Chapter Twelve: The One Where Lines Are Crossed

xii: How much longer will it take to cure this? Just to cure it 'cause I can't ignore it if it's love.

(Earlier that day)

"Yeah, of course. Honestly, I'd be more than happy, you know that. I hate to sound so enthusiastic!" She laughs a little forcefully, "But whenever you need me to take her is fine with me. Of course, Puck will be here, too. And Rachel." She nods along to the voice on the other end, willing to conform to whatever she's saying. Quinn can feel the excitement in her bones and joy in her heart and she's not even off the phone yet.

She's home earlier than usual, so no one is around. They're all out or at work, but she doesn't really care. The place has been more cramped than usual lately; she's thankful for the peace. Quinn has had half a mind to move in with one of the guys as the girls are all beginning to grate on each other. Mike even has a spare room, so she can't fathom why Brittany or Santana won't go there. Quinn was lucky enough to get Brittany who, although has moments of complete insanity, is a far lower maintenance than Santana. Granted, Quinn ponders, Rachel is worse and so they probably make a good pair.

Realising that Shelby is still on the other line, Quinn zones back in and takes down some details on a nearby napkin. Rachel is obsessive about keeping a pen in the second drawer, and for the first time, Quinn is thankful for her OCD ways. Finishing up the call, Quinn bids her goodbye and hangs up.

Overjoyed, she begins to dance around the sitting room, singing a nonsensical tune about 'we got Beth' and adding random lyrics to it. She jumps onto the couch and across to the armchair, never stopping for a moment. Shaking her hips rhythmically whilst alternating between grinning wildly and laughing, she fails to hear someone enter the apartment. Quinn continues her dance and even shakes her rear a couple of times to provide extra laughs for herself – she rarely gets to act so foolishly, and it feels good. She'd never let anyone else see her like this.

Quinn finally stops dancing to get a drink of water, but continues to hum the familiar tune gleefully. Her cheeks are sore from smiling and laughing, which makes her realise with a start that she mustn't do it very much.

An applause rings out behind her, and Quinn freezes at the sink. Oh god, no. She rapidly makes a list of who would be the best person to be there (read: Rachel, Mike, Brittany, Finn.) and the worst (read: Kurt, Santana, Puck.) She turns around slowly, eyes scrunched closed in fear and anticipation.

The person laughs then – Quinn knows exactly who it is now and opens her eyes. Her brilliant smile returns and she runs to greet him. Her arms are thrown around him tightly and she kisses him soundly. She can feel him laughing against her and leans back to get a look at those beautiful blues, "Hey you," She greets him happily.

"Hey yourself," He replies, his hands going around her waist. "What's the cause for celebration? I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed that performance. I should get my own private show later.."

She snorts, not bothering to address that, and returns to grinning like a crazy lady, "I get to mind Beth for a few days! How great is that, Sam?"

Initially, he genuinely does not know how to react. Firstly, it makes him uneasy and he struggles to keep that off his face and secondly, he feels a little suffocated all of a sudden and wants to leave. Seeing her so happy increases his heart rate though, and gives him a warm feeling, so he puts on his own smile and pulls back to clasp her hands, "That's so great, Quinn! I'm happy for you."

She's nodding, taking the piece of tissue from the table and putting it in her room. Sam follows her, listening to the rambling that she so rarely does, "I mean, it'll be difficult sure. It'll be the first time I've had her for more than one day and night. I hope she'll take it well – she's old enough to understand, right? Ten is old enough, isn't it? She's such a smart kid, too. You have to meet her – I know I'm biased, but Beth is the most gorgeous and lovely little girl I know. I've ever known." They're in her bedroom now where she proceeds to tuck the tissue gently into her drawer, and looks back at him. "Wow, I need to tell Puck! Did you see him?"

"Outside your door?" He asks, raising a brow. "… no." Sam wonders slightly impatiently of why she's running off to Puck.

She waves him off, "Of course you didn't, I'm all over the place. I'll see if he's home yet! A-and the others of course…" Quinn begins to bound out the door, but at the last moment, rotates to see him again. "Sorry Sam, what did you come over here for?"

He wants to tell her it was to spend some quality time. Wants to ask her out for a spontaneous dinner. The movies. For some reason, he can't. He paints on another false smile, "Nothing big. Dinner tomorrow night?" She nods, kisses him on the cheek and flees the room to find her friends.

Sam stands there for what seems like hours, but is only ten minutes. He's simply gazing around her room, taking in the sparse decorations and few photos. The walls are bare save for a collage in the centre of the wall facing her bed, and he knows instantly just by looking at it that Rachel made it for her. He's come to know them all well in the time he's dated Quinn, and it positively screams Rachel. It's glittered and is littered with stars and quotes from songs. However, what catches his attention are the photo's. He's never looked closer before, but now that he does, Sam's intrigued.

There's a photo of Quinn and Santana dancing on a bar, but it looks to be on holiday from Santana's darker than usual skin and the bathing top Quinn is sporting. Brittany is on the other end of the bar, away from the other two, swinging her top in her hand.

His eyes move to one of Rachel and Quinn at graduation, proud smiles beaming from both of them. He knew they were friends a long time, but not quite that long. He supposes he had never bothered to ask. The next one is Rachel, Finn and Quinn at some sort of party. They're a little older than the previous picture, he assumes in college, and the girls are laughing at Finn who is wearing a hula skirt and a pair of sunglasses. That's all he's wearing.

Kurt and Quinn are posing ridiculously in the next picture, donned in pyjamas with margaritas in their hands. He realises it's the girls living room, and can see Brittany doing Santana's hair in the distant background. The next photo with Quinn dressed as little Bo Peep doing a shocked pose as Puck – dressed as a mafia gangster – and Mike – a burglar – pretended to rob her causes him to release a small chuckle.

There's some group photo's then, which he only scans over, before coming to the picture – the two pictures - he had been avoiding a little. The first is one of Quinn right after Beth is born, or so he thinks anyway. A little pink bundle is cuddled in her arms, and despite Quinn smiling up at the camera, her finger is tightly enclosed in Beth's hand. Puck has his arm around Quinn, gazing down at Beth adoringly. Confusion floods him – why the hell is Puck in the picture? Judging by how weary, but happy, Quinn looks it seems as if it's just moments after Beth is born. Also, Beth would have been taken away after a while since Quinn was giving her up.

Something clicks then, and he realises this must have been when Puck and Quinn were dating. Quinn told him the father hadn't been in the picture, so Puck must have gone into the room with her. His respect for the man grows a little if he loved and cared for Quinn enough at one point to be with her even if she was pregnant. (Ignorance is bliss.)

Before even looking at the last picture, Sam hears someone enter the apartment and is glad for it. He suddenly needs to leave.

(The reason he couldn't tell Quinn what he wanted is becoming more apparent.)

The photo he forgot still stares out from the collage, and sticks out like a sore thumb to any man Quinn brings around. It's only a few years ago, at a concert it seems. The lights are dim; they're all sitting on stools. It's intimate. The camera is focused on Puck and Quinn; she's laughing heartily (in a way that's not often seen) with her hand placed gently on his arm, while he's simply looking at her, though there's a small grin playing on his lips.

Quinn could never bring herself to take it down, and yet, the whole collage is a message to any one who enters. Especially that picture.

Quinn races into the boys apartment, throwing open the door and glancing around quickly. She hears the shower running and knocks on the door, but is answered with a loud rendition of "seasons of love". Kurt. Seeing how clean the place is, she assumes he's been home a while. But are the others?

She pushes open Puck's door and is delighted to find him lying on his bed, reading a book. Quinn momentarily considers how different this image of him is, and how he should let people see it more, but then moves on. She jumps onto the bed and sits on his legs, nudging him excitedly. "Come on, I have to show you something!"

Puck's eyes are wide in surprise, but it soon disappears to be replaced with a smirk, "Show me anything you want, babe."

She doesn't even roll his eyes, which intrigues him further, so he allows her to pull him up and follows her into her apartment. Puck can't help but wonder if she's lost her mind for real this time, and thinks wearily of how tiresome it was making her sane again last time. She's gone off the deep end twice, and neither time was particularly fun for him. Both times he was elected as one of the targets. Realising they're entering her room, one of his brows raise.

Quinn pulls a piece of tissue out of her drawer and hands it to him, eyes on him expectantly for a reaction. Puck holds it with his thumb and index finger, glancing between it and Quinn apprehensively, "Er.. thanks. This will come in handy, I suppose. I can use it to jack off to what I thought I was getting here."

"Stop the jokes, Puckerman. Read it." She tells him flatly, but the irritated mood then instantly lifts. He takes his time, reading it three times, before returning his eyes to her. There's a place, a date and a time. Is she asking him out? Because he was honestly only joking earlier... She sighs, "It's got nothing to do with sleeping with me. Where is that place? C'mon!"

"It's the diner around the corner from Shel…We get to see Beth this month?" He asks, his face lighting up.

Quinn nods fervently, "We also get to take her home…and have her for a couple of days. A couple of days, Puck! We've never gotten that before." The both let out exclamations of joy, and in his haze, Puck picks up Quinn and twirls her around. They're both laughing, but as she slides down to earth again, leaning against his chest, the atmosphere changes.

Quinn hates when that happens. She tries to ignore it and closes her eyes, leaning her head on his chest, "We get our girl for a few days, Noah."

Puck leans back to look at her, one million and one thoughts racing through his brain. He refrains from commenting on how they can pretend for a while. Refrains from commenting on they'll see how it could have been. Above all, staring into those eyes again, he becomes increasingly aware of the fact that they're in her bedroom. Everything in him is shouting at him to close the distance – part of him doesn't even think she'd reject him.

(Goodness knows she has before.)

Her voice is a soft whisper when she says his name, "Puck…" It's his undoing.

When she gets the call, she's pleasantly surprised. In fact, she's more than pleasantly surprised, she's on-top-of-the-world fuck-me surprised. It's enough to put her in such a good mood that she says goodnight to all of her co-workers and sings a happy tune as she hops into her car. Santana always has to make the initiation, she's always the one with the raw, hot need.

This time, it's not her. She has to admit, it feels brilliant to be the one wanted for once. Of course, Santana is always wanted by strangers, but never by one close to home. She constantly feels as if she's the one chasing them down, making the effort and holding on. (Holding on often translates as pushing away.)

On the way home, she stops at the local liquor store and buys some of her favourite wine. She's excited like she only gets with one person, and it feels nice. Santana isn't used to emotions of elation or fulfillment. She's generally empty. Nothing satisfies her or fills that gaping hole that's always been with her – except one thing, that is.

That one thing is one Ms. Brittany Pierce. Santana will never admit it aloud, and won't even admit it to Brittany. She see's her sitting on the bench outside their place, braiding her own hair with difficulty and tapping her foot to a rhythm only she can hear. Santana pauses for a minute to drink in the beauty and innocence wrapped up in that simple image, and vows to keep it with her forever. For when she feels down.

She makes her presence known then, and Brittany jumps up to hug her, "San!" Her grip is tight and already Santana wants her. It's amazing what one person can do to you, and she's more than helpless if Brittany ever figures out the power she has. Though, on reflection, being Brittany she wouldn't even use it for malicious or manipulative purposes. (Not like Santana.) "I thought you'd never get here."

"I got here as fast as possible, B. Brought some wine," She holds up the bottle with a smile. Santana notices the melancholic expression her best friend is wearing then, and her she frowns with concern. "What's wrong?"

"The dance studio closed today. I—I can't dance anymore…"

"Oh, Brit.." She trails off, grasping the girls hand. "You'll find somewhere else. You're brilliant, everyone will want you."

"I am brilliant." Brittany concedes, "You think they'll all want me?"

She hesitates, knowing what she wants to say but struggling with getting the words out. All her life, Santana struggles with what she feels and expressing it correctly. More often than not, it comes out as a bitchy comment or as a back-handed compliment. But Brittany is looking at her so sincerely, so lovingly and with such want that it cracks her. "I know I do." The other girl recognises immediately the weight in her words (she's not quite so stupid when it comes to some things.) and changes the way their hands are so that they're interlaced. Santana comments crudely then to break the sentimentality, "Come on, we need some time, and I've been dying to do it on Rachel's bed to piss her off."

"Santana," Brittany scolds. "We're doing it in Quinn's room. Rachel's teddy's always watch me, and I've a feeling they could kill me if I sleep there…"

"Plus Rach will just know by walking into the room. That damned loveable control freak.."

Brittany steals a quick peck on the mouth, and they climb the stairs to their apartment together.

(Santana can't help the guilt it floors her as she glances around to see if anyone was around as Brittany kissed her. But she can't help doing it either.)

"Oh! Em, yes, you can have the ro.. yeah, okay.." Quinn mutters, eyes closed as the image imprints upon her brain. Puck, whose hands had been on her arms, drop as if she burned him. He takes a step swiftly back and nods to her.

"That's great news, Q." He turns to the other two, and gives them a small smirk and tilts his head, "Ladies."

She hates how he's able to gather himself so well, how he can recover from any situation with absolute minimal damage. She's not sure how he does it either, that detail constantly evades her. How to remain calm in the face of your two best friends – girls – running into your room holding hands and looking like young lovers is definitely something Quinn wants to ask him about.

(If she was to tell the truth, she'd tell you that she's relieved they walked in because she's not sure what would have happened otherwise. She's afraid to think about it.)

Puck leaves it at that, giving her a quick smile in reference to Beth (or her, but she's not going to acknowledge that. Ever maybe.) and Quinn is frozen in the spot for the moment. Santana and Brittany stand before her; Brittany is grinning like crazy, while Santana is looking at Quinn with her eyebrows raised. She wants her to leave.

Her eyes drop and she notices their hands interwined again. Nodding slowly, Quinn begins to back out of the room. Her mind is still reeling and her mouth still incapable of words but she's able to leave. Closing the door quietly behind her, Quinn leans against it for a moment. She's not sure where to begin with how to feel about the last hour.

Are Brittany and Santana doing..it? Quinn supposes that she should have seen it coming. Almost recognises that they've all known it a long time, but isn't quite ready for that step yet. Processing the thought that two of her best friends may well be lesbians isn't something she relishes, and so she shakes her head, steels her shoulders and walks out of the apartment.

Quinn pauses at the door to get her jacket and purse first though, and it's then a thought strikes her. Cringing, she shouts gingerly, "Change my sheets!"

She scampers out before they can reply, feeling a little nauseous: they're doing it on her bed.

It's also the scene that greets Kurt when he comes looking for Quinn later on.

Week later: It's been a long day for her by all means; organising a stuck-up, stubborn, snobby, spoilt sixteen year olds birthday is not what she had planned for herself. Rachel had imagined bright lights and flashing camera's, not chocolate cakes and coloured streamers that aren't even for her. She's feeling a little despondent lately with herself. She's disappointed in her lack of ambition these days, horrified by how little motivation runs in her veins and downright upset about how her life is turning out.

Again, this isn't what she had planned. There's still time, they say. But she's getting on a bit to be breaking into Broadway as a young star.. She wanted that. The young fame and stardom.

Aside from her professional life, Rachel's personal life isn't fairing the best either. Quinn barely speaks to her anymore for reasons she can't fathom, Santana is moodier than ever, Finn and her are barely on speaking terms and she hasn't seen Kurt in a long while around their place. The others are fine with her, but it still worries her that so many of her friends seem to be AWOL.

Sighing in dismay, she's startled when her phone begins to ring. Rachel is sitting in a coffee shop not far from her theatre, but not the usual one that Brittany works in. She isn't in the mood to sit in silence with her friends - if they even went to Brittany's place. She glances at the name on her phone and frowns. Wonderful; more hard work.

Chalking it up to being something important, Rachel answers the phone begrudgingly, "Yes, Jesse?" Her voice is overly chirpy and she hopes he understands why.

"Hey Rachel, I was just wondering if you're free at the moment? I'm going through the script, and there's a scene I'm struggling a little with without a Mimi. Would you mind putting in an extra hour with me?"

Her head laughs at the idea, wants to respond with a flat no. However, something inside of Rachel is taking her another way, and she tells herself that this is all professional. With that in mind, she finds herself agreeing to meet him. As they settle on meeting at the theatre in ten, Rachel wonders what the hell she has agreed to.

Draining the last of her herbal tea, Rachel leaves the café and begins the walk back to her theatre. When it was given to her – the theatre – she had been so unbelievably grateful and so head-over-heels for it, but now, her love seems to have faded. Jesse's words eat away at her, because she knows they're true. She left her dream for this; some cheap productions with failed stars. Part of her resents all that is stands for, and another part screams for some semblance of theatre and all that makes Rachel.

Suddenly, Jesse is a few metres away from her, and she's staring mindlessly at the building in front of her. When she turns to him, Rachel see's he has that small smirk on his face he constantly seems to carry. This time however, it's less arrogant and actually more like a … like a genuine smile. But it couldn't be – right? She nods to him, and gets the keys out to open it. As she unlocks the door, Rachel calls out, "I hope you have your script ready and the exact scene. I don't have all night to be messing around with you."

"Hot date?"

They approach the stage together, and she can sense the smirk in his tone. Rather haughtily, Rachel replies, "If you must know, I don't need a man nor a date to keep my life full and vibrant. I'm going home to my friends, we're watching a movie."

"What movie?" He appears curious, and not mocking her. She hates having to analyse him. Another side of her takes a thrill in the challenge.

She hesitates, "West Side Story – it's with Kurt. Of course, you wouldn't know him." Rachel adds immediately after, wondering why she didn't just leave it as 'with a friend'.

"Good musical. I once played Tony. So, the scene I wanted to go over was the one where we meet for the first time. I can't seem to capture that initial sexual tension and attraction in my acting, but that was without you." His eyes are oddly dark, and strangely alluring in that moment, but Rachel doesn't dwell on that thought for long.

"There shouldn't be a problem with that scene, it's by far the easiest in my opinion." Rachel doesn't bother retrieving her script; she doesn't need it.

"That's because you get to work with me." Instead of huffing at his arrogance, or rolling her eyes at how conceited he can be, Rachel laughs. She isn't sure why she didn't do one of the former two things, but at that time, she felt laughing was appropriate. It bubbled up into her throat and out her lips before she could stop it. She's going insane. She's beginning to get his humour; he's not unlike Puck in some ways.

They rehearse for an hour or two, and to both their surprise, it ends up being enjoyable. In between the times where they are seriously acting, they joke and talk. He makes funny comments instead of saying the lines he's supposed to, while Rachel over-exaggerates her lines for a few minutes. The time only strikes her when there's a loud rumbling between the two of them, and she realises that she's absolutely starving. Rachel hasn't eaten since lunch time, and it's now nine o'clock.

(Time flies when you're having fun.)

"Sorry," He seems a little sheepish, which she finds oddly endearing seeing as he never is normally. "My stomach. You got time for a bite to eat?"

"Strictly professional purposes, yes?"

He adopts a mocking serious, stern expression, "Why of course. How could you doubt that?" She laughs and surprises herself by allowing him to escort her to a place nearby.

Heeey folks, so what did you think? A little confusing. I'll break it down: Quinn and Puck were about to kiss in her room, Santana and Brittany walk in and Quick takes that as their opportunity to scatter. Of course, because of this, it is in fact Brittana that Kurt walks in on. Sorry for any confusion :)
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!
CN

Disclaimer: I do not own Friends, Glee or "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows.