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Clean Up In Aisle Seven

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It wasn't hard for Quinn to work out why she was so excited about the end of the day, and her enthusiasm to get out of Cheerios was not lost on Santana. She rolled her eyes and told Quinn to text her later, but the words were almost lost on her in her eagerness to get to her car.

Rachel was standing next to it, her bag hiked over her shoulder, and Quinn was relieved to see that she hadn't been slushied. There were no stains on her clothes, she was still wearing the same ones as that morning, and she looked just like she did earlier. That was an immediate weight off Quinn's shoulders, and she at least knew that Santana had done as she'd asked and kept Rachel safe.

Walking over with a smile on her lips, Quinn unlocked the car and the two of them jumped in the vehicle. With seatbelts on, and the key in the ignition, Quinn finally broke the silence as she turned the car on.

"So how was your first day?" she wondered, shooting a curious look Rachel's way. She was met with a lip bite in return and a slight shrug. That had Quinn worried.

"It was interesting," Rachel replied, watching the road as they drove out the school grounds.

"Interesting?" Quinn repeated, frowning slightly.

"Well, things were a bit lonely to begin with, but then I found my niche. While McKinley High is not up to par with my old school's Show Choir group, I do believe I can bring it up to the standard I'm used to." So she was a singer, that was something new, something Quinn to add to the mental list in her head of things about Rachel.

"Right…" she murmured, waiting for her to go on. "However, the current show choir members didn't seem too enthused by my addition to the team, which was rather disheartening. Though, I expect them to perk up about it when I lead them to victory, once we get enough members, that is. I'm still going over my plans to attract new members, but I'm sure within the next week, everyone will be clamouring for an audition." Quinn found that hard to believe, and she knew what the Gleeks were like. They weren't going to welcome Rachel at all, and it was probably going to be a harder transition for her than she originally thought.

To make it worse, it was Glee club, and Rachel was going to get a rude awakening if Quinn wasn't careful. She really didn't want the girl getting hurt, but that was the fallout of being in Glee club unless something was done about it. What exactly, Quinn didn't know yet, but she'd work on it.

"So did you make any friends?" If there was at least one person watching Rachel's back in the hallways of McKinley, then success. If, however, Rachel was out on her own, fending for herself, things were going to be a little difficult.

"I'm not sure," Rachel began, turning slightly in the seat to look at Quinn. "…are we friends?" her question and watchful gaze had Quinn swallowing a lump in her throat and looking for an answer.

"I'd like us to be friends, yes, but I'm not sure I'm the kind of friend you want." Quinn wasn't exactly sure what being friends with Rachel would mean for either of them at school, and the likelihood was that she'd be pressured to ostrasize Rachel. However, she was no longer going to be a coward.

This was her last year, all she needed to do was keep her head down and get the hell out of Lima, Ohio, for good. But, if that meant sacrificing what felt like the beginning of a great friendship, or something else, then no, she wasn't going to be able to do that; keep her head down, that is.

"You've mentioned before that you weren't the nicest person, and I did hear some rumours today, but seeing as I don't know that Quinn Fabray, and I only know this one, the one I happen to like very much, then I'd say you're exactly the friend I want," Rachel added, biting her lip, as if she expected Quinn to rescind the offer of friendship.

"Then we're friends." The beaming smile that crossed Rachel's face definitely was worth whatever hiccups were going to come Quinn's way because of this.

Eyes back on the road, Quinn continued the drive home, happily listening to the radio and Rachel's comments about various things. It felt easy, it felt right, and she was pleased with herself for once, for not being the complete coward that she used to be, the one that couldn't handle colouring outside of the lines, or anything that didn't fit into her perfect 'plan'.

*0*0*

The following morning, after arriving at school and saying goodbye to Rachel, Quinn went on the hunt for Santana and Brittany. She had been mulling over things last night, wondering how she could make Rachel's Glee Club transition easier, and there was only one solution that she could think to try. It would also provide a sufficient explanation for any of the masses who were wondering what was going on when Quinn was friendly with Rachel in the halls.

Santana was sitting on the bleachers, watching the Baby Cheerios do a warm up that she had most likely forced them to do, when Quinn found her. It was as if Santana just knew her Captain was after something, from the way her flat brow furrowed, and her usual 'kinda pissed off' look changed into her 'this better be fucking good cause I'm really pissed off' look.

"What do you want?"Santana asked, her tone replicating her look, and Quinn fought an eyeroll at how difficult this already felt when she hadn't even asked Santana yet. If Brittany had been there, it would have been so much eaiser to pull this off.

"I need you to do something for me," Quinn began, forgoing please and hoping Santana could pick up how this really wasn't a request.

"What?" Santana asked sceptically, frowning once more, having also picked up on the fact Quinn wasn't actually asking, although it seemed like she was.

"Just agree to do it, and then I'll tell you,"Quinn said, shrugging like it was no big deal. Santana's abrupt bark of a laugh and head shake told her everything she needed to know.

"Fat chance of that ever happening, Q. Come on, spill."At least her curiosity was piqued.

"We need to join Glee Club."

"Fuck no!" Santana shook her head back and forth and made it very clear that this one request was not going to happen.

"San-"If she could just explain a little more, then maybe she'd agree. Or maybe she'd laugh in Quinn's face, but whatever, she had to try.

"Over my dead body. No! I'm not joining! I'll put up with all your other shit but I'm not going to join the fucking Glee Club!"The way she spat the words was proof enough that she wasn't going to do it, she wasn't going to agree to it, so Quinn needed to find another way.

"Okay, don't-"she began, only to be cut off.

"Expecting me to join that shit fest is not going to happen - Wait, what?" Santana's frown changed, subtly from pissed off to curious, as she awaited a response.

"I'll ask Brittany to join with me," Quinn stated, shrugging one shoulder, as if that said it all. It did.

"No. No you will not,"Santana growled, shaking her head again, and looking pissed off once more. She knew exactly what Quinn was playing at, and she hated the manipulation.

"Well, I think we should join, and I know she will have no problem with it."As she spoke, more footsteps on the bleachers could be heard, and Quinn had to fight her grin as she raised her voice to ensure that the newcomer could hear what they were talking about.

"Have no problem with what?" Brittany asked, sliding down to sit next to Santana, looking between the two of them curiously.

"Joining Glee Club," Quinn finished, beating Santana to the punch, who was probably going to throw out some random response that would make it impossible for Quinn to salvage.

"We're going to join Glee Club?! That's awesome! Whose idea was that?" Brittany asked, her enthusiasm infectious, truly making Quinn smile this time.

"Santana's. She saw their new sign-up sheets talking about getting more singers and dancers, and immediately thought of you," Quinn went on to explain, shooting her second in command a smirk as she did so.

"Aww, really? That's so sweet," Brittany murmured, smiling softly at her girlfriend. If looks could kill, Quinn would have been dead, but the more Brittany's affections warmed Santana's heart, her gaze softened. So maybe she needed to reassess kicking Quinn's ass if it made Brittany this happy.

"Well, you need more than just Cheerios to show off your dancing ability for college applications, so a Glee Club win would surely help," Santana replied, shrugging like it was nothing.

"I'll go put our names on the sign up sheet," Quinn was quick to say, ready to dash down the bleachers before anyone changed their minds.

"Wait, Q-" Santana called, reaching out and grabbing her arm. "Remember to get us all the details so we know when to attend and what's required of us," she said, loud enough for Brittany, before lowering her voice. "We better be winning some big fucking ass trophy, or else this is on you."

Rolling her eyes, Quinn pulled her arm back and gave Brittany a wave, before heading down the stairs. It didn't take her long to find the sign up sheet by the choir room, and after signing their three names, Quinn allowed herself to take an easy smile. This was surely going to help Rachel, and also give them more time to spend together.

So far, so good.

*0*0*

Arriving early to Glee, which took some convincing Santana, the trio strolled into the choir room. It was almost completely empty, except from the piano player, who all of them ignored. They were just about to get settled in the chairs laid out when Mr. Schuester walked in, and shot them a curious look, obviously not expecting them to be there.

"We're here to join," Brittany said, grinning, just before Mr. Schue could ask what they wanted.

"Oh, right. Well, everyone who wants to join needs to audition, so do you have one prepared?" Mr. Schuester asked, looking between them all.

Quinn could feel Santana's pissed off gaze burning into her back as she nodded, making her way to the docking station to plug in her ipod. The instrumental was neccesary for the song, and once she hit play, they had a few seconds to get in formation. Mr. Schue was looking at them curiously, no doubt not anticipating much, but they'd known this routine since they were nine, copying from Quinn's older sister Frannie. The fact they were having to share it, was not something Santana was pleased about, nor that they were performing it to the creepy Spanish teacher who couldn't speak Spanish.

Aretha Franklin's ' I Say A Little Prayer' turned out to be a hit for them, as Mr. Schue's eyes lit up like it was Christmas when they finished, and promptly declared they could stay, and welcome to glee club. This allowed the three of them to sit back down at the back of the choir room, and wait for everyone else to arrive.

Slowly, the other members arrived, and each new face was equally shocked as the one before upon seeing them. The old members congregated to one side, far enough away from the trio not to be heard, and then started whispering. Quinn could only roll her eyes at them.

When Rachel walked in, she was off in her own world, but stopped short just shy of the chairs, finally spotting the three new additions. Santana refused to acknowledge her, but Brittany smiled brightly, and Quinn was giving her a small smile. The butterflies were fluttering around her stomach, making her hands shake and doubt that this was actually a good idea, but then Rachel smiled wide and took a seat, practically beaming, and okay, definitely the right move.

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That afternoon, after school was finished, and glee club was over; Quinn made her way to her car. Rachel was nowhere to be seen, but that wasn't surprising. They had left her in the choir room taking with the piano player about the upcoming project. Given there was no justifiable reason for her to stick around, Quinn had no choice but to make her departure.

At the car, she opened the doors and dumped her things in the truck, before getting in the driver's seat. Turning on the radio, and not the engine, Quinn sat for a moment, waiting on Rachel. It wasn't long, however, before someone was knocking on her driver's side window, and with a look, Quinn saw the all too familiar Cheerio uniform.

Rolling down the window, Quinn waited for them to drop to her level, but she knew exactly who it was before seeing them or hearing them. Their stance and pissed off personality that radiated outwards was a big enough give away; and from the looks of things, they weren't there to thank Quinn for the new social club being added into their calander.

"You owe me big time," Santana grumbled, leaning down and, right enough, looking pissed.

"How did Brittany find it? She enjoy herself?" Quinn teased, smirking. Brittany was her ace card in all of this. As long as Brittany enjoyed herself, she could keep the two of them attending with her.

"She freaking loved it, like you knew she would, " Santana barked, unimpressed.

"Then it looks like I don't owe you anything; this was, after all, your idea." Quinn continued smiling, and Santana growled back Snixx.

"I'm going to kick your ass for this. And like I said earlier, we better fucking win something, or at least, you better get to second base for this shit." Santana turned and walked away, not staying around long enough to catch sight of Quinn's smile drop into a frown.

That was not the point of joining glee club. She wasn't trying to score with Rachel. She just wanted her to be looked after. But what if Rachel thought it was some sleazy move? What if she thought Quinn was just doing it to get in her pants? Christ, that would be the worst! Why didn't Quinn think this through?!

The opening of the passenger side door pulled Quinn from that trainwreck thought, and she turned to give Rachel an unsure smile. She really didn't want to come off as creepy or lecherous, especially since she had no clue what Rachel thought of her joining glee club. It was better to try and play it safe.

Quinn needn't have worried, however.

"You joined Glee club," Rachel said, with a hint of fondness in her voice.

"I wanted a change," Quinn replied, trying to be blase about it all. She backed this up by not looking at Rachel, and instead turned the car on, and began pulling out of her parking space.

"You did it for me," Rachel replied, with that fondness again, and Quinn could feel the heat on her cheeks. She had not anticipated being so transparent.

"What makes you think that?" Leaving the school grounds gave her plenty excuses not to look Rachel's way, and also time for the blush to disappear. Hopefully.

"The other Glee members said it would be social suicide for Santana, Brittany and yourself to join, and that you all must have a motive. I think that you joined to give the club a little more standing, because I can't imagine you would need any more extra curricular activities. They think you're plotting its downfall, but I believe that is absurd.

"Absurd indeed," Quinn muttered, shaking her head. "But that still doesn't mean I joined for you." The words were strong, the voice was weak, and Rachel was wearing a smile that had Quinn practically melting with affection in her seat.

"Well, regardless, I do hope that you enjoy Glee club, Quinn. I'm hoping to take us to greatness, and perhaps with Kurt and Mercedes assistance, we can start preparing for sectionals." Quinn thought it best not to mention how reluctant Kurt and Mercedes would be to do any of that, especially if Rachel was leading the charge, which appeared to be the case.

If push came to shove, Quinn would use all intimidation tactics - Santana - to get the Glee Club whipped into shape. They were going to need to succeed at something for it not to be complete social suicide, but given that Quinn was throwing caution to the wind and opting not to keep her head down, as previously decided, she figured she may as well enjoy herself while she did so.

That meant making the girl beside her smile at every chance she got.

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