A/N: I've been writing one shots for Quinn for a while now, so I decided to just compile them into one story. I'll add as they come to me.
Rated T for some adult themes, mainly depression and its side effects.
Chapter One is the first sing-through of 'Keep Holding On'.
P.S. I love mah Fabrerry and you will never keep me from it. (FYI)
I DO NOT own Quinn Fabray or Glee. RIB does.
Eleven bodies stood behind me silent as the night, waiting for my cue.
Mr. Shue had left us alone, giving us a break before we performed 'Keep Holding On'. There wasn't even a question of whether the song was for anyone but me.
And no one wanted the first time we sang it to be a performance. They wanted this to be for me, and just for me.
But there was something holding me back. Maybe it was the knowledge that I had done everything in my power to bring this Glee Club down. I knew didn't deserve my teammates' love.
Or maybe I was just scared.
Scared of having this baby. Scared of being kicked off the Cheerios. Scared off losing Finn. Scared of what my mother would say. Scared of being alone. Scared of change.
A hand slipped into mine. "We care about you, Quinn. We'll always be here for you." The voice was unmistakably Rachel's.
I squeezed her hand and finally, I looked back at the Glee Club. Every face was filled with concern. Everyone looked so lost, like watching me struggling made them helpless, too.
I turned to Rachel. "Let's go," I whispered.
And she started to sing:
You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
Rachel's fingers were still intertwined with mine as Finn took my hand and started his verse.
There was something beautiful and terrible in his eyes as he sang to me and Rachel's hand tightened around mine, though this time, it wasn't out of jealousy.
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No, I won't give in
They both sang, eyes on me and then the rest of the Glee Club joined in. They formed a protective circle around me and I had to close my eyes to keep from crying.
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
Rachel's caring eyes found their way to mine as she sang:
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
And then Finn joined in again, my knight in shining armor.
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
And it was everyone again, their voices swirling around me. I felt like laughing and crying and fainting, but I just tried to capture the moment forever, cherishing each hand that found its way onto my shoulder.
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
I almost screamed as Rachel and Finn's hands left mine. My fists curled up and I felt the first tear leak out of my eye.
But then Finn's arms were wrapped around me and I was safe again.
Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Finn was spinning me and I couldn't see anything, just blurs of white and black and hope for the future. I could hear all the voices lifting me up, supporting me. And for one moment, I was free.
La da da da
I was passed from person to person, like a child. Arms wrapped around me. Hands stroked my hair. Music found its way to my ears over the rush of emotion bubbling up inside me.
La da da da
In each person's eyes, I found something different.
Kurt's eyes were understanding. Santana's were warm. Mercedes' were full of sympathy. And Puck's eyes were heavy with an apology so deep it almost hurt.
La da da da da da da da da
I was back to Finn. He held me like he would never let me go.
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
And I was facing Rachel. Her hands were in mine and she sang the most sincere words I had ever heard. Her eyes were filled with pain and guilt and promise.
Keep holding on
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
Everyone placed a hand on my shoulder, my back, my arms.
I was filled to the brim with something beautiful and wonderful and glorious and for one moment, the perfect feeling drove all the pain and fear away.
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
As the music finally died down, I was embraced by everyone again.
Words of comfort were whispered in my ears. Smiles and secrets were shared.
And finally, I collapsed into Finn's arms, shaking with tears, wanting nothing more than to never leave this auditorium. Never face the consequences.
Rachel's hand slipped back into mine and I squeezed as hard as I could.
Maybe with the Glee kids beside me, I could get through this.
Rachel squeezed back, ever so slightly, but I could feel it. She had forgiven me and I had forgiven her.
We'll make it through. I know we will.