A/N: So sorry for the unintentional extended hiatus! I am about to graduate college and senior year has been kicking my butt. I'd like to extend a big welcome to the new readers! I hope you enjoy this update! It's just in time for Femslash February and also the anniversary of this fic! :O I started "Ready" last year on February 24! I won't make any promises about the next update but know that I've never given up on this story. Mostly because I adore Quinncedes but also because I wouldn't want to let you lovely readers down. Happy Reading! - xoxo Blue

It's becoming something that's impossible to ignore…

And I can't take it...

School was beyond awkward but it was not like Quinn could avoid attending.

She mostly kept to herself.

She didn't want any drama with Finn, Puck or Mercedes so she tried avoiding all three as best as she could. However, everyday after school, all three were at glee club. To make matters even worse, Kurt wouldn't stop glaring at her and Rachel continuously apologized to her no matter how many times she told her to leave her alone.

With Regionals coming up soon, Mr. Schue wouldn't stop working them. Quinn was actually the only one he let sit out when she said she was tired and that was only because of her condition.

From her seat all the way in the back of the auditorium, she watched them work on the choreography to Don't Stop Believing. Rachel was belting her lyrics at the top of her lungs and all the while Finn looked at her like she was the greatest thing he'd ever seen in his entire life. She mused that only a few months ago, she would've been insanely jealous of the dynamic pair but now she felt nothing.

Everyone looked so focused on the upcoming competition but of course Quinn's mind was elsewhere…

She forced herself to look Mercedes' way and her entire heart hurt all over again. Even though she was a sweaty mess like the rest of the group, she looked absolutely beautiful to Quinn. Her hair stuck to her forehead because of all the sweat but she was glowing in Quinn's eyes.

She missed her.

Quinn knew she had to find a way to fix this mess. But so far, she had no idea how to do that.

She watched as Mercedes rested her head on Kurt's shoulder after Mr. Schue told the group to take five. Everyone looked so happy together. Quinn's heart ached. It was almost like none of them needed her at all...

She jumped when a figure took the seat to her right. She looked beside her and instantly relaxed.

It was only Santana.

"Quinnifer, why are you still up here in the dark? Schue called five."

"Because I like it up here Lopez."

"That's a damn lie and you know it Fabray..."

Quinn scoffed at her comment but made no move to correct her. She was kind of right. Okay a lot right. She hated sitting up here in the dark. It was so lonely back here...

"Come join us," Santana prompted.

"No, really, I think this is nice," Quinn lied again.

"Suuure you do," Santana rolled her eyes. "Come on you can sit with me and Britt"

"I don't want to be a third wheel."

Santana blushed. "You won't be..."

Quinn made eye contact with Santana for just a moment and then let her eyes drift to the floor. "I-I can't..."

"Mercedes will forgive you."

"No she won't...I screwed up big time. Plus Kurt keeps giving me the stink eye," Quinn mumbled.

Santana chuckled, linked arms with the blonde and leaned on her shoulder. "But she will! If she loves you, she will. And don't worry about Hummel. I promise his glare is worse than his bite. He's harmless."

Quinn shook her head and paused before speaking. "Why are you being so nice to me, San?"

Santana looked taken aback by the question and a little hurt. "What do you mean? I can be nice..."

"I know... but I figured you'd find some way to use this against me."

"I'm not a total bitch, Q!" Santana exclaimed frowning. Then she sighed, "I can be open minded."

Quinn raised an eyebrow. They were skirting around the giant elephant in the room, but she decided not to push it. She needed someone on her side right now.

"Alright guys! Let's get back to work."

Santana looked toward Quinn for a moment, her arm outstretched. She smiled warmly when Quinn took it and the pair headed back to the stage together.

When Quinn returned home that afternoon, she saw a familiar car in the driveway. A sleek silver Honda Civic. Looked like Francine was back in town.

Quinn approached the house slowly. When she reached the front door, she could hear her parents talking inside.

Quinn pushed the door open trying her best not to call attention to herself. Once inside, she gently pushed the door shut and began tiptoeing toward the stairs. If she could make it just a few more feet, she could have some time to herself. She wouldn't have to face "perfect" Fran just yet.

Creak!

Quinn winced as the one of the floorboards betrayed her. She cursed herself when she heard the conversation and light laughter die down in the living room.

"Lucy? Is that you?" Her sister's crystal clear voice pierced the brief moment of silence.

With no chance of escape, Quinn sighed and made her way into the living room.

"Hey Fran," she muttered, casting brief glances at her parents. Her mother stood tall, with an air of relaxation but Quinn saw right through it. Her lips were stretched too tightly and her eyes were so wide they were practically bulging out of her head. Her father didn't even look at her. He only had eyes for the daughter that never let him down…

"Oh Luce! Look at you!" Francine rushed forward and pulled Quinn into a tight embrace. Hesitantly, Quinn allowed herself to wrap her arms around her sister. She closed her eyes and held her tighter. It had been a while since she'd felt affection from family and her sister's greeting was a welcome change from the more than icy existence she'd grown accustomed to in the Fabray household.

Francine finally released her and immediately her gaze went down to her stomach. "Can I?" Francine pointed to Quinn's stomach. Quinn flashed her a tiny half smile and gave her the "okay".

Francine's cooing and oohing seemed to make her parents uncomfortable. Her father stood there fidgeting, his fingers itching for a cigarette while her mother continued to stand rigidly, "smiling".

"Mom? Dad? You never told me how BIG she was! Why….she's just glowing! Don't you think so?"

Quinn glanced up and regarded her parents. They both nodded and muttered in agreement.

Of course they didn't tell her how big she was. Quinn wouldn't be surprised if today was the first time Fran had even heard about her pregnancy and she'd bet her life that they didn't tell Fran that they'd kicked her out for almost six months.

Francine grabbed Quinn's hand and led her toward the kitchen island where an assortment of healthy desserts was set out. "Come, come Luce! We've got so much catching up to do!" Francine looked at their parents and with a wave of her hand, gestured for them to join in.

Quinn stole a glance at her parents once more. Her father was the first to speak.

"Actually Frannie, I just got a text from Linda at the office. I have to head out. I'll be back around 9."

Francine smile immediately faded and her lips curled into her infamous pout. "Aw Daddy, can't it wait?"

Quinn saw her father hesitate before responding firmly. "No Darlin' it can't. It's… it's urgent."

"Well that's too bad… we'll have to do something later then," Fran replied.

Russell Fabray's right eye twitched slightly as he nodded. "Certainly." But Quinn knew better. He walked over to Fran and kissed her on the forehead before making a speedy exit.

"Mom?" Francine looked expectantly at Judy Fabray, but Quinn already predicted what her response would be.

"Actually Sweetie, I have to leave as well. I promised Mrs. O'Day that I would help her find an outfit for the Spring Gala tonight. I'll see you two later tonight." Francine opened her mouth to protest as Mrs. Fabray hugged her and timidly placed her hand on Quinn's shoulder. "Have fun girls!"

And with that, she was out of the room.

Francine nodded disappointedly but quickly masked it. They listened to their mother grab her keys and shut the door.

Finally Francine turned back toward her little sister with a smile. "Well, I guess it's just you and me Kiddo. Do you want to start or should I?"

It had been almost three weeks since she last spoke to Quinn and the pain Mercedes felt in her chest still cut her up inside. Those words. They stung like Quinn had said them only moments ago.

"God Mercedes! We're NOT together!"

"not... "

"together…"

They echoed in her brain, buzzing around like a swarm of angry bees until they became incoherent.

And then the cycle repeated.

Over and over again, the record in her brain played those words.

Same intonation.

Same sting.

Mercedes' chest heaved.

Her heart felt like it had shattered into a million and one pieces and she was certain she had lost a few of them somewhere. Quinn had scattered them all over the McKinley halls...

Her emotions were jumbled up like an unsolved Rubik's cube and she couldn't sort any of it out.

Was she angry?

Was she sad?

Bitter?

She didn't know. All she knew was that it hurt like hell. So she did what she did best when things didn't make sense. She wrote. She pulled out her journal and she jotted down any and every thought that came into her head.

How could Quinn say that to her? Didn't she know she was her entire world? Didn't she know they were supposed to stand together no matter what? She was supposed to be her "heart" and now they were nothing. When the tears came, Mercedes let them fall freely.

"Mercedes?"

Looking up from her journal, Mercedes sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"Yes mom?" she replied.

"Dinner's ready, Sweetie."

"Okay. Be down in a minute."

Mercedes listened to hear if her mother would walk away. She didn't.

Instead, she heard her knock on the door. "Baby, can I come in?"

Mercedes sniffled again and wiped away her tears but they kept on flowing.

"Okay..." she replied in a tiny voice.

Her mother entered her room and immediately, her arms were around her daughter. Mercedes let out a deep sob that wracked her body. Her mother didn't ask questions. Just rubbed her back in soothing circles and let her cry for a moment. Mercedes felt like a baby soaking her mother's blouse with her tears but she felt comfort for the first time in weeks. Her mother stroked her hair and kissed her forehead over and over again. She knew Mercedes would speak when she was ready.

Eventually, her sobs died down and Mercedes was finally able to form coherent sounds.

"It's over Mom…"

"I know Baby," Diane Jones wiped her daughter's tears as they ran down her puffy cheeks.

"You know the worst part of it?" Mercedes asked staring up at her mother. "I miss her. I m-miss her s-so much."

"Shhhh… I know," Diane pulled her daughter into her arms and held her tightly as she sobbed.

After a moment, Mercedes continued...

"She keeps calling, Mom. I know she wants to talk but I can't get it out of my head. What she said to me in the hallway. I want to forgive her but I just… I can't. Not yet… Is that wrong?" Mercedes sat up making eye contact with her mother. Her teary eyes searched Diane's desperately for an answer.

"No Sweetheart. Of course not...It's not wrong at all. It's human."

Mercedes looked down and considered these words for a moment.

"Yea well, Kurt doesn't want me speaking to her... He pretty much told me this might happen. He didn't say "I told you so" or anything but he doesn't think it's a good idea for me to talk to Quinn. And today, Santana came up to me practically begging for me to talk to her. Telling me how bad she felt and how she's going through a lot with her family and the pregnancy… What should I do?"

"What do you think you should do, Honey?" Diane replied rubbing her daughter's cheek with the back of her thumb.

Mercedes looked down at the floor. "I don't know…"

Using her index finger to tilt her daughter's chin up, Diane replied, "You know what I think?"

Mercedes shook her head.

Diane took Mercedes' hands in hers and replied, "I think that you still care about Quinn. She hurt you terribly... but you still care. And that's understandable. While I'm sure she's going through a lot with her parents, with her pregnancy and a whole host of other things and although I've come to know her as a daughter, my main priority here is you, Baby. I think you know how long it will take before you're ready to get back out there and speak to her. Don't let anyone tell you when to be ready. Okay dear?"

"Yes Mom," Mercedes replied, flashing her mother a tiny smile.

"You talk to Quinn, when you're good and ready alright? Trust yourself my love."

"Thanks Mom."

"Oh you're welcome, baby girl! Now bring it in," Diane replied with outstretched arms.

Mercedes grinned as she opened her arms and embraced her mother.

She always knew just what to say.

Mercedes and Kurt were walking toward the parking lot arm in arm. They were discussing their plans for the night as they walked through the crowded McKinley hallway. Kurt was prattling away.

"...Tina said she'd bring the kettle corn. And I'll bring my copy of Vogue. The new issue came in the mail last night. I'll be there well before the Real Housewives of Atlanta and then, movie marathon! Tina's got Netflix!" Kurt grinned widely at Mercedes with excitement.

His smile faded when he noticed that she seemed a little out of it. Kurt stopped walking and stood in front of her.

"Mercedes? Did you even hear what I just said?"

"Hmm…? Oh yeah! Netflix, Vogue... popcorn?"

Kurt narrowed his eyes. "Kettle corn... Are you okay, Hun?"

Mercedes nodded. "I'm fine Kurt. I'm just thinking about something..."

Kurt squinted his eyes tighter. "I know that look… Did Quinn do something I don't know about?"

Mercedes shook her head. "No...down, Kurt!" She chuckled slightly when he crossed his arms. "Nothing like that. I just had a long talk with my mom yesterday about the whole thing. It gave me a new perspective on things."

"Well naturally. Mama Jones is known to drop a truth bomb or two... How are you feeling today?"

"Better," Mercedes nodded emphasizing the word. "Much better. It still hurts of course, but I...I don't feel as defeated anymore…"

"Aww, that's great to hear! I hate seeing my best friend in a slump," Kurt kissed Mercedes on the cheek and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they continued on their way to their cars.

"Thanks for being there for me Kurt. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kurt squeezed her shoulder affectionately and linked their arms again and gave her a sly grin, "Probably perish, let's be real…"

Mercedes smacked him on the arm and he laughed.

"Kidding! Ouch! Easy on the trimming 'Cedes! These rhinestones were a bitch to affix!"

Mercedes giggled.

"Oh it's funny is it?"

She nodded.

"Good!" Kurt grinned. "I miss seeing you laugh! And honestly, I'd perish without you, sooo..."

Mercedes smiled and pinched Kurt's cheeks gently. "Awww…Kurtie!"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Ugh, you're insufferable…" but he burst into a chuckle despite himself.

When he reached his car, Kurt promised to look for his fondue machine before heading over to her place. He blew Mercedes kisses and then he was off.

Mercedes shook her head. Kurt could be such a character sometimes but she wouldn't trade him for the world.

When she reached her black cherry Prius, she pulled her keys out of her pocket and opened the door.

But before she could get in, Mercedes felt a hand grab her wrist.

Mercedes looked down at the hand.

A perfect nude manicure.

Quinn.

"Hey… can we talk?" Quinn spoke softly. She clutched her burlap purse tightly and released it. And then repeated the action.

"Geez Quinn! You shouldn't sneak up on me like that…" Mercedes replied opening the back door and throwing her bag in.

"I-I know… I'm sorry. I just needed to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"

Mercedes began to shake her head. She knew where this was going. "Quinn… please don-…."

"No I have to say it and I have to say it to your face… I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I'm an idiot and I never should've said what I said. I know I don't deserve your acceptance but I had to get that off of my chest. It was killing me." Quinn's voice cracked and tears fell from her eyes.

Mercedes looked down at the ground. In a small voice she replied, "Did you mean what you said?"

Quinn's hazel eyes grew wide. "No! Of course not. Of course I didn't mean that! I was just so angry and scared and hurt and I know that's not an excuse because I hurt you and I said I never would but then of course I screwed it up. I screwed it all up… I'm sorry Mercedes. I wish I could take it all b-back..."

"I wish you could too," Mercedes replied, a tear rolling down her cheek. She knew Quinn was hurting and it broke her heart to see her cry, but then she remembered what her mother said to her. She was a priority and her feelings mattered too. Deep in her heart, Mercedes knew that she loved the girl standing in front of her, but she just wasn't ready to forgive her. Not just yet.

Mercedes reached up and brushed her tears away and cleared her throat. "I wish you could take it back too Quinn, but you can't...I'm not… I'm not ready to talk about this yet. I need time. I-I'm sorry Quinn."

Quinn bit her lip tightly but she nodded. Even though she'd imagined this exchange very differently, she understood completely. She'd said what she needed to say and Mercedes deserved all the time in the world after all she put her through.

"Yeah… of course! Take all the time you need…"

Mercedes nodded once and pursed her lips before awkwardly getting into the car.

Before she drove off, she wound down the window. "Goodbye Quinn."

The other girl stared at her for a moment, then, in a shaky voice replied, "G-goodbye."

Through her tears, Quinn watched as Mercedes wound up her window and drove out of the vacant parking lot. When her taillights finally faded into the distance, Quinn burst into tears.

A/N: Okay, I know I said things would look up and this is a sad ending again but I promise things will look up! I just feel a little angst is necessary before they reconnect. Quinncedes is endgame I swear 3