Nothing is Right When You're Pretend

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of it characters.

Chapter 14

It had been a month since Regionals and in that time a lot had happened. Finn had been back to school for two weeks but had kept his distance. A few of the football and hockey players had to be put in their place for trying to slushy Rachel while they thought she was alone on three different instances. Santana or Quinn had been able to stop it from happening and made an example of the boys.

The girls also became a lot closer during this time becoming inseparable. If you saw one the other three were not far away. Santana and Rachel's affection for each other as friend grew. All of the girls found their place within their group. Rachel and Quinn had gotten so close that they were always together, even if Santana and Brittany were elsewhere, you rarely saw them apart.

Rachel was also becoming a fixture in the Fabray, Lopez and Peirce homes. All of the parents loved her and had no problem including her when they congregated to one of their homes, but most of the time they seemed to be at the Fabray home. Judy was generally home and liked making cookies and things for them. All the girls enjoyed her spoiling them and not having to eat take out as much.

Things with Rachel and Quinn were at a standstill though. They had gotten closer as friends but they were no closer to telling each other how they felt. Rachel was worried she would scare her off because she was wrong about the other girl's feelings or that she was not ready. Though she was certain that Quinn felt the same for her she just waited and said nothing, always hoping that she would eventually confess.

Quinn was no longer worried about losing her home as Judy proved over and over that she only wanted her happy. She was worried that she wasn't good enough for Rachel and she would hold her back. Rachel was a lot like Santana when it came to her people. They were loyal, caring, dedicated and did not love small. If she let herself be fully loved by the girl she would give up her dreams for her. She was telling Rachel the truth when they fought before Regionals. She felt that the most she would ever accomplish was becoming a real-estate agent or someone's house wife.

So, they were sitting stagnate not falling back but not moving forward either. Even with things seemingly on standby Rachel was happier than she could ever remember being. She and Santana were so close that their blondes often rolled their eyes or shook their heads in an exasperated amusement at their antics. The more she got comfortable with them the more her true personality came out and they found out Rachel was hilarious and quick witted. With her and Santana there was never a dull moment.

The only down side for Rachel was she still hadn't heard from her fathers. She was starting to become rather worried. She wasn't sure if they were just really busy, out of range somehow, hurt or they just didn't care about her anymore. She didn't know and had no way of finding out so for now she would just roll with it and see what happened.

Prom was in a week and they still had to go shopping and rehearse the songs they planned on singing. National's was in three weeks and they needed to complete their set list and start working through the choreography but Mr. Shue drug his feet on everything wanting to wait for Finn to get back. This pissed off the girls and most of the rest of the glee club. The others, like Lauren and Artie, we just indifferent to it and were content to go with the flow.

It was Friday night and she had just got home from school. She came in and ran upstairs to shower and change before the girls got there for movie night. It was her night to host and she still needed to get somethings ready downstairs. Once she was ready she ran back down and started preparing dinner.

She loved when it was her night because it gave her a chance to show off her cooking skills and all the girls had loved everything she had made them so far. She often ended up in the kitchen with Judy helping with the meals. She was no longer strictly vegan as her body decided it couldn't handle the life style. She was now a vegetarian though she still tried to stay away from some things like eggs.

As she finished putting the food in the crockpot and oven, she cleaned up the prep dishes and moved into the den. She sat at the piano and started playing the new song she had been working on since before Regionals. Back then it only had music, no concrete words. Now it had lyrics and was almost done. She just needed to talk to Santana about background music.

The song was a duet and she was very happy with the way it turned out. Whether anybody but Santana ever heard it was still to be determined do to the context of the song. It was another that was hard for her to sing but not as heartbreaking to her as the last song. Her biggest fear was that everyone would see right through her, especially Quinn.

She sang as she played trying to switch up on both parts but it wasn't 100% successful and she was getting frustrated. She just wanted to hear it all the way through. A voice behind her startled her. "Hey Tiny, you seem to be having trouble, need some help."

Rachel turned with her hand to her heart. "Jesus Santana, you scared me to death."

Santana laughed and sat beside her. "I would have knocked but I heard the music and knew you wouldn't hear me so I used my key." She paused looking at the music on the piano. "It sounds choppy, what's up?"

Rachel sighed. "It's a duet and I'm only one person."

Santana chuckled. "It sucks don't it? Life would be so much better with two Tiny Hobbits running around. How about I try and help."

Rachel slapped her playfully then turned to the music. "I'm not sure it will work, it's not in your key but I would appreciate trying." She stopped and looked around them. "Hey, where are the girls?"

Santana just shrugged. "Don't know, they said they had something to do and would be by in a bit."

Rachel scrunched her face in confusion then shook it off moving back to the music. They ran it through a few times with Santana singing the lower part. It wasn't perfect but it gave Rachel a better feel for it as a whole.

Santana sat back thinking about the possibilities for the music. "I have some ideas for the background, definitely heavier on the percussion. I think a prominent beat throughout. I have others get me a pen and paper."

Rachel handed her a notebook and pencil than watched as she wrote furiously. After a few minutes she sat the notebook down and looked to the music on the piano. "Ok, let's sing it again then I'm going to run home and get my mixer and stuff. I have it in my head and if I don't get it down now it will drive me nuts."

Rachel smiled with a nod and started playing again. They ran through it twice and Santana smile. "You did it again Tiny. This is awesome I just wish my voice suited it so we could get a better feel for it."

"I can try," the unexpected timid voice startled them and they swung around to see a nervous looking Quinn and a beaming Brittany.

Santana smiled. "Oh definitely, Quinn has a deeper voice then I do."

Rachel blushed deeply and looked back to her music. "It could work."

With a nod Santana got up and pushed Quinn to the piano. "Ok, Britt and I are going to run to my house and get my equipment. You guys run through the lyrics and see if you can get it better than I did." And with that she was out the door with a smiling Brittany bouncing out behind her.

Rachel smiled shyly. "Do you mind running through it with me?"

Quinn swallowed thickly. "No, I don't mind. This song is… its amazing Rach."

Rachel blushed looking down. "Thank you." Taking a deep breath she turned back to the sheet music and reset it at the beginning.

She and Quinn ran through the song several times and Quinn's voice was perfect for the song. Rachel smiled to herself, of course it would be perfect for her, Quinn had been on the diva's mind the whole time she was writing it. By the time Santana and Brittany made it back Quinn had a good handle on the lyrics.

While Santana set up all her equipment Rachel excused herself and moved to the kitchen to check on dinner. After singing her song with Quinn she just needed a moment. She was pulling the bread she made for dinner and the banana bread she made for dessert out of the oven when Quinn came in.

Rachel smiled as Quinn moved over to her and bumped her shoulder. "I love the song Rachel. I think everyone will love it for our National's duet."

Rachel shook her head. "I don't know. I'm not sure I want to share that one with the group. Besides, Mr. Shue would want me to sing it with Finn and I refuse to sing that song with him." Just the thought of singing it with him upset her.

Quinn noticed her visibly shaking and pulled her into a hug. "Hey, it's ok. You don't have to show it to them, but if you wanted to, you can dictate who sings it with you. It's your song Rachel; you can pull it if he argues the point. Besides, Puck's voice is more suited to it than Finn's is."

Rachel sighs into her and holds on tight. "I know but you know how he is, he'll push for it and I am so tired of fighting."

Quinn pulled her face up to look in her eyes. "Maybe, but if you want to show it to them I will stand by your decision to sing it with Puck and fight for you. I'm sure Santana will help fight too. If he won't agree to it then you just pull it and we don't sing it."

"I know in theory that would work, but the others will be mad at me if they like it and I pull it. We need a duet and no one else has been successful at writing one."

They had decided to keep with original songs after finding out that they were required to use the solo from Regionals. They already had the new group number written by the whole group. Santana finished the music, Britt and Mike had the choreography finished as well. They were just waiting for the Monday after Prom to start on it. Mr. Shue said he wanted them to concentrate on their prom performances but they knew he was just waiting for Finn.

Quinn shook her head. "What they want doesn't matter Rach. It's your song sweetie, if you don't want to sing it with him you don't have to." She kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. "Just think about it. If you decided to do it than you just let Santana and I deal with the others."

Rachel nodded into her shoulder. "Ok Quinn, I'll think about it, thank you."

With one last squeeze she released Quinn and move to the crockpot to finish checking dinner. After stirring it and replacing the lid she turned back to Quinn. "It'll be ready in about thirty minutes. By the time we set the table and pull Santana away from her toys it should be ready."

Quinn nodded and moved to the cupboard to start grabbing dishes. "What are we having?"

"Vegetable stew with that bread you like."

Quinn smile brightly and reach up and grabbed four bowls and four small plates down. "Oh I love that stuff. It's the right amount of hard and soft. It's perfect for stew." She bounced over to the table and started putting out the dishes in her hands.

Rachel chuckled at her enthusiasm and grabbed silverware and glasses. "There's also a fruit salad and I made some banana bread for desert or snack later."

Quinn smiled brighter and they finished setting it all up. Once they were done they pulled Santana away from her toys and they enjoyed a wonderful meal. After dinner Santana went back to it and the others cleaned up then joined her in the den to help.

A few hours later they had a solid track and the girls were happy with the overall sound and how it sounded with Rachel and Quinn singing it together.

Santana sat back with a self-satisfied smile on her face. "Damn we're good. Between us we have managed to write and musically produce four songs in a little over a month's time. We are awesome."

Rachel laughed. "Two of those the others helped with but you have done amazing with producing all the music for them."

Santana scoffed. "Please, Loser like me was mostly Britt, Tina and I. The new group song was mostly the four of us and the two others were all you Tiny. If we don't win Nationals with these three songs' there is something seriously wrong."

Rachel sighed. "I don't know if I want to use my new song yet San. Shue will want me to sing it with Finn."

Quinn grabbed her hand. "I already told her not to worry about that. She can just pull the song if he has a problem with it and we will have her back with him and the others."

Santana sat forward. "Damn right we will. He cannot make you sing this song with Gigantor. Puck is better suited for it vocally anyway."

Brittany nodded. "I think Quinn is the most suited for it."

Santana smiled. "I agree, but there is no way that Shue will let two girls sing the duet so runner up is Puck. Although I do think you should sing it together to show the group."

Rachel shrugged. "I don't know guys. I'll think about it."

Quinn squeezed her hand with a nodded and Santana started shutting down her equipment. "Ok Tiny, tomorrow I will go home, print it all off and make CDs for the backup music."

Quinn perked up a little. "Make a track without the piano too, I want to try and play it. I love the piano in this." She looked over to Rachel and took her hand. "If that's ok with you that is?"

Rachel gave her hand a squeeze. "It's fine Quinn. I will let you know before Monday if I decide to show them."

Santana clapped her hands together. "Excellent, I'll have it all ready by Monday to sing. Britt and I can do backup vocals for you guys on Monday too."

Brittany squealed and bounced in place. "Oh this is going to be so much fun. I love singing with you guys."

They all laughed as Rachel stood. "I haven't decided to do it yet guys. Let's go get changed for bed a throw on a movie. it's after 11:00."

They all stood and Quinn nudged her. "You're going to do it. You can't not share that with the world but your right let's head up."

They went up, changed and snuggled down in Rachel's big bed. A half hour later they were all asleep, Santana and Brittany wrapped up in each other and Rachel being Quinn's little spoon. This was the norm when they slept together and they no longer questioned it. They didn't talk about it either, they just enjoyed it.

Saturday morning they all got up and ate together before Santana and Brittany headed out. Santana's mom was home and wanted mother daughter time. Britt's grandmother was coming for the weekend so she was need home early. Quinn and Rachel were just going to hang there since Judy was working this weekend.

It was late evening and Rachel was lying on the couch opposite Quinn, their legs intertwined. She had been deep in thought not paying attention to the movie at all than looked over to Quinn. "Did you ask your mom about shopping tomorrow?"

Quinn turned her attention to her. "Yep she gave me the card and told me my budget. Did you decide what you're going to do? Santana said she talked to Mrs. H and she found some nice stuff for you and Britt. I think she wanted to go there first."

Rachel nodded. "Yea, she told me. I'm glad I haven't had to use my clothing allowance since last month. I'll have enough money for the nicer dresses she finds."

Quinn smiled knowing that she and Santana went shopping for dresses that they thought the girls would like. They picked out 5 each and whichever ones they don't pick they will take back to the store. Mrs. H agreed to help them so they were all set for the next day. This is why Santana was alone yesterday and Quinn took Britt with her, so she could drop the dresses off. "Yea, Britt's mom saved some extra so she can get a nicer one too. I'm glad we all decided to go all together as a group. It looks better for them."

Rachel nodded. "I am too. I know Britt really wanted to go together but San just isn't ready to be out."

Quinn smiled thinking of her friends. "Maybe she'll be ready before homecoming next year or something. Britt just wants to tell the world but Santana is scared people will look at her differently and she won't be able to protect her."

Rachel sits up a little causing their legs to slide together and she has to bite back a moan at the feeling. "Uh… Yea, she's terrified someone will hurt Britt. I keep telling her she has us to help and the Glee boys won't let anything happen to her either, but she's not convinced. We all have classes together all day and Britt is alone in most of hers. It scares me too. I wish there was a way for us to all be in classes together."

"I know it worries me too. Well, there's not a lot we can do about it right now and Santana isn't going to come out until she is sure Britt will be ok."

Rachel looked to the TV than back again. "Other than helping cover for the girls are you sure you're ok with going as a group. I know you wanted to try and get prom queen and that usually takes going with a boy."

Quinn just shrugs. "Honestly I really don't care about all that stuff anymore. I'd rather go with you guys instead of some boy I don't care about. What about you? No want for some boy to ask you out?"

Rachel smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm happy to be going with you guys too. Add to that getting to perform and I'm a happy camper. I don't need some boy to have fun. I'll just dance with you guys. That is if you'll save me a dance."

She tried to sound cheery but Quinn could hear the underlying nerves and smiled. "I'll make sure there's a place for you on my dancing card."

Rachel giggled and lay back. "Did you pick the songs you're singing?"

"Yep, I've been practicing too. I'm all set with a solo, the number with you and the girls and another Mercedes asked me to sing with her."

Rachel smiled. "I picked mine to. I have two solos, one I picked and one that Brittany requested and our song together. This is going to be so much fun."

Quinn stretched and yawned looking at the clock on her phone. "Jeez it's getting late. We should head up if we're going to get up and meet the girls at the park for a run in the morning and we have shopping after that."

Rachel got up and pulled her up with her. "Yes let's go to bed. I can hardly keep my eyes open and tomorrow, as fun as it will be, is going to be a long day."

Once they changed they settled into bed and Rachel rolled over to face Quinn. "I've been thinking about my new song."

Quinn rolled until they were face to face. "What about it?"

Rachel looked at her apprehensively. "I want to sing it for the group and I want you to sing with me. Please just promise to help when I have to fight Mr. Shuster."

Quinn pulled her into a hug trying to help calm her. "I promise Rachel. I will help you fight him all the way. It's your song you can dictate what happens with it."

Rachel nodded into her neck and settle into her. "Thank you."

Rachel didn't move out of her embrace and Quinn didn't mind. They settled into each other relaxed and both quickly fell asleep.

A/N: Ok, this chapter didn't seem to flow the way I wanted it to no matter how I tweaked it but here it is. Up next, shopping for dresses and Glee's reaction to Rachel's new song.