Well hello there. Why yes, it has been a while. I would love to stay and chat but... -sprint- I apologize (distant fading voice)

Rachel POV

The door opens once more but it's already too late for whoever walking through it to save me because Karofsky's already launching the slushie into my face. I quickly try to shield my face from what would feel like an incoming miniature iceberg. It's a good thing I took off the Cheerio's jacket earlier because I wouldn't want to get it ruined or get someone killed. It stings as it hits me in the face and runs down into my eyes.

"Karofsky!" I hear shouted familiar voices then I also hear what I assume to be Santana going off in Spanish.

I guess that second option isn't completely off the table yet. I feel a presence next to me which I recognize to be...

"Quinn." I say as I open my eyes.

"Don't open them it would only hurt more." She says.

Well that's not something on my mind when faced with the view of Quinn so close to my face.

"Rachel!" She calls

"Huh, what?" I ask being brought back to reality then remembering the stinging in my eyes. "Ow." I say involuntarily closing them.

"I told you to close them. Let's get you cleaned up."

"Uh... yeah."

"Santana just leave him, we'll deal with him later."

I look around to see a Santana who looks less likely to attack Karofsky probably due to Brittany calming her down, and Karofsky trying to stand his ground and look unfazed by her.

"Q, can I just have a word with Karofsky?" She asks.

Quinn looks her in the eye for awhile be replying with a sigh. "Go ahead."

She leads me down the hall toward what I presume would be the nearest bathroom.

"I'm sorry." She says while helping me clean up like before.

"For what?" I ask in confusion.

"For not being there to protect you." She replies.

"It's fine, you don't always have to."

"But I want to." She says in a barely there whisper and I smile.

There's a silence as I think through what just happened then I remember we left Santana with Karofsky

"I don't think that was a good idea," I say "leaving Santana with Karofsky like that."

"With that look on her face I know she still would have whether I told her no or not." She replies.

"Doesn't that make the situation worse?"

"I trust her not to kill him." She says with a shrug.

"Quinn!"

"I was exaggerating. Santana wouldn't kill someone... probably."

"Probably? You aren't even sure."

"Well Brittany's there too so we don't have to worry."

"Brittany's where?" I hear asked in a voice which I know wasn't the one conversing with me. I look up to see none other than Brittany.

"Brittany! What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Uh, I came to check on you. Why?" She asks.

"No reason." Quinn says quickly cutting off my reply. "So where's Santana?"

"With Karofsky. She wanted them to talk alone so I left."

"So you left them just like that?" I ask.

"Yep. She told me it was only talking so why not?"

"Good question Britt." Quinn says once again cutting off my reply.

"Quinn." I say.

"Well there's nothing we can do especially, you with half your head under water." She says to me.

"But Quinn-"

"We just have to wait and see." She says with a shrug.

I'm already clean and outside when Santana comes back outside.

"Where's Karofsky? You didn't kill him, did you?" I quickly ask.

"It's great that you think I would do that, little one." She replies.

"I am not that small for you to call me that and you didn't answer the question."

"Is that Britt's shirt?" She asks to no one in particular while completely ignoring me.

"It is!" Brittany says enthusiastically "It's so big on her, doesn't she look adorable, San."

"Yeah she does, Britt." She replies with a smile.

"So... Karofsky?" Quinn asks.

"Can we talk about him later?"

"Santana."

"I'm going home." She says then walks away with Brittany in tow.

"Later guys!" Brittany says.

"So... We can leave or..."

"Quinn, she still owes us a story." I say then walk towards her car

"Yeah, I though so." She says as she follows me. "What about your car?"

"What about it?" I ask.

The raise of her eyebrow is the only response I get but I seem to hear her replies and questions.

"This way is more efficient plus I don't exactly know where Santana lives. I'll just get it tomorrow."

"So destination Casa De Los Lopez?" She asks as we hop in the car.

"Of course."

We pull up at the house and Quinn cuts the engine.

"Here we are." She says hopping out.

I follow her to the door and she rings the door bell.

"No one's home." We hear from inside.

"You better come open this door, Lopez." Quinn replies.

"And what would you do if I don't Fabray, stand out side?"

"Do you really want to find out?"

The door opens and before I know it I'm being pulled inside.

"Yes, yes I do." She replies closing the door with a smile and locking it.

"Santana you can't just leave her out there." I say as she walks away.

"Of course I can, I just did."

"Santana." I say quickly following her.

"Hey Rachel." Brittany says. "Where's Quinn?"

"Santana locked her out."

"San, let Quinn in."

"She'll survive."

"San." Brittany says sternly.

"Fine."

"Thanks, bitch." Quinn says stepping through the door.

"You're welcome." Santana replies with a smile.

"As much as I love coming here just to be locked out by myself, Rachel wanted to hear the story so let's get on with it."

"Well since you asked so pleasantly." Santana responds sarcastically.

"She's unpleasant because she could be spending this time with Rachel without us plus I'm sure she was lonely out there by herself." Brittany says.

"Right, I'm sorry for ruining your alone time." She says with a smirk. "Now, down to business I'll tell it on one condition, you let Karofsky off."

"What? Why?"

"Because when you make a deal with the devil, it's kept."

"Is that even a reason?"

"Come on Q, please."

"Quinn, she really wants this." Brittany says.

"Yeah, she even said please." I say.

All eyes are on her as she gives in with a sigh. "Alright, but I still want to know why."

"I'm not always proud of my actions so hopefully it can get him to trust me a little."

Flashback (No one's POV)

"Dave, Dave, Dave." Santana says as she walks back and forth in the classroom coming to a stop and watching him as she says the last Dave with a sigh. "I'm beginning to think you have a problem with us."

"So what if you think that." Dave says making an attempt to get up and leave.

"I recommend you sit back down in that chair just because Brittany isn't here now doesn't mean you can try to leave."

"And you're going to stop me?"

"Now Dave, I can take you any day of the week even in my sleep. So I'd rather not have to kick your ass because I told Britt we'd just be talking." The Latina says as she sits on a desk and stares the boy in the eye.

He sits back down with a huff.

"Now where were we? Oh right! You and your problems."

"The only problem I have right now is you."

"And that's your fault if you didn't notice." She says as she leans forwards. "Before you were pushing your luck when you went against laws I laid down. Now I think you've crossed the line out there. That law that you just broke was put into place today. If that isn't crossing it, I don't know what is, but my only question for you is why?"

"Laws or not, a loser is a loser and losers get slushied whether it be Berry or Ladyboy Hummel. If you weren't above me I'd be happy to throw one in your face everyday." Dave replies.

Santana rests her head in her hand and smirks. "You still have the heart to talk crap even though it's just me and you, I like that." She then starts to frown. "But I have an issue with your personal problem."

"And I think you're imagining things."

"Cut the crap, Dave." The Latina says seriously. "Your fixation on Berry and her best friend Kurt and your dislike and constant questioning of me tells me you do."

"And I'm telling you otherwise. No one likes you anyway so I don't see what you're trying to get at." The boy says before once again trying to escape.

She watches the boy walking towards the door then speaks what would seem to random information to others. "Did you know I pride myself on having one of the best gaydars known to man."

Dave freezes mid step and turns around.

"You could be enjoying your life in Narnia and I'd still know but it seems you aren't that far in the closet."

"W-what?" He asks in shock

"Oh David I didn't want it to come to this; me threatening the welling being of your closet and your future life decisions."

He opens his mouth to speak but she puts up her hand indicating for him to stop.

"There are people like Kurt who chose to be out and open and there's people like me who weren't given a choice, I'm giving you one now. Option number one: We can all forget about today if you apologize to Berry... And Kurt for the slushies and how you treat them. Also stay away from them if you don't plan on being nice or at least friendly. Option number two: You can come out whether you want to or not." She says.

"I'll apologize."

"Good boy." She says and hops off the desk and walks to the door then pauses "You know I think we'd make great friends if you ever decide to stop going against me." She says turning to face him again then disappearing through the door.

Santana POV

The information as is processed the room is silent.

"Santana you don't do that to people!" Rachel says.

"Desperate times calls for desperate measures." I reply.

"You went through it how can you even think to do it to someone else."

"She wouldn't do it." Quinn says then faces me. "Would you?"

"Of course not, but he doesn't need know that."

"It's still mean, San." Brittany says.

"Imagine how he feels." Rachel adds.

"Do you know how hard it was for me to do that?" It was hard because I know how he feels, I was in the same position without a choice." I say and the mood starts to somber.

"So... Dave's gay, didn't see that coming." Quinn says breaking the silence.

"Yeah most people wouldn't, there's probably less than five people who would." I reply

"Who?" Rachel asks.

"Obviously Dave would notice, then there's me and I'm sure Britt noticed too, right?"

"Yep." She replies and all eyes turn to her.

"I can always trust you to see these things babe."

"Who's the other two or one since it's less than five?"

"You'll find out eventually." I say with a smirk.

"Peeking someones curiosity then leaving them high and dry classic Santana move." Quinn says to Rachel.

"I think I'll be taking my leave now. You coming babe?"

"Yeah."

"You two can do whatever you want. If you leave lock the door behind you." I say as I walk up the steps to my room.

Rachel POV

"Did Santana just leave us alone in her house?" I ask.

"Yeah, we practically live at each others house so it's nothing unusual." She replies.

"So what are we going to do?"

"Whatever you want, where ever you want. We can hang here, go out, take a walk or if you want I can take you home."

"How about we just talk, you know, get to know each other?"

"Sure sounds good. Where do we start?" She says and I pause.

Where do we start? Anywhere is fine, I'm just hoping to learn something about Quinn... the real Quinn.

"The beginning." I say with a smile. "I'm Rachel Barbra Berry. And you are?" I ask placing my hand out.

She let's out a small laugh. "Lucy Quinn Fabray, but you can call me Quinn." She says shaking my hand. "I must say you really are something else, Rachel."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

"I wouldn't want you to take it any other way." She says with a smile.

We fall into easy conversation about random things and I don't even notice how much time has gone by.

"I think it's safe enough for me to change out of these clothes." She says getting up from the chair and stretching.

She turns to me and smiles. "A couple of hours together and I'm already rubbing off on you." She says tapping my eyebrow which I've seem to have unconsciously raised. "Come on I'll show you what I'm talking about."

She leads me up the stairs and opens the door to a dark cream coloured room.

"Walking in on your two best friends in a very compromising position helps to scar a person." She says while walking to the closet and pointing to the bed.

I look to the bed to find Santana and Brittany tangled together under the covers looking adorable and peaceful as they sleep.

"They look so cute together. I've never seen Santana look so innocent."

"Cute yes, innocent far from it. Santana finds 'comfort' in 'touch' so judging from today's events they probably have no clothes on under there."

"I'm going to pretend like I didn't just hear you say that." I say turning back to her.

I would say it was a bad move but it wasn't, it was just bad timing. She'd already changed into her sweat pants but my eyes were met with a pale, bra clad back. I could feel the heat rise in my cheek as I trace her back with my eyes for the split second before it's covered with her shirt.

She pulls some more clothes from the closet and throws them on Santana and Brittany.

"Wake up and put some clothes on, it's almost time for your mom to get home." She says.

"Is it tomorrow yet?" Brittany asks while Santana just groans.

"I don't recall ordering a wake up call." Santana says.

"It came in the package." Quinn replies with a smile.

"Okay fine." Santana says moving to sit up.

"Wait." I say and she stops and looks at me. "Wait till after I leave the room. Please?"

She laughs and lays back down. "Sure."

Quinn and I then head back down stairs.

"So, you're the caretaker of the group." I say.

"Someone has to be responsible and keep them out of trouble." She replies with a shrug.

"True... It's nice to have people looking out for you."

"They're there for me and I'm there for them."

"Just like you're there for me and I plan on being for you."

"Yeah." She says with a shy smile then looks me in the eye. "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough Rachel."

"Then it's a good thing you don't have to." I reply with a smile of my own.

The moment is broken when the front door opens.

"Mija, I'm home!" I hear.

"In the living room." Santana replies as she comes down the steps with Brittany following behind her.

"Hello Mija, Brittany, Quinn and girl I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting before." Mrs. Lopez says as she appears.

"Hi Mami." "Hello Ms Lopez." We reply

"This is Rachel, Rachel Berry."

"Nice to meet you, Rachel."

"Nice to meet you too, Ms Lopez." I reply.

She disappears just as fast as she appeared. Seconds later my phone vibrates in my pocket. A message from my dad.

"I think I should head home." I say.

"I'll take you." Quinn says.

"Your company was appreciated." Santana says with a smirk.

"You didn't spend much time with me."

"Who says I was talking about me."

"Okay... Bye."

"Bye Rachie." Brittany says.

"Bye Britt." I reply.

The trip to my house was spent in comfortable silence until she pulls up at my house.

"Thanks for the ride, Quinn."

"It was no problem." She says. "I'm also prepared to pick you up for school tomorrow."

"I'd really like that, thanks." I say and move to open the car door.

"Rachel."

"Yes?" I ask turning back to her.

"Thanks." She says wrapping her arms around me pulling me into a hug leaving me stunned. "I didn't get to do it earlier." She says as she releases me. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." I reply jumping out of the car closing the door behind me.

I take a deep breath to collect myself before walking to the front door. She waits until I get inside before starting the engine and driving off.

-Hiding- Feelings? Words? Anything?