Let Me Sing to You Tonight: Vegetable Car
Title: Let Me Sing to You Tonight
Pairing: Rachel Berry&&Quinn Fabray
Rating: K
Part: 1/10
Disclaimer: This is a work of my own mind, and reflects nothing of the included characters I've borrowed from the lucky ass who owns them. In other words, this is for fun, don't sue me!
Author's Note: Things to know about this story:
(1) This is AU. The two girls live in New York. Quinn is struggling with money, her past, and her heart. Rachel is fighting for her big break. We'll be following Quinn for most of the part with small omniscient details thrown in to help the story along.
(2) Each part is derived from a song. The title of the chapter is the title of the song. I highly recommend listening to the songs. I feel like they help to add an extra element to the story. In all honesty, there's usually going to be more than one song mentioned in each chapter. If you've got some extra time, plug it in YouTube. You might find a new addiction.
(3) This story is very tentative. I want to see if it's something people would enjoy so please, if only for this chapter, leave your thoughts. It really will impact what might or might not happen in the future and frankly, if the story will even be continued. So comments will be greatly appreciated but more than anything, I hope you enjoy!
Part 1/10 - Vegetable Car
Quinn strummed the strings of the guitar she held in her hand, humming a soft tune as she played and replayed a line before plucking a chewed up pencil from behind her ears and scribbling something on a crumpled piece of paper. Previously etched out words were purposefully scratched out and replaced with new ones, a self-satisfied smile tugging at her lips as she reviewed what was in front of her.
A delicate hand reached up to place the pencil in its previous spot before pushing a tendril of blonde hair out of her face.
She began strumming the opening notes, her head lowered but bobbing gently to the beat. Her lips moved, whispered words dancing in the room.
A small beep caught her attention, her fingers stilling as she evaluated the time. She bit the inside of her cheek, eyes squinting at the clock for a moment longer before she sighed and set the instrument aside.
Quinn fell backwards, arms stretched over her head, her back arching to rid the joints of their stiffness. Sighing appreciatively, the lithe blond stood in the middle of the room, her bare foot tapping on the wood floor.
It would be ridiculous of her to be early.
Another moment passed before the blonde was reaching for her shoes and her apron.
She decided she didn’t want to be late either.
-----
Quinn pulled into the parking lot, the loose rocks crunching under her tires. Hazel eyes scanned the parking lot before darting back to the time, her shoulders relaxing.
She was on time.
The blonde exited her car, gritting her teeth at the creaking of the door of her old truck. She needed to get that fixed. To get that fixed she needed money. And that may very well be the root of all her problems, she mused, a small smile on her lips.
The small bell jingled as she pushed the door open, drawing the brief attention of the customers scattered throughout the café.
A large hand settled on her shoulder and a booming voice sounded off from behind her. “Quinn! We were just expecting you. Go ahead and grab the pastries out of the oven, would you? And where’s your nametag?”
“Will do. I lost it, remember, Jimmy?” The blonde agreed, smiling up at the large African American man. “Mornin’, by the way.”
“Good afternoon to you, too. You’re going to want to hurry with those pastries. You’ve only got about 12 minutes before she gets here. ” The older man teased, laughing as the blonde’s face took on a horror stricken expression before she hurried to the back.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch…” Quinn gritted out, her hands fumbling with the edge of the tray. She readjusted her grip when the heated weight was gone. For a split second, the girl worried that she had dropped the tray but realized that Kirsten had just taken it out of her hands.
“You know they invented oven mitts, right Q?” The brunette jokes, her nose crinkling as she smiled widely at the other girl.
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Quinn answered sardonically, as she moved the pastries into the display case, eyes flickering towards the clock. She had a good four and a half minutes.
Finishing hastily, the girl took a hold of the case and walked it out, setting it on the counter before wiping her hands on blue apron tied snugly around her.
Kirsten followed her out as she untied her own apron. Pulling it over her head, the girl leaned over the counter, the smell of vanilla invading Quinn’s senses. “You got a set tonight?”
Nodding, Quinn tucked the seemingly always rogue tendril of hair behind her ear. Jimmy, the owner of the café, would often hire the two baristas to perform on the weekends as a way of earning some extra cash. “I’ve got next week too.”
Kirsten’s face scrunched up, her lips pushed to one side. “On V-day? That blows.”
“I don’t mind. I didn’t have any plans anyway.”
“But it’s the best time to get laid! Go find a guy, or a girl in your case, at the bar who’s feeling a little lonely and bang him!”
“Kirsten! Use your inside voice, stupid! It was given to you for a reason. I’m just not doing anything this year, no big deal.”
“Suit yourself, buddy. I might swing by tonight. If I don’t, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kirsten turned to leave, looking over her shoulder briefly, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Oh and Quinn? Look alive. Your girl just pulled in.”
Quinn’s gaze shot up and her chest tightened at the sight of the green Mercedes pulling into its usual spot. She smoothed her apron with the palms of her hands, painfully aware of the thin layer of sweat over them.
A woman exited out of the driver’s side, her fingers flying furiously over her Blackberry. Gaze glued to the little device, the brunette marched right into the café, avoiding Jimmy and his armful of dishes, coming to a stop right in front of Quinn. Her fingers continued for a second more before a button was successfully jabbed and the phone put away. The concentration of the girl disappeared, a large warm smile on her face.
“Good morning.”
Quinn smiled feebly back at the girl. “Hi, welcome to Jimmy’s. What can I get started for you?”
The brunette opened her mouth but was interrupted when the blonde held up a hand. “Lemme guess. Medium soy latte, extra foam, extra hot, with a shot of mocha and two of hazelnut.” Quinn finished unsurely, even though everyone who worked there knew that she had had the order memorized by the third time this particular customer had ordered it.
Nodding, obviously impressed, the brunette grinned. “Don’t tell me I’m that predictable.”
“Well…” Quinn trailed off teasingly, letting out a small giggle when the brunette across from her scoffed indignantly and swatted playfully at her arm. “You- the truth is, that you come here every day during my shift and order the same thing. I just kind of got the hang of it after a while.” Embarrassed, Quinn turned her back to the counter to hide the pink blush tingeing her cheeks, moving around expertly as she prepared the drink. With a free few seconds, Quinn turned back around, leaning on the counter and brushing her hair behind her ear, absentmindedly. “That’s quite the car you’ve got there.”
The brunette seemed to be shaken out of a small reverie but soon pride adorned her features. “It’s completely eco-friendly! It runs solely on biodiesel and the mileage is surprisingly fantastic!”
The blonde nodded in appreciation, grateful that she had been right about that specific fact. Granted, she had spent more than a healthy amount of time researching the vehicle but it wasn’t something necessary to be divulged. As she added the appropriate amounts of syrup into the cup, Quinn greedily took in the girl in front of her. Today was a chilly day in February but still the brunette in front of her donned a sinfully short skirt, and a navy blue sweater. Her hair cascaded down in loose dark brown waves. Quinn took in the deep pools of chocolate brown behind the black rimmed glasses.
“Who’s this Quinn girl?”
Quinn jerked at the sound of her name, surprised at hearing it leave the mouth of this gorgeous woman and proceeded to spill hot water on her hand. She bit her tongue; eyes clenched shut in an attempt not to curse loudly. The initial pain subsided and Quinn shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m going to have to start over. You’re not in any hurry, are you?”
At the shake of the customer’s head, Quinn smiled apologetically and started the process over before grabbing an ice cube and running it over the afflicted area.
“You’re alright, aren’t you?”
The blonde nodded, holding up her hand for the shorter girl to see. “It’s just a bit red. I’m fine.”
“Good. I don’t need my favorite barista getting injured on the job.”
Quinn, unable to formulate a response, just shakily nodded before attending to the coffee.
“Wait a minute.” The brunette stopped her, running a hand searchingly through her own auburn curls. Smiling in satisfaction, she held up a bobby pin, leaning over the counter towards Quinn. She pushed the loose blonde curl behind the barista’s ear and pinned it back. “There you go! Now you won’t be bothered anymore.”
Quinn’s hand touched the pin gently, completely transfixed by the brunette’s face just inches away from hers and her fingers trailing along her cheekbones. The soft rumble of the coffee machine behind her caused her to stumble upon her words as she backed up, “I-I need to finish your coffee.”
Unaffected, the short girl straightened herself and tapped her fingers on the counter, repeating her question from before. “So this Quinn? She any good?”
This time, the barista was able to keep from injuring herself any farther and finished pouring the water into the paper cup. “Ah- who…?”
The shorter girl jerked her head towards a spot just above Quinn's shoulder, pointing out a flyer with her name on it.
"Quiiiin Fabraaaay." She tried out before crinkling her nose at the blonde. "Sort of odd, don't you think? Not familiar in the slightest, either."
Sighing, the brunette grinned, “Regardless of her name, it's her music, I'm asking about. Does she not measure up to your expectations but because of contractual obligations you aren't allowed to tell me?”
Quinn shrugged her shoulders, trying to decide if her missing name tag was a destined act of fate and meant solely for this moment. “I...W-why don’t you come and find out for yourself?”
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow quirked up but to Quinn’s surprise, the brunette nodded slowly. “Okay. But on one condition. You have to come too, so I’m not subjected to this torture alone.”
Quinn’s smile grew into a wide one as she good-naturedly agreed. “I think I can manage that. Here’s your coffee…?”
“Rachel. Rachel Berry. And your nam-“ The brunette’s phone chose that very moment to ring and she offered an apologetic smile as she answered it. Mumbling incoherently to whoever was on the other line, Rachel pulled out a five and slid it over to the blonde. “Keep the tip,” she mouthed, “I’ll see you tonight.”
With that, the brunette turned on her heel and left the café, giving Quinn a small wave before getting in her car, her hands flying animatedly to accentuate whatever point she was making on the phone.
Quinn sighed, happy with the exchange before realizing with a jolt that she now had her biggest crush coming to her set. Groaning internally, she muttered to herself, “I’m 24. I shouldn’t be having crushes.”
“You’d also think you’d have a little more game, but maybe you’re just a late bloomer,” Jimmy inputted as he walked out of the backroom.
“Thanks Jimbo…you’re a real riot.”
----
Quinn had quickly realized that she had nothing to wear when it came to Rachel Berry. She had come home immediately after work and showered. She was currently standing in the middle of her small room staring at the clothes strewn every which way. It had taken her nearly two hours for her to have her choice narrowed down to a slimming pair of jeans and a black v-neck shirt. It was full-sleeved so she decided she’d forgo the jacket and don her calf high boots for tonight’s occasion.
Her knee bounced the entire way to the café and she counted to 10, four and a half times before she grabbed her guitar and entered the café. The café was full of people milling around, these weekly sessions quite the hit with the public. A few people smiled her way, waving and making small talk. Some recognized her as the act, others didn’t but Quinn’s eyes were flitting around in the search of only one person.
“Hey, Q.”
Quinn jumped, turning to the brunette standing behind her. “You showed up.”
Kirsten nodded, jerking her head towards Jimmy at the bar. “He sent me a message telling me about your girl being here tonight. Did you know he knows how to text now?!”
“I can hear you from here, Kirsten. Keep your voice down.” Jimmy boomed, his own voice carrying over the small crowd’s.
Quinn rolled her eyes at the exchange, eyes darting from the clock to the door. Kirsten, having noticed the lack of focus snapped in front of the blonde’s face. “Text her, stupid.”
Embarrassed, Quinn looked away. “I didn’t get a chance to get her number.”
Without even meeting the gaze of the other girl, Quinn shrunk a little bit at the disappointed sigh of her friend. “In that case, get your cute behind up there and start singing because you’re on. If she shows, she shows. If she doesn’t, then you can fuck some groupie.”
“Kirsten! Watch your mouth!!” Jimmy boomed from the bar.
The blonde rolled her eyes again and let her gaze drift over the crowd one last time before she reluctantly made her way up on the small stage. As she was unpacking her guitar and handing the fresh sheet music to the band, she failed to notice the entrance of a small brunette. Quinn hooked up the microphone and smiled sheepishly at the crowd.
“Hi, there. Some of you might know me. I’m sort of a regular at this place.” A small ripple of laughter greeted the blonde, helping to ease her nerves. “This is actually a new song. I just finished it this morning. I hope you guys enjoy it.”
Her fingers played the instrument smoothly, a heeled boot tapping the stool she was sitting on. Everyone had quieted down by now, and Quinn was in her element.
“Baby, you don't even know me, but one day I'll get up the courage as you pass by, you'll see. Oh baby, one look just might save me. I need you to slow by the corner, stop right in front of me.
The beat of the song was uplifting, her voice breathy and hopeful as she serenaded the crowd.
“Till then I see you hopefully through, I do wish that you'd ask me to ride along. It wouldn't be wrong to tell me more than I know about you.”
If the brunette wasn’t here, she was going to have fun with the song and finally relax for the first time tonight. Quinn opened her eyes, body swaying side to side, a large smile on her face as she continued.
“She drives a vegetable car. Diesel. Mercedes. Green. 2-door. I barely know who you are. Lisa Loeb glasses, I'd sure like to ask you to stay.”
The crowd had begun to sway to the music as well, the band and Quinn dancing as much as the stage permitted them to. Jimmy moved through the crowd, moving the stool off the stage to keep the singer from falling off the stage. Nodding a thanks, Quinn leaned in and sang the next verse.
“Baby, I need you to save me. The one thing that my heart requires is that you admire me. Till then I see you hopefully through, I do wish that you'd ask me to ride along. It wouldn't be wrong to tell me more than I know about you.”
The blonde grinned at the crowd, dancing in a circle and encouraging the customers to sing along with her.
“She drives a vegetable car. Diesel. Mercedes. Green. 2-door. I barely know who you are. Lisa Loeb glasses, I'd sure like to ask you to stay.”
Quinn moved her fingers, playing a different tune as she hopped in place, feeding off the energy of the crowd. “How do I know why the sight of you makes me weak? Each time I see you turn on to my street, your hair is always up in a bun. This girl's the one. She drives a vegetable car. Diesel. Mercedes. Green. 2-door. I barely know who you are. Lisa Loeb glasses, I'd sure like to ask you to stay.”
“Don't go.” Quinn breathed out the final line, smiling at the crowd, not registering the sound of the bell as someone hesitated briefly before leaving the café.