Rachel sat alone in a pub in New York, washing away her problems with alcohol. She had originally come with friends, but they had abandoned her to go to a dance bar. It wasn't that she didn't like dancing, she was just depressed. Her divorce was finalized the previous afternoon. Even though she had been the one to instigate it, it still hurt like hell.

She turned away from the wooden bar and beer when she heard cheering come from the door. It looked like a female sports team. "We did it Marty!" a blonde shouted at the bartender "we're in the playoffs."

"Congratulations girls, I think a round of beers on the house is in order" he announced happily and started pouring their beers as they sat around a table.

The blonde, however, stayed at the bar and ordered a bottle of water. "I don't drink" she felt the need to explain herself when she was Rachel's quizzical look. "It's never done me any good"

"Oh" The brunette scolded herself for staring and making the girl think she had to explain herself. She needed to practice self restraint but the blonde beside her was making it difficult. She had green eyes with hints of Hazel, and she had the face of an angel.

"I've never seen you around before, I'm Quinn" she extended her arm "And you are?"

Rachel shook it gently hoping her hands weren't too sweaty, but she didn't miss the light squeeze Quinn gave her before letting go "I'm Rachel, Rachel Berry"

"So Rachel Berry, what are you doing here alone?" The athlete pulled up a stool and sat at the bar next to her.

"My friends went dancing." She replied lamely.

"May I ask why you didn't join in on the festivities? You look like you can dance." She glanced appreciatively at the stretch of legs that Rachel's dress showed.

The brunette blushed and tried to cover her legs up "I'm not in the mood to dance"

"I see"

"So what did you guys win? If you don't mind be asking" referring to when the team was yelling earlier.

"A hockey game, we're in the playoffs" she took a sip from her water "So what do you do?"

"I'm an author" she rummaged through her purse and pulled out a business card and handed it to the hockey player.

She looked over the card and slid it into her pocket "What kind of books do you write?"

"I've only written one thus far, but I'm planning another in this series, it's paranormal romance"

"I'll have to buy one"

"Q, get your ass over here!" A Latina yelled from the table her friends were occupying.

"Later San" She turned back to face Rachel "Sorry about her"

"You can go hang out with them, I'll be fine." Rachel felt guilty taking her away from her friends, even though the blonde had made the first move.

"Why would I want to leave someone as lovely as you, to go hang around a bunch of drunken chicks that I see everyday?"

"'Cause they're your friends"

"Well Rachel Berry, as soon as you give me your number, we'll be friends too" The two girls traded phones and entered their contact information.

"It was lovely talking to you Quinn, but I must be off"

"Can I give you a hug?"

"I suppose" Quinn stood up and wrapped her arms around Rachel's tiny body. Rachel whimpered at the loss of contact when the blonde pulled away.

"It was nice seeing you, we must do this again"

"Agreed" Rachel grabbed her bag off the bar and walked towards the door, before she left she turned to see Quinn waving at her. She waved back then walked outside and waited for a taxi.

Just as she sat down and spouted off directions to the driver, her phone rang "Hello?"

"Rachel?"

"Quinn?"

"Yep! I just wanted to make sure that you gave me the right number, have a nice night"

"You too" She hung up when she heard Quinn's dial tone. Someone actually wanted to be her friend? That hasn't happened in like forever.

Rachel was so focused on Quinn, her hair, her eyes, what she smelled like (vanilla with a hint of coconut) that she didn't realize that she was home.

"Miss we're here"

"Oh" she grabbed a wad of cash from her bag "Here you go"

She smiled dreamily up at the sky before proceeding to her apartment. She felt like she was on cloud nine, nothing could ruin her mood.

"Wake you up, In the middle of the night to say, I will never walk away again, I'm never gonna leave this bed. Rachel's phone blasted Maroon five, signaling that she had a call. "Hi Quinn"

"Hey Rach, what are you up too?" In the past week the girls had hung out a lot and they talked on the phone everyday, sometimes twice a day.

"I was about to turn the TV on, what about you?"

"I'm getting ready for a game"

"When does it start?"

"In two hours, anyways I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat after?"

"Sure, where is this game?"

Quinn told her the address and said her goodbyes. Rachel showered and got dressed and then realized that she had another hour and a half to wait. She redid her makeup, wanting to look perfect for Quinn.

After changing outfits a dozen times and unsuccessfully watching TV, she left for the arena to watch Quinn's game.

When she got there she grabbed a roster from the canteen and made her way to the stands. The teams were warming up, she quickly found number seven, Quinn's number, and didn't take her eyes off her until they had to go to the locker rooms for one last pep talk.

The other team skated on the ice without so much as an introduction. "Now ladies and gentleman, give it up for your Lions" There was probably only twenty people in the stands but they all cheered for their team, none of them as enthusiastically as Rachel.

The Lions ended up winning, six nil, and it was all thanks to Quinn, she scored five of the goals and assisted on the other. When the hockey team went to change and shower, Rachel waited in the lobby, she hadn't told Quinn she was coming.

She leaned against the door, across from a mohawked man who looked like he could be quite dangerous. "What team were you cheering for?" he asked looking up at her.

"The Lions, my best friend is on the team"

"Awesome, my girl is too"

"Hey babe" Rachel turned to see Quinn walking towards the man. Her heart broke as she saw them kiss, how she wished she could be him.

"Rachel! What are you doing here? I was going to pick you up." Quinn engulfed her in a hug.

"I wanted to see you play." She admitted honestly.

"You're going out?" Puck wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"Yeah, just getting a bite to eat."

"I'll see you later, have fun" He kissed her cheek and walked out of the building.

"So you have a boyfriend?" Rachel asked once Quinn turned back to her.

"I haven't mentioned him yet?" Rachel shook her hers. "In that case, I do, his name is Puck. Don't let the Mohawk fool you, he's harmless."

"Puck? What kind of name is that?"

"His real name is Noah, everyone just calls him Puck"

"That's cool I guess" She looked at the ground avoiding all eye contact with the blonde.

"So where do you want to go? I heard there was a new vegan restaurant a couple blocks away."

"Sounds good"

Quinn picked up her equipment bag and half carried half dragged it to her car, throwing it in the truck to avoid getting the foul smell embedded in her precious new Mustang.

Rachel sat in the passenger seat, waiting for Quinn to get in. Her mind was going crazy, why didn't Quinn tell her that she was taken. Now she has all these feelings that could've been avoided. When Quinn came around to the front and started up the car, Rachel wanted nothing but to crawl into bed with a tub of ice cream (Vegan of course) and cry.

"Is everything okay? We don't have to go out if you don't want too" Quinn looked at her friend genuinely.

"No, hurry up woman, I'm hungry!" Rachel plastered on her best fake smile.

Their quick bite to eat ended up lasting until about twelve and at the pub. Neither girl was drinking, though Rachel thought she might be drunk off Quinn.

My junk from spring awakening started playing from Quinn's phone. "A Broadway fan?"

"Maybe" Quinn bowed her head to hide her blush "Hey" she answered her phone. "Already? I'll be home soon"

Rachel didn't want the night to end, she didn't want any night she was with Quinn to end. "Going?"

"I suppose I should, are you ready?"

"I can just get a cab"

"Don't be silly, I'll drive you" Quinn finished her water, grabbed her bag and started towards the door, Rachel quickly caught up.

Once they were in the car, they had the music up full blast and were singing to the cheesy love songs of the nineties.

"Here we are" Quinn announced as she pulled up to the curb in front of Rachel's apartment.

"Thanks" She took off her seat belt but didn't make a move to get out of the car, she just stared at Quinn and her amazing eyes. Before she knew it lips were on lips and then they were gone again. "Oh god did I do that? I'm so sorry Quinn, I know you have Puck and-"

"It was mutual" Her voice had an edge to it and she stared straight ahead.

"I'll see you later I guess?"

"See you" Quinn didn't move to wave goodbye as Rachel stepped out of the car and into the brisk night air.

A month went past and each time Quinn and Rachel hung out, they both ended up in the same position. Rachel couldn't take it, the way she felt about Quinn was different than she felt about any other. Quinn was special and she couldn't risk their friendship because of her silly little crush.

Every time they pulled away and Quinn looked everywhere but at the brunette, her heart shattered, and she was reminded that Quinn had a boyfriend that she would be going home too, and sleeping with.

Rachel couldn't keep doing this to herself, it hurt too much and she knew that it was putting Quinn in a bad position. She hated herself for doing this, but she had to, if she wanted to try and keep any dignity.

Dear Quinn,

You are well aware of the way I feel about you, and I am sorry that I have let it get in the way of our friendship. I can't keep doing this, every time we pull away I'm reminded that you are not mine, and that I am helping you hurt someone you love very much.

I love you, more than anything. You are the most precious thing in my life, and I'm afraid if I don't do this now, I won't be able to stop. And that wouldn't be fair to Noah.

I need some space, give me a few weeks to sort myself out, to try and get over you. I can't promise that I will, but I'll try. I will do anything for you. Please don't call or text me, if I'm going to get over you, you can't be in my life at all. When I feel that I can handle the way I feel I will contact you.

I love you.

Love Rachel Berry

She read over it a couple more times then sent it. That was the hardest thing she has ever done. She gave up Quinn and everything hurt. She crawled into bed and cried herself to sleep.

A few blocks away Quinn just finished reading the letter. She knew Rachel had feelings for her, and she returned them, but she wasn't ready to give up the comfort she had found in Puck.

She so badly wanted to reply and tell her that she was in love too, but Rachel said not to contact her.

She glanced to the sleeping form beside her. Puck had always been there for her. When she got pregnant when she was sixteen. He had sold most of his possessions and worked three jobs to afford her doctor bills, and even though he wanted to keep the baby, he let her give Beth up for adoption. He helped her though therapy when she was hit by the truck, he took her to all her sessions and supported her through everything. She couldn't just leave him, it wouldn't be fair. It also wouldn't be fair to stay with him even though she loved Rachel.

She powered down her laptop and feel asleep crying just as her soul mate did.