A/N so this chapter took a while because I've been crazy busy. Once again thanks for all the reviews/comments, hopefully you'll like where this chapter goes.
From the moment her alarm had interrupted her sleep until she got to the front doors of school, Quinn had been apprehensive. All Sunday night she'd been thinking about what she would do when she saw Rachel. Strictly speaking they were friends, nothing had changed. So what if they'd spent an amazing 24 hours together. 24 hours where she'd learnt more about Rachel than she'd ever imagined. 24 hours where she'd felt more herself than she had in years. They were still just friends, this didn't have to change anything. Except things somehow felt different. Most of Sunday all she'd thought about was Rachel, how it felt to hold her, to laugh with her, to be herself with her. The thoughts made her feel warm and safe; even now just thinking about thinking about her she could feel the smile tugging at her lips. She may not have been ready to do anything about it and definitely not ready to say it, but she was now almost certain she was falling for Rachel Berry. And if thinking about her caused Quinn to grin like an idiot surely the moment she saw Rachel in the halls her feelings would be obvious to every other student in the school. And that thought terrified her. She had briefly considered trying to avoid Rachel completely and therefore avoid all the problems surrounding their friendship. But then she imagined the look Rachel would get if Quinn just walked straight past her in the hallway and even imaginary sad Rachel broke her heart. She couldn't do that, make Rachel feel worthless. Quinn took a deep breath and opened the door.
Rachel had been equally concerned. They had left things on such a good note on Saturday, Rachel sure that Quinn was ok with them being friends in public, but now the moment of truth had arrived and she mentally prepared to herself to at least be ignored. A tentative public friendship had been building between them for a while but she knew Quinn well enough now to know that things could change quickly. When Quinn was scared she ran and there was no doubt this was going to be scary for her. But they were just friends, sure friends that liked to touch a lot, and maybe flirt even more, but still just friends, and that shouldn't be too shocking for the student body of William McKinley High. After all, these days Quinn was nearly just another glee nerd; there should be no problem with her hanging out with another of her show choir losers.
Quinn saw Rachel first; she was at her locker, eyes trained on the door, pretending to get her books ready. Santana was talking about some reality show her and Brittany had watched the other night but Quinn had barely been listening. As soon as she saw Rachel walk in she smiled just a little. Santana turned to see what had caused the change in Quinn's face.
"You guys sorted your shit over the weekend then?"
"Hmm?" Quinn realised she had been addressed.
"You and Berry, you all hunky dory now?"
"Yeah, we hung at her place over the weekend."
"You get some?"
Quinn blushed
"No San, we're just friends. We hung out, watched some movies, talked."
"Mooned more like."
"Whatever, just don't talk like that in front of Rachel."
"Fine. I'll pretend you're all platonic and shit, like I care."
Rachel approached them both with a smile and a nod.
"Quinn, Santana, how are you both on this fine morning?"
"I'm good, Rach, how are you?" As Quinn replied Santana, who was standing a little behind Rachel, mouthed the word 'Rach?' with her eyebrows lifted. Quinn mouthed 'shut up' in response.
"I'm great thank you."
"God, you are too much to handle in the morning. I'm gonna go find Britt."
With that Santana turned and left, leaving the girls alone.
"I missed you." Quinn said in a voice that was almost a whisper.
"I missed you too. How was church?"
"Same as usual. Would have rather been at yours."
"I don't know. We played our own musicals version of Trivial Pursuit and then had a vegan barbecue."
"OK, maybe church wasn't so bad."
Quinn grinned and Rachel swatted at her arm. Quinn looked up and realised no one was looking at them at all. She wondered what she'd been so worried about. Most of the kids at school had their own stuff to deal with, two girls from glee club hanging out with each other was going to rank pretty low on the 'stuff worth talking about' scale.
"It's going to be OK Quinn, no one's going to say anything about us being friends. I might not be popular, but people still know who you are and they know not to mess with you. They'll probably just think you're taking pity on me."
Quinn turned to look at Rachel.
"How do you read my mind sometimes?"
"I'm a little psychic." Rachel said with a straight face.
"Sure." Quinn rolled her eyes playfully.
Their conversation was stopped by the bell ringing for first period. Rachel smiled and checked her bag to make sure she had her books.
"I should go. I'll see you in chem later." She was already starting to walk away, never one to be even a little late for class.
"Yeah." Quinn replied, Rachel was already a good few feet away and had turned away from her. "Hey Johnny," Quinn called after her and Rachel looked back over her shoulder. "It's not pity."
They smiled at each other, Quinn because she was feeling bolder than she thought she would and Rachel internally jumping for joy at the use of her new nickname.
They didn't see each other again until third period Chemistry but that didn't mean they hadn't been in contact. Between class texting (because cell phones weren't allowed during class and Rachel did not disobey school rules) had kept them up to date on how the other's day had been going. Quinn got to class after Rachel, obviously, and sat down next to her with a sigh.
"History didn't get any more exciting?"
"No. Just more homework. I swear they want us to never have social lives."
"Homework is important for helping solidify the knowledge you gain throughout the school day. It's been proven that…"
"Rach, please, not now. I'm crying for the loss of my weekend. A weekend I could have spent hanging out with my homework loving friend but now must spend with George Washington."
"Well when you put it like that." Rachel giggled a little and it made Quinn's heart skip. She started to look around the room again; sure people would pick up on their flirting. They had been lab partners for weeks but surely their new closeness was visible to everyone. No one was even looking in their direction.
"Relax, I told you, no one's going to see anything weird. We're friends."
Quinn could hear the slight reservation in Rachel's voice at her last statement. She was going to reply but the teacher walked in and class began.
The whole class was spent with their teacher introducing a new topic so there was little chance for the two girls to talk anymore. Halfway through Rachel saw Quinn scribbling something on a scrap of paper which she then folded in half and slid over to her.
Hey Johnny,
You're more than just a friend.
X
Q
Rachel folded the paper back over and placed it in between the pages of her text book. She didn't look at Quinn, knowing that while their friendship might not raise eyebrows the look she'd give Quinn if she looked at her now would be a different matter. Instead she drew a small smiley face in the corner of her notebook and turned the page to face Quinn.
Soon class ended and the girls walked out of the room not saying a word, the silence between them comfortable. They both started to turn in opposite directions, each having somewhere to be.
"Glee?" Quinn asked.
"Glee." And with that they walked to their next classes.
By the time she got to glee practice Quinn was pretty much over her fear that whole school would find her friendship with Rachel fascinating. It was almost with a little sadness that she realised most of the kids at school didn't really care about her anymore. There was still residual respect, but there were new people taking the top spots and maybe that was a good thing. She walked into the choir room and sat next to Santana and Brittany. Rachel had yet to arrive, her last class obviously running over for some reason. When she finally did walk in Quinn gestured for her to come sit with them. Santana gave her a look but she ignored it.
"Hey."
"Hey, how was sociology?"
"Fine. But Mr. Worth wouldn't let us go until he had organised the presentations for next week. I tried to explain I couldn't be late for glee, but apparently my unblemished record of punctuality is of no interest to him."
"Rach, it's OK, you still made it on time."
"Well of course, but only because I rushed."
Quinn put her hand on Rachel's shoulder and squeezed lightly, leaning in so she could talk quietly into Rachel's ear.
"Breathe, Johnny, Mr Schue isn't even here yet."
Rachel relaxed at the gesture that was a little more intimate than she expected in public.
"Get a room." Santana spoke just loud enough that she knew Quinn and Rachel could hear. Quinn whipped round to look at her through angry eyes.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing Q. Just clearing my throat." Quinn was starting to realise that maybe confiding in Santana had not been the best idea. The Latina had never been able to resist getting a dig in. It wasn't malicious it was just her nature. Quinn was going to say something but Will walked in and called for the start of practice.
As they finished up Quinn walked over to Rachel who looking through her bag for something.
"Hey, Rach?"
"Yeah? Rachel didn't look up, still distracted by whatever she was looking for.
"Wanna come over to mine this afternoon and do that chem homework?" Quinn blurted the sentence out as quickly as she could, not sure what response she was going to get from Rachel. After all, their first attempt to go there to do homework had not gone well.
Rachel turned to face Quinn and saw the trepidation in her eyes. She replied with a smile.
"That sounds like a great idea Quinn. I just have to find my notebook, I was sure it was in here somewhere."
"It's in your locker."
"Huh? How do you know?"
"You texted me this afternoon that you put it in there so that you wouldn't forget it and that were you to be distracted I should remind you that's where it was. I guess you've been distracted." Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"I guess maybe I have. But note I still had the forethought to make sure my distraction wouldn't have detrimental effects. I'll go get it and I'll meet you at your car." Rachel poked Quinn gently in the centre of her chest and headed out of the room.
Quinn walked to her car and waited, lent up against it, for Rachel to make her way over.
"Waiting for someone?" She hadn't noticed Santana come up behind her.
"Yeah, Rachel. We're headed to mine to study."
"That's what you're calling it?"
"Listen San, I talked to you because I thought you could relate, but you really have to stop this. Me and Rach are just friends, honestly. And all this innuendo is driving me crazy. Please, just stop."
"But where's the fun in that?"
"There is none." Quinn's voice was serious.
"I'll think about it."
"Thank you." She smiled gently at her friend, hoping Santana saw that this really would mean a lot to her.
"So have you told her?" Santana asked.
"Have you?"
"I've got nothing to tell Berry."
"I mean Britt." Quinn knew Santana knew exactly what she meant, she was just playing dumb.
"No. And it's not that simple."
"Well neither is what's going on with me and Rachel. But you making jokes all the time is only making it harder."
"Fine. But only if you let this shit about me and Britt go."
"OK, but I still think you're being an idiot."
"Fine. But if you guys get too obvious I'm still gonna call you out."
"I wouldn't expect anything else."
Quinn saw Rachel coming out of the building and waved so that Rachel could see where she was.
"Have fun studying."
Quinn stared at her.
"Last one, I promise. See you tomorrow Q."
"See you later, San. Say hi to Britt for me."
Santana walked toward her own car as Rachel arrived at Quinn's.
"You ready to go?"
"Sure. What did Santana want?"
"Nothing much."
They got in the car and Quinn turned the radio to a local top 40 station, knowing it was bound to play something Rachel would want to sing along to. The second 'Firework' started Rachel was singing at full volume, throwing her head back and dancing in her seat. Quinn couldn't help but laugh. Who was this girl?
When they got to Quinn's house she stopped outside her front door.
"I don't know what kinda mood my mom's going to be in. So I want to apologise upfront in case she says anything bad."
"Quinn, you don't have to apologise for you mom."
"Maybe not, but still…"
"Quinn, it's fine. Come on."
She motioned for Quinn to open the door. They walked in, leaving their coats in the foyer and headed to the kitchen. Quinn grabbed them both a soda and was pleased to find no sign of her mom, maybe she was taking a nap. They headed with their bags up to Quinn's room.
As Rachel walked through Quinn's house it seemed remarkably sparse. There was stuff, ornaments, furniture, but none of it seemed that personal. It made Rachel's house seem cluttered. There was one painted portrait of the Fabray family on the wall above a large fireplace and a couple of framed photos on end tables but everything seemed very poised. It felt like a show home.
"Not much like your house is it?"
"No." Rachel didn't know what else to say.
Quinn walked into her room, Rachel following behind. She could instantly feel the difference. Quinn's room was pink with floral patterned wallpaper. On one side of her bed was a tall bookcase full of books and CDs. On her nightstand stood a photo of the glee club taken at the same time as the yearbook photo. The mirror on Quinn's dresser had photos tucked around the edges, Quinn with San and Britt, Quinn with Finn when they must have been about 14, Quinn holding Cheerios trophies. Instinctively Rachel walked over to the bookcase and ran her finger along the spines at eye level. She had no idea Quinn read so much.
"I had a lot of spare time towards the end of my pregnancy. I spent about 2 months on my ass. Which I'm pretty sure is still obvious."
"Nonsense, you have a great ass." Both girls blushed.
"See you do know when to use the word." Quinn winked and sat down indian style on her bed, her bag next to her. "We should get started on this homework."
They worked for about an hour, taking longer than they should have because Quinn kept stopping to skip songs on her iTunes or make fun of Rachel's concentrating face. They were almost done when they heard a crash from down the hall. Quinn sighed.
"Mom's up." She got up to go see what was going on. Rachel tried to follow but Quinn gestured for her to stay. She walked down the corridor and found her mom by a small table on the landing, rubbing her shin.
"I'm sure that wasn't there before. Have you been moving the furniture Quinnie?"
"No Mom, that was always there."
"Hmm. Anyway dear, I've made some dinner."
"Oh. My friend Rachel's here so don't worry about it."
"Well she can join us then. I can't remember the last time one of your friends was here."
"Mom…" Before Quinn could finish Judy had walked to Quinn's bedroom and opened the door.
"Rachel. So good to see you again. Won't you join us for dinner?"
"If it's not too much trouble." Quinn could hear the caution in Rachel's voice and went to try and rescue the situation.
"Mom. It's OK, we should just finish studying and then we'll get something later."
"Nonsense. It's already done. Come on, you can study after."
"Mom…"
"Quinn, no arguments."
Quinn lowered her head, sighed and started to walk after her mom, Rachel following behind. They sat at the table in the dining room while Judy brought the food through and set it in front of them. Chicken.
"Oh Mom, Rachel's a vegan. Maybe we should just…"
"Well she can eat everything but the chicken can't she? I don't see why this has to be a big deal."
"No she can't do that Mom, it's not just some whim. She's a vegan and it's important to her!"
"I'm sure Rachel doesn't mind."
Rachel kept her head down and didn't answer.
"Well I mind. She's my friend and you need to respect who she is!"
"It's just dinner, Quinnie. No need for all this drama." Judy was keeping an even tone, hoping to dismiss her daughter's emotional outburst.
"It's always just something. I can't do this anymore. I can't let you keep sweeping things under the rug and pretending they're OK. You never listen; you never know anything about what I might want, what I might need. You act like we're fine now because I'm back under your roof but we're less of a family than we've ever been, and that's saying something. Do you care at all or am I back here because it doesn't look good for your daughter to be living at someone else's house!"
Quinn was shouting, tears punctuating the angry words directed at her mother. Judy tried to reach a hand out to her daughter but Quinn pushed her away and ran up the stairs to her room. Judy turned to Rachel.
"I don't know what gets into her sometimes. I do apologise."
Rachel didn't want to tell her that it wasn't her the woman should be apologising to. She stood and motioned toward the stairs.
"I should go check on her."
Rachel knocked gently on the door before entering the room. Quinn was sat on the bed sobbing, holding a photo in her hand. Rachel sat next to her and placed her arm around Quinn's shoulder, pulling her in. The photo was Quinn, probably about two years previously. She was standing next to her dad, a sled at their feet and both of them wearing huge grins.
"I know he was a bastard but sometimes I miss him. I miss what we were before I screwed it all up."
"You made one mistake. He was the one that screwed things up. He didn't have to do what he did."
"I know. And I should hate him. But he's my dad, you know? I just want him to love me. My mom was better when he was around. Now I know when she sees me she sees the reason why dad left."
"I thought he had an affair?"
"Sure. But maybe if I hadn't let him down he would have wanted to keep this family." The tears became stronger again and Quinn couldn't believe she was letting Rachel see her like this. No one got to see her like this. Rachel gently rubbed her arm to try and sooth her.
"Shhh, it's OK. It's not your fault, it's not."
"This is the last good photo I have of us. Since I was little dad used to take me sledding after the last snowfall of winter. One last hurrah before spring came. I always spent summers with Britt and San, but they hated the cold so winter was for me and my dad. But last year I wasn't really in any condition to sled. Dad wouldn't have gone with me anyway."
Quinn turned and wrapped her arms around Rachel's neck and sobbed into her shoulder.
"It's OK, Quinn, I promise."
Rachel continued to reassure Quinn, holding her close and not letting go until she felt Quinn's sobs subside. Quinn was the first to pull away.
"I'm sorry. I'm such a mess. You must think I'm an idiot." Quinn hung her head. Rachel lifted Quinn's chin and tucked some stray hair behind the blonde's ear.
"No apologies. We're friends and I'm here for you whenever you need me."
"Thanks, Rach."
"Any time." She smiled and Quinn weakly smiled back.
"Look at the time. You should probably be going." Quinn straightened up and got up off the bed.
"If you're sure you're OK."
"I'll be fine."
"If you're sure." Rachel stood and picked up her bag. "Call me if you need anything."
"I will."
They quickly hugged again and Rachel walked out and down the stairs. Quinn sat there for a while, the tears drying on her face. She'd never let herself be vulnerable like that in front of anyone, not even when she'd been pregnant. That kind of emotion was reserved for private. But somehow Rachel had made her feel like she was safe to be that open with her. Rachel had seen the worst of her and she hadn't run away.
Rachel was glad of the walk home. She hated to see Quinn like that, so broken. She knew Quinn had problems, things she still hadn't dealt with from last year, but she didn't know they were so raw. She wanted to take her out of it all, give her a place where she would always feel loved and wanted. She wanted to wrap Quinn up in her arms forever and never let her go. She would have to find a way to show Quinn just how loved she was.
Over the next few weeks Quinn and Rachel spent more and more time together. At first a few people were surprised by how fast the two had become inseparable but Rachel seemed less quick to complain about everything and Quinn less snarky so no one was going to say anything. Seeing them together at lunch or walking together between classes had pretty much become a given. Every few days they'd head back to their old gangs, Quinn spending lunch with Brittany and Santana, Rachel catching up with Tina and the other glee guys or having some practice time to herself in the choir room. Somehow they had managed to incorporate their new friendship into the rest of their lives without causing too much disruption.
One Friday Quinn went to get some books from her locker and a note fell out.
Meet me outside school at 10am tomorrow.
I want to show you something.
X
J
Quinn knew it was from Rachel, they'd taken to calling her Johnny in notes. She liked having a nickname to call Rachel that had nothing to do with the torment previous nicknames had caused and everything to do with how much she loved getting to know the girl. Quinn wondered what the hell Rachel could have planned at school on a Saturday morning. But she'd learned never to bother asking because Rachel was obsessed with surprises and had a mouth was like a vice when it came to secrets. They both had plans that night so there was no chance to ask her anyway. Before she had too much time to think about it Britt and San arrived and the trio headed out to go to the mall.
Saturday morning Quinn dressed in her warmest clothes. The weather had been getting a little milder but the morning had taken a decidedly bitter turn. She parked in the empty lot, deciding Rachel must have gotten a lift of one of her dads, and headed toward the building. Rachel was waiting for her on the steps outside and waved when she saw her.
"So what's going on that meant you had to drag me back here on a Saturday?"
"You'll see."
Rachel stood and linked arms with Quinn, leading her round the building to a side door. She pulled out a key and unlocked it.
"You have a key to school? Why am I not surprised?"
"Brad gave it to me so I could rehearse on weekends."
Quinn shook her head as they made their way in.
"This place is weird when no one else is around."
"I like it. I like how quiet it is. It feels a bit like it's mine. It's safe."
Quinn realised that while for her these halls had mostly always been hers for Rachel they'd been a place of fear. She pulled the girl a little closer. Rachel stopped when they got to the choir room and opened the door for Quinn.
"Should have known."
Rachel walked toward the paino and sat down, motioning for Quinn to join her.
"So I've been working on this song but I decided I wanted to accompany myself on the piano. I was hoping you could help me learn how to play it."
Rachel looked at her with a slightly worried expression.
"Of course I will. I mean, I'm not that great, but I'd be happy to try."
Rachel smiled broadly and got the sheet music out of her bag.
"I think you've got it Rach, you really don't need to practice anymore."
Rachel looked at her watch, something she'd been doing all morning, and nodded her head.
"One more run through and then we can stop. Is that OK?"
"Sure."
Quinn smiled as she watched Rachel play, amazed at how quickly the girl had picked up the skill. Her fingers moved deftly across the keys and her face had a serious look of concentration, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. It was a beautiful sight. By now Quinn was used to marvelling over how beautiful Rachel was. Doing homework, walking down the street, eating dinner, she was beautiful no matter what she was doing and Quinn couldn't help but stare. Especially as she knew Rachel had no idea quite how breath-taking she was. Over the weeks Quinn had tried to see if she could see the same beauty in other girls. She'd watched them in class or when she was at the mall, but none of them captured her the way Rachel did. Whatever this attraction was to Rachel it really was just her. Although she'd never tell Rachel that, the girl had a big enough ego as it was. Rachel finished another flawless run through and looked up at Quinn triumphantly.
"I think we're done here." Rachel beamed.
She enjoyed playing the piano; she'd never really tried before. More than that she enjoyed being taught by Quinn. She liked how she moved her fingers into place, gently showing her how much pressure she needed to use, patiently listening at the endless mistakes she made at first, encouraging her with suggestions and smiles. She wished more people knew this Quinn, the Quinn that was kind and understanding. She had wondered if she'd really be able to drag this piano lesson out for more than two hours, but she was enjoying it so much the time passed in an instant. One last look at her watch and she knew it was pretty much time. She would give it a few more minutes and then pray that the men she had put her faith in to make this go right hadn't lied to her.
Rachel stood and took Quinn's hand.
"Are we going home then? Maybe we could head to yours for a bit?"
"We're not going home just yet. Come on. Follow me."
Rachel kept hold of Quinn's hand and led her down a corridor toward the other end of school.
"OK, where the hell are we going?"
"Just trust me, OK?"
"OK."
They got to small door and Rachel opened it, moving behind Quinn so that the blonde would exit first.
She walked out the door and was startled by the sunlight bouncing off a thick blanket of snow, flakes still gently falling from the sky.
"Rachel, it's beautiful out here, I thought it wasn't meant to snow again."
"I don't know which meteorologists you trust, but you really should think about switching your allegiances."
"You mean you knew?"
"Why do you think I was keeping you in the choir room all morning?"
"I just thought you wanted me to help you learn the song."
"That was just a beneficial by-product of my plan. Come on."
She took Quinn's hand and led them down the steps in front of the door. They were in a secluded part of the school grounds, trees surrounding a patch of grass now entirely hidden by the morning's snowfall. Quinn stood, head back letting the snow fall on her face. She squeezed Rachel's hand.
"It's so perfect, all white and untouched," Quinn's voice was coloured by wonder. She felt the slight prick of tears at the corners of her eyes, but now was not the time to cry. She looked at Rachel and raised an eyebrow. "Wanna make snow angels?"
Rachel laughed as Quinn pulled her into the centre of the clearing and lay down on the ground.
"I haven't done this since I was about 6, won't you get your coat wet?" Rachel protested.
"Sure. But it'll dry. Come on."
Rachel relented and lay near Quinn moving her outstretched arms back and forth against the snow.
"I think I'm done, what do you think?" Quinn stood to admire her work and Rachel followed.
"Yours is better because you have longer limbs, mine looks like a midget angel."
Quinn turned and took Rachel's hands in hers.
"I like your midget angel, and you have very nice limbs." She laughed a little at the ridiculousness of the statement. She pulled Rachel in for a hug. "You're cold."
"Well I have just been lying in the snow."
Quinn pulled her in closer to keep her warm, another one of their hugs that went on for what seemed like forever. One of their hugs where Quinn was scared to let go because she didn't want to stop the feeling she got when Rachel was in her arms and because she was scared she was going to fall if Rachel wasn't there to hold her up. She pulled back a little and looked at Rachel, snow in her hair. This girl had spent a morning keeping her busy just so she could be standing here in the last perfect snowfall of winter. So that she could try and erase last year and make this moment special again. Quinn wondered what she'd done to ever be this lucky. She placed her hand under Rachel's chin, the heat running through her staving off any effects from the cold. She looked Rachel in the eye and felt Rachel looking back, noting the way she swallowed slowly.
"Thanks," Quinn whispered before she closed the gap between them and brought her lips to Rachel's, it was the only way she could think to express all that she was feeling. The kiss wasn't hurried but it wasn't chased, it was gentle and loving. It felt like no kiss Quinn had ever felt before. Rachel's lips were soft and tasted just a little of cherry, they were full but pliant and the feeling sent electricity to the ends of her fingers and the tips of her toes.
Rachel was a little shocked. She'd wanted this, she'd even hoped that maybe this small gesture would have just this outcome but she hadn't let herself really believe it would happen. But there she was kissing Quinn Fabray under the last snowfall of winter. She had imagined what this would be like, the feel of the girl's lips, the touch of her hand on the back of her neck, but the reality was so much more. She felt like all she was were her lips and her fingertips. Quinn's kiss was firm but giving, as if all she wanted was for Rachel to feel her love. The blonde had one hand on Rachel's hip and the other at the nape of her neck and she felt she could melt into that touch. The feeling made her bold and she opened her mouth just a little. Quinn understood the gesture and took Rachel's bottom lip between her teeth lightly and ran her tongue along it. Rachel moaned involuntarily and she could feel Quinn's smile against her lips. In response Rachel let her tongue venture out, probing lightly. It was Quinn's turn to moan and Rachel felt like she had evened the score in what she hoped would be a long series of battles.
They eventually parted, resting their foreheads against one another's, eyes closed.
"Thank you" Rachel said with a smirk. Quinn swatted her arm and smiled. But then her face turned pensive and she looked Rachel deep in the eyes.
"I'm not gay." It wasn't a denial, it wasn't an attempt to push Rachel away, it was just the truth.
"I don't need you be anything apart from mine."
"I think I can do that."
A/N They finally kissed, huh? About time. This chapter is maybe a little more filler than I wanted, but there needed to be more lead-up. The next one's going to be more fun, promise.
