A/N: THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS AND FOLLOWS!
Quinn sat in her hotel room going over song choices for the finale, but her heart wasn't in it. She had texted Rachel that very thing over an hour ago, but still hadn't heard a response back. She lounged on the bed with a comfortable pair of old sweats and her favorite old tank top. She put her headphones in her ears and zoned out to something she had no intention of singing while she looked at the lyrics.
Rachel used the key Santana had acquired to Quinn's hotel room and slipped in quickly. She had to smile when she spotted her blonde girlfriend in her own world. She leaned against the wall and watched as Quinn's head bobbed to an unheard beat.
Feeling eyes on her, Quinn looked up into the eyes of her lover and the world seemed right again. She smiled and moved papers to make room for Rachel on the bed which Rachel quickly filled.
"What are you doing here?" Quinn asked after she kissed the brunette hello.
"I got your text. You sounded like you needed me and so here I am. Now, put everything aside and talk to me. What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" Rachel asked as she tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind an ear.
Quinn took a deep breath and looked into deep brown pools that she knew she would never be able to lie to and didn't want to. She thought for a moment longer.
"I am not sure I want to win," Quinn began. "I know there is a really good chance of me winning, but it's the after that has me worried. I would be off making an album and touring and I wouldn't be able to be with you and I don't think that I want that."
"Quinn, we would make it work. I don't want you to sacrifice your dream. I have had the opportunity to live mine and who knows, we could end up touring together for all we know. The contract is with the label I am with Quinn," Rachel said.
"That's the thing. This wasn't my dream. My dream is my studio. I auditioned because I like to sing, but I love taking pictures and I love you," Quinn admitted.
Rachel smiled her brightest smile and replied, "You do? I love you too, Quinn. No matter what you choose to do, that won't change."
Quinn thought for a moment and kissed Rachel sweetly on the lips before raising an eyebrow. "I know what I want to do, but I am going to need you to help me."
"Anything for you, my love. What do you need?" Rachel asked.
Quinn told Rachel exactly what she was planning to do and Rachel was shocked. Rachel's eyes were wide and she was dumbstruck. She shook her head and looked at her girlfriend.
"Quinn, that is amazing. I can do my part not a problem, and I am behind it 100%. This is going to be the most amazing finale ever," Rachel said pulling Quinn into her arms. "I think we should ask Brittany to dance backup."
"I think that would be a great idea. She is such an amazing dancer and she would add a lot of dynamic to the song. I'm glad we actually were allowed to make a production of the last performance," Quinn said laying her head on Rachel's shoulder.
"Let's go tell the girl's what they just got signed up for okay, my love," Rachel said.
"You have got to be kidding me," Santana said from her spot by the pool.
"San, this could be fun and it will give us a chance to help Quinn win," Brittany said. "Besides, I want to dance and that is one of your favorite songs. We are so in, Quinn"
"You heard my girl, Twinkie. Just remember, this is so a one time deal. Santana Lopez does not sing backup," Santana said.
"Thank you, guys. You have no idea what it means to me to have you both on that stage. You both have become like family to me and maybe someday we will be," Quinn said.
"You are family, Quinn," Brittany said with a smile hugging her best friend.
Over the next few days, Rachel had spoken with everyone she needed to and with much effort had Quinn's finale on track. No one had wanted to allow it, but with Rachel's diva personality got them to give in to her. She sat now at the judges' table listening to the redhead butcher her latest hit. She had to physically stop herself from vomiting in her own mouth
Ever the professional, Rachel thank her for the honor of being represented in the competition and gave her the best forced smile she could come up with. Her mind was already on the next act. Everything could change for someone she loved and she wanted the best for her. She looked back at the two empty seats that sat behind her. She wanted all her girls to shine like the stars she knew they were.
Santana and Quinn stood in the wing off of the stage. Brittany was on the other side looking over at them. Santana looked over at Quinn who was trying to shake off her nerves. She smirked at her in a way only the Latina could master.
"Lookin' a little green there, Fabray," Santana said. "Don't embarrass us out there by puking on the judges. Rachel would not be a smiling diva."
"Thanks," Quinn replied.
As Quinn was announced, Santana grabbed her hand. "Break a leg, Twinkie," Santana said quickly.
Quinn walked to the middle of the stage with Santana behind her. Quinn looked down at Rachel and smiled. Rachel winked back and continued to clap. Quinn raised her microphone to her mouth.
"Thank you so much," Quinn said quieting the crowd. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me in the past and to everyone that showed me love," Quinn said looking down into Rachel's eyes. "It is then with a heavy heart that I withdraw from the competition. I will never forget this experience and I would not change a thing. Some things are just more important than fame and fortune."
"What are you doing?" Santana whispered from behind her.
"But the show must go on!" Quinn yelled over the crowd. "I would never leave America without a choice to make. Therefore it is my great pleasure to introduce to you my replacement. I know that you will love her as you have me. Singing Adele's hit 'Rolling In The Deep,' I give you Santana Lopez," Quinn announced stepping back so her spotlight would fall back her friend.
Santana stood there in shock as she heard Brittany squeal from her spot in the wings. Santana came to quickly and raced over to the blonde and covered the microphone.
"What the hell are you doing, Quinn?" Santana spit.
"Following my heart," Quinn answered handing Santana the microphone. "Besides, Santana Lopez should never sing backup. Twinkle little star"
Quinn walked away and toward the stairs as Santana watched after her. The blonde walked straight up to the judges' table who were all on their feet clapping. Leaving Rachel for last, Quinn made her way down the table shaking hands with each judge. Reaching Rachel, Quinn cupped the diva's face and kissed her. She could feel the diva smiling under her lips. Quinn smiled as they broke apart amid the hoots from the audience. She took a seat behind the brunette and smiled up at Santana.
Brittany had come on stage behind Santana and touched the Latina's arm. The Latina jumped and turned wild eyes to her lover. Sensing her fiancé's tension, Brittany put both hands on Santana's shoulders.
"Babe, you are going to do great and I will be right here with you. This is your back pocket song. I hear you sing it all the time and you are awesome. I know I don't condone violence, but kill it," Brittany said going to take her spot offstage again.
The crowd quieted and Santana glared at Quinn and then at Rachel before turning her gaze back to Quinn. She was going to kill that blonde or at least hurt her, a lot. Santana did not have long to contemplate her revenge before the beat started. Brittany was right; this was her go-to song
Santana started the first verse and Brittany came out onto the stage dancing. By the time she hit the chorus, Santana was on fire. The crowd was on it's feet and Santana was feeling it. She had missed performing. The song quickly came to an end and the auditorium was already on it's feet. Santana took a bow and walked off the stage with Brittany's hand in her own.
"That was a rush!" Santana exclaimed as the show was brought to an end.
Rachel and Quinn came backstage as soon as the crowd started to leave. Rachel took Santana into her arms and held her there. Finally stepping back, the brunette wiped a tear away.
"You were amazing, Miss Lopez, as always," Rachel gushed.
"I agree. You were unstoppable," Quinn said holding out her arms for a hug too.
"You had this all planned out didn't you?" Santana accused.
"You bet your ass I did," Quinn said thinking back. "Of course, I had some help.
Quinn's mind ran back to her sitting on the bed in her hotel with Rachel. She had told Rachel that she wanted out and just wanted her. She had asked Rachel if there was a way to give her spot to Santana. They had conspired not to tell Santana as Rachel knew that she would have never agreed. Together they had chosen a song that Rachel knew Santana would rock.
"Rachel, we are going to have us a talk about trust later," Santana said.
Santana stood in the center of the stage with the redhead next to her. She had scoffed when the redhead had extended out her hand to hold Santana's as the winner was being announced. Santana saw stars when her name was read. She had to be dreaming. The confetti and her friend's arms around her a few moments later made her realize it wasn't.
Everything seemed right. Rachel was happy. She was marrying the love of her life. Quinn had her family, and she had her dream. A tear slipped down her cheek as the waves of emotion rolled through her.
"OK, here are today's events," Brittany said from the head of the kitchen table. It had been two weeks since Santana had won the competition and things had changed. "Santana, you are in the studio working on the album and have Kimmel tonight. Rachel, you have Letterman tonight. Quinn you have Leno and the record label called again wanting to know if you have decided to sign or not."
Quinn smiled at her best friend. She had been thrust into the role of manager for one star and a rising star not to mention she was fielding all the calls on Quinn as well. There were concerns at first, but Brittany had flourished only confusing a few people with the awkward antics.
"I'm still considering, Britt," Quinn said with a soft smile. "I'm still considering moving the studio down here instead of just closing it."
"You have to jump now while your name is still big," Brittany said.
"We are enjoying each other too much to be thinking about work right now," Rachel added kissing Quinn a little too passionately for the kitchen table.
"Yeah, we all have ears," Santana said rolling her eyes.
"Like I haven't had to put up with your moans for the last six years," Rachel teased.
Santana playfully slapped at her best friend.
"This is so awesome," Brittany said with a far away smile. "I wonder what will come next for all of us."
"Double wedding in Hawaii?" Rachel asked placing a ring box in front of Quinn.
Quinn's eyes shot up from the ring box and hazel eyes met brown. Like the first time, love shone brightly.
A/N: SO THERE IT IS. WE HAV REACHED OUR END TOGETHER FOR NOW. PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. IF THE RESPONSE IS GOOD, I HAVE A SEQUAL IN MIND.