A/N: Okay guys ready for the first chapter with no songs? Well it's here whether you're ready for it or not. Hope you all like it. Hopefully I'll get the next chapter up in a couple of days but bare with me. I have tons of school work to keep up with as well as this.

You Know You Love me,

XOXO,

Alyss

Chapter Two

About Two Years Later

"Rachel, you need to come back to Ohio." Over the time she had moved, Rachel had talked to her mother on the phone once a week and they had become accustomed to not saying a greeting.

And why would I do that?" she asked with a sigh. "Coming back to Ohio means leaving behind my two consecutive time national glee team and returning to a glee club that cannot make it past Regional's; So why would I come back to Ohio?"

"Your fathers have been in a really bad accident," her mother told her, worry lacing her tone. "They have been in the hospital. Rachel honey, I didn't want to tell you this over the phone but they haven't woken up yet."

"How long ago?" Rachel could barely keep her voice from shaking. She had already booted up her laptop and was looking for the next available flight.

"Three days ago. I would have called you sooner but the doctors had high hopes."

"It's okay, Mom. I'm looking for a flight out there right now but it's going to take me a couple of days to pack and talk to the dean. I'll give him a tentative date of return, say next semester, but until then I have to withdraw for family matters."

"That sounds great honey, but there's more. Mr. Schuester was in an accident the next day. He's in the same condition as your fathers."

"What about the glee club? Jesse made sure I knew he was going to help direct New Directions this year as part of his thesis; he's been trying to get on my good side since I got out here. If there's no director then he cannot assist and I won't have a glee club to join while I'm out there."

"They're looking into a substitute they had before; a Holly Holiday."

"She's decent but there's no way she'll get New Directions past Sectional's. Have they filled the music teacher spot yet?"

"I don't believe so."

"Then you can have that post and sub for Mr. Schue as glee director until he gets well."

"Rachel I've already told you that I didn't want to direct show choir anymore."

"Mom, it'll only be for like a year and they need you; I need you."

"And what about your sister?"

"She's old enough for day care, and it's better than working nights."

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you. I'll see you in a couple of days, okay?"

"Okay, see you then. Call me when you have everything worked out so I know when to pick you up from the airport. Love you."

"I will. Love you, too."

Rachel shut her cell phone and ironed out the rest of the details for her flight; first class with the seat next to her also being bought by her so she wouldn't have to sit by a stranger. Then she texted Mr. Smith to ask if he had time for a lunch meeting with her that afternoon. After receiving a reply of "I'll make time for you. See you at the café in a hour," she dressed in a black pencil skirt of knee length and a sun burnt, orange tank top and a black blazer with elbow length sleeves. She put on her black pumps and applied a light coating of makeup. She straightened her hair and put on a black necklace and a black pair of earrings to finish her outfit.

She walked to her window and peered down at the street. Her black town car had just arrived. Rachel knew she would miss being driven everywhere in her own private car and promised herself she would be back before this school year's Regional's.

When she arrived at the street in front of her apartment building her driver already had her door open in waiting for her.

"Thank you, Tom," she said with a smile and kissed his check.

"Anytime, Miss Berry," Tom replied with a stunned look on his face as his hand reached up and touched the cheek she had just kissed.

With Rachel safely buckled in, Tom closed her door and made his way to the driver's seat, then, starting the car, he made his way to the café where his passenger was to meet his boss.

Rachel had closed the divider between the front and backseats as soon as Tom had shut her door, needing her privacy. She called her best friend to give the girl a heads up as to what was happening.

"Hey, Ra, what's up," Rose answered on the second ring sounding as if she had just woken up.

"What are you still doing in bed, lazy bones," Rachel replied with fake authority. "It's almost noon and you won't stay in shape if you sleep all day long."

"Well sorry, captain," her friend replied her voice laced with sarcasm, "but I didn't know taking one day off was a crime."

"It is when your part of the nation's best glee team."

"Seriously, Ra, why are you calling? Normally you just text times for additional practices or if you want to hang."

"I have to go back to Ohio for a bit."

"How long is a bit, Rachel? You know this time cannot win National's again without you."

"Tentatively a semester," she answered. "My dads were in a bad accident and are apparently in some sort of coma."

"Oh my gosh, Ra, are you okay?"

"I'm handling, Rose, but I need to get out there, which means you the lead until I return."

"Na-uh," Rose said. "I'm going out there with you. Amy can be the lead, my best friend needs me."

"Your parents would never agree. I'll be fine."

"I'm sorry I didn't hear what you just said. Knowing you, you have bought two tickets on a flight out the day after tomorrow, first class of course, are on your way to meet with the dean, and will be packing all day tomorrow so just give me the time you'll be picking me up and I'll be ready."

Rachel sighed. If people back in Ohio thought Rachel was a drama queen and manipulative then she couldn't wait for them to meet Rose.

"What about your parents?"

"I'll handle them. If they don't let me go because you need me then I'll tell them I want to go to have a taste of normal schooling, not to mention glee club, for a semester. That should get then to agree. Now, what time will you be here?"

"Around seven in the morning," Rachel replied in defeat.

"Kay, see you then. Oh, and tell the dean I'm going with you."

"Sure thing."

Rachel had just closed her phone when the car rolled to a stop. She waited patiently for Tom to open her door for her, something she had had trouble getting used to, and steeled herself for the meeting a head, knowing the dean wouldn't be pleased to find out her was losing his two best performers for at least a semester.

"Mr. Smith," Rachel said as a greeting to the dean of her school as she took a seat across from him.

"Miss Berry. I trust you have been well the past couple of weeks," he replied formally.

"I have, thank you. And you as well?" She loved the way they acted as if they were from a different era, being so formal with one another when in actuality they were as close as a teacher and a student could get.

"I am thanks. Now why have you called this little meeting?"

"I think we should order first, don't you?"

"I have already ordered our usual, Miss Berry. Please tell me why you needed to meet with me over break."

"I'm afraid I'll have to return to Ohio, Mr. Smith. A family emergency has come up."

"How long will you be out there?" The dean was scared. He didn't want to upset her, but he also didn't want to lose his lead.

"I'm not sure. A semester at the very least. My plan is to be back in time for Regional's however that's assuming everything goes according to plan. Sir, there's more."

"How much more do you expect me to take, Rachel?"

"Rose plans on coming with me, sir."

"And your allowing this? Who will be lead will your away if she goes with you."

"She wouldn't take no as an answer, sir. Amy has been training directly under me for several months and has an exceptional voice. She'll get you to Regional's I'm sure of it."

"Where should I send the records?" The dean was defeated, he was losing his two best students and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"McKinley High. The school I came here from. But don't worry, sir. At the very least, Rose will be back for next semester and she'll get you past Regional's."

"And if you all goes according to plan?"

"I'll be back in time to win you Regional's and keep the national title at LAMA one more year."

"Do your best to see that it goes according to plan then."

"Yes, sir."

Their food arrived just then and they ate in comfortable silence.