AN: I can't believe it's been three years since I've updated this story! I can't apologise enough for going AWOL on you guys. I had to deal with my own issues before I could continue, because I found it too triggering for a while. I've finished high school now and have recovered from my self-harm, so I'm back in action! I hope there are still some of you following, and please let me know what you think. xo

Chapter 21

Rachel was frozen on the spot. She couldn't believe that she had revealed that she was self-harming again, not only to her friends, but also to the entire Glee club. Quinn, Santana, Ruby, and Olivia all had tears in their eyes and were still holding the tiny brunette when they heard an annoyed voice cut in, "What the hell do you think you're playing at, Berry?"

Mercedes stood, arms akimbo, obviously enraged by her assumption that the Jewish girl was feigning her emotions, "We all know you're just being like this for attention. Your Daddies are probably getting sick of all your drama, like the rest of us. If you don't stop acting out for attention soon we won't be able to let you stay in Glee."

Rachel, who had been silent until this point, spoke up when she felt the girls around her tense considerably. "Mercedes, if you all feel that I'm faking my depression for attention then I cannot be a part of this so called 'family'. You are supposed to help your family when they are in need, not kick them while they're down. I cannot be a part of this group if this is how I am going to be treated." Her voice was quiet and devoid of emotion, and the girls who knew her best saw another piece of her shatter and die in that moment; forced to watch while the girl's eyes became even more hollow, breaking their hearts.

Santana growled loudly as she stalked over towards the coloured girl, her voice low and vicious, as she spoke, "Wheezy, if I ever hear you say something like that again you can't even imagine the pain that I will personally inflict upon you In fact, you're extremely lucky that I don't cut out your tongue and let you choke to death on it right this moment. The only reason I'm not going to is because I know that Rachel wouldn't approve of my methods and you're not worth going to jail over. However, Rachel is worth going to prison over, and I know she would eventually forgive me – remember that."

The Latina's rage scared the dark girl more than anything else she had ever experienced in her short, sheltered life, so she quickly backed away with Kurt right on her heel. The rest of the club watched on in rapt fascination and terror; there was no way in hell that they wanted to risk being murdered by Santana just for watching the argument unfold.

Ruby noticed Santana about to lose the last of her control, wrapping her arms around the girl before she could launch at the coloured diva. Dropping a discreet kiss behind the younger girl's ear she whispered, "Baby, please calm down – I'm just as angry as you, but it won't do any good if you kill her. I really don't want to have to visit you in prison, especially since it would be bad for my career…"

The tanned girl snorted with an amused smirk, her wrath momentarily dissipated, causing Ruby to smile softly and the Glee kids' jaws to drop.

Just as their antagonist was almost out the door, Santana cocked her head, eyes fierce once more, "Remember what I said, Mercedes, because if you hurt my best friend ever again, I know for a fact that our entire dysfunctional little family will be after you. In case you aren't sure, that includes myself, her girlfriend, my girlfriend, and Olivia here. And trust me, none of us have very good tempers, nor do we take the harm of one of us lightly."

The rounder girl released a squeak of sheer terror before fleeing the room with Kurt, leaving the choir room in palpable silence.

"By the way, Gleeks, that notice goes for all of you as well." San stated, hardened eyes making contact with each of the people in question, conveying her sincerity.

Liv steered the frozen Rachel and the still pink haired girl out of the room behind Ruby and Santana.

Once safely in the car the tiny diva burst out into hysterical laughter, gasping for air through chortles. After a minute of perturbed looks from the rest of the car, the girl choked out "did you see the look on her face?" before collapsing in fits of giggles once more, causing the car of girls to break out laughing at the recollection of the utter terror etched on Mercedes' face.

Abruptly her tears of laughter turned into tears of hurt and her chortles morphed into sobs as the pain from the malicious accusation earlier.

The amused looks on the young women's faces swiftly faded to shocked concern at her drastic change in attitude. Her knees collapsed from under her and she crumpled to the gravel, pieces embedding themselves in her skin as though there was nowhere else they belonged.

After breaking out of their stupor the group hastily took the sobbing girl home, where her tears slowly subsided. The kittens were obviously concerned for their mother, as they nuzzled against her as if to comfort.