A/N: Otherwise known as "Grilled Cheesus"

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the songs used.


Chapter 29: Time

"I've been waiting for my dreams, to turn into something. I couldn't believe in, and looking for the magic rainbow; on the horizon, I couldn't see it. Until I let go, gave into love. And watched all the bitterness burn. Now I'm coming alive; body and soul. And feeling my world start to turn.
And I'll taste every moment, And live it out loud. I know this is the time; this is the time; to be more than a name, or a face in the crowd. I know this is the time. This is the time of my life; time of my life."

Rachel woke up and it took her a minute to realize where she was. Quinn was cuddled up to her side; practically on top of her. She lifted her head slightly and realization dawned on her. They were asleep on the living room floor and to her right about ten feet away Brittany and Santana were cuddled together under a blanked. She turned back to her left and stared for a moment at Quinn. She was breathtaking; even asleep. Her head was resting on Rachel's shoulder and her arm was draped across Rachel's chest and her leg was wrapped around Rachel's thighs. It was glorious. She turned her head and kissed Quinn square on the forehead.

It was times like this that she was so grateful that she had somebody that loved her.

Someone she loved just as much.

Quinn grumbled when Rachel's lips touched her forehead and she felt the girl slowly rousing from sleep. She watched as Quinn stretched and groaned and then finally her eyes opened and met Rachel's and a smile formed on those perfect lips.

"Morning sleepyhead," Rachel whispered and Quinn smile widened.

"Morning," she groaned and then stretched. Rachel watched as she arched her back and lifted her arms over her head.

Quinn realized that she was all over Rachel and moved her leg from its death grip around Rachel's legs and then shifted her hips slightly away.

"Sorry, I violated your personal space as you slept," Quinn whined and Rachel's smiled just widened.

"I wasn't complaining."

"I guess my body just really misses being wrapped around yours."

"Yeah," Rachel murmured and Quinn shifted herself so that she was now straddling her girlfriend's waist. Rachel let out a quiet squeal at Quinn's sudden movement and her hands landed on the girl's hips and held her firm. Quinn placed each hand on the floor beside Rachel's head and leaned down.

"Now if we had slept in your room like I suggested," she whispered. "We could be having morning sex right now." Rachel's grip on Quinn's waist tightened and she pushed her down so that their centers could rub together.

"We still can," Rachel whispered seductively and watched as Quinn's eyes first bulged out at the idea of fucking while Brittany and Santana slept mere feet away and then her eyes darkened at the same thought. She leaned down and just as their lips met-

"Don't even fucking think about it Fabray," Santana grumbled and both girls turned to her but couldn't see her face. They could only hear her. "It is way too fucking early to be subjected to that kind of torment." Rachel and Quinn could only giggle.

"Aw, come on Santana," Brittany's voice came from the same direction but her face was also hidden by the huge blanked surrounding them. "That didn't stop us from doing it while they slept last night."

Rachel's face dropped and Quinn smirked.

Santana said nothing.

And Brittany giggled.

And after a few silent minutes Rachel pushed Quinn off of her and got to her feet. Quinn whined at the loss of contact.

"I'm going to make some breakfast," Rachel announced and Quinn held out her hands. Rachel took them and helped her to her feet.

"Good and you best not be making any of that rabbit food you eat Berry," Santana's voice sounded.

"Be nice Santana," Brittany said and as Rachel and Quinn started to leave the room they heard Brittany's voice once more."San, wanna do it while they cook?"

"Oh my god," Santana whispered clearly mortified and hoping Rachel and Quinn didn't catch that last part.

But they did.


As Santana scoffed down three pancakes and was pulling a fourth into her plate; Quinn started laughing. She had tried to control it but in the end she lost the battle with the giggles.

"What?" Santana asked with mouth full of food, but Quinn laughed harder. Rachel tugged at Quinn's arm and tried to shush her. It took a few seconds for Santana to react and then she spit all the food in her mouth onto her plate.

"Santana that was disgusting," Rachel said curling her lips in disgust.

"Why are you laughing Q," she asked and chugged down some orange juice then she leveled Rachel with a glare. "Did you like put rat poison in the pancakes or some shit," Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous Santana."

"Then what's up with giggles the clown," she motioned to Quinn with her fork.

"She's just being silly because the pancakes that you seemed to be enjoying very much are vegan," Santana's mouth dropped.

"Seriously?" Rachel nodded and Santana thought about it for a few minutes. "Well fuck, these are incredible. If all the shit you eat tastes this good you can cook for me anytime Berry," Santana said with a smile and Quinn stopped laughing.

"Wait!" Quinn shouted. "Did you just complement Rachel?" She asked incredulously.

"Fuck you Fabray," Santana said and chugged her orange juice again.

"Language," Leroy's voice came from behind them and Santana choked and Brittany patted her back. Leroy and Hiram entered the room and Hiram kissed both Rachel and Quinn on their temples. Santana was in full on panic mode.

"S-s-shit I'm s-sorry Mr. Berrys I didn-" she stuttered and stopped when Leroy lifted his hand.

"You must be Santana," he greeted with a warm smile and she nodded. He directed his eyes to Brittany and grinned at her as well. "And you're Brittany."

"Yes sir," Brittany answered. Leroy looked at Rachel.

"I like this one," he nodded to Brittany, "she reminds me of Quinn with her manners unlike the one with the potty mouth," he added and Santana's face blushed and she looked to her feet. She wanted to apologize but she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked into the brown eyes of Rachel's other father.

"Don't listen to him sweetie," he said with a warm grin of his own and she smiled in return. "He likes to act like the scary one but trust me based on what we heard out of you as we walked in, you are currently his favorite of Rachel's friends," Leroy laughed and Santana relaxed visibly. "Except for Quinn of course, but don't let that get you down those two are exactly alike. Santana noticed that Quinn and Leroy high fived at his words and she couldn't help but chuckle.

She was happy that her best friend got along so well with her girlfriend's parents. It made things easier and then suddenly she was filled with an amazing feeling. Brittany's parents adored her and she knew her parents felt the same about Brittany.

This feeling calmed the nerves that she had been dealing with for a few weeks now.

Maybe she was ready to move things along with Britt.

Maybe it was time.

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of her name.

"Santana?" It was Quinn's voice. She turned her eyes to her best friend and Quinn noticed she had her attention. "Where were you just now?"

"Oh I was just thinking about how it's cool that you get along with Rachel's dads so well and then I was thinking about other things…" she trailed off and noticed that everyone was waiting for her to continue with bated breath. "Oh things that aren't important right now." She finished lamely.

Everyone kind of stood in awkward silence for a few moments before Hiram broke the spell.

"Yes Santana we adore Quinn, she showed us that she loves Rachel unconditionally and that even though they had a rough beginning that she was really and truly meant for our baby." Santana scoffed.

And then freaked the fuck out.

"I uh- I mean I k-know that I wasn't always nice to Rachel and I'm sorry about that but I really do think she's awesome," Santana said and both Rachel and Quinn's mouths dropped. Brittany however just smiled down at Santana. "I mean I'm not always the nicest to her but I hope that by now she knows that I mean no harm and that I consider her a great friend."

"Wait," Rachel said. "Did everyone else just hear that or did I spontaneously fall into dreamland." Santana smirked.

"You're just lucky that your awesome dads are here or I would tell you where to go and how fast to get there Berry."

"Did you hear that Rachel?" Hiram asked.

"Yeah Satan finally said something nice about me-"

"No not that," he cut her off waving his hand. "The part about how awesome your dads are?" Santana laughed. Rachel's dads really were great.

"Yeah Santana, you and Brittany are welcome here any time you want," Leroy said draping his arm around Quinn's shoulder. Rachel crossed her arms and pouted as everyone except for her laughed. She glared at her traitorous girlfriend who was giggling happily.

She wasn't really mad at her but she needed someone on her side dammit.

She stomped her foot and Quinn looked over at her.

"Quinn Fabray!" She whined. "Whose side are you on?" Quinn immediately ducked out from under Leroy's arm and scampered over to her girlfriend.

"Yours baby, always yours." Quinn kissed her cheek and Rachel could no longer fight the grin. Santana laughed.

"Whipped," she said with her patented Santana attitude. Quinn pinned her with a dirty look.

"Like you aren't," Quinn said and Santana looked back at Brittany.

She couldn't argue with that.

Leroy laughed.

"Wait Quinn, Santana," he called getting both of their attention. "I was under the impression that you two were the two top bitches in your high school," Santana held back a giggle at the man using a cuss word.

"We are," Quinn answered.

"But you're both whipped by your ladies?" He questioned with an amused smirk and both girls blanched under the watchful eyes of said ladies and then nodded.

"Like you have any room to talk, you're just as whipped as they are," Hiram announced and it was Leroy's turn to blush.

He couldn't argue with that.

Everyone in the room was laughing now and Rachel just took the whole scene and feeling in and reveled in it. It wasn't too long ago that she was having moments like this with just her and her dads. And as much as she loved them it was nice to know that now she had friends and an incredible girlfriend to join in on these moments.

Everyone always talks about the best times of their lives.

But for Rachel, the best times are times like this.

It's the small moments that count.

Everyone just being true and real and in the moment.

Yeah this was the time of her life.


Rachel leaned against the locker next to Quinn's as she waited for Quinn to put her stuff away before glee.

"I'm just nervous Quinn; I don't know what to say to him."

"Just say that you're sorry to hear about his dad."

"Yeah but that is so general I want Kurt to know that he is special to me, to all of us Quinn."

"I know what you're thinking Rach and if you want to sing a song to him I'm sure he would appreciate it. I know I would." Rachel smiled at her girlfriend.

"It's sweet how well we know each other, how we always know what the other is thinking." Quinn smiled and looped her arm through Rachel's and they began walking toward the choir room. "It's kind of creepy sometimes too," she added and Quinn couldn't hold the small chuckle that fell from her lips.

All traces of happiness went left them as they walked into the choir room and took Kurt's morose expression. Quinn wondered why he came to school at all but soon realized that he probably needed to keep his mind off of everything. She walked over to him and squeezed his arm. She couldn't come up with the right words so she settled for that and a warm smile as his eyes met hers. He gave her a slight nod and she took her seat.

Rachel stopped in front of him. She had so much she wanted to say but didn't know how. The two of them often fought about solos but that was only because they both knew they were the best of the best. She admired Kurt and his strength and she only hoped that one day she could be as open and honest about herself they way he was.

She thought about her dads and how she would feel if she were in Kurt's situation and what she would want people to say. But she couldn't find the words that she desperately wanted to say. She could think of a million lyrics but words- just simple words were failing her now. So she didn't say anything.

She just met his eyes.

"I'm going to hug you now," she announced and before he could protest her arms were wrapped around his waist. He hugged her back briefly and then gave her a small pat on her shoulder and she knew it was time to back away so she did.

And she took her seat beside Quinn.

She hated this kind of stuff.

And times like this.

Then she felt Quinn's hand cover hers and she suddenly didn't feel so alone.

She loved Quinn.

When Glee rehearsal was over Quinn and Rachel walked wordlessly to her car. They ride home was almost as quiet. And when Quinn pulled into Rachel's driveway and parked. She finally met her girlfriend's watery eyes.

"Do you want me to come in or would you rather be alone," Quinn wondered and Rachel smiled at her thoughtfulness.

"I would love for you to come in but I'd really like to spend some time alone with my dads tonight," she answered and saw a look flash through Quinn's eyes. She thought it was hurt so she began rambling. "Not that I don't want you to be here, please Quinn don't be upset with me it's just that after today with what happened to Kurt I feel like I have been neglecting them and I just really wa-" her words were cut off by soft lips pressing up against her own. She smiled into the chaste kiss and when Quinn pulled away. She was wearing the same tearful expression that Rachel had been.

"I'm not mad, I understand completely. When you mentioned it I was thinking that since I got back home I've kind of been neglecting my mother as well and that thought made me kind of sad." Rachel nodded in understanding. "I think hanging out at home with our parents is a good idea." She kissed Rachel again leaving the girl breathless. "But I will miss you."

"I'll miss you too," She kissed Quinn's cheek. "Can we still have our nightly phone date before bed though?"

"I thought you'd never ask."


Quinn walked into her house and pulled out her phone. It had been on vibrate and she had missed a text from Rachel as she drove. She quickly opened it.

From Rachel: I love you.

It was just three simple words and she had heard them so many times from Rachel but they never stopped meaning everything to her.

She was loved.

She was loved by the person she was just as much in love with.

And she was lucky because not everyone got to feel this way.

She quickly typed out a response.

From Quinn: You always know what to say to me to make me feel like the most special person in the world. I love you too.

The reply was instant.

From Rachel: You are the most special person in the world. Can't wait for our phone date later but until then have fun with your mom.

Rachel was so sweet.

From Quinn: You have fun too baby and I'll talk to you later.

She walked into the kitchen where her mother was getting ready to prepare dinner.

"Hey mom," she greeted and sat down at the islander.

"Hey Quinnie, I'm surprised to see you. I thought you'd be over at Rachel's tonight."

"Well I was going to go but I realized that we haven't spent that much time together since I moved back and I wanted to hang out with you tonight," Judy gasped and put her hand to her chest.

"What?" She said with mock surprised and Quinn arched her eyebrow. She knew her mother was just giving her a hard time so she let her. "My daughter actually wants to grace me with her presence without being forced… are you feeling okay sweetie?"

"Ha ha mom," Quinn said and couldn't hide the fact that she enjoyed the smile that her mother now had on her face. "So I was thinking we could have a movie night and watch a bunch of horribly written and incredibly predictable romantic comedies," her mother's smile widened. "What do you think?"

"I would love that Quinnie," Judy answered and put the things away that she had been planning on making. "I think this date night calls for take out," Quinn smiled. Her mother never ordered take out unless it was a special occasion. "Do you want pizza or Chinese?"

"Pizza would be great," Quinn answered. "You call and I'll go get the movies."

"Do you want bacon on yours?" Judy asked and Quinn turned around and looked at her as if she were crazy.

"Are you actually asking me that?" Quinn said before disappearing up the stairs and Judy laughed and searched for the take out menus.


"So Rachel, what did we do to deserve your undivided attention?" Leroy asked and Rachel stuck her lip out in a pout.

"Can't I just want to hang out with my fathers like the good old times before-"

"Before you had friends and a girlfriend," Leroy interrupted.

"Well if you're only going to mock then I guess this was a bad idea after all," she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Relax Rach," Leroy said pulling her arms away from her chest. "I was just teasing; you know that I am always happy whenever you hang out with us old folk."

"Hey speak for yourself," Hiram said to him. "I will always be young and hot." Rachel actually snorted laughter at her father's words and it was his turn to pout. Leroy laughed as well and Hiram pinned him with a glare, he paled under it and turned his attention back to Rachel.

"Sweetie I will be glad to spend the evening doing whatever you choose it is just odd that there isn't a cute blonde attached to you at the moment. We're kind of used to you two being a package deal."

"I know," Rachel told them letting her arms fall and her attitude go away. "I'm sorry about letting my relationship consume me I just-"

"Stop right there Rachel," Hiram cut her off. "Never, ever apologize for finding, being in and enjoying love Rachel we couldn't have wished for a more perfect person for you than Quinn. We love her like she's our own," Rachel grinned at him as he continued. "We are just surprised that you two willingly decided to spend the evening apart."

"Well we both decided that since we have been neglecting our parents that we wanted to spend the evening with them."

"But what brought about this idea Rachel, I know you're holding something back from us… what is it sweetie?" Rachel started to cry and Leroy pulled her into a hug. Once her tears were under control he led her to the couch and they sat down.

"My friend Kurt's dad had a heart attack and they don't know if he'll be okay or not," she said sobbing. Hiram joined them on Rachel's other side and rubbed his hand over her back.

"Oh sweetie," he said and Rachel began again.

"And I just realized that I have been missing you guys so much. Don't get me wrong I love Quinn with all my heart and I can't get enough of her but I'm just so sorry that I've been excluding you. I love you guys and I don't know what I'd do if either of you-"

"Hey, hey, hey," Hiram cut her off with a soothing tone. "Neither of us is going anywhere and as far as feeling guilty for spending time with Quinn that is just silly Rachel." Her eyes met his and she wiped her tears away. "You're young and in love you should enjoy every moment you have with her baby." Rachel nodded knowing it was true and that her guilt was unjust. "But since you're here now what do you say we have a karaoke night?" Rachel's eyes widened to the size of saucers and she jumped up. Still wiping tears away she ran out of the room talking.

"I'll go get the cd's… daddy you set it up," and she was gone. Leroy turned to Hiram and smiled.

"We have the best little girl in the world," he said with pure adoration in his tone.

"Yeah we do but she's not exactly a little girl anymore."

"She always will be to me H," Leroy said and went to get the karaoke machine ready.

"I know she will… we need to cherish this time," he added more to himself than to Leroy.


At ten o'clock that night Rachel had already done her nightly routine and was in her pajamas and getting into bed when her phone rang. She didn't need to look at her caller ID to know who it was. She settled under the covers and answered it.

"Hello gorgeous," she said and heard Quinn giggle.

"Well that is a great welcome."

"How was your evening?" Rachel wondered.

"It was fun, I forgot how much I missed my mom," Quinn told her and Rachel could hear the happiness in her voice. "You know the real mom and not the one my father controlled."

"I'm glad you had a good time."

"I missed this short, sexy brunette though."

"Oh really, anyone I know?"

"Yeah you know her pretty well. She is stunningly beautiful and tantalizingly sexy at the same time." Rachel stifled a moan. Quinn really did have a way with words.

"I missed you too baby," Rachel told her and could almost hear Quinn's happiness. "I had a good time with my dads though."

"What'd you do?"

"We had a karaoke tournament," Rachel answered and could hear her girlfriend's raucous laughter in the background. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing it's just that even when you're spending an evening alone with your fathers you still have the competitive juices flowing," this time Rachel laughed. "Who won?"

"Who do you think Quinn?"

"I thought so."

"So what did you and your mom do?"

"We watched really bad romcom's and ate pizza… it was glorious." Rachel was so happy to hear that Quinn and her mom were actually forming a real and lasting relationship.

"Did you get bacon?'

"What do you think Rach?"

"I thought so," she echoed Quinn's words.

They were immersed in conversation well into the night and they both realized that if they were ever going to have a decent night sleep again there would be no more nights apart. From now on they would have to schedule family time together. Quinn's mom one night; and Rachel's dads another.

They would just have to get used to spending time with their daughter and their daughter's girlfriend and if they didn't like it well then too damn bad.

Because Quinn and Rachel couldn't spend their free time apart.

It was just a waste of time.

But they were pretty sure their parents wouldn't mind the extra company and it turned out they were right.


Everyone had been performing spiritual songs as a way of coping and not really knowing how to help Kurt but it had been getting to Kurt. It was also bothering Coach Sylvester. And when things bothered her that usually meant trouble for the glee club. And this was no exception.

Mr. Schuester walked into rehearsal and told them that they couldn't perform anymore spiritual songs in school. They glee club was furious.

"Last week we were too sexy, this week we're too religious. We can't win," Tina yelled.

"Now I know what Miley feels like," Brittany added.

"The real tragedy here is that I found the most perfect spiritual song to sing this week and now it's been torn away from me like Sophie's daughter." Rachel said in her traditional diva tone. Santana glared at Kurt.

"Guys you can still sing whatever songs you like that sum up your feelings about god- about spirit," Mr. Schuester told them. "You just can't do it on school time."

"I hope you're happy Kurt," Santana said in her scathingly bitchy tone.

"I'm having the week of my life actually," Kurt spat back at her.

"Guys," Mr. Schuester cut into the conversation again. "Back off Kurt okay, he had every right to speak his mind."

"Look we're sympathetic to what you're going through," Mercedes began and met Kurt's eyes. "But siding with Miss Sylvester isn't gonna do anyone any good."

"It's doing me some good," Kurt told her. "Now I don't have to sit around listening to all you mental patients talk about how there's a god when I know there isn't one." Everyone stared incredulously at him.

The rest of rehearsal was sad and morose because now no one had any idea about how to help Kurt and he wasn't letting anyone in.

Rachel still wanted to do something to help Kurt and his dad. She heard Kurt's speech about not believing in god but she figured at this point anything would help so after glee rehearsal she called Mercedes aside. Quinn was already beside her so she didn't have to look far for her.

"What's up Rachel?" Mercedes wondered and she saw her girlfriend arch her eyebrow and knew she was wondering the very same thing.

"There is something I want to do, and I need your help," she said and her eyes left Mercedes and landed on Quinn. "Both of you."

"Okay what is it?" Mercedes asked.

"I want to pray for Kurt's dad."


And that was how Quinn found herself sitting in a hard plastic hospital chair next to Burt Hummel's bed as Rachel sang 'Papa Can You Hear Me' to him. Rachel always sounded amazing but this song was truly haunting. It was beautiful and it was giving her chills. She could see Kurt watching from outside the room and she was nervous that he would be angry.

She looked over at Burt Hummel; she had only met the man a few times and had never had a conversation with him, but he always seemed so strong. It was strange to see him so helpless. She looked up at Finn and his mom who were standing beside the bed, looking over him. She loved Finn's mom, she was such a nice and giving woman and she was clearly in love with the man. It hurt Quinn's heart to imagine the kind of fear she had going through her right now. She couldn't imagine what it would feel like if it were Rachel in that bed.

She shook the horrid images from her mind and focused on her girlfriend. Her very beautiful and very giving girlfriend. The song was over and she could see that Rachel was holding the tears back. Rachel abruptly faced them.

"Okay, who's next?" She asked and then Kurt barged into the room.

"What's going on in here?"

"W-we were just praying for your dad," Rachel told him and there was fear in her voice.

"Rachel, Quinn and I were taking turns," Mercedes said meeting Kurt's anger filled eyes. "We're from different denominations and religions so we figured one of us is bound to be right."

"I didn't ask you to do this."

"Honey, I know you're upset about what's happening," Carole spoke for the first time and Quinn looked up at her. "I mean I get it," she continued. "But friends help out even when you don't ask." Kurt stared at her and was fighting the tears.

A woman's voice sounded from behind Kurt and she approached.

"Mr. Kurt Hummel," she said.

"Dude why didn't you just tell us you wanted to pray in Muslim," Finn said and Quinn cringed with his assumption. The woman glared at him.

"I am not Muslim, I'm a seek," she said and Quinn could see that Finn felt bad for assuming but had no idea what she was talking about. Kurt looked at him.

"She's gonna see if acupuncture will improve the circulation in my dad's brain. Amazingly needles pierce the skin better than psalms." He glared at his friends and then stiffened his resolve before he could let them see him cry. "Can you all please leave now?" They all got up to leave and Rachel looked him in the eye.

"We just wanted to do something," she said and noticed that he gave her the tiniest nod. She nodded back before following everyone out.

As she and Quinn walked out of the hospital Quinn turned and stopped and stepped right in front of her; causing Rachel to crash into her.

"Quinn what's wrong," Rachel said composing herself and felt Quinn's hands on her biceps.

"I was thinking about Carole when we were praying," she saw confusion cross Rachel's face. "She just found this man who has become her whole world and now she could lose him," Rachel nodded in understanding but didn't interrupt. "And I was thinking that I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." Rachel grinned ever-so-slightly and wrapped her arms around Quinn's waist. She didn't even care that they were in the lobby of the hospital.

And neither did Quinn.

"Honey we can't think like that or we will always be worried."

"I know," Quinn agreed. "But this is the time, this is the time of our lives when we should be having fun and doing things we never thought we would." Rachel could see the fire in Quinn's eyes as she spoke and it turned her the hell on.

"I just think life is too short you know," Rachel nodded in complete agreement. "So I say we go and do something crazy, something we have been afraid to do but have always wanted to do… what do you say?"

"I say hell yes Quinn," Rachel agreed. "But most of the things I want to do we can't do until we're eighteen."

"I'm sure we can find a way around that," Quinn said turning and draping her arm around Rachel's shoulder and Rachel reveled in her touch. She loved spontaneous Quinn as much as everything else about the girl. As they got outside they saw Brittany and Santana approaching.

"Hey teen gay," Santana greeted to try and piss them off but noted that both girls seemed completely unaffected by her words and that made her want to know what the hell was going on with them. "What's going on Q? You've got that head bitch scheming look on your face and Berry looks like the cat that ate the canary… what are you two up to?"

"We're going to do something crazy," Quinn answered walking away.

"Crazy," Santana called after them and then her excited eyes met Brittany's and saw the girl nod. They both took off after Rachel and Quinn. "Wait up, we want in."

"I thought you would," Quinn said as they reached her car. "It might be a tad bit illegal though."

"Now we're talking," Brittany said climbing into the back seat and pulling Santana inside. The girls were making out before Quinn even had the car in gear. Quinn's eyes met Rachel's and she smiled.

"And they talk about us?"


So the thing Rachel most wanted to do was to get a tattoo. Crazy huh?

Rachel Berry getting a tattoo. That is what she kept telling herself as she sat in the chair. Her head was spinning at the thought of what was about to happen. She was about to get a freaking tattoo.

And it wasn't at a legit tattoo place either.

Nope because it is illegal to tattoo minor; but they decided that this was the time.

The time to do something crazy.

And this was as crazy as it freaking gets.

But Santana knows the artist. He is a friend of a friend of somebody or some shit. She couldn't remember anymore. She was scared shitless but everyone else had already gotten one. His equipment was clean and he opened a new needle for each of them and thoroughly cleaned the machine in between each so she wasn't afraid of catching some disease or anything but she was terribly frightened of the pain and also…

Of getting a freaking tattoo.

She could feel a panic attack coming on but she didn't want to chicken out. She didn't want to be the only one not getting one. She noticed Quinn getting to her feet and walking over to her. She didn't want to be the only loser not to follow through. She knew things were different now.

She knew Quinn loved her and that Brittany and even Santana considered her a friend but deep down she sometimes still felt like that poor lost loser who just wanted acceptance. The man turned around in his stool and looked at her. He had just finished prepping the needle and the tattoo gun. The black and gold ink was sitting on the nearby counter and his kind blue eyes bored into hers.

"Are you ready sweetie," his voice was gentle. It was an odd thing. His appearance was that of a so-called 'tattooed freak' but his voice and eyes exuded nothing but kindness and Rachel could tell that he was a nice man. And if he had known that they lied about their ages he probably wouldn't have done this and if the economy wasn't as bad as it was he would probably be working in a tattoo parlor rather than out of his garage but here they were.

And he was kind.

And this was the time in her life when she was supposed to do crazy things.

And then she felt Quinn's hand inside hers. She knew her hand must've been clammy because she was freaking the fuck out. But when her eyes met hazel she couldn't help but smile.

"If you don't want to do this Rachel its fine, you don't have to." Quinn said with her kind words and her kind smile and Rachel instantly felt better. "And I'll kick Santana's ass if she picks on you." They both glared at their friend who held her hands up in surrender basically promising that she would keep her mouth shut if Rachel had backed out.

Rachel just squeezed Quinn's hand tighter and smiled.

"No I want to," she said with a shaky voice. "Just don't leave okay," she saw Quinn nod. "And keep holding my hand okay?" Quinn nodded again and rubbed the back of Rachel's hand with her free one. Rachel smiled and turned to the kind man.

"I'm ready now," she said and he smiled. He tucked a piece of paper towel over the edge of her skirt so that the ink wouldn't dirty her clothing and he began to work.

"It'll hurt the most when I go over the bones, and when I do the color," he told Rachel and looked into her worried eyes. "But don't worry you're getting a small one and I can guarantee that a tough chick like you won't be affected by this pain very much." She smiled. "It stops hurting when I stop as well so it's not a constant pain." She nodded again and couldn't remember him explaining it as in depth to the others as he was with her. He could see her reluctance and was trying to make it easier. She liked the man even more.

"What is your name?" She asked him and he smirked in a way that reminded her of Noah.

"Mark," he told her.

"Well Mark, you are a lovely man so I just would like to apologize in advance if I curse your name at all during this procedure." He laughed again.

"I sure like you kid," he told her. "And since you're gonna be a big star someday I was wondering if you'd sign something for me before you leave?" Her grin spread clear across her face and she nodded. "With your real name though… not the one you signed the form with," he added and her mouth dropped.

He chuckled once more and began tattooing her.

And he continued to chuckle as she cursed his name and nearly broke Quinn's hand. He looked over at Quinn as he took a break to give both girls a break from the pain.

"You really love her, don't you?" He asked Quinn.

"More than anything," she answered and he grinned once more.

"Damn if girls in my high school were as hot as you two I might not have quit," Quinn laughed and they heard Santana clear her throat. He looked over, "Sorry as hot as you four," he corrected and Santana and Brittany went back to making out.

"Mark!" Rachel screamed and his head whipped around.

"Yeah," he wondered if something was wrong.

"Can you hurry the fuck up!" She shouted and he just chuckled once more. Quinn winced when her hand was being squeezed again.


Rachel slept over Quinn's house that night and as they fell into bed and cuddled next to each other, Quinn brushed her fingers over the spot where Rachel's skin was now marked permanently.

"Does it hurt?" She asked looking down at it. It was a small gold star just below her panty line.

"A little," Rachel responded. "But not as much as when it was happening." Quinn continued to stare at it and Rachel's lips turned up into a naughty grin. "Do you like it?"

"It's so fucking hot Rach," Quinn answered quickly as if she were holding the thought in all night. "I just can't wait for it to heal so I can run my lips and tongue all over it." Rachel suppressed a moan at the thought.

"I know what you mean," Rachel said running her hand up Quinn's side pulling her tee shirt along with it. She looked down at Quinn's new tattoo. The word Beth in script on her ribs just below her left breast. It was beautiful. "Yours is hot too, especially the placement." She waggled her eyebrows.

"I just wanted to have a piece of my baby with me, forever." Quinn said tearing up so Rachel tried to lighten the suddenly saddened atmosphere.

"I know and that's what makes it so hot." She said and Quinn smiled. "Plus in order to see it I get to see your boob."

"Babe you can see my boobs whenever you want," Quinn said in a naughty tone.

"Like right now," Rachel pushed her shirt up the rest of the way and looked down at Quinn's chest. At her firm full breasts and hardened pink nipples and suddenly her mouth watered with need to taste them. She leant her head down and took the left nipple into her mouth and sucked hard. Quinn laced her fingers into brown hair and they both knew that they were done talking for the night.

But they certainly weren't done.

This was the time of their lives after all.


The following day in glee, Kurt stood up in front of everyone and apologized for being so harsh with everyone when they were only trying to help and then he told a story about how is dad was always there for him after his mom died and he sang the song 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' and everyone but Kurt was in tears by the time the song ended.

Everyone but Kurt.

Rachel lagged behind because she wanted to talk to Kurt and Quinn waited for her by the door. She watched as Rachel walked over to Kurt and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," she whispered and he turned to face her. Rachel could see the tears welling up in his eyes. "No one is mad at you Kurt; you should know that. Everyone deals with things like this in their own way and there was nothing wrong with how you did it," she saw his resolve break and the tears began streaming from his eyes.

"I should've let you guys pray," he said through his tears."I should've given my dad every opportunity even if I didn't believe in it myself. She hugged him tight and when he collapsed to the floor she kneeled at his side. Quinn quietly ducked out of the room and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the locker and waited for them to come out.

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck and held him as he finally let the fear and anguish wash over him.

"Just because we weren't praying at his bedside doesn't mean we stopped Kurt. Your dad and you have been in our thoughts this whole time."

"I'm sorry Rachel," he whimpered before pulling out of her loving embrace. She smiled weakly and wiped the tears off of his cheeks.

"For what?"

"For everything." She nodded in understanding.

"Me too," she replied and then she held him once more as once again the tears wracked his body.


Quinn and Rachel were sitting on Quinn's living room couch cuddled together as they watched some stupid reality show that they weren't really watching because they were making out. Quinn's mom burst into the room thinking Quinn was alone.

"Hey Quinnie," she said and stopped when she saw the girls break out of the kiss. "Oh sorry, she said covering her eyes. "Hi Rachel I didn't know you were here," Judy blushed bright red.

"Relax mom, we were just kissing it's not like you caught us naked or anything," Quinn said grinning up at her embarrassed mother. She squealed when she felt Rachel smack her arm.

"Quinn Fabray, stop picking on your mother this instant," Rachel chided and Judy smiled.

"Thank you Rachel, she said to which Rachel nodded. Judy turned her eyes to Quinn and arched her own eyebrow and Rachel finally knew where Quinn got that annoying- and completely endearing- habit from. "I like this girl Quinnie, don't screw it up."

"I wouldn't dream of it mom," she answered and caught sight of Rachel's smoldering eyes as the girl was now staring at her lips.

"What do you two have planned for tonight?" Judy wondered completely oblivious to the wanton look on Rachel's face. Quinn pulled her eyes away from the temptation that was Rachel Berry.

"We're hanging out with you," Quinn answered.

"Twice in one week," Judy said with mock surprise.

"Yeah we um-" Quinn was once again distracted by Rachel; so she focused on her mom again. "We want to spend more time with you and Rachel's dads too but we decided that we don't want to be apart while we do so… so we're alternating. And tonight it's your turn." Judy smiled still completely unaware of the sexual tension.

"Okay well I'll go make dinner and in the meantime you should probably pay more attention to Rachel sweetie," she said and left but called over her shoulder. "The girl looks like she wants to eat you right now," Judy finished unaware of the double meaning behind her words. Quinn giggled and turned back to Rachel.

"Did you hear that babe? My mom thinks you want to eat me," Rachel nodded. "Do you?" Rachel didn't respond with words but she did attack Quinn's lips with her own.

After a smoldering kiss Rachel pulled back breathless.

"Let's go to your room," she panted getting to her feet and pulling Quinn with her. As Rachel led them up the stairs Quinn couldn't resist.

"Why do we have to go upstairs?"

"Because like your mom said, I want to eat you," Quinn laughed.

"I don't think that's what she meant Rach," Quinn said innocently.

"I know she didn't but that doesn't mean she was wrong," Rachel responded and dragged Quinn into her room. She closed and locked the door and then pushed Quinn onto the bed. Quinn landed with a squeal.

"Mmm, I love double meanings," Quinn said huskily as Rachel climbed on top of her.


A/N 2: Disclaimer: I do not recommend ever getting a tattoo anywhere other than a licensed tattoo parlor as it is a very bad idea. This is a fiction story and not intended to lead anyone to believe that getting a tattoo in someone's garage is at all a good idea.

Also: I will reveal what Santana and Brittany's tattoos are in a later chapter.

The song used was Time of My Life by David Cook.