A/N: Okay, it's about time I updated this. I've been neglecting it for far too long. I'm probably going to make this the last chapter, 'cause I want to focus more on 'I Love New York'. (And I've still got those sixteen, maybe seventeen, stories stuck in my head that are just itching to get out.) So this is it, (for now) and thanks for following and reviewing my first ever multi-chaptered story!
A/N2: Surprise, surprise again! I'm pulling a fast one here that might end up making you guys hate me. You'll know when you read it. I'll just say that it's something that I have been planning from the start and I ended up deciding not to change it, 'cause it's just something that's been niggling to get out of my head.
Additional disclaimer: Xena and Gabrielle are the property of RenPic. I'm just borrowing them 'cause I love them. I wish I were writing X/G now. (Although the original novel I'm planning to write in the future is gonna be an uber. Sort of.) And this now runs parallel to 2x15 'Sexy' and 2x16 'Original Song', so some events still coincide with what happens in the episodes.
Chapter 7
Quinn was gay.
The happy sort of gay. Okay, okay, the other one too. Yeah. So gay. And in love, which was the best feeling of all. She could just jump for joy. Well, she would have jumped if her ankle wasn't still sprained. Quinn grinned. If there was one advantage to being injured, it was that you could get other people to do things for you. Especially now that she had a gorgeous girlfriend to tend to her every whim and fancy.
She had spent the entire weekend at the Berry house with Rachel taking care of her, fetching ice for her ankle, cooking whatever she wanted, and her favorite part: the two of them just making out on Rachel's bed. It was pure heaven. She just wished it would never end.
Right now, they were spending their Sunday afternoon, snuggled up on the couch, doing a marathon of Xena: Warrior Princess. Rachel had bought the whole DVD collection a couple of weeks ago, when she had first realized she had feelings for Quinn. She had read somewhere that Xena and Gabrielle were two of the biggest lesbian icons ever to appear on television. She had hoped that, watching it with Quinn, would help convey her feelings for the blonde in a subtle manner.
Apparently, it was too subtle. Especially the first couple of seasons, which involved Xena and Gabrielle flirting and throwing themselves at various guys in nearly every episode. It frustrated Rachel to no end, since she had been expecting this big lesbian romance and instead got a whole lot of sword and sorcery mixed with some slapstick humor. The only reason that she kept watching was because for some reason, Quinn insisted.
Quinn was hooked right from the start. She would never admit it, but she was secretly a geek. She had never had many friends, despite being popular and she had long since learned the futility of hanging out with Santana and Brittany, given that they would always, always sneak off at some point and make out with each other. So Quinn had spent many a night over the years, holed up in her room alone, immersing herself in the world of online fantasy RPG's, where she could make friends without fear of anyone knowing who she really was.
So when Rachel had brought home this DVD box set with this hot raven-haired woman on the cover, all clad in leather and armor, Quinn nearly creamed her panties. Sure, the series came out more than ten years ago, but the acting was pretty good. And come on, Lucy Lawless in a short leather skirt? Who could say no to that?
They were currently in the middle of the second season and Rachel was bored. She couldn't understand Quinn's fascination with this series. Well, at least that cute blonde Gabrielle was walking around now with a bare midriff, but that was painfully overshadowed by the fact that she was wearing a hideous sports bra in a shade of green that Rachel could only describe as bilious. Good thing though that in the current episode she had changed into her Amazon garments, bringing her hotness up by a factor of 10. Still, she couldn't get into the story; it just didn't appeal to her. But right now, she was just happy to endure boredom as long as she got to spend more time with her new girlfriend. Rachel smiled. Girlfriend. She still couldn't believe that she had gone to pining for Finn to falling in love with Quinn in less than a month. And even more, that Quinn had fallen in love with her too. Truly, it had never felt so good to be gay. Now... if only this damn show would... wait, what?
Rachel did a double take.
"Quinn! Could you play that back again?"
Quinn was smiling at Rachel now as she played back the last scene and then paused it. There it was: Xena kissed Gabrielle. As in, full on lips to lips. Well, they didn't show the actual kiss, but Xena's lips were definitely headed in that direction. Rachel pumped her fists.
"Yes! I knew it!" Quinn quirked an eyebrow at Rachel.
"Knew what, Rach?"
"I just knew they were lesbians! That's why I bought this in the first place!" Rachel stopped and clapped her hands over her mouth. Oops. Both of Quinn's eyebrows were now raised.
"And were you hoping that watching this with you would turn me into a lesbian as well? " Quinn said facetiously. Rachel just buried her face in Quinn's chest.
"Rach, I don't think my boobs are big enough for you to be able to motorboat them." Rachel's head snapped back up in less than a second. Quinn giggled. Suddenly, they heard keys turning the lock of the front door. The girls quickly smoothed out their clothes as they heard Hiram's voice waft through the house.
"Girls, we're home. Did you have a goo-" Hiram stopped when he came into view of the living room. Leroy was just behind him.
"Hey guys, we brought-." He stopped as well when he saw Quinn. "Quinn? What happened to your foot?" But the girls were now staring at Hiram, who had adapted a deer-in-the-headlights expression. Apparently he was staring at the television. Three other pairs of eyes now turned their gazes upon the device in question. Rachel and Quinn's jaws dropped in horror. They had left the video paused right when Xena and Gabrielle were about to kiss. Leroy broke the silence.
"Is there, ah, anything you'd care to tell us girls?" Rachel steeled her resolve.
"Dad, Daddy, we do have something to tell you." She took Quinn's hand in hers before continuing. "Quinn and I are now girlfriend and girlfriend." Leroy pumped his fist n the exact same expression as Rachel had done only a few minutes earlier.
"Yes! I knew it!" He slapped Hiram on the back so hard, the shorter man's glasses almost fell off of his nose. Leroy held forth his upturned palm toward his husband.
"C'mon, pay up. You owe me fifty bucks." Rachel couldn't believe her ears. She slapped Leroy's arm.
"Dad! Don't tell me you two were betting if Quinn and I were going to get together just like you always do when watching an episode of Blind Date!" Hiram let out a loud hearty laugh.
"Oh no, sweetie. Not if, we were betting on when you two would get together. We've seen the signs for some time now." Hiram turned to Leroy with a pouty expression and his hands on his waist. "But I guess Mr. Prissy Pants here had some inside information, 'cause I always win our little bets." Leroy raised his hands defensively.
"Hey, I gotta win one sometime. My psychiatrist street cred needs a boost." He turned to Quinn. "Oh, Quinn, before anyone else forgets, I'd like to say: Welcome to the family." Quinn blushed.
"Thanks" came the slightly mumbled reply.
"Now," Hiram interjected. "Let's take a look at that ankle."
Monday. The start of another glorious week at school. Not even having to go to school on crutches could dampen Quinn's spirits. Her head was buzzing with hot... juicy... thoughts. She couldn't wait for lunch break, when she could finally give in to the desire that had been building up within her since morning when she had woken up to that wonderful scent of... well, you know. She couldn't help but still want it, even though Rachel had already given it to her earlier this morning. And again. And again. And again.
Yes. Monday was now Bacon Day in the cafeteria. And no one was gonna stand in her way, crutches or no.
Someone was standing in her way.
Actually, two someones. Quinn stopped in shock as she saw Santana and Brittany standing before her, pinkies linked. She knew Santana and Brittany had some kind of falling out last week after they sang that song with Ms. Holliday. So this, though once familiar, was now just plain strange.
"Hey, Quinn" greeted Santana. Quinn was even more amazed. Santana usually called people nicknames. This deficit in their colloquy was just unbelievable, especially considering that the Latina should have fresh material, given that she was now on crutches. She just kept staring. Santana chuckled weakly.
"Yeah, I've given up on that. I've just come to say that I'm sorry about being such a bitch before and stealing your boyfriend. I dumped him anyway 'cause Mr. Trouty Mouth didn't appreciate that song I wrote for him." Santana took a breath before moving on. "And I also wanted to say thank you. You singing that song with Berry last Friday just opened my eyes. Apparently, there are people more pathetic than me. I was just pining for Brittany, but you... it's so obvious that you are head over heels for that midget you call a best friend." Quinn raised her eyebrows.
"I thought you weren't gonna call people names anymore, Santana." Santana huffed.
"Baby steps, Q, baby steps. Anyways, to finish, I went after Brit one more time and now we're back together. And out and proud, which is more than you can say,." Brittany gave Santana a quick kiss on the cheek and then laid her head on her shoulder. Quinn pouted.
"I'll have you know, Santana, that that 'midget' is also my girlfriend now." Quinn smirked as Santana's mouth fell open. Suddenly, she heard a voice by her ear as a pair of familiar arms wrapped around her neck from behind.
"Who's a midget now?" Crap. It was Rachel. Quinn blanched.
"Th-that wasn't me,Rach. It was S-santana who called you that."
"I didn't hear Santana, I heard you."
"Uhh... ah... umm." Rachel chuckled.
"I love it when you're all flustered." She licked Quinn's ear. Quinn stiffened. Santana was still gaping in shock. Brittany, however, was smiling.
"Yay, Quinn!" She leaped forward and gave Quinn a hug. "You know Santana said sex wasn't dating so I wasn't sure two weeks ago, but now that you're officially dating, we can go on, like, double dates and stuff!" Three sets of eyes swiveled to the tall blonde. Rachel was the first to voice the question that was on everyone's mind.
"What was that about two weeks ago?"
"Well, you know, you and Quinn totally did it at that party at your house two weeks ago. You were so loud my ears hurt." It was as if the corridor had suddenly exploded judging by the cacophony that ensued.
"WHAT?"
"REALLY?"
"ARE YOU FRIKKIN' KIDDING ME!"
People around them were starting to stare. Rachel grabbed Quinn's arm and dragged her into an empty classroom. Santana and Brittany trailed behind, not wanting to miss a moment of this. Rachel whisked around to face Quinn, retaining her grip on the stunned blonde.
"How could you not tell me that we already had sex, Quinn! I thought I had just dreamt it all up, for crying out loud!" Quinn was finally able to gather her wits about her.
"Me? ME? How about you, Miss I'm-not-having-sex-till-I'm-25! How could you not know that you've just lost your virginity?"
"For your information, Quinn, I have no way of telling. I broke my hymen years ago, whilst practicing some advanced dance techniques!"
The bell rang signaling the start of lunch break. Quinn wrenched herself out of Rachel's grip and started hobbling as fast as the crutches would allow.
"Bacon!"
Rachel shook her head as she watched Quinn hurry toward the cafeteria.
"I'm destined to be in a love triangle with Quinn and bacon forever, aren't I?" Brittany gave the chagrined diva a quick one-armed hug.
"That's okay, Rach. Maybe you could have a threesome?"
Santana and Rachel just goggled as Brittany waltzed off happily after Quinn.
When school finally let out for the day, Rachel and Quinn headed off to Rachel's car only to find two boys in Dalton uniforms leaning against it.
"Hello, Rachel, Quinn. I hear congratulations are in order." Rachel gave a little shriek and went over to hug the boy.
"Kurt! I haven't seen you in ages!" Blaine who was standing off to the side gave Quinn a little wave.
"Hi." Quinn waved back.
"Hi." Kurt and Rachel finally parted. Kurt put his hands on his hips and regarded the two girls.
"Well, I have it from Mercedes, who heard it from Tina, who was told by Artie, who has it from Lauren, who was informed by Puck, who overheard Brittany and Santana talking, that you two," pointing his fingers at Rachel and Quinn. "are finally dating." Rachel hooked her arm around Quinn's waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You heard that right." Quinn just blushed and gave them a small smile. Kurt grinned.
"Oh my gosh! You two are so adorable together! The both of you have been making my gaydar go off the charts since, like, forever. It's good to finally see that both of you have realized what's been right in front of you all along." Blaine cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Speaking of realizing what's in front of you, Kurt and I also have some news to share:" Kurt and Blaine gave each other a glance and nodded, before Blaine continued. "We're together now." Rachel jumped forward to sweep the boys into a bonecrushing embrace.
"Oh my God! I'm so happy for you guys!" Quinn rolled her eyes. "And Quinn," Quinn froze. "Even though my back is turned, I still know that you're rolling your eyes back there." Quinn pouted. Rachel kept on. "Now stop pouting and come here." Quinn huffed but went to join in on the group hug anyway.
Quinn was anxious. She was currently in the passenger seat of Rachel's car which was driving in the direction of the Fabray household. She had come out to her mother last Friday, and although her mom didn't reject her right away, the issue was still left unresolved when she went away to stay at the Berry house over the weekend. She just hoped that her mother would still be accepting of her. Her heart started to pound as they finally arrived.
When they came to the door, Quinn stopped.
"What's wrong, Quinn?" Rachel asked.
"What if... what if I get kicked out again? I don't think I could handle losing my mother again, Rach." Rachel rubbed Quinn's back.
"It's gonna be okay, Quinn. It's different this time." Rachel gave Quinn a soft smile. "This time, you have me." Quinn smiled shakily back at Rachel as the petite girl put an arm around her shoulder and helped her to enter the house.
What happened next would be remembered in years to come as the most shocking moment of Quinn and Rachel's lives. It would be the final straw that would push Quinn to forever refer to this day as 'The Day of the Gay.'
The two girls entered into the Fabray's foyer, to find Judy Fabray snuggled up on the couch necking with someone. Not just someone, another woman, Not just a woman, but Coach Sylvester.
This was beyond comprehension. One would expect the space-time continuum to rip apart and end the universe as we know it. Quinn hoped, no, prayed that her mom would jump up from the couch and shout 'April Fool's!' even though it was still a couple of weeks too early. Judy suddenly noticed the two girls standing stricken by the entryway. She jumped up and rushed forward to give Quinn a hug.
"Quinnie! You're home!"
Rachel and Quinn were still too stunned to even move a muscle. Judy knew that her daughter's first instinct would be to run, so she took this opportunity to draw the girls into the living room and sit them onto the couch before either of them could even think of trying to bolt for the door. Quinn would have actually ran, if it weren't for the fact that she was still on her crutches. It took a few minutes for Quinn to find her voice, well some of it anyway.
"Wha-wha... how... why...?" Judy put a hand on her daughter's knee.
"Quinnie, will you promise to sit quietly and listen to me explain?" Quinn struggled internally for a moment then she deflated.
"Fine."
"Okay, so here's the story girls: Susan and I, we went to high school together. Our relationship used to be not unlike yours and Rachel's. I was the popular cheerleader whom everybody liked and Sue... well Sue was just a misunderstood girl who was fiercely protective of her sister. High school was worse back then, when it came to treating the differently abled. All the jocks kept thinking up ways to pick on Jean." Rachel raised her hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but who's Jean?" Sue put a hand on Judy's arm.
"Jean's my older sister. She has what the doctor's call Down Syndrome." Realization dawned on Rachel and Quinn.
"Ohh... So that's why... Becky..." Sue just nodded. Judy pressed on.
"Now, to continue... I met Sue after I stopped some of the fottball team members from egging Jean, we became friends soon after that and, long story short, we fell in love." Judy paused for a moment as though she was mustering the courage to relate what would happen next. "We were supposed to come out together during our senior prom, but Sue had a mishap with her hair getting dyed blonde-. "
"Wait, you were a brunette?" Rachel interjected.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Sue answered. "Jean tried to dye my hair with napalm and the chemicals damaged my beautiful black hair. But I swear to God StarBerry or whatever it is that you call yourself, if you don't stop interrupting, I will personally go over to Schuester's house to get the products to dye your hair blonde; see how you like it." Judy raised her hand to Sue's shoulder.
"Sue, behave." Sue fell silent. Judy gave the girls a somewhat reassuring expression. "Now, where were we?" Judy's face fell once more. "Oh, that's right, senior prom. Well, Sue ended up being the laughingstock at the prom and I... I lost my nerve. I guess I was still a bit attached to being popular back then. Shortly after, we graduated, Sue enlisted in the army and my parents arranged me to be married off to Russel Fabray. To this day, I regret not standing up for Sue that night. I know Sue has been back here in Lima for fourteen years already, but I never got up the courage to contact her until last Friday." Judy got up and went to sit beside Quinn, putting an arm around her daughter's shoulders. "It wss you, Quinn, who gave me that courage. When you came out to me last Friday, you did what I should have done all those years ago. You were true to yourself, something I haven't been for a long, long time." Quinn turned to face Sue.
"Is this why you've been mean to me all this time? Because of my mom?" Sue snorted.
"Newsflash: I'm mean to everyone. However, you're wrong about me this time, Q. I've actually been very considerate of you. Let's see, hmm... First of all, I took you under my wing, I even made you the first ever freshman to become captain in the history of McKinley High." Quinn started to speak, but Sue held up a hand. "Wait, let me finish. I actually knew you were pregnant for a week before I even booted you off the squad. I gave you a second chance when you came asking for your spot back, which, as you well know, I never give. Oh, and I didn't fill your lockers with dirt last week, unlike Sandbags and Air Blondie. See? I've been nothing but considerate. Now, I don't claim it didn't hurt when you betrayed me for that club run by that walking advertisement for hair gel, but you stood up for what you wanted and I respect that. Oh, and just because I'm back with Judy now, doesn't mean I'm gonna go easy on you at Regionals."
Quinn smiled.
"Bring it on, Coach, bring it on."
The two girls were up in Quinn's bedroom, winding down after a very long day. It took a while, but Quinn had finally accepted the fact that her mom was now dating (shudder) Coach Sylvester. Well, actually, all it took was a few (okay, not a few, a lot) strips of bacon with some bacon-fried hash browns and some bacon ice cream for dessert (don't ask.)
Quinn went over to her closet to get her sleep wear ready. Rachel threw herself onto Quinn's bed.
"Crazy day, huh? Seems everyone caught the gay over the weekend." Rachel chuckled at her own joke. Then she caught sight of Quinn removing her shirt and quickly sat up. "Quinn! Please do not tell me that you are wearing a green sports bra!" Quinn grinned.
"You know, green is one of my favorite colors." Rachel scrunched her face. Quinn laughed hobbled over to Rachel. "You are adorable, do you know that?" Quinn cupped Rachel's face in her hands and leaned down to kiss her on the lips. A smile crept over Rachel's face as they parted. Quinn put aside her crutches and knelt down in front of Rachel, careful to keep the weight of her injured ankle. Oh my God, I can't believe I'm about to do what Sam did, Quinn thought. But this feels right. She reached underneath her bed and pulled out a small box and opened it. Rachel gasped. Inside was a ring set with a beautiful topaz cut into a shape of a star.
"Rachel, this is a promise ring. I know we've only been officially together for three days, but those three days have meant so much more than every other moment in my life. I love you, Rachel and I know in my heart that that's never gonna change. That's why I'm doing this right now. I can't promise that everything is gonna be alright, I can't promise that this is gonna be easy, but I promise to be there for you even when things aren't so good. Wherever life may take us, I promise to stand by your side. Where you go, I go."
Rachel's eyes were welling up with tears as Quinn slipped the ring onto the brunette's finger.
"Quinn, this is the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me. I love you."
"And I love you. You are the source of my happiness." Rachel drew a finger along Quinn's collarbone, sliding down to tug at the blonde's bra.
"Now, let's get this horrible green sports bra off and let me show you what the 'source of your happiness' can do." Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"You seem awfully confident for someone who doesn't even remember their first time." Rachel smirked.
"I have many skills.".
A/N: Whoo! I'm a bit sad that this has to end (for now.) I'm also glad that I was able to end this my way. I have been, am and will always be a Xenite and that's where my writing will go in the future. But not yet. I still have a lot of fics planned for the Glee universe. I'm also uploading another side story to accompany this fic. It's a song fic featuring the girls singing Get It Right which I've skipped over in the 4th chapter. Try checking it out; its entitled 'Heartstrings'. (Oh, and I'm also uploading a new chapter for 'I Love New York' as well.)