Skating to the edge of the rink and the safety and respite the 'comfy corner' offered, Quinn Fabray was pretty sure she had never, ever in her life felt more exhausted than she did right at that moment. Collapsing bonelessly on the edge of the rink she blinked tired hazel eyes as she glanced down at the laces of her skates, suddenly the prospect of unlacing them seemed as daunting as climbing Everest, with a grunt she lay back on the carpeted floor. There was a second grunt and she opened one eye long enough to register the fact that an equally as exhausted Rachel had skated up next to her before mirroring the prone position half on and half off the rink. After a moments silence wherein both skaters managed to get their breath back, Quinn raised arms that felt like lead to rub the gritty feeling out of her eyes.
"So…he's trying to kill us then? All because we took one day off!"
Smiling slightly at the hockey players aggrieved tone, Rachel reached over and patted her midriff reassuringly.
"I don't think it was so much us taking the day off as it was forgetting to tell him and then ignoring his calls?"
Grimacing slightly, Quinn had the good grace to flush guiltily before murmuring.
"Well…we had a lot to talk about and I figured he'd work out we needed a day off, I mean he is an adult after all!"
Sighing, the little brunette skater nodded in agreement before patting Quinn's midriff again, partly in commiseration at their shared fate…and partly because she liked any excuse to touch the toned body that Quinn kept annoyingly fully covered. The morning after Santana's little pep talk to both of them, they had awoken with one thought in mind, finally talking to each other and confiding their real fears. In their eagerness to finally lead out what they hoped were the last of their white elephants however, they forgot to ring Will and make up some excuse as to why they weren't going to be attending that morning's session. That was the first thing they'd done to annoy him, the second was their cavalier attitude when he pointed out that they had already taken several unscheduled days off recently, the U.S figure skating championships were less than a week away and they hadn't even chosen their music!
It was at that point they realised that perhaps they should have been keeping Will more in the loop than they had been, Rachel guiltily handed over the song choices and the sketches Quinn had drawn up for costume ideas. After glaring at them he had barked out that he expected to see them on the ice at five the next morning to go through the compulsory routine until they could do it in their sleep. On the plus side they had definitely had time to talk to each other about most of what they had spoken to Santana about, as a result there was a much more natural air to their interactions again…which meant despite Coach Schu suddenly turning into the coach from hell, they were still grinning like idiots. Catching Rachel's hand in hers Quinn squeezed it lightly before lifting the knuckles to her lips for a kiss.
"I guess we should have told him that we already had the music worked out huh? And that we had half of our freestyle routine planned. Still, it was worth being worked to death to have that day together…don't you think?"
Hoping she didn't sound quite as uncertain as she felt when she said that, the hockey player relaxed when Rachel nodded vehemently in agreement.
"Oh yes, and I think he's only annoyed because he cant actually find fault with the routine as of yet!"
Answering Rachel's smirk with one of her own, Quinn chuckled and rolled her shoulders until they made the familiar popping sound. Sighing in relief the hockey player turned her head to face the diva again.
"On the plus side, the day is over! Now I don't know about you, but I'm pretty damn certain that the hot tub is calling my name."
Rachel grinned and nodded her agreement, she had already planned out how the evening would hopefully go, starting with a spell in the sauna (for her) while Quinn soaked in the hot tub, then they would swap over, head inside and eat whatever was ready before collapsing into bed to watch one of the slapstick comedies Quinn loved and she herself pretended to tolerate…when in actual fact she now loved them just as much as the blonde did. Ideally of course they would share both the sauna and the hot tub, but Quinn was still far from comfortable with revealing herself. Rachel understood why but wished she could have the chance to reassure the surprisingly shy hockey player of how gorgeous she was despite the scars that marred her body. However, she was happy with where they were, and indeed how far they had come together, so she merely mirrored Quinn's gesture of a moment ago and raised the rough knuckles of the hockey players hands to her lips, kissing them gently.
"That is indeed what I was thinking! When I can get my body to cooperate I plan to switch the sauna on and get the hot tub cranked up for you, after a soak and a relax I plan nothing more than food and bed."
Quinn was silent for so long that Rachel glanced over in concern in case she had fallen asleep already! The blonde was wide awake however and chewing her lower lip with a pensive expression, reaching across with her free hand, the little diva smoothed her thumb over the frown that was creased into Quinn's forehead.
"Hey, want to tell me what's got my Q bear all frowny faced?"
Rolling her eyes affectionately at the nickname that Rachel had recently taken to calling her (Thanks, of course, to Santana!) Quinn squeezed the diva's hand then let out a breath before murmuring.
"I was thinking, well, not really thinking I guess but more like wondering, although the question of which one is more accurate isn't really the point of this conversation so…well, I mean…would you maybe wanna do it…together this time?"
Rachel gasped gently in mild surprise, before she could say anything however the hockey player rushed on, apparently worried that Rachel might have gotten the wrong impression.
"Shit, no wait…that didn't come out the way I intended because listening to the way it came out of my mouth was sort of, um, well…suggestive and I didn't mean to be! I know we talked about not hobbling ourselves physically but I wasn't using that agreement to suggest we get physical…I was trying to…I mean what I wanted to say was…I don't…"
Quinn was getting more and more agitated as she spoke, however she tried to say it, it came out sounding presumptuous. Gritting her teeth angrily she was surprised when Rachel merely reached across and kissed her temple softly, when hazel eyes blinked questioningly at her, the little diva just smiled.
"It's okay Gretzky…it's okay, I would never assume you were trying to take advantage of me okay? I know you love me too much for that. And if you were saying what I think you were saying then the answer is an unequivocal yes, I would very much like to share the sauna and hot tub with you, and yes, I also know that you don't mean it as a come on. I appreciate what a big step this is for you even though we wont be doing anything of a…licentious nature."
She couldn't help it, she really couldn't…Quinn smirked and had to repeat the word.
"Licentious? We need a licence to do it these days…wow, I have been celibate a long time!"
Rachel narrowed her eyes playfully and poked a finger at the hard wall of abdominal muscle she could reach.
"Very funny wiseass, you know very well what I meant!"
Shrugging one shoulder, Quinn smirked crookedly before nodding.
"I know princess, force of habit I'm afraid, in situations I find awkward I crack a joke and make it seem less awkward. But…thank you, for knowing what I meant when my words decided to have a crazy street fight with each other and come out in the wrong order…and for knowing that this is kind of gonna be weird for me."
With what seemed a Herculean effort, Rachel hauled herself upright to unlace her skates (and Quinn's) then turned and gently nipped the end of the hockey players nose.
"I'll go get the sauna ready, you change out of your skates and come find me when you're ready…and remember, if you're too nervous you can change your mind, I wont hold it against you, I love you, remember?"
Before the blonde could reply, Rachel stole one more sneaky kiss from the lips that were pursed ready to speak and fled to the sauna and pool area. Smiling softly Quinn touched her fingertips to her still tingling lips and muttered dopily.
"She loves me…I love her and, and she loves me…and I can do this because of that, I know I can!"
With the self given pep talk complete she carefully sat up and was inordinately pleased she had left Mario in the house with Rachel's dads, (who doted on him almost as much as she did) as it meant she could join the little brunette as soon as she could get to her feet. Not that getting to her feet was an easy task after such an intense and long day of training, figure skating was definitely the hardest thing she had ever done and that included playing three games of softball back to back for charity! Taking just one more moment to prepare herself, Quinn sat up to slide off her skates gratefully. Sighing in relief she wriggled her toes gleefully and glanced around for her sneakers, slipping them on she headed towards the sauna, she'd be lying if she said a part of her wasn't scared but then again she figured that was to be expected. Nobody had seen her without at least a T-shirt and shorts on since…well, since Laura, she knew Rachel was different, and that this situation was different but…it didn't calm her skittering nerve all that much. Pausing outside the door to the small changing room she steeled herself and walked in with what she hoped was a reassuring grin, judging from the look on Rachel's face it wasn't all that successful! The diva rushed over in concern, laying a gentle hand on the hockey players forearm.
"Quinn are you alright? You look sort of…ill?"
The half grin/grimace was replaced with a genuine laugh and smile as Quinn reached up to scratch at her nose and confess.
"I was trying to mask my worry I guess, only instead of helping to calm me and you, it made you think I was about to hurl my guts up!"
At that Rachel also allowed herself to laugh lightly, leaning forward she rested her forehead on Quinn's shoulder sighing with a mix of relief and amusement.
"You are a dork sometimes Gretzky…and like I said you do NOT have to do this, but if you really want to then just remember…you wont be doing it alone, I'll be right alongside you doing the same, and no one has seen me less than mostly clothed either."
A blonde eyebrow rose in stunned disbelief.
"You mean…you and Flint never saw each other in the buff, or like even the top halves or anything?"
Trying not to smirk in amusement at Quinn's obvious use of an incorrect name, Rachel just shook her head.
"No, Finn and I didn't really get that far…I suppose I never felt as secure in that relationship as I do with you. I know one hundred percent that you and I are going to marry, but more than that I know we're going to be happy in that marriage…because we really do love each other."
Swallowing the lump in her throat Quinn couldn't resist the urge to lighten the atmosphere somewhat, both for her and Rachel! Smirking she brushed her lips over the shell of Rachel's ear and muttered.
"So does that mean there's a chance I'll get to see the girls then?"
At Rachel's confused expression, the hockey player glanced downwards at the diva's cleavage then waggled her eyebrows pointedly. Gasping in mock outrage Rachel shoved playfully at the blondes shoulder.
"Act like that and you'll be lucky to get a flash of ankle!"
Staggering dramatically to drape herself on the nearby cupboard that housed the towels, Quinn fanned at herself with both hands and drawled in a terrible southern accent.
"Mercy me! A flash of pure ankle? I do believe I'm getting the vapours"
Rolling her eyes the little diva swept her sweater off over her head and hurled it lightly to the still smirking hockey player. Casting it to the side the blonde found herself swallowing nervously again as she realised it was her turn to shed her hoody, glancing at Rachel she took confidence in the reassuring smile directed her way and did so. It wasn't a huge move as she'd worn a T-shirt in front of Rach before, in fact she'd been down to just a bra, but as she was half out of it and at the hospital at the time she didn't really think that counted. Rachel however had never been clothed in less and although Quinn was pretty sure that the brunette must be wrestling with her own nerves at the prospect of disrobing it didn't show. She watched carefully as the little diva stripped off her top and let her hands fall to her sides with an ease she was surprised she felt, swallowing, Quinn gripped the hem of her space invaders T-shirt and taking a deep breath mirrored the move.
For a long moment they both just stood there, a good four foot from each other, each wanting to move forward but neither wanting to be the first to do so, as it turned out they both found their nerve at the same time and moved towards each other simultaneously, once they were within touching distance, Quinn tentatively lifted a hand and lay it on the diva's bare shoulder. Smiling slightly she traced the smooth skin down until she had hold of her hand, looking up she nodded in answer to Rachel's silent question. Reaching out, and a little upwards (given their height difference) Rachel tentatively touched a fingertip to the faded line of a long scar running from just under Quinn's chin and down to her clavicle, a part of her wanted to ask but didn't know how or even if she should. The hockey player could see the indecision written all over the diva's face and found herself relaxing under the feather light touch, maybe…just maybe she wasn't as ugly, as damaged as she thought. Clearing her throat very softly Quinn found herself answering the query Rachel was unsure whether or not to voice.
"Accidental that one…back when my mom was still home, she and dad got into it, I think I was maybe four at the time. Anyway it culminated in a shouting match and crockery throwing, dad threw a mug that crashed into the mirror, some of the stray glass fell down and onto me…cos I was sort of hiding behind the chair under the mirror."
She trailed off uncertainly as Rachel leaned forwards and replaced her fingertip with her lips, kissing softly she trailed butterfly kisses down the faded white line until it ended. Quinn was finding it hard to remain upright as those feather light kisses were making her…making her feel. Rachel's quiet voice pulled her back from thoughts of whether or not she could in fact pass out just from kisses, when she spoke again.
"What about this one?"
She gently tapped a small inch long puckered ridge of angry red flesh that was just above the hockey players hip. Suddenly talking about how she had gotten the marks, remembering the tales behind them didn't seem quite as scary, clearing her throat Quinn spoke quietly.
"Laura…she, um, stabbed me with a curling iron when I tried to leave her room before she had finished with me."
As before Rachel moved so she was level with the scar and kissed it gently before moving back up, Quinn wasn't aware she had been crying until the diva frowned and wiped the pad of her thumb across her cheek gently, wiping away the tears. The hockey player smiled reassuringly.
"Happy tears princess, I promise you."
Reaching up on tiptoes, Rachel pressed a closed lip but firm kiss to Quinn's mouth then touched a finger to the somewhat longer scar under her ribcage. Slowly but surely she found each small imperfection on the blondes skin and after learning it's origin, would kiss it gently as if cleansing it. To Quinn, it was cleansing, each story gone, each tale confided and each scar kissed was lightening the heavy load she often felt had indelibly stained her soul. From the ones with a harsh story, such as the one under her ribcage which was from a fight she had stumbled into when she was first living on the streets, to the small one on top of her left breast shaped like a plus sign where Santana had accidentally stabbed a Philip's screwdriver in when she fell off a stepladder! Every scar was given the same attention, the same care, and Quinn began to feel better within her own body. When Rachel moved carefully around her however and saw her back she couldn't contain the gasp of horror at the damage she found there. Instinctively Quinn hunched her shoulders and made to move away, quickly stammering an apology.
"I'm sorry…this was a dumb idea, sometimes I can be so stupid, I knew It'd be okay if you didn't see my back because it's…just ugly and…"
She trailed off abruptly when instead of the revulsion and retreat of affection that she had expected…Rachel just wrapped her arms around the hockey player from behind and gently pulled her closer until the damaged flesh of her back was pressed against the warmth of the diva's front. She realised she was trembling when Rachel murmured soothingly that it was okay, that she was okay.
"You're fine Quinn, you aren't ugly, no part of you could ever be considered ugly to me, the man who did this to you was ugly, the bitch who did things to you that no child should ever have to feel, she was ugly…but not you, not ever!"
Feeling the words soothe the last of her panicked feelings of self loathing, Quinn's eyes closed and she just let herself feel. Feel Rachel's lips as she began to reverently kiss each one of the twisted white, pink and in some cases, red twisted ropes of scar tissue that littered every inch of her back. When she finished the diva stood back up and gently turned Quinn around to face her, kissing the drying trails of tears from her cheeks.
"You, Quinn Fabray, are beautiful, inside, outside and everywhere it counts…so don't ever tell me again that you're ugly okay? Because I really don't want to have to subject you to an extremely long lecture complete with slide show and educational videos as to why you are not."
That got a chuckle and wiping her eyes with the heel of her hands the hockey player rolled her eyes.
"Okay I get it…I mean, all joking aside I really do get it princess…thank you."
Inclining her head to negate the very slight height difference, Quinn kissed the woman who was finally waking up the parts of her that she thought had died a long time ago. It was intended to be a gentle kiss, a reassuring one, one that conveyed exactly what the little diva meant to her emotionally. That intention was blown out of the water however when Rachel kissed her back just as thoroughly, the temperature was definitely growing and not because of the sauna. Quinn's hands found themselves trailing across the soft skin that had been revealed to her eagerly, tracing the muscle definition gently, seeking out and delighting in the way the brunette would gasp or shudder slightly when they brushed past certain places. As her hands started their journey upwards and towards what she had previously affectionately referred to as 'the girls' Quinn found herself in an embarrassing predicament. The one thing that had never happened to her before in all her many and varied voluntary sexual explorations, was the shame of an early arrival, in her ignorance she had assumed it was something that only men experienced. However, as her fingertips brushed over Rachel's lace covered breast she felt the familiar pulling sensation in her stomach, the diva must have noticed her hesitance because she pulled breathlessly away from the kiss long enough to husk into one ear.
"It's okay…I like what we're doing Q bear, it's not too fast, it's just…right!"
Feeling her eyes rolling into the back of her head, Quinn couldn't help but growl as the diva gently took hold of her hand, guiding it up to cover the breast it had been resting on, fully, instinctively she gripped, massaging gently, feeling the nipple rub against her palm. Rachel had not been idle when it came to exploring her partners body either, she hadn't been lying when she said the scars didn't make Quinn ugly. The imperfections that marred the otherwise alabaster perfection could not hide the beautifully artistic lines of muscles, that in Rachel's opinion, belonged in a museum carved out of the finest Italian marble. Although she had no intention of this turning into a passionate grope session, it seemed to be the way it was headed, instead of freaking out however, the diva gave herself time to think…and realised that yes, she liked what they were doing, and no, it didn't have to lead to sex if she didn't want it to. Mind made up to savour the moment, she allowed her hands to slide down over slim hips until they cupped what she admitted (at least to herself) was one of her favourite assets of the hockey player.
Quinn was quietly proud of the fact that although she was lost in a haze of sensation and very close to the edge, she was managing to keep control of herself, just! The only explanation she could come up with in her own mind as to why she was quite so…sensitive, to Rachel's affections was that she was tired, and of course it had been a while, not forgetting that the little diva was gaining access to areas that no one else had, so…her brain faltered as she realised that Rachel's hands had moved down to cup her butt. Groaning deep in the back of her throat she wondered briefly if the sound would scare the diva off, far from it however as Rachel echoed the growl with one of her own and nipped ever so lightly at the corner of Quinn's mouth.
Feeling her legs start to tremble Quinn desperately grasped at the trailing string of control…and missed! Mortified, she buried her head in the diva's shoulder and prayed for her climax to pass quickly. Rachel felt the hockey player shuddering against her and wondered briefly if she had done something wrong just as she had feared she would, and that Quinn was crying. The tightening of the hands that had rapidly moved to her shoulders and clung on was another good indicator (at least to her) that something had upset Quinn. Frowning in concern she let her hands slide back up to rest on the jean clad hips, before she could step back to try and catch the hockey players eyes however Quinn tightened her grip and managed to blurt out.
"NO!…I mean, just, um, gimme a sec…please?"
Unsure what else to do, Rachel nodded and put her arms back round Quinn's waist holding her close, after a long moment she felt the hockey players stiff limbs relax. Before she could say anything Quinn looked up and then quickly away again as she chewed on her lower lip, the diva frowned in confusion for a moment, it didn't look to her like Quinn had been crying. Peering closer, it occurred to her that rather than looking upset the blonde just looked awkward, and maybe a little ashamed, in fact she looked kind of like Finn had that time they were making out and he…oh! Flushing as brightly as the hockey player was, Rachel's eyes widened in recognition of what had happened and found herself wrestling with two conflicting emotions, pride at her own achievement, and sympathy for the embarrassed blonde in her arms.
"Um…did you, ah…?"
Keeping her eyes averted, Quinn scratched at her nose and blew out a breath.
"I…yeah, I mean it wasn't planned or anything…I wasn't being pervy!"
Smiling softly Rachel reached out and lay a hand on Quinn's cheek, gently urging the hockey player to meet her eyes again. When unsure hazel eyes locked with her own she leaned forward and pressed a brief kiss to the pouting lips.
"Stop explaining yourself! There's no need to do that and I certainly don't find it pervy that we were enjoying ourselves, if I had objected at all then we wouldn't have been doing it…and as for you, um, experiencing le petit mort, well that's to be expected."
Frowning slightly Quinn raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Okay, firstly you're right, I'm sorry I keep explaining myself, old habits die hard and all that. And secondly, what has a pot of mortar got to do with anything?"
Laughing softly Rachel shook her head.
"Not pot of mortar, le petit mort, it means the little death…as in orgasm, I was trying to be subtle."
Flushing red again the hockey player rubbed the back of her neck before reluctantly smirking.
"Yeah well, I knew that…I was just testing you."
Rolling her eyes Rachel yanked on Quinn's waistband and pulled her forward and back into a loose embrace before explaining.
"Well I'm glad I passed your test, and what I was trying to say to you, my dorky little science geek, was that before we started our make out session I had spent the better part of an hour gently kissing all over the top half of your body…you were already revved up before we even kissed sweetheart."
Recognising that as a very valid point, Quinn found herself standing a bit taller, grinning slightly she had to ask however…
"So…you don't think any less of me then for…um, arriving at the station way before you even boarded the train?"
Sniggering at the euphemism Rachel shook her head.
"Certainly not! In fact I'm sort of relieved because one of the things I was worrying about, well, was about you and I becoming physical, that I wouldn't know enough to be able to please you."
Raising both eyebrows pointedly before glancing down at her increasingly uncomfortable underwear, Quinn joked.
"Well, I think we can safely put that fear to bed huh?"
Chuckling along with the still slightly flushed hockey player Rachel shrugged a shoulder and ran her hands gently over the scars that littered Quinn's back.
"Well hopefully tonight we have both put one of our fears to bed then…although you have made it virtually impossible for me to be able to travel on a train now without thinking of sex!"
Blinking faux innocent eyes the blonde drawled.
"Geez! I was just trying to come up with a clean metaphor for blowing my load early."
Grimacing Rachel let her head fall heavily onto Quinn's shoulder before whining.
"It doesn't count if you then go and say the thing you were trying to be subtle about in a non subtle way Gretzky!"
Quinn just laughed and pressed a kiss to the crown of Rachel's head before murmuring.
"Well then, without resorting to being non subtle what do you say we finally get the heck into that sauna because I'm getting a bit uncomfortable here."
Shaking her head in disbelief at Quinn's attempt to be subtle Rachel headed towards the sauna door. Realising that the hockey player was far too busy enjoying the sight of her walking away to follow, she paused and glanced over her shoulder. Clearing her throat she tried not to enjoy the sight of Quinn looking up guiltily at being caught, smirking internally however she slipped her bra off and casting it to the side, casually commented.
"You joining me in here or not?"
So saying she disappeared inside to shed the rest of her clothes and wrap a towel round herself, Quinn realised she was still standing there slack jawed and reaching up slapped herself lightly. Blinking, she hastily shed her own bra and followed the diva into the sauna…sometimes Quinn could be accused of being a little slow on the uptake but not when it came to spending time half naked with the woman she loved! Although they didn't take things any further that night, or in the following ones, they were much more comfortable around each other physically as well as emotionally. Rachel now knew that when the time came she was more than capable of pleasing Quinn, that she could touch her and not cause a resurgence of unpleasant memories. And as for Quinn, well, she now knew that the one fear that had been crippling her almost since she had realised she loved Rachel, that she was ugly, forever defined by what had been done to her, was not true. The little diva, her princess, saw her for who she really was, she didn't judge her by what happened to her and that meant more to the hockey player than she was able to find words to express.
The couples new found easiness with each other was evident to everyone around them, from Rachel's fathers and Coach Schuester to Justin, Rachel's tame Starbucks delivery friend. They had already been close to each other, holding hands or cuddling as they watched TV, ate, or even just when they were waiting on the ice for Will to critique their performance. But now there was something else, another layer that everyone noticed and approved of, for instance, when sat together in the comfy corner between practice sessions they wouldn't hold hands so much, but instead show affection in a more proprietary way. Rachel had grown fond of twirling the hair at the nape of Quinn's neck through her finger's as they talked, or idly sliding her hand under the hem of the hockey players T-shirt to lightly scratch at her abdomen. In return Quinn found she loved sitting behind Rachel and holding her close so she could nuzzle into her every so often and brush her fingertips across the diva's belly button because it made her giggle. They were things the couple had done before, but only, in what they had viewed, as emotionally charged situations. Now they were as casual and freely given as a hug or a wave would be, Leroy was so thrilled with how things were progressing he sent not one, not two, but three bouquets of flowers to Santana in thanks for her assistance.
Soon enough the departure date for the championship approached and the pair found themselves swept up in the whirlwind of preparation and panic that seemed to happen before every competition. Not that they were panicking, it was Will who was frantic this time, convinced that they would forget something or go to the wrong venue. Quinn ended up slipping one of her old tranquilisers into the coaches coffee just so they could finish the packing in peace.
"Why on earth is he so worked up, he wasn't this bad last time and if anything that should have been the time to panic, or so I would have thought?"
Neatly packing away a spare set of sweats for each of them and accepting the toiletry bag that Quinn passed her, Rachel shrugged.
"Probably because the last competition was more of a show piece, you know like a…um, what would you call it in hockey? Oh! An exhibition game, that's the phrase, whereas this is the first real step on the road to Olympic selection…sort of like the season opener. You know how much emphasis they always place on the first game of the season, start strong and stake your rep, right…Quinn?"
The hockey player had gone pale, feeling behind her she just managed to locate the edge of the bed before she thumped down onto it with a sick feeling, swallowing, she closed her eyes.
"So…last time it was…all about showing off and getting attention then? A way of saying 'hey, we're here guys and here's what we can do' but it wasn't…I mean this is in fact going to be the first major competition we'll skate in?"
Thinking fast Rachel realised that Quinn hadn't been panicking simply because she hadn't seen it as their first major skate!
"Well, technically yes, this is the first one but…I mean, you have to establish yourself as a serious threat before the season starts and we did that, that was the hard part I promise you…besides, this time you'll know Kurt, and Puck will be there too."
Smiling weakly Quinn ran both hands roughly down her face.
"I know, it's not so much that which I'm worrying about princess, it's just that maybe we should have practiced more, done more research on what the other skaters are going to produce, maybe what we came up with isn't good enough, what if my ideas cant compete with whatever that asshole St James comes up with!?"
Rising from where she had just finished packing their bags, Rachel snorted slightly.
"All his ideas will feature him, him, and ways to make himself look good…oh and did I mention they would centre on him? Judges these days look for a true partnership between pairs skaters, we have that Gretzky and don't you forget it…besides which we have something the other skaters don't…and I don't just mean your mighty fine butt."
Rolling her eyes at Rachel's wink, Quinn chuckled in amusement and relaxing slightly, leaned back onto her elbows.
"Okay, I'll bite, what else do we have that the other teams don't, apart from my admittedly mighty fine butt?"
Moving so she was straddling the smirking hockey player, the little diva smiled fondly and kissed the tip of Quinn's nose before replying.
"Your amazingly geeky yet creative brain that comes up with music, costumes and routines that most of the other pairs would never even dream of!"
Wrinkling the tip of her nose that had just been freshly kissed, the hockey player grinned crookedly.
"I'm pretty sure that a lot of people in the past have done a Bond number, in fact I know they have as you told me so yourself."
Gently slapping Quinn's midriff in a mild rebuke, Rachel sighed.
"The Bond number aside, which, by the way, is very different to most of the others if I do say so myself, I was referring to the others, I for one am looking forward to our freestyle routine, and even more so to watching the playback and seeing that jackasses jaw drop when he realises we've blown him out of the water yet again."
Laughing at the prospect of Jesse being dumbfounded, almost as much as she was at the fact Rachel had sworn again, Quinn relaxed and rolled them over so they were on their sides and facing each other. Leaning in simultaneously they shared several long and intense kisses before a throat cleared itself from the doorway, bolting up simultaneously they were confronted by Hiram's amused and slightly embarrassed face. Holding up a hand to halt the explanation he knew was about to come spilling forth from one if not both of the women, he spoke quickly.
"You don't have to explain yourselves to me…but I thought you might like to know that your coach appears to have fallen asleep in his doorway and you're due to leave in the next hour?"
Blanching slightly, Quinn got to her feet.
"I'll go take care of Schuester, you want to make sure we have everything we need princess and then I think we're good to go? The guys will have the costumes with them right?"
Waiting for an affirmative nod from the little diva, Quinn smiled and took off to move Will to the Humvee ready for the ride to the airport. It was only a short flight to Colorado where the event was being held but they had decided to fly in so they had more time to observe their competition and make any last adjustments if they were indeed needed. Just under an hour later they were waved off by Hiram who wouldn't be able to make the competition this time due to business. Quinn drove, with Rachel providing commentary on some of the other skaters more spectacular foul up's while Will was snoring quite contentedly in the back seat. Luckily they were flying in one of the Berry's business jets so questions as to why their coach was comatose would be minimal! By the time they reached the private airstrip in Colorado, Will had woken up and apologised profusely for leaving the skaters to organise everything. Quinn smiled serenely and said it hadn't been a problem, whilst next to her Rachel was trying her hardest to stifle her giggles at the apologetic coach. The transfer to the venue was pleasantly uneventful and once they were checked into their rooms and the bags stowed, Rachel and Quinn decided to head to the rink and get in a practice session and see who else was there. Will demurred when they asked him if he was coming with them, citing unusual exhaustion and opting for an early night! As they left the hotel the little diva glanced sideways at the hockey player.
"What on earth was it that you put in his coffee, it wasn't illegal was it?"
Rolling her eyes, Quinn snagged Rachel's hand, squeezing it reassuringly as they made their way to the rink.
"No, just a tranquiliser…I had to take them before…well, before you came along actually princess. You know I've always had trouble sleeping, but before I would never talk about it and after a while I had to take something to help me sleep before I ended up crashing out from exhaustion."
Nudging her shoulder gently into the hockey players, Rachel spoke softly.
"And now you have me, so it's okay?"
Her own grin turning soft (and if she were honest, a little dopey) Quinn nudged Rachel back and nodded.
"Yeah, now I have you, and for some reason the night terrors seem reluctant to bother me when you're around princess."
Smiling happily, the little diva fought down the urge to skip the rest of the short walk to the rink, on the grounds it was just too gay, she instead contained herself to pressing a soft kiss to the hockey players knuckles.
"See, being ridiculously optimistic does it have it's upsides, now and again."
Smirking, Quinn commented airily.
"I think it's more the fact that you're insistence to drool on anything you sleep on and snore like a grumpy lumberjack with a cold repels them."
Gasping in faux outrage Rachel lightly shoved the giggling hockey player into the door of the rink they had just reached,
"See if you get to choose tonight's movie now! And remember it's my turn to choose dinner as well…and I have a sudden craving for carrot and coriander soup!"
It was the diva's turn to smile now as she saw the hockey player predictably grimace at the suggestion. Although Hiram and Leroy had managed to change Quinn's mind about most vegetables and successfully introduced them into the woman's diet, she flatly refused to eat carrots.
"Aw, c'mon Rach that's so not fair, it's not like I would ever choose steaks on my night or anything, and you know I hate carrots!"
Turning on her heel primly to address the hockey player who was rushing to catch her up, Rachel commented.
"Not eating meat is a conscious choice based on my lifestyle, you just don't like carrots and that's the difference."
Sighing dramatically, the blonde skater flashed her competition I.D at the official and walking into the rink with the diva, Quinn put forth her case.
"Did you not see the lol cats picture I showed you?! Even the cute little cat in that picture said they were poison, and a cute little cat wouldn't lie!"
Glancing over at Quinn in amused disbelief, Rachel shook her head.
"That's your entire case against carrots? The fact that a lol cat agrees with you that they're poison?"
Shrugging a shoulder Quinn tightened the laces on her skates.
"Hey, a cute cat would never lie…fact."
Finishing her own lacing process, the little diva stood upright and flicking her hair over her shoulder with a grin, smoothly replied.
"You do realise, that those same cute cats also claim to interact with invisible objects on a regular basis as well as being able to fix computers."
Holding her hand out to escort Rachel out onto the ice, Quinn conceded…partly.
"Okay, maybe some of them are prone to exaggeration but they cant all be wrong…the point is, carrots suck and you shouldn't make me eat them unless they are in cake form, which is the only acceptable form for a carrot."
Rachel opened her mouth to reply when a familiar voice inserted itself into the conversation in support of Quinn.
"Sorry baby Jew, but she's right on that one, carrots are the devils own creation and cake is the weapon we use to fight them!"
Turning to Puck, Rachel rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips disapprovingly.
"Noah!"
He smirked unrepentantly at her and slung an arm around Quinn's shoulders companionably. The diva tensed for a moment wondering how the blonde would take the familiar gesture from a man she hardly knew…to her relief Quinn merely grinned and put her own arm around her newfound allies waist.
"See! Two against one princess, I suggest you accept defeat gratefully."
Sighing with mock irritation she waved a hand airily.
"Very well I concede this argument…for now…and no you don't have to eat carrots later, but I'm still picking the film now!"
Puck looked at Quinn and winced.
"Maybe you should have just eaten the carrots, now you'll have to sit through some romantic claptrap where the guy gets the girl, loses the girl, then get's the girl again when he's much wiser and sensitive."
Quinn laughed loudly and nodded in agreement.
"So basically…any romantic film of the last decade then?"
Grinning, the tall guy bumped fists with the hockey player as they both turned to Rachel. The diva then had to bite her lip to prevent herself from grinning as both the carrot haters directed winks at her to show they were joking.
"Well, now the great vegetable debate is over perhaps we can concentrate on the skating?"
All three of them moved out onto the ice, giggling and nudging each others shoulders like a bunch of teenagers. Rachel laughed and cheered Quinn on as she and Puck broke into a speed race around the rink, eventually collapsing in a bundle at the amused diva's feet. Their impromptu little gathering was unpleasantly interrupted by another familiar voice, this one was most definitely not welcome however.
"Well, there's a surprise, the freaks of the sport all bundled together…I see you're still demonstrating the juvenile behaviour that's making you a laughing stock."
Rachel's spine had stiffened at the scornful tone Jesse had adopted, but she at least was used to it, as was Puck. Quinn however was unfortunately far too hot blooded and Jesse knew it would be her he would get a reaction from, and she didn't disappoint. Hauling herself to her feet she skated forwards smoothly, grinning when she saw the smirking idiot flinch at her approach.
"Back off St James…and for a laughing stock we sure as hell kicked your ass last time we met!"
He shrugged as though that loss was of no consequence, before Rachel could speak he carried on in his waspish tone.
"Last time was just for show you idiot, it's only this competition that counts and I think you'll find your reception is quite different when it's mostly made up of professionals and officials…rather than inbred's! Speaking of which, how are your 'family'?"
Although Rachel was just out of hand's reach, Puck wasn't and he firmly grabbed hold of Quinn when he saw her make a move to lunge for Jesse, for his part Jesse gave a little yelp of fear and flushed bright red when he heard other skaters laughing behind him. Eyes narrowing in fury he levelled a finger at Quinn's equally as enraged face.
"You just revel in the fact you're a thug with a violent history don't you? Seeing people cower in fear is probably the only thing that makes you feel good about yourself!"
This time even Puck couldn't hold her and grabbing hold of Jesse's shirt with two clenched fists she yanked him so close only he, Rachel and Puck could hear what was said.
"You know something Jesse…you are really pushing your luck with me pal! But know this…I have violence in my past yes, but revel in it? Far from it you over privileged little snot! But the one thing I did learn is how to make assholes like you dissapear, so get the hell out of mine and Rachel's air space and shut the hole in your face before I fill it with cement…understand!"
With the last word she let go of him abruptly and in his haste to move away his skates slipped and he fell on his ass with another yelp. Around them the rink had now gone quiet, despite it being only the second time they had skated against each other, their rivalry was already being compared to Harding and Kerrigan. Quinn was shaking with anger, everything in her was wanting to punch the smug superior look off this assholes face, but she wouldn't, partly for Rachel's sake, but more importantly…for her own. Forcing herself to calm she heard his parting words as he scrambled to his feet and back towards his silent and stunned looking skating partner.
"You wont win this one Fabray! Everyone's going to find out who and what you really are and they'll throw your ass out!"
With that he skated off with as much of his tattered dignity as he could muster, Quinn was only vaguely aware of a breathless Kurt skating up to join them, asking if everything was okay. In fact, the next thing she was consciously aware of was Rachel's warm hand slipping into hers and the diva's cool soothing tones breaking through the anger.
"Hey it's okay…Gretzky he was being an ass and everyone saw that, we were keeping ourselves to ourselves and having fun catching up with our friends, it was him that came up to us and started this. You did nothing wrong, you didn't hit him and you only said what I was too angry to find the words for…okay…Quinn?"
Focusing on the concerned warm brown gaze in front of her, the hockey player mentally and visibly shook off the last of the emotional tornado before letting a breath out slowly. When she had control of her vocal chords again she smiled back reassuringly.
"I'm okay…I think, that guy just really gets under my skin, and to be honest its that fact that bothers me more than he himself does."
Nodding slightly, the diva rested her forehead on Quinns softly, behind them Kurt and Puck were making a strategic withdrawal to leave them to it.
"It's what he does, he isn't physically strong enough to take anyone on so he plays mind games, I wish I could tell you to ignore it but I know how hard that is, it worked on me remember? Blew my chances at the Olympics last time because of him and those mind games."
Pulling back enough to plant a kiss on Rachel's forehead, Quinn took another calming breath and then managed a half convincing smirk.
"Yeah, well he wont do it again, because this time we're going to be the ones that win and he's going to be the one that ends up blowing it…big time! I wont let him affect you that way ever again princess, that's a promise okay? And no matter how hard he pushes me I wont hit him, I know that's what he wants, that way he can press charges and with my record he knows it's likely I'll go back to prison. I think that's what annoys me most, I know what he's doing and how he thinks, but I cant stop myself from giving him the reaction he wants."
Moving them subtly to the side of the rink and out of the main practice area, Rachel shook her head in disagreemnt.
"You only think you are, you said yourself that you know he wants you to hit him and you havent done it, if anything you should be proud of the fact that although he seems to know which of your buttons to push you havent done what he wants…you're smarter than I was."
Turning to the faintly melancholy little diva, Quinn reached out, and gently hooking a finger under her chin, moved it gently upwards until their gazes locked. Smiling softly she shrugged a shoulder before speaking in a gentle tone that held a firmness that couldn't be mistaken.
"Listen up princess, you weren't dumb, you trusted him…and putting your trust in someone is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. The only idiot in that situation was him, because he had someone as wonderful as you trust him, care about him, and he betrayed all of it to steal a medal out from under you. He's a low down dirty rat and not worth making you feel bad about yourself for."
Smiling faintly at the words Quinn had used and the reference to the film they had settled down with the other night, Rachel bit her lower lip.
"Rat huh, you think he qualifies as a rat?"
Knowing exactly where Rachel was headed Quinn grinned widely and took the bait.
"Okay…not a rat, maybe at a push he's a flea on a rat, a really dirty manky rat whose too foul even to live in the gutter."
Joining one hand with the hockey players and skating to a clear spot on the rink to start moving through some moves, Rachel finished their adapted movie quote.
"Nah he's more like an ameoba on a flea on a rat!"
Both grinning stupidly they bumped fists as Puck skated past with a wriggling and indignant Kurt over one shoulder, although he did stop yelling at the mohawked boy long enough to speak as they swept past.
"Amen!"
Shaking the last of their unpleasant encounter with Jesse from their minds, the two women moved smoothly through the moves they would be using for their compulsory programme. Like most of the other skaters out on the rink, they were far too secretive about their freestyle programme to practice it where others might be able to get a sneak peek. In a break between moves, Quinn chugged blue Gatorade while Rachel mopped at her face and neck with a towel.
"So, are any of your family making it down to this show then? I think daddy will be coming, but dad is flying to Paris for another meeting."
Reaching out Quinn squeezed the diva's shoulder before tucking her empty bottle back into the kit bag.
"I'm sorry honey, I know how much it means when they can both make it, as for my folks, I told my moms not to because it's too close to them flying out for the operation. Dave is with them making sure everything is ready and planned for and I'm not sure about San, she said she and Brittany wanted to get down here but she wasn't sure yet."
Shrugging slightly the hockey player stretched until she could feel the vertebrae in her neck pop satisfyingly, at Rachel's wince she grinned.
"It sounds bad but it feels so good! What do you say we practice our solo spins and then head back to the hotel? After a shower I'm thinking maybe a nice 'turn your brain off' movie and room service food."
Smiling sweetly, Rachel teased.
"So, two house salads hold the dressing and 'My sisters keeper' then?"
At Quinn's indignant expression Rachel held her hands up in surrender.
"I'm kiding of course! How about Airplane and pizza?"
Grinning widely, the hockey player fist pumped triumphantly and then pulled the little diva towards her for a kiss, it was only as they pulled apart that they noticed some of the other skaters looking at them fondly, and in some cases enviously. Blushing, Quinn cleared her throat and let out a breath.
"Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that anyone who wasn't aware of us as a couple, probably will be now…sorry about that?"
Shrugging happily Rachel bent her head down from her position sat on Quinn's lap and kissed her again.
"I couldn't care less about what other people think about it…I love you and I'm proud of the fact you love me back. So what do you say we call it quits for the night and you take me home, well, to the hotel anyway, so we can be sickeningly sweet together in private?"
Setting Rachel back onto her feet swiftly, Quinn snapped to mock attention and with a very deep and courtly bow drawled in her best butler voice.
"As her majesty wishes!"
Swatting at the smirking hockey players arm with the sweaty towel, the diva went about getting their kit together, occasionally helped by Quinn who was trying to throw stuff into the bag like she was playing basketball. Pouting when the diva took her last 'ball' away, which was in actual fact another rolled up face towel, she sighed dramatically and taking the bag from the diva threw it over one shoulder before offering her free arm. They walked back towards the hotel happily, the incident with Jesse St James all but forgotten…until the next morning that was. Before they were even properly awake or dressed there was a pounding on their hotel room door, frowning, Quinn checked her watch and looked to Rachel who shrugged. As they were in adjoining rooms it wasn't odd that they would be found in the same room so the hockey player stood up and went to answer it, peering through the peephole she sighed and opened the door.
"Coach, come on! We have like five hours before we're due on the ice and I havent even gotten the taste of the toothpaste out of my mouth yet!"
Smiling weakly at the joke, Will ran one hand through his immovable hair, the other clutching a copy of a gossip rag tightly. At the look on his face and the way he kept darting his eyes to the paper Rachel knew what was coming, or at least she had a good idea anyway. Frowning in concern she took Quinn's hand and led the clueless hockey player to the sofa.
"Just tell us what it is Will, we've been expecting something to come out about us being together romantically…we talked about it with my dad's remember? We're prepared so just…tell us and get it over with."
Pacing in front of them the coach grimaced slightly and wondered how to put this exactly, Quinn, who now knew what was going on, just looked resigned and picked up her coffee cup with a shrug.
"Like Rae said…we knew it was coming so just show us how bad it is, that way we know what plan to put into action."
Pausing in his frantic pacing Will blurted.
"No…I mean, it's not what we thought it would be, it's not what we prepared for and it's…Quinn I don't know how they found out or how they got to him but…"
Before he could say any more the hockey player was on her feet, one hand reaching for the paper which he automatically pulled out of her reach. She rose a cool eyebrow and gestured for him to hand it over to her, after another moments indecision he passed it across, babbling even as he did so.
"It's not as bad as it looks Quinn, we can sort this out, it's just a gossip rag after all…Leroy and Santana are on the way here to help us put something together."
Quinn didn't even hear him as she stared down at the front page and felt herself going cold with dread…and not a little fear. Splashed across the front page in bold colour was a photograph of her father's prison mug shot, underneath was an inset one of her with a tall tanned dark haired woman, Laura, that must have been taken by a reporter at some point. The headline above the images was direct and to the point…and made her stomach roll unpleasantly, hurling the paper from her in a blind panic she bolted for the bathroom, only just making it before she threw up violently. Rachel dashed to pick up the paper and see what had made her girlfriend react so violently, when she saw the headline she gasped in outrage and her hand tightened so much she found herself tearing the cheap paper.
Hurling it back towards their concerned coach she took off after Quinn into the bathroom, needing to be with the distraught hockey player. Will looked down at the printed words and wondered wryly how anyone could say that words could never hurt someone…THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SKATING WORLDS NEWEST STAR…IN THE WORDS OF HER FATHER. It went on to talk about the criminal aspects of Quinn's past, making it look a lot worse than it had been and far from forced. Throwing it aside he looked to the closed bathroom door and hoped like hell Leroy would get there before the women were due to skate…and that it was him, and not Santana, that found the person responsible for the article, or the next headline could be a lot more graphic!
Ooh! so how much do you all hate me right now for the cliffhanger huh? I promise that the next chapter will resolve at least a part of this dilemma, and I may let Santana loose on whomever it was that directed the paper towards Quinn's father…anyone have any idea who it was exactly? I can guarantee you that you don't because it's going to be the new character, from glee naturally, points to anyone who guesses correctly the name of the character and how they come into the story. Now I'll go back to RBR where I'm working on another cliff hanger/twist that might make you hate me! But it makes a good story…right? Updates will be a little more sporadic as my beta is swamped with work and I don't want to add to that too much because it's not fair…and if I'm honest it's partly due to the fact I have discovered the joys of Skyrim and cant stay away from it, I've been playing it less than a week and I'm already level 30! If anyone has any hints BTW feel free to let me know them lol, I'm already happily married to Aela and life (Skyrim life anyway) is good! Right, back to real life and the RBR update which fingers crossed should be done in the next week. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and as usual feel free to let me know your views via either PM or review! Mwah! xxxxxxxxxxxx