Breathless (6/?)
Author: t8kmybreathaway/LadyHawke69
Title: Breathless
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Rating: M
Summary: Rachel and Quinn 8 years down the road. Rachel's got a condition that is life threatening. Quinn, now a doctor, has to do something to help.
Disclaimer: They’re not mine, complete and total properties of Fox. Ideas are mine.
A/N: A little bit shorter than the previous chapters, but I felt it was a good place to end. I’m sorry it took so long to update, first there was video games, then work, and finally some real life issues that seemed to take over my life for a bit. I will try to update sooner, but I will be starting another job soon and posting will probably be even longer in between. So I apologize now.
Previous Chapters: Chapter One| Chapter Two| Chapter Three| Chapter Four| Chapter Five
“Let me get you some water,” she said. Taking her time she quietly poured a small paper cup full of water and returned to Rachel handing it to her. Although Quinn knew exactly what her diva had said it still sounded slurred together, more along the lines of “Lubootoo,” and Rachel’s face fell into a frown. Quinn squeezed her hand and brought it to her lips. “It’s okay,” she spoke softly. “You coded in the children’s ward while you were singing to them. I revived you but your brain was deprived of oxygen too long. Parts of it were damaged,” her eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth but only a mumbled ‘WHA’ sound came out. “Don’t worry, you will heal in time, you’ll have to do therapy both physical and speech, some of your motor functions like walking will be impaired for a while.”
She looked down and Quinn saw the moisture on her face, she was crying. “Hey,” she said gently. “I know it’s hard to hear, but you will get better,” she said confidently. “I will help you, I promise, you will sing again.” Rachel’s face contorted in pain and Quinn pulled the brunette into her arms. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered into her hair.
“N-no,” she shook her head. “N-no saw-r-ie,” she sighed and frowned even more looking down at her hands.
“I need to call your family and let them know you’re awake,” the brunette nodded and released the blonde’s hand so she could go into the hall way and make the call to Shelby. After a while she came back into the room and Rachel was staring at the ceiling. “They’re on their way up,” she said and took her perch back on the side of the bed. She placed the palm of her hand against her diva’s face and ran circles over her skin with the pad of her thumb. Rachel leaned into her touch and sighed contently, her eyes opening up to focus on Quinn.
When Leroy cleared his throat Quinn withdrew her hand but Rachel reached for it and put it back with a scowl aimed towards the doorway. “And that was a very silent ‘I don’t think so’ from our daughter,” Hiram jabbed at his husband.
“I take it you told her and that’s why she’s quiet?” Leroy asked.
Quinn sighed and nodded. She bit her bottom lip and turned towards Rachel. “Can I tell them?”
The brunette nodded, “Y-yah.” She sighed and looked away from them in embarrassment.
“Oh honey, it’s okay. It will come back in time,” Shelby said with a small smile. “I have the utmost confidence in your doctors, including the one sitting with you, and you’re a fighter, you won’t let this get you down.”
“What did you want to tell us, Quinn?” Hiram asked.
“She said she loved me,” the blonde smiled widely.
“She did?” Leroy looked to his daughter. “You did?” he beamed and threw his arms around both girls quickly followed by Shelby and Hiram.
Rachel grunted and pushed back. “C-can’t,” she shook her head. “Brea-the,” she finished.
“Sorry baby, we’re just happy you’re awake and are speaking.”
She huffed, “N-no,” she frowned crossing her arms.
“Maybe we should give her a note book to write?” Hiram wondered.
“No, she needs to practice,” the older brunette commented.
“Shelby’s right, as hard as it is for her right now, this is good practice,” she looked at her diva. “Don’t worry about how it sounds just try your best to enunciate. Okay?” Quinn asked and Rachel nodded weakly. “You should rest, you’ve had a rough couple of days,” she said gently.
As everyone turned to leave she tugged back on Quinn’s hand and said a very sharp, “N-no.”
“Sweetie, Quinn just woke up, she needs to eat,” Leroy said gently.
Rachel looked at her and the blonde sighed and nodded. Rachel crossed her arms, “Es-plain.”
“You were supposed to have surgery this morning to put a pacemaker in, but instead the doctors went in and repaired the damage to your heart. If you were to have gotten that surgery there was no guarantee you would be able to perform again even when you got better. I was up all night researching a new method. I knew I had to find something that would allow you to perform and I found it; it just took me seven hours. So once I gave my superior the information and where she could find the resources she would need I came in here and slept on the cot,” she said pointing to the uncomfortable makeshift bed.
“Ooo did dat fo meh?” she asked not caring how slurred her speech currently was. Quinn nodded and pressed a kiss to her hand. “Uinn,” she sighed leaving the ‘Q’ off.
“I was glad to,” she said. “I know you; I had to find a different way. While not having this surgery was detrimental to your health, you would have died if you couldn’t perform.”
The diva nodded and looked down tears forming in her eyes again. “Luboo,” she slurred but met Quinn’s eyes.
“I know, I love you too. I’ll grab something and be right back, okay? I promise, I’m not going anywhere, that there,” she pointed to the cot again. “That’s my bed until you can leave,” she said.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn sighed and sat down next to her diva while they waited for Dr. Lauritz. The blonde had already gone over the procedure with Rachel. She didn’t like the fact that an animal was being hurt in order to spare her. In fact she was quite set against it until Quinn reassured her that the whale was perfectly fine and swimming around like nothing had ever happened. After that she seemed to be less tense. “Ready to go?” they heard from the door way and looked up.
“Yes, I’ve explained everything to Rachel, thoroughly,” the brunette nodded in affirmation.
“Great, let’s get you in there then,” Dr. Lauritz smiled.
Rachel laid back and let Quinn finish prepping her for the surgery. The blonde watched Rachel as she wheeled her down the hallway on her back. When they reached the operating room her eyes darted around taking in her surroundings. The room was kind of dark, with a large lamp hanging from the ceiling, and smelled like sterilizer. She came to a stop in front of the monitor and hooked Rachel’s wires up. “Now, we’re going to give you anesthesia, so just count down from ten for me,” Dr. Lauritz said.
Rachel looked at Quinn and she smiled. “Go ahead, I’ll be right here, don’t worry. And when you wake up I’ll still be here, okay?” she spoke softly and the petite brunette nodded as the mask was put over her nose and mouth.
Quinn held it steady and counted with her until she was unconscious. “Alright people, let’s get started,” she announced. “Betadine,” she ordered with her hand out. Quinn placed the container her hand and readied Rachel’s torso. “Ten blade,” she asked through her mask and Quinn handed it to her.
Six hours into the operation Rachel’s heart stopped. “Damn it! Get the paddles,” Dr. Lauritz ordered.
“No, you might damage the heart more, she’s open on the table, just let me massage her heart,” Quinn spoke through her mask. Dr. Lauritz nodded and Quinn carefully used her hand to try and start her diva’s heart. “Come on baby,” she said softly. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
Quinn watched the monitor intently and shook her head. Her pulse started to increase after thirty seconds and the blonde breathed a long sigh of relief. “Good work Dr. Fabray,” Dr. Lauritz nodded in her direction. “Let’s get this finished up and get her into recovery shall we?” Quinn gave her a nod and watched with fascination as the surgery continued.
Four hours later an intern took her Diva to recovery and she immediately left to shower. When she got to the room Shelby and Rachel’s fathers were already with her. Quinn smiled gently at them and took a seat in the corner. “So it was successful?” Hiram asked.
“It was,” Quinn confirmed.
“Now what?” Hiram asked.
“We wait, she should wake up by the morning.”
“Thank you for keeping us updated. We got worried there for a second when you didn’t come out at the end of the sixth hour,” Leroy commented.
“I know, there was a slight complication and her heart stopped. I massaged it and it started right back up.”
“When does her therapy start?” Shelby asked.
“Well she needs to rest first; I want to make sure she is as healed as she possibly can be before we start anything too strenuous,” she explained. “I think in about a week we can start the physical therapy. Until then we’ll simply work on her voice,” the blonde said.
“Leroy and I have to get back to Lima in a few days. We won’t be able to really stick around. I have six cases to work this coming week and poor Lee has shifts out the wazoo for trading the last few days. I wish we could stay longer.”
“I know, it’s okay, you guys have a life to get back to.”
“It’s not okay,” Hiram spoke softly. “But thank you for understanding,” he said.
“I’m going to be staying until Rachel can at least move around by herself. You can’t do everything and someone has to be here,” Shelby announced.
“We have interns and nurses for that purpose,” Quinn responded in a matter of fact way.
“I know, but I want to be here,” she replied.
“What about school?”
“That’s what subs are for,” she replied.
“And Beth?”
“I will bring her here,” Shelby answered.
“And pull her out of school?” Quinn asked.
“I’ll home school her or find a school around here she can attend.”
Quinn sighed and nodded, knowing it was futile to argue. Shelby was clearly set on being her for Rachel so who was the blonde to stop her? “You can stay at my place, it’s small but it will be cheaper,” she suggested.
“I don’t want to impose,” Shelby stated.
“You wouldn’t be; I doubt you will hardly ever be there.”
“We could just stay at the hotel, it would be much closer,” Shelby reasoned.
Quinn shrugged, “Whatever you want to do. I don’t plan on leaving unless I need to. Speaking of which, I’m going on a clothing run. Need anything?”
Shelby shook her head. “I need to make arrangements to pick Beth up and talk to her school about moving here for now,” she said thoughtfully.
“We’ll stay with Rachel until you get back. Then we need to pack and book a flight out,” Hiram added.
Quinn nodded and made a mental note to make sure she was quick about everything. Once at her apartment she grabbed what she needed and left again. She was back within three hours and watched as everyone else left. Once again she was alone with Rachel and she picked up her hand and held it in her own. She kissed her knuckles and settled into the chair letting her eyes close.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn woke up to a scream and she immediately sat up straight and looked at Rachel. She was trying to move her legs for some reason. “Sweetheart, what are you doing?” she asked.
“Gots to p-pee,” she said with a sigh. “Didn’t w-wanna wak-ke you,” she added.
“Rachel, it’s okay to need help. Next time wake me up please,” Quinn said looking in her eyes.
“I f-feel ab-absol-solute-ly helpless,” she said.
“I know, but it won’t be like that for long,” Quinn said gently. “Before you know it you’ll be running around again.”
Rachel nodded and let Quinn help her into the bathroom. The blonde carefully set her down and looked away as she did her business. Rachel tugged on her sleeve when she was finished and Quinn helped her back to the room. She sighed deeply and the blonde looked at her with concern. “Tired,” Rachel said.
Quinn nodded. “Of course, get some rest. I’ll be right here,” she spoke softly.
A few hours later Jennifer stopped by to see how she was holding up. “You look tired,” she stated.
Quinn shrugged. “Yeah but it’s okay, I like just watching her sleep. She looks peaceful, unlike when she’s awake.”
“The way you described her, I wouldn’t have thought she’d be one to give up.”
“She hasn’t, she’s just frustrated and trying to come to terms with her situation. She’s extremely determined she just needs to see that something is work and then she will have all the motivation she needs. Right now we just keep telling her it will get better, but she needs to see that.”
“I would just keep an eye out for it, should it occur it will delay her progress a lot.”
“I know,” Quinn said. “Would you like to meet her?”
“Of course, I’m your best friend. I have to make sure she’s good enough for you.”
“She is, trust me. When should we do it?”
“When she is feeling better. I can’t imagine what it’s like to say one thing and have it sounding like something completely different. It’s just crazy and frustrating.”
“Do you think she’ll understand?” Quinn asked.
“I think if you tell her everything, she will.”
“Thanks Jen,” she said.
“Anytime Q, I gotta get going. I’ve got a ton of paper work to catch up on and a report to finish for Dr. Hitler…”
“Why do you insist on calling him that? He’s not that bad.”
“Yes he is!” she said. “He made me wash out bedpans for a week because I forgot to sign his damned name to the chart. Just because he’s this big time plastic surgeon doesn’t mean he can treat us all like shit.”
“Fair enough, but isn’t Hitler a bit much?”
“No, he’s a damned tyrant. Has every intern waiting on his every whim.”
“At least you’re learning something right?”
“Nope, he won’t let any of us in the OR,” she replied.
“You’re kidding?” Quinn shook her head. “You should let the chief know, she would do something about it, I’m sure.”
“I’ve tried; she doesn’t seem to want to listen,” she replied and looked at her watch. “I appreciate you trying to help but I really have to go, I will talk to you later. Coffee?”
“Sure, before or after your shift?”
“Before, tomorrow, eight AM don’t be late Fabray,” she smiled and left.
Quinn went back into Rachel’s room and her eyes were open. Not only that, they were wide. She had just witnessed Quinn talking to her twin. A scowl formed on the diva’s face and she crossed her arms. Quinn flinched but sat next to the brunette anyway. “W-who was dat?” she asked.
“A friend,” she said softly taking Rachel’s hand.
The brunette stared at her. “D-don’t lie t-to me!” she growled and pulled her hand from the blonde’s grasp.
“She’s my best friend, Jennifer,” she replied. “And my ex,” she added with a whisper. Rachel looked so hurt that Quinn mentally smacked herself. “I promise you we’re over, we have been for a long time and even before then. I have no feelings for her, you have nothing to worry about.”
“B-but she…”
“Looks like you?” Quinn finishes for her. “Yeah, but not really. Her eyes are green, her nose is too small, and her lips too thin,” Quinn explained. “Simply put, she’s not you,” she said.
“Den w-why?”
“I thought that she was the closest I could ever get to the real thing. I’m not proud of it, I hurt her a lot,” Quinn looked down at their hands. “I just,” she shook her head. “There’s no excuse but I could never get you out of my head. She thought that in time I would get over you and we would work it out, but it never happened. I couldn’t let go.”
“’Uinn,” she whined leaving the ‘Q’ off the blonde’s name.
“It’s okay, I have you now,” she smiled.
“W-what’s she l-like?”
“Well personality wise, she’s kind of abrasive and frank, like you but in a different way. She has absolutely no filter, no tact. She pretty much told your dads she was my ex before I even had a chance to explain and they practically jumped down my throat. Speaking of them they went to pack and book a flight, they have to head back tomorrow. Shelby is leaving too but she’ll be back with Beth.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t know,” Quinn shrugged. “I’m not sure I’m ready to meet her, but I understand what it means to you to have Shelby here for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” Quinn shook her head. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any other patient.”
“L-liar,” Rachel smirked softly. Quinn blushed and nodded. “T-tell me mo-more about h-her,” she asked.
“She’s wicked smart, but she’s so smart she’s kind of socially inept. She only has me and few other friends she can handle being around. It’s weird how someone can be so smart and lack such common skills. She’s kind, but she’s very demanding. When we were together she wanted to be around me all the time. She’s extremely clingy and overtly touchy feely. But she’s also really passionate about her work, she’s a wonderful doctor. She just needs to get out of that comfort zone and improve her bedside manner.”
“She s-sounds like m-meh,” Rachel commented.
“Sometimes yes, but you’re not selfish. Even in high school you weren’t. You were just really ambitious; you wanted it all and knew you had to go after it with both hands. But when it came down to it you were kind and selfless. You didn’t have to comfort me when I was pregnant. You could have pushed me when we kissed but you didn’t. You think about other people’s feelings. She’s a messy person. Leaves clothes everywhere, never puts the dishes in the sink sort of person. She can’t sing to save her life. The one time she tried I had to beg her to stop because it just sounded like nails on a chalk board,” Rachel cringed and Quinn laughed. “She’s a nice person, it’s just hard to explain.”
“T-try.”
“Every time I touched her, looked at her, kissed her, held her… all I could think about was you. I kept comparing you. She’s taller than you. Her hands are bigger. We just never fit. The more I kept trying the more it became obvious that it wasn’t going to work. She had the right parts but it was like they were in the wrong spot, you know?”
Rachel looked at her and nodded briefly in understanding. Quinn sighed heavily and got up. She was tired and she was sure Rachel could see it. She moved to give her kiss that was returned gladly. “R-rest,” Rachel said.
Quinn nodded. “Yes, rest,” she confirmed.
Her dreams that night were peaceful and love filled. They were of Rachel and her, kids, dogs, a house. All dreams she hoped would come true someday, but for now she would settle on just getting through the physical therapy they would start next week. Hopefully by then, Rachel’s speech will have improved some and she won’t be as frustrated, but Quinn also knew that was a lot to ask for.
Title: Breathless
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Rating: M
Summary: Rachel and Quinn 8 years down the road. Rachel's got a condition that is life threatening. Quinn, now a doctor, has to do something to help.
Disclaimer: They’re not mine, complete and total properties of Fox. Ideas are mine.
A/N: A little bit shorter than the previous chapters, but I felt it was a good place to end. I’m sorry it took so long to update, first there was video games, then work, and finally some real life issues that seemed to take over my life for a bit. I will try to update sooner, but I will be starting another job soon and posting will probably be even longer in between. So I apologize now.
Previous Chapters: Chapter One| Chapter Two| Chapter Three| Chapter Four| Chapter Five
“Let me get you some water,” she said. Taking her time she quietly poured a small paper cup full of water and returned to Rachel handing it to her. Although Quinn knew exactly what her diva had said it still sounded slurred together, more along the lines of “Lubootoo,” and Rachel’s face fell into a frown. Quinn squeezed her hand and brought it to her lips. “It’s okay,” she spoke softly. “You coded in the children’s ward while you were singing to them. I revived you but your brain was deprived of oxygen too long. Parts of it were damaged,” her eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth but only a mumbled ‘WHA’ sound came out. “Don’t worry, you will heal in time, you’ll have to do therapy both physical and speech, some of your motor functions like walking will be impaired for a while.”
She looked down and Quinn saw the moisture on her face, she was crying. “Hey,” she said gently. “I know it’s hard to hear, but you will get better,” she said confidently. “I will help you, I promise, you will sing again.” Rachel’s face contorted in pain and Quinn pulled the brunette into her arms. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered into her hair.
“N-no,” she shook her head. “N-no saw-r-ie,” she sighed and frowned even more looking down at her hands.
“I need to call your family and let them know you’re awake,” the brunette nodded and released the blonde’s hand so she could go into the hall way and make the call to Shelby. After a while she came back into the room and Rachel was staring at the ceiling. “They’re on their way up,” she said and took her perch back on the side of the bed. She placed the palm of her hand against her diva’s face and ran circles over her skin with the pad of her thumb. Rachel leaned into her touch and sighed contently, her eyes opening up to focus on Quinn.
When Leroy cleared his throat Quinn withdrew her hand but Rachel reached for it and put it back with a scowl aimed towards the doorway. “And that was a very silent ‘I don’t think so’ from our daughter,” Hiram jabbed at his husband.
“I take it you told her and that’s why she’s quiet?” Leroy asked.
Quinn sighed and nodded. She bit her bottom lip and turned towards Rachel. “Can I tell them?”
The brunette nodded, “Y-yah.” She sighed and looked away from them in embarrassment.
“Oh honey, it’s okay. It will come back in time,” Shelby said with a small smile. “I have the utmost confidence in your doctors, including the one sitting with you, and you’re a fighter, you won’t let this get you down.”
“What did you want to tell us, Quinn?” Hiram asked.
“She said she loved me,” the blonde smiled widely.
“She did?” Leroy looked to his daughter. “You did?” he beamed and threw his arms around both girls quickly followed by Shelby and Hiram.
Rachel grunted and pushed back. “C-can’t,” she shook her head. “Brea-the,” she finished.
“Sorry baby, we’re just happy you’re awake and are speaking.”
She huffed, “N-no,” she frowned crossing her arms.
“Maybe we should give her a note book to write?” Hiram wondered.
“No, she needs to practice,” the older brunette commented.
“Shelby’s right, as hard as it is for her right now, this is good practice,” she looked at her diva. “Don’t worry about how it sounds just try your best to enunciate. Okay?” Quinn asked and Rachel nodded weakly. “You should rest, you’ve had a rough couple of days,” she said gently.
As everyone turned to leave she tugged back on Quinn’s hand and said a very sharp, “N-no.”
“Sweetie, Quinn just woke up, she needs to eat,” Leroy said gently.
Rachel looked at her and the blonde sighed and nodded. Rachel crossed her arms, “Es-plain.”
“You were supposed to have surgery this morning to put a pacemaker in, but instead the doctors went in and repaired the damage to your heart. If you were to have gotten that surgery there was no guarantee you would be able to perform again even when you got better. I was up all night researching a new method. I knew I had to find something that would allow you to perform and I found it; it just took me seven hours. So once I gave my superior the information and where she could find the resources she would need I came in here and slept on the cot,” she said pointing to the uncomfortable makeshift bed.
“Ooo did dat fo meh?” she asked not caring how slurred her speech currently was. Quinn nodded and pressed a kiss to her hand. “Uinn,” she sighed leaving the ‘Q’ off.
“I was glad to,” she said. “I know you; I had to find a different way. While not having this surgery was detrimental to your health, you would have died if you couldn’t perform.”
The diva nodded and looked down tears forming in her eyes again. “Luboo,” she slurred but met Quinn’s eyes.
“I know, I love you too. I’ll grab something and be right back, okay? I promise, I’m not going anywhere, that there,” she pointed to the cot again. “That’s my bed until you can leave,” she said.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn sighed and sat down next to her diva while they waited for Dr. Lauritz. The blonde had already gone over the procedure with Rachel. She didn’t like the fact that an animal was being hurt in order to spare her. In fact she was quite set against it until Quinn reassured her that the whale was perfectly fine and swimming around like nothing had ever happened. After that she seemed to be less tense. “Ready to go?” they heard from the door way and looked up.
“Yes, I’ve explained everything to Rachel, thoroughly,” the brunette nodded in affirmation.
“Great, let’s get you in there then,” Dr. Lauritz smiled.
Rachel laid back and let Quinn finish prepping her for the surgery. The blonde watched Rachel as she wheeled her down the hallway on her back. When they reached the operating room her eyes darted around taking in her surroundings. The room was kind of dark, with a large lamp hanging from the ceiling, and smelled like sterilizer. She came to a stop in front of the monitor and hooked Rachel’s wires up. “Now, we’re going to give you anesthesia, so just count down from ten for me,” Dr. Lauritz said.
Rachel looked at Quinn and she smiled. “Go ahead, I’ll be right here, don’t worry. And when you wake up I’ll still be here, okay?” she spoke softly and the petite brunette nodded as the mask was put over her nose and mouth.
Quinn held it steady and counted with her until she was unconscious. “Alright people, let’s get started,” she announced. “Betadine,” she ordered with her hand out. Quinn placed the container her hand and readied Rachel’s torso. “Ten blade,” she asked through her mask and Quinn handed it to her.
Six hours into the operation Rachel’s heart stopped. “Damn it! Get the paddles,” Dr. Lauritz ordered.
“No, you might damage the heart more, she’s open on the table, just let me massage her heart,” Quinn spoke through her mask. Dr. Lauritz nodded and Quinn carefully used her hand to try and start her diva’s heart. “Come on baby,” she said softly. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
Quinn watched the monitor intently and shook her head. Her pulse started to increase after thirty seconds and the blonde breathed a long sigh of relief. “Good work Dr. Fabray,” Dr. Lauritz nodded in her direction. “Let’s get this finished up and get her into recovery shall we?” Quinn gave her a nod and watched with fascination as the surgery continued.
Four hours later an intern took her Diva to recovery and she immediately left to shower. When she got to the room Shelby and Rachel’s fathers were already with her. Quinn smiled gently at them and took a seat in the corner. “So it was successful?” Hiram asked.
“It was,” Quinn confirmed.
“Now what?” Hiram asked.
“We wait, she should wake up by the morning.”
“Thank you for keeping us updated. We got worried there for a second when you didn’t come out at the end of the sixth hour,” Leroy commented.
“I know, there was a slight complication and her heart stopped. I massaged it and it started right back up.”
“When does her therapy start?” Shelby asked.
“Well she needs to rest first; I want to make sure she is as healed as she possibly can be before we start anything too strenuous,” she explained. “I think in about a week we can start the physical therapy. Until then we’ll simply work on her voice,” the blonde said.
“Leroy and I have to get back to Lima in a few days. We won’t be able to really stick around. I have six cases to work this coming week and poor Lee has shifts out the wazoo for trading the last few days. I wish we could stay longer.”
“I know, it’s okay, you guys have a life to get back to.”
“It’s not okay,” Hiram spoke softly. “But thank you for understanding,” he said.
“I’m going to be staying until Rachel can at least move around by herself. You can’t do everything and someone has to be here,” Shelby announced.
“We have interns and nurses for that purpose,” Quinn responded in a matter of fact way.
“I know, but I want to be here,” she replied.
“What about school?”
“That’s what subs are for,” she replied.
“And Beth?”
“I will bring her here,” Shelby answered.
“And pull her out of school?” Quinn asked.
“I’ll home school her or find a school around here she can attend.”
Quinn sighed and nodded, knowing it was futile to argue. Shelby was clearly set on being her for Rachel so who was the blonde to stop her? “You can stay at my place, it’s small but it will be cheaper,” she suggested.
“I don’t want to impose,” Shelby stated.
“You wouldn’t be; I doubt you will hardly ever be there.”
“We could just stay at the hotel, it would be much closer,” Shelby reasoned.
Quinn shrugged, “Whatever you want to do. I don’t plan on leaving unless I need to. Speaking of which, I’m going on a clothing run. Need anything?”
Shelby shook her head. “I need to make arrangements to pick Beth up and talk to her school about moving here for now,” she said thoughtfully.
“We’ll stay with Rachel until you get back. Then we need to pack and book a flight out,” Hiram added.
Quinn nodded and made a mental note to make sure she was quick about everything. Once at her apartment she grabbed what she needed and left again. She was back within three hours and watched as everyone else left. Once again she was alone with Rachel and she picked up her hand and held it in her own. She kissed her knuckles and settled into the chair letting her eyes close.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn woke up to a scream and she immediately sat up straight and looked at Rachel. She was trying to move her legs for some reason. “Sweetheart, what are you doing?” she asked.
“Gots to p-pee,” she said with a sigh. “Didn’t w-wanna wak-ke you,” she added.
“Rachel, it’s okay to need help. Next time wake me up please,” Quinn said looking in her eyes.
“I f-feel ab-absol-solute-ly helpless,” she said.
“I know, but it won’t be like that for long,” Quinn said gently. “Before you know it you’ll be running around again.”
Rachel nodded and let Quinn help her into the bathroom. The blonde carefully set her down and looked away as she did her business. Rachel tugged on her sleeve when she was finished and Quinn helped her back to the room. She sighed deeply and the blonde looked at her with concern. “Tired,” Rachel said.
Quinn nodded. “Of course, get some rest. I’ll be right here,” she spoke softly.
A few hours later Jennifer stopped by to see how she was holding up. “You look tired,” she stated.
Quinn shrugged. “Yeah but it’s okay, I like just watching her sleep. She looks peaceful, unlike when she’s awake.”
“The way you described her, I wouldn’t have thought she’d be one to give up.”
“She hasn’t, she’s just frustrated and trying to come to terms with her situation. She’s extremely determined she just needs to see that something is work and then she will have all the motivation she needs. Right now we just keep telling her it will get better, but she needs to see that.”
“I would just keep an eye out for it, should it occur it will delay her progress a lot.”
“I know,” Quinn said. “Would you like to meet her?”
“Of course, I’m your best friend. I have to make sure she’s good enough for you.”
“She is, trust me. When should we do it?”
“When she is feeling better. I can’t imagine what it’s like to say one thing and have it sounding like something completely different. It’s just crazy and frustrating.”
“Do you think she’ll understand?” Quinn asked.
“I think if you tell her everything, she will.”
“Thanks Jen,” she said.
“Anytime Q, I gotta get going. I’ve got a ton of paper work to catch up on and a report to finish for Dr. Hitler…”
“Why do you insist on calling him that? He’s not that bad.”
“Yes he is!” she said. “He made me wash out bedpans for a week because I forgot to sign his damned name to the chart. Just because he’s this big time plastic surgeon doesn’t mean he can treat us all like shit.”
“Fair enough, but isn’t Hitler a bit much?”
“No, he’s a damned tyrant. Has every intern waiting on his every whim.”
“At least you’re learning something right?”
“Nope, he won’t let any of us in the OR,” she replied.
“You’re kidding?” Quinn shook her head. “You should let the chief know, she would do something about it, I’m sure.”
“I’ve tried; she doesn’t seem to want to listen,” she replied and looked at her watch. “I appreciate you trying to help but I really have to go, I will talk to you later. Coffee?”
“Sure, before or after your shift?”
“Before, tomorrow, eight AM don’t be late Fabray,” she smiled and left.
Quinn went back into Rachel’s room and her eyes were open. Not only that, they were wide. She had just witnessed Quinn talking to her twin. A scowl formed on the diva’s face and she crossed her arms. Quinn flinched but sat next to the brunette anyway. “W-who was dat?” she asked.
“A friend,” she said softly taking Rachel’s hand.
The brunette stared at her. “D-don’t lie t-to me!” she growled and pulled her hand from the blonde’s grasp.
“She’s my best friend, Jennifer,” she replied. “And my ex,” she added with a whisper. Rachel looked so hurt that Quinn mentally smacked herself. “I promise you we’re over, we have been for a long time and even before then. I have no feelings for her, you have nothing to worry about.”
“B-but she…”
“Looks like you?” Quinn finishes for her. “Yeah, but not really. Her eyes are green, her nose is too small, and her lips too thin,” Quinn explained. “Simply put, she’s not you,” she said.
“Den w-why?”
“I thought that she was the closest I could ever get to the real thing. I’m not proud of it, I hurt her a lot,” Quinn looked down at their hands. “I just,” she shook her head. “There’s no excuse but I could never get you out of my head. She thought that in time I would get over you and we would work it out, but it never happened. I couldn’t let go.”
“’Uinn,” she whined leaving the ‘Q’ off the blonde’s name.
“It’s okay, I have you now,” she smiled.
“W-what’s she l-like?”
“Well personality wise, she’s kind of abrasive and frank, like you but in a different way. She has absolutely no filter, no tact. She pretty much told your dads she was my ex before I even had a chance to explain and they practically jumped down my throat. Speaking of them they went to pack and book a flight, they have to head back tomorrow. Shelby is leaving too but she’ll be back with Beth.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t know,” Quinn shrugged. “I’m not sure I’m ready to meet her, but I understand what it means to you to have Shelby here for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” Quinn shook her head. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any other patient.”
“L-liar,” Rachel smirked softly. Quinn blushed and nodded. “T-tell me mo-more about h-her,” she asked.
“She’s wicked smart, but she’s so smart she’s kind of socially inept. She only has me and few other friends she can handle being around. It’s weird how someone can be so smart and lack such common skills. She’s kind, but she’s very demanding. When we were together she wanted to be around me all the time. She’s extremely clingy and overtly touchy feely. But she’s also really passionate about her work, she’s a wonderful doctor. She just needs to get out of that comfort zone and improve her bedside manner.”
“She s-sounds like m-meh,” Rachel commented.
“Sometimes yes, but you’re not selfish. Even in high school you weren’t. You were just really ambitious; you wanted it all and knew you had to go after it with both hands. But when it came down to it you were kind and selfless. You didn’t have to comfort me when I was pregnant. You could have pushed me when we kissed but you didn’t. You think about other people’s feelings. She’s a messy person. Leaves clothes everywhere, never puts the dishes in the sink sort of person. She can’t sing to save her life. The one time she tried I had to beg her to stop because it just sounded like nails on a chalk board,” Rachel cringed and Quinn laughed. “She’s a nice person, it’s just hard to explain.”
“T-try.”
“Every time I touched her, looked at her, kissed her, held her… all I could think about was you. I kept comparing you. She’s taller than you. Her hands are bigger. We just never fit. The more I kept trying the more it became obvious that it wasn’t going to work. She had the right parts but it was like they were in the wrong spot, you know?”
Rachel looked at her and nodded briefly in understanding. Quinn sighed heavily and got up. She was tired and she was sure Rachel could see it. She moved to give her kiss that was returned gladly. “R-rest,” Rachel said.
Quinn nodded. “Yes, rest,” she confirmed.
Her dreams that night were peaceful and love filled. They were of Rachel and her, kids, dogs, a house. All dreams she hoped would come true someday, but for now she would settle on just getting through the physical therapy they would start next week. Hopefully by then, Rachel’s speech will have improved some and she won’t be as frustrated, but Quinn also knew that was a lot to ask for.