The Country

Summer 2011:

Rachel hated the Country.

Well perhaps 'hate' was a strong word. But she didn't like it. It was not her first choice to be driving into the deep country for the summer. Memories of her as a child, stepping in the pile of horse shit haunting her mind.

Blurred images of houses flew pass Rachel. Her head slumped onto the window, the heat from the summer's sun, hitting her directly. Her dads sat in the front, talking about idle things as they came closer and closer to their destination.

Rachel had nothing better to do this summer, it's not like she had great friends to stay behind for. Her fathers purposed the idea to her in April when Rachel began to try to find summer activities so she wouldn't claw her eyes out. Even though she wasn't thrilled by the idea, it was better than spending her time at the limited recreational center in Lima.

Their small car rolled on by the buildings which slowly began to become more spread apart till they disappeared altogether. Soon only empty fields started rolling past her. Rachel's eyes half lidded recognized that they were closing in. She knew this because there were no signs of civilization other than the odd barn house. They turned onto a long dirt road, the car jostling around, Rachel grumbled sitting back up straight. Her eyes flickered out the window scanning the scattered cattle in the field, and large wheels of hay.

They had really left their town behind. If Rachel though Lima was small she obviously had forgotten just how small Oaktown was. She hadn't been here since she was ten, around seven years ago. Back then she ran gleefully around the yard, keeping her grandmother company as she knitted, and tended to her extensive vegetable garden. Her Grandmother Helena was a popular figure in the town, everyone knowing her name and greeting her when they passed. Rachel felt like a socialite back then, everyone wanting to know things about her at Helena's side. She was a proud ten year-old, believing to already be set into her skin.

"Almost there," Her daddy smiled.

Rachel sighed, leaning back. Obviously this time would not be as exciting, sure she may have more ground to explore, and she would be moderately entertained. But that didn't discount how truly boring it still would be, the attention span of a seventeen year old only went so far, and Rachel's went even less. She was a city girl- she dreamed of bright lights, busy roads, and bustling streets. Oaktown was anything but. She really wasn't in her prime here.

They pulled into the gravel driveway the car slowly crunching under the rocks as they pulled up to the large house. To describe it simply the house looked like a doll house. It was white, with blue framing, and pink boarding the windows. There was a large wrap around porch with a swimming bench, a large American flag slightly waved in the breeze, sticking out from the porch.

Rachel undid her seat belt, opening the door at the same time as her parents. From the bench her grandmother ran, her long white hair pulled back into a ponytail. She smiled brightly at her sons and granddaughter crying out with joy. "There you are!" behind her an old golden retriever waddled, "I was wondering when you would be getting here."

"Hey," her dad grinned, hugging his mother tightly, "I missed you."

She pulled back lightly tapping his cheek affectionately, "That's because you haven't been visiting silly."

Her daddy pulled out their suitcases from the truck, smirking. Helena turned to Rachel gasping, "Oh my lord," she muttered "you have grown!"

Rachel smiled being smothered by her grandmother as she tightly embraced her. "That's what seems to happen," Hiram added.

"-Even as much as we wished it didn't."

Helena cradled Rachel's face in-between her hands "you are practically a woman!"

"Oh I wouldn't go that far," LeRoy laughed "just last week she threw a tantrum after losing monopoly."

"Dad!" Rachel snapped, "That's because you cheated."

Her grandmother smiled with amusement, the dog licking at Rachel's hand. Rachel bent over patting her on the head, and scratching her behind the ear. "She's gotten old," Rachel observed, the white fur now bordering the dog's eyes and snout.

"Oh, Missy is an old hag just like me now," Helena laughed. "Come on, let's get out of this heat."

Rachel picked up her roller suitcase, having to lift it up over the gravel driveway, carrying into the air conditioned home. The instant wave of relief was met inside, the same old grey carpet and light blue walls surrounding her. "You remember where your room is right?"

"Yeah," Rachel nodded, taking her suitcase up the narrow stairs and down the hallway to the white door. Opening it she let out a sigh of appeasement. The room was just as beautiful as she remembered.

A full sized bed was push up the wall, white sheets a white comforter lying on top. A built in window seat with pillows pulled her in. she dropped her bag onto the bed, walking around to the bend and sitting down. The window over looked the front drive way, and the fields nearby.

She watched her parent's walk back out to the car a couple of times before they were totally unpacked. Rachel walked back unzipping her bag and taking out her sunglasses and hat. She stumbled back down the stairs to the porch where they had all gathered under the shade. Rachel pinched her yoga pants absent mildly looking out at the yard.

"Lemonade?" Helena asked gesturing to her side were a small tray of glasses and pitcher sat.

Rachel nodded, sitting down in a seat and taking the glass her grandmother handed her. She began to sip on it slowly, answering her grandma's endless questions about herself. She told her all about becoming team captain for her glee club, singing in the competitions, and finally being able to go to New York. Helena gasped and smiled, listening to Rachel's endless rant with the utmost interest. It was a nice change, Rachel was so used to people discounting her, and telling her to shut up.

There was a grumble, and a roar. Rachel looked up to see a cloud of smoke spraying up behind fairly large grey and blue pick-up-truck. "Oh I forgot to tell her," Helena mumbled shaking her head.

"Tell who?" Rachel asked, curiously craning her neck.

"I have a girl come in, she is trying to fix the sink upstairs, she comes by most days, I believe she thinks I need company." Helena grunted pushing herself up, "She is a sweet girl, she is actually your age Rachel."

"Oh,"

"I could have fixed your sink Helena," Hiram said.

"Well you two weren't here," Helena snorted.

The truck pulled up, parking behind the small Volvo. The girl stayed inside for a moment, before the driver's door opened. The girl was hidden by the cabin, reaching behind in the truck to get a metal box, carrying it up the drive way.

Rachel's breath caught in her throat as the full image of the girl came into view. She had short blonde hair that was pushed out of her eyes. She wore dark jeans tucked into brown cowboy boots. A sleeveless white blouse slightly flapped in the breeze, the buttons on the top were buttoned up on ¾ of the way leaving most of the girl's collar bones and top of her chest exposed.

She was beautiful.

"Quinn!" Helena greeted the girl kindly.

"Miss Berry," she said.

Rachel's eyes fixated on her, not even carrying that she was obviously starring. Quinn's eyes flashed over to Rachel studying her and then to her fathers. Rachel's eyes first seeing the deep hazel eyes. "Hello," Quinn grinned, a slight tang in her voice.

"I forgot to tell you Quinn, my son, his husband and their daughter were coming today."

"Oh," Quinn acknowledged, "No problem."

Quinn turned to the family pinching the red box under her arm and taking her dark working glove off, sticking her hand out. "Hello there, nice to meet you I'm Quinn." She politely stated, she shook Rachel's hand first.

"Rachel," The brunette responded.

"Hi there," Rachel's father muttered.

Quinn straightened her back, looking back at Helena, "Well I'll be getting out of your hair then."

"Oh that's fine," LeRoy waved off, "come join us, any friend of my mother's has to be good, she has the nose of a bloodhound when it comes to judging character." He paused looking Quinn up and down. "You're Fabray's girl right?"

Quinn nodded, shifting her weight.

"I remember you, obviously you were only a child back then, that was Rachel's first visit remember?" he turned to his husband.

"Oh," Hiram pointed, his eyes growing "The girl with Rachel's lollipop." LeRoy nodded, Helena slightly laughing.

Rachel looked over to her two fathers in confusion, "What?"

Hiram and LeRoy were having a silent amused conversation. It was something Rachel had accustomed to. Both men seemed to be able to have conversations by just looking at each other. Hiram laughed when LeRoy muttered something that Rachel wasn't able to pick up on.

Helena sat back down, tugging the box from Quinn's arms and setting it on the table. She motioned her to sit down, telling her she would push her down if she had to. Quinn smirked shaking her head, and taking a chair next to Helena.

Finally after half a minute LeRoy looked back at his daughter and the blonde. "It was the first time we brought you out here darling." He started "You were little, four years?" he looked back at his husband for confirmation.

"Almost four," Hiram nodded.

"-Almost four and we took you out to the local farmers market."

Hiram began to chuckle, "Do you remember those ridiculous overalls we put her in?"

"-they were adorable." Helena interjected,

"She hated them." LeRoy laughed, "Anyways we had just arrived at the farmers market and Hiram like always, wanted to spoil you rotten and bought you a lollipop the size of your face."

"You're exaggerating," Hiram rolled his eyes.

"I'm really not," LeRoy pointed at Quinn, "Quinn was there with her mother, and when Quinn caught sight of the lollipop in Rachel's hands her eyes went crazed. She just had to have it"

Quinn began to laugh, watching the men, "she skipped up to Rachel asking permission for her sweet."

"You're mannered even when you are steeling candy," Helena snorted.

"At least I'm consistent," Quinn quirked.

"Rachel was stunned that someone would ask for her lollipop and she quickly told you 'no' but you were persistent. Judy was with us all afternoon so you had plenty of time to annoy our girl, trying to get her candy. Finally at the end, your charm had finally been stretched and you snatched the thing right out from her hands."

Rachel's face screwed up amused, looking back to Quinn for a quick moment, catching her gaze. The blonde smirked at her, shifting back into her chair.

"Rachel was having none of it and she screamed crying out. Judy took the lollipop from Quinn's hands but not quick enough before Quinn got a few licks in." LeRoy continued, "Once Rachel got her candy back she looked so disgusted that Quinn had licked it that she shoved it right back into the girl's hands, stomping away. And that was when the famous Rachel Berry storm off was born."

Rachel huffed, crossing her arms, slouching back in her chair. Quinn was laughing to herself. Rachel was slightly amazed how at ease she looked, as if she had known her dads longer than ten minutes. Small town folk Rachel thought, they are all creepily friendly.

Quinn turned to Rachel, a light smile still stretching across her lips. "I'm sorry, for steeling your lolly."

Rachel shook her head, her eyes wide, "no problem…" she muttered.

"I'll have to somehow repay you. Childhood traumas follow people into their later life you know."

Cheeky.

"Maybe," Rachel scoffed.

"So what are you doing the rest of the day darling?" Helena asked, lifting the glass to her lips.

"I was planning on being here for a while, but I'll probably head over to Joes, I need to get the soles of my boots replaced." Quinn answered, flipping her boot up and looking at the bottom.

Helena swallowed smiling, "you should take Rachel," She motioned to her granddaughter.

"What" Rachel spoke up, straightening her back, "Oh no it's fine." Rachel was slightly wary of being alone with a girl like Quinn. Back home Rachel avoided girls like her. The small glint in the blonde's eyes threw a mischievous undertone to her seeming noble exterior.

"None sense, you're going to be here for a while child, you need some of that city taken out of you. A new pair of boots will do just the trick."

Her father's seemed to agree, Hiram already pulling out his wallet to hand over some money. Rachel felt her nerves speed up, her eyes glancing around the porch. Back in Lima it would be weird to take out a stranger you just meet shopping, here it seemed strange if Rachel declined that offer.

"Oh, go on." Helena shooed, "You don't want to be stuck with us for the rest of the afternoon do you? It will get you accustomed to some of the town. We will have dinner ready by the time you get home."

"Come on," Quinn motioned, standing up and brushing her hands on her pants. "I won't steel anything of yours this time, I promise."

Rachel had no other option. She couldn't deny her now without looking like some stuck up loner. She got up rather awkwardly, taking the outstretched money and stuffing it into the inside of her bra strap. She pushed her hair back, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth looking up at the blonde.

"Alright," Rachel caved, "lead the way."

Quinn flashed a toothy smile picking up her red tool box placing her gloves into it. "Tell Joe I said hi, will you?" Helena said.

"Of course," Quinn nodded.

"See you soon,"

"-have fun honey." Both of her father's said at the same time. She waved behind her following Quinn to her old truck.

Quinn glanced over at her a couple times down the path, opening the passenger side door. "Thanks," Rachel began to climb up, and that wasn't a figure of speech she was literally climbing up into the seat. She slipped once her foot hitting the gravel hard. She grumbled finally getting enough momentum to clamber into the seat. She could hear Quinn silently chuckle as she dumped the box into the back walking around to the driver's side.

The car smelt of old truck for lack of a better term.

Quinn rested her hand on the back of the passenger seat, right behind Rachel's head as she backed up. Quinn waved at the porch before finally pulling off down the road.

"So Joe is a boot store?" Rachel asked idly, making simple conversation. Rachel wasn't even sure how far away this place is, she could be in this truck for a while.

Quinn turned on her radio an older country song coming on, how original.

She has a tang in her voice.

She wears cowboy boots

She's nice to complete strangers

She listened to country music.

Rachel silently ticked off the stereotypical things this girl had already done. Quinn turned her head to Rachel, smirking

Damn that smirk.

"It's not really a store, Joe has a bar and he makes boots on the side." Quinn explained, "He is the best around though."

"Of course,"

"You really are a city girl aren't you?"

"I come from a small town. I hardly believe that makes me a city girl," Rachel huffed.

"You want to go to the big city though right?"

"I- how do you know that?"

"Your grandmother likes to talk about you."

"Oh," Rachel popped, "Well if you must know yes, I would love to move to New York."

"So if you are such a city girl, why are you out here?" Quinn asked curiously.

"I had nothing better to do," Rachel shrugged.

Quinn snorted turning onto paved road, finally. "Serious?"

"Well yes," Rachel answered slightly self-consciously.

Quinn puckered her lips, "Well Oaktown is happy to be your second choice."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What are you doing this summer?" Rachel asked

Quinn shrugged, "A little of this a little of that,"

"Fun."

It was silent after the roar of the engine vibrating Rachel's seat as she listened to the old country music. "you like the oldies?" Rachel asked,

"I like most anything," Quinn responded easily.

Anything country…

Luckily for Rachel it was only another five minutes more minutes until they stopped on the side of the road besides a building. Rachel unbuckled herself, jumping out. Quinn led her up to the door, opening up the screen door with a weary creak. Rachel peered inside the dimly lit bar a couple of old men sitting on the bar stools. A younger looking woman stood beside the pool table, playing against herself. A quite whisper of music filtered through the space.

Rachel was close to Quinn, staying to her side as if she was tied to a leash. Quinn strode up to the counter, taping her palm onto the dark wood.

"Hey there Derek," she nodded to the man beside her. Her grunted in greetings taking another swig of his drink.

The swinging doors behind the bar snapped open and a man in his late forties stepped out. He had dusty blonde hair and a rough stubble face. His eyes found Quinn, instantly grinning brightly.

"Quinn!"

"Hey there Joe," Quinn smiled.

Joe opened behind the bar, a dish cloth draped across his shoulder, his eyes flicked over to the shorter girl nodding towards her, "She's a pretty one," Joe smirked. Rachel shifted uneasy, "you keep bringing them in prettier and prettier."

Quinn shook her head, "this is Rachel, Miss Berry's granddaughter."

"Oh shit," he muttered rubbing his right hand across his shirt, "I'm sorry, Joe." He greeted her shaking Rachel's hand rather brusquely.

"er- Rachel."

"So what can I do for you two," He asked.

"I need my soles replaced." Quinn stated, "And Rachel here needs to get some boots, we got to take some of the city out of her."

Joe chuckled, opening the side of the bar, "Come on back."

Quinn nodded Rachel to follow her, both of them moving back with Joe through the swinging doors he had first entered from. Rachel silently gasped when she found an entire room filled with different boots. The smell of leather polish and old leather invading her senses.

"Now let's see those," Joe pointed to Quinn, putting glasses on. Quinn kicked the boots off, handing one to the man.

He inspected them silently for a minute, nodding "It won't take long." He finally noted, "And for you…" he began looking at the wall behind him, "You can look at this section they are the cowgirl boots."

Rachel nodded walking over to the wall. She started looking at them they all had different stitched designs on them. Some of them were darker than other, some looked older and some were bright red. Quinn was at her side, looking at some of the boots as well, "what do you think?" the blonde asked.

Rachel turned her head to the side, running her finger across the leather, "I like these." She said looking at a bright flaming red pair. She glanced at Quinn whose face was twisted, "What?"

Quinn pulled Rachel to her side, showing off another pair. "Those red boots are for the tourist that come through, you need to get real cowboy boots." She explained.

Rachel had a hard time believing Oaktown had many tourist coming though.

Rachel sighed looking up. Quinn picked up a dark pair of black boots with black stitching, "try these."

Rachel walked to the bench, sitting down taking her shoes off and trying to tug her new boots on. She struggled not being able to get her foot all the way in. Watching her struggle Quinn walked over with a polite smile. "Here let me help."

Quinn bent onto her knee, taking the boot in her hands and pressing it up, taking her other hand and wrapping it around Rachel's ankle pressing it downward. Rachel's foot finally slipped in easily. "The first fit is always tight."

"Oh," Rachel nodded, "Perfect fit…"

"Well there you go Cinderella." Quinn patted her thigh, standing back up. Rachel silently rolled her eyes, tugging the boot off and handing Joe his appropriate amount of money.

Joe was done in another ten minutes handing Quinn her freshly polish and redone brown boots. She was just about to leave when she noticed Rachel holding her black boots. "What are you doing?" the cowgirl asked.

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.

"Put them on, they won't look any prettier in your hands."

Joe chuckled, walking back out into the bar to serve the old gentlemen. "But I already have my keds on."

"Well then take them off."

Rachel grunted to herself, taking her shoes off and slamming her feet into the boots, a little forcible in order to make sure they went in. Rachel muttered under her breath looking back up at Quinn, who was watching her with pure amusement. "There, better?"

"Almost," Quinn mumbled, she bent down right in front of Rachel, causing the brunette to gasp.

What the-

Quinn was on her knees directly in front of her, if anyone walked in this would look rather scandalous. Rachel finally realized what the blonde was doing, as she tucked her pants into her boots. She sighed with slight relief when she figured it out.

"Better," Quinn snickered, standing back up in front of Rachel, taking a step back to place some distance in-between them. "Although the yoga pants will have to go at some point too, they don't exactly go with your outfit."

"Funny, I didn't think cowboy's cared about their fashion." Rachel responded walking out of the room, Quinn quick on her tail.

"You better believe it." Quinn quirked, "there is a western catalog if you are confused about the fashion."

Rachel shook her head, "You can't be serious."

Quinn passed by Joe, yanking his magazine out of his hands, that she knew he would be holding.

"Hey!" he protested

She jumped up behind Rachel dropping it in front of her face, "as you can see this shows the trends of cowboy boots, and other leather accessories… well all but the dirty kind."

Rachel hid her face into the cover, looking through the papers spinning on the ball of her foot looking back at Quinn. "I see," she stated pushing it back into Quinn's chest. "Sorry to say, demine and flannel aren't really my style."

The blonde, blindly tossed the book back, it fluttered into the air, smacking onto the bar counter. Joe grumbled picking it back up annoyed. "Oh I am sure you would look fine." Quinn drawled looking Rachel up and down.

Rachel shifted under her gaze, "I purchased cowboy boots today, I think that will suffice."

"You would make your grandmother proud if you embraced it you know," She rocked back on her heels.

"Later," Rachel waved, "Aren't you supposed to be taking me home."

Quinn shrugged gesturing to the door, "After you."

Rachel turned sharply stomping over pushing the door open. Quinn had her home quickly after some idly chitchat in her truck. Rachel was reviled when she was able to jump out of the truck. Quinn got out as well walking around the truck.

"I'm capable of walking to the door by myself you know," Rachel stated.

Quinn smirked, holding up a pair of shoes, "You forgot your 'keds'."

Rachel's brown eyes snapped to the dangling shoes in Quinn's hands. "Oh," she nodded, "Thank you."

"No problem,"

"Thank you for taking me out today," Rachel looked down.

"Anytime, if you ever get bored just come around." Quinn was walking back around to her truck before Rachel had time to say much else. "Have a lovely evening."

"Bye."

Rachel waited, waving as Quinn pulled away before walking to the front door. She stalled for a moment, looking over her shoulder shaking her head and opening the door.

Rachel ate, after getting a handful of compliments on her new boots. She went to bed not long after, tired of the long day of driving. She didn't fall asleep easily the heat even in the night, causing her to kick her blankets off of herself forcibly. She huffed, realizing that tomorrow would be no different.

It was another four days before the blonde had made reappearance. Rachel had helped her grandmother tend to her garden Missy panting in the shade of a tree as her fathers were out in the country. Rachel had just placed a new tomato plant in covering it with dirt when she looked up. She wiped her forehead, Quinn walking up with a small basket.

"Quinn dear," Helena smiled standing up and brushing off her capris.

"Hello Miss Berry, Rachel."

"How are you?" the old woman asked, Missy already at Quinn feet wagging her tail furiously.

Quinn pated her head softly smiling, holding the basket up, "My mother said you have been deprived of her raisin muffins for too long."

"Oh Judy," Helena shook her head, "Come on we can put it inside." Helena gestured for Quinn to follow her.

Rachel stood up, Quinn smirking at her as she brushed the dirt off her denim jeans. Quinn followed the old woman inside, Rachel crossing her arms before stepping forward. Inside Quinn was able to set the basket back onto the counter.

"Where is Oliver?" Helena asked abruptly, "you know Missy is missing him."

Quinn chuckle smoothing her hair back on her head, "I'll let him know he needs to come around more often."

Rachel thought to ask who Oliver was, but stuck her lips back together.

Probably just Quinn's boyfriend.

"What have you been getting up to?" Quinn asked the two of them, "She hasn't tired you out yet has she?" Quinn asked pointing to her grandmother, "don't let her fool you, she could out jog a twenty year old, in fact didn't you do just that Frannie awhile back?"

"Oh is she still sore about that?" Helena laughed, "She had a bad knee, it's understandable."

Quinn laughed, ending on a breathless sigh, looking back at the brunette, "nice pants." She said nonchalantly.

"T-thanks."

"Do you think I could steel your girl for the afternoon?" Quinn asked, "It's time we got on her a horse don't you think?"

Rachel tensed up, looking up at the sparkling eyes of Quinn, damn southern charm.

Helena quirked an eyebrow at Rachel "I had no idea you wanted to ride,"

"I don't… well I mean,"

"Come on it's all about the experience. You shouldn't have your mind made up yet."

"My mind…experience?" Rachel questioned.

"You can't just decide that you are going to be a city girl without experiencing the southern side more." Quinn explained, "you just need to embrace your inner cowgirl, isn't that right Helena?"

Her grandmother seemed to be finding this rather amusing leaning back on her counter, "You make a valid argument Quinnie, I don't even think she has ever gotten her hands dirty."

"Well that will need to change now won't it?"

Rachel waved her hands in front of her face ready to protest, "Wait, wait, isn't anyone even going to ask me if I even want to ride the horse?"

"Do you?" Quinn asked,

"Well I mean…" Rachel thought it may be good practise, what if she had a role in later life where she needed to ride a horse, this would be excellent practise. And Rachel did plan on entering a variety of films, some which she could see involving the country, or maybe an olden times one, preferably with a strong female heroine lead.

"It's settled then," Quinn clapped her hands together.

Damn the practise. Rachel didn't know what had gone through her mind when she thought this was a good idea. In no way was this a good idea. In fact this bad decision toped up to when she thought wearing a white sundress to the first day of junior year, a sundress she had to sadly dump as the stains of red slushy were too permit to get out.

Quinn had driven both of them to her ranch, driving under the sign that had "Fabray Farm" spelt across it. Driving up the road a barking greeted them soon a black and white border collie was running up the side of the truck bouncing and spinning. Quinn led Rachel out, introducing Oliver.

Defiantly not Quinn's boyfriend.

After petting the dog for a while Quinn brought her back across her back yard toward the fenced in area where three horses stood grazing at the grass.

One brown, one white, and one black. How perfectly balanced.

They were beautiful, Rachel was quickly enthusiastic. She was that is, until Quinn had hoped over the fence Rachel following and then understanding just how large these animals were. There was no way Rachel would be able to get onto that thing!

Rachel was small, she was short and tiny, she was nothing compared to this giant. It could probably squash her under one of its large hooves. Quinn had disappeared for a awhile until she came back out, carrying a heavy saddle and a cowboy hat on her head, another trapped between her teeth.

"Do you have anything smaller?" Rachel asked, nervously playing with her hands in front of her. "Perhaps a pony?"

Quinn's brow rose at Rachel shaking her head. She heaved the saddle over the brown haired horse, dropping the hat from her teeth into her hands. She swiped her arm over her slightly damp forehead, stalling Rachel's speech as she watched the girl bend over the horse her back side sticking up. "I-I think I just may have misjudged how… large this horse would be, do you have a stepping stool I can use?" Rachel stuttered her eyes subconsciously watching Quinn's tight jeans bent over the horse.

Quinn laughed shaking her head again, "no, but I'll help don't worry." She began to buckle up the harness, placing a metal object into the horse's teeth. She walked around waving Rachel over, "Well come on then."

Rachel sighed, trying to build up some imaginary confidence. She had watched people ride horses, how hard can it be? You pull back on the reins to stop them and click on their sides to speed them up… piece of cake. It would be easier then riding a bike, Rachel tried to reason.

She was at Quinn's side in no time twitching slightly. Quinn seemed to notice placing her hands on Rachel's shoulders. Rachel tensed up more at first at the blondes contact but quickly relaxed her muscles. "It will be okay, I have been riding since I was able to get up on a horse. I got you."

"Right, yes of course." Rachel nodded, "You're the expert."

Quinn slid her hands off the brunette's shoulders but not before she gave a short squeeze. "Exactly, now the first thing you need to know is to never go behind the horse, Girl here is an extremely kind, but it's never a good idea. One sucker punch from those legs and you will be out of breath and into a hospital, trust me I know."

Rachel tilted her head in question, Quinn placed her hand onto her own rib cage explaining, "Two cracked ribs."

"Ouch,"

"Yeah, who knew breathing could hurt like a bitch."

"You aren't doing a very good job of selling me on this whole riding a horse thing."

"Right, well Girl would never hurt soul if that helps." Quinn lifted a finger, "now to get on the horse, you are going to have to put one foot into this stirrup, and then fling your leg over the side over to the other side."

"That...seems complicated and leaves a lot of room for mistake."

"Oh come on, haven't you ever mounted something?" Quinn asked.

Rachel choked, that is not what Rachel would have ever thought would have come out of the seemingly -so far- innocent, good, blonde, country girl. Quinn swiftly seemed to be having the same realization and a flush quickly spread across her cheeks. "I mean not like…" Quinn stammered, "Not that…"

Rachel for once watched the girl unable to produce fluent charming words, "never mind." Quinn snapped. "Just trust me it'll be okay."

Rachel positioned her hands on her hips, leaning onto one of her legs. Trusting someone she hadn't even known for a week was a bit of a stretch. But looking up to Quinn who was now desperately looking down at Rachel she could do nothing else other than sigh and nod.

"Alright."

Quinn beamed with happiness, "Great!" she jumped, fist pumping, "well take a stand,"

Rachel took a large step up beside Quinn in front of the horse.

Stupid, stupid decision. There really was no way of Rachel getting out of this. "Oh, don't forget," Quinn smiled placing the black cowboy hat on top of her head.

"Of course," Rachel grumbled, "As if the boots weren't enough."

Quinn knelt down intertwining her own fingers, "you can use my hands as a stepping stool."

"It's something," Rachel shrugged, putting one foot into her hand, her hand steadying herself on the blondes shoulder, "thank you."

Psyching herself up, Rachel mentally counted down from three as she did before a performance, before shooting up and onto the side of the brown horse with a huff and groan. She struggled and bit, fitting her boot into the first stirrup.

Quinn had stood up as Rachel began to try to wiggle herself the rest of the way on. But as it looked now, Rachel had one foot firmly planted ready-to-go. The other however hopelessly hooked across the horse back, anchoring her from falling back down to the ground, which would be along drop from here. She squealed as she began to slide down the wrong side. Quinn acted quickly dodging under Rachel in order to give her support. She blindly reached up pushing Rachel up the side of Girl. She realized too late her hands had found Rachel's ass as support to push over. Luckily the contact was minimal and both girls were able to brush it off as friendly assistance.

Rachel flipped her hair out of her eyes, adjusting her hat on her head. She looked down to her foot fitting it in the new stirrup. Quinn grinned giving Rachel the thumbs up, "Told you, you could do it."

Rachel rolled her eyes at the girl, "yes, thank goodness I didn't make a fool out of myself in the processes."

"Everyone stumbles the first time," The blonde waved off.

Rachel finally took in her new position. The horse still had her head bent over grazing at the grass as if the girl stumbling onto her back wasn't an odd sensation. Rachel's breath caught in her throat, her new vantage point extremely high.

This is how it must feel to see through Finn's eyes.

Rachel shifted her weight, grimacing at the uncomfortable hard leather underneath her. Her heart slightly picked up once the horse shifted her weight, causing Rachel to bounce.

"Oh my god," She rushed out, grabbing the leather knob in front of her.

"How are you doing?" Quinn asked, patting Girl on her side.

"I'm fine," Rachel breathed, "As long as we don't move, and it doesn't breathe."

"First of all Girl is not an it." Quinn snapped, "And second we will take it easy don't worry."

Rachel nodded frantically, gripping the handle tighter. Quinn picked up the reigns, looking up at Rachel, "we are just going to walk around the space alright?"

Rachel nodded again, her words stuck somewhere in her throat. Quinn nudged Girl who looked up, letting out a startling huff and sigh. Rachel squeaked when Quinn tugged forward Girl taking her first few steps forward with Rachel on her back. Rachel's heart was beating twice its normal speed as she mostly concentrated on not actually falling off the horse.

Quinn watched Rachel carefully making sure the brunette was doing alright before she continued to walk with Girl and Rachel. Rachel breathed unevenly the sway of the horse rocking back and forth, in a slightly uneasy feeling.

Quinn walked Rachel around the rest of the afternoon. She watched with a smile as Rachel began to become more comfortable on the horses back. Her hat looked good on Rachel. She had finally straightened her back and was starting to look like a real country girl. Well as real as you could get, being Rachel.

The brunette was truly a city girl, she was the textbook version of a city girl. Quinn counted off the different things she had observed

She was disapproving of anything flannel.

She huffed and puffed when she got dirt on her clothes.

She drove a Volvo.

She was not mean but she wasn't friendly with open arms

She wore flats almost every day.

Not that any of those things were bad, it was just an observation. Quinn was happy to keep Rachel company. When Helena asked Quinn if she could spend time with her granddaughter –on the fact that she really wouldn't have any friends out here- Quinn was a bit wary. She had no idea who this girl was. Even on the first and second day hanging out with her Quinn seemed a little apprehensive. Rachel was slightly rude putting on her first pair of cowboy boots and she was anything but thrilled to have to climb onto the tall horse. Even riding it at first Rachel complained. After a while she had to get off after stating her butt was numb. Quinn could add that to her list, she liked to complain.

But even after the first two visits Quinn came back. She came back every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. It's not that she had nothing else to do. Noah called her regularly hoping she would come out to do something daring or exciting. She liked the small brunette's company. She was funny, and interesting. She held a greater depth, something for Quinn to discover. Much like the mystery novels Quinn too had become obsessed with. Rachel was a piece of work Quinn couldn't help to burrow her nose deeper into.

It also helped that Rachel was unbelievably gorgeous.

She remembered Helena saying something about a past boyfriend of Rachel's. She couldn't remember all the details on the spot, mostly because the older woman was telling her all of this while she worked under her range rover fixing the exhaust pipe. But as far as Quinn could tell the girl was single.

Not that that meant anything to the blonde. It was just another observation.

Rachel was here the entire summer and as weeks passed the girls slowly became inseparable.

Rachel began to talk to Quinn about her time in New York. What she wanted to do after graduation, her dream and aspirations. Everything about the girl was so big, so big for such a small girl. Nothing about her was small (other than her height) she wanted to go bigger grander, than anyone else, she wanted to be on top, to win the awards to have ultimate success.

Quinn watched with slight starry eyes as the girl rambled on countlessly. She could talk, she gave her that. Everything around Quinn moved slower, people in the south often did. But Rachel was fast and ready, she wanted to move. Quinn couldn't help but truly admire that. Soon Quinn was coming every other day, having dinners with the Berry's and inviting Rachel over to her house to have dinner with her and her mother.

On some days Rachel would even attempt to help Quinn around her ranch, brushing the horses and spraying them with the hose. Rachel would then squeal when Quinn pointed the water on her, drenching her. She yelped running after Quinn with a wet cloth. Quinn jumped over the fence, abandoning her hose, Oliver barking wildly as he ran beside her. She could hardly breathe her lungs contracting as she struggled between laughing and breathing. Rachel was slower, climbing over the fence in a slower manner then Quinn's.

After a few failed attempts Rachel stopped her assault on revenge. Quinn thought she had won, but then returning back she realized what a terrible mistake she had actually made. Rachel looked down slightly embarrassed, her white shirt now completely see-through.

Shit.

Quinn coughed, picking up the saddle from Girl's back and walking back over to the barn hanging it up. When she came back out Rachel was perched on top of the fence looking over the seemingly endless land of the Fabray farm. When Quinn was younger she would explore the land endlessly seeming to never run out of new territory. But now she knew every square inch, she knew how far it was to the small pond about two a miles away, where she could find wild berries to snack on, and the shady trees where she could rest and read.

She walked over to Rachel siting to her side. Oliver panted lying on the grass keeping Rachel company.

"What are ya looking at?" Quinn asked, examining the space.

Rachel looked over slightly dazed, she shrugged smiling, "Nothing, everything."

"Makes…sense."

"What is that?" she asked pointing to something that was leaning against the shed. Quinn looked over grinning.

"Four-wheeler, it gets me around the property quicker, if I'm not riding Elf." She motioned back to the blonde horse -her horse.

"Oh," Rachel nodded.

Quinn smiled looking at the portfolio of the brunette. Rachel seemed to sense her watcher, looking to her side finding Quinn with a wide childish grin. "What?" Quinn didn't respond to Rachel's question instead just wiggled her eyebrows, nodding to the bike.

Rachel's eyes grew wider, lifting her hand up and waving it, "oh no, no, those are dangerous and my future will not be jeopardized by a little afternoon fun."

"Well what's the fun in that!"

"Exactly,"

Quinn rolled her eyes, falling down onto the ground, grabbing Rachel's hand and pulling her down beside her. "Anyways I'm hot Quinn!" Rachel protested "a ride would only make me hotter."

"I have the perfect solution to cool you off," Quinn lifted a finger, "But first we have to ride."

"It's dangerous."

"I have driving that thing since I was able to climb onto it, I will be extra careful."

"You said the exact thing about horse and I nearly fell off Girl the first time getting on her."

"I can't help that you nearly needed a trampoline to get on it."

"I could get hurt." Rachel ignored Quinn insult to her height,

"I would never put you in harm's way."

"If I break something-"

"You won't."

"Well…" Rachel drawled on, looking again pass Quinn shoulder at the bike.

"Come on," Quinn pleaded.

Rachel sighed shaking her head, "Fine," Rachel gave up, "Fine!" she walked pass Quinn hitting her shoulder playfully.

Quinn fist pumped once Rachel was facing away from her. She ran to the post on the fence picking up a two helmets. She wouldn't tell Rachel that most times when she rode the bike she never bothered with the safety, she would probably scolded Quinn until her dying breath.

Rachel stood beside the red dirty equipment her arms crossed. Quinn approached her with a toothy smile holding out a helmet. When she came toe to toe with the brunette and she still didn't budge Quinn lifted the lime green helmet. Carefully placing it onto Rachel, picking up the straps and doing it up. She had her helmet on in mere moments as she flung her leg across the seat. She bounced, sitting herself more comfortable.

"Well let's go."

Rachel groaned, straddling the back seat slightly awkward. She didn't know exactly what to do with her arms but Quinn quickly answered that question by taking on hand and placing it around her waist. "You'll want to hang on." She explained.

Rachel's heart jumped, she wasn't sure if it was the appending adrenaline or being pressed up close behind the country girl. Quinn started up the engine the bike growling to life.

Quinn revved the engine four times feeling Rachel jump after the first time. "Quinn wait I think-"

Rachel was cut off as the wheels spun forward shutting her up with a loud squeal her hold on Quinn tightening. Quinn raced off, Oliver barking behind them as they disappeared down the dirt road. Rachel stopped whimpering after a minute attempting to peek out after another. Quinn tore down the road dirt spitting up behind them.

Finally Rachel sat comfortably, but timidly watching the scenery whip pass her. Her hold on Quinn never loosened, keeping a tight grip in order from flying off. Rachel was small, and the metal image of her being tossed from the bike like a loose piece of paper did not evade her mind totally.

Quinn checked Rachel was alright a few times in her mirror. Quinn directed them to a strip of trees, finding their shelter a brief relief form the hot sun. The bike rocked back and forth traveling over a few protruding roots.

It took about ten minutes –during which Quinn had raced up and down a large rolling hill-. Finally though Quinn slowed down, parking the bike beside a large pond. Rachel let out a deep sigh as she cut off the engine, finally feeling her heart begin the journey of slowing down.

Quinn waited for Rachel let her go, straightening her back. She chuckled when Rachel hadn't yet removed her grasp. Rachel shot back, jumping off the bike, her legs slightly shaky.

"We are never doing that ever again!" Rachel squealed tugging her at her helmet, getting the straps twisted before she was finally able to pull it off and place it back on the bike.

"Have a fun walk home,"

Rachel grunted walking forward. She stopped short though at the sight. Beside the dirt road they stood at a small rocky cliff, trees now shading them from the sun. A large tree over hung the water a long rope tide to the thick branch. Quinn was beside Rachel's side watching the brunette's wonderment face with delight.

"Oh," Rachel breathed, "It's beautiful."

Quinn let her hand drop into Rachel's pulling her forward. "Well don't just stand there."

They walked up to the over handing large rock. Quinn sat down pulling Rachel down to her side. Their hands were still held in each other's grasp watching the birds on the other side sing and twist and turn around each other.

Quinn nudged Rachel's side smiling "The ride wasn't the bad now was it?"

Rachel lifted the corner of her lips, looking at Quinn, her hair slightly curtained her eyes, "I suppose the result of said ride was worth it."

Quinn's breath slightly halted in her throat, Rachel deep brown eyes capturing her prisoner. Why had this girl struck her quicker, hotter and louder than lighting and thunder? Rachel tucked her lips in her mouth shifting her weight on the rocky surface. She sighed looking back out on the water.

Quinn finally felt she could breathe again, pulling her natural and cocky grin, "bet you won't have this in New York."

"Yes but I'm sure they will have beautiful in-door pools."

Quinn shuddered "ugh they stink worse than the barns."

Rachel chuckled "How is that even possible?" Rachel dangled her legs over the edge, "The barns literally smell like shit."

Quinn shook her head, "Yes, but that's just nature. Those pools smell like harsh chemicals."

"Nature…" Rachel lifted her eye brows, "are you also about to sing kumbaya?"

Quinn rolled her eyes, "city girl."

"Country girl," Rachel intimidated. "And even though I am not that much of a country girl, I can appreciate the country side well enough, thank you very much."

Quinn smirked devilishly wiggling her eyebrows, "oh is that true?"

Rachel watched as the cogs inside Quinn's head turned. She had seen the look before. It was the same look she had seen before Quinn had tossed her over her shoulder and dumped her in a pool of hay.

It took day to get all of it out her hair.

"What, what are you about to do?"

Quinn laughed; standing up letting go of Rachel's hand reluctantly. Rachel's eyes followed Quinn's movement her head now craned backwards.

The blonde took off her boots placing them behind Rachel. She played with the hem of her blue button up. "You did say you wanted to cool of right?" she asked.

"I…" Rachel trailed

Quinn hooked her hands under her shirt pulling it up and over her head letting it drop beside Rachel. She unbuttoned her jean shorts shimming down until they fell with a soft thud. Quinn felt Rachel's eyes as if she was actually touching her, she had the urge to cover herself but opted against it. Instead she ran her fingers through her short blonde hair.

She looked down to the brunette who seemed frozen in place looking at her summer's friends body now only covered by a light blue bra and black panties. "Well?" Quinn asked stepping around the girl to the rope.

She took a tight hold, Rachel watching as she screeched running and jumping off the rock and swinging on the rope dropping into the water with a loud splash. When she resurfaced she flipped her head back, trying to get rid of her annoying hair.

"Are you just going to sit up there and watch or are you going to join me?" Quinn called

Rachel stood up slowly, brushing her hands on her pants, biting her lower lip. She began to take her shoes off, Quinn wadding in the water.

"Wow, I think this may be the only time I have heard you speechless," Quinn snorted.

Rachel rolled her eyes away from Quinn muttering under her breath. If the country girl thought she had the upper hand she would realize soon that she still didn't have any cards at all. Rachel pulled her T-shirt from her body her tight stomach reveling itself.

This was mistake a horrible mistake.

How had Quinn thought she would be able to handle this when she couldn't even stand the sight of Rachel wet T-shirt. She must have the inability to think a few hours ahead at a time. Rachel pulled down her pants her eyes curiously watching Quinn as her movement stalled causing her to sink and then splutter water out of her mouth.

Rachel stepped back grabbing the swinging rope in on hand, adjusting he booty shorts. She merely lifted off the ground and let the rope bring her forward squealing so loud the noise echoed around the empty space.

Quinn's eyes widened as she frantically swam away as Rachel's body came crashing close to her. Quinn had a moment to calm her breathing before Rachel spluttered out of the water looking around dazed.

"That was amazing!" Rachel proclaimed,

"It was bound to happen," Quinn chuckled swimming over to Rachel.

He foot briefly passed by Rachel's who screamed frantically looking around at the clear water, "Is there fish in here? Something touched me!" she screeched

"Calm down, it was just my foot,"

"Oh." Rachel calmed down, but her eyes still darted around the surface, "but is there fish?"

"Well of course," Quinn sighed, "but not the scary kind."

"I'm not scared."

"Of course,"

"I'm not!"

"I never said you were,"

"But you were suggesting it."

"I wasn't suggesting anything,"

"Yes you were."

"Is this really necessary?" Quinn grumbled. Her eyes darting down to Rachel exposed shoulders, her heart speeding up a bit at the memory of Rachel in only her underwear.

"You're right,"

Quinn nodded, motioning over to the rock they had been sitting on, "come on there is a cut out on the rock we can sit on." Rachel began to swim over in the direction, "and don't worry I'll protect you from the scary fish."

Rachel gasped splashing Quinn, the blonde was in mid laugh before she got a mouth full of water. She chocked spitting out the water, her eye wide in a crazed matter. Rachel giggled before she speed away to the rock.

Quinn grumbled swimming after her. Rachel reached the rock lifting herself till half of her body was out of the water siting on a jutting out edge on the rock. Quinn closed in on the rock lifting herself by Rachel, they were both now half naked beside each other, a fact that didn't pass either girls attention.

Quinn was silent for a moment, looking over to Rachel, "so…"

The diva looked over, her heart speeding up a bit, "so."

Quinn didn't waste time before she pushed Rachel's shoulder roughly sending her slipping back into the deep water. She laughed again, the heated girl returning to the surface glaring at Quinn. She grabbed her ankle pulling her forward. Quinn squealed, quickly holding her breath until she was submerged in the water.

The blonde grabbed a hold of Rachel's shoulder on the way down bringing her under with her. She spun the pair around underwater kicking her way back up. Rachel was startled when she resurfaces to find Quinn directly in front of her. The only noise was sounded by Rachel's soft gasp.

Quinn seemed slightly shocked as well, both girls falling silent. Rachel gulped hosting herself back up on the ledge. Quinn skimmed her palm on the surface jumping up to the ledge wordlessly. "It's not so bad," Rachel said softly.

"What's not?"

"This," Rachel muttered looking over the pond the ray of sun glistening off the surface, the leafs on the trees rustling to their own beat. "I always hated the country… I hate small towns in general they are too mundane."

Quinn was silent, kicking her feet underwater absently, every so often darting her eyes over to the girl beside her as her eyes wondered the environment. "Something's different this time though," Rachel turned to look at Quinn. Small beads of water slipped down from her hair, rolling across her lips and dripping from her chin, which Quinn followed with her eyes all the way to its soft drop into the water. "This time it is extraordinary."

The blonde licked her bottom lip, the slight tang from the water invading her senses. "That's good."

"Very good," Rachel agreed. Her eyes were glued on her friend, so much so that it caused Quinn to slightly shift. She wasn't used to seeing people look at her so… intensely. She shouldn't be surprised everything about Rachel was intense, it burned brightly.

Her chest slightly twisted the same way it did before the sky turned green before a large storm.

But she couldn't shy away from the brunette. Rachel slightly hesitantly reached forward, grazing her finger against the side of Quinn's face tucking the short strand of wet hair behind her ear, after she rested her whole palm on her cheek. Quinn realized she was moving forward, she saw Rachel closing in slowly her eyes heavily lidded. She felt her breath hitch in her throat and her legs freeze under the water. Everything was perfect.

Her lips parted slightly at the first whisper of a brush their lips made, when she moved back "It's getting late."

Rachel shot back shocked. She looked at Quinn in guilt, "oh."

"It's just that I wouldn't want to make you late."

"No…yes, punctuality is an extremely important trait."

Quinn cursed at herself in her mind leading Rachel back to the bank. She had no answer why she stopped it. Was she too chicken shit to go for the girl? Rachel had made the move, she had kissed her… Did it count as a kiss? When was it actually counted? Did it have to have more pressure, longer, closer? These thoughts plagued her mind that she barely remembered that Rachel would be in her soaking underwear walking out. She also forgot she was fully exposed.

She blushed to the side of Rachel the silence no longer comfortable but eerily awkward. They made it back up the rock changing with turned backs. Rachel held her right arm in her hand following Quinn like a lost puppy. Her face was closed off, her lips sinking into her mouth in disappointment.

Quinn wished she was able to kick herself in a time like now. She was that person you yelled at in TV shows and movies after they back away for no good reason. She had turned into that. What has come to her world?

Quinn lifted both helmets about to offer Rachel hers when the brunette turned around her back to the four-wheeler her arms now behind her, supporting herself on the bike.

"Look Quinn I'm sorry I shouldn't have assumed…" Rachel bit her lip, finally looking Quinn in the eye, "I sometimes get caught up in the moment… I try to make everything like a movie."

Quinn's brain slowed down until she was left with the simple track. This is what she needed.

The simple track.

She dropped her helmets to the ground, the hard surfaces bouncing away on the dirt. Rachel jumped a bit at the sound, but didn't have time to ask what Quinn was doing before Quinn had cupped either side of her face smashing their lips together.

The storm hit.

Quinn's lips were still for a moment, making sure Rachel wouldn't slap her. After Quinn felt the slight movement of Rachel's she went to work. She tilted her head to the side moving her lips along Rachel's. Rachel gasped when Quinn twisted her fingers in her damp hair.

God, she has wanted to do this ever since Rachel had placed those cowboy boots on.

She pressed her wet body closer to Rachel the girl pressing harder against the bike. Maybe first kisses weren't supposed to be this long, this hard, and this close. But neither girl was complaining as they explored each other in the way that they had dreamt of. Rachel's hands twisted Quinn's shirt in her fists, a few drops of water falling to the ground.

Rachel bent her upper body as Quinn dipped her tongue into her mouth. She was being over powered by the girl in every sense,

She took up all her senses.

And Rachel could not be any more pleased with it. Every person she had kissed always left her without something. Something Quinn did not leave her without. She possessed Rachel totally. Her hands running down her back, her tongue exploring her mouth, and her hot body pressed up tightly. Rachel breathed harshly through her nose, trying to get enough air but didn't mind at all that she had a difficult time at it. Her body was more aware than ever. Every nerve speed awake pinpointing each and every place that Quinn was touching, which felt like all over.

Finally though, Quinn pulled back her breath ragged and uneven as she tried to recover. "Holly shit," she gasped.

Rachel's chest pushed and pulled her hands found there self behind Quinn neck during the time, she kept her hands there, keeping Quinn close, "Yeah."

"Was that okay?"

Rachel snorted pulling Quinn closer kissing her again on the lips.

If the girls were with each other a lot before, now they seemed to be practically living on each other. They nearly made plans each day. Running into different corners and behind tress, pressed close as they feverishly kissed each other with young excitement.

The parents noticed them growing closer after each day, but were only pleased for them to have made a new friend. Unfortunately Quinn could not hide Noah forever and a night at a karaoke bar Noah introduced himself to Rachel rather crudely at first, before the blonde stepped on his foot.

Rachel jumped onto stage eagerly belting out the music notes of one of Quinn's favorite country songs. Quinn suppressed her laughter watching Rachel twirl on stage, tipping her hat to an older gentleman who hollered at her.

"Wow," Noah whispered as Rachel sang.

"Don't even think about it." Quinn warned,

"Watch out Quinn, if you keep knitting those eyebrows you'll have more wrinkles and Billy the drunk."

"Shut up."

"Why is she off limits?" He asked,

"She isn't interested… if you catch my drift." Quinn sighed

Noah's eyes widened a bit, glancing back at the small girl, he grimaced shrugging his shoulders, "guess it's for the best, she is only here for the summer wouldn't want her to get too attached before she had to leave."

Bam.

Just like that the dark cloud rained over Quinn.

Leaving, Rachel would be leaving soon… they only had what a half month left? Quinn harshly pushed her hair out of her eyes looking up at Rachel. She could feel her curtain slowly closing up wanting to keep her own feelings safe. Rachel would be moving on, going to New York and Quinn… Quinn loved it out here. The thought of Quinn in the city was… an oxymoron they just didn't go together.

She could feel herself physically sink in her chair the dread of it all seeping in. Just as she was ready to close herself off, to let Rachel off easy and continue her trip as friends Rachel sent Quinn a wink clasping her thumbs under her newly bought belt buckle kicking her foots out and attempting a square dancing jig. God she just couldn't, she couldn't close off…it wasn't even in her own will now. She was totally consumed by this girl. Even if she wanted to turn her back on her Rachel somehow would always manage to spin her right around again.

Even Quinn had to admit she looked like a true country girl. The locals where on their feet hollering and slapping their hats on their knees. Quinn's heart speed up at the sight of Rachel doing a turn on the heel of her boot dipping down, and standing back up tipping her hat coyly.

Holly crap.

Quinn has never been unaware of her attraction to the smaller girl. But Rachel had never made her blood boil this hotly before. She stood up clapping loudly as Rachel jumped off the stage with utter grace. She walked back through the crowd people fanning her with their hats, and patting her on her shoulders. By the time she reached Quinn Rachel had a large grin across her face.

The blonde shook her head, pulling her into a hug.

"Shit City, you have a pair of lungs." Puck exclaimed to Quinn's side. They all sat back at their table Rachel taking a generous sip from her drink.

Quinn's and Pucks jaws hung open as she devoured the drink slamming the empty glass on the table, "That's how they do it in Lima heights," she shouted, wiping the remaining bear off her lips.

"Marry me," Puck breathed. Quinn shot him a glare stomping on his foot with a small twist. "Shit! Sorry never mind."

Rachel smirked over at Quinn- who was playing the innocent card. "You were amazing Rachel,"

The brunette smiled brightly at the complement, "Thanks."

"More than amazing," Puck examined. "Quinn never told me you were sex bundled up in a small body."

Rachel opened her mouth to responded but looked over at Quinn instead, "Is he always like this?"

"Worse than this,"

Rachel nodded, "Does he flirt with you?"

"Well I mean only when he is drunk he passed his flirting stage with me by fourteen."

Puck looked back and forth between city and country, wondering if the girls had forgotten he was even there.

"Good," Rachel smiled.

"Getting possessive," Quinn sang, taking a sip of her drink.

"I know, Noah's foot could probably agree as well."

That shut Quinn up as she looked down at the table a nervous smile twitching on the corner of her mouth. She scratched the wooden table, Puck staring at his friend slightly amused. He clapped, standing up "well come on Rachel I'll show you how we dance in the dirty south." He offered a hand

"Just the south," Quinn warned, "not the dirty south."

"You're about as fun as a bible thumper," Puck groaned. Rachel stood up, holding Puck's hand, but not before throwing Quinn a smirk.

They walked out on the dance floor as the country music began to filter though. He hooked his arms around her waist swaying her back and forth with a bounce. Rachel laughed loudly at something he whispered into her ear, nodding her head.

Quinn didn't break contact for the entire dance, moving in between annoyance at her friend and adoring Rachel's dorky smile and the way she stumbled a bit at the new moves. Puck spun her around three times before dipping her down in his arms. How could a girl like that fit into any place she went? Even Quinn had to admit now the city girl had gone country.

The two walked down the road Quinn's hands deep in her pockets. The loud clicking of bugs consumed them. Quinn had opted to walk Rachel home seeing as they had both had a generous amount of beer. Rachel smiled at the ground on the opposite side as Quinn on the two way road.

"Why are you over there again?" Quinn asked, sliding her foot on its side to turn her body toward Rachel, now side stepping.

Rachel shook her head, the question being brought up for the third time. She smiled goofily, lifting her gaze from the pavement to the taller girl. "I don't trust you,"

"How is that possible?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have trusted me enough to allow me to toss you off into the lake."

Rachel scoffed halting, "I never said you could do that! It was against my will!"

"Oh right," Quinn chuckled. "But why are you worried, I don't bite."

"I wouldn't say that," Rachel giggled.

Quinn arched her eyebrow, "okay maybe I bite a little, but only the biting you like."

"Who says I like it?"

"Well you don't," Quinn lifted a palm gesturing to Rachel. "You don't in many words but the sounds you make, my god!" Quinn began to intimidate a few of Rachel's moans resting her palm on her chest. Rachel's eyes widened rushing across the empty road clasping her hand over the blonde's mouth.

Quinn halted, her eyes bulging down at Rachel for a moment and then grinning behind her hand.

"I thought southern people were supposed to be polite, that was crude."

Rachel let her hand drop, the moon casting a shadow on Quinn's pale skin. "This is the dirty south baby." Quinn snickered, "That or you have corrupted me."

"Me corrupt you?" Rachel exclaimed,

"I was the innocent country girl before you came," Quinn explained. "I helped fix your grandmother's house, occasionally occupied my mother to church on Sundays, now I'm walking home at twelve after drinking and dancing."

"You have it backwards Fabray," Rachel turned, continuing down the road.

"Is that so?" Quinn asked from behind her before catching up beside her, "and how is that?"

Rachel crossed her arms over her chest after a gust of wind rustled her hair, "I never intended to get involved with you, but you had that little look of yours."

"Little look?"

"The moment you stepped up to shake my hand your eyes gleamed with impure intentions."

"You are completely wrong," Quinn laughed, "And humble may I add."

Quinn dropped her hand on Rachel's shoulder twisting her around so she stood toe to toe with her, "Your grandmother used to rave about you. She would endlessly talk about you, your football boyfriend, and your national championship. She couldn't shut up about all of it." Rachel stood silently, watching Quinn gaze down at her, her features softening, "How do you expect someone to act around a person they feel like they have known for years, the gleam was excitement for meeting my friend… not impure thoughts."

Rachel's chest deflated her eyes shining up, feeling like she was in some old film where Billie Holiday would play in the back ground. "The impure thoughts didn't come until you put those damn boots on…"

Rachel gasped pushing Quinn, "You ruined our moment,"

"Moment?"

"Our Billie Holiday moment," Rachel explained, "The moon, the two way road that cuts straight over the land, it all is very Billie Holiday."

"How does an old jazz singer relate to this?"

"You honestly just don't understand."

Rachel stomped back down the road, her arms now tightly crossed in front of her. If she could, she would be storming out of the room right now. But as it was Quinn and Rachel had another quarter of a mile before they arrived at Rachel's grandmother's house.

Quinn skipped up to her side, walking silently for a moment before she started humming something. Rachel's ears picked up a bit, at the slightly familiar tune. After another moment Quinn began to whistle, and then opening her mouth to sing. "I'll be seeing you by Billie Holiday.

Rachel's breath stuck in her lungs, Quinn's voice hitting her harder than a speeding train. Quinn had refused to sing at the bar and at the moment Rachel had no idea why.

"I'll be seeing you, in ever lovely summer's day." Quinn wasn't looking at the shorter girl looking pass up at the moon, "'ll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you."

She finally returned back to Rachel her words falling down, ending the song short. Rachel had stopped walking again. She had no words, and so she did the one thing she could. Rachel grasped Quinn's face pulling her down into a searing kiss.

Quinn hummed onto her lips, wrapping her arms around Rachel tightly lifting her feet off the ground for a moment before letting her back down, tilting her face to deepen their kiss.

They stayed like that for endless minutes, kissing each other. Their skin flared, breath sticking to each other's skin. Quinn trailed her lips along the column of Rachel's throat, praising the darker skin, lightly grazing it with her teeth. She bit the skin pulling back a bit before sucking it into her mouth. Rachel let out a moan, which made Quinn grin foolishly.

Quinn made her way back up to Rachel's mouth, the brunette taking Quinn's mouth in hungrily. Quinn, moved her hands to the girls back, pressing her tighter to her body. Rachel sucked on her bottom lip, causing Quinn to whimper before her hands ran their way down to Rachel's ass. One hand fitting in Rachel's back pockets giving a tight squeeze. Rachel squeaked into her mouth working harder, her tongue taking complete control of the kiss.

After what seemed hours Rachel placed her hand on Quinn's stomach pushing her back. "I better get home," she stated shyly.

Quinn nodded, tucking her lips in, returning her hands to her own pockets. Rachel shook her head waking forward. Quinn stood still for another half a minute before running to catch up with the girl.

She was in trouble.

They reached Rachel's front porch in little time, Quinn rubbing her hands on her pants nervously smiling at Rachel who backed up to her door. "Thank you for taking me out."

Quinn waved her off, "It was the least I could do."

"Well…" Rachel began, rolling the keys in her hand, "I… should."

"Yeah," Rachel shuffled her foot on the wooden porch, Quinn taking a step back, "I had fun."

"Yeah," Rachel watched painfully as Quinn retreated turning her back, "Quinn."

The girl turned around hopeful, "Yeah?"

Rachel motioned behind her shoulder, "Do you want to maybe stay over? It's a little ways to your house and I don't want you walking by yourself."

Quinn looked slightly surprised nodding her head slowly, "Yeah, It's pretty dark and scary out there." Quinn decided not telling Rachel there were many nights before that she would be walking home much later than this.

Quinn had spent days previous of Rachel's arrival in this house and even more by the time the Berry's set up camp in the house. Rachel didn't even need to lead Quinn through the house Quinn easily able to find herself even in the darkness to Rachel's room.

Once inside Rachel shut the door, turning on the light. Quinn squinted her eyes painfully at the sudden brightness but quickly adjusted. Rachel shuffled around her walking to the dresser pulling out two pairs of shorts and a baggy T-shirt for Quinn.

"I'm going to go get us some water…" Rachel trailed off, after watching Quinn hold the clothes limply in her hand. "I'll uh get changed in the bathroom before I come back."

Quinn nodded, Rachel walking out from the room. Quinn's eyes landed heavily on the door her body frozen. Here she was in Rachel's bedroom, about to spend the night, but did that mean anything? No of course not, it was a friendly… sleep over that was all. Thank god Quinn hadn't had too much beer. She shook her head concentrating, striping herself and tugging on the new clothes. The short shorts combined with the large t-shirt made Quinn look naked from the waist line. She pulled her fingers through her hair roughly climbing on the bed sitting cross legged at the top of it.

Rachel returned with a soft knock, making sure she wouldn't catch the other stripped. She wouldn't be able to handle that. Seeing Quinn on the bed, her hair pushed back messily and grinning softly wasn't much better though. Rachel smiled softly, placing the glasses on her dresser besides her bed sitting across from Quinn.

Quinn prayed to anything high and mighty that she would be able to keep strong. Rachel wore a beater and shorts, Quinn painfully tried not to trail her eyes for too long. The fan above them kept blowing Rachel's hair around until she gave up and pulled her dark hair up into a pile on her head.

After half a minute of silence Quinn started laughing, Rachel's eyes snapped up at the girl quizzical, "what?"

"This is probably one of the few times I have seen you so quite." Quinn repeated herself from weeks before.

"Don't get used to it…" Rachel trailed.

Quinn flashed a bright smile her hair whipping in front of her eyes, covering her face comically. Rachel softly chuckled as Quinn franticly pushed back her hair every few moments. "Why are you nervous?" she asked

"Who says I'm nervous?"

"Are you really going to try to deny it?" Quinn snorted,

"Well I'm sorry not everyone can be as at ease as you Quinn." Rachel shuffled up the bed toward her pillow hitting it into shape. Quinn watched her, her face stoned as she scooted forward behind Rachel. Rachel froze, the hairs on the back of her neck rising as she felt Quinn's hot breathe on her neck.

Quinn's hands softly skimmed her thin cotton shirt, trailing one finger across Rachel's back. "You make me nervous," she muttered into her ear. Rachel shivered the Quinn's proximity short circuiting her mind. She wasn't sure what was up and what was down. All she knew was that Quinn was consuming her.

Quinn brushed her lips across Rachel's jaw kissing her neck with soft closed kisses. She waited until she heard Rachel let out a soft sigh before she moved further in opening her mouth and taking the tanned skin in between her lips. Rachel tilted her neck to the side exposing more skin for Quinn to eagerly kiss.

Quinn's mind slowed down taking in Rachel, memorizing each curve and dip on her skin. Her hands ran up Rachel's arms feeling the girl in front of her shiver, smiling into her skin at the affect she had on her. She brought her mouth back up the side of her neck reaching her earlobe which she took into her mouth for a moment before whispering into Rachel's ear.

"You were so hot on stage tonight."

Rachel tried to calm her body down, but after Quinn's comment she could feel the strand of self-restraint tethering on its last limb. She ripped herself from Quinn, spinning and hitting her back against the head board. Her chest was heaving her eyes dark watching Quinn's predatory stance.

The blonde softened, "what, what did I do wrong?"

"I-I don't," Rachel stammered out, she took a deep breath settling herself down. "If we start I don't know if we'll be able to stop."

Quinn's eyes widened in realization, "oh."

Rachel looked anywhere except the still heavy breathing girl in front of her. It was like looking into the sun except in this case if she looked too long she wouldn't lose her sight but her pantie's. Quinn tried to slow down her breathing, her chest still hammering from her heart and heaving in a desperate urge to regain some control over her body.

"So you can't resist me," she teased.

Rachel rolled her eyes smirking a bit, "you're one to talk."

"Elaborate please,"

"You can barely be alone with me for ten minutes before you're all over me," Rachel cockily stated. "Please don't try to deny that while I was singing you had to practically clean the drool from your chin."

Quinn starred dumbly at the brunette, "And here I thought the country had softened your ego a bit." The blonde laughed, inching forward closer to the girl. "You can't blame me though, you were so hot up there, and everywhere really…" Quinn husked shooting an electric shock of heat to Rachel's core. "It's a miracle I keep my hands off you at all."

"You're not helping the situation," Rachel stammered crossing her legs tightly.

Quinn bit her lip her eyes flickering across Rachel, "Can't we just make out for a little…"

You can't blame her, she was horny. And by the look of Rachel she was too.

Rachel's heart began to beat faster the way Quinn's eyes devoured her, she could no longer hold her body back. She jumped onto her knees connecting their lips together in a hunger. Quinn let out a low moan moving her lips across Rachel's lower lip. Rachel was quick to push her tongue into Quinn's mouth, Quinn whimpering and threading her fingers through the darker hair. Rachel soon over powered the country girl pushing her down on the foot of the bed until she was straddling her. She moved her lips onto her neck sucking eagerly as Quinn panted.

Both were so intoxicated with the other. Neither had experienced something like this, their bodies and minds were craving the other with such heat and greed that they felt the loss of control. Rachel bit her collar bone softly electing a soft cry from Quinn as her back arched off the bed finally needing some type of friction. Rachel pushed her core down once grinding it onto Quinn.

Her cheek rest on Quinn's chest at the instant a shot of pleasure rocketed through her body from the movement. Quinn grabbed Rachel's cheeks pulling her back up into a searing kiss. They moved their lips along each other not wanting to stop as their addiction grew higher and hotter.

Quinn's hands moved down to Rachel's ass grabbing it and helping Rachel grind down onto her. Both girls were panting the heat building up without even a simple touch from either. Their breath mingled with each other's, Rachel's hand shooting down to Quinn's chest molding her hand over the girl's breast.

Quinn whimpered out loudly her body thrusting upwards to hit Rachel in her downward motion. Quinn froze, right before Rachel. They both new they had to stop. They had to muster up some type of control… some type of…. Rachel's face was pressed into the side of Quinn's neck before she lifted up looking down at Quinn. She smiled brushing away the heated sweat on Quinn's face.

They moved back to the top of the bed still over the covers falling asleep entangled with each other as the fan from up ahead cooled their over sensitive skin.

The girls no matter what could no longer prevent the enviable. Rachel had seen it coming, the days ticking down her father's beginning to pack things up. Every time they were together they would avoid the subject, instead running around the farm and ducking under bushes.

But the inevitable could not be avoided forever and on August 27th Rachel was forced to pack her things. She couldn't believe she had left all of this for the day before, she needed more time. She couldn't possibly leave yet.

Rachel ran from her room practically falling down the stair when she heard the roar of the truck outside the house. Quinn slammed her door watching the brunette run towards her jumping into her arms. Her eyes were already puffed and red evident she had been crying. Quinn stroked the back of her head trying to calm her.

"Take me away," Rachel shuttered into Quinn, "Take me away for just awhile."

Quinn needed no more reassurance then that. Helping Rachel into her truck, without any motion to the adults on the porch as she backed up. Rachel could not tare her eyes from the blonde their hands grasping each other's with support.

Quinn's hand was sweating an embarrassingly amount but Rachel either didn't care of hadn't noticed her mind too pre-occupied. Quinn's heart was hammering outside her chest, her stomach twisted low in her gut. She couldn't get the thought that this would be the last time she would be with Rachel out of her mind.

She stopped her truck when they came up to the large field they sometimes went to. They had spent afternoons under a tree as Quinn read out a story Rachel's head in her lap. Watching the clouds lazily moving past in the sky. Eating vegan sandwiches and chasing each other tumbling back into the long grass.

Quinn turned off the ignition the eerie quite seeping into the girl's skin. Rachel launched herself over her seat grasping Quinn in her hands and kissing her with as much passion as she could muster. Quinn whined kissing her back her hands fighting as she tried to unbuckle herself and then placing them in the brunette's hairs pushing her closer to Quinn. Their bodies were slightly awkward over the gear stick but neither carried about the slight pain in their bodies their lips fighting with each other.

"This can't be the end." Rachel mumbled out, when Quinn moved her lips down to Rachel's neck sucking hard on the skin surely leaving marks. She wanted to be remembered she didn't want to be forgotten.

"It's not, it's not." Quinn repeated across her skin.

But in the back of each girls throat they could not shake that this kiss, this moment, this summer was one chapter, one chapter that was now coming to an end. There would be nothing after, except new chapters with new people.

The end of both of them together.

They were too different, country and city, blonde and brunette, simple and complex.

They were too different.

And this was the end of them, they could not shake the feeling…

The end.

Quinn stood on the dirt road as Rachel's car speed away. They had one last stolen kiss in her room as she helped with her suit case, one last sweet kiss. She watched with slow glistening tears beside Helena as the dirt sprayed up behind the car. She watched Rachel leave town, to somewhere bigger then here then her.

She was just a country grown girl after all and Rachel was a city built girl.