Judy and Shelby.

Judy yawned into her hand tiredly. She glanced at the clock on her night stand, it was 3:20 am. She sighed as she stood from her bed and put on her robe.

They had fallen asleep immediately after Rachel and Quinn returned and slept into the next morning.

She figured since she was up, she'd check on Shelby and the kids. She went in search of her friend first but the brunette's room was empty.

She shut Shelby's door and quietly made her way to the living room.

What she found was a very sad, pensive Shelby standing by the window. Looking out into the night of slumbering Columbus.

"Good morning." Judy called out softly, startling Shelby slightly.

"Oh, hey. How'd you sleep?" Shelby asked in a low tone distractedly, her eyes trained out the window again.

"Pretty good, I didn't expect to sleep through the day. How did you sleep?"

"I slept okay."

"Did you get to check on the kids?"

"Yeah, the girls were asleep. Sam was awake playing video games though. He said that Quinn and Rachel have been asleep all day too and Skyler and Charlie only came out of their rooms to get room service but that they've been pretty much sticking to themselves."

Judy furrowed her brow in confusion. Charlie and Skyler were inseparable. She was pulled from her musing when Shelby spoke again.

"Do you think?.." The brunette halted her words in heavy thought.

"Yes?" Judy inquired.

"Do you think we're bad parents?" Shelby whispered self consciously.

Judy's brows hit her hair line. She hadn't expected that question. "Um.. I.. I guess I don't know. Sometimes I think I am, I suppose.." Judy licked her lips nervously. She has always believed she's a terrible mother simply based on the fact that she couldn't protect her children. "Why do you ask?"

Shelby was quiet momentarily. "I.. I was just thinking about how I felt when Sam told us Rachel had left yesterday. Then I thought about how relieved I was when Quinn texted us that she found her.." Shelby bowed her head and shut her eyes as chaos began knocking at the walls of her heart. "I sometimes think I wasn't made to do this. Be a parent.. A mother, you know?"

Judy nodded silently because she too had struggles with it as well.

Shelby grit her teeth for a moment, trying but failing to reign in her emotions but they were so powerful in their will to conquer her. "I mean, I thought I did the right thing when they were born. I knew even then that I was a free spirit. I knew how immature I was and even had difficulty transitioning from a teenager to an adult. I could easily blame it on the fact that I didn't have any role models growing up but a lot of people don't and they still succeed at being an adult and parent. I just.."

Shelby shook her head and took a deep breath. She could feel the pressure building behind her eyes. "I feel like I'm failing them! Like I can't leave up to their dads. I suck at making rules and dishing out restrictions. I feel like they see me - well, Skyler at least - see's me as her sister more than her mother. Rachel just flat out hates my guts and I don't know how to fix it, Jude's! I don't know how to be a mother to my own children. It doesn't matter what I do! I just fucking suck at this family life thing! Why did this have to happen?! Why did any of this have to happen to us?!" Shelby burst into tears and Judy rushed over in her own tears engulfing her best friend in a hug and giving as much console as she could.

"Shh Shhh! It's okay, I've got you."

"I just want them to know how much they mean to me! How much I love them, you know?!" Shelby sobbed as the last few years of built up inner self hatred spilled out. "I hate that I can't change this! I hate that I didn't get there in time! God! I just want to rewind time and save them before this all happened and I can't! I'm so angry at myself for being selfish and wanting to achieve my dreams so badly but I just wanted to be better for them and myself!"

Shelby's crying was hurting Judy on so many levels. She too felt the immense pain that was engulfing her friend. They cried together.

"I understand.. Trust me, Shel. I understand more than you will ever know but you can't beat yourself up for the past. You can't rewrite history. I may not know the extent of what happened but sweetie, you are trying. Your willingness to be here, be present with them. Sometimes that's all we have. No one asks for the life they're given. No one asks to have the parents, spouses or children they get but they do and all we can do is our best whenever and however we can."

Shelby pulled back from Judy and she stared into her eyes.

She heard something when Judy said spouses. In was in her tone.

It wasn't a quiver just because she was sympathetic over a friend. There was something beneath the surface but Shelby couldn't place. The brunette licked her lips.

"How?" Shelby asked.

"Beg your pardon?"

"How?"

"How what?"

"How do you know? How can you understand? Your life is perfect."

"My life is not perfect."

"It seems like it. Your kids are perfect and happy. You are happy?"

Judy unconsciously flinched at the 'You are happy.' and Shelby caught it.

She saw the flinch and saw the dark clouds over cast her friends features. Judy's eyes faded into more painful sadness. A deeper sadness that wasn't someone else's but her own.

"W-Well, of course I am." Judy chuckled trying to give off assurance? Shelby isn't sure but the fake smile didn't reach her eyes. The clouds still loomed and Shelby felt her heart break.

"What makes you happy, Jude's?"

It was an innocent question enough but caused a thunder storm of pain to rain and swirl in Judy's chest.

"I.. Uh. Well, my children. They make me the most happiest I've ever been."

Shelby kept her face neutral but the fact that, Judy didn't mention her husband caused red flags to spring in her mind.

"Why do you feel like a bad mother?" Shelby asked gently and full of innocence.

Once again Judy's features, though they held up pretty good, began showing signs of cracking.

"I.. I just think I could be better than I am now, is all."

"How so?"

"Just with their happiness. I want them to be more happier than they are now."

"Why aren't they happy?"

"I didn't say they weren't happy."

"But you implied they weren't."

"That's not what I meant."

"Than what did you mean?"

"Shel, please. This isn't about my children or myself. This is about you and why you feel the way that you feel."

"Your right, I'm sorry." Shelby played it down and watched as Judy's entire demeanor sighed in relief.

The visual made Shelby angry but she did her best to keep herself in check.

It was clear cracking Judy was going to be a lot more difficult than she thought but at least now she had concrete proof that something was wrong.

"I've been thinking.." Shelby spoke softly.

"Yes?" Judy asked warily not going unnoticed by Shelby.

"Instead of going to the concert. How about we just make the entire trip a family thing."

"I thought this was a family thing?" Judy asked with a raised brow.

"It is but what I mean is. I know today was suppose to be about us having a kid free night but let's not leave the kids by themselves and forget the stupid concert. How about we go out all day. I looked up some stuff online. There's a flea market thing happening today, a park that has canoeing and a few other things and a festival there's a week long festival! We could also go to like a movie and hit up a restaurant tonight. There's an arcade here and a pretty cool museum. We could spread it all out the entire weekend. I bet they'd enjoy that a lot more than staying in their suite."

"That's such a wonderful idea!" Judy's eyes shined with excitement.

"I thought so too."


THE FLEA MARKET.

The 9 am crisp morning sun, found the Fabray and Berry-Corcoran clan at the flea market Shelby had looked up.

The morning had been a little awkward to say the least between Skyler and Charlie.

Charlie kept trying to catch Skyler's eyes through out the morning but the brunette simply ignored her.

Skyler took her shower and got prepared for the day in an entire different room from Charlie, not uttering a word and the only time there was even a sound from the brunette's lips was when she received a text that made her giggle.

A knot of jealousy formed in the blonde's chest.

After that, Charlie walked to her own room in anger and took her own shower and prepared for the family day out that she no longer wanted to be apart of.

Nothing about this trip meant anything without Skyler but she didn't want to ruin anyone else's day. So she plastered on a smile and pretended she was perfectly fine.

Judy and Shelby could tell something was off with the two teens but chose not to get involved.

It was a slow start for Sam's day since he had stood up playing video games and texting Mercedes all night.

Sam was pretty sure his crush on Mercedes just exploded tenfold when she admitted that the reason she was even still awake was because she and her brother Morgan were having a full blown game night. That she wasn't a game junkie but she did enjoy playing.

Sam immediately told her how he loved video games and when she asked what game he was playing and he told her.

Mercedes and Morgan joined the online game and were fully committed to a night of missions. They could talk through their headsets and Sam was introduced to Mercedes older brother.

They laughed and played in to the wee hours of the morning. Sam only got to sleep for two and half hours before their mother's came in announcing the family plans for the day but he had no regrets.

He was tired but super excited for the day. Not wanting to waste a minute of his freedom in Columbus. No one knew them here.

So they could say and do whatever they wanted and not have to worry or constantly look over their shoulder in fear. So, he jumped up and rushed to get ready for the day.

Quinn was well rested but had been struggling with concern over Rachel. The brunette seemed even more off than usual.

The brunette did not put up too much of a fight about family day other than a grumble and keeping her head bowed, just allowing Quinn to guide her to and fro.

It was weird but also not weird. When they had crashed the morning before. They had slept all day and well into the night but When Quinn woke up Rachel wasn't next to her.

She panicked briefly but breathe a sigh of relief when she realized Rachel was just in the ensuite bathroom.

It wasn't until Rachel exited the bathroom looking sweaty did alarm bells begin ringing in the blonde's mind but then again Rachel slept fully clothe in her sweats and shoes and the heat was on so she could have been sweating because of that.

She wanted to ask but one look at the brunette's face and her cold demeanor told Quinn today was not for pushing and to just let the brunette be.

So she did. Rachel crawled back into bed facing away from her and passed out again. So, Quinn decided to follow suit until their mothers came and there was a gentle knock on her door letting her know she was needed in the room.

She decided not to wake Rachel and was informed on her own about the day ahead of them that caused a ruckus of excited glee within her.

The day sounded like it was going to be amazing which brings her back to this point. She was becoming more worried about the brunette.

She felt like she was just dragging her baby doll by it's arm. That's how lifeless Rachel seemed.

Even when they usually are sat together in silence, Quinn can literally feel Rachel's energy but today it felt low and.. spiritless?

Quinn didn't know what was wrong but decided to let the brunette be for now and just felt grateful that she could spend the day beside the brunette with no worry.

"Hey, are you hungry?" Quinn asked.

She still didn't get a reply.


2 HOURS LATER CHARLIE AND SKYLER.

Charlie stood from her position by the merchant selling purses, staring down the strip toward another merchants table at Skyler, who was checking out the jewelry.

Charlie wasn't good at apologies and rarely gave them because she barely associated with anyone but Sky wasn't just anyone.

She was so much more than that and it was killing Charlie to be away from her. So she swallowed her fears of rejection and made her way to the brunette whose back was to her.

"Those would look really beautiful on you." Charlie spoke softly.

Skyler tensed at the sound of her voice before slowly putting the earring back where she found them and turned her gaze to Charlie.

The brunette felt her heart begin to hammer, her palms sweat, her lungs give out and her brain short circuit.

It had only been one full day. One full day without those beautiful sea blue eyes, hearing that soft voice, those pouty soft lips that wouldn't leave Skyler's dreams.

One day without Charlie Fabray and Skyler was just barely hanging on by a thread. She missed her, god did she miss her.

It wasn't a feeling you got when you haven't seen your friends all summer. It wasn't a feeling of not being around your family for a year. It wasn't a feeling of a missing a stranger.

It was a feeling of missing a part of your soul and Skyler was crippled by the realization that her feelings reached that level. It hit her so suddenly in that moment.

She was going strong for the day with a few instances where she had to remind herself that she herself was worth it.

Because her feelings mattered too and she still believes that but she won't lie to herself.

This girl stood before her looking so apologetically sad and devastated was important, crucial if you will, to her life.

Call it a six sense but she just knew this. What they were doing. Torturing themselves instead of talking about it was going to destroy the beautiful relationship they had.

"I'm so sorry." Charlie blurted out as the brunette's stare and silence was causing her to believe that she fucked everything up beyond repair.

"What exactly are you sorry for? Do you know or are you just apologizing to apologize?" Skyler asked crossing her arms. Doing her best to not give in so easily.

She understood that Charlie's level of importance in her life had reached that height that she knew if she didn't press she'd give in and it may have taken her a long time to accept loving herself but she loved herself enough now.

This isn't like her relationship with Bianca. She wasn't insecure anymore and she refused to be walked on again and hurt at that hands of someone else.

Though she won't lie, crossing her arms were a means to restrain herself from hugging the girl before her. She missed being in her arms.

"Yes I do. First I'd like if you don't mind to apologize in a more private setting." Charlie replied her eyes casting to the woman just behind the brunette.

Skyler nodded her understanding. Charlie held out her hand for Skyler to take but Skyler refused to give.

Skyler shook her head no and started walking in the opposite direction.

She saw the devastation crumble Charlie's face but held strong once more not to give in.

She started walking because she couldn't bare to see it, knowing she was the cause to put it there but she had to protect herself.

Even from something as simple as holding hands but Charlie didn't understand that a simple touch from her could cause Skyler's walls to crumble and the brunette's terrified of what that particular revelation would do to Charlie. Or better yet what Charlie knew she could do with it.

Charlie bit her trembling lip and wiped the tears beginning to fall. She followed Skyler in a hurry because she had to fix this. Skyler had no idea just how bad her responses where destroying the blonde. It was painful and gut wrenching.


"So we're here. Talk." Skyler spoke with a cool mask of confidence that spoke volumes of 'I don't want to hear bullshit come out of your mouth or we're done.'

Charlie swallowed thickly. The blonde licked her lips and looked back and forth. This was going to be hard.

"I'm sorry for asking you to leave the way I did. I know you don't understand why but if you can give me a few minutes to build up to it, I'll try my best to explain everything to you."

Skyler nodded as she took a seat on the bench she had guided the blonde to. They had passed it when they first entered the market and it was deserted.

"Let me text my mom to let her know where we are, okay?" Charlie asked sweetly and Skyler was melting slowly like butter.

"Okay."

The blonde shot off the text than took a seat next to Skyler tucking her skirt softly. Her gaze cross over the expanse in front of her before she spoke quietly unable to make eye contact. "Please don't interrupt when I start or I'll never get this out."

"I can't promise that." Skyler replied seriously. She could see the shift in the blonde. It was the same shift she saw the day Charlie spoke about her fathers abuse. Skyler's worry began to creep in.

"Can you just try?" Charlie pleaded.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry for leaving the other night and ignoring you. I was upset with you."

Skyler's brows hit her hairline before they furrowed in confusion. The brunette was about to speak but Charlie beat her to it.

"I heard you. I was leaving the bedroom to find you and apologize about asking you to leave but I heard you on the phone. You were talking to some girl named Bianca."

"It's not what you think!" Skyler rushed out in fear.

Charlie gave her a look that clearly spoke volumes of disbelief. "Sky, don't. I don't want to hear it." Skyler's eyes pricked a little with tears as sadness engulfed her.

"I swear Char, she's means nothing-"

"Sky. Please don't. Like I said I don't want to hear it but more importantly you don't have to explain yourself. I'm in the wrong here." Charlie replied with sincere remorse.

Skyler began to protest but Charlie gave her another look. The brunette shut her mouth but you could see the sadness weighing her down.

Charlie licked her lips and began talking again. "To me at least, It sounded intimate and I just.. I felt this jealousy over take me and all I could think was, she said she liked me. She said she wanted to be with me. She kissed me. I felt.. I don't know betrayed. Stupid. I also felt disgusted and angry with myself. Because I shouldn't have tried to be a part of your world." Skyler bit her lip because she had so much to say but was trying to respect Charlie's request. "Anyway, I left and I'm sorry for the way I acted. I did tell our moms where I was going. After I calmed down I decided to come and speak to you. To tell you why I've been acting so weird but.. You didn't open the door."

At the admission Skyler shut her eyes briefly. She wasn't upset with herself per se. She just wished she would have answered the door now.

"I shouldn't have expected you to open the door. I shouldn't expect you to be understanding because god how could I? I shouldn't have tried to fit into your life when my own life is full of baggage that no one should have to deal with, least of all you. Here I am with a boyfriend though I don't want him but a boyfriend nonetheless and I expect you to what? Wait for me when it's obvious I'd never be able to be with you. Especially not after.." The blonde trailed off as her mind was clearly taking her some where Skyler wasn't privy to.

The brunette licked her lips. She couldn't hold it in anymore. Charlie wouldn't accept talking about Bianca but she didn't say she couldn't broach the other subject that was causing Skyler to lose her mind. "Why have you been acting so weird? You won't even... You even let me touch you without freaking out."

Charlie shut her eyes and they misted beneath their lids. She let out a shuddering breath and willed herself not to cry but the sob escaped her throat without her control.

Skyler's eyes widened in surprise before she could touch the blonde Charlie stood up and fought with her emotions as she turned her sadness into anger.

"I didn't know." She whispered as her throat struggled to swallow the lump that was forming.

Skyler furrowed her brow in confusion and worry, alarms going off instantly. "Didn't know what?"

"He said we.. He said we were having dinner with his parents an-" Charlie cut herself off as her tears spilled over more.

"Who?!" Skyler asked jumping to her feet as an unsettling feeling pulled at her stomach.

Just as Charlie was going to reply both girls cell phones rang. Skyler fumbled for her phone to shut it off but saw it was her mother so she answered but Charlie didn't.

She stepped away from the brunette to wipe her tears. She opened her purse and pulled out her eye drops.

Skyler answered as she watched in disbelief as Charlie dropped the drops in her eyes than powered her nose to rid it of the visible pink than reapplied her lips stick. The blonde shut her eyes and began mumbling something to herself that sounded suspiciously like 'Your okay. Everything's okay.' .

"Hello? Sky? Are you there?" Shelby's voice rang out in the frozen brunette's ear.

"Yes."

"We're headed out. Are you guys still at the entrance?"

"Yes. We are."

"Okay. See you in five minutes."

"Yeah.." Skyler trailed off in worry. Charlie's back was still to her.

"Char?"

"..."

"Charlie, sweetie, are you okay?"

Charlie turned slowly around to the brunette her eyes cleared of any emotion. "I will be."

"We're not done talking about this." Skyler replied she could feel her anger building. It always did when she watched the triplets have to gather themselves and become almost emotionless. As if nothing is wrong.

"I know. I didn't say we were." Charlie's voice coming out calm and strong as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about, Charlie!" Gesturing to the blonde's unbothered appearance. "You can't pretend like everything is okay! It's not healthy! I told you before and I'll tell you again as many times as you need to hear it." Skyler spoke strongly lifting her hands to cup the surprised blonde's cheeks. Gazing into the blonde's eyes as they began to show signs of a possible collapse right there in front of whoever could see.

Skyler lowered her tone full of sincerity and unconditional love. "I'm right Here. I'm not going anywhere and nothing and no one will get between us but, baby.." At the term of endearment Charlie's lips trembled as her eyes began to mist once more. "Baby, you have to let me in, in order for me to be here for you, okay? Do you understand?"

Charlie nodded as a lone tear escaped. Skyler stepped forward and kissed the blonde's cheek where the tear escaped as she slid her arms around the blonde's neck and the two hugged for the first time in the longest most unbearable day of their lives simple by being apart.

"I'm sorry!" Charlie whimpered.

"Baby, don't be sorry. Be honest with me."

"There they are!" Sam said causing Skyler to pull back. "We'll talk later, baby." Skyler spoke with a pointed look.

Charlie nodded. "Okay.." The blonde's vocal cords shook heavily as fear crept into her eyes causing Skyler to want to rush home and wrap the blonde in a her arms and shield her from whatever pain and fear that was causing this to happen.

Charlie released the brunette quickly but looking casual as she pulled her sun glasses from her purse and slipped them on, just as the rest of the family reached them so her misted eyes couldn't be seen.

Skyler held out her hand to the surprised blonde with a soft reassuring smile that said they weren't fully okay but they were going to get there.

Charlie slipped her hands into the brunette's and both girls felt whole for the first time in a day.


SHELBY AND JUDY.

Shelby watched Judy with a warm heart. Judy looked so relaxed and happy. The older woman was smiling broadly as the man before them sketched a cartoon of the two of them. They were suppose to be holding their poses as he drew them.

Judy and Shelby held eye contact but they kept snorting in laughter for no reason. Judy giggled and ducked her head briefly, her hair slipping from her shoulder.

Shelby's eyes widened at the sight just visible by the semi drop of the blonde's blouse just below the neck line on the back of her neck.

A scar. A thick scar that looked like it hasn't healed properly. Judy's head lifted and Shelby plastered on a smile though her heart began to pound.


SAM AND MERCEDES.

"So where are you now?" Mercedes asked with a smile in her tone.

"We're at festival." Sam replied with his own smile.

"Are you having fun?"

"I am but I'd be having more fun if you were here with me."

"Your sweet. I wish I could be there."

"Maybe when I get back, we could go out again? If your not busy of course."

"I'd love too."

"But in the mean time, Just because you aren't here doesn't mean I can't win you anything. So what'll it be there's a large bear, a unicorn, giraffe, a star, a heart-"

"The heart!" Mercedes answered with excitement completely swooning over the boys consideration and sweetness. Where has he been all her life?

"Okay.. My heart it is." Sam replied smoothly with a flirtatious smile in his tone that caused Mercedes to flush deeply.


QUINN AND RACHEL.

Quinn was smiling broadly as she took in the sights and smells of the festival. She felt like a kid in wonderland. She wished Rachel was a little more lively. The brunette had seemed off all day.

She wanted to ask Rachel what's wrong but doesn't want to upset the brunette because she was scared Rachel would storm off.

She may not be able to convince Rachel to get on the rides with her, though she'd be lying if she said she didn't want to at the very least experience one ride. She'd Still take Rachel's company no matter her mood, over any ride any day.

So, with a little disappointment she just walked with Rachel through the festival. Not really stopping to look at anything. Just taking in the life happening happily around them.

Quinn's eye brows furrowed in confusion because Rachel released her hand an slowly trudged to the bench to their right without a word.

Quinn watched her form tremble slightly as she sat. The blonde's heart rate rose a little immediately.

She walked to the brunette and sat down cautiously. All day Rachel's been silent even though she barely speaks Quinn could just feel the difference in her moods and right now was no different.

"Rachel?" Quinn called softly but Rachel's head remained bowed and her hoodie covered her face entirely so Quinn couldn't see any sign that she heard her.

"Rachel?.. Are you okay?" Quinn asked softly as she reached out for Rachel's hand, the one she knew was the good one.

The blonde gasped as she felt how hot they were and all fear of upsetting Rachel flew out the window as she tucked her hand low and cupped the brunette's cheek to make her lift her head and gasped once more at the heat radiating from the brunette as well as the sweat.

Rachel whimpered when her head was lifted because she not only felt fatigued but also achy. She had woken several times through out the night and day feeling some pains here and there.

"Oh my god, Rachel, your burning up!"

Rachel just moaned as she pulled her face from the blonde's grasp and lowered her head onto her folded arms over her knees.

"Stay right here, I'm going to get you some water." Quinn spoke frantically.

The blonde rushed away to the closest concession stand and became angry instantly at the line. Her eyes kept glancing at Rachel sat on the bench, with worry.

She immediately took out her phone and shot a mass terrified text to the rest of the family of what she discovered and where she and Rachel were currently.

She received immediate responses that they were on their way and to not move. Thankfully, the line went a little quicker than Quinn anticipated and was able to get the water. She rushed back to Rachel.

"Rachel! Rachel I have your water!"

Silence. Rachel didn't even move to acknowledge her. Quinn felt an unsettling feeling creep into her bones.

"Rachel?" Quinn tried again.

She touched the brunette's shoulder and gave her a light shove. Nothing. Quinn heart hammered and she stooped low in to Rachel's personal space.

"Rachel?! Rachel wake up!" Quinn spoke frantically as she roughly shook the brunette's shoulder, before she grabbled to cup the Rachel's face to see if she was responsive.

She was than met with a groan from Rachel. Relief swept through Quinn briefly before she was hit with the feeling of nausea when Rachel's mouth opened on it's uncontrollable accord and puked right in to her face.

It wasn't a small acid kind of puke either, it was a lot and when she felt it slime down her shirt and into her bra she herself turned side ways and puked, as the smell of Rachel's puke invaded her nostrils.

"Ewww!" Skyler squealed.

"Oh my god!" Judy covered her mouth with a shudder.

"Oh, that's just fucking gross." Shelby followed as she winced turning her eyes away from the sight they just walked upon.

Sam curled his lip feeling sorry for his sister.

Charlie's mouth was gaped open before she turned her gaze away as a chunk of whatever the hell Rachel threw up dropped from her sisters face and plopped to the floor. Her stomach churned at the sight.


COLUMBUS HOSPITAL 3 HOURS LATER.

The Berry-Corcoran/Fabray clan were all in the emergency waiting room minus Shelby who was in the back with Rachel since she was a minor.

Quinn refused to go back to the hotel and shower wanting to be there when they found out what was wrong with Rachel. She had been the one to drive Rachel since they were they were driving together all day.

Thankfully, a nurse gave Quinn a pair of scrubs to change into and hospital issue shampoo and soap. Quinn went to the bathroom to scrub her face and wash her hair in the sink with the assistance of her sister and Skyler.

They had been waiting for a while than the doors that led to the halls were the patient rooms were, opened to reveal a tired and worried Shelby. The group jumped to their feet and rushed over to her.

"Is she okay?"

"What's wrong with her?"

"Is the baby okay?"

"What did they say?"

"Is she awake?"

All five of the group fired the questions one after the other in worry. Shelby took a deep breath.

"I don't know how or what happened because Rachel refuses to answer but apparently she had multiple gashes on her left hand."

multiple reactions happened at once but the only two that caused red flags for Shelby were Quinn and Charlie. There was no shock only worry and regret from Quinn and fear with a heavy dose of guilt from Charlie.

Shelby decided to not say anything yet. It was clear the two teens knew and felt awful about something if the glancing at each other was anything to go by.

Shelby also felt a severe headache coming on after getting a weak albeit hurtful dismissal from Rachel after she very, very gently tried to ask Rachel what happened.

Because her daughter's hand looked like it was ran through a wood chipper.

Not only that but Shelby still had Judy's scar on her mind and she was worried because it was in an odd place and she could tell from all her years of experience with these matters, that it was inflicted but not self inflicted.

She could also tell it was recent, it must only been healing a couple of weeks give or take.

The brunette was slowly getting frustrated with the group of people she holds dear because it seems their all hiding something from her, from each other and it will only be a matter of time before things hit the fan and though Shelby wants to question Charlie and Quinn. She honestly felt too stressed and exhausted with fear and worry to discuss anything.

Rachel's wounds were bad and someone had attempted to sew her gashes shut. Whomever did it, the doctor said they had to have some experience with neat and tight stiches like that but since the wound was not properly sterilized and constantly cleaned, it became infected.

Which snowballed in to a fever that was causing her daughter aches, pains and nausea but since the wound looked no more than a few days old possibly a week.

The infection didn't reach the point that they would require any sort of surgery to remove any severely infected tissue.

"She's okay though she does have an infection that's the cause of her fever and nausea. She a little fatigued and the doctor requested she stay over night for observation since she's pregnant."

The group relaxed with relief but the most relief was seen on Charlie and Quinn.

Shelby felt her anger brewing and knew her temper. So she decided not to stay with the group and make an exit to give herself time to cool off under the guise of dinner.

"Now since she kicked me out of her room. I'll go grab dinner for whoever's staying. Quinn since you seem to be the only one she can stand, would you mind staying with her for-"

"Yes!" Quinn replied instantly eager and though Shelby's a little upset with the girl for keeping an obvious secret of importance from her.

She also couldn't help feel grateful and thank all that is holy that Rachel has found a friend in Quinn who is obviously more than happy to fill the roll.

"Okay, all of you just text me what you want and I'll pick it up."

"Shelby, do you want me to come." Judy asked sweetly.

"No.." At Shelby's admittance and tone that she didn't mean to reveal, Judy's face fell a little.

The older blonde could tell the minute Shelby returned that she had weight weighing her down and looked on the edge of tears.

Shelby felt like shit at the sight of Judy's crestfallen face. "Someone should be here with the kids is all."

The entire group could clearly feel that was a blatant lie. An uncomfortable feeling settled upon them.

For the first time since the reconnection was made, Shelby and Judy felt distance between them.

The kids felt worry rise within them as well as awkwardness at the feeling so they all turned back to the waiting room to give the adults privacy.

"Shelby?.. Did I.. Did I do something to offend you?"

"No." Shelby replied which was the truth. She wasn't offended. She was hurt that her friend was hiding something from her and so were the triplets children. So were her own children.

"Than what's wron-"

"Listen, we'll talk another time. I'm already stressed about Rachel and I honestly can't have this conversation with you right now. I'm sorry." Shelby replied softly unable to look at her friend. She turned abruptly and walked away from a hurt Judy.


QUINN AND RACHEL.

Rachel laid in the hospital bed in silence. She was very, very upset because not only had they had to remove Quinn's stitches but they had to re-stitch her than bandage her and now her hand was fucking throbbing in pain and she couldn't get any heavy medication because she was pregnant.

Let's not forget that Shelby had tried to ask as sweetly as she could what happened but Rachel wouldn't confide in her even if she was the last fucking human being on earth.

Just then their was a knock on her door and Rachel refused to ask who it is. Slowly the door opened to reveal Quinn.

The blonde entered and shut the door quietly. She walked toward the bed and could see Rachel was awake.

"Hey.."

"..."

"How are you feeling?"

"..."

Quinn sighed. It was clear Rachel wasn't going to be forth coming. She decided not to push and just talk.

"I'm happy to see your okay. You had me worried there for a minute." Quinn licked her lips. "Charlie asked me to tell you that she's glad your oka-"

Rachel scoffed. "Well you tell your dear sister she can go fuck herself and shove that fake as sincerity up her ass and than repeat it to someone who gives a shit." Rachel growled and Quinn's eyes widened in surprise.

"Rachel, is she the reason-"

"My life is none of your fucking business! Why are you even here? Because I sure as hell didn't ask for you. In fact, why don't you just disappear? You and your fucked up sister are the reason I'm even sick with an infection! So just get fucking lost already!" Rachel yelled her eyes cold and hateful. It was clear that it was straining on the brunette to yell.

Quinn's eyes were filled with unshed tears but she refused to let them fall. It was silent for a moment before her voice low and raspy replied.

"No. I'm not the reason your in here. I'm the reason you had some form of medical attention when you did whatever stupid thing you did." Quinn's voice rose in volume and came out strong before her eyes turned icy and her HBIC glare was in full force aimed directly at Rachel who glared back internally wondering if the blonde in front of her is bipolar?

"Your here because you didn't take care of your own injuries! Your here because your too stupid and stubborn to tell the truth and allow someone to be there for you! And you know what?! You have no one to blame but yourself! So screw you, Rachel!"

With that, a very pissed off HBIC stormed out the door leaving a pissed off and slightly remorseful Rachel in her wake.