Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Glee etc.
The final bell rung, signalling the end of English class, the end of school for the day and Quinn's hour and a half wait for her mother to pick her up and take her to therapy. Thankfully, the football team had a game today, so she was able to escape Max's advances on the bleachers and finally have some time to herself.
The girl gathered her things, placing her books neatly into her leather satchel – a recovery present from her father, though she'd have traded anything just to see him – and made her way out the door, thanking her teacher as she exited.
"Let's go!" a voice exclaimed in her ear just as she was stepping outside the classroom. Sam was leaning casually on the wall next to the door of her English room. He was wearing jeans, a grey top and his hair looked so perfectly messy. Quinn still remembered when he'd admitted to her that he dyed it because he was nervous about coming to McKinley. That was the first time they'd really connected, she knew how it felt to be the outsider and she had to dye her hair to change that too so she understood.
"Oh Sam! You scared me." Quinn laughed, moving out of the doorway to let everyone else leave. She stood in front of Sam and looked at him quizzically "Go where? The library?" The girl had planned to catch up with her work, which had finally been reduced to a manageable amount. "You're not forcing me to go to Glee are you?" The girl added icily, her lips pursing.
"Nope," Sam glazed over the mention of Glee club and said "I'm taking you out, well, not out really, we're going to physical therapy."
"Why?" Quinn's voice was harsher than she intended.
Sam's eyes softened, "Sorry to spring this on you, I just thought it'd be a fun surprise since you get to hang out with me for the next couple of hours instead of sitting in the library alone waiting for your mom." The boy's smile was so genuine that it warmed Quinn's heart and he went on to explain, "Did you really think that your mom wouldn't find out about practice the other day?" Quinn was relieved that he had avoided mentioning the specifics, "I think she spoke to my mom at church.. anyway whatever happened, we got to talking and we decided that the half hour after your mom's work wasn't long enough so I'm taking you to physical therapy."
Quinn's eyes narrowed, "Why? You're not my boyfriend! I'm perfectly fine waiting for my mom".
"Come on Q, please don't be like this. We both know that the most important thing to you at the moment is Cheerios and you're only going to stay on top if you fully recover – which is what I want. I want you to be healthy and happy. You were there when I needed help, and now I'm returning the favour" Sam pleaded.
Quinn's heart sank, she'd almost hoped that Sam was doing this because he loved her, rather than because he felt that he owed her for babysitting during his family's financial difficulties. "Alright then, since I don't think anything I say will change your mind and I don't have another ride home."
The pair walked towards Sam's truck in silence, though it wasn't an awkward one. They fell back into their old pattern of secretly communicating and enjoying the relative quiet. When they reached the truck, Sam quickly ran over to the right side, opening the door for the girl, holding out his hand and bowing goofily "My lady!" he grinned.
Instinctively, Quinn took the boy's outstretched hand and allowed him to help her into the truck, "Thanks" she laughed, an honest laugh, not like the giggles she forced out for Max.
"Anytime," Sam chuckled back as he closed the door for her and made his way to the driver's side of the car, hopping in and starting up the engine.
The car journey was a comfortable one and the pair fell back into their old habit of chatting so easily that they were oblivious to the time. Far sooner than Quinn would have liked, they were pulling into the NovaCare Rehabilitation and Select Physical Therapy Centre.
The girl sighed heavily as they entered the compound, of course she was thankful for all the help they were giving her and for the volunteers' and doctors' patience, but the place was a constant reminder of her weakness. It reminded her that she wasn't as perfect as she pretended to be, that she still needed help from others and worst of all, that she was vulnerable. For a moment, Quinn regretted letting Sam bring her here, he couldn't see her like this, but then, she remembered how he'd always been there for her, despite seeing her true colors. He'd stuck by her side during the aftermath of her pregnancy and helped put her together again; and, to be honest, she needed a real friend.
"Well, we're here." Sam pointed out the obvious as he pulled into a parking space and shut off the engine. For the first time during the journey, there was a hint of awkwardness in the air between them.
"Yep," Quinn sighed, twisting her lips slightly.
Sam nodded and smiled awkwardly, then turned to open his door. Before he could get out of the truck, Quinn reached for his wrist to get his attention and squeezed it, "Thank you," she whispered.
"There's no need." The boy replied chivalrously. He got out of the truck and made his way over to Quinn's side, holding her already open door and offering her a hand to get out.
"You don't need to do that you know, I'm not completely incompetent." The girl joked, though she felt a sickness in her stomach, screaming that she was incompetent and her need for this place only confirmed that.
"I know, but someone as special as you deserves respect and kindness," Sam replied. He turned away quickly, but he wasn't fast enough for Quinn not to notice the tinge of blush on his cheeks. "Let's go inside," he added hastily.
"I have a surprise for you," Sam came bounding over whilst Quinn was jogging at a relaxed pace on the treadmill. She'd already done a brief run and other stretches and exercises and her session was coming to an end so the girl could only wonder what else the blond boy had in store for her.
"Oh yeah?" she raised her eyebrow, half daring him to actually surprise her, though she doubted that he could give her a bigger shock than taking her to physical therapy without notice and then being so involved and motivational during. Throughout the whole session, Sam had been by her side, helping to contort Quinn into unimaginable stretches to regain flexibility in her muscles, holding her hand as she did various walking exercises and providing general cheer and entertainment. Somehow, he'd managed to take her mind of the fact that she was there for help and she no longer felt like a defenceless lamb, instead, she just felt like Quinn.
"It's a beautiful evening and the doctors said you could do your cool down outside if I accompany you," the boy grinned. As he spoke, a doctor came over to stop the machine and check Quinn's heart rate and blood pressure. He then gave the pair an OK to finish the session outside.
"Wow, this was a great idea," Quinn smiled softly as she gazed up at the evening sky. The sun was setting in hues of pink and orange – so beautiful and romantic. "Thanks for persuading them," the girl continued to walk slowly, calming down her muscles after the intense session. It had been much harder than usual since she'd had more time, but at least the girl felt that she had achieved something and she felt more positive about her recovery.
Sam smiled back at her, "No problem, the doctors said that they were glad to finally see you smile. I hear you've been a bit grumpy with them," he poked her in the ribs, causing the girl to flinch away and laugh.
"Yeah, I just- I hate it here. It makes me feel so useless…" Quinn trailed off. She came to a halt, turning to face Sam, "Sorry, I'm not really making sense since this is making me better. I don't really know how to explain it to you."
"No, I understand," Sam looked up at her with his deep blue hues, full of care and love, "That's how I felt when my family became homeless. Even though everyone was helping us, I wanted to scream that we were fine, that I didn't want or need their help, accepting that you're weak is a difficult thing to do."
Quinn nodded, leaving her head hanging. She didn't reply but there wasn't a need to, Sam understood her completely.
After a long pause, the boy reached up to cup Quinn's chin in his fingers, lifting it up so that her eyes met his, "It's okay, Quinn," he whispered softly.
The girl nodded again, she could feel her eyes pricking but she didn't stop the glistening tear from rolling down her cheek. Sam had already seen her physical weaknesses tonight, what was the difference with the emotional ones now? And she trusted the boy, she knew that he wouldn't tell anyone of her moment of vulnerability.
Sam wiped away the tear with his thumb, his fingers still under the petite girl's chin. Slowly, he pulled her face towards his, leaning down until their lips met. It was tentative at first, almost as if he was giving Quinn the chance to back out. Instead, after a few seconds, she pulled him towards her hungrily, pressing her lips hard against him, slipping her tongue inside his mouth.
"No!" Quinn half shouted, she'd pushed Sam away with both her hands on his chest. "I'm sorry, I can't" she choked out, tears falling faster now. She couldn't do this, not again, after she'd vowed to change. The first time she'd cheated, she'd gotten pregnant, the second time, the time she betrayed Sam, she got mono. Regardless, cheating wasn't kind to others, it wasn't right and she wouldn't do it again, despite her lack of feelings towards Max and however badly he treated her compared to the blond boy. Quinn couldn't control her sobs now, this was all she wanted, but she wasn't sure that she was ready to give up her popularity for it. This evening with Sam was one of the happiest she'd had in months, but what was to stop him from hurting her again? She needed to stick with the plan – Max. Prom. Yale. - There would be no detours.
"I'm sorry, I just thought-" Sam broke off, scratching the back of his neck, clearly lost for what to say.
"I'm with Max. I'm sorry, let's just go home." Quinn answered, though the words broke her heart.
"Alright," Sam sighed, after a moment he added, "Why are you with him?"
"It's not your business Sam," Quinn's voice was curt, clearly she didn't want to have this conversation.
Luckily for her, Sam didn't push it, although she almost wished he had. She wished that he'd tell her that he loved her and he would make her better as he had done after giving up Beth. She hoped that he'd reassure her that she was beautiful and worthy. Instead, he merely said, "Come on then, I'll take you home."
A/N: I hope you guys liked it, Quinn and Sam are finally starting to grow together, albeit rather slowly. I've written most of the next chapter but I'm having a little bit of trouble with one aspect of it. It should be up soon but if anyone fancies having a chat with me about it or has any suggestions in general then please don't hesitate to send me a PM or leave a comment via review.
Once again thank you for reading and your continual support. As always, questions, comments, and criticisms are welcome!