Author's Notes: I am so sorry that this update took me so long! I was just having a hard time transitioning into this chapter for some reason. To all of you who have commented, alerted, or marked this story as your favorite, you are awesome!
You all keep me motivated to keep this story going, and I hope you stick this out with me! Feel free to let me know what you'd like to see in this story in the reviews. I do have an idea of where this story will be heading, and there will be some hard times ahead before some Faberry loving, but suggestions are always welcome.
Lastly, I still do not own Glee or Chernobyl Diaries, so do not sue me. All I own are my characters Hunter, Daniel, Sophia, and Thomas.
Quinn drove them back to the Manhattan bridge before she pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. They had to be far enough out of harms way for now, so it seemed like a good time to touch base with Rachel. It was only natural for her to expect that the other girl had a plan. After all, she wouldn't be surprised if Rachel started planning from the moment she came out of the womb. Her process of drinking bottles was most likely an art form.
Quickly shaking those incredibly odd thoughts out of her mind, Quinn unbuckled her seatbelt before she turned around in her seat to face the brunette. It was the first time that the blonde really looked at her, and the sight she saw caused a slight frown to appear on her delicate features. Rachel looked exhausted. Of course, the ex cheerio couldn't say that she was exactly the prime example of fresh and beautiful in that moment, but she was lucky enough to get at least a couple of hours of sleep while she was with Tom. Quinn reached out and gently placed her hand on Rachel's forearm to grab her attention before speaking.
Rachel for her part was looking out of the car window at the streets that she had at one point called a home. New York was the one place that she had always known she would belong in, and now the city had lost it's magic. It was only a shell of it's former self. Her mind was such a mess of thoughts and emotions that for the first time in her young life she was able to say that she was grateful for the silence. She needed time to process everything. The fact that Quinn was currently sitting beside her seemed to good to be true. The diva had even made sure that she wasn't dreaming by pinching her forearm while the blonde drove them towards…. well, Rachel didn't really know where. Just as she was about to question their destination, the brunette saw the car come to a stop. It wasn't long after that until she heard Quinn's soft voice fill the small space of the car. "What's your plan, Rae?"
Four small words was all it took to bring at least the smallest bit of familiarity to a situation that should feel like anything but that. Rachel turned her head to look at the beautiful girl beside her and gave her a small smile. After taking in a breathe of air and then releasing it, Rachel spoke. "Well Quinn, I plan on going back to Lima. I need to see if my fathers are well, and I hope that you would agree to come with me. It would make the journey much easier for a multitude of reasons, and I would feel much better if I knew that you were safe by my side." The words flew easily from her mouth as she maintained eye contact with Quinn. She hoped that her eyes conveyed how much she wanted Quinn to join her because she didn't think that there were enough words that could.
Quinn listened as Rachel took three minutes to explain something that could've most likely been done in a sentence. It never ceased to amaze her how Rachel was like a walking Webster's dictionary. This trait was one that used to aggravate the blonde, but now she only found it impressive and slightly endearing. Honestly, the breathing control that Rachel must have when she rambles is nothing short of jaw dropping. As she listened to the singer's plan, she only mulled it over in her head for a minute before nodding. Realizing that Rachel would most likely appreciate words instead of silent movements of affirmation, Quinn replied. "I'm in. It's only about a ten hour drive anyway." As she spoke the end of her thought, she shrugged to show how much she truly didn't mind the idea. Quinn would rather cut off her left arm than let Rachel set out alone with no car or help. Plus, the beaming smile that she got in return from said brunette was enough to solidify her decision. Hell, she was sure that she would agree to almost anything Rachel concocted in that head of hers if it caused that smile.
Giving one last nod, Quinn turned back around, put on her seatbelt (she was so not about to hear that rant again), and turned on the ignition. As soon as she put the car in drive, she saw out of the corner of her eye Rachel mumbling and riffling through her bag for something. The blonde almost weaved into the next lane when Rachel pulled out a folded piece of paper, and pumped it into the air while practically screaming "ah ha!"
Just when Quinn was going to scold the other girl for nearly giving her a heart attack, Rachel turned to her with an excited expression on her face and unfolded what appeared to be a map while speaking. "I've looked up the most efficient route for us to take and highlighted possible places we could stop to pick up more ammunition and basic necessities." The former HBIC could only playfully roll her eyes while responding with a simple "Of course you have." While Rachel continued to tell Quinn every detail of their journey, all the blonde could do was keep a firm smile on her face and prepare for the very long ride.
Six hours later the two girls were getting off of the interstate and driving into a main city within Pennsylvania bickering like children. Over what you might ask? Well, of course the only logical answer to that question was bacon. Yes, Rachel Berry and Quinn Fabray were currently having an argument over bacon.
"Quinn, I will not allow you to drag us into a Stop & Shop just so you can clear out their section of bacon! It is an unnecessary risk, and it is not in my plans. I have not allotted time for this!" Rachel huffed and crossed her arms. Quinn was actually quite positive that she would've stomped one of her feet if she was standing.
The blonde on the other hand was simply tuning Rachel out. It seemed like all of those years of practice had paid off as she continued driving towards her destination. "Rachel, it could maybe be the end of the world. I am not going to let some of the last good bacon left expire when I could be enjoying it."
"You, Quinn Fabray, are being completely and utterly unreasonable. I am not about to risk my life so you can indulge in eating a poor defenseless animal that was killed so you could enjoy a greasy strip of meat."
"Oh, she brought out the vegan guns," Quinn thought. Normally, she would never be one to fight against Rachel's beliefs and dietary preferences, but just thinking about never having bacon again made her nauseous. A small part of her knew that she was being ridiculous, but ever since her pregnancy, her craving for bacon has been strong and fierce. So, it was with this thought in her mind that she delivered a low blow to get what she wanted. "But Rae, think about it. If I don't get this, then those poor defenseless pigs would've been killed for absolutely nothing except to spoil."
Rachel's head whipped around towards Quinn so fast that the blonde actually believed that she would experience self induced whiplash. The glare that the small brunette sent her way was also pretty intense. Quinn knew that her and Santaa becoming friends towards the end of senior year was a bad idea. "I do not even have words to describe how despicable that argument is. You used my love of animals against me. If we don't go, I will have nightmares of little pigs for weeks. I am not willing to tarnish my conscious. You better just hope that my aim is still perfect while I am behind you. I would hate for me to accidentally shoot an arrow into your behind."
Quinn never took her eyes off the road. She only smirked. "Well, just keep your eyes off my ass then."
The black Jeep turned into the deserted parking lot of the Stop & Shop and pulled into a handicap parking space near the front. Rachel gave her an odd look which Quinn easily replied to. "What? Your height doesn't count as a handicap?" Normally, Rachel would be incredibly insulted at such a remark, but there was no hiding the glint in Quinn's eyes when she quickly turned towards her as she unbuckled her seatbelt. So, instead Rachel just quickly shook her head at the girl's antics and then turned her focus towards getting the supplies she would need for this possible disaster.
Once she was sure that she had enough arrows and ammunition for both of her guns on her holster, Rachel stepped out of the car and moved to where Quinn was. The blonde was leaning against the hood of the car inspecting one of her Colt pistols, but quickly looked up with a small smile once she saw Rachel was ready. "Let's get me some bacon," the blonde slightly cheered. The phrase caused Rachel to giggle as she followed Quinn's lead into the supermarket.
"Quinn, did you know that you sound like that dog from those bacon treat commercials?"
It didn't take long for Rachel's fast strides to put her beside Quinn. As soon as the blonde had Rachel in her sight, she arched her signature eyebrow in response to the comparison. "I'm just going to ignore that."
Before stepping towards the sliding glass doors, both girls prepared themselves for whatever could meet them on the other side. Quinn held her pistol out in front of her, and Rachel reached behind her back to grab an arrow. It seemed like both girls picked up a silent form of communication in tense situations because with just a nod from Rachel, Quinn walked forward and into the store.
As soon as they walked in, an obnoxious chime sounded off which would of course announce their presence. "Oh great, it's like they're being called to dinner," Quinn sarcastically mumbled. Rachel decided to bite her tongue instead of retorting with a response that pointed out how they wouldn't even be in the situation if it weren't for the blonde's ridiculous cravings for bacon.
In the blink of an eye, Rachel pivoted on her left foot and turned to the right. While in the motion, she pulled up her bow, pulled back the arrow, and fired. The zombie a good fifteen feet away collapsed with a thud. As if she could hear the question going through Quinn's mind, Rachel quietly responded with, "I have impeccable hearing, Quinn." The blonde just smiled at how the singer made it sound like it was the most obvious explanation in the world. Everyone should know that dedicating your life to singing and Broadway would make you James Bond in a zombie apocalypse.
Only six more zombies appeared from within the supermarket which were relatively simple for both girls to take down. Once the coast was clear, Quinn began walking towards the section of the store where the bacon would be, but stopped when she heard a pair of footsteps walking quickly in the opposite direction of her. About five seconds later, Rachel freaking Berry was gleefully walking back towards her pushing a shopping cart. While the brunette looked far too happy, Quinn was just an inch away from face palming. "Quinn, you go get your cruel form of food, and I will pick up some more healthy options. Call for me if you require any assistance." Before Quinn even had the chance to retort, the brunette spit fire was already heading towards the produce section.
Forty five minutes later, Rachel and Quinn were walking out of the grocery store with two coolers filled with supplies along with a couple of bags. Yes, Rachel still insisted on bagging the groceries much to Quinn's displeasure. After loading everything into the back, both girl's settled into the car and resumed their trip back to Lima.
"I can't believe you only let me bring back three pounds of bacon, Rae." Quinn did a small pout just for good measure.
"Quinn, I will not be assisting in keeping zombies from making you a three course meal just so you can die from a heart attack. I did however, pick up a pint of that Ben and Jerry's ice cream that you love so much." Rachel attempted to appear annoyed even though the fact that her lips were curling upwards due to the slight look of excitement on Quinn's face was betraying her.
"Phish Food?" The former HBIC tried to play it off nonchalantly, but she really was like a little kid when it came to ice cream. She completely blamed Brittany for this.
Rachel let out a small chuckle and said, "Yes. Let's just hope that we can eat all of the perishable food before they expire," before she grew silent.
Both girls refused to acknowledge the fact that they didn't really count on anyone else being there to help them eat everything. Of course, they got more food than necessary in case any other survivors were found, but neither girl wanted to get their hopes up. That's the way it always is, isn't it? People always try to convince themselves that they are ready for the worst, but no matter how many times it's said the pain never hurts any less if the worst is what's waiting for you.