Time Tells All.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, these characters, or anything else affiliated in any sense.
Warning: Story is un-beta-ed, so any and all mistakes are mine.
Author's note: A different spin on the start of Rachel and Shelby's relationship. I know that we've moved passed this part in their relationship, but I just like coming up with the various ways that it could have gone.
-xo-
Rachel stood frozen as the Vocal Adrenaline students left in their new cars, laughing at the sight of her recent egging. Once they were out of sight, she let out a whimper before forcing herself to move. "This is repulsing!" she muttered, as she entered the now empty McKinley High School. She opened the nearest bathroom door and gasped slightly at the sight before her, "Shelby?" In front of Rachel stood the tall, brunette, stern looking woman that once claimed to be her mother. "What are you doing here?" she asked, no attempt to hide the shock in her voice. The last she had seen her mother, Shelby had recommended that they that they cease a relationship and just be grateful for each other from afar.
Shelby took a moment to take in the sight of the young girl in front of her. She was curious as to why her new found daughter was covered in egg, but before questioning that, she gave her attention to Rachel's question first. "I've just had a meeting with Figgins about the damage that was done to Vocal Adrenaline property at the hands of your fellow classmates" she explained, disgust and disapproval in her voice. After a beat, she continued, "What on Earth happened to you?"
"Your charming students" was all Rachel said, as she slipped past Shelby and headed for the sinks. It was awkward, to say the least. Their last meeting was supposed to be it; their only conversation, the most contact that they were going to have. She groaned in frustration at the sticky concoction of egg and argyle, aggressively grabbing and tossing paper towel in her attempts to clean. "Jesse and the others," she elaborated, "they know I'm a vegan!"
Shelby didn't bother to hide the smirk that was on her face as she watched the aggravated teen. "Ah yes, my students have always gone all out" she said almost proudly. It wasn't a minute later that the Vocal coach was suddenly awash with the feeling of sympathy, as she stood there watching her daughter suffer at the hands of her own students. "Would you like some help with that?" she offered with the amusement slipping out of her voice.
Rachel nodded tentatively, "I'm never going to get all of this out of my hair. This is disgusting. And just think of all those poor chicks!" she commented, as she wiped egg from the front her shirt and her arms with even more paper towel. The egg seemed to be spreading more than it was actually coming off of her clothes. "Fortunately I carry a spare sweater with me" she sighed, "for emergencies where slushies are involved. But I should probably shower before my dads' see me..."
"It is kind of disgusting," Shelby chuckled, "and yes... a shower before changing would be best." Even as she was picking pieces of egg shell out of the brunette locks, Shelby knew that her attempts were fruitless. "Do they even have showers here?" Shelby asked. She knew that McKinley High was a public school at best and doubted that they had many of the luxuries that Carmel had.
"Only the filthy gym ones; but the locker rooms should be closed. I mean, the boy's ones should be open for after practice, but..." she wrinkled her nose in disgust. She looked up at Shelby who was still attempting to pick eggshell out of her hair. She noted that it almost felt like a mother daughter moment – almost. Pushing the delusion aside, she said, "My dad's are going to freak. They know that I'm not the most popular girl in school, but I don't want to worry them with my social awkwardness and the likes."
Finally giving up, Shelby laughed, "This is useless." She took a step back, using paper towel to clean her hands before glancing down her own clothes to make sure that they were still immaculately clean. "I was just heading home – I could give you a lift and try to explain the situation to them," Shelby offered, knowing precisely what Rachel's fathers were like and how much they were going to stress over the situation. She was willing to talk to them, even if it made her and her students out to be the bad guys.
Rachel stared for a moment. She was confused. The woman that wanted nothing to do with her after seeking her out had just offered to give her a lift home and stick around to talk to her parents. There was just one problem – Rachel wanted to avoid her parents finding out about what happened. "That's a nice gesture..." Rachel started, "but... well, I'm just not sure that it's the best idea. I mean, I wanted to avoid them finding out... that and, the last time they found out that we had talked we nearly moved my therapist in to the spare room upstairs."
The older of the two thought for a moment. She understood Rachel was coming from, and a pang of guilt shot through her. "Option two – come home with me, shower, change, then I'll drop you home," she said quietly. She didn't know if it was the best idea, but the option was out there. After all – they were her students that caused the mess in the first place.
Momentarily shocked, Rachel hesitated before nodding. "Thank you. That'd be... that'd be nice," she said, throwing away the rest of the paper towel that littered the sink. She grabbed her bag and silently followed her estranged mum. Inside herself was turmoil as a million thoughts ran through her head. She was going to her mother's house and it felt personal – like she wasn't just seeing the woman as the Vocal Adrenaline coach and competition. As they got to the car, Rachel apologised for the possible excess of eggs that might dirty the seats.
"Don't worry about the seats," Shelby assured, "I'll make the students clean it... Oh, and sorry about them, by the way. Sometimes they can get a little carried away... which could possibly be my fault." There was silence as Shelby manoeuvred the large car out of the car park and on to the streets of Lima. She knew that both she and her daughter had a lot to talk about, but more than that, they each had a lot to think about.
-xo-
To be continued (upon demand).
