the water. Rachel was stewing in her rage and couldn't seem to quell the fire within her.

She wanted to scream, hit someone or something anything, really! Most of all the brunette just wanted January to come. That's all that she wanted.


SKYLER, CHARLIE ANS SAM.

After 20 minutes of crying. Skyler had gone upstairs to wash her face and remove all evidence of her tears. The door bell rang 15 minutes later. She took a deep breath, checked herself in the mirror and put on a big smile.

She pulled the door open and her heart ached at the sight, terribly so. Sam had his arm over Charlie's shoulder but Skyler kept her smile permanently in place.

"Hey! Come on in!" Skyler said.

Sam pulled her into a hug and walked in making him self at home. He was so use to being there he hadn't waited for the girls to follow. Charlie and Skyler smiled at each other.

The two hesitated but than embraced for the first time. Charlie's arms slid around Skyler's small waist smoothly. Both girls sunk into the hug. Eyes closing in satisfaction. They both took in each other's perfume and felt their heart finally settle.

"I'm glad you came." Skyler said softly.

"I'm glad you invited me." Charlie replied with the same tone.

Both girls released each other at the sound of Sam's shout from the living. "Come on guys! Your holding up game time!" The girls chuckled.

"Come on." Skyler said with a giggle being bold and grabbing Charlie's hand.

Charlie felt her heart stutter at the gesture. They walked through the house to the living room and Charlie understood what Sam was talking about on the way there. It did feel warm and cozy and... safe.

"Alright, So, as you can see, I made finger foods and snacks. If it's gross, I'm sorry we don't have cookbooks. I just you tubed how to make them. After our game time, I thought we could watch a movie. I don't know what time you two have to be home, so it's up to you." Skyler finished.

"Oh, our mom already said it was cool. We could stay out as long as we want." Sam said already scarfing down food.

Skyler's eyes widened in shock. 'Wait! Did he just say?'

"I'm sorry.. I think I misunderstood you. What did you just say?" Skyler ask her entire body thrumming with anticipation. Could it be that their not dating?! 'Oh please! Oh please! Oh please!' Skyler thought anxiously.

"I said our mom said it's cool." Sam repeated.

"Your mom? As in your seperate mother's or as in a shared mother?" Skyler ask. Charlie and Sam looked at her confused.

"As in our mother." Charlie confirmed. "As in we only have one." Charlie's eyebrows reached her hairline and Sam's did the same as Skyler keeled over in full bellied laughter.

Charlie smiled and watched Skyler adoringly not noticing that Sam was now looking at Charlie funny until a moment of clarity hit him. Than his eyes lit up in understanding of his sister's crush on Skyler.

"What may I ask is so funny, Sky?" Charlie said with the Fabray eyebrow arch. It was good but the only one whose was a perfect sculpt was Quinn's. She even put the owner of the genetic trait (their mother's) to shame.

"I'm.. I'm sor-sorry.." Skyler said wiping her tears trying to quell her laughter. Her cheeks were flushed and she was breathless. "But all this time, I thought you and Sam were a.. a couple." She struggled out causing Sam to choked on his soda spluttering and coughing.

Charlie made a disgusted face and was staring at her with wide eyes that caused the brunette to succumb to more peals of laughter. Than Charlie remembered her own question.

"Wait! I thought you two were dating!" Charlie said causing Skyler to stop laughing and stare at her as if she were crazy before falling into a fit of laughter again. Soon Charlie followed suit along with Sam. After a few more minutes the laughter died down.

"Why did you think we were dating?" Skyler ask.

"Because you two have done nothing but hang all over each other in the hallways and your always huddled by your locker whispering, not to mention Sam literally comes here any chance he can get. What did you expect me think? That's why I wasn't sure if I could come. I didn't want to cock block my own brother." Charlie said

"First of all. Sam has become one of my best friends and he has graciously allowed me to 'hang all over him' as you so eloquently put it, to keep the boys from trying to sniff up my skirt. In fact, I feel like he's my brother. We usually are walking together because we discuss game strategies and while were at my locker, I'm letting him borrow very important material that if anyone else saw they might try to steal from my locker." Skyler said.

Charlie raised her eyebrow in silent question. The girls haven't realized how well they've manage to developed silent communication.

"No way! I'm not telling you. You'll think I'm a loser." Skyler said and even though it couldn't be possible it seemed like Charlie's eyebrow raised a fraction more.

The brunette felt her resolve slipping. "Fine! It's my special first addition comics! Are you happy now!" Skyler caved in anguish.

Sam burst into laughter at Skyler blocking her eyes with her hands in embarrassment and Charlie's eyebrow dropped as a smile blossomed on her face, thinking how adorable the brunette was acting before realizing of what Skyler actually said. Charlie's eyes widened the size of saucers.

"Wait! Hold on! You've been holding out on me?!" Charlie shrieked surprising Skyler.

"Huh?" Skyler ask in confusion.

"Dude, she has totally been holding out on you. She has Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Supergirl, Ironman, Thor!" Sam listed the names and the more he said the more Charlie's eyes shined with eagerness.

Skyler finally understood. 'She love comics, too.. We're a match made in comic heaven.. Marry me.' Skyler thought dreamily.

"Ok, I want to see them, please? I will do whatever you want, whenever you want but please can I read them?" Charlie ask in a needy eager baby voice but somehow still serious.

Skyler was no match for that face and that voice. 'Hmmm... Anything and everything I want? I want you to be my girlfriend and future wife, would you be willing?' Skyler rolled her eyes in her head as she realized how pathetic she sounded even in her own thoughts.

"Sammy, the game is all yours. I have to bless Charlie's eyes with my goods." 3 pairs of eyes widened for 3 different reasons.

One in humor: Sam, One in embarrassment: Skyler and One in surprise and lust: Charlie. "Th-That came out wrong. I-I didn't mean it like that-I mea-" Skyler's rising panic was cut off by a soft chuckle and a hand on her wrist.

"I know what you meant, now show me your goods, Corcoran." Charlie said with a raised amused eyebrow and a smirk. Skyler swallowed thickly. Sam was already playing the game zoned out. So, Skyler stood up and Charlie followed both not realizing that they were still holding hands.

The two ascended the stairs with Skyler leading the way. Charlie was in heaven by not only having the knowledge that Skyler was not Sam's girlfriend but that she could also check out the brunette without any guilt and right now Skyler's ass was in her line of sight and damn was it glorious.

The blonde felt her mouth dry at the way it swayed as Skyler climbed the stairs. She licked her dry lips and did her best to get her hormones in check. She was a girl for goodness sakes not a stupid boy.

As they reached Skyler's room Charlie immediately understood what Sam had meant when he Skyler was holding out because it was everything Charlie could only dream of having.

There were not only autographed gaming posters but action figures in glass casings. Several book shelves that housed hundreds of comics.

Her TV was dead center with a shelf holding each individual console from the first Atari to Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis up to all the XBOX consoles and PLAYSTATIONS in order from the first console to the current.

It was Disney land to Charlie. The room was huge and so was the brunettes California king bed. Skyler was definitely spoiled. The Fabray triplets were considered one of the wealthy kids in Lima but if anyone stepped into the Corcoran home.

They'd know that the Fabray's, McIntoshe, Lopez and Pierce families had nothing on the Corcoran's. Charlie began walking around the room and taking in it's comfort. She felt so safe in that moment.

She looked over to the California king and immediately wanted to lay on it with Skyler holding her but she supposes that would only be in her dreams.

"So.. What do you think?" Skyler ask self consciously. She had been watching Charlie for any reaction but the blonde was quiet in her assessment. Charlie glanced at the brunette and smiled at her.

"I love it! I wish I could stay in here forever.." Charlie said wistfully.

'Please stay..' Skyler thought to herself.

"Well.. If you want you could spend the night.. I'm sure my mom won't mind." Skyler spoke hesitantly.

Charlie wanted to. She really did but she didn't trust herself alone with Skyler. She might do something like try to hold the girl in bed or worse kiss her because she wouldn't be able to handle being around the brunette especially if said brunette was in her pajamas.

She couldn't fathom how much of her drool it would take to ruin the beautiful mahogany floors.

"I wish I could but my mom is still expecting us home because we have to be ready for tomorrow morning." Charlie lied.

"Oh.. Ok well, it's cool. How about some vintage comics?" Skyler suggested.

"Definitely!" Charlie replied with excitement.


THE FABRAY MANOR, QUINN..

Quinn sat on her bed with 'The Count of Monte Cristo' Spread open in her lap. It was one of her favorite books.

The house was quiet. Her mom was at a church meeting. Her siblings were both at Skyler's house and Russell was on a business trip.

Though, she was safe from Russell at the moment. It still felt oppressive and unsafe. She felt lonely and sad with herself. She didn't have any where to escape to.

Santana and Britney were at Santana's house for the night definitely making out or more and she didn't want to be a 3rd wheel to their love sick mooney eyes.

She definitely did not want to be any where near her boyfriend because she didn't actually like him as a person. Not for the first time has she realized how alone she actually is.

She felt that feeling again. That feeling that always crept up on her in silence. Why was she still here. She had nothing to live for and to be honest she was tired of living a lie.

Living a life that was being directed by someone else. She wasn't free to be who she wanted to be or is and she's pretty sure Russell was not paying her way through college.

The more she sat and thought about how horrible her life is the more she itched with the feeling to end it. The blonde slammed her book shut and hopped out of the bed and got dressed quickly.

The knowledge of being home alone was just too tempting and would be easy enough to do it without being interrupted but she wouldn't do that to her mother or siblings and she didn't want to give Russell the satisfaction of getting rid of her permanently.

The blonde rushed down the stairs and bounded out the door as she ran into the darkening evening for a long run. She would fight this. She won't hurt her family just because she's too weak to keep going, at the moment.

She has to keep living because there was no way that god put her on this earth just to be Russell's punching bag. There had to more than this. There had to be happiness somewhere in the distance that she wasn't seeing.

There had to be a reason for her to live but god just herself wasn't enough to live for at this point.


RACHEL AND QUINN.

Rachel was walking still a ball of anger. She couldn't figure out why she felt what she felt and she couldn't explain why it hurt to even look at her sister. She knows why she's angry with life in general in a way but at the same time she's conflicted over the past.

It's not Skyler's fault and logically Rachel knows that but at the same time it wasn't fair. How did they end up living the same life but she got the shitty end of it. How had protecting her baby sister cause her to suffer the consequences. It wasn't right and it wasn't fair.

Every time she looked at her sister she felt anger so she stopped looking at her but for the brief moments that she had accidentally made eye contact she would be hit with unrelenting emotions. Emotions that had been building for years.

She hated the way she felt. She hated Shelby. She hated her fathers for Being gay. She hated Skyler for making it through life easier than she had.

Not to say Skyler didn't go through it with her but Rachel had made sure her baby sister went barely scathed through it all until she didn't have to protect her anymore and it's like Skyler doesn't get how fucked up it is.

Rachel knows that she can't put all the blame on her sister because she chose to protect her.

It was Rachel's conscious choice but that didn't mean it didn't happen and she can't for the life of her get over the fact that Skyler seems perfectly fine and was saved from the horrors that Rachel had experienced because Rachel had saved her from it.

Just as Rachel rounded the corner she collided with a strong body but was caught around the waist before she could hit the ground. She didn't even look up, she just shoved aggressively on instinct and continued on walking without a word.

Quinn's eyes widened as she realized who she had just run into. It was the kid from school and though she wanted to ask if they were ok. The strong firm shove she received, prevented her from doing so.

She watched as the lone figure walked. From what she could tell, the body was tense and rigid though the hoodie was thick. You could see in the way the kids posture was.

Quinn sighed, maybe another time. When the kid didn't seem so angry. The blonde turned away from the figure and continued on her run. Feeling a pull to run in the opposite direction to follow the hoodie person.

The blonde ignored her instinct, though and went on her way. Her thoughts of killing her self were replaced with the kid from school and what had caused them to be so upset?


THE CORCORAN RESIDENTS..

Charlie, Skyler and now Sam were all in the brunettes room engrossed in comics. It was Skyler who yawned before stretching causing Charlie be distracted by the slither of skin peeking out.

The blonde cleared her throat and stood up quickly. Charlie knew if she didn't get out of there soon she'd cross the line. It had been hard all evening spending time with the brunette.

Her laugh, her smile, the way she looked at her with a soft warm gaze was intoxicating. If Sam had not interrupted them by asking to join in on comic time. Charlie's more than sure she would have kissed Skyler.

The blonde knew there was no way she'd be able to stay over alone with the brunette feeling how she felt. So she pretended to yawn herself.

"Well, I hate to say it but I'm beat. I think it's time we head home now. It's getting late." Charlie spoke and Sam stood up as well and nodded his agreement.

"Yeah, thanks for having us over Skyler, we had fun." Sam said with a smile. Skyler smiled in return and hugged him.

She than turned to Charlie with a pout that wreaked havoc on the blonde. "Are you sure you can't stay over?" Skyler ask with said pout still on display but Charlie's fear of her gay showing and possibly attacking one of her only friends won out.

"I'm sorry but I can't, buuut.. I will definitely be up for hanging out tomorrow, if your not busy?" Charlie ask and Skyler's eyes lit up.

"Yes!" Skyler replied happily.

In her giddiness she didn't stop to think about it and launched herself into the blondes arms. Her arms wrapping around the taller girls neck as a surprised Charlie wrapped her arms around Skyler's tiny waist and her eyes shut at the feeling of holding the girl of her dreams in her arms.

The two held each other longer than necessary before Skyler realized what she was doing. She cleared her throat in embarrassment and blushed as she nervously chuckled.

"I'll um.. I'll walk you guys to the door." Skyler spoke awkwardly.

Charlie was fighting the urge to blush while Sam smiled big and cheesy at the obvious mutual attraction but since he was a gentleman he kept his mouth shut.

As they got to the door Sam hugged Skyler one more time before saying good night and walked to his car. It was just Skyler and Charlie and both girls were nervous.

Skyler scoffed her shoe on the ground as she crossed her arms nervously. Charlie swallowed thickly she too was feeling uncertain because she wanted to hug the brunette one last time but didn't know how she would go about it with it coming off as weird, gay or needy.

"So um.. What time will you be stopping by tomorrow?" Skyler ask.

"Whatever times good for you.." Charlie replied as she dug her hands in her pockets. Silence engulfed them.

"Well.. What time is good for you?" Skyler ask.

"Anytime." Charlie replied. The girls made eyes contact before giggling and looking away. Skyler bit her lip and decided to take the plunge. They were friends and she should be able to hug her friend.

"This is silly.. I just.. Well.." Skyler struggled. She knew what she wanted to say but didn't know how to verbalize it with out coming off as a clingy, needy girlfriend to one of her only two friends.

"What is it?" Charlie ask softly.

"Listen.. Your my friend." Skyler started and Charlie nodded for her to continue. "And well.. I'm a very affectionate person and I don't want to make you uncomfortable but.. I.."

"Yes?" Charlie ask eager to hear what she hopes she's about to hear.

"I want to be able to hug you-like all the time because I'm an affectionate person like I said-but I don't want you to feel lik-" Skyler was cut off when she felt strong arms encircle her waist as a soft delicate jaw rested on her shoulder.

Her arms automatically wrapped around the blondes slender neck and their bodies flushed completely together in such an intimate way that both girls melted into it's intimacy not wanting to ever let go.

"You can hug me whenever and how ever long you want to.. You never have to ask because I want to hug you all the time too.." Charlie whispered in her ear so softly the brunette felt it down her back and into her toes causing her body to hum and relax all at once.

This girl had no idea what she was putting Skyler through but Skyler never wanted it to end.

"Ditto.." Skyler whispered.

The two held each other a lot longer than necessary once again. Before Charlie began to let go and Skyler whimpered internally not wanting to release the blonde just yet.

Charlie wasn't fairing any better as she felt Skyler's hands slowly slide down her arms until they only had contact through their hands as they gazed into each others eyes.

"Goodnight.." Skyler whispered. Charlie stepped forward and placed a gentle kiss to the brunettes forehead causing Skylers eyes to shut softly at the contact. The blonde pulled away and smiled softly at the brunette.

"Goodnight.." She whispered back before turning on her heel and heading for Sam's car. Leaving a weak at the knees Skyler in her wake. Skyler had a dreamy look on her face as the twins pulled out waving good bye to her. Skyler waved back in return. She couldn't erase the feeling within her even if she tried.