A/N here's another one guys..
Chapter 1: Beauty within the rubble..
4 months.. 4 long trecheres months and though it may not seem like a lot, it feels like forever. December 25, 2018 is when it happened. When the world went to shit. It started in the heated jungles of africa than slowly began occuring in other parts of the world. The U.S hadn't been affected, yet. Things continued on as usual. News reports claimed it was global warming others believed whatever they believed. It only took a letter to convince one person to believe it was so much more. When she tried to get her commanding officers to listen they wouldn't. Her former mentor was the reason she was even prepared. He had a feeling and just as he had taught her he trusted his instincts and his told him to start preparing for safety. Nothing had occured, yet. She recieved a letter in the beginning of in of November. That was 5 months ago when she was on the other side of the country.
It didn't happen all at once. 2 days before the news hit that the U.S experienced the first of many severe hits, the news announced odd behavior in wild life. Animals of all kinds were seen in herds migrating. It was crazy to see because under normal circumstances, some of those animals would have taken the opportunity to hunt and capture their migrating companions but no they were all focused. They weren't that close together to attack but they were visible and close enough to become a meal and that was the confusing part. The first place that was hit was the upper part of California. A volcano that was supposedly dormant exploded liquid lava covering miles of land, leaving devastation in it's wake. After that it only took weeks before almost half the West coast was unrecognizable along with some of the mid eastern areas along with maine pennsylvania and New York, there was no stopping it.
Quinn carefully manuvered around the rubble of a fallen building. She had been out looking for 2 hours along with her partner. They chose to seperate to cover more ground. So far she had no luck. It was frustrating to say the least, almost every where she looked it had already been looted of all the canned goods and water bottles. The area had been picked clean, she and her group had been there for 3 days now. They hadn't eaten in 5 days. The last time they ate it was because Quinn had spotted an actual chicken and shot it with her sniper rifle. That had been a blessed meal because prior to that they hadn't eaten in 2 days. The blonde had gotten tired of searching the same areas, so she decided to branch out a little farther. Her group were going to be pissed for not telling them but she was their leader so it was her duty. She wouldn't risk anyone else going out farther if she found food great, if she didn't no harm no foul.
She heard rubble tumble around the corner and raised her hand gun. She moved without a sound. Crounching low, using the wall as her shield. She saw something around the corner but couldn't make out what it was from her angle. If it was an animal she would take it down without a thought. She manuvered around, following the noise she saw a buck. She cheered internally but kept silent. She was going to catch it no matter what. She followed it around another corner and saw that it stopped in it's tracks. The blonde took her chance now that it's back was to her, she silently turned the corner fully and froze in place with her pistol aiming at a perfect shot that could feed her group for a few days. There before her was a sight that took her breath away. Long dark and (somehow in this fucked up world) still shining tressels of hair blew in the soft breeze. A smile so bright and warm with eyes that shined. Chocolate eyes captured hazel-green and enslaved them without trying.
Rachel Berry had been the shining star of Broadway. She dominated the stage taking thw world by storm with no apologies. She had been on TV and even in several movies. She had accomplished her EGOT 6 months ago when awarded with an oscar for her independant film she shot in Jordan Israil. It was a documentary piece that she felt extremely passionate about. After that she had gone on many private mission trips visiting all sorts of countries in silent support. She even went to afghanistan to bring the troops water and food along with goodie bages filled with books and the latest gadgets along with movies none of her own but movies she thought they would like. It was also close to her heart to support them. She sang for them and helped cook in the kitchen for their meal. She took many pictures with them until she had to say goodbye. Her parents were beyond proud of her accomplishments. Now though, she wondered if they were even alive.
She had just gotten back from filming a movie. She had missed the stage and decided to take a break from the film industry and get back to Broadway. Her first work shop for the new play was set two weeks from her return, to give her a little down time to rest. She had mail stocked to the brim. She decided to wait until after she took a hot long shower and had some dinner. What she didn't expect was to fall asleep. The next morning she had woken up and decided to lounge for the day. She wasted those first two days sleeping in. Her husband was in and out because he was a part of his own Broadway show, though not the lead but a part of it none the less. On the 3rd day she had finally felt reseted enough to conquer the day. She had taken a shower and got ready. She was on her way out and saw the stack of mail on the side table and rolled her eyes at her husband. It was one of her big pet peeves that he did. If she wasn't there to check the mail and sort the bills, they'd go unpaid and over looked. She grabbed the stack and left her apartment. She was on her way to Broadway to bring her husband lunch because that was another thing he wouldn't do while she was away, feed himself. He was a terrible cook and only ate take out to get him by. So she made him homemade soup and thought she could spend time with him and show her support by staying during rehearsals.
She had gotten there fairly quickly, she sat in the back because it still wasn't lunch time, yet. She was welcomed with enthusiasum by everyone though her husband hadn't seen her, yet. She waited as she watched before remembering she brought the mail. She began to sift through until she spotted a letter from her father. She was about to open it when they all began to feel the ground shake. Everyone screamed in fear but other than the shaking that went on for almost 13 minutes stopped. She felt her heart pound in her chest. She stood up and called out her husbands name and that's when he noticed she was there. She made a beeline for him and he made his way to her, they embraced in a hug. Than a "OH MY GOD!" was shouted from the hall. Rachel and her husband ran over with everyone else to see what was happening. They all went outside in time to see a building collapsing down the street and watched on in horror as 8 blocks away they could see cars lifting up higher than off the ground before disappearing. Later they will find out that the ground had lifted and broke in half and the cars had fallen deep into the darkness of the underground.
That was 4 months ago, 4 months had changed Rachel Berry. She had been devastated and couldn't help but wonder if her parents were alive. If they had made it to safety and at first she wanted to go back to her home town and find out for herself but her husband refused, citing they were safer were they were. At first she thought maybe he was right but slowly she started to see that it had nothing to do with safety. She along with everyone that they had in their group were pulling their weight. Her duty today was to collect any food she could find close to their camp but Rachel always felt more at ease when she was away from them. She had wanted some time to herself, so she decided to venture further out. It was a little creepy but after seeing so many dead bodies of men, woman and children it didn't hit her so hard, anymore. She was more concerned with stragglers but everyone new was welcomed to the camp only by approval from her husband of course. She had heard trotting coming from around the corner and froze but to her surprise it wasn't anything too bad. It was a buck, they stared at each other and she could see the curiosity shine in his eyes.
The moment was broken when a figure came into view behind him. If it hadn't been for automatic eye contact of those hazel-green eyes, she would have ran but she was frozen in place as her heart swelled and beat rapidly at the beautiful women before her. Her long golden mane shined in the sun. Her strong athlectic form stood firm and unwavering. Her pink pouted lips part in wonderment and surprise. Rachel couldn't tell you why but she felt no fear, only safety staring at the warrior before her. The woman was wearing a tight fitted black crew shirt, desert army cargo pants with desert army boots. She had a watch on and her hair was in a loose pony tail. She looked as if the goddess aphrodite herself created her. Rachel felt her knees go weak. The blonde lowered her gun, the two were so consumed by each other they hadn't noticed the deer walk off.
"I'm not going to hurt you.." Quinn spoke. Rachel felt her stomach flip at the husky tone and felt her eyes slip shut for a moment. She had no idea how the woman was causing her body to react from merely 13 feet away but good god! She's never been hit by a stranger with this magnitude.
"I didn't think you would.." Rachel said as she opened her eyes to capture those hazel-green pools again. Quinn's mouth went dry as the voice caressed her ears in such affection it felt like a kiss. She swallowed deeply because she's never felt a force so strong pulling her in the brunettes direction. Something told her she had no chance in the matter anyway. This woman in her exotic beauty among the ruins of a destroyed city engraved herself within the blonde without even trying. Quinn should be pissed for losing the deer but she couldn't. She felt fear that any sudden movements would cause this woman to run.
Rachel was having the same confliction. She wanted to-no needed to get closer to the blonde and she couldn't explain why. She also didn't want to scare the beautiful warrior before she could at least know her name.
"Wh-What's your name?" Rachel took the plunge.
"Quinn.." The blonde replied. Rachel smiled warmly as she let that name wash over her. "What's your name?" Quinn ask. The blonde was eager to close their distance but waited patiently. She did not about to screw this up.
"Rachel.." The brunette replied with a hue of blush that caused the blonde to go weak at the knees just a bit. Quinn put her gun back in it's holster. She stepped forward once keeping her hands up in a surrender. She gave the brunette a chance to stop her before taking another step but to her surprise the brunette mimick her gesture raising her hands as well, taking a cautious step forward. The two women began closing the distance between them and were in front of each other before they knew it. They stared into each others eyes while everything faded away. They unknowingingly simultaneously felt drawn to each other.
Rachel couldn't help the smiled that took over her face. Quinn smiled warmly in return. The blonde cleared her throat feeling embarassed for staring so hard and blushed.
"Um.. So, what are you doing out here by yourself. It's pretty dangerous considering the rubble. You could get hurt." Quinn said doing her best to not show how giddy she felt inside. Rachel giggled and Quinn felt her stomach burst with butterflies.
"I could ask the same of you. Though, You seem like you can take care of yourself but you could also get injured." Rachel counter. "But to answer your question. I'm looking for any canned food or water supply. The areas I usually look through are picked cleaned so I thought I'd venture out more." Rachel finished.
"Great minds think alike. I'm also out farther because I couldn't find anything." Quinn said and though she felt like she might be pushing her luck. She also would kick herself later if she didn't try to at least get to know the woman. There weren't a lot of people they've come across, not that her team needed anyone. All of them were married some had kids while the others had kids on the way. Quinn was the only single one of their group and she would be lying if she said during all her tours that she didn't feel jealous when all her comrades recieved letters from significant others not to say she didn't recieve anything but it was only from family. She has been single for almost 9 years now. Ever since that fateful day in October but she won't allow her mind to go there. Yes, she has tried to date people but it never worked out passed month or so. Because she was apparently the problem. Always is the problem. She also is never intimate with anyone. Only kissing at most but the second they start with the petting she freezes up and stops everything. This moment with this brunette is the first time she's felt anything at all stir her emotions and other than her loved ones, it's the first time she's felt alive in years and they haqven't even spoken more than 15 minutes but it's enough to let Quinn know that this woman, this beautiful brunette was special. She would be stupid to not take the risk.
"Do mind having company? I mean, I'll understand if you do but we'd be safer in pairs and to be honest, I selfishly would like your company." Quinn said bravely but sweetly. Rachel swooned internally and couldn't stop the flirtatious smile even if she wanted to.
"How could I refuse that." The brunette replied. She felt like a ridiculous teenager again. The blondes charming smile and warm aura made Rachel feel like she knew her.
"After you, lead the way." Quinn said. Rachel and Quinn began walking side by side in companionable silence. It was so comfortable both women felt a familiarity to it somehow. Like in another life they may have been friends. Rachel was the first to break the silence, she was eager to know all that she could about the blonde.
"So, are you actually military or did you loot the gear from some place?" Rachel ask.
"I'm military." Quinn said as she pulled out her dog tags. Rachel smiled and went to followed up with her next question but Quinn beat her to it. "I'm a marine, actually. I was over seas when all this happened." Quinn said. The brunette furrowed her brow in confusion.
"How did you end up in New York than if you were overseas?" Rachel's eyes widen and she backpedaled trying not to be rude. "Not that you have to tell me or anything. I-I- wasn't trying to-" The brunette was cut off by Quinn's laughter and it sounded heavenly. Rachel now believed the blonde must be an angel that had fallen from heaven because there is no way the beauty before her came from this world. Rachel smiled warmly at the woman.
"You didn't offend me, sorry for laughing but you should have seen your face." Quinn giggled and than her eyes widened in surprise and fear that she was the one who was offensive. She was hit with the full Berry pout and didn't even know. Quinn's reaction was comical as she spluttered to apologize to the brunette. Rachel held in her laughter all she could before bellowed over with it. Quinn warmed inside at the sound and played it off as if she was annoyed but the quirk of her lips gave her away until she began to laugh. She lightly shoved the brunette.
"Jerk." Quinn said as she rolled her eyes.
"You should have seen your face." Rachel said as she wiped her tears. It was the first time in 4 months that she laughed. She barley cracked a smile these days and it was all because of the gorgeous blonde that she's only known no more than a half an hour. She felt liberated and free.
"Alright, alright we get it. I'm happy to see that my misfortune amuses you. Come on giggles before we lose light." Quinn said and without really thinking about it, grabbed the brunettes hand and tugged her along. The blonde looked back as the laughter stopped. She dropped the hand as if she were burned. "Sorry, I didn't mean to inva-" Before Quinn could finish the brunette grabbed her hand back with a soft smile.
"Come on, blondie. We don't want to lose light." Rachel said and Quinn smiled as she allowed herself to be tugged along. It was only 1 in the afternoon but the weather and earth could trick you into a false sense of security, though, after 4 months it was far and few in between with the earth quakes. It was the structures still half towered ready to fall, you had to worry about as well as darkness because there was no power.
The two women walked for hours laughing and joking. Niether wanted to make the mood somber by bringing up their personal thoughts of their families. So they talked about their favorite past foods that they missed or favorite books they've read. They found a supermarket with the left side distroyed but the rest was intact. They cheered at their discovery and looted all they could. They found that they had a lot in common as well as a lot that made them different. For example while Quinn loved pears Rachel was obseesed with peaches or were Rachel loved books of romance and adventure Quinn loved Drama and mystery. They continued like that well into the afternoon. The sun was beginning to set as they trekked back the way they came. Quinn had used her knife to mark the path they walked and Rachel was happy for it. They were so caught up with each other they had actually ventured pretty far out. Racel had wanted to venture out farther before but her husband refused. She had wanted to go back to their brownstone to see if anything was salvagable but he argued how stupid she was for wishful thinking and how they could get lost because New York didn't look the same. He continued that way slowly making Rachel close in on herself as everyone began agreeing with him but now that she see's what Quinn had done she was beyond sure they could make it there and back but she knew he'd never listen because he never does. A plan started forming in her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted by Quinn calling her name.
"Rachel? Helloooo!" Quinn said with a smile in her voice.
"Oh! Um.. Sorry, what did you say?" Rachel said as she blushed in embarassment.
"Are you ok? You've been quiet for a while and you look like you have something heavy on your mind." Quinn said and she could see Rachel's confliction in her eyes. The brunette wasn't sure if she could trust the blonde though she hasn't given her a reason not to. Though, would Quinn willingly put her life on the line for a stranger. "Whatever it is. I'm a good listener." Quinn said interupting her thoughts again. Rachel bit her lip and Quinn lost all coherent thought at the action.
"You'll think I'm crazy." Rachel said.
"Try me." Quinn replied.
"When all this happened I wanted to go back to my place in Brooklyn to see if there wasn't anything salvagable but m-" Rachel was cut off by the blonde raising her hand. Rachel swallowed knowing the blonde was going to tell her it was a bad idea and just like everyone else, call her crazy and selfish for wanting to put her husband in danger.
"So.. When do we leave." Quinn didn't need Rachel to finish. If she was in the brunettes shoes, well, technically she was because she was still on her journey but it wouldn't hurt to help her new comrade before continuing on her own journey.
Rachel's mouth hung open in disbelief. Her eyes shined in hope and admiration of the blondes bravery and Rachel officially knew that she had developed a little crush on her partner in crime. "You-You want to help me?" Rachel ask to be sure. Quinn's smile was beautifully blinding radiating warmth. Rachel's response told Quinn a million things at once and that made her all the more ready to assist the brunette.
"Of course, though I wouldn't recommend tonight. It will be dark soon and we don't know what's out there but we can plan it. Tomorrow morning would be ideal." Quinn said and Rachel's eyes watered at the blondes firm generiousity. Quinn was worried she had said something wrong and was not prepared for the emotions that rocked her at seeing Rachel's eye well with tears. Rachel couldn't believe that this stranger who know's nothing really about her. Trusted her judgement to make the dangerous trek to brooklyn. Her own husband wouldn't even let her explain her plan. Quinn had to be a god send.
"Thank you.." Rachel whispered before leaping into the blondes arms. Quinn was surprised. She wasn't sure what was the big deal but it didn't matter. What mattered was that she had Rachel in her arms and hadn't felt so safe and wanted in such a long time. She wrapped her arms around the brunettes waist and hugged her tightly in return. They held each other for a few minutes. "You have no idea what this means to me..." Rachel whispered in her ear. Quinn eyes shut at the words for a second before her eyes shot open in surprise but she did her best to stay composed in the hug. For the first time in almost 9 years the whispered words and the breathe that accompanied it against her ear, caused arousal to spike in her lower belly. As to not scare the brunette she released her gently as she did her best to quell her lust.
"Don't mention it." Quinn said cursing her voice for deepening in husk. Rachel heard the smoky depth of it and felt herself moisten at the sound. She swallowed thickly.
"So, how do you want to do this. I'm all ears." The blonde said and Rachel smiled.
"Well, we could meet up where we first met. I think we should meet at dawn, that is if your ok with it. The light will give enough view to make it to that spot. Than from there we could plan. I would suggest we plan now but it's getting darker already and I'm not sure how far you've camped but i would feel awful it you had to walk in the dark alone. " Rachel said sincerely.
"Dawn sounds perfect. Are you sure your ok from here?" Quinn ask. The brunettes concern for her safety meant a lot to her. She felt the same. If she was allowed to she'd walk the brunette back to where ever she came from but she didn't want Rachel to think she was trying to stalk her or something.
"Yes, will you be ok from here?" Rachel ask in concern. Unknown to the blonde the brunette wanted to walk her back to safety as well. She honestly didn't want to let the blonde out her sight. She wanted to stay by her forever if she could. For the first time in months she felt whole again. More like her former self and that was precious during these times.
"Yeah, I'll be ok.I gues I'll see you tomorrow?" Quinn said.
"Tomorrow.." Rachel said. "Have a safe night, Quinn." Rachel said softly.
"Have a safe night, Rachel." Quinn replied just as softly. They seperated but Rachel stopped and turned around.
"Quinn?" The blonde turned to her eagerly. Rachel ran back over to her and closed the distance with an embrace. She wasn't sure if tomorrow would be a fluke and this was the last time she'd see the blonde. She wanted to at least hold her one more time. Quinn smiled and hugged her back just as fiercly. She didn't want to let go, she wanted to keep the brunette in her arms as long as possible. Slowly, they both let go only because darkness was creeping over them.
"Goodnight.." Quinn whispered as her hand slowly slipped from the brunette as they began to back away from each other but not ready to turn around, yet.
"Goodnight.." Rachel whispered in return as their hands let go for the final time that day. They both walked backwards staring at each other until it was time for Quinn to turn the corner.
Neither women could explain why it ached beyond reason for them to seperate but it did. Quinn made it back to her group before night fall as did Rachel. They both came back successful with canned goods. Rachel handed the bag to her husband and instead of thanking her he took it to the woman by the fire to start cooking it and though he didn't say it was his find. He took the pats on the back for even showing up with food. Rachel watched on from a distance away, apparently, no one else was successful. Though, no one else dared to step out of their comfort zones to venture farther like she had and has been doing but everytime her husband took the credit without a thank you to his wife. Rachel sighed and sat away from the group of survivors and sat alone but instead of watching them. She looked to the skies and smiled as her mind began conjuring up the image of Quinn.