AN: Thanks everyone for the reviews and everything else. I pretty much have the last 3-5 chapters worth of stuff for a dramatic ending and epilogue. I just need to build up to that over perhaps 4/5 more chapters at least after this one… I don't want to rush it. So if any of you have any little scene ideas that might inspire or help me, I'd be very interested to know. I've now enabled private messaging on my profile, or you can leave suggestions as reviews ;D But anything can help so go ahead (please)

AN2: To: Jupiter01; I like what you took time to write out in your review… it's actually better than what I've come up with but I'm going to stick with my way. I will how ever be taking a small part of it for the next chapter. The possessive husband bit. I think I can use that to make him even more hateable :) thanks

Posted: 17/8/11

Christmas to New Years

Rachel didn't speak or see Quinn again until the following Monday. She really wanted to talk to another human being but she didn't want to disturb Kurt; she assumed from that fact she hadn't heard anything yet that Blaine was till yet to propose.

So Monday morning she went into the office. Business was slow, no one wanted to talk about insurance straight after Christmas so Quinn and Rachel started setting up a template for a persuasive presentation, which she'd finish with Quinn once they had the numbers for the account, then they would write a speech for the meeting they would set up. They knew the owners of the hotel chain were interested already, now it was up to Quinn to win them over. Her brother's in law and business partners had been persuaded to let Quinn handle this one, it was a big account but Quinn was determined to prove herself. And with Rachel's help they were sure they would succeed.

The pair was sitting opposite one another at Quinn's desk.

"Rachel? Are we okay?" they hadn't spoken much yet. The secretary looked up

"I believe so, why do you ask?"

"It's just… we didn't really say much in the park on Saturday"

"I thought I made it clear what should happen though" she said bluntly returning to the laptop in front of her (a gift to herself for Christmas)

"Okay… I'm so weak… I would you know Rachel" the brunette looked up curiously at the blondes rambling "But, what if it didn't work out… you said that you never had a serious relationship… I'm weak Rachel that's why it wouldn't work…"

"It's okay… despite feeling, it was wrong, and despite what you say, I was in the wrong, you have everything to lose, and I have nothing, so please let's leave it at that"

"I'm sorry; I wasn't always this weak you know-"

"Its okay" Rachel was now just trying to reassure herself more than Quinn "We're friend's right?"

"Right"

"So as a friend let me help you get stronger, by the time this job position is up and then I'll be gone and for the sake of you and your family; you won't see me again… not on purpose anyway, okay"

Quinn looked down at the sheets of paper and just nodded

"It's for the best" Rachel tried to reassure both of them even if it kills me inside

But that's not what I want; yes; make me stronger and then I'll have the strength to tell Daniel I don't love him… why can't you say that out loud Quinn, it's because you're pathetic "Okay" was the one word she settled for in the end.

"So have you set up an appointment with Kurt Hummel yet?"

"Erm… no his office is closed until after New Year's so I guess it will have to be next week"

"Oh, okay… do you have the quote price for this yet?" Neither of them liked the way the conversation had been able to be changed to quickly

Quinn turned her attention back to her computer screen "Almost there, how's the power point coming along?"

"Good, I've included stats from your current accounts to help persuade them, by letting them know how reliable you already are"

"That's good, so we should have this complete by the end of tomorrow… I was wondering if I could bring Ally and Logan probably not tomorrow but the day after? My mum needs a day off; especially considering her ankle"

"Oh yeah that will be great. How's she doing by the way?"

"It wasn't as bad as it sounds so she should be able to put some weight on it soon"

"That's good, and did Ally and Logan enjoy Christmas?"

"Yeah they got pretty bored of their bikes though, especially after meeting Remi, they wouldn't stop talking about her and you, they also told me that they want a dog now… I told my mum that we just happened to bump into each other at the park"

"Good thinking… if Ally and Logan seem to have taken to Remi so well; maybe we could meet at the park again. Of course it would be better in the summer but it doesn't matter"

"I'd like that… then I wouldn't have to buy them a dog and the novelty wouldn't wear off" she chuckled to lighten the mood

By the end of the day they had managed to get closer to their goal of a friend type relationship.

Tuesday

Rachel was in Quinn's office again like the day before with her laptop again. She noticed something shiny on Quinn's wrist.

"Wow that's a beautiful bracelet"

Quinn looked down at it on her left wrist, she shifted uncomfortable in her seat and pulled her sleeve over it to cover it better "oh yeah that, it was a present from Daniel" she said almost sadly

Rachel analysed Quinn's reaction "If it makes you feel that way; why do you wear it?"

"I don't know, I guess I felt I had to, he is my husband" she looked over to the brunette through her eyelashes to see her reaction

Take it off; you don't belong with him "oh"

I don't want to belong to him, I don't want to wear this bracelet and these rings as a sign of owner ship, I want to wear your hoody and belong to you, oh crap I've still got her clothes "Oh I've still got those clothes you leant me"

"Oh you might as well keep the jeans; I've never worn them because they're too long for me"

"And the hoody… I have to confess… I keep wearing it to bed" she cringed why did you say that? Quinn closed her eyes and kept her head down

Rachel half smiled "…Keep it"

Quinn looked up in surprise "Really?"

"Yeah you look better in it" one side of her mouth turned up as she offered a smile "have it to remember me by" what a dumb, dumb, dumb thing to say! Also Bryant: good progress in making her your friend and not the woman you're in love with!

They put that discussion behind them and powered on with their work.

Wednesday

"Morning Rachel"

"Morning Rae-Rae" she heard two smaller voices greet in unison after their mother. She looked up to see three of her most favourite people right now; walking through the door to the secluded office space

"Hey guys" she greeted with a bright smile. Rachel had found a better chair for Logan this time remembering that it was important to him.

The two children were now sat at 'their' desk with Quinn standing at the end emptying two small, colourful back packs of the items the young pair had bought with them to keep them entertained.

Alyssa looked around "Where's Remi?"

Both the adults in the room chuckled "Remi can't come to work sweetie" Quinn answered

"Why?" the dreaded one word question was asked

"Well, you see Remi can do my job better than me" Rachel started as she approached the desk; making herself available if help was needed "and she'll make me look bad so I can't bring her with me" Quinn couldn't help but look at the brunette fondly as she explained playfully to her kids.

Throughout the day Quinn couldn't help but admire Rachel as she helped her and her children. Just add the dog and we're a perfect family she hit her head against the desk stop doing this please

"Everything okay?" Quinn heard Rachel's voice, and brought her head back up

She faked a smiled "yeah, everything's fine, just a bit tired" liar! Oh shut up, in there… I've finally lost it

Thursday/New Year's Eve: afternoon, still at the office

"No Quinn don't be hesitant when you talk, be confident, they may be your potential customer but you're the expert here and you're the one saving them hassle"

Quinn nodded and reshuffled the note card she'd written with Rachel's assistance. Rachel had set up one of the bigger meeting rooms up, for Quinn to practice the presentation "I can't believe I'm having to go through all this to persuade someone to buy insurance with us"

"With you" Rachel corrected "Remember that, this is for you, this will be your account, this will bring in other clients, this is important to you!" Rachel kept reminding Quinn of why she was doing this and how important it was "Sorry I'm being bossy"

"No I need it, you're making me nervous but it's a good thing, it's kinda helping"

"Okay let's go through this again nice and calm and remember: who's the boss?"

"I am" Quinn them cleared her throat and began the speech again with the visual presentation on the screen behind her, Talking to her imaginary audience with Rachel sitting to the side with the full speech written out to assist her.

Thursday/New Year's Eve: countdown

As the countdown to midnight began on the TV, the room was silent. Judy was asleep, snoring loudly in an armchair with her recovering foot elevated, on a foot stall. Two children were laying down asleep spread out on a sofa with Quinn sat at the end. She looked around at the present family and simply realised someone was missing… and it wasn't Daniel

Meanwhile a few blocks away, Rachel sat with her feet up on the sofa, Remi lying next to her, curled up also snoring loudly. Rachel fiddled with the label on the empty beer bottle in her hand. She never drank unless she was in the company of a friend who was also drinking. There wasn't much to celebrate but that was her excuse for drinking a few beers. She looked away from the TV and to her faithful companion, but she still felt empty, she wanted one particular blonde to be sat next to her at that moment, with two others asleep on the other sofa, maybe curled up with Remi… but they weren't there.

As the clock struck midnight both women realised that even thought they were with the ones who was closest to them, they had still felt truly alone and incomplete.

Any thoughts?

Reviews are encouraging ;D

Bit of a short chapter I know, but I wanted to get this 'week' in the story out of the way

It will get happier I promise, then sadder then happy again ;)

I did proof read it but there's probably still a ton of mistakes in there :/