A spectacular fall from grace

Disclaimer: Still not mine, I kid you not.

A/N: This scene is some of the Burg wives POVs as the destroying of Helen Plum takes place. This was requested by Selene Aduial, so dedicated to you once more, hun! Hope this does justice to what you had in mind!

###

Helen Plum POV

I listened as Angela spoke of me, feeling like the cat that caught the canary. I had the kind of reputation most Burg wives dreamed of having, I had a wonderful trophy husband and still had my fun on the side, I had a perfect daughter, I was well on my way to breaking my disgrace of a youngest daughter and teaching her to be perfect, and now the women I have had tea with every month for the past 10 years were now singing my praises; I was on top of the world.

I kept my expression almost chagrined, but pleased, not wanting to gloat or smirk, as that would be so undermining to my character. I could almost picture the reverence with which everyone would look at me with now. I began to practice how I would greet people and advise other mothers, pretending to be aloof and unprepared…

Wait, hold on, why was Stephanie coming up on to the stage?

I watched as she claimed that I was not the woman these people thought. My blood froze in my veins and I could scarcely move. When the slideshow started and she began to screech that ridiculous song, I was on the point of killing her, but realising now was not the best time, I began to look for exits, only to find more and more thugs blocking all my ways out. I could feel the ladies' glares and disapproving head shaking, and when the picture of me and Anthony came on the screen and I heard the collective gasps and Angela's shriek, I knew I was done.

And I knew I had to make my whore of a daughter pay.

When I finally could start towards her, my path was blocked by two of her thugs. So this was what had given her the courage to do this…I would have to have a talk with my future son about this. She needed to learn a lesson.

See, the thing about feeling like you're on top of the world, is that you've always got such a long way to fall.

###

Sarah Wilowski POV

As that Helen's daughter took to the stage, I found myself smiling. I always liked that little girl, she was always so full of manners, yet still so full of spunk and life. She would always walk my baby Scruffle, when he was feeling energetic. Every day till she left for college that girl would come by and on the days when poor Scruffle was tired, she would just sit for a few minutes and make idle conversation with this lonely woman. Suffice to say, I just adored her.

When she started about her mother and I saw the things on the slideshow, I begun to feel disgusted at Helen for the things she had done, but more to the point, I could see bruises on that little girl's skin, and I wondered worriedly whether Helen had something to do with too, and whether that poor girl needed any help. When I saw the hulking Hispanic men stop Helen from going after the poor dear I realised that she did have help, and that eased my troubled heart. I made a mental note to check on her when I could and offer her whatever support she may need. I had come to love that little girl like the daughter I never had and so help me, if she needed anything that I could give her, it was hers.

###

Hannah Shiller POV

One minute, we were listening to Angie go on about what a lovely woman Helen Plum was, and the next we were watching Helen's own daughter send all of that to hell. Personally, I didn't understand why all of this was so bad; I mean, a woman needed to get herself some satisfaction now and then, right?

Seeing the looks of disgust and disdain on the other Burg women's faces, though, made me realise that I was supposed to be looking down on Helen from now. I also realised that this was a major blow to her reputation, so I reminded myself to be super careful from now on with the men I slept with to make sure they don't tell my husband…

But for now, let's just shake our heads and feign total revulsion at the sights we were beholding.

###

Macy Mueller POV

I barely heard the introductions that Angie was giving, painting Helen as a Goddamn saint. I was far more preoccupied at how I was going to regain face in this society; after Jaden's promotion fell through, I was treated like a social leper. Sure, okay, maybe it was wrong to have told all the women that we were going to be rich and I would never have to see their faces again was out of line, but hey.

Now, I was an outcast and I needed it to get fixed. But how to distract these ladies from some juicy gossip?

When a young lady took to the stage, my interest was captured, and I abandoned my plans for social revival for a bit. When she started about Helen not being the woman everyone thought, I held my breath in anticipation. Was it possible…?

The slideshow was epic and though I had to keep a straight face, I worked not to start cheering. All the women's attentions were caught by the wailing Angie or the frothing-at-the-mouth Helen.

"That's disgraceful of her," another woman whispered to me shaking her head in fellow camaraderie with me.

"Yes, very," I replied quietly, turning up my nose. I repressed my cheer; someone had spoken to me! Helen had fixed my problem for me! She was now the wreck, the disappointment, the embarrassment. I was free.

I sat back to enjoy the rest of the show.

###

Angie Morelli POV

The minute Stephanie Plum took the stage I knew we were going to be heading for trouble. I listened in outrage as she made her claim; how dare she insinuate that the committee didn't know the person they had elected to celebrate?! I bristled, but remained in dignified silence.

That is, until her little slideshow began.

Much to my horror, I found my jaw almost hitting the floor when I realised what I was looking at. Helen Plum, CHEATING? With my brother-in-law, no less! I was torn between disgust for the woman I had been ignorant enough to call an honourable Burg wife, and shame at my brother-in-law who had so flagrantly slept with a married woman.

I sighed as I realised the implications of all of this. This situation would have to be treated carefully to retain my reputation and good name. As much as my Joey marrying that girlmade him happy, I was now going to have to set some ground rules. I could no longer interact with Helen Plum and Stephanie would have to be adequately warned not to repeat her mother's whoring around. I sighed again; if only Joey hadn't insisted on marrying that girl; she was far too wild to become a Burg wife, much as Helen believed she could be tamed. I may not approve of her for my boy, but I can respect that Stephanie Plum is far too outspoken, independent, and strong-willed to be forced into our Burg mould, and I can respect her for never trying to be the Burg's poster wife, save for her mistake with that Orr boy. Make no mistake; I didn't like her. But I could find it in myself to respect her for her decisions not to conform.

No sooner had I begun to think about how to accommodate the Burg wife mould for Stephanie to fit in the Morelli family, had one picture flashed on that changed my life.

Helen Plum, in the arms of my late, abusive ex-husband, locked in a passionate kiss.

I heard a shriek and it took me a moment to realise it had come from me. Wracking sobs escaped from me and I was breathing in short, shallow gasps. For all he had done, I had still loved him, and it was always my one defence for my senseless love; at least he never cheated on me. At last I was the only one he loved, touched, kissed.

What a fool I was for making such a mistake.

And what a fool Helen Plum was for ever crossing me.

###

A/N: Ooh, ominous! Hope y'all enjoyed it, let me know if you have any requests! Review please!

-JazMitch