Another Real Experience Chapter 21, a glee fanfic

Hey, so just wanted to say thanks for all the support you guys have shown for this story, it really means a lot. I hope you enjoy, it's Nationals time! :D

-TWF

Disclaimer: Don't own Glee/ anything mentioned.

"Hey babe, you here?" Rachel said as she walked into Quinn's house. It was Friday evening and Rachel had been at her dance class but had told Quinn she'd be over after it.

"In the kitchen," she heard Quinn say back softly. She furrowed her brow at the shakiness of her girlfriend's voice.

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked as she quickly put her stuff down and ran into the kitchen to find Quinn perched cross-legged on the counter, staring down at an envelope. She walked up to the girl and placed her hands on the blonde's knees, running soothing circles over them.

Quinn shook her head and looked at Rachel with a small smile.

"Hi," she said as she leaned down for a sweet kiss. Rachel kissed her back but she could tell something was on Quinn's mind.

"Sweetie, what's in the envelope?" Rachel asked after she broke the kiss.

"It's from Yale," Quinn whispered out and Rachel's eyes widened.

"You mean it's your decision letter?" Rachel said quietly as well and Quinn nodded while biting her lip softly.

They had already discussed college in depth and had accepted the fact that they wanted to go to schools that were apart from each other. Quinn had wanted Yale since her childhood while Rachel was bent on NYADA for her. Quinn had applied to NYU also, just in case Yale didn't work out.

At first Rachel was really upset with the fact that they were going to be apart for college, but Quinn had promised that they would try to make long-distance work because she didn't see anyone else in her future but the brunette. Rachel had agreed and they had applied to their colleges together. Rachel had nailed her audition for NYADA and they had been awaiting the responses.

The Yale letter was the first one to have come and she was internally freaking out over the possibility of having not gotten in.

Rachel tilted her head and looked at the nervous girl in front of her. She reached her hand up and cupped Quinn's cheek, running her thumb along her cheekbone softly. Quinn sighed and leaned into Rachel's touch.

"Quinn, even if you didn't get in, it's not the end. You still have NYU as a backup. But I don't think you'll need that backup plan; I have complete confidence that you got into Yale, all you need to do is to open the letter," Rachel said softly as she ran her hand up and down Quinn's thigh soothingly.

"I know, but I'm still nervous," Quinn said as she turned her head to kiss Rachel's palm before hopping off of the counter and leaning against it.

Quinn wrapped her arms around Rachel's waist and tugged her against her body. Rachel hummed and smiled up at the blonde as she wrapped her arms around her neck.

"Well no matter what, I'll be here for you," Rachel said as she leaned in for a slow kiss. Quinn groaned quietly and pulled Rachel even tighter against her body. Not noticing the sound of crinkling paper that was still in her grasp.

Rachel broke the kiss and Quinn whined at the loss.

"You still have to open it love," Rachel said as she kissed Quinn on the nose quickly.

"Will you do it for me?" Quinn asked and Rachel nodded.

"You should know by now that I'll always do anything for you," Rachel said as she pulled back and grabbed the envelope from Quinn's shaking hands.

She broke the seal and glanced up to a fidgeting Quinn with a smile. She pulled the papers out and unfolded them, reading over the first few lines, she couldn't fight the squeal of excitement.

"YOU GOT IN!" She shouted as she jumped into a shell-shocked Quinn's arms.

"I got in?" She asked incredulously as she held Rachel against her tightly.

"You did! I'm so unbelievably proud of you." Rachel said as she continued to hold onto her girlfriend.

"I got in!" Quinn repeated as it finally sunk in and she picked Rachel up and spun her around the kitchen, both of them laughing like maniacs.

After a moment, Quinn stopped them and stared into brown eyes, both of them with shining with unshed tears.

"I told you that you would," Rachel said as she smiled up at her girlfriend.

"God do I love you," Quinn said as she smiled back.

"I love you too," Rachel rushed out before she was pulled into a passionate kiss by Quinn and she groaned loudly into her mouth. Rachel dropped the papers to thread her fingers through Quinn's choppy hair as their tongues tangled together fervently.

Quinn gasped when Rachel sucked on her tongue and she ran her hands down Rachel's back before grabbing her ass and picking her up. Rachel immediately wrapped her legs around Quinn's waist and broke the kiss with a raunchy moan when Quinn made her grind her hips.

The blonde took advantage of Rachel's head being thrown back to attack her neck with sucks and nips as she set Rachel down on the counter.

"Shirt. Off. Now," Rachel gasped out as she tugged at Quinn's shirt. The blonde broke away enough to yank her shirt over her head, leaving her in just a bra before she reattached her lips to Rachel's. Quinn slid her hand up Rachel's leg over her tights and rubbed against her center, making Rachel gasp and thrust into Quinn's hand.

"Fuck me," Rachel husked against the blonde's lips as she rolled her hips towards the hand against her. Quinn nodded with a small moan as she continued to tease Rachel with firmer strokes over the fabric.

Rachel kept one hand in the blonde's hair and ran the other one down to grope at Quinn's covered breast. Quinn whimpered into the kiss and went to move her hand under Rachel's tights and panties.

"AUGH MY EYES!" They heard yelled from the doorway and Quinn removed her hand from up Rachel's skirt at lightning speed as Rachel moved her hand from the blonde's breast. They turned to find Lilly, Puck and Quinn's mom standing there with varying looks adorning their faces. Lilly looked shocked and grossed out, Judy looked shocked and slightly mad while Puck just looked like Christmas came twice.

"What are you two doing?" Judy asked them and both girls blushed as Rachel hopped off the counter and Quinn went to put her shirt on as fast as she could.

"I think it was pretty obvious what they were doi—ouch!" Puck said as Lilly slapped him on the back of his head.

Quinn glared at him before turning to her mother.

"I'm so sorry mom, we just got kind of carried away," She said with a slight blush still as she ran a hand through her hair to try to straighten it out.

"I hesitate to think what we would have walked in on had we been a few moments later," the older blonde said as she crossed her arms. "Need I remind you Quinnie, that you have a perfectly fine room with a door for such activities?"

"I know, I was just happy and it was sudden and it just kind of escalated from there, we're sorry," Quinn said and Rachel nodded, looking apologetically at Judy.

"What do you mean you were happy and it was sudden?" Quinn's mom asked and Quinn and Rachel looked at each other before smiling. Quinn went over to the floor where Rachel had dropped the letter of acceptance. She picked it up and walked over to her mom.

"This is what I was so happy about," Quinn said as she handed the paper to her mom and walked back to peck Rachel on the temple with a wide smile.

Her mom looked at her curiously, then down at the paper, tears springing to her eyes as a huge smile over took her face.

"Oh Quinnie," Judy said as she ran forward with an uncharacteristic squeal and pulled her into her arms tightly. "I'm so incredibly proud of you!" The older blonde said and they were both laughing through their tears.

Lilly walked up and gently pulled the papers from Judy's hand and read over the first couple of lines, shouting happily and throwing herself into the hug with yells of how proud she too was.

Puck walked up to Rachel who was watching the three women hugging and squealing with amusement on her face.

"So why did we walk in on you two almost fucking? Oh, by the way, thanks for those spank bank images," he teased, taking the slap Rachel landed onto his arm.

"Gross Noah, and anyway, Quinn got accepted into Yale!" She said with a huge smile and his heart swelled for Quinn. He knew about her past from Lilly and he was amazed at how strong and talented she was in spite of her past.

"Wow, hot with brains; you got yourself quite the catch there," Puck said with a nudge and Rachel laughed loudly.

"I really do," Rachel said with a smile as she leaned into Noah's arms.

"Oh gosh! Let's go out to eat, celebratory dinner on me!" Judy said as she jumped up and down happily. She opened her phone and called Rachel's dads, telling them that Quinn had big news and they were going out to eat and they could join them at the restaurant if they liked.

"Where are we going?" Quinn asked and Rachel spoke up before anyone else could.

"How about the steakhouse we went to on our four-month?" Rachel asked and Judy nodded yes and told Rachel's fathers where they were going.

"Babe, they don't have many choices for you."

"I don't care. This night is all about you, my incredibly beautiful and talented and ridiculously smart girlfriend who just got accepted into Yale, might I ad—," she was cut off when Quinn leaned down for a deep kiss that they both smiled into.

"Now, now, stop that, Quinnie go get changed into something a bit nicer," Judy said as she ushered Quinn out of the room and Lilly followed her, looking to borrow something since, like Quinn, she was just in sweatpants.

Rachel, Puck and Judy were left alone in the kitchen as they waited on the girls to get changed.

Rachel was feeling awkward and trying not to blush at what they walked in on, the excitement having worn off slightly. So she walked over and got a glass of water, taking small sips from it to have something to do.

"It's okay Rachel, you don't have to feel awkward or embarrassed about what happened," Judy said, having noticed the blush on her daughter's girlfriend's cheeks.

Rachel cleared her throat and looked into Judy's eyes.

"I know, but I still apologize for you having walked in on that, like Quinn said, we just got carried away in the moment of our excitement," Rachel explained and Judy nodded.

"I know, I remember how exciting it was to know you had a future and it's for that reason that I'm forgiving you," Judy said as she walked up and gave Rachel a tight hug, whispering for only her to hear, "thank you for bringing my daughter back to me."

Rachel swallowed and nodded, hugging her back before the older blonde pulled away, saying she needed to use the restroom before they left.

"It's cool that you have such a good relationship with Q's mom," Puck mused as he got himself a glass of water.

"Yeah, it's really nice."

I'm super proud of you Q-ball," Lilly said as she rooted through Quinn's closet, looking for a certain dress she knew the blonde had.

"Thanks, I am too," Quinn said as she tugged off her shirt and sweats and walked to her dresser for some tights.

"Your girl isn't going to get mad knowing that you're up here near naked with me?" Lilly asked with a chuckle as she kept looking for the dress.

"Ha ha. Maybe only because you all cock-blocked us, and now we have to go to dinner with our parents still all riled up," Quinn said as she threw her socks at Lilly.

"I'm sure you'll live," Lilly replied sarcastically as she finally found the dress and stripped to her underwear to get changed.

"It's not me I'm worried about, I was seconds away from fucking the daylights out of Rach down there," Quinn chuckled when Lilly said "TMI" under her breath.

"You realize our girls are probably half-naked upstairs right now in Q's room, right?" Puck asked as he ran his hand over his mohawk.

"Ugh, don't remind me," Rachel said as she shifted uncomfortably at the wetness in her panties. She mused she had some clean ones in Quinn's room so she excused herself from Noah who mumbled something about 'the hottest threesome ever." She just flicked him off and continued her way upstairs.

She knocked on the door and called out that it was her and if it was okay for her to enter.

Quinn opened the door in a pair of tights and a bra and Rachel let out a groan and leaned the side of her head against the doorframe.

"You're killing me Quinn," Rachel mumbled out and Quinn chuckled and walked away from the door to get her dress. It was a simple black lacy dress with long sleeves and a scoop neck. She slipped it on and adjusted it and Rachel groaned again as she walked closer to Quinn.

"How the fuck am I supposed to keep my hands to myself when you look so fucking gorgeous?" Rachel asked as she ran her eyes along the swell of Quinn's breasts.

"Mmm, so I take it you like?" Quinn asked as she walked towards Rachel slowly.

"Fuck, if I wasn't soaked before I certainly am now," Rachel mumbled and Quinn chuckled.

"So why are you up here?" Quinn asked as she moved her hands to Rachel's waist, pulling her closer.

"I figured I had a pair of panties in my drawer because I most certainly need them; these ones are ruined," Rachel said with a whimper as one of Quinn's hands slid down to cup her center through her tights, under her skirt.

"Mmm, I can feel it. This all for me, gorgeous?" Quinn asked as she ran kisses along Rachel's neck.

"Always," Rachel gasped out as Quinn moved her hand into her tights and panties for the second time.

"Don't start something you don't intend to finish," Rachel growled out as Quinn ran teasing circles over her clit.

"So wet babe," Quinn said as she dipped lower, her fingers being covered in the girl's juices.

"I will finish this," Quinn said with a slight thrust into Rachel's drenched center, before pulling them out. Right before she stuck her wet digits into her mouth, she mumbled out a "but later."

Quinn placed her fingers into her mouth and moaned lowly at the taste.

Lilly took this moment to come out of the bathroom, fully dressed, to see a frustrated looking Rachel and Quinn with two fingers in her mouth, looking pleased with herself.

"Ugh, gross, Q," Lilly said and Quinn pulled her fingers out, smirking at her best friend.

"Delicious," the blonde said with a shrug and Rachel's mouth fell open with a blush while Lilly laughed at her expression.

"Chill Rach, she's just trying to bug me," Lilly said as she ruffled Quinn's hair as she made her way out the door.

Quinn just laughed and swatted at her hand before walking over to Rachel's drawer and pulling out a pair of lace-edged panties.

"Here you go, sexy," Quinn said with a peck to her lips and a squeeze to her ass before she walked out the door, leaving Rachel floundering for words with absolutely soaked panties.

"Fucking tease," she mumbled as she went into the bathroom to change.

They pulled up to the steakhouse to find that Rachel's Dads were already there and they could see Leroy bouncing on his toes.

When the group reached them, Hiram politely said hello right before Leroy's dam broke, "So what's the news?!" He asked, his eyes running from Rachel's to Quinn's to Judy's; even running over Puck and Lily quickly.

"I see where you get your inability to wait for surprises from," Quinn said with a laugh while looking at Rachel and the brunette just rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah, stop torturing my Daddy and just tell them," Rachel said and Quinn turned back to the two men.

"Well, I got a letter today and I got into Yale!" Quinn said, but Leroy had already let out a squeal of happiness halfway through her statement and had wrapped her up in a huge hug.

He hugged her tightly and spun her around, yelling out "we knew you would" and "we're all so proud of you!"

Quinn just laughed and once he set her down, she was swept up into a gentler hug by Hiram.

"Congratulations sweetie, we all knew you could do it," he whispered into her ear and she felt herself tear up slightly.

"Thanks H," She mumbled before they broke apart and went into the restaurant.

Turns out that Leroy had connections with the manager and so he was able to score them a table even though they hadn't made reservations.

Once they were all situated and had their drinks, Judy raised her glass and spoke: "I would like to propose a toast, to my amazingly smart, talented and beautiful daughter on her acceptance into Yale. You have such a bright future ahead of you sweetie and I couldn't be any prouder of how far you've come. So also a toast to Rachel for bringing my Quinnie back to me and helping her achieve all she's wanted while showing her unwavering support and love," Judy said to which both of the girls got teary to.

"To Quinn and Rachel," everyone else at the table said and took a sip from their drink. Quinn and Rachel raised a glass to each other and said the other's name, garnering chuckles from their family around them.

"I love you," Rachel said.

"I love you too," Quinn responded before leaning in for a kiss that they both smiled into, as their parents awwed around them.

"Holy crap-balls I'm freaking out," Rachel said as she paced around her room, making sure she had everything that they needed for their trip to Chicago for Nationals.

"Crap-balls? Really Rach?" Santana asked from her spot on the bed, where she sat cuddled up next to Brittany, watching some horror movie.

"Oh hush Santana," Quinn said as she popped out from under the bed, having retrieved a shoe of hers that had somehow made its way under there.

Quinn stood up and walked over to Rachel and wrapped her hands around the girl's waist, resting her chin on her shoulder.

"Rachel, relax love, you know that you have everything that you need and you know that we're ready for this," she whispered into her ear before placing soft kisses on her shoulder.

"I know, I'm just anxious," Rachel said quietly and Quinn ran her fingertips along the brunette's stomach, moving below her shirt just slightly to caress soft skin. She smiled when she felt Rachel relax more into her.

"And that's okay, but just take a deep breath, everything will be fine."

"Mmm, what would I do without you?" Rachel asked as she leaned her head back to rest on Quinn's shoulder.

"Probably make a rut in your floor," Quinn said teasingly with a nip to Rachel's earlobe.

Rachel let out a small gasp before laughing softly.

"Is it bad that I kinda wish our friends weren't here so I could show you how much I appreciate you?" Rachel asked lowly and Quinn bit her lip, tightening her hold on Rachel slightly.

"Mmm, definitely not," Quinn said as Rachel tilted her head to bring her lips to Quinn's.

They broke the kiss and Rachel turned around and pecked her on the lips again before grabbing the blonde's hand and pulling her over to join their friends on the bed.

Quinn sat down against the headboard and opened her legs and Rachel bit back a smirk at Quinn's wink before moving to sit between the girl's legs and lean back into her embrace.

"Okay, seriously Blondie, you have to teach me those fucking voodoo mind skills you use to get her to calm down," Santana said when she took in Rachel's relaxed demeanor.

"Sorry San, it's a secret," Quinn said as she traced random shapes along Rachel's stomach.

"Well it's freaky."

"You know what else is freaky—is this movie, why are you watching it anyway?" Rachel asked as she cringed at a particularly graphic part.

"Oh come on, 'A Haunting in Connecticut' is one of those horror movies that you just have to see," Santana said as she watched the screen with a small smile as Brittany cuddled into her.

"I think there's just something wrong with you," Rachel mumbled and Quinn chuckled at Santana's glare.

"Don't worry Rach, I'll protect you," Quinn said as she tightened her hold on the girl's waist and kissed her neck softly.

Rachel hummed and pressed herself tighter against Quinn. She heard the girl gasp softly and she smirked evilly.

"Stop wiggling," Quinn said with a laugh as she tightened her hold on the girl's hips and turned to watch the movie.

"I can't believe we're here!" Rachel said as she basically skipped out of the bus onto the Chicago sidewalk. "I mean it's no New York when it comes to entertainment, but still! We're at Nationals!" She exclaimed as she dragged a chuckling Quinn along, looking up at the buildings.

"Of course you would think that it's not 'New York-y' enough," Santana said, using air quotes with an eye-roll.

Rachel just ignored her and she turned to Quinn, wrapping her arms around her neck with a huge smile on her face.

"We're here," she breathed out into the chilly February air.

"We are," Quinn said before leaning in for a slow kiss. A kiss that would have lasted longer had Santana not grabbed the back of Quinn's jacket, pulling her towards the entrance of the hotel, mumbling angrily about 'horny rabbits' that had Quinn bursting out into laughter in spite of her frustration.

Mr. Schue got their rooms and told them to divide accordingly, that they had four rooms between them and no more than four each room. Figgins had been able to get part of the school budget for the club somehow, though Rachel was convinced Santana had threatened his life somehow to get that away from Sue's abounding budget.

Santana instantly grabbed Rachel and Quinn as well as Brittany and went and got a key from Mr. Schue for a room.

Tina and Mercedes looked over and grabbed Kurt, begging Mr. Schue to let them room together because Kurt was an honorary girl and made the argument that he was letting the two girl couples be together.

He relented and gave them a key, giving another one to Blaine, Sam and Artie together, and the last one to Puck, Finn and Mike.

Once everyone had their rooms, they made their way to the elevators to go rest for a while before they were going to go practice.

As soon as the door was opened, Santana walked in and flopped onto the closest bed, talking into it even though no one could understand her.

"I said 'I claim this land as my own'—well mine and Britts'," Santana said when Rachel told her they didn't speak pillow.

"Wow, whoever would have guessed that the biggest badass of Lima was actually a nerd," Quinn said as she flopped onto the other bed after having set down her stuff.

"You know what Blondie? You're one to talk—I've seen your Star Trek TV collection, your comic book collection and not to mention the shit ton of books you own."

"Yeah, but you see, I'm out of the nerd closet, everyone already knows that I'm a huge nerd. You, however, are wedged in there…I presume it's your Star Wars light saber that's blocking your exit—yeah, I've seen it so don't try to deny it," Quinn said when Santana went to refute her statement.

"So I like Star Wars, big whoop, it's the shit," the Latina said with a shrug and Quinn nodded along and suddenly they were talking about their favorite parts.

"Wow. Our girlfriends are serious nerds…how is it that they ever got laid?" Brittany asked Rachel as she wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I wonder that all the time," Rachel said with a wink to Brittany.

"However shall we break the nerd spell that they're under?"

"I have an idea," Rachel smirked as she grabbed a pillow and tossed it to Brittany before grabbing her own and approaching their girlfriends who were too involved to notice the impending attack.

"You take that back! Star Trek is way better!" Quinn all but shouted as she glared at Santana.

"Bitch, please, have you completely ignored Shatner's presence in the series? The guy is a total dildo!"

"That aside, it has a more creative story line than Wars," Quinn said and Santana went to rebuff that comment when suddenly both girls were smacked by fluffy pillows across their faces.

"Wha—," Quinn got out as she turned to see a smirking Rachel standing there looking very satisfied.

"Oh, it is so on babe," Quinn said as she grabbed her own pillow and started to hit Rachel. Rachel squealed and hopped onto the bed to get better leverage over her girlfriend. Quinn was laughing as she defended herself with her pillow against Rachel's blows. The blonde lost her balance and flopped onto her back and Rachel crawled over her, straddling her waist.

"Do you call Uncle?" Rachel asked mischievously as she leaned over the girl, one hand still gripping her pillow. Quinn gulped as she stared up at the disheveled brunette above her.

"Uncle," she whispered out as she placed her hands on Rachel's hips.

"Mmm, I like this," Rachel said as she hovered over Quinn still.

"Rachel."

"Yes, Quinn?"

"Kiss me."

"With pleasure," Rachel said before leaning down and attaching their lips together in a deep, probing kiss, both of them groaning softly. They were so involved in their kiss that they didn't notice Santana and Brittany opening the door to let in Mercedes, Tina, Kurt and Blaine, who had heard shouting.

"Well, we were having a pillow fight but then those two horn dogs over there got distracted—as per usual," Santana said and the four new arrivals smirked. They moved to get pillows of their own before they snuck up to the oblivious girls.

Santana smirked and held up three fingers, mouthing counting down. She reached one and they all hit the two girls with pillows, who immediately broke their kiss with squeals, trying to protect themselves.

"Surrender!" Santana yelled and Quinn laughed, shouting out a "Never!" as she somehow hit Santana with a pillow while Rachel was still on top of her.

The brunette rolled off of her and grabbed her pillow again as they got immersed in the fight, full of happiness and laughter.

The next day they all were dressed in their wardrobe for the competition as they walked into the packed theater that was to be for the competition.

"I still can't believe we're here!" Rachel said as she jumped up and down slightly, grasping Quinn's arm. Quinn just chuckled as she took in the large front room of the auditorium they were going to perform in, tightening her grip on the strap of her guitar.

They were at the back of the group as they made their way forward to find their dressing room when suddenly a voice behind them spoke.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" The voice asked and Quinn looked over at Rachel curiously when she felt her girlfriend tense.

They turned around and were standing in front of a guy that appeared to be their age with curly hair and smug look on his face that Quinn was tempted to slap off of him.

"What do you want, Jesse?" Rachel sighed out as she looked at the boy.

"Now, now, Rach, don't be mean, I simply just wanted to say hello," he said with a sleazy smile and Quinn rolled her eyes and scoffed.

Rachel looked over to her with a small smirk before turning back to Jesse. "Please, you never just want to say hello, simple is not your style…though perhaps simple-mindedness is," Rachel said and her smirk widened when Quinn laughed loudly, covering her mouth and trying to play it off as a cough when the boy trained his glare on her.

"I'm sorry, who are you and why are you still standing here?" Jesse asked and Quinn rolled her eyes.

"I, you pretentious twat, am Quinn Fabray, Rachel's girlfriend," the blonde said as she wrapped her arm around Rachel's shoulders and felt Rachel's wiggle beneath her guitar to go around her waist. "And…who are you?"

"The name is Jesse St. James. Aren't you a feisty one? I suppose Rachel always did have a taste for those with a certain flair about them; I should know. We dated," Jesse said with a triumphant smirk that deflated when Quinn didn't show any signs of emotion. Rachel looked cautiously up at her girlfriend and…oh no…this is not going to be good, Rachel thought as she recognized the look in Quinn's eyes.

"Hmm…funny, she's never mentioned you. I suppose you weren't worth her wasting her breath," Quinn said with a smirk as the boy in front of her glowered. Rachel bit her lip to contain the giggle that threatened to come out at the look on Jesse's face.

"Never knew you had a thing for bottle blondes Rach, or girls for that matter," Jesse bit out and Quinn rolled her eyes again.

"First off Jesse," Rachel spoke up before Quinn could, "her hair is naturally blonde and she's smarter than you'll ever be. Second, you of all people should know that sexuality is fluid. After all, weren't you dating…oh what's his name…oh right, Zachary?" Rachel asked as Quinn smiled at her lovingly.

"We still are, by the way," Jesse said with the slightest hint of a smile. He turned to Quinn and his next words totally caught her off guard.

"I'm glad Rachel found someone that is willing to fight for her, whom she is also willing to fight for. Seems you two are perfect for each other. Good luck in the competition, you best be bringing you're A-Game to beat Vocal," Jesse said as he smiled and walked off, leaving two stunned girls in his wake.

"Uh…is it just me or was that really fucking unexpected?" Quinn asked as she watched Jesse's retreating form.

"Jesse and I have always had a complicated relationship. He used me a while back when we were dating, but by the end of it, he had developed real feelings for me but knew he had messed up. I guess we're pretty much just rivals, but he has always looked out for me whenever I dated someone new. I know he regrets what he did and realizes that we'll never truly be friends but a part of him still looks out for me, hence the attack on you," Rachel explained.

"Huh…that is definitely a complicated relationship," Quinn said with a chuckle and Rachel nodded.

"You should consider yourself lucky, he nearly ripped Finn a new one when he found out that I was with him. Also be glad that Santana wasn't here, because she respects him for looking out for me but also despises him for what he did."

"What did he do that was so bad?" Quinn asked as they moved to a more private corner of the gigantic room.

"Well, my mother was unable to contact me due to a closed adoption but she wanted to meet me and Jesse was the star in her glee club and so she used him to get to me. My mom and I worked everything out and are in as good graces as you can possibly be in our situation but I was mad at them for using me like they did. I would have forgiven Jesse eventually like I did my mother, but as a way of ending things for real, he had his glee club throw eggs at me, taunting me about how those baby chick souls were going to haunt me," Rachel explained and wrapped her arms around Quinn's neck when she saw the anger flashing in her girlfriend's eyes.

"That basta—,"

"Quinn, I know you're mad, but don't do anything about it. The past is in the past and I have, for the most part, forgiven Jesse for his mistakes because I know that deep down I broke his heart after he had fallen for me and he was acting out of sadness," Rachel said as she encouraged Quinn's arms to go around her waist.

"I won't do anything, I promise," Quinn said as she leaned in to nuzzle Rachel's neck, letting her lips trail over the soft skin teasingly. "But if he ever does anything else to hurt you, I won't be held responsible for my actions," Quinn finished with a nip to Rachel's neck that had the brunette gasping.

"Oh for fuck's sake, we leave you for five minutes and you find a corner to go fuck in," they heard Santana whisper-yell behind them and Quinn moved from Rachel's neck after leaving a lingering kiss there before facing the girl.

"That wasn't why we disappeared, Jesse decided to make his presence known to us and we had a small chat," Rachel said and nodded when Santana looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Ay dios mio, Jesse St. Assface needs to learn to fuck off and leave you alone," Santana said and Quinn laughed at the nickname.

"He did the usual weird check on Quinn and he actually approves of her. We're only over here because I was explaining our history to Quinn," Rachel explains and Santana rolls her eyes.

"I will never understand that boy. Now, move it chicas, we've got a competition to win!" Santana said as she slapped their asses to get them to move. Well she slapped Rachel's ass because Quinn's was covered by her guitar, but the action got Quinn to move either way.

Even if it was to try to strangle the cackling Latina jogging towards the hall for the groups.

The lights flickered overhead in their room, signaling that they were due to be ready in five minutes.

They had been watching the others perform before they went backstage to get ready. The other groups were amazing, but they knew that they were just as good.

Everyone hopped up and gathered in a circle. Mr. Schue started to speak but Rachel raised her hand.

"If I may, Mr. Schue?" He nodded and she continued. "Well guys, for a lot of us this is it. After this we have about a month before we graduate and go our separate ways and this is our chance to go out there and show everyone that we are stars and that we are good enough to win this whole thing. I love you all…you're all my family, and I couldn't think of any better way to end my high school life than with you all by my side up on that stage doing what we love. So what do you say we go out there and show them what we're made of!" Rachel said with a laugh when everyone cheered and jumped up and down.

They did this big group hug that was full of giggling before they made their way out to take places. Rachel sidled up next to Quinn who had her eyes closed and was breathing deeply, running her fingers over the strings, strumming a quiet melody occasionally.

"You'll be amazing," Rachel said, lowering Quinn's headset just slightly to place a soft kiss to her cheek. Quinn smiled as she turned to look at the girl.

"I've just never played in front of such a large crowd before," Quinn said as she laced one of her hands with Rachel's.

"Don't think about that, imagine it was like that day we learned the song—where we just sat in my room and played," Rachel said as she pecked Quinn quickly on the lips as she noticed the other groups finishing up.

"I love you."

"I love you, Quinn," Rachel said as the lights dimmed and the two girls walked onto the stage to sit on stools that had been placed there. It was still dark and Quinn adjusted the microphone to rest in front of
her guitar to maximize the sound. She took a deep breath and started strumming.

Rachel looked over and smiled as her girlfriend started seamlessly as the lights came up; her eyes closed with a small smile on her face.

Rachel opened up her mouth to sing and she smiled when she say the crowd moving slightly already.

We're only young and naive still
We require certain skills
The mood it changes like the wind
Hard to control when it begins

The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Rachel smiled wider when she heard Puck and Sam come onto the stage behind them in the shadows, playing a simpler rhythm than Quinn, to build up the sound.

Can't help myself but count the flaws
Claw my way out through these walls
One temporary escape
Feel it start to permeate

Quinn joins Rachel in the next verse, eyes still closed as she strums her guitar, their voices blending beautifully.

We lie beneath the stars at night
Our hands gripping each other tight
You keep my secrets hope to die
Promises, swear them to the sky

As the next chorus starts, Tina, Santana and Brittany walk onto the stage to stand between Puck and Sam, singing softly to echo.

The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Rachel noticed Quinn take in a deep breath as she goes to sing the next verse on her own, the girls in the back clapping their hands lightly, making the audience join in softly.

As it withers
Brittle it shakes
Can you whisper
As it crumbles and breaks
As you shiver
Count up all your mistakes
Pair of forgivers
Let go before it's too late
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper

Can you whisper

She smiles widely as she gets through it and starts playing the guitar again, opening her eyes to see most of the crowd clapping along with the song as Rachel begins to sing and she echoes her lightly.

The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

They finish the song to tumultuous applause and move quickly to discard guitars and get in the places for their next song as techs take the stools and microphone away sneakily.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are The New Directions," Quinn hears Mercedes say as she stands in her spot for their next song, sending Rachel a small wink.

Kurt opened him mouth and started their second song off on a powerful note.

Fearful child have faith in brighter days
Stay home 'til this darkness fades away
Lie still beside me
I'll hold you now, I'll hold you forever

Kurt held the last note as the song started to pick up slightly, Blaine taking over the next verse and dancing according to Brittany's and Mike's choreography.

Winter's hand will freeze your heart again
Doors will close, no time to start again
Nothing is given
Except the ties that hold us together

Tina and Mike stepped forward and danced together as they sang the next verse together.

Lay down your load
Cause every day it's gonna grow
And bask in the sunshine
Try to pay no mind
Try to pay no mind at all

Everyone joined in for the chorus as they followed the dance moves perfectly, the crowd moving and clapping along with them.

To all the things that you don't know
You've got time to realize you're shielded by the hands of love
Cause you are young

Artie rolled forward and sang the next part as the club danced near him.

Fading light may make a fool of me
Courage fails, strengths slip away from me
Lie still beside me
And hold me now, and hold me forever

Sam and Mercedes danced out to take the next verse, their voices blending smoothly.

Lay down your load
Cause every day it's gonna grow
These days are sacred
Hey now, don't be scared
Baby, don't be scared at all

Everyone joined in again as the song neared its end.

Of all the things that you don't know
You've got time to realize you're shielded by the hands of love
Cause you are young
You've got time, you've got to try
To bring some good into this world
Cause you are young
Cause you are young

Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh

Kurt took the last line and held it as the audience once again stood up to applaud them.

Cause you are young…

The audience went wild as they got in their places for their last song, ready to perform their hearts out, knowing it was the most upbeat and playful of all of their songs.

Santana opened her mouth to begin the song and the music soon followed.

They didn't warn me
When I was running wild
The dragons breathing fire
In the backyard at night

The dancing picked up slightly as Brittany took over the next verse, the song starting to pick up a bit.

We live in circles
And it's so hard to breathe
Maybe the same old fears
What have we here?
Don't bring me down
With you

Quinn and Rachel moved forward and smiled at each other as they sang the next verse together.

Now I'm just chasing time
With a thousand dreams I'm holding heavy
And as we cross the line these fading beats have all been severed
Don't tell me our youth is running out
It's only just begun

Artie took the next verse as the beat and the dancing became more pronounced.

If I asked you for good news
Would you smile and turn away?
It's like a bad dream
That is too afraid to wake

Finn and Tina took the next verse as the audience began to get more into it.

There are many among us
And we're changing all the time
Maybe the same old fears
What have we here?
Don't bring me down
With you

Brittany and Santana took over the next lines, dancing and singing perfectly to the playful beat, getting the audience to their feet.

Rachel stepped forward as the beat and the dancing slowed, taking the next lines and singing them beautifully.

These fading beats…
These fading beats…

All of their voices blended seamlessly as they stood still to sing the slower part of the song before the beat picked back up.

They danced around beautifully to their choreography yet again and they got the audience into it as they all finished the song together.

These fading beats…
A thousand dreams…
These fading beats…
A thousand dreams…
It's only just begun.

The song faded out and the audience stood and cheered for them extremely loudly as they all bowed slightly before walking off the stage, breathless but immeasurably happy.

They went up to Mr. Schue who had tears in his eyes as he tried to speak.

"That was so amazing and I am so proud of every one of you. The audience loved you and I think we do have a chance. I just—I'm so unspeakably proud of how far all of you have come and—,"

"And we couldn't have done it without you," Santana said in a surprising moment of sweetness and she rolled her eyes when everyone awwed at her statement, before going into a big group hug.

They sat through the rest of the performances and were impressed, but they still believed that they had a chance.

Of course Vocal Adrenaline had been flawless, but they didn't seem to go as all out as usual and Rachel thought that maybe they really did have a chance.

It was time for the top three to be announced and all the groups had to wait backstage for the results as a representative of the National Show Choir Association walked out to present the finalists.

"Well now, that was quite a show, would you agree?" She asked and was met with wild applause. "Now let's get on to our three finalists," she continued as she opened her first envelope.

"Our first finalist is…Velocity!" The woman shouted out and they heard a group behind them scream as they made their way to get on the stage. Rachel remembered them and she thought they were pretty good.

"Our next finalists are…The New Directions!" She says and they all just froze for a moment until Santana shouted and they snapped out of it, screaming as they went to get on the stage.

"And last but not least, we have…Vocal Adrenaline!" She said and Rachel almost rolled her eyes as they clapped politely for the ecstatic group of people.

"Now, to all of those who aren't finalists, I want you to know that this year was very tough as every group performed phenomenally," she said and everyone cheered for those teams that didn't quite make it.

"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for," she said as s man walked out and handed her two envelopes.

"In third place we have…from Kings, California; Velocity!" She said and the group cheered as they were given their trophy and were applauded before leaving the stage. Rachel looked over and caught Jesse's eye, who mouthed 'good luck.' She smiled slightly and mouthed back 'you too' as her grip tightened in Quinn's hand and she felt Santana's hold tighten on her other one.

She closed her eyes as the woman opened her mouth again as well as her last envelope.

"In first place, the winners of the Show Choir Championship…from Lima, Ohio; The New Directions!" She shouted and they went mad, all screaming and hugging each other and crying all over the place.

Rachel had lost Quinn in the madness as she was swept into a hug by a shouting Puck before getting yanked into a hug by Brittany and Santana. She looked over and saw Quinn sitting on Artie's lap, the two of them with their hands in the air, shouting.

Rachel ran over to her and Quinn hopped up, grabbing Rachel around the waist and spinning her around, both of them laughing like maniacs.

They stopped in time to see Mr. Schue approaching them with a gigantic trophy and their yelling got louder—if that was even possible—as the crowd cheered for them like crazy. They all surrounded Mr. Schue as they cheered and cried and held on to each other, not believing that they had won.

Rachel looked over at a dejected looking Vocal Adrenaline and pulled Quinn out of the cheering to approach them and more importantly, Jesse.

"I just wanted to say that I think all of you were amazing," Rachel said with a genuine smile that many returned. She turned to Jesse and he smiled at the two of them holding hands.

"If I had known you could play like that, I never would have been so rude to you," the curly-haired boy said to Quinn and the blonde laughed. "Seriously, you two sounded beautiful together. I'm sorry we kind of got off on the wrong foot, I just wanted to make sure that Rachel is getting what she deserves—the best. And I believe you are that for her," Jesse finished sheepishly. Quinn surprised them all by going in to give Jesse a friendly hug.

"Thank you for caring for her," she said and Jesse responded with a 'no problem' as they broke apart.

"Congratulations guys, you really deserve it," Jesse said as he turned back to his group before leading them off the stage.

Rachel pulled them back over to the still celebrating group and pulled Quinn slightly behind them, away from the audience's eyes.

"We did it," Rachel whispered out and Quinn reached up to wipe her tear away.

"We really did," she responded before leaning in for a sweet kiss.

Well, there you have it, Nationals! I hope you all enjoyed it, as it was rather fun to write. I also hope you liked how I worked Jesse into there because I never liked the way they wrote him on the show so I wanted to make him a little less hated in my story. (Also, don't berate me for what I said about Star Wars and Star Trek, I claim neutrality on that particular discussion) Anyway, please leave a review if you feel so inclined! Til next time, lovelies. :]

-TWF

Songs: Young Blood by The Naked and Famous (also if you want to hear what I think Quinn's guitar melodies would sound like, look up 'young blood acoustic cover' and it's the one by adeburke ;D)
Also, You are Young by Keane and lastly Youth by Foxes.

[IDK if you guys noticed or even care but there is a theme throughout the songs of 'youth'/ 'being young' and that happened for two reasons: The first is that when I was thinking up songs, it just happened that the two I knew I wanted to do for sure were about that theme. The second is that I'm feeling my own nostalgia and wanting to hold onto my youth as I'm leaving home for college in a few months. Just a few random facts that I thought I may share. X3)