The Mixtape Chapter 1: Jet Lag, a glee fanfic

Hey y'all, just a quick little one shot I've been thinking about doing for awhile now. Pure fluff, with a dash of humor, and a whole lotta Faberry loving. The song used is Jet Lag by Simple Plan and if you can, I highly recommend listening to it. Quinn's singing Simple Plan's parts, with Rachel doing Natasha Bedingfield's! Now, let's go onto the fluffy goodness.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Her fingers tapped against the open windowsill, cool Ohio October morning air rushing past. Her head bobbed along to the music blaring from the stereo, ahead the sun was just beginning to crest over the tree line. A soft smile curved her pink lips and the hand that had been on the window brushed back her gorgeous locks. She had been gone six months, away on a prestigious Study Abroad program that began at the end of her junior year and extended into her senior year. Her last year before getting out of her bodunk, backwards ass small town in middle America. Her smile widened a fraction before she remembered it would also mean leaving her friends, the smile immediately dimming. Then again, she was surprising them all by coming back early, as they believed she would be gone until the new year.

God, Puck and San's faces are going to be priceless. B will probably give me one of her big bear hugs, which will be amazing. Finn will look like a constipated baby, Mr. Schue will probably laugh and clap, the rest of the Gleeks will smile. And Rachel… Oh dear god…

Quinn frowned slightly, pondering the options of one miss Rachel Berry's reaction. She narrowed it down to two. Either Rachel would throw a fit, scream at her, smack her a couple times, then storm out or she'd cry and hug and kiss her. Honestly, she was hoping for the latter. She glanced down at the bright turquoise clock on the dash, the big block letters reading 6:30. Class would be starting in 45 minutes. She yawned, one hand going to cover her mouth as she did and attempted to blink away the tiredness. She had taken the red eye back, nearly bouncing in her chair out of excitement. Something was completely out of character for the usually calm and level-headed blonde. Yet the idea of finally seeing her friends, whom she begrudgingly admitted were her friends, and the girl she loved, after six months of being apart was the most amazing thing she could imagine.

That excitement diminished only a fraction when she remembered she was flying into Detroit and would still have a nice four-hour drive ahead of her back to the lovely, Ohio. So, that's what she was doing. Driving four hours back home, running on about four cups of coffee and counting, a couple cigarettes here and there, and enough of her secret stash of alternative music to get her through. During the six-month period, something had changed in the blonde. She was freer, more aware, calmer, happier. Maybe it was being in New York, yes that's what Lima counted as study abroad, but she found herself there. She had gotten her nose ring, something her mother had screamed about for a total of thirty minutes before coming around to the idea. She had allowed her hair to grow back out, now falling to the middle of her chest. She had begun wearing simpler clothes, still intermixing her baby doll dresses, but now drifting more towards her jeans, Converse, and tee shirts. Such as the ensemble the blonde teenager was currently clad in: dark blue jeans, black Converse, a navy v-neck, with a grey and purple flannel over the top, unbuttoned.

Sure, she was the same driven, intelligent girl. But she was happier, more assured of herself, actual confidence taking over. The trip had been a learning experience, one that she will remember forever. But, it was time to get back to reality and she was more than happy to do so. When her flight had landed, she immediately texted her mother to tell her she was safe then promptly set off on her journey. Now, here she was, twenty minutes from Lima, and oddly enough, she couldn't be happier.

The blonde picked up her phone and checked that her text had been read and smiled, seeing the little notification under the blue bubble. She promptly set her phone down after that, directing her eyes back to the open road of her, pressing down just a bit harder on the gas.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"It's on," Sam whispered to Mike, the two boys knuckle bumping each other.

They stood with the rest of the Glee clubbers at their usual spot before school, in the school courtyard. Other groups mingled around, eating breakfast, drinking their coffees, trying to copy their friends homework. Like Puck was currently doing with Artie on the steps below them, Rachel watching with a disapproving eye. Finn sat next to her, tapping away at his phone and Brittany and Santana cuddled up on the steps near Sam and Mike. Tina paid no attention to the two, though her hand stayed interlocked with Mike's as she gossiped with Mercedes and Kurt, Blaine dutifully going over his latest paper that was due that day. Sam's guitar sat in its case at his feet, though the buckles were both undone, ready for him to flip open and grab the instrument at any point.

Rachel sighed heavily, leaning her chin on her hand as she gazed out at the courtyard. At all the happy couples sitting together, cuddling, holding hands, sharing chaste kisses. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest and she brushed away some of her bangs as they fell in her eyes.

"You okay Jewbabe?" She looked over at her best friend and gave her best fake smile, which Puck saw right through.

"I'm fine Noah, just a bit tired. I was up extra late finishing up my paper for AP History."

"This has nothin' to do with Quinn still being gone? You talk to her last night?"

The tiny brunette shook her head, fiddling with her fingers. "She was busy, something about an emergency. We only talked for about five minutes before she had to go. She did sing for me though."

"Really? Quinn's still singing?" Finn asked, poking his head into the conversation.

Rachel smiled, "Yes she's still singing. As far as I know, she even took up playing the guitar before she left and ended up taking hers with her."

"What'd she sing?" More of the Gleeks were leaning in, curious about the tiny diva and former head cheer captain's relationship.

Aside from Santana, Brittany, Sam, and Mike of course. Santana and Brittany, because they were well aware of Quinn's sexual preference, specifically with the other girl, and Mike and Sam because they were in on the mischievous blonde's plan.

"If It Means A lot to You. I think it's by one of her alternative bands that scare me with their screaming. But this song was really sweet."

"Yeah, it's A Day to Remember. I listen to them, mostly their harder stuff, but that song's pretty good too." Finn nodded along with Puck and Rachel smiled.

"But it just made me miss her more." Rachel sighed, shaking her head and ran a hand through her locks.

"We all miss her, even on the days she had something crawl up her ass." Santana jeered, smirking over at Rachel.

The brunette girl sighed once again, rolling her eyes and let the jab roll off her shoulders. Ever since Santana had found out about the two, she had been incessantly teasing both, more specifically Rachel since she was far more accessible then her blonde counterpart. Therefore, Rachel had grown far more accustomed to the teasing and even shot a couple jabs back when she was feeling up to it.

Sam glanced back down at his phone, eyes widening a fraction he saw the text and he nudged Mike. The other boy looked down at Sam's phone, his own eyes widening and without a word, he hopped up and ran down the stairs.

"Mike?"

Sam stood as his friend disappeared, getting his guitar out and making sure it was tuned right. Seeming to appear out of nowhere was another guitarist, a bassist, and drummer.

"Sam?" "The hell is goin' on? Mr. Schue didn't give us an assignment, did he?" Rachel and Puck shot the questions off at the same time, briefly looking at each other before looking back at Sam.

"Just watch and enjoy." He winked directly at Rachel, sly grin on his face and the guitarists jumped into the opening riff.

Mike appeared over the top of the steps as the drummer jumped in, gasping for breath as he collapsed back down with a satisfied grin on. "Mike? Where the hell did you go?"

"I-."

"So jet-laggedddd." All eyes widened, Rachel's bulging from her head at the new voice.

What time is it where you are?

I miss you more than anything

I'm back at home you feel so far

Waitin' for the phone to ring

Quinn came over the crest, microphone in hand, wide grin on her face as she sang. She began descending the steps, meeting Rachel's eyes. The brunette stood gaping, blinking in amazement at the blonde.

It's getting lonely living upside down

I don't even wanna be in this town

Try to figure out the time zones making me crazy

The blonde twirled her finger near her temple next to Sam, her friend fully jamming out as she jumped into the chorus. Adrenaline pumped through her veins and she hopped down the step, launching into the chorus.

You say goodmorning when it's midnight

Going out of my head, alone in this bed

I wake up to your sunset

And it's driving me mad

She grabbed Rachel's hand, looking into her eyes with that stupid grin on her face. Tears began to well in the tiny girl's eyes as she realized Quinn really was there, a swell rushing up in her.

I miss you so bad

And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

Heart Heart Heart is so jetlagged

Is so jetlagged

Rachel jumped in without thinking, smiling at Quinn's widened eyes as she traded off lines, dancing around each other as much as they could on the steps. Santana smirked as the Gleeks jaws dropped, Puck exchanging thirty bucks with Artie quietly.

What time is it where you are?

5 more days and I'll be home

I keep your picture in my car

I hate the thought of you alone

I been keeping busy all the time

Just to try to keep you off my mind

Try to figure out the time zones making me crazy

Quinn pulled away, dancing around with the rest of the Gleeks and Mike easily slid an extra mic into Rachel's hand, sending her a wink as he did. Rachel smiled, wiping away any tears that had fallen free.

You say goodmorning when it's midnight

Going out of my head, alone in this bed

I wake up to your sunset

And it's driving me mad

I miss you so bad

And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

Heart Heart Heart is so jetlagged

Is so jetlagged

The rest of the courtyard was getting into it, dancing just the slightest bit to the music. Mr. Schue stepped out, looking for the source and his jaw dropped at the sight of one Quinn Fabray, dancing and singing lead among the rest of his kids. Even more so, when she grabbed Rachel's hand and their voices melded together perfectly.

I miss you so bad

I wanna share your horizon

I miss you so bad

And see the same sunrising

I miss you so bad

And turn the hour hand back to

Quinn pulled Rachel close, their foreheads nearly touching. Most of the boys in the club wolf whistled, somehow even Sam managing to as he played. Mercedes, Kurt, and Blaine all took videos and tapped rapidly at their phones, attempting to upload the video faster than the others.

when you were holding me

You say goodmorning when it's midnight

Going out of my head, alone in this bed

I wake up to your sunset

And it's driving me mad

I miss when you say goodmorning

But it's midnight

Going out of my head, alone in this bed

I wake up to your sunset

And its driving me mad

I miss you so bad

And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

Heart Heart Heart is so jetlagged

Is so jetlagged

Quinn didn't waste anytime, promptly kissing Rachel in front of the school. More whoops and wolf whistles came, even a couple camera flashes. They pulled away slowly, Quinn smiling and Rachel matching it.

"You're back." Rachel whispered, brushing her nose against Quinn's.

"I'm back." She whispered back, pulling the brunette tightly to her and dropped a kiss onto the top of her head, discretely giving Mike and Sam a thumbs-up.

"Fabray, lovin' the new digs. Totes scream 'lesbian', nice to see ya embracing the sweeter side." Quinn snorted, pulling away from Rachel and cocked an eyebrow at her best friend.

"Missed and love you too Satan." The Latina grinned, briefly hugging the blonde.

"Thank god you're back Q, now Rachie and Sannie can stop moping around missing you! Not that I didn't miss you, cuz I totes did cuz we weren't the Unholy Trinity without you."

Quinn laughed, pulling the taller girl into a tight hug. After that, it was play hot potato with Quinn, each Glee clubber getting their equal time before she had Rachel back in her arms. She pressed a soft kiss to the side of the brunette's head and leaned in so her lips were right next to her ear.

"I love you, just so you know." She murmured, Rachel quickly spinning around with a smile.

"I love you too, just so you know." She murmured back, pressing a kiss to the blonde.