CarolineSC Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

Guest Thanks.

Harley Quinn Davidson I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

Fabraygron It's all about the teasing... :p I'm glad you liked the chapter. I know that it's not always the way things work out, but I like the idea of them both being mature, reasonable adults who can talk about and work through their issues as they pop up. That's what I'm striving for, with each chapter.

LaurenKnight13 You don't sound like a weirdo at all. I'm glad that you liked the chapter, even if it was lacking an awesome sex scene. :p Agreed, it would save them both some money. And, they'll get there eventually. Just not quite yet. I like the sweet moments just as much as I like the sexy ones. And, Tina will make a re-appearance soon, don't worry.

helly1bradleywyatt Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. The story would get boring without some drama, but it's Faberry 100% and I don't do angst, so any drama that does pop up will also be dealt with swiftly.

gllover22 Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

LSpatz Thank you. I agree, the show needs more Faberry interactions, even if they're not of the romantic variety.

icesk8er Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I agree, I think that it's healthy for the minor issues to crop up and be dealt with using open and honest communication, especially with how fast their relationship is developing. For the moment, the story is just the unfolding of their relationship, as it develops. However, there will be a few times jumps as the story progresses to get me from point A-point B once I get some of the basics out of the way.

wkgreen Yeah, not a bad way to spend an evening. :)

Chapter 32

Quinn's alarm clock startled her awake with it's shrill ring, jolting her from a warm, pleasant sleep into a slightly disoriented waking haze. Without opening her eyes, or even moving more than was absolutely neccessary she unearthed one arm from beneath the covers and flailed around in the direction of the noise. One aborted curse and a couple hisses of pain later, as her hand found the surface or corners of the bedside table rather than the sleep button, the alarm was finally silent. With a sigh she rolled over. Or at least, attempted to. Halfway through the motion she found that her right arm and shoulder were pinned down beneath some sort of weight. She pried one eye open and caught a glimpse of dark brown locks spread out across her chest. At some point in their sleep Quinn had rolled onto her back and Rachel had ended up half on top of her, splayed haphazardly across Quinn's torso, her head tucked in beneath Quinn's chin.

Any other morning, Quinn would have simply enjoyed the moment but on this one she had to get up and get ready for work so, reluctantly, she tried to shift out from under the other woman. Only to find herself being more tightly held as Rachel stirred in her sleep and readjusted her grip.

She ran her hand lighly up and down Rachel's back. "Rach, sweetie, I have to get up," she whispered softly, trying to rouse the other woman without actually waking her.

"Hmmmm?"

"I have to get up," she repeated and attempted once again to ease herself out from beneath Rachel.

"'S early," Rachel's voice was muffled because her face was pressed against Quinn's throat.

"I know, babe. You don't have to get up."

She kept her voice low and gentle as she slowly extracted herself and then winced as pins and needles flared up the length of her arm.

Rachel heaved a sigh and rolled over onto her side, releasing Quinn as her eyes blinked open and she stared blurrily up at her.

"What time is it?" she craned her neck, trying to see around Quinn to the clock.

"Early. Go back to sleep."

Rachel shook her head and propped herself up on one elbow. "No. I'm awake now."

"Sorry." Quinn had warned Rachel the night before it'd be an early morning but she still felt quilty about disturbing her sleep.

"It's fine."

"Still." Quinn pushed herself up onto one elbow as well. "Good morning," she whispered, and tilted her head to bring her lips brushing against Rachel's, only to have the kiss averted to Rachel's cheek.

"I haven't had the chance to-"

"I don't care," Quinn cut her off as she reached out to cup Rachel's cheek. She used the grip to turn her head. "Good morning," she repeated, and kissed her properly. "Mmm, morning breath," she hummed as she pulled away.

Rachel huffed and swatted at her shoulder even as she dipped her head and captured Quinn's lips in her own. Quinn moaned softly at the feel of Rachel's tongue sliding softly against her lower lip and again as it slipped into her mouth. But she resisted the urge to deepen the kiss. Her fingers twitched in a desire to touch Rachel's skin but she wouldn't allow herself to.

Last night's conversation was still fresh in her mind. So instead of escalating things, she contented herself with a few moments of sweet, languid kisses before reluctantly, pulling away.

Rachel's hands scrabbled against her arms as she slipped from the bed, trying to pull her back. "Where are you going?"

"I have to go get ready." Quinn didn't dare glance back as she padded across the room to the bathroom. If she did, if she caught a glimpse of Rachel lying back in bed, hair a tousled mess, clothes twisted and rumpled from sleep and looking at her with those wide, expressive brown eyes, she'd be back on that mattress in a heartbeat.

Quinn could hear Rachel moving around in the bedroom as she pulled her hair up into a messy bun and then quickly washed her face. The sound of her voice drifted into the room over the sound of the water running as Quinn started brushing her teeth, but she couldn't make out what she was saying. Probably grumbling about how Quinn had woken her up and then left her all alone in bed. The thought made her grin as she turned and headed back out into the bedroom.

"What'd you say,?" she mumbled around her toothbrush as she rounded the corner. Only to come to a dead stop. Her jaw dropped open and the brush hung awkwardly in her cheek as she took in the sight before her.

Rachel had kicked off the covers and now lay spread-eagle on the bed, one hand gripping the pillow behind her head, the other in her shorts. Her eyes were half-lidded and a little dazed but they held Quinn's gaze as she stared, dumbfounded, back at Rachel, who's hips jerked off the bed and who let out a low whine as her eyes drifted closed for a moment. When they fluttered open again, she met Quinn's gaze once again.

"I'm not getting out of this bed until I come," Rachel informed Quinn, her voice low and her words ragged. "With, or without your assistance. It's really up to you."

Quinn took two eager steps towards the bed and then stopped herself. "But last night-"

"Was a momentary bout of insecurity. As is bound to happen from time to time. My last relationship was largely physical. So that is likely always going to be a hot-button issue of mine."

Quinn didn't know how Rachel was speaking in full, eloquent sentences when she had one hand between her legs. But it was just so very Rachel that it really didn't surprise her.

"And, if we're being honest, I'd likely have been just as insecure if you never initiated anything physical. But, I regress. I had a moment. But you handled it well. You assauged my legitimite, but, ultimitely unfounded fears. Now, it's my turn to allay one of yours," Rachel said. "I don't want you to ever feel like you can't approach me, sexually. I can't even describe how wonderful it feels to know that you want me." She paused there, holding Quinn's gaze steadily.

Quinn nodded, letting Rachel know that she was still with her. That she was following along and trying to take the words she was saying to heart.

"There might be times where I'm tired, or not in the mood or, when my insecurty will flare up and I'll need you to reassure me. And, we'll deal with those moments when they arise. Just like we dealt with it last night. But all the times in between, I don't want you to feel...hesitant...or restrained. I don't want you to feel like you have to reign yourself in. When I kiss you, kiss me back. If you want to touch me, go ahead and touch me. Don't pull away like you did with me this morning. Okay? Can you do that for me?"

Quinn nodded. "Yeah," she rasped. She swallowed, cleared her throat against the lump that had formed and tried again. "Yeah. I can do that."

"Well, then?" Rachel's eyebrow arched and she offered up a smirk that had Quinn leaping onto the bed.

Rachel giggled softly as Quinn landed on hands and knees above her and immediately reached up and wrapped an arm around Quinn's neck, pulling her head down. Quinn nipped a few times at Rachel's lips, but didn't linger. As much as she would have loved to take her time, the clock was ticking. She should already be halfway out the door by now, if she wanted to make it back to her hotel in time to shower and change and get to the auditions on time.

"That tickles." Rachel laughed lightly, shifting restlessly beneath Quinn as she pressed light, feathery kisses down her torso.

Quinn nipped at her hipbone in response and tugged at the waistband of Rachel's sleep shorts. Rachel lifted her hips, allowing her just enough room to pull them down and out of the way. As soon as they had cleared her ankles, Quinn shifted into place between Rachel's legs, one hand gripping either thigh.

She took one deep, long breath, filling her nostrils with the scent of Rachel's arousal. She slowed for one heartbeat, to savour this moment before diving in.

"Holy...FUCK...Quinn..."Rachel gasped as Quinn's tongue sluiced through the wetness gathered at her entrance and delved deep inside her. "OhmyGod."

Rachel's hand slid up the back of her head to tangle in Quinn's hair and her thighs tightened around the sides of her head as Quinn set a firm, rapid pace. She thrust deep and curled her tongue up as she pulled out, making Rachel gasp and her hips jerk beneath her on every stroke.

Normally, she would draw this out, she would feint and tease and take her time. She would relish the sounds Rachel made, the way her body shifted beneath her, the way she clutched at her as her need grew. If they weren't under time constraints, she would be doing just that. But as it were, there was something to be said for fast and rough.

She could tell Rachel was close by the way her body grew taut, her muscles coiling and clenching, her thighs tightening against Quinn's head.

Her breathing was sharp, ragged, her cries wordless as she clutched convulsively at Quinn's shoulder with one hand and the fingers of her other tugged painfully at Quinn's hair. She arched up off the bed, her back bowing, then curling until she was nearly doubled forward over Quinn as she came.

Rachel flopped back onto the bed with a huff, her legs falling away and her body growing loose as she melted back into the mattress. Quinn shook her head, trying to clear it of the ringing in her ears and eased backwords into a standing position. Her own limbs were feeling a little jelly as well, but she didn't have time to indulge.

She allowed herself one moment to enjoy, to feel smug over, the sight of Rachel lying spent against the rumpled covers.

"Why are you all the way over there?" Rachel mumbled, prying one eye open and peering at her.

"Because, I have to get to work," she said, reluctant to turn away even though she knew she was long past due to be getting ready. "I need to change," she said, rounding the bed. "Will you still be awake when I'm done?" she asked, having her doubts that Rachel would be, if the heavy lidded, sleepy gaze the other woman was giving her was any indication.

Rachel hummed non-commitally and Quinn smiled down at her, overcome with a warm wave of affection.

"I have a show tonight," Rachel mummbled.

"Yes. I know."

"And you have auditions all day."

"Yes."

"Does this mean that I won't get to see you?"

Quinn frowned as she considered their schedules. By the time she finished with auditions, Rachel would be ready to leave for the theatre. And it would be like that all week. The next day they'd both have a significant amount of coinciding time off was Saturday, and Quinn didn't relish the idea of not seeing Rachel for the rest of the week.

"How about I meet you after your show?"

Rachel nodded, then frowned and shook her head. "It'll be late .Too late for you, with how early you have to get up."

Quinn thought about that and bit back a groan. By the time Rachel finished with everything back stage and the crowd at the door waiting for her to exit, it would bedtime for Quinn.

"I don't care," she said after a moment. "Even if all I have time to do is accompany you home and give you a kiss goodnight, I want to spend that time with you. I can't stand the thought of not seeing you all week."

"I don't like the thought of that either," Rachel said, offering up a soft smile, which Quinn found herself returning.

"So, I'll meet you tonight after your show?"

Rachel nodded. "I look forward to it."

"Me too," she asked softly, reaching out and smoothing a few tendrils of hair away from Rachel's forehead. She knew that she should be going. Her morning schedule had been shot to hell, but if she hurried up and finished getting ready she would at least make it to the auditions in time.

But, there was one last thing she had to do before she left. Even though Rachel had initiated things this morning, Quinn was still mindful of the conversation they'd had last night, "So, uh, are you all right, with this morning?" she ventured, sliding her hand down to cup Rachel's cheek. "I know it was kind of rushed and-"

"I'm perfectly all right with it," Rachel interrupted. She covered Quinn's hand with her own ."Do you want to know why?" she asked, pulling Quinn's hand away from her face and turning her head to kiss Quinn's palm. "Because of this, right here. You checking in on me before you go." She laced their fingers together and squeezed Quinn's hand lightly. "I'm starting to figure you out, Quinn Fabray," she said, lightly tugging at Quinn's hand until she was sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. "And, I think this morning I realized something that I was unaware of before. That for you, sex isn't just sex. It isn't about just getting off. Or getting me off. For you, it's about connection. It's almost a form of communication in and of itself."

Quinn found herself nodding along to Rachel's words.

"You're a tactile person. We talked about that the other night. And sex is just another facet of that. Isn't it?"

"Yeah. I've never been very good at expressing myself with my words."

"Something I find somewhat ironic, given your chosen profession," Rachel inerjected.

Quinn tipped her head in acknowledgement. As a writer, she had developed a mastery of words, of being able to find that perfect phrase to express her thoughts. However, it was a mastery that failed her in her own life. With her own thoughts and feelings. It was a contradiction. And yet, it also wasn't. Because her writing was never about her. It wasn't her thoughts, her feelings, it was those of the characters and was somewhat removed from her own person and abilities.

"But, I feel like when I touch, when I hold, when I kiss, I can express the things that I can't, or don't know how, to say," Quinn continued. "And sex is..." she paused a moment to gather her thoughts. "Sex is such a mixed bag of emotions, I get that. It's intimacy and it's emotion, but it's also physical and base. And-"

"And sometimes people confuse your need for tactile intimacy for a lack of emotional connection?" Rachel finished quietly, hitting the nail square on the head.

Quinn nodded. "Maybe it's messed up," she said with a shrug. "We both know that I've never been the most well adjusted. Maybe sex is just another one of my issues and I'm confusing attraction and lust with emotion and-"

"Don't," Rachel interrupted her harshly. "Don't sell yourself short. And don't make light of everything you've struggled with. How you feel about sex, how you approach it and what it means to you is one hundred percent exactly how it should be. For you. And, just as you have and will continue to have to learn and make adjustments for my insecurities, I'm going to have to do the same for yours. That's what it means to be in a relationship, Quinn." Rachel pushed herself up into a sitting position and wrapped an arm around Quinn's neck. "Give and take, baby," she said softly and pressed a kiss to Quinn's forehead.

Quinn's eyes fluttered closed as Rachel's lips lingered, then popped open when Rachel pulled away.

"We're fine, Quinn," she said softly. "I'm fine. This morning was nothing short of amazing. And I don't just mean that it was hot. Which it was. I mean that it was something special that the both of us shared. And that's amazing."

Quinn nodded, feeling a weight of tension that she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying, ease off her chest. "Thank you, Rachel," she said softly, sincerely.

"Um, pretty sure I should be the one thanking you," Rachel said, a leering smile crossing her lips.

Quinn laughed and shook her head. "And on that note, I need to go." She brushed a quick kiss against Rachel's lips and rose from the bed.

She ignored the pout that Rachel shot her as she gathered up her clothes and headed back into the bathroom. Where she got ready for the day in record time.

She emerged from Rachel's bathroom after re-washing her face, brushing her teeth, taming her hair and slipping yesterdays clothes back on to find the bed, and bedroom, empty of the expected dozing diva.

"Rach?" she called as she made her way into the living room. "Hey, what are you doing?" she called as she approached the other woman, who had her back to her at the kitchen counter. She had expected Rachel to fall back asleep. There was no need for her to be up and about this early. Not only that, with the late hours she'd been keeping tonight for her show, she shouldn't be up and about right now.

"I imagine that our little romantic interlude means you don't have time for breakfast," Rachel said instead of answering.

"You are correct."

"I made you coffee, and wrapped you up a muffin," Rachel said, turning as she spoke. She presented Quinn with first a saran wrapped blueberry muffin and a go-mug. She pressed the items into a surprised, and touched, Quinn's hands and rose up onto her tiptoes to brush a gentle kiss against her lips.

"Have a good day, Quinn. I'll see you tonight."

"You too, Rach," Quinn murmured, returning the sweet kiss and then pulling away. "Break a leg tonight. See you later."