Episode 8, Chapter 2:

Quinn couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be full of more disappointments. She wanted to believe nothing bad would happen, but she couldn't be sure of anything. Her life was changing so quickly around her. The things she thought she knew for sure were no longer simple. If she focused on her plans, all the madness became white noise.

In her invites to the party, she'd added a RSVP of what Madonna each person would be. Of course, the costumes were first come, first served, and doubles weren't permitted. She made a begrudging exception for Blaine who'd only recently been invited as Kurt's plus one. Kurt was going to change his entire outfit so that they could be a matching couple even though she'd loved his first idea of wearing the military outfit from American Life. They walked in arm in arm. Kurt recreated Madonna's look at the Grammy Awards with a double-breasted suit with a wide rim black hat and walking cane. Blaine revealed his inner Marlene Dietrich in a replica outfit of what Madonna wore to the MDNA premiere: black suit with a top hat and yellow boutonniere.

Kurt let Blaine take the lead of what they did and who they met. It was the least he could do since he convinced him to go to all these parties with people he didn't even know or like. Blaine didn't care for Santana's crudeness, but Brittany was a sweetheart. Brittany had gone full 80s Madonna in all black with lace gloves that reached her elbows, bow headband, tutu and matching corset. Santana wore the white suit from the music video 'Me Against the Music'. All around the room the boys saw Madonna, from the wild black cat suit and whip to the virgin bride to the kimono wearer. Puck claimed the military garb look instead.

Every one of Madonna's tracks would be played, which was mostly the reason why the party went from 5pm to 3am, with thrills in every hour of it. Three different rooms were playing 'Who's That Girl?', 'Evita' and the Dick Tracy movie starring her on a loop all night and, of course, there would be performances by the birthday girl and friends.

Rachel lucked out and got to replace the unlucky girl in both the dance and costume. Rachel rocked the hell out of the hot pink dress Madonna wore in 'Material Girl' with a masterful hairdo to go with it. Rachel and Finn sang a mash-up of 'Borderline/Open Your Heart,' which only pissed Blaine off. He crossed his arms in his chair while they sang, refusing to get up. Just before dinner, Kurt left Blaine's side to steal the floor in a heartbreaking rendition of 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina.'

Quinn chose a Truly Zac Posen strapless formal black gown with a sweetheart neckline for the beginning of the night. Her hair was held up into a magnificent chignon that gave the illusion she had a boy cut like the real Madonna. She came onto the stage for the first time in costume for 'Express Yourself' with her girls plus Rachel and Tina. Blaine's eyes took an extra moment adjusting to the lights and sights of his girls performing with them. He had no idea Tina would be there at all. Tina's costume for the night was the same onesie Madonna wore when she sang her solo 'Hung Up.' Sometime in the middle of the night, Quinn switched into a shorter dress with the same dress pattern, but a puffy defined skirt.

Blaine watched Kurt's performance of 'I'll Remember' and the group performance of 'Into the Groove' with Kurt, Santana and Rachel, which was the most fun he had all night. Then, Rachel and Finn sang again for 'Like a Virgin,' which traumatized Blaine so completely that had to evacuate the party room. He went to the bathroom halfway through to wash his eyes out. Kurt had to forcibly drag him out before he brought the party with his solo of 'Lucky Star.'

Kurt never thought he would see Blaine actually drunk, but after fighting with his sister following her two duets with Finn, Blaine knocked back more drinks then Kurt feared he could handle at his size. He started wobbling and slurring his speech but had more energy than ever, which was a disastrous combination. He banged his head to some of Madonna's more raunchy numbers from recent years, and his hair, always perfectly slathered down in gel, started coming apart because of the sweat until his curls began sticking out of his top hat. Kurt felt obligated to keep watch of his date as the shorter boy's playful drunk-self behaved like a 5-year-old. Because he was so thoroughly distracted, he missed whatever happened between Sam and Quinn.

As it got closer to 1AM, Quinn removed the shorter dress in exchange for the outfit she'd been dying to wear all night: the black pantsuit and belt Madonna wore in the music video 'Papa Don't Preach' and performed her number one favorite song while imitating the one and only. While the party still wasn't over, everything after her syrupy performance was just extra sprinkles.

All night Quinn had been looking around for Sam, who was once again nowhere to be found. She understood why he wouldn't want to come, but she never uninvited him to her birthday in her last breakup voicemail. There was always a chance they could talk about what was broken and still fix their relationship. After her solo, she lost all faith that he would ever walk through the doors. Puck found her, of course, when she was at her lowest point.

"That must have been the hottest you ever looked and I have a long list of your hot moments…" Puck spoke with his signature bravado.

"I don't want to hear it Puck. Sam didn't even come for my birthday. He always tells me 'Happy birthday' on my birthday. Things must be worse than I thought. Do you know why he didn't show up?"

"I'm sure you know enough. I'm not here right now to talk about him. I want to talk about us—" he leaned closer, but she blew him off. "Fine! You really want to know? Yes, he stopped by, but he didn't want to see you."

"Why not? When? Where was he? What did he dress like?"

"I don't know! He had a dumb cowboy hat on. He texted me when he got here and asked me to tell you 'Happy Birthday.'"

"Well then, why didn't you tell me until just now?" she fumed.

"Well, because there was more. He's not going to see you again. He couldn't face you. I didn't want to tell you anything because he knew it would hurt you."

"So, it's official. We're really over?" she hesitated. "Is it about Kurt?"

"No, he said it had to do with his family… I bailed Sam out that night. Things aren't going well. His life is a mess, and his parents want him to get back together with you for your loyalty. He doesn't want to bring you into that."

"So, he still loves me?"

"He cares but...," he spoke softly. These words made her cry.

"They got a lawyer and a lot of pressure on him. You know he is not good with stress…"

Flashback

Earlier when Sam snuck in, Puck followed him to the bathroom.

"You really want to do this in here? Why don't you go talk to her?"

"I can't. I need to talk to you. My dad is in huge trouble, and I want to help them, but I can't do what they want me to do."

"What do they want?" Puck asked concernedly.

Whoever thought monarchy was dead didn't realize it just changed zip codes. So, what will it be, Sam, Quinn Fabray's hand or your father's head?

"They want me to lie. They want me to be on their side and forget that I saw my dad buying drugs and stuff and beg Quinn to take me back."

"I don't know about Quinn…"

"I'm not going to do that to her. You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going to lie to her anymore. She deserves so much better."

"Yeah, alright, you probably shouldn't lie about the other stuff."

"It's my father's head though. He'll go to jail. I don't like what he's done, but my mom—I got to think about her."

"I might be wrong, but weren't you taking care of her the last few years? You know I like your mom—no, no, not like that. Not anymore anyway," he smirked, "Sandy's awful. Family or not, you might be better without him."

Sam had to admit he had a good point. April Rhodes-Evans started drinking worse the last couple of years with him anyway. One was always expected to stand by your family, but he remembered his mom telling him once when she was very drunk after watching an episode of Law & Order that if he ever did anything bad like commit a murder, she wouldn't defend him. What was wrong was wrong. Her feelings might have changed in the last couple of years because of Sandy, but Sam had better morals. He knew stealing, embezzling and dealing drugs were bad things, and he couldn't look away. What would Sean Connery do?

"Once they lose this business deal with her mom, my parents are going to be in big financial trouble, and it will be my fault." Sam didn't want to say it out loud, but this was what had been really bothering him.

"It's not your fault. You were least the responsible. You're a hero, man."

"Now, I'm actually the most responsible," Sam smiled at his own joke. They were brothers. If anything went really south from this point on, and guilt from the big secret he was keeping about what he did with his best friend's ex aside, he'd help his friend through whatever.

Finn walked to the door with Rachel just as Kurt was walking out; he and Blaine had just made Shelby's extremely strict curfew. Kurt was eternally grateful his mom never forced a curfew on him although he can imagine it would have been helpful to keep him out of trouble at points. Blaine had told Kurt that their mother was home so they were sure to get the full care treatment. Blaine was completely sloshed when he greeted his mother.

Rachel gave Finn a sloppy kiss that Kurt had no part seeing before waving her long-white glove in his direction and pushing open the door to the loft.

Kurt planned to return to the party now that he was done dropping off Blaine.

"Had a nice night?" Kurt asked on the walk down the stairs with Finn.

"Yeah, amazing! Rache, she looked, just—wow!" he droned, and Kurt knew he'd finally lost his brother to the love bug.

"Yes, she did. You don't look too bad yourself," he motioned to his brother who matched his girlfriend in the suit and pink sash like the men from the Madonna music video.

"It was Rachel's idea. She was so happy to be back on the list. She went to temple to pray for Quinn to take her back."

"Well that worked! She's a hell of a performer. I never thought I'd hear you sing."

"When she's happy, I'm happy. She begged me to sing with her today, and it was actually kind of fun. I see why you like it so much."

"You looked like you had fun. Am I upset that you never believed me when I told you that you'd like to sing? Absolutely," Kurt teased his brother. "But I am still glad you sang," he said just as they arrived at their matching cars. Kurt called his off and got into Finn's so they could head back to the party. Finn wasn't expecting to go back, but Kurt asked nicely. The taller boy didn't usually fight with him, and he didn't start today.

When they got back, the music was getting to the V's and W's of Madonna's music catalog. Finn wandered off towards Brittany and Santana. He was looking for Puck, but no one had seen him or Quinn in a while. Following his nose, Kurt wandered upstairs. He didn't expect them to be together, but he understood Quinn might have needed some space after the party.

He knew she hadn't gotten what she secretly wanted: Sam to come and grovel at her feet until she took him back. She would have let him sweat while already planning to take him back like she usually did. As far as he knew, that hadn't happened, and Sam hadn't shown up. She must have known Sam had a lot going on. Everyone had heard that his dad was in big trouble. Thankfully, Gossip Girl hadn't started doing what she does with the news.

Kurt rapped lightly on the door she was most likely to be in, and when she didn't respond, he pushed open the door just a little. What he saw was Quinn on a bed facing the door and a military beret getting busy on her neck. He closed the door without even gasping in their direction. Kurt didn't want to get caught and he didn't want to believe what he'd just so clearly seen. She was getting as Santana would say "Wanky" with Puck of all people.

Now this was news.

Happy Birthday to who? Forget cake and ice cream. I'm saving room for just desserts. Looks like Puck's wish might come true.

After a little more of Puck being Quinn's shoulder to lean on, she had dragged him to the rooms upstairs.

"You like this?" Puck whispered sensuously into Quinn's ear. While she loved what his mouth had been doing to her neck, she didn't care about the words that came out of his mouth.

"Shut up Puck," she groaned and pulled him back down to where she wanted him.

"I'm just trying to make the moment special," he mumbled. Quinn couldn't help hearing a mixture of hurt and consideration.

"This isn't special. It's sex, Puck. Something you know a lot about."

"Okay, it's just sex," he said defensively pulling away from her. She scoffed and glared at him standoffishly.

"Isn't it? Doesn't Puckasaurus like when he doesn't need to hunt and has the girl lain out in front of him? No? I know, you like the chase or at least I thought you did, but you don't like when the girl wants you for sex back."

"The talking makes it romantic," he didn't respond to what he knew was her taunting.

"You don't know what romantic is. That wasn't romantic, that was dirty talk. Sam was great at being romantic. You're not like him."

Usually he liked when she was mean, but now it was different. It was like she was trying to hurt him. They weren't just jests; they were knives.

"Then, non-romantic me must be an idiot because he got you this for your birthday," he said showing her the case he'd been keeping on him all day because what was kept inside was almost as precious as what was on the bed in front of him. She squinted at him before opening it.

It was the diamond earrings she'd been dreaming about.

"What is this?" she asked him.

"You know exactly what it is," Puck said shoving his coat back on.

"I don't get—why are you so upset with me right now? You sound like the pathetic wimps you hate and throw in dumpsters."

"No reason, Quinn, none whatsoever," he said angrily ready to leave the room. This hadn't gone how he liked.

"Are you—do you like me?"

Careful, Q. There's no safe wager when you bet on a Puckerman. You just might lose your shirt and your pants.

Sam walked the long way home. He'd gone out unsure of what he'd do once he got to Quinn's party, and now, he knew he couldn't be prouder of himself. He wasn't like the other guys. Thankfully, Puck had his back as always and convinced him he had the right idea. He was done protecting his family from themselves. If they disowned him that would be on them, he'd done everything he could. At 2AM, all types of girls were going home in droves from whatever partying they'd done that night. A lot of them stopped to hoot at him. He didn't realize until after he'd gone a few streets that the reason why was probably his cowboy hat.

He laughed at himself before going with the joke. He tipped his hat for the next girls that came his way. One of them giggled so hard she lost balance and fell onto him, knocking the hat from his head. He was strong enough to catch her before they both went down. Unlucky for him he didn't see the camera phone that snapped the picture as he helped her to her feet and helped her into the taxi. His phone beeped when he was a block from his house. He groaned but thought nothing more of it.

Spotted: Sam Evans, depositing a mystery girl in a taxi after midnight; All we know about her for sure? She's not Quinn Fabray!

"You can't be serious? How? Why?"

"I don't know how or why, but it happened. I want you, Quinn, all to myself, and this gift was just a clue. I might have feelings for you."

"Puck," she spoke nearly breathless, contemplating in her mind what all this meant. "I'm not worth it. You shouldn't like me. Why…"

"How about you are beautiful? The most beautiful girl I've ever known. I never even knew I had a thing for blondes before you, but now I do and no other blonde will do. I'm sorry for everything. Let me make it up to you," he said and kissed her.

She would never get used to that falling feeling she had when something surprised her so much, but she could pretend for one more night. She leaned into Puck, who pushed her back onto the bed. He learned his lesson and didn't speak anymore. Quinn finally discovered how romantic he could be.

Spotted: Q. Turning a year older, but not necessarily wiser. Guess Puck's the gift that keeps on giving. Blow out your candles, Q. This will be better in the dark. X.O.X.O., Gossip Girl.

~A.N. I loved this chapter because it included all the mazing over the top costumes and performances we know and love. I had a very clear vision for the outfits Quinn was wearing. The Rachel Madonna look was straight out of a promo campaign they made. Also, we're basically at the peak of Quick cuteness this season before everything gets broken up. Next episode is a Thanksgiving special for the ages!