Title: Across The Hall - EPILOGUE
Author: muzicchick13
Pairing/Character(s): Rachel/Quinn
Rating: PG13
Spoilers: Up to Preggers.
Summary: Quinn's dealing with morning sickness and discovering what's it's like to be the odd girl out. Rachel discovers that maybe having friends is a good thing. Hotel!fic.
A/N: I apologize profusely you guys for any whoops or ooops or general word mess-up-ification. Late night + sleeping pills + tired + need to write Rinn! *which btw I want to get in on that you guys Rinn! Rachel/Quinn, it works!* anyway all that = THIS and I wanted to post it so here it is. Just a quick follow up to Across The Hall. Enjoy!

Rachel bit her lip gently, trying unsuccessfully to suppress the smile that was making it's way across her face as she stepped into the hallway. She closed the door to Quinn's room and leaned back against it, sighing heavily. 'Who knew?'

She was reveling in her thoughts when she heard scuffling coming from across the hall. She turned to see Kurt seemingly sneaking out of one of the boys rooms.

"Kurt." She whispered suddenly, making him jump and slam the door he was trying so softly to shut.

"Rachel! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" He asked, sweeping his hair to the side.

"I thought you were roomed with Finn and Artie?" Rachel asked, meeting Kurt in the middle of the hallways.

"Oh, yes well, curious that. It turns out Noah snores. And since I'm so used to sleeping with a mask on and earplugs in, it was decided that I would switch rooms with Mike and Matt." Kurt stated, fidgeting slightly with an article of clothing clutched in his hands.

"Oh," Rachel said simply, glancing at what Kurt was holding. "Is that a football jersey?"

They both jumped as doors swung open on both sides of them. Rachel watched as Puck stormed out of his room and yanked the jersey from Kurt's hands, seemingly oblivious to the others in the hall, now totaling 6 since Finn, Artie, Mike and Matt had just walked out of their room.

"How many times Hummel? You can't have my jersey, I don't care how good it smells."

Kurt's cheeks flushed slightly, "Hello Finn, boys" he said lightly, keeping his back toward Puck.

Finn and the other guys were looking at everyone like they'd lost their minds.

"Hey Kurt," Finn said slowly, "Puck...put some clothes on man."

They all diverted their attention to where Puck, in his frenzy to catch Kurt, the jersey thief, had rushed out into the middle of the hallway with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Without another word Puck turned and stalked back into his room, slamming the door behind him.

"What's all the noise?"

Rachel turned to see Quinn, showered and dressed, looking much better than she had the night before.

"Hey." Rachel said quietly, to which Quinn smiled.

"Hi."

"Quinn, hey!" Finn said, sweeping her up into a hug. "No morning sickness today?"

"Not for lack of trying Finn." She said mildly, "can you please try to be a little less of a caveman?"

"Sorry," Finn said smiling. "So you want to come grab a coffee with me?"

Rachel felt her heart sink. What was this sudden possessiveness she was feeling over Quinn. So she'd helped her when she'd needed it. So they'd slept together in a totally platonic fashion. So maybe Rachel suddenly wished it hadn't been so platonic.

So, when Quinn caught Rachel's eye, it was all Rachel could do to offer up a half-reassuring smile.

"Actually Finn, I was planning on asking Rachel if she wanted to grab a little something to eat."

Not one person didn't have to pick their jaw up off the hallway floor. But no one said anything about it. Quinn's eyes were locked on Rachel's.

"I'd love to." Rachel said simply.

"Great." Quinn smiled, and the two girls started off down the hall.

"I'll have coffee with you Finn!" Kurt piped up, looking lost and confused without Puck's jersey to clutch to himself. Finn sighed lightly.

"All right, come on Kurt."

Kurt's celebration dance was cut short by the entrance of the rest Glee Club members.

"Yo, we're about to roll over to Denny's and get our grub on. Anybody in?" Mercedes said, Tina, Brittany and Santana on display behind her like a team of back up singers.

"Oo me! I'm in." Artie said, raising a hand.

Mike and Matt nodded. "Yeah sounds good."

"Kurt?" Mercedes asked.

"Actually Finn and I are going for coffee." Kurt said, trying to make his way to his room.

"Denny's has coffee-" Mercedes started.

"WE'RE GOING FOR COFFEE." Kurt squealed before dashing through the open door into his room.

"Sorry Finn." Mercedes said, then with a nod, led the way down the hall towards the elevators.

Finn knocked hesitantly on Kurt's door. "Hey Kurt, you're not gonna be like 3 hours are you?" He was surprised when the door opened to reveal a completely primped and manicured Kurt.

"Under normal circumstances yes Finn. But for this once in a life time opportunity sacrifices must be made."

Finn rolled his eyes before wrapping one arm around Kurt's head, pulling him in for a noogie.

"Finn, the hair, Finn!" Kurt called out from Finn's armpit, as they walked off down the hall.

"So really? No morning sickness today?" Rachel asked as Quinn hooked arms with her.

"None." Quinn said, smiling. "It must have been the amazing nights sleep I got."

"Well you were pretty exhausted when you finally got into bed." Rachel said simply.

"That's not what I meant." Quinn said, stopping Rachel in her tracks. "I know that this sounds ridiculous, but last night...was like the perfect after date." Rachel listened, very confused. Quinn laughed.

"I mean...you held me. You did the guy thing that for some reason guys never end up doing. Do you get what I'm saying?" Rachel's head shook slightly. "Forget it, look, I liked last night. I liked talking with you, I liked sleeping with you, I liked holding you. And believe it or not Rachel Berry, I think that I might like you, like you. So please, give me a little hope. Tell me that you felt something too because I am going out on a very shaky limb here. "

"I did," Rachel said quickly, snapping out of her trance. "I do. I like you Quinn. I...I care about you and...your baby. And, if you'll let me...I'd really like to keep doing that."

"So are you saying we should date or something?" Quinn asked, a smile playing on her lips.

"I don't know. All I do know is...I can feel your every heartbeat, and I know that it's perfectly in time to mine."

"How can I say no to something so poetically romantic?"

"N-O is usually a good place to start." Both girls jumped as a voice came around the corner.

"Puck, what are you doing here?" Quinn asked, unconsciously moving closer to Rachel.

"Can't a guy walk?" Puck asked. Quinn's mouth opened and closed slightly as she looked for something to say. Puck shrugged and slipped his hands into his pockets. "She make you happy?" He asked Quinn.

"What?" Quinn and Rachel asked at the same time.

"Streisand here. Does she make you happy?" He replied, throwing a nod towards Rachel.

"I...Puck, that's a ridiculous question to ask. It was only one night, how am I supposed to know that?" Quinn asked, her emotions beginning to go into overdrive.

Puck shrugged again. "Word on the street is, if it's real you can tell in the first 24 hours."

"Word on the street, Puckerman?" Rachel scoffed.

"Put a lid on it Celine." Puck said, throwing a mild glare in Rachel's direction.

"For a jock you certainly know your divas." Rachel replied smugly before Quinn placed a hand on her arm.

"Yes." The blond said suddenly. Puck arched an eyebrow at her and Rachel found herself gaping slightly. "I mean, I don't know. Last night even though I was puking my guts up, I was happier than I've been in months, years maybe. So maybe it was a fluke, but if it wasn't...I'm not willing to take that chance." She turned to Rachel and gently interlocked their hands. "I want to be happy."

Puck was silent for a few moments, unusually so. Finally he straightened up, "Ok."

"Ok?" Rachel asked. "That's it?"

Puck nodded. "Just be sure to keep her happy alright Berry?" He responded, with a gentleness and sincerity that made even Rachel see him as more than just a jock.

"I will." Rachel replied smiling, finally admitting to herself that this was in fact a step she wanted to take.

"Cool. So you girls heading down to Denny's with the crew?" Puck asked. Quinn turned to Rachel questioningly. Rachel simply shrugged.

"No, I think we'll just find a nice secluded place to grab a bagel or something." Quinn said, turning back to Puck. "Are you going?"

"Actually," Puck sighed and ran a hand over the back of his neck awkwardly, "I think I'm gonna go try to find Finn and Hummel. 2 against 1 is better odds, figured I'd help Finn out."

Quinn laughed and Rachel chuckled slightly as Puck started down the hallway.

"I think you'll find that Kurt enjoys those odds even more!" Rachel called down the hallway. Puck paused momentarily before shaking his head and continuing towards the elevators.

"So?" Quinn asked coyly.

"So," Rachel replied, "I believe you just asked me on a breakfast date." Quinn smiled. "Unconventional, but you're in luck, because I love bagels."

"Ok," Quinn said, more breathlessly than she intended. They started off towards the elevators on the opposite side of the hallway. "Hey, can we skip right to the hand-holding phase...cause I really like holding your hand. It's not the size of a car tire." Rachel laughed and grabbed Quinn's hand, interlacing their fingers.

"You're not worried about someone seeing us?" Rachel asked. Quinn shook her head, smiling broadly. "Me neither." Rachel replied.

Quinn did a little bounce to press the button for the elevator. When she bounced back, Rachel grabbed both of her hands, leaning against the other girl slightly, letting the warmth of their bodies intermingle. Rachel leaned her head against Quinn's forehead and sighed slightly. "Can we just skip to the kissing phase?" She asked half-heartedly. Without another seconds warning, Quinn slowly lowered her lips to Rachel, pressing them softly but soundly together. Rachel quickly found her lips moving gently against Quinn's. Their bodies melded softly into one another. No crazy limbs going all over the place, no wondering hands. Just two girls together. And when the elevator dinged and the doors opened, that is exactly how Sue Sylvester found them. They couldn't have moved if hot magma had been flowing up beneath them, so they stayed perfectly still. Wishing, hoping, maybe praying that it was just a dream and that Sue Sylvester hadn't just stumbled upon them in the first kiss.

"I'm surprised but impressed." Sue said, stepping off the elevator. "And slightly offended. This is going to throw a monkey wrench into your little club." She stated matter-of-factly. The girls, expecting her to jump between them, pry them apart, do anything to stop this madness, were surprised when Sue simply strode past them.

"Keep up the good work ladies."