A/N: Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, anything mentioned, any songs, quotes, or books used.
Chapter 35: I Have Been Changed, For Good
"Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this life- and they are the only things from this world that we could hope to see in the next."
-Dean Koontz; Fear Nothing
/
Rachel was watching Brody as he did all these different fancy tricks with the soccer ball. It was annoying the hell out of her. Why did sports have to be the one thing she was bad at? And why did he have to be so freaking good at it? And why the hell did she ask him to teach her soccer anyway?
She was clearly annoyed.
She tried to be happy for her friend as she showed off his skills; shirtless and in the middle of a field in Central Park but as she noticed all the hot girls staring at him she got even more annoyed.
Not that she wanted the hot girls to be staring at her.
Well not really.
She just didn't like that he was so good at it while every time she even tried to kick the ball she either missed completely, and fell on her ass; or she tripped over the ball and fell on her face.
Also she was covered head to toe in grass and dirt stains, not to mention that she was sweating like a pig in the spring heat wave that had fallen over New York City. Add to that she also had to stand by and watch her friend get all the attention with his stupid all American boy good looks and his stupid dance trained body.
And of course his apparent natural ability to be good at all things athletic.
So- in short- she was annoyed.
So annoyed that she missed the fact that Brody was talking to her until the stupid soccer ball hit her in the head.
"Shit sorry Rach," Brody said as she glared at him. He picked the offending ball up off the grass as he walked closer to her. "I said heads up." She grumbled because she vaguely heard that he did in fact say that; and she angrily pulled the ball from his hands.
She tried to do the knee bouncing trick she had watched him do earlier and she failed miserably; while Brody withheld a smile as he leaned back on his heels, with his arms crossed and watched. After a while of watching though; the amusement left him and was replaced by frustration.
Seriously Rachel Berry was good at everything she did and he couldn't understand her complete lack of ability when it came to this.
Rachel was trying to bounce the ball on her knee but it wasn't working out so well and when she heard Brody let out a sigh of frustration she whipped around to face him; the ball fell to the ground near her feet.
"Look Brody I have never been very athletically adept okay."
"Athletically adept? Rachel you're horrible," he shouted, she sucked in a breath of air, and looked at him with so much hurt on her face that he instantly felt like a huge jerk. "I'm sorry I-" he was cut off by the soccer ball hitting him in the head. After shaking his head to get his bearings back; he looked over at Rachel who was trying and failing to hide her smile. "I guess I deserved that," he put his hand to his head and rubbed the now red spot on his forehead where the ball hit him.
"I'm sorry Brody," Rachel stepped closer and put her hand on his head. "I just get really angry when someone tells me I'm no good at something."
"No really," he grumbled but she could tell that he was teasing.
"Can we try again and I promise I'll listen to you this time?" Rachel asked with a slight pout. And just like many people in Rachel's life he was powerless against her pout.
"Okay fine… but this time you need to listen."
"I just said I would."
"Yeah but that doesn't mean you really will."
"Ugh you're so frustrating."
"Says the girl who can't even listen to simple instructions," and that was how Brody got hit in the head for a second time with a soccer ball.
Meanwhile standing a few feet away; Quinn was watching them with amusement. She knew that soccer was one of the things that Rachel wanted to try her hand at this year and when Brody told her that he could teach her she jumped at the chance.
Quinn found it hilariously amusing that instead of teaching and learning the sport of soccer they were fighting like siblings and using the ball as a weapon.
Well Rachel was.
/
"Okay we're going to try this again," Brody yelled and again frustration was clear in his voice. Rachel fought another smile but didn't say anything. "Go over there," he pointed several feet away and Rachel did as she was told.
This time when he kicked the ball in her direction; she managed to finally connect; successfully kicking the ball back to him. The loud elated squeal she let out at that brought a smile to Quinn's face. And then when Rachel nearly tackled Brody in a hug Quinn decided she was done watching and she walked toward them.
"Unhand my girlfriend, Man Candy," she shouted playfully and Brody immediately let Rachel go; while Rachel's eyes popped open to see Quinn standing there.
"Baby," Rachel rushed toward her. "How long have you been here?" She wrapped her arms around Quinn's neck.
"Long enough to umpfff-" their lips collided together and Quinn's hands shot to Rachel's hips pulling the girl closer. She heard Brody grumble and she popped one eye open to see that he had turned away from them out of respect; and was bouncing the soccer ball on his knee. She closed her eye again and let herself get lost in Rachel's kiss.
It lasted several minutes until the need for air took over and Rachel pulled out of the kiss; she didn't move too far away nor did she remove her arms from around Quinn's neck.
"I'm sorry baby I didn't hear what you said… you had something in your mouth," Rachel teased while biting her lip and Quinn could do nothing but smile at her adorableness.
"I was just saying that I had been here for a while," Rachel arched her eyebrow curiously. "I was watching you two fight like brother and sister."
"Yeah well he's a big jerk," Rachel pouted and looked over her shoulder at her friend who was now showing off for a couple of girls that were sitting on the grass. She rolled her eyes and looked back at Quinn. "Ugh he's such a… such a-"
"Boy," Quinn finished for her and Rachel nodded.
"I was thinking more like pig," Quinn giggled. "So how come you decided to surprise me here instead of calling me to meet you?"
"Because I knew you were doing soccer today and I'm not ashamed to admit that I may have been fantasizing about what that might look like." Quinn raised her eyebrows as a smile played on Rachel's lips.
"And do you like what you saw?"
"Mm," she licked her lips. "Very much so."
"Let's get out of here," Rachel said to a nodding Quinn. She winked; then turned to Brody so that she could say goodbye to him. He was still showing off for the three girls. Rachel stepped out of Quinn's grasp and both girls watched as Brody was doing tricks with the soccer ball and all three girls were eating it up. It reminded Rachel of how girls acted back in middle school.
Also how she acts whenever Quinn is…
Well whenever Quinn is near her.
So what if she just equated herself with middle school girls; that was how Quinn made her feel. She cleared her throat to try and get Brody's attention which didn't work as he was now showing off his muscles for the girls.
Rachel let out a frustrated huff and walked over to him; she grasped his arm and turned him around to face her. She didn't see but she could tell that the three girls were not happy with her at the moment.
"Focus," Rachel told him as his eyes had started to drift back toward the girls. He smirked at her but gave her his full attention. "Quinn and I are going back to my place because," his smirked widened and she swatted his arm. "Well because she's hot… but I wanted to thank you for the lesson, even though I didn't learn much."
"That's because you don't shut up long enough to listen," she huffed again and pushed him.
"Next week I want you to actually teach me something," she knew he wanted to say something but she was already walking away from him and his eyes were already looking back toward his harem. She turned back. "Oh and Brody." He rolled his eyes but he did look at back at her.
"Yes."
"Please wrap it… those girls are very young and most likely stupid," she walked away before he could say anything and as she got closer to Quinn she could hear the girls whispering about what a bitch she was.
She looped her arm through Quinn's and led her away from Brody and his girls.
"Rachel that was pretty ballsy of you… I mean since when do you call people out like that?"
"I didn't exactly call them out."
"No but you did call three girls, stupid… loud enough for them to hear you, I mean what were you thinking?"
"That they are stupid and that my big, strong, and very sexy," she paused and watched Quinn's angry eyebrow rise. "Also incredibly beautiful girlfriend would beat them up if they came after me." She saw Quinn's anger leave and a smile overtake her face.
"I thought you were talking about Brody for a second."
"I know… but ugh no," she shook her head violently. "Gross boy parts," she slapped Quinn's ass delicately. "I like your soft but firm, tight and tasty girl parts."
"Let's go home," Quinn said staring down into Rachel's lust filled eyes as they walked.
"Which home?" Rachel wondered.
"The one that's ours."
Rachel's smile widened and stayed that way.
Rachel's smile remained plastered on her face all the way into the building of their new home and onto the elevator. But once they were in the apartment the smile was gone.
It was gone because Quinn's mouth was on hers.
In fact Quinn had her pressed against the door and was kissing the hell out of her.
"Mm, fuck… mm," Rachel moaned as Quinn's lips moved from her lips to her neck. "Baby I miss you so much when you're not here."
"I know," Quinn mumbled against heated flesh. "But it's a few more weeks," she started to suck and Rachel could only nod. It was only a few more weeks and they would be graduating; and then Quinn would move to New York.
And then their lives would finally begin.
But until then they had tonight and this weekend and Rachel wanted to make the most of it.
"Quinn," she half moaned and half panted. Quinn pulled off of her neck and met her eyes.
"Yeah baby."
"Can we work… I mean, can we do more work on this place this weekend?" She didn't know why she was nervous but she was. Her worries went away when Quinn nodded.
"That sounds perfect. Yeah I mean I'll be moving in about a month from now, and the place is almost done," she saw Rachel nod and swallow hard. "What's wrong baby?"
"Nothing… I mean I guess it's just nerves."
"About living together?"
"Yeah," Rachel admitted hoping that Quinn was not upset.
"We've lived together before."
"Yeah but that was with my dads," Rachel swallowed hard again. "I mean if stuff went wrong we still got to be the kids, do you know what I mean?" Quinn nodded with a small grin on her mouth. "But this is real… it's real life and I'm excited. I promise Quinn I am so excited… but I guess I'm scared too."
"I get that… I am scared too… but Rachel this is what we've always wanted and it's here. This is where our dreams are going to come true. This is where we'll start our lives and this is where your dreams will come true."
"Yours too," Rachel cut in and Quinn cupped her cheek.
"This is all I've ever wanted baby and scary or not I am so happy it gets to be with you," Rachel leaned forward and pressed their lips together. Quinn opened her mouth to accept the kiss and when Rachel's tongue touched her own she moaned loudly. She slid her arms down Rachel's body and cupped her ass; lifting her off the ground.
Rachel wrapped her legs around Quinn's waist and let the girl lead her over to the couch. When Quinn lowered her and then hovered over her Rachel wrapped her arms around Quinn's neck and met those dark hazel eyes.
"I love you Quinn."
"Make love to me Rachel."
"Always," Rachel said before their lips met again.
Rachel rolled over on the airbed that was currently in the bedroom of her and Quinn's new apartment. Quinn kept trying to convince her to let her buy them a new bed but Rachel was adamant in the fact that when she agreed to let Quinn buy her the bed they already had it was on the condition that it would one day be the bed they'd share in their own place together.
But that didn't stop Quinn from trying.
Rachel didn't particularly like sleeping on the air mattress but she only did that on the nights that she and Quinn stayed in their new apartment and it would only be a little while longer.
And she refused to let Quinn pay for everything.
"Quinn," she called out wondering where she could be and when there was no answer she got out of bed; pulled Quinn's Yale tee shirt over her head and pulled on her yoga pants. She wandered into the kitchen and smelled the unmistakable smell of bacon cooking.
And even though she hated meat and especially the smell of it cooking; she had to admit- to herself and only herself- that she didn't mind the smell of bacon.
And that was most likely because it reminded her of Quinn.
"Quinn," she called again as she walked into the kitchen to see her sexy as hell girlfriend flitting around the kitchen. Her hair was up in a messy ponytail and she was wearing a tank top and sweatpants; Rachel just watched for a few moments.
Quinn was definitely sexy.
That goes without saying but there were so many different versions of sexy Quinn. There was HBIC Cheerio Quinn, cardigan and baby doll dresses Quinn, Skank Quinn, and Rachel's personal favorite nerdy book worm Quinn.
But this Quinn.
The one that was so carefree and happy… and completely comfortable in a tank top and old sweats this was the sexiest Quinn of them all.
But for Rachel the sexiest part of it all was that she was humming a song; and that song was from Wicked. Which turned Rachel on in more ways than one.
So she watched.
It was only a few moments later that Rachel was caught as she stared.
"Do you like what you see?"
"Of course I do Quinn," Rachel admitted rather sheepishly, feeling the blush on her cheeks.
"Yeah well I like what I see too… but don't think you're going to steal that shirt like how you stole the sweatshirt," Rachel merely shrugged. She wasn't going to fight Quinn on the shirt because she knew in a few short weeks the shirt as well as the girl would be at her disposal at all times and that thought alone thrilled her and excited her to no end.
Rachel walked closer to Quinn and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
"Can I help?"
"Yeah you can stir this," Quinn handed her the bowl of pancake mix she had been stirring and turned toward the stove again.
"What was that you were humming?" Rachel asked trying to sound nonchalant and she knew she failed when Quinn answered her.
"Like you don't know."
"For Good," Rachel confirmed and Quinn could only smile at her adorable girlfriend.
"Yeah well I have been."
"You have been what?"
"Changed," Quinn replied and turned to a smiling Rachel. "For good," she finished and then kissed her. Rachel cupped her neck and deepened the kiss with the bowl still pressed tightly between them.
"I have been too," Rachel breathed against her lips as they went back to work on breakfast. "What do you want to do today?"
"Go bed shopping."
"Quinn," she whined. "You know damn well we have a perfectly good bed at my place."
"I know but we need one here."
"And we'll have one… the one that is at my place… in a few weeks, when we move here permanantly," she stomped her foot to emphasize her point and Quinn just chuckled.
"Okay fine, but can we go shopping for everything else we need."
"Like what?"
"Like, I don't know… towels and sheets… and um," she trailed off as she thought about what else they needed. They had been going shopping every weekend that Quinn was in the city since New Year's and furnishing one room at a time.
Except for the bed of course.
"We just need a few things and all that will be left is the stupid bed," she saw Rachel fighting a smile. "And you wanted to paint the spare room right?"
"Yeah," Rachel admitted with a pout.
"Okay so then after breakfast we can go shopping and then spend the rest of the day painting and," she waggled her eyebrows. "Other things."
"One track mind Fabray," Rachel scolded.
"Yeah because you weren't thinking the same thing."
Rachel could only nod.
Because of course she was.
A few hours later; Quinn was standing in the doorway of their spare bedroom as Rachel painted it. They had decided to make it a guest room slash study. It would have a futon so that they could lounge in there and Quinn could read while Rachel studied lines or learned new songs but it also doubled as a guest room.
Quinn watched her girl work and couldn't hide the elated grin on her face.
This was it, it was really happening. She was really going to be moving in with Rachel, for real…
For good.
She thought about all those years ago when she first lived with Rachel and how smoothly everything went. Living with Rachel had been so easy and perfect and wonderful; even though it would be different this time.
She knew it would still be wonderful.
She really had been changed just by knowing Rachel; never mind getting to love her and be loved by her.
"What are you thinking?" Rachel's voice broke her out of her head space. She looked up to see the girl looking incredibly adorable with her tank top, overall jeans and her hair in pigtails. A smudge of paint was across her cheek and Quinn couldn't fight the urge to be closer to her.
"Just about you," Quinn stepped closer and cupped said cheek.
"Well, what else is new?" Rachel teased with a cute eye roll.
"I was thinking that I am so excited to be this close to living with you again," she saw more than heard Rachel's excited intake of breath.
"I know," she exhaled loudly. "I mean it's not new to us… but it is."
"That is exactly what I was thinking."
"I got you something when we went out today," Rachel told her and Quinn's eyes widened.
"You did?"
"Yeah… I figured I'd get you a housewarming gift," Quinn's heart melted at those words.
"Baby," she stuck her lip out in a small pout. "But I didn't get you anything."
"That's okay," Rachel assured her. "You can get me a housewarming gift when we actually move in."
"Deal," Quinn said excitedly and suddenly couldn't wait to open her gift. "What did you get me?" Rachel wiped her hands on her pants and walked toward the futon that was covered with a drop cloth.
"Remember this afternoon when we were shopping and you went to get coffee?" Quinn nodded with a curious smile on her lips. "Well I ducked into that small bookstore that we had passed right before we stopped at the café and," she pulled a plastic bag out of her purse that was under the drop cloth. She walked back to Quinn whose eyes were now lit up with pure excitement for a new book.
"God Quinn you are so sexy when I talk about books."
"You are so sexy when you talk about books… I mean books and Rachel Berry, yes please," Rachel giggled at that and handed the bag to Quinn.
"Sorry I didn't wrap it." Quinn merely shrugged as she tore into the bag and pulled out a very familiar book. She already owned three copies of it but Rachel knew how important this book was to her so she knew there was a reason why Rachel bought her another copy. She stared at the book with love and then turned her stare to the amazing girl she got to call her own.
"Rachel," was all she managed to say and it was all Rachel needed to hear because there was nothing but love and adoration in her tone.
"I know you have three other copies of this already but I bought this today because I wanted you to know that this is a safe place," she saw a tear escape Quinn's eye and she knew the girl understood her completely but she explained anyway.
"I know that this," she held her hands up motioning to the room. "All of this is a big step. This is it Quinn this is the life that we have been planning for and it's here… well it'll be here soon," Quinn giggled. "This is our home baby… and you are my heart."
"And you're mine," Quinn cut in eliciting a smile from Rachel.
"And I know this book was very important to you as a child. It was your escape, your safe place and I bought it for you so that you know that you don't need it anymore because I am safe," Quinn nodded more tears falling from her eyes. "But it's still here in case you do ever need it."
"I love you," Quinn choked out before pulling Rachel into the sweetest of kisses.
"I love you too baby," Rachel whispered against her lips. Quinn pressed their foreheads together.
"I have never felt more safe than I do with you, but I still appreciate this gift and all the meaning behind it," she felt Rachel nod. Just as she was about to kiss Rachel again her phone rang out and she instantly knew by the custom ring tone that it was Santana calling.
"Santana," Rachel grumbled.
"Santana," Quinn said defeated and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She barely had the phone to her ear when she heard the girl shouting at her.
"Quinn for the love of god remove your tongue from whatever part of Berry that it is in at the moment."
"Santana," Quinn grumbled with an eye roll but before she could say anymore Santana was talking again.
"Listen bitch… you and your midget needs to come to Callbacks tonight because we are celebrating."
"Celebrating what?"
"How fucking awesome I am… duh," Quinn rolled her eyes again. "Just say you'll come and I'll tell you everything later." Quinn looked at Rachel who was already nodding.
Santana didn't have to be on speaker for everyone in the room to hear her.
"Okay fin we'll be there."
"Don't act like you're doing me a favor Q," Santana shot back having picked up on her tone.
"Do you want us there or not?" Quinn asked and when Santana said nothing she continued. "Good then keep the Lima Heights Adjacent attitude in check for like five minutes okay?"
"Wow Quinn you're so sexy when you're forceful… and here I thought Berry was the top."
"Santana!"
"Okay fine… shutting up. Just meet us there at seven and round up all the ladies and gays will you?" Before Quinn could say anymore the line went dead and she put her phone away. Her eyes darted to Rachel.
"So."
"So, do you think it's news about her or about Brittany?"
"Maybe they got married," Quinn teased.
"No way… there is no fucking way Santana Lopez is getting married before me… got it!" Rachel stormed out of the room.
"Got it," Quinn followed her and was suddenly hoping to God that Santana and Brittany were not married.
And knowing her friends the way she did, they very well could be.
Which would be so bad for her.
So bad.
Quinn and Rachel walked into Callbacks to the blaring sound of some girl butchering a late eighties power ballad and all Rachel could think about was that she didn't understand how that girl could be attending NYADA. Then she surmised that the girl must be a date of a NYADA student.
They walked over to where Santana was waving them over and they saw that Kurt, Blaine, Tina, Mike, and Brody were there along with her and Brittany.
"About time you fucking bitches showed up… did we interrupt something?" Santana teased but Rachel merely shrugged.
"What do you think?"
"Gross Berry."
"You asked Satan."
"Shut the hell-"
"You didn't invite us here to fight with Rachel, did you?" Quinn cut in and Santana's lips curled into a smile.
"No I did not," she motioned toward the table. "I invited you all here to celebrate with me because I just got signed to a management company."
"Oh wow!"
"That is so great," Quinn and Rachel said respectively. Rachel then turned to Santana and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks Rach," Santana whispered. When Rachel pulled out of the hug Santana was nearly tackled by Quinn.
"You are going to be such a rock star San, and I am so glad that even after all these years I still get to be around to see it," Quinn told her as she pulled out of the hug. She could see tears swimming in Santana's eyes and knew her friend was fighting it.
"Fuck off Q!" She shouted and wiped the tears out of her eyes. "You always have to get so fucking sappy and make me cry like a bitch," Quinn giggled and shrugged. Santana lightly pushed her and then accepted hugs and congratulations from the rest of the group.
"Thank you all but enough of the love fest. I came here to get drunk and I chose this lame ass eighties night at this lame as karaoke bar because I wanted to get my Go-Go's on," she saw Quinn arch her eyebrows. "One thing I missed out on in high school was getting to sing a song with you two idiots," she motioned to Quinn and Rachel. "And Britt," she saw Brittany grinning. "Mr. Schue was so gay for Finn that he didn't realize that the four of us would rock the fuck out of show choir." At those words Rachel let out a loud laugh.
"Anyway we're all going to be famous bitches. Brittany is going to be the biggest choreographer of this generation. And Quinn is going to be a movie star rivaling those classic actresses from the golden age of film," she saw Quinn's smile widen out of the corner of her eye. "And Rachel…well she has been telling us for-fucking-ever what she is going to do with her life, and I am… well I will be this next big thing in the music industry."
"Those are high hopes Satan."
"Fuck you lady lips," Santana yelled at Kurt who shrunk into his seat but couldn't contain his smile. There were times he thought he would never see Santana open and happy; so this was a great moment for him though he would never admit it.
"Anyway my point is… The four of are going to rule the world one day."
"Lofty goals," Blaine said but swallowed audibly when she glared at him.
"Can I finish helmet head?" Blaine nodded. "We're going to be famous and fabulous and fucking awesome. And every bitch is going to be jealous of us," Rachel's couldn't fight the smile.
Even though Santana was being… well- Santana- about it she knew what she was getting at. All of their dreams were on the way to coming true, and she was proud that they were all still together.
She was saying that because of each other she had been changed.
"So Q," she looked at her best friend. "Since you missed out the last time the three of us sang the Go-Go's because you were too busy sucking at life… and Berry was whining about you not singing with us; I thought we could relive the past a little. What do you say?"
"What song?"
"What else would we sing about bitches being jealous of our future successes," she watched as Quinn's smile widened. And then Santana went over to the stage to put her name on the list.
"What song is it?" Rachel wondered and Quinn just laughed at her.
"Think about it babe."
About a half hour, several butchered songs, and several shots later the DJ announced Santana's name and she got to her feet.
"Let's go rock this bitch," the other three girls got to their feet. "Take notes kids," she spat at her friends but they knew she was teasing.
They all knew her well enough to know this about her.
Even Brody.
When they got to the stage; Santana took the mic.
"This song is dedicated to my friends," she pointed first to the table where they all sat and then she pointed to the three girls next to her. "For always being there… even though you're all a bunch of jealous haters," she saw Kurt roll his eyes and she chuckled. "Kidding… seriously you guys are everything to me. Because I knew you… all of you," her eyes darted to the eyes of all of her friends finishing and locking eyes with Rachel. "I have been changed, for good." Rachel smiled wide.
Santana Lopez just quoted a Broadway song to her.
That meant something.
"It's also dedicated to the haters who are going to be so fucking jealous of all that the four of us do." Rachel laughed as Santana looked at the DJ. "Hit it!" As the music started Kurt laughed loudly because of course Santana would choose this song.
[Santana]
Can you hear them
They talk about us
Telling lies
Well, that's no surprise
[Quinn]
Can you see them
See right through them
They have no shield
No secrets to reveal
[All]
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
[Rachel]
There's a weapon
That we must use
In our defense
Silence reveals
[Brittany]
When you look at them
Look right through them
That's when they'll disappear
That's when we'll be feared
[All]
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
Give no mind to what they say
It doesn't matter anyway
Our lips are sealed
[Quinn and Rachel]
Hush, my darling
Don't you cry
Quiet, angel
Forget their lies
[Santana and Brittany]
Can you hear them
They talk about us
Telling lies
Well, that's no surprise
[Brittany and Rachel]
Can you see them
See right through them
[Quinn and Santana]
They have no shield
No secrets to reveal
[All]
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
Pay no mind to what they say
It doesn't matter anyway
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
When the song ended everyone in the room was on their feet and all Rachel could think was that Santana was right about Mr. Schuester. They would've killed all the competition if he had let the four of them sing together… even once.
As the night progressed Kurt and Blaine sang a very touching rendition of Peter Cetera's Glory of Love that had everyone in the room crying. And Tina and Mike followed that up with the equally moving Almost Paradise from Mike's favorite movie Footloose.
And then Brody got up on the stage.
What no one had noticed all night was that he was knocking back the drinks and his heart was breaking. But when he started to sing they all soon realized that he was really hurting.
"This song is dedicated to all the girls that have never needed me," he said and then he nodded to the DJ and the music began.
No, I don't know where I'm going
But, I sure know where I've been
Hanging on the promises
In songs of yesterday
An' I've made up my mind,
I ain't wasting no more time
Here I go again
Here I go again
Rachel watched as her friend sang and she just wanted to hug him; but Quinn held her back from the stage.
"Let him sing babe," Quinn whispered. "It's probably helping." And Rachel knew she was right because singing always helped her when she was upset and Brody was a lot like her when it came to music. So she leaned against Quinn and listened to his song.
Tho' I keep searching for an answer,
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on,
'Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
I'm just another heart in need of rescue,
Waiting on love's sweet charity
An' I'm gonna hold on
For the rest of my days,
'Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go
During the guitar solo; everyone in the room was surprised when Santana made her way to the stage and stood by his side as he finished the song.
'Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind,
I ain't wasting no more time
An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
'Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
Goin' down the only road I've ever known.
When the song was over he collapsed into her arms as tears fell from his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry for ruining your good time," he cried into her shoulder and she hugged him tight.
"It's okay Brody," he held back a laugh at the fact that this was the first time he had ever heard Santana call him by his name. Then he felt a small body collide into his side; hugging both him and Santana.
"Whatever happened Brody, you have us all… always."
"Yeah dude we make good friends," Santana told him and this time he did laugh.
"Yeah I know," he let out a breathy chuckle as he said it and let the girls lead him off the stage. Once they were all seated around the table; they waited patiently while he regained his composure.
"So what happened to make you cry like a girl on stage?"
"Santana!" Rachel chastised but calmed down when she heard Brody laugh again.
"I saw um… I saw Sofia today with her ex…well I guess current boyfriend."
"Oh."
"Oh."
"Fuck that bitch," Rachel, Quinn, and Santana said.
"She's your friend Santana," he said with his eyebrows raised.
"No, she was my friend… but she fucked that up when she screwed my other friend over."
"I'm your friend? I'm touched," he had his hand covering his heart and Santana scoffed.
"Don't ruin it," she grumbled and again he couldn't fight the laugh. "But seriously yes… you are a good friend dude and I don't say that to just anyone."
"It's true she doesn't," Kurt confirmed and was met with a nasty Lima Heights glare. "See, she's awful to all of her dear friends."
"Yeah… I figured that out very soon after meeting her."
"Okay, so when did comforting Brody's bitch ass turn into pick on Santana day?" That made the entire group laugh. And as Brody looked around at this amazing group of people he luckily stumbled into he couldn't help but feel better.
He really was lucky to have them.
He was changed.
Mike and Tina had gotten up to go to the bar and they returned with a round of shots for everyone.
"Wow Chang squared when did you all get rich enough to buy all this booze? I mean I know you're-"
"I'm going to stop you right there Santana," Tina cut her off. "Before you can spout some racist comment and just tell you that we put it on your tab," Santana's eyes widened at that and no one could hold back the giggles.
"You did what?"
"Yeah I mean you're a big shot now right," Tina teased and Santana relaxed at that. She knew Tina was just fucking with her.
"That is true." She looked around the group of friends and her eyes locked on Brody.
"So what are we toasting to?" Brody wondered.
"Friends," Santana held up her shot glass. "Old and new… and to always changing each other just by knowing and loving each other." Everyone smiled and shared in the toast.
"Wow Santana that was so…"
"Watch it Berry."
"Nice… of you," Rachel continued and Santana nodded.
"Yeah well I have my moments."
"Dance with me San," Brittany pulled her hand until the girl was on her feet. Like Santana would say no anyway.
"Will you dance with me?" Rachel asked Quinn sweetly and Quinn nodded and led her to the dance floor. As Kurt and Blaine; and Mike and Tina also made their way to the dance floor Rachel couldn't help but notice that after telling Brody they'd always have his back they sort of ditched him. She looked over and Quinn could tell what she was thinking.
"You want to dance with him, don't you?" Rachel's eyes met hers and she nodded.
"Yeah I mean… he's just having a rough day and I-"
"Shh," Quinn shushed her by placing her finger over Rachel's lips. "I get it… go show him that he matters to you… to all of us and I'll find some hot chick to dance with." Rachel's eyes widened and she growled. "Haha, I was just kidding Rach. I'll go sit down and watch my amazing girlfriend be an incredible friend."
"Okay," Rachel said but just as they broke apart so she could go get Brody they saw that Santana was standing in front of him. They couldn't hear what she was saying but they knew what she was doing.
She was doing what Santana always did.
Quietly being an amazing friend.
In her own Santana way… which was a whole lot of snark but just as much love.
They watched as Santana led him over to the dance floor and slow danced with him; meanwhile Brittany danced with Mike and Tina.
"I guess you're stuck with me," Rachel said to Quinn as they started to dance again.
"There is no place I'd rather be," Rachel laid her head on Quinn's chest and could hear the sound of her heart beating. She always loved that Quinn's heart sped up whenever she was near; much like what her own heart did whenever she was close to Quinn.
"Do you think we'll always be like this?"
"Us? Of course," Quinn said and Rachel looked at her with a lazy grin.
"No, I know you and I will always be like this… even when we're old and can't dance anymore," Quinn's smile widened at the thought of being with Rachel her whole life.
"What did you mean then?"
"Us… all of us," she looked around the room at Santana and Brody talking as they danced, and Brittany rubbing against Tina as she danced with her and Mike, and over at Kurt and Blaine who were completely lost in each other. "Do you think we'll always be friends?"
"God I hope so," Quinn said honestly. "I mean I have no idea what would've happened in my life if I didn't have these people and all the other glee kids in my life," Rachel nodded at her words.
"I know exactly what you mean."
"We have been changed," Quinn said quietly while Rachel rested her head back on Quinn's chest and listened to that rapidly beating heart that was all hers.
And would always be hers.
And then her mind went to the friends that were surrounding her and she realized that she would have been a completely different person had it not been for glee.
Had it not been for these incredible people.
Had it not been for Quinn.
Always Quinn.
And she knew that Quinn felt the same way about her.
And there was no greater feeling in the world, than that.
A/N 2: The title of the chapter comes from the song For Good from Wicked/Glee Cast. The song Santana, Quinn, Rachel, and Brittany sang was Our Lips are Sealed by the GoGo's. The song Brody sang was Here I Go Again by Whitesnake.
Up next: Graduation from college; stay tuned…