A/N: Yeah, not much to say really. Hard time starting to write this chapter but I think it turned out alright. Once I knew what I was doing it came easy enough. I'm just trying to take the edge off them a bit. Read and Review as always. Quinn's POV

-/-

Quinn went through the rest of the evening in the pool. She hated to admit it but Santana was right, she felt a bit better in the water. She felt cooler and a bit weightless. She still avoided moving too much though and was glad when it was time to leave; she was just too mentally exhausted. It had been a long day.

"Aren't you going to stay for a bit longer than the others Q?"Brittany asked as Quinn got up out of the pool.

"I already did. But I'm really exhausted B. I need to go and sleep for a bit." It was true most people had left to go home for dinner. Only a few had stayed to have pizza along with Brittany, Santana and Quinn.

"See you tomorrow then Q." Saturday was always shopping day for the three glee club cheerleaders.

"Yeah bye Q." That was Santana who had only just realised Quinn was leaving. She had been doing laps of the pool.

"See you tomorrow."Quinn said as she wrapped her towel around herself and started to go to her car.

She drove home and thought about her day. One topic kept on jumping to her mind and she didn't know whether to be outraged at herself by it or not. She had not only had a conversation with RACHEL BERRY but enjoyed it as well. She even had no insults to throw at the diva. She kinda liked that other side of Rachel. And, worst of all, she thought the brunette looked amazing in her bikini.

"You hate her. Don't forget that." She told herself out loud, but she wasn't sure if it was true anymore.

She got home and got into bed. Even though it was only 10, Quinn fell asleep instantly.

-/-

When Quinn woke up she looked to her clock to see the time. Wow, noon. She must have been more tired than even she thought. She religiously meets Santana and Brittany at the mall at 1, so she had better motor to have something to eat and get herself ready.

She would usually just wait to have something at the mall if she had missed breakfast or lunch but decided she couldn't wait that long. She had a quick shower and threw on a pink sundress. Even though she had showered last night, she needed to have one to wake herself up most days.

She went downstairs to find her mum with a plate of toast in the kitchen. She grabbed a slice.

"Thanks mum."

"I don't remember offering."

As if on cue, Quinn's stomach grumbled. The cheerleader gave her mother an apologetic look.

"Did you have a big night honey?" Quinn remembered she had gone straight to bed when she had gotten home. She didn't even stop to say hi to her mother or see her for that matter.

"No just a long day. I got to go to the mall with Britt and Santana though, so bye."

"Bye honey." Judy moved over to Quinn and kissed her on the top of the head.

-/-

Quinn was the last one to arrive at the mall so she got the usual reaction from Santana.

"Wow, you took your time Q. You may have time to waste, but me and B like to get things done instead of just standing around."

"Sorry S. I slept in longer than I usually do. I was really tired yesterday."

"Yeah whatever. Let's just get started."

So they started their usual route through the mall. There weren't many shops they all liked to buy things in together, so they had to go into most stores. After a few stores they came up to one of Quinn's personal favourite shops. They all entered but Quinn and Santana winced when they heard Brittany call out,

"Oh hi Rachel."

Quinn turned around and sure enough, she could see Rachel Berry turning around to face Brittany from looking at handbags on a rack.

"What are you doing here Manhands?"Was Santana's immediate response.

"Well I needed a new handbag and this is one of my favourite shops. I don't really see why you care though Santana." Quinn didn't know how to feel. One of her favourite shops was also one of Rachel Berry's.

"Are you here with anyone Rachel?" Brittany was a lot nicer to the diva than Santana.

"No. Kurt and Mercedes were busy so..." Rachel trailed off.

Of course your here alone, Quinn thought to herself.

"Well, why don't you come with us then?" Santana and Quinn gaped at Brittany.

"I don't know if that's a good idea Brittany. I'm not sure Quinn and Santana would want me around very much."

"Nonsense. You're coming with us." Quinn slapped her hand over her own mouth. What was she saying?

"Are you sure?"

No she wasn't, but she couldn't help but remember the calm and relaxed Rachel she had seen last night. If she was lucky, this Rachel would carry over to this morning.

"Yes." Quinn could feel Santana's eyes burning a hole in the side of her head with the dirtiest look she had ever seen.

"O.K then I'll come."

"Good." Quinn and Brittany said together while Santana just remained silent. That was a first for her.

Quinn felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She grabbed it and saw she had a new text... from Santana.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

I really don't know .

Well, they were stuck with her now so Quinn figured she would try and go about things normally.

"See any bags you like Rachel?" Brittany and Rachel had started looking at bags for Rachel again.

-/-

As the afternoon wore on, the bags on the girl's arms seemed to multiply. They all had at least five bags of shopping under their arms. It had been a good day. Santana just plain refused to say anything to Rachel which, in hindsight, was probably a good thing.

Quinn thought it was a bit awkward when she talked to Rachel at first, mainly because she was trying not to throw out any insults, but slowly it became easier to talk to the diva. By 4 they had covered all of the store they would ever be seen going into so they collapsed on to a table in the food court.

Quinn went and bought ice cream for herself as the others bought various drinks and desserts. Well, all of them except Rachel who claimed she didn't trust mall foods to have no meat in them.

"You aren't serious, are you Rachel?" A major improvement Quinn could pull out of the day was that she was calling Rachel by her name.

"Daddy said that once he ordered a vegan lasagne which he claimed had meat in the sauce." Rachel replied defensively.

"Why does it matter if there is meat in it Rach?" Wow Brittany was clueless, Quinn thought.

"Rachel is vegan Brittany." Seeing the confused look on the other blonde's face she elaborated.

"It means she doesn't eat meat or anything that comes from animals. You know like eggs, milk, and cheese. That kinda stuff."

Quinn saw the shocked look on Rachel's face and it semi unnerved her.

"How did you remember I was vegan?"

"I don't know. I just did."

Quinn went back to her ice cream.

"I'm not sure you know what you're missing out on here Rachel. Ice cream is the best thing ever made. After bacon of course." She added as an afterthought.

"I'd much rather not have it than have some poor defenceless little cow in pain because of the way some evil person is treating it and then me supporting this action by buying the end product."

Quinn was taken aback. Where the hell did that come from? It took two sentences to fire the diva right up.

"I'm sorry Rachel I didn't mean to upset you. It was just a little teasing."

"Well I'm sorry for not jumping to that conclusion." Rachel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The way she had said it hurt Quinn a little. She was suddenly feeling really guilty for being mean to Rachel for so long.

"I'm still sorry." And she actually meant it.

"That's okay Quinn. I tend to get carried away when it comes to my little furry friends."

Rachel offered Quinn a genuine smile which Quinn surprised herself by returning. Quinn pinched herself under the table. She was actually glad that she had avoided an argument with Rachel; she even had the back up of Santana. They could have torn down the girl, but instead chose a more diplomatic solution. Quinn figured she must like the Rachel she had seen in the last few days more than she thought she had.

Once everyone had finished their food they all said goodbye to each other.

"See you guys Monday." Quinn called over her shoulder.

"Hey Rach, how are you getting home?" Brittany asked. Quinn froze. She was curious as to the answer.

"I'm taking the bus." Was the reply.

"With all those bags? Hang on. Quinn can you give Rachel a lift home?" Brittany asked her.

Quinn mentally kicked herself. She had to stop walking away didn't she?

"No, don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Rachel interjected.

"No. You can come with me Rachel. Your house is on the way anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have said I would take you. Would I?" Quinn stated more than asked.

"Okay."

Quinn and Rachel walked to the car silently. They put all of their shopping in the backseat and Quinn began to drive.

"You can change the station if you want." Quinn said to break the ice a bit.

"Okay."

Rachel began to fiddle with the dials. She stopped every once in a while if she liked a song on a particular station. Quinn would usually just shrug her shoulders. Anything to keep the awkwardness to a minimum.

Before long they had reached Rachel's house. Rachel got out and grabbed her bags. From the backseat Rachel said,

"I had fun today Quinn. Thanks for giving me a chance."

A fresh wave of guilt flooded Quinn.

"No problem Rachel. I had fun too."

Rachel got out of the car. When she got to the front door of her house, she beamed at Quinn, which Quinn returned with a smile of her own.

Quinn drove home with one thought in her head...

Today had been a good day.