Four weeks. Four weeks, two days and four hours since Quinn and Rachel had been on their first date. Sure, they'd gone out after that but those times weren't actually dates, at least not to Rachel. For the last two weeks Quinn had spent so much time at Rachel's house that it felt like she was practically living there, apart from when she had to leave when the clock struck ten and head back to her mother.

That situation hadn't changed and Quinn kept herself busy to not spend too much time thinking about it. The drinking had increased and her mother's mood had changed, drink or no drink. She was fouler, more depressing to talk to and more mocking to Quinn. It was like there was no difference at all now, the one thing that had separated Quinn's mom and her drinking persona dissolved like ice in a refreshing drink on a warm summer day.

Quinn was sitting in the McKinley courtyard with Santana and Brittany. It was a slightly chilly day outside and clouds were forming ahead but the sky was as blue as ever with the sun shining.

"Worms or Slugs?" Brittany asked and she took a sip from her milkshake.

Quinn raised one of her eyebrows and puckered her lips.

"Worms" said Quinn slowly before taking a bite out of her cheeseburger.

"I knew you'd say that!" said Brittany and she put her hand to her lips and blew a kiss towards Quinn. "There's a reason we became friends"

"Yeah yeah yeah, worms are the shit" Santana cut in and she stared at Quinn. "You and Berry have been spending an awful lot of time together. I'm surprised you're sitting next to us"

Quinn avoided Santana's gaze and continued to chew her burger slowly. "Sorry, It's just things were pretty hectic and I've had a lot on my mind"

"Like you and Rachel's making out sessions?"

Quinn swallowed and looked at Santana with a shy smile. "Yeah I guess you could say that" she then sighed. "But I've been thinking on what our second date should be. I have a few ideas bu-

Quinn stopped talking as she looked at Santana's face. Her mouth hung open and one of her pencil-thin eyebrows were raised.

"What?" Quinn asked.

"You haven't had your second date? Wow, then what have you two been doing?"

Quinn frowned. "It's not my fault. Rachel has this thing- It's silly really"

"The dating system?" asked Brittany and Quinn looked at her.

"Yeah, how did you know Britt?"

"I've used it a couple of times. It's meant for long term uses though and the way I was using it made things disastrous"

"Did you use it on San?" said Quinn and she took a sip from her Pepsi.

"No, I didn't need to" said Brittany and Quinn saw her pick up Santana's hand.

"Well I guess that's fine" said Santana, sounding wary. "It's sort of like a test to weed out the people that just want to get in your pants to the ones that genuinely want to have a relationship with you. Gotta hand it to Berry, she's smart."

"Exactly" said Brittany and she stole a French fry from Santana's lunch tray.

"Oi!" said Santana, her voice suddenly turning in to a mocking, stereotypical British accent. "Why did you nick my chip for" and she and Brittany burst out laughing.

"Did I miss something" asked Quinn, smiling.

"It was from a British film we watched last week. It was so funny!" said Santana.

Quinn smiled at them before her eyes widened, an idea striking her brain.

"Movies! That's what we'll do! We'll go to the movies!"

Sanatana tutted and Brittany shook her head.

"Honey" Santana rested her hand on Quinn's shoulder and looked at her fondly. "That's lame, and you and I both know it. You're starting to think like the 'F' word"

"No- I mean come on- it" Quinn stuttered until she groaned and frowned. "Is it that bad?"

"Yes. Not to mention cliché"

But Quinn's mind wasn't finished yet. Another idea struck her and she knew she could do it. It would take a lot of the money she'd been saving up but she could do it. She looked up at Brittany and Santana and smiled.

"Broadway"

o.x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o

Rachel was sitting next to Kurt in the busy and noisy cafeteria, her tongue running along her teeth and her eyes staring at her coffee cup, transfixed by how such a small thing could hold such powerful liquid. She could feel the coffee spreading through her like vines growing on a jungle tree and the way it made her brain more alert than ever. Her heartbeat raced slightly and she felt hyperactive, her fingers fidgeting with the coffee cup.

"Quinn is awesome"

"You've said that twice now Rachel" said Kurt, sounding worried. "I don't think I should have let you tried coffee, maybe you should have stuck to something softer like tea"

Rachel's gaze locked on to Kurt and she smiled. "I'm fine, I've had coffee, well not coffee but a latte, but aren't they the same thing?"

"No. I gave you black coffee, which is stronger than what you normally have. Although you did say you wanted a strong pick me up"

"I guess that's why it tasted so bitter" said Rachel wrinkling her nose.

"How are you and Quinn?" asked Kurt, changing the subject and he smiled at her.

Rachel felt her cheeks grow hot as she started thinking about Quinn, the way her hazel eyes gazed in to hers. She sighed dreamily and looked at Kurt with a huge smile on her face.

"Things are the best! Yesterday we went to the shopping mall near the theatre that just opened up and bought some clothes for when she sleeps over at mine or vica versa"

"Really?" said Kurt, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, it was a fun day out and we pretty much hung out at mine until she had to leave at ten" the corner of Rachel's mouth tugged down and her eyebrows furrowed as she thought about Quinn's mom. From what she had heard, her mother wasn't improving, only getting worse.

The thing that Rachel had left out was that during their shopping spree Quinn had broken down in the changing room at the sight of a cream coloured cardigan that reminded her of her mother. After they exited the shop they had sat down in the mall's courtyard and talked about Quinn's mother and Rachel had tried to make Quinn see sense, to let her know that she should stay with her and her parents, but to no avail. Quinn was headstrong; something that Rachel wasn't particularly fond of, but respected.

But Quinn is Quinn and she can handle anything Rachel thought and she started looking around her, her eyes lingering on a tall sandy-haired boy before snapping back to Kurt.

"I still can't believe you and her are actually going out" said Kurt and he bought out a piece of gum and un-wrapped it, sticking it in his mouth and starting to chew.

"Me neither. Sometimes-I mean, I had reservations about it, I didn't even think I'd like her like that" Rachel paused, licking her lips. "But I do and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I was confused as hell but now, four weeks later and a date later, it feels right. Like this was who I am and what I want to be" said Rachel and she took another sip from her coffee before shuddering away from the taste.

"Don't drink it if you're going to do that! You looked like a sheep neighing" said Kurt chuckling and Rachel punched him on his arm playfully.

"What about you? We haven't really talked properly since today? How are you doing?"

Rachel watched Kurt run his hands through his hair and his happy expression replaced with dread.

"I've been good, getting on with life and hanging out with Mercedes" said Kurt, his eyes struggling to look up at Rachel.

"What about Blaine? Have you heard from him?" Rachel whispered, looking around the cafeteria, making sure no one was listening.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have. I know that he's moved on and dating someone" said Kurt scratching at his cheek. "We still talk now and then but not as much as when we were together"

"I'm sorry"

"For what?" said Kurt and he finally looked up at Rachel and grinned. "We've moved on and that's that. I wish him the best of luck with his new partner and I hope we can still be friends"

"There's no need to be brave in front of me Kurt Hummel" said Rachel and she patted his arm.

"I'm not being brave" said Kurt, his blue eyes staring at Rachel as if she was crazy. "Honestly Rachel there are times when I question how we're even here, like this" Kurt wagged his index finger between him and her.

Rachel laughed and got up from the table, slinging her leather navy blue bag's straps over her shoulder. "I'm going to see Quinn, wanna come with?" she asked, her eyes pleading.

"Do I have a choice?" asked Kurt and he sighed as he got up, draining the last of his own coffee. He wrinkled his nose in disgust and shook his head. "I forgot I had chewing gum in my mouth" he said and Rachel laughed.

o.x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o

"What do you guys think?" whispered Quinn, her face lighting up. "It sounds perfect right?"

"Sounds perfect for her I guess?" said Santana and she looked at Brittany. "Do you think it'd work?"

"It depends on my friend, though he owes me a favour so I'm sure he can pull some strings. Give me to the end of the day to find out, tickets may be a bit high"

"I owe you big time Britt" said Quinn and she got up from her seat and hugged Brittany.

"What are friends for huh?" said Brittany and she patted Quinn's back.

"I really hope she'll like it" Quinn said as she returned to her chair. "Especially with what comes after it"

"Are you sure you want to pull out all the stops for your second date? I mean, what about the third or the fourth or the fifth? If you do this, won't you run out of ideas?" asked Santana.

"Santana, you've known me how long? Do I ever run out of ideas?"

"Quinn's probably the best one out of all of us to think about ideas, it's how we passed some of our tests" Brittany chimed in and she took a long sip from her milkshake.

"Yeah but this sounds extravagant even for Quinn. What if Brittany's friend doesn't pull through?"

"Then I'll skip to what I had planned after the show"

"And if that fails?"

"It won't fail" said Quinn and she looked Santana in the eyes. "It can't"

Before Santana could say anymore, Quinn's eyes caught sight of Rachel walking towards their table. She was wearing a striped sleeved red and white top with navy blue jeans and brown leather boots that glinted in the sun as she walked. Quinn watched as Rachel's eyes found hers and smiled, her hand already waving.

"Forget the conversation, we'll talk about it later" Quinn muttered to Santana and Brittany and she waved back at Rachel.

"Speak of the devil" Santana muttered as she looked over her shoulder to look at Rachel.

"Be nice" said Quinn, still smiling.

"Aren't I always" said Santana and she smiled widely at Quinn.

Rachel got to their table and stood by Quinn. Quinn saw Rachel's warm chocolate brown eyes light up at the sight of her and Quinn grinned.

"Hey" said Rachel and she pecked Quinn on her cheek, her lips lingering on her cheek for more than a few seconds. When she leant back, she looked at Quinn, a flash of deviousness in her expression before turning to face Santana with a huge grin on her face. "Hi Santana"

"Berry" said Santana and she nodded her head once.

Rachel's smile wavered ever so slightly before returning to normal. She fixed her gaze on Brittany. "Hey Brittany"

"Hey Rachel" said Brittany and she got up and walked towards Rachel and hugged her, much to the surprise of Rachel, who's eyes widened and looked over at Quinn. "How are you?" Brittany said before releasing Rachel from the hug and going back to her seat.

"Uh, good thanks?" Rachel looked over at Quinn before smiling. "What about you guys? How have you been?"

"Same as a minute ago: fine" said Santana, nonchalant and Quinn glanced at her, giving her a warning look but Santana avoided her gaze.

"We were just discussing whether slugs were better than worms" said Brittany and Quinn saw Rachel's face turn wary.

"It's for a science thing" Quinn said, shaking her head. "How are you?"

"Great! I was just talking to Kurt and we thought we'd come by and see how you were"

"Well I'm glad you came by" said Quinn as her eyes focused on Rachel's jeans and how they hugged her lower half so well. She looked back up at Rachel suddenly before looking past her. "I don't see Kurt though?"

Rachel looked over her shoulders before fully turning around, searching for Kurt. She turned back to look at Quinn with a worried expression on her face.

"He was behind me not too long ago" said Rachel, sounding worried.

"Maybe he forgot something and decided to go back and get it"

"I guess" said Rachel and she looked over her shoulder again.

The bell chimed in the courtyard and Quinn got up sighing. She stretched before walking towards Rachel and putting her hand around her waist, bringing her closer so that they were hip to hip.

"Relax, we'll see him when we go to class" said Quinn and she pecked Rachel on her cheek.

"Wow" came a squeaky voice in front of them and Quinn eyes found a short, well-rounded boy with freckles and a large ginger afro that looked as if it was receding. He had bulky glasses and a perverted smile on his face.

"Oh god not you" Santana groaned in disgust.

"Oh yeah, it's me" said Jacob, his eye's staring at Quinn and Rachel. "And I came here for the scoop of the century. This will be so huge the school will have my face planted all over the place, even in the girl's bathroom!"

"What is wrong with you" Quinn asked, disgusted.

Jacob removed his hands from behind his back, bringing out a small Dictaphone. He pressed one of the buttons on the side and moved closer to Quinn and Rachel.

"Is it true that you two are dating? Our listeners and viewers would very much like to hear the story since most of them have seen you around the school holding hands and-

Unexpectedly, Santana took the Dictaphone out of Jacob's hand and threw it on the ground. Jacob recoiled and stepped back, his hands reaching in his pockets.

"You gotta keep a better grip on that thing, you see how easily it just fell to the ground?" said Santana, emphasizing on the word fell.

"It happens, that's why I always carry a backup" Jacob said smugly and he brought out another Dictaphone, this one bigger than the last. "So, care to talk Fabray and Berry?"

Quinn sighed and looked at Jacob. "Move out the way?"

"Is that a yes?" Jacob pressed.

"No comment" said Quinn, feeling slightly amused that she said such a thing and she took hold of Rachel's hand and started walking, brushing past Jacob who started to trail behind them.

"What about the kissing in the empty classrooms! Are those rumours true?" Jacob asked.

Quinn went a shade of pink and side-glanced at Rachel, who was also turning pink. Quinn remembered those visits to the empty classrooms and she instantly felt flustered. She remembered how very close they were to breaking Rachel's dating rules in one of the classrooms, how Rachel's leg had hitched itself on to Quinn's thigh as Quinn lowered her on to the teacher's desk, their kissing frantic with a sense of excitement between them.

Quinn upped her pace, passing the students that were in front of them and moving slowly, but Jacob kept trailing behind them, his Dictaphone still outstretched, waiting for her to answer.

Quinn heard a yelp from behind her and instantly turned around to see what had happened. Jacob was sprawled out on the ground, his hands outstretched and his Dictaphone just barely within reach. He looked up at Quinn and Rachel with a pained expression.

Santana and Brittany came from behind Jacob and Quinn watched as they high-fived each other. Santana stepped over Jacob and brought her foot down on the Dictaphone, smashing it and Quinn heard Jacob groan. She watched as Santana turned and squatted to her knees and looked down at Jacob.

"You should tie your shoe-laces better, I mean, look at how you tripped!" said Santana, her voice menacing.

"I am a bit clumsy" said Jacob through gritted teeth as he got up, wincing.

"That you are" said Santana and she turned to look at Quinn and winked.

Quinn felt Rachel tug at her arm and she turned to look at her. She was caught off guard as Rachel's soft lips planted themselves on to hers and parted them, her tongue sliding in to Quinn's mouth. Quinn closed her eyes and brought Rachel closer to her, her hands wrapping around Rachel's waist. But Rachel stopped abruptly and pulled away and Quinn reluctantly opened her eyes slowly.

Her whole body felt as if it had broken out in hives as she felt prying eyes on her and Rachel and her face turned a bright shade of pink.

"How's that for a comment" Rachel said cheerfully, much to Quinn's surprise, and she took hold of Quinn's hand and started to walk through the bodies of people that continued to stare at them as if they were celebrities and in to the McKinley building.

"Why did you do that?" Quinn whispered, looking at the people around her that were staring at her with open mouths or muttering to the people next to them.

"To make us official" said Rachel and she gripped Quinn's hand tighter. "Quinn Fabray, you're officially my Girlfriend"