Chapter 11 – A Challenge


Rachel heard a knock on her dressing room door and instantly broke into a knowing smile as she put down her brush.

"Come in!" she begged.

"Rachel, there's a Quinn Fabray here to see you. May I let her in?" inquired the stagehand.

"Yes! Yes! Of course!" rushed Rachel. She would have to call a meeting with all the stagehands tomorrow and circulate a picture of Quinn so that they would not have to go through this formality every time Quinn came to see her show.

A moment later, the love of her life, a vision of beauty in a light blue, formal dress walked in the door. Blonde hair was pinned back behind her ears, showing off a dangling pair of diamond earrings, while a smile puffed out her rosy cheeks.

"Oh! Miss Berry! Thank you SO much for seeing me!" joked Quinn, clapping her hands on either side of her face in mock adoration. "I'm your biggest fan."

Rachel was delighted to play along. "Oh, the pleasure is mine!" And boy, was it… "I'm always happy to meet my adoring fans. Now tell me," she continued as she stood up from her makeup chair, "what did you think of my opening night performance? Was I brilliant, or simply outstanding?" asked Rachel as she approached the blonde, batting her eyelashes at her.

"Brilliant, outstanding, AND dazzling…as always," replied Quinn.

"Charmer," returned Rachel with a sideways glance.

Quinn laughed and pulled Rachel into a warm hug, holding on tight. "Oh sweetheart, you were absolutely breathtaking. I couldn't take my eyes off of you."

"Aww, baby thank you. I'm so happy you were able to make it."

"Are you kidding? There's nowhere else I'd rather be tonight," gushed Quinn.

"No one else you'd rather be with?"

"You know there's no one else for me. I've missed you so much, Rachel," Quinn cooed.

Rachel…

"Rachel…" chuckled Quinn.

"Oh, sorry!" Rachel shook herself out of her daydream. "What did you say?"

"I just said 'I'm back. Did you miss me?'" Quinn repeated as she sat back down at their booth in the café. "Clearly you didn't," she added with a lift of her eyebrow.

Rachel ignored the silly accusation. "It was just a little daydream."

"Again? That's twice in a row here. Is it something in the air?" Quinn smirked but then switched to a heavy sigh. "Or maybe I'm just boring you…"

"Yes, I'm afraid that's true," said Rachel as she put a hand to her forehead in dramatic Hollywood fashion. "I dream of my freedom from this terrible ennui. I am trapped. Bored to tears in your presence."

Quinn frowned and deflated visibly in mock sadness.

"Awww… you faker. I don't believe that pout for a minute. You are sitting across from the champion of pouting. You are in so much trouble dating me. You're not going to be able to resist…wait, why are you smiling like that?"

Quinn's smile only grew wider. "Well for one, I like hearing you say that we're dating. That's something I will always smile about. And two, you're just so cute when you're under the illusion that your pout has any effect on me. Now come on, little bear, I already paid," Quinn finished, standing abruptly from her seat before Rachel could start her rebuttal.

"Lucy Quinn Fabray! I said I was going to pay this time! And how dare you doubt the power of my full lip pout. I have been using it to get my way since I was two!"

"I never agreed to your demands to pay, I simply entertained the idea. And I have had four years to study your techniques of coercion and build up my immunity," Quinn retorted, turning towards Rachel and bending over slightly to look into her eyes. "Good luck."

"Ohh-ho, you are on Fabray. You have just earned bedroom eyes on top of my infamous pout the next time I want something from you, lady" Rachel added as they walked out the door together, oblivious to the customers near the door staring at them and listening in on their peculiar conversation.


Leaving the café, they found it was getting a little cooler and overcast. The autumn air was definitely starting to win out over the unusually long summer they'd had. Still, they didn't want to head back just yet, so they decided to take a stroll down the quaint little New Haven street, lined with tiny shops and a wide variety of restaurants. Rachel took delight in pointing out all the places she wanted to try the next time she was in town. One more thing to look forward to, she thought, instead of dwelling on having to say goodbye later tonight. She made a mental note to begin listing the virtues, for Quinn, of transferring to a school in New York, like Columbia or NYU.

When they came upon a pet store with tabby kittens playing in the window, Rachel grabbed Quinn's hand and dragged her over.

"Ohhh!" Rachel cooed. "Quinn, look! Kitties!"

They were so tiny, they couldn't have been more than a month or two old.

"They're adorable. Do you think they're brothers and sisters?" wondered Rachel.

"Hmm," hummed Quinn, "those two sure fight like they are."

"Would you ever want kittens when you get an apartment?"

"Kittens grow up to be cats, and cats couldn't care less about you, Rach. They're all 'feed me and leave me alone'."

"Not the cats my grandmother has. I think it's just a matter of how much love and attention you give them when they're growing up," suggested Rachel.

"Well, that might explain why our cat was so skittish. Half the people in our house hated the poor thing."

"You had a cat growing up?" asked Rachel.

"Only until I was about five, then it disappeared," Quinn sighed.

Quinn looked over longingly at the puppies in the next window. "I wouldn't mind a cat, but what I'd love some day is a little puppy, like maybe a pug or a chow chow. I want a pet that will be happy to see me when I come home, and go to the park with me."

Rachel looked over at Quinn and smiled as she watched her tap on the window to get a little golden retriever's attention.

"Hey, buddy," Quinn called out to the puppy as she bent down to get closer. "Aren't you a cutie. I bet you're going to have a nice home in no time."

For a moment she let herself picture the two of them walking in to a shelter someday and coming out with a little puppy for Quinn, taking him to Central Park and playing in the grass, and then taking him back to Quinn's apartment and showing him his little fluffy bed. Because of course Operation Move Quinn to New York would have been successful by then and she would be living just blocks away from Rachel. Or…maybe with Rachel.

"Oh, hey Rach. I just remembered. How would you like to stop in an art gallery with me? I need to take some pictures for an assignment and there's a gallery I like just down the road."

"Sure! That'd be fun. What's the assignment?"

Quinn stood to face Rachel. "It's for my Art Appreciation class. We need to take five photos of art that appeals to us and describe what it is that we like about each one. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Are you kidding? I'm loving this total immersion in culture this weekend. Cafés, bookstores, walks through a gorgeous campus, and now a visit to an art gallery? Kurt is going to be so jealous."

"I'm glad," Quinn nodded. "I mean…that you love the culture," Quinn laughed. "This is quite a change from what we used to do in Ohio. So…I wasn't sure if you'd be happy."

Rachel looked tenderly into Quinn's eyes. "Right now I'm just happy to be with you, Quinn. Anything else we do just plays a supportive role." She smiled and took great pride in the blush that spread across Quinn's face, and then proceeded to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. "Lead the way, O Captain, My Captain."


The gallery was tiny compared to what Rachel imagined she would find in New York, but it offered an intimacy that everything else around the campus had also exhibited. A mixture of prints and originals from local and national talent lined the pale walls, while sculptures sat on pedestals between them. Many of the works were undoubtedly showcases for students, and Rachel imagined what it would be like if Quinn were to put on a show one day. Quinn would be dressed in a stylish white top, black pencil skirt and heels, her hair pulled back, looking elegant and professional as she entertained her guests and patrons of the arts while they sipped their Chardonnay and lavished compliments over her work, whispering about the exciting future of this up-and-coming artista. Some cad would suggest that she was the "real work of art on display tonight". Rachel would have to hit him.

Rachel followed Quinn around as she searched for works that appealed to her. They both agreed that the abstracts were generally not their style, but were divided when it came to their favorite subject matter in the realistic works. Rachel delighted in the scenes of night life and motion, while Quinn was attracted to the more contemplative portraits and sculptures, finding several that she took pictures of for her assignment.

"I realize it's become almost cliché, but I know some day I'm going to have to get a copy of Rodin's The Thinker. Maybe to go in my study, or on a living room end table."

"That's okay, Quinn. It's a classic. I don't think it will ever go out of style."

They milled around a while longer before ascending the spiral staircase to the second floor, where they found pieces that were perhaps a little more risqué to put on the first floor.

Quinn approached one such painting, an original oil on canvas that featured what Rachel would describe as a half-dressed brunette in quiet despair.

"Oh! Mariska in Blue. I fell in love with this one last time I was here," exclaimed Quinn.

"The painting or the girl whose blouse is falling off?" Rachel inquired with one eyebrow up as she studied the subject.

Quinn scoffed. "No, it's the raw emotion the artist has captured. Do you see how the placement of her hand here, on her chest, draws the eye to her downturned face? And look at the use of light and shadow on her face. Her cheeks have a white satiny glow of youth, while her eyes are cast in deep shadow. Even her lips somehow convey the silent but unmistakable angst she's going through. It's just so beautiful."

"Nicely critiqued," said a husky woman's voice from behind them. "Are you planning on writing for an art review magazine?"

Quinn turned around and seemed to immediately recognize the tall, slender brunette. "Oh hi again… Spencer is it?"

"Spencer, yes. And you're Quinn, if I remember?" Spencer looked up at Quinn's bandages and scrapes and winced. "Ooh, that looks like a nasty cut on your head. Are you okay?"

"I am she. Yes, I'm okay. And no, I'm just writing for an assignment for Dr. Francoeur's Art Appreciation class," laughed Quinn as she rattled off all the answers to Spencer's questions.

"Oh, Francois is amazing! I had him too." Spencer recalled fondly, placing her hand gently on top of Quinn's at the same time. "Well, he would definitely be impressed by you. You're certainly right about Suchitra Bhosle's talent at capturing the mood of her subjects. I too find the contemplative women portrayed in her modern impressionistic style breathtaking."

Spencer had yet to look over at Rachel, and she was certainly acting like her breath had been taken by Quinn, but thankfully Quinn had enough presence to turn to her and introduce her.

"Rachel…this is Spencer. She works for the gallery, I met her last time I was here. Spencer this is my…best friend, Rachel. She's up visiting this weekend from New York. She's a student of musical theater at NYADA."

Rachel smiled politely and extended her hand, trying not to react to what felt like a slight on their new relationship status when Quinn stuttered trying to explain it to the woman. She wasn't sure what to expect, but 'Best friend? Really, Quinn?' she thought. 'I guess that's better than former classmate.'

"How lovely. Nice to meet you, Rachel," Spencer returned with a firm handshake, and then turned back to Quinn. "Quinn, I'll be hosting a reception for my own work here next Thursday evening. Perhaps you'd like to stop by."

"Oh, congratulations. That sounds nice. I'll, um, have to see how my homework load goes," replied Quinn.

"Of course," nodded Spencer. "But if you get a chance, it would be nice to see you there." Spencer gave Quinn a wink and then excused herself to attend to other visitors.

"Well," Rachel whispered, "Kyra wasn't kidding when she said guys and girls hit on you all the time!"

Quinn blushed while she got her camera phone ready to take a picture of the Bhosle painting. "Sorry, Rach. I guess she did kind of come on strong."

"She's very pretty," Rachel observed, looking back over at her talking to another couple. "Are you going to go to her reception?"

"Uh, no!" replied Quinn.

"Why not? It sounds like fun," Rachel goaded her with a smirk. "It appears that you both have an appreciation for breathtaking, contemplative women."

"Rachel! Stop!" urged Quinn as she looked around to check for listening ears.

Rachel giggled while Quinn tried to get a steady shot. After the heavy conversations they'd been having today, Rachel decided she'd let the 'best friend' tag slide for now, on account of Quinn's self-proclaimed fears around being out. She just hoped it would be something that Quinn would reconcile in her mind and start dealing with sooner rather than later, now that she had a reason to. Hopefully. Baby steps, Quinn. Baby steps.


When they returned to Quinn's room, they were surprised to see Kyra and Tim there lying on top of Kyra's bed, chatting away about some drama in Kyra's drama class on Friday.

"Hey guys!" Kyra chirped when she looked over at them coming in the door. "How was your afternoon?"

Quinn and Rachel looked at each other knowingly and smiled privately at all that had been said and done since this morning.

"Oh, it was a delightful day," replied Rachel.

"I thought you two were going to the movies," said Quinn.

"Well, my paper took a little longer than I thought after, um, Tim stopped by," blushed Kyra. "Then we got talking about last night and the party. Oh! And then I started wondering how Rachel was going to get to the train station and thought maybe we could drive you there!"

"Thanks, Kyra. That's really sweet of you," said Rachel.

"When do you have to catch the train?"

"We should probably leave in about an hour," replied Quinn, looking at the schedule she'd brought up on her phone.

"Aww, so soon? I was hoping maybe we could squeeze in a movie before you go," pouted Kyra. "I just rented Step Up."

"As much fun as that sounds, Quinn's right," sighed Rachel. "I have a full week starting early tomorrow morning."

"Okay, next time then."

"Hey Quinn, how's your head? I heard the goblins attacked you last night," Tim joked as he sat up from the bed.

"Ha. Ha," Quinn deadpanned as she put her phone away. Rachel and Quinn both sat down on Quinn's bed. "I'm fine, it just throbs a bit." Rachel looked over and gave her a sad face as she examined her bruises and bandages.

"I also heard there may be some looove in the airrrr," Tim emphasized as he waggled his eyebrows at them.

"Tim!" Kyra scolded as she slapped him on the shoulder. "Be cool. They're just starting out."

Quinn and Rachel chuckled as Quinn looked over and kissed Rachel on the cheek.

"It's true though," said Quinn, looking back at Tim. "We finally got wise to each other's feelings. We're sweeties now."

'Sweeties,' thought Rachel. 'Well, that's certainly better than best friends! I definitely like that.'

Kyra bounced up and down on her bed at the cuteness. "Awww! You guys are so adorable! I told you, Rachel! I ship you two."

"It's weird though. I never would've pegged you guys for being gay together," continued Tim.

"What do you mean, Tim?" asked Quinn.

"Well, I knew several lesbians back in high school and one of them was always, like, you know…butch. But you guys are both beautiful, and have long hair, and–"

"Ooookay, Tim," interrupted Kyra while Quinn rolled her eyes. "I'm going to stop you right there, baby. I think you've said enough."

"No, but seriously. I mean usually one girl is, you know, like the man–"

"Tim!" admonished Kyra. "Shut! Up!"

"Tim, that may be a very stereotypical outlook on gay women," Rachel inserted politely, "but like most stereotypes, I think you'll find that viewpoint to be oversimplified and inaccurate."

"Case in point," replied Tim.

"Exactly," replied Kyra, still glaring at her boyfriend while she shoved him back down on the bed.

"And on that note, I think I will start packing my bag so we can be ready to go," said Rachel as she stood from the bed.

"Do you need some help, Rach?" asked Quinn.

"No sweetie, you rest for a few minutes."

"Oh! Quinn, can I borrow one of your Yale sweatshirts to take back with me to New York?" Rachel pleaded.

Quinn raised an eyebrow. "Borrow? You mean you're going to return it?"

"No," said Rachel innocently.

Quinn scoffed at that. "Yeah, okay. Fine."

"Yay!" Rachel clapped excitedly.

Quinn shook her head at the cuteness standing in front of her, getting her way already.

"Oh. Where are they?"

"Check under the plaid flannel shirts in the middle drawer," replied Quinn.

"Oh hey," said Tim, poking his head up again from underneath Kyra. "That's another thing…"

"NO!" the three women shouted in unison.


Rachel's packing took longer than it should have on account of Quinn distracting her by throwing pillows at her butt every time she turned around and whistling at her whenever she bent over, but before long the brunette had gathered her scattered belongings and her makeup and toiletries and stuffed them all (carefully) into her overnight bag.

Setting the bag next to the door and dropping her killer black boots next to it, she let out a satisfied sigh.

"There!" she said. "All set," she added as she turned towards Quinn with an innocent smile and tilt of her head.

"Good," said Quinn, staring at her mischievously.

"Good," Rachel echoed, and then narrowed her eyes while pursing her lips. "Now, you die!"

Quinn screeched and her eyes bugged out as Rachel jumped on Quinn's bed and tackled her to the mattress, doing her best to get underneath Quinn's arms and tickle her again, having enjoyed the results from when she did it earlier in the day. Quinn seemed a little more prepared this time, however, and soon it was Rachel who was underneath Quinn's curtain of blonde hair, begging for mercy.

"Fool me once, Rachel Berry, shame on you."

"Ahh! No, Quinn! Uncle! Mercy!" Rachel tried every standard safe word she knew.

"Try it twice, little girl, the fool is you," said Quinn as she pinned Rachel on her side, holding her arms and legs in place. Quinn lifted Rachel's shirt halfway, pressed her lips down on her bare midsection, and blew as hard as she could while Rachel screamed.

"Quinn!" Rachel shouted in between gasps of air as she was tickle-tortured by the strong blonde holding her down. "Quinn!" she laughed in hysterics as Quinn repeated her blowing a few more times. "Okay. Stop. Stop. Please. No more," she giggled.

"Have we learned our lesson, sweetie?" Quinn smiled with great satisfaction, but ready to continue should Rachel answer unwisely.

"Yes! Yes!" Rachel giggled out more.

"Who's on top?"

"You are, baby," Rachel replied. "For as long as I want you to be," she added impishly a few beats later.

Quinn shot her a mock glare, but then pulled her into a hug as she collapsed next to her on the bed. "You're lucky I like you," she warned teasingly, and then smiled as she pressed her lips to Rachel's.

The two of them kissed and snuggled for the remainder of the hour. As the time approached for the four of them to leave for the station, Rachel sighed internally in relief as she thought she was free from the awkwardness of saying goodbye to Hayley, but her luck did not hold. With only a few minutes left, the bubbly brunette walked in the door and announced herself.

"Hey, bitches! What's up?!"

"Hey, Hayley," answered Kyra. "We're just about to take Rachel to the train station."

"Aww. That's sad," replied Hayley. "Sorry you have to go so soon, Rachel."

"Me too," said Rachel.

"So whatcha all going to do later tonight?" continued Hayley. "I'm so done with studying for chem. I need to chill."

"Well," replied Kyra, "we were thinking of watching Step Up."

"Yes! Count me in. I'll just wait for you here, K?"

"Okay!" said Kyra.

Rachel looked around the room and created a mental picture of how that would probably unfold. Four of them. TV in the middle. No couch. Kyra and Tim would be on one bed. Quinn and Hayley would be…

'Fuck. Oh God,' she thought. 'Rachel, don't go there,' she told herself. 'Quinn's a big girl. She can thwart any advances Hayley might make when I'm gone. For the love of Barbra, rein in the jealousy.'

This was definitely going to be one of the hard parts about their long distance relationship – worrying about Hayley. 'Quinn is taken! Couldn't she just move on, for heaven's sake?' she asked herself. 'I mean, she'll have to eventually, right?'

The four of them scooted off the beds and Rachel slipped on her boots while Quinn grabbed her bag.

"Okay, well, goodbye Rachel. It was nice to see you again. Good luck back in New York," said Hayley in a saccharine tone, waving as she smiled.

Quinn glared briefly at Hayley and then moved towards the door.

"Thank you, Hayley. I wish you the same with your acting classes," replied Rachel.

Quinn snorted and opened the door, letting Tim and Kyra by.

Rachel then followed and the four of them were off down the hall to Kyra's car.

"Oh crap!" exclaimed Rachel when they'd reached the first floor of the dorm. After all that I forgot the sweatshirt.

"I can get it," replied Quinn.

"No, you don't know which one I want. Give me your room key and I'll run up and get it."

"Uh, okay. Let me go with you."

"No, I know where it is," Rachel countered as she grabbed Quinn's keys out of her hand and headed to the stairwell. "Be right back," she called out behind her.

It was true, in all the pillow throwing and other distractions, Rachel forgot to pack the sweatshirt she'd laid out. But there was one more thing she felt she needed to take care of, too.

Rachel slipped the key in the door and opened it to find Hayley sitting on Quinn's bed, reading a book.

"Hey, back so soon?"

"Forgot Quinn's sweatshirt that I wanted to steal," replied Rachel as she walked over to Quinn's dresser and picked up the neatly folded bundle. She walked back to the open door and paused for a moment as she held the doorknob in her hand, unsure if she was going to do this.

Hell yes she was!

"Hey, Hayley," she said as she turned to face the other woman and closed the door behind her. "Um, I…just wanted to say thanks for convincing Quinn to talk to me this weekend," Rachel glanced down at her feet for a moment to gather the strength to say what needed to be said. "As you can see, it worked out pretty well in the end."

Hayley looked up from the book she was reading and gave Rachel a puzzled look. "So, you and Quinn…talked...about that weekend after you left?"

"Yes. She told me she came out to you. A-And that you were there for her, to listen to her. I think she really benefited from having a good listener…you know, with your insight and experience on the subject," continued Rachel.

Hayley snorted. "Yeah, I think she did."

"Anyway, that was very nice of you. But…I just wanted you to know, I can take it from here," Rachel emphasized, hoping her meaning was clear.

"Excuse me?" asked Hayley, raising both eyebrows.

Rachel sighed, keeping her eyes locked on Hayley's. "Okay. Let me put this in words I think you'll understand." Rachel took a deep breath. "From now on…I'd like you to keep your hands off Quinn. I know you like her, and I think she may have had feelings for you too, at one point, but...she and I are together now."

Hayley scoffed. "Uh, I think Quinn's a big girl and she can tell me when she feels uncomfortable," Hayley sneered.

"I'm telling you I'm uncomfortable, Hayley. You have boundary issues."

"So…what? You're girlfriends now? Quinn agreed to being exclusive with you?" Hayley inquired.

"Well, not in those exact words, but exclusivity was implied!" retorted Rachel, indignant at Hayley's challenge, and at what she was implying.

"You're going to do the whole long distance relationship thing with her? Put the poor girl in a cage?"

"She's not a fucking pet, Hayley! She can think for herself and choose to do whatever she wants!"

Hayley glared at Rachel and looked back down at her open book. "Damn right she can."

Rachel huffed and threw up her arms in frustration as she turned her back on Hayley and opened the door. "Goodbye, Hayley," she shot back, though not sure why she felt the need to say anything more, and slammed the door behind her. "Bitch," she whispered under her breath as she walked back down the hall, unsure if she did the right thing or just made things worse.


A/N: I love reviews. Please and thank you, thank you, thank you!