Chapter Ten:

Rescue

All in all, Quinn had to admit that Thanksgiving wasn't as bad as it could have been. There were no real big arguments this year between her family and no one got upset with anyone. Normally it was so clam. Someone would always end up hurting someone else's feelings, but of course, being Fabrays, they kept it bottled up inside and just left this icy tension in the air. For once, their Thanksgiving looked like anyone else; peaceful and calming.

Still, there was always Christmas for things to go wrong.

As Quinn made her way downstairs to go for her morning jog, she was called into the kitchen by her father. She had put on make up so no one would see her bruises and she made sure to wear her 'good' running gear to keep the image up. However as always, her father had to get a close inspection of his daughter. Just in case she slipped up.

Making her way into the kitchen she saw her mother pouring her father's coffee for him as he held the newspaper in front of his face. She glanced at her mother, who shrugged and went back to the stove to continue cooking him his breakfast. Quinn would eat after her run, however she had that sinking feeling again, where she felt she might not want to eat. She had zipped up her hoodie – still revealing her cross however – and stood with her hands in front of her.

"Yes daddy?" She smiled and looked to him expectantly. Slowly, he turned the page of his paper, making her wait until he had finished the article. She was growing impatient. They only had a few more days until they had to go back to school, and she wanted to take more photographs with her new camera once she got back from her run.

Checking the weather report, it was going to be one of those cold fall days where the sky was pale blue with bright, pure white clouds and the sun would be bright and golden. Whilst on her run, away from her father, she would text Rachel and ask her to accompany her to the park and take some fall photographs. Maybe even take some sneaky shots of her world class girlfriend too.

Just as she was smiling and getting lost in the thought of Rachel throwing up the golden, brown and red leaves and watching them fall around her, whilst she snapped the button on her camera, making their day together a spontaneous activity of making beautiful shots together, capturing their innocent, happy times together, she heard her father put down his newspaper and could feel his speech coming on.

Lately her father could never just speak to her. It had to be a gigantic speech. In a way, it reminder of her Rachel's rambling. Only the difference was that Rachel was adorable and actually had something important to say. Her father just talked because he was in love with the sound of his own voice and the feeling of authority. If he could feel love anyway.

Clearing his throat he straightened himself up. His face was bizarre. He actually had a smile on it. Quinn tried not to frown; it was strange. Just after nine in the morning, and he was smiling? "Quinn," having him call her by her name – instead of Lucy – took her by surprise, "we are having guests tonight and so your mother and yourself will be going shopping." Behind him, Judy looked up. It was clear that this was the first time she had been told this little snippet of information. She stopped frying the bacon and eggs for a moment, before turning back to it and pretending she wasn't in the room. Quinn kept her focus on her father and smiled again. "Thank you daddy, but I thought we had plenty of food left over from yesterday? Isn't that the point of these holidays – having so much food in the house that there is no need to go to the grocery store?" She tried to make a joke with him and to her surprise he actually chuckled. "Yes Quinn, I suppose you are right. However you laddies won't be going shopping for food," as he said laddies, he twisted his head round to look at Judy and include her in the conversation. "I am giving you my American Express Card and you are going to buy a new dress."

The bomb had dropped. He only ever gave her is card to buy a new dress if it was to make a good impression on someone. His Platinum for if it was a business dinner, his Gold for important friends and American Express if it was very important friends, business and to match her with someone. She knew the sign from her older sister. At least once a month important business partners or friends from the country club would come over with their sons and Francis would come down the stars looking like a princess ready for courtship. Now it was her turn.

Quinn hadn't noticed that he taken his wallet out and placed the light turquoise card out and put it on the table. She stared at it for a moment; imagining it as the forbidden fruit. If she accepted the card she would be accepting his game. How would Rachel feel is she knew he was setting her up with some rich, stuck up boy? Still, as she edged towards the table, reaching her hand out slowly, she thought she could use it to her advantage.

Buying a new dress, getting her hair done and purchasing some new make up could be a good thing. She could always go and surprise Rachel after the dinner and look fabulous for her. It would like something out of a movie. She would turn up on Rachel's doorstep at midnight dressed in a full length purple gown, her hair up and have diamonds in her hair, lips light purple and her cheeks pale but with a hint of lilac, her eyes smoking and seductive. Rachel would open the door, sleepy eyed and wearing her pyjamas, and would suddenly snap awake at the sight of her dazzling girlfriend all dressed up for her. Then she would say something like; "Wow you look amazing!", and keeping with the foxy character she would be playing, she would shrug and down at her through her eyelashes and purr; "What? This old thing?" Then she would take charge and step into the house, swaying her hips ever so slightly, just to make Rachel want her even more. Next she would casually take Rachel's hand in hers and lead her up to her own bedroom. Finally, once in front of her bed, she would slowly tease the dress off her, not before shaking her perfect hair out of its clips and slides, and then seduce Rachel, wearing just her dark bra and panties.

It got her hot just thinking about it. It would be magical. Of course, now all she had to do was to buy the dress. She picked the card up and placed it inside the pocket of her hoodie. Grinning at her father she walked over and kissed the top of his head. "Thank you daddy." Giving a quick glance at her mother, she then turned around. Hearing her father call out to her as she left the kitchen to enter the grand hallway, "Make me proud Quinn."

Whilst running, Quinn made sure to keep her hand clamped around her piece of gold. If she lost it her father would be furious, however if she lost it, then her plan of wooing Rachel with the sassy side of her would be ruined. She had to keep hold of it. Not just the card, but her nerves too. Everyone was so used to seeing the head bitch Quinn, so they automatically assumed she would rock in the bedroom. Even more so since she was the president of the celibacy club. And she did get pregnant! However, really, she was incredibly shy. Sure she had her fantasies, but actually talking about them to someone, especially someone she loved, and then going on to fulfilling them, it was a frightening thought. Still, with Rachel, she would lose all of her insecurities and focus on making her girlfriend feel good. In a way, she was the perfect guy. The only problem was, she hadn't gotten Rachel a gift for Thanksgiving. She had only told her she had gotten her one was so then she wouldn't feel bad.

An idea came into her mind. She wondered if her father would notice if say...two hundred dollars from his American Express card too when she went out shopping with her mother once she got back? Surely not. It was no secret that the Fabrays were rich. Surely he wouldn't miss it. And if he did well..there wasn't much he do about it other than ground her or take it out of her allowance.

Getting Rachel a piece of jewellery would be a nice thing to do for her. It was what boyfriends did for their girlfriends. Although she didn't want to be compared to Sam or Finn, giving her a piece of jewellery would be the perfect way to symbolise their relationship. Even if it was a secret relationship, she could ask Rachel to only wear it when they were together or to keep it hidden. Then she felt bad. It wouldn't be fair for her to use the camera Rachel had gotten her and then for her not to be able to wear the jewellery she would give to her.

Sighing Quinn stopped her running and looked at the card. She stared at the figure on the card. He looked strong and Roman like. He was probably Mars or Jupiter to show strength and stability. She wanted to be Mars. She wanted to be Mars to Rachel's Venus. She wanted to protect her and love her. Smiling she had made her mind up. That afternoon when she and her mother went to mall, she would causally stop by the fanciest jewellers and purchase something. Not just anything but a ring on a chain. That way, Rachel could wear it on her finger when she was with her, and round her neck when they were in public. It would be perfect, but to make it more so she would engrave it.

She spent the rest of her run trying to think of something romantic to engrave onto her ring.

Later that evening, once Quinn had bought her purple dress and her make up – and Rachel's secret gift – she was sat in the living room and waiting for her father's friend to come with his son. It all felt so formal and distant. It was like something out of an old Victorian movie; having parents set their children up. Still, at least she wasn't being forced to marry this guy. She remembered reading about a family who had forced their daughter to marry a man and the first time she met him was at the alter. To make it even more tragic was that the poor girl was in love with someone else. It all reminded her of herself and how sad this little family was. It was like she was being put on show; dressed up and paraded around. Like a dog.

The doorbell rang the two Fabray women rose to their feet to greet the guests. Of course her father answered the door and invited them in. The father was taller than her own father and had slicked back black hair and dark eyes. His son was the same height as her father and mirrored his father's actions of bowing his head slightly and firmly shaking his hand.

"Stand up straight." Judy whispered to her, wearing a fake grin on her face. She remembered the night she was introduced to Russell, however that was at a dance and wasn't quite as formal. She wished that Russell would just let his daughters find their own boyfriends and husbands, but of course, everything had to be done properly. All she wanted was for Quinn to be happy – and to marry someone from the church of course, preferably their own church.

Russell walked in with Mr and Junior Seabold. "Lucy," he cleared his throat and presented his daughter to them both, "This is Artemis Seabold, a dear friend of mine." She stuck out her hand and gently shook the man's hand. As a woman, she shouldn't have a strong handshake, but because of all her working out and cheerleader practises, she did have very strong arms and a strong handshake. Mr Seabold chuckled, "My goodness Russell, your daughter has a rather firm handshake. I suppose her eyes aren't the only aspect of you that she has inherited!" Her father and the man laughed, with Judy chuckling behind her. "It's very nice to meet you, Mr Seabold." Quinn politely told him, to which she saw her father smile at her, as if she had done well and ticked off a chore on her list of things to do. "Thank you Lucy, you look as beautiful as your father described you!" He admired her eyes, cheekbones and lips before gracing his eyes over her body. Subtly he was inspecting her, making sure she was physically acceptable for his son.

His son had been standing next to his father, also checking Quinn out. However, he was trying to be a gentleman, but couldn't help himself but fix his eyes on her breasts. Perhaps the dress she wore had been a little too low cut. But she couldn't help herself; she was thinking of Rachel the entire time! Mr Seabold's eyes went up to her chest and stared at the cross around her neck. "What a lovely pendent." He told her; another tick going off in her mind. He could see that she was at least putting on the act that she was serious about her religion. Again, she smiled politely at him. "Yes Sir, it was a gift from my father when I had my First Communion." Pinching at the metal slightly, a mannerism she did to show she was nervous or just to give her hands something to do, "I never take it off."

"Yes my wife is the same. Always has it around her neck." He smiled and bounced on his feet slightly, "I apologise for her not being here tonight. She is in bed with a head cold."

"Nothing serious I hope?" Judy asked from her place behind Quinn. Mr Seabold laughed at her concern. "Not at all. Just a cold and complaining! Nothing to worry about!"

Quinn was disgusted by his attitude but, as usual, laughed along with the man and her father. Mr Seabold continued to question Quinn and look her over. She felt if they were living only a hundred – possibly less – years before, she would be on a medical table and being examined to check if she could bare children. Clearly, that was true, but the man seemed not to care at this point.

Satisfied with the pleasantries he was witnessing from his daughter towards his friend, her father then moved her along slightly to the son. "Lucy, this is Arthur."

"Artemis and Arthur. What interesting names." She commented as she shook his hand. His grip was hard, either because of the nerves or the sexual frustration he was feeling by the first touch he had of her. He gave her his charming smile, "Yes it is rather unusual that my parents decided to give me a similar sounding name. Still, I prefer to be called 'Art', rather than Arthur. It's sounds rather formal, don't you think Lucy?" As he spoke, she could see his own want of escape from this world they were trapped in and forced to live in. Even by shortening his name, she could see the similarities between them. Where she had swapped her names around to give herself a new identity, he shortened it to break away form his. If his interests matched up to his psychological thinking, then Quinn hoped they could be friends, if never anything more. "I'm surprised you don't call yourself 'King', tell you're not a football player are you?" She narrowed her eyes, just imagining his team chanting 'Go King Arthur! Go!' as he raced down the field with the football in his hand. "I am actually." He sounded almost deflated as he told her his extra curricular activity. "Quarterback." "I guessed as much." Quinn muttered, but flashing him a sense of sorrow in her eyes. "Do you like art too, Arthur?" She asked, curious if that was also a reason why he shortened his name to the three letters.

Before he could reply, however, his father laughed and patted him on his back. "Art?" He scoffed, "heavens no! Arthur doesn't bother with all of that stuff. He is a sportsman and a thinker. He'll be heading off to New York to do a degree in medicine and neurosurgery, won't you Arthur?" And that was where the similarities really took off. Russell explained that Quinn was going to study law and philosophy, hopefully to one day become a great lawyer and set up her own law-firm. As the two fathers conversed, the two teenagers shared their silent sorrow. In actual fact, Arthur did like art. He loved it. Secretly he drew and painted and even sculpted. That was how he wanted to make a career, not being a doctor. Quinn loved photography. Something Rachel had found out about and wanted to embrace her skills. Although she had never shown anyone her photos from the little cameras she had in her room, she one day envisioned herself holding galleries and changing the world with her photographs; showing the horrors of the world but also the wonders through her lens.

A smile formed on her face as she came up with a little goal; fusing her photography flair with Arthur's artistic passion. Maybe opening a studio together in New York; with Rachel as their main topic.

Just as Quinn was really starting to enjoy her time with Arthur – they weren't really allowed to speak to each other, only to one another's parents – she had to go and ruin it. She was quietly chewing her stake, when Mr Seabold cleared his throat.

"So Lucy, your father tells me you want to become a lawyer?" He gave her a small smile, indicating she had to answer with her voice and not just with her head. She kept her hands in her lap and clenched her fingers together. "Yes Sir, that's what I've wanted to be for a long time." She replied, although it was only partially true. Her father wanted her to become a lawyer, she wanted to be an artist. "Do you think you would miss your lawyering duties once you become a mother?" Quinn knew what he was asking and what he was implying. Of course, being Quinn Fabray, she had an opinion. She would not be a stay at home mother and purely just a housewife. She wanted a career She was not a baby producing machine. She cleared her throat and looked directly at Mr Seabold. "I think I would miss it, yes Sir." She knew she should have left it there, but she stupidly carried on talking, "Which is why I would intend to go back to work once my first child starts kindergarten." She heard her mother choke on her wine and her father drop his cutlery in surprise. "I beg your pardon?" Mr Seabold asked. Arthur looked towards her. He gulped, knowing if he had just said something like that he would have been given more than a stern talking to and would have been seriously punished.

She should have kept her mouth shut, or at least tried to make out that it was some sort of joke. But no. She carried on going, Standing her ground. Like her father before a speech, she cleared her throat. "I believe that in this twenty-first century where women are now seen as equals to men, we shouldn't be subjected to just give up ours careers to look after the children and stay at home to make sure the house is clean and proper for our husbands."

"That's preposterous." Mr Seabold laughed, convinced that she was making a joke. "You can't seriously believe that women can have it both ways, do you? A career and a family?"

"I understand that that is how a lot of males see thing, but I truly believe that, if a woman has enough support, love and guidence, then why should she not be able to have a career and a family?"

From the looks her father was giving her, she knew she should have stopped. Should have kept her mouth firmly closed and keep her nose out of such talk. However, once again, she carried on talking. "How can that be possible," Mr Seabold argued, "Children need their mother at home!"

"Not as often as you would assume, Mr Seabold." She argued back. "Really they are only 'needed at home' up until they are about five, at that point they would be going to kindergarten and then they are only needed at home when they finish school, to be picked up and help with their homework and feeding them and such activities. Of course, as children grow up-"

"Enough!" Russell had slammed his fists down on to the table. He tried to control his on coming anger. "You will apologise to Mr Seabold and-"

"Apologise for what daddy?" She did it again. She had interrupted her father.

It felt like everything was happening in slow motion. Russell got up from his chair, throwing his serviette down and walking around to his daughter. He stood over her and glared down at her. "Get up." He ordered, in a surprisingly calm tone. That was worse than when he was angry. Gulping and fighting back tears, Quinn did as he asked. As soon as she was out of her seat, he gripped onto her shoulder and dragged her away from the dining room and pushed her up the stairs.

Barking at her like an Alsation and snarling like a wolf, he cursed her and told her what a further disgrace she was. He ordered her to go to her room and not come out. Crying, Quinn went to her room and flopped onto her bed.

Crying for about an hour, and hearing the car of Mr and Junior Seabold leave their drive, Quinn changed out of her dress and proceeded to pack an overnight back. She picked up her phone and dialled the number she had memorised.

Rachel answered after the first few rings. "Hello?" She asked, not sounding tired but yawning as if she had been distracted from something. "Rachel?" Quinn sniffled, feeling a million times better now she heard her loving girlfriend's voice. "Quinn? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" She asked concerned, and sitting up in her bed, alert. "It's my dad." Quinn sighed, closing her eyes and letting more tears fall. "Why? What did he do?" Scared that he had hit her again, Rachel asked. "He set me up with one of his friend's son and he's just yelled at me for voicing my opinions."

"Do you want me to come over and kick his ass?" Angrily she asked, hating the man even more.

Quinn laughed at Rachel but nodded her head, "Can I stay with you tonight?" Her voice was little and shy, hoping that Rachel would say yes. Rachel rolled her eyes, not believing that Quinn even had to ask. "Of course Quinn. I'll come and pick you up."

"You don't have to." Quinn told her, shaking her head and putting on her shoes.

"No I don't," the brunette told her, standing and smiling down the phone, "But I want to."

"Thank you Rachel." Quinn sighed, standing and walking to the window, waiting for her girlfriend to come and rescue her from her castle of doom. "I love you." She breathlessly told her.

"I love you too." Rachel replied, kissing the phone and imagining she was kissing her.