~ The Unlikely
The Second Passage ~
K.L.
A/N: Special thanks to those who reviewed. I hope you'll find it to your satisfaction.
Song used: Lullaby by Billy Joel
It had been two days since Rachel had heard Quinn's voice.
Leaning with her back to the nearest tree, Rachel slid down toward the earth, tugging the hand of the blonde in a motion to follow.
Without a word, Quinn sat between the petite girl's outstretched legs, falling back into the warmth that was Rachel Berry.
Steadily Rachel inhaled, bathing in the scent of lilacs. With some hesitance, the diva brought her arms up and about the Cheerio's abdomen – the baby bump no longer present. It was either be smacked or be scolded, so chocolate eyes shut tightly in trepidation of the verbal or physical abuse that was to rain down.
It never came. Instead the young woman was rewarded with the body before her snuggling further back, what seemed to be a purr and warm hands encompassing her own.
Never in a thousand years would Rachel Berry have imagined this. Quinn Fabray – HBIC – who had hated Rachel for the better part of their lives not only tolerating but, what appeared to be, indulging in her presence. Surely the world must be ending.
But as Rachel waited – and waited – the end did not come. There was no big 'booom', nor did the world dissolve away before her very eyes. It was just silent.
However, as all silences go they never truly last. Be it a minute or perhaps ten, Rachel could both hear and feel the gentle sobs of the girl within her arms.
It broke her heart, to see someone she knew to be the epitome of strength, crushed and for what reason she knew not.
"Good night my angel time to close your eyes," Before Rachel's brain could mull over the pros and cons, her voice sung out her body betraying the silence she so wished to maintain "And save these questions for another day."
Rachel – though she was paramount with words – felt that this moment was too delicate to be broken with endless words and statements all in the hopes to alleviate whatever pain it was her counterpart felt.
"I promised I would never leave you," Structured sentences and sympathetic statements be gone, "And you should always know, where ever you may go, no matter where you are I never will be far away."
But this wasn't just words. Song was something more – it had the ability to lull the soul, "Remember all the songs you sang for me when we went sailing on an emerald bay," It had the ability to mend, "And like a boat out on the ocean I'm rocking you to sleep the water's dark and deep inside this ancient heart, you'll always be a part of me." It had the ability to convey what often times structured thoughts and sympathy jumbled; mere words paled in comparison to song.
Rocking back and forth softly, Rachel smiled tenderly at the thumb that ran the length of her left hand, "Someday we'll all be gone but lullabies go on and on. They never die that's how you and I will be."
And with that the quiet sobs dissipated. The night went on.
Providing what little comfort she could, Rachel continued to sing throughout the night, never once letting go of the young blonde. And only when the sun rose and reality settled back in did Rachel let go.
It wasn't as though Rachel just expected Quinn to appear on her couch, arms wide open and with an explanation that would give valid reason to what had transpired. No doubt whatever it was would take time. The transition from emotions to words was a feat and given the girl's year? Rachel wasn't expecting anything anytime soon.
But that didn't mean it didn't hurt or induce a state of confusion in the female lead.
Did this make them friends? Rachel was sure they were no longer "mortal enemies" but friends… that seemed like a gap too large to be crossed in such a short time. One night – even if Rachel had held Quinn close, closer than her own boyfriend had ever held her – it just wasn't enough. It couldn't span the twelve year gap. So what did that make them?
"Honey," A hand gentle clasped the brunette's shoulder, squeezing ever so, "Your toast isn't going to butter itself, no matter how intently you may stare at it."
"Papa!"
"Good morning everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend," The curly haired Spanish teacher seemed to glow, his step had with it a jolly bounce, "I just wanted to tell you… Yes Brittany?"
All eyes turned expectantly to the blonde dancer/cheerio, "Mr. Schue is your hair alive?" The teacher's eyes widened a fraction, "Because I mean it moves like the little monster that hides under my bed and well he's alive… I think."
Had a pin fell at that moment the whole world would have been able to hear its descent and crushing blow against the tiles. However nothing fell.
"Umm… well… no Brittany, my hair is not alive, as I was saying though, I've found us a perfect song that reflects both the-"
"That's a shame," Voiced the blonde to no one in particular before turning her attention to the Latina beside her, "S, don't you think Patches looks a lot like Uncle Sam?"
Crossing his arms over his chest, Mr. Schuester cleared his throat, "Britta-"
Up rose Kurt's hand, not waiting for permission to speak before opening his mouth, "With all due respect Mr. Schuester I don't think another model song from the '70s is what Glee needs-"
"How do you know it's from the '70s?" Interrupted the man in question.
Eyes rolling – and may it be noted his was not the only pair to roll – Kurt waved his right hand in a circular motion about the air, "Please! We all know it's from the '70s because for the last three weeks that's all we've been doing."
"Yeah no offense Mr. Schue but the '70s was so…. '70s." Puck and his logic.
Hands on his hips, the Glee club director seemed less than impressed, "Alright than what did you have in mind since the '70s are so '70s?" His hands motioned air quotations at the last portion.
"Team building!" Kurt all but shouted, raising eyebrows all around, "I'll have you all know that team building is a very important aspect of all teams – be it show choir or some err… sport." There was a protested 'hey!' from Finn which was ignored, "And given the current heat wave rolling through Lima I suggest we make it an activity involving a pool – I'd even be so kind as to offer my own pool."
Murmurs broke throughout the club, "Alright settle down, settle down. Now Kurt has made a compelling argument…" The club echoed in groans, "What?" The teacher's hands shot up defensively, "I was just going to suggest we take him up on his offer."
The children's cheers could no doubt be heard half way across the school (it being empty having nothing to do with this of course) however one voice did not cheer. Instead chocolate covered eyes cautiously surveyed the blonde ex-cheerio.
Never once had those hazel eyes searched for hers. Never once had she left Puck's side. Never once did she even acknowledge the diva. With bright eyes and a radiant smile she chattered away with Mercedes, Kurt and Brittany, her fingers that were interlaced with Puck's absently traced circular patterns eliciting a smile from the boy as he conversed with Mike.
"Hey Rachel?" The voice was soft, shy even, and Rachel's eyes couldn't help but wander to the boy beside her.
"Yes Finn?"
"I was like wondering, since we're all going to this pool thing tonight… should I pick you up? Like around four?" He seemed so unsure of himself, even though they had been dating for some time now.
"Four would be perfect Finn," To ease his worry Rachel squeezed his hand and offered a smile of her own. It seemed to be enough as he smiled in returned, pecked her gently on the check and returned his attention to Artie.
Rachel's eyes wandered back to Quinn. Under that sparkle was a girl who was hurting. Once again she had raised her walls to the world, showing no trace of weakness, no possibility of flaw. So why, in all God's grace, had those walls tumbled down? And why – heaven forbid – for her?
