A/N: So I do listen to you and I know Rachel has been frustrating, but she is a little behind Quinn on working out what her feelings are, although things may be about to change. Lets see how that goes...

xxx

Quinn shivered and pushed her hands deeper in her pockets. Early mornings in Lima were always fresh, but today there was a noticeable chill in the air, she had arrived early for the bus to Regionals. Mr Schue was busy fussing around when she got here, but no one else was in sight as she sat and waited. Her thoughts returned to the night before with Rachel, it had been hot, there was no denying that. Tonight she planned on asking Rachel to be her girlfriend and to make it official because she didn't want to hide it anymore. She shifted her feet and tried to keep warm, knowing the others would be arriving soon, looking up she saw Brittany pulling into the lot and waved as she got out of her car.

"Are you excited?" Brittany asked as she bounded towards Quinn.

"I am." Quinn answered distractedly, cars were now all pulling up and parking but her thoughts were on one person, she had barely slept the night before, Rachel had filled her head as always. She found that she ached to see her now, only Rachel made her feel complete.

"You don't sound it." Brittany sat on the wall next to Quinn.

"I've got things to work out with Rachel." She turned to face the other girl and saw the concern on her face. "Its nothing big, but I need to show her my feelings are genuine, I want us to be together, you know, properly."

"Like sex?"

"Um, I meant girlfriends."

"Oh okay, but then comes sex."

"Sure." Quinn blushed. "I just want Rachel to know how much I want to be with her."

"But surely she can see that? You have been chasing and waiting for so long."

"Maybe. Its just confusing for us both. When we are together and alone, its amazing. Not just the kissing and other things, but talking and spending time with each other."

"Does she know you think that?"

"I don't know, I get a bit caught up in the time together and then we kiss and my brain stops working. I have been trying to get her on a proper date so that I can talk to her and tell her, but I stuffed up last week and now her Dads just keep appearing at the wrong moments."

"Oh that happens to me and San. Last night Mrs Lopez walked in just as I was about to go down on her..."

"Um, thanks for the visual." Quinn's eyes went wide, Brittany was all too good at over sharing.

"It was okay though, I just finished her off when they'd gone to bed." Brittany continued, oblivious to Quinn's awkwardness. "I'm sure you'll get there with Rachel and stop stressing over the date! She told me about the picnic. That sounds so romantic, actually you sound romantic, maybe you could give Santana a few pointers."

"Yeah, maybe. Sure Santana always tries with you."

"She does, but it's not picnics and open air cinemas."

"But you are together." Quinn stated and Brittany nodded.

"Yes and I really can't ask for more, I love her."

Quinn sighed she wanted to be open with Rachel too. "We've kind of done things, and its hot, but..."

"You want her to know what it really means and how you really feel?"

"Yes, how do you know all this?" Quinn looked at Brittany, she was always astounded at her insightfulness.

"It's obvious."

"Oh." Quinn was confused.

"You should just tell her you love her."

"I um, yeah, but she isn't even my girlfriend."

"It's just a label Quinn, you pretty much are."

"Not in the eyes of everyone else." Quinn didn't hide her sorrow, she still felt sore after Rachel pulled out of a public kiss, she still stung over the reluctance to date. It was all private, everything was a secret and she didn't want to be just that. Kurt, Santana and Brittany only knew by default. It helped that Rachel never hid from her Dads, but it also confused her too.

Her thoughts were broken when she saw Rachel appear from around the corner, her eyes were locked on the girl as she approached the bus, visibly arguing with Mr Schue and Finn about something. Quinn noticed how annoyed the brunette was getting and couldn't help the soppy smile that appeared when Rachel stomped her foot and stormed off. The diva in Rachel was hot.

She stumbled as she attempted to follow her. Santana nudged Kurt as she watched Quinn move. "We have to do something about those two."

"I have tried. They are both useless, but at least they are kissing now."

"Mmm lots of kisses." Brittany joined in. "but Quinn wants feelings."

"I think someone needs to talk to Rachel." Kurt added.

"Why are you both looking at me?" Santana stepped back. "The dwarf is not exactly keen on me."

"I'll deal with Quinn." Kurt added before Santana could protest further. "She needs to see that Rachel cares a lot more than most people can see."

"Yay." Brittany clapped her hands. "So that's settled. Santana will open Rachel's eyes and Kurt will deal with Quinn. It's going to be magic."

Santana groaned, she really wasn't up for her latest assignment, but she knew she couldn't back out now that Brittany was so excited.

xxx

Quinn caught up with Rachel, she hadn't gone far but her mood was in full force until she turned and was met with soft hazel eyes. Rachel couldn't help herself as a grin took over her face.

"I can't believe that man." She rested her head on Quinn's shoulder as Quinn wrapped her arm around her.

"What now?"

"Ugh it so doesn't matter. I just need to focus. So what if Finn gets to sing some vocals on the back of your song."

"So what?" Quinn felt the anger rise through her body. "Why the hell would he need to be on my song?"

"It doesn't matter. It's still your words." Rachel rubbed Quinn's back and they walked to the bus, but it did matter to Quinn. Quinn folded her arms across her chest as they headed for their destination. She tried to burn holes in the back of Finn's head as she scowled at him the whole way. Rachel had put her music on and rested her head on Quinn, closing her eyes and trying to shut out all the stress. Quinn didn't mind, she was perfectly happy to carry all the stress and anger for them both. Typical Mr Schue, making changes at the last minute was ridiculous, but it wasn't exactly new.

The idea of Finn singing some of the things that Quinn had written for Rachel, made her feel sick. She had written them about Rachel. The song was about a secret love. It was thinly veiled in the lyrics, but if you listened it wasn't hard to work it out. Maybe Finn had. She hated the idea of him singing her love song.

They got off the bus and she deliberately barged into him, not even apologising when he tumbled over. She just kept walking and didn't look back. Rachel was oblivious as she skipped along, her nerves hadn't taken hold yet and she was enjoying the atmosphere.

xxx

Rachel didn't stay chirpy for long. She felt the buzz from the other show choirs, facing Dalton again was something she could have done without, but she knew their songs were outstanding this year. It mattered though and she couldn't hide it, she was desperate to make it to Nationals, this was her last chance and she wanted that trophy, she wanted it for all of them. Her eyes met Quinn's and she smiled. Quinn had been quiet and she hadn't missed the animosity she was spitting in Finn's direction, she tried to ignore it and keep her thoughts focussed but every time Finn spoke Quinn cut him down and after a few hours of their bickering Rachel took her hand and led her out of the room.

"Quinn you need to stop, I have to focus and this thing with you and Finn isn't helping. He's singing on the song, you can't change that now."

"No, he has no right."

"It's just a song!"

"It's nothing to do with Finn, why does he get to sing? We rehearsed, you nailed it, you don't need him."

"I don't." Rachel agreed.

"So change it."

"I tried."

"Try harder."

"Quinn." she pleaded.

"Rachel." Quinn's anger was audible and it made Rachel flinch.

"I can't."

"I don't want him singing, he is the biggest douche and..."

"Just get over it!" Rachel snapped and stamped her foot, she'd had enough of Quinn being petty. "Mr Schue has made his decision, why does it matter anyway? I don't need this right now, whatever your problem is, just move on."

Quinn felt the knife in her heart, she couldn't speak. Rachel didn't look at her as she walked back to the green room. Quinn was frozen still in the empty hallway. She didn't know how long she was there, but eventually she followed Rachel back in the door, her head hung low. Before she knew it they were on stage.

Quinn took her place and turned to see Rachel watching her. She smiled shyly, but it didn't stop her heart aching, she didn't want Rachel messing up because they'd had a fight, so she stepped forward and whispered,"You can do this, I believe in you." in her ear before taking her place again. She swayed in the background, it was fast becoming her talent as the group number took place. It was a good song, but she didn't really pay any attention. When Rachel began her solo, she closed her eyes. Finn's voice did compliment Rachel's she had always known that and it wasn't actually that bad, he just harmonised a little bit in the chorus and she knew she should get over it, but Rachel's words still stung.

Rachel brushed past her on her way off stage, but she didn't speak, they were both exceptionally good at being stubborn. As they waited for the results to come in she found herself stood in the corner of the room, her gaze would wander to Rachel, but neither held the stare for long.

Santana saw Kurt looking at her and she sighed before getting up and sitting next to Rachel.

"What's up midget, you and Q fighting?"

"No, Yes. I don't know. She's in a mood about Finn. Again!"

"Can you blame her, you made her wait until you'd had your fill of that douche."

"She needs to get over it, I chose her."

"You told Quinn that?" Santana mused before walking away leaving Rachel to think. Kurt had been watching the scene in front of him, he huffed before joining Quinn.

xxx

"Tell me." Kurt pulled Quinn to the other side of the room.

"It's nothing." Quinn tried to shrug him off.

"Yep, looks that way."

"Fine, first she wouldn't kiss me in public, then the song and Finn."

"Kissing is a big deal and last I heard she wasn't your girlfriend. Dating is one thing, girlfriends is another. This is Rachel after all."

"I know, I want her to be, I want that for us, but I was waiting until tonight, after we won. Now I'm not so sure she'd really want that."

"Oh Quinn."

"Kurt, how do I know she is serious about me, that she wants to be more?"

"Tell her how you feel and ask her."

"Simple huh" she shrugged. "Maybe she was interested, but other than last night I think she's been avoiding me this week."

Rachel kept turning and looking at the pair as they talked, Quinn couldn't miss it, she watched as the brunette bit her lip and she knew she wanted to say something, but she didn't move and Quinn wasn't backing down.

xxx

Rachel was deep in thought, she knew she needed to get herself together, but the results were in and she had to refocus as they made their way back on stage. She noticed Quinn lingering, but she wasn't ready to talk to her yet, her nerves about the results were crippling her. She wanted to win so badly, she wanted Quinn too, but right now she could only concentrate on one thing.

They won, of course. Rachel was awesome and no one could really doubt her talent now. Mercedes hit the right notes, Quinn swayed in the background. Finn smiled smugly and a few of the others did what they did best.

Santana wrapped an arm around Brittany. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just feel all kinds of sad about those two, I don't get why they are fighting."

"We tried."

"You have to try harder."

"I will okay, I promise." She kissed Brittany's forehead and watched the scene in front of her. Rachel was overjoyed, she had a firm grip on the trophy. Quinn was still stood to one side and even from where she was Santana felt like she could see Quinn's heart breaking. "I promise." She whispered again. She knew she couldn't leave them to destruct.

She stepped towards Rachel. "You need to stop this, you can't keep hurting Quinn." she whispered harshly into Rachel's ear.

Rachel just scowled at her as she pulled away. "I think I'm the one that needs protecting, just back off." She was angry and she didn't know why. She handed the trophy to Puck and turned to see Quinn still watching her but making no attempt to move, she gave up and walked out.

Santana caught up with her and stopped her from completing her trademark storm out. She saw the tears in the girls eyes and took her arm and led her into a quiet room.

"Rachel, what's Quinn done?"

"She is being self-pitying and to be honest I don't even know what her problem is anymore. I just need some space."

"You need to lighten up Berry."

"Why am I even talking to you?" she looked at Santana and again wondered how she was the one she was with right now.

"Because despite my bitchy exterior, we all know I am deeply in touch with my emotions and am actually an amazing person to seek advice from."

"Yes, that must be it, that or the fact that you happened to see me crying and dragged me here."

"Why would I drag you anywhere?"

"Yes why did you?"

"Oh god Rachel, I care ok. You and Q, well I can see it. I don't want you two messing up."

"But how can I do this if she sulks over a song, it's the same as it's always been with us. I don't want that. I like her okay and it is so damn confusing."

"She can't change overnight this is Quinn Fabray! She likes you Rach, dinner at hers, dates and picnics. Open your eyes Rachel."

Rachel did the opposite, she closed her eyes and thought of Quinn. She had been so close to falling for her and then today just had to bring back all the memories of their past. Fighting with Quinn was never fun, but today she found it stung a whole lot more and most of all she missed her being there. They were always together when they could be, Quinn knew how to make Rachel feel calm, she made her smile and laugh. She also gave Rachel butterflies every time she held her gaze. Quinn was amazing.

"She never says anything about how she feels."

"Do you?"

"I, um, well no." Rachel knew she was as much in this as Quinn, she had fallen more than she had realised.

"I know you care about her, I saw that with all the crazy get Quinn back to glee, but what do you want from her?"

"Everything." Rachel said honestly and she really did, she wanted all that she could ever imagine from Quinn, she hated the game they were playing and realised she was to blame. "I have to change things."

Santana watched as Rachel purposefully walked back into the green room, a small smile played at her lips.

"Progress?" Brittany joined her.

"I hope so."

xxx

Kurt grabbed Quinn just as they were about to collect their things.

"Are you going to go after her?"

"I can't keep trying to prove myself worthy of Rachel, she doesn't feel the same about me. I can see that now."

"Really?" he was stunned.

Quinn just shrugged.

Rachel walked back in and she pulled Quinn aside.

"What do you want?" she croaked, the day and all its emotions had taken its toll on her voice.

"Not now Rach." She grumbled, her head hurt and she was close to tears.

"Can we sort things out?" Rachel was getting annoyed that Quinn wouldn't look at her. "come on, I don't want to leave it like this."

"Leave what? What is this anyway?" Quinn snapped, her ice cold stare fixed firmly on Rachel now. It made the brunette shudder, she hated that look and knew it meant Quinn's walls were up.

"What is with you?"

"I got angry. It was my song and I.."

"You acted like a child?"

"Why can't you see it?" Quinn turned her back in frustration.

Rachel sighed, she had so much she wanted to say, but this wasn't the place and Quinn clearly wasn't in the mood.

Before she could say anything Mr Schue called them all together and they headed to the bus. Rachel walked a step ahead. Quinn turned away when she saw Finn bound over to the brunette. She'd seen enough of that for a lifetime.

Boarding the bus she sat near the back away from Rachel. She was grateful that she was alone. She couldn't deal with anyone right now.

xxx

Rachel couldn't sit still, she wanted to slap Quinn for being such a douche, she wanted to slap herself for being insufferable. Instead she tried to use the time to make sense of her own thoughts. She tried not to turn and look at the blonde as they drove home, but she couldn't resist. She knew she had to make it right. Not sitting with Quinn and not linking their hands so she could idly toy with her fingers was making Rachel's heart start to ache. What if it was always like this? How could she go a day without talking to her, touching her, kissing her. She loved Quinn. The realisation wasn't like a slap in the face, it just seemed so obvious that she just sighed deeply, a smile forming at her lips and taking over her face. Her head shot back to look at the blonde, but Quinn's eyes were closed now. Rachel watched her unnoticed and sucked in a deep breath. The prettiest girl she had ever seen, the one person she could never leave alone, the girl she couldn't just stand by and watch as she quit glee because Rachel didn't see the point unless Quinn was there. Quinn grinning as Rachel sang was too often the highlight of the brunettes day, long before anything happened between them. Rachel didn't want to stop now, she knew what it felt like to make Quinn laugh, to make her happy and she never wanted to stop trying to do that. She was so in love and couldn't believe how blind she had been for so long.

When they arrived back at McKinley Rachel made a hasty exit, she was desperate to get Quinn alone, before they all went home. She hadn't bargained on Finn following her.

"Hey, you were so awesome today." He said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She tried to shake it off and he stopped to look at her, his face a picture of hurt. "What? Aren't we even friends?"

"Is that what you're doing?" she looked at him knowingly, only too aware that Finn still harboured feelings toward her.

"We were so good." He said in his whiny voice. She saw Quinn getting off the bus and tried to push past Finn, but he took her shoulder. "Please Rach."

"No."

"You heard her." Quinn was by her side in an instant, she may have been sulking but no way was she letting Hudson manhandle her girl.

"Butt out Fabray. This has nothing to do with you. You may make a big deal about being friends, but I saw you two today, clearly you couldn't help but revert back to being a bitch."

"Stop it." Rachel turned on him angrily.

"No, when will she get the message, we're meant to be, she's nothing to you."

"She's my girlfriend." Rachel snapped, pushing Finn back. Before looking back to a startled Quinn and realising what she'd just said. "If she'll have me that is?" She spoke quietly as she reached out to Quinn.

"Your what?" Finn laughed but it soon faded away as he saw the looks between the two girls in front of him.

"That okay?" Rachel asked Quinn, ignoring the boy next to her. "If you want that I mean. I'd like it because I don't want to do this anymore, I want you, I want everything."

"Finn's right. We aren't friends, we were never friends." Quinn took Rachel's hand and squeezed it tight. "We are so much more and I can't keep hiding that."

"I can't ask you to, I'm so sorry it took me this long to realise. I want to be yours and I want everyone to know. If you want that too?"

"I so want that." Quinn placed a kiss to Rachel's forehead. "I can't think of anything better." She kissed Rachel's cheeks and hovered over her lips. "My girlfriend."

"Be mine." Rachel pulled Quinn into her and kissed her hard. She smiled against her lips, pleased she had finally got it right.

"Whoa dude, what's happening?" Puck thumped into Finn. "How'd you get them to do that?" his eyes were almost popping out as he took in the scene in front of him.

Finn reached forward and pulled the pair apart. "You little bitch." He pushed Quinn back and away from Rachel.

"Hey not cool." Puck stepped in front of him, but Finn didn't care. Rachel had moved back to Quinn's side and he was angry. He pushed Puck and lunged at Quinn, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her.

"I knew you were twisted, what the hell are you doing? You are just trying to ruin Rachel, this is some sick revenge plan of yours, I just know it."

"Get off her." Rachel screamed as she tugged at his arms but he was too strong for her.

Quinn just smirked. "I got the girl. Just back off. Rachel's mine now."

Finn let go of her and stared for a moment. "You aren't worth it, either of you." He pushed past them forcing Quinn out of his way with an elbow. Quinn fell and a second later Finn hit the deck, as Puck tackled him to the ground.

"Do that to my Baby Momma or my hot Jewish princess ever again and I will make you eat dirt." Puck pushed Finn's face into the ground. Only letting go when Mr Schue appeared. Finn stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothes, before skulking away.

"Thanks Puck." Quinn turned to him.

"No problem, just let me know next time you two are going to play hook up again."

"We aren't playing." Rachel gripped Quinn's arm, her heart was still hammering hard in her chest, but she was ready. She needed Quinn to know that she wanted to be with her. She was still amazed it had taken her so long to get up the courage to admit to her own feelings, but now she had and it all felt right. The way Quinn reassuringly placed her hand over Rachel's made her know she was on the right path.

"Hot, so hot." Puck moaned as he raked his eyes over the pair.

"Puck, leave them alone." Santana grabbed his arm and pulled him to her car.

Rachel laughed as Puck got dragged away before turning back to Quinn. "I'm sorry."

"For making me happy?"

"For being a fool, I wish I could take it back and have been honest. I was just so scared of how quickly I fell for you and I didn't really think it could be real, but it is. I hated today."

Quinn nodded. "I wrote it about you, the song. I should have said. I shouldn't have..."

"You did?" Rachel sighed, the last piece fell into place. "I wish I'd known. I didn't want him singing either and I don't know why I took it out on you."

"It's what we do. I'm sorry for sulking."

"You need to work on it. I find if you stick your bottom lip out it works a lot better. Like this." Rachel jutted her lip out and Quinn quickly captured it in hers. Deepening the kiss as she pulled Rachel flush against her body.

"We should get out of here." Quinn took Rachel's hand and headed to her car. "We can collect yours tomorrow." She added as they climbed in and drove away.

Kurt, Brittany and Santana watched them leave with grins spread across their faces.

xxx

Rachel walked in the door first, Quinn hot on her heels. She made her way to the couch and just stared at the girl opposite her.

"It feels strange." She eventually said.

"Yeah?" Quinn looked at her confusedly.

"That wasn't quite how I wanted it to happen, I mean I had a whole speech planned. But we are together right?"

"We are, and a speech probably wouldn't have been as romantic. I was actually going to ask you tonight, that was before..." Quinn trailed off and looked at the floor, she was brought back when Rachel's lips suddenly attached to hers.

"I can't think straight when you kiss me like that" Rachel said through hooded eyes. "It makes my head go all fuzzy and the things I want to say just disappear."

"Is that good or bad?" Quinn ran her fingers through Rachel's hair.

"I have no idea." She leant into the touch.

"I want you to give this thing we have a real chance. I need to be able to be with you all the time, to tell you that I write songs for you, to show Finn that you are my girl now no matter how pathetic that may sound. I need it. I need you."

Rachel didn't move, she was still consciously trying to breathe and that was enough for her right now. She felt Quinn's other hand on her knee and she slowly lifted her head until she was met with the hazel eyes that changed her whole world. She could see they were shining and that Quinn was trying to hold in her emotions.

"I need you too." She spoke so quietly that she could barely hear her own words, but Quinn heard them, she heard them and a tear fell from her eye, all the strain she had been under came undone.

Rachel held her and her own tears fell.

"We're a mess." Quinn spoke into Rachel's chest.

"A hot mess."

"You're making me think about sex again."

"I see no bad here." Rachel laughed. "but perhaps we could go on a date or two first?"

"We should."

"I feel so happy. Quinn Fabray is my girlfriend."

"I am yours. Always." Quinn wiped the tears from Rachel's cheeks with her thumbs. She held her face in her hands and smiled.

Rachel eventually pulled away and stood from the couch, she headed towards the stairs, turning to see Quinn looking at her quizzically.

"Give me five minutes to fix myself up and then you are taking me on that date."

"Now?"

"You want me as your girlfriend then I expect certain things and I think we have been messing about for long enough now."

Quinn chewed at her lip but it didn't stop her grin from taking over. "Where am I taking you?"

"Where else? Breadstix." she smiled and ran upstairs. Quinn fixed her makeup and was blown away when Rachel returned in the outfit she wore on their first date.

"You look amazing."

"I bought this for our first date. I think tonight we should start again."

Quinn nodded her ascent as she took Rachel's hand and they headed out on their second first date.

xxx

A/N: Tell me what you think. It's nice to know that people are reading along.

I said it'd be bumpy, but they are together and that means...um...let me think...first times? Do you think they are ready? ;)

You know me, I'll do my best to update soon.

xxx