Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the songs used
Chapter 5:
A very happy birthday
Rachel is mad, more, she is angry. She has been clear, she has been very clear. No concerts on October 17th. Now she is on stage which she will be performing tonight, pacing and yelling at her staff.
"These things happen…"
"No! I said it a long time ago…"
"But Rachel you have an agenda… it's a tour it's not a vacation trip…"
"Are you saying I'm not a professional? I know that! You are my producer you have to fix this kind of thing…"
"It's impossible now… besides are you going to let your fans down?"
"Of course not…"
"I gotta go… but see the good side… the show will be on October 16…you said 17 not 16…"
"Ha! Brilliant! In case you haven't noticed Chicago and L.A are not close!"
"Don't worry I'll get you a plane and you will be in L.A in time… I promise okay?"
"Okay…"
After a month of preparation that included the choice of musicians (she even hired an assistant) some interviews, some small presentations, a lot rehearsals, Rachel prepared her set list with her band and producers and then she was ready for her tour.
It was an incredible month despite all the work. Quinn forbade her from doing any extravagance because she needed all the rest possible. The Broadway star only got home drunk one time, which she deeply regretted because she had the worst hangover ever. She thought she was a party girl, she was completely wrong because Puck and Santana they definitively party hard.
July was gone and Quinn started filming the second season of her TV show. Rachel started the tour in L.A and then by the country. After that she has one show in London and then she finishes the tour in New York.
But right now she is mad, she is in Denver now and next week she will be in Chicago on stage one day before Quinn's birthday.
"You need me for anything else?"
"No, thank you Claire… and I'm sorry I'm being a bitch but you know how Quinn is important to me…"
"You don't have to apologize…"
Claire is a angel to the Broadway star, she takes care of Rachel's schedule, she is so minimalist that she impressed Rachel's dads when they were visiting the brunette for her first presentation in L.A. (of course they came to her first concert).
"Yes I do… but you can go now… I have more rehearsals and then I'm going to the hotel…"
"Sure…"
Rachel has one thing to do before she starts the rehearsals.
"Hello bitch… what's up?" Santana says in the other side of the line.
"Hi…"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…"
"Spit it Berry! I'm starting to worry…"
"There's nothing to worry about… I swear… I just… as you probably are aware I have a concert in October 16… in Chicago…"
"Yeah… but hey… we can celebrate when you get here…"
"No… don't change your plans… it's not about celebrating anyway… I'm just upset that maybe I won't make it in time and I wanted to spend the day with her… I mean if she wants that too, of course, I don't want to impose my presence it's her birthday… she is the one to decide how she wants to spend the day or with who…"
"Jesus berry! Breathe! And right, like Quinn doesn't want you here too…"
"Well… then I think I'm going to do everything possible to be there…"
"Did you really doubt that she wanted you here? That's why you called me?"
"I didn't doubt… I was really upset… I even yelled at people…"
"haha… I wish I had seen it…"
"It wasn't very nice…"
"Wait a minute; B wants to talk to you…"
"Okay…"
"Hey Rach! How you're doing?"
"I'm fine Britt, thanks… I called Santana cause she is the one who is planning all the party…"
"I know… you don't have to explain… I know we have a thing…"
Rachel laughs.
"Please don't say that near her… she'll kill me…"
"She won't... You're coming right? To Quinn's birthday?"
"Yes, I will be there…"
"Good… cause she would get super sad if you don't…"
"You think so?"
"of course Rach… she is really missing you… we all are… but I think she misses you the most because you guys were living together and she used to see you everyday… and now she can't…"
"I miss her too… and you guys of course… but we'll see each other soon… look I gotta go… I have some rehearsals… love you guys… bye… "
"We love you too… bye Rachel…"
Rachel hangs up the phone and then she goes to rehearsal.
"Thank you Chicago… you were incredible audience, now I have one more amazing memory from this city… it was an amazing night, thank you so much… I love you! "
Rachel leaves the stage and run to her dressing-room. The plane is already waiting for her. She changes as faster as she can and runs to the car passing by some fans and some photographers. She says hi, gives some autographs, takes some pictures and leaves.
Before the plane takes-off, she sends a text.
From Rachel: Hey Satan… for some reason I don't have my keys… leave it in the porch for me? Under the carpet? in case you wondering I'm doing a surprise… and besides when I get there It'll be very late… or soon… plus I know you are at Q's now… and yeah don't show her this message…"
From Santana: Is it a text? Thought it was a testament….
From Rachel: B make sure Santana will do what I said ok? and don't tell Q!
From Brittany: she will…
From Santana: using B? That's unfair…
She smiles at that and then goes to rest.
Rachel lands at LAX at 4 a.m. On October 17.
She is eager to see Quinn and she is happy that everything worked. Her staff got her the plane and a car that is waiting for her now. She says to herself that she has to thank everyone later.
"You can go home Claire… and thanks for everything…" she says and then she gets out the car.
She walks toward the gate and freezes, she forgot the gate. But it's open. She will thank Santana later. How the Latina could do it without Quinn get suspicious? She doesn't know and apparently the blonde are still unaware that Rachel would be here if the silence is any indication. Rachel takes the keys under the carpet and opens the front door.
She walks toward Quinn's room. The actress is sleeping. She looks like an angel, Rachel thought, with her blonde hair spread on the pillow. The brunette sits in the edge of the bed and runs her fingers through Quinn's hair.
Rachel kisses Quinn's forehead and the blonde opens her eyes.
"Rachel?"
"hi…"
"Oh my God! What you're doing here?"
"Well… isn't it obvious? Happy birthday!"
The young actress is smiling from ear to ear.
"Thank you…" Quinn sits and leans to hug the brunette.
"I just arrive…"
"I thought you wouldn't come…"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know the concert… I thought you would come tomorrow or after… you must be tired…"
"I am a little but I rested a bit on the plane…"
"You're crazy…" Quinn smiles.
"If wanting to be with my friend on her birthday it's crazy, then I'm crazy…" Rachel kisses the blonde cheek. "Go back to sleep… it's your birthday and you'll need all the energy today… we'll celebrate…"
"Me? you're the one who was on a stage just a moment ago… how was that by the way?"
"Amazing! And yeah I really need to sleep right now…" she grins. "good night…"
Rachel is standing when Quinn hold her wrist. The hazel eyed girl moves backwards to make room on the bed to Rachel.
"Sleep here…"
"I need to change… I'm in jeans…"
Quinn pouts.
"Alright… wait…"
Rachel takes off her jeans and lay next to the Blonde. Meanwhile Quinn is in a battle, sure is dark and she can't actually see Rachel's legs but she is doing her best to avert her eyes.
Stop it Fabray… not again…what's the matter with you…
3 months ago…
Quinn is in the kitchen she is cooking while Rachel is in the shower. She got up of bed before the brunette, after spending good part of the night helping Rachel. The singer threw up many times before she finally went to sleep.
From the kitchen she hears a scream. Quinn runs fast as she can towards Rachel's bedroom. The bathroom door is open which is a habit to the brunette.
"What happened?"
"My eyes!"
"what?"
"Shampoo. My eyes. Burning."
"Holy crap Rachel! You scared me…"
"Sorry…" Rachel says shyly.
For the first time Quinn realizes Rachel is naked. She licks her lips. Rachel's body. All wet.
Okay stop looking now! Oh my God what's happening with me? I can barely breathe. Are you a sixteen old boy? You saw a naked woman before… you even had sex with them… ha very funny…
5 years ago she would freak out. 7 years ago she would panic. 8 years ago she… well she would be in denial mode right now. But it isn't the case.
Okay no panic… you think Rachel is hot… hello you're bisexual remember you're allowed to be attracted to girls… and Rachel is hot… she is freaking gorgeous… what? What am I saying… am I attracted to Rachel? Oh my God! Big deal Fabray… but she is my friend… yeah but you think she is hot… moving on…"
"I'm… I'll leave you…"
"Okay…" Suddenly Rachel feels awkward.
Quinn leaves Rachel's room and walks towards her own.
What happened in there Quinn? Rachel's your friend…
She is in her own bathroom now. She stares at her reflection in the mirror.
It's just an attraction… don't make it a big deal… just a little attraction… it's not like you wanted… oh my God! No, no, no, no… you wanted… no… don't go there… breathe…
She shakes her head. Then she stares at herself again.
"You wanted to fuck her right there in that shower!"
Quinn covers her mouth with her hand.
"Don't ever say that again… she is your friend…"
Quinn closes her eyes.
Oh Fuck!
"You slept with puck and Santana and they're both your friends too… okay enough! Stop talking to yourself… and stop thinking about-"
Now…
Quinn closes her eyes and prays for the sleep to come.
Rachel wakes up on bed alone. She gets out of the bed and goes to her room. She showers quickly and puts some more appropriate clothes. She opens her closet and takes a box. She smiles.
The singer hears steps in the stairs.
"Rachel?"
"I'm here!"
Quinn gets in Rachel's bedroom.
"Hi… are you hungry?"
"Yeah…"
"It's something wrong?"
"No… I have something to you…"
"Rach… you didn't need…"
"shhh… take it… I know you like to read so…"
"I love to read! And I love it! Thank you…" Quinn hugs the brunette.
Rachel nibbles her lip. She is hiding a little box behind her.
"What?"
"I have something else…"
"Rach…"
"It's just that… I was shopping the other day… and I saw this… I thought it was perfect for you… and I had to buy it…"
Rachel reveals the box and gives to the blonde.
Quinn opens it. Inside it, there is a gold charm bracelet.
"Rachel that's… beautiful…" Quinn caresses the charm. It is a gold cross studded with little diamonds.
"Well, you're beautiful…"
Quinn lifts her head to look at the brunette's chocolate orbs. They stare at each other fondly.
"Can you put it on me?"
"Sure…"
Rachel takes the Bracelet and put it on Quinn wrist.
They smile.
The singer remains with her hand on the blonde's wrist. Quinn can't help but notice that that touch is making chills down her spine.
This is weird.
Rachel takes her hand from the blonde's wrist and the actress misses it already.
This is even weirdest…
"So the book is not a real gift?" Quinn tries to focus in something else.
"It is… I didn't know for sure if you'd like… the bracelet…"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Well… it's a very delicate gift… I didn't know for sure… if you still are…"
"A Christian?"
"Yeah…"
Quinn smiles.
"I am… and thank you… I think I must mean a lot to you… you're a Jewish girl… and you bought a cross…"
"Of course you mean a lot to me! And the cross… I happen to be a very open minded person…"
"I was kidding Rach… thank you, I love it…" Quinn kisses Rachel's cheek.
Rachel blushes but covers it with her big smile.
"So… I'm very hungry…"
The "karaoke birthday celebration" was Rachel's idea which Santana quickly refused. She only agreed with the condition that they could embarrass Quinn singing songs to her.
"I'll drive!" Rachel says.
"No way!"
"It's your birthday Quinn I'll drive…"
Rachel takes the key from Quinn's hand.
"But you're tired…"
"No I'm not… I had a good rest…"
"Rach…"
"Quinn…"
The blonde smiles.
"It's decided…"
"Fine…"
Rachel drives them to where Santana had instructed her. As they get inside the place is already full and all Quinn's friend are there.
"Q!" Brittany hugs her tight. "happy B-day!"
"Thanks B!"
"Hey… " Santana approaches the actress. "happy birthday…" They hug each other affectionately.
Rachel doesn't know why but she is fighting the urge to separate the two women.
That's ridiculous Quinn can hug who ever she wants… and they are friends… not that that is my business anyway… I am concerned about B… that's it…
Santana takes Quinn hands and lead the blonde toward her friends. Rachel follows them with her eyes she is so concentrated that she misses the smirk on Brittany lips. The dancer saw all Rachel's reactions.
Must be it…
She looks at Brittany who smiles to her.
B is fine… you are the one making it a big deal Rachel… What you mean? What you mean what I mean? whatever… you were always jealous about Quinn… and that she has a especial connection with Santana… that's not fair… of course they have… they are friends… before you and Quinn became friends… yeah right I remember that… they used to slushie me…
"Rach? Let's go?" Brittany questions her.
"Sure…"
Brittany takes her hand and leads Rachel towards the two other girls.
When they approach them, Quinn is huging Sam.
Besides Sam, Mercedes and Puck are the other glee club kids who are also there. Rachel recognizes some old friends of the blonde and some actors. Quinn introduces her fellow workers, from the TV show, well, the ones who are there.
"Rachel!" Mercedes says very excited.
"Hi cedes!"
"Thought you were in the tour…weren't you in Chicago or something?"
"Well… technically I am in tour… and yes I was in Chicago yesterday and I have to fly to Boston in two days…"
"Wow…"
"She is crazy…" Quinn says grinning like a fool.
"That's what people say…"
Brittany and Santana were responsible for the gifts. After receiving all the gifts and the congratulations of everybody, Quinn definitively threw herself at her party. As always Brittany and Rachel are insanely dancing.
"Okay Berry there's no way you have all that energy… you were in a show then you took a flight and you got home at 4 a.m and… you're here… that's... no way…" Santana shakes her head.
"Are you sure you're okay right?"
"I am Quinn don't worry…"
Santana turns to Quinn.
"She does have lot energy… I bet she is the insatiable kind in bed… I can even imagine…"
For a brief moment Quinn picture a puffy Rachel with wild sex hair spread in the bed ready to go again.
"Why would you imagine that?" she shakes her head trying to take those thoughts away from her head.
"Why wouldn't I? She is a girl, she is hot and in case you haven't notice I'm Santana fucking Lopez!"
"Yeah… which means… you have a girlfriend… Brittany S. pierce… do you remember?"
"You weren't that concerned that time…"
"You were single then… and please don't remind me…"
"You're still a repressed bitch…"
"I'm not… I'm just saying that it's not nice of you thinking about berry in that way… I mean yeah she is hotter than hell…"
Quinn covers her mouth with her hand in utter disbelief.
Santana smirks.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing… I need vodka…"
"Did you imagine that too… you did… didn't you?" Santana teases.
"I need it now…" Quinn walks toward the bar.
Fuck Fabray! Easy Lopez we'll get there… she will realize…soon...
Santana huffs. She looks at her girlfriend dancing with Rachel and that turns her the hell on.
"I need vodka too…"
An already drunk Santana gets on stage and takes the mic.
"Okay losers… now it's the time where we will embarrass Quinn… yeah Blondie… we will sing to you… me and B will be the first ones… Berry said she wanted to be the last… blabla… I had to agree of course or she would annoy me all the time… and besides she is our Diva… and she made a great effort to be here today… "
Oh… crap I'm drunk…
Santana thought.
"Let's sing san…"
"Yeah let's sing B!"
Mercedes and Sam sang after, followed by some Quinn's fellows.
After that Puck takes the mic with his classic badass attitude.
"Before I start… I would like to say something… first of all happy birthday Q… I have to say despite being a big moron most of the time I really love you and I want everything that is best and good for you… you really made me a better man and you gave me the most amazing thing in the world although, I work every day to be ready for her… when she come to us… you are totally ready for her… you always were…"
Tears streams from her eyes, despite being a little drunk his words touched her.
"So… now… for those who are not familiar with our relationship… here it goes…"
Quinn smiles at him. She didn't notice Rachel's gaze on her.
The Broadway star is feeling something in her stomach. Like…
Jealous? Why am I jealous?
Then puck starts singing.
You and I go hard at each other like we're going to war
You and I go rough, we keep throwing things and slammin' the doors
You and I get so damn dysfunctional we stopped keepin' store
You and I get sick, yeah, I know that we can't do this no more
He walks towards the blonde.
But, baby, there you go again, there you go again making me love you, uh
Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head let it all go, uh
Now you're stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo, uh
He points the tattoo in the inside part of his bicep.
And now I'm feelin' stupid, feelin' stupid crowling back to you, uh
So I crossed my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
Try to tell you no but my body keeps on telling you yes
He contracts his biceps and she squeezes it.
Try to tell you stop, but your lipstick got me so out of breath
I'll be waking up in the morning probably hating myself
I'll be waking up feeling satisfied but guilty as hell
Meanwhile Rachel watches them fiercely staring. She feels her cheeks burning now. Brittany nudges Santana's ribs and gestures to the singer. Santana smirks.
But, baby, there you go again, there you go again making me love you, uh
Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head let it all go, uh
Now you're stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo, uh
And now I'm feelin' stupid, feelin' stupid crowling back to you, uh
So I crossed my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
Yeah, baby, give me one more night
Yeah, baby, give me one more night
Yeah, baby, give me one more night
Baby, there you go again, there you go again making me love you
Yeah I stopped using my head, using my head let it all go
Got you stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo
Yeah, yeah, yeah
So I crossed my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
So I crossed my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
Quinn is laughing and they hug each other.
"Well that was really didactic…"
"I thought it would be" Puck smirks.
"And thanks puck… not about the song about…"
"I know… I just said the truth…"
"I think I'm gonna sing now!"
Rachel says a little more fiercely that she intended. She takes the mic and goes to the stage with a little difficulty.
Wow… I'm drunk…
"First of all I didn't say I wanted to be the last…"
"Yes you did…" Santana yells.
"Okay… maybe I did… but that's because I'm the best…"
"Always so humble Berry…" The Latina teases.
"I have to confess a thing… I forgot… I forgot that I would be singing; I didn't prepare anything… Sorry Quinn..."
"It's the apocalypse!" Santana laughs. "Berry didn't prepare a solo…"
"But since I'm Rachel fucking Berry… I'm always prepared…" Rachel teases Santana.
"That's my hot Jew!"
"And since Noah brings Maroon 5 to us I think I'm going to go with this… besides I just saw Adam Levine last week… he is so sexy…"
"Are you singing tonight?"
"yes Satan… Anyway… Quinn I just wanna say happy birthday… and that I wish all the happiness in the world to you… now… the song… I always wanted to sing this song but I just did it in the shower… until today…"
She starts singing.
Beauty queen of only eighteen, she
had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her, she
always belonged to someone else
She looks at Quinn shyly.
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times
But somehow, I want more
Quinn feels the same thing she felt that night when Rachel sang to her that Coldplay song.
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
It can't be… she thought.
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
Santana and Brittany look at each other smirking.
Oh my fucking…
Santana thought.
Tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved …
And there she is putting all her emotions in a song. Quinn smiles at Rachel.
I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls
Tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain, oh
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved…
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye…
Quinn is mesmerized as she always gets whenever she sees Rachel performing. The tiny brunette smiles shyly. But feeling the awkwardness she yells.
"Let's party!"
Everybody cheers.
"B…"
"What?"
"What was that?"
"Well… I think things will get interesting…"
"definitively… and I so need to tell Kurt… she is with us a few months and we had more progress that he had in years…"
"I don't think it has something to do with us…"
"Yeah… but he doesn't need to know…"
"cheers for the freaking weekend…"
"I drink to that…"
"Yeah, yeah…"
Rachel and Quinn laugh loudly. They took a taxi. Rachel called Claire and sent her to take Quinn's car. Usually she doesn't do this kind of thing, but she is drunk and so do Quinn.
"I'm so drunk Rachel…"
"I can see that…"
Quinn laughs.
"Did you enjoy your party?"
"Yeah… I liked this part when a tiny brunette went from Chicago just to celebrate with me… She is a singer and she is famous…"
"She must like you then…"
"I think she loves me…"
"Really?"
"yeah…"
"hey Rach…"
"hum?"
"Thank you…"
"For what?"
"Being my friend…"
"We're friends?"
Quinn shakes her head no.
"No?"
She shakes again. Rachel smiles.
"We're kind of friends then?"
The blonde shakes her head one more time.
"We're best friends…"
"Really?"
"Yeah really…"
"Hey Q…"
"Mm?"
"Do you wanna know who my new best friend is?"
"Who?"
"Quinn Fabray!"
"You don't say… Who is she?"
"She is just the prettiest girl I've ever met…"
The blonde grins.
"Let's sleep you silly…"
Rachel smiles. And they help each other up the stairs. While they were walking Quinn thinks about the night.
That was a happy birthday indeed… a very happy birthday…
Puck´s song: One more time (maroon 5)
Rachel's song: She will be loved (maroon 5)