Author's Note: Again, keep in mind that "Funk" was originally supposed to air before "Theatricality," but then Fox switched the episode order for May Sweeps. I'm going with what was originally intended, so the events of "Funk" happen before those in "Theatricality" in this fic.


Quinn followed Rachel and Mercedes through the hallways of Carmel High School and up to the balcony of the auditorium.

This wasn't exactly how Quinn envisioned their first time hanging out. She was a little nervous about spending time with Rachel outside of school, especially since they were doing something she was afraid might be bordering on illegal. But when Rachel had asked her and Mercedes to accompany her to spy on Vocal Adrenaline, she couldn't say no.

"Do you think they can see us?" Mercedes asked quietly, moving along the edges of the balcony and closer to the stage, where Vocal Adrenaline was in the midst of rehearsal, in an attempt to get a better look at what they were doing.

"If they catch us, are we going to have to go to jail?" Quinn asked, keeping her voice a low whisper. It had been one thing to do stuff like this as a Cheerio within the confines of McKinley, where she had ruled the place and could get away with just about anything. It was another doing it here at Carmel.

"Stealing their ideas is not a crime!" Rachel whispered hotly as she moved past Quinn, brushing her hand against Quinn's in the process, causing her skin to tingle where they had touched and a pleasant warmth to settle in her stomach. Quinn almost couldn't believe how strong a reaction she had to such simple contact.

The three girls took a seat in the front row of the balcony, with Rachel sitting in the middle and Quinn to her right. Unconsciously, Quinn leaned toward the Rachel.

"They look amazing," Rachel said, staring down at Vocal Adrenaline decked out in their red Lady Gaga outfits as Ms. Corcoran, their director, counted out the steps for the choreography.

Quinn clenched her jaw in anger at the sight of them. Sure, they had shown Vocal Adrenaline their funky side last Friday, but she still felt that there hadn't been proper retribution for the egging incident. She tried to remind herself of Rachel's and Mr. Schue's directive—beat them at Regionals.

"Okay, okay, okay," came the sound of Ms. Corcoran's frustrated voice. "Just—enough. You guys aren't getting it. You're letting the costumes do all the work. Theatricality isn't about crazy outfits. It's not enough to douse yourselves with gasoline. You have to light yourselves on fire to make it work.

"God, she's good," Rachel commented in awe.

"Being theatrical doesn't mean you have to be a nuclear explosion. It can be like—like a quiet storm. You just have to radiate emotion. Express what's deep inside you. That's what theatricality is truly about."

The choir simply stared at her. Well, at least Quinn assumed that's what they were doing since she couldn't see their faces behind their costumes. She guessed since they were basically automatons, they didn't quite understand the concept of "radiating emotion."

"Do I have to demonstrate?" Ms. Corcoran asked them before turning to their band. "'Funny Girl.' E-flat."

"Exactly what I would have done," Rachel said, turning to look at Quinn as she spoke—her eyes and voice filled with passion. Quinn met her gaze before thinking better of it and looking back toward the stage where Ms. Corcoran now stood alone as the music began to play.

It took every ounce of Quinn's strength not to meet Rachel's gaze again, afraid that she might lose herself or give herself away. She still wasn't sure if Rachel would even like her in more than a friendly way, and if by some chance she did, what she would do about it.

"Barbra," Rachel said with a half roll of her eyes, pulling Quinn back to the present situation at hand. "I could do it in my sleep."

If Sectionals were any indication, she most definitely could, Quinn thought with a smile as she focused her attention to what was happening on the stage.

Ms. Corcoran's voice filled the auditorium. There was raw emotion there, but subtly so—a perfect example of what she had been trying to teach her students about theatricality.

Rachel's breath caught in her throat as Ms. Corcoran continued to sing—realization dawned on her. Her mouth hung open as she struggled to breathe normally. There was no doubt in Rachel's mind as to who this woman was. It was overwhelming to say the least. Without even consciously thinking it, Rachel suddenly stood up and began to walk away from her friends.

"Hey, where are you going? Mercedes asked, noticing Rachel leaving them.

"Get back here," Quinn called after Rachel, her face scrunched up in confusion at her sudden departure.

But Rachel didn't even seem to hear them. Her focus was locked on the woman singing onstage. Quinn and Mercedes could only stare after Rachel as she moved toward the set of stairs leading to the lower level of the auditorium. Moments later, they saw her below them, approaching the stage.

"What is she doing?" Quinn asked Mercedes, panicking a bit. She really didn't want to get caught, especially since she wasn't as spry as when she was a Cheerio. She couldn't exactly make a quick escape.

"I have no idea," Mercedes murmured in response, seriously confused by this turn of events.

"Ms. Corcoran," Rachel said as the song came to a close, causing the woman to look in her direction. "I'm Rachel Berry. I'm your daughter."

"Oh my lord," Mercedes breathed as Quinn stared in shock at the scene before her.

They couldn't make out Ms. Corcoran's expression from where they sat, but they saw her briefly turn her attention to the front of the orchestra pit where her choir was sitting. There was a sudden tension in the bodies of nearly every member of Vocal Adrenaline.

"You're dismissed," she announced, and the students quickly let themselves out.

"We should go too," Mercedes said.

"But-"

"Rachel has her own ride, remember? She'll probably be here for awhile. Besides, we should give them some privacy."

"Yeah," Quinn said with a reluctant nod. She slowly got up from her seat and followed Mercedes out of the auditorium, but not before casting a glance back toward Rachel. To her surprise, Rachel was watching their exit. She gave Quinn a grateful smile, and Quinn couldn't help but smile back.


"That was something else, huh?" Mercedes said as they walked through the parking lot back to her car. "Who would have thought that Ms. Corcoran is Rachel's mom. Although, I can definitely see the resemblance. Oh man, just wait until the glee club hears about this."

"Seriously wild. I mean, obviously we all knew about her dads. I sort of forgot that she would have to have a mom, but of course she would," Quinn said with a small smile and shake of her head before her smile fell. "Wait, you don't think she'll join Vocal Adrenaline now, do you?"

"No way. Not after what they did to her."

Just then, Quinn spotted Jesse St. James across the parking lot and saw red. Without thinking, she began to walk as quickly as her pregnant body would allow her over to where he was getting into his car.

"Quinn, what are you doing?" Mercedes asked before noticing who she was heading toward. "Hey, wait up!" she called out, chasing after Quinn.

The sound of Mercedes' voice grabbed Jesse's attention, and he turned to see his former teammates coming toward him. Quinn looked furious, and if she hadn't been pregnant, Jesse might have been just a little afraid of her in that moment.

"St. James," Quinn practically hissed when they reached him, her jaw clenched and eyes narrowed.

"Quinn," he replied with a smirk. "Mercedes."

Mercedes rolled her eyes at him and placed her hands on her hips.

Suddenly, it clicked. Quinn realized just how Rachel knew who her mother was. "You knew, didn't you?" she accused, advancing on Jesse and poking him in the chest. "You knew that Ms. Corcoran is Rachel's mom, and you still did this to her."

The smirk dropped from his face then, and he appeared to show genuine remorse. "Not that it's any of your business, but I do care about Rachel."

"She's our friend, so it is our business," Mercedes retorted. "And you have an odd way of showing you care."

"I had my reasons," he replied.

"Let me guess," Quinn said. "You had to prove to your teammates that you were 'one of them.'" The look in Jesse's eyes told her that she was right. Well, Rachel certainly had a type—guys who succumb to peer pressure. "Pathetic."

"Like you're any better," Jesse shot back, looking pointedly at Quinn's baby bump before bringing his gaze back up to meet furious hazel.

"Watch it," Mercedes warned him.

"If you have something to say, St. James, say it," Quinn growled.

"As Rachel once put it so succinctly, you're a teenage trollop, Quinn—something she desperately hoped her mother was not. Good thing Ms. Corcoran is a woman with an impeccable reputation, unlike you who is nothing but damaged goods."

Quinn couldn't stop the hurt that came from knowing that Rachel thought she was that kind of girl, but she supposed she deserved it. It paled in comparison to the things she had said to and about Rachel. Still, now wasn't the time to wallow in guilt. She pushed down the hurt and felt her fury rise up.

Mercedes looked like she was ready to pounce on Jesse, but she paused when Quinn took another step toward him, getting right in his face. "You have no right to judge me," she spat. "And my pregnancy has nothing to do with the fact that you egged our captain." She took a step back, gaining some control over her emotions and feeling every inch the HBIC once more. Her eyes held a calculated, dangerous glint as she spoke. "I wonder… just what would Ms. Corcoran do if she knew that you seduced her daughter only to break her heart and lead an assault on her?"

For the first time since this confrontation began, genuine fear shown in Jesse's eyes. This was obviously not something he wanted Ms. Corcoran to know about, but he didn't understand why Quinn of all people was up in arms about it. "Why do you care?" he managed to ask. "I thought you hated Rachel."

"I don't owe you any sort of explanation," Quinn replied, crossing her arms. "Rachel's no longer your concern. So stay away from her and the rest of our team, or else I'll make sure your coach finds out about what happened to her daughter."

Jesse narrowed his eyes at her. "Fine," he agreed bitterly. "Will that be all?"

She pierced him with a glare and nodded curtly.

Without another word, Jesse climbed into his car and drove off, while Quinn continued to glare after his retreating vehicle.


After the little monsters of glee club finished their performance of "Bad Romance," Quinn felt elated. She hadn't had that much fun during a glee performance since the club's impromptu dance session during "Ice Ice Baby." But she was paying for it now. Moving around like that took a lot more out of her than it did two months ago.

She took a seat on one of the stools in the stage wings as Mr. Schuester enthusiastically complimented them on their performance. Quinn smiled tiredly, taking in the happy smiles of her friends. Her smile fell though when her eyes landed on Rachel, who was picking absently at her stuffed animal outfit. It would have been cute if Rachel hadn't looked so miserable. Not for the first time, Quinn wondered just what had happened after she and Mercedes left last night.

"You okay, girl?" Mercedes asked Quinn, noticing that she had walked away from the group.

"I'm fine. I just need to take a breather."

Mercedes nodded, following Quinn's gaze for a moment, before rolling her eyes. "Hey, Rachel, come here for a second," she called out, a playful look on her face.

Quinn looked at her questioningly, but Mercedes just winked at Quinn as Rachel approached. "Keep Quinn company while I get her things from the choir room. I'll meet you guys at my car, okay?"

"Thanks, Mercedes," Quinn replied, grateful for her help both in getting her stuff and getting Rachel to come talk to her.

For her part, Rachel was still getting used to this whole Quinn wanting to be her friend thing. She had to admit, she was surprised that Quinn even approached her in the first place, but she was glad for it.

"Hey," Quinn said, trying to keep things light. She figured Rachel probably didn't want to talk about what happened with Ms. Corcoran if what she had said in the choir room earlier was any indication.

"Hey," Rachel replied as she looked at Quinn—really looked at her—for the first time that day. "I like the outfit you chose, Quinn. I feel that it suits your personality, and honestly, you pull it off better than Lady Gaga herself."

"Thanks," she replied with a slight blush at Rachel's compliment. "It sort of makes me feel like myself again. You know, since it hides the baby bump and all."

Rachel nodded in understanding as Quinn shifted in her seat, causing the stage lights to reflect off the sticker on the right side of her chest. Rachel noticed it and her eyes lit up. "I especially like how you've chosen to accent your ensemble with a gold star," she said, smiling for the first time that day, even though it lacked its usual brightness. "Gold stars are kind of my thing."

"I know," Quinn replied, quirking her lips into a knowing smile. She had hoped Rachel would notice it since she had put it there for her.

Rachel eyed her curiously. It was strange enough to have Quinn act friendly towards her, but now she wondered if there was something more to it. She realized then that Quinn was staring intently at her costume. "What are you looking at?"

Quinn smirked and raised an eyebrow playfully. "Just trying to figure out what all those things attached to you are," she teased.

"I know my outfit is horrible," Rachel huffed, crossing her arms. "You don't have to rub it in."

"I wasn't," Quinn tried to reassure her. "Gaga's Kermit the Frog look wasn't my favorite, to be honest. I actually think what you did is an improvement." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Wow, way to fail at giving a compliment, Fabray, she thought with a mental grimace.

Rachel frowned.

"Okay, that came out wrong. That was supposed to be a compliment," Quinn explained, and Rachel could only quirk a confused eyebrow at her. "I'm just going to shut up before I do more damage." Quinn smiled ruefully as she slowly stood up, finally feeling like she had enough energy to meet Mercedes at her car. "Walk with me?" she asked Rachel.

"Sure," Rachel replied, glad for the company.

As they walked, Quinn glanced over at Rachel, noticing the stuffed animal fixed to the top of her head. "You know what the best part of your outfit is?"

Rachel looked back at her, fully anticipating Quinn to make fun of it despite her earlier assurances to the contrary. "What?" she asked, somewhat exasperated, which made Quinn chuckle.

"The lamb on top of your head," Quinn replied with a smile, pausing in her steps as they reached Mercedes' car.

Rachel turned to look at her, confused. "Why?"

"It reminds me of the stuffed lamb my grandpa gave me when I was little," she explained. "I know it's kind of stupid, but I really wish I had been able to take it with me when I got kicked out of my house."

"It's not stupid," Rachel argued, her brown eyes filled with sympathy. Quinn watched as she reached up and removed the lamb from the top of her head. Without hesitating, she offered it to Quinn. "I know it's not the same, but I'd like you to have it."

Quinn's eyes filled with tears and she bit her lip to keep from crying as she took the gift that Rachel had given her and hugged it to her chest. It was one of the sweetest gestures anyone had ever done for her.

"Thank you," she whispered, wishing she could draw Rachel into a hug, but knowing that their outfits made it pretty much impossible. So instead she settled for grabbing onto Rachel's hand and squeezing it lightly.

Rachel smiled shyly at her as she squeezed back. "You're welcome."


"Sorry, I'm late," Rachel said, sauntering into the auditorium rocking Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" look and causing the rest of the club to notice her entrance.

"Wow," Quinn said under breath as she looked at her appreciatively.

"Whoa, looking good, Rachel!" Mercedes exclaimed.

"Thanks!" she replied, walking past Mr. Schuester, Santana, Kurt, and Tina and coming to stand in front of Quinn. She twirled around a little, showing the outfit off.

Quinn couldn't help but smirk at that, knowing full well where Rachel had picked that trick up—the Cheerios.

"My mom made it," Rachel added, pulling her shades down to look pointedly at Mr. Schuester before coming to stand alongside Quinn. Rachel looked up at Quinn and offered her a megawatt smile, which gave her a slight thrill as she returned it.

"Well, we're all here," Mr. Schue stated. "So without further ado, I'd like to introduce the boys!" he announced, gesturing toward the stage where the boys were decked out in full KISS makeup.

"Lima, Ohio!" came Finn's scream. "Get ready to rock!

Quinn and Rachel laughed and shared an excited look with each other. It was awesome to see the guys get just as into their assignment as they had, and the girls started cheering them on as they began to play "Shout It Out Loud."

Rachel's joy was infectious, and Quinn couldn't help but smile as she watched her dance along to the music.


Rachel's good mood didn't last. Just two days after being all smiles, Quinn found her in the bathroom wiping tears from her eyes in front of the sink.

"What's wrong, Rachel?" Quinn asked, her voice laced with concern as she placed a comforting hand on her back.

"I saw my mother yesterday, and she said she doesn't know how to have a relationship with me right now, so she thinks we should just appreciate each other from afar," she sniffled. "I understand it, but why does it still hurt?"

"Because you feel like she rejected you."

Rachel nodded.

"I know what that's like. My parents don't want me either. They're ashamed of me," Quinn said, swallowing thickly, trying to push her emotions down in an effort to comfort Rachel, who was now looking at her with sympathetic brown eyes. "Ms. Corcoran doesn't seem like she's ashamed of you though. It sounds more like she just doesn't know how to be your mom, but you know, I don't think she needs to be. You have two dads who love you."

"I know," Rachel said with a small smile. "I don't mean to make it sound like I don't appreciate them. I do, and they are amazing."

"You're lucky to have that, you know. I think my father hates me," she said bitterly, dropping her hand from Rachel's back and leaning against the sink beside Rachel. In fact, she knew her father would hate her if he knew how she really felt about the girl standing beside her.

"I'm sorry." It was Rachel's turn to offer comfort, her hand coming to rest on Quinn's back now. She found it soothed her a bit.

"Don't be. I'm the one who messed up by getting drunk and breaking my vow."

"Wait, you mean that was your first time?"

"First and only time," Quinn replied with a bitter smile.

Rachel bit her lip nervously, looking a little guilty.

"What?" Quinn asked, quirking her eyebrow. "You thought I was easy, didn't you, Berry?" she teased, remembering what Jesse had told her.

"I'm sorry, Quinn."

"Don't worry about it," she said with a wave of her hand before turning serious. "I should be the one apologizing. I've said much worse things to you." Her eyes shined with guilt as she remembered all the horrible things she'd done. "God, I was awful to you."

Rachel shrugged and offered her a small smile. "I forgive you. I actually forgave you a long time ago."

Quinn shook her head. "You're something else, Rachel."

She grinned. "I know."

Quinn rolled her eyes and laughed. "And humble too."

They stood there for a moment, just smiling at each other, nearly getting lost in each others' eyes before Quinn lost her nerve and looked away.

Not for the first time, Rachel eyed Quinn curiously, wondering if she was imagining things when it came to the way the other girl looked at her sometimes.

"Thanks," Rachel finally said, her voice breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

"What for?" Quinn asked, finally allowing herself to look at Rachel again.

"For being my friend," she explained with another shy smile.

Before Quinn could respond, Rachel had her arms wrapped around her body in an impulsive hug. Quinn gently placed her own arms around her and smiled.

It felt so good to hold Rachel like this, and having her in Quinn's arms made one thing abundantly clear—Quinn definitely wanted Rachel to be more than just her friend.