(Author's Note: I'm back to work so the updates won't be on a daily basis. Hope you are enjoying the story. I appreciate any critical reviews! To those upset about the 'bad guys' they are needed to move the plot along. They have their place, as do all the characters. To Karrotz, thank you for your very kind words. They made me smile!)

CHAPTER 9

Quinn parted one arm from Rachel and reached back to close the door. She then leaned in and hugged her tightly once again. "You OK, hon?" Quinn softly said.

"I am now," and Rachel looked up into Quinn's eyes.

Quinn fixed her gaze and gave in to the attraction that had been building between them. Slowly, she moved her mouth to Rachel's and with the most tender of motions, gently kissed her on the lips.

"Ohhhhh" Rachel whispered in response to the kiss.

Their eyes locked even stronger and they kissed again, this time deeply and with great passion. Rachel reached up and slowly allowed her fingertips to brush Quinn's left temple and then wind their way through her thick and lovely hair. They parted from the kiss and looked at one another.

"Mmmmmm, I love to have my hair touched." Quinn exhaled the words in one great sigh.

"I love to touch"! Rachel giggled playfully.

They both laughed together and Quinn led Rachel over to the couch, sat down and motioned to Rachel.

"Come here…let me hold you." Quinn had Rachel lay with her back against Quinn's chest and placed her arms around her.

"So are you sure you're doing ok?" She asked as Rachel nestled into Quinn's waiting arms.

"Yes…I really surprised myself today. Granted, I was scared to death by what happened but I feel like I have picked myself up and really shook that off. I want to try riding again so I am not frightened. Will you take me?"

Quinn smiled broadly, "You can count on it…anytime you want!

"Is tomorrow too soon?" Rachel asked?

"Really! I mean….no, it's not too soon. You sure you're gonna be ok?"

"Well, I won't know for sure until I try….but I want to. I have to change the way I deal with my fears….and this seems like the best way."

Rachel became silent for a moment and then looked up at Quinn with a tear in her eye. "Do you know why this happened?"

Quinn cupped Rachel's face with her hand and rubbed her cheek with her thumb. "No Rachel…..I don't. But I am going to do all I can to find out why. But I don't think you have to worry anymore. Jacob is gone."

Quinn's words belied the true feeling in her gut. She "knew" this wasn't over, and she had a feeling Austin was involved as well, but she didn't want to worry Rachel.

"You really think so? I mean…it's safe now?"

"I'll personally make sure you're safe while you're here. Does that make you feel better?" Quinn replied with a twinkle in her eye.

"Hmmm, does that mean I get to stay in your arms for the rest of my stay?" Rachel teased?

"Well…that is one option I wouldn't mind in the least." Quinn responded.

"Mmmmmm, me neither" Rachel sighed and snuggled in closer.

Quinn's arms tightened in response and the two sat in silence like that for a long time, just savoring the closeness of their bodies.

Rachel's mind reeled from the events of the day, but more so from the feelings that were coursing through her in Quinn's arms. She felt the walls surrounding her heart start to crumble and she wondered how such deep feelings could be aroused in her so quickly. Quinn too, was pondering the overwhelming sensations at having this woman close to her. The startling aspect to her, was the depth her Soul has been touched.

"I". They both spoke together, laughing as they realized they had done so.

"You first". Rachel giggled.

"Um, ok. Well…..talking is not my best skill, but…well, I feel….I mean….it's very intense."

"You want to tell me that you are feeling something unusual for you?" Rachel helped her new friend with the words she knew from her own heart.

"Yes." Quinn sighed in relief, and with that relief, her words welled up from her.

"I have had a number of relationships before but nothing like this….nothing with any depth. And well…I know this is very soon for us…..but, I feel some sort of connection to you. It's stronger than I have ever felt with anyone. It is as if you have touched me in the deepest part of my Soul. With you in my arms, I feel complete. I know you must think me crazy but…."

Rachel put her fingers to Quinn's lips and barely whispered a "Shhhh".

"I don't think you are crazy Quinn….unless I am too. I am feeling the same thing. It started the moment I saw you in the ring breaking the horse. I have….my heart that I thought was closed forever after what I went through….feels alive again. I feel like I am home here in your arms….and I never want to leave."

Rachel turned around so she could face Quinn. Searching eyes looked into each other for answers to the many questions they had, and they settled, for now, upon allowing their lips to resume their magnetic pull to each other.

The clock on the mantle chimed 11:00pm and it jostled the two out of their reverie.

"Wow, I never knew kissing could be so intense." Rachel throatily uttered.

"I have to say, this is a record for me". Quinn calculated that they had been locked in their passionate kissing for almost 2 hours.

Rachel traced Quinn's lips with her fingertips. "So amazing!"

"Me?" Quinn blushed.

"Well lady, you are pretty amazing yourself." Quinn replied, letting her long fingers slip through Rachel's hair.

"Mmmmmmmm" Rachel sighed, and let her hand meet Quinn's and put it to her lips.

Quinn's heart skipped a beat and she just stared at Rachel for a moment.

"Um, I don't want this to stop…..but I think right now, we need to take this slowly. Besides, if we want to do some riding tomorrow, I think we both need to get some rest. It's been quite a day for us."

Rachel smiled and nodded. "I don't want it to stop either….but I'd rather do this right. This feels more important to me than anything I've ever experienced. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize this."

Quinn helped Rachel up and stood up next to her. "You won't…and I won't. This is too important to me too."

And Quinn punctuated her statement with a tender hug. Rachel acceded to the statement by melting into Quinn's body. They stayed that way for a moment and then regretfully, broke their physical contact.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning for that riding lesson. How does meeting at 8am in the Mess Hall for breakfast sound?"

"I'll be there." Rachel smiled in anticipation.

"OK then, you have a good night's sleep. Sweet dreams."

"I surely will have sweet dreams…of y…." Rachel blushed.

"It's ok, you can say it, because my dreams will be of you as well." Quinn smiled knowingly and walked over to the door and opened it up. She stood in the frame for a moment, nodded her head and walked out, closing it behind her.

Rachel stood for a long time just looking at the door, and then finally, headed for bed.

Quinn's walk to her cabin was surreal. Had the stars ever seemed so bright? Did her boots touch the ground? She smiled as she reached her porch, and she turned to look up towards Rachel's cabin. She saw the lights go out and whispered out loud, "Goodnight, darling," and headed for bed herself.