I know, I know. I won't bore you with my list of excuses. For those of you who are reading my other story, I'll be working on the next chapter of that next. Also, don't worry. I don't have plans to stop writing either of them, and if I do, I'll tell you guys. I hate unfinished stories, but I hate not knowing if they'll ever be finished even more.
As always, please review afterwards :)
"Miss Fabray? You have a visitor."
At the sound of the nurse's voice, Quinn almost tumbled out of her chair. She quickly recollected herself as she felt herself starting to blush.
Before she had been so rudely interrupted, she'd been trying to balance on the two back wheels of her chair. Artie had been in a few days earlier to talk with her, and she'd seen him doing it a few times. Of course, she'd never try in front of him, but while alone in her room she was more than tempted.
"Come in," she muttered, very much annoyed at the intrusion. Then again, all she seemed to feel anymore was annoyance. She expected her mother, who had forgotten her coat that morning, or Santana and Brittany, who both seemed to be appearing more often.
She did not expect a nervous Rachel Berry.
"Hello, Quinn," Rachel greeted softly, smiling at the blonde. She blanched slighly when she realized Quinn was in the wheelchair, recalling the last time the chair had been a topic of conversation between the two of them. "I see you're feeling well."
Quinn nodded, waiting to see what it was the brunette wanted. Rachel fidgeted at her spot in the doorway when the silence grew. Quickly growing bored with their interaction, Quinn sighed and rolled towards the door.
"Wh-where are you going?" Rachel asked, turning to let Quinn out of the room.
"Around the children's ward," Quinn answered. When she saw the confused look on Rachel's face, she added, "Doctor's orders."
"May I… accompany you?" Rachel asked, fully expecting to be shot down. Quinn, not really in the mood for visitors, opened her mouth to tell the small brunette to get lost, until she met Rachel's eyes. She didn't remember Berry's eyes getting so big. Did that happen in the two and a half years lost in her head too? Whatever the case, something about those big brown eyes made Quinn unable to say no, no matter how much she wanted to. There was obviously still something wrong in her head. She'd have to ask the doctors to look at it again.
"Sure, whatever," she replied flippantly, already making her way down the hallway. She missed the way Rachel's face lit up, but she could still hear the girl's penny loafers against the linoleum as she caught up with her.
"Why have they put you in the child's ward?" Rachel inquired absentmindedly, peering into the different rooms as they passed by. Thankfully, there were no tiny, sick children sleeping in their beds like she had pictured in her imagination.
"I'm not an adult yet," Quinn replied, paying little attention to the passing rooms. Truthfully, her mind was more focused on Rachel ─ er, Finn ─ because of what Santana had told her yesterday. The Latina had recounted the tale of her "coming out" with a generous amount of bitterness and anger.
"I even thanked him after he sang that dumbass song in glee," Santana had spat out, "I don't know what the hell I was thinking."
Later, Brittany told Quinn that she had asked Santana to play nice, for all of their sakes. The blonde hadn't wanted it to come between Santana and Rachel's, and even Quinn and Rachel's friendships. She didn't elaborate much, leaving Quinn with a few questions.
The biggest one being why the girl walking next to her had actuallystuck by Finn after he did something like that. Quinn wasn't all that surprised by Finn's actions. She remembered him being an ok guy, but he wasn't exactly the smartest person out there and he did have a problem with speaking before thinking. No, Quinn was more confused by the fact that Rachel had stayed him, after he had publicly outed one of her good friends (it still felt weird for Quinn to think that Santana was even friends Rachel, let alone good friends).
Not that Quinn really cared about Finn and Rachel's relationship, but still, she had to admit she was a tiny bit curious.
"So they have you doing these exercises every day?" Rachel asked, desperate to find a topic of conversation. She hated long silences, but she was also afraid that she'd somehow set Quinn off again.
Quinn nodded. "Plus some other physical therapy things," she added without realizing it. She shut her mouth quickly, hoping that the other girl wouldn't latch on to her reply. She did.
"Oh! And how's that going?"
"It's fine," Quinn responded curtly, wanting to end whatever conversation they were beginning. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rachel deflate slightly. Something ached in her chest, but she put it off as exertion.
After another moment of awkward silence, Rachel tried again. "Noah told me that he came to visit you."
"Really," Quinn replied flatly, tensing up. She knew where this conversation would lead, and the last person she wanted to talk about Beth with was Rachel. She knew that she had given Beth to Rachel's biological mother, but she wasn't planning on bonding with the brunette over it anytime soon.
"Yes and he told me that you were making progress with your memory," Rachel continued on, sparing a few nervous glances in the blonde's direction. Quinn refused to make eye contact in case it encouraged Rachel. "He said that you recalled some things about Beth after he showed you a picture of her."
Quinn shrugged, feigning indifference. "I guess I remembered a few things." She wanted to hate hearing her daughter's name coming from Rachel Berry's mouth, but instead she found it sort of pleasant. Maybe have the doctors check twice...
"That's great, Quinn," Rachel offered. Quinn could practically hear the "but" that was about to come. "But…"
'Here it comes,' Quinn thought to herself, getting ready to shoot her down. The prospect of saying "no" to Rachel wasn't as sweet as she remembered, but whatever, she'd take what she could get.
"…I was wondering if that picture I gave you helped with your memory at all," Rachel finished, looking down at Quinn nervously.
"What?" Quinn asked, almost forgetting to keep pushing her chair forward. She wasn't really expecting that question. What picture?
"The picture I gave you a few weeks ago. Did it help at all with your memory?"
A few weeks ago…? Oh. She must be talking about the one that Quinn had ripped into tiny little pieces at first glance. Quinn briefly considered what the brunette's face would look like if she told her she'd thrown that photo out. She assumed it would look very similar to Rachel's face after a slushy attack. She considered telling her, but the last thing she wanted was for the emotional girl to start crying in the middle of the hallway. And maybe she'd feel a bit guilty too. But only a tiny bit.
"Um, no, sorry," Quinn said instead, watching Rachel's hopeful smile fall. Before she knew what she was doing, she blurted out, "But it was a nice picture." 'God, Fabray, what are you doing?' she mentally berated herself as the girl next to her smiled.
"It's one of my favorites," Rachel said, almost absentmindedly. Quinn was busy being stuck in her head to respond, so the two fell into a slightly more comfortable silence. The blonde could easily ask about what the context of the photograph was, but that would mean she was interested. And she wasn't interested... mostly.
Rachel began thinking out loud, trying to fill the silence. "I wonder why you responded to Beth's picture and not the one I gave you. Perhaps it has to do with the connection a mother and daughter have being stronger than just a simple memory. After all, you did carry her for 9 months, not to mention you experienced a rather abrupt separation right after the traumatic experience of giving birth. Though I suppose it's still a little early to..."
Quinn grew more and more annoyed as the nervous brunette rambled on. She really didn't want to hear about the "maternal connection" that she herself had not remembered until a few weeks ago. She was tired, and conversing with Rachel was a lot more work than she'd thought it be. All she wanted to do was finish the lap, go to her room, and sleep.
"Perhaps you should have the doctors look into this photograph phenomenon. I've read quite a bit on amnesia and people who recovered their memories, and―"
"Oh my god, RuPaul, shut up! Maybe I didn't remember anything because I ripped it apart as soon as you gave it to me!" Quinn snapped, stopping her wheelchair. Rachel stopped too, lowering her head to look at the ground. The ex-cheerleader watched the brunette's small hands clasp each other, and she actually felt bad. She took a deep breath because this was going to be slightly difficult.
"Look, I'm sorry, Rachel. That was really uncalled for. I'm just... tired, I guess," she apologized as best she could.
"It's quite alright, Quinn," Rachel said, but she kept her gaze on the ground. Quinn sighed.
"Really, Rachel. I shouldn't have said that. Please don't start crying or anything like that." Ok, so she wouldn't be winning any awards for best apology, big deal, she was trying at least. Rachel took a moment before looking back up at Quinn, her eyes a little wet. She took a deep breath and surreptitiously wiped her eyes.
"Can I ask why you ripped the picture?" Rachel asked, her tone hurt and, to Quinn's surprise, a little sarcastic. The blonde started feeling uncomfortable and looked away. She really didn't know why she had torn it into pieces, but she didn't really want to analyze why she'd done it either.
"I was in a bad mood, I guess," Quinn shrugged. She started moving forward again just for something else to do.
"Oh."
The expression on Rachel's face forced the next words out of Quinn's mouth. "If you have another copy, you could always give it to me again."
"Really?" her eyes brightened but she remained cautious. "Are you sure that wouldn't be bothering you?"
'Probably' "Not really."
"Wonderful," Rachel beamed. "Is there a preferable day or time that you would like me to bring it over?"
It was just one stupid picture but Rachel was treating it like it was a formal contract or something. And wasn't she just about to cry? Quinn already had gotten whiplash from the accident; she didn't need to get it again by trying to keep up with Rachel Berry's many emotions.
"Monday would work," Quinn shrugged.
"Oh," Rachel had been hoping for sometime sooner. "Ok. Why so far from now, if you don't mind me asking?"
Quinn sighed. "I'll be home by then. They're releasing me in a couple of days."
"Really:?" Rachel squealed, gaining the attention of a few doctors and nurses. "That is excellent news! Does that mean you'll be back at school soon?"
"They said I could go back the week after I go home."
"I'm so excited for you! I'm sure you can't wait to be back home!"
"Sure."
"This really is great news," Rachel beamed as she and Quinn reached the blonde's room. She clapped a few times in excitement, unable to contain herself. Quinn caught herself smiling at the girl's contagiously positive attitude. She was actually pretty adorable when she got excited...
"Knock knock."
Both girls turned at the sound of Judy Fabray's voice.
"Quinnie, do you feel like going down to the cafeteria today for lunch? It's much better than this boring old room, and they have BLTs— oh, Rachel! I didn't know you were here!" Judy greeted her enthusiastically. Much to the surprise of her daughter, she hugged the brunette with unrestrained affection. "It's nice to see you again, dear."
"It's nice to see you too, Ju— Ms. Fabray." Rachel cast an unsure look at Quinn, who was still a little surprised at the pair's interaction.
"Uh-uh," Judy tutted, "You know as well as anyone that it is Judy. None of that 'Ms. Fabray" nonsense. Now, did you come here just to make me feel old?"
"I was actually just taking a walk with Quinn, but seeing two Fabray women just makes the trip that much more worthwhile," Rachel easily bantered back. Quinn honestly had no idea how to react to the way her mother and her not-really-but-kinda friend were speaking with each other. It was definitely weird, to say the least.
"Do you want to join us for lunch? I'm sure they have something for you vegans." Both of Quinn's eyebrows were raised now. Her mother knew Rachel Berry's dietary preferences.
Rachel glanced over and noticed the discomfort on Quinn's face. "Thank you for the invite, Judy, however my fathers are expecting me home."
"Oh, tell Hiram and Leroy that I say hello!"
"I'll be sure to give them your message." Rachel smiled before turning to Quinn. "I had a lovely time walking around with you, Quinn. I'm so glad that things are working out well for you."
"Bye, Rachel!" Judy said as Rachel walked out of the room. All Quinn managed to do was give a half-hearted wave at the last second. Once it was just the two blondes, Quinn stared at her mother incredulously.
"I do miss that girl, Quinn. You really should start spending more time with her again," Judy stated offhandedly, a smile on her face as she looked at the doorway. Quinn gaped at her.
"Are you serious right now?"
Judy turned her head in the younger blonde's direction. "Of course I'm serious. Don't look at me like that."
"What the hell was that? Since when have you and Rachel Berry been so buddy-buddy?" Quinn demanded, finally finding her voice again.
"Watch your language, young lady. I know you are a little confused right now but that doesn't mean you can act like a child," Judy chastised.
"How else am I supposed to act when my mother and a girl I hate are acting like best friends?" Quinn demanded.
"There's a lot of things you need to realize, Lucy Quinn, and being stubborn about it will only make it that much harder for you. Rachel Berry is a wonderful girl. She doesn't deserve to be treated the way you've treated her," Judy answered back sternly. At the sound of her given name, Quinn recoiled slightly. She crossed her arms petulantly, wishing that her mother's words didn't ring so true.
Judy smiled slightly at the chastised look on Quinn's face before turning and walking back towards the door. She paused after a few steps and turned her head.
"Are you going to join accompany me to the cafeteria today, or are you going to sulk in your room?"
When she was met with silence, she merely shrugged and started walking again. "Suit yourself. I believe tuna casserole is on the menu for today."
Quinn bit her lip, struggling to choose between bruising her ego or letting her stomach suffer. In the end, food won. She sighed and started rolling out of the room, trying to catch up with her mother.
Rachel stepped into her house feeling very pleased with herself. Her visit with Quinn had gone rather well, or as well as she could expect. Quinn hadn't called her any nicknames once, which Rachel saw as progress from the last visit. Quinn had even invited her to her house at the end, which was pleasantly surprising. All in all, she called today a huge success.
"Dad. Daddy," she greeted her fathers happily, kissing each of them on the cheek as she entered the kitchen.
"Someone's in a good mood," Leroy teased. "I take it your trip to the hospital went well?
Rachel grabbed an apple and a water bottle and sat down at the table before answering. "Quite well. The doctors already have Quinn in her wheelchair and moving about! She even says she'll be released within the next few days!"
"That's excellent news, sweetheart," Hiram responded, smiling at his daughter's obvious excitement.
"Mm-hmm," she hummed through a bite of her apple. Her fathers waited for her to swallow, knowing she probably had more to say than a simple "mm-hmm". "I'm bringing the picture I gave to her a few weeks ago to her house on Monday."
"Doesn't she already have it though?" Leroy asked, confused.
"It got thrown out the day I brought it over," Rachel replied, nonchalantly. Leroy exchanged a look with his husband, who looked slightly concerned as well.
"Sweetie," Leroy started gently, "Was Quinn the one who threw it out?"
"Well, yes." Rachel answered before quickly adding, "But she told me she was sorry. She was very emotional that day, so it is understandable."
Hiram smiled at his daughter. "Just be careful, honey. We don't want to see you get hurt."
"I am being careful, dad. Quinn was the one who suggested I bring it over again. Please don't worry about me. I can deal with this," Rachel stated, throwing her now empty water bottle in the recycling and the core of her apple in the trash. She flashed her parents a winning smile. "I'm going upstairs to finish my homework."
She hurried up the stairs before either of her fathers started to rain on her parade again.
The sound of the doorbell rang through the Fabray household. Quinn heard her mother rushing around trying to fix the house up one last time before answering the door. 'Judy Fabray, always 'the hostess with the mostest', Quinn thought to herself idly.
"Oh, hello, Rachel! It's been some time since you've been over here, dear," Quinn heard her mother exclaim after opening the door. Quinn was confused for a second, before realizing that Rachel had been over to her house many times before; she just couldn't remember.
"Afternoon, Judy. It really has been awhile, hasn't it?" Rachel's polite voice easily carried through the house to Quinn's room on the second floor.
When she'd come back home, there had been no place for Quinn to sleep on the first floor and be comfortable, so her mother had a motorized chair installed on the staircase. It was utterly humiliating having to go up and down the stairs like a geriatric old man, but it was better than having to sleep on the couch. But only just.
Quinn closed her eyes and blocked out the pleasantries being exchanged between her mother and Rachel. She suspected the brunette could find her way to her room in no time; all she'd have to do was wait.
Not two minutes later, she heard a knock on the door.
"It's unlocked," she called out, keeping her eyes closed. She was lying on her bed, just like she had been all day. The door opened slowly, no doubt because Rachel was poking her head in first.
"Hello, Quinn."
Her overly formal way of speaking irked Quinn, but she chose not to comment and simply grunted softly in recognition. See? She could play nice.
"Have you been enjoying your time back home?" Rachel asked, slipping through the doorway and closing the door behind her.
'Not really.' "The only changes are the scenery and more comfortable pillows," Quinn responded, cracking one eye open to finally look at her guest. Rachel stood near her door in a light dress, her hair straightened perfectly, smiling softly at her.
"I'm sorry to hear that,:" she said, her lips quirked up in an amused smile.
Quinn shrugged. "It's not like I can do much besides lay around anyway. I'd be just as miserable anywhere else."
Rachel shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. 'Well, at least now you have school work," she offered brightly, holding up a folder. Quinn arched her eyebrow, fighting the urge to mock the odd girl. Rachel watched her struggle and sighed. "I was kidding."
"Oh," Quinn replied, giving her a strained smile and a short laugh. The amount of awkward in the room was stifling. Quinn went back to staring at the ceiling, if only for something else to do.
Looking for something to break the tension, Rachel started moving throughout the already familiar room. The walls were a light green, the bed sheets a simple white, just like she remembered. There were two bookcases on the other side of the bed, one already filled and the other well on its way. A brochure for Yale was pinned onto the bulletin board above Quinn's desk. Nothing had changed, and yet everything was different.
Quinn watched the girl curiously. The tiny brunette was currently reading the spines of Quinn's book, some of which Quinn didn't recognize. It was almost like Rachel was more familiar with her room than Quinn was.
An idea struck Rachel as her eyes landed on Quinn's desk. "A ha!" she exclaimed, rushing over and picking something up out of Quinn's sight.
"What?" The sudden movement startled Quinn, who realized just how long she'd been watching the brunette without saying anything.
"Have you taken a look at any of the things on your desk?" Rachel asked, her back to Quinn.
"Not really... why?" Quinn questioned. She knew Rachel had weird tendencies, but the question was random even for her. The brunette spun around and held up two picture frames.
The first one she held was a picture of two girls sitting on a bench, looking at the sunset hanging over a lake. One girl had her arm around the other, their heads rested together. The picture only showed the back of the girls' heads, but Quinn was certain that the two girls were Brittany and Santana.
The second picture was almost exactly like the first, except that the angle it had been taken at was slightly different from the first. And this time, two different girls were sitting in place of Santana and Brittany. Their postures mirrored the first picture; the blonde, taller girl's arm around the shorter brunette. It took Quinn a moment to realize that the brunette was Rachel, and that she was the blonde. Suddenly, a new memory hit her.
(Takes place between The First Time and Mash Off)
It's November, but it's uncharacteristically warm today. Mid-seventies, in fact. Of course, no one wants to let perfect days like this go to waste, especially not Quinn, so she skipped school. She even managed to convince Rachel to skip with her, a first for the brunette. Neither Santana nor Brittany needed any convincing.
The four girls had arrived about an hour or two ago at a small lake that Quinn, Santana, and Brittany had found at the beginning of freshman year, after Coach Sylvester had all the Cheerios dropped off in a random forest and left to find their own ways out. Unsurprisingly, the "Unholy Trinity" were the first ones to get back to civilization, but not until after happening upon the lake. Since then, they'd go to the lake whenever they all had the chance.
As far as they know, the lake is their little secret. In the few years they'd been going, they'd never seen a single other person. Which means that they are free to act however they want and do whatever they want, without the scrutinizing eyes of other people on them. This knowledge is like a drug to Quinn, energizing her to be less like the person everyone expects, and more like the person she wants to be.
"What the f—," Santana's curse is cut off as her head goes underwater. Quinn laughs loudly and swims as fast as she can away. Santana had been sunbathing on top of an inflatable floatie; at least, she was until Quinn dumped her out of it.
"QUINN FUCKING FABRAY! VOY A MATARTE!"
Santana is seething, and maybe Quinn's been out in the sun for too long, but she swears she can see the water evaporating off the enraged girl. Luckily for Quinn, she's a terrific swimmer.
She takes a glance at the shore for a brief moment. Brittany is giggling at her girlfriend, who is trying to wade her way over to Quinn. Rachel, who had been reading a book before, is currently looking up at her and shaking her head with a small smile on her face.
"COME BACK HERE!" Santana yells, droplets of water flying everywhere. Quinn waits until the Latina gets close, but still a safe distance away, before swimming away again. Santana growls and slaps at the water in frustration. Quinn can hear her mumbling obscenities in Spanish as she gets out of the water and goes directly to Brittany, who's holding a towel out for her.
Quinn chuckles and floats on her back. She loves days like this, with the water cool and clear, and the sun shining on her face. They remind her of being a child during the summer, when nothing mattered except having fun. She'd be content staying like this for the rest of her life.
"Quinn!" she hears Rachel call out distantly. She'd be content hearing that voice for the rest of her life too.
"Quinnn!" Rachel calls out again. Quinn stands upright in the water and looks toward the brunette, who is waving her arms and pointing somewhere beyond the blonde. "The floatie!"
"What?" Quinn yells back, pretending she can't hear Rachel. She loves getting Rachel worked.
"The floatie! Get the floatie!"
"What? Rach, I can't hear you." Quinn says, shaking her head as if water is clogging her ears. "Come closer."
Rachel huffs in frustration, but complies, moving until she's at the very edge of the rocks surrounding the lake. Quinn makes her way over to the edge too, a plan already forming in her head. She squints up at the brunette against the glaring sun and her hair out of her face.
"Quinn, I know you can hear me perfectly fine. That floatie keeps going farther and farther out. Unless you want to lose it, I suggest you go get it."
"What? What floatie?" Quinn asks, turning her head in different directions.
Rachel looks up and points at the pink floatation device currently drifting further and further away. "That floa—"
And just like that, Quinn pulls her into the water. She grabs her around the knees and brings them both underwater, making sure to keep Rachel's head away from the rocks. Rachel is flailing around in her arms and shrieking, though Quinn can only hear her because she's underwater as well. Rachel pulls away from her and tries to right herself. They emerge at around the same time.
"You are so childish, Quinn Fabray! An utterly incorrigible, tiresome nuisance! I can't believe you!"
Quinn is too busy laughing hysterically to hear much of what Rachel is saying. She flips her hair from off her face and tries to calm down, shaking the water out of her eyes. An annoyed huff from Rachel brings her gaze upward and knocks whatever breath she had left right out of her.
Rachel, even after being dragged into the water, looks breathtaking. Lightly defined ab muscles flex in and out as she catches her breath. Dark tendrils of hair wrap around her torso, almost past her shoulders; her hair really is getting quite long. Small droplets of water drip down perfectly tanned skin, catching the sunlight as they go. What Quinn wouldn't do to be able to kiss those tiny droplets off of her...
"Are you listening, Quinn?"
"Sorry, Rach," Quinn snaps out of her Rachel Berry-induced haze. She needs to get out of the sun. "I've still got water in my ear."
"Don't you dare try that with me again! I know for a fact that you can hear me perfectly well! Now apologize!"
"For what?" Quinn asks innocently.
"'For what'? For pulling me into the water!"
"You fell in," Quinn responds, looking at Rachel with wide eyes. "Which was really dangerous, by the way. You should be more careful."
"I did not fall in! You pulled me!" Rachel cries out, lunging at Quinn, who easily dodges her.
"That's not true," Quinn says, but her laughter has already given her away. Rachel continues to try and tackle her, with Quinn managing to avoid her grasp each time, until the blonde's foot slips on something underwater. Rachel's hands make contact and dunks Quinn underwater.
Even beneath the water's surface, Quinn can hear Rachel laughing loudly, and wraps her arms around the brunette's waist. Her fingers slip over Rachel's slick skin, but she manages to lift up from under her and bring the tiny girl over her shoulder. Laughter turns into playful shrieks as Rachel slaps at Quinn's back.
"Put me down!"
"Are you going to tackle me again?" Quinn smiles when she feels Rachel shaking her head. "Promise?"
"I promise I won't tackle you again, Fabray," Rachel huffs in exasperation. Quinn chuckles, but places the brunette down gently, making sure she doesn't slip.
"That was mean," Rachel pouts dramatically, arms akimbo.
"That was fun," Quinn corrects, sticking her tongue out. She's met with an eye roll and a quick turn towards the shore. She follows behind Rachel dutifully.
"I wasn't supposed to get wet!" Rachel whines.
"You'll survive," Quinn responds distractedly, more focused on the way Rachel's bikini bottoms have ridden up slightly.
They make it to the edge of the water and climb out. Rachel rushes over to where she was sitting before being pulled into the lake and grabs a towel, wrapping it around herself. Quinn grabs her own and they both sit down on the grass, looking out at the water.
The sun is beginning to set, but Quinn isn't ready to leave. Neither is Rachel apparently, who just leans against Quinn, resting her head on the blonde's shoulder. It's turned peaceful all of a sudden, only the sounds of a few birds chirping and the quiet murmurs and giggles of Santana and Brittany a few feet away fill the air. A soft sigh comes from beside Quinn.
"Did you have a good time?" Quinn asks, turning her head to face Rachel.
"The best," Rachel replies, turning her face as well. They're practically touching noses now, but all it does is send a harsh pang through Quinn's chest.
This moment isn't right. In a perfect world, Quinn could just lean in and kiss Rachel, but here, that's not Quinn's role to play. It's Finn's role. All Quinn is supposed to do is stand on the sidelines as her dream girl walks away. So she pulls back and stares at the sunset.
"Good," she whispers. She wonders if Rachel noticed the subtle change in her mood, but she doubts it. They go back to watching the sun sink further and further in the sky, its colors reflecting off the water. Quinn worries that Rachel might be falling asleep until...
"Where the hell did my floatie go?"
Their little bubble is broken, and they dissolve into giggles.
"We took those pictures right before we left," Rachel murmured distantly, running her fingertips over the frame absentmindedly. "Do you remember that day?"
"I remember," Quinn whispered, her mind reeling from the sudden appearance of the memory. Rachel's head snapped up immediately.
"What?"
Quinn looked up into hopeful brown eyes. "I—I remember that day." Just like when she remembered carrying Beth, the new memories were vividly detailed; she could remember almost everything about it. She remembered the drive to the lake and back, the way the water felt on her skin; but most of all, she remembered how utterly content she'd been that day. She hadn't felt that way in a long time; not since she started needed glasses in 5th grade. Especially not since she'd stopped being Lucy and started being Quinn.
She didn't realize she was crying until she felt tiny droplets fall onto the back of her hand. She quickly wiped her eyes, ignoring the ache in her chest at the similarity of her tears and the lake water on her skin.
"Quinn? Quinn what's wrong?" Rachel asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Nothing. I'm fine," Quinn muttered hastily, waving Rachel off. She didn't understand why she was getting so damn emotional over this.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Quinn snapped. She hadn't meant to; she really was trying to be nice to Rachel. But her first reaction to showing emotion would always be shutting down. That's how she was raised.
Rachel took a step back and nodded, falling silent. Quinn knew she should apologize for snapping, but she couldn't make herself do it. She felt like she was always apologizing to Rachel.
"Is there anything else?"
Rachel shook her head, putting the two pictures back on the desk. The folder of schoolwork and the other photo lay forgotten besides them. "Do you want me to go?" she asked.
Quinn nodded. She saw Rachel's disappointment, but the girl didn't argue and just moved towards the door.
"Wait," Quinn said suddenly. She hated the idea of spending the rest of the week with just her mother for company. And she was trying the whole "be nice to Rachel" thing, right? "Do you want to come over tomorrow?"
"What?"
"Do you want to come over tomorrow? I'm pretty sure I'll need help with some of that homework," Quinn said, her eyes glancing over to the folder at her desk. It was true. There was no way she'd be able to do her work when she couldn't remember anything she'd learnt in the past two and a half years.
"And you want me to help you?"
"I don't want to fail out of school," Quinn stated. It was the closest she could come to actually asking for help.
"I wouldn't want that either," Rachel replied, smiling again. "Of course I can help you with your school work."
"Thanks."
Rachel waited at the door for a moment before realizing Quinn was waiting for her to leave.
"Oh, sorry. I guess I'll go now."
"Bye, Rachel," Quinn said, only hesitating for a second. Rachel looked back and gave her a bright smile.
"Goodbye, Quinn. I'll see you tomorrow." And then she was out the door. Quinn listened to the sounds of her leaving; footsteps down the staircase, another short conversation with her mother, and finally, the slamming of the front door.
A soft sigh escaped Quinn's lips. Talking with Rachel was exhausting her. The sudden appearance of a new memory didn't help either. But at least conversing with Rachel no longer felt like pulling teeth anymore, Quinn had to admit. It was getting easier, a fact that worried Quinn, but also, to her surprise, made her a little bit happier.
She reached out and grabbed her iPod, hoping that maybe some loud music would be able to drown out her loud thoughts.
The next day at physical therapy, Quinn was able to make her entire left foot twitch.