disclaimer: i don't own Glee! or really anything in here!
Q POV
It's been almost an hour and Rachel's tears have long since stopped, after a few more minutes her breathing has evened out and I glance down noticing she has fallen asleep.
I gently shake her while peppering her face with kisses. "Rach, wake up" I sing song in her ear. When she opens her eyes she also lets out a huge yawn. "Let's get you home" I tell her while standing up and bringing her with me.
While we start walking down the deserted streets of Lima I put my arms on her shoulder and she rests her head on my arm. When we get to her house she looks at me with desperate eyes. "Please stay?" she whispers. "Of course" I'm quick to supply. She looks worried, yeah right like I would rather be anywhere else right now.
When we get to her room she runs to her bathroom to change and I quickly do the same. When she comes back out she's still wearing my Cheerio hoodie. Damn she looks good in my clothes.
She lies down in bed while I commandeer the bathroom and when I get out she's already fast asleep. So I quickly make my way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. While I'm down there I check the cupboards and frown in concern. Since Rachel moved out her dads stopped buying vegan food so I know there's nothing in here she'll actually eat. This is a problem since I know she hasn't eaten in about three days. I make a mental note to get her something.
When I get back upstairs I lay down next to Rachel and taker her into my arms. After about ten minutes when I start drifting off to sleep Rachel starts shaking and thrashing around in her sleep. She has tears in her eyes and is shivering so I'm immediately worried.
I wrap her in my arms and start whispering directly in her ear "come on Rach wake up baby girl." When she finally wakes up she looks embarrassed and tries to pull away but I just hold her tighter and let her lay her head on my chest.
"Quinn?" she whispers into the darkness "yeah?" I start drawing patters on her lower back with my fingers. "I love you." She confidently states.
This stills all my movement. Did she really say that? Is she dreaming? I look down and meet her eyes nope wide awake "I love you too Rach" I kiss her forehead and go back to the triangle I was just drawing. She sighs contently and snuggles deeper into me and is back to sleep within minutes.
Yeah like I'm really sleeping after that.
A little before 7am as gracefully as I can I roll out of bed. I want to run to the store for ingredients for breakfast for the Berry family.
When I get outside I see Santana parked at the curb leaning on the hood of her dad's blue Explorer swinging around her lanyard. When we make eye contact she tries to act nonchalant like this is an everyday thing.
"I…I just uh, came to apologize to Rachel." She finally stutters out. I know how humiliated she is right now because Santana never apologizes so I try not to make a big deal out of this.
"Yeah go on up" I tell her like I own the place "she had a nightmare earlier so she probably shouldn't be alone." I curse myself quietly, why am I leaving then?
"Thanks Q" ah there's a real smile. With that we fist bump and go our separate ways.
R POV
When I wake up I'm happy for what feels like the first time in weeks, I can't even wipe the smile off my face. I told Quinn I love her and she said it back! What could be better? I think as I shuffle to my dresser for some socks.
My room hasn't been redecorated since I went to New York so all of my stuff is still lying around. That's why I shouldn't be surprised when on my desk top I see a picture of me and Finn from graduation with our caps and gowns.
Before I can stop myself I pick up the frame and catapult it at my wall. There is glass everywhere but I don't care. I hate Finn! I hate him. I wish I could go off on him until he hurts as bad as I do. Why should he get to be ok when I'm so miserable?
Suddenly standing is much too much a chore and my body slowly starts to break down, so I start to drop to the floor as the tears start in a fresh wave. Before I can hit the ground I'm wrapped up in someone's arms Quinn? I think before they speak.
"I got you Berry, you're aright" she coos over and over in my ear. She slowly walks me to my bed and when we sit she tries to let go but I just pull her harder to me. "shh Rach you're ok, I'm not going anywhere." She starts mumbling into my ear.
Snots running down my nose and I look a mess but I honestly don't care anymore because my dad is dead how is anything ever going to be ok ever again? That's the last thought running through my head before I drift back to sleep.
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When I wake up again I can feel fingers in my hair and even breathing behind me. I look up to see intense hazel eyes boring into me. "Morning" she softly greets me. "Morning" I mumble back.
Wasn't Santana here? I'm confused, was that a dream? I roll over and see the broken picture sitting on my dresser and Santana sitting at my desk chair looking amazingly uncomfortable.
I sit up enough to take in my surroundings, there is breakfast on my dresser and Quinn is leaning against my head board and has my head in her lap. Perfect I think
"Hey Berry" Santana greets me but she refuses to meet my eyes she looks at everything but us. Like white carpeting is the best thing since sliced bread. "I came over to apol-"
"San" I cut in. but before I can finish she starts again. "Rachel please listen." I know this is a big deal because she just called me Rachel and she's using a tone that is normally reserved for Brittany.
"Look you were right I should have never called Finn to tell him about your life that wasn't my place." She takes a deep breath " and if this leaves this room I'll deny it but I consider you one of my favorite people and I wasn't going to be able to handle it if Finn wormed his way back into your life, I was trying to stop it in its tracks ." she lets a few tears loose and I purposely look away I know she would close herself of even more if I commented on her tears.
"Honestly" her voice cracks as she continues "I still haven't forgiven him for outing me in high school, I know that was forever ago but I'm just not over it and I just wanted him to know how better off everyone was without him" she tearfully finishes.
"I'm sorry too" I tell her but now it's my turn to avoid eye contact, I'm playing with my yellow comforter while Quinn rubs soft circles on my back. "I should have never said it was your fault, I was just so furious I started blaming everyone."
"Rach" she laughs "are you kidding? It's fine I would have done the same thing."
"So, forgiven?" I ask with a big show smile
"Forgiven" she laughs."But" Oh good her voice sounds normal again. "We need to talk about what were going to do about Finn." I throw my hands up "No Santana No more"
"Listen Berry" she interrupts again her voice turning cold. "This isn't some high school drama. This is a big deal pyramid nipples broke the law, a couple actually!" she snaps "That's not something I'm going to let him get away with grudge or not."
Since I've known Santana for so long it's hard to always remember that she's a law student and actually knows what she's talking about sometimes.
I chance a glance at Quinn and she shrugs "she's right Rach." I hear a soft "hell yeah!" behind me and Quinn rolls her eyes.
"Come on it's a DUI, hit and run and not to mention Finn is 20, they'd fry his ass!" Santana chimes in. "what do you think?" Quinn asks me much softer.
"Well what's your plan?" I ask the two masterminds, obviously they have a plan and I probably won't like it. "Remember when that Warbler boy band wanna be slushied Blaine and I went all unholy underboob?"
How could I forget? She was very proud of herself that week.
Just to be a smart ass Quinn asks "so you want to sing a MJ duet with him?" I can't help but laugh it's the perfect break we need from the serious moment.
"Ok but I want to talk to him first" I softly tell the room bringing us back to the moment. "Baby girl" I can till from Quinn's voice she's worried "are you sure?" "Definitely" I tell her with conviction. "I need to tell him to his face that I'm done with him. I'm ready for bigger and better things." I don't add the 'with Quinn' part but I can tell from her face she knew.
"And this will at least give him the chance to do the right thing." Adds Santana "he won't but still. When he doesn't were moving on to my plan ok?"
"Ok" I answer barley even paying attention. "I'll call him" Quinn says never breaking eye contact with me.
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We decide to meet at the park so it's neutral ground for everyone. When we get there Brittany heads straight for the dock pond carrying a bag of bread, this is just another day in Lima for her.
When we see Finn I can't help but smile at the tape over his nose. Way to go Britt! When he sees me he gives me a huge smile and a wave "Hey Rach!" is he really acting like everything is ok right now? "Listen" Quinn steps up total HBIC mode on. Damn it's hot, no stop Rachel focus! "Were just here to see what your plan is." "For what?" he asks confused, oh my god does he have brain damage? "Uh the accident?" Quinn supplies. "Oh!" he lights up. "But I said I was sorry?" and right back to confused, yep let's go with brain damage, damn football.
"That doesn't make it ok!" shouts Santana. Bonus points for her she lasted much longer than I thought she would. "We want to know if you're going to the cops or not." "What cops? Why? I said I was sorry!" he literally whines.
It's like Quinn knows I'm about to lose it and she silently connects our hands and gives a gentle squeeze in show of support.
"You're not 5 and 'sorry' isn't some magic word that makes everything go away!" bellows Santana
Finn is stuttering now and I officially let loose "YOU KILLED MY FATHER!" I dare him to say sorry on more time…I take 3 deep breaths "I'm only here to tell you I'm done with you, seriously. No more texting me when you hear a song on the radio that we covered in Glee Club, no writing on my facebook that you miss me, and no more weekly emails about frickin Lima." "But Rach." God he sounds pathetic.
"No more!" I hiss out, "I'm not forgiving you but I'm moving on."
With that I spin on my heel and walk to the duck pond to meet Brittany who is happily holding a duck. "You're so brave Rach." She greets me with a big hug.
In a flash Quinn and Santana join us a little out of breath, I turn to see Finn limping away but I decide not to ask any questions.
I give Santana a long look like I'm studying her, finally I nod." You can do it your way" I tell her
She lets out a yell and three fist pumps, suddenly I'm regretting this.
"Hey um, why don't you guys go do whatever for about an hour and then we can meet up for dinner?" I ask the group and all three look at me wearily.
"Please?" I try again "I just really want to spend some time with my daddy I've barley seen him." It's true we have barely spoken since my melt down in the kitchen.
Quinn lets out a sigh she knows I'm right she pulls me into a hug, "call us if you need anything" she softly kisses my cheek, San just rubs my shoulder and Brittany put her hand down for a low five. With that I'm off
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Q POV
I'm lying on Santana's bed on my back with my feet rested up against the wall tossing a tennis ball repeatedly against the wall above Santana's Ohio state football poster. This used to be one of my favorite activities in high school, I would lay here for hours just thinking and throwing. San will be here any minute to ruin the fun.
Right on cue the door opens and San stomps in and catches the ball right before it gets to me then she stomps to the window and chucks it as far as she can before slamming it closed. She looks at me with her best glare but I just laugh; "Jokes on you that was your tennis ball." She raises an eyebrow at me…who taught her to do that?
"Why are you so happy today Fabray?" "That rhymed." I point out; she just gives me another look. Rude! I decide to spare her anymore of my jokes.
"Rachel told me she loves me…and I said it back!" I can't hide my smile
Santana is ecstatic "no way! So together or…?" she trails off "no not yet I want to wait till we get back to ask her." "Yeah good call." She agrees sitting on the bed pushing me closer to the edge.
"I do need something from you though please." I give her my best puppy dog eyes.
"Lemme guess, you wanna know how to get your sweet lady kisses on? It's simple all you do is" I throw my hands up "Holy Hell please stop talking." I'm not taking advice from this crazy.
All she does is smirk and hit me with a pillow. "Alright Q waddya need?" "Can I borrow your house? I want to make Rachel dinner and then maybe have the talk."
Oh good her smirk is back "Aaaw but you won't have the talk with me?" she whines "It's simple Q when two people love each other or yeah know are really drunk or bored they just boom boom boom I want you in my room!"
"THAT'S your version of 'the talk?'" why am I so shocked? Another rhyme! "Please dear God never reproduce." She just laughs. "so do I get my thank you now or after the first date?"
I pretend like I'm actually thinking about it "Hmm, I'll keep you posted."
"Fair enough, but seriously Q I'm happy for you" with that she gets up and pushes me off the bed. I land with a thump and spare a glance under the bed, hey another tennis ball! "Game on!" I holler.
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R POV
When I get home I go straight to my daddy's room and I notice the plate of food Quinn brought up for him is still sitting on his bed side table untouched. Daddy's just lying on top of the covers just starring at a blank wall completely unseeing. He doesn't even flinch when I climb on the bed next to him and quickly peck his cheek. He's still wearing his funeral clothes and I sadly realize he's probably been sitting here like this in the exact same spot since yesterday and it breaks my heart.
Suddenly I'm overcome with the need to fill the silence so I start telling him about the last few days, leaving out the parts about Finn I want to make sure he's really listening for that part. I've been talking for over ten minutes and he has barely even glanced at me. Who is this guy? Because it really isn't my daddy. Daddy has always been the strong one in the family and it's killing me to see him like this.
After a few more minutes I decide I'd rather just sit in his presence then pretend I was having a real conversation. I curl myself into a ball and lay my head in his lap like I would when I was little, still nothing.
I'm trying to stop my tears when suddenly my phone rings the sudden noise making me jump; I had almost forgot that the outside world existed. I go out in the hallway and begin pacing as I answer it.
"Hello?"I whisper "Berry!" booms Sylvester. "Listen we are having some problems with West Side Story." Oh is this a groveling phone call? I smile evilly.
"Like what?" I ask, "Well she says clearly upset, your understudy sucks." Way to be frank "and we have had a few sponsors back out last second and I said either go big or go home! And well…were going home. So I decided to scrap the whole thing new plan!" she excitedly yells at me.
"Now I've found some people ready to dish out a lot of cash for a decent production of RENT. We start auditions next Thursday, so one week from today then rehearsals start on Monday, what do you say?" she spits out.
"Umm" I mumble, I stop pacing up and down my hallway to look into my daddy's room he hasn't moved an inch. How the hell can I go back to New York and be happy when I know my daddy is at home falling apart?
I clear my throat hoping I sound more put together than I feel. "Yeah no thanks, I have to pass."
"Berry!" she howls before I cut her off "sorry I guess I still don't take my career seriously" and with that I disconnect the call.
One thing is clear in my mind, I really can't go back to New York.
A/N please let me know what you think!