Song Inspiration: It Will Rain – Bruno Mars

One step.

Another.

The blue-grey linoleum beneath her feet mocked her, reflecting the warped vision of herself back at her. Mascara running down her cheeks, the bubblegum pink of her dress seeming to be an ugly muted purple.

She turned the corner and halted abruptly, her eyes locked on a cowed Judy Fabray, sitting huddled in the middle of the moderately empty waiting area in an uncomfortable looking blue chair.

As if sensing her presence the blonde woman looked up, her eyes locking with the panicked russet orbs before her.

Faintly Santana was aware of the others coming to a stop behind her, their panicked breathing sounding like a cacophony in her ears.

It all faded away however when the older Fabray opened her mouth, all sound ceased, her heart stopped beating, everything stopped as she paused-

"She's alive."

She almost hadn't known.

The startling sound of Bruno Mars's 'Count On Me' had broken the heavy gaze she'd shared with Finn and she and everyone present had turned to Santana in surprise.

She'd almost told Santana to ignore it.

She'd almost married Finn without Quinn there.

Instead she'd nodded at Santana's brief look, turning to look at the girl as she took the call. Whatever brief irritation she might have felt disappeared as she watched all colour drain from the Latina's face.

Then the words, broken and panicked, pouring from the feisty girl's mouth as terror filled russet eyes looked past Rachel, straight at Puck- "-Quinn- -car crash- -hospital-"

Everything past that point was a blur, only brief images remained, still shots in her mind's eye. A calm sense of terrified dread had overcome Rachel. Blankly she'd looked to Finn, before turning to run after Santana and Puck, feeling desperation seep into her bones as a chorus of scurrying feet followed behind her.

The hospital smelt like bleach and heartache.

Brittany hated it.

The white grip with which Santana had held the steering wheel had scared her, but not as much as the emptiness in Rachel's eyes as she stared unseeingly at the wall.

Brittany hated it all.

"It wasn't your fault."

All eyes turned to Finn, but he was looking at Rachel, his eyes insistent as he tried to catch her gaze.

"Are you sure about that?" she whispered softly, her suddenly emotional gaze turning to the tall boy. The myriad of emotions in her eyes disarmed him and he paused, trying to decipher exactly what was bothering her. His silence seemed to be enough for Rachel and she turned back to the wall.

"I shouldn't have texted her, she told me where she was going, I shouldn't have nagged her like-,"

"And Quinn shouldn't have checked her phone while driving." Leroy countered softly, placing a comforting hand on Rachel's shoulder. "You can't blame yourself for this honey."

"Your fathers right sweetie," Hiram added, "this was just an-" he glanced at Burt, "an unfortunate accident."

"-which occurred at the perfect time." Burt couldn't help but add under his breath. He winced when Carole hit his shoulder, a displeased frown marring her face.

Kurt glanced suspiciously at his father from the security of Blaine's arms, while his father fidgeted self-consciously.

"I need to get out of this." Rachel said abruptly, startling her fiancé and their present company. She stood and wavered before turning to Tina.

"Do you think you could drive me home?"

The Asian girl started momentarily before glancing round at the bewildered faces of the Gleeks, Berry men and Burt and Carole.

"Sure." She said softly in reply.

"Honey-," Hiram began "-Dad can I just-," Rachel paused, seemingly frustrated, backing away from her father's imploring expression, "I need time to think."

Tina, who had begun to gather her things, paused briefly as she kissed Mike goodbye.

"I'll be back soon." She murmured, before following Rachel out.

Rachel had made no such promises.

Tina's car smelt like rice and Chinese noodles.

It was rather embarrassing.

It wasn't Tina's fault that her parents had gotten take out the night before in her car. Well, it wasn't really her car. It was her mother's old beaten up sedan which she no longer used. However just because Tina used it regularly didn't mean her mother had relinquished all rights; something she frequently reminded her daughter of.

Either way, her car smelt like rice and Chinese noodles. And it made Rachel's stomach turn violently.

Unsure whether her nausea was due to the lingering aroma or the events of the day, the diva simply opened the window as far as it could go before curling into herself in the front seat.

Tina; slightly surprised that Rachel hadn't burst into a tirade, when she clearly noticed the lingering odour of Chinese takeout, attempted to get a feel for the brunette's mood.

"Are you okay?"

A shaky deep breath was all Tina heard Rachel's body tense as she stared out the window.

"No." Was the simple reply.

The brunette turned to the raven haired girl.

"Are you okay Tina?"

Tina swallowed, the events of the past few hours hitting her in a rush.

"No."

The brunette's eyelashes fluttered, her eyes shining with unshed tears before she dropped her face into her open palms.