The Start Of Something New

A/N: First of all thank you all so much for your reviews, I love reading them and I have taken everyone's thoughts and ideas into consideration. As always reviews are very much welcomed. Enjoy!:*

Rachel was relieved as soon as glee finished before she realised that she was not going home to and empty house today, her fathers had arrived home at lunch time and she knew that they would have hundreds of questions about what she got up to while they were away and if she had behaved herself (no boys, no parties etc.) as well as spending hours telling her about all the great things they had done while they were away.

As she walked into her house she was immediately enveloped in hugs from both her dads, pulling away only as breathing started to be a problem Rachel relaxed completely for the first time that day, she was home where there was no constant fear of a slushie attack or name calling.

"Rachel! Now I trust you followed the rules we set out, they are for your own safety and our peace of mind" Hiram said as he pushed her away and held her at arm length so he could take in her appearance, he noticed that she looked a little worn but he put that down to not getting enough sleep while they were away, clearly she couldn't be trusted after all. Leroy seemed to be thinking the same thing as a second later he spoke,

"Rachel, have you been looking after yourself well enough, you look incredibly worn down and a little thinner since we left"

"I'm fine Daddy, it's just glee rehearsals, we've been working so much harder and I just haven't adjusted yet"

"Ah yes that would explain things, how are all your friends in glee, I hope you haven't been having any of them staying round at night," Leroy warned, looking down at her.

"They're not my friends Daddy, they're barely my teammates, friends look out for each other and stand up for each other" Rachel said quietly

"Now come on Rachel, don't be silly, I'm sure if you ever needed defending every single one of them would be by your side in an instant." Hiram spoke up, his little girl was a star there was absolutely no way that she would be getting any trouble from school, all of that passed over in a few weeks and nothing had happened since.

Rachel knew there was no point arguing with her dads when they were so certain she was exaggerating, she turned around and started heading up to her room barely acknowledging her Dads when they said they would call her down for dinner later.

Once Rachel had shut the door to her room she took out her stained top and taking it into her bathroom, running the hot water and hoping to soak most of the stain out before she took it down and put it in a regular wash. Taking out her books, Rachel started on some of the work that she needed to get done, passing the time before she had to go down and face her dads again.

*

The next day was much the same as the last, Rachel had been slushied again and so had spent most of her history class cleaning herself up. She made her way to glee club again and took her usual seat at the back. Once everyone else had arrived Mr Schuester took his place at the front of the room,

"Seeing as no-one has come up with any ideas for nationals I have decided that you all need to find and perform a 'hello' song, maybe the research will help you think of a few ideas"

Rachel went straight to the music store after glee, she was determined to prove that she was capable of thinking up good ideas for nationals. As soon as she got to the music store she began searching, picking up a Lionel Richie music book she began flicking through hoping to find something of use, as she found the song 'hello' he felt the top of the book being pushed down and she came face to face with a handsome stranger.

"Lionel Richie huh, one of my favourites"

"I have to find a 'hello' song for glee club, honestly my talent's wasted there" Rachel huffed in reply

"do you want to practice?" Jesse asked, gesturing to the book

"what here?" Rachel asked, looking around nervously

"yeah of course, where else would we go" he chuckled before noticing the expression on her face, "relax, I do impromptu performances here all the time"

Taking her hand in his he gently lead her over to the piano in the corner ignoring the tingles shooting through his fingertips and up his spine, he took a seat and began to play

(Rachel, Jesse, Both)

I've been alone with you inside my mind,
and in my dreams I've kissed your lips,
a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door,
hello,
is it me you're looking for?

I can see it in your eyes,
I can see it in your smile,
you're all I've ever wanted
and my arms are open wide,
cause you know just what to say
and you know just what to do
and I want to tell you so much,
I love you

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
and tell you time and time again, how much I care

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow,
hello,
I've just got to let you know
cause I wonder where you are
and I wonder what you do
are you somewhere feeling lonely,
or is someone loving you?
tell me how to win your heart
for I haven't got a clue
but let me start by saying,
I love you

Is it me you're looking for
cause I wonder where you are

and I wonder what you do
(wonder what you do)

Are you somewhere feeling lonely,
or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
cause I haven't got a clue
but let me start by saying,
I love you

Rachel smiled brightly at the applause, soaking it up as she had wanted to for so long but not being able to because she was just taken for granted at school. Jesse glanced over, smiling at the sight of her so happy before turning to her and holding his hand out to shake,

"Jesse St. James, lead of Vocal Adrenalin"

"Rachel Berry, lead of New Directions"

"so what exactly did this glee club do that caused you to come in here in such a grump?"

Unsure of what made her trust Jesse so much, Rachel went on to tell him everything that had gone through at McKinley.

"They throw slushies at you!" Jesse exclaimed"

"It's easy enough to get out if you know what to do"

"but you shouldn't know what to do, does your mom and dad not care about this"

Rachel looked down and shuffled her feet nervously before returning her gaze to his face,

"I don't actually know who my mom is, I have two gay dads"

"That doesn't make a difference, they should care about you enough to make some kind of change, stop this from happening"

Rachel felt a huge sense of relief wash over her after finding out Jesse didn't judge her or act any differently because of it but her mood sobered up as she replied,

"they don't believe me"

"they don't believe you! Honestly it's a wonder you're not insane, that kind of environment is enough to make anyone crack"

"people say I'm crazy," Rachel whispered but Jesse ignored her carrying on with his thought track

"you should come to Carmel, nothing like what happens at McKinley happens there and it would be nice to have a lead that can keep up with me for once" Jesse said grinning

"I'll think about it"

And think about it she did, Rachel spent the rest of the evening arranging a time to visit Carmel.

A/N: This chapter ended up being a lot longer than the other two, I don't know if you guys want me to keep the other chapters this long or if you want me to go back to shorter chapters so let me know:*