Disclaimer: I do not own Glee
Chapter 6:
The right Place.
"I have to think of something really nice to give to you on your birthday."
Quinn is lying on the couch with her head on Rachel's lap while the brunette is eating a carton of ice cream as they are watching TV. The blonde looks at the bracelet on her wrist fondly.
"You don't have to… but I won't stop you."
Quinn looks up to meet Rachel's eyes as the brunette has a smile plastered on her face.
"So what we're gonna do today… it's Friday after all…" Rachel licks the spoon.
"No way! You'll keep your ass right here… we won't leave this house."
"But Quinn…"
"No But. And give me more ice cream."
"I thought you didn't want to ruin your diet."
"I'm not on a diet, I just don't like to exaggerate. I like to be in shape."
"Pluh-ease… you have an amazing body. I-I always was a little intimidated because of it; you know… at school…" She clarifies and Quinn laughs amused.
"Come on Rachel, you're perfect, you have a great body." Quinn clears her throat "I mean… you had no reason to be intimidated."
"I had not? Rupaul, manhands, hobbit… midget… is a very big list."
"Yeah… very big… as much as my jealousy."
"You envied me…" Rachel rolls her eyes. "Yeah, right…"
"Yes… and I've already told you that."
"I know, and I used to say that to myself, I mean I needed something that could keep me from feeling down all the time, but you saying this, I don't know it's… you were always perfect and sometimes I wonder, why would you envy me?"
"Me? Perfect? Please… I got pregnant at sixteen, I cheated and I'm pretty sure I was a bitch in almost my entire high school career. So…"
"You weren't…" Rachel assures and Quinn frowns. "Not all the time… and not in your entire high school career… and besides if I remember well you became friends with Rachel Berry… so… you must have done something good."
"Yeah… that's a pretty good story but you forgot that when I went to college."
"Okay… moving on… here, eat…"
Rachel gives Quinn a spoon full of ice cream. And then she gives one more. And one more.
"Stop it!"
Quinn shakes her head and closes her mouth as Rachel is giggling.
"Do you want me to get fat?"
"A small spoonful of ice cream won't make you fat… stop being neurotic."
"That's what Lucy used to think."
Those words just come out of her mouth. It is more like a whisper. But Rachel hears.
"First of all, you are Lucy… stop-"
"I am not… and I don't want to talk about that." Quinn cuts Rachel off.
"Stop talking about yourself in third person and yes I know… we never talk about that; but we will; and you will listen…" Rachel says firmly.
"Rachel…"
"No, you're my friend and I love you; and even if I risk losing what we have now I will say it…"
"You won't lose me."
"Great… because I won't shut it down… I know everybody else does and I know you are a reserved person." She sighs."I should've said something when Lauren brought that up but I was too concerned about myself and my nose dilemma… Lucy, Quinn, it doesn't matter, although I have to say, I'm used to calling you Quinn."
Quinn smiles at that.
"You changed your appearance, your nose, your hair, your body… but to me…"
Rachel strokes the blonde's hair, never breaking their gazes.
"I meant it when I said you were much more than a pretty girl, but you didn't become a pretty girl… because you were always a pretty girl."
Quinn was about to say something but Rachel cuts her off.
"You were… don't argue with me, but you became what you used to fear… yeah you became a bitch and a bully… but I still could see your good side sometimes… I know; I didn't know you when you were… well Lucy…"
Rachel rolls her eyes.
"And we never talked about that part of your life… but I think I already met her somehow… all this years that you and I have shared together and that we've become closer and closer… you've shown me somehow; I think… every time you laugh of my jokes or when you're reading or when you're wearing your sexy glasses."
Quinn giggles bashfully.
"Or when you do something that I thought the old version of Quinn would never do… like being my friend."
"Yeah… about that, what was I thinking?"
"You were thinking that I'm amazing."
"You're so fucking humble."
"Language please."
"Rachel, you curse when you're drunk."
"Exactly…when I'm drunk."
"Fine… sorry."
"And also when I'm having sex."
Quinn sits up and raises her arms in the air.
"I didn't need to know that."
"What? Can't we talk about sex?" Rachel asks annoyed.
She turns to face Rachel astonished.
"I mean, don't you talk about sex with your other girlfriends?"
"I-I yeah… I mean it's always funny with Britt, it always gets a little too much with Santana. I think it's more acceptable with jenny…"
"Who is jenny?"
"Jenny, my friend? As in Jennifer Collins… she is in the show, remember?"
Rachel nods annoyed.
"Yeah right I forgot… so… you can talk about sex with Santana but not with me?"
"It's not that…"
"What is it then?"
Quinn bites her bottom lip eagerly.
"Never mind… as I was saying… I want to know more about you Quinn; I mean, about your past. I really would love to know more about Lucy, which means to know more about you…"
"Okay… I think I can do that…"
Rachel smiles happily.
"That's great! I really thought you would push me away."
"I would never…"
Rachel glares at her and Quinn grimaces knowingly as the doorbell rings.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"No…"
"Go get that…I need to pee."
Rachel stands up carton in hand as Quinn goes toward the door. Puck is standing outside.
"Puck?"
"Hi there…"
"Why didn't you come in as usual?"
"You're not living alone anymore… I wanted to be polite."
Quinn arches a brow.
"Okay… I forgot my key… but that doesn't matter!"
He goes inside with a grin on his face. They get in the living room together.
"I have some news…" He finally bursts out.
"What news?" Quinn is concerned.
"It's a good one… don't worry."
She releases a loud breath.
"Okay… here it goes… first of all, I would like to thank you; I mean for your support and… you know… you paid some of my bills when I was broke, it used to happen a lot specially when we lived together. You paid my screenplays workshops and you gave me my car, which is cool and very expensive, but more important, you believed in me, you never let me settle with the jobs I got."
"Puck just spit it!"
"I got it!"
"You mean…?"
"Yeah! My script! I sold it! And wait for it… twenty century Fox!"
"Oh my God! Puck! That's amazing!"
"Of course I couldn't without your help and your contacts."
"Nonsense… your script is amazing, now come here."
They hug each other in the moment Rachel gets back.
"Who is…?" Rachel stops mid sentence as she notices Puck's presence.
They turn to the brunette.
"Oh… hi Puck… I'm sorry I interrupted."
What's this feeling… now what? Can't she hug anyone anymore? Will you get this way every time?
"Don't be silly, come here… I want to tell the good news to you too."
Rachel looks to Quinn searching for a clue. The blonde is grinning happily.
"You're looking at the newest Hollywood screenwriter!"
"What? How? Oh my God Puck! That's amazing!
"Yeah!"
"I'm going to hug you now."
She smiles her big smile and then hugs him. Quinn gets thoughtful.
Your interactions have been always strange to me…
The blonde shakes her head and focuses on the two Jewish in her living room.
"Details… I want details…"
Rachel claps with excitement.
"So… I would like to propose a toast."
Puck is standing on his spot and surrounded by his friends as they are at a fancy restaurant.
"I know I used to throw incredible parties."
"I wouldn't know you never invited me." Rachel mumbles as she pouts.
"That's inacceptable! Noted… and I will redeem myself… I promise." He winks at her. "well, my point is; yes we could have a party and get drunk and all, but right now I just want to enjoy the company of my friends and my family."
He looks at Jacob and Marley.
"So… I know it's not a Tony but I think my script deserve to be celebrated."
"Of course it does Noah! And I'm very proud of you… and I really agree with you… no parties… just us… so, everybody raise your glasses! To Puck!" Rachel says animatedly.
"To Puck!" They all say.
"Oh my God you are already like those boring screenwriters that lock themselves in their apartments, usually listen melancholy music and act blasé all the time, never going to a party." Santana teases him.
"Hey! I'm still puck! The badass guy who slept with the three hottest cheerios of McKinley high."
"Yeah… right." Santana frowns.
"Santana it's just teasing you Puck… congratulations… so… will you give Quinn a role?"
"He doesn't have to… besides he sold his script it's not like he will direct it."
"Well… I really want to do it someday, but answering your question Mercedes… yes I will… it was one of my conditions."
"What? Puck, you didn't have to."
"I wrote it thinking about you as the leading lady… so, it's already arranged."
"Well… I think I will be more comfortable if I do the audition."
"Okay… but as I said it's already settled, besides they really liked the idea of you doing it."
"You will be good Quinn… as always." Rachel smiles at the actress.
"I think I will try a role too… you guys know I love syfy and it's my bro's movie… which is awesome and I already told you that."
"Totally! You have to do it Sam! Remember that time?"
Sam laughs carefree as he remembers the time he and Brittany pretended they were in a syfy movie.
"Please Britt as I could forget that."
They start laughing together completely oblivious to Santana narrowed eyes.
"Okay, okay… enough… What I've told you guys? No old romantics memories in my presence… actually, it's better if you guys never do it, right? Mercedes?"
"They are only friends Santana."
"Okay, I must say that I think you are a very hypocritical person Santana; you screwed everyone at this table."
Rachel looks at Quinn. The actress averts the brunette's eyes.
"Well… except me and Mercedes" She says petulantly. "And obviously Marley and Jacob too" She adds "And you guys are friends."
"Are you complaining? You wanted me to fuck you too?"
"What? No!"
"Come on… junior year?"
"What about junior year?"
"I told you I took Finnon… well… Finn's virginity and you stared at me as you wanted me to take yours."
"I Didn't!"
"What are you talking about S?" Quinn says tensely as her jaw clenches.
"Only that if was berry instead of you in that wedding day or night whatever, it would've been a lot easier for me... to seduce her. I mean, that's something because you were very easy that night."
"Take that back or you will regret!" Rachel exclaims in a contained anger.
"Take what back Berry?"
"Girls!" Puck tries to stop them.
"I am not easy and neither Quinn!"
"Yeah, you're right you're not… if you were I wouldn't get what you wanted first than you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rachel raises her voice a little.
The restaurant's security is already watching them.
"Yeah because you're so blind and so self centered that you can't see anything around you!"
"Enough! Rachel, just stop." Quinn turns to Santana. "What are you doing? Are you possessed or something?"
"I-I…"
"San, can I talk to you?"
Santana sighs. She always does whatever Brittany wants. They stand and go toward the Bathroom. As soon as they get inside Brittany press Santana's back on the restrooms stall and kisses her fiercely.
"Not that I am complaining." Santana says between kisses. "But why are we making out?"
"What you mean? Do we need a reason to do that?"
Brittany starts kissing her neck.
"Of course not. It's just that I thought… well I thought we were about to fight. I thought you were mad or something."
Brittany pulls away thoughtful.
"I am."
Santana kisses her and they start making out again. The dancer puts her hands on Santana's stomach and pushes her girlfriend away.
"I am mad… it's just that you're so hot in this dress."
"So… let's fuck in the bathroom… you know… like old times."
"Tempting… but no, I brought you here to talk."
"B…"Santana whines.
"I know what you were doing there… just stop it."
"Berry started it."
"San…"
"They are so fucking infuriating… and you were there; she always throws that night on my face… you know that… like she is mad or something."
"Well… I got mad when I found out."
"Exactly!"
Brittany looks confused.
"You are my girlfriend… you can be mad at me because of that."
"I'm not anymore though…" She shrugs. "Quinn is pretty hot."
"I know right? And I was single… and it was ages ago, but Berry…" She sighs audibly.
"She is still mad."
"She is fucking jealous!"
"Yeah… but please promise me that no matter what she or Quinn say or do you will not try anything."
"Like what?"
"Like try making them see what is pretty obvious for us."
"Okay… I promise… can we fuck now?"
When they return, the table is already full of joy. Jacob is talking excitedly with his brother and Rachel is doing one of her monologues while Marley pays attention in every word she says as it is the most amazing thing in the world. But Marley isn't the only one fondly staring at the singer although Quinn's eyes are more than just an admirer's eyes.
So… fucking obvious…
Santana thinks.
"Well… Rachel, Quinn I want to apologize… I don't know what happened. I think snixx possessed me; and I'm sorry Puck I didn't mean to ruin your celebration."
"You couldn't ruin it… nothing would ruin my night. Besides, you guys fighting it's kind of nostalgic… and hot."
"So Rachel… can you forgive me?"
"God blesses Brittany and her magic powers… not everybody can soothe Santana…" Mercedes teases.
"Yeah right… magic powers." Quinn whispers.
"Although I do have magic powers, I didn't really need them, all I have to use was my fin-"
Brittany is silenced by Santana's hand pressed against her mouth.
"Anyway… Berry?"
"You know how I am… I can't be mad at you."
"Yeah because you're totally hot for me."
"Don't push me."
The night proceeded without any other disturbance. They drank, talked about their lives, and enjoyed each other's company. Artie called Puck to congratulate him and apologize for his absence. In the end Rachel insisted that she would pay the bill in the name of the arts.
"Home sweet Home… there's nothing like our home right?"
Rachel smiles at the blonde's statement.
"Yeah… about that… my assistant told me that she just found the perfect house for me and that's something because Claire it's very rigid. And I talked to my manage."
Quinn looks disappointed.
"That's…uh… that's great…let's sleep… you need to rest you'll travel tomorrow."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes… why?"
"You seem…"
"It's just that I… I don't know; I got used to you living here."
Rachel smiles fondly at her friend.
"I know… but hey, I will be very close. It's not like when I was in New York."
You literally moved on pretty well Miss Berry… what a friend you are…
Rachel gets pale and Quinn notices the change in her demeanor.
"What's wrong?"
"I just realized what a terrible friend I am."
"What? You're not… why are you saying that?"
"Here I am celebrating, happy and I completely forgot about Kurt and the others…Kurt… my best friend." She says dramatically as she pokes her chest with her fingers.
"Rach, I'm pretty sure they miss you… because who wouldn't? But I know they understand. And no, you're not a terrible friend, you are awesome."
Rachel hugs her happily.
"Okay… now let's sleep." She says at ease.
"Thank you guys! Thank you very much Boston! Wow! That's was an incredible night…maybe the best since I started the tour. And I definitely will be back! Love you all! Bye!"
After her good byes Rachel goes toward her dressing-room, leaving her loud audience.
"Thanks Claire."
Rachel takes the bottle of water that her assistant offers to her. Moments later her producer enters in the dressing-room.
"Wow! That was a great performance!" He shouts animatedly.
"I know! It was awesome today! The audience and everything… was even better than Chicago, and I loved Chicago!"
"You were great… I mean… you seemed comfortable and happy."
"Well I am…"
"I came here to say congratulations and to remember you that you have a meeting with David Letterman, which means we have to flight to New York in the morning."
"She is a Broadway star a Tony winner her debut album is already among the top sellers of the year please welcome the lovely Rachel Berry!"
David calls her to the stage. The audience cheers. She greets him and sits in the iconic chair with her big smile plastered on her face.
"So Rachel, tell me about the tour."
"It's great! Amazing! You know, I always loved to be on stage… sometimes it is exhaustive, but the fans are always so lovely and I love them… I have to say I'm loving it. It's different from Broadway but I'm loving every moment of this tour."
"About that… will you come back to Broadway someday?"
"Yes of course! Broadway is my number one Passion! And I love New York…and my friends that live here of course, Kurt is here with me."
She beams excitedly, still on cloud nine for being on the show.
"Are you enjoying living in L.A?"
"I am, although technically because of the tour I am more away from home than at home…but yes I'm enjoying."
"You are living with a friend am I right?"
"Yes… Quinn is an old friend."
"Quinn Fabray… for our audience to get aware."
"Yes… Quinn Fabray, From CP."
"What?" David Laughs followed by the audience.
"It's how we call the show… you know, "Choosing paths""
"We?"
"The fans."
He laughs again and this time Rachel laughs too.
"I'm very addicted… I can't wait for the second season."
"But how does it work? I heard that you guys hated each other in high school."
She laughs hard crossing her legs that are practically in full display as her dress is very short and sexy.
"Oh my God! Where did you hear that? No… I never hated Quinn."
"But she hated you?"
"I don't think so… we did have problems though; she was kind of… well, she was a bitch."
The audience laughs again.
"Oh my God she'll kill me!"
"And you said she didn't hate you." He mocks.
"I think it was more like teenage stuff… you know how teenagers can be evil… and she was a cheerleader."
"Seriously? I have to invite her here."
The audience and Rachel laughs together.
"So it's all cool… the living together part?"
"Yes it is, but I'm moving next month. I found a house; I mean my assistant found it… it's lovely."
"So, you're leaving New York for good?"
"Apparently…" She pouts dramatically. "But I will be back…"
"Do you need me for something else?"
"No Claire thanks…"
As soon as Claire leaves Rachel takes her phone. Santana have texted her to inform that they needed to have a phone conference.
The Latina answers Rachel's call and puts her phone on speaker; she is with Quinn and Brittany.
"Hello girls!"
"Hi Rach!" Quinn and Brittany say together.
"Okay… let's skip the sappy shit and move to the important things."
"Happy to talk to you too Satan."
"Whatever…"
Rachel laughs missing her girls already.
"Okay… there's something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong Rach… it's just that me, Britt and S wants to do something for your birthday, we just need to know if it's okay."
"About that… I was thinking, my dads are going to visit me… I mean… they wanna see my new house. They called me yesterday after David Letterman and I didn't even sign the papers yet."
"And you shouldn't. You have to see the house first Rach…"
"Claire said I'm gonna love it and I trust her, but don't worry Quinn I won't do anything rash, anyway… my dads… they are coming to my birthday so, I think that maybe it will ruin your plans."
"Of course not Rach… we still will celebrate your birthday. If you want to of course."
"Well… that will make me very happy Quinn… thanks."
"You're welcome… now… David Letterman…"
Rachel laughs. She can't escape that right?
Rachel loved the house. It was beautiful and big and of course expensive. The best part is that the house is close to Quinn's house. She moved really fast despite Quinn's warnings that she didn't need to rush. One week before her birthday and she was already in her new home.
"Can't wait for that… okay… see you daddy… love you too."
Rachel is very excited with her dads visit as she really misses them.
"Tell dad I love him…bye daddy!"
Rachel takes her IPad and goes to her bed. She usually doesn't like gossip or gossip magazines. But something caught her attention. The title is:
Is Quick Back?
To illustrate the news there is one photo from Quinn and Puck leaving a restaurant.
He says she is the best actress of this new generation that she's beautiful. She teases him all the time: says he smells bad, do not bathe, but at the same time, says he is very handsome and that he is beautiful inside. Noah is the newest Hollywood screenwriter and Quinn is an actress with a promising future. They already dated before and apparently they can't be apart from each other.
Rachel huffs then she tosses the IPad away. She goes to the kitchen to drink water and calm herself down, even though she knows she shouldn't be this way because of a gossip.
Moments later Quinn arrives.
"Hi there!" The blonde smiles as Rachel opens the door.
"Hi… come in."
The blonde is surprised by Rachel uncharacteristic behavior.
"What's wrong?"
"You've had sex with Noah?"
Quinn's jaw dropped with the unexpected question.
"w-what? Why? You already know that? Remember? Beth…"
"I meant lately."
"No…and where is this coming from?"
"You guys are dating?"
"What?"
Rachel takes her phone, searches for the news she had read before and when she finds it she shows Quinn.
"Wow… you seriously believed in that?"
"You guys are pretty close… I just wanted to know."
"Don't you think you would know? If we were together again?"
"I guess."
"It's something wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You seem upset about it which is strange because if I remember correctly you encouraged me to be with him, senior year that day in the bathroom."
"Yes I did." Rachel mumbles upset.
Stupid me… wait what? What am I saying? Quinn is right I should be happy for her they have a bond, they have Beth… but I'm so glad they're not together… what? oh fuck!
"So… why are you … like this?"
"Nothing… it's just that, I thought you were keeping something from me."
Quinn archers a brow. She is not sure she is buying it. She is felling that thing in her stomach again.
But she it let go. For now.
"So… your dads?"
"They should be here any minute."
"You won't pick them up? I mean, at the airport?"
"I asked Claire to send someone. I know it sounds insensitive but I wanted to avoid the paparazzi."
"Sure… I just asked because I thought you would be eager to see them and you're Rachel Berry so…"
Rachel smiles.
"I intended to go … but it was their idea actually."
Moments later Rachel's dads arrive.
As soon as they cross the front door Rachel runs to them. Hiram the taller father lifts her in the air.
"Baby girl!"
"Daddy!"
He puts Rachel back to the ground.
"Don't I get a hug too?" Leroy pouts.
"Of course Dad!"
"Divas…" Hiram grumble.
Quinn watches the scene in front of her with adoration. She is sure she should be embarrassed or uncomfortable because that is a very intimate moment but she is not. The feeling in her stomach is back and she can't help but smile. All she can think is that she is exactly where she should be.
"Hi there!" Hiram goes toward the blonde.
Quinn stretches her hand.
"That's not how the Berrys do…"
Hiram hugs her tight.
"Daddy! She is not a Berry."
That's weird… so what? You're sad because you're not a Berry? What the hell Fabray!
"She is a Fabray… the Fabrays are a little bit different."
"You're being polite Rachel." Quinn states playfully.
"Sorry about my husband behavior… as they are aware… I'm the one with the good manners and as you will notice all Rachel's politeness and extensive vocabulary she got from me."
"Yeah… as all the Diva stuff too." Hiram adds mockingly.
Leroy pouts.
"And the pout too." Hiram points at her husband lips.
"You love my pout." Leroy says petulantly.
"Yes I do…"
"Dads! No PDA… you will embarrass Quinn."
"No, it's okay Rach…"
"So baby girl will you show us the house?" Hiram asks.
"I thought you would never ask!"
The three Berrys leaves the living room. They didn't notice a certain blonde grinning from ear to ear in utter bliss.
"Quinn!" Rachel yells. "Are you coming?!"
"Yeah!"
She is definitively in the right place…