Seven minutes and thirty-six seconds. Rachel made it an absolute point to glance and double check her watch before meeting the sheepish gaze of her older sister. The only acceptable excuse I'll allow is if Alexia was anticipating a wardrobe malfunction for my sectionals solo practice and made a detour at her place to pick up a more-than-adequate costume change, Rachel pondered as she imagined what splendid couture could possibly have been chosen for her. After spending the better part of the last six years in the spotlight for acting, Alexia had ample opportunity to obtain a designer-rich wardrobe that would make any blossoming star like herself become green with envy. Honestly, I will never understand why she then settles for a pair of co-ed mall brand jeans, a babydoll tunic, and matching wedges- the deplorable, indolent "fast-food" option over an assumed sophisticated and classy "corner bistro in Tuscany" choice ensemble. Despite Alexia's common everyday adherence to adverting from her available posh attire, Rachel still more than deeply admired her sister and felt so fortunate to show her off to all her glee club posse. In her peripheral, she could see Quinn Fabray and Mercedes whispering and giggling, obviously talking about her, which made her gleam with pride. Although she hadn't told anyone about Alexia visiting, let alone the fact that she had an older sister (why should she trump her future stardom by focusing on Alexia's previous jaunt through fame?), she just knew that again, she was probably the center of their current attention. Rachel grinned to herself, preparing to open the door. Isn't that what only mattered most?

"Sweet child…sweet chiiiiiilllld, illld of miiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne." Wiping the dripping beads of sweat off his brow, Will cleared his throat, caught a quick breath, and turned to Rachel, who was blocking the narrow view of the small window of the music room door.

"This is a closed rehearsal, Rachel. With sectionals right around the corner, we don't want to run the risk of any unwanted visitors with any hidden agendas." He immediately thought back to the beginning of the school year- Sue Sylvester, leaked set lists, Sue Sylvester, his soon-to-be ex-wife, Terri, Sue Sylvester …the list of Will's potential sources of the bane of his and the glee club's existence from that point of time could continue on, but his professional life and personal life were slowly picking back up, so there wasn't a point of further harping on the negative.

Will Schuester liked to consider himself a positive person, so he always made sure to abolish even the internal griping when it bore its rather ugly head.

He noticed that not one of his students was even paying the slightest attention to his remarks. All eyes were glued on Rachel and whoever held her captive attention on the opposite side of the heavy wooden door.

Here we go again. Will could only imagine what melodramatic antics were brewing today with Rachel. He leaned against the piano keyboard and took a long swig from his water bottle, letting its cool stream slide down his throat. We still have to run through Mercedes solo. There's five Spanish essay finals I have yet to grade and input to the computer. Will's mind wandered off to think about which restaurant was up in the rotation for takeout that evening: A single man can only survive on so much chicken Pad Thai and pepperoni pizza…

"Oh no, Mr. Schue. Rest assure that my elite visitor is for all intents and purposes to provide your star soloist," Rachel paused for a half-curtsey "with camaraderie, moral support, and a heightened sense of awareness for the greater good of everyone present in the room."

"Get on with it already, please. My baby does not have the time to sit here and listen to your ranting ramblings." Quinn, who was hit or miss these days on how she really felt towards Rachel, was in her last trimester of pregnancy and often used her unborn child as an the outward avenue for her distaste and displeasure.

Ignoring Quinn, Rachel continued before Will could interrupt her again. As much as she respected and looked up to Mr. Schuester, she knew it was wrong to not have cleared Alexia's visit with him beforehand and wasn't going to admit it then. As a McKinley alumni with a greater standing legacy than his, no offense, Alexia had every right, if not more, to be there if she so desired. Well, at least if Rachel desired! "The most beautiful and highly talented, Alexia Carlfenso- my older and wiser sister!"

Rachel couldn't decipher the perplexed looks among her peers and teacher. Were they more hung up on the fact that she had brought a quasi-famous actress (yes, quasi. She had a career that spanned mostly throughout cult and independent films and left the scene right as she was offered a monumental, breakthrough role that most likely would have skyrocketed her to the A list) to their glee club rehearsal or the fact she had a sister? First, there is the discovery that she possibly found her birth mother and now she is throwing an unmentioned older sibling into the mix. If they weren't too big on her drama before, they sure as hell had to despise it by now!

The group's elicited response determined otherwise. A clatter of chatter sprung amongst the students.

"RuPaul's got a sister?" Santana Perez laughed and nudged Noah "Puck" Puckerman, who was oblivious to the stated relationship of his peer. His Uncle Ira used to own a video store that also specialized in pornographic movies and straight-to-video films, so he used to get prime selection of both the popular and obscure DVD's. "Alexia Carlfenso. Now she is a Future MILF if I have ever seen one. Cougar style!" Smirking, he high-fived Finn Hudson, who quickly scanned the room to see if anyone was watching him. His loyalties remained with Rachel to some extent, but that didn't mean he had to refrain from an obvious declaration.

Will quieted down the crowd to the best of his ability as he racked his brain to picture this young woman. He was certain he heard her name before, but Terri never allowed him to watch those "kind" of movies. She believed them to be a step-above glorified family home videos mixed with recordings of amateur night from local playhouses. That's why she confiscated his copies of "Office Space" and "Juno" and sold them on eBay to pay off her debt for the abundance of unnecessary high-end toilet brushes she stockpiled. Alexia Carlfenso had attended McKinley High, he knew, and was definitely a noteworthy alumni from the way her name still graces many a-trophy and plaques that adorn the display cases in the main entrance way. Since she was about five years younger than him, she neither attended school alongside him nor did he ever encounter her as a student in any of his instructional classes.

A brief silence fell over the music room. Mercedes piped up, "Well, what are you waiting for already? Open the door and let the girl in!"

However, Rachel was not finished with her verbose introduction. Amid the eye rolls, moans, and groans, she suddenly backed up against the door, completely covering the thin, narrow window. Will silently cursed to himself, as this obstructed view was not aiding the difficultly he had in placing Alexia's face in his mind.

"I should warn you all that before you make any rash judgments, she is not a singer…"

"As long she can scream my name in b---"Puck was cut off by one of Rachel's infamous disapproving looks and slapped upside his mohawked head by an equally disapproving Quinn. (After all, SHE was carrying his baby. )

"…so obviously, we have waded in separate gene pools, and…"

Almost too eagerly, Will jumped up from his relaxed lean on the piano and went towards the door himself. Not only was he curious to remember a girl he indirectly knew, but also he was secretly dying, albeit scared, to meet a female relative of Rachel's. This was the first he was informed about Rachel having family other than her two fathers, so he wondered how exactly that worked, but he would allow himself to put that thought off for the time being.

"Enough is enough, Rachel. We aren't looking to recruit another singer. We are just happy to welcome her to our rehearsal."

"But Mr. Schue---"

"I said ENOUGH, Rachel. Now please have a seat. You are up in five minutes." As much as he loved his job and working with his glee kids, he sometimes also wished his day officially ended when the final bell rang. Especially on those days when Rachel was in an excessively ranting mood.

It seemed like an eternity, but the door finally opened. On the other side, in the hallway, Alexia was so caught up in her daydream of imagining a private serenade by the mystery gentleman that she didn't realize she was then standing face-to-face with him!

Upon hearing the door open, as she was turning her cell phone on silent mode, Alexia didn't bother to look up before she began, "Hey sweetie. Sorry I'm late. You know what happens when I get to talking."

It must have been the after effects of her daydream induced stupor, because "sweetie" wasn't Rachel. "Sweetie" was Will Schuester.

Will's face blushed a soft shade of crimson. He hoped it wasn't too noticeable. He definitely recognized the face, but she was far more beautiful than he remembered. Magazine articles and past yearbook photos certainly didn't do her justice. He just couldn't help but smile at the awkward greeting.

Alexia hurriedly tossed her phone into her bag. She felt her face get hot, but recovered quickly. It was at that minute she knew exactly who the pseudo-Guns N' Roses frontman was! Will Schuester, Class of 1996. He took the Nationals title with glee club in 1993, four years before she even came to McKinley. Although she wasn't involved with the music section of the Fine Arts department when she was in high school, she was president of the Drama Troupe and held down the leading roles for every theatre production from the time she was a freshman and Will was already graduated. That truly was enough to be familiar with the talented mark he made prior to her walking the same halls. And, from the pictures and videos she remembered, he most certainly was a late bloomer, wow!

"Yeah, so you are definitely not Rachel." Ugh, did that lame, and obvious, line just come from her mouth? So embarrassing!

God, she was so cute! Now, a tad bit more confidently, he smirked. "Um, last time I checked, definitely not. Alexia, right? I'm Will."

Will extended his hand to shake hers and she accepted, studying his perfectly, straight white teeth as he grinned. Alexia nodded and made eye contact with those studly green eyes she admired from outside. "Nice to meet you, Will. So you are Rachel's glee instructor? I'm so sorry!" Teasing, she placed an empathetic hand on his shoulder, brushing against his bicep in the process. Even more toned up close than from afar, Alexia decided.

Although she did know of Will, Alexia figured she'd save the "I remember you's from this, that, and the other places" for a hopefully, intended next meeting. At least if not for more than just in passing when she came to see Rachel. Damn, she surely hoped for that more, though!

As she was adjusting her microphone back towards the risers, Rachel couldn't help but notice she did not like this first encounter with her sister and Mr. Schuester.

Kurt Hummel, the out and about proclaimed gay member of New Directions, put his hand out in front of Rachel, to prevent her from encroaching on her sisters entrance prematurely , "Oh no, don't stop them just yet. When Mr. Schue's eyes lit up like that, he resembled a young James Dean. Mmmm…what a rebel without a cause…."

"Wait did I just say that aloud?" Kurt ruffled his plaid ascot and went back to looking over his own sheet music for regionals.

"I will not let Alexia become just another one of Mr. Schuester's flavors of the week, or day, whatever the case may be. We all witnessed how our week-long triste ended back in the Fall." Rachel was referring to her short-lived unrequited crush she had on Will, in which she even ended up cooking for him and cleaning his house, back when he was still together with his wife. Although she was only a student, she knew, as well as the rest of her fellow glee members, about her teacher's wandering eyes and swooning over Miss Pillsbury and April Rhodes. Oh wait, and what about the rumor Jesse St. James told her about Mr. Schuester hanging out with Jesse's former Vocal Adrenaline coach, Shelby Corcoran? Whether or not these alleged relationships amounted to anything of substantial value, it was apparent that since his separation from his wife, Mr. Schuester changed "girlfriends" as often as she changed sweater cardigans- too often for anyone's liking!

Rachel grew infuriated, as she watched them giggle and talk closely, within only several short minutes of meeting each other. Mr. Schuester was monopolizing her personal time with her sister!

"You know, Mr. Schue is the man! How does he do it with all these women flocking to him?" Finn demanded, joining in on the gawkfest with Rachel.

"It's those Mr. Rogers' sweaters, I tell you. They are like bait to the female persuasion."Puck threw his arm around Rachel's neck. She slinked out of it in disgust.

Artie Abrams, another member of New Directions, wheeled himself over to the threesome in his chair. "5:00. My dad will drive. I know where they are having a sale on those woolen women-catchers."

Miss Berry refused to have Alexia steal another second of her attention. If this is the way it was going to be now that she was living within a 15-mile radius of her, she'd have to search for a way to share this spotlight, for the sake of her sisterly bond and relationship. Right now, she didn't have the patience or the time.

"La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la- from the topppp!" Rachel sang, or rather shouted, the scale and latter words to the same tune. "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi- I'm warmed up!"

Will turned to Rachel and requested she introduce Alexia to the rest of the group, formally, now that she was inside the door. "I'm sure everyone would like to meet your sister first, Rachel." He pulled up a blue high-backed chair for Alexia, as she volunteered her own introduction to everyone.

"Hey guys, I'm Alexia. Carlfenso. Rachel's half-sister." Almost immediately, the other girls in the room lit up in response to "half". They privately unanimously agreed they would like her automatically more by knowing this tidbit of information.

"I've taken an indefinite break from acting and moved a week ago back here to Lima to teach Kindergarten at William H. Taft. I graduated from McKinley in 2001, so I probably had some of the same teachers as you guys do."

"Wow, you are old! You must be as old as like my mom, or something!" Brittany, a Cheerios/Glee club member, perplexedly delivered one of her usual nonsensical one-liners that made everyone pause in confused disbelief for a moment.

Alexia raised her eyebrows at Brittany, and then continued "Although I was involved in many of the activities around campus, I was not a part of the glee club."

"She can't sing!" Rachel blurted out, expected a backlash from somewhere in the room. "Oh, and did I mention she is not a JAP? That's Jewish American Princess, to be exact."

Will paid no mind to the first part of what Rachel just exclaimed. "Carlfenso. Italian right?" The thought quickly entered his mind that he studied the Italian language from a few years back in college and always wondered when he would be provided the opportunity to utilize it. He chased the thought out as quickly as it had come to him. The last thing he needed was to become interested in yet another woman, when he certainly had more than enough on his plate to complicate matters.

"Now, I love me some Jewish girls, but Italian princesses- they are the ones that can cook!" Puck walked over and gave Alexia a suave kiss on the cheek. She just uncomfortably moved a step further back.

Will's growling stomach forced him to think of a nice home-cooked Italian meal. Maybe some lasagna, stuffed shells, eggplant parmesan, tiramisu, cannolis…..sure as hell would beat another cardboard calzone from Goodfella's up the block. Again, he forced himself to think of the debacle that was erupting in his classroom and that he needed to stop it, and stop it now.

Brittany had to get one last off-the-mark comment in, "Is that like those Italian ices? My dad won't let me eat them after I got my tongue stuck frozen to the cup. Did you know some places give you spoons to eat them with? I like spoons. Especially plastic ones."

Everybody, except for Will, who was uncharacteristically lost in his own thoughts for a temporary moment or two, exchanged glances when Santana chimed in and mentioned that she remembered Alexia was also former Head Captain of the Cheerios during her entire high school career. He must have definitely been lagging behind in conversation because he just so happen to focus on what Rachel said prior to the Italian tangent…

"You don't sing, Alexia?" That's right. He had never once heard or saw her named linked to any musical activity, event, or project. Without thinking first, which is something Will often suffered a lot from lately, he had an idea!

"Why don't you come here a couple times of week for singing lessons? I- I mean, we..."he stammered "We would enjoy having you around to give us some theatrical advice, and in turn, you can spend time with your sister and maybe update your resume with a vocal number or two."

Damn Mr. Schuester, thought Rachel. He always has to play the role of Mr. Nice Guy. She tried immensely to dislike him numerous times over the last year, but he was just too genuinely sweet and considerate, and that, with a doubt, changed her mind time and time again.

"That would be, awesome! I always wanted to learn some acting skills, too." Tina Cohen-Chang, a very artsy-creative member of the group, already liked the new semi-addition to glee. She even enjoyed the fact that Alexia didn't seem nearly as obnoxious as Rachel, either, but she wouldn't volunteer that opinion to anyone. Yet, anyway.

Rachel approached Alexia and stood next to her, unexpectedly hugging Will. "I think that is a fabulous idea, Mr. Schuester." She was thankful for the fact that she would have the chance to be close to her sister and assure that she would not take center stage from her, while also managing to keep a close watch out for Mr. Schue and his charismatic ways. "How about Friday?"

"How about Friday?" said Will. It was only Tuesday." We'll be here until 4:45. I'm sure everyone can come up with something we have been working on to show Alexia by then."

Alexia was flattered and felt important. Although she had only been back for a week, she had been out of the acting scene for almost a year now. It was around the time she and Daniel ended their engagement and he moved back to Philadelphia. This arrangement worked well for everyone. She and Rachel could finally get consistent quality time by doing something together they both loved. She could lend a helping hand in an area she was thoroughly trained in, with both boys and girls who represented all arenas of high school activities she once was a part of. She might also finally learn how to sing- decently, if not well! And, how could she forget, possibly get to know better this kind and handsome Will Schuester character! I mean, not like she was looking to get to know him in more than a platonic way. She was too busy rearranging her life to maintain somewhat of a manageable order since she moved back.

"Wow, I don't know what to say?"

"I could finish that sentence for you, bella mia." offered Puck, but not without a myriad of more disapproving looks.

"I have a staff meeting after the kids leave, but I can come here directly after." It was settled, before anyone could realize, even Rachel, that Alexia probably wouldn't make it to McKinley's campus until closer to 5 p.m.

5 p.m. . . After the students have left. After all the students have left and only one person remained, packing up and wrapping up for the evening.

Will.

"Well, then it's settled. Welcome home to Lima, Alexia. We are all glad to have you back." He gave Alexia a warm, friendly squeeze around the small of her back, but not without sending a wink in her direction.

She felt a surge of comfort in that squeeze and wink, but also just simply being in his presence made her feel that way.

Alexia Carlfenso believed that in order to move forward with her life, she had to take a step or two back, to familiar stopping grounds. To gain a new perspective. To feel alive again. To feel what being a part of something again is like. To find herself.

After practice had ended and Rachel told her she was getting a ride home with Finn, she traced her steps back down the corridor, out to the parking lot, and out to her car. It was still two hours until dusk, so late daylight illuminated a path to the figure standing ever-so-perfectly neat and good-posture-like next to her space. From the matching Mary Janes and pressed, coordinating skirts, a flashback from years gone by, there was no mistaken Alexia as to who it was.

She fought back a wave of anxious nausea and a gnawing sensation in the pit of her gut, knowing that it was inevitable they'd run into each other, but back here? Of all places…

"Welcome back, Lexie. It has been way too long."