So, I do have free internet. Also, sorry about the un-edited rush job on the last chapter. And sorry this chapter's a bit short-the next one will have a lot more. Hope you like it!
"I'm glad we're doing this, Finn," said Rachel determinedly. "I think showing you this secret will bring us closer together." She furrowed her brow when he didn't answer, then looked at him, seeing the path of his eyes. "Finn, are you even listening to me?"
He was still more interested in her pants. "Hm?"
She huffed. "Typical!"
He raised his eyes. "What? This new look is kinda hot. I mean, it's not the normal you, but you look like one of those tough chicks on crime shows. It's cool." He squeezed her hand. "Where are we going?"
"This is something that is better to be shown than told."
"You don't wanna give me any warning?"
"I think it's a 'shock of recognition' moment."
"I'm gonna have to play 20 questions with you on this, aren't I?"
"I might not answer some of them," said Rachel in a singsong voice.
"Does it involve singing?"
"I have been known to break out in triumphant song."
"What about dancing?"
She smiled secretly. "Of a sort."
"This works better if you say yes or no." Rachel gave him an indignant look, like she was mad that he wasn't playing her game; he rolled his eyes and threw his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Okay… Is it school stuff?"
"Thankfully, no."
"What do you really talk to Sam about?"
"That's not a yes or no question. But I will confirm that we sometimes discuss what you're about to see. Although he has no place in this world."
He got his bearings quickly. "Why are we walking into the cemetery?"
She stopped him and grasped both of his hands, facing him. "This is almost past the point of no return. You're about to see a world which you can't un-see. It's terrifying, in many ways, but I think you're strong enough to handle it."
Fear passed through his eyes. "You think so?"
She shrugged one shoulder. "You've taken me as a girlfriend, and you've actually held your own against me in an argument, so I think it's fair to say. Plus, you're a leader—for football and glee club."
He smiled, inspired by her words. "Let's go."
She stood on her tiptoes to hug him, then laced her fingers with his and started to walk him to her usual meeting spot with Mr. Schue. They would've reached it, but they were waylaid by a vampire who had his bumpies on.
"Stay here," ordered Rachel, running forward to meet the vampire. He bared his teeth—how original—and she kicked him in the chest (also unoriginal, but effective). He stumbled back, angry, but before it could go too far, she let her stake slide out of her sleeve and pushed it into his chest.
Finn's mouth opened and closed in alarm. "You… you just killed that guy?"
She turned around, brushing the dust off herself. "He would've killed me first. That was a vampire."
"No fucking way."
"Rachel! I thought I heard you. I was chasing a vampire," said Mr. Schue, walking quickly to meet her. "And you… brought a date. Nice to see you, Finn."
"Vampires?"
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Mr. Schue.
She took Finn's limp hand in her own. "He's my boyfriend! He deserves to know, especially with all the dark forces rising right now. I want to make sure he's prepared."
"What dark forces are there other than vampires?" demanded Finn.
"Various species of demon," clarified Mr. Schue.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm her Watcher. I help Rachel train and increase her strength."
Finn pressed the heels of his hands against his temples, feeling like his head was bulging uncomfortably with this new, ridiculous information. "I can't even…"
"Well, now," said a new voice.
All three turned to the man who had appeared.
"Jesse?" said Rachel, with a mixture of incredulity, sadness, and anger.
"That's him?" said Mr. Schue and Finn at the same time.
"Seems like the new toy can't deal with your true identity," Jesse observed. Mr. Schue started toward him with a stake, but Jesse thrust him backward; his head clunked against a gravestone and he was motionless.
Rachel opened her mouth to give Jesse an indignant speech (and then hopefully a stake to the heart), but she made the mistake of looking him in the eye. His trance worked immediately; she was helplessly under his influence, no matter how much she didn't want to be. Finn, having regained some of his common sense, walked toward Jesse, but Jesse snapped his fingers and one of his large minions took hold of Finn.
"How long ago was it that we were together?" asked Jesse with a cruel smile, keeping his eyes locked with Rachel's. "You've moved on quite quickly. I guess trying to set me on fire helped with that."
She couldn't move or will herself to feel her deep hate for him, but she was angry at his words. "I guess your trying to kill me helped with that."
"Baby, play nice. I see you're not wearing the jacket I gave you—how rude! That was a gift."
Finn struggled against his attacker. "Rachel, he can't talk to you like that! Kick his ass!"
Jesse came up behind her and played with the ends of her hair. Finn struggled harder—that was his thing. "She's not going to do that. I'm her Jesse."
"I hate you," said Rachel weakly. "Let me go."
"You'll just try to kill me and fail. Aren't I saving you some embarrassment?" He gathered her hair over her right shoulder. "But I can't say I wouldn't love a fight. You make such hot noises when you kick people around."
"Leave her alone!" yelled Finn.
"You should be agreeing with me," said Jesse. "Have you given him a ride, baby?" He traced his finger along her neck. "As I recall, she absolutely begs you to fuck her. Is that what's happening? Is that why he's so wrapped around your finger?"
"You had sex?"
His smirk got even larger. "At her gross insistence." He squeezed Rachel's shoulder. "We're going to leave now, sweetheart. Our fight will be soon, and then I'll turn you. It will be poetic, won't it? A Slayer turned into a vampire? You'll slaughter the whole city," cooed Jesse. "We'll be going now."
Finn's restrainer gave him one final punch and took off running with Jesse. Rachel stayed still for a minute, while Finn was doubled over in pain. She fell, having been released from the trance. She rushed to Mr. Schue.
"Oh, thank god," she breathed. "His head's not dented or anything. Just a normal bump." She crawled over to Finn, taking his face in her hands. "How are you?"
"Bruised," he said. "And mad as hell."
Mr. Schue stirred next to the gravestone. He touched the back of his head. "No serious damage, I guess. What'd I miss?"
"And what right do you have to be mad?" Rachel shot back at Finn.
"You kill vampires, and you couldn't have told me?"
"It's a secret identity, Finn. Anyway, the last time I told someone, she ran away screaming. I didn't want you to do that to me," she explained soothingly.
He jerked away from her conciliatory hand. "I feel like I don't even know you."
"I was giving myself to you in installments. I didn't want to scare you off."
"I just… you dated a vampire? That's so weird. And you… when I haven't even… This is so messed up, Rachel," said Finn, shaking his head.
"We can work through it. You're strong, just like I am." She forced him head up again, but he wouldn't meet her eyes.
"I can't do this right now." He got up and left.
Mr. Schue got up and squatted next to her. "You okay?"
Rachel sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I guess it went better than I expected."
"He didn't scream," he agreed.
"He doesn't want anything to do with me."
"Don't be so sure. He just needs some time to sort himself out. The discovery that hellish creatures roam the earth can throw a person."
Rachel heard snarling in the vicinity, and got up to perform her destiny. "I really hope it's a boy demon. I'm not feeling very kind to men right now."
Hey. Hey you. You with the computer. Leave me a review? (hearts)
