Down Goes Another One Chapter 21: When I Turn Around, a glee fanfic

I UPDATED! oh my god, I updated. Hope you enjoy this. It's took a lot for me to get back into it. I tried, it took me five attempts to get this right. I'll hopefully be updating more now, although school has put a lot more work on me in my final year. Thanks for the fab pep talks and stuff, love you guys! Don't own the song, Daughty do and I love them lots. Check them out, ace band. Okay, enough notes, lets get to the story that's taken my long enough. By the way, Brittany is next chapter! And who's looking forward to Grilled Cheesus? I am. Okay, please enjoy...

'but you're never there, when i turn around...'

Mike couldn't exactly recall when he'd begun running in the mornings. He presumed it was sometime as he was moving up to high school so he'd have the advantage of stamina on everyone else trying out for the football teams. Figuring he'd quit once he got on the team, he didn't take it really seriously and never tried out for track or anything... but once he'd started he found he couldn't stop. He enjoyed the feeling of the wind rushing through his hair, the ache of his muscles after he'd pushed it to the limit, the feeling of freedom cause no one else was around. When Matt had joined him sometimes, he'd found it even better, exhilarating with just him and his best friend against the world. Then there was the fire and it was over cause his world was crashing around him and running wasn't gonna save it. Then there was Brittany, Brittany who knew how much running meant to him, who had forgiven him even though he'd accidentally shot her, who had encouraged him to start running again because she loved him.

Grabbing a hoodie, he shut the door softly behind him, not wanting to wake his family as it was only early. He began to move his legs in the familiar pattern, feet pounding the side walk as he ran around the silent town of Lima, Ohio. He ran through street after street passing Matt's house, Puck's house and Quinn's house as he neared the park. Opening the park gate, he slipped through and began to speed up, running up and down the parks big hills and through the football field. As he came down the last hill, he stumbled over a stone and toppled head first into a bush.

Cursing silently to himself, he lay there in the damp for a few minutes, regaining his breathe. Once he found his normal breathing rate again, he began to lift himself up only to see a small, blonde figure in the bushes around him. Crawling over and pulling her onto her back, his heart sunk into his toes as he realised it was Quinn. Grabbing her wrist to search for a pulse, he recoiled in horror as he saw dry blood stuck to her skin, numerous cuts and scars marking her arms.

"I didn't know the fire affected anyone else this much!" Mike whispered, "Oh God, I've been so selfish, I didn't know!"

Brushing her hair to one side, he felt for a pulse on the side of her neck. After a few doubtful seconds, he found the small pulse to the side of her neck. He sighed with relief, grinning that he hadn't lost another one of his friends. Shaking her shoulders softly, he began to pick her up, grateful for all the weight training he used to do before the fire. When she roused slightly, he couldn't help but laugh in pure happiness, so happy that she was going to be okay.

"Quinn? Quinn, are you there?" He asked softly, looking down at her.

She shifted slightly, looking uncomfortable but relieved at the same time.

"I'm here, Mike," she whispered, looking down at her arms and pulling her cardigan down over them.

"Let's take you to the benches and talk," he suggested, carrying her over to a secluded bench before putting her down gently and looking at her.

"Okay Quinn, I know we're not best friends but I'll still listen if you want to talk..." Mike trailed off, gazing at her but she looked away.

"I'm fine, but thank you for finding me," she replied stiffly, gazing at her chewed fingernails.

"Okay. Would you like me to take you to Puck?" At the mention of Puck, Quinn snapped up, eyes drained of any feeling.

"No thank you. If you could take me to Mercedes though, I would appreciate it greatly," Quinn nodded, looking back down at her hand again.

"Okay, where's Mercedes house?" Mike asked, happy to do his best for her.

"It's on the other side of town," Quinn looked up at Mike for the first time, eyes filled with gratitude, "near Baker Street."

Mike frowned. "I don't have my car with me, but I'll take you to my house which is three blocks away, then I'll give you a ride. Is that okay?"

"That's more then okay Mike. Thank you."

They walked out of the park in silence, neither of them initiating conversation and neither of them wanting too. Quinn felt small and stupid, not understanding how she could have let a boy like Puck get to her so much. That's the last time you're ever going to let anyone else in, Quinn. Never again.

Mike felt happy, glad he could finally do something to help again, to return to a sense of normality. For him, it was the first step to becoming a gleek again, to a life where he could feel happiness and laughter. With Brittany.

When they got to Mike's house, Quinn waited by the car whilst he nipped inside and grabbed his keys from the fruit bowl. He then opened the car door for her, helping her in and then walking around to his side of the car, sliding in and starting the ignition. Fiddling with the radio, he put on Galaxy and began to drive. A few seconds into the journey, he realised Quinn was looking at him intently.

After a minute or so, he realised she was still watching him.

"Have I upset you or something? Do I have something on my face?" he asked, checking himself in the wing mirror.

She laughed then, a tinkling laugh that he couldn't deny he was happy to hear.

"There's nothing on your face, and no, you've not upset me. It's just the people I usually ride with don't listen to the radio in the car and I don't drive so I don't get the choice. It's nice. I like it!" she smiled, settling into the seat.

"Glad to have impressed you!" he laughed then, smiling over at her, "Well, do you want to mess with the radio until you find something you like?"

She grinned as a response, moving the dial until it came onto a song she loved.

"I love this song!" she exclaimed, softly singing along.

"Ten miles from town and I just broke down
Spittin' out smoke on the side of the road
I'm out here alone just tryin' to get home
To tell you I was wrong but you already know
Believe me I won't stop at nothin'
To see you so I've started runnin'

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you...

Mike looked at her in surprise, joining in with the second verse.

Last time we talked, the night that I walked
Burns like an iron in the back of my mind
I must've been high to say you and I
Weren't meant to be and just wasting my time
Oh, why did I ever doubt you?
You know I would die here without you

Quinn's voice grew stronger, the emotion leaking into her voice as she sang the lyrics she knew so well. Mike sang powerfully too, never looking at Quinn and concentrating on the road, but knowing that what they were sharing was special.

You and I, right or wrong, there's no other one
After this time I spent alone
It's hard to believe that a man with sight could be so blind
Thinkin' 'bout the better times, must've been outta my mind
So I'm runnin' back to tell you

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
Without you God knows what I'd do

Panting heavily, they sat back in their seats, eyes forward on the road. Nothing was said and the radio carried on playing as if nothing had happened. When Mike pulled over on Baker Street, the silence continued, but Quinn didn't move.

"Qu-"

"Mi-"

They laughed, the awkwardness forgotten.

"Ladies first," Mike grinned, Quinn smiling in response.

"Thank you. That duet was epic. We should take it to glee club in September. Everything you've done for me today is more then people have done in a lifetime. I appreciate it. Thanks, Mike." Quinn began to open the car door, smiling tentatively at Mike.

"Anytime Quinn. Whenever you need me, just call!" Mike leaned over then, hugging her goodbye. She smiled again, climbing out of the car and running down the road to Mercedes. Just before she rang the doorbell, she waved at Mike's car and disappeared inside.

Mike reversed and drove away, thinking about the strange events the day had already thrown at him.

He couldn't help but think how awesome it would be if he'd just made friends with Quinn Fabray.

Okay, hope you liked it! Please review... :)