A/N: I apologise if some of the chapter seems a bit slow, I had a bit of a mental block when it came to building to the major part of the chapter. Also, not all of the locations or travel information are entirely correct. Some maybe fictional or partially true. Also thanks to all the people who put this on their story alert!


Chapter 3

The morning had come, in a few hours Quinn Fabray would be in New York City. Rachel was up at 8 am buzzing; her roommate was less than pleased though, not so happy being woken up at 8am on a Saturday morning and she definitely wasn't a morning person. It was special circumstances today though, so she forgave the early wake up.

Rachel had now begun the final touches to making her room look pretty and presentable for later on. It took around 45 minutes amongst all her school supplies littered around the room.

By now, Quinn was making her way to the railway station. Her smile beaming as she made the short 10 minute journey by car. It had been a long few months since she last saw Rachel on that special day. Eventually she pulled into the station and opened up her trunk to grab the holdall containing her things for the weekend.

She was wearing a blue cardigan, with a white top alongside a polka dot skirt and flat shoes. Her smile continued to have prominence on her face as she walked up the path to the ticket gates and showed the attendant her ticket. It would be about 5 minutes till her train came so she sat down on a nearby seat. Soon enough it pulled up on the track, she got on with holdall in hand.

As she took her seat, she took out her phone and texted Rachel to tell her she was on her way

"Just on my way now. Be there around 10:45am! Can't wait to see you. I love you Q xx"

A text from Quinn just excited Rachel more, which meant her roommate Robin might as well just get up now, she'd be getting no more sleep. "She's on her way!" she said excitedly as she went to reply to Quinn's text.

"I can't wait! At least then my poor roommate can get a rest; she has to deal with my excitement at the moment. Not a morning person, so I'm probably driving her crazy right now but she understands it's because of you! I love you lots. Your little star xx"

Quinn just relaxed now sitting down in her seat on the train, watching from the window as it pulled away from New Haven. Her mind drifts to Rachel, this time to the time she sung "Here's to us" at Regionals this year. How she hoped it may have been sung for someone else other than Finn. How the lyrics fitted the dynamic of their growing friendship and the tension they endured. Another topic of thought in her mind was hearing "Angels" and how the chorus seemed to describe Rachel.

For Rachel, the hours passed very slowly, how could they shoot by? She was waiting for her favourite girl, her best friend, to arrive. She wanted to tell Quinn exactly about her feelings, how she first thought of Quinn in a more then friends way, how she was the best thing to happen to her.

Her room was now all nicely presented with some art that she knew Quinn would love as well as photos of them in glee club as well as Quinn's 18th birthday as a reminder of their first kiss together. Robin had left Rachel alone to her own devices to get out of her way for a bit, but was back now with some drinks from the nearby coffee house.

"Figured you could do with a drink or something to ease your nerves, got you your favourite soy latte" she said handing the drink to Rachel while putting her own to the side.

It was now about 10am. It took about 20 or so minutes to travel to Grand Central from her dorm using the subway, so maybe the best time to start preparing to leave. With a finished latte put in the bin on her way, Rachel called out she was heading off and would be back with Quinn soon.

"Hey, I'm just heading on my way now, suppose you can always try and get back some sleep! Though I'm sure you'd miss meeting her."

The subway was only a 5 minute walk, with around a 15 minute journey. She took her seat on the subway train heading towards Grand Central – 42nd Street. Wearing one of her favoured woolly hats, it was hard to keep calm amongst all the excitement she was feeling internally. All she wanted was a Quinn Fabray hug, her favourite. Her head always seemed like it fitted perfectly on Quinn's shoulders, like it was meant to be like that, she felt a sense of warmth and protection there.

For her own sake, thankfully she was aware enough to notice her stop, and walked to the nearby railway station. It was a pretty large place, but she was sure she'd find Quinn easily. After about 5 minutes of walking around the station, she found the arrivals board and scanned for Quinn's train. She found it. It read

DUE ORIGIN PLATFORM
10:45AM UNION STREET (NEW HAVEN) 6

Platform 6 was to the right of the boards, so she made the short walk, about 10 steps and she was there. 10:30AM read the big station clock, Rachel's heart started to beat more rapidly as it seemed time slowed to a halt. 15 minutes to go. It was having the same effect for Quinn, she could see New York in her sights and her heart too was beating rapidly as it grew closer and closer. Quinn counted off the stations as they went.

"FORDHAM, YANKEES – EAST 153rd STREET, HARLEM – 125th STREET" she said in her head.

"We have arrived at Grand Central terminal here in Manhattan, New York City. The train stops here, please make sure you have your belongings with you and exit the train safely" the driver announced from the front, the sound coming through the train speakers.

Rachel couldn't stop jumping up and down at this point, unable to hide her excitement any longer. "She's here! She's here!" she said, her voice starting to screech with all the excitement. "QUINN! OVER HERE!"

A figure was spotted racing towards her, it was Quinn. She dropped her holdall and jumped almost into Rachel's arms. She had her arms wrapped snugly around her waist as she spun her around with both of them having that happy-in-love look in their eyes. They didn't say much to each other verbally, but they knew what each other was thinking, just happy to be together again.

As always with a hug from Quinn, Rachel's head was resting on her shoulders, as it seemed it should be there. For these moments, Rachel had a feeling of safety and warmth. It was like a feeling she couldn't replicate anywhere else with anybody else. Her arms gripped snugly around Quinn's waist.

After about what seemed the longest 5 minutes of their lives, Quinn picked up her holdall and walked with Rachel to the subway. Rachel still had Quinn held snugly to herself, now holding hands as they walked still gazing lovingly at each other.

"How was the journey then Quinn?" asked Rachel, someone making conversation after all the non-verbal communication as they took their seats on the subway train toward NYADA.

"It was good actually. Nice to see the surroundings for once as you come out of Connecticut and come through New York into the City, quite different to when we came here for Nationals" replied Quinn, still sort of giddy that she's back in NYC with Rachel

"I saw this girl bursting with excitement, jumping up and down and I figured it was you. I can tell when you go into your cute little fits of excitement."

"If you think that was bad, you should have seen me this morning. What Robin had to deal with, bless her, surprised she didn't go crazy. Waking her up at 8am on a Saturday is something she probably didn't expect" laughs Rachel, blushing at Quinn's comment about her fits of excitement being called 'cute'

Soon enough they reached their stop. "Come on Quinn, this is it!" she said, grabbing Quinn's hand and leading her out of the platform and out of the station. "It's just a little walk then we'll be at my dorm okay"

On the way back, they passed Rachel's favourite local coffee house and her favourite new restaurant. Both of them were pointed out to Quinn and that they could visit them later on.

"So this is it!" Rachel said, getting her key card for her dorm out. "This is me at NYADA". She opens the door to show Quinn her dorm room and to meet her roommate, Robin.

"You must be Quinn then? Hi! I'm Robin!" Robin says getting up from her bed to greet Quinn as she takes her holdall from her and puts it on the floor. "Rachel has said a lot about you!"

"Yeah that's me. I bet she has told you a lot, hopefully not too much that you'll be tired of me" Quinn replies taking a seat on the sofa by the TV.

"Of course I wouldn't! Well unless you wake me up like she did this morning!" Robin laughs "So what is planned for the day then? I assume Rachel has something special planned?"

"I think we might visit the Rockefeller centre. The view from the top is beautiful" said Rachel, going to make herself something in the kitchen, leaving Quinn to ask her roommate about Rachel

"So, does Rachel talk about me? What have you heard?" asked Quinn curious to find out.

"Well from what she has said, I can tell you are incredibly important to her" replied Robin. "She says you're her best friend and also whenever she thinks about you, she goes into this sort of like dazed gaze. Her smile gets really big and her eyes widen like I'd never seen before."

This caused Quinn to nearly blush, her cheeks turning a pinkish colour. It turned out Rachel shared her expression when they thought of each other; however Robin was the only one to notice why.

"What are you two talking about then? Getting along I hope!" Rachel said walking back into the room, half-drunk coffee in hand.

"Oh you know, just hearing about how I'm your best friend and all" Quinn laughed.

This caused Rachel to blush with embarrassment. "Shall we just go into New York then? We can go to the Rockefeller centre now!" she said trying to brush off her embarrassment.

It was about 1pm right now, as New York was getting busy with the lunchtime rush. Rachel took Quinn's hand and they walked to the subway station, 8th Street – NYU.

"How do you find Robin then? Do you like her?" Rachel asked, getting out her subway pass from her purse.

"She seems very nice! And you two seem to get along!" Quinn answered

It was about 10 minutes on the subway to the Rockefeller; it wasn't as crowded as above ground so they could find a seat together. It was filled with mostly tourists going around the city. Not that they'd even notice anyone within 10 foot of them, both just interested in the company of each other. Maybe it was a competition for both of them who could have the bigger smile at being together again.

After what seemed the shortest ride for them, probably because they weren't aware, they reached their stop. The weather was pretty good for this time of year. It was cloudy, but hot enough. A pretty beautiful place the Rockefeller centre was. As they walked in, they headed for one of the lifts. Rachel, as a surprise for Quinn, had booked tickets to visit the top of the centre. So they could both take in views of New York City.

Rachel led Quinn by the hand as they walked up to the lifts taking people up to the top deck.

"Come on Quinn, I've got something for you. This is our thing." She said as the lift opened and a bunch of other people going to the top deck entered also.

It was a fairly short ride; the walls were instead little bits of history about the place, changing the further they went up. It made for interesting reading. They reached the 67th floor, Rachel once again leading Quinn out by the hand toward the glass panels.

"Look Quinn! It's the view all over New York City. I got tickets just so I could take you here. I thought we could share this together you know? Me and my favourite girl." She said with a smile on her face.

"Oh my god Rachel, I don't know what to say, it's beautiful!" Quinn replied, eagerly making her way over to the panels to take in the view, dragging Rachel with her.

Rachel put an arm around Quinn's waist as they both took turns looking in the binoculars and taking in the breath taking view.

"Excuse me; would it possible for you to take a picture of me and my friend here? We'd really appreciate it" said Rachel handing her camera to a person nearby

Quinn had rested her head on Rachel's shoulders still with a snug arm wrapped around her. The safety of being in her best friends arms made it more special.

"Thank you so much!" she said as the camera was handed back with the picture taken. In the picture, you could see buildings like the Empire State in the background contrasted with the mid afternoon sun which seemed to add special feel to the photo.

"You really know how to plan a special day don't you?" Quinn remarked. You'd never got this kind of side of the city staying in a hotel or from a few hours visiting.

They spent a further 30 or so minutes taking in the views and moving around the deck. It had been a perfect experience for both of them

All in all, they spent about 3 hours at the Rockefeller, after finding a nice Italian place. By now it was early evening, around 5-6pm, so they took the short walk to the subway station to get the train back to her dorm.

When they got back, Robin was waiting to see how their day had gone. "So, guys, how was it?" she asked curiously.

"It was perfect! Rachel took me to the top of the Rockefeller centre. The view was amazing from there over the city. Plus we had a pretty good lunch there." Quinn replied happily making her way to sit down, tired after her early morning train.

"Hey Robin, can I ask you something?" Rachel said, in a somewhat anxious tone, after making sure Quinn had left the room.

"Sure, what's up? Is it Quinn?" Robin answered wondering what could the problem

"Well, after today, it just made me realise more how important she is to me, and I was wondering, do you think it'd be a good idea to tell her how I really feel? I want to ask her to be my girlfriend."

Robin could tell this wasn't the normal bubbly excitable reaction from Rachel.

"Well, all I know is, whatever happens, you two seem very important to each other and Quinn clearly considers you a big part of her life. Namely you are her best friend. I would say you should go for it, if you really feel that way. At least then she'll know how you feel and you can get it off your chest" she replied putting an arm over Rachel in support. Even in one day, Robin had learnt how much the two meant to each other, and how it was a really special bond.

"I'm going to tell her now! Wish me luck" Rachel said, heading for her bedroom where Quinn was having a rest.

"Hey Quinn, can I talk to you about something?" she said, taking Quinn's hand and holding it closely and looking into her eyes. Concern suddenly hit Quinn's mind, her eyes showing this.

What could it be? Has Rachel found someone? Would she say that they'd just be friends? Was it something she'd done?

Rachel continued.

"Quinn, have I ever told you you're the best thing to happen to me? We seem to help each other out; you keep me grounded and keep me from living in a dream world. I like to think I can help you achieve what you deserve and help with your ambition. Also over the past few months, I've been thinking and I've come to realise that I have some feelings towards you that we could be well, more than friends.

It all started when you came into the girls' bathroom at school, when you were in the wheelchair. You had finished your rehab for the day, and you came in looking sad as you mentioned that Joe wasn't into you and that nobody would be. All I wanted to do at that point was just tell you that I was interested in you, I wanted to be your girl. That was the first time I realised I had these feelings that were more than feelings of wanting to be friends.

Spending your birthday with you was perfect, having our first kiss then I couldn't believe it, it was more than I had ever hoped for.

What I'm saying here, is, I love you Quinn Fabray. I wish; no I want you to be my girlfriend. Please."

Quinn hadn't expected this, it took her by surprise, but the good kind of surprise as the concern faded away leaving a widening smile and her eyes going to that familiar gaze she only had for Rachel.

"Wow I hadn't expected this Rachel! I half expected you to say something bad. I love you too, I really do. I've loved you for many years. We've been through a lot together, through good and bad times. There have been times where I've wanted to come clean about my feelings, but Finn was in the picture and Puck and it wouldn't have been right I thought. You'd never be into me like that.

When I heard you and Finn separated because he was going to join the army, I wanted to tell you how I felt but couldn't because I didn't think it be right so soon, but at the same time I knew that this would probably be the last and only time I could ever say it. I would love to be your girlfriend Rachel. You're the one for me; you know that. My favourite girl in the world. My favourite little star."

She brushed away the hair from Rachel's eyes and kissed her, it was a more magical moment then their first kiss. They were now officially a couple. A moment Quinn had dreamed of, but never expected to come true.