A/N: Warning a head of time... you aren't going to like Santana in this story. Sorry. I know a lot of you are fans of hers, but I really wanted to write a truly bitchy version of her. Then again... I might just turn her around in the end. I'm not sure. I could have so much fun with that one. I'll keep thinking about it. But for right now... she's kind of pushing the story forward.

In this chapter, Quinn surprises herself again... and again. She surprises Santana, Rachel, and her boss as well. Rachel debates letting her walls down, but struggles with one of Quinn's emotional defenses. While the blonde lets down some walls, she is content with ignoring one in particular. The pair also make an enemy and a possible ally.

I think that's a pretty good summary. And a reminder that while these first few chapters a jumping, giving just glimpses into their lives, the day-to-day story telling will happen once school starts. That's when we will really see into their lives and emotions and get a little bit of Quinn's back story.

Okay. So, thank you all very, very much for reading. I know it's a little strange not to update over the weekend. I'm not too sure I like having those days off after all. I feel... unporductive. Thank you to everyone who reviews as well. As the story gets going, I'm going to be looking to you for guidance to see if things get too moody or what else you're wanting to see.

~/~/~/~

Three weeks before Senior year begins:

There had been a second outing between the girls that week after Judy had suggested that she and Quinn go shopping for her school clothes. The blonde, wanting to avoid the excessively doting woman quickly made up the story that she had already promised to go back with Rachel so the diva could pick out a few more outfits as well. While Rachel wasn't thrilled about being the scapegoat, she had to admit that it did make her smile that Quinn thought of using her instead of Santana or Brittany.

"Can I ask you something?" Rachel asked aloud as she sat across from the blonde in the food court. Quinn lifted her eyes with a faint warning in them to think carefully of what she was going to ask. "It can be a yes or no answer if you would prefer. But... Are you worried about being seen in public with me anymore?"

Quinn had been sitting sideways in her chair, surveying the passerby-ers, but now turned to face the diva, bringing a fry to her mouth to munch on while she teasingly thought about it, studying the brunette in the process. She realized that Rachel probably thought that her taking in their surroundings was Quinn hoping no one they knew was around, so she sized up the diva in playful deliberation. Rachel rolled her eyes and deflated in response. "What? Don't you want an accurate answer? I have to think about these things. There are multiple layers embarrassment and I need to decide which one this falls on."

"It shouldn't take that much concentration."

"Well, you don't wear those sweaters anymore, so that takes the worry down a level. You don't ramble as much as you use to, so that takes it down a level as well."

"Maybe you're just becoming accustom to hearing me and are therefore becoming more tolerant of my expansive vocabulary and proper use of such."

Quinn's playful nature suddenly shifted and her posture straightened. "Then that doubles my worry." Rachel's brow dropped and she even looked a little hurt so Quinn quickly slouched again. "Oh, come on. That was a joke. You were suppose to laugh. Besides, I think it's a mixture of both. I'm getting use to it because you're not doing it quite as much. It's a compromise."

The diva gasped. "Quinn Fabray compromised?"

"Hey. I can manage a compromise or two in a life time."

"Like when you offered Finn the opportunity to touch your breasts if he quit glee?"

Quinn narrowed her eyes and pointed a fry at the brunette. "See. I knew you were eavesdropping."

Rachel raised her brow and ran her finger down her drink in front of her. "I never denied it."

"Uh-huh." Quinn retorted, disbelieving.

Rachel loved this. It's like she was getting to see a side of Quinn that she was almost certain had never been seen by anyone else before. Someone playful, funny, yet still secretly caring. Quinn caught onto that thought by the look in the brunette's eyes and took a deep breath to try and lift her walls back up.

"You have yet to answer my question though. Are you still worried about being seen with me in public?"

"Clearly not that much seeing as I am here with you... again."

Rachel nodded her head and fought to keep her smile from growing too large and embarrassing herself. "And what about when school starts in a few weeks?"

This came with a more serious reaction from the blonde. She dropped her eyes to the food on the table in front of her and never lifted them again to Rachel. "I don't know." It was an honest answer but it still felt like a kick in the chest to Rachel. Quinn was still Quinn Fabray and had appearances to uphold. "I will at least say that I probably wont call you Man Hands, or Stubbles, or Treasure Trail, or RuPual. I think I might try 'Rachel' for a change." She said sitting back, hoping that would lighten the mood just a little. "We can see how that works out and go from there."

"I appreciate the effort."

"Eh. It's the least I could do." And really it was. They both knew it too. Sure they had gotten to know each other but they still weren't friends. They might talk about things a lot and go shopping and have lunch with each other, but that didn't make them friends. Did it? Even as Quinn watched as Rachel hung her head, trying not to look let down, the blonde felt something more than she use to.

She had finally admitted to herself that Rachel had been right. She didn't enjoy making people cry or stomping all over their feelings. It actually bothered her a great deal. That guilt was what normally made her act out even more. Their actions were making her feel bad. It was their fault then. But now things with Rachel were different. In stead of getting upset at the guilt she felt seeing Rachel in pain, all she really wanted to do was reach out and hug her. But Quinn Fabray does not hug, not when people are looking unless it's to state status of a relationship.

Quinn was about to open her mouth and say something to try and make it up to Rachel, but the brunette's phone beeped and pulled her attention away. She watched with concern as her brow creased and she looked crushed before quickly putting the phone away. "Who was it?"

Rachel looked up at her as if she had no idea what she was talking about.

"If... you don't mind me asking." The diva still didn't answer. She wanted to and she looked like she wanted to, but the words just never came out of her mouth. Instead she hesitantly retrieved the phone and held it in her hands, further debating whether or not to show her. Seeing the reluctance, Quinn held out her hand to make the next move and Rachel accepted, handing her the phone.

Quinn sat back in her chair and flipped through the menu to get to the messages and saw the incoming text from a number without an ID name. But she knew that number. She pulled out her own phone to verify that it was in fact Santana.

Hows ur summer goin, Dwarf? Mines a blast. Just got done fuckin ur man... again.

The blonde's head shot up to look at Rachel who instantly dropped her eyes again. Quinn could tell by the look on her face this wasn't the first text she had gotten. "How many has she sent you like this?" Quinn was pissed. Not because of any feelings... friendly feelings she might have been holding for the diva, but just on principal. The diva hadn't done anything that justified this comment... not like she had done anything to justify anything that had happened to her. Well... most of what had happened to her.

"A few."

"I'll talk to her." The words came out of her mouth impulsively just as did Rachel's head in shock as the blonde's dropped down in confusion of what she had just done. She was offering to stand up for Rachel.

"I would appreciate it. However, I fear that it would only cause issues for you as well."

The blonde shrugged her shoulders, cutting off anything else Rachel was going to say. "The thing with Santana is this: if she wants to harass you, she will. And she always wants to harass you. No one is off limits. Even I get my share."

~/~/~/~

Rachel hadn't heard from Quinn the next day but she also didn't get any threatening texts from Santana about running and telling Quinn on her. Hopefully that wasn't because Quinn caved and gave into the other Cheerio and spent all day bashing her instead. Things were actually looking good between her and Quinn. Shockingly, the blonde was the closest thing she had ever had to an actual friend that wasn't Finn. Kurt kind of fit in that category, but they were too much in competition with each other to ever get really close.

But just when things were starting to look up between Rachel and Quinn and the diva began hoping for more, the worst possible thing walked through the ice cream shop door.

"Hey, Midget. I almost didn't recognize you without your normal layers of argyle on. Nice uniform." Santana smirked as she walked in with a cocky strut. Actually, the black pants and red polo weren't the worst thing she could have been wearing.

Rachel was a little thankful that Quinn was running late. Just in case she had caved or was on the verge of reverting back to her old ways. Even just a few seconds with the Latina in the room could easily undo all of the progress they had made. She shook the thought out of her mind and smiled lightly, determined to remain professional. "How can I help you, Santana?"

"Besides falling into a six foot hole and being buried alive? I don't know. Let me get back to you on that one." Rachel watched as the taller brunette cased the ice cream, knowing that she probably wasn't going to buy anything ans was only there just to harass her. She surely wouldn't eat that many calories with school just around the corner. "I hear you were working here. I'm just surprised that I didn't hear it from my girl."

Her girl? The one that she harassed as much as Quinn harassed her? The one that she called a slut and cracked hurtful jokes about her daughter? Rachel stayed quiet.

"How long have the two of you been working together? I would have at least thought she would have called me up to complain about you once or twice... a day."

"Maybe she's not as much of 'your girl' as you think she is."

Santana stopped in her tracks and looked up to Rachel with a look that only spelled trouble. "What's that one?" She asked pointing to a tub of ice cream.

"Reese's Peanut Butter Cup."

"I'll take two scoops." Rachel hesitantly did as she was requested, suddenly thinking Quinn would be a nice addition to have right now. The blonde was much easier to read than the cunning Latina. Rachel handed the scoop the the other brunette and moved down to the register. "Now I would like to see your manager."

"Why?"

"Because I would." She snapped coldly. "Now go get him, Dwarf. Go on. Fetch."

Rachel rolled her eyes and retreated back through the double doors and returned with Mr. Mathews, straightening his tie as he approached. "Yes?"

"Did you hire this idiot?" Santana asked bluntly, shocking the man out of an intelligent response. "She has served me this ice cream cone. Do you know what this flavor is?"

He fumbled and looked to Rachel to answer for him. "It's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Just what you ordered. Two Scoops."

"And why would I order that when I'm allergic to peanuts?" She asked with a sneer before turning back to the manager. "Your employee's stupidity could have killed me. If I hadn't been paying attention, I would be on my way to the hospital right now. If you ever wish to have me as a customer again, as well as any of my friends, family, and half of McKinley High School, then I suggest you do something to assure me that this will never happen again."

Rachel couldn't help but smile as the real head bitch's plan laid out before her. She didn't even look her boss in the eye when he made a showing of not only scolding her, but firing her. Well, eventually firing her. She had to stay until Quinn showed up, then she was fired. Santana held out her hand with the cone for her to take it back, pleased with the manager's handling of the situation. The diva bit her bottom lip and took the ice cream, throwing it away immediately to prevent herself from shoving it in Santana's face.

"Bye, bye, Berry. See you at school. Oh!" She stopped at the door. "Tell Quinn I said for her to call me. We have some catching up to do."

~/~/~/~

As Rachel watched the minute hand slowly tick by, she grew more and more upset. Then after thirty minutes went by, she gave up and was just defeated. Quinn was right. It didn't matter what she did, people were always going to pick on her. She might as well just accept that this was one of those time where they won and she lost.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. I wasn't expecting my car to not start and then it took my mother forever to get home. I think it would have been quicker if I just walked." Quinn apologized as she rushed into the shop. "Everything okay? No problems with the cash register?"

Rachel untied her apron and pulled it over her head. "Nope. No problems with the cash register."

The blonde watched, dumbfounded, as Rachel set the balled up apron on the counter and walked towards the door. "Where are you going?"

"Home. I've been fired. I'll see you at school. Oh. And Santana said to call her."

"Santana? Hold on." Quinn waved her hand in the air, finally setting down her bag and running to stop Rachel from walking out the door. "Why were you fired? When did this happen? And when was Santana here?"

"About thirty minutes ago. Santana came in looking for you and ordered some ice cream. After I served it to her she had me fired for giving her a flavor with peanut butter in it, regardless of the fact that that was what she asked for."

"And what's the big deal about peanut butter?"

"She's apparently allergic to peanuts."

"Like hell she is." Quinn spit back rather loudly. "That girl's secret addiction is Snicker's candy bars. I guarantee you she has one stashed in the glove compartment of her car. She said she was allergic and that you gave her the wrong order just to get you fired?" Rachel nodded her head, lacking the energy to do anything more. "Look, sit down. Don't leave until I get back."

"Quinn, I really just don't feel like being here anymore."

"Sit." She demanded, pointing to the near by chair. Rachel reluctantly sat, knowing the next step was Quinn throwing her down into it. "And if you leave, I will kick your ass."

"No you wont."

Quinn bent down so her face was right in Rachel's, pulling Rachel out of her depression in surprise. Her heart even jumped into her chest oddly enough. "Do you really want to find out?" The brunette shook her head, still feeling a little strange being that close to the blonde's face, smelling her perfume, feeling the heat off of her body in the cold shop, seeing the golden flecks in her eyes... "Good. Then stay put. I'll be right back."

Quinn walked quickly, throwing the double doors open dramatically before marching right to her boss' office while Rachel sat dumbfounded where she left her. "I need to talk to you." The blonde stated with her hands on her hips.

"I can't get you any more help for this week. Everyone's out of town." He stated in anticipation of her question, not even looking at her.

"That's not what I want to talk to you about."

He looked up from his computer and then leaned back in his chair. "Then what is this about?"

"About firing Rachel."

"She served a customer an ice cream that she-"

"I know what you think she did. But I'm here to tell you what actually happened."

The man arched an over grown eyebrow at her and leaned forward on his elbows that he braced on his desk. "You weren't even here."

"No, but that 'customer' was my best friend. She wanted to get Rachel fired."

"And why would she want that?"

"Because she doesn't like her. They're enemies."

"More so than you and Rachel?" He asked mockingly, only pissing her off even more.

She nodded her head, unable to bring herself to actually say that she got along better with Rachel than someone else despite the fact that lately Rachel was closer to acting like her best friend than Santana. "Santana's not even allergic to peanuts. I should know, I've known her since we were in diapers. She asked for that flavor because that was the easiest way to force your hand and fire Rachel. Winning some sort of prize in her mind."

"And what do you want me to do about it?"

"Don't fire Rachel." Quinn stated plainly, not sure where the confusion was.

"I can't. Even if what she said was a lie, she'll cost me business. She's threatened to-"

"Talk to her family and friends?" He nodded. "I know them all too. It wont be a problem."

"It's still too much of a risk for me. Sorry."

Clearly he wasn't as he turned his attention back to the screen. "Then I quit. And seeing as everyone else is out of town, you'll have to work by yourself until closing all week. Enjoy." She turned around with a smile and began walking away. She wondered if she'd even get to the office door.

"Wait." Quinn paused and her smirk deepened. Nope. "Are you willing to risk your own job for her?" Hearing it put like that made Quinn wonder what the hell was going on her in mind, but she nodded her head anyway. This summer was not turning out like she was expecting. "Fine. But if this comes back to haunt me, it's your job."

Rachel was looking down at her feet, tapping them in boredom when Quinn appeared through the double doors with a smile firmly planted on her face. She grabbed the diva's balled up apron and threw it at her. "You're hired again."

Her head popped up as the apron fell into her lap. "What?"

"Just don't make me regret it, okay?"

~/~/~/~

"So the rumors are true." Puck announced as he strolled into the shop. "What's up Babe and... Babe? I'll take a scoop of every flavor in a pool, not a cone, and then you two wrestling in it... in bikinis."

"Did Santana send you?" Quinn asked with an arched eyebrow. The blonde had called the Latina and told her that if she didn't plan on running extra laps after each Cheerio's practice, to not show back up at the shop. As soon as she hung up the phone she had to convince herself that she was doing this because she didn't like any of her other co-workers and would rather work with the diva. She could boss Rachel around.

Puck shrugged his shoulders with a playful smile. "Maybe she did, maybe she didn't."

"And if she did?"

"Then I tell her what she wants to hear whether it happened or not. So, are you two best friends now or something?" He leaned on folded arms against the counter.

Quinn turned her head to look at Rachel who only mashed her lips between her teeth in the awkward silence. "Best friends? No. Managing to tolerate each other's existence to a degree were civil conversation is able to take place more often than not?... yes."

Puck pulled his head back and looked at the blonde with disgust on his face. "You are starting to sound like her." Quinn's smile fell.

"She sounds intelligent?" Rachel asked, pulling the attention away from the blonde who was beginning to sink back into her stereotypical facade. "I believe that Quinn would rather sound intelligent than the contrary."

"Whatever. Anyway, I'm planning a party on the last weekend of summer before school starts back up. Everyone who is anyone is going to be there. You coming?" He asked Quinn as he wiggled his eyebrows.

She shrugged and looked away. "I don't know. Probably not. I might find something to do with my 'new best friend' instead."

"What if she's going though?" Puck asked, sliding down the counter to stand in front of Rachel. "Are you?"

The diva's eyes shifted between Puck and Quinn, unsure of how to respond. "I didn't know I was invited. I never have been before."

"I said everyone who is anyone. And you're my hot Jew counterpart. Now, you're also tolerated by one of the two girls who despised you the most. That has to mean that you're someone."

Rachel wasn't too sure if that was actually a compliment or not. "Are you going?" She asked, looking to Quinn.

"Are you?"

"Only if you are. Could you imagine me showing up by myself? There would be beer baths around every corner." She chose to leave out the part about her fathers not letting her go unless it was with someone they trusted. She didn't want to come off like a dork, or embarrass the blonde into changing her mind.

"Am I your bodyguard now or something? Because you're not paying me."

"Your popularity is a pretty good buffer in cases such as this."

"Come on, Ladies. I need an answer." Puck encouraged, calling for it with his hands.

"Fine." Quinn answered with one more look at the diva. "But if you try anything, I will never go to another party you have. Understand?"

He stood up and clutched at his chest. "You're killing me, Babe." She arched an eyebrow. "Fine. Whatever."

"Now what did Santana send you here for?"

He pointed to Rachel. "To see if she was still here. Meaning that you," He pointed back to Quinn. "Are in for a shit storm when she finds out that she is. And also..." He tucked his hands into his jeans. "I need two scoops of the Snicker's ice cream she saw in here earlier. And you two can't spit in it."

"Gross." Rachel mumbled as Quinn went to retrieve the ice cream. "I'm not very fond of Santana, but I wouldn't even do that. Do you have any idea how unsanitary that is?"

The blonde smiled and looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "Do you have any idea how much saliva you share when you kiss someone?"

The diva gagged. "Why did you have to say that? Now every time I go to kiss someone, I'm going to imagine them, like, spitting in my mouth."

Puck scrunched his face. "Hurry up with that ice cream. This is getting me sex tonight and you two are completely killing the mood for me."

"Give me the money first." Quinn argued, holding the cone hostage until Rachel accepted the money and playfully held it up to the light to make sure it was real. The diva looked over her shoulder and nodded faintly to the blonde who then handed him the ice cream.

"You know..." He paused before he exited the shop. "I might get slapped for this later, but I kind of like you two as friends. You make her look cool," He said to Quinn, pointing at Rachel and then switched. "And you somehow pulled the stick out of her ass."

"Leave, Puckerman." They both ordered together.

"You two are quickly becoming my new fantasy."

"Out!"

"You're killing me." He teased as he pushed the door open by leaning against it and slipped out with Santana's ice cream in hand.

"Why are you and Santana even friends?" Rachel asked bluntly. "I didn't even think you two liked each other."

"Honestly, we don't. What's that saying? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

Rachel turned and leaned backwards against the counter opposite of the blonde. "But I thought I was your enemy." She said softly.

Quinn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She wasn't use to talking this much to a single person. If she had to talk to someone, she spaced out the information between different people so no single person had all of it. But Rachel was different. There was just something about her that was non-threatening. She had caused the blonde a lot of stress in the past, but only because she did the right thing when Quinn hadn't wanted to, or was too scared to. "You weren't my enemy. You were, like... my venting post. I took my frustrations out on you." Rachel smiled broadly and Quinn felt suddenly uneasy. "What?"

"That statement was completely past tense."

Quinn rolled her eyes to distract from the slight blush that was appearing on her face for some reason. "Yeah, well... I can still tease you without being a bitch about it."

"True. But what about Santana?"

"That's pretty obvious. She's a threat to me. If anyone in the school holds power over me, it's her. Mainly because I know she wont spare my feelings. She will hit every nerve until you are screaming in pain for her to stop. Then she'll do it some more."

"Why is that?"

The blonde shrugged. "I don't know. She never volunteered the information and I, sadly, didn't care enough to ask. I've just kind of accepted that that is just the way she is. Out of everyone I have ever met, she is the most closed off. Even more than I am. I mean, you have managed to get me to talk a bit but I can guarantee you that no one, and I mean no one, is going to get Santana Lopez to open up unless she wants to."

Rachel nodded her head pensively.

"One more thing I will tell you about Santana, is she does enjoy seeing you cry."