~Author's Note: Thank you all for your reviews, I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can!~

Chapter 5

The two girls spent most of their taxi ride in silence. Rachel only ever spoke to comment on how beautiful Paris was at night. She kept her eyes fixed outside of the car, taking in the grandeur of her surroundings. Quinn kept her eyes fixed on Rachel. She had grown even more beautiful in their years apart. Quinn noticed that she still kept her hair the same; long and straight, with bangs cut straight across her forehead. It always suited her perfectly. Quinn herself had tried many different hairstyles since leaving Lima. She tried to reinvent herself in many ways, and eventually, after many asymmetrical hairstyles and pixie cuts, she gave up. Presently, she focused on practicality. When she wore her hair down, it rested just above her shoulders. Just long enough to be tied back in an up do, but short enough that it didn't remind her of her early teenage years. Those were the dark days, in Quinn's mind. She didn't like to be reminded of the person she was at the age of 16; selfish, manipulative, and ruthless. It took hitting rock bottom to turn herself around, and she was only able to do this after she realized what she had to lose. Rachel. She couldn't risk losing the one person who ever really gave her a chance, despite how awful Quinn had been to her. But that was ages ago. Now they were sitting together in the back seat of a taxi, passing through the beautiful streets of Paris at night. There were many cafes open late in Paris, but Rachel had said that she was very hungry after her performance, and Quinn only knew of one restaurant nearby that offered vegan options on their menu. It was the same restaurant she'd been to with Émile the other day, when he'd announced he was leaving for London and she'd announced her big assignment.

When they pulled up in front of their destination, Quinn paid the driver, and thanked him in french. Rachel smiled at the sound of Quinn's not-so-perfect french accent, then she got out of the car. She waited politely for Quinn to get out on the other side. Once Quinn reached the sidewalk, Rachel reached her hand out and smiled. She slipped her hand under Quinn's elbow, taking her by the arm, and prompting her to lead the way.

Upon entering the restaurant, Quinn found that she was once again growing nervous. This is a date, she thought. Whether or not Rachel had any romantic interest in Quinn, this was a date. They were out together, asking for a table for two, planning to order coffee to talk over (or something stronger, if it so suited them), and Quinn had every intention of paying the bill in full at the end of the night. Quinn wondered if Rachel was thinking anything similar. Probably not.

The hostess lead them to a table by a window and left them with their menus. She said that their server would be with them soon to take their order. Flipping through her menu, Rachel smiled excitedly.

"Quinn, this place is simply delightful. Look! Their menu even has a vegan section!" Quinn smiled. Rachel hadn't changed at all. She was a ball of energy, and excitable like a child, but still sophisticated and polite. She was sweet and saw the importance of manners, as she'd made very clear during the interview with Anthony. Most of all, she was still blissfully oblivious to all of the effort Quinn made for her.

"Good evening, ladies," said their waitress. Quinn looked up and immediately felt herself choke. It was Mélanie, the same waitress from the other day who had slipped Quinn her phone number. Oh God, Quinn thought. Mélanie was staring at her, with a look on her face that was hard to read. It was obvious that she recognized her, and now Quinn was sure that her own face gave away the same thing. She didn't know what to say, whether to acknowledge the familiarity or to just pretend they were complete strangers. Thankfully, Mélanie spoke next.

"Mon Dieu, aren't you popular... Can I ask, is this a date?" She spoke in a cheerful tone, with poorly disguised sarcasm, and she almost spat the last word. Quinn suddenly realized how this must look. Out on a date with her boyfriend one night, then taking a different person to the same restaurant, all within a few days. In Mélanie's mind, Quinn was now a player. Quinn couldn't tell if this made her more, or less attractive to her. Either way, she didn't care. She was waiting for Rachel to answer Mélanie's question.

"Oh, no no... We're old friends, just... Catching up," Rachel said eventually. Quinn looked down at her menu. She wasn't sure why she felt disappointed, she knew Rachel would say something along those lines. She decided not to let this phase her, and to keep the rest of her fake date going smoothly regardless. Mélanie took their drink orders and finally left them alone.

They sat in silence for a minute or two, until it became uncomfortable. Quinn finally spoke.

"So, you made it to Broadway. Congratulations, Rachel." It was boring small talk, but she didn't know what else to say. Only strangers talk about their careers, she thought to herself.

"Yes, I certainly did. My dads are very excited for me. They've even come to every show so far... Except for here in Paris, of course." Rachel had always been good at small talk. It was a natural gift. There was a question that was pressing Quinn's mind more than anything. Even though Anthony had already confirmed it, she wanted to know if his relationship with Rachel was real. If she was going to accept it, she was going to have to hear it from Rachel herself. She decided she would ease into the question so as to not give away her motives.

"So, I'm curious... What happened between you and Finn? Last I heard from either of you, you were happily engaged." She said, trying not to seem too eager to hear about their break up. She'd always hated Finn. Mostly because he got the girl, and she didn't. At least, she thought he did. Rachel rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Quinn, you and I both know that was never going to work. We were children! I cannot believe I ever agreed to marry him. Can you imagine, being chained to that boy for the rest of my life? Anyway, I might have actually gone through with it, if he didn't call it off. He claimed my heart was elsewhere... And if I'm being honest, it was." Quinn's heart stopped. She had to wonder if she'd even heard correctly. Rachel's heart was elsewhere. As in. Belonging to someone other than Finn. She waited on baited breath for Rachel to keep talking, but she seemed to have stopped, and was waiting for a response.

"I'm not sure I follow." Quinn choked out.

"Of course it was! It was insane of me to even think that my love for such an immature, senseless boy was even comparable to my true love of the arts." Rachel said. Of course.Quinn thought. She couldn't help but smile.

"Anyway, after he called off the wedding, I stayed in New York, and Finn went back to Lima. I haven't heard from him in years, but I assume he's still the same old Finn."

The waitress came back with their drinks, and placed them on the table without saying a word. When she left, Quinn noticed that her glass was only half full, whereas Rachel's was poured almost to the brim. Yep, she's definitely not pleased with me, she thought. She's probably upset that I never called her. Rachel seemed to notice as well.

"Oh, goodness, she must have made a mistake. Your drink is nearly empty! Miss! Excuse me!" She called out to Mélanie, who stopped in her tracks halfway across the restaurant. Quinn sighed. She would have rather taken the half-poured drink than call the woman back to their table. But, Mélanie turned around.

"Is there a problem, Miss?" She asked Rachel. She seemed irritable to say the least.

"Yes, I hate to inconvenience you, but I believe you've given my friend Quinn here only half a drink in error." Rachel motioned her hand to the drink in question, which Mélanie snatched up quickly.

"So sorry, ladies. I'll send it back right away." She snapped, and turned on her heel. Once she was safely in the back of the restaurant, Rachel turned to Quinn.

"She's very rude to you. Do you know her?" She asked. Quinn took a deep breath. She decided just to tell her what had happened the other night. It didn't necessarily mean she had to come outto Rachel right now, but she resolved that if she asked about her sexual preference, she wouldn't lie.

"No. Well, not really. She slipped me her phone number when I was here the other night, and I haven't called her. I guess it hurt her pride a little to see me here with you tonight. That's probably why she asked you if we were on a date," Quinn said. Rachel's eyes widened, and she looked in the direction that Mélanie went, and then back to Quinn, who braced herself for Rachel's response.

"You didn't call her? Why not? She's stunning!" She exclaimed, a little too loudly.

"I... What?" Quinn asked, confused. Rachel backtracked, and spoke a little quieter.

"Unless you're already with someone... But if you aren't, I can't believe you didn't call her..." Quinn couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Rachel insinuating that she already knew about Quinn?

"Um... She's not my type," Quinn answered. This was true at least, but in all fairness, Quinn had a very specific type; Rachel.

After their meal was long finished, and many drinks were had, Mélanie approached their table to let them know that the restaurant was finally closing for the night. They were both a little tipsy, and when Quinn paid the bill, she left a generous tip. Rachel pulled out a pen, and scribbled a note for Mélanie on the bottom of the bill, on Quinn's behalf.

" 'I'm sorry, I'll call you'? Rachel, you know I won't..." Quinn whispered, and they both laughed.

The two girls wandered in the street, and stood on the corner for a minute. Quinn was feeling a little anxious, knowing that their fake date would be coming to an end very shortly. She wondered if she would be seeing Rachel again after tonight. Rachel was looking up to the clouds above, it was overcast, and you could just barely make out a few stars here and there. Quinn decided to join her, and the two girls stood staring up into the air for several minutes. We must look crazy, she thought. Or drunk. The last one was more accurate. After a long silence, Rachel spoke.

"So... Where to now?" She smiled, and looked at Quinn. There was a look on her face that Quinn remembered well. Trusting, but also playful. She wasn't sure if it was Rachel's question that gave her the guts she needed, or if the liquid courage in her system made her that much more brave, but what she said next surprised even herself.

"How about... My place?" She said, fixing her eyes at the sky. She didn't think she could look Rachel in the eye without turning bright red. Rachel gasped.

"Quinn Fabray... If I didn't know you better I'd think you were propositioning me," she joked. Quinn gulped. You have no idea.

"Lead the way," Rachel said, and took Quinn by the arm.