gllover22: I'm glad that you found the scene entertaining. :) Thank you for reading, for commenting and for your kind words. I'm glad you liked that line. It was sort of a random thing that popped into my head and I couldn't not use it. So, mental images huh? Believe me, I had them too. And that scene will definitely be written, either as part of this story or as a stand alone.

LSpatz Glad you liked it. Geez, demandning little thing, aren't you? Don't worry, the next chapter is already being written.

RachelBarbraBerry :)

SuperGleek18 Glad that you found her dads to be so engaging. :) lol. Yeah, that was a fun one to write. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

Fabraygron Glad that you enjoyed them. :) And it's nice to know that you're hooked, because I've got a lot of stuff that I think you'll like leading up to the date and hopefully the date itself as well. Thank you for your continued feedback. It means a lot that you take the time out to comment.

LaurenKnight13 Yeah, it's good that she was able to win them over. There will be Judy scene at some point in the near future, which I hope that you'll enjoy. Thank you for taking the time out to comment, I truly appreciate it.

wkgreen What a way is right. But yep, she made it through unscathed. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I hope that you continue to. Thanks for taking the time to make a comment. :)

Jaely I'm glad that I could make you laugh. Even if, especially since, you figured it out pretty quick. Both sides of the situation? Oh, my poor, poor Jaely. :( I feel for you being on the Quinn side of things. But I guess that makes it all the more amusing when you're on the Rachel side. Thank you for your kind words, and for taking the time to write them.

Chapter 18

As soon as Rachel had rounded the corner and dissapeared from sight Quinn slipped from the bed and hurried after her, intent on sneaking up behind her in the kitchen like she had the night before. She had enjoyed the way Rachel had jumped, startled at that first touch and then relaxed so quickly into her arms. The way she'd shivered slightly as Quinn had kissed just below her ear and slumped back against her. It had been a pleasant, peaceful moment between the two of them. Just thinking about it, remembering started a warm, fuzzy feeling growing in her chest and all she wanted to do was recreate feeling.

She rounded the corner and bit back a yelp as she pulled up short, stumbling over her own feet as she attempted not to run into Rachel, who was hovering just beyond the doorway.

"Jesus, Rachel," she hissed, one hand on her heart as if that would in some way steady her rapidly beating heart the other braced on the wall beside her in her efforts to stay upright. "What the hell," she muttered, glaring at the other woman, who merely smirked back at her.

"Hey," Rachel said casually as she closed the distance between them settled her hands around Quinn's waist.

"Hey." Quinn's reply was low and breathless on account of the way Rachel's thumbs were rubbing circles against her sides and her stomach pressed tightly against Quinn's as her lips hung just out of reach.

"I see you made your decision."

Rachel's breath washed across her lips with ever word, making Quinn shiver.

"No. You made my decision for me. No point in staying in bed if you're not in it with me," Quinn said, her arms drifting up to rest on Rachel's shoulders.

A slow smile parted Rachel's lips as she pulled their bodies impossibly close together. "When did you get so charming?"

Quinn didn't know if Rachel actually expected an answer or if the question was rhetorical but her thoughts were spinning, there was no possible way that she would be able to come up with any kind of coherent reply with the way Rachel's hips canted into hers and their torso's brushed together. Instead of answering she dipped her head and nipped at Rachel's bottom lip lightly before capturing it between her own for a kiss. She felt Rachel smile softly against her lips before rising up onto her toes and pressing back against her, hands sliding to grip the fabric of Quinn's shirt as she returned the kiss with fervor.

When she pulled back Quinn was breathless and panting and wanting more. She slid her arms around to cradle the back of Rachel's neck and used her grip to pull the other woman in once more. Rachel hummed softly into the kiss and then pulled back, dropping down onto the balls of her feet and loosening her hold slightly without pulling away.

"Good morning," she whispered, voice hoarse and eyes slighlty dazed.

"Good morning," Quinn agreed. "Not that I'm complaining or anything but, what was that?"

Rachel shrugged one shoulder in a dispaly of nonchalance. "What can I say, you're always staring at my ass when I walk out of a room. I thought that it was high time I got the chance to ogle you as you walk away."

"You noticed that, huh?" Quinn asked, feeling a faint blush heat up her cheeks even as she told herself that she wasn't embarrased. Not at doing it. Not at getting caught.

She had come a long way in accepting her sexuality, not just that she was gay although that was part of it but just the general idea that she was a sexual being. Growing up in her household the way she had, where displays of physical affection were rare and stilted when they did come, where her parents never held hands or cuddled or hugged or kissed each other in the presence of her children had led Quinn to believe that the desire to do such things was somehow wrong or at the very least taboo. That idea had only been enfored as she'd listened to her older sister be admonished for comments about the attractiveness of guys in her class, actors on tv, models in magazines. She'd never talked to her mother about crushes when she'd started discovering boys at 12 or 13. Never gushed and swooned over hearthrobs, never recounted that first date and the butterflies she'd felt or the way her heart had raced when he'd held her hand. She'd definitely been repressed but she'd developed out of it, she'd come to accept that she appreciated the human form, asthetically, physically. It was something that she no longer felt uncomforrtable with or ashamed of but sometimes those old feelings of wrongness came flooding back. Quinn refused to apologize for it though.

"Yep, I noticed."

"Well, I wasn't ogling you."

"No?"

"No. I was...appreciating your beauty."

"The beauty of my ass?"

"Yep."

"Okay." Rachel drew the word out slowly, clearly doubting Quinn's words.

She offered a smile, more of a leer really. "It's a really, really beautiful ass."

Rachel huffed out a laugh. "Well, like I said, it's my turn to...appreciate the beauty of your ass, so get going."

Quinn jumped and let out a startled yelp as she felt the faint sting of Rachel's hand connecting with the thinly clad skin of her ass. "Hey," she protested, reaching back to rub at the heated throbbing, only to have her wrist tightly in Rachel's grip as her free hand drifted down to run soothing circles over the area.

Quinn bit back a moan as she felt Rachel's fingers press lightly into her and squirmed against the body pressed against her until, much too quickly Rachel's hand dropped away and she released her grip on Quinn's arm.

"I said get going. Go on." Another swat at Quinn had her jumping back, out of arms length.

"All right, all right," she muttered, spinning on her heel and striding across the apartment with a deliberate swing to her hips. She glanced over her shoulder as she reached the threshold of the kitchen and caught Rachel gazing back at her, eyes definitely cast downward. Shaking her head she faced forward again and circled the island and made her way to the counter, reaching immediately for the kettle.

She felt Rachel approach a moment before the other woman sidled up behind her, pressing in against her back as she reached over Quinn's head and pulled two mugs from the cupboard, the length of her body extending out along Quinn's. She set the mugs down onto the counter and then spun away, kneeling down to grab something from one of the lower cupboards. Quinn glanced down, stealing a peek down the front of the other woman's shirt as she rifled through the collection of pots and pans before her hand closed around something and began to pull it out in a cacaphony of clanging metal.

"Waffle maker," she announced unnecessarily as she stood and placed the item on the counter.

"Mmhmm. Did you enjoy the view?" Quinn asked as she carefully measured coffee and then sugar into their mugs.

"Yep. Sure did. Did you?" Rachel smirked a little as she tugged at the collar of her shirt.

"Yep," Quinn said, putting a little emphasis on the p, popping it slightly. "So, you're in a good mood this morning."

"Why shouldn't I be? I went out on the most amazing date last night. Then woke up this morning next to the most beautiful woman."

Quinn hummed soflty. "Sounds wonderful. Almost as wonderful as my night."

"Only almost?" Rachel questioned as she turned, leaning against the counter as she faced Quinn.

"Only almost. Because no matter how beautiful the woman you woke up next to, she's nothing compared to the woman that I woke up next to."

Rachel beamed at her, clearly charmed and brought one hand up to cup Quinn's cheek, her thumb stroking the skin lightly. "When did you get so smooth, Quinn Fabray?" she asked and without waiting for an answer guided Quinn's lips down to hers for a kiss.

The thing was, Quinn didn't consider herself to be smooth. Not really. She was aware that the things she was saying might come across that way but actually all she was being was honest. She thought that Rachel was beautiful and stunning and talented and just generally amazing and she had no qualms about telling her.

She brought her hands up to rest on Rachel's hips, holding her there as they kissed, deep and languid neither of them making any effort to escalate. There was a quiet intimacy in the simple act of kissing, not neccessarily more meaningful than the vulnerability and connection of love making but equally powerful and Quinn for one was enjoying being in the moment.

They pulled away slowly and stood there, Rachel's hands cupping Quinn's face, Quinn's hand on Rachel's hips and just stared at each other for a long moment before Quinn dropped her head down to rest her forehead against Rachel's, her eyes drifting closed as a sigh passed her lips.

They'd talked about this just last night yet Quinn still found herself somewhat stunned at how deep she was already in this. It all felt so significant. Even the simple, easy moments, the bantering and teasing and flirting was all part and parcel of something so much more.

She was smitten that was for sure. And right now that was as far as she was willing to admit.

She pulled back with a gentle smile. "So, waffles?" she questioned lightly, trying to diminish the slight heaviness that seemed to have settled over their morning all of a sudden. "Can you make those?" she continued. "'Cause I seem to remember you being something of a disaster in the kitchen."

"Hey!" Rachel gave her a light shove as she stepped away. "I'm not...I was never that bad."

"You set a duck on fire," Quinn reminded her, shoving her shoulder a shove right back. "And there was that time senior year when you tried to make...whatever it was you were trying to make for Kurt's birthday. Then there-"

"Okay, so my cooking skills sometimes left something to be desired. But, I was always pretty good at baking."

"Anyone can make cookies from a tube, Rach."

"Anyone. Really? So you didn't practically make charcol in your dorm's kitchen freshman year?"

Quinn winced, having forgotten not only about that but also telling Rachel about that back when they were still talking.

"That was one time, Rach. One time. Otherwise, I have an impeccible record in the kitchen. You on the other hand.."

"Fine. Okay. Do you want to make breakfast then?" Rachel raised an eyebrow challengingly, though the grin playing on her lips belied her exasperated tone.

Quinn tilted her head, pretending to consider for a moment. "Nah, it's all right," she finally drawled. "I'll let you do it. I'll just sit over there and...enjoy the show." She tipped her thumb in the direction of the stools tucked in beneath the island before shuffling across the floor, away from Rachel's indignant huff and attempted swat.

"So, do your dad's call like that very often?" she asked as she settled onto one of the stools and turned to lean backwards against the island so she could watch Rachel as she began pulling ingredients from the cupboard.

"Every Sunday," Rachel replied, her voice muffled as she stretched for something towards the back of the shelf. "We talk thoughout the week too, usually emails and texts. But between their schedules and mine, it's hard to find the time for a decent conversation Monday to Friday, y'know?"

Quinn didn't know, not really. There wasn't anyone in her life that she made that kind of effort to keep up with. She hadn't seen or spoken to her father in over eight years and while her relationship with her mother had improved since the divorce and Quinn's return from exile they weren't close the way Rachel was with her dads. Their contact was infrequent at best. And though she'd kept in touch with many of her friends from Yale their contact was more of a sporatic thing. Birthday wishes, Christmas cards, the occasional flurry of email exchanged to get caught up throughout the year before falling back into routine and letting things slide.

"That's nice," she said, trying to imagine what it would be like to have that kind of relationship with her parents. "It's sweet."

"You don't think it's...clingy? Or lame?"

"What? No. Of course not." Quinn was quick off her stool, closing the distance between them in two long strides. "Who told you that?" She gripped Rachel by the shoulders and turned her around to face her.

"Rach?" she prodded as the other woman offered a shrug but remained silent. She placed her hand beneath the Rachel's chin and tipped her head up, forcing the other woman to make eye contact. "Who told you that the relationship you have with your fathers is anything other than amazing?"

"A few of my exes," Rachel muttered, her eyes darting away from Quinn's gaze.

What the fu- Quinn exhaled loudly and shook away the thought. "Rach, that's ridiculous. The relationship you have with your fathers is something that you should be proud of."

"I know. And I am proud of it. But their weekly phone calls have become...problematic in past relationships. A few of the people that I've dated became irritated with what they saw as an intrusion onto our time together."

Quinn opened her mouth to speak but found that she had no words.

"Oh, come on Quinn, don't give me that look. Don't tell me you weren't annoyed by their call this morning."

"I was annoyed at being woken up," Quinn corrected gently. "And at being embarrased by the whole situation. But I enjoyed chatting with your dads. And I like that fact that you enjoyed chatting with them."

"Oh." Rachel let out a breath and sagged against the counter behind her. "So, it doesn't...bother you that they called while we were together?"

"Not at all. If you could get them to call a little later maybe it'd be nice," She admitted. "Perhaps while we had brunch instead of at the crack of dawn-"

"Eight thirty in the morning is hardly-"

"Or maybe you could call them when we're up, instead of them calling you? Because now that I know they call every week all I can think about is, what if they call while we're in the middle of...you know..."

"Sex?"

"Yeah. If you don't answer, they'll know what we're doing. And if you do answer, they'll know what they interrupted us doing."

"How would they possible know?" Rachel asked, sounding amused now as a smirk tugged at her lips. She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow up.

"They just would," Quinn insisted. She didn't know how she knew, she just knew that they would. She'd managed to fix the rocky start they'd gotten off to this morning but she wasn't sure how she'd get around it if they called while the two of them were actually having sex.

Rachel stared her down for a minute, smirk fixed firmly on her lips, eyes dancing with amusement before she brought a hand up and patted Quinn's cheek lightly.

"Okay. I'll talk to them about waiting for us to call them," she said, the pat turning into a gentle caress. Quinn's eyes fluttered shut and she leaned her head into the touch. "But you know, they're going to know why I'm asking them to hold off on calling, don't you?"

Quinn's eyes flew open and she stared down at Rachel, taking in the other woman's amusement and she knew that she was right. "I just can't win here, can I?"

"Nope. You really can't." Rachel traced the pad of her finger along the line of Quinn's cheekbone before letting her hand fall away and stepping back. With a sigh, Quinn released her grip on Rachel and stepped back. She ignored the other woman's soft laughter as she returned to her stool.

"So, did you decide what you wanted to do today?" Rachel asked as she turned her attention back to preparing breakfast.

"I was thinking we could just hang out here today," Quinn said. "Just watch movies or something until you have to leave for the theatre."

Rachel nodded. "Remember, I have to be there by three today. Matinee."

"Mmmhmm. That's why I figured we should just have a chilled day. And I was also thinking that...I could come see you perform tonight." She glanced up hopefully.

Rachel turned to face her, a grin lighting up her features. "You want to watch my show tonight?"

Quinn nodded. "Yeah. I said I wanted to see it" she reminded the other woman. "I thought today would be a good day for it. Maybe we could grab dinner between performances? There's a few restaurants around the theatre that are supposed to be pretty good."

Rachel was nodding at her words. "There are some amazing restaurants around the theatre. You're really going to come to tonights show?"

"If you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. I'll have a ticket waiting for you."

"What? No. I'll pay my own way in. I'm not looking for a free show."

"No, Quinn it's fine. In fact, I insist. The theatre gives me an allottment of comp tickets a year and I barely use any. My dads come up once, maybe twice a year. Finn, sometimes Puck will come around my birthday but that's pretty much it. "

"Kurt never comes to see you perform? Santana and Brittnay?"

"Sure they do. But Kurt and Britt have their own connections, they don't need mine. Please, Quinn? I'd really like it if you'd come as my guest."

"Well, how can I say no to that? In that case, I'd be honored."

Rachel bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, excitement practically vibrating through her body. "Oh, it'll be great. If you come back to the theatre with me after dinner, I can give you the backstage tour."

Quinn had spent plenty of time backstage yet she couldn't help but get swept up in Rachel's excitement over the prospect.

"Did you want to invite your friends?" Rachel continued. "Lara and...Olivia? I'd hate the thought of you having to sit all alone, being bored during intermissions and stuff. And, I'd love to meet them. Properly."

Quinn could practically see the wheels in Rachel's head turning as she planned out an evening for the four of them, a tour, introductions all around, probably an indepth history lesson of both the show and the theatre housing it, drinks or a snack afterwards.

"I don't know if they'll be available tonight," she gently interrupted. For all she knew they'd already made plans for the day. "But I'll ask. And I'll be there, either way."

"I can't wait."

To be honest, Quinn couldn't either. However, there was still quite a bit of the day left between now and then and she was looking forward to every minute of it.