The lack of warmth that she's used to waking up to isn't there for some reason. Rachel opens her eyes to see that it's because Quinn isn't lying next to her.

She smiles when she hears the girl's soft voice coming from the living room and quickly gets up to stretch.

As she quietly leaves the bedroom, she sees Quinn laying down on the couch while talking on her phone, facing away from her.

"I miss you too," the blonde says sadly.

Rachel stops and frowns. Who is her girlfriend talking to?

Quinn suddenly laughs out loud. "Okay, Brittany. Tell Santana I said hi when she wakes up. I'll talk to you guys later."

When she hangs up the phone, Rachel continues walking and smiles, "Hey."

Quinn twists her head to look at her, "Hey. Good morning."

Rachel climbs on top of her and tucks her head under her chin. "I was wondering where you went."

"Brittany was calling and I didn't wanna wake you up," Quinn yawns.

"Isn't it like six in the morning over there?" she frowns.

"Yeah I know," Quinn chuckles and starts playing with Rachel's hair. "She's just strange like that."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, she just wanted to fill me in on everything. Santana applied at a local college for the Spring semester. And she got a job waiting tables. And Brittany's doing great in her dance classes, of course."

"Mhmm," Rachel hums under Quinn's touch.

"But she said that they probably won't be coming back to Ohio for Christmas," Quinn sighs. "Brittany's parents told them to save their money and that they would try to go to California to see them instead. They're going to talk to Santana's parents about it."

Rachel brings Quinn's hand down and presses a kiss to her palm. She knows that the girl's been looking forward to seeing them ever since they left. "Well, we can always try to go down there after the holidays are over. It's cheaper to travel at that time."

"Yeah?" Quinn smiles. "I'd like that. I've never been to California. I've never even been outside of Ohio."

She feels like there's so many things that she has yet to learn about Quinn. All of the little things.

"You didn't go on any family vacations?"

"Not anywhere far," Quinn shrugs. "Just to a lake or something during the summers."

Rachel frowns. She knew that Russell and Judy were always busy. But she didn't think they were so busy that they couldn't do these things with their daughter.

"Did you like living in New York?" Quinn asks suddenly.

"I loved it," she smiles. She then gently pokes her girlfriend in the side, "But I wouldn't dream of ever going back there without you."

"I'd like to go there too. You know, to see what the big deal is," Quinn teases.

"We're gonna go. And then you will see what the big deal is."

"Okay Rachel," Quinn laughs.

New York and Quinn would be perfect, Rachel thinks. And the bonus would be that they'd also be able to get married there. Screw New York. Just being married to Quinn would be perfect...

"What are you thinking about?" Quinn nudges her.

"Nothing!" Rachel picks her head up to see the blonde arching an eyebrow at her. Quinn's probably going to think she has a problem with rushing into marriages all the time. "Sorry. Just got lost in my thoughts."

"Mhmm, I can see that."

"When the time is right, my love." Rachel coos and then scoots up to connect their lips.

Quinn doesn't know what Rachel means by that. But she figures that she shouldn't overthink it and lets it go this time.

"You have class, right?" Rachel asks as she pulls away.

"Yeah," Quinn groans. "Are you doing anything today?"

"I'm supposed to have lunch with Kurt. He finally has a free day."

She smiles, "That's great! Did you want to drop me off at school so you can meet him?"

"I was about to ask. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course!" Quinn was just glad that Rachel would have something to do without her besides being cooped up in the house.

Another thought crosses her mind and she frowns, "Do you think he would remember my mom and figure out that I'm her daughter?"

"I don't think so. He only met Judy once or twice back then. We're fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Quinn, trust me."

"Okay. Sorry." She just didn't want Rachel to lose friends because of her...

"Don't worry about it. Now come on. We need to start getting ready."

Quinn pouts as she allows Rachel to pull her up from the couch.

When she meets up with Kurt, Rachel is pleased to find that the familiar sense of comfort around him returns to her right away. It feels like it's been a lot less than eight years since she last saw him.

They met at a small café per his suggestion. She had never heard of it and figured that it was new. But nevertheless, she still enjoyed the warm atmosphere as well as the company of her former best friend.

After catching up for a while and asking him endless questions, Rachel found out that Kurt was now the general manager of the Calvin Klein store at the mall, which didn't surprise her one bit. But he was hoping to move up to work at the corporate office.

He was also telling her about his fiancé, Blaine. Apparently Blaine went to high school with them, but he was a year younger so Rachel never had the chance to meet him back then. But as fate would have it, he and Kurt came across each other at Kurt's store one day about four years ago. Blaine had asked him out, and they've been together ever since.

With that, Rachel began filling him in with how everything fell apart with Finn and how she ended up back in Lima. Once again, she was thankful that Kurt didn't seem to hold any grudges against her.

"I can't say I'm surprised. I warned you about him," Kurt remarks as she's talking about Finn.

She blows out a puff of air, "Everyone warned me. And if I had been smart enough to actually listen, I wouldn't have wasted eight years of my damn life."

"I wouldn't call it a waste. Everything happens for a reason. So who knows? Maybe you weren't meant to come back to Lima until now," he smiles.

Rachel thinks about his words and smiles to herself, thinking of Quinn and how everything worked out for them.

Sensing where her mind went, Kurt asks, "So, tell me about Quinn. How did you guys meet?"

Recalling the story she made up earlier, she says, "I met her while I was at work one night."

"Ooh, so like me and Blaine," he beams. "Go on."

"We just talked for a while and...connected. It didn't take much to fall for her," she shrugs.

"Come on, Rachel. There's gotta be more than that," he pries. "Who asked who out on the first date?"

"She asked me out on the first date." Which was actually true. Rachel was trying to be as broad as she could about her and Quinn. And now she's getting anxious that she's overdoing it. "And we've been going out since June," she adds.

"So about four months now. And you're already in love. Interesting..."

Rachel frowns, "What?"

"Nothing. It's just that you jump into things quickly. Like with Finn."

"That was different," she says defensively. "I rushed things with Finn because he was my ticket out of Lima."

"I know. I get it," he says quickly. "The idea of getting out of this God forsaken town would appeal to most."

"But it's not like that with Quinn," she says with conviction. "I'm trying not to rush things with her. But at the same time, I've never felt so sure about anyone before."

Kurt doesn't say anything. So she continues, "I really do love her."

"I believe you. But I feel like I don't know much about this mysterious Quinn. How old is she?"

She rolls her eyes, "Younger."

"What does she do?"

"She works at the Lima Bean." Rachel licks her lips, "And she's a student."

"College student, I hope?" Kurt asks with a smirk.

She chuckles, "Yes a college student. She's not that young."

"Does she go to the University here in Lima?"

"Yeah, not like there's many other choices around here."

"Does she still live at home?"

Rachel hesitates, "Yes, she does. But she practically lives at my place at this point."

"Have you guys...you know."

Her eyes widen, "Kurt!"

"Sorry," he laughs. "Too far. I know. I forgot how prude you were."

She scoffs, "Oh, no you didn't. For your information, yes we do. And yes, it's amazing with her." Rachel thinks about how she sucked Quinn off the night before and blushes.

Getting her mind out of the gutter, she keeps going, "And Quinn always treats me right. She makes me feel like the luckiest girl."

He nods. "Well, I suppose she gets my seal of approval. For now."

"Oh, hush."

"And I still wanna get to know her more and also spend more time catching up with you. So why don't we just kill two birds with one stone. Are you both free Saturday night?"

She side eyes him and carefully says, "I think so...why do you ask?"

"Blaine and I are going to open mic night at this local gay bar. You and Quinn should come. Like a double date," he smiles.

Rachel blinks at him, "Lima has a gay bar now?"

He bursts out in laughter and says, "A lot's changed since you left. Yes, there's a gay bar here now. And it's actually not half bad. Open mic nights are mostly the gay drunks attempting to sing on stage. It's always entertaining. So, what do you say? Saturday night?"

"I don't know, Kurt. I don't think Quinn would even be able to get in."

"So she's not twenty-one yet..." he smirks.

She playfully glares at him, "Fine, that's your next clue. She's younger than twenty-one."

He nods, "Well, it's an eighteen and up bar anyway. She just can't drink while we're there."

Rachel sighs, "I'll talk to her about it and see if she wants to go."

Kurt bounces in his seat in excitement, "Awesome! Hey, maybe you can sing something while we're there. I know Blaine's probably gonna sing."

She shakes her head quickly, "I haven't performed in such a long time. And Quinn hasn't even heard me sing yet."

He gapes at her, "I'm sorry, did I hear that correctly? Quinn hasn't heard you sing yet?"

She frowns, "No, not really."

"All the more reason for you to sing! Come on, Rachel!"

"I don't know..."

"Hey, the Rachel Berry I knew would never have turned down the chance to sing in front of a crowd!"

She smiles at him, "I'll think about it, okay?"

He shakes his head and mumbles, "I can't believe Quinn's never heard you sing."

"Well I don't know! I never bothered trying to find work performing in New York since Finn always told me that it was just a waste of time. And it just kind of discouraged me for a while."

"Okay, first of all, Finn's an idiot. Second of all, you're going to blow Quinn away. Trust me. I'm sure you've still got it."

Rachel bites her lip as she thinks about it to herself for a moment. If she's going to sing for Quinn, she has to be perfect.

"I guess I have some practicing to do."

"Yay!"

Rachel was pleasantly surprised when Quinn gladly agreed to go with them. She even switched shifts at work so she'd be able to come. They had never been to a place like this together before, so Rachel was a little anxious to see how it would go.

"Santana told me about this place once," Quinn says as they step in the bar and take everything in.

It was like most of the small bars that Rachel had been to in New York. There were round tables all over the floor and booths along the sides of the walls, as well as a small stage near the back. The place was reeking of sweat and cigarettes, and she grimaces at the sound of the woman currently screeching into the microphone on the stage to what she guesses is a drunken rendition of What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes.

"Hey, isn't that Kurt over there?" Quinn shouts over the music.

Rachel looks to where she's pointing to see that it was indeed Kurt snuggling up next to another man in one of the booths. She assumes that this guy is Blaine.

"Yeah." She turns to Quinn with a smile and takes her hand, "Come on."

Kurt immediately jumps up when he sees them approaching. He pulls Rachel into a hug and squeals, "I'm glad you both came!"

"I told you we would!" Rachel says.

He ignores her and turns to pull an unprepared Quinn into a surprise hug as well. "Thanks for coming out with us, Quinn."

She steps back and smiles at him, "It's no problem."

Blaine stands up next to Kurt and grins at them, "Hello, you must be Rachel. I'm Blaine."

Rachel shakes his hand politely and says, "It's nice to meet you. Kurt has told me so much about you."

"Likewise," he winks.

Blaine was easily likeable. He seemed like a sweet gentleman. But Quinn was having a hard time not focusing on all of the gel in his hair. Seriously, did he use a whole bottle?

Rachel nudges her, "And this is my girlfriend, Quinn."

"Hello," she smiles as she shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"We were just about to head to the bar," Kurt announces. "Would you ladies like anything to drink?"

"Vodka and cranberry for me," Rachel says quickly.

"What about you, Quinn?" Blaine asks.

She holds up her hand where a giant X was marked with sharpie, "I'll just have a water."

"Oh, okay," Blaine says, clearly surprised.

Kurt sends a smirk Rachel's way. "We'll be back!"

"What was that about?" Quinn asks as she and Rachel settle in the booth together.

"Oh nothing. Kurt just likes to tease me."

Quinn nods with a chuckle. "They seem like really good guys."

"Mhmm," Rachel agrees absently as she watches Quinn's phone going off on the table with a text from Marley asking what she was up to.

Quinn glances at the screen and puts the device in her purse. "Sorry. I won't use my phone at all while we're out. I promise," she smiles as she leans closer to Rachel.

"Thank you." Rachel takes Quinn's hand to hold in both of her own. She lazily draws her nails up and down the girl's fingers. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

And she was. Quinn looked like a model pulled right out of a fashion magazine, Rachel thinks. And her blonde hair was perfectly curled and Rachel couldn't wait to run her fingers through it later.

"Only about three times since we left the house," Quinn laughs. "But thank you. And I know I've already told you how gorgeous you are."

"I wouldn't mind hearing it again."

Quinn leans over to capture her lips for a brief moment. "You're beautiful. And I love you," she says softly.

"I love you too," Rachel says as she stares adoringly into hazel eyes. She can't help herself and leans in to steal another kiss.

"Whoa there. Are we gonna have to separate you two?" Kurt laughs as he and Blaine return to the table with drinks.

Rachel pulls away and grins sheepishly at them. She then eagerly takes her drink while Quinn smiles gratefully as Blaine hands her a glass of water.

"So, when did you two meet?" Blaine asks as he and Kurt settle across from them.

"Over the summer," Rachel answers quickly. "Right after I moved back from New York."

"Oh. Kurt mentioned that you were in school, Quinn. What are you studying?"

Before she can even open her mouth to speak, Quinn is interrupted by her girlfriend. "Quinn's undecided for now. But she's an excellent writer," Rachel gushes.

"Oh. Okay. Are you working as well?"

"She works part time at the Lima Bean."

Quinn locks eyes with an amused Kurt and just shrugs.

Deciding to help her out a bit, Kurt leans over to Rachel and whispers, "I think Quinn can answer for herself."

"Oh." Rachel turns to her and rubs her hand apologetically. "Sorry."

"It's okay, baby," Quinn chuckles. "So anyway, what do you do, Blaine?"

"I'm a show choir director. I was a coach for the glee club at Dalton for about five years. And actually..." he turns to Kurt who starts bouncing excitedly in his seat.

"You're gonna love this, Rachel," he says to the confused woman.

"What?" she asks.

"I was actually offered a position by one Principal Figgins," Blaine smiles. "He wants to bring back a glee club at McKinley. So I'm starting next week."

"What!" Rachel shouts, startling Quinn a little bit. "They're bringing back the glee club?"

Kurt nods enthusiastically, "Yes! Isn't that great?"

"That's amazing!" Rachel beams. "So how's this going to work? Isn't Sectionals usually in December? Are you going to have a club ready by then? With enough members?"

"Well from what Figgins has told me, there's several students that have been asking to start a glee club," Blaine explains. "So I think there was enough interest to generate the budget to reboot the club. I'm assuming we'll get plenty of members with no problem."

"This is so exciting! Maybe they can go all the way to Nationals, like we did!" she says to Kurt.

"That's what we're hoping! I told Blaine he'd be crazy not to take the job."

Quinn watches as Rachel goes back and forth with Blaine and Kurt. She's never seen the woman this excited over something before. She loves it...

Their conversation is temporarily halted when a very gay man starts bawling the words to Don't Speak on the stage. At least that's what Quinn thinks he's trying to sing. The guy playing an acoustic guitar looks miserable with every single person that's come up so far to sing.

"Jesus..." Kurt mumbles.

"I think it's a 90's themed night or something," Blaine remarks.

Quinn nudges Rachel with a smirk, "I told you that the 90's are gonna follow you everywhere for the rest of your life."

The woman rolls her eyes, "Whatever, Quinn."

The two couples watch on as the drunk man finishes the rest of the song, and then awkwardly clap along with everyone else at the bar.

"Well okay," the guitar plays says into the microphone. "So, which one of you would like to come up next?"

"Right here!" Kurt shouts while pointing at Rachel. All heads turn to her. "She wants to go up next!"

"Kurt!" she hisses. "I'm not ready to go up there yet. I need at least a couple more drinks."

"Are you coming up?" the impatient guitar player asks.

"Rachel, it's your time to shine."

"But Kurt!"

"I'm sure you'll be great," Quinn suddenly whispers into her ear. "Come on, baby. I want to see you up there."

Rachel looks at her girlfriend and nods with a sigh. She then stands and there's a round of applause as she makes her way to the stage.

"Woo Rachel!" Kurt cheers the loudest, making her that much more nervous.

Quinn watches as she walks on the stage over to the guy with the guitar. She whispers something in his ear, causing him to nod with a smile.

Rachel then goes to the microphone and adjusts it down to her height.

"So...I'd like to dedicate this to my girlfriend, Quinn," she says softly. A chorus of 'aww' is echoed throughout the bar.

The man starts slowly strumming the guitar and soon, Rachel's melodic voice fills the room.

"I had no choice but to hear you,

You stated your case time and again,

I thought about it."

Quinn's breath gets caught in her throat as she listens to this heavenly voice.

"You treat me like I'm a princess,

I'm not used to liking that,

You ask how my day was."

Several onlookers cheer her on, making Rachel gain a bit more confidence.

"You've already won me over in spite of me,

And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet,

And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are,

I couldn't help it,

It's all your fault."