Chapter 8

Quinn felt sadness curse through her body when saying her goodbyes to Chloe at the airport, but she still couldn't ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach that they were drifting apart. Despite the fact that they have spent the last two days in bed trying to make up for the time Chloe was away, she felt a change had happen in their relationship.

It was an odd feeling and she hope that they can get past whatever it is and return to being the annoying happy couple as Santana likes to describe them.

There were so many events that happened in the span of a few weeks, that Quinn can not put her finger on what had cause this rift between them.

As she settle in her car again and began to pull out of the airport, Quinn immediately feels her phone vibrating.

"Hello." Quinn answered.

"Quinn, are you still with Chloe?"

Quinn frowned at Aubrey's frantic voice.

"No, she's gone. What's the matter?"

"Carlos and his crew haven't showed up at Rachel's and he's not answering his phone. I'm freaking out here, Quinn. I already have a meeting schedule that I can not miss. I can't get a hold of Chloe, so I don't know what to do." Aubrey rushed out.

Quinn sighed.

Chloe hasn't even been gone for five minutes and Aubrey is already frazzled.

"I'll go to the job site, there's no need to make Chloe worry about this, she already nervous about her trip."

"Thank you so much Quinn. I owe you one."

Quinn could hear her release a relieved sigh over the phone.

"No problem."

Quinn ended the call and redirected her route to Rachel's.

Quinn is glad she was able to still put on her HBIC face on when needed, and today was just the case. She was able to get a hold on Carlos, who threw her every excuse in the book on why he and his crew were not at Rachel's working earlier. Quinn could see through his lying teeth and knew from the very beginning why he was not at Rachel's. He was going to take advantage of the absence of Chloe, and work another job while she was out of town. He knew Aubrey wouldn't able to do anything about it.

And he would have gotten away with it.

But his mistake was he forgotten about Quinn.

There is no way Quinn would allow anyone to take advantage of her girlfriend... and also to an extension, Rachel, since it is her apartment.

Thirty minutes later after she arrived at the site to reassure Rachel and gave her a quick rundown that Aubrey texted her earlier. Carlos and his crew showed up and immediately started working on various projects around the apartment, not wanting to face the angry wrath of the blonde.

Quinn easily managed to direct everyone and run through the list Aubrey sent her that needed to be checked off.

"Carlos, I need the kitchen done today. Alright?" Quinn with raised eyebrows, challenging him to argue with her.

"Yes. Miss Fabray. We will work late if we have to." He agreed quickly.

"Great, I'm glad we are finally on the same page." She smiled before searching the apartment for Rachel.

"Hey Rach," Quinn called out to the brunette who was going through lighting fixtures with one of the consultants.

"Yeah?" Rachel stopped was she was doing and gave the blonde her attention.

"Everything should be good. Carlos said he will have the kitchen done today. So i'm going to head out, I've got catch up on the work I missed today." Quinn gave her a playful smile.

"Thank you, Quinn. You saved the day." Rachel closed the distance and threw her arms around her shoulders and pulled her in a quick hug.

"I'm glad I can help." Quinn inhaled the small actress scent. It has alway been a habit of hers whenever Rachel hugged her.

"Come on I want to show you something." Rachel said as she interlocked their fingers, leading the way.

She really needed to get to work but the protest could barely escaped her mouth before she shook her head and allowed herself to be lead.

"I strongly suggested to Chloe that this was the first room I wanted to be finished first." Rachel said as she opened the door.

Rachel opened the door and gesture for Quinn the enter first.

"Wow!" Quinn looked around the small recording studio.

The walls were covered with vintage Broadway posters. The shelves held photos of Rachel from a 2 year toddler with a microphone in her hands to the years of Glee Club and also from small plays that she had star in. A simple small desk with her Mac seating on top. There was a classical Piano in the middle of the room. It had a cosy, warm and lively atmosphere.

This was Rachel in a room.

"I had managed to get everything up today where I wanted. You're the first person to see it finished." Rachel beamed. She was proud of the studio and couldn't wait to share it with someone. Honestly she couldn't wait to share it with Quinn.

She smile as she watch Quinn look around in awe.

Quinn spotted a photo of their glee club scattered around the auditorium. She looks closers and finds Rachel and her sitting at the piano, the camera got their back side with the whole frame of the stage and she can distinctly see a blonde and a brunette who had her head resting on the blonde's shoulder as the blonde cheerleader played a few keys.

Quinn's heart tripped within her chest as that memory of familiarity between them with potent. She had offered her Cheerio's letterman jacket because the small diva was hit with another slushy attack.

She never did get that jacket back and Coach Sylvester made her pay for it at practice but she didn't mind it one bit.

"The apartment I shared with Kurt was so small and probably more than I need but I wanted something..."

"That was your own space." Quinn finished.

"I know that sounds selfish and I can even blame it on being an only child..."

"It's not selfish at all." Quinn interrupted.

"Rachel this is amazing." Quinn suddenly felt overwhelm with nostalgia. Memories were flashing in front of her eyes as she remembers being in love with Rachel when they were in high school. She couldn't believe that 10 years has past by without seeing Rachel. She was grateful that she was back in her life. Even if they were only friends.

Rachel smiled bashfully at the ground.

Quinn felt electricity swimming through her body when Rachel interlocked their fingers again pulling her along. She felt in trance by the brunette. She realized she would followed Rachel anywhere. Quinn was so in a reverie of the girl in front of her that she didn't realize Rachel had lead her to sit in front of the piano.

"When was the last time you played, Miss Fabray?" Rachel teased softly.

"I can't play Rach." Quinn shook her head.

"Come on please? I want to break in the piano. It's brand new. And I want you to be the first one to play it." Rachel pouted adorably.

"Don't do that." Quinn groan internally.

Rachel pouted even deeper for good measure.

"Fine. Um..." Quinn racked her brain a something she could play from the top of her head. She smiles as she tested a few keys before starting to play the intro to Rihanna's "Stay".

Rachel grinned from ear to ear as she was enjoying hear Quinn play again, she had miss these moments together.

"Are you going to sing? I know you want to. I know you know the words." Quinn teased as she effortlessly continued to play.

"I just miss hearing you play. I wanted to enjoy it for a moment."

"Well I feel incomplete when my playing isn't accompanied by your beautiful voice." Quinn smiled at a blushing Rachel.

"All along there was a fever." Rachel began to sing.

Quinn closed her eyes and feels herself swaying back and forth at how soothing Rachel's voice was. She can almost feel herself being back in the choir room in high school. She remembers when they would hang back after their glee meetings were finished and they would play something for fun and not worry about any competition or anything. In that room it was just two of them blocking out the world. It was there space.

"I want you to stay, oh." Rachel finished singing.

Quinn played her last note as silence enveloped the room. Quinn turned to look at the brunette who did the same.

"You still blow me away." Quinn whispered.

"Only because you easily blown." Rachel recited one their old sayings that just to say to each other.

Quinn couldn't help but be completely captivated by the brunette's lips. She wish she could close the remaining gap between them and taste those lips again.

"Quinn." Rachel whispered as she caught the blonde's stare.

"I'm sorry." Quinn apologized breaking her stare and stood up missing the closeness already. She need to leave quickly so she doesn't make a mistake.

"It's okay."

"Tonight. Brittany mention something of the three of doing something. I think she said she wanted to check out a new bar she heard of." Quinn said changing the subject.

"Yeah. I talk to her earlier." Rachel nodded.

"Great. I see you there." Quinn smiled before leaving the room.

"Where are we going?" Chloe asked Beca who was driving her BMW.

"He was really impressed by you Chloe. Have you ever thought about expanding to the west coast?" Beca asked ignoring her question.

"I don't know. I've never thought I would get this big. I mean New York is my home." Chloe told her honestly.

"Well I have this place, I'm investing in and I want you to take a look at it. It's a small place right on the beach. I might think about flipping it. Chloe, there are so many residential houses that you can work on here. And the regulations are more lenient then the ones in New York."

"It's sounds like your trying to get me to move out here." Chloe joked.

Beca smiled. "I do really miss you."

Chloe looked at her detecting a small level of seriousness and longing in her voice.

"I miss you too." Chloe said reaching to hold her hand.

"So this place as a really useless wall between the kitchen and the living room and I was thinking if we can tear that down and make it a more open inviting area." Beca said.

"I love open spaces. If it's done right." Chloe agreed.

The rest of the ride was fill with comfortable silence. Chloe was looking at the window enjoying the different scenery for what she was use to in New York. She never did think about ever moving to the anywhere let alone California. And Beca does make a good point. Quinn would probably never go for it though. She knew the blonde love the rough busy hustle life of New York. She and Quinn had also built a life for them there. All there friends are there. But there are times she wonders for more opportunity for Chloe Designs. She suddenly finds herself with conflicting thoughts of the way she wants her business to grow now that they are piling up with clients faster then she ever thought.

Before she knew it they pulled up to house. It was small like Beca said earlier but it had a certain charm to it. It looks like surfers had perviously owned it. She immediately noticed that the driveway needs to be paved.

"Come on, I want to show you my favorite thing about this place." Beca said as they got out of her car.

Chloe looked around briefly inside mentally going through everything she thinks needs work and were to improve on some area as she was literally being dragged through the house.

Beca slides open the screen door, though Chloe ponders if a french doors where a better option then the screen door, and steps out into the porch area as the oceans area hits her and the amazing view almost knock the wind out of her.

"This is gorgeous."

"Good selling point then right?' Beca smiled.

It had the perfect view of the ocean.

"I love to work on this house." Chloe admitted. "But I don't know if I can take this big of a job. It will require me to be here for a may a month or two. Or longer."

"You can always fly back to New York on weekend." Beca said.

"I know but Quinn..."

"I think Quinn would want you to take this opportunity. Chloe you are an amazing interior designer. I wouldn't want anyone else for this job." Beca tried to convince her.

Chloe bit her lip confused on what to do. She could never say no to a job. She had never said no to a potential client. So many thoughts are going through her head as she feels nervous under Beca waiting stare.

"Look, you don't have to give me an answer right now. I'm sorry if I seem too pushy." Beca said. "Let's look around more and then we can grab some lunch. I know the best place for seafood.

"Why the bar scene, B? We could have just hung out at your place." Quinn asked as the walk together in the cold streets to there destination.

"I heard about it from a friend at the studio. It's a new gay and lesbian bar, they just opened." Brittany said.

"That's sounds great if we were looking to hook up but we're not." Quinn argued.

"We're not. But Rachel is single. And she's sad and I want to show a good time even if she doesn't end up with anyone." Brittany said.

"Wait. We're here to help Rachel find someone? I don't think I'm comfortable with that Britt." Quinn stopped her.

"Come on Quinn. You're with Chloe. Don't you think Rachel deserves to find someone to make her happy too."

"I am. I just don't think I need to be there to witness that." Quinn argued.

"You'll be fine." Brittany said hooking her arms with the other blonde and opening the door.

Quinn begrudgingly allowed herself to be dragged into the bar.

"There's Rachel at the table." Brittany immediately spotting the small brunette. "Go join her while I get us something to drink."

"Nothing too heavy." Quinn requested not wanting to get drunk tonight. She maneuvers her through many bodies before she finds herself standing in front of Rachel's table.

"Hey." Quinn greeted as she takes a moment to take in Rachel's appearance. She looks beautiful as usual. Anyone would be lucky to have her. But Quinn couldn't describe this feeling in her gut that was making her uncomfortable.

"Hi." Rachel smiled.

"You know Brittany had plans of finding you somebody tonight, don't you?" Quinn asked taking a seat at the table.

"Yeah. I mean I like my life the way it is but if someone happens to be of interest I may not declined." Rachel told her honestly.

Quinn felt her heart contract at the thought of Rachel being interested in someone here then she remembers that she had no right and try to make the best of this situation.

"So, do you see anyone with interest." Quinn scanned the bar herself seeing if she could point out one Rachel would be interested in before the brunette told her.

The only person Quinn remembers Rachel dating with Finn and her. So she couldn't really identify the brunette's type as she and Finn were complete opposites. So Quinn narrowed it down to the prettiest girl. And she spotted one at the bar. She had long wave brown hair, a few inches taller then Rachel but shorter then herself.

"No one." Rachel said interrupting Quinn's thoughts.

Quinn frowns at turns back to the small brunette.

"You don't have to lie to me. I mean we're adults here. You're telling me you think anyone in this room filled with lesbians, you don't find any of them attractive?" Quinn joked.

Rachel smiled before giving her longing look before looking over her shoulders.

"There." Rachel nodded her head to the women behind her.

Quinn raised her eyebrows and turn to subtle look at the women Rachel pointed to.

"Your joking." Quinn said as she was perplexed by Rachel's choice. A definition of butch comes to mind as she gave the women at quick glance.

"What?" Rachel asked amused.

"I would have never guessed it." Quinn said shocked.

"I have a thing for lip rings." Rachel playfully shrugged.

"Do you have a thing for arms bigger than your head. She looks like Coach Beiste daughter." Quinn said.

"The perm might be a little too much for me." Rachel smiled.

"She has a tattoo of a star so that's a plus for you." Quinn said breathing with ease knowing that the brunette was teasing her.

"But it's as big as the moon." Rachel laughed.

"Hey guys." Brittany said joining them finally. "It's packed here. It took me forever to get these."

"Hey Britt, we found a match for Rachel." Quinn nodded her head to the women they were talking about.

"Ohh... she has a cat tattooed on her neck." Brittany pointed out excitingly.

Quinn knew that Brittany was just trying to be a good friend to Rachel but she couldn't be slightly annoyed when the other blonde was introducing pretty girls left and right to Rachel who was now, after a couple of drinks, was enjoying the attention.

One of the girls has stayed and chatted with the brunette longer then the others and Quinn chose to distance herself from them stealing sly glances from the bar. She was so confused about her feelings for her ex-girlfriend. All the old feelings from high school are returning and some new feelings had grown since seeing her again at Santana and Brittany's.

"Come on Quinn dance with me." Brittany said pulling her to her feet.

Quinn sighed as she allowed herself to pull to the small dance floor. It was impossible to say no the the tall blonde.

She smiled at Brittany and started moving her body as she tried to relax and have good time and forget about her confusing feelings for Rachel.

"They look like their hitting off." Brittany said tilting her head to Rachel and her new friend.

Quinn glanced over to the two huddle together in the corner of the bar. The women tuck a piece of fallen brown lock around Rachel's ear as Rachel looked up to give her a shy smile.

"Yeah." Quinn said emotionless.

"She's actually the owner of the bar." Brittany told her.

"Yeah?" Quinn asked not impressed.

"They look cute together, don't they?"

Quinn frowned.

"What are you trying to do Brittany?" Quinn asked as she become suspicious of the dancer's action.

"Nothing. I just want Rachel to meet someone so we can have triple dates with all of us."

Quinn looked at her and only saw innocence in those blue eyes she had know for so long.

"I don't think I'm okay with this." Quinn admitted.

"It's not your call. I'm sorry that it hurts you to see Rachel with someone else but it's been ten years Quinn and you're happy with Chloe."

"Then why does it hurt."

"I don't know. That's something you need to figure out on your own but you can't be mad or upset that Rachel is trying to be happy too."

Quinn sighed. Brittany was always the voice of reason. Quinn's hazel eyes flicked over at Rachel again and saw them locking lips in a soft passionate kiss. Her heart clenched painfully as she was unable to look away.

"I need to get some air." Quinn told her before leaving her on the dance floor by herself.

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