A/N – So this is the end. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride. I really had a blast writing this and all the reviews, comments and PMs have made it totally worthwhile. Mr. Charles quote about love is actually from the father of Taoism, Lao Tzu.

I am glad that I get to finish the story and to be honest, I didn't know how it was going to end until somewhere in Ch8. I am kind of anxious to see if you like how the story ends...

My Future In Your Hands

Oh Lord

Somebody – somebody

Can anybody find me somebody to love?

Queen

"Come on sweetie, smile for me, please? Come on Carmen." Quinn says the words softly as she examines her handiwork and checks that the stitches have dissolved. She sees Carmen's mom sitting anxiously by her side and her next words are directed at her, "Don't worry Mrs. Sanchez, everything looks great and there it is." The smile lighting up the little girl's face allows her, for just a moment, to forget the ache in her heart.

Quinn writes a prescription for some anti-scarring cream and hands it to the little girl, accepting a hug in return. She's actually grateful for being able to be here. The centre Director had scoffed when she broached the subject of only coming in if he got the sign-off from the rest of the doctors. She didn't want to burden him with having to explain her suspension. However, he had told her she was always welcome and although he wanted her there, he was still going to write to Alex and the Board and demand her reinstatement.

She looks at her watch and knows she can squeeze in one more patient before lunch as she looks around the waiting room, spotting Mrs. Charles, holding her granddaughter in her arms. But it's the short brunette sitting in the corner that catches her eye and causes her to freeze.

Rachel wished she took Tina and Marcie's offer up to accompany her but in the end, she realized she needed to do this on her own. And if it didn't work out, they were anxiously waiting downstairs, ready to whisk her away and let her cry on their shoulders. She's clutching the newspaper in her hands, as she stands up when she hears Quinn start to speak.

"Mrs. Charles, I can see you now, why don't you go into the office and I'll be right in." She watches the woman slowly walk to the examination room, before turning back to Rachel. Her throat is dry and she blinks a couple of times to really check that Rachel is standing there before her. It's only when she realizes that Rachel had her last MRI today does she react, worry coloring her voice. "Are you ok, what did Dr. Drew say? Was there anythnig wrong with the scan?" THe questions tumble out as she stares blatantly at Rachel, trying to discern any sign that would indicate that she was still unwell, that the treatments were not a success. She feels time slow down as she waits for Rachel to speak.

Rachel can see Quinn holding her breath, her eyes wide as she looks at her, her normal features, pale and anxious with worry. "No..I mean, yes, I'm in remission. The scans were clean." she sees Quinn hand go over her heart as if to slow it down as she lets out the breath she had been holding.

Rachel was fine, she was in remission and she was standing before her, whole and healthy. All these thoughts are racing through her mind as she tries to figure out what she needs to do. "I...Mrs. Charles...I need to see her. Did you come for an appointment?" the words again tumble out disjointed like her thoughts as she continues to stare at Rachel, content to just look at her, knowing that she was finally alright.

"I don't want an appointment." She sees Quinn slowly nod her head, taking in her words, trying to keep the disappointment from showing on her face. "In fact, I don't want you to be my doctor anymore." She looks at Quinn as the doctor closes her eyes and lowers her head, her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

She tells herself that knowing Rachel is finally ok is enough, that seeing her this one last time will carry her through the times to come. She never expected to see Rachel again and this was a gift of sorts. So Quinn forces her eyes open to look at her, understanding that it would be for the last time. She's surprised to see Rachel now standing before her, almost toe to toe as she looks down into her deep brown eyes, wishing that things had turned out differently as she hears Rachel reiterate her last words.

"I don't want you to be my doctor... Because I wouldn't be able to do this if you were." Rachel reaches up, her arms going around Quinn's neck as she pulls her in, her head tilted up, her eyes open as she finally initiates the first kiss. At least she hopes the first of many more to come. Quinn is stunned as she feels Rachel's soft lips on hers, teasing hers, as her tongue flicks out and Quinn loses all train of thought, only focusing on Rachel's supple lips on hers.

"This is where you're supposed to kiss me back."Rachel pulls back and whispers in her ear, her voice low and a little unsure. To be fair, Quinn wasn't pushing her away and she could feel the soft push of Quinn's lips on hers. She just expected more.

"I...um...I.." she graduated summa cum laude at Harvard and was in the top ten per cent at John Hopkins but just the feel of Rachel's body flushed against hers and her lips a tantalizing inch away was enough to drive all intelligent thoughts out of Quinn's mind, her synapses are still firing but all she could register was Rachel, all her senses focused on the brunette diva before her as she bent down to capture Rachel's lips once more.

"Mmmmhmmm. I could do this all day." Rachel breathes out, their noses touching as she sees Quinn smile, her eyes still closed.

"Tell me you're still going to be there, when I open my eyes." The words are so familiar but so is the crashing realization that she had hurt Rachel and was unsure if she'll ever be able to stop doing it. "Although maybe you shouldn't be here…"

Quinn finally opens her eyes to see Rachel staring up at her, confusion on her face but she does not let go, instead, she looks expectant, wanting Quinn to say whatever was on her mind. She's finally made her choice, by being here, she's admitting to wanting something more with Quinn but she also finally appreciates that Quinn is frightened, not of her but of hurting her. She had stated as much before and it makes her fall just a little bit more in love with the doctor.

She sees Quinn hesitate, trying to formulate words but she also notes the old lady peering out of the doctor's office, her eyebrows raised as she looked on at the two women embracing in the waiting area.

"I'm not going anywhere although perhaps Mrs. Charles may be if you don't see what she needs." Rachel finally releases Quinn, already feeling bereft at the loss of contact but not wanting to push Quinn into anything just yet. She was going to try and be a bit patient even though all she really wants to do is to hold onto Quinn and not let go.

Quinn's head whips round as she sees Mrs. Charles looking at them before she goes back into the room. She does not feel embarrassed to be caught holding Rachel but she does feel the need to at least do the job she had volunteered to do as she takes a step back, still looking at Rachel. "Are you sure you want to wait for me?"

Rachel has a feeling that Quinn's question encompasses more than just their current predicament as she nods, smiling before settling down on one of the plastic chairs.

"Always."

#$#$#$

She's smiling too as she enters the small office, "Sorry for the wait, Mrs. Charles. What can I do for you and Ruby today?" She sees the woman cradle her granddaughter in her arms and sits at the edge of the desk facing them.

The old woman had sees a lot in her fifty plus years and she's not surprised by the fact that the young doctor was unafraid of showing affection in public even if it was to another woman. She was happy for her. "Seeing how you're sweet on that girl outside, I just need you to give Ruby her Influenza shot and we'll be on our way." The accompanying blush informs her that she not far wrong in her assessment although the young doctor's face shows some uncertainty.

"You are sweet on her, aren't you?" Quinn busies herself with preparing for the shot as she considers her answer. It's not that she's confused or wants to deny her feelings. It's the fact that she's never really been in love and everything she's been experiencing is new and terrifying.

"How do you know?..If you're in love?" She gently takes Ruby in her arms, as she asks the question; needing to put her feelings into context. The euphoria she feels is only overshadowed by the sheer panic that's building up within her. Panic that she's just going to hurt Rachel again because she's never been in a relationship that lasted more than a few months, fear that she'll do or say the wrong thing. Fear that she'll inevitably hurt Rachel again.

"Well, I guess it's different for different people but the one thing that matters is the fact that you want to be better for that person and most importantly, you accept everything about her because it's everything about her that makes you happy." Her husband had been the love of her life. He had been everything to her, loving her and their family until he passed on last year.

It had been because of his love that she continued to push on despite her daughter leaving her broke and with a granddaughter to look after. "Mr. Charles, bless his soul, used to say being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. So I guess the question you have to answer is how brave do you feel?"

She gives Ruby the shot, smiling into her eyes, ensuring that the prick from the needle is swift and as painless as she can administer before she hands the baby back to Mrs. Charles; All the while, going over her question in her head. 'How brave was she?'

Quinn finally realizing that she would have never written into the Times or stood out in the open, kissing and holding onto Rachel as if her life depended on it. She wouldn't have been able to go back to Lima or talk to Noah either. She loved Rachel Berry but more importantly, she was in love with her and had been for some time.

"Thank you." Her words are heartfelt as she bends down to give the old woman a hug.

"You deserve to be loved." The woman returns the hug, glad that she's finally able to return the favor to the doctor who's taken care of her and her family without asking for anything in return.

#$#$#$

Patience has never been one of Rachel's strengths. She's always wanted things too badly, pushing herself and those around her to do better, aim higher. Waiting around for things to just fall into place, for something to happen never got her anywhere. Except, right now, all she could do was wait.

She holds her hands in her lap as she glances at the closed door, going over all the possible scenarios in her head. Wondering if Quinn would profess her feelings outright or if she would just show them like she did when she kissed her back. She pushes away the notion that Quinn might not want to take the risk. She knows its still a real possibility but she deserves to be happy and at least until the door opened, she was just going to think positive good thoughts.

Rachel's on her feet the second the door opens, trying not to look anxious but probably failing miserably as she sees woman with the baby give her an understanding look as she pats her on the arm when she passes her by.

She knew she was taking a chance and does not regret coming here or showing Quinn what she meant to her. Rachel sees Quinn leaning against the open door, her expression unreadable but a small smile tugging the side of her mouth as she arches her eyebrow.

It's all the invitation Rachel needs as she launches herself at Quinn, the doctor catching her around her waist, their lips meeting again.

This time, both women working in synchrony, finally travelling on the same path, acknowledging that they're meant to be together. Each kiss is now punctuated with a word.

"I" Quinn's hand caresses Rachel's cheek.

"Love" Rachel smiles as she says the word, her hands tighten around Quinn's neck.

"You." The final word echoing in their minds as the kiss deepens.

The End

Thanks so much for reading. I kind of feel bereft now that the story is done. So do me a favor and tell me if you liked it and which was your favorite chapter. I really would appreciate a review on your way out :) ...Maybe I'll be inspired to write a sequel.