Fic: Identity (6/9)
Title: Identity
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: Back down to R - nothing quite so unpleasant as last chapter!
Spoilers: Up to and including 1x3 "Acafellas," but it's so AU that it's not likely to spoil anything.
Summary: AU. One morning at McKinley High, a girl who no one knows, who can't remember her own name, appears in the halls. She's short, blonde, and carrying a piece of paper that reads "Quinn Fabray."
“Oh,” Frannie managed. “That’s, uh - huh.”
“I’m sorry,” Quinn put her head in her hands. “I kind of meant to work up to that. I just got nervous.”
“Whose, uh-“
“Don’t know,” beside her Rachel opened her mouth to add something, and Quinn squeezed her leg. Rachel took the hint and sat back in her chair.
“Let’s try that again, okay? Let’s see - I’m pretty sure my name’s Quinn. I speak Spanish and English pretty much equally as well, and I can read music. I can sing, I think - nobody in Glee in threw anything at me when I auditioned, anyway. I’m enrolled at McKinley High, and - well, I guess that’s about it. Kind of depressing that that’s all I’ve got so far.”
“Where’d you get Mom’s cross?”
“It was in a safety deposit box at the bank - in my name.”
“And you didn’t set it up?”
“No,” Quinn shook her head. “At least, I don’t remember setting it up.”
“Do you remember Mom, at all?”
“I remember seeing pictures. But I don’t remember ever meeting her in person.”
“And Dad?”
“Not at all. I can’t even picture him in my head.”
“You’re probably better off,” Frannie smiled. “And you’re,” she pantomimed a pregnant stomach.
“Yeah. Do you have kids?”
“No, actually. My marriage wasn’t - well, let’s just say it wasn’t a roaring success.”
Quinn nodded, not wanting to pursue what was obviously an uncomfortable topic. She was saved from any further attempts at conversation by a knock at the door. Rachel, nearest to the door, answered it and blinked with surprise when she saw who’d knocked.
“Sergeant? What are you doing here? I mean - how can we help you?”
“I’m afraid we need to have a talk with Miss Fabray - the elder Fabray, that is.” Quinn looked at her sister, who looked more perturbed than surprised. “If you’ll come with us please, ma’am?”
“Frannie - what’s going on?
“Don’t worry about it, Quinnie. I’ll be back.”
“No - wait, just stop! Will somebody tell me what’s happening here?”
“We need to bring your sister in for questioning. I really can’t say any more than that yet, Quinn, I’m sorry. Once we’ve had a chance to talk to her, we’ll bring you up to speed. Frannie?”
“I’m coming,” she stood and planted a kiss on the top of Quinn’s head. “I’ll be back for you, I promise.” At the front door, she slid on her boots and her jacket before following Daniels and two uniformed officers out into the evening.
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Quinn would have been inconsolable - but for the fact that she was too confused to be upset.
“Well,” Tom cleared his throat. “That was,” he trailed off. “Let’s get started on these dishes!” he nearly shouted, pulling them from the table and heading rapidly for the kitchen, regardless of the fact that most of the plates had no more than a bite or two gone from them.
“What the hell just happened?” Quinn muttered, more to herself than to Rachel, but Rachel answered all the same.
“Are you asking literally?” Quinn shot her a look. “Right. Not literally, then. All I can imagine is that Frannie knew you were here before the police called her. In which case, I’m quite impressed.” The glare Quinn gave her was absolutely venomous. “Not that she’d lie,” she hastily added, “but in her acting skills. I was completely taken in.”
“I need to take a walk.”
“I’ll get my coat-“ Rachel started to get up, but Quinn put a restraining hand on her shoulder.
“Just me. I’m sorry - I really need to clear my head. Please understand.”
“I - of course. I’ll just wait here, then.” She watched Quinn, looking more defeated than ever, get dressed and walk out into the night.
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Most of the shops in Lima were closed, it being past six on a Sunday night, and the streets were lit only by bright streetlamps. Quinn walked with her hands in her coat pockets, only occasionally looking up at where she was going, which is how she managed to crash headlong into Puck, spilling the two of them to the ground in a tangled heap.
“Who-“ Puck looked at her and laughed, helping her to her feet. “Hey, freak. I thought you’d never ask me to touch you, isn’t that what you said?”
Quinn shrugged, shouldering past him and resuming her aimless walk.
“Hey - I was talking to you.” Puck jogged after her.
“You know, you might be the most honest person in this town,” Quinn snapped, never slowing her pace. “At least with you, I know the only reason you’d talk to me is because you figure it’ll give you a chance to stick your dick in me. Simple, straightforward, easy. Why can’t everyone else be that honest? Why does everybody have to have an agenda?”
“Rough night?”
“You have no idea.”
“Want a coffee?” she looked at him with a lopsided grin, and he put his hands up in surrender. “Just a coffee, swear. I mean, sure, I wouldn’t say no if you wanted to-“
“I don’t.”
“That’s cool,” he agreed. “How about a coffee, though? You look cold.”
“Yeah,” she laughed humourlessly. “Why not?” And that was how she found herself in a tiny Starbucks, seated across the table from Noah Puckerman, shivering as she waited for her coffee.
“So, Finn told me all about you.”
“Well, Finn isn’t really up to date, so I wouldn’t count on him for information.”
“You’re not all hole-in-the-head anymore?”
“Pfft,” she waved a hand at him. “Yeah, I’m still all hole-in-the-head, but I’ve got a bit of it back now.” She would have stopped there, but she felt a strong urge to confide in someone that wasn’t Rachel. “I’m pregnant, and I’m pretty sure I’m gay.”
Puck blinked. “I’m no genius, but those two things don’t usually go together, right?”
“Not generally. Somebody raped me, though,” it was the first time she’d verbalised the thought, and she was surprised how easily she managed it.
Puck’s reply was quiet, but the anger and the threat inherent in it were unmistakable. “Someone in Lima?”
“No. I mean, I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure it was before I came here.”
“You find out, and you point me in their direction, okay? I’m sorry I grabbed you the other day - if I’d known-“
“I didn’t know then, either, so it’s not your fault. It just kind of came back to me yesterday. Anyway, how about you? What do you do, when you’re not throwing kids in dumpsters or playing football?”
The barista called their order, so Puck retreated to the counter and returned with two coffees, passing her one. She raised it in a toast. “I have my own pool-cleaning business.”
“In Ohio? How many months can somebody have an outdoor pool filled here?”
“Three or four,” he replied defensively. “Pays well, though. And there’s a couple people with indoor pools.”
“I’m not criticising,” she put her hands up to placate him, “just curious.”
“So how come you’re wandering the streets by yourself on a Sunday night?”
“Eh,” she shook her head. “You don’t want to hear this. You must have a girl to visit or something.”
“Nah, I already - well, never mind. You talk, I’ll drink my coffee.”
“The cops got ahold of my sister - she lives out east. She says that my parents told her I was stillborn, and that she had no idea I was alive. But then we’re halfway through dinner tonight, and the cops come in and haul her off for questioning.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know - they wouldn’t tell me. Said they needed to talk to her first.”
“Cops,” Puck shook his head. “That’s pretty cold. But if she's lying then at least you found out now, instead of later, right? I mean, it’s probably better this way.”
“Yep,” she agreed, drinking her coffee. “So, how come you joined Glee?”
“I’m still not sure, actually. Finn joined, and I made fun of him for it. But then I sang with Mister Schue and Coach a few times, and it was kind of fun. Plus, it was a big hit with the moms in the crowd.”
“Why would you - oh. Ew.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with a cougar,” Puck insisted.
“Ew,” Quinn repeated more firmly. “You’re grossing out my baby.”
“Boy or girl?”
“No idea. Haven’t seen a doctor yet.”
“Really? My mom was like, fanatical about doctor’s appointments before I was born.”
“Yeah, well. No health insurance plus no money equals no doctor’s visits. Simple math.”
“I thought you were living with that Berry kid.”
“I am - her dads have already bought me clothes and food, and I think that’s enough to ask them.”
“Are you going to keep it?”
“You really just throw those questions out, don’t you? I don’t know. No idea. Wanna decide for me?”
Puck shook his head. They sat in silence for a long time after that, watching people walk by outside. Before she knew, her coffee was empty. “Well - I guess I should get going.”
“I’ll walk you home,” he offered.
“That’s okay. Thanks for the coffee, though.”
“Anytime. See you in school tomorrow?”
“Yep - I’ll be writing exams in Figgins’ office, though.”
“Bummer.”
The walk home was quieter. The streets were nearly empty, and she found respite in the silence. She fingered the gold cross around her neck as she walked and finally, as she neared the Berry house, gave it a vicious tug that snapped the chain and threw it over her shoulder.
The front door opened as she approached - Rachel had been waiting there for her. “Quinn!” she exclaimed. “I was just about to come looking for you.”
“Sorry - I stopped for a coffee.”
“Oh - well, that’s fine, of course. Come on in - I wanted to run some song ideas by you.” Quinn slipped her coat off, and Rachel stared. “Quinn - where’s your necklace?”
“Side of the road somewhere,” she shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it? But Quinn-“
“I said, Don’t. Worry. About. It.” Rachel, mercifully, didn’t pursue the issue any further.
Quinn was quiet and brooding for the remainder of the night, and Rachel quickly gave up on trying to discuss their options for the duet project, instead bringing her downstairs for a quiet movie night with her dads. When the film was over, Quinn joined Rachel in her bed by unspoken agreement.
“I know I’ve been kind of bitchy - well, okay, really bitchy tonight,” Quinn admitted when the lights were out. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s perfectly understandable,” Rachel promised. “Let’s just attempt to get some uninterrupted rest - you’ve got your first exam tomorrow.”
“Which one was the first one again?”
“Math - I took the liberty of memorizing your schedule for you.”
“Oh, good. Math, I can do.”
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And, after a blessedly dreamless sleep and a breakfast of milk and soda crackers, she did. The exam was almost too easy, and she was done in under an hour. “So - what do I do for the rest of the day?”
“Well,” Figgins shrugged, “feel free to visit the library, or you may simply stay in the lunchroom if you’d like. Since you’re now a student, we’ll ask that you not leave campus during school hours.”
“Library it is, then,” she agreed.
“Here - I’ll write you a pass,” Figgins signed a paper and handed it to her. “If you’re stopped in the hall, give this to the teacher.”
“Thanks,” she stepped into the hallway and made it to the library without being challenged. It was nearly empty, but for a gaggle of laughing Cheerios defacing a yearbook. Quinn found a quiet corner and took a selection of random books with her. She flicked through them idly, looking without really reading anything, until the bell rang for lunchtime. Almost on cue, Rachel pushed the library door open. Quinn shoved her books aside, joining her at the door.
“Glee?” Quinn whispered as they left the confines of the library. Rachel shook her head, answering in a louder voice as they entered the hall.
“No - we’re meeting after school this week. So, how did your exam go?”
From the corner of her eye, Quinn saw two of the football team approaching with large slushies in hand. She sighed - resigning herself to the inevitable - and was surprised to see someone step between her and them. Someone who sported a very recognisable mohawk.
“Not her,” she heard Puck warn.
“But-“
“I said, not her. You guys got hearing problems?” The two turned around and slunk away, looking around for another target. Puck smiled at her over his shoulder and walked away.
“Uh,” Quinn struggled to remember what they’d been talking about. “Oh, the exam, right. It was fine. Math is easy. History is going to kill me.”
“If you’d like, I could tutor you prior to the exam?”
“When’s that one?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Damn,” Quinn stopped suddenly, bracing herself against the wall. “Bathroom,” she whispered. “Where?”
“This way,” Rachel took her by the hand. It was fortunately close, and Quinn made it to the stall in the nick of time. Her hair, held back by a tight ponytail, didn’t need to be held out of the way, but Rachel stood outside the stall and waited for her all the same. When she emerged to rinse her mouth, Rachel handed her a small bottle of mouthwash from her purse.
“I thought I should be prepared.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
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She was sick once more that afternoon, and resolved to have Rachel look up whether it was normal to be throwing up this much. She also resolved to bring a magazine or something to read the next day, as the library’s selection wasn’t to her taste. She was glad, then, when it was time for Glee. Rachel met her at the library door, and they walked to the choir room together.
“Afternoon, Quinn, Rachel,” Will smiled. “How are you two?”
“Not bad, Mister Schue. Kind of tired, though.”
“Well, exams will do that to you, Quinn. Did it go well, though?”
“Oh, yeah, it was fine.”
“Good to hear - are you and Rachel ready with a duet for us?”
“I’m afraid not, Mister Schuester,” Rachel shook her head as the two of them sat. “We’ll need another day.”
“Really? I mean - sure, that’s fine,” he hastily corrected. He looked around the room. “Everyone here? Excellent. Who’s got a song for us?”
No hands went up, and everyone looked around at each other. “Really?” Will complained. “Come on, guys - we’ve got the Invitational coming up quickly, and we’ve got to be looking ahead to Sectionals! Isn’t anyone ready?”
A few throats were cleared, and gazes directed at the floor, but still no one answered. Will sighed. “Fine. A demonstration, then. Quinn, would you join me?” She did, and he handed her some sheet music.
“I’ve had the time of my life,” she read aloud.
“One of the most iconic duets of the last twenty years, due to its inclusion in what popular movie?” Will directed the question to the club.
“Dirty Dancing,” Finn piped up. Puck stared at him, and he turned red. “What? Jennifer Grey is hot.”
“You’re such a woman,” Puck turned away from him. “I bet you had a Patrick Swayze poster above your bed.”
“Correct, Finn,” Will ignored Puck. “Feel up to singing with me, Quinn?”
“Sure,” she agreed, even as she felt a wave of nausea. Will had only made it through the first line of the song when she clapped a hand to her mouth and ran from the room. Will stared after her, torn between following and staying with the club. He was saved from the decision when Rachel stood up. “I’ll go check on her, Mister Schue.”
“Thanks, Rachel. Okay, then - Santana. Want to join me up here?”
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“Quinn?” There was only one occupied stall, and the door swung open when Rachel knocked on it. Quinn was slumped beside the toilet, breathing heavily. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fabulous,” Quinn rasped. “This pregnancy thing is awesome - that’s three times today. Feel like helping me up?”
“Of course,” Quinn grabbed both of her hands and let herself be pulled up. She presented the bottle of mouthwash again.
“Fantastic,” she dumped a third of the bottle in her mouth and swished it around, looking at herself in the mirror. She spit, then turned and frowned at Rachel. “God, I look like crap.”
“You look fine - and don’t worry, according to all of research, morning sickness only lasts for the first trimester.”
“The first - I’ve got two more months of this to look forward to, is what you’re telling me? That’s great. Come on - we should get back to Glee, I guess. And Schuester better realise now how important you are - you’re the only one that does the assignments.”
Rachel blushed. “Well, the others will do them as well.”
“Only if you do. You’re the key, Rachel. You’re the leader, the piedra angular. Mister Schue really needs to appreciate it.”
“I’m the which?”
“Oh,” Quinn snapped her fingers, trying to find the right translation in her head. “Cornerstone. You’re the cornerstone.” She frowned. “That’s right, isn’t it - that makes sense?”
“Absolutely,” Rachel beamed. She led Quinn back to the choir room, and they quickly took their seats during a lull in Will’s lecture.
“So,” he continued, not missing a beat, “since none of you guys seem particularly motivated this week, here’s what we’ll do. Whoever has the best duet out of the group wins a dinner for two at Breadstix. Let’s see if that’ll get you into it. I expect at least one performance tomorrow.”
There was excited chatter around the room, and Rachel leaned over to whisper excitedly in Quinn’s ear. “We’ve got it in the bag.”
“Well, let’s wait until we’ve picked a song before we declare ourselves the winners, okay?”
“Oh, please. Between my formidable talent and your excellent, if occasionally sharp singing voice, there’s no one here that could compete with us.”
“I’m glad you think - wait, sharp?”
“See you tomorrow, guys,” Will finished at the front of the room, packing his bag. From behind her, Quinn heard Puck call her name.
“Yeah?”
“Can I talk to you in private for a sec?”
“Sure,” she squeezed Rachel’s hand. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Of course.” Quinn followed Puck into the hall. With a look around to make sure they were alone, he thrust a handful of money at her.
“What’s this?” she looked down at it, confused.
“The price of a sonogram. I took it out of my pool-cleaning money.”
“Okay - leaving aside how you know what a sonogram costs, I can’t take that. I don’t even know you.”
“I just want to help,” he insisted, thrusting the money at her again.
“Look - Puck, it’s really sweet of you. But I’ll do this on my own. I’ll never forget that you offered, though - you’re a good guy.”
“Yeah, well - don’t go spreading it around,” he tucked the cash back into the pocket of his jeans. “Don’t want you ruining my rep.”
“Cross my heart,” Quinn traced a line across her chest with one finger.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Puck didn’t wait for her reply, just turned and walked away. Quinn rejoined Rachel in the choir room, which was now nearly empty.
“Ready to go?”
“What was that about?”
“He just wanted to ask me something. Wasn’t a big deal.” She saw the suspicion on Rachel’s face and sighed. “Really, Rachel. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I don’t swing that way. You have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re right,” Rachel admitted, “I’m being ridiculous, I’m sorry. We should be getting home - I’ll need a few hours to prep you for the history test, and we need to rehearse as well. Did you want to,” she hesitated, “stop by the police station?”
“Might as well wait for them to call us,” Quinn shrugged. “I’m trying not to think about it. They won’t tell me anything until they’re ready to anyway.”
“Sensible,” Rachel agreed, standing up and taking her hand. “Okay - let’s stop by my locker so I can get my history text, and we’ll go.”
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“I’m never going to pass this exam,” Quinn slumped, head in her hands. “With all the stupid crap I do remember, why do I not remember any of this particular stupid crap? Forget it, Rachel - I’m just going to have to guess.”
“Are you sure? I hate to think I’ve failed to help you prepare.”
“You might as well be teaching monkeys,” Quinn shook her head.
“Very well - did you feel up to rehearsing?”
“Actually, I wondered if it’d be okay to use your elliptical for a bit. I need to blow off some steam.”
“Feel free - would you rather I left the room?”
“If you want to watch me get hot and sweaty,” Quinn winked, “you’re welcome to stay.”
“I’ll put some music on for you,” Rachel volunteered, plugging her iPod into her clock radio and setting it to shuffle. Quinn ventured to the guest room, returning in looser clothes, and hopped on the elliptical as Rachel started the music.
Halfway through the second track, Quinn looked over at Rachel, who’d been searching through sheet music, with a raised eyebrow. Rachel nodded excitedly. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “That’s it - we can win with that.” She fired up her laptop, searching for the sheet music, as Quinn went back to working out.
Author: cranberry_pi
Rating: Back down to R - nothing quite so unpleasant as last chapter!
Spoilers: Up to and including 1x3 "Acafellas," but it's so AU that it's not likely to spoil anything.
Summary: AU. One morning at McKinley High, a girl who no one knows, who can't remember her own name, appears in the halls. She's short, blonde, and carrying a piece of paper that reads "Quinn Fabray."
“Oh,” Frannie managed. “That’s, uh - huh.”
“I’m sorry,” Quinn put her head in her hands. “I kind of meant to work up to that. I just got nervous.”
“Whose, uh-“
“Don’t know,” beside her Rachel opened her mouth to add something, and Quinn squeezed her leg. Rachel took the hint and sat back in her chair.
“Let’s try that again, okay? Let’s see - I’m pretty sure my name’s Quinn. I speak Spanish and English pretty much equally as well, and I can read music. I can sing, I think - nobody in Glee in threw anything at me when I auditioned, anyway. I’m enrolled at McKinley High, and - well, I guess that’s about it. Kind of depressing that that’s all I’ve got so far.”
“Where’d you get Mom’s cross?”
“It was in a safety deposit box at the bank - in my name.”
“And you didn’t set it up?”
“No,” Quinn shook her head. “At least, I don’t remember setting it up.”
“Do you remember Mom, at all?”
“I remember seeing pictures. But I don’t remember ever meeting her in person.”
“And Dad?”
“Not at all. I can’t even picture him in my head.”
“You’re probably better off,” Frannie smiled. “And you’re,” she pantomimed a pregnant stomach.
“Yeah. Do you have kids?”
“No, actually. My marriage wasn’t - well, let’s just say it wasn’t a roaring success.”
Quinn nodded, not wanting to pursue what was obviously an uncomfortable topic. She was saved from any further attempts at conversation by a knock at the door. Rachel, nearest to the door, answered it and blinked with surprise when she saw who’d knocked.
“Sergeant? What are you doing here? I mean - how can we help you?”
“I’m afraid we need to have a talk with Miss Fabray - the elder Fabray, that is.” Quinn looked at her sister, who looked more perturbed than surprised. “If you’ll come with us please, ma’am?”
“Frannie - what’s going on?
“Don’t worry about it, Quinnie. I’ll be back.”
“No - wait, just stop! Will somebody tell me what’s happening here?”
“We need to bring your sister in for questioning. I really can’t say any more than that yet, Quinn, I’m sorry. Once we’ve had a chance to talk to her, we’ll bring you up to speed. Frannie?”
“I’m coming,” she stood and planted a kiss on the top of Quinn’s head. “I’ll be back for you, I promise.” At the front door, she slid on her boots and her jacket before following Daniels and two uniformed officers out into the evening.
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Quinn would have been inconsolable - but for the fact that she was too confused to be upset.
“Well,” Tom cleared his throat. “That was,” he trailed off. “Let’s get started on these dishes!” he nearly shouted, pulling them from the table and heading rapidly for the kitchen, regardless of the fact that most of the plates had no more than a bite or two gone from them.
“What the hell just happened?” Quinn muttered, more to herself than to Rachel, but Rachel answered all the same.
“Are you asking literally?” Quinn shot her a look. “Right. Not literally, then. All I can imagine is that Frannie knew you were here before the police called her. In which case, I’m quite impressed.” The glare Quinn gave her was absolutely venomous. “Not that she’d lie,” she hastily added, “but in her acting skills. I was completely taken in.”
“I need to take a walk.”
“I’ll get my coat-“ Rachel started to get up, but Quinn put a restraining hand on her shoulder.
“Just me. I’m sorry - I really need to clear my head. Please understand.”
“I - of course. I’ll just wait here, then.” She watched Quinn, looking more defeated than ever, get dressed and walk out into the night.
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Most of the shops in Lima were closed, it being past six on a Sunday night, and the streets were lit only by bright streetlamps. Quinn walked with her hands in her coat pockets, only occasionally looking up at where she was going, which is how she managed to crash headlong into Puck, spilling the two of them to the ground in a tangled heap.
“Who-“ Puck looked at her and laughed, helping her to her feet. “Hey, freak. I thought you’d never ask me to touch you, isn’t that what you said?”
Quinn shrugged, shouldering past him and resuming her aimless walk.
“Hey - I was talking to you.” Puck jogged after her.
“You know, you might be the most honest person in this town,” Quinn snapped, never slowing her pace. “At least with you, I know the only reason you’d talk to me is because you figure it’ll give you a chance to stick your dick in me. Simple, straightforward, easy. Why can’t everyone else be that honest? Why does everybody have to have an agenda?”
“Rough night?”
“You have no idea.”
“Want a coffee?” she looked at him with a lopsided grin, and he put his hands up in surrender. “Just a coffee, swear. I mean, sure, I wouldn’t say no if you wanted to-“
“I don’t.”
“That’s cool,” he agreed. “How about a coffee, though? You look cold.”
“Yeah,” she laughed humourlessly. “Why not?” And that was how she found herself in a tiny Starbucks, seated across the table from Noah Puckerman, shivering as she waited for her coffee.
“So, Finn told me all about you.”
“Well, Finn isn’t really up to date, so I wouldn’t count on him for information.”
“You’re not all hole-in-the-head anymore?”
“Pfft,” she waved a hand at him. “Yeah, I’m still all hole-in-the-head, but I’ve got a bit of it back now.” She would have stopped there, but she felt a strong urge to confide in someone that wasn’t Rachel. “I’m pregnant, and I’m pretty sure I’m gay.”
Puck blinked. “I’m no genius, but those two things don’t usually go together, right?”
“Not generally. Somebody raped me, though,” it was the first time she’d verbalised the thought, and she was surprised how easily she managed it.
Puck’s reply was quiet, but the anger and the threat inherent in it were unmistakable. “Someone in Lima?”
“No. I mean, I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure it was before I came here.”
“You find out, and you point me in their direction, okay? I’m sorry I grabbed you the other day - if I’d known-“
“I didn’t know then, either, so it’s not your fault. It just kind of came back to me yesterday. Anyway, how about you? What do you do, when you’re not throwing kids in dumpsters or playing football?”
The barista called their order, so Puck retreated to the counter and returned with two coffees, passing her one. She raised it in a toast. “I have my own pool-cleaning business.”
“In Ohio? How many months can somebody have an outdoor pool filled here?”
“Three or four,” he replied defensively. “Pays well, though. And there’s a couple people with indoor pools.”
“I’m not criticising,” she put her hands up to placate him, “just curious.”
“So how come you’re wandering the streets by yourself on a Sunday night?”
“Eh,” she shook her head. “You don’t want to hear this. You must have a girl to visit or something.”
“Nah, I already - well, never mind. You talk, I’ll drink my coffee.”
“The cops got ahold of my sister - she lives out east. She says that my parents told her I was stillborn, and that she had no idea I was alive. But then we’re halfway through dinner tonight, and the cops come in and haul her off for questioning.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know - they wouldn’t tell me. Said they needed to talk to her first.”
“Cops,” Puck shook his head. “That’s pretty cold. But if she's lying then at least you found out now, instead of later, right? I mean, it’s probably better this way.”
“Yep,” she agreed, drinking her coffee. “So, how come you joined Glee?”
“I’m still not sure, actually. Finn joined, and I made fun of him for it. But then I sang with Mister Schue and Coach a few times, and it was kind of fun. Plus, it was a big hit with the moms in the crowd.”
“Why would you - oh. Ew.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with a cougar,” Puck insisted.
“Ew,” Quinn repeated more firmly. “You’re grossing out my baby.”
“Boy or girl?”
“No idea. Haven’t seen a doctor yet.”
“Really? My mom was like, fanatical about doctor’s appointments before I was born.”
“Yeah, well. No health insurance plus no money equals no doctor’s visits. Simple math.”
“I thought you were living with that Berry kid.”
“I am - her dads have already bought me clothes and food, and I think that’s enough to ask them.”
“Are you going to keep it?”
“You really just throw those questions out, don’t you? I don’t know. No idea. Wanna decide for me?”
Puck shook his head. They sat in silence for a long time after that, watching people walk by outside. Before she knew, her coffee was empty. “Well - I guess I should get going.”
“I’ll walk you home,” he offered.
“That’s okay. Thanks for the coffee, though.”
“Anytime. See you in school tomorrow?”
“Yep - I’ll be writing exams in Figgins’ office, though.”
“Bummer.”
The walk home was quieter. The streets were nearly empty, and she found respite in the silence. She fingered the gold cross around her neck as she walked and finally, as she neared the Berry house, gave it a vicious tug that snapped the chain and threw it over her shoulder.
The front door opened as she approached - Rachel had been waiting there for her. “Quinn!” she exclaimed. “I was just about to come looking for you.”
“Sorry - I stopped for a coffee.”
“Oh - well, that’s fine, of course. Come on in - I wanted to run some song ideas by you.” Quinn slipped her coat off, and Rachel stared. “Quinn - where’s your necklace?”
“Side of the road somewhere,” she shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it? But Quinn-“
“I said, Don’t. Worry. About. It.” Rachel, mercifully, didn’t pursue the issue any further.
Quinn was quiet and brooding for the remainder of the night, and Rachel quickly gave up on trying to discuss their options for the duet project, instead bringing her downstairs for a quiet movie night with her dads. When the film was over, Quinn joined Rachel in her bed by unspoken agreement.
“I know I’ve been kind of bitchy - well, okay, really bitchy tonight,” Quinn admitted when the lights were out. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s perfectly understandable,” Rachel promised. “Let’s just attempt to get some uninterrupted rest - you’ve got your first exam tomorrow.”
“Which one was the first one again?”
“Math - I took the liberty of memorizing your schedule for you.”
“Oh, good. Math, I can do.”
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And, after a blessedly dreamless sleep and a breakfast of milk and soda crackers, she did. The exam was almost too easy, and she was done in under an hour. “So - what do I do for the rest of the day?”
“Well,” Figgins shrugged, “feel free to visit the library, or you may simply stay in the lunchroom if you’d like. Since you’re now a student, we’ll ask that you not leave campus during school hours.”
“Library it is, then,” she agreed.
“Here - I’ll write you a pass,” Figgins signed a paper and handed it to her. “If you’re stopped in the hall, give this to the teacher.”
“Thanks,” she stepped into the hallway and made it to the library without being challenged. It was nearly empty, but for a gaggle of laughing Cheerios defacing a yearbook. Quinn found a quiet corner and took a selection of random books with her. She flicked through them idly, looking without really reading anything, until the bell rang for lunchtime. Almost on cue, Rachel pushed the library door open. Quinn shoved her books aside, joining her at the door.
“Glee?” Quinn whispered as they left the confines of the library. Rachel shook her head, answering in a louder voice as they entered the hall.
“No - we’re meeting after school this week. So, how did your exam go?”
From the corner of her eye, Quinn saw two of the football team approaching with large slushies in hand. She sighed - resigning herself to the inevitable - and was surprised to see someone step between her and them. Someone who sported a very recognisable mohawk.
“Not her,” she heard Puck warn.
“But-“
“I said, not her. You guys got hearing problems?” The two turned around and slunk away, looking around for another target. Puck smiled at her over his shoulder and walked away.
“Uh,” Quinn struggled to remember what they’d been talking about. “Oh, the exam, right. It was fine. Math is easy. History is going to kill me.”
“If you’d like, I could tutor you prior to the exam?”
“When’s that one?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Damn,” Quinn stopped suddenly, bracing herself against the wall. “Bathroom,” she whispered. “Where?”
“This way,” Rachel took her by the hand. It was fortunately close, and Quinn made it to the stall in the nick of time. Her hair, held back by a tight ponytail, didn’t need to be held out of the way, but Rachel stood outside the stall and waited for her all the same. When she emerged to rinse her mouth, Rachel handed her a small bottle of mouthwash from her purse.
“I thought I should be prepared.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
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She was sick once more that afternoon, and resolved to have Rachel look up whether it was normal to be throwing up this much. She also resolved to bring a magazine or something to read the next day, as the library’s selection wasn’t to her taste. She was glad, then, when it was time for Glee. Rachel met her at the library door, and they walked to the choir room together.
“Afternoon, Quinn, Rachel,” Will smiled. “How are you two?”
“Not bad, Mister Schue. Kind of tired, though.”
“Well, exams will do that to you, Quinn. Did it go well, though?”
“Oh, yeah, it was fine.”
“Good to hear - are you and Rachel ready with a duet for us?”
“I’m afraid not, Mister Schuester,” Rachel shook her head as the two of them sat. “We’ll need another day.”
“Really? I mean - sure, that’s fine,” he hastily corrected. He looked around the room. “Everyone here? Excellent. Who’s got a song for us?”
No hands went up, and everyone looked around at each other. “Really?” Will complained. “Come on, guys - we’ve got the Invitational coming up quickly, and we’ve got to be looking ahead to Sectionals! Isn’t anyone ready?”
A few throats were cleared, and gazes directed at the floor, but still no one answered. Will sighed. “Fine. A demonstration, then. Quinn, would you join me?” She did, and he handed her some sheet music.
“I’ve had the time of my life,” she read aloud.
“One of the most iconic duets of the last twenty years, due to its inclusion in what popular movie?” Will directed the question to the club.
“Dirty Dancing,” Finn piped up. Puck stared at him, and he turned red. “What? Jennifer Grey is hot.”
“You’re such a woman,” Puck turned away from him. “I bet you had a Patrick Swayze poster above your bed.”
“Correct, Finn,” Will ignored Puck. “Feel up to singing with me, Quinn?”
“Sure,” she agreed, even as she felt a wave of nausea. Will had only made it through the first line of the song when she clapped a hand to her mouth and ran from the room. Will stared after her, torn between following and staying with the club. He was saved from the decision when Rachel stood up. “I’ll go check on her, Mister Schue.”
“Thanks, Rachel. Okay, then - Santana. Want to join me up here?”
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“Quinn?” There was only one occupied stall, and the door swung open when Rachel knocked on it. Quinn was slumped beside the toilet, breathing heavily. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fabulous,” Quinn rasped. “This pregnancy thing is awesome - that’s three times today. Feel like helping me up?”
“Of course,” Quinn grabbed both of her hands and let herself be pulled up. She presented the bottle of mouthwash again.
“Fantastic,” she dumped a third of the bottle in her mouth and swished it around, looking at herself in the mirror. She spit, then turned and frowned at Rachel. “God, I look like crap.”
“You look fine - and don’t worry, according to all of research, morning sickness only lasts for the first trimester.”
“The first - I’ve got two more months of this to look forward to, is what you’re telling me? That’s great. Come on - we should get back to Glee, I guess. And Schuester better realise now how important you are - you’re the only one that does the assignments.”
Rachel blushed. “Well, the others will do them as well.”
“Only if you do. You’re the key, Rachel. You’re the leader, the piedra angular. Mister Schue really needs to appreciate it.”
“I’m the which?”
“Oh,” Quinn snapped her fingers, trying to find the right translation in her head. “Cornerstone. You’re the cornerstone.” She frowned. “That’s right, isn’t it - that makes sense?”
“Absolutely,” Rachel beamed. She led Quinn back to the choir room, and they quickly took their seats during a lull in Will’s lecture.
“So,” he continued, not missing a beat, “since none of you guys seem particularly motivated this week, here’s what we’ll do. Whoever has the best duet out of the group wins a dinner for two at Breadstix. Let’s see if that’ll get you into it. I expect at least one performance tomorrow.”
There was excited chatter around the room, and Rachel leaned over to whisper excitedly in Quinn’s ear. “We’ve got it in the bag.”
“Well, let’s wait until we’ve picked a song before we declare ourselves the winners, okay?”
“Oh, please. Between my formidable talent and your excellent, if occasionally sharp singing voice, there’s no one here that could compete with us.”
“I’m glad you think - wait, sharp?”
“See you tomorrow, guys,” Will finished at the front of the room, packing his bag. From behind her, Quinn heard Puck call her name.
“Yeah?”
“Can I talk to you in private for a sec?”
“Sure,” she squeezed Rachel’s hand. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Of course.” Quinn followed Puck into the hall. With a look around to make sure they were alone, he thrust a handful of money at her.
“What’s this?” she looked down at it, confused.
“The price of a sonogram. I took it out of my pool-cleaning money.”
“Okay - leaving aside how you know what a sonogram costs, I can’t take that. I don’t even know you.”
“I just want to help,” he insisted, thrusting the money at her again.
“Look - Puck, it’s really sweet of you. But I’ll do this on my own. I’ll never forget that you offered, though - you’re a good guy.”
“Yeah, well - don’t go spreading it around,” he tucked the cash back into the pocket of his jeans. “Don’t want you ruining my rep.”
“Cross my heart,” Quinn traced a line across her chest with one finger.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Puck didn’t wait for her reply, just turned and walked away. Quinn rejoined Rachel in the choir room, which was now nearly empty.
“Ready to go?”
“What was that about?”
“He just wanted to ask me something. Wasn’t a big deal.” She saw the suspicion on Rachel’s face and sighed. “Really, Rachel. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I don’t swing that way. You have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re right,” Rachel admitted, “I’m being ridiculous, I’m sorry. We should be getting home - I’ll need a few hours to prep you for the history test, and we need to rehearse as well. Did you want to,” she hesitated, “stop by the police station?”
“Might as well wait for them to call us,” Quinn shrugged. “I’m trying not to think about it. They won’t tell me anything until they’re ready to anyway.”
“Sensible,” Rachel agreed, standing up and taking her hand. “Okay - let’s stop by my locker so I can get my history text, and we’ll go.”
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“I’m never going to pass this exam,” Quinn slumped, head in her hands. “With all the stupid crap I do remember, why do I not remember any of this particular stupid crap? Forget it, Rachel - I’m just going to have to guess.”
“Are you sure? I hate to think I’ve failed to help you prepare.”
“You might as well be teaching monkeys,” Quinn shook her head.
“Very well - did you feel up to rehearsing?”
“Actually, I wondered if it’d be okay to use your elliptical for a bit. I need to blow off some steam.”
“Feel free - would you rather I left the room?”
“If you want to watch me get hot and sweaty,” Quinn winked, “you’re welcome to stay.”
“I’ll put some music on for you,” Rachel volunteered, plugging her iPod into her clock radio and setting it to shuffle. Quinn ventured to the guest room, returning in looser clothes, and hopped on the elliptical as Rachel started the music.
Halfway through the second track, Quinn looked over at Rachel, who’d been searching through sheet music, with a raised eyebrow. Rachel nodded excitedly. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “That’s it - we can win with that.” She fired up her laptop, searching for the sheet music, as Quinn went back to working out.