Don't know how this is going down but here's the next bit, it will get back to mostly kate and Caroline in a few updates but this leads into the next drama...
"I don't know but she came to you and now me and we can't ignore this" Kate nodded she had always known Lucy had a difficult time at home, but she hadn't imagined to this degree. Lucy had always been so bright and confident and seemed so well rounded it was hard to believe just how hard her life must have been.
"Do you know Caroline, in all the school meetings with students parents nights I have never seen her father I always wrote home, she always explained that it was because of her mums health that they couldn't attend". Caroline thought for a moment " To think about it her grandmother bought her when she enrolled I don't think I've ever met either of her parents, but because she's such a good student I've never worried too much. It just shows the students who do well and appear happy slip under the radar." Kate's sad eyes met Caroline's "I can't believe I didn't realize after all the talks we have had, I never imagined" a tear slipping down her face Caroline moved closer using her soft finger tips to wipe it away.
"Its very easy to hide things when u want to sweetheart, god I know it's not the same but I managed to hide my feelings for women for the last twenty years to myself and everybody around me. It becomes so natural it's hard for anyone to see through what you show them". Kate sighed "I saw, I saw through you" Caroline's lips curved into a smile "that's because your so special".
Caroline took her hand "the first thing we need to do is let her feel safe so she can talk to us and then we need to look into her home life a little more, find out who this father is". Kate took her hand and squeezed it gently "I love you" "I love you" their lips met tenderly gently, conveying their deep understanding of just how lucky they were despite everything in their past.
After sitting in the kitchen for some time Caroline finally stood "I think we should go up and check on..." She stopped mid sentence as "Me" came the quiet voice from the door. Caroline and Kate looked up reaching towards the now more recognizable Lucy composed and more confident. In some ways Caroline couldn't help but see some of herself in the girl who stood before her, the walls had began to rebuild and the confident and composed exterior put back in place to shut out the world from seeing in.
"yes we were just coming to find you" Kate said softly her eyes meeting Lucy's feeling Lucy attempt to avoid her searing orbs from seeing in. " I'm ok now sorry about before, I should really learn to control my melt downs" Lucy smiled. "I should probably be getting home" Caroline stood up feeling flustered what had she just said surely she wasn't going to go home, she couldn't. "I thought you were going to stay here tonight" Caroline asked tenderly her eyes meeting Lucy's. "Thank you but I'll be fine, honestly I over reacted". "Lucy... She watched her look up her glassy eyes begging Caroline not to make this harder for her, wishing she could take back everything she had already said. "You can't go home, we want you to be safe, don't we kate" Caroline desperately turning to Kate asking her to back her up.
Kate watched Lucys face as Caroline spoke, Kate nodded "please Lucy we just want do help", "I'm very grateful but I can't" Lucy felt her eyes sting, "I shouldn't have told you anything". All she wanted to do was collapse on the floor and sob her heart out tell them everything, plead with them to keep her safe. And yet something inside betrayed her, she still felt loyal to him she couldn't but most of all she was still scared of him.
Caroline took Kate's hand and pulled her forward "at least come have a cup of tea", Lucy's eyes met Kate's she felt so safe so happy to be around her and yet she had been so manipulative in the past She felt guilty. Now seeing them together her favorite teacher and her head teacher together in their home she saw now just how happy they were together, how she hadn't cared if shed caused trouble. She couldn't help wonder weather Kate had told her about the kiss, if she had would she still be standing here now.
She couldn't help but feel a little twinge of guilt she had always wished them apart but now she envied them envied Lawrence. She had always know Lawrence from school but had thought he had it hard having a head teacher as his mum his parents divorced, his mum and newly recognized lesbian in a jumbled up home life of two point four Kids. But no! now she could see all the things she was missing out on.
As they sat drinking tea Kate looked at the clock it was getting late, if they could stall her late enough she'd have no choice but to stay. "Lucy how long has this been going on?" Lucy was taken back by the question, half an hour of dodging the subject she thought shed escaped talking anymore about it.
she looked up watching the exploring looks from both women in front of her, "when I was 11 and mum got ill, he was frustrated and I got in the way. I've always tried to be normal fit in and do well at school but he didn't understand when I finally accepted I liked girls, and that I wanted to spend more and more time away from home. When mum got so ill and went away we never talked about it I don't see her at all really. We live separate lives but he's changed and as I try to be happy I think he hates that I'm ready and he struggles.
caroline listened intently glancing at Kate every so often " he doesn't mean to hurt me, he's always sorry afterwards and now I'm an adult I could leave But I choose not to, so what I get is down to me".
Kate moved her hand to take Lucy's "it's not right Lucy, he shouldn't hurt you ever, and yes your over 16 but your not even eighteen. so that doesn't make you legally an adult even if you feel much older than your years, he's your father he's suppose to protect you". She felt Kate's hand above hers, the tingle that sent shocks through her whole body as she gazed into her eyes. It was almost too easy to persuade her look of concern for love. "I knew you wouldn't understand, nobody would" Lucy whispered. Caroline spoke "Lucy we are teachers and we would like to be your friends, you've come to us and now we know. you must understand we want to help but more as your head teacher I can't ignore this".
Tears streamed down her face "you can't get involved you will make it worse" her hands covered her face. "He knows I talk to a teacher at school he hates it, he doesn't even know that I have told you as much as I have and look what I get tonight". Her breathe raged as her body shook both women standing up to walk around the kitchen bench to take the child like young woman in their arms. God she could see Kate was happy and how both of them had been so kind, how could she tell them the worst bit of all, she couldn't. Kate took in her words slowly processing them "This is because of me?" Kate almost whispered, " he felt threatened and when I refused to help him get to you, I got his temper up".
Caroline stood up properly letting Lucy from her embrace "let me get some paper we can see what we can do to make this better, what I can do as your teacher. So I can mention no names but see where we stand to keep you safe". Lucy wanted so desperately to speak to Kate alone so she nodded In agreement.
As Caroline Left the room lucy looked up at Kate feeling her warm embrace and before Kate could register, Lucy's lips met Kate's gently For a few seconds, before Kate pulled away a shock and horrified look consumed her face. Lucy leant in to her neck "I'd never hurt you, I'd never tell him about us, but Kate I need you so much I can't be alone I'm scared. Kate pulled away her heart breaking she was scared what to do next "Lucy you are my student and a friend and technically we shouldn't be friends but nothing more. I love Caroline, I don't want to hurt you but you need to know this can't happen". The girl pulled away nodding and stood up grabbing her coat "I understand".
Lucy headed for the front door, Caroline stopping her in her tracks as she walked from the study "where are you going?" her voice laced with concern "home" Lucy said bluntly. You win she thought you can have Kate but brace yourself dad won't see it the same way she sighed to herself.
"But you can't it's late and it's not safe" Caroline almost pleading, Lucy looked up "it's not your problem and I don't want it to be. Thank you for tonight but please leave me alone I'm fine. Don't go making trouble if you care at all about me". Caroline stood shell shocked as she shut the door her body frozen to the spot, finally she was able to move and she went to find Kate.
"she's just left, we need to go after her now" she caught Kate's look out the corner of her eye "what don't I know?" Kate sat silently her hands covering her face "Kate, tell me...".