Rachel came skipping down the stairs, and went about making her breakfast happily. When her father's came downstairs her upbeat demeanor did not go unnoticed. They waited until everyone was settled around the table, eating organic waffles, to ask what was going on.

"Quinn moved out of her parents' house. Her own decision! Everything is going to be so wonderful now…" Rachel sighed happily and stared off into space, missing the glance her fathers' shoot one another.

"Rachel…I don't think you understand Quinn's upbringing." Kyle says.

"Just because she's out of her parent's house doesn't mean she'll be ready to go to Lima Pride with us." Jacob says quickly, not allowing Rachel to interject.

"But…why not? She doesn't have to worry anymore." Rachel's voice is small, she doesn't understand.

"Quinn grew up being told that gays were wrong every day of her life. It was pounded into her brain day after day. You can't just forget something like that, sweetheart." Kyle speaks gently.

Rachel sighs. She can't imagine growing up like Quinn has.

"You just have to support her, Rach. She'll be ready one day. Probably just not today." Jacob says, and Rachel nods.

She'll support Quinn no matter what happens.

And she does.

)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)

Regionals is upon them before the girls know it. New Directions is confident with their set list, and the competition doesn't even affect them. Quinn and Rachel find themselves standing backstage before their duet as the other members of Glee sing the last lines of the second song.

Quinn turns to Rachel just seconds before they walk on, and mouths "I love you." Rachel smiles and they're onstage in just moments.

Quinn turns to Rachel as the piano plays a few notes; she tries to allow as much vulnerability to show as she can push through her voice.

Let me catch my breath.
This is really hard.
If I start to look like I'm sweating
That's 'cause I am.

I'm not good with words.
But that's nothing new.
Still I have to try to explain what I want to do
With you…

Rachel smiles at Quinn as she joins her in the chorus, singing harmonies.

Run away with me.
Let me be your ride out of town.
Let me be the place that you hide.
We can make our lives on the go.
Run away with me.

Rachel sings her own verse, and Quinn almost loses the harmony because she's so focused on Rachel. The girls are staring at one another with a fiery intensity that radiates off of them and is absorbed by the audience.

California dreams here we come
Romeo is calling for Juliet
Ready, set
Say you're ready.
Let's go
Anywhere,
Say the word and I'm already there!

The girls sing in unison as their voices collide in a note that sends chills down Mr. Schuesters spine as he observes backstage. He looks to the audience and sees that he's not the only one so affected by this performance.

Run away with me.

As the girls sing the final notes in a calm, lilting tone that offsets the strength of the rest of the number, Quinn finds herself overwhelmed with emotion. She's already grasping Rachel's hand tightly, but when they lock eyes, Quinn can't contain herself.

In front of the judges, the audience, and God, she kisses Rachel. They're both so overcome with emotion that they don't even notice the deafening applause echoing through the theater.

)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)

The entire Glee club is holding on to one another tightly. With the runner up announced, only two Glee clubs remain to see who has won.

"And the winner of the 2010 Show Choir Regionals is…" Josh Groban trails off for suspense.

Rachel grips Quinn and Kurt's hands tightly. Everyone has their heads down, and Rachel can hear Quinn praying quietly under her breath.

"New Directions!" Josh Groban shouts, and the room erupts. Everyone is screaming and cheering and jumping up and down. Even Artie is 'raising the roof' instead of jumping.

Everyone is celebrating, and in the middle of the circle are Rachel and Quinn, kissing again.

)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)

)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)

The duet is Run Away With Me, written by Kerrigan and Lowdermilk, and the version I'm referencing is by The Spring Standards. Youtube it!

So, this is the end! I meant to have a little more warning for you, but my first college class starts tomorrow and I've just run out of time!

Thank you to everyone who read this story from beginning to end, you guys were AMAZING and I couldn't have done it without you.

Please review!