“Why” Re-write - Chapter 2 - Revision 3
Baby Steps - Book 2 - Why
Chapter 2
When Do Visiting Hours End Around Here?
November 5th, 2010 (Beth + 150)
Fabray Home, Quinn’s bedroom, 8:29 am
“So let me get this straight,” Santana said from her position at the foot of Quinn’s bed, “Berry broke into your room, stalker-watched you sleep while text blocking yours truly, then force fed you some vegan crap posing as soup before banning you from talking to the rest of the world and ditching your ass?” Her head tilted to the side as she finished summarizing the recovering blonde’s tale regarding the previous days events and she gave Quinn a look that was both unimpressed and annoyed.
Quinn reached for the pen and pad resting by her side, next to her un-muted cell phone, and ignored Santana’s combination eye roll and arm cross as she started to write.
”She didn’t break in,” Brittany read over Quinn’s shoulder as she toyed with a lock of her silent friend’s hair, “and she wasn’t stalker-watching me and the soup is actually pretty go-” Brit lifter her eyes from the page and looked over at her girlfriend when Santana grunted dismissively. “-od and Mom got back about twenty minutes after Rachel left to go home.”
Which had been just enough time for Quinn to polish off her first bowl of soup and just like Rachel had said, it had helped to sooth her throat for several hours. It had also been enough time for the sensation of Rachel holding her chin to completely fad away. Not that Quinn had any intention of mentioning that particular detail.
“Whatever.” Santana said before getting to her feet. “B, could you go grab our coats? Unlike some people, we’ve still have school today.”
“It’s not as much fun when you aren’t there.” Brittany’s lips dipped into a short lived pout before turning up at the corners as she gave Quinn a quick hug around her shoulders ,then headed for the door, briefly interlocking her pinkie finger with Santana’s as she walked past. Before stepping into the hall, she turned to give Quinn a quick wave, then blew a kiss to Santana.
Santana caught the kiss in her hand, only lifting her eyes from her gently closed fist after she turned back to Quinn. The smile playing around her crimson stained lips flickered as she caught the blonde’s amused expression then turned into a scowl and Santana crossed her arms over her chest; but not, Quinn silently noted, before the latina deposited the kiss over her heart. “So, Q… What aren’t you telling me?”
Quinn took a slow breath, her eyes locked with Santana’s as she did before looking down at the pad still in her hand.”
“No. Enough with the frick’n writing, Quinn. I want to hear you say it.”
Quinn tilted her eyes back up to her friend’s face without lifting her head. She took another breath as her gaze flicked to her empty bedroom doorway, then let the air free from her lungs in a long, slow, sigh as she returned her gaze to the other teen.
“Say what?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Whatever you’re keeping from me.” Santana replied. She pulled one hand free from her crossed arms and waved it “And don’t bother trying to tell me you’re not hiding something, I know you. I know you better than you know yourself and you, Q, know it too so let’s just skip the bit where you play all innocent good girl and you can tell me your little secret afores Brit gets back.”
“There’s no ‘it’ to say.” Quinn told her. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do. I told you what happened. Now if you don’t mind, I could really use some more sleep,” she yawned to emphasize her point before adding, “Unlike some people, I have to stay home from school today because I’m sick.”
Santana shook her head. “Please. Even if I was as socially inept as treasure trail, I still wouldn’t fall for your act and the more you den-“
“I found a treasure trail last summer.” Brittany said as she walked back into the room. “It was all shiny but the leprechauns wouldn’t let me on it because they said I was wearing the wrong sort of shoes.” She added, walking two fingers up Santana’s shoulder then pressed her lips against the exposed base of her girlfriend’s neck before handing Santana her coat.
“What were the right kind of shoes” Quinn asked, her eyes fixed on Brittany while ignoring the pointed glare she felt Santana aiming her way.
“Booties.” Brit answered. “But they didn’t say if it was the baby kind, the hospital kind, or the sexy kind.” She linked her arm with Santana’s before she gave Quinn a puzzled look. “I thought you couldn’t talk because of the frogs?”
“What frogs?”
“The ones in your throat that gave you toadsillitis.”
Quinn couldn’t help but smile as she shook her head. “It’s tonsillitis, B, so no frogs, and it’s not that I can’t talk, I just shouldn’t, but so long as I don’t talk too loud or for too long, I’ll be okay.” She shifted her eyes to Santana. “And there’s still plenty of Rachel’s soup left if my throat starts to hurt again.”
Santana’s eyes narrowed but she didn’t have time to say anything before her girlfriend spoke.
“Cool.” Brittany nodded her head and wrapped her other arm around Santana’s, hugging the other girl’s limb close. “Cool, cool, cool.”
“Yeah, cool.” The dark haired cheerio’s tone clashed with her words as did the thin, anemic smile that blinked across her lips.
“You want us to get you anything, Q?” Brit asked, reluctantly releasing Santana’s arm so that the other girl could pull on her coat.
Quinn started to shake her head then changed her mind. “Yeah, could you get me a list of any homework for the weekend? And let everyone know I’m feeling better… in case anyone asks.”
“We’ll get Coach to make an announcement so your fan club doesn’t worry too much.” Santana replied dryly as she re-joined her arm with Brit’s. “C’mon, B, let’s go.” She cast one last glance over her shoulder as she lead Brittany towards the hall, a smirk on her face. “Q really, really needs her beauty sleep.”
Brit turned at the waist as she was pulled towards the exit. “But don’t get too much or else we’ll have to find you a Prince Charming to kiss you and you remember what happened the last time you kissed a boy?”
Quinn didn’t get a chance to answer as both of her friends disappeared around the edge of her doorframe though she did hear Santana mutter something followed by Brittany’s response but the two were far enough away that she couldn’t make out what was said. Even so, she still waited until she heard the sound of the front door closing behind her early morning visitors before she shuffled back under her blankets.
That had actually gone better than Quinn had expected, all things considered. Santana still had a ways to go before she was willing to accept that Rachel was one of Quinn’s friends now but given that Quinn had only started to accept it a few weeks ago herself, the cheerio captain could hardly fault her second-in-command for needing a little more time.
Sadly, the only way to get Santana on board with Rachel was by getting the two of them to spend more time together and Quinn knew her friend well enough to know that wasn’t going to be easy. Just like Santana knew her well enough to know that she hadn’t told the latina the whole story of Rachel’s visit.
Maybe she should tell Santana the rest of what happened? After all, all Rachel had said was that Quinn was worth knowing. What was wrong with that? Nothing, right?
It had been… intense… Was that the right word? Intense? Maybe serious or import- No… intense was the right word. There was no other way to describe how Rachel’s dark brown eyes had stared into her’s while telling her why she wanted them to be friends.
Then again, when had Rachel ever not been intense when it came to what she wanted? It was the one of the biggest reasons why it was so easy to hate her.
… Had been so easy.
*knock knock*
Quinn jerked in surprise and snapped her head up from her pillow to find her Mother standing just outside her room.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I thought you would still be up.” Judy apologized before turning to leave.
Quinn pushed herself up onto her elbows “You didn’t. I was just thinking.”
Judy stepped into the room. “Good.” She came to stop an arms length from the edge of the bed. “So what where you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” Quinn answered. “Just… stuff.” She combed her fingers through her hair before pushing herself up to lean against her headboard as she asked, “Did you want something?”’
“I’m need to run a few errands and wanted to see if you needed anything before I went out.” Judy said. She reached out and brushed the hair from Quinn’s forehead. “Do you?”
More soup. “No, I’m good.”
Judy’s head tilted ever so slightly to the side. “Alright then.” She said after a few seconds. “I have my phone with me so you can call if you do think of anything… or text if your throat isn’t up to talking. I’m sure I can find someone to help me figure out how to get it uploaded or downloaded or whatever it’s called.”
Quinn laughed, immediately bringing her hand to her throat as her eyes crinkled in a wince. “Mom, please? Don’t make me laugh.”
“No promises.” Judy said as she leaned in to give the top of Quinn’s head a quick kiss. “It’s not my fault that I’m naturally funny.”
Quinn rubbed her neck and her right eyebrow arched as she replied, “Is that what we’re calling it?”
“Hush you.” Judy wagged a finger in front of Quinn’s face in faux rebuke. “You’ll never get better if you keep talking, especially when it’s to your mother like that.”
“Yes Mom.” The younger blonde replied contritely despite the grin playing around the corners of her mouth.
“I’m serious young lady, not one word unless it’s an emergency.” Judy’s eyes dipped to the cell phone still resting by Quinn’s side. “Or if you think of something while I’m out. But that’s it.”
“Yes Mom.”
Judy stared at her daughter for a heartbeat then shook her head as she turned away. “I don’t know why I bother.”
“Because you love me.”
The elder Fabray paused on her way out, turned, and locked her eyes with Quinn’s. “I really do.”
“… I-”
“Shhh. I know. Now prove it by listening to me for once. No more talking.”
Quinn’s tongue passed over her lower lip before she silently agreed with a single nod of her head.
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour and… get some rest dear.”
Quinn nodded again and the pair exchanged grins before Judy headed off. Once again, Quinn waited until she heard the sound of the front door close before she wriggled back under her blankets.
*I’m a bitch I’m a lover*
*I’m a child I’m a mother*
*I’m a sinner I’m a saint*
*I do not feel ashamed*
*I’m your hell I’m your dream*
*I’m nothin’ in between*
*You know, you wouldn’t want it any other way*
Santana’s ringtone.
So much for getting some rest. Without looking, Quinn’s hand started to feel around by her side for her phone.
*I’m a bitch I’m a lover*
*I’m a child I’m a mother*
*I’m a sinner I’m a saint*
*I do not feel ashamed*
*I’m your hell I’m your dream*
*I’m nothin’ in between*
*You know, you wouldn’t want it any other way*
…Two texts…
…Shit.
Her fingers finally closed around the hard shell of her phone and Quinn seriously considered just shutting it off, rolling over, and going back to sleep but even as she did, she knew she couldn’t. The blend of curiosity and apprehension that came with knowing Santana would keep Quinn from getting any sleep until she checked to see what the other girl had sent her.
With a soft sigh she lifted her phone into view.
From: Santana L (555-2824)
U leave me no other choice, Q.
From: Santana L (555-2824)
I’ll just get the truth from Berry.
“…Shit! Ow! Ow! Ow!”
Berry Home, Kitchen, 8:29a.m.
“Morning cupcake. You look-” Hiram nudged his life partner with his elbow Sweetheart?”
Leroy looked up from the morning paper. “What? Oh. Lovely. You look lovely Pump- Rachel, sweetie, are you feeling alright?”
Rachel, still wearing her pyjamas, tugged the sleeve of her robe back onto her shoulder with one hand while the other rubbed at her left eye. “I’m fine.” she said in a voice that was a shadow of it’s usual self. “It’s nothing. All I need is a healthy breakfast and I’ll be-”
“Going right back to bed.” Hiram finished for her.
“Daddy.” The brunette protested. At least she tried to, but the thinness of her voice had both her parents exchanging a quick glance before they got to their feet. Leroy started to usher his daughter back upstairs while Hiram started to gather the ingredients for soup.
“I’m fine. Really. It’s ju-”
“Pumpkin, shhh. I know you don’t want to let any of your friends down but whether you want to admit it or not, you’re sick, and you’re not going to be doing anyone any favours by acting like you aren’t, especially yourself.”
“But-”
“No ‘buts’ young lady unless it’s yours back in your bed. Now scoot. I’ll call the school to let them know you’ll be staying home today and while it won’t be as good as yours, we’ll bring you some soup when it’s ready.”
Rachel pressed her lips together as she looked into her father’s eyes.
“Please Pumpkin, let us look after our little girl?”
Whatever argument she had been constructing collapsed under the soft spoken request and Rachel gave a reluctant but acquiescent nod before heading for the stairs.
“You know that was cheap and emotionally manipulative, don’t you?” Hiram asked as he watched Leroy dial the number of their daughter’s school.
“Yes.” The other man answered without a hint of remorse. “And don’t even pretend you wouldn’t have done the same thing. She’s not going to be our little girl for much longer and I’ll be damned if I waste one minute while she still is.”
“And that,” Hiram said as he placed a quick kiss against Leroy’s cheek, “is why I love you.”
“Love you too. Yes, Hello? This is Leroy Berry. I’m calling about my daughter, Rachel Berry.”
McKinley High-School, Rachel’s Locker, 8:53a.m.
“Where the hell is she” Santana grumbled under her breath as she looked down both ends of the hallway from her spot opposite Rachel’s locker. “Even if Q warned her, the midget still needs to get her stuff for class.”
“Talking to yourself now Lopez?”
Santana rolled her eyes before turning towards the speaker. “What do you want Puckerman?”
“What are you offering?”
“I’ve got a two for one special on my foot up your ass. You interested?”
“Damn girl, who pissed in your cornflakes this morning? Brit cut you off again?”
“Not that it’s any of your business,” Santana said as she resumed searching the rapidly decreasing number of students lining the hallway, “but things with me and Brit are good.”
“Right.” Puck nodded as he leaned against the locker next to her.
Santana closed her eyes and drew a slow breath before she resignedly turned back to Puck. “Don’t you have a class to get to or something?”
“Nah, I was thinking I’d skip first period.” Noah said. He added “And I could ask you the same thing.”
“You could.” Santana glanced at the nearest clock, she’d need to book it if she was going to make it to homeroom before the bell. She gave the now nearly empty hallway another scan and frowned when her target still stubbornly refused to reveal herself. “Try not to get caught.” She told Puck as she started to walk away.
“I’m touched.” Puck laid a hand over his heart as he followed Santana down the hall. “I didn’t know you cared.”
“Please, the only thing I care about, other then my girlfriend, is that if you get locked up again this close to sectionals, Berry’ll never shut up about it and then I’ll have to break your ass out of juvie just so I can kick it for making me listen to her never shutting up about it.”
“You keep telling yourself that darlin’. Not that it matters, the Puckmeister’s not going back to juvie any time soon and Berry’s out of commission so you won’t be hearing anything from here until at least Monday.”
Santana spun around on her heels. “What?”
“I said I ain’t going back to juvie any time soon.”
Santana waved her hand rapidly in front of Puck’s face. “Not that. What did you say about Berry?”
Puck’s right eyebrow rose quizzically as he looked at Santana. “I said she’s home sick. I was in the main office earlier and I overheard one of the secretaries, sorry, administrative assistants, on the phone with her Dad. Well, one of ‘em anyway.”
“How sick?”
Puck’s other eye brow rose, this time in reaction to intensity of the dark haired cheerleader’s questioning. “Since when did you care abou-”
“Answer the fricking question Puckerman.”
*BRR-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-ING*
Fabray Home, Quinn’s bedroom, 9:02 a.m.
She’d waited too long. She should have told her when she had the chance and now it was too late.
Nine o’clock. Rachel would be in class already and Santana hadn’t replied to any of the three texts Quinn had sent her in an attempt to waylay her friend from ambushing Rachel. Quinn stared at the clock on the cell phone held in her hands as if she could make it run backwards by sheer willpower.
She should have texted Rachel instead. Warned her. Something. Why hadn’t she texted her?
Because she didn’t know what to say.
Watch out, Santana wants to interrogate you about your visit yesterday because I wouldn’t tell her about what you said and she knows I’m keeping something from her. Her friendship with Rachel might still be in the early stages but Quinn knew how her secretiveness would look to the brunette; like she still wasn’t ready to out herself as Rachel’s friend.
That, or she’d ask why Quinn hadn’t just told Santana the truth. And that was a question Quinn didn’t know how to answer. The best she’d come up with so far was that she didn’t want to deal with Santana’s anti-Rachel-ness so early in the morning, especially when she was sick but that sounded hollow even to her. And even if Rachel was willing to accept it at face value, what did is say that Quinn wasn’t willing to even try and get her best friend to accept that Rachel was her friend too, sick or not, early or not?
A heavy sigh diluted the silence of her room as Quinn continued to watch the minutes tick by on her phone. Things had been so much easier month ago.
Regret flared in her chest the second the thought passed through her mind. Easier wasn’t always better. It had been easier for her father to toss her out than deal with her being pregnant. It had been easier for her mother to stand silent for months rather than fight with him for her own daughter. It had been easier to hate them both than admit how much they’d hurt her.
Even if Quinn could put everything back the way it was a month ago, would she want to? Was her life any better then than it was now?
Quinn eyed the clock on her phone one more time.
No.
Her fingers danced over the phone’s keyboard.
To: Rachel B (555-3482)
I’m sorry. I’ll fix this.
Berry Home, Rachel’s Room, 8:59a.m.
“Sorry it took so long, Cupca-” Hiram cut himself off as he stepped into the room, tray in hand, and saw Rachel fast asleep in her bed.
“The poor thing.” Leroy whispered as he took the tray from Hiram and carried it over to Rachel’s desk. “Looks like it’s a good thing we kept her home.”
“Do you think we should take her to the doctor?” Hiram asked quietly as he tiptoed over to his daughter’s bed and gently laid his hand against her forehead. “She feels a little warm.”
“How warm?” Leroy asked even as he reached around his partner to replace Hiram’s hand with his own. “…No. I think she’ll be fine. But we’ll take her temperature when she wakes up just to be on the safe side and keep an eye on her in case she shows any other symptoms.” His other arm slipped around to embrace Hiram and Leroy placed his head against his true love’s shoulder as both men peered down at the slumbering teen.
Hiram brought his arms to rest over Leroy’s. “Best thing we’ve ever done.”
Leroy grinned “No argument here.”
Hiram lifted one hand to dab at his eyes. “I know its not for almost another two years but… I don’t know what we’re going to do when she goes off to New York without us.”
Leroy shrugged. “Move?”
Hiram laughed, quickly covering his mouth with one hand as he turned in Leroy’s arms and slapped the other man on the shoulder as quietly as he could.
“What?” Leroy mimed confusion as he tried to suppress the smile playing around his mouth.
“You know wha-”
*Brzzzt-zzzt. Brzzzt-zzzt.*
Both men turned towards the sound in time to see their daughter’s cell phone vibrate its way towards the edge of the nightstand as it buzzed again, then looked over at Rachel to find her still drifting in the land of Nod.
“We should-”
“-agreed.”
Hiram picked up the phone while Leroy fetched the untouched tray and both men gave their little girl one last glance before they slipped out of the room and closed the door behind them.