So guys and gals, Chapter 3 has now arrived! ^^
Oh, I have something to say regarding Chapter 1, which I'm rather annoyed about – when Santana pulls her phone out from her bra during the wedding, I was supposed to mention that she had in fact taped it to her underboob! But, for some irritating reason, I forgot to include that part in so, I thought I would tell you all now. Better late than never! xD
Also, thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far: Gabbie, wagner710, brittanaaremylovelies, BicornZombie, and Vidyah. I love you guys, you're all so unicorn! :D
Rachel blinked her eyes groggily as they adjusted to the piercing morning sun, streaming steadily through her large French windows. She yawned sleepily, rubbing her eyes and stretching, arching her back. She reached over to pick up her phone; she had 6 missed calls from Brittany, and 3 texts from Santana. She frowned to herself, puzzled as to why the two cheerleaders seemed so desperate to contact her. She opened the messages, one by one:
-Hey Berry, where are you?
-You were supposed to be here 15 minutes ago, it can't take that long to decided which terrible outfit you're going to wear today!
-HEY DWARF. You better get your lazy ass down to the hospital now, before I go ALL Lima Heights! SOY DE LIMA HEIGHTS ADJACENT Y YO TENGO ORGULLOS. SABES LO QUE PASA EN LIMA HEIGHTS ADJACENT? COSAS MALAS!
Rachel then glanced over at her clock, checking the time.
11:48.
"Shit!" she exclaimed loudly. She was supposed to be meeting Santana and Brittany at the hospital at 11:00 to visit Quinn, yet her alarm had failed to wake her up. She grumbled to herself angrily, as she flung the covers off herself and ran to the bathroom. She showered and dressed as fast as she could, pulling her hair into a scruffy ponytail as she ran around her room in search of her car keys. She found them on top of her dresser, and then raced downstairs, grabbing a banana as she went.
"Hey honey, where are you going in such a hurry?" called Hiram.
"Going to see Quinn! Overslept! See you later!" Rachel replied, as she was halfway out the front door and down the driveway. She yanked the door of her car open forcefully, clambering in and shoving the keys into the ignition. The engine roared to life, a lion trapped in a cage of steel and chrome, and she sped off down the street. She wanted to calm her growing nerves, and decided the best way to do that would be in true Rachel Berry style; by blaring the newest Barbra Streisand CD out of the windows at the highest volume and singing at the top of her lungs,
"DON'T BRING AROUND A CLOUD TO RAIN ON MY PARAAAADE!"
Rachel arrived at the hospital shortly after, pulling into one of the visitor's parking spots. She opened her door and hopped out of the car, straightening out her wrinkled shirt and trying to make herself look presentable. She checked her hair in the wing mirror, sighing discontentedly. She wished she had had more time to get ready; she wanted to look good, even though Quinn probably wasn't too concerned with the latest fashion trends at this particular moment in time.
She then walked up to the automatic doors, venturing in timidly. Although the relationship between her and Santana had become slightly less hostile ever since the Latina had started dating Brittany, they still weren't on the best terms. So, understandably, she was terrified of how the fiery girl was going to react to her arriving so late. She took a breath to steady her nerves and walked up to the front desk.
"Um, excuse me. I'm here to see Quinn Fabray?"
"Ah yes, one of our new patients. May I ask what your relationship with the patient is?"
Rachel froze for a second, the words 'The girl I'm in love with' floating momentarily through her brain.
"Um, we're friends. We go to the same school. I was meant to be here earlier, but I got… held up."
"Oh, are you with the two girls who arrived earlier? Very well. Room 216, on the second floor. That's where you'll find your friend."
The nurse behind the desk offered Rachel a kind smile, as the brunette nodded nervously and made her way towards the second floor.
She stood outside Room 216, shaking slightly, from either fear or excitement, she did not know. She exhaled slowly, and then reached out to turn the door handle. The door opened easily, as if it was beckoning her into the room. She poked her head through the doorframe, and was momentarily stunned by what she saw.
Santana was sitting in a chair next to the bed, which was occupied by the form of a sleeping Quinn. She was holding the blonde's hand, rubbing it soothingly. But the thing that shocked Rachel the most was the steady stream of tears that were coursing down the Latina's tan face. Brittany was sitting next to Santana, holding her other hand tenderly while her head leaned on her girlfriend's shoulder. Both girls glanced up when they noticed the movement by the door, and Rachel swallowed loudly.
"Hey." She said softly, trying not to upset Santana more by antagonising her. "Look, Santana, I'm so sorry I'm late. I set my alarm, but, I don't know what happened, I mean, it must've broken, or something, I just…"
"Rachel. It's… It's okay." Santana sniffled quietly.
Rachel stared at her in shock, expecting a much more volatile response. But when she took in Santana's deflated form, she knew the girl just didn't have it in her to fight with anyone. Not when her best friend was lying in a hospital bed, unable to move or even talk. Santana then looked at Rachel, and said,
"The doctor said they had to give her some heavy pain medication, so she's going to be unconscious for a while. I just... I just wish she would wake up, so we can know she's going to be okay."
Rachel was stunned into silence for a second, staring at the sad, broken girl in front of her. Then, she did something that surprised even herself. She crossed the room in three brief strides, then gathered Santana up in her arms and held her tightly. The Latina, much to Rachel's surprise, didn't resist, choosing instead to simply wrap her arms gently around Rachel's waist, resting her head on her shoulder. Rachel then released Santana, turned towards Brittany, and gave her a hug too. Then, all three girls stood, watching Quinn sorrowfully, appreciating each small breath she took, and appreciating the fact that she was still alive.
They may not have been the best of friends, but, in that moment, they were brought together in their grief and pain.
"Well", Santana sighed, "I think it's time for Britts and me to head home. You wanna stay at mine tonight baby?"
"Yes please, Sanny", answered Brittany in a small, scared voice. Santana could tell that Quinn's accident had hit Brittany hard, so was prepared to do anything to try to help her get through it.
"Come on beautiful. Let's go back to mine; we can cuddle in bed and talk about all the fun things we did with Q over the past three years." Santana smiled at her girlfriend lovingly, gently taking her hand and leading her towards the door.
Santana then turned to Rachel, smiling slightly.
"Take care of her Rachel. We'll be back tomorrow to see her again, so... I guess we'll see you then."
"I will. And Santana... you know, you're not that bad when you're being nice." said Rachel, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Gee, thanks Berry. I guess you're not so bad yourself." smirked Santana. "Come on Britt, let's go."
"Bye Rach. Please take care of Quinnie, and call us if she wakes up." said Brittany softly, another delicate tear escaping from its prison and travelling down smooth porcelain cheeks.
The two girls then left the hospital, walking towards Santana's car, hand in hand.
Now that she was finally alone with Quinn, Rachel turned back to face the hospital bed, her heart shattering slightly as she watched Quinn's lifeless form breathing deeply. She took a minute to look at the blonde, really look at her, and only then did she see the full extent of the damage Quinn had suffered. Her legs were both in plaster casts, covered by a think blue blanket. Her arms had scratches on them, and she had a bandage wrapped around two fingers on her left hand, which Rachel presumed were broken. Quinn's face was marred with cuts and bruises, her chest peppered with angry red grazes.
Rachel could feel herself about to break down once again, so decided to sit in the chair next to Quinn's bed. The blonde's hand was hanging limply over the side of the bed, and Rachel only hesitated for a second before reaching over and taking Quinn's hand in her own.
"Oh Quinn. Why did I have to text you? If only you... If only you hadn't tried to reply... If you'd just kept your eyes on the road, then maybe... Maybe none of this would have happened! I'm sorry Quinn. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."
And with that, Rachel began to sob, each gasp tearing through her, feeling as though her soul was being ripped apart by only the most ferocious and vile demons.
But suddenly, she felt pressure being applied to her hand. She raised her head slowly, not daring herself to get her hopes up, in case she was imagining it. But no. Quinn was squeezing her hand. That only meant one thing.
"Excuse me! Doctor! Is there a doctor around? Anyone? Please! She's moving! Quinn's moving! She's awake; she squeezed my hand, look!"
A doctor, who had heard Rachel's cries as he was passing by Quinn's room, rushed in immediately. Rachel felt her heart begin to race, as she stared desperately at Quinn, willing the silent girl to move again. Then, Rachel spoke to her, hoping her voice would encourage Quinn to try to wake up.
"Quinn? Quinn! It's me, Rachel. Come on, I know you can hear me. Just, please, please move your hand, or open your eyes, or just do something. Please!"
There was a moment of silence, which lasted a heartbeat but felt like hours to Rachel. Then, something magical happened. Quinn's eyelids began to flutter, opening slowly, until her hazel-green eyes fell upon Rachel, standing at her bedside, holding her hand. Rachel was holding her hand. Quinn took a deep breath in, wincing at the slight pain that shot up her side, and then, mustering all of her energy, moved her hand away from Rachel's firm grasp.
Rachel's face fell, as she saw Quinn pull her hand away from hers. The hurt she felt stung, like she was being whipped repeatedly by relentless soldiers on a mission to destroy her spirit.
"I'm sorry Miss, I'm afraid you're going to have to leave. Miss Fabray needs intensive care right now, to fully deal with her extensive injuries, so you'll have to come back when she's in a more stable condition." said the doctor, much to Rachel's dismay.
And with that, Rachel turned and walked out of Room 216, down the stairs, and out through the front doors. But, as she approached her car, she vowed to come back when Quinn was a bit better, and help her in any way she could, simply because she loved her.
