Disclaimer: Glee was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. It airs on the Fox network
Author's note: This story picks up right after Original Song ends. Since all we Glee fans have to wait a few weeks now for the next episode I'm going to put all my favorite couples back together or have them thinking about it. Enough of all these drawn out plots.
All typos are my own but I will hunt them down and correct.
Lima, Ohio
McKinley High School
Mid March 2011
Friday afternoon - Choir room.
Rachel Berry felt like her other glee teammates had finally acknowledged all her hard work and effort as she glanced down at her MVP trophy she held in her right hand. Brittany S. Pierce had her arm around Rachel's shoulder and even Sam Evans on the brunette diva's other side smiled down at her with appreciation and gratitude. Mr. Schuester mentioned that the teens could leave and enjoy their weekend but be back Monday to get started working on Nationals songs.
The teens forming the group hug pulled apart and they all started drifting towards the door to leave for the day. Rachel enjoyed all the genuine smiles from her teammates including Finn except she noticed only a grudging nod of respect from Quinn Fabray. The ex-cheerleader was so intent with her stare down with Rachel that Quinn did not notice the cautious glances that both Sam and Puck threw her way. Sam the beach surfer who idolized Justin Bieber left first followed by Puck and Lauren right behind him. Tina waved at both Artie and Brittany then left with Mike Chang. Santana glared at the retreating back of her female BFF pushing Artie's wheelchair then walked over to where Mercedes and Rachel were sharing a hug. The Latina cleared her throat to get the two diva's attention as they laughed at some private joke and separated. Mercedes grinned at both brunettes and Quinn then waved goodbye.
"Be nice now, okay?"
Finn and Quinn stood talking on the far side of the room while Santana walked over to Rachel.
"Don't expect a hug because you're not getting one. I just, uh, nice job Berry. I'd prefer it if you only opened your mouth to sing and stop talking so much."
Rachel tried to hide a smirk forming on her face but it was hard to maintain.
"Why thank you, Santana. Are you just pretending to care or did you really mean that?"
Rachel's gentle poke at the Latina's occasional shows of emotion only got Santana all worked up again.
"Don't over analyze everything I say. Take my words at face value. You're so irritating sometimes, Rachel."
Santana noticed Rachel's eyes flick to the other two teens still talking in the room as she watched the smaller brunette's expression crumble into a grimace and her eyes seemed drained of life.
"Rachel, pay attention."
"What? Yes, irritating is one of my best traits. See, I was listening to you."
Santana leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice.
"Never repeat this to anyone, but I'm sorry for what happened. I mean with them."
Santana slightly turned her head sideways and indicated Quinn and Finn. The Latina watched Rachel's expression closely as her face lost its plastered on grin and all the joy went out of her body posture and facial expressions. Rachel looked back at Santana with concern.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look, I figured it out first that they were fooling around so I kissed Finn at his Valentine's booth and gave him that mono. So when Quinn came down with the same disease that proved she'd been cheating on Sam. So later I told him about it and broke them up. I never dreamed that she would go running back to Finn and he'd actually give her another chance. Both our lives suck now. I know what you're feeling."
"What exactly is that, pray tell?"
Santana's eyes started to mist over which caused Rachel to stare up at the taller brunette with surprise.
No way, the ice queen has a heart? She has seemed very vulnerable lately, and I know why.
The Latina choked out her answer with some difficulty.
"We're not able to be with the person that we're in love with. Listen, I'm sorry about Finn too. I never wanted him. I was forced to do that by Coach Sylvester. You and he should be together. I'm such a blabber mouth bitch."
Santana clamped down hard on her emotions and ran out the choir room door. Quinn started walking towards the door herself, but she paused at the door and turned back. She glanced over at the towering teen boy who was slowly walking towards Rachel's petite form. She tried to force down her jealousy and anger.
"Finn, we need to continue our talk out in the hallway. Please?"
Finn gave Rachel a big grin but then realized that Quinn was speaking to him again. As he turned towards the blond his smile faded away.
"I'll catch up with you in a few minutes, okay?"
Quinn's frame tightened with tension as she considered her reply.
"Fine. Just remember that we have things to get started on."
The blond flipped her long hair back over one shoulder in irritation and walked out of the room looking straight ahead. Finn let out a breath he had been holding then turned back to gaze at Rachel. The dark haired girl tried to come up with a flippant answer.
"So even the perfect couple has trouble in paradise sometimes?"
"Nobody is perfect, Rachel. I just wanted to tell you that. Well, you were at Regionals. You were right, that solo of yours was very emotional. I could tell you found that place where the intense pain was inside and wrote it down. I've never been more proud of you. Great job MVP! I feel like the rest of us grab on to your coattails and enjoy the ride."
Rachel broke out her special smile reserved only for Finn's benefit and exhaled with much satisfaction.
"Thank you kind sir. That means a lot coming from you. So, did you understand the message I was sending in my solo?"
Finn put one of his patented sly grins on his face and nodded.
"I listened closely to the words like you asked, Rachel. For some time after Sectionals I was so confused about the way you felt about me. How could you try to hurt me like that with Puck and still love me? I know I should never have lied about what happened with me and Santana. At least you did tell me the truth right away, and I can't be angry at you for that. I know you've been in as much pain as I've been going through."
Finn paused for breath while Rachel looked up at the tall male teen with wonder all over her face. He reached down and gently took her free hand in one of his and squeezed it.
"Listen, we really need to talk soon but not here. How's next Monday sound? I have stuff to do all this weekend."
Rachel looked up and nodded her agreement of Finn's statement. The tall teen boy smiled and continued speaking.
"Thanks again for being my friend through all the weird stuff we've had to get through. You're the best."
Finn gave Rachel a quick hug and placed his chin gently on the top of her head and inhaled her sweet fragrance. He mumbled something at low volume into her ear.
"Please be patient with me like you've been doing. See you soon."
Finn felt Rachel tremble in his arms and sniff back some tears. He pulled back and used one finger to wipe off some tears streaking down her face. Rachel finally managed to choke out her reply.
"I do love you very much. I never stopped."
Finn stepped back and grudgingly broke the contact with Rachel's hand and her body. He tried to give her a serious answer but replied with a half smirk.
'I know you do."
Finn turned away and started to leave the choir room but paused just inside the door. He looked one last time at Rachel. He was smiling widely.
"Oh, for the record, I forgive you."
Finn gave her one of his happy goodbye waves and left the room. Rachel lurched into the closest chair and sat down while her wound up emotions let loose with a fit of happy tears.
School hallway.
Quinn was walking down to her locker and was reaching to spin her number combo when she heard a voice behind her. It was Sam.
"Hey Quinn! How's it going lately?"
She turned to look at her ex-BF bleach blond surfer dude. Her insides still bunched up with sadness and pain as she remembered how badly she had treated him.
"You mean after you dumped me to hook up with Santana? I've been having a blast! You?"
Sam looked at Quinn with his usual half intense stare and boyish charm.
"I've been thinking a lot about that. I realize that Santana acted out of spite when she told me about you kissing Finn behind my back in secret. That fact did mess me up but I should have believed you about wanting to be with me instead of him. I only exist now to make Brittany jealous. Did you hear Santana wrote an insulting song about me called Trouty Mouth? Enough with the lip jokes. Guys have feelings too."
Quinn let out an affectionate chuckle then stopped suddenly as Sam's face got all red.
"Sorry, Sam. They are very nice though."
Quinn gasped as the words left her mouth and experienced a flush go through her body. The blond held one hand in front of her mouth to partly disguise a few coughs. Sam struggled to not let his anger get the best of him again.
"Really, Quinn? You were the only one not to make fun of my looks. I loved that about you. I still feel that way. I've been such a stupid jerk to you."
Sam paused briefly as Quinn was stunned into a shameful silence. The teen boy gathered his resolve and made his pitch.
"Just take some time to think about this, okay? I don't need an answer now. No pressure."
Quinn finally got control of her senses again and nodded tor Sam to continue.
"I want you back as my girlfriend again. I've missed you so much, Quinn."
Quinn gasped out loud as his words registered in her brain.
OMG why is this happening now? Why did he wait so long? What the hell do I say to him?
Sam breathed out a sigh of relief as he noticed Quinn thinking hard about his offer but he got more confident as she was not turning it down either. He decided to leave and not push his luck any more for now.
"Okay, so think about it. Later."
Quinn was rendered speechless as she watched the boy with the Bieber hairstyle walk down the hallway and go through the door closest to the parking lot.
OMG he does still love me! Now what the hell do I tell Finn? Wait, Sam can't guarantee me prom queen. Do I want to be happy but forgotten or on top of this school caste system again?
The blond turned back around to attempt opening her locker again when she noticed Finn walking towards her.
Finally! Ha, he always comes back to me in the end. Sorry Rachel. I don't think we will ever be BFF's. That was all an act. But why do I feel a twinge of guilt when I hurt her like this? Every thing's fair in love and war. Remember that Man Hands.
"Hey, Finn, let's talk later. I've got some stuff to think about and things to do. My house on Sunday? Mom is working all day."
"Uh, sure Quinn. I really need to talk with you. It's important."
"Don't worry about anything. We do our campaigning and prom royalty will be a piece of cake. So, we are taking our relationship public next Monday?"
"That's part of what we need to talk about. I just want us to be honest about everything."
Quinn gazed up at Finn with much concern then a slow smile spread over her face.
"Don't waver now, Finn. We have to keep our eyes on the prize. Kiss me goodbye?"
"Public place remember? We need to respect everyone's feelings."
Quinn glared down the hallway towards the choir room door but did not see anyone.
"You mean one specific person right? Rachel freaking Berry?"
"No name calling please. You need to rise above it. It's called being a good teammate."
"Whatever. I have to go now."
Finn held his arms out towards the blond to placate her.
"Will a hug do for now? Seriously, your scary Quinn act is so not cool."
As Quinn breathed a sigh of relief and moved closer to Finn the confused teen boy had many conflicting thoughts and emotions swirling through his mind and heart.
This just feels so wrong now. I tried to love you again Quinn because you wanted to start over but my heart belongs to another. You deserve someone who brings out the best in you. I'm not that person.
Unnoticed by either distracted teen Rachel was just leaving the choir room door that was half way down the hall. She froze in the door frame and her eyes were drawn to the twosome as they hugged for a few seconds then smiled at each other and went their separate ways. Rachel took a step back inside and grabbed her midsection as an intense pain rocked her compact body. Now sad tears streamed down her face.
WTH! Finn says he forgives me but he still seems to be with Quinn. Is he only content with our friendship now? Why did I ever get my hopes up again?
Rachel headed to the parking lot after she was sure no one was around. Her steps were tired and tentative as the emotionally strained teen girl was close to the breaking point again.
Focus girl! Just try and keep it together until he explains himself. I don't want to give up on you Finn but it's a tough road sometimes.
Rachel finally made it to her car then gratefully slumped down into her seat and started driving towards her house.
Fabray house – Friday evening
Quinn was sitting in her living room watching one of her recorded teen dramas when she heard the front doorbell ring. She put the playback on pause after using her fist to punch her couch in frustration.
Damn it! Right when my favorite couple is having their big emotional talk. I'm not expecting Finn until Sunday. Or maybe it's Sam come to beg some more? Those boys just can't get enough of me.
Quinn walked eagerly to the door and put on her most winning smile. When she opened the door and noticed who was standing on her porch her expression tuned to one of puzzlement.
What the hell does Man Hands want? Voted most likely to be a drama queen and end up alone maybe? Damn girl you're funny.
"What do you want, Stubbles? Need me to explain the facts of life to you again? I though you were smarter than this."
Rachel recoiled visibly at the sound of Quinn's cold voice but was determined to make her point and then leave as soon as possible.
"Just let me say my peace, Quinn. I know you can't stand the sight of me but please hear me out."
"Come in, just make it quick. I'm watching something."
After Rachel walked inside Quinn closed the door then faced the slightly shorter brunette girl and tried to fight the irritation and anger inside her body.
"I'd ask you to make yourself comfortable but we both know that's not going to happen. So what is it? You know I spoke the truth in the auditorium. I really hope you can see that now."
Rachel slowly exhaled the breath she had been holding for a few seconds then quickly ordered her thoughts and began.
"Quinn, I want to thank you for inspiring my 'Get It Right' song. You forced me to tap into my really deep personal feelings about how bad I've screwed up everything. I could not have written it without your inspiration, however mean and cruel your words were. Finn was very touched when I sang it."
The blond's face looked like she wanted to explode into a rage.
"Listen here hobbit! Yes, talent wise you are very good. Anyone watching you sing that song would have felt something."
Quinn forced herself to dial down her aggression and cool the anger that had just surged up inside her. Rachel tried to speak again but the blond cut her off.
"Wait, I'm not finished! I'll force myself to admit that I am a fan of your singing and hope you do make it big on Broadway someday. But none of these Lima guys including Finn are good enough for you. Why can't you just make a clean break and move on? But personally speaking, if you try and interfere with Finn and my new found happiness again I will crush you like the little insect that you are. Count on it!"
Rachel's anger surged upwards and her next words were spat out at Quinn before she could stop them.
"But Finn said that he forgives me for trying to cheat with Puck. I think we are getting closer to becoming a couple again. Even when we've been apart I would not try and force him to stay with me by exploiting his past feelings. He got over you a long time ago. But why did he hug you in the hallway today?"
"You were spying on us, I knew it! I suppose Finn just wanted to clear the air between you and him so you can be co-captains and friends again. But he wants to be with me you little confused dwarf! Get that through your thick skull RuPaul!"
A white blurry motion caught Quinn's attention at the last possible second as Rachel's flattened palm connected with full force against the blond's left cheek and staggered her back a step. Quinn's nervous system went into full shock mode and she let out a surprised tearful sob. The brunette diva glanced at her hand and noticed the reddening streak over the part that had contacted against Quinn's cheek. She felt a pain starting to flare up within her hand.
Quinn finally managed to blurt out something even though her body still shook with sorrow and rage.
"You freaking hit me! Why can't you face facts? Nobody could love a spoiled little brat like you!"
Rachel burst into tears and ran for the front door. Just before she turned the door handle to leave she glanced back at the distressed blond still standing with a sad look on her face.
"I wouldn't care who Finn was with as long as he's happy, even if it wasn't with me. But I know for a fact that you're not right for him either, Quinn."
The blond sniffed back some tears and tried to laugh but it came out as a cackle.
"Says you. I know how Finn feels about me. We see fireworks when we kiss and make out."
Rachel nodded in understanding but continued on.
"Passion and sex isn't everything. If you don't have a deep friendship and honesty there is nothing to build on. As for Finn, that's how much I love him. Sometimes you have to let go of the people you most care about and hope for the best. But that's not the only thing that bothers me."
Quinn looked very broken as she finally replied.
"What's that?"
Rachel finally got control of her emotions but her voice still wavered some as she admitted something that had been inside her for a long time.
"I had hoped we could get past all our past animosity and at least respect each other. For the team I mean. I want to be a forgiving person but what's the point in making the effort with you? It's a waste of my time. You always have to put other people down to feel better about yourself. Quinn, I feel nothing but sadness towards you now."
"I don't need your freaking pity! Get the hell out of my house!"
"With pleasure."
As Rachel left and slammed the door behind her Quinn managed to stagger her way to the couch and collapsed into it as her tears continued flowing. She picked up her remote and threw it against the wall as she alternated between crying and screaming out her frustration. Finally some time later the blond pulled herself together long enough to compose a text.
JBRocksSam Please come to my house after you get this. I need you now. – QuinnHBIC
A short time later Quinn sighed in vast relief.
QuinnHBIC Sure thing babe. Be there soon. Love you! JBRocksSam