Summary: When Rachel decides it's up to her to get Quinn back into glee she doesn't realise that her efforts will open Quinn's eyes to something more.
Spoilers: Ep1 Season 3.
Disclaimer: I don't own glee and writing this is purely for fun. All mistakes are my own.
Part One:
Quinn straightened up a little more and pulled her shoulders back as she walked, it had been an easy decision in the end, and a change was exactly what she had needed. Last night she had waivered slightly but then the point of no return came and this morning when she saw herself in the mirror she nodded. "I like it" she said to her own reflection. Her Mom had gasped aloud but quickly moved on when Quinn grunted, not daring to push the issue further. Now she saw all the eyes on her, attention was nothing new to Quinn Fabray; she had spent years making sure she was the kind of girl that got noticed. The first day back at school was always the time to make a statement. Last year she walked head high in her Cheerios uniform, proud to have her figure back post baby. Today she had easily topped it. Tina, Mercedes and Mike watched on as she walked by, they didn't say a word and she didn't acknowledge them either, she was done with Glee club, she was done will all of them.
"Hello Quinn" Quinn sighed outwardly. She had managed a summer free of Rachel Berry and now the first person to talk to her today would be the one girl she had hoped her new image would scare off the most. They weren't enemies but Rachel just had a habit of getting involved in Quinn's life whether she wanted her to or not.
"Man-hands." She answered through gritted teeth.
Rachel shuddered at the all too familiar nickname, it always made her want to check that her hands weren't as Quinn described but she didn't look, she knew that it was just Quinn trying to scare her off. Unfortunately for Quinn, Rachel wasn't intimidated easily and it only made her want to understand why the other girl felt the need to hurt her by calling her names.
"While I must say I appreciate that all teenagers go through a stage of self-discovery at some point, I am rather surprised at the choices you have made in an effort of rebellion. Considering all that you have experienced…" Quinn put up her hand to stop Rachel talking.
"Do you have a point Rachel?"
"Pink hair," Rachel stepped back, the shock of Quinn's style choice still evident in her voice. "You dyed it pink and while a girl like you can certainly carry off such a look, it is just very unexpected."
"I like it. I wanted something new. I'm done with being the girl I thought everybody wanted me to be, where did that ever get me anyway? I didn't get the boy and I didn't get the crown."
"And dying your hair pink and joining a gang solves all those problems?" Rachel had heard Quinn was now hanging with a rather unsavoury group of girls. She'd seen them, once or twice, over the summer and wanted to approach, but Finn warned her away.
"Listen Rachel, I belong for once. Can you just let me have something of my own and stop trying to ruin my life?" Quinn's tone was indignant; she really didn't want to deal with Rachel today.
"I have never tried to ruin you Quinn. I think you know that though, I care about you, I care about everyone in glee."
Quinn didn't speak so Rachel continued to walk along with her until they stopped at her homeroom.
"So I'll see you in glee?" Rachel half asked as she turned to leave.
"I'm not coming to glee club this year. I told you Berry, I need a new start." Quinn tried to keep her voice calm, concerned that her revelation would lead to Rachel causing a scene. She needn't have worried because Rachel was stunned by the confession. She hadn't expected Quinn to go this far. Glee club had been so important to them all and it didn't make sense for Quinn to walk away, not now.
"I see, well I hope that you change your mind." She said quietly as the realisation of what Quinn was saying began to dawn on her.
"Don't count on it." she called to a retreating Rachel. She shook her head as she walked into her class and had to remind herself why everyone was now staring at her.
The teacher walked in and almost fell over her feet in shock. Quinn just smirked, pleased that at least some people were getting the message that she had changed.
xxx
Rachel ran through the hall, desperate to not be late on her first day back. Seeing Quinn had shocked her. She had spent time with all the other glee clubbers over the summer, but Quinn's absence had been notable. Rachel found she missed her, even if in the past she had often been the target of Quinn's aggression. They had made some attempt at being friends and Rachel had thought that Quinn was ok with her seeing Finn again.
Now her head was full of the girl with pink hair and yet again she was left wondering how it always seemed to be about Quinn. Surely Finn should be filling that part of her life? She stumbled through the door just as her teacher put his bag on the table and was glad all she received was a slight scowl.
The news spread quickly and by lunch everyone knew about Quinn's new look, her new gang and her departure from glee club. Finn had just seen the pink hair brush past him on his way to meet Rachel at her locker.
"Perhaps it's for the best that she has quit glee. She wanted to do it last year, maybe it really is a problem for her and face it Rach she was only ever trouble for us."
"Do you really believe that Finn?" Rachel shut her locker and looked up at him.
"Now we can be a couple in glee without worrying it'll upset her, so yeah."
"I don't think Quinn would have let it get to her. Glee is going to miss her, she is a good dancer and her voice is really…pretty."
"I think it's obvious our relationship got to her, she clearly still has feelings for me, but she has to understand I am with you and really what boy is going to look at her now, I mean look at her Rachel, she is one of the Skanks!"
"It's a difficult time for her Finn. I really don't think any of us have the right to judge her, I for one wish I had done something sooner. When she cut her hair off, she was clearly asking for help, I should have been there for her."
"Well she definitely needs help now, but Rachel you need to remember that Quinn kind of hates you."
The words stung and Rachel couldn't hide it. She didn't really think Quinn hated her, she had tried hard to be more likable and what did Finn really know anyway?
"I think I can take care of myself thank you Finn." Rachel began walking to her next class.
"But Rachel we were going to make out?" the boy called after her, but his words fell on deaf ears. Rachel had spied pink hair at the end of the corridor and quickened her step.
If Quinn didn't want her help, why had she made such an effort to stand out from the crowd? Rachel was determined she would rescue Quinn from whatever bad place she was in, the thought alone made her smile. She followed the girl outside and watched as she headed underneath the bleachers.
"What's with you Dwarf?" Rachel froze at the familiar taunt. "Got a crush on the hot pink Fabray?" Santana stepped in front of her and folded her arms across her chest, blocking Rachel's view of Quinn.
"Lovely to see you Santana, I hope you had a nice summer. So you decided to go back to the Cheerios?" she said behind a forced smile.
"Hey Rach." Brittany appeared smiling she turned towards the bleachers. "Is Quinn smoking now?"
"So it would seem." Rachel didn't hide the sadness in her voice.
"She needs to come back to Cheerios." Brittany said.
"She needs to come back to glee." Rachel added.
"She needs a good wash." Santana joined in, the other two turned and glared at her. "What?" she shrugged. "You both thought it too. Clearly being a skank means she has to embrace the unclean and girl is starting to hum a little."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Rachel asked them both.
"Oh Berry, I think you got lost somewhere, since when do we work together? or even care about what the pink punk does?"
"Because she is your friend Santana and she is a part of glee, we are a family and we don't let one of our own go off and mess up like Quinn inevitably will if she continues on this path."
"She is our friend, San. Rachel is right, we have to do something." Brittany pleaded while gripping Santana's arm.
"Ok fine I get it, but why you Rachel?"
"As glee club captain, it is my duty."
"Don't give me that crap midget, fess up."
"I care ok. I just do and I don't want Quinn messing up her last year of high school, she has been thrown around a lot and we all missed the fact that she needed some help."
"Probably because you were too busy eating Hudson's face at Nationals to notice, are you still with Finn?" Santana cocked her head to one side, Rachel nodded. "It shouldn't surprise me."
"Do you think Quinn still wants him?" Rachel suddenly felt a little fearful of the answer she may get.
"No. Quinn is definitely over that stage of her life." Santana dismissed Rachel's worries with a wave of her hand.
"So how do we get her back?"
"I'll talk to her."
"I think it's going to take more than a chat under the bleachers."
"Got any better ideas?" Santana scowled as she walked over to where Quinn was smoking, Brittany skipped after her, sending Rachel a wave goodbye as she went.
Rachel watched as Santana tried to talk to Quinn, she could see from a distance that the Latina wasn't having much luck. At least it was a start and she hoped that perhaps between them they could find a solution.
Xxx
On Tuesday Rachel was organising her locker when she first caught a glimpse of pink hair. She hastily closed the door and moved alongside Quinn, matching her pace as they walked side by side. They got as far as Quinn's class without speaking.
"Stubbles?" Quinn finally bit as the neared the door.
"So the hair?" Rachel was staring at it now, she didn't know why it fascinated her so much, she just never really thought of Quinn as being into pink. Rachel really liked pink.
"It is here to stay, so you need to get used to it."
"We missed you in glee yesterday. Just remember you are always welcome to comeback. I know you think you belong in the Skanks, but you are one of us Quinn." Rachel pleaded but she stopped when she saw the familiar icy stare from Quinn. "We all care about you, so when you are ready ok?" she added before biting her bottom lip.
Quinn had wanted to say thanks. A little smile even formed at the corner of her mouth when Rachel bit her lip, she thought it was cute but quickly dismissed that thought and instead she just turned and walked into her class.
Rachel ran through the hall yet again, desperate to not get another late mark. It was only day two of her senior year after all, but Quinn was proving too much of a distraction.
Xxx
"I can't make her come back to glee club, you know that Rachel, as much as I want her here. She has a new direction now." Mr Schue chuckled at his own pun and Rachel rolled her eyes.
"So you just give up and let her walk? I thought you were always going to be here for us?"
"I am. I will be, but Quinn has things in her life that none of us can understand."
"So we just turn our backs and wait until she figures it out on her own?" Rachel stormed out disgusted at her teacher's attitude.
She ran straight into Mercedes.
"Whoa, you look all kinds of angry! Channelling your inner Fabray?" Mercedes stepped back, slightly scared.
"I am angry. Mr Schue is an idiot."
"Not going to get all the solo's this year then?" Mercedes quipped.
"It's not about me, it's Quinn."
"Girl gone bad. I saw her new look and wow, it's all kinds of scary."
"We have to help her."
"Good luck with that."
"You aren't going to help?" Rachel was surprised; she had thought Mercedes and Quinn had some sort of friendship since Quinn had lived with the girl once.
"No way, when Quinn goes bad, I hide. You'd probably be wise to do the same."
Rachel shook her head as Mercedes scurried off down the hall. The glee family she had believed in didn't seem that strong after all.
xxx
At lunch she saw Quinn smoking again. Something took over her body as she stomped towards the group hiding under the bleachers. Clearly Santana hadn't got anywhere so now it was Rachel's turn and Quinn's silence this morning had left her feeling frustrated.
Rachel took the cigarette from Quinn's hand and threw it on the ground, putting it out with her foot. She stared Quinn down as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Berry." Quinn rolled her eyes at the unexpected appearance.
"What do you think you are doing Quinn? Do you not understand the dangers of smoking because I can quite happily create a PowerPoint presentation for you?"
"You really need to learn that what I do is none of your business." Quinn spat and turned back to her new friends, pulling another cigarette from the pack.
"I care Quinn. I can't have you ruining your voice."
"I am not coming back to glee, when are you going to get the message Rachel?" She snapped.
"You were in glee club?" one of her companions piped up and the others began to chuckle. Quinn stood up and pulled at Rachel's arm, leading her away from the group.
"You need to leave me alone." She hissed.
"I have no intention of ever leaving you alone, you need me Quinn. We are friends and I can't let you make a mistake like this."
"We are not now, nor have we ever been, friends!" Quinn regretted the outburst instantly as guilt pulled at her insides, but she didn't want Rachel to know.
Rachel felt like she'd been punched in the stomach and she tried to not let her hurt show but it did. She looked back up at Quinn. "You don't have to do this Quinn. You have friends and we like you for who you are, you don't need to pretend with us."
"I'm not pretending." Quinn mumbled, but she had seen the water behind Rachel's eyes and hated herself for doing that to the girl yet again. She had just wanted Rachel to leave her alone, not to hurt her.
Rachel shook her head. She didn't know what more she could say to Quinn right now, so she walked away.
Xxx
Rachel grabbed her lunch and joined Finn.
"Any joy with your project?" Finn asked as she sat next to him.
"My project?" she asked confusedly.
"Save Quinn Fabray from the evil pink hair." Finn mocked and began to laugh, not noticing Rachel's scowl.
"Quinn is being difficult, but I don't plan to give up on her, she needs me."
"She needs a bottle of peroxide and some soap."
"I'll see you later Finn."
"Whoa Rach wait up. I have hardly seen you." He stood up in an attempt to stop her.
"Busy with my project Finn." She picked up her bag and left him with a slightly constipated look on his face. When she reached the doors she turned back and saw him laughing with another football player. Her departure clearly didn't bother him that much after all. She saw Santana at her locker and walked over to her.
"Any luck with Quinn?"
"Contrary to what you may think Berry, I actually have my own life."
"No joy then?" Rachel shrugged.
"Nope" Santana hung her head. She had sort of tried but heart to hearts weren't her strong point. She knew that telling Quinn she was a bitch was simple, but getting her to see it herself and come back to the friends that cared for her, not so much.
"Do you think Brittany could get through to her?"
"She tried, but when I asked her what happened she got all confused and started talking about how Quinn should get a pet duck to make her happy again."
"Oh."
"Oh indeed. Maybe we just listen to Quinn and let her be. She seems to want to do this."
"But it's not Quinn. She isn't happy, surely you see that?"
"I didn't realise you and Q were best friends?" Santana raised her eyebrow at Rachel, not sure why the girl was so keen to rescue her past antagonist.
"I told you I care. I care about all of you, but this thing with Quinn worries me."
"What if you can't save her?" Santana met her eyes and the seriousness of the question wasn't lost on Rachel.
"I don't want to think about it." Rachel pursed her lips. The idea that Quinn was lost in this new world of hers wasn't an option for Rachel. For whatever reason they were connected, they always had been and Rachel knew she had to save Quinn, she'd known it since the day they argued about Finn at the piano. Quinn had said, that day, that her life was in Ohio and she was destined to settle with Finn. The words and lack of ambition still tugged at Rachel's heart, she had felt since then that she needed to show Quinn how much more was on offer. This wasn't just about the pink hair and whatever rebellious streak Quinn was focussing on, it was about showing Quinn that she had a future and a life beyond Lima.
Xxx
Wednesday arrived and Rachel was tired. She had been up thinking about Quinn the night before in an attempt to work out how to get her to wake up and realise that she didn't need to do this. She was startled when her locker door slammed shut in front of her face.
"Care to explain that episode yesterday?" Quinn growled.
Rachel turned on her heel and waited for Quinn to join her, when she felt the girl at her side she began to walk.
"I don't agree with smoking. It's bad for your health. Do you really need more of an explanation?"
"Yes I do, why can't you leave me alone Rachel?"
"I know you don't think it, yet, but I believe you need my help to get you through this phase."
"Phase? God Rachel when will you realise I am happy now. I have friends. I belong."
"Quinn you have pink hair and a new found love for black clothing, combined with a sudden distaste for using soap and on top of that I see you smoking!"
"It's my choice." Quinn stopped and fell back against the wall in frustration.
"It's obvious you aren't ready to listen to reason yet, but in time I am sure you will see things clearly. I know that you will come back to glee, just know that we will always welcome you Quinn, you are one of us and I miss seeing you in the choir room, we all miss you. I can't keep harassing you though so I'll leave it, for now." Quinn's gaze didn't falter as Rachel headed down the hall, when she looked back she inadvertently sent the brunette a smile and when she saw it returned she knew Rachel wasn't about to give up on her and it made her feel a little warm inside.
For whatever reason she couldn't resist Rachel Berry, she had never been able to. There was no need for her to confront Rachel this morning, she could have just played it cool and ignored her, but she needed it, she needed Rachel to care. The realisation scared her a little bit, but the thought of Rachel not being around, or nagging at her actually scared her more.
xxx
On Thursday Quinn didn't see Rachel or at least Rachel didn't walk her to class. Had Rachel been walking her to class? She wasn't sure but it felt strange to not have the little brunette at her side today.
It turned out her change of image was working, people were avoiding her, but she now knew there was a downside, she felt invisible. Rachel was the only person that actively sought her out and the no show this morning made Quinn realise just how important that simple fact was.
When lunch came and went and she still hadn't heard a peep out of Rachel she decided to seek her out. It didn't take long. She had a feeling where Rachel would be, it was six weeks until sectionals and that meant rehearsal.
She opened the doors to the auditorium and sure enough it was filled with the sound of Rachel Berry's voice. Quinn didn't even know she had missed it until that moment. The spot lights shone onto the girl on stage and Quinn took a seat as Rachel performed. It felt familiar and again that warmth took over her. Maybe she had missed glee more than she had known? She ground her teeth at the thought, damn Rachel. Quinn was angry, so angry. Rachel had everything she ever wanted. The girl had an amazing voice and a stage presence that absorbed everyone and even now Quinn couldn't resist it. When Rachel performed she listened and she felt. Feelings she couldn't explain and in all honesty didn't really want to, she hated that Rachel had a power over her. Or at least she thought she hated it but the last few days had only made her realise that she didn't hate it at all, she not only needed it, but she craved it as well.
She had tried to break free, she wanted to find her own way and not feel so tethered to Rachel. The past two years had just been a mess and everything seemed to link the two of them. Quinn knew she had always pushed Rachel away because it felt safer. Rachel had a way of getting under her skin and it made Quinn want to run.
As Rachel's voice filled the auditorium she couldn't hold onto the anger a moment longer, she felt her body relax and she sank back into her chair letting the song envelop her.
When she finished Quinn took a deep breath.
"Hello." Rachel said shyly from the stage, her eyes locked on Quinn.
"Hi"
"Do you want to um…grab a coffee?" Rachel asked as if it was an everyday occurrence.
Quinn nodded and stood up. She joined Rachel on stage as the other girl gathered her things. She didn't say another word, they just walked to her car and Quinn drove them into town.
xxx
Rachel watched Quinn as she waited for their order. Something had changed and she could feel it, not just because she was about to drink coffee with her, but she'd seen something in Quinn's eyes in the auditorium. Quinn looked up and Rachel blushed when she realised she had been caught staring. She was saved when their drinks arrived.
"You still sound amazing." Quinn spoke softly as she sipped her coffee.
"I try, I practice daily, but then you know all that. I'm glad you came to find me today."
"I'm glad I did too." Quinn chewed on her bottom lip, unsure why she felt nervous. She'd had coffee before, just not on her own with Rachel.
"So how is life as a skank?"
"Interesting I guess, but not that different to being a Cheerio, people just avoid me."
"And that's what you want? To scare people off?"
"Well some people don't seem to be scared." She looked at Rachel pointedly.
"I'm not easily deterred Quinn."
"I don't know why you do it though Rachel, I have been nothing but poisonous to you."
"Not always. I know that isn't who you are."
"Well you are ahead of me then, because I have no idea who I am."
"You'll find yourself, but that doesn't mean you have to give up the things that make you happy and we both know glee club made you happy."
"I don't know Rachel. I think I need to figure some things out and I need to do that on my own, in my own time."
"Well from the smell of you, you figured out that soap is indeed your friend."
Quinn blushed and nodded "It didn't really suit me."
"It really didn't. You smell so lovely normally." Rachel stopped and her eyes fixed on Quinn's when she realised what she had just said.
"I didn't know you liked to smell me." Quinn quirked an eyebrow and couldn't contain her laughter when she saw the look on Rachel's face.
"I um…" Rachel spluttered.
"Oh Rachel, you are just priceless. You keep on smelling me whenever you want. I promise I'll stay clean from now on."
Once Rachel's blush faded they settled into easy conversation, mostly about safe subjects. No talk of Finn and only a small focus on Rachel's need to sing all the solo's this year seemed to work for them both.
When they finished their coffees, Quinn drove her home. Waving as she left. Rachel stood on her porch amazed that she had just had a really nice time with Quinn. She smiled and wrapped her arms around herself, glad that she was finally breaking down the other girl's barriers.
xxx
Friday morning and Rachel was fidgeting. Quinn was late and if she didn't show now then Rachel would have to go without seeing her. She wasn't quite sure when that feeling happened, but now when she woke in the morning the first person she thought of was Quinn, she looked forward to school because she was looking forward to seeing Quinn.
The coffee had gone better than she could ever expect. They had talked and Rachel was sure she hadn't managed to irritate Quinn once, she actually made her laugh and it was so nice to see. Laughing wasn't really something Quinn Fabray did often enough in Rachel's opinion. She checked her watch and finally gave in. If she waited any longer she would be late for the third time this week thanks to her long route via Quinn's homeroom. As she turned the corner she ran straight into the girl she had been waiting for.
""I was um…"
"Waiting for me?" Quinn asked smugly.
"Sort of, I wanted to say thank you for last night. Coffee and talking to me, it was really nice."
"It was nice. Yes I enjoyed it." Quinn tilted her head and waited until Rachel finally met her eye. "So will you let me walk with you today?" Rachel nodded "How is Glee?" Quinn asked and almost kicked herself for bringing it up.
"Glee misses you. I…we need you back."
"Not yet, ok?" Quinn whispered.
"I'm sorry. Do you want to study at mine tonight?" Rachel asked tentatively, unsure where the idea had come from.
"No, come to my house. My Mom is out and I'll drop you home after."
Rachel couldn't hide her grin, she tried to bite on her lip to stop it, but it didn't work, Quinn had just invited her to her house. She couldn't hold her tongue either as she eagerly asked her. "Quinn, are we friends?"
Quinn smiled shyly she could feel the giddiness that Rachel exuded.
"I don't know, maybe?" was all she could say as she walked Rachel to her class. Minutes later and she rushed through the door of her own and saw the look from her teacher. It felt worth it for some reason because somehow Rachel had made her feel happy for the first time in too long.
For as long as she could remember, there had always been something about Rachel. Quinn never understood how someone with such bad dress sense could hold her head so high. It didn't matter how many slushies she had thrown or what names she was called, nothing stopped Rachel. When she joined glee she saw another side to Rachel, that beneath the smile and the arrogance she was as vulnerable as the rest of them, Quinn knew she'd hurt her and it actually made her feel bad. She half wanted to like her, but at the time Rachel was busy seducing Finn and that meant Quinn had competition. Quinn didn't love Finn, she had hoped he would be her key to a crown, but it wasn't to be. Once again Rachel had gotten in the way.
In the summer Quinn had been desperate to break away and now here she was, less than a week into senior year and she'd invited Rachel Berry to her house. She shook her head at the thought but the smile she had been sporting since she saw Rachel never left her face.
Xxx
"So do you want to stay and eat?" Quinn asked as Rachel began to pack up her books. They had just finished studying and Quinn's stomach began making noises. It turned out Rachel was actually a good study partner. She didn't talk as much as she usually does and when she was deep in thought Quinn found herself watching her. Sometimes Rachel would look up and Quinn would quickly look away.
"I can't." Rachel said sadly.
"Of course, you probably have plans with Finn?" she turned on her bed so that Rachel couldn't see her face.
"No I have a family thing, I can't get out of it and actually I do want to go, but I'd love to have dinner with you too, so maybe another time?" Rachel placed a hand on Quinn's shoulder.
Quinn turned back to look at her, she had surprised herself with the invitation but it had just slipped out because she didn't want Rachel to leave.
"That sounds nice. Come on I'll drive you home." She picked up Rachel's bag and walked her to the car. They drove to Rachel's in silence.
"Thank you Quinn." Rachel pulled at the door handle but stopped when she felt Quinn's hand on her other arm.
"It was nice. Spending time together, I mean."
Rachel felt her skin warm under Quinn's touch and as she looked from her hand to Quinn's eyes she felt her breath catch.
"Quinn…I…Well it was lovely spending time with you too. I hope you have a nice weekend."
"You too" Quinn replied as Rachel climbed out of the car. She watched her walk to the door and beeped her horn, waving as she drove home.
A/N: So tell me what you think. I have this drafted out as a four part story.