The room was silent for a moment, as Rita Jones seemed to be at a loss for words. The journalist got up and turned off the tape. She sat back down.
"I just wanted to stop for a second. Fame has its ups and downs. I know that. I've seen it many times over. I just wanted to take a second and say that the way that you handled everything with your daughter was one of the bravest and classiest things I've ever witnessed in all my years of journalism. I think you handled it exceptionally well and I'm not sure if anyone ever gave you credit for the ways in which you turned around the backlash surrounding your show. I just needed to pause and let you know that you've done some amazing things with your career, both of you. But I think that was the first instance the public got to view the real Quinn Fabray," Rita said to Quinn.
Then the journalist turned to Rachel, "And the real Rachel Berry. I think the reason that SING! was so successful then and will continue to be, is that Alan Peters found an amazing group of people to introduce to the world. Setting the show itself, aside, Alan assembled a family that America was happy to know. I suppose it's no secret to say I'm a fan of you both."
"Thank you," Quinn blushed.
"That's not even touching on how brave you both were when announcing your relationship," Rita gushed.
"Is there water?" Rachel asked.
"Water? Oh sure. I'll be right back," Rita rushed from the room.
Rachel turned to Quinn with a smirk on her face. Quinn raised an eyebrow in return. The beginning of the show, the backlash had been difficult at the time but it was no longer hard to talk about. They had both moved on from that. Things had worked out for the best in the long run.
"I think someone has a crush on you," Rachel teased.
"Shut your mouth, Berry," Quinn laughed.
"You gonna make me," Rachel winked.
Quinn blushed. It never failed. After years, Quinn still blushed when Rachel blatantly flirted with her. It was one of the things that Rachel adored the most about her best friend.
"There is a camera in the room. Have you learned nothing, Miss Berry?"
"It's turned off," Rachel whined, leaning closer to Quinn.
"That's what they all say and then there's sex tape," Quinn chuckled before kissing Rachel gently.
"There better not be a sex tape. If I haven't made one with you, then I sure hope nobody else has," Rachel glared playfully.
"I'm telling you baby, I love you dearly and I think you're beyond sexy…but those things always have a way of coming out," Quinn laughed, shaking her head.
"Fine. But just so you know, I'm taking the gloves off now," Rachel smirked.
"Taking the gloves off? What is that supposed to mean?"
"Just wait. You're gonna be in so much trouble later."
"With you or the network? Sometimes you scare me, Berry," Quinn tried to fight her grin.
Rita came bouncing back in the room with two bottles of water. It was immediately noticeable that the tension in the room had shifted. The girls looked almost playful. The entire mood of the room had changed in a few minutes.
"Shall we?" the journalist asked, turning the camera back on.
"So where were we? Still season one?" Quinn asked with a wink.
"Bodyguards," Rita replied. "But nearing the end of the first, I'd say."
"Yeah. It wasn't until we started airing the back nine that the pandemonium really got crazy. Filming the first few episodes we were in a bubble of sorts. Some people knew about the show but not many. Then when they started airing, it really seemed like overnight success. It didn't hit until London. Then it really hit with the backlash. Alan kept assuring us that if people were that involved in our personal lives then it meant that we really had something as a show. We had fans. We had fans who were obsessed with knowing all the details of our lives. The backlash led to bodyguards, but again it was surreal. We all had them but we didn't use them daily. It was strictly for events and traveling as a group…or airports. Airports were always crazy. They still are," Rachel explained.
"So in the summer hiatus after season one, did you really think about how much your lives had changed in the past year? Or were avoiding thinking about it because it'd been beaten over your head so much throughout the year?" Rita questioned, settling back into her chair.
"We were busy during the summer hiatus. That was our first tour. It was when everything started to come together in my head. After all the backlash, the paparazzi run ins, the mall tour, everything- that summer tour was the first time we really got to meet our fans. That was when the previous year finally paid off. All of the gossip, hurt, and tears didn't matter as much as seeing what our show did for all of these people. We got to see firsthand, what our own lives had done for thousands of people. It was completely surreal and the most rewarding experience," Rachel grinned.
"I can imagine. It had to be rewarding to finally meet all of the people whose lives you had changed. Tell me about the first tour. What was it like? What was that first night stepping out onto the stage like? How did that feel?" Rita smiled.
Chicago- 1st Summer Tour
Nine Years Ago
Rachel skipped into the hotel room and twirled in the middle of the room between the two beds. Quinn followed behind her with Scott laughing at Rachel's antics. The bellboy came in right behind them, shaking his head and grinning, while pulling the cart with Rachel and Quinn's bags.
"Have a great show tonight," the bellboy smiled as he left the room.
"Can you believe it? We're doing a concert!" Scott nearly squealed, plopping on Quinn's bed while Rachel dove unto her own.
"Oh please, Mr. Boyband, you're like a pro at this," Quinn teased, sitting down at the edge of the bed, swatting Scott's feet.
"Not like this. It's sold out! None of our performances were ever sold out with the guys. We couldn't sell out a county fair with the band. This is insanity!"
"I'm gonna sing Barbra in front of a sold out crowd," Rachel sighed happily.
"Again, you're a pro. You won a freaking Tony singing Barbra every night to sold out crowds in New York," Quinn rolled her eyes.
"Are you nervous, Fabray?" Scott asked, sitting up quickly.
"Of course not," Quinn attempted to scoff.
"You're nervous!" Scott gasped, flinging himself onto Quinn and tickling her.
"Get off me," Quinn gasped for air, laughing and squirming underneath Scott's endless tickle fight.
"Admit you're nervous," Scott prodded.
The truth was, no matter what background they each had in performing, none of them had ever experienced anything like their first sound check in the arena- knowing it was completely sold out. It was ten times the size of any show Scott's boyband ever booked. It was certainly ten times the size of any Broadway theatre Rachel had performed in. It was, without a doubt, larger than any place Quinn had ever performed with the New Directions. Nervous was an understatement. Quinn was thrilled yet terrified.
Rachel was bustling about the room, nearly bursting with excitement. She'd known since she was a little girl that Broadway was her destiny. However, she'd known since birth that singing was her passion. She never truly dreamt she'd sell out an arena. She'd only allowed herself to strive for crowded theatres in New York City. In the furthest part of her dreams, she hoped to be like Barbara Streisand- an EGOT winner. Babs could sell out arenas. Babs did it all. Rachel wanted to do it all. Reality was an entirely different feeling than a dream as a little girl. Mostly, Rachel had wanted a Tony. Once she had that, it seemed like it was only right to hope for more- to keep striving and improving. She honestly thought after Funny Girl won a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album that she could cross it off her list. Yet the idea of touring and connecting with a much larger audience, touching people with her music seemed to call to her. Did the Grammy really count as her own if it went to the producer? Maybe a Grammy of her very own would be next instead of the Oscar…or the Emmy. Good God, how she wanted to get an Emmy. It couldn't be that far off. The show was well received with critics. Still, she couldn't get ahead of herself. Tonight wasn't about the Emmy's or Oscars or Grammy's.
Tonight was the first live concert of Rachel Berry in a huge arena- and it was sold out. She wasn't nervous. She was ecstatic. She was literally living her dream. She was about to have the best night of her life and on top of that, she would share it with her best friends.
Meanwhile, the more Quinn thought about it- the more she felt like throwing up. Her singing had improved some since high school but she still felt like the weak link in the cast, vocally speaking. She knew she could act. Brooke always swore Quinn could act circles around most of them- not Rachel though. Quinn knew Rachel was meant for all of it. Rachel Berry was their brightest star on all accounts.
Quinn was…she was a good actress. She was a decent singer. She was a pretty good dancer. She was going to perform in front of how many thousand people? She was going to sing live while dancing and prancing around like she was- what? Like she was Rachel freaking Berry? Quinn couldn't perform on that level. She didn't have the energy to keep up. Rachel was in a class all her own. What if the audience noticed how much better everyone else was? What if people thought Quinn sucked? How did she get this job?
"Knock, knock," a male voice called from the open doorway.
"Josh!" Rachel squealed, launching herself at the guy.
"I'm nervous!" Quinn shouted at the same time.
Scott flopped back beside Quinn on the bed. He was laughing while Josh picked Rachel up and twirled her around. Quinn was mid-panic attack.
"Don't be nervous. You'll be fine. You crashing with me tonight, Q?" Scott asked, nodding toward the couple kissing in the doorway.
"Oh," Quinn breathed, smiling weakly.
Somehow the spectacle in front of her knocked the breath from her. Her panic attack was forgotten but her chest ached instead. She knew she had been nervous about the show. She knew she was nearly worked up over it. Suddenly, it didn't seem as daunting as sharing a room with Rachel and Josh. It was bad enough that he was always at their place. Did he really have to be in their hotel room, too? For two seconds, she had been focused on the show and the tour and sharing a room with Rachel. For two seconds, she had forgotten about Rachel's 'super amazing' boyfriend.
"Quit macking and move over. Some of us actually walk through doorways instead of make out in them," Courtney grumbled, pushing past Rachel and Josh.
"Is there a party in our room?" Quinn asked, relieved to see more of her friends.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Switching between blind panic and…and whatever the chest aching- which she wouldn't classify or dwell on…well whatever was happening- switching between so many emotions couldn't be good for her health. She really needed a break but somehow knew that wouldn't happen until long after this tour.
"A party and I'm not invited? I am offended, Q," came another familiar voice from the doorway.
Rachel pulled away from Josh immediately and began squealing in an unknown language. The Lord above had somehow sent Quinn all the help she needed.
"Holy hell, Berry. Lung power," Santana smirked as the tiny brunette launched at her.
"Santana, what are you doing here?" Rachel asked breathlessly.
"B and I figured we'd stop by and see the show. We've got a U-Haul downstairs and we've been slowly making our way cross country. Didn't you get my email, bitch? You're getting new neighbors," Santana replied with a grin.
"Brittany's downstairs?" Quinn asked excitedly, getting up and hugging Santana.
The Latina barely gave Quinn any notice as she took in all the others in the room. She hugged her best friend lightly but immediately went into what Quinn had deemed "shark mode." Santana's gaze was sharp when first truly scanning everyone. Always checking for blood in the water. Quinn could swear that Santana's usually dark eyes would turn black as she swam through a room waiting to strike. Would Quinn be the unlucky fish? A known hunter like Santana always sought prey.
"You're moving to California? Now? You're in the process of moving?" Rachel beamed.
"Hold up. Introduce please," Scott called from Quinn's bed.
"Oh my. How rude. I'm terribly sorry," Rachel exclaimed quickly.
"Same old Berry," Santana sighed, waltzing further into the room as if she owned it.
Same old Santana.
"Santana Lopez. You're Scott. You're Courtney. I don't know you," Santana said to Josh.
"Josh. Josh Meyers. I'm Rachel's…friend," Josh shrugged.
"New boy toy?" Santana raised an eyebrow.
"Santana!" Rachel shrieked. "He's my boyfriend. Not some boy toy. That's gross."
Santana smirked and winked before her gaze landed back on Quinn. Her black eyes lingered on Quinn, sniffing out the situation. Just as quickly, her eyes softened and instead seemed to scan for injuries. Not to prey on the weak. Checking for blood that needed healing instead of for feeding. Santana hadn't seen her best friend in months, shy of a few skype dates. She scanned the blonde quickly to see if anybody had hurt her girl. Upon finding no injury, shark mode completely disappeared. Then the usual devilish grin emerged.
"Come on Fabray, stick up your ass? What's going on? If Berry's got a man, who's your lady love? This one?" Santana gestured to Courtney.
"Ew! No," Courtney replied. "Sorry, Q. I didn't mean that. You're way hot. If I would ever swing that way…"
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks Court," Quinn chuckled.
Somehow everyone had passed Santana's test. Quinn did notice when Santana's eyes narrowed a little again in Josh's direction, especially when he wrapped his arm around Rachel's waist. Catching Quinn's eye, Santana's lips pulled into a thin line. Quinn ignored her.
"So Scott, what about you? You like ladies? You like men? Where's your tabloid loving?" Santana winked.
"I- uh- what?" Scott looked at Quinn incredulously.
The Latina made herself comfortable leaning against the dresser. She crossed her arms and stared them all down. Usual devil. Not a hungry shark. The devil Quinn could deal with.
"This is Santana. We went to high school together. She's one of my oldest friends. She and Rachel have been somewhat close for years as well," Quinn replied as if that explained it.
"Baby, I think I got lost," Brittany's voice came in from the hallway.
"In here, B," Santana grinned stupidly at the sound of her girlfriend.
"Rachel!" Brittany exclaimed and scooped the smaller girl up in a hug.
The two were squealing and hugging. Everyone else was laughing. Josh sat on Rachel's bed, placing his bag next to him. Just moving into their room if he owned it. Quinn narrowed her eyes but quickly averted her attention when she felt Santana's eyes watching her yet again.
"Everything okay in here?" Chase asked from the doorway.
"You're Lucas!" Brittany squealed, flinging herself on him and hugging him tightly.
Chase looked totally bewildered and a little creeped out while Brittany clung to him tightly.
"Or you know, Chase. Are these…fans?" Chase asked, attempting to pry Brittany off.
"Friends from high school," Quinn laughed. "That would be Brittany around your neck and this is Santana."
Eventually the whole cast made their way into Rachel and Quinn's room to be introduced to their high school friends. Santana said that Mike and Tina, who lived in Chicago, were coming to the show that night as well. It was a tiny McKinley reunion.
The show started at 8pm on the dot. At 7:57, Quinn nearly threw up. She dry heaved twice while Rachel patted her back and whispered soothing words into her ear. Matt picked Quinn up in a tight bear hug and wouldn't let go until she assured him she wouldn't vomit. AT 7:59, Rachel took a deep breath and went into Rachel Berry The Star mode. She straightened her shoulders and transformed into the most high-school-esque Rachel Berry that Quinn had seen in years. She wasn't really surprised by Rachel's quick transformation but wished she could get back some of her old Quinn Fabray swagger and confidence just to make it out there.
8pm and the band started in with the first song. Rachel skipped out onto the stage to a deafening roar. She swallowed the lump in her throat and waved excitedly.
"Hello Chicago! It's great to see you!" Rachel shouted.
The roar grew as the audience went nuts.
Backstage, Matt squeezed Quinn's hand and nodded at her. The two took the stairs and joined Chase and Rachel on stage. Another roar burst from the crowd as they were introduced.
Then all the cast was on stage together singing like it was the first day of filming. Nervous but excited. They were feeding off each other and the audience. It was unlike anything they'd ever felt before.
Two hours later, Quinn stood next to Rachel and grabbed her hand as they all bowed to a standing ovation. They had just performed their first concert ever and the fans loved every second. Quinn was buzzing with excitement as they all ran off stage. As soon as they were backstage and down the stairs, they all started hugging each other and squealing happily.
"That was amazing!" Chase shouted and picked Quinn up.
He twirled her around while some of the others snapped pictures and immediately tweeted them. Chase put her down and Quinn found her way to Rachel. The brunette threw her arms around Quinn's neck and screamed. Quinn laughed and pulled her tight. They swayed from side to side. Rachel went to kiss Quinn's check as she started to pull away.
"Q!" Scott shouted from across the room.
Quinn turned her head to Scott just as Rachel leaned in. Somehow Rachel Berry ended up kissing the corner of Quinn Fabray's lips. They both pulled away, immediately stuttered and turned red while Scott slapped his knees and laughed hysterically at them.
"Sorry," Quinn muttered.
"My fault," Rachel replied immediately.
They blushed even further red as Scott grabbed Quinn in a hug and started teasing her about macking on Rachel. The high from performance wasn't going to wear off for a while. Of course that was the only reason Quinn's heart was racing- nothing else.
A few hours later, Rachel and Quinn sat in their hotel room with Santana, Brittany, Tina, and Mike. It was amazing to see how their excitement hadn't diminished at all. They were still buzzing.
"I can't believe I just saw you guys in concert," Mike laughed for the sixth time.
"I can't believe you guys have children," Quinn teased back.
"Two," Tina grinned.
"Good God, what is the world coming to?" Santana smirked, before flopping back on Quinn's bed.
It was a mini New Directions reunion in the same city where they won their national championship. Six of the people from the one club that had changed the paths of all of their lives were reunited in the place it really took off for them. It was amazing to see where everybody ended up. They swapped stories about the rest of their former club members. It seemed everybody had tabs on somebody. They were happy to check in on their extended family and see how everyone's lives were panning out.
"It's really great to see you guys. We should come visit more," Rachel smiled sincerely.
"Please do. You're always welcome at our place," Mike nodded.
"We will. We'll be back and then we'll get to meet your wonderful kids. I still can't believe it. How about a weekend in September? We'll be back to filming but we should still have weekends away," Rachel explained.
"We? You speak for Q now? Just cuz you guys live together," Santana laughed.
"I do speak for Quinn and she loves it."
"Sure do," Quinn joked before Rachel launched a pillow at her.
The two fought back in forth over the pillow before Quinn eventually won, tugged it away, and swatted Rachel on the back of the head with it. Santana stared at them. It was strange to see the former enemies acting like best friends. They weren't acting. They were legitimately best friends. Strange but in a way it made sense. Santana smiled as she watched them. Her little Quinn was growing up and maturing so fast.
"Life sure is weird sometimes. I never would've thought I'd see the day when Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry not only got along but were best friends and roommates," Tina winked.
Quinn flushed at the mention of their past but Rachel merely beamed and leaned over to hug Quinn to her side. The rest of their friends laughed in amazement. Quinn Fabray wasn't disgusted by a Rachel Berry hug. She accepted it happily.
Santana quirked her eyebrow and filed some things away for another time. She'd been watching them all night. The shark had found blood after all.
"Stranger things have happened," Rachel giggled happily.
"Yeah like Chang squared having kids," Santana snorted.
They all laughed while Brittany smacked Santana for being rude. It was great to see that some people and some relationships never changed. People who were meant to be would always find their way to each other. Tina and Mike found their way after breaking up and getting back together- breaking up again and then getting back together and getting married. Santana and Brittany found their way too after a few ups and downs- and a brief weirdness with Sam Evans. Still, people who were meant to be would find their way. Quinn was relived that Finn and Rachel hadn't turned out to be that kind of couple. Somebody knocked on the door.
"Come on in. It's open," Rachel called, expecting Josh.
"You really shouldn't leave that unlocked like that. I'm sure some fans know where we're staying," Brooke laughed.
Courtney, Scott, and David followed behind the blonde.
"What are you all doing here?" Quinn asked.
"Well we always party at your house. Why should the tour be any different?" Courtney smirked.
The cast and former New Directions members all hung out and drank some beer that Courtney and Scott brought over. David sipped on apple juice since he was technically underage and didn't want to get caught on tour drinking. The last thing they needed was another backlash with bad press. Chase, Matt, and Josh watched baseball in Chase's room and drank in there. Rachel hadn't actually minded that her boyfriend would rather spend time with the guys than hang with her high school friends. The guys were relaxing with beer. Rachel and Quinn's room was slightly more chaotic.
The people in the girls' room were a little more rambunctious. They were prone to burst out in song from time to time. The beer certainly loosened everyone up a bit too. Santana was always loud. Brittany was always bubbly. Courtney was just as loud as Santana. Brooke was wild and hilarious. She rapped for all of them.
"I think you two should be a couple," Santana said to Courtney and Brooke.
"In real life?" Brooke asked, shaking her head.
"I'm actually quite straight," Courtney giggled, falling into Brooke's side drunkenly.
"No, not in real life. Straight girls are always thinking I want them to be gay. I mean on the show," Santana clarified. "You guys are besties on the show. Little one over there is the resident gay. What about lesbians? We exist. We also existed in high school. It'd be nice to have some visibility on TV."
"You'd get more screen time if you had romantic interests," Scott nodded, drunkenly.
"I like it!" Brooke exclaimed.
"We're so telling Alan. We're gonna be in love," Courtney agreed.
"Good," Santana nodded.
Typical Santana to plot everything. It was natural that she watched the show her best friend was on. She and Rachel had become closer in New York once she had moved there. Of course she was going to watch a show the two of them were on. She also wanted to find her high school self on the show. Alessandra reminded her of herself. Courtney did too. Her character though was a little bitchier than Courtney actually was. Her character was a lot like the old Santana. She always paid attention to the cheerleaders in the background. Alessandra and Jennie were perfect to be the television versions of Santana and Brittany. Santana was determined to make it happen after the second or third episode. Now she planted the seed. It was only a matter of time in her opinion. She would have a television character created in her likeness. She was going to have her own show. It was like crossing off several items from her bucket list while getting that much closer to world domination.
"Okay, okay. Time to kick you guys out. We have flights to catch in the morning and interviews tomorrow evening. You cannot look like hung-over messes at the airport. Please wear sunglasses if you must," Quinn commanded.
"Yes, mother," Courtney teased, leaning over to kiss Quinn's cheek.
"Good night, mother," Brooke giggled, kissing the girl's other cheek.
"Mama Q," Scott grinned stupidly, making Quinn laugh.
He pointed to his cheek. Quinn rolled her eyes but kissed his cheek anyway.
"See you in the morning," David called, gathering up the drunken troops.
"Speaking of morning, we should be going. The kids will be up bright and early and we'll need to be on our toes," Mike smiled warmly hugging both girls.
"It was great seeing you guys," Tina hugged all of them.
"Do you guys have a room?" Quinn asked watching Santana and Brittany snuggle on her bed.
"Course we do. Where do you think we did it before your concert?" Santana laughed.
Quinn rolled her eyes. Of course, Santana and Brittany had sex before the concert. Of course.
"You plan on sleeping there?" Quinn asked with a sigh.
The two former Cheerios were curled up on Quinn's bed. They looked seconds away from passing out. Brittany snuggled closer into Santana's side.
"Our room or right here? Cuz I'm not moving. Are you moving, B?"
Brittany shook her head and buried her face in Santana's neck.
"Slumber party?" Rachel asked with a small grin.
Quinn shrugged. She was slightly buzzed but not nearly as drunk as the others had been. Rachel had only had one glass of wine. The brunette got up and brushed her teeth. When she got back to her bed, Quinn was already curled up asleep inside it. Rachel smiled and shook her head before crawling into bed with the blonde. She looked over at Santana and Brittany who were curled around each other snoring softly but both smiling. It warmed her heart to see her old friends, even Tina and Mike. They were all still together and still in love. She figured it must be nice to have found the one when they were so young, to always be so sure. She and Finn had never been as steady as the couple across from her or the one that left earlier. So far the most constant person in her life had been Quinn. They'd had their rocky patches but Quinn was still around. With that thought, Rachel started to doze off. She stirred slightly when Quinn rolled over and wrapped her arm around her. Rachel smiled to herself and snuggled back into Quinn's embrace. Neither noticed Santana's satisfied smirk across the room. Blood in the water, indeed. The Latina settled back in and started snoring with her girlfriend.
Josh crashed with the guys after the baseball game. His bag remained at the foot of the bed Santana and Brittany slept on.