Breathless (7/?)
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: The amount of time between updates is a bit embarrassing. I am so sorry guys! Hopefully Rachel's recovery doesn't seem too rushed, I apologize if it does. I tried to make it so the time line was there but I didn't want to drag it out to another chapter.
Rachel threw the now empty Dixie cup at the wall opposite her bed and scowled. Quinn knew therapy would be hard but she didn’t expect Rachel to get so frustrated. “You can’t expect it to be all better at once,” Quinn sighed softly. She checked her watch, Shelby should be here any minute with Beth and she didn’t really want to meet her biological daughter under the current circumstances.
“I know, but d-damn it!” Rachel huffed and crossed her arms defiantly.
“Look, sweetie, I know it’s hard, but you are making good progress. It’s been five weeks since your surgery. You’ve been able to get up and use the walker to go to the bathroom on your own, your grip has improved; you can hold a cup of water or a fork without it slipping… that’s really good!” Quinn said with a smile.
“It’s j-just… fr-frus-trating,” she sighed and her eyes watered.
“I know,” Quinn nodded. “But you’re doing far better than anyone had predicted, even me.”
“R-really?”
“Would I lie to you?” Quinn asked raising her eyebrow.
“No,” Rachel added without her usual stutter and her eyes widened.
“See, progress,” Quinn smiled. “I have to go,” she said checking her watch again. Rachel pouted. “I wish I could stay, really I do, but this isn’t the way I want to meet Beth,” Quinn frowned. “Shelby and I already discussed that we should meet at the apartment, so I am comfortable and Beth is, too,” Quinn replied.
“Okay,” Rachel nodded and smiled noticing that her stutter was indeed starting to disappear.
“You will be singing in no time,” the blonde doctor smiled and kissed Rachel’s forehead.
“You w-will come b-back?” the brunette asked and frowned when her stutter seemed to have come back.
“Of course, I’m just running out for groceries. I’m going to go home after that and get a much needed shower and change of clothes. I really need to pick up more scrubs, I’m afraid I’m starting to smell bad,” Quinn chuckled.
“No, you d-don’t.”
“Well, the nurses may disagree with you about that, sweetie,” Quinn smiled. “After that Shelby will come by with Beth and we will officially meet,” she said nervously.
“She’s going to l-love you,” Rachel said confidently.
Quinn smiled wryly. “Thank you, but I’m not so sure about that,” she finished sadly.
“W-why not? You talk with her on the p-phone.”
“Because I gave her up,” the blonde said with shame clearly laced in her voice.
“You gave her the best c-chance she had, you c-couldn’t prov-vide for her; n-neither of you c-could,” Rachel said reaching for her hand. “She’s ten, she will under-stand,” she smiled.
“I hope so,” Quinn said and kissed the top of Rachel’s hand. “I really do have to get going, Shelby will be here in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Rachel nodded. Quinn gave her hand a light squeeze and a small smile as she headed out the door.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn had been right; she did really need that shower. She felt much better about meeting Beth now that she was refreshed and clean. She still wasn’t sure what she would say or even wanted to say. Sorry maybe? But she really wasn’t. It gave Beth the best chance just like Rachel had said and Quinn was a doctor. So no, she wasn’t sorry.
The knock on the front door broke her out of her thoughts and she took a deep breath. It was time to meet Beth. She strode towards the door with a false confidence and opened it with a smile. “Hello, Quinn,” Shelby greeted.
“Hi,” came a soft reply from behind the woman.
Quinn smiled. The girl was shy. She bent down and got on one knee as she reached around Shelby to tug on the girl’s arm. “Hello there,” she said brightly.
Getting down to her level seemed to have helped her seem less intimidating because the blonde stepped around her mother’s leg and let her hazel eyes roam over Quinn’s face. “Mommy is right, I do look a lot like you,” she said with a grin.
Quinn smiled back. “That you do,” she said. “And when I was your age nobody could ever get me to stop drawing anything,” Quinn commented.
“Really? Mommy says I have a talent for art!”
“Well, it just so happens that I have some of my old things. You’re welcome to anything you find in my art cabinets,” Quinn smiled.
“Thank you!” the girl rushed forward and hugged her. Quinn was shocked at first but soon wrapped her arms around the youngster and hugged her back a smile making its way onto her face.
Shelby smiled the entire time while she watched the exchange. “She was just nervous to meet you, that’s all,” she replied when the little girl ran inside and immediately rummaged through the cabinets Quinn pointed to.
“If she was as nervous as I was then I completely understand,” Quinn said and help the older brunette with her bags. “It’s not much, but you can sleep in my bed with Beth, when I’m here I’ll take the couch,” she explained.
“No, Quinn…”
“Really, it’s fine, the couch is very comfortable, besides I will likely rarely be here,” she added.
“I appreciate it,” the older woman relented and smiled. “I have an interview at Preston Preparatory on Wednesday for the musical and performing arts director position,” she said excitedly.
“Really? That’s great,” Quinn smiled. “And they’ll let Beth attend if you work there?” Shelby nodded. “That’s fantastic; it’s one of the best schools in the city.”
“I know we really didn’t talk about what she would call you-” Shelby started.
“She can call me whatever she chooses to call me,” Quinn said stopping her in mid-sentence. “If she just wants to call me Quinn or Q that’s fine. She can even call me Lucy if she wants,” Quinn said.
“Lucy?”
“It’s my first name,” the blonde explained. “I stopped using it when the kids in my elementary school started calling me Lucy Caboosey because I was a fat kid,” she sighed.
Shelby raised an eyebrow. “And you tormented other kids the way you had been tormented because you could?”
Quinn sighed. “Yeah. Look, I’m not proud of it. It is what it is and I can’t change it. I can only be better. Do I regret spending high school the way I did? Yes, every minute of every day. I treated the woman I love like dirt just to make myself feel better. I was a selfish person then.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it, Quinn. I was just surprised,” Shelby said placing a comforting hand on her forearm. “And we did discuss what she would call you on the plane in. She wants to call you Quinn. She said she really likes your name so,” Shelby shrugged.
“That’s fine by me,” Quinn replied. “How was the flight?”
“It was uneventful,” Shelby said waving her off. “Now I know you are dying to get back to the hospital so go ahead. We’ll be alright, especially now that you let her into your art supplies, which don’t be surprised if they are gone by the end of the week,” Shelby laughed lightly.
“It’s fine, there’s a ton more in storage I didn’t have room for,” Quinn added with a smile.
“Alright, go on, get out of here,” Shelby pressed with a smile. “Go make my other daughter’s afternoon.”
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn walked into the hospital about half past four and immediately navigated the halls to the physical therapy wing. Rachel was already inside working hard with Dr. Bowers. Quinn smiled as she leaned against the door jam and watched. Rachel was walking without her walker today and only holding on to the support beams that ran parallel to each other on either side of her. She really was making great progress.
The blonde doctor slipped in unnoticed and motioned for Shelly to be quiet. She tiptoed up behind the diva and covered the woman’s eyes with her hands. Rachel jumped and swatted at her. “Quinn!” but instead of scolding her like a child Rachel gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth. It was the first time the petite brunette had been able to say Quinn’s name without leaving off the Q.
The blonde smiled widely. “Hi,” and hugged the smaller woman before coaxing her to return to her exercises. She took a seat and watched for the next hour as Rachel varied her workouts with Shelly. She was getting stronger.
“So,” Dr. Bowers began. “I know we said that you should keep walking with the walker, but I think you’ve graduated to using a cane or crutches. Your choice,” she said with a smile.
Rachel looked at Quinn as if to consult her. “What do you think would be better, Shelly?”
“I’d say the crutches. She’d have support on both sides and it will strengthen her arms at the same time. It would probably speed up the healing process.”
Quinn nodded and looked back at Rachel. “I am assuming that sounds like a better plan to you,” she stated and the brunette nodded. “Great, crutches it is,” Quinn smiled and helped Rachel into the wheelchair she had on stand-by. The poor woman was exhausted.
“There’s one more thing,” Shelly said catching their attention. “As far as I am concerned you should be able to go home. With Dr. Lauritz’s consent of course, but I doubt she would tell you no with having Quinn look after you.”
“Really?”
Dr. Bowers nodded. “Thank you, Shelly,” Quinn said. “I’ll consult Dr. Lauritz about it immediately. I can imagine how ready Rachel is to leave the hospital after being stuck in it for so long.”
“I bet,” Shelly said laughing. “So then, I want you to come by every three days for an intense work out but I’m going to give you some homework to do on your off days. Don’t go too hard, either. I’d hate to see you set yourself back because you tore your ACL or something.”
“Got it, doc,” Rachel replied with a smile.
“Okay, you’re all set then. Here’s an appointment card, give me a call if anything comes up and we’ll reschedule.”
“Okay, thank you Dr. Bowers.”
“Oh don’t thank me,” she chuckled. “You have the determination of a mule, and yes that’s a good thing. I’ve never seen anyone as committed to their recovery as you. Maybe once this is all over and you get back on stage I’ll come see you.”
“I’d like that,” Rachel smiled.
“Sounds like a plan then,” she nodded. “Quinn, I’ll see you around.”
“Of course,” the blonde nodded back to her.
She wheeled Rachel out of the room and took her back to her private room and helped her sit on the bed. Rachel pulled her own legs under the blankets and smiled widely. “You were right,” she said.
Quinn looked at her and smiled. “Of course I was,” she said.
“Well, what do you think my c-chances are of get-ting out of here?”
“Pretty good. Dr. Lauritz will probably want to do a full work up to make sure that your progress will continue and that your blood pressure is under control. Maybe take a couple of scans to see how your heart is holding up, but other than that I don’t see why she wouldn’t let you leave.”
Rachel clapped and fist pumped excitedly causing Quinn to giggle a little. A sharp knock sounded at the door and she turned around. “Jen! Hey!” she said and hugged the other brunette making the brunette in the bed glare at them. “Rach, this is Jen. Jen, Rachel.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Rachel. Quinn has told me a lot of wonderful things about you! Like how beautiful your voice is and how expressive your eyes are! Wow was she right!” Jen smiled.
And suddenly Rachel’s demeanor changed. “It’s l-lovely to meet you as well,” she smiled.
Quinn imagined that her best friend reminded her more of Brittany in that particular moment and nobody could ever stay mad at Brittany. “You’re right, Q. She is sounding much better! It was very nice to see you, Rachel! And I’m glad you’re doing much better, I know it made Q really sad when you weren’t. Well, I gotta go, Dr. Hitler has me charting again…” she frowned.
“Jennifer!” Quinn scolded.
“What? He’s a total douche.”
Quinn sighed. “Fine, I’ll give you that one,” she resigned.
“Later, Q. Rachel,” she grinned and bounded down the hallway.
“She’s r-really nice,” Rachel said.
“Yeah, she is,” Quinn nodded. “And she’s only a friend,” she added.
“I know,” Rachel replied.
“So then what was with the daggers you were shooting her?” Quinn asked raising her eyebrow.
“My j-jealousy shining through,” Rachel answered.
Quinn laughed whole-heartedly. “I don’t mean to be rude,” she said when Rachel glared at her and crossed her arms. “It’s just she could never hold a candle to you, sweetie. She never had a chance.”
Rachel couldn’t help the smile that grew on her lips. “That’s because I happen to be awesome,” she said.
“You are,” Quinn agreed. “I’m going to speak with Dr. Laurtiz about releasing you,” Quinn said and told Rachel she wouldn’t be gone long.
~!~!~!~!~
She knocked quietly on the closed office door of Dr. Lauritz and waited for the shout of “come in” to be shouted over the melodic Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart that was surely playing in her office as the older blonde was doing paperwork. Once she heard it she opened the door. “Ah, just who I wanted to see,” the older woman smirked.
“Oh, really? Why’s that?”
“Well, you are going to be a fourth year resident, you need to start preparing for your boards. I thought you might like some study materials.”
“I would love some,” Quinn replied.
“I would also recommend getting back in the OR once Miss Berry has fully recovered, which by her progress made would be soon, I imagine. Speaking of which, I’m releasing her tomorrow. Tonight I’m going to schedule some scans and make sure she gets a full workup. Which of course, I will leave you to schedule. Now off you go,” she smiled.
“Thank you, Marline,” she smiled.
“You’re welcome, Quinn, dear. Take those books by the door with you,” she replied. She walked into Rachel’s room with a smile plastered to her face and an arm full of books.
“Hey,” Shelby greeted. “We got bored and decided to bring you two something to eat,” she commented.
Quinn smiled at her and put the books on one of the tables. “That was very nice of you,” she said and smiled wider. “I have some good news,” she stated.
“You mean?” Rachel asked and Quinn nodded.
“You get to go home tomorrow,” she confirmed. “I was correct about the scans, but I will get someone to schedule those right away and I’ll do your workup. The only thing is, I don’t think I like you being by yourself at your apartment. I’d rather someone stay with you or you stay with me.”
“So then stay with me,” Rachel laughed. “I’d like the company,” she added.
“Well then, it’s settled. And I know the two of you just brought your things to my place, but Rachel will need someone when I’m at work…” she mentioned.
“Quinn is right,” Shelby agreed.
“Yes, definitely,” Beth added. “We should stay with you, too!”
Rachel laughed, “Alright, alright, there is plenty of room anyway.”
“Great, now let’s do that workup so we can get you out of here tomorrow,” Quinn said. “Beth, would you like to help me?” the smaller blonde nodded. “Okay, you see these,” she asked pointing to the stethoscope’s ear buds, the girl nodded. “Put them in your ears,” Quinn instructed. “Now, this part you want to blow on because otherwise it’s very cold,” so she did. “And then we put it here, like this,” she explained placing the instrument over Rachel’s heart.
Beth gasped. “Wow! That’s so cool!”
“Tell me what you hear,” Quinn told her.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Is it a steady beating like, ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom? Or is different?”
“No, it’s like that,” she said. “It’s like every second.”
“Good,” Quinn said and wrote that down. “And is there any swooshing sound?”
Beth listened really hard. “Nope,” she smiled. “That’s a good thing right?”
“Yep,” Quinn agreed and wrote that down. “Now, we need to check the incision. Rachel, if you would just pull your gown down a little bit,” Quinn instructed.
“So what do we do now?” Beth asked.
“Well, you see around here where the stitches were?” Quinn pointed. “We just need to make sure it’s not too red or tender,” she explained as she gently moved her gloved fingers over Rachel’s skin. The other woman shivered and closed her eyes tightly.
“Does it hurt, Rachy?” Beth asked her adopted sister.
She shook her head. “No,” she replied.
Quinn smiled and blushed profusely, knowing exactly what she was doing to Rachel. “She’s just feeling tired, kiddo,” Quinn explained. “That’s normal after someone just had physical therapy.”
“Oh,” Beth said like it was a huge revelation. “What’s next?”
“Well, now I need to take her blood.”
“Ew!” Beth exclaimed and covered her eyes. “Tell me when you’re done.”
Quinn laughed. “Well there goes all hopes of you being a doctor,” she said and took out the kit. She carefully found Rachel’s vein and took three vials of blood before sending them off with the intern that came to retrieve them. She also asked for Dr. Hiller to order the MRI and CT. “So long as nothing major pops up in your tests you’ll be set to go home tomorrow,” Quinn smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Rachel was ready to leave, beyond ready really. She just wanted to sleep in her own bed in her own pajamas at least that’s what she told Quinn. The blonde thought maybe it was also because they never really seemed to get any privacy. They had yet to have the chance to talk about anything that was going on between them; which Quinn knew they should. By now everyone was settled in nicely. Beth and Shelby were set up in the guest room while Quinn slept on the couch in Rachel’s bedroom. Beth was starting school right after spring vacation when Shelby started her position at Preston Prep.
That’s why when the time came Quinn decided they would talk. They had been dancing around it for over a month now and it was time to get everything out in the open. Quinn wanted a future with Rachel and she prayed that the brunette wanted the same, but only talking would confirm that. So she gathered up her resolve and decided when she got home from work today she would talk to her diva.
“Rach?” Quinn asked as she walked through the living room to the bedroom where Rachel was. She opened the door and stopped mid-stride. Rachel was half naked, well more than half. The only clothing she had on was a scant camisole and bikini style underwear. Quinn swallowed hard and tried to stop staring, she really tried. It just wasn’t working.
Rachel turned around at the intrusion and caught her. Quinn felt the heat rise in her cheeks and she cleared her throat. “I was, uh… I was just wondering…” she tried speaking.
“Wondering what?” Rachel asked, stutter free. It had been almost three months by now. She still had a slight limp because her right knee was weaker than her left but other than that no crutches or other walking aids were in sight.
When Rachel saw Quinn’s face redden she realized she was completely underdressed and apologized immediately. “It’s okay,” Quinn gulped. “I wanted to talk,” she said.
“About what?” she asked pulling on a pair of sweats and sitting on her bed. She motioned for Quinn to do the same.
Quinn sighed. She was never good at sharing her feelings. “I uhm,” she wringed her hands. “I wanted to talk about this,” she said pointing between the two of them. “About us, I mean,” she said and took a deep breath. “You know I love you,” she said.
“And I love you,” Rachel replied.
“Nearly losing you killed me,” Quinn sighed. “If anything would have happened-“
“But it didn’t. I’m fine,” Rachel cut in.
“My point is, I don’t want to go another day, another moment, without you,” Quinn said. “I want a future with you. I mean I want marriage and kids and dogs,” she corrected. “I want it all…” she paused. “What I want to know, what I need to know, is do you want that, too?”
Rachel smiled at the blonde and at her words. “Of course I do,” she said and took Quinn’s hands in her own. “I believe this situation brought us together for a reason,” she spoke softly. “You saved my life, twice, if I am to believe correctly,” she chuckled. “But not just literally,” she stated. “Before you I never felt the need to settle down, I never really wanted to and now…” she took a deep breath. “I hate to say it but even if I never get back on stage, I think I’d be okay because I have you.”
Quinn smiled and felt her eyes water. “I love you so much, Rachel,” she said.
“I know,” the brunette replied wiping the tears away from the blonde’s eyes and despite wanting to do things in the proper order, Quinn just couldn’t wait any longer. She leaned in slowly and stopped just centimeters from Rachel’s lips. Their breaths mixed and in an instant Quinn’s lips found the plump pink ones across from hers. It was tentative but yet passionate, much like their first kiss all those years ago, only this time Quinn didn’t push her away, she held her closer.
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: The amount of time between updates is a bit embarrassing. I am so sorry guys! Hopefully Rachel's recovery doesn't seem too rushed, I apologize if it does. I tried to make it so the time line was there but I didn't want to drag it out to another chapter.
Rachel threw the now empty Dixie cup at the wall opposite her bed and scowled. Quinn knew therapy would be hard but she didn’t expect Rachel to get so frustrated. “You can’t expect it to be all better at once,” Quinn sighed softly. She checked her watch, Shelby should be here any minute with Beth and she didn’t really want to meet her biological daughter under the current circumstances.
“I know, but d-damn it!” Rachel huffed and crossed her arms defiantly.
“Look, sweetie, I know it’s hard, but you are making good progress. It’s been five weeks since your surgery. You’ve been able to get up and use the walker to go to the bathroom on your own, your grip has improved; you can hold a cup of water or a fork without it slipping… that’s really good!” Quinn said with a smile.
“It’s j-just… fr-frus-trating,” she sighed and her eyes watered.
“I know,” Quinn nodded. “But you’re doing far better than anyone had predicted, even me.”
“R-really?”
“Would I lie to you?” Quinn asked raising her eyebrow.
“No,” Rachel added without her usual stutter and her eyes widened.
“See, progress,” Quinn smiled. “I have to go,” she said checking her watch again. Rachel pouted. “I wish I could stay, really I do, but this isn’t the way I want to meet Beth,” Quinn frowned. “Shelby and I already discussed that we should meet at the apartment, so I am comfortable and Beth is, too,” Quinn replied.
“Okay,” Rachel nodded and smiled noticing that her stutter was indeed starting to disappear.
“You will be singing in no time,” the blonde doctor smiled and kissed Rachel’s forehead.
“You w-will come b-back?” the brunette asked and frowned when her stutter seemed to have come back.
“Of course, I’m just running out for groceries. I’m going to go home after that and get a much needed shower and change of clothes. I really need to pick up more scrubs, I’m afraid I’m starting to smell bad,” Quinn chuckled.
“No, you d-don’t.”
“Well, the nurses may disagree with you about that, sweetie,” Quinn smiled. “After that Shelby will come by with Beth and we will officially meet,” she said nervously.
“She’s going to l-love you,” Rachel said confidently.
Quinn smiled wryly. “Thank you, but I’m not so sure about that,” she finished sadly.
“W-why not? You talk with her on the p-phone.”
“Because I gave her up,” the blonde said with shame clearly laced in her voice.
“You gave her the best c-chance she had, you c-couldn’t prov-vide for her; n-neither of you c-could,” Rachel said reaching for her hand. “She’s ten, she will under-stand,” she smiled.
“I hope so,” Quinn said and kissed the top of Rachel’s hand. “I really do have to get going, Shelby will be here in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Rachel nodded. Quinn gave her hand a light squeeze and a small smile as she headed out the door.
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn had been right; she did really need that shower. She felt much better about meeting Beth now that she was refreshed and clean. She still wasn’t sure what she would say or even wanted to say. Sorry maybe? But she really wasn’t. It gave Beth the best chance just like Rachel had said and Quinn was a doctor. So no, she wasn’t sorry.
The knock on the front door broke her out of her thoughts and she took a deep breath. It was time to meet Beth. She strode towards the door with a false confidence and opened it with a smile. “Hello, Quinn,” Shelby greeted.
“Hi,” came a soft reply from behind the woman.
Quinn smiled. The girl was shy. She bent down and got on one knee as she reached around Shelby to tug on the girl’s arm. “Hello there,” she said brightly.
Getting down to her level seemed to have helped her seem less intimidating because the blonde stepped around her mother’s leg and let her hazel eyes roam over Quinn’s face. “Mommy is right, I do look a lot like you,” she said with a grin.
Quinn smiled back. “That you do,” she said. “And when I was your age nobody could ever get me to stop drawing anything,” Quinn commented.
“Really? Mommy says I have a talent for art!”
“Well, it just so happens that I have some of my old things. You’re welcome to anything you find in my art cabinets,” Quinn smiled.
“Thank you!” the girl rushed forward and hugged her. Quinn was shocked at first but soon wrapped her arms around the youngster and hugged her back a smile making its way onto her face.
Shelby smiled the entire time while she watched the exchange. “She was just nervous to meet you, that’s all,” she replied when the little girl ran inside and immediately rummaged through the cabinets Quinn pointed to.
“If she was as nervous as I was then I completely understand,” Quinn said and help the older brunette with her bags. “It’s not much, but you can sleep in my bed with Beth, when I’m here I’ll take the couch,” she explained.
“No, Quinn…”
“Really, it’s fine, the couch is very comfortable, besides I will likely rarely be here,” she added.
“I appreciate it,” the older woman relented and smiled. “I have an interview at Preston Preparatory on Wednesday for the musical and performing arts director position,” she said excitedly.
“Really? That’s great,” Quinn smiled. “And they’ll let Beth attend if you work there?” Shelby nodded. “That’s fantastic; it’s one of the best schools in the city.”
“I know we really didn’t talk about what she would call you-” Shelby started.
“She can call me whatever she chooses to call me,” Quinn said stopping her in mid-sentence. “If she just wants to call me Quinn or Q that’s fine. She can even call me Lucy if she wants,” Quinn said.
“Lucy?”
“It’s my first name,” the blonde explained. “I stopped using it when the kids in my elementary school started calling me Lucy Caboosey because I was a fat kid,” she sighed.
Shelby raised an eyebrow. “And you tormented other kids the way you had been tormented because you could?”
Quinn sighed. “Yeah. Look, I’m not proud of it. It is what it is and I can’t change it. I can only be better. Do I regret spending high school the way I did? Yes, every minute of every day. I treated the woman I love like dirt just to make myself feel better. I was a selfish person then.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it, Quinn. I was just surprised,” Shelby said placing a comforting hand on her forearm. “And we did discuss what she would call you on the plane in. She wants to call you Quinn. She said she really likes your name so,” Shelby shrugged.
“That’s fine by me,” Quinn replied. “How was the flight?”
“It was uneventful,” Shelby said waving her off. “Now I know you are dying to get back to the hospital so go ahead. We’ll be alright, especially now that you let her into your art supplies, which don’t be surprised if they are gone by the end of the week,” Shelby laughed lightly.
“It’s fine, there’s a ton more in storage I didn’t have room for,” Quinn added with a smile.
“Alright, go on, get out of here,” Shelby pressed with a smile. “Go make my other daughter’s afternoon.”
~!~!~!~!~
Quinn walked into the hospital about half past four and immediately navigated the halls to the physical therapy wing. Rachel was already inside working hard with Dr. Bowers. Quinn smiled as she leaned against the door jam and watched. Rachel was walking without her walker today and only holding on to the support beams that ran parallel to each other on either side of her. She really was making great progress.
The blonde doctor slipped in unnoticed and motioned for Shelly to be quiet. She tiptoed up behind the diva and covered the woman’s eyes with her hands. Rachel jumped and swatted at her. “Quinn!” but instead of scolding her like a child Rachel gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth. It was the first time the petite brunette had been able to say Quinn’s name without leaving off the Q.
The blonde smiled widely. “Hi,” and hugged the smaller woman before coaxing her to return to her exercises. She took a seat and watched for the next hour as Rachel varied her workouts with Shelly. She was getting stronger.
“So,” Dr. Bowers began. “I know we said that you should keep walking with the walker, but I think you’ve graduated to using a cane or crutches. Your choice,” she said with a smile.
Rachel looked at Quinn as if to consult her. “What do you think would be better, Shelly?”
“I’d say the crutches. She’d have support on both sides and it will strengthen her arms at the same time. It would probably speed up the healing process.”
Quinn nodded and looked back at Rachel. “I am assuming that sounds like a better plan to you,” she stated and the brunette nodded. “Great, crutches it is,” Quinn smiled and helped Rachel into the wheelchair she had on stand-by. The poor woman was exhausted.
“There’s one more thing,” Shelly said catching their attention. “As far as I am concerned you should be able to go home. With Dr. Lauritz’s consent of course, but I doubt she would tell you no with having Quinn look after you.”
“Really?”
Dr. Bowers nodded. “Thank you, Shelly,” Quinn said. “I’ll consult Dr. Lauritz about it immediately. I can imagine how ready Rachel is to leave the hospital after being stuck in it for so long.”
“I bet,” Shelly said laughing. “So then, I want you to come by every three days for an intense work out but I’m going to give you some homework to do on your off days. Don’t go too hard, either. I’d hate to see you set yourself back because you tore your ACL or something.”
“Got it, doc,” Rachel replied with a smile.
“Okay, you’re all set then. Here’s an appointment card, give me a call if anything comes up and we’ll reschedule.”
“Okay, thank you Dr. Bowers.”
“Oh don’t thank me,” she chuckled. “You have the determination of a mule, and yes that’s a good thing. I’ve never seen anyone as committed to their recovery as you. Maybe once this is all over and you get back on stage I’ll come see you.”
“I’d like that,” Rachel smiled.
“Sounds like a plan then,” she nodded. “Quinn, I’ll see you around.”
“Of course,” the blonde nodded back to her.
She wheeled Rachel out of the room and took her back to her private room and helped her sit on the bed. Rachel pulled her own legs under the blankets and smiled widely. “You were right,” she said.
Quinn looked at her and smiled. “Of course I was,” she said.
“Well, what do you think my c-chances are of get-ting out of here?”
“Pretty good. Dr. Lauritz will probably want to do a full work up to make sure that your progress will continue and that your blood pressure is under control. Maybe take a couple of scans to see how your heart is holding up, but other than that I don’t see why she wouldn’t let you leave.”
Rachel clapped and fist pumped excitedly causing Quinn to giggle a little. A sharp knock sounded at the door and she turned around. “Jen! Hey!” she said and hugged the other brunette making the brunette in the bed glare at them. “Rach, this is Jen. Jen, Rachel.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Rachel. Quinn has told me a lot of wonderful things about you! Like how beautiful your voice is and how expressive your eyes are! Wow was she right!” Jen smiled.
And suddenly Rachel’s demeanor changed. “It’s l-lovely to meet you as well,” she smiled.
Quinn imagined that her best friend reminded her more of Brittany in that particular moment and nobody could ever stay mad at Brittany. “You’re right, Q. She is sounding much better! It was very nice to see you, Rachel! And I’m glad you’re doing much better, I know it made Q really sad when you weren’t. Well, I gotta go, Dr. Hitler has me charting again…” she frowned.
“Jennifer!” Quinn scolded.
“What? He’s a total douche.”
Quinn sighed. “Fine, I’ll give you that one,” she resigned.
“Later, Q. Rachel,” she grinned and bounded down the hallway.
“She’s r-really nice,” Rachel said.
“Yeah, she is,” Quinn nodded. “And she’s only a friend,” she added.
“I know,” Rachel replied.
“So then what was with the daggers you were shooting her?” Quinn asked raising her eyebrow.
“My j-jealousy shining through,” Rachel answered.
Quinn laughed whole-heartedly. “I don’t mean to be rude,” she said when Rachel glared at her and crossed her arms. “It’s just she could never hold a candle to you, sweetie. She never had a chance.”
Rachel couldn’t help the smile that grew on her lips. “That’s because I happen to be awesome,” she said.
“You are,” Quinn agreed. “I’m going to speak with Dr. Laurtiz about releasing you,” Quinn said and told Rachel she wouldn’t be gone long.
~!~!~!~!~
She knocked quietly on the closed office door of Dr. Lauritz and waited for the shout of “come in” to be shouted over the melodic Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart that was surely playing in her office as the older blonde was doing paperwork. Once she heard it she opened the door. “Ah, just who I wanted to see,” the older woman smirked.
“Oh, really? Why’s that?”
“Well, you are going to be a fourth year resident, you need to start preparing for your boards. I thought you might like some study materials.”
“I would love some,” Quinn replied.
“I would also recommend getting back in the OR once Miss Berry has fully recovered, which by her progress made would be soon, I imagine. Speaking of which, I’m releasing her tomorrow. Tonight I’m going to schedule some scans and make sure she gets a full workup. Which of course, I will leave you to schedule. Now off you go,” she smiled.
“Thank you, Marline,” she smiled.
“You’re welcome, Quinn, dear. Take those books by the door with you,” she replied. She walked into Rachel’s room with a smile plastered to her face and an arm full of books.
“Hey,” Shelby greeted. “We got bored and decided to bring you two something to eat,” she commented.
Quinn smiled at her and put the books on one of the tables. “That was very nice of you,” she said and smiled wider. “I have some good news,” she stated.
“You mean?” Rachel asked and Quinn nodded.
“You get to go home tomorrow,” she confirmed. “I was correct about the scans, but I will get someone to schedule those right away and I’ll do your workup. The only thing is, I don’t think I like you being by yourself at your apartment. I’d rather someone stay with you or you stay with me.”
“So then stay with me,” Rachel laughed. “I’d like the company,” she added.
“Well then, it’s settled. And I know the two of you just brought your things to my place, but Rachel will need someone when I’m at work…” she mentioned.
“Quinn is right,” Shelby agreed.
“Yes, definitely,” Beth added. “We should stay with you, too!”
Rachel laughed, “Alright, alright, there is plenty of room anyway.”
“Great, now let’s do that workup so we can get you out of here tomorrow,” Quinn said. “Beth, would you like to help me?” the smaller blonde nodded. “Okay, you see these,” she asked pointing to the stethoscope’s ear buds, the girl nodded. “Put them in your ears,” Quinn instructed. “Now, this part you want to blow on because otherwise it’s very cold,” so she did. “And then we put it here, like this,” she explained placing the instrument over Rachel’s heart.
Beth gasped. “Wow! That’s so cool!”
“Tell me what you hear,” Quinn told her.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Is it a steady beating like, ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom? Or is different?”
“No, it’s like that,” she said. “It’s like every second.”
“Good,” Quinn said and wrote that down. “And is there any swooshing sound?”
Beth listened really hard. “Nope,” she smiled. “That’s a good thing right?”
“Yep,” Quinn agreed and wrote that down. “Now, we need to check the incision. Rachel, if you would just pull your gown down a little bit,” Quinn instructed.
“So what do we do now?” Beth asked.
“Well, you see around here where the stitches were?” Quinn pointed. “We just need to make sure it’s not too red or tender,” she explained as she gently moved her gloved fingers over Rachel’s skin. The other woman shivered and closed her eyes tightly.
“Does it hurt, Rachy?” Beth asked her adopted sister.
She shook her head. “No,” she replied.
Quinn smiled and blushed profusely, knowing exactly what she was doing to Rachel. “She’s just feeling tired, kiddo,” Quinn explained. “That’s normal after someone just had physical therapy.”
“Oh,” Beth said like it was a huge revelation. “What’s next?”
“Well, now I need to take her blood.”
“Ew!” Beth exclaimed and covered her eyes. “Tell me when you’re done.”
Quinn laughed. “Well there goes all hopes of you being a doctor,” she said and took out the kit. She carefully found Rachel’s vein and took three vials of blood before sending them off with the intern that came to retrieve them. She also asked for Dr. Hiller to order the MRI and CT. “So long as nothing major pops up in your tests you’ll be set to go home tomorrow,” Quinn smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Rachel was ready to leave, beyond ready really. She just wanted to sleep in her own bed in her own pajamas at least that’s what she told Quinn. The blonde thought maybe it was also because they never really seemed to get any privacy. They had yet to have the chance to talk about anything that was going on between them; which Quinn knew they should. By now everyone was settled in nicely. Beth and Shelby were set up in the guest room while Quinn slept on the couch in Rachel’s bedroom. Beth was starting school right after spring vacation when Shelby started her position at Preston Prep.
That’s why when the time came Quinn decided they would talk. They had been dancing around it for over a month now and it was time to get everything out in the open. Quinn wanted a future with Rachel and she prayed that the brunette wanted the same, but only talking would confirm that. So she gathered up her resolve and decided when she got home from work today she would talk to her diva.
“Rach?” Quinn asked as she walked through the living room to the bedroom where Rachel was. She opened the door and stopped mid-stride. Rachel was half naked, well more than half. The only clothing she had on was a scant camisole and bikini style underwear. Quinn swallowed hard and tried to stop staring, she really tried. It just wasn’t working.
Rachel turned around at the intrusion and caught her. Quinn felt the heat rise in her cheeks and she cleared her throat. “I was, uh… I was just wondering…” she tried speaking.
“Wondering what?” Rachel asked, stutter free. It had been almost three months by now. She still had a slight limp because her right knee was weaker than her left but other than that no crutches or other walking aids were in sight.
When Rachel saw Quinn’s face redden she realized she was completely underdressed and apologized immediately. “It’s okay,” Quinn gulped. “I wanted to talk,” she said.
“About what?” she asked pulling on a pair of sweats and sitting on her bed. She motioned for Quinn to do the same.
Quinn sighed. She was never good at sharing her feelings. “I uhm,” she wringed her hands. “I wanted to talk about this,” she said pointing between the two of them. “About us, I mean,” she said and took a deep breath. “You know I love you,” she said.
“And I love you,” Rachel replied.
“Nearly losing you killed me,” Quinn sighed. “If anything would have happened-“
“But it didn’t. I’m fine,” Rachel cut in.
“My point is, I don’t want to go another day, another moment, without you,” Quinn said. “I want a future with you. I mean I want marriage and kids and dogs,” she corrected. “I want it all…” she paused. “What I want to know, what I need to know, is do you want that, too?”
Rachel smiled at the blonde and at her words. “Of course I do,” she said and took Quinn’s hands in her own. “I believe this situation brought us together for a reason,” she spoke softly. “You saved my life, twice, if I am to believe correctly,” she chuckled. “But not just literally,” she stated. “Before you I never felt the need to settle down, I never really wanted to and now…” she took a deep breath. “I hate to say it but even if I never get back on stage, I think I’d be okay because I have you.”
Quinn smiled and felt her eyes water. “I love you so much, Rachel,” she said.
“I know,” the brunette replied wiping the tears away from the blonde’s eyes and despite wanting to do things in the proper order, Quinn just couldn’t wait any longer. She leaned in slowly and stopped just centimeters from Rachel’s lips. Their breaths mixed and in an instant Quinn’s lips found the plump pink ones across from hers. It was tentative but yet passionate, much like their first kiss all those years ago, only this time Quinn didn’t push her away, she held her closer.