Born This Way

Private Talks Part 3: The Final Talk- Sam's Turn

AN: Yes, I know the title is way too dramatic. Let me be the drama queen teenager I am.

Jennifer walked down the hallway with Sam and Quinn following her until they found an empty room. The sat down in an empty English room. Like all the others Sam and Quinn sat in the 2nd row with Jennifer in front of them. Sam had his head down slightly and Quinn had her hand on top of his, resting comfortably with a loving gaze.

Jen looked at the couple with a mix of emotion. She was happy for them, that they were so in love but she was concerned for Sam. She thought they had gotten past the way he would look scared and sad. Of course, he always got like that slightly when she was called in but never enough that he would barely look her in the eyes. "Sam...Can you look at me please?" she asked gently, luckily, she knew what to do in these situations.

Sam brought his eyes up to look at her, though somewhat hesitantly. "You know I'm not mad. Have I ever been mad at you when something like this happens?" she asked. She wanted to get him more comfortable and open before she got more into it and knew that easy questions like this helped him relax. He hated disappointing people or making others mad so questions that were obvious or he couldn't mess up on were good to get him to open up.

Sam knew that she was never mad with him, sometimes a little disappointed that he didn't tell her but she never tried to make him feel guilty so it was an easy answer and that was shown when he nodded in agreement with her statement without hesitation but more of an 'I know, you're right.' head bob. "That's right and I'm not about to start. Though we do need to talk," Jen said, causing Sam to sigh.

He knew he had to spill but it didn't make it any more pleasant. "What happened, you were doing so well?" she asked. She knew that he would know she was talking about his anorexia. He was a smart kid, smart enough to realize that she started with this because it was easier for him to talk about then the abuse.

Not that talking about his disorder was easy, it was just easier for him to talk about what he thinks is wrong with himself then to talk about what horrors he endured in secret, much less give proof of. Jen didn't push much with his eating disorder, she knew it was hard for him and wanted to help, and didn't need to take pictures of him for that. It was her job to push him enough to get information on the abuse so he can be safe, and for that they need proof which sometimes included documenting cuts and bruises.

It was the way it worked, even if they both didn't like it. He didn't like talking about it and she didn't like it happening to him in the first place. "I don't know." He said," They just kept saying things and the thoughts came back and I I gave into the temptation. The pressure was too much and habits came back and once I started I couldn't stop." Confessed Sam, sobbing.

He thought it would be easier with Quinn there but her comforting presence convinced him to spill and he began to ramble. The words flew out and he knew it probably didn't make much sense to anyone who didn't suffer from anorexia but it was the only way his stressed mind could think of explaining it at the moment.

Quinn was shocked. She had never seen Sam like this. He was normally but together and so strong or dorky, never falling apart like this but she knew from experience that it was because he had tried to hold it in and together for so long that he couldn't anymore and everything was just tumbling out and it seemed like he was breaking even though all he need was some love and help to put himself back together. She made a promise to herself right there that she would give him the help, love, and support he needed to feel alright again.

"I'm sorry." He cried. "Sam, it's okay. You relapsed. It's perfectly normal, especially with the situation you were in. You have nothing to apologize for." Said Jenny, trying to calm Sam down. "Yeah, honey. It's perfectly normal to relapse in things. Remember all the times you helped me after I relapsed with the cigarettes?* It's not easy to quit an addiction and you're eating disorder is just like an addiction to something. There is nothing abnormal about relapsing, it just means we have to get back on track, okay?" said Quinn, rubbing his back in a calming motion, trying to soothe her boyfriend.

"Okay." Sam forced himself to answer as tears fell down his face and he looked as his amazing girlfriend. He knew she was right but he was such a wreck right now okay was all he could manage. He tried to pull himself together but after so much time holding it in, it's hard to push it back in once it's let out. "Sam, sweetie, how long have you been relapsing for?" Jen asked hesitantly and gently after giving a minute to calm down.

She looked at him once again with concern in her eyes. It hurt her to have Sam hurt himself like this and she needed to know how long he'd been hurting himself without her knowing. "3 weeks after I was transferred." He confessed after some hesitation. He didn't want her to be disappointed that he gave in so quick but he couldn't help it, he caved.

Jen was a little shocked at how long it had been going on but she remembered that Sam still had trouble with his disorder and when put in an environment that does the exact opposite of what he needs to properly recover it was not surprising he relapsed so quick. She was actually happy at how long he held out. "Sam, it's okay. You were in a bad environment that did nothing to help you recover. You tried your best, and for that I'm sooo proud of you." She said, making some tears trail down Sam's checks but got him to smile none the less. "I'm gonna have you talk to a therapist, okay? I know you don't like them, but it's gonna be Ms. Nancy, okay." Jenny continued.

Ms. Nancy was Sam's therapist. After Jen realized having Sam open up to a new person every time he had to go back took a lot of time, and he still wasn't comfortable with them, she got one of her best friends and the best therapist she knew to come in. Sam warmed up to Nancy semi-quickly and now anytime he has to see a therapist, he goes to her. Over the years he's grown more and more comfortable around her, so it's just easier for him.

Sam nodded. He knew that he'd have to go see her and was glad it was still Ms. Nancy. She was super friendly and welcoming and never made him feel bad for something he did, and for that he was grateful. "I know you don't want to talk to me about your house but you know the drill." Said Jen after letting Sam dry his eyes. She was hesitant to bring it up, but she had to do it, and Sam knew that, so she got right into the questions after Sam nodded his consent though he too was hesitant.

"In which ways have they abused?" Jen asked to which Sam replied," Emotionally and physically." Sam knew the drill. He knew exactly which questions would be asked, what they meant, and how to respond. Quinn, though, not so much. She just sat there in shock. She didn't know what was going on, but tried to listen so she would be able to relate to her boyfriend better. "How long have you been abused?" "Since I got here." "Who hurts you?" "Both my foster parents." "Do you have any cuts, bruises, or other injuries at the moment?" "Yeah." "Can we document them later?" "yes."

Sam let out a sigh and Jen looked relieved while Quinn was just in shock. She was shocked at the information she just learned and couldn't believe she hadn't seen it early. At the same time, Jen and Sam were happy to be done with the questions. It hurt them both and they were glad it was over with. It had to be their second to least favorite part of this whole thing, just above getting injuries documented.

They all sat in silence for a bit, getting themselves together. After about three minutes of Jen just sitting there while Quinn and Sam comforted each other, she was glad to see that they seemed better. "Are you guys ready to go back?" she asked and Sam and Quinn nodded so they left the room and headed toward the choir room. When they got there Jen hesitated before opening the door, as to give the couple a warning that they were about to be surrounded by people. When they entered they were slightly surprised to see that they were the last ones to arrive and realized they had taken more time than they thought.

"Hey, guys." Sam said as he went to sit down with Quinn in two seats in the middle of the group, leaving Jen to go compare notes with the other social workers and officers. The whole group looked at him and he noticed Santana and Mike still looked a little dazed. The group sat there until Will said," Group hug, guys. I think we all need it." And everyone went in for a huge group hug. Everyone just kinda sat there next to each other afterward, in silence, waiting until the social workers would come back with news on what happened next.

After about fifteen minutes the social workers came back," Okay, guys..."