Hey guys, I've updated to italics for the intro. I know how to spend my Saturdays..

This is a pretty short, angsty chapter, but it's necessary as we get more into the story. I'll be uploading the next chapter in the next few hours, and that's the one to keep an eye out for, as it's the one everyone's been waiting for, if you know what i mean!

Review's make me keep writing, even if it's just a 'love it' :D Enjoy!


'So, how'd your talk go with Finn?'

Quinn was doing the normal routine check-ups on Beth, and thought it'd be the right time to ask the question. She and Puck had had to grab some food for her from the canteen, so Finn said he'd get to know his 'almost daughter' (Thank god enough time had gone by that Finn was okay joking about baby-gate!). She was a bit worried though, Finn wasn't good in awkward situations without acting like a complete nutcase.

'Yeah he's cool. A little...weird. No offence!' Beth added quickly, looking ashamed of herself.

Quinn laughed. 'None taken, weird is a good word to describe Finn. What made you think that though?'

'Well, he's really funny and all- in fact it was strange, like he was an old friend or something, but he looked really shocked and kept talking about the weather at first before he actually was just talking to me normally.'

Quinn felt alarmed when she mentioned 'old friend'. It was like she was psychic, which was freaking Quinn out slightly. 'The weather?' She supposed it was a common conversation starter for awkward situations, a la Finn.

'Yeah, like rain, and how much he likes drizzle 'cos it's not really raining and something about umbrellas.' Beth shook her head, as if she pitied him.

'Oh.' Quinn tried to suppress the laughter that was threatening to escape from her pursed lips. 'Well anyway, I need to check your writing and i'll check your reading later, okay?

Beth shrugged, showing she didn't mind. Quinn grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and handed it to Beth, telling her to take her time. She was a little slow, but managed to write her name two times without her hand trembling or anything, so it was a good sign.

'Done.' Beth handed her the piece of paper, and Quinn's jaw almost dropped. Her writing was practically just like Quinn's.

'What? Is it okay?' Beth looked worried and examined the writing.

'N-no, it's great, means there's nothing wrong with your writing ability, it's just.' She smiled, as if she found it funny, when instead she found it saddening and shocking. 'It looks like mine.'

'Really?' Beth was excited, like she and her new friend had found something in common. 'Can I see it?'

Quinn quickly wrote her name down before thinking about what she was doing. She held it up, imitating Beth. 'Done!' She grinned.

Beth didn't smile. Instead her eyes grew slightly wider and she became alarmingly tense. The monitor showed her heart rate increase ever so slightly.

'Beth?' Quinn stood up, and as soon as she spoke, Beth suddenly relaxed.

'Sorry. Umm, could you go get my mom? Now?' Beth asked her voice high, as she looked at Quinn, slightly alarmed.

'Umm-sure, yeah, of course. I'll send her here.' Feeling rejected and confused, Quinn walked out and quickly texted Shelby, who said she was on her way now.

Without any explanation, a dull and lifeless feeling began to seep through her. She suddenly realised that all this was basically for nothing. Shelby, although okay with Quinn and Puck talking to Beth, obviously wouldn't want Beth to find out yet, and their adoption agreement prevented the parents from telling Beth unless prompted by her. Beth and the two would keep discovering the had things in common, until it was time for a fully recovered Shelby to take Beth home where they would go back to their usual lives, and leave Quinn and Puck with nothing but the memories.

Her breath was now coming in ragged gasps, and she wasn't exactly sure who she was scanning the halls for until he appeared in front of her.

'Hey, I was looking for you, Finn's just gone to book another few nights at the hotel, why he's not staying with us is beyond me-' Puck paused as he got closer to Quinn and tears escaped her eyes and fell down her cheeks.

'Quinn? What's wrong? It's not Beth is it?' He put his hands on her shoulders, trying to get an answer out of her.

She shook her head slightly. 'She's fine. She- she's perfect. Normal, everything's normal-' And with that she broke down, sobbing as Puck pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair, murmuring that it would be okay.

She just hoped it would be.


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