So, I kinda have a lot of explaining to do!

Well, it kinda starts with 'I left for a week-long volunteer work to build houses cause I give back' and it ends with 'I have summer classes and I had to go through the hassle of enrolling in classes manually'.

I am terribly sorry for the long wait!

Here is the conclusion of the short story! I would've posted this a week ago but it was Holy Week and I spent it with family up in the mountains. I left my laptop.

Then of course the Born This Way episode came out and I was kinda confused on how I felt about the Quinn storyline.

But then the promo for the Rumours promo came out along with so many awesome NY shooting pics! There was one of Chord and Dianna hugging, awww!

And yeah, since I have a life outside Glee, the Harry Potter trailer went out, then the Royal Wedding, and (the least important of all) school. Kidding.

In other words, I have so many excuses to make my mini-hiatus a little forgivable! (Sorry!)

Oh, in case you guys were wondering how I managed to comment on other stories, I read fics via my phone. Which explains why my phone bill is so high right now.

It's 2:40AM where I'm at. It's a Monday and I have a 7:30 class in a while. So yeah...

I shall update my other story after class! Look forward to it :)

...

I run as fast I can. I need to reach that place - the safe place. Everywhere else is treacherous. The circle is the only place I feel safe now.

I hear my own footsteps running, running, running...until I come to a stop. I'm here. I'm surrounding by nothing but the trees quietly swaying back and forth in the night breeze. In the center of the circle, I fall down to my knees, weakened as the tears begin to roll down my cheek. Just one more night and I will be given away to a man I do not love - a man who is not Sam Evans. The realization sinks in painfully like a thorn in my side. The sensation bites sharply and I can't stop my body from shaking violently as I sob out loudly.

I can't runaway now. Where would I go? Or better yet, would he even still go with me? I feel pathetic, as if I could see myself sprawled on the ground, crying myself dry. There's nothing I could do to change this.

I go on for what seemed like hours until I hear a rustle in the trees followed by a thump. I don't panic for I know that only Sam and I know this place and only in this place will Sam and I find each other.

"I thought you left," I manage to speak when no other movement or sound was made. "I thought you went away for good."

No response.

I don't dare turn my back. Although I am sure that it can only be Sam behind me, I fear that I could not take the disappointment if I turn around and find someone else.

"Have you been avoiding me?"

No response.

"Why won't you talk to me?" my voice chokes a little as the gentle tears begin to sting in the back of my eyes. I try to fight it but once again, I amount to the shaking, crying mess in the middle of the woods. I only cry harder when I feel arms surrounding me in a protective, greedy hug. It is indeed him.

I turn around and I see his handsome face. I see his messy, blonde hair and piercing, blue eyes. He sits down on the ground before me and says nothing. His large strong hand, calloused by work, reaches up to my face, a thumb extending to wipe the wet tear streaks on my face.

"Where have you been, Sam?" I ask.

"Sorry if I wasn't in a celebrating mood," he chuckles. "I didn't want to rain on your parade."

He smiles yet I notice his sad eyes. He can't hide anything from me, nor can I from him. Sam and I belong together and anything other than that is unacceptable.

I caress the side of his face with my small hand, pulling him towards me. I lay a full kiss on his lips and stay like that for a moment.

"I love you, Sam Evans," I throw my arms and the weight of my upper body on him.

"I love you, too, Quinn Fabray," he whispers as he presses his lips on my hair, stroking it. " I wish you were mine."

"Then I am yours. I always have. I always will be..."

I slowly push away from him, sitting back down on the ground. He still has a sad smile playing across his lips. Holding each others' gaze despite the dark of night, we know that we only see each other. I draw the strings that hold my dress and slowly reveal myself in the dark. Sam's eyes do not wander from mine. Soon, my dress circles around my waist as I have removed the top.

"I am yours, Sam," I say once more. "My body, my heart, all my love..."

I reach out for his hand and bring it to my lips. I lightly kissed the fingers that have lovingly held me. I pressed his palm against my cheek then slowly drag it down the side of my neck, along my shoulder, and to the side of my breast. Sam swallows hard and sweat beads begin to form on his forehead.

He becomes bolder. I feel his hand slowly kneading my chest, his thumb circling around the sensitive nub at the center. I let out a small moan, an indication of the pleasure I get from his touch. We meet once again in a heated kiss, hungry for each others' taste. Both his hands now are pressed against mine, firmly yet not too hastily kneading my chest.

He retreats his hands and peels the jacket he has worn. He lays it on the ground and we both lie on it.

"Are you sure about this?" he asks.

I stand up and he watches me with wide eyes. The dress loosens around my waist and it falls to my feet. For the first time, I show myself to him. He takes it all in. the sight of me silences him. He shakes himself back to reality as I lay back down beside him. Sam doesn't waste time, crashing his lips with mine. Our heated kiss remains undisturbed while he strips himself of his clothes. Soon, we are both naked in the night, kissing passionately.

"I love you," he whispers.

Sam positions himself on top of me, his hips and legs wedging between my own. I feel his whole body in such a way I have never before. He presses on last kiss before he pushes inside of me, grunting. A moan escaped my lips and my nails dug into his back. He pushes in deeper until he is completely inside of me. We stay like this for a moment. Sam lowers his body down and kisses me on the lips. Our bodies rock back and forth against each other, him pushing and pulling inside me. I could feel my body tightening, my breath getting shallow. Sam too was near his climax, moving faster and faster. Then it came like water breaking through a dam. A wave of sensual pleasure. Our foreheads touch, both of us breathing heavily.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

A soft chuckle was enough to startle Quinn for the laugh was not of Sam's. Her eyes opened to the sight of her bedroom. The tall trees, the illuminating moonlight, Sam lying on top of her…they were all gone. It was just a dream. A cruel dream. In the silence of her bedroom, she swore that she heard her heart break.

"I hope you weren't dreaming of another guy…"

Quinn looked to her side. It was Finn sitting at a far corner of her room. Seeing that she was now wide awake, he walked towards her and knelt down on the edge of her bed.

"How long have you been here?" she asked. "All night?"

He nodded.

"You must be tired," he rested his arms on her bed. "I sensed that something was bothering you when you asked to be excused last night. I looked for you. I went to your house but you were not there. So, I became worried. Eventually, I found you passed out not too far from your house. The old lady who lived nearby said you knocked back quite a number of drinks..."

"Sorry," her cheeks burned from embarrassment. "Obviously, not my finest moment."

"It's alright," he ran a hand through her golden hair. "I'm just glad that I found you before anything bad could happen."

She was afraid to shy away from his hand. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," Finn smiled. "It's my obligation now to look after you and protect you. Nothing will ever harm you," he promised.

Quinn forced a smile on her lips. Sensing that there were no other things to talk about, she asked for a moment of privacy as she readied herself for the last grand celebration before her wedding tomorrow.

…

The celebration that night was the grandest the small village of Lima had in recent years. Once more, all the villagers have gathered for a night of partying in celebration of a daughter's marriage. Musicians and dancers were asked to perform and to liven the night with their acts.

Seated at their table were Quinn and Finn. Like the night before, people would approach them to give their well wishes for a happy union. Finn thanked them warmly while Quinn sat quietly, waiting, wishing for the person she has been waiting for to arrive. But instead, she was left disappointed.

"I can't believe our parents have spent a fortune just for the two of us," Finn exclaimed. "Can you believe it? When the sun comes up tomorrow, it shall be the day that we will be wed."

His words circled in her mind. "No, I can't…"

Her eyes scoured that mess of people. He still hasn't shown. Quinn felt in the pit of her stomach that it was time for her to give up. He had moved on, or maybe decided that running away was his way of dealing with this. She felt a hand rest on top of hers.

"The thing you desire most…your heart will find a way to achieve it," Finn looked into her eyes. They were warm and inviting – no wonder many girls fell for him. There was sincerity in him that she felt she could trust herself with. This was not love and maybe for many years in the beginning stages of their marriage, she would not feel love for him – just respect and the mutual need for companionship.

She could feel him holding her gaze, slowly moving forward to give her their first kiss. Everything was occurring slowly. She thought about moving away – he would understand. They were not married yet. But somehow, there was also this feeling that she could allow it to happen. He was mere inches away and she had to make a decision.

In the corner of her eye, she could see an unmistakable blonde boy that could only be Sam. She turned quickly to seek him out and it was indeed him. He was looking her way with an anguished look on his face. Seeing that she had spotted him, he turned his back and disappeared into the crowd.

"I'm sorry, Finn. I have to go," she stood up abruptly to leave.

"You're always leaving," he sat back properly in his seat, feeling dejected. Quinn, however, took no notice that he had spoken and left.

It was not difficult for her to find Sam again. She knew him too well. She knew his habits, his patterns. She knew how he thought and what he liked. But most of all, she knew that, in the same manner, Sam knew her like she knew herself. It wasn't long until Quinn ultimately arrived at the spot they usually met. He was no longer hiding in the trees. He just stood at the center, waiting for her.

"I thought you left," she spoke first, unsure whether Sam had seen the full exchange she and Finn had earlier.

"And miss the wedding of the girl of my dreams?" he chuckled. "What kind of friend would I be?"

His words stung. He had was nothing but bitter to her ever since the wedding was given a date.

Seeing that it had hurt her, he decided to continue. "…I can't leave my family."

"That didn't seem like a problem when we were planning to runaway together," Quinn replied, taking steps towards him.

"Don't you see?" he reached out for her hand. "There was a time that I would've left everything behind for you. If I left now, I would've lost both you and my family."

"So what happens now?" she asked him, just wanting for him to fix everything. The wedding felt so close. Everything about it reeked of the unhappy future she would be having.

"Well, whatever is supposed to happen," he holds her hand firmly. "No matter what it is, I will be here for you, Quinn."

"What about tomorrow? Will you still be there for me tomorrow?"

"I don't know," he whispers. Sam was not strong enough to see her given away.

After a moment of silence, they both throw their arms around each other.

"Is this goodbye?" Quinn asked, sobbing against his chest.

Sam did not answer. Instead, he brushed her long golden hair, comforting her until the sobbing had ceased. "I think it's time we go home. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

…

Quinn willed for everything to happen quickly. If this was death, then she wanted for it to be swift and painless. From the moment she woke up, the bridesmaids and her mother helped her into the wedding gown. She walked down the aisle with her father at hand. The guests watched her every step, admiring the beauty in front of them. At the end of the aisle, she was met by Finn who was equally as handsome. After the ceremony was held, she was now faced with the question – the question she knew the answer to had it been with Sam.

"Do you Quinn take Finn to be your husband?"

She looked around, noticing the expecting faces of everyone, waiting for her to say 'yes'. She noticed her mother dabbing at her eyes to wipe the tears that were falling and her father consoling her mother. She noticed the empty seat that she had saved for Sam. Quinn was indulging herself at the sight of people she had known all her life, seeking for that comfort knowing that everything will be fine.

"Once again, do you Quinn take Finn to be your husband?"

Finn cleared his throat, hoping to hint that she had been quiet. She looked up at Finn who was trying his best to keep the smile on his face.

"I, uhh…" her words stumbled as she kept looking back at the door, waiting for it to swing open and a white horse to take her away – just as she fantasized. "I…"

The people began to whisper, chattering about her hesitation. She saw the judgmental looks of the old women, the confused looks of her parents, and the worried look on Finn's face. She let out a deep breath and took one small step towards Finn. She cupped the side of his face and pulled him towards her, leaving him with one kiss on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

Suddenly, rays of light entered the church as the door opened wide. With a smile on her face and a heart full of courage, she ran towards the light.

(May 2, 2011)