Chapter 2: What Happens in Vegas...
"Santana I just want to go back to the room," Rachel whined plaintively as she was dragged down the street by her determined friend.
The Latina shook her head and continued to tow the reluctant singer behind her as they made their way down the crowded pedestrian walk ways of the Strip. "Not gonna happen Berry. I did not bring you to Vegas so you could spend the whole time sulking in your hotel room and watching depressing romantic comedies on T.V."
"You do realize that's a contradiction right?" Rachel pointed out grumpily.
"Not when watching them makes you start bawling like a newborn."
Rachel blew out a frustrated breath. Her feet hurt. She was tired. It was hot and dry and she just wanted to hide under the covers. "I thought you brought me on this trip so I could relax before starting a grueling audition run. This is not relaxing!"
Santana continued on, undeterred by the diva's mini tantrum. After being friends with her for over twenty years she was well used to them by now. "I brought you here to blow off some steam. You can sleep when we get back to New York."
"I don't see why we have to go to a club. They're loud, stuffy, and not at all the type of thing I enjoy. Why can't we just go to a show?" Rachel questioned. "The new Cirque show is supposed to be simply amazing. I was reading a write up on it on the plane and I think I would be remiss if I failed to see it while I was in town."
Santana rolled her eyes. "This trip is about fun Berry, not work. And since you are clearly not able to have fun on your own, I am going to show you how."
"I know how to have fun," Rachel insisted. Her idea of fun was just a little more laid back than most people's that was all. Jesse understood that, they could spend hours dissecting a musical score, debating the highlights and weaknesses, that was fun. Not fending off the sloppy drunken advances of people she wouldn't be able to hold a real conversation with.
As Rachel continued to be dragged down the sidewalk she took in her surroundings. After landing early this morning, Santana had made a beeline for the gaming floor as soon as they dropped their bags off in the room. Rachel had tried to beg off, but the Latina had insisted. Rachel had managed to sneak off when the Latina had become engrossed in a game of Black Jack and managed to grab a few hours of much needed sleep. Until now though, she had seen very little of the Strip itself.
She had to admit it had a garish kind of appeal. Everything was exaggerated and larger than life, and all of the neon reminded her in some small way of the billboards that graced Broadway. The dry, hot air of the desert however made it clear that while parts of it may remind her of home, this wasn't it. As she approached a line of women handing out little cards, she accepted them without question with a smile.
"Why Rachel if I had known you were in to that sort of thing I would have made different plans for this evening," Santana joked.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Santana."
"Did you even look at what was on that card?"
Rachel creased her brow in confusion and looked at the seemingly innocuous card that she held in her hand. When she realized the content of the card, she let out a squeak of distaste and dropped the card on the ground, wiping her hand on her skirt in an effort to clean it.
"Tsk Tsk, Rachel, it's not right to litter," Santana scolded playfully.
"Well just this once I will make an exception. That was utterly disgusting." Rachel shuddered delicately.
Santana laughed at her petite friend's reaction. "Oh I don't know. A good old fashion Vegas sex show might be just the thing to loosen you up."
"Santana I swear if you drag me to one of those denigrating, misogynistic, exploitive things I will never speak to you again."
"Relax, I want you to blow off some steam, not die of a heart attack." Santana finally came to a stop and queued up at the end of a short line. "This is supposed to be one of the hottest gay clubs in Vegas. So even you should be able to have fun."
The line mercifully moved quickly, her feet really were killing her and she just wanted to find a seat. Entering the club, Rachel was pleasantly surprised by the luxurious, elegant feel of the place. She had expected Santana to bring her to a much trashier venue, if only to throw her even further out of her comfort zone.
Seeing the surprised look on her friend's face Santana smirked. "Wasn't quite what you were expecting?"
Rachel met her friend's gaze, her expression contrite. "Not quite. I figured you would drag me to a loud, smoky, over-crowded, meat market."
Santana smiled widely. "Oh it's got that too, it just also has a bit of a more low key area as well. I figure we can get you warmed up out here and then move to the other half of the club when you're sufficiently lubricated."
Rachel shot her friend a worried glance. Santana knew that Rachel did not handle her alcohol well, the last time the two had gone out drinking it had ended with Rachel being escorted off of the table top and out of the club by a less than impressed bouncer. "Santana…" Rachel said warningly.
"Relax, I'll make sure you don't make a total ass of yourself. Unlike you, I can handle my liquor. Now go find us a table and I will go to the bar. We need to get our drink on." Rachel nodded her head, still somewhat reluctant, but went to go find them a table.
Santana watched her friend go with a careful gaze, half to make sure no one hassled her, and half to make sure she didn't make a run for the door. Satisfied that she wasn't planning to flee the scene, she headed towards the bar scoping out the crowd as she went along. In order for her plan to work, she needed to find just the right girl.
Her eyes quickly passed over, and dismissed candidate after candidate. Too slutty. Too drunk. While I appreciate the flexibility required for that move, she would probably kill Rachel. Suddenly here eyes stopped on a pair of blondes, standing off by themselves. At first glance they might appear to be together, but the body language was all wrong. The Doublemint twins definitely look promising. Deciding to try her luck she made her way over to the two, although she was pretty confident they wouldn't be able to resist her. I mean who could?
She eyed the two more closely as she drew closer, trying to figure which would be the most receptive. The taller of the two seemed to be trying to coax her shorter friend into dancing, but was met with limited success. The shorter, while definitely a hottie, had her arms crossed and was shaking her head slowly from side to side. Contestant number 1 it is then.
"Hey, I saw you guys from the bar and I was wondering if you would like to…"
"Not interested." The shorter of two cut her off before she could even finish her sentence.
"Charming," Santana teased playfully, giving the taller girl her most charming grin. The girl nodded her head slightly and slapped her friend lightly on the arm.
"She just doesn't get out much." Santana nodded her head in understanding, smile still in place to let the friendlier blonde know that she wasn't put off by her friend's surly response.
"Well as I was trying to say, my friend and I have a table and I was wondering if you wanted to join us."
The shorter blonde scowled and shook her head. "Like I said, not interested, we are just trying to have a good time, not get scammed on by you and your friend." She imbued the last word with such scathing contempt, there was little as to what she thought Santana's intent was.
Santana held her hands up defensively, slowly starting to back away. "Hey no problem. My friend was just feeling a little down and I wanted her to have fun, but if you aren't interested, that's cool. Sorry I bothered you."
"Wait." The taller girl reached out and stopped Santana's departure with a hand placed on her forearm. Santana shivered lightly at the contact but ignored it as just coincidence. "We would love to join you." The shorter blonde opened her mouth, but her friend shot her a warning glare, silencing the protest.
"I'm Brittany, and my grumpy companion is Quinn."
"Santana," the Latina replied with a smile. This would work out well, Brittany looked like she was down for a good time, and she was certainly easy on the eyes. Quinn, with her more reserved demeanor and more toned down and almost innocent appearance, while certainly not her type, was right up Rachel's alley. Besides, if experience had taught her anything, it was that the uptight ones were always the most wild once you got a few drinks in to them. So unless she had totally missed the mark, Rachel was in for a good time tonight.
Rachel sat at the table, waiting impatiently for Santana's return. If she didn't show up soon she was seriously considering just going home. She didn't really want to be here in the first place, and if Santana was just going to abandon her, there was little point in hanging around.
Just as she had resolved to get her stuff and go, she noticed the brunette making her way towards the table, two drinks in hand. Rachel bit back a groan when she saw that the fiery Latina had two blondes in tow.
She should have known that Santana wouldn't be able to go to the bar without coming back with some companionship. Rachel narrowed her eyes at the trio. It figures, I can't even find one woman, Santana is gone for under five minutes, and manages to find two.
Santana set Rachel's drink in front of her and urged her to scoot over so she could sit down. Rachel grumbled slightly but slid along the semi- circular bench seat to make room. On the other side of the table, Brittany urged Quinn into the booth before her. The irritated blonde shot her friend an annoyed glance but complied.
Santana smiled, happy that the two most likely to bolt were now trapped. "Rachel this is Brittany," she motioned to the blonde sitting across from her, "and her friend Quinn." Rachel glanced at the girl sitting next to her, and smiled slightly in greeting. She had to hand it to Santana; she certainly knew how to pick them. The girl was gorgeous, with alabaster skin, sparkling hazel eyes, and softly curling blonde hair.
"Nice to meet you both," Rachel replied politely.
"I figured we see enough of each other that the evening would be much more fun if we invited others to join our little party," Santana supplied. Rachel sent her friend a raised eyebrow stare, letting her know she was aware of exactly why the two blondes had been brought to join them. Santana smirked in response, but shook her head slightly.
"Do you want to dance?" Santana asked suddenly, holding her hand out to Brittany. The blonde girl nodded happily and took the Latina's hand. Rachel watched in confusion as the two made their way towards the dance floor.
She turned toward Quinn, who was still occupying the booth. "Didn't you want to join them?"
Quinn frowned in puzzlement. "Why would I?"
"Um…weren't you with them?"
"Well I was with Brittany but we're not attached at the hip," Quinn replied slowly, still confused.
"Oh I thought that the two of you were, you know…with Santana," Rachel supplied, trying to be delicate.
Quinn's confusion cleared. "Um…no, not my thing." Quinn shot a worried glance towards the dance floor, searching for her friend. Rachel watched the blonde, finding her concern for her friend sweet.
She reached out and took a drink from her glass. Damn you Santana. Her friend's plan was now crystal clear to the tiny brunette. Clearly Santana hadn't been hoping to hook up with the two girls, she had brought one for Rachel. How sweet, Rachel thought sardonically.
Rachel took in the still frowning blonde. She looks about as happy to be here as I am. "So what brings you to Vegas? Do you live here?" Rachel asked, she figured if she was going to have to spend the evening with the other woman she might as well get to know her.
Quinn turned away from her search of the dance floor and faced her table mate. "Oh, Brittany thought I could use a weekend away. I'm from back east," Quinn replied vaguely. She didn't want to be rude and ignore the girl, but she wasn't about to spill her whole life story either. Besides, who would want to hear all that shit anyway?
Rachel laughed, the action lighting up her features, and Quinn couldn't help but notice how pretty the other woman was. "Clearly Santana and Brittany were made for each other," seeing Quinn's look of confusion she elaborated, "I find myself here as the result of a concerned friend as well."
Quinn smiled wryly. "Are you as thrilled to be here as I am?" the blonde questioned, taking a sip of her drink.
Rachel nodded. "Oh yes, I was simply thrilled to learn late last night that I would be boarding the red eye and then told that I couldn't even sleep when we landed. It has been one wonderful surprise after another."
Quinn rolled her eyes, and nodded her head in commiseration. "Okay they really are made for each other, that's pretty much exactly what Britt did to me." Quinn raised her glass. "To bossy friends." Rachel laughed and clinked her glass against the blonde's in a toast.
"Without them we would be happy at home in our beds," Rachel finished the toast and took another healthy swallow. What the hell, I am supposed to be on a mini-vacation after all. "So why did you need a weekend away?" Rachel questioned.
Quinn grimaced, taking a drink. "Long, boring, unpleasant story, but the short version is family issues," Quinn answered evasively. "What about you?" she asked, trying to deflect the brunette from asking a follow up query.
"Bad break-up," Rachel replied. "I apparently have abysmally poor taste in women. I have decided to swear off dating altogether, it is just not worth the hassle," Rachel proclaimed dramatically, taking another swallow, and frowning when she realized her glass was almost empty.
Quinn smiled softy in understanding. "I'm sorry, that sucks."
"What about you? Seeing anyone?" Realizing that the question sounded rather like a cheesy pick-up line Rachel hastened to add, "I'm just curious, I'm not asking for myself." Again realizing her mistake she hurried on, "Not that you're not attractive, because you are. It's just as I've said I have sworn off the whole dating thing," Rachel finished, somewhat flustered. Shit what was in that drink? I haven't babbled this badly since high school.
Quinn smiled, finding the brunette's flustered litany adorable. "Relax. I know that you aren't trying to pick me up. You're friend maybe, but you don't seem the type." Rachel was torn between feeling complimented and insulted by the statement, before she could dwell on it too much Quinn continued. "But no, not seeing anyone. Haven't for a while, no time."
Rachel nodded. "I know what you mean. I barely have time to eat most of the time, work takes up almost all my time."
"Is that what caused the break-up?" Quinn questioned, leaning forward slightly and resting her forearms on the table.
Rachel grimaced, shaking her head in the negative. "No. Well, yes. Not really. Kind of?"
Quinn laughed, "Okay well that clears that up."
Rachel sighed, running her hands through her hair. "We worked together." Seeing Quinn wince in sympathy Rachel nodded her head. "I know. And we didn't really work together so much as work in the same, highly competitive field." Seeing Quinn's blank look Rachel supplied, "I'm an actress."
"That must have made it difficult. Being in competition with your significant other."
Rachel smiled sadly. "Well it just goes to show how naive I was. I never thought it was that much of a problem. Until she left me and landed the part I thought I was a shoe in for," Rachel finished with a wry twist of her lips.
Quinn smiled in sympathy. "Ouch. That has to sting."
"It did. Does. That's why Santana dragged me to Vegas. She figured I could use some cheering up."
"And how is that plan working out so far?" Quinn asked.
Rachel smiled at the blonde. "It's starting to look like she might have been on the right track." The brunette let her eyes run over the blonde.
Quinn flushed slightly at Rachel's direct appraisal, and took another fortifying swallow from her nearly empty glass.
"Excuse me, ladies?" Quinn and Rachel turned their attention to the side of the table, where a waitress stood with a loaded drink tray in hand.
Rachel smiled at the waitress kindly but shook her head. "Sorry wrong table, we didn't order anything." While Rachel had enjoyed her drink she was mindful that she had to watch her intake. She did not need a repeat of what had happened last time.
The waitress smiled but placed two glasses on the table. "Your friend sent them over." Rachel looked past the waitress and saw Santana raise a glass in toast from the bar. Apparently she and Brittany had taken a break from dancing.
"Oh, well thank you." Rachel reached into her purse to get a tip but the woman waived her off.
"Your friend took care of it." Rachel nodded her understanding but still dug out a tip and placed it on the waitress's tray. The woman smiled her thanks before turning to leave.
"That was nice of you," Quinn remarked, taking possession of her new drink.
Rachel shrugged it off. "I don't envy her the job, so it's the least I can do. Plus if Santana is paying I can be a bit more generous with the tips." Rachel took a sip of her drink before placing it on the table. "Okay before we go any further you have to promise me something."
Quinn looked at the other girl, slightly startled by the request. "Okay…"she replied a little unsure.
"Santana is likely to keep the drinks flowing pretty freely all night." Quinn nodded her head in understanding. "So if I decided that climbing onto the table and dancing seems like a good idea, please dissuade me of that notion."
Quinn laughed and nodded her head. "You have my word."
Rachel smiled at the laughing blonde. "Thank you Quinn. Now as Santana would say, let's get our drink on."
Several hours and countless drinks later…..
"Do you want to dance?" Rachel asked, leaning toward Quinn, her cheeks flushed and her eyes a bit glassy. She had put Santana's generosity to good use and was feeling little pain at the moment. Alcohol was simply the greatest, and she wasn't sure why she didn't drink more often.
Quinn had also taken advantage of the freely flowing drinks, and nodded her head in assent. "Let's go." Reaching for the brunette's hand she clasped it in hers and pulled the smaller girl out of the booth.
They weaved their way unsteadily through the crowd, giggling softly to each other every time they stumbled and bumped into one another. Rachel wrapped one arm around Quinn's waist to help anchor her and she leaned on the blonde to help keep her upright. "Sorry," she said apologetically. "I seem to be having a bit of a hard time staying upright."
Quinn looked down at the brunette and smiled. "That's okay, glad to be of service."
After arriving at the dance floor it only took Rachel a few moments to realize that she was never going to stay upright without the blonde's assistance. Hoping to appear more sexy then clumsy, she drew the blonde in close and moved around behind her, resting her hands on Quinn's hips.
Leaning in close, she rested her head on the blonde's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Is this okay?"
Quinn felt goose bumps erupt on her neck as Rachel's hot breath washed over the sensitive skin, and nodded. "F-fine. Great in fact," Quinn managed to get out. It had been ages since anyone had held her this close, and it felt heavenly. Bringing her hands down to her hips she clasped Rachel's hands and pulled them more firmly around her, letting the brunette know that she was more than welcome to touch.
Once she had the steadying body of the blonde to keep her upright, Rachel closed her eyes and lost herself in the music. Pulling the blonde's body more snugly against her own she buried her face in Quinn's neck and moved them both to the rhythm.
For her part, Quinn was spending most of her energy making sure her suddenly unsteady knees kept them both off the floor. The feel of Rachel nuzzling into her neck was driving her insane. Suddenly the brunette's hands were on the move, roaming across her sides and torso.
"You smell fantastic," Rachel murmured huskily in her ear, and placing a soft kiss beneath her ear. Quinn shuddered and turned her head to the side, meeting the brunette's hooded gaze. Unable to resist she leaned sideways and closed the small gap that separated them, bringing their lips together.
Rachel groaned into the contact, probing for entry into the blonde's mouth almost immediately. Quinn parted her lips instantly, allowing the brunette's soft, warm tongue access. Leaning back more fully into the brunette's body Quinn brought her right arm up, and placed her hand on the back of Rachel's neck, pulling her closer and making sure couldn't retreat.
Retreat was the last thing on Rachel's mind as she deepened the kiss. She pulled back slightly, earning an unhappy grunt from the blonde. "You taste fantastic too," Rachel said playfully, before diving back in and attacking the blonde's mouth. The kiss was over-eager, clumsy, and a little sloppy but neither girl seemed to notice. Rachel ran her hands restlessly over Quinn's body, seeking skin, but finding no access point's on the blonde's dress. Growling in frustration she pulled back once again. "I want to touch you," she demanded, a slight pout forming on her lips as she plucked at the offending fabric barrier.
Even in her alcohol haze Quinn had enough cognitive faculties left to know that the middle of the dance floor in a crowded club was not the appropriate place to engage in the activity that both she and Rachel were headed towards. Wanting nothing more at the moment then to feel the brunette's hand's gliding across her skin, Quinn nodded her agreement. "We should leave," she said, her voice husky with desire.
Rachel licked her lips, here eye's trained on the blonde's kiss bruised mouth and nodded her head. "Let's go," Rachel agreed impatiently, already turning towards the exit, the blonde's hand firmly grasped in hers.
From a short distance away Santana smirked happily as she watched the pair stumble toward the exit. I am like the fairy godmother of uptight, undersexed lesbians. They better thank me in the morning.
"Are they going to be okay?" Brittany asked, slightly worried as she watched Quinn leave with Santana's friend. Santana turned her attention away from the retreating pair and back toward her companion for the evening.
"They'll be fine," Santana reassured the blonde. Berry wasn't doing her best Coyote Ugly impression so she couldn't have been that drunk. "Though it looks like the room Rachel and I are sharing just became a bit crowded." Santana smiled seductively at the blonde and leaned in to give her a kiss. "Do you think maybe I can crash with you tonight?"
Brittany returned the kiss, smiling against the Latina's lips. "Absolutely."
Santana grinned; Rachel wasn't the only one that was going to get lucky tonight. "Well in that case I am feeling in dire need of a lie down." Brittany grasped her hand and began leading her off of the dance floor toward the exit.
"I'm sure since Quinn is spending the night elsewhere she won't mind you crashing in her bed." Santana frowned and a pout formed on her lips. You owe me one Berry.