Hello Reader,

Sorry dealing with the unexpected death of a friend….

As always thank you for reading. The posts should start up regularly.

-Mouser

Chapter 13

The smoke was stinging his eyes and making it difficult to see. But what he could make out was that they weren't alone. The buzzing in his ears was annoying and he was praying that it would stop, if he couldn't see correctly he at least wanted to hear correctly. The body that he was holding on to had slumped besides him as it went unconscious, but at least he knew he was alive. He couldn't say that for his other friend. Mike knew his injuries were slight compared to Artie and definitely far better than Santana. Santana, nothing in all his years had hurt as much as leaving her. If he made it out alive and she didn't he wasn't sure he could look at himself in the mirror. He knew if Artie was fully functional and if they had time they would have been able to get her out or at least they would have attempted to, but that fucking Martinez. Martinez, he would make sure that someone knew about his lack of leadership and downright incompetence once they made it out.

"Martinez, are all of your men accounted for?" he heard the voice ask.

"Yeah, Lopez is dead. Abrams and Chang are in the corner. They're both injured…" Chang thought he heard Martinez correctly, but could the man truly say that Santana was dead. She was alive. Injured, but alive. He made his way closer and realized that the man Martinez was talking to was Shue and as he started to speak Shuester held up his hand to silence him. "Martinez, once we get out of here you will be relieved of your command. Some things have come to light and I bet if I talk to Chang and Abrams they'll tell me what happened here."

"Sir, Lopez is alive, she was under some debris but she was alive." Mike shouted barely able to hear his own voice.

"I know Chang, we air lifted her. She's in critical condition but I think we got to her in time. Where's Abrams?"

"He's passed out in the corner. His leg is bad."

"Ok. We'll get him help. Let's go boys."

Mike was relieved. They were out of the woods and Santana was getting help, hopefully she'd make it. He was happy that someone finally noticed that Martinez was not a good leader and he'd he get relieved of his duty and command, there was no place in the service for men like Martinez. He watched as they removed all weapons off of Martinez, and formed a circle around him and led him out of the room. As they exited the small room there were just Marines, all other personnel were gone. They all loaded up and headed back to base, as Martinez sat silently.

It had been two weeks since Quinn's world had changed. When she woke that morning her head ached and her body was sore. She knew immediately that her body was violated and her sanctuary that she shared with Santana was no longer her safe place. She knew what Puck had done even if she couldn't remember past going to the café. She had ignored all calls. She had no desire to communicate with anybody. Even missing Santana's Skype call was ok. She wasn't sure how she could talk to her girlfriend and tell her what happened, knowing how it would break her heart, for as much as Santana put up a front to everyone with her lack of emotions, she was quite sensitive and responsive to others needs.

Ignoring Rachel's call was getting harder and harder, and it surprised her that the diva had not appeared at her door yet, but she was thankful for small favors. She had gone to class, and dove into her photography leaving little time to be at home with her thoughts. Getting ready to leave again the door bell rang and stopped her in her tracks. Precious minutes had passed before the banging on the door was too much for her to take. Peering through the peephole she saw Rachel looking up at her, "Open up Quinn, I know you're in there."

Silently hitting her head on the door she muttered, "Can't hide forever" under her breath and opened the door, "Hi Rachel" with her best fake smile.

"Finally you've answered Quinn Fabray. I have called, texted, stopped by several times and still no answer from you. Can you please tell me why? No, no you cannot and you know why because you have not answered your phone, text messages or door for the last two weeks. What is going on?" Rachel said slightly out of breath. It was amazing for someone with such breath control could be winded from scolding her best friend.

"Sorry, Rachel I've just been really busy and been in my own headspace. Especially since I missed Santana's Skype call, I just needed to be by myself."

"Oh, okay I accept that answer but please know I am here to listen. Plus you know you have a big day coming up and being in your headspace is not going to work, especially since I have plans for that day."

"Come on Rachel you know I don't want to do anything, I don't feel like celebrating."

"Too bad I have strict orders that I have to obey or else I'll have "Miss Lima Heights" all over me."

Damn it, "Fine where are doing?"

"I thought we'd go to Marco's and enjoy some lovely food and possible a little wine, then go to The Black Box for some jazz music, and maybe a small surprise after. How does that sound?"

"Since I can't say no, because I know Santana would throw a fit that sounds reasonable. It'll just be the three of us correct?" She had dreaded the fact that she might have to see Puck again. She wasn't too sure on how'd she react. When she woke the day after Puck had violated her, she had spent what felt like hours in the shower trying to scrub his smell off of her. She let the hot water blister her skin and stayed underneath the water until her body shivered from the cold. Just thinking about that morning made her want to vomit; instead she took a deep breath and cleared her head.

"Yeah, of course."

"Ok, then."

"Quinn, I know you're missing San, and I feel like there are other things going on because you've been distant but I am here if need to talk or vent or just sit in silence with you. You have been my best friend since the dawn of time and I'll always be here, you know that right?"

"I know Rae, and soon I promise. I'm just going through something that I have to do on my own for a bit but I know you're here and I appreciate it. Hell, I love you for it."

"Okay then. I'll leave you be."

Quinn was thankful that Rachel didn't push further for what was troubling her because she wasn't sure would be able to tell her. She wanted to tell Santana first, so until she got the opportunity she would hold everything in.