Fic: Company (10/?)
Title: Company
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: R for themes.
Spoilers: Original Song.
Summary: Courting Disaster
A/N: I didn't think this would be up so soon, but I think I wrote it in my sleep! :D
Charlie punches every light from the restaurant to the school, but it’s not fast enough. You’re clenching the passenger door handle for dear life, to try and keep yourself from jumping out of the car and running. You can hear your mother talking to Lindsey on Rachel’s phone, but you can’t focus on the words over the pounding of your heart in your ears. Charlie stops in front of the school and you jump as the car’s still moving, running full-tilt for the school doors. You crash into the main office, and the secretary gestures to the principal’s office. Dylan’s inside, waiting on a plastic chair, and you sweep him into your arms, raining kisses on his cheeks. He protests, giggling, but you don’t stop until your racing heart has calmed - and then you see who’s sitting in the other chair.
“Santana?”
She doesn’t meet your eyes, and you hand Dylan to Charlie. “Santana, what the fuck-”
“This woman,” the principal ignores your outburst, “approached my secretary and told us she had your consent to pick up your son. I take it that’s not the case?”
“You bet your ass it’s not!”
“She’s not on your approved list, and so we were immediately suspicious. Could you enlighten us, Miss-”
“Lopez,” she mutters.
“Miss Lopez? Can you give me a single reason I shouldn’t call the police right now and have you arrested?”
“Because in a week he’ll be my son anyway.”
The pieces crash together in your head like glaciers, and you stumble. “You? You? You’re Finn’s fiancée?”
“Sure am, Q.”
“What the hell - what happened to Britt?”
She won’t look at you. “Didn’t work out.”
“So, what? You figured you’d come back here, go after Finn? You found out he had a son, and you wanted him?” You look over at Charlie. “Can you take Dylan outside, please?” she does, and the Principal leans back in her chair with a watchful gaze on both you and Santana.
“I can’t have kids, Q. I had a cyst or whatever, it fucked up my uterus.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with anything? The two of you could adopt! Why try and take my son?”
“He’s Finn’s flesh and blood. Finn misses him.”
“Then he shouldn’t have walked out on me!”
“Q, you’ve got no business raising a kid. Plain and simple.”
“I think I’ve heard enough,” you’d nearly forgotten the Principal was still there until she stands up. “Miss Fabray, thank you for coming down so quickly. Miss Lopez, I’m going to ask you to remain here. I’ll have my secretary call the Lima police, and I’m asking them to take you into custody for attempted child abduction.”
You watch her face fall with a certain amount of satisfaction, and you thank the Principal again before you leave the office. Charlie hands you Dylan, questions written all over her face. You shake your head, letting her know you’ll fill her in later. You turn your attention to your son. “Hey, buddy. Want to go get ice cream?”
“What about school?”
“I think you can skip this afternoon and come hang out with the grown-ups. What do you say?”
“Yay!”
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You hold yourself together, barely, as he eats his ice cream, and as you leave him in the care of your mother to return to Lindsey’s mock courtroom. But the minute he’s out of your sight you collapse to your knees, sobbing. Charlie and Rachel reach you at almost the same time, and Charlie defers. Rachel sits down beside you and rocks you gently, murmuring gentle words in your ear until you’ve cried yourself utterly dry.
“Are you okay?” she asks, wincing the second it comes out. “Sorry, stupid question.”
“Yeah,” you agree, taking the sting out of your words with a soft smile. “Sorry - I, uh, I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared.”
“Was that really Santana?” She’s marrying Finn?”
“I guess,” you shrug, confused. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“It’s a fucking scam,” Charlie interjects. “Oldest shit in the book, Q. He sends his wife to do this the day before the hearing? He’s trying to rattle you. She’ll get off with a slap on the wrist, say it was all a misunderstanding, and he stays smelling rosy because it wasn’t him that tried to take the kid. Listen - I know how rough this is, but you’ve really got to take a page from my book here.”
“What page is that?”
“Harden the fuck up, baby sister. He’s playing fucking games with you, and you’re letting him rattle your cage. Just toughen up and ride it out for a few days, and I guarantee you can take the fucker.”
“And what if I can’t?”
Charlie’s face darkens, and it’s scary on a fundamental level to see that expression on a mirror of your own features. “Then the minute he steps out of the courtroom, I will stab him in the heart.”
“Charlie-”
“Not up for discussion. He will bleed, and even if they put me away it’ll be worth every second.”
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You spend the morning before the hearing throwing up. The tension in your body has pulled your nerves utterly taut, and every time your mind tries to focus on the task ahead it’s like one of them gets plucked and you’re instantly sick again. When you’re down to dry heaves, Rachel helps you shower and dress, in a new outfit she’s bought you for the occasion. It’s drab and serious - a dark grey pencil skirt, white blouse and grey jacket, paired with low heels and dark tights. You look at yourself a few times in the mirror, trying to figure out who this professional-looking woman might be. Rachel finally pulls you away so she can do your makeup.
“You look good, Quinn. We’re going to do this, okay? I promise, we can win this.”
You don’t answer, just hold her tight.
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“Are both sides ready?”
“We’re still waiting for someone, Your Honor,” Finn’s sleazy-looking lawyer protests.
“Very well - let’s go over the preliminaries while we wait, shall we? This hearing will not determine permanent custody. The purpose of this hearing is to assess Miss Fabray’s fitness as a mother. If it’s the judgement of this court that she is unfit, temporary custody will be awarded to Mister Hudson until such time as a permanent custody hearing can be held. Is that clear to both counsel?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” the response came from both sides of the room.
“Very well. Who exactly isn’t in attendance yet? This court does not appreciate having its time wasted.”
The courtroom door swings open, and time stops. Your heart crawls into your throat, and you can feel yourself hyperventilating even as you start to get light-headed. Charlie’s shaking you, asking you something, but all you can see is the man who’s just walked in. In your mind, you can still smell him. You can feel his hands on you, you can suddenly recall with perfectly vivid detail every sensation of him pulling you into that dark alley, the moment when the pain of his assault overwhelmed your nervous system and made you slip into the inky black of unconsciousness. You’re not aware that you’re saying anything until your brain processes Charlie’s question.
“Quinn, I don’t understand - what are you saying?”
“That’s him,” you gasp between breaths, doubling over as the sudden lack of oxygen hits you full force. Charlie just looks at you, confused, and back at him. Suddenly realisation dawns, and she nearly explodes out of her chair before Lindsey holds her down.
“Counsel, is there a problem?”
“One moment, please, Your Honor.” She kneels beside you, still holding Charlie down. “Quinn, is that the man who raped you? Is that what you’re saying?” You nod, too out of breath to answer. She looks at Rachel. “Don’t let go of her,” she points at Charlie, then releases her and turns to the judge. “Your Honor, may I approach?”
The judge gestures her forward, and Finn’s lawyer follows behind her. “Your Honor, that man who just entered has committed acts of violence against my client. I request that he be removed from the courtroom.”
“That man is a private investigator!” Finn’s lawyer protests. “He has evidence pertaining to the case.”
The judge frowns at Lindsey. “Counsellor, do you have proof of these allegations?”
“On hand? No. But allowing him to remain here is placing an undue burden on my client, in a time when she already feels that she’s under attack.”
Finn’s lawyer starts to talk, but the judge holds up his hand. “Is there any reason that this man needs to present his evidence personally?”
“Well, no, but-”
“Then collect his evidence and ask him to leave, please.”
“But Your Honor-”
“Do you have a hearing problem, counsel?”
“No, sir.”
“Your Honor, I’d like this hearing postponed to a later date, to allow my client-“
“Absolutely not, counsel. Now take the win and let’s move on.”
The lawyers return to their sides, and Lindsey gives you a comforting pat on the shoulder. Finn’s ‘private investigator’ hands over a few things from his leather suitcase and locks it shut, walking past your table and giving you a wink and a smile that turns your insides to ice. Charlie tries to go after him, but Rachel won’t release her grip.
“Now, if we could get on with it? Miss Fabray, please approach the stand.”
Your legs are wobbly, but you force yourself to stand up straight as you make your way across the room and take a seat beside the judge. He looks down at you, not unkindly.
“You understand that you’re bound to tell the truth here today?”
“I do.”
“Very well.” He gestures to Finn’s table, and his lawyer approaches you all but licking his lips at your obvious discomfort.
“Would you state your name for the record, please?”
“Stop it,” the judge warns. “This is not criminal court, and there are no cameras here. I will not tolerate theatrics from you, counsel. Everyone in this room knows who she is, so don’t waste my time. Are we clear?”
“Your Honor,” he nods. He takes a deep breath and tries a different tack. Miss Fabray, may I ask what you do for a living?”
“I’m a maid,” you look him in the eye. He waits for you to say more, but Lindsey’s training keeps you from doing so.
“And what was your previous occupation?”
“I was a prostitute.”
“And how long were you a streetwalker?” Lindsey jumps to her feet.
“Your Honor, I object to that term.”
“Sustained. Counsel will refrain from using pejorative terms in this courtroom.”
“How long were you a prostitute, Miss Fabray?”
“From about two months after Finn Hudson left me and his son on our own, until last week.” Finn squirms, and Lindsey tips you a subtle wink.
“I see. And, while you were engaging in prostitution, where was your son?”
“He stayed with his grandmother in the evenings.”
“And you consider that acceptable?”
“Kids are often babysat by their grandparents. I don’t consider that unusual.”
“And who is your employer now?” he’s doing what Lindsey warned you about, rapidly changing topics in an effort to derail your answers. You do as she suggested and take a breath before you answer.
“Miss Rachel Berry.”
“And what is the nature of your relationship with Miss Berry?”
“She’s my girlfriend.”
“So, how is this court to know she’s not simply paying you for sex? She is, after all, a former client of yours, isn’t that true?”
You don’t know where he’s got the information, although you can guess, but you were prepared for the question. “Actually, if this court would like, I have video from Rachel’s surveillance system that shows me going about my duties.”
His face falls. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Where does your son sleep, currently?”
“In the house’s second bedroom.”
“And you don’t consider his exposure to a deviant relationship an issue?”
Lindsey absolutely leaps to her feet. “Your honor!”
“Counsel, this is your last warning. Miss Fabray’s sexual orientation is not on trial here, and I will not allow you to throw words like ‘deviant’ around in my courtroom. If you continue on this course, I will dismiss this case outright, do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” he looks contrite, but there’s a smile in his eyes when he looks at you again. “Miss Fabray, is Dylan aware of how you earned a living?”
“Of course not, he’s a child.”
“So you’re embarrassed about it, then?”
“No, I’m most certainly not.”
“Then why not tell him?”
“Because, as I believe I just said, he’s a child. There’s no need to expose him to discussions of sex at his age.”
The lawyer returns to his table and comes back with an eight by ten. “Not because you wonder what he’d think of his mother if he ever saw something like this?” He slides the picture to you, and your heart skips a beat. It’s obviously you, face down and passed out in the alley where you were raped. Your clothes are in tatters, and the wad of money he left is next to your hand. You can feel the blood drain from your face - as if the violation of being raped wasn’t bad enough, the sick bastard took pictures? - and Lindsey rises from her chair again.
“Your Honor, I’d like to see that picture, and I also request a moment to confer with my client.”
“Granted.” She rushes to your side, looking at the picture in your hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“This was after he raped me. That’s, he - he took this after.”
“Your Honor, may I approach?”
He gestures tiredly. “You’re wearing on my patience, counsellor.”
“I’m sorry, Your Honor, but I believe you need to be made aware - this picture was taken after the private investigator Mister Hudson hired sexually assaulted my client.”
“Wait, what?” Finn shouts. “He did what?”
“Order!” the judge snaps. “Counsel, do you have any proof of this?”
“I do,” Rachel speaks up, surprising everyone. “At least, I think I do.”
“And you are?”
“Rachel Berry, Your Honor.”
“What proof do you have?”
“She wouldn’t go to the police, but I have pictures that I took of Miss Fabray that night, detailing her injuries.” You look at her, hurt that she took them without your knowledge, but she doesn’t look back at you, keeping her eyes on the judge instead. “Also, when I helped her shower, I collected a semen sample from her. I placed it in a sealed glass tube and froze it. That should, I believe, have kept the sample viable.” Now she does look at you, apologetically.
The judge shakes his head in disbelief. “I want the Lima P.D. provided with the name of this private investigator immediately. Miss Berry, you’ll immediately turn over all of this evidence to them. In the meantime, this hearing is adjourned until these claims can be either disproven or substantiated. In all the years I’ve practiced family law, this is the most ridiculous hearing I’ve ever had the displeasure to be a part of. Also, Mister Hudson,” he warns, “be aware that if this man you hired assaulted your ex-wife, you are going to have some serious questions to answer. And if your fiancée should feel the need to visit your son’s school again, I will throw this case out and have you both arrested. Are we clear?”
Finn nods.
“Good. Adjourned,” he slams his gavel down and leaves the room in a huff.
You return to the table with your family and Rachel, and they form a protective shield around you as Finn tries to approach.
“Quinn, please - you have to believe me. I had no idea! I only hired him to get pictures, so we could prove-”
“Well, he got some pictures, didn’t he?” Charlie growls. “Now back the fuck up, boy, while we take Quinn outside, or I’m going to cut your nuts off.”
“Quinn-“ he tries again. Charlie grabs him by the collar. You don’t know what she whispers in his ear, but he turns white and backs off, allowing them to hustle you outside.
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: R for themes.
Spoilers: Original Song.
Summary: Courting Disaster
A/N: I didn't think this would be up so soon, but I think I wrote it in my sleep! :D
Charlie punches every light from the restaurant to the school, but it’s not fast enough. You’re clenching the passenger door handle for dear life, to try and keep yourself from jumping out of the car and running. You can hear your mother talking to Lindsey on Rachel’s phone, but you can’t focus on the words over the pounding of your heart in your ears. Charlie stops in front of the school and you jump as the car’s still moving, running full-tilt for the school doors. You crash into the main office, and the secretary gestures to the principal’s office. Dylan’s inside, waiting on a plastic chair, and you sweep him into your arms, raining kisses on his cheeks. He protests, giggling, but you don’t stop until your racing heart has calmed - and then you see who’s sitting in the other chair.
“Santana?”
She doesn’t meet your eyes, and you hand Dylan to Charlie. “Santana, what the fuck-”
“This woman,” the principal ignores your outburst, “approached my secretary and told us she had your consent to pick up your son. I take it that’s not the case?”
“You bet your ass it’s not!”
“She’s not on your approved list, and so we were immediately suspicious. Could you enlighten us, Miss-”
“Lopez,” she mutters.
“Miss Lopez? Can you give me a single reason I shouldn’t call the police right now and have you arrested?”
“Because in a week he’ll be my son anyway.”
The pieces crash together in your head like glaciers, and you stumble. “You? You? You’re Finn’s fiancée?”
“Sure am, Q.”
“What the hell - what happened to Britt?”
She won’t look at you. “Didn’t work out.”
“So, what? You figured you’d come back here, go after Finn? You found out he had a son, and you wanted him?” You look over at Charlie. “Can you take Dylan outside, please?” she does, and the Principal leans back in her chair with a watchful gaze on both you and Santana.
“I can’t have kids, Q. I had a cyst or whatever, it fucked up my uterus.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with anything? The two of you could adopt! Why try and take my son?”
“He’s Finn’s flesh and blood. Finn misses him.”
“Then he shouldn’t have walked out on me!”
“Q, you’ve got no business raising a kid. Plain and simple.”
“I think I’ve heard enough,” you’d nearly forgotten the Principal was still there until she stands up. “Miss Fabray, thank you for coming down so quickly. Miss Lopez, I’m going to ask you to remain here. I’ll have my secretary call the Lima police, and I’m asking them to take you into custody for attempted child abduction.”
You watch her face fall with a certain amount of satisfaction, and you thank the Principal again before you leave the office. Charlie hands you Dylan, questions written all over her face. You shake your head, letting her know you’ll fill her in later. You turn your attention to your son. “Hey, buddy. Want to go get ice cream?”
“What about school?”
“I think you can skip this afternoon and come hang out with the grown-ups. What do you say?”
“Yay!”
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You hold yourself together, barely, as he eats his ice cream, and as you leave him in the care of your mother to return to Lindsey’s mock courtroom. But the minute he’s out of your sight you collapse to your knees, sobbing. Charlie and Rachel reach you at almost the same time, and Charlie defers. Rachel sits down beside you and rocks you gently, murmuring gentle words in your ear until you’ve cried yourself utterly dry.
“Are you okay?” she asks, wincing the second it comes out. “Sorry, stupid question.”
“Yeah,” you agree, taking the sting out of your words with a soft smile. “Sorry - I, uh, I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared.”
“Was that really Santana?” She’s marrying Finn?”
“I guess,” you shrug, confused. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“It’s a fucking scam,” Charlie interjects. “Oldest shit in the book, Q. He sends his wife to do this the day before the hearing? He’s trying to rattle you. She’ll get off with a slap on the wrist, say it was all a misunderstanding, and he stays smelling rosy because it wasn’t him that tried to take the kid. Listen - I know how rough this is, but you’ve really got to take a page from my book here.”
“What page is that?”
“Harden the fuck up, baby sister. He’s playing fucking games with you, and you’re letting him rattle your cage. Just toughen up and ride it out for a few days, and I guarantee you can take the fucker.”
“And what if I can’t?”
Charlie’s face darkens, and it’s scary on a fundamental level to see that expression on a mirror of your own features. “Then the minute he steps out of the courtroom, I will stab him in the heart.”
“Charlie-”
“Not up for discussion. He will bleed, and even if they put me away it’ll be worth every second.”
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You spend the morning before the hearing throwing up. The tension in your body has pulled your nerves utterly taut, and every time your mind tries to focus on the task ahead it’s like one of them gets plucked and you’re instantly sick again. When you’re down to dry heaves, Rachel helps you shower and dress, in a new outfit she’s bought you for the occasion. It’s drab and serious - a dark grey pencil skirt, white blouse and grey jacket, paired with low heels and dark tights. You look at yourself a few times in the mirror, trying to figure out who this professional-looking woman might be. Rachel finally pulls you away so she can do your makeup.
“You look good, Quinn. We’re going to do this, okay? I promise, we can win this.”
You don’t answer, just hold her tight.
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“Are both sides ready?”
“We’re still waiting for someone, Your Honor,” Finn’s sleazy-looking lawyer protests.
“Very well - let’s go over the preliminaries while we wait, shall we? This hearing will not determine permanent custody. The purpose of this hearing is to assess Miss Fabray’s fitness as a mother. If it’s the judgement of this court that she is unfit, temporary custody will be awarded to Mister Hudson until such time as a permanent custody hearing can be held. Is that clear to both counsel?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” the response came from both sides of the room.
“Very well. Who exactly isn’t in attendance yet? This court does not appreciate having its time wasted.”
The courtroom door swings open, and time stops. Your heart crawls into your throat, and you can feel yourself hyperventilating even as you start to get light-headed. Charlie’s shaking you, asking you something, but all you can see is the man who’s just walked in. In your mind, you can still smell him. You can feel his hands on you, you can suddenly recall with perfectly vivid detail every sensation of him pulling you into that dark alley, the moment when the pain of his assault overwhelmed your nervous system and made you slip into the inky black of unconsciousness. You’re not aware that you’re saying anything until your brain processes Charlie’s question.
“Quinn, I don’t understand - what are you saying?”
“That’s him,” you gasp between breaths, doubling over as the sudden lack of oxygen hits you full force. Charlie just looks at you, confused, and back at him. Suddenly realisation dawns, and she nearly explodes out of her chair before Lindsey holds her down.
“Counsel, is there a problem?”
“One moment, please, Your Honor.” She kneels beside you, still holding Charlie down. “Quinn, is that the man who raped you? Is that what you’re saying?” You nod, too out of breath to answer. She looks at Rachel. “Don’t let go of her,” she points at Charlie, then releases her and turns to the judge. “Your Honor, may I approach?”
The judge gestures her forward, and Finn’s lawyer follows behind her. “Your Honor, that man who just entered has committed acts of violence against my client. I request that he be removed from the courtroom.”
“That man is a private investigator!” Finn’s lawyer protests. “He has evidence pertaining to the case.”
The judge frowns at Lindsey. “Counsellor, do you have proof of these allegations?”
“On hand? No. But allowing him to remain here is placing an undue burden on my client, in a time when she already feels that she’s under attack.”
Finn’s lawyer starts to talk, but the judge holds up his hand. “Is there any reason that this man needs to present his evidence personally?”
“Well, no, but-”
“Then collect his evidence and ask him to leave, please.”
“But Your Honor-”
“Do you have a hearing problem, counsel?”
“No, sir.”
“Your Honor, I’d like this hearing postponed to a later date, to allow my client-“
“Absolutely not, counsel. Now take the win and let’s move on.”
The lawyers return to their sides, and Lindsey gives you a comforting pat on the shoulder. Finn’s ‘private investigator’ hands over a few things from his leather suitcase and locks it shut, walking past your table and giving you a wink and a smile that turns your insides to ice. Charlie tries to go after him, but Rachel won’t release her grip.
“Now, if we could get on with it? Miss Fabray, please approach the stand.”
Your legs are wobbly, but you force yourself to stand up straight as you make your way across the room and take a seat beside the judge. He looks down at you, not unkindly.
“You understand that you’re bound to tell the truth here today?”
“I do.”
“Very well.” He gestures to Finn’s table, and his lawyer approaches you all but licking his lips at your obvious discomfort.
“Would you state your name for the record, please?”
“Stop it,” the judge warns. “This is not criminal court, and there are no cameras here. I will not tolerate theatrics from you, counsel. Everyone in this room knows who she is, so don’t waste my time. Are we clear?”
“Your Honor,” he nods. He takes a deep breath and tries a different tack. Miss Fabray, may I ask what you do for a living?”
“I’m a maid,” you look him in the eye. He waits for you to say more, but Lindsey’s training keeps you from doing so.
“And what was your previous occupation?”
“I was a prostitute.”
“And how long were you a streetwalker?” Lindsey jumps to her feet.
“Your Honor, I object to that term.”
“Sustained. Counsel will refrain from using pejorative terms in this courtroom.”
“How long were you a prostitute, Miss Fabray?”
“From about two months after Finn Hudson left me and his son on our own, until last week.” Finn squirms, and Lindsey tips you a subtle wink.
“I see. And, while you were engaging in prostitution, where was your son?”
“He stayed with his grandmother in the evenings.”
“And you consider that acceptable?”
“Kids are often babysat by their grandparents. I don’t consider that unusual.”
“And who is your employer now?” he’s doing what Lindsey warned you about, rapidly changing topics in an effort to derail your answers. You do as she suggested and take a breath before you answer.
“Miss Rachel Berry.”
“And what is the nature of your relationship with Miss Berry?”
“She’s my girlfriend.”
“So, how is this court to know she’s not simply paying you for sex? She is, after all, a former client of yours, isn’t that true?”
You don’t know where he’s got the information, although you can guess, but you were prepared for the question. “Actually, if this court would like, I have video from Rachel’s surveillance system that shows me going about my duties.”
His face falls. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Where does your son sleep, currently?”
“In the house’s second bedroom.”
“And you don’t consider his exposure to a deviant relationship an issue?”
Lindsey absolutely leaps to her feet. “Your honor!”
“Counsel, this is your last warning. Miss Fabray’s sexual orientation is not on trial here, and I will not allow you to throw words like ‘deviant’ around in my courtroom. If you continue on this course, I will dismiss this case outright, do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” he looks contrite, but there’s a smile in his eyes when he looks at you again. “Miss Fabray, is Dylan aware of how you earned a living?”
“Of course not, he’s a child.”
“So you’re embarrassed about it, then?”
“No, I’m most certainly not.”
“Then why not tell him?”
“Because, as I believe I just said, he’s a child. There’s no need to expose him to discussions of sex at his age.”
The lawyer returns to his table and comes back with an eight by ten. “Not because you wonder what he’d think of his mother if he ever saw something like this?” He slides the picture to you, and your heart skips a beat. It’s obviously you, face down and passed out in the alley where you were raped. Your clothes are in tatters, and the wad of money he left is next to your hand. You can feel the blood drain from your face - as if the violation of being raped wasn’t bad enough, the sick bastard took pictures? - and Lindsey rises from her chair again.
“Your Honor, I’d like to see that picture, and I also request a moment to confer with my client.”
“Granted.” She rushes to your side, looking at the picture in your hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“This was after he raped me. That’s, he - he took this after.”
“Your Honor, may I approach?”
He gestures tiredly. “You’re wearing on my patience, counsellor.”
“I’m sorry, Your Honor, but I believe you need to be made aware - this picture was taken after the private investigator Mister Hudson hired sexually assaulted my client.”
“Wait, what?” Finn shouts. “He did what?”
“Order!” the judge snaps. “Counsel, do you have any proof of this?”
“I do,” Rachel speaks up, surprising everyone. “At least, I think I do.”
“And you are?”
“Rachel Berry, Your Honor.”
“What proof do you have?”
“She wouldn’t go to the police, but I have pictures that I took of Miss Fabray that night, detailing her injuries.” You look at her, hurt that she took them without your knowledge, but she doesn’t look back at you, keeping her eyes on the judge instead. “Also, when I helped her shower, I collected a semen sample from her. I placed it in a sealed glass tube and froze it. That should, I believe, have kept the sample viable.” Now she does look at you, apologetically.
The judge shakes his head in disbelief. “I want the Lima P.D. provided with the name of this private investigator immediately. Miss Berry, you’ll immediately turn over all of this evidence to them. In the meantime, this hearing is adjourned until these claims can be either disproven or substantiated. In all the years I’ve practiced family law, this is the most ridiculous hearing I’ve ever had the displeasure to be a part of. Also, Mister Hudson,” he warns, “be aware that if this man you hired assaulted your ex-wife, you are going to have some serious questions to answer. And if your fiancée should feel the need to visit your son’s school again, I will throw this case out and have you both arrested. Are we clear?”
Finn nods.
“Good. Adjourned,” he slams his gavel down and leaves the room in a huff.
You return to the table with your family and Rachel, and they form a protective shield around you as Finn tries to approach.
“Quinn, please - you have to believe me. I had no idea! I only hired him to get pictures, so we could prove-”
“Well, he got some pictures, didn’t he?” Charlie growls. “Now back the fuck up, boy, while we take Quinn outside, or I’m going to cut your nuts off.”
“Quinn-“ he tries again. Charlie grabs him by the collar. You don’t know what she whispers in his ear, but he turns white and backs off, allowing them to hustle you outside.