Open Wounds

by 216BLT

AU: The past is the past. Puck, Santana, & Rachel Corcoran have moved on from theirs, but when their mother decides to take in a teen, old memories resurface. Also, new scars are made as they navigate through adolescence, ones that might not heal.

43. Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Anon - Thank you.

Anon - Here is the next chapter. Thank you for your patience.

Renata – No problem Ms. Brazil. I know people get busy. I am glad you enjoyed the chapters. Rachel is not going to be having any friends over anytime soon. She is too fragile right now but she will have friends its just a matter of gaining confidence and moving past all this but that is going to take some time. You will see they can prove who is the father of Quinn's baby. Thank you so much for reviewing. I love seeing them.

Comfortless soul – the Hiram punishments while the beatings lasted maybe 10-15 minutes or a little longer they were held captive so their punishments were actually never ending during the time that they spent with him. They were held away from their mother and rest of the loving family members. For Quinn, it would depend on who was doing the punishments, what time of day the punishment started and who was administrating the punishments. There is no time frame for these because they are flashbacks to her and things that seem to last all day may have only been hours but when you are the receiver of these punishments it feels like forever. None of Quinn's punishments were lenient in any way though and neither were the Corcorans with Hiram. I hope this answered your questions. Thanks for the review.

And co - Quinn was made to do "favors" for Russell in hopes of getting beat less and sometimes she did and sometimes the beatings continued. She originally thought that pleasing him would prevent the beating but typically it did not. She would have had to suffer through both. Thanks for the review.

Fangirl44 – Thank you so much for the review. A lot happens in this chapter and I am afraid no pre-abuse flashbacks but there will be more of those coming.

Treasury – Quinn had some defensive wounds on her however, she learned from a very early age to accept her punishments and that it would be worse if she blocked him from spanking her or beating her with the belt. Scratches on the eye to Russell was simply a one off – Quinn did not usually fight her father when he came looking for her. It would have always made things worse. The holidays in the story are coming up and what they did will be addressed in some ways, however because of the things that are going on it will be hard to celebrate them like they have done but it will be addressed. Neither Quinn nor Rachel will act normal during the trials. And the rest of the family will all struggle when the girls regress but they have a terrific support system so they should not regress too much further. I love long review so don't apologize – keep them coming – Thank you.

Drea LuRuiz – I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

Iuterpi – That's right here comes Holly. Thanks for the review.

Anon – Noah is a wonderful brother. I am glad you enjoy it. Thank you for the review.

SuzQQ Santana is definitely a take charge kind of gal and always has been. Nana really doesn't have favorites but noah feels a little lost right now. Shelby is doing a great job but you will see in this chapter she needs a little more help. And don't worry she gets it. Thanks for being patient with me I had an awesome time with my friend but now it is back to the story. Thank you.

thelastcenturian – WOW The whole thing in a couple of days that is a lot of reading. Thank you so much ! Sorry but I think Mr. Schue is a creep and I didn't mean to ruin him for you in the other fics its just my hate for him spilled over. He certainly does not get any better in this chapter – Thanks again!

Anon – Yes I went to the zoo and yes it is in America. Thanks for reviewing.

Sanni - Thank you for the review – San and Quinn are getting more and more like sisters everyday and there will be more of it coming in future chapters.

Cookie07 – I am really glad that you liked this chapter. They do start physically feeling better a lot sooner than emotionally. But they will get better. San misses her daddy a lot and that will come out more. Poor Rachel didn't even know him so that is super hard for her. But they will work on it in counseling for all of them. Thank you for the review.

lovecanbesostrange – Santana was always mothering from the beginning and I was happy that I could put in that flashback. We just have to keep it a nice balance. Quinn is being treated just like Shelby would treat the other 3 and if they had cut off a cast Shelby would have yelled their full name too. Quinn will definitely need to work hard to remember that her punishments will never be the same again. Santana does miss her daddy and she hasn't been able to work through that like she should but it will come out in therapy. Thanks for the review.

Lexie-Rae – Quinn was helping Rachel but her head is going through so much and unfortunately Shelby has to stick really close to Quinn to make sure she doesn't injure herself or feel any more lost than she already does. Frannie was not punished as hard as Quinn was maybe a small spanking here and there but nothing compared to what Quinn as gone through. The mini Corcorans are special to me and I love to add the flashbacks to the story. It definitely shows their personalities from the beginning. I am glad you are enjoying the story.

amandaes417 – Shelby saw what happened when she yelled at Quinn but it was needed. But they will both learn and Shelby wont be scared to punish Quinn the same way she punishes her other 3 kids. The Corcorans will have more moments like that but we still need to get through the rougher parts. Thanks for enjoying the story and I hope you like this chapter as well.

Victoria – Wow 2 weeks reading the story. Thank you so much. I am sorry you lost sleep over it but I am glad that you are so invested in it. Thank you for the kind words regarding my writing. I try my best to give each and every character an indepth storyline so that you can actually picture the characters while reading. I think it is important. Shelby and Quinn will have many more moments and they have truly become mother and daughter. There will be laughter, tears, anger, happiness, disappointment, sympathy but most of all LOVE. Thank you again.

Kimberlli – I am glad you enjoyed this chapter. Noah's trip should be interesting. Thanks for the review.

Piper – You are not alone. I hate Frannie too. Frannie hasn't shown any guilt and she apparently did nothing to stop Quinn from ever getting a beaten. But I am sure she has felt Russell's belt at least once. Frannie will make an appearance or two soon but she has a restraining order. Thanks for the review and keep the questions coming.

Scout – The trials are going to be tough on Quinn. But as Shelby said she is not going to do it alone. She has her new family behind her and they love and support her. Thank you for the review.

SadPanda13 - Thank you for saying that! Shelby had to treat Quinn like that – Quinn is one of her children now and if Santana had done it it is exactly how Shelby would have treated Santana. No different. And she recognized immediately that Quinn zoned out and she addressed it. If she had let Quinn get away with it it would have showed Quinn that she is treated differently. Poor San she did give up the roof but hopefully Shelby was too distracted to remember the roof. Doubtful. I enjoy your stories as well. Thank you for the review.

look4me – Shelby had to punish Quinn in the situation because she needs to stop her behavior now. She knows Quinn is hurting really bad and will continue to act out but Shelby can't ignore it even though Quinn is hurting. She has to address it and move past it. Quinn has some really hard things coming up that she has to deal with and if Shelby doesn't keep a close eye on her Quinn could slip. Shelby was gentle and motherly and Quinn realizes that she wont be hit by Shelby ever and will still be loved so it was a giant step in their relationship. Quinn and Santana have developed into true sisters and while everything is still so hard for all of them they can have the lighter moments where sisters will tease each other. Sorry for the delay in getting the chapter out – just had to work some things out for the upcoming chapters. Thanks for your review.

marinka4 – I am glad you like the happier moments. I always get nervous posting the lighter sides of this story. Holly should bring some fun to their school work that has been ignored lately. And she will be tutoring all 5 of them so it should make for some interesting lessons. Oh I wish poor Leroy was in the witness protection program but unfortunately he is deceased. Rachel will get better I promise. Thanks for the review.

TommyH – I am glad you do too. Thanks

Jamison08 – I am glad you liked it and I am working on the next chapter right now. Thanks for reviewing.

NinjaGleek21 – Trust me I will need them soon if not this chapter then definitely the next. So please stay close. I hate Frannie too. Thanks for the cookie again. And as always thanks for the review in general.

cbell123 – As soon as I can I will get the next one out. Thanks for the review.

A C one – Yes Shelby did freak out and it will be awhile before she lets either Rachel or Quinn out of her direct sight. Noah is going to try his best to get on this road trip without telling Shelby much but Shelby is not going to be happy about it when she finds out for a number of reasons. Holly will be bringing laughs that's for sure. Thanks for the review.

Lolathe17th – Please you were not rambling and I love to get reviews. So please keep them coming. My parents were not fan of McDonalds either and I have a friend that still won't let her son anywhere near that dreadful play place at any McDonalds. They are just gross. But it shows Hiram was not very good with children right from the beginning. I don't think Quinn, Santana or Noah have it in them to make it easy for any teacher. They are sure to give her a hard time but Holly will be able to handle them. Thanks for the review.

broadwaybound2016 – Santana was always a great big sister. She will continue to be as well. Thanks for the review and I am working on the next chapter right now.

sillystarshine – I am glad you liked it – Thanks

Thank you everyone for your support. This chapter begins and wraps up or at least presents the future of the story.

I'm sorry it took so long, but as you through this a lot happens. please read at your own risk. So much happens. So much growth and so many surprises... and as usual, it was supposed to be longer...

Shelby picked the blanket off of the floor and folded it on the back of the couch.

"Is everyone asleep?"

She looked over her shoulder and spotted her mother leaning against the door frame. She continued to fold the blanket.

"Yeah," she muttered. "They've been in bed for awhile. Rachel and Quinn took awhile to get down. After I finished getting Rachel ready for bed-"

"How'd that go?" Michael interrupted as he perched on the arm of the couch.

Shelby shook her head slightly. "She cried again," Shelby said as she focused on folding the blanket perfectly. "She and Quinn are moving around fine, but I can see that their bodies are still aching. Helping Rachel clean up for tonight and putting the cream on her..." She trailed off. "She's still raw. Things are healing, but very slowly." The mother scoffed. The moment of sheer panic that she felt when she couldn't find Rachel was paralyzing in its memory "Quinn cut off her cast today." She stared at the blanket in her arms. "She cut it off," she said more quietly. She thought back to the day. She understood why the cast was cut off, but it still wasn't okay. In a way she herself wished she could free herself from what she felt, but knew she couldn't. She laid the blanket down with a heavy sigh. "They'll be okay. We just have to support them."

"Shel, are you okay?" Michael asked cautiously.

The woman looked down at her hands. "What do you think?" she whispered. "I …. I'm trying... and I …." She shook her head. "She cut off her cast... Rachel was missing and I pictured..."

Shelby cut herself off. She shook her head.

"I'm fine," she said putting up her hands. "I'm just... I need to sleep."

"We're going to stay here tonight," Helen said.

Shelby shook her head.

"It's not up for discussion," Helen said. "We'll stay in the other guest room."

"Mom, I don't have one anymore. "

"You have those blow up mattresses-"

"Mom," Shelby said in disgust. "That's not..."

"We're fine," Helen said, cutting her off. "Go to bed please."

"Mother, this is my house," she argued.

"I never said it wasn't," Helen said casually.

"Good night," Michael smiled, urging her to go with his eyes.

Shelby sighed and watched her parents disappear into the kitchen.

"At least take my bed or Rachel's," she called after them. "She's in with Santana anyway."

Michael looked over at her. He gave a slight nod. "Sure." He raised his eyebrow. "Now go to bed."

Shelby watched her father head into the kitchen. "Please don't stay here because you think that I can't handle this."

Michael turned and walked back toward his youngest daughter. He rubbed his hands on both of her arms. "You're handling it well, Shelby, but you need to take your own advice and lean on people. Do you want to talk about it?"

"You're right," Shelby said backing away. "I'm tired."

He tilted his head and sighed at her in disappointment. "Shelby," he said with a heavy sigh. "Talk to me."

She shook her head. "I'm … I'm good." She looked at her father with a heavy sigh. "I just need to sleep."

He frowned. "Alright."

Shelby nodded and headed up the stairs. "Okay," he muttered.

She nodded and headed up the stairs. She peeked into Noah's room. He was sprawled on his bed snoring in a way that sounded like a broken carburetor. She smiled and turned off his light next to his bed, kissing him gently on forehead. He stirred and smiled as he opened his eyes.

"Hey," he smiled lazily.

"Go back to sleep, sweetheart," she whispered.

"You okay, Ma?" he asked as he closed his eyes.

"I'm fine, buddy," she kissed him again. "I love you."

She closed his door quietly and walked down the hallway. She peeked into Santana's room. Rachel was wearing pajamas that Shelby was sure she bought for Rachel at least four years ago. It was a matching pants and shirt set. They had Disney princess on the top and then their matching shoes scattered on the pants. Shelby squeezed her eyes shut. A few months ago, Rachel was going to donate the pajamas set but decided to keep it for "prosperity." Two steps back, she thought as she pulled the comforter up over the girls. She leaned over and kissed Santana goodnight. She gave a small smile. Santana was curled around Rachel clad in Leroy's NYU sweatshirt. She kissed them both and made her way through the bathroom to Quinn's room, making sure to leave the restroom light on for the girls.

She breathed a small sigh of relief when she saw the blonde was still in bed. She knew that it was primarily the drugs she could thank, but she was still grateful. She kissed her softly on the forehead as she moved a stray piece of hair out of her face and tucked the lamb closer to the girl, making sure to avoid the casted arm. She sighed and made her way down the hallway.

She collapsed her in bed after brushing her teeth and combing her hair. She released a heavy breath and let herself sink into the bed. She needed to sleep. She closed her eyes. She just needed to sleep. She needed to not think about the what ifs. She needed to move on from the day. Her eyes opened. Did she lock the doors downstairs? She set the alarm right? Did she set out water and the girls' pills for when they wake her up around 5am in pain? Yes, she told herself. She did. She was prepared. Should she triple check? Did her parents turn the heat down?

She shook her head. Just sleep.

The blinking red and blue lights brought her vision into focus. Shelby approached the house. It wasn't hers. While she felt a chill run through her heart, she knew she had to go in. Everything was lit like an old Noir movie. It was foggy and strange. She looked around. The street was empty. When she looked back at the house, there was a scattered crowd outside the house now. It was a blur of people she recognized mixed with people she didn't. She frowned feeling an ache in her heart as if she was searching for something and this was where it was.

She made her way through the crowd that seemed to part for her.

"I'm so sorry," her brother-in-law said to her gently. Where did he come from?

She was standing in front of this house. It hit her. Rachel was in there. She made her way slowly into the house. Suddenly everyone around her seemed to disappear. She frowned. She looked around. She felt a panic in her chest. Something dawned on her. Rachel was missing. He had taken her. That was her reality in this place.. She looked around again. Policemen now stood near her.

"Ma'am."

She looked up and Pam and the Captain were looking at her. They led her into the house. Officers were collecting samples. and dusting. It was foggy. It wasn't real. They led her down the hallway and then stopped at the top of the basement stairs. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing what was down there wasn't helping. She seemed to float down stairs. The dim light added to the fogginess. The basement was just like she pictured when she thought Rachel was missing before. The basement was sparse.

She looked up and around the room. She was alone again, the cops were gone. Her stomach was on the floor already. However, the once empty room was no longer empty. She breathed heavily as her panic and horror escalated. Santana laid next to her with four bullets in her chest. She instantly fell to her knees and crawled over to her.

"No," she screamed shaking the cold body.

She pulled Santana's bloody body into her arms. "Taz, wake up. You're okay. I'm right here," she said hurriedly. "Come on, kiddo. Wake up. Open your eyes, sweetie."

She sobbed and squeezed her eyes shut, sobbing as she rocked Santana. She opened her eyes. Somehow through her tear clouded vision she spotted Noah against the far wall with a knife in his back. She laid Santana down gently. "I'll be right back, sweetie," she said softly to her daughter, kissing her lightly on her forehead. It was cold. She pushed through as she ran to him.

"Buddy?" He was face down. She leaned down and touched him lightly. Maybe he was breathing. Maybe he was alive. Cold. He was cold. "Nononononononono."

She let out another scream. "Noah! Please, honey. Come on! I need you."

She was afraid to move him. Should she take the knife out? She hissed, it was her own kitchen knife. What was going on? She breathed heavily. Quinn. Where was Quinn? She looked up and around the room. Where was Quinn?

"Hello."

She looked up.

Russell Fabray stood there holding Quinn in front of him. She was trembling in his arms. Tears streaked her face. "Mom," she whispered. She was wearing a ripped nightgown and blood was trickling down her leg. He smiled and pulled a gun out and nested it under the girl's neck.

Quinn shook her head. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I can't. I just...I can't." She shook her body even more. "You told me he was in jail. You told me he was …. gone...That I was safe." She sobbed as the gun dug deeper under her chin.

"Watch me, Q-bear," Shelby said standing slowly. "Just me and you. You're okay."

Quinn let out another sob. Shelby looked at her with forced bravery. They needed to get through this.

A shot rang through the room. Shelby's heart stopped.

Quinn fell through the ground. She ran toward her.

"No! No!" She blinked and shot up toward her, hoping she could catch her.

They were all gone. All three of them. She felt the panic in her chest. She looked around. Santana was gone. Noah was gone. She just needed to hold them. Where were they? "No!" she sobbed. "Fuck you, you bastards!" she screamed. She ran around the echoing empty basement. "Come out and face me, damn it!"

She breathed heavily and let out a scream of frustration. This couldn't be happening. She looked around. Nothing. No one. Nothing! She paced around but suddenly stopped when she stepped on something. She looked down. George. She picked up the stuffed animal. It was dirty and mangled.

She spotted a light flickering around the corner. This looked familiar. She held the stuffed animal closer to her as she walked around the corner. The echoing of her footsteps around her sent chills deeper. She was alone and she shouldn't be here but she kept walking. She couldn't stop. She stepped on something again. She looked down. It was a pile of clothes. She leaned down to look at them. Pajamas? There was a pattern on it. Princess shoes.

Her eyes bulged and she quickened her pace regardless of the echoing in her ears of her own footsteps. No. No. No. No.

She froze when she rounded the corner and unconsciously dropped the stuffed animal.

In the corner of the room was a naked twin mattress. There in the middle of the sheetless, soiled mattress was her baby girl. Her entire body was exposed, littered with bruises and blood. Shelby could see the fluid between her legs. She sprinted over to her.

"Rachel? Rachel?" she scolded frantically. She reached her body and gently pulled her into her arms.

Her breath quickened. She was cold. Her tiny nude body barely looked like Rachel. She was cold. Shelby shook her head. She was going to be okay. She cradled her to her body.

"Baby, wake up. nononononono," she began to sob. "Wake up, Rachel." She frowned and shook her slightly. "Do you hear me?" She patted her bruised cheek gently. "Rachel, baby bug. RACHEL!"

She wasn't moving. Shelby put her hand on the tiny girl's bare chest. There were hand print bruises on her body where he held her. Her eyes were swollen shut. She felt her chest. Where was the heart beat? She was so cold. Nothing.

She rocked her close to her chest. "No, Rach," she yelled. "You need to wake up. You need to wake up for Mommy. I need you to fight. I need you to stay here with me."

Nothing. Just frozen fear and a cold body of her baby girl.

Shelby released a sob of anguish. "Stay with me!" she screamed.

She looked down at Rachel's barren body. There were rope burn marks on her ankles and wrists. There were welts painting her body. she felt something stick to her chest and shirt. she followed the blood. Rachel's head was bleeding. He kicked her in the head. She tried to stop the blood with her shaking hands.

"Wake up, bug," she ordered. "Wake up."

She continued to rock softly. "Rachel!" she sobbed repeatedly. "Please," she muttered. "Please wake up."

Shelby shot up in bed with a sob. "NO!"

"Shelby? Shelby," Helen ran into the room. "You're okay. You're okay." Helen wrapped her into a hug. Shelby took a deep breath and sunk into her mother. "What happened?" Helen asked after a few minutes once Shelby calmed.

"She was dead. H-h-h-he killed her... Her body was so broken ... He... He brutalized her." the mother sobbed. "She was ...it was so real. I held her... She was lying on a mattress, naked in the basement..." She looked at her mother with defeat. "she was dead." She shook her head. "He shot them. They were all dead. Russell shot Quinn. He just... He …. he shot them... He stabbed Noah... and Rachel..." She trailed off wiping her tears. "And Sanny... she was just... she just didn't move...There were holes in her chest..."

She threw the blankets back and sprinted toward her bathroom, emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet.

"I can't," she sobbed in the bathroom. She shook her head and stood swiftly.

She walked briskly past her mother and into the Noah's room. She kissed him lightly and ran his hand over his back simply to double check that there was no knife. She retucked him in and walked back out into the hallway. Her mother stood at the doorway watching her. She pushed past her quickly, ignoring her. She went down the hallway to Quinn's room hoping that she was still in bed. What time is it? she thought to herself. She walked into Quinn's room quietly, allowing the light from the bathroom and the hallway lead her to the bed. Quinn was on the floor.

She sighed and shook her lightly. "Sweetheart," she asked quietly. "Wake up. Let's get you back in bed." She looked at her mother still in lingering, waiting for her to break. "Can you grab the water and the pills on near the sink? Quinn's are labeled." Helen nodded and went to the restroom. She returned and handed the pills to her daughter.

"Quinn?" she helped the groggy girl up to a sitting position.

The blonde frowned and looked at her with a frown. "I'm fine," she mumbled.

"I know," Shelby whispered kissing her softly on the forehead and handing her the pills. She watched her take them with a weak smile. "DO you want me to wait until you fall asleep?"

The girl shook her head. "I'm fine," she mumbled.

Shelby looked at Quinn carefully. "I don't mind staying," she said quietly.

The girl shook her head again. "I'm fine."

Shelby looked at her carefully. "Please start in the bed. Your body needs the support of the mattress." Quinn hesitated. Shelby looked at her tenderly. Tears pooled in her eyes at the memory of the girl being shot. "please, q-bear?"

The tired girl raised her eyebrow in surprise and uncertainty. She saw something different in the mother's eyes: fear and sorrow.

"Okay," she nodded slowly. "Okay."

Shelby kissed her softly and walked through the restroom into Santana's room.

Rachel had kicked the blankets and turned into Santana's chest. She was clenching the older girl's sweatshirt.

"Nomoreplease,"she mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"I've got you, bug,"she whispered in a hushing tone. "Mommy's right here."

Her eyes couldn't erase the image of her youngest daughter's naked, abused and beaten form so she held Rachel tightly in her arms. She was distracted enough that she didn't notice Santana sit up groggily and follow her, mumbling questions about what was wrong with Rachel. Shelby settled in her bedroom and laid down in her bed. She rubbed Rachel's back softly. She noticed her mother standing at the door. She felt another body settle on her and she smelt the smell of her late ex-husband's cologne. She turned away from the stared of her mother. She hushed Santana back to sleep softly as she combed her hair back with one hand and continued to balance Rachel on top of her. Rachel squeezed the front of her shirt as she laid on Shelby's chest.

"You're safe," the mother muttered. "You're with mommy."

She shifted so that one arm was wrapped around Santana's shoulders while the other continued the support Rachel's dead weight. Shelby held Rachel close and felt her own eyes flutter shut. She needed to hold them close and remind herself that what she saw wasn't true, even though the terror of those moments made her ache in mourning. It wasn't real, she whispered to her worried mind.

The sun seeped through her closed eyelids. She groaned internally. She just closed them. She literally just closed her eyes. Right? Shelby's eyes flickered open. Rachel was lying silently on her chest. Shelby combed her hand through her hair. Stupid princess pajamas. Santana was still next to her. Her mouth was open and was amplifying her breath.

She smiled slightly as she sat up and spotted Quinn sleeping in the corner. She gave a tiny sigh. She wasn't asleep because she was comfortabel on the floor it was because she was too exhausted to fight it. Shelby carefully untangled herself from the girls and approached Quinn. She lifted her gracefully to standing and laid her in the bed and Rachel instinctively wrapped her arms around her. Shelby paused as she watched them.

Bullets. She looked at Rachel's pajamas. Princess shoes. The knife. She sucked back her tears and ran to her room shutting the door quickly and then shut the bathroom door. She needed to mask the sound of her losing it. They couldn't see her losing it.

She threw up in the toilet. After a few deep breaths she leaned against the wall heavily.

She squeezed her eyes shut. They weren't dead. They were okay. They were okay, she said more forcefully to herself.

"Shel?"

She looked up and her mother stood there looking down at her. "Go away," Shelby whispered, turning away.

"Shelby," she said again sitting down next to her. "You're going to talk to me and you're going to do it right now."

"Mother," she groaned. "My face doesn't say that I want to discuss this," she began.

"But the smell in this bathroom says otherwise," she replied sharply.

"Mom!" Shelby exclaimed.

"Shelby, you're not fine," Helen pushed. "So don't you dare tell me that you're fine." She looked at Shelby closely as she leaned her shoulder against her daughter. "You're not fine."

"They were dead, Mom," she whispered. "They were in my arms... Their bodies were cold. I held her." Shelby pulled her arms against her chest. "I held Rachel... she was naked and beaten and …. Her pajamas were on the floor... I hate those damn pajamas."

Helen reached over and pulled her into a hug. She cupped her face and wiped her tears and Shelby didn't even feel fall. The elder woman gave a soft smile. "They're really too young for her."

Shelby gave a tearful laugh. "She likes them."

Helen scoffed. "Well, she also likes bear cubs. I don't see them anywhere. Thank you for not spoiling her with wild animals."

She scoffed quietly. She looked at her hands. "It felt so real," she whispered. She shook her head. "I lost them," she whispered. "I know they're here. I know they're alive. I know what's happening right now is my panic. I know what's happening is me being scared. I'm turning my fear into a reality that's not real. I just need to wrap my head around this." She nodded as if she was allowing her weak reassurance to be true. "I just need to wrap my head around all this. Russell won't get out. Will Schuester won't ever..." she trailed off. She shook her head. "They're safe. We will keep them safe." She bite her lip and wiped her tears. "It just felt too real" She looked at her mother. "That can never be real."

Helen squeezed her hand. "We will keep them safe and that won't be real." She sighed, "But you need to take care of you." Shelby looked at her. "You don't have to talk to me or your father or your sister even, but you need to talk to someone. Okay? I know you. I've raised you. You hold it in too much until you explode." Shelby looked at her sharply. "Not all the time, but some of the time." She looked at her softly. "You know as well as I do that it doesn't work all the time."

"I just need to get back on my feet. I'll talk to someone but right now I need to focus on what's happening and at least get Quinn sleeping in a bed and -"

"Well, that's an easy fix," Helen said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Shelby shook her head. "What?"

"In Florida," Helen began. "She slept fine."

"Because she slept with the girls," Shelby said quickly. "She wasn't alone."

Helen laughed. "No," she said at the ridiculousness. "Because her bed was off of the ground."

"What?" Shelby looked at her in surprise.

The older woman looked back at her. Her smile faded when she realized it was news to her daughter. "I mean... He came into her bed at night..." she said slowly. "With it off the ground," she continued. "Her body relaxed." I mean look she barely slept when you slept with her here, but she fell asleep through the night even."

Shelby thought for a moment. "Really? You think that?"

Helen nodded with darting eyes as if it were obvious. "I know it."

She thought for a moment. "Sure," she nodded after a few moments. "We'll go and get one for her later."

"You have to worry about that tutor with the same last name as her first name, your meeting with the ADA and -"

Shelby waved her arm. "I'll find time."

"We'll handle it," Helen said leaning against the wall. "You need to handle the kids and the tutor with the same last name as her first name-"

"She doesn't have-" Shelby interrupted.

"She does," her mother forced again. "I'll take care of it. You need to take care of you and that 'friend' you see."

Shelby frowned. "Patrick? Mother, he's my therapist. There's nothing romantic going on."

"Whatever, you need to meet with him and I really think it should be today because clearly-"

The bathroom door opened.

Shelby looked up. Princess shoes. Her stomach twisted. She gave a weak smile. "Hi, bug."

"Hi, Mumma," Rachel said quietly. "I … I didn't know you were in here... I just... " She looked at her hands. "I thought you were downstairs." She continued to avoid the women. "I need... I need to go to the bathroom and I want to be alone."

"Rachel," Helen began warily.

Shelby stood. "No, it's alright. Sure thing, Rach. We'll be right outside." She remained as casual as possible. Rachel avoided her eyes. Her hand rested on the door knob as her eyes darted around the bathroom, avoiding her mother and grandmother's gaze. Shelby closed the door behind her.

"We will figure it out," Shelby said. "I would appreciate if you set up Quinn's bed for her." They heard a small sob on the other side of the door.

Helen looked at the bathroom door. "You should go in there."

"I'm going to give her another second." She saw her mother's hesitation. "Rachel needs to know that I am here for her without me coming running at every cry. I want to hold them and protect them, but I'm trying to balance that with not coddling."

Helen gave a silent nod.

"Mumma?" a tiny whisper echoed from the other side of the door.

Shelby watched her mother carefully. "I'll figure this out." She turned back to the bathroom door with a gentle knock. "Bug? Can I come in?"

"Y-y-yes," Rachel called.

Helen sighed and watched her daughter disappear into the bathroom.

….

Approximately an hour later, the kids were all dressed and gathered in the kitchen.

Shelby placed the milk in front of the older kids and handed Rachel and Quinn smoothies along with a bowl of cereal.

"We don't need a tutor," Noah declared.

Shelby scoffed. "Really? You're going to teach yourself? She's great. She's set up some great lesson plans for all four of you."

"All of us?" Santana asked looking a Rachel.

Shelby nodded. "Yes." She sighed and took a bite of her own cereal. "Brittany will join you three for tutoring this week before you return for school next week. She's, however, agreed to stay on for the three and assist with college prep.-"

"Assuming we're going," Santana muttered looking at her brother. He shot her a glare.

Quinn frowned and stared at her food. Would she be here in two years? Shelby had talked about it, but it hit her in that moment. Two years. Who would she be to the family? She stirred her shake with her straw. Would she still have to drink these? Would she be in school? Could she afford it? Perhaps she could be a stripper...She watched the straw stir her shake. She was good at being a whore...

The mother went on, interrupting Quinn's thoughts. "Your session with her today will be mostly introductory and -"

"Will I be with her permanently?" Rachel asked quietly. The family looked at her. She met their questioning looks. "I think I would prefer that. I …. I would like to learn here... at home."

"Than at Gable?" Noah asked.

The eleven year old looked at her food. "I don't want to go there," she muttered. "I want to stay here …."

Santana looked back at her mother for guidance.

"We'll see, Rachel," Shelby said casually as she took a bite of her own breakfast. Santana opened her mouth to ask something but then hesitated when her mother shook her head.

"I still don't think we need someone to come in and teach us," Noah pushed. There was a knock on the door.

"You actually do," Shelby insisted as she continued toward the door. She through a look over her shoulder. "I expect you all to be on your best behavior."

The door opened and a woman with tall leather riding boots and an unexpectedly stylish outfit entered the foyer. Her hair was more distinctly blond than Quinn's and she had a little bounce in her step. She flashed a smile that made Noah think of a tooth paste commercial.

Rachel leaned back into Santana, as she stood quietly next to the older girl who was perched on the bar stool and she glanced up at Quinn. "I didn't expect someone like her," she whispered.

"I'm Holly Holiday," she said with a curt smile.

"Your parents named you that?" Santana asked seriously.

"Santana!" Shelby hissed.

"They did indeed," she replied with the same smile. She pulled four folders and handed them to the kids.

"What is this?" Santana asked and she unwrapped her arm from around Rachel to open it. It was a plan. It was a syllabus. There were assignments for each day. "I'm not doing this."

"Santana, you are," Shelby said pushing Rachel and Quinn's food back closer to them.

The sixteen year old brunette opened her mouth. "I'm -"

"Santana, knock it off," Helen scolded.

"So, your mother told me that you write papers," Holly said as the kids looked through the packets. "You're still going to do this for her but you're also going to do other assignments as you can see." Noah frowned deeply as he looked through his folder. "Also, at the bottom you can find a list of punitive

activities."

Rachel looked up sharply. Santana rubbed her back softly. "She won't lay a hand on us, bug. I promise. Read what she has listed."

"What's transposing?" Noah asked with a frown.

"What do you mean by theatrical expose adventures?" Quinn asked with a sneer.

"No, but isn't transposing like buses and planes?" Noah asked.

"That transporting, Noah," Rachel said a sigh. She looked at the blonde teacher. "What are we transposing?"

"I am a big fan of television," the woman began forcing Rachel to frown. "You kids now a days are addicted to television like it's MSG," She pointed her finger forward to get her point across. "But rarely do you listen to what's being said. Therefore you will transpose television-"

"You're kidding me," Santana said with a sigh.

"I don't kid," she smiled. "First we have history. You'll be dressing as someone from a certain period of time - for the older girls. Someone in US history with a report and presentation."

"MOM!" Santana hissed.

Holly went on. "Noah as a senior you're on European history."

"Like China?"

Helen looked at Shelby accusingly. "We'll clearly be doing geography lessons too," Holly smiled. She looked at the youngest. "And Rachel, you're on state history.-"

"I know all of my states and capitals and their general political affiliations as well as the state bird and tree and -" Rachel rambled but was cut off.

Holly nodded. "We might then see what we can do to make sure that you're not bored but you're challenged." Rachel leaned into Santana but nodded. "Next, science. As you can see you will be paired up and have to do a science project -"

"There are five of us," Rachel interrupted.

"You'll probably be paired with me, Rachel since you're at a separate level-"

"Can I request not being with my brother?" Santana asked.

"Ditto," Quinn interrupted. "I had chemistry with him...He lit things on fire."

"Noah!" Helen hissed.

"There was no permanent damage," Shelby muttered.

"Noted," the blonde woman nodded. "English - each has a book to read -"

"With pictures?" Noah asked.

Holly ignored him and continued. "And then write a 4 page report." Rachel smiled. She had that in the bag. "Math - you all will have to finish a math workbook. I believe the three older girls have geometry right now. Noah and Rachel we will do an assessment." She breathed and pulled out a guitar. Did she bring that with her? Noah looked at Santana mouthed "Mary Poppins" to her silently as he pointed to her bag. "You will also all have music and each one of you will have to write a little song - and at the end of the week each will sing or play it-"

"What?" Santana asked dryly. "I'm not doing that. " She glared at her mother. "I'm not doing that."

Shelby arched her brow. "You will have to perform a song together for everyone."

Rachel looked down at her hands. "No," she whispered.

Santana wrapped her arms around her. She glared at Holly. "No one will make you do what you don't want to do, bug," she said gently.

"Rachel, how old are you?" Holly asked pointedly.

"What?" she asked quietly.

"How old are you?"

Santana glared even harder. "Back off Malibu barbie."

"Santana!"

"I'm eleven," she said quietly.

"Do you want us to treat you like you're eleven?" she asked even more directly.

"Mom!" Santana hissed.

Shelby watched Rachel carefully wondering where this was going, but trusting because not only was Holly certified as an educator but also as a music therapist and psychology.

Noah watched Rachel carefully as did Quinn wondering if she was going to cry.

Rachel gave a tiny shrug. "I …. I …. " She shrugged more distinctly.

Holly nodded not changing the gentleness of her eyes that was there and Rachel noticed it. "Okay, then. That's okay Rachel. We don't have to know right now in this moment but your assignment is to consider it." Rachel met her eyes and held her gaze. "There's no such thing as a final answer. People change all the time. And that's okay." Holly shrugged. "When you're ready."

Rachel gave a tiny nod. Shelby gave a small approving smile. "Also, I hear you girls are taking French?"

Quinn nodded seeing that Santana was just glaring. "Yes. Brittany too..."

"Well, I'm going to be teaching you the foundations of Latin, Spanish, and French to better teach you French."

"I've never heard of that," Rachel interjected.

"They're all romance languages," Holly countered. "Why not learn from all three and soak in the differences?"

Rachel considered this and softened.

"Do you know about us?" Santana asked sharply. "Do you know what's going on and why we're here?" She ignored her mother's glare and her grandmother's scold. Her tone went cold. "I'm serious."

Holly didn't break her gaze. "I know why you were suspended. I understand why Rachel left her old school." She looked at Quinn and Rachel and they both looked away from her gaze, feeling too exposed. "I know enough." She didn't budge. "I admire your fire but your sass and your attitude will put you first in line for a presentation. I expect one tomorrow. You don't have to get fancy with the costume. Don't worry. Let's see... Elizabeth Van Lew."

"Who?" Santana asked.

"Going to have to look it up huh?" Holly nodded approvingly. "I think you can pull off the curls."

"What?" Santana asked again.

"I look forward to your costume," Holly smiled.

Noah read the list. "I don't take this many subjects in school. Why do I have to do them here?"

"You need to have a basic foundation in these subjects," Helen said.

"But-"

"Well, European history. Let's see. I expect a report from you Noah on..." Holly tapped her chin. "Remember costumes are important. And props! I love props!" Noah shook his head, as if begging to take back his statement. Holly smiled victoriously. "I know! Jean Le Rond d'Alembert."

Noah deflated. "I cant even say that."

"You will learn by tomorrow, won't you, dear?" Helen asked

Holly sighed and said, "I have already been over to the Pierces house this morning and gave Brittany her assignments. Today is just an introduction to what is going to happen this week." She looked at the older boy who was still trying to figure out how to pronounce his assignment. "Noah, could you help me get from my car your math workbooks, your English books that you will write the reports on, your history books and science packets. I expect all these assignment finished when we begin tomorrow. We will start tomorrow promptly at 8 am." The kids released a grown. "Please get ready, Santana and I need the following started by tomorrow for all of you– 3 pages in the math work books, chapter 1 in science, start reading your English book for your reports due by Friday. And although Santana is presenting first the rest of you have to make sure that you have started on your presentations. Finally, don't get any idea thinking that 'I only have a week with her' and' why should I do it' because I have discussed this with your mother and I will be continuing on for a while so these are due no matter if you are in school or out of school."

The kids didn't say a word. No one moved, there was nothing. Helen looked between the kids and then back at Shelby.

"Wonderful!" the grandmother smiled. "We have a lot to do."

Rachel raised her hand. Holly pointed at her.

"If we finish these assignments before the time they're due can we go ahead?"

The entire family stared at Rachel with a frown.

Rachel shrugged. "The assignments sounds fairly achievable."

"Don't go ahead, Rachel. But have your mother assess how long it takes you. I might put you on a more accelerated track."

Rachel smiled. "My teacher told me that I am very smart for my age and I can probably skip a grade." Shelby looked at Rachel and frowned. "Mr. Rossignal said that. During my lunchtime sessions with Kurt when I was at school."

Shelby and Santana frowned. "What lunch time sessions?" the mother asked.

"He said you said it was okay," Rachel said quietly. "Was that not okay?"

Santana groaned and put her head in her hands.

Shelby took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.

"Rachel, I'm gonna tell you something that you should know," Holly began. "You are an incredible girl, but you're also too trustworthy. People lie to make you feel better and safer."

"I know that," Rachel whispered.

"Unless you hear it directly from your mothers mouth - you need to check about everything." Holly narrowed her eye thoughtfully. "You know what. If you finish your work fast, I have a special assignment for you and I to work on."

Rachel looked at her with a frown. "What?"

"I'm going to teach you self-defense."

The eleven year old frowned. Holly could see traces to discolored bruising on her face.

"I don't like violence," the tiny girl protested.

"It's not violence if you're fighting back, Rachel"

The children all looked at Shelby waiting for approval.

"Holly, we are not necessarily-"

"She's not going to be doing things like going to the shooting range or throwing knives or drop kicking people," Holly said quickly. "We're going to do boxing. You know what? All of you will box."

"Like slapping each other in our underwear?" Noah asked in disgust.

Holly frowned and looked at him. "Noah, everyday you will present five facts about five things you know nothing about." Noah opened his mouth to ask a question. Holly cut him off. "Yes, that means Five facts per thing with a total of twenty-five facts. Yes, you can write them down and create handouts." She pointed at Noah with a smile. "Clearly, your question, right?" She smiled at Noah's blank stare. "Tomorrow: Your five things: 1. Wrestling. 2. Origin of Football 3. The education system. 4. the onion. and 5. Mohawks. Learn the history behind your chosen hair-do."

Noah looked at the family. Santana and Quinn snorted with laughter.

"Would you two like five things as well?"

They sucked back their laughter and shook their heads.

"We have a bit. Let's do some assignments. I want to make sure you all know what your assignments are. We're going to make planners for your homework assignments."

The older three frowned. Rachel smiled and raised her hand. "I have one already! Can I use mine?"

Holly frowned. "No." She smiled. "Clean slate." Rachel's smile faded and nodded. Holly leaned forward so that her face was near Rachel's. "You don't need to try so hard, Rachel," she whispered. "I already like you."

…...

Shelby folded the clothes from the dryer. She had almost forgot that she put the load in until she heard the buzzer go off.

"The kids are doing work. Actually doing work," Joey said from behind her.

Shelby gave a small, weak smile and returned to the careful folding of the kids' clothes. She paused as she looked at Rachel's underwear. She bit her lip and closed her eyes.

"Shelby?" Joey asked gently. She stepped into the laundry room and closed the door to the kitchen.

She didn't answer.

"Shelby?" she asked again.

Shelby folded the clothes and reached for something else.

"I got a call from the ADA," she said quietly as she avoided Joey's eyes. "They are handing in the evidence from the clinic today and -"

"What?" Joey asked. "The clinic?" She frowned.

Shelby didn't respond instead she continued to fold laundry.

"Shelby?" she asked. "What about the clinic? What evidence?"

Shelby took a breath and continued to fold laundry.

Joey snatched the clothes away and stood in front of her. "What is going on?"

Shelby took a deep breath. "The father of Quinn's baby."

"What baby?" Joey asked quietly.

Shelby met her eyes. "The one she miscarried last spring..."

Joey searched the younger woman's eyes. They paused for a moment. She released a shaky breath. "Just say it, Shelby."

"The baby's father was Quinn's father."

Joey stared at her. She was a woman of fire. She was a woman to be reckoned with. However, in that moment all she was was silent. Shelby was waiting for a scream. She was waiting for something, but she received nothing.

"Joey?" she asked.

"What time is the hearing?" she asked dryly.

Shelby narrowed her eyes. "In about two hours, but I need to get them food and finish folding laundry and then I need to shower and head out but I don't-"

"Go shower. I'll drive you to the courthouse," she said dryly. "We'll go get something to eat. It looks like they are wrapping up in there. Go upstairs."

"Joey?" Shelby asked.

"Go," the elder sister said. "We only have two hours right?"

Shelby looked at her. "Are you okay?"

"Go," Joey said. She continued to fold the laundry. "I'll finish this."

"You fold things wrong," Shelby replied.

"Get out of here. You're not going to go there smelly," she said. "Now get."

Shelby nodded and left the room. Joey watched her head up the back stairs through the kitchen. She watched Quinn and Santana smirk about Noah's pensive look as he tackled his school work. Quinn whispered something to Santana and shook her head at Rachel when Rachel reached over Santana to correct something. Joey watched another creep to the surface on Quinn's face. Quinn and Santana turned and looked at her. "Did you hear what we're doing?" Santana asked with a smirk.

"Focus, feisty one," Holly called from where she stood looking over Noah's shoulder helping him.

Joey gave a small nod and backed back into the laundry and closed the door. She leaned against the wall and put her hand over her eyes. A tiny sob echoed through the room. Thankfully, however, the sound of the churning washer erased the noise. She squeezed her eyes shut. She remembered the conversation clearly.

"We're going to get out of this town and be people," a preteen Joey said with a smile.

"Yeah, right," Judy Gardner replied. "People don't miraculously become people, they just change into different versions of themselves."

Joey laughed. "You're an optimist."

"I'm not an optimist," she replied rolling her eyes. Joey watched as Judy looked at her hands. "I'm a realist."

"You're also a fun sucker," Joey clarified. "Life's short. Eat more bacon."

Judy laughed. "I would never give up bacon." She paused. "Promise me that we won't become the worst version of ourselves."

Joey shrugged. "We might but you can come back from it. You just have to get through it."

Judy shook her head. "That's not true. There's always a point of no return."

"You are the biggest fun sucker EVER." Joey laughed. She looked at her carefully. "You can come back from crappy things."

Judy looked at her with an arch of a brow. "Can you?"

Joey thought for a moment. "I think so," she said honestly. "But you have to want it."

"That's what I'm saying," Judy laughed. "Sometimes too much happens and you can't even find the effort to do that."

Joey shook her head. "You can't think that way."

"I'm thirteen. I'm old. Hope has been used up on the Easter Bunny." Judy shook her head.

"You're also cynical. How are you going to win your prince like that?" Joey asked with a nudge.

"What prince?" she laughed.

Joey frowned. Everyone has a prince," she smiled.

Judy shook her head. "Everyone has a fantasy."

"We really need to work on your optimism," Joey laughed.

Judy smiled. "Good luck with that."

Judy looked up suddenly. There was a horn honked from the road. "I gotta go." She smiled as she stood. "I'll see ya."

Joey smiled. "Undoubtedly."

"Are you okay?"

Joey looked up and realised she was sitting on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest.

Quinn was staring at her with a frown.

She nodded quietly trying not to think too much about it. "Why aren't you studying?"

She shrugged. "I was cold. My sweatshirt is in the dryer."

Joey stood up and dug out the sweatshirt. She handed it to the girl and cupped her face gently. The blond swallowed as Joey looked at her carefully.

"She told you," Quinn said quietly. Joey nodded. "I … I... um..."

"There is no way that this is your fault. No way." Quinn bit her lip and looked away. "I still love you, kiddo," Joey said softly kissing her on the forehead.

Quinn gave a tiny nod and tried to lower her gaze.

"I don't want to talk about it," Quinn whispered with a hitch in her breath .

"Okay," Joey nodded. "Get back in there. You have a lot of work to do."

Quinn scoffed. "That woman is nuts."

Joey smiled. "Good to know."

"Okay," she muttered. "I'll see ya."

Joey nodded and smiled. "Undoubtedly."

She smiled and watched the younger blond disappear back into the room.

…...

Joey walked into the grocery store and Noah raced to catch up.

"What are we doing here?" Noah asked quickly.

"Getting food, bud," she said.

"But it's a store," he said with a frown. "Maybe we should have let San come."

"That was your Mom's choice. She was disrespectful to Holly. And from what I heard you were border line," Joey said with a disapproving brow. "Work on that please."

Noah nodded. "Why aren't we at a restaurant? I mean seriously. Are we cooking?"

Joey scoffed. "They have a place called the deli. Have you heard of it?"

The two of them stopped at the deli.

"What do you think?" Joey asked. "Fried chicken? Sandwiches?"

"Rach won't eat that. I don't think Quinn likes anything fried... except bacon...Santana's a secret pig. She totally likes fried chicken but as the head cheerleader she pretends that she doesn't. I'll eat either, obviously. OHH! Mac and cheese!"

Joey frowned and looked at the boy. Perhaps bringing the human garbage disposal was a poor choice.

"Listen why don't you just get some meat and cheese from the deli." She looked up and spotted two faces she didn't expect to see in the adjoining wine and beer season off the produce. She looked at the deli tenant. "We need 1 pound of turkey, 1 pound ham, 1 pound roast beef and 2 pounds provolone. anything else, Noah?"

"What about Rach?"

"Let's do a Greek salad without Feta?"

The tenant nodded and began to package it up.

"Can you go wait in the car, Noah?"

"How will you carry all this stuff?"

Joey nodded. "I'll handle it." She handed the boy the keys. She arched her brow. "Go."

Joey saw Frannie spot her and begin to stalk toward her. Noah frowned and stared. Joey looked at him more sharply. "Go!"

He opened his mouth to protest. "I mean it", she said more sharply.

He slowly began to leave but looked over his shoulder in hesitation. She nodded him on until he was out the sliding doors. She remembered wondering on the way over how much Noah knew. While he was stoic in so may ways, he wasn't a man who would walk away from them, not if he knew that.

"The reason that Quinn's living with them is probably because she's sleeping with that manwhore," Frannie hissed. Judy walked next to her with a hand basket containing three bottles of scotch.

"Are you even of drinking age, Frannie?" Joey asked with a frown.

"Yes," she sneered grabbing a bottle of wine with a sneer.

Joey turned and took the first batch of meat from the tenant. She purposefully turned and found interest in the bread. Pitas. Are those vegan?

Frannie was suddenly in her face. If she didn't frown so deeply she would be beautiful. She had graceful features that were soft and almost fragile but they were to masked by the hardness of her eyes.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You know nothing about Quinn or about us," she hissed.

Joey looked at her and took a breath. She turned away. She focused more on the display bread. Tortillas. Are those vegan?

She glanced over at Judy and saw that she was shaking her head silently with a deep frown. Time had painted heavy age lines on her face.

"Quinn has caught you in her lies and you're only making things worse!" She shook her head. "My father has given her EVERYTHING!"

Joey tightened her jaw and flashed a glare at Judy.

Frannie continued. "He has given her a roof and food and clothes! This is how she repays us with these lies!"

"They're not lies," Joey hissed quietly. "Ask your mother," she said fiercely.

Frannie shook her head and dismissed the statement, barely flashing her mother a confused shake of her head.

"I can take care of Quinn. My mother is a mess! Obviously. Just drop this."

Joey turned and put her hands on her hips. "You're both messes," she said locking her eyes with Judy and not breaking them. She paused for a moment before turning back to Frannie. "You're a child, an angry, wronged, confused child."

"SHUT UP! YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Frannie hissed.

"Is there a problem here?" a man asked.

Joey shook her head. "I'm leaving in a few minutes. We're almost finished."

Joey took the rest of the bags of meat and put them in her arms. "You both need to open your eyes," Joey said eerily quiet. "Judy, the only thing you did well in your life is Quinn." She shook her head and looked at Frannie. She shook her head. "Frannie, you are young. You are pissed off. And you need to step up. She is your sister and I know that there were times in that house that you never fought for her." There was a slight flicker in her eyes. "I'm sorry that no one ever fought for you," Joey said slowly. Frannie scoffed and opened her mouth to reply but Joey cut her off. The brunette leaned closer and said slowly, "You will not be happier by making Quinn more miserable. I think you have already done more than your share."

"She deserved it!" Frannie suddenly hissed with a yell.

Joey shook her head. "Did she?" she asked more slowly. "Did you?"

Frannie looked away. Joey turned to Judy and locked with her eyes. "Frannie, you can waste the rest of your life being pissed off. You can come back from shitty things, but you have to want it. And all I see is you holding on to something terrible." She narrowed her eyes even more at Judy. "If you don't step up now, you will be your mother here, in the grocery store buying crap wine."

Judy just stared back at her without a word.

"Mom, aren't you going to say something?"

"No, she's not," Joey hissed. "Because she knows I'm right. Your mother believed in herself once but instead became the worst version of herself with the worst man."

"Don't talk about my father," Frannie hissed.

Joey stepped forward and looked Frannie deep in the eyes. "Let me ask you one thing," she whispered seeing a flicker in the girl's eyes. "When she was screaming or crying for help, was there a flicker of anything sisterly, of any love in you at all, that wanted to help her?" Frannie looked at her and opened her mouth, but couldn't form words. "I thought so."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Frannie said hurriedly. Judy just looked at her with a slight deflation.

Joey collected the rest of the things from the deli and began to walk away, but stopped. She turned back and looked at the women. "You need to stop fighting for something that isn't real. You never cared for her you never fought for her. You forced her to think that she deserved all the shit you put her through for sixteen years." She looked at Frannie. "Grow up," she hissed. "Figure out how to be a human being first and then maybe figure out how to live with yourself." Joey paused and looked at Judy. "I have nothing to say to you." She frowned and turned back. "You know what? Actually I do. You're not good enough for me to shit on. Best of luck with alcoholism and your raping bastard husband. You two deserve each other."

Frannie turned to her mother as Joey began to walk away. "Are you going to take that? Mom?"

Joey didn't hear Judy reply or say anything or even make a sound. Apparently, she was going take it. She looked down at her arms full of food. Pitas were a good choice. And she didn't forget the Greek salad.

…...

Shelby stepped downstairs and back into the kitchen. She looked around. It didn't feel like her house. The children were sitting practically in silence doing work.

The doorbell rang interrupting her thoughts. She answered the door. The nurse. She was surprised that the nurse that was sent over was a young man.

"Hi, I'm Scott. Dr. Pierce sent me over. I have refills on the girl's prescriptions and we'll remove the girl's stitches and I'll take the girls' vitals and check their incision sights." He took a deep breath. "Dr. Pierce also let me know that the girls might be … hesitant."

Shelby nodded.

"My older daughter will probably be rude. It's a defensive mechanism and my youngest might just... cry... So. If we could get this over as fast as possible."

He nodded.

"Quinn, Rach, come here," Shelby called.

The girls entered and Rachel leaned back against Quinn.

"He's just going to check your vitals and remove your stitches."

Rachel looked at Quinn. "I'm okay," she muttered.

Quinn looked at her with a soft smile. "It's okay. I'll go first. It'll be fine and then you can do it and get back to those color coding notes you're taking." Rachel frowned. Quinn arched her brow. "Yeah, I saw them."

Once the vitals were done, Quin thought that it wasn't going to be that bad. Then he asked the question.

"Is it okay if I lift your shirt?"

Quinn's face fell. She bit her lip. "Sure," she muttered.

She squeezed her eyes shut as she felt her shirt being lifted. She felt the familiar shaking in her body that happened in the darkness of her room. She suddenly felt a hand take hers.

"Quinn?"

She opened them and looked at Shelby. The mother smiled. "You're doing great."

She scoffed. "No, I'm not."

"Tell me about your assignments." she offered.

Quinn quietly began to describe them. She winced as she felt her incision sight being prodded.

"Are you okay?" Rachel asked quietly. "That's really red. Is she infected? Mom?"

Shelby used her free hand to rub Rachel's back. "It's fine. Rachel. She's just raw. You're okay and so is she."

Quinn winced as he began to slowly take small tweezers and scissors and cut the stitches out. He made sure there was not much bleeding.

"Why is she bleeding like that? Is she okay?" Rachel asked interrupting the discussion about geometric shapes.

"There is a little blood, but it's just because we took out the stitches. They're like little cuts."

Rachel frowned and leaned forward to look at the stitches.

"Rachel!" Quinn hissed. "Back off."

Finally, they were all out and Scott used an anti bacterial spray and redressed with a dry sterile bandage. She gave a grimace. "See? Not bad at all."

Rachel frowned and lifted the back of her shirt and glanced at her bandage covered wound. She shook her head. "It's not healed. I'll hemorrhage."

Shelby looked at her with a frown. "You won't, bug. Go and see Scott."

Rachel bit her lip and took a step toward Scott. Scott reached out with a blood pressure cuff and Rachel backed away. Shelby took a deep breath, suspecting that it would happen. She reached out and took Rachel in her arms. She felt badly as the girl's tiny breath of relief passed and transformed into panicked hitches for the next five minutes as the young nurse collected her vitals.

Quinn set next to her and distracted the small girl by telling her incorrect history dates and gramatical facts that she knew that the eleven year old couldn't help but correct.

"Rachel, did you know that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1942?" Quinn asked holding Rachel's hand as she whimpered as he took her blood pressure.

"Quinn!" Rachel said with frustration. "We were at war. Our second world war! Columbus was long dead!"

"Oh," Quinn faux mocked. "The capital of California is Kansas," she continued as if it were real. Rachel let out a tiny sob as Shelby helped Scott lift Rachel's shirt.

She shook her head. "Stop pretending to be an idiot to make me feel better. It's making me angry."

Quinn shrugged. "But it works. You didn't even feel him start taking out your stitches."

"No," Rachel said but looked and watched with interest to see that she was not wrong. "Oh."

Scott smiled. "And we're done."

Rachel frowned and leaned back into her mother with a frown. "Quinn, I thought you said you were at the top of your class?"

"I am," she smiled. "I'm smart enough to know how to distract you."

"We're home!" Noah called from the kitchen.

"Things look pretty good," Scott said standing up. "I'll report back to Dr. Pierce. Make sure they take their meds. Also," Scott leaned forward and continued more quietly. "He will give you a call. He wants to set up an appointment for Rachel to make sure that she's healing alright beneath."

Shelby nodded and watched as the girls disappear into the kitchen. "Alright." She nodded. "Thank you, Scott."

Shelby closed the door behind him and walked into the kitchen. She looked at Joey as she unpacked the food on the table. "This is all you bought? No hummus or something? Carrots? Celery? Anything, Jo?"

The older woman frowned. "I was a little distracted, Shel. Suck it up."

Shelby frowned. "Fine. Guys, wash your hands please. Let's eat. Quinn and Rach, here are your pills."

An hour later, Shelby walked through the court house doors next to her sister. She packed her keys back into her purse and put her watch back on. Metal detectors are so obnoxious.

"You doing better? The kids settled?" Joey asked as they entered the court room.

"Yeah," Shelby said with a nod. "They're alright. Tom sent a nurse over to the house. The girls had their stitches taken out and-"

"And you're sure you're okay here?" Joey asked.

"Yes, the nurse wrapped up before we left. Mom and Dad are going to stay with the kids. Quinnie and Rach are drugged up and San and Noah are up to their eye balls in work." She sighed. "Joey, I need to be here for this. I need to be here so that I can explain it to the kids..." She looked around the room and her eyes stopped at Judy and Frannie. She continued. "To explain it to Quinn."

Joey nodding taking a seat with Shelby.

"Are you okay? You seem a little..." Joey searched for a word.

"I just had a bad dream that freaked me out," Shelby said quietly as she stared across the aisle at Judy and Frannie.

"What was it about?" Joey attempted.

Shelby didn't break her gaze as Judy looked over her shoulder. "Nothing," she muttered.

Joey followed her sister's line of vision and spotted Judy. Her eyes were tired. Her face was usually pinched tightly in a frown. It wasn't. It was simply tired. She didn't regret what she said earlier. She meant every word. Joey regretted in that moment not saying anything until that moment. She was about to comment on it but the judge entered the room and the hearing began. Frannie looked over her shoulder and shot Joey a glare.

"Bitch!" she hissed across the aisle.

"I have here that we have some new evidence that we're submitting today." The lawyer interrupted.

There was a rustle of papers. The ADA, Ben Nichols, stood and handed a file folder to both the judge and opposing party. Shelby watched carefully as the judge's eyes widened and nodded.

"Okay," he said. "Counselor?" He looked at Russell and Felix Duncan.

Felix leaned over and talked to Russel quietly. Russell narrowed his eyes and looked at the folder and shook his head. However, Shelby could tell there was a flicker in the man's eyes. Felix stood up.

"We wish to proceed with this new evidence."

The judge arched his brow in surprise. "Okay, let's proceed."

Ben stood. "We would like to call Dr. Thomas Pierce to the stand."

Shelby watched as the doctor came into the room and was sworn in.

"Dr. Pierce, you treated Quinn Fabray correct?"

"Yes, I did after the recent car accident as well as a follow up after she was removed from her parents."

"Do you know the Fabrays?" Ben asked.

"Yes," he said. He tilted his head. "I thought I did." He sighed. "I just wish I had spoken sooner."

"Spoken about what, Dr. Pierce?"

"Hind sight is twenty-twenty," the doctor said not breaking his gaze from the man. "My late mother suspected something, but...like I said hind sight is twenty-twenty."

"Miss Fabray recently disclosed the father of her child, is that correct?"

"She wasn't one-hundred percent but I knew that there was DNA evidence collected at the clinic she told me she visited."

"This is the evidence that we have here, correct?"

"Yes," Tom said.

"Can you please state for the record what this new evidence shows?" the ADA asked.

Tom looked at the Fabrays. "It shows that the father of the child that Quinn Fabray miscarried was indeed Russell Fabray."

"LIAR!"

The court room turned and looked over as Frannie stood up in rage. Shelby turned and watched Frannie stand in anger and rage. She was ranting. However, Shelby couldn't hear her clearly. All the mother saw was Judy Fabray as the blond woman looked forward with the same exhausted stare. Shelby shook her head at the woman. She realized that Frannie's reaction was typical. She watched people for a living. It wasn't news to Judy. It didn't phase the woman at all.

Russell turned and looked at Frannie and Judy. Shelby observed carefully as Frannie made eye contact with her father and silenced. Felix patted Russell's shoulders and the man turned forward. Shelby watched as Russell and Felix talked quietly. Tom was dismissed and walked off of the stand.

Felix Duncan stood. "Your honor. Permission to approach."

Shelby watched as the judge discussed something quietly with Felix and Ben. They returned to their seats.

The judge took a deep breath. "Mr. Fabray has changed his plea to guilty. He'll be held without bail until sentencing the day after tomorrow. Adjourned."

Shelby watched as Russell was led out of the courtroom by an officer. He didn't look back. Not once. Shelby watched after him. She knew her sister was wondering what he was thinking, what Judy thought. What was going through their heads. However, Shelby knew. She knew because cases like this were familiar. This was her job. Shelby worked with victims and their families. The scars ran deep unavoidably. She watched Frannie carefully. She held her head in her hands. For the first time Shelby paused. What was Frannie's role? Who was she to Russell?

"Shelby?"

She looked up and Ben and Joey were standing with her.

She sighed. "What does this mean?" Shelby asked.

Ben ushered Joey and Shelby toward a conference room. Shelby watched as Joey paused and exchanged a look with Judy.

"Come on," Shelby said to her older sister. She pulled her arm slightly. "Come on."

Ben closed the door and sighed.

"So he plead out?" Joey asked.

Ben nodded. "He's going to take a plea bargain."

"Which is?" Joey asked.

"He's pleading guilty to all charges. The DA's office is hoping that the judge will sentence him to serve each term consecutively." Ben sighed and crossed his arms as he saw Joey's eyes egging him to continue. He sighed again. "Sixty years total. He won't get out anytime soon. He will die before he gets out."

"That we hope," Shelby replied. "What's the minimum he can get?"

"Thirty," Ben said with a sigh.

Shelby shook her head. "He needs to stay in. He made her life hell and -"

"I will do my best, but..." Ben trailed off. He looked over at Joey.

"What?" Shelby asked volleying her look between the two. "What?" she said more loudly.

Joey frowned and took a deep breath as she looked at her sister, "If Quinn gives a victim's statement, there's a better chance that he won't get out. You know that this looks bad on paper but it's not personal. If the trial went forward and the jury and judge saw Quinn, it would put a face to all of this. Her statement could ensure he never gets out."

Shelby narrowed her eyes. "We've forced her too early to confess what happened." She shook her head. "Now we want her to read a statement about what he did to her for her first sixteen years. No. No way. Her stress and anxiety about this will be too much. I'm saying no. Can I read a statement? I will read one on her behalf."

"Absolutely, but hers would be-"

Shelby cut him off. "Then we'll do that. My kid is not doing it. I need to go home and figure out what to tell her. "

"We need to talk about another subject."

Shelby frowned. "What?"

There was a gentle knock at the door. The Captain walked into the room.

"What's going on?" Joey asked.

The two men exchanged a look. "We received the results from the lab on Rachel's dress."

"And?" Joey pushed.

"They match the DNA that we had on Will."

Joey frowned. "So what's the issue? Arrest the bastard."

"We can't," the captain said with a frown. "He's missing."

"God damn it," Shelby hissed.

"We went to arrest him at the house and Suzy Pepper was at the house alone with the ankle monitor on."

She shook her head and wiped away the tears. "What does this mean?" She laughed at the irony. "Other than the fact that I have to tell my youngest that the man that's giving her nightmares is out on the loose."

"We are going to escort your family back to the house. We are placing and officer at the house with you. You need to call me if you want to leave. We will escort you."

Shelby bit her lip. "Okay."

She felt Joey squeeze her hand. "Okay."

…...

Shelby walked into the house with a heavy sigh. She wasn't sure if she couldn't deliver more news. She wasn't sure what to say. The house was quiet again. This didn't feel like her house.

"Where are my children?"

She rounded the corner and the two older kids were doing their homework silently. "How's it going?"

She looked into the family room and Quinn was asleep on the couch with a book in hand.

They nodded. "This sucks!" Santana hissed.

Shelby closed her eyes. "Yeah, I know."

"Where did you go?"

Shelby shook her head. "I'll tell you later."

She sighed. Will's out. Quinn needs to testify. The words circled her head. They can never catch a break. Should they not leave the house?

"Mom, can Brittany come over?"

Brittany, Shelby thought. Should she have a police officer outside her house? She sighed. She just needed to hold her baby girl. Her mother looked at her from the sink.

"You alright, Shel?"

"Long day, Mom," Joey said quietly as she grabbed a bottle of beer.

Shelby looked into the family room. Quinn was asleep. She walked in and gently pulled the blanket up to her chin, and kissed her softly. She cracked her neck and looked around. There were blankets on the shorter couch where Rachel would have been. She frowned. George was there. She frowned deeper. She felt her heart quickening. He was out. He was missing he tricked them into thinking that he was in his house. He...

"Where's Rachel?" she asked hurriedly. "Where's Rachel?" She looked toward the stairs. "Where's Rachel?" she shouted.

"Mom? Are you okay? You're freaking out?"

"Mom?"

"Where is she?"

Shelby frowned. She squeezed her eyes shut and pictured Rachel naked in a basement some where being tied up screaming for her. She was there now, Shelby told herself. She was screaming for her. She had to get to her.

She felt an arm pull her into the front foyer. She needed to find her. She needed to find Rachel.

She looked at the woman holding her arm. "Mom!" she scolded. "I need to find Rachel."

"You need to calm down," Helen said hushed. "She's right here." Helen looked up the stairs and Rachel was rubbing her eyes.

"Mumma, this itches. I think the nurse took them out too early." Rachel paused when she sees her mother's face. "What's wrong?"

Shelby climbed the stairs two by two and picked Rachel up and into her arms. Rachel instinctively wrapped her legs around her mother as Shelby held her tightly. Rachel rested her head on her mother's shoulder. She rubbed her eyes and let her eyes close.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Shelby led Rachel to her bedroom and laid with her in the queen size bed. The girl yawned.

"The reason...," she sighed and watched Rachel search her eyes. She needed to find her words, but they were stuck in the pit of her stomach. She took Rachel's hands. "I was scared when I couldn't find you last night."

Rachel nodded. "I know," she replied. "I'm sorry. I was just scared."

"I know, Rachel," she said. "But you can't do that. You can't just go hide. I know you want to be alone but you …. you can't just not tell me where you are."

The little girl looked at her with a deep set frown. "Okay..." She looked at her mother's eyes. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Shelby gave a weak smile. "No, bugs, I'm not."

"Oh," Rachel whispered sitting up. "What's wrong?"

"Rachel, I have to tell you something," she said quietly. "Something very important and the reason I was scared that you weren't downstairs." Rachel looked back at her with big eyes. "I need you to tell me where you are. At all times. You scared me."

Rachel felt the tension in the room and her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at her mother. "Nana said I could use the bathroom alone." She shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"Rachel, Will Schuester was put on house arrest after being released on bail." Her heart broke as Rachel sobbed. "But the results from your dress came back. They have enough to arrest him again and keep him in jail." Shelby paused. "But when they went to get him, he wasn't there. He's missing." Rachel let out a sob as Shelby pulled her into her arms and rubbed her back. "I have to know where you are at all times. No exceptions." She could feel her shaking in her arms. "It's okay to be scared but you cannot panic. You will never be alone while he is loose." She cupped her face. "I promise you that." She smiled at Rachel as she looked up at her. She frowned and made her face more serious. "The police will be outside the house and I don't want to scare you at this point but I need to make sure that you know that hiding in the garage or anywhere while he is loose, cannot happen."

She could hear Rachel still shivering loudly in her arms. She was practically quaking. She rubbed her back and rocked her gently.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to you," she said quietly. "I promise you that you are safe."

"I don't understand," she heard a tiny voice said. "I don't... I don't understand what they found..."

"They found his DNA on your dress, Rachel," she said carefully.

"Like his hair?" She frowned. "Wait,... the sticky stuff?"

Shelby nodded. "Yeah, honey."

Rachel laid her head on her mother's shoulder. "Oh." She hugged her mother tighter. "I want to sleep," she whispered. "Can I sleep?"

"No, honey, It's not even dinner yet. We're going to go tell the others and then you need to do some work." She rocked her quietly. "Bug, you are safe here. We are here for you. I love you so much."

Shelby started to sit up. Rachel held on tighter and whined in protest.

"No," she managed.

"Rach-"Shelby began.

"I have a dream," Rachel whimpered. "I have a dream that he catches me... and... I feel it... and then... Papa Hiram is there and he hits me and he puts it... and I feel it... and... I don't know why it hurts too much." Rachel frowned and sat up. "Why did... Why did they let him go?"

Shelby looked into her deep eyes taking in what her daughter just revealed. "Well..." she searched for words. "It was because it's hard to explain. I believe you, sweetie. But sometimes especially when you're remembering like you are. It's hard..."

The mother's heart broke as Rachel began to sob. "T-t-t-they don't believe me?"

Shelby felt her own eyes water. "Honey, it's not taht they don't believe you it's that... your memories are mixing with reality and it's hard to -"

"They think I'm confused," she sobbed. Rachel tried to get from her mother's arms. She started to run for the closet.

Shelby caught her and scooped her up and rocked her as she cried.

"I'm so sorry, Rachel. Shhhh..." she hushed. Rachel tried to kick out of Shelby's arms. The mother rocked her. "This is what I mean, Rach. You can't go hiding. I'm sorry. I know you want to, but you can't. Laws aren't always fair. I'm sorry. It's scary and painful but-"

Rachel stopped fighting in her arms. She was exhausted. She sniffled. "I... I want to take it back. Okay?" She pulled away and looked at her mother. "I take it back."

Shelby looked at her with a heavy heart. "Rachel, you cant take it back - and now the dress confirms what we already know is true so we move forward and it will be hard but you can do it, bug."

Rachel pulled the hood of her sweatshirt that she was wearing over her head. The mother noticed that she was wearing Santana's Cheerios's hoodie. Shelby pulled the hood back down and lifted Rachel's chin gently to look at her. "You're going to get through this, bug."

"I don't want to," Rachel muttered, pulling the hood back over her head.

"I know," Shelby whispered, kissing her forehead. "Come on, let's go wake Q-Bear and then talk to your siblings and -"

"I don't want to hear it again," she said quickly. "Can I do my work?..." She looked at her mother. "With my hood up?"

Shelby chuckled. "With your hood up, sure."

Telling the older children went how she expected. Santana had Rachel feet away from her the rest of the night and Quinn was silently screaming at herself in her head. Noah had spent an hour in the basement.

The children were now fed and silent. It was seven o'clock when the doorbell sounded. The officer named Doug that was assigned to the house approved and the ADA came into the house.

"What are you doing here?" Shelby hissed in the foyer as Santana peeked around the corner. "Santana, kitchen, now!"

Santana complied.

"I told you that I would talk to her. I would make her statement. I haven't even told her yet."

"The whole thing is tomorrow," Ben said gently. "I called you six times. The officers let me in."

Shelby frowned. "Let me make this loud and clear. You do not come to my house unless I pick up. Got it?"

"My apologies." He sighed. "I'm here to help you."

"You can help explain it to her, but I am making the statement," Shelby said.

"It's my job to explain what this statement could do."

Shelby narrowed her eyes. "Okay."

Shelby called Quinn into the study and they sat down.

She looked around with a frown. "What's happening?" she asked,

"Well, the good news, Quinn, is your father is pleading guilty."

Quinn frowned. "What?" She shook her head "I'm sure you have a lot of cases. Maybe you have them confused... "

Ben chucked. "No, I didn't. He pled out."

"Why?" Quinn asked looking at Shelby in shock.

"That's where I was today," Shelby said. "The evidence of your baby's-"

"She's not mine... she's … She's dead," Quin said quietly.

"Okay," Shelby said quietly. "Tomorrow is his sentencing," Shelby explained.

Ben and Shelby exchanged a look. "I came here to talk to you about speaking tomorrow."

"Why?" Quinn asked.

"Because sometimes it helps to hear from the victims."

"Are you saying if they don't hear from me that he could... he could get less time?" the sixteen year old asked.

"Yes," Ben said.

"But I can speak on behalf of you. If you want to write something, I can read it. Or -"

"I'll write something."

Shelby looked up and Santana was standing at the door.

"Santana, I told you to wait out there in the kitchen."

"I can," she said sitting next to Quinn, ignoring her mother. "I can write something or read something. Or both. Noah too."

Quinn frowned. "I can... I can write something. I'll do it." Shelby glared at Ben. The girl stood up. "I'll go right now... I'll um... See you tomorrow?" She paused. "Will... will my …. birth mother and …. him and …. Frannie be there?"

Ben nodded. "Most likely. They may even be giving statements against yours."

Santana frowned. "We'll be there, too."

"Santana," Shelby interjected.

"No, Mom," she said. "Noah and I will be there. Rach is too little, but we'll be there."

Santana walked Quinn out of the room and back out to the dinning room.

"What's happening?" Noah asked sitting at the table. "Rachel's asleep by the way. It's seven can you believe it?" They ignored him.

"Writing... things..." Quinn muttered.

"What things?" he asked.

"Shut up," Santana said.

"Writing a letter because... because the judge might give my... give Russell less time if I don't."

"What?" Noah frowned.

"He's pleading guilty," Santana explained. "His sentencing is tomorrow and...The judge is making a choice and it might help if we have something to say."

Noah looked at his hands. Quinn felt so much tension just by looking at his face. He shook his head.

"I can't believe that," he said standing up. He shook his head and started back toward the family room.

"Am I that disgusting?" Quinn whispered.

Noah stopped. "What?" The frown was still there. "No... What?"

"Nevermind... just... nevermind."

"Quinn," he tried.

"My baby was his baby too, okay?" she hissed. The tears fell like detached rain. "Just shut up and get out."

He looked at her in confusion, shock and surprise. It took him a second to find words, "What, Quinn- I- You're not disgusting I just can't..."

"Forget it," she said looking down at her paper.

"Quinn," he started again.

"Go away, Noah."

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I just-"

"Go away, Noah," Santana hissed.

Noah frowned. "Quinn, you're not disgusting. There's no way."

"Go away!" she scolded.

He nodded and left the room.

…..

Night turned into day without grace. The house was silent. The tension was unmasked. Shelby gave the children a break by cancelling Holly for the day. Rachel was confused by the silence but took solace in the silence because it allowed her to be in her own world. Once the police officer and her parents were set. Shelby kissed Rachel goodbye approximately five times and did twice as many hugs and then left for the courthouse.

Quinn hadn't said a word. However, once they walked into the room she gripped harder to Shelby.

"I can't do this," she whispered.

"It's okay," Shelby said. "You don't have to. I'll read it."

"No," Santana said as they sat down. "I'll do it. She needs you here."

Shelby watched as Santana stood once Quinn was called by the judge and walked quietly to the stand. She couldn't have been prouder.

Santana held the paper tightly in her hand. She needed to be brave. She told her she would do it. She needed to step up. She took a deep breath. She looked up at the judge.

"I'm speaking for my sister," she said with a strong voice. She looked down at the paper. "She wrote this."

She looked back at Quinn once more who had her head bowed. She turned back to the judge and looked down at the paper. "My whole life I wondered what I did wrong. My father taught me that his word was right and that God was on his side. I grew up thinking that no one was on mine and I deserved what happened to me." Santana's voice waivered. "I don't expect any of you to understand me and what has gone on in my head or in that house. This isn't about justice to me. This isn't about revenge." Santana frowned at the words. "It's more complex than that. It's confusing and it hurts... all the time and that's just the beginning. I don't expect you to forgive me. What hurts the most is the failure." Santana's voice wavered. "The failure of myself to step up..."

Santana paused. She felt moisture on her cheeks. She was crying. She felt a gentle hand on her arm. She looked up and Noah took the paper from her. He leaned down to the microphone. "My name is Noah Corcoran, Quinn's brother, I will finish this statement." He looked over his shoulder making sure that Santana was back at the seat next to Quinn. They were hugging each other quietly.

"I kept these secrets all my life," Noah continued. "and for the first time, I'm starting to understand that I didn't deserve all those things that happened to me. The shame runs deeper than I expect you to comprehend... My father made choices that ruined my family and my life. But he's not my family anymore because the people that helped me understand that I didn't deserve to feel so low and pathetic are my real family now. That man was supposed to be my father. He is the reason that I thought my life was supposed to be like it was. He's the reason that I never considered anything else. But in reality it was a nightmare. Again, I'm not asking for justice, I'm asking for a second chance. Every day and every moment he took away pieces of me that I didn't know I had. And now, because of that I have to fight to feel the good things." Noah released a quivering breath. "I'm here to ask you to consider my future. I will never forget what happened and what he's done to me..What I let him do..." Noah paused. "I never thought about my future other than getting out of that house, but now I'm making plans. So I ask you with everything in front of you...To you it is just simply evidence but to me it's the secrets that I never told... With all that, I beg for a future without him. I will never forget him and all that happened, but you are the one that decides my future. Thank you."

Noah folded the paper carefully and stared down at the podium. He leaned down to the microphone. "I'm not a writer. I don't make sense most of the time," the boy said with a shrug.. "I didn't write anything at home for a speech or whatever to prepare for this..But I have … I have something to say..." He looked at the judge as he hunched to meet the microphone. "She is our sister. We have another sister at home... she's younger... Her name is Rachel... Quinn deserves to be happy. Moving on and being brave isn't easy if every day you wake up knowing that you're one day closer to living in the same world again with the same person that tried to ruin your life." Noah looked the judge deep in the eyes. "No one did anything. No one fought for her for sixteen years. I'm asking you to fight for her now." He shook his head. "That man is low and made her feel like she was lower to make him feel better about his crap self. He felt weak so he made her feel even weaker. Don't give this man an opportunity to feel strong. She's the one who's strong." Noah pointed at Russell. "Not him." He shook his head. "Quinn says this isn't about justice for her that it's about her future and a second chance. To me it's about both. She needs to feel safe. She needs to start over. Someday when she has a grown up family other than us, a family of her own, she should never have to worry about him running into her children. She shouldn't even be in the room or the same building as him. Do you understand how hard this is for her? I know I don't. I can't even try." He sighed. "She is my sister. I now have three sisters. Which is a damn lot of oxygen-"

"Estrogen," Joey said tearfully from behind him.

"Whatever," he muttered. "What I'm trying to say is that she is my sister and I don't know if you have people you care about and want to protect, but I can't seem to always protect them." He shrugged. "They're too damn tough..." He frowned. "I mean darn... oh shit, I said that before... Sorry...She is my family. I will fight for her..." He knew he wasn't making any sense anymore. He looked over at Judy and shook his head and then back at the judge. "We have all failed her. So I'm asking you to make it right. I'm asking you to fix it by giving her a future without him." He shook his head. He stood up straight and wiped his sweaty hands on his dress pants. He leaned back down to the microphone as he put his hands in his pockets. "Uh... Thank you, your honor."

He turned and walked back to the family. Shelby had her arms wrapped around both girls. Tears filled their eyes. He sat next to them and looked ahead.

The judge called Frannie and Judy to speak. However, Quinn watched, perplexed as Frannie talked and shook her head as she talked quietly to Felix. Felix stood. "The defense rests."

Quinn watched as her father stood. He looked so small. The judge leaned back in his seat. "I can not begin to describe my disgust in you, Mr. Fabray. Your daughter, Quinn has more strength and dignity than you will ever know. I didn't need her or her family to speak today to make my decision, but it certainly brought it home. You have pled guilty of two counts of rape of a child, two counts of child endangerment, and three counts child abuse and neglect. For the two counts of rape you will serve thirty years for the two counts of child endangerment you will receive twenty years and for the three counts of child abuse you will receive ten years. You will serve all your terms consecutively. You will be required to serve at least 30 years until you are eligible for parole. Therefore, Mr Fabray, you will hopefully never be allowed to walk free again but if by some small small miracle that you do you will be a very old man. Baliffs take this man out of my sight now."

Santana watched the man leave and she felt Quinn freeze next to her. She squeezed her hand tighter. They watched as he left out of sight. He was gone.

Noah reached out his arm. "Let's go home."

"Do you want to stay, Quinn?" Shelby asked. "Wrap your head around it?"

She shook her head. "There's nothing left to say." She wiped her tears and stood. "We can find out later what happened." With that she stood and walked out of the court room with her family. She didn't turn back.

Joey lingered behind with Noah as they walked out. "You did good, bud."

He shrugged. "I didn't... I don't... I didn't know..."

She rubbed his back. "I didn't know either."

…..

Quinn lay in the couch staring at the ceiling. Noah leaned over her and looked at her with a frown.

"You're obscuring my view," she said with a frown. "My view of the ceiling."

He rolled his eyes and sat down across from her on the coffee table.

He rung out his hands nervously and took a deep breath. "I don't think nor have I ever thought that you were disgusting. I'm sorry about before-"

"You don't have to do this," she groaned.

"I do," he said. "Before I was mad that he...that he plead out. I want to... I wanted him to suffer through a trial but then I was ashamed because I knew that meant you had to, too." He shook his head. "I make no sense. " he sighed. "I'm mad at him for what he did to you and I'm mad that... I wish I knew before and I... I need you to promise me that you'll tell me ….You didn't tell me...I know it's not something you want to say but... I'll fight for you." Quinn looked at him with a frown. "You owe me," he smiled. "I'm your brother. I get to throw a punch for you. You gotta let me."

"This is the strangest conversation we've ever had," Quinn said with a deep set frown.

"I just," he sighed. "You can't..." he looked for his words from the floor. "You can't shut me out. Everyone has shut me out and won't let me be there for them... so... Just... Please." He shook his head. "I was mad because I … I wasn't there... and I ….. Just let me be there okay?

She frowned. "Fine, whatever."

He nodded and stood up.

She watched him go back into the kitchen to work on his homework.

"Today doesn't count," she called after him. He smiled. "Thank you... for what you said."

He shrugged. "Whatever."

Shelby patted Noah on the shoulder as she walked into the room.

"Don't ask me how I am," Quinn said as Shelby sat down next to her. "It doesn't feel like my life. I don't feel relieved or happy or sad... I just feel... different... freer, but lost. So those are my feelings."

Shelby nodded. "Okay."

It did feel surreal and disconnected. It was over. Right?

Please tell me what you think. I know it was an emotional rollercoaster and a lot happened but please let me know. Thank you.

Soooooooo Surprise surprise, this was supposed to be longer. I cut a handful of scenes and moved it to the next chapter. Please let me know what you think. Thank you. Sorry again for the wait...