Hey Guys,

So the general consensus was that I totally left you all hanging with that last chapter. Actually I was about to stop right before the kiss scene, but my friend AP advised otherwise when she found out what I had planned in the short term for the characters. Again I suppose at the time, I felt it was best to end there because of the flow of the story, so it was not meant to punish you, my beloved readers.

This chapter was the most challenging thus far. I knew what I wanted to say but I just couldn't find the right way to say it. Then I realized that I needed sleep, so I napped and then got up and churned it out, but you should know that in my indecisive state, there ended up being 3 versions of this chapter. I hope this version pleases you the most. If you don't like it, you can aim all sharp objects at Trinidad if you're going to throw something at me.

To the reviewers, I swear, those comments were the only thing pushing me to sort out my head with this chapter. Thank you for your views and kind words. I love hearing from you guys.

Also, as usual, I had no beta, so all inconsistencies, inaccuracies and grammatical errors are mine (and, yes, as usual, I posted 10 minutes after I wrote it because I don't like to keep you guys waiting.).

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.

XXXXXXX

Chapter 9

It's the morning after the epically disastrous kiss, or so Rachel describes it. Although she's still on her two week break, the diva is at a function honoring the achievements of one of her cast mates. Said cast mate is pregnant for the third time and has opted for this to be her signal of her departure from the Broadway stage and as a result, there are toasts and celebrations all around. Katy made a special request that Rachel attend this function, despite her mandated vacation. Normally Rachel Berry would rebel at such a request during her break, but considering the events that took place in the last few hours, the brunette is desperate for a healthy distraction.

Rachel bids her cast mate farewell and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors and exits the building before the real party begins. Tony is waiting outside holding the door of the town car open for her.

"Thanks Tony."

"No problem Rachel. You should know that there was an accident a few blocks from here so it may take a while to get home."

"It's fine. I have nowhere else to be."

The diva looks out the glass and up at the towering building of the city. That kiss was wow! I can't believe I messed everything up for that kiss. That amazing kiss. Oh man, I practically forced myself on her. Who does that? What in the hell I was thinking. She would never want me as a lover, and now she definitely doesn't want me as a friend.

After 20 minutes in the New York traffic, Tony looks at the little diva with a faraway look in her eye. The diva is snapped out of the clutter of thoughts in her head by Tony's voice.

"Rachel, we're family right?"

"Why yes Tony, of course we are."

"And you agree that family looks out for their own right?"

"Of course. Wouldn't be much of a family if they didn't."

"So when I ask you this, it's because I see you as blood. Are you ok? Usually you're a little ball of energy even on the longest of days, but today you just spent two hours with the cast and you look more worn out than anything. I know it's not really my business, but I'm a little concerned."

The brunette exhales the long breath she was holding. "Am I that obvious?"

"Take no offence to this, but you're a great actress. When you're on stage you come alive and give it your best. In real life however, you wear your emotions on your sleeve. Now I'm totally fine with that until you start making that face you've been making all day, which makes me think I have to go do the bodyguard thing and crack some skulls."

Rachel smiles at his overprotective, big brother nature. "How did you know it was about a person?"

"I didn't. I was just fishing. And now you've confirmed my suspicions." Am I really that dense to walk into that one… Ok we can just blame in on the fact that you're having an off day. Yeah, let's just run with that.

"Yes, it's a human related issue."

"Is it a human related, female, blonde, lounge owner issue?"

"How did you even…. I mean I haven't seen you in days because of work and you… well you… yeah…. um….. "

"The only thing that affects your mood this much is work, and since you got your time off, the only other change in your life is this woman, who I can't help but notice makes you a lot more relaxed and in your element." And makes me super horny.

"Tony, you're married right?"

"Yes I am. Eight plus years. Met her when I was 17 years old. Been together ever since."

"So she's like the only woman you've ever been with?"

""Yup"

"Wow."

"I know right. I'm still not sure why she voluntarily chose to wake up next to me every morning, but I'm so grateful that she did."

"Do you ever wonder if there would ever be a time when she wouldn't love you or want you?"

"Never. You spend enough time with a person and you believe that what you have with them is special enough to work on, then you're already off to a good start with that strong foundation. Most people don't value that kind of bond anymore, but when you know who you're meant to be with, you just know. Everything after that is easy."

"I don't think she'd ever want me."

"Did you ask?"

"No."

"So why don't you?"

"Um Hello! Have you seen her? Have you even spent time with her? She's so perfect it's not even funny."

"Hello! Have you seen yourself? You are quite a catch Ms Berry."

Rachel smiles for the first time for the day. "Thanks Tony. I guess I just have some thinking to do. "

"Did she hurt you in any way? If she did all you have to do is say the word and-"

"Tony, its fine. She didn't do a thing. In fact, I ran out on her when I kissed her."

"It was a pretty good kiss wasn't it?"

"Best. Kiss. Ever!" Tony chuckles at the brunette's confession.

"Now doesn't it feel good to say that out aloud rather than in your head all day?"

"Actually, it does."

"Ok, we're here. Home sweet home. Is there anything I could do for you?"

"You've done more than enough. Thank you for the chat. Now I guess it's all up to me to sort out my thoughts and get things back the way they were."
"Or get them in a much better place."

"Hahaha… whose side are you on anyway?"

"Oh I'm team Quinn all the way."

The diva looks at Tony in mock shock. "I'm so telling your wife."

"Have a good evening Rachel."

"You too, and thank you."

Tony leaves Rachel at the door of her building with a hug goodbye. The diva makes her way to her apartment, and tries to takes a bath to ease her mind and her nerves. After a half an hour, she felt the urge for fresh air, so she got dressed and went to the rooftop of her building. The open air and bright sky overlooking the city below made her mind feel at ease for the first time today. Before she could begin to sift through her clusterfuck of thoughts, she hears the metal door open. She turns around and her eyes fall on Quinn.

"Quinn, what are you doing here?"

The blonde shuffles towards the diva with her hands in her jacket pocket.

"Your building manager let me in. He remembers me from the day we went to the amusement park when we stopped here so you could change."

"And how did you know I was up on the roof?" Not only is she a mind reader but she has GPRS on me too.

"You building manager said that if I don't find you at your apartment, I should check the roof since you sometimes come up here and sing." How did he know that? "He said it was the first noise complaint he ever got, where the complainers demanded more noise, so he decided not to tell you so you would continue singing for the tenants who could hear you from up here."

The diva exhales a breath trying to release the tension in her body as she tries to speak "Quinn I-"

"No Rach, let me go first." Oh man, I don't think I could handle Quinn yelling at me for what I did last night. "Will you go out on a date with me?"

"Ah… " O-k! I definitely was not expecting that. The incredulous look on the diva's face was not lost on Quinn.

"I take it you weren't expecting that."

The brunette shakes her head slightly "Definitely not."

"Well. I like you, and very recently, I learned that you like me, so why not test the waters."

"I thought I had messed up our friendship."

"You didn't. If anything, you just pushed us in a direction I would have liked us to go, but wasn't planning on pressing on for it. I felt like that should be your choice."

"Was it the whole virginity thing that made you not want to push?"

"It may have a small part to play in it but overall I honestly didn't think you would want this. Based on last night, turns out I was wrong.

The shorter girl smiles on those last words and takes one single step closer to Quinn. "Sooooo … you're not mad about last night?"

"I was upset that you left without talking to me, but mad? No." She takes another step to the blonde.

"So everything before me leaving was ok?" Another step

"It was perfect." Another step

With a mischievous glint in her eye, the diva continues "Any particular event you want to elaborate on?"

"Yeah, this." And with those last words, the blonde smoothly closes the distance between them, and pulls the diva's head crashing their lips together that made the brunette squeak in surprise. The blonde is the first to break the kiss to speak.

"Wow, it's just like I imagined it would be…. Well, being fully awake and all."

"What? You imagined this kiss before last night?"

"Shhh. Stop talking, you're ruining the moment." says Quinn with her cheek against the diva's cheek and a smirk on her face.

"What! I can't believe you said that during our first official kis-" *Kiss* Quinn goes in for another kiss in an attempt to silence the diva before she speaks.

"You're still talking babe."*kiss*

The blonde pulls back to look into the brunette's eyes. "Ok, fine, I'll let you talk, but only long enough to give me an answer."

"On what?"

"Wrong answer." and the shorter woman is pulled in for another kiss. What is she talking about? Did she ask me somethi- oooooh, tongue… Hmmmmmm . Quinn Fabray kisses like a sex goddess. If this is a kiss, imagine what it would feel like if she wooed me… Oh right!

Rachel breaks the kiss to speak "Yes, I would love to go out with you."

"Great." The petite woman tugs on Quinn's jacket pulling her in for a long passionate kiss.

"Ok, Ok, save some for the date. I have to go make some plans, so I'll pick you up in 2 hours."

"Two hours! That's not even enough time to do my hair or pick an outfit or anything…"

"Don't worry. Dress casual in case you fall in the water."

"Huh?"

"I'll see you in two hours little one." and with that Quinn pushes the metal door, and leaves the rooftop.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oO

A/N: Can you guess where Quinn is taking Rachel on their first date?