Chapter 26

It was a quiet little place that Rachel explained was the best restaurant in the neighborhood especially when audiences were at the theatre. Apparently it got very busy afterwards but until then it was perfect for talking or collecting one's thoughts. When they walked in they were immediately sat at a private table in the back. The hostess had called Rachel by name and after a short time the chef had even come out of the kitchen to say hello. They each ordered a drink, which Quinn had insisted on paying for until the waiter informed them both the drinks were on the house. Defeated Quinn took off her coat and prepared herself for some quality time with Rachel Berry. "Twice in a week. This must be a record."

The attempt at humor didn't land as Rachel looked at her shocked. "Quinn, if you didn't want to come."

Quinn told herself to count to ten. "Calm down Rachel I was kidding. We've been over this. You need to stop reading into everything I say. I put the biting sarcasm to bed a long time ago."

"Seems I haven't yet managed to do away with the paranoia." Rachel said in an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry."

"Accepted." Quinn offered and then figured a change of subject might help things. "Samantha seemed nicer then I thought she would be."

Rachel smiled. "How did you think she would be?"

"You know the stuff you read about Hollywood people being conceited and shallow."

"She's not in that world anymore and it sounds like, to hear her talk, she was never like that even when she was in those circles."

"You're probably right. It was a nice night. Thanks for including me on the dinner."

"That was totally Brittany's doing."

"Well then remind me to thank her."

...

The small dessert the two remaining women had split proved to be, along with the interesting conversation, the perfect ending to a fun evening. The highlight of which was Samantha's sharing of insane misadventures she experienced on set when she worked in LA. Each story more crazy then the next and, oddly enough, all of them wildly true.

Brittany especially enjoyed hearing what happened on a film Samantha did the summer before her final season on the tv show. The shoot nearly had to shut down because of an incident with a trained leopard and a craft service table. At the time the mishap must have been terrifying but so many years later it was down right hysterical especially after hearing about the director of photography having to bolt into a nearby cast trailer only to find he had burst in on Samantha making out in said trailer with one her female costars. Brittany had laughed so loudly at that one it managed to get the attention of a number of nearby table.

The best story Brittany managed to share was about a famous popstar having passed out in her trailer after too much partying the night before. In order to get through the shoot on time the director came up with the idea to use a dance and body double. Brittany had been chosen to step in but it proved just as problematic as the drunk popstar's antics. The dark wig they had to come up with at the last minute wouldn't stay pinned to Brittany's head and it took a miracle to edit around all the bloopers. Brittany thought the story pretty dull but Samantha had seemed to enjoy it especially after she learned which music video.

The conversation continued on until they both realized they were probably holding up the table for other guests. They decided to end the evening and made their way out of the restaurant. Upon reaching the outside Brittany took in an audible deep breath. "What a beautiful night tonight."

"It is." Samantha replied. "Do you need a cab?"

"You know, I think I am going to walk home."

"That's quite far."

"It's still early and I enjoy walking around the city."

"May I join you?"

Brittany found herself flattered by the offer, a reaction that confused her. "Don't you live near here?"

"I do but like you said, it is a beautiful night."

"Company would be nice." Brittany smiled.

"Good. So tell me the best job you had in LA."

…

As two women turned onto Ninth Avenue and started uptown Brittany started to tell of working with one of her idols. The wide-eyed enthusiasm was back as Brittany told of a legend whose dedication to her craft was actually matched by her kindness.

While listening to the story Samantha tried to convince herself this was just some casual girl talk. It was, as Brittany had said, a beautiful night and Samantha couldn't miss an unseasonably warm evening like this one by going home to read a book or listen to music. What better way to spend it then with a new friend?

Even in Samantha's own mind the excuse seemed ridiculous. She knew the real reason she was going to walk Brittany uptown. It was because whether she went home or she took the walk her thoughts would have been the same. She would have been focused, in either case, on Brittany. Maybe it made her a masochist but she didn't care. Being around the younger blonde under any circumstances made her happy and Samantha couldn't remember the last time being around someone made her feel that way.

…

Before Quinn could continue the waiter interrupted with their drinks. Both women thanked him and each took a sip.

"They still make the best drinks in Manhattan." Rachel said smiling.

"Very nice." Quinn said as she put her glass down. "So the workshop sounds like it is going well. Is the other show going any better?"

"It's…" Rachel paused, "going."

"That doesn't sound promising. This is your dream role Rachel. How is it possible that you aren't enjoying yourself?"

"How did you know it was my dream role?"

"Anyone paying attention back in school knew this was your dream. And it's one you proved perfectly suited for."

"You weren't lying when you said you really enjoyed it?"

"I really enjoyed it. But why aren't you enjoying it?"

"That wasn't just a bad week you caught me having when you were over to the apartment. I wasn't exaggerating. The moment I started on that show no one else but me seemed to be excited to be there and that kind of environment can suck the life out of even the most enthusiast performer."

"You survived high school." Quinn teased.

Berry smiled. "Making a joke. See, I'm learning."

Quinn realized she liked seeing a playful side to Rachel. "I was but we also know that the best comedy is based in fact. School wasn't easy for you."

"I didn't make it easy for myself. It took until college to learn to play well with others."

"It's hard to play nice with others when people are busy bullying you Rachel."

Rachel shrugged. "It gave me thicker skin."

"And I'm sorry I had something to do with you having to develop those skills at sixteen."

"I'm not." Rachel reached across the table and laid her hand on Quinn's. There was a softness, a calmness, in the brunette's eyes which was hard to take. "You don't belong here Rachel and you can't hate me for helping to send you on your way."

Quinn blinked. Words from the past came crashing down on her. The place where their hands touched seemed to burn and Quinn tried to pull her hand back but Rachel wouldn't let her.

…

Rachel could see the panic in Quinn's face as her own words from many years ago were spoken back. This time though the intention wasn't pain, or malice, or even, as Rachel had always suspected was the original intention, tough love. This time it was disguising a quiet thank you Rachel felt compelled to say. Quinn seemed to miss the intention though and tried to pull away.

Rachel held her hand tighter and gently smiled at the blonde. Eventually their eyes briefly met. "I owe you Quinn. You gave me the best gift. I learned what I was capable of and was forced to recognize my shortcomings. You made me want to strive for more. I might have easily thrown everything else away and tried to stay right where I was because that lonely teenager secretly yearned to be loved more then she yearned to be famous. You were the only person smart enough or, ironically, who seemed to care enough, to see it, to see me. So thank you."

Quinn was unsuccessfully holding back tears. Rachel felt bad for causing such a reaction but also felt a weight off her shoulders from finally confessing her appreciation. Deep down it was the real reason Rachel had been so damn worried about seeing Quinn after all these years. She knew when the moment happened she would have to say what it was she just said. It felt amazing but it also felt oddly unsettling.

Realizing she still had her hand on Quinn's, Rachel slowly pulled her hand away, took a sip of her drink, and waited.

…

With her hand now as free as her emotions were Quinn took a napkin from the table to carefully dry her eyes. How had that just happened?

"I'm sorry I upset you." Rachel said sounding concerned.

Quinn caught her breath and looked up at Rachel. She tried to again look her in the eyes but couldn't. "It's okay. I just never thought…"

As her words trailed off Rachel put her glass down. "Never thought what?"

"That you would see things that way after all I did to you."

"You made me a better me."

Quinn tried to hold her emotions in check while deflecting the compliment. "It was jealousy Rachel, pure and simple. You had everything going for you and I couldn't say the same. I wasn't any kind of saint."

"I disagree. What you said to me that day was like you were pushing me out of the nest so I was forced to fly and whatever your motives what you did brought me here so it was all worth it."

Quinn looked up sadly. "You say after telling me you're miserable in your dream job and haven't found love. Yeah, I was a big help."

"Another joke?"

Quinn picked up her glass and took a drink. "No, self pity." Rachel laughed and it took some of the tension out of the conversation, which in turn made Quinn relax a little. "My life is officially off its axis."

Rachel lifted her glass. "That sounds like a toast. Here's to living life off our axis."

Quinn took in the gesture and considered it. Shrugging she picked up her drink. Both woman took in the moment, clinked glasses, and then drank. "You know what this means?"

"No?" Rachel said setting her glass down.

"I think we just became real friends."

An almost smug smile appeared on Rachel's face but Quinn didn't mind it. "I think you might be right. Which one of us should tell the others?"

"You're the big Broadway star. I think it will reach people faster if you tell them."

Rachel laughed. "But you're still the head cheerleader in their eyes. They more likely to believe it coming from you."

Quinn found she was smiling despite herself.

…

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is unexpected but more has come out of 'this night' especially in the Quinn and Rachel story. So look for Chapter 27 pretty quickly and look for it to pick up right where these pages leave off for both the Q/R and the Brittany scenes.