AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello again. I'm truly sorry for the long wait on this one. I was out of town for work and really didn't have the time to sit down and write. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I apologize for the slow pace it's on. I just need to get some foundations set before any really happens. I promise there will be goodness and drama. Thank you again to every one who is reading this story and following it. Also, review! Let me know what you think! :D Again, enjoy!
Chapter 5- Perks
A group of people, including Rachel, was huddled together in Kurt's office to discuss the best possible way to handle Shay's situation. The model's people were trying to get Rachel to publicly announce that they were just friends and things were being blown out of proportion. It wasn't a horrible idea until the agency realized that they were trying to put Rachel out for the kill. Now everyone was just arguing over who was going to be thrown under the bus.
"This is all your fault you know?" Rachel heard Shay whisper to her, as the two girls were the only ones not contributing to the argument right now.
"How so?" Rachel questioned, curious as to how it was her fault.
"If you didn't tell me that stupid joke these pictures wouldn't exist." Shay points out with a smile.
"I'm sure you'll still find a way to flirt and get close to me." Rachel found herself flirting. This wasn't new for them. Their relationship from the beginning was somewhat base off the flirty banters they've shared, which grew into a genuine friendship over time. Now when they flirt it's all in good fun and almost second nature.
"Possibly." Shay teased as she moved her head closer to Rachel to whisper something, "But do I even have to try?" The model countered. This made Rachel giggle as the two shared a secret moment among the chaos. Or so they thought.
Outside of Kurt's office stood Quinn, who just witnessed what seems to be an intimate interaction between Rachel and her client. To say that her jealousy was unsettling was an understatement. However, she knew better than to act irrationally, especially at work. She fixes herself up before she prepares to enter the chaos that was happening in Kurt's office.
"Try not to kill your client." Santana uttered with a chuckle. "Don't take it out on them. They don't know your secret like we do. Be professional." San made sure she was clear, but added a wink.
"Aren't I always?" Quinn gave her a look and continues on her path.
Seconds later, Quinn entered the chaotic office and no one seems to notice. Well she thought no one had noticed. From the side where Rachel was sitting beside Shay, now should the short brunette. Rachel jumped up from her sitting position once the familiar blonde locks entered the room. She wasn't sure why she reacted so erratically, but it earned her a bemused smile from Shay.
"Shut up." Rachel whispered to the model, which earned her a full-blown giggle. Rachel turned five thousand shades of red by this point. However, before the short girl can say anything more a loud 'ahem' was echoed throughout the room. Everyone stopped their chatter to look at who it was that had interrupted them.
"May I suggest something? I mean Ms. Mitchell is my client after all." Quinn questioned. It wasn't really a question. It was her being polite before she does what she plans to do anyways. Quinn looked around at everyone's reaction. Most seem a bit annoyed that she budded in and the rest just looks scared at the demanding demeanor Quinn portrayed. Then her eyes landed on Rachel's who was giving her a smile of encouragement and she felt her heart skip a beat. That damn smile! Recovering from her momentary hiccup she held her head up and explained her plan. "Alright. I have no idea what the lot of you are planning or were discussing moments earlier, but I'm sure none of those ideas were useful." Quinn was being brutal and that wasn't brewing well with her audience. Rachel looked a bit nervous for her. Cute. "Everyone is looking at these pictures like it's the worst news and it's going to ruin Shay's career. News flash, she plays a gay character on a hit television show! Her career hasn't been better. People are curious. People are always curious. This doesn't mean we have to confirm or deny anything. Speculation will always make its way around. What I suggest is that we only confirm one thing. That Shay and Rachel are long time friends whom are really close, which is entirely true." Quinn paused but then was interrupted.
"That doesn't explain the photos though!" Shay's manager spoke out.
"I wasn't finished." Quinn shot back. "Has anyone even asked the girls what was going on in the photo?" Quinn questioned the room. Everyone looked guilty and nervous at the question. "That's what I thought. Everyone just jumped to conclusions like all these tabloids when all you have to do is ask the sources themselves." Quinn was on a roll at this point. Everyone literally looks like they were going to cry at the way Quinn was handling them. "So we're going to pick a reliable social outlet and let Shay and Rachel confirm to everyone that they are good friends. We can make it fun while allowing Shay to give her support to the LGBT community. She's not hiding. Neither is Rachel. No one will be thrown under the bus for an issue that really isn't much of an issue. We'll make some PR outing where several other friends will be accompanying them. Other than that, they can go about their lives without making this anything more than it is, friends enjoying each other's company." At this Quinn eyed Rachel and saw the surprised look on the other girl's face.
"What happens when Shay is questioned if she's gay or not?" The manage spoke again.
"Well, is she?" Quinn asked, more curious for her than anything else. Quinn looked over at Shay, awaiting an answer. Shay's manager looks nervous, as he too didn't really know the answer to that question.
"Never say never..." Shay replied enthusiastically. That's the thing with Shay. She doesn't like to define herself as anything. She lives life as it is. Whatever happens, happens.
"Are you comfortable with giving the public that answer Shay?" Quinn asked the model in which Shay nodded in agreement. "Great, things are settled then. Feel free to take up to your Instagram or Twitter to confirm your friendship. Have me take a look at it before posting it and we can all go from there. I'll have a talk with all of these tabloids to give them a bone to chew on. Are we all in agreement?" Quinn finished.
"Ma'am yes ma'am." Shay shouted, amused as everyone else nodded their approval. Quinn looks pleased with herself as she turned back around and walks out the door she burst into. "Dang, your girl is feisty." Rachel heard Shay tell her.
"She's not my girl!" Rachel shot back as she tried to follow Quinn outside.
"But you want her to be." Shay whispered next to her, "Talk to you later friend." Shay gave Rachel a cheek kiss before she walks off with her people.
Outside, Quinn made her way over to her desk, dying to take a seat. Her head was still pounding from the hangover she had caused herself. She was in dire need of coffee. And like someone heard her thoughts, the smell of coffee assaulted her nasal.
"You probably need this." The familiar voice spoke behind her. Quinn wasn't expecting Rachel to talk to her let alone bring her coffee. Spinning around on her chair she gave the other girl a warm smile as she accepted the coffee.
"Thank you." Quinn spoke, but then noticed something on the girl's cheek. "Uh, you have a little something on your face." Q announced to the girl.
"Oh?" Rachel rubbed at her face, turning a bit red at her embarrassment.
"Other side..." Quinn tries to help her, but to no anvil. The shorter girl can't seem to get it. "Here..." Reaching up, Quinn helps the shorter girl wipe off what Quinn realized now was lipstick.
"Ah, thanks..." Rachel felt her body grow warmer under Quinn's touch, but was worried at the change in Quinn's expression afterwards. "What's wrong?" Rachel asked.
"You might not want to make a habit of letting Shay give you kisses if you guys are trying to portray a friendship." Quinn replied a bit harsher than she intended to.
"Wha-what?" Rachel stuttered, confused.
"Lipstick." Quinn showed her the content now on her fingers and Rachel turned even a deeper shade of red. As jealous as Quinn feels right now, she can't help but smile at Rachel's reactions. "Don't worry, I won't tell." Quinn lets Rachel know.
"Tell what?" Rachel was curious as what Quinn was thinking.
"You and Shay." Quinn said matter of fact, not wanting to really go into details about their relationship.
"What about me and Shay?" Rachel had other plans. "Pray tell."
"Your secret relationship." Quinn replied, trying to keep things short.
"Secret relationship?" It was Rachel's turn to smile. "Trust me Quinn, if Shay and I wanted to be in a relationship, it wouldn't be a secret. We're not the type to hide something like that." Rachel confirmed. Quinn felt relieved not that she was hoping she was wrong or anything.
"Oh." Was all Quinn could utter out.
"Not so many words now, huh?" Rachel was enjoying the moment. Normally, Rachel would have to work pretty hard to keep her cool around the blonde, but this morning seems to be easier.
"Sorry." Quinn apologized not looking at the other girl.
"Hey..." Rachel reached over to take the blonde's face to look at her not realizing what she was doing. "Uh- don't be sorry. You were just making an observation. No harm done." Rachel told her with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh uh, I'm okay. A bit of a headache, but I'll survive." Quinn answered surprised. "And thank you for-for taking care of me last night." The blonde got out.
"My pleasure. I just hope everything is okay." Rachel replied.
"What do you mean?" Quinn questioned, curious.
"Well, it was the middle of the week and you got wasted." Rachel reminded her. Embarrassed, Quinn covered her face.
"Oh my God. I hope I didn't do anything embarrassing." Quinn prayed she didn't.
"Hrm, what's your definition of embarrassing?" Rachel teased, feeling more at ease with the blonde.
"What did I do?" Quinn asked with wide eyes.
"I have a meeting to get to but I'll talk to you later..." Rachel replied with a wink and started to walk away.
"You can't just leave!" Quinn yelled a little too loud at Rachel but the shorter girl just kept walking but she swore she could hear Rachel laughing.
"Calm down Blondie." Quinn heard San, "Trouble in paradise already?" Quinn shot her a dagger.
"I'm not in the mood for you Santana." Quinn wasn't really in a bad mood. She just didn't want to explain anything to Santana and she knew the girl would ask her about her night's activities.
"I'm assuming you didn't get any last night, then." Santana was pushing the blonde. "Too bad, good opportunity."
"I have a boyfriend S. Nothing was going to happen." Quinn decided to answer San.
"But you wanted it to." S stated. "You don't have to lie to me Q. I can tell by the way you eye the hobbit and the way the big green monster makes its presence known every time Shay is around." Santana commented.
"Yes, I'll admit that I feel uneasy when Rachel is with Shay. I guess I'm a bit jealous but I'll get over it. Nothing can happen. Plus, Rachel's type is clearly not someone like me."
"First, you're more than 'a bit' jealous. Second, you're so her type. Have you miss all the looks she gives you. Like she just wants to take you on one of these desk." Santana explained causing Quinn to blush bright red at the visual image of Rachel taking her on her desk. "And Q, you're not happy in whatever relationship you're in now. Why keep lying to yourself." And just like that Quinn was brought back to reality.
"I'm happy S." Quinn assured the Latina. "It's just lately we've been distanced due to work. Finn and I will work it out. Once we do, this Rachel crush thing won't matter." Quinn explained.
"If you say so Quinn. I'm just saying, you smile more genuinely when Rachel's around." Santana pointed out, but before they could continue their conversation Brittany announced that the staff meeting would be in 15 minutes.
About an hour later the meeting came to an end. The meeting consists of plans for future promotions of the firm and the upcoming Holiday parties. The entire meeting was pretty uneventful. Rachel didn't have to speak much because Kurt was the one holding the meeting so she let him take the lead. She spent the majority of session stealing glances at a certain blonde. She couldn't help herself. She keeps telling herself that Quinn is off limits, but something continues to pull her attention towards the beautiful hazel eyes she adores. She wasn't ever going to do anything about her affections for the blonde because she knew better. However, looking doesn't hurt.
"Rachel...Rachel" Kurt called out snapping the smaller girl out her daydream.
"Yeah?" Rachel was finally aware of her surroundings. Most of the staff had already left except for Santana, Brittany Kurt and Quinn.
"I said that they're joining us for lunch to discuss more about the Holiday's events." Kurt explained.
"Yeah, okay. Yup." Rachel gathered her notes not realizing everyone was giving her a weird look.
"Boss lady is strange." Santana commented.
"This boss lady can still fire you Santana." Rachel shot back playfully.
"I was only playing boss." Santana laughs as they all headed to the lunchroom.
The short trip to the lunch area consists of Rachel and Kurt discussing work while the three girls discuss what to eat. Once they reached their destination, they all broke off for a moment to get what they all wanted to eat. It so happens that Rachel and Quinn were the first to finish and met at a large table. Habit, Rachel pulled out the chair next to Quinn for her. Quinn was taken aback for a moment. Finn never pulls out the chair for me. Quinn started to compare but think it was wise to stop her wandering thoughts. Politely thanking Rachel, Quinn took a seat somewhat happy that Rachel took the seat to her right.
"So, before they're done can you please tell me what I did last night?" Quinn still wanted to know, to ease her mind.
"Why do you want to know?" Rachel asked, somewhat amused at Quinn's insistent to know.
"So I know what I'm apologizing for. I feel like I did something stupid." Quinn admitted.
"Quinn, you have nothing to apologize for." Rachel told her. "You were asleep once I got you into the car and you stayed asleep up until I got you into my bed-" Rachel was telling the blonde but stopped when everyone started joining them. Rachel gave Quinn an apologetic look knowing the blonde really wanted to know what happened the night before. Quinn wanted to pull Rachel aside so she could finish her sentence. Quinn completely forgot that she had slept in the smaller girl's bed. Now all that is going through her head as if Rachel slept in the same bed with her and if anything had happened through the night because Quinn had the tendency to move in her sleep.
"I don't feel so well, do you guys mind if I get brief on this meeting later?" Quinn said suddenly, surprising everyone.
"Uh, yeah sure Quinn. Go home and get some rest. Rachel will brief you once you feel better. It's not urgent right now." Kurt told her as she gathered her salad and left.
Moments later at her desk, Quinn started packing her purse and laptop up determine to still work from home, she wasn't expecting company. Again, the same familiar, soothing voice echoes behind her.
"Hey Quinn, are you okay?" Rachel asked concerned. She had excused herself from lunch to use the bathroom but really she wanted to check on Quinn.
"Yeah, I'll be okay. Just still feeling the after effects from last night." Quinn lied.
"Oh okay. Well, just give me a call when you feel better and we can talk." Rachel offered.
"Will do." Quinn told her as she started to leave.
Rachel made her way back to the group upstairs as her phone beeped with a text message.
UNKNOWN #:
Hey it's Quinn.
Your number was still in my phone.
Can we talk over coffee? Meet me at Perks Coffee around 7?
Rachel was shocked at the invite and wasn't sure how to handle it. Hanging out with Quinn outside of work could be dangerous. Rachel was always a risk taker.
RACHEL:
Of course. See you then.
Placing her phone back into her pocket. The sudden need for the day to be over overwhelms her.
***NOTE: Hope that was okay. Next time, the coffee date…or is it? And the next chapter will have a time jump to the Holidays which will be explained. Much Love.