JUDY AND SHELBY.

Shelby and Judy had been talking and laughing all morning. They reminisced about all the trouble they use to get into. Which boy they thought were pervs and who they had secret crushes on.

It was fun and light but Shelby had finally waited as long as she could to ask the question that has been on her mind for the last 16 years. Judy was in the middle of telling of funny story why Shelby blurted it out nervously.

"And I thought he was s-"

"Why did you leave me without saying goodbye!" Shelby said in a rush.

Judy's eyes widened in surprise before they softened at the resurfaced insecure teenager that was shining in Shelby's eyes and out in the form of her body language. Judy watched Shelby sadly for a moment as the brunette started going on a nervous ramble like she use to when they were kids.

"I-I know I shouldn't care because your here now bu-but I can't. I mean, you just left! One minute you were there then the next you were gone with no explanation! And Elise Kane told me, you were sick of having to hold my hand like the needy brat that I was! It-It hurt Jay! It fucking hurt and no one would tell me where you were! I looked everywhere for you and I even went to your house but they said that you said to tell me to stay away from you and that your not gay! That I should stop trying to convert you with my behavior! I was shocked and you weren't there to prove them wrong! It was hard not to believe that it was true an-" Shelby rambled as her emotions and thoughts of 16 years bled out uncontrollably. Her tears already cascading from the over powering emotions she felt.

"It wasn't.." Judy cut in softly. Her eyes welled with tears at the cruelty that was thrown at Shelby when she wasn't around. "None of that was true because you weren't some needy brat to me. You were my best friend.. I didn't leave you by choice."

"What?.." Shelby whispered in confusion.


QUINN AND SANTANA.

"Damn, this shit is real." Santana said closing the book she had just been covering. Quinn and Santana have been at the library for a total of 5 hours now. Santana has taken to asking random questions with Quinn answering with what she could by memory of what she's already read.

So far, she's feeling a little better about her promise. She's not completely informed but she knows in a few weeks time she'll have everything memorized and know the signs to watch out for.

"Yeah." Quinn replied with a shake of her head.

"Well, chica, I think it's safe to say, you have your work cut out for you. This pregnancy thing is one hell of a rolling coaster." Santana said.

"True but at least she's about to hit 5 months. So I don't think she'll have morning sickness." Quinn replied.

"Amen." Santana said with a sigh standing up. "Hey, I've gotta go. I'm suppose to meet Britney in a few but if you ever need any help with anything else give me a call." Santana said. It was only when they were in private that she showed this side of herself.

"Thanks san, I appreciate all the help today and please-"

"Don't worry, Q. Your secrets safe with me. I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you."

Santana gave a nod than turned on her heel and left. Quinn sighed to herself. She stood up collecting the books she was going to borrow from the library and left the rest were they were. As she left the library she smiled.

She felt good about this and couldn't wait to put her practicing support to work. She already had a list of things in her head that she wanted to do but had to figure out how to go about doing them.


SAM AND MERCEDES.

Sam walked Mercedes to her door. He was nervous but felt completely happy. He couldn't wipe the smile from his face if he tried.

"So, I hope you had fun." Sam said.

"I did. Did you?" Mercedes said bashfully nervous.

"Yes, very much actually." Sam replied.

"So.. I guess this is goodbye than.." Mercedes said feeling like this would be the last time she'd ever get to speak to her crush ever again. Mercedes turned on her heel to her front door.

"Tomorrow!" Sam blurted out than rolled his eyes at himself.

Mercedes turned around slightly with a furrowed brow of confusion. "What?"

Sam swallowed thickly as his nerves were beginning to tremble so he stuffed his hands in his dress pants. "I was wondering if maybe, if your not to busy that is, you'd maybe like to uh.. maybe hang out tomorrow outside with me outside tomorrow.." Sam trailed off feeling completely embarrassed by his utter failure and word vomit. He didn't see Mercedes eyes shine at the request because he had bowed his head in shame for a moment before looking back up.

"No."

"N-No?" Sam ask sadly.

"No, I'm not busy I mean! I would love to hang out tomorrow." Mercedes replied.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Ok. I'll uh.. I'll pick you up around 6? We could see a movie and maybe get dinner after, if you want to that is?" Sam ask as his eyes shined. He was glowing.

"Ok."

"Ok. I guess I'll see you tomorrow than?"

"Definitely."

"Ok. Have a good evening, Mercedes." Sam said with a full blown charming smile.

"You too, Sam." Mercedes said as she stepped into her house.

The second Mercedes passed through her door and it shut behind her, she did a happy dance and was doing her best to hold in her squeal should Sam hear her on the other side. Sam had already hopped into his car and began driving but was letting out his own private 'WooHoo's' and 'Yes!' He felt like he was on cloud 9.


CHARLIE AND SKYLER.

Charlie sat with supportive eyes. As Skyler licked her lips to continue. "I can't discuss how we ended up in foster care yet because it's too hard right now." Skyler said.

"You don't have to tell me anything. I understand." Charlie said taking Skyler's hand in her own. The two were sat cross legged in front of each other on the picnic blanket. Skyler swallowed thickly.

"I want to.. I want to tell you because you've shared so much with me already." Skyler replied.

"It's not a competition. You don't owe me anything." Charlie assured.

"I know but I trust you completely, your my best friend and I love you. I never told anyone about this not even my mother because I didn't want to hurt her more than she was already hurting." Skyler finished.

Charlie nodded finally understanding what Skyler meant. She needed to talk about it, the same way Charlie needed to tell her truth. This was Skyler's truth.

"I'm here for you always." Charlie said kisses the back of the brunettes hands. Skyler smiled sadly because she felt her past already gripping her heart before she even spoke. The brunette licked her lips.

"When we were kids Rachel was always more bolder than I was, more brave. She had this way about her. She was who she was whether you liked it her or not. She always had to be center stage in everything."

"She was straight forward and blunt even when she was trying to be polite or supportive, it came off as rude, obnoxious and bossy. Kids would tease her about her nose, clothes, anything really and she wouldn't back down. She'd never let them see her cry when they hurt her feelings, she always waited until she was alone or when she thought I was sleeping. She'd just tell them she would be a Broadway star one day just like our mommy." Skyler said with a proud smile. Charlie smiled back.

"I however, always tried to blend into the back ground and never wanted attention directed at me because it made me nervous. I wasn't strong enough to hold in my tears like Rachel. So, I always cried when I was teased, that just made me an even bigger target. Rachel would always come to my rescue though she was tinier than me." Skyler said with a wistful giggle, that made a teary eyed Charlie smile.

She could see the love, respect and adoration shining in Skyler's eyes as she spoke about her big sister and Charlie understood it completely because that's exactly how she felt about Quinn.

"We were 7 when it happened. One minute we were living a beautiful, happy life in a loft in New York. The next we were in some strangers house living in hell. At first we would only get screamed at by whoever was our foster parents or parent at the time but than.."

"It t-turned into spanking that turned into beatings. Rachel would drag me to the room and lock the door when she knew one of the foster mother's we were living with at time was really drunk. She'd make us change our clothes."

"By the time our foster mom would get the door open. She'd be even more angry and since she was so drunk, she couldn't tell us apart other than by our clothing.." Skyler said and Charlie could literally see the weight of the words beginning to weigh down on the brunette as she spoke.

"Rachel would take my beatings every time she could and I would cry and beg for her to stop hitting Rachel. After she was done Rachel would come to me in pain and console me."

"She would tell me 'Don't worry, mommy's going to come for us and when she does, she'll get all of them in trouble, She'll take us away from here. You'll see. I know she will.'

"That was Rachel mantra. She'd always say our mother was coming but.. mom didn't. It went on like that one way or another where ever we went and sometimes we'd get sent back to the same people."

"Sometimes we'd awol which means we'd run away for days. We camped out in front of the airport or the trains or bus stations. Rachel would watch the people exiting hoping one of them was our mother looking for us until we'd get spotting by a police officer and brought back to foster care." Skyler swallowed thickly.

"They eventually started separating us. Don't ask me how but Rachel would always somehow find were they placed me. One day my foster father, who was a drunk and on something, I don't know what, but I saw him take these pills from a small bag."

"There was no bottle. Now, I know it was drugs because I understand what those tiny bags are used for. Anyway, he was pissed and just went into a rage because I accidentally knocked over his liquor bottle."

"His wife wasn't home and neither was the other kid who was a teenager and in foster care like me." Skyler licked her lips and took a ragged breathe.

"He chased me but slipped on the liquor on the floor. I made it to my room just barely because I grabbed the cordless phone when I ran. I locked the door and crawled under the bed.." Skyler sniffled as her mind began to play the events that had changed her and Rachel's path's in life even more.

"I dialed the number to where Rachel was currently housed That Rachel taught me. Rachel always answered the phone just in case it was me who calls. I remember feeling like I couldn't breathe because I was so scared."

"The phone finally picked up and it was Rachel. I told her what happened as fast as I could. I was crying so bad she could barely understand me. She told me to climb out the window and just when I went to climb out from under the bed."

"The door was kicked open and I screamed. I heard Rachel's voice but didn't hear what she said. He grabbed me by my legs and pulled me out from under the bed." Skyler whimpered out and Charlie was in tears. The blonde felt her heart clench and almost didn't want to hear the rest.

"He started screaming in my face and hitting me but it wasn't slaps it was his fist. I remember feeling nauseous and than everything went black. When I woke up... I-It was to somebody shaking me awake."

"It was Rachel and she was frantic and trying to get me to stand. She was crying. My vision was a little off because at the time though I had no idea I was bleeding from my head... But it was seeing the unmoving body of my foster father on the ground with blood around his head that I really woke up."

"Rachel told me not to look. She grabbed my hand an ushered me out the window. I could barely walk but Rachel said not to worry that we' were going to find mom. She had packed a bag of my clothes."

"I asked her what did she do to him and she said she did what she had to, to get him off me. That it was her job to protect me.. Always and forever." Skyler whimpered as her vocal cords shook with anguish. Skyler felt enamored with her sister just thinking about it. Rachel was so strong and brave that day.

"I don't know how long we had been walking but a police car came up behind us. By than I was more coherent. We ran but I was obviously slower. Another car came and we decided to split up."

"Rachel didn't want to but I told her I would slow her down but at least if we split up one of us could find mom, if the other was caught. We hugged briefly but promised to meet at our hiding spot where we always meet up when we awol."

It was in central park. She told me to be careful and that she'd be waiting.. She said she loved me than we separated." Skyler said wiping her tears that wouldn't stop.

"I must have been running the wrong way or I wasn't fast enough because they caught me. I was brought to the hospital and treated. I stood in the hospital for 2 weeks."

"The doctors brought the police in and they started asking me questions about my foster father. I told him what he would do to me and how he beat me. They asked me who was in the house with me at the time I was beaten but I told the time, no one but me and him. I told them that everything went black after he punched me in the face." Skyler shook her head. Her eyes down cast as she was engulfed in sadness.

"After that, they left me alone. I kept asking for my sister but no one would answer me. Finally, after I was in the clear to be released. My social worker told me I wouldn't be going back into that foster home but that I would be sent upstate instead."

"I didn't know what that meant at the time but I was happy to not be going back. She also told me the reason was being sent upstate was because there was an investigation."

"My foster father was dead and that they believe it was murder. She said that I need to tell the police who was in the house with me at the time because it was important. When she told me that I froze I was terrified."

"My sister.. It was my sister. How could I tell them that. How could I explain that my sister had come to protect me and that she didn't mean it. When I asked where my sister was again, she finally told me that they didn't know. That they have been searching for days but haven't found her yet." Skyler said with anguish.

"When I was brought upstate. It was the most scary place I had ever been to. The kids were mean and cruel. I got bullied and beat up all the time. A few girls put gum in my hair while I was sleeping and they had t-to shave my head.." Skyler whimpered as the memories hit her hard. Charlie wasn't able to stop the waves of tears she had cascading down her face.

"I was only there for 2 months but it felt like an eternity in hell. I was always crying for Rachel, for my parents, anyone to save me because I was losing all hope to even breathe."

"I had no one. Not one friend. One morning I was sat in my bed wide awake. I couldn't ever sleep because I was too paranoid. I lost even more weight than before and only about, 2 inches of my hair had grown back. I was called from my room and walked down the halls to the main corridor. I froze when I saw her.." Skyler spoke her vocal cords quivering.

"My mom.. Sh-She came. After all that time she came. I thought I was dreaming. I was scared to move toward her. She herself was in tears and she cried out the most gut wrenching sob when she saw me."

"It wasn't until she pulled me into her arms and I could touch her, smell her.. That I felt like it was real. I was released into her custody. My last name was changed to Berry-Corcoran it was suppose to be an easy transition. She was my mother, my protector. I should have been happy but I was different after that..." Skyler said her eyes unfocused as her mind swam with memories she hadn't spoke about in years.

"I was depressed and I had no real will do to anything. I was also angry with her, My mom I mean, because we waited... We had waited Charlie.. and Rachel with her unwavering faith in our mother had waited with absolution in her heart but she didn't come right away like we thought she would. She didn't save us in time. Rachel was gone..." Skyler cried her lips trembling.

"A missing persons report was put out on my sister after 24 hours of her missing but 2 months later they still couldn't find her and when I was told that, I lost myself completely."

"It wasn't until one night, I heard my mother on the phone crying while she talked to some one that the word 'Dead' stole the breath from my lungs. I felt paralyzed."

"It had never occurred to me that Rachel could be dead and I blamed myself because if I had taken my beating like Rachel always did for me, this never would have happened..." Skyler's whole body began to tremble and Charlie was biting her lip to keep her cries in.

"B-But I called her because I was scared and she came to save me like she always did. In my mind, I was the reason she was gone but I felt that she wasn't dead. Something in me told me she wasn't."

"Call it a twin thing but I just knew. It was two weeks of my silence and zombie like behavior that my mom took me to a child psychiatrist. I had to see Dr. Wells for 3 years straight before I started to come out of my shell."

"It was that bad, they had to put me on meds. I had nightmares, I was paranoid. I wouldn't eat or sleep. Loud noises made me jump out of my skin. I was a wreck but eventually I made it through... My mother with the permission from Dr. Wells finally had explained to me why she hadn't been there to get us when everything happened."

"I didn't understand. I was still mad at her at first but as I got older I understood. It's crazy how some things can just happen in the blink of an eye. That's why I try to make each moment count because you never know when life will attack you without notice."

"It took one year Charlie.. From the age of us being 7 to just 4 months after our 8th birthday of us being in foster care and that's how much damage had been done."

"Not to say that there were no happy endings for some kids who got adopted into great families because they're were kids that got lucky. It's just that we weren't.. And now my sister won't even look at me and I-I'm starting to feel l-like I did back then!" Skyler sobbed out.

Charlie pulled the crying brunette into her arms consoling her the best she could. Charlie's tears were running full force for the Berry-Corcoran family. She couldn't believe it.

Just by seeing Shelby and Skyler's relationship you would never guess that all that had happened but you never really know what lurks in the darkest corners of some ones closet. She should know..


JUDY AND SHELBY.

Judy took a deep shaky breath than licked her dry lips. "Do you remember in the middle of junior year. When we were at the skating rink and you ran into some one you knew? I'm not sure from where but.. They had talked you that day and they said knew were your brother was, that he was in another town in Ohio." Judy said and Shelby nodded in silence.

"The guy told you he ran into him at a mall. He had given you the name of the town and mall. You were so anxious and excited to find him that you left that night to go to Ashland to find him. You were gone for almost a month."

"You didn't call or answer any of my calls or texts. I had no idea where you were or if you were ok. I was worried sick." Judy said with disappointment and sadness in her eyes and Shelby felt the scold even though said scold was 16 years old and she wasn't a teenager but a grown woman but that's the affect Judy had on her.

"I tried to go back to the way I use to be. Before I met you. I hung out with the squad, went on more dates with Russell and ate lunch at the cheerios table but even though I was surrounded by all those people, I felt completely alone."

"I felt like half of me was missing and I couldn't get the ache in my heart to stop hurting so much, because I missed you." Judy said with tears and Shelby felt remorse.

"I went to a party with Russell and was annoyed with being there. They were all the fake. There was no genuine conversation happening or kind jokes or anything like we had."

"Russell had told me that I should stop wasting my time worrying about you because if you actually gave a damn about me, you would have called to check on me. That I should get over you." Judy said shaking her head.

"I started to believe you weren't coming back and I'm ashamed to say that his words were starting to make me question if it were true. Should I get over you?Because it had already been two weeks without so much as a text from you."

"I started picturing you in my head finding your brother and forgetting all about me. That you were happy some where, were you didn't have to listen to the sad, pathetic rich girl complain about her life and being clingy." Judy said with a scoff. Shelby's eyes rounded in sadness as she shook away those false words.

"That's not true." Shelby said desparately.

"I know." Judy replied than continued.

"So, that night at the party I drank for the first time in my life. I don't remember much but I know I definitely partied too hard. I was with Russell so I assumed I was safe."

"A week and half later you turned up. You were devastated and had told me everything that had happened and why you hadn't been able to call. You had been in such in a rush, you left your cell behind in your locker and we both know how hard it is for you to remember numbers." Judy said with a small smile and Shelby giggled as she rolled her eyes.

"I felt like complete crap, for doubting you. You were falling to pieces and I was trying to hold you together, so I hadn't noticed my own dilemma. I hadn't gotten my period."

"I brushed it off as stress and focused on you but than another month came and I started feeling sick and achy. Finally I took a home pregnancy test and there it was. Positive." Judy said and Shelby's eyes widened.

"I was terrified. I was terrified to come to you. I knew if I did, you'd murder Russell because you always wanted to protect me and my chances of getting out of my parents house and away from Lima."

"My future was important to you the way your future was important to me.." Judy said as she wiped her tears and Shelby nodded silently in agreement as she wiped her own. The two women had a pact. They were going to make it out of Lima together come hell or high water.

"I kept it a secret but you noticed some thing was off about me and asked several times. I knew you could tell I was lying but you never pushed me. I didn't tell Russell or anyone. It wasn't until he and I were arguing over the fact that I had not been giving him enough attention ever since you came back, that he found out." Judy shook her head again with a sigh.

"I was going to walk away from him but he grabbed me by the waist and his hand had palmed my stomach. He felt the tiny swell of my belly. You couldn't really see it through my cheerios top yet but it was there. He stared at me and I felt like he was seeing right into my soul. I started crying and when I said I was pregnant he just.." Judy shook her head as her tears began to fall harder now, her face took on one of anger.

"Fucking smiled." Judy spat. Shelby's eyes widened at the blondes change in demeanor and the curse word coming from her in such a way. Almost sounding like hate. Shelby sniffled as she did her best to quell her tears. She needed to be strong right now because it was clear as day that Judy had been holding this in for quite some time.

"He wrapped his arms around me and told me not to worry that he'd take care of it and that he loved me. Once he knew, I went looking for you every where in school but I guess you ditched the rest of the day. When school let out, Russell took me home. I went straight to my room. I called your phone but you didn't answer so I left a voi-" Judy was cut off by a shocked Shelby.

"Voicemail.." Shelby whispered with wide eyes. "I remember it. You said it was important.. really important, to call you back. You said that you were so scared..." Shelby spoke as her voice shook with the words that were burned into her memory. Judy nodded as she wiped her tears. Judy continued and Shelby was frozen with rapt attention.

"After I left the voicemail. I sat on my bed crying. I don't know how much time had past but my father called me down stairs. When I went I froze on the spot. There on the couch was Russell and he had this satisfying look on his face that I just wanted to slap off. He was there with his parents. He had told my parents everything without my permission." Judy said with anger in her voice.

"He had spoken to his parents as well. The next thing I know I was told to pack my things immediately because I was being sent to Akron to live with my grandparents. My dad said we couldn't have people seeing me pregnant, that it would look bad to the church. You know, my dad was the preacher at our church." Judy said and Shelby nodded.

"I was also told that after I gave birth, Russell and I were to be married soon after. That for my senior year, I would be home school because my grandmother was to teach me how to tend to my soon to be husband properly. That was it. Nothing else was discussed. No one asked my opinion about anything at all." Judy said with pain in her eyes now, at the memory.

"My mother escorted me upstairs to my room and began going around to gather what I would need. I immediately picked up my phone to call you again but saw that you had already called me 14 times. Texted me 9 messages and than was calling me again in that moment. I went to answer but my mother snatched my phone away and said Russell had already told her and father all about that faggot that I've been hanging around with." Judy said imitating her mother's tone and facial expression. Shelby's jaw dropped at the news.

"How I had been acting ever since we became friends. She told me she's disgusted with me for acting like a whore and seducing poor Russell into having sex with me." Judy said with fire in her eyes. Shelby straightened immediately her eyes ablaze.

"WHAT!" Shelby exploded.

"I was just as shocked too, believe me. He had told them the only reason he had sex with me, was because I begged him to and that we were at my house when we did it. When really we had sex at the party and I remember telling him no, that I wasn't ready but he insisted." Judy said with a trembled lip. Shelby was burning with fury now.

"He also said that I was the one who didn't want to use the condom. When I tried to refute it, my mother wouldn't hear it. Apparently, members of my squad have been talking about us to there own parents and how we act with each other and it got around to my parents. It only made Russell's story seem more truthful." Judy sighed as if to say what else could I have done.

"I was driven that night by my father to Akron. Living with my grandparents was even worse. I had no phone and I wasn't allowed to go any where or do anything without supervision."

"The entire pregnancy I had to do it alone because my grandmother told me a woman is suppose to take care of every thing and the husband is to work and take care of the financials, that's it." Judy recited.

"So, at 3 am I was sick alone on the bathroom floor, puking my guts out. I had to go in to speak with the doctors alone at every appointment but my grand father drove me."

"I had to cook and clean and do yard work, when I could barely stand on my swollen feet because I was pregnant with triplets. There was no baby shower or welcoming congratulations. I had to earn my keep and shop for what I needed with what I had earned with the money I was paid for doing chores." Judy said than looked a sad crying Shelby in the eyes.

"When I gave birth I was alone.. Always alone but never has a day gone by that you weren't on my mind. I always wished you could be there with me, some how. I knew you'd take care of me like I'd always take care you." Judy cried out as Shelby was a bawl of tears over the story. The two women holding hands across the kitchen table.

"After I gave birth, Russell and I were married a month later in Akron with our parents both signing as witnesses because we had both just turned 18 a few months apart, at the time."

"I wasn't moved back to Lima until Russell found out that you had left town. When I came back, there were only a few people well teenagers from our class still here."

"Like Burt Hummel and that bitch Elise. She too had married her boyfriend, the running back but she hadn't been pregnant. Our parents bought us a house and Russell took a job working for his father as he attended OSU. I didn't get to go to college because my job was to be at home taking care of 3 newborns alone and to make sure our home was tended to and so was my husband.." Judy said sadly.

She looked Shelby in the eyes and spoke with promise. "I would never leave you willingly.. Ever. Your my little sister always and forever remember?" Judy said with emotion and Shelby sobbed at the words as she leaped from her seat and pulled the blonde into a tight hug as they cried together.

"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry that happened and I wasn't there when you needed me!" Shelby cried out. This wasn't the first time she wasn't there in time for the people she loved and she's starting to believe she's cursed to always be too late.


CHARLIE AND SKYLER.

After recounting everything to Charlie. Skyler had crumpled before the blondes eyes. Charlie did her best to console her and now the two were silent in there thoughts. Skyler was anxious.

She had never told anyone about the events that led to her and Rachel's ultimate separation. She only told Dr. Wells about living in the foster homes because she was scared if she told the truth Rachel would be in trouble for technically killing her foster father. Skyler couldn't take the quiet anymore and finally spoke.

"I'm sorry." Skyler said.

"What?" Charlie said looking the brunette in the eyes in confusion.

"I know I ruined the picnic with my past talk. I should have nev-"

"You didn't ruin anything, Sky." Charlie said immediately, not liking Skyler's train of thought at all.

"But I-" Skyler tried but Charlie cut in firmly but still gentle.

"NO! I'm not letting you do this. If you want to blame some one about ruining it than you should blame, me because I brought the past first." Charlie stated which was true.

"No, you didn't ruin anyth-" Skyler said quickly squashing what ever negative comment the blonde was about to make about herself.

"If I didn't than why can't you understand that you didn't either?" Charlie countered.

"I..." Skyler faltered.

"Sky.. You needed to let that out just like I needed to let mine out. It's ok. I don't like having to pretend to be happy every second of the day. I do that enough already with every one else. I don't want to have to do that with you, too."

"If we talk and the conversation steers to those topics, I like to believe that you'd let me vent, the same way I'd let you. Because we walk around every day wearing these masks and smiling, pretending we don't have a problem or a past that still wears us down."

"I don't want you to ever have to hide your feelings from me. I want you to be able to talk to me. That's what best friends do. Look at our moms relationship. They're always goof balls while they're together but you can clearly see there's so much more to it."

"I want that with honesty with you. That safety to just be myself and you'll love me anyway and vice versa. I want to be your shoulder to cry on. Your ear to cry to when you need it."

"I want to be a total goofball with you. I want to be everything you need and want. But, I can't be that if you insist on being afraid of being honest with me. I know you've been hurt before by people but I'm not them and I like to believe your not either. Be yourself and I promise I'll be myself with you always.." Charlie said with truth in her eyes and tone.

Skyler's eyes were filling with tears again. She's never had this with anyone before. Her ex supposed best friend did more than hurt her, she burned her. Though, she's never given such a speech about they're friendship before. Skyler's scared but she's willing to try again.

"I want to be your everything, too.." Skyler whispered.

"You already are.." Charlie replied seriously.

Charlie leaned forward and pulled Skyler by the waist to sit between Charlie's legs. Charlie's front to Skyler's back as Charlie herself leaned back against the oak tree behind them. Wrapping her arms around the brunettes waist as she placed her chin on the brunettes shoulder. "Is this okay?.." Charlie ask to be sure.

"Yes.. Always.." Skyler replied. The two sat there with Skyler's arms over top the blondes. Once again they were engulfed in silence but it was peaceful contentment instead of the anxious uncertainty There friendship blossoming that much more.


JUDY AND SHELBY.

After there conversation and a lot of tears and apologies. Shelby apologizing and Judy assuring her it was ok. It wasn't her fault. Judy had begun preparing dinner while instructing Shelby as she helped with non flammable things.

The two women headed to the porch and sat on the porch swing watching the sun set. Like they use to when they were teenagers. They had sat back drinking the homemade lemonade Judy made and it was an unspoken agreement that the Fabray's were to spend the night again.

Two hours later and the first of the kids to return was Sam. He parked his car and stepped out. He walked up to the porch with a huge smile on his face.

"So how'd it go?" Judy asked. Sam blushed.

"Ooh, he's bluuushing!" Shelby said with a low teasing tone.

"We uh.. We're going to meet up tomorrow for a movie and dinner." Sam said with shining eyes and a face splitting smile.

Judy and Shelby cheered and laughed at his bashful smile, high fiving him on a job well done.

"Well, I'm going to head in. Do you two need anything?" Sam ask kindly. Shelby still melted over the boys chivalry. She loved his kindness and heart. Judy smiled at her son affectionately and replied no.

"Dinner will be ready soon, though." Judy said.

"Thank you. Does that mean we get to stay over again?" Sam ask bashfully at Shelby.

"Of course, My honorary son is always welcomed to stay." Shelby replied with a smile causing him to blush again.

"Thank you." Sam said with a relieved look directed at Shelby, on his face that did not go unnoticed. Sam leaned in and kissed his mother and Shelby on the cheek each.

"What a charmer that one, huh?" Shelby said as she bumped her shoulder with Judy's who giggled. After Sam went inside the house.

"Well, he is my son." Judy replied with an air of snoot. Like she couldn't produce anything other than charmers. Shelby laughed at her antics. An hour after Sam came, Charlie and Skyler arrived. Shelby and Judy's eyes zeroed in on the fact that when Skyler and Charlie exited the car. As soon as Charlie rounded the car they're hands encased one another instantly. They're fingers interlocking upon contact. Judy smirked knowingly and Shelby rolled her eyes. It meant Judy might actually win the bet after all. There goes her 100.

"Hey, you two. How was the picnic?" Judy ask with a smile. The two were silent for a moment and Charlie's eyes were glued to Shelby. Shelby looked at Judy and Skyler but Skyler was staring at Judy herself.

The two mother's stood up in worry and that was all that was needed. Within a second Charlie rushed forward and engulfed Shelby in a hug. Skyler had told Charlie what Shelby had told her. About why she hadn't been there to get Rachel and herself sooner, when everything happened.

Charlie felt her heart go out to the woman. Skyler stepped up to Judy and pulled her into a hug herself. Judy was confused because just that morning Skyler was hesitant in her contact with her.

Charlie had told Skyler more about her mother and what they're father had done to her in front of them, when her mother tried to leave with them more than a few times. Skyler was a mess of tears over it.

They soon both realized what phenomenal women they had in they're mother's. Judy may be trapped like them but that didn't mean at one point she never tried to fight back. It just meant that she failed the several times that she did try.

"Charlie, honey, are you ok?" Shelby asked in worry.

"Your a wonderful mother Ms. Corcoran..." Charlie said sweetly. She didn't feel it was right to call her Shelby in the moment. The woman before her, she felt deserved formal respect.

"Everything you do is appreciated Mrs. Fabray.." Skyler whispered in Judy's ear. Judy's eyes welled with tears. Charlie and Skyler released them and engulfed they're actual mother's into a hug. Shelby became emotional. When Skyler whispered in her ear. "I love you, mom.."

"I love you, mom." Charlie whispered the same to Judy. Shelby and Judy returned the endearments whole heartedly. Completely confused by the two girls actions.

The girls released them with glowing smiles aimed they're way.

"What's going on?" Shelby ask.

"Nothing, mom. We just want you guys to know we love and appreciate you." Skyler said.

"Yeah, because your the best moms anyone could ask for." Charlie followed up with a smile. The two teens looked at each other as they held hands with smiles on they're faces.

Than Skyler spoke. "We'll be in my room if you need us." Skyler glanced at the two older women before heading for the front door. Judy and Shelby watched them go.

"What do you think?" Judy ask.

"I think that was way to deep to just be appreciation. They seem different some how." Shelby said thoughtfully.

"I agree." Judy nodded at the brunettes assessment.

"They seem... Lighter, don't you think?" Shelby ask.

"Definitely lighter." Judy agreed again with a nod of her head.

"As long as they're happy." Shelby said.

"As long as they're happy." Judy concluded a few seconds ticked by before Judy spoke again. "You might still owe me a hundred bucks, though." Judy added.

"Fuck. I was hoping they distracted you." Shelby said.

"Not a chance." Judy replied with a smirk.

Judy had gone in to check the food several times and the sun was just barely visible when Quinn walked up the drive way with a calm smile of her own.

"Hey. Where have you been. I thought you were just going to shower and change?" Judy ask.

"I was but I got to thinking." Quinn replied.

"About?" Shelby ask.

"About.. Rachel. Her pregnancy and over all mood. So I thought since I don't know much about pregnancy. I should definitely do some research that way I could catch certain signs or behaviors and moods..." Quinn said self consciously. Judy and Shelby glanced at each other than looked at Quinn more curiously.

"Why?" Shelby ask in a non threating tone.

"Because.." Quinn hesitated as she ducked her head and scoffed her shoe on the ground. She gave a light shrug of her shoulders before replying. "Last night, When I got her to eat.. Before that I was thinking about the baby and how it didn't ask to be created and how sad it was that babies have to suffer because for whatever reason's they're mother's are doing what they're doing, some how hurting them. So, I made the baby.." Quinn trailed off nervously. Both mother's on the edge of they're seats now.

"What?" Judy ask softly.

Quinn looked at her mother in the eyes as she spoke. "I promised that I would do my best to take care of it by making sure I took care of Rachel. Starting with getting her to eat." Quinn answered with as much courage as she could muster in the moment. She wasn't a fool. She knew how old she was and how much of responsibility that is to take on. But, she knows herself and she could do it. She already was doing it. The response she got from her mother was not what she thought she'd get. Judy stood up and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so proud of the woman your becoming." Judy said emotionally. Quinn felt her emotions flair. Her mother let her go and Shelby took her place.

"Thank you, you beautiful human being." Shelby said also emotionally. they pulled apart and Quinn smiled in a surprising manner.

"So.. Does this mean you guys don't mind sitting down sometime to tell me about your own experiences through pregnancy?" Quinn ask with an unsure smile.

"Honey, we'll tell you that and more." Judy cracked and Shelby laughed because they both knew from experience that pregnancy was no joke. That night at the dinner table was calm and happy.

The time was checked repeatedly by Shelby, Judy, Skyler, Quinn and now Charlie. Rachel still wasn't home and every one was becoming worried. Shelby called the police and was told they'd look out but unless it was 24 hours that she had been gone, there was nothing they could do.

After dinner the entire house went driving around in search for her but came up short. She wasn't even at the river court when Skyler, Charlie and Quinn went to check. The teens were sent to they're rooms by 10. Judy made tea and she and Shelby sat in the living room staring out the window waiting. Praying that she'd come home.

They sat there for hours until Shelby's body shook as a sob escaped her throat so loudly she had to cover her mouth.

Judy had her arm around Shelby, holding one of her hands as the brunette mother shook with silent cries when they spotting Rachel walking up the drive way. All the lights in the house were off like always. Judy did her best to console her. They heard the shuffling above. Shelby collapsed in Judy's arms completely as she cried.

"It's ok now.. She's safe and she's home.." Judy whispered in Shelby's ear and Shelby nodded her understanding.

Judy helped Shelby up and escorted the tired brunette to her room. You could tell all this with Rachel was wearing Shelby down. Judy helped Shelby into bed and climbed in after her.

It was only a second before the brunette was silently crying in her arms again. Shelby's head tucked into her neck like she use to when they were kids.

The brunette cried so hard, she cried herself to sleep. Judy watched her for a while. Her own tears began to fall as she felt her sister's pain until she too fell asleep.


RACHEL AND QUINN.

Rachel grunted as she climbed the tree to her bedroom. She had been out all day and almost all night. It was 3 am and she was tired and hungry. She had walked for hours in anger.

She didn't want to think about Quinn and her stupid smile and ridiculous kind words. She was sick of it. She purposely stood out to make sure Quinn didn't stay since she wasn't home.

Now she could be left alone. When she climbed into the window and shut it behind her but stopped short. She heard breathing behind her lightly. She turned around with fire in her eyes but froze when she saw who was there.

It was Quinn but the blonde was asleep on her mattress on the floor. Rachel stared at her and felt light warming in her chest. The brunette didn't realize how enchanted she was by the sleeping blonde. Rachel's legs softly stepped forward. Her eyes scanning the blonde, devouring the image.

Quinn's hair long and golden was draped slightly across her shoulder and a touch of her face. She was laying on her side facing Rachel's side of the bed. The brunette hadn't taken her eyes off of the blonde as she toed of her shoes and began to kneel onto the bed.

She crawled as carefully as she could, laying on her own side as her eyes were still on the sleeping beauty before her. She couldn't figure the girl out. She didn't understand Quinn's determination or possible loyalty.

Rachel has met a lot of people in her young life. She has met enough to know when someone has an angle. It's what kept her alive this long. At first she almost didn't make it but mistakes help you learn and she had grown a 6th sense when some one bad was in her presence.

But with Quinn?.. There was not one bad vibe about her. Her aura or energy whatever it was, it glowed. It shined brighter than the sun. She was purity and generosity with a hefty dose of innocence at it's best. Her father hadn't achieved completely destroying her, yet.

Though innocent, Quinn clearly had experience but there was still a piece of her, that Rachel herself knew she herself had lost long ago. What Quinn had could be saved and nourished before she could become what Rachel knows she herself is capable of when trapped in a corner.

There was still a child's heart locked away in the blonde. There was yearning.. A need to be loved by some one, anyone! That wasn't her siblings or her mother. Though you could see it was beginning to fade away and soon.. It'd be gone.

That made an uncomfortable feeling thrash against the steel walls encasing Rachel black coal like heart. Rachel laid there watching the blonde in curiosity of Quinn's capabilities in her control over her.

When Quinn wasn't physically around to cause all the conflicted ruckus within her. Rachel could fume, curse and damn the blondes name to hell but when Quinn was close.. Like she is now and her scent hit Rachel's nostrils.

The sight of the blonde sleeping or not, washed away any ounce of anger left in her body and she was beginning to think that maybe she should leave sooner rather than later...