llachlan Thank you.

BlackShip007 Thank you. It means a lot that you would say that.

Harley Quinn Davidson Glad you're still enjoying it.

Basillover I'm glad you're still with me.

Arquan Thank you, for being so understanding. I try not to make you guys wait too long for updates but sometimes yeah, things happen beyond my control.

Fabraygron I'm glad you're still here.

progpoet Thank you. And thanks for sticking with the story.

simx48 I think Judy's continued support will be an unexpected surprise for Quinn.

SuperNina Thank you. This is the reunion chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

CarolineSC Thank you.

Mslspatz

Guest: Thank you.

LaurenKnight13 It's too early for wedding bells, for the girls. But I wanted something reminiscent of that sort of promise. I'm glad that you liked it.

RachelBarbraBerry Thank you.

DameonCain

Guest Thank you.

SuperGleek18 Thank you. Yeah, Quinn's past is a bit sad, but she's got Rachel to make things lighter. I didn't really plan for the tickle fight, but once the idea popped into my head, I had to go with it.

gllover22 Thank you. I'm glad you're still enjoying it. Rachel is definitely helping Quinn take some of her walls down, it's good for both of them.

ilovemycandy Welcome to the story. I'm glad that you found it, and that you're enjoying it.

wkgreen

Guest: I'll try not to keep you waiting so long from now on.

Chapter

Quinn knew there was no reason for her to be nervous. It was just drinks with a few old friends. A couple hours of conversation, catching up. She'd talk about Yale, her play, her life and her friends in Boston. They'd talk about the schools they'd gone to, the achievements they'd made, the things they'd done. It was nothing she hadn't done a few dozen times over, in various formats. College friends, work colleagues and dates. She'd mastered the art of casual conversation and light, easy banter years ago.

"You need to relax."

Quinn jumped at the sound of Rachel's voice, the words spoken softly and directly into her ear.

She knew that her girlfriend was right. These were just old high school friends. And it's not like Quinn hadn't accomplished a lot over the years. She'd graduated top of her class from Yale, an Ivy League university. She'd written and produced a handful of successful plays. She was work shopping a play in New York City. She was financially independent and in a serious relationship. It wasn't like she was some Lima loser, working for less than minimum wage in a job she hated, in a town she despised. She shouldn't have to feel worried about what they'd think of her. She was a success by any standard.

But, these were more than just old high school friends. These were the most important people in her life for three years. Their mere presence had helped shape who she was. She didn't care about impressing them with her achievements. She just wanted them to be proud of her. She wanted them to like her.

"You have nothing to worry about," she continued, attempting to allay Quinn's fears as if she had spoken them out loud. "You're going to be fine. Everybody loves you and misses you and is excited to see you."

Quinn wanted to believe Rachel. But she was afraid that they would all be angry with her, that after the novelty of her sexuality and her relationship with Rachel wore off they'd realize that they resented the way she'd disappeared from their lives without so much as a goodbye. Or worse yet, that they wouldn't even care.

Chances were, they'd barely registered her disappearance as more than a blip on their radar. She probably never even crossed their minds. That thought hurt. Despite the fact that she was the one who'd walked away from them, it stung to think that she might not mean as much to them as they did to her.

Rachel reached out and lay a hand over Quinn's, stilling it in its twitching against the cab's seat.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

Quinn shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not normally this insecure. I just…."

"High school is rough for everybody," Rachel said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We're all trying so hard to fit in and make friends and be ourselves and figure out who we are. And we tell ourselves that, if we can just get through these four years we'll be able to get on with our lives. Only, nobody ever really tells you that it doesn't automatically get better once you're handed that diploma."

Quinn couldn't help but chuckle lightly at that, because it was certainly true.

"You go out into the world, to college or to work and you find yourself right back where you were in high school, trying to find where we fit in and who we are and how to get the things we want out of life. We all went through it. We graduated from McKinley and went out into the world with our dreams and our ambitions. We all struggled and we all floundered. And nobody blames you for doing what you needed to do to get through it. All we ever wanted, for ourselves and each other, was to be happy and healthy and fulfilled. You're all of those things, now Quinn." Rachel tugged lightly on her hand, as if the emphasise her words. "So what if you had to break away for a while to get that way? As long as you did it, that's all that anybody cares about."

Quinn hoped that Rachel was right, but she didn't have time to think about it any further because the cab pulled to a stop at the curb and the cabbie half-turned in his seat, eyebrows raised expectantly. Quinn wasn't sure if she was grateful or resentful of the interruption for their conversation but she fished into her purse and pulled out a handful of bills, which she pressed into the cabbie's hand before Rachel could even get her wallet all the way out of her bag. Upon seeing this, Rachel huffed, and rolled her eyes, but Quinn knew it was just for show.

Rachel had admitted that she expected to be wooed. She was old-fashioned in her sense of romance and she expected her partner to order her meals for her, pay for dates, open doors and hold out chairs. She'd probably expect Quinn to lay her jacket over a puddle. And take off her hat and stand when she entered the room too. Quinn had no problem with that. She was old-fashioned as well. Growing up she'd never envisioned herself being the one holding the doors or pulling out the chairs. She'd always imagined some tall, dashing prince of a man doing that for her. But, she had found herself settling rather comfortably into the role of the perfect gentleman. And so it was with a smile that she slid out of the cab and then turned, offering her hand to help Rachel find her footing on the sidewalk.

Her efforts were rewarded with a broad smile and a kiss on the cheek before Rachel tugged on their still joined hands and led Quinn towards the entrance of the bar. She hadn't gotten a good look at the exterior once they stepped inside all she could do was blink against the inky darkness of the exterior. Rachel didn't give her even a moment to adjust her eyes before she was tugging her down a narrow aisle between the bar and a row of tables. She would have liked the chance to look around, to get a sense of the place that Santana called her own, but it was all she could do not to step on the backs of Rachel's heels or trip over chair legs as the other woman towed her along.

They made their way across the room and down a couple of steps into a smaller, slightly less dark room. As they crossed the threshold a chorus of cheers rang out. Quinn's head shot up as she caught her and Rachel's names in the cacophony of voices.

It seemed they were the last to arrive, as the other were already gathered around a table in the center of the room, an array of empty or almost empty glasses indicating they'd been here for a while.

Rachel came to a stop in front of the table, and Quinn, who was a few steps behind, had a moment to observe her interactions with their old friends as they greeted her. Artie was the closest to them, sitting at the head of the table in his chair, so Rachel leaned down to hug him first. He whispered something in her ear that made her throw back her head in laughter. And when she pulled back, they fist bumped.

"Whoa there, tiger." Sam dodged her elbow just before it caught him under the chin, and ducked under her arm to grab her by the waist and pull her onto his lap.

"Sam. Let go of me." Rachel struggled as Sam held her arms down at her sides and pressed a large, sloppy kiss to the side of her cheek.

"Is that a roll of life savers in your pocket, or are you just happy to see her, Sammy-boy?"

"Santana!" Rachel squealed and leapt to her feet so she could lean over the table and smack the other woman while Sam blushed an alarming shade of red and sputtered incoherently.

Santana knocked Rachel's hand away easily and Rachel turned her attention to Tina, who had risen from her seat beside Sam to fold Rachel into a quick, firm embrace. They exchanged a few words that Quinn couldn't hear and then Rachel was moving around the table to hug Kurt.

She missed their interaction because Brittany had bounded to her feet and rounded the table, approaching Quinn while she was distracted watching Rachel, and startled her with hug that swept her off her feet. She spun them around a few times and it was all Quinn could do to cling to Brittany's neck and hope that her feet didn't hit anybody.

"Hey, Britt," she wheezed, somewhat breathless from the force of the hug and a little dizzy from the spinning when she was finally put back down. Only to have the breath knocked out of her a moment later as Sam swooped in and hugged her fiercely from behind.

"Hey, Quinn," he whispered in her ear as he bent back, pulling her up onto her toes, then forward, sending the blood rushing to her head.

"Get off me, Sam," she laughed. And when he loosened his grip she turned around and wrapped him up in a proper hug. "It's good to see you," she whispered into his neck as he cradled her carefully against his chest. Her throat was thick with tears, and it was only her second greeting. She wasn't going to be able to get through this reunion without some waterworks.

They were physically pried apart a moment later by Artie, who all but shoved Sam away. "Unhand my girl, yo." Artie ignored the glare Sam shot him and turned his chair into the space he'd created between Sam and Quinn.

"Hey, Artie." She bent down to hug him, marveling at how he'd filled out over the years, his once scrawny shoulders now felt broad and full beneath her touch, his arms, always strong, were now thick and toned as they wrapped around her.

"Lookin' good Quinn." Artie gave her a gentle squeeze before releasing her.

"But then, you always did, didn't you?" She turned to face Kurt, who had appeared at her side. "The picture of ethereal grace and beauty."

Quinn felt a blush heat her cheeks at the compliment and rushed into Kurt's arms so she wouldn't have to answer him.

"You're looking pretty dapper yourself," she managed a moment or two later as she pulled back and gave him a quick once over. She had to admit, she'd never really understood his outfits, camo print bow-ties, riding pants or weird spindly broaches but he'd somehow always managed to look good. It was nice to see that some things never changed.

Before he could reply, Tina was at his elbow so he stepped away to give them a chance to say hello.

It was strange, all of them vying for her attention like this. Her younger self would have loved it. Would have been in her element. Now though, she was eager for the focus to be off her. She knew they were curious about what she'd been up to for the past few years. And how she and Rachel had come to be in a relationship. But, she was just as curious about what they'd been up to and she wanted this night to be about all of them catching up.

Quinn was happy when greetings had been made all around and everyone began shuffling back to their seats. She took the opportunity to slide into the empty chair beside Rachel, stealing Sam's seat but she didn't really care. As much as she was looking forward to getting caught up with the others, she didn't think she could do it without Rachel by her side.

"See, not so bad, is it?" Rachel leaned in as Quinn draped her arm across the back of her chair, tucking herself into Quinn's side and tilting her head up to speak directly in her ear. She rested her hand on Quinn's knee beneath the table, squeezing reassuringly.

"You know, when you told me that you and Rachel were together, I figured I'd have to see it to believe it." Tina interrupted their moment and the both turned their attention across the table to where the other woman was studying them, head cocked to one side as she appraised them. "But even seeing it, I have to admit, I still can't believe it."

"You don't have to believe it—"Quinn cut herself off as Rachel squeezed her knee.

"Easy," Rachel murmured in her ear.

"Sorry," she said as Rachel began rubbing soothing circles up her leg. "I don't mean to be defensive. It's just…I don't do well, being under other people's scrutiny. And I know I deserve it for disappearing the way I did—"

"Hey, easy. Nobody's scrutinizing," Sam cut in. "You're among friends here."

"Tonight is not meant to be some kind of punishment for you," Kurt added. "We didn't lure you out to make you defend the last few years of your life. Or your relationship." He cast a glance around the table. "I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that we're all just happy to see you. But yeah, we're all insanely curious about where you've been and how this came about." He gestured between the two of them and raised an eyebrow.

Quinn deflated in her chair. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Just, take care of the next round and then get your fine ass back here and give us the goods."

Quinn laughed lightly at Artie's words and then nodded. "That, I can do." She pushed her chair back from the table and stood. "Drinks all around?" The others nodded, and she hoped that he bartender remembered what everyone had ordered, because there was no way she was going to. "I'll be right back." She leaned down to give Rachel a quick kiss, ignoring the chorus of "awws" then headed across the room towards the bar.

It was her first opportunity since stepping foot inside to really get a look around the place. And as her eyes took in the details of the room around her. It reminded her of some of the college bars around Yale, all dark wood panelling and faux-chrome detailing, although the crowd was a little bit older. And a little more upscale. Less college co-ed, more young wall-street. Most of the tables were full, even though it was still early. At least by Friday night reveller standards. And there was a crowd three deep at the bar. If tonight's crowd was any indication of how business was going, Santana was doing well for herself. Quinn was proud of her, even if she probably couldn't get away with saying it. They'd had their heart to heart the other day, Santana wouldn't likely permit another one.

Quinn bellied up to the bar, expecting to wait awhile as the two male and one female bartenders flirted their way down the line, but was surprised when one of them immediately be-lined their way towards her.

"Another round?" he asked, already pulling glasses from beneath the bar and setting them under the taps.

Quinn nodded anyway. "Plus two more of whatever's on special tonight." Aside from Guinness, which she had gotten hooked on after college, Quinn didn't know much about beers but she figured that whatever Santana had would be good. Within minutes she had a tray full of glasses in front of her, all of them varying shades of amber, which she hoped that her friends would be able to identify because the bartender hadn't given her any indication as to which was which.

"You all right with that?"

Quinn nodded. "I'll be fine. How much?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Ms. Lopez has already taken care of it."

Ms Lopez? Quinn snorted. She was going to have some fun with that. "Thank you." She offered a beaming smile, which had the young man blushing, then hoisted the tray from the bar and made her way back through the room.

"This is a really nice bar you have here, Ms. Lopez," Quinn said as she set the tray down. Santana sneered and Quinn laughed.

"It's a'right. The new place though? That's really something."

"How's everything coming along?" Sam asked.

"Good. I'll get the keys in a few days, but there's some work that needs to be done on the kitchen so I won't be able to open right away."

"How long until you are open?"

"A few weeks. Maybe a month. I really want to have it ready by the end of October. I've got some ideas for a wicked Halloween party. And no, Berry, they don't include you, or anyone else, singing in any way, shape or form. There will be no karaoke in the new bar."

Rachel's mouth, which had been open to comment snapped shut, making the rest of the table, including Quinn, laugh. Rachel harrumphed under her breath and crossed her arms, sulking in her chair.

Quinn bit her lip, stifling her laughter and tightened her arm around Rachel's shoulder. "San's just teasing," she whispered into her girlfriend's ear. "You know we all love listening to you sing." She pressed a kiss against Rachel's temple. "So, no pouting. We're here to have a good time with our friends." Quinn shook her lightly, rocking her gently back and forth until the corners of her lips turned up in a smile.

"You'll have to let us know when the grand opening is. We'll come and shut the place down." Artie raised his hand for a high five, and Sam leaned over enthusiastically to smack it. A little too enthusiastically, because he topped forward onto the table when he missed by a good foot, nearly knocking over several beers in the process.

"You better. I want y'all here getting your drink on. None of that nursing one drink all night or expecting freebies shit. "

"What's the point of having a friend who owns a bar if you can't get free beer?"

"I know, right?"

Santana scowled at Sam and Kurt, who had the good sense to shrink away. Or at least, pretend to.

"If you're open by the end of October, can I host my wrap party here then?" Artie asked "We should be finished filming by the end of the first week of November."

Santana nodded, but before she could say anything, Quinn cut in. "Wrap party?"

"Yeah. I'm directing my first feature film."

"What? Artie, that's awesome."

"Yeah. It's an indie project, but with the cast involved, and the producers we have, we've got a pretty good chance of getting a major distribution deal for it. We're only about halfway finished with it and we've already gotten some interest."

"That's amazing." She raised her glass, tapping it lightly against his in toast. "Congratulations. I can't wait to see it."

"We're all invited to the screening, right?" Tina asked.

"Of course. I mean, we don't have a date, or even a venue set. But, I expect you all to be there."

"And what about the wrap party?" Sam asked.

"What about it? The parties are typically for cast and crew."

"I know. But I just mean, if you do have the wrap party here, will you close the place for the night?" Sam looked to Santana as he spoke. "Or will you keep it open to the public?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because Sam's got the hots for my female lead."

"What? No I don't."

"Yes, you do. And you think that if you just show up at the party and-"

"That's not…I don't…"

"You know this whole stalker thing you do is creepy, right?" Tina asked. "Just so happening to show up at the same place and striking up a conversation isn't charming. It's creepy."

"It's not creepy."

"Kind of creepy, dude," Brittany chimed in and Kurt nodded emphatically.

"Really?" Sam turned to Tina. "So, the guy you've been dating for the past year and a half isn't the same guy that you just kept coincidentally running into at the coffee shop?" He made air quotes as he said coincidentally, then raised his eyebrows expectantly as he waited for a response.

"Shut up," Tina muttered, bringing her drink up to her lips and taking a long sip.

"And, you." Sam shifted in his seat to face Kurt. "Weren't you the one who suddenly started showing up at the gym to take me out for lunch, every Thursday at two? A time which just so happened to coincide with the end of my session with that soccer player. Who you're now seeing?"

Kurt straightened in his chair and opened his mouth to defend himself, then snapped it back shut again and deflated.

"And, look at Rachel and Quinn."

"Hey, leave us out of it," Rachel protested. "Our meeting up wasn't some orchestrated event. It was fate."

"Yeah, well, sometimes you have to make your own fate."

"Making your own fate?" Santana laughed. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" She shook her head. "Just, fyi, I'm pretty sure stalking is illegal in the state of New York."

"It's not stalking! It's just-"

Quinn tuned out her friend's bickering and to Rachel. "Fate, huh? You really believe that?" She asked, her lips brushing against Rachel's ear with each word. She felt Rachel shiver lightly at the contact and nipped at the lobe, holding back a smile as Rachel choked back a faint moan.

"Don't you?" Rachel asked, turning her head towards Quinn. "We talked about it, a little bit, the other day."

"I know. But, you never really answered me, when I told you about what Brittany said. Do you believe in fate? That we were meant to be together?"

Rachel nodded. "What else would you call it, us meeting up like that at the exact right time in our lives when this was possible? A few months earlier, and I would have been in a relationship. A few years ago, neither of us would have been ready."

"I know. But, doesn't it bother you a little bit to think that our lives our not our own? That everything, even our relationship is just some big cosmic construction."

"Is that what you think? That we're only together because the universe made it that way? You don't think that our thoughts, our desires have any say in the matter?" Rachel's hand came up to cup her cheek, turning her head to face her as she brought their foreheads together. "Fate might have put us in the same room at the same time. But we're the ones who chose our actions that night, and beyond."

When Rachel put it that way, it sounded so romantic. "You're right," she said, feeling her lips turning up in a warm smile.

"Of course I'm right." Rachel dipped her head and captured Quinn's lips in a soft, sweet kiss.

"Hey, lovebirds. Break it up."

Quinn felt something bounce off her temple and turned to see a napkin skitter across the table. She glared at Santana, who was in the process of crumpling up another one but the other woman was undeterred. She tossed it at Quinn, who batted it away easily.

"No hanky-panky in my bar."

"Oh please, like you and Britt haven't done it on every surface of this place."

A chorus of protests went up as the others all shifted easily away from table. Santana glanced around at them and cackled. Her laughter only growing louder as they began pressing her for whether or not it was true.

"That was bad," Rachel chided.

"That was awesome," Quinn replied, watching Sam trying to balance his mug on his knee and Kurt attempt to pull the sleeves of his shirt down over his hands so he could rest his arms back on the table's surface.

She leaned back in her chair, surveying her friends as they all settled back into conversation. It was like the years had fallen away and suddenly she was sixteen again, sitting in the back of the choir room watching the rest of them laugh and bicker and get under each other's skin and bond over silly things. Only she wasn't that same, lost, angry kid anymore and she was free to laugh and banter and bond with them. It was a pretty amazing feeling. Almost like coming home again.