Set three days later….

Thank you for the reviews, really makes me want to keep writing this 3

Sorry, rushed this a little but wanted to update so hope you enjoy it!

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Glee had been the most interesting part of all five girl's days since Bridget and Quinn had caught Rachel and Santanna all over each other. The girls had all been particularly cautious around Bridget, who was still not impressed in the slightest.

She'd been spending a lot of time with the tall, innocent blonde for the past few days, trying her best to keep the girl's mood high and her mind of off the cheating Latina, but that didn't mean she'd forgotten about dealing with her sort-of-second-cousin, Rachel. She had decided with Quinn that it was best not to tell Brittany about what they'd caught Santanna doing. They thought it was probably best for Santanna to explain it in a way the blonde would understand and give her a chance to put things right.

Santanna and Britt still hadn't spoken since the Latina had walked out the dancer's room and into a complete state of oblivion in a certain diva's bedroom. To say she regretted it was an understatement! She couldn't believe she'd fucked up so badly, but was grateful for Quinn and Bridget's discreetness although that didn't quite extend to glee.

Bridget had a short temper which had blown over quickly, but her protectiveness of Brittany wasn't going to waver anytime soon and for that Santanna couldn't exactly complain. The British girl had been kind enough to stick a note in the Latina's locker explaining how much Brittany was really missing her and that she hoped they sorted it out soon, but the girl couldn't seem too look at Santanna in glee.

In truth Bridget was mad, but she had to admit that she missed the ballsy Latina's witty remarks and outspokenness. Really she wanted the girls to fix this mess soon, she wanted the Britt and San back that she'd become accustomed to and she felt slightly bad for the smaller girl, knowing that she didn't know how to deal with her feelings, yet she couldn't bring herself to reach out just yet.

Quinn still wasn't ready to give sympathy either. She glared at the Latina as she took her seat as far away as possible and was followed by Brittany and Bridget who sat down either side of her and carried on their conversation.

Bridget couldn't help but glance over at the Latina, sitting alone whilst the rest of the glee members filtered in. She noted the neatly folded piece of paper, graced with her delicate handwriting held tightly in Santanna's hands and swallowed loudly, seeing the far away expression filled with sadness across the girls tired face.

Suddenly as much as she'd been trying to push the feeling away, she felt anger mixed with regret as she stared back and forth between the blonde, the diva and the brunette. Why did Rachel have to make her move at such a stupid time? Bridget shook her head gently and fixed her eyes on the door, not wanting to meet Brittany's deep blue eyes filled with wonder and confusion.

It was her first week as an official glee club member and she hated the tense atmosphere surrounding the girls. She knew that Brittany deserved better and she wanted Santanna to learn that, except she already knew, she'd just fucked up.

The glee club itself had bigger things to worry about and that came in the shape of Nationals. They were feeling confident as they now felt that they had a secret weapon in Bridget, however there was one drawback. Money.

Sue was still up to her usual tricks, except now she wanted to get rid of the entire arts department, claiming they were useless, expressionless and a waste of her much needed resources.

No one really understood were the bitter woman was coming from, considering the arts were all about expression, yet the cheerleading coach was determined to bring down anything that dared to get in her way.

Bridget had tried, and failed, to bargain with the woman but it was a waste of her time. Nothing seemed to work when Sue was determined to ruin something, but Bridget had an ingenious idea and she was just as fierce when she wanted her way!

Bridget was now a cheerleader again, much to Rachel's displeasure but she was in no position to complain.

Despite everything that had gone down between the girl's, Bridget had never faltered in keeping her original promise. Rachel was her cousin at the end of the day and her fathers (her uncle) had been kind enough to let her stay with them to straighten herself out and get back on the right track. She didn't want to let them down.

Every time Rachel had been slushied, Bridget was there. Either hunting the culprits down and going 'all lima heights' on their asses or helping the diva and making sure she was okay. It was the first time Rachel had ever felt truly safe, cared about and even now, considering how much she'd fucked up, Bridget was still there.

Rachel still remembered the night she'd first realised she had a real friend in Bridget and the girl had never let her down. She was so grateful for that, but in turn she'd hurt the British girl and even worse, Brittany.

'Flashback'

Before either girl knew it, they were tucked up on the sofa watching Funny Girl with Leroy and Hiram.

The evening had been uneventful. Rachel had helped Bridget unpack while they chatted mindlessly about everything they could possibly think off, they'd then eaten dinner as a family, where Bridget had first been introduced to the concept of vegetarian.

She wasn't stupid, quite the opposite in fact, she knew what vegetarian was but it never occurred to her to actually try it, become one, or live with a family who were ones.

When Rachel had told her what their dinner consisted of, she'd instantly crinkled her nose up and stared at Rachel with a "What the Fuck?" expression plastered across her usually serene face.

Off course both Hiram and Leroy had found it hilarious, but secretly assured her when Rachel wasn't looking that she wouldn't have to become a vegan.

After that Rachel had her mind dead- set on watching Funny Girl before bed and no-one dared to say no. She was so excited about watching it, and if the film wasn't entirely unheard off to Bridget she probably would have been to.

Seeing Rachel, her unbiological second cousin of some sort wasn't she? Contently staring at the screen, reciting her favourite lines here and there, munching on popcorn, it was enough to make Bridget smile.

It was nice to feel like part of a family, she already felt at home which was more than she could have ever wished for or anticipated.

Leroy and Hiram were content being wrapped in each other's arms as the film rolled on and Bridget couldn't help the small smile that escaped.

She was finally home in a place that was so unfamiliar yet completely familiar at the same time. She was soon lost in the movie again; occasionally glancing round when Rachel shifted to get comfortable or Hiram would move to have a sip of wine. It was all so cosy that she didn't even realise how late it was when the film eventually came to an end.

"God, I should get to bed. What ridiculous time did you say we have to be up by Rach?" She stood up and stretched as Leroy and Hiram followed suit. They were smiling, happy that the girls had clearly become comfortable around each other so soon, despite all their initial fears.

"Hmm?" Rachel looked up and blinked at the girl from her place on the sofa.

Bridget giggled and repeated herself.

"Oh half six!" Rachel exclaimed as if she'd only just clocked what time it was. Jumping up from the sofa and tugging her blanket with her, she kissed her parents goodnight and disappeared out the living room, Bridget automatically following.

"You sure this room is okay for you? It's a little cold and I've tried to keep the heat in, but if you need anything else, there's blankets across the hall in the boiler cupboard and you can come and get me at any time, I'm just down the hall." She rambled as she gestured around the medium sized room.

It was plain, unlived in, yet cosy and Bridget couldn't wait to make it feel more like her own although she didn't want to over step the line.

Bridget smiled and accepted the blanket Rachel was offering already before taking the chance to say something just in case the diva launched into anything else.

"Thank you, you and your dads are a very lovely family so I just wanted to say thank you for having me here and for everything you've done and who's knows school might be fun." She shrugged playfully before laughing; knowing Rachel was rolling her eyes.

"I highly doubt that" Rachel sighed before continuing. The thought of school making her deflate a little. "But that's okay; your presence here is much appreciated." She smiled, playfully giggling when the other girl clocked her lack of enthusiasm for the next day.

Bridget frowned, remembering what Rachel had told her.

It made her sad to know that such a lovely person was the victim of so much torment and wasn't even given a chance. Bridget knew she reminded Rachel slightly of the girls who were partially behind it all (because she'd told her) and Bridget knew Rachel was right to make those assumptions.

She had been a bitch or seen as one anyway but, how much did social power really matter anymore? Not at all she supposed. She was here to change after all so this was the perfect opportunity.

"Goodnight." Rachel smiled sadly, realising Bridget was also thinking of the slushie facials and harsh comments she'd have to see the other girl endure the next day. Rachel didn't mind, she was used to it and she tried to brush of the hurt. She was somebody after all and the people that did those things to her? They were nobody to her, but the pain still hurt a little more every day.

"Goodnight and Rach?" She waited for the other girl to turn around, sad eyes meeting sadder ones. "I'll be there for you from now on. We'll go through it together. Slushie facials and all." She promised.

It was genuine and she hoped Rachel could see that. When the diva's eyes lit up a little, and a small smile graced her lips, she knew she'd succeeded.

"Thank you." Rachel half whispered before turning and heading out the door, butterflies in her stomach.

She really felt happy for the first time in a while. Sure Glee club made her happy and having Kurt and Puck around really cheered the diva up, but this was the first time she'd had anyone basically say they'd protect her, although she knew if it came to it she could probably count on her "fellow Jew" as well. This was just different.

Glee began only ten minutes later than it was meant too and it was obvious that everyone felt the simmering tension between the cheerleaders and the diva.

Rachel and Mercedes had sung together and then Kurt had performed one of his favourite solo's, completely surprising Bridget with his pristine voice. After that Brittany had gone over some choreography that wasn't exactly going to plan. She was a great choreographer and even better teacher, but today it just wasn't clicking and everyone felt a little defeated.

dismissed them early, understanding that it was better not to push although Rachel was determined that they should keep trying.

"Cut it out Rach." Bridget had finally stated, firmly but not at all harshly.

"We need a rest and today it's just not working so just let it go."

Rachel was about to detest as everyone moved from their organised positions to get their bags, but Bridget arched her perfect eyebrow and Rachel's mouth snapped shut again, finally giving up.

Her shoulders slumped and she moved to get her bag with the others, regret stabbing her in the chest as she caught the tired expression on both Bridget and Santanna's faces. She couldn't help but feel guilty, yet she didn't have the guts to approach either of the girls right now. She wanted to apologize, she needed to, but she just couldn't and that certainly wasn't like her.

Something was different about Bridget and she had a feeling it went deeper than Santanna and Brittany's struggling relationship. The tiredness and defeat behind those normally fierce, warm, sparkling eyes was fading day by day and Rachel had no idea why. She wanted to know, not just to be nosey, but to help. It was the least she could try and do.

Watching as the girl walked out the now quiet room with Quinn and Brittany; she sighed deeply and decided that her 'fellow Jew' was probably the only person who could pick her mood up from the floor at the minuet.

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"Erghh… Quinn!" Bridget whined, banging her head repeatedly on the steering wheel. The blonde just grinned and waited patiently for the girl too look at her before saying anything. Bridget had not been in the best of moods for the past three days and it seemed that she really took things to heart that she cared about.

Quinn loved that about her, but just wanted to cheer the gorgeous girl up. She saw that Bridget was becoming more and more distant, not physically but certainly mentally.

The girl seemed harder to reach, but Quinn understood. She could see all Bridget's intentions were pure and that her heart was completely in the right place, but she knew the girl was becoming increasingly more caught up in her own thoughts and she loved that Bridget tried to spare her feelings by coping individually when the blonde had just gotten over a partially hard time, but she wanted Bridget to talk to her.

As much as she found the girl's mini fits of anger or annoyance amusing, they were nearly always harmless and she just wanted the girl to open up.

Quinn laughed as Bridget turned to face her, sighed deeply and blinked slowly, a small tired smile across her full lips.

"Sorry." She whispered, the smile still there.

"Talk to me?" Quinn wanted it to sound more like a firm request, but it came out more like an option Bridget could easily opt out of. She kicked herself mentally, waiting for Bridget to say no, but there was silence instead.

Bridget took in the perfectly calm, beautiful blonde waiting for Bridget to turn her back on her and freeze her out and scanned the girl for any sign of defeat. It was there, but Bridget didn't want to freeze her out so surprised Quinn when she finally pulled her eyes away and sighed.

"Okay."

"Really?" Quinn asked tenderly, not quite expecting that.

"Sure, I trust you." Bridget smiled warmly, and Quinn's smile reflected her feelings of relief and happiness inside.

Quinn was always sure that out of the two of them, it was her who took longer to trust, but she'd never realised before this that Bridget had never said 'I trust you'. It suddenly dawned on her how easily she'd given Bridget her heart, but she didn't regret it at all. No matter what happened, Bridget was worth it.

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Rachel stepped out her car into the nearly deserted parking lot, save for one car. It belonged to someone she knew all too well and she breathed in deeply, gathering up her courage and walking up the curve into the park itself.

It was so pretty out, with the settled snow and occasional robin, Rachel couldn't help but feel like she was in a movie or on the set of some big romantic scene. She inhaled the wintry scent and listened to the evergreen trees rustle.

Footsteps from across the snow covered green startled her. It was the face she expected to see, but she wasn't quite sure if the feeling in her stomach was happiness, relief or something entirely different.

"Hey." The voice was hoarse and the tone was gentle as they kicked the snow with one foot, hands firmly planted deep into their pockets.

"Hello, I'm glad you came." Rachel's smile was welcoming, yet slightly on edge.

"Same, but maybe I shouldn't have." The figure bowed it's head down, the fur rimmed hood covered in flakes of snow already.

"N-no! I'm happy you came, I'm glad we can talk." Rachel gently reassured, moving closer.

"Come here." She gently wrapped her arms around the taller individual and pulled them into a tight hug, memorising their comforting smell.

"I should go."

"No, please don't."

"It's a bad idea for me to be doing this, I know what you did Rach." The smaller girl stepped back and dropped her head down ashamed.

"I know, it was wrong."

"More than that." The strong, tanned hands dropped the diva's tiny, delicate ones.

"I know." Rachel's voice was hushed; not wanting to really believe this was true.

"I can't just forgive you."

"I'm not expecting that." Rachel's voice broke as tears threatened to break free.

"I have to go. I thought I could do this but I can't."

The figure pressed one, ever so gentle kiss to the diva's forehead and turned to walk off, trudging sadly thought the deep snow.

"Mike no!" the diva yelled, opening her eyes to watch the taller figure retreating further into the snow.

"I love you!" she cried into the wind, hoping he'd hear despite all the odds.

Her yelling proved to be in vain.

He was gone.

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