Number Five - At Prom.
It happens on a Tuesday afternoon when they're in her room, fighting.
As always, it sparks up over something completely idiotic.
He'd offered to carry her up to her room after her own frustrated attempts at getting up the stairs and when he'd scooped her up into his arms anyway, she'd lost it. All it had taken was her accusing him of babysitting her and his temper had snapped right back.
It had only escalated from there.
They were screaming at each other, yelling about anything and everything when she'd hit her own leg out of pure frustration.
And it had hurt.
Needless to say, it had completely changed the mood between them, the argument forgotten almost instantly when she'd winced in pain.
It had all started on that Tuesday afternoon when she'd started to gain feeling back in her legs; a miracle they'd almost all given up hope on ever happening.
But slowly, she begins to recover.
The feeling spreads back into her legs until she can wiggle her toes and pinch her skin and feel the sting that comes with it.
She undergoes the most intense physiotherapy; she cries and screams, she begs to give up, to leave, for relief to make it all easier.
A lot of her frustrations she takes out on him, but he lets her tear him to shreds if it helps to make her feel just a little better.
It's a long and grueling process; Quinn almost gives up numerous times but it's an overcast Thursday morning when she takes her first unsupported steps.
And he's right there with her, willing her on, with each and every footstep she takes.
The prom invite is sweet and unexpected.
It isn't a grand gesture in front of the whole world, in fact, it's just them, curled up on her bed, his arms latched around her thin waist and his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Go to prom with me?"
A laugh fluttered from her lips as she shifted in his arms, turning to look up at him with a spark of amusement flickering in her green eyes. "You hate prom."
"Yeah, so? I'm sure being with you there would make it so much more fun."
"Puck..."
"Come on, it's our last prom, and I know you like getting all dressed up."
There's a long moment pause as she gazes up into his eyes, watching him attempt to give her the most compelling look he can muster; his lips pouted out slightly.
"Alright, fine. I'll go with you, but only so you don't like an idiot going by yourself."
"Please, Puckzilla could find a million willing chicks to come with him, I'm just doing you a favor."
"Yeah, whatever you say, Puckerman."
The smile on her lips is astonishingly bright.
He kisses her to seal the deal.
They walk into prom together.
That's right.
Walk.
Noah Puckerman couldn't be any prouder than when he walks into the decorated function room of a hotel in nearby Columbus with Quinn Fabray on his arm.
The wheelchair is in the car, in case she gets tired, but he's never seen the blond with more determination than in that moment as she walks alongside him, head held high, meeting the stares of every person who dares look their way.
He can't remember a time when she looked more beautiful, and he admires her, more than he'll ever openly admit. Her strength, her courage, how she manages he'll never know.
As far as proms go, everything is beyond cliché, and Quinn loves every second of it.
They get their pictures taken, and after six attempts with Puck misbehaving, they manage to get a decent shot; his arms wrapped protectively around her as she leaned back against his chest.
They look like a couple.
They feel like one too.
There's punch and dancing; when she gets tired, he sits with her at the table. She dances and chats with her fellow glee club members, and he even manages to stop himself from punching Artie when he offers Quinn his lap for the sake of a dance with him.
It's been a long time since he's seen her so carefree and happy.
And when they dance it's slow and intimate. Their eyes never stray from each others; bodies so close together there's barely space to breathe.
She's not prom royalty, but she's never felt more like a Queen than when she's with him.
They kiss under the cheap, ordered in disco lights and it's like falling in love all over again.
That night they check into a hotel room together. They lounge together in the oversized bath full to the neck with bubbles, drinking cheap champagne and stuffing their faces with strawberries.
When they make love in the comfortable hotel bed, there are no regrets, no fears, no ifs or buts. Just two people completely in love with each other.
And together they fall asleep, tucked up within each other's embrace.
It's the perfect end to the perfect prom; the night she always wanted but never had, only now she realizes why.
Because before now, she never had him.
He's the one whose given her everything she could ever want.
He's the one who stood by her every step of the way.
He's the one who helped make her feel alive again.
A/N: I did write this before the prom episode aired, which is why the events are related to it in no way, though it is a little similar I guess. Anyway, just one more part after this one, so enjoy!