Thanks go to my friend and beta, Toots. Without Toots this would have probably never been written.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Rachel and her Caucasian father, Hiram, came to pick Quinn up at Brittany's house. Quinn was surprised that Rachel came, but quickly saw that Rachel was going to help her get her belongings to the SUV while he made small talk with Brittany's parents.

It didn't take long to pack her possessions into the vehicle. Quinn really didn't have a lot of belongings. Once it was done, she turned her attention to watching Hiram. He wasn't a tall man, maybe five foot six, five foot seven, and he had an average build, it looked like he kept in shape. He was going bald, but the hair he did have was dark and he wore wire framed glasses. Currently he looked very angry; until he turned to look at Rachel and Quinn. He gave both girls a big smile.

"What do you ladies think of stopping off for some burgers before heading home?" he asked in his calming voice.

Quinn's belly rumbled, which embarrassed her and she was going to decline, but Rachel responded, not letting the other girl say no, "That sounds perfect, Daddy."

"Call them, Sweetheart?"

"Of course," Rachel replied and pulled out her cell phone. Before dialing she turned to look at Quinn. "What do you like on your burger, Quinn? And how do you like it cooked?"

"Medium Well, and I like it with cheese, mustard, ketchup, tomatoes, and pickles."

"Fries?"

"Yes please."

Rachel got on the phone and began talking within seconds. She was saying something about regulars, so it seemed she knew the person on the other line, and it seemed they ate at this place quite a bit. "See you in a few, Skip."

Quinn didn't say anything, but she did wonder, considering Rachel hadn't ordered anything that Quinn had requested. It wasn't long before they were stopping at a small restaurant called Selso's Diner, and Rachel ran in.

While Rachel was inside Hiram looked back at Quinn. "I know this is terrifying right now, but it's going to be okay, Quinn. I promise. It'll all be okay now."

Quinn looked up and into his eyes as he spoke and in that instant she knew it was true. "Thank you Mr. Berry. Thank you so much," she whispered.

"We still have a lot to talk about, but it doesn't have to be today."

And then Rachel was back in the car holding two big bags of food that smelled heavenly.

"Rachel… could I ask why you didn't…"

"Order the food you asked for?" Rachel cut her off. "Because surprisingly, you and I eat the same burger, down to the pickles."

"Why doesn't that surprise me," Quinn murmured.

Hiram pulled into the driveway next to a BMW sedan, and out everyone climbed. "Let's wait on the stuff in back. We'll grab that after we eat."

Once inside Hiram introduced Quinn to Leroy, Rachel's Dad. Quinn learned as they ate that Rachel's fathers were both attorneys; Leroy Berry was an Assistant District Attorney and Hiram Berry handled Family Law. She found herself starving and had no problem sitting down to eat with the family. It surprised her in a way. Her father would have been civil at best, but then talked about the two men burning in the fires of Hell. Quinn found herself enchanted with them. There was nothing fake here. There was no outright groping, no, there were looks and slight brushes of hands; inside jokes, and the straightening of a shirt. These two men truly loved each other. Not only that, but they truly loved Rachel.

It was easy to see where she got her confidence. Where she'd formulated her plans for the future, and what kept her from crumbling underneath the constant ugliness that was poured on her at school. Quinn was ashamed. And now she knew that Honey was right. This would be the perfect opportunity to make up so much to the other girl. Quinn was so busy in her thoughts she didn't even notice the family get up and retrieve her belongings.

Rachel touched her hand lightly to Quinn's shoulder. "Quinn?" Finally, Quinn looked up at her from haunted eyes. "We put your things in your room."

"Do you hate this? Me being here? Do you hate sharing your family and your space with me, a person who tormented you for so long?"

Rachel looked at her for several moments before answering. "Honestly? No. Come on. I'll show you to your room."

**

Hephaestus looked at Persephone with a smile. "Persephone, you did this?" He gestured towards the Waters of Seeing. "You pushed her in the direction of Rachel?"

Persephone stepped up to look down upon the two girls who were unpacking Quinn's few belongings. "It was barely a nudge."

Hephaestus still looked down upon the light and dark, "I think she is the one, but… what would she see in a face and body such as this?"

Persephone reached out and took his hand. "Did you know that when I am out encouraging the trees to grow for mother, your singing at your anvil makes my morning glories stay open longer, just to hear your voice?"

On his other side another soft, feminine hand clasped his free hand. And it was easy to know Aphrodite was present by her scent. "I know it is hard, my brother dear. That we are here to do many things and finding our souls' lost halves are the least of those tasks. Your heart is not the only one to ache."

**

Rachel led Quinn up the stairs, talking the entire time. "You'll have your own bathroom. My father's had this house built to their specifications. Their bedroom is on the third floor and it's amazing, maybe tomorrow we can go up and you can see it. There is the hallway bathroom for the two guestrooms, but then the two other bedrooms have en suite bathrooms." Rachel stopped where there were two doors right across from each other. Rachel's room was obvious by the gold star and her name on it. Rachel turned the knob on the door across from her own and walked in with Quinn. This is where they'd put Quinn's belongings. "And this is your room. If you'd like to make changes, like paint it differently, or purchase anything for it, just let one of us know. We completely expect you to want to make some changes. I mean, right now it doesn't really have personality, does it?"

The room was a good sized room, with a queen sized four poster bed with a matching writing desk and chair, night stand, and chest of drawers, all painted a pretty cherry finish. "I don't expect you to buy me anything," Quinn mumbled.

Rachel turned around and looked at the blonde. "You don't understand, do you? We want you here; even me. My fathers, they don't understand how your parents could throw you out of your house. Quinn, tonight my fathers are going to ask you if you'd allow them to seek legal custody of you. If you agree, they can make it happen. Before they ask that question, before you can worry about my feelings regarding this, if you even would, let me assure you that I do not have any negative concerns. My fathers have a lot of love to give. All I ask is that you don't hurt them."

"Rachel…" Quinn began but when Rachel was looking at her she wasn't sure she could continue. "I'm not going to hurt them. I promise. I know I'm not very believable these days…"

"I don't doubt you Quinn. I never once thought you set out to hurt him. He just needed to know."

"You're right. He did. I'm just sorry it wasn't me to tell him. But I am glad he knows now. But I also know I'm not believable to you because of how I've treated you all these years."

"I'm past that. I'm just so tired of all of it," Rachel admitted. "Tired of fighting for everything. Tired of being belittled because I want to be the best."

"Rachel," Quinn stepped closer, and reached out her hand. "I'd really like it if we can start over. From today, and become friends."

Rachel gave a hesitant smile. "I think I can do that," she said and clasped the blonde's hand.

"Maybe this weekend we can starte redecorating this room?"

Rachel smiled a true smile now. "Sounds good. I think it's about time to update my room as well. Why don't you check out your bathroom and meet us downstairs?"

Quinn nodded, and Rachel left. Quinn walked over and opened one door seeing a good sized walk in closet, shrugging she closed it and opened the door across from it. Her eyes widened. Wow, she thought, this is beautiful. Pedestal sink, ornate mirrored medicine cabinet, glass-block walled shower with three shower heads, toilet and sunken garden tub. No wonder Rachel was always smiling.

**

Quinn had just come downstairs and was sitting down in a plush charcoal gray chair and ottoman. Hiram and Leroy had taken seats on a dark purple sofa, plush like the chair, with charcoal gray throw pillows. Rachel was in the kitchen. "Quinn, would you like a cup of chamomile tea?"

"Yes please," she called back. So far her interactions with the Berry family were slightly Twilight Zonish.

Rachel carried a tray out with four beautiful China cups full of tea. She passed them all around and Quinn took a sip.

"Quinn," Leroy began. "We understand you don't know us. We also understand that your family isn't fond of us. I've spoken to your father in the past and he's certainly made his views on whom I've chosen to marry clear. When Rachel came home a while back and told us your family had asked you to leave their home, we were outraged. Mistakes happen. Accidents happen. You're still a child, no matter how mature physically or mentally. You're a child who should still have a chance to be a child; who should still have a family's unconditional love. Rachel's informed us of the different obstacles you've had to face during the last few weeks, and our hearts have gone out to you."

"We did try to contact your father; we let him know that Children's Protective Services had been notified. He did nothing," Hiram said softly.

"We would like to offer you a home; a permanent home. We'd like to file for legal custody of you. We'd like to go so far as to adopt you, but we weren't sure how you would feel about that. We're not expecting an answer this evening," Leroy was talking, but Quinn held up her hand.

"Sir, Please, I'm sorry to interrupt, but… I'm prepared to give you an answer now. I want a permanent home. And I want it here. And…" tears began to fall down Quinn's face, and she gripped her hands so tightly in her lap her fingernails were cutting into her skin. "And… if you really, really want to, then I would be honored to have you adopt me," A sob broke. "I would love to have a Dad who loved me and didn't judge me, and with you I'd get two… and with as horrible as I've been to her, I would love to have a sister like Rachel."

Hiram blinked back tears and he moved pulling the blonde into his arms, "It's okay sweetheart, it's going to be all right."

Rachel had moved over to them as well and she began running her hand down Quinn's soft hair. Leroy moved to hug Rachel, and very soon it was all four of them in a close hug. Rachel whispered for only Quinn to hear. "Tonight you can sleep in my room with me."

**

Hephaestus looked at Hera with widened eyes, and then back at the Waters of Seeing. "Mother? Did you have a hand in this?"

She smiled gently at her son. "A girl in need of love, a family with so much love to give. I simply pushed something along the way… Heph, show me the two males Ares helped."

Hephaestus waved his scarred hand over the pool and it shimmered before focusing on two teen males.

**

Finn and Puck were jogging. They'd finished basketball practice, done Glee practice, gone to Puck's to watch Puck's sister, and now they were jogging. They had begun talking the day before, but Finn wanted to know 'the story'. Just the thought of telling Finn the story of how Puck and Finn's girlfriend had gotten drunk and had sex made Puck very queasy. Puck sighed. He knew he wasn't getting out of this. And he shouldn't this was one of the ways he was going to pay for his sins. What he was really scared of is that he was going to share this story and then Finn was never going to speak to him again. At least now Finn spoke him sparingly; mainly to call him names, but whatever.

"I know… you don't… want to tell me," Finn spoke as they ran. "But I… need to know, Dude."

"It was right after you joined Glee. You were working on some elusive note with Berry in the auditorium. Chang was having that party because his parents were out of town taking his sister back to college. We'd both been drinking, me beer, her wine coolers. I'd brought wine coolers for Santana, but we were off again, so Quinn asked for them. I said sure. She started talking about how you all were breaking up. How, there was no way you could be together since you were in Glee now, and it was over. Then she started crying saying Coach Sylvester said she was fat. I told her there was no way she was fat. We just kept getting closer, and closer. We just kept drinking more and more. Of course I wanted her, I mean, fuck, who doesn't? She's beautiful. And… you're my best friend, and I know I'm pathetic, but I was jealous of you, man. Everyone loves you, you had Quinn, then you had Berry, you were a great singer and suddenly Glee wasn't as gay as before. I wanted to be you so bad," his lips had tightened as he held in his emotions. "I wanted to be you, and I ended up sleeping with your girl. And the next day we pretended nothing happened; because I was nothing, so how could sleeping with me be something? When you told me she was pregnant I went to her, told her that just because my dad was a deadbeat didn't mean I was. I wanted to tell you. She said there was no way she was telling you. I was just a Lima Loser, and this kid wasn't having a loser for a father." Both boys had stopped running, Finn just listening quietly. "I don't blame her for anything, I mean, shit, I can only imagine how terrified she was. And this has totally fucked up her life. And I tried to give her money when I could, but normally she just threw it back in my face."

They finally stopped walking and Finn turned to face Puck, his face completely serious. "I want you to listen to me very carefully. No matter how big a fuck up, unless we're talking hard drugs, then that's different. But no matter what your fuck up, you will never be a Lima Loser. You are my best friend, and I'm not friends with losers. Yeah, you messed up, Puck; you and Quinn both. But, I'm not completely faultless. I wish you all had told me when we found out about Drizzle but again, you didn't. Here's what's important. Now I know. And it's not worth losing a brother over. There is one thing I want though; stop wanting to be me, be you. Noah 'Puck' Puckerman is a pretty kickass guy over all. There's been a lot of times I've wanted to be him."

"I don't deserve to be forgiven."

Finn shrugged, "But you are. That's not saying everything will be easy and fun the way it was before, but it does mean you're my friend and that's not going away."

"What about Quinn?"

"That's a little different. I can forgive her to a point. I can be her friend again. But dating? I think dating is done. But I will say this, you and me, we will be there for Quinn while she's pregnant, and we'll be there for that baby."

"I'm totally with you, Man."

"Don't you want to date Quinn?"

"God no. I mean, she's beautiful, but the only reason I've been trying to stick close to her is because of the baby. Besides Quinn isn't interested in me either."

**

Hera smiled along with Hephaestus. "He has done well. Not one fist thrown, not one drop of blood spilled."

"I have been working too, Mother," Athena said shyly, looking at Hera from under her thick eyelashes.

Athena's mother, Metis the Titaness, had died in a battle amongst the Titans. Fortunately, Athena was saved before she perished in her mother's womb. Hera often thought of the girl as her own, and it pleased her when Athena called her mother. "And what have you been doing, my wise child?"

Athena waved her hand over the shimmering waters and Santana, Brittany and Mike came into focus.

**

The three had gotten together after school to get their homework done. It wasn't a normal occurrence, but it seemed like a good idea; especially since Principal Figgins seemed to be cracking down on 'No Pass-No Play'. Every time they came to a part they didn't understand they set that aside for the time being and went on to the next problem. Santana found herself looking over at Brittany's paper and was astonished to see that the blonde was actually doing the work, not putting in random words.

"Britt, you're actually learning!"

Britt shook her head. "Thea made it easy."

"I know what you mean," Mike agreed. "I mean not totally easy. I still have to read the book, and work it out, but if I just do it slowly and don't rush through it, then it's easy."

"I wonder if that would work with Coach Sylvester's routines?" Santana mused.

"Those Pallas girls would be smokin' hot Cheerios," Brittany murmured, still working on her math.

Santana looked up slowly and a gleam entered her eyes. "Yes… they would, wouldn't they?"

Mike cringed. Santana had a scary look on her face and he wasn't like Matt, he couldn't tell if it was the good scary or the 'oh no, cover your balls and run for it' scary. So, he decided to go halfway. "Well, it's been great working with you guys, I have to get home. Bye!" He stood up, grabbed his books and hauled ass out of the library.

**

The next day at school Aphrodite was moving through the hallway, all the boys stopping to watch her glorious figure as it moved and swayed to its own beat, until she made it to her locker. She began to open her locker when Santana and Brittany flanked her.

"Hi," Brittany greeted.

"So, we were thinking," Santana began. "You and your sisters are athletic, as well as musical, why don't you try-out for the Cheerios, our cheerleading squad?"

"Then you could like, hang out with us all the time," Brittany added.

Aphrodite looked puzzled. "To be honest I had not even considering this…it will take time to consider. Am I correct in assuming you wish my sisters to join as well?"

"Definitely!"Santana added with a smile.

Aphrodite had taken three steps away before she turned back. "Wait. Cheerios…Is not this the group aligned with the Coach who wishes to destroy Glee?" Once they'd nodded, this time looking slightly guilty, 'Dite grinned. "I will check with my sisters but I am sure they would love to help out wherever trouble is brewing."

**

'Dite continued walking and quickly came upon Artemis and Persephone. Artemis stood between the two tall goddesses, and even with her lack of height she heard 'Dite's whispered words perfectly. "Today I was approached by Santana and Brittany. They wish for us to join the troupe which wear the orange and white uniforms and dance during athletic activities."

"Does not this dancing troupe, these Cheerios, do not they act as nemesis to the Glee club?" Persephone asked.

"I believe it is the leader of the Cheerios who has issues with Orpheus," Artemis added. "If we were to join… would we be joining to help or heed?"

Athena began walking with them. "Perhaps we should evaluate this group before making any final decisions."

"Do you mean that we should try out, and then once we see which is truth, yes then we make our determination?" Persephone asked.

Artemis and Aphrodite began smiling. "I think that is exactly what we are saying."

**

As the four girls, led by Santana and Brittany approached, Sue Sylvester was busy berating the rest of the squad.

"Coach Sylvester," Santana called.

Sue whipped around, a sneer on her lips, a snarl bursting forth, "Where the Hell have you been, Santana? You think you'll get the Captain spot by showing up late to practice?" she shrieked through the megaphone.

Santana felt like she was going to cry, but then a hand was placed on her back and she felt calmer and stronger. "No, Ma'am. But I do think that a good Captain is a captain who brings in fresh, hot talent when it shows up."

Sue looked at the group and looked at Santana again, then shook her head slowly. "All right, let's see what you've got."

(half an hour later)

Sue had to admit it, and boy she hated that, but San had done a good job bringing in some new talent. Wait a minute. Her eyes narrowed.

"You know," the breathtakingly stunning tall blonde said from where she stood. "If you continue to squint your eyes like that you are going to get wrinkles."

"Should I ask if any of you are in Glee?" Coach Sylvester asked, her tone going savage on the word 'Glee'.

Artemis hopped off the stack of mats she was sitting on. "Actually, we are all in Glee. We joined a few days ago. So are we in your group or not?"

"Santana, Brittany, get them uniforms. Explain to them the important rules and regulations of being a Cheerio." She met the gaze of Aphrodite. "Doesn't matter to me if you want to risk something from Schuester's hair transferring to your own."

**