A Very FaBerry Glee-verse
By: Shiney1983
A/N: Hey to all my fellow FaBerry shippers out there! This is my first foray into the world of GLEE fanfic, so I hope it turns out okay. Basically, I've been re-watching my GLEE DVDs to get me through the long, hot summer 'til season 4, and I realized how easy it would be to make FaBerry cannon, even way back in season 1. Searching and not finding anything that I felt was satisfactory I decided to try my hand at it. The first part is in "Laryngitis" and takes place after the Kurt/Burt Mellencamp scene. Hope you enjoy! So anyhoo, here goes…
Disclamer: I own nothing belonging to GLEE, including any dialogue I borrowed straight from episodes for my own purposes. Also, any songs mentioned belong to the original artists.
Quinn Fabray waddled out to the parking lot and sighed as she heaved her backpack in to her car. She wasn't getting much sleep sleeping on the pull-out couch in the Puckerman's basement and her baby hormones really had been in overdrive lately. She turned with her back against the side of her car, closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and sighed. It was a rather warm day out for April in Ohio and the breeze felt cool on her face. Quinn was pretty sure she could fall asleep, right there, standing up until…
"Please Finn. Jesse is on spring break with some of his friends from Caramel, and it's imperative that I consult a physician immediately. A star must maintain his or her health as one never knows when opportunities will knock. Besides it's for the good of the glee club, and you, as co-captain should…"
Quinn lifted her head slowly as she listened intently to the pint sized diva as she tried to persuade the dopey quarterback.
The pregnant blonde chucked internally because she knew three things for sure: no matter how in to Rachel he was, Finn would never skip his x-box night with Artie and Puck; Finn had checked out on Rachel somewhere around "imperative" (long winded speeches and big words tended to bore the boy); and Rachel Berry only babbled this much when she was nervous, scared, or extremely pissed. Quinn felt a small smile pull at her mouth realizing she had probably been the cause of all of those emotions for the little starlet at one time or another.
Quinn tuned back in to the conversation just as Finn realized Rachel had finished speaking, and was standing with her hands on her hips, anxiously awaiting his reply.
The boy gave the impatient brunette his patented, lopsided grin, the one Quinn knew he only used when he was trying to flirt, ugh.
Finn's hand landed heavily on Rachel's shoulder, "Umm…gee…I'm really sorry Rach, but I kinda already have plans with Puck and Artie and it'd be rude to bail last minute. Can't one of your dads take you or something?"
Rachel looked down for a split second, seemingly hurt, but then looked back up so quickly it was doubtful the quarterback noticed. She plastered on one of her fake star smiles and placed her hand reassuringly on Finn's. "Both of my dads are busy tonight and I wouldn't want to worry them anyway, however, I fully understand that you are otherwise engaged. It was foolish of me to think you'd even want to accompany me now that we are no longer an item. I'm sorry Finn. Please don't worry about me and have fun tonight."
Finn furrowed his brow, "You sure?"
"Of course. I'll figure something out."
Rachel smiled up at him and Quinn thought she might be sick, although she knew this time it was the syrupy sweet scene being played out in front of her, and not morning sickness, making her stomach turn.
"Okay, cool. Thanks Rach," Finn replied, smiling back, clearly relieved. "You're the best. I'll call you tonight to see how you are," with that Finn kissed the small girl on the cheek and jogged off toward his car.
Rachel hung her head as she started to walk away. Quinn rolled her eyes. She knew the Jesse St. James wasn't the right guy for Rachel, something about him just didn't sit right with Quinn, but she didn't think Finn was right for Rachel either. He just didn't compliment her; they didn't fit. Plus, when he wasn't trying to get in the diva's pants, (or more accurately, up her skirt), he either ignored her or was downright hurtful. It wasn't right.
"Hey Berry."
Quinn heard her voice before she even knew she had spoken. However, she was quite irritated when Rachel didn't even look up; she hated being ignored. She made a move to follow the girl, jogging toward her, as best she could with her pregnant belly in the way.
"Rachel wait up," Quinn huffed out when she finally got close enough for the other girl to hear.
Rachel turned just as Quinn stopped to catch her breath. The diva halted too, retreating a few steps, until she was face to face with the ex-cheerleader. "Oh hello, Quinn. Please forgive my rude behavior I was simply too caught up in my own troubles to hear you. Are you alright?"
The tiny brunette's face twisted in such genuine concern that it caused Quinn to laugh, the first real laugh she'd experience in weeks, months even.
Quinn straightened up as she finally caught her breath, waving off Rachel's concern. Suddenly embarrassed, Quinn looked down at her feet, which she could barely see now, "I'm fine," she whispered, "I just…umm..I couldn't help but overhear you talking to Finn and umm…do you need a ride somewhere?"
It was Rachel's turn to look down now. She made circles with her toes on the payment as she answered. "Oh no, Quinn, I couldn't possibly trouble you. You're probably exhausted from the day as it is, and besides, I couldn't risk exposing you or your unborn child to the myriad of disease one is likely to find-"
"Please." The word was so quiet the Quinn wasn't even sure she'd said it out loud until she'd slowly looked up to find brown eyes meeting hazel, in a mix of gratitude and confusion.
Quinn knew why she needed to help Rachel. The former head cheerio and the future Broadway star had more in common than the smaller girl knew. Quinn masked her pain behind outward beauty and her HBIC attitude, while Rachel used her million watt smile and self-centered vibrato as a shield. However, both girls had felt the sting of rejection from peers and those they thought really cared…
Quinn shook her head slightly to clear away the thoughts of her secret past, one she hasn't been ready or willingly to share yet, and softly smiled, as Rachel simply nodded.
Rachel didn't know why, but she felt as though Quinn not only wanted, but needed to help her. Since the blonde's friendship is all Rachel's ever wanted from the day they met, it would be self-defeating for Rachel to refuse Quinn now, whatever her reason.
The pair shuffled back to Quinn's car in silence, both heads swimming with too many thoughts to verbalize one.
As Quinn turned the key to start the ignition of her cherry red VW, it was Rachel who broke the silence, "Thank you."
Quinn's breathing hitched involuntarily as she realized Rachel's hand was on her knee. She stared at the hand for a moment, and then slowly covered it with her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're welcome," she breathed out, smiling over at Rachel again. They fell in to silence again, each slightly uneasy in the presence of the other, as Quinn pulled away from the school.
"What if he says I'll never sing again? I mean, who am I without my voice? I-I'm just this spoiled, annoying only child-" It was the first either of them had spoken since the parking lot of McKinley and Rachel's fear inspired diatribe was only halted by Quinn's hand gently placed on hers.
"Don't say that!" Quinn nearly growled at Rachel, her tone highly reminiscent of the girl that has tortured Rachel for so long now, then Rachel watched as Quinn's eyes and voice softened again, "your voice is not the only worthwhile thing about you."
The diva opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it again, searching the other girl's hazel eyes for answers.
"Like?"
It was the logical response, but the vulnerability and hopefulness in that one word caught Quinn off guard, causing her to stammer out an awkward reply.
"… Look, he's not gonna say you'll never sing again."
Just then the doctor entered and both girls seemed almost grateful for the intrusion. The doctor pulled up a stool and sat in front of Rachel, with a serious expression on his face. "You have severe tonsillitis, which has resulted in an inner ear infection. From the looks of things, it's not the first time. You should have had them out years ago."
He reached towards Rachel and she crossed her arms, protecting herself with her best diva posture. "Why should I let you butcher my throat when just resting my voice for a week and chugging down herbal tea will do the same job?"
The doctor seemed taken aback, confused and concerned at the same time. "This is a very serious infection," he stated matter-of-factly.
Rachel had opened her mouth to protest once more when Quinn's voice (she had forgotten the blonde was even in the room) stunned her back in to silence. "I think she's worried about the surgery affecting her singing voice."
Rachel nodded affirmatively in Quinn's direction and the doctor sighed resolutely. Looking down and sighing he jotted something on his prescription pad. "At least start by taking these antibiotics. Unless you think they're going to adversely affect your dance moves."
He gave Rachel the prescription and left. The girls fell back in to silence, both at a loss for words. Rachel looked down at the prescription then slowly in Quinn's direction as she nervously cleared her throat.
"Quinn?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want you to think that I'm in any way ungrateful or unappreciative of your kindness and generosity, but umm, why are you being so nice to me?"
Quinn's hazel eyes met Rachel's warm, trusting, brown ones and she just knew the time was right. Maybe by divulging her long held secret now, Quinn could help her kindred spirit conquer some of her fears and insecurities, while easing some of her own as well. It's so exhausting being Quinn Fabray all the time. Quinn stood and took a deep breath, having decided to let some the burden go. She slipped her hand in to Rachel's, pulling the shorter girl off the exam table, offering her a shaky smile. "Come on. I wanna show you something."
Rachel knew she should question Quinn as she silently followed her out of the doctor's office but the only coherent thought in the tiny brunette's head was how right Quinn's soft hand feels in hers and how, at that moment, she trusted Quinn implicitly.
The Puckerman's basement was dark and musty and the pull-out couch squeaked as Rachel carefully sat on it. She examined her hands in her lap and chewed absentmindedly on her bottom lip, thinking that she couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable knowing that Quinn and her unborn child called this space home.
"A-ha!"
Quinn's exclamation interrupted Rachel's thoughts as the taller girl took a seat beside her and offered her a slightly dusty middle school yearbook.
As Quinn held the book out to her, Rachel noticed that Quinn's hands were shaking. Rachel examined the book with great curiosity.
"Page twelve." Quinn murmured quietly, picking at a hole in the couch cushion.
The questions in her head now almost overwhelming, Rachel licked her lips as she dutifully obeyed.
What Rachel found was unexpected and highly confusing. There, in the third row, toward the middle, is a picture of a chubby girl with brown glasses and braces smiling back at her. The part that made Rachel's breath catch in the back of her throat, however, was the name printed underneath the girl's picture: Lucy Quinn Fabray.
"Quinn?" Rachel asked hesitantly.
Quinn looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. She batted away at them, took a breath, and spoke, "That's me. My middle name is Quinn, I stopped going by Lucy because kids made up a mean nickname, Lucy Caboosey. I hated the way I looked. I had zits, I was chubby. I felt terrible about myself. I didn't have friends. Nobody would talk to me. I was the only kid at school who had to dissect their own frog because nobody would be my lab partner."
Quinn was crying freely now and Rachel moved closer to her, drawn in by her heartache, and desperately wanting to comfort the girl. Rachel took Quinn's hand in an effort to encourage her, and Quinn found the strength to continue.
"And then I joined ballet, lost a little bit of weight, found out I was athletic and joined gymnastics and cheerleading, went on proactive for my acne, and when my dad got transferred he got a raise, and I asked him if I could get a nose job, and he said yes, and I asked them to call me Quinn."
Rachel's own eyes filled with tears. "Oh Quinn, I'm truly sorry that happened to you. Kids can be so cruel. I can't imagine what it must've felt like-"
"But that's the point," Quinn interjected, shaking her head, "you do know what it feels like exactly. I've always been so jealous of you Rachel." Quinn locked eyes with Rachel as she continued. "You've been tortured in the halls of McKinley day after day, and yet you still manage to walk the halls with your head held high, knowing exactly who you are, and being comfortable with that girl. You projected an air of confidence and beauty all without singing a note…without your voice."
Rachel sat dumbfounded. Not only had Quinn revealed a life-changing secret to her, calling her confident and beautiful to boot, but with one speech Quinn had managed to alleviate all her fears about the current state of her vocal ability.
"I'm going to hug you now," Rachel managed, and Quinn was far too emotionally drained to refuse the contact.
As they embraced, Rachel inhaled the sweet scent of Quinn coconut shampoo, and smiled in to the long blonde mane. "Thank you," she whispered; hoping those two small words convey the depth of her gratitude for everything her classmate had offered in the last few hours.
"You're welcome," Quinn replied, pulling away, and Rachel knew she understood.
"Well, it's getting late. I'm sure Daddy is home by now. I should call and have him come and get me. I'm sure he's worried."
Rachel stood and smoothed out her skirt and Quinn stood too. "I can drive you," she offered shyly, still feeling exposed.
Rachel gave her a genuine smile. "Don't trouble yourself Quinn. You've already done so much…more than I deserve."
Quinn nodded, and sunk back on to the couch; suddenly feeling very tired, as Rachel retrieved her cell from her backpack, and made the call. After a minute she hung up and slung her backpack over her shoulder and smiled at Quinn again. "Daddy requested that I sit out on the front porch to wait to ensure that he can locate the house easier. Thank you again Quinn. You'll never know what your friendliness and open spirit have meant to me this afternoon."
"You're welcome Rach," Quinn said, echoing the tiny girl's sentiment and mirroring her smile.
"You called me 'Rach,'" Rachel questioned, once again utterly shocked.
Quinn breathed out a long, heavy breath, as though she was finally letting something go. She glanced at Rachel, her eyes searching and hopeful. "It is what your friends call you, isn't it?"
"Absolutely," the smaller girl stated, her eyes shining with tears again. Before one could fall, however, Rachel turned on her heel. "I'll see you at school Quinn," she called over her shoulder.
Quinn heard the basement door open and close gently and then she was alone. "Yeah…at school," she agreed, to the silence the surrounded her.
Quinn groaned internally as she heard her cell phone ring in the darkness. She glanced at the small alarm clock glowing at the head of the couch: 1:58. Quinn moaned. She had only been asleep for a half hour! She reached for her phone, thinking the person on the other end must have a dead wish.
"What!" she growled in to the phone, throwing her free hand up over her eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have bothered you at such a late hour. I'll just go."
"Rachel?" Quinn rasped out her voice thick with sleep. No answer. "Rachel? she tried again, swallowing and clearing her throat.
Quinn could hear the other girl's light breathing on the other end of the phone, and Rachel breathed in as she offered a small, "Yes?"
Quinn breathed out slowly as she struggled to push herself a bit more upright on the couch. "What is it Rachel?"
"Well, I just…I umm…are we friends Quinn?" Rachel stumbled over the words and Quinn smiled; the other girl is clearly nervous.
"If you want us to be," Quinn answered back, her voice suddenly sounding louder in the darkness.
There was no hesitation in Rachel's reply. "In that case, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Obvious hesitation this time, "It's about Finn."
Quinn rolled her eyes. There it was. The one commonality the two had shared since the beginning of the school year; the awkward boy bringing them constantly together, while at the same time pulling them apart.
Quinn sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "What about him?" she asked, the slightest edge of tension in her voice.
"Well as you know, Jesse St. James and I are now an item. We have been for quite a few weeks."
Quinn chuckled softly at the use of the fair-haired boy's full name, as if Quinn might have forgotten who he was, as if such a thing we possible. "And?"
"This knowledge seems to have done very little to quell Finn's desire for me, in fact, in some ways the fact that I am taken seems to spur on his advances more. So you see I am at a loss as to how to handle the situation."
Again Quinn laughed. Some things never changed. Finn thrived on competition. It had been one of the things that made him join the football team, one of the things that attracted Quinn to him in the first place, and, as it turned out, one of the only things the pair had in common.
"Look Rachel, just make it clear to Finn that you are fully committed to Jesse, that no matter what he says or does, he cannot win you back. You shut him down and I promise you he'll back off."
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, "I think I can do that."
"Good," Quinn said through an enormous yawn.
"Well I'd better let you get some sleep. Thank you Quinn. Goodnight."
Quinn hesitated. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now, at least not right away. "Rachel?" she spoke uncertainly, hoping the little diva hadn't disconnected yet.
"Yes Quinn?"
"Could you talk to me awhile please? If you're not too tired I mean?"
"Of course Quinn," came the reply and the blonde smiled in to the phone, then, "What would you like to talk about?"
Quinn chewed on her bottom lip, racking her brain for a subject that was neutral enough not to cause either girl tension, but would be interesting enough to keep the brunette on the phone for a while.
Suddenly it hit her and Quinn couldn't believe it'd taken her so long to come up with it. She smiled and asked, "What's your favorite musical?"
"Umm, could you be more specific?" was Rachel's soft reply, causing Quinn to laugh. Of course Rachel wouldn't be able to name her favorite musical; it was too broad, there were too many.
Quinn thought for a second. "Could you name your favorite modern musical?"
Quinn could practically hear Rachel's smile over the phone. "That's easy," she confidently answered, "it's Wicked!"
"Oh yeah?" The blonde yawned again and settled back in to the couch, listening to Rachel's soft breathing. "Why?"
"Well," Rachel said slowly, "first, the songs are simply exquisite. Both Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith are mesmerizing. Also, the set design for the show itself is very fantastical. I can't imagine what it would be like to see it in New York! And the story…oh the story is life-changing!"
"What's it about?" Quinn queried when Rachel took a breath. Quinn blinked twice, she could feel sleep creeping in, but wanted Rachel to keep talking.
"It's a modern twist on the Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of the two witches of Oz throughout college. Galinda is the blonde popular girl who'll do anything to stay on top, but really just wants love and acceptance. Elphaba is a social outcast who just wants to make a difference in the world, and wants friends more than anything."
"Hmm, sounds kinda familiar," Quinn commented, her voice heavy with sleep.
"Yeah I guess it does," Rachel agreed. "Quinn, don't you think we should try to get some sleep."
"Mmm…I guess," Quinn agreed tiredly, "see you at school, Rach. Thank you."
"For what?" Rachel asked, truly taken aback by Quinn's gratitude.
"Umm…for…," Quinn paused, "calling I guess."
Rachel smiled, "You're very welcome. Quinn?"
"Hmmm?"
"Thanks for talking to me."
It was Quinn's turn to smile. "Anytime Rach, anytime."
Quinn strode into school the next morning with a spring in her step. She hadn't felt this good in a really long time. She hadn't been expecting to form a new friendship, especially one with Rachel Berry of all people, but the fact that she had made her really happy.
Maybe she had lost some things in the past few months, and maybe she would eventually lose her daughter, but she felt like maybe she had gained some important things as well. She had exposed her past to someone, a secret Quinn knew she could trust Rachel to keep, so she no longer had to carry that burden alone. Plus Quinn had a truly genuine friend, something she was in regrettably short supply of, especially these days.
Quinn smiled as she rounded the corner leading to Rachel's locker. Her smile quickly morphed into a scowl when Rachel's locker came into view however. Also headed toward the diva, coming from the opposite direction, was, of course, Finn Hudson.
Quinn fumed and quickened her pace, hoping to beat him to the punch.
Unfortunately, due to the boy's unnaturally long legs and Quinn's pregnant belly, the two teens reached Rachel at approximately the same time. Quinn scowled at Finn while Finn just looked confused. Well, that's nothing new, Quinn thought, with an air of smugness.
"Hi Rach," both teens said at the same time.
Rachel jumped, visibly startled by the duel greeting, and turned to greet her morning visitors. "Good morning Quinn. Hello Finn," she offered, turning to one then the other. Both smiled brightly at her in return.
"Rachel," Quinn started before Finn could speak, "I was wondering if you'd like to walk with me to class this morning since we share first period."
Rachel look up at Quinn with a hint of worry in her eyes, "Actually Quinn, I was hoping to speak with Finn for a moment alone this morning." The starlet's eyes searched the blonde beauty's desperately hoping for understanding.
Quinn nodded to show Rachel she did understand, and then squeezed Rachel shoulder lightly. "I'll see you in class then," Quinn said, offering the brunette a small smile. Quinn locked eyes with Finn then, as if daring him to hurt Rachel. She was please to find he seemingly still feared her when he quickly looked away.
Quinn turned then and slowly made her way to advanced placement English, only slightly disappointed to be going alone.
Rachel arrived in the classroom a short time later and beamed at Quinn as she slid in to the desk next to hers. Quinn smiled back and took a breath, ready to ask the diva about Finn, but stopped short when the teacher walked into the room to begin class.
The next opportunity Quinn got to ask Rachel about Finn didn't come until the end of school that day in glee.
Rachel smiled at Quinn the minute Quinn stepped into the choir room and the gesture was immediately reciprocated.
"Hey." Quinn greeted, approaching the diva.
"Hi." Rachel responded.
"How did things go with Finn this morning?" Quinn questioned, at once curious and concerned.
"I think he truly got the message this time," Rachel replied, grinning up at Quinn.
"Glad I could help," Quinn said seriously, "I just hope it worked."
"Me too." Rachel added, exhaling loudly.
As more of the group began pouring in to the room, each lost in his or her own conversations and problems; Quinn walked up and took her seat.
Minutes later, Mr. Schue entered. "Okay guys, let's get started," he said, rubbing his hands together excitedly, "who's up first today?"
Finn's hand shot in to the air. "Mr. Schue, I have something to say to Rachel."
"Sure Finn," the curly-haired director replied, "the floor is yours."
"Thanks Mr. Schue," the quarterback said, standing up and handing his sheet music to Brad behind the piano.
Finn sat on a stool in the middle of the room as the opening chords Rick Springfield's most well-known hit began. Rachel looked panic-stricken as Finn started to sing, locking eyes with her, and never looking away.
'Jessie is a friend. Yeah I know he's been a good friend of mine. But lately something's changed, it ain't hard to define. Jessie's got himself a girl, and I want to make her mine…'
Obviously Finn needed help getting Rachel's message, and as Quinn sat in her seat getting angrier by the second, she knew without a doubt she'd see that he got it. Until St. James was back, it was up to Quinn to stand up for Rachel, and the blonde would do anything to make sure her new found friend was protected.
Finn didn't see Quinn approach his car as he went to climb in it once glee rehearsal was finished. Quinn knew this for a fact because she smirked as the boy jumped ten feet in the air when she slammed his car door before he could get in.
"Geez Quinn! Give a guy a heart attack why don't cha?" Finn exclaimed, hand over his heart for good measure.
Quinn fixed her ex-beau with her best, 'I mean business,' HBIC stare. "We need to talk Finn," she said cooly.
"Uhh…about what?' he stammered, clearly still reeling from being caught off guard.
"Rachel," Quinn spat back, "she's off limits."
"And who are you to decide-"
"She has a boyfriend, dumbass." Quinn retorted, exasperated at having to state the obvious.
"So?" Finn replied, shrugging it off.
"Rachel. Is. Not. A. Cheater." Quinn paused between each word for emphasis as she gritted her teeth.
Finn's eyes burned into Quinn. "I guess no one knows more about cheating than you do, right Quinn?"
"This isn't about me," she yelled back, "it's about Rachel!"
"Right," the words dripped from his lips like venom, "and Rachel loves me. You, on the other hand, have never treated Rachel good. You're the one who should stay away from her! You're the one she hates!"
The words cut through Quinn like a knife. Finn was right. She had been horrible to Rachel. She'd bullied the singer at every turn she'd had, just like the kids in middle school used to do to her. Quinn felt sick. She felt dirty. Rachel should hate her. Quinn should stay away. She shouldn't taint someone as good and pure as Rachel…
Tears burned Quinn's eyes as thoughts raced through her mind. She knew there was nothing she could say to Finn now to make him back off, he was right, it wasn't her place.
Instead of letting Finn see how much he'd gotten to her, Quinn turned all her self-loathing into anger towards him. "Just stay away from Rachel, Finn," she warned in a meanacing tone, if you don't, I promise you, you'll regret it."
With that, Quinn turned and stalked away, fists clenched at her sides. As he watched her go Finn only had one thought. 'what the hell is going on between Quinn and Rachel…'
A/N: I'm very nervous about this story. I love GLEE so much and I want desperately to do it justice! Please, please take the time to review. Anything you say will be appreciated. Should I continue or is this one for the junk pile? Let me know.