Chapter 3
Rachel can't fall asleep. At first, she thinks it's because it's her first night in a new house, in a new bed. She tosses and turns for over an hour before realizing it's more than the change in environment. She feels like she's going to be sick. So, she gets up and runs to the bathroom, stopping only to shut the door behind her. The door is a barrier to the sound. Even sick, Rachel Berry is polite. She doesn't want to wake Shelby up. A wave of nausea hits her. Hard. Kneeling on the tile floor in front of the toilet, she empties the contents of her stomach.
She's not surprised she's getting sick. She's tired, stressed out. She's the star of New Directions and Regionals is in a few days. If they don't win, it's the end of Glee Club. Worse still, Sue is one of the judges. Sue has made it clear that she wants Glee Club to be an epic fail. Rachel feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Adding to the weight is the fact that she's going head-to-head against Jesse St. James.
Used to living alone, Shelby is also used to her house being quiet when she's sleeping. So, she wakes up with a start when she hears a door shut at 1:53 am. Groaning when she sees what time it is, she reluctantly gets out of bed and goes to investigate.
Shelby opens Rachel's bedroom door and sees that Rachel's bed is empty. She's puzzled for a moment. Until she hears a retching sound coming from the bathroom. She doesn't know what to do. She's never taken care of a sick child.
When she opens the door and sees Rachel hovering over the toilet, she doesn't think twice before holding Rachel's hair back. It's instinct. She's not disgusted. As a choir director, she's seen performers toss their cookies from exhaustion after a particularly grueling practice or stage fright before a competition.
Rachel slowly gets up. She brushes her teeth. "I didn't want to wake you up. I'm so sorry," Rachel apologizes.
"Don't worry about it," Shelby says. Noticing that Rachel's face is flushed, she awkwardly puts the palm of her hand on Rachel's forehead. It's a maternal gesture. Yet, the first time Shelby does it, her daughter is fifteen. Her uncertainty is forgotten the second she feels the warmth radiating from Rachel's skin. "Hon, you're burning up," Shelby says, concerned.
"Well, at least I didn't lose my voice," Rachel says sarcastically.
Shelby smiles slightly. When she was younger, she would have said the same thing. "Get back in bed. I'm gonna get you a couple of aspirin to bring your fever down," Shelby says. She pauses in the doorway. "Do you want anything else?" Shelby asks, upset that she doesn't know what her daughter likes when she's sick.
"Do you have any soda?" Rachel asks as she gets back in bed.
After a trip to the kitchen, Shelby comes back with two white tablets and a soda can. Rachel swallows the pills, washing them down with a gulp of soda. "Thank you," Rachel says.
Shelby smiles. She feels bad for her daughter. But, she kind of likes taking care of Rachel. It makes her feel needed. "Of course. You know where to fine me if you need anything else," Shelby says.
A few hours later, the alarm on Rachel's cell phone goes off. She always gets up early to work out. She used to have an elliptical machine in her room at her dads' house. Since they died, she's gone for a run every morning. As she gets out of bed, she knows she's not going to be running this morning. She's sore. Having only slept for a few hours, she's exhausted. But, the show must go on. Regionals is in a few days. Rachel can't miss rehearsal. So, she gets up and gets in the shower.
When Shelby gets up, she goes to see how Rachel is feeling. Seeing Rachel's empty bed, she thinks Rachel is getting sick again. But, when she hurries into the bathroom, she's surprised by what she sees. Rachel isn't kneeling in front of the toilet. She's standing in front of the mirror applying cover up. She's wearing a black sweater with white polka dots on it and a skirt.
"What are you doing?" Shelby asks.
"Getting ready for school," Rachel replies.
Shelby puts her palm on Rachel's forehead and frowns. "You can't go to school until your fever goes down," Shelby says.
"Why should I let you keep me home from school when a couple of aspirin will do the trick?" Rachel asks, defiant.
Rachel's reaction catches Shelby off guard. When she says jump, her students ask how high. She's not used to teenagers questioning her. She's upset for a moment, but then she remembers that Rachel is tired and isn't feeling well.
"Take the day off. Get some rest. I want you to get better before you go back to school," Shelby says.
"Not going to school means I can't go to rehearsal which means my life is over," Rachel says.
"Don't be melodramatic," Shelby says, rolling her eyes.
Rachel frowns. "I'm not. New Directions can't rehearse if I'm not there. I'm the star. And members of Vocal Adrenaline can't miss rehearsal for any reason," Rachel says, repeating the rumor she's heard about Shelby's policies.
"Actually when my performers are sick, they can't attend rehearsal. I don't want one sick student making all twenty-six of my performers sick," Shelby corrects.
"I wash my hands all the time. I carry hand sanitizer in my bag. I am not going to make anyone sick," Rachel says.
"Stop. Just stop. Look, I don't want you to go to school as long as you have a fever," Shelby says, frustrated.
"There are only two days before Regionals. I have to practice," Rachel points out.
"You're going to do fine at Regionals even if you miss one rehearsal. You are really, really talented. When you made last minute changes to your set list at Sectionals, you were extraordinary even though you hadn't been rehearsing Don't Rain on My Parade," Shelby says.
Rachel smiles slightly. Shelby's opinion matters to her. When Rachel softens, Shelby puts a hand on her shoulder and turns her around so she's facing the bed.
"Get back in bed. I'm gonna go get you some aspirin," Shelby says. "Do you want anything to eat?" Shelby asks.
"No thank you. Food sounds awful," Rachel replies, wrinkling her nose.
Shelby comes back juggling a bottle of aspirin, a glass of water and a soda can. She doesn't know what Rachel will want to drink. She puts everything on Rachel's bedside table.
"I can get a substitute to take my classes, but I have to go to rehearsal tonight," Shelby says.
"You can go to work," Rachel says, realizing she can get Finn to pick her up if Shelby leaves. She sees Shelby's skepticism. "I'm just going to sleep," Rachel adds.
"Okay. Call me if you need anything. There's crackers in the cupboard and toast in the refrigerator if you get hungry," Shelby says.
The second Shelby leaves, Rachel calls Finn. She catches him as he's walking into McKinley with Puck.
"I can't ditch class. My mom's still mad about the tires. Hold on. Puck can come get you."
When Puck parks in front of Shelby's house, Rachel is waiting on the front porch.
"How's it being in enemy territory?" Puck asks as Rachel gets in the passenger seat.
"I'm kind of worried. I've never been so hurt as when she bailed on me. Every second I spend getting to know her will make it even harder if it happens again," Rachel says, changing the radio station.
"I know how you feel. My dad's a deadbeat," Puck says.
"What do you do when he makes you feel awful?" Rachel asks.
"Crack skulls," Puck replies. Rachel gives him a disapproving look. "He just makes me so mad and I take it out on whoever is around," Puck explains.
"I am glad you confronted Jesse. My mom did say that he wasn't happy. Thank you for what you did for me, Noah," Rachel says gratefully.
"He can't treat you like that. I'd do it again in a second," Puck says.
When they get to school, Rachel finds all of the members of Glee Club and tells them they need to meet in the choir room during lunch. New Directions rehearses at 2:30 on Thursdays and Vocal Adrenaline's rehearsal doesn't start until later. Shelby could go home in between class and rehearsal so Rachel needs to be there. So, they're going to have to use lunch for an impromptu rehearsal. As she walks into the choir room ready to practice, she is unaware that Shelby is using her lunch break to check on Rachel. Shelby stares, disbelieving, at Rachel's empty bed. As soon as a search of the house confirms that Rachel isn't there, Shelby knows Rachel is at school rehearsing. After all, Shelby once attended a rehearsal when she had a 104-degree fever. She passed out on stage. She shouldn't be surprised by her daughter's fierce determination to rehearse. Wanting to confront Rachel right away, she gets in the car and drives to McKinley High School. Shelby Corcoran doesn't stand for disobedience.
The members of Glee Club start filing into the choir room and taking seats. As self-appointed leader, Rachel is standing in the front waiting for everyone.
"Why are we here? We have rehearsal after school," Quinn complains.
"We needs to rehearse and I can't come after school," Rachel explains.
"You have something better to do than rehearse? Did hell freeze over?" Santana says, smirking.
"Hey, give her a break. Ms. Corcoran won't let her come," Finn says defensively.
"Ms. Corcoran, as in the coach of Vocal Adrenaline?" Mercedes asks.
"She is Rachel's mom," Quinn says mildly.
"Your long lost mom shows up out of the blue right before Regionals and just happens to be the coach of Vocal Adrenaline. You've only been living with her for a day and she won't let you come to rehearsal," Kurt says, rolling his eyes.
"It is kind of suspicious," Finn agrees.
"She's playing you," Mercedes says.
Rachel bites her lip, wondering if they're right. "Look, I'm not feeling well. She just wanted me to take medicine and sleep," Rachel says defensively.
"Please, Jesse played you like a fiddle and you thought he loved you. We don't need another Vocal Adrenaline sabotage scenario to overcome," Kurt scoffs.
Just outside, Shelby is parking in a visitor space. She starts walking toward the choir room. But, she doesn't hear singing. Instead, she hears raised voices. When she hears "Vocal Adrenaline," she freezes.
"She might be using you. First Jesse. Now your mom. I don't want to see you get hurt again," Finn says, frowning.
"Hey, this broad can only use Rachel if Rachel lets herself be used. Rachel knows her mom is a shady character," Puck says.
"Yes, I do. While I appreciate your concern, I know that my mother might have ulterior motives. Now we need to get down to business," Rachel says, trying to corral the performers into position.
Shelby is startled when Rachel agrees with her classmates. She knows she has a long way to go before Rachel starts to see her as a mom. But, the doubt is a roadblock Shelby thought they'd gotten past. Angry, she goes into the room, ready to ream the kids that planted seeds of doubt in Rachel's mind. When Shelby steps into the choir room, the eleven teenagers that are sitting down facing the doorway stare, shocked.
"What? What's everyone looking at?" Rachel demands, noticing that no one is looking at her while she's talking. "I can't believe you aren't taking this seriously. The only way we're going to win Regionals is if we rehearse. I think we should start with…"
But, Quinn cuts Rachel off before she can inadvertently tell the coach of their rival the songs on their set list. "Rachel, your mom," Quinn says, looking meaningfully at the doorway.
"We talked about my mom for ten minutes already. Let's move on. We need to make the most of this time," Rachel says.
"No, your mom is here," Santana says, rolling her eyes.
When Rachel turns to face Shelby, she looks like a deer caught in headlights. She doesn't know how much Shelby heard. But, she knows her mother's presence in the McKinley choir room is going to make her friends even more nervous. Rachel doesn't know what to say in this moment. Are there any words that will ease their fears and make things right with Shelby?
"What are you doing here?" Kurt demands, glaring at Shelby.
"This is a closed rehearsal," Santana says.
"Yes, our rehearsals are closed as well, but that didn't stop you guys from sneaking in," Shelby says, her tone flat as ice. She glares frosty daggers at the students. In turn, they look down. "But don't worry. I'm not here to spy on you. I wouldn't waste my time. I have trouble seeing New Directions as competition. I'm only here to get Rachel. She's not feeling well. And Rachel getting sick is not some plot I cooked up to mess with you guys before Regionals," Shelby says.
Passing by the choir room, Will sees all of his students and an angry Shelby Corcoran. He steps into the room.
"Hey, what is going on here?" Will demands.
None of the students respond. So, Will looks at Shelby.
"Rachel has a fever. I didn't want her to go to school today," Shelby explains.
"But Rachel wasn't going to let you stand in the way of rehearsing," Will says knowingly.
Shelby nods in affirmation. "Some of your students think I'm here to spy on this rehearsal when I'm only here to get Rachel," Shelby says.
Disappointed, Will looks at his students. "This rivalry with Vocal Adrenaline ends now! And being disrespectful to Ms. Corcoran is not okay!" Will yells.
And that's the end of that conversation. Will Schuester doesn't raise his voice often. When he does, it gets his students' attention. After he dismisses them, they pack up and leave. As Shelby and Rachel leave, Shelby looks over her shoulder and smiles at Will. Shelby remains silent until they're in the car.
"I heard what you said. This relationship is only going to work if we're honest with each other. I wasn't lying to you when I said I wanted you. I want you as my daughter, not as a way to mess with New Directions," Shelby says.
"I understand. And I'm sorry," Rachel says. "Maybe we can start over," Rachel suggests.
"I'd like that," Shelby agrees. "Hi. My name's Shelby. I'm your mom," Shelby says. Smirking slightly, she extends her hand.
"I'm Rachel Berry. I'm your daughter," Rachel says, playing along. She shakes Shelby's hand. After Shelby releases her hand, she offers her mother the hand sanitizer from her bag. "I have a fever, you know. You may want to sterilize," Rachel says. Smiling, Shelby squirts a bead of the clear gel onto her palm and rubs her hands together.
