**Hello, Lovelies! I have a surprise for you…because you all are eager little beavers, asking me on via PM and tumblr for the next chapter, ASAP...I shall give you want you crave ;)

And to those who asked…YES, QUINN DID PASS OUT IN THE SHOWER…I think many of us would if we were in her position and loved Rachel as much as she does :)

CHAPTER 11:

"Dude, have you heard from Lauren?"

I turn away from the layouts to see Puck standing by the hallway entrance, looking sleepy and worried. "No, I haven't. Why?"

He sighs and rubs a hand over his Mohawk. She was supposed to be here at 10pm and it's already 1am. She hasn't called me or anything. What are you doing up anyways?"

"Couldn't sleep. Maybe she mad at you or something? You're known for having that effect on her, after all."

He sucks his teeth and walks over to me and plops down on the couch. "I'm serious, Q. It's different this time…I can feel it, ya know. So, I don't get why she's avoiding me."

I smile at Puck's sad face; I'm glad he's actually admitting that he wants something real with Lauren. I know she wants the same and that she probably has a good reason as to why she didn't show up. "Hey, don't worry about it, man. I'm sure she's just out on one of her missions or – FUCK!"

"What? What is it? !" Puck asks, shaking me by my shoulders.

I shove him off me, "Calm down, it's just that I remembered that she said she was planning on helping some guys break into a check cashing place."

"And you didn't tell me!"

"It was a while back, I didn't really think she was gonna go through with it. I thought she would at least tell me before she did it! Who knows, I could be wrong!"

"Damn it! Did she tell you which one? Where is she?"

"I don't know, it was just a quick discussion, she didn't tell me any details or anything."

"Fuck! What if she got caught? ! I'm gonna lose her, right when I got her back!"

"Relax, Puck. Look, we'll go looking for her, alright. I'm sure she's fine; she's smart, she doesn't fuck up."

He nods, even though I can tell that he's panicking. I grab my keys and we walk over to the door, when suddenly Lauren walks in, grinning like a mad woman.

"Fucking hell, Laur!" Puck shouts, shoving me out of the way and hugging her tightly. She drops a brown paper bag that she's holding, as he leads her to his room.

"Whoa, whoa! Did you really hit that place?" I ask, shocked and excited.

"Yes!" Lauren laughs out, just before Puck slams his bedroom door shut.

"I'll be damned…" I pick up the bag and instantly know that she made out with more than her expected cut. It weighs way more than 10,000. I peek inside and gasp when I see that there's, at least, 15,000 in it.

"Oh my God…Goodbye shitty apartment!" I run to Puck's door and pretend that I don't hear the noises on the other side. "I LOVE YOU, LAUREN! I FUCKING LOVE YOU!"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Chug, chug, chug, chug!" A bunch of us chant, as Joe attempts to kill beer, after taking a shot. He doesn't finish, but he was pretty close, and we're all too happy to rip him for it. I throw an arm around him and pat his slightly numb face.

"You're still a killer, lil bro!" I tell him and he laughs, wiping his mouth and hi-fiving a few of the bar dwellers that we're hanging with. One girl takes a particular interest in him, and when she finally starts talking to him, I back up and wink at him, before leaning against the bar, next to Puck and Lauren. I turn to them to start a conversation, but they're mouths are too busy sucking each other's lips off.

"Cheers!" I jokingly shout, tapping my beer bottle against the sides of their faces. Lauren playfully pushes me away without detaching her face from Puck's. I laugh and shake my head at the lovebirds, feeling truly happy for my friends. I glance at the three of them and see how much they've grown as individuals. Puck and Lauren have finally accepted that they're meant to be, in a chaotic sort of way, and Joe is finally able to break out of his shell when it comes to women. They've matured and it makes me feel proud of them. Now, thanks to Lauren, we'll be able to kind of start over, we'll be living together like the family we are, and we're going to be in a place much better than the crap holes we live in now. We can all start looking for better jobs, too. I want a better job…a career, something I don't have to defend when people ask me what I do for a living. I mean, landscaping is actually a great job. It pays very well…if you're hired by the right company or have our own. I just get paid much less because of my record, I get paid half of what I'm supposed to be because it's better than not getting anything because no one else will hire me. Still, I like what I do. I like working and earning every cent, by doing some hard labor; nothing's wrong with that. So what if I get dirt under my nails, who said I have to be sitting on my ass all day in front of a computer, in order to be considered successful? Rachel…Rachel's mom. Apparently, I'm not good enough for their standards.

I take a long drink, until I empty the bottle. It's been a long day; I coated the deck and the fence with wood stain, started fertilizing the grass, installed the garden bed, and ordered the cement, the BBQ grill, and the fountain to arrive in a few days. I also ate my packed lunch alone, instead of going to Rachel's work and picking her up, so I can take her to a nice little sandwich shop, where they have vegan meat. I left before either one of the spouses arrived home; and I ignored Finn's texts, asking if I want to go drinking with his work friends. It pissed me off…his texts. It pissed me off that he doesn't care if his business circle sees him hanging with me, but Rachel…Oh no, she'll burn in Hell if anyone sees her eating a fucking sandwich with me.

Needless to say, this little celebration before our set is exactly what I needed. I just need to separate myself from them and move on; once I'm done with their yard…I'm done with them.

"Fabray!"

Crap! "Hey, Finn," I force a smile, as I grip the empty bottle neck, to keep from gripping his.

"You guys are playing, tonight, right?" He asks, nudging Lauren and Puck, who ignore him.

"Yeah, in a few minutes actually," I look around the bar and don't see Rachel, but she's small, so... "Are you here alone?"

"Nah, I got the ol' ball and chain," he chuckles, pointing aimlessly behind him. "She just didn't feel like coming over and saying hi. Our neighbors are here, too."

I furrow my brow and nod, "Oh…Well, uh we gotta go get ready, so I'll see you later or something." I pat his shoulder, call out to Joe, and pull Puck and Lauren apart, before walking up to the stage.

"How's everyone doing, tonight?" The crowd cheers and I look at my bandmates, who nod that they are ready for the usual impromptu set list. I turn back around and see the blonde from the other day, she's not too happy as she looks up at me, but I can tell she's still interested. I smirk at her and then glance out further and see Finn waving, Santana and her girlfriend smiling at me, and Rachel avoiding my eyes. I grab the mic stand and shout, "Let's start off with something a little loud! You know, something that will eat you alive?" They cheer and it's immediately drowned out by Puck, who starts playing, followed by the rest of us…I look back at the blonde and wink at her…

"Hey, you, Mrs. I don't know what the fuck your name is/ I'm drawn to you something's magnetic, here/ If I could approach you or even get close to the scent that you left behind, I'd be fine!/"

I smile at how she instantly brightens and I continue with Puck and Joe helping with the rough vocals…

"No doubt that (no doubt) you bring out (bring out) the animal inside!/ (I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive../(I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive…"

I spin around and smile at Lauren, who is killing it on the drums; and when I turn back, I set my eyes on Rachel, who quickly looks away.

"HEY, YOU! Mrs. Too-Good-To Look-My-Way and that's cool, you want nothing, at all, to do with me/ But I want you; ain't nothing wrong with wanting you 'cause I'm a woman and I can think what the hell I want, you got that straight?/ No doubt that (no doubt) I'd love to (I'd love) sniff on them panties, now!/ (I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive…/ (I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive…"

I don't move my eyes away from Rachel, she's staring, openly, at me, now. She's pissed and I can tell that she knows I'm singing to her.

"I'm sorry, so sorry (damn, you're so hot!)/ Your beauty is so vain (damn, you're so hot!)/ It drives me; yes, it drives me (damn, you're so hot!) absolutely insane."

She finally looks at me and I feel my heart pound inside my chest. I love her so much…

"I just want to look at you/ I just want to look at you/ I just want to look at you, all day/ There ain't nothing wrong, no/ There ain't nothing with that/ Once you seep in (once you seep in) under my skin (under my skin)/ There's nothing , there's nothing in this world that could wash you away…/ Once you seep in (once you seep in) under my skin (under my skin)/ There's nothing, there's nothing in this world that could wash you away…"

I grab onto the mic stand and sing out to her…

"I'm sorry, so sorry (damn, you're so hot!)/ Your beauty is so vain (damn, you're so hot!)/ It drives me, yes it drives me (damn, you're so hot!) absolutely insane/ (I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive…/(I'd eat you alive!) I'd eat you alive…/ (I'D EAT YOU ALIVE!)"

We don't wait for the crowd to settle, before we start the next song. We play an old Black Keys song and the whole time I try to tear my eyes away from them, as they dance along to our playing. I try to focus on the blonde who's name I can't remember for the life of me. I try to pay attention to Santana, as she tries to mouth something to me from her table. I try to let the music control me, but she's the only one that can do that. We finish the song and I watch as they sit back in their spot. Finn throws an arm around her shoulders and takes on his fourth drink. My insides hurt when I think of what will most likely happen when they get home. He'll whine for sex, because he's drunk, and she'll give in, again. I find it hard to believe that she actually meant it when she said that she loved me. She wouldn't be coming here and flaunting her marriage in my face like this, if she did…she wouldn't lie to my face, she wouldn't be so embarrassed by me. She just likes the attention I give her, the attention she doesn't get from her husband.

I turn and look at my bandmates…They know what I'm feeling; they understand. They nod and walk off the stage, leaving me alone.

"I'm going to slow it down, let you all relax and calm down, a bit," I nervously laugh and the crowd claps in appreciation of the break I'm going to give them. It's become incredibly hot and stuffy in here, though I'm not sure if it's because of all the rowdy people or the jealousy heating me up, as I look at Finn rub her shoulder with his hand. She looks at me, but I turn away to grab the acoustic that Puck hands me.

I thank him and wait a few seconds, struggling to gather my courage, before slowly starting to play…

"Drink up, beautiful; I spiked your cup with angst and a heart attack/ 'Cause I've got so much trapped/ It's all because of you, so I figured you might like some back…/And when I see her, I'll tell her what's been on my mind, all these sleepless nights/ She'll recite her excuses/ Put my tail between these legs of mine, like I do all the time…"

I play the strings and focus on them, instead of the blonde swaying softly from side to side, eyes glossy because she thinks this is about her…It's really about the one that is being snuggled against by her husband, as she looks down at her lap.

"I can't live my life, knowing you'll be in his arms, each time I blink my eyes/ Know what goes on, behind my back, every night/ I'm afraid I'll never leave, afraid I'll never know what's good for me/ And when I see her, I'll tell her what's been on my mind, all these sleepless nights/ She'll recite her excuses/Put my tail between these legs of mine, like I do all the time…"

There's a moment where I feel her staring at me and I want so bad to look up and see her, but I can't…I know that if I do, I'll end up crying on stage, in front of everyone, so I close my eyes and force the waiting tears back, as memories flash before me: Us kissing, feeling closer to her with just one touch, knowing that he's had her…all of her…then her voice when she was about to tell me that she loves me…

"And now, you say that…you say you love me/ Well, I may have your heart, he has your body/ And now, you swear that…you're being honest/ But you're not honest; you never could be…/…And when I see her, I'll tell her what's been on my mind, all these sleepless nights/ She'll recite her excuses/ Put my tail between these legs of mine, like I do all the time."

I look up and see everyone clapping and rooting for me. My eyes automatically move to her, but all I see is Santana and Finn…scratch that…I see a confused Finn. I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, as Santana gives me a look at says, "Yeah, dumbass, that's me texting you!"

"Uh, thank you…I'm going to take a quick break, but Puck is going to treat you right with some good music." I wave my friends over and they instantly start up, as I flee the stage.

I run to the back room to avoid the ditzy blonde, who tries to follow me. I open the text that Santana text me…

"Fabray, open up!" I hear Finn yell, as he pounds on the locked door. "I wanna talk to you!"

Fuck! If Santana is right about Finn being suspicious, then I have to own up to my shit. I ready myself for a fight, as I unlock the door and swing it open.

Santana barges in, first. "Finn is being ridiculous!" She shouts, winking at me as she passes me, with Finn stomping in behind her.

"I am not! You saw the way she acted! Don't try and deny it!" He yells back at my therapist.

"Finn, do you know how insane you sound, right now?" She counters and shakes her head, as if to say, this guy.

"Fabray!" He snaps his fingers at me, as I stare at the still open door. "Tell me, that you didn't see Rachel staring at you like you were singing to her! Tell me!"

I take in his confused face and I can't find it in me to lie to the guy, but I can't be the one to break it to him. It has to be Rachel's decision, and I'll back her up when she's ready… "I – I…" I shake my head, feeling light-headed with all the tension sucking the life out of the room. "I didn't see anything…I was just focusing on the song."

"Bullshit! I know you know she likes you!"

"She does not!" Santana shouts, playing along, very well. I guess, being a therapist makes you a good actor.

"Dude, she doesn't like me," I add, hoping he'll listen to me. "She barely tolerates me because she knows I'm your friend."

He shakes his head angrily, "No! She does like you! She asks about you and that morning when she came to get me at your apartment, she kept asking questions about you and that blonde chick! She sounded jealous or something; it's-"

"You're overreacting, Hudson!" Santana yells over him.

"No! No, I'm not! I found dirt in the bedroom! In OUR bedroom!" He shouts back at her, but keeps his eyes on me. "There's no reason she would go to the backyard! YOU must have been in there!"

I shake my head, not because I'm denying anything, but because I can't believe this is happening…here, now...I don't know what to do. I don't know if I should be the one to tell the truth.

"You were, weren't you? ! You were in my room, with Rachel!" He shoves me and it's all it takes for me to get angry.

"Don't fucking push me!" I shove him back and he does the same, until we're shoving each other like two idiots.

"Knock it off!" Santana yells, getting in between us. "You both are acting like dumbasses!"

"Just admit, Fabray! Don't be a pussy about it!"

"Fuck you!" I move to shove him, but my therapist stops me, giving me a warning with her eyes.

"No, fuck you!" He spits, stepping back and shaking his head at me.

"Quinn, what the hell? !"

Fucking shit!

"Quinn? Your real name is Quinn?" Finn asks, turning away from the blonde that out-ed me. "Are you fucking kidding me? !" He clenches his hands into fists and gets in my face, towering over me, trying to intimidate me. He looks at me in disbelief, as if he doesn't understand why his wife would be attracted to me. I'm so sick of everyone looking and talking down to me, all the damn time…

"Yes!" I blurt out, I hear Santana mutter a curse or something. "And don't look so surpri-"

He pushes me so hard that I stumble backwards and fall on my ass. "Get up! Stand up!" He shouts at me, his face red with rage.

I growl and shoot up, ramming into him and knocking his against the door frame.

"Quinn!" Santana yells, trying to pull me away from the much bigger bulk of human. "You're gonna get hurt! You're insane!"

"Finn gets me in a headlock and turns me into the edge of the table by the door. I groan at the sharp pain in my ribs, and I punch his sides with my fists; he doesn't let go.

"Let her go!" I faintly hear Santana, as I try to control my breathing, with his giant arm around my neck. I pound on his back and his shoulders, anywhere that I can, but it doesn't work.

"Sanny!" I hear a fourth voice scream at my therapist, I assume it's her girlfriend.

"Finn, stop it! Stop it! Stop it!"

"Rachel!" I call out to her, desperate to find a new strength to fight off her massive husband.

"You're hurting her! Stop it, please! Just stop, Finn! Please!" I can hear her crying between her shouts and it hurts me more to hear her so upset, than it does to have someone squeezing the life out of me.

"Please, Finn; don't hurt her!"

"What about me? !" He yells, squeezing harder and I officially panic when I can barely suck in any air. He swings me into the table, again and I try to stay on my feet, but it's getting more difficult with each short breath. "You both hurt me!"

I growl at that and if he wasn't choking me, I'd…I use the last of my energy and manage to punch him in his balls. He immediately lets go and when he does I don't give him a second to prepare for the uppercut I give him to his chin.

"You hurt her first!" I barely say above an inside voice, "You weren't there for her when she needed someone!" My words come out broken between breaths and it's painful to breathe or even move my neck.

"Everyone out!" Santana says, pointing to the cops that burst into the bar. She grabs me and Finn and hauls us both out through the back door. "You two better get the fuck out of here or you'll both get arrested."

I glance at Finn, he looks like he's trying to weigh his options…

"Move, Hudson, or you'll be saying 'bye, bye' to your fancy office, once your boss finds out you were arrested for assaulting a woman!"

He kicks a trash bin and points at me, "It's not over, Fabray!" He threatens, before running off to his car.

"And YOU! Get the hell out of here! You're lucky I don't call your P.O. and get you arrested, just for pushing him. Self-defense or not, probation doesn't take these kind of incidents lightly! I'll tell your friends you went home, and Brittany will take Rachel to our place."

"That's the first place he'll look!" I tell her, "You saw him in there! He's not going to listen to anyone! I don't want her to get hurt!"

"Just go, Quinn!"

"Take her to her mom's…Please. I know she'll protect her and I know he won't go anywhere near there. He can't stand her."

"Okay, fine," she nods and shoos me with her hand.

"And tell her that I'm sorry…that I love her. Tell her to call me when she's at her mom's; that I won't sleep until I hear her voice."

"Okay, now go," she orders, looking over her shoulder. "Go before they find you."

I nod and run to my truck, as some of the other bar dwellers litter the street…

/END CHAPTER\

**Told you it was an important one...Thoughts? Questions? Critiques?

P.S. A special thank you to Dena aka a LOYAL LOVELY :) for reminding me of a song that I've been wanting to use in this fic, which is the first one: "Eat You Alive" by Limp Bizkit.

The second song has been in my collection for a while, it's called: "Don't Call Me Peanut" by Bayside. Both songs are posted on my tumblr (loveisforlovelies) so take a listen to get the full effect of their power because they really do have strong messages and passionate vocals.

Thank you, Lovelies…I really do love how much you love this story, hence the reason why I updated two days in a row, instead of updating one of the other fics I have. Shhh, don't tell the others ;)