I don't own Glee or the original characters.

Apologies for the long wait. I finally managed to write the final chapter of my other story A Lazy Day, which hopefully I'll be able to post soon. It's been way too long since I updated this one.

Hope you all had a good start into the new year!

Gllover22: Bixhonts reaction will come up a little later, but it will come up!

Thank you all for your feedback and favorites and follows!

Chapter 61

When Quinn woke up the next morning, she felt the past two days of activities catch up with her.

Maybe she had overestimated her strength and should have stayed home instead of going out to dinner with Rachel's friends and join her during the interview. But it had been worth it, even though her ribs and arm hurt a little more again. The headache was better. That was good, at least. Besides, it was really good that she and Santana had been with Rachel at the hotel, Rachel had said so herself when she thanked her for being with her.

Checking to her right she found the bed to be empty. Outside she heard voices arguing. A sigh of relief escaped her. Good, Rachel had not left. For a moment she had feared that the brunette had disappeared.

Glancing at the watch she saw that it was ten o'clock already. She noticed voices coming from the kitchen area. Since there were always little breaks in the conversation, Quinn figured that Santana probably wrote down what she was saying for Rachel to understand.

Straining her ears, she heard Santana ague that she would not eat tofu in her scrambled eggs while Rachel challenged her after a short moment that she probably hadn't even tried it before.

With a smile, Quinn propped herself on her elbows only to drop down again with an "Ouch! Shit."

So much for wanting to go back to her show the following week. Grumbling she realized that she might have to wait a couple of more days.

She dragged herself out of bed and padded into the other room.

The argument had settled down, apparently. Quinn caught Santana admitting with her mouth full that the basil tofu indeed did taste quite good when roasted in a pan before mixing it with the scrambled eggs.

"Hey, honey!" Rachel smiled when she saw the sleepy face of her girlfriend on the other side of the counter.

"Morning," Quinn smiled back. Rachel popped a piece of tofu into the blonde's mouth and kissed her before turning back to the eggs and the bacon she fried for Quinn and Santana.

Rachel would never want to eat meat, but sometimes she just had a craving for real eggs that she stepped a little away from her otherwise rigid vegan diet.

"Morning," Santana greeted her. "Thought you'd never wake up. I'm famished. I would have started breakfast without you."

"I'm sure you would," Quinn answered dryly.

Rachel watched how Quinn gingerly sat down in one of the stools at the counter and cradled her left arm.

"Is it hurting?" She asked concerned.

Quinn bobbed her head and pulled the pad closer to write her answer. Yes. Maybe I lay the wrong way this night, but my ribs and my arm are bothering me more than yesterday. But the headache is almost gone. What's for breakfast?

She pushed the paper across so Rachel could read it.

"Eggs, bacon, toast and fresh juice. Wanna lay down until it's ready?"

No, I'm ok.

Maybe I shouldn't have slept next to…" Rachel couldn't finish her sentence, when Quinn vehemently protested with her hands.

Stop it! I don't want to hear it. And not, you didn't kick me or hit me or anything.

Rachel leaned on the counter and looked at Quinn. She sighed. "Fine." A small smile appeared on her lips and she whispered: "Then I am glad I did stay." Rachel was rewarded with a kiss on her hand from her girlfriend before she turned back to finish preparing the breakfast while Santana got the dishes out of the cupboards.

Quinn watched her friends finish setting up the table.

They decided to have a lazy start into the day and ate on the couch, with re-runs of Bewitched in the DVD player. Rachel snorted when Santana suggested they watched that show. She wouldn't have pegged the Latina to be the Elizabeth Montgomery fan.

"You like the show or the actress or both?"

She had something, was a great actress – I saw some other stuff she did after the series – she was good looking and had beautiful legs. Besides, who as a kid did not dream to be a witch? The only thing I don't like about that show is the husband; he's such a whiny wimp. A little character development wouldn't have hurt on him. Her mother was so cool, though, if they ever decide to make remake, I'd audition for Endora!

Santana wrote as answer to Rachel's question, handing the pad to her over Quinn's lap, who sat between them.

"Yeah, that would be the perfect role for you, character wise," Rachel remarked and grinned, turning her attention back to the screen.

"Oh my stars," picking up one of Samantha Steven's favorite sayings Quinn rolled her eyes. "Can you imagine what havoc she'd create?" She asked her girlfriend then with a raised eyebrow, signing along.

Rachel crunched up her nose. "Uh, I don't want to think about it."

"Hehehe." A dirty little laugh was all Santana gave as a comment

All three kept lounging on the comfortable sofa, lazily switching one DVD after the next, until their stomachs called for food again.

Quinn was glad that there wasn't much action planned for the day. She felt good just lying on the sofa, cuddling up against Rachel and feeling her soothing fingers massage her back.

They spent the afternoon not moving much either, only to get some lunch – which actually was delivered to their door – and some snacks. Quinn almost forgot that Santana had planned something for the evening.

At around three, Rachel had to leave get changed for the evening event the Latina had planned. She promised to stay at Quinn's place again after that, which relieved the blonde immensely.

Santana had told Rachel about taking Quinn out and wanted Rachel to come as well. The Latina had not disclosed any details, only told Rachel to get dressed up a little.

The former singer wondered if it was such a good idea to go out again if Quinn was still in pain.

Santana told her that they would pick her up with a cab at her apartment later, even though it was a detour. Then they would drive together to wherever they were going.

"I don't know why you have to be so secretive about it." The brunette said.

Forget it Rachel, she won't budge. Quinn shrugged.

"Well, see you two later then."

The petite woman kissed Quinn good-bye and gently pushed her back on the couch when the blonde wanted to get up.

"Stay and rest. I'll find my way to the door."

But Quinn held on to Rachel and pulled her down again so the brunette collapsed half on the blonde's lap, desperately trying to not hurt her. Laughing she sat up and watched her girlfriend's hands.

"Don't know what happened, just wiggled my nose and thought 'boy, I want her to stay'. And all of a sudden you came crashing down on me." Quinn looked at her nose cross eyed. "Who would have thought?"

Santana snorted and Rachel laughed again. She grabbed Quinn's nose and wiggled it with her fingers.

"Hidden talents, huh? Can you make my clothes appear here as well? Then I don't have to leave. And while you're at it can you make Santana go away for a couple of seconds, I want to kiss you – without an audience for a change."

Quinn shook her head. No, letting people disappear and conjuring up clothes is only part of the next lesson, sorry.

"Aha, thought so. Well, then I have to get my stuff the old fashioned way." Rachel got up again and continued mumbling. "Now I thought I had a witch, which would've come in handy, I have to admit, but turns out she can only please herself, tsk, now, what…" She couldn't finish her sentence, because someone grabbed her arm and spun her around. Before she could say anything, Quinn pressed her lips on hers and kissed her passionately.

When both women finally needed some air, they pulled apart, slightly dazed from the kiss and the passion.

Quinn stepped back a little, reluctant to lose the physical contact, but she needed some space to sign.

I missed your little rants!

Rachel chuckled and it was the second best sound that ever reached Quinn's ears. Rachel singing was the best ever, but hearing her laugh made her heart happy as well.

"Good lord, I honestly think you're doing that on purpose." Santana shouted from the couch.

Quinn turned and Rachel followed her motion with her eyes, while Santana continued.

"You're complaining of me being a stalker, but you stand here in plain sight having lip sex with your girlfriend. I think you're getting off on that!"

"Shut up San. Admit you're enjoying it. It's about time you're getting a little kissing too," Quinn teased and turned back to Rachel who watched her with a raised eyebrow. Then the brunette raised her hands, not sure what her friends had said.

Did she give us a snarky remark again? She signed half hiding behind Quinn so the Latina wouldn't be able to understand.

Quinn nodded. Yes. Then she leaned closer as if speak softly into Rachel's ear and signed while hissing in an exaggerated loud whisper so Santana would hear it: "I think she needs to get laid soon, otherwise we might find her in our bed one night."

"I heard that, bitch," came the reply out of the corner.

Quinn wanted to interpret, remembering that she had forgotten to sign during the previous exchange, but Rachel made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Don't bother, I have a pretty good idea what she said."

She placed a quick kiss on her lover's lips again and then grabbed her coat and bag.

"See you later, lovely," and to Santana Rachel said: "Dig out that love-arm that Kurt gave us a couple of years ago, maybe that helps. Oh, and you could check out a couple of YouTube videos, those might give you more than we do," and she quickly ducked to avoid being hit by a pillow that came flying her direction.

Rachel waved at Quinn and quickly slipped out the door with a grin.

"Good lord, not even deafness gets this woman to stop ranting. And what a good thing that is," Santana added chuckling, looking at Quinn happily, conveying with her expression that she was indeed glad to have Rachel back in their lives.

Quinn only nodded and smiled back.

… … …

After Rachel had left, the two friends continued watching another couple of episodes. An hour later Santana turned off the TV and looked at Quinn.

"Santana, the thing you planned for tonight…"

The Latina must have heard in her voice that the blonde wanted to postpone, but did not accept a cancelation.

"Nope, no getting out of this one. Sorry. You went to the interview and to dinner, so you'll do me the favor of coming with me tonight."

"Santana, do we really have to go out tonight?"

Santana just glared at Quinn. "Yes."

Quinn sighed. "I don't feel like getting off this couch today."

The other woman narrowed her eyes and threw her a threatening look.

"Oh yes, you will get off that couch. And if I have to push you off myself, Q."

"Where are we going anyway? I'm definitely not going out to a club dancing or anything like that."

"Don't worry, it's all rib-safe and handicap friendly – sort of."

"What?" Quinn was confused.

Santana sighed and rolled her eyes. "You don't have to move too much, so your ribs should be fine and … for the rest you'll see. Anyway, it's about time to get ready. Throw in two pain killers and get moving. We have enough time to adjust to your grandma gait."

"Hey, don't boss me around! And I'm really not feeling that great to go out again."

"I heard you the first time, but this is not just for me Quinn. This is for you and for Rachel. So you better get up now, because the pain of your broken heart is much worse than your little bruised ribs. And it's nothing against the pain Imma inflict on you if you Don't. Get. Moving. Fabray!"

Quinn looked at Santana long and hard, but her friend did not flinch. She was dead serious.

"You are a bully, Santana, you know that? Nope, bully sounds too nice. You're a full gown bull."

"Yes, and I got balls too, so move it!"

"Do you treat your clients like that as well?"

"Yeah I do, and that's why they love me so much, 'cause I kick their highly paid asses when no one else will and I'm not shy to do it. So, the longer you're stalling, the quicker you gotta get moving later. It's up to you, granny."

"Go fuck yourself, bitch." Quinn retorted, but moved with exaggerated slowness up from the couch. Once she got moving around, her sore muscles seemed to relax a bit, but she had to be careful not to make any hasty movements.

The warm water of the shower helped her to relax and Quinn thought that a little bit of moving around might not be the worst thing. At least her muscles wouldn't cramp up as much as they did after half laying, half sitting on the couch the whole day.

She wondered where Santana was taking them. Rachel was coming as well, so it wouldn't be anything that had anything to do with music. Theater maybe? No that wouldn't make sense either. Dinner? Yeah, that could be. But why make a secret out of it then. And what did Santana mean that it was for her and Rachel? God, that woman drove her crazy sometimes.

Feeling a little more like herself, Quinn toweled herself dry and slowly got dressed in fresh clothes.

Santana was waiting in the kitchen for her also having changed into different clothes. Having already taken a shower in the morning she just had to apply some make-up.

"Good, glad you decided to come along after all, captain," the Latina greeted her.

Quinn decided not to comment and motioned for the door. Before they left, Santana placed something into her friend's hand.

Looking at her palm, Quinn's eyes widened with surprise.

… … …

When they reached Rachel's place, the brunette was already waiting in front of her building. Santana opened the backdoor of the car and got out.

"Santana, I thought you'd never come, I'm freezing. So, where are we going?"

Move in here, Rachel, I'll explain later. The Latina slid into the passenger seat and gave the driver the address of their final destination.

Rachel went towards the waiting taxi and moved onto the back seat, sliding close to Quinn. She kissed her girlfriend as a way of greeting before asking:

"How are you feeling?"

Quinn just stared at her with a slightly confused look, then lifted her hands and signed the next sentence.

Rachel, I can't hear you. Santana did not only force me to get out of my cozy apartment, but she also told me to wear my special earplugs.

"What?!" Rachel exclaimed, looking at Santana from the side, "Why?"

The Latina turned in her seat and signed for both her friends: Because I think that it might help you both if Quinn understood a bit better of what you're going through.

Rachel watched Quinn closely after that revelation. She remembered very clearly how Quinn had freaked out that one night after wearing those earplugs for just a couple of hours. And they had not even gone out, they had spent the entire evening in the safe surroundings of Quinn's apartment.

"Santana, I don't think that is such a good idea. I appreciate the sentiment, but Quinn is still far from being well and … and…why are you doing this now? Couldn't this wait until she is better again?" Rachel signed her words in parallel, so Quinn could see what she was saying.

Santana shook her head. She tried hard to find the right signs and to ignore the sideway glances from the driver. I t was additionally difficult to twist in the seat so both women could see her hands clearly.

No. This could not wait. Not all of us have the chance of healing from their injuries, Rachel, instead having to live with the difficult consequences. So Quinn might survive a little discomfort in comparison.

Rachel threw up her hands and shook her head, but didn't say anything.

Gee, thanks Santana. If I ever want an enemy, I'll ask you. Quinn signed, not sure if Santana picked up all the signs, but for once she didn't care. She was still pissed that she had let the Latina force her to go out when she would have preferred to stay at home. She wondered what was so important that it couldn't wait. Clearly Rachel had not idea about where they were headed either.

Quinn was alerted by her girlfriend's hands moving again.

Haven't we been through this already? Rachel asked.

Through what? Quinn asked back confused.

You wearing earplugs.

"Yes, we have, but Miss Lopez here seemed to think otherwise."The blonde signed and spoke out aloud so Santana could hear her. Then she shortly placed a hand on Rachel's leg.

It's ok, I don't quite know what she has planned, but I guess I will survive. Let's humor her, Quinn then signed bravely and nodded in Santana's direction.

But Rachel wasn't calmed that easily.

"Why are you doing this, Santana? Do you think this is some kind of game?"Rachel was not sure what she was supposed to think about the whole thing.

She was deprived of an answer as they arrived at their destination and just like history repeating Rachel's stomach churned at seeing where they had stopped.

"Jesus, you didn't." She exclaimed in a low voice while she looked outside.

Quinn also gazed outside and frowned at seeing where they had arrived. Santana paid the taxi driver and then walked around the car to help Quinn exit the taxi.

"What the hell, Santana…" Rachel was not sure if she should be angry, hurt or just plainly curious as to what had gotten into their friend to both drag them here and make Quinn use the earplugs.

Santana tapped Rachel on the arm and waved her closer so she had the attention of both her friends.

We are going to see the new musical "Golden". I know that Quinn wanted to see it, but she had not had the chance yet and I know she has not heard the music yet either.

Quinn opened her mouth and closed it again. Then she watched Santana pull out three tickets from her purse.

I had to pull some strings to get those and this is why it couldn't wait. Besides, I didn't want you to be able to hear anything about it or its music, that's why I didn't tell you where we were going, she then added with a look towards Quinn.

"What? How…? What kind of strange idea is that, Santana?" Rachel finally asked after finding the right words.

I think it is a brilliant idea, Rachel. Listen, she held up a finger and pulled out a pad to write down her next words.

Honestly, I find it unfair from us to expect you to go to a concert, a club or a Broadway show without being able to hear, if we cannot imagine what it would be like. We expected you to adapt, and you did somehow, and very bravely, I admit. But I still think that we should also learn to adapt more to your situation. So Quinn and I will both put ourselves into your shoes for a change, Rachel.

Rachel was speechless. She just stared at Santana without knowing what to say.

When she had come out of her latest depressive mood, she found herself to accept that there would always be deficits, that there would always be things she would not be able to experience anymore. She was glad to have found new friends, deaf friends, who could understand her, but she was also glad that she still had her hearing friends. She had learned that she could not and did not want to live without them.

But she had not expected them to try to understand her further. What Santana had planned was just more than Rachel had ever anticipated, especially not after her last outburst. That her friends now actually tried to experience again what it was like for her, despite her unfair behavior not long ago, moved the petite woman beyond words.

Santana seemed to catch up on the brunette's sentiments and smiled encouragingly.

Come on Berry. What's the saying? She scribbled it down on the paper. For better or worse.

Quinn peered over her girlfriend's shoulder and read the same words. Then she glanced up and gave Rachel a brave smile.

The brunette reached out and squeezed Quinn's hand and threw a surprised look at Santana.

When Rachel had seen where they had arrived, she had not been sure what to think. Santana knew how difficult her past weeks had been, she had witnessed her breakdown. To drag her here again, she must have had a darn good reason.

The Latina nodded at the entrance. Let's go inside.

Rachel noticed the insecurity and increasing nervousness in Quinn when they walked into the theater. She could relate so much. And now she understood why the Latina had insisted on Rachel coming with them. She wanted her there to support her friends, especially to support Quinn. Santana did not simply want to make Rachel go through another experience she couldn't fully enjoy. She wanted to draw on her expertise and knowledge on how to handle such a situation. Rachel was there to help them.

The petite woman watched her friends. Santana wore her "I'm in control of the situation, nothing can faze me" expression. Even though, the Latina would never admit that this might be difficult for her to bear as well. Watching Quinn, she saw the nervousness and tension written all over the blonde's face.

The brunette remembered her first dinner in public some weeks ago when she herself had almost had a panic attack. And that was after having adjusted to her deafness for more than six months. She could understand that is would be really difficult for Quinn now, especially since she felt claustrophobic in some situations. Not being able to hear seemed to trigger this sensation to a certain degree.

Rachel understood that. Being deaf gave her a feeling of being locked inside her body and having lost a certain touch with the world around her. It had taken a very long time to get used to this sensation. Her ears had always told Rachel what was going on around her where her eyes were not able to reach. With her hearing she had stretched beyond the visible surroundings. Her sense of dimension had greatly diminished with the loss of her one sense.

She gripped the blonde's arm who turned towards her.

Quinn, you can always stop. You don't have to do that. Really. I appreciate the motion, but I don't want you to panic. You have enough going on with your healing ribs.

Quinn exhaled slowly. The reassurance from Rachel felt good. It made it easier to know that she would not be mad or disappointed should she not be able to make it through until the end of the show.

For now, her understanding made her calm down a little.

I'm fine.

Rachel frowned at the answer, but didn't say anything further.

Even though the blonde saw people moving around her, she felt strangely detached. As if she was only watching a muted movie on TV. When someone brushed by her she almost jumped.

Jesus, this was even more nerve wracking than just having dinner at home, having to focus only on one person. Quinn remembered the discussion she had with Santana at home when the Latina told her that she had to put the earplugs in.

… … …

"I can't do this! I can't go out with those!" Quinn's eyes had been wide with panic when she remembered her anxiety attack the last time she had experimented with the ear plugs.

Santana had taken her by the arm and gave her a short squeeze. "Focus, Quinn! You really want to give up before even trying?"

The Latina wondered why it freaked Quinn out so much. It was just one evening, nothing compared to Rachel's life sentence of deafness.

Quinn rubbed her hand over her forehead and tried to calm down.

"Quinn, your girlfriend cannot give up. She has no choice! And still, she went to see you at your concert and she watched your musical! Now you are telling me that you can't do it for one evening? I expect you to be stronger than that! I once told Rachel that I expected the best of her. I'm expecting the best of you, too, Quinn. Instead of running away and giving in to your panic, analyze what is scaring you and why. And apply this learning to understand what Rachel must feel. 'Cause then you'll understand better what it means to be deaf. All of what we "made" Rachel go through, the dinners, the dancing, the shows, we should at least experience from her point of view as well."Santana stated.

"We?" Quinn asked

"Yes. We." And Santana produced some ear plugs of her own.

"Oh."

"And I truly believe that this experience will both help you in your relationship. Now, Rachel doesn't know about this and this wasn't her idea. Still, I think we can learn a bit more to support her, don't you? Come on Quinn, you'll be ok."

Quinn exhaled slowly.

"Yeah, I hope so."

… … …

The blonde zoomed back into the present. She felt Rachel carefully sneak her arm around her waist and was relieved by the support. The brunette gently guided her through the doors behind Santana and they found their seats.

Sitting in the confinements of their row, feeling the supporting back of the chair that separated her from the other people behind her, made Quinn's nerves ease up a little. She was glad that no one had addressed them up until now. She wasn't sure she could handle that right now.

She glanced around and took in her surroundings. The theater was almost full, which was to be expected for a Sunday show and a new musical at that. She wondered how Santana had managed to get the tickets. One of her customers must have helped out, she guessed.

Soon the light darkened and the curtain lifted.

Quinn felt her heartbeat quicken as it did every time when she went to watch a new show. Only this time, she did not quite know what to expect. Would she understand anything? She had meant to read a little more about the story of the musical, but had not had the time the past weeks. Now she could only rely on what she was seeing.

Quinn took in the stage set-up. Suddenly she felt her seat and her chest vibrating. She almost jumped. She clutched the armrests, trying to figure out what caused the pulsating feeling.

The orchestra started playing, Rachel signed as an explanation. It was almost too dark to see her hands. Good thing that they sat somewhere in the front, so the light of the stage illuminated their seats a little.

"Oh." Right. That made sense. She could have figured that out for herself, Quinn thought.

The characters came on stage and started a dialogue - or did they sing already? It was hard to guess and Quinn leaned forward a bit to get a better look.

Could you really distinguish singing from talking, she asked herself. Yeah, maybe, because the actor's faces had different expressions and their lips sometimes seemed to hold a word longer than otherwise. But what where they singing? She wondered if Rachel understood anything.

Quinn watched for a while, always getting a little distracted by the changing vibrations from the music that she felt in her body and the surrounding structures.

The actors, a woman and a man, danced back and forth, clearly being involved in a discussion. Then the guy placed a hand on his heart and held on to the arm of his stage partner. He stood facing the audience and Quinn's eyes hung on his lips. She couldn't quite make out what he was saying – or singing, but the two lovers seemed to repeat their sentences several times. All of a sudden it made click and Quinn "heard" the corresponding words to the lip movements.

He was pledging his love, saying the simple three words "I love you," while the woman kept denying it, not believing him, answering "you don't love me." She had turned out of his grip, facing the audience as well, shaking her head while she delivered the lines.

It felt like a little triumph for Quinn having understood at least that bit. But thinking of how long it had taken her to figure these two small things out, her mood dampened again.

She stole a glance at Santana.

The Latina sat beside her stoically, not letting any emotion play across her face. She had also inserted her ear plugs and was either very bored or tried very hard to not let this experience get to her too much.

Quinn glanced at Rachel who seemed the most relaxed of the three of them. The blonde wondered what made Rachel go through this whole ordeal again. Hadn't she suffered enough by visiting her at the concert and her show? How could she willingly do this to herself again?

Then it dawned on Quinn that Rachel was only here because of her. Apparently Santana had convinced the petite woman that it was absolutely necessary to come for whatever reason.

Rachel took the blonde's hand and placed it against Quinn's chest. Then she asked: Do you feel that? The constant and heavy thumping?

Quinn nodded and followed Rachel's finger that pointed at the orchestra ditch. Look at the right hand corner, you see the drummer? He is hitting the base drum. That is the strong beat you are feeling.

Quinn smiled "Right."

Then she noticed the violins and the e-guitar take up their music again and the vibrations increased. Now it was a tingle that went through her whole arms down into the tips of her fingers. She turned her hand and rubbed her fingertips together.

She had never consciously noticed that music could be felt in that way. The acoustics had always overlaid the actual physical sensation. Now that she had all her concentration focused on just feeling, it opened up her mind.

She found that it was almost more interesting to watch the orchestra and match their playing to what she was feeling than watching the actors.

Quinn tried to get a feel of the music, of the atmosphere, of the whole play, but it was hard without getting transported away by the musical score. God, if that were going to be like that for the rest of her life, she would go crazy.

Realizing what she just though she duck her head.

Guess there was always a way if you had no other choice, she admitted to herself.

Now that she was focusing back on herself without the distraction from the play, she felt the walls closing in again. Instead of focusing on what she was able to perceive, she was hit with what she was missing and it triggered this feeling of being locked inside herself again.

Rachel kept sneaking worried glances at Quinn. The blonde held herself very erect and sat stiffly in her seat. Just some moments ago she had seemed fine, or at least more relaxed. What had happened?

The tension she radiated was almost tangible. The brunette tapped her hand. Quinn looked over.

Are you ok? We can leave, if you want to. Or you can just take out the ear plugs.

Quinn did not answer at first. Rachel could tell she was tempted to end Santana's experiment and Rachel wished she herself could just do the same.

Quinn shook her head and exhaled slowly, forcing herself to relax. If this wasn't an experiment but reality, as it was for Rachel, she wouldn't be able to take the ear plugs out.

So she vowed to herself that she could do this. She would not panic again as she did last time. Rachel had to do this every single second of her life. Then she could do for just this limited amount of time.

The blonde turned her view back to the stage. People were moving around, moving their lips, waving their hands in the air and Quinn had no clue what was going on.

She turned back to Rachel.

What is happening?

I believe that Constance tries to convince Octavio that what he is accusing her of is not true.

And you get that from just watching them? Quinn asked incredulously.

Rachel chuckled. No. I read the detailed description in the playbill and figured the rest.

"Oh." Quinn was silent for a moment. Then she lifted her hands.

How do you do it?

Rachel frowned. Do what? Watch this?

Quinn nodded. This. People. Daily life.

Rachel shook her head slightly. Quinn, when you had your accident, no matter how hard it was, you still came to a point to accept it and move forward, despite all the things you couldn't do anymore. Sometimes you don't have a choice and you just have to go on.

Quinn nodded slightly and kept looking at her. Another realization struck her.

Only just now she realized through the exercise Santana had forced upon her, how much she had assumed and how wrong all her assumptions had been about how a deaf person perceived her surroundings. Now experiencing it, she realized that it was much harder than she had thought.

Quinn always assumed that she got a goof picture of what Rachel perceived whenever she tried to put herself into Rachel's shoes.

What she had not realized was that she naturally processed the sounds around her, even if she was trying to tune them out. But nevertheless, they helped to give her a much clearer picture than what a deaf person would actually get.

And now that she was not able to hear anything, Quinn was shocked.

Being in public, without audible orientation was just horrible for someone who had been hearing his or her whole life.

She forced herself to breath evenly and leaned back in her chair. Feeling Rachel's hand on her thigh helped her relax a little and she endured the first half of the musical until the lights came on.

… … …

During the break Quinn opted to stay seated, she did not want to mingle with the other people.

They let the audience from their row squeeze past them, Santana and Rachel smiling apologetically. Quinn though, duck her head. She was afraid to make contact. She was afraid someone would say something to her and she would not be able to understand or answer.

The extent of understanding of how much it really must have cost Rachel to have come to her concert alone, almost overwhelmed Quinn.

She turned back to Rachel when she felt a hand on her forearm.

Quinn exhaled slowly. Rachel crocked her head and watched her girlfriend.

Quinn, no one expects you to be perfect and to accept this challenge easily. Look at me, you have been with me most of the way and you have seen how hard it was and still is for me every single day. And even when I thought I had started to accept it, I still got depressed and frustrated and acted irrationally.. Really, I appreciate what you and Santana are trying to do. I don't take that for granted, but I think it might be enough for today, don't you?

Quinn exhaled again and shook her head. No. you didn't get that chance to gradually ease into your deafness, why should I take it so easy?

"Quinn!" In her exasperation Rachel forgot for just a second that her girlfriend couldn't hear her.

You have tried it once. You have made it through the first half of this musical now. What else do you want to experience? Rachel was confused.

Rachel, that dinner was one short moment and in familiar surroundings. I need to do this. Quinn watched her hands as if they were talking on their own. A part of her still wanted to rip out the ear plugs and be normal again. But something held her back.

How long do you want to keep this up? Eventually you'll have to take these damn ear plugs out anyway. So why not do it now? You can't run around like that forever just to prove a point.

Quinn pressed her lips together and thrust her chin out ever so slightly and Rachel knew that she would bite on granite if she kept that argument up any longer. This woman could be so stubborn sometimes!

Yes I can. I will keep wearing them for tonight.

With that the argument seemed to be settled for her. Santana expected the best of her, so she should expect the best of herself as well, Quinn thought.

Looking back at the brown eyes that searched her face, Quinn found that this was the right decision. Even though Rachel still seemed a little tense, she also saw gratitude and … was it admiration?... in her eyes.

You are one stubborn woman, you know that? Rachel signed. But that is part of why I love you.

And that is part of why we are together, Quinn grinned. Because I managed to convinced you that I loved you. Wouldn't have happened without that thick head.

"Right," Rachel breathed and then smiled at the blonde, stealing a kiss from the full lips.

Santana watched the discussion going on and only caught every other word of it. It helped her getting a very rough understanding what the discussion was about, but nothing more. This gave her a good idea of how Rachel must feel whenever a normal conversation took place around her.

It was exhausting for Santana to concentrate all the time on the lip and hand movements and still not understand most of it. She realized that Rachel and Quinn slowed their signing whenever she was included in a conversation. Right now, being involved just among themselves, they had gotten considerably fast at signing.

When she watched them kissing each other, the Latina figured that Quinn had apparently won whatever argument they had had, judging by the smug grin she wore.

It was indeed a very weird feeling being in public, seeing all the commotion around her but not hearing what was going on. Santana had to constantly fight the urge to look over her shoulder.

… … …

During the second half of the musical, Rachel kept explaining little things that she had learned to pick up. It helped Quinn to be distracted form the onsets of panic that seemed to come and go despite her resolution to go through with this.

She was glad that Rachel was with her; otherwise she would have bolted from the theater right at the beginning. Hell, she wouldn't have entered it in the first place. The presence of the other woman was calming and helped her to stay focused. And she had to admit that once she concentrated on the visual cues and the things she could perceive with her other senses, she found it quite interesting to explore.

Rachel on the other hand had to shake her head a few times at the situation. Here she was, sitting in a theater again; mere days after having had a nervous breakdown and vowing she would never want to have anything to do with music.

Somehow life was really funny. She wished she could laugh out loud at the joke, though. At least she managed a smile. She had to stop assuming and let life take its course.

Besides, this experience would also help her again in talking to Kayla and her friend the next day. So yes, maybe this was supposed to be her path.

Thank you TheIrishGilmore for the theater prompt!

Any similarity with an existing musical called "Golden" is pure coincidence.