This is the shortest chapter I've done, but there is a reason for that. I figured, as this chapter is very powerful, it's best left on it's own. Warning to you now, I don't want to spoil the story for you guys, but there is adult themes such as suicide, self harm and upset in this chapter. Thank you to all the readers though for sticking with me this far! :). If you fancy reading a fluffier piece, head over to my profile where there is a fluff fic called 'Summer Breeze'. I'm planning on making it into a fic about a Finchel summer, so check it out :). Thank you for all the support so far, and just a reminder, adult themes ahead...

Living fast, dying young...

At seven, Puck began to get ready, jumping into some jeans and a shirt. Quinn appreciated it when he made the effort to look nice, and because she sounded so upset tonight he decided to wear his nicest clothes. His arms and abs were aching after his major work out today, but Quinn was worth everything and he'd do anything to go and see her. After his shower, he'd gone to see Finn at the hospital, bringing him down to see Berry once more. That broke his heart a little bit every time, seeing Finn's broken eyes staring down at Rachel's lifeless body (but he wouldn't tell anybody that). After a final spray of deodorant, Puck left a note for his mom telling her he'd gone out with Quinn (she was at bingo, and his sister was at her friends) and jumped into his car, racing to the park so he'd be there first for Quinn. He pulled into a parking space, jumped out the car and ran to the swings where they always seemed to meet.

When Puck got near the swings, there was a figure forlorn in the darkness, swinging softly from back to front. He got a little closer to see the figure was his own beautiful girlfriend, her blonde hair tucked behind her ears and her make up running slightly around her eyes. She looked like his own gorgeous panda, and when she saw Puck she stood up suddenly, wiping her eyes on her massive brown hoodie. Puck noticed many things wrong with this situation, and he wasn't a very observant guy. Number one, since when did Quinn where something as informal as a hoodie? Number two, Quinn hadn't cried since she gave Beth away… why was she crying? And number three, why was she here so early? Quinn was always late (or fashionably late as she called it).

"Babe!" Puck shouted across the park; Quinn looked up, startled. Thinking again, Puck decided it wasn't the best of idea, but nevertheless it had been done now, so he jogged up the path to the play park, jumped the fence and picked up his crying girlfriend. Thoughts of the events of the fire were wiped from his mind as he hugged her tightly, brushing her hair out of her eyes and setting her down on a bench so he could see her properly.

"Quinn… Quinn babe, I thought you were okay, you were so strong after the fire…" Puck sighed; how did he miss the signs that things weren't really okay?

She sobbed into his shirt, tears flowing for about ten minutes until she coughed, choked out one last sob and then took big shuddering gulps for air instead. Puck just stroked her back, waiting until she was able to speak.

She hiccupped one last time and then looked up at Puck, her big green eyes watery and sore.

"Quinn?" Puck's voice was so soft and prompted her to start speaking.

"Puck, I'm so sorry to put this on you but I had to tell someone and you're the only one I trust…" Her voice trailed off and Puck put his big hands around her petite ones.

"It's okay babe, you can tell me anything. What's up?" He tried to keep his voice steady so not to startle her or betray his true emotion: fear.

"Well, I was trying to be so strong after the fire but it didn't work; I missed Matt so much, we'd both known him since before school. And I felt so bad about Rachel even though I never really liked her, and Finn – oh my god, Finn breaks my heart, just thinking about how much he gave up for Rachel. I tried to be strong for you and I was to your face, but behind closed doors I couldn't take it…" Her voice broke again, and she nearly gave into tears but she kept blinking quickly, as if it was a defence mechanism for any stray tears.

"What did you do, Quinn?" Puck's voice was becoming increasingly shaky, but he couldn't let Quinn down now.

Quinn didn't move nor speak for several minutes. Then, she pulled up the sleeve of her left arm to show several cuts and dried blood. Puck took in a sharp intake of breath, biting the inside of his mouth to stop himself from cursing.

"I was trying to stop myself from doing it when I rang you this afternoon, but when you didn't come out I couldn't stop myself anymore…" She hung her head in shame.

"Babe, I'm so sorry I've not been there for you through this, I am so, so sorry! From now on, it's me and you against the world and there's going to be no more of this. Where's the… thing you did it with?" His voice was filled with pain and self blame.

"It's here Puck…" Quinn breathed, and she dug her hand into the hoodie pocket and brought out a piece of glass. He took it off her and threw it as far away as possible, then took Quinn into his arms once more.

"I love you baby, don't ever forget it, okay?" Puck said with force and desperation.

"I love you too, you're the only thing that's still kept me here…" She tilted her face towards him, and he pressed his lips to hers.

"Me and you against the world…" Puck repeated.

Thank you for reading :) Please review? :) x