Chapter Two: I'll Stand By You

Quinn Fabray didn't cry; this was a fact that Finn learned rather quickly. Most of the girls he knew cried at everything, but not her. When her parents threw away her favorite stuffed animal, she didn't fuss. When they had to flush her goldfish down the toilet, she didn't shed a single tear. This just made the first time he saw her cry all the more unforgettable…

"Come swing with me!" Quinn called to him, racing over to the swing-set. Nine year old Finn Hudson raced across the playground, jumping onto the swing next to hers. This was a routine for the two of them; every day after school they would spend a half hour at the park near Finn's house. Tons of kids raced around them, some playing in the sand, others swinging across the monkey bars. Neither of them paid the other kids any mind, focusing solely on each other. "If I have to hear Rachel singing at recess one more time I'm going to dump milk all over her." she said seriously, glancing over at Finn.

"I know. She's so loud, and she's not even that good." he replied with a laugh.

"I think she has a crush on Jacob…she just wants his attention." She had never been shy about her disdain for Rachel Berry. Everything about her annoyed Quinn to no end, and she had no problem making that known. "We're married!" she exclaimed with a giggle, their swings matched up perfectly. A warm sensation spread through his neck, creating a soft blush on his cheeks.

"We always end up married." he replied with a nod of his head and a grin. She bit her lip, her mouth curved into a giddy smile.

"Why do you hang out with her all the time? You're gonna get cooties!" Finn looked to his left and saw Puck standing there. Puck was his best guy friend, but lately he had been spending all his free time with Quinn.

"I don't have cooties, jerk!" she replied, sticking her tongue out at him.

"All girls have cooties, duh. It's like a science fact." Quinn rolled her eyes in disgust, focusing her attention away from him.

"She doesn't have cooties, Puck. Don't be so mean."

"Oh no…you've gotten her cooties, haven't you? I told you you should've gotten that cootie shot like I did." He shook his head lightly, sighing. "When you're done with the cootie queen, we're gonna give Kurt a wedgie." And with that he walked away, sending a satisfied smirk in Quinn's direction.

"Why are you even friends with him? He's so rude." Finn merely shrugged his shoulders, unsure of how exactly to respond to her question. They had been best friends for as long as he could remember; their personalities sort of balanced each other out in a way. No one really understood it, that was just the way it was.

"Come on; let's go back to my house. My mom bought your favorite cookies." Finn swung higher, leaping off the swing and landing safely on his feet. Quinn pumped her legs harder, swinging as high as she could before jumping. Her footing slipped and she fell on her wrist with a loud thud.

"Ow!" she exclaimed, sitting up and cupping her wrist in her hand. It moved slightly and she winced in pain. Finn was at her side, examining her injury. "I think I sprained it." she whispered, looking up at him. There were tears in her eyes but as usual she didn't let them fall.

"We'll go get my mom…she'll know what to do." he said, pulling her up by her uninjured arm. The two walked back to Finn's house as quickly as they could manage. "Mom! Mom! Quinn's hurt!" he exclaimed, racing through the house. He ran into his mother and she looked at him in alarm. "I think she sprained her wrist. Come on!" He hurried back into the living room where he had left Quinn sitting on the couch.

"Oh honey, let me see." she said softly. She touched Quinn's wrist gently, eliciting a shriek of pain from her lips. "Alright, we need to get you to the doctor…" She grabbed the keys, ushering them out the door. Quinn sat next to Finn, breathing slowly, trying to focus on something other than the shooting pain through her wrist. He rubbed her shoulder reassuringly, wanting to help her somehow. As her face turned to look at him, he couldn't believe what he saw. Tears were rolling gently down her cheeks, falling softly into her lap. Quinn Fabray was crying. He was stunned and not sure exactly how to handle the situation.

"It's gonna be okay…I promise." he whispered, kissing her cheek gently. "The doctor will fix it." She took a shaky breath and nodded her head.

"It hurts, Finn…" she mumbled, taking a sharp intake of breath as they hit a bump in the road.

"Hold my hand." He took her uninjured hand in his own, smiling softly at her. "Just squeeze when it hurts, okay?" She merely nodded, squeezing tightly as they drove over a pothole. They pulled into the hospital parking lot, their hands parting as they got out of the car. Before she realized it, Finn was back at her side, his fingers intertwined with her own once more. The two sat in the practically full waiting room as his mother filled out all sorts of paperwork and got in touch with her parents. They were huddled close together in the corner, his hand clasped firmly around hers, softly reminding her that she was going to be okay.

"Promise you'll go in to see the doctor with me?" she asked meekly, her teary eyes hopeful.

"Promise. I won't leave, not even to go to the bathroom." He had this dopey grin on his face that made her laugh. "Soon it won't hurt, and you'll have a really awesome cast for me to sign." he added playfully. She leaned her forehead against his shoulder, sniffling softly.

"Thanks." she said quietly, relaxing against him. All eyes in the waiting room were focused on them, but they were too wrapped up in each other to notice.

"Anytime." he whispered, leaning his head carefully against her own. Quinn Fabray didn't cry; but when she did, she knew he'd be there to pick up the pieces…and he wouldn't have it any other way.

A/N: So what'd you think? I thought it'd be humorous to see little Puck fearful of 'cooties'. Reviews are always appreciated!