Is it a date?

(Santana)

"Oh, when you said you would come early, I expected something less early." I complained once answered the door for Quinn and open passage so she could enter.

"It's almost nine o'clock. And the building's doorman is annoying. He missed only demand my passport to let me go." Quinn came into my home with a large folder in hands. It was the first time Quinn visited the new apartment, but it seemed that she wasn't very attentive to this fact. "So?" She waited me standing in the middle of the lobby.

"This way..."

I drove Quinn up the extra room and my future office. She paid attention to our living room that was almost full decorated with comfortable couch, furniture, and the big TV. But we didn't put the pictures on the walls yet, and also the whatnots that give our personal touch in the interior designer's project.

"So… no open house party?" She asked.

"Not yet."

"Why not?"

"Rachel and I come to the consensus that it's better to wait for something really likely to celebrate than just fill our home with people for nothing."

"But the point about have a party is fills the house with people for nothing but fun."

"Yeah! But you reconsider that after the amount of money spent on décor. Now I understand why my dads made a specific place in the house to have parties."

"The pool house?"

"Exactly!"

We enter at the extra room that Rachel and I left the unopened boxes full of things that weren't primary. If we were to do a second screening, it would be likely that we come to the conclusion that half of packaged things could still be discarded, like many others in which we donated to the Catholic church's bazaar close to our old home in Astoria. I instructed Quinn to put her things on my old desk.

"It's a big and beautiful place, San..." Quinn's initial bravato gave way to a mild melancholy.

She was there to discuss her part in the new Rock'n'Pano collection. I managed to pass her almost $500 dollars in duties on sales figures provided under contract. It wasn't much, but I knew that money was very important for her to remain in the city.

"Quinn, I was having breakfast. Before talking business, would you like to join me for a bit?"

"Of course!"

We entered the kitchen. Quinn looked with certain desire for the fruit salad and the bread basket, plus the pot of blackberry jam that had a knife stuck into it (my fault). She sat at the table as the usual aristocratic Quinn Fabray, and eats fruit salad. Yes, fruit salad, with interesting enthusiasm. The old Quinn Fabray wasn't an enthusiast of fruit salad.

"How long do you not have a decent breakfast?"

"Every day I have a nice breakfast, for your information. However, my current financial conditions and Santiago's make us reduce things to the basics."

"What is that?"

"Over coffee and some cookies..." She frowned. "Not everyone earn as much as actresses or receives allowance from their parents or have a billionaire grandfather. But I'm fine, if you ask me. Santiago and I are still undergoing adjustments."

"I understand." I caught my tablet to keep reading the Financial Times while eating the rest of my bread.

"Where's Rachel?" Another miserable attempt to look casual. I bet that was the first thing she wanted to ask as soon as entered my home and didn't see my sister around.

"She went to the grocery store on Steinway Street that sells only organic products with low price. It's her new hobby."

Quinn was thoughtful and I returned to the financial market news. Nothing more than turbulence on the way, as if the world hasn't been living under a permanent state of economic crisis for a decade.

"How are things on Rock'n'Pano?" She asked as another attempt to look casual. "I noticed that you have deposited almost $500 in my account this time. Business improved by the way!"

"It's a struggle, but everything is moving on. I made a good deal last week and it will be able to pay all outstanding issues with Zaide and, perhaps, begin to walk with my own legs."

"It's good to hear. I'm proud, San, really."

"And you? How are things in your job and freelers."

"Same old."

Quinn was kind enough to help me with the dishes. She didn't need it, of course. It made no sense since now she was coming to my house as a guest. We finished the job in no time and my Saturday promised to be slow and tedious since my major compromise was with Quinn and my books.

"I brought some older pictures to show you how I want to work on the new collection. This one is about faith." She began to show pictures of that folder. "I think it's interesting to talk about various forms of faith, not just Christians or Jews. Nor does it summarize the traditional religious symbols. I would like to explore the faith in small gestures, actions, things like this one." She showed me a picture of a girl strong holding a piece of paper, as if it were really important. I could see what she is talking about, but I wasn't sure if people in general would understand right. Faith could be also desire based on those pictures.

"It's interesting, Fabray, but I'm not convinced it could work. Your last collection about water was very nice. But faith with those pictures… I get it because you are explaining me, not because I'm seeing it."

"But being literal is lame."

"Maybe, but if we work with this propose, some tips need to be placed as small phrases in photoshop, things that help people to understand the proposal and get along."

"It would be easy, San."

"I don't want people to feel smarter because they understood the proposal. I just want people to feel cool in buying Rock'n'Pano collections."

"You really are a capitalist pig. Santana, you should think a little more artistically."

"I do, Fabray. But I can't just think about it. I love your idea, but I can't let your imagination run away too much because you know that the payment won't be fair for your creative impetus. I don't want to frustrate you."

"I know your scheme, Lopez! But the job is mine. It is my name."

"Put some tips, some new pictures, and I will pay you."

"How many do you buy this time?"

"The usual: six for 1,200 plus the percentage of sales."

We were interrupted by the sound of the front door. Quinn was silent paying attention on the footsteps and some other domestic noises.

"Santy!" Rachel said from the kitchen. "You won't believe who I met at the grocery store..." I didn't understand Rachel's dramatic arrest when she saw Quinn if she knew perfectly about the visit for business. "Hello Quinn." She composed herself and said coldly.

"How are you, Rachel?"

"I'm fine, and you?"

"Not bad."

It was interesting to witness this reunion. The two hadn't seen each other for weeks. Rachel and Quinn tensed and looked anxious. I? I almost put the popcorn to pop in the microwave. The reaction of these two was better than watching Meg Ryan's romantic comedies from the 1990s. Especially because it seemed like it was difficult to produce good films of this genre nowadays. I don't know if it was lack of imagination, or lack of charisma in the cast involved. Anyway, there was a good story to follow in my own home.

"Santana said you might come for business." Rachel said with the formal and controlled voice.

"We're talking." The infamous Quinn's raised eyebrow was on and at that time I was holding myself not to laugh. I'm sure it wasn't easy for my sister to see her ex-girlfriend, but that was ridiculous exaggerated control.

"Glad to hear it. I heard that you and your roommate made an open house party."

"I think it was worth to party. And San gave us water filter. Then I realized that was essential."

"Old Pipeline?" Rachel asked and she nodded. Then, Rachel's cell phone rang. "Hi." She said as if in way of flirting. "Free Day. I worked all week on comprehensive dance rehearsals to have a well deserved rest... of course..." And walked into the living room. "Today?" She laughed. "I'll have to think about it..." She entered the small hallway that leads to our bedrooms and we heard the sound of the door closing.

Quinn suddenly gasped. She packed her photographs and sketches of the new collection project like a guy who had just received the news of someone close death.

"Is she seeing anyone?" She whispered screaming.

"Look, I don't have to give you satisfaction nor her..."

"Santana! Please!"

"Not that I know." I said whispering. "All I can say is that she got along with the new cast. Might be someone from there. Maybe Sean Lewis, I don't know... He is the only remotely friend she got in Songbook and now they are working together again. My sister is really excited and it's all I know. I have a live, don't you know? I'm not Rachel's watcher."

"Yeah, I know that, but try to remember..." Quinn was almost freaking out and I would find it hilarious if I wasn't being pressed for answers. "She may have mentioned somebody with more excitement?"

"Outside Rom?"

It was as if I had thrown a bucket of cold water on Quinn.

"ROM? Rom Tyler?"

"Apparently they remain friends, Quinn." I stayed on the defensive.

"After everything that happened, they are still friends?"

"It's not my business, nor yours."

There wasn't more time for questions. Rachel left the room and Quinn was in a state of angry contention. She started collecting things, this time getting ready to leave.

"Your cane, Santy." Rachel warned when she saw me across the room watching Quinn. "Are you leaving so soon, Quinn?" Her tone was mild irony.

"Maybe I'll stay for lunch since Santana and I haven't finished discussing business." Quinn changed her mind, apparently, but I was just watching to see how far it would go. I was curious. "So Rachel, how are the rehearsals of the new play?"

"They are great, thank you for asking. It's the most talented cast I've ever worked so far on Broadway."

"Some fellow in particular?" She tried to be casual. Tried, but who knew Quinn Fabray a little bit knew she failed miserably.

"Not that any of your business."

"Ouch!" I tried to be discreet, but my interjection came out higher than I wanted. Suddenly, I had two pairs of eyes on me, which made me walk to the balcony of the living room as if to distract myself with the landscape.

"You looked so happy at the phone call just now. Was it Rom by chance?"

"Rom?" Rachel raised her voice "Why Rom?" Then I felt a pair of eyes really heavy on me. I tried not to face my sister. I knew she was telepathically calling me big mouth.

"I hear that you're still his friend after all."

"Yes, we are friends. And again, it is absolutely none of your business."

"It's just that I was surprised you still are close to the guy that caused our break up. But ..." She raised her arms "Each one with its conscience. At least I can say I lay my head on the pillow and sleep well every night."

"Even though you are the one who slept with another girl. If you sleep that well despite it, so my friendship with Rom is chump change."

"Girls! Enough, okay!" I said emphatically and gave time to both breathe. "Quinn, I really think you should go now. We can talk about business another time and place."

"I know. I know. Insisting in come here was a mistake." She gestured output.

Quinn picked up her things, making it clear that she was dying of jealousy. Maybe I shouldn't even have mentioned Rom. Blame my sister that said she made amends with him in Los Angeles, and more: Slings and Arrows' premiere is coming and it was obvious that he and Rachel would do something together in the city. Things like have a dinner or go to a party.

"Want a ride?" I offered. The volume of things she brought seemed awfully heavy for those who depended on public transportation.

"No thanks."

"It won't be a problem." I insisted. The impression I had was that her original plan was to get a ride, but the wrong sister was the one who offered kindness.

"If you want, I can call you a taxi. You only have to wait outside the building." Rachel said as she was really hurt.

"Well Rachel…" Quinn's voice this time was controlled, as if the HBIC had come back to life. "You should save these exchanged to buy peppermint candies for your buddy, because I remember very well his awful breath when he approaching me that time."

"You. Are. Disgusting."

"I think it's time for you to go, Quinn." I said in a hurry. The romantic comedy has unraveled.

Quinn nodded and I made sure to accompany her to the elevator.

"You must learn to control whether you want her back." I said while we took the elevator. "Staying in this tug of war won't help."

"Do you support me? I mean, would you support me to be back with your sister?"

"Honestly?" She nodded, and the elevator door opened. We walked slowly to exit the building. "I root for Rachel's happiness and, as incredible as it may seem, I also root for yours. I can tell she still loves you despite all the hurt, and maybe, I can see her forgiving you eventually. But from what I saw today, I think it is best you stay apart at this time."

"Thanks for rooting for my welfare, San, but I can't agree with you about Rachel. It... it hurts too much."

"So do the right thing, Fabray."

"What is it? Give her space? Time? Am I not doing this?"

"These and wait for the right moment. Do not push her right now because you will lose. I' sorry to say it, but Rachel needs some new experience and so do you. If you are meant to be together, she needs to realize it first somehow, and the best way I see I happen is experiencing new things. But, right now, all you can get is her bitterness."

"Well, if this is what you really think, I'm screwed."

"I will call you to book another meeting: anyplace but my house. I don't want you to come here until you and Rachel make amends somehow."

"I figured… by the way, you do have a nice new home. Congrats."

When I went back home, I found my sister waiting for me at the door with my cane in hand. I couldn't forget crutches, but the cane was another matter. I just couldn't make proper use of that piece of wood. I knew it was wrong because I still couldn't force the ankle and I had strictly followed the treatment until the last part of it. It was hard. But Rachel's problem wasn't my stubbornness. I knew she want to blame me for Quinn's visit.

"Don't say anything." I picked up my cane and went back to my office.

…

(Rachel)

I was nervous. Being the lead actress in the play "What Would Do Bowie" gave me some bargaining power, but the crew form Cosmic Stage Co. had nothing to do with my contract with HBO and therefore with my professional commitments with the series. The best I could do was unfold myself and try to reconcile the number of trials with the promotional season of the show in the best possible way.

We were already rehearsing in the Little Shubert, at 422 West 42nd Street. The press questioned why this show wasn't in a Broadway Theater since it has David Bowie as one of the producers and writers. The answer was the rating: it's for mature audiences even though the protagonist is a 16 years old girl. I, myself, had a scene where I have to be partially naked before do a sex scene. Of course, it wasn't an almost explicit HBO sex scene, but still it's a scene that I don't want that my parents or even my sister watch because it would be embarrassing.

It was a play about youthful discovery that the character, who has an unknown disease, is forced to leave home and travel in the figurative world of wonders in search of her healing. It's a beautiful metaphor about growing pains. The text was co-written by David Bowie and Lena Snider and the cast has three main actors, five great supporting actors, plus some extras and dancers. The songs are almost all originals to the play, except "Changes" and "Life on Mars", in which the piece was inspired.

"Rachel." Jules Martin, the choreographer, shouted. "You're dispersive today and delaying everything. Enter in step or Kat will show you how to want so much this role!" Kat was my understudy and Jules was a huge bitch. Of course Kat didn't have a chance against me, but Jules loved to use her to press me since Kat was her roommate and, maybe, something more.

I looked at my co-stars: Sean Lewis, Will Potter, Alisha Glass, Britany Saar and Gomez Diaz, rehearsing among the heaviest scenes. Brandon Greymond was the other main actor: because he was some knees problems he didn't dance but he was a veteran Tony winner. He liked to watch us giving our blood while he studies some scene. Sometimes he just drank some tie, since he was an alcoholic who was clean for over a decade. Nobody tried to defend me at the time Jules was throwing shit on me and it was so frustrating.

"No need Jules. Do you wanna blood, than I will give you some." I looked at Kat and to my co-stars. They were still just looking.

"Don't give your blood, Berry!" Brandon said loud from the fifth row. "Give you sweat but not your blood. You're an actor that can dance, not a dancer!"

I could tell that Jules hated him, but Brandon didn't seem to care and started to read again. I was a fan of his talent, and he indeed was a good pal on stage. Too bad he was a 65 years old ex-junk man that liked barely legal young girls and legend says that he used to take part of sofa tests. This was truly disgusting.

I went back to do the choreography. It wasn't perfect, but I was better. Will Potter, my on-stage romantic pair, looked at me bored. He was a well known unbearable gay predator. Everybody in Broadway knew that he loved dancers, but there weren't signs denouncing his sexuality, why he could pass for alpha male anywhere. And he was still a great young theater actor. I think so even though he had certain arrogance in the air and I was convinced he hated me. Potter was the exception of the cast. All others were nice and friendly people, or at least professionals. I knew Sean Lewis from when we performed at the Nationals Glee Championship here in New York four years ago. Then he was selected along with me for Songbook. It was a pleasure to meet him again safe and knowledgeable.

Britney was a competitive girl like the character she played, but she was a great co-worker. Gomez was cute, easy to handle, talented and who charmed without making some effort. Alisha was seductive and fun. She had frightening confidence when singing and dancing. She was the one on the phone when Quinn was in my house. Alisha asked me to go out and I accepted, but other than that Quinn probably thought, it wasn't a romantic date. To begin, Alisha is heterosexual and had proposed a fun night in which she would flirt and drink a little. We finished that night meeting Gomez and Sean at a night club. I met Nick Brown, my former colleague from Across The Universe, there and it was very nice to know he was doing well. Broking up with Quinn was painful, but it gave me the opportunity to start experiencing a mild single life that was interesting too.

"Man, I hate Jules when she is in charge." Alisha said massaging her own foot when we called the day. "What a bitch!"

"So, what about a dinner tonight?" Britney suggested.

"Did you all forget?" I asked loud. "It's my show premiere night and you all are invited."

"Yeah… sorry, Rachel. I thought it would be tomorrow."

"So, are you going, right?"

"Of course yes!" Gomez smiled. "Free goodies and Hollywood press!"

When I left the theater, I had no time to spend on manicures to make an adjustment, or even call the hairdresser. At least I had a designer dress waiting for me. I ran and caught a taxi straight home. I had two hours to have a shower, get dressed, do makeup, get out to the premiere.

The taxi race lasted 10 minutes, Santana and Nina were at home, my sister studying and Nina already waiting for me, when I got home and ran straight to the bathroom. Santana helped me to dry my hair in a war procedure. Finally, I put on my short dress and my high heels, Santana made an emergency makeup, since she was much better at it than me. Nails? They weren't so bad. We flew into our car and Santana let me on the red carpet. My castmates was doing the work with the press, but I was late. I had time to be photographed, talked to few journalists quickly and ran into the theater. I didn't see where Santana was, or my friends and castmates. I was next to Ruth, one of the production assistants, and Nina when the first episode began.

The editing was awesome. It was the first time I watched the final result and I was amazed with Andrew May and Will Passon performances. What chemistry! Simply fantastic. I believe I would appreciate Grace Hemon more if she were less diva. Then came the opening: 30 seconds introducing the main cast names, including mine, and the producers. The first part was focused on the veteran actors and it was great. The pace of 30 minutes dramedy was perfect. In the first episode, I only had few lines, still I appeared more than Rom and Amanda. Luis' character appears only in the second episode. It was strange to see myself for the first time on the big screen in a professional production. Despite my lack of screen time, I believe that I could have been better.

The second episode started next without interval. This one was the funeral episode, and Luis is introduced only in the last minutes when my character met him at a book store without knowing that they would work together soon. We had good chemistry, it was fact.

When the session ended in applause, Yves and Carton took the stage to make some speeches and statements. Questions weren't allowed.

"Rachel Berry." I was approached by a critic of the Hollywood Reporter. "Congratulations. I'm positively surprised with the pilot and the sequence."

"Thank you." I replied with Nina attentive to the conversation.

"Well, I know you're from Broadway, but you seemed very at ease before the camera. Get ready because if this series is discovered by teens, you and Luis won't have peace."

"It's the dream!" I smiled. Actually it isn't. I had some experience of love and hate by teens with Across The Universe and I would hate even more if it goes national, especially when I try to keep my private life private.

I nodded to the journalist and tried first to greet my fellow directors and castmates. Everyone was very happy with the end result and in fact was a top notch job. Then came Rom. He smiled and got me a slight kiss on my cheek, something that would feed a little the gossip industry with rumors about us.

"You are beautiful" He said close to my ear.

"You are extremely kind" I snapped him.

"What's going on, Rach?"

"Just act less friendly with journalists around."

"Don't worry too much. They don't say anything about what is going on in these parties. There is a code, don't you know?"

"Maybe… anyway, I just think I was traumatized."

"Don't be and let's have some fun!"

Rom was right: photographers weren't allowed at the parties and there were a few journalists: only the main ones. Then I relaxed and was finally able to get a hug from my friends who attended me. I found Johnny with Santana. He was well dressed, perfumed and in a tract that we knew he reserved for special occasions, like the day he met my parents on Santana's graduation day in Stuyvesant.

"You kicked some ass as always, Rach." Johnny said as he gave me a bear hug.

"Thank you."

"Who knew that exaggerated amateur actress from Lima could make big." Santana scoffed, but she wouldn't be my sister if she didn't.

"Ok, Santana, have some fun. I have some job to do here."

"Well, she worked with a glass of champagne in hand" Santana said to Johnny still in front of me. "So unlike us mortals."

"Johnny, please, take care of my sister."

"It's an order!" He waved as a soldier and smiled.

My sixth sense told me that something was going on with Santana and Johnny, and I was ok with that. At least I could feel that Santana could like Johnny more than a friend.

I stooped to talk a little with Sean, Alisha and Gomez. I was happy that my current colleagues also attended the premiere. And so the party continued. But it seemed that something was missing. Someone. Quinn. After all, she deserved to be here because this whole process in my career. I would send an invitation to her if we didn't have that argument last week. But I did invite Mike. Unfortunately, he chose Quinn's side and seemed to get away from me and Santana more and more. So I got them out of my head and tried to concentrate on work.

"What a great party, Rachel." Gomez walked over and handed me a glass of wine.

"Beware! These parties can be much more dangerous than the Broadway ones, you bet."

"I see that. Isn't that guy your rumored boyfriend?" Gomez pointed to Rom, who was talking with Janet Payne, a fine movie star that lived in New York.

"He's just a good friend of mine. We never had anything but a casual kiss caught by some journalist."

"So, you've never dated?"

"Nope!"

"This is great."

"How come?"

"Because I would like to go out with you on a date. So, Rachel Berry, what do you think?"

I was caught by surprise. If it was a stranger, I would smile and let him aside, but Gomez was a castmate, a good actor, and we had plenty of fun in the night club other day. He wasn't a nobody and deserved an answer. The problem was that I didn't know what it was.