That slap. That first physical contact. At that moment they looked into each other's eyes and really saw each other, maybe for the first time. Quinn had quickly apologized. The anger and the jealousy were replaced by regret and something else she couldn't quite place. They later seemed comfortable together, talking to each other in front of the mirror, agreeing to go back outside to support Kurt. She was glad there was something else to focus on besides the memory of her hand on Rachel's face.

Days had gone by and Quinn noticed how her heart beat would race whenever Rachel was around. Thankfully no one else could tell. Quinn had always found it easy to mask her feelings. Feelings. That couldn't be it, she thought. It was just that she still felt bad at having let her guard down, for hurting another human being, for letting her emotions control her actions. And Quinn had to secretly admit this to herself... a little part of her also felt guilty for liking it.

During glee, Quinn had to constantly remind herself to pay attention. Her mind was wandering a lot lately, and when that happened more often than not she found herself looking in Rachel's direction. And getting caught staring at Rachel Berry was not going to help her rep. It's nothing, she had to keep reminding herself.

To Rachel, having been slapped by Quinn Fabray was like the best thing ever. Yes, it hurt. Yes, she wished Quinn didn't hate her so much. But this only added to her life experience and being the object of someone's intense jealousy was just too delicious to wish away completely. And back at school she noticed that Quinn began to behave differently around her. Just small things. Quinn would get a bit more quiet, maybe even a little wary. Rachel couldn't quite think of the word, which was unusual for her, but out of the corner of her eye she would sometimes catch Quinn looking at her. Rachel naturally played it off and pretended not to notice. Why make the girl uncomfortable, right? Rachel would think to herself. But inwardly, she would always feel warm when it happened. It pleased her to have the prettiest girl in school looking her way.

During the last week of school, Quinn was finding it even harder to concentrate. All she could think about was getting away from all these people. While upset at the time, she was now grateful that Finn had broken up with her. She was free. She felt different and she wanted to be different. The pressures she had put on herself were at last too much to bear. Quinn wanted to do something crazy, something totally unexpected. That haircut during Nationals was just the beginning. The last bell had rung and students were emptying the halls. She was at her locker, quietly taking some books out and putting them into her bag. She didn't even notice that Rachel had come up and was silently watching her. It wasn't until Rachel softly cleared her throat that Quinn looked up. Quinn blushed before she could put her face in neutral. Shit, she thought. She looked down embarrassed and was able to calm herself and look up quickly.

"I was cleaning out my locker today, too, and wanted to know if you needed any help disposing of any trash or carrying books to your car. Senior year is right around the corner and I believe in starting fresh..." Rachel rambled on.

Quinn tuned her out because all she could focus on right now were soft, moist lips. The realization that she wanted to touch Rachel's lips hit her hard.

"Quinn? Quinn, are you okay? You look a little flushed. Maybe we should go to the bathroom and you could put a wet paper towel on your face," Rachel offered. She looked genuinely concerned.

"Um, yeah, okay," Quinn said quietly. She wasn't sure why she let Rachel close her locker or why she was silently following the girl to the bathroom. Thankfully it was deserted.

They didn't speak while Rachel pulled one paper towel from the dispenser, neatly folded it into a small rectangle, wet it under the faucet, and gently placed it on Quinn's neck. Quinn's hand shot up to Rachel's and quickly took the paper towel away.

"Thanks, I can do this myself," Quinn explained apologetically because Rachel's face looked hurt. Her neck felt hot from where Rachel's fingers had lightly brushed her skin. Quinn barely registered that Rachel's breathing had shallowed.

"Well, if you're feeling better, maybe I should get going..." Rachel trailed off.

"Yeah, thank you, Rachel," Quinn replied. She was looking at herself in the mirror, dabbing the wet paper towel on her neck, her forehead, and her temples. It wasn't helping. The room felt hot. In the mirror she could see that Rachel hadn't moved. "I'll see you tomorrow," Quinn added, "last day of school and all."

"Yes, of course," Rachel said quickly. But she didn't really want to go. Watching Quinn in the mirror was mesmerizing. Without thinking, instead of stepping to the door, she inched closer to Quinn until her right arm was touching Quinn's left side. Her heart raced when she heard Quinn gasp at the contact and it was in overdrive when she noted Quinn didn't pull away.

"Rachel, um, what are you..." Quinn couldn't finish the question. Her eyes locked on Rachel's reflection and noticed that Rachel was just as flushed as she was. Relief filled her heated body. She was glad that Rachel had taken the initiative because she was just too damned scared to take that leap.

"Quinn," Rachel whispered. "This doesn't ever have to leave this room. We don't ever have to talk about it. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't even happening. Okay?"

Part of Quinn wanted to laugh. To cut the girl down. Make fun of her for even thinking what she was thinking. But the other part, the one that answered Rachel, only said, "Okay."

They still hadn't stopped looking at each other through the mirror. Each girl was too afraid to turn and look at the real girl next to her. It was Rachel that bravely took Quinn's left hand and then her right hand, the one that had slapped her and put it to her face. It was like reliving that slap in slow motion only now Quinn was softly caressing her. Neither girl could speak. Rachel seemed to sense that if she did, the spell would be broken and Quinn would stop and leave.

Rachel could hardly believe this was happening. It was like a dream. She had felt this way when Finn had looked at her or when he touched her but how in the world could Quinn Fabray be making her feel this way, too? She hardly knew Quinn, not really; it had to be just a physical thing, lust, something like that. When she looked in Quinn's eyes she could see that the taller girl was torn.

Quinn felt like her hand was on fire. Sweet, silky fire. And she wanted more but she didn't know how to take it. She tried to relate this to Rachel with her eyes and again, thankfully, Rachel understood because she pressed her body up against Quinn's until their noses were almost touching. They quietly inhaled each other's breath. Quinn wished that Rachel would make the final move but also knew that Rachel was waiting for her consent. One word and she could end this. She could step away and could honestly (almost) say that nothing happened. Quinn looked down at Rachel's lips and as if pulled by gravity leaned in and brushed them with her own.

Rachel moaned slightly but remained still and let Quinn kiss the corner of her mouth, and then her bottom lip. Chaste, closed-mouth kisses, but as erotic as anything either girl had ever felt. Rachel could feel the arousal build within her and hoped Quinn felt the same.

Quinn pulled back for one more look at Rachel's face. A light sheen of sweat shown on her forehead, her eyes closed, her lips parted. Quinn memorized everything she could. Because she knew this was never going to happen again. She would never let this happen again. Her arousal was slightly dampened by sadness at this ending of something that hadn't even really begun. She pushed it away and crashed her lips against Rachel's, tongue demanding entry, hungrily tasting her.

Rachel felt hands all over her body. Quinn roughly pushed her up against the sink and Rachel wrapped her hands around the back of Quinn's neck, letting Quinn control this kiss. She felt her breasts press tightly against Quinn's and moaned loudly into Quinn's mouth. Rachel could barely breathe and her hands moved to Quinn's back, hanging on for dear life, but she wasn't going to be the one to break away. She wanted this to last and last.

They melted into each other and finally Quinn allowed herself to moan in pleasure, to let go of everything outside, and be there completely with Rachel. It was no longer: get it done, get it out of her system and never look back. In an instant, instead of kissing in desperation, Quinn slowed down and let Rachel take control. They didn't pull apart, not wanting to waste precious time. Rachel slowly massaged Quinn's tongue with her own, licking her teeth, nibbling her lips. They both wanted to burn this kiss into their memories.

Without warning, Quinn abruptly pulled away and stepped to the sink to the right of the one Rachel was leaning against. Quinn heard Rachel panting heavily but didn't look her way. Oh god, oh god, what just happened? what did I do? Quinn repeatedly thought to herself. She looked at herself in the mirror and when her own breathing had normalized, silently began fixing her hair, straightening her top, fixing and reapplying her lipstick.

Rachel watched it all in shock. She slowly turned to face the mirror and she looked at herself. She wanted to cry. Or laugh. She just made out with Quinn Fabray; no one would believe it. Not that she was going to tell. She quickly began putting herself back together.

While she was making herself presentable, Quinn replayed the kiss over and over in her mind. She needed to get out of there before she grabbed the girl again and clothes started removing themselves but she didn't know if she should wait until Rachel finished or just leave. She decided to wait.

When both girls were finally ready to get back to life, Rachel turned to look at Quinn. Quinn braced herself; she had no idea what Rachel was going to say.

"I guess I'll see you later," Rachel said slowly.

"I'll see you later," Quinn repeated stiffly and she quickly turned and walked out of the bathroom.

Rachel waited a couple of minutes before doing the same. She had wanted to say more to Quinn but didn't know how. Later she would kick herself for not telling Quinn how amazing the kiss was, how wonderful it felt, that she'll never forget it ever. But she also wanted to show Quinn she knew how to keep a promise.

Quinn managed to make it to her car without breaking down. She turned the ignition and waited for the tears but nothing happened. God, she could still feel Rachel against her body...

"It never happened," Quinn whispered to herself. She closed her eyes, counted to ten, and when she opened them she put the car in gear. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rachel exit the school but she didn't stop to offer her a ride. More than anything she wanted to get away, get away from glee, get away from herself.