Chapter 8: First Sign of the Apocalypse
A/N: Thanks for the follows, favourites, and reviews. I think I got the response I was looking for and yes Santana and Rachel have been getting a little bit friendlier but know that there's a reason and it helps Rachel get further with Quinn. Or Quinn with Rachel, however you like to see it. I have a reason for any particular way one character acts synonymously with another, and that includes Santana's relationship with Quinn. They haven't had many interactions with each other, so that's why I've chosen Rachel's house as a main "first" confrontation. As for the pat on the wrist for Santana, don't make assumptions. I can't fit much in a 20-page chapter believe it or not. Santana's karma will come back. Rachel just hasn't had much bad to balance out the good. As for Quinn, I believe that Rachel sees her as the figurehead much like a president or such, and she puts most of the blame and torment on her whereas Quinn had never done it herself. I'm glad you guys like the story. I don't know how I feel about this chapter. Almost always unedited and unbeta-ed so enjoy!
Rachel struggled to open her eyes, but she opened them anyways. She looked to her left then to her right. Both girls were awake and Rachel was snuggled up beside Quinn. Santana looked like she had been pouting and griping so Rachel switched sides. Then, it was Quinn who was huffing. Rachel decided to be Switzerland and leave both girls. "I'm going to make breakfast for you guys." Rachel smiled.
"I heard that you almost burned your house down with your cooking." Quinn pursed her lips with an arched eyebrow.
Rachel stopped her movement and turned to her, her smile gone. "I, well, my cooking is unique and sometimes accidents do happen, but-"
"Calm down, Rachel, I was kidding." Quinn laughed and Rachel face flushed pink, excusing herself to the kitchen.
Santana looked over at Quinn, catching her gaze. "Maybe I need to give you the rundown on this whole situation, but you and me. We're done. No longer friends until you can prove to me that you're on Rachel's side."
Quinn scoffed. "Me? I know you're definitely on Rachel's side. When is your wedding date, huh?" Quinn retorted.
"I'm not interested in Rachel that way." Santana dismissed.
Quinn laughed. "No? You were basically dry humping her last night, been following her around like a lovesick puppy, and you've spent more time with her than Brittany! Tell me that you don't love her." Quinn accused.
"I do love her. That's why I do all of those things. But not in that kind of way. Brittany's the only one for me." Santana sighed and Quinn urged her to keep talking. "I feel guilty. It weighs me down and helping Rachel and making sure Rachel knows that her friend is always around helps me, and I know that sounds selfish, but I can just take one look at her and it kills me. I never knew how great she was and look how much pain I've put her through! I've just reached the point to where I can hug her without her fucking flinching!" Santana sobbed as cries shook through her body.
Quinn rubbed Santana's back soothingly. "So you don't like her like that?"
"No, I fucking don't. Whenever I get around her, I don't know what to say because I always feel that way. She keeps saying that she forgives me, but how can she forgive me when I can't even forgive myself? At first, I'll admit that the more I hung out with her, I developed a little crush, but that ended as soon as she said she was in love with y-" Santana paused. "Your everyday fucking Spider-man, but I can't hang around her without feeling like I'm a goddamn wild, mangy person who fucked her life up."
Quinn nodded her head in sympathy. "I feel bad about that too. If you didn't deliver the blows, then I made someone else do it. If she forgave you, then that's that. Rachel forgave me last night, so I'm actually relieved and-"
"Wait, she forgave you? Oh come on, you were so much worse than me! What'd you do to make her forgive you so easily?" Santana sneered.
The blonde cheerleader furrowed her eyebrows. "What exactly is that suppose to mean?"
"You're the one that's bullied her the most!" Santana spat. "I'm not exactly a saint either, but it's not like I had a choice. You would order those snob bitches to take whatever you had against Tiny out on the poor girl if you just wanted to or you were bored."
Quinn's eyes started to water and a faint vein on her neck rooted down to the base of her neck making an appearance. "You know that's not true!" She argued.
Rachel slowly entered the room and looked at both of the fuming girls cautiously. "Perhaps it would be best to continue this conversation with me being present and also because I don't want either of you breaking anything." Rachel reasoned, eyeing Santana's hand that grew dangerously close to an antique glass vase. "Come, breakfast is ready." She quietly returned to the kitchen, causing both of the girls to sag their shoulders in remorse.
Three plates were placed at the island counter as Santana and Quinn mounted the bar stools. "Bacon? I thought you were a vegan, Rachel?" Quinn curiously noted and Rachel stopped her movements at Quinn calling her by her actually name before returning to her kitchen duties.
"I am, but Daddy isn't." Rachel mused. "He has a few treats around here for himself. Dad is a vegetarian since he enjoys milk and cheese and the such very much." The diva brought over two coffee mugs, and started to load both of the cheerleaders' plates with sausage, bacon, eggs, and biscuits.
Quinn and Santana both tried to hold their smiles at bay, but they both ended up breaking into grins. "What are you going to eat then, Tiny?"
Rachel smiled brightly and shrugged. "I might just some vegan pancakes. Admittedly, I've had regular pancakes before and they don't taste nearly as good as each other, but I still enjoy them."
Quinn dug into her food as Santana followed in suit, but became distracted. "So...how much did you hear in there?" Santana winced as she asked.
"Not much. Everything, really." Rachel replied nonchalantly. "It's quite rude to talk about me while I'm making you both breakfast." Both Quinn and Santana started to open their mouths, but Rachel raised her hand. "I'm not finished. While I have forgiven you both for your transgressions as it is in my nature, but however, I am still highly anxious whenever I see you both. Everyday I wake up thinking that Santana will resort back to her old ways. I worry about you both. I want to be you guys' friend, but I'm very afraid." Rachel ended, wringing her hands.
Santana frowned. "You know I won't do that. I actually kind of like you, Berry." Quinn scoffed to herself. "Okay, what the fuck is your problem, Q? Do you want me to go all Lima Heights on you?" Santana yelled.
As the two bickered, Rachel smiled in despite of the tense moment. She was about to mention that Santana lived nowhere near Lima Heights Adjacent, but thought it wasn't her place. "Guys, stop. Fighting will get us nowhere."
"But she started it!" Quinn pouted.
"Bitch I will slap the shit out of you!"
Rachel shook her head. "Children, stop fighting! I will not tolerate violence in my home and I will kick you both out if this continues." Rachel shouted, stomping her foot for dramatic effect.
Both Quinn and Santana looked to each other and started to throw a laughing fit. Rachel folded her arms across her arms and huffed. "Stop laughing at me!" She pouted.
Santana wiped under her eye to dry a tear. "I-I just. My god, Rachel." Santana tried to speak but it was replaced with a new air of laughs. Quinn didn't even attempt and continued to giggle. Rachel blushed and tried to not smile at how cute Quinn looked in this moment. Her budding...friendship with Quinn would never last if Quinn ever found out that Rachel liked her. Rachel growled to herself. She would have to give Santana a piece of her mind later after Quinn leaves. She almost told about Quinn Rachel's puppy love for her.
"Are you both done laughing at me?" Rachel huffed after a few moments later.
Santana snickered. "It's not our fault that you're like a little Chihuahua."
"All bark, no bite." Quinn added and did her best to contain another bout of giggling.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "I hate you both." She gave her best wounded puppy look, something she learned from Finn in the duration of their relationship.
"Wow, you couldn't look more like Frankenteen if you tried." Santana quipped. Rachel reached over and flicked the raven-haired girl on her forehead. "Fuck! Why'd you do that?"
"You're not paying attention. Don't think you're off the hook either, missy." She scolded Quinn when she looked over to see her laughing at Santana.
Quinn stuck out her bottom lip in the most adorable way possible and Rachel sighed, folding like a goddamn patio chair.
"How come she gets off that easily?" Santana whined.
Quinn smirked. "It's just the effect I have on people, Sanny. Maybe if you'd been spending more time with me, you'd pick up a few pointers."
Santana rolled her eyes. "Anyways, Rachel. I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm trying to rebuild your trust. Give me more time and I'll show you." Santana begged, and Santana Lopez never begs.
"Of course. I believe in second chances, even for you." Rachel smirked.
"Watch it, Berry." Santana countered.
XXX
Quinn had remain quiet throughout the rest of breakfast which earned curious glances from both Rachel and Santana. Santana looked between her and Rachel, then finally stood. "So, uh, can I take a shower?" Santana asked.
Rachel nodded. "I believe I have some clothes that might fit you in the second drawer."
"I have my own, remember?" Santana chuckled, smirking at Quinn who's face flushed with embarrassment. "Quinn might need some though."
Quinn clenched her jaw, fixated on Santana's mischievousness in her eyes. "Shouldn't you go take a shower?" Quinn spat through gritted teeth.
"See you guys in a bit." Santana grinned and did a small wave to Rachel. Santana held Quinn's gaze for a moment and then hurried upstairs.
Rachel turned to Quinn with confusion masked onto her face. "What was that about?"
"What?" Quinn asked, playing dumb.
Rachel raised an eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips. "That weird moment with Santana. I thought you were more perceptive." Rachel tsked.
Quinn smiled in amusement and finished eating. "Are you sure you're just going to eat an apple?"
"Maybe. I'm really hungry, but nothing looks appetizing." Rachel confessed.
The blonde smiled. "Do you have some paper and a pencil somewhere?"
"Yeah in the desk down the hall. Why?" Rachel asked.
Quinn walked down the hallway and wrote in perfect handwriting, "Be right back, Satan- Q & R"
"Are we just going to leave Santana by herself?" Rachel questioned, a little timid at the thought of the Latina staying at her house unsupervised. She wanted to take up the chance of going on a "date" with Quinn, but she knew that Santana was typically nosy and most likely would raid through her belongings. However, Rachel wouldn't mind because she naturally open and honest, but even she had certain aspects of herself that she wanted to keep to herself, at least for now.
Quinn waved her hand in front of Rachel's face. "Earth to Rachel?" Quinn smiled.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, Quinn." Rachel ducked her head sheepishly and smiled back at Quinn.
"It's alright. Do you have anything to wear? Not that I don't like these pajamas, but I don't I want to be seen with a lamb on my chest." Quinn joked.
Rachel laughed. "Sure. There should be some extra clothes in my closet. I'm not sure if they'll fit you, what with the height difference and such, but hopefully you'll find something agreeable."
Quinn nodded her thanks and left the room, traveling upstairs. She was met with the sight of a naked Santana holding a towel in one hand and a small pile of clothes in the other. "God, put some clothes on!"
Santana smirked. "See something you like, huh?" Santana's crack was short-lived when Quinn decided to throw the nearest object at her. Thankfully for Santana, and not so satisfying for Quinn, it was a pillow. "Ay! The hell?" Santana growled and stormed off into the bathroom. The corners of Quinn's mouth perked up into an acceptable smirk. She looked through Rachel's dresser, blushing when she remembered yesterday's events. Needless to say, Santana had been acting weird around Quinn. She knew that Santana knew something that she didn't, and it bothered her. She always had to know what was going on, otherwise she couldn't truly control everything. She likes to be in control.
Quinn finally settled on a pair of blue jeans, surprised that Rachel even owned any, and a forest green long-sleeved v-neck. She hurriedly changed and fixed her hair, then walked downstairs. Rachel was still in her pajamas. It came as a shock to Quinn that she found Rachel's current attire cute and endearing rather than annoying and ugly. "Quinn? Hello?" A voice seeped in sweetness pulled her out of her mind-ogling.
"Oh, sorry. Lost in thought." Quinn smiled sheepishly.
Rachel beamed and bounced on the balls of her feet. "Right, well, I suppose that I should go get dressed."
"Yeah." Quinn replied, a smile still gracing her lips.
There was a small moment between the two girls, but shyly exchanging glances and secret grins. Of course, it was ruined by one smirking, still naked Latina.
"It smells like repressed lemon in here." Santana eyed Quinn before looking at the narrowed eyes that were surprisingly owned by a short brunette.
A short sigh came from the blonde as she walked into the kitchen. Rachel ran upstairs and glared at Santana. "Why, out of any other time, you chose to speak up when we were having a moment." Rachel harshly whispered.
"Hey, it's not exactly my fault. I thought it would be funny." Santana pouted.
Rachel threw her hand over Santana's mouth. "Shush! You're being so loud. Now, Quinn's going to take me somewhere, I don't know where. Perhaps somewhere for breakfast, but we'll be back soon. Don't go through my stuff. You may watch some movies from my collection down in the basement, but don't go through the liquor cabinet again. I saw you sneak down there in around midnight when you thought Quinn and I were sleeping." Santana's eyes widened a little and her mouth began moving like she was about to say something, but Rachel kept her hand clamped onto Santana's lips. "I'm not finished. I expect it to be returned by Monday. So you have today and tomorrow to come up with your own means of transporting and returning the alcohol you consumed. Now, I'm going to go get dressed and I recommend that you shower because I don't want to see you naked anymore, okay?" Rachel took in a deep breath after that long rant. She removed her hand from Santana's face and was met with a genuine small smile.
Santana hugged Rachel, causing the latter to blush as red as a rose. "Okay, Tiny." Santana stepped away from Rachel and walked down the hallway into the bathroom. Rachel quickly went through her room, looking for an outfit that would look good for Quinn. Even if Rachel knew that her love was unrequited didn't mean that she didn't want to impress the object of her affections. She threw on a slight off-white large sweater, black leggings, and a pair of black converses, fresh out of the box. She never really had the chance to wear them, but this seemed as good of a time as any other. She combed out her hair and curled it. A knock on her door rang just as she finished styling her hair and putting on a black toboggan. She grabbed her purse and pulled it over her shoulder, turning the door knob in her hand.
Quinn's frustrated expression dropped into a dopy one, rivaling Finn's. Her eyes roamed every inch of Rachel and her lips fell from each other, a small, inaudible, guttural gasp emitting from the back of her throat. Her face heated up as she shook away inappropriate thoughts of Rachel away. "Y-you ready?" Quinn asked, biting her lip down to refrain from making a bigger fool of herself more than she always was.
Rachel smiled and nodded. They walked downstairs side by side. Well, until the second to last step. Rachel's foot hit the corner of that particular step and to call her graceful in that moment would've been a big fat lie.
In a swift motion, Quinn turned and pulled the falling Diva from serious injury. As serious as a could've been bruise and perhaps a couple of scratches could be. "Woah, are you okay Rach?"
A swish of brown hair tickled her jaw for a split second before brown doe eyes widened at her. "What did you just call me?" The voice came out shakily.
"Rach? Am I not suppose to call you that?" Quinn's eyebrows scrunched together, her face adopting a confused, yet cute visage.
Rachel shook her head and plastered a smile on her face. Dream Quinn is going to get me in trouble with Reality Quinn, Rachel thought to herself.
"That pout looks adorable on you." Quinn laughed and pulled Rachel along with her. They walked outside and Quinn looked around. "I had forgotten that you guys kind of kidnapped me last night, so you'll have to drive us."
Rachel huffed. "It wasn't exactly a kidnapping..." She started and faltered when it was, in fact, sort of kidnapping. She climbed into her car and a shooting pain nulled in her head. "Shit."
Quinn smirked slightly. "A swear from Rachel Barbra Berry? Must be the first sign of the apocalypse."
"Shut up, Fabray. God, I shouldn't have drank so much." Rachel groaned and laid her head on the steering wheel.
A delicate hand began massaging the knots out of her back. She glanced over at Quinn who had a sympathetic smile. "What's the address?"
"129 Bakefield Street." Quinn grinned and buckled herself in.
Rachel nodded and checked her phone first. Twelve missed calls from Dad. She mentally cursed herself and threw her phone back into her purse, pulling out of the garage, and then drives down the road.
A/N: Sorry for the extremely long delay. This is more of a filler chapter. Another one coming either tomorrow or Friday.
Next: "Can you explain to us why we've received calls from Mrs. Robinson from across the street about a Hispanic girl dancing with two bottles of tequila out on the lawn of our house?" Leroy's voice bellowed out into the speaker of the phone.
(I don't know why it didn't upload correctly the first time. This is the second time I'll be posting it, so hopefully it'll work.)