Hey guys. We're so glad that you preferred the revisions. To be honest, we preferred those too. Writing sweet Faberry is always the better option, I think. But anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

"Everything alright, Master?" Brittany asked from her perch atop the fireplace.

"Yes. I'm just nervous." Quinn answered. "I want tonight to go perfectly."

"I'm sure you'll do alright, Master." Santana came up beside Brittany and piped up.

"Just control your temper."

Quinn growled and glared at the candelabra. "I know this."

"Would you like me to go fetch Rachel?"

"Yes." Quinn walked into the kitchens to check on dinner.

Santana and Brittany made their way to the library where Rachel had been spending her time more than usual. "Rachel? Dinner is just about ready if you'd like to come with us."

Rachel looked up and blinked a few times to make her eyes focus. "Oh, is it that late already? I didn't notice." She smiled and rose up from her seat and approached Brittany and Santana. "Should I change my attire, or is this good enough for dinner?" Rachel brushed the wrinkles from her dress and looked for the approval of the two servants.

Brittany and Santana nodded, completely synchronised. "I think you look lovely. Please follow us."

Smiling at the pair, Rachel returned the books to their respective shelves and followed after them. Every day, she ate dinner with Quinn, and she was glad to be able to get to know her well. As long as Quinn controlled her temper, she was the perfect companion that prevented Rachel from being bored. She smiled at the thought of the master of the castle as she walked to the dining hall with a spring in her step.

A pair of hat stands opened the colossal double doors for her, and Rachel curtsied as her thanks. Upon seeing Quinn pacing by the fire, Rachel chuckled and waved. "Hi, Quinn."

Quinn's head shot up at the sound of Rachel's voice greeting her. "Hi, Rachel." she walked over and guided her to her seat. "This one's yours."

"Thank you." Rachel sat down and waited for Quinn to do the same. "Where have you been today? I barely had time to spend with you."

Quinn took her seat on the other side of the table. "I've just been thinking about some things, is all." she answered as vague as she could muster without rousing suspicion. "After dinner we are to go for a walk around the grounds. If you wish to."

"I would love that." Rachel beamed, ignoring the fact that Quinn avoided her question. She learned a long time ago from Brittany and Santana not to pry and just allow Quinn to come to her on her own time. The servants chose that moment to come in with their meal, and the scent of the food made Rachel hungry, her stomach rumbling. "Oh." Rachel blushed, ducking her head in embarrassment. "I didn't realize I'm so hungry."

Quinn's ears easily picked up on Rachel's growling stomach. "Have you eaten at all today?" she asked softly.

"Just for breakfast. I think I skipped lunch..."

"You shouldn't skip meals."

"I do it all the time when I read a good book." Rachel insisted as they were served their soup. "I'm perfectly fine, I promise."

Quinn nodded and looked down at her soup. "After you."

"Such a gentleman." Rachel teased before picking up her soup spoon. She sipped the hot liquid, humming at the taste. "Mmmm. That's delicious."

Quinn couldn't hold a spoon so she slowly lapped at the soup in front of her. "It's very good."

Rachel noticed Quinn not using her spoon, and she slowly set it on the side so she would not feel uncomfortable. She picked up her bowl and smiling at Quinn, she raised it up as a toast before sipping it from the rim. "Cheers."

As the dinner progressed, Rachel and Quinn spoke like two good friends. Rachel talked about the book she recently finished, while Quinn spoke of the castle and its history. Once the table had been cleared out, Rachel rose and followed Quinn out to the castle grounds, her arm wrapped around Quinn's bicep. It made Quinn smile. She tucked Rachel's tiny hand up her arm and led her along the gravel path. "Is there anywhere you'd like to be?" she asked as she turned into the garden.

"We could go to our little grove, by the forest." Rachel suggested. "I could read to you and teach you a few things, perhaps?"

Quinn nodded. "Yes."

"I'm glad you agree." Rachel smiled and pulled out one of the books that fit in the pocket of her cloak. They walked into a grove of trees, the leaves providing them a cool shade from the setting sun. Rachel tucked her dress beneath her legs and sat down; reaching her hand out for Quinn so she could sit by her.

Quinn followed just behind Rachel and sat down on the grass beside her. "Wanna sit in front this time? I can move."

"I'd love to."

Quinn moved around and pulled Rachel against her chest. "How's that?"

"Perfect." Rachel tilted her head back and pressed her ear against Quinn's strong, beating heart. She propped open the book and started to read out loud. As the story progressed, Rachel's hand absently stroked the curve of Quinn's leg. She scratched the soft fur, smiling at the low rumbling she could hear near the base of Quinn's throat.

Quinn tried to read along with Rachel, but she didn't understand anything that was written in the book, so she settled for listening to Rachel's clear voice. When she felt Rachel's hand stroking and scratching her leg, it started to kick of its own accord. "Oh..."

Rachel giggled and stopped stroking. "Is that your sweet spot, Quinn?" She grinned and started scratching it again. Her laughter rang throughout their little grove as Quinn's leg started kicking once more.

Quinn groaned in mild embarrassment. "Apparently so."

Stifling her laughter, Rachel cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, but that was adorable."

Quinn huffed and nosed Rachel's neck making her giggle. "I'm not adorable."

"You are, a little bit."

Quinn shook her head. "No."

Rachel chuckled and rubbed Quinn's leg. "Okay, okay."

"I'm not anything like I used to be." She murmured, turning her head away from Rachel. Quinn watched the last remaining leaves fall from the branches and for the briefest moment, Quinn realised that she is like that leaf.

The rumble of Quinn's low voice made Rachel stop laughing altogether. "Quinn..." She sighed, scooting back to face the sad eyes of the person in front of her. "I may not have known you before... this, but you're amazing. You must see that."

Quinn shook her head. "I'm a monster."

"Not to me, you're not."

"Have you seen me? I'm hideous."

"It's just the physical aspect of you, Quinn." Rachel ran her fingers against the warm golden fur of Quinn's neck. "And to be honest with you, that doesn't matter at all to me. Your appearance is just one small thing, while your personality is the vastness of a galaxy. It's what makes you worth knowing."

Quinn smiled a little at what Rachel was telling her. She'd never heard anyone talk about her in such a sweet and heartfelt manner her entire life. "I want to show you something."

Rachel leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Quinn's warm body. "Okay."

Quinn smiled as Rachel embraced her. "Come with me." she stood and walked on all fours to the West Wing of the castle. She opened the door to her bedroom and let Rachel walk in first. "I don't know if you saw when you came in before..." she reached up with her paw and smoothed out the portrait.

When she did, the human side of her was revealed. "That's me." she said low, her voice taking on a slight growl.

"I did see." Rachel murmured, her hand never leaving Quinn's arm. She reached out and traced the painting's features. Quinn's sharp nose, her lips, her sculpted jaw. And finally, her hazel eyes—the same emotion-filled gaze that she still possessed. "You're gorgeous..."

Quinn watched Rachel reach forward and touch the painting. "Not anymore."

Rachel shook her head and faced Quinn. "You may be gorgeous in this painting physically, but who you are right now? You're beautiful, and I rather have beautiful Quinn than this gorgeous Quinn that I don't even know." She stepped closer and cupped Quinn's jaw. "Believe me."

Quinn's head lowered in defeat at Rachel's words. "I believe you." she looked down into Rachel's eyes. "I do."

"Good." Rachel caressed the fur of Quinn's jaw. "But I am glad you showed this to me. It really means a lot."

Quinn nodded. "I wanted to be more open."

"Thank you." Rachel smiled and hooked her arm around Quinn's.

Quinn led Rachel out of her bedroom and down the hallway. "Is there anything you'd like to do?"

Rachel shook her head as she stifled a yawn. "I'm rather tired. I hope you don't mind that I head back to my room?"

"Of course not."

"Thank you again for telling me about yourself." Rachel opened up her arms and waited for Quinn to walk into the embrace. "I had a great night with you, as always."

Quinn walked towards Rachel and pulled her against her chest with one paw. "Me too." she wasn't quite ready to let Rachel go yet.

Humming softly, Rachel relished the tickle of Quinn's fur, and the heat from her body. She loved being close to her. It made her forget about being homesick for a little bit. Quinn eventually pulled back, her nose pressing against her neck. "You should go rest."

"I should." Rachel pulled back, her lips gently grazing the curve of Quinn's jaw. She smiled up at her and smoothed out her dress. "Good night, Quinn."

Hiram followed the foggy path to the tavern, his breathing ragged and sporadic. It had been days since he allowed the beast to take his one and only daughter as prisoner. He sobbed at the possibility of Rachel hurt, or worse, dead. Hiram shook his head. He couldn't afford to think like that. Rachel was strong. She had to be alive.

He burst through the thick oak doors, relieved to see Finn with his friends, Mike, Sam, and Puck. "Please! Please help me!" Hiram wailed as he wrung his hat in his hands. "My poor baby girl... She's been taken from me! By a beast!"

Silence hung over the patrons in the ever-bustling tavern, before a loud eruption of laughter burst from Finn and his friends. "A beast, you say?" Finn drawled, emptying the tankard of beer. He slammed it down hard and rose up to tower over Hiram.

"Does it have large, sharp claws?" Sam hooted, shoving Hiram away from him.

"What about a huge hairy body?"

"A long, ugly snout?"

Hiram wailed, agreeing with every single one of their accusations. "Yes! Yes! You have to help me save my daughter, please!"

"Woah, ease up, Hiram." Finn held out his hands and stomped over to the beaten old man sprawled on the tavern's grimy floors. "Don't worry. We'll help you."

"You will?" Hiram lit up, scrambling to stand but behind him; Puck and Mike grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. The fabric dug into his throat but in his excitement and the possibility of saving Rachel cancelled out the pain that was choking him. "Thank you!" He exclaimed, his voice strangled.

"Uh huh. We'll help you, alright." Puck chuckled and with a large heave, he and Mike shoved the poor, blubbering man out in the cold, where the harsh winter winds were billowing out snow and sleet. Hiram luckily landed in a pile of snow that broke his fall.

"Oh, Rachel..." He lamented softly, his fingers numbing by the second. "My darling baby girl... I'll save you, I promise..."