I was seriously missing the Quinn and Mercedes friendship last season, and started this during the summer, but never got around to it. Originally I was just gonna do it as a 'five scenes they should have had last season' thing, but since I already think there should have been a scene this season, I think I might try to make it a continuous thing. Try being the key word. There isn't going to be a missing scene for every episode or anything, just moments that think should have had a scene, or even moments that did happen, that I think would have made more sense as a scene between them.

I guess this could kinda be considered to be AUish, since I'll be working under the premise that these two remembered each other existed in the second season, and will be kinda writing this as if they continued their friendship offscreen! I don't own them, obviously, because if I did, I wouldn't have to put this in a fanfic. Enjoy and please review!

201: Audition

Throughout her high school career, Quinn has never felt anything but pride when she wore her red and white Cheerios uniform, but as she strolls out of the gym to find Mercedes waiting for her, she suddenly feels ashamed. She parts ways with her fellow cheerleaders and makes her way over to where Mercedes is sitting on a bench across the parking lot.

"So I hear you tried to shank Santana," the girl says in greeting, moving her bag off the seat beside her so the blonde can sit down.

Quinn laughs, taking the offered seat. "What?"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Mercedes asks with a smile. "All kinds of crazy stories about you two going around school this afternoon. That one's my favorite."

"Just slapping," Quinn promises, leaning back to sit comfortably when she remembers that Sue isn't around to yell at her about perfect posture. "So why are you out here waiting for me?"

"Who says I am?"

Quinn raises a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "Aren't you?"

"I wanted to see if it was true," Mercedes confesses. "You being a Cheerio again, not the Santana thing."

"Ah," is all Quinn can say, since the other girl obviously already has her answer.

Seeing that she was going to have to pull the answers out of the blonde, Mercedes continues. "When did this happen?"

"Today," Quinn replies, playing dumb. She avoids looking at Mercedes for a moment before sighing. "I've always thought after … last year, that I'd try to get on again, and my mother reminded me that with my dad gone, it might be a good way to get a scholarship, help with college and everything."

Mercedes can understand that, but Quinn is still not looking at her. "Why didn't you ever mention it to me? We hung out a lot this summer."

"I know," Quinn admits, playing with the strap of her Cheerio's bag nervously. "I know. I just didn't want you to think less of me or anything."

"I was a Cheerio, remember?"

"And you quit," the blonde retaliates. She sees Mercedes nod out of the corner of her eye, and she braves a look at her friend. She sees the same open and understanding look she's always gotten from her, and relents. "I didn't want to worry you or cause tension."

Mercedes nods again, because the girl sitting beside her is still her friend. She might have had a momentary lapse with Santana earlier, but she was still the sweet and kind girl she had invited into her home last year. "You really just doing it for a scholarship?"

"That," Quinn begins, mulling it over in her head. "And I just really enjoy it. And it'll help me get in shape again, and …"

"And?"

"The popularity," she admits in a whisper, lowering her gaze again.

Mercedes studies her for a moment before speaking. "Q, it's okay, I get it. Me, I started at the bottom, and got a moment at the top, but I'm okay where I am. But you, you started up there. It's where you belong."

Quinn really doesn't know if that's true, but she doesn't question it. She takes a deep breath and turns back to Mercedes. "I don't want your permission or anything, but I would kind of like your blessing."

"You gonna ditch me? Or slushie me or anything?"

"Never," Quinn answers immediately, meaning it completely. Mercedes laughs a bit at how fast she answers, but is relieved to hear it.

"Then you have my blessing," she answers with a smile, causing Quinn's shoulders to finally fully relax. They're quiet for a moment before Mercedes voices a request. "Just … don't forget everything you learned last year, okay?"

"Like you'd let me," Quinn answers with a smirk, and it earns her a slap in the arm.

"Got that right," Mercedes laughs, as she gets to her feet and pulls her friend with her. "Let's go, you're coming to my house for dinner, before Coach Sylvester starts you on whatever crazy ass diet she's cooking up. My mom really misses you."

I have at least five or six scenes/episodes picked out already, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts on any scenes they should have had last season, to see if there's any I overlooked! Review, review, review!