AN: Just living in the SOA world. Some fluff before drama.
"Are you sure your gonna be ok?" Katherine asked.
"Yes, just go!" Cassia croaked.
She wasn't sure what she had but she felt like crawling in a hole and dying. Her and Katherine had planned on going to a movie that night off campus but Cassia could barely speak and was probably running a fever. Katherine gave her a sympathetic smile before tossing her the phone.
"Call that Rane man of yours," she said leaving before Cassia could reply.
"Yeah?" Quinn almost yelled. It sounded like a party in the background, given it was a Friday it made sense to Cassia.
"Hi Rane, you sound busy," Cassia coughed out.
"Shit baby, what's wrong? What do you need? I can be there in twenty minutes," Quinn's voice dripped with concern and worry. Cassia shifted in bed, not missing he called her baby.
"Tylenol, apple juice, and vanilla pudding," Cassia replied hoping he would actually bring it.
"Got it, I'll be at your dorm in 40 minutes," Quinn said hanging up.
Cassia was grateful and nervous. Quinn knew what dorm she lived in but in the two and half months she had been at school hadn't visited. The club had kept him busy, but Cassia wondered if he was having the same unsure feelings she was. They hadn't talked about it but him calling her 'baby' had to mean something. Looking at her watch she hustled down to the lobby to make sure Quinn was let in.
If Cassia's throat wasn't extremely shore she would be laughing at the scene in front of her. The student worker was one notorious for not allowing people in. He was standing with his arms crossed, doing nothing to intimidate the biker who was a good nine inches taller than him.
"Hey Rane, just show him your id and I'll sign for you," Cassia got out before coughing.
Quinn frowned setting down the bag he had to get to Cassia. She smiled at him as he pulled her close kissing her forehead. That alone made her feel better.
"Hey! You need to sign in!" The worker huffed.
"Give me a fuckin' minute," Quinn growled looking ready to knock the kid into next week. Cassia just snuggled deeper into him, seeing the kid pale and drop back into his seat.
"I missed you, thank you for coming," Cassia whispered.
"Anything for you baby," Quinn said kissing her forehead again and growing at the warmth he felt.
Casssia pulled out of his arms. Going to the table she signed for Quinn and grabbed the bag. Quinn took the bag from her before tucking her into his side. Cassia motioned them to the stairs, her room was closer to the stairs than the elevator.
"How long you been feeling sick?" Quinn asked. He hated seeing her like this, even though it was probably just the flu.
"Started yesterday. I thought it was just a cold but…" Cassia trailed pushing the door open.
Quinn noticed how nice this dorm was. As Cassia unlocked her door, he noticed the decorations on it. Must be some college thing. He already knew about her roommate, and he was glad they had become friends. Both girls seemed on the introverted side and uninterested in college parties. Although they had different majors, they had enough in common that it worked. Except for the lingering doubts about Bradley Turner.
"There isn't much space, but you can have the bed and I'll take my chair," Cassia said holding the door.
"Sugar, you need to be in bed. Trust me, I've had worse that a desk chair," Quinn said setting down the bag.
Cassia grabbed her to-go coffee Tumblr and poured herself some apple juice before carefully climbing into bed. Quinn got her some Tylenol and one of the puddings. He was smart enough to grab some disposable spoons.
"What else do you need honey?" Quinn asked smoothing back her hair.
"Your sweatshirt, it's hanging in the closest. I'm cold now," Cassia said, Quinn winced at how bad her throat sounded. He would force her to the doctor if it got worse.
Finding her sweatshirt, he moved stuff to help her get in it. As he got everything readjusted it hit him. Hit him like a freight train. He wanted to take care of her, he wanted her to need him, to want him. Cassia Teller had him hook, line and sinker and she hadn't even tried. Swallowing hard he leaned in to kiss her forehead.
"Rane, you'll get sick," Cassia whined.
"Don't care baby," he huffed. He couldn't tell her right now, but he'd be damned if he was leaving her alone.
"I gotta call to make, then I'll be back. Do I need your keys?"
"No, we have a door wedge, if you need to pee you'll have to go down by the lounge," Cassia said taking another drink of apple juice.
Quinn nodded, deciding to drape his kutte over her desk chair. He stood out enough. Making his way toward the lounge he pulled out his phone. Cassia laughed when he told her he had upgraded to a Blackberry.
"Hey Oscar, Quinn. I'm in town taking care of my girl," Quinn was right to the point.
"Does Clay know his princess has an old man?" Oscar teased.
"Shut up. I just wanted to make sure that nothing has come up?" Quinn knew Oscar himself or one of the Reno brothers did a run through on campus once a week.
"Nah, she finally had me for coffee though. She reminds me a lot of JT," Oscar said.
"Ok, she is a lot like her father. Although she's got her mama and step-dad's temper when she's pissed," Quinn laughed remembering a phone call from October when she had been upset with a professor over a paper she had done. The man had arbitrarily docked her points for not liking her point of view.
"Good to know. How long will you be here?"
"A few days, whenever she is well enough to go back to class," Quinn said.
"Alright, let me know then I can start rotations again," Oscar said.
"Appreciate it brother," Quinn said.
"Welcome," Oscar said ending the call.
When Quinn returned, he saw Cassia half asleep. Giving her another kiss, earning him a sleepy grin he made himself comfortable at the desk chair. Seeing Jane Eyre on the desk he decided to read.
"Holy shit who are you?!" Katherine nearly shouted making Quinn snap his head up. Luckily Cassia didn't wake.
"Rane Quinn, keep it down girl," Quinn hissed. Katherine shot a glance to Cassia settling down.
"I'm Katherine, I've heard about you. How is she?"
Quinn approved of her concern for her friend. The brunette and Cassia could pass for cousins with their 5'9 slender statures and blue eyes. Quinn rose, tucking Cassia back in before responding.
"She's still in rough shape. She only had half a Tumblr of apple juice and maybe a quarter of pudding before she fell asleep," Quinn said still stroking his woman's hair.
"She barely ate yesterday either, maybe I should go get some protein shakes and Gatorade?" Katherine asked.
"That sounds good, thanks doll," Quinn said, he liked this Katherine.
"Do you prefer Rane or Quinn? Cass always calls you Rane but I get the feeling she is the only one allowed to do that," Katherine rightly guessed.
"Quinn is fine," he replied settling back in the chair.
Katherine returned about an hour later. Cassia was still dead to the world, which would help her recover. Quinn helped her with her bags before settling back down.
"So what do you do Quinn?" Katherine's curiosity was all over her face. Quinn sighed, not knowing the best way to answer her question.
"I'm a Nomad. I basically do freelance or temporary work between Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona."
"Wow, that sounds…like a lot of time on the road," Katherine remarked.
"Babe, where's my pudding?" Cassia groused through a cough. Quinn felt a tingle in his chest at the pet name.
"Right here sugar, sit up first," Quinn got her pudding as Cassia leaned against the wall.
"Thanks," she said taking the pudding cup.
"I got some protein shakes and Gatorade too. You need to get nutrients in you Cass because you lost the freshman 15 instead of gaining it," Katherine teased.
Quinn looked at Cassia again and noticed it was true. She did look like she dropped at least 5 if not more pounds. Now he was concerned.
"Cassia Marie…" he growled. Cassia just shrugged at him.
"She works out like 6 days a week and does eat well but not a lot. I think it's just stress," Katherine prattled. Cassia shot her a look.
"Take fucking care of yourself or I will," Quinn warned his eyes darkening. It didn't sound like she was being unhealthy but did need to eat more.
"You already are," Cassia said as sweetly as she could. Quinn smiled at that.
The three settled back in after that, Cassia finishing the pudding and a protein shake before needing the bathroom. Quinn watched both girls go as he picked up the room.
Cassia could feel her roommates eyes on her as they reached the bathroom. Quinn had been nice to Kat as far as she could tell. At least Kat felt comfortable around him, but she had heard Cassia talk about the man long before she met him.
"Quinn is kinda hot," Katherine said.
"He is, scared the shit out of Eric downstairs," Cassia grinned.
"He deserved it. Quinn really cares about you. How much older is he than you?" Katherine asked.
"Fifteen years," Cassia replied setting her toothbrush and paste down on the counter. Entering a stall she took care of her business.
"Is he your boyfriend? Is that even allowed?" Katherine asked. Stepping out to wash her hands, Cassia considered the question.
"Not right now, we haven't even talked about it. And it is allowed but he has to get past Clay, Gemma and Jax. Gemma would be over the moon. Jax would protest but relent. Clay on the other hand…" Cassia shrugged.
"I thought Clay and you were good," Katherine squeezed some toothpaste before handing it over.
"Yeah but I'm only his princess because I'm the mother charter's princess. He treats me well and talks with me when I call home. But he hasn't had to do a big 'dad' thing yet," Cassia coughed at the long statement, ending the conversation.
They re-entered the room to a pacing Quinn. Cassia chuckle-coughed at that. Quinn just pulled her to him. She soaked up all of his attention.
"Bedtime baby, do you want me to stay?" He asked carding his hand in her hair.
"Kat, are you ok with Quinn staying?" Cassia saw a conflict in her roommate's eyes.
"Will he fit in the bed or have to sleep on the floor?"
Cassia looked up at Quinn. He was eyeing the mattress. It was only a twin xl and he was a big guy. Cassia had also never shared a bed before. She ignored that thought.
"Either works," Quinn shrugged.
"I want you to stay, please," Cassia said looking up at him. She only saw affection in the man's eyes.
"Ok, anyway I can get washed up before bed?" He asked rummaging in his kutte pulling out some small toiletries.
"Yeah, I'll take you to the other bathroom," Katherine offered surprisingly. Quinn nodded his thanks at her.
When the two had left, Cassia saw that Katherine had done it so she could get ready for bed. Quickly doing that and adjusting her sheet and blankets.
"Thanks Kat," Quinn said entering the room. Cassia didn't know what had happened in the last ten minutes but she was glad it did.
"Close your eyes Quinn," Katherine said.
Cassia giggled seeing how fast Kat changed. She watched her roommate get up into bed before saying Quinn could open his eyes.
"I can reach my lamp from bed so let's get you into bed next Rane," Cassia smirked.
Quinn just rolled his eyes at her. Cassia bit her lips watching Quinn take off his shirt, beanie, boots and socks and jeans. The man was built with muscle, making Cassia wonder what he did to maintain such a body. Quinn shot her a crooked grin when he caught her wondering eye.
"Sugar, you're sick. Cuddling is all you'll get," Quinn said hopping up on the bed, missing the red blush on Cassia's cheeks.
"Good night Kat, stop laughing!" Cassia coughed.
She climbed up into the bed, feeling Quinn's solid warmth. Reaching to turn out the lights, she ignored the butterflies in her stomach. Quinn pulled her closer, twisting enough to kiss her cheek.