xxx

"What time is it?" Rachel blinked hard as she tried to focus on the clock on the bedside table.

"It's early."

"Come back to bed."

"I can't, I've got to be on set in like ten minutes." Quinn pretended to look at her watch, but her eyes didn't actually leave Rachel.

"You work too hard."

"I had yesterday off! Anyway I've got to go. Can I take you out tonight?" Quinn sat on the edge of the bed and slipped her shoes on before turning round to face Rachel again, she looked so pretty with her hair splayed out across the pillow, staying was definitely something she wanted to do, but she couldn't be late, it wasn't worth the hassle.

"Really?" Rachel was slightly taken aback, she'd been the one to instigate all their recent dates but now Quinn was making plans and it felt perfect.

"Yes, really. I want to take you out, the pier? I know you were keen the other day."

"I'd love too." Rachel beamed but then her smile faded. "I can't, I'm on a late call, I don't start until almost dusk, they want some night shots and it could be all week."

"How about breakfast tomorrow?"

"I can do breakfast, it'd be nice."

"Great, then I'm taking you to the pier on Saturday."

"Saturday." Rachel confirmed, happy that Quinn had remembered that she wanted to go, but mostly ecstatic that Quinn had been the one that wanted to arrange a date.

Quinn leant over the bed, her face hovering above Rachel's. "Call me when you get out tomorrow and I'll head over." She placed a soft kiss to Rachel's forehead and was gone.

Rachel lay back in her bed, setting the alarm and dozing off, her dreams were filled with Quinn. They always were lately.

xxx

Kim turned up about an hour before Rachel was due on set.

"Good night?" she asked as she peered over her coffee cup, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth, Kim looked a mess and Rachel was trying not to laugh.

"Mmmmm, that boy Noah is just...I don't know how you can be gay if you went to school with a guy like that!"

"You like him then?"

"Baby, I liked him all night. He's sleeping soundly now and I'm bummed I've got to go, but yes, I'm all for a repeat of that when I return."

"You're as bad as him."

"I know, it's perfect. How was your date?"

"It was nice, she cooked, she stayed, but we didn't."

"Soon I hope, I can see you both itching it's painful to watch."

"Good job you're going then." Rachel poked her tongue out childishly.

"She's nice, Quinn, I like her."

"Who are you and what have you done to Kim?"

"Funny!"

"I'm going to miss you."

"I'll be back in a couple. So don't miss me too hard. I'm going to set you up with some auditions, it's pilot season and casting is hot, I want your name to be seen. There's some interest, but I want more."

"Joyous."

"You're the one that is thinking about making this little move, a bit more permanent."

"It's just an idea, but yeah it might be nice to spend a little longer here."

"I'm not keeping you off Broadway, there's some interest in you taking over for a guest spot in the summer, you'll be long finished here, so if it doesn't work out..."

"The auditions or Quinn?"

"Both, either. Just don't make any snap decisions."

"I won't." Rachel laughed when Kim gave her a knowing look. "I mean it, I won't." She said more determinedly.

They said their goodbyes and Rachel knew she was going to miss Kim's company, they had an odd sort of friendship, but it was often exactly what she needed.

xxx

They had breakfast together every morning that week, Quinn only had about an hour to spare before she was due on set, she'd bring the food with her and then when she left, Rachel would go back to sleep. It was perfect. Perfect except they still hadn't really kissed. There were touches and looks and kisses to foreheads or pecks on lips, but nothing substantial. Rachel was desperate for Quinn to make a move, but she knew she had to hold back and wait until the blonde was ready or it could all go wrong, it was all down to Quinn now, it had to be because she needed Quinn to be sure and comfortable.

Work had been fun, but draining, the breakfasts had got her through the week. Finally Saturday arrived and she woke early, partly because she was used to their breakfast routine, but mostly because she was so excited about their date. If Quinn was going to change things then Rachel had a feeling it would be today. They'd been getting to know each other all over again and she knew they had something special. She poured herself a coffee and checked her messages, seeing Santana was online she sent her a message.

R: Good morning stranger...

S: Broadway?

R: Hey S. How's things?

S: Awesome, B's home. We want to come visit. You and Q off or on these days?

R: On.

S: Brittany is squealing and I'm trying to hide my smile. So you getting down and dirty?

R: Um. That's all I'm going to say on the matter.

S: Oh...come on! Details?

R: Hmm...

S: So...

R: You said visit?

S: Sure, next weekend? You think Q can handle it? Do I care? We're gonna make you two lemons get all pressed and juicy.

R: I've no idea what you're talking about.

S: You'll find out ;)

R: Um again.

S: Lol, we'll see you next week, Friday night, say 7pm. Make sure you've got somewhere awesome to take us, Britt's wants to get her dance on.

R: Sure, can't wait.

S: Bye loser.

R: Love you too x

S: :)

xxx

"You look beautiful." Quinn left a tender kiss on Rachel's cheek before stepping back and admiring her some more.

"You're stunning, when aren't you? I'm beginning to see the downside to dating you."

"Rachel, you are beautiful, but you're so much more than that, so please stop."

"Fine. I'll try."

"Good, ready to go?"

"Yeah." Rachel's voice was shaky, the emotions that were spilling over were becoming overwhelming.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, I just...this..."

Quinn knew what she meant, she'd kept Rachel at a distance for too long and now she had some catching up to do, she smiled and took Rachel's hand. They walked to the car and Quinn opened the door for her. "It's about time, come on."

"It is. It really is." She smiled. "Oh, I heard from Santana today, she's coming to stay next week, wants us to go somewhere awesome, Brittany expects, so I thought you might have some ideas?"

"I'm not sure I can deal with those two on a night out in L.A."

"Quinn." Rachel pleaded, her bottom lip stuck out and Quinn chuckled.

"I'm kidding, I wouldn't leave you on your own with them. I'll sort something out, theres a club I used to go to."

"Great."

"I'm not sure you know what you're in for, Santana is wild."

"It's a good job I'll have you there to take care of me then."

When they got to the pier Rachel's face lit up like a kid at Christmas. Quinn basked in her happiness and indulged all her requests as they went on all the rides and played every silly game that caught Rachel's eye. She felt young and free again, just like she should have felt at 17, she imagined this is what it would have been like, if she hadn't had to grow up so fast anyway.

"You're an amazing woman Quinn." Rachel gripped onto her arm as they walked back to the parking lot.

"I'm a flawed person, with so many hang ups it hurts."

"Yeah, I still like you." She'd had an amazing day, Quinn had made it perfect in every way. They'd gone unnoticed, but she knew it wouldn't and couldn't stay like this for much longer.

To all around they were just friends, but sometimes Quinn would take her hand, or look at her adoringly and she knew that would be pulled to pieces once her own show aired, there was already a buzz forming and she knew her face would only be in the background of the promotional campaign, but it would still be there. Quinn's show was gaining popularity and she was getting spotted more often. Things were changing, but they both seemed to want to cling onto their little bubble for as long as they possibly could and for today it was all they needed.

"Do you want to come in? We could get some take out. Share some wine?" Quinn asked as she parked the car.

"I'd love to. " Rachel almost ran out of the car. Quinn close behind her laughing as they skipped their way to the door, but then they both stopped dead in their tracks.

"Mom." Quinn broke the silence and Judy turned around to look at the pair, taking in their giddiness and breathlessness before dropping her bags to the floor.

"I thought you needed me." Judy said as she pulled Quinn into an awkward hug, Rachel just watched on, stunned. "I'm only here for tonight, I'm due in Texas on Monday morning, so thought this was a perfect stop over."

"Mom, this is Rachel, you remember? From Lima."

"I do." Judy arched her eyebrow and gave Rachel a quick once over. "It's lovely to see you again dear. Are you an actress too?"

"Mom she won a Tony."

"Is that like an Oscar?"

"Um yeah, kind of."

"Well done dear. Your Dads must be so proud."

"They are, yes. It's nice to see you Mrs Fabray, it's been a long time." Rachel held out her hand for Judy to shake, it was awkward but she wasn't sure what was called for in these kinds of situations.

"Call me Judy, Mrs Fabray is my mother-in-law and the less I have to think of her the better."

Quinn let them into her apartment, Rachel followed behind, still not sure of her place in this scenario. Quinn clearly hadn't been expecting her Mom to show up like this and based on what Quinn had told her over the last few months, this was definitely an odd occurrence, she wasn't sure whether to stay or go, but Quinn's hand was now squeezing hers tightly as she dragged her inside, so she didn't have much choice.

xxx

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Quinn fussed in the kitchen, retrieving cups from the cupboard and fumbling nervously with the coffee machine.

"I thought it'd be a nice surprise, you sounded like you needed me." Judy looked towards Rachel, then back to Quinn. "I didn't realize you had a friend here though and now I've seen you I feel a little silly, you seem okay. I was just worried after your call. I'd have come sooner but couldn't get away, I'm here now though, if you need me that is?"

"It's...um I do, yeah it's just unexpected, but good." Quinn was awkward, this was a first, she knew she'd been upset when she spoke to her Mom, only now she was aware that she'd probably sounded a lot worse, she couldn't really remember everything, the vodka she'd drank that night made sure of it.

"I should go." Rachel was stood in the doorway looking uncomfortable.

"No." Quinn almost screamed and suddenly both Rachel and Judy were staring at her. "Sorry, I just, no Rachel you don't need to go. We were having such a great time..."

"It was wonderful Quinn, but your Mom." Rachel opened out her hand towards Judy as if that was all the explanation needed.

"You don't mind do you Mom? I promised Rachel food and wine."

"I don't mind at all, I'm intruding on your time. It'll be lovely, a proper girly night, I can't wait."

"See, you have to stay."

"Um, sure." Rachel rubbed her hands together nervously, Judy had been eyeing her suspiciously the whole time, they'd not seen each other in years, but somehow the woman still intimidated her.

xxx

"This is great isn't it?" Judy was having a wonderful time, thanks to the wine Rachel had grabbed from the store. She poured them all another glass of wine as Quinn answered the door to the delivery guy.

"Lovely." Rachel mumbled, her eyes still locked on Quinn, Judy coughed and she blushed at being caught.

"Rachel, can I ask you something?" Judy sat down next to her and spoke quietly so that Quinn couldn't hear.

"Um." Rachel cringed at her sudden lack of vocabulary, it was getting ridiculous lately.

"Excellent. Tell me, is Quinn okay? I spoke to her a couple of weeks ago and it sounded like something really bad was going on, I think she'd been drinking and..."

"You should ask her." Rachel tried to stop the conversation, she really didn't want to have to answer any of Judy's questions, because she had a feeling they'd lead back to her relationship with Quinn at some point.

"I should, but I'm asking you, you're her friend right and I can see you share something special, besides Quinn will probably lie to me." She added dismissively, but Rachel could see that thought alone hurt Judy.

"I don't think I should, I can't."

"What about this boyfriend?"

"The what?" Rachel spluttered as she tried desperately not to spit out the wine she'd just drunk.

"The one that cheated on her? She sounded devastated, but I don't know she seems fine, did they work it out?"

"I..."

"Rachel, she's a mess and sometimes she holds it all in until it eats her up completely, it's always been her weakness. She doesn't share it with anyone, but then I see her with you and I think maybe she has someone she can rely on? I just want to know if this guy she likes is hurting her?"

"The person...I think...Quinn's happy. They are happy and I'm here and she's fine. I don't think it's my place to say more than that."

"Thank you, it's all I needed to know anyway."

"What have you said?" Quinn turned to Judy accusatorially. "Rachel has turned pale"

"Nothing...it's nothing." Rachel sputtered as she rose to her feet and helped Quinn with the plates, eager to move away from Judy and end any chance of further inquisition.

xxx

A little later and food was eaten, wine had been drunk and Judy was yawning.

"You're staying right?" Quinn turned to Rachel as she half asked, half stated. They'd not been intimate again, but they were sharing a bed on occasion and Quinn wanted her there tonight, she'd hoped things might have progressed a little, but with her Mom in situ, she knew it wasn't to be.

"If that's okay?" Rachel looked towards Judy, but the older woman was busy making up her bed on the couch.

"Night girls." She said as she climbed under the duvet.

xxx

Rachel followed Quinn to her room, happy that Judy was at least playing at being oblivious, she'd caught her looking at them strangely a couple of times, most notably when Quinn joined their hands at one point. It was obvious that Judy didn't know Quinn was gay.

Quinn closed the door and turned to face Rachel with a pained expression. "I'm so sorry. I really didn't know she was coming, she's never turned up unannounced before, really you have to believe me."

"Of course you didn't know. That would involve talking and clearly neither of you is very good at that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Quinn put her defences up immediately.

"She asked me all about your boyfriend, the one that cheated on you."

"Oh." Quinn slumped down onto the bed deflated. "She assumed. I didn't clarify."

"Are you going to tell her? Because my honest opinion is that you really don't need to be keeping any more secrets in your life."

"I am, I will. Tomorrow?" Quinn pulled Rachel down onto the bed next to her. "but tonight..."

"Tonight?" Rachel wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and they fell back laughing.

"If my Mom wasn't here..."

"We'd talk about the elephant in the room and maybe you'd kiss me?"

"Possibly." Quinn tried to turn her smile upside down. She'd been waiting for the right moment, but there always seemed to be something getting in their way.

"Possibly will have to do. Hold me?"

"Always."

Rachel curled into Quinn and just as they had been doing every time they'd shared a bed recently, they fell asleep tangled together, both seeking a familiar comfort from the other and both receiving it.

xxx

"Try this." She offered Rachel a waffle, holding it just in front of her mouth, the brunette was sitting on the counter as Quinn made them all breakfast and Quinn used the position to her advantage as she stepped between Rachel's legs, so that their bodies were almost touching.

Rachel opened her mouth and moaned at the taste. "That's delicious." Quinn wiped a crumb from Rachel's bottom lip. Rachel's eyes darkened as they locked with Quinn's. Her breath hitched and she moved a little closer, pressing her body against Rachel's.

"Your Mom?" Rachel husked, unable to stop this if Quinn continued.

"She's out of it, you probably didn't notice she drank a whole bottle of wine on her own last night, we won't see her until after 10am, its the same as when I was a kid."

"You're sure."

Quinn just nodded, Rachel was perfectly positioned and she was millimeters from her lips. She closed her eyes and leant in closer, she could feel Rachel's unsteady breaths against her lips and could almost taste her.

"Morning girls." Judy singsonged as she walked into the kitchen. Rachel jumped back and hit her head on the cupboard behind her, but Quinn didn't flinch, her hands were still planted on Rachel's thighs but her eyes moved to her Mom and she saw the shock on her face, it stung a little, but then she turned her attention back to Rachel. The brunette was rubbing her head vigorously and Quinn had to pull her hand away so she could check for blood.

"It's just a bump." She grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and placed it on the back of Rachel's head. Her other hand rubbing her back gently.

Judy helped herself to coffee and sat at the table watching the two girls curiously. The way Quinn tended to Rachel was not lost on her.

Rachel tried not to look, but she couldn't miss the expression on Judy's face as Quinn took care of her, she also didn't miss how the woman closed her eyes tight and lightly shook her head. She saw it all and she ached for Quinn, but it didn't change anything. Quinn had to open up, Rachel could only hope that Judy's reaction didn't effect their relationship too much.

xxx

"You didn't have to make Rachel leave." Judy said as she packed her bags, Quinn tried to get her to sit down, but she didn't stop.

"I needed to talk to you."

"I should really go, I don't like being late at the airport."

"No, Mom, don't do this, your flight isn't for hours."

"I'm not doing anything."

"Rachel told me that you asked about my 'boyfriend'."

"Why do you say it like that?"

"I think you know why, but lets do this your way. Rachel told me you asked and now I'm here and ready to talk, you want to run away?"

"You're happy, I don't need to worry anymore."

"I'm gay." Quinn let out in one deep breath. Judy stopped packing, she didn't move an inch. "Mom?" Judy still didn't move. "Say something, please." Quinn begged. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could barely stand waiting a second longer.

"That's lovely dear." Judy finally answered, her voice was cheery, too cheery.

"Oh come on!"

"What do you want me to say?" Judy finally snapped, her hands were shaking as she finally turned to face Quinn. "I raised you properly, I had hopes for you, I built a life around you and I just wanted some grandchildren and now suddenly you think you might gay."

"I don't think, I know. I'm very gay, a super huge lady lovin lesbian and I can't change that. I have to hide it everyday from strangers, I can't hide it from the people that matter to me, it matters Mom and what you think matters, but it isn't going to stop me. Just don't stand there and tell lies about hopes and dreams, because you lost yourself in a bottle of vodka when you were supposed to be supervising my eighth birthday party, I think you gave up any right to ask me to live your dreams and don't pretend you raised me, I took care of me, I had to."

"I'm sorry that's how you remember your childhood, but I tried. I really did, just some days...some days I got up in the morning and drove you to school and it was so hard, everything about it, I'd get home and all I had was that vodka bottle." Judy sat down on the couch and crossed her legs, she rested her head in her hands for a moment as she tried to compose herself, finally looking up to meet Quinn's eye. "I love you. It's a shock...but if you are happy, if Rachel...I'm assuming it's Rachel that?"

"Yes, It's Rachel, it's always been Rachel."

"But she? It was Rachel that cheated on you?" Judy was perplexed.

"It was a bad idea by a guy we know. A misunderstanding. He kissed her to make me jealous. We've got past that, you actually helped me remember?"

"I do, I'm just...Quinn this is so new, how can you be sure?"

"I liked Rachel in school, its not new, not to me. I hid it back then, I ran from how I felt and I nearly lost her again, I can't do that anymore. I don't need you to support me, but I hope you'll come around eventually because I think this is it for me, Rachel is it. I told her about Dad, I've told her everything and she didn't judge me, she didn't turn her back. When I told her I was scared to love her, because losing her would be the end of me, she held me and promised to always be in my life."

Judy slowly pushed herself off the couch, she walked two steps then stopped, then another.

"Quinn, please don't rush into this, think about your future, your career."

"No Mom, I'm not rushing and I'm not hiding, not from you. I've protected my career, I've always been careful."

"Not with Rachel, it's not something you can hide, I could see something, I didn't want to. I'm sorry, I can't do this, I need some time. Can you give me that?" Quinn nodded at her Mom "Right." Judy dropped her gaze to her hands, but soon returned it to Quinn. "I guess there's nothing more to say? I think I should go. I'll call you."

Quinn bit on her lip, but a tear still fell from her eye, she knew she wouldn't get any further with her Mom today, but looked up hopefully and her Mom half smiled. "Can I get a hug?" she choked out and Judy readily obliged. They sat in silence while they waited for the taxi to arrive, Quinn just wanted to get back to Rachel, she wasn't going to let this ruin things because even if Judy wasn't ready to accept her sexuality today, there was a chance she could in the future.

xxx

Sat at his desk with the lights dimmed, Rick rubbed his temples, it had been a long and shitty day. Rummaging in the drawer he found a bottle of Advil and next to it a bottle of scotch. The perfect combination to get him through his next meeting. He pushed the photos on his desk to one side and turned back to the report he'd been handed earlier. He wasn't quite ready to face the wrath of Quinn, she'd proved to be a formidable opponent in the past, yet somehow he'd always managed to get her to bend to his whim, even if there'd been a little compromise on his part. He hoped that held him in good stead because he needed her now, more than ever and the easier it was to get her to agree, the better. He stood from his desk and routed out the other file he needed. In his hands he held everything that he had on Quinn Fabray, he could only hope it was enough this time. He heard the knock on the door and quickly poured the scotch down his throat. His employer walked into the room a second later and Rick didn't even need to open his eyes to know this wasn't going to end well for anyone.

xxx

A/N: Please review.

I'll try to update soon, over the weekend probably. Up next: Santana and Brittany arrive for a night out and Quinn has a morning to forget. Is that cryptic enough?

Revelations will come.