Title: Heaven

Pairings: Faberrittana.

Summary: When they were still children, it used to be Q, R, S and B. But now that they are in high school, they are known as The Unholy Trinity and Rachel Berry. Rachel, feeling abandoned by her best friends, tried to move on with a positive outlook. The Unholy Trinity, fed up with the guilt and the ache of missing Rachel, finally decided to mend their broken friendship with the girl. Separated by their differences, will they be able to get back how they used to be? What if the Unholy Trinity wanted more than just friendship from Rachel?

Disclaimer: Glee is not mine.

Author's Note: OMG! It's been sooo long. I can't say sorry enough for making you wait. And there's really nothing much to say in this. I'm sure you know how busy life can get. It's hard when you have a writer's block plus writing in your non-native language. Sometimes I would just find myself stuck with forming a sentence because I have suddenly ran out of English. Meh.

Anyway, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for all the reviews and PMs and for the support and encouragement. I read each one of them. Again, I'm sorry for making you think that I have abandoned this fic. I honestly played with the idea of it but then I found myself writing again. I already have a few ideas for the next chapter but it may have to wait. I will do my best to get on with it though.

So, again. Thank you. I'll just stop talking now.

P.S. Sorry I couldn't help it. Anyway, this chapter is a product of me trying to get over the writer's block. So if things don't make sense, well, sorry I guess. I never really got the chance to review everything from the first chapter.

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Chapter 16

It must have sucked to be her right now.

Rachel sighed for the hundredth time. This wasn't how she had pictured herself on a Sunday morning when she offered to help at Burt's garage. She didn't have any plans that day since Alex was at work. And she could use the extra money, no matter how little. Other than singing and dancing and you know, 'training', she also spent some of her childhood days watching her dad fixed cars. Seemed like one of the perks of not having too many friends were that you get to have a lot of spare time to do other things. Leroy was more than happy to teach her that too.

So Rachel decided to come with her dad at Burt's and was actually excited to get her hands dirty since it's been a while since she had last touch a car's engine.

But still, this wasn't how she had expected things to turn out.

Rachel sat at Burt's office, her chin rested on her hand as she lazily doodled on a paper while waiting for her help to be needed. The garage was a bit dead right now.

'I guess people are starting to learn to fix their own cars.'

Rachel turned her attention when the door opened and her dad poked his head through the door. "Hey, Rach, honey, I need your help."

Hey eyes perked up, thanking the Gods because she was already dying of boredom, "Sure dad. Anything."

"Judy called. She is asking for a change oil but she can't bring the car here today. Can you go to their house instead?"

Rachel hesitated, "As in...Judy Fabray?"

Leroy gave her a look as if to say 'Who else?'

Rachel grinned sheepishly. She rubbed the back of her neck as she thought of a way to get out of this situation. She couldn't go there. She wasn't sure she was comfortable with the idea. Things were still awkward between her and the Cheerios. Chances were Quinn, and most probably Brittany and Santana, would be there. And based on the events these past few weeks, bad things happen when they were around each other.

She's doing her best effort to avoid the girls in school. It's not easy when they seemed to be everywhere-in the hallways, classroom, Glee, freaking auditorium. Really. It felt like they were following her wherever she went. It wasn't like she didn't notice it but she knew they were trying to approach her. She could see them from the corner of her eyes. They were looking at her—staring. She could see their need to talk to her.

It's funny how she had wanted that kind of attention from them before. She longed for it. But now...

Now, things were different. It was like seeing them again for the first time. Rachel would look and she would see someone else. All her pent up feelings for two years were screaming to get out—the anger, the hurt, the sadness...everything. It felt like her heart was about to burst and it wouldn't take long before she exploded.

But as much as she had wanted to just yell it all out on their faces, she was scared of the possible outcome. Was it worth it? Were they worth it?

That was why right now, it was best not to be in the same place, alone, with the three Cheerios. She was hurt. She was angry. And she was confused. She wanted to be far away from them as possible. So far, she was getting lucky.

Except today. Right now.

"Dad, I really don't think—" Rachel was cut off as her dad handed her the tools she would need to do the job with that appreciative smile as if she was doing him a huge favor.

How could she say no to that?

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Rachel had prayed and hoped and begged that Judy would be home alone. She had repeated it like a mantra the moment she left the garage until she found herself knocking on the Fabray's mansion. She took deep breaths, hoping to calm her palpitating heart. She couldn't help the relieved smile she let out once the door opened, revealing the older Fabray.

Looks like luck was still on her side.

"Rachel!" Judy greeted, giving Rachel a warm hug before letting her in.

"Hello, Judy. It's been a while," Rachel replied, her heart getting filled up with warmth as she returned Judy's hug. It really had been a while. She didn't realize just how much she had missed the older blonde until now.

"It sure has. How are you, dear?"

"I'm doing great. I'm sorry I haven't been visiting. I was..." left out by my childhood friends and had no reason to come here anymore, "...busy. You know, high school, Glee," Rachel finished with an awkward chuckle.

"I see," Judy replied, staring at the girl in front of her.

Rachel shifted nervously at the intensity of the older Fabray's stare. She couldn't pinpoint it but it seemed like Judy was expecting her to say more. Well, she did have a lot of things to say, more particularly about her daughter. But she couldn't. She didn't want to be that kind of loser who blabbered about someone's kid that made her cry.

Besides, this wasn't just someone else. This was Judy. And it was about Quinn. That thought alone made things difficult. She didn't want to be the one to ruin the peace between their families. Judy was like a mother to her. She couldn't bear to hurt her when she found out that her good little Lucy was now the scary Ice Queen.

And that Quinn was, well, involved of some sort with Santana and Brittany.

So, no. Rachel was pretty sure she couldn't handle any more of that drama. She would probably end up going crazy and kill herself. She couldn't even tell her own dads what happened to them. One day, they just stopped asking her about it.

Judy knew something happened between the four of them. Considering the way the older blonde was looking at her, it seemed like Quinn failed to mention it to her mother.

But then again, they weren't children anymore. Whatever happened between them, should stay between them. Getting the adults involved would only make it more complicated.

"So...yeah. I should probably get started with your car."

"Oh yes. Of course. Come, dear. I'll walk you to the garage."

Rachel smiled and nodded, grateful for being out of that situation. It was getting awkward. "Thank you, Judy." She walked behind the older Fabray, her eyes sharp and ears alert for any signs of the trio.

"The girls aren't here right now. Cheering practice," Judy said as if hearing her thoughts. "So I'm sure you'll be able to work without getting disturbed."

"Good," Rachel said a bit too quickly, as if she's thrilled to know that the girls weren't there. Talk about being too obvious. "I mean, it's good—that I won't get disturbed—not that I'm relieved they're not here," she rambled and released a nervous laugh.

Judy narrowed her eyes before shaking her head with a smile, "I missed you, Rachel. This house wasn't as alive at it used to without you visiting anymore."

Rachel almost cried then.

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"You have got to be kidding me," Quinn couldn't help but growled as she saw the old pickup that Finn always used in school. The three of them just finished practice and decided to hang out at their place today. The least thing she had expected was to see Finn's truck in front of their house on a Sunday morning. He was getting pretty good at avoiding them since the incident at the Secret House.

"What's Finnept doing in your house, Q?" Santana asked, irritated at the idea of seeing the quarterback.

"No idea," Quinn grumbled as she parked her car in front of their house and quickly marched down towards their house, followed by Brittany and Santana. She was prepared to give Finn a piece of her mind when she suddenly stopped on her tracks, surprised and confused to hear her mom laughing. Last time she checked, her mom wasn't so fond of her ex.

The three shared a look until they heard a very familiar voice. They ran to the kitchen and though they have thought about it, it still came as a shock.

When Quinn said that the least thing she had expected was to see Finn, she was wrong.

There Rachel was, wearing a black tank top, sitting and laughing with her mom over a cup of tea. It was a sight she never thought she would see again.

"Mom?" Quinn asked quietly, as if scared to ruin the moment, her eyes trained to the tiny brunette sitting on a stool across her mom.

Rachel stiffened, not daring to look up. Her grip tightened at her cup.

She had run out of luck.

She cursed herself for forgetting the time. But she couldn't get herself to regret spending the last hour talking to Judy. She had missed her. A lot.

"Oh Quinnie, you're home early," Judy said calmly, oblivious at the sudden tension in the room, "Hello Santana, Brittany."

"Hey Mrs. F," Brittany waved while Santana nodded with a casual, "Hey Judes."

"Coach let us off early. She has some business she needed to attend to," Quinn answered, her gaze not faltering from Rachel, "Hey Rachel."

At that, Rachel couldn't help but look up, offering a nod and tight lipped smile, "Hey."

"What are you doing here?" Quinn asked slowly as she walked towards the table, stopping beside her mother. Brittany sat at the end of the table with Santana standing beside her.

Rachel pursed her lips, noticing how the girls seemed to be approaching her carefully as if she would just bolt out of the room with one wrong move. Come to think of it, she probably would. If only Judy wasn't there.

"She came to service the car," Judy answered before Rachel could open her mouth. Rachel was actually thankful for it. She didn't know how to be casual around the girls anymore. Everything seemed to always end up in utter awkwardness and she wasn't too pleased to let Judy see that.

"Oh. So that explains the truck outside. I thought Finn was here."

There was a moment of silence which was interrupted by the house phone ringing. Looking around, Judy expected Quinn to get the phone but was surprised to see her daughter staring intently at Rachel who seemed to have found her empty cup of tea quite interesting. From the end of the table, she could see Brittany looking at Rachel with a far away expression. Santana's eyes were everywhere except to them and she appeared to be uncomfortable as she shifted from one foot to another.

Raising one perfectly eyebrow—the Fabray way, Judy took in her surroundings and stood up with a shrug. "Well, I guess I'm the only one who can hear the phone ringing," she muttered before making her way out of the kitchen.

Before anyone could react, Rachel hastily stood up and muttered, "I should probably get going."

That seemed to have snapped the girls. Quinn was quick to follow the tiny diva whose hands were already on the door knob. "Rachel, wait. Please."

Rachel paused, surprised at how Quinn sounded so small and desperate. Quinn, the Head Bitch In Charge, Ice Queen, Captain of the Cheerios, was begging her to stay. If only the situation was different, Rachel would have laughed. She took a chance to turn around and looked back. She could see Quinn's hazel eyes that were usually hard and cold were now brimming with desperation, sadness, and...Was that longing? She turned her eyes on the two girls behind the blonde. Santana's face was stoic but Rachel could see that the Latina was feeling uneasy as evidence by how her hands were fisted on her sides. Brittany was simply worrying her bottom lip and looking back and forth between Rachel and Quinn.

Rachel almost felt bad. Almost. She shook her head, trying to convince herself not to fall for it. How many times did she have that same look on their faces as she was once again doused with frozen liquid? Made fun of? Humiliated? Never once did they bat an eyelash at her direction. So, no. Rachel wasn't going to go easy on them this time. Things would have been less complicated if only she didn't see what she saw at Puck's. So yeah. Sue her for being too bitter. Nobody could really blame her if she felt so fucking angry and betrayed right now. She had earned that right.

"Rach—" Santana's started but was answered by the door being slammed.

Rachel walked faster towards the truck as she fumbled with the keys. She stiffened when she felt a soft hand wrapped around her arm. It was gentle but enough to make her jump and turn around.

Brittany.

"Rachel. Please. We just want to talk," Brittany said, lowering her hand slowly.

Rachel stared at the tall blonde. Brittany—she, who couldn't hurt a fly but had chosen to hurt her best friend. She, who had never personally thrown a single insulting word at Rachel and yet, never did anything to stop it. She, who had smiled at her, albeit secretively, at the hallways but pretended that she didn't see anything while Rachel's eyes burned from being slushied.

Yes. Brittany never assaulted Rachel personally, but Brittany had never done anything to help her either.

"I don't want to talk," Rachel said firmly, turning around to unlock the truck.

"Rach—" Brittany attempted to reach out for Rachel again but the brunette slapped her hand away.

"I said!" Rachel raised her voice but paused when she saw the blonde flinched. She closed her eyes as if praying to God to not let her lose it. Because really, she was almost there. With a lower but harder tone, she spoke again, "I don't want to talk."

"B-But—"

Rachel hopped on the vehicle and sped away, tires screeching, without looking back.

Brittany watched the speeding truck disappear around the corner. She stood still, staring at nothing until she felt two sets of arms wrap around her.

"Britt..." Santana whispered softly. That's all it took before a sob escaped from Brittany's lips and before she knew it, she found herself a quivering mess in her girlfriends' arms.

Q/R/S/B/Q/R/S/B/Q/R/S/B

Rachel stormed in Burt's office as if it was her own. She carelessly threw the keys before slumping down on the seat. Good thing Burt wasn't there today. She didn't think Burt would appreciate her bursting the door open in his own office. She was quiet for a minute before she covered her face with her palms and let out a strangled scream.

She was doing her best not to feel anything and yet, she couldn't ignore the heavy feeling in her heart. She should be happy, right? She was finally standing up for herself. But why was she feeling so bad about what happened? She couldn't get the images of the girls' faces off of her mind. They looked so lost and desperate and hurt. Rachel couldn't understand why. Why now? What changed? Why was she feeling so guilty about this when they had done so much worse to her?

Rachel groaned and slumped her head on the desk with a thud. It's so hard to have a conscience sometimes.

"Hey Short stuff."

Rachel sat up but didn't bother to look up to know who it was. "What are you doing here, Al?"

Alex shrugged as she sat on the couch, grabbing a magazine and started browsing it. "Oh you know, I called your phone but was surprised when your dad answered it. And then I asked for you, and then he said that you're at Fabray's. So now I'm here because I would like to personally hear from you how bad it went," Alex finished with a smirk.

"I serviced Judy's car. The end."

"Is that why you're trying to murder Mr. Hummel's desk?"

Rachel paused, looked down and winced. There were marks and indentations on Burt's desk as she realized that she had been violently stabbing it with a cutter that she had grabbed somewhere. Realizing her mistake, she quickly hid the cutter in one of drawers and tried to cover the marks with a stack of papers. She stared at Alex who was smiling knowingly at her.

"Shut up."

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Half an hour later, the three girls found themselves in Quinn's room. Brittany had cried herself to sleep, mumbling about how much Rachel hated them. Quinn and Santana lay on either side of the tall blonde while whispering soothing words to calm their girlfriend down. Santana sighed in relief when they heard a soft snore coming from Brittany. She looked at Quinn who was absentmindedly playing with Brittany's hair while staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Q..."

"...Yeah?"

"What are we going to do?" Santana hated the feeling of being helpless, especially if it involved the two blondes. It was frustrating and annoying and she wanted to beat someone out just to release some stress.

It had been almost two months now since that fateful incident at Puck's. People would think that the top three bitches were fast thinkers at scheming and perfect at putting their plans in to action, but not this time. Not when it came to Rachel. Things with her were just...a lot more complicated. Actually, scratch that. Complicated was an understatement.

This thing with Rachel was beginning to take a toll on their relationship. Brittany wasn't as enthusiastic as she usually was. Quinn and Santana would always find themselves arguing about whose fault it was for being careless at Puck's. Brittany would be torn between them and would just end up ignoring both of them. And then it would take a lot of groveling before the tall blonde would start talking to them again. And then the three of them would start blaming each other for hurting Rachel in the first place.

"I honestly don't know, S," Quinn responded silently. "Rachel's being...hard."

Santana scoffed, "Well, if you're so-called childhood best friends tormented your for two years, I wouldn't be surprised she's being difficult."

Quinn sighed, her expression morphing into irritation, "Don't start with me, Santana."

"...Sorry. I'm just...Ugh."

"I know, San. I know."

They thought joining Glee would somehow help them get closer to Rachel but it was starting to prove them wrong since the tiny diva wouldn't even look their way, avoiding them like a plague. It didn't help that Alex just loved to taunt them every chance she could get. But they couldn't get themselves to quit because this was one of the ways they could show Rachel that they were being sincere.

"Is she ever going to forgive us?"

The question hanged in the air until both of them joined Brittany in to a not so peaceful slumber.

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Alex stared blankly at Rachel while nursing her already cold coffee as the small brunette finish telling her what happened at the Fabray's.

"Wait. That's it?"

"Apparently."

"No way! I came all the way here for that?" Alex asked, not hiding her disappointment.

"I never told you to come."

Alex grunted, "But I was expecting more than that. Rachel Berry, The Sore Loser versus Unholy Trinity, the Top Three Bitches of McKinley," Rachel rolled her eyes at that, "You guys always have very interesting encounters. Usually, you ending up being all awkward." Alex finished with a laugh.

Rachel narrowed her eyes at Alex, "Ha ha. I'm thrilled to know you find my situation very entertaining, friend."

"Oh come on, Rach. Don't be like that."

Rachel kept quiet, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout, as she pretended to be busy with her phone.

Alex's face turned sincere and smiled in understanding. She stood up and walked over to where Rachel was sitting and nudged her with her shoulder. "Come on, Short stuff. I was just teasing you. You know me. I'm always on your side...Just in my own crazy way."

"I know," Rachel sighed, a smile slowly forming in her lips. "I'm sorry, Al. I just feel like my head is all over the place right now." Rachel stood up and began pacing back and forth, her hands moving around, "I don't know what or how I'm supposed to feel with all of these—I mean, there are times that I feel so angry and hurt when I see them, and then there are times when I just feel so sad and confused—especially earlier when I just yelled at Brittany and I saw how hurt she was or when I walked away from Quinn and Santana—I mean, why should I feel bad about it? I shouldn't! ...And yet, I do." Rachel finished with a resigned voice as she sat down, rubbing a hand on her face.

There was a moment of silence with Rachel wallowing and staring in to space.

"I totally get it."

Rachel sat up straight and turned her head to Alex, raising an eyebrow, "You really do?"

Alex rolled her eyes. She sat at Burt's chair and crossed her legs above the desk. "Sure. It's pretty simple actually. They hurt you. Badly. They made your life a living hell for two years. But worse, they had punctured that happy bubble of yours where you believed that your friendship was worth more than some high school hierarchy—something that you think you continuously believe for the past two years because you're a hopeless softy like that—"

"I really hope you have a point in this."

"-The more they hurt you, the more you keep it to yourself," Alex continued, "And then you convince yourself that it was okay when in reality, you're just dying to fight back and scream at their faces about how much of a bitch they are now. You're just denying it."

Rachel furrowed her brows as she absorbed Alex's words but kept quiet.

"Then they tried to make amends with you—asked for another chance but ruined it anyway because you found out that all this time that they had pushed you away and made you miserable for being you—"

Rachel raised an eyebrow at that.

"-and gay, they have actually been fucking each other's brain out."

Rachel gawked, "Do you have to be so crude?"

Alex shrugged nonchalantly, "It's me you're talking to, Rach."

Rachel still couldn't believe how much Alex reminded her of Santana.

But then again, that was one of the things she adored about the barista. She was so Santana-ish sometimes.

Which was also the reason why Rachel just couldn't be with her because, well, she wasn't Santana. And that wouldn't be fair to Alex.

"I wish you didn't have to actually say it like that—because now, that's all I can think about. It's quite disturbing."

Alex smirked and looked at Rachel knowingly, "Is it really?"

"Oh shut up, you perv. Besides, I don't think they had actually done it—the three of them, I mean. Together."

The barista stared blankly at the diva. "Rachel," she drawled, as if talking to a child, "you saw them making out. In the bathroom. Half naked. Seriously. How naïve can you be?"

Rachel simply crossed her arms with a huff.

"See? That's your problem right there."

"What is?"

"When you don't like something, you refuse to acknowledge it. You deny it even if it's right in front of you. And then you replace it with something that is acceptable for you."

Rachel narrowed her eyes, "Is that so bad?"

"Right now, yes!" Alex exclaimed, lightly slamming her fist on the desk. "Because you're denying reality, Rachel. And it's eating you up."

The diva was silent, her face not showing any signs of emotion.

"But I can't really take that against you, can I?" Alex continued in a softer tone. "I can't blame you for trying to protect yourself. But it has got to stop. This thing with the girls is just hurting you the more you try to suppress it. Don't fight it, Rach. Just let it out. It's not your loss. It has always been theirs."

Rachel tried to hold back the tears forming in her eyes but failed when she felt Alex sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She choked on a sob and the next thing she knew, she was crying her eyes out as she leaned in to the embrace, burying her face on Alex's neck. All the things that Alex said made sense. It hurts but it was the truth.

But still, it hurts.

"Sshh...It's going to be okay, Rach," Alex whispered on Rachel's ears. "That's why you're conflicted right now. There's a part of you saying that it's not fair to make it too easy for them. But there's another part that wants to just forgive and forget. And I can't take that part away from you as much as I fucking want to," Alex joked, earning a chuckle from the tiny brunette. "You've always been so forgiving, Rach. You're having a hard time because it's not like you to be so," Alex moved her free hand as if looking for the right word, "well, unforgiving. It's against your nature."

Rachel sniffed, "That...makes sense in a strange way."

"Of fucking course."

"Do you have to swear too much?" Rachel frowned.

"Fuck yeah."

Rachel rolled her eyes, playfully punching the barista on the stomach.

"Hey! Careful. You do have an iron fist you know."

"And you have an abs as hard as a rock. You're fine."

Alex leaned back, glancing at the diva with her usual playful smirk, "Is that you're way of saying I have a nice body?"

Another punch. "Shut up."

Alex grumbled, stroking her tummy because Rachel could really punch even if she didn't mean to.

There was a moment of comfortable silence before Alex broke it.

"You really don't have to be so fucking—"

"Stop swearing."

"—nice all the fucking time, Rach," Alex continued, ignoring Rachel. "Nobody's going to judge you. And if they did—well, I'm sure you can give them a taste of your iron fist. That'll shut them up for sure. I don't know why you're so afraid."

Rachel looked at her friend with an exasperated sigh, "What do you want me to do? Deal the problem with violence?"

"If that's what it takes." Alex shrugged.

"Alex!"

"Fine. Talk to them—You're good at that too, anyway."

Rachel stared incredulously, ignoring the jibe at her talkativeness. "I can't just approach them after ignoring them for two months!"

"Oh please. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to entertain you since they've been following you like lost puppies almost everywhere."

"...You noticed that?"

"Who doesn't?"

"Everyone. Except you, apparently."

"Yeah, well. I'm a keen observer. Plus, it's entertaining to watch the four of you play hide and seek."

"I'm glad you're having fun," Rachel said sarcastically which Alex replied with a sweet smile. "And when did you become so smart?" she added as an afterthought.

"I am smart. I just don't show it all the time."

Rachel stared at Alex in appreciation. She really didn't know what she'd do without this girl. She knew Alex would always have her back no matter what. If only things were so simple. If it was only easy to just let go of the memories she had with the girls. If only Rachel wasn't so attached to them. If only...feelings weren't involved.

But she was attached and feelings were involved. And there's no point speculating the what if's because they were never going to happen. Alex would always be her best friend, minus the romantic feelings. Rachel knew that. Alex knew that.

"Anyway, I have to get back to work." Alex got up from the couch, "Thank you, Rachel. You have cured by boredom with your dramatic but interesting life story. As always," she said with a wink before quickly grabbing the door open as a flying pillow hit the door.

Rachel shook her head, amused. She grabbed her phone and typed a quick thank you to Alex for keeping her company.

Alone now, Rachel was silent for a while, pursing her lips as she considered what Alex said. Well, she had been considering everything Alex said. Their conversation had somehow opened her mind. What was she really afraid of? Why was she running away? It's not like she got anything to lose anyway. Alex was right. They had lost each other a long time ago. She just didn't want to believe it.

But how was she going to face them? Was she even ready? What if she started rambling with words that didn't even make sense and end up embarrassing herself? That could happen. It happens to her all the time.

Or...she could just stop thinking about it right now and when it happens, then—well, she'll just have to see to find about.

Rachel rubbed her temples as she felt an impending migraine.

This was seriously not how she had pictured her Sunday.