XIII

.

Little Star: Are you there yet?

Rachel waits with bated breath as she attempts to wrangle an excitable puppy. Quinn should be here any minute, and Rachel's trying not to appear too eager. For days, she's wrestled with whether this is a good idea or not. Eventually, she decided that getting Quinn used to the idea of her is the way to go. If they can be good friends when Pretty Girl finally learns who Little Star is, then maybe Quinn won't be so... horrified.

Pretty Girl: Just arrived.

Pretty Girl: Baby, what exactly am I doing here?

Rachel grins to herself, and then grins down at Apollo in front of her. "Did you hear that, boy?" she asks happily. "She's here, Apollo."

He yaps at her, and Rachel scratches him behind the ears. She arrived almost an hour ago, with the intention of spending the entire day volunteering at the animal shelter. She was always going to go it anyway, but inviting Quinn - or, well, Pretty Girl - to enjoy in the innocence of puppies and kittens was... a recent decision. For Rachel, spending time with animals always makes her feel happy and grounded, and she wants that for her girlfriend.

Little Star: Have you spoken to Derek yet?

Rachel can hear Derek out front, and she imagines he's talking to Quinn right now. Never in her life did she think she would be jealous of the man, but she is. She wants to be able to talk to Quinn with ease, but she has to work up to it. The one good thing, Rachel knows, is that she's not the only other volunteer on this particular Saturday. That would have been a little too fishy, if you ask her and she thinks Quinn might have seen right through it.

Though, it's actually truly amusing to Rachel that Quinn still doesn't know. It's borderline impossible, but she can see how the brain can trick you into seeing some things and not seeing others. Rachel felt like an idiot for not figuring it out earlier, and she imagines that Quinn will feel the same way. Maybe even worse, really, because there are so many signs. She worries that, if ever Quinn were to take the time, read back and actually think about it; she'll figure it out, and then the world will be over... or something equally dramatic.

Pretty Girl: LS.

Pretty Girl: Why do I have to get changed?

Rachel chuckles to herself, and Apollo gives her a curious look. She runs a hand over his soft fur. "I'm going to tell you a secret," she says quietly. "I'm in love. I'm so in love, A, and she's lovely. She wonderful." Apollo jumps up slightly in an attempt to lick her face, and Rachel laughs as she tries to hold him off. "I know, I know," she says. "You're still my favourite, I promise." He yaps again, jumping up, and Rachel hugs him close to her chest.

That's how Derek finds them... closely followed by Quinn Fabray.

Rachel squeaks in surprise, and Derek just laughs.

"I should have known that you would still be working on Apollo," Derek says, clearly still amused.

"He's got a dirty coat," she lightly defends. "And, I mean, look at this face," she adds, turning Apollo's head towards Derek and a surprised Quinn.

"Yeah, yeah, he's cute, we know," Derek says. "There are other animals, Rachel."

"But none of them are as cute as this one," she says, and Apollo yaps in agreement, practically squeaking. The action draws a small giggle from Quinn, and Derek glances at her, as if he's just remembering she's standing there.

"Oh, right," Derek says. "Quinn, this is Rachel," he says. "Rachel, meet Quinn. She'll be helping out today."

The girls exchange an amused look.

Derek glances between them, and rolls his eyes. "You two already know each other, don't you?"

"Kind of," Quinn says. "Hey, Rach."

Rachel practically swoons at the nickname falling from Quinn's lips, and she can't help her smile. "Hi, Quinn."

Quinn looks as if she wants to ask something, but Derek starts moving.

"Let me give you a quick tour," he says. "Introduce you to a few of the other volunteers and set you up at one of the stations. Think you can handle bathing a few pups?"

Rachel doesn't hear Quinn's response as they walk away, but she does get a text from Pretty Girl a few minutes later, and she has to force herself not to laugh out loud.

Pretty Girl: What on earth have you got me into?

Little Star: Aren't they adorable?

Pretty Girl: I think I'm going to melt at how cute they are, actually. You'll never meet me. I'm going to die of a cuteness overload.

Rachel finishes with Apollo and, reluctantly, returns him to his... cage. It's one of the things she hates about shelters - the cages - but she realises their necessity. There are too many animals here, and not all of them get along. Sometimes, keeping them in cages is for their own protection.

Rachel has to walk past Quinn's station with Apollo, and she can't resist the urge to stop and stare at the way Quinn seems to be interacting with the scrappy little Boxer named Aldo. She seems to be talking to him about something, and Rachel can't stop looking if she tries. All she wants to do is stand there with Apollo and stare at her blonde for all of eternity.

As if Quinn can feel eyes on her, she looks up and turns, her eyes catching Rachel's. The smile that spreads across her face is blinding, and Rachel practically stumbles backwards. Quinn's smile falters in concern, which prompts Rachel to get a hold of herself. She steps forward, smiling winningly.

"Do you come here often?" Rachel asks, and then cringes internally at how awful that sounds. Why would she lead with that?

Quinn finds the question amusing, so Rachel doesn't worry too much about it. "Not exactly," she answers, somewhat diplomatically. "This is actually my first time volunteering." She clears her throat, blushing slightly, and Rachel is transfixed. "I'm assuming you do come here often," she says. "Derek seems to know you, and that puppy is practically attached to you."

Rachel steps forward and holds out Apollo's front right paw. "Quinn, this is Apollo," she says. "Apollo, this is Quinn. I was telling you about her, remember?"

Quinn raises her eyebrows quizzically. "You were?"

Rachel nods, smiling as if she knows something Quinn doesn't. Which, in hindsight, she actually does. "Oh, I tell him everything," she says. "I practically recount entire weeks. I knew somebody had to like the sound of my voice."

Quinn's smile turns sad. "I like it," she says. "I mean, I haven't always liked it, but I do now. It grows on you."

"Like a fungus?"

Quinn laughs out loud, and Rachel melts a little. "Let it be known that you're the one who said it."

Admittedly, Rachel was worried this would all be a little too much for her, and for Quinn, but it's good. It feels good, because Quinn is smiling at her, and there's something entirely disarming about having Quinn Fabray's full attention.

Rachel doesn't think she could give it up for anything.

.

At lunch time, Rachel bravely asks Quinn if she'd like to join her for a light meal at the cafe across the street. For a moment, Quinn seems to hesitate, and Rachel wants to kick herself for... pushing too much too fast.

But then Quinn is grinning. "And what would Juniper have to say about that?" she asks. "Supporting the competition?"

Rachel laughs, half in relief. "I think we could spin it," she casually says. "Call it research."

Quinn's eyes practically dance, and Rachel feels herself falling in love with the real person. Until this point, she's been in love with a faceless girl with a sarcastic streak and swoon-worthy words. But now that she's faced with the real thing, it's undeniable. Rachel Berry was always going to find Quinn Fabray this way... and fall ridiculously in love with her. Rachel's never really thought about fate beyond the abstract notion she's identified in children's stories, but she definitely believes it now.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Quinn eventually says. "Traitor."

Rachel just shakes her head, and then leads the way across the street to Luisano's, which is a neat little place. It's different to Juniper's in its colour scheme and general ambiance. While Juniper's is calm, almost mellow; Luisano's is vibrant and loud. Worrying her bottom lip, Rachel casts a nervous look Quinn's way, silently searching her face for her thoughts on the place.

The fact that she looks calm eases some of Rachel's worries.

At the counter, Rachel orders a Blackened Tempeh Salad With Chipotle Ranch, and Quinn, citing a craving, orders a Red Lentil and Bacon Soup. Rachel can't help her grin as they pay for their separate meals - Rachel isn't even going to delude herself into thinking she could pay for Quinn's meal - and then find a table.

"Once thing you should know about me," Quinn says, settling into her chair; "I consider bacon to be its own food group."

Rachel chuckles softly, trying her best not to be amazed by the fact that she's about to have lunch with Quinn Fabray. With her Pretty Girl. Sure, it's not the same as if Quinn were to know she's Little Star, but they're building up to that. "I shall take note of that." Her tone comes out a little too serious, and Quinn gives her a puzzled look... which is just adorable.

Wow.

Rachel has it bad.

"I've been meaning to ask," Quinn says; "how are things going with Santana?"

Rachel sighs. "Terribly."

Quinn raises her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"She's convinced that I'm... different, and we spend most of our time together bickering about why that could be," she admits, absently holding her breath in hope that she hasn't given away too much. This part is stressful. She almost wishes that Quinn found out first, just so she would have to deal with this. Though, she's a little terrified of how Quinn might have handled the situation. Rachel understands that Quinn would do just about anything to keep her sexuality a secret, and she's worried about where she's going to fit into it all when and if it becomes public.

"Santana's a little psycho sometimes," Quinn says. "She's so convinced I'm hiding something that she's taken to showing up at my house unannounced. My parents are severely unimpressed." Her voice grows quiet near the end of her sentence, and Rachel can't help her worry. Pretty Girl hasn't offered much more about her parental situation, and she wonders if something has happened in the last few days.

"Are you okay?" Rachel asks, her voice gentle and unassuming.

Quinn clears her throat, smiling somewhat convincingly. "Do you ever wonder about the future?" she asks.

"All the time."

"Does it scare you?"

"Sometimes," she admits. "The... unknown can be terrifying."

"It can," Quinn agrees, and then removes her phone from her pocket. For a moment, Rachel panics at the idea that her phone isn't on silent, but then all she feels is the vibration of an incoming text against her leg. "Sorry about that," Quinn says, putting away her phone; "just have to send an update."

Rachel can't stop herself. "On?"

Quinn mulls it over. "I guess on how my day's going."

"And how is it going?" she asks, her own fingers itching to check her phone.

"Well," Quinn says. "Really well. The puppies are adorable; I don't know how they haven't all been adopted already."

"It's my understanding that Lima's animal population is too large for the town's willing population."

Quinn sighs. "It's sad, isn't it?"

The last thing Rachel wants to do is put a dampener on what is supposed to be a good, fun day for Quinn, so she steers them away. "Well, that's where the volunteers like you and I come in," she says. "I reckon we're the lucky ones, I'm telling you."

"I can believe that."

When their food arrives, they fall into easy conversation about... women and gay rights, and Rachel tries to explain just how much her fathers love Elton John. Quinn laughs with ease, and Rachel can practically feel the blonde warming up to her more and more. They already have a certain dynamic within the walls of Juniper's - with or without Kurt - and Rachel is determined for Quinn to see that they can exist outside in the world as well.

Rachel's going to need all the tricks in the book to ensure she doesn't mess this up.

She knows she would never survive if Quinn were to run.

.

"Hey," Quinn says, catching Rachel's attention at the end of the day. When the brunette turns, Quinn awkwardly throws a thumb over her shoulder. "I'm heading out," she says.

"Oh, cool," Rachel says, smiling at her. "I hope you had fun."

"I did," she says. "I think I'll be doing it again someday soon."

"Oh, yeah?"

Quinn nods. Then: "Maybe you could let me know when you're here next, and we could, uh, do it together?"

Rachel desperately wants to kiss her, but she forces herself to nod through the swell of emotion threatening to lodge itself in her throat. "I'd really like that, Quinn."

Quinn's smile is infectious. She playfully salutes, says her goodbye, and then leaves.

Rachel can only watch her go, knowing without a doubt that 'Rachel and Quinn' have taken steps forward in solidifying their friendship. Little Star and Pretty Girl would be proud.

.

Little Star: Hah, beat you to it.

Little Star: I want to know EVERYTHING.

.

GoldStarRBB: Hello. How are you? How was your day?

GoldStarRBB: So, how did it go? I'm serious here... tell me everything.

SkySplits94: It was amazing. I've never seen so many cute things in one place before, and I wanted to adopt ALL of them. Derek found me especially hilarious when I said goodbye. I'm going to go back, I swear.

SkySplits94: With you, preferably.

GoldStarRBB: I think that can be arranged.

SkySplits94: Oh yeah?

GoldStarRBB: I'm working on it.

GoldStarRBB: I'm just glad and relieved to know the day wasn't a complete disaster.

SkySplits94: I loved everything about it. Even if I'm convinced that I may or may not be coughing up a fur ball some time tonight.

GoldStarRBB: And you call me the dramatic one.

SkySplits94: You ARE the dramatic one. Thank you, though. I had a great time today, and I really needed the pleasant distraction.

GoldStarRBB: Did you have a favourite?

SkySplits94: There was a little Boxer named Aldo that I was quite fond of, and there was another Border Collie called Apollo that was especially friendly. Do you know either of them?

GoldStarRBB: I believe I do. I love Boxers.

SkySplits94: Beagles and Jack Russells are my favourites.

GoldStarRBB: I shall take note of that.

GoldStarRBB: Quinn?

GoldStarRBB: Pretty Girl?

SkySplits94: Oh, sorry, yeah, just got lost for a second there.

SkySplits94: Well well well, are you planning on adopting a dog for us, Little Star?

GoldStarRBB: Is that something you would be against?

SkySplits94: I haven't given it much thought. I didn't really have pets growing up (they were considered a distraction), and I just know that I have to get out of this place. Maybe in the future. After college, when we're living together.

SkySplits94: Shit.

SkySplits94: Is that too much?

GoldStarRBB: I think that sounds perfect.

GoldStarRBB: Do you really think we'll be living together one day?

SkySplits94: That depends. Do you snore?

GoldStarRBB: Not according to my family, so I think you're safe.

SkySplits94: Then I see no reason why we wouldn't. Is that something you would be against?

GoldStarRBB: Oh, Pretty Girl. You should know by now that I can't wait until I get to experience all kinds of firsts with you.

SkySplits94: Starting with your first girl kiss, huh?

GoldStarRBB: STARTING. Yes.

GoldStarRBB: I have so much more planned.

SkySplits94: I so want into your mind of dirty fantasies.

SkySplits94: I so want into other things too.

GoldStarRBB: That good little schoolgirl persona you sometimes portray is SO wrong.

SkySplits94: I can be a good girl.

SkySplits94: Just, sometimes, I don't want to.

SkySplits94: Sometimes, I want my fingers on naked flesh and my tongue licking a trail down to wet heat.

GoldStarRBB: OH MY GOD.

SkySplits94: Thank you, and goodnight.

GoldStarRBB: No. NO. You don't get to just type that and leave.

SkySplits94: Why? Are you hot and bothered?

SkySplits94: Just so you know... that titbit was NOTHING compared to what I could do to you.

GoldStarRBB: Wow. Someone definitely had a good day, huh?

SkySplits94: It was the best. I wish you could have been there.

GoldStarRBB: Me too.

SkySplits94: Soon?

GoldStarRBB: Sooner than you think.

SkySplits94: I'm going to hold you to that.

GoldStarRBB: I would expect nothing else.

SkySplits94: Goodnight, my little star Xx

SkySplits94: I love you.

GoldStarRBB: Goodnight, my pretty girl :*

GoldStarRBB: I love you, too.

.

.

.

XIV

.

Rachel's plan to befriend Quinn falls into fruition much easier than she first anticipated. It helps that Quinn is receptive to the idea of their budding friendship, and it's even starting to filter out of Juniper's and into the school corridors.

Which, in hindsight, is always going to result in some form of trouble.

It starts with Kurt, who has to remind Rachel to 'be careful.' And then there's Finn, who's just confused as to why Rachel would ever want to hang out with Quinn. Rachel still harbours a healthy amount of guilt when it comes to him, so she tries not to be too harsh. But, frankly, who she 'hangs out with' has absolutely nothing to do with him, and she very clearly tells him that. The fact that she's in love with Quinn Fabray is probably going to hurt him enough.

The school itself buzzes about it, but Quinn doesn't seem to care. Rachel finds that the blonde actually wants to spend time with her, arriving at Juniper's much too early, and even coming in on days when she's not even supposed to be meeting Kurt.

Rachel should read the signs.

She should see the warnings, but her alarm goes off much too late and, by then, the damage is done.

.

"I swear that phone of yours is like an appendage," Santana snarks, and Rachel immediately snaps to attention, as if she's been burned. Santana smirks. "I thought you were the one who wanted to get this done tonight, so we can work on editing for the last week before hand-in."

"Right," Rachel says, forcing herself to put her phone away without replying to Pretty Girl. One day, Quinn will forgive her for this because, really, she's going to deserve some kind of medal for having put up with Santana Lopez as much as she has. Mr Pope is definitely going to have to give her extra credit or something.

"Who are you texting anyway?" Santana asks, and Rachel tenses. "Ooh, is it a secret lover?"

Rachel rolls her eyes. "I do not have a lover," she says, and the truth of it is clear for them both to hear. She needs Santana to drop the subject, which, thankfully, she does, and the two of them are able to get back to the final checks on their first draft of their paper. After this, they'll go through copious editing, and then they'll hand in, and have exactly two days to create and prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the topic.

It's a good thing Rachel is a master of the PowerPoint.

"I still think we should take out this entire section," Santana says, pointing at the screen of Rachel's laptop. "It's unnecessary and redundant. I wouldn't want to read it once, let alone twice, just in other words, as if you've just vomited a fucking thesaurus."

Rachel sighs. "I can understand what you're trying to say," she says diplomatically; "but Mr Pope did make a note that there were aspects about this particular topic he didn't understand. Maybe, instead of chopping it completely, you can help me rework it to make it come across clearer?"

"Yeah, no, I'm not going to do that," Santana says, looking completely unfazed. "Just cut the shit out and save us some time."

Rachel growls low in her throat and closes her eyes to hold onto what little bit of sanity she has. She will not explode on Santana Lopez. No, she won't. That would be giving the infuriating Latina exactly what she wants, and Rachel won't give her the satisfaction.

Not today, at least.

.

"There she is," Santana suddenly says, and her entirely face transforms into something soft. It's amazing for Rachel to see, and she has to lean back to take it in at face value. A Santana Lopez who's in love looks very different. Almost human.

Rachel's gaze follows Santana's, and her smile widens when she sees Quinn walking with Brittany. Rachel's blonde quirks an eyebrow at her, seemingly surprised by the reaction. Rachel blushes hotly, and ducks her head to hide it. God, she's pathetic. She's just... the worst.

"I see you haven't killed each other," Quinn says, coming to a stop at the edge of their table. She taps her fingers on the tabletop, and Rachel stares at them for the longest time, imagining them doing things.

"The day isn't over," Santana grumbles, and Brittany moves to sit in her lap.

Quinn drags her fingers along the table, and turns the page of Rachel's notebook. "Why are you so neat?" she asks, almost in wonderment. Then: "Are those stars?"

Rachel rolls her shoulders, swallowing nervously. "I don't know how not to be neat," she confesses, attempting to distract Quinn.

Quinn hums in thought, and bends to look at Rachel's laptop screen, leaning in entirely too close. "Is this it?"

"Our final paper?"

She nods.

Rachel absently scrolls down the page. "The first draft, yeah," she explains. "We're having a few disagreements about the editing though."

Quinn grins. "Disagreements, huh?"

"I'm afraid the gloves are starting to come off," she says, shuddering. "Will you make sure my body is returned to my dads?"

Quinn laughs softly, and the sound is pure magic. Rachel wants to lean into her, inhale her scent, kiss her and just love her. It would be so easy. She's right there. Right there. As if she can feel the intensity of Rachel's gaze, Quinn's eyes meet hers, locking on and staying. The smile slips from Quinn's face slowly, as a certain intensity settles into the moment.

Rachel blinks first. Maybe this whole friend thing is getting a little out of control.

If Rachel finds it weird that Quinn doesn't really mention her to Little Star, she tries not to think about it. It's happened twice, but only in passing. Pretty Girl mentioned that she was making new friends; that Mr Pope's English project was allowing her the opportunity to interact with people she wouldn't normally associate with. She's never mentioned any names, and Rachel can't determine if that's a good or a bad thing.

Santana clears her throat, eyeing the pair of them quizzically. She doesn't look happy at all, but Rachel's ignoring it. Santana doesn't really wear happy well, anyway.

Quinn says nothing as she rises up, straightening her back. "Are you two done?" she asks, a slight whine in her voice. "We have things to do."

Santana chuckles darkly. "Oh, Fabray, Berry here and I have been done since the beginning."

Quinn glances at Rachel, who merely shrugs. "I'll make sure your body gets back to your fathers," she says with a wicked grin, and Rachel is left to wonder how she's ever supposed to survive the day that Quinn actually flirts with her.

Whatever happens to her then, at least her body will be safe.

.

Pretty Girl: Hi, baby. I know I never do this, but I won't be able to go online tonight. Life has just got crazy busy, and practice is taking over my life. I'm really sorry, but I'll dedicate extra time tomorrow... if you'll have me, that is.

Little Star: Of course I'll have you.

Little Star: Be safe, all right. I'll be thinking of you.

Pretty Girl: I'll be thinking about you too. And I love you. Xx

Little Star: I love you too :*

.

.

.

XV

.

Rachel knows something is deathly wrong the moment she steps out of class and into the corridor. There's chatter all around, and she feels a wave of foreboding descend on her in the ugliest way. Keeping her head down, she walks to the cafeteria with the intention of talking to Kurt. He'll know exactly the right thing to say to make her paranoia dissipate.

But.

That feeling grows exponentially when she enters the cafeteria to find an endless number of students hovering around Santana, who's perched on the edge of a table, reading out loud from a wad of papers. The Latina looks deathly amused by something, and Rachel can't help the sudden wave of apprehension she feels. What the -

"What's going on?" Rachel asks nobody in particular.

"Rachel," Kurt suddenly says, immediately moving to stand in front of her with a pained look on his face. He's almost shielding her.

"What's wrong?" she asks him, concerned over his expression. "Are you not feeling well?"

His expression doesn't let up. In fact, he goes a bit green when there's a bout of laughter from where Santana is seated, and Rachel's eyes immediately look in her direction. If she's surprised to find the Latina looking at her, she does her best not to show it.

"Kurt," Rachel says calmly. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Where is your phone?" he forces out, his voice strained.

"What?" she asks, absently patting her pockets for her phone. When she doesn't find it, she searches her bag. Nothing. She goes through a mental checklist of all the places she's had it in the last few hours and, when the very realisation that someone must have taken it hits her, it's too late.

Because, once again, Santana is speaking.

"Oh, this is the best," Santana says, laughing. And, when she reads the words from the page, Rachel feels her blood run cold. "Little Star says: 'Well, I'm very proud of my legs. And, everything else, really. Except my nose. That is another story entirely.' And this Pretty Girl says: 'I'm just relieved my girlfriend isn't a toad.'"

There's laughter all around them, and Rachel feels as if she's dying. It's the only explanation really, because the very breath has left her body; the panic, sheer terror and absolute horror keeping her paralysed.

Santana continues reading out loud, her smirk firmly on her face as she acknowledges Rachel with cold, calculated eyes. Rachel wants to cry, maybe hide away somewhere for the rest of her miserable life, because this isn't happening. It can't be happening.

All Rachel can do is stand there and listen to Santana make a mockery of her profound conversations with Pretty Girl, and there's nothing she can think to do. What can she do? By stepping up, she would be owning up to the messages being half hers, which is probably what Santana wants. This is the sadist in Santana coming out to play, clearly enjoying Rachel's misery. Because, no; there is no way Rachel is going to step into that crowd and demand Santana stop, and both girls know it.

Hell, even Kurt knows it.

Still, it's when Rachel hears a notable gasp behind her that everything, once again, grinds to a stop. She spins around quickly, immediately coming face to face with Quinn Fabray's look of utter devastation. The blonde is pale, her eyes wide, as she catches onto what Santana is reading. It's the first time Rachel actually notices that there are pages and pages of screenshots of her conversations with Pretty Girl floating around the cafeteria. Some are even tacked to the walls.

"Quinn," Rachel's mouth says, but no sounds actually come out.

Quinn just stares at Santana, hearing the words, and just knowing. Her paleness is enough of an indicator to Rachel that Quinn is five seconds away from the ultimate panic. No, no, no.

Rachel takes a tentative step towards Quinn, somehow knowing she has to be closer to her. Quinn doesn't yet know the truth, and Rachel hopes she'll be allowed to explain before the entire school figures out that Rachel Berry is gay for Quinn Fabray.

Sucking in another breath when there's laughter, Quinn slowly backs away.

"Quinn," Rachel says, finally making her voice work.

The blonde's eyes flash towards her. There's a long moment of confusion, but the recognition never comes. She doesn't know, and Rachel is at least grateful for that small mercy. Rachel notes the hesitation in Quinn's body, obviously torn between retreating completely or facing the internal humiliation head-on.

This is something Santana is going to use over Rachel, because the last thing she wants is for Quinn to find out like this. They're not ready. They shouldn't have to deal with any of this until they are ready. Santana is forcing their hand, and Rachel isn't sure how she's supposed to proceed.

Rachel opens her mouth once more, intending to say something, anything, to comfort Quinn, but her words are stolen by the quiet sob Quinn releases. It's barely audible, but Rachel sees it, and it's heartbreaking beyond comprehension. Maybe, some day, Rachel might have found a way to forgive Santana for this, but she'll never forgive her for what it's done to Quinn.

How dare she?

Quinn stumbles backwards, and then turns and bolts. Rachel knows she needs to go after her, but Kurt places a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She turns to look at him with incredulous eyes. "I can't - "

Kurt shakes his head. "Santana is looking."

Rachel grits her teeth and turns her body to face the Latina full on. She straightens her spine and walks towards the cheerleader, her eyes narrowed and her features hardened. How fucking dare she?

Rachel can feel Kurt at her side, which is all the support she needs.

Before Rachel can even open her mouth, Kurt is speaking. "There are things that are not okay," he says. "We put up with everything else, but even I expected that you of all people would know not to force anyone out of the closet."

Santana glares at him. "Are you trying to tell me you know who either of these two girls are?" she asks with faux innocence, and it makes Rachel feel sick.

Kurt shakes his head in disgust, and turns away.

Santana turns her attention to a seething Rachel. "Got something to say, Berry?" she asks, looking utterly chuffed with herself. "Because, if you don't, I do believe there's a section out of our paper you have to cut out."

Rachel shakes her head in disbelief. "I don't know why I believed you'd be any different to what I'm seeing right now," she says, keeping her voice low. "I suppose, I thought, given how great and lovely Quinn and Brittany are, they must see something in you, but I was clearly wrong. You're exactly who you said you were, so it's my fault, really." She swallows audibly. "I don't really care that you may or may not have outed me, but - " she stops suddenly. "God, you have absolutely no idea what you've done. You have no idea, at all." And then she walks away.

She needs to find Quinn.

.

Rachel doesn't find Quinn.

.

Rachel is tempted - sorely tempted - to go to Quinn's house to see her, but she's unsure how she's supposed to spin that... particularly seeing as Santana still hasn't released any details about the two girls in the texts. Santana knows one identity for sure, and she's certain the Latina wouldn't have done any of this if she knew the other one was Quinn. Whatever dark and twisted prank this is; even Rachel knows she wouldn't have done it if she knew her best friend is involved. Maybe she used only early texts because Rachel's sure she's referred to Quinn by her name.

Or maybe that's only the chat room.

Rachel can't exactly message Quinn because she doesn't have her phone. She tried logging onto a computer at school, but she wasn't even sure what to say or even if Quinn would check it. SkySplits94 wasn't online, and Rachel can't shake the sinking feeling that she's never going to see her online ever again. After she temporarily locks her phone through the online service, ensuring Santana can't access anything more, she starts typing.

.

GoldStarRBB: Quinn. Baby. I don't know if you'll get this, but I just need you to know I had nothing to do with this. My phone was stolen, and they found our messages and, God, I am SO sorry. I am so so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. Please. Please don't leave.

GoldStarRBB: I love you. I love you so much. I made a promise to you, and I've kept it, and will continue to do so. I promise to keep your secret, and I intend to do so. I'm afraid, by doing that, you're going to find out who I am. Just, please don't run. Please.

GoldStarRBB: I'm sorry. I am so sorry, Quinn.

GoldStarRBB: I love you.

.

This is it, isn't it?

Quinn is going to run. It's too real now, and her secret is this close to being found out.

Oh, God.

Rachel can barely catch her breath, and it's a bloody miracle that she makes it to Juniper's for her shift without totalling her car.

.

Oliver wastes no time getting Rachel's attention when he arrives at Juniper's. She's a distracted mess, being forced to acknowledge that Quinn probably, definitely, isn't going to be coming to the cafe as originally planned. Forcing a smile through her growing devastation, she serves Oliver his beer and a slice of fudge. The man must sense her severity because he doesn't attempt to engage her in conversation... for only the first five minutes.

When he does start speaking, he doesn't ask any questions.

"Love is a fickle thing," he says. "Can't live with it; can't live without it."

Rachel breathes out slowly. "Which would you rather have?" she asks.

"With," he says with zero hesitation. "Definitely, with. Life just makes so much more sense when you're in love."

"What happens when you're not?"

"Chaos," he says.

Rachel nods because, yeah, that's exactly what this feels like.

Complete and utter chaos.

.

When Kurt arrives, he looks both sympathetic and pissed off. Rachel can barely look him in the eye because, yes, her dirty laundry has been spread around school in all the worst ways. Everyone is going to read her deepest thoughts; her secrets. It's heartbreaking and terrifying, and she breaks down completely when Kurt wraps his arms around her. Ignoring the looks of their patrons, and Juniper and Marty, he leads her into the back of the kitchen and just holds her.

This was never how it was supposed to be. Rachel had it all planned. There was a 'Big Reveal' in the works, and she even enlisted the help of Kurt, Derek, Lorna, Apollo and Aldo. This entire day has just thrown that all out the window.

Rachel clutches onto Kurt's shirt, wrinkling the fabric. "Is she okay?" she asks, her voice catching.

"She sent me a message an hour ago," he explains quietly. "Said she wasn't feeling well, and she wasn't going to make it tonight. I tried to offer... something, but - " he stops, suddenly unsure what he's going to say. "I don't even know how to make this better, Rachel. For either of you. I don't know what to do. What do I do? What can I do?"

She has no answers for him, or for herself, so she just buries her face in the crook of his neck and cries for all the ways everything is falling apart.

"I just don't understand," he says after a long while. "Quinn is a literal genius. How could she not know it's you?"

Rachel shifts slightly, wiping at her eyes. "Maybe, at some level, she does," she says. "Subconsciously, probably. I think her brain is just refusing to make the link, to protect her or something. I know, when I figured it out, I couldn't believe how I missed it. I suspect it'll be the same for her."

Kurt manages a smile. "I can't wait to tease you both about this," he says softly... but they both know. If there's one thing the two of them are absolutely certain about: it's only a matter of time now.

Before Rachel's officially outed.

Before Quinn learns she's Little Star.

Before Quinn really hates her.

Before Rachel hates herself.

.

When Kurt's shift starts, Rachel manages to pull herself together enough to give off the impression that she isn't completely falling apart. Even though she is. She splashes her face with ice cold water, smoothes down her hair, and then packs up her things to leave. She places a grateful kiss against Kurt's cheek, tells Juniper not to worry, and then heads home. She knows her fathers won't be there, which is both a disappointment and a relief. She wants their comfort, but she also doesn't want to have to explain herself.

Rachel thinks she's cried enough for one day but, on the way home, the tears start up again. She's forced to pull over to calm herself, and then finally makes her way home. She's exhausted and hurting, and she has no idea what she's supposed to do to fix this for Quinn and for herself. It takes a full fifteen minutes, but she's able to get back on the road. She has a plan.

She'll get home and force herself to -

Okay, so whatever plan she thinks she may or may have gets completely derailed the second she pulls into the driveway.

Because, well, Quinn Fabray is right there, standing on her porch, and clearly waiting for her.