A/N: Hey. I am feeling giddy with all the response I'm getting... so thank you... Hope to hear from you guys. Your reviews inspire me...

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

CHAPTER 3

Early morning Quinn finds herself sitting in their "mouse hole" as Brittany calls it, which seems to be quite an apt description since it needs some wiggling, scampering and climbing to get into a small space. They were frequent here ever since B found it while they were playing hide and seek way back in middle school. The dancer was wickedly good at the game that Quinn thought she could turn invisible, until Santana managed to convince her to show them her hidey spot. It was a tight space in between old Mrs Lewis's cemented wall and the Preston's back part garage.

She is currently sitting on the layers of cushions that they managed to haul inside - the only big thing to fit the hole. Then there are Britney's toys, some of her books and Santana's junk scattered around the place that they accumulated all those years, as well as an old canvass covering their heads. Away from the world and what was expected of them. Just the three of them, being young and carefree.

Quinn often wonders how they weren't being ejected out of the property ever since they claimed it, which Santana was adamant that it was because she is ruthless, but Quinn suspects that it was mostly because it was pretty secluded and that the entrance was quite obscure and small. And if it weren't for the fact that they are all lithe and athletic, getting inside would definitely be a problem.

She's currently nursing a cup of coffee as she waits for her friends. There are still things that bother her, but for now she just misses them. And after her talk with her parents there is no turning back, and she needs all the support she can get. And those are on their way to her, wearing opposite expressions on their faces.

"Quinn… You're finally back! I told San that that was your car, but she didn't believe me", a beaming Brittany wraps her in a bear hug.

"I've missed you too sweet B." she answers Britney with a smile. "Here I've got you, hot chocolate with salted caramel and Cream cheese muffins." She offers and Brittany immediately eats her share, sitting beside her while Santana remains standing on the side.

"S, I got you fav…," as she hands her a cup

Coffee is for missing a Friday night or losing my pen and not missing summer and falling out of the radar. So unless you got yourself chained up and dropped in a wishing well in Sahara or probably burned at the stake for your idiocy, then you've gots to talk. I mean what the hell Q? That cup ain't even scalding enough to pour on that bird's nest you call hair or big enough to drown your shit. Fucking friend you are," Santana rants as she continues to curse in Spanish.

"I was busy," she says baiting her friend.

Santana purses her lips as se narrows her eyes at Quinn. "There is more to it, Fabray and don't feed me shit that you do to people. Spill you guts before I gets my razors and cut it myself."

Quinn exhales as she lets her friend rant for she knows she deserves it. The only reason she got was that back then she doesn't want them to know just yet, gathering her thoughts and maybe she's a bit overwhelmed by all of it, so she told her so.

Just needed to build you walls up. Is that what you are saying? Look Q, I've gots your back whatever it is. Always. Me and Brits." Santana says finally sitting beside her.

"You didn't have to hide things from us, Quinn."

"I know," she says putting her head on Brittany's shoulder, "which is why I cleared the house tonight. Maybe we could talk over dinner?"

"NO!" Santana exclaims as Quinn's head snaps back but relax when she saw a familiar glint in her friend's eyes. "We need to get our eats on at Breadstix, and then feed Duckie," winking at Brittany, "then we'll talk."

Quinn smirks a "sure S." increasingly feeling right about her decision.

"Oh then you'll have to do my homework for like the rest of the year."

"You're pushing it, San."

"Alright let's bounce and it better be good Q, or its ass mower time... You know, I've always wanted to trim that huge ass of yours." Santana warns

"Please you love my ass", Quinn rolls her eyes having used to her friend's threats.

"Yup! Totally. She said you have the nicest ass… and I think so too." Britney says smiling quite pleased.

"Brit!" Santana reprimands as Quinn cackles with laughter.

"Seriously, being friends with you lot ruins my rep," Santana mutters as she walks ahead of them.

"What rep?" Quinn shouts "Everyone knows that you have that gooey nougat inside."

"Totally!" Brit says nodding. "And it tastes good too…." She adds with a straight face as both Quinn and Santana turns beet red.

Yep she definitely missed her friends.

And with a bit of running and fence climbing, the girls soon find themselves at the back end of McKinley High's field.

Quinn missing soccer is an understatement. Even back in summer, she would often sneak out on her downtime just to run and maybe do some kicks. But nothing beats the smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of the soccer ball rushing through the net. On their 45 minute drill, Quinn is in her element and she loves it.

The sound of Coach Beiste's whistle had everyone running for showers. When Mike caught up with Quinn he pats her back, "Nice game, Cap! We're definitely maintaining that title this year."

"That's the plan, Mikey and thanks. It's definitely good to be back." She says smiling at him.

Quinn is rummaging her locker trying to find her shirt when she hears someone clears its throat. She looks up, seeing Kitty holding her shirt.

She held her hand indicating for her to surrender it to her. She is already late and doesn't have the patience on dealing with the cheerio. But Kitty ignores her, "You play good out there…" walking closer, as Quinn felt her back hit the lockers. "But you even look better." eyeing Quinn's half naked body. Kitty's fingers dancing through Quinn's abs and outlining the waistband of her pants.

"It's just practice with the boys, Coach had us running drills," she answers as she grabs her shirt from Kitty and made a side step away.

She is holding her shirt as she tries to make an hasty exit when Harmony corners her out of nowhere. "You know, Q. You'll be even great out there if you let us be your personal cheerleader," as she purrs tugging Quinn's zipper downwards as Kitty massages Quinn's shoulder from the back.

Quinn gently flicks their hands, smiles and says, "Thank you, but I'll have to pass. Beside I already have two of the best… See you around ladies." I'll have S run them suicides if I get a detention for being late, she thinks as she walks past them not noticing another pair of eyes watching the whole thing.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There is an undercurrent in the halls of Mckinley that Rachel can't point her finger on. Like a slight brush of wind, her skin tingles and her sixth sense pinging that Quinn is back.

She hurries her steps scanning the hallway, noting the jocks and cheerios loitering meant that their morning practice ended already, for a familiar blonde to no avail. Sighing, she went straight to the auditorium for the opening ceremony.

Even as she sings her final note and soaking the admiration of her peers, Rachel can't help but take a quick sweep of the crowd for a pair of hazel eyes. Finding none, she gives a little nod to herself and offers a beaming smile as she turns the mic over to Figgins' for his welcome address.

After the ceremony everyone rushes back to class to start their second period. Rachel, pretty much resigns to herself that the blonde is still MIA, so she is stunned to see Quinn at her usual table in AP History. A loud gasp tore through her lips, loud enough to catch the attention of the students near the door. But a prided future thespian as herself, she is quick to come out from her stupor. But unfortunately she is still distracted by the blonde's sudden appearance as she sits in her middle row spot.

She tries calming her nerves as she subtly watches the blonde, who is currently having a conversation with Santana, while discreetly wiping her sweaty hands to her skirt. This is beyond preposterous; in fact it's almost non-existent. I do not get nervous. I mean it's just Quinn, I shouldn't be nervous at all. Rachel Berry doesn't do nervous, telling herself like a mantra. But, her mantra doesn't include not sneaking up a glance at Quinn in which she has been frequently doing. Her impeccable hearing manage her to caught on words like date… movies… lawn mowers… sex… from the two. Sex?! Wait what was… she almost turned 180 in their direction, when she heard the class laugh.

The teacher apparently called her name twice for the class reading and there she was thinking about sex with the blonde. No. Not with the blonde. Just… Oh never mind... She tried to organize her thoughts as she finds the page, and Rachel manages to read without the constant Q in her notes. Thank God. Blushing hotly, she sat back down.

Distracted and Nervous, two things I certainly am not.

Unless around one Quinn Fabray you definitely are, her subconscious unnecessarily adds much to her irritation.

Feeling exasperated with her weak resolve, she still chances a glance and this time she finds an amused Quinn staring back at her. Feeling herself lost in those green embers, until of course those were put off by a distraction called Satan. Embarrassed for having been caught staring and for her class performance, she spent the rest of her class eyes glued to her book.

After the class, Rachel hopes to spend the rest of the day without an incident when… *splash*

"A lot of catching up, Berry", was heard on her wake as she runs past everyone to the ladies room.

Don't you dare let that tear fall Rachel Berry. You are bigger than this! Besides, this part will undoubtedly be one of the most inspiring chapter of you memoir. Little girls and boys will put this page on their back pockets, wiping her face dry.

Her hands, blindly snatching a paper towel in the dispenser, when she felt a delicate hand held her wrist stopping her. With eyes still closed, she finds herself being tugged sideways and then another hand was doing the job for her. When she finally managed to open her eyes, her breath hitched as she comes face to face with her hazel eyed angel.

She has never been this close to Quinn before and she can't help but marvel at the blonde's face. She really is the prettiest girl, I have ever met. The blonde's face remains stoic but Rachel could see an underlying anger in her eyes. Without thinking she blurts, "I'm sorry."

Quinn was startled, stopping her ministrations as her face scrunch up, "Why are you apologizing to me?"

"You seemed angry." She whispers hunching to herself unsure why she even said it in the first place.

Quinn held her face tilting it a bit upward until their eyes meet, "Not with you. I was never angry with you. You shouldn't think of things like that." Then after a beat, still holding her eyes, Quinn murmurs, "I'm sorry,"

"Not you. This was never your fault." Rachel answers hands gesturing between them indicating the slushie attact. The parallel with Quinn's earlier words was not lost on them.

Quinn moves to dispose the trash and Rachel suddenly misses her warmth. Not wanting the moment to be over, she asks, "How was your summer?"

Quinn turns and smiles softly "Productive, I suppose you could say that. Doing some stuff." As she steps in Rachel's space. "And yours?"

Rachel gulps, "Pretty… uhmm... Pretty much the usual. I did join a couple of workshops here and there."

"That's good. Just keep it on your toes Rachel Berry." Quinn stepping in her space. "These people won't know what hit them." By now, Quinn's hands are on her waist holding her. She sees shift in Quinn eyes. Rachel has seen this look countless of times when she is about to deliver her lethal kick: for the winning score in the soccer… a dead on point in a debate… and a right answer in a difficult class discussion. But never at her. Now that she is at the receiving end, Rachel feels her body quiver at the intensity of the blonde's stare. A tingle in her spine as she feels her arousal shot through her.

Her breathe hitches when she saw the blonde leaning in. This is it. I am finally going to taste those lips. If this is my compensation, then I'll wear those slushies gladly. Quinn Fabray you better kiss me hard and I'll let you fuck me in this unsanitary restroom and… she closes her eyes waiting. And then she feels not hears the blonde husk near her cheeks, "This is year is going to be very different year for the both of us, Rachel Berry." Quinn smirks pleased as she backs away a bit, "There all clean. I think you could manage changing your shirt by yourself?" Tease.

It took Rachel a while to move from the spot and change her top.

And another while to realize she should have changed her underwear as well... Drat!

Rachel spent the rest of her day deciphering about the blonde's actions, "Rach, did you hear what I said? I said you were great earlier!" Finn's hopeful face greets her. Has he been walking with me the entire time?

"Oh! I'm so sorry Finn, if I wasn't quite present with you at the moment; as diverse as I am psychologically, I am sorry to note that the majority of it was spent contemplating about some motivational factors and sudden attentiveness by one towards an opposing hierarchy… But, Yes thank you for acknowledging how splendid I was even if through a middling audience. It is always great to be appreciated especially by a fellow songster."

"Uuhhm, you're welcome? So listen I was thinking that… You know... since..." Finn stutters rubbing his neck, "We could maybe give us another shot? You're good for me… we, I mean we're good for each other."

"That's a lovely sentiment Finn," ignoring his mistake. "But I'm afraid that our time has just come to pass," Rachel says at Finn who is already sporting a confuse look on his face. She sighs "I don't think we'll work anymore Finn. We've grown apart."

"Look Rach. Just give me another chance."

Rachel exhales, now is not really a good time for a stubborn Finn.

"How about you let me take you to dinner this Friday," he continues, "I got these two burger-kill coupons at Breadstix and…"

"Finn I'm vegan I can't eat meat," she says fuming

"I know!" he says excitedly. "Puck wants to go but then we'll have to split but like with you, you can like order that leafy thing you eat then I'll get two burgers and not just one," he seemed to realize what he just said, "... and well hangout," he adds lamely.

Rachel turns her back at him and executes a perfect diva storm out; furious enough to even answer him...

"So are we on this Friday?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After their dinner at Breadstix, the trio went straight to the Fabray house for a much needed talk.

"So your telling me that you've done all this the entire summer and you didn't tell me?" Santana screams eyes not leaving the screen of Quinn's laptop. They are perched at Quinn's room for the night. "This dump could use my expertise."

"What expertise? Being unnecessary crass and…vulgar" Quinn answers at her spot in bed. "I didn't realize that you wouldn't think its lame. Besides, it's not like I could just shove you there in with me."

"Please Bitch… Awesomes is Lopez's interests…" she turns to Quinn "and I guess this ain't so lame. But you know by your standards… I'm too outstanding for this one, I'll just make you look like cat's poop." she adds but Quinn could see that her friend is genuinely happy for her if not so damn proud.

After a beat, "Sooo… you tap this one yet?" eyebrows wiggling as her head nods towards the screen indicating the redhead.

"God. I swear you're worse than Puck", Quinn answers exasperated.

"And YOU didn't answer the question."

"Because it's none of your business."

Santana thinks nothing probably happened with her friend but she just loves the frustrated Quinn as much as the embarrass one. And the sex topic often gives her both. So her head swivels so fast it might break, eyes bulging when Brittany says, "They totally did it" out of the blue staring intently at the screen.

"What?!" Santana chokes; never in doubt of Brittany but of that Quinn actually did the deed.

"Hmmmmhm. She stares at Q like how you stare at me when you're between my le-" Brittany explains but was interrupted by a crimson Quinn, "Could you please stop talking about me like I'm not here?"

"Hot damn Q! Was she good? I bets she's good." Santana continues not minding the interruption as she and Brittany bowed their heads in front intent of the screen.

Quinn ignores her and flops back down to her bed.

After a moment Brittany speaks as she hits the rewind, "But could you Q, shove us in there?"

She is not quite sure of what Brittany means, until she recalls their conversation before a pervy Santana was born. "Actually, I've been talking to them about you, B. Not like my word really amounts to much. Maybe they know someone who is willing to take a chance on you, like they did with me." She says glad for the change of topic staring intently at the two.

"Yay. I really want that Quinn," the dancer says clapping. "It's probably the only thing I'm good at," in which the two is quick to dispute.

"A lot of great things about you, Brit2."

"San's right. You are a lot special than the both of us. Don't worry I'll see what I can do." she promises. "And since I've got my feet dipped might as well bring in a few others with me."

"By few people, you mean like… just few inches tall people? Like maybe hobbits-sized." Santana smirks.

"You know, if you think about it… Hobbits just made its rounds and it was greatly received". Quinn says grinning as Santana simply rolls her eyes secretly impressed with her friend. Not that she's ever gonna tell her that.

And there you have it a Faberry build up…. And a bonus of stoopid Finn… And a longer chapter for everyone… as always R and R

OOOhh.. i need a beta, so anyone interested to work with me on this?

Pilot out.