Chapter 56
It had been about an hour later then Brittany had said she would be over but Samantha knew they were going to be very busy getting things set for Mercedes so it was no big deal. The delay had actually allowed Samantha some time to work on notes she had been meaning to compile for the boys regarding feedback they had received following the reading. She had just finished adding the ideas from a rather conservative but wealthy potential backer when her door buzzed.
Moving to the intercom she trigger it. "Hello."
"Sorry I'm here so late." Brittany spoke through the system.
"Do not worry about it." Samantha replied as she clicked the security release on the main door and then waited for Brittany.
...
Santana had tried to drag Kurt to the bar she frequented but he had other plans. On the surface a casual mixer with connected, mostly very wealthy, politically active folks seemed like just another day at the office but surprisingly the conversations so far had avoided anything all that political. Kurt was a friend of one of the organizers of the evening, which gave them a certain degree of status they might not otherwise be afforded unless Santana started throwing around her job title. The diverse group included one or two people who didn't need Santana's card to know who she worked for as they had tirelessly supported her boss' election. The conversations with those individuals were as strained as the evening got but even they had avoiding talking city politics.
The highlight of the evening had been a brief conversation with a leading advocate for the community. The advocate and her partner had been working on civil rights since Santana was still in high school. At the time their impact wasn't something a teen uninterested in labels cared to know anything about but as part of her work Santana knew very well their tireless efforts. By the time they were finished talking Santana had handed over a business card and urged them to let her know the next time they were having an event in need of the Mayor's support. She couldn't promise anything but she could certainly try to present the idea to the cities most powerful politician.
After that conversation Santana had turned to go to the bar and collided into a petite, well dressed, athletic, brunette, who was wearing glasses. The run had caused the woman to nearly wear, on her very expensive designer suit, what was in her glass. The couture was spared as she ended up dropping her drink, which shattered as it hit the floor.
"I am so sorry." Santana uncharacteristically blurted out as she eyed the woman.
"It's okay. I should have watched where I was going."
As if always prepared for such things one of the bartenders came whipping around the bar to clean up the mess. The two women moved out of his way so he could tend to the broken glass and spill.
"And I should have looked where I was going." Santana awkwardly suggested as she extended a hand to the woman. "Santana Lopez."
The woman smiled warmly and the outcome was so appealing Santana immediately wanted to know more.
"Kathryn Myles."
...
When Rachel got to the top of the first flight of stairs she was stopped at the door to her dressing room by Claire. The young dresser was waiting with arms folded and a giant, evil, grin on her face. Something was going on.
"Hello." Rachel said suspiciously. "Did you have a nice day off?"
"Did you?" Claire said not budging from where she stood. If Rachel didn't know any better the younger woman's tone indicated she was well aware of how Rachel's time since Sunday had been spent.
There was no way Rachel was sharing her current euphoria with anyone at work, not even Claire. "It was fine."
"Just, fine?"
"Just, fine." Rachel said as she leaned past Claire and grabbed the door handle, anxious to change the subject.
"Because if I didn't know any better I would say you were holding out on me."
"What are you talking about?" Rachel said pushing the door open and moving past Claire.
The second the door opened the smell of fresh flowers awoke Rachel's senses. Sitting on her makeup table was the largest, most beautiful bouquet she had ever seen, and Rachel had seen her share of flowers before.
"There's a card." Claire, from her place in the doorway, squealed and clapped like a teenager
"One I'm not reading until you are elsewhere." Rachel said turning to the doorway after noticing there was a card stuck in the top of the arrangement.
"You are so holding out on me." Claire restated and then left, shutting the door behind her with a grin.
Pulling the envelope out of the arrangement, Rachel carefully tore it open and then removed the card.
R - Thank you for a lovely lunch. Don't let them rain on your parade. See you soon. - Q
Taking a seat in her makeup chair Rachel read the card a second time, and then a third time. After the fourth time, she looked up at the flowers, and then looked at her own smiling face in the mirror. Today was turning into a great day after all.
...
As soon as Samantha laid eyes on Brittany she knew the blonde was exhausted. "Long day?"
"The longest, but we covered a ton of stuff. Casting is finished but I had to teach every group auditioning the combinations. The good news is I got through teaching Mercedes her stuff for both songs. Tomorrow I work with the background dancers we hired and then Thursday we cross our fingers and put it together."
Samantha gave Brittany a tiny kiss. "Can I make you dinner or something?"
"Just a glass of wine. Mercedes and her manager insisted on taking me for dinner when we were done. It kept every ounce of energy I had left to stay awake."
"Go sit down." Samantha said as she went to the kitchen to uncork a bottle. "Red or white?"
"Red would be fantastic."
"Coming up."
After pouring them each a glass Samantha entered her living room to the sight of Brittany staring blankly at the painting on the wall.
"Here you go." Samantha said handing over the wine as she took a seat next to Brittany on the sofa.
"Thank you." Brittany said as she leaned over and gave a thank you kiss that was chased by a sip of wine.
"I assume Mercedes and her people are very happy with your work."
"They seem to be because we spoke about the tour at dinner. I still have the gig. They haven't fired me. Oh, crap, I'm sorry Samantha. That was stupid of me to say."
"It was not." Samantha replied suddenly racked with guilt over what she had yet to explain to the blonde.
"Maybe a little?" Brittany asked before taking another sip from her glass.
"Maybe a little, but it's okay. Better we make jokes about it."
Brittany put the glass on the coffee table and reached up to rub her right shoulder.
"Everything okay?"
Brittany yawned. "I tweaked it this morning."
"Come here." Samantha said placing her glass on the table as well.
"What?"
"Move over here and let me try and help it out."
Brittany did as she was told, turning on the sofa and moving closer to Samantha so that their bodies were touching. Reaching up Samantha placed her hands on Brittany's shoulders and began to firmly knead them. The reaction to the massage was Brittany leaning back and making a noise that sounded like purring.
Samantha continued to work on Brittany's shoulders until the purr disappeared. It was suddenly clear Brittany was asleep mid-massage. The conversation Samantha had planned was once again shelved.
Propping her head on a pillow; Samantha leaned back on the sofa. Lying there with Brittany in her arms she felt fantastic. In no time at all Samantha found herself fighting back a yawn so she closed her eyes to rest them.
...
Kathryn nodded. "Yes, the NFL."
Santana knew people in quite a few professions but someone tied to pro sports, this was a first. "Here in the city?"
"Yes." the brunette said handing over her card as proof.
"The teams director of public relations." Santana laughed. "I don't usually meet people from my line of work anymore."
The brunette looked Santana over quizzically which made for a wonderful development. Setting down her empty glass and reaching into her bag Santana pulled a business card out as well.
The brunette eyed the card and then turned her attention to Santana. The look Kathryn had was replaced by something else that Santana couldn't put a finger on. "I thought you were familiar."
The comment was unexpected. "We've met? I think I would have remembered you."
"We haven't met but we occasionally run in the same circles." The comment would have seemed benign had it not been for the woman's tone.
Santana matched Kathryn's comment with a questioning look, hoping it would evoke more explanation. Moments later it had it's desired effect.
"Your... personal reputation... it proceeds you, in certain circles."
The implication was crystal clear. It seemed Santana's brimming social life wasn't exactly as private as she thought. The comment didn't deter her though. The woman was incredibly attractive, poised, and intriguing. "Does that mean I can't buy you a drink to replace the one I caused you to lose?"
"It's not necessary. It was more a prop so I could maneuver around the evening."
"You shouldn't be without your prop. What was it?"
Kathryn seemed to smile despite herself. "Vodka tonic."
"Coming right up."
...
The show had gone quite well and Rachel decided that it was because of the flowers. Granted one flower delivery wouldn't have any effect on the performances of a large cast of New York professionals but somehow the evening felt like the best show the company had since Rachel's opening night. Quinn had somehow worked some cosmic miracle with a very simple but touching gesture. As she said goodnight to the stage door guy Rachel walked out into the cool early spring air of New York and felt alive.
Being a weeknight show the clump of fans at the stage door was on the small side. After signing a couple autographs for some enthusiastic tourist from out west Rachel moved to the other side of the blocked off area. Before she started signing for some teens that were eagerly clutching their programs something caught Rachel's eye. Standing near her car was Quinn Fabray.
The blonde noticed that she was seen and smiled in Rachel's direction. Rachel smiled back while still managing to sign the programs before her. Moving towards the car a few more autographs were signed as most of the people dispersed; a few running to try and catch a glimpse of the famous movie star appearing in the show across the street. Rachel always liked when people didn't linger, tonight more so then ever. "What are you doing here?"
"The apartment was empty. I couldn't sleep. So I got this crazy idea in my head to come and see you. Maybe take a walk or something."
"You have court in the morning." Rachel said concerned.
"Like I said, couldn't sleep."
By this point Rachel's driver had emerged from the car and opened the door to the back.
Rachel smiled at the blonde. "Climb in. I'll have him drop us somewhere so people don't follow us to gawk."
"If this was a stupid idea, I can just go home."
Rachel immediately grabbed Quinn's hand. "It was an amazing idea. Now get in this car so we can have ourselves a nice end to the evening."
"Okay."
And with that Quinn joined Rachel in the back of the town car.
...
Warm, soft, kisses trailed their way over Samantha's lips as she stirred slowly from her slumber.
"Samantha, we should head to bed." Brittany whispered.
As her eyes opened the sight of Brittany leaning in very closely came into focus and Samantha smiled. Sitting up she returned the wake up kisses with one of her own. This one lingered after being met with just the right amount of enthusiasm from Brittany. Before long the beautiful blonde was leaning them back down on the sofa as hands wandered and desire grew.
"What a lovely way to wake up." Samantha whispered as her hands ran their way up and under the back of Brittany's shirt. Bare flesh was lightly scratched as Samantha's lips returned to match the pace of Brittany's kissing.
Pulling back slightly Brittany peered into Samantha's eyes and gave a wicked little grin. She then stood up and silently left in the direction of Samantha's bedroom, slowly peeling off her shirt as she walked away.
Samantha took a moment to watch Brittany disappear out of sight and then rose from the sofa. Turning off the two lights in the living room she then headed to the bedroom. Upon arriving at her bedroom door she leaned over and picked up the shirt Brittany had been wearing. Turning the doorknob and opening the door, light from the hallway gave the bedroom a soft glow that illuminated more clothes deposited on the floor and a blonde figure lying in Samantha's bed. Under the covers but seated with pillows behind her, Brittany's bare shoulders were exposed. Without a word Samantha closed her bedroom door behind her and made her way to the bed leaving her own clothing behind as she moved.
Talking could wait for another evening.
...
It had been the first time, maybe ever, that Santana found she was unable to convince a beautiful woman to join her for a nightcap. As Kathryn walked away Santana found she was only more intrigued.
"So is it magic?" Kurt said as he wandered over with two drinks in his hand.
Santana took one and smiled. "Not sure magic but she is certainly interesting."
"And quite lovely."
Kurt Hummel was making observations about Santana's taste in women. The realization should have annoyed her instead it made her laugh.
"What?"
"You catching on. It's amusing."
"Santana, a blind person could have caught on to that."
...
The car took them six plus blocks out of the theatre district before the driver pulled over and let them out so they could walk. The lights of Times Square at their back they headed up Broadway hand in hand.
After another half a block north Rachel turned to Quinn. "So, there was a surprise in my dressing room at the theatre tonight."
"There was." Quinn said flirtatiously as she kept walking. "Was it a nice surprise?"
Rachel immediately recognized the tone and liked it very much. "It was a wonderful surprise."
"I'm glad."
"…it was an unnecessary surprise."
"Hardly. You were having a rough day. I wanted to do something special."
"Well, you did. They were beautiful and the card was perfect." Rachel said clasping her hand around Quinn's.
"I was afraid it might be too much, too soon."
"No such thing. They made my evening. Tonight might have been the best show ever."
"I don't think flowers carry that much power."
Rachel stopped in her tracks, just outside a well-lit high-rise off Central Park. Her pausing immediately caught Quinn's attention and she stopped as well. It was then that Rachel took one small step into Quinn's personal space. "They were perfect."
The comment could have been considered factual but Rachel knew her tone was conveying an intimate honesty she was surprised to hear herself say. Suddenly shivering, Rachel reached up and captured Quinn's lips in a sheering kiss that was very private but ironically took place while standing on one of the most well lit corners of Manhattan. When they broke away from one another tears appeared on both women's cheeks.
…
Another twenty or so blocks and they were standing outside Rachel's building. "Thank you for lunch, and the flowers, and the surprise walk."
"Thank you." Quinn offered nervously as she said her goodbyes. "So Thursday night at the show..."
"Perfect."
"And maybe if you aren't busy Sunday we can have dinner out somewhere."
Rachel smiled wider. "Perfect."
Without another word Quinn reached over and gave Rachel a kiss goodnight. As they pulled away the blonde merely said. "Perfect."
...
Walking into her building Rachel was on cloud nine. She was so incredibly happy she didn't notice Gabriel smiling at his desk at what he had witnessed nor did she see the photographer in a nearby car that had snapped photos of her and Quinn kissing each other goodnight.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Anyone else know of the phenomenon that vacation actually making your real life harder when you return? Well blame that tricky little life lesson for the delay in updating. Hope you found it worth the wait.
