She couldn't keep the smile off of her face that morning, because she hadn't been kissed like that since, well, ever, even before the accident. She kept going over it her mind, reminding herself that it actually happened, and it was all it took to put that goofy grin back on her face, luckily Kurt and Finn had left early that morning for a doctor's appointment, so nobody was there to witness her giggling school girl routine, Kurt wouldn't let her hear the end of it if he knew. They left it at a kiss, it was much too soon to take it any further, but knowing that it could possibly head that way gave her feelings of excitement she didn't know she was capable of feeling anymore, there was only one problem, sooner or later she was going to have to be honest with him, and the thought terrified her.
Luckily before she can dwell on what telling the hard truth to her new could-be boyfriend would mean, her doorbell rings. It's eleven O' clock, an acceptable enough time for a morning visit, still, she wasn't expecting anyone today. She checks the peephole and groans a little at the sight of her visitor, wondering for a split second if she should ignore it, instead she lets out a soft sigh and answers it, she is her friend after all.
"Hey girlfriend," Quinn says as Rachel answers the door for her, just what I need to knock me off my cloud, the cruel reminder of exactly how pretty I'm not Rachel thinks to herself as she smiles weakly at Quinn. "I was in the neighborhood so I thought I'd bring you a latte," Quinn continues, handing her the hot beverage.
"Thank you Quinn, that's very thoughtful," Rachel says, opening the door a little wider to allow her friend inside, and they take a seat at the kitchen table together, sipping their lattes so neither of them have to speak right away.
"So," Quinn says, in a casual tone she's clearly putting on. "How did things go with Romeo last night? You seemed awfully cozy when we left." She notices the hint of jealousy in Quinn's voice, and she continues to wonder what her deal is, why she's so interested in Finn after one mundane meeting and a date in which they barely spoke to one another. granted it hadn't taken Rachel very long to take an interest in Finn either but Quinn didn't have nearly the same rapport with him as Rachel did.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I know you had business with Finn it's just, when we get to talking it's kind of hard for us to stop," Rachel admits.
"Yeah, I noticed," Quinn says, thinly veiled resentment still in her voice. "That's actually another reason I stopped by, I know you're friends so I thought that maybe you could put a good word in for me."
It's difficult for Rachel to know how to respond to that right away, surely Quinn must realize that Rachel has more on her mind than friendship.
"What about Noah?" Rachel finally offers.
"Rachel be serious,"Quinn says, rolling her eyes. "Puck and I have a lot of fun together, but he's not exactly the type I can see myself with long term." And by that Quinn must certainly mean that Finn is, and the thought admittedly makes Rachel a little more uncomfortable than she would ever admit.
"I just don't think you realize how much he likes you," Rachel presses on, trying to push the irrational jealous feelings away.
"He likes my ass maybe," Quinn says. "But Finn just seems so different you know?"
"Quinn, can I be perfectly honest with you?" Rachel says hesitantly.
"I know what you're going to say," Quinn replies. "He didn't seem interested, but I really think if we spent some time alone together-
"That's not what I was gong to say," Rachel interrupts. "You're my friend right?"
"Of course," Quinn says warmly.
"Then I think you should know that Finn and I, well... We kissed last night."
"Oh," Quinn says simply after a few moments.
"And it was wonderful, and he's wonderful and I really, really like him," Rachel says truthfully.
"That's... That's great Rachel," Quinn says with a weak smile. "You deserve to be happy, and I guess I should have seen it last night, I guess I just..."
"Didn't think he'd be interested in me," Rachel deduces, her voice hard.
"No, not at all," Quinn says, and something in her voice says that she means it. "I didn't think you'd be interested, you haven't been interested in so long, and it's great that you're putting yourself out there again, it just speaks volumes that the guy who goes for you instead of me is a blind guy."
" What's that supposed to mean?" Rachel says, narrowing her eyes in hostility.
"Do you know what it's like to be me Rachel, do you have any idea at all?"
"I only wish I were that lucky," Rachel says grimly.
"I'm not lucky Rachel, far from it," Quinn says. "Do you really think that there's a single guy out there who gives a damn about who I am as a person, what I have to say? Do you think it matters to Puckerman that I graduated at the top of my class from Yale?"
"I'm sorry Quinn but I really don't know what you mean," Rachel says, knitting her brow in confusion.
"It means that all of the work I've put into being a smart, accomplished woman means nothing to the guys who only see me as a hole for their penis, that's what I mean."
"That's not true Quinn," Rachel says comfortingly.
"Of course it is," Quinn says. "But then Finn comes along, the one guy who may have the potential to like me for who I am and not what I look like, and he goes for you, because when you take looks out of it anyone would."
"Quinn you can't possibly think that," Rachel says in disbelief at Quinn's confession.
"Oh come off it Rachel, I may be smart, but I also have a tendency to be a bit of a cold bitch... Don't protest you know it's true," Quinn says, cutting Rachel off before she can reassure her. "But you, you're adorable, and sweet and you bake and you're just as smart as I am and talented in ways that I could only dream of, of course Finn would choose you."
Rachel must admit that she's caught completely by surprise by Quinn's confession, she never would have imagined that all of the time she spent being jealous of Quinn, Quinn had been just as jealous of her. Seriously who knew?
"Quinn, I know you think it sucks to be you, but it isn't any better being me," Rachel says, placing her hand over Quinn's. "Everyday men judge me for the way I look, the difference is they won't give me a second look because of it, hell, Jesse broke up with me because of it, and maybe Noah was just interested in your looks, at first, but do you know what he says about you now?"
"What?" Quinn says, perking up a little.
"Quinn is so cool, and Quinn is so confident and Quinn is a total badass."
"He thinks I'm a badass?" Quinn says, perking up even more.
"Remember that field trip to the Gershwin I accompanied you and your students on? How you completely chewed out that high school kid who kept picking on one of your kids, I told Noah about how you made him cry and he thought it was just the coolest thing ever."
"Really?" Quinn says, smiling a bit.
"You're a very pretty girl Quinn," Rachel says sweetly. "But you're a lot more than that."
Quinn smiles warmly at her friend, and Rachel knows that she's gotten through to her.
"I had no idea," Quinn says. "When we're together all he ever talks about is how I look."
"Well, maybe it's time to give him another chance," Rachel says, shrugging.
"Maybe," Quinn agrees. "But enough about me, tell me more about this kiss, was it good?"
"Oh my god it was the best ever," Rachel says dreamily. "His lips are like crack."
"That's so great, I'm so psyched for you," Quinn says, appearing to mean it this time. "So, does he know?"
"About what?" Rachel says nervously, feigning cluelessness.
"About the reason Jesse St. Jackass broke up with you."
"Well it hasn't really come up," Rachel says unconvincingly.
"Rachel you have to tell him," Quinn says firmly. "If you like him as much as I think you do you can't keep something like this from him, that's no way to start a relationship."
"Quinn it's because I like him that I can't tell him the truth," Rachel says. "I finally found someone who likes me for who I am not what I look like, I don't want to lose that."
"Rachel, he likes you, he really likes you, you should have seen the two of you at dinner last night, I felt like I was watching The Notebook
"Sure he likes me now, he likes the way I talk, he likes the way I sing, he likes spending time with me, but what happens when his sight comes back, what if he sees me for the first time and doesn't like what he sees?"
"All the more reason to be honest with him," Quinn says. "You don't want to waste your time with a shallow jerk wad who isn't going to accept you for who you are."
"Quinn, you don't know how long it's been since I felt this way, I just want to savor this for as long as I can," Rachel says. You can understand that right? I mean, isn't that what you wanted too?"
"I just don't want to see you get hurt, that's all," Quinn says gently.
Before Rachel can offer more words Finn and Kurt return, making the corners of Rachel's lips turn up immediately at the sight of last night's date.
"Hey guys," Rachel beams.
"Hi Kurt, hi Finn," Quinn says amicably. "I was just visiting with Rachel, if I knew you were coming back so soon I would have brought more coffee."
"No worries, it's nice seeing you again Quinn... And I really have to find a different term for that," Finn says sheepishly.
"Nice seeing you too," Quinn replies.
"So how was your appointment?" Rachel says brightly, getting up from her chair.
"Well Dr. Sylvester says that Finn is making terrific progress already," Kurt says, and Rachel knows that she should be happy, and she is, for him anyway.
"That's great," Rachel says. "Kiss," and at that she stands on her tiptoes to kiss Finn's cheek.
"What was that?" Finn says, knitting his brow in disappointment, and at that he feels for her lips with his fingers, making her giggle a little and moreso when he bends down to place his lips where his fingers just were, kissing her softly and sweetly until her lips soften under his, making her just as weak in the knees as she was the night before.
"So this is happening now?" Kurt says drily.
"What can I say?" Finn says, detaching his lips from Rachel's. "The girl broke my willpower."
"That's it, double date, you and Rachel, me and Blaine, I won't take no for an answer," Kurt replies.
"Kurt we haven't even been on a single date yet, unless you count the pizzeria, I want to have her to myself for once," Finn chimes in.
"I'd like that," Rachel says.
"But not before we get our first weekly visit with overprotectivus," Kurt reminds Finn.
"Damn, I totally forgot about that," Finn says, rubbing his forehead in mild frustration.
"Forgot about what?" Rachel says confusedly.
"It's nothing, Finn's mom is just coming to visit tomorrow."
Meeting the mom already, this was bound to be interesting.
I think this is the first time I've written Quinn and Rachel as friends (I could be wrong) odd considering how popular that pairing is with the fandom, I have nothing against Faberry friendship, I guess it just hasn't come up until now, but there's a first time for everything, anywhoo as always, Stay Tuned Folks!