Title: In the Broken Night, Set Against the Sky

Pairing: Quinn/Rachel

Author's Note: Lyrics from "Lifeboats" by Snow Patrol. Chapter 9 of 10 is here! I apologize for the lengthy wait - between dealing with my bipolar disorder and balancing all of my schoolwork for Uni, I haven't had much time or energy to write. I'm trying to get back to it though. I've mentioned before that I hope to update on weekends primarily but I'm going to get this chapter up before this weekend - at least that's my goal. So if you're reading this before Friday in the U.S., then yay me! I know this chapter is short, but its purpose is to bring resolution to the Puck/Beth/Quinn dilemma. At least some resolution. I feel the chapter starts and ends precisely where it should. :) Chapter 9 of 10. I apologize that it has taken so long.

HL: Yes, of course, tea. ^_^
J0EBLACK: I'm glad you feel it's insightful, since that's what I always aim for. :)
vampiretiger: I am becoming somewhat obsessed with the Pezberry dynamic in both my stories, actually. After I finish this story I'm actually going to be playing with a Pezberry romance/smut fic. I'm not sure how Puck is going to react to all of it yet!
Sharene19: I hope you didn't wear the edge of your seat out! I'm so sorry this took so long. I'm back though, at least most of the time! Sorry I made you cry. -hugs and love-
depaul7: I believe Santana is essentially a sweet person once she shows it. She might be fiesty and all but I really think she's one of the most caring girls on the show.
cali: Who could resist Rachel Berry hugs? I'm glad you love it. We're almost done but there will be more stories!
texican: I think they need one another and in a weird way they're going through the same kind of feelings. Of course love conquers all!
Buttercup: Here it is! I'm sorry it's taken so long. I hope you can forgive me.
meso30180: There may be a little bit more Santana and Britt in the next couple of chapters. I want to tie up all the loose ends though. ^_^ I have some plans for Quinn/Rachel to end things well.

###

Chapter 9: Send Your Lifeboat

Send your lifeboats out for me
send your lifeboat out
send your lifeboats out for me
send your lifeboat out...

###

"You mean you saw her without even telling me?" The accusatory tone on the other end of the line made Quinn frown emphatically. Her hand trembled a little and she stilled it by clutching the pillow on her bed. She'd been in her room gathering the courage to call and tell Puck, with Rachel in her own room working on her studies. Here it was, the moment she'd been dreading - and his unhappiness confirmed her fears.

Quinn swallowed, "It's just .. it's something I needed to do, Puck. I know it was really selfish of me - "

"Damn right it was selfish. She's my kid, too, you know."

"She's not our kid, Puck. You forget that. We gave her up."

"No, you gave her up. You didn't give me a choice."

Click. Beeeeep.

Quinn sighed into the recieving end of a dead phone call, and clicked her phone shut a moment after. Her index finger brushing over her forehead and picking at an unnoticeable bit of dry skin, she frowned and felt her chest aching. Puck was just angry, that's what she tried telling herself. Puck was only angry. He couldn't remember that they'd both agreed, standing in front of the window, that they were going to give Beth up. It had been a mutual choice. She supposed she should have somehow included Puck in the plans to see Beth but part of her hadn't been able to. There was too many unresolved issues to deal with Puck's, too. She couldn't have put herself through that. Not to mention, the blonde remembered, the trip had only been planned between Shelby and Rachel with a short guest list of two.

All of that was pointless to recall, though. She shifted her foot off the ground and sat on her leg, closed her eyes. Take one breath, and then take another; repeat these steps until you feel like you're doing better. It became her mantra, to repeat that in her head. The even breathing was the only sound in the room. Until she heard a quiet click and the squeaking of the hinges on the door.

"Are you okay?"

How did Rachel always know everything? How did she always know exactly what Quinn was planning even when she didn't say a word? Although she wouldn't put it past the diva to hide outside her door and listen to the conversation, she didn't think this was the case. The blonde's eyes opened and lingered on the concerned brown gaze locked on her face. Rachel was reading her, trying to see into Quinn's heart.

A shake of the head was all Rachel needed and she was wrapping her beautiful arms around Quinn and pulling her into a tight embrace. Small, graceful fingers tangled in Quinn's hair - eliciting a shiver - and pulled Quinn gently against her stomach. Standing between Quinn's thighs, Rachel was cradling Quinn's very heart and soothing the deep ache that resided there.

"He's really mad at me."

"He shouldn't be."

"He should be."

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

Quinn felt Rachel's warmth pull away and she frowned until she realized that Rachel was staring down at her. Sheepishly she offered her best smile, while Rachel spoke, "You know what you're doing."

"Failing. Miserably."

Smack. Quinn's head knocked to the side a little. Rachel had untangled one hand and smacked Quinn just above her ear. Her beautiful diva was frowning at her.

"Sorry."

"It's okay," Rachel soothed and wrapped her arms around Quinn once more - the blonde felt herself enveloped in Rachel's perfection and knew that somehow it would be alright. Not everything had to be perfect right now. After all, her whole life had changed in a very paradoxically slow way, she couldn't expect everything to just fall into place.

"I just didn't want him to be angry with me. It's bad enough... I mean I feel like -"

Smack.

"Aw, come on. What's with this tough-love stuff?" Quinn rubbed the side of her head.

"It's the only thing that gets you to stop blaming yourself."

Quinn glowered up at Rachel before sighing, fingers rubbing her head still, "Thanks." Above her, Rachel beamed.

"You're welcome!" The short diva bounced on the balls of her feet a little before stepping back, "now come on," graceful fingers tangled in her own, "I feel like watching Funny Girl and I'd like you to hold me while I do so."

That was a request Quinn never could resist, really. She wasn't particularly fond of Funny Girl but she loved being close to Rachel any chance she got. Even after they'd been together for some time, the thought of holding Rachel was endlessly attractive. The lithe blonde stood and followed a practically hopping Rachel out of the room. Thoughtfully, Quinn smiled, "How do you always know what makes me feel better?"

"I've been paying attention to you for a long time, Fabray," Rachel stated with a nearly-cryptic tone.

"That's kind of creepy."

"Is not."

"Is so."

"Stop that!"

###

So you and hobbit watching Funny Girl agn? - S

Yeah. - Q

B was wondering if we could come over. - S

Right in the middle of responding (Quinn had managed to get I'm sure Rachel wouldn't typed out) Rachel snatched away Quinn's phone and began deleting the message Quinn had started to type back.

I would love if you would stop referring to me as a hobbit. I'm not nearly so hairy. As for whether or not you can come over, only if you apologize. This is Rachel, also. - Q

Q doesn't sound like a dictionary or encyclopedia or wtvr. B over soon. Sorry, btw. - S

Sincerely? This is still Rachel. - Q

YES! Gtfo with the extra txting. Im driving. - S

Texting and driving? - Q

Give Q back her damn phone and stop txting! - S

Rachel huffed in response, and Quinn just tried to keep her composure. That wasn't particularly easy with the exchange between Santana and Rachel. Everytime they interacted, it was both amusing and endearing. Old tensions still remained but at least Santana seemed to be warming up to Rachel.

"Tell your friend she shouldn't text and drive. It's not safe," Rachel's arms snaked around Quinn's waist after handing back the cell phone and snuggling against Quinn's chest.

"I will."

A soft sigh fluttered from Rachel's mouth as she settled into Quinn. She understood the nuance of relief behind those sighs - they were the very same she let out at the end of the night when they crawled into bed.

It washed over Quinn, how lucky she was to be with Rachel. After all they had been through together, supported one another, and the feelings they'd harbored for so long. It seemed as if it had taken a lifetime to get here. The blonde felt the surging of emotion before clutching Rachel tighter. The smell of Rachel's shampoo wafted toward her senses and Quinn buried her face against the gentle sheet of Rachel's hair.

It was the same feeling she'd had that morning, long ago, when she'd surprised Rachel in front of the bathroom mirror and they'd shared what seemed to be the most intense (possibly sexually charged) embrace that she'd ever felt. Only this time - Rachel was certain, their relationship was certain. If nothing else, she had that certainty to hold on to. Rachel responded in kind by squeezing Quinn a little tighter around the waist. The brunette lifted her head and met hazel eyes with her own.

Quinn offered a silent smile..

"You okay?" Rachel's brow furrowed slightly. She must have taken the extra tightness of the hug as a sign Quinn was upset.

The blonde nodded and leaned down, brushing her lips over Rachel's, just light enough to let her feel the way Rachel pulled air into her lungs in surprise. She had planned on stopping there, but something came over her. A swell of warmth and emotion was behind the next brush of lips. Rachel reciprocated by shifting subtly against Quinn's torso and gripping the fabric of Quinn's shirt.

She could feel the heat boiling up in her, pressing her further, and her tongue dipped against the curve of Rachel's bottom lip in a hungry way. The brunette was shifting her leg over Quinn's, shifting upward, and soon was straddling Quinn in a manner that meant if things didn't slow down then they'd be ignoring any knocks on the door from Santana and Brittany. The kiss got deeper, headier, and Rachel was panting softly in between them a few moments later; Quinn felt Rachel focus on the distance between their hips. She did this thing with her hips that made Quinn go crazy - it was the look of concentration and lustful abandon as Rachel's hips rolled forward that added to the stimulation of it.

"We have to - " Quinn began to whimper out, but was interrupted by the solid knock at the front door.

Rachel groaned. Simultaneously they shared looks of regret that they'd agreed to let their favorite Cheerios come over.

###

Just as things began to get hot and heavy a second time around, it was a fiercer knocking which forced them apart. It was a knocking followed by loud, angry shouts from the other side.

"Puck," Quinn's stomach fell into a sort of sick spinning motion, and she stumbled for the door a little. She didn't know whether she wanted to move or not, and Rachel's hand was protectively curving over Quinn's lower back. She looked a little frightened.

"Let me - "

"No," Quinn spoke, but it sounded distant to her own ears, and she took a steeling breath.

The blonde made her way down the stairs, Rachel quick on her feet behind her, following closely. Rachel's hand never left her back, not even as Quinn leaned forward and cautiously opened the front door. Rachel's dad's were asleep in their bedrooms, but they wouldn't be for long if Puck was too loud.

"How dare you be so loud this late at night," Quinn snapped, HBIC-mode flipping on like a light switch. "There are three other people in this house, not just me. You may have a problem, Puckerman, but you do not need to thunder around like an ogre to make your point." Her whispering was harsh, and she grabbed Puck's arm by the sleeve and yanked him into the livingroom.

Rachel's hand stayed on Quinn's back, those brown eyes watching Puck through narrowed slits. Quinn thought it was cute how protective Rachel looked.

Puck's stance was defensive, his nostrils flaring in anger, "You visited our daughter without even telling me? You couldn't even tell me you were going to see her?"

"Oh excuse me, I forgot the fact that you got me drunk and didn't use protection gave you parental rights," okay, that was sort of a low blow, but Quinn was full on Head-Bitch-In-Charge right now and Puck deserved it.

Puck began to speak, his fist curled at his side, "She's my daughter, too!"

"I know!" Quinn whispered harshly and closed her eyes. The breath she drew in was one of someone in pain. She sucked in air delicately, "Look, I know I should have told you but Rachel's mother invited just the two of us over there. I just ... I wanted to see her. I didn't think about it, I didn't think about you. It wasn't about you."

"It wasn't about you either. It should have been about her."

Ah, Puck. He would be such a good father.

Thusfar, Rachel had remained silent, "It was about her," she argued quietly, looking between Quinn and Puck. "It was about Beth meeting her mother."

"What about her father?"

"There are still chances, Puck," Rachel argued, still quietly.

The thought must not have dawned on Puck, because he momentarily looked confused. "Oh."

"See, you oaf?"

Frowning, Puck looked as if he wanted to say something else, but couldn't. He paused, sighed, "How was she? What does she look like?"

"Beautiful," Quinn spoke reverently and felt a sharp pain in her chest. She had accepted Beth was no longer hers, and Puck would have to accept the same. "She has your eyes."

Puck's eyes glistened in reaction, "Really?"

"Yeah."

"And my nose," Quinn laughed ever so quietly.

"Aw, I was hoping she'd be a little Jewish princess."

Puck seemed soothed momentarily, and Quinn felt relief like a warm blanket. She stepped forward, felt Rachel's fingers fall from her back, and the blonde wrapped her arms around Puck's muscular frame. He embraced her back.

"She's not ours anymore, Puck."

"I know." He sounded near tears, and hugged Quinn tighter.