Dear reader,
If you have read any of my other stories, you would have seen that I was asked to write a Quinntana fiction. I was going to because I love writing the pair of them together, and then just got involved in other things and never actually got around to it. I was contacted a few weeks ago about my promise. I've had a few suggestions for the story over the last few months and so in the spirit of 'give the audience what they want' I decided to try and roll the ideas into one.
The timeline fluctuates backwards and forwards starting in 2010 and jumping to 2020 at times. Much of the story is told in flashbacks but I have put the timeline in at the start of each time switch so it's not too confusing.
I make no apologies for the topic in question, it wasn't my intention to feature Quinn in a similar situation again, but it seems that's what people want from me. Hopefully you find something different enough in it that I don't bore you, but if I do, please don't feel obliged to read it.
The story will unfold and all will become clear as time moves forwards.
It is AU and begins at the start of junior year for our heroines. It is likely to feature the odd curse word and probably some sexual references from time to time - but it will be tasteful.
Please feel free to send me feedback.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or the characters from the show, I'm borrowing them for artistic purposes only and I promise to give them back when I'm done.
The Jigsaw Puzzle
Prologue
July 2020, Riverside, near Stamford, Connecticut
Rachel banged on the door quite loudly.
Santana's voice drifted through the large hallway, typically course and unapologetic. "Calm your tits, Berry. Where's the fire?"
"Santana!"
Rachel chuckled when she heard the warning tone in Quinn's voice. "Language!"
Something unintelligible in Spanish was mumbled so Rachel figured Beth was definitely nearby too.
"And we all speak Spanish so stop cussing in your mother tongue as well!"
Rachel really didn't want to be laughing at all but couldn't stop herself at Quinn's admonishment.
The door opened and Rachel jumped through, dropping her large rolling case in the hallway and grabbing hold of the taller brunette. "So great to see you," she shoved the large sunglasses back off her face and on top of her head. "But I really need to pee! Long journey, very unhygienic public bathrooms, ew!" She made an amusing gesture and waved her arms around as if that was explanation enough.
"Top of the stairs on your left," Santana waved up at the wide light oak staircase that went to the landing above. The diva had yet to visit since they moved into the new house Santana had designed. As Rachel took off running, the Latina yelled up after her. "Great to see you too Rach!" She tutted and went back into the large open plan living room where Quinn was tickling Beth and the girl was squealing as if she didn't like it, which she really did. Lanky eleven year-old legs kicked out trying to regain some footing on the floor so she could wriggle out of Quinn's arms, but the elder blonde was not letting go anytime soon, or at least not until Beth begged for mercy.
Rachel could hear the squeals and giggles as she ran up the huge staircase and as she turned the corner at the top, she glanced up at the wall beside her and stopped dead in her tracks. She saw the huge framed jigsaw puzzle of Broadway that she had given Quinn years ago, at a different time and in different circumstances. Rachel's hand immediately went to her mouth and she choked back a sob. Her heart swelled in her chest and the need for the bathroom was briefly forgotten as her mind instantly went back to their first meeting in the girls bathroom at McKinley, first week of junior year.
Pressing her fingers into her eyes to stop the tears, Rachel tried to compose herself but kept staring up at the jigsaw. Quinn wouldn't appreciate too much sentiment about it. She waved a hand in front of her face to help the tears evaporate and looked once more at the picture. The lights of Broadway and Times Square decorated the large landscape frame that was obviously custom made. It was beautiful. The sunlight from the enormous picture window picked out the relief of the jigsaw pieces that made up the scene; Times Square at night with light trails running through from the cars, all five thousand pieces perfectly arranged.
Taking a deep breath, Rachel moved on to the room she thought Santana had directed her to. Opening the large door, which perfectly matched the light oak of the staircase, she found the bathroom at last. Grateful for a few moments to compose herself, she calmed as she took care of her physical needs.
"Where's Aunt Rach?" Beth finally managed to say between gasps.
"Is she okay?" Quinn was breathing heavily herself and finally relaxed her grip so Beth could wriggle free. The girl slipped down to the floor and rolled around for a moment before jumping back up. "Calm now," Quinn opened her arms for a hug and found Beth deposited herself between them. "Can we declare a truce before your clothes get any more messy?"
The blonde head nodded.
"The diva's fine. All perfect hair and big sunglasses. She's clearly living the life." The Latina dropped down on the sofa. "She refused to use the restrooms on the train so she was about to explode. She'll be down in a minute."
Sure enough they heard Rachel's heels down the stairs so Beth ran out to greet her. Rachel was busy removing her boots in the doorway: she didn't want to ruin the beautiful wooden flooring. She hadn't seen the energetic youngster for a few months and didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the girl hugged her enthusiastically.
"Jeez, Aunt Rach. I'm bigger'n you."
Rachel's face softened. "I know lovely Beth. It's been a while. I'm really sorry." They held on to each other for a big squeeze. "Let me look at you." Rachel pushed her back a little but held onto her hands. "Gosh, you got really tall. And I love your hair like that, it's really pretty."
"Tana did it. She says it makes me look like mom when she was younger." Beth rolled her eyes. "I kind of like it though," she stage whispered.
Rachel smiled again. "Where is your mom?"
Nodding over her shoulder, Beth indicated the living room, but before they could move, Rachel heard the low rumble and squeak of Quinn moving to greet her. The door opened and the rubber of the wheels on Quinn's wheelchair could be heard turning through. Rachel's face lit up as she and her best friend caught sight of each other.
—
Chapter 1
August 2010, Lima, Ohio
Quinn Fabray entered the girls bathroom on her second day at William Mckinley High School. Her mom had warned her that it was nothing like her old school. Smaller school with small town mentality to boot, which Quinn hadn't quite grasped yet after her nice private school in San Fransisco where the other students were largely kind to each other and mature for their age. Quinn had always done well in school but she also knew that she was not very 'streetwise' as all evidence over the last year of her life had proved.
Shaking her head at that thought, she pushed open the bathroom door and wondered what the hell she had stepped into.
In front of one of the stalls was a younger girl, cowering as three taller girls surrounded her about to throw something at her.
Reacting on instinct Quinn ran and grabbed at one of them pulling a plastic cup down onto the floor. The mess splashed up the bare legs of the cheerleader who turned almost as purple with rage as the icy drink spreading across the floor. One of the others also had a plastic cup and Quinn saw her torn between her previous target and Quinn. She made a move but Quinn was quicker and swiped out at it, knocking the cup into the mirrors above the basins. It splattered across the room but didn't break anything.
The three girls were all now facing Quinn. They didn't recognise the girl, so there was a moment of uncertainty added to the anger.
"What the fuck! What are you doing, fucking moron."
"The three of you were about to pick on a younger kid, how am I the moron? What is this place? Seriously! Move your skinny asses out of here before I knock you into the middle of next week!"
Quinn's voice was loud and full of rage. She was slightly taller than the other girls and balled her fists up in front of them, but knew if they had the guts to attack her, she wouldn't have been able to beat them all off.
Fortunately, they didn't.
"You must be new, so you obviously don't know how things work around here. Just wait until Coach Sylvester hears about this. You'll regret interfering!"
The middle of the three beckoned the other two and they marched out arrogantly.
Turning her attention to the younger girl, Quinn saw perhaps why they were picking on her. She looked a little geeky. Straightening out her clothes, she stood more upright.
"Thank you for coming to my defence, but you really shouldn't have interfered. They will just make you a target and it won't make them leave me alone. They have been doing this for two years already."
Quinn was a little taken aback. She had expected a little gratitude not antagonism.
"Like I said, I don't like older kids picking on younger ones, especially three against one. I'll talk to the principal and have this straightened out."
"No, really. You don't want to do that. Besides, they are all sophomores and I'm a junior so strictly speaking they weren't picking on a younger kid. Throwing slushies is not deemed bullying at this school; Principal Figgins won't do anything."
"Even if I tell him as a witness?"
"You don't want to do that."
"Why not?"
"They're Cheerios, they get to do whatever they want and Coach Sylvester backs them, or rather encourages them."
Quinn really didn't know what was going on. She glanced around the bathroom. It was a mess.
The other girl bent and picked up the spilled slushy from the floor and emptied it into the nearest basin before throwing the cup away.
"Don't clear up, it's not your mess."
"It's fine. I'd rather clean it up and not get into trouble."
"How come you just accept this? Why don't you fight back?" Quinn leaned up against a bit of wall that wasn't covered in grape juice.
Rachel cleaned her hands and placed paper towels over the mess on the floor. "It will only make me more of a target than I already am. It's the same for all of us in glee club. We get picked on by the jocks and the cheerleaders. They stop short of actual physical violence, but only just."
Quinn shook her head. The other girl started towards the door.
"Wait up," she stuck a hand out in front of her. "I'm Quinn Fabray. Sorry if we were in some classes together yesterday and I didn't notice you. Lots of new names and faces you know?"
Rachel shook her hand. "I was in AP Lit and Biology with you, but you were getting some attention from the boys so I didn't like to introduce myself. I'm Rachel Berry."
"Yeah, they all have one track minds but I'm really not interested in that kind of attention." Quinn smiled.
"Well, you certainly had plenty of it and I can see why," Rachel smiled for the first time.
"Thanks I guess." The tall blonde girl held open the door and they moved out into the hallway. "So you're in glee? Is that like choir with dancing?"
Rachel started into a long-winded explanation of what they did and why they were constantly teased by a number of other students. Quinn listened and it occurred to her that Rachel would seem to be perfectly happy in a conversation with no one else to talk to. God the girl could talk.
"So what else happens around here?"
The shorter girl looked up at her with a curious expression. "This is Lima, Ohio. Nothing else happens around here."
"Okay," Quinn nodded. "But you must have friends you hang out with and stuff. What do you do for fun?"
"I like to put on shows at home and perform for my fathers. I have two gay dads."
"That gives you two more than me then," Quinn responded and then realised she had given something away.
"What do you mean?" Rachel looked confused once more.
"Nothing, ignore me. I just meant that two dads must be great. I only have one so…."
It wasn't the exact truth, even if stopped short of being a total lie. She did have a father; he just refused to look at her, speak to her or meet with her.
"Where are you originally from?" Rachel asked as they made their way to the lockers. "You have a west coast accent if I'm not mistaken."
"Good guess, but I am actually from Lima originally; we moved to San Fransisco when I was three. We just moved back here to be closer to my mom's family." Again not strictly a lie, but not the entire truth.
Rachel stopped at her locker. "Well it was nice to talk to you, but you probably don't want to be seen talking with me in the hallway, so I'll see you around maybe."
Quinn looked confused this time. "I think it's up to me who I choose to talk to, Rachel. I don't let other people choose my friends for me and as I'm really not interested in the group of boys who were hitting on me all day yesterday, that pretty much makes you the only person at McKinley whose name I remember." The blonde glanced into Rachel's locker and grinned at it. She made her ambitions quite clear. The big picture of her and her boyfriend being one and the other a sticker with 'broadway bound' that had glittery stars stuck on it for additional decoration. She grinned. "You're really not subtle are you?"
Rachel tucked her hair behind her ear and grinned back. "I am perfectly at ease with my determination to make it to Broadway and become a successful performer. Whilst singing is my forte, I am almost as accomplished in acting and dance, though I am better at ballet than modern or tap."
Quinn grinned at her again. God the girl was driven.
"What do you want to be?"
"Absolutely no idea for certain. There are things I like but I'm not set on any one thing right now." Quinn shrugged herself off the bank of lockers.
"What do you like?" Rachel seemed genuinely interested.
"Music, art, photography, design, philosphy, literature, science," the girl shrugged. Actually, there's not much I don't like."
"Except boys and cheerleaders?"
"I don't hate boys, I just don't want to date any of them. They're children still at our age. And I have nothing against jocks and cheerleaders, but I really hate bullies."
"You do?"
"I used to be a target myself, middle school, before I got taller. I was geeky, short sighted and had a serious overbite. Plus I was chubby; you might as well have painted a target on my back."
"Really? I can't imagine that. You're really pretty."
Quinn blushed. "Thanks, but I was a bit of an ugly duckling and I hated the way other kids used that. That's why I jumped in just now."
Rachel nodded. "I didn't really say thank you properly." She closed her locker. "I am very grateful that I didn't have to spend time changing into spare clothes, so thank you."
Quinn nodded and graciously accepted the thanks. "No problem. What do you have next?"
"Statistics," Rachel groaned.
"I have drawing so I guess I'll see you later. Maybe you can save me a space on your table at lunch?"
Rachel looked as if she had just grown two inches. "Of course. I'll introduce you to my friends."
"Cool," Quinn turned to look for her own locker and started to walk away before she realised she was going in the wrong direction. "Oops," she spun and started walking the opposite way. "I'll find my way eventually."
Rachel suddenly thought about something Quinn had said. "Wait!"
Quinn paused by her locker and saw Rachel hurrying towards her as she pulled out her sketch pad and other art supplies.
"I forgot to ask you about music. You said you like it. Do you play an instrument or something?"
"Guitar," Quinn nodded. "Plus I guess I can sing a bit too." She was better than that but too modest to admit it.
"Really? You should try out for glee club then. We always need new members."
Quinn shrugged. "I'm not sure I'm good enough, plus I don't know if I can spare the time."
"We don't rehearse too much; I for instance am involved in twelve extra-curricular activities in school as well as some out of school so if I can find the time, I am sure you can."
Rachel really had no idea, but Quinn wasn't ready to set her straight just yet. "I'll think about it, okay?"
Rachel realised she was putting pressure on the other girl, so backed off. "Of course. See you at lunch."
—
Quinn spent her time in Spanish thinking about glee because the teacher mentioned it at the start of his lesson as well. She glanced across at another cheerleader, but she wasn't one of those from earlier. The girl looked hispanic and seemed to have an attitude problem because she kept rolling her eyes at the teacher.
She had sent her mom a text message to ask if she thought it was okay to sign up for one extra-curricular activity. It wasn't as though she was asking to be out late every night, but still she knew it meant extra work for her mom and she already felt guilty enough about that. Quinn had already turned their lives upside down enough without adding to it further, so if her mom said no, she wouldn't argue about it.
—
"I see you're still dressing like a bit part actress from some prep school horror movie," Santana had her hands on her hips and her usual bitch face on as Rachel stood in front of the glee club for their first rehearsal.
"Santana, whilst like Voltaire, I will defend your right to use freedom of speech, do you really need to be so aggressive before I even say anything."
The Latina rolled her eyes in disapproval for about the hundredth time that day. "I have rage, sorry."
Rachel was about to continue with a pep talk for the club after their failure to progress beyond regionals in last years show choir competition, when a tall, willowy figure knocked on the door and entered the room. She was wearing skinny jeans and a white shirt tucked in at the waist. She had a broad khaki belt around her hips with camouflage print and the word 'animal' printed around it several times in bright pink. Her sneakers squeaked on the floor as she walked further into the room and grinned at Rachel.
"I found the right place then. This is glee club right?"
Rachel nodded and returned the smile. "Hi Quinn."
The rest of the room suddenly sat up and paid attention. Rachel had been chatting to the new girl all week, whilst the rest had simply followed around after her with their tongue's hanging out like dogs on heat. Mercedes had spoken to her in their Shakespeare class, mostly because Mercedes didn't really understand most of what was going on in The Merchant of Venice and Quinn seemed fairly au fait with it. Puck and Mike turned to each other and fist bumped mouthing the word 'awesome' to each other as Quinn waved at them all.
"Rachel suggested I come along." Quinn didn't say much more but waited to be told what to do.
"Why don't you take a seat Quinn," Mr Schue pointed at a chair on the front row.
"Wait a minute Mr Schue," the Latina spoke up. "I thought everyone had to audition first to get into glee." Santana had heard from some of the younger cheerleaders about the failed attempt to slushy Rachel and though she no longer engaged in unprovoked petty acts of bullying herself, she wasn't keen on anyone messing with her team mates.
"Well that's true, but it can wait a day or so I think. Let's allow Quinn to see how things work around here and she can choose something appropriate to perform later in the week."
"I can sing something now if you like, sir." She looked around the room and saw what she needed. "Can I borrow a guitar?"
Mr Schue looked at Sam and the boy jumped up and brought it over. "Here, you can borrow mine. It's tuned up regular in case you want something else."
Quinn grabbed her seat and pulled it out in front of them all.
Rachel walked back towards her. "You can wait if you like. Ignore Santana, she's always feisty."
"It's fine, Rachel." She took the guitar from Sam and draped the strap over her shoulders before sitting down. Placing her fingers on the fret board, she had to think carefully for a moment. It was tuned for a right handed player and she was left handed so it was a little awkward but she had played upside down several times before. She just created a mirror image in her mind and it didn't seem so difficult.
"Sorry if I hit a bum note with the guitar, I'm left handed." She strummed it quietly, playing each of the chords she needed for the song just to get them into her head the opposite way around.
Sam had just sat down, but stood briefly. "I can play for you if you need. What are you going to sing?"
She waved him back down. "It's okay, I'm used to having to flip it the other way."
Quinn started to strum the intro, humming alongside the chords as most of the group instantly recognised the modern classic. As soon as she started to sing properly, the rest of the group were rapt as the smooth alto emerged from Quinn's throat.
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos and memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.
Personality clashes aside, the club gave her a standing ovation at the end, except for the kid in the wheelchair who Quinn hadn't seen before, but even he looked happy at the performance.
Sam came over and collected his guitar. "That was awesome, but seriously, you're left handed?"
Quinn shrugged. "I can play either way around. I was always a bit confused about whether I was right or left handed, so….." she shrugged modestly.
"Alright, that's a great start to the year. Quinn welcome to glee club." Mr Schuester went to the board and wrote up the lesson for the week. The word 'harmony' appeared in black letters. "I want all of you to work in pairs and produce something this week in harmony. It's not a love song duet I'm after, it's just about finding someone to work with a getting the correct song and blend of two voices together. So choose your partner and get something together for Thursday. We'll perform in the auditorium."
The teacher went on to talk more about harmony and the musical theory behind it but Quinn already knew so she just let her mind wander to who she would like to work with. She could feel the boys already start to line themselves up and she thought carefully about it. Puck was too badass and she didn't need any more of that in her life. Finn was clearly into Rachel, they were sat holding hands together, so that meant he was probably off the market. Artie seemed to be looking at Tina, but she was definitely all eyes for Mike, who she knew from Chemistry class. She kind of felt sorry for the wheelchair kid, he was a dorky looking dude.
At the end of the session, after they had collectively practiced some harmonies, they started to pair off. Quinn glanced over at the kid in the chair and nodded at him. He rolled over to her and glanced up.
"So you have a great voice," she stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Do you fancy working with me on this?"
Artie looked a little shocked to say the least.
"Er, did you just ask me if I fancy you, I mean fancy working with you?" the Freudian slip made him blush.
Quinn chuckled. "Sure, if you want."
"Absolutely," he showed off his huge grin and looked triumphantly over at Tina who Quinn guessed may have been the object of Artie's affections at some point in the past.
Puck ran his hand through the mohawk and dropped down to the floor from the back row. "Listen Artie, I really like you, but you need to work with someone your own age and leave us juniors to work together."
The arrogance was faintly amusing and Quinn quirked her eyebrows at him. "Thanks for the offer, but Artie already said yes, so another time maybe." Quinn turned her back on the older boy and picked up her school bag leaving Puck to lick his wounds and find another singing partner.
So there it is, just a start.
Please let me know what you think.