AN: So this one is a long chapter. I've been working like crazy but your reviews always make me so happy and make me want to write like all the time...so I worked in some time to write between my job, the mini Dexter marathon I've been having, and sleeping. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 14

The semester was really flying by. Thanksgiving break was about to begin and Puck talked them into going out for the big pre-break celebration. Quinn couldn't believe her first semester of college was almost over. It was a week of freedom then dead week and finals week. She couldn't believe Christmas break was a month away. She definitely couldn't believe she'd be on break for four weeks. Four weeks without Mercedes. Four weeks without Tina and Artie. Four weeks without Puck. Four weeks without Brittany. Worst of all, four weeks without Rachel. Brittany assured the other girl that they would still see each other over break. According to her, Ohio wasn't that big and after a few days with their families, they'd all be dying to have a road trip to hang with each other again. She definitely wasn't wrong about that. Quinn was excited to be home with her parents and relax but she knew her mother would drive her crazy within the first week. Her father would preach to her about having good morals and how he hoped she was still behaving like a lady even though she was at some state university instead of an Ivy League. Her sister would be home as well, no doubt bragging about her final semesters at Harvard and how she couldn't wait to be a lawyer and make their father proud. Quinn wanted to throw up just thinking about it.

Ego was incredibly packed, but they couldn't begin their "fall break" without lots of booze and dancing like they were having sex amidst a group of at least a hundred other drunken, horny college kids. Puck was really excited and had been trying to get Quinn to dance all night. She only had two drinks so she definitely wasn't drunk enough to hit that dance floor. Quinn was proud to say Rachel's tolerance for alcohol had somewhat improved over the semester. The brunette could have at least four drinks without being too drunk to function. After four, Quinn or Brittany would usually step in to help monitor Rachel somehow. Quinn said she didn't want to take care of Rachel and clean up her vomit all night, but they all knew Quinn was really just looking out for the tiny girl. Quinn knew it was a little more than that.

Brittany has scored several free shots and was lost in the crowd on the dance floor probably being one of those drunken, horny college kids dancing like they were having sex. Tina and Artie left about an hour before. Something about the crowd being too much for them. It was incredibly loud that night. Puck, Rachel, Mercedes, and Quinn gave up trying to shout to each other a long time ago. Puck and Quinn were on one side of the booth while Mercedes and Rachel were on the other. Puck kept resting his arm behind Quinn and occasionally rubbing her shoulder with his thumb. Then he'd smile at her like that was the most fun they'd had in ages.

Quinn was glad they'd stopped attempting to talk over the music and noise of the club. She was running out of things to say. She just wished he would stop trying to touch her so much. The blonde shifted in her seat and crossed her legs the opposite way, bumping Rachel's leg under the table. She turned her attention from the dance floor to Quinn and smirked. Quinn felt her face flush. It seemed to only get worse as Rachel shook her head and chuckled to herself softly. Quinn needed another drink or something. She couldn't take just sitting there any longer. The blonde motioned to the three of them that she was getting a drink. Puck nodded and Rachel actually got up to go with Quinn.

Up at the actual bar, the music wasn't quite as loud and people could actually hear. It was nice for Quinn to finally hear herself think.

"Having fun yet?" Rachel's melodic voice husked.

Rachel's lips hovered dangerously close to Quinn's ear giving the blonde chills up and down her spine. Some guy bumped into Rachel as he tried to weasel back through the crowd, pushing the smaller girl up against Quinn and pinning the blonde effectively between Rachel's body and the bar. Quinn's breath hitched with their new proximity.

Rachel laughed, "I asked you a question, Quinn. You can't tell me that you're not enjoying screaming over the music or sitting in awkward silence. Isn't this just the best night ever?"

Her joking lightened the tension enough that Quinn could speak again, despite how close their bodies still were.

"Oh totally. It's everything I could possibly imagine. No, but seriously, how is this place so packed?"

"I'm pretty sure most of our student body is here," Rachel replied.

Quinn nodded and turned back to the bar to hopefully order a drink.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" Rachel asked.

Once again Quinn was aware of how close Rachel's lips were to her ear. The question itself made Quinn flush with the multiple interpretations.

"I mean, we can try Grey or something," Rachel amended quickly.

Quinn nodded, not trusting her voice once again which seemed to be becoming a theme when she was around the magnetic brunette. Rachel grabbed Quinn's hand and led her back through the crowd to their table. Quinn's fingers tingled and her heart raced the entire way. Puck gave a double take to their laced fingers when the girls approached him. Rachel immediately let go and Quinn's hand hated the cold it was now experiencing.

"We were thinking about leaving. You wanna come with us? We can grab Britt and hit Grey or somewhere less crowded. It's gonna take like eight years just to get drinks and we can barely hear each other," Rachel explained.

"Yeah I'm down. Let's get Brittany," Mercedes nodded.

After several minutes, they finally able pull the drunken blonde away from her current dance partner who begged for her number only to be denied by a very protective Rachel who gave him a five-minute lecture on the perils of drunken hookups and what it meant to respect a lady. Puck hailed a cab once they were all outside. Quinn shivered from the colder air versus the insane heat from all the bodies inside. Puck noticed and gave her his jacket, smiling like it meant something.

By the time they got to Grey, there was a line of at least twenty people outside waiting to get in.

"Fuck," Puck groaned.

"Where do we go now?" Mercedes asked.

Quinn shrugged in response.

"Let's go to Lola's," Brittany giggled, only slightly slurring her words.

"Lola's?" Puck scoffed at the idea.

"We could try it," Quinn piped in.

"Seriously? You guys do know that Lola's is a gay club, right?" Mercedes laughed.

"So I used to go there all the time," Brittany dissolved in another fit of giggles like Mercedes was the funniest person in the world.

"Yeah but I'm pretty sure the three of them wouldn't be comfortable there," Rachel replied.

"We all love gay people," Brittany rolled her eyes. "I mean really. I love gay people. It will be fun. Guys will tell us we look fabulous. We can dance with them and they won't take advantage of us. They can hit on Puck and we'll laugh. Plus, you can find a hot chick, Rach. Maybe I'll find one too."

"All very good reasons to go," Mercedes chuckled lightly.

"Whatever. I'm not getting hit on by dudes," Puck groaned.

"Quinn can be your date. If you guys act like a couple then neither one of you have to worry," Mercedes wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Puck seemed to like this idea while a huge pit settled in Quinn's stomach. Regardless, they had come to a decision. Brittany gave the taxi driver the address of the group's latest venture while Quinn tried to plan how to make it out of the "date" alive.

As they pulled up to the bar, Quinn noticed that it wasn't that different from the outside of Ego. There was still a bouncer. It wasn't all decked out in rainbows like Quinn had assumed. She was glad she didn't tell Brittany or Rachel that assumption because she'd never hear the end of it. Brittany would think it was hilarious and then pout because of the lack of rainbows. Rachel would go on some tirade about gay stereotypes and how Quinn should know better than that.

Rachel paid the driver as Puck tried to help Brittany out of the cab.

"Do you think it will be crowded?" Puck asked.

"Yeah, but not as bad as Ego was. Lola's is pretty chill. I mean especially since there's no drag show tonight. You guys ready?" Brittany asked, stepping to the front of our group.

Puck shrugged. Mercedes giggled. Quinn and Rachel both swallowed hard.

"What about you Rach? Ready for something totally new and awesome? We're gonna get you laid" Brittany smirked and made her way to the bouncer.

Rachel paled and glanced quickly at Quinn who had momentarily glared at the dancer.

"Well, well, well. I figured you were in rehab or something. I haven't seen you in a while," the bouncer grinned at the tall blonde.

"You didn't hear? I escaped. It was all over the news."

"Nice to see you back, Miss Pierce. And you brought friends?"

"Pete, this is my little sister, Quinn. She just turned twenty one," Brittany winked at the man. He laughed and nodded. "These are my lovely ladies, Mercedes and Rachel, twenty two and twenty one. Rachel, here is a newbie and we're gonna have fun with her. And this is my friend, Puck. He's twenty three and just came out of the closet. So obviously we're celebrating tonight."

Puck gasped and sputtered unable to form words.

"Congratulations, man. Have a great night. Make sure you tell, Brandi. She'll give this man some free shots on the house," Pete laughed.

"Oh I'm telling everyone," Mercedes laughed.

"I hate you," Puck mumbled.

"And who is this lovely lady? This newbie?" Pete asked, wiggling his eyebrows and jerking a thumb toward Rachel.

"This is my best friend, the astoundingly fabulous Rachel Berry. She is a lesbian who has never been to a gay bar. Isn't it exciting!"

"Alright. You all have a good night. Watch that one, B. They're all over fresh meat like a pack of lesbian wolves. It's ladies night tonight," Pete warned looking at Rachel.

The brunette's stomach flipped about eighty times within two seconds. Her palms started sweating and she was pretty sure her heart was thumping in her ears. Fresh meat? Oh dear God.

Quinn on the other hand felt her palms sweat and her heart was thumping in her ears for an entirely different reason. She was furious.

"I've got her, Pete," Brittany laughed, shaking her head.

"Have fun," the bouncer chuckled.

It was pretty crowded but not nearly crowded enough that you couldn't hear. The first noticeable difference was better song selections. Ego was all rap music all the time with the occasional techno remix of some rap song. Lola's seemed to have a mix of everything: rap, techno, pop music, 80's, and even some slow songs. That night was themed like a luau inside. The bartenders put little umbrellas in every drink and the bar was covered with tiki lights and there were a couple of palm trees. So far, it was way better than Ego.

They all followed Brittany to the bar. She squeezed her way right in and people just moved to accommodate her. The bartender turned around and immediately grinned.

"If it isn't my favorite customer. I thought you fell off the face of the earth."

"No way. I got busy. I am a college girl, Brandi. Not all of us can make our living being a hot bartender. I can't make the perfect shots like you," Brittany winked.

The bartender, Brandi, leaned across the bar and kissed Brittany's cheek, "Good to see you're still a charmer."

"Always. Now enough about me, my friend Puck could really use some shots on the house."

"Yeah?"

"It's his birthday," Mercedes grinned, sending Puck a wink.

"Birthday, huh? Well a friend of Brittany's is a friend of mine, especially on his birthday," Brandi chuckled, lining up ten shot glasses and filling them with tequila. "Birthday treatment it is."

They were all surprisingly having a good time. Several girls tried to catch Rachel's attention but the brunette seemed oblivious. She and Quinn kept giggling with Mercedes as two boys tried to hit on Puck. It turned out one of the two guys, Blaine, was from Rachel's acting class. The other boy was his boyfriend, Kurt. Kurt was actually really good friends with Mercedes because he shared a music theory class with her and Rachel. Mercedes had texted them telling them all about Puck. The Mohawked boy was angry at first but quickly ended up laughing with the rest of them about the joke. Brittany was bouncing around like a drunken ball of energy and trying to get Quinn to dance with her. The taller blonde tugged her companion to the dance floor.

"I don't know, B. I don't think I'm drunk enough for this," Quinn giggled.

"Just dance, Q. Tonight we're all having fun!" Brittany squealed as the two began dancing together.

Rachel smiled at the duo from her seat between Kurt and Blaine. Quinn grinned back just before Rachel winked. Quinn laughed and then let loose. She wanted to have fun. Brittany was right. They should all have fun. Quinn got lost in the music while she and Brittany improved a mini dance routine.

"So Quinn? Girlfriend or soon to be girlfriend?" Kurt questioned.

Rachel's eye widened as she shook her head.

"No. Quinn's my roommate. She's not…we're not…no."

"Sure," Kurt laughed. "If you say so."

Luckily, Mercedes' booming laugh interrupted the conversation from going any further. Apparently Puck was the funniest man alive or something. Blaine was chuckling lightly while they joked about football. Blaine and Puck had struck up an unlikely friendship over the past half hour. Blaine was a huge Giants fan being originally from New York and Puck being a huge Bengals fan had been trying to convert him.

"Why don't you just get the hell away from us?"

All eyes at their table snapped to the dance floor the second they heard Quinn shout over the music.

"Oh no," Puck muttered.

Quinn was standing defensively between Brittany and Santana. The former Cheerio has her hands on her hips in full head cheerleader bitch mode. Santana glared at the shorter blonde, almost ready to attack. Quinn straightened up a little still keeping herself between the two as if to protect the blonde dancer.

"This is between me and B," Santana replied shortly.

Rachel was up and out of her seat in seconds.

"Santana, what are you doing here?" the tiny diva demanded.

"I just came to talk to Brittany but her little girlfriend over here won't let me," the Latina snapped.

"Okay, first off, I'm not Brittany's girlfriend," Quinn glared. "And second, you need to back off. Brittany doesn't want to talk to you. You screwed that up."

"Do I know you? Why the hell are you involved in this?" Santana growled.

"Please, S," Brittany nearly begged.

"Where's Finn?" Rachel asked, stepping next to Quinn to put herself between Brittany and Santana as well.

"Screw you, hobbit. I'm not the boy's keeper. B…" Santana trailed off, staring at the blonde looking a cross between guilty and hurt.

"Just go," Brittany replied.

Santana took a deep breath and nodded. She glared at Rachel who cowered slightly. Quinn bristled stepping forward protectively. The Latina jerked her fist toward Quinn who flinched.

"Still got it," Santana smirked and turned on her heel.

Quinn lurched forward to attack but Rachel stuck her arm out in front of the blonde. Quinn deflated at the brush of the brunette's arm against her torso. Santana strode away confidently but turned at the door and glanced at Brittany one last time. The Latina looked so remorseful right before she threw open the door and took off into the night.

Quinn and Rachel turned to Brittany to get her reaction.

"Don't. Let's just forget it. Tonight is supposed to be fun," Brittany smiled, shrugging it off.

An hour later, Quinn was drunk. The appearance of Santana had put a slight damper on everyone's mood for about fifteen minutes before Brittany ordered more shots and forced Quinn to dance with her again. Puck had promptly made his way to the dance floor to claim Quinn as his date after the two blondes had caught the attention of several women. Brittany moved on to a different dance partner while Kurt and Blaine had pulled a squealing Mercedes and protesting Rachel to the dance floor as well. Kurt was apparently the sassy gay best friend Mercedes had always dreamed of having while Blaine was slightly calmer but still managed to get Rachel to unwind. It also didn't hurt that Rachel was well past her four drink minimum. She separated from the group with a giggle claiming to get some water. After sipping on the water for a moment, Quinn had joined her at the bar. The blonde ordered water as well but quickly decided they were in need of tequila shots to go with their waters.

"Okay, lick, drink, suck. Or is it drink, lick, suck?" Rachel asked, slurring slightly.

"I think it's lick, suck, drink," Quinn answer.

Quinn had no idea anymore. She was tingly all over. She didn't care how they took the stupid shot. She was just glad she was with Rachel. Puck had started to approach but with a drunken wink from Rachel, Blaine had stepped in again and saved Quinn with another Giants/Bengals discussion.

"I don't think that's right either," Rachel laughed.

A sudden blur and Rachel was pinned against the bar with a redhead all over her. They were kissing fiercely and Quinn was torn between vomiting and beating the shit out of this strange blur of red hair. Rachel finally pushed her away.

"What the hell?" Rachel sputtered, gasping for breath.

"Baby, I've missed you. Where have you been?" the red head purred.

Quinn glared at her, feeling her body heat up with a suppressed rage.

"Wait a minute. What are you talking about? Do I know you?"

"What do you mean, Baby? I'm Marissa? That ringing any bells? We made out at the beginning of school. Where have you been? I've been lonely, Rachie," this Marissa girl rubbed her hands all over Rachel.

Quinn didn't like it. Rachie? Seriously, who did that girl think she was?

"Whoa. I mean I barely even remember that night. Wait, you were on the cheerleading squad. I got beat up because of you! I took up for you with Santana and got attacked. Where were you then?" Rachel growled, grabbing the girl's roaming hands and pushing her away.

Finally the stupid bitch noticed Quinn as Rachel tried to catch the blonde's eyes with her apologetic ones.

"Who are you?" Marissa asked.

"Quinn Fabray. Who are you?"

"Marissa Moore."

"Good for you."

Rachel fought back a grin as Quinn crossed her arms impatiently.

"Well it was lovely to see you again…Marissa? Maybe I'll see you around. Quinn, we have a shot waiting," Rachel practically sang, barely concealing her amusement.

Why was she so amused? Quinn's stupid, amused, sexy roommate. God, Quinn wanted to punch her smug face. Making out with that girl in front of her and now Rachel was amused? Quinn could just…her lips were all puffy from that quick kissing session. Rachel looked good.

"Is this the reason you've been gone? Your new slut?" Marissa asked.

Quinn turned her attention back to the redhead ready to defend herself just as Rachel's hand flew out and smacked the girl hard. Marissa recoiled and grabbed her cheek. Brittany had turned to the group as the sound of the slap. The girl's dancer partner kept grinding on her while Brittany shoved the other girl off, watching her friends to see if she needed to step in.

"So what is this like your girlfriend or something?" Marissa asked, fighting back tears. "What was I?"

"The old slut," Quinn answered, before she could stop herself.

Rachel looked almost as shocked as Quinn felt. Neither could believe Quinn said that. Oh and Marissa looked pissed.

"You little bitch," Marissa seethed.

"Back off," Brittany stepped between the girls and got in Marissa's face.

"So that's how it is?"

"Yeah. That's how it is," Quinn confirmed.

Don't ask her why but she was going for it anyway. Quinn pulled Rachel around to face her. Tangled one hand in her hair like Quinn had so often thought about doing and before she could back out, Quinn pushed Rachel's face toward her own. Quinn's lips landed on hers and she was officially screwed from that moment on. Quinn Fabray was kissing her roommate with every ounce of passion the blonde had in her.

Rachel was shocked at first but quickly recovered. She began responding and Quinn couldn't believe what was happening. Rachel's lips attacked the blonde's with a renewed passion. Her tongue traced Quinn's lips and the blonde gasped as she let her in. Quinn could taste the tequila shots they both had all night as well as her rum and coke. There was also another taste that was distinctly Rachel and Quinn knew as long as she lived she would never forget how amazing Rachel Berry tasted…or how well her tongue danced with Quinn's…or how tightly Rachel held the taller girl to her as she kissed Quinn better than anyone had ever kissed the former cheerleader in her life.

Rachel pulled away, leaving Quinn in a daze. She had just made out with Rachel. Quinn just REALLY made out with Rachel…and it was…wow.

Quinn looked to her left and noticed that Marissa was gone. Brittany was squealing and jumping up and down doing a drunken happy dance. Mercedes was cracking up, laughing hysterically with a bewildered Kurt next to her. Blaine looked smug and grinned at the two. Puck, however, was standing there with one of the most painful expressions Quinn had ever seen. He looked so hurt and so disappointed. Quinn looked at Rachel. The singer was practically panting trying to catch her breath and she wouldn't look at her roommate.

"Rach," Quinn barely squeaked out.

Rachel grabbed her shot and slammed it back, swallowing it with no salt and no lime.

"Puck," Quinn tried, looking at the broken boy before her.

Rachel exhaled loudly, not quite a scoff, not quite a sigh, and not exactly a snort. Something that was a combination of all three. She refused to look at Quinn as she stepped between the blonde and Puck. Without a word, Rachel left. She left all of them. She left the bar. She left the entire club. She just walked away.

Quinn's heart was threatening to jump out of her chest. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes no matter how hard she tried to fight them. She barely caught what Mercedes was saying. Something, something, and something else that might as well have been said by the teacher from The Peanuts….followed by-

"-and get Puck. I'll get a cab," Mercedes finished.

Quinn nodded in response. Kurt and Blaine had hugged her but she barely felt it. It was like Quinn was outside of her own body just watching all of their friends say their goodbyes and grabbing their coats and purses. The drive home in the cab was completely silent. Puck looked pissed. Mercedes looked a little confused. Brittany had her arms wrapped around Quinn who looked heartbroken and couldn't stop shaking.

"So I'll see you around," Puck mumbled outside of the girls' dorm.

Mercedes nodded. Brittany muttered a quick bye. The incident in the bar as well as the fresh air seemed to have sobered Quinn up greatly. Her head was only slightly fuzzy but she didn't want to attempt to process what happened until at least the next day. Brittany, Quinn, and Mercedes found the elevator without saying a word to each other. Once safely inside it, Mercedes cleared her throat. Quinn avoided looking at her. It dinged as they passed the second floor and Mercedes spoke up.

"Do you want to explain what happened tonight?"

"I'm sure you'll hear all about it from Puck. How I'm a terrible person and I'm a heartless bitch. Or maybe you'll hear it from Rachel. Brittany can explain," Quinn's voice shook and a few tears finally slipped out.

"Q, what happened?" Mercedes asked, sorrowfully.

"I'm an idiot, that's what," Quinn sighed as the elevator dinged again and opened on her floor. "I'll just see you tomorrow."

The door closed just as Brittany gave her a tiny wave and a sympathetic smile. When Quinn got to her room, she was surprised to find the door unlocked. The lights were off as she stepped in. She climbed into her bed without changing her clothes or saying a word. There was a light on in the bathroom. She could hear Rachel speaking quickly in a low voice. Quinn couldn't make out what the other girl was saying.

"I'm sorry. I swear I didn't plan this," Rachel's voice rang out a little clearer. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Noah. I'm so sorry."

Quinn tried to wipe away the tears that had started slipping down her cheeks just as Rachel opened the bathroom door. The stream of light fell right on Quinn's face. Rachel barely acknowledged her before turning off the light and crawling into her bed. Quinn couldn't fight the tears anymore. Rachel hated her. Quinn screwed everything up. Just because Rachel was a lesbian didn't mean she wanted Quinn. What had Quinn been thinking? She sniffed loudly in their far too silent room.

"I'm sorry, Quinn," Rachel said softly.

"It's my fault," Quinn croaked, her voice wavering.

She was afraid a sob would come out any minute.

"No, it's my fault. I got you drunk and I took advantage of you. I used you to get that Marissa girl off my back. I'm sorry."

"Rachel, I kissed you."

She didn't reply. Maybe she really did hate Quinn now. Another moment of silence passed.

"I kissed you back," Rachel whispered into the darkness of their room.

"I've never kissed a girl before," Quinn blurted out.

No response only an extended silence. Quinn held her breath trying to see if Rachel was still even breathing. Maybe somehow Quinn had killed her because she kissed her. That made no sense, but Quinn was panicking. Then suddenly Rachel started laughing. Why was she laughing? Before Quinn knew it, she was laughing, too. Why were they laughing? Then they were both laughing so hard their sides might bust. Eventually, Quinn caught her breath and Rachel calmed down.

"You know, Quinn, you might just be the best friend I'll ever have," Rachel sighed contently.

"Really?"

"Yeah…especially, since Puck's gonna hate me for like three weeks. He and Brittany are the only ones even close to giving you a run for your money," Rachel tried to joke even though Quinn knew the singer was worried about him.

"He'll get over it, Rach…and for what it's worth, you're my best friend, too."

"Thanks," Rachel replied sounding almost relieved.

Quinn was almost asleep when she heard Rachel say something.

"What did you say?"

Rachel giggled a little, "I said if that's the first time you ever kissed a girl, you were pretty amazing."

"Really?"

"Yeah," the sincerity in Rachel's response literally stole the breath right out of the blonde.

"Thanks. You were….you're just…" Quinn couldn't find the words.

"What?" Rachel laughed.

"You're an incredible kisser…like probably the best," tumbled out of the blonde's mouth without any censor.

Quinn blushed at her own bluntness.

"Well I have had a little practice before. It's not like you were my first kiss ever…besides, kissing is all about the right balance. Guys just don't get that," Rachel replied, Quinn could actually hear the smile in her voice.

"They really don't," Quinn laughed.

They both shared another little burst of giggles before saying good night. As Quinn rolled over, she couldn't help feeling relieved and yet completely excited. She had kissed Rachel. She had kissed Rachel and it was amazing. Not only that, but they were still cool. Rachel didn't hate her. Things weren't awkward. And Quinn had the best kiss of her life that night. Quinn knew she was ready for whatever was next. She was ready to try that whole Lola's experience again. She was finally ready to be the real Quinn Fabray…whoever that may be.

AN: Let's the trumpets blast in triumphant song! Rachel and Quinn have kissed! Sure it was a drunken jealously fueled kiss...but still a kiss is a kiss. Can they easily ignore whatever feelings they have for each other after they've kissed? Interesting! I hope you all like this chapter! I'll try to update again soon! Your reviews are like chocolates for me. They make me all giddy inside...but on the positive side: reviews won't make me fat like chocolates would. So thank you for your consideration in reviewing instead of chocolates. I have no idea what I'm rambling about at this point. I'm just excited to have finished this chapter and I really hope you like it! Thanks for reading and sticking with me this far. We still have a long way to go before this story ends! As always please review and thank you! Come again!