Sorry it's been a while, life's been a whirlwind of busy-ness. But I hope you like this chapter. If you haven't already noticed, their relationship is going to progress rather quickly. Anyway, enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, Or any of the products mentioned in this story.


Chapter 4: Holding

Quinn pulled into Rachel's driveway and said "Well, here we are," then chastised herself on her genius observation. "Yeah..." Rachel trailed off.

Well it's now or never Q...or as San so eloquently put it—time for me to grow a pair...here goes nothing. "Hey Ra—,"

"Do you want to come inside?" Rachel interjected before Quinn could finish.

"I—I'd love to Rachel," Quinn said with a relieved breath. Maybe this will go well...

"I'll need my hand back though Quinn," Rachel said jokingly.

"Oh...Right—yeah," Quinn said with a chuckle of her own as she let go of Rachel's hand. Both of them instantly missed the contact. Quinn got out of her side and Rachel did the same. Rachel walked around the car and met Quinn's eyes with a smile. She walked up to her door and got her key to open the front door. She opened it and walked into her home.

"You can come in Quinn," Rachel said with a slight smirk at how cute Quinn looked. She was standing outside the door with her hands linked in front of her and she had a slightly nervous look on her face.

"Right, thanks," Quinn said as she walked into the Berry household. She looked around and smiled. It was so warm and comfortable in her house with pictures on the walls and little trinkets all around. It felt so welcoming. Quinn's own house had begun to feel more like this ever since her mother kicked her father out and she had moved back in with her mother. It still didn't feel as warm as Rachel's though. She was brought out of her mind by the sound of Rachel's voice.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink Quinn?" Rachel asked.

"No, I'm fine, but thanks anyway," she said with a smile.

"Come on, I'll take you on a tour," she said and reached for Quinn's hand for the second time that day. Quinn smiled at Rachel when the girl grabbed her hand.

"Well, this is the kitchen," Rachel said as she walked into an open kitchen that had an island in the middle, then led her into the next room.

"Dining room here, then there's the den, and then my fathers' room, and beside that is the study," she said as she led Quinn around.

"And now for the upstairs," Rachel said with a smile and walked up the stairs.

"Wait...this is you?" Rachel turned to see what had Quinn preoccupied. It was an old picture of her sitting on her daddy's lap with a smile on her face, and her dad sitting next to them. "Yeah, why?" Rachel wondered.

"You're just so cute..." Quinn said, blushing. "...and I mean you still are...but it's cool to see you as a kid..." she said with an embarrassed smile. "Thank you Quinn," Rachel said and smiled at Quinn's adorableness. "I think you're quite cute too," she said with a wink when Quinn met her eyes and she led Quinn up the rest of the stairs. Rachel just pointed to the rooms and named them when she got to the top of the stairs.

"Guestroom, Bathroom, spare room..." Quinn looked, following where she pointed with her eyes. I think I would go anywhere at this point as long as she keeps holding my hand...

"Lastly, my room," Rachel said with a smile. Quinn looked at her door and noticed the gold star hanging from it and couldn't help but smile. Rachel noticed and also smiled as she reached for the door handle and opened it. Rachel led Quinn into her room and closed the door behind them.

"Well...this is it..." Rachel said as she let go of Quinn's hand to gesture to her room. Quinn looked around her room and smiled more. The walls were a light grey and there were various playbills on her wall along with a few posters of plays. She looked around and saw a desk and a dresser and a bookshelf. She looked over to Rachel's bed and saw a rather large bed that had a pretty, deep purple bedspread on it that, she noticed, matched the curtains covering Rachel's window. It was a very cozy room and it just felt very...Rachel. "Well? What...uh...what do you think?" Rachel asked shyly.

"It's...less intense than I expected", she said with a small smile in Rachel's direction.

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked with a small smile also on her lips. "What did you expect?"

"Uh...I don't know...more argyle maybe..." Quinn muttered, embarrassed. Rachel realized what she meant and looked down at the sweater she was wearing. She smiled sadly and looked at Quinn, who was still looking at the ground.

"I only wear these clothes because they aren't as pricey," Quinn looked at her a tad confused. "The first day of school, do you remember what I wore?" Rachel asked, still looking at Quinn.

"Er...yes actually...skin tight blue jeans, a red blouse that fit you perfectly and high-top Chuck Taylor's..." Quinn looked away, blushing furiously.

"You...you remember?" Rachel asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah...I do...c-cause...that was the day I knew I liked you..." Quinn said, blushing even more. Rachel smiled and grabbed Quinn's hands. "Pale yellow dress with a brown belt around the middle, brown flats that matched it, with a light-wash jean jacket over it," Rachel stated, also blushing slightly.

"You...you too?" Quinn said, smiling lightly as Rachel stated the outfit she had worn on the first day of high school, before she had become a cheerio.

"You looked smoking," Rachel said with a smirk. "And I knew then that I liked you..." she finished with a smile.

"So did you," Quinn said, her voice coming out huskier than she expected, causing her face to redden even more as she cleared her throat. She saw Rachel smirk and she smiled back. "Where were you in the story?" she asked in an attempt to get Rachel back on track and figure the girl out more.

"Right, anyway, I got slushied for the first time that day...at least with these clothes, I don't have to worry about them getting stained because they are cheaper," she saw Quinn look away, guilt all over her face.

"Hey, look at me Quinn," Rachel said, grabbing Quinn's chin and making their eyes meet.

"I'm so sorry Rache—,"Quinn started to say, but stopped when Rachel moved her hand to her cheek and cupped her face. Quinn's eyes fluttered shut slightly and she leaned into Rachel's soft hand.

"You never threw a slushie at me Quinn," Rachel stated.

"...That doesn't mean I wasn't the one who was behind it...and I still laughed at you and made fun of you and made your life a living hell every day because I was trying to deny that I felt something for you!" Quinn said very fast, as she started crying. Rachel reached up and wiped her tears away.

"Hey, don't cry Quinn. Did it suck? Yes," she stopped as Quinn cried harder. "But what that helped me to do was distance myself emotionally from you," Quinn was looking at her with a confused look on her face. She figured she'd have to further explain. "When you were mean to me, at least I felt like I would never have a chance with you. I didn't have lost hopes. Did I want you still? Of course I did. But at least I knew I didn't have a chance. But when we started to become friends, my hopes got rekindled and being closer to you made me want you that much more," Rachel finished with a heavy breath and waited for Quinn's reply.

"But don't you get it Rachel?" Quinn said louder than she had intended. Rachel looked at her confused. "I've ruined everything we could have ever had!" She saw Rachel shake her head no and was about to speak again when she felt Rachel's fingers on her lips.

"No. You haven't Quinn. Just postponed it a bit," Quinn tried to speak again but Rachel stopped her again. "Not done yet—did you not hear me say that us getting closer makes me want you even more?" Quinn smiled through her tears and nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. You're kinda stuck with me," she said with a wink and Quinn chuckled.

"Can I speak now?" Quinn asked playfully. Rachel nodded so she continued. "I know I don't deserve excuses because what I did to you was awful and I'll never forgive myself for that," Rachel tried to interrupt Quinn, but she put a finger to her lips. "Not done yet," Quinn said with a small smile and continued. "I was mean to you because it was that or I claim you as mine against the lockers," she smirked when Rachel's mouth opened in shock. "I was in denial. I tore myself up everyday and told myself what I was feeling was wrong and that if I was mean to you then the crush would go away. But I was wrong; so wrong. It made me resent myself and I took it out wrongly on you. I pushed myself to be popular and to date Finn to be a normal girl. I was afraid of my parents and what they would do to me if they found out I liked a girl. So I—I pushed myself to sleep with Puck to deny my feelings for you...It was stupid and I had gotten myself drunk and I regret it so much. I wish I had waited for someone special...someone like you Rachel," she said as she wiped a stray tear from Rachel's eye.

"I know that I messed up and I would do anything in the world to take it all back and just be with you. I've taken so much from you and from us and I regret it all," Quinn finally stopped and waited for Rachel to respond.

"I forgive you," Rachel said. Quinn's mouth dropped in shock.

"Wh—what?" Quinn choked out.

"I said I forgive you," Rachel said again.

"Bu—but why? Why? I tormented you! I made your life a living hell and I—,"

"Stop it Quinn!" Rachel shouted, causing Quinn to snap her mouth shut. "I forgive you because now I understand what was going on in your life! I get why you did the things you did. Does that make it wholly right? Not necessarily, but it at least justifies your reasons a bit and makes me realize that you were fighting some serious demons and self-hatred and confusion over what you were feeling. So I forgive you. And you need to accept that!" Rachel said, her frustration getting the better of her.

"I'm sorry," Quinn said sadly. Rachel let go of Quinn's hands and threw them up in the air in frustration.

"Stop apologizing Quinn!" Rachel said exasperated. "I said I forgive you! What more do you want?" Rachel said as she paced. Quinn grabbed her hand, stalling her movement. She grabbed her other hand and held them tight.

"I want you. I want us. I want us to be something. I want to be able to proudly call you mine," Quinn moved her hands to cup Rachel's face as she continued. "...and not let anything stand in the way of you and I. I've stood in my own way for too damn long and I want to change—and I want you to be with me every single step of the way," Quinn rushed out in one breath. She realized that she had gotten really close to Rachel in the process and their faces were inches apart.

"I want all of that too Quinn," Rachel said and continued on. "And I really want to kiss you right now too..." she admitted and looked at Quinn's lips, which turned up in a smile.

"I want to kiss you too..."

"So do it," Rachel said as she leaned in. Quinn leaned in too but stopped herself.

"Wait," Rachel stopped and pulled back. "Do—do you not wan—," "No!" Quinn said louder and faster than she had expected. "I mean No I want to...I really want to...but I've fucked up enough for us and I want to do this right. So, Rachel Berry, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me this weekend?" Rachel beamed her brightest smile and said "Do you even need to ask?" Quinn smiled.

"Is that a yes?" she asked though she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

"Yes. Yes! I would love to go on a date with you Quinn!" she also smiled. Quinn beamed and laughed and pulled Rachel into a hug. She picked the small girl up and spun her around, and laughed when Rachel screamed in shock and started laughing as well. Quinn set Rachel down on the floor and beamed at her. Rachel chuckled and Quinn looked at her questioningly.

"What is it?" Quinn asked.

"Nothing, you just seem to be really good at sweeping me off of my feet," she said with a smile.

"Well that's the plan," she said with a wink.

"And I'm looking forward to every moment you do," Rachel said with a big grin.

"So..." Quinn trailed off, suddenly feeling awkward. "What do you want to do?" she said with a smile. "How about I put a movie in and you can hold me while we watch it?" Rachel asked in a slightly hopeful voice. "That's the best suggestion I've heard in a long time," Quinn said with a smile. "Great, what movie do you want to watch?" Rachel asked. "Whatever you want beautiful," Quinn said as she smiled down at Rachel. Rachel got a large smile on her face "That could be a dangerous thing to say to a girl who's fond of musicals." Quinn chuckled "Well it's a good thing I'm fond of musicals then." Rachel's mouth opened in shock. "I knew there was I reason I fell for you Fabray," she said with a wink.

"Let's go to downstairs then," Rachel said with a smile as she tugged on Quinn's hand and pulled her out of the room. Quinn followed her down the stairs with a smile on her face as she looked at their hands. Wow. I mean wow. I'm holding Rachel Berry's hand in her house and she wants to cuddle and she also wanted to kiss me...it's like a dream. She's like a dream. She's all I ever wanted and now I have her. I've never felt this happy before.

Quinn was brought out of her thought by the sound of Rachel's slight laughter. She hadn't realized that they had stopped in the den. Rachel was looking at her and giggling slightly. "What are you thinking about?" Rachel asked, having noticed that Quinn was lost in thoughts with a dazed look on her face. "Just that you are a dream come true and I've never felt this happy as I am right now with you," Quinn said sincerely and saw Rachel's smile get even bigger. "You have quite the way with words Quinn," she said as she swooned.

"That's not the only thing I'm good at Rachel," she said with a wink. "Good god Quinn, you're going to be the death of me," Rachel said and Quinn giggled. "Well we wouldn't want that now would we, so let's just pick a movie and cuddle." Rachel smiled and led Quinn to the couch where she let go of her hand and said "Make yourself comfortable," with a wink as she went to the wall of movies that was located in the den. Quinn sat down on the plush couch, with one arm on the armrest and watched Rachel flitting around, looking for the perfect movie. Rachel grabbed one and bent down to put it in.

Quinn couldn't help herself, she watched as Rachel bent over, showing off her perfect ass, while putting the movie in the player. Oh my god. She is perfect. And ugh, that ass, hell her whole body is so sexy. She is so hot and that short skirt isn't helping me to control myself at all.

Rachel bent over to put the movie in and purposefully stuck her ass out as she did. She got the movie in and pressed play and ever so slowly stood up. She turned around to see Quinn's eyes snap to hers. She was breathing harder than usual and had a slight blush on her cheeks and her mouth was open. Rachel smirked and walked over to Quinn.

Quinn cleared her throat and put on a smirk of her own. "Tease," Quinn said with a pout and Rachel laughed. "I'm sorry, how can I make it up to you?" Rachel said in an innocent tone that had Quinn holding back a moan. Quinn didn't say anything, just opened her arms. Rachel grinned down at Quinn and layed down with her head on Quinn's lap. She smiled up at Quinn, who ran a hand through Rachel's hair.

"All better?" Rachel asked with a smile.

"Perfect," Quinn said sincerely and smiled more when Rachel's eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of Quinn running her hand through her hair.

The movie started and Quinn smiled. "I love this movie," she said as the menu screen for It's Kind of a Funny Story came up.

Rachel smiled up at Quinn "Me too, it's cute," Quinn nodded while looking at Rachel. "But you're cuter," Rachel said and played the movie. Quinn smiled and snuggled into Rachel more and continued to play with the girl's gorgeous hair. Rachel moved her hand and began drawing patterns on Quinn's leg. Yeah, I could get used to this. Quinn thought with a smile.

A while later, Quinn saw Rachel shiver a little. "Are you cold?" Quinn asked.

"Just a bit, I'll just get the blanket on the couch over there," she said and sat up.

"Allow me," Quinn said with a smile in Rachel's direction, who smiled in return.

"Charmer," Rachel said as Quinn grabbed the blanket and returned to the couch.

"You mind if I lay down too?" Quinn asked with a blush.

"Not in the least," Rachel said as she moved over to let Quinn lay down behind her on the couch. Quinn spread the blanket out over them as Rachel layed down in front of her. Quinn layed down behind her and looked at Rachel.

"Do—do you mind if I—," Quinn moved her hand to Rachel's waist to see if she caught on.

"I'd love you to," Rachel said and scooted closer to Quinn. Quinn smiled and put her arm around Rachel's waist, her hand coming to rest on her stomach. She slowly traced random patterns across her stomach and smiled when Rachel sighed happily. Rachel reached and covered Quinn's hand with her own and stroked her thumb across it. Quinn also sighed happily and layed her head down on the armrest of the couch and breathed in the sweet smell of Rachel's hair. She felt herself falling asleep and just pulled Rachel tighter and let the sound of the other's breathing lull her to sleep, the movie forgotten.

I could definitely get used to this. Was the last thing she thought before she fell asleep.


So I hope you liked this chapter, please leave a review, as they are the fuel to feed my fire. :)
~Thing-With-Feathers