CarolineSC That's good to know.. I'm you think so.

simx48 Good to know.

Harley Quinn Davidson Thanks.

ilovemycandy Noted. Thanks.

RikkuKashi I suppose you do have a point.

DameonCain Thanks.

carrie908 That's good to know. Thanks. :)

Mslspatz, well of course you wouldn't mind. :p I'm glad you liked it though.

wkgreen Thanks.

LaurenKnight13 :) I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, I think it's just the start of what will be a wonderful life for them.

priscilla Glad you liked it. Judy's visit is a ways off still though.

gllover22 lol. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it. And, I'll certainly do my best. On both counts.

Chapter 44

"Are you sure that you're really okay with this?" Rachel asked, for what was probably the third time since Quinn had entered her apartment.

"It's a little late to be asking now, don't you think?" Quinn glanced over her shoulder at Rachel just in time to catch the other woman roll her eyes and cross her arms over her chest with a huff. Shaking her head and rolling her own eyes at her girlfriend's dramatics Quinn put aside the knife she was chopping carrots with and turned, making her way across the kitchen to where Rachel was leaning against the island.

"Hey now, do you remember what I said the other day?" she asked softly, reaching out and gently tugging Rachel's arms uncrossed. "That it didn't matter to me how we spent the evening, as long as it was together?" She guided Rachel's arms up and draped them around her shoulders and squeezed her forearms lightly before letting her own hands come to rest on Rachel's hips. "And, honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again. I didn't realize how much I'd missed them until we got together last week." She ducked her head, catching Rachel's eye. "Okay?"

Rachel nodded. So, you're not annoyed that I invited the others over for dinner tonight?"

"I"m annoyed that you keep asking me that."

Finally, Rachel relented, laughing lightly as she laced her hands together behind Quinn's head and pulled her a little closer. "All right. Sorry. I'll stop."

"Thank you." Quinn pecked Rachel's lips lightly. "Can I go back to cooking now?"

"Not so fast." Rachel tugged her gently back into place as she started to turn away, then guided her head down to capture Quinn's lips in a deep, heated kiss. Quinn whimpered as Rachel's tongue slid along her bottom lip and then slipped inside her mouth. Then let out a groan of protest as Rachel pulled back abruptly.

"Okay. Now you can go back to cooking." Rachel smirked at her as she dropped her arms and took a step away.

"Hold up, you can't just kiss me like that and walk away." Quinn tightened her grip on Rachel's hips, holding her in place. "Finish what you started."

Giggling, Rachel turned her face, dodging Quinn's kiss. Not that Quinn was deterred, she simply re-directed her affections, pressing her lips against the side of Rachel's jaw, smiling as she felt Rachel shiver and moan at the contact. She worked her way down the column of Rachel's throat, nipping and sucking, her tongue plying soft, warm skin.

"We don't have time. The others will be here any minute," Rachel protested, one hand fisting into the fabric of her shirt, at the small of her back, pulling her closer as the other pressed against her shoulder, attempting to push her away.

"So, we'll be quick." Quinn swirled her tongue in the hollow at the base of Rachel's throat, making her moan softly as she tipped her head back, granting more access.

"The rice-"

"Will be fine. It's nowhere near boiling."

The hand at Quinn's shoulder slid up to cup the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair as she slid a thigh between Quinn's legs and pressed up, finding Quinn's throbbing center with unnerring accuracy. Letting out a soft grunt, Quinn ground down onto Rachel's thigh and slid her hands from Rachel's hips to her ass, fingers massaging subtly as she pulled Rachel more firmly against her. Her own thigh sliding into place between Rachel's legs.

Rachel's grip tightened in her hair as she rocked against Quinn's thigh, a strained moan falling from her lips as she pressed against her. Their pace gew frenzied quickly. Quinn's kisses against Rachel's neck grew sloppy, until eventually she was merely panting against her throat, lips pressed against her skin as the tension in her abdomen coiled tighter and tighter.

She felt Rachel tense against her, breath catching in her throat and hands stilling in her hair, fingers locked against her scalp for a moment before she released a shuddering sigh and arched into her. Another roll of her hips and Quinn was following after her, the tension releasing in a wave that rolled over her, almost bowling her over in it's intensity.

With a soft sigh she collapsed bonelessly against Rachel, who was pressed heavily against the island, it's pressure at her back the only thing keeping them both upright.

Slowly, Quinn's sensed came back to her and she pushed herself upright on still somewhat shaky legs.

"Mmm," Rachel hummed softly. "That was..."

"Yeah."

The two of them exchanged soft, almost bashful smiles. Her desire,as it always did with Rachel, had come up suddenly and forcefully. And, had been sated just the same. This thing between them was new enough that she still marveled at that. She was still wrapping her head around how quickly and thoroughly Rachel could work her up, with just a look, a touch, a smile. And how unexpectedly powerful it was, every single time. She hoped that she would never get used to this feeling. That for as long as they were together she would always be filled with this same sense of wonder and astonishment, this sweet satisfaction every time.

The moment was broken as a low, insistent hissing filled the room. It took a moment for Quinn's addled brain to identify it, but when she did she jumped away from Rachel with a curse.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." She hurried her way over to the stove and grabbed the handle of the pot or rice, which was now boiling over into a mess all over the place. She reached for the burner, dialing it back, watching as the element rapidly faded from a bright, glowing read to a dull black. Once it had, she set the pot back down onto it and cautiously pulled the lid off.

"How's it look?" Rachel cautiously approached her side, laying a hand on the small of her back as she peered over her shoulder.

Quinn scrutinized the rice that remained in the pot. With her free hand she reached for a wooden spoon and stirred it gently, surprised but pleased to see that all but the bottom most layer moved easily. "Not bad. The bottom of the pot is probably burnt to hell, but the rice is fine." She put this lid back and reached for a dishcloth to clean up the mess on top of the stove. "Dinner is not ruined. So, you can't tell me you told me so." She flashed a smirk at Rachel, who rolled her eyes.

"Technically, I was right. I tired to tell you that the rice would boil over."

"Technically, we were finished having sex when the rice boiled over."

Rachel shook her head, but she was smiling. "I'm going to go finish setting the table. Can I trust you not to burn down my kitchen while I do that?"

Quinn rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the final dinner preparations. Instead of hosting a pot-luck, she had offered to cook for everyone. She'd opted to make a simple risotto dish, mushrooms and stuffed peppers. She was also preparing a salad and had stopped at the bakery on the way over to pick up a cake for dessert. In all, it was only a minor effort, but she felt like she owed it to her friends to at least make it. They had all been so warm in welcoming her back into the fold, she wanted to do something to say thank you and show that she appreciated their kindness and understanding.

She hadn't been lying when she told Rachel that she didn't mind their only evening of the week together being interrupted by their friends. Their schedule was challenging, but they'd found a way to make it work. Early mornings and late nights waking and falling asleep together were precious moments that she wouldn't trade for anything. And yes, it might not be as satisfying as spending endless hours the way other couples got to, but it only made the time they did get to be together more relevant and meaningful.

Even if they weren't spending that time together alone. She thought that her friend's old tradition of Monday night dinners was a great idea and something that they should get back into doing. Maybe not every week. But definitely regularly.

Unlike the last gathering, she wasn't nervous. She anxious that the food would turn out and be edible but she wasn't nervous about whether or not the gathering would be a success. She was eager to see her friends, to re-establih that friendship.

"Everything set in here?" Rachel returned from setting the table and sidled up beside Quinn at the stove.

Quinn glanced around, checking to make sure she had everything covered. "Yeah. I think we're good. I just need to-"

Her words were cut off by a loud banging on Rachel's front door.

"Quit macking on each other and let us in," Santana's voice, muffled but distinct, carried into the room.

Quinn rolled her eyes as Rachel moved around Quinn, heading for the door. Before she could take more than a step away, Quinn reached out and snagged her wrist. "That was rude. Make her wait."

Rachel glanced at Quinn, then back at the door, which Santana was pounding on once again. "You're the only person I know who actually enjoys antagonizing Santana."

"It's the nature of our relationship," she said with a shrug. "If it wasn't for insults, we wouldn't have anything to say to each other."

"That's sad."

"It's a joke."

"Is it though? Is it really?"

Quinn shrugged. There might have been a kernel of truth in her words, but even if there was, what did it really matter? They each knew what the other meant to them. "Okay. Go let her in now."

Rachel made her way over to the door, muttering something that Quinn couldn't quite catch under her breath as she did. She pulled open the door just as Santana had raised her arm to knock again, to really pound on the door if the way she stumbled into the room was any indication.

"Very fucking funny, Fabray," she said without even looking in Quinn's direction as she hugged Rachel in greeting and brushed a kiss against her cheek before moving away to tug off her coat and hang it in the hall close

"We brought you some wine," Brittany said, following Santana into the apartment. "A gift for the hostesses with the mostesses." She presented Rachel with the bottle but before the other woman could take it, she scooped her up into a hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around twice before setting her down and dropping a kiss onto her forehead.

"It's good stuff too, none of that cheap shit that Berry's always drinking," Santana said as she made her way furthur into the apartment, crossing the living room to come to stand beside Quinn, who had circled the island to watch the exchange.

"Q."

"S."

They both nodded, their sparse exchange holding as much meaning to them as a heartfelt exchange would to others.

"Dinner smells delicious," Brittany bounded up behind Santana and nearly bowled Quinn over with her hug. "Not at all like you're trying to poision us like San said."

"Thanks, Britt." She returned the hug with equal fervor and then released her friend to return her attention back to the meal. "And, thanks for the wine. I'm sure it'll go great with dinner."

Rachel made her way back to the kitchen and pulled down four wine glasses. The three of them teased her gently as she attempted to uncork the bottle, all of them laughing when she eventually managed it and the cork when ricocheting across the kitchen. She'd just started to pour glass when there was another knock on the door. Quinn excused herself from the group and made her way across the apartment, trying not to make too much of the moment. The two of them hosting a dinner party together, Quinn answering the door to Rachel's apartment like she had every right to, it was no insignificant thing, but she also didn't want to make too much of it, mentally.

She swung the door open to reveal a smiling Sam, who immediately crossed the threshold and scooped her up into a hug. Laughing when her toes left the ground, Quinn returned it with enthusiasm, enjoing the feel of his broad chest beneath her cheek and his strong arms around her waist.

He's just set her down on her feet and stepped across the threshold when Tina appeared in the doorway, followed closely behind by Kurt and Quinn found herself caught up in another round of hugs and greetings.

Soon the apartment was full of laughter and conversation, all of her old friends gathered around the island in the kitchen, sipping wine and getting caught up as Quinn and Rachel put the final touches on dinner.

"Hey, are we eating anytime soon? I'm fucking starved here."

"Language, Santana." Rachel bumped Santana's hip none to gently as she stepped past, almost causing the girl to spill her wine and making the rest of them laugh.

"Yeah. You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Quinn teased.

"Don't talk about my mother. Puta."

"Pendja."

"Muerdame."

"Yo hice. Tu gusto."

Santana rolled her eyes. "Callate. Tu desea."

Quinn smirked, knowing she'd wone that one. "Como esta tu madre?"

"Enojado nunca la llama."

That caught Quinn up short. "Oh. Tell her I'm sorry?"

"Tell her yourself."

Quinn took the chastisement and nodded. It was only then that she noticed everyone's eyes were on her, all except Brittany's face displaying varying degress of surprise over the rapidfire exchange she and Santana had just shared.

"I don't remember you ever taking spanish." Kurt was the first to find his voice.

Quinn scoffed. She loved Mr. Shue, she really did, and his influence in the choir room was invaluable to her but he'd been a piss-poor language teacher. "Mr Shue only wishes he could speak spanish like that."

No, she'd learned the language around the Lopez family dinner table. Despite the tempestous relationship between herself and Santana, she'd always been welcome in the Lopez home. By the beginning on ninth grade, her presense at Friday night family dinner had pretty much been mandatory. Even when she and Santana had been in a fight, she'd been at that table, her at one end, Santana at the other, Brittany between them as a buffer. The three of them sharing dinner with Santana's parents and two younger brothers and their occasonal friends before heading off to wherever their evening plans took them. More often then not it was a party, their attendence a requirement to maintain their status at the school. But on the rare, precious occasion, it was just the three of them, going to a movie or even better, just hanging out in Santana's room, watching movies, reading magazines and gossiping.

It had been a long time though since those days. Although, Quinn didn't have to be hard pressed to admit that she missed them.

"That was hot," Brittany said, leaning over and pecking Santana's lips lightly.

"Yeah, it was." Santana's cocky grin was firmly in place as she nodded.

"Yeah, it was," Rachel whispered in Quinn's ear as she gave her ass a rub. "All right," she said a little louder, addressing the entire group. "Dinner is served."

"About damn time. Ow!" Santana scowled and rubbed her shoulder where both Brittany and Quinn had smacked her as everyone else made their way over to the table, some shuffling and jostling taking place as they all found their seats. While the others settled, Rachel and Quinn carried dinner over on serving platters and took their places in the two empty seats, on opposite sides at one end of the table.

Things were quiet for a moment as everyone served themselves. Before they could all start eating, Quinn stood in her seat and tapped her fork against her glass to gain their attention.

"Seriously, Q? Ow. Britt."

"That wasn't Brittany." Kurt smirked, then jumped in place and let out a squeal as Santana kicked him under the table, probably twice as hard as he'd kicked. "Rude."

"You started it."

"Yeah, but violence, Kurt? Really?" Rachel shook her head.

Quinn shook her head, grinning as she listened to them all start squabbling, half of them defending Kurt, half of them picking on Santana. It honestly wouldn't surprise her if someone left the table in tears. Or, at the very least, a diva storm out. It had been a very, very long time since she had witnessed one of those and she wasn't ashamed to admit that she'd kind of missed them. They were a dramatic, volatile bunch. Their personalities shouldn't work together and, often times didn't, but somehow they managed to make each other better, stronger, whole.

"Wait, Quinn, you wanted to say something?" Sam glanced over at her, curiously as she sank back down into her seat.

"Nah, I'm good. Carry on." She gestured to the chaos around her. He glanced over around the table, then back at Quinn before nodding and letting himself be pulled back into the conversation.

It wasn't long before Quinn was pulled in as well, leaning forward in her seat to talk passionately with Artie, with Tina, with Kurt, the food she'd so painstakingly prepared an afterthought as the conversations flowed seamlessly. Her cheeks flush and her sides aching with laughter.

Author's Note: My spanish is a little rusty, so my translation might not be exact. Forgive me if I've made any mistakes (Though, for anyone who is more fluent than I, feel free to correct me) But the exchange between Santana and Quinn goes as follows.

"Don't talk about my mother. Bitch."

"Asshole."

"Bite me."

"I did. You liked it."

"Shut up. You wish."

"So, how is your mother?"

"Pissed you never call her."