Sorry this has taken so long, all I can say is that I'm truly sorry, Thin Ice is two thirds updated and I'm about to start RBR. In the meantime I hope you like this somewhat lighter chapter of GLF fluff…and I apologize once more for letting RL get on top of me
At first, J.D. wasn't even sure the hunched figure leaning over the kitchen table was Quinn. Frowning, the teen reached out with a forefinger and prodded at the blanket-covered lump cautiously, the only reply was a muffled growl; nodding to herself with a smirk, J.D. returned to putting away the groceries she'd returned with. The half-hearted growl combined with the very brief glimpse she managed to catch of the dinosaur themed socks on the feet of the lump confirmed its identity as that of Quinn. Before the teen could think to question why the still healing pilot was hunched in a protective ball and refusing all forms of human contact, Rachel swept in looking…well, the only word that J.D. could come up with was radiant. Smiling happily and with a very definite spring in her step that belied the rapidly growing baby bump, Rachel flashed the teen a grin and plucked the carton of grapes from her hand.
"Ooh, perfect! I was just in the mood for some fruit, and where have you been for most of the night young lady?"
Raising one eyebrow in an impressive arch, Rachel tried not to be too endeared by the way the teen scratched at her nose awkwardly before replying.
"Ah, um…well you know, just out and about getting to know the area and the people and…stuff."
Trailing off, J.D. took the opportunity to duck almost inside the refrigerator under the guise of rearranging the salad crisper to make room for the fresh stuff. Sadly, Rachel was not foolish enough to fall for the tactic.
"I know that technically you're old enough to do what you want when you want but…you know how much Quinn frets about you, plus if you're falling into bad company…"
Rolling her eyes and withdrawing reluctantly from the safety of the fridge, J.D. mumbled a reply.
"No bad company I promise, just literally exploring the area, the guys at the video store were nice enough to show me around after their shift."
Shrugging as though it was no big deal, the teen reached for the carton of milk only to be stopped by a voice. This time however it wasn't Rachel but the previously quiet Quinn, the mention of 'guys' and 'going out' had finally stirred her from her cocoon.
"Whoa, hold up there kiddo, what exactly do you mean by guys? And going out where, I mean how many of them were there and where did you go, you do know you aren't old enough to drink right?!"
Heaving a huge aggrieved sigh that only a teenager can ever truly manage, J.D. shut the door to the fridge and turned to try and calm down her suddenly alert guardian…and promptly burst out laughing.
Having forced herself to finally rouse upon hearing that J.D. was out with some nameless 'guys' Quinn had to confess that the last reaction she was expecting to have to deal with was laughter, frowning with a mix of confusion and frustration, the pilot turned to her fiancée.
"Okay, what's so funny about asking if she was out drinking? Rach…why are you looking so annoyingly innocent?"
A dawning realization was occurring to her, given what she and the diminutive brunette starlet had been up to for the last three days (with appropriate stops to refuel of course) she could only really draw one conclusion. Reaching up she tried not to grimace at the reminder that she desperately needed another shower and tried to tame her hair, even without the aid of a mirror she could tell through touch that trying to tame it by hand was a futile effort. Shooting a glare towards the unrepentant actress, she tried her best to try and look as though she was in fact the responsible adult in this conversation.
Sighing slightly, Rachel shrugged a shoulder and spoke lowly over the rim of her teacup.
"I told you that you needed a shower, but no, you insisted you had to refuel before you could even think about it!"
Trying her best not to pout, and failing spectacularly, the blonde stifled a yawn before grumbling a reply.
"Yeah and whose fault is that! Jesus Rachel you were like a woman possessed, it's unnatural that you were that energetic and then still look as good as you do!"
Forgetting for the moment that J.D. was even in the room, the brunette shrugged airily and couldn't help but remark idly.
"I guess I just have more stamina than you do Miss Track Star."
Opening her mouth to defend her potent virality in what was to undoubtedly be a very vociferous manner, J.D. leapt into the conversation eager to halt her de facto stepmothers'.
"While this is actually kind of amusing, it's also very disturbing to hear my guardians arguing about who is more energetic in the bedroom! So if you'll excuse me I'm going to head up to my room and take a look at some of those open college course brochures."
Before either woman could reply the teen bolted, Rachel was too happy that J.D. was considering a college course to remember that they were supposed to be questioning her about who she was seeing. Quinn was caught between sulking at the slight on her sexual abilities and faint admiration at the way J.D. had managed to duck the conversation so skillfully. Letting the blanket drop from her shoulders, the pilot stretched her shoulders until they popped and looked forward to the day the wire was to come off her jaw so she could enjoy a good yawn again, now there was something she hadn't thought she'd miss…yawning. Filled with an overwhelming sense of love for the sleepy disheveled pilot, Rachel made her way over to the chair and set herself down in Quinn's lap.
"That kid is far too sneaky for her own good, definitely takes after you."
At the proud glint in Quinn's eyes, Rachel inclined her head far enough to steal a chaste kiss.
"And I was only teasing as you well know, you were amazing as always, I guess it's just that I'm so used to having to find extra reserves of energy because of our babies."
Grinning slightly, the pilot let her head rest on her fiancée's shoulder sleepily.
"Yeah well, I wasn't joking about the whole wild woman thing…at one point I thought you were seriously trying to kill me with sex, not that I was complaining but still…"
Rolling her dark eyes, the actress leaned down and stole one more kiss before standing again.
"I wasn't joking however about the fact that you need a shower if not a bath, I love you darling but you smell awful."
Puffing her chest up with an exaggerated show of pride, Quinn shrugged the last of the blanket off her shoulders and stood.
"Hey I may smell of sex sweat but I earned that smell, if I want to revel in it, I believe I earned the right to do so!"
Crossing her arms decisively, she caught a very definite whiff of the distinctly stale 'sex sweat' smell and pulled a face before adding.
"Okay…I'm done with enjoying it, I definitely need a shower!"
Laughing softly at the image of her beloved stood there with hair that defied gravity, SpongeBob boxer shorts and a backwards T-shirt, Rachel couldn't resist one more kiss…despite the smell.
"So go wash up, I'll make you some liquidized ham and eggs."
Smiling happily, Quinn was halfway to the door before she held a hand up in exclamation and turned on her heel making her way back towards her puzzled fiancée. Ignoring Rachel's bemused look, she knelt down in front of her and placed three kisses on the bump, telling them she would be back shortly before placing a last kiss on Rachel's forehead and heading eagerly up to the bathroom. Shaking her head in adoration at the blonde's antics, the diva ran a gentle hand over the baby bump.
"Your poppa is one crazy chick kiddies, and we love her all the more for it don't we?"
She grinned to herself as all three of the growing children inside of her seemed to move gently in agreement. Upstairs, Quinn was quick to shower and dress herself for if all went well, the Doc was going to let her have her jaw back this afternoon. She suspected that was the only reason Rachel had let her get out of bed as she still had two days left with her little buddy. Glancing down at it, she couldn't help but smirk slightly as she thought back over the past three days…if she got her damn jaw unwired this afternoon then she had some payback to deliver! After a belated breakfast and more than one cup of tea to calm her nerves, Rachel drove them the short distance to the small local surgery; Quinn was happy that the little diva commented on more than one occasion how much she loved the new car and made a mental note to buy a couple six packs for San to thank her again for her help. By the time the Doctor called them in, the pilot was almost humming with nervous excited energy and after taking one look at her, the Doctor chuckled lightly before pointing to the seat opposite her.
"I take it we have had more than enough of the wiring then?"
Rolling her eyes, Quinn eagerly nodded in agreement.
"Oh hell yeah, this damn thing stops me from yawning, from eating, from laughing, I can't even get a proper kiss!"
Rachel flushed at the blonde's little overshare, the Doctor however had obviously heard complaints like this before and it was water off a duck's back. Flipping through the notes the hospital had sent over and the copies of the latest x-ray, Dr. Nevins nodded to herself.
"Okay, we can definitely take the wiring off today but you still need to take it easy, no chowing down on steaks or taffy! You can have solid foods but nothing too chewy, at least for a month or so, think you can stick to those rules Quinn, if not you'll end up back in here and wired before you can blink."
Trying not to growl at the idea of being free whilst simultaneously being bound by another set of rules, the pilot blew out a breath and nodded. Nodding happily, the Dr. got out the tools she would need and directed Quinn to lie down on the examination bed.
After what seemed like an eternity later to Rachel, who could only catch the odd glimpse of the Dr. at work, Quinn let out an almost sexual groan, stepping back from her patient, Dr. Nevins let Quinn sit up and the pilot smirked her familiar lopsided grin at the little diva and punched the air in celebration.
"I got my mouth back!"
Laughing at her fiancée's adorable celebratory dance, Rachel reached out a hand and helped her off the bed.
"You're incorrigible, you know that don't you Fabray?"
Smiling widely, the blonde poked her tongue out, mostly just because she could, and commented lowly.
"And you love it Berry!"
Rolling her eyes at the two of them, the Doc cleared her throat and seeming to know instantly what was on Quinn' and Rachel's mind, handed the blonde a small baggie with travel size samples of toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrush. Grinning eagerly, Quinn accepted it and headed to the sink in the corner, at the brunette's raised eyebrow, Dr. Nevins shrugged.
"I've removed enough wired jaw sets to realize it's the first thing all of them want so I make sure I have a new set on hand!"
Sharing the light laughter, Rachel opened her mouth to ask about the dietary dos and don'ts, only to find a small booklet presented to her, smiling the Dr. added.
"And the first thing their partners always want is the list of rules so they don't end up bringing them back in to be re-wired!"
Saluting the Dr. with the booklet and a smile, Rachel tucked it away just in time to see a minty fresh Quinn walk back over with as wide a grin as she'd ever seen.
"Thanks Doc, you're a god send and definitely on my Christmas card list!"
Waving away the thanks, Dr. Nevins organized a follow up appointment to double check the jaw in a couple of weeks and take another look at the healing wrist. If it was possible Quinn was actually skipping as they made their way back out to the car. Chuckling, Rachel found herself gasping in surprise as the blonde swept her up exuberantly and half danced her the rest of the way back to the car. Collapsing against the door breathless with giggles, the two of them stole a quick chaste kiss…that quickly turned into something more intimate but no less sweet. When the blonde finally pulled away, Rachel bit her lower lip lightly and tucked a trace of the growing hair behind Quinn's ear, speaking softly.
"And what was that for Miss Fabray?"
Shrugging almost shyly, the pilot let her forehead rest against her lover's and let out a slow happy breath.
"Well, as weird as it sounds, kissing properly is the thing I missed most, not because I'm a perv or anything, although I admit I kinda am, but because…ya know it's like a silent 'I love you' or does that sound way too corny to have come out of my mouth…please say something and stop me talking because I get the feeling I'm babbling now and making things worse and I can't seem to stop so…"
Reaching up, Rachel halted the sudden and charming torrent of words with a soft kiss.
"It's not corny and although we still have kissed I know what you mean…so relax okay? I thought I was the nervous babbler in the relationship, what do I have left if you take on that role huh?"
Grinning mischievously, the pilot pretended to think.
"Well, there's always the over attentiveness to every single little detail..."
Mock scowling, the brunette allowed Quinn to open her door for her and slid into the driver's seat, however instead of closing the door, the blonde continued to muse silently on Rachel's personality quirks.
"And the coaster issue, I mean it's just condensation Rach! Also you get sort of high strung about the washing machine eating socks, not to mention…"
A very loud throat clearing itself caused the pilot to stop mid-sentence, focusing on the partly amused but partly exasperated look on her love's face, she trailed into expectant silence.
"Quinn, sweetheart…can I just say that pissing off a pregnant woman is never a very wise prospect at the best of times, and pissing off a pregnant woman who has the ability to leave you stranded several miles from home is an even stupider one."
Drumming her fingertips on the car's doorframe for all of ten seconds, the pilot then smiled widely and carried on as though as she'd never been interrupted.
"There's also your immense capacity for understanding and forgiveness, your ability to look hot at all times even if you have been hurling all night, and the fact that I love you?"
Unable to stop the chuckle even if she had wanted to, Rachel just shook her head.
"Get in the car you amazing, adorable dork!"
Jogging round to the passenger side, the blonde slid inside and clicked her safety belt in with a sense of purpose.
"Home James! Hopefully to some real food and cuddling up by the fire?"
Rachel would have agreed even if Quinn hadn't been batting her eyelashes in a hopeful way.
"Fine, although we do need to finish that conversation with J.D. with regards to who exactly she's hanging around with."
Nodding slightly, the pilot settled back into her seat and rubbed her jaw thoughtfully.
"Well, I trust that she isn't doing anything dumb, I mean let's face it, given what happened to her she's probably more switched on than most young women her age. However, as much as I trust her, I can't stop worrying that someone's going to try and take advantage of her gentle nature somehow…is that paranoid?"
Smiling lovingly, Rachel removed her hand from the steering wheel long enough to reach over and squeeze the pilot's hand.
"No love, that's called being a parent and I'm sad to say we are in for a lifetime of it."
Looking even more thoughtful for a long minute, Quinn then blew out an amused breath and glanced at the curious brunette.
"Just…remind me to tell my mom how much I love her the next time I see her okay?"
Laughing softly, Rachel nodded her agreement, simultaneously making a note to ring her fathers and say the same thing! J.D. was sat at the kitchen table when they returned and looked up from the latest issue of the local paper, on seeing Quinn's un-wired and happily smirking face she laughed.
"Oh god the mighty mouth has been unleashed…how could you let it happen Rachel!"
Sighing dramatically and ignoring the look of practiced consternation on her fiancée's face, the little diva shrugged helplessly.
"I tried kiddo, even offered to pay for the Doc to leave it on there but it was all to no avail."
Grinning widely, J.D. ducked the playful swipe Quinn aimed at her head, she wasn't so lucky however when it came to the noogie the pilot followed it up with. Squealing in a most undignified way, especially for an adult, J.D. appealed to Rachel mutely for help. Smirking happily, the blonde let the teen go with a last light slap on the back of her head before commenting.
"Sorry kiddo, can't be attacking the beautiful mother of my child can I, so that means you get to pay for her sins…plus you started it Miss Wiseass!"
Poking her tongue out playfully, the teen used her fingertips to rapidly fix her hairdo before glancing over to the two women. Rachel was leaning against the work surface, one hand cradling her bump and the other tangled with Quinn's as the blonde absentmindedly made tea with her free one. Clearing her throat softly to get the attention of both women, J.D. tried to assume a serious expression…with much the same result that Quinn had when she tried, she just looked mildly confused. Rachel bit the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing out loud at the expression and nudged Quinn to let her know the teen wanted to tell them something.
"Okay you two…I know I bailed on the conversation earlier today but that's because I wasn't sure what to say. I'm not hanging out with anyone dodgy I swear, no gang stuff, hell we don't even smoke!"
Quinn spluttered into her tea at the mere thought that J.D. would start smoking; Rachel rubbed the blonde's back lightly and kept her amusement internal. Rolling her eyes, the teen ran a hand through her hair and started again.
"It's just having a life back is taking some getting used to, Kim down at the video place is real cool, kind of a geek but I'm used to being around geeks."
At that she looked over to the pilot who far from looking embarrassed, grinned proudly and motioned with her mug of tea for the teen to carry on.
"Anyway…she offered to show me around the town, introduce me to a few places that might interest me and help me look for a job."
At that announcement, both Rachel and Quinn started to talk hurriedly.
"Kiddo you said you were going to get your GED first!"
"You said you were looking at colleges, a job won't leave time for college!"
Taking a moment to bask in the love and concern she could feel from both her new parents, J.D. smiled softly and held up both hands until they fell silent.
"Whoa, calm down and let me get a word in edgeways! I will be getting my GED and I AM looking at college brochures. However the fact is I wanted to feel like I'm also contributing something to the family, you guys are giving me so much and it's important to me that I feel part of this. I know that you're going to say I don't need to and I guess I know that deep down but a part time job can't hurt can it?"
Sipping her tea silently for a moment with a thoughtful frown, Quinn glanced to Rachel who gave an infinitesimal nod.
"Kiddo…you're right we don't feel like you owe us anything, you're here as part of our family because we love you and because Rachel needs you, but I also know that having a job is really important to you."
Before she could go on, J.D. nodded eagerly and leaning forward, did her best to cement her argument.
"Exactly, and if I'm happier I can be of more help because I'm more aware! Plus it's only like two evenings a week and one weekend afternoon…and I get free pizza"
Nodding absently, Quinn carried on.
"And it sounds reasonable enough, two evenings are okay as long as they aren't late but if you're studying then working a weekend might…wait, did you say free pizza?"
Grinning widely and glad the pilot had finally caught that little tidbit of information, the teen replied happily.
"Yep! Every shift I get to bring home an order for myself afterwards."
Smiling happily, the blonde was on the verge of agreeing that a job might not be so bad after all when she felt a light squeeze of her fingers and glanced over at Rachel. Chewing her lip for a moment and trying not to think just of the free pizza, Quinn tipped her mug towards the diva.
"Well I'm not gonna lie, you know my stomach would probably speak for me right now! And I DO understand why you want a job, most teens do, but Rachel is your ward and she's also the other parent so..."
They both looked towards the brunette who smiled at them indulgently before replying.
"Having a job is fine, I know you can be by my side at a moment's notice if I need you and I know how important it is that you live this life as normally as possible. My concerns are the normal parental ones, for instance how late are these evening shifts and how will you get to and from the shop?"
Rubbing her nose, J.D. shrugged.
"I would work till half past ten, not the closing shift, just covering the busy time, and I figured that I could take the bus, it drops off and picks up pretty much right outside."
Rachel glanced back towards Quinn in their ongoing silent parental debate, the blonde moved away from her girl's side for a moment, rummaging in one of the kitchen drawers before throwing something towards the teen who caught it on impulse. Looking down, she saw she was holding the key to the jeep and looked up with confusion, smiling softly, Rachel replied for both of them while the blonde sipped her tea with a smirk.
"You can take the job if you want Jodie, but you are not relying on public transport young lady! I no longer need the jeep and Quinn isn't working right now so it's yours…after you get your learners' permit of course."
There was a moment's silence then the spiky haired teen leapt up with a grin that could rival the Cheshire Cat's. Almost leaping across the few feet separating her from her guardians, J.D. swept them both into a hug, being mindful of the bump of course.
"I…you guys really are the best and this is awesome! I promise I'll get my learners' permit and won't hog the jeep for too long, I was thinking of getting a bike but…"
Rachel instantly felt herself panicking at the thought of Jodie also riding a motorcycle, it was bad enough with just Quinn risking her life on a daily basis. However it wasn't her that got to voice her disapproval of such a plan…because Quinn of all people, beat her to it!
"No way in hell or earth are you getting a motorbike young lady! If you don't know what you're doing then those things are deadly, mobile organ donation machines!"
Two sets of eyes were suddenly fixed on hers in surprise, J.D.'s blue ones were mildly amused whereas Rachel's deep brown ones were far from it. Smirking internally, the teen took the opportunity to make her exit and bolt upstairs for the safety of her bedroom. In the awkward silence that followed, Quinn found the bottom of her mug of tea of immense interest as she murmured.
"I said if you don't know what you're doing…I do know what I'm doing, I had the chance to learn from my dad on the safety of the airfield."
At the continuation of the silence, the pilot looked up and sighed.
"Okay so I'm a hypocrite and now I know how you feel every time I get on the Ducati…I'm sorry Rae."
Melting into a smile, the diva pulled Quinn close and kissed her temple.
"I know you love riding the bike and I'd never tell you that you couldn't or shouldn't do so, but thank you…for finally realizing that I don't say I'm worried to nag you."
Grinning crookedly, the pilot inclined her head downwards slightly and caught the brunette's lips in a soft but intense kiss.
"No problem gorgeous, now…how about we do some of that snuggling up we were planning on and think about what to pack for your long weekend business trip to Disneyworld!"
Laughing at the sheer exuberance on her fiancée's face at the thought of a weekend of justifiably acting like an overgrown kid, Rachel shook her head and pulled her towards the study where the Disney maps were. The rest of the week went by fairly peacefully, Gaby was absent so the spirit world was, for now, giving Quinn some much needed time off. As the time for the trip to Disney got closer however, Quinn would have loved to have her old friend around as her feelings of unease around Shelby were growing. In the absence of the red headed ghost the pilot turned to Santana, she was always hesitant about asking the hot headed Latina for relationship advice but jealousy was something that Santana Lopez knew only too well. Sighing heavily and with her and Rachel due to fly out with Shelby tomorrow morning, Quinn trudged her way up to the front door of her friend's house and knocked on the door. Inside she could hear Brittany calling for Santana to wait until she grabbed Lord Tubbington because he was on a diet and not allowed to go out or he'd beat the other neighborhood cats up for their lunch. Smiling happily at the conversation, Quinn just shook her head and waited, eventually it was answered by a disheveled Santana, sporting a long scratch on one cheek. Opening her mouth to comment, the pilot was abruptly halted by the flushed Latina's pointing finger.
"One word and I put you in a sack with the hell cat!"
Laughing, Quinn held up her hands in surrender and with a half-smile, the Latina gestured her inside. Brittany smiled over at her from the sofa where a very large, very grumpy Lord Tubbington was glaring at all of them from the dancer's lap.
"Hey Quinn it's good to see you, we were going to come over this weekend till we heard about your trip to Disney, say hello to Donald Duck for me won't you!"
"Good to see you too Brits and it's fine, I'm guessing that Santana hasn't let you out of her sight since you returned!"
She dodged the Latina's sideways kick with a smirk as Brittany replied in her usual open and honest, and slightly disturbing, way.
"Well, there were moments when she was tied up when I was out of her sight because I was fetching the…"
Interrupting hastily, Santana thrust a soda bottle into the appalled pilot's hand.
"So, you mentioned in your text that you wanted to talk?"
Taking a moment to drag her mind from the gutter, the pilot flushed a bright red and managed a nod, rolling her eyes Santana linked her arms through Quinn's and led her through to the back yard. Once the door was closed behind them with Brittany and her overshares safely on the other side of it, Quinn cleared her throat.
"Yeah…so, I'm gonna pretend that conversation didn't happen okay?"
Tipping back her beer bottle, the Latina smirked as she toyed with the idea of tormenting her notoriously shy friend just a little bit more…but in the end she nodded an agreement.
"Works for me, so come on Q…spill, what's got you frowning so bad?"
Sighing in frustration, the pilot scratched at her nose and began to pace as she thought out how to say what was bothering her without sounding paranoid.
"It could be nothing, I mean I might just be seeing things where there no…um, things. But she's just so damn condescending all the time!"
Mildly shocked by the angry outburst from her usually placid friend, Santana swallowed her mouthful and spoke slowly.
"Okay, I know that I can usually interpret your own particular brand of craziness, even I have to say I have no idea what you're talking about! Take a deep breath, stop pacing and start again!"
Frowning irritably, Quinn thumped down onto the porch swing that the Latina indicated with her chin, after a moment Santana joined her. Scratching her nose again, the blonde took a long swallow of the root beer and tried again.
"You've known me a long time right S? I mean not as long as Rach but it still qualifies as a long friendship?"
Waiting for the Latina's nod of confirmation, Quinn carried on.
"And in all that time have you ever known me to be jealous, of anyone, ya know, when it comes to Rachel?"
Having expected agreement or maybe a question or two about the statement, Quinn was completely surprised when instead Santana snorted into her beer bottle with amusement.
"Okaaayy, not quite the reaction I was expecting when I'm trying to bare my soul here San!"
Forcing herself to calm down, the Latina threw a companionable arm around her friend's shoulders, pulling her in for a brief half hug, half wrestle.
"I'm sorry Q…but to be honest you didn't even notice people flirting with you most of the time, let alone flirting with Rachel. So no, jealousy is the last emotion I would associate with you…why the question?"
Frowning heavily again, Quinn let her head drop to rest on the back of the porch swing and let out a long sigh.
"Well…the thing is I think there's something going on with Shelby, you know, Rachel's agent?"
Santana choked on her mouthful of beer for a moment, prompting the pilot to sit up again and pound her lightly on the back until her airways cleared, once she could talk again the Latina wiped her eyes as she blurted.
"No way would Rachel cheat on you Quinn, I can't believe you'd even think she would!"
Hazel eyes widening in shock, Quinn held her hands out calmingly.
"God, no I don't think that, I never…that didn't even cross my mind!"
Glaring through bloodshot eyes, the Latina wiped her mouth on her sleeve and murmured.
"Then why the hell would you bring up Shelby like that?"
Sighing with renewed frustration, Quinn raked her hands through her hair and slumped back into the seat.
"I'm not worried about Rachel but I think…actually screw that I KNOW that Shelby has some ulterior motive when it comes to Rachel. She's always making snide comments about how she thinks I'm not doing enough for Rachel, or that I don't take her pregnancy seriously, it's like she…is trying to get Rachel to see my faults but magnifying them at the same time!"
Although the temptation to tease her blonde friend about her so-called 'faults' was strong, Santana could tell this was really bothering her so she sighed internally before asking.
"Okay, rewind the tape a little bit and tell me exactly what she's been doing to get under your skin like this."
Blowing out a breath, Quinn started to recount all the separate little incidents, which when viewed alone could perhaps be passed off as friendly concern.
"Well, firstly she was criticizing me about the pregnancy in the first place and wondering why we weren't waiting seeing as how Rach's career is just taking off, I mean it's not like we can tell her the truth but even so…she made it sound like it was all my fault."
Pausing to take another swallow of the root beer, she continued.
"She makes sure to let Rachel know that she always has special vitamin water and snack foods on hand that are especially for pregnant women, and then wonders why I haven't been buying them! When the fact is I have, I just don't make a big deal out of it!"
Santana watched in surprise as her usually placid friend picked at the label on her soda bottle angrily as she spoke.
"When we brought that car she could only say that she hoped that it was eco-friendly because Rachel wouldn't like it otherwise! As if I wouldn't have taken that into account when choosing the damn thing, as if I don't know my own fiancée's preferences."
When she paused for breath, Santana spoke hesitantly, not wanting to upset her friend all over again.
"Maybe she just really cares about Rachel and wants to make sure she's taken care of?"
Shooting a sharp angry glare at her friend, Quinn growled.
"Which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact she takes over when she's around us, she makes the tea, she makes sure Rachel is comfortable and she's always looking at me like she thinks I'm not good enough for her…like Rachel could do better, why would she do that if she was just concerned huh? Surely she'd be trying to get close to both of us?"
Pursing her lips in thought, the Latina leant back in her seat and tried her best not to look like she'd realized what she just had. She had known that Quinn wasn't the most confident of people when it came to what she could offer the brunette diva, hell that was the reason she'd been refusing to get involved with her in the first place.
Remembering the months of sexual frustration that had been built up between her two friends, the Latina sighed internally, Quinn was a wonderful person, she had no reason to fear Rachel would look elsewhere, but she realized that wasn't what was worrying the pilot. What was worrying her was that Shelby might be right, that Rachel could do better than her, when in fact she couldn't be further from the truth.
"Q, Rachel is happy with you, a billionaire with the body of a goddess could come along and Rach wouldn't offer more than a polite smile and a cup of tea! She loves you, you big idiot, and no matter what Shelby thinks about you, it's Rachel that counts and she knows you are more than good enough."
Smiling reluctantly, Quinn thumped her friend's shoulder companionably before muttering.
"Well, I mean I know that…I guess, but how do I get that through to Shelby so she backs off! It's like she's trying to push me into a confrontation with her because she knows I have a temper, and if I lose it at her then it will give her ammunition to prove that I'm unsuitable."
Frowning in thought, Santana absently plucked the now empty soda bottle from Quinn's hands and shot it with unerring accuracy into the recycling tub.
"Okay, well it sounds to me like she has some kind of jealousy thing going on, I mean even if she does like Rachel in that way it's never going to happen and it's time she realized that…what would you normally do if someone was making a play for Rachel?"
Quinn answered immediately.
"Kick them in the nuts, or if it was a chick I guess I'd punch them…I mean that would be my first instinct but I wouldn't really do that. I guess I'd take them to one side and explain how things really were, and then if they didn't listen, that's when I'd punch them."
Clapping her friend on the shoulder with a wide grin, Santana laughed.
"See, you do know what to do! Just don't let Rachel see you punching her, if you have to I mean."
Settling back and feeling a lot lighter now she had spoken to someone about the situation with Shelby, the pilot laughed softly.
"So, take her to one side and ask her what her deal is then?"
Nodding, Santana shot her own bottle into the recycling bin before replying.
"Exactly, and don't let her squirm off the hook either, she's been making you feel uncomfortable so it's time to turn the tables. Just make sure that Rachel isn't aware of it, at least until afterwards. I mean I love that girl like family but she can be almost as dense as you when it comes to people flirting with her. I swear getting you two to acknowledge each other's attraction was a herculean task, I may even need therapy!"
Rolling hazel eyes, the pilot let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks…ya know for, helping me out with this."
Shrugging, Santana stood and led the way back into the living room where Brittany was filling a small bowl with lukewarm water and bubbles.
"C'est nada Hermosa, although you can help me out if you wouldn't mind, I need to get some groceries so can you help Brits out?"
Quinn nodded reflexively before her higher brain function could scream out a warning and seconds later she found her arms full of hissing cat while a smirking Santana bolted out the door hurriedly. Brittany smiled in relief as she ran a hand through the water.
"Thanks for this Quinn, it's always easier to bathe Lord Tubbington with help!"
Forcing a weak smile for the dancer's benefit, Quinn glanced down into the cat's narrowed blue eyes.
Aw crap!
Two hours later, Quinn walked in the front door of her own house, minus one shirt sleeve and plus a great many cat scratches, Rachel winced knowing where Quinn had gone and quickly surmising what must have happened. J.D. smirked and opened her mouth to comment when one warning finger pointed in her direction and the pilot ground out from between gritted teeth.
"Not one word wiseass or you're sleeping on the porch tonight!"
Smirking widely, the teen mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key, Rachel stood with some effort due to the rapidly growing bump and laid a hand on her fiancée's arm.
"Come on let's get you cleaned up shall we?"
Watching the two women walk away, J.D. just shook her head to herself before going back to her comic book with a grin. Who needs super powers when I have a family this interesting? Thankfully most of the cat scratches, the visible ones anyway, had healed by the time the weekend rolled around for their trip to Disney. In the back of her mind, Quinn was prepping herself for a quiet little talk with Shelby about Rachel, but in an effort to try and give the older woman the benefit of the doubt, she decided to treat the weekend as a chance to get to know the diva's agent properly. Taking the agent's case, she loaded it into the back of the car carefully, they'd decided to go from their house as it meant less hassle for Rachel, forcing a smile she spoke companionably.
"So…this meeting is going to be good for Rachel huh? I mean work with Disney could lead to a lot of contacts couldn't it?"
Shelby regarded Quinn warily as she nodded.
"Yes, although parenthood will impact upon that quite badly, although with the proper support I'm sure she can do it, and with you not having a proper full time job that shouldn't be an issue."
Gritting her teeth so hard she swore a filling had fallen out, the pilot forced a smile.
"Well, the work I do is contract based and highly paid so I can afford to take time off to coincide with Rachel's projects."
Folding her arms and smiling serenely as they waited for Rachel to join them from her last minute toilet break, Shelby commented.
"I didn't realize mechanics were paid that much, it isn't exactly much of a specialized career is it?"
Feeling her temper starting to boil, Quinn let her nails dig into the palm of her clenched fist and took a calming breath, mentally congratulating herself when she sounded casual as she replied.
"Well, if I was just a grease monkey then I wouldn't be, but as I have two degrees in engineering, one mechanical and one in Aerospace it's a little more than just a job. However as it's a specialized field I made sure I could do the simple jobs as well as the complex, that way I won't ever be out of work."
Whatever the agent had it in mind to say was halted by the arrival of a flustered Rachel who smiled in embarrassment.
"Sorry baby, your children are using my bladder like a squeeze toy."
Smirking slightly, Quinn raised one eyebrow and linking her arm through the diva's kissed the top of her head.
"Oh I see, when they act up they're my children huh?"
Wrinkling her nose in the way that made Quinn's stomach do a little flip, the diva giggled.
"Of course! You should know by now how it works with pregnant women Quinn, the good stuff is mine and the bad stuff must be your fault."
Laughing along with the brunette, Quinn stole another soft kiss, at the long-standing joke between them, to the side Shelby cleared her throat until Rachel looked up from the intimate moment.
"Sorry, I hate to interrupt but we want to get there with enough time to get settled in properly don't we?"
Nodding with a slight trace of guilt, Rachel squeezed the blonde's hand one last time as Quinn helped her into the passenger seat.
"Sorry Shelby, bladder doesn't seem to want to listen to me these days!"
Smiling happily, the older woman reached over to squeeze the brunette's hand gently.
"Don't worry about it, it's hardly your fault is it"
The way she said it caused the hackles to rise on the back of Quinn's neck and she had to remind herself to play this subtly and not just punch the insufferable agent in the face…as much as she very dearly wanted to at that moment. Luckily the ride to the airport went by fairly companionably, Rachel and Shelby chatting excitedly about the meeting and what possibilities it held for Rachel, meanwhile Quinn was obsessively checking that they had their passports for the fifth time. The problems began anew however as soon as they got to the airport, in retrospect Quinn should have realized something was wrong when Shelby said she would organize all their tickets. Rachel and Quinn sat together on a bench with the luggage waiting for Shelby to check them in, giggling and canoodling like teenagers on their first holiday away from their parents. Interrupting the couple's impromptu game of thumb wars, Shelby cleared her throat before bestowing what, to Quinn's mind at least, looked like a completely insincere smile.
"I'm afraid there's been a mix up with the tickets…I managed to get us all into business class but I could only get two seats together."
Grinding her teeth as she watched what looked like a triumphant gleam shine in Shelby's eyes, Quinn forced her gaze away from the agent's.
Returning a smile which was every bit as insincere as Shelby's, Quinn shrugged.
"That's not a problem, we'll just meet you at the baggage claim on the other side."
There, see how you like them apples Shelby McBitchface! Internally, Quinn high fived herself but it was cut short when Rachel spoke.
"I was hoping to go over a few things Quinn, I just kept drifting off during the day when I was meant to be reading, sorry?"
Quinn glanced sidelong at the agent and then back to Rachel who looked truly torn over what to do. Gentling her expression, the blonde ducked her head to press a light kiss to the diva's temple.
"If you ask me they'll snap you up in five seconds flat, read through or not, but if it's going to help you then sit and go through lines okay, we'll sit together on the flight back and drink non-alcoholic champagne to celebrate, kay?"
Squeezing the blonde into as tight a hug as the bump would allow, Rachel peppered her face with kisses until she had Quinn giggling like a toddler.
"You are so going to get laid this weekend!"
Linking arms with the diva, Quinn counted that as a win for her and smirked at Shelby as she picked up their hand luggage, despite her aim to be the bigger person she couldn't quite stop the little jolt of triumph at the agent's sour expression. Once she made sure that Rachel was settled comfortably in her seat, the pilot made her way to her own, a 'mere' twelve rows back. Muttering under her breath, she thumped down into her seat, rummaging in her carry on until she pulled out the book on aeronautics she'd been reading. The guy sat next to her raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the cover.
"So, you know something about this plane the rest of us don't?"
At the polite, and slightly amused, inquiry Quinn looked up and then back at the book before raising her eyebrows in realization.
"Aw geez, no this is just personal interest, I have a couple degrees in this stuff and my partner was asking me about maybe getting a masters. Figured it couldn't hurt to look over a few course guides and reading materials."
Smiling brightly, the taller guy offered his hand.
"Mike Billings, pleased to know if there is a problem with the plane I'm sitting next to someone who might be able to figure out what's going on!"
Chuckling, Quinn shook his hand before introducing herself, as it turned out Mike worked for British Aerospace and so instead of ending up sat next to some dour faced businessman or hyper active child, the blonde found herself chatting companionably about engineering. By the time they made it to L.A she had made not only a new friend but a possible business acquaintance, Rachel was over the moon and linking her arms with Quinn's to disembark from the plane, kissed her fiancée repeatedly.
"Only you could get on a plane with a stranger and walk off with a business contact!"
Smiling happily, Quinn chanced a sideways look at Shelby as she replied.
"Who knows, it might lead to me getting a job as more than a grease monkey?"
Rachel who had no idea of the previous conversation between Quinn and her agent just scoffed as she gently swiped at the blonde's side.
"Quinn, you were never just a grease monkey and you know it! Why do you think your mom and I kept nagging at you to do that degree and internship with Boeing, you may do your best to hide it Fabray but you are a genuine genius nerd!"
Laughing slightly, Quinn decided to let it rest there for now, after all hearing it from Rachel had a lot more clout than hearing it from Quinn herself…and judging by the sour look on Shelby's face even she couldn't argue with it. Once they got their bags and were headed to the Disney hotel, Quinn started bouncing around with barely contained enthusiasm, babbling about all the things they had to see between Rachel's meetings and appointments, the brunette laughed and just nodded along in agreement. She loved seeing this excited innocent side of the blonde and her only regret was that their children weren't there yet to enjoy it as well, not that she thought for one moment Quinn would object to another visit. Safely checked in and in their hotel room, which Shelby had managed to get right, Quinn noticed Rachel wincing slightly as she collapsed into the large overstuffed comfy chair. Making her way over to the little diva, she dropped a soft kiss on the crown of her head before starting to rub her shoulders. Moaning appreciatively, Rachel leaned into the knowing touch of the pilot.
"God that feels good Quinn, you always seem to know what I need, more so than our kids who seem to be playing with my insides like they're on a jungle gym!"
Chuckling slightly, the blonde sat on the floor in front of Rachel and sliding off the brunette's sneakers started to rub her feet and calves.
"Well you did make me read all those pregnancy books, even I can take a hint that blatant, besides which I'm not working right now so there's no excuse for me not looking after you is there?"
Raising an amused eyebrow that didn't quite hide her concern, the diva muttered.
"Apart from your still healing broken wrist you mean?"
Looking up from where she was working to ease the tension in Rachel's muscles, Quinn smiled softly.
"Hey, quit that okay? My jaw is healed, my ribs are fixed, most of the bruising has gone down and my wrist is only in this cast another week, the only thing bugging me is the itching as it heals and the fact I can't get at it to scratch it!"
Smiling fondly, Rachel reached down and ran her hand through the blonde's hair scratching her scalp lightly.
"If I could reach it for you I'd scratch that itch, as it is I can make sure I scratch your other itches, at least until I become the size of a white whale as opposed to the killer whale I am now."
Although it was said jokingly, the blonde ceased her massaging motions for a moment and shuffled closer to Rachel's baby belly. Lying her head on it sideways so she could hear the babies' heartbeats, the pilot spoke softly.
"You listen to me oh gorgeous mother of my children, you are not a whale you are a glorious Rubinesque woman whom anyone would be lucky to know let alone love. I find you attractive when you're puking in the toilet, when you're crying over one of those sappy movies you make me watch…I mean heck, do you remember that winter you got the flu real bad and looked like the swamp thing was crawling out of your nostrils every other minute?"
At the brunette's slightly tearful giggle, Quinn smiled gently and continued.
"Exactly, and if that didn't chase me off then I'm pretty sure that nothing is going to! So you can try as hard as you want to Miss Berry but I am going nowhere that isn't with you…except the bathroom, because I need to pee!"
Knowing the brunette was overly tearful at this stage in her pregnancy, Quinn deliberately ended with a joke and leapt up with an exaggerated wee-wee walk towards the bathroom, happy when she heard the tinkling laughter follow her. When she exited the bathroom Rachel was already half drowsing, nudging the brunette's shoulder lightly, Quinn knelt down to whisper.
"Come on sleeping beauty, time for you to get some rest before dinner or you'll get all grouchy!"
Narrowing her eyes playfully, Rachel let Quinn help her onto the large bed, yawning widely.
"If it weren't for the fact that I am in fact sleepy I'd get you back for that Miss Wiseass!"
Smirking, Quinn planted a kiss on the brunette's forehead and then tiptoeing over, lowered the blinds and made her way out to the hallway, deciding to go and book a few things in the park for after Rachel's meeting. She got as far as the lobby when she bumped into Shelby who was walking out of the gift shop with a wrapped package; there was a moment's awkward silence before the agent spoke.
"So…where's Rachel?"
Frowning slightly, the blonde tucked her hands into her back pockets.
"She's resting, she gets pretty tired pretty fast these days, I gave her a quick massage and now I'm going to pick her up a few things, maybe book a day in the park."
Tucking a stand of hair behind her ear awkwardly, the agent nodded, shifting her package from hand to hand.
"Well…I suppose I should go and see to my own arrangements, make sure we're ready for the meeting, I know she can't have had that much free time herself, given the pregnancy."
And that was the metaphorical straw that broke the back of Quinn's patience…
"Okay that's it! We need to talk and we need to talk now, so you want to do it here or somewhere less public."
Although she was trying to stay calm in the face of what she personally considered to be extreme provocation, the blonde's words came out clipped and impatient. Internally she held her breath, wondering if Shelby would try and play this off as being in Quinn's mind only. Instead, the agent just let out a weary breath and nodded.
"Yes I suppose we should talk, come along then, we may as well keep it civil and do it over coffee."
Without waiting for Quinn's reply, she took off at a brisk walk towards the cafe situated in the hotel lobby, with great restraint, Quinn managed to follow after her at a normal pace and resist jogging to catch up, which she was sure the agent was aiming for. She even managed to stop herself from childishly imitating the brunette's confident strut, although she did poke her tongue out. They were soon seated at a small table in one corner of the café, which was far enough away that even if they did end up raising their voices, no one should hear them. Quinn stayed silent as she watched Shelby go through the routine of pouring and preparing the coffee for both of them, she even remembered that Quinn preferred tea! Once the drinks were poured and the agent had made at least a partial show of picking at the scone on her plate she spoke.
"So…"
Letting it trail off questioningly, Quinn set her cup and saucer back down before starting to talk.
"I get the impression you don't like me Shelby, and if I'm honest I'm not actually keen on you either, in fact I think you're kind of a bitch."
When that statement garnered no more reaction than a slight smirk, the pilot gained a bit more confidence and making sure not to put her elbows on the table (good manners after all), leaned forward.
"The thing is I have no idea why exactly you hate me, I do everything I can to make Rachel happy, from midnight runs to the malt shop to doing the Snoopy dance to make her laugh!"
Dark eyebrows rose in mild surprise at that.
"You can do the Snoopy dance?"
Flushing a dark red and annoyed at herself for letting that little tidbit of information slip, the pilot cleared her throat before mumbling.
"That isn't important…the important thing is that I don't get why you look at me the way you do! To the best of my knowledge, I never trod on your puppy or spilt coffee on your expensive Gucci jacket."
Absentmindedly, Shelby muttered a reply as she frowned thoughtfully.
"Chanel actually, the shoes are Gucci."
Rolling her eyes, Quinn waved a hand vaguely.
"That isn't exactly the point I wanted you to clarify, I love Rachel and I would do anything for her!"
Brown eyes suddenly swiveled sharply to drill into hazel ones.
"If that were true then why don't you have a full time job, why haven't you made the most of your degrees instead of fixing police cruisers and flying skydivers every weekend, why are you having children when you haven't even allowed Rachel to launch her career yet, and most of all if you care about her so much and are so dedicated to her then why were you mugged in the back alley of some scummy bar where you got so dunk you had to have your damn stomach pumped!"
Blinking at the tirade of angry words, the blonde couldn't help but flinch guiltily at the mention of her 'mugging' outside that shithole bar. Pouncing on that flinch of guilt, and in Shelby's mind, admission of fault, the agent pressed her point home.
"Because where I come from Quinn, those are not the actions of someone who is acting responsibly or someone who cares for their partner!"
She set her cup down so abruptly the cup rattled in its saucer and pushing aside the flash of guilt she had at the reminder of her ill-advised actions regarding J.D.'s case, Quinn replied calmly.
"Listen Shelby, I don't care what you think about for me for the simple reason that you are good for Rachel's career and she seems to like you. But don't you dare to presume what goes on in our lives behind closed doors! There is more to most stories than meets the eye and contrary to what you seem to think, it is none of your damn business!"
Drinking down the last of her tea, Quinn wondered exactly how possible it was to reply without either yelling or lashing out. Forcing herself to calm down, she looked into the agent's haughty brown eyes and scratched her nose before continuing.
"Look, however you feel about Rachel, you aren't going to split the two of us, and if that's what you're aiming for then I'm giving you a month to find her different representation before I tell Rachel about your little power play games with me, and trust me when I say I know she will believe me…no matter how talented a liar you are."
Sitting back to pour herself more tea, Quinn was shocked to see Shelby's hand shaking as she moved to break off another bite of the scone that she wasn't actually eating.
"How…dare you even hint that I would do something as low as deliberately sabotage your relationship! I may not like you, I may think that Rachel could do better but I wouldn't wish the stress of a break-up on her simply to get rid of you!"
Snorting impatiently at the older woman's apparently contradictory statements, Quinn sat back in her chair and scowled.
"Don't okay, don't even try and deny it! The only reason you are doing what you are doing is because you think you would be a better match for her than me!"
Angrily, Quinn swiped up her cup and gulped a scalding hot mouthful down to quell the anger rising in her gut. Instead of her anger being mirrored back at her however, Shelby looked equal parts horrified and stunned.
"God no, I am most certainly not looking to have a relationship like that with Rachel, I'm not gay Quinn and even if I were, I certainly would not be going after my own daughter!"
The last mouthful of Quinn's tea didn't make its way down her throat into her stomach…instead it ended up sprayed all over the table, Shelby's face and her expensive Chanel (not Gucci, the pilot absently reminded herself) jacket.
Shelby is Rachel's mother! Was the first thought that smacked Quinn in the face, followed milliseconds later by the realization…
I just spat tea in my prospective mother-in-law's face…well, shit!