AN: this chapter is dedicated to 'Maia c'; thank you so much for your beautiful review, it was the kick I needed to churn out this chapter, I hope you like it.


Hearing someone else enter the room, Rachel looked up expecting to see Mr Schue. Instead of their teacher though, Rachel's eyes met with one Quinn Fabray's. The blonde looked calm and well put together, as always, but as her eyes bored intensely into Rachel's own, the diva was surprised at the sudden nerves and anticipation that burst in her chest. Flushing slightly, the diva turned her attention back to Finn who was currently discussing football strategies with her.


Quinn walked into the room to find Rachel already seated in her usual spot. Unsurprised, Quinn met the diva's gaze as soon as she stepped foot inside the door. As soon as she found herself looking into Rachel's impossibly dark eyes again, Quinn couldn't help but try read everything the diva was feeling with one look. Her own hazel eyes searched the brunette's and bore into her intensely until she saw Rachel turn a slight shade of pink and break their connection by looking back at Finn. Quinn smirked at that reaction. Standing in the doorway until she was forcibly bumped forward, Quinn turned and saw Santana, "move it, preggers."

Quinn snarled and stroke into the room, taking a seat towards the back with a clear view of a certain tiny brunette.


"Did...you...see that?" Kurt practically squealed, having watched the encounter between Quinn and Rachel with rapt attention.

"I saw it and damn, she can't tell me there ain't nothing going on there."

Kurt nodded emphatically besides Mercedes, eyes still flicking between Quinn and Rachel.


"Alright everyone, settle down!" Mr Schue walked into the room and took off his jacket before addressing the Gleeks.

"So how was everyone's break?" He asked, beaming blindingly at them all.

"Good—"

"Boring—"

"Completely awesome—"

"We fed ducks!"

"Okay, okay," Mr Schue smiled and held up his hands. "I'm glad you all had fun."

"Some more than others..." Santana whispered, looking pointedly at Quinn.

Quinn scoffed at Santana and looked away, inadvertently looking at Rachel who faced the front of the room resolutely.

Mr Schue then pulled out the infamous top hat. Upon seeing the hat most of the Gleeks groaned, already knowing what was to come.

"Now guys, I know you like picking your own partners but sometimes we need to be forced to work with certain people we normally wouldn't so we can see just how well we can get along with them."

"Wouldn't mind getting along with some of these sexy ladies right here," Puck said suggestively, leaning in between Brittany and Santana. Brittany giggled and petted the boy's Mohawk whereas the Latina just sneered and muttered "shut it, Puckerman."

"Um, anyway, so as you've probably guessed your first assignment is in pairs but isn't a duet." At this the room again erupted in confused, excited whispers.

"In your pairs I want you to spend time together, get to know one another over the course of the next few weeks and then individually choose a song to sing to your partner during next fortnight's Glee that sums up how you see him or her."

"This will be great, Rach! I hope we're paired up together," Finn smiled cheerfully at his girlfriend.

"I hope so too, Finn," Rachel replied.

Across the room another group chatted animatedly. "San, can we sing 'Splish Splash'?"

"No, B..."

"What about 'I'm Too Sexy'?"

Santana gagged a little, "definitely not—"

"What about 'Promiscuous Girl'?" Puck interjected, grinning at Santana as she became increasingly irritated.

"Ooooh yes!" Brittany bounced up and down in her chair before stopping abruptly and pouting. "But I want to sing with San, you can't sing with her, Puck."

Noticing the blonde's watery eyed expression, Santana quickly tried to placate her. "B we don't get to choose our partners, Schue's hat does," at this the Latina rolled her eyes.

"But if you could choose..?" Brittany asked hesitantly.

Santana smiled softly, "always you."

The two linked pinkies as Quinn cooed "adorable," from her seat beside Santana, watching the entire interaction with amusement.

"Jealous, Blondie?" Santana scoffed, gesturing to Rachel who was currently giggling into Finn's ear.

Quinn sneered and turned her attention back towards Mr Schue who had finished tearing up each Glee member's name and put them into the hat.

"To make things even and as a part of Glee club myself, it's only fair that I participate in this assignment too. With that said, it's time to pick your partners!"

The pairings went like this; Mike and Artie, Mercedes and Mr Schue, Finn with Puck and Tina and Kurt.

"Okayyy...so now we just have Santana, Brittany, Quinn and Rachel left. Quinn, come up here and pick a name please."

Standing gracefully the HBIC walked over to where the top hat was perched, on top of the piano and dipped her hand inside. Eyes lingering on Rachel's, the blonde slowly drew out a name, insides clenched in hope that it was the diva's.

Looking down at the scrap of paper between her fingers, Quinn read aloud "Brittany."

"Yay!" The Cheerio clapped rapidly, excited to be paired with her friend.

Quinn, disappointed but not showing an ounce of it, smiled genuinely at her friend and made her way back to her seat.

Releasing a breath she hadn't known she had been holding, Rachel slumped down in her seat a little. She didn't know if this was or wasn't what she had wanted. Beside her Finn seemed relieved that his girlfriend wasn't paired up with the girl who made out with her and seemed to have it in for him.

"So that leaves Rachel and Santana."

"What? Oh hell no!" Santana shouted, glaring at Rachel who seemed to turn a few shades paler.

"Now Santana, this is exactly what this assignment is about!" Mr Schue enthused.

"What, killing each other?" Santana muttered darkly.

"Getting to know and appreciate all the members in Glee."

"But...but...I'm supposed to go with San, that's what happens..." Brittany protested weakly, bottom lip already trembling in sadness after realising being with Quinn meant she wasn't with Santana.

Awkwardly shuffling at the front of the room Mr Schue replied, "I'm sorry Brittany but all the pairs have been decided and are final."

Coughing, he addressed the group as a whole once again, "well since it's our first week, that's it guys. Have fun with this assignment, I think it could be a really valuable exercise for us if we treat it like one."


AN: Firstly, I'm so sorry its taken me this long to update. Know that I have actually been writing this story but much later, angsty chapters. I usually write based on how I feel, I find it hard to 'fake' any of the emotions I think the characters will be feeling and I'm just not in the right place to be writing about two people falling for each other right now. I will continue with this story but updates will be sporadic. Thank you for all the reviews, I get psyched to find that you guys are enjoying this story and look forward to it (I have very low story self esteem, lol, I usually write poetry). Have a good weekend all.