A/N- So it's been really crazy and busy for me and I am mapping out "Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love' and this idea for another Faberry story pops in my head and I had to write it down. So what I will try and do is alternate postings f the two stories. Anyway, not sure if you'll like the premise of this one as it is AU but like 'My Future in Your hands', the story just needed to be written.

Hope you enjoy it!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

The Present

The starched collar feels uncomfortable but she refrains from pulling at it, instead focusing on her surroundings, trying to find a place where she can observe the party unfettered by anyone or anything. Her dress uniform is impeccable and she wears it with grace although she's much more comfortable in the fatigues that she had consistently worn for the past year.

Captain Quinn Fabray hasn't been stateside in eleven months and instead of going out for the burger she's been craving ever since she got onto the plane, she found herself being co-opted into attending one of the State Department's Dinners, held in recognition for the troops serving in Afghanistan.

She detest the formalities and politics attached to these affairs, wondering whom she had pissed off when she had received the order from her commanding officer, stipulating that she had to represent the Corps and her battalion. Quinn stands in the corner and shakes her head, knowing that for the next three days, she was out of the line of fire and as much as she hated being here, she was safer than her fellow soldiers on the front line and therefore had no right to complain.

A waiter glides by and she snags a flute of champagne, finally allowing herself to indulge in a luxury that she had been denied for far too long. Her eyes scan the room, noting politicians and various high ranking military officials laughing and milling about and she wonders if this was what she was fighting for.

Quinn hates to second guess her decisions and she gets that duty and honor would mean different things to different people and to her, it meant fighting for what she believed in and defending the rights of the people in this room regardless of whether she supported their behavior and beliefs or not. The champagne is cool to her lips and she empties the glass ignoring the fact that she hasn't eaten anything the whole day.

It's when she turns to grab another glass that she spots her. The green dress hugs her curves in all the right places, the plunging neckline suggestive but not too revealing; a dazzling smile gracing the beautiful face that is unfortunately not directed at her. It is not difficult to recognize Rachel Berry. Quinn had seen enough posters hung above beds and in the Mess hall to identify the singer, even if she wasn't facing her directly.

They had met once, six years ago, an encounter that she would never forget although she's pretty sure that Rachel would have wanted to forget her and the memories linked to that night. If not for anything, it was one of the reasons she had enlisted and stayed on in the marine corps. That experience shaping her decisions more than any other.

Quinn feels her heart pound in her chest and the adrenaline flow, her fight or flight complex urging her to run before she ruins Rachel's night yet again. However, the pull to stare at her and drink her in is so strong that all she can do is to stand there, the taste of champagne on her lips now replaced by a memory so intense that her fingers unconsciously touch her lips before she places it behind her back, as if coming to attention.

#$#$#$#

She reminds herself to fire her manager the minute she has a chance to use the phone and call him. It's not that she does not want to spend her time for such a good cause as singing for the troops. She's done three USO concerts in the four years since her first album came out. However, this was different. Hobnobbing with politicians and Capitol Hill military officers who hadn't been on the front line in years was tiring and in her opinion a waste of time.

However, she knows why she still comes to these functions and why her manager will not get fired. Even after six years, she still holds out hope that she'll see her again. It's why she scans the crowd at each of her concerts or when she attends these types of parties.

Rachel just wants to know that she's alive, she's promised herself that she'll be happy with only that knowledge, not expecting anything more. It was an encounter that literally changed her life. It made her see things so differently and she knows that she's the better for it. However, it had also been an encounter filed with hate, anger and pain.

Try as she might, she would never forget the girl she had met then and like she has done at countless of these parties, she slowly walks around the room, scanning all the faces, hoping to see hazel eyes and blond hair.

She stops to talk to a senator, smiling because he's a fan who had brought his two daughters to one of her shows. But more importantly because he had recently signed another Bill supporting more rights for same sex couples. It's a cause close to her heart for a number of reasons.

Rachel's never come out in public not because she was worried it would affect her career but mainly because she's never found anyone she wanted to be with. She nods when he compliments her on the dress and gives him her signature smile before turning to walk towards the balcony.

As always, she craves solitude because it's a scarce resource in her life. She had chosen to be a public figure, performing was in her blood. However, it was also taxing and every now and then, she would try and sneak away even if it was only for a few minutes, it gave her enough respite to then continue in the public eye.

She makes it halfway across the room before her eyes finally recognize the one person she's been hoping to see for so long. At first Rachel thinks it's a mirage, a figment of her imagination; her brain working overtime because she's been hoping for so long to see her. Except, she blinks and Quinn is still there standing across the room, staring straight at her. The Dress Blues fit the blond perfectly as she stands a bit apart in the crowd. Her posture is straight, one hand holding a flute of champagne as the other is held behind her back. Her hair is in a bun under her cap but it's her eyes that capture her attention as they did all those years ago.

#$#$#$#

Six Years Ago

"Come on Rachel, you've been over this song a hundred times. Give it a rest and come out dancing with us. Otherwise you'll burn out and I'll be left bored and alone, with no competition." The cajoling voice does nothing to alleviate her worry as Rachel looks up from the piano.

"Jesse, don't make me regret letting you back into my life. Just because you're the only male lead here who can keep up with me vocally, does not make you serious competition." She smiles when she sees that he's in uniform again. Always one to push his theatrical flair, he's added aviator shades and polished his shoes to a mirror finished.

He had been devastated when his full scholarship had been revoked last year due to budget cuts; only to finally find assistance by joining the Fighting 55th AROTC. It hadn't been an easy decision for him like it hadn't been when he finally admitted to being gay.

The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" hadn't spilled over to the ROTC unit until recently and it was what finally spurred Jesse to join up. He had been out and proud but still faced discrimination from some of the student population like Dave Karofsky and Azimio. They had threatened to beat Jesse up if he wore his uniform in public but Jesse didn't care.

"Are you sure you don't want to change?" She loves him and initially thought that she was in love with him but they made better friends than anything else and right now, she's afraid for his safety.

"Why?" His voice is genuinely curious. "I thought I looked dashing and ready for the world to meet Cadet Jesse St James." He smiles as he takes her hand and sits next to her at the piano. His other hand playing a melody that he knows will entice her to sing.

The incident happened three days ago and she's still feeling off kilter about it although it does not seem to have had an effect on Jesse at all. They had been walking across the quad, Jesse wearing his uniform for the first time had surprised her after one of her classes. Though they had dated briefly their first year, Jesse's subsequent relationships had been mostly with other guys and he never felt the need to hide it.

They didn't see the football until it made contact with Jesse's head, ricocheting to hit her in the back. It didn't hurt but it was a surprise as was the laughter heard. Jesse had reacted almost immediately, scooping up the ball and throwing it forcefully at the three jocks off to the side. "Too bad your aim's never than good during games. Come to think of it, that throw was probably a fluke as well."

"Jesse, don't, they're not worth it." She tugs at his arm even as he plants his feet, his arms held akimbo as he stares at Karofsky and his band of idiots. Rachel's seen what they can do and as much as she would like to stay and tell them off, she knows that they have no qualms in hurting Jesse.

"Yeah, homo, run along with your fag hag." Azimio makes shooing motions with his hands and it would have been funny if not for his sneer and threatening step forward. "My brother wears that uniform with pride and if I ever see you wearing it again, I'm going to kick your ass." The threat is clear and followed with a push that sends Jesse stumbling into her.

Rachel had helped him up, gripping onto his hand so tightly that her nails make semicircle indentations in his arm. She knew he had wanted to retaliate but could feel her fear so he turned and led her away, ignoring the further jibes thrown his way.

The melody is so familiar and she wants to sing but knows that he's avoiding the situation so she stills his hand before answering, "Listen, I know you think you're being brave and doing the right thing." Rachel sees Jesse's knowing smile and it comforts her. "But you heard those Neanderthals. I don't want to see you hurt." She adjusts his collar her hand finally resting on his shoulder.

"You are a sweetheart and if I wasn't gay.." her blush is adorable and he continues, "They're all bark and no bite and I am going back to change since there are rules about wearing the uniform. Anyway, you really do need to have a night out, my dear." He knows she's fighting her own internal battle with her sexuality. They had both come from Lima, Ohio, expecting different things.

Jesse knows that Rachel wasn't afraid but just hadn't found the right person to have a connection with and he hoped that she'll find someone because she was so special and amazing. "Some Chinese food and dancing at Mountain Bar; you know you want to." He bumps her shoulder. "I'll meet you out front in half an hour. Don't go breaking my heart." He sings the last part, knowing she'll answer in return and she does not disappoint.

Her clear voice singing the next line, as her signature smile graces her face, "I couldn't if I tried.."

True to his word, he had changed but still kept up the theme, this time wearing a vintage bomber jacket with khaki pants and a white t-shirt, his aviator sunglasses still on his face. "Ready to go?" He offers her his arm which she takes as he guides her to his car.

The bar was pretty crowded for a Thursday night and Rachel was tempted to leave but Jesse had a firm hold on her hand, pulling her towards the main bar. Her attention caught between the exit and trying to get out of Jesse's grip, until she saw her, or rather she met hazel eyes that were mesmerizing.

The girl behind the bar leaned forward. "Can I take your order?" She was smiling as she asked the question, her eyes locked onto Rachel's.

She's never felt this way before, a nebulous connection that pulls her in. Her focus singular and directed at one person, someone she's never met but who has completely captured her entire senses. She doesn't blink as she stares into those eyes, wondering what they would look like if filled with a different emotion.

Rachel wants to answer back but instead, she smiles, one of her really special smiles, the one she's never bestowed on anyone except now.

End Part 1

So, should I continue?