Just A Few Days
~ K.L.
A/N: I'm debating a sequel but I'm not sure. Tell me what you think. Enjoy!
"I don't see what the problem is Quinn, it's just a few days."
"A few days?" The blonde ran trembling fingers through golden tresses. It was a motion often applied when troubling over a particular issue. More often than not it aided to sooth the fraying nerves however today it seemed to be doing quite the opposite, "A few days?" Repeated the blonde – her tone void of emotion. For an instant hazel found chocolate before redirecting toward a distant object – the wall perhaps.
When their gazes met the look of fury was so strong, so distinct, that Rachel unconsciously took a step back. It was a look she hadn't seen since high school and had gathered she would never see again. To say it stung was an understatement but to show weakness would be to lose and if it was one thing Rachel Berry hated it was to lose. So shoulders drawn back, chin high, she stepped forward dissolving the added space she had created, "Yes, just a few days Quinn. Traveling is something I do and might I note have done for the past year and a half. It is part of my job. My dream."
"Your dream?" At this the blonde scoffed, "I thought I was your dream."
The comment startled the starlit and as a result her frame softened, "You are Quinn."
"Really because for all I know you're lying to me right now."
"Quinn, I would never lie to you. I love y-" Rachel reached forward, she needed to touch her, to hold her.
"Don't," It was dripping with venom and though Quinn had not touched her Rachel reeled back the words a metaphoric slap.
"I don't understand. What did I…" Confusion swam heavy through Rachel. None of this was making sense. It wasn't as if it was the first time they had fought over something as trivial as this. To Rachel it didn't make sense.
Knees weak, stomach knotted, Quinn sought out the comforts of the couch nearby. With a long sigh she sunk down and back willing it to swallow her and take her far far away from here, "Rachel," The voice paused for a moment as its owner took in the puzzled expression on its counterpart, "When I said I wanted to be with you I didn't mean like this." A motion was made to the space around them. It was a small but comfy apartment they had purchased; their first true purchase as a couple.
Rachel – though her tongue willed her – knew better. To speak her mind at this moment would ensure that Quinn would close her out and the matter at hand would never again be discussed like dust under the carpet.
"It's always a few days. Those few days turn into a week and that week turns into a month," Head leaned back with a hand running upward from her cheek to rest upon her eyes Quinn released another sigh, "You're never here: you're never home. And when you are you're always out with your publicist or catching up with Jesse or out at parties making," The blonde rose her hands – two fingers raised then curled on each – as she made the gesture to accompany the next word, "'connections'. Do you know why I took this job in New York Rachel?" The question was rhetoric, "Because I knew you didn't like Santa Barbara, Los Angeles or Cleveland. And even when I was offered a job in Paris – and God you know how much I love Paris – I declined. Why? Because you love New York and I love you and I want to be with you," Her voice sounded as though it may break, "So much that it hurts. But it's just a few days, always a few days."
"Quinn I-" At the confession Rachel felt her heart shatter and the tears fell freely.
"Don't Rachel," Quinn finally found the strength to open her eyes and the courage to meet Rachel's tear-filled gaze, "Don't. I waited for a year and a half for you to realise. I tried to tell yo-" She choked back sobs of her own, "But I'm done waiting." Slipping a slender silver band off her pale digit, Quinn rose to her feet taking the few steps to stand before her love – her life, "And tonight when your flight leaves you'll be on that plane," A wry smile encompassed her features, "Because you're Rachel Berry," Into Rachel's open palm Quinn deposited the slender band, "And you never disappoint." With that Quinn turned toward the bedroom they shared stopping only once to cast back a broken stare, "I love you Rachel – so much – and I wanted nothing more than to be your wife," A sharp intake, "B-but I suppose it just wasn't meant to be." A pause, "I won't be here when you return Rachel – not this time." And with that the door clicked closed, the lock sliding home.