White Horse

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee no matter how much I dream about it at night. Oh wow hi everyone, can I say how extremely sorry I am for not updating for so long. I was sideline by a lung infection not long after the last update and just when I thought I kicked it's ass it came back and bit me in the ass hard. So hard that I had to spend another few days in the hospital. So please, please don't kill me. A good thing about having so much time on my hands is that I was able to go back and do some serious editing on all my stories. So if you go back and reread it you'll see that my mistakes have been corrected. Hopefully I got all of them and the stories flows better now. As always thank you guys for your awesome support. Okay kiddies on with the show.

Chapter Two: Miles To Go Before I Sleep

---

Quinn's parting words echoed throughout the choir room as the Gleeks watched shocked Quinn walk out the door. Most of them had the decency to bow their heads in shame, because it was true no one really took the time to try to get to know Quinn. As long as she was the main target no one wanted to take the chance to get close to her and become a target by default and as long as the focus was on her everyone else was safe.

The two cheerios stared after her with forlorn expressions on their faces. Brittany wanted to jump and hold her tight and never let her go. Santana and Puck wanted to turn back time and stop the first slushie from happening.

Rachel being the drama queen that she is turned to the two cheerios sneering, "Well I hope your happy, after everything that you did to her I can't say that I'm surprised that she wanted nothing to do with you!"

Santana still watching the door turns to the pint size diva, her eyes widen in surprise, "Excuse me Gizmo? But correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't it your oversized pet rock that started everything with Quinn?" She stands up slowly, "Because from what I remember Puffy Nipples chased after her like a pathetic bitch in heat freshmen year. When Quinn turned his flabby ass down, he sic'd the football team after her."

Finn flushes embarrassed, "That's not fair Santana, I only did that once but then the rest of team just ran away with it."

Santana crosses her arms, "But you never tried to stop them, did you Finnept?"

Rachel swallows cursing her big mouth, "Well, that may be true but you and your cheerios had a hand in torturing her…"

Santana waved her shutting her up, "No, I never slushied or bullied her physically before. I won't say that I'm innocent and I never verbally cut her because I did. I'm a big enough woman to admit that and I admit that I never tried to stop the bullying," she glared to at the rest of the Gleeks making them shutter, "but none of you hypocrites did anything either because as long as she was the one taking the hits then you all were safe."

Tina and Artie stared at their shoes frowning, while guilty expressions flashed through the faces of the rest of the Gleeks. Santana stalks down to stand next to Rachel making the smaller girl take a step back gulping, "So I wouldn't try to cast stones Cyrano when we all know that if Quinn wasn't numero uno on the hit list it would be you despite the fact that you're banging the school's losing quarterback."

She gives Rachel one last look of distaste before turning to Kurt, "As for you Fairy Princess, instead of standing by her and embracing the gay you turn your nose up at her." She leans closer forcing Kurt to look her in the eye, "You know that if you pranced out of your rhinestone closet before she did or if you didn't have Finnessa as a step-brother than every dumpster dives, slushies and swirlies would've been in your future too."

Kurt swallowed, "What about you Santana, have you embraced your gay yet?"

Santana smirks shrugging her shoulders, "Yes I have." She ignores the gasps of surprise by her fellow Gleeks, "So stop deflecting and man up, all of you, own up to the fact that no one tried to help her."

Santana turns her attention to one more person, the man that was supposed to be helping Quinn. Another adult that let her down, "As for you Mr. Schue, you preach about this being a safe place for everyone and how we're all family but not once did you ever try to stop us from ganging up on her." She scoffs, "This assignment is a little too late to pretend you give a damn about something other than a win at nationals. Like I said before, I don't care about this stupid club Brittany does, so does Quinn. If they want out than I'll bounce and not lose any sleep over the fact that you're all screwed."

Mr. Schue sputters, "That's enough Santana, I think you made your point but you didn't have to be so abrasive."

Santana grins turns feral, "Yes I did because you're all stuck on stupid thinking that you have nothing to feel guilty about. At least now no one thinks they're innocent and even me."

She looks around wondering where her girlfriend disappeared to, before signaling to Puck that she was ready to go. "And on that note we're leaving, later losers," she turns and walks out the door without waiting for a reply.

Puck smirks strutting as he follows Santana out the door. He pauses before turning around to glare at the rest of the Gleeks, "I don't want anyone thinking that they can give Quinn shit tomorrow because their feelings got hurt. I promise each and every one of you that I'll personally beat anyone down, that tries."

Finn looks at him shocked, "But dude were bros…"

Puck lifts up a hand stopping him from continuing, "True but I've been friends with Santana since we were in diapers, so I have her back and anyone else she decides to protect before you or this club." Finn sits back pouting, "So any revenge formulating in your pea brains better stop or I swear Quinn's high school career will look like a fucking vacation compared to you after I'm done."

Once again the Gleeks are left staring at an empty doorway shocked at these turn of events. No one said anything to justify themselves, well no one but Finn, "That's bullshit! Who do they think they are? I'm the starting quarterback, so ever I say should…"

Mike stands up abruptly pulling Tina with him, "Shut the fuck up Finn, everyone knows that you're only on the team because of Puck. If anything Sam should be the starter not you and the only reason you have any sway is because of your friendship with Puck. So if I were you than I would just bend over and take it, unless you want them to retaliate."

One by one the Gleeks left the room, most of them wondering if it was indeed too late to make amends with Quinn.

---

When Santana started to go off on the Gleeks, Brittany snuck out trying to catch up with Quinn. The normally happy girl sat on the front steps feeling depressed. She hoped that Quinn was wrong, that she and Santana still had a chance with her. Brittany sat with her head on her knees waiting for Santana to come out.

Santana opened the school's front doors to find her girlfriend sitting on the steps staring off in the distance. She sighs as she sits down next to Brittany pulling her close causing the blonde to jump a little. "Are you okay baby?" Santana nuzzles Brittany's neck.

The other girl shrugs her shoulders, "Just thinking Tana, what if we are too late? What if we blew our chance a long time ago?"

Santana tightens her hold, "I don't know babe, I just hope we're not and Quinn feels the same way we do."

Puck nudges the Latina's leg, "I think you'll be fine San, I've seen the way she looks at you when no one's looking." He smirks at the girl's when they look up at him, wondering where he came from, "She looks like she wants to cover you two in bacon and eat you up."

Santana snickers, "Idiot." Turning to find Brittany smiling genuinely for the first time all day, "Do you want to go home or do you want to try and find Quinn?"

Brittany smile widens, her girl knows her so well, "Let's find Quinn and make sure she's all right." Brittany stands up pulling Santana into her arms, "We have to start working on this lame ass assignment after all."

Puck moves between them throwing his arms over their shoulders, "At least you get to work with a pair of hotties while I'm stuck with the two most annoying girls in Glee."

Santana snickers as they walk down the steps slowly, "I would hate to be you Puckerman, I'd probably try to kill them both before the first ten minutes were up."

Pucks chuckles walking them to Santana's car, "Rachel's alright. If I could get her to use her big mouth for something more useful other than bitching then she wouldn't be annoying anymore."

Brittany slaps his hard stomach giggling, "Maybe that no gag reflex of hers would be put to good use."

Santana pretended to gag, "Please never talk about RuPaul and sex in the same sentence again it's far too disgusting."

Puck winks at Brittany before kissing them on the cheek, "Like I said Rachel wouldn't be too bad if she wasn't so hung up on the Finn and calmed down a little."

Brittany smiles innocently before opening her door, "She too uptight, maybe she just needs to get laid."

Santana makes a sour face trying to stop the images of a naked Rachel from running around in her head, "Oh god Brittany! Get in the car and please to stop before I cut you off for the week. Puck give yourself a helping hand and stop thinking about Man Hands."

Puck snickers giving her a mock salute before turning around to walk to his car. Santana flips him off before turning her attention Brittany. The blonde stared her with a wide eyed innocent look on her face but the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth gave her away.

"You suck Britts," Santana mumbled while she started the car.

Brittany couldn't hold in her laughter anymore burst out laughing, "Awww babe I'm just playing. I know that you like Rachel even if she does annoy you."

Santana glares at her not bother to refute her statement, Brittany giggles but doesn't say anything else. Santana drives to Quinn's house hoping that's where the shorter blonde headed too. Santana relents letting her hand drift close to Brittany's. Brittany glances at the girl with the corner of her eye before smiling entwining their fingers together. Santana slows the car when they get close to Quinn's house but they didn't see her car in the drive way.

"I don't think she's here Tana," Brittany pouts peering out the window.

Santana frowns stopping the car in front of the Fabray house, "I think your right Britts, try calling her."

Brittany pulls her phone out her pocket dialing the number she wasn't supposed to know. Brittany listens pouting again when the call goes to voice mail, "No answer Tana."

Santana swallows back her disappointment, "Um did you want to try a few more places or go home babe? I think she might be at one of those geek stores she loves so much."

Brittany rolls her eyes, "She might be at the skate park." The blonde cheerio scratches her nose, "How about we split up that way we can find her faster."

It was Santana's turn to pout, "Fine but I demand sweet lady kisses before you leave me to fend for myself."

Brittany smirks rolling her eyes playfully before leaning over to kiss her girlfriend, "Fine you big baby."

---

Quinn walked away from the choir room feeling very proud; she's finally standing up for herself. Maybe it's because she knows that the countdown already started, next month she can leave home and next then summer she'll be kicking Lima off of her heels. Of course she might have pissed off her three new fans but she can't seem to bring herself to care. It's a little too late for anyone or everyone to pretend that give a damn. Since it's too early for her to go home, she knows that her mother's not nearly drunk enough yet. Maybe a trip to the skate park is what she needs to regroup after all today's been a trip into the Twilight Zone.

Quinn gets in her car in time to see one cheerios of her dreams or nightmares whatever you prefer, running out the school. She doesn't feel like having another confrontation so soon, so she floors it before they even knew she left. The blonde plugs in her iPod, scrolling down she feels like some Mayday Parade today. She sings along with Derek and Jason, 'Miserable At Best'. She loves these guys, smiling she parks her car. Still humming she pulls out from trunk the new DGK board that she picked up when she was in Cali this summer.

This is the only place in the world she feels comfortable in her skin at and not having to worry about being bullied is a plus as for as she's concerned. She smiles and waves hi to the guys already here, with a run she jumps on her board and the rush comes back to her.

Quinn did trick after trick losing herself in her movements, she always felt free when she was skating. No more worries, no mother using her as a punching bag, and especially no bullies making her life hell. She always felt better once she was on a board; as a matter of fact it was her father that gave her, her first board ever. So once she was in the zone she always feels closer to him and her sister.

Quinn lost herself, failing to notice that it was getting dark and she had to be home soon. Tired, out of breath after two hours of riding her board plus her side was killing her, Quinn finally sank down on the closest bench.

"Aw crap," she whispers when she looks at her phone. She had three missed calls from her mother and 4 more from a number she doesn't even know. Quinn closes her eyes listening to the first message; fuck her mother is going to fucking kill her. Today of all days she decided to start her drinking binge later, after her 'book club' left instead of during. She doesn't even bother listening to the other messages or reading the texts, all she knows is that she better get home soon before her mother kills her this time.

Quinn grabs her things and ran to her car ignoring her side now that her ribs were making themselves known again. This stop probably wasn't one of her best ideas, since her mother's been using her ribs as target practice ever since she got back.

"Quinn," a voice calls for her.

"Aww crap, crap," Quinn groans. She knows that voice she dreams about that voice and her girlfriend's voice. She smiles turning around, "Hey Brittany, I can't talk right now I'm late and my mother's pretty pissed at me."

Brittany pouts, "You didn't answer me when I called so I got worried."

"Oh that's your number," she opens the door. "I'm sorry I was playing with my board, so I didn't even feel it vibrate."

Brittany scratches her nose, "Oh okay you left so fast today we didn't even have time to set up a time to get together for our project, and you shouldn't be riding since your side is already hurt." She reaches out to touch Quinn's sore side gently.

Quinn swallows, "I suppose not but I'm seriously late so why don't we work out all the details later."

Brittany sighs, she and San spent the last couple of hours looking for the girl because they were worried. This was the first place they should have checked because they know how much she loves being here at the skate park. "Are you sure you can't wait here with me until San comes? I called her and she's on her way. She should be here any minute."

Quinn shakes her nod, "No I can't sorry Brittany but…" she feels her phone vibrating and looks at the id, "yeah that's my mother I have to go. I'm really sorry."

She gets into the car but before she can close the door Brittany blocks it and kneels down, "How about later, can we get together later?"

The shorter blonde sighs, Brittany's stubborn. How come I never notice that before? "Sure Brittany give me a call later to make sure I'm not grounded or anything."

The taller girl smiles brightly, "Okay, I'll give you a call in about an hour to make sure it's all good." She stands up and waits for Quinn to bring her legs into the car, before closing it softly. She waves as Quinn drives away wondering why the girl looked was frighten about going home. That's something she'll have to take to San about. Speaking of Brittany pulls out her to call her girlfriend, "Hey San, where are you?"

'At the geek store.'

"The comic book store you mean. Well anyway I found her; she was in the skate park like I said."

'Whatever does this mean I can leave before the nerd germs infect me?'

She grins slightly smug, "Yeah that's what it mean."

'Thank fucking god, I felt myself become unbadass every minute I was here.'

Brittany rolls her eyes, "Right. So I asked her if we can get together and she said maybe because she's late going home so she doesn't know if she'll be grounded."

'Alright babe I'm on my way and please don't try and ride someone's board. The last time you did that you ended needing stitches.'

Brittany pouts slightly, "Fine whatever I'll just walk to the pond and watch the ducks until you get here."

'Sounds good B, I love you see you in a minute.'

That brings a bright smile to her face, "I love you to Tana." She hangs up the phone humming as she walks to the pond, hopefully Quinn can go out to dinner with them. It'll be like a date, their first date even if the geeky blonde doesn't know it.

Brittany hums happily watching the ducks play in the water, the only thing missing in her opinion is her girlfriend. And a certain blonde geek with beautiful green eyes and an adorable dimpled grin. The dancer sighs hoping that one day soon that she could call the adorkable blonde her girlfriend as well. She knows that they have their work cut out for them because of the years they spent sitting back and watching Quinn be bullied. Even though they don't deserve it she hopes that Quinn gives them a chance to prove how sorry they are and how much they care and hopefully it won't be too late for them.

A pair of strong tan arms wrap around her shoulders pulling her into a warm slender body and tilts her head back, kissing her full lips. She smiles into the kiss, their lips together in a slow dance. When oxygen becomes a problem Brittany pulls back reluctantly her eyes closed, "Hmm well hello stranger! You can kiss me like that anytime you want just don't tell my girlfriend, she's kinda crazy."

A raspy chuckle sends shivers through her body, "Don't worry I won't tell yours if you don't tell mine." Santana kisses her nose, "She's not cray cray but she'll pout you to death."

Brittany opens one eye to see her girlfriend grinning down at her. Brittany slaps one of the arms around her lightly, "I don't pout Tana."

The Latina chuckles at the non-pout pout her girl was sporting, "Sure baby, whatever you say. But what's up with your lips right now?"

Brittany rolls her eyes standing up, "I don't know but it not pouting."

Santana does a graceful leap over the bench sitting on Brittany's previous spot, smirking up at her girlfriend, "Okay babe, I'll let you have this one but it's only because I think your pout is sexy."

Brittany grins feeling smug, "I knew you'd see it my way Tana." She sits on the shorter girl's lap with her head resting comfortably on her shoulder. This should have been an awkward position since she was a lot taller than San but it was Brittany's favorite place to relaxing. She sneaks a hand under Santana's cheerio top relishing on the warm taunt flesh quivering underneath her fingertips, "Do you think it's too soon to call Quinn and ask her if she's grounded?"

Santana kisses her shoulder, "I think we have a little to enjoy the ducks, babe."

Brittany snuggles into Santana deeper basking in her warmth, "I'm worried though Tana. There's something not right with her." Santana tightens her hold encouraging her to continue, "She looked so scared when she got that call from her Mom."

Santana sighs, "Do you want to go by? I know you'll just worry until you hear something from her."

Brittany kisses her cheek excitedly, "Thank you Tana! Let's go now." She jumps up pulling Santana with her.

The brunette chuckles as she trails behind her excited girlfriend. She didn't really pay attention to Brittany's ramblings on the way to the car. She just smiled indulgently at her girlfriend's seduction plans. Even though she should be a little pissed that her girl was trying to get in some other chick's pants but since it was a girl they've both been in love with since freshman year, she couldn't be to mad.

Santana opened the door for Brittany who kisses her cheek sweetly, still going on about this non date they're about to have with Quinn. The Latina rolls her eyes playfully, "You know I should be insulted B, I haven't seen you this excited about our dates in a long time."

Brittany grins wickedly, "I love our dates Tana but you're old news." She winks playfully, "And Quinn's like a Christmas present waiting to be unwrapped."

Santana lets out a full belly laugh, delighted with her girl, "Fine Britts since I'm such old news, then I guess I can keep the surprise I got for you all to myself."

She grins pulling into Quinn's street while her blonde pouts pitifully, "That's not fair San! You know I love surprises; you can't just dangle one in front of me and then snatch it away."

Santana shrugs, "I can if you think I'm such ancient and Quinnie's the next big thing."

The tall blonde pouts before a devious thought crossed her mind. She gives Santana a hooded glance before releasing her seatbelt.

Santana clears her throat loudly, shifting in her seat slightly, "What are you doing Britts? Put your seat belt back on while I'm driving, woman."

Brittany smirks draping her arm over Santana's shoulder. Santana bites back a moan when her evil blonde started nibbling along her jawline, "Please baby, can I have my surprise?" A sneaky pale hand caressed the Latina's thigh, "I promise I don't think your ancient."

Santana swallows hard before parking behind Quinn's car. She whimpers stopping Brittany's hand from going any higher, "Tell you what baby, let's take Quinn to dinner first then we'll talk about your surprise."

Brittany rolls her eyes nipping Santana's chin one more time, knowing she won this round. She winks at Santana before jumping out of the car. Santana groans resting her head against the steering wheel trying to reign in her raging hormones. "Fuck, these blondes are going to be the death of me," she whispers before letting herself out of the car.

She walks up admiring Brittany's backside in her short skirt while the excitable blonde bounces on her toes. Brittany knocked and rang the doorbell impatiently waiting for her other blonde to answer. Brittany throws a pout over her shoulder, "Do you think she's ignoring us? I've been ringing since like forever."

Santana smile is small and indulgent, her girl has zero patience, "I doubt that Quinn's ignoring you Britts, she's either not home or in the shower or something. She's probably all grimy and sweaty from skating earlier."

Santana peers into the window trying to see inside, she doesn't want to tell Brittany but she is a little afraid something just doesn't feel right to her.

---

Earlier

When Quinn turns the corner she floors it to the house she shared with her mother, not her home she's never considered it to be her home . Almost ten minutes later Quinn skids to a stop in her driveway, and she sees Judy rushing out of the house with a glass of her scotch in hand and a very pissed off look on her face. The older blonde quickly schools her features placing a small loving smile on her face while she waves at her daughter happily. Quinn sighs leaving her things in the car knowing that after her mother was through with her she wouldn't have the energy to do her assignments. But who gives homework on the first day of school? Duh, it's just plain stupid it's not like they've learned anything yet.

Before she opens the door Quinn takes off her glasses and leaves them in the car, thinking they've been through enough today. She closes her eyes briefly waiting for her walls to drop in place. Quinn walks toward her Mom with her head hung low coming to a stop when she's in front of her.

"I'm sorry that I am late mother, I lost track of time while in the park," Quinn whispers with her face perfectly blank, the slight tremble in her voice is the only thing that betrays her emotions.

Judy smiles as she grabs Quinn by the arm, digging her manicured nails into Quinn's skin, "You embarrassed the hell out of me today, Lucy. I had the ladies from my book club (drinking buddies) coming and they were expecting food, but guess what? Since my stupid pathetic daughter wasn't here they had nothing!"

If anyone was looking on from the street they would've been able to tell that anything was wrong. Judy's whole posture screamed loving mother, "And what did I tell you about that park? You already look like a fucking bull dyke, do you have make it any harder on me?"

Quinn swallows over the lump in her throat, "I'm sorry mother I didn't realize that it was your turn to host the meeting."

Judy gives her an evil smile pushing her lightly into the house, "I'm going to teach you about forgetting your place, get inside now Lucy."

Quinn's breathe hitches in her throat knowing that this wasn't going to be any good. She fights back the tears that were threatening to fall already. She hates it when her mother's like this it means that she's not going to tire out easily tonight. Quinn quickens her pace to the her father's office, her mother thought it was poetic to beat her in there since it was Quinn's fault that her wasn't here in the first place.

Quinn cries out in surprise when her mother grabs her hair knocking her into the door frame. She could feel her lip splitting open and a knot form on her head. She stumbles into the room falling on her knees, she whimpers putting a hand on her bleeding lips. She knows it'll only piss off her mother more if she bleeds all over the carpet. Quinn stays down while she listens to Judy move to the desk, she heard her opens and shuffle around in the drawers. Quinn closes her eyes knowing exactly what her mother was going for.

"Take off your shirt Lucy," Judy sneers walking back to her.

Quinn whimpers unbuttoning her shirt slowly trying to prolong what was going to happen next, but she feels the belt snap on her back, "Don't dawdle Lucy, you're only going to make this worse on yourself."

Quinn hisses when she peals the shirt off her already bleeding back. A trivial thought crosses her mind; she really should've changed out of her white shirt. She cries out when Judy snaps the belt on her back again and again. Quinn falls forward and lands on her hands, her body jerking with ever painful slash. Tears blind her eyes as she tries to keep in every painful groan and whimper knowing it'll be worse for her if she makes too much noise.

A warm sticky wetness seeps down her sides, Quinn knows at least two of those marks are bleeding. Seeing as Judy isn't slowing down, she knows that mommy dearest isn't close to being done yet. After a while she lost count of how many times the belt came down but each hit was more painful than the last.

"You worthless bitch! I should have aborted you when I found out I was pregnant with you," Judy shouts bring down the belt one more time.

Quinn sobs silently, gasping when the buckle hit her already aching side. Quinn curls herself into a ball wishing she could disappear, wishing that she can close her eyes and it be a month later.

"Get up! Your fucking pathetic Lucy," Judy sneers kicking her bleeding back. "Get the fuck up and stop bleeding on my carpet!"

Quinn uncurls her body every moment causes her to grimace in pain. She struggles to stand on her jelly legs but she stands tall and defiantly looking at her mother.

Judy slaps her face with her heavily ringed right hand for that little snub splitting open her cheek, "Get the fuck out of my face Lucy and go clean yourself up. You look disgusting." She steps closer grinning that sick little grin, "I'm leaving for the week so try not to cause any more trouble, because if you do you'll be sorrier than you've ever been." She goes to the door grabbing the suitcase she didn't even notice was there.

Quinn stares as her mother leaves the room; she stays there long after she hears the door slam shut. She collapses to the floor pain radiating everywhere; her mother's never hurt her this bad before. Quinn tries to crawl to the stairs but then it all went blank.

---

Outside

Santana squints trying to see inside the dark house, "I don't think anyone's here Britt-Britt."

The taller cheerio pouts juggling the door knob, when it opens slightly, "Hey Tana, I don't think this is right."

Santana looks over frowning, no this isn't right at all, she thinks. She nudges Brittany aside as she opens the door wider, "Hey Quinn? Are you home? You left the door open so I'm coming in." She looks over to Brittany trying to smile reassuringly, "You wait here, okay?"

Brittany frowns but nods her consent, "Okay Tana."

Santana reaches out to squeeze her hand before she squares her shoulders, "Quinn? Uh Mrs. Fabray? Is anyone home, hello?"

Santana footsteps echo softly in the dark empty house. An icy pit of dread drops into her stomach when she's continually meet with silence. Something was wrong she could feel it in her bones. Santana turns to inspect the kitchen seeing nothing but shadows and no sign of the Fabray women. The Latina's breaths comes out in sharp gasps as her nerves start to become fried when with the corner of her eye a small lump in a door way catches her attention.

Santana whimpers when she realizes that it's Quinn. "Oh my god," she whispers rushing toward the immobile lump. "Quinn, Quinn, Quinn," she chants falling to her knees. She presses the tips of her fingers on the lumps neck breathing a sigh of relief when she finds a steady pulse beating against her fingers.

Santana glances down and has to struggle to not vomit on the carpet, "Oh my fucking god." The shorter blonde's back was a mangled mess, "Oh god baby, who did this to you?" She pushes back the short messy hair covering the girl's face, "Oh baby, I'm so sorry that I didn't protect you."

Santana takes Quinn's battered delicate features feeling white hot rage course through her veins. When she finds out who did this to her Quinn there will be hell to pay. She feels rather than sees Brittany presence behind her, "Don't look B, this isn't something you should see."

Brittany ignores her flicking the light on causing Santana to blink trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. Brittany whimpers falling on the other side of Quinn, "Who did this to her?"

Santana shrugs her shoulders not realizing to she's been running her fingers through Quinn's soft hair this whole time, "I dunno Britts, but when I find out who I swear on every fucking one my Abuela's saints that they're dead."

Brittany trembles slightly at Santana's harsh tone, "We'll worry about that later, because right now we need to call an ambulance or something."

"No ambulance, please. No cops," Quinn's grainy voice startles them.

Santana swears under breath laying her head next to Quinn's staring into her pained moss green eyes, "Why not baby? You were attack and these cuts all over your back need to be looked at. They could get infected and…"

Quinn reaches a tentative hand covering Santana's mouth, "Please no cops. I, uh don't want, I can't please."

Santana kisses her fingers lightly before mumbling, "Only if you tell me who did this and you let my father look you over."

Quinn groans, "But he's a doctor and legally obligated to call the police." She struggles to get off the floor, "I can't risk the cops finding out just yet."

Brittany holds Quinn's arms gently helping her into a sitting position, "No arguments Quinn either Tana's Dad looks you over or we call for an ambulance, you decide."

Quinn flinches sagging her body onto Brittany's warm firm one feeling exhausted. Maybe she should give in. Maybe she should trust that they would take care of her because having someone take care of her, even for a short amount of time would be nice. She looks up to see Santana kneeling in front of her; the Latina's chocolate eyes stared at her worry written all over her face. "Do you promise that he won't call the police," exhaustion evident in her voice.

Brittany and Santana look at each other over her head. After their silent conversation Santana nods their consent reluctantly, "Fine for now we'll keep this to ourselves, but I want some fucking answers and soon."

Quinn breathes a sigh of relief, "Thank you."

Brittany stands up in a show of surprising strength she bends down lifting the smaller blonde in her arms gently. Santana smirks at the surprised look on Quinn's face, "My babes stronger than she looks Blondie."

Quinn blushes but lets her head fall on Brittany shoulders, "I see that."

Santana spies Quinn's shirt from earlier draping it over Quinn's exposed body. Brittany shifts Quinn's weight holding her as close as she can without hurting the girl more. Santana swallows scolding herself over admiring Quinn's fit body. Now is not the time to drool over her perfect abs or her perfect bre… She shakes her mind willing those thoughts away. She turns abruptly leading the blondes out of the house and to her parked car.

She opens the back door while Brittany hands over their precious cargo. Santana grunts barely struggling to adjust at the extra weight. Quinn gasps surprised that Santana was able to carry her with very little trouble. Santana smiles softly kissing her temple when she notices the expression on Quinn's face, "Coach's crazy training makes us stronger than we look."

Quinn's heart fluttered pleasantly when Santana kissed her, she swallows loudly, "Well I guess that's a good thing."

Santana smirks handing Quinn over to Brittany's waiting arms with ease. Quinn still in shock over these turn of events settled into Brittany's gentle embrace finding her new favorite spot nuzzling Brittany's neck enjoying the faint scent of strawberries and something that was all Brittany.

---

On the way to hospital Santana calls her father begging for him to meet her in his office. After some pleading and threats to tell her mother that he was being mean, Manny agreed to meet the girls in 15 minutes. The three rode the rest of the way quietly each lost in their thoughts. Quinn was struggling to understand what was happening, if this was even real. She woke up this morning entirely alone and now apparently she has the two of the school's most popular cheerios acting like her protectors. She wondered if this was a dream or if this was another cruel prank. Either way Quinn hopes this last a little longer she loves the feel of being in their arms.

Santana was gripping the steering wheel hard Brittany could see the tension rolling off of her in waves. She knew that Santana wanted to demand that Quinn fess up and tell them who did this to her. The only thing holding her back was the fear of pushing the skittish girl away. Brittany understood Santana's anger because she was feeling the same way. The normally passive blonde wanted to kill, well not kill but serious injure whoever did this to their girl. Yes their girl, even though Quinn doesn't know it yet but she officially belongs to them, and the HBICs always takes care of their own.

On the short ride Quinn mange to fall asleep feeling safe for the first time in a long time. Brittany wore a small loving smile at the sleeping girl vowing again for the hundredth time today to keep her safe. She knows that Santana already has plans to kill whoever hurt their girl, but she plans on never letting this happen to her again.

Santana pulls into the staff parking lot turning off the car turning around to face her two blondes, "Is she asleep babe?"

Brittany tears her eyes away from the sleeping beauty to look into her girlfriend's concerned brown eyes, "Yeah I think today just caught up to her."

Santana reaches over giving her hand a gentle squeeze, "Yeah, I think so too. Are you okay to carry her to Dad's office? Or do you want me to find a wheel chair?"

Brittany flexes her biceps playfully, "I'll be fine but the only thing I'm worried about is getting to Dad's office without drawing too much attention."

Santana smirks, "That's why I parked here, the service elevator is right there by the entrance and the hallways should be nearly empty this time of the day. As a bonus Daddy's office like 5 feet from when we get off of the elevator, so I gots you covered baby girl."

Brittany rolls her eyes playfully, "Of course you got everything all planned out. Well come one sweetie let's get this over with."

Santana nods getting out of and opens Brittany's door taking the sleeping blonde in her arms gently making sure not to jostle her form her slumber or aggravate her injuries. Brittany hopped out of the car and took their fragile package back. Santana made sure that Quinn was covered with a blanket so prying eyes wouldn't see the damage. The couple made their way into the hospital and to the elevators. There was a few people walking around that stopped to stare but one death glare from Santana sent them on their way. Other than that they managed to get to her father's office without being stopped.

---

Manny Lopez sat behind his desk waiting for his daughter and Brittany to arrive. It was unusual for him to hear her sound so desperate so that's the only reason he agreed to keeping this meeting to himself. It's taken him nearly two years to rebuild the relationship he almost with his daughter after she came out to him and her mother. He never thought he'd see the day he's girls would be so disgusted with him. The things he said and did were mainly out of fear. He knows how people in this town can be, especially if you're different or gay. Being friends and colleagues with the Berry men showed him exactly how this town could be and he didn't want that for his daughter.

It took his wife kicking him out for three months to open his eyes and see that he was about things the wrong way. But the damage was done by the time he got his head out of his ass and his baby girl hasn't looked at him the same way, like he was her hero. So whatever she needs him to do at this moment he'll do gladly, without question. He is shaken from his daydream when a firm knock echoed through the quiet office.

Manny stands up quickly and opens his office door of all the scenarios that have been running through his head since her call, he didn't expect to see Brittany standing there carrying a small bundle in her arms.

"Close your mouth Daddy and let us in," Santana's snarky comment once again shook him out of his daze.

He steps aside allowing the girls to enter with a quick glance outside he's ecstatic to see no one in the corridor. Manny closes the door softly before turning to his daughter, "What's this all about Tana?" he moves to the couch, "Lay her down here Brittany so I can examine her while you two explain."

Brittany shuffles to the couch, her arms slightly aching but she still didn't want to let Quinn out of her embrace, "I don't know much about what happened Manny, but we found her like this about an hour ago."

Manny kneels next to couch frowning as he removes the blanket covering her body, "Why didn't you call an ambulance when you found her?" He hiss, anger filling his body when he sees the bruises littered across this girl's delicate frame and a couple of small cuts on her face. They won't need stitches and the knot on her forehead isn't the bad, some ice and ibuprofen will help with that. What kind of monster would do this to such a small girl? He can clearly see that some bruises were old and barely fading away while others look newer like she just got them within a day or so.

Santana growls furious now that she's also noticing the extensive damage done to her Quinn. When she gets her hands on whoever did this there will be hell to pay, "She asked us not too, I didn't see how bad it was really was Daddy. But you should take a look at her back because I think that's where the most damage is. She was laying on her stomach passed out on the floor when we found her."

"Tana help me turn her over, if her backs as bad as you think then we have to worry about her getting infections," Manny tells her in a low soothing voice. Even though his blood's boiling he doesn't want to run the risk of frightening when she wakes up.

Quinn groans feeling her body being turned over. She whimpers trying to get away from the hands that were grabbing her. In her sleep idled brain she's still at home and her mother's coming to pay her another visit. "Stop, don't hurt me please," she whimpers again.

Brittany eases down next to her, trying not to scare any more than she already is, "Shh Quinnie your safe, I promise no one's going to hurt you again." She massages her scalp and the smaller blonde slowly starts to relax again, "I need you to turn on your side, okay?

Quinn either didn't hear or was still trapped in her nightmare so she fought against the arms holding on to her small whimpers escaping her lips. She panic when a pair of strong arms touched her face but the hand tilted her face up and she stared into the ocean letting it calm her. She jumps when a different hand pushed back her sweaty hair.

"Shh, baby it's Santana," a husky voice told her. "I swear your safe here with us. Por favor, cálmate y deja que mi padre te ayudará. Te juro que nadie va a hacerte daño, amor."

Quinn looks around as the fog finally lifts from her head, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry please don't…don't hurt me."

Brittany looks over to Santana when the girl takes when into her arms her back facing her father. In a soft voice she starts to recite a poem she knew by heart:

"Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow."

Manny nods as he set work on her back gently examine the lacerations marring her fair skin. Quinn tenses but Santana gently pushed her head onto her shoulder and kissed her temple:

"My little horse must think it queer,"

she pauses smiling when Quinn giggled at that line. Brittany moves to the other side so she can look into those pair of hazel eyes that she's loved for so long.

"To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year."

Manny mutters, "Some of these are deep pequeña, I need to give you stitches."

Quinn barely nods burrowing her face deeper into Santana's neck. She's so scared that he'd call the police and ruin everything. Then these past four years would be for nothing, all the pain she endured would be for feels the girl in her arms stiffen so she tightens her hold vowing to make sure that Quinn will be safe, always.



"He gives his harness bells a shake,

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

Santana's voice drifted off when she was done, the only sound left was Quinn's small gasps every time Manny added another stitch on her skin.

Brittany smiles at her reassuringly, "He's almost down, sweetie. Would you like Santana to tell you another poem or to sing a song?"

Quinn blushes, "Um a poem please, too much singing reminds me of Berry." The two cheerios make a face, "Yeah, I know right we get enough of her in Glee."

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep,"

Manny smiles while he cleans off Quinn's back, he's girl has a soft side that she holds close. The only people that she allows to see it is her parents and Brittany, and now apparently this girl. He has no idea who she is and what she means to his daughter but she's important so that's enough for him right now.



"A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth,"

Quinn sighs letting Santana's husky voice wash over feeling safe again.

"Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall,

"From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon

Brittany smiles at Manny sadly wondering the same he was, who would hurt Quinn and why? Like Santana they both vow to make sure she's safe and stays that way.

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills,

"That for themselves a cooling covert make

'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

"An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink."

Manny bandages up the last of the wounds, "Okay girls I'm done for now but I'm want you to take antibiotics because I don't want to risk infection." He stands up taking off his gloves, "I want you to clean the wounds and change the bandages twice a day. Try not to wet the area where the stitches are."

Quinn looks up feeling shy, "Does that mean that I can't take a shower? And how am I supposed to clean them when they're on my back?"

Santana's cuts in, "Me and B will help with that if you want us to Quinn."

Quinn swallows looking away, "Okay." Her voice squeaks out, "Thank you."

Manny smiles, "I'm afraid that yes you can't take a real bath until the stitches come out. So in about two weeks come back here or to my home and I'll do it for you." he sits across the girls, "I promised Santana that I wouldn't report this and I won't but I need to know that you're safe. I can't in good conscious let you go back to where you're being abused."

Quinn tries to moves away from Santana's arms but remembers that she half naked, "I, I can't leave at least not yet, not until I turn 18." She winches at the dull ache at her side, "After that I'm gone and I'm never going back."

Manny hands her a spare shirt he has for emergencies, "Why can't you leave sooner? What's so important that you're risking your own safety."

Quinn flushes fully aware that the two cheerios are eyeing her discreetly or trying to at least, "This may sound stupid to you but it's my inheritance. There's a stipulation in there that states that if for any reason I leave my parents' home before I turn 18 that I'll lose everything." She shrugs on the shirt moving slowly so she won't aggravate her ribs, "The only reason I'm still there and not kicked out to the streets is because my Mom has the same clause so she's stuck with me at least for another month."

Santana growls allowing her to stand up, "So in the meantime your parents use you as a punching bag?" Santana's shakes her head, "Is the money really worth it Quinn?"

Quinn leans against the desk facing the window, "You don't get it, Santana I'll have nothing no way to take care of myself." She groans the ache getting worse, "My grandparents are died, my father and mother are only kids so I have no aunts or cousins to turn too. So how the fuck do you expect me to survive. And in case you missed it, I have no friends to turn to either."

Brittany stands up, "Me and Tana can help you we're your friends and I'm sure our parents will too."

Quinn shakes her head, "Please stop Brittany, I somehow doubt that your parents want another mouth to feed. And as for the friends' thing, don't you think it's a little too late to be acting like you give a damn?" She swallows, "But if it makes you feel any better she'll be gone for a week."

Manny clears his throat, "I don't understand what's going on but I can tell you that whatever my daughter and Brittany did to you in the past, they want to make it up to you. But I understand that your hesitant about it given from what's been said, I can see that you haven't been treated very well. I can also see that my daughter and Brittany have wronged you as well."

The girls look away shamed while Manny continues, "I promised that I wouldn't report this but I'm afraid that you left me no choice…"

Santana jumps up, "Daddy! You promised I can't believe that you lied to me after I trusted you."

Quinn started to panic again and made a run for the door but Manny steps in blocking her path, "You two didn't let me finish, I was about to black mail you into staying with us for the week. That way I can be sure that your wounds are healing properly and that you are safe." He smirks looking very much like Santana, "You think it over while I arrange to have an x ray on you." his smirk widens to a grin, "You didn't think that I noticed you favoring your side, did you?"

Quinn swallows before nodding. Manny expression softens, "I understand that you have no reason to trust us but I ask that you give us a chance. Before you leave I'll write you a prescription for those antibiotics and some pain killers as well." He closes the door behind him softly leaving the three girls alone for the first time since they got here.

Brittany wants to gather the girl in her arms but she knows that would only scare her at the moment. So she settles on sitting down next to Santana, "Can you please sit down? I don't want you to hurt yourself more than you already are."

Quinn looks at them with a weary expression before sitting down across from them. She fidgets with the buttons on her borrowed shirt, unable to think of something to say. "So why…why are you so concerned all of a sudden? It's not like you cared for the last three years, what changed?"

The girls look at each other having a silent conversation, they come to the agreement of full disclosure. Santana takes a deep breath, "You know that Brittany and I are together right?"

Quinn nods, "I think everyone knows that but they fear for their safety and don't say anything."

Santana gives Quinn her signature sexy smirk that always gives her tingles throughout her body, "Right. I've loved Brittany since I met her, even before I knew what it all meant. I mean who finds their soul mate at 4?" Santana gives a small sheepish laugh, "Apparently I do."

Brittany leans forward her blue eyes shining, "We've been together officially since 7th grade, the only person that knew about us was Puck."

"I've known him since we were in diapers, so it didn't take too much to convince him to play our beard," Santana says, "That being said the rumors of us sleeping with half the school is just that, rumors. The only person I've ever been with is Brittany." Quinn looks on with confusion in her hazel eyes, "Imagine my surprise when this pretty green eyed, blonde girl moved to town and shook up my world."

"I remember seeing you for the first time, I was standing by my locker waiting for Tana to finish signing us up for cheerios," Brittany tells her in a dreamy voice, "You looked so scared that I wanted to put you in my pocket and keep you safe."

Santana nods, "I wanted to give you hug, which freaked me out because I never like anyone that fast before. Hell, I can count with one hand, who I like and still have fingers left over. So I freaked out and then I lashed out, after you turned down Finn the whole school jumped on the 'We Hate Quinn' bandwagon and I can't express who guilty I feel doing that to you."

"We found our soul mate at 4, imagine how scared we were to realize that a piece was missing," Brittany swallows. "That piece is you, Quinn. I know that we don't deserve anything from you. I know that you're life has been hell and we did nothing to stop it. And I know that there are things that we can't make up for but I'm begging you to let us try."

"We already agreed to make an attempt to make things right with you this year," Santana continues. "But Coach gave us the excuse we needed so the sheep won't make a fuss when we try to be your friend. Please don't freak out and assume the worse but Coach wanted us to recruit you for the cheerios."

"Remember that we already decided this summer to take the heads out of our asses," Brittany cuts in.

Quinn jaw tightens and her eyes fill up, this is everything that she ever wanted to hear. Ever since her father and sister...left, she wanted someone to care about her. In all of her fantasies and dreams these two girls were her knights in shining cheerios uniform, riding in on a white horse to rescue her. Then they all live happily ever after, but it's too late. Isn't it?

Before she could answer Santana's father came back in wheeling in a wheelchair, "They're ready for you Quinn, so hop on."

The tip of Quinn's ears turn red, "Really, sir I can't walk?"

"Afraid not mija," Manny tells her sadly. "I don't want you to aggravate your ribs if they are broken."

Quinn grumbles getting on the chair, feeling embarrassed because she really hates being helpless. The x ray tech was a nice guy who didn't ask any questions but he obviously was wondering why the head of surgeon of the Cardiothoracic department was examining this battered young lady. Quinn sat fidgeting with her hair while the tech and Manny looked over her film. He said nothing while he wheeled Quinn back to the office where the cheerios sat waiting impatiently.

Manny settled on his chair feeling exhausted, "Well mija the good news is that your ribs aren't broken, but the bad news is they're severally bruised."

Quinn swallows relieved that her Mom didn't break them, "Okay doc so what do you recommend that I do."

Manny sits back smirking evilly once again reminding Quinn of Santana, "Rest, you need plenty of rest so you're staying home for the rest of the week." Quinn opens her mouth to protest but Manny stops her, "My rules Quinn I promised not to report this but now we're going to do things my way because it's my ass that's on the line if only finds out about that I treated you and didn't call the in the authorities right away."

Quinn swallows, "Yes sir."

Santana smirks mouthing 'thank you'. Manny nods, "And no more arguments you're coming home with us so I can watch you. I want you to put an ice pack over your injured rib for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. I'm going to prescribe some antibiotics and you can take an anti-inflammatory or other pain medicine. I'm also going to give you a rib belt, the belt works as a girdle for your chest and helps support your ribs. It limits movement of your ribs when you cough, breathe, or move your body in other ways. This helps decrease pain. Before you leave I'm going to give the first shot of antibiotics and ibuprofen. Any questions?"

Quinn sighs, "I don't have a choice do I?" Everyone shakes their heads, "Then no questions or arguments, sir?"

Manny smiles the same smile of satisfaction that his daughter does. This three are going to be a lot of trouble, I can tell she thinks. He leans forward writing on his pad when he was done he hands it to Santana, "I made the 'script in Santana's name so there won't be any questions or go to your insurance. That way whoever's doing this to you won't find out but at the end of the week we're all going to plan to get you out of that house without losing your inheritance."

Quinn looks up surprised but Manny goes on ignoring her incredulous look, "You shouldn't have to live like that and you shouldn't have to lose everything." Quinn blinks back tears, "You're important to my girls so you're family now."

Santana smirks evilly she has a plan formulating in her brain to make Quinn safe. Even if they all don't end up together she's still going to do whatever she can to make sure she's okay.

---

A/N: The poems used are, 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost and 'A Thing of Beauty (Endymion)' by John Keats.