And here's the other update, once again brought to you courtesy of my insomnia and tiggerbounced and her awesome editing skills! I hope you aren't too disappointed with it as they are only just finalising their choice of music and costumes for their first competition. However the next chapter will be their first event, and you will see a very different side to them both, one I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I'm enjoying writing it! And of course with Finn gone they have the green light for romance lol. Enjoy and as always you're all the ones keeping me and this story going so clap yourselves on the back and feel free to tell me what you like, don't like or would maybe like to see! xxx
Eventually when the cold became too much for the two skaters, they moved from the tree house and headed back inside. Santana and Dave both noticed that when they came back in, their hands were tightly linked together and they shared a secret smile before turning back to where they were setting the instruments up. The rest of the evening was given over to fierce yet hysterical competition. All of them could hold a tune but not one of them could match the scores that Rachel, and surprisingly Sofia, managed to rack up when they had hold of the microphone. Lily could manage a mean bass guitar but lost a drumstick in ten seconds flat when she tried that instrument. Dave refused to give up lead guitar for the entire evening but agreed to share with Santana after she head-locked him in a full Nelson for ten minutes.
That night when they lay in Quinn's bed together, the blonde didn't hesitate to offer an embrace to the diva, Rachel looked slightly nervous at first but with a soft smile, Quinn reassured her that it was entirely innocent;, she just liked holding her. Relaxing, the brunette finally settled into the arms of her skating partner and closed her eyes. They both slept soundly that night and when they woke in the morning it was without a trace of their previous nervousness. Rachel knew how Quinn felt about her and in turn the hockey player knew that Rachel needed time. So she didn't push her for anything, she kept things light and funny. The only time she made a concession to the hope that she held within her heart was the night. She truly did sleep better knowing she was there to support and protect the diva. And although she would never willingly admit to it…the reverse of that was also true.
Lily and Sofia had crammed Tupperware containers with various leftovers as well as complete pies and a sealed box full of dinners that were just ready for Quinn to microwave. The blonde raised a dubious eyebrow as she inspected the boxes. Although the meals looked perfectly edible, she had to check. Clearing her throat as Rachel made sure to pack the boot with the tasty treats Santana kept handing her, Quinn eyed her mom's.
"Um no offence meant or anything but ah…did you guys cook these or Santana?"
Lily stifled a laugh and tried to look stern while Sophia shuffled from foot to foot slightly and tucked her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
"Look…I can cook and, so can your mom, it's just that now our skills are a bit rusty."
From her position next to Rachel, who was trying to sneak a slice of pecan pie from one of the containers, Santana snorted.
"Rusty? Is that what you call it? Quinn at least has an excuse for being culinary deficient but you two…you are meant to be able to look after yourselves but what happens the one night I don't cook?"
She glared at her mom's with her hands on her hips and watched as Sophia toed the ground with the tip of her cowboy boot and grumbled something under her breath. Lily laughed and then bit her lip at Santana's glare before sighing and rolling her eyes.
"Okay we might have blown up your food mixer, but it was an accident and to be fair the instructions were all in French."
Sophia nodded in support of that statement but they both had to look away to hide their amusement as the Latina just scowled.
"That's because it was French! And it wasn't just a food mixer. It was THE food mixer of all food mixers! So no they didn't cook those meals Quinn, I did, they are perfectly safe for you to eat. There are also a few vegan ones in there so if you have Rachel over for dinner you can at least offer her something edible."
Suddenly, the laughter that had been leaking from the blonde at her parents' squirming under her sister's gaze trailed off and she flushed bright red. Scratching her nose she swallowed and tried to formulate a reply but to her immense relief the diva herself stepped in and saved her ass.
"Thank you! Now I don't have to dread the artistic discussion. I was going to suggest that we have that over dinner to limit the outcries."
Quinn smiled slightly even as she rolled her eyes at the skater.
"What makes you think I'd freak out?. I know I don't look civilised but I am capable of it from time to time. Besides ice skating has to be all posh and stuff right?"
Opening her mouth to reply to that, Rachel paused and scratched her chin as she wondered how best to rebuff that statement.
"Well, I mean yes it used to be but in recent years the sport of ice dancing or figure skating has in fact encouraged new sounds. Not anything too radical but some very current pop songs have been used, movie soundtracks and even musical theatre have all been used."
The hockey player relaxed slightly and found herself nodding.
"Oh well that might not be too bad then. I mean I'm cool with the skating and all that but I don't want to make it too wussy."
Rachel raised a confused eyebrow as she loaded in the last of the Tupperware containers. She didn't fail to see the highly amused expression on the Latina's face and tried to ignore it. She knew the creative side of their dance would be a touchy subject.
"Quinn I have no idea what music you might consider to be too wussy? I mean some extremely violent films have used fantastic scores that have provided the backdrop to some award- winning routines. Gladiator for instance, certainly wasn't wussy."
Quinn snorted as she placed their bags in the backseat. Both of them had forgotten that they had an audience while they bickered good-naturedly.
"No the film wasn't, I mean, it was drastically historically inaccurate which pissed me off but the fighting was okay. However trying to do a routine in a toga or a centurion's skirt…so falls into the wussy category."
Propping her hands on her hips as she watched Quinn load the bags in, Rachel rolled her eyes and sighed loudly…pointedly in fact.
"Actually it has been done and it was not wussy! There aren't many movies with soundtracks we could dance to anyway. Of course we could do Titanic, the score to that was almost as well received as the film."
Quinn's jaw dropped in disbelief and she shook her head fiercely.
"No freaking way is Quinn Fabray dressing up as Jack and skating on the ice to that music. Plus it's kinda inappropriate to do a dance routine from Titanic on ice…don't you think?"
Rachel frowned then took in the twinkle in the hockey player's eyes as she realised what she was getting at. Clapping one hand over her mouth to try and stifle her own giggles, she used her other to swat the hockey player's arm. Hamming it up, Quinn winced and clasped the supposedly wounded arm with her free hand as she pouted.
"Whoa there Princess, don't be harming the tools I need to make us look good."
Raising a dark eyebrow, Rachel leant on the Hummer's side and closer to Quinn as she spoke quietly.
"You make us look good?"
At that, Quinn rolled her eyes and with a semi-shrug grudgingly admitted.
"Okay…I admit it we both look good, but I do the lifts so I totally need my arms!"
They giggled at each other until Santana cleared her throat. Eyes widening, the skaters turned and regarded the amused faces of Quinn's family as they tried to hold in their laughter. Clearing her throat, the blonde scratched her nose and tried to muster up a suitably intimidating glare, which ended in an epic fail when the Latina laughed loudly.
"Nice try Q, but you just look embarrassed. Now before you get involved in another discussion of what exactly wussy entails, maybe we should say goodbye huh?"
Growling slightly, the hockey player nonetheless pulled her sister into a tight and fierce but brief embrace. Things were always intense between the two sisters and their goodbyes were no exception to the rule, no words were exchanged but they also weren't needed. Dave was nowhere near as restrained however and picked Quinn up in one of his bone-crushing bear hugs, making her giggle before he set her down. Now he had thoroughly ruined whatever street-cred she had left in front of Rachel, she rolled her eyes and moved toward her mom's. Smiling softly, she hugged her ma and even acquiesced to the hair mussing and kiss on the cheek despite the embarrassment factor. Lily pulled her down and into a tight hug, after pressing a light kiss to the blonde's forehead she locked eyes with her and smiled softly.
"Be safe Quinn…and look after yourself as well as you look after her. She's a keeper honey."
Glancing over her shoulder to where Rachel was being spun round by Dave and laughing even as she begged to be let down. She felt a smile creep across her face and turned back to her mom with another one of her rare and genuinely happy smiles.
"I know I will mom, I promise and I'll see you soon."
She turned and waited for the diva to finish up with her own goodbyes. After Dave finally relinquished his hold on her, she staggered slightly and almost ended up in Lily's lap if not for the lightning fast reactions of Sophia. Trying not to blush too brightly, she cleared her throat and then found herself sandwiched between the two women as they caught her in a two- way hug. Closing her eyes happily, Rachel felt the warm glow of acceptance in her belly. She still hated that she had missed Thanksgiving with her fathers but she couldn't deny all the good that had come from spending it with Quinn's family. Pulling away from the two older women, she thanked them again and said goodbye before hugging Brittany and doing the same. Santana smiled at her with a gentleness that the rest of the family didn't see very often, as she hugged the diva, she muttered low so only the brunette would hear her.
"Look after my sister Berry…and make sure that she eats real food every now and again okay?"
Returning the smile, Rachel nodded firmly once and stepping back she glanced at Quinn who was waiting patiently with a soft smile on her face. She turned back to the Latina and letting out a small breath, spoke quietly.
"With my heart and soul."
That was all Santana had been waiting to hear and she nodded with a certain finality that sat just right with both of them. With one last wink, Rachel turned from the family and trudged towards the passenger side of the Humvee where Quinn was waiting to help her up into the large car. Once she was safely inside, Quinn shut the door and as she made her way round to the driver's side via the boot (just to check it was closed properly) she paused to mouth a heartfelt thank you to her family. After one last wave from them, she trudged round and hauled herself into the cab. Once they were out of the small town and back on the freeway's, conversation turned from the past weekend to the subject of performance music again.
"Rach, I'm not refusing to do any movie music, I just want to do something that isn't all…"
Rolling her eyes, the brunette finished the sentence along with the hockey player.
"Wussy."
Flipping through the radio channels, Rachel tried to find a piece of music or a song that could better illustrate what she was talking about.
"I'm not saying you have to, but it does have to be something emotive…or at least something that we can put a bloody good dance routine to. One that will reach out and touch people. I know how good you are but the judges have never seen you skate before Quinn, they will consider you a beginner despite the level of competition we are at. When we get out on that ice, I want you to render them speechless the way you did to me the other day."
Quinn glanced at Rachel and tried to mask the adoration on her face. Yes they had reached an understanding but it was still too soon to blind the diva with how much she was holding in. taking a deep breath, she settled for a smile and nod.
"Okay…and I know that when it comes to this, you're the expert. I trust you not to embarrass me and I'll do my best to make you proud Princess."
Rachel's hands paused on the dials and she half smiled and enjoyed the moment's warmth that spread across her chest. She had hated that nickname to begin with, now she had to admit she was growing to love it.
"I have no doubt that you will make everyone who knows you proud Gretzky. For a meat head puck shuffler, you're actually extremely agile."
Giving up fiddling with the radio, the diva sat back in her seat and Quinn grinned.
"I'm not sure if that is actually a compliment or not so I think I'll just take it as one! And hey it's not like you to give up on something so soon, there must be at least one song you can find."
Rachel drummed her fingers on her knees as she chewed her lip thoughtfully, after a moment she turned in her seat so she was facing the hockey player who glanced over at her curiously.
"What about something from Phantom? The movie version we watched the other day was amazing, and the musical numbers; some of the best ones I have seen performed. Plus dressing up as a masked and passionate killer isn't too wussy."
Quinn shook her head with a smile but the more she thought about it, the more she figured she could pull that off without feeling or acting too much like a complete idiot.
"Well I guess the whole tux thing could work on the ice if it was loose enough, I couldn't wear the mask though it would be far too constricting to perform in."
Rachel nodded thoughtfully; impressed that the hockey player had immediately known what the issues would be when it came to the costume. The mask would be a problem, in the performances she had observed before, they had simply omitted the mask. However there could be a way to do it…
"Well obviously a real mask would be out of the question but we could definitely improvise. Make up would work; we could simply paint the mask onto your face, that would give the right appearance and not compromise your ability to do the routine."
She smiled happy with the solution and turned to see Quinn. The blonde was slack jawed and looked horrified. Lifting an eyebrow in question, Rachel waited until the disbelieving squawk that was coming out of the hockey player's mouth actually started to make sense.
"Make up? You want to cover me in make up! Princess I don't even wear cover up, I value my skin way too much for that crap. I can't believe I might have to wear make up…that is so not cool!"
Trying unsuccessfully to smother the giggles, Rachel found herself having to lean back against the seat until she got her breath back. After taking a calming breath, she pointed out reasonably.
"Unfortunately, make up is just part of the spectacle that goes towards creating an award- winning ice dance routine Gretzky. If it's any consolation, yours will tend to be minimal as you will be essentially playing the male role of the partnership."
Settling down, Quinn still grumbled to herself about what would happen if someone tried to turn her into some sad clown hooker. Biting her lip and shaking her head in amusement, Rachel waited for the hockey player to subside before carrying on.
"I was thinking if we did do Phantom then we should go for just one song rather than the ever popular medley that most couples go for. Perhaps Point of no Return, it's a very emotive song and I noticed how much you enjoyed that particular song when we were watching the movie the other night."
Internally, Quinn grinned in elation that the diva had taken the time to notice that, it was indeed her favourite number from the film. The point where the Phantom thought he would finally get the one thing he had craved for so long, someone to love him. And for a while, she had liked to think that Christine had wanted that too. Raising an eyebrow, the hockey player scratched her nose and tried to appear casual.
"I guess that yes, it would be the best song out of the ones on the soundtrack to perform. It's not too long and it is very emotive…a good mix of fast pace and slow sweeping notes…yeah it's definitely one we have to add to the list."
Rachel chuckled slightly and when Quinn raised one of those eyebrows, she found herself fighting off the usual shiver of excitement. After a moment, she realised it was a questioning one and she allowed her smile to grow before she said.
"I'm just glad we have got as far as a list already. I thought for sure we would still be bickering over this. Although at least with the tux costume, it won't be so obvious that you're wearing Lycra."
She looked over in concern as the blonde appeared to begin choking on thin air. The diva scooted closer and made sure to pat the hockey player's back until she could breathe again. After she wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, Quinn emitted that funny high pitched sound again that took Rachel a few seconds to decipher.
"We're wearing Lycra?"
Frowning slightly, Rachel just nodded as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well of course we are, it's the perfect material for the movements we have to make on the ice. Plus it works in any colour and can be adapted for any costume…why?"
The blonde sputtered several times before she actually managed to calm herself down long enough to articulate the precise level of her discomfort.
"What do you mean why? It's Lycra Rachel! That means it's tight, and things will be…on display! Like…well like things I don't particularly want on display! Especially if I'm meant to be playing the male role!"
It struck Rachel all of a sudden and she was caught between laughter and a surge of affection for the hockey player that was so strong she was almost breathless from it. After a few moments, she managed to speak with a straight face.
"Quinn um…don't take this the wrong way but are you…shy about this?"
Not taking her eyes from the road for even a moment, Quinn fidgeted in her seat and eventually sighed slightly.
"I know it's kind of difficult to believe that anyone with my previously um…busy social life would even recognise embarrassment in a situation like that but the truth is…I'm normally so goddamn drunk that I can't stand let alone think. I just don't want to make us stand out anymore than we're already gonna, you said yourself how bad this is likely to be."
Rachel's heart melted just a bit more and a distant part of her brain decided that one of the very first things she was going to do was have that talk with her fathers and with Finn. Shaking herself mentally, she concentrated on the matter at hand and reaching out, she laid her hand over one of the calloused ones currently gripping the steering wheel.
"Quinn…it won't matter how we look because the one thing I know for sure is that when we get on the ice, we are going to blow away every other act out of there. You and I are going to be the ones to set the standard from now on…and I wasn't lying before when I said you had a nice butt. If anything, everyone else will be jealous that it's me that gets to skate with you."
Allowing a small smile to leak out, the blonde felt herself blush and glancing across to take in the serious yet smiling face of her Princess, she blew out a breath and admitted quietly.
"Well I guess so long as it doesn't actually look like Lycra…then I don't mind too much. And I guess my butt is okay enough to get a little fame of it's own."
Chuckling at the last comment, the diva reached across and lightly slugged her skating partner's shoulder.
"Now there's the Gretzky attitude I know and put up with! Now all you have to do is keep thinking about songs or music that mean you get to wear outfits that don't reveal they are made of Lycra."
Snorting slightly, Quinn reached out to dig out a sleeve of CD's that she tossed towards the diva.
"Believe me Princess, if I have to suffer the indignity of Lycra then I will do my best to make sure I at least look vaguely kick ass in it!"
The diva erupted into giggles as she shuffled through the discs and popped in one of famous theme tunes. As they sat back, the long journey home was spent in the kind of companionable silence that the hockey player had only previously dreamt of. Hours later, they were sore from laughing as the suggestions had gone from improbable to outright ridiculous. The pinnacle being Rachel's suggestion of the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland to the Disney soundtrack. They were both slightly disappointed to realise they had made it home and as Quinn pulled up outside the front door of the main house, she inclined her head towards the two Mercedes parked in the driveway and the smoke coming from the chimney of the main sitting room.
"Looks like your fathers are home, Princess. Go see them, you missed them this weekend. I'll bring your bags in then head off to my place for a bath and an early night…and maybe some more of that pumpkin pie. I mean seriously did she bake crack or something into it? All the drive home, I kept thinking of pulling over to eat another chunk of it!"
Laughing softly, Rachel agreed with a heartfelt nod. They were quiet for a moment before they glanced back at the house. Quinn was the first to move and as she helped Rachel down from the passenger side, they stood and stared at each other for a long moment. Eventually Quinn moved away and smiled as she hauled Rachel's bag out of the backseat and walked with her to the door, once it was open, the blonde set the bag down and raised a hand to forestall the farewell. Jogging to the boot of the car, she fished out one of the containers and came back with a smile.
"Pumpkin pie, figured you could share some with your dad's and have like a miniature Thanksgiving evening or something."
She trailed off with a half shrug and tucked her hands in her back pockets to avoid reaching out to embrace the diva. Rachel smiled happily at the hockey player and reaching out, she hooked a hand round the back of the blonde's neck and pressed a soft kiss to the chilled cheek. When she stepped back Quinn was grinning dopily at her and walked slowly backwards to the car so she could unload her stuff from it before parking it in the Berry's garage.
"I'm glad my family didn't scare you off Berry. Last one on the ice tomorrow morning buys coffee's!"
The brunette diva grinned, and leaning on the doorframe, she called out after the departing hockey player.
"Mine is a soy milk latte with chocolate shavings!"
Grinning, Quinn leant out of the window as she backed the Humvee up and before she headed back down to the guest chalets that she and coach Schue lived in.
"And mine is a vanilla latte with cinnamon sprinkles!"
They shared a laugh and Rachel watched Quinn head down towards her house. Once she was sure the hockey player was safely inside, she smiled happily to herself and taking the container of Santana's amazingly good vegan pumpkin pie, she headed toward the main sitting room where she could hear voices and laughter already. As soon as she pushed the door open, she was almost bowled over as Leroy grinned and leapt up from his chair to enfold her in a very enthusiastic hug. Vaguely she wondered what would happen if Dave and her daddy ever tried to hug each other…talk about immovable object meeting irresistible force! Eventually he made way for Hiram, who hugged her just as closely but with a bit more restraint than his exuberant husband.
"I'm so sorry we had to miss Thanksgiving baby girl, damn Europeans have no sense of respect. You weren't too lonely were you?"
Trying her best not to grin like a lunatic or blush too much, the diva shook her head and proffered the Tupperware in her hand as she explained.
"Actually no, I spent the weekend with Quinn and her family. I missed you of course but they are such nice people and we had such an amazing time. Quinn is entirely different with them you know? Oh and she sent you some of her sister's pumpkin pie which is totally vegan friendly and so tasty it will ruin you for anything else."
Leroy saw this as a challenge and as he took the square plastic container in his hands he regarded it carefully.
"Well, never let it be said that I back down from a test! Let's pour more coffee and see just how good this pie is shall we."
Rachel just grinned as she already knew what the outcome was. They all sank into the plump leather sofa that was large enough for all of them. While Hiram served up pieces of the pie onto the plates he'd just fetched, Leroy refreshed his and Hiram's coffee's and poured one for Rachel. After a second where each of them picked up a fork, Rachel rolled her eyes and dug into hers with a moan of bliss. Leroy and Hiram clashed their forks together like they were touching swords and then very carefully cut off a piece with the edge of the fork and took a mouthful. The diva just enjoyed the piece she was swiftly devouring and waited…but not for long. Hiram let out a contented sigh and Leroy took another mouthful before speaking.
"So this sister, does she want a job cooking for us…and if not would she consider marrying two gay guys?"
Rachel tried not to choke on her last mouthful and took several sips of coffee as she glared at her grinning fathers. When she could speak again, she smirked.
"I think her girlfriend might have something to say about that proposal daddy. And Brittany is very tall and bendy, she would so kick your ass."
It was Leroy's turn to choke on a mouthful of pumpkin pie and Rachel just grinned un repentantly at him. Once the pie was eaten (all of it seeing that one slice just wasn't enough) and the coffee drunk, Rachel snuggled up against her daddy and glanced between him and her dad for a long moment.
"Can I talk to you both about something?"
Hiram raised an eyebrow in concern as Leroy started running his hands over his daughter's hair, something he had always done when he sensed she was upset or confused as it seemed to relax her.
"Of course you can baby girl, anytime and about anything. You know that and always have before, so what's causing this hmm?"
Taking a deep breath, Rachel started to talk and admit what it was that was weighing her down.
"I just…have realised a few things about myself recently. I don't know when things started to change, or maybe I do, maybe they were always like this. But the thing is, when you allowed Finn to visit me the other weekend unexpectedly…well something almost happened. But not between me and him."
She paused for a moment and as she was busy staring at her fingers and twisting round the diamond engagement ring from Finn, she missed the look that passed between her fathers. It was almost one of relief mixed with just a hint of worry. They waited patiently for her to carry on however and after a deep breath she did just that.
"Quinn and I…it wasn't planned but we almost kissed. And then, then things got weird between us and argumentative like it was in the beginning! But what really struck me about the whole situation was that I didn't once think about Finn…I tried to, I really did but there's no passion there. I mean he's nice and I think we'll always be friends, or at least I hope so. But with Quinn I feel…I feel the way that all the books and songs and movies tell us we should when love hits."
She stopped and sighed;, she was getting frustrated as she was trying to explain how her feelings had changed.
"It's not totally new, I mean ever since I met Gretzky, we have had some sort of…connection that bound us more tightly than anything else. I know that even if things don't work with out us…though honestly I believe in my heart that we are meant to be together…it's obvious that any relationship with Finn outside of friendship is a mistake. He deserves to find someone who will love him properly…and so do I."
She waited for a moment then glanced up between her fathers. She had expected concern and it was there…but not in the severity she had anticipated. Hiram smiled and reaching out, clasped her hand lightly before lowering his glasses and talking softly.
"Oh baby in a way we are so relieved, because as much as we like Finn, we knew he wasn't right for you. When you looked at him it was, well it was like you said…as though you were childhood friends rather than engaged to be married. But are you sure about getting involved with your skating partner? I mean after that mess with St James…"
He trailed off, not needing to elaborate and remembering the headlines and gossip rag snapshots, Rachel winced. However, that was entirely different, it was all about that rat bastard making her think she was special but neglecting to mention the other three or four women he also thought were just as special. It had been her biggest mistake so far.
"This isn't like that Dad…Quinn and I, well we started out explosively as you know and quite frankly, we're lucky we didn't hurt each other. But now, all I know is that I feel so safe with her, loved and protected. And she is totally different with me as well. I know that you are probably as aware of her reputation and past record as I am, but that isn't who she is. It's not my story to tell, even if it would convince you to let me see her, I won't tell it. But when we're together, she's just herself, a self she is still discovering. We aren't going to jump into anything;, it isn't like that for either of us. The one thing I will tell you is that she is as taken aback and thrown off by this as I am."
Leroy nodded faintly and she looked up at him. After a moment, he smiled faintly and glancing momentarily at his husband, spoke carefully.
"I confess I have concerns just as your father does. But not the ones you think, yes I am aware of Quinn's previous behaviour, we both are. But I believe that it wasn't her, every so often the side of herself that she tries to hide shows through. So the concern is not over that, I trust you Rachel and if it is what you both want, then you have our blessing."
Looking over to her dad in disbelief, she almost cried when she saw him smile softly and nod as well. She turned back towards Leroy when he carried on speaking.
"Our concern is how the two of you will handle things on the circuit. You know better than anyone what a vicious bunch of bitches and queens they can be. And for all her worldliness, Quinn also has an innocence about her, one I think you are only too well aware of."
He didn't require an answer but Rachel found herself nodding slightly anyways and after a moment she replied.
"I know what you mean and I'm planning to talk to Quinn in more detail about it. I'll make sure she's prepared for this. She means the world to me and I will do my best to make sure that she doesn't get hurt by it, it's the last thing I want because you're right. She has been through a lot, I know more of it than most but still not all and even so I'm impressed that she's the person she is."
Leroy smiled proudly; Rachel was displaying extremely mature behaviour about this. Not to mention the protective streak in her when she spoke about the hockey player was heartfelt. He glanced across at Hiram who also smiled slightly and the unspoken conversation between them ended when they both silently agreed to support Rachel…and have a quiet little chat with Quinn when the situation presented itself. Hiram cleared his throat and as Rachel sat up, he spoke.
"Rachel you're an adult and we actually like Quinn so you're okay there. We trust you to do things the right way; we know that you will stay true to your ideals. Just take the time to make sure that neither of you get hurt. I want you to feel the sort of love that I felt when I met your father and although it's early days yet, it seems to me that you and Quinn have that. We do however reserve the right to have 'the talk' with her if things progress the way you both want."
Groaning slightly, Rachel rolled her eyes and felt a pang of sympathy for the hockey player. Quinn had herself confessed that she had never gotten to the stage in her associations with women where she had had to meet the parents. Now she was living only a few hundred yards from them and would have to endure the talk…still, she had survived a similar situation with Santana, and as far as she could see the Latina was far scarier than her fathers! Smiling, she smothered a yawn and doing the quick mental math sighed as she stood up.
"Right I'm going to get ready for bed and then I suppose I should call Finn."
She saw their eyebrows rise in surprise and with a sad smile shrugged as she explained.
"I know it may seem fast to you but it's like I said earlier. Even if things aren't going to work out with Quinn, I now know that I don't love Finn, not in that way anyway. The sooner I get this done the sooner we can both get on with finding our true soul mates."
Even as she spoke, her eyes drifted towards the window and down the drive towards the faraway lights of the hockey player's chalet. She knew without a doubt who her soul mate was now, she just had to hope the two of them could work this out without blowing it! After kissing her fathers goodnight, she headed up to her bedroom and after a quick shower, she settled down into bed and took several calming breaths. Once she felt herself settle down enough to do so she rang Finn's number. It was mid afternoon there so as usual he would be eating his burger at his desk and watching ESPN on his laptop. After a few rings, his familiar slightly distracted voice came on the line.
"Finn Hudson, how can I help?"
Rachel bit her lip for a moment and felt her eyes tear up; as much as she didn't want to stay engaged to the guy, she also didn't want to hurt him. But it was fairer.
"Hey Finn it's me how's your day going?."
There was a moment's delay as there always was with long distance calls and she smiled fondly as she heard him trying to sneak a bite of his burger between sentences.
"Pretty good actually, no heavy meetings and so far things seem to be running smoothly. Mostly I'm just watching the Giants get their ass kicked again."
Trying not to shudder at the sound of meat being eagerly consumed, she cleared her throat and sighed before carrying on.
"Finn we need to talk…about us. I don't think it's really working anymore."
There was a moment's silence when the background sound of the football game was abruptly muted, followed by the rustle of a napkin as he wiped his mouth.
"Rach, is this because I didn't take the transfer back to the US your dad's offered me?"
Eyes widening, she pulled the receiver away from her ear and stared at it in shock for a long moment before she realised he had started talking again.
"…cause I can totally explain that! It's just that I ended up joining the firm's soccer team. Well they call it football here but it's soccer to us and the team made me centre forward! And we're really high in the league right now. If I left, it would practically take us out of the running for the cup."
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Rachel was surprised to find she was closer to laughter than to anger. It certainly cemented the fact that this was definitely the right thing to do, sighing, she let her hand drop from her nose to her lap.
"No it isn't about that, or maybe it is in a way. The thing is you and I don't love each other the way we should, and we both know that,. don't we?, I mean it's not just me is it?"
There was a moment's silence and then she heard Finn heave a sigh as well.
"Maybe not but we could learn again, I mean we liked each other well enough in the past didn't we?"
Smiling sadly, Rachel wiped at her cheek, surprised to feel tears sliding down her face as she carried on talking, glad her breath control meant she could maintain her tone.
"Finn…that's just it, we have always liked each other, maybe even loved each other but we aren't in love. I don't think we ever were to be honest, but I do care for you Finn which is why I think this is best. If you truly loved me then you would want to be by my side…or I would want to be by yours, and yet we are both happy to be at least an entire continent apart."
Finn heaved another sigh and when he spoke it was slightly hoarse but with a forced cheerfulness.
"I know you're right but it still kinda hurts you know?"
Rachel swallowed and nodded before remembering he wouldn't be able to see over the phone.
"I know and we will always be friends at least…I mean if you want that?"
To his credit, he was quick to reply to that and she could hear the genuine smile in his voice.
"Hey don't be dumb of course we'll always be friends! Best friends even…we had some good times Rach and although this hasn't worked out I'm not sad that we dated…you know?"
Suddenly finding the lump of sorrow in her throat much easier to swallow down, the brunette smiled in genuine affection and replied softly.
"Me too Finn, now get back to your lunch and game…and don't worry I'll make sure to keep forwarding all your teams' games still."
He laughed softly and there was a moment's quiet before he spoke again.
"Just make sure you find someone who treats you right okay? You deserve to be happy Rach. I'll call you soon okay?"
With that he rung off and despite the inevitable sorrow she felt at the end of her relationship with Finn, she also felt a relief so intense she swore she was at least a stone lighter. It had been hard to break up with Finn, she knew it would be simply because they had been friends before they had become boyfriend and girlfriend. But…now she didn't feel guilty about the way she felt towards the hockey player. In fact it was the blonde haired, hazel- eyed girl that she finally let herself think of as she drifted off to sleep. When her fathers poked their heads around the door later to check on her, they noticed the faint smile on the brunette's features and relaxed. Now all they had to do was help the two skaters to manoeuvre through the landmine-infested battleground that was professional ice dancing.
The next morning, Rachel relaxed for a long moment just thinking about the way the last few days had gone by. Then her eyes bolted open as she realised that it was past time for her alarm to go off and if she didn't hurry, she would be the one buying the coffee! Literally exploding from the blissful comfort of her memory foam mattress, she cursed and started pulling clothes out hurriedly. As she ran down the stairs and past the dining room, she snatched up the glass of smoothie that her daddy had prepared for her. Neither of her parents raised an eyebrow at the rushed diva, as the mini competition between the two skaters had started months ago and they had gotten used to just holding up the things she would need as she zipped back and forth. Hearing Rachel getting her kit together, Hiram held up an empty hand and accepted the now drained glass as the brunette rushed past again to fetch her skates from the equipment room. Not looking up from his paper, Leroy muttered.
"Is she going to want almond croissants this morning or plain?"
Hiram shrugged as he turned to the comics with a grin and paused to glance at how many of each pastry was left on the plate.
"Just put one of each in there, and one of the cheese Danish's Quinn has a weakness for those as the chef informed me."
Nodding, Leroy slid the required pastries into the little baggie he had ready and held it up. Rachel swept past, wrapped up warm, with her skates over one shoulder and kitbag in hand. With her free hand, she reached out and snagged the baggie before calling a goodbye over her shoulder. Looking up briefly from the sports pages, Leroy frowned.
"Hiram…where exactly do they get the coffee from when they lose this silly competition?."
Looking up from the comics and pausing to help himself to another pastry, the shorter man thought for a moment.
"Oh, the Starbucks down the road, Rachel goes in there so often that whenever she loses the competition, she just calls up and one of the guys runs it down to her himself. It helps that she tips him twenty bucks every time."
Leroy smirked at his daughter's craftiness.
"That's my girl!"
Rachel burst into the rink…only to find Quinn already there and hastily working on something with pen and paper. When the door slid closed however, she smirked and looked up for a moment, before she could speak, the diva sighed good- naturedly.
"I know, I know…vanilla latte with cinnamon sprinkles, I'll call it now."
The hockey player grinned back and went to what she was working on, Rachel flipped out her cell phone and after speaking to Justin her favourite barista, she slid it closed and went to sit down next to her skating partner. Delving into the bag of pastries she pulled out the cheese Danish and waved it under the hockey player's nose. It took two passes before the blonde looked up from her pad and her eyes lit up.
"Aw man, cheese Danish, that's like my favourite…so long as I don't get too fat for these costumes we're going to have to squeeze into."
Rachel rolled her eyes and poked at the washboard abs of the hockey player with a certain amount of envy.
"It would take more than a few pastries to make you lose those abs Gretzky. Besides which, it's daddy's fault, he puts them in for you. Apparently the chef mentioned you like them a lot…what are you working on anyway?, I almost thought I was going to have to place it in your mouth to get your attention."
Flushing slightly at the very distinct nosedive her thoughts took when Rachel mentioned placing something in her mouth, she glanced down at her work and flushed again. Scratching the side of her nose, she fidgeted for a moment then passed the pad over. The brunette's eyes widened as she took in the sharp and detailed sketches her skating partner had been working on. There were costume designs for the Phantom number they had discussed on the way home yesterday as well as a page of designs for a James Bond themed number. Rachel glanced up at her from where she was seated next to the anxious blonde.
"These are really good Quinn! Good enough that we could use them to work with a costume designer. Together, we should be able to find a design that works for all of us."
Grinning slightly, the hockey player added hastily.
"And it doesn't look too much like Lycra…right?"
Rolling her eyes, the diva nodded in agreement and flipped the pad closed as they both heard a tentative knock on the door of the rink. Smiling happily, Rachel walked over and accepted her Starbucks order, tipping Justin the usual twenty, she watched as he grinned and headed off to his truck then moved over to hand the blonde her over sugared coffee.
"How you can drink it with that syrup in it is beyond me."
Shrugging, the hockey player took an appreciative sip and smacking her lips extra loudly, she nudged the brunette diva affectionately with her shoulder.
"Yeah well, I don't know how you can drink that crap that disguises itself as milk but is in actual fact…disgusting."
Raising an eyebrow, Rachel sat back and felt the need to point out.
"Well it didn't stop you from wolfing down the oatmeal that Santana made with it in it, did it?"
Quinn frowned for a moment, admitting she hadn't actually paused to ask what was in the oatmeal. Then she shrugged and reasoned it away.
"Yeah but that's because S has the ability to make anything taste good…even my cooking and that is one hell of a skill!"
Unfortunately, Rachel couldn't argue that point and so she merely pouted and sipped her own drink for a while. She hesitated, wondering whether or not it was too soon to tell her skating partner about her break up. Quinn wasn't pushing for any information however, just chatting amiably about how they could try and do a Batman themed ice dance. Pausing to smile fondly at the hockey player's enthusiasm for song and costume choice,. she waited for a lull in the conversation and then cleared her throat, raising a blonde eyebrow in question, Quinn turned to her.
"I spoke to Finn last night and we ended our relationship. We're still friends and it was all amicable but I am now single and free to be wooed."
Quinn tried to maintain her cool and calm façade but it was a losing battle from the start and she grinned widely.
"So um…if someone wanted to woo you then they would be okay to start doing that? Ya know with like gifts and dates and bad poetry?"
Rachel couldn't quite stop her giggle at that and she found herself unaccountably shy as she regarded the hockey player seated next to her.
"Yes you could safely assume that…um have you really written bad poetry for someone before?"
The brunette couldn't stop herself from asking that, she expected amusement from the blonde. Not the awkward scratch of the nose and muttering.
"Um…well it might not be that bad, I mean it's not like anyone ever critiqued it before. I just sort of um felt it welling up and had to write it down, you don't have to read it if you don't want to."
Quinn trailed off and found the crumbs of her Danish of sudden interest; wetting a forefinger, she dabbed up the crumbs and found herself wishing that Rachel would say something.
"Quinn that's…so amazingly sweet, I've never had had anyone do that before. And I don't care if you think it's rubbish, the fact you did it is just…well let's just say it's very woo-worthy."
Feeling the blush start to fade from her skin, Quinn smiled softly in relief and shrugged.
"I'm happy that you consider it woo-worthy Princess. Because I mean it is you that I wish to woo. Um on that note is there like a guide to wooing because I'm sort of flying blind here?"
Grinning, Rachel took the hockey player's hand and ran her thumb over the knuckles as she spoke.
"Trust me Gretzky, you're doing just fine with this. Wooing only really counts when it comes from the heart, and so far you're batting a hundred."
They just smiled shyly at each other then looked up when the door opened to reveal Coach Schue in all his cheery bouncy glory.
"Right guys, we got all the moves down pat singly now, so it's time to pick some music and think about costumes. Your first competition is in less than a month now."
He was taken aback when both skaters started laughing at this, it hadn't been that ludicrous a suggestion after all had it? When they could actually speak, Quinn passed over the pad of drawings and notes on songs and the coach had the good grace to blush even as he grinned.
"I keep forgetting that you two have very strong will's and even harder heads. This is some good stuff you have here. I'm going to start working on some notes in the meantime you guys know the drill…on the ice and let's see just what you've worked on together so far."
The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur, both women were happy with the way things were going for once. Quinn was busy thinking of ways to woo the brunette skater and Rachel was thinking of ways to wow the audience at their first competition. Whatever else happened the two of them were in this together now, heart and soul.