As Rachel was softly sleeping in her comfortable bed upstairs, Quinn stood in the quiet kitchen of the Berry household, waiting for the Berry men, clutching a mug of chamomile tea, caught in a stare. She finally let herself think about the night, letting it play back in her mind.

What was she going to do? She just effectively ruined her future. No more Yale. No more luxury of going to college and figuring out her career, her life. She felt her heart race and her stomach knot up with anxiety and possible regret. The tea wasn't helping. She closed her eyes and set the mug down. She took a deep breath and pictured Rachel sleeping. That's what it was for. It was for love. It was for independence and self-worth. It was the right decision.

It was the right decision.

As happy Rachel thoughts floated across her mind, eyes closed, momentarily lost, a smile across her face, forcing herself to remember the positive, the sound of a man's startled her out of it.

"Quinn." Rachel's older dad said.

"Oh, sorry Mr. Berry." Quinn said, embarrassed.

"What are you doing in our kitchen? I can see you're making yourself at home." He said sternly while he gestured to her mug. It was almost like he had no emotion in his voice. It scared her. Her throat started to shake. She thought she might break.

"I, uh, I wanted to talk with you both. Clear the air. Explain myself." She swallowed. Her throat felt dry.

"Is Rachel okay?" They said almost in unison.

"She is. She is sleeping. Don't worry about her, she is fine."

They both took a deep reassured breath. Rachel's older dad sat down in one of the bar stools at the island while she and the younger dad remained standing.

"But I wanted to uh, stay and talk to you…two." She swallowed. Her voice was noticeably shaky.

"Sweetie." Rachel's younger dad said, sensing her nerves. "Are you all right?" He walked over to her and rubbed her back. Quinn put her hand over her eyes, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"I don't know, to be honest." Quinn said, muffled. She didn't know why she didn't just say she was fine. He brought her in for a hug with one strong arm. She buried her head in his chest and started to cry. It was completely unexpected.

"Oh, sweetie." He said. Quinn was beginning to understand why Rachel loved her dads so much. His hug felt so warm and kind. Rachel's older father sat back in his chair, his chin in his palm. He felt for her, although his mind was elsewhere, thinking of his daughter Rachel, and how this would affect her future. The events of the night seemed to just make him agitated instead of emotional.

"Shhh." The younger dad said, rubbing Quinn's back as she started to sob. "Let it out, honey. It's okay." Quinn put both arms around the warm man's waist and let herself cry. She didn't want to cry. She wasn't expecting to even become emotional. She was planning on explaining herself and politely asking to crash on their couch until Rachel went back to New York. Nothing was going right. She was a mess, embarrassed, crying into this warm man's chest. She couldn't believe such a kind man existed. He continued to rub her back. She thought of Rachel bent over, sobbing and retching in the street, which only made it worse. Then, eventually, she sniffed up and took a deep breath.

"Feel better?"

Quinn nodded her head like a child. She looked at the teary stain on his sweater.

"Oh god, I'm sorry." She said as she backed away a step, putting her hands on the cool countertop.

"It's okay." He said softly. He made his way to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water to give to Quinn.

"So you had something to explain?" Said the older dad.

"Oh yeah. Well, actually, I really just wanted to apologize for roping you into this. All of you. I understand if you feel imposed upon or something." She looked down, then up, then took a swig of water, then put the cap back on and gripped the bottle.

"It's fine." Said the older dad. He took a long pause. "Quinn."

"Yes?"

"I need to say this. I need to make sure you have Rachel's best interest in mind. Encourage her to stay in school and follow her dreams, you know what I mean?"

"Oh, of course! I love Rachel and always put her first." She said, still wringing the bottle of water.

"I know." He said. He took another long pause. "I suppose you could stay with us for the rest of break."

"Really? That would be amazing, thank you so much!"

"Mmhm." Was all he said. The younger dad smiled at her, which warmed her heart.

"I can sleep on the couch." She said awkwardly.

"I can give you an air mattress and you can sleep in Rachel's room." The older dad said. The younger dad shook his head.

"Come on, honey." The younger dad said. "Let them be. They're adults."

"Oh, all right. But no funny business under my roof." That made the room get really awkward really fast. The younger dad burst out laughing.

"Oh I promise." Quinn said, not sure if it was a joke. She didn't think it was. She then made her way upstairs. "Good night." She said softly as she walked away.

The door shut softly as Quinn tip-toed into Rachel's bedroom. She locked the door behind her and headed for the bathroom for a hot shower, which she needed just to calm her nerves. On her way to the bathroom, she glanced at Rachel, fast asleep, completely still, and she stopped in her tracks for a few seconds. Nothing was waking Rachel tonight. She smiled shyly to herself while she gazed at her. She closed her burning, puffy eyes and felt some more tears come on. She let them fall down her cheek, and then she turned for the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She shut her brain off and closed her eyes as she let the soothing hot water wash over her, cleaning her body in a Zen-like state, thinking of nothing, letting herself relax. After the long shower, she put on a pair of pajama pants and a tank, and slipped into bed next to Rachel.

Quinn didn't remember falling asleep, but she woke up suddenly at ten o'clock. Her face was buried in Rachel's hair and her arm was draped over Rachel's chest, Rachel still asleep. Quinn slipped out of the covers and shuffled into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She looked in the mirror at her still puffy face. She splashed some cool water on it, then returned to the warm bed, beside Rachel. Quinn's rustling of the covers and shaking of the mattress stirred Rachel into waking.

"Quinn?" Rachel said hoarsely. She tried to clear her throat.

"Yeah, I'm right here." Quinn said, as she lied back down. "Ah, I'm still tired. How is that?"

Rachel sat up slowly, her eyes half shut. Barely responding with a facial expression and a grunt, she shuffled out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. Quinn heard her brush her teeth and the shower turn on, so she fell back asleep.

Quinn instantly and unexpectedly fell into a dream. Suddenly, she was back on that dark street. But this time, she was all alone. It was eerily quiet. No sound from the trees or birds or bugs even. No hum of a car. Nothing. There was one source of light. A flickering street lamp that looked like it was from the 18th century. She wanted to get closer to it, so she approached, she felt the heat from the fire warm her but it wasn't comforting. She still felt the chill of the night air. She suddenly felt like the crushing loneliness and the cold might kill her. She wanted to scream but nothing came out and she couldn't move. She tried to warm her hands against the fire but it still wouldn't work. The chill was now in her bones. She was shaking, but not crying. She closed her eyes and an overwhelming fear came over her but she couldn't place what it was she was afraid of. She tried to calm herself, to think about something comforting but she couldn't concentrate. Her mind was a mess of nothing. Still shaking. Still confused.

Suddenly Quinn gasped awake, eyes wide, mystified. Rachel's face was all she saw, staring at her with concern.

"Sweetie, you okay? I think you were having a nightmare." Rachel whispered softly and sweetly in her sing-songy voice.

Quinn grabbed Rachel and pulled her down onto her, and hugged her tightly. Rachel made a muffled cry of bewilderment, then settled into the hug, however awkward it was. Quinn took a deep breath and clutched Rachel, rubbing her back and kissing her fore head. She was still in a state. Rachel rolled off her and they hugged on their sides, Rachel's face in Quinn's neck.

"That's a little better." Rachel said jokingly.

"Just don't let go yet, okay?" Quinn said, her hands gripping Rachel's back and neck. The pressure against her chest and the warmth of the Rachel's freshly showered body comforted her.

"Okay." Rachel whispered. And they stayed like that until Quinn's mind came back to reality and she let go.

Rachel didn't say anything, because she knew what was troubling Quinn. All she could do was smile at her and try to convey without words how much she cared and how much she supported her. She wanted to let her know that she'd be by her side forever. Her warm eyes met Quinn's as she stroked Quinn's blonde hair, tucking it behind her ear. Quinn smiled then moved her head in and met Rachel's lips with her own. It was a soft kiss, perhaps not meant for anything more than reassurance, but their lips lingered and soon they felt more. They felt that familiar magnetism - that familiar ache in their cores, which soon took over.

Quinn placed her hand on Rachel's waist, over her cotton tank, and pulled her in closer. She parted her lips, and gave into a deeper kiss. The tips of their tongues met, and as Quinn gripped her harder, and draped her leg over Rachel's, pulling her closer, their kiss deepened, tongues entwining with purpose. Rachel moaned into Quinn's mouth. She felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach and her heart started to pound in her chest. Quinn felt the same, and moaned a bit herself, while her hands roamed around Rachel's body. Over her stomach, her breasts, up and down her back, over her hips, squeezing her ass. Rachel's hands stayed around Quinn's head, stroking her face, her hair, kissing her eagerly. Quinn's fingers grazed Rachel's center, over her panties, which made Rachel jerk a little. She smiled and kissed Quinn harder as she slowly grinded her hips forward.

"You smell so good." Quinn whispered as she rolled Rachel over onto her back and kissed her neck.

"I took a shower." Rachel said through a smile. Quinn continued to kiss Rachel's neck, sucking at her pulse point, her hands squeezing her breasts over her tank. Rachel missed Quinn's hands on her center.

"Quinn?" Rachel said while her hands snaked through Quinn's hair

"Huh?" Quinn said muffled, still focused on kissing, her hands roaming down to her center, very gently stroking her fingers over her panties. Rachel jerked again.

"I'm so proud of you." Rachel said softly, through shallow breaths, and Quinn stopped, and looked up to meet her gaze.

"What?" She said a little confused and maybe a little frustrated.

"I'm proud of you." Rachel said through a wide smile. Quinn couldn't believe how Rachel can talk and fool around at the same time. She couldn't.

Quinn looked down, closed her eyes, then looked back up at Rachel.

"Thanks, Rach." Quinn said sincerely after a pause. She didn't know what else to say. She was starting to feel that choked up feeling and didn't want it to take over again.

"You're welcome, my darling." Rachel smiled wide. Quinn then kissed Rachel's neck one more time in an endearing way, with one fast peck, and then swiftly pulled Rachel's tank off of her. Rachel giggled. Quinn kissed her breasts with passionate attention, which made her head spin. She then kissed her stomach, then back to her breasts again. Rachel couldn't stop thinking about Quinn's tongue everywhere.

"Mmmm." Rachel moaned as she closed her eyes, her hands entwined in Quinn's hair. Then suddenly, she had a thought. "Quinn!?"

"WHAT?" Quinn grunted, annoyed at the interruption.

"Did you lock the door? What if my dads are up? It's late in the morning. I think you should go check."

Quinn closed her eyes and took a moment.

"Yes, my dear. The door is locked. I locked it last night while you were asleep. And we'll be quiet, babe. Relax!" She said a little tersely as she kissed Rachel's breasts again.

"You seem tense - I'm sorry!" Rachel said quickly. "Maybe you should relax. Let me make take care of you."

Quinn looked up at Rachel.

"Are you trying to get me to stop? Are you not in the mood or something?"

"God, no, sweetie-!"

Suddenly a loud knock knock knock was heard at the bedroom door. Quinn jumped at the sound, almost falling off the bed. Rachel slipped out of the covers, and put her robe on as she walked to the door to open it casually.

"Hey dad."

"You girls awake?" The older dad said, peering his head in.

"Quinn's not really, yet."

"Well, your father is making breakfast." He paused to read Rachel's face. "I know, I know. He'll get over it. He's just excited to have a guest." He winked at her lovingly.

"We'll be like down in like fifteen minutes."

"Okay." Her dad said as he kissed her top of her head and left, closing the door behind him.

"Wow he is way nicer to you than he was to me." Quinn said in a huff.

"What is your problem?" Rachel said from across the room.

"Nothing." Quinn said, still in bed, sitting up against the backboard. "Fifteen minutes?"

"Yes, you should go shower."

"I showered last night."

"Okay, then." Rachel said as she walked over to the bed and sat down beside Quinn. "We have some time then. What's going on?"

"I don't know. I thought – I thought you didn't want to have sex with me. I mean - did you not want to?"

"I always do. You were just acting strange all of a sudden. Like you got so angry so fast at my talking. You kind of snapped at me."

"I'm so sorry." She paused. "I just really needed – wanted – I just kind of needed to – be with you." Quinn said shakily. It scared Rachel, but she didn't want it to show. Rachel stroked Quinn's leg comfortingly.

"You are with me." Rachel said. "I'll always be here. I hope you know that. I hope it's showed."

"Yeah yeah I know." Quinn said with her eyes closed, waiving off any sign of doubt. There was a long pause.

"So you talked to my dads last night?"

"What? Oh, yeah. Sorry I forgot I didn't already tell you. They told me that I could stay here until we go back to New York."

"That's wonderful!" Rachel said with a huge smile, stroking Quinn's leg some more. Then she pushed Quinn over and snuggled up to her on the bed. She kissed Quinn on the cheek and rubbed her stomach, her hands grazing the bottom of Quinn's breasts. "I'm so proud of you. I know I've already said it, but I really am." Quinn smiled.

"Your dads were nice to me, I didn't mean what I said before. They were both really nice."

"It's fine. I know what you mean. He sometimes gets a little overprotective and scary."

"Okay, good. I thought so." Quinn hugged Rachel tight from the side, and then suddenly pinned her down onto the bed.

"Ah! Quinn!" Rachel yelped playfully.

"We have fifteen minutes." Quinn said seductively as she opened Rachel's robe to reveal her naked torso. She kissed her neck, then met Rachel's lips with hers. They kissed slowly and deeply. Rachel's moan sent chills up Quinn's spine. Rachel shuffled out of her robe and Quinn just kept kissing her. Rachel was a little surprised since they only had so much time, but enjoyed kissing Quinn so much, so she went with it. Their tongues entwined and their lips smacked. Rachel squeezed Quinn's hips with her legs. She was instantly and insanely turned on, imagining Quinn's tongue on her center.

"Mmmm." Quinn said as she picked her head up and shimmied down Rachel's torso, kissing her along the way, slowly and assuredly. Rachel snaked her fingers through Quinn's hair as she got to her center. Quinn slipped Rachel's panties off and buried her face in her most coveted spot.

"Ah!" Rachel gasped as Quinn's tongue slipped in and around her folds, then settling onto her sensitive spot. It felt so good. She desperately needed it, after last night. Rachel's body was still sore from retching and sobbing, and this felt euphoric. A very welcome and much needed euphoria. Rachel gripped Quinn's hair with both of her hands, guiding her around. Quinn sucked at her sensitive spot very attentively.

"Oh god!" Rachel said in a deeper tone. She grabbed the pillow next to her and muffled herself. Quinn tried not to smile as she kept sucking at her spot, her hands roaming up her stomach and torso, squeezing her breasts. Then her hands settled onto Rachel's hips, keeping them down, holding Rachel in place as she jerked around, uncontrollably. That familiar rush of excitement and joy filled Quinn as she was about to make Rachel orgasm.

Rachel grabbed Quinn's head with one hand and muffled her mouth with the other. The sensation filled her whole body and she squeezed Quinn's hair hard. She couldn't help but scream into the pillow. Quinn's hands stayed on her hips, holding her down, her face buried in her center. Rachel jerked around, her orgasm sending her into spasms. Rachel then let go of the pillow and threw it. Her arms dropped to her side. Quinn licked her gently. Rachel's eyes were closed as she slowly felt her own skin with her fingers. Her stomach and her breasts were still so sensitive to the touch. With every gentle lick, Rachel jerked. She had already had an intense orgasm, but Quinn couldn't take herself away. Rachel giggled as she squeezed her own breast.

"Quinn!" She licked her lips. "Stop or you're going to make me come again." Quinn couldn't help but laugh, which made her stop.

"How much time do we have?"

"No more time."

Quinn grunted in disapproval as she made her way back up to Rachel's lips. They kissed deeply and slowly. Then Quinn stopped, and rested her head on Rachel's chest. Rachel stroked her hair and hummed a little. The humming soothed Quinn. Rachel rubbed Quinn's arms and back. Quinn took a deep breath. She felt so warm and safe, and happy in that moment, in Rachel's embrace. She could hear her heart beating like it was her own. She felt so close to her, so perfectly in sync with her. She wanted to cry because she couldn't imagine being happier, or being without her. The fears from earlier seemed to be gone in that moment, and she felt empowered. She could be and do whatever she wanted. She could reinvent herself. She's got time. And she's got Rachel. The actual fear of failure and uncertainty of her future were pushed to the back of her mind, and she was filled with a sense of profound optimism. Sure, her mind might have been clouded by love, but it didn't seem to matter at that moment.

Rachel's stomach suddenly growled loudly, interrupting the silence of the moment. Quinn burst into laughter.

"I guess I'm hungry." Rachel said, giggling, a bit embarrassed. Quinn kissed her stomach, which made Rachel giggle more, and then shot up out of bed and they both changed their clothes to head downstairs. Quinn took Rachel's hand and kissed it, and guided her out of the bedroom.

(end of part 8)