Rachel watches the color drain from Quinn's face and immediately thinks up a plan. She leans down quickly, grabbing both of their phones, and simultaneously whispers in the terrified blonde girls ear. "I'm taking your phone. Just go with this."
And Rachel leaps from Quinn, pushing herself from the bed in a beautifully graceful movement that seems inappropriate for the moment. She immediately begins talking, and it takes Quinn a few moments to register what Rachel is doing.
"Quinn, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have jumped you like that. I should've understood when you rejected my advances. Throwing myself at you like that was not respectful." Rachel lies through her teeth, showing that her talents go far beyond singing. She turns to Quinn's mother, who is still standing frozen in the doorway. "And Mrs. Fabray, please forgive me for disrespecting your home and your daughter. I'll let myself out."
And behind Judy's back, Rachel waves and mouths "I'm sorry" before ducking her head and running as fast as she can from the house. She walks down the street and makes a few random turns before calling her house, asking for someone to come pick her up.
)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)
Quinn's mother hadn't spoken to her for nearly an hour. She had just gaped in the doorway for a few minutes before pointing downstairs, gesturing for Quinn to wait in the living room. Judy made herself a few drinks in the kitchen before she went to speak to her daughter, and even then she didn't look her in the eyes.
"What was that?" Her voice is harsh and judgemental, Quinn flinches internally.
"You heard her. We were talking about our duet that we have to do for Glee, and then she said she liked me and attacked me. There was nothing I could do." Quinn felt disgusted with herself for saying these things about Rachel. She made a mental note to apologize to the dark haired girl whenever she was allowed to speak to her again.
"I'm not quite sure that's how it happened, Quinnie." Her mothers voice was slurring, her drinks were strong for this occasion. "You'll not be talking to that girl anymore. She's obviously a bad influence. I think I'll have to check up on the rest of your life as well, you don't seem to be making very intelligent decisions."
Judy stands and begins walking towards the kitchen, the stumble only evident if you knew to look for it. Quinn hangs her head and processes her mothers' words. She suddenly jerks her head towards the kitchen. "What do you mean 'check up'?"
)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)
The next morning Rachel woke bright and early, rushed through her morning rituals, made sure Quinn's phone was properly charged (she had a brief moment of panic where she couldn't remember if they had the same charger, she'd literally collapsed on her bed in relief when the little plug fit) and head to Mr. Schuester's classroom the second she stepped on campus.
"Mr. Schue, I'm going to request that we don't work on the duet in Glee today."
Mr. Schuester doesn't miss the slightly heartbroken tone in Rachel's voice. "Rachel, why?"
Their conversation is interrupted when Judy Fabray comes bursting into the room, Quinn following close behind with her head hung.
Mr. Schuester looks confused, and jumps back slightly when Judy starts practically shouting at him. Rachel's eyes meet Quinn's briefly, and she's reassured that Quinn is alright, at least for now.
"The principal is insisting that if I want to join Quinnie at school today, I have to get the permission of all of her teachers." Judy doesn't even look in Rachel's direction, but Rachel can feel the loathing radiating off of the woman's body.
"I…of course, I don't see why not…" Mr. Schue looks from Rachel to Quinn, confusion engraved on his face.
"And that…Glee club… as well?" She spits the words out like they're venemous, and Quinn shuts her eyes tightly, trying to pretend she's somewhere else.
"Anything you want, Mrs. Fabray. Can I ask why you're shadowing Quinn today?" Mr. Schuester is his usual polite self.
"I'm just checking up on her activities. Making sure she's making the right decisions." Mrs. Fabray turns and meets Rachel's eyes, the hate so evident that Rachel has to stop herself from taking a step backwards. "In all areas of her life."
She quickly walks from the room barking a sharp "Quinnie!" when Quinn tries to linger. Quinn looks at Rachel, who immediately says "It'll be okay. I'll come up with something. Go. I don't want this to be worse. It'll be okay."
Quinn nods and puts her brave face on and walks from the room, and Rachel manages to hold herself together until she's out of earshot. But as soon as Quinn's footsteps fade, Rachel's face crumples and she finds herself in tears.
"That's why, Mr. Schue." She manages to choke out before breaking down in sobs; Mr. Schuester hugs her tightly and takes a deep breath.
Whatever was going on, he was going to help Rachel and Quinn in any way that he could.
)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)
At lunch Rachel tried to hide amongst the other Glee club members and spy on Quinn and her mother as much as possible. Kurt kept talking about how appalled he was that Rachel ever got far enough to be caught in a compromising position, and she had to keep smacking him on the shoulder.
Quinn was staring at Rachel whenever her mother was distracted. It had been less than twenty four hours since they'd been caught, but it seems like much longer. Quinn misses her.
Rachel and Kurt go over the plan one more time before he gets up and walks over to the table full of Cheerio's and one bitter old woman.
Kurt sits next to Quinn and begins chatting animatedly; Judy doesn't even notice him because he blends so well. As soon as Brittany sees that Kurt is seated, she strikes up a loud conversation with Quinn's mother. When Judy's attention is completely diverted, Kurt tucks Quinn's phone into her sleeve. He whispers quickly in her ear. "Tell your mother you lost it a while ago. Don't turn it on until tonight. Rachel charged it. She misses you. She says be careful."
Quinn tries to voice her thanks, but Judy's attention is back on her and Kurt is standing and leaving. She sees him give Rachel a thumbs up, and Rachel immediately collapses into her arms on the table, tension visibly leaving her body.
)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)
Before Glee, Rachel thanks everyone involved in getting Quinn her phone. "You guys don't know how much it means to me. Thank you. So much." Rachel had a lot more to say, but found herself tearing up, so she just sits down.
Quinn and her mother came in the room soon after, and when Finn shows up he sits with them. Finn and Judy chat, Judy voicing her disappointment about the fact that he was no longer dating her daughter. Rachel felt herself burning with hatred for the older woman when she heard her suggest that Finn "just give her time; she'll come to her senses".
Kurt pats her on the back and whispers "Easy, tiger." which makes her laugh. Mr. Schuester comes in and they start rehearsal, everyone trying to ignore the large alcoholic elephant in the room.
)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)
Rachel finds that the hours after Glee tick by extremely slowly. She does her homework, cleans the house, and cooks dinner. She has no idea when Quinn's mother goes to bed, or if Quinn even managed to keep the phone hidden. She checks her phone what feels like every few hours, but what is usually less than a minute or so.
Her fathers comfort her, but give her a stern talking to about sex in teenage relationships. They send her to bed earlier than they normally do, hoping for some peace and quiet, since Rachel can't stop worrying aloud.
She lies in bed, staring at her phone. When it finally lights up around midnight, she practically jumps out of her skin.
You are a genius. –Quinn
How do I know this is really you and not your mother trying to get evidence against you? –Rachel
Because my mother does not think you're a genius. –Quinn
Nope. Not good enough. –Rachel
Um…I think you're cute? Last night we watched A Walk to Remember? When you sleep your forehead wrinkles, and it's pretty much adorable? –Quinn
I don't think your mother would ever use the term 'pretty much adorable', even if she was impersonating you. –Rachel
You would be correct. –Quinn
I miss you. –Rachel
I miss you too. Is it weird that we miss each other and it's been the equivalent of a day? –Quinn
Technically it's been a few hours more than a day. –Rachel
You're a nerd. Are you allowed to be on the phone this late? –Quinn
You shouldn't be on the phone! What if you wake your parents? –Rachel
I promise, a plane could crash into the house and they wouldn't wake up. –Quinn
I don't to get you in more trouble. –Rachel
Please? –Quinn
Ah, memories. ;) Call me. –Rachel
Rachel's phone lights up fairly quickly, and Quinn whispers. "Hello."
Rachel finds herself whispering too, even though she doesn't need to be. "Hi."
Rachel hears Quinn sigh. "What's wrong?"
Even though she's whispering, Rachel can hear the frustration in Quinn's voice. "I miss you. I want to see you. I don't want to be here."
Rachel's forehead wrinkles with worry. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help."
"You do." Those two words melt Rachel's heart.
"How long is your mother going to be at school with you?"
Quinn sighs again. "I don't know. The rest of the week for sure, after that I have no idea."
Their conversation lulls with a sad silence.
Rachel tries to cheer them both up, since they only have so much time to talk. "And to think, you totally would've gotten laid last night. Your mother interrupted some pretty good stuff."
Quinn laughs quietly. "Of course you bring that up. Today should've been the least sexy day of my life, but I couldn't stop thinking about you and your…sexy voice of evil."
Rachel giggles. "You didn't seem to think it was so evil last night."
Quinn smiles. "I did not. I think the split second before my mother ruined it may have been the hottest moment of my life."
"Who would've thought, all it takes to turn Quinn Fabray on is a little cursing," Rachel teases.
"It was not the cursing! Well, it was partially the cursing. You never say naughty words, it was a surprise! But really, it was the voice. You could say anything in that voice and I'd like it. …I shouldn't have told you that."
Rachel laughs. "You probably should not have. So if I were to say…" Rachel clears her throat and puts on her best sexy voice "Quinn, go clean the bathroom. Please, baby?"
When she hears Quinn's breathing change, Rachel can't help but laugh loudly. "Really, Quinn? Really?"
Quinn is defensive. "It's sexy! That's not my fault!" Suddenly Rachel hears Quinn stifle a yawn.
"You should go to sleep." Rachel whispers, the statement feels incomplete because it's meant to be delivered with a kiss to the forehead.
"I do not want to go to sleep." Quinn says, but burrows down into her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest.
"Well you have to. And you need to hide your phone so your mother doesn't find it. So…" Rachel holds off on saying good night, she's not ready to let go just yet.
Quinn sighs. "I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe we can use that sneaky ninja Glee club to get in some hug time; they seem to be master plan executors."
"I'll see if I can come up with something. Hugs would be amazing. Good night, Cheerio." Rachel whispers.
"Say my name?" Quinn asks quietly.
"Good night, Quinn." Rachel whispers in a warm, loving tone.
Quinn sighs and smiles. That will tide her over until the next time they can talk. "Good night, Rachel."
Both girls listen to the others breathing for a few moments, before gathering the courage to end the call almost simultaneously.
They can do this. For now.