Will The Real Rachel Berry Please Stand Up?

13

Rachel stood by her locker next morning reflecting on the very enjoyable evening she had spent with the Fabrays. Judy had prepared a lovely vegan meal and then they had started playing some of her old vinyl records interspersed with YouTube tracks Rachel and Quinn had suggested on a laptop. Now she was being greeted by her fellow Gleeks and chatting informally. She spotted Quinn heading down the corridor towards her locker before she was waylaid by Coach Sylvester.

Sue's dulcet tones floated down the corridor, "Ah Q a word in my office". Quinn reluctantly traipsed along behind Sue and into her office. The trick to surviving a conversation with Sue was to present a fully attentive front whilst screening Sue speak for the salient points ignoring insults and anecdotes. She sifted through the 'penthouse Cheerios and footballers', and 'basement Glee kids'. The salient point this time seemed to be her friendship with 'Streisand' needed to end immediately – the other four and a half minutes of speech were just dressing. Quinn sort clarity, why did it matter who she was friends with? Sue's response left her no clearer as there was no 'natural order of things' around friendship.

"Q let me break it down for you, you can retain your high status here and your college scholarship prospects by being part of a National Championship winning team or you can pursue this grotesque, and quite frankly nausea-inducing, friendship with a walking, talking, singing doll. You've lost the Captaincy regardless after displaying such poor judgement - it's your position on the Cheerios that is now at stake."

Sue folded her arms and was awaiting Quinn's capitulation. Quinn took a deep breath.

"Coach. Let me give you a choice. I stay friends with Rachel and I stay a Cheerio or I stay friends with Rachel and I'm not a Cheerio. Up to you." Quinn was pleased her voice was steady and that it was now her offering ultimatums. Part of her was amazed to realise that actually she didn't mind if she was in the Cheerios or not. It seemed Sue was less than happy judging from the disgusted expression on her face.

"In that case Q I'll give you the rest of the week to reconsider otherwise I'll expect your uniforms back on my desk by the end of tomorrow."

"I'll bring them in first thing. Thanks" Quinn threw in as she left feeling as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She found Santana arms crossed leaning on the wall outside the door. "Have fun S looks like the captaincy is going to be yours,"Quinn said brightly.

Santana shook her head slowly, "Giving up all this to be midget's friend Quinn? I don't understand.."

"She makes me feel good about myself." Quinn shrugged," It really is as simple as that."

"Everything okay Quinn? What did Sue want?" Rachel asked as she rushed to catch up with Quinn, having been pacing impatiently outside Sue's office for the duration of the chat garnering disapproving stares from Santana. Quinn smiled slipping her arm through Rachel's "nothing important" she said catching Sue's eye through the window of her office.

Rachel couldn't help a frightened squeal escaping from her lips as she was dragged into an empty classroom as she headed to the auditorium at lunchtime. She knew Quinn had some study group or other and the Glee boys were looking for some input on a number they were practising so she had a slight fear no-one would notice she was missing.

"Can it Manhands" Santana growled at her.

"Sorry Santana was there some reason you felt the need to abduct me? I think you'll find that the penalties can be quite draconian although as a minor .." Rachel felt a familiar air of satisfaction as she baited Santana.

"Stop talking" Santana snapped, "I need to talk to you away from your Siamese twin Quinn"

"Technically I think the idea of us being conjoined twins is erroneous on so many levels as you certainly wouldn't be able to separate us without the risk of.." Rachel said brightly.