After their successful date Seth assumed that Quinn would be fine with being his friend. He hoped that he'd be able to convince her to be Jesse's friend too except he knew that for now he needed to just take things one step at a time. Forcing Jesse and Quinn together would be like mission impossible except it wouldn't have a catchy theme song.
However Seth's assumption was wrong. His prediction of Quinn becoming his friend was proven wrong when she disappeared from his life. He tried to put himself out there by calling now and then or stopping by her side of the hall to knock on her door but no matter what he did she wouldn't answer him.
"Seth, you're obsessing."
Seth rolled his eyes at his friend, "No I'm not! I'm determined!"
"Obsessed, determined, same thing in this case."
Seth scoffed, "Just go to your rehearsal!"
"Gladly." Jesse chuckled slightly, "But dude, seriously, just let it go. You barely knew Quinn and it was only one date. Plus she hasn't even been living here for that long. She's probably busy with her classes or work? I don't know but really, she doesn't matter. Worrying over this is a waste of time. She's not worth it."
Jesse walked out of the apartment leaving Seth alone. Stopping in the hallway to button up his jacket his eyes fell on Quinn's door. He lied to Seth. He knew the problem and in theory it would disappear in a few days. Seth would be able to survive that much longer. Besides, he didn't see the point in helping Quinn. What had she ever done for him? Nothing that's what.
Seth thought about what Jesse had said. Even though he wasn't crushing on Quinn he still felt that she was worth it. Quinn had the potential to be a good friend. He liked being around her. So what if his Coheny ways were making things more dramatic. Jesse was dramatic all the time. Surely Seth could have a turn for a while.
"So what time should I meet you on skype?" Jesse questioned, talking on his iPhone. "Tomorrow night, sevenish." He repeated the answer to help himself remember, "Alright, that sounds perfect. Just to let you know I'll probably call in the morning though, after all it is a big day." Jesse smiled to himself as he listened to the caller on the other line. "Exactly, goodnight."
Jesse was clad in a pair of plaid pajama pants with a white tshirt. After a hard working practice Jesse always liked to go to bed early. He needed to keep his body well rested so that he'd be able to perform to the best of his abilities. Before going to bed he decided to go check on Seth who was watching tv. "Hey." He said as he walked into the living room.
"How was rehearsal?" Seth asked, looking up at his friend.
"Wonderfully draining."
Seth laughed softly. He never understood how Jesse could be such a hard worker. The boy wasn't satisfied until he was exhausted from whatever he was doing and sometimes that still didn't stop him.
"Did you spend your time stalking Quinn after your shift at the comic book store?" Jesse questioned with a teasing grin.
"Nah, I tried to follow your advice. If she wants space she can have it."
"So you're only going to torment her once a day then?"
"I prefer to use a different word over torment but yes, basically."
"Have fun with that. Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Seth."
Seth smiled a little, "Night Jesse."
The next morning Jesse woke up bright and early. After showering and getting dressed he took his spot in the recliner to enjoy his breakfast while listening to his iPod. About an hour later Seth joined him. The two boys talked for a few minutes but then Jesse left Seth alone because he had a phone call to make.
Seth contently ate his cereal. He could hear a happy Jesse from the other room.
You gotta spend some time, love, you gotta spend some time with me and I know that you'll find love, I will possess your heart.
Seth grabbed his phone at the sound of the ring tone.
'Jess isn't answering his phone. Get him to call me please? xo'
Just as Seth was about to make a reply Jesse walked back into the room. "Hey, Mel texted me. She wants you to call her."
"Oh right!" Jesse exclaimed, obviously remembering something, "We're supposed to hang out today. I almost forgot. I think she's forcing me to go to the mall again. That girl is determined to get colors other than black in my closet."
"No wonder you forgot, that doesn't seem very appealing." Seth said jokingly with a grin happy that he wasn't the one being dragged to the mall this time.
"Yeah, laugh now, next week you'll be her project again. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts." Jesse replied while sending the girl a text message explaining that he was on his way.
"I guess I'll be seeing you later then."
"Mhmm, unless you want to come with us."
"Nah, I'm not in the mood to be a third wheel."
"Funny." Jesse said sarcastically before heading out the door, "Bye."
By the time Jesse got home Seth was still sitting in the same place on the couch. He walked inside the apartment carrying a bunch of shopping bags, "Seth, did you even move?"
"Yeah."
"Going to the bathroom doesn't count."
Seth frowned, "What about getting lunch?"
Jesse shook his head.
"In my defense there was a Batman movie marathon on tv."
"Is it still on?" Jesse asked, slightly intrigued.
Seth nodded with a grin.
Jesse reclaimed his place on the recliner. The shopping bags were set on the floor, Seth made a grab at them.
"What did you get?" He questioned while beginning to look through them, "What is this.. Blues, purples, reds.. plaid? These don't seem to belong in the closet of Jesse St James."
"They're all darker colors.. except for the red. She told me I could wear black sweaters over most of them. I don't know."
Seth grinned and made the whipped action.
"Shut up." Jesse threw a pillow at Seth.
"Hm, this one's almost over. Maybe I'll go try to invite Quinn over to watch the next one with us?" Seth suggested.
"Alright."
Seth finally stood up and made his way over to the other side of the hallway. He knocked once. No answer. Knock number two. Seth leaned in closely to the door, he could hear movement. "Quinn?" He called out before knocking the third time. To his surprise the door opened. Quinn was hiding slightly behind the door as she looked at him. Her face was puffy, tear stains surrounded her eyes. "Are you alright?" Seth asked instantly.
"I haven't been feeling well lately.. I still don't feel that good.." Quinn said quietly.
"Do you need anything?"
"I just want to be alone right now."
Seth could see over her head, there were piles of Kleenex everywhere. "Okay.. Bye then."
Quinn quickly shut the door. She could feel herself choking up as soon as she was alone again. She didn't know how she had managed to speak to Seth without breaking down right in front of him. She had been crying all day. She couldn't help it. Three years ago today she had given birth to a beautiful baby girl. The baby that she had to give away, the baby that would one day find out about this. Giving up her baby had been the hardest thing that Quinn had ever done. As soon as she was born Quinn was able to see her for a few minutes before she was taken away. In those few minutes Quinn had once again wanted to keep the child but she knew that she couldn't. She had only been a teenager at the time. By giving the baby away Quinn had given her a better life. But Quinn often thought that whenever her daughter learned the truth she'd eventually hate Quinn for leaving her. That was a scary thought for Quinn. One that made her cry even harder.
Seth stood awkwardly at the door. As soon as it had been slammed in his face he heard Quinn start to cry again. He couldn't understand this. Why was she so sad? Why wouldn't she let anyone help her? Seth pondered these thoughts as he went home.
"I take it your plans have failed again." Jesse commented, he was standing by the kitchen counter getting a drink.
"Yeah.. I think something's seriously wrong. She's been crying. A lot. There were tissues everywhere!"
"I'm sure you're exaggerating."
"Actually I'm not. If she had a cold I would've considered it to be really gross."
Jesse sipped his newly poured glass of water. He assumed that Seth would be obsessing over this for the remainder of the evening. Should he allow this or should he attempt to make Quinn feel better? He had the power to do either.
Setting the glass down in the sink Jesse left the apartment. He ignored Seth's questions because if he didn't just do it now then he wasn't sure if he'd be able to try again later. Reaching her door he knocked three times.
"Seth, I said I didn't want to talk." Came a muffled voice from the other side.
He knocked three more times.
"Please just go away."
Jesse knocked once more.
This time a defeated Quinn opened the door. "Jesse?" She whispered, surprised to see him. She had been expecting Seth.
"So I've heard that you've been doing a lot of crying lately." Jesse walked inside her apartment without asking, "Clearly you've also forgotten how to use a trash can." He commented, Seth's earlier statement had been right; there were tissues everywhere.
Quinn sniffed, "I'm not in the mood for you. Get out."
"Now why would you try to get rid of someone who can help you?" Jesse questioned, glancing around the apartment. He had never been there before.
"I highly doubt that you can help me." Quinn still wanted to cry except now she was beginning to get irritated too.
"I know where she is."
"..what?"
"Your daughter. I know where she is."
Quinn gasped but tried to keep herself composed, "Don't toy with me St. James."
"I wouldn't do that Fabray. Not about something like this."
Quinn stared at him. She felt weak. She stumbled over to the tissue covered couch. "How..?"
Jesse followed her to the couch. He brushed a few tissues away so that he could sit down too. "I'm kind of her Uncle Jesse."
"Who are her parents?"
"Parent actually. Shelby Corcoran adopted her."
They sat in silence. Quinn was trying to take it all in. She couldn't believe any of this. It was too much to handle. "W-what.. what's her name?"
"Beth." Jesse said, finally looking at her.
"Beth." Quinn repeated, "That's the name we wanted to use.."
Jesse nodded, "I know, that's why Shelby used it."
Another silence.
"Um, listen, I'm skyping with them tonight.. If you want you can come by.." Jesse offered, he was surprised at how awkwardly the words left his lips.
Quinn nodded eagerly, tears were forming. Jesse didn't know if they were happy or sad ones.
"Come by at seven... But yeah, I guess I'll be going then." He gave a small wave before leaving her apartment. What the heck was that? Jesse mentally punched himself. He had been doing so well and then suddenly when he tried to be nice he turned into a puddle of awkwardness. Pulling himself together he re-entered his apartment. He still had a few hours to kill until their skype time.
"Is she alright?"
"I think she will be." Jesse answered.
"Good. Now come on, you missed the beginning!"
The boys continued to watch their Batman movie marathon for the rest of the day.
7:00pm. Quinn wasn't sure what she was doing. She was standing outside Seth and Jesse's apartment. Taking a deep breath she knocked once.
Jesse answered, "You're just in time."
"Yeah.." Quinn said awkwardly.
"My laptop's running. Everything's ready. Shall we?"
Quinn nodded. Jesse led her back to his bedroom. Quinn hugged herself as she watched Jesse take his seat by the desk that his laptop was on. "Hey, she's here. I hope this is okay."
"It's fine Jesse. I don't mind at all."
Quinn heard Shelby's voice and got even more nervous.
"Come here sweetie. Uncle Jesse's on the computer! He has a friend too!"
A young girl ran over and jumped onto Shelby's lap.
Jesse laughed, "Well look who it is! It's the birthday girl!" He exclaimed happily causing the little girl to giggle.
Quinn watched the video on the screen. She couldn't believe it. That was her daughter. There she was. Beth.
"You're getting so old! Next time I come to visit I'm not going to recognize you!" Jesse continued.
"I'm not old. You are!"
Jesse and Shelby laughed at the girl's words.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right but listen, I have someone I'd like you to meet. Beth, this is Quinn." Jesse gestured to Quinn, trying to get her to come but she was too shocked to move. He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her over to him. When she was close enough he tugged on her a little more so that she'd fall into his lap. He only had one chair and if she stood the whole time she wouldn't be seen on the webcam.
Right now Quinn didn't care that she was sitting in Jesse's lap. She bearly noticed. The only thing she was focusing on was the child on the screen. "Hi.."
Beth was nervous seeing the new face. She hugged Shelby tighter and hid her face for a moment. While doing so she said something. Shelby laughed. "Yes I agree, Quinn is very pretty."
Quinn felt herself smile, "I think you're very pretty too Beth. I love your dress."
"Thank you." Beth replied shyly, sneaking another peek at her.
"So how old are you today?" Quinn asked, the smile still present on her lips.
"Three." Beth held up three fingers as she answered.
"Wow, that's really wonderful."
"How old are you?" Beth asked with a small smile.
"I'm nineteen." Quinn told her.
Beth giggled, "Wow, you're old too! Just like Jesse."
"Yeah, I guess I am." Quinn looked at Jesse. He smiled at her.
Quinn, Jesse and Shelby sang Happy Birthday to Beth but then the conversation had to end because Shelby needed to put Beth to bed.
Quinn got up off Jesse's lap. He closed his laptop and stood beside her.
"Do you feel any better?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Quinn nodded, "Yes." She was feeling a whirl wind of emotions. She wanted to hug him. She didn't think that there was anyway that he'd be able to understand what she was feeling right now. She didn't know how she'd ever be able to repay him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Promise me that you'll start talking to Seth again."
"Of course. I'll definitely do that."
"Good. I'll see you tomorrow then."
Quinn nodded again and then went home. Suddenly she was so glad that Jesse St. James was her neighbour.
