Faberry Week 2013 – Part Two

Day One: Reunion


Her heart stopped when she saw the handwriting on the envelope, it had been a while since she last saw it and she wasn't even surprised at trembled while she picked it up and started opening it, just amused really at how her emotions still betrayed her… even after all those years.

She, finally, got it open and drew out the breath she had been holding.

"NEW DIRECTIONS 10 YEAR MEETING"

An invitation, a really nice invitation with "Rachel Berry" written all over it. Those words were the only ones written on the cover of it, in neat blank ink, written in the same handwriting as the front of the envelope.

10 years…. Had it really been that long?

She flipped the cover and the first thing she saw is her name written on it, neat impeccable handwriting in black ink staring back at her, undoubtedly written with fountain pain. Rachel always used fountain pain on "official" documents as she called them.

She unconsciously ran a hand over her name on paper, allowing her self a moment of hope that the letter is written specifically for her, but because of the topic of the correspondence, she knows it is not.

Quinn;

It has been a little over 10 years since we all graduated high school, but most importantly (as far as I am concerned), it has been the same amount of time since we, as the New Directions, last performed together.

I would very much like to see you all this next 20th of September at 7:00 pm, at mine and Kurt's apartment in the city (address is enclosed in a separate piece of paper so you can take with you for directions, as well as our phone numbers and e-mail addresses). I also require that you confirm your attendance so we can make all the arrangements necessary, if you need a place to stay feel free to make our apartment your home as well.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Rachel Berry

She read it again, and again before gently closing it and setting it aside, slowly. She closed her eyes and ran one hand through her hair. Letting her mind wander back in time all the way to their final goodbye.

She wondered if she should go.

Later that night she emailed her confirmation, in a spur of the moment impulse… before she changed her mind. Then she called Santana to let her know what was going on, she heard her sigh before saying they'd see each other then.

It had been 10 years since she graduated high school, 6 years since she graduated college and 4 years since she last kissed Rachel goodbye.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Suddenly it was September 20th in the morning and her heart was beating wild against her chest, her hands shook all day as she tried to prepare herself for later that day.

It wasn't like she and Rachel ended up things in bad terms, neither did they fight until they couldn't stand each other. No, they just simply realized it didn't work anymore, they didn't work anymore. It wasn't that they didn't love each other, it just wasn't enough at the time; apparently love wasn't everything. So she looked for another apartment, packed her things, kissed Rachel goodbye (a kiss that still burned her lips) and crossed the doorway leaving her heart behind. She looked back only once, in time to get a glimpse of a tear rolling down Rachel's face while she closed the door, she stood in that hallways fighting herself and the urge of wiping that tear, and all of the others that were surely falling, and kissing the sorrow away… but she knew she shouldn't, the decision had been made, they both decided it was for the best and there was no taking it back. There was no doubt of where their hearts stood, but their minds were in different places so she kissed the tip of her fingers and let them rest on the apartment door, lingering for a few moments before letting it slide down and turned away for the last time.

Four years had passed and she was still nervous just thinking about Rachel and seeing her, she stood outside the apartment with her hands shaking and her breathing short and erratic. She had always known Rachel was still living in the city, she would always live there, but she had never been to her new place. In fact, they had never seen each other again since that day, New York was a big enough city that allowed them that. Well, Rachel had never seen her but she, on the other hand, had assisted to every first performance Rachel had ever done on those past four years, always wondering if she should wait for her backstage and always deciding against it.

There was no escaping anymore, not this time, she would finally get to see her again and her feelings were all over the place.

After more than a few steadying breaths, she mustered all the courage she had and knocked on the door twice. She took a step backwards and smoothed her trembling hands over the skirt she was wearing as she allowed herself to imagine how would Rachel look like when she opened the door; she knew it was going to be her who opened it since she had always been the perfect hostess, her etiquette and manners never changing over the curse of the years. She was certain she would see brown eyes and long brown locks from behind the door any second.

And she did, and she was enthralled with what she saw.

There was a moment, just a fraction of second, where her mind let go of everything other than who was standing in front of her:

Deep, brown, sparkly eyes, perfect lips and nose, smooth skin showing all the way from her neck to her shoulders, only slightly covered by dark brown wavy hair, a black dress with perfect fit, toned, tan legs and the smell of everlasting perfume.

She was blissfully allowed a couple of seconds to take everything in, everything she remembered, and everything new, everything that made Rachel Berry who she was up until that moment, before her mind started working again and she looked away in a really ungraceful way.

"Hello Quinn"

If one thing hadn't changed, it was that voice. Still as sweet and powerful as ever, only latched with a small touch of uncertainty and nervousness, but still the most beautiful voice she would ever hear.

"Hi, Rachel"

They looked at each other, really looked at each other, and smiled; a smile reserved for those who keep a really deep secret for a really long time, and stayed like that basking in each other's presence until Santana's voice boomed from within the apartment, asking who was at the door, and Rachel moved away a little bit to invite her in hugging her as soon as they were within reach from each other. A long awaited hug that both crumbled and built them up while the room spun around them, making them dizzy.

Rachel held her tightly, gripping at the cardigan and wrinkling it a little bit. She sighed into blonde hair and whispered for only them to hear;

"It's really good to see you, Quinn"

"It's really good to see you, Rach. It has been a long time."

"Yeah, the longest."

They loosened the embrace, without really wanting to let go completely and saw their reflection on the other's eye.

"Yo! Get your butt over here Q! We've been waiting on you to start the shots!"

Rachel laughed softly and guided her fully inside.

/*/*/*/*/

After 4 shots of tequila and more than a few karaoke show downs, she needed a little break, some fresh air and, if she was honest with herself, an effective distraction from staring at Rachel. She stood up and made her way to the balcony she spotted when it was her turn to run to the kitchen for more ice.

The cool air hit her and she felt she could finally breathe again. She loved everyone inside that apartment but she strongly disliked the noise and the heat, she just needed a small to step away for a moment before she started getting cranky.

The view from the balcony was amazing, the lights, the scenery, the sounds, the distant sounds of voices. It all fit Rachel perfectly, everything did; from the location of the apartment, the decoration, the view, that damn dress she was wearing. It was all Rachel in her purest form and she had to admit she had missed it terribly.

She held onto the edge and closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, focusing on how the cool air felt inside her lungs. There was a hand sliding on top of hers, she didn't even need to open her eyes to know whose was that smooth skin over hers so she just exhaled and turned her hand upside down so their fingers could join. There wasn't even need for words, they both knew all that had to be known from the small glances they had stolen through out the evening, they just stood there watching the city be alive.

After an especially cold breeze, Rachel leaned and rested her head on her shoulder, and she held her in her arms shielding the cold away, both getting goose bumps when her fingers slid over Rachel's arm. They stayed like that, dragging out the moment until they were found and forced back inside, her hands squeezing each other before letting go.

/*/*/*/*/

A couple of hours later, she announced she had to go. She gave her round of hugs and goodbyes to everyone, promising to see each other soon as a group again. When it was time to say goodbye to Rachel, she let herself be pulled to the entrance by the hand, but refused to let go once they were there.

"Well… it was really nice seeing you Quinn. Thank you for coming".

Rachel also tightened her grip while they both refused to be the one that opened the door, fresh wave of memories invading them.

"Thank you for inviting me, it was nice seeing them all together again".

She turned around and played with the end of Rachel's hair between the fingers of her free hand, deviating her sight to it before looking straight into brown eyes.

"But it was even better seeing you, Rach. I've missed you, you know? Quite a lot actually"

Rachel's smile was shy and they both had matching blushes.

"I think I should get going now, it's not rude to keep your guests waiting remember?"

Rachel barely nodded and she knew they both felt the same constriction in their chests at the all familiar scene. At the sight of tears threatening to leave Rachel's eyes, she stepped forward and hugged her tightly, imagining that's what she should have done all those years ago.

Once they broke apart and she was on the other side of the door and about to turn around, Rachel called out to her.

"Don't disappear on me, not this time. Please."

She shook her head and a smile crept on her face.

"I won't, I promise. But, don't you disappear either alright? It is a two way street you know?"

"I have your number Quinn, you are not getting away so easily."

They shared a smile and she left, only this time it wasn't dread and sadness filling her inside … it was quite the opposite.