Never asked to feel your halo (Faberry)

29: Here We Go Again.

(A/N: Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter, you guys rock!)

Despite how chilly it was outside, Rachel's bedroom window was open so that she would get a little warning if a car pulled into her drive. She didn't really expect one to, at least not until much later when her dads returned home, but she really wasn't sure what purpose prank-calling her about stopping by would serve for Quinn. This was the only way she could think to prepare for the unlikely event of the head cheerleader actually showing up on her doorstep. And with Cheerios, as with any of life's more trying aspects, any preparation was better than none.

A nervous glance at her clock showed it was quarter to seven when she heard a vehicle slow in the street – at least three hours earlier than she expected her fathers back – and the familiar bump-bump of tires travelling over the curb into her driveway and then the engine being shut off. It was just over twenty-eight minutes since she had received the phone call. Rachel's heart started racing and her palms were sweating despite the low temperature in the room and, oh, Barbra, what was she doing here? Didn't she at least deserve her home to be a Quinn-free sanctuary?

Setting her pen down carefully, she took a slow walk from her bedroom and down the stairs. She was halfway down when the doorbell rang. She still wasn't sure she even wanted to answer it.

And the way she rushed down the final three steps proved she was a liar. She did pause long enough to straighten her skirt and run a hand through her hair before opening the door though.

"Hello, Quinn."

"Hello."

They stood staring at each other for several seconds.

"It's freezing out here, Berry!"

"Then give me my scarf and you can get back in your warm car."

Quinn's jaw dropped, "Are you kidding me? I just left Finn's to come and see you."

Rachel huffed, but as much as she wanted to say 'And?' she could see Quinn shivering and moved to the side, reluctantly waving her in.

"I didn't ask you to," she said as she closed the door again.

"I know."

They stood awkwardly in the foyer. Quinn seemed even more nervous than her, probably because she was hating every second of being there. That was hardly Rachel's fault though. As she'd said, she hadn't asked the girl to arrive on her doorstep.

"Are your parents home?"

"No. My Dad is meeting a client after work and won't be home until late and my Daddy just left for his night shift. Do not think that means I am unprotected though. I still have my rape whistle and there are panic buttons all over the house."

Quinn smiled. "Really?"

"Perhaps not all over the house," she admitted because the smile didn't seem too threatening.

"Can I see them?"

"It is not good practice to show an intruder where the panic buttons are, Quinn."

"I'm not an intruder, you just let me in."

"That doesn't make you any less of an intruder."

They stared at each other for long enough that Quinn's smile slipped completely away and she stared at the floor. It was uncharacteristically meek of her but Rachel wasn't going to be lulled into sympathy for what could only be a ruse of some kind.

"Do you have my scarf?"

"Sure."

Quinn pulled it out of her bag and handed it over. After checking it thoroughly, Rachel could see no sign that it had ever been slushied and she relented a little.