"I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known. Don't know where it goes, but it's home to me and I walk alone." – Green Day (Boulevard of Broken Dreams)

CHAPTER ONE: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

"Thank you so much for this, Rachel," Quinn said softly as Rachel hefted Quinn's small suitcase into the backseat of the Explorer.

Rachel's dads had given her the Explorer because they thought it would be safer. Rachel drove it like a grandma.

"So can I get out of the wheelchair now?" Quinn asked. "I think I've sat down long enough these past few weeks."

"Let me pull up closer," Rachel insisted. Quinn rolled her eyes and reached out to place her hand on Rachel's arm.

"It's okay. Just help me up."

Rachel helped Quinn into the car. The ring in Quinn's pocket felt heavy. It had been weeks, weeks, since Quinn had found the ring. She just still hadn't found the courage to bring it up. Even now as she stared at Rachel's naked hand gripping the steering wheel as she inched into traffic, Quinn couldn't find it within herself to ask. Sure, Rachel mentioned Finn once or twice. Finn hadn't been by to see Quinn in the hospital though. He had been the only one, and it made Quinn a little sour.

"I'm sure he had valid reasons for not attending your bedside, Quinn," Rachel had said. "Don't look so down. You have tons of friends and acquaintances that have been ever vigilant by your bedside."

Quinn didn't bother telling Rachel she was the only one who had been 'ever vigilant' by her bedside.

"Where's your mother at?" Rachel asked, flipping on her blinker to change lanes.

"I don't know," she shrugged, wincing a little. Her last round of physical therapy left her a little sore still. "Last I heard, my dad came back and now they're gallivanting around the world celebrating their newfound… appreciation for the other."

"You're going to stay at your house? Alone?"

Rachel looked appalled. Quinn managed a small smile, turning to the window.

"I'll be fine, Rach."

"No!"

Rachel's sudden, sharp burst of emotion brought Quinn's head jerking back around. This time she ignored the painful twinge of protest that shot through her neck and spine. Rachel's eyes were focused straight ahead intently. The blonde opened and closed her mouth, unable to articulate her questions. The silence crept over them, stifling and uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, I… I just don't think you should be alone."

"It's really not that big a deal. I won't be alone all the time anyway. You're my ride to and from school," Quinn pointed out.

"Stay in our guest room," Rachel said.

"What? Rachel, you haven't even asked your parents. I doubt they'd be o-"

"They already said yes. I asked them a week ago when I knew you were going to get out soon," she confessed. "Look, I know you have trouble sometimes getting down stairs or standing for extended periods of time. This way my dads or myself can help you."

"You don't have to."

"I want to," she smiled, still looking at the road. "You're my best friend, Quinn."

"You're mine, too," Quinn smiled back.

She looked back out to the passing trees and tried hard not to think of the feeling of the truck slamming into her side. The blurs of greens and tans lulled her into a drowsy state. Rachel was humming softly, tapping her fingers lightly against the steering wheel. Quinn found herself dozing in the relative quiet of the vehicle…

… And she woke up screaming.

"Quinn! Quinn! Please, you're okay, you're fine!" Rachel's panicked voice echoed in her head. The softest touch of a hand on her thrashing form made her begin to relax.

Rachel's voice sang one of Quinn's favorite songs softly, her fingers finding Quinn's blonde hair and running them through it gently. Quinn opened her eyes and relaxed her hands, half-moon indents in her palms filling with blood.

"Rach," Quinn whispered. She leaned heavily against the passenger's seat.

"You'll be all right," the brunette said confidently. "I'll always be here."

Rachel put the vehicle back in drive and paused before merging back into traffic.

"If you need to at any time, you can hold my hand."

Quinn's heart did a weird half skip in her chest, but she still kept her hands firmly in her lap, nodding.

"Let's go home, Quinn."