singing
Rachel singing
both
After another go of Russian roulette via Rachel's driving, the three females arrived at Rachel's theater. Rachel opened the stage door with a key, and proceeded to pretend to sneak in. Casey raised an eyebrow and Quinn just laughed quietly at the short woman who was always full of surprises.
"Rachel, what in the world are you doing?" Casey wondered aloud, which made Rachel shush her loudly, glaring at her playfully.
"Do you want Him to hear you? Be quiet, Case." Casey's eyes widened at Rachel's whisper but decided to go along with Rachel. Creeping behind the short woman, Casey followed, with Quinn also quietly sneaking along behind her. Rachel was trying to keep as low a profile as she could, she wanted to show Casey and Quinn the theater without Jesse breathing down her neck. But, as the girls were making their way up the aisle, a light snapped on onstage.
"Why, Rachel Berry, as I live and breathe, how well you look today." Rachel froze, the familiar voice ringing out over the empty theater. Sighing, she stood up straight and turned around, rolling her eyes. Casey looked up to center stage to see a tall brunette man with wavy hair and a friendly smile on his face. Quinn's eyes widened as she realized who was on stage. She'd never really like St. James, even after high school, but he must have at least done something right to be Rachel's director and tabloid "best friend". Rachel walked towards the stage, Casey and Quinn continuing to follow behind her until she stopped a few rows away.
"Jesse St. James, don't you dare Hello, Dolly! Me. How did you even know I was here?" Jesse smiled wickedly, and tapped the side of his head. Quinn raised an eyebrow, looking between the pair, noticing how they both seemed comfortable speaking like this. It was kind of odd watching Rachel interact with all these people. It just proved that the starlet had grown so much since high school.
"People everywhere, Rachel. Remember that. I have people everywhere. And who might you be, young lady?" Jesse smiled softly at Casey, nodding in Quinn's direction, as he walked forward to gracefully hop off stage. With long strides, Jesse quickly reached the trio and smiled broadly at Casey. "Forgive Rachel her rudeness, I am Jesse St. James, at your service, ma Cherie." With a sweeping bow, grabbed Casey's hand and brushed his lips against her knuckle. Casey stood stunned before finally turning to Rachel.
"Well…at least you have One friend who Isn't gay." The three adults stared with slightly open mouths at the random statement from the teenager. When no one spoke, Casey shrugged and walked off, climbing onto the stage Jesse had just vacated, leaving the shocked adults to do whatever shocked adults do. Casey had never been in such a huge theater, and had only been on the stage of her auditorium at school. This, well this was a whole different ball game. Rachel finally snapped out of it and turned to Jesse, trying not to laugh.
"I'm guessing she already met Kurt and Santana?" Jesse asked, and Rachel nodded, smiling, watching Casey walk around the stage a bit timidly. Quinn had turned slightly, watching the way Casey moved on stage. Quinn had known from the moment she'd met Casey that she had talent. If only the girl could see it like Quinn could. Maybe Rachel could help her… Quinn thought silently as Rachel filled Jesse in on the parts of the story he hadn't already heard from his people who apparently watched Rachel's every move. Not creepy at all, Rachel mused. Eventually Rachel tuned Jesse out as he started rambling about the show they were to perform that night. By now, Rachel could perform it in her sleep. But right now, Rachel was occupied with watching Quinn watch Casey. In the low light, Rachel realized again just how pretty, no Beautiful, Quinn was. Rachel gladly would've gone on observing Quinn when she heard a soft voice reach her ears. Rachel raised an eyebrow, turning her gaze to the young girl on stage. For a minute, Rachel was thrown back in time, to her very First trip to New York City. To a time when Kurt had convinced her to break into this very theater, so they could sing on its stage. Watching Casey now, was like looking into a portal to the past (just minus a flamboyant gay teen and add about 6 inches).
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!
As Casey sang the familiar words that she'd heard so many times in Quinn's classroom after school, Casey was surprised when she noticed Rachel had pulled herself up onto the stage. Rachel smiled reassuringly, and Jesse pulled Quinn down into a seat in the fourth row, pulling out his camera phone to video tape this. His gut was acting up, and he Always followed his gut.
"Sing louder, from your diaphragm, not your throat. This is a big room. If you don't project, no one will be able to hear you in the back of the house. Keep going, I help you through the hard parts." Casey looked at Rachel skeptically. She wasn't a singer. But, after all this woman had done for her, she decided she could do this for Her.
It's time to try Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!
Rachel's smile widened as she got closer to the tall teen.
"That's great. Now, try it with more air. Open your mouth wider if you need to." Casey nodded unconsciously before taking in a bigger breath to sing out the next verse.
I'm through accepting limits
''cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
Rachel smiled happily at the pure raw quality of Casey's voice. This girl had a lot of untapped potential, and she wondered if Quinn had known about the diamond in the rough that was in her drama club. With the right amount of practice, Casey…She could be a star.
I'd sooner try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down
Casey looked back at Rachel, wondering if she should stop now. There was after all, no music. But when Rachel opened her mouth and sang, Casey felt warmth spread all over her body, especially at how fondly Rachel was gazing at her.
Together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team
There's ever been
Dreams, the way we planned 'em
If we work in tandem:
There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I Defying gravity
With you and I Defying gravity
They'll never bring us down!
Rachel felt the oddest sensation as Casey had joined in with her. She liked singing with this girl. Almost as much as she had liked singing with glee club. It was then that Rachel Truly knew. She couldn't let this girl go back to living on the streets, not now, not ever. Yes, she barely knew the young teen, but the parts she did know she had already begun to love. Rachel Berry wasn't normally one to jump head first into something, but everything in her Heart told her that this was Right. And Casey…she'd never had someone look at her the way Rachel was looking at her right now. Like she was Proud of her. Yes, Quinn had looked at her in a similar way, but the gleam in Rachel's eye right now…she'd never seen directed towards her by another human being. A feeling of joy spread itself through Casey's belly, and she didn't even care that she was skipping lyrics, she strode forward determinedly until she was almost at the edge of the stage, looking out at the empty seats. She threw her arms wide and she sang like it was the last thing she'd ever do. From her angle behind her, Rachel quickly took out her phone and snapped a picture. The spotlight overhead was illuminating the girl in an unearthly halo, and for a second, Casey was framed in light as she sang.
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am Defying gravity
I'm flying high Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!
Bring me down!
At the last note Casey tried to hit it, but faltered a bit. Rachel and Jesse were both amazed. She'd gotten incredibly close for someone who obviously had no formal training. Interesting…Very interesting, Jesse thought to himself, as he rose clapping along with an enthusiastic Quinn and an impressed Rachel. Casey blushed as Quinn whistled.
"Watch out, Berry, the girls gunning for your job." Casey turned around to look at Rachel, shaking her head quickly.
"I'm not, I promise, Rach! No one sings this better than you!" Rachel laughed, putting her arm around Casey and smiling fondly. She really cared about this girl, with her sarcastic attitude but her slightly shy side.
"He's just poking fun, Case. I know you aren't trying to steal my job. Besides, your hairs too blonde." Rachel winked at Casey as Quinn and Jesse joined them on stage.
"See, told you you were good." Quinn smiled.
AN: I'm so sorry guys, this was going to be longer but right now my heart HURTS. I just saw spoilers for episode 14, and it basically just shot my heart out. I can't believe….IN ALL THESE YEARS I NEVER FUCKING THOUGHT QUINNTANA WOUD BE CANON BEFORE FABERRY THIS IS BULLLLLLSHIT. Fucking done. Sorry guys, I promise I'll update soon.
Fuck this god damn show
~Noah
