AN: Another chapter, and only a few days later?! How could this be? :) But anyway, this one is much longer than the last. I hope it makes up for that short little drabble from the other day. A little drama in this one, but it's all necessary in the big scheme of things. I hope you guys like the update. Love to hear what you think, it inspires me to keep writing regularly. Enjoy!

Chapter 10:

Quinn was glad to see her friends and teammates at school, but other than that the day pretty much sucked. It was hard to move through the crowded halls in the chair and people kept stopping a staring at her as she passed. As quiet as their whispers were, they still reached her ears. It was hard for her to go from being one of the top dogs in the school to literally the bottom of everything. This was definitely not how she pictured her senior year to go.

True to her word, Santana was by her side every moment she could be; clearing the way, shutting people up with a hard glare, and trying to protect the blonde as best she could. But as the day went on she could sense a change in Quinn's attitude. By the end of the day she knew there was definitely something wrong.

They got to the Latina's car and like before, San put her in the seat and went to buckle her in. She was stopped short by a firm hand on her arm.

"Don't. I can do in myself," she said as she pushed the helping hand away.

Santana pulled back and looked at her friend. "Geez Q, I'm just trying to help."

A sharp click of the buckle filled the car. "I don't need your help with everything. I may be a cripple now but I'm not a complete invalid!"

Hands on hips, the brunette looked down with a blank face before speaking. "Really? That's how you're going to play this right now?"

"I'm not "playing" anything. When I need your help, I'll ask for it."

Brown eyes narrowed. She put the chair back in the car and turned to the passenger. "Fine, if that's what you think you want."

She rounded the car and got in. "Shut the door."

Quinn leaned forward and closed it hard before crossing her arms across her chest.

They drove in silence, both keeping their eyes aimed forward the entire ride. When they pulled up to the Fabray house Santana put the car in park and sat still. Quinn unbuckled and looked over to the driver. She saw the brunette glance at her from the corner of her eye.

"Are we just going to sit here all day?"

This elicited a full head turn from the Latina. "I don't know, are we? I would hate to piss you off by trying to help without being asked."

The blonde glared at her for this and growled, "Will you help me get out of the car?"

Santana opened her door and moved to help, talking all the while, "Yes, why of course I'll help. How thoughtless of me not to have asked before. I'm so sorry for making you wait like that."

The sarcasm dripped off her words, but she was as gentle as always when moving the injured girl into her chair. Quinn for her part sat motionless and allowed the help for the time being. As soon as she was settled in her chair she wheeled to the door, unlocked it and went inside, slamming the door closed behind her.

Santana huffed loudly at this and rolled her eyes. She gathered Quinn's school bag from her backseat and walked to the house. Not even bothering to knock, she entered the house. If she knew Quinn, the girl would be closed in her room. She put the bag by the couch and walked to the kitchen for a drink. Experience had taught her that her best friend would be easier to deal with if given some time to herself. After pouring a glass of water she sat on the couch to figure out which direction she wanted to take the inevitable conversation with Quinn.

Why did she have to get like this today? This is the first time she's had anything negative to say about me helping her. I must have missed something at school today that set her off. Ugh, this is not how I wanted her first day back to go. And now instead of just telling me what's bothering her, she has to go be all difficult! She can be so infuriatingly stubborn! She heard a loud exasperation come from the blonde, followed by a thud. She must be really upset to be throwing stuff. I probably shouldn't have let her goad me into getting mad like I did. It was insensitive and sure as hell didn't help the situation. Curse Papi and our Lopez temper! Alright Santana, time to fix this; think before you speak and don't make it worse.

###

Santana made her way to her friends' door and knocked softly, "Quinn, can I come in? I want to talk to you."

"I don't want to talk Santana. Why are you even here? I didn't ask you to come in; I didn't ask for your pity…. I didn't ask for any of this!" Though slightly muffled by the closed door, Santana could hear the voice rise from the room.

The young Latina leaned against the wall next to the door and slowly slid down to the floor. "I'm always here for you Quinn, whether you ask or not," she said, just loud enough so that the other girl would be able to hear her.

She let her head fall back against the wall and waited to see what the blonde did next. Minutes passed and there was only silence. She was contemplating returning to the couch when the handle turned and the door opened. Quinn was there in front of her, face unreadable.

"Get off the floor San. Come talk if that's what you want." She turned the chair around a wheeled back into her room, waiting for the brunette to join her.

When they were settled in the room, Santana on the edge of the bed and Quinn a few feet away they started talking.

"What happened at school today," Santana asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The brunette sighed trying not to get frustrated. "That's bullshit Quinn. Quit hiding behind this attitude and talk to me. I'm trying understand what's wrong here but you have to let me in."

Quinn lowered her head a bit.

"And on that note," she continued, "Why are you hiding from me? You never do that."

The blonde looked up, eyes moist, "I'm sorry, ok. I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. I was just angry… at everything. All day long I had to hear people talking about me and looking at me like I was sadly pathetic. It just got to me. And when you tried to help me, I don't know, I just lashed out. I didn't want your pity."

"I don't pity you."

"I can see it, you look at me different now. Especially when you help me do stuff."

Santana moved and knelt beside her friend. "Quinn that's not pity; I-I care about you, I don't like seeing you hurt. If I'm looking at you differently its… I don't know, I can't really explain it, but I promise it's not pity."

Hazel-green eyes, tinged with red met the pair of warm chocolate across from her. "I'm sorry I got mad at you. You are the last person I should be angry with. All you do is try to help me, even when you have better things to do."

"There's nothing better than you Q. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have let it get to me like I did and I shouldn't have said what I did. And I'm sorry for being so overbearing. I don't mean to be, I'm just very protective of you. You're my girl Quinn, I need to you be ok. I want to help you with the things I can so that you can use all your strength on things I can't do for you, like getting better, and soon your physical therapy. But I'll try to tone it down a little if it bothers you."

Quinn ran her hand down a tanned cheek. "Santana," she spoke softly, "It doesn't bother me. I like that you care for me. It makes me feel so special, so lucky, to have you. I couldn't imagine having to do this without you."

A smile graced the caramel face. "You won't ever have to."

Another moment passed between the two young women, like the one outside the hospital. They locked eyes, everything unsaid was made clear for them. Their relationship was special and they both knew it.

Santana broke the silence. "Come back to my place tonight. Mami would love you see you and you know she will spoil you all night long. What do you say?"

The blonde smiled, "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to see Mami Lopez; it's been a while."

"Great! Let's pack you an overnight bag and get outta here."