Thank you for the warm comments, here another chapter and hope you're still interested in it.

PART 21

"Quinn?" She wakes up to an empty side of the bed and a cold spot beside her. She must have gotten up for more time than she really has realized. Rachel throws the girl's fluffy robe on and pads to the living room, sure to find the object of her affection there.

She is right. Quinn is sitting in the middle of the couch, head thrown back to stare up at the ceiling with one arm stretched at her side and the other holding a glass in her lap.

"Quinn…" Rachel says it again not to startle and Quin doesn't make a move. She keeps staring up at the ceiling, at the unmoving fan while her arm bends to bring the glass to her lips. She takes short sips, just to let the whiskey brush over her lips like a feather. Like a paintbrush that Rachel is envying, though.

"You okay?" Quinn tilts her head to stare at her. She is concerned and Rachel can't tell if it's just about her or there is more.

"I should be asking you that." Rachel crosses the remaining space and perches herself over her lap, settling in a familiar pose. "How long have you been sitting here?"

"A couple of hours." Quinn brings the glass to her lips for another sip but Rachel takes it away and places it beside them, on the table by the end of the couch.

"That won't help." Rachel leans down to kiss the whiskey off her bottom lip. What's meant to be a gentle kiss becomes a little deeper when Quinn's arms circle her back to pull her closer.

"But you do." Quinn whispers against her lips. She surges forward again, tasting the fading peppermint on Rachel's mouth. The mouthwash lingers behind and she likes it how it mixes with the taste in her mouth.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Rachel's fingers brush the sides of her neck. She traces the skin where the gold chain used to hang from. She caresses down to her sternum and presses her palms against her heart.

"You had a long day." Quinn looks dowm at her hands braced against her chest.

"So did you." Rachel shakes her head and grabs her by the front of her t-shirt to tug her forward and kiss her again. "Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?" Quinn's hands slip under the open hems of her robe to caress the back of her thighs.

"Choosing this over your own family." Rachel's fingers play with the ends of her hair. She fingers the golden hair and looks away from Quinn's eyes, uncertain of what she will read.

"The only thing I regret is not doing it time ago." Quinn nudges her nose along her cheek. "I should have been braver and we would have never broken up."

"As long as you came back to me." Rachel turns her head to meet her lips for a soft kiss.

"I…" Quinn takes in a deep breath. "I really love you so much, do you know that?"

"I know." Rachel nods and tugs at her bottom lip with her thumb. She tugs it again and then leans down to cover it with her own lips, nibbling on it. She nibbles and sucks until Quinn winces and digs her nails into thighs, holding onto her.

"Rach…" Quinn is out of breath and Rachel is proud. She can turn her into a quivering mess with a single kiss. She is proud of the power Quinn lets her have, knowing it is mutual. It is the same way she feels when Quinn is in control.

"Yes?" Rachel soothes her swollen lip with the tip of her tongue. She dips it in the tender skin, savouring the taste of alcohol still there.

"You'd tell me, if you ever found someone else?" Quinn grips her a little tighter and Rachel melts. She melts when she reads the vulnerability in her hazel eyes. She melts when Quinn holds onto her for dear life.

"I would never go behind your back and lie to you." Rachel nods and pushes their foreheads together. "But there won't be anyone else for me. It's you."

"Still, life is unpredictable." Quinn sighs and pushes back, but she has a safe grip around the petite brunette in her lap. "I don't want us to become strangers like my parents."

"We won't." Rachel reassures her and Quinn relaxes under her. "I know I'll be coming home to you in five or ten or thirty years and feel as in love as I do now."

"What about fifty years?" Quinn whispers with a watery smile.

"Time won't change the way I feel for you, maybe it will just make it stronger." Rachel kisses her lips tenderly. "In sixty years, we'll be sitting with our grandchildren and we will tell them how we fell in love in front of a stolen cheesecake."

"I bought it." Quinn chuckles and pecks her lips back. "I got a receipt for it."

"Why would you keep it after all this time?" She rolls eyes at her.

"So you can stop doubting me, woman." She leans forward to grab her phone but Rachel pushes her back against the back of the couch and kisses her protests away.

She will be able to sleep even without figuring the cheesecake dilemma out.

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"Are you nervous?" Quinn reaches for her hand and laces their fingers together, in her lap. She squeezes the woman's wrist and then brushes her thumb over the back of her knuckles.

"Kind of." Rachel looks at the blonde sitting beside her. She can feel the limo moving closer and closer to their destination. She can feel her anxiety levels hit the roof.

"We don't have to go ahead with it, babe." Quinn uses her free hand to tuck her chestnut locks behind her ear. "We can just act like friends."

"No, I want to do this." Rachel leans in her touch and squeezes her fingers around Quinn's ones. She leans in to brush a tender kiss over her lips, not worried about the limo driver hidden behind the dark glass. It is just the two of them. It is the last moment they have to themselves, without the world getting a say in it.

"I will be there by your side." Quinn's fingers brush behind her ear, caressing the skin with the pad of her thumb. It is such a tender caress that Rachel feels like everything is slowing down around them. She feels like they are at peace.

"So I will." She leans for one more kiss when the limo comes to a stop, breaking their moment. It is the moment they need to pull apart, only to face the world together.

"I'll be right behind you." Quinn whispers with one last peck on her lips and an encouraging smile that gives Rachel all the reassurance she needs. She knows Quinn will be there. They have planned this and it is happening on their terms. It's their story after all.

"Miss Berry." The driver holds his hand out for her to take and she smiles at him, when she steps on the red carpet and the flashes go off. It is so bright that she should have put her sunglasses on.

"Rachel Berry, ladies and gentlemen." Kurt Hummel steps out in front of her, in his perfect tailored white suite and a smile that is too perfect to be genuine.

She has read all the things he has written about her and, multiple times, she has been left wondering if the bitterness had anything to do with their shared high school experience or with the way she has broken his step-brother's heart. He had to take Finn's side.

"Kurt, what a surprise." Two can play this game. She kisses the air in lieu of his cheeks and plasters a perfect smile on her face.

"I would never miss this. It's the event of the month." Kurt says excitedly and looks at her. "What can you tell us about your dress, for this fine evening?"

"It's a De La Renta." She lifts the edges of the blue gown to show off her matching heels. "With Manolo, of course."

"Of course." He chuckles when they step further on the red carpet to take the interview. "What can you tell us about the show? Or your character? You and Mr. Weston get steamy?"

"My lips are sealed, but you can watch and see it yourself." Rachel laughs with grace and looks back at her driver. It is an imperceptible nod but he gets it.

"What about your private life, then? Since you and Brody broke up, we have been wondering who is keeping you warm at night. It's been a cold winter, don't you think?" He smirks when she blushes.

"Well, I am not really one that usually kisses and tells, Kurt." Rachel tucks some of her hair back. "But since you asked so nicely…" She turns around and looks back at the open door of the limo car. It feels like an hour, but it's only mere seconds when Quinn steps out of the car in her own tailor made gown.

"Is that Quinn Fabray?" Kurt has to gulp and blink his eyes a couple of times, to make sure he is not really imagining things.

"Mr. Hummel, what a pleasure to see you this fine evening." Quinn walks up, mindful not to step onto Rachel's gown with her own heels.

"You…" Kurt takes another moment to put himself together. He straightens his pose and holds the microphone in front of Rachel's face, while flashes go off around them. The obvious proximity has stolen the show. "You're together?"

"Quinn is my guest." Rachel smiles at the blonde, who reciprocates it. "She is here to support me and the show." She reaches behind her back with her hand and she is relieved when Quinn's fingers slip through hers with ease and without uncertainty.

"Like any other partner would do." Quinn leans down to drop a kiss against the side of her temple and Rachel feels a weight being lifted off her shoulders.

"You're dating. Since when?" Kurt is shocked and so is the rest of the audience standing there. From the photographers to the fans to the rest of the cast and crew. No one really expected it.

"We would rather not answer that." Rachel looks up at Quinn for confirmation. "Now, if you don't mind I would like to sign some autographs and take pics with the fans, before the show begins."

"Of course." Kurt nods and lets them walk past him, still hand in hand.

"Enjoy the show, Mr. Hummel." Rachel sends him one last smile and walks down the red carpet, with Quinn trailing beside her. They're simply holding hands, but it is all Rachel needs to send the message through.

"Rachel! Rachel, here!" Voices ask for her from left and right. She drops their hands to pose for a few pictures, while Quinn takes a step back and lets her have her own moment. She is the star of the show, after all.

"Miss Berry! Miss Berry!" Someone is shouting in the crowd, but she can't seem to find the source of it.

"Over there." Quinn steps up, a hand against the small of her back and the other pointing to a group of fans by the door, with their phones out.

"Come with me." Rachel grabs onto her hand and tugs her along, so they're both heading that way. "What's your name dear?" Rachel turns towards the youngest fan.

"Elizabeth, Miss Berry." She is a small girl, not really older than 12 or 13. "Would you sign this for me?"

"Of course. Should I sign it under your name?" Rachel bends forward to take the offered pen.

"To Beth, please." The blonde girl smiles shyly and looks away when Rachel writes her name under it. She can't look her in the eyes.

"Do you want a picture with Rachel?" Quinn is the one to step up, this time.

"May I?" Beth's eyes fill with joy and she looks up at her Mother.

"Of course honey. C'mon…" Rachel lifts the velvet rope to let her slip from under it, so she can step on the red carpet beside her.

"Give me a moment." Quinn takes the Mother's phone and steps back, to have a better angle. "Say Broadway!" She grins when they do and a smile is blossoming on both their faces. "All done." She hands the phone back.

"Thank you." Beth hugs Rachel around the waist and the brunette simply holds her. She holds her a little closer and looks at Quinn, with a longing glare.

"I should go." Rachel pulls away from her embrace and helps the blonde girl go back to her Mother.

"Miss Berry?" She beckons her closer. Once Rachel is at her mouth level, she cups her hands over her ear. "Is she your girlfriend?" She asks shyly.

"She is." Rachel looks over at Quinn. "She is pretty isn't she?"

"You both are." Beth looks over at the older blonde woman standing there.

"Thank you honey." Rachel smiles.

"You should marry her." She looks up at her Mother, for approval, but the woman simply grinned with a blush

"You know what? I think I will, very soon." Rachel winks at her and then looks at Quinn, who is obviously confused but doesn't let it show.

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"What was that about?" Quinn waits by the entrance for her and they enter the theater together, still hand in hand.

"What are you talking about?" Rachel smiles at some of the paparazzi taking shots of them, as they advance towards the main hall where food and drinks are being served.

"With your little fan. She told you something about me, obviously." Quinn chuckles when she bumps her hip against the brunette. "I know when people talk about me."

"Modest much, Fabray?" Rachel smirks up at her.

"Pot and kettle, honey." Quinn smirks down at her and nods towards the bar. "What can I get you?"

"Manhattan, please." Rachel lets her fingers slip from Quinn's and watches her head towards the bar, to get their drinks.

"You should've told me you know?" Brody's voice startles her out of her thoughts.

Rachel spins on her heels to face him, only to find him closer than she has thought. His arm falls around her waist to keep her upright, while the other keeps his glass away from causing any damage on her perfect gown.

"Brody…" Rachel exhales when she doesn't end up on her butt, in front of everyone. It would have surely made the headlines, spiking an interest as big as her relationship with Quinn.

"I knew there was something but I didn't think it was that ." He looks over the blonde, who is placing orders by the bar. "It's always been her."

"Always." Rachel throws a glance over her shoulder and stares after her with adoration. She just loves her so much.

"It is mutual, isn't it?" He drops his arm and takes a sip from his drink.

"Oh, yes." She blushes knowingly when his smile turns in a smirk. "Where is your girlfriend?"

"What girlfriend?" He shrugs and looks around. The perks of being a single good looking actor are bigger these days. It also helps how the show premiering is the one he plays a role in.

"I thought you and that girl from New Year's Eve were a thing?" Rachel furrows her brows.

"It was a one night thing that became public." He downs his drink. "It was never supposed to come out, but someone sold me out."

"Rach?" Quinn shows up with her Manhattan in one hand and her glass of wine in the other. "Mr. Weston, I am looking forward to see you on screen." She wears a genuine smile. There is no animosity left.

"Miss Fabray, what a surprising turn of the events." Brody chuckles and sits his empty glass down. "You look well."

"You too." Quinn steps closer to the brunette woman and brushes the back of her fingers against Rachel's, until their fingers loosely lock at their sides. "Should we go find our seats?"

"Yes, we definitely should." Rachel intertwines their fingers. "Brody, you'll sit with us?"

"I will join you in a bit." Brody eyes the bar to get a refill to nurse during the premiere.

"We'll see you there." Rachel tugs Quinn by her hand and smiles at some of the producers they cross path with. With her head high and with Quinn by her side, she walks to their reserved seats.

"So, you're not going to give me any hint?" Quinn takes her seat beside her and drops her arm on the armrest between them, palm turned upwards.

"My lips are sealed." Rachel pretends to zip them up and to throw the key away.

"You're no fun. I really need to wait like everyone else, even if I am dating one of the leads?" Quinn scoffs. "Maybe I could try with Brody." She searches for the guy, but Rachel's hand cups her face to pull her down for a soft and short peck.

"If you behave, I'll give you a hint when we go home." She whispers against Quinn's lips. She leans in for another soft kiss when the lights go out, giving them enough privacy to share a longer kiss.

"Deal." Quinn smirks and settles in her seat once the wide screen turns on. She relaxes and keeps staring ahead, when Rachel's hand laces through hers.

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"So, what did you think?" Rachel lets Quinn in her apartment and locks the door behind them.

"What about?" Quinn takes her coat off and balances herself on each foot, to slip the heels off and to place them by the door.

"The pilot and everything else." Rachel does the same and lifts her hair up in a messy bun. "How do you think it went?"

"Well, I am expecting to read anything and everything about us." Quinn sighs and leans against the back of the armchair to stare at the brunette wandering to the kitchen area. "Some things will be good but I can imagine how they'll also tear us to pieces."

"Do you think we rushed it?" She makes a pot and grabs two mugs from the cupboard. "Raspberry is good for you?"

"Whatever you're having." Quinn walks up to her and leans against the counter to watch her. "I think there is not a right moment to do this, as long as we are ready to come out."

"I know…" Rachel nods softly. "I think Cassie will want to release a statement tomorrow."

"You should totally do it." Quinn walks around the counter to stand behind the brunette. With her hands on her hips, she nuzzles the back of her neck slowly. "You're okay?"

"I will miss the privacy we had until now." Rachel tilts her head to let Quinn nuzzle the side of her face. "They'll follow us everywhere for a while."

"We'll deal with it, babe." She peppers her kisses along her neck and pulls her back into her front. "You know, I didn't realize what a good actress you are until tonight."

"Really?" She switches the stove off and turns around in her arms to face her.

"You've been great on a stage and I always loved your singing the most." Quinn's hands trail down her exposed back. "But seeing you playing such a complex character. I am so hooked."

"And it has nothing to do with my sex scene huh?" Rachel smirks and pulls her down for a kiss.

"Well, I gotta say that the scene kept me on the edge of my seat but, also, a part of me was sort of jealous." Quinn pushes her forehead against Rachel's after the first kiss. "I have to learn how to share you with a bigger audience."

"Well, they may take a look but I am coming home to you and only you." Rachel leads Quinn's hands to the zip of her dress and nudges her.

"Good." Quinn takes the hint and lets Rachel's dress pool at their feet, on the kitchen floor. "I think we should have that cup later, don't you think?"

"What do you have in mind, Miss Fabray?" She smirks when Quinn's dress joins hers and they're standing in their underwear, in front of each other.

"Well…" Quinn's hands drop to the back of her thighs and she lifts her with ease. She sits her on the counter and then pulls her in her arms, until Rachel's legs circle her waist with familiarity.

"Oh…" Rachel grins between the giggles. Her mouth lowers against Quinn's, catching her lips for a series of slow pecks that just slow down the blonde on her way to the bedroom area.

"Mmm…" Quinn pins her against the nearest wall and pushes her mouth more insistently against Rachel's, who tightens her grip around her.

"How do you feel so good?" Rachel says between the hard kisses.

"Tell me about it." Quinn breathes hard and starts walking again, until they burst through the bedroom's door and she drops Rachel in the middle of the bed.

"Come here." Rachel tugs her down and, as soon as Quinn is lying there against her, she rolls them over to claim her spot on top.

"I loved your tv show." Quinn looks up into her eyes and caresses her hair back, behind her ears. "I am not just saying it because we're dating."

"I know." Rachel smiles knowingly. "I could tell by the way you didn't miss a second of it." She chuckles.

"Of course. I am also so proud of you." Quinn leans in for a tender peck. "I bet you'll get renewed for another season and who knows, maybe it will be like Grey's. It's still going after all these years."

"I hope it will last less or I won't be able to do much else for my EGOT." She chuckles. "I want to make an album next."

"With your own songs? You have something ready?" Quinn's hands stroke along her back.

"Just a couple of songs, but nothing else." Rachel leans down to kiss her.

"It'll come to you, I'm sure of it." Quinn brushes her fingers behind her ears. She caresses her face with her fingertips slowly.

"Well, as long as I've got my muse." Rachel covers her body with hers and crushes their mouths together.

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Reaching out for the vibrating phone on the night stand turns out to be quite complicated when someone is wrapped around you, in a tight grip. Rachel looks over her shoulder to see Quinn sleeping quietly behind her.

With her hair tousled and spread on the pillow, she looks so peaceful that Rachel has no heart to wake her up.

She simply ignores her phone and turns around in her arms, so she can take a better look at the woman lying beside her. At the woman that has stolen her heart in such a way that she used to dream of, when she was a kid and she dreamed of an epic romance.

"What's that noise?" Quinn mumbles softly and nuzzles her face into the pillow, stifling a yawn against it.

"My phone." Rachel reaches out with her forefinger and tucks a loose lock behind her ear, so she can lean in to kiss the skin between her brows. "Slept well?" She whispers against the woman's forehead.

"Yeah." Quinn's hand reaches across the mattress and over the woman's hip, under the blanket, to tug her closer so their fronts are pressed up together, again. "You?"

"Always, when you're here." Rachel grins when Quinn rolls her eyes at her. She leans down to brush her nose along her cheek and down to kiss the corner of her lips.

"Smooth talker." Quinn tilts her head to catch her lips for the very first kiss of the day. They keep it superficial and slow, without any rush to get more out of it.

"Just being honest." The brunette leaves her with another kiss and then rolls away from her embrace, to reach for her moving phone.

"Your phone must be on fire." Quinn follows after her and looks over shoulder, as the brunette is scrolling through the missed calls and the texts.

"Kind of." Rachel sits up and takes the blanket with her, wrapping herself around it. "I should call Cassie." She looks at the blonde bedmate.

"I'll leave you to it and go make some coffee." Quinn leans over to kiss her cheek and then slips out of bed, throwing a pair of boxer briefs and a t-shirt on.

"I'll join you soon." She follows her silhouette out of the room and settles against the headboard, dialing the familiar number.

'About time you stopped rolling in bed with your girlfriend and called me, Berry.' Cassie is blunt and Rachel doesn't even take it personally.

"We just woke up, Cassie." Rachel rolls her eyes at her own manager. "How bad is it?"

'Well, it is actually better than I imagined but there are speculations, you know?' She says with a chuckle. 'We've got a few requests to have you two release a joint interview. Would your girlfriend like that?'

"I'll have to check with Quinn. So, nothing dirty came out yet?" Rachel brings her knees to her chest and leans against them.

'Well, is there something I should know in advance? Any teen pregnancy or rebellious misconduct?' Cassie chuckles again.

"Nothing. But I don't think we should reveal how we got together or when. The timeline doesn't add up to my relationship with Brody." Rachel sighs and drops her head against the wall behind her. "We got to know each other around springtime and then she came back in October."

'You've been seeing each other since last Spring? I thought she was engaged to that blonde bimbo? The one who looks like her lost twin.' Cassie sighs on her phone.

"We had something going on for a couple of months and then she left for her Father's campaign. I didn't even know who she was until you sent me to that charity event." Rachel runs her fingers through her hair. Those moments feel so far away, yet they still leave a bitter taste in her mouth.

'Speaking of the Devil, what are they going to say about this? Should we be aware of any target sign on our backs?'

"Quinn handled it. Her parents won't be a problem really." Rachel looks towards the doorway, when she hears the sound of a pan dropping.

'Good. You need a story, Berry. You need a damn good story that makes sense and doesn't add up to the shit bullets we need to dodge.' Cassie nods in the phone. 'Work it out with your girl and then call me back. We need a statement within the next three hours.' With that said, she hangs up.

Rachel drops her phone aside and lets her head back, closing her eyes for a moment. She takes in a deep breath, keeping her curiosity at bay for a bit more. Reading the articles about them can wait.

"Is everything alright?" Quinn's voice pulls her out of her thoughts. Rachel looks at her and her mind feels less foggy. She feels less confused.

"We need a story." Rachel sits up on her knees, the blanket still wrapped around her body. "A background story about where and when we met."

"So, we can't tell them you took me home the first night you met me?" Quinn walks to her with a mug of fresh coffee in one hand. "Or that you seduced me after tempting me with a delicious cheesecake?"

"I didn't seduce you." Rachel takes the mug and takes a long sip. Quinn's skills with her coffee machine have definitely improved.

"You invited me back here to eat 'it' together." Quinn uses her forefingers to mimic the imaginary quotation marks.

"Shut up." Rachel says over the rim of the mug.

"How do you want to do it? Maybe we could be friends turning into something more?" Quinn perches herself on the edge of the mattress. "Officially, we met through the charity event at the Foundation."

"Yes. I think that's a good idea…" She sits her mug down and leans back. "We started a tentative friendship despite our differences over your Father's political views."

"When did it become more?" Quinn reaches for her hand and brushes her thumb over the back of her knuckles.

"I leaned on you after my break-up with Brody and then we started dating." She nods between them.

"It totally makes sense." Quinn brings her knuckles to her lips and kisses them. "Let's stick to this."

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