"Can I just admit how amazed I am that you managed to keep something as metaphorically huge as Jesse St. James from the gossip mongering Kurt Hummel and the investigative skills of Santana Lopez?" Quinn asked, lifting her cup of vodka to 'toast' Rachel, who sat across from her in the space between the two beds in her dorm room, the two of them leaning against one side of each bed. "Brava, Rachel Berry. Brava."

Rachel raised her own cup to acknowledge Quinn's admiration. She had told Quinn the whole story, from her professor's suggestion to find someone to work with, up to events just a day previous, when Jesse didn't question either of her song choices. Quinn had listened attentively, and Rachel had to admit that it was a welcome relief that Quinn didn't seem to need to ask too many questions, especially as to why the choice of songs were important.

For her part, Quinn knew Rachel needed to get some things off her chest before she exploded from having too many feelings. One would be inclined to think that someone shouldn't be so overwhelmingly inclined to be controlled by their emotions, but Quinn actually admired that about Rachel, even though the brunette's emotions tended to steer her wayward, but Quinn supposed that was just a natural consequence to being Rachel Berry.

As for Rachel's current dilemma? As someone who had somehow managed to inaccurately gain the reputation as a serial cheater back in high school (twice hardly counted as serial), Quinn had to admit that Rachel was in way over her head in regards to her romantic entanglements. She couldn't attest to anything Finn-related, because once she had grown out of her obsession with being one half of her high school's top couple and being crowned Prom Queen, she readily acknowledged that Finn Hudson was not a particularly good catch. The jock was generally a nice guy, even though his moments of stupidity were fairly often and sometimes mean-spirited and misguided, but his main fault as far as Quinn was concerned was that he mostly selfish and basically an idiot. He lacked ambition and basically did enough just to get by, but his worst trait was that he actually believed his own PR when he - and pretty much everyone around him - told him he was wonderful, even though all evidence pointed to the contrary.

But Rachel loved him, and had even been ready to marry the dolt. Yes, it was mostly out of fear and insecurity, but they had been ready to take that step. The thing was, and Quinn never dared to say this out loud to anyone, especially Rachel, but the entire Finn/Rachel dynamic was so deeply flawed that it led to complete self-destruction for both individuals. Rachel had had to give up so much of herself to fit into Finn's life, while Finn never learned to grow up and try harder to be a better person. Proof of it was that even now, even though they have been separated for nearly a year, Rachel still felt compelled to help Finn and he still felt as if she owed him her attention.

In that respect, even though she was wary of Brody Weston and his too-smooth personality when she had met him, she had to like him better than Finn. At least he readily acknowledged the wonder that was Rachel Berry's talent, and he saw Rachel as an equal. A naïve and rather guileless equal, but he respected her and acknowledged that she could make her own decisions, as well as admit to his own mistakes.

Had she suspected there was something fishy about their "open relationship"? Sure. She had never entirely bought the reasoning that he had a difficult past with his former girlfriend - people got dumped for random reasons every day, she didn't understand why he had been so traumatized - but knew that the decision to define the relationship so casually was ultimately Rachel's. Did she agree with Santana that it was a ready out for Rachel in the event she fell back into bed with Finn? Maybe a little. After all, she had watched Rachel fall back into a relationship with Finn Hudson so many times just because she was lonely and Finn was an easy catch; despite knowing they were ultimately heading to vastly differing futures. She couldn't fault him, not really, for sticking to the definition of an open relationship since it was obvious from the start that Rachel didn't want too serious a commitment either.

And now there was Jesse St. James. Someone who had once played Rachel with the deft and skill of the most talented of musicians, but had come crawling back a year later. She didn't like him very much - he had always been too arrogant for her taste even if she could appreciate his aesthetic value - but she understood the appeal of Jesse St. James, especially for Rachel: he understood her, he spoke her language. He was the good-looking popular boy every girl fantasized about, and he didn't find singing and dancing to the top an anomaly. He was Rachel's perfect leading man.

She didn't like him, but Quinn could identify with St. James: he'd had a job to do and he hadn't been afraid to do what it took to accomplish it. As Sue Sylvester's erstwhile spy and primary antagonist bent on the destruction of the Glee Club, Quinn could identify with the ruthlessness of going after the heart and soul of the New Directions. She hadn't been strong enough to do it; she wasn't surprised that the lead of Vocal Adrenaline could.

They were supposed to be ruthless and cruel, and strike without fear of any repercussions, but they had both hesitated when it came to hurting Rachel. Quinn had paused because she saw in Rachel Berry a girl that could have been her best friend had she been raised differently, had she not allowed her upbringing as the youngest daughter of the hate-mongering Russell Fabray taint her personality. She had ultimately backed off, because she knew that even if she turned her back on Sue Sylvester's commands, give up her status as Head Cheerio, she could fall back on the support (if not exactly friendship) of the Glee Club.

Jesse had not been given that option. He was the enemy, as far as the New Directions were concerned, and he hadn't had the luxury of letting the respect and camaraderie grow organically. He had been the lead of Vocal Adrenaline, and he had been the pawn of too many conflicting forces. Shelby Corcoran had used him to get to Rachel, and when Shelby turned her back on Rachel, Quinn was certain that he hadn't really had a choice but to follow her lead. And his precious victory lap. Quinn knew from her cheerleading experience that scholarships don't just fall from the sky, and those things usually came with strings. She had always suspected that his UCLA scholarship had been contingent on Vocal Adrenaline's showing at Nationals.

And now she was tasked with the job as Rachel's friend to highlight all of this without Rachel reaching breaking point.

She liked her friendship with Rachel, more than her friendships with anyone else, because it forced her to think things through instead of aiming for the jugular first and apologizing later. That was how their relationship used to be, and Quinn had to make the conscious effort not to be so harsh or mean with Rachel. And in return, Quinn got the unconditional friendship she had always yearned for.

Yes, their relationship history was spotty, especially since she used to be Rachel's main bully, Rachel's actions didn't always encourage trustworthiness, and they had dated the same two boys in high school. But Rachel could talk her off her metaphorical ledge, and she wasn't afraid to ask the hard questions.

"Why Jesse?"

"He understands me, Quinn." Rachel said earnestly. "It's like being in a room full of people talking, and you know they're all talking in English but nobody seems to be making sense, and then suddenly there's this one voice that speaks and you understand everything."

Quinn gave her a look. "I was thinking about the fact that you told me Shelby's in New York, too, but you chose your estranged ex-boyfriend to help coach you."

Shelby. An uncomfortable topic, for both of them.

Rachel glanced at Quinn, her gaze soft, empathetic. "It was her birthday last week."

Her. No need for Rachel to specify who she was, since there was only one reason to mention anything to Quinn, and that was Beth. Quinn tried not to think about her too much, especially since Shelby had decided after the disastrous events of last year that it was better if Beth first only knew of her birth parents in the abstract: names on cards and presents and the occasional phone call, not of any real presence in her life. Which Quinn could understand, even though she hated knowing such a big part of her was out in the world and not being able to be a part of her life.

"You know, I'm due for coffee with Shelby." Rachel commented. "I could ask her if you and Beth can join us."

Quinn laughed lightly. "It's amazing how you still have the subtlety of a ton of bricks."

Rachel pouted.

Quinn placated her with a soft smile. "I'd like that."

Rachel smiled brightly.

However, Quinn was not so easily distracted. "Have you told Shelby you're working with St. James?"

Rachel gave her a confused look. "Why would I?"

Quinn stared at her for a full beat, trying to discern whether or not Rachel was being deliberately obtuse, before she sighed in defeat. "Yeah. Why would you."

Rachel watched her take a sip from her cup of vodka, and proceeded to take a drink of her own. She let the taste linger, before she sighed in a forlorn manner.

Quinn was just glad Rachel wasn't all-out bawling yet, even though there had been some hints of tears throughout her narrative.

Rachel sighed again. "I don't know what to do."

"You could just talk to him, instead of guessing all the time."

Rachel waved off the suggestion dismissively. "If he understood me so well, we wouldn't need to talk about it."

Quinn's confusion regarding that statement showed on her face. If that statement was supposed to make sense, she didn't get it.

"Besides, I've clearly been acting out of my usual character and he hasn't made any kind of note or comment on it." Rachel continued. "He obviously hasn't noticed, or if he had, he doesn't care."

"Or maybe he figures you're doing it for a reason and refuses to take the bait." Quinn remarked.

"Jesse St. James is well and capable of making up his own mind and he has given no inclination whatsoever to indicate I am more than just a friend and student."

"He did give you roses."

"Pink and white, Quinn." Rachel reminded.

"He gave you enough thought to reserve a bouquet of flowers. Just for you." Quinn argued.

"While someone else got red roses."

"So?"

"So there's someone else, Quinn!" Rachel exclaimed. "I've been friend-zoned!"

"You don't know that."

"Why else would he have red roses?" Rachel challenged.

Quinn rolled her eyes. "You're over-thinking this."

"Well, what choice do I have?" Rachel scoffed. "Ask him?"

Quinn knew better than to answer that trap of a question. "I'm just saying that maybe you should consider the fact that he could have easily just ignored your text message but instead he's investing time and effort into helping you."

"Exactly my point." Rachel reiterated. "Friend-zoned."

"You realize that word doesn't get any less ridiculous each time you say it."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Except it's true."

"Rachel, no offense, but if St. James really is in New York for reasons beyond being in the same state as you, he's actually taking time out of his schedule just to be around you." Quinn pointed out. "He might not be in it for purely platonic reasons."

Rachel opened her mouth to argue, but promptly shut it again, her lips forming a pout.

"And, you know how we all like to say that Jesse appeals to you for narcissistic reasons?" Quinn asked, pouring more vodka into her cup.

"People actually say that?" Rachel wondered.

"Well, maybe you should consider that maybe he actually does like you romantically, except you're stuck between your relationship with Brody and whatever's going on with you and Finn." Quinn noted, drinking from her cup. She looked up, and noticed Rachel's puzzled expression. "Rachel, he took a time out when you did that Run Joey Run video. He obviously doesn't like to share just as much you do."

"He was really hurt by that video," Rachel professed.

"See?" Quinn highlighted.

"So..." Rachel's brow furrowed. "You're saying he's keeping things platonic while I'm still in a relationship with Brody?"

"I don't know. Maybe." Quinn shrugged. "It's a working hypothesis."

"But..." Rachel began, paused, and continued, "how will I know?"

"If he really loves you?" Quinn joked, before she caught herself. She shot Rachel a playful glare. "You and your glee club influence, making me finish sentences with lyrics."

"Well," Rachel grinned, "I am asking you what you know about these things."

Quinn tried to frown, really, but she found the situation so ridiculous and absurd, especially in her drunken state, and she found herself giggling uncontrollably. "Oh my God. You've ruined me, Rachel Berry."

"So says the life ruiner Quinn Fabray." Rachel retorted, giggling as well.

"God, just..." Quinn struggled to regain composure, well aware that they were actually having a serious conversation. She took a deep breath, and when she was sure she had her giggles under control, made her spiel. "Rachel, St. James has a lot going for him. Maybe that wasn't so obvious when he dropped out of UCLA and trawling a high school in Ohio for a date, but he's obviously capable of getting his life together enough to end up in New York and I'm guessing not as someone homeless. The fact that he takes the time to entertain you and your insanity on a regular basis is reason enough for you to make the effort."

"I am making an effort!" Rachel protested.

Quinn scoffed. "You're not. You want him to want you, but you're not willing to dump Brody or cut Finn from your life."

Rachel frowned. "You said that Finn and I are meant to be."

Quinn found that there wasn't enough indignation in the world to accurately capture the sentiment behind her scoff at that statement. "We were graduating. I figured I might as well tell you what you wanted to hear at least once before we left high school."

"So..."

"No, Rachel, I don't believe that for a second." Quinn filled in when Rachel's voice trailed off.

"So why are you making the case for Jesse?" Rachel asked curiously.

Quinn shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because I can relate? I mean, I didn't want to say we were friends while I wasn't sure I'd ever choose our friendship over my social status, or that you would ever choose me over anyone else. Maybe Jesse doesn't want to try for being more than your friend since you're not exactly available to him."

Rachel paused, the word "available" pinging in her head, even in her slightly inebriated state. She remembered that word, it was important. Why?

"I mean, it would clear up the question of whether or not you actually just want him because he doesn't seem to want you."

"I guess." Rachel concurred. She sighed.

Quinn returned her wry smile, knowing that despite their drunken state, they have somehow managed to get Rachel to take a more proactive stance on her impasse with Jesse St. James. "We should have been friends earlier, Rachel Berry. We could have saved each other a whole lot of heartache."

"I don't think we could have been friends any sooner than we did." Rachel admitted.

Quinn gave a small murmur of agreement. "I resented you too much."

"And I was too self-involved." Rachel agreed.

They both fell silent, acknowledging and being grateful that they have both grown as people enough to actually become friends.

"You know what you should do," Quinn said, breaking the silence.

Rachel hummed, nodding to herself. "I need to talk to Jesse."

Quinn paused, before she giggled. "Well, yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of you need to lessen the drama in your life and dump your not-quite boyfriend before all this blows up in your face."

"I think I've been doing well so far."

Quinn snorted her incredulity but chose not to say it out loud. "It's just going to get harder from here. Santana has started going through your things. Kurt knows Jesse's in New York and Finn's about to squat in your apartment."

Rachel conceded that point.

"Not to mention: from my experience? These kinds of things tend to blow up beyond anyone's expectations."

Rachel looked up at the blonde. "I suppose I should expect the worst, given my highly dramatic nature."

Quinn gave her a wan smile. "Maybe."

"I just..." Rachel paused, and sighed. "I still haven't told anyone else about everything. I don't know if I'll be able to deal with it. And with Finn there?"

"Hey." Quinn used her foot to gently nudge Rachel's leg. "My midterms are only until Wednesday, and there's nothing important on Friday. I can be in New York by Thursday."

Rachel gave her a hopeful smile. "You would do that?"

Quinn nodded. "Just keep yourself together until I get there. Think you can do that?"

Rachel nodded.