A/N: Hi, hello! I'm Drew, the other half of this account. It's been a while since I've written a fanfic, but sometimes there are too much Faberry feelings and poof, out comes this futurefic!

Thank you to Theresa, my multi-talented account partner for the evocative book cover.

disclaimer: 20th Century Fox, Murphy & Co. most definitely own Glee, but the devoted Faberry shippers make this fandom one of a kind.

Prologue

Five Years Ago

"That handsome salesman was SO into you, Q," Rachel teased.

"He was way too tall for me, Rach. Did you see his neck?"

"I did see his neck, and I also saw his muscular body, and those shoulders! He treated you so kindly, and pardon me if I also noticed the way he was touching your back!"

"Oh, you mean his gay touch? His hands were so delicate. Too delicate," Quinn objected, as they left through the doors of the Ralph Lauren.

"He was not gay! And ha, you did feel it and you most certainly enjoyed it!"

"Okay, maybe a little," Quinn admitted. "But you would have too. Who wouldn't enjoy a little massage in the middle of a long shopping day? He did have some nice technique."

"Are you suggesting we return for a second round, Quinn?" Rachel stopped on the pavement, her eyes twinkling.

"I got my shopping done," Quinn dismissed, walking on.

"But Quinn, maybe–"

"Maybe you want one."

Rachel gasped and sped up to Quinn's pace.

"No I do not, my routine stipulates that I eat, exercise and do not disturb my body with unnatural motions such as hand mas– ahhh…"

Quinn's hands had crept onto Rachel's shoulders and gently rubbed her shoulders, effectively hushing Rachel's standard recounting of her "everyday routine".

"Ohhhhhh– ok, stop, stop Quinn, ohh…"

Quinn's fingers were now on Rachel's back, making small, light circles on concentrated parts of her upper back, ignoring Rachel's very vocal protestations.

"Ahh, Fabraaay–"

Rachel pulled away, scurrying a few steps ahead, shuddering at the stimulating pleasure running around – circles – through her back.

"It sounds like you do want one," Quinn grinned. "I think you need one."

Circles.

Rachel didn't respond, electricity still rhythmically traveling through her body. She continued walking, clutching her bag tightly.

"Oh, Rach," Quinn ran to catch up with her, shopping bags following, knocking against her back legs. Rachel fished a pair of black Wayfarers out of her handbag and shoved them on.

"So," Rachel said when Quinn caught up, her voice suddenly high-pitched. "Where shall we go next?"

"Coffee break?" Quinn suggested with a small grin still visible on her face.

"I could use some coffee," Rachel agreed, surreptitiously glancing at Quinn through her shades.

"Me too," Quinn murmured, a little stunned at Rachel's previous reaction, unable to read her behind the Wayfarers.

"So Qua– Quinn," Rachel stumbled as they stopped at an intersection, "where did you learn to uh, perform back massages?"

"I'm not sure," Quinn responded indifferently. "I don't think I ever have before."

"So you are a, um, natural?"

"Maybe. You're a singing natural."

Rachel couldn't help a small smile.

"I am an extremely talented singer," she said quietly.

They crossed the street, the busy New York weekend traffic flowing around them.

"You should come to our show next week," Rachel suggested, now sparking some cheerfulness. "My class is doing a modernized version of Around the World at the Imperial Theatre."

Quinn laughed. Rachel looked like a dazzling rock star in her shades.

"When will it be?"

"Friday night, at seven."

Quinn had been invited to a party that night.

"Of course I'll come, Rach. I'd never miss you performing."

"Excellent!" Rachel smiled widely, clapping her hands together. She withdrew three tickets from her bag and handed them to Quinn. "Here are three tickets, please bring some friends this time, Quinn!"

"I like watching you perform, Rach. People I know go to parties on Friday nights."

"Are you not lonely when you sit by yourself?"

"All I care about in those theatres is you."

"Well, I am rather stunning and amazing when I sing," said Rachel offhandedly.

Quinn smiled at Rachel's self-praising. "You are, Rach. You're going to be a star on Broadway one day."

Rachel grinned with confidence at Quinn's words, squeezing her wrist lightly. "You really are my best friend ever, Quinn."

They entered a Starbucks, the line empty and a few tables occupied by other weekend shopping pairs.

"I'll get them," Quinn gestured as she glided to the barista.

Rachel found a small, wooden circular table by a window and sat, watching Quinn, feeling like the luckiest girl to have her as a friend. Any performance jitters and nervousness of the New York stage were vanquished by Quinn's undying support at her shows. Rachel didn't ask Quinn to come every time, knowing the travel and schedule was tough, but every time she asked, she did and Rachel spectacularly came through in the spotlight each time. The warm feeling at the end of her musicals and plays, seeing the audience, seeing Quinn stand up and enthusiastically applaud her was unmatchable. That represented the lifelong dream.

Quinn's fedora spun around and her hazel eyes found Rachel sitting, as the barista set to fulfill their drink orders. Quinn had gotten prettier since they left high school. They never went a month without seeing each other, and each time they met, Rachel was stunned by Quinn's attractive, mature radiance. She couldn't imagine going shopping with anyone else; the monthly experiences with her had brought them so close, without the ridiculous melodrama of high school.

High school, when Quinn was that tough, independent social empress and symbol of blonde perfection. How Rachel had admired that girl. She loved this one even more.

She gazed out the window, the sun beginning to set. She and Quinn had embarked on another legendary Saturday shopping, talking about life and growing up. Post-McKinley High independence had done them both well, living as friends in New York. But Rachel knew she'd never forget how they became friends in the first place in high school. Prom. Nationals. Glee. Those were some of her life's most cherished moments.

"Hey."

Hearing that voice was wonderful; the voice that was distinctly Quinn Fabray.

"Hey," she warmly responded, taking the English tea Quinn offered her.

Quinn sat, across from her, setting her shopping bags on the floor.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Hmm?"

"You had that endearing dreamy-Rachel Berry look."

"Is it really that endearing?"

Quinn laughed. "Yes, it is. You look like you're in some other happy world."

Rachel laughed too.

"I was thinking about us."

Quinn leaned a little closer, tentative. "Us?"

"Yea. Like how we've stayed together since Lima, and we travel to see each other so much even though we attend different schools. And you excelling at Yale, and continually supporting me at my shows."

"I love coming to watch you, Rachel. You know that."

"You're the best friend a girl can ask for. I don't know what I would do without you."

Rachel paused.

"Sometimes I don't want it to ever end, this. You really don't know what– how much you mean to me, Quinn."

The blonde's cheeks turned a touch of pink at the proclamation.

"Rachel," Quinn began, staring at Rachel adoringly, "I… I don't know how to respond."

Rachel was about to speak when Quinn found her words.

"You mean the world to me too."

Rachel smiled affectionately, getting the internal feeling that tears would be reaching her eyes soon.

"Rachel… I'm not sure how to say this… I want to tell you something."

Quinn breathed, suddenly feeling unsteady with the Rachel. The girl she was most comfortable with in the world.

"I'm really, really happy with us too, Rachel. Ever since we left Lima, growing up together here with you has been an amazing experience. I never thought you of all people would be my best friend."

Rachel smiled, her inner instinct of doing so when thinking of Quinn as her best friend still strong.

"And… and I've never felt this before, but when I'm with you, I get these… these feelings. I'm so happy when I'm with you. You, Rachel, we've been through so much, I owe you so much. You're this person, this rock, and you never betray who you are, and you earn every moment in your life. And I used to be this… terrible evil cheerleader that terrorized you. And now, because of you, you changed me, lifted me and picked up the pieces when I became an outcast, and we became friends…"

Rays of sunset orange shone onto Quinn through the window. She looked down at her coffee, twisting the paper cup in a circle on the spot. She eyed Rachel hard, continuing, sensing interruption.

"What I want to say is… Rachel. You're the best thing that ever happened to me in my life, and my heart, it skips whenever I see you. You're so strong, so driven, so talented with your beautiful voice. And these past two years have been the best of my life. I look forward to the next time I see you every day, and sometimes it's unbearable not knowing when that will be, but when you call, I'm really, really happy. And… Jesus, I'm not used to doing this," Quinn muttered, half-laughing, half-choking. "I never want to lose you. I want… I want for us to be… together."

Quinn finished slowly, feeling her heart and outpouring romantic desires swirling on the table between them.

"Together?" repeated Rachel, her grip loosening on her paper cup.

Quinn stared at Rachel's idle left hand on the table. Her own hand joined her longing heart on the table and reached for Rachel's, tenderly enclosing it with hers.

"I want to be with you, Rachel. More than I've wanted to be with anyone else."

Quinn gently squeezed Rachel's hand beneath her, and looked intently into those brown eyes, devoting all her feelings into the gaze.

Rachel breathed, feeling constricted, as if she just re-surfaced after nearly drowning.

"Quinn."

The blonde watched her best friend, sensing hesitation. Rachel's head was down, unable to meet Quinn's eyes.

"I am… I... Your words are… you are my best friend."

Her hand rested, unmoving underneath Quinn's.

"And… I love you. God, Quinn, my world is amazing with… with you."

Quinn watched Rachel struggle. She still wouldn't look up at her, seemingly unable to meet the hazel eyes.

"I'm…"

The hand twitched.

"I can– I don't…"

Rachel's warm fingers crept on top Quinn's, slightly interlocking their hands, and ever so slowly stroked Quinn's ring finger, between the nail and knuckle.

Silence overtook them for decades.

"Rach…"

"Q…"

Rachel's eyes met Quinn's. The silence was torturous, worrying Quinn. What did she just do?

"Q… Quinn…"

Rachel's pupils were darting side to side, Quinn could see now. There was uncertainty in them, and words had faltered.

"Rachel?"

The tender stroking stopped. Quinn's eyes directed down to where Rachel's finger had stopped. Their hands drew closer, interlocking further. Quinn was suddenly aware of the pounding of her heart.

She revert her eyes back to Rachel's. The browns were still now, pointed straight at Quinn's hazels. She saw the faint reflection of her own blonde strands of hair in them.

"…"

She heard a barely audible sniff, and suddenly the warm hand was gone from under her, and Rachel was gone from her seat, and gone through the doors of the coffee shop.

Her shopping bags sat abandoned on the floor.

have a heart, write a review? :)