A/N: Hi, All!
Okay, take #2. I'm sorry if you guys tried to use the link yesterday for Chapter 10. I had edited it, which apparently caused some sort of glitch on Fanfiction so I could see Chapter 10 posted, but you guys couldn't.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
They rented a small panel van and Quinn took the first shift of driving. Rachel couldn't believe how exhausted she still felt. She dozed during the next few hours, interspersing her sleep with long conversations about Quinn's home in Colorado and her bookshop.
Rachel learned that after retiring from the agency, Quinn had worked as a security guard for a fast-growing company. Her investment in the company's stock allowed her the financial freedom to work for herself. She'd developed a longtime love of books into a small business that was just starting to earn a profit.
The more she learned about Quinn, the more her admiration for the blonde grew. Quinn knew who she was and what she wanted out of life. She had a real home and a plan for her future. In comparison, Rachel's seemed really bleak. She'd never allowed herself to dream of any life beyond her obsessive need to see Finn Hudson punished.
Once she had accomplished that objective, she had no idea what she would be doing. The future loomed big and empty, all her insecurities threatening to rear their ugly heads. Despite her confidence in her ability to do her job, Rachel had little else to be confident about these days. She had no close friends, no relationship skills, and no long-term goals.
In other words, not much to offer anyone. That depressing thought had alarm bells ringing in her head. She was getting in way over her head with the renegade retiree. Quinn had never mentioned anything about permanency or long-term commitments. They had only known each other a few days, even though it seemed so much longer.
They stopped for dinner in Charleston, West Virginia, and then Rachel took the wheel so that Quinn could get some rest. The freeway driving was monotonous but uneventful, as they swapped places every couple of hours. The steady speed allowed them to make good time, and they reached Maryland a little before midnight. It took another hour to get to Leroy's cabin.
The natural wood, A-frame house nestled atop a small hill in a copse of evergreen trees. It sat about a hundred yards from the road and was surrounded by aesthetically appealing, high-security fencing. Lights blazed, illuminating the house from several directions.
Rachel's heart skipped a beat as they approached the iron entrance gates. The cabin had become her second home over the past few years, and the thrill of being close delighted her beyond words. She gave Quinn the code, and the heavy gates silently slid apart for them to pass.
As soon as they pulled to a stop near the house, the front door opened. Leroy stopped onto the porch, a tall distinguished man with thick, graying hair and a smile that lit his craggy, aristocratic features with happiness. Rachel threw open her door, hopping out of the van before Quinn turned off the engine.
In the next instant, she and Leroy had narrowed the distance between them, and she threw herself into his waiting arms. He hugged her fiercely, and she returned the embrace with all her strength. Her chest tightened, her throat constricting at the feel of his solid strength. She'd missed him terribly.
"Welcome home, baby," he whispered near her ear, tenderly rocking her back and forth.
"You can't imagine how great it is to be here!" she insisted, blinking back tears and fighting a landslide of emotion. It rolled over her with an intensity that had her trembling in his arms.
"It's been too long," he added gruffly, reassuring her. "It's okay now. You're home and you're safe. I can do all the worrying from here on out. You just relax."
"I'll be happy to," she said, easing a little space between them so she could study his familiar, ageless features. "I'm ready to be done with it."
Their quiet conversation was interrupted by Quinn's terse greeting to Leroy. "Berry."
Quinn's cold, hard tone had them slowly pulling apart and turning toward her. She stood in the shadows, but the bright porch light shone on her dark, angry expression. Her stance was combative, her hand folded around the Glock. Rachel was taken aback by the blonde's belligerent attitude. Quinn looked like a gunfighter itching for a fight.
"Quinn?" Her tone was questioning, but Quinn ignored her and continued to glare at Leroy.
"Fabray." Leroy returned the greeting. The arm around Rachel's waist tightened protectively.
"Rachel's too exposed out here." Quinn ground the words out roughly.
They continued to scowl at each other for a few seconds, and then Leroy agreed. "You're right." He nudged Rachel toward the doorway. "Let's get inside." To Rachel, he added, "Somebody else is a little anxious to see you."
Rachel shrieked with excitement. "Hiram's here?"
"Against my better judgment, but you know he never listens to anything I say."
They had barely stepped into the house and closed the door before Rachel was being wrapped tightly in another pair of arms. Rachel and Hiram shared cries of joy at seeing each other again. Leroy's husband added his enthusiastic welcome with hugs and kisses.
When they had quieted, Leroy made the introductions.
"Fabray, this is my husband Hiram," he said with an amused lift of his brow. "Hiram, this is Quinn Fabray. You've heard me mention her in the past. She used to be one of my agents, but I don't think the two of you ever met."
The short, bespectacled man freed one hand and reached it to Quinn. The blonde grasped it briefly and nodded in greeting.
"I'll never be able to thank you enough for bringing Barbra safely back to us," Hiram insisted.
The Berrys had always used her second name for security purposes. They had wanted her to retain part of her identity without putting her at risk, so she had been Barbra to them. Just another of her many names.
"She's the daughter of our hearts, and we've been worried sick about her for months," Hiram explained.
Quinn's thunderous expression lightened, and Rachel belatedly realized Quinn had been jealous of Leroy. Rachel's eyes widened at the blonde's misconception. Did Quinn think her that dense and insensitive?
Rachel frowned, flashing the other woman a chastising look.
Quinn returned her glance with an arrogant arch of a brow and without apology.
Leroy cleared his throat, and Hiram chuckled softly at the byplay. "Children," he scolded. "None of that egotistical posturing. We're all adults here."
Rachel just shook her head in disbelief. She actually felt flattered by Quinn's possessive attitude, and she would have never believed it possible. Maybe she was getting soft in the head.
Or the heart.
That errant thought made her frown. She'd never aspired to be softheaded or softhearted.
"How's your neck?" asked Leroy. "Let me see."
Rachel slid her hand up to touch the tiny row of stitches.
"What's wrong with your neck?" Hiram asked in alarm. "Did somebody try to strangle you?"
"No, no," Rachel insisted, glancing at Leroy for guidance. He gave her a subtle shake of his head. She didn't like lying to Hiram, so she kept her explanation to a minimum. "I got hurt and had to have a couple of stitches, but it's fine now."
Hiram frowned, glancing from one of them to the other. Noting their closed expressions, he made a clucking sound of disgust. "Okay, don't tell me. I'm sure it's classified. Just show me and let me decide if it's all right or not."
Rachel turned her back, lifted her hair, and tugged the Band-Aid off her neck. Hiram and Leroy both shifted closer, studying the sutures. Hiram ran a gentle finger near the slightly raised flesh. Then they both conceded that the wound was healing nicely.
"Does it still hurt?" asked Leroy.
"It never hurt very much, but it's starting to itch," Rachel said.
"That's just part of the healing process," chimed Hiram. "Did you need a tetanus shot? Your last one is probably outdated. Are you on antibiotics?"
"The doctor gave me a tetanus booster and a few days' worth of antibiotics," Rachel lied, intent on calming his concern. Hiram worried too much over the small things because he knew he had no control over the life-threatening ones.
"But it's never felt like it might be infected," she added. "It's really just a scratch."
Hiram cleared his throat. "Of course it is. Absolutely nothing to worry about. I promise I'm not going to waste time clucking over you like a mother hen." He quickly changed the subject. "Are you hungry? Leroy insists that I can only stay a couple of hours. Safety first and all that, but we have time to share a meal."
"Something smells delicious," said Rachel.
"Your favorite, of course." Hiram hugged her close again. They led the way down the hall to the kitchen with Leroy and Quinn following. "Pot roast with new potatoes and baby carrots. I even outdid myself with dessert. Chocolate cream pie with lots of whipped cream."
Rachel moaned in delight. "You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble, but I'm glad you did. My mouth's watering already!"
"Consider yourself lucky," Leroy teased. "My stomach's been growling loud enough for the neighbors to hear, but Hiram wouldn't give me a scrap of food until you got home."
"My poor darling," Hiram cooed, wrinkling his nose at his husband. "You do have it rough, don't you?"
Their good-natured teasing set the tone for the next hour. Everyone seemed determined to enjoy the meal without letting reality intrude. There was no mention of the ongoing case or anything serious until they had finished eating.
Over coffee, Leroy caught them up on the Hudson matter. The overwhelming evidence against the man prevented him from using his money or power to influence the courts. None of his wealthy associates was willing to risk supporting him at this point. He was still being held without bond, and his lawyer was starting to discuss the possibility of cutting a deal.
"The district attorney has assured me that the state won't accept a plea bargain. Not unless it's from Max Sullivan. If he wants to turn state's evidence against Hudson, then they might bargain for reduced sentences, but nobody is walking in this case."
"Is there any way Barbra can avoid testifying?" asked Hiram.
Leroy shook his head. "As the agent assigned to the case, her testimony is crucial," Leroy explained. "I wish we could get by with a formal deposition, but her eyewitness accounts need to be heard by the judge and jury. We probably have enough evidence to lock Hudson away for a few years, but her testimony can keep him behind bars with no chance of parole."
"Couldn't she do one of those video testimonies?" asked Hiram. "Aren't they sometimes used to protect an agent's identity or safety?"
"The judge might allow it," he replied, his tone noncommittal. "But it's not nearly as effective as putting her in the courtroom."
"There could be years of appeals," mentioned Quinn.
"I understood all that from the beginning," Rachel insisted, her tone firm. "I'm totally committed to seeing the process to the end, however long it takes. I will not let him win this battle."
Quiet settled over the room as they all accepted the reiteration of her decision. Then Quinn changed the subject. "What have you learned about Will? How long has he been dirty?"
Before Leroy could respond, Rachel added another question. "Was he the mole who kept sending my family's whereabouts to Finn?" She'd vowed to learn who was responsible for the breach in security that had compromised her family's location every few years.
"I don't see how Will could have had access to that kind of high-level information," said Quinn.
"He didn't," explained Leroy. "When we searched Will's apartment, we found a ledger that belonged to my predecessor, Shannon Beiste. Apparently, Shannon had been selling information to Hudson for years."
"Didn't Beiste die a few months after Maggie?" asked Quinn.
"Yeah, supposedly of natural causes, but we're checking into that a little closer now, too. From what we can determine, Will learned about Beiste's involvement through Maggie's death and started blackmailing her. When Beiste died, Will offered himself as Hudson's new mole."
"And now they're both gone." Rachel's comment brought silence to the room. The new information went a long way toward answering some unresolved issues regarding her family.
"I'm sure Hudson is actively recruiting new informants," said Leroy. "All we can hope for is to stay one step ahead of him."
"And we still don't know who actually killed my parents and brother," Rachel added.
Leroy nodded. "Beiste's records might give us another lead on that, too," he said. "There's a mention of a hired gun. We think it relates to an international hit man, but that's all we have to work with. No name or country of origin."
"So, he could be dead or alive?" she asked.
"Anything's possible, but that was a long time ago, and it's not a very safe profession. Chances are he's dead or serving time for another murder. Hudson isn't likely to cough up that kind of information, so we might never know for certain."
Rachel wished they could be sure. She desperately wanted to put all the questions, all the worrying and wondering behind her. She wanted to be able to remember her family without the pain, guilt, and heartache. Thinking about them led to another question.
"Did you get the video I asked you to keep for me? The personal one?" she asked.
Leroy smiled, his eyes lighting with pleasure. "It's in the living room. We noticed the date on the label, and I can see why it's so important to you."
She gave him a big smile. "Thanks a bunch."
To Quinn, she explained. "When I was searching through Finn's tapes, I found a series of videos from his annual staff parties. My parents, brother, and I are on one of them." She cleared the thickness from her voice, wondering if she'd ever be able to speak of them without getting weepy. She had lost everything in that fire, every personal item, photo, and small memento of their family life. "I couldn't risk watching it too much, so I hid it with the evidence tapes," she added.
Their gazes met and held. Quinn's reassuring expression eased the tightness in her chest. For so many years, Rachel had been unable to mention her family to anyone but Leroy and Hiram. Discussing them more openly now brought her an unexpected sense of comfort.
"You'll have to introduce me to them later," Quinn told her in quiet understanding.
Her sensitivity brought a lump to Rachel's throat. She dropped her gaze to her coffee cup and then took one last sip. Hiram had finished cleaning the kitchen while they talked. Leroy shifted back into his deputy director mode.
"Can you stay a while longer, Fabray? At least until I get Hiram back to the city?"
Quinn nodded, and Leroy continued. "I'll take the rented truck and follow him back to our apartment. My car's in the garage in case of emergency, along with the pickup truck, but you should be perfectly safe here. I've got several guards posted on the property. The fence is electrified, and the house is heavily armored. I can have more men and equipment brought out at the slightest hint of trouble."
"We'll be fine," said Rachel. "I know this place is a fortress. I helped plan the security, remember?"
Leroy chuckled, but Hiram added more instructions. "I want you to relax, get some rest, and remember to eat. You're a little too thin, and you've got dark circles under your eyes."
Rachel grinned. "I have a good start on a tan, though."
"You'll have to tell me all about your adventure when we can visit longer," he said. "I know Leroy's version is always heavily edited. It's nearly impossible to pry information out of him. He's the most close-mouthed man I've ever met."
Leroy rose from the table, interrupting before Hiram could get started on one of his favorite lectures. "Why don't the two of you get showered and settled a little before we leave," he suggested, deftly changing the subjects. "I'll show Fabray around the house and introduce her to the agents, and find her a change of clothes. You don't mind sharing with her, do you, Barbra?"
"Of course not," Rachel replied as she stood and stretched. She didn't have to be coaxed to shower and relax. She was feeling stuffed with Hiram's wonderful meal and getting tired again. After excusing herself, Rachel headed to her own room, stripped, and climbed in the shower. A fresh Band-Aid protected her stitches while she allowed the water to pelt her with cleansing strength.
By the time she was dressed again, Rachel felt squeaky clean for the first time in months. The soft, yellow cotton nightgown was nearly transparent, but comfortable. It fell to her knees and clung to her damp body. The matching robe buttoned up the front and wasn't much heavier, but she decided it added a respectable layer of clothing.
Within half an hour, she rejoined the others in the living room. Rachel gave goodbye hugs to Leroy and Hiram, saw them to the door, and then watched as they pulled out of the driveway.
"Wonder why Berry was in such a hurry to leave?" Quinn reset the security system and followed Rachel back to the living room. "I would have thought it'd be safer to wait until daylight."
Rachel shrugged. "He's pretty fanatic about not letting Hiram get involved in agency business. I'm guessing Hiram promised him he'd leave as soon as he knew I was okay."
Quinn hummed in understanding, then asked, "Has he ever used this place for a safe house before?"
"Never. He's always been adamant about security, but also about keeping this little family hideaway private. I'm sorry he's compromising the location now, but I'm sure glade to be here," she explained.
"They seem devoted to you," Quinn remarked.
Rachel smiled. "They're the best. I don't know what I would have done without them when my folks were killed. They could never legally adopt me since I'd been declared dead, so they had to create a whole new identity for me. They gave me their name along with their unconditional love and support."
"Not to mention risking his career if anyone learned what he'd done," Quinn added.
"That, too," Rachel agreed.
Quinn moved to the fireplace and leaned an arm across the mantel. "Have you spent a lot of time here with them?"
Rachel perched on the arm of the sofa, near her, yet not touching. "Leroy calls it our 'summer place,' but we sometimes spent the holidays here, too."
"They don't have any children of their own?" Quinn asked.
Rachel shook her head. "No, Hiram says they were always too wrapped up in their careers to take the time. He's a university professor, and they had decided against having children, until I got dumped on their doorstep. I was a confused, traumatized teenager, so it took more than the usual parenting skills to straighten me out. They're pretty special people."
"They obviously love you," Quinn replied softly.
Rachel nodded but wasn't sure she wanted to discuss that particular emotion. "I can't believe you were jealous," she dared to tease, grinning at the blonde. "Did you really think I would have one lover deliver me into the arms of another?"
Quinn held her gaze. "I wasn't thinking with my head," she admitted, giving Rachel a look so hot that it seared her.
Rachel wanted to know if Quinn had been thinking with her heart or her hormones, but she didn't have the courage to ask. Instead, she rose and moved closer to the blond. She had showered as well and dressed in a tank top and black sweatpants.
The shirt molded to Quinn's full chest and hugged her lean, ridged stomach. The pants hung low on her hips and tightened over her ass and strong thighs. Just the sight of her excited Rachel, making her body tingle with anticipation.
As she drew closer, Quinn's arm snaked out and wrapped around her waist, drawing the brunette against her. Rachel flattened her hands on Quinn's chest and then flexed her fingers, kneading her as a cat would do through the thin cloth.
"I'm starving for a kiss," Quinn drawled, her gaze meeting hers as her head slowly lowered. "Everybody's getting them except me." Her tongue flicked out, bathing Rachel's lips with warmth and eliciting mewing encouragement from Rachel.
"Poor girl," Rachel murmured, her breath mingling with the blonde's. She smelled of rich, dark coffee. "I'll have to see what I can do about that."
Next Quinn nibbled at the corner of her mouth, and Rachel slid her arms around her waist, rocking closer. Then Quinn's tongue bridged the barrier of Rachel's teeth. She moaned, leaning into the blonde's strength as her tongue slid against the hot length of Quinn's.
Quinn plundered her mouth, making her weak with need. She felt the evidence of Quinn's arousal against her chest and pressed harder against her. Quinn made a husky noise of approval, so Rachel continued to rub against her with rhythmic, coaxing pressure.
Quinn raked her hands through the brunette's hair, clutching her head and tilting her mouth to fit more tightly against her own. Then she kissed Rachel with steadily escalating passion. Deep, wet, drugging kisses that made Rachel's bones melt and her body turn liquid with desire. Primitive hunger erupted between them, so hot and fierce that they had to break apart to level some control.
"Damn, all I have to do is kiss you, and I start spiraling out of control," Quinn grumbled against her mouth, her breathing coming in harsh pants.
"No complaints from me," Rachel whispered, licking the blonde's lips with the tip of her tongue.
Quinn closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Rachel's. "I want to take my time with you tonight."
"I thought we did that last night," Rachel replied sensually.
"No," Quinn argued. "You had your way with me last night with that massage. Tonight, I plan to have my way with you."
"Mmm…sounds fascinating," she said, bringing her hands up to cup the blonde's face. "So long as I get to return the favor." Their gazes locked, and Rachel thrilled at the desire swirling in her hazel eyes. "Besides, couldn't we do both?"
"Both what?" Quinn seemed momentarily distracted by the curve of Rachel's cheek, planting a row of kisses along her jaw until Rachel captured her wandering lips with her own. She couldn't get enough of the blonde. Rachel had thought that the need would abate once they had become lovers, but it just kept sharpening.
"Couldn't we have it both ways?" Rachel murmured against her mouth as her hand snaked lower to cup the blonde's heat through the sweatpants. "Hard and fast, then slow and easy?"
Her bold query had Quinn groaning and clutching her tighter. "Careful, beautiful, or you'll throw a monkey wrench into my well thought-out plans," she accused.
Rachel reached her nimble fingers under the waistband of Quinn's pants and stroked her lightly through her wet folds and continued to kiss her until they were both breathing faster. Quinn's hands convulsively stroked her back, and then slid to her hips. Quinn grasped her ass, gathering handfuls of the brunette's gown and pulling her closer.
When their mouths drew apart to gasp for air, Quinn speared her with a dark, turbulent gaze. "Are you wearing anything under this gown?"
"Not a thing," Rachel confessed, pulling her hand out of Quinn's pants and keeping her gazed locked with the blonde's as she brought her fingers to her lips and tasted her for the first time.
Quinn let out a guttural moan and slid her hands to Rachel's thighs, lifting her. Rachel wrapped her legs around her waist, straining for closer contact with any part of Quinn.
"Easy." Quinn's command was rough with desire. She rocked her hips against the cradle of Rachel's body, and then swallowed her moan of pleasure.
Rachel gasped at the exquisite pleasure of being so close to her, her strength and heat. She took the blonde's tongue deeply into her mouth and continued to rub herself against her. Quinn was carrying her to her room, but she didn't want to wait. Rachel wanted her right now.
"Hard and fast," she said on her next gasp of air.
"Slow and easy," Quinn countered. Her mouth found the pulse at Rachel's neck. She sucked deeply, making Rachel's blood run even hotter.
"I can't stand it," Rachel whimpered, arching her head back as Quinn's kisses poured over her neck and chest.
Quinn didn't respond. Her mouth was too busy burrowing under the neckline of the brunette's robe and gown, sucking every bit of skin she found there. Rachel brought one hand to her robe and started unfastening buttons. She wanted Quinn's mouth on her breasts.
"Stop," Quinn insisted huskily. They'd made it to her room where she'd left the bedside lamp burning. Quinn kicked the door shut and then slowly lowered her to the bed.
Rachel tried to pull the blonde over her, but she resisted.
"I'll take care of these," Quinn said, reaching for the tiny pearl buttons. Then, one by one, she slid them out of the holes.
Rachel decided that there was no sense trying to hurry her. She went still except for the heaving of her chest and watched, fascinated, as Quinn slowly undid her robe. She pushed the sides open and then watched as Rachel's breasts swelled against the thin fabric of the gown.
Rachel's breathing grew more ragged as Quinn's eyes dilated with hot desire. Her nipples tightened wantonly, and a low groan rumbled from Quinn's chest. The blonde reached out to cup both breasts in her hands, using her thumbs to stimulate them even more. Rachel cried out as tension coiled from her breasts to her womb.
When Quinn leaned down to take a nipple into her mouth, Rachel arched against her in demand. Quinn's caress dampened the thin fabric and heightened Rachel's pleasure. Then the blonde grew impatient with the barrier and slowly stripped off her robe and gown. Quinn's eyes gleamed with satisfaction when Rachel lie naked before her. The brush of her intense, hazel gaze over her body made Rachel's flesh tingle and her pulse race even more.
Rachel reached out and beckoned the blonde back into her arms. Quinn leaned over her but wouldn't be hurried. Taking one nipple into her mouth, Quinn lapped it with her tongue while fondling the other breast with her palm.
Rachel sunk her fingers into the thickness of Quinn's hair and held her close as pleasure coursed through her body. Impatient as always, Rachel began to writhe against her and coax her with hungry little sounds that expressed her growing need.
"Slow and easy," Quinn mumbled again, sliding down her body to press wet kisses across her ribs and then her stomach.
Rachel clung to her hair, her body growing increasingly tense as Quinn's caresses dipped lower. Then she was sliding back over her and taking her mouth with a new surge of passion. Rachel held her face in her hands while they shared more long, breathless kisses.
When they broke apart, Quinn started trailing more wet kisses down her body again, this time not stopping at the brunette's stomach. She kissed, sucked, and nibbled Rachel's inner thighs, making her quiver with need. When she felt the blonde stop and move to the apex of her thighs, she gasped and stiffened. Quinn drew back slightly and gazed into her eyes.
"Let me love you," she begged huskily.
Rachel could barely nod, but when Quinn's tongue probed her lips and slowly licked her clit, she felt the caress from head to toe. She began to tremble.
"Quinn!" Her cry was an urgent please of surprised need. Her tongue was hot, probing sensitive flesh no one had ever touched.
"Feel good?" Quinn whispered against her overheated core, looking up at the brunette and locking gazes with her, demanding a response.
Feeling raw and exposed, Rachel closed her eyes to keep Quinn from seeing the vulnerability, but she nodded.
Then Quinn's mouth fell to her core again, this time sucking and kissing her most intimate flesh, and her right hand reached up to toy with Rachel's breast. The combined caresses had Rachel quivering so badly that she craved release. When Quinn's loving pushed her higher, Rachel reached out frantically to strip off the blonde's shirt. Rachel wanted her as naked and needy as she.
A/N: I have been told this ending was cruel [insert maniacal laugh] ;) See you all next time!