I don't own Glee or its original characters.

Thank you Sole's_stories for your corrections and feedback. You raised good points. And sorry for being annoying with my repetitive mistakes!

gllover22: Yes, she will learn eventually.

Toxxo: Yes, so far she does.

CarolineSC: Working on it….

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 36

Rachel's cold luckily wore itself out quicker than they thought it would and after a couple of days of rest and pampering from her girlfriend she was back to her old self. Quinn survived the cold streak without catching it herself, despite staying with her girlfriend and cuddling with her in bed or on the couch. They postponed the kissing though, which meant they had a lot to make up to after Rachel pronounced herself fit again. The brunette was so relieved when the three days speaking ban was lifted and Quinn allowed her to talk again.

Even though it was really hard for Quinn to communicate in absolute silence with Rachel, the blonde had been extremely adamant about her staying silent.

Rachel herself wondered how it would be to finally use her voice again. When she tried, it felt like before she got sick and she had the impression that it did not cost her as much as before to speak up.

Quinn assured her that she sounded almost as good as before and it filled the former cheerleader with absolute joy and love to hear Rachel's voice again. The three days of silence had been a good lesson to not take Rachel's speaking for granted again and she let her girlfriend know how much it meant to her over and over again until Rachel told her to stop.

The brunette was pleased to hear it, but then again, she was just talking. Yes, granted, it had been a big deal some months ago, but now it seemed kind of… normal. At least around Quinn and her friends.

You have no idea what your voice does to me. Quinn told her earnestly one morning when they were still lying in bed. Rachel had just woken her up with a nibble at the blonde's sensitive ear love and a half-whispered love confession.

"So what does it do?" Rachel asked with a gleam in her eyes, slowly tracing her forefinger down Quinn's slender throat, down to her chest, twirling it lightly around her left breast.

She watched Quinn catch her breath, gripping her wrist to stop its further advance along the sensitive parts of her body. Rachel stilled her hand, but continued to talk in a husky voice, bending closer to Quinn's ear.

"I'd much rather let my fingers trail further along your naked skin. Then let them wander slowly across your breast. I might follow with kisses down your neck, slowly making my way down your body. Reaching your legs, I might linger for a moment with my tongue on your most sensitive spot, until you beg me to take you."

Quinn felt Rachel's breath tickle her ear and throat and had to swallow hard and dry. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to get her breathing under control.

When she opened them again, she saw Rachel smirking because of the erect nipples under the blonde's pajama top.

It did not take long for both of them to discard their clothes. Rachel was careful to accompany every kiss she placed on Quinn's body with a husky comment to make sure her girlfriend had double the amount of pleasure.

At that moment Quinn did not know what was better, the soft lips, the tongue or the voice caressing every inch of her body. Well, she did not have to decide. She loved all of it and let herself fall into the feeling of being carried away by her girlfriend's touch. She reveled in the sound of the brunette's voice that enveloped her like a warm blanket and she knew that none of her former lovers had ever managed to cause that kind of physical reaction just with their voices. But with Rachel it had a certain additional appeal. In combination with her caresses Quinn quickly forgot her surroundings and let herself be carried towards her climax.

… … …

Over the net days Rachel thought about her upcoming birthday and decided that it would be nice to have her friends over for dinner to celebrate a bit. Quinn agreed with her idea, but of course had plans of her own for that special day.

One and a half weeks later, December eighteenth, Quinn carefully balanced on one foot and with her other one nudged the door to the bedroom in her apartment open. Slowly, she stepped into the room and lovingly gazed at her sleeping girlfriend. Under normal circumstances she would have woken her up with a happy birthday song. Considering she had to rouse her with different means, Quinn carefully carried a cake with lit candles in her hands and set it on the dresser, which she had decorated with roses and rose petals sprinkled across the surface. She took one flower out of the vase, dried the wet tip and laid it on the bed next to her still sleeping beauty. Quickly she undressed and placed herself gracefully next to her girlfriend, took up the flower and slowly and gently waved it in front of Rachel's nose.

It took the sleeping woman a moment to become aware of the smell, but then a smile spread across her features until her consciousness reached the surface. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find her most favorite hazel orbs smiling at her. From there her eyes dropped to the source of the nice scent that had woken her up.

"Oh." Was all that escaped her lips, before Quinn's mouth covered hers in a passionate kiss.

Happy birthday! Quinn mouthed after she broke away. Then she sat up and in a bold and spontaneous moment and started singing and signing in parallel.

"Happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you,

happy birthday, my lovely darling,

happy birthday to you!"

Rachel chuckled and sat up as well, taking the beaming face in front of her into her hands and kissed the soft lips again.

"Thank you, sweetie, this is…" she interrupted herself as she fully noticed the candles and the cake on the dresser. She scrambled out of bed and stood in front of the edible prove of love from the blonde. "Oh, Quinn, did you bake this just for me?" she looked over her shoulder and saw Quinn answer with a nod.

Rachel turned back to her cake and closed her eyes, making a wish. Then she quickly held her hair back before bending down to blow out the candles.

Carefully, she broke off a little piece of the baked good and took a bite. The lemon cake was soft and had just the right consistency, so it almost melted on her tongue. It was not too crumbly and dry and not too soft or doughy. The white sugar coating also tasted like lemon.

Just perfect.

"Hmmmmm," she hummed while she slowly swallowed.

She broke off another piece of cake and turned around, ambling over to the bed where she let her eyes rake greedily over the naked glory sprawled on the bed.

"Don't know what is more delicious, the cake or the sight in front of my eyes." She placed a little piece on Quinn's stomach and held another piece in front of her girlfriend's mouth, who eagerly took it with her lips. Rachel slowly licked up the crumbs off Quinn's naked midriff, making the blonde wince in the process.

This was already a wonderful start for her birthday, Rachel decided. She was excited about what the rest of the day would bring.

Quinn only hoped that what she had planned for her lover's special day would make her happy and that she was up for a little celebration with something for the eyes and later something with a lot of "noise" and vibrations.

It had not been difficult for Quinn to come up with ideas for Rachel's birthday. The actual challenge had been to adapt her plans to Rachel's needs. Under normal circumstance Quinn would not have doubted that her plans would be received with enthusiasm, but as it was, she was not so sure if she had thought about everything and had anticipated every eventuality. She wanted this to be the perfect day for Rachel. She wanted her to enjoy every part of it without having to miss out on anything.

Quickly the blonde was pulled from her musings by the brunette boldly claiming her body with her tongue, teeth and hands. Under this treatment it was hard for Quinn to keep a hold on any clear thoughts.

After slowly and tenderly making love to each other – which involved also some more of the delicious cake - Quinn contently dozed in Rachel's arms, enjoying the tender stroking of the petite woman's hand on her back, while the brunette lay wide awake.

Rachel was content to watch her girlfriend fall asleep after a little while, letting her fingers dance across the blonde's luminous pale skin. The brunette followed the traces of her own darker hand with her eyes as she drew nice little patterns on Quinn's body.

After a while though Rachel started getting restless.

She felt that urge again.

That urge that still came and went once in a while as it pleased. That urge, which always threatened to steal all her happiness that she so painstakingly had found again over the past months. This ache had surfaced less over the past weeks, but it was still there. And now it threatened to overwhelm her again.

Not today, please, not today, she thought.

Clenching her teeth, Rachel slowly pulled her arm out from Quinn's neck and got up. Quickly, she dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater and wandered out into the living room area. Aimlessly, she walked back and forth, trying to find something that would distract her mind. She guessed that the little episode with Kurt had triggered this new bout of longing. She so damn longed to sing that she felt like her chest would explode. She needed a distraction, some kind of release.

Now.

Finally her wanderings brought her to a stop in front of Quinn's stereo. Rachel had never looked at it closely, much less checked out the CD collection that Quinn had. Funny, how her friends still collected those discs in the era of MP3 downloads. But she had to admit, it had always had a special appeal to look at the cover and to read the lyrics that were printed in many booklets while listening to the music.

Slowly, the brunette let her eyes rake over the CD cases. It reminded her of that evening at Kurt's, only that Quinn was not as picky about her stuff as her friend.

Her gaze fell onto the Sennheiser headphones that lay on top of the stereo, still plugged in from when either of the other two women had listened to some music. Rachel lifted her hand and then stopped. She just stared at the headphones.

Then she started wondering.

After another moment, she turned on the stereo and pressed the play button on the CD player. Rachel had no idea what was playing, but then saw the cover underneath the headset. It was a Jay Z CD. The one that featured one of her favorite songs, Empire state of mind.

Slowly and as if her hands moved on their own Rachel reached out and took the headphones into her hands. Then she placed them on her head. Skipping to the fourth track she waited of a couple of seconds, and then tentatively turned up the volume. She knew she would not be able to hear anything, but maybe she could at least feel the beat. With a last hesitation she turned the knob with a swift motion all the way to the right.

And felt at that moment as if her head would explode.

All of a sudden, her whole upper body seemed to be filled with sound. She closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation. The vibrations of the bass and drums reverberated through her head and gave her the feeling of being at a concert, standing directly in front of the loud speakers. Without noticing it a small smile spread across her face and she started nodding her head with the rhythm. She was able to distinguish the change in tact and pace and found it so fascinating how this sound could be actually felt.

The beat was easy enough to follow, especially because she knew the song so well. She remembered Artie singing the lyrics and forgot for the fraction of a second that she could not really hear the music. Rachel closed her eyes and got lost in the intensity of the sensation that filled her. Her whole body seemed to be jam-packed with it. And as long as she did not start thinking about it, it seemed almost as if she could hear the whole song.

Santana entered the apartment, wondering why on god's earth Quinn was trying to ruin her hearing by listening to music at such a high volume. When she saw who was actually "listening" to it, the Latina stopped dead in her tracks.

Rachel was sitting on the floor; her knees propped up, her arms wrapped lightly around them, bobbing her head to whatever she was … hearing. The music was so loud that even from where Santana was standing she could make out which song was playing and she had to smile at Rachel's choice. She was wondering what the brunette was really experiencing. Could she hear something? Or was it just the beat that kept her head nodding?

Santana debated whether to sneak off into her room, pretending not to have seen anything or to make her presence known. Santana chose for the latter. She switched the light on and off a couple of times before it registered with Rachel.

Still having her eyes closed it took her a while to notice the faint flicker through her eyelids.

She turned her head and spotted Santana.

Hi Berry, the Latina greeted her without fuss and with the few signs she had already learned.

She did not finger-spell Rachel's last name, but made the sign for the fruit "berry". It had been her own idea and she had asked Carmen for the correct sign. Rachel had not commented it, but was secretly amused and pleased that Santana had gone through the motion of finding a "nickname" for her in ASL. Even though Carmen had explained to the Latina that a name sign would usually have to be picked by a deaf person and usually was not referring to her or his last name, Santana was not to be deterred by the comment. And Rachel let her have it her way, because it created a personal connection between the former classmates.

The brunette reached up and pulled the headphones off her head, turned the volume down and with this gesture lamentably killed the whole sensation of sound that had just filled her.

"Hi Lopez, "she answered, her whole body still buzzing from the vibrations.

Santana only tapped her ear with her right forefinger, raising a questioning eyebrow.

Rachel shrugged. "I… I just," she did not finish the sentence and let out a long breath. Then she started again. "I was listening to Empire state of mind."

She saw Santana chuckle and then sign with her hands: I heard that.

"Oh!" Rachel bit her lip. "I guess, I, um, forgot how loud this could get if you crank it up all the way, even through the headphones."

The Latina smiled and just watched the petit woman. She felt the brunette had more to say and kept quiet.

Rachel shrugged. "I was just wondering how it would feel like. You know. The sound." And she gestured with both hands close to her ears, shaking them a little, to indicate the vibrations.

"And?" Santana prompted aloud when Rachel would not venture forth, trusting the brunette would be able to read that small word off her lips.

"And - what?" Rachel asked back.

Very slowly Santana tried to elaborate her question. Just like Quinn at the beginning, she had to think and concentrate a lot to remember the correct signs. But she tried and so far, after four lessons with Carmen, she had not given up yet. Rachel was really grateful for that gesture.

And how did it feel?

Rachel laughed a little. "At this volume – intense!"

Good. Hold on to that feeling, the Latina nodded with a smile and then walked towards the petite woman who still sat on the floor.

"Oh, are you also going to tell me 'don't stop believing'?" Rachel retorted because Santana's last sentence had reminded her of the final verse of their New Directions signature song.

"Haha!" The Latina grimaced. Very funny, Berry! She then added with her hands.

When the Latina stood in front of Rachel, the taller woman begged her with a gesture to get up. Then the brunette felt herself enveloped in a bear hug.

Happy birthday, Rachel! The tall woman signed then and held up a finger to indicate that Rachel should wait for a second. The Latina dashed into her room and came back out with a gift bag, holding it out to her friend.

As Rachel took it, Santana pointed at the little card that was tied to the little cord handles.

Dear Rachel, we wish you a happy birthday!

Hopefully, you have found a way to dream again and don't ever let that dream out of sight!
In the meantime, enjoy a little sound massage.

Hugs and kisses, xoxoxo

Santana, Kurt & Blaine

"Aaaaw, you guys are sweet. Thank you." Then Rachel frowned. "But what is a sound massage?"

Santana just pointed at the bag.

As Rachel opened it and looked insight her breath caught.

She pulled out a large brass bowl and a funny looking drum stick of sorts. The stick was short and had a thick cylindrical end that was covered in felt. Rachel was not quite sure what to do with it and looked at Santana.

"Wow, the bowl is beautiful, but what do I do with – this?" She waved the drum stick.

The Latina laughed at the former diva's confused look and gestured for Rachel to follow her to the couch and to lie down.

Before Santana started the demonstration, she quickly scribbled an explanation on a piece of paper.

This is a singing bowl.

"A singing bowl?" Rachel frowned.

Yes. When you either hit the bowl with the drum stick or rub it slowly along the rim of the bowl, the whole brass starts vibrating and it gives of a hum in a different variety of sounds. The best thing about it is that it is used for massages as well.

She placed the bowl on the flat of Rachel's hand and first hit it slightly on the side. It gave of a low humming tune which the brunette felt in her hands.

"Oh!" She placed one hand on the side and felt the vibrations ebb away through her touch.

"This is nice. How does it sound? Do they all sound the same or do they have different sounds?"

Santana grabbed the paper again.

It depends on the size and the thickness of the walls. The smaller the bowl, the higher the tone. This one has a warm, deep resonance. We chose one rather by touch than by sound, Santana offered a little shyly. But luckily this one came with a nice resonance. Lay on your stomach.

Rachel had a doubtful look on her face but nevertheless she did as Santana asked her to. Then she felt the bowl be placed on the small of her back and as the Latina started doing something with it, she felt the soft vibrations start spreading through her torso.

"Oh, this feels nice! Keep doing that!" Rachel sighed blissfully which made the Latina laugh.

After a moment Santana shifted the bowl a bit higher on Rachel's back and caused the petit woman to grasp in surprise.

"Wow, it feels like every cell in my chest is moving! But in a different way that what I experienced with the headphones. This is…. Softer, somehow, but still it feels like it reaches all the way down to my fingertips. This is great. Where did you get it?"

Santana stopped her movement to scribble her answer, but Rachel interrupted her.

"Tell me later, continue doing whatever you were doing," she then laughed and Santana did as asked, glad that their present seemed to be a success.

Quinn came out of the bedroom at that moment, still looking a bit sleepy.

"Hey, what's that noise?" She asked, before she saw what Santana was doing.

"It's our – Kurt, Blaine and my - birthday present to Rachel. Guess you also profit from it. It's a singing bowl…"

"Yeah, I know. I had once a massage with these things. They are great to relax. That was a nice idea!"

Rachel sensed that there was a something going on as the movements on her back seemed to become less rhythmic and unsteady, so she opened her eyes and lifted her head.

"Hey," she greeted her girlfriend.

"Hey. Enjoy your present?" Quinn signed while speaking aloud.

"I think she does. But maybe you want to take over?" Santana asked Quinn with a smirk.

The blonde looked at her blissfully grinning girlfriend and laughed. "Yeah, maybe I should."

They swapped places and Santana showed Quinn how to use the drum stick.

Rachel's eyes closed again. "Santana, where did you get this? This really is a very nice idea." Then she remembered that she had to open her eyes if she wanted to see the answer.

As Quinn's hands were occupied, Santana scribbled her answer down.

A client of mine offers such massages and sells this kind of bowls. She brought one with her to one of our training sessions and showed me how they worked. And it felt so nice and relaxing that I though this could be a nice present for you.

"This must have been expensive."

Santana shrugged. Don't worry about that. Besides, between the three of us it was ok. Enjoy your birthday. Have to leave again in half an hour, but I'll see you tonight for dinner.

"Okay, great, see you! And thank you again!"

Rachel had invited her friends for a birthday dinner that evening. Kurt, Jenna and Blaine had agreed to come and each would bring something to eat so Rachel would not have to cook the whole dinner. That was a nice gesture from her friends, she thought.

Then she focused back on the soothing massage she received and sighed blissfully.

After a little while, Quinn suggested that they move to their bedroom, so she could experience it on her naked skin. Rachel did not have to be asked twice about it.

She even offered to give Quinn some of the same treatment and both women switched back and forth, interlacing some other tender massage techniques.

At around noon, Quinn coaxed her girlfriend softly out of her embrace. They had cuddled together after finally putting the bowl aside and enjoyed holding each other in their arms. Rachel had her head on the blonde's chest and one hand on her lover's stomach while Quinn lay on her back and softly massaged her girlfriend's shoulders with one hand.

"Hey sweetie," she said softly while she tapped Rachel lightly on the shoulder.

"Hmmmm?" Came the reply, feeling the vibration in Quinn's chest, Rachel guessed that she had talked to her.

Quinn tried to position her hands so that Rachel could see them. This was a bit awkward as she had to loop her left arm around the other woman's shoulder. Rachel apparently did not seem inclined to move much and Quinn had to chuckle a bit.

We need to get dressed and grab something to eat.

"Do we? I'm just so comfortable," Rachel mumbled and Quinn felt her jaw move on her skin.

Yes. Unless you want to miss the next fun part of your birthday, Quinn teased her.

That provoked the intended reaction. The brunette lifted her head and looked at her.

"What part? What have you planned?" The excited gleam in her brown eyes made Quinn smile.

Get dressed and you'll see!

Rachel frowned. She was so curious and wanted desperately to know what her lover had planned.

"Ok. But what shall I wear if I don't know where I'm going?" She pointed out logically.

Just whatever you feel like wearing today, something comfortable. No dressing up. Yet.

Yet? Rachel repeated the sign. "What else have you planned, Quinn Fabray?"

Quinn raised her head a bit and placed a kiss on her girlfriend's forehead.

You will see. Now, we have to get going, otherwise we'll be too late, come on, and she shooed Rachel up and out of bed. Of course not without getting the appropriate grumbling from her girlfriend at rushing her so much.

They quickly wolfed down a simple sandwich before leaving.

While heading towards the front door of the building, Rachel tried again to needle their destination out of Quinn.

"Where are we going? It's my birthday. You have to tell me!"

The blonde shook her head with a mischievous grin. "No."

"Yes, you do! It's a birthday rule!" Rachel sulked. She hated not knowing things.

Quinn stopped and turned to face the brunette.

A birthday rule? She asked with one signature raised eyebrow.

Rachel bobbed her head up and down. "Yes. The person whose birthday it is can wish for everything and all others have to comply." She stated confidently which drew a laugh from Quinn.

Really? Is that so?

"Hmh! Yes, it is."

Quinn kept smiling, seeing little six years old Rachel in front of her, making everyone obey her wishes. It was kind of cute. She wondered if the obligatory stomp of the foot was coming if she stayed firm.

You know, darling, that sounds like a rule you could impose on your dads, but with me, it's not working.

"But…" Rachel closed her mouth again and quickly calculated her next move.

"Ok, what if I refuse to come with you? If I just stay here?"

Then you'll spoil your own birthday present and I'm still not going to tell you where we were supposed to go.

Quinn answered laughing and threw a challenging look at her smaller girlfriend who seemed to realize that she did not stand a chance here.

Rachel let her head hang low in a mock defeat. "Okaaaaay, fine. I'm coming.

Quinn placed a hand on the small of her back and pushed her slightly forward through the door. Outside she faced her again and stated: If you behave, I'm going to tell you another secret tonight.

Rachel perked up at that. "Oh, you do? What is it?"

Quinn shook her head amused by Rachel persistence. Tonight.

Then she waved at an approaching cab.

They both scooted in and the blond gave the driver the direction. She deliberately turned her head so that Rachel could not read her lips, which the former diva noticed, of course.

"You're mean," the brunette stated and the playfull pout was back.

I know, was all that Quinn answered with a smile.