Hello everyone. So I do understand that it is a bit of a slow pace and there are many unanswered questions so far. But trust me; all this is necessary in the grand scheme of the story. And in a few chapters some questions will be answered, the pace of the story will be picked up a bit, and secrets will be revealed. So stick with me.

As usual the flashbacks are in Italics.

Enjoy.

Many puzzles are left unfinished. It is no big secret. Even I must admit to leaving many a puzzle undone. There are multiple reasons for a puzzle not being completed. Sometimes a piece or pieces may be lost, along with the hope of ever seeing the full picture the puzzle is suppose to make. Other times people get bored, busy, or just forget about it. But the puzzle of Rachel Berry is one that would never and could never be forgotten. It is oh so interesting and every single piece is in walking distance. This is one puzzle that could not go unfinished.

Mercedes stood in front of the bathroom mirror meticulously going over every inch of her hair. She took another moment to look it over and then shook her head unsatisfied. As she went back to poking and prodding her hair she failed to notice the click of the door opening and closing, and the footsteps of a person entering her makeshift salon.

So when an even voice said "hey" Mercedes proceeded by jumping ten feet into the air, messing up about everything she had done to her hair in the prior moments.

"Sweet Jesus. What are you doing sneaking up on me like some sort of criminal?" As she turned to look in the mirror she let out a slight shout. "Oh hell to the no. My hair did not just get messed up because of that!"

The look her surprise visitor was given was murderous and cringe worthy. "I'm really sorry. I didn't meant o sneak up on you like that."

The apology was weak at best but there were more pressing matters at the time. She just shook her head and started to fix her hair once again. After realizing not much could be done to help it out she turned to face her intruder.

"Why exactly are you here anyway?" It was harsh and to the point. Yet it wasn't too harsh. There was a warm welcome somewhere deep within it.

"Don't be too excited that I'm here please." Was the sarcastic reply the diva received.

"Thank you sergeant sarcasm, I am so glad that you find this funny. Don't worry I'm not too excited just curious as to why you have decided to grace me with your presence." The last words were laced with a healthy dose of sarcasm and said with an eyebrow raised.

All hints of joking and disrespect were suddenly gone. The next phrase was sincere and said in a way that made it seem like the most important thing in the world at that moment. "I had to ask you a question actually."

Mercedes looked over the investigator with a lot of doubt. There was not full belief in her eyes so another comment was issued. "And I was really hoping that you could give me an honest answer that we could just talk for a while."

"Okay then go ahead and ask this question that seems to have your panties in a twist."

An impressive scowl was let out along with an incredulous/indignant comment. "I do not have my panties in a twist, Thank you very much."

The diva let out a soft chuckle, her eyes alight with amusement. She then let out her breathy statement in between sets of laughter. "Yeah, okay sure. But who are you trying to convince of that exactly? Me or you?"

The tension was there. Turned on like a light, and it filled the room. It could be seen on both faces right then and there. And when this underlying tension was noted all traces of laughter were gone. "Ha-ha very funny. I can barely contain my laughter at the moment."

Mercedes let out a sigh at the sad attempt to ease the tension and change the subject. Yet she did let it slide and went along with little show. "I know I am hella funny. I do aim to please."

The statement was curt. "You have bad aim."

Mercedes gave an offended scoff, as she crossed her arms over her chest. A slight frown forming on her face. "Well excuse me grumpy. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Just ask me the question already."

After a minute or two of an intense glare competition, the question that all were waiting on was finally asked. "What do you think of Rachel Berry?"

The "are you totally insane look" was soon given. Another comment was added as soon as possible. "Please, I know that it may seem odd or whatever, but could you just answer the question?"

"One of the biggest divas I have ever met. She will never hesitate to show off her odd ability to storm out of a room."

"Well that's nice."

The diva gave a shrug of the shoulders and took a step back to lean against the sinks. "I never said I was nice. I just tell it like it is. Besides you of all people should not be talking to me about nice." A pointed look followed the statement.

It hurt, it really did. But what hurt the most about what Mercedes had just said is that it was true. All the investigator could do was let out a sigh filled with regret. "Yeah, okay whatever. Look that's not all I came here to ask you anyway. I have one more question to ask and then I'll leave you alone."

"Of course there has to be more." The diva let out a small smile before continuing. "Besides having you around isn't that bad .It could be worse, I could have Jew Fro all over me trying to get some stupid story."

The comment was met with a laugh. "Thanks…I think. Anyway have you noticed anything different about Rachel lately?"

"That was random."

"I know."

"I like random."

"Good."

It was relaxed banter. Yet beneath it was all the meaning behind that random question. The answer for the question came sooner and with much less trouble than anyone would have thought. "She did do something that I thought was kind of freaky, could just be me though."

She was given a pointed look. "Come on Mercedes we both know that you do not think that it was just you-so spill."

At first the girl was offended at the bluntness and the tone used but then her natural instinct to gossip kicked in. She just couldn't help her urge to tell stories, slightly exaggerated ones, of course about other people, especially her fellow glee members. "Okay than sister if that's the way you feel I will tell you the story. It was like a month or so ago….

It was after school and we were in our favorite place, also known as glee. At that point though, it felt like prison might be better. We had spent almost an hour and twenty minutes (basically the whole club period) trying to make a set list for lord knows what. I think you might not have been there- oh wait you were there. You just seemed to be sort of out of it. Let's just say our opinions were not gelling as much as would have liked.

The saddest thing of all was that it wasn't even a whole set list. It was just one song that we needed to complete the set list. Of course Puck and his loud mouth had a suggestion. "I say we sing the song Sexy by the West End Girls."

Tina looked at him from the side curiosity etched on her face. "I've never heard of it before, but I'm gonna guess from the name that it is not appropriate."

Puck smiled that easy smile of his, eyes lighting up with mischief, before clearing some things up for him. "It's from the movie Better Than chocolate and don't judge a book by looking at the cover or whatever."

Then you actually commented. I think that was the one thing you had said that whole lesson; I know that after you said it you totally spaced out. "Isn't that a movie about lesbians?"

At the nod of Puck's head I don't think any of us could stop from looking at him like he had three heads. "What, I was curious as to what could actually be better than chocolate. But damn, I know now."

After listening to a few people pretend to gag he got out his iPod and played the song for us. Some of the people actually looked semi horrified by the end. Brittany was dancing around repeating the word sexy. I don't think she actually listened to the song.

Tina then looked at him and pointed an accusing finger. "What a perv."

He managed to smile and look semi offended. "What, dude there's nothing wrong with it."

Santana spoke with her usual bored/total bitch tone while rolling her eyes. "Okay Puckerman I know that you're stupid, but come on, even you can't be that stupid."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

I just watched as the argument progressed between Puck and Santana when surprisingly Kurt said something. "I believe the song states "I would like to come inside your window" and something about "tickling you down deep inside". I am no sex Ed teacher or anything but to me that sounds very sexual." He finished with a slight red tint to his cheeks. You gotta love that kid. He is totally adorable.

Puck looked away dejected. "Fine you prudes."

Rachel chose that moment to speak up. I was surprised that it was the first time she had said something in a while." Noah I am all up for listening to creative differences, but there is a large difference between being a prude and being appropriate. I have been called a prude many times by various people, so I took the liberty of looking it up on Urban dictionary. Most entries agreed on the basic definition "one who is reluctant in engaging in any sexual activities."

She took a breath in between her rant and then said the next part while starring right at Santana. "I do not think many of us here are reluctant to do any sort of sexual acts. So no, we are not trying to be prudes, we are trying to be appropriate."

Santana was apparently inspecting her nails, which could really use some work, so she didn't notice Rachel starring at her. She then said. "Yeah even I have to agree with treasure trail."

The next suggestion came from Finn which immediately put a warning sign on it. "I think that we should do that Friday song by Rebecca Black."

Honestly, wow. "Oh hell to the no." Were really the only words fit to react to his statement.

Then my brother Artie said. "Seriously, are you crazy Finn?"

But that boy was totally not fazed. He just sat there with his "I just sucked on the crack pipe too long" smile while lightly singing. "Yesterday was Thursday."

Once again Santana was there with her biting remarks that even I had started to find amusing. "Hey Finnocence, I actually did not think it was possible for you to reach this new level of stupid, but hey there you are. You should be happy you have now reached a new level in the game "Ultimate dumbass." Oh, and by the way yesterday was Tuesday." Even I had to laugh at that one.

"Then what do you suggest Santana."

"I do not give a rat's ass Finn. I just don't want us to look like total jokes on the stage" and with a look at Puck she added. "Or crazed sex addicts, even though some of you creeps probably are."

"Hey guys." Along with the rest of the club I turned to look at Brittany. "Did you know that George Washington was a leader in evolution?"

All I could do at that point was shaking my head and let out a sigh "Girl…"

After a quick slap to her own forehead Santana softly said. "Britt I think you mean the Revolution."

After a perplexed look took over her features Brittany let out her cute innocent little smile. "Oh-Okay."

Not two seconds after Brittany's usual crazy comment, Rachel's hand shot up in the air. "Yes Rachel." And maybe I was seeing things but Rachel's excitement seemed to dim a little at the rude exasperated tone Mr. Schue had used.

"Well I would like to share a suggestion for what song we should sing." Her comment was met with a collection of groans and sighs that even I must admit I participated in. "I was thinking we should sing the song Glitter in the Air by P!nk." It wasn't the worst song I have heard, but that's not what I was thinking about. Her voice seemed to have lost a bit of its feeling.

"You know what Rupaul how about you sing the beautiful song of silence okay. That would help you and all of us." Of course that one was from Santana.

"Yeah that song kind of sucks ass it's so freaking slow." That elegant response was from Puck.

"That song is so boring and old….and it just doesn't make sense. I mean I never really understood it." Was the next piece of criticism from Finn.

Kurt then piped in on the bashing. "Honestly Finn's choice of song was probably more helpful." He said it in the usual bored tone he uses to try and hide all his jealousy whenever talking to Rachel.

But after that I wasn't listening to the comments anymore- all I could see was Rachel. It was so unusual-so totally unlike her. Her body started to slowly wilt and the smile was gradually torn off of her face as the insults were hurled at her. The comments must have stopped or something because the next thing I heard was an "Okay" from Rachel in a fragile voice.

She did not stay and tell us all why that was the best song ever and why we should choose it, she did not argue privately with Mr. Schue for half an hour, no she didn't do any of that. Rachel Berry just nodded and quietly wove her way through the chairs to go up to . She then whispered something in his ear. I could tell what she had said though because I had perfected my lip reading skills. They really come in handy while trying to keep track of all the gossip that goes on in this school.

Anyway she had asked if she could be excused and he answered with a dumbfounded yes. And then she was out the door quickly and quietly, barely making any noise above the light click of the door closing. Not one person seemed to notice. They had started to have another argument about why "Love game" wouldn't work.

But I noticed. I saw everything. And it made me feel like something was weird, something wasn't right.

There was a look of confusion and frustration at not being able to fully grasp the whole point peppered on the investigators face. "I don't get it. Did she have to go to the bathroom? What's the big deal?"

Mercedes then exhaled and shook her head at the pure stupidity that was radiating off the other at the moment. "That day, during that glee club meeting Rachel didn't stand up for her opinion and make everyone believe it was right. She didn't grab everyone's attention and she didn't perform her usual storm out…it just wasn't right." And with that the diva took one last look in the mirror and briskly walked out the door.

Yes, that day Rachel Berry did not state her opinion loud and clear and make sure that everyone understood it. In a way she admitted to defeat. And perhaps most shocking of all, she didn't do that amazing storm out that she had perfected over time-that had all eyes on her- which is usually what she loves. Maybe this time she did not want anyone looking at her, watching her. But why? That is odd, no doubt about it. There are about three puzzle pieces remaining until the puzzle is all there together and the true story and drama begins. So prepare my friends for the ride of a lifetime.

Please review and tell me what you think. Are there still people out there reading? Should I keep up with the story? Are you ready to hear the secret? You tell me :D