Disclaimer: I do not own Glee. Seriously.

Spoilers: Sam/Santana has happened, the wreck that is Fuinn is happening, aka: up to Original Song .

Warning: A bit OOC + so AU it's not funny + product of a tired college student = proceed with caution!

A/N: Written for Challenge #268 ~ Save at femslash100.

A/N2: If this seems a bit fragmented, it's because it's intended as such. The ending is open to interpretation (mwahahaha!). In any case, I hope everyone enjoy reading this (I do apologise if this does not make much sense, I'm in the middle of writing a huge paper and my brain cells have been under duress). Remember, REVIEWS make the world go around (mine anyway)!

The world becomes too much at times. It hurts to even pretend she is okay.

She wants to admit the pain she feels in her abdomen on nights she wakes to a phantom baby crying for attention.

She wants to confess the blossoming ache in her heart after spending yet another day mocking a girl – the girl with an attitude more than anyone knows what to do with, with a voice that secretly makes her cry, with a smile that follows her beyond her waking hours – to the point of dimming that beautiful spark in brown eyes.

She knows that everything will eventually surge forth, that she will drown herself in her promises to be better, in her dreams to be with her. She knows she needs someone to save her from herself. She knows who she wants that person to be. She knows she might never get it, but –

"Quinn! I am appalled at how rude you are being. Need I remind you that you had been the one to suggest this meeting? Had I known you would be discourteous enough to ignore me during the brainstorming process, I –'

Quinn blinks, taking in the sight of Rachel furiously pacing up and down (gorgeous) before her as she continues to berate the blonde. The blonde smiles nervously when an epiphany strikes her with all the subtlety of a cheerful Santana, reaching out to take Rachel's hands in her own and squeezing once to get the brunette's attention.

Rachel frowns adorably. "What?" she asks sulkily.

Quinn's smile falters slightly, but she responds so earnestly she almost surprises herself, "May I tell you something?"

Rachel's frown deepens, but she nods.

Quinn feels tears gathering in her eyes and she inhales sharply to prepare herself. I'm sorry, I'm sorry – "I love you."