A/N 1: Thank you for all the kind reviews, alerts and favourites. I hope you all enjoy this chapter :-)
A/N 2: As I could not send you PM's thank you to faberrydragon, Faberyyy and sarah for you reviews. Anyone else if I missed you out on the PM's I apologise and if you let me know I will send you double thanks next time :-)
Quinn's POV
I pace my living room furiously.
"I can't believe you did this." I rant for possibly the thousandth time since yesterday at the park. "Why did... I can't... why did you?... You don't even like Rachel!" I exclaimed as I gestured wildly in my agitation.
"First of all, calm your tits down Q," Santana ordered looking as though she was fighting against just outright laughing in my face at my ardent hysteria. "Second of all, inviting the midget over was the only way to not have you drag us back to stake out the park again today."
Okay fair point.
"Seriously Q, you were going to become a borderline stalker the way you were going." Santana scoffed, clearly amused.
"Whatever." I grumbled.
I'm so not a stalker.
"Don't pretend like you're not wetting your panties at the thought of spending the whole day with your new bestie."
"The whole day..." I stop my pacing as it really hits me. "What are we going to do all day?" I ask anxiously, ignoring Santana's 'pantie wetting' comment.
"The same things we always do," Santana said with an easy shrug. "Don't worry Q, I got it covered."
Oddly enough I don't feel comforted by that San.
"Oh no!" I protest, my eyes widening in horror as my voice reaches an unrecognisable high pitch. "No, no, no. Santana you can't." I plead desperately.
"Can't what?" She smiles sweetly at me and I feel my stomach contract with fear.
"Whatever it is you are planning. Please San, just don't."
Apparently I am not above begging.
A knock at the door startles me and my eyes fly from Santana, to the door and back again. I throw Santana one last pleading look on my way to the door but she simply smirks back.
"Party time." She singsongs wickedly as I trudge reluctantly to the front door.
Rachel's POV
I step into the living room and greet Santana and Brittany weakly as Quinn hovers behind me looking nervous. I guess it is good to know that I am not the only one here feeling anxious.
"Well now that you're here Berry the party can finally get started." Santana beams at me. The twinkle in her eyes makes my stomach do a somersault of fear.
"Party?" I squeak nervously.
"Yeah, Britts and I were just discussing having a pool party."
"We were?" Brittany asks, looking confused. "We were!" She agrees with a bright smile.
"Oh." I look over at Quinn who is staring at her friends with wide eyes. "I err, didn't bring a costume with me." I stutter out as my stomach continues to flip flop anxiously.
"That's okay, I brought a spare." Santana and Brittany both smile at me sweetly and I feel my anxiety levels suddenly shoot through the roof. I scramble for an excuse but my brain refuses to cooperate so I simply mumble an "Okay," as I try not to panic at the thought of wearing a skimpy outfit around the three most beautiful, athletic women I know.
"Here." Santana thrust some scraps on material into my hands before I had much time to over think everything. "You go change into this."
"What... what about you?" I stammer, nervous that this is all some prank to make me look stupid.
"Already got it covered." Santana grins as she pulls off her shirt to show that she is wearing a bikini underneath. As she and Brittany both strip down to their bikinis I do my best not to openly stare at their flawless figures.
I glance over at Quinn and see her resolutely staring at the floor, her cheeks looking vaguely flushed.
"So, where can I...?" I gesture with the bikini awkwardly. Quinn's eyes quickly come up to meet mine and she smiles embarrassedly.
"Sorry, it's upstairs- first door on your left."
"Thanks." I mumble and practically run out of the room.
Rachel's POV
I can't wear this.
I stare at my reflection in horror. My eyes take in the bikini, or lack thereof and I feel panic rip through me.
Can I just stay up here indefinitely?
I know that I have to leave this room eventually, but how can I? How can I face those girls whilst wearing the smallest, skimpiest black bikini known to man?
Taking a deep breath I decide to just bite the bullet and walk out of the bathroom and down the stairs before I can change my mind.
Finding the living room now empty I nervously make my way into the kitchen where Santana is stood pouring some drinks. She glances up as I walk in and her eyes slowly rake up and down my body in a way that makes me feel as though I am naked.
"Wow Berry, you look hot!" She exclaims appreciatively. I feel myself blushing under her hungry gaze. "If I didn't have Britts I would so be all up on that."
"Umm... thank you Santana... I think."
"This is going to be fun." Santana smirks as her eyes trail my body one last, lingering time.
"Hey Q!" She yells out suddenly. "Q get your lily white behind in here and help me with these drinks."
"Okay, okay I'm..." Quinn's mock-annoyed expression falls as her gaze moves from Santana and lands on me, "coming." She trails off as she comes to an abrupt stop. I watch as her jaw drops slightly and her wide eyes trail down my body before quickly snapping up and looking away. "Err, you needed a hand?" She asks, staring resolutely at Santana as her face flushes red.
"Yeah help me with these drinks, I have a feeling we will need a lot of ice today." Santana smirks wickedly. "It's very hot after all."
"Yeah... hot." Quinn mumbles in agreements as she busies herself with making drinks.
Quinn's POV
Oh my God... Oh... my God. This can't be happening.
My thoughts have been on a loop for the past few minutes. Ever since I walked into the kitchen and saw Rachel not wearing that ridiculous excuse for a bikini. I should have known something like this would happen, Santana never plays fair.
"San!" I whisper harshly once Rachel has gone to join Brittany in the back yard.
"What?" She laughs boisterously at the murderous look on my face.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask in a hushed tone.
"Doing what? I am just trying to be nice to the midget. I thought you wanted to be friends with her now?"
"You know I do." I agree with a tired sigh.
"So what's the problem?" She asks me with a smirk.
"Nothing." I grit through my clenched teeth.
"Come along Quinnie, we don't want to keep our girls waiting." She smiles playfully as I reluctantly follow her with the tray of cold drinks.
I can do this. I can do this. I try to steel myself. I can... not do this.
My eyes land again on Rachel's scantily clad form and I feel my pulse do a strange sort of stutter. I try to look away but my eyes betray me by falling back on her again moments later. I take in her endless legs and perfect, petite behind and find myself wanting to cry, or to just runaway. But my feet are stuck firmly in place.
I am startled from my daze as Santana suddenly takes the drinks from me with a roll of her eyes.
"Who is up for some sunbathing?" She asks. I don't hear the others' response as I immediately sit myself down with a thud on a sun lounger. Sunbathing is exactly what I need. A few moments to just lie down and close my eyes, shut out reality for a bit.
Apparently Santana has other ideas than my reprieve though, of course she does.
"Here BrittBritt, can you do my back for me?" She asks sweetly. "Here midget, you do Q." She says as she throws a bottle of lotion at Rachel.
Huh? What is happening? My head snaps up as I throw a scowl at Santana before turning to offer Rachel a small, nervous smile.
Rachel takes a tentative step towards me and sits beside me on my lounger. I hastily turn my back so that she won't see my blushing.
"You, err. You don't have to." I offer awkwardly.
"Nonsense Quinn," Rachel admonishes easily, "skin care is of vital importance, especially in the sun."
I tense up slightly as I hear her flick open the lotion behind me.
"Can I just...?" She asks as a hand brushes the bikini straps from my shoulders and down my arms to leave my shoulders bare. I feel my breath hitch at the gentle caress of her soft hands and scrunch my eyes closed against the shiver that runs down my spine.
Oh God.
Soft hands reach out and gently massage over my overly warm skin. The coolness of the lotion is like heaven and I find myself fighting the moan that wants to escape my lips. I can't stop the small gasp that escapes as she reaches the base of my spine, just above the curve of my ass. I squirm slightly in place, embarrassment coursing through my veins.
And just like that it is over.
I blink my eyes open, already feeling a sense of loss. I glance around at Rachel, knowing that my face is beet red. Hopefully I can blame my flushed appearance on the sun.
"Could you do me?" Rachel asks sweetly as she holds out the bottle of lotion expectantly. I valiantly ignore Santana's snigger at Rachel's accidental innuendo as I reach for the lotion and squirt out a healthy dose. Taking a deep, steadying breath I scoot forwards on the chair and brush my hands over Rachel's bare shoulders. If I had thought that Rachel touching me was heavenly, it was nothing compared with touching her silky soft skin.
Oh God.
Quinn's POV
After feeling awkward for most of the afternoon I am finally starting to relax, although that may have a lot to do with the drinks that Santana has been mixing. Either way I am no longer acting awkward and nervous around Rachel and am finally relaxing back into friend mode. Now instead of looking everywhere but at Rachel I find myself longing for her previous tactile behaviour.
"Here." I smile softly at her as I offer another drink. Not that I am trying to get her drunk or anything, of course not. That would make me no better than Puck. I just want her to relax, especially now that it is just the two of us. I grimace slightly as I try not to think about what Santana and Brittany are up to upstairs. What Rachel and I could be doing.
No! We are friends. Friends! With friend type feelings and friend type behaviour. Holding hands and cuddling would be friendly right?
I let out a sigh as I try to get my drunken hormones under control.
Maybe I just need to get laid.
"Are you okay?" Rachel asks softly, her hand lingering softly on my arm. I let out a small breath as a wave of warmth spreads through me.
From just touching my arm? Really? I roll my eyes at my own pathetic response.
"Yeah." I smile reassuringly. "It is getting dark, do you want to head inside?"
Rachel nods so I simply take her hand and lead her back into the house, only reluctantly letting go once we are back inside.
"What's wrong?" I ask as I watch Rachel anxiously look towards the ceiling.
"Err, it's kind of chilly now but I left my clothes upstairs and I don't really want to... interrupt anything."
I giggle at Rachel's obvious discomfort before taking her hand again. I lead her down to our laundry room.
"We should both be able to find something clean in here. Hold on." I root through the clean items and pull out some sweatpants and hoodies for us both. "Here."
Rachel smiles her thanks and I can't contain my smile at how adorable she looks in my clothes that come up a little large on her tiny frame.
"What?" She asks, shooting me a questioning glance.
"Nothing, just... you should always wear my clothes. You look cute." I admit, blushing slightly.
"Are you making fun of me Fabray?" Rachel asks in mock-outrage.
I just giggle at her rather than admit how cute I find her and lead her back into the living room.
"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" I ask as she sits next to me on the sofa, her body impossibly close.
"Sure." She nods as she curls up comfortably.
"Romantic comedy, horror...?"
"Romantic comedy." Rachel answers a little too quickly.
"What, not a fan of horror?" I smirk.
"Not unless you want me to end up in your lap." She giggles embarrassedly.
"Noted." I grin as I switch the television to a random romantic comedy that is showing. I am not even sure which movie I have put on as my attention turns to the girl beside me. I watch as her facial expressions change depending what is happening on screen. From cute little frowns and pouts to wide smiles and sweet giggles, I find myself enthralled. I am all too aware that I am on a dangerous path right now. All I have wanted is to be friends with Rachel, and that is all I really want now. But at the same time I am finding myself increasingly drawn to her in a way that will only lead to the end of our friendship, before it has even had the chance to thrive. As much as it pains me, I think I am going to need to speak with Santana.
A/N 3: Depending on interest the next update should be tomorrow :-) I am off for an early night soon- playing with my ten month old niece all day whilst amazing and fun is also tiring.