A/N: So Tuesday's episode totally killed me. Can't wait for April. Quinn is my favorite character and pretty much the only reason I watch the show, so they can't kill her off. Anyway back to my story. Hope you all still like it. THANK YOU to those of you who have reviewed, alerted, and listed this story as a favorite, it means so much to me. Please continue to review so that I can continue to improve and give you an increasingly better written story. I really love this story and hopefully will keep being about to update regularly. To those of you reading my other story Anonymous, I hope to update that soon too, but I've hit a bit of a writer's block on that one. I know where I want to go, it's just getting the right words. Disclaimer: I do not own GLEE or any of its characters. GLEE is the property of its creators and FOX. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 7

Quinn had been staring at the two story colonial house with the absurdly large garage since a young brunette, who looked around Quinn's age, ran into the house. Since then she'd seen a blonde woman pull up and go into the garage and then just an hour ago two men went inside the main house. One was a tall black man and the other was a short white man with hair the color of the brunette's. No one had exited since going in. Quinn was a little curious about the family living in the brick house, glancing down at her sister's note; it was the home of one Leroy Berry. Quinn just prayed the man still lived there after all these years.

Finally gathering enough courage, and suffering many coughing fits, Quinn left her car and headed across the pristine looking yard. Her father never let her run on the grass in the front yard, so Quinn felt odd doing so now, but she was to focused on getting to the door before she chickened out, so walking around to the path wasn't an option.

Quinn never thought a door could looks so imposing, after striking out at her mom's old house, Quinn dreaded that she'd come up empty handed again. Staring down the brown door she finally knocked several times. Quinn mentally counted the seconds and when she'd gotten to about forty-five the door open and Quinn was facing the blonde woman she'd seen go into the garage a few hours earlier. The woman paused upon seeing Quinn. Her eyes moved from Quinn's face down her body probably taking in the sweats Quinn was wearing, they were the warmest thing she owned, and then back to Quinn's eyes. The woman was a few inches taller than Quinn; her hair was a golden blonde and swept up into a loose bun. Crow's feet were beginning to form around her eyes and laugh lines around her aging, but still soft mouth. What caught Quinn's attention was the woman's eyes, they were the most interesting shade of green Quinn had ever seen and they appeared so warm and comforting, a drastic difference from her Dad's hard cold brown eyes. There was something familiar about the woman's gaze, actually the woman's appearance pulled at the recesses of Quinn's mind. She knew this woman, but how?

"Can…Can I help you?" The woman's voice trembled and Quinn thought she saw tears filling the green orbs.

"I'm looking for Judy Fabray and I was hoping you could tell me where she is," Quinn said confidently. This woman had to know where her mother was, Quinn just knew it. The woman closed her eyes briefly before answering so quietly that Quinn could barely here, "I'm Judy Fabray."

Quinn's heart literally stopped as she processed the woman's, no her mother's words. She could feel her mouth open slightly, but she couldn't help it. Here she was, thinking she was going to find an old friend of her mother's who'd tell her where her Mom was, and instead she'd actually found her mom. Quinn didn't know what to say. Memories, long forgotten, seemed to overwhelm her, she saw herself laughing in the back yard trying to tickle her mom, she saw herself cuddled up on the couch in her mother's hug watching Sesame Street, and going to the park and swing on the swings all day and talking about how great it would be to be a bird and be able to fly. The memories were quick and blurry, but Quinn knew they were true and that at one time Judy Fabray must have loved or at least liked her.

Quinn's thoughts and consequently silence was interrupted but the inevitable coughing fit that racked her body. Quinn lent over trying to control the spams and barely felt the thin but strong arms wrap around her and bring her in the house. Gently she was sat on the couch and as she regained her breath a glass of water was placed in her hand. Quinn looked up, hazel meeting green, and gave a small smile before sipping the cool water. It felt wondrous going down her warn raw throat. Actually the warmth in the house was amazing, Quinn couldn't remember the last time she'd been in a place so well heated. Sighing she rested her head back against the couch and closed her eyes. She instantly felt herself relaxing that was until a gentle hand pushed her bangs from her face. Quinn immediately stiffened remembering that she had just met her mother, after ten years apart.

Snapping up Quinn turned away from the hand and looked back at her mother. "You're my mom." The words just spilled from her lips. She guessed there wasn't much else she could say, so she stayed quiet.

Her mother just nodded and covered her mouth with her hand, blocking a still audible sob. Judy's eyes danced as they surveyed Quinn again. There was something in her eyes that Quinn couldn't quite place so she pushed it from her mind. "Lucy," her Mom finally cried. Literally cried, tear were falling quickly from the older woman's eyes. Red tracks formed down her cheeks. Quinn could feel her own tears forming but she pushed them away, Fabray's never showed weakness.

"Quinn actually, I haven't gone by Lucy in years." Quinn said matter of factly.

Judy visibly winced at Quinn's tone, Quinn felt slightly guilty, but pushed that feeling away as well. Judy had abandoned her, there was no reason for Quinn to be nice or feel guilty. Of course she was trying to get Judy to let her stay.

"Oh. Of course," Judy hesitated, seemingly gaining her composure before starting again. "God I've missed you so much." She sounded so sincere, but Quinn couldn't find it in herself to believe her mother. She'd been disappointed too much by the adults in her life and she wouldn't couldn't give Judy a free pass to her heart. So Quinn just scoffed, "Sure."

"I did, you have no idea how much Lu…Quinn. I have prayed for this day for the past ten years."

"Guess you shouldn't have abandoned us then." Quinn shot back. Internally she regretted her outburst. Arguing with Judy was the worst way to convince the woman to take her in, and yet Quinn couldn't help it. Years of frustration, pain, confusion, and anger were suddenly coming to the surface. Quinn had to use all her control not to let loose on her suppose it mother.

"I…I didn't Luce, I'd never." Judy whimpered, her tears returning and falling to the cushions on the tan couch.

"Whatever." Quinn rolled her eyes and looked away. She couldn't listen to this now. She was so overwhelmed. She didn't know what to feel. Part of her was relieved and excited and happy to have finally finding her mother of being reunited and the rest of her, the larger part of her was furious at Judy for leaving, whether she abandoned Quinn and Frannie on purpose or not. If it hadn't been intentional, clearly the woman hadn't tried very hard to get Quinn nor Frannie back.

The tension between them was palpable and only seemed to grow as the two blondes remained quiet. After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes Judy broke the silence. "Quinn, not that I am not happy that you're here; but why are you? How did you find me?"

Quinn looked down at the mahogany coffee table with books of musicals on it while she answered, "Dad, Russell kicked me out. I've been…well that doesn't matter…but I found this address in Frannie's journal and I just came."

"He kicked you out?" Quinn wasn't expecting the anger that filled Judy's voice and it forced her to look up. The woman looked outraged.

"Yes…a month ago."

"A month ago? Where have you been staying?" Quinn nearly face palmed at her slip, she hadn't meant to give Judy that much information, at least just yet, but she guessed she kind of had too.

"My car." Now it was Judy's jaw that drop. Quinn would have laughed at the look on Judy's face had the situation not been so serious.

"It's nearly winter." Judy said quietly.

"I know." Of course Quinn coughed as she replied and she quickly took a quick drink. "My lungs know too." Quinn gave Judy a small smile, trying desperately to lighten the situation. Clearly it wasn't going to work, as Judy just looked more upset.

"I can see, Quinn that is a horrible cough. You need to see a doctor. I'll set up an appointment for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Quinn asked confused.

"Yes tomorrow, it's too late now, but you could have pneumonia or bronchitis. I'll take you first thing."

Quinn shook her head, what was happening? "You'll take me?"

Judy sighed and slowly took Quinn's hand, "You may not believe it now, but I love you Quinn and I will take care of you, starting with giving you a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over your head and secondly by taking you to the doctors tomorrow."

"You're…you're letting me stay." Quinn's voice trembled. She hadn't even asked yet.

"Yes, you're my daughter; I'll always be here for you." Judy smiled and squeezed Quinn's hand. "Come now, I'll show you to where your room will be and then you can get a warm shower and go to bed. If you don't mind, I'll get your things from your car while you shower. I promise I won't look through anything."

Quinn was dumbfounded by how things had gone. She'd been prepared to beg Judy to let her stay, and yet she hadn't even had to ask. This confused Quinn and she didn't really know what to think, so she choose not to, but there was one burning question that she did need to ask, "Don't you want to know why he kicked me out?"

Judy turned to her and gave her a warm but serious smile, "I do, but I won't force you to tell me. You will when you're ready. It really doesn't matter though, nothing you say would make me kick you out, I just got you back, and I won't let you go again."

Quinn wished she could believe Judy, but she didn't. Quinn was sure once the truth came out, Judy would disown her just like Russell. "Thank you Judy." Quinn said quietly. Judy stopped at her words and Quinn thought she saw the woman sag some but she couldn't be sure as Judy just turned and smiled at her before leading Quinn into what Quinn learned was the absurdly large garage, and Judy's apartment.

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Judy found her way into the Berry kitchen an hour and a half or so after Quinn showed up on the Berry's front step. The girl had showered quickly and had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Judy had stood in the door watching Quinn sleep for a good twenty minutes before slowly shutting the door. Quinn had looked so beautiful and peaceful as she slept, the only indication that Quinn wasn't well was the whizzing that came every time she took in a breath. Judy still couldn't believe it, her daughter, her little Lucy was sleeping in Judy's spare bedroom. Lucy was back in her life. Judy wasn't quite sure how it happened, but now that she had her little girl back she'd be damned if she let her go.

Leroy and Hiram sat at the kitchen table like Judy suspected they would be. Hiram handed her a warm cup of tea as she took a seat and Leroy reached out and took her hand in his. "So where'd you disappear too?" Judy hadn't noticed at the time, but as she went through the evenings events in her head, she realized she had seen nor hear any of the Berry since she opened the door and brought a coughing Quinn in.

"We slipped upstairs. Rachel had a million questions but me managed to explain that it was a personal matter and that when you were ready, you'd talk to her. She's asleep now." Hiram explained.

Judy nodded, "How much did you hear?"

"Nothing after 'your my mom'" Leroy said, he was eyeing Judy carefully looking for any signs that Judy would crack and melt down. But she wouldn't how could she when she'd just gotten what she'd dreamed of for so many years.

"She's beautiful, even more so than Frannie." Judy said with a smile. Her daughter had clearly grown up into a stunning young woman. Her features she refined and defined, her eyes unique and stunning, but it wasn't her physical features that made Quinn beautiful, there was a strength and confidence that radiated from Quinn.

"Do you know how she found you and why?" Leroy asked. By his tone Judy could tell he was thinking of all the legal ramification that could transpire due to tonight's events.

"He kicked her out a month ago and she's been living in her car ever since. As for finding me, she said she found your address in Frannie's journal." Anger began to build inside of Judy again at the thought of Russell kicking out his own daughter. How could he do that, there was nothing that Quinn could have done that would deserve such harsh treatment.

Leroy rubbed his face, "Though that must have been awful for her, it's good for us, should he try and get her back. He's neglected her by kicking her out, basically given up rights to her." Judy was excited to hear this. Though she wished Quinn hadn't gone through what she had, Judy was glad it meant that she would be able to keep her.

"I can't imagine living out of your car for a month at that age." Hiram breathed, "I mean what could she possibly have done for money? Food?" Judy didn't want to think about that. There wasn't much in the way of work out there right now, and it was even harder for teens to get a job. Judy just prayed Quinn hadn't resorted to something horrible to survive. Judy shivered at the thought.

"Whatever it was, it didn't pay enough to give her proper shelter or be able to go to a doctor. That cough has me scared." Judy admitted to her two best friends.

"She'll be fine." Hiram reassured Judy his hand resting on her shoulder.

Judy shook her head and began to cry again. Leroy had her in his arms in seconds, "I…I can't believe she's here." Judy sobbed, "I…I'm so glad, but…but so mad about how…how it happened. My little girl was homeless for a month and now she's sick… and she doesn't trust me…and, and…she called me Judy, not mom, but Judy." When Quinn had called her Judy it had nearly broken her heart, but in the back of her mind Judy knew she couldn't blame her daughter, Judy had been absent from her life for ten years, and just by the little Quinn had revealed, it was clear that Russell had not painted Judy in a kind light. As she calmed down Judy promised herself that she'd fix things, Quinn would learn to trust her and they'd be the family they were always meant to be

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