Pity and Promise
Rated: T (for language)
Pairing(s): Faberrittana, Finchel (implied)
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the songs used in this story.
A/N: There's a lot of ways to include Shelby is my opinion, so we'll see how it does.
1moredreamer: Even though I agree that Shelby wasn't exactly fair to Rachel, I don't think she really understood how much Rachel needed her. After living without her for years, I can see where Shelby would think that Rachel was happy enough without her.
The urge to run out of the room right then increased, and the malice in her eyes grew. She wouldn't look at Jesse because she could almost feel the grin plastered on his face. So this was his plan all along? Throw her into the lion's den-a.k.a her mother? Oh, how appropriate it would be to just beat him down right then. Put the blame on him.
From the coldness she felt, she also had to reason that if Jesse were to come to mind, she figured that it wasn't entirely his fault. Sure, Rachel was still pissed about the egging incident, but she pretty much forgave him by going to Junior prom with him. She could even be grateful that he gave her the opportunity to blow up within reason.
The room was tense and silent, and the only person who looked remotely comfortable was Jesse, who still leaned against the door. Even Shelby's dark glare couldn't phase him.
"She was involved in the prank. The rest of them booked it, which gave me the fortunate outcome of finding one Rachel Berry." He put a hand on the girl's shoulder, which she shrugged off angrily.
"Rachel... what happened to you?" Shelby looked her over. Her clothes were different, obviously. But the fact that she looked almost identical to how Quinn dressed in the beginning of the year was unsettling. Just knowing that Rachel was involved in a prank as small as this told her that the girl was thinking different. She might have expected the brunette to open up, but all she got was a huffing teenager.
"Nothing you need to know about." At least Rachel's stubborn personality was still around.
"Looks like she's trying to uphold a different image. If she's hanging with Puckerman and the cheerios, something is different." Her eyes were daggers to Jesse, and for the first time he became uncomfortable.
"Is this true Rachel?" Shelby's voice was less angry, but held a great deal of curiosity.
"Is what true?" Rachel found this game to be fun.
"Were you trying to cause trouble with my team? You and your friends?"
"They're not exactly my friends. And you have no proof that I was a part of it." Even directly stating it to Jesse didn't prove anything. She folded her legs into a comfortable position, her smirk and dancing eyes showing just how much she was enjoying this.
"Jesse, will you give us a minute?" Shelby was surprised at the look of panic in her daughter's eyes.
"He can stay." Rachel protested, but Jesse was already out the door. Taking a second to compose herself, the woman confronted Rachel.
"What is going on with you, Rachel? You're not the kind of person to mess with people. You and your team didn't want anything to do with Vocal Adrenaline last time I checked."
"Then you don't know me very well." She answered darkly. "I make my own choices. You don't need to interrogate me."
"I don't think this is really you." She responded, doing her best to match Rachel's tone. "I think you're putting on a mask."
"You don't know anything, Shelby. Quit trying to get me to talk. You had your chance last time and that's it. End of story."
"It is not 'end of story'!" Shelby shouted, becoming even more angered when Rachel barely reacted. "There is a reason that you wanted to be involved with something like this. You're angry."
"Of course I am!" Rachel hissed, standing to almost match Shelby's height. "There's a lot to be angry about. The only thing is that you left, and that was the end. I don't want to talk to you."
"Rachel, I already explained this to you. You're eighteen, you don't need me. But I am still your mother."
"Fuck this." Hearing her daughter cuss and seeing her about to leave the room snapped Shelby back into the coach she was. Sometimes she had to be hard.
She grabbed Rachel's upper arm before she could take another step, and pulled her back. "Sit your ass down. We're not done talking." No matter how old she was, Shelby knew that Rachel needed someone to sit her down and tell her how wrong she was. It wasn't much of a surprise that Rachel complied, but Shelby was still uneasy.
"You aren't the same girl I sang with in the auditorium back at McKinley. I don't recognize this girl." She looked her daughter up and down. "I understand your anger. I wasn't as supportive as I should have been. But I am still your mother."
"You were never my mother!" Rachel shot back. "You left when I needed you. You're pretty messed up if you think that's what makes a mother." She growled.
"I wanted to be a mother to you, Rachel. I really did. I still do. But not like this."
"This is who I am." The answer was as Shelby expected.
"If you believe that, then it proves just how wrong you are. You're just like Quinn; lost."
Rachel stood up quickly, grabbing her bag with her. She kept her eyes glued on her mother in anger, annoyance, and frustration. "I am not lost. No thanks to you, I know who I am now."
Shelby was practically speechless. Had her daughter really turned out like this on her conscience? If she tried hard enough, she might be able to bring the real Rachel Berry back. But only time would allow that.
"I'm letting you know that I will be contacting Mr. Schuester about this, Rachel." She said. No matter how bad she felt about the girl, consequences still stood. It could be assumed that the four other students involved were back at McKinley by now. Rachel didn't reveal anything when she looked back for a second, and walked out with more confidence than when she had walked in.
Jesse heard the whole conversation from around the corner, and almost missed it when Rachel had walked out. He considered consoling her, but then thought it might be too soon to bring it up. Instead, he caught up to her. "Rachel!"
"What?" The girl spun around. He expected that she might be in tears, but her face was blank, completely clear of any emotion.
"I want you to come to the auditorium with me." He said, and she stopped.
"Why would I do that?" Her smart reply only made Jesse grin more.
"I know that Shelby's going to call Schuester, so I thought we could hang out for a bit. I can show you around."
Rachel ran her hands through her hair in the same manner Shelby had. "Fine, Jesse. It's only a matter of time before Shelby hunts me down again." Rachel rolled her eyes and Jesse laughed. He led her in the direction of the auditorium, leaving Shelby to watch from behind.