Saving Me Saving You (1/?)
Author: t8kmybreathaway
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Title: Saving You Saving Me
Rating: NC17
Summary: Quinn is a writer for a NY magazine and does a spread on Rachel; however, their past friendship comes into play before much professionalism can take place. Quinn finds out she’s being abused.
Disclaimer: Not mine. No profit.
A/N: Warning: Mentions of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Quinn walked into her office that morning finding her favorite photographer waiting with a steaming cup of coffee. She reached for it and smiled. “You are a God send, tell me why I fired you again?” she said to the brunette leaning against her desk.
“Well being your assistant stunted my growth professionally; you fired me so I could pursue my photography and insisted to Jonathan that I stay on as freelance specifically for your use,” she smiled widely.
“You sucked as my assistant anyway,” Quinn teased. “You work so much better as my best friend. Anyway, you’re the best, Alex.”
“I try, I also happen to have some very pertinent information from my contacts that I know for a fact you would be interested in.”
“Really?” Quinn raised a finely manicured eyebrow.
“My sources say that the coveted leading role for Mamma Mia! has been awarded to none other than Miss Rachel Berry,” she said grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Quinn’s eyes widened. “Tell Jonathan I’m covering the show. I want to do a spread for next month’s issue including the cover.”
“Already done,” Alex said with a knowing laugh. “I’m the best aren’t I?”
“Yes,” Quinn rolled her eyes. “How is it that even though you are not my assistant you still find me the best leads?”
“I’m your best friend and I knew how important this would be to you. I don’t need to be your assistant to know that.”
“Alright, get outta here, I need to get some work done,” Quinn said teasingly. Alex reluctantly left Quinn’s office to do some of her own work. The blonde looked out the window of her office with her arms crossed over her chest. The knock at her door brought her out of her musings. She turned and smiled. “Jonathan, how can I help you?”
“Why do you want this exposé with Rachel Berry so bad?”
Quinn pursed her lips, “We went to high school together.”
“Wouldn’t that make you biased?”
“Normally, yes,” she paused. “We weren’t exactly friends. I tormented her for the better part of high school. I mean I was really, really, horrible to her.”
He nodded, “So why do this?”
Quinn sighed and pushed away from her desk. She pulled her black plastic rimmed glasses off and stood up. “Because, she’s extremely talented, even if it’s annoying,” she said crossing her arms over her chest. “And because she and I did eventually set aside our differences senior year, although, we have not spoken since graduation.”
She looked back at her boss, he was contemplating on sending someone else, and she knew it. “Why now?” he asked. “Why after all this time do you want to confront her?”
Quinn sighed. Because I love her, she thought. Because I really miss her and the way she rambled on and on. She looked out her office window. Because she’s all I can think about. Instead of telling him all of those things she settled for something simple. “I miss her,” she said.
“What? You can’t call like a normal person?”
“Jonathan,” she said exhaustedly.
“I’m just trying to understand why you want to do something that is so beneath you. This is just an interview, let one of the peons handle it.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I want this, and it won’t be an interview.”
He leaned forward, suddenly interested. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have some ideas for a great cover story for the magazine. It’ll be a couple of main stories, with a follow up in the next issue.”
“So you want to do a two month spread?”
“First month she gets the cover. We’ll do an interview, a day in the life of Rachel Berry, a background story, her fans will love it. Then I’d like to do a make-over spread, make her wholesome toned down look available to the public.”
“Well there’s no doubt those issues would sell,” he said. “How would you feel about being made junior editor?”
“What? Did you just?”
“Promote you to my right hand? I sure did. You’ll be moving into the office next to mine. I want you to start taking half the spreads for every issue and we’ll discuss and plan them together.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she shook her head with a smile.
“I know,” he smiled. “I want the interview by next week. We’re going to leak parts of it in this months’ issue and drum up some enthusiasm.” After he left Quinn slouched in her chair and sighed contentedly. She knew that the office would soon begin to buzz with the news of her promotion.
~!~!~!~!~
Alex was waiting on the bed for Quinn to come out of the bathroom. “Christ almighty Q, it’s just a show. It’s not like it’s a hot date,” she snickered.
“Shut up A,” she yelled through the door. She ran her hands over her thighs smoothing out the wrinkles of her black slacks. She checked her top to make sure the power blue button down was free of lint.
“Come on Q, I’m hungry,” the photographer chided.
“Keep bugging me while I’m trying to get ready and I’ll take someone else,” she warned. She played with her hair, placing the curls carefully, so that they framed her face. She double checked her make-up and opened the door.
“It’s about time Q,” the brunette paused when she looked up. “Holy shit,” the blonde blushed profusely. “I am so under dressed,” she said referring to her khakis and polo shirt with boat shoes.
She sat down, put her shoes on, and grabbed her things. The taxi ride was uneventful, at least as much as it could be in New York. Quinn and Alex got out a block away and walked the rest of the distance. Before they went inside Quinn spotted an old man selling bouquets so she stopped and bought one. Alex gave her a look, “What?” she shrugged. “White lilies are her favorite,” Alex shook her head.
At the door she flashed her press badge and was let through, the guard however, stopped Alex. “Seriously? Come on Q,” she pouted and crossed her arms. “You need me!”
“Oh alright, fine, she’s with me,” she said to the security guard and explained that Alex was her photographer. “You’re lucky I need you,” she said.
“You just want her alone all to yourself,” Alex smirked.
“That may be, but we have a job to do. I will make sure to get her all to myself soon enough,” Quinn smiled. This whole elaborate issue was part of her plane to reinsert herself into Rachel’s life. “Don’t push your luck though,” Quinn said.
“Oh whatever, you love me.”
“Yeah, yeah, go find us some seats. I’m going to go backstage to look for her,” she instructed. She made her way through the crowd easily and slinked back a hallway she assumed held the dressing rooms.
“Hey! You! What are you doing? You can’t be back here!” she heard a man yell from behind her.
“Shit,” she muttered and looked around for a place to conveniently disappear. He security guard was now running towards her mumbling into his walkie. She reached for the handle to her right and pushed the door open. The sudden intake of breath coming from the room alerted Quinn to her surroundings. She smirked, “Sorry ladies, I’m looking for Rachel Berry?” they all pointed to the door at the other side of the room.
Before she could knock the door opened and a dumbstruck diva stared back at her, “Quinn?” The blonde gulped audibly.
“Excuse us ladies, I am so sorry, but did you see a blonde run through here?” they all pointed in the direction of the blonde.
“Shit,” Quinn muttered.
“Language,” the brunette chided with a grin. Quinn looked back at her with pleading eyes. “Easy boys, I asked her to come here,” Rachel said calmly batting her long eyelashes while doing so.
“Sorry Miss Berry,” the big one mumbled apologetically.
“Just don’t let it happen again. I don’t want my girlfriend afraid to come wish me good luck before my opening show,” Quinn blanched at Rachel.
“Yes, Miss Berry,” they said and left.
“Now, not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but why are you here? You have to admit it is a little odd,” she asked with a raised brow.
Quinn held up the flowers. “For you,” she said with a smile.
Rachel gasped and took them from the blonde. “Quinn, they’re gorgeous, thank you,” she said.
“I remembered they were your favorite. Some elderly guy was selling them outside.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Now, why are you here? I know it’s not to just give me flowers.”
“What if it was?” Quinn asked with her signature crooked smile.
“Quinn Fabray,” Rachel shook her head. “Seriously?”
“The magazine wants to do a spread and give you the cover story along with a follow or two. I’m the one writing it and putting it together. So I just need to know when is good for you.”
“I can talk with you after the show and set up a longer slot for us to sit down and chat. I’d also like to catch up with you so be prepared.”
Quinn laughed heartily, “You got it. Anyway, I had my photographer get us seats so,” Quinn motioned towards the stage door.
“Right, well thank you again for the flowers Quinn.”
Quinn nodded, “Break a leg.”
Rachel bit her bottom lip and looked as if she were struggling internally with something. Before Quinn could ask what the shorter woman threw her arms around her. Quinn was surprised at first but quickly returned the hug nearly melting into Rachel. “I’ve missed you,” she sighed into the crook of Quinn’s neck.
Quinn shivered and took a deep breath. Her nostrils filled with honeysuckle and vanilla, Rachel’s shampoo. “I missed you, too,” she pulled away. “I’ll see you after and we’ll talk.”
“Yes, we have so much to catch up on. I need to finish getting ready unfortunately,” she said fully letting go of the blonde.
Quinn reluctantly left the dressing rooms and joined the crowd. She found Alex easily and she handed her a program. Quinn sat down and read it while she waited for the show to start. Young up and coming starlet, Rachel Berry, with her first lead role attributes her success to her parents, the Glee Club in Lima Ohio, and to her best friend, Quinn Fabray, who always believed in her. Miss Fabray is successful in her own way and writes for New York inStyle Magazine. Quinn’s heart raced and her face got hot. Alex just smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Rachel received a standing ovation from the crowd after her performance and Quinn just sat there in awe. The brunette was really very talented and Quinn had always loved her voice but after not hearing it in years, the blonde was quite frankly blown away. Alex put a hand on her shoulder breaking Quinn out of her musings and she stood up clapping vigorously for the diva. She let the crowd dissipate before going in search of the brunette with Alex hot on her heels.
“She was amazing!” Alex beamed. “No wonder you’re in love with her.”
Quinn rolled her eyes. “I’m not in love with her,” she said unsure of who she was actually trying to convince.
“Right, and I’m the Duke of Yorkshire,” Alex snickered. “It’s okay you know,” Quinn looked back at her. “I caught her looking for you a couple of times and when she finally found you they lit up. I swear, it was like she was singing for you.”
Quinn didn’t comment, instead she slipped backstage. “Boys, where’s my talented girl?” she asked with a smile and they pointed in the direction of Rachel’s dressing room. “Thanks,” she said.
“What was that about?” Alex asked giving the blonde a funny look.
“Well before the show so security guards chased me. Rachel saved my ass by telling them I was her girlfriend.”
“Ha!” she teased. “Just ask her out!” she shoved the writer/editor playfully.
Quinn ignored her former assistant and best friend in favor of finding Rachel. She spotted the diva standing with a red head and smiled. She looked beautiful even after performing under those hot lights. But Quinn saw fear etched on Rachel’s face and she knew something was wrong. She pushed through the crowded dressing room leaving Alex behind. The closer Quinn got the clearer their conversation was. “Who gave you the damned flowers?” the woman sneered.
“A friend,” Rachel replied. “I swear Dana, she’s just a friend.” Quinn could hear the panic in her voice and struggled to get to her.
“And the program?” she asked with force.
“I j-just wanted to t-thank some of the p-people who helped me g-get here,” Rachel stuttered.
“That’s no excuse. Let me be clear, you are here because of me. I got you here.”
When she heard the red head’s last statement Quinn pushed through the last few people with an angry growl. Her eyes followed the arms of the red head and she was enraged when she saw that she was tightly gripping Rachel’s wrist hard enough to turn the skin around it white. Before she could register what she was doing she was standing in front of Rachel with her arms crossed and her patented ice queen HBIC glare in place. “Let go of her,” she said. “Now,” she demanded.
The red head looked at her incredulously. “And just who the hell do you think you are?” she retorted.
“I’m the one who’s going to kick your ass if you don’t unhand my friend,” Quinn said with venom.
“Quinn, don’t, please,” Rachel touched the blonde’s arm with her free hand.
The red head understood entirely then. “Ah, Fabray. Well I would say it was nice to meet you, but it really wasn’t. Now back the fuck off. She’s my girlfriend,” Quinn wasn’t intimidated.
“I don’t know who you are, I don’t give a shit, but you will let go of Rachel,” Quinn crossed her arms.
“Fine. But I don’t like this,” she said turning to Rachel. “We will discuss this later. Don’t make me have to wait up,” she said looking Quinn up and down. With one last sneer she walked away.
Quinn watched her leave and continued to stand in front of Rachel protectively. “Quinn,” a meek voice registered with the blonde.
The blonde relaxed instantly until she turned around and caught a flash of terror in Rachel’s eyes. It disappeared quickly as the brunette tried to recover but Quinn had seen it and took her hand. The wrist that the red head was grasping so tightly was beginning to bruise. “What the hell was that?” Quinn asked firmly.
“My jealous girlfriend,” Rachel said wryly. “I’m okay, really, but I should go,” she took a deep breath. “Give me your hand,” Quinn did as she was asked and Rachel wrote her number on the blonde’s palm. “Call me and we can catch up.”
Quinn stared at her, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Rachel,” Quinn sighed. “You can stay with me,” she said gently.
“Thank you, but it will make the situation worse.”
Quinn felt sadness wash over her. “You mean worse than her abusing you in public?” she asked with a frown.
“Quinn, don’t. I’ll talk to you soon okay. Goodnight.”
Quinn stood there motionless as the diva walked away. Something was wrong, she knew it and if the previous exchange was anything to go by, the brunette was in serious trouble. Alex touched her shoulder and she turned around. Quinn sighed, “I need to help her.”
Alex had witnessed a large part of the scene and saw the horrified expression the brunette had, the relief when Quinn stepped in front of her, and the regret and pain in her expression when she walked away. “You will,” she said gently and pulled Quinn towards the exit.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn tossed and turned the whole night unable to sleep at all. She finally gave up when the clock read four a.m. and got up. She turned the coffee pot on to brew a fresh pot and Alex padded out of the guest room. “Thanks for staying with me,” the blonde said.
“I don’t mind, do you want to talk about it?”
Quinn shook her head. “Not right now, I’m going to call her in a few hours, possibly around eight or so.”
“That early?”
“If she still follows the same routine she’ll be awake, trust me. Up by six, on the elliptical for an hour, shower, then eat.”
“That’s nuts.”
“That’s Rachel,” Quinn replied. By the time eight o’clock finally rolled around Alex had left to develop the pictures from the night before. Quinn was organizing her spread trying to decide what to have as her main feature. She eventually decided she couldn’t wait any longer and called Rachel.
“Good morning,” she said brightly.
“Hey, I thought that maybe instead of going out we can just chill at mine? It will give us more privacy.”
“Sure, that sounds good. I have another show tonight at seven, but I’m free until then.”
“Okay,” Quinn gave her the address. “You can come over whenever you like.”
“Great, I’ll see you soon,” she said and they both hung up. Quinn closed her phone and set it on the table before going over the layout once more. She wanted to feature “A Day in the Life of Rachel Berry” more than anything so with that as her focus she folded the other features around it. She thought about maybe doing a photo shoot as well but would have to run that by Rachel later.
She’d been staring at the door now for the past twenty minutes when she heard a soft knock. She hopped up from her seat and practically ran to the door. “Hey,” she said opening it.
“Hi,” the brunette smiled back. She was wearing low rise hipsters, flip flops, a v-cut t-shirt that rested above her navel, and her hair was down. In a word she was stunning. Quinn cleared her throat and let her inside.
Rachel’s eyes flitted around the apartment and landed on the table. “You did all this?” she asked looking over the layout.
Quinn nodded. “I’m not just a writer anymore,” she smiled. “Just got promoted to Junior Editor.”
“Oh my gosh! That’s great! Congratulations Quinn!” Rachel beamed.
“Thank you.”
“So why did you want to write about me then?”
Quinn sighed. “It gave me an excuse to see you to be honest,” she said. “I’ve missed you,” she admitted.
“You could have called,” Rachel raised a brow.
“I know, I just… every time I wanted to I’d get busy or forget. It’s no excuse but the timing was just never right.”
“And it is now?” the diva wondered.
Quinn shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I got tired of waiting. I knew this was a good opportunity to see you.”
“I wish you had tried sooner.”
Quinn nodded feeling guilty. “Me too,” she replied softly. “I’m so sorry Rachel,” she barely whispered.
“I forgive you,” Rachel said simply. “Where do you want to start?”
“Uhm, college?” she suggested and ushered Rachel into the living room towards the couch. Quinn sat on the end next to the armrest and leaned back while Rachel took a seat in the middle both of them pulled their legs underneath their bodies and their knees touched. College was quickly discussed and then they got into their careers and a little bit of their past relationships.
By lunch the only thing that hadn’t been talked about was Quinn’s feelings for Rachel and Rachel’s abusive girlfriend. To further ignore the topics Quinn offered to run for some take out for lunch and used the time to think. When she got back Rachel was at the table looking over the spread again. “You have really great ideas,” she said with a smile.
Quinn thanked her and started making plates for her and the brunette. “One could say the same about you,” the blonde said.
Rachel laughed lightly, “Yes I saw your notes about me, although they weren’t entirely of personal nature.”
“Shit,” Quinn muttered under her breath. “Uh, so how did you like your flowers?”
“I loved them, they were beautiful. How did you remember they were my favorite?”
“I remember a lot about you.”
“Like what?”
“Your morning routine, what your body wash and shampoo smells like…” she said still avoiding the comments she wrote and Rachel read.
“By your reaction and trying to avoid the topic, I assume you hadn’t meant to leave it out?” the diva guessed and Quinn nodded. “So the comments about my nice plump, pouty, kissable lips… my sexy voice… and my luscious hair that you want to thread your fingers through?” she paused. “Are they true?”
Quinn gripped the counter and nodded not looking at Rachel. “Yes,” she admitted.
“How long?” Rachel asked curiously.
“I figured it out in college, but the feelings started in high school. It’s why I was so mean to you until senior year, and then why I wanted so badly to be your friend.”
Rachel placed her hands on the blonde’s hips and turned her around so they were facing each other. “Why didn’t you tell me? Is that why you didn’t call?”
Quinn sighed. “I couldn’t tell you. At first I was scared of what people would think. Then I was scared that you would laugh at me or think I was just trying to plan something evil. And then I was too ashamed because I should have known better than that. I should have known you’d have given me the benefit even then,” Quinn finished looking down at her feet.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m upset you didn’t tell me, it would have helped me understand you a lot better. But I get it,” Rachel lifted her chin. “It’s alright,” she said softly.
Quinn sighed. “It’s not, but thank you,” she said and went back to making their plates.
“Quinn,” she said tentatively. The blonde didn’t look at her but nodded to let her know she was listening. “Would it help you to know that I had and still have feelings for you as well?”
Quinn stopped moving and turned to look at her. Their eyes met and she saw the emotions play across Rachel’s face. “You have a girlfriend,” Rachel nodded weakly.
“More like a keeper,” she sighed.
“Why are you with her?” Quinn asked. “She’s not good for you. She’s not good enough for you.”
Rachel’s eyes watered. “She was great at first,” she shrugged. “Things just kind of went downhill after that.”
“Tell me you are not being abused Rachel,” Quinn held her eyes searching for anything to tell her how to go about this situation.
“I-I can’t.”
“Rachel…”
“She doesn’t mean to.”
Quinn sighed and shook her head. “They all say that,” she paused. “My father said it all the time,” she finished.
“Quinn, did he?”
“Beat my mom? Beat me?” she asked with a cold tone. “Yes, he did. Whenever he was drunk, if we did something wrong, he’d hit us. Then he’d say he was sorry and look horrified, but he did it time and time again,” she looked at Rachel. “People like him are scum, Rachel. People like her are scum. They don’t change. You deserve so much better,” Quinn said as a tear rolled down her cheek. She hadn’t meant to tell Rachel about the abuse her father had dealt out when she was a child, but she needed to make her understand.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“For the same reason you didn’t tell me,” Quinn said as her voice cracked.
“You want me to leave her,” Rachel stated.
Quinn sighed. “Of course I do, not for me, but for you. You deserved to be treated with love and respect, Rachel. She doesn’t do that,” Quinn shook her head. “She doesn’t love you, she may say she does, but someone who loves you, doesn’t hurt you that way.”
“Where would I go?”
“You can stay here,” the blonde offered. Rachel looked hesitant. “I would never hurt you Rachel,” she promised. “You can use the guest room,” she said.
“You would do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you Rachel, but let’s not get into that right now,” she laughed lightly. “Seriously, I saw your wrist bruise under her grip last night. I don’t like that you even went home after that, I get it, but I don’t like it. I would prefer to know you are okay.”
“She’ll come here looking for me eventually. She’ll figure it out.”
“Let her. I’m not scared of her.”
“You should be,” Rachel said sadly and collapsed into the couch.
Quinn set the plates down on the table. “Is there more to this that you aren’t telling me?”
“She’s threatened to kill me before,” Rachel gulped. “And I think she’s capable,” she said with fear in her voice. “She’s fucking crazy, Quinn,” she shook her head trying to dispel whatever images came to mind. Then Rachel brought her knees up to her chest and started to cry.
Quinn sat next to her and pulled the diva until she was in her lap. “You’re not going back there,” she said with finality. “I won’t let you do that to yourself,” she spoke holding the brunette tightly. The blonde held on to the diva as she crumbled and broke in her arms and the brunette clung to her tightly as she sobbed into Quinn’s neck. She rocked the smaller woman, kissed the top of her head, and whispered to her gently that it would be okay. She would make it okay.
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Title: Saving You Saving Me
Rating: NC17
Summary: Quinn is a writer for a NY magazine and does a spread on Rachel; however, their past friendship comes into play before much professionalism can take place. Quinn finds out she’s being abused.
Disclaimer: Not mine. No profit.
A/N: Warning: Mentions of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Quinn walked into her office that morning finding her favorite photographer waiting with a steaming cup of coffee. She reached for it and smiled. “You are a God send, tell me why I fired you again?” she said to the brunette leaning against her desk.
“Well being your assistant stunted my growth professionally; you fired me so I could pursue my photography and insisted to Jonathan that I stay on as freelance specifically for your use,” she smiled widely.
“You sucked as my assistant anyway,” Quinn teased. “You work so much better as my best friend. Anyway, you’re the best, Alex.”
“I try, I also happen to have some very pertinent information from my contacts that I know for a fact you would be interested in.”
“Really?” Quinn raised a finely manicured eyebrow.
“My sources say that the coveted leading role for Mamma Mia! has been awarded to none other than Miss Rachel Berry,” she said grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Quinn’s eyes widened. “Tell Jonathan I’m covering the show. I want to do a spread for next month’s issue including the cover.”
“Already done,” Alex said with a knowing laugh. “I’m the best aren’t I?”
“Yes,” Quinn rolled her eyes. “How is it that even though you are not my assistant you still find me the best leads?”
“I’m your best friend and I knew how important this would be to you. I don’t need to be your assistant to know that.”
“Alright, get outta here, I need to get some work done,” Quinn said teasingly. Alex reluctantly left Quinn’s office to do some of her own work. The blonde looked out the window of her office with her arms crossed over her chest. The knock at her door brought her out of her musings. She turned and smiled. “Jonathan, how can I help you?”
“Why do you want this exposé with Rachel Berry so bad?”
Quinn pursed her lips, “We went to high school together.”
“Wouldn’t that make you biased?”
“Normally, yes,” she paused. “We weren’t exactly friends. I tormented her for the better part of high school. I mean I was really, really, horrible to her.”
He nodded, “So why do this?”
Quinn sighed and pushed away from her desk. She pulled her black plastic rimmed glasses off and stood up. “Because, she’s extremely talented, even if it’s annoying,” she said crossing her arms over her chest. “And because she and I did eventually set aside our differences senior year, although, we have not spoken since graduation.”
She looked back at her boss, he was contemplating on sending someone else, and she knew it. “Why now?” he asked. “Why after all this time do you want to confront her?”
Quinn sighed. Because I love her, she thought. Because I really miss her and the way she rambled on and on. She looked out her office window. Because she’s all I can think about. Instead of telling him all of those things she settled for something simple. “I miss her,” she said.
“What? You can’t call like a normal person?”
“Jonathan,” she said exhaustedly.
“I’m just trying to understand why you want to do something that is so beneath you. This is just an interview, let one of the peons handle it.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I want this, and it won’t be an interview.”
He leaned forward, suddenly interested. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have some ideas for a great cover story for the magazine. It’ll be a couple of main stories, with a follow up in the next issue.”
“So you want to do a two month spread?”
“First month she gets the cover. We’ll do an interview, a day in the life of Rachel Berry, a background story, her fans will love it. Then I’d like to do a make-over spread, make her wholesome toned down look available to the public.”
“Well there’s no doubt those issues would sell,” he said. “How would you feel about being made junior editor?”
“What? Did you just?”
“Promote you to my right hand? I sure did. You’ll be moving into the office next to mine. I want you to start taking half the spreads for every issue and we’ll discuss and plan them together.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she shook her head with a smile.
“I know,” he smiled. “I want the interview by next week. We’re going to leak parts of it in this months’ issue and drum up some enthusiasm.” After he left Quinn slouched in her chair and sighed contentedly. She knew that the office would soon begin to buzz with the news of her promotion.
~!~!~!~!~
Alex was waiting on the bed for Quinn to come out of the bathroom. “Christ almighty Q, it’s just a show. It’s not like it’s a hot date,” she snickered.
“Shut up A,” she yelled through the door. She ran her hands over her thighs smoothing out the wrinkles of her black slacks. She checked her top to make sure the power blue button down was free of lint.
“Come on Q, I’m hungry,” the photographer chided.
“Keep bugging me while I’m trying to get ready and I’ll take someone else,” she warned. She played with her hair, placing the curls carefully, so that they framed her face. She double checked her make-up and opened the door.
“It’s about time Q,” the brunette paused when she looked up. “Holy shit,” the blonde blushed profusely. “I am so under dressed,” she said referring to her khakis and polo shirt with boat shoes.
She sat down, put her shoes on, and grabbed her things. The taxi ride was uneventful, at least as much as it could be in New York. Quinn and Alex got out a block away and walked the rest of the distance. Before they went inside Quinn spotted an old man selling bouquets so she stopped and bought one. Alex gave her a look, “What?” she shrugged. “White lilies are her favorite,” Alex shook her head.
At the door she flashed her press badge and was let through, the guard however, stopped Alex. “Seriously? Come on Q,” she pouted and crossed her arms. “You need me!”
“Oh alright, fine, she’s with me,” she said to the security guard and explained that Alex was her photographer. “You’re lucky I need you,” she said.
“You just want her alone all to yourself,” Alex smirked.
“That may be, but we have a job to do. I will make sure to get her all to myself soon enough,” Quinn smiled. This whole elaborate issue was part of her plane to reinsert herself into Rachel’s life. “Don’t push your luck though,” Quinn said.
“Oh whatever, you love me.”
“Yeah, yeah, go find us some seats. I’m going to go backstage to look for her,” she instructed. She made her way through the crowd easily and slinked back a hallway she assumed held the dressing rooms.
“Hey! You! What are you doing? You can’t be back here!” she heard a man yell from behind her.
“Shit,” she muttered and looked around for a place to conveniently disappear. He security guard was now running towards her mumbling into his walkie. She reached for the handle to her right and pushed the door open. The sudden intake of breath coming from the room alerted Quinn to her surroundings. She smirked, “Sorry ladies, I’m looking for Rachel Berry?” they all pointed to the door at the other side of the room.
Before she could knock the door opened and a dumbstruck diva stared back at her, “Quinn?” The blonde gulped audibly.
“Excuse us ladies, I am so sorry, but did you see a blonde run through here?” they all pointed in the direction of the blonde.
“Shit,” Quinn muttered.
“Language,” the brunette chided with a grin. Quinn looked back at her with pleading eyes. “Easy boys, I asked her to come here,” Rachel said calmly batting her long eyelashes while doing so.
“Sorry Miss Berry,” the big one mumbled apologetically.
“Just don’t let it happen again. I don’t want my girlfriend afraid to come wish me good luck before my opening show,” Quinn blanched at Rachel.
“Yes, Miss Berry,” they said and left.
“Now, not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but why are you here? You have to admit it is a little odd,” she asked with a raised brow.
Quinn held up the flowers. “For you,” she said with a smile.
Rachel gasped and took them from the blonde. “Quinn, they’re gorgeous, thank you,” she said.
“I remembered they were your favorite. Some elderly guy was selling them outside.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Now, why are you here? I know it’s not to just give me flowers.”
“What if it was?” Quinn asked with her signature crooked smile.
“Quinn Fabray,” Rachel shook her head. “Seriously?”
“The magazine wants to do a spread and give you the cover story along with a follow or two. I’m the one writing it and putting it together. So I just need to know when is good for you.”
“I can talk with you after the show and set up a longer slot for us to sit down and chat. I’d also like to catch up with you so be prepared.”
Quinn laughed heartily, “You got it. Anyway, I had my photographer get us seats so,” Quinn motioned towards the stage door.
“Right, well thank you again for the flowers Quinn.”
Quinn nodded, “Break a leg.”
Rachel bit her bottom lip and looked as if she were struggling internally with something. Before Quinn could ask what the shorter woman threw her arms around her. Quinn was surprised at first but quickly returned the hug nearly melting into Rachel. “I’ve missed you,” she sighed into the crook of Quinn’s neck.
Quinn shivered and took a deep breath. Her nostrils filled with honeysuckle and vanilla, Rachel’s shampoo. “I missed you, too,” she pulled away. “I’ll see you after and we’ll talk.”
“Yes, we have so much to catch up on. I need to finish getting ready unfortunately,” she said fully letting go of the blonde.
Quinn reluctantly left the dressing rooms and joined the crowd. She found Alex easily and she handed her a program. Quinn sat down and read it while she waited for the show to start. Young up and coming starlet, Rachel Berry, with her first lead role attributes her success to her parents, the Glee Club in Lima Ohio, and to her best friend, Quinn Fabray, who always believed in her. Miss Fabray is successful in her own way and writes for New York inStyle Magazine. Quinn’s heart raced and her face got hot. Alex just smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Rachel received a standing ovation from the crowd after her performance and Quinn just sat there in awe. The brunette was really very talented and Quinn had always loved her voice but after not hearing it in years, the blonde was quite frankly blown away. Alex put a hand on her shoulder breaking Quinn out of her musings and she stood up clapping vigorously for the diva. She let the crowd dissipate before going in search of the brunette with Alex hot on her heels.
“She was amazing!” Alex beamed. “No wonder you’re in love with her.”
Quinn rolled her eyes. “I’m not in love with her,” she said unsure of who she was actually trying to convince.
“Right, and I’m the Duke of Yorkshire,” Alex snickered. “It’s okay you know,” Quinn looked back at her. “I caught her looking for you a couple of times and when she finally found you they lit up. I swear, it was like she was singing for you.”
Quinn didn’t comment, instead she slipped backstage. “Boys, where’s my talented girl?” she asked with a smile and they pointed in the direction of Rachel’s dressing room. “Thanks,” she said.
“What was that about?” Alex asked giving the blonde a funny look.
“Well before the show so security guards chased me. Rachel saved my ass by telling them I was her girlfriend.”
“Ha!” she teased. “Just ask her out!” she shoved the writer/editor playfully.
Quinn ignored her former assistant and best friend in favor of finding Rachel. She spotted the diva standing with a red head and smiled. She looked beautiful even after performing under those hot lights. But Quinn saw fear etched on Rachel’s face and she knew something was wrong. She pushed through the crowded dressing room leaving Alex behind. The closer Quinn got the clearer their conversation was. “Who gave you the damned flowers?” the woman sneered.
“A friend,” Rachel replied. “I swear Dana, she’s just a friend.” Quinn could hear the panic in her voice and struggled to get to her.
“And the program?” she asked with force.
“I j-just wanted to t-thank some of the p-people who helped me g-get here,” Rachel stuttered.
“That’s no excuse. Let me be clear, you are here because of me. I got you here.”
When she heard the red head’s last statement Quinn pushed through the last few people with an angry growl. Her eyes followed the arms of the red head and she was enraged when she saw that she was tightly gripping Rachel’s wrist hard enough to turn the skin around it white. Before she could register what she was doing she was standing in front of Rachel with her arms crossed and her patented ice queen HBIC glare in place. “Let go of her,” she said. “Now,” she demanded.
The red head looked at her incredulously. “And just who the hell do you think you are?” she retorted.
“I’m the one who’s going to kick your ass if you don’t unhand my friend,” Quinn said with venom.
“Quinn, don’t, please,” Rachel touched the blonde’s arm with her free hand.
The red head understood entirely then. “Ah, Fabray. Well I would say it was nice to meet you, but it really wasn’t. Now back the fuck off. She’s my girlfriend,” Quinn wasn’t intimidated.
“I don’t know who you are, I don’t give a shit, but you will let go of Rachel,” Quinn crossed her arms.
“Fine. But I don’t like this,” she said turning to Rachel. “We will discuss this later. Don’t make me have to wait up,” she said looking Quinn up and down. With one last sneer she walked away.
Quinn watched her leave and continued to stand in front of Rachel protectively. “Quinn,” a meek voice registered with the blonde.
The blonde relaxed instantly until she turned around and caught a flash of terror in Rachel’s eyes. It disappeared quickly as the brunette tried to recover but Quinn had seen it and took her hand. The wrist that the red head was grasping so tightly was beginning to bruise. “What the hell was that?” Quinn asked firmly.
“My jealous girlfriend,” Rachel said wryly. “I’m okay, really, but I should go,” she took a deep breath. “Give me your hand,” Quinn did as she was asked and Rachel wrote her number on the blonde’s palm. “Call me and we can catch up.”
Quinn stared at her, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Rachel,” Quinn sighed. “You can stay with me,” she said gently.
“Thank you, but it will make the situation worse.”
Quinn felt sadness wash over her. “You mean worse than her abusing you in public?” she asked with a frown.
“Quinn, don’t. I’ll talk to you soon okay. Goodnight.”
Quinn stood there motionless as the diva walked away. Something was wrong, she knew it and if the previous exchange was anything to go by, the brunette was in serious trouble. Alex touched her shoulder and she turned around. Quinn sighed, “I need to help her.”
Alex had witnessed a large part of the scene and saw the horrified expression the brunette had, the relief when Quinn stepped in front of her, and the regret and pain in her expression when she walked away. “You will,” she said gently and pulled Quinn towards the exit.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn tossed and turned the whole night unable to sleep at all. She finally gave up when the clock read four a.m. and got up. She turned the coffee pot on to brew a fresh pot and Alex padded out of the guest room. “Thanks for staying with me,” the blonde said.
“I don’t mind, do you want to talk about it?”
Quinn shook her head. “Not right now, I’m going to call her in a few hours, possibly around eight or so.”
“That early?”
“If she still follows the same routine she’ll be awake, trust me. Up by six, on the elliptical for an hour, shower, then eat.”
“That’s nuts.”
“That’s Rachel,” Quinn replied. By the time eight o’clock finally rolled around Alex had left to develop the pictures from the night before. Quinn was organizing her spread trying to decide what to have as her main feature. She eventually decided she couldn’t wait any longer and called Rachel.
“Good morning,” she said brightly.
“Hey, I thought that maybe instead of going out we can just chill at mine? It will give us more privacy.”
“Sure, that sounds good. I have another show tonight at seven, but I’m free until then.”
“Okay,” Quinn gave her the address. “You can come over whenever you like.”
“Great, I’ll see you soon,” she said and they both hung up. Quinn closed her phone and set it on the table before going over the layout once more. She wanted to feature “A Day in the Life of Rachel Berry” more than anything so with that as her focus she folded the other features around it. She thought about maybe doing a photo shoot as well but would have to run that by Rachel later.
She’d been staring at the door now for the past twenty minutes when she heard a soft knock. She hopped up from her seat and practically ran to the door. “Hey,” she said opening it.
“Hi,” the brunette smiled back. She was wearing low rise hipsters, flip flops, a v-cut t-shirt that rested above her navel, and her hair was down. In a word she was stunning. Quinn cleared her throat and let her inside.
Rachel’s eyes flitted around the apartment and landed on the table. “You did all this?” she asked looking over the layout.
Quinn nodded. “I’m not just a writer anymore,” she smiled. “Just got promoted to Junior Editor.”
“Oh my gosh! That’s great! Congratulations Quinn!” Rachel beamed.
“Thank you.”
“So why did you want to write about me then?”
Quinn sighed. “It gave me an excuse to see you to be honest,” she said. “I’ve missed you,” she admitted.
“You could have called,” Rachel raised a brow.
“I know, I just… every time I wanted to I’d get busy or forget. It’s no excuse but the timing was just never right.”
“And it is now?” the diva wondered.
Quinn shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I got tired of waiting. I knew this was a good opportunity to see you.”
“I wish you had tried sooner.”
Quinn nodded feeling guilty. “Me too,” she replied softly. “I’m so sorry Rachel,” she barely whispered.
“I forgive you,” Rachel said simply. “Where do you want to start?”
“Uhm, college?” she suggested and ushered Rachel into the living room towards the couch. Quinn sat on the end next to the armrest and leaned back while Rachel took a seat in the middle both of them pulled their legs underneath their bodies and their knees touched. College was quickly discussed and then they got into their careers and a little bit of their past relationships.
By lunch the only thing that hadn’t been talked about was Quinn’s feelings for Rachel and Rachel’s abusive girlfriend. To further ignore the topics Quinn offered to run for some take out for lunch and used the time to think. When she got back Rachel was at the table looking over the spread again. “You have really great ideas,” she said with a smile.
Quinn thanked her and started making plates for her and the brunette. “One could say the same about you,” the blonde said.
Rachel laughed lightly, “Yes I saw your notes about me, although they weren’t entirely of personal nature.”
“Shit,” Quinn muttered under her breath. “Uh, so how did you like your flowers?”
“I loved them, they were beautiful. How did you remember they were my favorite?”
“I remember a lot about you.”
“Like what?”
“Your morning routine, what your body wash and shampoo smells like…” she said still avoiding the comments she wrote and Rachel read.
“By your reaction and trying to avoid the topic, I assume you hadn’t meant to leave it out?” the diva guessed and Quinn nodded. “So the comments about my nice plump, pouty, kissable lips… my sexy voice… and my luscious hair that you want to thread your fingers through?” she paused. “Are they true?”
Quinn gripped the counter and nodded not looking at Rachel. “Yes,” she admitted.
“How long?” Rachel asked curiously.
“I figured it out in college, but the feelings started in high school. It’s why I was so mean to you until senior year, and then why I wanted so badly to be your friend.”
Rachel placed her hands on the blonde’s hips and turned her around so they were facing each other. “Why didn’t you tell me? Is that why you didn’t call?”
Quinn sighed. “I couldn’t tell you. At first I was scared of what people would think. Then I was scared that you would laugh at me or think I was just trying to plan something evil. And then I was too ashamed because I should have known better than that. I should have known you’d have given me the benefit even then,” Quinn finished looking down at her feet.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m upset you didn’t tell me, it would have helped me understand you a lot better. But I get it,” Rachel lifted her chin. “It’s alright,” she said softly.
Quinn sighed. “It’s not, but thank you,” she said and went back to making their plates.
“Quinn,” she said tentatively. The blonde didn’t look at her but nodded to let her know she was listening. “Would it help you to know that I had and still have feelings for you as well?”
Quinn stopped moving and turned to look at her. Their eyes met and she saw the emotions play across Rachel’s face. “You have a girlfriend,” Rachel nodded weakly.
“More like a keeper,” she sighed.
“Why are you with her?” Quinn asked. “She’s not good for you. She’s not good enough for you.”
Rachel’s eyes watered. “She was great at first,” she shrugged. “Things just kind of went downhill after that.”
“Tell me you are not being abused Rachel,” Quinn held her eyes searching for anything to tell her how to go about this situation.
“I-I can’t.”
“Rachel…”
“She doesn’t mean to.”
Quinn sighed and shook her head. “They all say that,” she paused. “My father said it all the time,” she finished.
“Quinn, did he?”
“Beat my mom? Beat me?” she asked with a cold tone. “Yes, he did. Whenever he was drunk, if we did something wrong, he’d hit us. Then he’d say he was sorry and look horrified, but he did it time and time again,” she looked at Rachel. “People like him are scum, Rachel. People like her are scum. They don’t change. You deserve so much better,” Quinn said as a tear rolled down her cheek. She hadn’t meant to tell Rachel about the abuse her father had dealt out when she was a child, but she needed to make her understand.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“For the same reason you didn’t tell me,” Quinn said as her voice cracked.
“You want me to leave her,” Rachel stated.
Quinn sighed. “Of course I do, not for me, but for you. You deserved to be treated with love and respect, Rachel. She doesn’t do that,” Quinn shook her head. “She doesn’t love you, she may say she does, but someone who loves you, doesn’t hurt you that way.”
“Where would I go?”
“You can stay here,” the blonde offered. Rachel looked hesitant. “I would never hurt you Rachel,” she promised. “You can use the guest room,” she said.
“You would do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you Rachel, but let’s not get into that right now,” she laughed lightly. “Seriously, I saw your wrist bruise under her grip last night. I don’t like that you even went home after that, I get it, but I don’t like it. I would prefer to know you are okay.”
“She’ll come here looking for me eventually. She’ll figure it out.”
“Let her. I’m not scared of her.”
“You should be,” Rachel said sadly and collapsed into the couch.
Quinn set the plates down on the table. “Is there more to this that you aren’t telling me?”
“She’s threatened to kill me before,” Rachel gulped. “And I think she’s capable,” she said with fear in her voice. “She’s fucking crazy, Quinn,” she shook her head trying to dispel whatever images came to mind. Then Rachel brought her knees up to her chest and started to cry.
Quinn sat next to her and pulled the diva until she was in her lap. “You’re not going back there,” she said with finality. “I won’t let you do that to yourself,” she spoke holding the brunette tightly. The blonde held on to the diva as she crumbled and broke in her arms and the brunette clung to her tightly as she sobbed into Quinn’s neck. She rocked the smaller woman, kissed the top of her head, and whispered to her gently that it would be okay. She would make it okay.