Hey everyone... So I've decided to try my hand at writing again. It really has been so long and the only explanation I can give is that life has thrown so many curve balls at me since I last updated a story. I won't get into that list of reasons but I will say that it was always my intention to finish the vcard sequel. I even have 3 chapters mapped out which has just been sitting there for the last 2 years.
So in order to ensure I do that story justice; I wanted to post this one-shot that I came up with using the Storymatic cards. I highly recommend them to any writer who wants to come up with excellent prompts. So here goes. Please read and review and help me improve myself so I can once again be in the zone to continue the sequel.
Also, I wanted to shout out those who have read, reviewed and favorited any/all of my stories during my non-writing period. The alerts always made me smile . Thank you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, just a ratty looking book with random story scribbles.
Quinn holds her glass of orange juice while leaning against the doorframe of the Berry Living room. She surveys all the guests at the surprise party. The banner in the living room read 'Happy Retirement Chief Inspector Fabray'. She smiles at the thought of those close to her coming together to celebrate her decision to leave the Lima Police Force in the prime of her career as Chief Inspector. Her superiors were asking her to make some unethical decisions and she chose the high road instead of dipping her toe in the corruption pool of Lima. Her choice made the Lima Times and exposed a world unknown to Lima residents. She was applauded for her courage, and now she stands in the living room of the Berry men on the first day of retirement.
Hiram Berry was the father figure she never had in Russell. He led her to his house under the rouse of needing help with his new digital camera. Quinn walked in and was suddenly startled to see half the Police force, her mom, and a few friends standing in the room screaming 'SURPRISE!'. Even Hiram's daughter was there in all smiles, giving Quinn a smirk that seemed especially reserved for her these days.
Rachel was in town taking a much deserved break from Broadway and New York. She had her success just as she predicted and now at almost 30 she felt the need to slow things down a bit before embarking on another project, most likely working on recording another album. Her fans just can't seem to get enough of her voice and her charm. Such is the case with the latter and Quinn Fabray. For as you see, Quinn and Rachel had met up on Rachel's first day back in Lima. It was purely by accident; Quinn was in the middle of the grocery aisle debating between Cheetos and Lays chips, deep in thought only to have a rogue grocery cart gently bump her on the hip. Looking up, she saw Rachel standing a few feet away from her, looking for a healthy vegan snack. Since then, the pair has been inseparable.
A month into her stay in town and Rachel was developing a crush of sorts for Quinn, especially with her choice to leave the force with an untarnished reputation. She can't deny that Quinn didn't turn her on because in the present moment the look Quinn gives her in response to her smirk is causing butterflies in her stomach. The kind she has not had in a very long time. Rachel left behind a tabloid speculated boyfriend in New York. Everyone who has even glanced at a tabloid in recent months knows about Brad Bennett and his relationship with Rachel Berry. They were always photographed together all smiles and affection. When Rachel showed up without Brad in Lima, Hiram nor Leroy raised any question on it. They were just grateful to have their baby back filling up their house with her warmth and personality.
Leroy interrupts the staring contest between Quinn and Rachel by whispering in Quinn's ear. Rachel notices this and sees both her father and Quinn retreat into the kitchen.
"What's up Lee?"
"Quinn, I need you to do something for me."
She looks at the worried look on the man's face and creases her brow in concern and confusion.
"Is everything ok? The look on your face is kinda making me worried Lee."
Leroy pulls a chair near the kitchen counter and Quinn follows his actions. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out something. Clutching it in his hand the blonde waits for him to reveal the item.
"Quinn I need you to do something for me. I'm a bit worried for Rachel."
On hearing the singer's name her ears per up and her face grows serious. He opens his hand revealing the object. Quinn gasps softly at it, then trying to make her shock appear mildly as possible.
"Did Bennett give her that?" the blonde asks, her stomach churning hoping that the answer is not what she thinks it will be.
"I'm not sure. I have no idea, actually. This fell out her purse the other day, and I have no idea what to think about it. She has never mentioned anything about it and I'm pretty sure that as her father, Hiram and I would be the first to know about this kind of thing. I find it even stranger that she has not noticed that it's not been in her purse for a few days. I've been holding on to it since I found it a few days ago."
Quinn continues to stare at the object in Leroy's hand. "I'm not quite sure you want me to do here Lee."
The man before her pinches his nose bridge in frustration unsure of what he really is asking Quinn to do for him. All he knows is that with Quinn's newfound closeness to his daughter gives him more comfort than the object in his hand. It's a relationship he can attest to seeing the way they both look at each other. He inhales a sharp breath as he musters up the courage to say words that he knows he cannot take back or erase. "I don't like or trust Bennett and I don't like it if he is the one that gave Rachel this..." he trails off as he looks at the object in his hand.
Realisation dawns on Quinn as the man before her is scared and looking for comfort in knowing his baby will be ok in the life decisions she makes with or without their guidance. She was always ok, reaching this far in life on her own in the big city of New York, but as a father you never cease to worry.
"Quinn, I need you to go back to New York with Rachel and find out if this is for real." he says, motioning to the object in his hand, which he slips in his pocket at the end of his sentence. Quinn notices the action and realises that the object probably feels like its burning a hole in Leroy's hand with the element of its unknown source. "There's a plane ticket for you in the top drawer of the desk of my study. The flight leaves in 2 days with Rachel, since she has to head back to New York to meet with her agent on her new album, then she is back in a week's time. Your ticket is booked to go with her and return with her. I need answers and you are the only one who can accompany her and give me those answers. Your skills as an ex-Inspector means you don't even need the full week to find out what this is about and if Bennett is behind it. She's never brought him home but she doesn't need to for me or Hiram to know that something is amiss about their relationship. "
Quinn looks taken by surprise at his request but is totally understanding to this situation and nods in understanding at a father's need for closure on his suspicions. "I'll pack a bag today." is all she says before Leroy pulls her into a hug of gratitude. "Does Hiram know about this?"
"He does but he is also at a loss, just as me. He wants to do something about it but he has no idea how to do it without sounding like a protective policeman or an overly protective dad."
"Ok Lee, I'll go tell Rach I'm going with her since I'm bored with retirement already." Leroy chuckles at her statement and the irony of it since Quinn is not yet 30 but already retired and not even a full 24 hours from the police force.
He points at his pocket and says "Thank you Quinn, we owe you big time for this."
She shakes her hands and head in protest "Think nothing of it. You guys are like my family. Hiram spoils me like I'm his own. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you guys."
Leroy smiles at her statement but then gradually drops his smile as he gets up from his seat and heads upstairs in his house."I better go put back this engagement ring in Rachel's purse before she actually notices it's been missing all this time."
The flight goes by uneventfully with Rachel lightly snoring while sleeping on Quinn's shoulder during the entire flight.
