"So the first major magazine to publish the word Faberry- and you said…ridiculous," Rita laughed.
Rachel grimaced and Quinn reached over to squeeze her hand. They both laughed a little as Rita grinned at the pair.
"I didn't know. I mean- I knew she was my insanely gorgeous best friend. We spent so much time joking about it in New York. Our friend Kurt had been giving me a hard time non-stop. My first instinct was deny, deny, deny. I didn't even realize what I was really denying to myself at that time. I was so convinced that she would never see me in that way."
"Were you advised to be less affectionate after that?" Rita asked directly.
"We were never told to act differently. We were asked to play up our onscreen chemistry with others. That conversation didn't happen until the middle of season three. Basically, it was bad for the show if our pairing ended up having a larger following than the endgame couples. My character was supposed to end up with Matt's and Rachel and Chase's characters were the core of the show. No one ever said to change our private lives. They merely suggested that it wouldn't hurt to campaign a little for our onscreen loves," Quinn answered.
"Do you think that was directly related to the fact that you had come out during season three?"
"No, being out didn't affect my job. Nobody asked me to do anything I wasn't willing to do. Nobody asked me to hide anything or downplay my sexuality. I was never that open with my relationships before I came out so it wasn't as if we needed to have some sit down about how to handle my sexuality."
"Water?" Rachel asked, interrupting the moment.
Rita nodded with a smile, "I'll be right back. They really should have stocked us better."
"Your relationships before you came out? You didn't have any," Rachel laughed once Rita was out of the room.
"You just wanted to take your dig at me, Berry. Get rid of the reporter so you can belittle me?" Quinn asked, glaring.
Eventually she cracked and smiled.
"I wanted to give you moment. I figured with a breather, we could get back on track about the show," Rachel reached over and massaged the back of Quinn's neck.
"That feels nice," Quinn mumbled.
"You're tense. You need to relax. This isn't the Spanish Inquisition. Talk about whatever you want. Elaborate when you want to. The whole point of this is to discuss our experiences on SING! and to talk about what really went on behind the scenes….it doesn't have to be all about us."
"It was all about us. All of my experiences with the show are completely wrapped up in us, in you," Quinn replied sincerely.
"And people wonder how I fell for you. You're a charmer, Fabray," Rachel teased with a wink.
"You're just a sucker, Berry," Quinn laughed.
Rita returned a moment later with several bottles of water.
"Now where were we?" Rita asked with a polite smile.
"We wrapped season two. We headed out on another tour," Rachel steered the conversation.
"This one was much bigger than the first. You hit twenty cities in the US versus the original six stops. Bigger venues, more cities. Did you feel like rock stars?" Rita questioned, grinning excitedly.
"The second tour was simply indescribable. That's not entirely true. Surely, I can find the words- mind blowing. The sheer number of fans. The volume in the arenas. I walked out onto that stage each night and it was incredibly astonishing to me that we had that many fans in that many cities. Some people drove hundreds of miles to come see us in concert. We had fans from other countries. Oh, we met this family from Ireland who traveled all the way to Minneapolis to see our show. I think I was in constant wonder for forty-two days straight. It was a tight schedule. We had a show nearly every other night. We did matinees. I think the grand total was twenty-six performances in forty-two days. It was utter madness," Rachel sputtered.
"Which tour was the best?" Rita laughed.
"That's like picking favorite children," Rachel gasped, almost in horror.
Rita and Quinn chuckled at her over-dramatics.
"Do you have a favorite, Quinn?" Rita turned to the blonde.
"I loved all three. Every summer while we were on SING! was amazing. The first tour was exciting and new. The second tour was exhausting but huge and thrilling. The third tour was our last so it was like senior year of high school or something. We were just cherishing every second and acted like even bigger idiots than normal. The third tour had its ups and downs. It was certainly the most challenging for a ton of reasons. The summer after the fourth season was our first major break and the best vacation. Each time there were new obstacles but new rewards," Quinn smiled at Rachel.
"What Quinn is trying to say is that we worked very hard…but we played harder on tour. The tours were an opportunity for our weird little family to let loose and goof off in hotels, on buses, on planes, and of course on stage," Rachel giggled.
The Second National Tour
Eight years ago
"Are you ready Pittsburgh?" Rachel bellowed as the audience went crazy.
Her soft chuckle echoed throughout the entire arena from her microphone. She beamed and waved at all of the fans.
"How's the crowd up top?" Chase asked with a grin as the upper levels cheered.
"You guys ready?" Matt pumped his arms up and down as the music kicked in.
Quinn caught Rachel's eye across the stage as she skipped to her spot. Rachel ran and twirled center stage before nearly crashing into Chase who laughed loudly and spun her around a second time. Brooke, Courtney, and Quinn did their section of the number. Rachel skipped past them toward the left side of the stage and smacked Quinn's butt on her way. Quinn giggled and whirled around only to be corralled to the right side of the stage by Courtney.
It was opening night of their second national tour and Pittsburgh was buzzing with excitement. The entire arena felt charged. It was huge compared to the venues of their last tour. They were essentially performing in the round to pack in as many fans as possible.
"I feel like a rock star," Scott screamed doing air guitar next to the band's real guitarist.
As the show progressed, the energy and excitement seemed to grow. Quinn and Matt could barely hear their earpieces over the roar when they did their famous duet. Their characters had become romantically linked during season two and had quickly become a fan favorite couple. However, Rachel and Chase's love song still had the power to practically incite a Lemily riot. The fans were passionate.
"This is our last song of the night so we're gonna make this one count," Rachel waved on the rest of the cast after her big solo.
As they all busted out their number one hit and practically the show's theme song, the audience seemed to surge forward. The screams were ear piercing even with their plugs. Rachel looked momentarily terrified but quickly pasted her 'Rachel Berry The Star' grin in its place though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. The security guards seemed to gain the control again and get the crowd pushed back a little. The cast all lined up next the edge of the stage to hold out the final note before their bow. Rachel was shaking. Quinn was on the other side of David who was on Rachel's right. The blonde made a quick decision and swapped the boy before he really even knew what happened. Truth be told, the overzealousness of the crowd was making Quinn incredibly nervous, too. Without hesitation, she stood next to Rachel and reached over linking their fingers together during the last note. Rachel squeezed her hand and Quinn saw her smile out of the corner of her eye. They bowed and ran off stage still holding hands as the lights dimmed.
"We still have an encore," Courtney sputtered, wide eyed.
"This is insanity," Scott laughed happily.
"I thought they were gonna rush the stage," Rachel squeaked.
"Yeah man, and some big dude could just pick you up easily and run off," Chase teased.
Rachel glared at him while trying to calm her nerves.
"I don't think I've ever seen you get nervous before," Brooke grimaced in sympathy, patting Rachel's back.
"Not like that," Rachel shook her head.
"You switched me," David said suddenly, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Seriously? That's what you're thinking about?" Quinn asked incredulously, sending the boy a HBIC glare.
David cowered back slightly.
"You with me?" Rachel asked, still holding onto the blonde's hand.
"Always," Quinn smiled.
"Three songs and then they're let loose on the streets of Pittsburgh," Rachel nodded.
"We'll send out some of the dancers to sign things but you all are taking the vans out the back way," Roger, their tour manager ordered.
Everyone muttered their agreement just as the band kicked back in signaling their return to the stage.
During the encore, the security kept things in check but there was still an almost manic energy in the audience by that point. It was thrilling but terrifying. Quinn stuck by Rachel's side the entire time. They all tossed their planned choreography out the window and had fun goofing all with each other on stage instead. They fed off each other to remain enthusiastic but calmer than before. The lights dimmed a second time and they rushed off stage. The crew backstage barely gave them time to change out of their costumes before escorting them to the black vans waiting away from the tour bus.
As the vans pulled out, nearly fifty fans were still hanging around the supposed backup escape route. They cheered and beat on the windows of their vehicles.
"Holy shit. This must be how the Beatles felt," Scott breathed in awe.
Rachel clung a little tighter to Quinn who had her arm wrapped around the brunette. Flashes went off as everyone tried to get pictures of the cast through the windows.
"My mother would shit a brick," David muttered.
Their car took off to a different hotel than the one they were staying at.
"Um, our hotel is the other way," Scott leaned up from the back seat to whisper to Quinn and Rachel.
"We're creating a diversion. We're swinging by the Hilton before we had back to the Marriott just in case," the driver informed.
"Did he hear me?" Scott asked slowly.
The driver didn't respond as Quinn and David chuckled. Scott shrugged and adjusted his bow tie. Rachel had her head on Quinn's shoulder with her eyes shut.
"You sleeping, Berry?" Quinn asked playfully.
"Do you think every night will be like that?" Rachel asked wearily.
"I don't know. If it is, we'll get used to. We adapt. It's what we do."
"I still stand by my original statement. My mother would shit a brick if she had been here tonight," David reiterated while the other three chuckled tiredly.
They got back to Marriott seconds before the other vans pulled up.
"Driver took us by the Holiday Inn Express," Chase laughed, climbing out of one of the other vehicles.
"I'm beat, man," Matt sighed, dragging his feet as he led the group through the sliding glass doors.
They all made it to the floor reserved for the cast and some of the crew in relative silence.
"Beers in our room," Chase offered.
"Sleep," Quinn grunted.
"What she said," Rachel snorted.
"Your loss. Courtie & Brookie? Scottie the hottie? David the…David," Matt laughed.
"Sleep," David chuckled.
"Libations with my ladies," Scott winked as Courtney and Brooke shrugged but nodded.
"Good night, guys," Rachel sang as Quinn got the key card to finally work and opened their door.
"Twenty bucks says tomorrow is Faberry Central. Did you see the hand hold?" Matt teased.
"Fuck you," Quinn growled before shutting the door.
She and Rachel both took turns showering and getting ready for bed. While Quinn was drying her hair, Rachel came into the bathroom in her pajamas. She held up her toothbrush in explanation. She looked exhausted. She smiled and nodded. Rachel carefully cleaned her teeth. She had an exact dental hygiene routine every night. The years had greatly diminished the length of her moisturizing routine and facial cleansing process. Plus the show's makeup artist gave her a great face wash and moisturizer that helped. However, her dental routine remained as intense and precise as ever.
Quinn watched on in amusement as she brushed her dried hair.
"I bet your dentist is immensely impressed each time you come in," Quinn smirked.
"Proper dental hygiene is no laughing matter, Quinn," Rachel countered, glaring at the blonde through the mirror.
Quinn stepped closer to the other girl. They kept their eyes locked with each step Quinn took. Finally she stopped directly behind the brunette. Rachel raised an eyebrow. Quinn grinned and reached around her to grab her own toothbrush. She held it out to Rachel. Rachel's brow furrowed.
"Toothpaste," Quinn laughed.
Rachel rolled her eyes but squeezed some of her own tube unto Quinn's brush. Quinn smirked again before sticking her toothbrush in her mouth.
"Minty," Quinn winked.
Rachel huffed as soon as Quinn took a step back from her. The brunette hadn't even realized that she'd held her breath when Quinn was that close. Her body was tense as if anticipating…something.
Rachel shook her head and spit. She rinsed and left Quinn to herself in the bathroom. Quinn watched her curiously. She finished up and walked back into the main room to find Rachel sitting as if in deep thought.
"Penny," Quinn offered.
Rachel looked up almost startled by Quinn's presence.
"For your thoughts," Quinn continued slowly.
"Oh, no. It's…it's nothing. I think…tonight was- it was exciting. I admit there was a moment when I feared they would trample us but it was all so…exhilarating. That's not what I was thinking about though- I guess, I must be tired," Rachel sighed.
They were both silent as they crawled into their separate beds. Quinn turned off the lamp and settled back into her sheets.
"You know, Puck lived in Pittsburgh for a while. I know he doesn't live here anymore but…I don't know. I guess a part of me still expected to see him," Quinn's voice broke through the silence in the dark room.
"I haven't heard you talk about Noah in a long time," Rachel replied.
"Just thinking really. It's not that I miss him. It's just…do you ever wonder about all of us? How that tiny group of people graduated and have all led such different lives after high school. I mean, look at us. How did you and I end up here?"
"Quinn, sweetheart, I love you dearly but I really don't think I have the brain capacity for this tonight," Rachel laughed.
"Sorry," Quinn muttered, trying to sound less disappointed than she felt.
"No, I didn't mean that."
"We should sleep," Quinn chuckled, snuggling into her pillow.
They were silent again. Rachel couldn't turn off her brain now. She felt strange between the show and the bathroom that night- also Quinn's disappointment. Somehow knowing Quinn wanted to talk to her all night, roused her. She wasn't as tired even though her body was exhausted. She knew she wouldn't' sleep if she had even the slightest belief that Quinn was mad at her in some way. The blonde had a way of completely taking up her mind these days. Rachel sighed and then spoke up.
"I have thought about it. Sometimes it really blows my mind that you and I both ended up being actresses working on the same show together, becoming best friends. Who are we? Why are we special? We came from Lima, Ohio. Then I think of Mike and Tina. They're working at a top arts school. He's dancing for a living and Tina sings. How did they get so lucky when so many people fail? Or Santana? She's like the real estate guru with her own freaking TV show about flipping houses in LA. And Brittany? She's dancing. She does what she loves as a job. Artie's directing. Mercedes is a gospel singer making albums left and right. Kurt's an amazing designer who works with us now. When we were in New Directions, I knew we had something special. I knew that being a part of something special made you special….I never thought it'd really happen to all of us. Maybe one- or two of us."
"Do you think the others are happy? Finn…Sam…Puck…I think about them sometimes," Quinn confessed.
Rachel rolled over to face Quinn. Her eyes were adjusting to the darkness but she could still barely make out her form in the other bed.
"I think we all went for the things that would make us happiest. I wanted Broadway more than anything. You wanted independence and freedom from high school. Puck just wanted to be better than his dad. He's been a huge part of Beth's life. He's traveled. He had a band. Most importantly, though, he's been able to do all of those things but still be there for his family. Sam was meant to build things. He has his own company. Maybe he's not building homes for the rich of LA or New York but he does what he loves and he is his own boss. Sometimes I think they have more freedom than we do," Rachel trailed off softly.
"Do you still think about Finn?"
"Sure," Rachel answered immediately. "But not romantically. Deep down I know that if I stayed with Finn, I'd never have gotten here. I'm sure I could've been happy with him but…I also know that I'm happier here. Spending my nights in hotel rooms with Quinn Fabray after we induced Beatle-esque riots in the streets of Pittsburgh," Rachel laughed.
"Yeah," Quinn replied gruffly.
"What brought this on? Is this about Puck? Cuz I hate to break it to you but he's a guy and last time I checked that wasn't really your style anymore," Rachel joked.
Quinn didn't respond right away and Rachel sat up wondering if she had offended her.
"You okay?" Rachel questioned seriously.
"I know that all the decisions, all of the things that happened in the past, that's what brought me here….tonight we performed for over a thousand people in one arena. I could've been sitting in Ohio watching my now nearly ten-year old daughter's dance recital…when it got crazy tonight, I was so happy to have you there. To be able to reach over and hold your hand and know that you were standing right by me in this crazy moment of my life. I know there's a million different ways my life could have gone. None of them would have been terrible. Staying in Ohio would have had its bright spots with Beth- but…I'm so happy this is the way my life turned out. That I get to have nights like tonight. That I got a second chance to become your friend so that I can share these nights with you," Quinn's voice was rough and scratchy from performing all night but still carried a certain warmth despite its gruffness.
Rachel felt warm all over. She smiled into the darkness. That was thing about Quinn, she could be the coldest, cruelest person- then turn around and with a few words she could make Rachel feel like she was on top of the world. She was giddy to know that Quinn was just as grateful to share their lives together. If anything, it only intensified her crush- if that's what one wanted to call if. She stopped trying to label exactly what she was feeling and decided to simply feel instead. She would sort it out in time but at the moment it was nice just to feel- feel the way her heart raced, feel the way she warmed at Quinn's kindness.
"I'd like to think that no matter what- we would've found a way to get to know each other like this. That no matter where you ended up, I'd still find a way to be there for your memorable nights…even if that meant sitting next to you holding your hand at Beth's dance recital."
"If you don't stop being so damn near perfect and saying all the right things, I just might get up out of this bed and have to hug you," Quinn groaned jokingly.
"Please don't do that. That would be horrible," Rachel laughed.
"Good night, Rachel."
"Good night, Quinn."
"Good night, my BFF," Scott drunkenly sang from the other side of the door.
"Go away, Scott," Quinn growled but ended up laughing.
"I love you all. You're my best friend," Courtney joined in Scott's drunken singing.
Rachel shook her head and chuckled. She checked with Quinn and then got up to open the door. The two stumbled into the dark room.
"Were you sleeping?" Scott asked trying to keep his voice hushed in case Quinn was asleep.
"We were," Quinn teased.
"Quinnie," Scott nearly squealed before flopping on Quinn's bed.
"Oh god, Scott," Quinn grunted in reply as he sprawled half across her legs.
Courtney ran and leapt on Rachel's bed.
"You guys are staying here?" Rachel deadpanned.
"Me too," Brooke came running in next and jumped on Rachel's bed, too.
The night ended with Scott cuddling Quinn in her bed and Courtney spooning Rachel who was spooning Brooke in Rachel's bed.
"We are the most dysfunctional family," Quinn muttered into the darkness.
Rachel giggled in return when they were met with snores by the rest of the group.
The next few stops weren't as terrifying. Each crowd was as excited as the last but they lacked the manic energy of Pittsburgh. It was exhilarating each night to perform, but it was never as frightening as the first night. Regardless, the cast still ignored their choreography during the encores and Quinn always held Rachel's hand.
Halfway through the tour, sickness started making its way around the cast and crew. Rachel had gone completely overboard with her vitamin regimen to ward off any illness on her part. Scott had gotten it briefly and actually opted out of two of his solos during the Chicago show, mostly mouthing the words during the group numbers. Tina and Mike had come to that show once again and hung out at the hotel with the cast. While most of them gathered in Rachel and Quinn's room like the year before, Scott had gone directly to bed to fight off the sickness.
In Dallas, Quinn started feeling a little under the weather. It started as a persistent tickle in her throat. Each time she tried to clear her throat, Rachel would give her the wounded puppy stare. Quinn kept assuring her that she was fine. Rachel attempted to make Quinn start a vitamin regimen of her own but the blonde laughed off that suggestion.
By the time they checked into their hotel the night before the Denver show, Quinn was full on coughing though trying to hide it. She kept sniffling as well. Rachel kept her distance but always had a watchful eye on the blonde throughout the sound check earlier in the day. They had a round of press with the local Fox affiliate. Quinn was stuck in interviews with Matt in an attempt to continue to grow their couple's fan base for the show.
The show started off wonderfully. Quinn had a little less energy than the rest of the group but she was still hanging in there. During Brooke and Courtney's duet, Rachel and Quinn waited backstage. The girls onstage had just hit the chorus when Quinn swayed suddenly. Rachel gasped and immediately ran to her side. Quinn was holding on to the back of a chair breathing heavily.
"You are not going on," Rachel demanded.
Quinn grunted some sort of unintelligible response but made her way toward the stairs.
"She's not going on. She can't perform like this. She's sick," Rachel insisted to one of the crewmembers.
The man shrugged as Quinn leveled him with a HBIC full-force glare.
"Get on your little walkie talkie thingy and get Roger. She's not going on," Rachel stomped her foot and crossed her arms.
The song ended and before Rachel knew what happened Quinn was already out on the stage with the others. Rachel growled before taking the stairs two at a time. She nearly missed her cue. She was pissed.
Quinn avoided looking at her while Rachel actively sought Quinn's gaze every chance she could get. Rachel kept trying to grab Quinn's attention and when she finally had it she glared at the blonde fiercely. Quinn attempted a shrug but stumbled instead. Luckily, Scott was standing close by and danced over to her to wrap an arm around her like it was part of their buddy-buddy choreography.
During the final number, Quinn went to the wrong side of the stage. Chase looked at her oddly but pulled her into line beside him. In the tiny break between the last song and the encore, Quinn shook off the others questions if she was alright. The music started and she was the first one back out on the stage. She was nothing if not a professional. Quinn Fabray had always been a fighter and she would be damned if she let illness stop her from doing her job. She'd performed a full twist with a sprained ankle and a dislocated shoulder at Nationals one year while under the tutelage of Sue Sylvester.
At the final bow, Quinn did not reach for Rachel's hand and Rachel actually took a step away from her in protest. Quinn bowed sloppily and Matt practically carried her off the stage once the lights dimmed.
Rachel burst into Scott and Matt's hotel room that night.
"Where is she?" Rachel asked seething with rage.
"Rach, she's not feeling so hot. Cut her a little slack," Matt grimaced.
Rachel pushed past him into the main room. Quinn was sprawled out on Scott's bed. Scott was kneeling next to it trying to talk to her.
"Lucy Quinn Fabray," Rachel hissed.
Quinn didn't even lift her head. She grunted into the mattress.
"You're ill, Quinn. What the hell were you thinking?" Rachel growled.
"Rach, go easy on her. She threw up in the car," Scott tried to calm the fiery brunette.
"She threw up in the car? Seriously? I told you, you were sick. Then you go back out on stage anyway. Then you ignore me, Quinn. You ignore me on stage. You ignore me off stage. You take a car with the boys instead of with David and myself like we planned before the show. I hope you're happy," Rachel stomped her foot.
Quinn mumbled something into the mattress again.
Rachel turned to Scott as if he should translate. Scott shrugged.
"Come on. You're coming back to our room," Rachel sighed, reaching for Quinn.
The blonde shook her head and tried to sink into the mattress even deeper. How she was even breathing with her face pressed into it like that was a mystery to everyone else in the room. Rachel's rage seemed to melt off her in less than a second when Quinn whined and sounded like she was in tears.
"Quinn," Rachel sang, climbing gently on to the bed next to her.
"No," Quinn grunted pathetically.
"Sweetheart, we've gotta get you to bed so you'll get better," Rachel cooed, stretching her body out next to Quinn so they were practically touching from head to toe.
"You'll get sick from me," Quinn pouted.
Rachel grinned in spite of herself, "I take my vitamins. I'm as healthy as they come. You, however, need to get out of Scott's bed so somebody can come in here and change his sheets before he needs to sleep."
Quinn mumbled something once more. She finally tilted her head to look at Rachel who was much closer than she anticipated. She whined pathetically again in the back of her sore throat.
"If you weren't so adorable sometimes I'd kill you for being so stubborn," Rachel chuckled softly.
Rachel leaned forward and pecked Quinn on her nose. Quinn furrowed her brow and pouted. Rachel giggled a little.
"Come on, love. Let's get you to bed," Rachel soothed, smoothing Quinn's sweaty hair from her face and neck.
"I think I'm sick, Rach," Quinn whined.
Rachel smiled again, "I know, honey. Come on. Let's go to bed."
Quinn moaned in protest while Rachel tugged her body.
"Let me take care of you," Rachel whispered into Quinn's ear.
Finally the blonde cooperated and let Rachel help her up. She stumbled a little once she was standing but Rachel was waiting with open arms to catch her. They both swayed slightly under Quinn's weight.
"Let me help ya there," Matt offered, stepping closer to the two of them.
"I've got her," Rachel assured, walking Quinn to the door.
Matt held the door open for them while Scott threw the sheets off his bed.
"I should totally just go sleep with Courtney or Brooke," Scott grumbled.
Rachel managed to get her door unlocked and kicked it open. She turned and waved at the two boys watching them before dragging Quinn into their room.
"Twenty bucks says they'll bang before the end of the tour," Matt smirked.
"Oh man, no way. I'm not giving you anymore of my money," Scott retorted.
Rachel gave them both the finger before she shut her door.
"Think Rachel will get sick?"
"Hell no. That girl will pop every vitamin under the sun while she plays nurse for Quinn. She'll be fine and Quinn will be back on her feet in no time," Scott sighed.
"You think they play naughty nurse?" Matt asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Scott smacked his arm and laughed before heading down the hall to check in with the other girls.
Sure enough, Quinn was back on her feet in no time. Rachel was perfectly fine. A little annoying about her vitamins, but she didn't catch Quinn's sickness despite cuddling with her and doting on her for two days straight. Quinn missed one show and Rachel had the least energy during that performance than any of them had ever seen from her. She went back to the hotel that night and crawled back into bed with Quinn. Most of the guys swore she'd get sick but Scott and Brooke called it. She was fine. She even ended up convincing the entire cast to get on a vitamin regimen for the rest of the tour.
The last show of the tour was another insane show. Half of the guys took off their shirts. There were squirt guns, large blow up beach balls, and tons of laughter. Their choreography was basically scrapped for the entire show. Rachel was a ball of energy, skipping everywhere and making up her own dance moves. Quinn had never seen Rachel let go like that. Rachel was known for being the strictest professional. She always stuck to choreography, except their handholding. That was the one piece of choreography she didn't mind making up. That night, though, everything was a free-for-all. They all made up new dance moves. Their tour director just laughed.
The crew warned them about throwing in some extra pyrotechnics. They were free to roam the lower level of the stage but couldn't dance on the upper level during the encore. Other than that, all limits were off. Chase and two security guards ran through the first section giving high fives to as many fans as he could. Matt had picked Quinn up at one point and carried her off stage during one of the transitions. Scott, David, and Rachel brought out a jump rope during the first song of the encore. Rachel jumped while Scott and David whipped the rope around and around until Rachel messed up, laughing and momentarily forgetting the words. Courtney picked up the song right where Rachel dropped off with a giggle while she and Brooke skipped around in circle. During the very last number they all did some sort of line dance passing partner to partner. Quinn picked up Rachel and swung her around in a circle while she squealed.
They all held hands during their final bow and laughed. They stayed on stage for a little while longer while the band continued to play closing music. They danced and carried on hugging each other until the final curtain went down nearly on top of half of them.
Rachel and Chase ran back out once more after the final curtain to thank everyone. The rest of the cast jumped back out with them and ended with an impromptu acapella rendition of their biggest hit.
That night they stayed out for nearly two hours after the show signing as many autographs as possible. It had been one of the best nights of Quinn and Rachel's lives. The entire cast had loved every insane second.
The group had three weeks off after the last show before shooting for season three resumed. Rachel took a week to go to New York. Quinn surprised everyone by going home to Lima for two weeks. She spent time with Beth and Shelby. She made dinner with her mother every night. She even talked to Puck on the phone for nearly two hours. The day before she was scheduled to leave Puck drove to Lima from Columbus to spend the entire day with Quinn. After spending quality time with family, she was ready to make her announcement.