Author's Note - Hey guys, I'm really sorry this has taken so long to get to you all but unfortunately school work has had me run off my feet lately. Anyway, hope the next chapter won't take nearly as to get to you all.

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Chapter 10

As the morning bell rang out at McKinley High, students began to slowly trickle in and fill the school's long hallways with the excited swapping of newly heard gossip along with the groans of discontent at having to drag themselves through another six hours of learning, much of which would no doubt be forgotten by the time the day's final bell had sounded. Had the students of McKinley not been so thoroughly absorbed in their own frivolous exchanges and paid further attention to the goings-on around them they would quite possibly have happened to witness the lingering glance cast by their fellow school mate, Quinn Fabray, in the direction of a petite young brunette as she scurried past, laden with a multitude of books for her day ahead, on her way towards her locker. The blonde's mouth lifted to form a soft smile on seeing Rachel work her way down the bustling foyer uttering an impatient "Excuse me," with each new person she passed. The small crinkle that had wormed its way onto the brunette's brow only deepened as she was jostled from every direction by an ever increasing stream of students which flowed in the opposite direction. At last, the shaky paper tower that she had so valiantly attempted to keep standing could take no more and, with a final jolt from a hurried jock, shivered itself into collapse with the brunette promptly following suit.

"Oh yes, this is exactly what I needed first thing in the morning. Thank you so much. Really," yelled Rachel sarcastically; whether her frustration was targeted towards the unfortunate jock (who had grumbled an apology with rolled eyes and quickly left the scene), or towards the now defunct stack of books sprawled before her was debatable. It was highly likely though that both would be subject to some rather harsh words later that evening when they appeared in the young diva's diary entry for the day.

Grumbling to herself under her breath, Rachel began to collect together her scattered books and the loose leaflet of paper that had flown wildly out of them. The brunette made sure to try her best to scuttle out of the main hallway and thus trampling distance of her fellow school mates (at least some of whom she was sure would have cherished the opportunity to kick her while she was down – quite literally). As she reached out to begin collecting her books, Rachel's hand brushed against the smooth, warm skin of another's. Her hand retracted defensively and her eyes darted north to determine whether this person was friend or foe, after all, one does not endure years of bullying without becoming at least a little wary of those around them. But her eyes were not met with any sign of harshness or ill wishing, instead she found herself staring into a pair of hazel eyes that carried only affection, as well as a slight glint of laughter.

"Hi," smiled Quinn warmly as she helped Rachel to gather her remaining books, bundling them up in her arms as she went. "How about I carry these for you? The coordination gods don't seem to be smiling on you too brightly on you today." She teased as she stood to her feet, not giving the brunette time for a refusal.

"Thanks," replied Rachel, laughing softly, any trace of anger she had previously been feeling quickly dwindling now she was in in the presence of the blonde.

The pair walked together down the hallway with its student population occupying the area slowly declining as people said their goodbyes to friends and reluctantly moved off to their first class of the day. Hands skimmed across hands once, twice, three times (an innocent enough gesture to passers by), as the girls strolled towards Rachel's locker where they too would part ways to begin their school day. At last they reached their destination and the smaller girl entered her combination to open the door to her locker. As the door swung open with only a slight creak of protest Quinn found herself breaking into a smile for the umpteenth time that morning. She had never had the opportunity to get a proper look into the brunette's locker before now but it was obvious to see, on first glance alone, that everything inside the small red box screamed of Rachel Berry. Golden stars adorned the interior side of the metallic door along with a feather boa framed face length mirror. Also visible was a collection of, what the blonde assumed were meant to be inspirational, words and phrases – Faith, Never Stop Shining, Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win. Yes, no one would ever doubt the owner of these belongings.

"Ready to go then?" asked Rachel, snapping the former cheerleader out of her own mind and back to reality. Nodding, Quinn turned to say her goodbyes to the smaller girl.

"I'll see you at lunch then?" she asked cheerfully, her hand playing absentmindedly with Rachel's soft, slender fingers that had found themselves intertwined together as they spoke. The brunette cast a quick glance down to where they hands were interlaced and smiled weakly at Quinn.

"Of course," The ex-cheerleader's brow creased in worry as she sensed the slight hesitation in the smaller girl's voice.

"Is everything ok, Rach?" she questioned tentatively. The brunette had been fine only moments before, yet now her body had stiffened faintly and her eyes began to dart nervously from the girl before her to the passing students and teachers surrounding the pair. Suddenly everything clicked into place for the blonde and she dropped Rachel's hand slowly from her own. "Are you scared of what people might say? About us?" she asked, her voice sounding somewhat harsher than she had meant. The young diva bowed her head, unable to force herself to keep eye contact with the Quinn.

"Yes," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. Quinn felt a pang in her chest at the brunette's words, regretting instantly having posed the question in the first place. As if she had heard the very crack that was now spreading through the blonde's heart, Rachel snapped her head up to face the braking blonde before her as she continued. "Oh no, Quinn, it's not like that, honest. It's just…" she broke off, unsure how to continue. "It's just that when you've seen just how cruel people can be like I have, you're not exactly eager to see that kind of treatment again in a hurry, you know?" The small diva was beginning to stress that Quinn may have gotten the entirely wrong idea. Stupid Rachel, you're just so stupid. Why would you go and say that to her? Look how crushed you've made her. Stupid girl…

"I know," Quinn sighed. "I know; I was one of those people Rachel. I was one of those cruel people who made you feel like that." Her voice was hardened as she fought against the oncoming tears that pricked at her eyes and threatened to fall.

The brunette's throat constricted as she forced herself to continue. "Quinn," she spoke as softly as she could manage while still making herself audible. Reaching forward, she placed her finger under the blonde's chin to bring their eyes to meet. "You listen to me Quinn Fabray. I don't want you thinking like that ever again, do you understand me? You were confused and hurting, I know that. But none of that matters now. I was only thinking of you Quinn," The former cheerleader's brow wrinkled in confusion at Rachel's words.

"Me? What do you mean?"

"I'm used to being the victim, the butt of everyone's joke. I'm okay with it. But seeing you treated like that, even for a minute, would kill me." Rachel's eyes shone with worry as she waited for the blonde to respond.

Quinn was silent for what seemed an age until suddenly she burst out laughing. The smaller girl looked on, confused. Only moments before the blonde had been on the verge of a breakdown and now her she was laughing her head off. Had Rachel missed something?

"Oh Rachel, honey, I can handle myself. Trust me, if I can carry around a growing fat suit on me for 9 month, I'm sure I can take whatever people have to throw at me – at us, for being together."

As the final warning bell for the beginning of classes rang out across the school halls, the pair began to move off to their first classes for the day, but not before they shared a small, chaste kiss that had both girls grinning broadly afterwards.

Finn Hudson slunk away from his position around the corner from the emotional couple. His brain was trying its best to comprehend what he had just witnessed. Two of his ex girlfriends…Rachel and Quin… crying… kissing. It was well known that Finn was not the brightest bulb but even (given some time) could piece together what it meant. But no, that couldn't be right; Quinn was pregnant – lesbians don't sleep with Puckerman and get pregnant – and Rachel, well Rachel was just Rachel. What could she possibly she want with the blonde? What did she see in her? After all, the former cheerleader had tormented the brunette for years. No, maybe he had it all wrong. Whatever the case may have been the quarterback wouldn't stand for it. Rachel was going to be his again, he would make sure of it; he hadn't spent the last few months "befriending" her again just to have her stolen from beneath him.

"Watch out Quinn Fabray…."