#athinline

[ffskalice]

About the sequel to A Thin Line...

I'm considering starting the sequel to A Thin Line. Ideas? Requests? Titles? Should I post as I write or complete the story and then post weekly or so? Let me know here or on Twitter! (@skalicethomas)

[loesuperstar]

Do not cross . . . . . . . . . . #analog #35mm #staybrokeshootfilm #filmisnotdead #film #konicabigmini #athinline

[alquin2u]

If someone can show you heaven, that same person is also capable of leading you to hell! #heavenandhell#athinline#gloryandpain#astrechtaway#thoughfulmood#dontfallforit#

[peaceloveandcoffeebeans]

There is a thin line between respecting someone’s space and knowing who the fuck you’re dealing with. 

[ffskalice]

A Thin Line 59

Quinn and Tiago are holding hands, almost holding their breath. They've just explained everything to Charlie and asked her the question that had been on their lips from the start: would she be willing to help them get pregnant?

Charlie raises her eyebrows, taking in the words. They can't read her face. She takes a sip of her drink, puts it back on the table slowly.

Quinn feels like every hair on her body is standing on end. She wants to say something, thinking that maybe Charlie isn't sure what they want from her. But then Tiago looks at her and squeezes her hand, and she knows it's best to just let it all sink in for Charlie.

The question seems to be alive in the air between them, pushing every other thought or emotion out. For Quinn and Tiago, it's something they've been able to picture, to imagine. But for Charlie, isn't entirely unexpected. She's still coming to terms with it.

Finally, Charlie licks her lips and speaks. "Well, I love you guys. You're my family. I think you're going to make great parents."

"But?" Quinn can't stop herself. Her heart is beating in her chest.

Charlie offers a small smile. "But nothing. It's just a very loaded question. I can't say yes or no right away. I have to think about it and I have to talk about it with Sienna."

"Of course," Tiago nods. "We realize that. We know it's a very big deal."

"We don't want you to feel pressured, either," Quinn hastily adds. "If you decide you don't want to do it, we won't resent you for it. And obviously, we will give you all the time you need to take this decision. We'd never want you to take it lightly."

Charlie nods thoughtfully. "I'll think about it. That's what I can give you right now. I promise you I'll take my time to think about it. I have to say, I do feel honoured to be asked."

Quinn involuntarily lets out a sigh of relief. She is so glad to receive this answer and not a flat-out no. She knows there's still as much of a possibility Charlie will decide she can't do it, but at least there's just as much of a possibility she will. That feeling of lightness she had after talking to Tiago about this has just increased tenfold.

That night, they make passionate love, as if releasing all the emotions of the day, pouring their love for each other into their movements, kisses, thrusts. Afterwards, Tiago wraps his arms around Quinn and she absentmindedly touches his stomach, feeling his abs under her fingers.

Quinn looks at her husband and as their eyes meet, they both smile at each other.

"She didn't say no," Tiago whispers, his eyes shining brightly with happiness.

Quinn bites her lip, feeling just as giddy. "She might still say no. But for now, she didn't say no."

Quinn is lost in thought on her way to work when she receives a text message. She frowns, wondering who'd text her this early in the morning. When she sees it's her sister, her frown grows even deeper – after all, she'll see her at work later.

Quinn, can you come into my office before you start work? I want to talk to you about something. See you later! Xxx Fran

This doesn't ease Quinn's mind at all. Fran never usually mixes work with their private lives like this – if she needs Quinn in her office, she mails her or calls her on the work phone, the way she'd ask any other employee to see her. So why would she send her a text message as her sister asking her to see her? A feeling of dread settles in the pit of Quinn's stomach.

She doesn't even stop at her own desk to drop her bag, but goes straight to that familiar door bearing the name Quinn never uses herself: Francine Fabray. Fran was a lawyer before she married David, so she decided to keep her own name for professional reasons.

She knocks hesitantly and is immediately called inside. Fran looks up from her screen, finishes her sentence and then closes down her laptop. "Hey, Quinn. Sit down."

"Is something wrong?" Quinn asks takes a seat.

Fran takes off her reading glasses slowly, looking right into Quinn's eyes as she does it. "I think I should ask you that."

Quinn sighs and drops her gaze to her hands. "Nothing's wrong," she mumbles, but she can hear her own voice and knows it's not at all convincing.

Fran chuckles, but there's no mirth in the sound. "Don't bullshit me, Quinn. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that?" Her voice is hard, and for a chilling moment, Quinn feels as if she's listening to her father.

Quinn manages to look up, but almost instantly looks away again, studying a picture frame on Fran's desk.

Fran continues. "I know our parents taught us to lie and pretend, but I thought we agreed on not being that person. Dad's dead, Quinn, and so his so-called legacy supposed to be. As your boss, I'm disappointed to discover that you hid information from me that I should have been aware of. As your sister, I'm hurt that you didn't feel like you could tell me and I'd know how to handle this."

Quinn wants to speak, but she knows she'll sound like a little girl. So she clears her throat and takes a breath first. "I'm sorry."

Fran shakes her head and her voice is softer, more gentle now. "I don't understand why, Quinn."

"I just didn't want to be the tell-tale. They were acting like girls in kindergarten. I wanted to be the bigger person, thought I could handle it. How did you find out, though?"

"I'm busy, but I make it a point to follow up on everyone's work around here. I talk to people, about their work and about how they feel around the office. It came to my attention that there was a certain group of colleagues who closed themselves off from the others, even in their work. Now I don't accept people forming seperate groups and excluding others, so I would have taken measures anyway – but when their work suffers from it, I have to act immediately. Then I heard what these women were saying behind your back – that you only got where you were because of your relation to me. That pissed me off, because you just rock at what you do and you put in much more than any of them could ever muster. I looked into their work. I wasn't pleased. They were fired."

Quinn frowns in surprise. She knew Fran would do something, but this? "You fired them? Straight away?"

Fran shrugs. "Yes. It's a mistake I made over in Los Angeles, when David and I first started our own firm. I'd give people chances, even if I felt they didn't deserve them. I've been screwed over too many times. If I feel talking to someone or taking actions will fix things, I'll always do that first. But what I heard about these women? These are the kind of women who'll never change, especially not if there's a group. They validate each other's behaviour. I know these women, Quinn, and so do you. We went to high school with them and we were expected to be like them."

Quinn nods. "I know I should have told you. Tiago said the same thing, that I should talk to you about it. I kept it from him for months, too. I promise it won't happen again."

Fran quirks an eyebrow. "It better not. I need to know these things. I need to know what's going on in my own office. I'm not saying you need to tell me every little rumour, but these are the kinds of things I need to know. A good work environment is better for everyone. I know it's not easy for you to be my sister around here, but I hope I can trust you to come to me in the future if you're having any trouble."

"Wow," Quinn lets out an audible breath. "I feel pretty stupid, now. I never saw it from your point of view. I thought telling you would make it worse."

"Some people never seem to graduate mentally, Quinn. Not even people with law degrees, unfortunately. This firm is better off without them. Now, obviously, there are few job vacancies at the firm. I have big plans for you, Quinn. I'd like you to sit in on the job interviews and hear your opinion. Just your opinion, nothing formal. I think it's a kind of thing you'll need to do someday and it's never too early to start learning."

Quinn grins. "This day is just full of surprises. I'd love to sit in on them. Are you sure, though?"

Fran rolls her eyes, in typical Fabray-fashion. "Of course I'm sure. Now go and do what you do best," she winks.

Quinn gets up and has already reached the door when she turns around. "Thank you, Fran. For everything. Years back."

Fran smiles and Quinn can see there are various things she wants to say, but this is still the office, so she settles for: "You're very welcome."

For the first time in ages, Quinn feels as if everything in her life is settling in place. Work is a lot easier without having to worry about the way you phrase things, without the tension of having to work with people who clearly aren't wanting to work with you. Finally, she can just be herself again.

She went shopping with Jolene and it was nice to spend some girl time with her. It was great to just relax and unwind.

Charlie still hasn't decided, but she doesn't resent her for it. She and Tiago both understand what they've asked of her.

Tiago.

The thought of her husband alone makes her smile and tingle all over. They just can't stop having sex. They've made love on just about every surface in the house. She feels so close to him, so loved by him. They're so connected.

The sex is passionate, intense. He'll see in her in the kitchen and be unable to resist fucking her on the counter. He'll go to fetch something from the living room and she'll follow him, taking him on the couch. It just keeps happening, all the time.

Before, when she was worried about everything in her life, sex was something she did to have a baby. But now that she knows they have these other options, it's become something she enjoys again. Something that makes her feel good and alive and like she can do anything because she's with him.

A couple of weeks later, she comes out of the bathroom, naked, having just taken a shower. Tiago's in the adjoining bedroom and has just taken off his work clothes, wearing nothing but his boxers. Their eyes meet and they communicate wordlessly.

A few seconds later, Quinn is cupping Tiago's cheek and kissing him hard as she takes off his boxers and starts stroking his dick. He moans against her lips as her fingers work his throbbing cock to a solid erection. Quinn licks his lips, guiding his cock to her pussy. He feels so large, warm, hard in her hand.

Tiago cups a breast with his hand and kisses her neck, softly rocking his hips into her. She pushes him onto the bed and wraps her fingers around the base of his dick, stroking it again, lining it up with her pussy.

He settles one hand on her hip, the other on her breast. She lowers herself onto his throbbing dick, hissing at the wonderful feeling of her walls being stretched, accommodating him. He takes her stiff nipple between his tumb and index finger, rubbing and then leaning up to kiss her breasts. He sinks deeper into her moves both hands to her ass, holding it tightly. Then he looks up at her and she might just about burst with love, seeing the feeling reflected in his eyes.

Quinn buries her face in his neck as they move against each other with, completely lost in their own world. He cants her hips and her clit rubs his pelvis with every thrust. She feels that familiar flame in the pit of her stomach, telling her what's to come. Her entire body is on edge and she can feel his naked skin against hers, sweaty, hot.

The thrusts are slow and she can feel his cock dragging along her walls, leaving a trace of precum. She bites down on his neck, immediately licks it, then sucks on his skin as her walls flutter around his length. When she feels him spill his first load deep into her, it's enough to send her over that edge as well. She lets go, completely, almost screaming her lungs out. His cum doesn't seem to stop, he fills her, burst after long burst of hot sperm spraying her walls. It takes a while before she recovers from her orgasm. They fall down on the bed, sharing kisses and whispers and giggles, as if they're teenagers and have just started having sex. It's glorious.

TxQxTxQ

"Hey, honey," Tiago smiles when Quinn returns from her grocery shopping. She smiles back at him and leans in for a kiss. He nibbles on her lower lip, she sighs into the kiss longingly.

"I wish we could," she says nervously.

"Why can't we?" he shrugs, remembering all those times they've just dropped everything and had sex. But then she kisses him again, more passionately this time, and as if he can feel the excitement running through her veins, he takes a step back and repeats his question. "Quinn... why can't we?"

Quinn grins. "Well... I wrote tampons on my shopping list. But I'm not having my period, Tiago. I'm super regular, I should've had my period by now."

He opens his mouth, but can't utter a word. "You mean?"

She reaches into one of the bags, then holds up a pregnancy test.

He's silent, still. Finally, he manages a hoarse whisper. "I'm so nervous."

Quinn actually tears up when she says: "Me too."

They share a look and nod. Quinn makes her way to the bathroom. After what feels like forever to Tiago, she finally comes out, holding the pregnancy test as if it's made of porcelain.

He hugs her as they wait. They hear the clock ticking, but their world seems to stand still.

After just about a century of the most nerve-wrecking wait in their life, they can check the result. They look at the same time. A plus sign.

"Quinn," Tiago whispers, his eyes filled with tears of happiness.

"Oh my god," Quinn whispers. "I'm pregnant."

"We're having a baby – we're having a baby, Quinn!" Tiago almost shouts out.

She jumps up in excitement and he catches her. As her ankles lock around his waist, they share a kiss – a sloppy kiss, because they're both crying with happiness.

Finally, they're having a baby.

[ffskalice]

A Thine Line 58

Quinn feels slightly nervous when she walks into Tiago's office building. She knows her way around and she's been there enough to that the receptionists know she's his wife. But he's not expecting her.

She's glad to run into Jolene near their office.

"Quinn! Hi! Tiago didn't mention you were picking him up?" Jolene greets her. "You look fantastic, by the way."

"Thanks," Quinn smiles. She looks at Jolene, really takes her in. She's known this woman for a few years now and she's Tiago's best friend, so she's very much a part of her life. She knows Jolene's beautiful, but it's never bothered her.

But now that she sees her, here, she can't stop a nagging feeling of uncertainty. Here is this sexy woman he gets along with so well, spending so much time with him. Could Quinn really blame him if Tiago ever thought about Jolene in a different way?

Quinn spends so much time at work and despite his many attempts at reassuring her, she still feels she's failing him by taking so long to get pregnant. By actually reaching the point where they had a doctor run tests to see what's going on. It doesn't help that the first tests made it clear that Tiago is perfectly fertile.

Why wouldn't he leave Quinn for Jolene? Are they sleeping together already? Will Jolene take her place in his life? Will she lose him to her, because of this? Isn't he sick of her? How can he even bear to touch her when she can't even give him a baby and works long hours? She knows it's part of the reason she went out of her way to look like this for him today – the fear he'll stop wanting to touch her. And if she loves him, truly loves him, which she does – then isn't it the right thing for her to let him go? Allow him to be happy with someone else? Jolene would make him happy, Quinn knows she would. It would hurt like hell to see them together, but she'd learn to live with it, right?

"Are you okay, Quinn?" Jolene asks, concern evident in her voice.

Quinn snaps out of it. What is she thinking? This is Jolene – she's like his sister. His hot, non-related sister... "Yeah," Quinn smiles, hoping she looks genuine. "I'm sorry, I just got lost in thought. Tiago doesn't know I'm here."

"He'll be so happy you are. By the way, Quinn, I'll need your advice later on. Would you mind going shopping with me this weekend? I want to buy a dress for when Jackson comes home and I know you'll be honest with me."

Quinn smiles. "Yeah, I'd love to."

"Awesome! I'll go and get him."

Jolene turns around and Quinn shakes her head. She's been so tense lately, about everything. She can't believe she actually just considered Tiago would cheat on her with Jolene. It's something a lot of people seem to wonder about when they hear of her husband's best friend, something she's never worried about herself. The idea is just... ridiculous.

A minute later, Jolene returns, accompanied by a confused looking Tiago. "Is everything alright? Did something happen?" he asks her worriedly.

Then he really takes her in. His eyes widen and he swallows visibly. "Wow, babe. You look... you look..."

"Congratulations," Jolene smirks. "You've rendered Tiago unable to find the right words, an impossible task." Then she gets back to their office.

Quinn blushes at the look on her husband's face. She's wearing eyeliner and lip gloss, took care of her hair. She's wearing a new set of clothes, too – a tight blouse tucked in a skirt, high heels.

"Everything's fine, honey," Quinn finally says. "I've just come to pick you up from work, thought I'd surprise you."

He grins. "Consider me surprised." He kisses her carefully, almost as if he's scared. "Don't want to ruin your make-up," he whispers.

She takes his hand. "I'll let you get back to work. I know I'm early. I'll just wait out here?"

He looks at his watch. "Sure. There's plenty to read around here. I'll be with you in twenty minutes." Once he's reached the door to his office, he turns around and smiles. "I love you, baby."

Quinn smiles. "Love you too." She does, she really does – but somehow, it just doesn't feel the way it used to. Nothing does.

She almost wishes they'd never started trying to have a baby. She wants a family, more than anything right now, but it's given her so many sleepless nights. It's worried her so much, not only for herself, but also for her husband. She just hopes they'll make it through this okay. They have to, they quite simply have to. How is she supposed to live without him? She hasn't forgotten his words. There are more ways than one to have a family and I frankly don't give a shit in which way we get one, as long as I get one with you.

So, being Quinn Lopez, she has started thinking about a plan B.

They get home and Quinn wants to ask Tiago what he'd like for dinner, fully intending to cook for him as a treat for all those times he cooks for her. But she doesn't get the chance to – he locks his lips with hers, wraps his arms around her.

Tiago takes Quinn's lower lip into his mouth, sucks on softly, easing his tongue into her mouth. She kisses him back, knowing where kisses like these lead. She wraps her arms around his neck and presses her body into his, taking his hand and guiding it under her blouse.

"You are so hot," Tiago groans, lust filling his eyes, his fingers moving over her stomach. "You seriously are the hottest woman I ever met. Jesus."

She's used to him saying this like this, but it still makes her smile. She captures his lips with hers, cups his jaw with one hand and uses her other hand to unbutton his jeans and slip it right into his boxers. He takes in a sharp breath and starts to move towards the bedroom.

Quinn feels slightly guilty when she sees how enthusiastic he is. Of course she loves him, of course he's sexy and she wants to have sex with him. But it's been a while since she's had sex with him because it feels good, because she likes it – not just hoping he'll get her pregnant. It's been a while since she's given him a blowjob without feeling like it might be seed wasted, without feeling like maybe, if he'd come in her pussy instead of her mouth, she'd have gotten pregnant.

They have to let go of each other to go upstairs, but as soon as they've reached the bedroom, he kisses her neck and starts unbuttoning her blouse. She allows him to undress her, knowing how much he loves her body. She takes his clothes off as well, avoiding his eyes – she knows that right now, he wants her so badly but the minute he looks into her eyes, he'd know something was up. They can talk when they're both too exhausted to go again, when they've had too much sex to stand straight. Well, maybe they can talk.

Quinn wraps her hand around his throbbing dick, squeezing and pumping until he's hard as a rock in the palm of her hand. He guides her to the bed until she lies down. He licks his lips and lines his dick up with her pussy, rubbing her lips. She's wet – how can she not be, with this perfect god of a man worshiping her body – and she's relieved because of it. This is so much easier when she's wet.

He fills her up, slowly at first, and it does feel good. But when she pushes back into him, it's almost mechanical. He pulls out and fills her up again, building a rhyhthm. She wants to focus, be into this, react in the right way. But her mind keeps going to her plan B and how he'll react to it. What if he hates the idea?

She's also reminded of running into Jolene earlier and of the thoughts she had then. How did they ever get to this point where she starts thinking he'd be better off with someone else? That he'd be happier with someone else and maybe she should let him go?

It takes a little for her to register that Tiago stopped his movements and is talking to her. "Quinn? Are you alright?"

She smiles, but she can feel how fake it is. He must see it, too, because his voice is soft and worried now. "Quinn? Where are you?"

"Right here," she tries – only really buying time. He tries to look her in the eye, but she looks away. "Don't stop. Keep going."

He shakes his head and pulls out of her. It almost makes her cry. They've never stopped right in the middle.

Tiago shakes his head. "You're here physically, Quinn, but it's like your mind is elsewhere. It's no fun for me if you're not feeling good. You're hardly moving, not making any of those sounds." He combs his fingers through her hair. "What's on your mind, baby?"

She licks her lips, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. She wants to say she's okay, but then she looks at him and she just can't. His chocolate brown eyes are so full of love and concern, she can't stand what she's doing to him.

"Just keep going, please?" she begs. "The doctor said we should keep trying anyway. We know you're fertile, so as long as we're not sure I can't conceive, we have to keep trying."

Tiago sighs, shakes his head. "I don't want to, not like this."

"You don't want a baby?" she asks, suddenly alert, almost panicking.

Tiago falls back on the bed and draws her in his arms. He kisses her cheek and holds her tight. "I want a baby. Badly. But not like this. I want our baby to be born when we were making love and just now, we weren't making love. I've had this feeling lately that sometimes, you don't want to have sex, but you're just doing what needs to be done to have a baby. Like if we were supposed to some kind of exercise or eat certain foods to get pregnant, it'd be just the same. You're not enjoying yourself."

"I'm so sorry, baby."

"Don't be. Just... I'm thinking... we've been trying for a long time now. The doctor said I'm fertile, they're still running more tests for you."

"He said to keep trying," Quinn interrupts. "We've been waiting for so long now. I want it to just... finally happen."

"He said to keep trying, but do you also remember that she said it might just be stress? He said that a lot of people start worrying so much that it actually makes it harder to conceive. So, I've been thinking – why don't we take a break from trying?"

This time, Quinn can't stop the tears from flowing. "I don't want to stop trying, Tiago. We've been waiting for so long, I can't handle it anymore. I've been thinking about other options – you did say you wanted a family with me and it didn't matter how?"

"Yeah?" he asks, almost warily.

"And you're fertile, so I've been thinking – Charlie."

"Charlie?"

"Well... I was thinking, maybe we can ask her if she wants to carry our baby? They can insert your sperm, or whatever they do. It'd still be kind of like our baby if she's my cousin, right?"

Tiago looks doubtful. "I don't know, Quinn. It's a pretty big thing to ask of her – to actually get pregnant with my sperm, carry a baby to term, then let us raise that baby she'll know all her life? Not to mention Sienna – she'll have to be on board to."

"I know, Tiago. But can we at least ask, please?"

"Quinn... you're asking me to have a baby with your cousin."

"You won't be having sex with her. And this way, at least one of us will be the biological parent. She's my cousin, which means she'll have some of my blood too. It'll still be our baby, right?"

She must look as desperate as she feels, because his frown fades and his face softens. "Well... I have to admit, if we'd ask anyone, I can't imagine anyone better to ask. I guess we can at least try. But before we do, we have to really talk about how we'll phrase it. I don't want her to feel any kind of pressure."

Quinn nods, a genuine smile on her face, her tears now happy tears. "Obviously, I want her to feel completely free to say no. You're right, it's a huge thing to ask. But I'll be so relieved to at least have asked her."

Quinn feels like a load just fell off her shoulders. If Charlie says yes, they'll have their own baby after all. Just knowing Tiago is open to the idea means so much to her. All those worries, that stress, the burden seem to float away. She hasn't felt this light in ages.

[ffskalice]

A Thin Line 57

Tiago comes home and throws his keys in the designated bowl.

The house is oddly quiet, so he reckons Quinn must still be at work. He rolls his head in his neck and sighs – he loves his wife with all his heart and he knows he couldn't stop her even if he tried, but she definitely works too much. He knows better than to try and talk to her about cutting back on her hours a little, though. He's late himself today, but it's an exception – they're nearing the end of a project and everyone's putting in the extra hours. It's by no means a habit, the way it tends to be for Quinn.

He makes his way upstairs, ready to take a shower before he calls Quinn to make sure she had dinner. He enters the bedroom and is surprised to find Quinn there, under the covers, in the dark. She doesn't even look up at him and the sadness is almost palpable.

He wants to ask her if she's okay, but the answer to that question is obvious. He strips down to his boxers and lifts the covers to snuggle up to her, but she squares her shoulders when he touches her.

"Quinn?" he asks softly.

She doesn't say anything, but turns around. In the light from the hallway, he can tell from her red-rimmed eyes that she's been crying. "We need to talk," is all she says. She sounds tired, defeated almost. She swallows, then says: "We need to talk about us. I don't know if make each other happy anymore."

The words don't register at first – when they finally do, the meaning behind them seems so outlandish he consider for a minute that it's not Quinn lying next to him, but some kind of imposter. It's just so out of the blue – they've been trying to have a baby for months, after all. "What are you talking about?" he asks.

She throws back the covers and opens her legs a little. She's wearing white panties, but they're stained with red between her legs. He hates to admit it, even if only to himself, but his heart sinks when he realizes what's going on. Quinn's having her period. It didn't work. She's still not pregnant.

His first reaction is to wrap his arms around her, to pull her close and tell her it'll be okay, they'll just keep trying. But Quinn pushes him away again. "I understand if you want to leave. I won't blame you."

"Baby... how long have you been here?"

She sighs, licks her lips. "I went home after about an hour this morning."

He nods – he'd figured she's been thinking all day, coming to all kinds of farfetched conclusions. "Why didn't you call me?"

"You were at work. I know how important it is you finish this project in time. I didn't want to disturb you. You can leave." She says that last part automatically – it sounds like she's told herself the same thing over and over again until she stopped feeling it. "You can leave and have a family with someone else. I'm useless. I'm just useless, Santiago. I'm at work all the time where everybody hates me anyway and then I come home and I can't even be a good wife. I know how badly you want a family and it's very fucking clear I can't give you one. So you can go and find someone else to have a family with. You can leave."

"Okay, stop there," Tiago says, taken by complete surprise. "You're not making any kind of sense. Okay, so we've been trying to have a baby for a really long time. It's not your fault that you're not pregnant yet. Yes, I want a family – but I want a family with you. There are more ways than one to have a family and I frankly don't give a shit in which way we get one, as long as I get one with you. And I'd rather be alone with you for the rest of my life than leave you now and have a family with someone else. I don't want a family with anyone else. I never have. I thought you knew that by now."

Finally, tears escape her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Tiago. I'm so sorry. I just... I feel so guilty, because we want it so badly, and I keep bleeding every damn month and I feel like I'm failing you. I don't know if I can take this anymore, if I can keep trying with you only to bleed again."

Tiago shakes his head and takes Quinn in his arms. This time, she allows him to hug her, to pull her close to him. She buries her face in his naked chest and sobs. He soothes her, rubbing her back, her stomach – very softly, knowing how sensitive her body is. She can get her periods so heavily and he just can't imagine the emotional and physical pain she's going through.

"You're not failing me, Quinn. I love you, remember? I agree with you on one thing – I don't think either one of us can try again without taking some steps. How would you feel about going to see a doctor and figure out what's making this take so long? It might as well be me, for all we know. And then we'll find a way to make it work, okay?"

Quinn nods.

He cups her face and plants a kiss on her lips – slowly, carefully, lovingly. "I love you, my lady Quinnevere. Now, what is this about everyone at work hating you? Where does that come from?"

Quinn sighs. "It's been going on for a while. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about me and I thought it'd just go away."

Tiago feels a mixture of anger at anyone making his wife feel this way, and disappointment that she didn't talk to him. They've known each other all their lives, have been together for years – they're a married couple who've bought a house together, and still she has this communication issue. Of course, the Fabrays never talked about any problems and Quinn has come a long way, but he still hates finding out she suffers without reaching out to him. "What's happening?" he asks, deciding that his own feelings can wait.

"I... Just... Okay, so, a while ago I'd gone back to my office after lunch, but I forgot my phone in the kitchen. I went back to get it and they didn't hear me entering. I overheard some colleagues talking about me. They were saying I only got there because I'm the boss' sister and I think I'm better than them because of it. They were saying I get to do all kinds of cool things and get more opportunities than the others because Frannie's my sister. And this is exactly what I was scared would happen – part of the reason why I wanted to be Quinn Lopez. Besides the Fabray association with my father, I didn't want people at work to instantly know who I am and judge me for it. Because I'm honestly not being favored – if anything, I have to work twice as hard to prove my worth. I just work really hard and I put in a lot, so I get chances and opportunities to learn and I take them."

"Did you tell them that?" Tiago asks. "Besides, they're lawyers and law students, they're not stupid – they can see you're the first one in the office and the last one out most days, right?"

"I... well, they saw me and then they weren't even ashamed. They asked if I was going to run to my big sister and cry about it."

Tiago closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to calm down and contain his anger. "How old are they? Jesus Christ!"

"And ever since, I can see them looking at me and judging me. I know they talk about me behind my back. They're trying to turn others against me, do anything to make it harder for me. And I really wish I could just leave. I wish I could go to another firm and start over and not be anyone but me. But I signed that contract so I could go to college and law school, I signed that contract saying I'd work for Frannie during my studies and then the first five years after that. And I can't talk to Frannie about this because I know her – she'd try to fix things at the office and that would just make it worse. But every day, I leave and I wonder what they'll say about me. With everything I do, I'm scared how it comes across."

"Quinn... why haven't you talked to me? You've been going through hell. We've talked about this – things are tough sometimes, but you've got to let me in. Let me at least try to help."

Quinn doesn't say anything, she just kisses him and whispers: "I'm sorry."

This isn't over for Tiago, but he decides to have that conversation again another time. "Okay, so here's what we're going to do. You're calling in sick tomorrow and so am I. I'll ask Jolene to cover for me. We're going to make a doctor's appointment to see what we can do to have a baby."

Quinn shakes her head. "No, I don't want your work to suffer from this."

Tiago is firm when he says: "I don't want you to suffer. Work can wait. You're my priority. I can't afford to take a week off right now, but a day won't hurt."

Quinn sniffles. "Jesus. You're amazing, Tiago. You're simply amazing."

He kisses her again. "Not as amazing as you are."

A week later, Tiago is closing down his computer at work when he receives a text from his wife. They've agreed she can work overtime when she feels she needs to, but at least two nights a week, she'll stop in time. Tiago would have preferred for her not to do any more extra hours, but Quinn is ambitious and loves work. He knows he can't tell her what to do.

He opens the text and swallows visibly. Jolene frowns at him. "Are you alright?"

He nods absent-mindedly, his eyes drawn to the screen. Quinn sent him a picture of her ass in a skimpy thong. Soon after, a picture of her stomach and legs as she sits on their bed, her legs slightly opened. He feels his face grow hot and his body tingle. So sexy.

Jolene grins. "Quinn sending you dirty texts?"

He looks up at his best friend and shakes his head, smiling a little. "No dirty texts. But very sexy pictures." Just as he says it, she sends him a picture of her chest in the tiniest bra she's ever worn. He can definitely feel his dick stirring a little.

He quickly types a text. Are you trying to kill me? Can't wait.

Her reponse follows almost instantly. You'll be dead by the time I'm done with you, handsome. Can't wait? Then don't. I'm ready.

"We need to leave. Now," he says, quickly grabbing his stuff. "It's an emergency"

Jolene laughs. "I don't think being horny qualifies as an emergency."

Tiago gives her a look as he closes his coat. "You're not married to Quinn Lopez."

"Good thing, too, or you'd have to kill me," she jokes as they make their way out. They've been best friends for quite a few years now and she reads him like a book. She knows he needs any distraction he can get if wants to get home with some of his dignity left. "Looks like we'll be finishing the project tomorrow."

Tiago nods, opening the doors with a spring in his step. "Yeah – good thing, too, it's been really busy this last month. I don't mind it, but you know how hard it's been for Quinn and me lately. I won't be sad to be able to spend some more time with her."

"I can imagine. I can't wait until Jackson gets home next week – in a way, it was good that we had this project. It kept me busy while he was away. But I still missed him. He promised me this was the last time, though."

Tiago raises his eyebrows as they get on the bus. "He's quitting the army?" It surprises him – Jackson lives for this.

"Well, he didn't say that, but I suppose there are things you can do that don't require you going to the actual war zone. I've decided not to ask about it look it up too much before he gets here, just in case he changes his mind and I'm left disappointed."

"I don't think he will. That guys loves you, Jolene."

"He loves his job, too."

Tiago rolls his eyes. "We both know that if he really had to choose between the military and you, he'd choose you in a heartbeat."

They keep talking until their ways part. Tiago takes his phone and looks at the pictures again, instantly regretting it. He just wants to be with her right now, not sit on the bus for another ten minutes.

He texts her when he gets off the bus and when he finally gets home, he almost runs upstairs. Quinn is in the bedroom, posing on the bed. He nearly has a heart attack – the sexy lingerie, her hair blown out, the light make-up she applied. He walks over to her and she leans forward, grabbing him by the waist. She opens his belt and takes down his pants and boxers in one go.

Quinn wraps a warm fist around Tiago's cock and tugs on it, pumping up and down before she takes the head between her lips. He can feel his dick hardening in her mouth, her tongue licking and swirling whenever she can. His hands go to her head and he enjoys this so much he almost lets it happen.

Tiago pulls his dick out of her mouth and when she gives him a confused look, he explains. "I want to make love to you you, baby."

He leans in for a kiss and simultaneously reaches around her back to unclasp her bra. He grabs one breast and squeezes, feeling her nipple rise against the palm of his hand. He trails kisses down her neck to her other breast and takes as much of it as he can in his mouth.

Quinn falls back on the bed and Tiago follows, now sucking on her nipple and swirling his tongue around it. She tries to unbutton his shirt, but finds it hard to focus, so she decides to just rip it off. "Wow," he breathes, the brutal force surprising him. "That was hot!"

She grins. "Shut up and fuck me, pretty boy."

He groans – she doesn't usually get like this. She lifts her hips and he takes the hint, pulling down her panties. He rubs his dick against her inner thighs and he can smell her wetness, his cock stiff between her legs. He slips into her easily, pushing through her walls, knowing exactly the pace it takes to please her without hurting her.

Once he's fully inside of her, he wraps his arms around her back and lifts her up. Tiago takes Quinn to the wall and pushes her against it, grunting with effort.

She smiles at him, surprised. "Sexy."

He pulls back and pushes, her legs widening and her ankles closing under his ass. "You are so fucking hot, Quinn." He pumps into her again, starting to build a rhyhtm now.

She throws back her head and kisses her breasts, his rock hard cock trusting into her warm pussy. Her walls squeeze his dick so good, it's like they're made for each other. She pulls his head into her chest, high-pitched moans leaving her throat.

Tiago is sweating, grunting as he concentrates on holding her up against the wall and pounding her pussy at the same time.

"Fucking hell, baby," Quinn breathes. "Just – yes – oh – yes! Harder! I want you to fuck me harder!"

Responding only with moans, he gives in to her request and soon, they're thumping against the wall. He can feel his balls tightening, her pussy almost sucking his dick inside of her, trapping it there, her walls fluttering around him.

Tiago is balls deep inside of Quinn when she closes her legs around him firmly, keeping his hard cock in its place as she rides it, harder and faster with every push.

With all his force, he gives her one more push with his cock, knowing he needs it – and then realises a first load of hot seed deep inside her. It keeps coming, spurt after spurt, filling her up – bringing her to her own orgasm. Tiago can feel her coming undone around him and it only prompts him to go again, to fuck her through her orgasm and fill her up even more.

Their orgasms seem to last ages and when they've both come down, they lie down on the bed, grinning like fools. Quinn turns to Tiago and kisses him, her breasts resting on his chest as she crawls closer and on top of him to deepen it. He reciprocates almost needily. She really is the love of his life.