A.N. The chapters have gotten a little shorter but an update is an update and they are moving the plot along so yay!

A.N.2: I like Disney... and the song fits. I do not own the song... and I also do not own Glee *Scowls*

A.N.3: There is a poll in my profile... Go vote please because it's coming up here soon and I need to know.

Thanks to my beta and everyone that commented!

Tuesday November 19, 2009

12:33 P.M.

Mercedes and Artie had given him incredulous looks when Kurt had stood up and waved Rachel over. The Diva herself had looked surprised and then delighted and Kurt had, again, felt like a jerk. Rachel was absolutely surprised to be invited to sit with her teammates. She approached the table as if it might be a joke and had hesitated at the look she had received from Mercedes.

"Sit Rachel," Kurt kicked Mercedes bag off the chair and winced internally, he'd pay for that later.

Rachel sat primly and addressed him, "Thank you Kurt."

Artie cocked his head, "Where do you usually eat?"

Rachel shrugged, "I normally use lunch to get in more practice."

Tina looked curious, "You practice through lunch?"

Rachel nodded and then focused on her meal.

Kurt leaned forward and asked tentatively, "How's your day been so far Rachel?"

Rachel looked up, opened her mouth to speak and the snapped it closed.

Her brow furrowed and then finally she replied, "Surreal."

Kurt leaned towards the little diva even further and ignored the looks from Mercedes, Artie, and even Tina, "How so?"

Rachel stabbed a piece of broccoli and shrugged, "Quinn sat next to me in Spanish today. She was… nice."

Mercedes reacted first, "Quinn Fabray? She was nice to you? How nice, nice as in nicely mean, or nice with an ulterior motive?"

Rachel paused in the act of putting the broccoli in her mouth and replied, "Just nice. She swears there is no plan, though I am not sure I believe her."

Kurt was steaming mad. No wonder Quinn had gotten so docile there at the end! She shared 1st period with Rachel! He scowled in his head, not in reality because scowling gave one wrinkles.

While Kurt privately fumed the other three Gleeks were pumping Rachel for info.

Artie, "Was she sick?"

Tina, "M-maybe she was j-just being nice?"

Mercedes, "Please Tina. Quinn Fabray being nice to Rachel Berry? I don't buy it."

Rachel shook her head, "I have resolved to enjoy it while it last."

Mercedes replied, "Don't look now Mama but here she comes."

Rachel tensed and asked, "Is she carrying?"

Artie shook his head, "No. She seems slushy free."

Kurt made eye contact with Quinn and shook his head. He scowled for real and cut his eyes away from the table. Quinn ignored him. Kurt huffed and considered that bringing Quinn back with him hadn't been the best plan. She may be getting her second chance but Kurt could tell she wasn't going to do it his way.

She set her lunch down and sat down next to Rachel as if she owned the table.

She smiled, "Hi guys," Her voice got quiet, almost gentle, "Hey Rachel."

Rachel turned to face Quinn and only then seemed to realize how close the former Cheerio had gotten, "Hello Quinn."

Quinn's hand reached out to brush Rachel's hair back only to pause in the middle of the action. Kurt was glad. The action was overly familiar and Rachel's was already suspicious.

Kurt's eyes widened as he caught site of the two Cheerios headed their way.

Santana stopped and spoke, "Q, can I speak to you please?"

Quinn turned to look at her friend and then turned to look at Rachel, her gaze seemed to harden and soften at the same time, "Later Santana."

Santana growled, "No Q, now."

Quinn turned slowly and gave Santana a look that could curdle milk, "I said later."

Santana sneered, "Get up or I will have Karofsky slushy your new best friend every period from here till judgment day."

Kurt's eyes widened, that was exactly the wrong thing to say to Quinn. The former cheerleader stood so abruptly she upended her tray. She advanced on Santana with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Santana seemed to realize that she had miscalculated.

She back pedaled, "Q, don't do anything stupid."

Quinn's hands shot out and everyone was treated to the prime example as to why Santana, crazy psycho bitch that she was, was only second in command. Quinn's hands wrapped around Santana's Cheerio collar and yanked her forward.

Quinn leaned in and hissed, "If that bastard comes within twenty feet of Rachel I will hold you personally responsible Santana. I may not be captain anymore but we both know you're still my bitch." She released Santana and the Latina stumbled back. She stared at Quinn, wide eyed and incredulous.

She demanded, "You're using your juice to help Manhands!"

Quinn snapped, "Don't call her that."

Santana shot back, "You came up with it!"

Quinn spared Rachel a glance and saw that the glee Diva looked stunned, "And now I'm telling you not to use it. Do you have a hearing problem S? Are you deficient in some way?"

Santana stared at Quinn as if she were a stranger, "What is with you Quinn?"

Quinn's voice was firm and steel shuttered her eyes, "I'm not wasting my second chance, not even for you and Britt."

Santana looked like she wanted to argue but the look in Quinn's eyes was powerful and slightly desperate.

The Latina shook her head and held up her hands in surrender, "Do what you want Q. Come on Britt." She turned and stalked out of the cafeteria with Brittany on her heels.

Quinn sat down and apologized, "Sorry Rachel."

Rachel seemed unable to form words properly as she stared at Quinn.

Quinn smiled shyly and ducked her head.

The uncharacteristic action seemed to snap Rachel out of it.

She stood and demanded, "Quinn please accompany me to the choir room. I feel that in the interest of Glee harmony we need to have a frank discussion alone regarding your intentions and seemingly overnight change in attitude towards me."

Quinn stood and smirked, "You had me at alone Rachel."

Rachel's jaw dropped and then she huffed and spun on her heel and executed a perfect glee storm out.

Quinn muttered to herself, "God I missed that…" She tossed Kurt a triumphant smile and hurried after Rachel.

Kurt yelled after her, "Real subtle Quinn!"

12:44 P.M.

Rachel was waiting for Quinn in the choir room. The diva was seated primly at the piano, with her legs crossed and her hands folded.

Quinn closed the door and was suddenly acutely aware of the fact that she was alone with Rachel for the first time since… forever it seemed like. God she had missed her.

Rachel was staring at her.

Quinn cleared her throat, "So… what did you want to talk about?"

Rachel quirked an eyebrow, "Perhaps we could discuss your complete 180 in terms of attitude or maybe your utter disregard for my personal space all of a sudden."

Quinn sighed, "Yeah… I'd say I was sorry but that would be a lie."

Rachel stood, "It was intentional?"

Quinn nodded, "Yes."

"Why?" Rachel's voice had grown quiet.

Quinn faltered, she wanted so much to declare her intentions and make a bid for Rachel's heart but Kurt had been right on that account at least.

Finally she replied, "I'd like for us to be friends."

Rachel glared, "Friends? You've made it your mission to make my life hell since seventh grade! Do you realize, Quinn, that the day I received the best compliment of my life from a sweet pretty girl was also the day I received my first slushy to the face from the same pretty but not so sweet girl?"

Quinn winced, "I am aware… I just… I don't want to run anymore Rachel, from what I want."

Rachel narrowed her eyes, "And what is it that you want Quinn?"

Quinn snapped back, "You!" Her eyes almost bulged out of her head, "I mean I want to be your friend."

Rachel eyed her, "I am… willing to attempt friendship Quinn. You'll have to earn my trust of course."

Quinn nodded eagerly, "Of course."

The bell rang and Rachel sighed, "Well… I suppose I will see you in glee."

Quinn asked hopefully, "You're singing something right?"

Rachel looked at her askance "I suppose so… why?"

Quinn shrugged, "No reason… I just missed your voice."

Rachel watched the blonde go.

3:56 P.M.

"Mr. Schue!" Rachel raised her hand and the majority of the club groaned.

"Yes Rachel?" Mr. Schuster fought the urge to sigh.

Rachel stood and declared, "I have been asked to perform a song by one of my fellow club members, and I would be remiss if I refused the opportunity."

The club exchanged looks. Everyone was eyeing each other suspiciously, wondering who had asked Rachel to perform a solo. The only to people who weren't focused on the rest of the club were Kurt and Quinn. Instead they exchanged jubilant grins and faced Rachel, eagerly awaiting her performance.

Rachel spoke as she readied herself to sing, "I have chosen the song 'Just Around the River Bend' from the Disney classic Pocahontas" She opened her mouth and the upbeat tune poured from her mouth.

"What I like most about rivers is, you can't step in the same river twice…"

Quinn's eyes drifted closed. She and Kurt both let Rachel's voice flow over them. Quinn cut a glance to Kurt and saw that he was tearing up like her. She closed her eyes again and missed the looks she was receiving from Santana and Finn.

"Should I choose the smoothest course, steady as the beating drum?..."

Quinn's eyes snapped open and nearly fell out of her chair when she realized that Rachel was watching her.

Their eyes connected as Rachel sang the next lyrics, "Should I marry Kocoum? Is all my dreaming at an end… Or do you still wait for me dream giver, just around the river bend."

Rachel finished and Quinn's hands were in motion to clap before she could think about the action.

Kurt was on his feet and seemed unable to contain himself, "Sweetie that was amazing!" He hugged Rachel. Quinn fought down the jealousy that roared to life. She knew that a hug from her would not be welcome, not yet.

Mercedes and Santana were both sitting with their jaws unhinged.

Quinn didn't care. She hadn't realized how much Rachel's voice affected her until it was gone.

Rachel smiled brightly at Kurt and followed him happily as he led her to the seat next to him effectively sandwiching her between Quinn and Kurt.

Mr. Schue grinned, "That was amazing Rachel! How long have you been working on that?"

Rachel shrugged, and immodestly declared, "Since lunch."

Mr. Schue faltered, "Well that was very well done Rachel. Thank you for sharing."

Rachel nodded in satisfaction and waited for Mr. Schue to begin the actual lesson for the week.

He clapped his hands, "Today we have a special treat. Jane Adams Academy for Girls is going to be performing for us today."

Rachel was the first to speak, "Are they showcasing what they are doing for Sectionals?"

Mr. Schuster shook his head, "Of course not Rachel."

Santana asked disinterestedly, "Then what's the point?"

Rachel nodded, "Santana makes an excellent point."

Mr. Schue sighed in disappointment, "You guys, these kids don't have an auditorium of their own, and we need to show them that New Directions is a good, fair team."

Quinn snarled, "We'll do that…"

Kurt finished, "When we crush them under our heels at Sectionals."

Quinn muttered, "Cheaters…"

Rachel looked surprised, "Normally I am all about fair healthy competition but perhaps Mr. Schue is correct… plus we'll see what they can do."

Kurt seemed adamant, "And then crush them under our heels? Right?"

Rachel nodded, "Of course."

Puck growled from behind the trio, "I'm not wearing heels dude."

Kurt turned and hissed, "You'll wear what I tell you to wear and you'll like it." He didn't wait for Puck to respond.

Quinn leaned over Rachel and whispered, "You're supposed to be afraid of him."

Kurt smirked, "Puck's a pussy… cat."

"I heard that Hummel." Puck drawled from behind them.

Kurt flipped his hair, "I know."

Quinn huffed, "And you say I'm acting weird?"

Kurt arched an eyebrow and indicated Quinn's current position. The former Cheerio was leaning across Rachel's lap, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that she was completely invading the Diva's personal space.

Rachel's hands had shot up in an effort to avoid touching Quinn. She looked rather alarmed.

Quinn felt a blush stain her cheeks as she realized that she was pressed against Rachel.

Finally she smiled and purred, "Hello again Rachel."

Rachel stared down at her, "Hello!"

Quinn finally leaned back, "Sorry, didn't think about it."

Rachel lowered her hands, "It's quite alright!" She cleared her throat and stood, "Mr. Schue I think we should make our way to the auditorium so we can greet our com… guests." She picked up her backpack and made her way to the door.

Mercedes was the first to follow, "Let's see what these chicks can do."

Santana looked ready to grab Quinn but she and Kurt hurried to follow Rachel and Mercedes out of the room. Mr. Schue shook his head and followed with the rest of the club.

4:31 P.M.

Quinn had offered Rachel a ride home but Rachel had politely refused, pointing out that her father was already in the parking lot. Quinn had watched the pocket sized songbird go and then turned to face Kurt. The boy had stared at her before sighing and walking off to his car.

Finn was quiet on the drive home until they had pulled up into the driveway, "What's your game Quinn?"

Quinn eyed him, "What do you mean?"

Finn scowled, "Why are you being nice to Rachel?"

Quinn glared back, "Because I liked Rachel Berry before you knew she existed." She exited the car and stalked into the house.

Quinn smiled at Ms. Hudson and headed upstairs. She needed to pack. She promised herself, she would tell Finn the truth tomorrow.

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