Quinn was full of nerves when she was getting dressed for school the next morning. She always dressed her best, especially when she was dressing for Rachel. But what does one wear when dressing for your girlfriend’s dads? Was Rachel her girlfriend? They were together, but they hadn’t talked about the specifics yet.

So far, taking it slow meant that they did everything exactly the same. Hugging, holding hands, laughing and talking together and oh yeah, kissing. Quinn was absolutely fine with taking things slow so long as she got to kiss Rachel and because she knew that Rachel wanted to be with her, she was fine going at Rachel’s pace. But even though she told Rachel that she didn’t need to announce their love from the rooftops, she couldn’t help wanting to let everyone know that she was Rachel’s. And maybe even more importantly, that Rachel was hers.

She had been so obsessed with wanting someone to love her and Rachel loving her is amazing. But giving her heart so completely to someone, with no desire of ever wanting it back, felt better than anything she could ever have imagined. They held each other’s hearts and that was enough for Quinn.

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Disclaimer: I don’t own Glee

The first thing Quinn did when she woke up was pick up the phone and call Rachel. It rang and rang and rang before going to voicemail. She sighed as she heard Rachel’s angelic voice prompting her to leave a message, so she left one. She never could say ‘no’ to Rachel Berry.

“Hey, Rachel, it’s me…Quinn. I wanted to say that I missed not having you come around to visit me. Everyone else has been here and well, I wanted to see you. To tell you that you shouldn’t blame yourself for what happened. I don’t blame you. So please, come and visit me. That’s what friends do, right?” Quinn took a deep breath and quickly hung up the phone before she said anything she might regret.

The next day, her mother brought her a new cell phone. She had asked for one so she could keep in touch with her friends, and although her mother gave her a strange look she bought her a phone anyway. As much as it pained Judy to give her daughter another phone after what had just happened, she was unable to refuse the request. It was the first time Quinn has spoken to her since she woke up all those weeks ago. And as far as she knew, she didn’t speak much to anyone.

“What friends are you hoping to stay in touch with? I thought all your friends from glee basically moved in here with you.” Judy asked as she handed the phone to her daughter.

“It’s just…well, Rachel.” Quinn answered.

Judy’s mouth fell open and she simply nodded.

“Don’t be like that…when I came out to you this summer; you knew that it meant I was interested in girls.”

Judy raised an eyebrow. “But Rachel? Isn’t she the one who wants to marry that Hudson boy you dated?”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “Yes, mom.”

Her mother frowned before sighing and sitting next to her daughter, she took Quinn’s hand and held it gently. “You’ve been through so much Quinn, more than anyone your age should…”

“Mom.” Quinn said as her voice quivered.

“You deserve happiness Quinnie, I want that for you more than anything.”

“But?”

“But Rachel’s taken, and…I don’t want you to add heartbreak on top of everything else you’ve suffered.”

Quinn forced a sad smile. “I don’t think I can control it mom, you know that.”

Judy wrapped her daughter in a hug and tried to stifle her sobs. Quinn held on tighter, allowing her own tears to fall. She and her mom had gotten closer this summer after Quinn’s meltdown. Well, her first meltdown. Her second came when Shelby arrived with Beth. It had been hard at first, coming out to her mom, but it also felt freeing. And she had planned on coming out to her friends, until the whole Shelby thing happened and shoved her back over the edge.

Then when Santana was forced out of the closet and the entire glee club supported her, it made her nearly shatter. Where was her support? Everyone already knew Santana was gay and Santana was lucky enough to get the girl she loved. Where was Quinn’s happy ending?

And then Karofsky got outed and everyone stood behind him. Kurt even had the balls to tell her that she didn’t understand what it was like; that she didn’t know what hiding oneself or self deprecation or shame felt like. She almost told him off right there, maybe she should have.

Why couldn’t she get the support? Why couldn’t people see inside her soul the way Rachel always seemed to? That’s one of the things she loved about the brunette. No matter what mistakes Quinn had made or what evil acts she was responsible for, Rachel never once judged her. Rachel always tried to get her back in Glee Club and she always reached out to her when no one else did. And that is why she had to be that person for Rachel. She needed to show the girl that she was forever grateful for her. She needed to let the girl know that they were indeed friends, and that Quinn refused to let Rachel remain sad. She pushed her before, trying to make the girl continue to follow her dreams. And she would push her now. She would reach out to Rachel until the girl finally responded.

“Quinn?” Her mother’s voice was heard distantly, and she realized that she was still crying on Judy’s shoulder. “Quinn, honey, where’d you go just now?”

Quinn pulled away from the embrace, and wiped at her eyes. “Just trying to figure out what to say to Rachel.”

Judy nodded her head knowingly before standing from the bed. “Well, I’ll leave you to that while I grab us some lunch. Okay?”

Quinn nodded, though she was already lost in thought and barely paying attention to her mother.

“Oh, and the doctor said that we can get you a wheelchair today. Your casts will be coming off soon and you’ll be discharged in a day or so.”

Quinn was already typing away at the message when Judy silently exited the room.

Rachel, this is Quinn. Mom said that I may be getting discharged soon, so I will be back to school shortly. I’m looking forward to getting back to Glee. We have National’s to prepare for after all.

Quinn sent the message but kept the phone in her hand, praying Rachel would reply. Lunch with her mother came and went and yet no response. After lunch she tried again.

It’s me again. So, I’ll be in a wheelchair for a while and was thinking maybe we could do another wheelchair number like we did sophomore year.

Still no response. After dinner she wrote.

I’m sorry I brought up the wheelchair thing. Remember, it’s not your fault. I want you to know that it’s only temporary, I am Quinn Fabray and I will over come it.

She immediately sent another one.

But if I don’t…we’re still okay, right? I mean, I know we’re all friends with Artie and I feel stupid asking this but you won’t look at me differently if I am in a wheelchair, will you?

Quinn’s tears fell freely as she hit send on her phone. She didn’t want to feel sorry for herself, but it was hard not to. It was hard to imagine that she could never walk again. After recovering from her brief meltdown, she picked up her phone again.

Artie? This is Quinn, and here’s my new number. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I’ll be getting my wheelchair soon and well, do you think we could talk?

The response was immediate.

From Artie: Do you want me to come over now? Or tomorrow after school?

Quinn smiled at herself. She didn’t realize how much she took Artie for granted until that moment. She saved his number and sent a message back.

From Quinn: Tomorrow’s fine. And thank you, in advance.

From Artie: Anytime.

She smiled to herself and was about to set her phone down until it buzzed again.

Quinn, it’s Rachel. I would never look at you differently. You’re perfect.

Quinn was grinning ridiculously when Santana and Brittany walked into the room. Brittany’s whole face lit up when she saw Quinn’s smile, and Santana couldn’t hold back her own relief.

“It’s about time you’re back, Q-tip. We’ve missed you.” Santana stated as she collapsed in the chair beside Quinn’s bed and pulled Brittany down on her lap.

“You see me every day, Santana.” Quinn replied, still looking at her phone message. She quickly saved Rachel’s number in her new phone.

While looking down, she missed the Latina rolling her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Finally tearing her eyes away from the screen, Quinn looked at her friends for the first time since they entered. “I do. And I wanted to say thank you for coming anyway, even though…”

Santana raised her hand to stop Quinn’s apology. “Enough, okay? We’re friends. That’s what friends do.” She stated with finality and Quinn smiled genuinely at her.

“Why were you so happy, Quinn?” Brittany asked with an excited smile.

Quinn took a deep breath and then reverently handed her phone over to the other blonde. Brittany and Santana read the saved message before their eyes shot up to stare at Quinn.

“I knew it!” Santana announced.

Quinn’s brows furrowed in confusion as she took her phone back and traced the message gently with her thumb. “Knew what?”

“That you’re Lebanese.” Brittany replied.

The confusion on Quinn’s face only deepened. “How? When?”

Santana rolled her eyes. “In New York when I was going to suggest a haircut, you assumed I was talking about having sex with you.”

Quinn blushed at the memory.

“And when you sang, ‘Never can say Goodbye’ you may as well have been singing it to Berry. Especially the way you were eye fucking her during your speech at the end.” Santana explained.

The blush on Quinn’s cheeks darkened as she looked anywhere but at her best friends.

“So what are we going to have to do to get you your girl?” Santana asked, forcing the blonde to look at her Latina friend with a raised eyebrow.

Brittany clapped her hands together excitedly. “You and Rachel will be so cute together.”

“As soon as we get her and frankenteen to break up.”

Quinn bit her lip nervously. She had been excited for two whole minutes until she learned that Rachel and Finn were still together. If Rachel was happy with Finn, who was she to stand in the way? She only wanted what’s best for Rachel, and what if it wasn’t her?

“Hey, Q, don’t worry. We’ll handle that part…you just have to work your mojo on the midget.” Santana added when she saw the hopelessness cross Quinn’s face.

The blonde looked back at her friends again. “Do you think…?” She let her question taper off because she didn’t really know what she wanted to ask them.

“Rachel talked to you more in that text message than she has to anyone else since…” Brittany got quiet toward the end of her sentence so Santana finished the thought.

“And it’s Berry so the fact that she isn’t going off on some long ass tangent freaks me the fuck out.”

Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be happy about that, San?”

The Latina grinned devilishly before continuing. “She’s no fun to pick on when she mopes around like someone ate her dog.”

Both Quinn and Brittany’s faces contorted in disgust. Santana shrugged. “You know, cuz she’s vegan.”

Brittany patted the top of Santana’s head, before standing up and approaching Quinn. Quinn grinned at the way Santana growled when Brittany stepped away from her. She desperately wanted what they had.

“I think you can make Rachel happy again, Q.” Brittany said, pointing to the blonde’s phone. “And I think that will make you happy.”

Santana stood from her chair and walked toward Quinn’s bed too. “Let’s face it. If Rachel stays with Finn that will mean she will probably stay in Lima. And we all know she is better than that. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s got talent.”

“Besides, NYADA and Yale are quite close to each other.” Brittany added.

“Who told you that, B?” Quinn asked.

“Kurt. He mentioned it in Glee this afternoon.”

“So are we doing this or what?” Santana asked.

Quinn looked at her friends, the phone in her hands, and then back at her friends. “We’re doing it.”

Chapter 7

Quinn had been floating on cloud 9 since Rachel kissed her last night. She hadn’t gotten up the nerve to call or text Rachel, and the brunette hadn’t been heard from since the kiss. Finally, after dinner, Quinn anxiously made her way to the Berry house. She was carrying a dozen red roses and happily humming a love song when she rang the doorbell. It took several minutes for the door to finally open, revealing the petite brunette.

Quinn smiled nervously as she thrust the bouquet toward Rachel. Her smile vanished immediately when she noticed the look on Rachel’s face. “Rach, what’s wrong?”

Rachel’s big brown eyes were red-rimmed and tears were freely falling down her cheeks. Her chin was quivering as a sob escaped her lips. “Oh Quinn!” She cried out and collapsed as soon as her arms were around the blonde.

Quinn quickly tossed the flowers and held Rachel tightly. She rubbed circles on the girl’s lower back, trying to calm her to no avail. “Shhh, Rach. Don’t cry, just please…talk to me.”

“Quinn…D-Daddy’s sick. The test results came in and he’s…they don’t think he’ll make it.”

Quinn’s eyes began to water. “Slow down Rachel.” She tried to process the words but it was difficult because they came out in broken sobs. “Your Daddy…?”

“He’s dying Quinn.” Rachel barely whispered. “Cancer…they gave him six months.”

Quinn’s whole body stiffened. She held Rachel tighter, but her mind was reeling. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.” She whispered. “What have I done?”

Rachel pulled away, sniffling, and looked at her. “What are you talking about? It’s Cancer, you didn’t do anything.”

Quinn swallowed slowly, her gaze not leaving Rachel’s.

“Quinn? What’s going on?” Rachel’s voice went from broken to demanding.

Quinn looked away, unable to find the words.

“What’s up with you, lately? First, you confess your love to me when you were drunk…” Quinn’s face paled at the revelation, but Rachel continued. “Then you said something about another Quinn and at the party, Rory called you Aunt Quinn. Plus, I swear Harmony and you have something going on.”

“There’s nothing going on with me and Harmony.” Quinn replied, unable to address the rest of Rachel’s accusations.

Rachel’s eyes narrowed. “You know what? If you don’t want to talk to me, then just leave.”

She shoved Quinn away from her and walked inside the house, slamming the door behind her. Quinn stared at her retreating figure in shock. She never moved from her position, she just collapsed on the ground in tears. As the sun went down and it got colder outside, she still didn’t move. “Quinn?” Michael Berry was standing in the doorway. “Why don’t I drive you home?”

He leaned down to help Quinn up, and walked her to his car. “You can pick up your car tomorrow; it’ll give you another excuse to talk to Rachel.”

She simply nodded, and allowed him to lead her away. When they were in his car, and the heat was on, Quinn found her voice. “I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.”

“Rachel’s taking it hard, Quinn; she’ll need someone to help her through it.”

His voice was calm and soothing and all she could think was how he didn’t deserve to die.

“You two will work it out, I’m sure of it.” He assured her when she remained silent.

Quinn sighed. “If it were Jeremiah who was sick…if you knew that you would lose him. Would you still take the chance with him at the risk of breaking your own heart when he’s gone?”

Michael furrowed his brows and frowned at the girl. “There is nothing I would do differently in my life Quinn. I have loved and appreciated every minute with Jeremiah, and with Rachel. And I would do it all over again, if I could.”

“What would you give for more time? I mean if you could? Would you sell your soul?”

Michael laughed at Quinn’s dramatics. “You sound like Rachel. No need to be so dramatic Quinn. I may be dying, but we all are. Aren’t we? I’m not dead yet.”

Quinn looked closely at the man. So much of who he is was imbedded in his daughter. “I love Rachel, with everything I have. And I don’t want to lose her.”

“Then fight for her.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “But what if my fighting for her hurts other people?”

He quirked at eyebrow. Surely Finn Hudson would get over it. “Don’t they say that it’s all fair in love and war?”

Quinn smiled sadly and nodded. “I guess so.”

He reached over and touched her shaking hands. “She cares about you, Quinn, more than anything. I can see it in the way she looks at you. And I can assure you that she is worth the fight. And not just because she’s my daughter, but she is an amazing young woman who anyone would be lucky to have.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

When she got home, she left a frantic message for Harmony who dragged Sugar along with her.

“You said it was an emergency, and it better be this time because if this is about how you’re still too chicken to admit that you guys are in love with each other then…” Harmony’s rant was cut off by the sight of Quinn’s silent tears. She rushed to the blonde and held her in her arms. “What happened? Please tell me Rachel is okay.”

Quinn nodded as she sobbed loudly. Sugar looked on helplessly. They had to wait until Quinn’s cries quieted to a whimper and she was able to speak a few words. “We changed everything. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.”

“What are you talking about Quinn?” Harmony asked with worry lacing her whispered words.

“Rachel’s Daddy. Michael Berry is dying.”

“Grandpa?” Harmony asked unsteadily. Tears already forming in her eyes. “How? Why?”

Sugar sighed. “We’re changing the future by being here and it’s affecting their present. My mom was worried about this.”

“What else are we changing by being here?” Harmony asked frantically. “What if Rachel dies sooner than before…I won’t even be born then.”

Quinn sobs even louder.

“I think we should read the rest of the letters we were given. You have another one Quinn, and I think we should go to Brittany and see what hers said. Maybe there’s an answer to fix this.” Sugar offered.

“They gave him six months, the kind of Cancer he has is inoperable. There isn’t a way to fix this.”

Harmony was as lost as Quinn was. And after several moments of awkward silence, the blonde finally spoke. “We also have to tell Rachel. Right now she thinks I’m hiding stuff from her.”

“You kind of are.” Sugar quipped.

Harmony shot her girlfriend a glare. “Not helping.”

“Sorry.”

Harmony looked back at Quinn and questioned her quietly. “Do you think it’s for the best? Telling her? Wouldn’t that have a greater impact on this timeline?”

“Maybe if she is aware of the threat, that she dies in your timeline, maybe she’ll be careful.” Quinn offers, but she doesn’t sound convinced herself.

“And telling her will make things better between the two of you?” Sugar asked with a raised brow.

Quinn shrugged. “Could it really make it worse? She shoved me away and told me to leave.”

“I say we go to Brittany and get her letter. Then we read the one you wrote yourself…you know what I mean. And then, if we don’t have any other choice…we tell Rachel everything.” Sugar suggested.

“I want to tell her.” Harmony said with finality. “Whether as a last choice or not…I want her to know.”

Quinn nodded. “We tell Rachel everything. But first, do you have my letter?”

“Not with me. What? You sort of called out of the blue and Harmony and I were…busy.”

Quinn narrowed her eyes at Sugar and looked at Harmony who was blushing. She shook her head. “Fine. Bring the letter tomorrow, and then we talk to Rachel.”

“What about my mom?” Sugar almost whined.

“Let’s fix what’s already broken before we make another mess, okay?” Quinn said, though it wasn’t a question. “Bring Rory and the letter tomorrow. Oh, and a keyboard.”

Harmony and Sugar looked at Quinn in confusion. The blonde rolled her eyes. “We have to get her to talk to me first, which means we’re serenading her.”

Harmony smiled and Sugar begrudgingly smirked. “Fine, we’ll bring everything. Any idea what you want to sing?”

“I know exactly what we’re singing. And I assure you, it’ll get us in the door.” Quinn said with a smile gracing her features for the first time since everything happened.

I don’t own glee

Chapter 7

Quinn had been floating on cloud 9 since Rachel kissed her last night. She hadn’t gotten up the nerve to call or text Rachel, and the brunette hadn’t been heard from since the kiss. Finally, after dinner, Quinn anxiously made her way to the Berry house. She was carrying a dozen red roses and happily humming a love song when she rang the doorbell. It took several minutes for the door to finally open, revealing the petite brunette.

Quinn smiled nervously as she thrust the bouquet toward Rachel. Her smile vanished immediately when she noticed the look on Rachel’s face. “Rach, what’s wrong?”

Rachel’s big brown eyes were red-rimmed and tears were freely falling down her cheeks. Her chin was quivering as a sob escaped her lips. “Oh Quinn!” She cried out and collapsed as soon as her arms were around the blonde.

Quinn quickly tossed the flowers and held Rachel tightly. She rubbed circles on the girl’s lower back, trying to calm her to no avail. “Shhh, Rach. Don’t cry, just please…talk to me.”

“Quinn…D-Daddy’s sick. The test results came in and he’s…they don’t think he’ll make it.”

Quinn’s eyes began to water. “Slow down Rachel.” She tried to process the words but it was difficult because they came out in broken sobs. “Your Daddy…?”

“He’s dying Quinn.” Rachel barely whispered. “Cancer…they gave him six months.”

Quinn’s whole body stiffened. She held Rachel tighter, but her mind was reeling. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.” She whispered. “What have I done?”

Rachel pulled away, sniffling, and looked at her. “What are you talking about? It’s Cancer, you didn’t do anything.”

Quinn swallowed slowly, her gaze not leaving Rachel’s.

“Quinn? What’s going on?” Rachel’s voice went from broken to demanding.

Quinn looked away, unable to find the words.

“What’s up with you, lately? First, you confess your love to me when you were drunk…” Quinn’s face paled at the revelation, but Rachel continued. “Then you said something about another Quinn and at the party, Rory called you Aunt Quinn. Plus, I swear Harmony and you have something going on.”

“There’s nothing going on with me and Harmony.” Quinn replied, unable to address the rest of Rachel’s accusations.

Rachel’s eyes narrowed. “You know what? If you don’t want to talk to me, then just leave.”

She shoved Quinn away from her and walked inside the house, slamming the door behind her. Quinn stared at her retreating figure in shock. She never moved from her position, she just collapsed on the ground in tears. As the sun went down and it got colder outside, she still didn’t move. “Quinn?” Michael Berry was standing in the doorway. “Why don’t I drive you home?”

He leaned down to help Quinn up, and walked her to his car. “You can pick up your car tomorrow; it’ll give you another excuse to talk to Rachel.”

She simply nodded, and allowed him to lead her away. When they were in his car, and the heat was on, Quinn found her voice. “I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.”

“Rachel’s taking it hard, Quinn; she’ll need someone to help her through it.”

His voice was calm and soothing and all she could think was how he didn’t deserve to die.

“You two will work it out, I’m sure of it.” He assured her when she remained silent.

Quinn sighed. “If it were Jeremiah who was sick…if you knew that you would lose him. Would you still take the chance with him at the risk of breaking your own heart when he’s gone?”

Michael furrowed his brows and frowned at the girl. “There is nothing I would do differently in my life Quinn. I have loved and appreciated every minute with Jeremiah, and with Rachel. And I would do it all over again, if I could.”

“What would you give for more time? I mean if you could? Would you sell your soul?”

Michael laughed at Quinn’s dramatics. “You sound like Rachel. No need to be so dramatic Quinn. I may be dying, but we all are. Aren’t we? I’m not dead yet.”

Quinn looked closely at the man. So much of who he is was imbedded in his daughter. “I love Rachel, with everything I have. And I don’t want to lose her.”

“Then fight for her.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “But what if my fighting for her hurts other people?”

He quirked at eyebrow. Surely Finn Hudson would get over it. “Don’t they say that it’s all fair in love and war?”

Quinn smiled sadly and nodded. “I guess so.”

He reached over and touched her shaking hands. “She cares about you, Quinn, more than anything. I can see it in the way she looks at you. And I can assure you that she is worth the fight. And not just because she’s my daughter, but she is an amazing young woman who anyone would be lucky to have.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

When she got home, she left a frantic message for Harmony who dragged Sugar along with her.

“You said it was an emergency, and it better be this time because if this is about how you’re still too chicken to admit that you guys are in love with each other then…” Harmony’s rant was cut off by the sight of Quinn’s silent tears. She rushed to the blonde and held her in her arms. “What happened? Please tell me Rachel is okay.”

Quinn nodded as she sobbed loudly. Sugar looked on helplessly. They had to wait until Quinn’s cries quieted to a whimper and she was able to speak a few words. “We changed everything. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.”

“What are you talking about Quinn?” Harmony asked with worry lacing her whispered words.

“Rachel’s Daddy. Michael Berry is dying.”

“Grandpa?” Harmony asked unsteadily. Tears already forming in her eyes. “How? Why?”

Sugar sighed. “We’re changing the future by being here and it’s affecting their present. My mom was worried about this.”

“What else are we changing by being here?” Harmony asked frantically. “What if Rachel dies sooner than before…I won’t even be born then.”

Quinn sobs even louder.

“I think we should read the rest of the letters we were given. You have another one Quinn, and I think we should go to Brittany and see what hers said. Maybe there’s an answer to fix this.” Sugar offered.

“They gave him six months, the kind of Cancer he has is inoperable. There isn’t a way to fix this.”

Harmony was as lost as Quinn was. And after several moments of awkward silence, the blonde finally spoke. “We also have to tell Rachel. Right now she thinks I’m hiding stuff from her.”

“You kind of are.” Sugar quipped.

Harmony shot her girlfriend a glare. “Not helping.”

“Sorry.”

Harmony looked back at Quinn and questioned her quietly. “Do you think it’s for the best? Telling her? Wouldn’t that have a greater impact on this timeline?”

“Maybe if she is aware of the threat, that she dies in your timeline, maybe she’ll be careful.” Quinn offers, but she doesn’t sound convinced herself.

“And telling her will make things better between the two of you?” Sugar asked with a raised brow.

Quinn shrugged. “Could it really make it worse? She shoved me away and told me to leave.”

“I say we go to Brittany and get her letter. Then we read the one you wrote yourself…you know what I mean. And then, if we don’t have any other choice…we tell Rachel everything.” Sugar suggested.

“I want to tell her.” Harmony said with finality. “Whether as a last choice or not…I want her to know.”

Quinn nodded. “We tell Rachel everything. But first, do you have my letter?”

“Not with me. What? You sort of called out of the blue and Harmony and I were…busy.”

Quinn narrowed her eyes at Sugar and looked at Harmony who was blushing. She shook her head. “Fine. Bring the letter tomorrow, and then we talk to Rachel.”

“What about my mom?” Sugar almost whined.

“Let’s fix what’s already broken before we make another mess, okay?” Quinn said, though it wasn’t a question. “Bring Rory and the letter tomorrow. Oh, and a keyboard.”

Harmony and Sugar looked at Quinn in confusion. The blonde rolled her eyes. “We have to get her to talk to me first, which means we’re serenading her.”

Harmony smiled and Sugar begrudgingly smirked. “Fine, we’ll bring everything. Any idea what you want to sing?”

“I know exactly what we’re singing. And I assure you, it’ll get us in the door.” Quinn said with a smile gracing her features for the first time since everything happened.

Disclaimer: I don’t own glee, NYADA, Yale, Star of David, Xbox, or any movies mentioned or the idea of time travel

Chapter 4

Sugar approached Quinn at her locker. “Harmony told me we get to plan a surprise party for Rachel! I am so excited!” She announced clapping her hands together.

She looked decidedly more like Brittany today than Santana, which amused Quinn to no end. She smiled at the girl. “We can’t get too carried away, but I want it to be perfect.”

Sugar nodded. Then her face became serious. “She also told me about Finn.” Sugar studied her intently, her eyes narrowed in concentration. “You chose him to try to save his life didn’t you? All this time, fighting over him with Rachel.”

Quinn nodded imperceptibly. “I figured if I had to stay away from Rachel to save her, I might as well make it worth it by saving Finn as well. Keeping him with me, here in Lima and out of the service.”

Sugar smiled brightly. “You’re not as selfish as people think you are.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. That was such a Santana thing to say. “Sugar?”

“Huh?”

“Do you understand what it means? Changing the future?”

Sugar’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion at first before realization crossed her features. She nodded with a frown. “My mom, Brittany, she told me before I came back here. I know that things could change for me.”

“You were the only one happy, it seems. Rory and Harmony have their own reasons to want things to change. But you…you could lose it all.”

Sugar smiled. “You went through time for the girl you loved, Quinn. I’m just doing the same thing.”

Quinn smiled in response. “You’re doing it for Harmony?”

The brunette nodded. “I’d do anything for her, and she wanted this so bad.”

Sadness overwhelmed Quinn’s features. “But I could be getting my happy ending, and this could ruin yours. She won’t remember this, neither of you will remember anything.”

Hope appeared on the brunette’s face. “That just means that we’ll get to fall in love all over again, like you and Rachel.”

Quinn couldn’t contain the smile that spread across her lips. Her eyes sparkled with the hope that Sugar was filled with. “Falling in love…it truly is magical isn’t it?”

Sugar rolled her eyes at the dopey expression on the blonde’s face.

After a moment or two of silence, Quinn’s eyes softened even more as she addressed the girl in front of her. “Where is Harmony living?”

Sugar’s eyes widened just a little, Quinn hadn’t noticed it. “You care about her.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement that was shocking in its simplicity. The brunette smiled. “You…the other Quinn, set everything up. Both Harmony and I are staying with some contacts she made while she was here. They were two of my mom’s…Brittany’s professors. They helped her create the time machine. They are the only other people who know the truth about everything.”

Quinn nodded thoughtfully. “So how much of everything that’s been happening this year was a plan?”

Sugar smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “You listen here Sugar…”

She was interrupted by the booming laughter of Sugar’s voice echoing through the hallway. “Relax Quinn. Look, I wanted to guarantee myself a happy ending, so I had to get my parents together the way they did back then. Or in my timeline or whatever. They didn’t get together until Mami…Santana came out of the closet. And this version of her was so damn stubborn.” She paused with a smile when she could have sworn that Quinn was about to scold her for her language. Shaking her head, she continued. “She needed a bit of a push. I thought that if they were separated and forced to spend a lot of time alone together that they would get closer. And I sort of pushed her out of the closet.”

Quinn regarded the girl incredulously. “That was you!”

Sugar nodded proudly. Realization drew across Quinn’s face. “You really can sing can’t you?”

Sugar nodded again. “I inherited Brittany’s voice rather than the sultry voice I wish I could have had. But yes, I am adequate.”

Quinn’s eyebrow lifted. “Then I trust you won’t be needing anymore singing lessons with Rachel.”

Sugar grinned evilly. “Come on, you don’t like the competition?”

“Eww. Just don’t.” Quinn nearly gagged at the thought.

Before Quinn could reprimand the girl anymore, Sugar smiled brightly. “You know, I really like this version of you a lot better than the other one. She had a stick permanently stuck up her…”

“Okay, I get it.” Quinn growled, cutting her off.

Sugar giggled before wrapping Quinn in a warm hug. “What are you doing?” Quinn asked uneasily.

“You’ll thank me later.” Sugar chirped as she released her hold on the blonde and skipped away.

Quinn watched her bemused and completely dumbfounded.

“Since when did you and Sugar get so close?” Rachel’s voice cut through Quinn’s confusion induced haze.

The blonde’s head tilted to the side to take in the small diva. Quinn tried her best to suppress the smirk that threatened to make an appearance at the sound of jealousy in Rachel’s voice. “Sugar’s just…Sugar.”

Rachel nodded as if that explained everything. Because it actually did.

“So, I wanted to thank you again for dinner last night. I would have texted you but I didn’t want to seem clingy and annoying.”

Quinn grinned at Rachel’s sudden shyness. She placed a delicate hand on Rachel’s forearm and immediately shuddered at the contact. She prayed it wasn’t noticeable. “I don’t think you could ever annoy me Rach…”

The incredulous look that adorned the brunette’s face made Quinn smile with an exaggerated eye roll. She amended her statement. “You can text me whenever you want Rachel, I promise I won’t mind.”

Rachel’s face beamed at the sentiment of Quinn’s words. “Really?”

Quinn squeezed her hand gently against Rachel’s arm, as a form a reassurance. “Really. We’re friends after all, and that’s what friends do.” She dropped her voice conspiratorially. “Or so I’ve heard.”

Rachel nodded and stepped a bit closer to Quinn, causing the blonde’s breathing to become shallow. “I guess we are still learning…in regards to this friends thing. Like, would it be acceptable to hug you in greeting or…”

“Hugging is always acceptable.” Quinn breathed out, cursing herself with how husky she sounded.

Rachel nodded. “Okay, so texting consistently and hugging…how about movie nights and slumber parties?”

Quinn bit her lip, but tried to pass it off as her ‘thinking’ face. “I guess I could deal with that.” She smirked.

Rachel smiled back. “I was hoping you’d say that! I wanted to invite you over Saturday night to spend the night at my house. Since we’re spending Sunday together for my birthday anyway.”

All Quinn heard was spend the night and everything else went silent. A whole night alone with Rachel. She idly wondered if cuddling was something that friends do. If not, maybe she could encourage Rachel to partake in the activity anyway. Then suddenly her face dropped. She was planning a party for Rachel on Saturday, they wouldn’t be alone. Her brows furrowed at the thought. Well maybe if she kicked their friends out early, she could still get some alone time to seduce the brunette into cuddling with her.

“Oh…I understand if you don’t want to. It is the Saturday before Christmas after all.”

Quinn registered Rachel’s lips moving, suddenly very aware of their proximity and the fact that Rachel’s lips were amazing. She further bit down on her lip, a bit too hard because she’s pretty sure she just drew blood. “Dammit!”

Rachel jumped back, and Quinn immediately tried to rectify the situation. She stepped closer, gripping Rachel’s arm tightly. “Sorry…I just bit…my lip.” Quinn internally groaned at how stupid she sounded. But figured she probably looked worse. She sighed. “I was going over my schedule in my head and it’s actually quite free, if the invitation still stands.”

Rachel smiled warily. “Are you sure, because when I was taking to you, you didn’t seem too…interested.”

If only Quinn could shout that she was more than interested, but instead she smiled gently and answered best she could. “It’s just, I wanted to get you something and I was planning on shopping for it on Saturday.” That’s a good lie, right?

Rachel’s whole face lit up. “Quinn, you don’t have to get me anything. I was excited to be spending time with you, that’s enough.”

“It’s your 18th birthday Rach, I want it to be special.”

Rachel jumped into Quinn, wrapping her arms tightly around the girl. Although Quinn was initially startled, she returned the hug quickly. Smiling contently into it.

The bell sounded and brought both girls back to reality. They broke apart hesitantly. Rachel nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she looked at Quinn. “Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”

Quinn smiled shyly back at her. “Yeah, I’ll see you.”

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Rachel had been practicing in the auditorium after school that afternoon. She wanted to perform a song for glee before school let out for the break. After stopping at her locker, she walked down the nearly empty hallway. She came to a dead stop when she saw Harmony walking toward her.

“Harmony? What are you doing here?” Rachel asked curiously.

“Just meeting with the guidance counselor. I am enrolling here come the new year.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes at the girl. “Planning on joining glee?”

Harmony smiled but remained silent.

“I know you’re talented but don’t expect me to just hand over my solos.”

Harmony laughed out loud.

“I’m serious. I already gave up a few opportunities during competitions to get Santana, Brittany and Mercedes back.”

Harmony’s laughter stopped as she studied the girl in front of her. “Why?”

Rachel shrugged. “They’re my friends and…Quinn made a very compelling argument.”

Harmony fought back the smirk. “You did it for Quinn?”

Rachel shuffled her feet anxiously. Looking everywhere but at the blue eyes that bore into her. “I’ll do anything for my friends.”

“Like cheat?” Harmony allowed the smirk to appear.

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Yes, perhaps I should learn to say no.”

Harmony shook her head. “No, they are good qualities to have. Loyalty and selflessness.”

Rachel smirked back. “No one’s ever called me selfless before.”

“Not even Quinn?”

Rachel looked at the girl in front of her. She sighed. “So, why are you transferring? Is it to compete, because that sounds like something I would do.”

Harmony smiled wide. “As enticing as that concept is, I have my own reasons.”

Rachel waited for Harmony to elaborate but she never did. “Oh, well then on the behalf of New Directions I welcome you!” She replied cheerily.

Harmony smiled genuinely. “Thanks.” She ducked her head shyly which seemed uncharacteristic of her.

Rachel stepped closer, taking the girl’s hand in hers. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I really am looking forward to us inspiring each other. I think that with you in glee, we can win Nationals because I know you have my work ethic and cutthroat mentality so we will push each other harder than ever before.”

Harmony nodded, squeezing Rachel’s hand in hers. She tried to even out her breathing. She wanted this so badly it hurt. “I’d really like the chance to…start over.”

Rachel bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly. “I’m going to hug you now.” She didn’t wait for Harmony’s response before embracing the girl tightly.

Harmony returned the hug with a sigh. A sad smile gracing her red lips. They held each other in a comfortable embrace for several minutes before Rachel pulled away. “Well, in case I don’t see you until the holidays are over, I hope you have a Happy Hanukah and a Merry Christmas!”

Harmony’s smile faltered. “Right. Okay. You too…Happy Holidays.” She tried to sound as enthusiastic as Rachel but she knew she wasn’t successful.

Rachel smiled back before dismissing herself and leaving Harmony standing alone in the hallway. Harmony took a deep breath, releasing it as she trembled. She rapidly blinked her eyes but the tears came anyway. She was so close to getting everything she ever wanted but suddenly that didn’t seem like enough. She vowed right there that she would do whatever it took to spend the holidays with Rachel. She nodded resolutely to herself before stomping out the doors of McKinley.

Chapter 3:

            The next day just before lunch, Rory approached Finn.

            “Hey, Finn.”  Rory smiled as the tall boy acknowledged him with a smile of his own.  “I was hoping you could tell me a little about this football game you play, I just realized that it was not the game I was thinking it was.”

            Finn looked confused but smiled anyway.  “I would love to talk about football, but I think Rachel’s waiting for me so we can have lunch together.”

            “No, she’s in the choir room giving Sugar singing lessons.”

            Finn frowned.  “Oh.  I guess she needs the practice.”

            “So you’ll tell me about football?”

            “Yeah, sure.”  They started walking.  “You don’t think Rachel’s cheating on me, do you?”

            “With Sugar?”  Rory asked sounding disbelieving.

            “No, it’s just…she canceled on tonight’s date as well.”

            “Maybe she’s mad you’re missing her birthday.”

            Finn’s eyes widened.  “When’s her birthday?”

            Rory shook his head and stared at the boy incredulously.  “Seriously Finn, if you are dating the girl maybe you should have paid a bit more attention.  Perhaps, the two of you are just growing apart.”

            Finn nodded before looking back down at Rory.  “Should I do something big for her birthday then, since I missed it?”

            “I think that if it bothered her, she would have said something and you should just pretend like nothing happened.”

            Finn smiled, he liked the sound of that.  Why pick a fight and get yelled at?  Angry Rachel was as terrifying as Scary Quinn sometimes. 

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            Sugar and Rachel had been practicing in the choir room.  “You really are sounding much better, Sugar.”

            Sugar smiled.  “How hard is it for you not to say that you think I suck?”

            “I…ah…”

            Sugar laughed.  “It’s okay, Rachel.”  She moved closer to the diva, and placed a hand on the girl’s arm.  “I feel like I am getting better, so thank you.”

            “You’re welcome.  And Sugar, I wanted to apologize for dismissing you earlier when you first wanted to join glee.  It was wrong to keep people out, especially since glee has always been the place where everyone should belong.”

            Sugar took a deep breath, releasing it as she moved closer to Rachel.  She tried to kiss the girl, but Rachel stepped away.  “Sugar, I’m with Finn.”

            “You can do better than him, Rachel.”

            Rachel sighed.  “Even so, it wouldn’t be fair to cheat on him.”

            “Even so?  Meaning you know that he isn’t good enough for you?  Then why settle?”

            “I don’t want to be alone.”  Rachel suddenly looked sad.  “Look, I know he isn’t the best boyfriend.  He just bought me a dead pig for Christmas.  Well, not dead yet I have to fatten it up before it can feed a family or something.  Who gets a Jewish Vegan a pig for Christmas?”

            Sugar laughed out loud at the audacity of it.  Shaking her head, she replied.  “Maybe he’ll do better for your birthday.”

            “He won’t even be in town for my birthday, not that he remembers it.”

            “So, is being disappointed by him all the time really better than being alone?”

            Rachel smiled sadly before shrugging.  Sugar stepped closer and reached out toward Rachel.  Rachel stepped back again.  “I can’t, Sugar.”

            “If it’s not really about Finn…is it because you’re straight?”  Sugar asked.

            “I’m not straight, exactly.  I mean, it’s just…I believe in falling in love with the person not the gender.”

            “So you’re bi.”

            “I don’t subscribe to labels.”

            Sugar rolled her eyes.  When the bell rang signaling the end of lunch, Rachel grabbed her things and was out of the room quickly.  So quickly, she nearly ran into Quinn.

            “Whoa, slow down.”  The blonde smiled when she saw who nearly knocked her over.

            “Sorry, Quinn.”  Rachel replied, looking distracted and a bit distraught.

            Quinn reached out and grabbed Rachel’s wrist, stopping the brunette’s quick getaway.  “What’s wrong?  Did Finn do something, because I’ll kill him?!”

            Rachel smiled at the growl Quinn let out with her question.  “No, I’m fine.”

            “You’re not fine, Rachel.”

            Rachel sighed.  “Sugar was hitting on me.”

            Quinn’s eyes narrowed.  “You can’t be serious.”

            “She tried to kiss me.”

            “Oh, God!”  Quinn groaned.

            Rachel pulled away from Quinn’s grasp.  “I gotta go.  I’ll see you in glee?”

            Quinn nodded absentmindedly as she watched Rachel walk away, then out of the corner of her eye she saw Sugar walk out of the choir room.  She barreled into the girl, shoving her back into the empty room.

            “What the hell were you thinking?  Kissing Rachel? That is wrong on so many levels, not to mention you have a girlfriend.”

            “Relax Q.”  Sugar smirked.

            Quinn arched an eyebrow.

            “Fine, Auntie Q.”

            Quinn’s eyes narrowed as she snarled at the girl.  “You’re such a little…Santana.”

            “Look, Rory and I were enacting our plan.  We’re driving a wedge between the two.  And as much as it may have been fun to kiss her…I did find out some good intel.”

            Quinn remained silent, scowl fully in place.  Sugar shook her head with a smirk before continuing.  “Rachel’s not happy with Finn; she knows she’s just settling.  Besides, I found out that she’s bi.”

            A small, hopeful smile appeared on the blonde’s face.  “So, I do have a chance.”

            “I’d say more than a good one.  I just received a text from Rory telling me that Finn thinks Rachel’s cheating on him because she canceled their date tonight.  You know, in favor of you taking her to dinner.”

            Quinn smiled widely.  “She told me she was free when I asked her.”

            “Well, she is now.”

            “She lied to Finn to go out with me.”  Quinn was smiling widely as she walked away.

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As soon as Rachel walked into glee, Sugar pulled her along to sit between her and Quinn, while Rory was sitting next to (and distracting) Finn. 

Rachel turned toward the blonde.  “I am so sorry for how I treated you after lunch; I had a lot on my mind.”

Quinn smiled at the brunette.  “It’s no problem Rachel.  Are we still on for tonight, though?”

“Yes, of course.  That is if you still wanted to.”

Quinn rested her hand over top of Rachel’s.  “I do.”

Rachel looked down at their hands, blushing as she looked back at Quinn.  “Okay.  Tonight.”

While they were in glee, Quinn was watching Sugar and Rory interact with each other and “their parents.”  She couldn’t believe how she missed it before.  Rory watched Kurt and Blaine with a sense of longing.  And when Kurt did try to converse with the boy, Rory suddenly became shy.  It was rather adorable to Quinn. 

On the other hand, Sugar was friends with Brittany and Santana.  Quinn briefly wondered if it had to do with them all being in the Troubletones together which made her wonder if starting that group was Sugar’s plan to get to know her moms.  It sounded almost brilliant, and Quinn didn’t put it past the girl.  After hearing about hers and Rory’s little scheme today, she would never underestimate that girl again. 

After glee, Quinn slowly gathered her things in hopes that she and Rachel would be left alone in the room.  But Finn had the same idea.

“Rach, hey can we talk?”  Finn said approaching the girls.

Rachel stood from her seat and walked toward Finn.  “Sure, what is it?”

Quinn strained to hear, but tried to be subtle about her eavesdropping.

            “I’m sorry about missing your birthday; I wanted to take you out to celebrate.”

            Rachel frowned at the boy.  “You didn’t miss my birthday…yet.”

            “Then why are you mad at me?”

            Rachel huffed.  “You bought me a dead pig for Christmas Finn.”

            “It isn’t dead yet.  I told you…”

            “A pig, Finn.”

            Finn frowned, not understanding.  “Look, it’s not like you’re eating it.”

            Rachel’s eyes narrowed dangerously.  “Just because I’m not the one eating it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t go against my beliefs.”

            “But when I fed you meat on our date…you liked it.”  His mouth snapped shut when he realized his mistake and saw the fury in Rachel’s brown eyes.

            “You what?  You told me it was fake meat.”

            “I panicked.  I forgot you were vegan and…”

            “You forgot?!”  Rachel performed a perfect diva storm out, leaving Finn standing in the middle of the choir room.

            “You’re an ass, Hudson.”  Quinn snarled as she grabbed Rachel’s belongings along with her own and followed the diva out of the room.

            “Rachel wait!”  Quinn called, causing the brunette to stop instantly. 

            Quinn hurried up to her.  As she handed the girl her stuff, she said.  “You forgot these.”

            “Thanks, Quinn.”  She took the items and looked nervously at the girl.  “You probably think I’m pathetic.”

            “Why?”

            A look of surprise flashed across Rachel’s face.  “I thought for sure you’d tell me I overreacted.”

            “You most certainly did not.  What he did was insensitive.”

            Rachel nodded. 

            “Are you ready to go?”  Quinn asked when silence became stifling.

            Rachel beamed.  “You still want to?”

            A blonde eyebrow quirked playfully.  “You sound like you’re still trying to ditch me.”

            Rachel’s eyes widened comically as she stumbled over her words.  “No! I…not…it wasn’t my intention&hellip%3

Chapter 1

After Sectionals, Rory, Sugar and Harmony met up at Harmony’s house. They hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time together since they arrived in September. They had been too busy setting up their new identities. Harmony was pacing back and forth in her living room, ranting as Sugar and Rory listened patiently.

“She didn’t even perform! I came back in time to meet her and hoped I could see her doing what Ma always said she did best and I didn’t even get to see her perform!” She looked pointedly at her friends. “She cheated! I still don’t understand it, that wasn’t supposed to happen! Us being here is changing things. We were supposed to change the future not their present.” She nearly stomped her foot but settled for a pout before collapsing on the couch and allowing Sugar to wrap her arms around her.

“We are changing things, but isn’t that what we wanted? I mean, who cares as long as it saves her life in the end? Right?” Rory asked with compassion.

“And Harmony, she made a mistake but she did it out of loyalty to a friend. Either one of us would have done the same. It doesn’t make her a bad person.” Sugar tried to comfort her girlfriend as she held her closer.

Harmony sighed. “It’s just, I always heard so many stories about how amazing she is and how perfect and…”

Sugar smiled, kissed the top of Harmony’s head and replied. “She is a great person, everyone in glee adores her. You should transfer to McKinley and get to know her.”

Harmony sat up quickly, looking hopefully into Sugar’s eyes. “Could I? I thought we had to wait?”

“We gave Quinn her first letter, and she and Rachel seemed friendly when we were singing in the auditorium earlier.” Rory offered.

“Let’s just give Quinn another letter, push things a little faster.” Sugar suggested.

“How?” Harmony asked with a raised eyebrow that looked eerily like Quinn’s.

“I’ll drop it in Quinn’s mailbox on my way home tonight.” Rory said with a smile. “And Puck’s having a New Year’s Eve party, so we have to get you into our group before then so you can join us.”

“Rachel’s birthday is next week; I want to spend time with her…somehow.” Harmony said, sadness lacing her words.

“I’ll have to find a way to get the glee kids to throw a party; we can work to get Quinn and Rachel closer…which means we also have to find a way to break Finn and Rachel up.” Sugar said excitedly, she always loved scheming which she knew she inherited from her Mami Santana.

She was good at scheming too, she leaked the information about Santana being a lesbian so her Mami would finally be out and proud and she and her Mom Brittany could be happy and together. She also hoped that in doing so, she’d break up Finn and Rachel but Finn stepped up and actually made Santana feel better so she had some more planning to do.

From Brittany she inherited her love of parties, and so she was going to help plan Rachel’s 18th birthday party. First she had to become best friends with the girl, should be easy enough right?

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The next day in school, Quinn approached Rachel at her locker. “Morning Rach!”

The brunette looked at the blonde and smiled brightly. “Good morning Quinn!”

“So, I was wondering…since we’re sort of friends.” She said with a smile. “Wanna grab some coffee after glee today?”

“I’d love to, Quinn.”

Quinn stayed standing in front of Rachel, unable to will herself to leave.

“Quinn?” Rachel asked with concern as she leaned forward and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

The blonde snapped out of her own thoughts and smiled at the brunette. She rested her hand on top of Rachel’s. “I’m fine, Rachel.”

“How’s the Yale application going?”

“Already sent it in.”

Rachel nodded. “And you’re nervous? You shouldn’t be, you’re very smart and I’m sure whatever you wrote in your essay will show that you have been through adversity and came out better on the other side.”

Quinn felt a tug at her heart; she forced a smile even though all she wanted to do was confess her soul to the brunette. Rachel must have been able to sense Quinn’s internal struggle.

“I’m going to hug you now, okay?” Rachel asked in a soft tone, Quinn only nodded before Rachel’s arms wrapped around her.

Quinn took a deep, shaky breath as Rachel’s arms encompassed her waist. They felt stronger than they looked, and having the brunette hold her felt perfect. She inhaled the scent of the girl’s shampoo but tried not to seem too creepy about it. Finally, before Rachel could pull away, she wrapped her arms around the smaller girl’s neck and pulled her closer.

Rory and Sugar noticed the embrace from down the hall. They took a photo with their phones and the girl shot Harmony a text with the picture attached.

Quinn sat next to Rachel in glee as they chatted about their upcoming plans. Sugar listened intently as the two girls in front of her discussed going to the Lima Bean. After glee, Sugar approached Rachel. Quinn stayed behind to listen to the interaction.

“Rachel, now that we’re in glee together I was hoping that you could give me some singing lessons?”

Rachel beamed at Sugar’s enthusiasm to better herself. “Of course! We can focus on practicing during the break, if you’re free.”

“Sounds great, I’ll give you my number.” Sugar replied as she and Rachel exchanged cell phone numbers.

Sugar happily skipped out of the room, Rachel smiled before going to retrieve her book bag and sheet music. But when she turned around, she saw that Quinn was still in the room.

“Oh, Quinn! You didn’t have to stay behind. We could have met there.”

“I thought we decided on you riding with me?” Quinn raised an eyebrow.

Rachel’s whole face lit up. Quinn grinned in response. The blonde grabbed Rachel’s book bag and threw it over her own shoulder. “I got this, so you lead the way.”

Rachel walked out of the room, as Quinn followed behind. They stopped by their lockers and grabbed their books. Then Quinn led the brunette out to her car. She was still carrying Rachel’s stuff, so she set everything in the backseat before opening the door for Rachel.

“Thank you, Quinn.” Rachel smiled as she climbed into the car; Quinn hurried around to the other side.

The blonde shifted into drive and drove out of the parking lot. Rachel broke the silence immediately. “I always wondered what it’d be like to be friends with you.”

Quinn smirked. “Really?”

“Yes, I always wanted us to be friends, in case you forgot I offered you my friendship several times…and don’t even apologize Quinn, it’s all been forgiven.”

“Why?”

“Why did I forgive you?”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “You forgave me because you’re you, and you’re amazing. I was wondering why you wanted to be my friend.”

Rachel ducked her head shyly, and then looked out the window. “You always seemed regal.”

Quinn chuckled sardonically. “High school royalty. You were being shallow…”

“No.”

Quinn glanced at Rachel, the brunette refused to meet her eyes. She sighed. “Well, I guess I have been called the Ice Queen.”

Rachel turned toward Quinn quickly, resting her hand on the blonde’s. “It wasn’t that either. I never saw you as an Ice Queen. You aren’t heartless Quinn, I always figured that you felt too much and you were just trying to protect yourself.”

Quinn swallowed thickly, blinking her eyes because tears were threatening to fall. She refused to look at the brunette.

“I just thought that maybe I could be the one to displace that mask of yours.” Rachel said quietly as she turned back toward the window.

The rest of the drive was in silence, but Rachel’s hand never moved from atop Quinn’s. And the blonde was reveling in the touch.

When they got to their destination, Quinn opened the door for Rachel and took her hand to help her out of the car. It was completely unnecessary to do so, but neither girl said anything about it. Quinn also held the door of the Lima Bean open for Rachel, the brunette smiled shyly. Once they were inside, Quinn dismissed herself to go to the bathroom. She needed to regroup. The drive there had been intense, at least for her. She was taking deep breaths.

After giving herself a peptalk, she walked back out of the bathroom and looked for Rachel. The brunette was sitting at a table and waved her over.

“I got you a caramel latte, with whip cream and cinnamon.” Rachel said as she slid the drink across the table. “You ordered it before when we were all here together a while back.”

Quinn looked into Rachel’s warm, brown eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“Did I remember wrong?” Rachel asked worriedly.

Quinn shook her head, and grabbed the drink. “No, this is perfect.” She replied before taking a drink to reassure the girl.

“Wait…Quinn, that’s hot!” Rachel tried to warn the blonde, but it was too late.

Quinn’s eyes widened as she sat the drink down quickly. Her mouth was on fire. She swallowed several times, but it didn’t help at all.

Rachel had leapt from her seat and approached the counter to order milk and some ice water. She brought them back to Quinn.

“I heard that milk helps with soothing, though this is soy so I don’t know if that affects the outcome, so if you prefer the water I brought that too, though I suggest you at least try the milk first.”

Quinn nodded as she took the milk and sipped on it. It seemed to help a little, so she gulped it. She chugged the entire glass to Rachel’s amusement. The brunette tilted her head and watched as Quinn swallowed the remaining mouthful.

“I feel like an idiot.” Quinn choked out. The milk took away the severity of the burn but her mouth still hurt so much.

Rachel shook her head with a smile. “You’re not an idiot Quinn.”

The petite diva sat down again, looking compassionately across the table at the blonde. “Did the milk help at all?”

Quinn grinned and nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Quinn spoke again. “So, you’re giving Sugar singing lessons?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. “Do you even think it’d help?”

“Practice always helps Quinn, you have improved so much since you first joined glee.” Rachel’s face morphed into an unreadable expression before she rushed to continue. “I am so sorry, that was meant as a compliment. I hope you don’t take offense…”

Quinn reached across the table and grabbed the brunette’s hands in her own. “I understood what you meant, Rach. And I’m not offended.” She smiled. “So you think I’m improving?”

“Oh, Quinn! I love your voice, when we sang our duet together, it was beautiful.” Rachel rolled her eyes at Quinn’s smirk. “And not just because I was singing too.”

Quinn laughed, causing the brunette to smile brightly. “I like the sound of your laugh; I hope to hear it more often. I really am glad you seem to be happier now Quinn.”

The laughing stopped, but Quinn’s smile was still on her face. The blonde watched Rachel intently. She was silent while she let the brunette continue. “Have I told you how proud I am of your performance at Sectional’s? You all stepped up and it was really spectacular.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed as she studied the brunette. Then she finally broke her silence. “You actually sound sincere.”

Rachel’s eyebrows furrowed. “Of course I’m sincere. People see you a certain way Quinn, and people see me a certain way too. I’m not as selfish as everyone thinks I am. You are all my friends and although I would have loved to be up there with you, I was proud of how amazing the performance was.”

“I don’t think you’re selfish…all the time.” She added with a smirk, causing the brunette to crack a smile.

They stopped talking as they enjoyed a comfortable silence; Rachel was sipping at her drink while Quinn stuck to the ice water. They were startled by the arrival of someone stopping next to their table. “Hello?” The unfamiliar voice sounded nervous.

Rachel and Quinn both glanced up at the intruder. “Harmony?” Rachel greeted warily when she saw the girl standing in front of them.

Quinn’s eyes went wide. “H-H-Harmony?”

“Quinn, this is Harmony. I’m sure you recognize her from Sectionals.” She turned toward the standing brunette again. “Which you were fantastic at by the way. You are really talented.”

Harmony smiled genuinely. “Thank you.”

Rachel slid over in her booth. “Would you like to join us?”

Harmony was sitting beside Rachel instantly. She never took her eyes off the brunette; likewise Quinn never took her eyes off of Harmony.

“I was hoping to have competed against you directly.” Harmony said to Rachel.

Rachel took a deep breath. As she released it slowly, she spoke. “I made a few mistakes, for which I was rightfully punished.”

Harmony grinned at the answer, and nodded in understanding. She turned her attention on Quinn only to lock eyes with the intensity of her hazel gaze. “You were great up there.”

Quinn nodded with a smile. “Thank you. So were you.” She finally turned toward Rachel briefly before her eyes settled back on Harmony’s. “How do you and Rachel know each other?”

“We met at the NYADA mixer at the beginning of the year.” Harmony answered easily.

“Actually, her performance at said mixer caused Kurt and I to have a mini meltdown in my car.”

Harmony and Quinn both snapped their eyes toward the brunette. “What?” Quinn asked.

Rachel shrugged. “You guys were so amazing…you were so amazing.” She shifted uncomfortably. “It made us realize for the first time that we might not be as good as we thought we were. We are good for Lima but were worried that we weren’t good enough for anything outside of Lima. That’s why we became obsessed with the play and running for president. We thought we needed something better to offer than just our voices.”

Harmony’s words died in her throat as her breathing became labored. Quinn recovered a bit more quickly. “Rachel Barbara Berry! You are more than enough…and talented enough to succeed outside of Lima. I thought I told you that you don’t belong here.”

Rachel giggled uncomfortably. “I assumed that was your way of pushing me away so that you could have Finn.”

“Guess you don’t know me as well as you thought you did.” Quinn smiled slyly, catching the look on Harmony’s face. She frowned. “Are you okay?”

Harmony peeled her eyes away from Rachel and looked at Quinn. “Hmmm?”

“Are you okay?” Quinn repeated.

“Yeah, it’s just…” She turned back to Rachel. “That’s why? Everything you’ve done this year…it’s because of me?”

Rachel nodded briefly. “I guess you could say that.”

Harmony shook away any negative thoughts that had lingered as she realized why Rachel was different than the stories she always heard. She looked from Rachel to Quinn and back again. “I actually should get going. It was nice talking to you, Rachel…Quinn.”

Rachel leaned forward as Harmony climbed out of the booth. “But, I hope I didn’t scare you away.”

Harmony laughed out loud, tears stinging her eyes. “Absolutely not. I just have somewhere I need to be.”

“Harmony, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?” Quinn asked as she stood up.

“Oh, um…sure.”

They walked away from the table. “How the hell are you here? I’m not crazy right, but you…you’re…”

Harmony studied her. “You’re not crazy, Quinn. I am who you think I am.”

“Then…how?”

“You…well, the you I know…found out a way that maybe we can stop Rachel from dying in the future. We came back to help you.”

“We?”

Harmony smiled. “I’ll explain it all later, how about I stop over tonight and we can talk?”

“But you think it’s possible? I mean, it has to be because you’re here.”

“We’ve already changed so much, look what I made Rachel do. She would never have cheated otherwise.”

Quinn nodded.

“I’ll see you later.” Harmony replied with one last glance at Rachel before she started to walk away. She stopped and turned back toward Quinn. “How did you know?”

“The name could have been a coincidence, but I’d always remember your eyes.” The blonde said with an almost proud looking smile. Harmony barely smiled in return as she nodded and walked away.

Quinn returned to where Rachel was sitting.

“Is she really, okay Quinn? Because she left so quickly.”

“She’s fine Rachel.” Quinn said sitting back down.

“She’s different than I thought she’d be.” Rachel said matter-of-factly.

A blonde eyebrow rose. “How so?”

“She talented, like really talented, and when I first met her I thought she was scary. Intimidating even. Like you actually.” Rachel smirked.

“Haha.”

“But she’s actually quite nice.”

Quinn smiled. She could tell by the idol worship in Harmony’s eyes that the girl loved the idea of Rachel. She vowed right then that Harmony would get to actually know the girl rather than the image of her. And she hoped that Harmony was right and they could save Rachel, because the more she was allowing herself to know the brunette the more she was sincerely falling for her. She sighed as she shook her head slightly. Things were bound to get interesting…

Disclaimer: I don’t own glee, Lima Bean, Yale or NYADA

Christmas Morning

            Fran and her husband, Eli, came to stay with Quinn and Judy over the holidays.  The entire week leading up to Christmas, Quinn had been giving Eli a hard time.  Finally, Fran confronted her sister.

            “What is it that you hate about him so much?”  Fran asked.

            “No one is that nice for no reason.”  Quinn replied.

            Judy and Fran shared a knowing look.  Before Judy put a hand on her youngest daughter’s hand and questioned.  “Not even Rachel?”

            Quinn looked at her mom, startled by the words.  “What about Rachel?”

            “I just figured you’d say that she was the only person that was nice without a reason to be.”  Judy replied calmly.

            “She is.  I don’t understand it sometimes, but I’m glad she didn’t give up on me.”  Quinn said without thinking.

            Fran looked at her sister and then Judy.  “Rachel Berry?  Is that who she’s been talking about this whole week?”

            “I haven’t been talking about Rachel all week.”  Quinn growled.

Flashback:

Monday (Before Christmas)

            Fran and Eli were given a warm welcome by Judy.  Quinn came downstairs to greet them.  She hugged her sister happily before looking at Eli.

            “Wow, your sweater has a polar bear wearing ice skates.”  Quinn said with a neutral tone.

            “Yes?”  Eli looked at her questioningly.

            “It’s just that I thought Rachel was the only one that ever chose to wear sweaters like that.”

Tuesday

            “And here I thought that Rachel was the only person to actually use the word loquaciousness conversationally.”  Quinn deadpanned.

Wednesday

            “Happy Hanukah!”  Eli greeted when Quinn woke up.

            “I forgot you were a Jew, do you celebrate Christmas too?  Because Rachel does.”

Thursday

            “What is it with tiny brunette Jews?  Were you all born to sing and dance?”  Quinn groaned as Eli decorated the Christmas tree while singing loudly.

Friday

            “Is that argyle?  Seriously, if Rachel can’t make that look good, you don’t stand a chance.”

Saturday

            “6AM on Christmas Eve?  You’re even crazier than Rachel!”  Quinn whined as she was woken from her sleep by loud music and the smell of breakfast wafting through the house.  “Please tell me this is the real stuff at least, you’re not vegan too, right?”

            “Vegan?  Why would I be vegan?”

            Quinn shrugged.  “No reason.”

Flashback Over

Now

Sure she and Rachel had finally become actual friends.  Like honestly, hanging out and talking and laughing.  It’s been a great few weeks to have the girl in her life that way, and it was only natural with all the time they spent together for the girl to be on her mind.  She was so bored all week, not being in school or in glee.  And she’d never admit that she already missed the girl.  The holiday break was going by way too slowly. She couldn’t wait to get back to school and see all of her friends again.  Maybe, especially Rachel.

            “Of course not dear.”  Judy coddled her before smirking and adding, “You only bring her up when Eli’s around.”

            It wasn’t Quinn’s fault that Eli was a poor imitation of the little brunette.  They were both Jewish.  They were both brunette and had big brown eyes.  And for some reason Quinn would never be able to understand, they both had an affinity for showtunes, argyle, and sweaters with cute animals on them.  Whenever she saw Eli she was reminded that she still had until Puck’s New Year’s Eve party before she’d see Rachel again.  So, it wasn’t anything personal about Eli just that he wasn’t Rachel.

            Judy saw the change in Quinn lately.  She knew she had been hanging around with the Berry girl and that they were friends, but this past week she figured out that it was something more for Quinn.  It made since, she was happier than she had ever been and if it had anything to do with Rachel, then Judy was all for it.  All she needed to do was make Quinn see it before she drove everyone in the house crazy.

            “Maybe we could see if Rachel wants to come for dinner.”  Judy offered. 

            “She has her own Christmas stuff, I’m sure.”  Quinn replied.  She wanted to argue with her mom and take the spotlight of herself and the whole Rachel-thing, but she couldn’t help wishing that the girl could come over.

            “It wouldn’t hurt to call and ask.”  Fran stated.  She could tell by the way her mother was questioning Quinn, that there was something about this Rachel Berry girl that she didn’t know about.  And if inviting the girl over made Quinn lighten up on Eli, Fran was in support of it.

            Quinn was just about to hurl some sort of snarky insult at her sister when the doorbell rang.  She took whatever excuse she had to get away from the inquisition.  She breathlessly opened the door, her whole face lit up as she saw Rachel standing at the door with a plate of cookies in hand.

            “Rachel.”  Quinn breathed out, she didn’t mean for it to sound as husky as it did.

            “Merry Christmas Quinn!”  Rachel smiled at the blonde.  “I know that I’m probably interrupting some family traditions that you and your family are partaking in, but I wanted to deliver you some homemade Christmas Cookies.”

            Quinn smiled lopsidedly.  It was strange to her how her mood immediately lightened at the sight of the brunette.  She shook her head trying to eliminate any red flags going off telling her why she was so excited to see her friend.

            “Thank you Rachel.”  She took the plate of cookies from Rachel’s hands, their fingers brushing innocently and yet causing her entire body to shiver.  She absently wondered if Rachel had the same reaction.  “I can’t believe you made everyone cookies, you probably spent the whole morning baking.”

            Rachel shifted nervously from foot to foot, avoiding eye contact with the hazel depths that somehow saw her soul.

            “Rachel?”  Quinn rested a gentle hand on the brunette’s shoulder, and once again her body warmed at the sensation.  She furrowed her brows in confusion.  What was going on?

            Rachel looked up at Quinn.  Her bottom lip being sucked in behind her front teeth.  The blonde couldn’t help thinking how adorable she looked.

            “I didn’t bake them for everyone.”  Rachel admitted shyly, and the admission caused Quinn’s cheeks to flush.

            “These are just for me?”  She croaked out, before clearing her throat and trying again.  “Just me?”

            Rachel smiled at Quinn’s flustered response.  “Of course, we’re friends after all.”

            Quinn’s heart sank and she didn’t even know why.

            “Quinnie?  Who’s at the door?”  Judy asked as she opened the door wider so she could greet their guest.  “Rachel Berry!  To what do we owe this honor?” 

            Quinn winced at the overly enthusiastic tone in her mother’s voice.

            “Merry Christmas, Ms. Fabray.”  Rachel smiled sincerely.  “I was just bringing over some Christmas cookies for Quinn.”

            “Isn’t that lovely dear?!”  Judy replied excitedly as she pulled the brunette into a hug.  “And I told you to call me Judy.”  She playfully reprimanded.

            “Sorry, Judy.”  Rachel giggled.

            Before either teen understood what was going on, Rachel was being dragged into the house by Judy.  “Fran, Eli, look who stopped by.”

            Fran smirked immediately when she caught sight of the petite diva.  “Rachel Berry.”  She stated with mirth.

            Rachel nervously looked back at Quinn, who calmed her down by placing her pale hand in hers.  Fran noticed the gesture immediately, and quirked an eyebrow at the sight.

            Rachel happily chatted with Eli.  Quinn had been right; they were basically clones of each other.  Fran watched in amusement at how similar her husband was to the girl she now knew without a doubt that her sister had a crush on.  She smiled to herself knowing that she and her sister had the same taste in significant others, with the only obvious difference being Quinn was unsurprisingly gay. 

            As Judy and Fran watched the youngest Fabray, they made a silent pact to get the girls together.  It was so obvious that they had feelings for each other.  Quinn’s behavior during the last week not withstanding, her adoration for the brunette was blatant.  They seemed to find reasons to touch, whether it was intimate or not, they would hold hands, brush against each other.  Quinn would rest her hand on Rachel’s thigh as she shared animated stories with the rest of the group.  A few times, they even seemed lost in their own world whispering and giggling together.  It was during these times, when Quinn would bury her face in the crook of Rachel’s neck and smile shyly.  Rachel would brush the blonde’s hair out of her eyes, causing Quinn’s heart to beat faster.

            Judy and Fran had finally had enough, and put a plan into action.  “Hey girls, we’re about to start dinner.  Wanna set the table for us?”  Judy asked.

            Rachel stood up quickly, pulling Quinn up to her.  They stood closely, locking eyes for a few moments before they heard Fran clear her throat.  Breaking apart nervously, with a shy smile they averted their eyes and glanced at the person who was interrupting them.

            Fran had a devilish smirk as she led them to their destination.  As they stood in the kitchen, the Judy rustled around grabbing dishes.  When she turned around, she addressed them.  “Well, would you look at that?”

            “What?”  Quinn raised an eyebrow, suddenly she felt set up.

            Judy pointed above them.  “Mistletoe.”

            The girls looked up, their faces already crimson.  They nervously glanced at each other.

            Rachel tucked a brown strand of hair behind her ear as she chewed on her lip.  “It is a Christmas tradition.”

            Quinn wrung her hands anxiously, scuffing her foot on the floor.  “Traditions are important.”

            “Very.”  Rachel smiled as she noticed how close she and Quinn were from each other.

            Quinn’s breathing wavered as she saw Rachel lick her lips and before she realized what she was doing, she closed the distance between them.

            The kiss was more than a friendly, traditional kiss.  As their lips met and glided against each other with desire, they wrapped their arms around each other to keep the other girl close.  When Rachel moaned into the kiss, it spurned Quinn on and the girl took the advantage of Rachel’s parted lips to slip her tongue inside the brunette’s mouth.  As her tongue explored Rachel’s mouth, she found herself pulling the girl impossibly closer to her.  Rachel responded to Quinn’s deepening of the kiss by stroking her tongue against the blonde’s, which elicited a loud man from Quinn.

            “Okay girls.”  Judy smirked when the girls pulled apart, panting loudly as they looked at each other with dark, lust filled eyes. 

            Rachel took Quinn’s hand in hers, lacing their fingers intimately.  The action warmed Quinn’s body and caused her to smile widely.  “I always did love traditions.”  She replied huskily.

            Rachel smiled back, standing on her tiptoes she whispered sultry into the blonde’s ear.  Brushing her lips against the shell of Quinn’s ear, they both shivered violently.  “Let’s both be honest, that had nothing to do with tradition.”

            Quinn laughed out loud.  “You’re right.  So, since we don’t have to make up excuses, would you like to go up to my room?”

            Rachel’s mouth dropped open. 

            “Don’t you dare think about it, I still need help setting the table and you can bet that there will now be an open door policy.”  Judy chastised.

            The girls looked at each other deviously.  Both were smirking darkly.  “Now that just sounds like a challenge.”  Rachel replied as she let go of Quinn’s hand and began setting the table.           

            Quinn stood in the middle of the kitchen, dazed.  It should have scared her, realizing she had a thing for a girl.  And it should have worried her that the girl she liked was Rachel Berry.  But all she could think about was that Rachel was a great kisser, and that it’d be so much fun finding out what else that girl was good at.  She smiled at the thought as she helped the brunette set the table.  It was about to become a very Merry Christmas.

A/N: Eli is an original character from my story Distracting Quinn Fabray (on Fanfiction.net by DAgron01)

He’s basically the male clone of Rachel!