A/N: The Rumors week happens around the time of the events in Hot Dog.

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Hot Dog

Of course, the minute Rachel stopped pursuing Finn, he started showing an interest in her again. She tried to keep her word and not encourage him; Quinn tried to ignore Finn's wandering gaze.

It sort of worked. At least the talking animal things gave Quinn something else to think about: mainly her sanity, but also the puzzle of trying to figure out what they wanted and why.

It didn't help that not long after the Owl first spoke, Sam had come to her privately for help. Despite feeling that her life was starting to feel intolerable – well, more intolerable – she couldn't leave him to suffer alone. Misery loves company or whatever. But helping Sam look after his little brother and sister actually ended up helping Quinn as well, even if it also broke her a little more.

She was secretly grateful that after everything that had gone wrong, Sam had trusted her with his siblings, and the truth about his family's situation.

Plus the kids were sweet and enthusiastic, and they loved hanging out with her: it all made her feel that little bit less alone.

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A few days after Quinn and Rachel had agreed to their truce, a new voice stole Quinn's attention.

This animal really got her with its ridiculousness: it was a Chilli Dog.

Not like, the sausage thing, thank God. It was a cartoon chilli in the shape of a dog, decorating the bag of Suzy Pepper.

They ran into one another in the bathroom, and Quinn intended to ignore her like usual until she heard the high-pitched voice. "Get her groove back."

Quinn looked around and saw the Dog. Her eyes widened and she glanced at Suzy and back and raised her brow. The Dog nodded. "Get her groove back."

Quinn hesitated a moment, then spoke to Suzy. "Hey, you."

"Why are you talking to me?"

"What, can't I talk to my ... fellow student?"

"You never have before. Are you going to slushie me or something?"

"No. Nothing like that. It's just, do you sing?"

"No."

"Do you dance?"

"No. What do you want?"

"Well, I – I think you need to get your groove back." Quinn almost sounded questioning.

"Look at me. How could I ever have more than a mildly attractive groove?"

"Oh, groove," Quinn echoed, earning her an odd stare from Suzy. Quinn tried to cover. "It's just, well, if someone who dresses like Berry can attract a guy like Finn, I'm sure a makeover will help you."

"Aren't you dating Finn?"

"Yes, why?"

Suzy looked mildly incredulous, but shrugged it off. "No reason at all. But why would you help me?"

"Why not?" Quinn said.

Suzy said, "Okay," but continued to look wary.

Quinn started plotting as she drove home.

She still didn't quite trust Kurt after his last effort. Although the outfit Rachel had worn to school had been pretty hot – what? she had eyes – she'd heard about the "sad clown hooker" look from Finn. Sure, Kurt was over Finn now, but he still liked messing with people.

This needed to work: she couldn't take any more singing from those things.

She finally had it – Brittany could help! No, wait. The last time Britt had helped Rachel, she'd only made her more wary of trusting people. Dammit.

She eventually accepted that she'd have to do it herself. Double dammit.

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Quinn finally managed to convince Suzy to come to the mall for a makeover; the public setting reassured her that Quinn didn't actually plan to kill her and hide the body. It was time to go shopping.

"We need to find glasses that suit you."

"Not contacts?"

Quinn shrugged. "If you liked contacts and could wear them, I figured you already would be."

"Fair enough."

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"You need to lose the headscarves."

"But-"

"They suit some people, but they make you look like a 40-year-old housewife."

Suzy stared at her. "I'd hate to think what you'd say if you weren't helping me."

Quinn shrugged. "Just being honest."

"Please don't. I could do without the explanations."

"Fine. No pinafores or overalls ... Can't say why."

"Any suggestions of clothes I actually can wear?"

Quinn looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'll get back to you."

"Well, that's just great." Suzy sighed. It was going to be a long day.

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Quinn even went into Suzy's house. (Somewhat reluctantly.) Stupid Chilli Dog. At least by then Suzy had stopped staring at Quinn like she was looking for the knife or gun or whatever.

"What's your hair like if you don't straighten it?"

"I don't straighten-"

Quinn raised her brow.

"Fine, I do."

"Have a shower and wash your hair, but only towel-dry it. I'll finish it off."

"Okay."

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The next day at school, Suzy's perfectly wavy hair, flattering glasses and fashionable outfit turned heads.

Her new look also attracted Jacob Ben Israel.

A few days later Jacob came to school proudly wearing a chilli-pepper adorned tie, and with his hair tamed with a shorter cut. The pair of them walked hand in hand down the hall, and the jocks were so shocked they didn't even think to slushie them.

Quinn kind of understood the connection, even if it bothered her slightly. Suzy set off her creepometer, but Jewfro weirded her out even more.

Later that day, Suzy cornered her in the bathroom alone.

"Hello Quinn Fabray."

Quinn eyed her suspiciously. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to thank you. Somehow your bizarre ploy found me a guy who's perfect for me."

"He's kind of a stalker," Quinn couldn't help but mutter.

"My neediness suits his obsessiveness."

"Huh. It's like a match made in a freakish hell."

Suzy luckily didn't seem to hear. "And he's not a stalker. He's a journalist."

"Paparazzi-in-training?"

Suzy just shook her head. "Journalist."

Suzy's Chilli Dog bag agreed. "Journalist."

"Fine. He's a journalist. I hope you're happy."

Although her tone was less than positive, Suzy simply said, "Thank you."

"Whatever."

"No, I mean it. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Just don't tell anyone that."

Suzy's question was more of a challenge. "You don't want people to know you care?"

Quinn just shrugged and slipped past Suzy and out the door.

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Despite Quinn's best efforts, there were rumors. Someone claimed to have seen Quinn and Suzy at the mall. Quinn was peeved. How had her huge sunglasses and sexy brimmed hat not hidden her identity?

Quinn denied any involvement to anyone who was brave enough to ask, except Rachel, who tricked the truth out of her.

"Quinn, I'd like to thank you for your involvement in getting Jacob to cease stalking me."

Quinn immediately got defensive. "I didn't do it for you."

"So it was you."

"Dammit. Well, yes, sort of. But it's not like I knew that was going to happen."

"Nevertheless, thank you. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

"Uh huh."

"I'm perfectly serious. Regardless of what you intended, it's a vast relief to know that I can leave the house without fear of being followed."

"Fine, you're welcome or whatever."

Rachel just gave Quinn a dazzling smile and practically skipped out of the room.

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Crafty Squirrel

Later that week, Rachel wore a new animal sweater. It was a knitting squirrel (not knitted, knitting – it was making an acorn-warmer or something) whose mission seemed to be to drive Quinn insane.

Every time it was within hearing distance, it came out with random nonsense like, "Make her yours." "Sing to her." "Let her drive you nuts." "Nut up and win your girl." Every statement increased Quinn's embarrassment and frustration. And in Glee when she told it to go to hell (earning her a few sideways looks) it said, "Nuts to you."

For starters, Who was it talking about? 2. What the hell did it want from her? And C. Was it really that nutty about nuts? (Damn, now she was doing it!)

Quinn finally cracked (like a nut! ugh) and went after Rachel.

Quinn cornered Rachel in front of her locker after Glee. "Berry! You need to destroy those hideous animal sweaters! They are literally driving me insane!"

Rachel stood her ground and looked the blonde in the eye. "I believe you mean figuratively, Quinn."

"No, I mean literally. You need to stop wearing them – I just can't take it anymore!"

"Quinn, while I know you don't approve of my fashion sense, is it really so painful-"

"It's not that. I mean, your style sometimes hurts my eyes, but this..." She shook her head helplessly.

"I don't understand."

"You wouldn't believe me." There was no way she could tell the truth.

"Try me."

"I can't. Just, please stop wearing the animal sweaters."

"I'll consider it if you tell me why."

Quinn was sick of asking nicely, and she wouldn't beg anyone for anything. Her tone turned cold. "Have you been enjoying not getting slushied?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"Don't push me, or you might find out. No more animal sweaters!"

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"'Cause some days I think I'm dying,

But I'm really only trying to get through."

Quinn was just barely hanging on to her sanity, but starting to lose everything else. Her temper, her judgment, her understanding.

But there was one thing she did understand, all too clearly, when she thought back over the past few weeks: everything those creatures had done had somehow driven Rachel and her closer together. (Except the damn squirrel.)

Why the hell were those things throwing her at Rachel? Were they trying to ruin her life? Surely Rachel had done enough to her already?

And it wasn't like she hadn't done as much – or worse – to Rachel. It was still weird to Quinn that they were almost sort of friends. Who could ever expect more? Not that she wanted it. Nope.

Okay, so those things had also helped her friendship with Santana and Brittany, which was kinda awesome, but she was still so over their crap. They clearly had no clue when to stop. Or what to start.

Rachel was the line. It was just too much.

Quinn went through the whole house that night and threw everything with an animal face into a box, which she then hid in the back of the garage. She desperately tried to ignore the cats, who were yowling throughout the whole process, "We're bobbing along in our barrels, some of us tipped right over the edge...

"I wonder wonder why the wonder falls, I wonder why the wonder falls on me, I wonder wonder why the wonder falls, on everything I touch and hear and see..."

As she locked the garage door, Quinn scoffed. "Huh, wonder. Yeah right."

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Everything went okay for the next few days.

Rachel stopped wearing the sweaters, but from the looks she kept sneaking at Quinn, it was more out of concern for her state of mind than because of the threat.

Quinn pretended not to see.

Even when the business card of an out-of-town therapist appeared in her locker, she tried to not look at Rachel. It didn't stop her wondering if Rachel went to that therapist, and worse, if it was because of her. That thought really didn't help.

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Gay Shark

At the end of that week, Puck threw a party for the Glee club. He claimed it was to de-stress because of Regionals or whatever. ("Nationals," Rachel had corrected with a resigned eye-roll. The real reason: his mother and sister were away.) Quinn went a little reluctantly. She still didn't quite trust herself around alcohol, but the last party had – sort of – gone okay. Besides, she really did need a break from the stress of everything. A drink or two wouldn't hurt.

Several shots later, Quinn ended up in the spare room with Santana and a dolphin lamp. They were supposed to be finding cups or alcohol or something. One of those.

Quinn was a little past tipsy, but not quite drunk.

A chirpy voice startled her as she had her head buried in a cupboard, looking for whatever-it-was. "Kiss the girl."

Quinn jumped up so fast she almost brained herself. "What!"

"Didn't say a word, Tubbers."

Quinn turned to look at Santana. Santana just looked confused.

"Kiss the girl." The dolphin lamp smiled at her. Stupid dolphins and their stupid smiling faces.

"I... Okay." Quinn leant forward and kissed the startled Latina. Santana froze momentarily before responding to the kiss.

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Rachel was just trying to find the bathroom. Really. It had nothing to do with the fact that she hadn't seen Quinn for over half an hour. Nope.

Well, okay, she'd been hoping they could use this relatively casual venue to talk. Quinn had seemed a bit out of sorts lately, so she wanted to ask if there was anything the other girl would be willing to discuss. Noah wanted to date Lauren, so surely anything was possible; Quinn might confide in her. Admittedly she hadn't seen any pigs flying lately, but it was early in the year. It always paid to be optimistic.

As Rachel opened the spare room door she heard a muffled moan, but before she could react appropriately, her eyes fell on a sight that stopped her dead. Quinn and Santana were lying on the bed, both shirtless, with Quinn on top. The blonde was trailing kisses down Santana's neck, pausing to suck at the tender skin. Santana was encouraging her with whispers and hisses of pleasure. Neither girl noticed the intrusion.

Rachel couldn't move. Couldn't think.

Santana moaned and her hips arched up into Quinn, who gasped, then muttered, "Stop. I can't."

"Huh?"

"Kissing. Only kissing." Quinn leaned down and licked Santana's lower lip, and was soon teasing Santana's tongue with her own.

Santana moaned into the kiss and ran her hands from Quinn's hips up towards her breasts. She suddenly pushed Quinn back and started kissing and biting her collarbone. Quinn's mouth fell open soundlessly and her back arched.

Rachel couldn't take it anymore: she moaned, and Quinn's eyes shot open and met the dark chocolate gaze that seemed to be devouring her.

Quinn froze, eyes locked on Rachel's, before her brain kicked in. "Holy crap!" Quinn went to jump up and fell off the bed. A moment later she'd grabbed the closest shirt and was out the door.

Rachel watched her go, still uncharacteristically speechless.

Santana was unphased, still lying on the bed, shirtless. "Enjoy the show, Berry?"

Rachel cleared her throat. "Hello Santana." She closed the door and moved closer. "I wasn't... I didn't mean to watch."

"Whatever you say."

"So ... y- you and Quinn? How long...?"

"Just now."

"But aren't you and Britta-?"

"Don't," Santana cut in warningly.

"Okay," Rachel nodded, accepting the snub. "But what about Quinn?"

Santana eyed Rachel curiously. "What about her?"

"Don't yo- shouldn't I see if she's okay?"

"Believe me, you do not want to talk to her right now."

"Oh. Yes. I imagine you're correct."

When Rachel made no move to leave, Santana eyed her. "Problem, Berry?"

Rachel cleared her throat. "I couldn't help but observe that you and Quinn must have optimal exercise regimes – you both have very nice stomach muscles."

"Okay, creepster."

After a moment's hesitation, Rachel said, "What did it feel like, kissing Quinn?"

Santana burst out laughing. Seriously? Berry had the hots for the ex-HBIC, ex-Chastity Queen?

"What?" Rachel said defensively. "Finn said it was like fireworks. I'm just wondering if you felt it too."

"It was like rainbows." Santana started to go red in the face, before she cracked and started laughing again.

Rachel huffed. "You suck."

"Oh yeah?" Santana said suggestively. "Come over here and I'll show you."

Rachel crossed her arms and glared, but Santana could see that her skin was still flushed and her eyes dark.

"Have you ever kissed a girl?"

Rachel flushed darker. "No. Not of course that I have anything against-"

"Do you want to try it?"

"You mean kiss you?" Rachel's voice went high.

Santana winced at the sound. "Yes, me."

"But don't you hate me?"

"I'm drunk and horny and you're here. Plus Puck said you're good with your tongue." She licked her lips teasingly.

Rachel huffed indignantly. "I can't believe Noah said that to you!"

"So you wanna get your mack on?"

"Just so you know, Santana, while I admittedly think you're very attractive, you're not really my type." Rachel couldn't help giving a brief, curious glance in the direction Quinn had gone.

"It's macking. Who freaking cares what your type is?"

"Fair point."

"Of course. Now, I wants on those lips."

"Okay." Rachel shrugged. She figured it was a one-off opportunity, and not only was Santana hot, but she seemed to know what she was doing. "Just kissing though."

"What is it with you Chastity Club freaks?"

"Just kiss me."

"Wow, forceful much-" Santana started to tease, but was distracted by Rachel's lips on hers. "Mmmmph."

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The following evening, Quinn got a message from Santana. Q, get your pretty blonde ass here now.

Quinn only just managed to stop herself texting back My "ass" is neither blonde nor pretty (she wasn't Rachel) and instead went straight over. She was curious. And worried. But mostly curious. Dammit.

Quinn rang the doorbell a little apprehensively.

Santana answered the door clearly a couple drinks past tipsy. "Q! I wants on those luscious lips."

"Santana, You're drunk."

"Duh. I'm drunk and horny and I wants on you."

"I can't."

"I could feel you all over me the other night," Santana said seductively. "I can still feel you."

Quinn flushed. "That's not the point."

"Why not?" Santana leaned in towards Quinn, who stared at her lips longingly before dragging her eyes away and deliberately stepping back.

"I'm not going to kiss you again. It was a mistake."

"Why? Because you liked it?" Santana challenged.

"No. I mean, I'm not saying I didn't like it, but I can't cheat again. I just can't."

Quinn's obvious pain got through to Santana, who wasn't as drunk as she'd made out. (She was lonely, okay? Plus Quinn was hot and super-smart and just kind of really awesome.) Santana saw Quinn's clenched jaw and bright eyes, and decided it was time for a fun distraction. (Fun for her, anyway.)

"Berry enjoyed it too."

"Wait... What did you just say?"

"Berry totally made out with me."

"But she likes guys."

Santana shrugged. "So do you. And Britt. And I only don't because I'm in love with her."

Quinn smiled at the admission. "Aww."

"Oh, shut up."

Quinn's smile widened at Santana's blush, but she secretly felt envious; she'd never felt that strongly about anyone. She then realized something. "But I thought you kinda hated Rachel?"

"You know how you and I are like closet Broadway fans? I hate that she can love Broadway out of the closet."

Quinn tried to hold in her laugh, but instead let out an undignified snort.

"Serves you right. You know what I meant."

"So you don't hate her?"

"Well, her solo-neediness and constant word vomit make me want to strangle her with her hideous stockings, but she's got pipes, and she's been cool about me and B. Course, I'd prefer if she was less obvious."

"That wouldn't be her."

"Yeah. True."

"I'm glad we stopped the slushies. She's been kinda less annoying."

"You seem happier too."

Quinn just shrugged dismissively.

"So, what about Finn?"

"What about him?"

"Are you going to tell him?"

"No. He kissed Rachel last year when we were together."

"Didn't know you knew."

Quinn shrugged. "This school."

"Yeah. So, Finn?"

"Well, he's not 'the one.' He never was. It was all about the dream."

"And now?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to stay with Finn until prom. I need that crown to make my mother happy." She hesitated, biting her lip, then added, "Plus it might make her slower to kick me out if I ever bring a girlfriend home."

"Wow." Santana tried to conceal her wide smile with a smirk. "I'd started thinking you were going to keep repressing your girl-loving self until after your future kids got married."

"Yeah, whatever." Quinn rolled her eyes but gave Santana a small smile. "Just don't tell anyone. About that or the other night. Maybe you should threaten Rachel, too. Nicely, of course."

"She won't talk."

"Okay. Good."

Santana eyed Quinn closely. "So no us?"

"Yeah. It's nothing personal. Well, nothing against you, anyway."

"You mean it's personal but not in a bad way?"

"I never said that."

"And you give me crap for never giving you a straight answer."

"Well, it's simple: I couldn't hurt B. It would be like kicking a kitty. And okay, you're not together, but you clearly both love each other. Besides, there's Finn."

"For now."

"Yeah. For now."

"And Berry."

"What about her?"

Santana just sighed.

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Quinn prayed about it all again that night: the baby, Rachel, the voices. Liking girls.

She'd only just accepted that she might like girls, so why the hell had she said anything to Santana? She was still shocked at herself, but felt a little better knowing that she and Santana had dirt on each other. The threat of mutual destruction safeguarded their secrets.

Hopefully.

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Quinn avoided Rachel for the following week. Prom. She didn't want any distractions from Finn and her campaign, and besides, every time she saw the brunette she had flashbacks to her sexy stare. Seeing that look on Rachel as she stared had broken something in Quinn. The weakening of her defenses had naturally caused her to throw up stronger walls around the shorter girl.

It was confusing as hell. Nope. Better not to go near her.

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The morning before Prom, Quinn went into the bathroom and came across Brittany sitting on the counter searching through her handbag. Brittany looked up and smiled distractedly, "Oh, hey Q."

"Hi B. Whatcha doing?"

"Looking for my 3D glasses. It's so hard to walk without them – I can never tell where people are going."

Quinn just stared, incredulous.

Brittany rolled her eyes at Quinn's expression. "Lighten up, Q. I'm looking for my lip gloss. San won't lend me hers because I'm still with Artie," she pouted.

"Oh. Right." Of course. She knew Brittany was random, but she wasn't that crazy.

"Hey, why don't you make out with Rachel? She's looking all sad and stuff."

"You mean make up with Rachel? Like start talking to her again?"

"No, I mean really close talking where your lips touch. She'd totally be into it, I can tell."

Quinn blushed hotly. "No. Just no." She did not want to kiss Rachel. Anyone but her.

"Your loss," Brittany shrugged. "Hey, Q?"

"Yeah, B?"

"Can I borrow your lip gloss?"

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After prom, Quinn was even more confused around Rachel, although they were speaking again. (Quinn was almost convinced that was a good thing.)

Quinn had been furious at Rachel for singing a song at prom that questioned her relationship with Finn. During the song Rachel had stared at them intently, but Quinn had felt like those eyes were fixated on her. Quinn's resulting freak-out over the whole situation had her slapping Rachel then immediately feeling bad and apologizing.

Rachel took the slap in stride. "I know I'm supposed to be upset about being slapped in the face, but I happen to appreciate the drama of it." She finally looked away from the mirror, towards Quinn. "On which note, I'm relieved that you're speaking to me again – if speaking is the correct word in this instance."

Quinn didn't hear. "I know you think it's hard to be you, Rachel, but at least you don't have to be terrified all the time."

Rachel dampened a paper towel, glancing up at Quinn. "What are you so scared of?"

"The future. When all this is gone." She gestured at her face, trying not to even think of the fears from hearing voices, or what had happened with Santana. And Rachel, her mind added reluctantly.

Rachel really looked at her then. "Look, you have nothing to be scared of. You're a very pretty girl, Quinn. The prettiest girl I've ever met, but ... you're a lot more than that."

Quinn couldn't hold Rachel's eyes: her intense gaze made Quinn happy and uncomfortable at the same time. She didn't want to address the reasons why, so she just leaned back against the sink and allowed the brunette to wipe her eyes for her.

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Lying in bed that night, Quinn couldn't get the incident out of her head.

Why had Rachel been staring at her during Jar of Hearts, and why had she run after her? And then there was the way Rachel had looked at her: she had clearly meant every word, both about her beauty and more. So Rachel believed in her (the thought made her heart leap disturbingly), but did it mean anything more than that?

Had Rachel been trying to say something?

It had been a big enough thing to admit that she herself liked girls. It was quite another to think of Rachel possibly liking her as more than a friend. Well, friend of sorts.

Seriously though? Rachel? It didn't make sense. Rachel was obsessed with boys. Was it about Finn, despite the truce?

But then the diva had kissed Santana. They both had. The thought made her feel oddly hot.

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Quinn finally broke up with Finn the day after prom. She tried to let him down nicely; he wasn't the guy for her, but he was a great guy, aside from the cheating and straying and constant ping ponging and his infuriating jealousy of Jesse ... well, he was all right.

Finn was confused. "Are you with someone else?"

"No. This just doesn't feel right anymore."

"Is it Sam?"

"It's not about Sam."

"Is it Puck?"

"Finn, just stop. There's no one else. Don't accuse me just because you don't want to be the only one who's after someone else."

"What are you talking about?" Finn said defensively.

"You attacked Jesse for no reason other than your own stupid jealousy."

"He was being inappropriate!"

"Not as inappropriate as you."

"That's total bulls-"

"I just can't do this with you any longer, Finn."

"Do what?"

Quinn sighed. "Lead you on, and let you lead me on. I thought I loved you, but then there was the drama last year, and everything with Rachel and I just can't keep doing this."

"Okay." Finn still looked skeptical.

There wasn't anyone else though. Not really. Santana was in love with Brittany, so that felt wrong, and Rachel ... well, it was complicated. And ridiculous – what the hell was she even thinking? Clearly she was losing her mind. And not just because of those damn animal things!

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A/N 3: The song that the cats "sing" is the Wonderfalls theme song (I Wonder Why the Wonderfalls) by Andy Partridge.

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CHAPTER 5 Preview

Rainbow Puppies

...

Mr Schuester finally arrived, and as he was giving them their new assignment, the Rainbow Puppies spoke again. "Boy needs some spring."

"What the hell does that even mean?" Quinn hissed under her breath.

"I'm going to guess that was directed at Mr Schuester rather than myself, Quinn, although I really don't understand your confusion. I should think the word Serenade would be perfectly self-evident."

"Thanks, Rachel." Quinn managed not to roll her eyes, and really, Rachel's attempts to be helpful were kind of cute. Wait, cute? Seriously? Quinn very nearly rolled her eyes at herself.

"Give him spring."

"Who?"

But the Puppies – and, surprisingly, Rachel – were silent.

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A/N 2: Thanks so much for the great reviews, and the adds and follows. It's fun finding other Wonderfalls fans. And thanks also to my readers who are not familiar with Wonderfalls – as you may have guessed, it's kind of crazy, but it's a fun ride. I'm glad you've decided to give my story a chance!