This is the last chapter. Thank you so much for reading this short story. I appreciate every favorites and follows :D Again, thank you!
Mr. Schue stared desperately at his watch and then at the door. He was beginning to lose all hope of seen Quinn Fabray in his office before the show was starting. She should have been there almost forty minutes ago, but there was no sign of her. Mr. Schue ran a hand through his curly hair as he walked back and forth in the small office. A small knock on the door made him rush to opening it, revealing the woman he was waiting on.
"Miss Fabray. Welcome" He said and grabbed her hand to shake. He quickly closed the door on Rory, Artie and Kurt who was also waiting to get their money and get started.
"Thank you for last night. It was very enjoyable" Quinn said as she walked away from the door.
"Well, that's mostly because of you" Mr. Schue said sweetly. Quinn looked at her watch.
"I'm sorry, I'm a bit late tonight. The show is about to start, right?"
Mr. Schue nodded still smile in place. He was glad that she was finally there. "Yes, we are actually only waiting for you. I have, as far as I remember, promised you a financially part in the show, and of course I stand by that. Although, unfortunately, in that way I will disappoint several of my old, faithful financiers" Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, well, I can't accept that at all. We'll put it off for another time-" Quinn said, knowing what the man was playing at, but she could too. He grabbed her arm as she was about to walk away.
"No way. A word is a word" He said to her and she smirked as he released his grip on her.
"Alright, let´s write that check then" She said to him and walked to his desk and sat down. She pulled out her check book. She normally didn't do this do it this way, but she would like to see the man´s face when he received it. "Do you have a pen?" She asked and watched as Mr. Schue scrambled to find one for her. She smiled at him. "Thank you" She looked thoughtful at him.
"What about.. 100.000? asked to get started. He wasnt what he wanted from her originally, but he tried to start a bit higher. Quinn eyed the man.
"It isn't quite the amount I had intended".
"No, no of course. It´s way too much" Mr. Schue backtracked. "I don't think I can get you that big of a part financially. But, what about 75.000?
"No, not at all" Quinn said tapping the pen on the check. His face fell.
"50-50.000?" He stammered slowly. "Is that better?"
"Hmm… No" She replied, keeping her eyes on him. He looked more and more crestfallen.
"35.000?" Quinn shook her head. "20.000?" Quinn smirked at him.
"No, such amounts do not interest me at all" Mr. Schue didn't know what to do with himself. He looked dejected at her.
"It can be less than 10.000?" He said quietly. "Can it?" Quinn pursed her lips, still looking at him. She tapped the check once more, before writing an amount. Mr. Schue couldn't see what she wrote, and he stared anticipatingly at her. He was sweating profusely in his suit.
"Here's what I'd like to shoot into the theatre. Then you can decide for yourself whether you want to accept the check or not" Quinn said and handed him the check. Mr. Schue took it without looking at it.
"Think what can be earned from such a show. Afterwards we go on tour and then we can film it. Maybe radio, television and..." He hastily spoke to her as she walked around his desk putting the check book back in her purse. She crossed her arms and looked at him as he eyed the check briefly, before looking back at her. He stopped in his tracks and looked at it again with wide eyes. "Is this a joke?" He asked her, staring.
"Are you not satisfied?" She asked him, eying the check. She knew it was the shock.
"300.000 dollars!" He almost shouted.
"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" Quinn raised an eyebrow and he took a step back, as she reached out for the check.
"NO! No, not at all. Let´s sign a contract already. What conditions do you have?" Mr. Schue asked her. Quinn waved her hand at him to not make a fuss out of it.
"Nothing much. Just one small thing. Under no circumstances should Rachel Barbra know anything about this. It is a secret. Is that a deal?" Quinn said pointedly. Mr. Schue nodded rapidly. "And that you accept my offers to get my attorneys to manage your financially business. That way we can avoid this kind of situations" Mr. Schue´s eyes widened, but his greediness made him accept her commands.
"Of course!" Quinn smiled widely again.
"Great! I´ll go find my seat and enjoy the show" The blonde turned on her feet and opened the door, almost being plunged down by three eaves dropping people. Kurt was almost sitting on Artie´s lap as Rory leaned over the chair to hear them. Quinn was shaking her head as she smiled at them. She walked past them as she could hear the cheers coming from the office. The dancers and actresses had been sitting in their dressing rooms, waiting to get the costumes as Kurt had withhold them because of money. They were all staring when he came dashing through the door with them in his arms.
"GIRLS! Get dressed. It's time!" He yelled. Tina looked confused as she grabbed her own costume.
"What happened?" She asked him.
"Fabray has given the director a check for 300.000 dollars!" Tina´s eyes widened as she ran to Rachel´s instead of getting dressed. "Rachel!" She ran inside. "This is not good!"
"What, Tina?" Rachel asked alarmed.
"Kurt just told us that Fabray has given Mr. Schue a check for 300.000 dollars".
"No…" Rachel gasped. "That´s horrible. I need to figure out what happened" Rachel said and rushed out of the door to Mr. Schue´s office, hoping she could catch him. As she dodged her way to his office, she knew that her career was over the second she told him the truth. But she would rather come clean than let it go on. It shouldn't have come to this. She should just have walked away when she had the chance, but her selfish self didn't think about the consequences afterwards, she just wanted to take. Now, she had lost Quinn, and her career. The former was hurting her the most. She knew Quinn and her was a perfect match, and she just threw it away and because of an article that, in the end, didn't even matter. She barged into Mr. Schue´s office, where Rory and him were almost dancing around the check. She stared at them bewildered, trying to figure out how to start the dreaded conversation. Mr. Schue grabbed her hand and danced around with her, before she pulled herself out of his arms. "What has happened?" She knew.
"It´s a secret" Mr. Schue told her smiling from ear to ear. "I´ve promised not told anyone about anything" He laughed.
"Yes! That was Fabray's only condition for giving us the check" Rory said grinning stupidly.
"What?" Rachel said and Mr. Schue glared at Rory, who´s eye widened, and he let out a small gasp. Rachel suspected that he drank a little to keep up with Mr. Schue, or he just was a bit foolish. She wouldn't know.
"Why can´t you just shut up?!" Mr. Schue growled at him, and the rolled his eyes.
"When you say Fabray, do you mean the woman from last night?" Rachel asked him. He nodded.
"Yes, of course"
"Then the check is fake" Rachel said. "That woman wasn't Quinn Fabray". Mr. Schue´s smile fell in an instant. He stared at her.
"Nonsense" Rory said not worried at all.
"I don't even know her"
"WHAT?" Mr. Schue yelled.
"It's all your own fault, Mr. Schue. You pushed me to arrange a meeting with Fabray before opening night" Rachel looked back and forth at the men anxiously. "What was I supposed to do? I do not know her. I don't even know what she looks like!" Rachel said and let her arms drop to her side in frustration. Mr. Schue crossed his arms, looking more than angry.
"Who was the woman last night then?"
"It was an acquaintance of mine I had asked to act as Fabray"
"Who was it? What's her name?"
Rachel shook her head as she looked away from the terrifying eyes. "That's not relevant. She doesn't have anything to do with this. This is all me" Rachel told him quietly. Mr. Schue threw his hands in the air, exasperated by the new situation. Just when he thought he had solved it and now it was all crashing down on him. Rachel felt exactly the same, except that she had been the deceiver.
"But-but.." Mr. Schue turned around defeated. "That's terrible" He mumbled something to himself, before looking at Rachel and Rory again. "Yes, yes. Opening night is saved. Don't tell a word to anyone. Keep your mouth shut about this" He turned to Rachel. "Get on stage. They've already called a second time" Rachel just blinked as she couldn't believe him. She was sure that he would throw her out on her ass. "Go" He said to her and she ran off to get dressed. Mr. Schue shook his head.
"What a shame" Rory said, shaking his head. Mr. Schue reached out for him. "What are we going to do?"
"Call the police. Get that woman arrested or I'll be thrown in for check forgery. My creditors will probably take care of that" Mr. Schue said as Rory did as told. He crumpled up the check and threw it in the paper basket with a loud sigh. "Goodbye, 300.000" He whispered miserably.
Rachel was readying herself to get on stage to one of her solo songs. As a professional actress, she could easily focus on the performance and nothing else. Rachel aced the performance and ran out for a quick change for the next part as the assemble danced around the stage. Tina was waiting for her.
"The police are here to arrest Quinn" Tina said as she Rachel had dressed down. "You need to warn her".
"What?" Rachel said as she put on a new costume.
"Back on stage, Rachel" A stage member said when Rachel had missed her cue. Rachel stared horrified at Tina as she was being pushed onto the stage to participate in another number. Quinn was sitting, unknowing to the whole ordeal, in a private booth on the balcony. She was really enjoying the show, it was different from what she was used too, but Rachel was amazing. Her voice was just out of this world, and she knew the brunette would get far in the industry. Rachel spotted Quinn, and tried to communicate to her, but Quinn wasn't understanding anything. Rachel ran back out to Tina.
"She doesn't understand it"
"You need to get to the other side!" The stage member said to her and pulled her along. Rachel stared at Tina as she was leaving, desperate to get to Quinn, but she couldn't do more than she had, and she didn't want to ruin the show for the others. Tina couldn't get to Quinn herself, as she was needed on the stage.
"She's sitting in here" Mr. Schue said as he showed the police, where Quinn was. The officer was about to open the door, when Mr. Schue stopped him. "No, let me get her. That would be less suspicious" The officer nodded and took a step back to his partner and Rory. "Miss Fabray, could you join me for a second?" Quinn frowned at him as the show was still going. She nodded and stepped out from her booth to be confronted by the two police officers and an angry director. Quinn was confused as she looked at them, and one of the officers took this as his que to explain.
"Sorry to inconvenience you. The theatre director has requested that we conduct an investigation regarding a check you were supposed to have issued in another woman's name" He said to her. Quinn clasped her hands together in front of her, annoyed as she glared at the director. Mr. Schue wasn't scared of her as he smirked at the woman. Proud of himself, that he caught a fraud. "Would you please follow us?" The officer said and motioned for her to go with them.
"No. I won't do that. I'll miss the rest of the show" Quinn said defiantly.
"What is your name?" The officer asked her, as the other already was readying his handcuffs.
"Quinn Fabray" Mr. Schue huffed loudly.
"Now she starts again. How rude-"
"Can you identify yourself?" Quinn tapped her chin, trying to make the director sweat. "Would you please identify yourself, or we would have to arrest you and take you to the station" The officer said, a bit firmer. Quinn rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Alright. Would you be satisfied with my driver's license?" Quinn asked, pulling her wallet out of her purse, and finding the small piece of plastic. The officer nodded.
"Can I see it?" Quinn handed him the license and he looked at it and then at her. He gave it back to her with a smile. "There's no doubt. This is Quinn Fabray" He told the director, who had peaked over Quinn's shoulder. "I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, Miss Fabray" Quinn just smiled at the officers as they walked away. Mr. Schue stepped out in front of her and grabbed her hand.
"Miss Fabray. I'm so happy that you're here. I'm sorry for this misunderstanding. I'll make sure to send up some champagne!" He grinned while shaking her hand. "And everything's fine, right? And the check too, right?" Mr. Schue stopped talking as he remembered the check. "The check!" He yelled and ran away from Quinn. Quinn was shaking her head as she looked after the man. She should had cancelled it, but it was still saving the theatre and she wasn't that evil. She chuckled as she now knew what Rachel had tried to say to her, and she figured the director hadn't kept his mouth shut about their deal. She went back to her seat to enjoy the rest of the show. Then she'll figure out what to do next.
Rory was bringing flowers to Rachel, and he was smiling at her as he stepped into her dressing room. "Bravo! What a success. The audience was crazy about you!" He said and handed her the flowers. "Flowers for the star" Rachel smiled and gave him a short hug.
"Thank you, Rory. I'm so happy that it went to well" She stopped shortly and her smile fell. "What happened to Quinn?"
"To Quinn? Oh-" Rory started but was interrupted by Mr. Schue who came barging into the room.
"Flanagan!" He yelled, but he slowed down as he saw Rachel. "Oh, Rachel. My dear Rachel. That was amazing. A success. Congratulations! Isn't that what I've always said? Talent, my friends. Talent!" He said moving his arms in big moves. He pulled Flanagan aside. "Flanagan, did you empty the trash from office?"
"Yes, yes I did" Rory told him smiling.
"Where?"
"In the basement, of course"
"Are you crazy? The check was in there" Mr. Schue told him holding tight onto Rory´s shoulders. For once, Rory thought he didn't something good, and now it turns out it wasn't.
"I know, but it was a fake, right?"
"Fake?! No! It´s 300.000 dollars! The police have just confirmed that the woman is the real Quinn Fabray!" He yelled at Rory. "Come on!" He said, pulling the assistant with him. Back in the room, stood Rachel staring at the retreating men. She had heard everything.
"It can't be" She whispered. She looked at the flowers, there was a card attached to it and she opened it.
¨I'll explain everything – Quinn¨ Rachel turned it and it was Quinn´s own business card. ¨Quinn Fabray, CEO, The Journal Magazine¨ Rachel felt herself getting mad about it. Quinn had every opportunity to tell her the truth. Instead, she had taken her for a fool. Letting Rachel making a fool of herself and whatnot. What about everything she told about herself? Was it even real? Rachel wouldnt know and she felt hurt. The brunette totally forgetting that she had also lied. She threw the flowers down on her table, letting the makeup fall to the ground, as she stomped out of her room, in search of one blonde woman. It was Quinn who found her.
"What an amaz-" Quinn said, but one look at Rachel and she shut her mouth. Rachel stared at her hard, before turning on her feet and walking away with the blonde scrambling after her. "You're getting it all wrong. Let me explain" She said getting the attention from everyone around.
"No, you don't have to explain anything to me. You have ridiculed me with all your lies"
"If you would just-" Quinn tried again, but to no avail.
"I'm tired of all your unbelievable stories about Palmer and her accomplishments and I'm tired of journalists" Rachel yelled and stopped in front of her door to her dressing room. Quinn crossed her arms as she arched an eyebrow at the woman. She couldn't help the smirk grazing her lips.
"Well, not more unbelievable than your moonlight tours of the pyramids" Rachel whirled around and glared at the blonde.
"How dare you say that. You've been laughing at me the whole time" She accused, pointing at her. Quinn couldn't help it and she laughed. Rachel´s eye flared as she walked into her room, slamming the door in the blonde´s face. Quinn chuckled and knocked on the door. She stepped inside.
"May I enter?" She said as closed the door after her.
"No" Rachel said as she was changing her dress. She was still wearing the same dress that her character wore for her last part. "I can't believe I could be so naive. Turn around" She said to her. Quinn nodded and crossed her arms as she turned. Only to see Rachel's reflection in the mirror next to her. She was smirking to herself as she saw the brunette standing in her underwear. The blonde didn't mind. "When it comes down to it, I'm guessing it was you who started the rumours" Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"How could you even think that?" She asked not receiving an answer. Rachel looked up at her and saw her watching her in the mirror.
"Turn around, I said!" Quinn nodded and did turn around to face the brunette. Rachel huffed as she found a dress to cover her up as she marched out to the bathroom. Quinn only laughed at it.
"You're wonderful" Quinn said loud enough for Rachel to hear.
"I'm not wonderful!" Rachel said and threw the dress out towards Quinn. Quinn stepped aside, avoiding the garment. "There is no us" Rachel said as she stepped out, now dressed in a new dress. "You're not so amazing as I thought you were" She said to Quinn´s face. Quinn stepped closer to her.
"Sweetie-"
"No! We're done. We have seen each other for the last time" Rachel punctuated and stepped away from the blonde to leave the room. Quinn stood in the middle of the room as Rachel closed the door, only to open it again. "I forgot my purse" Quinn grinned her as Rachel purposely walked by her and left the room again. As Rachel walked around, getting praises for the show, she couldn't help but look after one blonde woman. She regretted how she had acted. She wasn't a saint in all of this and even though Quinn did what she did, Rachel had done the same. After Rachel had cooled down in the women's bathroom, she went back to her dressing room, hoping that Quinn hadnt left yet. But there was no blonde woman waiting for her. Rachel sighed heavily as she sought out her friends.
"Quinn left" Rachel said to Tina and Elise when she found them in the bar, sipping drinks.
"She'll come back" Elise assured her, but Rachel shook her head.
"No, and it's my own fault. I kicked her out and told her I would never see her again" Rachel told, almost with tears in her eyes. Elise put a hand on her arm.
"Nonsense. Of, course you're going to see her again. Here, take a drink, relax and celebrate your moment" Elise said as she handed the brunette a drink.
"I don't want to celebrate anything" Rachel said, earning an eyeroll from the two women. "I just want to know where she is" She put the drink down. "I just want to go home".
"Are you sure?" Tina asked and Rachel nodded.
"Yeah but stay here and enjoy your evening. You're deserving it as well" Rachel told Tina and smiled. "I'll see you later" Rachel gave each a hug and then left the theatre lounge, with the flowers Quinn had given her in her hand. She stopped right outside the theatre and hoped she could get a cab home. She stood close to the curb, trying her luck, but it didn't look like she would be this night. Like it was a déjà vu, a car drove by her, hitting a big puddle, and splashed a lot of water on the brunette. Rachel growled. This was just her luck and she scowled at the car, that was backing up towards her. It parked and the driver stepped out. Rachel's eyes widened as the driver walked closer.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see the puddle. But I'm willing to pay for the drycleaning of your clothes. Can I offer you a drive home?" Quinn said, mimicking exactly what Hudson had told her, and smiled sweetly. Rachel bit her lip as she eyed the woman, before she broke out in smiles. She jumped into Quinn's arms, who happily accepted it.
"Yes, yes you can!" Rachel laughed. She captured Quinn´s lip in a sweet kiss. Her hands moved up and down the length of her back, the need to touch every part of Quinn was all consuming, and Rachel lost herself in the passion of the kiss. Quinn wound her fingers through Rachel´s loose hair, and her body seemed to mould against hers as if she were liquid. Rachel´s heart thrummed in her chest, and she felt her knees growing weak, happy that Quinn had a strong grip on her, or she would fall to the ground. She had no idea how long they kissed, before Quinn pulled back, panting. Both blushed heavily from the kiss, and they knew they could never let it other go again.
"Even though I really enjoyed that, I think we should take this to another place" Quinn whispered. Rachel agreed and they stood for another minute before releasing each other. Quinn opened the car door for the brunette and walked around the car to the driver´s seat. Quinn looked at Rachel, who's lipstick was all smeared and she wondered how she looked herself. As she turned the ignition, she knew she had made the right choice, by seeking out the brunette. Rachel certainly changed her life around.
The End.