I don't own Glee or its original characters

Chapter 3

A tap on her hand yanked Rachel out of her musing. Her eyes fell back on the script on her legs, then drifted back to the woman besides her. She saw Quinn lift her hands. Just like the music, Rachel hadn't heard the words Quinn had spoken to her a moment earlier either. She had read them from her lips.

Short sentences and single words were more or less recognizable, but Rachel still struggled with understanding longer sentences, especially if the person who spoke did not face her correctly or did not speak clearly. It was so much easier with sign language.

How are you feeling about this scene? Quinn asked her girlfriend. Her hands formed the signs in quick succession.

A tentative smile appeared on Rachel's lips. She also lifted her hands and accompanied her words with signs. A habit she had taken on, once she had managed to overcome the shyness that came with her disability. Even though she could still speak, she liked to "hear" her own words. And since she didn't have the luxury of actually listening to her own voice, she used her hands to play back her own words. As friends and family were still learning to sign, it helped them to pick up the one or other sign as well.

"I'm nervous."

Quinn looked into the beautiful brown eyes. Despite the difficulty the scene presented, the blonde noticed the certain sparkle that gave the whole person a certain glow. When she had first met Rachel after the accident, those eyes had been almost dead. Only with time and very slowly they seemed to have come alive again. Seeing that spark, gave Quinn a warm glow around her heart. She was so proud of Rachel.

Anything I can help you with?

Rachel slowly shook her head. "No. Not really." She paused for a moment, before she continued in a low voice. "I have to sing playback to myself." She gave a hint of a chuckle. "Never thought I'd do that in my lifetime." She played with the corner of a script page. "Anyway, I still know the song, it shouldn't be too difficult to stay in sync."

Quinn pulled Rachel close and gave her a kiss on the temple before she leaned back to sign.

Even though the brunette tried to make it sound like it was no big deal, Quinn knew it still was.

Do you want me to come with you to the shoot?

Rachel slowly shook her head. "Thanks, but you have to work tomorrow and the more people who are there, the more nervous I'll get. Though, having a familiar face around might not be a bad idea." She leaned her head against Quinn's shoulder and raised her hands.

But what if I fail? What if I cannot go through this? What if – despite everything we planned for and worked out – I still can't make this scene work?

Rachel had signed the last part without speaking. Quinn knew that Rachel only did this when she was upset. At the beginning, Rachel had not felt comfortable talking at all. It was weird to speak and not being able to hear herself. But her years of vocal training had at least one advantage. Despite not hearing her own voice, she was still able to modulate it very well. Even her vocal teacher she took lessons with after her accident assured her as much.

Still being able to speak also made it much easier to communicate with others who were not familiar with sign language. Even if they had to write or type their answers, it was quicker when she spoke at least.

So resigning herself to just using her hands, Quinn knew that the situation was tough on her girlfriend. She pulled back her own hands.

Rachel, if anyone can make this work, then it's you. You have proven yourself. You have succeeded in the auditions; you have worked with the producers and the cast in the preparation workshops. And I am sure that everyone knows how difficult this scene will be for you. No one will ever think you failed. She bumped her slightly with her shoulder and smiled. This is Rachel Berry we are talking about. Quinn paused for a moment.

The last bit coaxed a small smile out of the other woman. Rachel and Tom had set-up a few unofficial meetings with the crew before the actually start of the shooting. They had tried to figure out how to best work together, as Rachel couldn't react on acoustic cues, she needed to get mostly visual ones. Most of the crew had pitched in with their ideas and together they had found quite a good way to manage the hurdles.

Rachel had also hired a professional interpreter who had already worked with her during the Tony Award show she had visited with Quinn. Quinn had been nominated at that time for best leading actress in a musical. And since this had been an important evening for the blonde, Rachel had not wanted to burden her with interpreting the whole night.

Peter, the official interpreter that Rachel's ASL teacher had recommended, had been a great help that evening and they had worked well together. Once the deal with the movie was official, she had hired him again for the length of the project. The studio that financed the film had agreed to take over most of the costs.

So, technically she was all set and good to go through that scene. Emotionally, that was a totally different story.

An idea formed in Quinn's head.

Maybe you want to talk to Kurt about this scene? She tentatively wasn't easy for Quinn to hand over the field to Rachel's best friend, but she understood why Rachel would possibly prefer Kurt to discuss it.

Rachel thought about it. "Yes, maybe." She looked up into the hazel eyes. "You wouldn't mind?" she asked cautiously.

Quinn gave Rachel a small smile. No, it's fine. Really.

Still Rachel knew that there was a part in Quinn that hurt not being able to help her with this.

Rachel and Kurt had shared one rare and special moment some months back, reenacting a duet from their Glee Club past. It had happened in the spur of a moment and Rachel had actually sung a couple of lines with him.

Quinn had heard Rachel sing on two other occasions, but she knew that it had cost her a lot to do it. It was still astonishing that she managed to do it as well as she did. Quinn had heard about a young Jazz singer who had lost her hearing and still continued to sing and do it really, really well. She figured that some rare talents could manage, even if they were not able to hear themselves. Speaking normally with all the usual intonations already posed difficulties to many who lost their hearing.

But Rachel had always been exceptional. So it wasn't actually a surprise for Quinn that Rachel could still carry a tune. What surprised her was how it hit her when she heard that voice sing again. Rachel lacked the power and conviction from before, but her voice was still beautiful. So Quinn cherished the very rare moments where she had heard Rachel sing.

The blonde knew with time and lack of practice it would probably become harder and harder and her girlfriend already had a hard time believing she sounded ok in the first place. Rachel solely had her friend's words to rely on. And being a perfectionist, not being able to sing as perfectly as she did before, she'd rather not sing at all.

It had taken Rachel a long time to tell Quinn about what had actually happened that evening with Kurt when she had sung for the first time after the accident. It was still a bit hard for the blonde that her girlfriend had shared something so precious with Kurt but hadn't found the courage to tell her about it at first. A long talk had finally made her understand that sometimes people too close to you could not always be the best help.

Rachel herself had wondered for a long time what held her back from telling Quinn. Was she afraid Quinn would want to hear her sing? Or that she would press her to try out even more? But that wasn't it. Quinn had never even asked her to speak before, not even in the beginning when she hadn't known sign language yet so why would she ask her to sing? Quinn had always let Rachel pick her own pace with everything.

The brunette had not been able to find a rational reason for wanting to hold back the news.

Still, Rachel could not work up the courage anymore to tell Quinn what she had done in the weeks that followed. Why of all people was it the hardest to tell the person she loved the most? Maybe she was afraid of raising expectations or to disappoint Quinn for not wanting to sing for her. Rachel knew how much Quinn loved her voice and that made it just so much harder to tell her about the singing. Because Rachel knew, she would probably not do it again. It would have been like dangling a precious gift in front of someone only to tell them that they would never receive it.

Finally, in a situation where Rachel would have thought she'd least think of talking about that topic, it had spilled out of her.

Quinn remembered that scene clearly. While she lazily drew some circles on Rachel thigh who had her nose buried again in her script, the blonde thought back to that day.

That day had been the worst time of her life and the ones that followed had not been any better. They had spent Christmas in Lima one and a half years ago and had even met with the old Glee club members. This meeting had triggered a bout of depression in Rachel that neither Quinn nor her friends or family could cushion. No one from the old club knew what had happened and when Rachel told them, it was shock for all of them. They all tried their best to include Rachel in their activities, but in the end, Rachel had realized that while they all still had their lives to go back to after the meeting, she had lost everything. That no matter how much she would learn to cope with her hearing loss, learning ASL and using other technical equipment that made her life easier, these things could never replace her hearing. She would never be able to hear, to sing, to participate in such activities again.

Quinn's profession and career did not make things easier for Rachel. It served as a constant reminder of what she couldn't have anymore.

As everything came crashing down, Rachel broke up with the blonde and held her friends at arm's length.

It hadn't helped matters that a few days before, Rachel had recorded a song on a CD with Kurt's help as a Christmas gift for Quinn. But after breaking up, Rachel had decided not to give the CD to the Blonde. Instead Rachel had asked Kurt to take it and destroy it. But her best friend had acted on his own judgment and had given Quinn the CD, feeling it had been intended for her. He knew he would break Rachel's trust, but the gift was too precious to be destroyed.

After listening to the song Quinn had rushed to Rachel's house to confront her about it, needing to know how Rachel had done it and why she had reacted like that during the Glee Club meeting. During the discussion, Rachel confessed about the night at Kurt's house and the impromptu performance.

"I sang with Kurt. I sang a duet with him from Wicked the other night I visited him. It... it just happened.."

Quinn had closed her eyes, trying to control her emotions that crashed through her like giant waves.

"And why didn't you tell me about it? Was there something I have done that made you doubt me? I... I just want to understand."

"I don't know. Well, I did tell you that same night, but you were already half asleep and the next day you couldn't remember and... and... I just didn't have the courage to tell you again! Maybe I was just afraid that ... I don't know! It scared the hell out of me when I noticed I actually sang along to the song that was playing at Kurt's place. And it scared me like hell to notice how much I loved performing that song with him! And how much I missed it! And today with all the Glee Clubbers together, all of them cheering and singing and being happy, I realized I would never belong anymore. Never!"

Rachel had been crying and Quinn hadn't wanted anything else other than to reach out and wrap her in her arms.

Instinctively Rachel had taken a step back, bringing more distance between them.

Quinn lifted her hands again to accompany her words. "Rachel, what do you expect me to do now? I can't just leave you. And don't be angry with Kurt for giving me the CD." Quinn pulled the slim case out of her bag and looked at it for a long moment before handing it to Rachel. "I know you don't want me to have it, so, here!"

They hadn't been able to resolve the issue that day or the next.

They both had taken separate ways back to New York after Christmas, both with a broken heart. Only weeks later they had managed to face each other again to discuss what had happened. And during one of these discussions, the topic about singing came up again.

I never asked you and I never would have asked you to sing for me. Why were you afraid to tell me that you sang with Kurt? I know you told me that you were afraid, but I never really understood why…

Rachel searched for the right words to explain. The problem was that she was not sure herself what had held her back all the time and why it had been easier to even tell Santana, but not her girlfriend. She looked out of the window for a moment before lifting her hands again.

"I remember your voice, Quinn," she started softly. "I have always loved your voice. Even more so after I heard how you had developed. You're voice still had that silkiness, but there was more power to it. It was sooooo…" She rubbed the fingers of her right hand in search of the right description… "It was velvety and soft, like meringue. At first it has a distinguished shape which is strong and clear, but as soon as you place it on your tongue, it gets creamy and soft and then just melts and leaves this wonderful sweet taste in your mouth. This is how I felt when I heard you sing."

Quinn drew her eyebrows together and tried to fight back the tears.

"I felt like my heart would melt, when I listened to you." She smiled at the slightly red color that rose on Quinn's face. "Now that you're on Broadway, you are one of the best performers out there. You wrap your audience around your little finger. People are fascinated by you. I felt it, it was tangible in the whole atmosphere in the theater and the concert hall. I watched the people around me… You were just perfect on that stage."

Quinn shook her head and mouthed a vehement Noooooo….

"Yes, you are. I know that my voice was one of the best ones out there, but now I'm not perfect anymore and that makes it so hard for me sing in your presence. It makes me feel like I look up to my idol and will never be able reach the same level as her." Rachel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know it sounds stupid, but … it feels for me like I will never be able to live up to your expectations anymore when it comes to singing."

Quinn took a deep breath.

Rachel now that you're deaf it doesn't mean that it diminishes all your achievements from before your accident. I still admire your talent, because this song that you sang for me… I know so many people who can sing and can hear who will never be able to sing it the way you did! It was just perfect and priceless! But I understand – sort of – why you did not want to do it in front of me, even though it still hurts, she finished with a sad look on her face.

Rachel rubbed her hand across her forehead and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she reached out and gently wiped a tear away from Quinn's cheek, feeling her own eyes burning.

"I'm just afraid that if I sing in front of you, one day you'll tell me that I'm way off and that you'd rather not listened to me anymore. I mean, not that I feel much like singing anyway, but…" It was hard to explain the fear of being rejected at what she once used to do best in her life.

Quinn shook her head. Rachel, I don't want to put you under pressure, I accept whatever you feel comfortable with. I just wanted to let you know what I thought and felt when I listened to your song. And if you ever feel you want to sing again just do it, if you don't then this is what you choose to do and it is fine.

"Okay." Rachel had answered with a small voice. "Thank you for understanding."

Quinn remembered only too well this conversation and that was what had made her suggest Kurt to accompany Rachel. Or at least discuss the scene with him. Rachel seemed to ponder her idea and Quinn stood up from the couch to prepare something to eat and have a second cup of coffee while she left her girlfriend to brood some more over her script.

After the two of them had an early breakfast, Rachel grabbed her phone and sent a message to Kurt.

Hey handsome! Do you happen to have some

time today for your best friend? I'd like your opinion

on a scene we are going to shoot tomorrow.

Rachel

A minute later her phone buzzed.

I'll be free around lunch time.

My place or yours?

Handsome :-)

Mine. I convinced Quinn to go and have
lunch with Jenna. Santana is at her girlfriend's place
it seems, so we have the place to ourselves.
(Jesus, this sounds like we are having a secret
affair, haha).

Rachel sent the message off and waited for the reply which came within half a minute.

Mmmmhm. Looking forward to what surely will

be an interesting lunch date. (I'm wiggling my

eyebrows expectantly).

K.

The petite woman laughed and when Quinn looked up, she explained the exchange.

Jesus, I knew there was a reason why you wanted me out of the house, Quinn signed.

"Yes. Now it's out."

Quinn snorted. Good thing I know for a fact that Kurt is gay.

"Yeah well, there is that," Rachel added with a laugh.

Quinn left around noon to meet her friend at a local restaurant.

Sitting on the couch, going through the scene once more, Rachel noticed a light flashing out of the corner of her eye. She looked up and saw that someone was at the door. Quinn had the light installed some time ago so Rachel would notice if someone rang the doorbell.

"Hey Kurt!" she greeted her visitor and gave him a hug.

Hi Rachel, are you alone? He asked with his hands, wiggling his eyebrow in a naughty way. The brunette started laughing and nodded.

"Yes, come in before the neighbors see you and start with the rumors," she teased her best friend and pulled him inside to close the door. Then she walked towards the kitchen. "Coffee?"

Yes please! I'm desperate for some caffeine.

He plopped on a stool in front of the counter and watched Rachel prepare the beverage.

"Why, what's up? Not enough sleep?" Rachel plucked a fresh mug from the shelf and turned around again, to see Kurt answer with his hands.

No, Blaine and I….

Rachel interrupted him hastily.

"Too much detail, too much detail," and she waved her hands defensively in front of her.

Kurt grinned.

Don't worry. I was going to say that we had a nice long TALK – he spelled the word letter by letter to give it emphasis – about his new play.

"Oh. Has he still not decided whether he is going to do it?" She placed the mug under the coffee maker and pressed a button. The appliance came to live, freshly grinding the beans. Having her hand placed on the counter beside it, Rachel felt the vibrations of the machine, even though she couldn't hear the noise. She kept her eyes on Kurt not to miss any of his signs.

No, he doesn't want to go on tour, and I don't want him to go either. But it would be such a great chance, the play is very good and it would give him great exposure. On the other hand I also understand that he wants to work on his songs, getting those ready for recording.

Rachel prepared the second coffee, and then turned back while the dark liquid filled the mug.

"Can't he do both? I mean, you have a small recording studio in your apartment, so it would not be such a hassle to get the songs recorded." Rachel observed. After she had moved out of their shared place, Kurt had converted her former "room" into a small studio.

Well, I can do some things, but it would be better to get some time in a real studio. Kurt took a sip of the coffee that Rachel had placed in front of him. When he was sure he had her attention, he lifted his hands again.

So, what's up?

Rachel took a deep breath and rubbed her finger along the rim of her cup, before she looked up again. Kurt had tilted his head, watching his friend patiently. He had a feeling what this was about, especially if she didn't want to have anyone else around, but he gave her the time she needed. If he was right, he knew it wouldn't be easy to share.

Finally Rachel seemed to find her voice. "You know, tomorrow, this one scene is coming up where I have to sing. I mean, not literally. It's that scene where my character is still being able to hear, giving a performance." She paused for another moment. "For the final movie they will use one of my recordings. So I just have to lip synch myself tomorrow. It's just…." Her voice trailed off and she looked at her hands that started to play again with her cup.

Kurt reached across the counter and gently took one of Rachel's hands, squeezing it slightly. It was a small gesture of reassurance.

She gave him a quick smile before she continued.

"It feels weird doing this, you know? And it still hurts. I thought I had somehow worked through all this pain, but now… I don't think I can do this. It was what I knew how to do best. Now I don't even know how my voice sounds - sounded." Rachel felt the sting of tears. Biting her lip she swallowed hard, willing the tears back.

She had talked to Tom about that scene and they had pushed it deliberately to the end of the shooting to give Rachel time to adjust to the schedule and to the routine, to find her way. She knew it would not be easy, but she hadn't expected that it would hit her quite this hard.

Singing and music had been her life, had been everything that defined her. And while she tried to find her way in this new silent world, she still had setbacks. It was normal, she knew, and she would keep having them over the next years, but that knowledge did not make them any less hurtful. Shooting that particular scene was like placing a burned hand back in the fire.

Kurt got up and walked around the counter to hug his friend. After a moment Rachel pulled back and wiped her eyes and smiled crookedly. "Sorry, one of those moments."

Kurt looked at her and gave her arms a short squeeze before pulling back to sign. Don't apologize. This is more than understandable. But let's think on how we get you through this tomorrow. Do you want me to come with you?

Rachel kneaded her lip with her fingers. She looked up from under her dark lashes and gave a short, shy smile. "I think I'd like that," she whispered.

Ok, I have to be at the theater at five in the afternoon, so I can come with you first thing in the morning and stay until about four. Would that help?

Rachel nodded. "Thank you."

Don't thank me, Rachel, that's what friends are for. Now, how about you show me the scene and then we practice together?

Rachel nodded again. That's what she loved about Kurt. He understood her completely and was always practical about such things.

Together they listened to the song and read through the script. Kurt listened to it first at normal volume, then Rachel put the headphones on again and her friend heard the song blast through the little speakers. The brunette told him how Tom imagined the scene and Kurt reminded her that she had sung the song years ago at one of the competitions. It was one of the original songs they had performed when all other songs they had suggested had been banned.

Rachel chuckled. "Get it right – that fits so much to this moment. I have to get it right."

Kurt grinned. You will. Come on, get up. Tomorrow, I guess, you won't be able to wear headphones while shooting the scene. So let's practice getting the cues. Will they use this version? He asked, pointing at the headphones.

"Yes. But they will lay the original song over my performance anyway, even if I don't get every cue right, they can re-edit that later." Rachel objected lamely.

But Rachel, it's not like you to give only a half performance. Kurt looked at her imploringly.

She sighed. "Yes." Rachel paused a moment. "Guess I'm just stalling. There'll be a full blown orchestra as well tomorrow," she then added quietly.

"Okaaaayyyy," Kurt drew out the word, then signed again. All right, I'll start the song and I'll give you a sign, like a conductor, when the lyrics begin. Let's practice that. Then you can try to sing along – lip synch – I mean and we'll see how it goes. I'll let you know about any other orchestral intermezzo, if you shouldn't remember, but I don't think that will be a problem. Ok?

Rachel nodded. "'kay."

She tried to not think about how weird this whole situation was. How this should so not happen this way.

To clear her mind, Rachel shook her head and tried to focus on the task at hand. Kurt shortly described the orchestral intro in detail and then played the beginning several times until Rachel remembered every single note and knew exactly where her part began. Having placed the sheet music in front of them helped working out the cues. Once she managed the hurdle of the correct beginning, it wasn't so difficult to go through the rest of the song. However, she noticed it was damn hard to keep silent. It was as if her vocal chords had their own will and wanted to come alive again and again.

Kurt seemed to notice her struggle. Why don't you just try. It might make it easier. It's just us, no one else is here to hear you.

Rachel shook her head. She was too insecure and shy to sing along. Even though her friends still told her that she could.

Kurt didn't push her further.

They practiced for a long while and worked out a way for Kurt to signal Rachel when it was her turn. She had it in her system; the visual cue was just a fall back. But it was good to have it, nevertheless. The transcription of the notes also helped fixing the song perfectly in her brain again. At one point, Rachel closed her eyes and silently sang along. Kurt watched her and it almost seemed so real to see his friend like this. To hear her voice and see her perform, even though the voice came from a recording. He felt a pang in his chest and was glad for a moment that Rachel didn't pay attention to him. He wanted to be helpful and constructive, not sad. But it was still hard not to reminisce in the old times and missing this part of his friend.

Rachel was lost for a short moment in the song. It played in her head and she mentally whisked herself back to that stage. In her mind she heard the music. She remembered that she had sung it for her former boyfriend Finn at that time. Or at least she had thought so. She had written the song after another of theses endless petty fights with Quinn and today she knew that 'Get it right' had not referred to Finn. Not in the true depth of her heart, not now and not then.

Rachel also realized that there was no real reason to leave Quinn out of this. She shared her heart with that women. They had shared so many ups and downs, fears and trying situations that all of a sudden it seemed so wrong to keep this last part from her partner.

She had to get it right.

With a start she opened her eyes and stopped.

What's wrong? Kurt asked alarmed.

Rachel shook her head. "Nothing, just had a revelation, sort of." She smiled. "Anyway, can we try again from the start?"

Sure. He skipped the song back to the beginning.

When Quinn came home from her lunch date, they had it down to a pat.

The blonde kissed her girlfriend. You're all set or do you need more time? She asked with a concerned look.

Rachel nodded. "All set. We worked out a routine and I practiced, remembering the song and every single note."

Quinn gave her a genuine smile. Oh good! I'm glad. She tried to push the slight feeling of jealousy away. So, how do you feel about tomorrow?

"Good, actually. Kurt has agreed to come along, we worked out pretty good cue system. But…" She dropped her gaze and fiddled with her hands in her lap, before she looked up again. "But I think I'd still like you to come along," she breathed out and shot Quinn a hopeful look. "I think I need you there. I'm not sure I can do this alone."

"Hey"! Kurt gave a mock look of offence. Rachel chuckled.

"Sorry, Kurt, I know I'm not alone if you are with me, but you know what I mean. It's just that… that I need Quinn there as well." She reached out and squeezed the blonde's hand.

Rachel it's ok, I understand and were the situation the other way round, I'd want Blaine with me as well.

Rachel looked at Quinn. "I know I hurt you this morning when I told you that I didn't want you to come. But truth is, I need you there with me. I want you with me."

Quinn looked at her for a moment, wondering about the change of mind. Are you sure? She raised her eyebrows in question.

Her girlfriend took a deep breath, noticing that she needed to explain a little more. Kurt excused himself for a moment and ventured in the direction of the bathroom.

Rachel stepped closer to Quinn and took her hands. "While I was practicing this scene with Kurt, I realized that this fear of never measuring up to you is nothing that you ever initiated. It all came from myself. From my inner belief not to be good enough, never being able to be good enough anymore. I mean, yes, now I never will and that is a fact. But whether I fear it or not doesn't change that fact. And you have never been anything but understanding, giving me the room I needed to work it all out, even though it hurt you not being able to support me in this particular situation. Soooo…." Rachel let out a deep breath. "If you like, we can tell you the set-up."

The blonde felt a warmth spread through her chest when she realized that Rachel truly wanted her there, needed her support. Quinn on the other hand wanted to come along and take part in that important time of her girlfriend's life. She didn't want to miss bit. But if Rachel had insisted for whatever reason, then Quinn would have stayed away. That Rachel had a change of heart, made Quinn very happy. She tilted her head slightly and a small smile spread across her lips before she signed:

I would like that very much.

The next morning was an early start for all three of them. Tom held a short briefing before they rehearsed the scene in a couple of dry runs. Rachel was very nervous, especially when around noon the orchestra members came to prepare for the shooting. The first time Rachel missed her cue, she was so focused on the vibrations the whole orchestra caused, sending it through the stage floor up her feet through her whole body. It took her a while to sort out the different instruments visually and match them against the music she had in her head.

Quinn noticed the difficulty and gently suggested that Rachel should stand next to the conductor to help her understand the arrangement better. The elderly man, Quinn new his name was Norman Wells and she judged him to be in his late fifties, was very patient and explained the composition to Rachel while Peter interpreted.

If it seemed weird to Norman to explain a musical arrangement to a deaf person, he didn't let on. Apparently he had been briefed thoroughly.

After verbally going through the sheet music, the orchestra played the beginning a few times, so Rachel was able to better distinguish the different vibrations she felt and get additional visual cues from the instruments when they set in.

The conductor had pointed out the various leading instruments and musicians and again while they were playing. Kurt also listened with rapt attention, but after a short discussion amongst the three, they agreed that Rachel would get the cues from Norman. He was very clear and precise in his instructions which eased the brunette's nervousness considerably. Before she stepped on stage to take her position for a full dry run, he gave her an encouraging smile. Tom held his thumb up from his position in the director chair.

He was glad that he had taken the time to explain to Norman the whole set up of the movie and the last scene as well as Rachel's handicap. The older man had been surprised at the beginning, to say the least, but after giving it some thoughts had warmed to the challenge. Unfortunately time had not allowed for him to have a briefing meeting as well with Rachel, but he'd given the whole process some thought and if Quinn had not suggested for Rachel to come stand next to him, he'd have suggested it himself.

In the end, they shot the scene various times from different angles. Kurt and Quinn finally had to leave sometime in the afternoon to prepare for their performances, but by then Rachel had been so involved in the process that she felt she could handle the rest on her own.

They had taken a short break and in a quiet corner and Rachel pulled Quinn close. "Thank you for being here and for helping me out this morning. I was really nervous, especially with the whole orchestra being present."

Quinn gently brushed a hand through Rachel's hair.

You're welcome. She gave her a short kiss. I'm proud of you. Really. No one will ever see or know the difference when watching this scene.

Rachel gave her a thin smile. "I will know the difference."

The blonde tilted her girlfriends head up. Yes. We know it. But what counts is that you have proven to be talented and willing to tackle every challenge that might be thrown into your path as an actor. Believe me, this whole movie is challenging from every angle, it would have been even for a hearing actress. Rachel saw the passion for her cause sparkle in Quinn's eyes. She appreciated her opinion not only as her girlfriend, but as an actress, too To start your career with such a demanding project, Rachel, shows what stuff you are made off. The blonde softened her gaze. We can't go back. As hard as it still is on some days, we always have to move forward. And this -, she waved her hand at the set, -is a huge leap forward.

Rachel stepped closer and wrapped her arms around the other woman. "I know. Thanks for the prep talk," she then said smiling. Stepping back, she also lifted her hands to accompany her own words with signs. "I don't know when we will wrap tonight. But if it's not too late, care for an escort home?" she batted coyly her eyelashes at Quinn which made the other woman laugh.

Yes, I'd very much care for that, Quinn answered still grinning. If I don't see you at the theater, I'll wait in bed for you, she added wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Rachel laughed out loud, a sound Quinn never ceased wanting to hear. "Insatiable women!" An orange light started flashing close by, indicating the end of the break and for all involved parties to get back to their station. "Have a good show tonight!"

Thank you for letting me be a part of this with you.

Rachel gave Quinn a tight hug in answer.

Kurt had waited nearby and came closer after she let go of Quinn to give Rachel a quick hug good-bye as well.

"Thank you, Kurt, thank you for all your help!" She squeezed him tightly.

Turns out that you had other great support, he nodded in Norman's direction.

"I know, but since we didn't have time to meet before, I had no idea how this would work out and I'd rather be prepared for all eventualities. Especially… in this situation." She waved with her left hand at her ear.

This, Kurt pointed at the set stage, to indicate the scene, will look perfect on screen. He looked back at the stage. Think they are waiting for you.

Rachel looked as well and gave Kurt another short hug. "Thank you," she whispered before she turned and walked back to her position.

Kurt knew that in that 'thank you' vibrated so much more than just the gratefulness for the last two days. He was happy that they had become such close friends again. Happy, that the whole group of old and new friends had grown close(er) again.

With a smile, he hooked his arm through Quinn's while they left the theater.

© by Phoenix2013, 2015