Fic: "Let's Take The Long Way Home" - 3/?
Title: Let's Take The Long Way Home
Author: hungrygirrl
Rating: G
Length: 4,829 words
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Quinn and Rachel cross paths years later...with both of them much different from how they were in high school...and yet still much the same.
Chapter 3
Quinn couldn’t quite believe her ears when she hears the sound of her daughter’s laughter from behind the closed classroom door marked "Music Room." She brings her ear closer from where she stands leaning against the wall, jumping when the door suddenly opens to reveal Rachel and Beth, both wearing looks of equal parts surprise and amusement.
"Mom!" Beth calls out happily as soon as she gets over the initial surprise of catching her mother eavesdropping. She runs and then jumps to give the rosy-cheeked Quinn a big hug in greeting.
"Hey, sweetie!" Quinn greets back, spying a smiling Rachel. She grins back over Beth’s shoulder, still a little embarrassed, and then flutters her fingers in a small wave. "I see you’re in much better spirits, huh," she remarks to the smaller blonde as she straightens up, keeping one arm around the girl’s shoulder.
Beth shrugs, smiling, and then nods shyly. "I had fun," she replies in a voice hinting at restrained excitement.
"Couldn’t be happier to hear that, baby." Quinn squeezes Beth’s shoulder, turning her attention to the brunette still watching them quietly. "Hey, Rach."
The brunette steps out into the hallway, mimicking the blonde’s earlier wave. "Hey, Quinn. You’ve got quite the musician here," she says while lightly ruffling Beth’s hair. "She plays a mean guitar and has amazing control of her voice. Are you sure she’s only 8?" she teases, sneaking a wink the 8 year old’s direction when the girl briefly looks up from her staring match with the ground below.
Quinn laughs, suffused by maternal pride. "I often find myself asking the very same question, you know," the proud mother counters, beaming at her little girl still staring timidly at the ground.
"Mooom," Beth protests quietly, embarrassed at being the topic of conversation.
"What? Mommy’s proud of you, baby girl. But alright, no more talking about you...when you’re present," the young mother teases. Beth’s nose wrinkles as she gives her mother a pouting smile.
Rachel watches the exchange, not missing the obvious affection between mother and daughter. It’s only been hours since she’s met the lovely child and gotten reacquainted with Quinn and she figures it’ll take many more before she can completely wrap her head around this older, more mature, and much nicer version of her high school tormentor. Surprisingly, there had been very little negative feelings brought about by this unexpected reunion. Sure, there had been more than a little awkwardness in the beginning but whatever little interaction they’ve had since have been comfortable and pleasant. Having the young girl’s presence sure has helped, snatching their attention away from their less than jovial history. Not only that, having a daughter appears to have softened the blonde. She would’ve never imagined one day seeing nothing but adoration and deep affection in Quinn’s eyes - exactly what she sees now as she watches the two blondes interact.
Rachel listens quietly as Beth tells Quinn about her day, waving off Quinn’s apologetic smile. As she lets their conversation carry on, she spies Santana headed their direction. She offers a friendly wave.
"Hey Berry," the other brunette greets even as her attention’s already on Beth. "And hey, kiddo. You seem much happier than this morning," she adds, crouching down and offering her cheek for the 8 year old to kiss.
"Hi, Auntie S," Beth greets happily as both arms wrap around Santana’s neck. "Today was ok," she volunteers, smiling as she pulls away from Santana.
"Just ok?" Santana goads playfully. Beth rolls her eyes, the equally playful gesture surprising Rachel. The blonde girl is, obviously, quite comfortable with Santana. And vice versa.
Imagine that. Santana Lopez comfortable with an 8 year old.
She does run a school with of more than a hundred kids, Rachel reminds herself.
"I had fun," Beth concedes, adding as she smiles shyly at Rachel, "especially music class."
"That’s great! I knew you and Berry would get along," Santana voices, proud that it had been her idea to get the two together. "You remind me a lot of Rachel actually," she tells the little blonde. "Only with much better fashion sense," she adds, smirking at the other brunette.
"She’s gone a long way, fashion-wise," is Quinn’s immediate retort, surprising Rachel by coming to the brunette’s defense.
Santana quirks an eyebrow at the blonde. "And you’d be a very good judge of that, wouldn’t you, Quinn? Considering how much attention you gave to Rachel’s fashion sense in high school." Her smirk remains, this time directed at Quinn who visibly cringes at the reminder.
"Like you never gave me hell, too, Ms. Lopez," Rachel chimes in, her smile bearing no hint of real resentment.
"Pfft. I sure did. But not as much as HBIC here," Santana argues.
"What’s HBIC?" Beth asks before their banter could continue. Quinn sends Santana a glare, wordlessly urging the brunette to bite her tongue.
"I’ll tell you one of these days, Beth," she replies. "Or maybe Rachel here can," she adds, turning to the music teacher. "Speaking of Rachel telling you about how lovely your mother was in high school," the latina pauses, gaze shifting quickly between Quinn and Rachel, "wanna join us for dinner, Berry? Brit’ll be there, too, of course. It’ll be like a mini reunion. We haven’t really had a chance to sit down and catch up with Q."
"You mean like a cheerio-glee captain reunion?" Rachel quips.
Santana pretends to consider this. "Nah, I was thinking more a cheerio-fashion disaster reunion."
Quinn couldn’t help the laughter that bubbles up, quickly following it up with an apologetic look toward Rachel who just rolls her eyes.
"As tempting as the offer is, I’m afraid I can’t. I have an uh...," Rachel hesitates,"an appointment. Maybe we can plan another get together one of these days? I’m quite certain the rest of my week nights are unoccupied."
"Alright then, maybe you can catch up. We have a lot of catching up to do, depending on how this little one here holds up," Santana adds, ruffling Beth’s hair fondly.
"Mom, I thought you said I can go over to Shay’s after school?" Beth reminds Quinn, her scowl so reminiscent of her mother’s, the two brunettes think to themselves.
Quinn slaps her forehead at having forgotten one of the many bargaining chips she’s used this morning to get her daughter to school. "Well, maybe I can drop you off at Shay’s then pick you up when you guys are done with whatever you’re doing so you can have dinner with us," she proposes. Shay is their next door neighbor’s 9 year-old daughter with whom Beth had immediately hit it off, bonding over their love for music and books the last three weeks they’ve been at the apartment.
She looks down to see her daughter appearing dissatisfied with her proposal. "Can’t I just have dinner there? I’m sure her mom won’t mind, she always asks me to stay but I’ve never. Pleeease?" Beth pleads with her mom, tugging at the older blonde’s hand.
"Alright, alright. But only this time, ok." Quinn crouches down, attempting a stern look which quickly softens. "You know I want us to have dinner together as much as possible since..."
"Since I won’t be having lunch with you anymore now that school’s started. I know, mom. It’s not like I’m moving out. It will just be tonight, I promise. Mrs. Feldman would be happy for me to finally accept her offer for dinner," Beth cuts her mother off impatiently.
Both Rachel and Santana chuckle at the girl’s precociousness, her spunk reminding Rachel of Quinn. Santana, on the other hand, continues to find it eerie how much Quinn’s daughter is like that the girl she used to torment in high school. Talk about life’s ironies, she laughs to herself.
"I wasn’t saying no, young lady, just reminding you of mommy’s feelings about this," at Beth’s continued look of impatience, Quinn decides it’s time to move on from the topic.
Santana interrupts the two blondes, "Alright, that’s settled, I think. I made reservations for 6 at Dovetail. Thought you’d want an early dinner because of Beth here."
Quinn quirks an eyebrow at the brunette, surprised by her thoughtfulness. "Wow, didn’t peg you as the considerate kind, S," she teases, earning an eye roll from the latina.
"Psh. It was Brit’s idea."
"Of course it is," Quinn concedes unconvincingly.
"Ok, I’m going," Santana waves the blonde off, giving Beth a quick kiss on the top of her head. "Try to catch up, Berry. You and Quinn have a lot of catching up to do," she announces, smirk back in place.
"Can’t promise but I’ll try," Rachel replies to Santana already stalking off, leaving her and the Fabrays.
"If you can’t catch up, we really should plan the next one ASAP, Rach," Quinn remarks, surprising both herself and the brunette when she reaches over to give Rachel’s forearm a light squeeze. "I can maybe make dinner at my place so this little one here won’t have to be fed by someone else’ mother," she adds playfully, nudging her daughter with her hip. Beth rolls her eyes as Rachel giggles.
"Sure, Quinn. That sounds great. I can’t wait to sample your culinary creations. Who would have thought the day would come when you would be cooking for me. I’m excited!," Rachel replies enthusiastically.
Quinn laughs, embarrassed by the brunette’s overestimation of her kitchen skills. "Culinary creations? Lemon chicken and rice is just about the extent of my culinary repertoire so you better lower your expectations, Ms. Berry."
Rachel’s uncertain expression initially confuses the blonde before she remembers a certain detail about the brunette’s nutritional preference. "You’re vegetarian!" Quinn’s hand finds itself back on Rachel, on the brunette’s shoulder this time. "I will take that into consideration and find a suitable dinner menu, of course," she reassures the brunette who now sports a little pink on her cheeks.
"You don’t really have to. I mean rice and uh...lemon sauce will do," Rachel tells the blonde, cheeks continuing to flush although whether from a little embarrassment at having to impose her vegetarianism on Quinn or from the hand that contiues to linger on her shoulder, she’s not quite sure.
"Nonsense, I’ll google something," Quinn says, gesturing with the hand she had on Rachel’s shoulder.
"If you insist."
"I do," Quinn reassures the brunette, adding, "I’ll check when Brit and Santana are available, too and we’ll make plans then."
"That sounds perfect!" Rachel beams, attention caught by Beth shifting impatiently beside her mother. "I think you should take this little one here," she reminds the blonde mom.
"Yeah, we should get going. I’ve a few errands to run before dinner." Beth grabs her hand, redy to drag her to the car. "Say bye to Rachel, Beth, before running off," she nudges her daughter who readily complies.
"Bye and thanks, Ms. Berry. I’ll see you tomorrow," she directs at Rachel, waving quickly.
"That you will," Rachel replies, waving back. "I’ll see you tomorrow, too, Quinn," she turns toward the blonde, sending her another wave.
Quinn hesitates for a second before leaning in to hug the surprised brunette. "Thanks again, Rachel. You’ve turned a very difficult day around. I appreciate you taking care of Beth a lot," she mumbles close to Rachel’s ear, giving her a squeeze before pulling away. "And yes, I will see you tomorrow for sure," she adds, waving as she turns around after another impatient tug from Beth.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Quiinn continues to stare at the unruffled brunette munching on a celery stick, seemingly oblivious to her pointed stare. Not even a particularly loud clearing of her throat and drumming of her fingers seem to penetrate Santana's indifference.
"Babe, I think Quinn needs something from you," Brittany finally breaks the silence after a minute of observing the other blonde.
Santana briefly looks up from dipping a celery stick in the dressing. "What do you want, Q?"
Quinn rolls her eyes before glaring at the brunette, trying hard not to give in and show any hint of her amusement. "You know what I want, bitch."
The brunette raises one eyebrow, herself holding back a grin. In truth, she's missed bantering with Quinn, name-calling included. "I really don't," she insists, shaking her head, and earning another eye roll from the blonde mother.
"I think she really doesn't know Q," Brittany backs her girlfriend up, "otherwise, she wouldn't ask. Right, S?" Santana smiles at the blonde, exaggerated appreciation eventually replaced by genuine fondness.
"Thanks, babe," she directs at the tall blonde, sneaking a quick peck. "I think Quinn here just doesn't know me too well anymore. I mean, can you blame her? We haven't really talked much to her. She's only returned our calls what...6 times in the last 8 years?"
Brittany ponders this for a moment, shaking her head in disagreement. "It's 13, babe. I've been logging it in my notebook. You're probably not counting the times she called back and left a message on the machine."
Santana chuckles quietly, offering praise for the blonde's efficiency.
Quinn, on the other hand, sighs in defeat, knowing this is one argument she can't win. Santana wasn’t exaggerating - she hasn't been the best at keeping in touch with her two high school best friends. Since moving to L.A. to go to law school, she'd gotten so immersed in and preoccupied with raising a kid and doing well in school that neglecting her best friends had to have been inevitable. At least that's what she's been telling herself all these years those times guilt had nipped at her.
Being terrible at keeping in touch had not kept her from keeping track of the couple's lives though, thanks to Brittany's voicemails both on her cell and home phone. The other blonde often had to call back a few more times to finish her interrupted stories when the machine cuts her off mid-story. It hadn't been a desire to totally distance herself from the two, it had just been that it eventually became real easy to keep using the "they'll understand I'm too busy raising a kid and going to school" rationalization in her head.
"I texted..." she offers weakly, eliciting a cross between a chuckle and a scoff from Santana.
"Yeah, you did. And it said the same thing everytime -" the latina agrees, sarcasm dripping.
"Sorry couldn't pick up, busy with Beth. Call you after I finish studying.," Brittany finishes for her.
"Was studying the other excuse, B? You're sure it wasn't something else?" Santana confirms with exaggerated interest.
Brittany’s brows crease in thought, once again wracking her brain for information. "Oh oh, you're right!" she exclaims in triumph. "I think it's Beth and laundry!"
Quinn groans, thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed now. "Alright alright...so I haven't been the best at keeping in touch. I'm really sorry for that. I suck and owe you both big time," she concedes. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll call and text and visit you two every free time I have you'll be begging me to leave you alone."
Brittany giggles while Santana chuckles. "Psh. I'll believe it when I see it," the brunette declares, tone playful and teasing now. In truth, her indignation at her friend's seeming indifference had been short-lived. In addition to constant pressure from Brittany to be considerate of their friend's situation, she had always admired Quinn's determination and perseverance in her pursuits. She may not have voiced it often but the blonde had always been a secret role model. Which is why when she got a call from Quinn 6 months earlier informing her that the blonde and her daughter were moving to New York for an "irresistible job offer" and asking if there was any way she could help Beth get into the William Sherman school, she had been more than happy to acquiesce after only a short guilt-tripping attempt. There was no holding back from her blonde partner, on the other hand. Brittany had squealed and jumped around for a good two or three minutes as soon as she whispered the news to her.
A month later, they were picking up their high school best friend they hadn't seen in more than 3 years for a visit and, at the same time, to scout the city they’ll be moving to. The tiny kid they remember from their previous meeting in LA had now grown into a beautiful replica of Quinn. As shy as the little girl was, her reserved persona had been no match for Brittany's determination and enthusiasm, quickly winning the girl over and getting her to relax around her now "favorite aunts." Even the usually stoic and indifferent latina had fallen in love with Beth. As much as she resembled her mother in looks, their personalities- at least outwardly - were so different Brittany had once jokingly asked, ironically, if Quinn was sure Beth was hers and not Rachel Berry's kid. While Santana laughed her heart out, Quinn could only shake her head in feigned indignation at Brittany. The glaring difference in personalities eventually fade as you spend time with the girl though, both Brittany and Santana had realized. It was obvious Beth had a lot of Quinn's spunk and spirit in her, only not as apparent.
"I'll never beg you to leave us alone, Q. We've missed you too much to do that," Brittany reassures her kindly, only succeeding in making Quinn feel even guiltier.
"I don't know, Brit, did we really?" Santana questions, continuing to poke at the other blonde.
"No, really, I promise...I'll be -"
"Save it, Q. I believe you. I'm just giving you a hard time. You think I even cared that you never returned our calls?" She waves her hand dismissively. "I wouldn't even have kept calling if not for Brit. You should thank her for being so damn persistent. She never lost faith you'll eventually call back or, god forbid, initiate a phone call."
"But you were always in a bad mood for days when we'd call and we'd get Q's voice mail, babe," Brittany counters to the contrary giving Quinn an opportunity to smirk at Santana this time.
The latina rolls her eyes before swiftly shifting gears. "So...what is it you want, Q?" she asks still feigning cluelessness.
Quinn shakes her head, chuckling at the display of stubbornness she's missed from the brunette. Deciding it would be futile not to give in, she finally voices what's been bugging her since this morning's encounter with Rachel. "Alright, alright. Why have you never told me Rachel Berry works for you?"
"You never asked?" Santana replies quickly.
"I asked this morning!"
Santana laughs. "You asked if it's Rachel Berry. It's not. She goes by Rachel James now," she adds matter-of-factly.
"But you and Brit have kept me up to date about most everyone from high school, especially from Glee, but never mentioned Rachel?" Quinn questions, genuinely curious.
"We just didn't think you'd be interested, Q," Brittany replies this time.
"Why not?"
"Hello, Q?" Santana protests in disbelief. "We're talking about Rachel Berry, the girl you used to make fun of every other breath? The one you slushied every single day in high school? The one you had at least 214 names for?"
Quinn cringes at the reminder, having lived with intermittent bouts of guilt whenever memories of how she had treated the brunette diva in high school had come to mind.
"I didn't always slushy her."
"Yeah, S, she didn't. Some days she'd ask one of the freshman cheerios to do it for her."
Santana laughs qietly, raising a challenging eyebrow at Quinn who continues to squirm uncomfortably.
"I was much nicer to her senior year," the blonde reasons, not quite sounding confident in her argument.
Surprisingly, Santana shrugs in reluctant agreement. "A little."
"A little more than a little, Q," Brittany once again rushes to reassure their bothered friend. "You
made everyone stop slushying Rach."
"But you still called her names," Santana offers, refusing to absolve the ex-cheerio.
"Yeah, you did," Brittany agrees after some thought. "Why?" she then asks in her usual vague manner.
"Why what, B?"
"Why'd you stop the slushies but kept making fun of her and calling her names?" Brittany clarifies.
"Yeah, Q, why did you?" Santana follows up, her own theory hinted at by her sly smile and raised eyebrow.
Quinn considers the couple's question, appearing genuinely unsure. "I'm not sure. I just...I don't know...couldn't leave her alone?"
"How about because you were horny for her," Santana suggests, drawing a chastising slap on the forearm from Brittany.
Quinn, meanwhile, could only chuckle nervously. Her instant reaction had been to reject the suggestion, however, now - inwardly, she wonders if there had indeed been a disguised attraction to the brunette spurring her outward meanness toward Rachel. She shrugs, unable to even muster a denial.
"See, she can't even deny it, B!" Santana exclaims triumphantly as Brittany giggles, tickled by the thought.
Quinn decides to maintain her silence, willing to let the two enjoy this new guessing game. Before Santana could continue to badger her about something she's only just now entertained herself, she redirects the conversation back to safer territory. "What's with the James last name anyway? Did she marry that ass Jesse after all? Is that his last name she carries now?"
"Hell, no, Q!" Santana's hostile response surprises Quinn, even as it hints at the kind of friendship the two brunettes must have now with the latina seemingly having grown protective of the diva she used to give slushy baths to in high school. "The ass' last name's St. James. Rachel is Rachel James, not Rachel St. James."
"Thank god for that," Quinn replies, partially relieved. She's not quite sure why yet but the fact that neither of her friends have denied Rachel being married unsettles her. "So whose last name does she carry? Who's Mr. James?" she prods, curious.
"Oh that's Ri-" Brittany promptly replies - or tries to, at least, before a tanned hand covers her mouth.
"Nah uh. That's not for us to tell babe. Let's let Q here find out whatever she wants to find out about Rachel from Rachel herself," she tells the blonde.
Quinn groans, ready to protest and appeal to Brittany's more generous nature. To her
disappointment, however, the blonde in front of her appears to love her partner's idea.
Brittany claps in barely contained excitement. "That's a great idea, S! Q and Rach should have dinner together! To catch up," she proposes with much enthusiasm. "And maybe Q can apologize for being mean to Rach, too, right?" This time she looks at Quinn for approval.
Quinn groans, knowing her fate's practically sealed. once Brittany gets an idea in her head, she's an even tougher nut to crack than Santana. She considers whether to be upfront about her previously issued dinner invite to Rachel but then decides against it, not desiring more needling from the two. "Ugh. Why can't you guys just tell me?" she protests half-heartedly, realizing the futility of pushing.
"Come on, you know you want to take Berry out," Santana remarks, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Take Rachel out? Sure I'd love to catch up with her, especially now I owe my child's education to her. But take her out like that?" a well-shaped eyebrow raises.
"Q's right, baby," Brittany nods in agreement. "It's too early to take Rachel on a date. They just got reunited," she explains patiently to the brunette who continues to sport a smug smile.
Quinn could only laugh quietly. "No use arguing with the two of you. I'll invite Rachel to dinner one of these days," she declares, laughing inwardly. Her acquiescence earns a squeal of delight from Brittany and a triumphant smirk from Santana. "With Beth. To thank her properly. And yes, Brit, I'l throw in an apology, too," she directs at the smiling blonde.
When Quinn shifts her gaze to Santana, she finds the brunette distracted. The latina smiles and then waves at someone behind her, causing Quinn to twist in her seat to find out who.
Her breath hitches for a moment when she spots their current topic of conversation walking toward them, waving back at Santana.
"Berry! We were just talking about you!" Santana announces cheerfully, grimacing in pain when she receives a kick under the table from Quinn. "What the f-"
"Santana!" Brittany scolds even before the latina can finish cussing.
"She kicked me!" the brunette protests much like a 5-year old.
"Because you're embarrassing Q," Brittany explains patiently, tone effortlessly switching from scolding to pacifying.
"But we were talking about Berry," Santana continues to argue her case.
"Something she really doesn't need to kn-"
"Hey, ladies!" An old, familiarly energetic voice interrupts Quinn. She looks up to find a smiling brunette who waves almost shyly at her.
"Hey, Rachel." Quinn greets back, smiling broadly at the brunette. She catches Santana rolling her eyes.
"Hi Rach!" Brittany calls out, practically climbing over Santana to give the new arrival a hug.
"Glad you could make it, Berry," Santana acknowledges the brunette with a friendly nod. As fond as she's gotten of the brunette over time, hugging's something she saves mostly for Brittany and a few select occasions.
"Yeah, my uhm...appointment was cancelled so I figured if I hurried, and traffic-permitting, I'd still be able to catch you guys here so...here I am!" the other brunette declares in classic Rachel Berry fashion.
"Sit down next to Quinn, Rach," Brittany directs innocently.
"Yeah, sit down next to Quinn, Berry," Santana echoes, only not quite as innocently.
Quinn quickly scoots over, holding back the urge to give the latina another kick under the table.
"Oh my god!" Brittany's unexpected cry startles the other three at the table. And a few other diners in the restaurant, too.
"What's wrong, babe?" Santana asks, instantly concerned.
"I forgot to pick up my dress for the dinner party tomorrow!" Brittany replies, agitated and already attempting to scoot Santana out of the booth. "I gotta go pick it up now!"
"Ok, ok, calm down, babe. It's not even 7 yet. Don't they close at 8?" Santana tries to appease the panicked blonde.
"No no, they close at 7 today," Brittany replies, continuing to nudge Santana towards the edge of their shared seat. The brunette finally relents, getting up.
"I'll pick it up, you stay here. It'll take me no more than 15 minutes, hon."
"No, but I have to check if they really really cleaned it right, S," Brittany protests, climbing out after the brunette. "Ok?" she gives Santana a brief look. The next moment, the brunette appears to be in total agreement with her girlfriend's plan.
"Alright, let's get going then," she urges while the two still seated watch in confusion at the sudden turn of events.
"Wait, but you're coming back, right?" Quinn clarifies.
"Uh," Brittany hesitates, "we might."
"But you've only had appetizers, Santana," Quinn tries, well aware of the futility of her attempt. She knows her two friends well enough to be clued in by now to their plan hashed out wordlessly. She's always been spooked by how attuned to each other's thoughts the couple had always been. And despite what one would tend to think, most of the clever plotting have been devised by Brittany, the supposed-to-be ditzy blonde.
"We can get a bite on the way. I have a meeting with the board tomorrow to get ready for anyway," Santana quickly replies. "And dinner's on me by the way. I know the owner, they'll put it on my tab."
"Are you sure?" Rachel asks, herself a little uncomfortable about being left alone with Quinn. "I mean, we can wait for you guys," she offers. "I mean that's if Quinn's ok with it..." she quickly looks to the blonde for approval. Quinn shrugs, signalling she'd be ok with any plan.
"Oh no, that's ok, Rach. You guys can catch up. I think Q has some questions for you anyway," Brittany announces, beaming her usual grin, oblivious to Quinn's wide- eyed look of disbelief.
"Oh, and Q, we can pick up Beth up if yo get uh...carried away," Santana offers with a smirk. "We can take her home, just text or call," she adds as she runs off, dragged by a waving Brittany.
Thrown off by this sudden development, Quinn and Rachel find themselves momentarily speechless. They take deep breaths, left alone all of a sudden and finding themselves seated on the same side of the table.
"I guess it’s just you and me," Quinn states the obvious, shrugging.
"Looks like it," Rachel agrees, smiling broadly as she tries to overcome inexplicable nerves. "So...," she starts, deciding to move to the other side of the table across Quinn before leaning in toward the blonde, "Brittany says you have questions for me?"
Author: hungrygirrl
Rating: G
Length: 4,829 words
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Quinn and Rachel cross paths years later...with both of them much different from how they were in high school...and yet still much the same.
Chapter 3
Quinn couldn’t quite believe her ears when she hears the sound of her daughter’s laughter from behind the closed classroom door marked "Music Room." She brings her ear closer from where she stands leaning against the wall, jumping when the door suddenly opens to reveal Rachel and Beth, both wearing looks of equal parts surprise and amusement.
"Mom!" Beth calls out happily as soon as she gets over the initial surprise of catching her mother eavesdropping. She runs and then jumps to give the rosy-cheeked Quinn a big hug in greeting.
"Hey, sweetie!" Quinn greets back, spying a smiling Rachel. She grins back over Beth’s shoulder, still a little embarrassed, and then flutters her fingers in a small wave. "I see you’re in much better spirits, huh," she remarks to the smaller blonde as she straightens up, keeping one arm around the girl’s shoulder.
Beth shrugs, smiling, and then nods shyly. "I had fun," she replies in a voice hinting at restrained excitement.
"Couldn’t be happier to hear that, baby." Quinn squeezes Beth’s shoulder, turning her attention to the brunette still watching them quietly. "Hey, Rach."
The brunette steps out into the hallway, mimicking the blonde’s earlier wave. "Hey, Quinn. You’ve got quite the musician here," she says while lightly ruffling Beth’s hair. "She plays a mean guitar and has amazing control of her voice. Are you sure she’s only 8?" she teases, sneaking a wink the 8 year old’s direction when the girl briefly looks up from her staring match with the ground below.
Quinn laughs, suffused by maternal pride. "I often find myself asking the very same question, you know," the proud mother counters, beaming at her little girl still staring timidly at the ground.
"Mooom," Beth protests quietly, embarrassed at being the topic of conversation.
"What? Mommy’s proud of you, baby girl. But alright, no more talking about you...when you’re present," the young mother teases. Beth’s nose wrinkles as she gives her mother a pouting smile.
Rachel watches the exchange, not missing the obvious affection between mother and daughter. It’s only been hours since she’s met the lovely child and gotten reacquainted with Quinn and she figures it’ll take many more before she can completely wrap her head around this older, more mature, and much nicer version of her high school tormentor. Surprisingly, there had been very little negative feelings brought about by this unexpected reunion. Sure, there had been more than a little awkwardness in the beginning but whatever little interaction they’ve had since have been comfortable and pleasant. Having the young girl’s presence sure has helped, snatching their attention away from their less than jovial history. Not only that, having a daughter appears to have softened the blonde. She would’ve never imagined one day seeing nothing but adoration and deep affection in Quinn’s eyes - exactly what she sees now as she watches the two blondes interact.
Rachel listens quietly as Beth tells Quinn about her day, waving off Quinn’s apologetic smile. As she lets their conversation carry on, she spies Santana headed their direction. She offers a friendly wave.
"Hey Berry," the other brunette greets even as her attention’s already on Beth. "And hey, kiddo. You seem much happier than this morning," she adds, crouching down and offering her cheek for the 8 year old to kiss.
"Hi, Auntie S," Beth greets happily as both arms wrap around Santana’s neck. "Today was ok," she volunteers, smiling as she pulls away from Santana.
"Just ok?" Santana goads playfully. Beth rolls her eyes, the equally playful gesture surprising Rachel. The blonde girl is, obviously, quite comfortable with Santana. And vice versa.
Imagine that. Santana Lopez comfortable with an 8 year old.
She does run a school with of more than a hundred kids, Rachel reminds herself.
"I had fun," Beth concedes, adding as she smiles shyly at Rachel, "especially music class."
"That’s great! I knew you and Berry would get along," Santana voices, proud that it had been her idea to get the two together. "You remind me a lot of Rachel actually," she tells the little blonde. "Only with much better fashion sense," she adds, smirking at the other brunette.
"She’s gone a long way, fashion-wise," is Quinn’s immediate retort, surprising Rachel by coming to the brunette’s defense.
Santana quirks an eyebrow at the blonde. "And you’d be a very good judge of that, wouldn’t you, Quinn? Considering how much attention you gave to Rachel’s fashion sense in high school." Her smirk remains, this time directed at Quinn who visibly cringes at the reminder.
"Like you never gave me hell, too, Ms. Lopez," Rachel chimes in, her smile bearing no hint of real resentment.
"Pfft. I sure did. But not as much as HBIC here," Santana argues.
"What’s HBIC?" Beth asks before their banter could continue. Quinn sends Santana a glare, wordlessly urging the brunette to bite her tongue.
"I’ll tell you one of these days, Beth," she replies. "Or maybe Rachel here can," she adds, turning to the music teacher. "Speaking of Rachel telling you about how lovely your mother was in high school," the latina pauses, gaze shifting quickly between Quinn and Rachel, "wanna join us for dinner, Berry? Brit’ll be there, too, of course. It’ll be like a mini reunion. We haven’t really had a chance to sit down and catch up with Q."
"You mean like a cheerio-glee captain reunion?" Rachel quips.
Santana pretends to consider this. "Nah, I was thinking more a cheerio-fashion disaster reunion."
Quinn couldn’t help the laughter that bubbles up, quickly following it up with an apologetic look toward Rachel who just rolls her eyes.
"As tempting as the offer is, I’m afraid I can’t. I have an uh...," Rachel hesitates,"an appointment. Maybe we can plan another get together one of these days? I’m quite certain the rest of my week nights are unoccupied."
"Alright then, maybe you can catch up. We have a lot of catching up to do, depending on how this little one here holds up," Santana adds, ruffling Beth’s hair fondly.
"Mom, I thought you said I can go over to Shay’s after school?" Beth reminds Quinn, her scowl so reminiscent of her mother’s, the two brunettes think to themselves.
Quinn slaps her forehead at having forgotten one of the many bargaining chips she’s used this morning to get her daughter to school. "Well, maybe I can drop you off at Shay’s then pick you up when you guys are done with whatever you’re doing so you can have dinner with us," she proposes. Shay is their next door neighbor’s 9 year-old daughter with whom Beth had immediately hit it off, bonding over their love for music and books the last three weeks they’ve been at the apartment.
She looks down to see her daughter appearing dissatisfied with her proposal. "Can’t I just have dinner there? I’m sure her mom won’t mind, she always asks me to stay but I’ve never. Pleeease?" Beth pleads with her mom, tugging at the older blonde’s hand.
"Alright, alright. But only this time, ok." Quinn crouches down, attempting a stern look which quickly softens. "You know I want us to have dinner together as much as possible since..."
"Since I won’t be having lunch with you anymore now that school’s started. I know, mom. It’s not like I’m moving out. It will just be tonight, I promise. Mrs. Feldman would be happy for me to finally accept her offer for dinner," Beth cuts her mother off impatiently.
Both Rachel and Santana chuckle at the girl’s precociousness, her spunk reminding Rachel of Quinn. Santana, on the other hand, continues to find it eerie how much Quinn’s daughter is like that the girl she used to torment in high school. Talk about life’s ironies, she laughs to herself.
"I wasn’t saying no, young lady, just reminding you of mommy’s feelings about this," at Beth’s continued look of impatience, Quinn decides it’s time to move on from the topic.
Santana interrupts the two blondes, "Alright, that’s settled, I think. I made reservations for 6 at Dovetail. Thought you’d want an early dinner because of Beth here."
Quinn quirks an eyebrow at the brunette, surprised by her thoughtfulness. "Wow, didn’t peg you as the considerate kind, S," she teases, earning an eye roll from the latina.
"Psh. It was Brit’s idea."
"Of course it is," Quinn concedes unconvincingly.
"Ok, I’m going," Santana waves the blonde off, giving Beth a quick kiss on the top of her head. "Try to catch up, Berry. You and Quinn have a lot of catching up to do," she announces, smirk back in place.
"Can’t promise but I’ll try," Rachel replies to Santana already stalking off, leaving her and the Fabrays.
"If you can’t catch up, we really should plan the next one ASAP, Rach," Quinn remarks, surprising both herself and the brunette when she reaches over to give Rachel’s forearm a light squeeze. "I can maybe make dinner at my place so this little one here won’t have to be fed by someone else’ mother," she adds playfully, nudging her daughter with her hip. Beth rolls her eyes as Rachel giggles.
"Sure, Quinn. That sounds great. I can’t wait to sample your culinary creations. Who would have thought the day would come when you would be cooking for me. I’m excited!," Rachel replies enthusiastically.
Quinn laughs, embarrassed by the brunette’s overestimation of her kitchen skills. "Culinary creations? Lemon chicken and rice is just about the extent of my culinary repertoire so you better lower your expectations, Ms. Berry."
Rachel’s uncertain expression initially confuses the blonde before she remembers a certain detail about the brunette’s nutritional preference. "You’re vegetarian!" Quinn’s hand finds itself back on Rachel, on the brunette’s shoulder this time. "I will take that into consideration and find a suitable dinner menu, of course," she reassures the brunette who now sports a little pink on her cheeks.
"You don’t really have to. I mean rice and uh...lemon sauce will do," Rachel tells the blonde, cheeks continuing to flush although whether from a little embarrassment at having to impose her vegetarianism on Quinn or from the hand that contiues to linger on her shoulder, she’s not quite sure.
"Nonsense, I’ll google something," Quinn says, gesturing with the hand she had on Rachel’s shoulder.
"If you insist."
"I do," Quinn reassures the brunette, adding, "I’ll check when Brit and Santana are available, too and we’ll make plans then."
"That sounds perfect!" Rachel beams, attention caught by Beth shifting impatiently beside her mother. "I think you should take this little one here," she reminds the blonde mom.
"Yeah, we should get going. I’ve a few errands to run before dinner." Beth grabs her hand, redy to drag her to the car. "Say bye to Rachel, Beth, before running off," she nudges her daughter who readily complies.
"Bye and thanks, Ms. Berry. I’ll see you tomorrow," she directs at Rachel, waving quickly.
"That you will," Rachel replies, waving back. "I’ll see you tomorrow, too, Quinn," she turns toward the blonde, sending her another wave.
Quinn hesitates for a second before leaning in to hug the surprised brunette. "Thanks again, Rachel. You’ve turned a very difficult day around. I appreciate you taking care of Beth a lot," she mumbles close to Rachel’s ear, giving her a squeeze before pulling away. "And yes, I will see you tomorrow for sure," she adds, waving as she turns around after another impatient tug from Beth.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Quiinn continues to stare at the unruffled brunette munching on a celery stick, seemingly oblivious to her pointed stare. Not even a particularly loud clearing of her throat and drumming of her fingers seem to penetrate Santana's indifference.
"Babe, I think Quinn needs something from you," Brittany finally breaks the silence after a minute of observing the other blonde.
Santana briefly looks up from dipping a celery stick in the dressing. "What do you want, Q?"
Quinn rolls her eyes before glaring at the brunette, trying hard not to give in and show any hint of her amusement. "You know what I want, bitch."
The brunette raises one eyebrow, herself holding back a grin. In truth, she's missed bantering with Quinn, name-calling included. "I really don't," she insists, shaking her head, and earning another eye roll from the blonde mother.
"I think she really doesn't know Q," Brittany backs her girlfriend up, "otherwise, she wouldn't ask. Right, S?" Santana smiles at the blonde, exaggerated appreciation eventually replaced by genuine fondness.
"Thanks, babe," she directs at the tall blonde, sneaking a quick peck. "I think Quinn here just doesn't know me too well anymore. I mean, can you blame her? We haven't really talked much to her. She's only returned our calls what...6 times in the last 8 years?"
Brittany ponders this for a moment, shaking her head in disagreement. "It's 13, babe. I've been logging it in my notebook. You're probably not counting the times she called back and left a message on the machine."
Santana chuckles quietly, offering praise for the blonde's efficiency.
Quinn, on the other hand, sighs in defeat, knowing this is one argument she can't win. Santana wasn’t exaggerating - she hasn't been the best at keeping in touch with her two high school best friends. Since moving to L.A. to go to law school, she'd gotten so immersed in and preoccupied with raising a kid and doing well in school that neglecting her best friends had to have been inevitable. At least that's what she's been telling herself all these years those times guilt had nipped at her.
Being terrible at keeping in touch had not kept her from keeping track of the couple's lives though, thanks to Brittany's voicemails both on her cell and home phone. The other blonde often had to call back a few more times to finish her interrupted stories when the machine cuts her off mid-story. It hadn't been a desire to totally distance herself from the two, it had just been that it eventually became real easy to keep using the "they'll understand I'm too busy raising a kid and going to school" rationalization in her head.
"I texted..." she offers weakly, eliciting a cross between a chuckle and a scoff from Santana.
"Yeah, you did. And it said the same thing everytime -" the latina agrees, sarcasm dripping.
"Sorry couldn't pick up, busy with Beth. Call you after I finish studying.," Brittany finishes for her.
"Was studying the other excuse, B? You're sure it wasn't something else?" Santana confirms with exaggerated interest.
Brittany’s brows crease in thought, once again wracking her brain for information. "Oh oh, you're right!" she exclaims in triumph. "I think it's Beth and laundry!"
Quinn groans, thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed now. "Alright alright...so I haven't been the best at keeping in touch. I'm really sorry for that. I suck and owe you both big time," she concedes. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll call and text and visit you two every free time I have you'll be begging me to leave you alone."
Brittany giggles while Santana chuckles. "Psh. I'll believe it when I see it," the brunette declares, tone playful and teasing now. In truth, her indignation at her friend's seeming indifference had been short-lived. In addition to constant pressure from Brittany to be considerate of their friend's situation, she had always admired Quinn's determination and perseverance in her pursuits. She may not have voiced it often but the blonde had always been a secret role model. Which is why when she got a call from Quinn 6 months earlier informing her that the blonde and her daughter were moving to New York for an "irresistible job offer" and asking if there was any way she could help Beth get into the William Sherman school, she had been more than happy to acquiesce after only a short guilt-tripping attempt. There was no holding back from her blonde partner, on the other hand. Brittany had squealed and jumped around for a good two or three minutes as soon as she whispered the news to her.
A month later, they were picking up their high school best friend they hadn't seen in more than 3 years for a visit and, at the same time, to scout the city they’ll be moving to. The tiny kid they remember from their previous meeting in LA had now grown into a beautiful replica of Quinn. As shy as the little girl was, her reserved persona had been no match for Brittany's determination and enthusiasm, quickly winning the girl over and getting her to relax around her now "favorite aunts." Even the usually stoic and indifferent latina had fallen in love with Beth. As much as she resembled her mother in looks, their personalities- at least outwardly - were so different Brittany had once jokingly asked, ironically, if Quinn was sure Beth was hers and not Rachel Berry's kid. While Santana laughed her heart out, Quinn could only shake her head in feigned indignation at Brittany. The glaring difference in personalities eventually fade as you spend time with the girl though, both Brittany and Santana had realized. It was obvious Beth had a lot of Quinn's spunk and spirit in her, only not as apparent.
"I'll never beg you to leave us alone, Q. We've missed you too much to do that," Brittany reassures her kindly, only succeeding in making Quinn feel even guiltier.
"I don't know, Brit, did we really?" Santana questions, continuing to poke at the other blonde.
"No, really, I promise...I'll be -"
"Save it, Q. I believe you. I'm just giving you a hard time. You think I even cared that you never returned our calls?" She waves her hand dismissively. "I wouldn't even have kept calling if not for Brit. You should thank her for being so damn persistent. She never lost faith you'll eventually call back or, god forbid, initiate a phone call."
"But you were always in a bad mood for days when we'd call and we'd get Q's voice mail, babe," Brittany counters to the contrary giving Quinn an opportunity to smirk at Santana this time.
The latina rolls her eyes before swiftly shifting gears. "So...what is it you want, Q?" she asks still feigning cluelessness.
Quinn shakes her head, chuckling at the display of stubbornness she's missed from the brunette. Deciding it would be futile not to give in, she finally voices what's been bugging her since this morning's encounter with Rachel. "Alright, alright. Why have you never told me Rachel Berry works for you?"
"You never asked?" Santana replies quickly.
"I asked this morning!"
Santana laughs. "You asked if it's Rachel Berry. It's not. She goes by Rachel James now," she adds matter-of-factly.
"But you and Brit have kept me up to date about most everyone from high school, especially from Glee, but never mentioned Rachel?" Quinn questions, genuinely curious.
"We just didn't think you'd be interested, Q," Brittany replies this time.
"Why not?"
"Hello, Q?" Santana protests in disbelief. "We're talking about Rachel Berry, the girl you used to make fun of every other breath? The one you slushied every single day in high school? The one you had at least 214 names for?"
Quinn cringes at the reminder, having lived with intermittent bouts of guilt whenever memories of how she had treated the brunette diva in high school had come to mind.
"I didn't always slushy her."
"Yeah, S, she didn't. Some days she'd ask one of the freshman cheerios to do it for her."
Santana laughs qietly, raising a challenging eyebrow at Quinn who continues to squirm uncomfortably.
"I was much nicer to her senior year," the blonde reasons, not quite sounding confident in her argument.
Surprisingly, Santana shrugs in reluctant agreement. "A little."
"A little more than a little, Q," Brittany once again rushes to reassure their bothered friend. "You
made everyone stop slushying Rach."
"But you still called her names," Santana offers, refusing to absolve the ex-cheerio.
"Yeah, you did," Brittany agrees after some thought. "Why?" she then asks in her usual vague manner.
"Why what, B?"
"Why'd you stop the slushies but kept making fun of her and calling her names?" Brittany clarifies.
"Yeah, Q, why did you?" Santana follows up, her own theory hinted at by her sly smile and raised eyebrow.
Quinn considers the couple's question, appearing genuinely unsure. "I'm not sure. I just...I don't know...couldn't leave her alone?"
"How about because you were horny for her," Santana suggests, drawing a chastising slap on the forearm from Brittany.
Quinn, meanwhile, could only chuckle nervously. Her instant reaction had been to reject the suggestion, however, now - inwardly, she wonders if there had indeed been a disguised attraction to the brunette spurring her outward meanness toward Rachel. She shrugs, unable to even muster a denial.
"See, she can't even deny it, B!" Santana exclaims triumphantly as Brittany giggles, tickled by the thought.
Quinn decides to maintain her silence, willing to let the two enjoy this new guessing game. Before Santana could continue to badger her about something she's only just now entertained herself, she redirects the conversation back to safer territory. "What's with the James last name anyway? Did she marry that ass Jesse after all? Is that his last name she carries now?"
"Hell, no, Q!" Santana's hostile response surprises Quinn, even as it hints at the kind of friendship the two brunettes must have now with the latina seemingly having grown protective of the diva she used to give slushy baths to in high school. "The ass' last name's St. James. Rachel is Rachel James, not Rachel St. James."
"Thank god for that," Quinn replies, partially relieved. She's not quite sure why yet but the fact that neither of her friends have denied Rachel being married unsettles her. "So whose last name does she carry? Who's Mr. James?" she prods, curious.
"Oh that's Ri-" Brittany promptly replies - or tries to, at least, before a tanned hand covers her mouth.
"Nah uh. That's not for us to tell babe. Let's let Q here find out whatever she wants to find out about Rachel from Rachel herself," she tells the blonde.
Quinn groans, ready to protest and appeal to Brittany's more generous nature. To her
disappointment, however, the blonde in front of her appears to love her partner's idea.
Brittany claps in barely contained excitement. "That's a great idea, S! Q and Rach should have dinner together! To catch up," she proposes with much enthusiasm. "And maybe Q can apologize for being mean to Rach, too, right?" This time she looks at Quinn for approval.
Quinn groans, knowing her fate's practically sealed. once Brittany gets an idea in her head, she's an even tougher nut to crack than Santana. She considers whether to be upfront about her previously issued dinner invite to Rachel but then decides against it, not desiring more needling from the two. "Ugh. Why can't you guys just tell me?" she protests half-heartedly, realizing the futility of pushing.
"Come on, you know you want to take Berry out," Santana remarks, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Take Rachel out? Sure I'd love to catch up with her, especially now I owe my child's education to her. But take her out like that?" a well-shaped eyebrow raises.
"Q's right, baby," Brittany nods in agreement. "It's too early to take Rachel on a date. They just got reunited," she explains patiently to the brunette who continues to sport a smug smile.
Quinn could only laugh quietly. "No use arguing with the two of you. I'll invite Rachel to dinner one of these days," she declares, laughing inwardly. Her acquiescence earns a squeal of delight from Brittany and a triumphant smirk from Santana. "With Beth. To thank her properly. And yes, Brit, I'l throw in an apology, too," she directs at the smiling blonde.
When Quinn shifts her gaze to Santana, she finds the brunette distracted. The latina smiles and then waves at someone behind her, causing Quinn to twist in her seat to find out who.
Her breath hitches for a moment when she spots their current topic of conversation walking toward them, waving back at Santana.
"Berry! We were just talking about you!" Santana announces cheerfully, grimacing in pain when she receives a kick under the table from Quinn. "What the f-"
"Santana!" Brittany scolds even before the latina can finish cussing.
"She kicked me!" the brunette protests much like a 5-year old.
"Because you're embarrassing Q," Brittany explains patiently, tone effortlessly switching from scolding to pacifying.
"But we were talking about Berry," Santana continues to argue her case.
"Something she really doesn't need to kn-"
"Hey, ladies!" An old, familiarly energetic voice interrupts Quinn. She looks up to find a smiling brunette who waves almost shyly at her.
"Hey, Rachel." Quinn greets back, smiling broadly at the brunette. She catches Santana rolling her eyes.
"Hi Rach!" Brittany calls out, practically climbing over Santana to give the new arrival a hug.
"Glad you could make it, Berry," Santana acknowledges the brunette with a friendly nod. As fond as she's gotten of the brunette over time, hugging's something she saves mostly for Brittany and a few select occasions.
"Yeah, my uhm...appointment was cancelled so I figured if I hurried, and traffic-permitting, I'd still be able to catch you guys here so...here I am!" the other brunette declares in classic Rachel Berry fashion.
"Sit down next to Quinn, Rach," Brittany directs innocently.
"Yeah, sit down next to Quinn, Berry," Santana echoes, only not quite as innocently.
Quinn quickly scoots over, holding back the urge to give the latina another kick under the table.
"Oh my god!" Brittany's unexpected cry startles the other three at the table. And a few other diners in the restaurant, too.
"What's wrong, babe?" Santana asks, instantly concerned.
"I forgot to pick up my dress for the dinner party tomorrow!" Brittany replies, agitated and already attempting to scoot Santana out of the booth. "I gotta go pick it up now!"
"Ok, ok, calm down, babe. It's not even 7 yet. Don't they close at 8?" Santana tries to appease the panicked blonde.
"No no, they close at 7 today," Brittany replies, continuing to nudge Santana towards the edge of their shared seat. The brunette finally relents, getting up.
"I'll pick it up, you stay here. It'll take me no more than 15 minutes, hon."
"No, but I have to check if they really really cleaned it right, S," Brittany protests, climbing out after the brunette. "Ok?" she gives Santana a brief look. The next moment, the brunette appears to be in total agreement with her girlfriend's plan.
"Alright, let's get going then," she urges while the two still seated watch in confusion at the sudden turn of events.
"Wait, but you're coming back, right?" Quinn clarifies.
"Uh," Brittany hesitates, "we might."
"But you've only had appetizers, Santana," Quinn tries, well aware of the futility of her attempt. She knows her two friends well enough to be clued in by now to their plan hashed out wordlessly. She's always been spooked by how attuned to each other's thoughts the couple had always been. And despite what one would tend to think, most of the clever plotting have been devised by Brittany, the supposed-to-be ditzy blonde.
"We can get a bite on the way. I have a meeting with the board tomorrow to get ready for anyway," Santana quickly replies. "And dinner's on me by the way. I know the owner, they'll put it on my tab."
"Are you sure?" Rachel asks, herself a little uncomfortable about being left alone with Quinn. "I mean, we can wait for you guys," she offers. "I mean that's if Quinn's ok with it..." she quickly looks to the blonde for approval. Quinn shrugs, signalling she'd be ok with any plan.
"Oh no, that's ok, Rach. You guys can catch up. I think Q has some questions for you anyway," Brittany announces, beaming her usual grin, oblivious to Quinn's wide- eyed look of disbelief.
"Oh, and Q, we can pick up Beth up if yo get uh...carried away," Santana offers with a smirk. "We can take her home, just text or call," she adds as she runs off, dragged by a waving Brittany.
Thrown off by this sudden development, Quinn and Rachel find themselves momentarily speechless. They take deep breaths, left alone all of a sudden and finding themselves seated on the same side of the table.
"I guess it’s just you and me," Quinn states the obvious, shrugging.
"Looks like it," Rachel agrees, smiling broadly as she tries to overcome inexplicable nerves. "So...," she starts, deciding to move to the other side of the table across Quinn before leaning in toward the blonde, "Brittany says you have questions for me?"