Quinn was having trouble keeping up. It wasn't that AP chem was too hard for her, but with three other AP classes she was getting behind. She just wasn't used to doing this much work. Last year all she had to do was walk around the halls being a bitch. Sometimes the act grated, but it was easier than homework. If only she hadn't grown a backbone. Glee had given her ethics and there was no turning back now. Spending all that time with people she had once considered losers had changed her. Obviously the pregnancy had had its effect as well, but it was more the way the glee cub had treated her through it than the pregnancy itself. People she had openly mocked came to her defence. Those she would never have even looked at in the halls had held her when she cried and told her it would all be ok. They were kind of her family now and when you have a family you care about you want to take care of them. There had been no other choice but to quit the Cheerios, she couldn't be that person anymore. But then who was she? Once the uniform was off what lay beneath, beneath the hair and the make-up and the fake attitude. Who was Quinn Fabray? It would seem from her current predicament she definitely wasn't a nerd.

Quinn sighed, sitting back from her desk in the library and staring at the ceiling. One more hour and she'd give up. Maybe college wasn't for her after all. Maybe she should stay in Lima, get an office job, eventually move out of her mom's. Oh god, the prospect was too depressing. She had to concentrate, get to grips with this stuff. Rachel seemed to take it all in stride if her notes were anything to go by. In between the doodles everything was meticulously laid out and colour coded and even indexed. Was there anything that girl couldn't do? Apart from dress well, of course. Quinn started to grin to herself when she was interrupted by someone sitting in the chair next to her.

"How's it going Quinn, are my notes helpful? I keep quite a thorough record of everything that happens in class."

"Hi. They're great, thanks for the help. Not sure it's all going in though. I think chemistry's not my thing."

"I'm sure that's not it." Rachel scrunched up her face as she spoke and pulled her notes toward her. "Maybe it would help if I went through them with you."

Quinn wasn't sure what to say. It probably would help but she could imagine Rachel would be the worst tutor ever. However, Quinn really needed her help.

"If you're sure. I mean, if it won't put you out or anything."

"Of course not. We should start soon though. Are you free this afternoon?" Rachel knew she was being forceful, she always knew, she just didn't care. She needed to do well in this class and maybe spending time with Quinn would make the blonde see that she wasn't so bad after all. Rachel wasn't expecting friendship but at least a little more civility.

"I guess. Now that I don't have practice I have a lot more free afternoons."

"That's settled then. Meet me on the front steps after school and I'll take you through what you've missed. I'll have you caught up in no time."

Rachel shut her folder decisively and left before Quinn had a chance to reply. The blonde sighed again; this was probably going to be a really bad idea.

Quinn spent the rest of the afternoon in her regular classes with Britt and Santana, goofing off a little more than she should. It was nice to just be around them without the pressure of Cheerios and San's unquenchable competitive streak. Now neither of them was head cheerleader, they were just friends, best friends. She had known both of them for years, grown up with them really. Things had changed recently, their dynamic shifting as Britt and San got closer and Quinn dealt with her own issues, but in the end they were still three girls who used to play dress-up in San's older sister's closet and have sleepovers nearly every weekend. She didn't begrudge the other two their closeness; she knew there was more going on there than either of them was willing to admit to. San would just tell her that she got lonely sometimes and any warm body would do, but Quinn knew better, she could see the look of love that came over the Latina's face sometimes. And Britt, well it was obvious she was smitten and in her naivety had no idea why anyone could have a problem with her falling in love with her best friend. Artie was her boyfriend, but San was her everything and in Britt's mind the two could co-exist without any problems. She smiled at the pair, writing each other notes in the back of US History, it was cute.

"What you smiling at Q?"

"Just thinking that I kinda love you guys."

"None of that weepy crap, Q, how'm I meant to keep up this rep with you sitting there cry babying like a toddler."

"Ok, I take it back; you're a stone cold bitch."

"Damn straight I am. Now what's Mr. Nichols saying, I ain't listened to a word?"

Rachel sat front and centre in all her classes as always, scribbling away in her notebook, every now and then thrusting her arm aloft to answer any questions the teachers asked. She could see the disappointed look they got when once again she was the only one prepared to answer. She didn't care though, they were stuck here. They were teachers at William McKinley High in Lima, Ohio; she was going to be much more, so much more. Her thoughts drifted to her afternoon plans. Quinn was popular and cool; she would have to play it equally cool if they were going to become friends. They would have to go to Quinn's house, she didn't think seeing the shrine to her that her dads had built would send quite the right message. She loved it but it might be a bit full on for the first time they hung out just the two of them. She imagined Quinn being really thankful for all the help and offering to go shopping with her or get coffee some time. She imagined her and Quinn sitting in her room listening to music and talking about which solo Rachel should tackle next. She thought about Quinn and her dancing and singing along to Madonna in her room until they fell down in a fit of giggles, their faces just that little bit closer than they should be. Hang on, where did that one come from? Rachel felt a little flush realising she had just stopped herself daydreaming about Quinn Fabray. She shook her head and dismissed the idea. She was just enamoured with the girl's popularity, not the girl. Plus these days in her new state of discovery almost every girl she walked past had at some point become Rachel Berry fantasy fodder.

As the final bell rang Quinn said goodbye to San and Britt, who were headed off to Britt's to study, and went to wait outside. Quinn knew the girls weren't being exactly honest but it was up to them to tell her when they were ready. If San ever was ready. She waited for Rachel on the steps, kicking her heels against the ground.

Rachel walked out the doors and saw Quinn sitting there. Looking at her now, unaware she was being watch, Rachel had to admit that the blonde was cute. She was twirling her hair round her finger and kicking at a patch of dirt with the heel of her boot. There was a certain something about her. Not that it mattered, Rachel could crush on a million girls, Lima was not where she planned to find love. Love could wait; she had to finish High School. She walked down the steps and stood next to Quinn.

"Hey, you ready?" Quinn stood at the sound of Rachel's voice realising for maybe the first time how much taller she was than Rachel.

"Yeah, where are we going?"

"Is it ok if we go to yours, my dads are planning a party and I don't want to get in their way?" It wasn't strictly speaking a lie; they were planning a small soirée, just not 'til later that night when they got back from work.

"Um, I guess, sure."

They arrived at Quinn's house 20 minutes later, Rachel having talked almost the entire time. Quinn had switched off a little. There was stuff about Regionals and Mr Schue and wanting to sing something by some band she'd never heard of, The Indigo something, it all kind of blurred into one. As soon as she opened the door Quinn wished she'd suggested they go somewhere else, her mom was blitzed. She came strolling out of the kitchen, glass in hand, swaying just slightly.

"Quinnie, who's this?"

"This is Rachel, Mom, from glee."

"Well it's nice to meet you Rachel from glee." She stuck out a hand for Rachel to shake and being the polite girl she was Rachel shook it.

"Nice to meet you too Mrs. Fabray, you have a lovely home." Quinn knew that was a lie, her mom had obviously been home all day and there were magazines and random items of clothing all over the floor.

"I've had myself a little fashion show, Quinn, think it might be time for a shopping trip. You girls should come with me, make it a day."

She sat down with a thud and patted the seat next to her.

"Come join me girls, tell me how your day was."

"We're here to study, Mom, Rachel's going to help me with chem." Quinn tried to use the firm tone of voice that usually got her mom to leave her alone. She could see Rachel was looking uncomfortable and she just wanted to get them upstairs so she could shut the door and pretend her mom didn't exist.

"Oh, phooey to homework, come sit and chat with your Mom. I'm sure Rachel can tell me all about what you've been up to, we never talk anymore Quinnie."

"Mom…"

"Actually Mrs Fabray Quinn just came to pick up a book and then we were going to my house. I promised my dads I'd be home."

"Your dads?" Quinn could see her mom prickle at the words and put on her best country club face to try and hide her discomfort.

"Yeah, they're both getting home from work any minute now and I promised I'd be there."

"Yeah Mom, we have to go." Quinn ran upstairs picked up the first book on her desk and ran back down stairs again. "See you later Mom!" she shouted behind her as she ushered Rachel out the door. As soon as it was closed behind them Quinn turned to her with an apologetic smile.

"Thanks. She can be…well…she can be drunk. A lot of the time. She misses my dad."

"I'm sorry, I didn't…" Rachel tried to look up into the blonde's eyes and show her there was no need to apologise but Quinn just looked away. "Let's go to mine. My dads aren't actually home. I just…my place is a little different."

"We don't have to. I can just go for a walk or something and sneak back in later."

"No. I said we were going to go through my notes and we will."

Rachel's house was smaller than Quinn's but it seemed friendlier. They sat in Rachel's kitchen as she went over everything Quinn was having trouble with.

"So, I divide by that?" Quinn asked.

"Exactly. I thought you said you didn't get it."

"I guess I just wasn't sure I was doing it right."

"You seem to be fine; you just need a little time to catch up." Quinn smiled at her by way of thanks and Rachel's stomach did a little flop. But surely, the girl told herself, that was just because her plan was coming together. Quinn was going to be her friend and soon her popularity would be on the up. She was a little startled by the sound of the front door closing.

"Honey, we're home!"

"In here Papa!"

Quinn looked quizzically at Rachel.

"Do your dads always come home at the same time?"

"They work kinda near each other and Dad always waits for Papa to finish so they can drive home together."

"That's sweet." Quinn meant it; it was cute that Rachel's parents still wanted to spend that much time together. Hers couldn't even be in a room together anymore.

Hiram Berry walked into the kitchen and he was not what Quinn expected. Well, he was short, which kind of made sense, but he also seemed, well, nerdy. He definitely seemed to lack Rachel's feel for the dramatic. It all made a little more sense when Leroy walked in. The man made a beeline right for his daughter, picked her off her chair and pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, sunshine, how's my girl doing?"

"I'm good Dad." Rachel's smile was a mile wide. Quinn should have guessed she was a daddy's girl.

"And who is this blonde bombshell sat beside you?" Quinn was sure she saw a blush sweep across Rachel's face but she didn't know why, her dads weren't anything to be ashamed of.

"This is Quinn, from glee. I'm helping her with chem."

Leroy extended a hand.

"Enchanté, mademoiselle." He said it with a glint in his eye and Quinn couldn't help but giggle a little. This was not how she normally behaved. She was reserved, a little cold even, this guy was good.

"Nice to meet you Mr Berry."

"Leroy, please. And him over there, that's Hiram, my better half." Hiram waved from across the kitchen where he was emptying grocery bags.

"Are you joining us for dinner Quinn?" Leroy asked. Rachel could see Quinn looked a little nervous at the question. She would have loved Quinn to stay; dad could charm anyone and could definitely have helped cement this new friendship.

"Oh, thanks, I can't…my Mom…"

"Well next time then. It's always nice to meet one of Rach's friends." He winked at his daughter; they both knew friends were something she'd never been very good at.

"Thanks, actually I should go now, I have to get back." Quinn started to pack up her stuff. This place was a little too much, with their joking and happiness. Where was the drama and anger, that's what home was meant to be like. "Thanks Rachel, you've been a real help."

"I'll walk you out." Rachel walked Quinn to the door and stood by it as the blonde put her coat on.

"Like I said, thanks, it was nice of you." They made eye contact for a moment, Rachel seeing the sincerity in Quinn's eyes.

"Any time. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah, tomorrow." Quinn replied as she turned and walked down the steps. That had been ok. At times it had even almost, nearly, been fun. Rachel wasn't so bad after all, and she was actually an ok tutor, once you got her to talk about school rather than singing. Maybe she'd misjudged the girl a little. Maybe new Quinn didn't need to be quite so hardnosed and could make a little room in her life for the overly excitable girl. She was helping her after all.

Rachel shut the door and went up to her room. That had gone well, dad had been charming, Papa hadn't embarrassed her and as far as she could tell she hadn't talked too much about herself. So then why was she feeling all strange about it? Why was she playing over every moment in her head, thinking about how Quinn had tucked her stray hair behind her ear or bit on the end of her pencil when she was thinking? Why was Quinn Fabray all she could think about? Oh dear.