Before they knew it, they were back on the plane again, but this time, headed to New York. They had a weekend to spare, after spending a glorious week eating from Patti Kitchens' kitchen.
Lots of warm(er) weather to enjoy, trips on the boat, home-cooked meals, and watching every single one of the home movies from start to finish. Those were the memories the week had held. Cameron and Amy even got brave and got out in the freezing water on jet skis for awhile, when the weather had gotten up to the 80's one day. Artie had gone out with them, sitting on the back and holding on tightly while Amy drove really slowly. Tina captured everything in pictures, from where she stood on the dock. At one point, Artie had closed his eyes, seemingly losing himself in memories, and Tina had fought back tears again.
Now seated beside him again on the plane, she had been sleeping and he had been pretending to read again. Finally, after she'd opened her eyes and realized they were getting closer to New York, she straightened up and examined her foot, safely out of its boot, for any signs of swelling. She had to put it back on, however, so she could get up to use the restroom. She noticed that Artie always timed it so that he went before and after they got aboard and never had to go during the flight. Because that, she knew, was yet another hassle he wished to avoid. When she returned, he still had that faraway look in his eyes
"I'd love to know what you've been thinking about," she said, as she scooted by him to get to her seat, with a little difficulty because of the boot.
"I, uh, was thinking about Pops," he said. "Before we left, I... I gave him back those pictures and told him what I did, ten years ago. He was so glad to see them. He said they'd seen the photo albums I'd left open on the floor, with the pictures gone, right after we'd left. He and Mimi went through the garbage, thinking I'd thrown them away, and they were heartbroken—" Artie choked on the last word, surprising himself and Tina, since he didn't usually cry, especially in front of her. She clasped his hand in hers, giving it a squeeze.
Artie wiped his eyes and looked at her, seemingly regaining control. "It's not the stuff like using a special chair to get on a plane or having someone carry me around that gets to me," he finally said. "It's this. This kind of stuff. And to be perfectly honest, Tina, I never wanted to drag anyone else into it."
He fixed her with a hard stare, and she knew exactly who that someone who was being "dragged into it" was, and she felt her heart break into a million pieces, because she felt like he'd never be convinced, that he wasn't a burden to those he loved. She didn't know what she could say to change his mind. Words weren't enough.
"I may go see a counselor," Artie said, breaking the long silence first. "One on campus. They have free counseling for students through Disability Services. I saw Ms. Pillsbury for awhile in high school. Not sure why I thought I wouldn't need it now."
Tina nodded. "I think that's wise, Artie." Those were the only words she could find to say. He nodded, too, and went back to reading (or pretending to read, Tina wasn't sure).
Soon, they were ready for landing, the pilot alerting them to fasten their seatbelts. Tina forgot to ask Artie if anyone was meeting them at the airport. It was entirely possible that they were taking the train from the airport alone, too, which was fine. Tina had left the details of the trip entirely up to Artie. She just kind of hoped for a warm reception from someone. And she certainly hoped she wouldn't be pushed right back out the door of the big apartment, like the last time she'd visited.
As always, they were the last to deplane, so that the attendant could bring the aisle chair and ensure Artie's wheelchair was waiting at the gate. Again, this went smoothly, and again, Artie looked happy to be in control again.
"Let's go," he said, pushing double-time on his wheels. "She's already here and waiting on us." He then remembered Tina's boot. "Oh, sorry," he said. "I forgot."
"She?" Tina followed along behind him, thinking it must have been Mercedes meeting them, as Rachel surely had rehearsals and plenty to do in preparation for the evening's performance. Apparently, Santana was back in New York, too, but as Rachel's new understudy (Tina didn't understand how that was entirely possible), she'd undoubtably be busy, too.
Quinn Fabray was the last person she'd expected to see. Her hair was cut shorter than Tina had ever seen it, and it was dyed a particularly light shade of blonde, but she still had a body that was to-die-for and that undeniable beauty. She was standing, with her arms folded, rolling suitcase propped beside her, by the gate as Artie and Tina approached.
"Artie, Tina, oh, my God!" she exclaimed, running towards the both of them, hugging Tina first and then Artie. It never mattered how different they all were anymore. After all they had been through together in high school, the group was forever connected.
"How was your trip from New Haven?" Artie asked.
"Not bad," she said. "It's actually faster to take the train that goes to the airport, I found out. Anyway, how are the two of you? Tina, oh my gosh, what happened to your foot?"
"Ice," she said, for what felt like the millionth time. "Clumsiness. Running. Poor planning." She laughed through, so Quinn did, too.
Artie, how's film school treating you?"
"Oh, um," Artie began, rolling forward while the two ladies took their places on either side of him, strolling towards baggage claim. "I left actually. It was kind of a mistake. I mean, I'm glad I looked into it, but I found something better to do with my time. I'm at Brown now, studying biomedical engineering."
"What's that?" Quinn asked.
"Well, right now it's just a lot of math and chemistry," he said, chuckling and looking at Tina. They were going to be hating themselves come Sunday night, when they had to get ready for the first day of classes after break. "But later, we'll be studying things like implantable devices, artificial organs... it's really fascinating stuff."
"We?" Quinn looked quizzically at Tina. "Is that what you're studying, too?" When Tina nodded, Quinn wore a smug, knowing expression.
"Oh, we-we aren't together," Tina said, quickly. "I mean, we're together... all the time... but we aren't together."
"That... sounds a lot like what I remember from you two in high school," Quinn commented, with a smirk. "But you know, who says all high school relationships are doomed to fail? I know I don't, not anymore that is..." And Quinn made a great show of tucking the hair on either side behind her ears, using the left hand to do so. Because she was a girl and naturally more inclined to notice these things, Tina was the one to see it.
"Eek!" she shrieked, drawing way too much attention in an airport. "Quinn's engaged! Quinn's engaged! Quinn, who is it?"
"Did you not catch on when I mentioned the part about relationships in high school?" Quinn shook her head, like she was ready to give up on the two of them. "I was talking about me and Puck. We're engaged. It's tricky, what with him in the Air Force. We aren't setting a date yet. But he asked me around the holidays and I said yes."
"How romantic," Tina gushed. She couldn't help it. She was a sucker for spontaneous and unexpected proposals. It was something that would probably never happen to her. Artie had already shut her down for the next five years. And she certainly wasn't about to jet off to Chicago to propose to Mike. Who proposes to someone they're not even dating?
"I know no one would have bet on us in high school," Quinn said. "I sure didn't. But, things change. I've changed, he's changed, but instead of tearing us apart, those changes just brought us back together instead. Oh, here, this is where we wait for baggage claim."
"I'm really happy for you guys," Artie said, wheeling up to a space next to the seating to wait for their bags. "About the only couple in high school I was betting on was Rachel and Finn..." he dropped his eyes to his folded hands in his lap.
"Same here," Quinn added, sadly. Then, remembering something else, she said, "Artie, I almost forgot to tell you — happy belated birthday! Welcome to your twenties."
"You remembered?" Artie grinned.
"Well... I admit Facebook helped me out a little," Quinn confessed. "Puck said to tell you happy birthday, too. He wanted to come see you guys and see Rachel's show, but he hasn't been able to get away yet."
"I miss our jam sessions," Artie said. "And our Halo marathons. I'll send him a Facebook message soon and catch him up. Sorry that I forgot to tell you guys about me quitting film school. It's just been a busy semester. Um, hey, I'll be right back," he said. "Need to visit the restroom."
As Artie wheeled off, that just left Tina and Quinn. Tina had just been to the bathroom on the plane, not that she needed an excuse to hurry off or anything. It was just a tad awkward. She never had much to say to Quinn when they were by themselves. She sucked at making small talk. Puck seemed like as good a topic as any.
"So, Quinn, how did you and Puck get back together?"
"Well, it was really sweet," he said. "Kind of straight out of the ending of Where the Heart Is. Did you ever see that? Where she has a baby in Walmart? Anyway, he showed up on campus, unannounced, and he told me he spotted me at a distance, talking to some people. He noticed the group included a few good-looking guys. So, he started to just walk off. He was going to leave like he'd never even been there. Except I spotted him. I ran up to him, and he starts to say it was a mistake and he shouldn't have come, but I just... told him to stay. So, he did stay, as long as he could. And I just made up my mind, that the next time he had to leave again, I wasn't ever letting him leave for good."
"Oh, wow," said Tina. "That's really sweet." And confusing, she thought. Really confusing. There it was, more love-struck spontaneity! Something that Tina Cohen-Chang, president and founding member of the Too Young to be Bitter Club, could only dream of.
Tina spotted their luggage, just as Artie was returning from the restroom, and they were able to get out of there before it got too crowded. They worked their way through the airport, back to the train station, slowly, mostly on account of Tina and her boot. They managed to arrive five minutes before the next departure.
As they were boarding, Tina got a text from Lauren. She buried her face in her phone to respond.
Hey lady. Missing my roommate today. I'm already back on campus because I have work tomorrow. Beach was amazing. Derrick and I had fun, can't wait to tell you all about it.
Hey Lauren, she wrote. You'll never guess who I am sitting next to on a train right now.
Tina, first thing's first. Check if he's gay or married, then flirt.
Tina struggled to hold in her laughter. Quinn Fabray.
There was a long pause.
Please punch her in the face and tell her I said hi.
Tina couldn't help it. She burst out laughing at this, then promptly hid her screen as Quinn asked, "Who are you texting?"
"Oh, just Lauren," she said. "My roommate." She couldn't look at Artie. She wouldn't have been able to hold it together if she did.
Another AU deviation - Puck and Quinn have reunited but it didn't happen via frequent and unrealistic returns to McKinley High to "mentor the newbies" ;-)
Did you enjoy? Let me know in the reviews! What should happen during this unscripted second reunion in NYC?