Author's Note: The song in this chapter is "For You I Will" the acoustic version by Teddy Gieger .com/watch?v=4R3LHfDqnVY It is a beautiful song. I suggest looking at the lyrics. Thank you for reading. Reviews are always welcome.

An exasperated Rachel Berry let out a sigh of relief as soon as the fourth period bell rang. As the rest of the class sluggishly moved out of their seats, Rachel bolted out of hers. After pushing past several students who seemed to think it was acceptable to walk at the speed of a one hundred year old tortoise, she finally reached her destination and frantically spun the dial to open her locker. She shoved her books inside of it, grabbed her lunch bag, and slammed it shut. While the rest of the student body made their way to their next classes, Rachel made a bee-line for the choir room, already feeling her heart race with anticipation at the thought of seeing Quinn. The day before whens she had held the girl tightly in her arms, Rachel swore she had heard her speak. Perhaps today would be different.

She burst into the room not expecting to find Quinn sitting nervously at the piano bench holding onto Puck's guitar.

"Quinn!" Rachel exclaimed, startled to see that Quinn had arrived before her.

Quinn smiled shyly, brushing back a strand of hair behind her ear. It was quite endearing. Rachel moved into the room carefully, plopping her lunch on top of the baby grand.

"What's going on?" she asked curiously as she pulled out her green tea.

As she inserted the straw into the juice box, Rachel saw in the corner of her eye Quinn hesitate as she procured her computer to type out her answer. Then she handed it to Rachel who took it with her free hand as her lips grabbed onto the straw.

I was wondering if today I could sing maybe.

Rachel almost spit out her tea. A massive grin overtook her face as she began to nod enthusiastically.

"Of course!" she cried excitedly.

Quinn beamed back, though her nerves crept out from beneath her smile. An awkward silence overcame the two, both waiting for the other to say something. Rachel cleared her throat.

"Well, first of all you need to remember your breathing. I know you haven't used your voice in quite some time so I think you should do a few breaths before you sing whatever it is you want to sing," Rachel advised confidently.

The blonde exhaled deeply and nodded. Her hand gripped onto the neck of the guitar tighter. She began to play out a series of chords. Rachel recognized the song instantly. Quinn looked to her finally and received an encouraging smile from the brunette. Quinn's shoulders were tense. Her diaphragm was not moving, and she was forcing a smile to hide her fear.

The first verse was approaching. Rachel watched Quinn inhale through her chest and snapped her eyes shut while her mouth opened slightly. The beat continued but Quinn didn't sing, letting out the breath she had inhaled out with frustration. Her fingers stopped their movements, and she ran her hand through her wavy locks of blonde hair.

"Hey it's okay," Rachel said soothingly as she moved towards the distressed blonde, "That was good."

She placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"Try again, okay? I'm right here, it's just me."

Quinn shook her head and pulled out the machine once more, viciously typing her message.

No, that's it. It's you. You're this incredible singer and I suck.

Rachel was taken aback by the anger in the message. Quinn didn't suck at anything, especially singing. Over the course of the previous year she had grown to love the smoothness and almost lightness of Quinn's singing voice and now she was so eager to hear it after an entire year of silence. Rachel seized Quinn's hand and looked directly into those fiery hazel eyes.

"Quinn, listen to me. Do you remember how bad I was when I got laryngitis last year? I will not judge you, though, I admit, I had hoped that you would have learned that by now. You are a great singer, Quinn. Please don't be nervous, okay? I'll still love you even if you sound terrible."

Rachel's body froze as she let out the end of her spiel. Love wasn't supposed to be in there. It was supposed to be "I'll still be your friend" but thanks to an incredibly untimely Freudian slip Rachel feared she had just scared Quinn back into silence. Luckily, Quinn simply blushed at her words and took another deep breath. With a cute nod, she began to strum once again.

A sudden wave of confidence overtook Rachel, causing her to move quietly behind the seated Quinn.

"Now, I can already tell that you aren't breathing correctly," she began as she placed her hands supportively onto Quinn's shoulders.

Quinn's fingers stopped momentarily.

"Oh no!" Rachel said softly. "Keep going."

The music resumed. With it, her heart began to rise up into her throat. Slowly, she placed her hands gently onto Quinn's hips. Her hands curled around Quinn's diaphragm. Quinn's body stilled.

"Just relax and breathe. I just want to," she paused as her fingers spread across the stiff stomach, "… uhm f-feel how you're… breathing exactly… and while I can see your stomach in motion, well I can't accurately tell if you are breathing with your chest or with your… diaphragm. You see you will need a lot of support since you haven't used your voice in quite some time," Rachel rambled, her confidence and control dwindling as she caressed the skin beneath her finger tips.

Just touching the blonde made her stomach flip. The room felt a thousand times warmer as she held onto Quinn. She could hear Quinn's rapid heart beat, but the girl didn't object. Quinn began to play again, effortlessly hitting each note despite their new position. Though her mind was completely focused on how soft Rachel's hold on her was, Quinn continued playing and she thanked God for muscle memory. Could Rachel hear her hearting racing? Maybe she could feel it just by touching her.

The music continued and Quinn decided to follow Rachel's directions at last. Slowly she inhaled and Rachel felt the air rush into the girl's diaphragm as her stomach expanded with the breath. The brunette shivered at the movement.

No. She needed to focus. For Quinn. From her view, she could see Quinn's fingers moving expertly from chord to chord; but what she could not see was the petrified but also curious expression painted on Quinn's face.

Quinn was petrified, because as wrong as this should feel, she wanted Rachel to touch her more. She quickly refocused on exhaling. The air blew past her lips. She heard Rachel sigh only making her heart beat faster. After a while, Quinn grew more confident. Rachel readjusted her grip a little tighter.

"Come on, Quinn," Rachel begged under her breath.

After the last progression, Quinn opened her mouth and released the breath she had been holding, this time adding sound to the mix. She sounded awful, if not worse than the last time she had dared to try. And Rachel had heard it.

She immediately stopped playing and brought her hands to her face to cover herself, hiding from the shame of her voice. But strangely, those two hands still rested comfortably at her hips. As Quinn turned around, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, her eyes met the kind gaze of Rachel who was smiling down at her. She felt a finger stroke over her abdominals; her body shivered at the subtle movement.

Had Rachel's eyes gotten darker? Quinn stared into the two gently eyes that were currently staring right back at her; they had. A fire ignited between her legs. Her own hands touch the ones feeling her. A shot of electricity rushed through her as their skin made contact. Quinn sighed, her eyes flying shut.

"Want to try again?" Rachel asked quietly, staring at the hand over hers.

Quinn nodded and shook her eyes back open, ripping her hand away from Rachel's. Her fingers resumed their motion. She began to breathe once again. Rachel felt the rise and fall of her stomach. Then she heard Quinn open her mouth, the air rush inside, and her release of the first note. And it sounded like the old Quinn for a moment before it cracked horridly.

The body she held tensed, but Rachel refused to let go, the feel of Quinn's skin addicting to her fingers. With one hand she stroked Quinn's back.

"It's okay, Quinn. I think for a first try that was pretty incredible."

Quinn whipped around to meet Rachel, their eyes connecting instantly as both noted the darkness of the other's pupils. Rachel's eyes landed on a pair of perfectly sculpted lips and without her consent her tongue ran over her bottom lip. The urge to devour them surged suddenly within Rachel. She desperately tried to suppress it.

Her mind was telling her to stop, to let go of her hips, to stop staring at those lips, but unfortunately every other fiber of her being hungered to do everything her mind was advising her against.

Rachel's heart was threatening to break through her shirt. She moved the hand stroking Quinn's back to her cheek and caressed it gently, feeling a sigh escape from her inviting lips. Quinn turned her body to face the brunette, but Rachel's other hand remained firmly on her hips, anchored strongly to the intoxicating skin.

Quinn was breathing softly, her breath teasing Rachel's senses. Rachel moved closer to Quinn's lips, and Quinn imitated her movements. Hot breath tickled her cheek like a warm summer breeze.

Their noses brushed against each other, both sighing in unison. Quinn's eyes were open and Rachel finally reopened hers, losing herself in the hazel swirls. Deep within she saw a spark, a fire that she had somehow lit just by being centimeters within her lips. Before she could control herself, they surged together suddenly, their lips meeting both tentatively and slightly hungrily.

Rachel whimpered, reveling in the softness of the lips currently searing into hers. It ignited her soul. A fire raged throughout her all the way down to her toes. She felt the lips against hers press back and it only made her want more.

She wanted more.

Immediately she pulled their lips apart and brought her hands back to her sides. Quinn suddenly looked broken.

"I'm so sorry," she breathed before running out of the room.

-/-
Horrified. That would be the correct word to describe Rachel Berry as she sat alone in the girl's bathroom during her sixth period history class. How could she have been so stupid? How could she kiss Quinn when she knew how vulnerable she was? Could she have been any more selfish? As she continued to berate herself, her mind kept replaying their kiss on a loop. Her lips were on fire as well as another region of her body.

She brought her hands up to them and felt them tingling. Rachel couldn't seem to go a minute without reliving the kiss in her mind.

"Why did I do that?" she whimpered as she thrust her face into her hands.

She would see Quinn after school at Glee rehearsal, so she had a few periods to figure out what the heck she would say, assuming that she would even be able to speak when the opportunity arose. With a deep breath, Rachel removed herself from her perch, straightened out her skirt, and exited the stall once she was certain that she was alone.

On her way out, she double-checked herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her bright eyes practically screamed "I just kissed Quinn Fabray!" and- wait, and did her lips seem different? Rachel made a beeline for the sink and clutched the porcelain firmly as she further examined herself. Frantically she splashed her face with water and dried off quickly with a paper towel. Once she deemed herself acceptable she walked out of the bathroom, her skirt swishing behind her faithfully.

-/-
The Glee club members chatted animatedly in the choir room while they waited for Mr. Schuster and the remainder of the group to trickle in. Rachel sat in the corner practically pulling her hair out while her teammates enjoyed each other's company obliviously. Her eyes went once again to the empty doorway. While she stared longingly, Finn plopped down beside her and slid his arm around her chair.

"Hey, Rach," he said cheerfully.

She ripped her gaze from the door as her eyes looked up to the boy gazing down at her expectantly. Forcing a smile, Rachel ignored her urge to look back at the door.

"Hello, Finn," she replied softly.

Finn was oblivious to her dejected behavior. He smiled that goofy smile at her for a few moments before engaging a bit more in the conversation.

"So do you maybe wanna go out someti-,"

"No," she interrupted flatly.

He pouted, hurt by her curt response, and moved back over to Mike and Sam who were currently trying to see who could fit a quarter on their nose. Sam was losing and suggested trying it out on their lips but Mike was quick to protest.

Mr. Scheuster walked in as the band finished tuning their instruments. The talking simmered down while Mr. Schuester wrote some of the songs they had in their repertoire on the whiteboard at the front of the room. Today was supposed to be the rehearsal where they voted on a set list, though most of them knew it was probably going to change within a few days, a week tops.

"Alright, guys, now I have written some of the potential Nationals numbers we have in our back pocket. Here's our problem. At Nationals I want everyone to have their chance to shine equally so picking out a set list that will do just that will be difficult for us. But I think we can do it!"

Tina rolled her eyes.

"Now, is everyone here?"

Everyone looked around the room.

"Quinn isn't here," Rachel said softly, her hands firmly on her lap, her stomach churning with anxiety.

Mr. Scheuster frowned slightly.

"Well let's just wait until she-," he began but was interrupted by the blonde's entrance.

He smiled. "Hey, Quinn! Take a seat. We were just about to choose the set list for Regionals."

She smiled back in that small Quinn smile Rachel had grown quite fond of., though she preferred it when she smiled fully. Her full smile was one that she had only witnessed when they were alone together.

Quinn didn't seem like she had been crying or had been upset at all. That was a good sign at least. Rachel was so busy trying to avoid eye contact that she didn't see that Quinn hadn't taken her seat yet. Instead when she met the gaze of the blonde, Quinn was typing a message and showing it to the curly haired teacher.

Mr. Schuester nodded enthusiastically, grinning widely.

"Hey, guys," he said excitedly, "before we vote Quinn has prepared a song for us."

Each and every jaw in the room dropped to the floor, Rachel's the hardest.

Mr. Schuester stepped back to sit in the vacant seat next to Rachel who was currently in shock.

The blonde gracefully made her way to one of the stands and grabbed the acoustic guitar. Pulling over a stool, Quinn sat down before tuning the instrument. Her eyes never met Rachel's. Rachel's heart throbbed against her chest. What if she was singing a song about how much she hated Rachel? What if she was singing about not loving Rachel?

Quinn looked up from her instrument at her audience who were gaping at her. She threw them all a quick smile as she began to strum the guitar lightly. Her fingers moved from string to string. And then, almost as quickly as it had begun, Quinn opened her lips, releasing the breath she had just inhaled.

The voice that emanated from the blonde was foreign. It was a bit raspier than she had remembered, but Rachel was equally enamored. As the song continued and Quinn's grip on the guitar loosened as her nerves melted with the music, Rachel hung on her every word. Quinn opened her eyes and stared deeply at Rachel, who was dumbfounded.

Rachel's heart was in her throat as her eyes eagerly drank in every bit of the girl in front of her. She felt hot tears build up in the back of her eyes. She willed them not to fall. Everything suddenly inside of her was numb and excited all at the same time. Her heart was thrusting out of her chest and the hair on her arms rose at the now crisp yet delicate voice singing to her, singing to Rachel.

Quinn was supposed to be freaking out not reciprocating. She was supposed to hate Rachel for kissing her, not wanting more. The blonde smiled softly as she flew into the next verse, eying Rachel as she sang the first line.

A flash of pain rippled through two hazel eyes that were struggling to remain dry. Quinn was doing it. She was bearing it all for the club, for Rachel. And as Rachel continued to be enamored by the performance, her heart swelled because she had gotten Quinn to open her lips, to open her heart, and finally feel something other than depression. It was her not some psychologist or councilor or doctor. Rachel Berry, the girl who Quinn had hated for years, was the one to finally get Quinn to use her voice again.

Quinn's eyes landed now on Rachel, solely on Rachel, as she surged into the bridge, her fingers working wonders on the wooden instrument. The pace increased as Quinn belted out as strongly as she allowed the song was saying all of the things she didn't have the courage to say or rather didn't have the voice to say to the brunette. Her heart was pounding rapidly as Rachel melted at the sound of Quinn's voice.

A tear escaped, traveling slowly down Quinn's flushed cheek leaving a clear trail. Rachel's hand gravitated towards her heart, feeling the rapid pace distinctly. Everyone else in the room dissipated leaving only her and the blonde. Tears were streaming down both of their faces, but one was beaming the other was struggling to keep going. Rachel flashed her bright smile, one that gave Quinn the strength to finish despite the pain in her throat and the tears burning down her face. With a deep breath, she began the final chorus.

The guitar slowly faded, the room gradually filling with silence but then was overwhelmed with applause from the rest of the audience. Quinn's eyes were locked on Rachel's though as she got up from her stool, gently placing the guitar down. Her cheeks were glowing, eyes bright with both fear and love.

"I…just wanted to thank you guys for letting me stay here for all of this time," she began as she wiped the tears off of her face gently, "I have been so… selfish. And I am so sorry for everything especially to you, Puck."

The boy smiled weakly as his eyes glistened with tears. He nodded.

"I hope you all can forgive me," she choked out as a silent sob wracked her frail body.

Within seconds, twelve sets of arms embraced her. Quinn reveled in the strength, letting all of her walls down immediately. After a few moments, she caught Rachel's eye, and she smiled softly. She snaked her way out of the crowd, mumbling thank you's as she made her way towards the brunette.

Rachel tingled with anticipation. A slender hand grabbed hers, the entire glee club gawking at the scene, and pulled her slowly out of the classroom. Once out of the spotlight, Quinn guided Rachel towards the courtyard where during the springtime most of the student body enjoyed their lunches. They sat down on a bench; their hands were still very much entwined, and both girls sighed simultaneously. Quinn's eyes darted from Rachel to the floor until finally they set on the girl next to her.

"Rachel," she croaked timidly, causing Rachel's heart to leap.

Quinn had said her name. It had been two years since that name had been uttered from those lips towards her. She whimpered at the sound. Before the blonde could continue Rachel interrupted.

"Oh God I was so worried that after… we kissed you'd hate me and never want to see me again. I can't believe you did-,"

"Rachel," Quinn said with a bit more volume.

Rachel blushed furiously.

"Sorry," she whispered sheepishly.

Quinn smiled, squeezing the hand in hers.

"It's okay."

A breeze blew by causing Quinn's blonde hair to flow behind her. Rachel's heart stopped.

"Quinn?" she began nervously.

"Mhm?"

"What was it that made you… this way?"

Quinn sighed, brushing back a strand of her hair.

"I've been afraid," she whispered, "afraid of forgetting her. If I went on with my life and got back on the Cheerio's and went back to school then it would be like she never existed. If I didn't talk about it then I wouldn't have to forget it. If I didn't speak about it then it would be like it wasn't over. Like I was still pregnant. Like I still had her. Like I didn't give her away. Because she'll never know how much I love her and I just- I don't deserve to talk or to be popular or anything," her eyes dropped to the ground, "I don't deserve you."

Rachel gasped and quickly pulled Quinn's face into her hands.

"Quinn Fabray, you deserve everything, okay? You cannot keep punishing yourself for something that is now out of your control. Yes, you made a mistake, but you made up for that. You gave your child away to a woman who will give her a life you couldn't have given her. And she will always know you love her. You deserve this," she demanded firmly but lowered her voice for her last word, "You deserve me."

Quinn cried quietly but her tears were wiped away by Rachel's tender thumb.

"I need to tell you something," she breathed.

Rachel nodded slowly.

"I know I used to be popular and everything, but I never really had friends. And then you, the one girl I was the worst to, wanted to be mine when nobody else did. You talked to me even though you knew I wouldn't talk back. And then I just kept wanting to talk to you, the real way, but I couldn't. You were just so open and willing and caring and I just didn't understand. Why do you even care about me? I was a bitch to you for so long I just-I just-," she choked on her words, struggling to find the correct way to say her thoughts, "thank you, Rachel. God, thank you so much."

Rachel wrapped her arms around the shaking blonde and rested her chin on her shoulder.

"You're welcome."

Slowly, they pulled back and their eyes met instantly. Quinn noted the sudden darkness in the normally light brown as the brunette eyed her lips. She moved herself closer to Rachel gingerly. As their foreheads touched Rachel dipped her head lower and enveloped the blonde's lips in hers, causing a sensation so overwhelming, so intense, that she gasped into the lips against hers. Her mind suddenly ceased functioning. Their lips began to part and resurge into a wave of lust and love and longing. She explored Quinn's lips, tasting all there was to taste, and she let the blonde do the same. The feel of Quinn's smooth lips against hers lit a fire in the pit of her stomach and in her heart

Both eventually needed air, a requirement that caused their lips to part. Their bodies were still close, but never close enough. Rachel's hands were securely placed on her hips and Quinn's was caressing her cheek, a touch that caused her skin to tingle.

"God," she whispered as she shut her eyes.

For the first time, reality didn't scare Quinn back into herself, only to become lost in the darkness of her mind. Now she only wanted more of reality, more of Rachel and more of life.