I know it has been a long time since I updated this story, but I finally found some time and inspiration to write! My Christmas break starts on Friday, so I'll be writing much more then. I'm hoping to finish one of my other two stories over break, most likely A Sudden Attraction. I may be changing my pen name in the next few days due to the fact that my next story is going to be for Gossip Girl. I feel like I owe Derena a story now that the series is over, and I already have an idea. I'm not too satisfied with this chapter, but it is what it is. I apologize for any mistakes & I hope that you enjoy! Warning: Language!

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Glee!

It felt like centuries had passed as Finn stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, at the blonde standing in front of him. He knew that his response was unbelievably rude and that he was no longer acting like his cool, collected self that he'd come to perfect so well in the past couple of years. It should have bothered him, but it didn't. How was it even possible for her to find him? They parted ways years ago, and he made sure that it would stay that way. Yet here she was, in all of her stunning glory, despite all the time that had gone by. He couldn't believe that he hadn't recognized her earlier – there was only one Quinn Fabray. She was still so beautiful, so perfect… No, he couldn't think of her like that. He had no right to.

His face became devoid of emotion as he muttered a gruff, "Nice seeing you, but I have to go," and bolted for the door, shoving people aside as he went and ignoring their angry shouts of insults and profanity. It was a tad bit funny how running seemed to be all he ever did when it came to her. He could still remember the day that he left, making numerous promises that he knew he wouldn't keep. The memory of the broken expression she wore on her angelic face still haunted him… he hated himself for what he did to her. But it was the only escape; the only option that seemed plausible at the time.

At last he broke through the main door and kept his head down as he headed towards the alleyway located just to the left of the large club. By now, his thoughts were consuming him and the questions were racing across his mind: Why was she here? How did she find him? What did she think of him now? How did she even recognize him? Did she still hate him?

He rested his back against the brick wall of the club and took a deep, shaky breath, which ultimately did nothing for the swelling wave of emotion building within him. It wasn't her fault, really, it wasn't, but she just… she wasn't supposed to see him. Not now, not ever.

He didn't realize that his fists were clenched until he felt his fingernails digging into his palms painfully. He was angry with himself, angry about how different he was now. Once upon a time, he was the sweet, caring boy whom which everyone liked. His best friend was, at that point in time, what he considered to be the love of his life. 'That was ninth grade!' he chastised himself bitterly. 'You're a man now – an adult! So what if your high school sweetheart turned up out of the blue? She doesn't matter anymore!'

Before he was even aware of what he was doing, Finn spun around sharply and slammed his fist into the wall.

"Dude, what the hell are you doing?" a voice demanded from the mouth of the alley. He recognized the voice immediately, but didn't have the energy to care. For a brief moment, he gazed down at his blood-stained right fist and blinked. A word didn't escape his mouth as a hand placed itself insistently on his shoulder and turned him around.

Silence filled the air as both of the men examined the steadily reddening skin.

"What happened?"

Finn snapped out of his trance and locked his gaze with his friend's. He smiled through the immense pain that had begun to throb through his hand and calmly said, "Nothing, Puck. I'm fine."

"Like fucking hell you're fine!" Puck exclaimed as anger and worry caused his voice to rise. "Why did you punch a brick wall? I know you aren't that stupid."

The taller man shrugged lightly and let his busted hand drop to his side, successfully managing not to wince at the movement. It felt like it was broken. And he didn't even care.

Puck searched his friend's face intently. He'd never seen him look so… blank. "It was a girl, wasn't it? I told you, bro; sometimes these Los Angeles chicks are stuck up. That doesn't give you an excuse to take your anger out on a wall."

"That's not why I did it," Finn snapped, his words becoming as venomous as the pain coursing through his hand.

Puck blinked. "Then why did you do it? Have you gone crazy?"

"Fuck off," Finn spat, stupidly shouldering past the mohawked man with his bad arm and causing a hiss of pain to escape his lips.

"Tell me," Puck insisted, placing a firm hand on his arm. Seeing the warning in his best friend's eyes, he released his hold on him and put his hands up defensively. "I get that you're angry, but we're practically brothers. You can tell me anything."

Silence fell between the two once more, and Finn took the opportunity to examine his damaged hand again. The blood continued to flow from his knuckles and, frankly, the sight was beginning to make him queasy. Yet he continued to stare.

"Finn?"

Feeling like a child that had gotten in trouble, he finally mumbled a reluctant explanation of, "I saw Quinn tonight."

"Oh," was all Puck managed to say. "Did she… did she know it was you?"

"Yeah," he breathed out. Slowly, he lifted his head to meet Puck's gaze. He cleared his throat and gently rested his arm back against his side. "Look, I-I'm going to go take care of my… injury. I'll talk to you later." As soon as the words left his mouth, Finn gave a parting nod and headed back in the direction he came.

"So, you know Finn Hudson?" asked the bartender as he gladly placed another martini in front of Quinn.

She took her time in answering, absentmindedly twirling the glass between her fingers. At last, she settled on, "I used to," and took a large swig of the alcohol.

"Ex-boyfriend?" he pried.

That earned a laugh from her. "More like an ex everything. I just never thought I'd see him again, you know?"

The handsome guy, whom which she learned was named Travis, grunted in agreement. Casually, he leaned across the counter and asked, "Do you wish that you hadn't seen him tonight?"

She could tell that he was expecting an answer somewhere along the lines of, 'Hell yes!' but she found herself saying, "No."

"Why?" Confusion etched itself into his features.

"I don't know," she admitted, confused by her own answer.

"The guy was an ass to you and you're saying that you're okay with it?"

Quinn shot him an annoyed look and rolled her eyes. "No, I'm not okay with him acting like an ass. I guess I'm just glad to know that he's alive."

Seeming to have lost interest, Travis shook his head and pulled back. Before he wandered down to the other end of the bar, he solemnly stated, "You shouldn't get involved with him again. Finn is known to have quite the track record with the ladies around here."

"Wasn't planning on it," she whispered to herself, attending to her drink once more. Judging by their previous encounter, she had pieced together that Finn wasn't exactly the gentlemanly type; not anymore. Sighing, she glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only one in the morning, but all she wanted was to sleep and forget that this night ever happened. After leaving the money she owed on the counter, she was about to slide off of the stool when a man quickly cut her off and took the seat next to her. She fought back her annoyance and tossed him a 'what-do-you-want' look.

"Blonde and beautiful," the man remarked with a smirk, eying her approvingly.

"And not interested," Quinn quipped in a bored tone. She managed to get out of her seat and was reaching to grab her clutch when the man said, "With an attitude, too. By any chance, are you Quinn Fabray?"

Her eyes widened in a mixture of shock and fright. "Who's asking?"

"The name is Noah Puckerman, but I prefer Puck," he responded, extending his hand. When she didn't reciprocate, he added, "I'm Finn Hudson's best friend."

At the mention of Finn, her curiosity instantly peaked. "How do you know him?"

Puck glanced down at his outstretched hand before sighing dramatically and dropping it. "We met in high school and have been best friends ever since." Seeing the confused look on her face, he added, "I didn't go to McKinley. Finn and I met at Garnet High in Utah, sophomore year."

'He moved to Utah?' was the immediate thought that popped into her mind. He had told her that he was moving to Minnesota….

"Anyway, I ran into Finn as he was, um, leaving and noticed that he was upset. I assumed that only one person could do that to him, and that's you."

"He told you about me?" Her voice had become much softer than it was before, so she wasn't entirely sure if he had heard her.

"Once," he confirmed with a nod. "Look, I'm not going to nag you for details about what went down between you two earlier, but I want you to know that Finn isn't normally like that."

Biting on her bottom lip was the only way to contain her bitter laughter. "You mean that he isn't one of LA's finest players?"

He blinked. "Where'd you hear that from?"

"Does it matter?" she retorted.

"He's had his fair share of problems," Puck replied carefully before turning his attention to the pockets of his jeans.

Quinn honestly couldn't believe that she was having this conversation. "Everyone else does, too. However, most people don't turn into conceited, cocky jerks."

"Here." A crumpled piece of paper was shoved into her hands. "That's his address and number. If you're going to call, wait until about noon tomorrow. If you want to visit… still wait until noon."

"Late sleeper?" she inquired sarcastically.

Puck's gaze dropped. "Like I said, he's had a rough time lately."

Something about the way he said that made Quinn's heart ache. Silently, she handed the paper back to him.

"Wait, what are you-"

"I need your number in case I can't reach him." Though she tried to, she couldn't keep the edge out of her tone.

Puck furrowed his eyebrows briefly before his confused expression was replaced with a smirk. "You need my number? Do I look that easy to you?"

"I can see where Finn gets his inspiration from," she responded dryly. "Just do it, okay?"

"Anything for you, babe," he said with a chuckle and a wink for good measure. As he wrote down his digits, Quinn watched him with a thoughtful look on her face.

"How has he had a rough time?"

The hazel-eyed man took his time in finishing writing before he sighed and placed the cap back on the pen. He slid the paper to her and offered a small smile. "I think he should be the one to tell you that."

"But-"

"Hey, Q!" Santana interrupted loudly, slurring her words slightly. "Great place, right?!"

The blonde glared at her friend and pocketed the paper before turning her attention back to Puck. "Thank you for everything."

"No problem," he replied with a grin. "But if Finn asks who gave you his information, it wasn't me. Got it?"

"Got it," Quinn confirmed with a small nod. The two exchanged goodbyes and soon she was left with a very drunk Santana.

"Who was that?" the Latina inquired, licking her lips and staring in the direction Puck went.

Quinn fought back an eye roll and grabbed hold of her hand. "That was nobody, San. Now, time for you to go back to our still very much unpacked apartment and get some sleep."

"But I don't want to!"

"Too bad," she stated with a giggle. "You're drunk."

"Not drunk enough," Santana retorted lamely.

"Santana," the blonde sighed. "We both need sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."

The raven-haired woman stared at Quinn with disbelief written all over her face. "I don't know about you, Q, but I am not looking forward to unpacking all of our crap. I'd rather just buy new things."

"Newer may be better, but things from the past still have value," Quinn reminded her in a very matter-of-fact tone. Those words weren't just referring to their luggage, either.

"Whatever," Santana scoffed. "Just know that I'll be doing the supervising tomorrow."

"If you even do that," Quinn muttered to herself as she helped her friend out the door.

Review please?(: