Disclaimer: I own nothing really, just borrowing the characters for a little joyride

Pairing: Eventual Quinn/Rachel
Spoilers: Anything up to that has already aired. Starts in around Theatricality-ish,

A/N: Thanks to everyone again for your comments. As always, constructive criticism and comments most welcome! And thanks so much for the comments and reviews. The weather was nice, soccer starts up again tomorrow, and I have aunty duties (yes, I'm an aunt) this holiday weekend.

A/N: I know, two updates in one day. Finally got out of slump and have plans down the way for things I had not sorted yet. Yay! Enjoy, and thanks for all the comments, as everyone writing knows. They are like little word-inspiring Red Bulls for writers. I need to quit with that metaphor. I don't drink that stuff. Blech. How about 5 Hour Energy Drink for writers. Much healthier… Okay, I'm pooped now. Not beta-ed all errors are mine.

A/N - made obligatory small corrections. Where did all my "" get stripped to? Also forgot to mention the name of one song. I think there is...Orbit (Medicine), a Pearl Jam song (Better Man), Augustana (Sunday Best), Modest Mouse... I think that is it. Sorry...but listening to music is what gets my creative juices flowing when I write. :)


Rachel stowed the backpack, as Quinn eased herself into the car, plugging her ipod into the auxiliary plug.

Quinn sat for a moment, before turning to her passenger.

"You know…the LC Country Club has a beach too…"

"Quinn, we it's private, we can't go there…"

"Oh fine. But if I weren't pregnant we'd be going. As it is…I admit I may stealthy enough for requirements. So you're off the hook. Hm, How about heading out past the airport, we can loop back around to Puck's on the way back."

"Okay, that sounds acceptable." Rachel sounded relieved.

Relax, Rachel, we'll be back in time for Glee. It is…the best part of my day most days. I don't want to miss it either."

Rachel smiled, buckling her seat belt, she settled in.

"You pick this time."

"Feeling brave, Hm? Well… driving music? Angry music? Angry-ish driving music?

"I don't know, play what you would if I weren't here. Except, okay, no more Gaga just at the moment…?"

"Fair enough. Angry slash driving music it is then."

Rachel looked skeptical. "I'm not going to play Bodies or anything from my 'Disney' list…if you're good that is."

Rachel nodded emphatically, and looked out the window. Suddenly reminded just how bizarre this day had been so far.

"Here you go. If you don't like it tell me, and you can skip the song."

Quinn started the car up and put it in gear.

Orbit soon filled the car. Rachel waited to see if she would even recognize the song. She liked the beat. Quinn was keeping time on the steering wheel, and sang along when it the singer kicked in. Quinn looked Rachel who was watching her. Like she wasn't watched enough. Quinn looked at her and shrugged her question. "What? I can't sing along?"

She's a car broken down out on the highway
She's a good little girl but her daddy don't know
I said my bed's just a moment away
She stops herself
She holds herself
And she shakes her head…

Rachel listened to the lyrics, occasionally stealing a glance at Quinn. She thought, well, I guess this qualifies as angry driving music. Ever the team player, she joined in on chorus once she learned it, and the Camry eased down Reservoir Road. Quinn rolled down her window and opened the sunroof, and let her left hand trail out the side so she could feel the air push and play with her fingers.

The last refrain, Choke the medicine down faded way, and blended into the familiar opening of a Kings of Leon song. Quinn looks over at Rachel, and chuckles that when she sees that the Broadway aficionado even recognizes the band. She assumes it is because their single had won them a Grammy just a few months before. She noticed Rachel lips mouthing the words, even if she doesn't sing them this time. Quinn assumes this is because she doesn't want to strain her voice. Especially on a Glee club day. Quinn watches her stick her hand out the window just behind the rear view mirror letting it rest in the slipstream there. Occasionally she would let her fingers play in the air outside that safe little pocket.

The trees flow by, lined on one side with oaks with leaves of bright new green, that haven't aged into the green they would be in July. Quinn was familiar with this road from the occasional social events the whole Fabray clan went to at the Lost Creek Country Club. She remembers being not to put her hand out the window or it would fall off. She glances at her left hand, and stretches her hand out from behind the rear view mirror where it had rested like Rachel's was now. She felt the bite of the much cooler air as it enveloped her fingers. She started making 'dolphin diving' waves with her hand, grinning to herself.

Rachel looks over at her because the movement catches her eye. Her eyes and eyebrows convey her question. Quinn laughs and half shouts "Bridget used to scare me out of doing this. She told me if I didn't keep my hand inside the car…

"...my hand would fall off."

"Your hand would fall off?" Rachel shouted her head and she burst into laughter.

Quinn laughed too, some tears forming at the corner of her eyes she was so tickled. She continued making waves and rolling dives with her hand in the wind. She was half surprised the Queen of Safety wasn't chastising her for having both hands on the wheel. The girl in question was getting more adventurous, turning and twisting her small hands in the wind as well. She shook her head at the idea that she called her Manhands. It really was a stupid name. Now…Softer Side of Sears…okay, that actually FIT the girl. I mean really, who even owns that much argyle. She looked over, feeling guilty for having 'old Quinn' thoughts. But they weren't as bad as they could have been, right? Quinn relaxed and enjoyed the air, and the music, and even the company. The sun flashed through the oaks onto the road, and it was a bit mesmerizing. It was only another 10 minutes out to where Reservoir Road would take them by the college campus, and they could hook around back towards the airport area, and Puck's house. She mentally sighed. She wasn't ready for the break from life to end.

So when an Sunday Best randomly cued up next, another song even Rachel would likely know, she brought her hand in from the window, and used her other to push the stop button.

Rachel looked startled. "But, that's a good song. I mean, I know it anyway."

Quinn sighed, and handed tossed the ipod to Rachel.

"Yah, I know. It's just. Well."

"What?"

"Okay that song. Hm. You know how… hm. Okay. So sometimes I like to think in the car, you know? It's the only place that I'm guaranteed to be alone."

Rachel looked hurt when she said that.

"No, I don't mean now. I'm just saying sometimes I like to…drive. And, well, I can't imagine you don't think of your life as one big sound track, am I right?"

Rachel looked up at the ceiling of the car, then nodded, embarrassed.

"So I'm assuming you have lot of Babs running through your head and all. Don't rain on My Parade, yada yada yada, right?"

Again, Rachel nodded a bit sheepishly.

"Well, sometimes I just need a reminder of what…other people might be feeling. Yeah, don't faint. I know. Anyway, I have to cheat a bit on our motto for the day, and bring up. BRIEFLY, a boy. A big grabby handed boy we both know. This song…when I'm being driven absolutely friggin' crazy by Puck and his mom and whatever else. I listen to this song. I imagine him singing it. And as stupid as it sounds, and I know it does, it makes me want to act nicer towards him." She shrugged, helpless at making sense about it. "I know, maybe I shouldn't need a reminder. I know he wants to be in my life and be there for me and the baby. But. I just don't love him. Hell, I hardly know him. And I know a lot of things I wish I didn't, none of which make him ideal boyfriend/father material. Not really. And well, this song, you know I think it's about having someone you care for slip away or have their minds elsewhere or whatever…it just makes me think of things from his point of view. And so, I'm...less…mean? More present sometimes. Waaaay more present than I want to be I might add. Maybe? I don't know. It's silly."

"Wow Quinn. Not at all. It isn't one bit. Silly that is. Music is…primal. I mean, of course everyone knows that the sense of smell is the most primal or primordial sense in terms of evoking emotion or memory. But I just think as far as human activities go, music, and singing, it's always been about conveying feeling, or evoking a mood, even a trance in some instances. And jeez, Quinn, look who you are talking to here. I will say that part of me thinks rather than driving around in a car by yourself emoting with a song, maybe you should tell Puck… hang on. I'm sorry. I'll drop that. Let's just say I am totally on board with using music to soothe the…you…?

Quinn whacked her in the shoulder lightly. "Hey! You were going to say 'savage beast', weren't you, you jackass!" But she was laughing as she said it.

"I was not! "

"You were so!"

"Not!"

"Please, Berry. Fess up."

Rachel huffed, and giggling capitulated. "Well,… if the metaphor fits…?"

Quinn groaned. "You and your metaphors. I swear. Just find another song and move on, Berry, and I'll pretend I didn't hear that…"

Rachel giggled quietly and picked up the ipod and advanced the song, reading the title.

"Paper Thin Walls, Modest Mouse. Modest Mouse? "

"Berry, you have got to program more on your radio than NPR 91.5 Afternoon Classics or whatever it is. After the news goes off….tuuuurrrrnnnn the dial occasionally over to say…88.3 the college station…? I mean, I like classics too as you ferreted out today looking through Iphigenia, but you have got to broaden it up a bit. I mean, your idol Idina does contemporary stuff!

"...Iphi…genia?"

Quinn flushed a little.

"Oh. Yeah…" Quinn looked over at her, still embarrassed. "Don't make fun. Uh, yeah, Iphigenia is…well, my ipod. That's her name." Seeing Rachel's eyes widen, and her hand come to her mouth, Quinn became more forceful and defensive. "Listen, Berry, did I not just say don't make fun? You're riding around in Towanda. You laugh at that all the way home if you want, I'll drop your skinny ass right here, just say the word…" Quinn arched her eyebrows, daring Rachel to make fun of her.

"Towanda. Towanda is your car? Uh, Towanda is lovely name." Rachel couldn't help but smirk just a little. Quinn poked her in the shoulder again.

"Yeeess….Iphigenia the Ipod, and and Towanda the Toyota. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Uh. Nope! No problem here! I'll just push play then, shall I?"

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea right about now."

Paper Thin Walls played as they approached the east side of the satellite campus for OSU. The song ended and another song Rachel would recognize came on. Startled again, and annoyed, Quinn growled and grabbed Iphigenia back.

Rachel looked at Quinn with confused eyes again.

"Same idea, different song."

Only it wasn't really. It was just a song she played when she was moping, or wallowing, at her life and how she was dealing with things. She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man. She dreams in color, she dreams in red. She'd never been in love with Finn. The idea of him sure. The guy that would take care of her, and was a good guy. But not Finn really. And she sure as hell wasn't in love with Puck. It was just the type of song she used to punish herself. It just never produced any action, like prompting her to be nicer to Puck. Or Finn, if he would talk to her that is. It just made her feel shittier about herself. And truth be told, she felt guilty and ashamed enough sometimes to force herself to feel even worse. Self-flagellation through music. And listening to certain music usually did it.

Rachel glanced at her. When she didn't elaborate, she reached to push the forward button. "Okay then. Moving on."

Quinn reached for her hand to stop her, having a better idea about the music. She jumped when their hands touched, jerking back at she electrical shock. They both cursed. Quinn's burst out with "Fuck me that hurt! What the…you and your damn sweaters!" Rachel's outburst was much milder of course, and consisted of a simple "Ouch! What the hell?" Quinn noted with some amusement, sharp pain quickly forgotten, that apparently Rachel Berry didn't let any salty talk fly unless she was really shocked or scared…like earlier when Quinn had snuck up on her in the parking lot and scared the shit out of her. Quinn guffawed again at that thought, which was must have seemed odd to the Rachel considering the other girl couldn't follow her mental train of thought. "One. What were you grabbing for? And two, what the hell is so funny? That had to hurt you too…?"

Quinn took her eyes off the road again for a second to look at the other girl, her shoulders shaking slightly with mirth.

"Sorry Rachel, I was just going to suggest that we see if we can pick up the college station since we're so close. It's finicky near my house, but it should come in easy here. And two…I'm sorry but I was just thinking of earlier. Some of the…uh…more colorful language you used earlier showed a heretofore unnoticed command of vulgarity I did not know you stooped to. So I was just wondering what I have to do to get the really spicy words out of you again is all…" Quinn was smirking and still laughing under her breath. She half expected Rachel to pop her on the shoulder when she remembered the incident from earlier in the day. She hadn't been amused at the time, so she probably wasn't now either. But instead, Rachel was taken aback, her mouth dropped open, and then her neck and face colored.

Quinn looked at her, steering the car with her left hand now, curious as to what the problem was.

"Hello? What? So what if you apparently do know the big boy words…when…you…huh? Oh. Oh my." Quinn's eyes widened as she considered what Rachel might be talking about. "You mean... Oh my. Alrightie then. Uh, Yeah. Okay."

Quinn now looked horrified. Rachel looked even more horrified.

"Oh my god Rachel, you're talking…never mind. Forget I asked. Forget it. Forget it now." She practically squeaked the last part. "Jesse? Really? I didn't think you two…were really going to...? Oh god. Never mind. Forget it. Okay. Okay. Jesus Rachel. TMI!"

"Quinn, I didn't even say anything! And, well no, it's not what you think. Why did you even think that?"

"Well, why did you? I mean, you got all…blushy and stuff, what was I supposed to think? You don't get self-conscious that I've ever seen."

"I just…was shocked. Okay, fine. Look, before Jesse went all sweet and gentlemanly on me and said he'd wait and all that, well first he…he said something similar, okay? And of course, I think your statement was simply an unfortunate phrasing coincidence leading to what I can only assume was an unintended double entendre, and I believe I can confirm that, since you are nodding your head like a maniacal Quinn Fabray bobble-head doll that said double entendre was indeed accidental in nature. Okay then. Anyway, I feel fairly confident in saying Jesse's comment was not innocent."

"La la la la…Rachel we are sooo not talking about this."

Rachel smirked, now that she was over her blushing. "Oh I see how it is. Hey weren't you the one that wanted to compare how Finn and Puck kiss…"

Quinn stopped her 'la la la la la-ing long enough to let out a 'Pfft' sound. "No comparison. Finn can't kiss. And while Puck isn't bad, because I mean, come on, clearly the boy has practiced, right? Anyway, I'd still bet we're both better kissers than either of those guys are."

Rachel looked at her, and laughed, raising her eyebrows. "Well, I do have great breath control and all. I'd like to think I excel in that department."

Quinn laughed, a bit flustered again. She did think it had gotten awfully warm in the car all the sudden. "There is just no limit to your ego, is there Berry?"

"If you've got it, flaunt it?"

Quinn growled and rolled her eyes. Turning to her former nemesis, Quinn arched her eyebrow and locked eyes with her. "Uh huh. I suppose. Just be careful. Whatever, whoever you…uh do. Whatever. I'm just saying you know…because I'm a walking PSA for safe sex after all, right? And on that note, we have both sooo broken the no 'b' word rule. I reaffirm the moratorium as of now."

Quinn glanced again at Rachel to confirm. Her companion was watching the road with funny curving her on her lips. Quinn had to admit that in addition to the silky looking rich colored hair, and the generally indecently exposed legs, she also envied the singer's full lips. Damn her. She shook her head imperceptibly, and cleared her thoughts. She watched as Rachel nodded her head and crossed her arms, still smiling. "I second that."

Quinn growled again. "Good. And Rachel? Uh, no…more…f-bombs from you today. Please. I beg of you. I really don't need any images of you and diva boy in my head, please? I might hurl."

Rachel didn't look offended. She cocked her eyebrow and hit the button to change the input to radio, and turned the volume down a bit. "I never cease to be amazed how uptight you can be when it comes to…"

"Me? Are you kidding me? Uptight? Compared to you? Hey, I was going to take you to the country club lake so you could look for herons because you like them. But noooo, that would be breaking the rules. And I'm the one that is uptight?"

"Oh, is that why you wanted to go there? That was nice, Quinn." Rachel looked apologetic as she continued.

"But I digress. That is against the rules. Which while I applaud and appreciate your intent, I rather thought that a majorly pregnant teen and her…cohort would stand out and get caught instantly. And even MORE to the point is that there is no "rule' about not having sex. We are both 16, and therefore we are the age of consent. And there is nothing illegal about what you and Puck did. Stupid? Uh yeah. Illegal? No. And by the way, there is no age of consent for breaking on to private property. And I sure as hell didn't want to get caught in broad daylight!"

There were stopped at an intersection, otherwise Quinn wouldn't have been able to pull off her two hands on her hip glare and stare.

"I can't believe I'm going to ask this, but what the hell, right? Okay smarty pants, if you're so freakin' free-spirited and liberal, why haven't you and Jesse done the nasty? Hm?"

Rachel, who always got her dander up for a good debate on a technicality, be it semantics or otherwise, was prepared with her answer. However, it came out with much less vigor and sounded stupider out loud than it had sounded in her head.

"Because. Well. I would really like to be something more than just hormone driven, frenetic thing. I guess. I'd like… to be in love with…whoever I, you know…"

Quinn's natural flair for sarcasm appeared.

"Oh, please don't say 'give myself to'. You are, you're going to say that, aren't you." It was a statement.

Rachel folded her arms. "The light is green Quinn. And actually, I was going to say 'share myself with.' Which might be equally corny sounding to you. But well, I don't know how else to put it." Which was a lie. About what she had been going to say that is. Rachel had totally been going to say 'give myself to,' but she was glad she hadn't.

Quinn sighed, and pulled her car into one of the multitude of student parking lots. She quickly threw the car into park, and turned off the engine. Then turned off her attack mode, feeling a bit ashamed. She sighed and looked at Rachel's profile. She put her hand out, tentatively. She was afraid of both getting another nasty shock, or of Rachel rejecting the gesture. Both really. So she poked the arm quickly and firmly, earning a 'what the hell?' look from singer. But she quickly followed up by gently placing her hand on the argyle covered arm. "Sorry, I was just trying to avoid getting shocked, again." Understanding dawned on Rachel's face, and she relaxed some as Quinn continued.

"I am sorry. I don't know what got in to me. Forgive me? For giving you a hard time about…Jesse. Or sex. Or both. I was just lashing out. I just, well, I would like to be able to say I share your ideals. I did, I think sorta, at one point. But," Quinn looked down meaningfully at her stomach "that clearly didn't hold true enough at a crucial moment. I wish I'd had your confidence. If I had, I wouldn't even have felt fat. And even if I had, maybe I wouldn't have followed through. I don't know. I just…eh. Forgive me?"

Rachel smiled at her, and her eyes were full of compassion, and trademark earnestness. "Quinn, if I could, I'd give you a 'do over'. I think I'm good at giving second chances. And that's what I'd do. I'd give you a second chance for…well that."

Quinn smiled, and rolled her eyes, slamming her head back against the headrest. "I'd take you up on that, believe me."

Rachel smiled. Quinn cracked open an eye and looked at her. "You know, this reminds me a bit of driving around with my mom. We always seemed to sort things out in the car. I guess because my dad wasn't with us to interfere or something. She always was good at keeping secrets when I got older." She slapped her hand to her forehead, and said in a blond airhead imitation. Well, almost a Brittany imitation really.

"Silly me. I should have told my mom about being pregnant in the car."

Quinn's voice returned to normal. Or almost normal. It was almost a whisper now. "Sure would have been nice to have her say she'd give me a second chance if she could. Thanks, Rachel. Really."

Rachel just smiled. She was learning that not everything needed a comment. It was okay to just let a moment stand.

Quinn heaved a sigh, and turned the ignition, and put the car in gear.

"Now then…check the radio for 88.3, it should come in. That's what I was going to say earlier. To turn on the college radio, and maybe we'll both get to hear something we haven't heard today? Or that was my thought."

Rachel nodded and grinned. "I'm game."

Quinn grinned back, and took a deep breath."Let's get this freak show on the road, right? Off we go Towanda." She looked at Rachel and grinned. "And, well, if you want to know, it's Towanda California."

Rachel raised her eyebrows, looking incredulous. Towanda California? Quinn, you are an odd girl, I'm finding. But what is it for?"

"Toyota Camry. Towanda California the Toyota Camry. It's you know, alliteration, or well, sorta."

"Technically no it's not. It's anthropomorphizing I believe. But…I get it. Well partly anyway. So, why?"

"Towanda. It was in that movie Fried Green Tomatoes. And California? Because it is far far away from here. I didn't think Towanda Columbus, or Towanda Cleveland…had quite the same air of adventure somehow. Right?"

"Well I knew Towanda, but California was baffling me. But I like it. I'm just going to pretend that naming your car is normal. I mean, I know they have always named ships. I suppose cars are the modern equivalent, right? So okay then. Towanda California! Shall we?"

"We shall. Cuz…momma gots to pee. Again"

"Again?"

Quinn looked grim. "Again. We're 10 minutes from Pucks. Hang on, and think dry thoughts."