''Look, are you still dating that Jesse kid?''

Finn asked bluntly across the piano after Rachel handed him the music for the mash up she had put together. She seemed thrown by the question and briefly looked elsewhere as she shook her head.

''N-no. W-who told you that?''

She had Finn weren't the greatest of friends but they were friends. He was actually a pretty sweet guy when he wasn't being oblivious and though he was a little stupid he could usually scope people out pretty well. He had been one of the first jocks to join Glee and he was her male counterpart and as that and being co-captains they had to do a lot together.

So Rachel had confided in him a lot. Finn was almost like her best friend. She wasn't sure if that would be their technical definition but that's what he acted like because he pulled her on all her crap (sometimes even when he didn't need to). He had known her the littlest amount of time and besides Quinn he had been one of the first people here to take an interest in who she was.

He had been the first to find out that she and Quinn were dating and he had been very supportive of the whole thing. At least he hadn't made lured remarks like Puck causing Quinn so smack him in the head. So naturally Rachel had turned to Finn when things had gone sour with Quinn. The boy seemed upset with the blonde at first but now they talked so Rachel assumed that they had made their peace.

Rachel knew without having to be told that Quinn hated Jesse. It surprised her that Finn seemed to share her exact feelings. He had warned her off of him and given her an ultimatum about Glee club which was now why it was supposed to be a freaking secret.

''Look I know things have been weird between us, but I never thought you'd lie to me.''

Finn stated. Ever since the whole ultimatum thing Rachel had been somewhat shy around him and unsure of whether they were still friends or whatever. Plus she was still a tiny bit mad at him for speaking to Quinn again like she had done nothing wrong.

''Look, please just don't tell anyone…''

''Unbelievable. You don't belong with him.''

Rachel sighed.

''And you think I belong with her? What am I supposed to do, ignore the baby that's growing inside of her that I had no part of? Ignore the fact that she gave her virginity to Noah Puckerman instead of me?''

Finn lifted his eyebrows defiantly.

''People make mistakes.''

''Yes, well – this one is a little too big to be corrected, isn't it? I know you want the best for me, and for Quinn, and you just want us to be together but we can't. You and I can still be friends. I'm asking you, as my friend, to trust me.''

She looked at him imploringly and she was using that damn friend card. Finn understood that she felt betrayed and hurt – who wouldn't? If it were him he would have exploded and punched Puck's face into mush. But when he stood back and saw the pain that Quinn was in too when he weighed up the reasons why it seemed to have happened he just felt badly for the blonde. And people did make mistakes including Rachel.

Somehow she managed to forgive people and she had been forgiven by them. So why couldn't she forgive her ex and listen to what had really happened instead of thinking she knew what had happened. Because really Rachel didn't have a clue and Quinn was too proud/stubborn/damn chivalrous to tell her properly. Honestly he thought that the blonde was sometimes more of a gentleman than any of the boys combined including him.

If there was one thing that they had agreed strongly on to make them see eye to eye again though it was their suspicion and their hatred for Jesse St. James – the venomous snake in the grass.

''Fine. But if this leads to something bad for all of us don't expect anymore friendship from me.''

He declared. He had warned her and warned her about this guy and he felt like he had nothing left to make her see that she was walking willingly into a trap.

''Noted.''

All throughout the rehearsal Finn got the distinct impression that Rachel was channelling her feelings for Quinn through the words.

X*x*x*X

''Hey.''

Rachel looked up and faltered for a moment as Finn approached her – with Quinn by his side.

''Hi.''

''So, how did your date with Jesse go Friday night?''

Awful. Terrible. The worst moment of my life? The list went on in Rachel's head. Finn had this challenging look across his face like he was daring her to say this in front of her ex girlfriend. Clearly Quinn was apprised on the very situation that Finn had promised to remain quiet about. Wonderful.

For a moment the truth felt like surfacing like word vomit from her mouth as her steely resolve softened by the beautiful face of her girlfriend. Piercing hazel eyes were just a bit duller than they had once been, and now they looked a mixture of hopeful pained angry and desperate. Rachel's instincts just told her to drop all of this stupid pretence grow up and talk to Quinn like the mature young women she claimed to be to see if they could resolve something.

However her firm bullheadedness stayed firmly intact.

''Well it went – wonderfully. Honestly it wasn't that big of a deal. I…I mean, you know…it – it was great, but when it was over I just um…didn't know why I was so nervous in the first place.''

Lies. All lies. The fake nonchalance in her voice threatened to punk out on her with every word she spoke. None of that was true.

''Just come out so we can talk. Or sing about it.''

Jesse's flippant tone was infuriating and telling at the same time. He was technically being nice about this but Rachel could tell that he was fed up and thought she was childish and somehow without uttering a word about it was still pressuring her to sleep with him.

Upon stepping out into her bedroom to see him stretched out across her bed (holding a stuffed toy that Quinn had bought her no less) Rachel just knew that she could go through with it. On the verge of hyperventilating at the very idea of sex with him she had bolted straight back into her bathroom and slammed and locked the door behind her so she could hide. She wondered if she prayed hard enough he would magically disappear from her room.

The truth was that she didn't want this. The truth was that she didn't want him. His lips were hard and forceful his hands were rough his hair was actually full of gel and he smelt like a boy. She didn't feel like she fit into his body like she felt she had fit with Quinn's. When he even hugged her he was all hunched and tense and it was all awkward angles and it was uncomfortable for her. When Quinn had hugged her Rachel had just been able to mould into her.

Quinn was all soft and smooth with a quiet strength running beneath her skin. Her lips were soft and tasted like various fruit based lip balms. Her hair was silky and always smelt tropical and she always smelt of fabric softener perfume and something naturally her.

Rachel felt like an idiot for even attempting to go through with this. It was one thing trying to move on because she was too scared to get hurt again and too prideful to be made a fool of by going back to a cheater but this was a whole other ballgame. Plus she still felt like she was the one doing the betraying by even dating Jesse – how could she possibly allow herself to make such a big step when that feeling was still there?

''Look Jesse I really like you but – I can't do it. It wouldn't be right for…the team.''

Rachel finally stepped out of her hiding place and used the first excuse she could think off to play down the fact that she just couldn't do it because she didn't love him and she totally loved Quinn.

''What does the team have to do with this?''

Sitting on the chest at the bottom of her bed Rachel sighed and clammed up a little when he sat next to her. The way she generally clammed up when he was near her.

''If I give myself to you knowing that my teammates wouldn't approve it would be like I was sleeping with the enemy. I'd be betraying them. And because I'm truly not ready to do this I'd be betraying myself.''

That part was true. She would be betraying herself if she did this. It would be wrong and spiteful and it was hurt everyone involved. Jesse looked at her for a moment and Rachel thought he was going to say something nice and be the gentleman he was always saying he was.

She was wrong.

''You're a liar. What's more you've been stringing me along – telling me how much you like me and getting my hopes up like this just to blue ball me. I know it's about that pregnant girl in your team – maybe I should've gone out with her clearly she's okay with putting out.''

''W-ha…how do you…?''

Rachel stuttered as her face contorted in both shock and anguish. How could he say something so cruel? She knew that he was being a little selfish but this was just plain mean. How did he even know about Quinn she hadn't told him anything about her previous relationship. She simply told him that she had been hurt.

''I just heard about it, Rachel. Do you know how bad it makes me feel that you're using me to get over her?''

'I'm not…''

''Yes you are. Look I don't mean to say these things but it hurts to know that you're more devoted to her than me. I would never do something so horrible like cheating on you. Please give me a chance.''

Rachel knew she should know better but she fell for the words because it was her weak spot. Being cheated on was seriously not a good feeling and having someone promise something like that made her needy and stupid. She wanted to prove to the world that she was over Quinn freaking Fabray and wasn't dumb enough to trust her twice.

So she decided that no matter how much she didn't really want Jesse, she would give him a chance.

''I'm happy for you.''

Finn practically spat the words out in anger and frustration at Rachel's attitude. Quinn stood silently next to him and glared at the piano so hard it was practically burning a whole into it. Her hands gripped the edges as she forced her face to try and remain composed while inside she felt sick to her stomach.

''And uh, what about you? I heard you had a date with Santana on Friday night.''

Rachel ploughed on. Quinn looked up at Finn in surprise.

''You and Santana, really?''

She asked in surprise as she thankfully but only momentarily forgot her own anguish. Even though she and Santana were friends – maybe a little at odds right now – she was shocked because the only way that Santana went with Finn was to further some scheme she was concocting. She actually did love the girl despite how much of a bitch she could and had been but the Latina was seriously not interested in Finn. She may be denying it or lying to herself or whatever, but she was head over heels in love with Brittney - more than just their 'casual' sex buddy arrangement.

''Yeah, I couldn't go through with it.''

Finn declared uncomfortably. He was not a good liar.

''Why?''

Both girls asked at the same time – sharing an awkward glance toward one another that lasted a second or so.

''I guess I was waiting for the right person.''

Quinn didn't believe him even if Rachel did. It's not like it was her place to call him on it because technically it wasn't her business unless he really wanted to discuss it with her. However Rachel did flinch at the comment about being with the right person. As did she.

She hadn't been. In fact Quinn could actually barely remember how it had happened – somehow she had just blinked and that was it. Somehow in the matter of what felt like seconds her whole world had turned upside down. Carrying this baby was a constant reminder of what she had done and how badly she had screwed up. Normally when something huge happened to her or she had feelings she couldn't resolve she would turn to Rachel. She'd be able to talk stuff out with Rachel.

Not this. She couldn't tell her how scared she was or how hurt she was or how any of this happened. She couldn't tell her what it felt like to know a life was growing inside of you. She couldn't tell her that she could feel her baby – like really feel it. She wanted to. She wanted to do that and so much more but she couldn't.

Quinn had fucked up and no matter how it had happened she had to take that responsibility. She had to let Rachel be happy – and if she really wanted to be with that goddamn idiot from Vocal Adrenaline then that was her choice. The blonde had lost all right to voice her opinion or stand in her way. If he could make Rachel happy then she had to let him.

X*x*x*X

''What the hell? It seems like now everybody's doing things just to hurt my feelings.''

Quinn yelled angrily as she threw a death glare toward Mr. Shuester and Jesse. It was one thing knowing she had to concede to the douchbag but having him here in her Glee club where he could be all over Rachel and she could only watch? It wasn't fair.

Somehow she had ended up sat next to Rachel and when she turned to glare at her too she realised that Rachel looked just as shocked and confused as everyone else. No one seemed happy about this and Finn looked angry at having a male lead encroach on his territory as well as getting defensive probably on behalf of her. Who knew that Finn Hudson would end up being her greatest supporter? He was angry with her at first but once she had told him what happened with Puck he had just been understanding. She had begged him not to tell Rachel anything but she knew that he was coming close.

''I thought you'd all take this news a little better. I'm a star. You can learn from me.''

Everyone snickered at Jesse's blatant arrogance except for Rachel who continued to look overwhelmed and startled. She actually looked somewhat dismayed.

''We were already fighting for second leads and now that you've shown up I have lost all hope at ever getting a solo.''

''Yeah that's right. And ya'll just trot me out at the end of every number to wail on the last note. How is that okay?''

''He's a spy, Mr. Shue, I would know. He's totally trying to take down the dwarf and Juno at the same time.''

Kurt Mercedes and Santana all voice their objections and surprisingly enough it was Santana that made it less about herself and more about the fact that she was positive he was a spy for that other club and that he was trying to take out their female (and reluctantly admittedly their strongest) lead – as well as going for the jugular with one of their own. Her friend. No matter what crap went on between them that was not okay with her.

Mr. Shuester droned on and on about how this was all legit and that he had seen paperwork and spoken to Jesse's parents. No one actually cared. They did not want Jesse in their ranks – both because they didn't like or trust him and because they didn't want to see Quinn murder him and go to jail – which was a serious possibility because throughout Mr. Shuester speech the two glared at one another viciously.

It was like he was rubbing his relationship with Rachel in her face. Did he not know that she was kick ass enough before pregnancy but her hormones actually turned her evil and wrathful?

''I don't understand why you're doing this.''

Rachel voiced up eventually.

''Because when you love something you gotta go for it. You would never be with my completely if I were on the opposing team, and I care about you more than winning another national title. So I left Vocal Adrenaline. For you.''

Quinn rolled her eyes and practically gagged at the crappy spiel but as she glanced at Rachel and saw her smirking softly she lost it. This was too much. This was far too much.

Standing up the pregnant teenager locked her jaw and drew every ounce of feeling out of her eyes other than that classic cold bitchy look that everyone was scared off.

''You know what, why don't you just back the hell off? We all know what you're trying to do even if Mr. Shuester doesn't. She's off limits.''

Even pregnant Quinn wasn't afraid of getting into Jesse's face. He was taller and all that but she didn't care because her protective side just kicked in and she felt the need to try and defend Rachel even if the girl was being too stupid to see what was really going on. Jesse just looked down at her with his eyes twinkling knowingly – he was goading her.

''To you maybe, not to me. She's with me now and there's nothing you can do about it. Rachel wants me here. Don't you Rachel?''

The brunette was put on the spot as both Jesse and Quinn looked at her – she could also feel the entire eyes of the Glee club focused on her and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat as her brows furrowed and her jaw dropped. She had no idea what to do.

''Fine. You know what Rach, I'm sorry about what I did – I'll never forgive myself for hurting you. But this? This is wrong. And if you won't listen to the truth then it's on you. I love you, he doesn't. And I quit. I'm not sticking around to watch this.''

She couldn't conceal the wave of emotion that came pouring out then but that was okay because she was trying to be honest and she didn't even care that she was crying in front of Jesse. She didn't care that the rest of their friends were watching because she knew that none of them wanted this to happen either and that somehow they were on her side. The only one that couldn't see what was really going on was Rachel.

It was still her fault that the brunette was so hurt that she had lost herself a little bit but if she let this happen then she was crossing a line that she knew she shouldn't.

''Quinn…don't.''

Rachel shook her head as tears welled in her eyes. The blonde just shrugged and walked out of the choir room without another word.

''It's okay, we don't need her. Why are you so upset about it anyway – she knew what she was doing when she cheated on you, she can't get mad at you for moving on.''

Jesse declared happily as he took Quinn's spot next to Rachel. He ignored the glares that were being shot his way. Puck couldn't ignore the glare that Finn shot him.

X*x*x*X

It hurt to see Rachel with Jesse but Quinn had decided to pull herself together. This was the consequence of her actions and she had to deal with it. Now that she was out of Glee club (which she felt guilty for leaving because of everyone else) she didn't have to watch them as much together as when she would glimpse them around the halls. No one was mean to her about it really.

She thought the Cheerio's performance was amazing. The massive number was sensational and she had to hand it to Kurt and Mercedes they totally rocked that Madonna tune. Brittney and Santana were in their element and it was just wild. She missed being on the squad but in moments like this Quinn could only let herself get lost in the production and enjoy it. She was happy for them – this is what they had wanted all along. She knew it was hard for them – and most of the club – to come behind Rachel and Finn for vocals.

''Quinn, can I talk to you for a minute?''

Quinn turned her attention to Finn as he approached her after the Cheerio's event and the game. She smiled softly and nodded.

''Sure.''

''Please come back to Glee.''

The blonde bit her lip and lowered her eyes for a second before she held a shrug and shook her head.

''I can't, Finn. I can't sit there and watch her with him. I know it's my fault, but I still can't handle it.''

Finn scowled like an angry puppy.

''It's not your fault though, why can't you just tell her that?''

''Because it was. No matter how you cut it. Just…be nice to her, for me? I don't trust Jesse but he might be good for Glee – I need someone I can trust to be there for her. She didn't do anything wrong, remember that. Be her friend, even if it means accepting him.''

Finn didn't want to. He hated Jesse and he didn't want to accept him. Hit him maybe but not accept him. He wanted his friends to be happy again and he wanted to win with the club that they had painstakingly put together. They had come so far together.

Quinn was right though technically Rachel hadn't done anything wrong and she was just trying to put her pain behind her. She was trusting and Jesse said and did all the right things. Who wouldn't swoon at having a 'star' leaving the best Glee club so far to be with you? Maybe they should accept him into their ranks – or maybe they should just appear to do so so that they could watch him like a hawk and stop the inevitable from happening.

''You ready babe?''

Both Quinn and Finn looked up as Puck exited the bathroom and she nodded softly. The boys shared a look that she didn't notice as they passed one another and the blonde squeezed Finn's hand on her way by as the two friends looked at one another for a moment. She had been living with the Puckerman family since her parents found out she was pregnant and kicked her out. It wasn't a great situation but it was pretty much the only one right now.

No one really knew what was going to happen but Finn was going to take his friends advice. He was going to be there for her and for Rachel. And somehow – somehow he was going to help make it right between them. He was sure that once Rachel found out the truth of what happened between Quinn and Puck that night she would take Quinn back.

Now he just had to convince Puck to do the right thing if Quinn refused to.

X*x*x*X

''Fine. But I am not singing this song.''

Puck declared adamantly. He wasn't going to apologise for being a guy – no way. He liked being a guy. Was it his fault? No! Why should he feel bad?

''You don't have to. We just have to make it right with the girls. Show them we get how it feels.''

Finn rather convincingly stated. There had been a lot going on recently that boiled down to how they were treating the girls in this club. And even though the main drama was between Rachel and Quinn they had still been treated badly by them. He had been an ass to Rachel about everything and Puck had been refusing to take any kind of responsibility for getting Quinn pregnant. He wasn't being honest and as a result he was hurting himself Quinn and Rachel. That's what Finn was trying to tell him.

Maybe he was right. Puck lived with Quinn now so he saw how crappy she felt at home. He saw how she was just going through the motions. The girl had lost so much in such a little amount of time. She had lost her virginity her status her girlfriend and her parents. A big part of that was his fault but he had been refusing to shoulder it because he was Noah Puckerman and he had a reputation to maintain right? He didn't do all this regretful emotional crap.

Only things had just gotten worse and worse and now Quinn had even lost her lifeline in the Glee club. If he actually cared about her then he guessed that he needed to show it somehow.