Just to be on the save side, I rate this chapter M.

Glee is not my own, Quinn, Rachel and the rest of the official Glee characters also do not belong to me.

… I am slowly but surely running out of different ways to write this disclaimer …

I apologize for the wait for this update.

Thank you again for following my story so far!

Chapter 17

Quinn had to leave Rachel on that Sunday a little after lunchtime to get ready for her afternoon show. Unfortunately, she also had a very busy schedule the following week. She had to prepare and rehearse for a special concert performance in addition to the usual schedule of her musical. This left her and Rachel in the unsatisfied situation of missing each other unbearably, because they were not able to spend much time together.

However, neither Quinn nor Rachel could go through the day without having any kind of contact. Preferably, physical skin-to-skin contact, but text messages or a Skype conversation had to suffice for the time being. That was especially hard for Rachel, since for her, physical contact had also become a very important means to connect and communicate with Quinn. It did not compensate her loss of hearing, but at least it provided the possibility to bond on another level with her. Texting or Skyping robbed Rachel of an important emotional layer. For her, this way of communicating was only two-dimensional, whereas having Quinn sitting in front of her, holding her, touching her, gave her a complete three-dimensional picture. This way she had at least the chance to pick up vibes, thoughts, and feelings consciously and unconsciously emitted through her lover's body language.

Quinn could at least listen to her voice when they were talking to make up for the missing physical nearness. That advantage eluded Rachel.

The following Monday passed by in a blur for Quinn, in the evening she could hardly hold her eyes open to Skype with Rachel. Seeing her beautiful, brown-haired girlfriend on the other side of the screen, gave her back some energy though. She managed to tickle a laugh out of Rachel with her tale of a small but funny misfortune one of her cast members experienced when his costume caught fire. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Rachel remembered a similar story and recounted it, totally surprising Quinn with it. It was the first time she ever mentioned something from her time on Broadway. And it was a really comical story which caused Quinn to laugh out loud until she had to catch her breath. Rachel had to laugh with her which perked both their spirits up a bit. Though as the excitement ebbed away, the actress noticed her exhaustion coming back full force.

Even though Rachel persisted after a while that Quinn used the chat window to type and not bother with ASL, Quinn would not hear anything of it. Only when Rachel had to ask for the third time what Quinn was trying to tell her, she succumbed, even though she could not fight the feeling that she was disappointing Rachel. And Rachel on the other hand somehow missed seeing the slender hands form the words for her. The conversation took on a static atmosphere. Rachel watched Quinn type her answers and somehow this was even less personal than when they were conversing via paper and pencil.

It was not satisfying for either of them. They soon bade their good nights, throwing some kisses through the line until finally logging off, both feeling a bit unhappy and sad.

As if they were out of sync somehow.

Tuesday dragged along and even though Quinn had to run from one appointment to the next, she felt like time stood still when it came to wishing it were already Friday so she could have a breather and some quality time with Rachel. The whole week seemed to stretch out in front of her and she desperately tried to rake her brain how to shorten the time until she could really see her girlfriend again.

She grabbed her phone when she was in a cab driving from the theater to the concert hall on the other side of the city for the next run through of their song list. Her fingers flew over the keys.

Hey beautiful, how are you? I was just thinking of you (as I did for the past 1000 moments) and wanted to send you some love through the line! Love you! miss you!
Quinn

One minute later, another message followed the previous one.

Still missing you. Very. Horribly. Crazily. Can I take a shirt from you next time I have to leave you?

Another moment later: Is that creepy?

Impatiently, she waited for an answer from Rachel, only then remembering that she was in her ASL class. Quinn had to reschedule hers to the afternoons and even then was only able to take two lessons that week, which annoyed her immensely.

For the first time since the start of her career as a singer, she felt that her life was scheduled and steered by everyone around her but herself. It had not disturbed her much all these past years. That was just the way it was in this line of business. If you wanted to succeed, you had to make yourself available. And that meant being on call twentyfour-seven for any opportunity that arose, at least in the beginning until you had managed to establish yourself and were recognized by the critics and decision makers.

There was nothing wrong with having this additional concert scheduled per se. Quinn actually was quite excited about the extra opportunity as it gave her further exposure and another leverage for her career. However, she was so not looking forward to this next session momentarily. Now that she had a large part of her heart facing another direction, it was hard to follow the usual business routine. It was not that she did not love her profession anymore. It just was not the sole reason Quinn lived for anymore.

The other "reason" that caused Quinn to wake up with a smile on her face every day of the past week finally managed to send an answer to her previous text messages.

It's not creepy. As long as you don't want any used underwear, I guess I can spare one of my shirts :-).
Miss you too. Feels like I haven't seen you in weeks. Is it really only one and a half days?
R U already at the concert rehearsal?

On my way there. How long will you be awake tonite? Can I call you on Skype?

I'll stay awake until you call, Quinn :-). Hope the rehearsal goes well!
R.

Quinn's phone buzzed again just after she read the last message.

I want something from you, too! You choose what would best console me in your absence.
Rachel, (pouting and grumpy)

I would be best to console you! Wish I could clone myself. Next time I'll leave something of me with you!
Well, actually you already have my heart. Now I really have to think hard on what else I can give you :-). Gotta go. Talk to you later!

Then she quickly sent another message on its way.

Ugh, this is so absurd. I want to be with you! Now! I want to see you, feel you, hear you, love you!
Instead I am sitting in a cab driving in the opposite direction. Life is not fair.
Quinn, also pouting and being grumpy. Let's found "Grumpy-Club" :-)

Haha Quinn, let's do! We'll be Grumpy Old Women! We can join Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.
Or we will be like Waldorf and Statler from the Muppet show.
R.

I'd rather be Miss Piggy and Kermit, at least they got to kiss once :-). Talk to you later!
Big hug!
Q.

With a heavy heart, she bagged her phone and exited the cab after paying the fare. She had to find a way to get some hours off this week to see Rachel. After some haggling with her musical director and applying a small white lie about a family emergency, she managed to reschedule her rehearsal from Thursday night to Friday morning, as there was only a run through of two of her songs arranged without the other singers. So she actually managed to arrange some free time.

Gleefully, her mind already set to plan on how to surprise Rachel. Oh, she would be so happy if she showed up at her doorstep and spend the whole evening with her. Maybe they could cook something together – and actually eat it.

Quinn rushed through her rehearsal and even though her mind kept wandering to the upcoming Thursday, she seemed to have satisfied her director since he let her and the other musicians go home half an hour early.

Quinn rushed out of the building and jumped in the next best cab that passed by.

….

Rachel sat in front of her computer and waited for the little Skype signal to blink. She willed it from its static existence to indicate that someone was calling, and that someone not being one of her dads. However, as hard as she stared at it, nothing happened.

She calculated the hours of how long Quinn would probably be busy and how long it would take her to get home. Well, then she would probably want to take a shower, maybe also eat something…

"Ugh," Rachel jumped up and was disgusted with herself for being so needy. She had more time to spare and for her it was a bit frustrating having to share Quinn with other people, namely Broadway staff and Carmen. And she guessed that Quinn would also want to see the one or other friend besides her in the near future.

Why was it so damn hard not being with her, not seeing her, not talking to her? She turned back to her laptop. Still no call.

Then Rachel noted out of the corner of her eyes that the light above the entrance started flashing. Eagerly she opened the door and her face fell.

Dad? Instinctively her hands started talking while her voice stayed mute. What are you doing here?

Hiram hugged his daughter after stepping inside and dropping a small bag by the door.

I was here on a spontaneous business trip and the last flight back was canceled. I have a room in a hotel close by, but I wanted to say hello quickly. I saw the light was still on, so I figured you'd still be awake.

It was not so easy to understand what her dad was saying. He paused a lot between the words. But Rachel managed to piece together the main message of what he was trying to tell her. Rachel nodded as a reaction to his last statement.

She was torn between being happy to see her dad and the need to get back to her laptop. She just could not miss Quinn's call. Not being able to hear the chime, she would have to turn around and keep an eye on the screen, which was on the other hand very impolite towards her dad.

Hiram seemed to sense her tension.

Are you ok? Am I disturbing?

Compared to Quinn's signing, Hiram's was a bit clumsier. And compared to the short time Quinn had to learn, she found it hard not to be disappointed again at the lack of her parent's effort. Even one of her friends had decided to learn her language without even knowing if he would ever have the possibility to use it with her. Was she being unfair? But after learning how much consideration Quinn had Kurt had shown her she was a bit spoiled.

Finally she came around to answer her dad's question.

No. I … I am waiting for a call.

Have you heard from Quinn again?

Rachel was surprised how quickly her dad made the connection. Or was it just a coincidence?

She desperately tried to not look too guilty. She had not told her dads about their relationship yet. And that was nothing she would want to do in passing. She needed to sit down with them in order to explain what had happened between her and Quinn.

Thinking about Quinn made her smile again.

Hiram noticed the change in his daughter. Just like last time when he saw her through the computer camera, there was something different about her. Rachel seemed happier, not as brooding and depressed anymore. Mentioning Quinn made her eyes sparkle. It was as if a light had been switched on.

Rachel noticed that she had not answered her dad's question yet.

Yes, I have. It's a long story, but we are…. staying in contact, she lamely explained, trying to get the pictures out of her mind where 'contact' meant more than writing messages or Skyping. She thought of lip contact, skin contact, any physical contact. And there were definitely no clothes in those pictures either.

She threw a quick glance at the computer. Just then her mobile lit up. Quickly she grabbed it, opening the text message, completely forgetting her dad still standing by the door.

Hey Sweet! I am just on my way back. Please forgive me, I will not be able to call you tonite.
Please forgive me. I am completely wasted, have to try to stay awake in the cab.
Quinn, who loves you so incredibly much feeling very lonely and lost not talking to you today.

Utterly disappointed, Rachel typed a quick answer. She had to work hard not to let her face show all the emotions that raced through her.

Sure. Sleep tight! Have a good rest and talk to you in the morning.
Love you, too.

She pressed send and tried to ignore the pang in her heart and the little doubts crawling up her spine. No, Quinn was just incredibly busy and she could understand that after such a schedule, bed was the only thing that she needed.

Still, one little talk? A minute would have been enough. Well, not really. But compared to this text message, anything would have been better. She could not shake her disappointment off; it sank deep into her stomach. They had not seen each other for two days now and today they did not even have the possibility to talk. Rachel fought the urge to send another message, writing what she really felt. That would leave Quinn probably just feeling guilty and that was not what Rachel wanted either.

An arm wrapping around her shoulder made her jump.

"Jesus, dad, why do you keep doing this? Why is it so hard for you and daddy to just show some consideration? Can't you just once imagine how it must be for me not being able to hear you approaching and suddenly being grabbed from behind?" She shouted at Hiram who was taken aback by the vehement reaction of his daughter.

She had rarely raised her voice and shouted at either one of them for as long as he could think back. But ever since the accident he had the feeling that their close bond had raptured. He had no idea how to approach her anymore, how to comfort her, what to do to show her they cared, that they still loved her. The more they tried the harder she pushed them away.

Rachel saw the hurt in her dad's eyes and felt a little guilty.

Sorry, I should not have shouted at you. She sighed, looking at her own hands, then dropped them.

"I think we need to talk about some things. Only… tonight is not such a good time. I'll come home for Hanukkah, I promise. Then we can sit down and discuss a few things, okay?" She tried to plaster an honest smile on her face for Hiram's benefit.

It did ease the worry on his face a little, but she could see in his eyes that there was a deeper hurt and confusion, which could not be charmed away so easily. Nevertheless, he gave in.

All right, Rachel. I worry about you, I care about you. Please don't take that the wrong way. I am just trying. So is Leroy.

'Try harder,' Rachel thought but did not say it. She did not know why her parent's behavior irritated her so much. Why couldn't they be as thoughtful around her as Quinn? Because Quinn was an exception. A special and precious gift that had been bestowed upon her. She let out a deep breath. She really needed to sit down with her dads and have an honest talk. It was not fair to shut them out, keep them at arm's length, and then expect them to understand her as much as Quinn did. They did not even know half of the things, experiences, and feelings that she had shared with her former high school friend over the past days.

Her resolve softened. She stepped closer and gave her dad a hug.

"Dad, we really need to talk. I know I have not let on to my feelings lately, which made it not easy for you both to understand me and what the whole situation did to me. Please be a little more patient with me, ok?" Rachel leaned back to look into his eyes.

He had noticed that while all these past months she would not utter a single word in their presence, she had graced him twice with her voice that evening, and that touched him dearly.

"Dad, I am ok, really." She smiled, this time genuinely.

Hiram hugged her back, then withdrew.

Ok, pumpkin. Let us know when you will be home.

He stroke tenderly over her hair. I am glad that you are better. You look better. There is some light back in your eyes, he signed and smiled. Thank you for speaking to me. It was nice to hear your voice again. Take care and call us, promise?

"Promise!"

She kissed him on the cheek and walked him to the door. She opened it for him, stepping back. When he did not walk out, she peeked around the door and saw an astonished Quinn standing in her doorway, her hand still hovering over the bell.

Her dad looked just as surprised.

Quinn threw Rachel a quick glance before focusing on the man in front of her, remembering her manners.

"Good evening, Mr. Berry. I am sorry, I … I did not want to interrupt. I didn't know Rachel had company." For Rachel's benefit, she accompanied her words with signs.

"Quinn, what a surprise to see you! You are not interrupting," he looked at Rachel to gauge her reaction towards her visitor, before continuing: "I was just leaving. Well, have a nice evening the two of you!"

When it was clear that he would not translate his words, Quinn jumped in and interpreted his words for Rachel as well, who gave her a thankful look. Rachel wondered why it was so hard for him to grasp that even if he was not talking to her directly, she would still want to know what was being said. Hiram noticed his laps and apologized. However, the look that the two women exchanged did not escape him. Something was definitely in the air. He could not quite grasp it yet, but something had changed. With a final look at this daughter and a smile at Quinn, he left.

The door had not yet fully closed when Quinn held Rachel in her arms and greedily claimed her lover's lips and the smaller woman was just as eagerly answering her advance, letting escape a little moan. She pressed her body against Quinn's, wrapping her arms around her waist.

Quinn started when the doorbell rang and her reaction made Rachel jump as well. Then the brunette saw the light flicker.

"Oh, maybe dad forgot something."

She opened the door and indeed Hiram stood in the doorway again. Rachel tried to keep the blush out of her face. It was almost like being caught in flagrante. Hiram rummaged in his bag and then pulled out a letter, handing the paper to Rachel.

With a questioning look she stretched out her hand and took the already open envelop.

"You opened it?"

It was addressed to me. Apparently Dr. Brenneman's office could not reach you.

Glancing at the sender envelope, Rachel then averted her eyes and stuck the letter behind a plant pot that was on the shelf behind her. She did not even spare it a second glance. Two more envelopes of the same size peeked out from behind the plant. Hiram followed his daughter's movement with his eyes, instantly guessing what the other two letters were.

Rachel, why haven't you gone to see Dr. Brenneman? Why have you not answered to his letters? Please, make an appointment for a check-up. He looked at her sincerely. You never know.

Yes. I do know. What's the point? With great emphasis, she signed the next four words. I still can't hear.

Rachel then jutted her chin out, not looking at her dad or Quinn, who had watched the exchange with unease. She was not sure if she had read Hiram's signs correctly, but in any case the topic seemed to make Rachel extremely uneasy.

Hiram nodded slightly. As hard as it was for him to accept this; it was his daughter's choice in the end. And he knew, if she did not want to do something, you could not make her do it. It had always been like that. Even as a little girl, she could display a stubbornness that was stronger than the great wall of China.

After one last worried look, he squeezed her hand, collected his bag, and with a little wave disappeared down the hallway.

Quinn threw a concerned look at Rachel who still would not look her in the eyes. She stepped in front of her and bent down a little, cocking her head to one side to get a glimpse of her face.

Finally, Rachel's gaze slowly shifted and met hers. The kind look on the blonde's face let Rachel's anger die down. There was no judgment in it. Only concern.

You want to talk about it?

Rachel just shook her head."No. Not now."

Quinn had anticipated this answer; still, she was curious what Hiram was referring to. But it was not her call to take up the subject. She wanted to take up what they were doing before Hiram had acted as a coitus interruptus.

Still having her eyes glued on Rachel's beautiful features she noticed the anger dissipate and be replaced by joy and excitement. She was glad to see the shift in her lover, having feared the episode with the letter had spoiled the mood.

"What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to go home and sleep!" Happy, Rachel's eyes gleamed.

I wanted to surprise you. And I needed to see you. I could not wait until Friday. She placed a tender kiss on Rachel's still smiling mouth.

Rachel wrapped her arms around Quinn's waist, tilting her head back, soaking up the love and desire that radiated from her look. Then she placed her head on her girlfriend's chest, sighing deeply.

"I am so happy to see you, Quinn! I did not know how to survive all these days without being able to touch you!"

Rachel chuckled a bit. Leaning so close to Quinn, the blond felt the small laughter vibrate in her own chest and it made her heart warm. She knew it would be hard to forget the picture that had burned into her mind when she saw Rachel for the first time in front of the theater and how much her appearance had shocked her. It now made her so happy to see Rachel smiling, laughing and coming to life again.

She breathed in deeply and let out a humming sound, feeling all the tension that had accumulated during the day dissipate.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhh," Quinn tightened her embrace, displaying that she agreed with Rachel's statement.

"Are you purring?" Rachel laughed and felt Quinn's head nod against hers. Then with a start, she jerked her head back as a thought struck her.

"Are you hungry? Have you eaten anything? I don't want you to starve with all that running around. I know how crazy these days can get and how easy it is to forget to eat properly."

Sincere brown eyes read Quinn's, who shook her head, disentangling her hands.

Actually, now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry. I think…. I have only eaten breakfast and skipped lunch.

"Ok, I am going to make you something to eat now. No, resistance is futile. Sit down." And she pulled the taller woman towards the kitchen where she left her sitting on one of the barstools.

However, Quinn was not satisfied being so far away from the person she loved, so after a moment of watching Rachel busy herself with a pan and ingredients, she hopped off. Trailing around the counter, she kept a short distance away until Rachel caught her eye and noticed her standing there. She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow in question.

I need to be close to you.

"Hm. But how am I going to cook then?"

Quinn stepped behind her, linking her arms in front of Rachel's stomach, placing a kiss on her right cheek. Then she moved her hands.

You will hardly notice me. I'll just walk behind you.

It was a bit difficult to form the words being restricted in her movements and using Rachel's body as reference but the brunette got the message.

With Quinn tagging along, her arms never loosening around her waist, Rachel whipped up a very tasty mix of vegetables and Basmati rice. It was not too heavy for the late hour but it stilled the grumbling in Quinn's stomach.

They both shared the meal, throwing longing glances back and forth, touching each other every other moment, as if to make sure the other person was still there.

"We are sooo needy, Quinn," Rachel smirked at one point, which triggered Quinn to laugh.

Yes, we are… she searched for the word, not knowing the sign, she mouthed it.

"Pathetic?" Rachel repeated and hopped off the chair, when Quinn bobbed her head up and down, grinning.

"You know what, I don't care." Checking that Quinn had emptied her plate in order to not leave her still hungry, Rachel climbed on Quinn's lap. Claiming her lips with her own and pressing her body against the blonde to get as much physical contact as possible.

To have Quinn right here in front of her was the best gift of the day.

She had a hard time admitting it, but the teasing message that Quinn had sent, telling her that she was not able to call had left a hollowness in her that was hard to cover up. And dealing with her dad in that state would have been too much. Opening the door and seeing Quinn actually standing there gave her a burst that made her heart overflow with joy. It was amazing how this woman managed to shift her feelings from zero to one hundred in no time.

"Quinn," she managed between kisses, "I was short of sitting in a cab and driving to your apartment. Even if I had had to sleep in front of the door, at least I could have seen you in person when you leave your apartment in the morning," she joked.

Quinn pulled the omnipresent pad and pen on the counter closer as Rachel sat too press against her to see her hands properly.

That's why I came here. I did not want you to end up on the cold floor outside my door.

"You could at least have asked me inside then."

Yeeeeaaaahhhh, maybe! That comment triggered Rachel to poke Quinn in the sides, which made the blond woman jump and wiggle on the chair.

"You mean little prick! You would let me camp on your doorstep!"

Rachel did not stop torturing her girlfriend, having discovered how ticklish she was. Quinn started laughing harder, not able to ward of the offending fingers.

"Rachel, stop! Rachel, pleeeeeaaase, no tickling!" she exclaimed while trying to get a hold of Rachel's hands.

"Are you begging for mercy, Quinn?" The question was answered with a vigorous nod of the blond head. "What do you have to offer?"

For a moment Rachel rested her hands placing them on Quinn's to ward off a possible counterattack and watched Quinn catch her breath.

"How about a surprise on Thursday?" The quizzical expression on her girlfriend's face made her snatch her hands out of Rachel's grip.

Sorry. Keep Thursday evening free, ok? Well, only if you don't want to tickle me, that is.

"Really? I don't have to wait until Friday to see you? Ok, deal!" And Rachel held her hands up to show that she would not attack Quinn anymore.

After agreeing on the peace treaty and sealing it with a long and passionate kiss, they both cleaned up the kitchen together and then snuggled on the couch to watch a late night movie. Quinn was a bit distracted by the subtitles that flickered across the screen at first. She tried to strain her ears to hear the conversation, but then gave up.

Rachel, can you turn up the volume a bit?

It showed on her face that she was uneasy to ask.

Rachel snorted. "What, are you deaf?" She then asked jokingly.

Apparently. Quinn answered, appreciating the little joke as an attempt to show her that she should not feel awkward for asking something like that.

"Here, you do it." Quinn took the offered remote and adjusted the volume.

Next, Quinn was distracted by the soothing fingers that crawled up and down her right arm. She turned and saw that Rachel was so not interested in the movie, but rather in watching her from the side. When she caught her gaze, Quinn completely forgot about the film. She drowned in the brown eyes and all she was aware of was Rachel's skin under her own fingers, her breath on her lips and her scent in her nose.

She leaned forward until Rachel gave in and fell back on the couch, her eyes never leaving Quinn's. Slowly, the blonde trailed her hand down her lovers shirt and underneath it up to cup the braless, round breasts with her hand.

As passionate as their first exploring had been, as slow and as sensual their making love was this time. Eventually they moved to Rachel's bedroom, continuing their bodily exploration with their hands, their lips and their tongue. Neither woman left one centimeter untouched. The soft light pouring over Rachel's slightly tanned skin gave it a beautiful glow. Quinn could not get enough of the naked glory spread out in front of her, smiling, writhing, and pleasantly moaning under her touch. She noticed that sometimes Rachel would close her eyes, but as soon as Quinn's fingers left her body to shift her own position, her eyes quickly opened to reconnect on a visual level and to see where she was moving. It thrilled her to be able to feel and hold this beautiful woman, to see her open up to her, to be able to bring her the outmost pleasure, raise her desire and be the only one that could also satisfy it.

When the wave of absolute pleasure rode through Rachel's body, she arched her back, her body tense, her grip on Quinn's arm almost hurtful in her ecstasy. Quinn held her with one arm under her back, the other hand gently continuing to probe the soft and most sensible spot between Rachel's legs. Finally, the ripples of pleasure ebbed away and left the smaller woman moaning and panting in Quinn's embrace.

As she came to her senses again, Rachel then took over the lead and slowly brought Quinn to her climax, with sensual kisses that moved closer and closer to the juncture between her legs. She felt that having witnessed her own orgasm, Quinn was already very aroused and she did not want to tease her too much. Feeling Quinn's most vulnerable spot underneath her tongue almost made Rachel come again herself. With some effort she managed to concentrate on Quinn and let her tongue swirl around the little bud that caused Quinn to whimper in longing for more.

Rachel let her tongue flick a beet deeper, dipping into the wetness that had spread between her girlfriend's legs. Quinn's hands grabbed the sheets beneath her, moving her hips in a rhythm that thrust Rachel's tongue deeper into the hot folds. Slowly she moved up again, starting to suck at Quinn's clitoris, first lightly, then harder. It did not take long until Quinn finally cried out, held Rachel's head in both hands and spasmed, her whole body growing tense as her orgasm reached its peak.

As her body grew limp again under Rachel's softly stroking hands, Rachel crawled up and gently kissed the full lips of the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, that she was sure of. Quinn had her eyes closed, still reveling in that sensation that had rocked her from head to toe. Rachel saw her chest rise and fall in short breaths, smiling satisfied at having her lover delivered into such a delicious elated state. Eventually Quinn opened her eyes and Rachel was struck by the deep hazel color, some golden flecks that looked like sunlight dancing through the forest leaves. Again it raised the feeling of complete belonging in her. Those eyes drew her in and she never wanted to see something else.

Blissfully they held each other, letting soft hands wander over supple skin until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

….

It was still very early when Quinn got up the next morning, but she had to get back to her apartment first to change. Her spontaneous house call the evening before left her again without a fresh change of clothes. At least this time she did not sleep in them. To be exact, she was not wearing anything during the night and waking up, sensing Rachels naked body with her soft skin pressed against hers was the most prescious gift to carry her through the new and busy day.

Before having to leave and against her better judgment, Quinn had to mention what had happened in the evening.

Rachel, I would appreciate if you'd tell me what upset you last night when your dad gave you that envelope. I mean, whenever you're ready. I don't want to press you but please don't shut me out.

Rachel lowered her gaze. "Ok." Then she looked up and cupped Quinn's face with both hands, locking eyes with her. Quinn placed a passionate kiss on her girlfriend's lips before she hurried out.

Rachel leaned with her back against the door after having seen her girlfriend off, swiped her hair out of her face with both hands and let out a deep breath. She knew she would have to address the two topics she had pushed away the past couple of days. She would have to take a look at them and tell Quinn about them, letting the emotions, doubts, questions and insecurities come up. But she also knew that Quinn would listen with an open heart, would support her and never judge her. This knowledge made it a lot easier to face the two things in her life she had the most difficulties to deal with.

Missing music and still harboring hope in one small corner of her heart.

Hope that she did not want to have destroyed by some final verdict of a doctor.

Another Glee character is coming up in the next chapter :-)