Title: Pact (10/?)

Author: Mina Robins

Fandom: Glee

Pairing: Brittana/Faberry, Faberrittana. Polyamorous.

Rating: T

Summary: Rachel stumbles into the underworld hidden beneath Lima's dull exterior when the slumbering genotypes in her DNA finally awaken and exert themselves. Thankfully her mates will help her navigate through the more dangerous paths she has to encounter.

A short but quick update ;). Thanks Kamooi for the delightful incentive!

…...

"Where have you been this whole time?" Santana asked the question that has plagued her mind since becoming aware of Rachel's Shifter status. It's clear now that Rachel hadn't intentionally hid herself from her Destined and wasn't trying to harm her mates so the question now was who did.

"We have lived in the same area for our whole lives."

"We don't associate with Weeds normally." Quinn explained. "Non-magic beings hold little interest for us.''

"I still liked you even when I didn't know you were a Shifter." Brittany provided as she wrapped Santana in her arms and placed her head on the Latina's shoulder.

"I am grateful that you did, however, I never meant to conceal anything, I was not even aware I was capable of morphing into," At this point Rachel motioned with her hand up and down her own body. "This."

"Let's get dried off and continue this outside." Quinn motioned.

Santana shrugged, quite pleased with staying in the waters but rolled her eyes and started up the incline when both blondes moved, only to stumble. Rachel had a paw around Santana's front in an instant and scooped the smaller girl up into her arms. "I think you should not overexert yourself, you went through quite an ordeal."

The Latina turned bright red at getting carried again, she didn't like appearing weak in front of anyone but she made exceptions for her mates. Frustratingly enough Santana had to admit that Rachel was undeniably giving off the vibe of one of her Destined. She wasn't as vehemently against the notion of Rachel being an integral part of her life now that she realized the singer had never deliberately lied and hid her past to them. The Latina saw no more reason to resist against the gravitational force she felt for the singer though it didn't mean she had to show her other mates that she was starting to accept Rachel; Santana crossed her arms and pouted when she caught the bemused looks from her blondes.

Quinn and Brittany were already drying themselves with large towels that had been left on the marble counter.

"Rachel, can you do something for me." Santana asked with an innocent grin.

"I suppose, what do you require?" Rachel asked amicably.

"Just say you'll do it for me." Santana blinked her eyes shrewdly up at the antlered Shifter. "I promise it's nothing bad."

Rachel looked skeptically down at Santana but then assented. "Very well."

Santana winked mischievously at Quinn who had looked over at the moment with a raised eyebrow. The Latina looped her arm around Rachel's neck and pulled till Rachel's ear was tilted near her lips.

"Shake till your fur's dry."

…...

After going through another round of towels, several for Rachel, the four sat facing one another in a circle on the bed. On the behest of the singer everyone had don on silk robes while Rachel stayed in her furs.

Brittany hadn't bothered to tie her robe close, making Rachel keep her head and eyes down least she caught a glimpse of Brittany's nudity.

The dancer busied herself with the robe's ribbon to create a makeshift tie for herself. "Santy, check me out."

Santana laughed, towel still on her shoulders, one hand lethargically rubbing the cloth through her drying mane. "Sheer genius, here you can do mine as well."

Rachel groaned and raised her hands up to cover her face. "Must you really?"

"Don't be a prude, Berry." Santana answered with a grin.

"Keep drying you hair, S, you'll get a headache in the morning if you don't." Quinn said then got up to kneel behind Santana to vigorously shake the towel through the long licorice coloured strands. "Rachel, we still need to talk about your Shifter origins."

"I think it would be best if we discussed this with Shelby seeing that I have not the slightest clue of my abilities." Rachel paused and moved to stand up. "Its getting late and since I cannot morph back into my human form and return home may I use someone's phone?"

"Why don't we just ask your dads?"

Rachel blinked quickly. "If they knew of my Shifter origins they would have divulged the information to me and not have hidden it."

"Rachel-"

The diva swung her legs off the bed and swiftly made her way to the door. "I left my belongings at Quinn's house and I will presume you all did as well, I will inquire the where abouts of your telephone from the bodyguards in the foyer."

"Can't say I can ever get bored of seeing Berry dramatically storm out of a room." Santana huffed and leaned into Quinn's hands.

"Be nice, S." Brittany scolded but then kissed Santana's cheek.

"She's probably just as annoyed and confused about why all this is happening to her, give her some time."

…

Rachel stalked out of the bedroom and allowed the door to click close behind her. She crossed her arms and clacked down the hallway back towards the golems. The singer glanced down at her cloven hooves and wonder how her front paws had retain a canine wolf shape and yet her back paws and feet now resembled a antelope's or deer's feet. The others didn't appear to be as mismatched as she, well other than Quinn, however the blonde was some kind of Pegasus, what in the world was she?

Rachel was so caught up in her musings she ended up bumping into the molten golem from earlier.

"Missum?"

"Oh, my apologies, I was not paying attention to my surroundings." Rachel gazed at the fiery pools of ember that sat where the redhead's eyes had been when she had first met him… it?

The golem held up a sleek cordless telephone. "Ms. Lopez sent for the phone."

"Yes, well." Rachel took the phone quickly from the charred hands and wondered how the piece of plastic hadn't melted into a puddle in the golems reach. "Thank you, may I ask for your name?"

The golem's face showed an expression that could be recognized as surprise. "Magmus, missum."

"Then thank you, Magmus." Rachel smiled politely as the golem clapped his fist over his heart and ambled further away to allow the singer some privacy.

Rachel held the phone gingerly in her hands. She was sure that it appeared quite comical to have such a miniature looking item in her big hands. The diva sighed, she supposed she should call her parents first since the sky had been black during her bath and she had no doubt that they would be fretting from not hearing from her after so long.

Not even after half a ring the call connected and LeRoy Berry's near hysterical voice could be heard. "Hello, Rachel, is it you?"

"Yes, daddy, I am so sorry for not calling earlier." Rachel shuffled about and used her hand to hold the elbow of the one keeping the phone to her ear.

"Rachel, oh thank god, do you know how worried me and your dad have been, you normally always call when you won't be coming home on time!" LeRoy took a breath and then continued. "I thought something happened to you, young lady you come home right this instant, I thought you had gotten yourself in some kind of trouble."

"No, daddy, I am fine-"

"Well, how were we supposed to know that?" LeRoy huffed. "Your cell rang a couple of times and then by the third call everything went to voicemail, do you need us to come pick you up, where are you, are you in some unsavory corner, we won't judge of course but we don't want you there any longer!"

"Daddy, I-"

"I'll get my keys right now, HIRAM get the car keys!"

"Daddy! If you would just-"

"If your dad would just keep them in the cute trinket holder by the side of the door I wouldn't have to open a whole investigation every time-"

"Rachelah?"

"Dad!" Rachel sighed happily when Hiram's calmer tone appeared. "I am just at my friend's house at the moment, do you remember Quinn? I am very sorry for causing you worry."

There was a pregnant pause then Hiram asked tactfully. "Can we come get you?"

"No thank you, I will come home in the morning, is that acceptable?"

Another pause as Hiram informed LeRoy what Rachel just said and another click and she was on speakerphone. "Rachel, we can explain everything if you tell us where you're at."

Rachel shut her eyes and switched the phone to her other paw. It was sounding like both her parents were aware of her, unique, predicament. She knew she had to approach this clearheadedly but blurted out. "Did you two know?!"

"Now, Rachel, don't take that tone with us." Hiram started.

"Calm down, Rache!" LeRoy added.

"I think I can feel enraged as I please!" Rachel threw free hand into the air in exasperation and swished her tail. "All this time, you knew!"

"Baby girl, you need to calm down, you may feel drawn to Quinn and if you're in her vicinity you need to control you emotions or you might-"

"I shifted already."

There was a lapse of a good two minutes where neither side said a word.

"Can we please come to you, we won't make you go anywhere you don't want but it's imperative that we tell you why you had to be hidden." Hiram's voice was placating.

"Please, baby girl." LeRoy was pleading and it broke Rachel's heart to hear her parents sound so tormented.

"I am at Santana Lopez's residence though I am not quite sure where that is located."

"We'll be over shortly; the Lopez family is quite influential in the hierarchy." Hiram replied. "I thought you were with the youngest Fabray?"

"There had been a complication at Quinn's house." Rachel answered in a pinched tone.

"We'll be over in 45."

…

Rachel walked back into Santana's room and dejectedly sat at the end of the bed. "I hope you do not mind my parents coming over, they apparently knew."

"Well duh." Santana said.

"Santy!" Brittany pouted while Quinn gave the brunette a sharp disapprovingly glare though that only got a sneer out of Santana. "I told her so!"

Rachel's ears flattened against her head and she drooped her head. "Yes, yes you did."

The utter defeat in the normally enthusiastic singer caused Santana to frown; it greatly bothered her that the girl sounded so crushed. Santana tapped her talisman that sat by a side table. "Both Berry's have admittance into the house."

Rachel glanced back at Santana and tilted her head.

"My talisman lets me command the golems."

"I see."

"You look rather tired Rachel, maybe you want to catch a nap before your parents arrive?" Quinn asked with a soft comforting smile.

Rachel blinked tiredly back at Quinn and gritted her teeth when she saw the hidden sorrow that reflected in the blonde's eyes. Quinn had just been exiled from her own home because of her fight with Russell and the blonde was still trying to cheer her up. The singer bit her lip and climbed onto the bed to sit next to Quinn. She really was selfish and a diva, always caught up in her own drama. Her parents still loved her and had always treated her kindly, them lying to her seemed so insignificant compare to Quinn's expulsion.

'It wasn't your fault, Rachel.' Quinn tried to lessen the singer's agitation and ran her fingers behind Rachel's ear.

"Sleep for now." Santana pushed on Rachel's shoulder until the large Shifter finally laid down onto the mattress, still being mindful that her antlers didn't puncture the plush headboard. The Latina silently pulled the singer into her arms.

Brittany grinned and kissed Quinn on the neck before squirming over her and into Rachel's furred chest. The blonde cheer captain laughed at Brittany's behaviour and spooned into the taller girl's back. Rachel naturally stretched out her arm and easily placed it around both Brittany and Quinn while moving her other to tentatively hold the hand Santana had on her waist.

What with the fight happening before and now coming to the realization that her parents had hidden such a significant part of heritage from her made the singer incredibly weary. Rachel moved her head until her chin sat comfortably on Brittany's head and gazed into Quinn's soothing emerald eyes.

Moments later Rachel became entangled in a nightmare.