Author's Note: Hello again! First, I want to say thank you to every who is reading, following, favoring and reviewing this story. It definitely gives me the incentive to write more and give you guys what you guys want. :D I hope you enjoy this chapter for its purely just Quinn and Rachel. I know I said that there was going to be a timeline jump but I decided to keep this chapter just the interaction between our two favorites. Anyways, please review and let me know how you like everything so far. Enjoy.
Chapter 6- Phone Calls
Time is a funny thing. It likes to quicken as soon as you accumulated a list full of 'to dos' yet it slows down when you're keen for it to speed up. Well, it seems like Time was playing games with Rachel. Rachel spent the rest of her day in one meeting or another and none of them seems to hold any interest to her. Granted, she was given a lot of responsibilities this upcoming holiday and she should pay more attention but she just couldn't keep a certain blonde out of her mind. She couldn't wait for the clock to strike 6 o'clock so she can be on her way to meet Quinn. However, the clock appears to be fixed on 5:45 for the past hour or so. Theoretically, Rachel was allowed to just leave, but she figured that she should stay a full day and didn't want to seem too eager and arrive early to Perks Coffee.
"Hey Rach, want to grab dinner?" It was Kurt. Rachel was startled by his question due to her intent to stare down the wall clock. This is ridiculous, Rachel thought to herself. "You okay?" Kurt asked after witnessing Rachel's mini heart attack.
"What? Oh-uh yeah, sorry. I was thinking." Rachel replied hastily.
"Really? Looked like you were having a staring contest with the wall babe." Kurt told her, clearly amused with Rachel's action earlier.
"I was not. I was just thinking!" Rachel shot back, embarrassed. "But to answer your question, I can't accompany you to dinner tonight because I've already made plans." Rachel responded as she started to pack up her stuff.
"Is it a date?" Kurt loved to pry when it came to Rachel's love life. "Cause you look nervous." He added.
"No, no it's just a business meeting of the sort." Rachel lied. Well she didn't really lie. Her meeting with Quinn wasn't a date. She wasn't sure what it was, really. All she knew was that Quinn wanted to talk. "I should go." Rachel got up, making her way to the door.
"You need to practice lying Rachel. You clearly suck at it." Kurt announced, "What ever business you're attending to, use protection." Kurt gave her a wink and left Rachel rolling her eyes.
Rachel stepped outside her office building into the brisk air of autumn that this November brought to New York. People in the surrounding offices slowly spilled out into the street as work hours came to an end. Rachel had always loved being in New York. The people, the life and atmosphere had been all so overwhelming, yet extremely exhilarating at the same time. Smiling at how lucky she is to be in the city she loves, working a job she enjoys and having coffee with beautiful people. At that last thought, Rachel puts on the coat that she's been holding before wavering down the nearest cab.
It only took Rachel about two minutes to flag down a taxi. Once inside and directing the driver of her desired destination, Rachel sat back and decided that she should let Quinn know she's on her way. Pulling out her phone, she opened the message that the two shared earlier today and Rachel couldn't help but smile. This meeting probably isn't as big a deal with Quinn as Rachel is making it to be but something about it all is making Rachel rather nervous. She felt like she was going on a date. A date with Quinn Fabray, possibly the most beautiful human being she has ever met and Rachel have met a lot of beautiful people. It's not a date! Rachel's mind was telling her. I can pretend. Coming back to reality, Rachel began to type a message to Quinn, telling the blonde she was on her way.
"I'm already here. See you soon." Came a reply almost instantly. The message got Rachel's heart rate to quicken a tad. I thought I was going to be early. Rachel was wrong.
About thirty minutes in New York traffic, the cab finally pulled up in front of Perks. Rachel paid the driver before taking a breath and exited the cab. Rachel was now standing in front of her meeting's location and she can spot the blonde sitting in a booth in the back corner. Not wanting Quinn to wait any longer, Rachel made her way inside. Rachel stopped at the counter to place her order before joining Quinn in the back.
"This seat taken?" Rachel wasn't sure why she asked that. A simple hello would have sufficed.
"It is now." Quinn looked up from her book and gave Rachel a sweet smile. Rachel gave a smile of her own as she took the seat in the booth across the blonde. "Hi." Quinn said shyly.
"Hi." Rachel greeted back, still smiling. There was no real awkwardness between the two, but the nervous tension can definitely be felt among them.
"Did you order a drink?" Quinn broke the silence.
"I did before joining you. Are you going to need a refill?" Rachel asked as she saw Quinn's cup nearing empty. Quinn looked down at her cup and chuckle a little. What an adorable sound. Rachel was losing it.
"I guess I do." Quinn was about to get up but Rachel stopped her.
"Let me. Since you've been waiting for me." Rachel offered and got up before Quinn was able to object.
Quinn watched Rachel get up with her coffee mug and couldn't help and laugh. Rachel was definitely very attentive. That was something Quinn wasn't used to. Before her thoughts were able to drift any further, Quinn felt her phone vibrate on the table. 'Rachel Berry' flashed on the screen and Quinn looked up at Rachel at the counter, confused. Rachel held out her phone, motioning for Quinn to pick up, which she did.
"Uh, hi?" Quinn answered reluctantly.
"Hi, uh I forgot to ask what it is I'm refilling." Rachel replied and Quinn can see Rachel laughing at her own forgetfulness.
"A chai latte, thank you." Quinn answered, shaking her head at the silliness of their communication. It seems like Rachel stayed up to wait for their drinks so Quinn took the time to send out a quick message to her boyfriend, telling him she was going to be home for dinner. She knew he wasn't going to be happy about it, but at the moment she didn't really care. As soon as she finished her text message, Rachel came back with the drinks.
"Sorry for the wait." Rachel said as she placed the drinks down.
"It's okay. Thank you." Quinn replied shyly.
"So..." Rachel started, wanted to know what this meeting was about, "What is it that you want to talk about?"
"Well, it was more to say thank you for everything last night." Quinn replied.
"It was nothing really Quinn. I was happy to help. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you." Rachel told her as she took a sip of her coffee to cover up the blushing that was happening.
"Still, thank you." Quinn gave Rachel a smile that literally gave the smaller girl butterflies. "I just wanted to know, if I did anything stupid, cause I honestly don't remember anything. I don't even remember you coming to get me." Quinn asked, embarrassed.
"Let me think..." Rachel took the chance to tease the blonde. "You did flirt with my doorman, press the all the buttons in the elevator and ate all my dog's food." Rachel said nonchalantly. The look on Quinn's face was priceless. Quinn looked down right horrified.
"Oh. My. God." Quinn uttered, and Rachel couldn't keep a straight face anymore as the biggest smile appeared on her face. "I hate you." Quinn muttered when she realized that Rachel was playing her. She even threw her bunched up napkin at the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry. It was just one of those chances that you just couldn't let go of." Rachel was giggling through her comment. Rachel didn't realize her the double meaning of her statement but it didn't go unnoticed by Quinn. "No, I was being honest when I told you that you pretty much fell asleep the moment you got into the car." Rachel affirmed.
"Oh lordy, does that mean you had to carry me to your apartment?" Quinn pointed out feeling ashamed of herself.
"Hey, I might be small but I got you to bed didn't I?" Rachel was full of bad word choices today. Ducking down, Rachel realized what she just said and try to correct it. "That's not what I meant."
"I know what you meant." Quinn helped Rachel out as she blushed at the thought of going to bed with Rachel. For the second time that day, Quinn was fantasizing encounters with Rachel. "Speaking of beds, I'm sorry I kicked you out of yours." Quinn asked, trying to see if Rachel slept elsewhere or not.
"Don't worry about it." Rachel confirmed that she did. "My couch is very comfortable." Rachel beamed.
"Should of put me on the couch then." Quinn teased.
"Next time." Rachel whispered, then mentally kicked herself for wanting a next time. Both girls stayed quiet not sure what to say now. Quinn wanted to tell Rachel that next time she could of just sleep with her on the bed, but felt it wise not to entertain this crush that doesn't want to go away.
After a long minute of silence Rachel decided to brief Quinn on the meeting she missed earlier that day. After work talk was finished, the girls fell into some comfortable casual conversations. Topics ranged from Rachel's time in LA to Quinn's dog. Rachel was happy that she was able to talk and get to know Quinn on a more personal level. This is the first time the two talked about anything more than just work and it was nice. Quinn felt comfortable and relaxed with Rachel and it was strange since the two didn't really know each other. Conversations flow nicely with the occasional harmless flirtation from both parties.
Quinn knew better than to entertain the idea of flirting with Rachel but it was like it just came naturally when she's with smaller girl. And just as fast as that realization came her phone lit up with an incoming call. It was Fin. A frown replaced the smile she had as she excused herself to speak to her boyfriend. Guilt filling her mind as she remembered she had a boyfriend.
"Where are you?" The man on the other line shouted.
"I'm meeting a co-worker to go over some business." Quinn replied calmly, knowing well that a fight was bound to happen once she gets home.
"I come back from out of town and was expecting to see my girlfriend and all you can do is work?" Fin was annoyed.
"It's not like I had a choice Fin. It's working just like you have to work when I make plans for us." Quinn shot back feeling agitated herself. "I have to finish this meeting. We can talk when I get home." And just like that she hung up and turned off her phone so he can't reach her. Sighing, Quinn went back to Rachel, who looked worried.
"Is everything okay?" Rachel asked, concerned. She had slightly overheard the conversation Quinn had with her presumably, boyfriend.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that." Quinn apologized nothing wanting to worry Rachel about her rocky relationship.
"If you have to go, it's okay. It is getting late." Rachel said as she checks her watch.
"Yeah, it is and we will have work tomorrow." Quinn didn't want to leave but knew she had to go home and talk to Fin. "Thank you for meeting me tonight." Quinn smiled.
"Of course. I had a good chat." Rachel returned the smile. "Now let's get going before we start having another hour conversation about vegan food versus bacon." Rachel added with a chuckle. Quinn followed suit as they got up and ready themselves to leave.
Once outside Rachel started to look out for taxicab when Quinn had a better idea.
"Let me take you home." Shock was written all over Rachel's face at the idea.
"What?" The brunette questioned not sure what she just heard. Realizing that Quinn didn't mean taking Rachel to her home, but to Rachel's she was able to speak again. "Oh, it's okay. I don't want to bother you."
"Nonsense. I drove and to thank you for driving last night, let me take you home." Quinn insisted.
"Oh, okay." Rachel didn't want to argue and the idea of being with Quinn for a little longer somewhat excited her.
The two took a short walk down the street, they were about to reach Quinn's car. During that brief walk, their arms would brush each other's slightly here and there and the sensation that both girls felt was indescribable. Rachel would try to leave a little distance between them, but somehow that gap would close up quickly. Quinn wasn't even trying to avoid the contact. For the first time since she developed this crush on Rachel, she allowed herself to enjoy the smaller girl's presence. She knew she couldn't let it go on but at this moment, she wanted to feel that excitement with Rachel.
"That's my car." Quinn pointed ahead of them.
"I remember." Rachel teased as she made her way to the driver's side, earning a confused look from Quinn. Quinn followed the brunette to realize that Rachel was getting ready to open the car door for her. At that moment, Quinn knew this crush was going to be the death of her. How is she supposed to get over this crush when said crush, keeps giving her reasons to stay?
"You're sweet." Quinn flash Rachel that beautiful smile of hers as she got into the car. Closing the door, Rachel raced to the other side and got in. The car ride was filled with more stories and sarcastic comments from Rachel, which had earned several playful slaps from Quinn. They finally reached the front of Rachel's apartment complex some time later.
"Thank you for the ride home. I'll see you at work tomorrow?" Rachel said as she opened the door to leave.
"Where else would I be?" Quinn teased. "And you're welcome." And like that the two girls said their good-byes. Smiling to herself, Rachel turned to go inside.
"Don't." Rachel said before her doorman can say anything. He just gave her a knowing smile as he bid her Goodnight.
It only took Quinn about 20 minutes to get home in the night from Rachel's place. The evening with Rachel had allowed her to escape from her reality and the troubles that is her relationship with Fin. She was honest when she told Santana that they were happy. Her and Fin had great times with each other still and she loves him. However, lately it seems like they were going through a slump. Work has been getting busier for the both of them with him traveling constantly. Fin was promoted recently and has been taking his 'boss' like status home, forgetting that Quinn doesn't work for him. The tall high school football player was also extremely insecure about himself and knew he was lucky to have someone as beautiful as Quinn as his girlfriend. He became overly protective and possessive. In other word, Fin was very controlling. Quinn can hold her own, though. Finn might be controlling but whenever the two got into a fight, it's usually Fin who ends up apologizing. So it's not like Quinn was unhappy with Finn. She just wasn't constantly happy with him. Having just parked, Quinn dreads the upcoming fight the two was going to have.
Making her way into the home the two shared, Quinn placed her things down on the kitchen counter. Fin was watching TV on the sofa adjacent to where she stood. She walked over to where he sat and saw that he had a blanket and some pillows laid out.
"Are you planning on sleeping out here tonight?" Quinn asked, annoyance clearly in her voice.
"Well since we're not talking, I don't see why we should sleep together." Fin replied flatly, his eyes still on the TV screen. Clearly he's still mad she hung up on him.
"Fine by me." Quinn was beyond caring right now. They were going to have a more adult like conversation about it tomorrow morning, but right now Quinn was too tired to deal with it. She made her way to their shared room and collapse on the bed. Then her phone that was in her back pocket vibrated notifying her that she had an unread text. Pulling it out, she check to see whom it was.
Rachel: Hoped you got home safe.
Goodnight and sweetest of dreams to you Quinn.
And just like that, Quinn's mood turned for the better.
***NOTE: What will happen between Quinn and Rachel now? Let's flash forward to the Holidays and find out as I bring back the gang next chapter as well as introduce some new members. And where there's a party, there's drama. Till next time my friends. Much love.