A/N: Your reviews for the last two chapters have been amazing! I love that you have so many thoughtful and inspiring things to say. And a few of you had a few thoughts that I plan on incorporating within the story…so thank you and I hope you like where I take it…

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A couple of weeks after the movie outing, Quinn was in her room getting ready to go over to Rachel's. She was excited because she was going to be trying to use her walker for the first time. They were going to go for a walk in the park. The blonde couldn't wait to be rid of the wheelchair completely, and today was her first real step toward that goal.

She noticed her mom standing in the doorway, a well-worn blank expression on her face. Judy had taken what happened to Rachel extremely difficulty. Quinn wondered if her mom blamed herself for what Russel did. Judy had been the one to let him in their lives, into her house. But she was also the one who stopped it. Quinn had never been prouder of her mom than when she saved Rachel. She couldn't remember if she ever told her that though.

Neither Judy nor Quinn ever went back into that garage. It was Fran who cleaned the blood stains off of the floor. Judy now parked her car outside, and Quinn never brought it up. She wondered if she'd ever be able to go back in there. It was kind of like driving again, she didn't really have a desire to get back in the driver's seat. The young blonde worried how many more things she would have to give up in her lifetime, because continuing them was just too painful. She even had yet to wear a swimsuit this summer, because she was nervous about revealing all the scars still on her body. Then she began to wonder about the things Rachel was giving up. She can't remember the last time she heard the brunette burst into song.

Quinn was pulled from her thoughts when Judy spoke. "Do you think maybe…I haven't seen Rachel in a while and I…"

"You could go to the park with us, Mom, I'm sure Rachel would love to catch up with you."

Judy smiled softly. "I'd like that."

00000000

They were currently walking through the park that was down the street from Rachel's. Quinn was setting the pace, because walking even with a walker was proving a challenge for her. She would sit down at every bench they came across. It was only at those times, the girls would talk. Otherwise, they walked in silence. But even then, their talking consisted of arbitrary things like the weather.

When they sat down at one of the benches, Judy spoke up. "I don't know if I told you yet, Quinn, but Fran got the job transfer she requested. She hopes to move back by the end of next week."

"How is Fran?" Rachel asked tentatively. "Will she live with you guys, what does she do?"

Judy smiled at the girl before answering all of her questions. "Fran is good, she asks about you as well. Yes, she's going to keep me company since Quinnie is going to be off to New Haven soon."

"We've got like a month and a half Mom." Quinn groaned.

"And she's in sales and marketing, dear." Judy finished as she ignored Quinn's interruption.

"Oh, Rachel! I almost forgot to tell you, Nicci and Artie want to go on a double date with us. Is that okay?" Quinn said suddenly.

"That sounds fun. I really do enjoy them." Rachel replied before adding. "Santana's been wanting to hang out too."

Quinn frowned. Why hadn't Santana mentioned that to her?

Judy must have seen the look on Quinn's face, so she replied. "I didn't realize that you and Santana were so close, Rachel."

Rachel shrugged. "We're not especially."

"Do you think I should call Santana and Brittany, we could make it a group date?" Quinn offered.

"I guess."

They sat in an uneasy silence for a while now that that subject was dropped.

"How are your self-defense classes going, Rachel?" Judy asked.

"Great actually! My instructor said I had a real knack for it, he said I should look into studying Martial Arts. So I looked up some places in New York that offer different classes and I think I found one."

This was as excited as Quinn had seen Rachel in quite some time. Seeing Rachel with a bit of her fire back was a relief for the blonde. She smiled as she slowly took Rachel's hand in hers and her smile widened when the brunette immediately tangled their fingers.

"What are some of the classes you looked into?" Quinn asked with interest.

"There is a Grand Master that teaches Tang Soo Do near NYADA, I was going to check him out first." Rachel explained. "I researched that branch of Martial Arts and I respect their teachings as well as what they can offer me…physically. Plus, did you know Chuck Norris practiced Tang Soo Do?"

Judy chuckled and Quinn smiled.

"Learning that led me to all these Chuck Norris sites…did you know people have jokes about him? Some are rather amusing." Rachel continued.

Yes! She's rambling again, that is a good sign right? Quinn smiled with amusement. "I'd bet they are."

"Oooh, one of my favorites was that Chuck Norris doesn't dial the wrong number…you answer the wrong phone."

Judy shook her head with a grin while Quinn took Rachel's hand to her mouth and pressed her lips softly to each of the brunette's knuckles.

"And if at first you don't succeed then you're not Chuck Norris." Rachel continued with a genuine smile. "That's my favorite. Though I think that it'd be more suitable when I use my own name at the end."

"Naturally." Quinn smirked.

After chatting about nonsense for another ten minutes, the three women made their way back to Judy's car. Quinn opted to sit in the back, beside Rachel.

"You know, Quinn. I am proud of you." Rachel said softly, on their way out of the park.

The blonde turned to her girlfriend. "Why?"

"You did really well walking today. And tomorrow is just going to get better." Rachel finished quietly before closing her eyes and resting her head on Quinn's shoulder.

Quinn smiled to herself. Tomorrow was just going to get better. And each day after that would be better than the day before. She truly began to belief that.

After hanging out and having lunch with Rachel and her Dads, Judy took Quinn to her physical therapy session and then they went home. Quinn was barely through the front door, before she called Santana.

"Yeah?" The Latina said as she answered her phone.

"Rachel and I were going to go do dinner with Nicci and Artie sometime this week, would you and Brittany like to come?"

"As much as I'd love to say yes, Britt's out of town this week visiting family in Lansing." Santana replied. "But, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about Q."

The blonde's jaw tightened. Santana's tone sounded ominous. "What?"

"I want to try talking to Rachel." Santana said and let the statement linger.

"About?" Quinn prompted with irritation.

"Reel in the green eyed monster, Q. It's not like that." Santana sighed. "Remember right after I was out, remember that guy who wanted to…straighten me out?"

There was silence on Quinn's end of the line.

"You guys were all there and defended me. But what if you weren't? The things he said…what he implied…" Santana paused. "It's nothing like what Rachel's going through…but I think…out of all of us, I may understand her more than anyone right now and I'd like to try and help her. She needs to talk to someone."

"She talked to that rape advocate right after the…" Quinn trailed off, unable to continue.

"I get that. And perhaps it is easier to talk to strangers and she told the chick everything. But maybe, she wasn't ready to deal with it at the time or was in shock…maybe she'd rather have a friend who'll listen."

"I listen."

"Q. You have been amazing and I love you. But if I can help her, don't you want me to try?"

"I…yes." The blonde admitted with a sigh.

"And just between you and me…I sort of need this too. I got harassed and also I got disowned by my own Abuela. It's some tough shit to deal with and talking about it may help us both."

Quinn frowned. "The advocate told me…when I asked how to help Rachel. Helping someone by telling them all your problems isn't helping them. I get that you have similar experiences…but you telling Rachel yours just to…compare them…"

"It wouldn't be like that. I promise I won't lay all my issues on her. I just…she needs to talk, Q. Has she talked about it yet?"

"Not really."

"Let me try."

"Fine."

0000000

Two days later, Nicci, Artie, Rachel and Quinn were having dinner at Breadstix.

"I can't say how amazing it is to see you out of that chair, Quinn." Nicci smiled genuinely.

"What was the first thing you did when you got out of it?" Artie asked. "I would probably dance. I guess I miss glee a little more than I thought." He added the last part sheepishly.

Quinn smiled. "Rachel and my Mom walked through the park with me. I still get exhausted and sore, and have to set down every few minutes. But I'm walking."

Rachel reached across the booth, and rested her hand on Quinn's thigh. The blonde looked at her girlfriend with a smile reserved only for her.

"So the countdown to get out of Lima has begun. Do you have everything you need for the city Rachel?" Nicci asked the brunette.

"Kurt and I went supply shopping recently. I made an inventory on a spreadsheet, so all I have yet to do is pack."

"You haven't packed yet?" Artie gasped. "I would have thought that you'd pack your bags the day after graduation." The boy replied with a smile.

Rachel shifted uncomfortably before whispering. "I was otherwise occupied that day."

A alarming silence overtook the table at the reminder of Rachel's words. Quinn placed her hand on top of Rachel's, only to have the brunette pull away quickly. "I have to use the restroom, I'll be right back." She left the table before anyone could say a word.

"Shit. Sorry Quinn." Artie apologized.

"It's so…hard." Quinn sighed. "It's like some days she's happy and close to her old self and then some days anything sets her off. I don't know what to do, Santana is going to talk with her tomorrow…"

"Santana? Is that wise?" Artie asked with concern.

"I'm sort of out of options." Quinn answered desperately.

Nicci eyed the other blonde curiously. She had been watching them intently all night. "While Rachel is talking to Santana tomorrow, I'd like to talk to you."

Quinn looked at her friend with trepidation. "Why does that sound like you have a few choice things to tell me?"

Nicci smirked. "Because that is the way I intended it to sound."

Quinn gulped.

A few minutes later, Rachel returned to the table.

"I was going to check on you, but I thought you'd prefer privacy." Quinn whispered when Rachel sat down beside her.

The brunette smiled gently and replied. "Thank you." Then she turned to Nicci and Artie as she plastered on her show face smile. "Sorry about the diva storm out…it seems that I have yet to outgrow them."

Artie looked from Rachel to Quinn and back again. "It's okay, Rachel. Sorry about my insensitivity before. I didn't mean anything by it."

Rachel waived her hand in dismissal. "I need to stop being so sensitive. You guys shouldn't have to walk on eggshells around me."

Artie shifted uncomfortably as Rachel continued talking. "It's funny really. Before when Quinn was hurt, I just wanted people to acknowledge that I was not myself and to not treat me as if nothing had changed…and now, all I want is for everything to go back to normal."

"What do you talk about with the rest of your friends?" Nicci asked before silence could threaten them again.

Rachel shrugged. "I usually listen to them drone on about their stupid problems. Kurt is worried about his long distance relationship with Blaine next fall. And Mercedes is worried about senior year without the rest of us. I just get so angry at them all the time. They complain as if their problems are such huge tragedies. I want to scream, or grab them and shake them. Then I feel guilty because they are doing just what I asked them to do and they are going on with their lives…and they are my friends so I shouldn't resent them for doing it. Yet I want to tell them to just get over it. Because I've moved on and if I can do that after what happened, then they sure as hell should be able to get over whatever their stupid problems are. But then I realize that just means I haven't gotten over it yet and…"

Rachel's eyes widened as she seemed to realize that she said things she never intended to say aloud. She quickly turned to Quinn to see a shocked look on the blonde's face. They stared at each other wordlessly for a moment, before the blonde let herself breathe.

"You…" She began but was interrupted.

"I'm sorry Quinn. I know you want me to be better and I am trying, please don't hate me."

Quinn shook her head violently. "Rachel, I could never hate you…" She closed her eyes to control her breathing. When she opened them, she reached for the brunette's hand. "If you are angry or sad…I want to hear all about it okay?" Then she smiled sadly. "Please."

Rachel barely nodded, but it was enough for Quinn. The blonde squeezed her hand gently.

"No one expects you to be over it so soon Rachel and no one knows how you're feeling unless you talk to them. I'm sure Kurt and Mercedes mean well, but if it bothers you so bad maybe you could tell them." Nicci offered.

"I shouldn't have said what I did. The truth is…as resentful as it makes me at times, I'd rather hear their nonsense than to have them treat me like I could break at any moment. I swear Shelby looks like she wants to cry every time she visits me and…" She sighed. "My Dads…"

"Talk to them. If you don't, then someday there will be an outburst and you'll take out every frustration you have on them even though they won't deserve it." Quinn made sure Rachel was looking at her before she continued. "That's what I did to you. I took out my anger at my situation on you because you were there. And you took it all in stride. So will your Dads, so will I. And Kurt and Mercedes. But you'll feel like shit for hurting them…because it's the last thing you ever wanted to do."

Rachel considers Quinn's words, before slowly nodding her head. "I will try to be more aware of what I say to people and how I respond to them. Especially my Dads…and you."

"I'm not saying it to protect them, Rach, I just don't want you feeling guilty on top of everything else."

"I know, Quinn."

"So are we ordering dessert or what? That Oreo pie looks delicious." Nicci said to try to ease the tension.

They laughed uneasily before their conversation turned to the lighter side while they ate their dessert. After dinner, they went to see a fluffy romantic comedy.

In the car on the way home, Rachel began a conversation by apologizing. "I'm sorry if I ruined the date, I…"

"You didn't." They were currently holding hands, so Quinn began drawing lazy circles on Rachel's hand with her thumb. "I want to know what's going on in that head of yours, even if it isn't all rainbows and unicorns." She smiled, hoping Rachel remembered Quinn using that phrase once before.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I seem to recall that you hated my endless optimism and told me that the world wasn't all rainbows and unicorns."

"Awww, so you do remember." Quinn smirked.

"Of course I remember Quinn. I was trying to tell you that you looked beautiful in your Prom dress, however, you didn't seem to believe me."

Quinn shrugged playfully. "All I seem to remember about that day is how frustrating it was watching you prance around half naked trying on dresses that made you look stunningly beautiful." Then she said with annoyance. "You know, Mom said I was worse that a horny teenage boy that day."

Rachel laughed out loud. "I love your mother."

"She loves you."

They let a comfortable silence spread over them. Quinn grinned happily when she heard Rachel softly humming.

"We haven't listened to any music in a while." Quinn said conversationally.

"That's because I no longer have my iPod. Someone else has it." Rachel replied teasingly.

"I seem to recall you giving it to me…it was a very romantic gesture."

"Romantic but impractical, seeing as how we currently have nothing to listen to."

Quinn took her hand out of Rachel's and dug in her purse. "I happen to have mine with me." She plugged it in as she spoke. "I figured that you can have mine…since you already are in possession of my heart."

Rachel smiled at her genuinely as they pulled into the Fabray driveway. She put the car in park and looked at her girlfriend. "It only seems fair."

Quinn bit her lip nervously, before handing the iPod to Rachel. "I made a playlist for you as well." She allowed the first song to play as she relinquished hold on the device. "It's called, 'I won't give up.'"

Rachel swallowed thickly as the first notes to the song with the same name began playing over her speakers. "Quinn…."

"I listened to your playlist Rachel, and saw your soul. Now I want you to listen to mine and know that every word is true."

The brunette nodded as she scrolled through the list taking in the song titles. When she looked back up at the blonde, she had tears in her eyes. "Thank you Quinn."

Quinn touched her fingers lightly to Rachel's face, gently wiping away the fallen tears. "I love you."

Rachel put her hand on top of one of Quinn's, holding it in place. Then she looked into Quinn's honest eyes and whispered back, reverently. "I love you too, Quinn."

A/N: Up next, Santana and Rachel talk as do Nicci and Quinn…