I do not own Glee (I know I keep repeating myself…) or its characters.

I wish I did, though. (I know, I mentioned THAT before as well :-))

Thank you Nicole for your hard work correcting my mistakes and being patient with me for repeatedly misspelling a certain person's name mentioned in this chapter :-)

Chapter 14

It took Rachel forty-five minutes to get to her old apartment. This time, she was a bit more prepared standing on the platform waiting for the train. She anticipated feeling the train coming and just like the day before, the wind picked up and the rumble alerted her of its approach. Again, she tried to stay close to the wall to have everything else in her view.

When she stood in front of her old building, she looked up its façade and found the apartment brightly lit. She knew of Kurt's love for candles; however, that romantic atmosphere made it quite difficult to see the other person's features and gestures for her. So she was glad that he had considered her condition.

When she knocked on the door, it was pulled open immediately as if Kurt had been waiting behind it. He beamed and threw up his arms, wiggling them, waiting for her to step into his embrace.

She hugged Kurt fiercely and held him in a long embrace. She felt his jaw move against the side of her head and her suspicion was correct when she also felt the vibration in his body.

Slowly she pulled back with a smile. "I have no idea whatever you were just saying, Kurt, I'm guessing it was something along the line of 'I am so happy to see you'. Well, I'm happy to see you, too, Kurt!"

It was so Kurt that in all his enthusiasm he would bubble over with joy. She chuckled a bit at his embarrassed look. He covered his mouth in disbelief at his own lapse.

God, Rachel, I am so sorry; I don't know what came over me. And yes. You guessed correctly. I am so happy to see you!

His hands flew through the air and Rachel's jaw dropped. How was that possible? Another person who learned sign language to communicate with her?

Kurt squeezed her into another hug. Then he pulled her inside, took her coat, and guided her to the living room. Rachel turned around to take in the decoration of the flat. It had not changed much, the living room, the kitchen, it was still the same, even the kitchen table with the white mismatched chair was still there. What used to be her bedroom was now turned into a little office and music room with a piano in the middle. The two lamps in the living room were gone; the one with the white lampshade and the one in the corner with the red stand. That one Rachel had never liked much anyway. Otherwise, she felt right at home again.

Turning, she found Kurt smiling at her.

So, what do you think? Still the same?

Yes. Pretty much, she signed back. I feel right at home.

Then she made a sweeping motion down her body.

Enough dress up for my friend that I have not seen for such a long time? She asked with her eyebrow raised.

She wore a black, sleeveless dress with elegant, black boots and a dark lavender colored cocktail jacket.

Yes, I like the color! You look very elegant. Kurt complimented her.

Thanks for wearing … she searched for the correct sign and when she could not remember, she pointed at the hippo brooch that adorned Kurt's jacket.

"…that!" She then added aloud and laughed.

Anything to make you happy. After all, it was your special request!

Kurt himself wore dark grey trousers, a black vest and a black, Asian style jacket with a band collar and hand sewn Chinese coins lining the front edge next to the knot closures. He looked very handsome in this outfit and she told him so.

They settled comfortably on the couch, leaning against the armrests, facing each other.

When did you learn ASL? Rachel did not slow her signing with Kurt as much as she had with Quinn. He had a lot more practice, it seemed.

I started taking lessons when I heard what happened. After I visited you in the hospital. I had asked your dads once how you were. And they told me.

Even though I pushed you away and did not want to see you anymore, you still took the effort to learn? She skipped over his comment regarding her dads.

I had always hoped that maybe one day we would see each other again. Kurt smiled.

"Oh." Rachel lowered her head. She was humbled by the gestures of her friends. She had severely misjudged them. Through her tears threatening to spill, she felt a tender hand on her chin, gently lifting her head so she would face Kurt again. She wiped her eyes so she could see what he was saying.

Rachel, don't berate yourself. I understand. You had to find your way. You had to come to terms with this situation. Let's take it from here, ok?

Rachel nodded a small smile.

So, how are you? Kurt asked with a sincere look, his eyes searching the familiar face, finding the warm, brown eyes of his friend. He had truly missed her.

Rachel raised her hand and dropped it again in her lap, the equivalent of a shrug. Her eyes followed her own hand and she kept her gaze trained to her lap when she tried to answer Kurt's question honestly.

Again, she found it easier to speak than she had expected. If Kurt tried to accommodate her, she could at least give something back.

"It's up and down, mostly. The hardest part is that I sometimes feel like I'm going to explode. I feel this pressure rising in me and have no way of releasing it." She raised her brown eyes. "I need to sing Kurt. I just need to! And I don't know how to handle it. Running on my treadmill only helps temporarily. It just numbs this longing until the exhaustion wears off. I can't keep running for the rest of my life twenty-four seven just to suppress this urge which I know I can never vent!"

Kurt quickly squeezed Rachel's hand before pulling back to sign.

I can understand that Rachel. Is there any way I can help? He sincerely asked.

"Yeah, give me back my hearing!" She sighed. "Sorry. That wasn't fair."

Rachel shook her head. No, you can't help. Not really. I just have to find my own way of dealing with this, I guess. Maybe I'll just become a … She waved her hand through the air in search of an example. … painter. Or I'll start composing, just like that Beethoven guy. Kurt chuckled at her joke. I don't know. I will take you up on your offer to help if I do know, ok?

Then she threw a genuine smile at him. So, how is life in the music and fashion industry?

Not so fast, young lady! We will come to me later and I will ask for a respectable amount of stage time, but I want to know about that secret person you mentioned in your e-mail. Spill, who is it? Someone I know?

He wiggled his eyebrows with his last question and Rachel had to laugh again. God, she had forgotten how much fun Kurt could be.

Though Rachel quickly sobered when she thought about how best to tell Kurt what had happened. Before actually coming to the point where Quinn entered her life again, she had to tell him about the time before. How lost, isolated and downright depressed she had been. So Kurt would understand what meeting Quinn had meant for Rachel.

Since she reverted back to speaking, Kurt was able to hold her hand as a sign of comfort during the not so easy memories of the time when she was released from the hospital, trying to find her bearings - literally - again.

Rachel then told him about how Quinn noticed her by a chance passing by the theater and that she had followed her to the Community Center and what this encounter had set into motion. Kurt had tears in his eyes when she came to the part of Quinn seeing her break down in the hallway when she told Quinn the truth and still the blonde would not let her escape. How she had held her back and had done everything to give her comfort.

It must have been a shock for her too, to realize what had happened. You know, it always takes a toll on the people around you. They have to come to terms with what happened as well, Rachel.

"Yes, well. That is true. But I'd rather have someone dealing with it in an honest and open way than trying to either pretend nothing is wrong or ignore me, because they cannot deal with it. And with my dad's I had the feeling it was worse for them than for me. With Quinn, I don't know, as difficult as it was having her enter my life just like that again, especially under these circumstances, somehow it felt so … As if a missing piece had finally fallen into its place. Do you understand what I am trying to say?" Rachel threw a questioning look at her friend.

Yes, I know. Kurt nodded and gave her knowing smile.

"I don't know what possessed me to agree to go to lunch with her and to have dinner with her, but I could not say no or stay away. Her honesty and caring were so genuine, so heartwarming that despite all my rejections that came up in my head, I had to keep seeing her. She managed to pull me out of my isolation. Reconnecting with someone, well, not someone, with a person that is so important to me made me realize a lot of things about myself. And, well, I guess that also made me look at your messages in another light and finally let me come to my senses."

Rachel prodded on and finally came to the recount of the events of the night before. Remembering one particular scene, she slightly shook her head, still in disbelief that it had actually happened.

What? What happened then? Come on, Rachel, don't torture me here!

Kurt jumped a bit up and down while signing, being so enraptured by her story, his eyes wide with excitement. He had insisted on every little detail. Every detail.

"Well, when she started crying so hard, I rushed over and knelt down in front of her. I was so worried! And then… then…" subconsciously Rachel lifted her fingertips again up to her lips and closed her eyes. "And then she kissed me. On my lips." She threw a glance at Kurt with that revelation.

His jaw dropped and he was too stunned to move or sign.

"Quinn. Fabray. Kissed. You. On. The. Mouth?" Was all he managed to say very slowly.

"Hmhm." She nodded and lifted a questioning eyebrow, waiting for another reaction from her friend. He was rarely speechless, but this stunner must have blocked the word processor in his brain.

Then the ignition seemed to be turned on again and before he caught himself, he exclaimed, with his hand on his heart:

"No way! No way!"

Rachel easily understood his comment by reading his lips. "Yes way. She kissed me. And then she profoundly apologized."

Kurt blinked and lifted his hands again to sign.

You know, I …. Would have expected anything to happen, but not this. This is the most interesting and most incredible story life can write.

"Tell me about it."

And now what? What will you do now? How will you deal with this?

Rachel got up and started pacing the room, trying to collect her thoughts.

"I don't know. My mind is doing cartwheels. There are so many emotions racing through me, I can hardly get a grip on them. Everything is happening so fast. Five days ago I tried to get through each dreaded day, everything was pure routine and I was well organized, having a good check on my emotions. And then, bam -"

She slapped her hands together for emphasis.

"- in one instant everything is turned upside down. Everything I had carefully organized inside of me is blown apart. It had hurt so much when Quinn did not return my calls and did not want to see me anymore. Then the accident happened and I gave up hope completely to ever… reconnect with her."

She took a couple of breaths before she could continue.

"But I never really managed to forget her. I the hell don't know how many times I sang On my own for myself with her on my mind before the accident."

The last sentence slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.

That was the second time Kurt found himself speechless. With effort, he managed to sign:

You what?

Rachel sagged on the couch table, facing Kurt. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. No turning back now.

"At some point I realized that … that Quinn meant more to me than just as a friend. In a way, I was glad that we did not see each other. I don't know how I could have handled my feelings for her with her near me. I never thought she would… I would… we would… I mean, I … she is a woman and …" She rubbed a hand over her forehead.

"Kurt, I am so confused," she whispered, tears starting to spill.

He pulled Rachel over to the couch for comfort and held her close until she calmed down. He could imagine the roller coaster of emotions she was on with everything that was happening to her. When she pulled back, he handed her tissue and smiled encouragingly at her.

Welcome to the club, he signed when he had his hands free again. That comment threw a small smile on Rachel's face before she wrinkled her brows.

What, you are confused as well?

Kurt laughed at Rachel's cute puzzled expression when she asked that question.

You know, give yourself some time. You don't have to rush anything. It will work out, I am sure. I am truly impressed by how Quinn reacted over the past days from what you told me. You also mean very much to her. Her whole demeanor towards you proves that. The Quinn I know, or remember, would not walk around kissing girls lightly. Just take it easy and step by step. But you know, you are not telling me a real secret about your feelings. I guessed it when I saw your face every time after you tried calling her and she would not answer. You looked as if a piece of your heart would break with every unanswered call. That's when my gaydar – he had to fingerspell this – went on first alert. However, I never really thought that something between you and Quinn would happen. He grinned.

"Have I been that transparent? God, I hope I had my face in check while I was with her the other days," Rachel groaned. For the next sentence, she used her hands again, as if to make a point.

Kurt. I am deaf. I am still not anywhere near having sorted out my life. I barely managed to get out of my apartment the past weeks. All my social life for the past 6 months has happened in the last 5 days. I am nowhere near being ready to think about love or a relationship. It just seems crazy in my situation. Especially since Quinn is singing on Broadway.

She added with a bitter expression: I am not sure what she would want with a deaf friend/girlfriend anyway.

Rachel cut the air with her hand to indicate the slash between the two words friend and girlfriend.

Kurt cupped his friend's face gently in both hands and looked her deep into the eyes. When he was sure he had her full attention, he softly let go and formed his answer.

Rachel, stop this wheel in your mind for a while. It will not bring you anywhere near a solution. Give Quinn some credit. Maybe, as hard as it might be, talk to her. Tell her honestly what you feel and what this whole situation does to you. Give her the chance to know what she is dealing with. You felt so helpless when you had no idea what happened to your friendship, when she would not talk to you. I can imagine that she is as confused and insecure now as you are. Stop assuming! And as hard as it might still be, stop depreciating yourself.

Kurt's comment struck home. Wasn't that exactly what she had told herself this morning?

You are still Rachel, you are still witty, funny, beautiful and sexy and intelligent. Don't underestimate yourself. Give yourself and Quinn time to come to terms with this whole situation and everything it entails.

I know. My heart knows that. But it is so hard to stop the machine in my head.

I may have the perfect recipe for that. Let's numb it with some incredible Domino's pizza and some red wine. Ok?

Rachel leaned back, a hand on her grumbling stomach. She laughed, "Ok, my belly says yes to that!"

Kurt chuckled as well, stood up and asked if Rachel wanted to come with him to pick up the pizza. As Domino's was right around the corner, he did not ask for delivery but usually got it himself.

She shook her head.

I'll stay and snoop around while you're gone, she signed with a mischievous grin on her face.

Ok, but the second drawer in the blue cabinet is off limits, Kurt retorted.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Rachel got up as well, made a dismissive hand gesture in Kurt's direction, and teasingly turned towards the mentioned cabinet in the music corner. Over her shoulder, she watched him raise a warning finger and with that, he disappeared through the door. On her way over to the cabinet, she had to pass the piano in the middle of the room. That stopped her in her tracks. She stood for a long moment, not moving, just focusing on the instrument in front of her. Then her feet carried her towards it. Rachel did not know what pulled her over to it, but she tentatively placed her right hand on the smooth surface and walked around it until she stood before the keys, never lifting her hand. She raised the lid with her other hand and watched the lights of the apartment being reflected on the white, shiny keys. She had to ask Kurt when he bought it. She had never seen him play before.

Rachel still had her hand on top of the piano and the other rested unmoving by her side. Slowly, as if it had a life of its own, her left hand moved, hovered over the keys, and then dropped onto the C4. She felt the chord in the instrument reverberate and transmit the sound to the wood beneath her fingertips. She pressed the same key again and closed her eyes. Then she hit the E above, then the G and the C5. The vibrations changed beneath her skin with every note she climbed higher. When she hit an accord of all three notes CEG, the whole piano came alive under her touch.

She played more accords and each sent slightly different vibrations up her arm. Rachel felt temptation rise in her. Slowly she bent forward, still standing in front of the piano and leaned her left elbow on the top of the piano, placing her left hand against her chest at the same time. With her right hand, she played the C4. Remembering the sound of that tone, she started humming. The vibrations racing through the piano were different from the ones she felt in her chest, due to the different sizes of their respective resonating frames. It confused Rachel more than it helped. So she dropped her left arm and just started playing a scale. Her eyes followed the movements of the keys her fingers caused, but without touching the wood, it seemed unreal somehow. She imagined in her mind how the scales had sounded the way she used to play them to warm up. Her fingers kept skipping over the shiny keys.

... ... ...

Kurt pushed the door open and almost dropped the pizza he held in his hand. He already heard the piano in the hallway, but he did not expect Rachel to be sitting in front of it, completely lost in her play, her eyes half closed. Even if it was just scales, she was running up and down, Kurt was more than intrigued. Because Rachel kept humming along.

After a moment, he snapped out of his amazement. Whatever had possessed Rachel to start playing, he felt he should not pry on her unbidden. Kurt stomped his foot on the wooded floor to alert Rachel of his presence. Only after the third time did she noticed. She whirled around with a startled expression on her face as if Kurt had just caught her in doing something completely forbidden. All the color drained from her face.

After Rachel's initial shock had worn off, she swallowed hard.

"Since when are you standing there?" She managed with a choked voice so quiet that Kurt had to strain his ears to hear her.

I heard you humming along with the last two scales.

He simply stated, having placed the two pizza cartons on the kitchen table, his eyes shining unusually bright.

Rachel tried to control her breathing, staring at her friend across the room. She had been so lost in her playing and remembering the warm-ups before her shows that she had not even noticed she had actually sung along. How could that have happened? This was not possible. She did not sing. Or hum. Whatever. Not anymore. God, she was so embarrassed right now that she wanted the earth to open and swallow her whole. With any other person she could have survived this, but not with Kurt. He had always been the most ambitious person pushing himself to perfection right next to Rachel. To have him listen to her croaking along some notes she played on the piano – her playing the piano that in itself was already absurd enough – was just an unbearable thought. She felt like running from the room. Instead, with almost an unbearable effort she straightened her back and lifted her chin.

Then she pointed at the cartons on the table: The pizza is getting cold. I think we should eat. She then signed, clearly not wanting to speak about it further.

Kurt stepped towards Rachel, but she held up a hand and moved back, wanting to keep the distance between them. Kurt stopped. He needed to diffuse this situation somehow. He needed to tell Rachel what he had heard.

Don't… don't be embarrassed Rachel. His gaze softened. You were perfectly in tune.

Rachel just shook her head, denying what her friend tried to tell her.

Honestly, Rachel. You were. Why don't you try again?

"Why don't I…Kurt, I am DEAF, I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF SING. There is no way I'm going to embarrass myself again like that. Just TALKING is already an obstacle for me, always worrying if people understand me and how I sound like. Am I too loud, too quiet, am I articulating myself correctly and so on? How dare you ask me why I wouldn't try to SING again?"

Ironically, her outburst came across perfectly articulated, even with the emphasis on the right words. But Kurt kept his mouth closed this time, understanding the doubts and insecurities Rachel was experiencing.

Rachel could not bear having Kurt tell her that. Even if it were true and even if what Quinn told her was true, that she sounded normal and that she might have hit the right tune just now, it did not matter, it did not count.

Because she would never be sure.

She would never be able to really know for herself.

Her hands started moving.

Let's eat, ok? Let's forget what just happened.

Then she slowly walked towards the kitchen area and started getting the plates out and cutlery from the familiar places, not looking at Kurt and thus conveniently cutting off every further communication for the moment.

Kurt release a long breath, he had half expected one of Rachel Berry's famous storm outs, not knowing how close he came to actually experience one. And he would not even have blamed her. But he was glad that she had decided to stay.

After they ate the first slice in uncomfortable silence, Rachel looked up from her plate and lifted her hands.

I'm sorry Kurt. That was not fair. It was not your fault that you caught me in that situation. That was solely my mistake. I should never have gone near that piano. I have no idea what possessed me.

She reached out a hand and was glad when her friend took it.

"And thank you, actually, for alerting me to your presence and not sneaking up on me."

He shrugged and smiled. It was the only fair thing to do. I did not want to intrude, Rachel. Before he could say more, she cut him off.

"So, tell me what has happened in your life besides learning to sign. And how is Blaine?"

Blaine and Kurt had found their way back together after a three-year separation. Recently Blaine had moved into Kurt's apartment and the last Rachel knew was that there was marriage talk.

Kurt's eyes started to sparkle when Rachel mentioned Blaine's name.

She had been with Kurt through all the ups and downs of his relationship with his former high school sweetheart. Even though both of them, Blaine and Kurt, had other partners during their separation, they could never really forget each other. When Blaine found an engagement with a small theater company in New York two years ago, it was just a matter of time when their paths would cross more than just casually. Kurt still worked as a freelancer for Vogue, reporting on show business fashion. Even though he graduated from NYADA, he still felt a strong kinship with the magazine that helped him set foot and leave an imprint in the Big Apple. Next to his freelancing job, he currently had an engagement in an independent off-Broadway production about a young man finding his way onto the stage in the 1920s, set shortly before the Second World War.

More at ease, they shared the rest of their dinner and the red wine Kurt had promised.

Marriage plans were up and taking form, the ceremony was planned for April in the coming year. Rachel was excited. And she was glad that she had stayed and not let her weak moment ruin the evening.

"You need help planning?" She clapped her hands and grinned at Kurt

Oh yes, you bet! Look!

He jumped up and came back with an armload of magazines, which he dumped between them. Several pages were marked with post-its and he led Rachel through his ideas of locations, settings, decorations, and invitations.

"And? Have you thought about the music?"

She surprised him with that question. Kurt scanned her face searching for any sign of bitterness or contempt. But he only saw honest curiosity. Then he nodded.

Yes. At least I have one song that definitely has to play when I walk down the "aisle", he smirked and put the word aisle in figurative speech marks.

"Let me guess: You're the First, the Last, my Everyone by Barry White?"

His jaw dropped. How did you know? I never ever told anyone before that this was my dream song. I know it is so cheesy – that's why I never told anyone, but… he sighed, leaned back in his chair, placed his hand on his heart and closed his eyes.

Rachel couldn't help but laugh out loud at this, that was so Kurt.

"No, really? Kurt, it's ok, I won't tell. I promise." She giggled feeling the effect of the wine.

He leaned forward poking a finger at his friend.

Good, because otherwise I would have to kill you. I swear! No one will know before the first notes of this song hit the air and I float down the aisle in a dream of a white suit.

Rachel held up a hand and wiggled her little finger. "Pinky Promise!"

"Pinky Promise!" He answered and both smiled.

... ... ...

When Rachel returned to her apartment that night, she could not wipe the smile off her face. She was happy, she felt elated. For the first time since her accident, she was actually content, the little incident with the piano aside. She was glad she had roused the courage to meet Kurt, she was glad about the dinner with Quinn the other night and she was happy that Quinn was coming over for breakfast in the morning. It felt so good to have widened that little hatch in her walls.

She still felt the effect of the wine and remembered faintly that someone had once said alcohol was liquid courage. Well, she had been courageous the past five days without it and was beyond proud of herself. Nevertheless, the wine seemed to have a sleeping effect on the rational, negative voice in her head that always had something to say. She sat at her computer and drafted a message for Quinn. She was not drunk, just a bit tipsy, but that seemed enough to enhance her courage a tad bit more.

Rachel still felt like flying, without security and a net to catch her. The evening with Kurt seemed to give her another upwind under her wings. And that night she was at a point where she decided not think about falling, but about looking forward.

Before she censured her own thoughts and actions, she let her fingers wander over the keyboard, watching the words appear in front of her.

Rachel was not sure how Quinn would react to her words. But she had decided she needed to come clear and lay everything in the open before they both ran too deep into a direction that neither of them wanted or could deal with. Turning back at such a point would hurt much more than now.

She had to take the risk.

... ... ...

Quinn tiredly leaned against the door of her apartment after her show. She had not slept much the night before, her mind always wandering back to the feeling of Rachel's lips against hers. However wrong it might have been at that moment, Quinn still cherished the small kiss she had stolen from her friend. Unsure about the repercussions, she felt a bit uneasy thinking about breakfast the next day. She wanted to see Rachel again so much, but she would not be able to endure it if that foolish action of hers had caused a break in their newfound friendship, now that Rachel had had time to let it sink and think about it.

Also, Quinn was afraid that Rachel still doubted the sincerity of her feelings. And that she might think her disability would lessen Quinn's view of her. Granted, it made things more difficult in terms of communication, especially if it came to conveying their true feelings for each other. But the petite, brown-haired woman had held her heart in her hands for the past years. And Quinn would never want to have it back. It belonged to Rachel. It was hers.

Quinn would stay true to her vow to stick to Rachel's side, even if she decided that she only wanted a relationship solely based on friendship. It would tear Quinn apart, but for Rachel, she would stay strong and learn to come to terms with it. Somehow. This would be Quinn's handicap and she would learn to live with it as much as Rachel learned to live with hers.

Quinn dropped her handbag on the couch next to the door and took off her shoes. Rachel had given her the address already the evening before, so at least now she knew where her friend lived and how to get there. Before going to bed, she wanted to check her e-mail to make sure that Rachel had not called off their Sunday breakfast. That was a fear Quinn could not rid herself off.

When she actually noted that Rachel had sent her a message just mere minutes ago, she prayed that it was something positive. She began reading.

Dear Quinn,

You would not believe it, but I just came back from my old-old apartment where I spent a wonderful evening with Kurt. It was so great seeing him again after almost half a year.

Anyway, I'll tell you the details tomorrow.

Actually, I'm writing to you because I have a request. It might sound trivial, but it means a lot to me. As confused as I still am about what had happened these past days and as hard as it still is coming to terms with everything, I need us to come clear.

About us. About our feelings. About our hopes and expectations.

I would be lying if I said that meeting you and having you back in my life would leave me touches me more than I would like to admit but I have to. Because I cannot go down that road if you tell me half way that this isn't the direction you want to head in.

I know that we cannot look into the future and that we can't plan everything. We will have to take everything step by step, if we choose to.

You mean a lot to me, Quinn. More than I ever thought would be possible. You always have. All those years of not seeing you, I felt incomplete. Something was always missing. I thought it would fill me up if I had the perfect engagement, but even then I noticed that it was not what I did for a living, it was not singing and performing, but it was you who made me whole. And as hard as it is for me being deaf, I feel that you managed to give me back some of my life. That is the most precious gift someone can receive. I would always choose you over my voice, Quinn, if I had to.

Let's face it, if you had still seen me healthy and happy performing on stage, I might still be waiting for you to ever contact me again. Our paths might not have crossed had I not been on my way to the community center in that part of town where I moved to after my accident.

And if that was the price I had to pay to see you again, I can learn to live with it.

I know that these words carry a heavy responsibility. And I understand that responsibility can only be taken voluntarily. I do not want you to feel burdened with my handicap and me. I appreciate all you have done so far. I do not know if I would be able to act so wisely, thoughtful, kind and generous with you had the situation been reversed.

If we both decide we want each other in our respective lives, I need to know where you stand. And I need you to be completely honest with me. No beating around the bush and no sugarcoating. If you want out, then I ask you to back out now. Without regrets or guilt. I mean it. You have managed to make me open up to the world again. At least I've started to. If you should decide that this is all getting too much for you, I don't want you to feel responsible for me or have any false liabilities towards me.

Talk to me and be honest with me. I can deal with that. But not with false hopes and silence.

Rachel

Quinn was stunned by the words Rachel had directed at her. She had to read the message another time to grasp the depth it conveyed. Asking for Quinn's honesty, Rachel had displayed brutal honesty herself. She had laid her finger on the wound.

Quinn also had no idea where they were heading. The only thing she knew was that over the past few days she never wanted and did not want to back out now. As much as she meant for Rachel, Rachel meant for her.

They were each other's life. Simple as that.