Thank you for reviewing since the previous chapter: Gleek Faberry-Achele Fan, Anothersloth, LoveSKINS94, agarza1538 and gllover22. Your comments were really appreciated, thanks guys!

Posted: 2/3/14

Chapter XIV – Home

After The Grand Duchy of Moscow they decided to head back, not sure where they were going just yet. They just planned to head south again, back towards warmer climates before winter returned to the lands.

After a lot of travelling on foot and hitching rides on carts Quinn made them venture north in Poland. Rachel wouldn't allow her to steal a couple of horses and she couldn't afford a pair either so a boat was their last option once they were away from seas likely to freeze in the winter. It was now early November after all, and they were both tired, very tired.

They reached a major port one early evening as the cold air was settling in. As they walked along the docks Quinn eyed up the ships, seeing which one was best to find it's captain after analysing the flags they sailed under. Rachel was just taking in another new sight. She may have sailed in the sea, even swum in it, but it was another view she was seeing right now. She saw the waves in the distance, beyond the docks, lulling and catching every ounce of light they could find. And she had never seen so many ships before, some moored out, beyond the docks.

When Quinn's grip tightened on her hand and she found herself being dragged she realised she was suddenly in a situation to worry. "Quinn?" she had to know what danger she was in as they walked briskly along the port side sea front.

"We're being followed" she murmured lowly. Her senses had picked it up, like a sixth sense, she just felt eyes on them and then saw movement behind them between the workers and sailors enjoying a drink and some company along the docks and in the taverns. No matter how far they went though, Quinn still felt that presence, she felt it in the shadows.

She had to get Rachel somewhere safe but they were very foreign to this area so she couldn't be entirely sure where was safe. She just pulled Rachel around a corner of a small wooden building, pushing her back to the wall as she spun Rachel around her and placed her further from the corner they had just darted around.

They then waited, Rachel with bated breath for what her love would do, Quinn for the stalker to reveal themselves...

It didn't take long before Quinn was releasing Rachel's hand and disappearing half round the corner to drag the suspect round. Rachel could see in the flicker of a nearby oil street lamp as Quinn pulled back a man taller than herself with a ridiculous styling to his hair-

"You?" Quinn asked the man she still had pinned to the wooden slatted building by the scruff of his crew clothes.

"I thought it was you guys!" He said as if he wasn't being threatened, probably because it didn't feel like he was being threatened. This woman had saved his life many months before and he was not likely to forget that. He doubted she'd kill him now.

"Be nice to Puckerman, Q." Another voice joined the group making the two women look to the corner where she'd just grabbed Puck, to find Captain Lopez, First mate Pierce and a few other members of the crew. "He owes you his life after I'm done with it, would be a shame to waste him." She smirked in the flickering light.

"As I live and breathe," Quinn stepped back, freeing the mohawked man, "I never believed it when you suggested our paths might cross again." There was something about this Captain, Quinn felt it was as if they were strangest and most questionable of friends in another life time.

"I'm full of surprises," she playfully shrugged with her signature smirk, "so, see you haven't dropped off the Cargo yet." She looked poignantly to the Lady who had just watched the exchange in silence.

Quinn stepped back, only taking her eyes of the captain and her few crew to look to her love and smile with confidence. Rachel smiled back with a light nod, meaning she was okay with another confession. With the permission she plucked Rachel's hand from where it hung freely and clasped it in her own. "Change of plans." It was a simple statement but it spoke loudly and clearly to Santana and her own love.

"Interesting." She continued to smirk but with some approval of the union. It was refreshing to meet more like herself. "What about the Count?"

"He met an untimely end." Quinn kept up with the implications.

Santana just laughed lightly, she should have guessed the outcome. "No surprise from you Q."

"Actually, it was not me." The Assassin laughed lightly right back. In the weeks they had travelled Rachel had started to enter a new light where what she had done was not so terrible. They lived in terrible times after all, one where people were murdered and kidnapped every day.

"Lady Berry?" she raised an eyebrow. Even Brittan and Puck were astounded. The captain then nodded with approval. "Impressive." She turned to her crew, the 10 or so who were just general men aboard her ship, and addressed them. "Men, take yourself from here, you are free tonight, return to the ship by morning or we sail without you." She warned but it was jovial as she let them drink and find whatever else may please them for the night. They left the three senior crew and two travelling women to whatever they might have planned. "Me, Britts and Puckerman were about to head back to the Rosario Cruz, care to join us?"

"She survived?" Quinn raised an eyebrow. She had thought the worst when she had thought of them at all. Maybe that Brigantine, that sailed Jesse, Finn, and Sam, left them be, or never even found them.

"She's as strong as her captain, you bet she survived." Santana told them confidently.

Quinn ignored the captains comment and asked "Where is she moored?" She hadn't yet noticed the ship in the docks.

"She's docked, just at the end there," Puck pointed as he explained "we're flying the Polish colours for the night, and are sailing at dawn"

"So you two..." Santana eyed the hand holding odd couple up, as she choose her label, "lovers need a ride?"

"A ride?" Quinn asked, quite intrigued in what Santana had in mind. Rachel however was having trouble understanding what that meant... you ride a horse, did the captain have a horse or two for them?

"Passage aboard the finest ship in all the seas." The Captain explained away the young Lady's confusion.

It was Rachel who spoke up sooner, glancing at Quinn for her opinion as she did. "We were looking for a ship to sail us."

"You two going anywhere special?" Brittany finally joined in with her usual perky, light voice.

"Actually, we're looking to find a place to fit into this world." Quinn said but her eyes were now just on Rachel, too checking if Rachel was in agreement.

The brunette smiled back, in full agreement. This wasn't a naive young heart fling, for absolute sure; this was the beginning of life together. "Together." She confirmed aloud.

"Well, Rosario and her crew might be able to help you with that, at least on a temporary basis," The Captain half suggested, "I always said you were welcome, Q." She smirked, not forgetting her jovial words of that stormy day. Though these two passengers had been brief ones to the Rosario Cruz but they had been memorable.

"You are offering for us to become pirates?" Rachel asked worried, she was all for living with Quinn's life but a Pirate was a whole different type of criminality, one that you were more likely to get caught and executed for, especially if you sailed in these close knit waters.

"Pirates? Who said anything about Pirates?" Santana laughed off the younger woman's comments, "Just think of the travel opportunities, you'd get to see the world, and just for a little crew time."

The new couple looked to one another, reading each other's thoughts. The world wasn't what they wanted to see just yet, maybe one day but they planned to set a foundation first. Hitching a ride though, that was the plan, and who better than a captain they already knew.

...

They were given the room Quinn had on the first voyage, the one that had been cut short. And after that first night of sleeping so close together they ventured up on deck, refreshed... although Rachel was wondering how long it would be before she felt sea sick again.

They were happy to be moving without use of their own feet though, and they felt somewhat safe again. Once they were on the top deck, enjoying the bracing sea air, Quinn more than Rachel, Rachel was enjoying being on Quinn's arm more.

As they wandered across the deck Rachel noticed something, or actually someones, three of them on their hands and knees scrubbing the deck like some lower class pirate cliché.

"Jesse?" Rachel said lowly as she looked down at the men. Her single word caught Quinn's attention and made her follow her Lady's sight to the three. "Finn, Sam?" Rachel quickened her pace as she closed in, it was Finn who looked up first, catching sight of the two women quickly approaching. He was just as surprised to see her and she was him. He made sure to give him one of his signature dopey smiles. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she stood over them, all three looking up at her.

Jesse sat back on his knees as he scoffed, "We can hardly return without you, My Lady, your father would simply send us away again." He then nodded towards the upper deck, to the helm where the Captain held the wheel with her First Mate, "Captain Lopez said if we prove ourselves worthy we can be crew as long as we like."

"I always wanted to travel." Finn added cheerily.

"So the three of you are... crew of the Rosario Cruz now?" Quinn asked as she caught up on what was happening. She knew they hadn't seen the last of these men. She didn't expect to see them on their hands and knees though.

"If the captain keeps us, yes" Sam echoed Jesse's initial words.

"Back to work, you dogs!" Puck growled as he wandered past. He was just making sure the crew were all pulling together while the Captain was preoccupied with the First Mate.

"Yes, Quarter master!" They three chimed as they snapped back into action, scrubbing the decks.

Puck just smiled cheekily, with satisfaction, as he looked to Quinn and Rachel. Quinn returned the smile, as if approving. Puck sure did love his new extra power at times like this.

"Q, Berry!" The Captain called across the deck, getting her female passengers attention. When they looked to her she waved them to come to her. They quickly did so but not like obedient crew members.

"Yes Captain?" Quinn sighed as she relaxed against the railing and waited for what she assumed would be orders.

"You got the wheel, babe?" Santana asked First Mate Pierce before she released her hold, one hand on the woman's hip another on the wheel itself.

"Yeah I got it Sanny." Brittany nodded with encouragement for her Captain to leave her momentarily, while she talked to the 'new temporary crew'. Santana gave her a quick kiss to the cheek before letting go and facing the other two women.

How Quinn wished she could tease, put she'd probably get thrown overboard if she did. She just smirked, mostly to herself though the Captain was still sure to see. "So what did you want to talk to us about?" she prompted though she already gathered why their attention had been called.

"Everyone has to pull their weight here, and yous two ain't paying for the trip so..."

"Where would you have us?" Rachel asked, more shyly from where she stood unsupported, and still trying to gain her sea legs.

Santana eyed up Quinn first, she was the more useful. "Well I could do with a fighter like you Q, in case we get boarded, or want to board. But other than that just general chores whilst you're here."

Quinn was more concerned for others though. "What about Rachel?"

She looked carefully between them, knowing that if this was Quinn's 'Brittany' she couldn't put her in any danger. Hey, she might have been a straight up bitch but she had a heart, and a heck of a lot of responsibility. "Cook could use an assistant." She'd be below deck, out of the way, out of harm's way.

"I don't know much about cooking." The Lady confessed meekly.

That point had already occurred to Captain Lopez. "Cook can teach you," she couldn't help but smirk when the teasing remarks flooded to her mind, "then when you and Q settle, you'll be able to cook her dinner like a dutiful little-"

"Captain!" Quinn cut her off, with a sense of submissiveness, before she could plant ideas into Rachel's head... before Quinn could put them there herself.

"Sanny, don't tease them, or be so harsh." Brittany gently scolded from behind her captain, where she still held the wheel.

Rachel just nodded dutifully. She was going to be far more independent one day, it was time to start taking responsibility. "I will go see the cook." She said almost like an agreement before heading back to the steps down to the main deck.

"I'll escort you down." Quinn said as she started to follow. She flashed a warning glare to the Captain, she could still take her down any day of the week, and she wouldn't have her woman being messed with.

...

A few days later they found themselves enjoying a little private time back in their room. Rachel was between serving and cooking meals for the crew with the cook and Quinn had found some time to sneak away. She was already pulling more than her weight, and she couldn't very well show up the three new crew members by out doing them in every aspect.

Confidence had grown between them too, though the days of shy kisses were not over there were new days too. For instance Quinn found herself pinned on her back with the Lady Rachel straddling her waist, their lips caressing one another's in a rather sensual dance of the mouths.

Quinn was trying so very hard to not get handsy, but with the brunette teasing a little more every day it was getting more difficult with every kiss and touch.

One of her hands trailed up Rachel's arm, slowly finding the shoulder to her dress. The contract assassin could not help herself as her hand slipped under the shoulder of the dress, even under Rachel's undergarments, as it swept across soft flesh, and raised the material to sweep it away, and off Rachel's shoulder.

At the realisation that she was trying to be undressed, she stopped Quinn's hand at the wrist and tore her lips away, "Quinn, stop," she verbally stopped them too the blonde who had been in a trance raised her head to find Rachel's pouty lips again.

Rachel was then pushing herself away, sitting properly again on the edge of the small bed and fixing the shoulder of her dress. It was only a shoulder and Quinn barely had time to gaze upon it for a moment before it was hidden beneath blue fabric once again.

She tried so very hard not to sigh as she sat up and flattened her hair as she joined Rachel, sitting just like her and closely next to her. "Rachel?"

"I-I can't," she kept her head bowed. When Quinn's hand had touched her, even in an innocent place like her shoulder she had suddenly become very aware of what they were doing and where it would go and the fact that it was something she wasn't ready for, "We can't."

"Can't what?" Quinn closed in gently, wanting to kiss her again, not to push her but to make her feel comfortable with that again.

Rachel shrugged her away though, "We... cannot enter marital relationships, I can't." She rambled, keeping her head down and concentrating on her hands the whole time. "Maybe you can but- I couldn't do that Quinn, I'm not ready," she was worried about how she might look to Quinn, worried that Quinn would see her as cheap and their relationship wouldn't last because of it... that and she was just plain nervous.

She reached out gently and brushed Rachel's hair back, revealing it like a curtain hiding Rachel's emotions. "What if we were married?" She whispered.

That diminished most of her shyness, getting Rachel to look at her love with big curious eyes. "Married?"

"Well if we waited, until after we were married-"

"How can we be married Quinn? Surely that's not possible." She cut the other woman off, she hadn't considered real marriage, a real union, she didn't even think it was a true possibility.

"Technically there is nothing against two women being married under English law, if I were to disguise myself as a man and we were to be married in England, and it went unnoticed then it would be binding through mistake." The blonde eagerly suggested. She would do that for Rachel, and this wasn't even for peace of mind when it came to progressing intimately, this was about wanting the union.

Rachel's eyes softened, with her heart, she tenderly stroked the side of Quinn's face. "But I don't want you to do that, I don't want to pretend to marry a man, I want to marry you, the beautiful woman that holds my heart." She complimented, but truly believed and felt every word.

"You do wish to marry me then?" Quinn checked.

"Yes. You did just propose did you not?" The younger woman kind of assumed.

"It was more of a suggestion so that I could see about proposing properly." If and when they looked back on this moment she didn't want it to feel like a suggestion, but a straight forward question without so many more questions being asked before an answer... though with Rachel that was probably unlikely.

"I see... well know that you should not fear asking the question." Rachel's shyness returned somewhat. "Though I do not wish to marry you while you are disguised as a man." She added, and she would have gone further to say she did not think it was possible for Quinn to successfully disguise herself as a man, but the Lady herself had called Quinn sir when they were first aboard this ship.

"How about an alternative?" She half suggested as a second idea came to her head.

She looked to Quinn again, hopeful. "I am listening eagerly, my love."

She bit her lip with worry, as this idea could bring events closer to them. "What if we were in uncharted waters, and had a Captain on the vessel we were aboard to marry us?"

"Quinn?" Rachel's eyes lit up once more, it sounded perfect to her. "Would you really wish to go through with it, have you thought about it that much?" she checked, not wanting this to be a pointless act just to get her to bed. Of course she trusted Quinn more than to do that.

"Yes, I would, because I love you, and because I want to be with you forever," she declared as she shuffled even closer, "would you truly wish to stay with me?"

"I would, if you asked it." Rachel nodded, then realised as Quinn had stated she hadn't actually asked yet. Maybe she wasn't that sure after all. She remembered how Quinn was a loner, and she might not be so eager to be tied down once she'd thought about it in greater depth. "I ah, I need to go help in the kitchen." She said dismissively, not even looking to Quinn, who'd been reaching for the chain around her neck, the one with the cross and the ring on.

"Oh-, Of course." She stuttered as she just watched Rachel leave their little space.

She hadn't meant to hesitate, and she cursed herself for doing so, she just wanted to ask the question clearly, not have it sound like a mutual plan. She didn't want Rachel to think it meant nothing to her either, she really wanted to commit to life, in every way they could.

She looked at the ring on her chain... it had been her mother's; Quinn had rescued it from the jewellery box when she went back after they'd ransacked the villa. It had been missed in the haste of the thieving. Quinn had remembered seeing the box on the floor in the dust, she had picked it up, to rescue it, but the finely finished wooden box had been damaged, and splintered along one side. In one of the pockets though, Quinn had found the ring, her mother's engagement ring. Her mother had been nimble, petite, like Rachel... it was possible it would be a good fit.

...

Whilst Rachel was learning more cooking skills Quinn was back outside, preparing for stormy weather. The rain was coming down already, though that was no guarantee that there was a storm coming in. The pair with their still new love met back at their room for the next meal, liking the privacy. It was sometimes the only times of the day they would see one another until the evening.

The food was never great when aboard a ship, but if Rachel was surviving and learning to cook in tough times it showed she could work hard and be devoted to a task. It wasn't like Quinn was analysing her for good wifely qualities, or anything, it was just something she'd noticed.

Quinn chose the wooden chair, to prevent tainting their bed with her rain soaked clothes, while Rachel sat on the bed. There was a silence settled over them, but the glances between them were still often.

Rachel watched as Quinn shivered, she should have found her some spare dry clothes but seeing as plenty of the rest of the crew were suffering she knew Quinn would refuse, not wanting to be weaker than them.

"You left with haste earlier." Quinn said as she settled her bowl and spoon down onto the table beside her.

"I needed to help prepare the food and it seems you were needed back on deck." She said dismissively, suddenly losing her appetite as the nerves from earlier returned. Did they still have more to talk about after her assumption had caused her embarrassment?

"Just tying the canons down in case we do hit a storm, there has only been rain so far." Quinn used the same dismissive tone as Rachel just had as she started to fish the chain from around her neck out of her clothing. She realised it wouldn't be special, but she didn't do public with the pressure of an audience, and it would be some time until they were anywhere truly special.

Rachel kept her head down, she didn't even notice what Quinn was doing. "That is good... I suppose-"

"Will you marry me?" Her sudden and brash words had Rachel looking up again, only to find Quinn on one knee in front of her, clasping the ring still on the chain between a thumb and forefinger.

She swallowed thickly, her bowl still in her hands as she was frozen to the spot. Here her rain soaked, floppy haired assassin love, knelt offering a lovely ring, and she... she hesitated. "W-we only spoke of the idea a few hours ago."

"And if you hadn't left in such haste I would have asked you then." Quinn confessed. Suddenly breathing had become difficult, she'd hoped for a straight forward answer. Maybe her question had been too weak. "Lady Rachel Berry, will you take part in a much foolish event by marrying me?"

"It would not be foolish." Rachel chuckled

"People don't often marry for love," she started as she fumbled to unclip the chain so she could free the ring and offer it properly, "but I would. And some might consider this union foolish, we are not a match-"

"We are a match." Rachel cut her off with a more serious yet still loving tone, she then stilled Quinn's nervous hands. "And I love you so very much."

"Then what be your answer?" she pushed, hating to wait.

"Y-Yes." She didn't mean to stutter, it was all the emotions bubbling inside her that caused it.

"Really?" Quinn asked even though she was already breathing a sigh of release.

Rachel's hands dropped Quinn's wrists to hold both sides of the blonde face instead and hold her there as she kissed her soundly. "Yes, of course yes, a thousand times yes."

"A few hundred might just be enough." She chuckled as she finally unclipped the chain and freed the engagement ring. She re-secured her cross and put it back over her head before taking Rachel's left hand with her right.

"I love you." Rachel sighed with contentment as she waited patiently. It was not at all like how she had imagined, it wasn't an over romantic proposal, but her heart was still beating wildly and she was overjoyed in this moment none the less.

"I love you too." Quinn kissed her quickly before she leant away, still on one knee. She then proceeded to thread the waiting ring over her Rachel's ring finger. It wasn't a bad fit, maybe a tiny bit loose, but Rachel's hands were cold so they were slightly smaller right now. Rachel admired the ring with the beautiful stone. "Set a date, we shall get you a dress," Quinn eagerly announced, "and flowers, and anything else you want." She would spend all the money they had left to make sure Rachel was happy. Of course she'd also need to speak to Santana about marrying them, but surely a few coins, or just Brittany would be able to encourage her.

"I want you," Rachel told her, "and I want you looking beautiful when I stand opposite you and declare my everlasting love." She tugged at Quinn's uniform too, "And I want you to wear this, to continue to honour your parents."

Quinn's eyes softened even more, toned down from the initial excitement. "You would allow me to wear these clothes as we marry?" she had to move as her leg was starting to ache, she dragged the chair close so she was still sat closely opposite to Rachel.

"Your clothes are like a uniform, representing your status, and they're important to you, and therefore me. So yes if you'd like to wear them I wish it too." Her expression, in her eyes and in her smile was encouraging too.

"You are wonderful." She kissed her again quickly, "I will have them cleaned and fixed so I look fine for you, my Lady." She then noticed Rachel bow her head as her hands continued to fiddle with the buttons and straps on Quinn's clothes, it became a habit when she felt worried or nervous. "What is it?"

"Um, I wish to drop my title too." She muttered shyly.

"Why?" Quinn couldn't help but chuckle, Rachel was still a daughter, she didn't have to drop it really.

"I want a new title." She confessed, still not looking up.

Quinn just smiled curiously. "What title, may I ask?"

"I wish to be Mrs Rachel Fabray," She swallowed thickly and forced herself to meet Quinn's hazel eyes. She looked so unsure in her own, "Just Mrs Rachel Fabray, no Lady... it doesn't mean anything to me anymore." Rachel wanted to make herself clear, she wanted to marry into Quinn's family, which was just Quinn. This was not Quinn marrying into her family, which she felt was one full of lies and false love. "So as long as you permit it, I wish-"

she couldn't help but kiss her softly yet again. she wished for more but they had things still to discuss, she could feel it. "Anything, as long as you're happy."

"Really? Because there is one more thing, if you would... permit." She looked that adorable mix of hopeful and unsure all over again.

"Yes, Rachel, what is it?" She pushed again.

"This is only an idea, and I only wish you at least listen," she warned and the worry in her tone made Quinn feel like she should worry, "I do not demand my idea become fruitful, just that you listen and consider."

"I am listening." She nodded her encouragement.

The brunette looked uneasy as she started. "Our married life, I don't wish to be aboard this ship forever-"

"I do not wish it either, we just need to find a place to settle." Quinn assured her, she wanted them to be their own masters, this was just an opportunity to voyage.

"I know before, you spoke of our own space, and land and... I have been thinking of all the wonderful, images you painted in my mind..." she took a calming breath, it was about to become clear to Quinn why she was most nervous now, "What about Spain, to a villa on the edge of Pamplona-"

"Rachel." Quinn cut her off, low and warning in her tone of voice.

"No, my love, at least listen, please." She begged. Quinn reluctantly nodded, what harm could listening do, this was her fiancée after all. "We could fix the villa, it could be a farm again. We could work on it together, I am not afraid of hard work." She spoke so animatedly, determined for Quinn to just listen. "And you could teach me Spanish and we could have a home, a home that was once yours but we could wash it of its bad memories. I know it was your home, I know your parents w-were murdered there, and it is so much to ask but... I think we could be very happy there."

"I am not sure if it is for the best." Quinn tried to dismiss the thought out plan.

"You walked around that home with the strangest smile upon your face, it is still in your heart, I know it is." Quinn told her with sad eyes. She knew it would be hard for Quinn, but she felt it was a good place to start fixing many things. "And Spain... my parents would not look for me there, if they even wanted to find me," she may have unfairly added that point as bribery, "but I will not push this idea, if you say no, then I will accept that. I just thought, perhaps..."

Quinn was silent for a moment, and it just made Rachel feel uneasy. She thought about it, she took in her fiancée's words. "I will think on the idea." All she could do for now was conclude with that.

...

One mid afternoon, a week or so later, Rachel found herself up on deck, taking is some light and air, and some atmosphere after spending all morning and lunch time in the kitchen with the cook, learning the skills of making the inedible partially edible.

She couldn't help but watch the Captain and her First Mate on the upper deck. Rachel and the crew had no doubt that the Rosario Cruz was still in safe hands despite the interaction at the wheel. Brittany held the helm but Santana held her and it was in those touches that Rachel wondered and got excited, even. She wondered what it was like, after that scolding to Quinn the blonde had reverted to the timid and cautious touches. She wondered how long it would be until they did take that next step. Would it be there wedding night, below decks in their cramped damp room?

"I have been thinking on your plan, for a place for us to settle." Quinn's voice shook her from her intimate yet worried thoughts. She hadn't even heard or noticed the woman slide up besides her, "Though I still fear the idea, the memories of my parents... passing, I do have so many happy memories there too, all the happy memories I ever had before I met you are based there." She sighed as she took Rachel's hand and turned them both to face one another than to look out to sea and pretend they were not having any type of intimate conversation. "We can erase the bad, and though I won't forget, I will heal, because I have you." The contract killer confessed, suddenly nervous as her head revisited her past.

Rachel was more than surprised to be hearing those words of positivity on her idea. She doubted Quinn would actually agree because it was a drastic thing to request. "You are really considering it?"

"Yes, I have given it much thought." She nodded quickly. Quinn then glanced around them before dragging Rachel further up the deck, closer to the stern where there were less people to overhear. She adopted a lower tone too. "Perhaps we could visit it before our wedding, to see what work should be done. We could even make a start to some parts of the home, to make it suitable"

"Suitable? For what exactly?" Rachel asked as she settled in close to her love, a hand treading round to her back and another hand grasping at her forearm.

"Well, living but mainly... for after we are married, if we waited until we got there for our, um," she cleared her throat to whisper, "Our wedding night." She wasn't nervous, only she was because it was her bride to be not some hired Jezebel chosen poorly with too much ale in her system. She also worried for Rachel's reaction, she didn't want her Lady to think they only married for that part of their relationship to happen sooner, after all she had just suggested they delay it further.

Rachel, as nervous as she was, still wondered if she was that readable. "You would wait longer?"

"I will wait until you are ready my Lady, however long that is." She told her tenderly, and it was true, she wouldn't pressure this woman, though she hoped she'd never feel like she needed to either.

"Thank you." Rachel reached up, stretching onto her toes to kiss Quinn briefly, like a tiny reward for being understanding. "You are considering Pamplona?" She then asked, returning them to the bigger picture.

"I am. But, we will need to compromise." Quinn informed her. She had thought out so many details so far, and the more she planned the more she liked Rachel's idea of her returning home. Yes it wouldn't be easy with the damage repair or the emotional history, but they could make a new life there.

"What kind of compromise?" Rachel worried her bottom lip between her teeth momentarily.

"Our image to our neighbours, if we ever get vaguely acquainted with them," she explained simply. This crew were accepting of them walking hand in hand on deck, but that was because the captain and the first mate were not shy of being on display to the crew in the first place, "and for our workers when we hire them, and until we can trust them." There were so many people to consider.

She nodded in partial understanding. "What kind of image would you have for us?"

"You will be the owner of the estate, and I your body guard," Quinn started.

"Quinn-" Rachel tired to interrupt, she didn't like the sound of that.

But Quinn just raised her voice a little more to explain further, "We will be married in our eyes and that is all that matters." Quinn hushed. "I love you, remember."

"I love you too, and I understand." Though she wasn't entirely satisfied, she didn't want to have to pretend. She knew they'd have to though, she was just thankful that it would not be in the same capacity or severity of the relationship between her Father and the servant Leroy.

"I still own the estate," it had never been sold, only abandoned, so her name was on some deed somewhere, she could acquire it and sign it over legally, "it would just be a case of pretending you have bought the land. You posed as a merchant woman before, you could pretend something else."

"You remember, at that house in Poland? I thought you were incoherent when we reached the inn." She chuckled nervously, she had not meant to degrade Quinn's accomplishments to that of a body guard that day, but it had been necessary.

"No, I still remember it, at least some parts until you said you had finished with my wound." She confessed, though some memories she just wondered if she was delirious, like; did Rachel really support her all that way to the inn, alone. No one else had walked with them so she must have done. "Also I will teach you Spanish so you can negotiate and communicate at any time when it would not be appropriate for me to do so for you. What do you think of the idea?"

"It could work very well, though I do not like the idea of pretending you mean less to me." Rachel confessed, that was not the fairy tale she had dreamed of. "What of contracts, will you still take those?"

"I would like to, once we are settled, once we have farmers living on the land again and-"

"That would mean time apart." The brunette interrupted with a sad voice.

"Not if you travelled with me, no one would know." Quinn offered. She didn't want time away from her soon to be wife; she had enjoyed the travelling with Rachel, eventually. "We could say we were travelling for business purposes, to research what is best for our land or for trade. Or would you prefer I do not continue with that part of my life?"

"It is your family business Quinn, I would not ask that of you." Rachel assured her, she knew that would be asking too much. After all, that was Quinn's true livelihood and the cause of how they had met and how they had come to fall in love. "Though I will worry for you, at least I can still be by your side." Quinn went to kiss her again but she pressed a finger to the taller woman's lips, halting her. "One condition." She said a little more seriously.

"Anything." Quinn declared without thinking.

"No more escorting contracts." Rachel said plainly, she could not bear the thought of any repeats of their journey.

"I understand," Quinn chuckled, "how could I possibly do that to another person. I just got so very lucky with you." She went to kiss her as she had tried before but found Rachel stopping her the same way.

"I don't think you do understand," she said with a couple of raised eyebrows, and when she paused she pursed her lips, "I don't want you finding another young, and far prettier Lady, and have her fall in love with you."

Quinn was amused by the mere thought that Rachel should fear losing her in that respect. "Impossible." She declared without worry.

"I'm sure many people can fall in love with you Quinn." Rachel said a little sadder, voicing her real worry further. This wasn't just a slightly playful yet honest request.

"Well, that wasn't exactly what I was accusing of being impossible." Quinn replied with a confident and cheeky grin.

The brunette lightly slapped her fiancée's bicep before she asked curiously, "What then?"

She dropped the over confident facade to confess her feelings and opinions lovingly. "That I could find anyone prettier than you. You are the most beautiful being in existence"

"Now that is impossible." Rachel scoffed and mumbled. "You are so much more-"

She cut her off with a single kiss, the one she had wanted to give her for a while now. "Hold that thought, and accept what I have told you, please my Lady." She whispered.

"You're too kind." She smiled up at the blonde with big happy eyes.

"I love you." Quinn sighed as she kept a firm and loving grip on the younger woman.

"I love you too." Rachel replied as she cuddled into Quinn's embrace, letting herself feel loved.

...

23rd, December, 1587

Dear Mother and Father,

I write to tell you I am alive and well.

Through a strange series of events I find myself happier than I could have
ever hoped. I know you always wanted the best for me, so believe me when
I write to you that I could not have found better than what I have now. I am
in love, and to be married. Though, and I shall be honest with you, I did not
run away to be with this love, I did not run away at all, but I am now with
them, and my heart sings with joy everyday that I have found them and this
happiness.

I am to be the bride of a most honourable, courageous, smart and beautiful
person, who I one day wish for you to both meet. And I wish for you to love
them, like you love me. And I hope you will receive us with the kind hearts
I know you have, for I am your daughter, who loves you both very much.

We have organised a wonderful home for us both, a home that will keep us
very well. Though some manual labour, on mine and my loves behalf,
might be necessary, what we will have to accomplished in re-building the
home will be refreshing in my life, and upmost rewarding. I will tell you
more when we meet.

We have already set a date for our wedding, how I wish you could both
attend, but we fear you would only wish to stop our joyful union. Know that
my love respects me, looks after me, and will never let me come to harm.
By the 18th of next month I will no longer be Lady Rachel Berry, daughter to
the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, but I shall be known as Mrs Rachel Fabray.
And that thought alone make me giddy.

Know that I am happy, in love, to be married, and I am living a life of
adventure not appropriate for a young Lady, and that I am sure neither of
you would approve of. I will write to you again, in time, with an update, and
how life as a wife is treating me.

My love would like to apologise to Daddy for not asking his permission for my
hand in marriage, but there has been no opportunity. My love very much
hopes it will not affect your feelings for them.

Your ever loving daughter,

Rachel.

Rachel leant against the railing along the starboard side of the upper deck. She watched Quinn and waited patiently as her love read the letter she had written. She waited for Quinn's approval, not that Quinn has said she needed her permission to write such a letter, in fact it had been her suggestion. "So what do you think, can I send them the letter?" The brunette asked when she grew too impatient.

"Yes, it is a fine letter." Quinn sighed as she lowered the parchment with Rachel's elegant calligraphy. She'd been halfway through reading it for a second time when she'd been interrupted "And I do not wish for your parents to worry about you any longer," though she doubted this letter would completely calm them, "we will reach an English port tomorrow, I will take it ashore and make sure it is delivered immediately." She assured Rachel. The only reason she did not want Rachel going onto land was in case she was recognised, it was a thought that had only occurred to her lately, "Though I think you speak too highly of me, they will think I am something special." She chuckled throatily.

Rachel shuffled closer to where Quinn leant and slipped her arm through her contract killers. "You are, to me."

The blonde just looked down at her Lady, with that usual raised eyebrow. "I noticed how you did not mention my gender."

She felt Rachel tense and falter next to her, and all signs of happiness drop from her face as she was washed over with guilt. "I-I don't want them making quick judgements o-or thinking I am naive."

Quinn didn't want Rachel to feel guilty, she didn't need her to declare anything other than the lovely complimenting words she had already written either and she'd make sure Rachel knew that before the letter was sent. Still she wondered if it were better for Rachel to get the initial shock out of the way before they potentially met. "So we are to just show up on the doorstep of Arundell one day and they are to not be shocked," she used a tone to let Rachel know she meant no harm and was not upset, "I wonder just how disappointed your parents will be when and if they meet me." She chuckled again.

Rachel furrowed her brow, taking more from Quinn's words than she seemed to be doing so herself. "Why would they be disappointed?"

Seeing the serious expression on her Lady's face she adopted one too, she stopped hiding behind her laughter. With a reluctant sigh she painted the full picture for the younger woman. "Firstly I am a woman, needn't I remind you."

"But-" Rachel tried to jump in and sooth the worries.

"And to continue, I have no name, no family, no good reputation, no label... no grandchildren for them, no heir or heiress." She unnecessarily reminded Rachel of all the supposed negatives, all points she should have really put forward before she proposed.

Rachel leant in closer, pressing the whole of her body against her fiancée's, taking the letter as she did and folding it back up. And then she put her attention back on her Quinn. "Quinn, they will not be disappointed, they will see I am happy." She seemed so sure, Quinn saw it in her eyes.

"Your father will be wishing to castrate me until he meets me and then..." she laughed lightly at the idea of him having to find a new punishment for her ever touching his precious daughter, "what would he think?"

"He will understand, one of his servants is his lover, a male servant. I told you, my love, remember." Rachel pushed that point again but somehow Quinn didn't believe it would make that much of a difference, it was one rule for one person, another rule for their child.

"Yes... though I still fear they will tear us apart," Quinn voiced her true concern. She wanted to make Rachel happy and if Rachel wanted to try and introduce Quinn to her parents then she would try, though she would suggest it was on neutral ground. "They won't accept me as you have, they will not see me as a good suitor for you, no matter how much I love you and how much I prove to provide."

"I know everything will be fine, my love." Rachel sounded like she was living in a dream world, and Quinn wished she could be there too, but she'd lived so long with nothing, and everything she loved stolen from her, so she still held onto doubt.

"But what if they take you away from me?" She meekly voiced her concern as she wrapped one arm round her Lady, keeping the other one behind her on the railing for support. They didn't want any more trips over board.

Rachel reached up with her free hand to lovingly stroke the side of Quinn's face. "Never, you are mine and I am yours." She sounded quite sure of herself.

Quinn couldn't hide the sadness in her eyes when horrible images of all she loved being taken returned to her. "But if they physically break us apart, and lock you away-"

"Then you will just have to stow your way into the castle and kidnap me all over again" Rachel assured her, with some playfulness to her voice to ease the tension.

"And if they try to kill me?" She nervously chuckled that time.

"I will throw myself before the blade before they touch you," she declared with much determination, "And then we will never ever return."

Quinn relaxed, she smiled sweetly at her love, and wondered. "How can you turn your back on them?"

Rachel fiddled with a button on the front of Quinn's uniform as she thought, then she met her eyes once more. "Because, although I love them, it is not in any magnitude near to my love for you. You have given me a life I could not imagine, with love and passion, and adventure. You've made my life worth living, my love."

Quinn pushed them both off the railing of the ship to wrap up her future bride in both her arms. "My Lady, my Rachel... you..." she bowed her head slowly, "you have made my life truly worth living again." She whispered before gently pressing her lips against Rachel's, making herself feel whole again.

The End

AN: Thanks for reading, I checked Homosexuality in the 16th Century for the marriage stuff, turns out some women (if by accident/under disguise) did get married to one another back then and it was legally binding. And turns out it was only illegal for men to be gay, what women got up to didn't count, according to the people back then, lol.

Anyway, thanks for sticking around for this wacky ride, Thanks again for reading.

I do have ideas for a sequel but I'm not sure if writing one would be such a great idea, even if I was committed to it as I have been with this one... if you're interested let me know :/

Any thoughts left?