Thanks for your comments, they're always appreciated. Unbetaed so all mistakes are my own (to be said in an apologetic rather than proud tone).
One last determined effort from Judy and she and Quinn finally found themselves in the foyer of the dance school Rachel was currently mid-lesson at. Fortunately various types of music were permeating the corridor suggesting that their less that stealthy entrance may yet have gone unnoticed and the element of surprise was still maintained.
"Obviously not expecting many wheelchair bound would be dancers," harrumphed Quinn moderately embarrassed at the huge amount of effort that had been required to scale the concrete steps into the building. Her mother was looking decidedly dishevelled and overheated from her efforts at manouvering Quinn and her chair up the steps and through a set of unwieldy doors.
"Well," puffed Judy sucking in huge gulps of air and mopping her brow with a dainty handkerchief she'd retrieved from her handbag," it's all worth it in the end." She drew in another lungful of breath; maybe she needed to do more exercise?
" After all you haven't seen Rachel for at least 12 hours" Judy added mischievously.
"More like fourteen," grumped Quinn still feeling decidedly awkward that her current circumstances obliged her to be dependent on her mother for help. She'd hoped she could just get her mother to drop her off at the Dance school but one look at the Kilamanjaro of stairs leading up to the entrance had almost forced her to abandon her plans to take Rachel up on her tentative suggestion yesterday that Quinn could always come and watch. It was hard enough to have to ask her mother for a lift and then give a brief explanation of why she needed dropping off. Her mother's only comment of "Rachel, of course" had left her bewildered. Judy projected a knowing air about Rachel, although quite what she thought she knew left Quinn puzzled and the way she sort of half-smiled as she said 'Rachel' just irritated her. So she had looked at the stairs with a sinking heart and a resignation to returning home defeated. Judy however was having none of it and Quinn was still unsure whether allowing her mother to bustle her into things was such a good idea. On the other hand, if you just looked at the bigger picture, she wanted to see Rachel and her mother was enabling that to happen so it was hard to see the harm in letting Judy take charge.
Surely it wasn't a crime to want to be Rachel's best friend? Okay maybe the need to be close to Rachel, have her undivided attention and tight hugs was unusual - unique even for her -but surely it was just a sign of her growing maturity and appreciation of the value of friendships without expectation of some kind of gain. Rachel just made her feel...it was hard to describe other than a warmth in her chest just here and besides Rachel being around just brightened her day. Why waste time being apart when they had more fun together? Quinn suddenly had a confidence crisis, what if Rachel was just being polite when she extended the invitation to see her dance? Maybe the hesitancy wasn't so much about worrying whether Quinn would want to come but was in fact a real reluctance to have Quinn there? After all the Physio had kind of railroaded Rachel into agreeing to help Quinn with her exercises away from the clinic so maybe Rachel was in fact feeling a bit smothered from the amount of her time Quinn was taking up?
Judy could sense that Quinn was beginning to doubt the wisdom of her surprise so she briskly pushed Quinn's chair along the corridor glancing through the spectator windows as she went. She passed the child ballerinas and stopping outside a room where a stereotypical dance instructor - seriously how did anyone get their hair in such a high tight bun, and what was the walking stick about? - was casting a rather critical eye over four performers as she counted time by banging her stick on the floor.
"Three and Four, back straight, eyes forward. Hold it." The woman's voice was clear and authoritative. "Okay, back to starting positions."
The four teenage girls moved back in the room and formed identical starting poses. Finally Rachel's eyes caught a glimpse of the new audience at the window and a huge grin spread across her face instantly dispelling any doubts Quinn had had about whether Rachel really wanted her to be there. Judy took this as her cue to exit stage left, her cupid role over.
"Miss Berry, when you're ready," admonished the stick wielding dance teacher her tone suggesting the opposite of her words. Rachel quickly schooled her features to a serious expression. There was no need to aggrevate Mrs Lafayette with her lack of professional demeanour. Quinn had come to see Rachel dance and if that didn't put an extra spring in her jumps and give her the extra incentive to be technically perfect, nothing would. She just needed to keep her happiness on the inside and channel it into her performance and the additional adrenalin in her system could only help.
Mrs Lafayette counted them in again and then scrutinised the performance of her dancers. Rachel was the most determined and dedicated student she had ever taught during her twenty years in Lima although Lima being such a one-horse town made that statement less impressive than it should be. Rachel was technically incredibly proficient and her work rate was phenomenal. She was one of her best dancers ever even if she wasn't one of the most naturally gifted. Mrs Lafayette noted that Rachel had managed to eek out a little extra for this run through which was surprising as she had thought there was no more improvement to be had. She glanced to the window curious to see who had motivated Rachel to find a little extra. It wasn't, as she expected, one of Rachel's fathers - both were rarely seen at lessons, rehearsals or performances since Rachel had learnt to drive although to be fair there were rather a lot of said events. Instead a blond haired girl with rather striking bone structure seated in a wheelchair had her eyes fixed on Rachel and a delighted smile fixed on her face. Mrs Lafayette turned her attention back to her dancers, indicated individual areas for improvement before suggesting they take a break. She watched amused as Rachel positively sprinted out the room.
Mrs Lafayette considered her next step carefully. For weeks, no make that months, the Rachel who had been turning up to her classes had been a muted shadow of her formerly effervescent self. She had gone through the motions but had been preoccupied and mobile phone obsessed. She'd even skipped a few Saturdays without good reason, behaviour that would have been unthinkable in any of Rachel's previous eleven years at the school. Mrs Lafayette never inquired into the external influences on her students but it was obvious something or someone had been distracting Rachel from her usual single minded focus of being the best and making it on broadway. Today old Rachel had bounced through the doors, all her focus and drive back with a vengeance and Mrs Lafayette had struggled to keep her immense relief unnoticed. Now there seemed to be another variable in play with a disproportionate influence on Rachel, namely that girl for whom Rachel's smile was wider than usual and her greeting hug just a little longer than it should have been.
Rachel rushed back onto the room and stood excitedly in front of Mrs Lafayette with a face splitting grin on her face.
"Is it okay if my friend," Rachel noted the eyebrow raise on her dance teachers face at the word friend - did everyone consider her socially inept? -,"watches from inside the room? She'll be really quiet." Mrs Lafayette took in the big brown pleading eyes and the hands clasped together as if in prayer. Rachel's demeanour suggested all her future happiness rested solely on Mrs. Lafayette's answer.
"Of course," she replied not reacting to Rachel's squeal of excitement. Rachel's run to the door was halted by the next statement," provided you properly introduce us."
Rachel skidded to a halt and turned to look inquisitively at Mrs Lafayette but could read nothing from her impassive features. Mrs Lafayette who showed no interest in anything but their ability to dance - "I care only about what happens here" was her mantra - was now asking her to introduce her to Quinn. It was a puzzled Rachel that made her way out of the room to Quinn but her keenness to have Quinn in the room quickly overcame any minor misgivings she was experiencing.
"Mrs Lafayette this is Quinn Fabray, Quinn this is my dance teacher since forever, Mrs Lafayette" gushed Rachel leaving her hand placed reassuringly on Quinn's shoulder as two of the most important women in Rachel's life shook hands firmly.
"Do you have any interest in musical theatre?" asked Mrs Lafayette bending her tall frame slightly to make conversation easier but inadvertently coming across as intimidating as she encroached on Quinn's personal space.
"I'm in Glee club at school with Rachel and she's personally taken in hand my education in musicals" managed Quinn when her tongue finally became unstuck from the roof of her mouth. She reached up to place her hand over Rachel's, which was currently squeezing her shoulder rather tightly. Mrs Lafayettes eyes took in the hands before moving back to focus a steely eyed glare on Quinn, there was little indication as to whether Quinn's answer had been satisfactory or not.
"Do you have any idea of the sacrifices that will be necessary for Rachel to achieve her dreams?" Two steely blue eyes bored into Quinn's.
"She'll need the support of someone with a bit more insight than that gained from a few Hollywood movies," hissed Mrs Lafayette. Quinn felt awkward and out of place. She should have followed her initial instinct on seeing those concrete stairs and left. The uncomfortable silence lengthened as neither Quinn nor Rachel could think of an apt response to the dance teacher's utterances.
"Rachel is the best dancer it has ever been my privilege to teach," stated Mrs Lafayette her stare unwavering from Quinn's despite Rachel's shocked gasp in the background.
Rachel's face burned, as her thoughts raced. Mrs. Lafayette had just uttered some words of praise and for her no less - surely the world was ending? She ran the remark through her head again dwelling on 'best dancer' and 'privilege to teach.' Unprecedented.
"She's also a rather phenomenal singer," replied Quinn uncertain where the conversation was headed or if this was some kind of bidding war based on Rachel's talents. Singing would always trump dancing so she was on the right side of whatever this was. Rachel was in a state of shock; she was used to having to point out her talents herself not have other people comment on them.
"Rachel is destined for great things," Mrs Lafayette continued Quinn's remarks seemingly unnoticed,"provided nothing and " Mrs Lafayette leaned in closer so her nose was centimetres from Quinn's," no-one" she moved back," interferes with her drive and ambition at this critical stage of her career." She glared meaningfully at Quinn before re-iterating "No-one." Her look removing the need for her to say 'especially not someone like you.'
Quinn could feel herself going red and was fighting to control her temper as Mrs Lafayette's eyes continued to drill into hers. Where was this over protective old biddy when Finn was busy sucking the life out of Rachel, proposing marriage and stamping on her dreams? Quinn spared a glance at Rachel to find her staring wide-eyed and open mouthed at her dance teacher. She took a deep breath and then fixed her eye on Mrs Lafayette using her best head Cheerio intimidating glare – new Cheerios had been known to cry when on the receiving end, this dance teacher was made of sterner stuff.
"I intend to support Rachel in whatever she chooses to do be it sing, dance, wait tables or quite possibly all three," Quinn said firmly pleased to hear Rachel's snort of derision on the 'wait tables' statement, "The key is it's about whatever Rachel wants to do."
"What about what you want her to do?" asked Mrs Lafayette suspiciously. Rachel's eagerness to please made her too vulnerable to the wishes of those close to her in Mrs Lafayette's opinion and she'd seen many a talented student be sidetracked by the wishes of their partners into a life devoid of performance and full of drudgery.
"Rachel is her own woman, she makes her own choices." Quinn replied. Mrs. Lafayette look decidedly unimpressed as if she'd heard it all before.
"I only want her to be happy," blurted out Quinn realising her statement was a bit sappy before it even left her mouth but she meant it and this scary woman in front of her needed to hear it and believe it.
Mrs Lafayette stared at Quinn appraisngly for a brief moment more and then gave a slight nod of the head before suddenly smiling.
"I like your friend, Rachel" she said in a friendly tone.
"Are you two sure you've finished discussing how wonderful I am" piped up Rachel," as you haven't touched on my looks and personality yet."
Quinn's eye roll coincided with that of Mrs Lafayette's. The pair of them had been having a prickly stand off and all Rachel had gleaned was that they'd been praising her.
"Developing some modesty will do your future career no harm and much good. Your talent is great enough for your life choices to be overlooked," Mrs Lafayette's eyes again flicked to the joined hands as Quinn self consciously removed hers from Rachel's, "but it never hurts to be humble."
With that the other girls returned to the room, along with Mrs Lafayette's usual personae, Quinn found a corner to be as unobtrusive in as a girl in a wheelchair could be. It was only as she sat here watching a graceful sleek Rachel dance her way round the room that she had time to process Mrs Lafayette's words. She suddenly blushed. Mrs Lafayette had obviously mistaken them for a couple; it was the only thing that made her life choices remark and the preceding conversation make sense. Mind you her own 'I only want her to be happy' was perhaps all too easy to misconstrue.
Quinn was distracted by a pair of supple shapely legs twirling past her and she realised her imaginings of Rachel in a wrestling leotard had been sadly lacking. She hadn't thought about the tanned toned body on those amazing legs with a delightfully compact rear and a pert pair of...Quinn tried to avert her eyes away from the vision currently causing her pulse to race and her skin to heat up. She switched her gaze briefly to one of the other girls before finding herself drawn back to watching Rachel. Whatever this reaction was about only Rachel inspired it. She grinned as Rachel managed to throw a surreptitious wink her way mid-routine before realising it hadn't gone unnoticed by eagle eyed Mrs. Lafayette judging by the slight twitch of one corner of her mouth. Quinn decided it was best to leave the woman with her misconceptions.
It didn't take Quinn to realize that Mrs. Lafayette wasn't the only one with a misunderstanding about the nature of her relationship with Rachel. They had lunched in the dance school café – well café was rather a grand term for an alcove selling hot drinks and a couple of sandwiches but it seemed a better option than battling the outside stairs to find a proper café. Quinn had the uncomfortable feeling she was being watched but tried to shake it off as Rachel talked enthusiastically about what she been doing in the various lessons and how the tap session that followed after lunch was by far the least serious of all her activities. A quick glance round the room allowed Quinn to identify who it was staring in a less than friendly manner at her - Sarah. Sarah, the Carmel High cheerleader who had shared dance classes with Rachel since the age of eight. It hardly took a rocket scientist to discern the probable personality type of the tall slim blond dancer with the permanent expression of distaste on her face and the hint of a superiority complex in her manner.
Rachel had nodded at Sarah across the rom whilst mid-conversation with Quinn seemingly oblivious to the waves of animosity being directed Quinn's way. The girl's eyes hardly left them and her body language stiffened every time Rachel placed a hand on Quinn's arm or knee as she talked about her dance exploits. Her cat's bottom pout had tightened further when Quinn had dared to squeeze Rachel's hand and all of this apparently unnoticed by Rachel. Quinn had then upped the ante, insisting Rachel gave her a hug just before she headed off to use the facilities and then in what she considered a master stroke, pun intended, she'd run her hand gently down Rachel's cheek and urged her to hurry back. Sarah seemed to be ready to explode as Quinn redirected her focus to the food in front of her smothering her grin. Her feeling of triumph was short lived as suddenly a shadow fell over her and she looked up to find Sarah towering above her and scowling in a manner that could in no way be construed as friendly. It was hard to be intimidating from a seated position but Quinn gave it her best shot.
"Hello, Susan isn't it?" She asked with excessively friendly politeness designed to deliberately irritate.
"Sarah" was the response through gritted teeth. Sarah paused to consider what she really wanted to say aware that time was limited as Rachel could be back any moment and also aware of the group of fellow dancers on the table she just left still watching her. She had walked over without a plan in mind determined only to stop this girl in front of her mauling Rachel.
She had had a soft spot for Rachel for what seemed like years and it was only her total conviction that Rachel was one, if not two, hundred percent straight that had prevented her from making any moves. Rachel was so determinedly straight that Sarah had often thought she was over compensating for having two dads and felt compelled to prove that gay parents didn't mean a gay child. Rachel had also been unfalteringly oblivious to all the flirting and hints that Sarah had directed her way whether subtle or blindingly obvious. She had resisted Sarah's efforts at cultivating a close friendship so she had been forced into a patient waiting game looking for just the slightest sign of encouragement and now this - an exuberant touch feely Rachel fawning over her wheelchair bound girlfriend as if they were some advert for being out and proud. Sarah could barely contain her rage at how incredibly unfair and unjust it all was after all her years of groundwork. Glowering wasn't reducing the wheelchair bound blond girl to ashes, maybe she needed to speak.
"Rachel with her prodigious talent and ridiculously high energy levels deserves a girlfriend who can at least understand her ambitions and who can keep up with her, someone with more than half a body that works," Sarah hissed resentfully.
Quinn felt herself torn between amusement ('half a body that works' seriously? that was the best insult she could come up with? No wonder Carmel cheerleaders never won anything) and irritation (who did this girl think she was to make judgements about Rachel's friendships?). She hoped teenage hormones and a propensity for the dramatic was the reason her visit to the Dance school was turning into a soap opera rather than being a foretaste of what being friends with a Broadway star would be like.
"Now listen here Celia," Quinn softened her voice so the other girl needed to lean in to hear her as she automatically responded with a testy,"Sarah". Quinn waved a hand to indicate the name was of no consequence.
"My 'half a body' is doing an excellent job in meeting the almost insatiable appetites of my incredibly supple girlfriend and quite frankly I'd defy anybody not to need a wheelchair after a night with those talented hands, lips and of course highly skilled tongue" Quinn paused to watch the effect of her words on Sarah's colouring trying not to think about Rachel's tongue in case she too turned bright red.
"Such stamina, such a lovely taut toned torso," Quinn sighed as if in dreamy reflection," and such amazing breath control."
"I see you two have met" Rachel's voice suddenly interrupted whatever visions Quinn's words were conjuring up and both Quinn and Sarah jumped guiltily. Rachel looked suspiciously from one to the other trying to discern just what exactly was going on. Quinn recovered first.
"Sasha here was just telling me what a gifted dancer you are," she explained with a smile that faded instantly as she turned from Rachel to Sarah.
"And your friend Queenie here was busy singing your praises too." Sarah added with a slight scowl at Quinn before unleashing a beaming friendly smile at Rachel.
"I think Seskia," Quinn was pleased to note the other girls increased irritation and yet another wrong name," just wanted to be sure I fully appreciated all your many talents" smirked Quinn choosing that moment to run her tongue along her top lip pleased to note the tightening in Sarah's facial features. Rachel again glanced between the pair of them. It was almost as if they were having a different conversation to the one she was actually hearing and they certainly hadn't even managed to swap names properly.
"Anyway I'll let you get on with your lunch," conceded Sarah not waiting for a response as she headed back hurriedly to her table to ponder why Rachel would choose such a bitch over her. Rachel sat down opposite Quinn and eyed her warily as she munched on her salad before finally saying
"If I wasn't working on being more humble, which I can assure you is paining me, I'd ask you to elucidate further on," Rachel paused in order to make air quotes,"'amazing breath control'."
She noted Quinn's distinct air of awkwardness and embarrassment; yep she was definitely missing something but what?
"It seems Sarah is a big fan of yours," offered Quinn slightly resentfully in an attempt to move the conversation on. It was now Rachel's turn to look briefly uncomfortable before she straightened her shoulders and grinned at Quinn.
"And there was me thinking you might be a big fan too with your 'phenomenal singer' and 'amazing breath control' comments,'" she said flirtatiously. She had no wish to discuss the slightly uncomfortable feelings she had around Sarah, a girl who had merely tried to offer friendship to her.
Quinn spread her hands in a gesture of surrender," What can I say, I'm hoping I've said enough to earn a lift home."
"Well you're in the car and keys are in the ignition however you might need to use phrases like 'outstandingly talented' and 'awesome' to earn the drive home," replied Rachel with a grin.
Quinn looked at her thoughtfully.
"Have I ever told you how outstandingly talented you are at eating salad? I can't decide whether to eat this sandwich awesome of that." She said with a smile to be rewarded by a laugh from Rachel.
"Still plenty of time to sing my praises, you know you've a soft spot for a bit of tripping the light fantastic," replied Rachel quickly out of her seat and punctuating her remarks with a flurry of tap moves, "and on the plus side I doubt Mr Rogers will even notice you never mind talk to you."
"Mr Rogers? Really?" smirked Quinn.
"It's not his real name but he's a ginger haired tap dancing teacher," Rachel hastened to explain and it was Quinn's turn to laugh.
"No wonder the entertainment business steers clear of nicknames," she commented as Rachel started to push her chair towards the next class.
"Oh right because you sports types are so good at it, Q for you, S for Santana and B for Brittany demonstrating clearly the wit and intelligence needed to come up with an effective nickname" scoffed Rachel.
"Touché" laughed Quinn deciding that she didn't really want to discuss nicknames in case all the mean and spiteful things she'd called Rachel over their time together at school were brought up. They'd need to discuss it at some point but for the moment she just wanted to enjoy Rachel's company. She found herself fervently hoping that Sarah didn't tap dance so she could admire Rachel's sleek lines and dancing prowess in peace. One more class and Rachel's undivided attention would be all hers – the mere thought made her heart race - now why was that such a thrilling yet terrifying prospect?