Okay…firstly can I just say WTFOMGBBQ! (I'm so down with the youth see?) um you guys totally blew me away with your response to this story, I don't want to give too much away but I will answer a few questions. Firstly yep for those who have asked it is inspired by The Cutting Edge one of my all time favourite films. Secondly Brittany will make an appearance but I haven't decided in what context, but it isn't a story without Brit there, also Kurt will, possibly Blaine but not sure about anyone else. Secondly I want Karofsky happy in this one cos he's like a huge cuddly teddy bear so there will be a happy ending there. But seriously you guys rock like AC/DC! Hope you enjoy this second instalment!
Part Two: 'Are you strong enough?'
Quinn looked at the strange man opposite her (Coach William Schuster she reminded herself, so not strictly a stranger), then back to her mom who was still smirking it should be noted, then back at her own hands. Pursing her lips she deliberately pinched her arm then winced.
"Okay…definitely not dreaming then, and for the record…ow!"
Will looked at Lily who just rolled her eyes, when she noticed Quinn's attention was still diverted from the job offer she cleared her throat pointedly and gestured to the coach when the blonde looked at her. Taking a deep breath Quinn rubbed her hands together and eyed him speculatively.
"Is this some elaborate joke that Santana thought up because if it is you better come clean now…or your ass will get kicked just as hard as I'm gonna kick hers."
Will ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Lily again before frowning in confusion.
"Who is Santana?"
Seeing that Quinn was determined to remain silent and was continuing to regard the coach with nothing more than disbelief, Lily rolled herself over close enough to get the blonde hockey players attention before speaking in what Quinn thought of as her 'cop voice' in other words, she wasn't messing around.
"Listen up honey, this isn't a joke, it isn't a trick. This guy's name is Coach William Schuster, he watched you play last night and he's here to offer you a golden opportunity. I want you to listen to him carefully before you make a decision, okay?"
Unaware her spine had straightened up on instinct when she heard the 'cop voice' Quinn found herself nodding, then smiling faintly as her mom gently squeezed her knee in silent support. The hockey player cleared her throat and mustered up her trademark cocky smirk.
"Okay, I'll listen, after all even I'm not stubborn enough to throw him out without at least hearing him out…right mom?"
Scrunching her nose up as she pretended to think, the detective tilted her head to one side.
"Do you REALLY want me to answer that?"
Narrowing her eyes in mock annoyance Quinn couldn't help but laugh as her mom wheeled back too fast for her to grab, instead she pointed a warning finger.
"Watch it old lady, just remember who gets to choose your nursing home!"
An eyebrow arched in a disbelieving way as the detective smiled back serenely.
"Old lady huh? Maybe YOU should remember who does your laundry?"
Mock scowling Quinn half bowed in defeat from her seated position then they both chuckled before the hockey player turned back to face Will, he smiled fondly at the interaction between the two of them and found it amazing that they weren't actually genetically related. Realising Quinn was watching him expectantly he cleared his throat and reminded himself why he was there.
"Right, well I have something a little different for you obviously, but from what I saw last night of your style I have to say I think you would be formidable as a figure skater. I mean obviously it's going to be different and there will be a lot of training but Rachel…"
A slender but calloused hand raised itself halting him abruptly and when she had his attention she asked very pointedly.
"Rachel…you want me to partner another chick?"
A very loud throat clearing from the detective had Quinn rolling her eyes before correcting herself.
"Woman…sorry mom…but I mean isn't that sort of unusual? Aren't pairs meant to be like boy/girl, because I know my hairs kinda short and I have good musculature but I also have sweater cows and an inny not an outy, definitely female."
Will's mouth opened and closed absently as he tried to decipher what the blonde had just said, deciding the main point (and trying not to think at all about sweater cows) was the unusual partnering he just shook his head minutely and answered her.
"Um…right well, yeah normally it is boy/girl but there have been instances of same sex skating couples as the rules aren't strictly speaking against it. Plus if I'm being honest and laying all my cards on the table here I'll admit I'm sort of at the end of my rope. Rachel can be…temperamental to work with, hence there aren't any available partners willing to work with her."
Thinking over what he said Quinn sat back in the chair and something niggled at the back of her mind, after a moment she sat back up abruptly.
"Rachel…and temperamental, holy shi…uh crap, um you mean Rachel Berry don't you, the original Ice Princess?"
Wincing at the unflattering nickname the press and competitors had given his protégée the coach nodded, even knowing that it could mean he was about to lose his last chance before she'd even stepped into the rink. To his surprise instead of looking horrified the hockey player just grinned widely and laughed.
"Oh boy, ya know…I'm tempted just to say yes because I'd love to see the look on her face when she realises not everyone bows down to her superior attitude."
Will looked at Lily uncertainly, the detective just shrugged and half smiled as if she knew no more about the way her daughters mind worked than he did. After a pause Quinn cleared her throat and leaning forward placed her elbows on her knees and clasped her hands together.
"What are the terms, I mean, I take it I'm going to be the one wearing the trousers right? Cos no offence but she would make a really short guy."
Grinning now that the blonde was seemingly seriously considering the offer, Will nodded in agreement.
"Yes, you would be the one to take on the role traditionally skated by the male in the partnership, this means your upper body strength is essential as well as your balance and timing. From what I saw last night although the training will be intense you are more than capable of keeping up."
Quinn nodded thoughtfully, it was definitely different and one things for sure, if she was going to try it there was no way in Hell she was going to tell Santana! In fact she would swear her mom to secrecy and just say she was off to help train a pee wee hockey league or something. She could ask Dave to cover her shifts at the video game store till Mike got some permanent help in to replace her. God knows if the money was right she had nothing else holding her here (except her parents but that was why she was doing it in the first place), in fact it might be nice to get out of town and let the dust settle for a bit, wait for the angry boyfriends/fiancée's and husbands to forget about her. But only if the money was right…not because she was and always had been intrigued by the fiery little brunette, nope not that at all!
"Okay coach let's talk money…actually let me write down an amount and if you can get me that in advance then, well then, we have a deal."
She watched as Will nodded and picking up a pad and pen from the phone table quickly calculated how much more money they needed for the operation, the cost of airfare and hotel accommodation for the duration of the treatment for both her parents and physiotherapy for her mom, then she whacked on an extra fifty thousand as room to haggle. Handing the piece of paper to Will she watched his eyebrows raise into his hairline and then he rubbed his jaw.
"Would you mind if I made a call before I answer you, obviously I need to check with our sponsors, this is quite the lump sum you're asking for."
Deciding it was better not to mention that the sponsors were in fact Rachel's parents, Will disappeared off into the hallway and Quinn scratched her nose, deep in thought before she caught her mothers confused look. At the unasked question Lily leant back in her chair and just spread her hands wide as she asked.
"Why on earth do you need an advance…Quinn you haven't been gambling again have you?"
The blonde wondered how to reply to that, she obviously couldn't tell her the truth given there paying and organising the operation was a secret. But with her mom being a detective and Quinn not being a very convincing liar in the first place coming up with a believable story was difficult. Half truth?
"I…may have one or two obligations that I need to complete before I leave, but it's not what you think mom. Honest, I told you I would quit the casino's and I have."
Peering into the troubled hazel eyes for a long moment Lily eventually nodded and offered a small smile.
"Okay, I believe you…but then I sort of have to as you're my daughter, I seem to remember that clause being in the contract somewhere."
The detective grinned as Quinn aimed a cushion at the woman, it missed by a mile due to some fast wheelchair manoeuvring, Lily's aim was far better and Quinn fell back dramatically as her mom chuckled at her antics. She may be more trouble than her other two kids combined but she had a heart of gold, it's just that hardly anyone ever saw it.
"Thank God you cant knock women up so it's not that! Just promise you will at least try and behave if you decide to try out for this job?"
Quinn drummed her fingers on her sternum as she frowned exaggeratedly and pretended to think before replying.
"I can promise that I will try to try to behave?"
Rolling her eyes her mom smiled fondly.
"You're such a dork Quinn, you know that right."
Shrugging from her overly relaxed position flat out on the sofa the blonde yawned and thought fondly of her warm and ultra comfy bed only a few doors away, then sat up abruptly as Will came back in looking happy. He nodded to her.
"It's a lot of money but…if you're successful at the practice session then they will pay you it in four monthly instalments, the amount will then be deducted from any following checks you may receive and prize money, is that agreeable?"
Quinn tried her hardest and was luckily successful in keeping her jaw together, she had expected to have to haggle which is why she asked for more than she needed, so she could barter down, however she really wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth and held her hand out.
"I'd say you just found your figure skater Mr Schuster."
He grabbed it with both of his and shook enthusiastically with a wide grin.
"You wont regret this Quinn, I know this is all a bit different but I have a good feeling about this…and please call me Coach or Will, Mr Schuster makes me feel like a teacher!"
The hockey player shook her head slightly but grinned back.
"Okay, so how does this work, I mean I get that you want me to try out first but I mean, when, not right now is it cos…to be honest the old lady hasn't done my laundry yet."
She abruptly lifted her feet onto the sofa as Lily wheeled over where they had been a minute ago, she smirked until she got slapped upside the head. Will laughed and then checked his diary.
"No, not today, Monday morning. Do you want me to send the car for you or can you make your own way there?"
Strictly speaking Quinn had been banned from driving anything with four wheels but had skirted around that law and taken her bike licence so she grinned and chose to ignore her mom's pointed but for once ineffectual glare.
"No sweat coach, I got wheels just give me the address and the time and I'm there."
After ironing out the last of the fine details Quinn headed straight back to bed while Lily showed Will out still slightly bewildered at the offer that had come from nowhere, she was still slightly suspicious despite the many reassurances she had been offered and accepted, but that came with the badge.
"Well, I hope you're made of Teflon Coach Schuster, you thought you had it bad with just Rachel, but Quinn is just as tenacious…and you're gonna be putting them together."
It was at that point that Will Schuster wondered exactly what it was that he had just let himself in for…
Rachel had had a lousy nights sleep, her thoughts had continually tumbled around in her brain like a washing machine stuck on the spin cycle. She knew she was difficult, she knew she loved to skate and she knew her competitive nature would one day lead her to Olympic gold and stardom…but right now she had no idea how she was going to get there, there wasn't one person that she had skated with since Jesse douche bag that was anywhere near good enough to keep up with the pace she set. So as soon as she heard coach Schuster's car pull up she bolted from the relative warmth of the skating rink and over to meet him at his car. She wanted to greet him warmly but that wasn't who she was, besides she was learning not to get attached to anyone or anything so she merely covered her nervous hesitation by tucking a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear and asking abruptly.
"Where's my new partner, I thought you said you had someone new for me to try out?"
Choosing to ignore the lack of manners, and the abrupt appearance at his elbow as he took his overnight bag out of the car, Will simply smiled and nodded.
"I have found you a new partner but I assumed that you would want her to have a proper try out, and as she had home commitments to sort out first she'll be here first thing Monday, that's only one day and it gives you the chance to prepare a list of what you want her to perform for you."
Sighing irritably Rachel hated that the arguments he had presented were indeed valid ones and so she settled for pulling the collar of her fleece up to just under her nose before talking in a muffled voice.
"Well…yes I suppose that does make sense, just as long as their willing to work the long hours, you see, I told you someone would be willing to work for my fathers exorbitant generosity when it comes to wages and…"
Will had been waiting for this, for the moment when his choice of words would finally sink in, it took almost the whole of her rant before that light went on in her eyes and he waited for the inevitable, he was ashamed to admit he was fighting the urge to laugh as he watched the brown eyes go from self assured, to shock, then disbelief and finally plain and simple outrage.
"What the…please tell me that you just made an error with your grammar William Schuster!"
He smiled serenely and shrugged, yes a part of him was definitely enjoying the look on her face just a bit too much. He sighed internally however before saying honestly.
"Rachel, I told you I was going to have to get creative, this is creative and let's face it if Quinn manages to perform the male role then you guys will be working twice as hard as everyone else which gives you an edge! You'll be fitter, faster, a force to be reckoned with."
He waited for the verbal equivalent of Krakatau, currently however Rachel seemed to be stuck on impersonating a guppy and he waited patiently. When it did happen it was as impressive as usual with arms flailing as if to punctuate just how outraged she was.
"You…she…what? What the HELL were you thinking! This isn't going to give us an edge it's going to put us on the edge…as in the edge of obscurity! I cant skate with another woman, it's stupid! It's going to turn me into a sideshow, is that what you want for us to be a laughing stock? And what the Hell kind of a name is Quinn anyway, it's rather masculine, is that why you chose her is she one of those…asexual looking women?"
Internally he rolled his eyes and sighed but knowing that he needed to force his point home he merely folded his arms and crossed his legs at the ankle before leaning back on the hood of his car.
"Well let me put it this way, the international male skaters wont skate with you, the national championship and intermediate and beginner level skaters wont skate with you, I even put out feelers to bring a foreigner over and have them made citizens but as soon as I mentioned your name I was informed that no one would be interested!"
At the quickly masked pain in her eyes Will felt a pang in his own chest and wished that sometimes she would understand subtlety so he wouldn't have to hit her with blunt truths like this. He let his words sink in and then took a deep breath before carrying on in a much softer tone.
"Rachel…this is it, the last chance we have. You need to work with her, you need to at least give her a chance because after this, I don't know where else to look."
Swallowing slightly the skater looked down at her feet, Will felt terrible and stepping forward he placed both his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently. After a moment she looked up with suspiciously wet eyes and he smiled softly.
"I would never intentionally make you a laughing stock Rachel, if I didn't believe in your talent and care about you then I wouldn't still be here. Whatever you may think, Quinn is a good skater, she's fast, she's strong and she isn't put off by the gossip, and I know for a fact she's a hard worker because it was Shannon that recommended her to me and you know she doesn't abide shirkers."
Rachel smiled softly at that, Shannon had been up to Will's place several times and Rachel had enjoyed her no nonsense attitude and easygoing demeanour, the brunette nodded and sighed softly.
"Okay…okay, well if you think it will work then I suppose I don't have anything to lose do I? what's she like character wise, I mean will we at least look good together?"
Will picked up his bag and nodded.
"Definitely, she's taller than you, blond, but it's cut pretty short and she plays hockey as well as helping Shannon coach, plus she runs her own team and oversees a street hockey league. Like I said she's a hard worker, she has an edge but…I'm sure the two of you will find some common ground to work from."
Rachel helped him in by taking his other bag for him and arched an eyebrow before commenting blithely.
"Once she realises we do things my way or not at all then I'm sure we will get along just fine."
Will internally grimaced and remembered Lily Rush's parting words…looks like luck wasn't all he could do with, idly he wondered if the surplus store on the outskirts of town stocked cattle prods and hazmat suits…that would surely keep him safe…right?
Meanwhile in the Rush household there was a strange silence as they all sat around the dining table, although sworn to secrecy about the nature of the job, Lily was not backwards in coming forwards to inform the rest of the family (Including their ma who had tried to eat evening meals with them despite the separation) that Quinn had been sought out, by name no less, for a very special type of job. The blonde hockey player had done her best to dodge a lot of the questions fired at her and right now was sat shovelling Santana's chicken rigatoni into her mouth at a constant pace to avoid talking. Dave looked puzzled at his sisters silence whereas Santana looked…calculating.
Looking round at her kids Lily couldn't help but smile fondly, to her right Sofia caught her eye and the detective felt a pang in her chest, she still loved her wife, she just couldn't take the smothering care. She smiled back slowly when the fire fighter rolled her eyes and gestured between San and Quinn. Lily nodded fractionally and raised an eyebrow in a silent question.
How long till Santana lays on the questions so thick that Quinn collapses under the pressure and blabs?
The detective didn't feel bad for telling Sofia the truth, after all they were married, separated for the moment but married nonetheless, plus she was Quinn's other parent and deserved to know the truth. The problem is they both knew and had in fact known from the very first day they picked Quinn up from the children's home that she couldn't lie to save her life. So, if she wanted to make a little money on a side bet it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, Sofia considered and held up three fingers discreetly, the detective grinned back and raised four, the bet made they sat patiently and waited.
Quinn could feel Santana's eyes on her and was hoping (or maybe for the first time in her life, praying) that the Latina would let her suspicions die a natural death and not give voice to the questions forcing their way to the forefront of her mind. However from the sly smile on the chef's face, the hockey player knew that wouldn't happen and so with a certain weary resignation she sighed set her fork down before looking across at her curious sibling.
"Okay…just do it already, just ask before your pretty little head bursts with the amount of pressure."
Smirking widely Santana sat back and regarded her sister for a long moment, it always amazed her that for a shit hot poker player she made an incredibly useless liar.
"Okay Q, let me break it down for you, you cant lie for shi…crap, sorry mom, ma. Anyway we both know you're a lousy liar so let's not talk about the pee wee hockey league thing, because yeah, you're good at hockey, amazing even but there's no way a pee wee league would come all the way out here just to headhunt you."
Toying with her blue Kool-aid Quinn shrugged a shoulder and tried not to catch the sharp brown eyes boring into her skull.
"Look, they just heard how good I was okay, that bit is true…I mean why else would someone come ask for me by name huh?"
Santana nodded in agreement.
"I'm not arguing that, I mean at the risk of your ego swelling anymore than it already is, you are a fantastic hockey player…but, that's not what you've been hired for is it?"
Shifting awkwardly in her seat Quinn drained her glass and avoided answering.
"What would make you say that?"
Santana rolled her eyes.
"Duh, because you're shifting even more guiltily than you did when mom accused Dave of subscribing to the Playboy channel…and you still haven't answered the question."
Letting out a breath the blonde grumbled then scowled before finally giving into the inevitable.
"Fine, I'll tell you but you don't get to take the piss okay!"
She winced as her ma's foot impacted lightly with her shin at the curse word and she took a moment to look duly chastised before turning back to her siblings, Santana looking at her expectantly, Dave more speculatively.
"Sorry ma…I'm maybe ya know…gonna be doing a little figure skating."
A hush fell over the table, Dave looked proud of her and just nodded as though it was nothing major, Lily took a mouthful of her fruit juice as she dutifully swallowed the pills Sofia passed her in a well rehearsed routine they perfected in the days after her discharge from hospital. Santana looked at the others and then roared with laughter.
"Oh my god you have got to be shitting me?"
The Latina winced as she also got a subtle kick to the shin and broke off her teasing to apologise before turning back to her sister who was flushed bright red with embarrassment.
"But seriously, Quinn Fabray, womanising, poker playing, tequila swigging Quinn Fabray is going to be pirouetting across the ice to Strauss in Lycra and sequins?"
Trying not to lose her temper and swear at the table again (because seriously, her shin was still throbbing!) Quinn sighed and sunk her head into her hands.
"Just shut up okay…it wont be how you're thinking, he wants me because I can physically play the role of the male…strength wise that is!"
The Latina just smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean you're gonna have to pack when you're on the ice, Quinn Fabray with a bulge in Lycra, holy shi…uh crap I mean!"
A hand shot down to protect her shin as Sofia and Lily raised their eyebrows in stereo.
"Oh come on people are gonna want to see that especially anyone who knows her, I mean you know how proud Quinn is of her tough girl rep, aw Hell I hope it's televised then I can get Frank to put it on at the bar, we can make an event out of it!"
Groaning Quinn let her head thump down onto the table and grunted into the solid oak wood.
"Gee and to think I thought you would tease me, whatever gave me that idea?"
Both their parents cracked up and Dave cleared his throat, the hockey player rolled her head to the side to look over at him without lifting it from the table. When they locked eyes he grinned at her in a different way, he almost looked excited and perhaps hopeful for her.
"I think you're gonna surprise yourself with how good you are and how much you're going to enjoy it. You've never found that one thing that you can give your whole self to…but I think this will be it."
Quinn sat up abruptly and after a moment she hurried over to his side and embraced him, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Dave, you're the best brother a girl could ask for, you know that right?"
The tall guy shrugged his broad shoulders and looked shy as he let her hug him. Santana rolled her eyes and mimed a gagging noise, at Quinn's glare the Latina just flipped her off.
"Seriously Dave, you don't want to tease her even a little? I mean come on…it's Quinn the lesbianest lesbian that ever gayed up the streets of our humble town!"
Unsure whether that was meant to be an insult or a compliment the hockey player chose the latter and grinned while her brother affectionately ruffled her hair, merely sparing an eye roll for his other sister.
"Just…make it a new start okay sis? Forget the past, forget all the crap you've done here…just go there, where no one knows you and where you can find yourself instead of trying to be someone you think you should be, or worse, someone you think everyone else thinks you are, promise me?"
Choosing to ignore the faint pang she felt deep in her chest at his words she just nodded and hid her head in his shoulder for a moment while she gained control of her voice, her mom's knew she was having a rare vulnerable moment and decided to start clearing the table, as Sofia passed Santana she raised an eyebrow and whispered for her to behave. Rolling her eyes the Latina nonetheless helped clear the dishes, when Quinn looked up she realised that everyone had disappeared and blinked for a couple of moments before letting go of her big brother.
"You're lucky you're my brother you know? I wouldn't let anyone else get away with that sappy shit, I am a hard ass after all."
Smirking he stood up and rolled his eyes.
"No, you hope that everyone see's you like a hard ass but you aren't, not really. Tell me something Quinn, all those girls you've been with, have you ever felt anything with any of them…beyond an orgasm I mean?"
The blonde snorted and folded up the tablecloth, she could only take so many serious conversations in one day.
"You say that like orgasm's are a bad thing bro, believe me they aren't!, and I already told you…true love is a fallacy, it doesn't exist outside of fiction and hallmark cards."
He rolled his eyes again and shoved her playfully as he opened the cupboard for her to put the cloth back into.
"Yeah ,you want to believe that but you don't, not even for a second…and one day you're gonna have one of those foot popping kisses because it's gonna be with someone you realise you love."
Quinn laughed, sadly it wasn't really good enough to convince herself let alone Dave and so she shoved him back playfully instead.
"You have just been watching too much Princess Diaries oh brother dear!"
He laughed and didn't even try to deny it, merely shrugging unashamedly.
"What can I say, Julie Andrews is totally my home girl…I sometimes wonder in my more theological moments if she isn't God in disguise."
Quinn burst into laughter at that.
"Oh my God! And Santana thinks I'm overly gay, if I'm the lesbianest lesbian then by far are you the campiest camp man ever born!"
They headed back towards the kitchen to help with the dishes, thanks to Dave and her mom's that had actually gone a lot smoother than she anticipated, however without them to run interference she had no doubt her and Santana would end up brawling at some point thanks to the Latina's innate ability to rile her up.
Monday morning saw three anxious people all worrying about the same thing and having no idea they weren't the only one that it was concerning! Rachel Berry woke extra early and took an especially long run to try and pound out her anxieties, in the hopes that she would be able to keep at least some of her narky comments to herself. She knew she was very much on her last chance and she really, really didn't want to blow it. After all, if she was skating with another woman then surely that would lead to a better, rather than a worse understanding?
Besides, if Schu thought that this…Quinn could do the job then she supposed she would have to trust him, she only hadn't before because, well, let's face it he wasn't the best at judging personalities. Rachel thought up and re thought and then picked apart and re thought again, every possible way she could mess things up. The fact was, whoever this Quinn Fabray was, they were the one that had to prove themselves, not her! She was the known quantity in this equation whereas the hockey player (she really would need to learn not to grimace every time she thought about that!) was the one with all to play for!
Smiling at herself and rather pleased with her own pun the brunette headed back inside and checked the time, she had just over two hours before she was due to meet the hockey player (that was a bit better it looked more like a twitch than a grimace that time, she was getting there) and put her through her paces. While she would make certain allowances she would also allow nothing but complete and utter dedication to the pursuit of their goal. It would certainly be an interesting morning.
Across town Quinn rolled over in bed and groaned as the bright ray's of sunshine pierced through her eyelids and seemingly burned into her brain, scowling she grabbed a pillow and pulled it over her head with both hands trying to keep her eyes out of the poisonous sunlight. With both hands on the pillow it belatedly occurred to her slightly fuzzed brain that it was impossible for her to also have one on her hip…and yet there was indeed a hand on her hip, as that knowledge sank in she sat bolt upright ignoring the lance of pain through her temple as she fell rather ungracefully off the edge of the bed…not her bed she absently noted.
Lying flat on the floor she ignored (or tried to) the rolling of her stomach and struggled to remember what had happened last night before she had to acknowledge whoever her bed partner was. Her friends had thrown together a good luck/going away party, the fact it was the last minute meant nothing to them in terms of planning, and often the best parties were the last minute ones. There was drinking, some strippers she vaguely remembered (have to thank Mike for that later) body shots, then a bit more drink then…nope it was no use she had no idea who in the Hell she had gone home with, she was however, about to find out as a throat was clearing itself pointedly. With a bit of caution she opened her eyes halfway, glad that from the ground she wasn't being blinded at least.
Okay, a red head…well that was different, normally she went for brunette's, forcing a weak smile she levered herself up onto her elbows as she discreetly surveyed the woman who was currently covered only by a thin bed sheet. Bright green eyes, as in knock you off your feet green, a dash of freckles across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, nice full mouth, definitely a good score…if she could only remember the damn name!
"Um…sorry about that, guess the booze is still in my system, good night last night though huh?"
It was less of a statement and more of a question to be honest, as she had no idea what sort of time they had had. As she smiled weakly she caught the time in the corner of her eye and then yelped and leapt up foraging hurriedly amidst the bundles on the floor to find her clothes, the red head watched her with a mixture of puzzlement and disbelief.
"I am late getting up, as in really late, as in I'm gonna blow my chance before I even get there at this rate!"
Shoving her shorts on hurriedly she bent to grab her socks and ended up face down on the loveseat next to the dresser, cursing under her breath she started throwing clothes on left right and centre. By this point and realising she was getting ignored by the woman who had seemed so enraptured by her last night, the redhead scowled and threw Quinn's shirt at her from the other side of the bed, sighing Quinn looked back at her as she slipped it on missing a button as she went.
"Look, I'm sorry okay but I really don't have time for this um…Dawn?"
She took a shot in the dark with that, it sounded familiar at least, judging by the look on the girls face and the fact that Quinn found her left Converse as it flew at her head from the enraged woman's hand, she hadn't guessed correctly. Bending to scoop up the shoe she rummaged until she found the right one that matched it before heading toward the end table where she spotted her wallet and key's, pausing by the door she tried one more time.
"Um…Fawn?"
Scowling darkly and sitting up higher displaying a chest, flushed with anger this time rather than passion, as she spat out her name.
"Siobhan! Christ Quinn!"
Shrugging apologetically or rather unapologetically as she couldn't help the smirk, (it wasn't her fault if she just that damn talented when it came to picking women up) besides which no one said she had to remember their names, just be fast, and as she ran for her bike outside and heard something very heavy thud into the door behind her she was glad of her ability to do the latter exceptionally well. Fingers crossed she hoped she would get there on time…she would just have to pour on the speed a bit, that was all.
Will was pacing and going through the exercises he wanted to try Quinn with when she got there, as much as he hated to admit it he was worried, worried for several reasons. Firstly although Quinn was indeed a talented skater he had done a little more digging and what he read was not exactly bedtime reading. Some of it was nothing, the drunkenness and brawling…well everyone had occasionally gotten carried away in that regard, the eighteen months for card counting was not…comforting, but at least it wasn't technically a crime, unless you were a casino owner anyway.
It was the social stuff that bothered him, the gambling and taste for women of a less than stellar background. It's not that the ice skating world hadn't seen scandals before because it was as susceptible to them as every other area of sport (except maybe Baseball) but Rachel already had enough rumour and scandal associated with her name. it started with Jesse St James having that affair with her, it was before her engagement with Finn but she was dating him when it happened. Luckily, thanks to an anonymous source and her fathers money, the scandal died an early death. It was possible that he knew a way out of this, but it would effectively hobble the hockey player and he had no idea how she would react to a moral clause in her contract, he could only hope she needed the money so much that she wouldn't object.
At the distant roar of a motorcycle coming down the drive to the rink two heads popped up, Rachel snapped her head up from the book she was buried in and after a moment decided that yes, it was in fact her new so called partner arriving. Setting the novel aside she stood up and laced her skates tightly, she wanted to be active on the ice when the new guy, well, girl, walked in. Outside Will came out of his office/house with his folder of papers and looked up with a grin as the battered Harley pulled up outside.
Quinn pulled her crash helmet off and set it to rest on the handlebars before wincing and standing to stretch out her kinked muscles. She nodded to Will with a half smile and was glad she'd managed to find a gas station on the way to sort herself out in properly, including brushing her teeth and buying a comb and a coffee, she extracted the comb now and quickly ran it through the short locks restoring them to order before grabbing her skates out of the bike's panniers and slinging them over her shoulder.
"Morning coach, let's get this show on the road huh? Never gonna know if we can work together if we don't meet right!"
Will wished her smile could gave him some confidence but something told him this meeting was going to either be the start of something amazing or as volatile as unstable plutonium…he also had to stop falling asleep watching the discovery channel so his synonyms went back to being pedestrian and less nerdy. He nodded and led the way into the rink where he knew Rachel was waiting.
Sure enough as soon as soon as they walked in he could see her gliding across the ice effortlessly, she had her eyes fixed on the mirror wall as she went through the routine in her head but the coach knew her attention was fixed on the new 'interloper' and she came to an abrupt but graceful stop in front of them.
Quinn was more in awe of the private rink than she was being in the presence of the 'great' Rachel Berry. However who could not look up at that sort of entrance, and at that point she took her eyes off of the splendour of the rink and towards the brunette in front of her. At the same time Rachel decided she really ought to make an effort and turned her own gaze towards the visitor.
Brown clashed with hazel as two set's of eyes locked onto each other.
Something weird happened to Quinn at that point, it was normal when a blonde set eyes on a woman for the first time for her to assess three things, the first of course being the obvious physical attractiveness of the individual in question. The second and almost more important aspect was the body language that the woman was displaying towards her and consequently what her chances were of getting lucky. Third of course was how much charm she would have to use and how much pressure to apply. This time none of those things happened, if it hadn't been for the hangover lingering in the back of her mind she would almost think she was coming down with something.
She felt a little short of breath, not from exertion, more like someone had socked her in the gut, she had to consciously tell herself how to breathe as she found herself caught in what should be ordinary brown eyes. The weirdest thing was the smile, she never smiled like this! Smirk, all the time, grin naturally and of course the occasional lopsided half smirk…but not this stupid smile she felt creeping onto her face. It was soft and unguarded, she hadn't smiled like this since…she slammed a door on that memory and cursed herself for a moment of weakness, she blinked, breaking the trance and transformed the wimpy smile into her usual smirk.
Rachel found herself in a similar situation when she caught sight of Quinn, those hazel eyes were…annoyingly enrapturing her, and the cupid's bow lips that started to turn up slightly in a soft smile as their gazes lingered. For someone who was going to be taking on the male role she was amazingly feminine, the brunette was not quite sure what she was expecting, but the distinctly female form in front of her was not it. When Quinn blinked however and transformed her soft smile into an arrogant smirk the spell between them was broken and Rachel could feel her own neutral look morphing into the usual habitual half scowl.
"This is what you bring me Schuster…did it even dress itself?"
Quinn raised an eyebrow and folded her arms as she glared back just as insolently and replied before Will could shoe horn his way into the conversation.
"Yeah I dressed myself, which is why I actually look like an adult, I mean no offence Princess but you have a moose on your granny sweater and you're going to lecture me on fashion?"
Scowling back at the tall blonde, Rachel skated slowly backwards and looked at her coach scathingly but spoke to the blonde.
"Once you get your hooves into the skates maybe we can prove just how bad this idea was…then you can go back to your hockey racket's and teaching other delinquents how to open beer bottles with their oddly primate like toes!"
Quinn sat on the side of the rink to change into the figure skates that Will had given to her on his visit and muttered something under her breath which Rachel thankfully couldn't hear and which made the very tips of Will's ear go bright red. Once securely fastened Quinn skated smoothly over to where Rachel was making a good show of aloof impatience as she inspected her nails. Slowing naturally to a standstill beside the diva she gave her a not very covert once over and smirked again, Rachel scowled.
"Can we just get on with this so I can prove how much of a ludicrous notion this whole thing is?"
A golden eyebrow arched in a look that even the brunette had to admit was impressive as she offered her hand.
"I don't know how you were raised Princess, but my mom's always told me that when you meet someone for the first time it's polite to shake hands and introduce yourself…Quinn Fabray."
Quinn raised her hand expectantly and Rachel was annoyed at the flush of shame that tinged her cheeks red, holding her head high she chose to pretend it was the rosy flush of being in the rink as opposed to having to concede a point to the smirking blonde. Gritting her jaw she shook the hand on offer and frowned slightly at the touch. Her new partners hands were calloused and rough but at the same time…oddly comforting. The moment of relaxation halted however when she looked up and saw the glint of amusement in the hazel eyes and abruptly the brunette yanked her hand free with a sound of disgust.
"God your hands are rough…do you wash them with rocks or something!"
Glancing down at her hands Quinn's eyebrow rose again and remembering the night before and what her hands had been doing, she grinned lasciviously enjoying the red that suffused the little diva's cheeks.
"Trust me, they work just fine, 100% customer approved in fact."
She winked and Rachel planted a hand on her hip as she turned to her coach looking frustrated, she knew what was at stake but really…this was intolerable and she turned back to the cocky blonde, scathing retort locked and loaded behind her full lips.
"I'm sure where you live, the neighbourhood girls find it satisfactory, however I prefer a little class in my…associations, and that of course is something you would know nothing about!"
Taking that as a slur on her mom's for the way she was raised Quinn let the smirk fall from her face and replaced it with a glower.
"Wow, the word bitch doesn't even cover what you are! Talk about downplaying the rumour…you never said part of this deal was having to work with someone that has all the social graces and appeal of Hitler's missing testicle!"
Rachel whirled round angrily at that, eyes narrowed as she jabbed a finger towards Quinn's chest, Will saw the blonde clench one hand into a fist even as she leant backwards and away from the gesticulating finger, so he walked hastily onto the ice and got between both of them raising his voice in one of the rare times he let his frustration show.
"ENOUGH!"
Both women froze and looked to him, Rachel still pointing angrily and Quinn with her mouth open ready to shoot off yet another harsh retort, now they just looked at him, eyes wide with shock. When he was sure he had their attention he lowered his hands watching with some satisfaction as they subconsciously did the same.
"Rachel, apparently you have already forgotten what I told you and have BEEN telling you for the past month. This is your last chance! Quinn is the only partner I can find you, the only one willing to work with you…if you cant find a way to make this work then you will be retiring as an un-seeded skater!"
Rachel's eyes fell for a moment before she glanced back at him and nodded once, sharply, from the corner of his eye he saw Quinn's smirk and turned to her with the same stony expression he had bestowed on the little diva.
"And I don't know why you look so smug, you're no better off! What are you going to go back to, working three jobs to try and make the kind of money you obviously need? Or will it be back to underground card games and more prison time?"
The blonde flushed and the smug look soon dropped off her face as she took the hit with merely a tightening of the jaw and another abrupt nod, Will looked between the two of them and felt a glimmer of hope, despite the somewhat disastrous start to the try out he could see the flames, he could see the energy they could both pour into a performance, he just had to get them to see it and harness it properly…instead of using it to wind each other up to the point of physical violence.
"I'm glad we have that clear, now can we perhaps move past the pointless name calling and posturing and try some simple moves to see if you can actually skate well together!"
Nodding the women let Will direct them, Rachel in front with the taller blonde stood just behind her, after running a critical eye over their positions Will nodded to himself and taking Quinn's right hand lay it on Rachel's waist.
"You need to keep a grip there, don't squeeze just move together, glide, it needs to look like you're one person moving with one intent, okay?"
Quinn swallowed slightly not liking how she was enjoying the feel of Rachel under her hand, the last thing she needed was to actually like the annoying and outright rude brunette…despite that though her hand found itself happier than it ever had on any other woman and a part of Quinn wanted to yell at it for its traitorous feelings, but that would look just a tad mental, so she insisted instead on smirking and deliberately winking when Rachel turned to regard her at Will's last question. Brown eyes rolled in irritation at the persistent expression on the blondes face and the annoying fact that the stupidly rough calloused hand actually felt very…nice, where it rested on her waist, they both nodded at Will's question and he stepped back before Quinn remembered what she was going to ask.
"Whoa, hey wait…hang on a sec, what exactly are these claw thingies at the front of my skates?"
Rachel looked at her with incredulity and it was now Quinn that felt the telltale flush of pink creep up across her cheeks, she studiously ignored the little diva's look and looked at Will who realised at that moment the difference between hockey skates and figure skates that he'd always taken for granted wasn't obvious to the hockey player in front of him and he cleared his throat.
"It's the toe pick."
Quinn smirked and fought the urge to giggle at the name, it always annoyed at her that her sense of humour had seemingly got stuck at the age of thirteen, she still giggled whenever someone said wiener. In this instance she thankfully reigned in the vocal amusement and clearing her throat attempted to make a joke to lighten the mood.
"So what…we use them to clean under our toe nails?"
Rachel turned her head slowly and directed a distinctly un amused gaze at the taller girl behind her before forcing a cold smile.
"I wouldn't let the foreign notion of digging out the forest worth of dirt you no doubt have under your toe nails, get in your way."
Deciding that kicking the uptight dive up the ass might not reflect well on her trial run Quinn just smirked again (having already picked up on how it annoyed the brunette more than any retort she could come up with) and leant forward to mutter low enough so only Rachel would hear.
"I wouldn't worry…I'm not known for letting anything get in my way!"
Rachel's lips curled in distaste and Quinn counted it as a win for her when she noticed just how clenched the brunettes jaw was as she barked out at Will to count off the start. The coach did so with his heart literally in his mouth as he waited to see what would happen, as he expected Rachel couldn't help but showboat and took off powerfully hoping to prove that she was the far superior skater and that it would be the blonde hockey player who would be the one playing catch up.
He called out for the brunette to slow down reminding her that this wasn't a race, he knew she wouldn't slow down but as he watched, the blonde took several powerful steps forward and glided smoothly to catch the dive up easily. For a while they skated together, with perfect fluidity, they were in tempo and looked good…even for a first skate they moved as though it were something they did everyday…until of course it didn't look like that.
Rachel skated into the next move, which required her to surge forward and for Quinn to reach out and link hands with her, of course this had two problems, firstly Will hadn't briefed or asked for them to make the move and secondly as the blonde had pointed out before they took off across the ice she wasn't yet used to figure skates…which was why when she made to move forward and catch the diva's hand she instead caught the toe pick. Will closed his eyes and sighed internally knowing what was going to happen next but unable to look away, for her part Rachel skated slowly backwards with her own grin and arms folded as the previously cocky blonde attempted to keep her balance before face planting onto the ice and sliding forward several feet.
Just to add insult to injury and because she could, Rachel slid smoothly over to where Quinn was looking up from her spread eagled position on the floor, once she knew she had the blondes attention she smiled sweetly and lifting up the left foot tilted the skate until the tip of the blade caught the fluorescent lighting before speaking slowly and distinctly.
"Toe. pick."
Gritting her teeth Quinn just let her head sink to the ice with a muted curse before forcing a neutral expression and getting to her feet, a Fabray never lost their temper (unless drunk) a Fabray waited until the perfect opportunity for revenge came up. Back on her feet she skated over to join the nervous looking Will and smug looking diva. As it became obvious that Quinn wasn't going to blow up or start an argument the coach relaxed and gestured for Rachel to stand directly in front of the hockey player this time. They could skate together and they had fallen into a natural rhythm that took most partnerships months to perfect, now to test the upper body strength, after all if this was going to work Quinn was going to have to do a lot of lifting.
"Okay, Rachel arms out to the side and hold steady, Quinn I want you to pick her up under the arms and hold her above you…okay?"
Because she was behind the diva and ducked her head in a nod Will didn't see the brief smirk on the hockey players face, just the nod. He stepped back and motioned for her to start, Quinn had no worries about whether or not she could do it and planting her feet the same way she would while shooting a goal she easily lifted the dive into the air and held her there, satisfied with the height she managed to get. Will nodded happily as he examined the lift from all angles to make sure there were no signs of wobbling or strain, to his delight the blonde looked determined her arms rock steady and he clapped his hands delightedly.
"Okay you can let her down now."
Quinn however just maintained the position with a smirk and waited…she knew it wouldn't take long, sure enough after only three seconds the brunette turned round and scowled down at the hockey player over her shoulder.
"He said put me down, you ignoramus!"
Eyes wide in mock innocence Quinn blinked and feigned sudden understanding.
"You want down? Sure, no problem!"
With absolutely no grace or style the hockey player just let her arms go slack sending the brunette to the ice in an ungainly crash, Quinn smirked as she watched Rachel land with a loud smack on her ass, she shrugged when Will looked at her with a 'did you have to?' expression, Rachel missed the exchange however as she whirled round to glare at the hockey player, eyes flashing with anger.
"You…YOU IDIOTIC THUG!"
Will glanced between the two of them and sighed internally, as he saw one of Rachel's fathers retreat from the viewing area, if they had seen that then it didn't look likely they would approve of the blonde hockey player and he was back at square one, he was just glad the guy left before Quinn slid her hands into her pockets and casually shrugged as she smirked down at the fuming diva.
"Oops…guess we're gonna have to work on that lift a bit more, huh Princess?"
Will watched as Rachel spluttered indignantly before picking herself up and heading off hands firmly planted on hips and spine ramrod straight with repressed anger. The coach looked at Quinn then actually sighed audibly before motioning to the house with his head.
"Come on…let's go have some lunch and then I think Rachel's father wants to meet you."
Glancing at the shadow of the imposing house that was visible through the glass partition in the ceiling of the rink Quinn nodded and skated over to change into her Converse.
This should be an interesting conversation!
As you can see in some ways this will be very close to the cutting edge movie, in other parts it will be vastly different, mainly as the circumstances in this one are completely different, but I'm definitely going to be including the fun parts, if there are any bits you definitely don't want me to cut out that were in the film then let me know! Sorry for the long wait between updates but I found myself on niece and nephew duty the past few days! As of tomorrow normal service will hopefully be resumed, you have my thanks and gratitude as always you lovely people you! xxxoooxxx