I am soooo sorry!!! I was planning on writing and updating on Monday, but got caught up with school and family and whatnot. But now I've written this. I hope it brings your forgiveness!

Disclaimer (for the first time...oops): I don't own Sisters Grimm. Sorry. I do know Michael Buckley though....

And the greatest of thanks to the best beta and friend in the world, libaka!! I'm sorry I haven't done this sooner!!

Chapter 15. Rain

It rained the day they never came home. Sabrina remembers dropping her soaking umbrella and raincoat by the door, excited to show her parents her report card. She ran to the kitchen, hoping that her parents would be there.

When she found the apartment empty, Sabrina simply put the report card on the fridge, figuring that they had gone to pick up Daphne and would be back later than usual. She made herself a sandwich and started her homework, wanting her parents to be proud.

It was only when she got the call from Daphne's day care that she realized something was wrong. Her parents never came to pick up Daphne. The little girl's teacher dropped her off at the apartment, with thunder ringing and rain cascading down the windows.

Sabrina hoped that they were just busy, and fed Daphne as well. That night, she and her sister hid in their parent's bed, huddling together under the quilt and whispering to each other that Mom and Dad would be home soon, with hugs and kisses and love.

They never came home that night. They didn't come home the day after either. It was vacation, and Sabrina didn't know who to go to, so she simply continued caring for her frightened sister and herself. She didn't cry. She never stopped believing that they would be home. She had to. Daphne needed her to.

The fifth day came. They still weren't home. Sabrina, finally frightened, worried, called the police. They were shocked that a ten-year-old had cared for herself and her sister for five days. Sabrina explained over and over again that they had to be coming home soon, something had just happened.

After three weeks passed and Sabrina had to protect Daphne in the orphanage, she finally admitted to herself that they weren't coming. Not anymore. Mom and Dad, who had always come when they needed them, whether or not the two were busy, were just not coming this time.

It hadn't stopped raining, and as Sabrina watched the rain pelt down, washing away the dirt and grime of the city, she decided that this would never happen again. She would never wait for someone to come save her. If her own parents couldn't be bothered to fight off whatever had happened to them, who could she trust to do so? Next time, Sabrina wouldn't wait of someone to come for her. She would save herself. She would save Daphne. They wouldn't need anyone again.

The months passed, and Sabrina kept her promise. As they were moved from foster home to foster home, Sabrina never went to someone for help. She protected Daphne from the crazies, she stood up for herself over and over again. Foster family after foster family learned to never mess with a Grimm, and never to anger Sabrina Grimm. She would get back, and she would get away no matter what.

Sabrina sometimes found herself wondering if she would ever be able to lean on someone else again. Everyone she had the potential to trust would disappear after a few weeks. The first social worker was sweet, wonderful really, but then she left the girls to Ms. Smirt. The nice janitor who snuck food to the girls vanished after two weeks, off on his honeymoon. No one ever stayed. Sabrina couldn't depend on anyone.

A year passed, and Granny called the girls to her. Sabrina wondered how long this would last. She was terrified to let this woman in, even if she was nice. She would only leave the girls soon anyway. Sabrina wanted to trust her, she really did, but she just couldn't. Granny had needed to be saved only a few days into meeting them! Canis was nice, and protective, but he was afraid and fighting against his own darkness. Sabrina couldn't load her troubles onto him. Granny didn't really want to know. She wanted to erase the girls' troubles and fears. Sabrina didn't want them taken away. She could handle them. She just wanted someone to know, so that they could help her when she felt herself crumbling.

Then Puck came in. He'd already been around, but Sabrina had thought he was just like the others. But he wasn't. When she needed help after Moth poisoned her, he came. Sabrina hadn't thought anyone would, and a part of her was almost relieved to be able to give up and let go. But Puck saved her. And then when she fell from the balloon, he caught her. Sabrina wondered why he kept saving her. She couldn't save him, so why was he bothering?

Then, back in Ferryport, spring came. And with it came the rain. Sabrina had never told anyone, but rain scared her. The last time it rained for days, her world was turned upside down. She hates the rain. It's dangerous, it hides what could be out there.

Sabrina sat up late the night the rain came. She huddled by the window and stared out at the rain. She watched for anything, something, that could hurt her again. Daphne was asleep, next to Red, and the two girls slept peacefully through the rain. Daphne wasn't afraid of the rain. Sabrina had realized that Daphne didn't really remember the day her parents vanished, because Sabrina had been there for her. So Sabrina had decided to remember for the both of them. One more burden that she would carry.

A voice woke her from her musings. "What are you doing?"

Sabrina looked away from the window, and saw Puck floating silently by the door.

"What are you doing awake? It's late, you should be asleep." She whispered.

"So should you" the boy stated simply, gliding over the floor to join her.

Sabrina said nothing and turned back to the window, flinching when lightning came and thunder followed eagerly. She hated thunder and lightning.

Puck's hand on her shoulder startled her, and she glanced at him. He wasn't looking at the rain, he was watching her. "What's wrong?"

Sabrina turned away. "I hate the rain."

Puck blinked. Sabrina said simply, "The day my parents disappeared, it rained and rained. It was still raining when I called the police five days later to say that my parents were missing."

The boy watched her. "I hate the rain. It reminds of that. When it rains, something bad happens."

His eyes widened. "That's not true."

"Maybe not. But it's what rain makes me think of."

"Why? What about the good things that have happened when it rains?" Sabrina raised an eyebrow at him. "You know, like good things! I dunno, what about spring? That means winter's ending, and everything's coming back."

Sabrina smiled wryly. "Never took you for caring about that sort of thing."

"I don't. Just thought it might help."

Silence sifted through the room, interrupted only by Daphne's soft snores and Red's mumblings. Sabrina leaned against the window, watching the trees wave back and forth as wind rushed through them. Puck followed her gaze.

"I can think of some good things that have come from the rain."

The boy stared defiantly at Sabrina as the girl looked at him incredulously. He continued. "If your parents had never disappeared, you would never have had the chance to become as strong as you are. You would never have learned how to sneak around. You would never have found out about Granny, and through her, about Everafters. You'd rather know then live in ignorance, right?" Sabrina nodded reluctantly. "You'd never have met Canis, or Snow White, or the seven dwarfs, or the three pigs, or Bess, or Briar Rose, or your uncle." Sabrina nodded, listening. The boy said triumphantly, "And you'd never have met me!"

Sabrina smiled. "I'm not so sure of that."

Puck blinked. "Huh?"

"I'm pretty sure somehow you'd have managed to prank me somehow. After all, you're determined when you want to be." Puck laughed softly.

"Point. But I didn't know about you. Granny had never said anything until you were going to come to here."

"Hmm. Maybe not then."

The two turned back to the window when a streak of lightning lit up the room. Sabrina was silent for a time, Puck glancing at her every now and then. She finally spoke when a blast of thunder shook the house.

"I suppose there is something good out of all this then." Puck grinned.

"Come on then." He tugged her arm. Sabrina look startled.

"Come where?"

"Outside. Time to find another way to enjoy the rain."

The two slipped out of the girls' room and tiptoed down the stairs, jumping the squeaky stair halfway down. Sabrina silently opened the door, since Granny had finally given her the keys, telling her that she trusted her to use them wisely.

Puck jumped off the porch landing in a puddle. He laughed once, and tilted his head back to drink the rain. "Come on, Sabrina! It's fun!"

She hesitantly made her way off the porch, flinching again when thunder rumbled. She blinked as the rain fell on her, looking at Puck silently. He reached forward and took her hands, pulling the two of them into an impromptu dance across the lawn.

Sabrina joined in hesitantly, then laughed once and shook her head, shaking out the drops of water drenching her.

After an hour, the storm abating, the two slipped back inside, locking the door tightly after them. Laughing, Sabrina gently squeezed out her hair, leaving a small puddle on the floor.

Puck hastily grabbed some towels from the first floor closet, where they had been stored yesterday by Granny 'just in case.' The two began drying themselves off.

As they made their way upstairs to change and go to bed, Sabrina whispered, "Thanks."

Puck grinned at her, and she returned it, continuing, "I never thought I'd ever go outside in the rain at night!"

Puck rubbed his knuckles against his chest and pretended to push glasses up on his nose, making her laugh. "Well, ma'am, I do believe you are cured of your fear of rain and all the connected problems. Congratulations, if you need my card I'm perfectly available for further treatment."

The girl laughed again and opened her door silently. She nodded to him. "Night, Puck."

Puck gave a small wave. "Night, Sabrina."

He was about to close his door when he heard a soft, "Wait!" He turned to see Sabrina hurrying towards him. She stopped in front of him and said mischievously, "I've forgotten payment." Before he could protest, Sabrina leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly. Pulling away, she smiled again and said, "I think that should cover it. Night!"

He stood there long after she had slipped into her room, giggling softly, and a slow grin made its way onto his face. He touched his cheek gently, and turned and entered his room.

The next day, Sabrina and Puck looked exhausted. Granny asked over and over again if they were coming down with something, but the two would only smile and tell her they were fine. Because really, they were.

I hope you liked it! Please R&R,

Tam