A.N. Here y'all go. I was gonna wait but I managed some internet access and thought you all deserved it. Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed. Hope you like this next chapter.

A.N2: Thank you to my beta as always!

Saturday December 6, 2009

8:01 A.M.

Quinn had dressed quickly and had been ready to head down and face Rachel's dads immediately so that the two men would know that she wasn't doing anything untoward with their daughter. Rachel was content to take as long as possible to get dressed.

Quinn urged, "Come on Rachel. Your dads are going to think…"

Rachel walked out of her closet and Quinn's voice choked. The little Diva was in a pair of jeans and a bra, and nothing else.

Rachel scowled, "Let them think what they want. I am sixteen years old and my daddy came in here and threatened to shoot my girlfriend."

Quinn nearly fell off the bed, "Girlfriend?" Her voice was little more than a squeak.

Rachel turned to look at her, "That's what they assumed. Therefore I should react accordingly. Knowing me as they do they should have assumed that if I had in fact engaged in any form of sexual congress with you, then I must also be in love with you. This means they should have treated you accordingly, as the girl I'm in love with, not some miscreant who seduced their daughter. They'll wait and then they will take it while I yell."

Quinn was quiet for a moment, "But we didn't do anything."

Rachel waved her off, "Irrelevant, they thought we did."

Quinn stared at Rachel and then cleared her throat, "So… you're going to go down there and yell at them for being rude to your girlfriend?"

Rachel huffed, "Yes. It's the only way they will learn Quinn."

Quinn waited until Rachel turned away before grinning like Christmas had come early. She stood and turned Rachel around.

She whispered, "Thank you for defending me." She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl and pulled her close.

Rachel tensed for a fraction of a second before she melted into Quinn's embrace.

"You're welcome Quinn." Rachel's face was buried in Quinn's neck and once again the former Cheerio was reminded of why touching the diva in any way was a dangerous prospect.

She pulled away reluctantly and it might have been her imagination combined with wishful thinking but it seemed like Rachel was reluctant to pull back as well.

The brunette skipped to the door and bellowed as she opened the door, "Daddy! Papa! I would like to speak with you." She gave Quinn a grin and then hurried out of the room. Quinn shook her head and followed.

Rachel's dads were seated on the couch talking in low tones to one another. Philip gestured towards Rachel every few seconds and Eli crossed his arms and shook his head. Quinn recognized the stubborn look on the little man's face; it was the same one that Rachel wore at the same time.

The little diva cleared her throat and Quinn recognized the pose she struck. In Glee it meant the brunette was about to rant about something, and possibly storm out when she was done.

Quinn stopped at the bottom of the steps and was surprised when Rachel turned and grabbed Quinn's hand and pulled her forward.

She looped an arm around Quinn's waist and spoke, "I feel it would be beneficial to open a dialogue regarding what occurred in my bedroom this morning."

Eli stood, struck the exact same pose and replied, "Or perhaps we could discuss what happened last night in your bedroom!"

Rachel snapped back, "No. The issue is not what Quinn and I did or did not do. The issue is your reaction to it."

Eli threw up his hands, "I found a naked girl in your bed!"

"She wasn't naked." Rachel's stance widened a fraction of an inch and she leaned forward aggressively.

Eli mirrored the movement, "I thought she was!"

Rachel rolled her eyes, "Clearly you were wrong. Assumptions abound this morning."

Eli came very close to stomping his foot, "When did you get a girlfriend! You are just a baby!"

Rachel's eyes narrowed, "I am sixteen Daddy! And Quinn and I only recently developed a relationship." Quinn smiled and then wiped the expression from her face. Rachel hadn't lied about developing a relationship; she simply failed to clarify the type of relationship.

Eli's eyes were slits, "You shouldn't be dating." He turned his attention on Quinn and hissed, "I refuse to believe that you have the mental and emotional capacity to love and know a girl like our Rachel!"

Quinn tugged Rachel even closer and ignored the diva's surprised look as she spoke, "Ask me anything. Ask me anything about Rachel and I'll prove I know her."

Eli threw out, "Favorite color?"

Quinn snapped back, "Pink. Give me a hard one."

He cocked his head and then smirked, "Favorite musical?"

Quinn fired back, "'Funny Girl'."

Eli huffed, "Favorite musical character?"

Quinn looked down at her nails, "Elphaba."

Eli seemed to run out of steam as he fired one last question, "And if she is Elphaba you would be her Fiyero?"

Quinn looked down at Rachel and breathed, "No. I'm her Galinda."

Rachel's breath hitched and she stared up at Quinn in awe.

Eli's face softened as he took in the way his daughter gazed at Quinn and the fierceness that Quinn regarded him with.

He clapped his hands, "Oh Rachel. She really can deal with an admittedly high maintenance family like ours."

Philip stood, "Apparently she can. How long have you been dating?"

Rachel smiled impishly, "We're not," Then turned heel and ran up the stairs.

Eli shouted after, "Rachel Barbra Berry, you are a drama queen!"

Rachel's laughter tinkled like chimes from the upstairs hallway.

Quinn wasn't quick enough schooling the disappointed look that washed over her face as she stared after Rachel.

Eli sighed, "Philip, what would you say that look is Honey? Longing mixed with sadness and a little… grief?"

Quinn's head snapped to look at Rachel's dads, "What, no I…"

Eli put up a hand, "Don't deny your feelings Quinn. We aren't mad and we won't mention anything to Rachel."

Philip was looking at his husband like he was a little touched in the head, "Babe are you saying that...?"

Eli nodded "Yes." The little man caught Philip's skeptical look, "You don't believe me? Fine let's ask Quinn." He peered at Quinn, "How about it Quinn, are you in love with our daughter?"

Quinn's mouth opened and closed before she murmured, "Yes." Eli smiled at her but Philip's eyes widened and Quinn realized that his gaze was focused beyond her and on the stairs. Quinn's stomach clenched and her eyes squeezed shut. Slowly she turned to face the stairs. She opened her eyes and came face to face with Rachel, who was staring at her with an inscrutable expression.

Quietly Rachel addressed Quinn, "May I speak with you alone Quinn."

Quinn couldn't find her voice to reply so she nodded and followed the brunette upstairs. They entered the bedroom and Rachel shut the door behind them and then leaned against it.

Quinn's arms wrapped around her middle and sank down on the bed. Her hair fell forward as she stared at her lap.

Rachel voice was soft, "Quinn… was that the truth? Are you… are you in love with me?"Quinn thought about lying. She thought about getting up and walking out.

She couldn't lie and she didn't want to leave so she did the only thing she could and replied, "Yes. I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time. Longer than you'd imagine."

Rachel's breath caught and Quinn flinched. She wanted to look up and gage Rachel's reaction but she was terrified that she had just lost her chance. She watched as a tears landed on her knee and belatedly realized that she was crying.

The room was silent. Quinn sniffled and then she felt a hand cup her chin. Rachel was gentle as she brought Quinn's face up. The little diva's eyes tracked across Quinn's face and softened as she took in Quinn's tear stained face.

Quinn sighed, "I'm sorry Rachel."

Rachel's eyebrow ticked up, "Because you love me?"

"No, I'm sorry because I had a plan and now you're going to hate me." Quinn tried to hang her head but Rachel's hand prevented her.

Rachel gave a command, "Don't hide Quinn. Not after confessing that."

Quinn gazed at Rachel's face and realized the diva didn't appear angry, "Ok."

Rachel smiled softly and let her hand slide up to press against Quinn's cheek. The blonde sighed and brought her own hand to rest over Rachel's.

Rachel let out a breath, "I would say I am not attracted to girls but that isn't the case with you. You happen to be one of the four females I have ever felt an attraction to and I will say that my reaction to you has always been… visceral, so while I consider myself more straight than gay, I have never completely ruled out the idea of a girlfriend. I admit to being shocked that you have such strong feelings for me, but I suppose your treatment of me stemmed from an inability to accept these feelings?"

Quinn nodded, "Yes."

Rachel looked pleased that she had been correct and continued, "I cannot say that my feelings for you have evolved completely into a romantic sort of love because we have only just become friends, but I like you Quinn, more than I realized, I like that you know my favorite song, and I think perhaps it is telling that I was willing to deny Finn to maintain our friendship. My biggest issue is chemistry, because while our fights always seemed explosive, there is no guarantee that it will transfer over."

Quinn's brain stalled, "What… what are you saying."

Rachel cocked her head, "I'm saying that I need to be sure we are compatible in physical matters and then I will need some time to think about all of this."

Quinn's stopped processing after 'physical matters', "I'm going to kiss you now."

Rachel spoke, "An excellent suggestion Qui…" Her voice caught in her throat as Quinn stood. Rachel had been standing so close that Quinn's sudden movement brought the taller girl's body flush with Rachel's. Quinn's hand slid from its place over Rachel's cheek and down her arm. Her hand curled around the back of Rachel's neck as her free hand ghosted up to press against Rachel's back. Their bodies melted into each other and both girls let out a sigh.

Quinn's eyes searched Rachel's face, doing her best to memorize every detail of what was to be their first and perhaps last kiss. The little diva's eyes widened at the intensity in Quinn's eyes. Quinn's own body was already a light from the proximity and it showed in her eyes. They were dark and seemed to flit from Rachel's eyes to her lips and back. Rachel's tongue darted out to wet her lips and Quinn's control snapped. She let out a deep groan and surged forward. Rachel let out a muffled gasp as Quinn's lips pressed against hers. The blonde did her best to control the tone of the kiss so that the little songbird was not overwhelmed but was only partially successful. Quinn couldn't stop the whimper that stole from her at the contact she had always longed for and she couldn't control her hands when Rachel answered the whimper with one of her own.

The little diva pressed forward and allowed her own hands to enter the fray as Quinn's teeth nipped at her lower lip. Small hands came up to wrap around one shoulder while the other tangled in Quinn's hair. Rachel's mouth opened and Quinn didn't hesitate to slip her tongue between the brunette's lips. Rachel's hips canted forward as she groaned. Quinn realized too late that they had both lost control. Quinn tried to pull back only to have her bottom lip caught. Rachel sucked on Quinn's lip and the blondes own hips ground forward, seeking more contact. After a moment longer Quinn wrenched her mouth away from Rachel's lips and clenched her eyes shut to prevent her from going for the diva's neck. Neither girl was able to completely still their hips, and as a consequence Rachel let out a series of breathy little gasps that tested the bounds of Quinn's willpower. She did the only thing she could do.

She wrenched away from Rachel and scrambled back. She fought to get her breath under control and to not reach for Rachel again as her front flushed with cold at Rachel's absence. Rachel stepped forward and then came to abrupt halt as she visibly struggled for control.

She stepped back and spoke, "We have chemistry."

Quinn stifled a bark of laughter, "God yes."

Silence over took them and Rachel and Quinn seemed to gravitate towards each other. They very nearly ended up back in each other's arms and would have if Quinn had not noticed their sudden close proximity. She put the bed between them which actually wasn't the best idea because all she could think of was what could been done on a bed.

Rachel was suddenly babbling, "I've never been kissed like that. Finn was… sloppy at best and Puck was technically proficient but lacked passion. You…"

Quinn smiled and shoved aside her lust, "Best kiss of my life Rachel."

Rachel heaved a relieved sigh, "Exactly."

Quinn couldn't help but ask, "What now."

Rachel hesitated, "I like you Quinn and normally the smallest amount of attention would be enough for me to throw myself head first into a relationship but… you… you love me and I don't want to hurt you. I… I need to be sure. Sure of myself and of my feelings before we become anything other than friends. I don't want to break your heart so I need time." She looked a little scared but pressed on, "I need time."

Quinn's heart felt like it was going to explode, "I… I'll wait for as long as it takes Rachel. I very nearly…" She cut her self off, "You're worth my patience. Will… can we still be friends while you sort out your feelings?"

Rachel nodded emphatically, "Of course! I have come to value and rely on our friendship even though it hasn't been very long."

Quinn smiled shyly, "Me too." The two girls were still acutely aware of each other and so Quinn sighed, "I need to go or I may do something neither of us is ready for."

Rachel glanced at the bed and her eyelids fluttered before she snapped her gaze up and replied, "That would be best." Rachel waited for Quinn to edge around the bed and walked her to her bedroom door.

Quinn murmured, "I'll see myself out ok?" Rachel nodded moved to hug Quinn only to be caught by the former Cheerio.

Quinn shook her head, "No hug right now Rachel. I have very little willpower left."

Rachel grinned and instead brought her hand to rest against Quinn's cheek. Her thumb brushed against the blonde's lips and Quinn was unable to resist. Her tongue flicked out and her teeth caught a hold of the tip and Rachel was nearly undone. The diva's eyes rolled back and she made to press forward. Quinn sucked very briefly on the digit and then released it and opened the door. She spilled out into the hallway and only her natural grace prevented her from falling on her butt.

She growled, "You're playing with fire Rachel."

Rachel shuddered, "Right, sorry." She stayed inside the room to prevent further temptation and gave a little wave, "See you at school?"

Quinn replied as she backed away, "Count on it." She turned and hurried down the hallway and down the stairs.

She waved at Rachel's fathers, "Bye Mr. and Mr. Berry." She got outside and texted Kurt.

I'm sry I freaked but OMG! Can you come get me?

She waited and a few seconds later her phone shook with Kurt's reply,

Omw. What happened?

Quinn's fingers flew over the keyboard,

I kissed her! And it was amazing!

Kurt's reply was ridiculously quick,

Holy crap! I want details, eta 7 minutes.

Quinn replied,

k, stop txting while drving. See u soon.

That's right... I deticated an entire chapter to the K**S. Read and Review.

She put her phone away and brought a hand up to brush against her lips. She smiled her Cheshire grin, 'Operation Berry' was well under way.