And here we go with another chapter, the 'original' song that Quinn writes in this chapter is actually sung by Leona Lewis and I have to say that I do not understand why it hasn't been used in the actual show because if there was ever a song that fit both the story and canon Quinn it's this one. Having said that I hope you still enjoy the chapter despite my lack of originality!
Quinn woke before Rachel the next morning and as usual the two of them had become entwined at some point during the night. Smiling softly the blonde rested her hand in the palm of her hand and looked down at the dozing diva. Rachel was snoring softly and it struck the athlete just how bad she had it when she even found herself enchanted by the very thin stream of droll that trailed from the brunettes half open mouth onto the pillow. Rolling her eyes at her own smitten thoughts Quinn slid herself out from under the heavy arm of her sleeping girlfriend. The diva frowned in her sleep and reacting quickly the basketball player sent in her substitute. There was a seconds pause and then Rachel's face relaxed again as her arm pulled the pillow (that Quinn had deftly slid into place) closer to her.
Yawning widely the athlete slid into some very ratty but much loved red sweat pants and padded barefoot down to the kitchen. Leroy and Hiram had obviously left early for the day, or hadn't come home yet! Quinn smirked as she mentally imagined Rachel berating her fathers for staying out and not letting her know. Well, as she was the only one up it was definitely her turn to make breakfast…now it's true that she usually stuck to cereal when it came to herself, but she was feeling confident. Cracking her knuckles and stepping up to the stove she regarded it contemplatively for a long moment before crossing her arms and addressing it.
"Right…here's the thing kitchen. You and I aren't exactly on speaking terms because let's face it, every time I try to do anything in here you cause me to embarrass myself!"
Most people would feel slightly self conscious about talking to themselves, or more accurately to the household appliances. But Quinn figured that if she could live through teenage pregnancy and slushies then a little talking to the hardware was no problem.
"What I propose is a truce, long enough for me to cook the girl I love a decent breakfast, which means no burning, no falling over and definitely no spatters."
She eyed the stove cautiously as she continued to dig out the ingredients for the vegan pancakes that Rachel (and yeah okay, maybe her too) absolutely loved.
"Okay, I know how to mix this stuff up because I help Hiram when he does it but when it comes to the whole heating and actually cooking the batter thing…I need your co operation."
Letting out a breath the blonde swiftly and efficiently mixed the batter up, even adding a little pinch of nutmeg and sprinkle of cinnamon to it before turning to face the stove. Letting out a breath she turned the hob on and raised an eyebrow as the ring lit up red. Grabbing the frying pan she smiled confidently as she turned to get the jug of pancake mix, this was going to be easy!
Rachel was in the middle of a fantastic dream! She was centre stage on Broadway starring in a musical that she had written about a high school glee club. The only problem was that suddenly her flawless rendition of 'Everything I do' had turned high and screechy…also kind of intermittent. Frowning she shoved her hands on her hips and turned to yell at the stage manager for screwing up the feedback. Which is when she realised that she wasn't on stage, and the screeching alarm was definitely real. The smoke alarm! Without waking fully she leapt out of bed and started to move. A small part of her mind made sure to point out to her fathers that while they had mocked her quarterly fire drills, they were certainly good at instilling instincts for survival into her. She made it downstairs and the burning smell hit her nostrils immediately.
Remembering where the kitchen fire extinguisher was the little brunette immediately headed for the cupboard under the sink…and barrelled straight into another firm body. She knew one of the yelps of surprise was her own but the fact she was suddenly drenched in cold water…stinking cold water…was definitely a surprise. Groaning she opened her eyes and started to pull herself up from the floor where she'd landed. To her surprise she made out the panicked form of Quinn with an empty vase in one hand and her mouth wide open in shock. Before either of them could say anything the smoke alarm started wailing again. Rachel leapt up to snatch the cause of the flames and smoke and send it skidding into the sink where the basketball player swiftly turned the tap on. After a few moments (and with the help of the open doors and windows) the smoke cleared and Rachel glanced at what used to be a frying pan in the sink and then back to the shocked blonde.
"Quinn, are you alright…what happened!"
The startled blonde blinked and then focused on her girlfriend before shutting her mouth and swallowing. She actually had no idea what the hell had happened, one minute the batter was going into the pan and while it cooked she turned to start slicing up the fruit and…then the kitchen struck, again!
"Your kitchen hates me! All I did was try to make breakfast for you and it tried to kill me…again!"
Looking at the distraught basketball player Rachel tried her very best to school her features into showing something other than the amusement that welled up at Quinn's claim.
"It's inanimate sweetheart it cant kill you, we talked about this after the popcorn incident remember?"
Scowling the blonde crossed her arms grumpily, it wasn't like she would ever forget the stupid popcorn incident. How was she supposed to know that the pouch had to come out of the cellophane first, she normally popped the real stuff and in her defence Rachel had told her just to put the pack in for three minutes.
"I'm telling you Rae, this kitchen hates me! The others one I have been in have never tried to smoke me out this bad. And it ruined breakfast, I was trying to…I just wanted to…you looked so sweet this morning and…"
She trailed off and swiped the back of her hand across her eyes, annoyed that tears were falling now. Rachel was at her side in a second and holding her close.
"Quinn you don't have to make me breakfast…it was sweet of you of course but then you are incredibly sweet. When you let people see it that is, and I promise you that the kitchen really isn't trying to kill you!"
It was the earnest tone in the brunettes voice that did it, and suddenly Quinn was giggling instead of crying and looking at the frying pan which was now black and had a hole right through it.
"Sorry, kinda dumb of me huh? Just really wanted to surprise you but I'm beginning to think that me and cooking are really not such a good idea."
The little diva laughed softly and kissed the athletes forehead before sighing and looking at the mess all over the kitchen. There was actually a lot of mess, more in fact than just a simple cooking mishap should have caused and raising her eyebrow she turned back to Quinn who still looked startled (possibly due to one eyebrow being singed).
"I almost hate to ask but…if you were just cooking pancakes then what on earth happened here to make so much mess. How did you get, is that mango? On the ceiling?"
Grimacing slightly, the basketball player rubbed the back of her neck with her right hand and blew out a breath before trying to explain.
"I made the batter and turned the cooker on, that all went just as you would expect it to. Then I started chopping the fresh fruit which was, as you so astutely pointed out, mango as well as some raspberries and melon. Anyway I noticed the pan was starting to smoke so I turned to go grab it…and um…well it turns out that I spilt some batter on the floor. Which I sort of maybe just might have slipped on. As I started falling I reached out to grab the countertop and missed, instead I grabbed hold of the dish towel. Which was under the fruit that then went everywhere, including the ceiling."
Rachel tried, she really, really did but the mental picture that brought to mind was just too much and she burst into giggles. Sighing dramatically Quinn put her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her girlfriend as said girlfriend leant heavily against her convulsed with laughter. In hindsight it was amusing but even so…
"I think we better go out and buy a new frying pan before your dad's get back."
Sadly, rather than silence the diva's mirth it just exacerbated it. Quinn rolled her eyes before managing to muster up an incredibly convincing pout. After a few more moments the brunette stood and took in the less than amused expression on her girlfriends face.
"Sweetie, I'm sorry, you didn't hurt yourself when you fell did you? I just…why does this sort of stuff only ever happen to you?"
Checking her elbow for bruises where it stung a little, the basketball player shrugged and sighed.
"If I knew that then I wouldn't end up like this would I? and I'm fine I think just banged my elbow a bit. Sorry for dumping the dead flowers on you…it's made you kinda stink right now."
Rachel's amusement vanished entirely and her eyes widened as her nose finally registered the stagnant water smell that clung to her wet clothes and even worse, her hair.
"Ugh, Quinn why would you dump dead flowers onto a fire!"
Looking up from where she had started gathering the scattered fruit from the floor, and walls…and ceiling, the blonde looked flustered all over again.
"Rachel there was a fire on the cooker! and the nearest thing was the old flowers on the windowsill so that's what I reached for! When I turned to try and put it out you ran into me and…well, here we are."
Admitting that she may well have done the same thing the diva muttered a small apology and set about helping Quinn clean the mess up. Once the kitchen was cleaned and the frying pan safely hidden in the outside garbage can, the diva turned to Quinn and taking the sullen athletes hand she squeezed it lightly.
"Hey…it's okay baby. It's the thought that counts you know and the fact you were going to let me lie in and surprise me with breakfast is amazing. I love you, you big dork."
Finally the blonde broke out of her mood and smiled back shyly, initially she moved to go and embrace her, then her nose wrinkled in distaste.
"How about…you go shower and I make us some cereal instead?"
Realising all over again that she still smelt the diva yelped and ran up the stairs. Smiling as she watched the brunette run up the stairs Quinn set out two bowls and retrieved the boxes of cereal and cartons of milk. Real for her and Soya for Rachel, she could make a lot of concessions when it came to a vegan diet but milk could never be one of them. Fifteen minutes later Rachel padded downstairs in shorts and a polo shirt that Quinn vaguely recognised as one of hers which made her smile fondly. Although the plan of pancakes and fresh fruit had gone seriously awry (thanks to the evil spirits that Quinn was now pretty sure lived in the kitchen) she lay the tea towel over her arm like a waiter and pulled out the chair for her girlfriend.
"Your table is ready ma'am."
Rolling her eyes affectionately Rachel allowed Quinn to seat her and then waited while the blonde sat opposite her and held up the box of cereal with a grin.
"Shall I pour?"
Smiling back and caught up in the athletes enthusiasm she gestured with one hand and didn't fail to notice when one of Quinn's feet hooked itself warmly around one of hers.
"Please do!"
The second breakfast attempt went off without a hitch and they moved to the sofa in the living room just lying together snuggled up and flipping through the Saturday morning cartoons. Normally Rachel would be at dance class but her teacher had called to cancel and although typically she would be freaking out about lost opportunities, she found that this time she was glad.
"Quinn, have you thought anymore about college?"
The athlete looked down to where Rachel was lying against her with her head neatly tucked just under Quinn's chin and swallowed slightly. She had thought about little else all last night and she knew what she wanted to do…tentatively that was. But she wasn't sure if she should say it out loud, people who knew her and knew her past would maybe make assumptions when they heard her choice. Sighing she set the remote down and tearing her eyes away from 'Fosters home for imaginary friends' she let her cheek rest against the top of Rachel's head.
"I, think so yes. For the most part but it's complicated and I'm not even sure it's possible to do what I want at the same school."
Rachel was glad that Quinn had spent time considering her selection but the way she was talking about it made her faintly nervous and she pulled on the slender hand of her girlfriend, linking their fingers and squeezing lightly in reassurance.
"Well, tell me what it is and maybe we can work it out together. I will support you whatever your decision is you know, I just want you to be happy Quinn."
She could feel the smile against the top of her head even as the basketball player squeezed her tighter.
"Well it's complicated, because I want to make people happy and I want to help people. So I'm hoping that if I'm lucky enough, Julliard will take me."
Rachel abruptly sat up her eyes gleaming and Quinn laughed softly as she lay a hand over the diva's mouth before the questions and suggestions could start.
"Whoa there…before you get carried away let me explain. You know how important music is to me, and as much as I think this gift of mine makes me a cheat I would like to use it to make people happy. You know as well as I do that the right song or piece of music at the right time can mean more than a hug. And to think I might be able to do that for someone is an attractive prospect, however I also want to delve into psychology."
Rachel raised a hand as if in class and Quinn let hers drop from the brunettes mouth as she raised an eyebrow in question. With tacit permission to speak now given Rachel smiled.
"You can do both subjects at Julliard, I happen to have an extensive knowledge of their prospectus and timetable memorised in the instance that you had any questions."
Quinn just laughed softly and raised her hand again to cup Rachel's cheek tenderly.
"Of course you did, you are Rachel Berry after all. And thank you…for not asking me why I want to do psychology."
The brown eyes holding hers captive softened even more and with a sad smile she allowed herself to lean into the gentle touch just a bit more.
"I would have been surprised if you hadn't chosen something like that baby. You have been through something that most people cant imagine outside of TV and Movies. It's natural that you want to know more about how it caused the long term damage that it has and to try and help prevent it from destroying anyone else. It's just one of the reasons I love you, you know. The fact that even after all this you are still desperate to protect other people."
Swallowing slightly the basketball player used her hand to gently pull Rachel closer to her before kissing her softly. After a series of soft and heartfelt closed mouthed kisses Quinn let her hand fall from Rachel's face.
"Well, not everyone will be lucky enough to have someone like you to pull them out of their own spiral of self destruction. I know you brush it off Rachel, but you really did save my life that night."
The diva was the one to find herself close to tears this time. She wasn't sure if it was because of the athletes words or the fact that the very thought of a world without Quinn Fabray in it terrified her. Whatever the reason she couldn't stop the tears from falling and clung to Quinn when the blonde pulled her close. They lay that way for a while then the basketball player sniffed and gave a half smile as she nudged Rachel with her nose.
"Enough with the tears, I'm going to need your excellent organisational skills to help me with my application. And as it's Julliard I guess I'm going to have to start helping you write some killer songs for regional's then nationals huh?"
It was like magic, the huddled form of Rachel Berry suddenly sat up with a determined look and began to vocally go through exactly what they would need to do and when. Whereas the glee club sometimes found their Captain's enthusiasm to be stifling and a little manic, Quinn found it endearing. She smiled to herself and let the majority of it wash over her, after all it wouldn't be long before the brunette powerhouse would put together a power point, A4 notepad and most likely motivational poster for the plan! The one thing the basketball player knew for certain was that however it happened she would go to New York with Rachel. If she didn't get into any of the colleges she applied for then she would damn well get a job somewhere and do things the old fashioned way by working her way up from the bottom. Whatever else her future held she knew it held Rachel Berry.
The rest of Saturday went by pleasantly, it turned out that the Berry men had gone out early to do some shopping and returned in the late afternoon with bags that they hustled upstairs. This inadvertently let the girls know they had been Christmas shopping and would in fact be celebrating this year. Leroy was over the moon about that as normally he was the one that enjoyed most of the festivities and although his husband and daughter tried they didn't get the same level of excitement. He knew Quinn would however and was planning to make it a very special one this year. The two girls shared Quinn's decision over colleges with their fathers and the rest of the evening was given over to Hiram and Rachel's incessant planning abilities. Luckily they were so busy they didn't notice that Quinn and Leroy had turned the game on and settled down together to yell at the TV and occasionally cheer and high five.
Sunday Rachel had most of her day taken up with classes while Quinn decided to get back to her morning runs. After that she spent a long time working on an original song she had felt rolling around in her brain for a long time. In the evening they all went to temple together and Quinn was surprised when she was indeed welcomed with open arms. Literally, and she felt slightly awkward as the Rabbi hugged her warmly. She nodded to Noah who looked slack jawed when he recognised the blonde, that caused Rachel to snigger slightly. The blonde listened attentively to the non Hebrew parts of the ceremony and when it was in Hebrew Rachel muttered the translations quietly to Quinn who made a mental note to pick up a book and start learning for herself. The brunette had been so overwhelmed when the athlete had revealed that she wanted to attend temple and find out more about Rachel's faith that she had almost broken down again.
Monday morning rolled around all too soon and despite Quinn having to go in early for extra basketball practice she still managed to fit in a run. Rachel decided to go in with her girlfriend and use the spare time in the auditorium to run through her own song notes. She had noticed that Quinn always took the longer route to school since buying the new car and although it was an old gas guzzler, even the diva had to admit she was falling in love with it as well. There was just something about the relaxed smile that fell over the basketball players face when she was at the wheel that was insanely hot. As Quinn pulled smoothly into the parking space furthest away from where kids habitually gathered she turned to Rachel and raised an eyebrow.
"Any reason you're looking at me that way supernova?"
Although the words came out smoothly the almost predatory look in the brunette's eyes was doing things to Quinn, things that were making her sweat. Things not helped when the diva smoothly slid close enough to smell the Prada cologne the blonde wore.
"What way is that…stud?"
Sucking her lower lip into her mouth and chewing on it for a nervous moment Quinn swallowed.
"Like you want to make me late for practice by dragging me into the back seat?"
She ventured in a far squeakier voice than she normally used. Rachel grinned at her and hooking a hand into the front of Quinn's letterman she pulled her forward and hovered a hairs breadth away from her lips for the longest moment. Eventually she closed the remaining distance and nipping on the blondes lower lip lightly sucked it into her mouth. Eventually she let go and smirking darted her tongue out to brush across the blondes upper lip.
"It's too bad that you have practice then isn't it? And I wouldn't want to make you late, after all you are the Captain."
The way she stressed the last word made Quinn groan and she narrowed her eyes playfully.
"I will get you back for this Rae."
Smirking the brunette kissed her chastely and then grabbed her bag before sliding smoothly out of the car, she leant back in to leave her departing comment.
"I'm counting on it."
So saying she closed the door and walked off. Aware that a certain pair of hazel eyes were locked onto a particular part of her anatomy she made sure to add a little sway. In the Plymouth Quinn let out a strained breath and once Rachel was out of sight let her forehead impact the steering wheel with a small whimper.
"I swear she's trying to kill me! On the plus side maybe my intimacy issues are improving."
With that thought she grinned and grabbing her gym bag from the backseat started to jog towards the gym. She nudged Mike as she passed him on the way in, he grinned back at her.
"What's put you in such a good mood Yoshi, or should I ask who?"
At his over exaggerated eyebrow waggling the blonde rolled her eyes.
"Just had a good weekend, well, apart from the kitchen trying to kill me again."
Mike physically face palmed and hooking one of his long arms round her shoulders pulled her in for a noogi before letting her go when she half giggled, half protested at the action.
"Fabray, we have been through this before. It isn't the kitchen or the appliances, it's just that you shouldn't be anywhere near them. I mean there was the popcorn incident at Rachel's, the time you tried to make candy apples at mine that Halloween and set fire to the curtains…not to mention the time Santana let you warm the pizza's."
Red faced from the reminders she shrugged and admitted (internally at least) that cooking and her were perhaps not the best bed partners. Shrugging she flicked the tip of her tall friends ear and then took off running. With a yelp he ran after her, as they both crashed through the gym doors still grinning and laughing coach Bieste sighed internally. Looked like it was going to be another one of those practices!
In the auditorium Rachel was smiling and humming softly to herself as she reached for her notebook, when she pulled it out however she frowned. She hadn't picked up her notebook but Quinn's and sighed impatiently, worse yet she would have to admit that her girlfriend was right when she had pointed out that matching notebooks might not be such a good idea. She reached to put it back when a piece of paper slipped out, she didn't for one instant intend to read it. A persons notebook was after all very private, especially when it came to song writing but she couldn't help it. When it landed the words were facing upright and so as she picked it up her eyes automatically scanned the piece of paper and she soon found herself engrossed. It was rough and so far contained only music written for the piano but it was…emotional, lyrically at least and she wondered how she could ask Quinn to play it without revealing she had inadvertently breached the girls privacy.
She was still puzzling that out and chewing on her lip thoughtfully when she heard the distinct faint squeak as the heavy auditorium door opened. Sitting bolt upright her eyes wide with guilt she actually sagged with relief when she realised it wasn't Quinn. As she shoved the notebook back in her bag however a different kind of tension settled over her as she took in the lumbering form of Finn Hudson. She was embarrassed to say that he had slipped her mind entirely recently, in fact since the performance of 'Fuck You' she realised she had hardly seen the tall boy. He looked different, his hair was a little longer and he wore a leather jacket instead of his letterman. Swallowing she forced a polite smile.
"Finn, what are you doing here so early?"
He smiled without humour and shrugged a shoulder as he made his way onto the stage. Rachel discreetly walked around the piano so the instrument was between the two of them and waited for him to speak.
"It's not like I have a lot else to do these days Rachel, my friend left to attend another school because of the glee clubs little performance. My mom is pissed at me and thinks I have anger issues and Kurt has Blaine round all the time, where else am I going to go? At least this place used to calm me…it's where we first kissed, do you remember?"
Not liking the odd tone in his voice Rachel tucked her hair nervously behind her ear and watched him carefully. After a moment she cleared her throat and spoke very softly.
"That was a long time ago Finn, we have a lot of good memories and those are the one I like to think when I think about you. I still want to be friends Finn, I care about you."
That was honest at least, despite everything that had gone down between the two of them she would always hold a special place in her heart for the boy. And although he had objected her friendship with Quinn and gotten mad he hadn't to her knowledge done anything physical. As she spoke he snorted softly and looked up at her again, that's when it hit her that he didn't look like Finn anymore…his eyes were empty, that spark he had always had was dulled.
"You care for me do you? Because I fail to see how someone who cares for someone else could treat me like you did. Would abandon me for someone who has done nothing good for anyone in her whole life!"
Rachel found herself wishing that he would shout because the controlled anger in his tone was far more chilling than an outburst of rage would be. Swallowing down her panic she glanced around and modulated her tone even more. She also wished she paid more attention to all those police procedurals that Quinn watched so she knew how to calm him down.
"Finn, I know you feel bad about the way things went down but nothing happened between me and Quinn until after we broke up. And there is a lot more to Quinn than you realise Finn, surely it must have occurred to you…I mean, you went out with her for a long time."
He looked at her sharply, his eyes narrowing.
"Is that another joke about how dumb I am? Is it!"
Swallowing rapidly the diva moved as he did, trying to keep the bulk of the piano between the two of them.
"No, that isn't what I meant at all Finn, please calm down! I just meant that even when you dated her didn't it seem like there were times you didn't even know her?"
He paused at that, frowning ever so slightly and for a brief moment Rachel could see a spark of the old Finn in his eyes and so she carried on talking in the same soft tone.
"She has apologised to you Finn, she knows what she did when the two of you dated was wrong. She has changed and maybe she could help you too Finn…you need someone to help you, you've lost your way."
He seemed to waver, his eyes misting over as he swallowed. One hand ran through his too long hair and he blinked a couple of times.
"I…things have just been bad, in my head I mean. I never wanted to hurt you Rach, or anyone else but Azimio…he made me feel welcome, like I wasn't a loser you know?"
He spoke quietly and with a wobble in his voice that was all too genuine. Swallowing down the panic and hurt at seeing him this way, Rachel still kept the piano between them but her eyes softened.
"You aren't a loser Finn, we didn't work out but you will find the right girl. I really think you need to spend some time talking to someone who knows how to help you, that can make you feel like yourself again."
He looked up at her then, his eyes bright as a different and worrying light filled them, a slightly manic one. Holding one hand out to her he began to talk almost manically fast.
"But don't you see Rachel! that's why I need you, when we are together things are amazing. I know you don't love me that way right now, but you did before and you can again! We are meant to be together and I know this. Quinn tried to interfere because she hates that I chose you, if she weren't around then it would be you and me!"
Rachel looked exasperated as she moved again, this time she moved towards him however. Her frustration at having the same conversation with the boy finally outweighing her caution.
"But she is in the picture Finn and it is her that I love! I'm going to New York with her after we graduate. That's where my future lies, in that city with Quinn!"
She suddenly realised that she was immediately in front of him and that the manic light had dropped to be replaced by the cold look again. She swallowed and at the first sign of movement from him tried to dart behind the piano but he was swifter. She yelped as his large hands gripped both of her wrists tightly and he pressed her up against the piano. As he pushed more forcefully and she tried to avoid him she found her back being bent at a painful angle.
"I'll make you remember Rachel. I'll make you remember because I have to save you from her and remind you that it's me your future is with, ME!"
She opened her mouth to scream but found her breath stolen as he crushed his mouth to hers, she struggled hard, trying to tear her head to either side to avoid his suffocating lips. Finn was determined to make Rachel remember that it was him she loved and couldn't understand why she didn't want it. Switching both of the diva's wrists to one of his hands he used the other to grip her face painfully and hold her still. Rachel was starting to panic but there was nothing she could do, he was simply too big and too powerful for her to fight…so she didn't. Instead she forced herself to relax underneath him. When he felt Rachel finally stop fighting him, Finn smiled into the furious kiss and pulled back slightly. The little brunette took her chance and fighting off the tears of anger mixed with pain and sorrow, she lifted her knee hard. As soon as the tall boy grunted and fell back she slithered away and ran like hell towards the door. He swore and started to limp after her but suddenly the door crashed open forcefully and Rachel found herself ducking into the seats to avoid the hurtling form of Lauren Zizes.
There was a slightly taller, slimmer girl running behind the wrestler and despite the fact she had a smaller physique and should be fitter she could hardly keep up. Lauren spared a glance for Rachel before she clothes lined the limping Finn and abruptly dropped to pin him. He yelped, swore and fought but could do little else with the experienced and infuriated wrestler keeping him in place. The other girl stopped next to Rachel and spoke breathlessly.
"You okay? Shit, stupid question of course you're not. There's someone on the way to get Quinn for you. And one of my mates is calling the cops."
Rachel blinked wordlessly, she had so much she wanted to ask. Like how they had known she was in trouble, who this girl was and more importantly what the hell had just happened. The only thing that came out however was a shaky, confused and quiet…
"Why are you talking in an English accent."
The girl blinked blue grey eyes and glanced to Lauren for support before realising there was no way the girl would be able to help her.
"You're in shock mate, you need to just…uh breathe and sit. I am English so I cant really help the accent, long story. Um, but we wired up the auditorium for video like you asked and tested it when we got in this morning. That's when we saw that you were in a bit of a situation and headed out here. Oh yeah the names Cameron by the way."
The diva just nodded and opened her mouth but couldn't think what to say. For her part Cameron stood awkwardly with one hand on the rattled diva's shoulder comfortingly. Luckily at that point, the door burst open yet again and Quinn who was still in her basketball uniform came barrelling in. Her eyes widened at the sight of Finn held securely by Lauren and she could feel the anger taking her over again…right up until she caught sight of her girlfriend. Rachel was shaking violently, her blouse was ripped and her lower lip was swollen and bleeding slightly. She was at her side in a second and Rachel fell into her arms clinging on tightly as she began to cry softly.
Cameron glanced between the two girls and Lauren and deciding that Quinn had things in hand where she was, sidled off to join the wrestler. Quinn just held Rachel close and muttered soothing words as she rocked her, she just thanked god that it hadn't gone too far. Plus, if she focused on the diva she wasn't thinking about how badly she wanted to kill Finn.
"What happened baby?"
She asked it softly but the brunette just shook her head and clung tighter.
"Do you want me to ring your dad's? I think we should if the police are coming."
Swallowing, Rachel finally looked up and it took every ounce of effort and then some that the blonde had to not leap over and pound Finn into the floor when she took in the shocked eyes and bruised lip. After a moment Rachel spoke hoarsely.
"I…yes please, please ring them and then I want to go home."
Quinn kissed her temple softly and spoke in little more than a whisper.
"I don't know if we can leave baby, the police are going to need to talk to you."
Rachel shook her head and Quinn frowned at the gesture.
"Wait…you don't want the police? Rachel he nearly…lord knows what he was intending to do to you before Lauren and Cam got here. You have to do this or he could attack you again."
Sniffing into the basketball players jersey the diva shook her head again and raised her red rimmed eyes to look at her girlfriend imploringly.
"He needs help Quinn…not prison. He isn't entirely responsible for what he did, he fell in with the wrong crowd."
Although she tried to fight it the blonde felt herself stiffen at those words and grinding her teeth for the longest moment, she waited until she felt calm enough to speak.
"I don't give a fuck if he was brainwashed by the KKK! He attacked you and he needs to answer for that. Just because some shit happened to screw him up doesn't mean he can go around and do what the fuck he likes to people!"
She realised she was nearly shouting and that Rachel was staring at her slack jawed. She stopped abruptly and closing her eyes just shook her head and pulled Rachel close again. This was about the brunette and what had happened to her, she had to stop confusing the issue. This wasn't about her rage and her helplessness, forcing herself to relax she was glad when the cops turned up. The next few hours were a blur to Quinn, she hung onto Rachel like she was a lifeline. On the plus side as soon as Finn had been secured the police moved things to the station. Rachel's fathers turned up and swiftly the two of them hugged and comforted their two girls. They spoke for a short time and Hiram decided to go into the interview room with the brunette leaving Leroy sat beside Quinn. The basketball player was sat with her elbows on her knees, hands holding tightly to a can of soda as she stared at nothing. After a while where the two of them sat silently together in the family room, Leroy sighed deeply and when she raised her eyes to his he smiled sadly.
"It's normal Quinn…you aren't a selfish person for immediately feeling your own pain."
Scowling she tore her gaze away from his and stared back down at the chipped and worn linoleum underneath her basketball boots.
"I'm not thinking about my pain! I'm thinking about hers and the way she still wants to help even after he attacked her like that. He has no excuse Leroy, none! Just because something happened to him he thinks it justifies him to go out and act like that and it doesn't!"
She hurled the can at the wall angrily and stood abruptly her hands curled into tight fists as she paced furiously. Leroy watched her closely, he had seen this sort of thing before in various forms at the hospital and he knew he had to let her vent.
"I want to fucking hurt him, I want to hit him till my damn knuckles are skinned down to the bone and that motherfucker isn't recognisable! And you know what really pisses me off about that? The fact that some asshole would try and use my past to justify me doing it, which would make me as bad as him…Jesus I am as bad as him! My bullying may have been more mental than physical but I still did it."
She stopped by the door and unclenched one fist long enough to run it through her hair before clenching it tightly closed again. Clearing his throat the tall man tried again to get through to the troubled girl.
"Quinn…it's normal to feel the way you're feeling. And although you might not believe it you are incredibly strong. You haven't given into it, you could have and many more may well have done."
Closing her eyes the blonde couldn't help but see her own attacker…fuck that, abuser, she was abused not attacked. Fucking therapy making her use the right words sucked! She didn't want to see it, or hear it or even think it…but she did. Her first thought when she saw Rachel like that, shaking bruised and bleeding, was that she'd failed again. She failed to protect herself and now she had messed up again and Rachel had been hurt. There was nothing she could do, not one damn thing and she let out a loud yell before slamming her right fist into the wall. At that Leroy sprang swiftly into action and he wrapped his arms around the trembling crying and ranting girl.
Blinking the tears out of his own eyes he held her fast so she couldn't hurt herself anymore and eventually she collapsed into the arms restraining her. Immediately she felt them embrace her instead and she let her head fall onto Leroy's chest as she cried. She cried for Rachel, for Leroy and Hiram and finally she cried for herself. Leroy just held her close and let her cry it out, soothing her when he could with murmured words as he rubbed her back. Eventually, she fell into an exhausted sleep and the large man finally allowed himself a few tears as he held her.
As the shock wore off Rachel felt clarity returning and with it came several realisations. Firstly, Finn had fallen further than any of them had believed and needed help, secondly she had been attacked…actually she would think about that later. Right now she had to focus, she didn't want Finn arrested, she wanted him to get help, and she really wanted Quinn with her. She knew that as hard as this was going to impact her it would be doubly worse for the blonde and she needed to know that there was someone with her. Seeing her distracted thoughts her dad squeezed her hand lightly and informed her that Leroy was with Quinn. The officers were very kind and patient with her as they took her statement, as well as her plea that Finn be assessed by a specialist and receive the help he needed. They shook their heads slightly bemused but promised to take her wishes into consideration.
Rachel frowned in confusion when she saw her daddy carrying a sleeping Quinn out of the family room. He quickly explained that she had worn herself out and left it at that. Luckily both Hiram and Rachel knew what he meant by that and so they made no further comment as the blonde was carried out to the car. She mumbled slightly when Leroy strapped her in but Rachel was quick to pull the girl towards her for the ride home. Once they were safely back in the comfort of their home Leroy lay Quinn on the couch and Rachel sat in such a way that the athletes head rested in her lap. Hiram made her a sweet tea and after pressing it into her hand sat beside her, Leroy perched on the coffee table in front of her and smiled softly.
"How are you really feeling honey?"
Taking a sip from her colour me mine mug she let out a shaky breath and blinked suddenly water logged eyes.
"It feels like it's unreal…a TV show maybe. I mean things like this don't happen in real life do they?"
Smiling sadly Hiram put his arm round her shoulder.
"Unfortunately it is real, I know you feel sorry for Finn but as your father I really half hoped that Quinn would put his head through a window."
She looked scandalised for a moment then sighed and let her head fall on the wool shoulder of his sweater.
"I know daddy and I think she wanted to but she would only have hated herself later and I don't want her to do that. She has enough to deal with as it is, I love her too much for that."
Leroy sighed and reaching forward patted her knee lightly.
"We are worried about you too Rachel. It was you that was attacked this time and you need to face that fact. Did you take the card they gave you for victim support?"
Hesitating the brunette took several more sips of her tea and finally nodded reluctantly. She knew they meant well but the fact she had been attacked by someone she had once felt great affection and love for was…too much for her at that moment. As though he sensed her thoughts Hiram kissed the top of her head and spoke softly.
"I know you don't want to think about it but I would feel better if you agreed to go to one meeting, then if it doesn't help you don't have to go back. Just bear in mind that keeping it to yourself wont help you. You need to confront it and deal with it no matter how painful, trust me when I say that if you leave it, it will only hurt you more."
Unbidden his eyes found themselves on the form of the sleeping blonde. Shifting in her sleep Quinn raised a bruised and scraped hand to scratch at her nose and he heard Rachel gasp before she shot a dark look at Leroy.
"Daddy what did she do! I thought you were with her."
He blinked and then nodded slowly as he looked at the damaged hand.
"She just burst. She needed to but she'll sleep for a while now and tomorrow you are both taking a sick day. I already spoke to your principal and he wants you to know whatever he can do to help he will."
Rachel relaxed slightly at that, she hadn't realised it but she wasn't looking forward to going back to McKinley at that exact moment. She dreaded to think how she might react when she set foot into the auditorium, a place that had previously been of comfort to her. It hit her then that the victim support group might not be such a bad idea after all. Belatedly she realised what her father had said, or to be more accurate the way in which he had said it.
"How do you know that she's going to sleep for a while?"
Leroy had the grace to fidget slightly as he admitted in a quiet voice.
"I may have slipped a sedative into her drink, but it's for her own good honey. She was tying herself up in knots over this and as you mentioned earlier she was warring with the fact that she wanted to pound Finn's face. She thought that made her as bad as him and that her anger stemmed from her own experiences somehow. Which is not entirely true as I wanted to do the same thing."
Rachel was sharp enough to give him a disapproving glance at the last statement then she finished her tea before smothering a yawn. Belatedly she looked at the mug again and then her guilty looking daddy.
"Daddy tell me you didn't…"
He shrugged slightly with a guilty smile and motioned for Hiram to pick her up as he moved to scoop up the blonde once more. Quinn was deeply asleep by this point and didn't react at all.
"You need a good nights sleep as well, tomorrow things will seem both more real and also less so. Just spend time together and more importantly talk, be honest…and ring the group."
If she hadn't felt so sluggish Rachel would have rolled her eyes. Instead she yawned again and started snuggling up to her dad as she watched her daddy move in front of them. He led the way up the stairs with Quinn safely curled within his arms.
The next day dawned and for a long moment Rachel believed it had indeed all been a dream. Right up until the moment she looked down and saw the bruises marring her wrists where Finn had gripped her. Shivering slightly she turned over and moved in closer towards the still sleeping form of her girlfriend. Quinn made a contented little noise in the back of her throat, not unlike a growl and half opened an eye as she pulled the diva close.
"Hey. How you feeling sweetheart?"
Rachel felt the corners of her mouth turn up in genuine amusement at the husky morning voice of her girlfriend.
"I'm…okay, happy you're still here with me and not in a jail cell for beating the stuffing out of Finn."
The blonde raised her eyebrow and even half asleep Rachel had to admit it was still damn impressive.
"I guess I should apologise?"
The small diva frowned deeply and her grip tightened ever so slightly. One hand reached out and swept a few stray strands of blonde hair out of the way of hazel eyes before shaking her head slightly.
"No, you don't, I know you think that your reaction stems from what happened to you but in this case that's only a really small part of it."
The basketball player opened her mouth to protest that statement but Rachel gently placed her fingers over the soft lips and carried on talking.
"No, let me finish okay?"
Nodding ever so slightly Quinn subsided and kissed Rachel's fingertips at the brunette smiled back and retracted her hand.
"If I had seen anyone do that to you I would have wanted to do the same thing. In fact if they ever catch the guy's that tried to mug you that night in the car park then I may very well try to do the same thing. That violent reaction that you're so ashamed of is perfectly normal and happens to anyone when they see the person they love in danger. All it means is that you love me sweetheart and guess what? The feelings mutual so please, please promise me you will stop beating yourself up for feeling that way?"
Letting out a small breath the blonde cracked a half smile. Reaching out she very lightly traced a forefinger over the diva's delicate wrist where the purple bruises were beginning to blossom.
"I…know in a way that it's normal to feel that anger Rae, and you were right to calm me down but what worried me wasn't the anger so much as the fact I knew it wasn't just about you."
Instead of speaking Rachel just turned her hand over and connected her palm with Quinn's wandering fingers, lacing them together. After a moment, when she had worked it out in her head the athlete continued to talk.
"I was angry at Finn for attacking you…but I also knew that if I started hitting him I wouldn't just be punishing him for the assault on you. I would also be hurting him for what that guy did to me, and Finn didn't deserve that. The thought that not only could I transfer the physical pain onto someone else for what was done to me, but that I also wanted to do it…that's what scared me."
Having finally admitted to that she felt strangely lighter. Yesterday, when she had gotten the garbled message from a freshman that she was needed in the auditorium fast, her mind had flooded with all sorts of dark thoughts and she ran as though her soul depended on it. When she saw Rachel shivering and bleeding she flashed back, even as she held the girl her sensory mind forced her to relive the aches and pains of years ago. She had looked at Finn and seen a chance, just one chance to exact some payback. On the heels of that thought however came the realisation that Finn was also just a damn kid really. He was older than she had been when it had happened to her, but he was still a kid. He was lost and hurting and had lashed out…which she realised was exactly what she had been about to do and that's when she went from feeling angry to feeling sick and disgusted with herself. Now, finally with Rachel safe in her arms and listening to her without judgement she felt a kind of peace that normally only came after a gruelling therapy session. She only hoped she could do the same for the amazing girl resting in her arms.
"I know what you're saying is true supernova, and I'm gonna try my best to do what you want and stop hating myself. But you have to do the same, because as much as you deny it I know that right now you are blaming yourself, if even only just a little bit, for Finn."
The truth of Quinn's statement was reflected in troubled brown eyes before the diva could mask it and she switched her gaze to the V neck of her girlfriends WMHS T Shirt. Letting out a small sigh she watched as the basketball players hand came into her line of vision and lightly tilted her chin back up.
"Talk to me Rae, don't let it fester inside."
Making sure she had the diva's attention Quinn smiled crookedly and raised the iconic eyebrow before blithely commenting.
"Trust me when I say that holding onto something like that can really screw a girl up."
At that Rachel found herself letting out a small giggle and she sighed before pulling Quinn close. Once the blonde had her head nicely tucked under the diva's chin Rachel began to speak.
"I suppose in a way I do because if we hadn't broken up then this wouldn't have happened. But I also realise that just as I am telling you to stop blaming yourself for the actions of others so should I. Finn…is lost yes but it doesn't excuse his behaviour, I just want him to get help and find some happiness. But I am selfish enough to not want that at the expense of us. In particular you, Quinn you are doing amazingly well and I know, in the deepest part of my soul that fifty years from now we will still be lying together happily at night, arguing over what movie to watch on a Friday night and letting our grandkids drive us insane."
She felt the low rumble of the blondes chuckling under her chin and she smiled in reflex, after a moments silence Quinn spoke.
"In this future of yours, do kitchens still try to kill me?"
That was the final key to the heavy atmosphere in the room and they both started giggling. After a short while Rachel felt Quinn sit up and opening her eyes she saw the blonde stretching and glancing at the alarm clock with a deep frown.
"It's eleven forty five! I have never slept in this late, what on earth happened last night?"
For a moment the diva considered keeping her fathers secret. Then she thought better of it as she didn't want the blonde worrying unduly about the unusually long nights sleep.
"Daddy decided that after yesterday we both needed a decent nights sleep so helped aid our sleep with a little sedative."
She watched in mild amusement as Quinn's face went from amused, to disbelieving to mildly pissed before finally settling on faintly admiring.
"Sneaky bastard! So that's where you get your mercenary streak from Miss Berry."
Feigning shock the diva let her jaw drop and gasped.
"I am shocked you would even think that stud, shocked and may I say slightly hurt."
Turning from where she had been rummaging for clean sweat pants in a draw. Quinn let the eyebrow reach it's most impressive arch and was suitably pleased when Rachel flushed slightly before admitting.
"Well, maybe he gives me a few pointers."
The basketball players laughter turned into an abrupt yelp when a cushion hit her full on in the face. There ensued a short but rather impressive tussle which ended when both girls rolled off the bed to land in a heap on the floor. Both of them secretly glad that Rachel owned so many cushions, thereby ensuring a soft landing. After a moment the giggling trailed off and the reassuring caresses turned into something else. Rachel had been unsure how she would react to physical intimacy after the attack, especially with it being so fresh in her mind. However she found that Quinn's embrace and gentle kisses didn't feel like an invasion, they felt cleansing…as if they washed away the marks she could feel but couldn't see that Finn had left on her. The heat between them grew but not the intensity and somehow that was better, gentle exploratory kisses as opposed to passionate devouring ones.
Eventually they slowed it down again and the brunette knew that yes, she was likely to have bad nights but that Quinn would be right beside her when she did. Just as she would always be there for the blonde. They spent the day alternating between working on original songs and lounging around to truly indulge in their unplanned duvet day. After dinner they were sat in Quinn's room where the blonde had a pen between her teeth as she occasionally played for a few moments then adjusted her notes. Rachel looked up from where she was sprawled out on the bed and smiled softly, suddenly she remembered the page of notes that had fallen out of the blondes notepad. After chewing on her lower lip in indecision for a few minutes she cleared her throat and waited for Quinn to glance at her with a half smile. Tucking her hair nervously behind her ear the diva let out a long breath.
"The other morning in the auditorium before…um, well, I was going to write down some more ideas for a song I had but when I reached for my notebook I realised I had picked up yours by mistake."
Opening her mouth with a grin to deliver the inevitable 'I told you so' lecture Quinn was cut off when Rachel rolled her eyes and hurried on.
"Yes I realise that you told me that would happen if we had matching notebooks, now hush."
The basketball player mimed zipping her lips shut and then gestured for Rachel to continue.
"I sort of accidentally saw some loose notes that fell out and I was wondering if maybe…you would play it for me. It seemed really good from what I read but I would love to actually hear you sing it."
Quinn twirled the pen she had been holding idly through her knuckles for a moment and looked at the keys of the keyboard. Flushing slightly she looked back up and realised that she had written it for Rachel to hear anyway. Letting out a small breath she half smiled and glanced towards the fidgeting brunette.
"Well I only have the piano music worked out for it but I suppose I could. Normally I don't like playing my own stuff and I was writing it for you to sing…sort of."
Rachel tilted her head slightly to one side and as usual it gave Quinn a nice warm feeling in her stomach as she was reminded of a curious kitten. Allowing the small smile to fully bloom she elaborated.
"I was doing what Mr Schu said and writing how I felt, but I know your voice has more impact than mine and so despite the fact that it's based on my feelings, I envisioned you performing it."
The brunette smiled in pleasure and scooted to the edge of the bed sitting upright in the perfect pose of an attentive audience.
"I love that you were doing it for me and I admit I do have a particularly amazing voice. However I would love to hear it as it was written by the creator."
Unable to resist a chuckle as her attentive and loving girlfriend made way for her 'leader of the glee club' girlfriend. With a sigh she turned to the keyboard and fiddling with the settings adjusted it until the keys emitted the correct sound, then she programmed in the background track she'd worked on earlier that week. Rachel watched with rapt attention and it suddenly occurred to her how much work Quinn had truly been putting into an original song for regional's. After a moment she saw the blondes shoulders relax and seconds later she began to play the introduction. Her supple fingers dancing across the keys, Rachel was already entranced and that grew even deeper when she listened as the basketball player started to sing.
Someone once told me that you have to choose, what you win or lose, you can't have everythingAnd, don't you take chances, you might feel the painDon't you love in vain 'cause love won't set you freeI could stand by the side and watch this life pass me bySo unhappy, but safe as could be
There was an infinitesimal pause before she leaned into the keyboard and started the chorus with an energy and passion that truly emphasised the meaning behind the words.So what if it hurts me?So what if I break down?So what if this world just throws me off the edge-my feet run outta ground?I gotta find my placeI wanna hear my sound!Don't care about all the pain in front of me'Cause I'm just trying to be happy, yeahJust wanna be happy, yeah
Rachel could see exactly why Quinn had written this song. Even as she could see the girl in front of her, relaxed, happy for the most part and dressed in her WMHS warm up suit, she could also see the other Quinn. The one who had been drunk, angry and suicidal as she stood on the bridge, mind already made up to end her life so she could stop feeling the pain she had kept to herself for so long.Holding on tightlyJust can't it let goJust trying to play my roleSlowly disappear, ohWell, all these days they feel like they're the sameJust different facesDifferent namesGet me outta hereWell, I can't stand by the sideOoh, noAnd watch this life pass me by... pass me by!
At that she paused again and Rachel realised the pause was part of the song itself before the impact of the powerfully sung chorus hit the listener again. And powerful it was, perhaps not vocally because as the blonde had stated, her voice didn't carry the punch that Rachel's or Santana's did. But emotionally the power was more than there and took the little diva's breath away. After that there was a musical bridge that carried across into what was not so much a verse as a verbal plea and knowing what she did Rachel felt tears in her eyes.
So many turns that I can't see, like I'm a stranger on this road, but don't say victim... don't say anything
This time the pause seemed a little longer but the music carried on before for the last time the blonde launched herself into the chorus. Rachel's hand was gripping the edge of the bed hard as she resisted reaching out and touching her girlfriend. She wanted to, badly but she also wanted to hear the end of the performance.So what if it hurts me?So what if I break down?So what if this world just throws me off the edge-my feet run out of ground?I gotta find my place!I wanna hear my sound!Don't care about all the pain in front of me-I just wanna be happy!Ooh yeah!Happy!Oh!Happy!I just wanna be... oh... I just wanna be... happyHappy…
As the last note rang out and finally silence fell Rachel watched as Quinn reached up and rubbed the back of her neck before turning around to reveal a very cautious look. Clearing her throat the blonde spoke carefully.
"I know it's not quite finished, because so far it's only written for piano and like I said my voice isn't as powerful as it perhaps needs to be for this song but…"
That was as far as she got because Rachel surged up from the edge of the bed. Taking the two steps that brought her closer to the basketball player she reached out and snagged the lithe hand that was gesticulating wildly. Pulling gently she brought the blonde upwards to stand and covered the rambling mouth with her own. At that gesture Quinn blinked in surprise but finally got the message and her eyes slid closed as she returned the brief but passionately deep kiss. Feeling slightly shell shocked she didn't get the chance to ask why as the diva spoke swiftly but softly.
"Quinn Fabray…I actually cant find words to tell you quite how amazing that song is. I don't care that you don't have a powerhouse voice, you feel that song as you sing it and it makes all the difference. I know you wrote it for me but I don't know if I could do it justice."
The blonde flushed a bright red which on her pale features made her stand out like a crocodile in an all alligator's school. Ducking her head slightly she rubbed the back of her neck again and confessed.
"To be honest…I know I couldn't perform it solo Rae. The only time I did a duet I was so nervous I almost threw up before hand and we only drew for first place rather than an outright win. Yes, I wrote it and it's what I was feeling but…you know me supernova. Not just as Quinn, but you know my soul almost better than I do, you know why I wrote that and you can convey it with just as much power."
Rachel was torn, she wanted Quinn to sing it because she knew how much of the blondes heart and soul had gone into it. But she also knew that it would take an awful lot out of her to sing it on stage in front of everyone. Sighing slightly she let her forehead rest on the blondes.
"Quinn…I will perform it on stage if the club choose it, but I would like you to at least perform it for them so that they can feel it the same way I did."
A smile quirked the corners of Quinn's mouth and she let out a small laugh before speaking.
"If you ever decide the stage isn't for you then you would make an awesome hostage negotiator supernova."
Rachel feigned affront at that and pulled her head away from the basketball players with a raised eyebrow and indignant sniff.
"The stage will always be for me…but given my amazing vocabulary and clear precise enunciation it goes without saying that I would be an invaluable asset in any negotiation."
Bursting into laughter the blonde shook her head and stole a quick kiss as she moved to power down the keyboard.
"Fine, if they love it then you perform it but I will showcase it for them. But you are so presenting the idea of the group number, it was after all your brainchild. Oh that reminds me! Did you talk to Mike and Brittany about choreography yet?"
They were soon engrossed in a deep conversation regarding the moves that the two expert dancers had worked out with Rachel to compliment both songs. She had worked on both to ensure that whichever group number was chosen there was a plan in place. Although they hadn't been at school that day they almost decided to go in just for glee. However, when they remembered there was a glee club meeting the next morning they decided not to and went back to the work the school had set them to keep them up to date. Rachel had called the victim support group and even just talking to the officer in charge over the phone had calmed her and helped her to realise that the things she was feeling were indeed normal. He reminded her that it would be a long road but there were always people who could help at the end of the phone.
Looking over her shoulder and taking in the sight of her fathers and Quinn setting the table for dinner, she smiled softly knowing she had much more than that. That evening Hiram and Leroy made a point to cook each girl their favourite dish, which for Rachel was tofu stir fry with flash fried vegan noodles. For Quinn it was the luminous orange Kraft macaroni and cheese with bacon bits sprinkled on top of it. As the sun set, the small family were gathered around the kitchen table, dishes in the dishwasher while war was waged over the Monopoly board. Under the table the girls legs were wound round each other, toes were softly running over smooth calves while they both grinned. It was the type of evening Quinn used to think was only fictional but as she bickered good naturedly with Hiram over her decision to buy the last railway station out from under him, she couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe…She was indeed starting to feel happy.
I know I wanted to get the sequel to cheerio's out but this sort of just fell out of my head. It also wrote itself as the scene in the auditorium was not originally part of the plot, as I started writing however it just happened and I figured if the story wanted it then I better let it. Um…saying that I would like to point out I'm not mad or anything and hope other writers out there get what I mean about the story taking over lol. Now however I will go back to the other stories. There may be a close to this one soon however as I don't feel like hurting the poor girls anymore and feel that two maybe three chapters of mush should bring an adequate close, but as I said it tends to write itself sometimes so who knows! As usual you are all amazing and I appreciate your continued reading and the odd review, also I have a beta now so once her exams are done I will send her some stuff, in the meantime I shall try not to offend your eyes too much! XXX