A/N: So this is a one shot in which Rachel grew up with Shelby (Shelby being a single mother) so the two are very close. Shelby never even thought of giving her away, so this is also very AU. Rachel is 16. They live in NYC. Shelby made it big on Broadway. Thanks to Defygravity09 who helped.

What happens when Shelby gets a new boyfriend?

I fair warn you I haven't been able to proof this yet but I wanted your opinion.

"So who's this new guy?" Rachel asked as she watched her mother walk around the room getting ready for her date.

"Matt and he works with me."

"Oh?"

"Rachel Corcoran, we have had this discussion before."

"I know mom!" the girl fainted back onto the bed overdramatically. "It's just…. you haven't dated anyone in soooo long."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, darling," Shelby joked as she slipped her earrings on.

"You know that's not what I mean." Yes. Shelby knew exactly what she meant. What she meant was that she hadn't dated since the last guy she had dated had left her high and dry for some floozy. "I just don't want you to get hurt," the girl whispered.

"I know you don't, baby," she stepped forward and kissed her daughter's head. "Now, Daniel is going to come over at 10 and stay with you while I'm gone." The girl groaned. "Don't give me that, I know you love him."

"Mom! Of course I love him! He's the closest thing to a dad that I've ever had! I just don't need a babysitter," She stated exasperatedly.

"I know and if I wasn't going out so late, when it's dark outside, I would let you stay home by yourself. He's not here to watch you, he's here to keep a lookout for the freaks in the world."

The girl sighed deeply, "I know."

"Good." The doorbell rung and Shelby about panicked. "Honey can you please go get the door? I'll be right down. It may be Daniel but he usually just walks in."

"I got it, just finish up and don't rush! You want to look your best!" the girl walked down the hallway and opened up the door to see the man, Matt, on the other side. "You must be Matt! I'm Rachel, Shelby's daughter."

"Hi," the man greeted as he walked inside, "nice to meet you. Where's Shelby?"

"Oh she's just finishing up. Now listen, Matt." The man looked up at the girl shocked. "My mother is the most important person in the world to me, she's my hero. She's so strong, but she has one fault: she loves too much. You had better be serious about this, about going out with her. You better not be just looking for a quick lay. She deserves so much better than that and I'm going to ensure that she gets it. You had better not hurt her. But if you do, I'm the one who'll be picking up the pieces, and when I'm done, I will personally make your life a living hell. I have friends at the theatre and don't think I won't use that connection. So if you really were just looking for a quick lay, get out. You aren't welcome here. But if you are serious, thank you for treating my mom with respect. So what will it be?" the man seemed to think for a minute before turning and walking out the door. Rachel was baffled and disgusted all at the same time.

That bastard.

Those two words were on a loop in her head.

"I'm ready! Sorry it took so lo- Where'd he go?" Shelby asked. "I thought I heard him."

"You did. I'm so sorry mom."

"What happened?" Shelby asked, highly confused as to why her daughter was apologizing.

"I told him welcome. And then I warned him that if he was just looking to get you into bed and not have a real relationship, to get out. And… he left."

"He left?" Shelby asked as her purse collided with the floor. "All he wanted was to have sex with me?"

"I'm so sorry mom," Rachel stated, walking up to her and wrapping her arms around her mother. The older woman just melted into her daughter as she dissolved in tears. Finally, Rachel succeeded in getting her mother to the couch and soon had her laid out with her head resting in her lap. "I'm sorry, momma," Rachel whispered as she looked down at her mother, running her fingers through her mother's hair, a comforting motion her mother always did for her.

When Daniel walked into the door two hours later he was shocked to find both of the leading ladies in his life sitting on the couch. His best friend and his…. Well their daughter (they had pretty much raised her together). "Shelby?" Daniel asked hesitantly, but when she saw him, she jumped and ran into his arms, crying into his shoulder. "Shhhhh…. Sweetheart, what happened?" he asked as she buried her face into his neck.

"He… he was a j-j-j-jerk. All he wanted was to s-s-sleep with me." Anger flared up within Daniel. How dare that man even think of disrespecting such a beautiful (both inside and out) woman? His best friend? His Shelby?

"Shhh, babe, it's ok. At least you didn't waste your time with that jerk," he whispered into her hair as he continued to hold her, stroking her hair as he placed soft kisses to her head. "You deserve so much more than that scum." Soon he had maneuvered her to the couch only, she crawled into his lap and continued to sob into his neck.

Rachel just sat there and watched, baffled at how two people could love each other so much and yet not be together.

A/N: I hope you liked it!

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