1 Plane Rides+ 2 Dances+ 1 Awkward Situation= Heading 4 Trouble
Rachel honestly had no clue that "Darcy and Elizabeth" would become as big as it did; each night Jesse and herself performed in front of a larger crowd. She was even more surprised when their director, Blake, told the duo to take a three week holiday break, at first they had protested, but he had silenced them with "don't you think that your understudies deserves a chance to perform? Or do you plan on hogging the lime light?" Jesse had mouthed to her "how do you responded to that?" Over Blake's shoulder. She already knew that Jesse's family lived in Akron which was only 45 minutes for Lima, so the two of them planned on flying into Columbia, where the Puckermans would pick them up. Rachel had specifically told Quinn not to tell Maddisen or her fathers about their coming home for the holidays, she wanted it to be a surprise, but that wasn't the problem. It was keeping the paparazzi in the dark, which had turned into a constant chore. She couldn't even go for coffee run without being "stalked" as her manger had put it.
Even though their flight was the same time Jesse and herself arrived at two totally different times. Rachel an extra four hours before their flight leaves, Jesse an extra forty-five minutes. As Jesse approached her she silently glared at him.
"What?"
"Your late." Jesse groaned.
"We agreed to meet at 10, not at 11:30."
"Rachel, it's so early, give me a break" he said exasperated as he handed her a coffee cup.
"How is it early? It is almost 11:32. That's not early; it is in fact very late." She took the cup from his hands and gently nursed it. Jesse dipped his head to gently brush her lips with his.
"Jesse! What are you doing? Someone could see?" Rachel whispered-yelled pushing his head away.
"I highly doubt that there are any reporters here unless they are all under five two and wearing Girl Scout uniforms" he said eyeing a group of girl scouts a few feet away.
"Creeper." Jesse looked at her indigntility; he shook his head and threw his cup away. Soon there plane was being called to broad. Jesse grabbed his and Rachel's carry-ons. He heard Rachel snort behind him; he turned and flashed his best smile. Jesse and Rachel quickly made their way through the aisle of the plane. They had decided to ride coach, much to Jesse's annoyance. Once their bags were properly stowed Jesse gestured for Rachel to take the seat by the window. Rachel stepped back and shook her head. Jesse inclined his head and gestured for her to take the proffered seat. Rachel glared.
"Rachel, your blocking other people. " Jesse pointed to line of annoyed passengers behind her. Rachel glanced backwards and shuffled passed Jesse and took the seat. Jesse sank into the seat next to her. Rachel didn't look up. Jesse sighed and watched her carefully. Rachel buckled herself in and tightened the seat belt. She pulled the safety packet out and read it, then re-read it. She still was reading it when Jesse pulled his phone to send a text to his manger before takeoff. A few minutes later the captain came over the speaker and explained the safety measures. Slowly the plane began to roll out; Jesse looked at Rachel. Her eyes were wide and filled with terror. She was obviously terrified. As the plane jolted over a bump her hands went from her lap to the arm rests. Jesse leaned over and placed his mouth next to her ear and his hand over hers on the arm rest and sang.
Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around.
Nothing's gonna harm you, no ma'am, not while I'm around.
Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays,
I'll send 'em howling,
I don't care, and I got ways.
No one's gonna hurt you,
No one's gonna dare.
Others can desert you,
not to worry, whistle, I'll be there.
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while,
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
Not to worry, not to worry
I may not be smart but I ain't dumb
I can do it, put me to it
Show me something I can overcome
Not to worry, Mum
Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to,
I would never hide a thing from you,
Like some...
No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare
Others can desert you,
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
He sang that song over and over until the plane took off and finished its climb. As he sang her hand relaxed. She sighed in relief but didn't remove her hand from underneath his. After another long moment Rachel turned to him.
"Lets play twenty questions."
"Okay, I will go first."
"Jesse!"
"What is your favorite color?"
"I have always liked orange."
"Really?" She nodded. "I've thought you liked pink."
"I did… do, but when you see my room you'll understand why I prefer not to touch that color for awhile."
"Interesting"
"My turn."
"Favorite animal."
"I like owls."
"Owls?"
"Yes owls. What's wrong with owls?"
"Nothing... I just thought you would be more of a wolf or dog kind of a guy."
"Are you scared of flying?"
"No absolutely terrified."
Jesse laughed. "Why?" Rachel blushed and mumbled something.
"What?"
"I said I've never been on a plane before."
"Never?" Jesse's eyes were wide. "But you went to Julliard. "
"My dads and I drove with most of my stuff and then they would bring the rest when they visited."
"Did you never go home?"
"No, my dads always visited me."
"Wow, so you haven't been home since high school?"
"No." Jesse mulled this thought over. The game continued until Jesse pulled out his IPod and offered a headphone to Rachel. Rachel took it and placed it in her ear and Jesse pressed play.
"I love this song!"
Jesse:
If they could see me now
That little gang of mine
I'm eatin' fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine
I'd like those stumble bums
To see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract
All I can say is "Wow-ee!"
Look-a where I am
Tonight I landed, POW!
Right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!
Rachel:
If they could see me now
My little dusty group
Traipsin' round this million dollar chicken coop
I'd hear those thrift shop cats say, "Brother get her!
Draped on a bedspread made from three kinds of fur!"
All I can say is "Wow!"
Wait till the riff and raff
See just exactly how
He signed his autograph
What a build up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!
Both:
If they could see me now
Alone with Mr. V
Who's waitin' on me like he was a maitre'd
I hear my buddies sayin', "Crazy, what gives?
Tonight she's living like the other half lives!"
To think the highest brow
Which I must say is he
Should pick the lowest brow
Which there's no doubt is me
What a step up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!
Jesse:
They'd never believe it!
They'd never believe it!
Rachel:
If my friends could see me now!
Hi girls, it's me! Charity!
They were both belting so loud that the music was lost and everyone on the plane looked there direction. They both ducked their heads and slid down their seats in an effort to hide from the curious gazes. They continued to sing to music on Jesse's iPod for the rest of the flight until they started to descend. Jesse once again sang to her. Finally the plane landed and Rachel couldn't wait to get off.
Lima, Ohio
"Puck! Let's go! We have to be at the airport in an hour!" Quinn hollered.
"Hold your horse's woman! I'm going." Was the reply she got. Puck slowly made his way down stairs and out to the minivan. Puck scowled.
"I hate this thing." He mummer kicking the tire.
"I don't care. Get in the car." She looked around.
"Where's Maddisen?" Puck shrugged.
"Maddisen!"
"Here I am!" Maddisen step out with a backpack.
"Maddi, what's that?'
"Nothing."
"Maddi…" Quinn pulled the bag off. It was surprisingly heavy.
"Moo what did you put in here?" Quinn unzipped it and found it full of games and toys.
"I tried to put my toy chest in it but it wouldn't fit." Her eyebrows furrowed. "so I took all my toys out and put them in the backpack." She finished with a shrug.
"You don't need all of them." Maddisen looked her dead in the eye and says "you can never be over prepared." Quinn sighs and looks at her husband.
"Who does she sound like?" Maddisen answers.
"Aunt Rachel!"
"Maddi, sweetheart you don't need all of these toys, go and pick four"
Finally they were their way.
"Momma?"
"Yes?"
"Why are we going to the airport?"
"To pick up someone."
"Who?"
"Someone special."
"Someone more special than me?"
"No one's more special then you, Moo." Puck said looking back through the mirror. Maddi beamed.
"Momma?"
"Yes?"
"Is it somebody I know?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
Quinn and Puck shared a look.
"Do you really wanna know?" Maddi nodded her head vigorously.
"We are going to pick Rachel." Maddi's eyes widened.
"Really?" Quinn nodded back and turned to smile at her daughter.
Maddi talked for the rest of the ride to Columbia about everything Rachel and herself would do.
When they arrived Puck pulled the door of the minivan open for Maddi, she made a dash, but her dad caught her hand pulled her backward.
"Wait Maddisen, its very crowded. You have held mine or your mother's hand." Maddisen nodded and went to her mother.
"Momma, where's Aunt Rachel?"
"I'm looking for her flight… She is flying Delta and she is flight 24061 and they were early. Shoot." Quinn reached for her phone and texted Rachel.
Quinn: Here
Rachel: Whew, I thought we would have to get a cab.
Quinn: Sorry you know how Puck is.
Rachel: Yes I do.
Quinn: Where are you?
Rachel: Baggage claim.
Quinn: Headed your way. Maddi knows that you're here. We have A LOT to talk about.
Rachel: See you soon. I know.
"They are at the baggage claim."
The family made their way through the crowded airport to the baggage claim. Puck and Quinn scanned the room for Rachel and Jesse but Maddi saw Rachel first.
"Aunt Rachel!" She took off as fast as her feet would take her. Rachel turned at the sound of the shout only to be almost knocked of her feet by a mass of blond hair and hazel eyes.
"Oof!"
Maddisen gripped Rachel tightly around the middle and squeezed. Rachel returned the hug.
"Hi Moo."
"I'm so glad that your home." Rachel gave an awkward smile.
"I'm happy to see you." Puck was the next one to greet her. He picked her up off the floor in a massive bear hug.
"Cant… Breath… Need… Oxygen…"
Puck put her down so Quinn could pull her into a hug which Rachel returned. Maddi rewrapped her arms around Rachel again.
" I brought a coloring book. Will your color with me?" Rachel looked down at her.
"Of course! I would love.." She was cut off by a voice.
"Rachel you would not believe how hard it was to get our bags. I almost had to…" Maddi's eyes widened at the sight of Jesse.
"What is he doing here!" She yelled pointing at Jesse.
Jesse mouth dropped open in mock surprise.
"Who?" Maddi just glared.
"Jackie." Puck said, matching Maddi's glare.
"Noah." Jesse replied politely.
"Well shall we get going?" Quinn said trying to break the sudden tension. Rachel offered her hand to Jesse but Maddi grabbed it, still glaring. Jesse smiled and walked on the other side carrying bags.
The ride home was silent, Jesse forced to sit in the back because "there is no way my girls are sitting in the back while that jerk sits in front." Rachel asked Noah several times so that she could show Jesse the sights not caring he had lived in Ohio. It until Maddi screaming that she was hungry that they stopped sight-seeing; the group pulled into a small restaurant on the out skirts of a small town Millville. It was quaint, the restaurant was furnished to look like a barn, the tables were surrounding a huge dance floor and the food was served by waiters in cowboy hats. Soon their orders had been place and the tension was still there, finally Jesse slid out of there booth and offered Rachel his hand.
"May I have this dance?" Rachel blushed and placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her out on the floor. The music switched from the "Maria" by Brooks and Dunn to You and Me by Lifehouse once Jesse and Rachel reached the center of the floor.
"Really? Jesse, did you plan this?" Rachel asked as the incredibly cheesy song blared through the crappy speakers.
"Maybe." Rachel looked at him skeptically.
"Okay, no I didn't but you got to admit that I do have impeccable timing." He said smiling, resting on hand on her waist and clasping the other. Rachel shook her head as Jesse began to lead her around the floor.
"It's nice to dance with you without all the chorography."
"I agree, and don't forget the 2000 people watching us either." Slowly they stopped whirling around the floor.
"This feels like a prom." Jesse chuckled. He dropped her hand a let his arms circle around his waist. Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck as they drifted closer together. Jesse smirked and began to sing under his breath.
What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
What day is it?
And in what month?
Jesse could feel Rachel's heart speed up as he sang. Their eyes were locked and their heads began to inch forward. Suddenly the pair felt something crash into them and the moment was gone. They both looked down and saw Maddi pushing herself between the two.
"I wanna dance too." She demanded, looking between the two of them. Rachel opened her mouth to but Jesse beat her to it.
"Sure Maddi." And with that Jesse scooped up Maddi, he deposited her on his shoes and began to waltz around the dance floor with her. Maddi began to shriek with surprise as she and Jesse picked up speed until the room blurred, slowly they stop and Maddi dashed away to hide behind her mother. Quinn chuckled at her daughter. Jesse smirked in triumph. Not long after that the group left, nobody noticed the curly haired man that had watched and was now trailing behind.
