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 3: Friends

Quinn was sick of Rachel ignoring her and even more annoyed that she kept walking away while they were talking. Things always seemed to start off well enough, but then as soon as Quinn focused the conversation on Rachel, things went downhill fast. She decided that this time when she talked to Rachel, she would not let her walk away from her. She spent all weekend devising a plan of action.

The following Monday, Quinn waited for Rachel to kiss Finn goodbye before he left to go to football practice. Then Quinn cornered her as Rachel was about to get in her car.

"You don't trust me? Rachel, I shouldn't trust you! You revealed my secret to Finn and got me kicked out of his house!" She didn't intend to start the conversation this way, but dammit she wanted answers.

Rachel spun around, a look of annoyance on her face. "I thought we went over this last week Quinn, and I thought we settled it two years ago."

Quinn took a deep breath, before slowly letting it out. She had to be calm or Rachel would never open up to her. "We did. I don't even mean it; I don't know why I keep bringing it up. It's just, you're so frustrating!"

Rachel smiled, "You also said that before."

"Because it's true." Quinn grinned; maybe they were back on track.

They were both silent for a while, but it was almost comfortable.

"It isn't just you, you know." Rachel said, uneasily as she broke their reverie.

"Huh?" Quinn shook her head, a bit in a daze. "What isn't just me?"

"Of course you have given me numerous reasons over the years not to trust you, but…" Rachel shifted uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at Quinn. However, Quinn stared at her, praying she'd continue. "But, well, what I'm trying to say is. It's just that I don't have any friends, not really. Besides Kurt. And well, when you got pregnant. Everyone rallied around you, and when Kurt was bullied the guys fought for him. Santana even somehow, I'm still not quite sure how, but she even got Kurt back. And I am grateful for that, I love how our team rallies to help its own. It's just…"

Rachel trailed off, and didn't seem to want to continue on her own. So Quinn felt it was her duty to encourage her. "It's just what?"

Rachel still was silent. Then she finally let her eyes meet Quinn's. "I actually, I'm sorry but I should get going."

Rachel reached for the handle to her door, but Quinn stopped her. "No, you're not walking away from me again. Not in the middle of a conversation." She was perhaps more forceful than she intended because Rachel looked almost scared of her. She immediately flashed back to prom night and the way Rachel looked at her after she was slapped. Quinn felt remorse, for that and so much more.

"I'm sorry." Quinn whispered, never more ashamed of herself than she was at this moment.

Rachel must have seen the shame across Quinn's face, because instantly the fear was transformed into compassion.

"It's okay, Quinn." Rachel reaches out and places a hand on Quinn's shoulder. "I'm not scared of you, I promise."

Quinn huffs, almost snorting at Rachel's attempt to ease her guilt. "No, I mean it. It's just, well the way you said it. You were a bit intimidating. But I know you wouldn't hurt mean, not really."

Quinn blinks back the tears, and forces a smile. "I wouldn't hurt you, Rachel. I don't want to hurt anyone. I never did."

The last three words were so quiet, had Rachel not been so close to her she wouldn't have heard them.

"I know." Rachel moves in a little closer. "I'm going to hug you now."

Quinn nods her acceptance and Rachel pulls her in for a tight embrace. "I'm sorry, for everything I ever did to hurt you."

"I know." Rachel's words are almost as quiet as Quinn's were. "I'll talk to Shelby tomorrow. I promise I'll let her know just how much you've changed, Quinn."

Quinn nodded her thanks and Rachel pulled her in just a bit tighter before releasing her completely. Quinn wiped a few stray tears from her eyes, and looked into Rachel's honest ones.

"Thank you, Rachel, for everything."

"You're welcome, Quinn." Rachel replied with a small smile before climbing into her car and driving away. Once again leaving Quinn alone, and still without answers.

"Well dammit." Quinn breathed out when Rachel's car was out of sight. She debated following Rachel home to finish the previous conversation, but thought better of it. She didn't want to say anything that would upset Rachel and make her decide not to help her.

The day Rachel had been dreading finally came. She took a deep breath and quickly walked into the small classroom currently being occupied by Shelby.

"Hello, Shelby." Rachel announced as she approached the woman. Shelby, for her part, was surprised to see the girl.

"Rachel. I meant to congratulate you on getting the part. You'll make a perfect Maria; I was right about the song, wasn't I?"

"Thank you. Yes, I got the part, but I didn't deserve it."

"Nonsense." Shelby moved closer to her daughter. "Don't say something like that, I'm sure…"

"You don't know." Rachel interrupted her, she was anxious and annoyed and had she not promised Quinn, she wouldn't even be here. "Look, I didn't come for your praise or for validation or whatever. I get that at home."

Rachel knew it was a low blow and regretted it the moment it left her lips. She had to look away because she was scared what she might have seen in Shelby's eyes, or maybe she was scared of what she wouldn't see there. "Sorry, I promised you I'd be civil and that was rude of me to say."

"Why are you here, Rachel?" Shelby hated the way Rachel looked at her, or refused to look at her.

Rachel took a deep breath before answering in her characteristic long, fast-paced rant. "I don't know why you're back, except that you are giving Beth a chance to meet her birth parents. At least Noah, anyway. You see, Noah is excited about it and I am grateful that you are allowing him to see Beth. But don't you think Quinn deserves that right also? She really wants to see Beth. You didn't let her at first, and with the pink hair, tattoo and nose ring, I understand why you didn't. But she was hurting and she missed her and you may think she hasn't changed enough to deserve to see her but you're wrong. Quinn really wants this, as much as Noah, maybe more. And every child deserves to know her mother, you know? Especially if that mother also wants to know her."

Rachel could have continued but she needed to take a breath first. And Shelby took that opportunity to get a word in. "They're not the only reason I came back you know."

"I don't care, as I said. What I care about is that you allow Quinn to see Beth."

"I never was going to keep her away; I want them in Beth's life."

"Great. So, when can I tell Quinn she can see her?"

"You can bring Quinn by tomorrow, if you want to. Or any time this week, just let me know."

"I'll let Quinn know, and Puck too. He'd want to come, and he can bring Quinn." Rachel exited the room as quickly as she entered it.

Quinn stood just outside the classroom where she first saw Shelby, and where she saw a picture of Beth for the first time. She took a deep breath, exhaling as she walked in. Praying for courage, and hoping that Rachel kept her promise.

"You asked to see me?" Quinn offered, tentatively as she entered. Shelby didn't respond right away. They stared at each other intensely.

"I spoke to Rachel. Or rather, Rachel talked at me and left."

"I know what you mean." Quinn smirked; at least it wasn't just her who was baffled by the brunette's recent actions.

"She said you changed and that you deserve to see your daughter. She said a few more things that were hard to hear. I won't keep you from Beth, Quinn. Especially when you seem as determined as you are to get to know her."

Quinn only nodded. It was going better than she hoped.

"For some reason, Rachel is on your side and she seems to care about you. I want to get to know her, but…"

"With all do respect, Shelby, when can I see Beth?"

"Tomorrow night, if you want. Puck too. But could you please bring Rachel with you? You want to know your daughter, and I'd like to know mine."

Quinn considered the request. Why didn't Shelby just ask Rachel to come herself? Why go through Quinn?

"I can't make her, you know."

"If you ask her to, she'll come. You won't have to make her."

Quinn studied Shelby, before speaking again. "Okay. I get to see my daughter tomorrow, and I'll get Rachel to come with me."

"Thank you."

Rachel had just left her last class of the day when she was grabbed from behind and spun in the air. She swore she briefly saw a Mohawk and knew she wasn't in any real danger.

"Unhand me, Noah!" She groaned.

Puck gently let her down, but enveloped her in a large and almost painful hug.

"What may I ask is the reason for your…manhandling me, Noah Puckerman?" Rachel huffed, though she couldn't be truly upset at the boy. She sort of adored him.

"Like you don't know."

"No, I don't, otherwise why would I ask you?"

"I wanted to thank you, my hot Jewish diva. Or do you prefer princess?" He smirked at her, and Rachel almost grinned back but instead she rolled her eyes at his antics.

"I trust this is about Beth."

"Of course. Quinn and I get to see her tomorrow after school. I'm even skipping football practice!" His smile was so wide; Rachel couldn't help returning it.

"I am happy to hear that. I am sure Quinn is as ecstatic as you though she'd never show it." She said the last part more to herself that to Puck.

"I don't think I ever saw her so happy. She was smiling, Rachel. Like a real smile and not the fake, ice queen smile she gives to everyone else."

Rachel shook her head; maybe she wasn't the only one who understood Quinn. Who would have thought Puck would have been so perceptive? As they were talking, Quinn approached them.

"Speak of the devil." Puck grinned.

Quinn looked between the two, sure she missed something important. "I guess Puck told you the news."

"Ya, just glad I was able to help out."

"You kept your word, Berry; I'm not only impressed but also grateful." Quinn actually smiled at her. Not a grin or a smirk. It was an honest to God smile. And Rachel realized at that moment, that no matter her issues with Shelby, making Quinn smile like that was worth it.

Rachel was uncharacteristically quiet, which caused both Quinn and Puck to share a look. "Earth to Rachel." Quinn replied but didn't get a response.

Puck softly touched Rachel's forearm which caused the brunette to return to reality with a jolt. "Hey, where'd you go?" Puck asked with concern etched on his face.

"Quinn complimented me; I guess it shocked me a little." Rachel smirked.

"Ha, ha." Quinn deadpanned, but she couldn't hold back her grin forever.

The three were interrupted by Finn as he walked up behind Rachel and hugged her. Rachel immediately relaxed in his arms. Puck and Quinn looked away.

"Hey, Rach. What's up? I waited for you by your locker. I have to get to practice and wanted to make sure we're still on for tonight."

"Sorry Finn, I was a bit distracted and am running late. Of course, I'm still up for date night. Just come over after practice." She kissed him on the cheek and walked away without another glance at Puck and Quinn.

"Does she do that a lot?" Puck asked when Rachel walked away without a goodbye.

"What?" Finn asked confused.

"Walk away in the middle of a conversation? Ya." Quinn answered. Then she remembered that she didn't get to ask Rachel to accompany her and Puck to Shelby's. She ran out after the brunette leaving the boys even more baffled.

By the time Quinn got to the parking lot, Rachel's car was pulling onto the road. Quinn shook her head and grabbed her phone. She hoped she'd have better luck texting Rachel than she did talking to the girl.

Hey, it's Quinn. Please come with me and Puck to Shelby's tomorrow. We need you.

She hoped that using proper grammar would work in her favor since she always heard Rachel complain about hating Finn's text-talk. Now all she could do was wait and hope (and probably pray) for a response.

Quinn checked her phone every five minutes for the next six hours. Nothing. She thought about going to Rachel's house after dinner but remembered that Finn would be going there too and besides, the thought of meeting Rachel's dads terrified her. They had to hate her after how she treated Rachel over the years. She decided that maybe she'd just write another text.

I need you there. Do it for me, please.

Quinn finished her homework, showered, and prepared for bed early (nothing good was ever on TV on Tuesday nights). As she climbed into bed, she checked her phone one more time. Still nothing. She sighed as she made herself comfortable under the blankets. Then it happened. She heard her phone beep with a new text message. She took a deep breath before reading what it said.

Quinn, I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner, I was quite busy tonight. Yes,

I will accompany you and Noah tomorrow. :)

Quinn released the breath she forgot she was holding and couldn't erase the smile that involuntarily graced her face. She quickly replied.

Thank you Rachel. I can't tell you what it means to me.

As she typed it, she realized it was true. She didn't ask Rachel because Shelby wanted her to, she asked because she needed her there. Rachel was her friend. And no matter what it took, she would be Rachel's friend too.

A/N: I believe the story is starting to pick up and I hope you enjoy it!

Friends by Band of Skulls