Yes, they finally kissed! And from here on out they wont stop unless something makes them, apologies for the slow burn but I wanted it to be realistic, plus I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned romance *sigh* Here is the first Quidditch match, and for those worried about too much fluff, take note of what Quinn said about her parents in the last chapter, that part will be dark so I'll warn you when it comes up. Also there is a lot of background to the complex friendship between Santana and Quinn, my spin on it at least which in my story is the right one lol. Enjoy!

If you'd asked Quinn Fabray three weeks ago what her favourite thing in the whole world was, the answer would be simple…Quidditch, the same answer it had been for the past six years. If you asked her now however she would have to really think hard before reluctantly admitting that Quidditch (although her dedication to her role as team Captain had in no way waned) was now the runner up to making out.

To be more accurate, making out with Rachel Berry, ever since their first kiss after Rachel's unplanned cold bath in the lake they hadn't been able to get enough of each other and when not in lessons they were rarely seen apart, even at dinner they ate with one hand now so they could keep hold of each other with their other.

It was incredibly sweet really…unless you were Santana Lopez who could of course only take so much sweetness before she had to sour it a little, so to speak. She was reaching that point dangerously fast at the moment and she ground her teeth, ignoring Brittany's warning look and glaring at Faberry as she now thought of them…seeing as one was never without the other.

Rachel and Quinn were oblivious to the gnashing of teeth opposite them, lost in each others taste.

"For the love of Merlin's dimpled ass will you two break for air before I douse you with something vile!"

Fighting the liquid warmth that had her whole body pleasantly humming and alert Quinn finally registered the Latina's tone and with one last kiss to the swollen coconut flavoured lips of her girlfriend she turned her gaze to Santana and blinking to get rid of the last of the lust haze she blushed slightly.

"Sorry San, guess I'm just…making up for lost time, plus she really is the best kisser."

Clapping her hands over her ears Santana glared even more pointedly, so much so that Rachel, who didn't know the Latina as well as the others, actually cowered against Quinn slightly.

"I swear on every Galleon I own that if you try to share any intimate moments you and Gobby the house elf have had I WILL smack you down like the hand of Dumbledore!"

The slightly bashful look the blonde had been wearing disappeared and she stood up abruptly smacking her hands down with a resounding slap on the tabletop.

"I told you before Lopez, do not call her that!"

Smirking the Latina crossed her arms over her chest and raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

"Oh, and why is that, because I doubt that teachers pet Quinn friggin Fabray would risk being held in detention for brawling in front of witnesses, after all that could end up on your permanent record!"

Brittany recognised the signs of an impending brawl between the two and sighing just moved out of the way and gestured for Rachel to join her, with a concerned and frankly puzzled look the brunette walked to the Hufflepuff's side and watched warily as Santana also leant across the table until the two were almost nose to nose, expressions so fierce the few observers in the great hall were convinced they would see sparks.

Without taking her eyes off of what was occurring in front of her Rachel spoke quietly to Brittany, not wanting to ramp up the tension any more by being overheard.

"Why exactly aren't we stopping them Brit? Do they do this often or something?"

Answering her new friend Brittany sighed and shrugged slightly.

"They were friends long before I came along and they've always been like this, there's a lot of tension there and it can be quite primal."

At the brunette's alarmed look the Hufflepuff rushed to explain.

"Not as in sexual…as in pack dominance, or at least that's the closest I can come to an explanation, they have always had each others backs ever since I got here in the third year, before that I was at Beauxbatons Academy."

Nodding for Brittany to continue Rachel dug her nails into the wood of the bench to stop herself from intervening as the two girls got even further into each others space their voices now a low dangerous hiss.

"San and Quinn were the first girls I ran into and I knew right then that I had met two of my 'forever' friends. They were arguing over which Quidditch team was going to take the league that year but they broke off to help me get my bearings. Anyway after the first time I saw the two of them get like this I got pretty upset and asked Santana why it had happened."

She paused and offered Rachel some of her candy skulls which the brunette took, more out of politeness than real want.

"She looked at me for the longest time before just shrugging and telling me that 'it's just the way Fabray and I roll' and that's the only explanation I ever got, like I said it's like it's something they need to do, normally they keep it for the Quidditch field where they wont get into so much trouble but because the first game of the year was put back a week they're both a bit strung out."

The brunette chewed on one of the candies she'd accepted and thought deeply, Quinn would never admit it to Santana and despite some awkward conversational starts she still hadn't fully opened up to Rachel but…There was a lot of repressed anger in Quinn Fabray, her home life affected her more than she would ever let on, that much was obvious from the very practiced and bland tone she adopted whenever she spoke about them.

If Santana and Quinn had been friends for any length of time then the wily Slytherin would know, she wouldn't need the blonde to tell her, she would know on instinct that her Ravenclaw friend who seemingly had it all was in fact in deep pain over something she wouldn't, or couldn't confide. And Santana being Santana would offer Quinn a way to let that anger out, a way that would allow the blonde to keep the secrets she felt she had to but wouldn't harm anyone other than a willing participant.

This realisation was accompanied with a wave of affection for the brash Latina, she was indeed so much more than she presented herself to be and for that Rachel would be forever grateful. Thanks to the Latina, Quinn had been given an outlet for all the despair and anger her home life was causing her and although she knew Santana would never under pain of the Cruciatus curse admit it, she also knew that without her the blonde Ravenclaw would have retreated so far into her shell that even Bombarda Maxima wouldn't have shifted her.

It was that knowledge more than anything else that kept her glued to her seat when she saw Quinn lunge across the table and swipe for the Slytherin who dodged back.

"With reflexes like that Fabray you may as well just hand me the Quidditch cup now."

Leaping agilely across the table (which Rachel thought to herself looked pretty damn impressive, not to mention sexy) the blonde landed in front of Santana and a lightning fast fist reached out.

Nimbly Santanna grabbed the fisted hand and made a motion to throw one of her own, at that point the room erupted into yells for either girl as they went down in a ball of fists, whipping hair and yelled oaths, the only ones who remained unaffected were Brittany and Rachel who continued to munch on the skull shaped candies.

The scene stayed like that until a voice bellowed through the room at such a volume Rachel was sure her ears would be ringing for a good few days to come.

"WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK YOU ARE DOING!"

Santana and Quinn froze in mid brawl, the Latina was sporting a busted lip while the blonde's right eye was starting to swell and develop the mother of all shiners. There was an audible gulp heard in stereo as the furious form of Professor McGonagall descended on them. Her disapproval was so tangible the younger students were stuck in place like statues. Standing above the two seventh years the Professor glared.

"Get up now! The both of you!"

Scrambling to their feet Quinn looked immediately ashamed while Santana mostly looked irritated at the interruption, not that she would let the fuming headmistress see that.

"I am terribly disappointed in the both of you, you are in your final year here and should be setting an example and instead I find you brawling like a couple of first years!"

Quinn suddenly found her Converse to be of enormous interest while Santana tried to look indifferent to the whole conversation, it was hard when the headmistress did actually impress and scare the hell out of her.

McGonagall regarded the two seventh year students with interest as well as anger and disappointment, it was not the first time she had caught the two brawling, in fact for two close friends they often seemed to find a reason to regress mentally by about five years, letting out an angry breath she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, do you have anything to say for yourselves?"

Glancing sideways at the Latina Quinn let out a long breath and lifting her gaze looked at the headmistress apologetically as she wiped at the cut above her rapidly blackening eye.

"I'm sorry Professor we just…let our tempers get the best of us."

The arched eyebrow on the headmistresses face managed to rise impossibly higher leaving the two students to wonder if it was magically enhanced.

"Not going to try and persuade me it will never happen again Miss Fabray?"

Answering with an honesty that forgot to pass through the checkpoint of tact the blonde shrugged.

"No, you know us better than that and I wouldn't want to lie."

Santana tried so hard to bite down on her smirk at that but alas it crept out and did not miss the sharp gaze of the Professor scrutinising them.

"You believe that answer to be humorous Miss Lopez."

Aware of the gazes of the younger students on them and her reputation as the school's biggest badass Santana shrugged slightly and gestured to Quinn with her head.

"No, just amazed with Fabray finding a pair of balls long enough to answer a question honestly."

At that the Ravenclaw clenched her hands into fists and made a move as if to re start the brawl but immediately thought better of it when McGonagall's sharp gaze pinned her.

"I have no time for your petty arguments, you two should be old enough and dare I say wise enough to act like adults, obviously that was a grievous error on my part. You will both report to my office every night after the evening meal for the next two weeks, including weekends, is that clear!"

Quinn was devastated, two dateless weeks because of Santana and her big mouth, two weeks because her stupid temper got the better of her but nevertheless she slumped and nodded as she found herself mumbling acquiescence.

"Yes Professor."

When the gaze switched to Santana she repeated her acceptance of their punishment and as one they watched the headmistress sweep imperiously from the room. The atmosphere immediately relaxed and with it went the girls animosity towards each other, the Latina slunk over to Brittany and lay her head on the blonde's shoulder, Brit sighed and slipping from her seat took the Slytherin's hand.

"Come on San, let's get your lip looked at…why you two cant just find a way to settle your disputes without violence I don't know."

Fussing over the bleeding lip and pausing to wave bye to Quinn to show her that as usual there was no animosity on her part for the fight with her girlfriend, she led Santana out of the great hall.

Quinn looked at her battered hands for a moment then as usual felt the strange wave of sharp guilt which was overwhelmed with the relief at the release of un realised pent up frustration. It was weird, she never knew when she was getting twitchy, or at least didn't recognise it, but Santana always seemed to know, stupidly she couldn't even remember what the fight was about.

Until two delicate hands landed lightly on her hips and slid round to her belly to join together, she relaxed back into Rachel's embrace and let her eyes fall closed as she felt the gentle pressure of lips at the nape of her neck, followed seconds later by whispered words.

"Feel better now slugger?"

Flushing red Quinn turned within her girlfriends embrace and cringed slightly.

"I'm sorry Rach, I guess that must have been kind of weird, I mean its not…not really and tomorrow it will be like it didn't happen but…"

She was interrupted when a slender finger landed on her lips mid sentence and she felt the words dry up on her tongue.

"Shush, you don't have to explain okay? Brit said its just something you two Alpha's need to brawl out every so often."

A puzzled but pleased frown crossed the Ravenclaw's face and she felt herself flush.

"She compared me to an Alpha, like a wolf…I think I'm insulted."

Laughing the brunette pulled her closer into the hug and then reaching ran a gentle finger along the cut above Quinn's eyebrow.

"Morally, as I'm against violence I should be very annoyed with you for brawling on the floor and getting yourself hurt…however you WERE fighting for my honour and despite my values I have to admit I found it immeasurably sweet."

The blonde smiled then looked disappointed and pouted.

"Sweet? You think me kicking ass was sweet?"

With her head tilted adorably to one side the brunette scrunched her face up in an exaggeration of concentration before grinning and trying again.

"Hot?"

Laughing Quinn kissed Rachel's forehead and they started to make their way towards their common rooms.

"You're lucky you're adorable Berry, because your lying?…totally sucks!"

Raising an eyebrow in consternation Rachel poked her finger into a solid wall of abdominal muscle.

"You're the lucky one Fabray, most girlfriends would be raising all kinds of hell at their idiot partners managing to get themselves two weeks of detention and therefore denying said girlfriend two weeks of incredibly good making out opportunities!"

Quinn deflated as she remembered that part and her pout became genuine.

"I hate Santana so much right now…maybe we should just make the most out of tonight then?"

Smiling she raised her eyebrow, or tried to forgetting that was the side that Santana's fist had effectively pounded not that many minutes before and her efforts to coolly tempt Rachel into making out backfired when she winced and yelped in pain, one hand immediately shot to her eye and the brunette found herself whimpering in sympathy.

"Do you want me to heal that? Not that I should because it was your own hard headedness that brought it on…"

Waving her hand vaguely Quinn spoke without thinking, sometimes her easy relationship with the brunette meant her mouth would run away with her, this was one of those times.

"It's okay I'm used to it, it's not like I can use magic to heal at home anyway so…"

A second after she realised what she had said her whole body tensed and she moved to pull herself away from Rachel. The Brunette had however anticipated this and tightened her grip, not painfully so but firmly enough to halt the instinctive withdrawal she knew Quinn would attempt to make.

Reaching up with her fee hand she gently cupped Quinn's face and brushed her thumb softly over the carefully neutral expression that was pulling the blondes expression tight.

It was important that Quinn know, not just hear but know in her heart that Rachel would not push, would not exert any pressure and she consciously softened her expression speaking slowly and carefully.

"Remember, no judgement, no pressure Quinn, please be aware that I am here whenever you want me, there are no provisos attached to my feelings for you and there never will be, you can talk to me when you are ready, in the meantime just know that when something does slip out, it wont scare me away…okay?"

Looking deep into Rachel's eyes, Quinn saw the truth behind the words and felt her muscles relax into the subtle but firm hold her girlfriend had on her. She hadn't meant to say what she had, at least not consciously but she admitted to herself that perhaps her subconscious had recognised the one person that might be able to help her. Letting her face tilt sideways into the touch she reached up and took Rachel's hand in hers kissing the knuckles lightly, she wasn't ready yet to admit to the brunette…or even herself how bad things were but she now knew she had someone when she was ready, someone who cared and would listen.

"Did I ever tell you that you are the most amazing person I have ever met Rachel Berry?"

Pretending to think for a moment the brunette eventually nodded then shrugged with a small shy smile.

"Yes…but I never get tired of hearing it."

Shaking her head with a laugh Quinn walked Rachel the rest of the way back to the Gryffindor common room in an easy silence, their hands interlinked. At the portrait she paused and leant over for a final gentle goodnight kiss before turning to go. Rachel's soft voice stopped her.

"Quinn?"

Turning back the blonde smiled.

"Yeah Rach?"

Taking her wand from her pocket the brunette touched it to the swollen eye and muttered the one word spell to help the healing.

"Episkey…you aren't at home Captain Fabray, so I get to look after you, now go get some sleep."

Touching a forefinger to the now healing injury the blonde smiled and tucking her hands into her back pockets, watched as Rachel headed through the portrait and on up to the common room and dormitories.

Yep…she was one lucky SOB to have found Rachel Berry.

Several days later and after a particularly hard practice session Santana stomped into the changing room and threw her broom and pads from her in frustration. The team were not coming together as well as she had hoped they would and Saturday's match was beginning to loom heavy on her shoulders like some cackling vulture waiting for her to stumble.

She wanted her girl, her Brittany, but she was working with some other students on an Ancient Runes essay and would be busy all evening. That's why she was so surprised that when she got back to her dorm room to change for that evenings detention, she found Rachel Berry sat outside her room reading a book, frowning she fell back on sarcasm.

"You lost, Berry? House elves live under the kitchen."

Rolling her eyes as she pulled herself to her feet, the brunette tucked her book neatly into her bag and brushed her hands off.

"Santana Lopez I want to talk to you, I WILL talk to you regardless of insults and goading so might I suggest we take this inside your dormitory so we can at least assure ourselves of some privacy. I intend to continue whether or not you let me in…just so you know!"

Grunting in mild annoyance Santana pushed the door open and gestured for Rachel to precede her into the surprisingly well kept room, her surprise at the order of the room must have been evident as the Latina scowled.

"What, you pictured it being a sty in here? Stuff thrown everywhere and in disarray."

Flushing at the accuracy of the statement the brunette cleared her throat.

"I admit I apologise for jumping to conclusions but that isn't why I came here, this is also not how I planned this going, you can be very infuriating you know!"

At Rachel's accusation complete with foot stomp the Latina couldn't keep the laughter inside and sat down as she let it loose, at the brunettes indignant expression it got worse and took several minutes for Santana to compose herself enough to speak.

"Sorry Berry but…wow, you really are a little Diva sometimes, okay spit it out, what did you come here for cos I doubt it was my award winning wisecracks, not that anyone could blame you"

Tucking a strand of her long dark hair behind her ear Rachel stepped forward until she was only a few inches from the still smirking Slytherin, taking a breath she spoke clearly but quietly so even if there had been anyone in the corridor they wouldn't have heard.

"I know…why you goad Quinn into fights, I know how much you care for her and that you are doing the only thing you can think of that would help her, and I want you to know that I will keep your secret and that even if she never realises how much you have done for her that I do and I love you for it. Now I'm going to hug you and if you feel the need to punch me I insist you avoid my nose and preferably my right side as it's my better side."

So saying she reached forward and pulled the stunned Santana into her arms, embracing her softly, it wasn't a romantic gesture, it was more familial and the Latina closed her eyes as she ran through her options.

Firstly she could push the midget away and shrug off the assumptions of the smaller girl thereby keeping her own and Quinn's secret safe…but the truth was Rachel had been so good for Quinn, in both her confidence and her development on an emotional level, and it was getting hard, so, so hard to keep her temper in check when she would see her best friend get quiet and withdrawn as the holidays approached. Would it be so hard to accept the support that was being offered, just between the two of them?.

No, no it wouldn't, she answered her own question and her arms found themselves wrapping around Rachel and pulling her just a bit closer, finally happy to have someone else to share the burden she had taken on for herself, one she felt she had no right to pass onto Brittany no matter how many times her girlfriend had asked her what was on her mind. She tried not to let it get to her but every so often the weight of what she was almost certain she knew felt crippling.

Which is why she found herself holding tightly to Rachel Berry and crying softly. For her part Rachel had relaxed after initial contact fearing the Latina would indeed pull her off of her and deny everything, instead to their mutual shock she sank into the Gryffindor's arms and let loose some of the burden she had felt for the last six years. After a long ten minutes they parted and Santana wiped half angrily at her red rimmed eyes.

"You tell anyone about this Berry and I swear…"

She let the threat trail off and the Gryffindor held her hands up in surrender.

"I would never do that…to you or her, we don't have to talk about it ever or become bosom buddies but I just wanted you to know and to…well, know you aren't alone anymore, I'm doing my best and between us maybe we can find a solution."

Considering the words while she tidied herself up Santana finally turned round and let out a long breath.

"We wont talk about it…at least not in words, but you have to promise me something Berry."

Accepting the implied command Rachel nodded and waited for the Latina to finish speaking even though she was fairly confident she knew what the Slytherin was going to say.

"If you EVER get confirmation of what we both suspect is going on…you wont stand in my way when I go after the son's of bitches."

Rachel Berry smiled, this wasn't unusual as the girl had an annoyingly optimistic overlook and tended to smile most of the day, but this smile…this smile disturbed even Santana just a little bit, the brunette's softly spoken words held a steel that you wouldn't suspect the small Gryffindor of ever being capable of.

"When that happens Santana Lopez I will be at your side helping you."

The atmosphere felt charged for a moment, a long moment and then the Latina nodded and just like that they sealed their silent oath to each other to protect Quinn Fabray at all costs, with a final nod and half smile Rachel turned on her heel and headed off.

If Quinn noticed that Santana seemed unusually at peace that evening as they sat copying out Hogwarts; A History word for word under McGonagall's watchful gaze, she chose not to ask and just turned back to her scroll her mind mostly on the tactics for Saturday's game against Slytherin as her hand copied the words.

Santana glanced across at her once and the two exchanged a shy but genuine smile before returning to their work, both with lighter hearts.

Quinn let her forehead rest on the wall of the changing room, she could hear the crowds roaring outside, could feel the nervous yet confident energy of her team waiting for her pep talk in the tunnel leading onto the pitch and she kept her eyes closed as she let the atmosphere soak into her system, all of her senses stretched out to embrace the thrill of match day.

The sounds of nervous team mates exchanging banter, the crowds getting excited and restless, the shouts of several young enterprising students who always showed up at these things selling hot and cold snacks, the smell of the food mingling with the myriad of different deodorant's, aftershaves and perfumes from both the crowd and the players.

Stretching out an un gloved hand against the wall she was leaning on she opened herself up to the whole thing, breathing it all in and letting it sink into her being where it took root in the happy place inside of her, the place that lived for this, for Quidditch. Letting out the breath she smiled slightly and spoke.

"Stop staring at me with that smile Rachel, it's freaky."

A dignified snort sounded and after the unmistakable huff and sound of a foot stomp Quinn finally opened her eyes and turned around.

"What are you doing in here, shouldn't you be sat with Brittany?"

Shuffling slightly the brunette shrugged and smiled back.

"Well yes but…I wanted to give you something for luck."

Looking questioningly at Rachel she couldn't see anything that the brunette had with her and opened her mouth to ask what it was, she didn't have to voice the question as in a particularly aggressive move Rachel reached a hand out and grabbing Quinn's game jersey in one fist yanked her forward before kissing her passionately.

A strangled squeak escaped Quinn before she found herself responding to the kiss just as passionately, normally their kisses started off slow, hesitant and full of tender emotion, this was something new and despite the shock, Quinn liked it, a lot!

Dropping her broom without conscious thought she pulled Rachel closer to her, so close she could feel the curves of her girlfriends body moulding to hers and without thought she twisted and moved forward until Rachel's back hit the wall with a solid thump. One hand slid down to the brunettes hip massaging softly while the other crept into the raven locks fisting gently. As Rachel gasped against her mouth Quinn growled and moved her mouth to the girls pulse point as her rebellious knee rose and brushed against the brunettes centre, even through the thick uniform trousers the blonde could feel the heat and she let out a ragged groan as she moved from where her mouth had been efficiently marking her girlfriend.

Rachel hadn't meant to start anything quite this intense she had simply wanted to give Quinn a good luck kiss but when she'd walked in and seen how…well, how drop dead gorgeous the blonde was in her Quidditch gear she couldn't help herself! Now things were slightly out of her control, pre match Quinn was obviously also horny Quinn and for the life of her Rachel couldn't bring herself to break stop it.

Instead she found her hands tracing Quinn's amazing abdominal muscles before making their way to her hips and down to grab hold of her firm backside. Then, when Quinn's knee brushed her centre, she gasped and pulled the blonde in closer to her, when Quinn finally removed her mouth from Rachel's neck and locked eyes with her she released a shaky breath.

"I…"

There was a clatter as the door was shoved open and a red faced Devon Coulthard who played the position of goalkeeper blustered in.

"Quinn they need you to…oh, oh Merlin!….um they…ah the game is due to start?"

Letting go of Rachel abruptly the blonde avoided the eyes of her flustered sixth year goalkeeper before clearing her throat.

"On the way Devon, go join the others."

As the boy fled thankfully Rachel reorganised her blouse then reached out and straightened Quinn's jersey before pecking her once on the lips watching as the blonde headed for the door, mind now firmly on the game.

"You'll be watching?"

Rolling her eyes she waved for Quinn to leave her, she didn't need to answer that question and they both knew it. What she couldn't help but wonder as she made her way to the seat Brittany had saved her with the rest of the group, was what Quinn had been about to say before they were interrupted.

It was an hour into the game and the pace so far had been brutal, there had been numerous injuries and substitutions for both Slytherin and Ravenclaw, Quinn and Santana as the opposing captains had been head to head several times already, the score was currently 160 to Slytherin and 150 to Ravenclaw, looking down from her broom and nursing a serious ach in her ribs where a bludger had caught her earlier Quinn peered around and tried to spot the seeker or the snitch.

A yell from one of the Ravenclaw beaters caused her to duck and the bludger that had just been hit flew over her ducked head and smack bang into the Slytherin chaser who promptly dropped the quaffle, dipping her broom down in an abrupt arc Quinn snatched it from the air and sped off towards the goals, the quaffle tucked neatly under one arm. She ducked a challenge and then a foot slammed towards her unseen by any of the other players, she took the hit in her already sore ribs and gritted her teeth.

The goals were rushing towards her fast and so were the Slytherin players, glancing swiftly to either side she swept to the right to dodge another challenge then had to swiftly dip down as Santana zoomed towards her at a rapid pace, cursing under her breath she glanced around again and thanked all the gods she could remember that she had.

Beneath her the seeker's were rushing upwards at a ridiculous pace, the snitch ahead of them, with a yelp of shock she immediately pulled up to avoid a collision as the snitch whizzed past her face fast enough to daze her, unfortunately she pulled up too fast and the broom turned 180 degrees half dislodging her in the wake of the two seeker's that followed hot on the trail of the snitch.

She vaguely heard the gasp of the crowd and the yells of her team as she went plummeting down towards the earth, if she let go of the quaffle she could easily regain control but she knew they desperately needed to even the score, especially with the end of the game imminent if either seeker caught the snitch…so, instead she fought hard with her one free hand and two knees, despite Newton and his bitch Gravity's best efforts she managed to get both knees back around the broom and using her one free hand pulled it up and to the left desperately. The ground was so close she knew her uniform trousers would be stained green on the left side when she finished.

Arching desperately back up in a directly horizontal direction she dodged one chaser and hurled the quaffle with unerring accuracy into the ring, there was a jolt of victory in her grin as she straightened up and vaguely registered the commentator announcing the equalising goal. Then another yell distracted her as she heard the voice of Charlotte Lockley her seeker, glancing down she saw the two seekers locked in battle almost in each others lap as they streaked after the golden treasure. Taking in the situation Quinn quickly yelled down to her before the girl could pass her.

"Evasive manoeuvre Delta Charlie!"

Noting the nod she headed back into the fray for the quaffle, right in time for a bludger to smack her in the left side, normally she would shake such a blow off but this time, with everything else she'd taken in a short space of time she wavered. Slytherin players were not one to let go the chance to exploit an opponents weakness and so when Santanna smacked the second Bludger toward Dirk West her beater, instead of going after the Ravenclaw chaser that had the quaffle he directed it towards the stunned Captain. Smirking he watched it contact with her temple, he didn't stay to watch the result, as soon as he saw her fingers lose grip on the broom he tore off.

Quinn's last conscious thought was that passing out was beginning to lose it's novelty, and that she hoped Rachel wouldn't be too angry with her, with that her hands lost grip and she slumped off the broom plummeting towards the ground.

Santana saw the move of her team mate and a part of her admired the ferocity but nevertheless, there were lines even she wouldn't cross and trying to kill or maim the opposing Captain was way over that line, especially when it was Quinn. Cursing she shot downwards so fast it made her stomach pay a trip to her throat and swallowing down her breakfast for the second time that day she managed to get underneath the blonde before she hit the grass of the pitch.

Dropping her off at the first aid tent she shot back off into the air, friendship or no friendship there was still a match after all and Quinn, she knew, would appreciate that more than fussing, besides which Rachel would be there for that.

Consciousness returned slowly and with it came pain, a lot of pain and with extreme trepidation Quinn opened her eyes…or eye to be accurate, the other was still swollen shut and as the light penetrated her good eye she groaned and closed it again, the one glance had been enough to confirm she was in the infirmary…but what the hell had happened?

A delicate hand slid its way into hers and squeezed gently.

"Quinn honey I know it hurts but if you can hear me can you open your eyes again, I've closed the curtains…please?"

Like she could ever deny that voice, cautiously she reopened her good eye and after a moment where things swam distortedly in front of her she focused on Rachel and smiled, still slightly doped from the medication (well at least she hoped it was the medication) she wet her lips and asked the first thing that came to mind.

"Who won?"

Rachel's concerned gaze froze for a moment before morphing into a mix of disbelief and outrage, on her other side Santana's voice sounded.

"Q…your girl just watched you drop out of the sky and plummet towards the ground at breakneck speed, I don't think the outcome of the game is the most important thing on her mind."

Unable to voice her thoughts Rachel just nodded furiously and took her hand from Quinn's, she fumed in silence for a long moment then started muttering under her breath as she paced back and forth at the end of the bed with her hands on her hips.

Glancing sideways, with some difficulty, to Santana she eased herself up in the bed on her elbows and spoke softly.

"How bad San?"

The Latina considered playing it down, after all if it had been just the two of them they would have done just that and snuck half a bottle of firewater in to celebrate but…with the advent of Rachel things had changed.

"It was close Q…real close, you took hits from two separate bludgers and then nosedived toward the ground, I managed to get your ass out of the fire as always but…she saw it all Quinn, it scared the diva right out of her."

Smiling at her friends attempt at a joke she nodded to Santana, the Slytherin reached over and squeezed her shoulder very lightly before whispering.

"Oh…and that sneaky ass seeker of yours grabbed the snitch, congrats Fabray."

Winking Santana headed off leaving Quinn with the enviable task (not!) of calming down the pacing and muttering Gryffindor, even the nurse was staying out of the way for now. Sighing the Ravenclaw swallowed and tried to wet her dry throat.

"Rach?"

Despite her anger and frustration with her thick headed girlfriend, her concern would win every day hands down and at the scratchy and slightly weak voice she stopped immediately and returned to Quinn's side. Pouring a glass of water she helped her take a few sips then letting out a frustrated sigh set it back down.

"Quinn Destiny Fabray! You scared the,…the life out of me, I know you're good and I know there are risks with the game and I am willing to accept it as I know how much it means to you. But please do not belittle my concern when you wake up after almost dying!"

The worst part, Quinn reflected later, was not the anger or the justifiable anger the brunette was directing at her, it was the very real fear in her voice and the tears silently streaming down her face.

Adjusting herself in the bed the blonde realised that her ribs hurt like she'd been sideswiped by the Hogwarts express, as well as that her eye was swollen shut and she could feel if not see the bruising and swelling that decorated the left side of her face, looking at it the way Rachel must have seen it she swallowed hard. If the situation had been reversed she had no idea if she could have kept as calm as the brunette.

"You're right, I'm sorry…I know it's not an excuse honey, but I guess I'm used to it being just me and Santana and we DO perhaps take it more in stride than we should."

Taking Rachel's hand she pulled the girl into an extremely loose one armed hug trying not to jog her ribs as she did so.

"But please know I would never knowingly belittle or discount your concern for me, I'm just…a bit thick sometimes?"

Chuckling through her tears Rachel allowed Quinn to wipe at the tears on cheeks and with a kiss to the blondes palm she muttered.

"You get the concussion excuse only once Captain Fabray, you hear me…after today it's no longer valid."

Smiling tiredly Quinn nodded even as she felt her eyes growing heavy again, she had enough piece of mind to ask one question though.

"How did you know my middle name?"

Blushing ever so slightly Rachel bit her lower lip as she admitted.

"I may have made Santana tell me so that when I yelled at you it would sound more impressive."

Quinn was still chuckling over that one even as she fell asleep.