Rachel couldn't wait for third period to end. She kept staring at the clock, watching the second ticking away slowly, and she could have sworn she saw it freeze a few times. She didn't recall what the lesson of the day was because she had not been paying attention. Her fingers tapped against the blue notebook Quinn had handed hear earlier in the day and her eyes were locked on the clock. She only looked away to look down at the note again and re-read the words over again. She would smile each time the words echoed in her head. She wanted to meet her. Her head was swimming with the possibilities of what could happen during that meeting.

Finally the bell rang and Rachel was out of the classroom first. She never left first. She was always the one finishing her notes or staying after to ensure she had fully captured the teacher's lesson in detail in her notes, but not today. Today she had other plans. Today she was meeting Quinn Fabray in a janitor's closet. Okay so it didn't sound that grand to the outside but to her it was huge. She was beaming from ear to ear as she folded her arms, tucking the notebook up against her chest, and made her way to the closet of destiny. Oh that sounded dramatic. Yes she would definitely refer to it as the closet of destiny from now on. It had flavor, spice, and sounded a lot more interesting than the janitor's closet.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the door looming in the distance. Her smile faltered and she bit at her bottom lip. She suddenly felt nervous. What if this was a trap? What if this was all a huge trap, an elaborate scheme by Quinn Fabray to humiliate her? She paused and her stomach flipped. Was she walking into a potentially embarrassing and scarring trap?

"No" She whispered to herself and gave her head a quick shake. She drew in a deep breath, steeled her nerves, held her head high, and marched on toward the door. She had to remember how it had felt to kiss her, how intense it had been to look into her green eyes, and how she had felt completely enthralled right before their lips had met. Quinn had felt it too. They had held hands and smiled and slept side by side right after. Quinn had given her a note that morning and a soft smile and even swayed her hips back and forth as she walked away. Quinn wasn't going to embarrass her, no, she simply wanted to see her.

Rachel stood at the door now, taking a deep breath as her eyes read over the black letters on the glass. The A had been partially torn off but the message was all the same. Janitor's closet. She nodded her head and quickly looked around. Everyone was rushing about, going to their next classes, so no one would notice her. No one ever noticed her unless they were looking for someone to pick on. She shook the thought away and reached for the door knob. No one would notice her slipping away. So she turned until she heard a click, pulled the door open just enough to make space for her body to slide into the room, then quickly shut the door behind her.

The room was small. It was dark, too. Rachel took in a deep breath and started to slide her hand across the wall in search of a light switch. They had to have a light in there, right? "Quinn?" She called out softly, although with the size of the room it would have been obvious that Rachel had joined her if she was in there. She frowned when she realized she was alone in the room. The closet. The coffin. It felt like she was trapped and she was starting to suffocate. Why would she think Quinn would really show up? Pig's blood was probably about to come splashing down on her head. She shook her head quickly and tried not to let herself get upset as her hand fumbled for the door knob, trying to find her way to freedom. Maybe if she got out now she could escape whatever embarrassing trauma was about to befall her. If only she could find the damn door knob.

As he fingers wrapped around it she felt it twist and before she could pull back Quinn had opened then closed the door, slid into the small gap, and came face to face with Rachel. Her back was pressed to the door and she smiled through the darkness when she realized Rachel had shown up. As their eyes both adjusted to the lower light of the room, they both found each other's gaze. Quinn smiled softly and let out a little sigh "Hi. Sorry I'm late, coach Sue tied me up with a bunch of questions."

"It's fine" Rachel said quickly, shaking her head, immediately put at ease by the smile she saw in Quinn's eyes. "I just got here myself."

"Good" Quinn's smile grew and her body shifted because the doorknob was in her back. She moved so she was now leaning into the wall next to the door and let out a soft laugh at how close Rachel was and how she hadn't moved back from her. "So I see you got my note." Well of course she did or she wouldn't be here. That was stupid of you Quinn.

"Yeah" Rachel said with a quick nod, smiling more widely. She realized how close she was and quickly she shook her head, letting out a nervous laugh, and took a step back. "Um, here" She unfolded her arms from across her chest and pushed the notebook out toward Quinn "This is yours. I don't really need it, I have notebooks for all my classes."

"I know" Quinn said with a smile as she reached out for the notebook. Her fingers wrapped around the spine of it and her heart leaped when she felt her pinky slide along Rachel's. There were the tingles again. No not tingles, sparks. It felt like tiny fireworks going off on her fingertips where she touched Rachel's skin. A shiver slid through her body and she quickly pulled the notebook from Rachel's grip "Thanks."

Rachel nodded quickly and dropped her hands to her sides. She bit softly at her lower lip and drew in a deep breath as she looked down over Quinn's form. The longer they were in the closet together the more her eyes adjusted and now she could see the small details of Quinn's Cheerios uniform. She could see the stitching on the black letters and how they stood out against the red background. She smiled at that. Red and black were such strong colors and she was glad they were their school colors. Then she realized she was looking at Quinn's chest and her eyes widened. She looked down to her feet quickly and hoped the room was dark enough to hide her blush that was now burning her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Quinn asked softly, reaching out to lightly slide her finger along Rachel's cheek. She was starting to think maybe this was a bad idea because now they were just standing there awkwardly and Rachel was avoiding her eyes.

"Fine" Rachel said quickly, looking back up now and offering a smile. "Sorry, I just…" She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. She let out a deflating sigh and it was obvious she was trying to find the words to describe it but was falling short.

"It's okay" Quinn said with a reassuring nod of her head, offering her a smile when their eyes met again "You can tell me. We're in a closet, together, and I think fourth period just started so I'm not exactly going to think what you have to say is odd. Skipping class and huddling in a closet together with you is odd so anything you can say by comparison will probably sound sane."

"You think it's odd to be here with me?" Rachel frowned immediately, suddenly feeling like she had been punched in the gut. There was that side of Quinn again. The side that hated being near her.

"No" Quinn said quickly, stammering to right what she had said. "I mean, yes, it would be odd before but it's alright now. I mean, people think I hate you and I kind of make your life Hell, so being in here with you would be odd before but since, you know, this weekend it's a little better." She smiled again and reached her hand out to lay it against Rachel's shoulder. "It feels right now."

Rachel smiled at her words, nodding her head slowly. She brought up what had happened that weekend. Her stomach as twisting with joy and she felt butterflies fluttering through her body. She met Quinn's eyes and licked at her lips again "Sorry I am just so used to you insulting me that I get defensive."

"No" Quinn shook her head quickly "I understand. I've been horrible to you I don't blame you for that. I should probably apologize for that."

"No" Rachel said quickly, reaching her hand out now and touching against Quinn's hip. "You don't have to apologize. I'm not mad at you for that. I understand why you do it."

"That doesn't make it right." Quinn breathed out softly. She couldn't find more of a voice because there were tiny fireworks exploding along her hip and stomach where Rachel's fingers were resting against her. She had to fight the shiver that wanted to dance through her from head to toe and drew in a breath to gain strength. "I'm working on it."

"On what?" Rachel asked in a shaky whisper, her eyes wide, hanging on every word the other girl was saying.

"Not caring what people think" Quinn said with a shrug, shaking her head as her eyes shifted to the side. A frown took over her lips and she lifted her hand to her own cheek, rubbing her fingertips along her jaw line slowly "Not caring about being seen with you. Not caring if people think you are a dork and I'm the head cheerleader who shouldn't even know you. Not caring about being popular, I don't know." Her eyes moved back to Rachel's and her hand dropped in defeat, her eyes searching Rachel's for understanding.

Rachel's head nodded and her hand dropped away from Quinn's hip, contact that both girls immediately craved again. Her arms folded across her chest and she shrugged her shoulders as her eyes dropped to her feet again "I get it." She whispered softly, licking her lips because suddenly her mouth was dry "This is the part where you tell me it was a mistake, a lapse of judgment, and you didn't mean it isn't it?"

"No" Quinn's brow curled into a hurt frown and she reached out to touch at Rachel's cheek, hoping to bring her eyes back to her own "That's not what I was going to say. I brought you here because I wanted to see you. I've been thinking about you all weekend, thinking about the kiss, and I just…" She smiled very slowly and shook her head as a dreamy look took over her face "I've never felt more alive."

"Really?" Rachel looked up with a bit of disbelief on her face and hope in her eyes.

Quinn nodded quickly and when their eyes met both of their faces lit with a smile. Rachel stepped forward and slid her arm around Quinn's waist, pulling her close so the girl couldn't escape. Escape was the last thing Quinn wanted to do, though. The embrace nearly curled her toes as fireworks shot through her entire body. Her own arm reached out and wrapped slowly around Rachel's neck. Now within inches of one another the girls paused. Quinn bit her lip and her eyes flickered down to Rachel's lips. In that moment she was nervous. What if Rachel didn't want to kiss her again?

"Do it" Rachel breathed out, fighting the urge to close her eyes. She could feel Quinn's every breath against her lips and each time it felt like daggers. She was so close, painfully close, and she just wanted to close that gap. But she needed Quinn to do it. She needed to know that Quinn wanted it just as much as she did.

Before Rachel could beg for her to do it again, Quinn pressed forward and their lips ignited another kiss. It was as if the kiss in the kitchen had never ended. Immediately Quinn's fingers gripped the back of Rachel's head and pulled her closer. There was too much space between them. There wasn't enough contact, she needed more. She craved more. She felt whole as each of her curves pushed into each of Rachel's curves.

Rachel couldn't fight the moan that came from her mouth when Quinn pulled her closer. Their bodies felt so good together, so right together, and it surprised her. How was it that there was a person that she fit so perfectly against and she had not known until this very instant?

When Rachel moaned, Quinn's tongue instinctively slid out of her mouth and into Rachel's. She smiled when she had the first taste of the inside of the girl's mouth. It sent a lightning bolt of sensation through every nerve in her body and she felt herself tremble before she could stop it.

Though Rachel was surprised by Quinn's boldness, she was not at all turned off. Without skipping a beat her own tongue slid against Quinn's soft tongue and into her mouth. Another moan escaped as she swept the taste of a full on kiss into her senses completely. It was intoxicating. Her every sense was on over load. She could taste the girl, feel her pressed against her, hear her breathing, smell her subtle perfume, and as her eyes cracked open she could see the way Quinn looked when she was kissing her. She smiled against the kiss before her eyes fluttered closed. This girl was beautiful.

Quinn shivered again. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure Rachel could feel it against her chest. But she didn't care, she wanted Rachel to feel what she did to her, she wanted her to know the effect she had on her body. This girl completely unraveled her and she wanted to somehow let her know. Let her know that she was the only person that had any effect on her. She could pretend not to feel anything all day but the moment Rachel walked by she broke down. It was absolutely terrifying and completely exhilarating all at the same time.

Quinn felt herself losing control. She felt the urge to laugh, to cry, to cling so tightly, and to run away all at once. She felt her hands wanting to roam about and felt the burning in her skin to be touched. Her gut twisted suddenly in confusion and panic and desire and quickly she broke away from the kiss. She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and licked over it slowly before drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. She had to push the way Rachel confused her away and regain her mind. Rachel took her every sense of sanity and flipped it on its head and Quinn couldn't handle it in large doses.

"Are you alright?" Rachel asked softly after pulling in a few deep breaths to steady herself as well. Her eyes searched Quinn's face and for a moment she panicked because Quinn looked panicked. Did she do something wrong? "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong? Did I use too much tongue? I've never been kissed like that before I was just going along with what you were-"

"It's fine" Quinn said with a soft laugh and suddenly she was at ease. Seeing the way Rachel was handling this calmed her. She was not the only confused and nervous one. This was all new to her as well. They were sailing into uncharged territory together. "You're fine, you did great, it was amazing actually." She lifted her hand to her lips and touched at the tingles that remained after the kiss was broken. "I was just thinking that we've been in here a really long time. We've missed most of fourth period."

"It's okay" Rachel said with a nod "I always read ahead to prepare for the off chance that I'm tragically wounded and can't attend class and the entire school mourns for my return."

"Really?" Quinn perked an eyebrow and stared at her for a second before she let out a soft laugh and shook her head "You're such a dork."

Rachel frowned and looked at her feet. There were the biting insults Quinn was so great at.

"I like it" Quinn added quickly, reaching out to tuck her fingers under Rachel's chin and lift her eyes to her own. She smiled when she saw the brown eyes staring back at her hopefully "I think it's cute."

"You do?" Rachel smiled slowly, blushing very softly, as a soft laugh escaped her lip. When Quinn nodded, Rachel just shrugged "Well I have always maintain that someone out there would find my quirks attractive."

"I do" Quinn said with a smile "Like really attractive. It's almost like I can't think about it because it scares me."

"Me too" Rachel said with a quick, understanding nod "That's what I was trying to say earlier. That I can't stop finding you attractive but I don't really know how to address it because it's usually awkward to admit one's attraction to a potential mate because of the fear of rejection."

"Mate?" Quinn arched an eyebrow and a slow smirk came over her lips.

Rachel blushed a bright red and shook her head quickly, stammering as she spoke now "I didn't mean us mate. I meant it in a generalized term as in the person you might want to get to know physically as well as emotionally. But that doesn't mean maybe one day we might not mate. Not that I think about mating with you. Although I must admit I have before but only once right after we kissed. I couldn't help it, the thought just formulated in my mind and couldn't be control-"

Rachel was cut off by a firm kiss from Quinn. Her lips sealed off the rest of whatever Rachel could say in the ramble she had been going off on. Her words were replaced by a surprised moan before she returned the kiss. It was short, just long enough to stop her and put her at ease, before Quinn pulled back and smiled at her "I wasn't offended I just thought it was funny you said mate."

Rachel nodded quickly and licked at her lips as the blush rose on her cheeks again. She stared at Quinn shyly before she shook her head and rolled her eyes "Are you going to shut me up like that all the time now?"

"Maybe" Quinn said with a shrug, turning now to reach for the door knob. She peeked her head out as she cracked open the door. When she saw the hallways were empty, she nodded and turned back to Rachel with a smile. "Class should be about over. We should slip out now so no one notices."

Rachel nodded quickly in agreement and waited until Quinn had decided it was clear before the girls quickly slid out and back into reality. Just as the door closed behind them, the bell rang, and the halls were filled with students again. Quinn looked back at Rachel and they shared a knowing smile before Quinn started down the hallway.

"Wait" Rachel said softly, reaching out and stopping her from getting too far. When Quinn looked at her curiously, Rachel licked her lips and took a deep breath before smiling softly "See you at lunch?"

"I'll see you" Quinn said with a smile and a quick nod "I'll save you a seat." She gave a quick wave of her fingers before turning and heading down the hallway again. Rachel took a deep breath and let it out slowly as a smile filled her features. She was going to get to sit with Quinn at lunch. She had to be dreaming because this was too good to be true.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

The sun was bright and the football field was buzzing with students as they spread out across it to enjoy their lunch. Dana squinted in the sun as she lifted a cigarette to her mouth and pulled a long drag from it. She let a puff of smoke out slowly as her head turned and her eyes focused on the approaching person. She gave a soft smile then kicked back on the bleachers, propping her elbow on the bench behind her as she watched Santana move to sit next to her. She licked slowly at her lips then turned her hand, holding the butt of the cigarette between her fingers, offering it out to her friend.

"No thanks" Santana shook her head as she settled down on the bench were Dana propped her elbows. She put her feet on the bench below where Dana sat and gave her a smile "What's up?"

"No?" She looked at the cigarette then shrugged, flicking it off to the distance before she looked at her friend with a glance.

"No" Santana repeated with a soft smile "Charlie doesn't like smokers."

Dana let out a laugh, using her now empty hand to reach over and playfully slap Santana on the thigh "You are so whipped already."

"I am not whipped" She shoved Dana's shoulder and let out a laugh "I am just trying to, you know, make a real effort with her. Besides, Nationals for cheer are coming up and I gotta quit so I don't die during the performance from Hell that Sue is sure to put together. You know how much she loves to win."

"No shit. It's all you, Q, and Britt bitch about when she's kicking your ass at practice." Dana shrugged her shoulders and looked at her friend again. She eyed her a moment before looking back over the football field, rolling her eyes at the couples making out on the fifty yard line.

They sat in a comfortable silence together for a moment, watching their fellow students below before Santana looked at Dana and shrugged "So what did you want to talk to me about? It is lunch time and they are serving tacos."

Dana let out a laugh before she sat up now. She folded her hands together, her elbows on her legs, letting her hands dangle. She stared at her dark nail polish for a moment before she turned her head to look over her shoulder at her friend who sat on the level above her. "So you really like Charlie?"

"Yeah" Santana perked an eyebrow at her friend "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? Is this one of those protective sister things where you tell me if I hurt her you'll kick my ass? Because that's sweet" She had a mocking tone, smirking at her friend before she got a little more serious "But unnecessary. I'm really going to try not to hurt her. She's cool, you know? Doesn't put up with my shit which I think really turns me on."

"Woah, okay, too much info there San" Dana lifted her hand to stop her friend and shook her head. She made a disgusted face before laughing it off and looking back at her "No, I wasn't going to say that. I mean, yeah, if you hurt my sister I will kick your ass but you already know that."

"So what?" Santana shrugged, leaning forward on her knees now, bringing herself a bit closer to where Dana sat below her.

Dana shrugged and turned forward to look over the football field again. She didn't give a fuck about what anyone thought. She loved to start a riot, loved to upset people and cause an uproar, and loved when people got pissed at her for her antics. But Santana was her best friend, her only friend really, and she most definitely didn't want to hurt her. She looked back down at her hands for a moment, watching her fingers tap nervously against her knuckles, and gave her head a shake. "Look, I'm alright with you and Charlie. I think it's cool. She's a good kid and I think she will put you in your place." She glanced over her shoulder and smirked at her friend before looking back down again. She took a deep breath and let it out with a laugh "Shit this is harder than I thought it would be."

"Dude, what the Hell?" Santana let out a laugh, but it wasn't a mocking one, it held more of a nervous concern for her friend. She pushed off the bench and slid forward, sitting down now next to Dana, giving her a nudge with her elbow "It's just me. I've known you since middle school. We haven't always been close but you were there for me through some really tough shit this summer so, you know, I'm here for you now. That's what friends are for."

"I know" Dana let out a heavy sigh and pushed her hand through her messy pink hair. She clapped her hands together and turned her head to look at her friend. Their eyes met and she got nervous again. She didn't want to say it "You know what, forget about it. It's not a big deal I will just figure it out."

Santana blinked quickly in confusion as Dana stood up suddenly to leave. She shook her head and quickly reached out to grab Dana's wrist, giving it a tug to stop her in her tracks "What the Hell? Come on, man, something is going on and you need to talk so sit your punk ass down and talk to me."

Dana looked at Santana and saw the genuine concern in her eyes and she knew immediately why Rachel cared so much. Santana, for as big of a bitch as she could be, had a genuine heart. Rachel had always tried to see the best in people and damn it if she hadn't made Dana realize it in Santana right in that moment. She sighed and dropped down next to her friend with a heavy thunk, putting a hand to her face and pushing her fingers into her eyes. She had such a headache.

"Dude are you knocked up?" Santana looked at her friend in shock, searching her for answers in that moment.

"What? Gross" Dana looked at her friend and shoved her away with a shake of her head "That's disgusting. Quinn is probably more likely to get knocked up before me." She let out a disgusted laugh and reached for her cigarettes, pulling another out of the pack, and putting it between her lips to light.

"At least she's a virgin. You've slutted around enough that it's an option" Santana gave a teasing laugh, shoving her friend back. They shared a glance after Dana lit her cigarette then the two of them laughed.

"You're the slut, not me." Dana mumbled, the cigarette held between her lips bouncing with each word she spoke.

"So true" Santana said with a dreamy sigh, a smirk on her lips "People just wants some of this spice."

"Shit" Dana rolled her eyes and pulled the cigarette from her lips, flicking the ash away before looking at her friend "How did you get so humble?"

"Born this way" Santana said with a shrug, lifting a hand to fluff the end of her pony tail before looking at Dana with a laugh. "Now come on what's going on with you? If I miss taco day I'm going to slash you with a razor blade."

Dana smiled at that then licked her lips before looking back over the football field. She put the cigarette back between her lips, took a long drag from it, and then removed it to blow out the smoke. She watched the line of smoke rise into the sky before slowly her eyes turned to look at Santana. She cleared her throat and nodded "We're friends, right?"

"Unless you make me miss tacos" Santana said but nodded "Yeah, man, come on."

Dana nodded again and took another drag from her cigarette before dropping her hand to the side and ashing near her foot. "I would never want to do anything that's gonna piss you off and more importantly hurt your feelings, alright? You gotta know that because I might be fucked up but I'm not the kind of person to fuck with the people I care about just to get ahead, you know?"

Santana nodded slowly, eyeing her friend curiously, but not speaking. She was afraid to distract her again before she got out whatever she needed to say.

Dana saw the way Santana was paying attention to her and it made her even more nervous. This girl really cared about her and now she was about to go and put a dagger in her heart? That was pretty fucked up. She shook her head again and tossed her cigarette to the side before pushing her fingers through her hair again. "I know you and Britt went through some shit this summer. What happened was really tough and you both got hurt, I know that man. I don't want you ever having to go through that again but, I don't know, I have to be honest with you. I like Brittany. I mean, shit, apparently it's obvious because Rachel fucking Berry pointed it out to me how bad I got it for her."

Santana just nodded again, her face falling a bit, but she fought really reacting. She already knew this, after all.

When Santana didn't respond Dana sighed heavily "Shit, you already knew didn't you?"

"Yeah" Santana said with a shake of her head "I've seen the way you look at her. It's the way I used to look at her."

"Sorry" Dana shrugged then looked at her hands again. "Look, I know it's like a rule or some shit about dating your best friend's ex or whatever but I thought that with you digging on Charlie now that you had moved on and maybe if she and I, you know, explored this that it would be alright with you."

"Oh" Santana said with a nod, looking away from Dana now, and biting her lip "So this isn't about me dating Charlie but you dating Brittany?"

"We're not dating" Dana said quickly "I wouldn't do that to you. I wanted to talk to you, you know, so you wouldn't be surprised if something did happen. Wait, you're dating Charlie?" She tilted her head to the side and perked an eyebrow "Since when?"

"We aren't" Santana shook her head and waved her hand to the side "We are going on a date but, wait, this isn't about me and Charlie. This is about you and Brittany."

"Right" Dana shook her head "Sorry. Look, I like her, San. I don't gotta tell you how great she is or how cool she is. I've never liked someone the way I like her. Usually I just want a good make out and grope session then send them on their way but with her it's different. I wanna see her smile and make her laugh and do lame shit like hold her hand."

"Okay" Santana lifted her hand to stop her friend again. She stared at her for a long time before she shook her head and put her hand down. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly "You're right, she's awesome. But, you know, we didn't work out and it hurt but, you know, maybe if she can move on and I can move on we can get back to being friends because I really miss her as a friend more than anything, you know?" She caught Dana's eyes and offered a sideways smile. "I appreciate you coming to me and if it was anyone else but you I would punch them in the gut and tell them to shove off but that ain't right. Brittany isn't mine anymore and I shouldn't stop her from being happy and if you can make her happy then why should I stop it?" She looked over her friend and laughed "Although you totally don't have the tits I do so I don't know how she could be happy."

"Fuck off" Dana said with a laugh, shoving Santana's shoulder and shaking her head "Don't be a bitch."

Santana let out a laugh "I'm always a bitch."

"No shit" Dana gave her friend a smile then took in a deep breath. She eyed her friend for a moment before she nodded her head a little "So we're cool?"

"Yeah" Santana nodded, taking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly "I knew this day would come. I'm glad it's you and now some skanky jock or something. It's for the best, you know? I gotta let her move on."

"And who better than me you sexy best friend?" Dana said with a wide grin, laughing softly.

Santana reached out and slapped Dana in the shoulder and shook her head "Skanky is probably a better word." She rolled her eyes and offered her friend a smile "I know you'll take care of her."

"I will" Dana said in a serious tone, her face devoid of anything resembling a smile. Her stare was serious and she locked her eyes with Santana to show her just as much. "I'll treat her like a princess."

Santana nodded her head at that before she stood up. She gave Dana a slap on the shoulder then nodded and motioned for her to stand "Come on, let's go get some tacos."

Dana let out a relieved sigh and got to her feet. She jumped down the last few benches of the bleachers before jumping over the rail in the front and landing on the track just below. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of the jeans she had worn that day and walked along with Santana toward the cafeteria. After a moment she looked at her friend and punched her in the arm "If you hurt my sister I'll kick your ass."

"Shit" Santana groaned, rubbing at her shoulder where she had been punched. She rolled her eyes and shook her head "You hurt my ex and I'll kick your ass."

"Figured" Dana said with a smile before slinging her heavy arm across Santana's shoulders as they walked inside. The cafeteria was full of hungry kids chatting and eating and Dana looked around until she found what she was looking for. She moved her arm off her shoulders and gave her a nudge "Have fun with your tacos" She gave her a wave then headed inside right toward the Cheerios lunch table. She smiled when she walked up and saw an empty spot next to Brittany which she promptly sat in, disrupting the quiet conversation everyone had been having. "Sup?"

"Hi Dana" Rachel, who was sitting right next to Quinn, greeted the girl with a smile.

When Dana realized Rachel was sitting at the Cheerios table between Quinn and Charlie, she arched an eyebrow and looked at Quinn. "Well hello Rachel Berry. What are you doing at the Cheerios table?"

"She was invited" Brittany said with a smile, looking at Dana and getting a little shy smirk on her lips "Quinn invited she and Charlie to join us today."

Dana was caught up in Brittany's smile for a second, putting a goofy grin on her own lips, before she looked away and up to her sister "Charlie and Rachel, huh? What's the special occasion?"

"Nothing" Quinn growled at her sister, rolling her eyes "I thought it would be nice to have them join us. Brittany and Rachel have formed quite a friendship and with Santana and Charlie studying together-"

"What about me?" Santana asked as she walked up with a tray full of tacos. She looked at Quinn expectantly before she noticed Charlie. She smiled at the girl then patted the cheerleader she had been sitting next to, motioning for her to move down the bench so she could sit next to Charlie.

"Q here was just explaining how we are all coming together like a little happy family." Dana grinned, amused that Quinn had invited the losers to join them for lunch. She was surprised and curious as to her motives on that one.

"Who?" Santana asked, lifting a brow curiously. She leaned forward and noticed Rachel and let out a laugh "Oh, hey Berry. Wow, what a mix we have today. I thought this was the Cheerios table."

"Be nice" Quinn growled at Santana, narrowing her eyes.

"I'm leaving" Charlie said with a shake of her head. "I don't need to be treated like a freak like this."

"Don't" Rachel put a hand on Charlie's hand, Santana put a hand on Charlie's hip, and both girls tugged. Rachel pouted and shook her head, her eyes silently pleading her friend to stay but it was Santana's apology that made her sit back down "I was kidding, Charlie. Stay. I'm glad you joined us." Her sweet smile made Charlie smile. Damn that charismatic Santana Lopez.

Rachel smiled at that. Her friend already had a soft spot for Santana. She found that completely adorable. She nodded in approval then looked to Quinn "Thank you, Quinn, for letting us join you and your cheerleaders at lunch today. It's nice not to have to sit by the trash cans."

"No problem" Quinn whispered, her smile soft, her gaze gentle as she stared at Rachel.

Dana perked an eyebrow at her sister but didn't say anything. Not yet. She smirked in amusement and slid her arm around Brittany gently, leaning into her, and giving her a smile. Brittany returned the smile and let her body lean into Dana's completely.

Rachel arched an eyebrow when she met Dana's gaze. She couldn't believe she would do this, in public, in front of Santana! She promised she would stop until she spoke to Santana. Oh the nerve. But Dana gave a single nod of her head toward Rachel then her gaze shifted to Santana then back to Rachel with a smile and it clicked. They had talked. Wow, Dana had listened to her. Maybe she was more persuasive than she thought!

The rest of lunch was peaceful. Dana and Brittany were beyond adorable. It was good to see them both smiling and even better to see Santana not pouting. She and Charlie talked for most of the meal, keeping quiet for the most part, so they wouldn't be overheard but Rachel heard the word date more than once. Rachel smiled at that. They must be planning their date. Then there was Quinn. She kept her hands to herself and didn't talk to Rachel too much, but she did steal little glances out of the corner of her eyes and gave little smiles when no one was looking. It wasn't anything huge but to Rachel it was leaps and bounds. Quinn Fabray was acknowledging her in public. They were practically married! Okay, not really, but it made her heart swim with hope. Maybe one day they can be giggling in public with each other like Brittany and Dana were.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Quinn noticed the whispers as she walked out of the last class of the day. She looked over her shoulder and noticed people pointing at her and watching her. She frowned a little bit and tried to shake it off. People looked at her all the time, she was the head cheerleader and one of the hottest girls in school, it was normal. She shrugged and kept her head down, trying to ignore everyone. Maybe she was just imagining it. She reached her locker and opened it, switching out the books she needed for homework when Brittany leaned against the locker next to her and eyed her carefully.

"Is it true?" Brittany asked softly when Quinn didn't look up or acknowledge her.

"What are you talking about?" Quinn asked with a shake of her head, looking up finally.

"You and Rachel?" Brittany whispered softly, biting at her lip and watching her friend's face. She was careful when she added the next words, not wanting to upset her friend "Sneaking out of the janitor's closet together?"

"Wh-what?" Quinn dropped the book she had in her hand and it fell on her toe. She hardly felt it though as her face dropped and she stared at Brittany in horror "What are you talking about?"

"Someone is spreading a rumor that she saw you and Rachel coming out of the Janitor's closet after fourth period. People started asking around and you both missed that class today." Brittany shrugged and leaned down to take the book off the floor and lifted to hand it over her friend "Why did you miss fourth period today?"

"Sue" Quinn shook her head, blinking, still looking numb as she took the book from her "She had me doing things for her for today's practice."

"Oh" Brittany nodded, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear and giving a smile "Well that makes sense. I didn't know why you would be hanging out in the closet with Rachel." She pushed off the locker and reached out to take Quinn's arm in hers "Besides, it's not like you have to sneak away to talk to Rachel or anything. You two are friends now right?"

"Yeah" Quinn said softly, her mind still swirling with panic. "We're friends. Maybe someone who hates me saw us talking and decided to start a rumor to knock me back a peg."

"Why would that knock you back a peg?" Brittany asked with an innocent shrug as the girls headed for the cheerleader's locker room.

"Because she's a loser and I'm the head cheerleader" Quinn said with a frustrated shrug "A rumor that something suspicious went down in a closet would give people grounds to mock me for life. I'd be an outcast."

"Rachel isn't a loser. That isn't a nice thing to say about your friend." Brittany stopped outside the locker room door and folded her arms as she stared at her friend with a shake of her head. "And even if you were in the closet with Rachel, metaphorically or literally, your real friends wouldn't care. If we don't care maybe you shouldn't care." She pushed the door open and glanced over her shoulder. She shook her head in disappointment before shrugging at her friend "Anyone who doesn't like you for who you are and judges you for who you hang out with isn't a real friend and doesn't matter in the long run. Just remember that." She turned and pushed her way into the locker room. She had never been disappointed in Quinn before but right now she could hardly look at her.

Quinn's heart was twisting in her chest. She was breathing heavily and she felt like she was going to have a panic attack. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, and glanced up just in time to see a few more people staring at her and whispering. She shook her head and turned to go into the locker room. This can't be happening. How could this be happening? People were talking about her, whispering behind her back, spreading a rumor about her. She had to stop this. She had to make sure this went away. She couldn't have people laughing behind her back.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.