Chapter 10:
Home.
Operation faberry has been completed? Not even close…
But Santana has a plan.
"You know, thank God we have all this money to spend. Have you noticed how much we have traveled lately?" Santana asks rhetorically.
"Please… we used to do this without the money."
The brunette narrows her eyes comically.
"That's a mystery."
Kurt laughs and wraps his arms around her shoulders; around them, all the madness and noises of the airport.
"Let's go! Time is running baby!"
"Okay." Santana rolls her eyes.
"Where is B?"
"Working." She says dryly.
"You don't seem very happy."
"Rihanna is planning a big tour for her return to the stages and because my girlfriend is fucking amazing she wanted her."
"That's a good thing!"
"It is. I know… I'll miss her." she shrugs.
"You know you can go with her, wherever place she goes."
"Yeah… I won't have time though."
"Why not?"
"I don't know… I think it's time… I'll get back to business."
"This is great!"
Kurt hugs her tight.
"Shhh! No one needs to know… for now."
"Okay. I won't say a word."
He zips his mouth playfully.
When they finally arrive at Santana's apartment (they had dinner before) Brittany is already there.
"Hey guys!" Brittany shouts.
"Hi B!" Kurt says before Brittany puts him in a cheerful embrace.
"How was your day baby?"
Santana asks and then kisses her girlfriend's cheek.
"I'd have liked it more if it had more dancing and less talk, but it was a good day. Well, I can't complain; I am one of Rihanna's dancers and guess what? I'm also one of the choreographers!"
"This is amazing B! But Santana already told me."
"Of course she did."
"Well, I am very proud of my girlfriend."
"Aw…" Brittany leans and rests her forehead on Santana's. "I love you."
"Okay, before it gets adult- mature content, let's focus on what I came here to do."
"You have to hear her plan Kurt, it is brilliant!"
"Baby… I'm brilliant."
Kurt chuckles at that and sits on the living room's armchair.
"Do you want something Kurt?"
"Thanks B… But we had dinner."
Brittany throws herself on the couch; Santana goes toward her and puts her girlfriend's leg on her lap.
"So tell me." Kurt gestures his hand.
"Well, let's see what we have. They confessed that they have a crush on each other…"
"They are so frustrating."
"I know! You should've seen her when she confessed it to me. She is head over heels for Berry."
"She won't like something." Kurt informs worriedly.
"What?" Brittany and Santana say at the same time.
"Rachel slept with Ronnie."
"Who is Ronnie?" Santana says with disdain.
"Veronica…" Kurt explains.
"Yale Veronica?" Brittany asks and he nods.
"She is trouble." The dancer frowns.
"Well… she is hot." Santana says casually.
"The good news is that they actually didn't have sex. Rachel passed out before they did, she was drunk."
"That's good." Brittany says relieved.
"But tell me your plan San."
"It is simple. If we were in high school right now and had they figured out what they feel for each other, what would they do?"
"Well…" He gets thoughtful.
"I'll make it simple, what Rachel would've done?"
"Oh! She would've sung in glee club!"
"Exactly! She probably would've serenaded Quinn with a lame Avril's song and Quinn would've done a speech about future and stuff. Oh wait! They already did those things!"
Brittany giggles because of her girlfriend's antics.
"Your point?"
"What do we losers do best?"
Kurt remains quiet.
"Sing!" Santana bursts out impatiently.
"And dance. Oh no… that's just me and mike." Brittany mocks.
"Hey! I'm a very good dancer…" Kurt complains.
"If you compare yourself to Mercedes." Santana teases the fashionable man.
"Sorry Kurt you guys can fight for fifth place."
"Fifth?"
"Well, the third and fourth belong to the others two hot cheerleaders in that club so… Actually, you can fight for the sixth, Rachel is the fifth."
"This is not fair."
"Anyway…" Santana cuts him off. "My plan is: let's do a glee club reunion! Without Finn, of course, for an obvious reason: I don't like him."
"San…"
"I'm kidding," She waves them off. "But we really can't invite him, and when I say a glee club reunion, I mean only the best and the coolest."
"Hey! I like the others."
"Sorry… just Sugar though."
"Of course! I would never let you exclude our daughter from the future."
"Your what?" Kurt asks dumbfounded.
Santana throws her hands in the air.
"One day she will recover her memory then you will see. I always knew I could build a time machine; Sugar must have used it while we were sleeping baby."
"O-kay… Moving on…" Kurt interjects.
"If they don't sing what is in their hearts, then we're done trying." Santana sighs.
"I hope they do though." Kurt pouts.
"What do you think? Can you help me organize the glee club two thousand and twenty reunion?"
Rachel loves Claire; especially in times like these. Once she landed in Dalton she had a car with a driver waiting for her to take her straight to the hospital in Lima.
During the driving, she got distracted browsing through the internet and checking her twitter.
Like now, she is checking Quinn's twitter and as she reads Quinn's new tweet her smile spreads across her face. Quinn just posted an adorable picture of the blonde and Sophie, Rachel's cat.
Hey guys, guess who this cat belongs? (Link of the picture)
Rachel tweets back.
Are you taking good care of my cat QuinnFabray?
Quinn answers her immediately:
Yesss! msrachelberry she loves me.
msrachelberry: Yeah yeah… but she is mine!
QuinnFabray: I propose a shared custody…
Rachel laughs at that.
The singer gets back to the web, until she sees that stupid news.
Don't panic… it's just a gossip site…
Rachel Berry's lesbian affair.
Then she sees the picture.
How?! That was supposed to be an exclusive place! I didn't see any paparazzi there!
It seems to be an amateur picture Rachel…
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Rachel's mind starts working in high speed. She needs to find a way to minimize the damage.
First: call Veronica; tell her to keep her mouth shut.
So she sends a message in case she is busy.
From Rachel: Apparently our make out session has not gone unnoticed, don't say a word about it. When is it a good time for me to call you? x
She just needed one more step, she calls her agent.
It's not like I'm using him right? I need to give the media something to keep them away from this rumor.
When she arrives at the hospital, she finds her daddy waiting for her. Hiram looks calm and very happy to see her; but that doesn't make the singer less worried. Rachel goes straight to her daddy's arms and stays there as much as she can before he pulls away to look at her in the eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Daddy I was such a jerk to you guys. I'm so sorry."
"shh… Nothing you do will change how much we love you."
"But dad…"
"Leroy is a drama queen; he reminds you of someone?"
She giggles.
"What happened?"
"He broke a leg, but unfortunately it was literally."
Rachel rolls her eyes; her daddy can be such a child sometimes, she loves it though.
"He fell from the roof."
"What he was doing on the roof?!" Rachel shouts astonished.
"This is a good question. Apparently there was a cat, the neighbor's cat."
"I can't believe it! Where is he? I want to see my dad."
"He is fine little star, he needed to stay here because. Well, he is not a young boy anymore, but we can go home as soon as he wakes up."
"Okay, I just need to do a phone call first."
It doesn't take too long for her dad to wake up. Rachel gets in the room and sighs. Her dad has a cast and his right arm is covered with bruises and scratches; Leroy barely sits up on the bed before Rachel is crying in his arms.
"I don't wanna fight with you, never again. When Finn called me and he said you were here, I couldn't breathe dad. I was so stupid and I'm so sorry."
"No, no… you were right baby girl you are an adult now, sometimes I forget it and…"
"Dad no, I was an idiot for treat you like that. And I shouldn't have hidden the Shelby thing."
"We will talk about that later. Now I just want my little star here in my arms just like old times."
"Okay, I can do that." She nods, grinning from ear to ear and he wipes the tears on her face.
"Drama queens…" Hiram mumbles playfully.
"Yes we are!" Leroy says proudly.
"And daddy, don't you think I noticed that you forgot to tell me about dad's others injuries?"
"Well, I said he fell from the roof. I thought it was implicit." Hiram tries to hide his smile, but fails.
"Daddy! This is not funny!"
"Sweetheart, don't you know your daddy is a child?"
"Me? From the guy who thinks he can climb roofs?"
Rachel nibbles her lips, she is trying her best not to laugh, but then Leroy starts chuckling followed by Hiram. Soon the room is filled with their laughing. They only stop because Finn arrives.
"Knock, knock…"
"Finn!"
"I see you guys are in a good mood." The tall boy states as he smiles at them.
"Hi Finn." Both Hiram and Leroy say.
Rachel stands up and walks toward her ex. She hugs him tight.
"You wanted to see me?" Finn looks down.
"Yes, actually, I need a favor."
"Wow…"
"Yeah…"
"Your dads?"
"They don't know, but I will tell them, of course I will."
"Well…" He sighs.
The singer stops pacing to observe him more attentively as Finn is sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Are you okay with this?" Rachel bites her thumb's nail.
"You being gay?"
"Bisexual…" she rolls her eyes."Anyway, are you?"
"Yeah…"
Finn gets thoughtful and Rachel knows what's going inside his head, she knows him pretty well, not that he is that difficult to figure out.
"You're trying to figure out whether what we had was a lie or not, aren't you?"
"No…" He opens his eyes widely. "maybe?" He shrugs.
"Finn!"
"I don't know Rach…"
She gets close to him and holds his chin, forcing him to look up into her eyes.
"Look at me Finn; do you honestly believe that what we had wasn't real?"
"No…"
He rests his head on her chest and wraps his arms around her waist; he smiles because of the familiar smell.
"What do you want me to do?"
"All I want is time. I don't want my dads to be exposed to this kind of attention; I know I'm asking too much…"
He looks up.
"Hey, don't worry; is not exactly a hard job to pretend we're dating."
"The media likes these stories. You know, the high school boyfriend, the reconciliation after an unexpected encounter… and when we arrive at the airport we will be holding hands."
He smiles his charming smile and Rachel melts a little.
"Okay."
"I already called my agent; he will take care of everything and Veronica will confirm his story."
"Which is?"
"I was drunk, and it was a bet."
"Another one…"
She giggles.
"So… the boys told you about Britt and I… uh?"
"Yeah…"
"Are you sure you will be okay with this?"
"Yes I'm sure."
Rachel kisses his forehead and then Finn isn't so sure.
Veronica was prepared for this call, even before the gossip stuff; so when she checks her phone screen and sees who is calling her, she smiles.
How predictable she is…
She hits the talk button.
"Hello…"
"Your little bitch!"
"Good talking to you too Fabray…"
"Fuck you!"
"There is a special reason for your call or you'll be insulting me all the time? You know… I have things to do."
"What you're doing? With Rachel."
"Do I have to answer that?"
"Back off!"
"No."
"No?" Quinn laughs a little like a maniac.
"I'm loving this conversation but I gotta go."
"I'm not kidding! Just… back off!"
"God! You're ridiculous! Do you really believe you can tell me what to do? I think being a celebrity has affected you. Oh no wait, you were always a bitch!"
"Listen to me…"
"No… you listen! I won't back off because that it is not up to you to decide. So get over your little crush on her because she doesn't want you."
"What crush? You're delusional; I'm only concerned about her because I know you. That's all. She is my friend."
"Sure, she is, but please don't try to deny it, not to me! You want her. You have always wanted her; fake girlfriend, really? That was a lame excuse, even for you."
"You won't have her!"
"I have to disagree; you were just her fake girlfriend. I'm the one who took her to bed…"
"It meant nothing."
"Yeah sure. Keep saying it to yourself. Bye Quinn."
When she hangs up the phone her face is so red it looks like a tomato. She thanks the heavens that she is at home because she releases a scream that is so loud that it would surely scare anyone. She is angry, upset and annoyed. No, she is furious! The point is: she doesn't know exactly why. Although, if she is honest with herself, she knows why, she is jealous, she is nearly dying of jealousy. Veronica has always turned everything worse. Because well…
She took what was supposed to be mine!
The blonde screams again. "Fuuuuck!"
This is stupid… I'm just worried… Veronica is a heartless bitch and Rachel can be so naïve sometimes…
Quinn takes a deep breath; she runs her fingers through her hair, trying to calm down.
"You are overreacting Quinn… calm down."
She turns her attention to her phone again and then she calls Rachel.
"Hello."
"Hi… Quinn?"
"Yes… who is it?"
"Oh… hi Quinn… it's me, Finn… hold on, Rachel is downstairs with her dads I think I fell asleep."
It takes a few seconds for her to process everything he is saying until she finally gets back to her senses.
"Uh… Where are you?"
"Uh… Rachel's bedroom?" He says innocently.
Different scenarios pop into her mind, why exactly Finn is in Rachel's bedroom? And sleeping in her bed…
Fuck me! Fuck this damn day!
"I'll pass the phone to her…"
"Don't bother. I don't want to interrupt the family reunion."
"What? Wait, she is here…"
Quinn hears Rachel's voice on the background.
"Hey you… I think someone missed my bed… is it my phone?"
"It's Quinn she wants to tal-"
"Give it to me!"
Before Rachel picks up the phone Quinn hangs up.
The young actress walks toward the kitchen; she opens the fridge and picks up a bottle of beer. After drinking a big swig, she takes her bag on the kitchen bench and returns to the living room. With the Cigarette pack already in her hands she tosses her bag violently on the couch. She goes to the house's backyard. She lights a cigarette and takes a large drag on it.
Inside the house, on the coffee table her phone rings.
Rachel is calling and she is ignoring it.
Half hour later…
"You're fucking bitch!" Santana yells at her and gets inside the house.
"I'm not in the mood San…"
"You're not in the mood? Rachel is in Ohio freaking out right now, thinking about the worst scenarios, like armed robbery, kidnappers, drugged maniacs, heart attack and fire!"
"She is a d-r-a-m-a q-u-e-e-n…" Quinn spells each letter.
The brunette crosses her arms over her shoulders in annoyance.
"You were drinking." She states rather then asks. "What's going on? Why didn't you answer my calls, Quinn? Why didn't you answer Rachel's calls?"
"You're being very boring."
"Am I?"
"Yeah… I'm bored. I need sex. I'm bored and horny… and I need sex."
"Fuck off! You won't have it. This belongs to B." Santana gestures to her body.
"I didn't mean you! Your smug!"
"Why don't you go get your girl then?"
Quinn chuckles.
"She is not my girl. She will never be my girl."
"At least call her, she is really worried."
"Finn is there to console her. She will be fine." She waves her hand uncoordinatedly.
Santana sighs.
"So that's why-"
"What? Look, you can be a good friend and drink a couple of beers with me or you can go now because I'm not enjoying this boring conversation."
"Give me a beer."
"Good choice."
Finn is the best of friends. When they land at the airport the paparazzi are already in place. He holds her hand all the way up to the car and let go of it only to open the door for her. Rachel is wearing her "happy celebrity mask" but she is torn. She didn't sleep well because she was worried about Quinn. Santana was the one who called her to say that everything was alright, but she didn't buy it.
The week was just beginning and Rachel and Finn had to continue the dating thing until all the rumors cool down.
Day one: They go out on a date at her favorite restaurant.
Then the singer takes him to the music studio.
Day by day the paparazzi follow her everywhere; the pet shop, the grocery store, the jewelry store…
Okay, she did that one on purpose, she wanted only earrings, but she knows that the media will get crazy with them going to the jewelry store.
Everything is going like she planned. She is just upset with the fact that Quinn has avoided her since she returned from Lima.
She didn't tell Quinn, She didn't tell Kurt, she didn't tell anyone. She knows they wouldn't judge her. She is feeling bad about herself; she is feeling bad for putting Finn in this situation.
The fewer people to know the better…
You're a bad person Rachel…
I'm not…
These thoughts haunted her all week.
And then after one week she decides that it is enough.
"Open the door!"
Rachel yells, stamping her foot and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Finally!"
She exclaims when Brittany opens the door.
"Uh… I wanted to open but San."
Rachel asks her to stop by raising a hand up.
"I know B." Rachel smiles at the blonde girl. "If you'll excuse me."
The singer enters in the apartment abruptly.
"Quinn!"
Brittany follows her, the dancer bites down on her bottom lip when her girlfriend appears in the living room. She has a feeling that things will get bad.
"Where is she?"
"Calm down Berry… she is not here."
"I know she is!"
"Hey! I said calm down. Look, you seem to be pissed off."
"You bet I am!"
"You should go home Rach and-"
"No! Quinn! I need to talk to you! Now! Why are you avoiding me? What have I done?! Please tell me…" She whines in frustration. "So I can fix it."
"Rach…" Brittany tries out.
"What is going on B?"
"She-"
"B… don't." Santana warns her girlfriend.
"Santana?"
"Rach… please… just leave." Santana pleads patiently this time.
"Okay, you guys are her friends. I'm just. Who am I? I'm nobody, right?"
"Rach… that's not true…"
"Don't bother Brittany I got it. I will leave you guys."
"Oh no! You're not going to do that!" Quinn gets in the living room. "Don't play the victim card! I asked you to give me time. Can you do this? No… because you're Rachel Berry and you are unable to understand that people need space; I don't want to talk to you! Can't you understand it?" Quinn releases a frustrated sigh.
"Why?"
"I don't want to talk about that either."
"You're crazy." Rachel shakes her head in disbelief.
"Me? You're the one who was yelling at that door moments ago."
"Fuck you!"
Rachel shouts at her and the other three girls in the room get astonished.
"I'll give you space. Don't worry, you won't see Rachel Berry's face, in fact you no longer need to see my face ever again!"
"Guys…" Brittany whines.
"Great."
"Good…"
Santana sighs. Apparently, they just regressed to the I can't release this sexual tension in bed so I'm going to release it fighting tactic.
"I hope you're happy with Finn, I mean, I really hope you guys get married this time."
"What you're talking about." Rachel frowns, truly confused.
Quinn gets close to her.
The truth is that Quinn has read all the gossips and all the news about the Finchel romance, including the one about the jewelry store.
"See through this point of view, this time around I won't ruin everything because of a car accident! Or maybe this time I die so everybody will be happy."
The noise from the slap echoed through the room.
Brittany jaw drops. Rachel freezes. Quinn's cheek is marked and red and Santana… Well… she smirks… Because… The sexual tension between the two girls was obvious and now between the two women is ridiculously explicit.
For a moment she can swear they are going to kiss right there.
They don't though.
"You're very slow at your retaliation, shouldn't you have done it when I slapped you?" She tries to be nochalent about it, rather than hurt. "But I guess we're even now. Oh no wait, you'll have to give me back my crown."
"What are you talking about?" Rachel asks, voice cracking.
"You didn't think you could be prom queen did you? I mean, can you imagine the disaster that would've been? Me, starting to walk again and Finn… no comments about his dancing skills. I had to do something, I said: hey San let's make Berry prom queen."
Quinn is disgusted with herself. She can't look at Rachel. No! She can't look into those eyes. She wants to cry. She is being her old self. She is being that girl again.
Rachel is finding it hard to breathe. She wants her Quinn back. Her Quinn… Not this one… Or maybe this is her after all.
Who am I kidding… it was only a matter of time.
"So that's it. I think we can't be friends after all."
"If you say so."
"Ronnie was right. You are a heartless bitch."
Quinn gets pales with the mention of that name. Then, silently, Rachel turns around, walks toward the door and leaves.
"I've never been so disappointed." Santana says as she shakes her head.
"You'll get over it."
"You're fucking bitch!"
"San…" Brittany whines.
"No B… she will listen."
Santana turns to the annoyed actress.
"If you will give me a lecture telling me how what I did was wrong, spare me!"
"I hope you know what you've just done! By the way, I think there was a tie because that one vote-"
Santana points to the door.
"You didn't deserve it!"
"The crown is all yours." Quinn replies.
"I don't want a stupid crown! I want you to see how stupid you were! I want you to stop being a chicken and do something about it!"
"I don't wanna do anything!" She sobs. "I want to forget! I want to forget that she exists, I want to forget all these feelings I have for her or how I always worry whether she's okay or not, whether she is happy or not and I mostly want to forget that I'm in love with her and I'm pretty sure these feelings have always been here."
Quinn is copiously crying now, so Brittany walks toward her and hugs her tight.
"We know." The dancer whispers as she rubs her friend's back.
"How?"
"You guys are pretty obvious sometimes." Santana teases.
"What do you mean?"
"Rachel loves you too Q." Brittany explains.
"I know she does B. We're friends…well… we were."
"No, she really loves you. Like I love Santana, and of course you guys are friends, I don't think a fight can change that"
"My girl is right Q."
"But now you have to fix it. I think you really hurt her."
Quinn nods sadly.
As soon as she gets home she releases everything that is inside her. Finn finds her sobbing, with her head pressed on her knees and her back leaned against the front door.
"Rach?"
He kneels in front of her.
"What happened?"
"Quinn… we had a fight."
"Oh…"
"No… I mean, we had a fight- fight. It was awful… she was mean." She sobs. "Like she used to be…"
Finn sighs.
"Don't be like this. She's probably going through a bad moment."
He cups her cheeks and she looks at him.
"But she always tells me everything."
"Quinn is a closed person and sometimes it seems she is heartless, but she isn't. Just give her time okay?" He wipes her tears.
Is he defending her? He should be defending me!
"Why are you defending her?"
"Wow! Jealous Rachel… hi." He teases.
"I'm not…"
She denies, but he smiles at her.
"I know you; and you can't be jealous by the way; we're not together do you remember?"
"Sorry."
"Come on… let's cheer you up."
They have a great night, playing videogame, eating junk food. She even forgets that she had a fight with Quinn for while. But then Finn thinks it is a good idea to kiss her. It wasn't bad at first it is Finn after all, they dated for years. But it seemed wrong.
"I can't do this… sorry."
Rachel stops the kiss before it leads them to something more.
"No… I'm sorry… I'm so stupid… I-I…" He shakes his head, annoyed at himself.
"It's okay Finn."
9 months Rachel…
Yeah but I can't do it with Finn genius!
Can you imagine the consequences?
"No it's not! Look, I know I said I could be your friend… but I can't… I can't Rachel… because I will always want more."
"I need you to try, because I can't image my life without Finn Hudson in it."
He sighs sadly.
"Can I sing to you? I always express my feelings better with music." Rachel asks sweetly.
"Sure… you know I love your voice."
She leads them to the piano and settles on the bench as Finn does the same. As she prepares herself he follows her every move.
Then she starts playing and then she sings.
Stayed in bed all mornin'
Just to pass the time
There's somethin' wrong here
There can be no denying
One of us is changin'
Or maybe we just stopped trying
.
And it's too late, baby
Now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no…
.
It used to be so easy
Livin' here with you
You were light and breezy
And I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy
And I feel like a fool
.
And it's too late, baby
Now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no
There'll be good times again
For me and you
But we just can't stay together
Don't you feel it too?
Still I'm glad for what we had
And how I once loved you
Finn can't help it but cry. He is crying because Rachel is fucking awesome, he is crying because he loves this woman and he is crying because he knows he lost her, for good this time.
But it's too late, baby
Now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no…
It's too late, baby
It's too late, now, darlin'
It's too late…
.
When she finishes the song, she has tears in her eyes, the fight got her a little emotional, besides, she knows she is kind of putting a definitive end in their love story. She turns to him and kisses him. Their last kiss.
"What I'm going to do without you?"
"You won't be without me. And you're you, remember? This still means the world to me."
Kurt and Santana decided to move on with the plan despite the heavy atmosphere surrounding them at the moment.
The singer and the actress are still avoiding each other. Rachel is doing her best to keep her word, Quinn won't see her face ever again. Well, not if she can avoid it.
Despite all the drama she is happy with the glee club reunion. She is Rachel Berry after all. Finn wanted to go home but she persuaded him to stay because he belongs to the group too.
"Where is Quinn?" Kurt asks to Santana.
"I don't know."
"What? I can't believe it! Well, I think we underestimated the power of Finchel."
"So they're together?"
"She didn't tell me. Whenever I try, she avoids the matter altogether."
"I don't know… look at them." Santana looks at the glee club's former captains with narrowed eyes.
"They look like…"
"Like what?" Kurt asks intrigued.
"Friends?"
"Well, now that you mentioned. I've noticed that too… no way!"
"What?" Santana gasps.
"Rachel Barbra Berry! I can't believe it!"
"Can you tell me what's going on?"
"A PR!"
He shouts, but Santana is confused.
"Someone took a picture of her and Veronica."
"So…"
"Making out."
"Oh… I saw that, I read something about it, but Berry's agent managed to control the story and Rachel is all "I'm in love with Finn the past week"" She opens her mouth as she finally figures out "Oh! Pr…"
Unaware of her friends trying to figure out her actions Rachel is all smiles, she is having fun watching Brittany, Blaine and Sam singing on the stage.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eyes, she sees her two friends walking toward her; they are very upset.
"Oh crap."
"What?" Finn turns to her.
"I think we got caught." She looks at Kurt and Santana.
"You mean you got caught… Have fun…I'll get some drink." He kisses her head.
Kurt is about to say something but they hear a familiar voice, although a little bit huskier than usual, behind the fake couple.
"Aw… how sweet. I feel at home again. So, how many solos Berry sung so far?"
Frowning, Rachel turns to her.
"Why, have you missed my performances?"
Quinn lets out a sarcastic laugh. She is a little tipsy and as Brittany and the boys finished their performance. All eyes turn to her.
"You're so funny Berry."
"We got back to the Berry thing?"
Rachel inquires but Quinn ignores her.
"So… can I sing? Or this is just a Broadway people thing."
"I'm not on Broadway." Sam states confused.
"You're ridiculous."
"I didn't ask for your opinion Berry."
"Okay… this is getting ridiculous you two need to stop it!" Santana shouts frustrated.
"I'm going to sing. S, B can you guys help me? You know how I am occasionally sharp." She glares at Rachel then she finishes her drink. "Let's rock!"
Rachel pays attention to her every move. She curses herself because apparently even being totally annoyed with the blonde, Quinn still manages to captivate her eyes. Maybe it's the fact that she is wearing jeans, which is rare and her thighs are outlined by the tight fabric or perhaps it's because right now her attitude reminds Rachel of punk Quinn.
Oh yeah punk Quinn…
Rachel! You're angry at her! Remember?
The actress takes off her jacket and tosses it on Puck and he smirks at her. Rachel draws her lips into her mouth never taking her eyes off Quinn.
Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Her entire week was awful. All the memories that she so wanted to erase went back to haunt her. She couldn't stop thinking about how stupid she had been. She was a coward who had spent much of her teenage years tormenting the girl of her dreams. Yes, there was no more denying ... she had liked Finn? Yes ... she had harbored some feelings for her baby daddy, even though her first time was a mistake? Yes... Puck was the one who got closest to her heart; she even thought they could be together, but her heart has been always hers, it was always Rachel ... the unbearable diva ... the beautiful and perfect diva.
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Flashback:
I know some guys cheat on their wives or pregnant girlfriends. Just don't do it with her…
.
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on
Flashback:
How can you relate to what I'm going through?
You don't think people whisper about me in the lunchrooms? Or draw pornographic pictures of me on the bathroom walls?
That was me, actually…
.
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Flashback:
I'm so sorry. I fully understand if you want to beat me up. If you can, just try to avoid my nose.
I'm not mad at you. All you did was what I wasn't brave enough to do… tell the truth.
.
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore...
Flashback:
"Do you want to know how this story plays out? I get Finn, you get heartbroken. I'll become a successful real estate agent and Finn will take over Kurt's dad's tire shop… You don't belong here, Rachel, and you can't hate me for helping to send you on your way."
"I'm not giving up on Finn. It's not over between us."
"Yes it is! You're so frustrating! And that is why you can't write a good song, because you live in this little school girl fantasy of life. Rachel, if you keep looking for that happy ending, you are never going to get it right."
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Flashback:
"Are you gonna go tell Figgins about Shelby, because I just… I still think it's a really terrible idea."
"I came here to talk to you actually. To tell you that I'm not gonna tell."
"Why?"
"Because I love Beth, and I don't want to ruin her life. I came to thank you, actually."
"For what?"
"For keeping me from doing something stupid. Something I would've regretted my entire life."
"We're kinda friends, huh?"
"Kind of."
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
.
She drops the microphone on the floor and goes toward the exit, leaving an astonished Rachel and a confused Finn behind.
Puck runs toward her.
"Quinn!"
"Go away!"
"I won't. I'm taking you home…"
"Whatever."
Meanwhile…
Rachel recomposes and gets into her stage persona.
"Well… that was nice. I've never seen Quinn singing with such passion before… so… I think we can't do a glee club reunion without a Rachel Berry's solo right?"
She takes a deep breath and sings.
I hear the ticking of the clock
I'm lying here the room's pitch dark
I wonder where you are tonight
No answer on the telephone
And the night goes by so very slow
Oh I hope that it won't end though
Alone
.
Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
You don't know how long I have wanted
To touch your lips and hold you tight
You don't know how long I have waited
And I was gonna tell you tonight
But the secret is still my own
And my love for you is still unknown
.
Alone
Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
Flasback:
"You can't change your past. But you can let go and start your future…"
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
Alone, alone
.
By the end of the song Rachel knows what she has to do.
"So I guess you were right. They sung what was in their hearts after all." Kurt says to Santana.
"When I'm not right? Sure it would've been better if Q was here to hear that." She gestures toward the stage.
"They're going to be okay right?" Brittany asks.
"I hope so baby."
"Stop it… Quinn… stop it."
Puck pleads weakly as Quinn is leaving a trail of kisses on his neck.
"You don't want me?"
"You're drunk."
"Mmm… it never stopped you before."
She says with venom as she settles on her bed.
"It should have stopped me at least one time."
"Are you saying that you didn't want Beth?"
He sighs.
"This is not what I'm saying Q… you know I've always wanted her."
She bursts out in tears.
"Yes I know! I'm the idiot who wanted to give her away!"
"Hey… you weren't an idiot. You did the best for her. Yes I wanted to keep her but I wasn't thinking. Hey, I had this awesome girl carrying my baby girl and I kept hanging out with other girls. I'm the idiot."
"Had we kept her, if we had been together, do you think we would've been happy?"
"Yes, I don't believe we have lots of possibilities in life. We can choose our paths; you chose to give her away. Yes, me, you and Beth would've been an awesome family, but we probably would fight all the time… and you know, she has a very nice, beautiful and sexy mother now."
Quinn nudges his ribs.
"What? This is a fact, and also she is very much like a certain tiny brunette who I know you are pretty much into… all I can say is: how I haven't seen it coming; I would've totally supported you guys."
"No you wouldn't, you've been always head over heels in love with me."
"You wish baby mama, besides I'd rather see you with her than with Finn."
She smiles. Puck kisses her forehead.
"Is this good bye?"
"Never… we may not be together baby daddy but you're stuck with me."
"What you're gonna do?"
"I think I need a break… my heart needs a break."
She kisses him.
"I'm going home."
Judy could barely believe it. Her daughter only visits her on the holidays. Quinn was happy to be home and her mother spent the day spoiling her, asking questions about her job and describing how Beth looked beautiful and was growing more like her mother.
She woke up the next day knowing what she had to do. After lunch and after spending the whole morning in her mother's company, she went where she wanted to go. She still remembered every detail of the Berry's house even though she had been there only once.
Hiram welcomed her with a mixture of surprise and happiness.
"Hi…"
"Hi Quinn…come in… make yourself home."
"Thank you."
They walk toward the living room where Leroy is sitting with his broken leg up on the couch.
"Quinn! What a pleasure! Come on, take a seat" Leroy greets her animatedly.
She sits on the armchair.
"Not that I'm complaining but can I ask why you're here?"
"Hiram!"
"What? I'm just curious."
The blonde laughs.
"It's okay Mr. Berry I would've done the same question."
"Oh dear, call me Leroy please you know you're family, Rachel adores you. And so do we."
"That's why I'm here."
"Do you want something sweetheart a soda, water?"
"No… thanks I'm okay."
She takes a deep breath.
"I'm Quinn Fabray."
"We know…" Hiram says and then he looks at his husband who seems to be confused as well.
"No… you know Quinn Fabray, Rachel's friend, the actress, the glee club fellow… I'm here now as Quinn Fabray… Rachel's worst bully."
"Sweetie…"
"Let me finish. I'm here to apologize; I know you guys must be wondering why I'm apologizing to you. Well, that's simple, because I know how much you guys love her and how hard it must have been for you to see her crying because some stupid bitch insulted her at school. And yes I already apologized to her… and we've become friends and this is past but somehow I felt the need to do it."
"Because you're in love with her." Hiram says.
She stares at them.
"You're not very subtle young lady, by the way, all those names? It was always pretty obvious to me. And just so you know, Rachel never complained about you, the only time we could get the truth out of her was that time after junior prom…" Hiram explains.
"She tried to hide the mark though, but because she couldn't she told us the whole saga, because she said it was not fair to you to tell us only the bad things you did, and we really reprimanded her for telling Finn he was not Beth's father by the way." Leroy smiles at her.
That was it. She can't take it anymore. She can't fight the tears.
"I'm so sorry." she says still sobbing.
"Oh… sweetie…" Hiram looks at her tenderly as he puts his hand on his chest.
They spent a lovely afternoon. Leroy and Hiram showed her the videos of all the competitions the mini diva won, and then they brought the photo albums; if she thought she couldn't get more in love she was so wrong.
"Can I see her bedroom?"
Hiram smiles.
"Of course, but careful, don't mess with anything… she won't like it."
"He is kidding Quinn…" Leroy reassures her.
"I'm definitely not! You should have seen her the last time I went there."
"I think Quinn is safe." Leroy winks at the blonde playfully.
"I hope so." She says smiling at them.
She walks towards Rachel's bedroom and when she opens the door, a smile forms on her lips immediately. The young actress is mesmerized by every detail. She has always wanted to be here and she didn't even know it. Quinn sits on the edge of the bed, takes a pillow holds it against her chest and throws her back on the mattress.
She sighs. It's time to do what she needs to do.
When she arrived at home her dads were already waiting for her. She called them before, informing them that she was going home and that they needed to have a serious conversation.
They talked about her sexuality.
They talked about Shelby.
And mostly they talked about Quinn.
In the end she was exhausted.
She went to her bedroom and found her old camera in the middle of her bed. There was a note too.
I remember this…
Rachel hits the play.
"No, I'm not gonna sing… maybe I'm a coward, I should say it looking into your eyes."
In the screen Quinn breathes heavily.
"I love you. Not as a friend, I mean, sure you are my friend, but I'm in love with you Rachel, you may not believe me but I think I've been in love with you since forever… God… I've been so stupid Rachel. I have always hidden myself behind my supposed hatred for you… until I started hiding behind the friendship… and we can't forget Finn… you always belonged to someone else… it was easy for me to hide; I don't want to hide anymore… I don't care if you don't love me the way I do, I don't care anymore… I love you, I just want you to know… please don't look for me… I know you want to do it that's why you here in Lima that's why you are now in your bed seeing me, right? We'll be friends again I just need time."
Quinn bites her bottom lip eagerly.
"Okay?"
She smiles and the video is over.
"If you think you can get rid of me Fabray, you are so very wrong…"
"Oh… sorry sweetie… uh she said she doesn't want to talk to you."
"She is just… I need to talk to her."
"Listen… she will be very mad at me but… well, you're so adorable and I know she loves you."
Rachel stares at Quinn's mother with a mix of curiosity and incredulity.
"I know about my daughter's life if that's what you're thinking. Honestly, just between us. It has always been Rachel this, Rachel that, Rachel, Rachel…" Judy smiles at her.
"My dads said the same thing."
"You also talk a lot about her?"
"No, actually they were complaining that I talk too much about myself."
Judy laughs in amusement.
You made her mother laugh…
Score for me!
"Go ahead… I'm going to visit a friend; I hope you get to talk to her."
"I'll try…"
Rachel goes toward Quinn's bedroom. She is nervous. Being here is kind of thrilling to her, the teenage inside her is squealing. She knocks on the door that Judy informed her.
"What now mom?"
"It's me actually…" She bites down on her bottom lip nervously.
"Rach?"
"Yes…"
"Rachel please… go away."
"Quinn… I know why you want me to leave but-"
"Rachel!" Quinn whines petulantly.
Rachel sighs soundly and presses her head against the door.
"Open the door…"
"No…"
"Quinn… I-I… I need to say something."
"I don't wanna hear."
"Please… It's not what you think it is."
"I need time Rachel."
"And I need you…"
Rachel takes a deep breath and opens her heart.
Via song, of course.
If I fell in love with you,
Would you promise to be true
And help me understand?
'Cause I've been in love before
And I found that love was more
Than just holdin' hands.
If I give my heart
To you,
I must be sure
From the very start
That you
Would love me more than him.
If I trust in you
Oh, please,
Don't run and hide.
If I love you too
Oh, please,
Don't hurt my pride like him.
'Cause I couldn't stand the pain
And I
Would be sad if our new love
Was in vain.
So I hope you see
That I
Would love to love you
And that he
Will cry
When he learns we are two
'Cause I couldn't stand the pain
And I
Would be sad if our new love
Was in vain.
So I hope you see
That I
Would love to love you
And that he
Will cry
When he learns we are two.
If I fell in love with you.
"Quinn…" She pleads with a low voice.
But Quinn doesn't answer her, so she leaves.
When she places her feet on the porch and the first few raindrops starts falling she curses her dads. She wanted to drive herself there but they wanted to drive her there. What she was going to do now. Wait in the rain?
She starts walking. No way she is going back to the Fabray's house.
It took a few minutes to recompose. Quinn was sitting on the floor with her back against the door when Rachel sung.
She wipes her tears, stands up, fixes her clothes and opens the door.
"Rach? Rachel…"
She runs through the hallway.
"Rachel!"
She goes downstairs and runs toward the front door. She opens it abruptly and spots the singer not very far ahead. Rachel is still in her inner debate as the rain falls hard and soaking her clothes.
"Rachel!"
Alarmed, the brunette looks behind.
"What…?"
Rachel has no time to figure out what Quinn's facial expression is saying before the blonde's lips are pressed against hers.
Rachel kisses her back. She definitely kisses her back.
Oh yeah… fireworks…
But Quinn pulls away too soon.
"I love you." She whispers in Rachel's ear.
"I love you too, but can you take me to your bed before I take your clothes off right here?"
The songs( In order):
It's too late - Carole King
Behind these hazel eyes – Kelly Clarkson
Alone - Heart
If I fell in love with you - Beatles