Chapter 12

Rachel watched as the teacher writes 'Madonna' on the white board. It appears that it is the newest assignment for the teacher.

Could be worst. Much worst.

"What comes to mind when you see that name?"

"Genius." Rachel speaks before anyone else can.

"Icon."

"Hall of Fame MILF." Quinn gives Noah a dirty look as Rachel hit him in the head. "Ouch that actually hurt." She hears him murmur, Rachel of course takes her KGB training so she doesn't laugh.

MY training

"So, we're all aware of Madonna's musical and cultural significance, which is why this week, your assignment is to come up with a Madonna number."

It is safe to say all the girls loved the idea from their gasp and squeal with delight.

"Uh, Mr. Shue? As a dude, Madonna makes me kind of uncomfortable."

"Yeah, she's smokin' and everything, but can't some of us do something else? Like the guy version of Madonna? Like, you know, Pantera?"

Seriously Pantera? They know the guy version of Madonna it's actually Michael Jackson?

Yes. I think.

"Guys! You know, it's come to my attention that many of you haven't been treating the young ladies of our group very nicely lately. You're disrespectful, bullying, sexist, and I hate to say it, misogynistic."

"I have no idea what that means."

No surprise. And you wanted to date him.

What is up with you today, you're so difficult sometimes.

"What it means is, put yourself in their shoes for a change. Culturally, Madonna's legacy transcends her music, because by and large, the subtext of her songs are about being strong, independent and-and confident, no matter what your sex. But more than anything, Madonna's musical message is about equality. And that is something I ink you guys need to work on."

"Mr. Shue, I don't think we can have an honest conversation about Ms. Ciccone without acknowledging that her images are as indelible as her songs. I would like to honor her contributions by tackling a multi-media project. With Mercedes."

"Great. Go for it, Kurt."

"I'm still not down. And no chick intimidates Puckzilla. I just don't think er music translates to show choir."

"Really? Well I, for one, couldn't disagree more." Rachel says getting up, winking at Quinn as she whisper to the band the music she was about to start singing.

Express Yourself was a success for the girls, but the boys didn't seem to like that much.

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"The boys are idiots." Quinn spoke as they eat dinner. "Did you know I once sang 'Papa Don't Preach' with Puck. It seems fitting. What is your favorite Madonna song?"

"I don't know."

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Quinn entered the auditorium where Rachel told her to meet at lunch. She found the brunette sitting in front of the piano.

"Hey. What is it?"

"I found the song I like the most. You said you once sang one with Noah. Wanna sing with me?" Quinn was surprised by that but soon nods and sat next to Rachel. "Do you know it?" Quinn looks at the song and smiles.

"Of course. What should I sing?"

"Make it natural." Rachel says starting to play the piano.

(Rachel, Quinn, Both)

I have a tale to tell

Sometimes it gets so hard

To hide it well

I was not ready for the fall

Too blind to see the writing on the wall

A man can tell a thousand lies

I've learned my lesson well

Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned

Till then it will burn inside of me

(Quinn is so socked with the raw emotion with which Rachel sang that she almost forgot to sing herself, but once Rachel raised an eyebrow at her, silence asking her why she wasn't singing as well, she sang too)

I know where beauty lives

I've seen it once

I know the one she gives

The light that you could never see

It shines inside you can't take that from me

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A man can tell a thousand lies

I've learned my lesson well

Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned

Till then it will burn inside of me

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The truth is never far behind

you kept it hidden well

If I live to tell the secret I knew then

Will I ever have the chance again?

"That was amazing." Quinn spoke as she looked at Rachel with a new piece to the puzzle. "Rach. I know you said you had things you needed to tell me. I will be here to heart it when you want to."

"I know. But this helps."

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"Can we talk?" She told Jesse entering his bedroom. "You're mother told me you were here." She adds as if he needed any explain. She sat next to him on the bed. On the way here she made a list of pros and cons of doing it with Jessie- a very Rachel Berry thing she couldn't help but add. It made her smile, the fact that she was starting to think like Rachel.

"I thought we were supposed to meet later."

"We were." She spoke, knowing very well what they were supposed to do later. "Look, Jessie, I really like you." A true, she can't help but take noticed. "But… I can't do it. It wouldn't be right for… the team."

Stupid excuse and you know it.

He will betray us either way. So what is the point on doing it? If he bits the bait we will know.

"What does the team have to do with this?"

"If I give myself to you, knowing that my teammates wouldn't approve, it would be like I was sleeping with the enemy. I'd be betraying them. And because I'm truly not ready to do this, I'd be betraying myself."

And the Soldat. You won't do it because you would be betraying him. Remember him, well not remember as is remember- screw it – you understood. He saved me, he saved us. We LOVE him. Don't you dare to forget.

Is this why you being more bitchy today? Because you don't want to betray the memory of someone we haven't seen in more than 20 years… Anastasiya… Are you there? Ana? Fine don' answer! If I could storm out I would.

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"So you didn't do it." Quinn spoke and Rachel could see the relief. "Why?"

"It wasn't the right time. Maybe not even the right person."

"Do you love him?"

"I could. I think."

"Love is scary." Quinn adds some time after.

"The scariest of things." Rachel confesses and then Quinn took her by surprise by giving her a hug. A strange one since the positions on the coach and her belly didn't allow it much more.

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"What the hell?! It seems like now everybody's doing things just to hurt my feelings." Finn scream as Rachel looked at Jessie surprised.

I know we spoke about manipulating him into coming to ND but I wasn't aware we were doing it.

Ana, please. I am sorry ok. But we were not doing it.

Oh! So he just. Wow.

"I thought you all would take this news a little better. I'm a star. You can learn from me."

"We were already fighting for second leads. And now that you've shown up, I've lost all hope at ever getting a solo."

"Yeah, that's right. And y'all just trot me out at the end of every number so I can wail on the last note. How is that okay?"

"He's a spy, Mr. Shue. I would know." Rachel hides her smirk at that- please Santana. You don't see a spy when she stares at you every day for the last two years.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys. I saw all the paperwork, I spoke with his parents…"

"They winter in Bali. It's a very expensive phone call."

"Jessie just moved in with his uncle, which is in our school district. It's all above board, guys. He goes to thisschool now."

"But this isn't fair."

"Guys! Everyone who's ever auditioned for this group has gotten in. That's how we do things here. Okay, to suddenly change the rules now, that would be unfair. Brittany." He gives permit to the blonde with a raise hand.

"Mr. Shue, is he your son?"

"I don't understand why you're doing this." Rachel finally speaks. Because he doesn't- he could easily spy yes- but he still could that without transferring.

"Because when you love something, you got to go for it. You would never be with me completely if I were on the opposing team. And I care about you more than winning another national title. So I left Vocal Adrenaline. For you."

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"Do you believe him?"

"I know I shouldn't. We wants to play me."

"Do you want to believe him?"

"I don't know. Maybe." She confessed to Natalie.