Denethion I'm sorry for the wait. I truly am. I wish I could get updates done more quickly but real life intervenes sometimes. I'm glad that the timing was good. :) How did you do on the exam? Good, I hope. I'm glad that you enjoyed the insight into Rachel's psyhe. And that it brought you over to her side, even if just a little. I hope you had a good Christmas as well. & and good New Year as well.

Fabraygron Yeah she is. :) Glad you liked the developments in this chapter. Did you have a good holiday? -I know, I know. I suck. :( I just don't have as much time at the computer right now. But I promise, I'm writing constantly and typing it up whenever I can.

BlackShip007 Well I'm flattered I could almost ellicit such a reaction from you. :) You hit it right on, they both had to acknowledge their fault in things and then move on from it together. I'm glad you enjoyed the development in this chapter.

Harley Quinn Davidson Thank you. & I hope that you continue to enjoy this story.

mixtapesandcellmates There is nothing to forgive. :) While I appreciate reviews I certainly don't hold it against anyone if they chose not to. I'm honored that this chapter gave you some insight into your own relationship. I'm sorry that you were so deeply hurt by your ex. And I really hope that you and your current girlfriend can work through that and be happy together. :) And your perspective on the characters is exactly what I hoped people would feel, that they'd see Rache's initial reaction as deeper than it was and take into consideration Quinn's issues as well. &, that pretty much perfectly describes Quinn's mental state in that moment.

Guest Thank you.

LSpatz Thanks, lady. :) Glad you enjoyed it. lol. They will definitely be hitting the sheets again, but not just yet. I hope that's okay. ;p

gllover22 That's some pretty powerful wording. Thank you. As a writer, all I ask is that you trust in me to do justice to the characters. But as a reader I understand how hard that can sometimes be, because we never quite know what direction the story is going in and we don't want anything bad to happen to the characters that we've become so invested in. So, I thank you for your trust and hope that you won't worry to much, I'll take good care of them. But I enjoy hearing your perspective of where you think it's going and what you would or would not like to see happen.

RachelBarbraBerry Me too.

LaurenKnight13 I'm glad that you're happy with the outcome of this chapter. I feel like it's an important one in putting some of the past behind them and moving forward.

Chapter 25

Quinn pulled back from the kiss with a soft sigh, resting her forehead against Rachel's for a brief moment, simply relishing in the feel of warm breath washing against her cheek before sliding back and settling into her chair. An expectant silence fell between them, heavy with the conclusion of their conversation but dissipating quickly as that familiar, easy comfort seeped back in.

Rachel shifted back as well, settling in her chair and reaching for her wine glass. She sipped slowly and without breaking eye contact, a trace of a smile playing at the corners of her lips which Quinn found herself instantly returning.

Their first fight as a couple had just come to a successful, satisfactory end. While certainly unpleasant in the enduring Quinn was actually quite proud of the way they'd handled themselves, overall. They'd talked it out, like the adults that they were and now here they sat, relationship intact, issues dealt with, hurt feelings soothed and sipping wine in the private dining room of a four star restaurant.

Now that the tension had been resolved, Quinn could appreciate the romance of it all, the dimly lit dinning room, the table by the window overlooking the city as it fell into twilight, the soft jazz playing in the background. Intentional or not, Rachel had some moves of her own. For all the teasing she'd been doing about Quinn being smooth, she wasn't doing so bad herself.

A grin quirked at her lips at the realization that Rachel Berry had game.

"What?"

Quinn's grin just grew wider at the wide-eyed suspicion that took over the other woman's features.

"What?"

"Smooth, Rachel. Very smooth," she said with a faint wave of her hand, gesturing to the room around them.

For a moment Rachel stared at her, lips pressed together, brow furrowed. Quinn took a small sip of her wine and waited.

"It wasn't...It's not..I didn't..."

"Easy Rach." Quinn smile softened as she squeezed Rachel's hand. "I'm just teasing. You keep accusing me of being charming and smooth-"

"And you keep saying that you're not."

"Because I'm not. At least not intentionally. I just..." Quinn trailed off, exhaling noisily as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. "It's not like I'm thinking all the time, now how can I impress Rachel? What thing can I do to make her feel special. It's just you're there and it makes me want to tell you that you're beautiful or that I just have to kiss you..." she trailed off again, not sure if her explaination made sense, or even if it really explained anything but unsure of how else to express herself.

"I think I get it," Rachel said with a small nod. "I'm starting to see that it's just you, Quinn. It's just your sweet, wonderful self. And that it's not merely flattery or lines. But just as I get that about you, I need you to get that I'm just not used to that. I'm used to compliments and come-ons when somebody wants something in return. I'm going to get insecure sometimes and you're going to have to reassure me."

"As much and as often as you need."

Rachel's smile in reply was wide and full, lighting up her whole face and making her eyes shimmer and shine. "Dance with me."

"What?"

"Dance with me." She was sliding out of her chair as she spoke, rising to stand in front of Quinn with one hand hand extended, palm up.

Quinn didn't even have to think about it. She didn't hesitate for even a second before laying her hand over Rachel's and allowing the other woman to pull her to her feet. It was like something out of a movie and Quinn couldn't help but laugh lightly as she was led a few steps away from the table before Rachel stopped and tugged Quinn gently to her using their joined hands. She went willingly, wrapping her free arm around Rachel's neck and resting her cheek against Rachel's temple.

They both sighed lightly as their bodies settled together, Rachel's arm around her waist, her head tucked in against Quinn's shoulder. The music flowed softly around them and Quinn let her eyes flutter shut as they swayed gently back and forth.

She pried her eyes open briefly at the sound of footsteps approaching but Rachel made no move to pull away, in fact she tightened her grip slightly and burrowed in a little further so Quinn merely tracked the progress of Rachel's friend, the hostess, with her eyes as she faltered slghtly in her step at the sight of the two women dancing by the window and then with a brief smile tiptoed across the room with a large serving tray in hand and placed it on the table they'd been seated it before turning and leaving. It was the first time since they'd met up the other night that the service had been unobtrusive and Quinn was greatful for it.

If only the smells wafting across the room from the table weren't so mouthwatering. She tried to ignore it. She let her eyes drift shut again and played idly with the fine hairs on the back of Rachel's neck, trying to get lost in the moment once again. But she hadn't eaten much all day, her stomach in knots from the argument from this morning and with food came the reminder that she was starving.

She resisted as long as she could but as the pangs grew stronger and the rumbling began to become audible she reluctantly pulled away.

"Dinner's here," she said softly at Rachel's groan of protest. "You have a show tonight, you need to eat."

She couldn't help but grin at Rachel's deep sigh and even though it made her want to hug the girl even tighter she refrained, stepping back instead and using their still joined hands to lead Rachel back to the table.

"Are you still coming to see me perform?" Rachel asked as they slid into their seats once again.

Quinn nodded. "Wouldn't miss it," she said as she surveyed the pasta dish in front of her for a moment before picking up her fork and digging in. She had been intending to go, even if they hadn't made up. It had been far to long since she'd seen a Rachel Berry performance and it was too much of an opportunity to pass up.

"And your friends? Are they coming?"

"Yeah. They're waiting for my text, actually, to let them know how this went and to let them know where to meet us. And if you want, after, maybe we could go for drinks or something? Since you we didn't get to do dinner like we'd planned."

"I'd like that." Rachel's smile was warm and genuine but as she turned her attention back to her dinner before her it faded swiftly.

"What?"

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong, Rachel?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Please. I know you better than that. You might be a stellar actress, but I could always pick up on your little tells."

"Oh." Rachel was quiet for a moment and Quinn began to wonder if she was going to answer the question. "It's nothing," she said finally. "I"m just a little nervous about tonight."

"Nervous? But why? You've been doing this show for a few months now. You did it this afternoon."

"Yeah. But, knowing that you're going to be in the audience tonight is just..." she trailed off with a shake of her head. "Ignore me. It's stupid."

"I will not. And it is not. I just don't get why you're nervous about me being there. It's just me."

"Exactly. It's you."

Quinn was confused. She tried to piece together what Rachel was attempting to convey and it just wasn't making sense to her.

"A little help here?"

Rachel just shook her head, eyes downcast, appearing to be focused on her food though Quinn doubted that she was really staring that intently at it.

"Rach."

"You've always been one of my biggest supporters. And one of my biggest critics."

Quinn winced at the words, at the reminder of their pasts and everything that invoked. It was her turn to stare down at her plate, turning sightless eyes onto the pasta that she had moments ago been enjoying.

Rachel's hand closed over her wrist, squeezing gently. "I didn't mean it in a bad way," she said. "I appreciate that you've always been honest with me, even if it was to tell me that you thought I sucked. I guess I'm just nervous that you won't like the show. Won't like my performance."

Quinn's gaze shot up to meet Rachel's. "That's impossible."

"What?"

"That's impossible. While it's feasible that I might not enjoy every production that you do, as a whole, I will never, ever, not like your performance."

"Huh?"

"Look, we have different tastes in a lot of things, musicals and plays being one of them. But no matter what play you do, whether or not I like the production, I will always enjoy your performance."

"How is that even possible?"

"Because I care about you. And I love seeing you onstage doing what you love. So no matter what, I will always think that you are amazing. So don't worry about trying to impress me. I've seen you act. I know how talented you are. I just want to see you up there, in your element, bringing your character to life."

Rachel was quiet, eyes shining with emotions as she held Quinn's gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You always know just the right thing to say," she said softly, her voice husked and slightly awed. "Thank you."

"Anytime, Rach. Anytime."

"You're a sweetheart, Quinn Fabray," Rachel said softly, bringing a hand up and cupping her cheek. She leaned into the touch, enjoying the feel of the slightly rough pads of Rachel's fingertips stroking against her skin. "Now, finish your pasta before it gets cold."

"Yes, ma'am." Quinn shifted backwards in her chair to oblige, but not before turning her head a little to the side and pressing a soft kiss to the inside of Rachel's palm. The act earning her a light laugh and a beaming smile as Rachel pulled her hand back and turned her attention back to her own dinner as well.

As much as Quinn would have liked to linger over dinner and dessert, sipping coffe and conversing, maybe take Rachel into her arms and dance a little more, Rachel had a show to get to. So when they'd finished their meals, scraping every last morsel from their plates and emptying every last drop from the shared bottle of wine it was with some reluctance that she pushed her chair back from the table stood, offering her hand.

"Ready to get going?" she asked, even as Rachel was lacing their fingers together and using her grip on Quinn's hand to haul herself to her feet.

"Thank you for dinner," Rachel said softly as she tucked herself into Quinn's side as they headed across the room.

"I should be the one thanking you. You're the one who set this whole thing up."

"Hmm, you're right. I did do a pretty awesome job."

"Wow. And so modest too," Quinn said, bumping Rachel's shoulder with her own.

"Yep. That's me. I'm just perfect all around."

Quinn could only laugh at Rachel's haughty tone.

The walk back to the theatre was made in silence but unlike before, which had been fraught with tension and uncertainty now Quinn felt a sense of security and comfort. Rachel's hand was soft and warm in her own and the steady, reassuring presence of the woman next to her was everything she needed.

"So, you said that your friends are meeting us at the theatre?" Rachel broke the silence as the rounded the corner and the building came into view.

Quinn nodded and then let loose a soft curse as she remembered she had forgotten to text them and let them know how everything had gone. "Yeah. Except I forgot to tell them that. I was going to text them and let them know what was up."

They were going to kill her for not only leaving them hanging on the plan but also for not filling them in on how things had gone with Rachel.

"I really should text them. I don't mean to be rude but, do you mind?"

"No, please. Go ahead. "

Quinn shot her a greatful smile as she pulled her phone out and thumbed it on.

"I'll just meet them after the show," Rachel said, adjusting easily to the change of plans. "I guess it's just as well. When I said I'd give you the grand tour, I meant we could make out in my dressing room. Can't really do that if you're friends are tagging along."

Quinn coughed out a laugh and almost dropped her phone at Rachel's unexpected comment. She didn't know if she'd ever get used to the other other woman's bluntness but there was a part of her that hoped she never did. She actually kind of enjoyed that Rachel was able to shock her with such comments from time to time.

She shakes her head to clear away the thoughts that had popped up in the wake of Rachel's words and turned her attention instead to the number of missed calls flashing across the top of her screen. Four missed calls, three probably from an impatient Olivia wanting to know what the hell was going on and one probably from Lara inquiring about her state of being. Her thumb skittered in it's scrolling across the screen however when the second number from the top however was neither Lara or Olivia, but Santana.

"Oh, crap," she muttered, thumb hovering over the message button as she debated whether or not to read it now.

"What? What's wrong?" Rachel hugged Quinn's arm to her chest and leaned into her side, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen.

"Santana texted me."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Uh yeah."

"Why?"

"Cause she's going to yell at me?"

"I'm a little lost here Quinn. Why is Santana going to yell at you?"

Quinn turned her head, casting her incredulous gaze onto Rachel. "Because we were fighting?"

She very vividly remembers Santana saying that she'd kick her ass if she hurt Rachel and there she was not even a full forty-eight hours into their relationship and she'd already gotten into a pretty big fight with her. She wasn't phsyically afraid of Santana but she wasn't particularly looking forward to that confrontation and the invevitable accusations that she wasn't good enough for Rachel.

"Quinn, I didn't tell Santana about our fight."

"You didn't?"

"No, I needed some time alone with my thoughts before I went onstage. Besides, even if I had told her, what does that have to do with anything?"

"You're her best friend, Rach. And I was stupid and hurtful. Of course she's going to want to kick my ass."

"She would never do that."

"This is Santana we're talking about. Remember her, all Lima-Heights adjacent? Of course she would. And she'd relish doing it."

"I'm sure she-"

"Tell me Rach, be honest, has she ever threatened or tried to intimidate anyone that you've dated?"

Rachel's silence and averted gaze was all the answer she needed.

"See, there you go."

"Admittedly there have been instances in the past where Santana has let her...protectiveness overcome her better nature with previous suitors. But she wouldn't do that to you."

"Sure she would. Gladly."

"Why would you think that? You guys are friends."

Quinn shook her head. "We haven't been friends in a long time." It was an admission that hurt to voice. Even though it had all been her own doing. Even though she hadn't even realized how much she'd missed Santana and Brittnay until she'd run into them again. It still hurt to acknowledge the fact that they weren't Britt/San/Quinn anymore. They weren't the Unholy Trinity. Brittnay, Santana and Rachel had their own dynamic, one that she wasn't part of. One that she could never truly be part of really, because Rachel was their friend and Quinn was the girl they used to know. She was the girl who might one day break their best friend's heart.

"Maybe you weren't in contact but-"

"Just forget it, okay? It doesn't even matter. You've got a show to do and I've got to get ahold of Olivia and Lara before it's too late for them to get down here."

"Hold on just a minute." Rachel strode to steps ahead of Quinn and then turned, halting her in her path. "Look at me. Quinn, look at me."

Quinn forced her gaze up and struggled to hold steady as she was captured by the warmth and kindness in Rachel's eyes.

"Santana loves you. She loves you and she missed you. And yes, she's protective of me now. But not against you."

Quinn wanted to believe her, she really did. It was an aching desire in her heart but she just didn't.

She could see the concern welling in Rachel's eyes though so she mustered up a smile. "Okay, Rachel. You're probably."

Rachel's eyes narrowed slightly and Quinn fought to keep her expression bright. "C'mon, enough of this heavy stuff. We have a dressing room to make out in before curtain call."

Before Rachel could protest Quinn stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Rachel's waist and spinning her around, her momentum propelling both of them down the sidewalk. With a light peal of laughter Rachel wrapped both arms around Quinn, clinging to her as they strode on.