Chapter 14: Companionship

Noah:

I counted the money from my pool cleaning business 4 times over the other night. I still need like $500 to even get as far as New York. That doesn't include paying for however the hell I plan on staying there. I figure Shelby might just take pity on me with that kind and vulnerable heart of hers and let me crash with her, Rach, and Beth for a couple of days, but what about after that?

Obviously she couldn't stay in Lima because she wasn't going to get a job here to support Beth. I accept that now. But she didn't have to leave me behind. She only ran from this because she's so scared, and that's unlike the Shelby Corcoran I thought I knew so well. She's intimidated by something as awesome as a relationship with the Puckinator. Once I make it to New York she'll realize how bad ass I really am and how good of a father I'll be to Beth. She'll hate herself for trying to walk away from all of this and I'll be there to help her pick up the pieces.

That was a really stupid and bitchy move, on her part. I mean what the hell makes her think it was okay to dangle Beth in front of Quinn and me and then take her away from us again?! No. I'll get back at her for that somehow, if she won't take me back….first I gotta get to her.

And I know this must all seem really haphazardly planned. I know I'm not really sure what I'm doing anymore but I'll figure it out.

Cassie:

Shelby has been working her ass off trying to keep up with me and I admire her for that. She has always been a hard worker and she's determined when focused on a particular goal. Right now that goal is her "fresh start" and I have to say, she has been killing it. She matches me with every move, every work out, every step. Because she tries to keep herself to such a perfectionist standard I've even tried recently to get her to slow down and take a break but my girl is determined. Determination looks fantastic on her.

She and I haven't done anything romantic wise since she kissed me on her first day, which is fine. This is a lot to try to take in at once and I'm giving her time to figure herself out…but that doesn't stop her from being a constant flirt.

That's something I've always admittedly loved about Shelby—her flirtatious nature—even if it does sort of drive me crazy taking things so slow like this. I've known her for years, our relationship is anything BUT slow. My libido is going to kill me.

But she's worth it. She really truly is.

I'm watching her now as she practices breaking in her new toe shoes. Her form is admittedly excellent for someone who claims she can't dance, but that's Shelby for you. Everything she does, she thinks she has to be absolutely perfect at it, or else she calls herself a failure. Although she tries with great success to be perfect most of the time.

She does a graceful spin in the air and lands with perfect poise even though I know her feet must be absolutely killing her.

I have to say, I'm quite proud.

I indulge myself by watching her to it once more and then cut off the music.

"Excellent," I congratulate her, clapping my hands together a few times and then pulling her into a bone crushing hug, just like the ones I used to give her.

"I think I can start bringing classes back in starting tomorrow," I smile, pulling away from her so we can talk.

She gives a hesitant little half-smile, doubting herself, which is usually very unlike the Shelby Corcoran I know and love. "Really?" she asks. "You think I'm good enough yet?"

"You've always been good enough," I roll my eyes at her in a "puh-leaze" sort of fashion. "You just needed a bit of an extra push recently is all. I have no doubt in my mind that you can keep up and assist tomorrow. Besides, if I give the students too much of a break, they won't be ready for their midterm."

I say all of this while getting out stuff ready to close the studio. I'm tired and Shelby's tired and I think this new success calls for a celebration of some sort. I tell her as much while she's unlacing her ballet slippers and she responds by saying I should come over tonight.

I raise an eyebrow at the suggestion. "Does your definition of "celebration" still translate to a late night viewing of Funny Girl?" I can't help but ask, an adoring smile spread across my lips.

She blushes. "Too lame?" she guesses.

My smile widens at this goofball that I love so much. "Of course it's lame," I tell her but then add before she can feel too dejected, "Therefore I would love to."

Shelby looks down at her bag as she puts her things away, with the corners up her lips turned up only slightly. "Okay," her voice is almost a whisper.

Feeling daring but not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I lean forward and place a kiss to her cheek. She surprises me by kissing mine as well, her lips lingering for a couple of seconds. My heart flutters—only Shelby can get it to do that, dammit.

Yes, we've had sex and it was incredible. But she and I both know that's all it was. It was just comfort. There was no deeper meaning behind it and we knew that from the start, that's why we allowed it to happen.

Eventually we make it back to the apartment to find Rachel and Beth playing in the living room.

"Ma!" Beth says, excitedly rushing towards Shelby and jumping into her arms. "Rachie pway!" she exclaims.

"Pray?" Shelby laughs, pretending to be confused so as to get her daughter to repeat herself.

"Pwayyyy!" Beth insists.

"Ohh, playyyy…" Shelby gives Rachel a wink and kisses the top of Beth's head. "And what did you play?"

In answer, Beth giggles and buries her head into Shelby's shoulder, so Mini Shelbs finds it fitting to answer for her. "Just hide and seek for a little bit, and then we played drums with pots and pans."

"Oh?" I have to wonder. "Do we have yet another musician in the family?"

Rachel shrugs. "Maybe. I mean she is the biological daughter of Puck and Quinn. But I think she's more of a paper and pencil artist. She seems to like drawing more than music."

I turn to Shelby for confirmation and she nods. "She always has. Although when the time comes, Cassie, I do want you to teach her dance." She looks into my eyes and they sparkle in question.

"Of course," I promise even though I don't work well with children and she knows this. Some might argue I'm not good with students in general—but that's just because they don't understand my methods. But I would teach Beth a different way. This little one is special and I'd do anything for Shelby. She knows that, as well. "I look forward to it."

Shelby shoots be a disbelieving glance. She's caught onto my "willing to teach children" bullshit.

"I do!" I insist.

"Mmmhmmm…" she kisses Beth once more and puts her down. "Do you want to watch Funny Girl, Booboo?" she asks the little one who nods and claps.

"Bab!" Beth exclaims.

I can't help but laugh. "Babs? That's right, hun, Babs." I swear to god this child is far too advanced for her age. I look at Mini Shelbs and put my hands on my hips. "You up for some Streisand, kid?"

"Only always," she crosses her arms and raises a skeptical eyebrow at me as Shelby goes into her room to change. "You're a Streisand fan?" she acts like she can't believe it. Do I seem so different from Shelby?

I laugh because Streisand isn't my obsession like some people in this household, but I do find her to be a legend. "I'm a Shelby fan," I say truthfully. "But Babs is great, too, every once in a while."

I go into the kitchen to start making tea and popcorn so Shelby won't have to later. Mini Shelbs follows, watching me in a peculiar fashion. Maybe she's being protective of her mom, which is cute, but Shelby doesn't need protecting from me. I would never hurt her. I couldn't. I love her too damned much. But Rachel doesn't know that, and seems concerned anyways.

As I put the kettle on, Rachel catches on and starts popping the popcorn.

"So," she speaks up after a moment. "Cassandra—"

Ah, so I'm about to get "the talk".

"Please, I'm Cassandra when Madame T is pissed at me. Call me Cass or Cassie," I figure if she's going to try to lecture me, she might as well be informal about it.

"Cassie," she amends, looking shy. "So far you seem like a good person—"

I smirk at the implication but let her continue as the water starts to boil on the stove.

"I can tell that you really love Shelby and she really loves you and you've obviously been friends for a long time. I know I'm not really in any place to act like she and I are anywhere near as close as you and this isn't really my territory at all but you have to realize that she just got out of something really confusing for her with Puck and isn't really ready for—"

The poor girl is rambling and looks super nervous. I stop her before she can hurt herself.

"Wow, sweetie, I appreciate what you're trying to do for Shelby, truly, and I think it's cute that you already care so much about Shelbs's well being, but you can relax, okay? I love her. We're keeping this super slow for now. We've got it all under control, okay? We know what we're doing."

"Sex is how you take things super slow?" she blurts out the question, blushing immediately afterwards and taking a step back at my widened eyes. I certainly wasn't expecting that but it's a fair question in all honesty.

I actually have to laugh as I reach to get the tea bags out of the cupboard.

"That night doesn't count," I say softly, a small smile on my lips as I remember it—the feel of Shelby against my skin. Her sweet smell and the light touch of her lips against me. Her whisper of pleading in my ear….

"Why wouldn't that count?" Rachel laughs nervously, pulling me out of my day dream.

I lick my lips. "It's complicated," I start to try to explain but before I can get that far, Shelby enters the room and I shut up.

"What's complicated?" she wonders, walking up behind me and placing a hand gently on my waist so she can reach around me for the tea.

My mind goes blank before Rachel responds for me, not wanting to put me in a weird position with Shelby verbally, "Her love for dance. I was just wondering how she got her passion for it."

"Mmm." Shelby doesn't sound like she believes her but doesn't continue to question it, which is good I guess. She turns around to face me. "I left you some clothes to change into, on the bed."

I suppose that's my cue to go and change.

Rachel:

Just before the movie starts, Cass announces we're celebrating Shelby's first classes starting tomorrow. We clink tea cups and the musical we all know by heart and love so much, begins.

Beth insists on sitting on the floor with her blankets, right in front of the TV. I'm curled up in a chair with my comforter and my laptop. Cass and Shelby are in the couch, sitting precariously close despite the amount of available room. But that's none of my business.

While we watch, I sign into a chat room to talk with Kurt.

I very sneakily take a picture of the two women and sent it to him.

They're "taking things slow", but that's none of my business. I write.

He writes back right away. Did they say it's not your business or did you? They're taking it slow even after the intense sex?

I said that. And apparently it's "complicated".

I see. Well does that bother you?

No, I'm happy she has this.

But?

I don't want her hurt again. She seems so vulnerable recently. So different than how she was two years ago…

You think July is taking advantage? Kurt had to wonder.

I don't know, Kurt. I guess not…

Stop worrying so much, Diva. It's sweet, but Shelby's a big girl, you know?

Yeah, yeah. You're right. Rachel shook her head at herself. She knew she was being ridiculous.

I usually am right, Diva. xD

Oh, don't be so smug. ;)

The movie is almost over and Shelby has long past put Beth to bed for the night. She and Cassie are curled up against each other, asleep and seeming content to be in each other's arms. I have to admit they are really cute together. Maybe I could get used to this, so long as it doesn't become a drama fest.

I let out a soft sigh, feeling sort of lonely. I realize that maybe I just don't want them to be together out of jealousy that I don't have anyone here to cuddle with. I really miss Finn. We weren't together when I left but I really miss that relationship that we had.

Or maybe I miss relationships in general.

But who knows? Maybe I'll find someone here in New York. This place is huge, I'm bound to find someone I like, right?

Right?!