Santana woke up to her phone vibrating against the bedside table, so she grabbed it and tapped on the text icon that appeared, telling her that Quinn had finally replied to the text she'd sent more than twelve hours ago. It vibrated again in her hands and Snixx woke up, meowing and stretching across her chest. She scratched the bombay kitty under her chin and then looked back at her phone, reading what the blonde had apparently woken up at six am to tell her.

Q- what's your play here, S? You know you can't put anyone on the list. You're not Cap and you won't ever be again. Trying to put Berry of all people on the list is the last thing that would help you do that.

S- I may not be Cap but I have the support of the girls and the football team. I'm doing this. And whether you like it or not doesn't concern me, Q. This isn't some mad grab for power to put me in a position to be Captain next year. I could not care less about being on top anymore unless it's used to help protect Rachel. You fight me on this and you'll learn that there is nothing I won't do to keep her safe and happy. Don't test me, Quinn, please. I love you like a sister, and I don't want to have to hurt you.

Q- What the hell happened to you yesterday? I've never seen you like this for anyone but Britt. Are you like...into Berry now? P.S. I love you too you weirdo.

Was telling Quinn about she and Rachel the right decision to make? Despite how being at that godforsaken school made them act, they were friends.

Q- Hey, S, you there?

S- Yeah, sorry. Look, Rachel and I were best friends when we were kids, then middle school started and I fucked up like I always do and let this stupid popularity shit get to me. I made her cry today and it broke my heart Q. So I figured it was time to fix all the things I broke. PuttIng her on the list was step one.

Q- I did not expect that when I asked what was going on. But...fuck it, what was step two?

S-I bought her favorite flowers and a basket full of her favorite snacks. The ones that are vegan. She loved it. And she still had this stuffed panther I won for her at cedar point when we were nine named after my infamous alter ego. And she's got a bombay kitten that she named Snixx too. She adopted her couple of months ago. She has everything I ever gave her and all I kept was a t-shirt.

Q- San are you into her? Because it sort of sounds like it from my point of view.

S- No! I mean...I don't know. I was when we were kids but I love Britt. You know that.

Q- I do know that. I just never thought I'd hear you say it. Anyway It's not like I'm saying it would be bad to be into Berry. She's really sweet. Too sweet sometimes. I didn't tell you what she said to me after I freaked out and slapped her after I lost prom Queen.

S- You did what?! Don't make me come lay the smack down, bitch.

Q- I didn't really mean to, S! I was just so...everything I'd been raised to want kept slipping out from under me, Santana. I got pregnant at Sixteen, lost head cheerleader, joined a stupid loser club, my boyfriend wanted someone else, and I lost prom queen. I freaked out. Rachel tried to calm me down and next thing I knew she was holding her cheek. But then...she helped me clean up my make up and wiped away my tears and she told me... She told me I was the prettiest girl she'd ever met but that I was a lot more than that.

S- Yeah, that's how she's always been. She doesn't deserve what we've done to her Quinn. So I'm gonna stop it. It'd be real fucking nice if I could have your support. School years basically over. So it's next year we have to worry about. So we protect her from the bullying, and we protect her from your idiot future ex boyfriend. He's not good enough for her.

Q- I can't help but wonder who you think is.

S- Don't know. Britt?

Q- Are you trying to give me diabetes?

S- Ha ha, no. I'm just saying. Anyway, I'm not trying to control who she does and doesn't date, but Hudson never treated her right. Neither did St. James even though he's back and all 'I love you RBB, I'll cheat and give you a solo to prove it to you'

Q- that sounds about right.

S- It doesn't matter though. Rae's decided she's not auditioning. She heard me practising my song so now she thinks I'll get it.

Q- I'm sorry, did you just say that Rachel Berry doesn't want a solo?

S- Yeah, it's crazy. But...it's what she wants so I'll do it. But shit Quinn, I keep talking about Rae Bear, how are you? I know the whole prom Queen thing fucked you up, but you gotta know Rae was right. You're not gonna be stuck here if I have to tie you to the roof of my car and drop you off in cambridge.

Q- You and I both know I'm not a Harvard girl.

S- New Haven then.

Q- That's more like it. But we have to graduate first. Speaking of, we should plan to get our community service hours this summer.

S- Yeah, we should. I'll talk to Rachel. She's sings at the Lima Memorial pediatric cancer ward every sunday. We could probably do that with her.

Q- Alright

S- Hey, Quinn, You okay?

Q- Not sure.

S- Be there in ten.

Q- kay.

S- Love you, Q.

Pulling her phone from the bedside table and gently sliding the slumbering kitten off her chest, Santana replaced her body with her pillow and hopped out of the bed and slipped her shoes on.

"Mmm, Tana? Where're you going?"

"Gotta go help Quinn. We were texting and she was fine then she just got quiet. I need to check on her make sure she's ok. You can come, but we've got to go quick, Bear." Rachel nodded and got up out of bed, pulled her shoes on and picked up the still asleep Snixx. She dissapeared out the door to go to her fathers' room and give her daddy the kitten then came back and motioned for Santana follow her down the stairs. They were in the car in another few minutes, buckled up and on the way to the Blonde's house.

"What happened to make you worry? You said you were texting her?" The Latina nodded and turned left at the he intersection, reaching over to hold Rachel's hand.

"Yeah. I was telling her about us and she told me about her slapping you at prom, then we were talking about college and getting our volunteering hours this summer and she just got quiet and I felt like something was wrong. So I asked if she was okay and she said she wasn't sure." Rachel hummed, based on what Santana said, she couldn't think of anything.

"I don't know, perhaps it's just depression. A sudden depressive episode or whatever the term is. It's happened to me quite a few times before. Or it could be anxiety. She has mentioned to me before that she's afraid of the future after graduation." They hit a notoriously long red light and Santana looked over, eyebrow raised.

"Really, you were depressed? What caused it?"

"Sometimes loneliness, or thoughts about my mother, or even you." Santana frowned, looking back ahead of her and pressing her foot against the gas when the light finally went green.

"Rae, I'm-"

"No, don't. It's...fine for now. Your actions mean more than your words."

The Latina just nodded and a few seconds later they pulled into Quinn's driveway. Both girls got out of the car and walked up the path, The taller of the two using her key to unlock the door. When they walked in, it appeared that the whole first floor was dark. Santana realized that Judy must be at work. She pulled Rachel behind her up the stairs and into Quinn's room where there was a blanket covered lump on the bed and both girls could clearly hear the blonde crying. Santana sat down on one side of the bed and pulled the covers away then pulled Quinn into her arms. Her sobs only got louder, so Rachel sat down beside them and slowly rubbed the distraught girl's back.

"You're okay Quinn. It's okay. We're here." The shortest of the three said, and though she was still crying, Quinn turned to look back, so Rachel l smiled at her, hoping it would help somehow.

"Rachel?"

"Hey, you. I'm glad you're feeling a little better. Is there anything else I can do to help?" Quinn just cuddled closer to both of them and shook her head.

"No? Are you sure? Because despite my morally superior vegan sensibilities, I'll even cook you bacon if that's what you need, Quinn." She grinned at the unusually quiet blonde as she stood up. No way would Quinn Fabray say no to bacon. Ever.

"Yes, please. There's some in the fridge."

"Okay, I'l return soon." Daringly, The brunette pressed a kiss against Quinn's forehead before she walked out of the bedroom.

"Did she just kiss me?" Hugging her friend even tighter, Santana nodded.

"Yeah. She does that. I think it's her way of showing she cares. Tell me what's wrong, Q. You were fine."

"I just started thinking about Yale and how much it costs and I freaked out I guess. I don't think my mom will have the money to pay tuition for four years. And that's assuming I even get in. What am I going to do if I don't, S? I can't stay here. I just can't."

"I told you, I'm taking you with me. We're friends, Q. That means I'm never leaving you behind again. And seriously, you do realize that you're second in our class after Mike, right? A 4.00 doesn't get ignored from an applicant. Especially when there are plenty of kids trying to slip by with way less. Plus you led us to nationals twice, and if we don't win for glee this year we definitely will next year. Plus we can get a recommendation letter from coach and even Mr. Shue. We'll figure it out, Q. I promise. Talk to your mom, ok? She can't try to help if you don't tell her you need it, babe. Ok?" She pulled back just enough to palm Quinn's cheeks and make her focus her eyes on her. The blonde leaned into the touch and nodded, her eyes open and trusting

"Okay. I'll talk to her when she gets off of work. I missed you." Santana kissed her on the forehead and hugged her back to her chest again.

"Missed you too, Quinn." They lay there silently for the few minutes it took for Rachel to come back up with a tray with food for all three of the them. She settled on the bed in front of the two cuddling ex Cheerios and handed the both of them their plates before grabbing her own.

"Thanks bear. We appreciate it. Q and I are pretty much the BLT fan club." Quinn laughed a bit but nodded, sitting up to grab and then bite into her sandwich. The moan than left her mouth a second later was what made Santana take her first bite.

"Oh my fucking god. No way. How did you even do this? You're a vegan...this makes no sense." Santana dug in again right away, and Rachel giggled and shifted her gaze towards Quinn, who was looking at her like she'd fallen from heaven or something.

"It isn't that big a deal, girl's. But I'm glad you enjoy your sandwiches. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get them right."

"Right? More like fucking perfect. This is like the king of bacon sandwiches. God this is better than sex."

"Agreed." Is all Quinn said before opening the bag of jalapeno chips Rachel had set on each of their plates.

"Of course you would agree. No one's given it to you right yet. Not that it'll matter. The memory of that sandwich will always be better." Santana opened her own chips while Rachel finally dug into her own veggie pita, humming at the first taste.

"It looks like you're feeling much better, Quinn. I'm glad. I've always hated to see you sad. Especially considering you have such a beautiful smile." Quinn's elegant brows furrowed above her eyes and she looked over at Santana nervously. The brunette nodded towards Rachel and reached over to sqeeze the blonde's hand.

"Um, thank you, Rachel. I...uh...I like your smile too. Thank you for coming to help me. I really appreciate it. I know you both kind of had to wake up pretty early to come over here."

"Thank you, Quinn. And don't worry about it. I make a habit of getting up quite early anyway, and even if I didn't, you're more important than the loss of a little sleep, ok?" Quinn just nodded.

"Ok." Santana squeezed her hand once more before letting go and laying back on the pillow behind her, totally full and completely relaxed.

"You two wanna do anything today?"

"Don't know. It's pretty hot outside. My phone says ninety two." Santana hummed. Her idea of maybe spending the day chilling in the park was shot. Sweating was just not her thing unless exercise or sex were involved.

"Well...if you two would like we could spend the the day swimming in my pool. and my dads have off today so we could even have barbecue for dinner. If you're interested Quinn. I know Santana loves ribs, is that okay with you?"

"That sounds amazing. I would love to. But...we're just talking about us right? Not all the gleeks?" Rachel shook her head. She didn't think inviting them would be a good idea either.

"No, just us. As much as I'm all for team togetherness, with us so close to auditions it would only lead to the kind of bitter competitiveness that I'm trying to avoid. I'll call my father to see if we have everything we need. Excuse me." The brunette stood with her phone in hand and walked out of Quinn's room, closing the door behind her.

"She's amazing..." Santana nodded, pulling Quinn back into her arms to cuddle just because she felt like it.

"Yea, she is. She always has been. But so are you, Lucy Q." Quinn smiled softly at the nickname and relaxed just a bit more. She was having a hard time keeping a smile off of her face. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so...just...happy. The fact that it was brought on by her best friend was normal. The fact that it was also in large part due to Rachel Berry was...not. But maybe she kind of couldn't wait until it was.