Disclaimer: I do not own Glee

The title of this fanfic as well as the chapter titles are names of songs. I do not own any of them either.

Chapter 2: The Reason

Quinn hadn't seen Rachel since she left her standing alone in the hallway on Friday afternoon. She tried not to think about it, but Rachel's last words kept replaying in her head all weekend. "Sometimes I wish someone cared that much about me." What did that mean? Rachel had two parents, a boyfriend and at least one friend in Kurt. That was more than what Quinn had. Then why did Rachel's words bother her so bad?

Monday morning, Quinn approached Rachel at her locker. She was alone, putting her books into her locker and Finn was nowhere in sight.

"What did you mean by that?" Sure Quinn, way to sound cryptic.

Rachel continued her task, either she didn't hear Quinn or much more likely, refused to answer her.

"You know, I was thinking that since you weren't going to turn me in and you sort of said that you supported my decision to get Beth back. Well, maybe you would want to help me." Quinn cursed herself under her breath for sounding so small. Why couldn't she just man up and say what she really wanted to say?

Rachel turned to study her. Well, at least that's progress, Quinn thought.

"I don't know how you'd expect me to help you, Quinn. But if there is anything I can do, then I will be there for you." Rachel gave her a small smile, but it was obviously forced.

"What, no Powerpoint presentation with a list of pros and cons?" Quinn smirked to let Rachel know she was joking.

"I could gather some research and look up case law, if you want." Apparently Rachel didn't get the joke.

"Berry, relax. I was kidding!" Quinn announced, shaking her head with the smirk still on her face.

"Oh, right." Rachel stated before returning to her locker and grabbing the book needed for her first class.

Quinn sighed, this was not going the way she wanted it to and yet it was somehow better than she expected it to be. "I was actually thinking, maybe you could talk to Shelby for me."

Rachel stiffened at the mention of Shelby's name, but Quinn failed to notice. "You know, Puck already got to see her. But I don't think she trusts me yet. Maybe you could talk to her, let her know that I've changed?"

"But you haven't, Quinn. Not really, you just pretended to." Rachel didn't mean for it to come off the way it did, but Quinn immediately recoiled.

"I thought you said you'd help me." Quinn spit out the words, almost as if it hurt her to ask Rachel for help.

"Look, Quinn. I didn't mean that as a bad thing. I don't think you ever were that person with the pink hair who didn't shower. But I don't think that this is you either. That's all I meant." Rachel tried to smooth things over, and it seemed to work since Quinn visibly relaxed.

"So, you'll help me?" Quinn almost begged. "With Shelby, I mean?"

"Quinn, I don't know what you expect me to do. She came back so you and Puck could see your daughter; she didn't come back for me." Quinn noticed that look of deep sorrow cross Rachel's face again and remembered what she wanted to say to the girl.

"I know you think that, but you're wrong Rachel. Shelby misses you. She told me…"

"I really have to go; I don't want to be late for class. I'll see what I can do, Quinn, but no promises. Ok?" She interrupted and left before Quinn could answer her.

"Ok?" Quinn said to herself. What just happened?

Quinn was getting sick of Rachel walking away from her. But she was even more concerned about the looks that were crossing Rachel's face. How can no one see that Rachel is hurting? But what is it that was making her feel that way? Quinn decided that she was going to be the one to see through Rachel's mask, it would be fitting after all, since Rachel was the only one who ever saw through hers.

Rachel must have been avoiding Quinn, because she never got the chance to catch her alone. Rachel was either laughing with Kurt or cuddling with Finn. She really seemed to be fine, but Quinn knew better. She knew what it was like to hide. She was finally able to catch Rachel just before glee started on Friday.

"Hey Rachel." She said quietly as she approached Rachel, who was standing by the piano reviewing sheet music.

Rachel slowly looked up at Quinn, barely a smile on her face. "Oh, hi Quinn! How are you today?"

Quinn was silent for a second; Rachel's emotional teetering was giving her whiplash.

"Oh, I see. Are you having a difficult day? I am here for you if you wanna talk about it." Rachel said, her compassion didn't even sound fake.

"I've been thinking. You see Rachel, you said, under the bleachers, that we were friends once. Do you remember?"

"Yes, I remember Quinn. And I meant it. I think we were friends, we are friends."

"Ok. So, I was thinking and well, most of our big bonding experiences have been one-sided. That is to say that I have been emotional and well, somewhat crazy. And you always seem to talk me down, you know."

"That's what friends do, Quinn."

"Then why won't you talk to me? About anything important to you? Even that summer, you know which one I mean, even then it was about me and my depression."

"That's because you were going through a hard time Quinn, having given up Beth. You needed someone to talk to, even if it was just me."

"That's not what I meant. I don't care that it was you. I mean, I do. I was glad I had you." Quinn hated that what she was trying to say wasn't coming out the way she wanted it to. "It's just. You can talk to me if you ever have a problem. And if you consider us friends, I was just wondering why none of our conversations ever involved you bearing your soul."

Rachel was silent for a long time, people started coming into the room and Quinn was sure once again she wouldn't get an answer. But then, Rachel leaned into her and whispered as quietly as she could. "Because I don't trust you, Quinn."

Once again she was gone and Quinn was left standing in the middle of the choir room, alone. She slowly shook her head, wondering if she heard Rachel correctly. When she looked around the room she saw Rachel snuggle into Finn's arms as she smiled up at him. Quinn took a seat in the back of the room and watched Rachel closely. She really didn't understand what was up with her. And she didn't know why Rachel not trusting her bothered her so much.

A/N: The Reason by Hoobastank