A/N: Thank you so much for all the alerts/reviews/favorites. Those notices really do make my day. Keep them coming! And I promise we wil get back to the present SOON. Probably one more chapter, then we'll leave this flashback. Let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Quinn's day passed relatively uneventful. Other than that with each passing AP class she was wishing she had signed up for honors instead, not much happened. Sure, some people stared at her still, but she was so used to that from last year, it didn't bother her anymore.

Plus, she was now in classes with the "intellectual crowd" of McKinley, and these kids honestly didn't seem to care she was an unwed teenage mother. They seemed genuinely interested in getting the best education Lima had to offer, and even Quinn could appreciate that.

Though she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life yet, these classes would at least put her on the right track. Cheerleading and coasting through school was not good enough for Beth. Or Rachel.

Or me, Quinn mused as she made her way to her locker between classes to stow away her AP Bio book, which was about the size of four books combined. She checked her phone, though it hadn't gone off since after first period, when Rachel informed her Puck was indeed not in school and her phone was about to die. They had passed each other in the hall several times, but never long enough to really talk. The first day was busy for everyone, and even the normal cliques of high school hadn't found each other yet. Quinn hadn't even seen Brittany or Santana.

She shut the locker, turned around and was faced with three people: Kurt, Mercedes and Mike.

Odd, but whatever.

"Hey guys. What's up?" Quinn said casually; already turning down the hall to get to her last class before Glee.

"We're walking to Spanish and haven't seen you all day. You want to join us?" Mercedes said, smile on her face. Quinn smiled back; she really did owe this girl.

"I'm not in Spanish anymore. I tested out of it."

"What? How?"

"They let me take a test over the summer and Rachel wrote the school a letter why it was unnecessary for me to take the class since I would be focusing on higher academics from now on. So, yeah. I have AP Chem now. Yay me." Quinn finished lamely.

"AP Chem? Who are you and where is Quinn Fabray?" Kurt said, smug look on his face, as if he thought this was a big joke.

"Yeah, Quinn. What's with the schedule? You have no classes with any of us." Mercedes asked as the first bell rang.

"I know. It just didn't work out that way. I gotta get my act together with Beth and all. I figured getting a head start on college wouldn't be so bad."

"Yeah, but you're in classes with all the losers now."

"Are you going to join the Math team too?"

Quinn couldn't believe what she was hearing. These were the same kids who had been teased and bullied all last year for being in Glee, and now they were teasing her for being smart and actually making an effort?

Wasn't that like reverse discrimination or something? She so didn't have time to deal with this crap.

"Listen, think whatever you want to, but I have to get to class. I'll see you all in Glee."

With that, she turned on her heel and did the best imitation of a Rachel Berry storm out she could muster.

Last year's Quinn would have been embarrassed and tried to downplay the situation, saying her parents were making her take the classes. Last year's Quinn would have worried about her reputation being tainted by taking classes with the geeks and nerds of the school. Last year's Quinn would probably have come up with an excuse why she couldn't handle the workload and had a new schedule by the end of the firs t day. Last year's Quinn didn't care much about the future beyond Friday night's game.

But today, as she took her seat in AP Chem and returned the confused looks of the six other students with a smile, Quinn cared. She cared Beth had a mom she could be proud of. She cared Rachel had a passion that drove every decision she ever made. She cared she didn't have a zeal like that, other than taking care of Beth. She cared enough to load up on a ridiculously hard schedule to figure out what she was supposed to do with her life. She cared enough not to care about her reputation anymore. And she certainly cared about the future and making sure it included Beth and Rachel.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rachel finally slowed down enough to breathe as she made her way into her beloved choir room. Her whole day had flown by, she hadn't been slushied once and she was just overall bouncy. She was pretty sure she was flying high on adrenaline and caffeine and would crash rather badly tonight. She just (not entirely unselfishly) hoped Beth was better and they all would get some sleep tonight.

She had seen the entirety of the Glee club throughout her classes, sans Puck of course. Finn told her nonchalantly during lunch that he was in juvenile detention. Rachel almost dropped her tray on the floor, immediately thinking of Quinn, who had a different lunch period this year. Finn just kept walking through the line, talking like Puck's situation wasn't a big deal or unexpected.

Well, I guess it isn't entirely unexpected, Rachel grimaced as she made it to the choir room first. She just hoped she would be able to break the news to Quinn and that the blonde hadn't heard yet. She had enough on her mind and didn't need yet another thing to worry about.

As the Glee kids filtered in the room, Rachel's thoughts shifted to the year ahead. They had so much work to do if they wanted to place for Nationals this year. Julliard's application process for early admission began soon. Rachel knew she probably should have a back-up plan, or at least another college in New York she would consider, but she decided to focus on Julliard first. When she got admitted through early admission, all would be well.

Finn took the seat next to her, where he had been all last year. He swung his long lanky arm over the back of her seat, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. As if they hadn't just spent a whole summer not talking.

She shook her head slightly and muttered, "Men", under her breath.

Another item to add to her list: tell Finn she definitely wasn't interested anymore. Hopefully that could wait just a little while.

"Hey Rach, how was the rest of your day?" Finn asked her, using a tone that told her it wouldn't wait.

"It was fine. I don't think academically this year will be very challenging. Which is great because it will allow me to focus all my efforts on my family and on Julliard's early acceptance process."

Even Finn noticed that Julliard wasn't first on Rachel's list. He gave her an odd look.

"Your family? Your dads? That's cool, I guess."

"Yes, but I guess I meant Beth and Quinn mostly. Beth can be quite the handful. Just this weekend, she…" Rachel started out grinning, only to be cut off by Finn holding his large hands up.

"Hold up, what do you mean? You think she's your family now?"

All of the club and Mr. Shue, except Quinn, had arrived by now and weren't even pto listen in subtlety. They were as much interested in Rachel's answer as Finn was.

"What makes you think that's any of your business?" Quinn's voice sounded from the door. She looked out of breath, but still sounded as confident as she had been in her best HBIC days. Rachel shot her a grateful smile.

Will Shuester took this as his cue to actually take charge of his club for at least this first meeting of the year and began a standard "Welcome Back" speech. Most of the students turned to him and looked like they were listening.

Quinn was never so grateful for Mr. Shue's cheesy speeches as she was then. She really did not want to get into an argument her first day. And definitely not with Finn, who was obviously still pining over Rachel. Her Rachel. Definitely unacceptable. But they had agreed to take it slow and she had no real status as girlfriend she could throw into the boy's face. Yet.

She gave a barely there nod to Santana and Brittany before moving further into the room and taking the seat on Rachel's other side.

She gave the brunette's forearms a light squeeze and leaned into her to whisper, "You are my family."

Rachel looked up at her, brown eyes losing themselves in the hazel one. She couldn't believe they were having this moment now, in the middle of Glee club, in the middle of one of Mr. Shue's ridiculously predictable speeches.

She took Quinn's hand gently from her arm, and whispered, "Later, we'll talk at home," back to the blonde, who was so quickly becoming her life.

Quinn nodded, shot Finn one last glance and then focused on Mr. Shue, who seemed to be finishing up.

Yes, this is going to be an interesting year, both girls thought as their teacher laid out his plans for them to place at Nationals this year.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The meeting ended and Quinn told Rachel she'd catch up with her in the parking lot. She wanted to at least say hello to her old teammates and make some type of effort to be friends with them. Rachel nodded in agreement and watched the blonde leave the room. She was left alone with Finn, who obviously had lingered to talk to her.

Was he really wanting to do this now? On their first day back?

"Finn, you clearly have something on your mind. Contrary to popular belief, I do not have a sixth sense and I'm rather tired today, so could you just tell me what you're thinking about?" Rachel finished, sounding irritated even to her. She sighed, silently cursing herself.

It wasn't Finn's fault she was exhausted. It was just life.

"Rach, what's going on? You're never like this. "

"Like what?"

"Short with people, with me. It's not like you."

She sighed again. What did she ever see in him?

She closed her eyes, and turned away as she gathered her things to walk out of the room.

"Finn, if you're just going to insult me, I'd rather not have this conversation. Quinn's waiting. Beth's been sick and I'm sure she's anxious to get home."

"See, that's exactly what I mean. Quinn doesn't care about you, how can you put her before yourself like this? And Beth? How can you help her take care of that kid, after what she did to Puck? And to me?" He all but spat out Beth's name.

And Rachel forgot her manners. She forgot she ever thought she could love him. She forgot everything but her love for that little girl. She dropped her bag and whipped around, index finger raised at Finn.

"Listen, and listen good, Finn Hudson. Don't ever use that tone again when you talk about Beth, not to me, especially not to Quinn. I will walk away right now from you and forget any sort of relationship we ever had. If Quinn were here, you would probably not be so lucky. From now one we are co-captains of this club, nothing else. That little girl has brought nothing but joy in my life. How dare you question that? You have no clue what this summer has been like. No one from this club, our supposed friends, bothered to stop by, or call. Except Mercedes. So do not assume you know me, Finn. And to answer your earlier question, yes Quinn and Beth are family now. And you should know better than to mock that."

Finn just looked at her, dumbfounded, as if he was having trouble processing the words that shot out of her mouth.

But Rachel wasn't done.

"And just so we're really clear – whatever you were planning on asking me before you insulted my family. Forget about it. We are done, so done. I am not interested. Not now, or ever. So please don't try. I mean it."

With that, she grabbed her bag and made her way out the choir room, leaving him behind. She let the door shut behind her and all but ran into Quinn. The blonde smiled, clearly having been privy to her spat with Finn.

Quinn raised an amused eyebrow.

"So – you're not interested, huh?"

"What? Yes, oh you mean, him? How long have you been standing there?" Rachel was flustered, unsure what to say. What was this blonde doing to her? Rachel Berry was never flustered.

"Long enough to hear you defend Beth and call me family and shut down Finn before he could even say anything. You always had a way with words, beautiful."

Rachel melted.

"You know, if you keep calling me that, I might start believing it."

"Good. It's true."

Rachel melted some more. And blushed for good measure.

"Well, I'm glad you think so. Now, can we go? I really don't feel like running into him again today."

"Yeah. Hiram actually just texted me that he was home already and Beth's doing much better. He said we should all be able to sleep tonight. Let's hope he's right."

"Yes, I sure hope so. I'm fading fast. I don't even feel like singing."

Quinn looked at her like the world was coming to an end.

"My child is ruining Rachel Berry's future stardom. Maybe we should move out." She said with a dramatic tone in her voice.

"Hey – don't even joke about that. It's not funny."

Quinn just laughed. "Oh, I don't think you can rid of us now, even if you wanted to."

"That will never happen. You can believe me on that one."

"Okay, then. Now, get in. I miss my baby."

"God, so bossy."

"I'll show you bossy."

And as the Audi peeled out of the empty lot, Rachel wished she hadn't bickered with the blonde so much because her driving was always worst when that happened.