A/N: Alright, so this chapter got away from me just a little, and it's a little different but hopefully you guys like it. I don't think I've ever cranked out a chapter this long quite this quickly, but as I said, don't get used to it. I've had a few days off from work and a lot of free time, so you guys reap the benefits. Hope you all enjoy. And as always, R&R.
Finally, they were getting around to the actual work.
After quite a few moments of blatant staring, Quinn calling upon the professional attitude that had gotten her this far. It was a bit different to the smug, self-assured way she'd handled things back in high school. She was still confident, but there was something very different about the way she held herself, the fortifying breath she took before picking up the camera. It had nothing to do with her own comfort really, and everything to do with Rachel's.
If she still thought of her as the head bitch that had tormented her in high school, they'd never get through the next few days. There were glimpses of the younger blonde from time to time, especially when the subject of all of that change was brought up, but for the most part she'd left the old Quinn behind in stride. When she came to New York, with no support from the Fabray name as back up, something had lifted off of her shoulders. And she might've gone slightly overboard with her new-found freedom. But with the oppressive force that was Russel Fabray having been taken off her back, could you really blame her? For once in her life she wasn't looking over her shoulder to make sure no one had noticed.
Resurfasing from her musings, she turned with a smile, gesturing to the stool she'd set out for the first shot. There was a backdrop for this particular pose. It had dive bar written all over it. It gave off the distinct impression of bright lights and cold beer, the stinging odor of alcohol and sweat as many bodies pressed together and cheered for the woman onstage. It was exactly the atmosphere she wanted for the first shot. That cool confidence and innocence that Rachel exuded when she sang.
Of course, that's what Quinn saw. Whenever she set up for a shoot, she always imagined what she wanted, then set it up beforehand so she could get a feel for the impression it was going to give whoever happened to be looking at the picture. She wanted them to be able to visualize this as she did, to see Rachel as she did.
A microphone was set-up in front of the singer, settled just below her mouth so that the blonde could get a decent, open, shot of her features. Otherwise, this pose would not work. She needed the drive, the determination, and the sultry appeal that Rachel would definitely give off while singing to a room full of fans.
It was one thing she'd always admired about Rachel. She would give anything and everything for the sake of an amazing performance, and would settle for nothing less. Quinn was almost positive that if someone had thought that cutting off an arm would get a rousing response during a performance, the brunette would've agreed. She'd seemed to have mellowed somewhat with age, but the passion was still there. Quinn could sense it, could feed off of it if she could just get the stiff brunette to relax.
She'd tensed as soon as the lens focused on her, and that wouldn't work for what she had in mind. She watched as that full bottom lip was held captive between the brunette's teeth, the nervous habit full of the natural sexiness that Quinn intended to show the world. Biting back a groan, she tried to think of a way to put the singer at ease, thinking that if she kept up with the lingering looks and unintentional signals she was sending the photographer's way, she might lose a little of her propriety right here on the studio floor.
Chocolate hues followed the progression of the photographer through her little ritual, watching as she methodically went through her equipment to select the perfect lens. Her gaze riveted to the long fingers that glided over the cameras with a lover's gentle touch. It was clear she loved her work, and took pride in it. So much had changed about the tight fisted blonde she'd grown up with. That Quinn Fabray would've scoffed at the mere idea of taking pictures for a living, finding it much too menial of a job to even consider as a career choice.
Of course, that was only what she allowed everyone to see. Now that she had observed the woman away from that environment, she couldn't help but think that maybe the blonde had just been scared. She could only imagine feeling as though you had to be a certain type of daughter. A certain type of student. A certain type of friend. She recalled how broken the blonde had been after she'd gotten thrown out of her house. Rachel had never had to deal with that sort of thing. She had always known from a very early age, that whatever she decided to do in life, she'd always have the support of her parents. Quinn hadn't.
Rachel decided she was spending entirely too much time focusing on the similarities and differences of the Quinn she was getting to know now, and the one she'd left behind after graduation five years ago. She settled against the stool casually, palming the microphone gently in one hand as she studiously tried to ignore the camera that the blonde now had pointed in her direction.
Watching the brunette from where she stood, she brought the camera up to eye-level and took a quick shot, there was nothing even remotely salvageable about it, but she wanted to get Rachel used to the flash. Hazel hues widened only slightly when the brunette visibly cringed, fingers plucking nervously at the hem of the halter. Clearly uncomfortable, the blonde's visage softened and she attempted to draw her into conversation, anything to bring the brunette some kind of normality.
"Rach, why don't you tell me about Julliard? I never asked, but did Finn end up going with you as planned?" She was determined to keep it casual, though she was much more interested in the answer than she appeared to be. She wanted to put the diva at ease, but even as she spoke she kept the camera at eye level, ready for any promising shots.
"No."
She could tell how nervous Rachel really was just by the lack of verbosity in that one statement. Normally the diva babbled when she was anxious, but this was something different. She almost seemed scared of the camera Quinn was holding. She pushed gently for more, " What happened?" Besides an attempt to get the singer to loosen up, she was honestly curious, " I thought you two had that all planned out?"
When the brunette finally met her gaze, it was with practiced indifference, " I did too." How was she supposed to tell the blonde that she'd been cast aside, and better yet, that she still wasn't over it. Not Finn, because lets face it, he'd treated her like shit. But being abandoned, being second choice once again had stung, and the wound was still healing. " He was offered a football scholarship to OSU. We tried the long-distance thing for a while, but while we both felt our feelings were reciprocated, it turned out that his were not."
Finally, the camera was dropped somewhat after a few shots, amazement and outrage clouding the photographer's vision as she grappled for something to say, " That little bastard. He cheated on you?" Hazel hues whipped to her own and she suddenly felt self-conscious once more beneath the thunderous gaze of Quinn Fabray. Though, there was amusement to be had in her reaction, " It's alright Quinn, I don't believe that our relationship would've lasted anyway. He might not have handled it correctly, but I consider it a preemptive strike to what was already headed our way. Just a little sooner than I expected."
The blonde stuttered for a moment before she had to literally loosen her grip on her camera, for a moment imagining Finn Hudson's features in the view finder, " He'd better be damned glad I didn't know that last year when he came up for a visit, or he'd be a few body parts short when he left." As if she realized this wasn't quite an appropriate reaction for a friend to have, she cleared her throat and murmured softly, " I'm sorry Rachel. You didn't deserve that."
Rachel was actually quite pleased with the blonde's reaction, and found herself smirking as she regarded the fuming photographer, " It really is okay Quinn. It was what was best, for the both of us. He moved on, and so did I." Her voice softened just slightly on her final words as she looked up at the blonde.
Slowly, her lips curved into a smile as she regarded the singer and the suddenly intense and searching look in those deep brown eyes. Quinn had never been what one would call shy, but she felt the weight of that gaze on her and felt as though Rachel saw entirely too much as she held onto hazel hues. 'That's the look' she thought, bringing the camera back up to her eye, only to find that Rachel's shoulders had slumped and she was now looking at the floor.
Quinn sighed softly and ran a hand through golden curls. She hadn't imagined it would be quite this difficult to get the brunette to open up, to feel. While they were just talking, she had no problem, but once the camera came back into view, she froze and retreated. Moving over to a nearby stand, she settled the camera onto it. Making certain that the bottom of the camera was aligned with the base and snapped into place, she easily attached a long cord that housed a clicking button at the end.
This way, she could interact with Rachel without having to hold the camera, which seemed to be intimidating the smaller woman. Quinn found it almost laughable that Rachel seemed afraid of the camera. She had been performing forever, and was now an award-winning actress. What did she do at awards shows? So, she relied on what she knew of the performer inside the star, " Rachel."
Brunette curls shifted as her gaze met Quinn's and she blushed, turning so that the curls of silky tresses would hide the heat she felt blooming in her cheeks. " I apologize Quinn. I guess I should be used to the spotlight by now. After owning it from the tender age of three you would think that a seasoned performer would never be nervous in front of a camera."
Waving a hand, she smiled warmly, " That's really not necessary Rach. I was just going to say that-." Stopping mid-sentence, she tapped a finger to her lips and put the camera down, stepping over to the microphone and plucking the cord from where it had been hidden against the base, " Rachel." She waited until she had her attention, which wasn't long considering she had been aware of Quinn as soon as she'd stepped close enough, " Will you sing for me?"
As Rachel stuttered for a response, the photographer went ahead and plugged the end into the speakers resting off to the side, returning with a grin as she tapped gently on the top of the microphone. The answering hum seemed to satisfy her and she moved back over to her station, picking up the cord once more as she looked at the brunette expectantly.
"Quinn, this is ridiculous. How is this supposed to help?" Not that she was nervous, she was Rachel Berry for god's sake. She sang in front of a sold-out crowd nearly every night of the week, a lot of the time twice a day. It was just…it was Quinn.
The blonde feigned a gasp, pressing a hand to her heart for dramatic effect, " Rachel Berry refusing a solo performance? I never thought I'd live to see the day." The diva actually stamped her foot as she blushed, which the blonde found utterly adorable, " Quinn. I have to rest my voice for this afternoon's performance. I don't have time for impromptu glee flashbacks." It was a weak defense even to her own ears.
Chuckling, the blonde fluttered her lashes and brought out the infamous puppy-dog eyes in response, " Please, Rach. For me?" The diva huffed, rolling her eyes playfully as she giggled, " Fine, but you owe me dinner for the performance. And an explanation regarding your past indiscretions with Santana Lopez."
At this the blonde's teasing was put to rest, but she nodded none-the-less, swallowing past the uncomfortable lump in her throat. That was not a conversation she'd been expecting to have. Thankfully, Rachel was unaware of her discomfort. Instead, she was focused on the microphone, the feel and texture of it was as comforting as an old friend and she allowed her eyes to flutter closed. This was something she knew, something she understood. The slightly sweaty grip of her palm against the shaft was something she got before every performance, her one tell that she was ever nervous before putting her talent to use.
The soft, dulcet tone of her voice began the opening run and Quinn smiled warmly when she recognized the song. It transported her back to that day. That same day they won Regionals.
Quinn remembered vividly how she'd looked walking across center stage. It had been a fuck you to the cheerleader, but at that point she really hadn't cared. She'd said what she'd needed to get the headstrong diva to realize that her dreams were not in Lima. She didn't belong there, she was too great, too talented for that. Her schemes hadn't worked in the Finn aspect, but for one glorious moment she'd really seen Rachel at her best. She'd taken to the stage like a scorned lover singing her way to redemption.
She was a siren that called distinctly to the broken shambles that had been her heart. Too caught up in the hierarchy that was high school to realize that she spoke to a part of Quinn that she refused to believe existed. She didn't care for Rachel, she couldn't.
Finding herself squarely back in the present, she allowed her own eyes to close with the first words.
What have I done?
I wish I could run, away from this ship going under.
Just trying to help. Hurt everyone else.
Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
Urging her eyes back open, she waited patiently for the shot that she knew was waiting.
What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
And all that you touch tumbles down.
Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things.
I just want to fix it somehow.
But how many time will it take.
Oh how many times will it take for me, to get it right?
As the question was posed, the singer's lids fluttered open, locking on Quinn's as she pled with the lyrics, as if she was asking her to fix it. To fix her. The vulnerability was clear and unblemished and Quinn took the shot, having turned off the flash so that she didn't disturb the performance. It wasn't exactly what she was looking for, but she knew it was a keeper regardless.
Can I start again, with my faith shaken?
Cause I can't go back and undo this.
I just have to stay, and face my mistakes,
But if I get stronger and wiser,
I'll get through this.
'I'll get through this' came with the slightest of smiles and Quinn captured it, prompting a smile of her own. It was a proud moment, and a moment for them both to realize their mistakes were in the past. The indefinable stirrings of a new beginning bloomed as they held each other's gaze, Rachel pouring her heart out for Quinn to witness, and she couldn't help but feel as if the brunette were singing just for her.
What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
And all that you touch tumbles down.
But how many times will it take?
Oh how many time will it take for me,
To get it right.
It was a perfect moment, perhaps what it should've been in the first place. Instead of Finn realizing his feelings in the wings as Rachel sang for him, she instead sang to the blonde across the room, who every now and again was stepping closer and angling the camera with a tug for a better shot, yet those gorgeous hazel eyes never left Rachel's. Both women were smirking at the other, each regarded their counterpart with silent promises.
So I throw up my fist, throw a punch in the air.
And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair,
Yeah I'll send out a wish, I'll send up a prayer
And finally someone will see how much I care.
She couldn't help but laughed softly at the enthusiasm that the brunette always exhibited for her talent, but this was different. And as she hit that last, jaw-dropping note the camera was left forgotten and she slowly made her way towards the singer, a look of determination on her features.
Rachel trailed off, not even finishing the song as she smirked, stepping away from the microphone and toward Quinn. The blonde had little thought in her head as she slipped an arm around the diva's waist and to the small of her back, pulling her flush with her body even as her free hand slipped beneath the chestnut curls. She tilted the brunette's chin up as Rachel rose to her toes, crashing their lips together, unaware that there was still a steady click of the camera still going on behind them.
Fingertips roamed as the blonde suckled gently on a full lower lip, prompting a breathy moan from the smaller woman. She would remember thinking later that it was one of the sexiest sounds she'd ever heard, but right now she couldn't think past the racing beat of her heart. A lithe tongue smoothed across the slightly swollen flesh, asking permission that was immediately granted and Quinn let loose with a soft moan of her own as she tasted Rachel for the first time.
A distinct cough behind them finally broke them apart, though they didn't retreat far, foreheads resting together as the blonde gently brushed across a thumb across her cheek, " Have dinner with me tonight?" The brunette giggled and leaned up for one more kiss, mumbling against her lips, " Eager Fabray?" The answer was another kiss, rapidly growing heated once more until she heard the gagging sounds coming from behind them.
She broke away with a growl, whispering, "Fucking Santana. I don't even remember why I hired her." Chocolate hues danced with amusement and arousal as she answered, " You'd better get a proper hold on those fleeting remembrances long enough to uphold your end of the deal. Pick me up at seven. Don't be late." She was all but skipping as she picked up her bag from the dressing room and got into the elevator.
"Congratulations Fabray, you got a midget for Christmas. Wonder if she'll fit in your stocking?"
"Fuck you Satan," was all she managed as she grabbed the camera and retreated to her office, leaning back against the door with her fingertips pressed to her lips.
One thing was for sure, Rachel Berry was a hell of a kisser. And she had a date. Tonight. That's when the panicking started.
A/N: So, who would you guys like to see make an appearance. I definately want to bring in Brittany soon, and maybe a little of Rachel's dad's, but I haven't figured out quite yet who else I'd like to see, so I'm leaving it up to the readers. A great big thank you to everyone who has reviewed and alerted, you guys are great :)