A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I had some family issues that required my full attention for the past 2 weeks. Ok, so here is the next chapter before focusing on the last 4 characters, Finn, Puck, Santana and Quinn, and they will probably have chapters longer than my usual chapters. Up right now is Artie. I'm not a 100% pleased with this chapter but hopefully, it turned out ok and I hope that you'll like it.
A/N 2: Usual thanks for the reviews, alerts, favorites etc... I'm thrilled that so many of you are on board. I know how slow the story is, but it's the way I want it. I think I want this story to be more emotional than anything. But don't worry, we'll get to Rachel soon enough.
On with the story...
Artie had never disliked Rachel. He was one of the few who had never badmouthed her. Not to say that he had never thought she was a pain in the ass sometimes, because let's face it, from time to time, she kind of was. Even Rachel had admitted it. But he knew that if the brunette was so driven, it's because she wanted to make something of herself, and she pushed the others to do the same, that's why she was so bossy in the choir room. She wanted them at their best. Being good was just not good enough, she wanted them to be great. And that's why Artie admired Rachel Berry. She had the voice, the attitude, the tenacity and he knew the girl was going to make it. Every teenager dream in McKinley High was to make it out of Lima. While nobody knew if they would actually make it, everyone roaming the halls of McKinley knew that there was no doubt that Rachel Berry would make it and take the world by storm, starting with New York City. So, that caused envy and jealousy, and in McKinley this was equal to slushie facials and dumpster trips. But what he admired most about Rachel was her ability to never let them affect her. At least, in public. Well, he heard that once she did break, but it was back when they were in middle school and he hadn't witnessed it. But, he was pretty sure that at some point, in the privacy of her home, she must have felt rejected and lost, but once she was in public, the girl held her head high, a smile on her face daring anyone to mess with her. And they did mess with her, because they didn't like that they weren't getting to her, they wanted to break her, squash her confidence but the brunette kept on fighting them. She had done some things she wasn't proud of, like sending Sunshine in a crackhouse, or telling Finn that he wasn't the father of Quinn's child when it wasn't her place to tell, but all in all Rachel wasn't a bad person, she was just sometimes misguided and she was good at heart, and that's what counted the most and that's what earned her the forgiveness she had been seeking for. That's how she managed to hold a special spot in everyone's heart. Because no matter what, she never let go.
Artie smiled to himself, he knew that once you were Rachel's friend, you were in for life. There may be disagreements along the way, but she would always fight for you. Heck, she'd take a bullet for you. At this thought, Artie felt himself choke up a little. She did take a bullet, not for one of them but for the neanderthal who had been tormenting him and others like him, Rachel included, for years. How could she have done that ? How could she have overlooked the consequences of her actions. And suddenly, panic started to invade Artie's mind. What if he never got the answer to his question ? What if this morning, during history, was the last time he spoke to her. What did he say to her ? Artie tried to remember but he couldn't. Oh God, what were his last words to Rachel, why couldn't he remember ?
His breath started to become erratic, he was literally having a panic attack. Sudenly, he felt Mercedes' hand in his own.
"Breathe with me, Artie. Come on, focus. Breathe in and out, in and out." she whispered in his ear.
He felt himself calm down a little hearing his best friend's voice. But the question remained in his mind. Why ? Why did she do that ? Why would she take such a risk for someone who slushies her daily ? Why would she take the risk of leaving Quinn alone with such a burden to bear ? Quinn, Artie thought. He had seen her breakdown in the choir room but after that, everything had been so chaotic, he hadn't looked at her. But, to be honest, he didn't want to look at her because he knew what he was going to see. Pure heartbreak.
Artie wanted to be mad, but who to blame ? He didn't know. Was he supposed to be mad at Karofsky for pushing Jacob to his breaking point, or was he supposed to be mad at Jacob for bringing that gun ? Was he supposed to blame the school for turning a blind eye on the bullying taking place or the teachers, who witnessed and did nothing ? Was he supposed to be mad at Rachel for not thinking this through and leaving them and Quinn especially, in this limbo, waiting to hear if everything was about to change forever ? Or was he supposed to be mad at everything and everyone ? If Artie was honest with himself, everything had already changed, but for now they hadn't seen the consequences of that change. All he knew is that part of himself wanted to yell at Rachel for being so careless and part of himself wanted to drop on his knees and apologize for even thinking about yelling at her and beg her to fight. Artie didn't know if he believed in God, but he sent out a prayer anyway.
He had never been very invested in the relationship between Quinn and Rachel, his own drama requiring all his attention when the girls got together. At the time, he was going through his own breakup with Brittany. First, Tina dumped him for Mike and then Brittany for Santana. Although, this one he should have seen it coming. But despite it all, he saw how the diva cared for the blonde cheerleader. Simply by looking at her. She was different with Quinn. She was much more relaxed and carefree. When she had been with Finn, it was all about being the center of his attention, all the time. Her insecurities shining through, like if she wasn't Finn's whole universe, he would quickly move on to someone else. With Jesse, they were so alike that it was a constant battle between them as to whom would be in the spotlight. But with Quinn, it had been different as soon as it started. Instead of having a Rachel on the edge of a nervous breakdown or an insufferable diva, they had met the mellower version of Rachel. Still a diva, but an easygoing one. Rachel smiled all the time, and not her "Broadway" smile but a genuine one, she was affectionate with Quinn in a way she had never been before. She wasn't overbearing like she had been with Finn with crazy calendars and t-shirts, no it was done in a subtle way. Light touches, hands intertwined, laughs, looks full of promises of love. A subtle communication between two people completely in synch. And the whole Glee Club had come to love this version of Rachel Berry.
Artie remembered the first time he saw this side of Rachel. It was at the brunette's house. Their assignment of the week had been songs from Phantom of The Opera. Kurt and Rachel had been ecstatics and had decided to show the Glee Club the movie version of the play and make a day out of it. So, Rachel invited everyone to her house for this screening. The girls had been together officially for about 2 months at that time and while it wasn't a secret anymore among the Glee Club, the two weren't out at school yet.
But in the sanctuary of Rachel's house, well it was a whole different story. They had been all over each other the minute Quinn stepped in the house. Only Finn, Mercedes and Puck hadn't been able to come to this small gathering.
The movie had been watched in silence, except for the quiet whispering between the two girls. Artie even thought he saw Santana smile at this display of cuteness. But the glare she sent him when they made eye contact, Artie would never tell anyone he saw the softer side of Santana Lopez, with someone other than Brittany.
At some point, during the movie, Artie threw another look towards the two girls only to find Quinn, lying on the couch,, with her head on Rachel's lap, while the brunette unconsciously roamed her fingers through blonde hair while her attention was definitely on the movie, and Artie could have sworn he heard the blonde purr like a small kitten. She had her eyes closed and seemed to enjoy the brunette's ministrations. The fact is, he never saw Rachel that affectionate with anyone. Even during some of their get together in the past, she was just hanging on Finn's arm or simply leaning against him while the boy had his arm around her shoulder. But, he never witnessed such an intimate display of affection before. And come to think of it, he never witnessed any of that coming from Quinn either. The blonde seemed so relaxed and happy and that particular emotion was mirrored on Rachel's face.
Artie bumped Tina's shoulder, who was sitting next to him. She looked at him and he motioned towards the two girls. Tina took a look and smiled before drawing Kurt's attention from the screen.
Kurt watched the display before muttering a small "Oh My God" to his two friends.
But then Kurt had to take his cellphone out and take a picture of the two girls, which definitely broke the spell.
"Kurt, what are you doing ?" asked Quinn, annoyance in her voice.
"I'm sorry, Quinn, but that was just to cute for words. I thought it deserved a picture."
"Well, you keep that picture private and no posting this on facebook." Quinn said firmly.
"I'm hurt." Kurt said dramatically, putting his hand on his heart for emphasis. " You know me better than that." He added a little bit more seriously.
"I'm sorry, Kurt. I didn't mean it this way, but sometimes you kinda forget the world around you when you're in gossip mode and I know you plan to show this to Mercedes." Quinn said smiling.
"No problem. And speaking of, when are you two planning to be official at school." He asked and that got everyone's attention.
"When we're ready." Rachel answered softly. Artie noticed that her hand still buried in the blonde's hair while the other played with Quinn's fingers. "We're out to the people who matter and that's enough for now."
Everyone nodded their head in agreement. They all knew how difficult the halls of McKinley High were for people who were different.
Quinn smiled adoringly at her girlfriend and Artie couldn't help but notice the silent conversation going on. Even THAT had changed. Rachel was the one with her feelings always on display for everyone to see. That was one of hest best qualities and sometimes he felt bad for this because it also allowed people to use this to their advantage when hurting the brunette. But with Quinn, it had been different from the start. Biggest proof had been that no one ever thought that the two had been together before they announced it in Glee Club.
When it came to boys, Rachel had always been vocal in her affection, everyone around her knew who she liked. But no one had ever guessed that she had been into Quinn. This had been kept hidden in the deepest part of her heart.
Unknown to the two girls, their relationship had been discussed among the Glee Club members as soon as they announced that they were together. Some like Mercedes, Tina or Finn were scared that Quinn was setting up Rachel for the ultimate prank. Some people like Brittany or Santana knew that Quinn had been harboring feelings for the brunette for quite some time now. But Artie was the only one who raised the following question: What about Rachel's feelings for Quinn ? She was so different than what they were used to. They really didn't know what to make of Rachel's behevior. Was she really in love, was it a phase, was she trying to get revenge on Quinn for years of torment? Nobody had a real answer to that. That's when Finn and Puck answered this for everyone.
They knew that Rachel had been a little obsessed with them, but they doubted that she had been in love with either of them. They had known her since they were in diapers and they knew how she worked. The fact that she was so different with Quinn meant that Quinn was different. Rachel's pattern had been the same whether it had been Puck, Finn or Jesse. And Puck couldn't help but say that while she had liked each of them, she hadn't been in love and what they were witnessing with Quinn, maybe that's what a Rachel Berry in love looked like. Calm, relaxed and happy.
Everybody seemed to agree and they each kept their eye on Rachel. While some of them were doing it more out of concern for Rachel and her well being, others were observing the birth of a new Rachel Berry. Artie had been one of those.
The movie now finished, Rachel got up to get some more refreshments, followed by Quinn shortly after. Everyone was still talking about the movie and who could sing what, when Artie wheeled himself into the kitchen to see if Rachel needed help. He quietly pushed the door, and saw the two girls, in a heated liplock. He knew he should have closed the door but Artie was a boy and the two were hot girls. Rachel was against the kitchen island, one hand buried in Quinn's hair, the other around the blonde's waist. After the obvious need for oxygen made itself known, they parted, their foreheads against each other and smiling lazily.
"What was that for ?" asked Quinn, chuckling.
"Just because I can." answered Rachel, still slightly out of breath.
"We should get back, the others will be wondering what we're doing." sighed Quinn.
"We should." added Rachel before leaning towards Quinn, stealing another scorching kiss from the blonde who responded eagerly.
Artie wondered if he should interrupt or not, noticing how heated it started to become, the two girls now realeasing soft moans. That's when Quinn ended the kiss with a smile that Artie was sure he had never seen on the blonde. It was so bright, it could have lighted up an entire city.
"We should stop." she said, still smiling. " because as much as I'm enjoying this, there are people in your living room, Rach." she finished.
"Damn!" the brunette joked snapping her fingers. "Maybe I could throw them out." she smiled.
"Oh yeah, I can already see it. Do you all mind leaving, because I really want to make out with my girlfriend right now, and maybe more." Quinn laughed.
"Oh, definitely more, Fabray. You definitely got me all hot and bothered." Rachel smiled mischievously.
"Hey, no fair, Berry. I was just here to help. You're the one who jumped my bones."
"Yeah, and what a fight you put up!"
"I can't help if I'm hot and you want a piece of the Fabray." Quinn genuinely laughed, gesturing to her body. "Who am I to deny you what you want ?"
"And people say I have a huge ego. And when did you start talking like Noah. Should I be worried about you giving yourself weird nicknames." Rachel added, giving Quinn a small slap on her butt, while the blonde was getting the bottles from the fridge.
"Hey, do not damage the goods." Quinn said, turning around offering another blinding smile to her girlfriend. "It might be of use to you later if you behave."
"Well, then call me St Rachel because I totally intend to collect." Rachel softly said, taking her girlfriend in her arms once again. She dropped another chaste kiss on the blonde's lips. "Come on, let's go back."
Artie closed the door and wheeled himself back in the living room, a smile on his face. He had never seen see this playful side of Rachel and Quinn before. And the questions in his mind had been answered. He couldn't doubt their love for each other. It was clearly written on both their faces, so he wondered how they even hid it to begin with. Or maybe, everyone was just blind.
Artie felt a tear on his cheek and wiped it? In his mind, he couldn't fathom losing Rachel. And as he took a look around him and saw his teammates with the same despair in their eyes, he knew they were all thinking along the same lines. They couldn't imagine a world where Rachel Berry was not there to fight the fight, so Artie wouldn't imagine it. He would remain hopeful, a bullet couldn't stop Rachel Berry, she was a force of nature. He trusted her to do the right thing and come back to them. So he looked at Mercedes, one of his best friend, and took her hand. A small gesture from him that tried to convey his confidence in his brunette friend fighting for her life.