**DISCLAIMER: Blah. Blah. Blah. Glee isn't mine.

I don't have much to say or much that you need to know. I just kind of want this chapter to start. It's a pretty exciting one, if I do say so myself :)

OK. Now go on and start reading already! But, remember to enjoy and REVIEW, otherwise I might just have to torture you with more Finchel! *Gasp* Haha! I'm just kidding! … maybe

By the way, I just passed 200+ reviews. Really? I can't believe it! THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE! You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

-SpringSinger

"I can't do it," Rachel said, backing away from the suddenly intimidating front door.

Jesse St. James threw the girl beside him a quizzical look, trying desperately to hide the smile that was currently playing on his lips. All day, Rachel had been cornering him at every opportunity to insist that she was suddenly unable to go through with their plans. It was something about her parents killing them both, blah, blah, blah. He didn't really care. Jesse just knew that venting to him was Rachel's own way to ease the feelings of anxiety and doubt that she was experiencing. He wasn't really bothered as the emotions were definitely well justified.

Sighing, Jesse turned towards her, replying sarcastically, "Really?"

Rachel rolled her eyes and frowned at him, "Don't make light of this, Jesse. They're going to take it really badly."

He shrugged. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

But truthfully, he wasn't quite as sure as he sounded.

"No!" Rachel shouted, angrily stomping her foot. "It won't!"

Jesse smiled lightly at her sudden childish outburst.

"Sorry," she muttered, looking away from him as to hide her embarrassment.

Sighing, Rachel leaned back onto the door and turned her gaze to the street as she began to watch the cars pass by.

"How am I going to do it?" Her voice was small, her blank eyes gazing off into the distance as she was consumed by thought.

"It can't be that hard," Jesse replied, leaning back beside her.

He could practically feel Rachel rolling her eyes. Smiling, he decided to let the comfortable silence between them last a second longer before he spoke.

"Come on," he turned around to face her, "we're not getting any younger. Let's get this done and over with as soon as possible."

Rachel gnawed on her lip for a moment before slowly nodding. "Fine."

As they entered the Berry household, Rachel grimaced at the sudden quiet. It was unnatural. Disturbing. Foreboding. It felt like something bad was just waiting to happen, everything just felt so wrong. It was like the calm before a storm.

Rachel shifted uneasily and rubbed her stomach.

Fuck.

The butterflies that she was feeling weren't going away. In fact, they were getting increasingly stronger.

Trembling, Rachel took another step into her house and looked around. Her heart was pounding so loudly now that she was afraid that Jesse could hear it. God, she was nervous. It was as if telling her parents about the unplanned pregnancy would just make everything a bit more real than it already was. Not that that was what Rachel was most afraid of.

Her true fear was rooted in the fact that, no matter how much she hated to admit it, Rachel had no clue as to how her dads would react at the news.

Slowly, she took a deep breath, trying to ignore the fluttery feeling in her stomach. Rachel threw a fleeting look at Jesse; he seemed almost as tense as she was. Well, at least that was a bit comforting. Biting her lip, she timidly grabbed her forearm, fidgeting all the while.

God, it was quiet.

Anxiously, Rachel walked up to the stairs and inhaled slowly before calling out to her parents.

"Daddy?" Rachel shouted loudly, attempting to ignore the rapid pace that her heart was beating at, "Dad?"

For a moment, there was silence, no response. Fearfully, Rachel glanced back at Jesse but his tense expression and rigid bearing hadn't changed one bit. Turning, he took great care with closing the door gently behind them.

"Rachel?" The voice from upstairs was loud and inquiring.

Timidly, Rachel climbed onto the first step, placing a hand onto the banister railing, "It's me. Um. Can … can you two come down here? I have something important I'd like to discuss with you both."

Silence.

Rachel and Jesse exchanged fearful glances.

At the sound of their muffled footsteps, her heartbeat began to speed up.

They know. She inwardly gasped as possibilities and fears ran through her thoughts. They know, they know, they know, they – no, they don't know! Rachel felt like throwing up. This was actually happening. In a matter of minutes everything would be out in the open. The truth would have been told.

It absolutely terrified her.

Yet, the idea that the matter which had been causing her so much stress for the past three months would finally cease to exist was oddly comforting.

And then, without thinking, Rachel instinctively reached over and grabbed Jesse's hand.

Jesse stared, expressionless, at his hand entwined with Rachel's.

Smiling quietly to himself, he tightened their grip reassuringly. Surprised, the girl looked back at him, gratitude shining in her brown-eyed gaze. God. She was so afraid. How he wished that he could do more for her than a simple squeeze of the hand. How he wished to hold her in his arms, to kiss her and tell her that everything was going to be ok. How he wished…

Jesse swallowed and looked back down at their desperate clutch.

Rachel's hand was soft and white, tiny within his grasp. Pensively, Jesse looked back up at her worried expression. She looked so damn fragile. He felt like he could break her. His palms began to sweat as the nerves took over.

He felt like she could break him.

Fuck. He wasn't supposed to be this tense. He was supposed to be Rachel's rock right now, the one who was keeping calm throughout this. For crying out loud, he was Jesse. St. James, the perfect example of confidence and poise!

But, truthfully, he was starting to believe that he needed the comfort just as much as the girl beside him.

"Honey, is there something wrong?" Rachel's head snapped up towards the stairway as Hiram's voice drew nearer.

Anxiously, she looked back at Jesse, squeezing his hand even tighter, "Um. Sort of. Can you both come down so I can explain?"

"Sure thing, dear," Hiram's voice called out after a slight pause, "we'll be down in a second."

Painful silence once again settled in the Berry household.

"Jesse," Rachel whispered, urgently, fear reflecting in her eyes as she turned back towards him, "I can't do it, I can't! I just –"

"What is he doing here?" The sharp, questioning voice rang loudly throughout the foyer.

Startled, both Rachel and Jesse immediately glanced upwards to meet the owner of the voice.

"What is it?" Leroy Berry inquired sharply, narrowing his eyes as his gaze flicked between the two anxious teenagers while he walked down the stairs, "Did you two get back together? I absolutely won't allow it!"

Rachel frowned, replying quickly, "No, we didn't, it's just –"

"Then what is it?" Leroy asked angrily, folding his arms, "And why is he here?"

Speechless, Rachel turned back to Jesse, desperation flashing across her expression. Smiling shakily, Jesse let go of her hand and walked up to stand in front of her. Just as he was about to speak, a door opened upstairs and Hiram Berry walked down. Gently, he placed a hand on his spouse's shoulder as he settled behind Leroy, his gaze drifting towards the two apprehensive figures before of him.

"I think our daughter would be more than happy to explain if you gave her the chance." Hiram smiled slightly at his husband before turning back towards Rachel, "It can't be that bad, dear."

Rachel could barely breathe. Her heart was pounding wildly and her hands were shaking. She felt cold, lost. As each second past by, her fear mounted.

Can't be that bad? She frowned. It's awful!

Desperately, Rachel turned once again towards Jesse, begging him with her eyes to do something, anything, but all he did was simply smile weakly back at her and remain silent.

Turning around quickly, Rachel found the eyes of her fathers and opened her mouth.

But no words came out.

Now, Rachel. She instructed herself. Now or never. This is inevitable. You might as well get it over with.

"I'm pregnant."

A deathly quiet enveloped them all. No one said a word. No one moved an inch.

Slowly, Rachel took a step forward as she frantically searched the faces of her parents. But nothing could be read as both remained expressionless. Hadn't they heard her? Why wasn't something happening? Why wasn't anybody saying anything? It was as if nothing seemed to have processed yet.

God, oh god. Rachel swallowed the tears, her heart beating uncontrollably. Don't CRY. It won't help ANYTHING.

"I –," Rachel stumbled over her words, visibly shaking, "I'm pregnant." The words sounded like a question.

"We heard you," Hiram spoke quickly. His voice was tiny, his gaze avoiding.

Rachel nodded slowly and uneasily glanced up at her other father.

Leroy Berry's face was bright red, his chest heaving, his fists and jaw clenched. He looked about ready to explode in fury.

"Are you keeping it?" His tone was dangerous and low.

"Yes."

Jesse threw her an odd look.

Leroy's jaw clenched as he stared for a moment in silence at his daughter before turning back around towards the boy beside her.

"Jesse," he spat out the name as if it were poison.

Immediately, Jesse's head snapped up and their eyes met. Both glared at each other with such hatred that it practically made Rachel flinch.

"Get out," Leroy hissed, his voice breaking as he pointed at the door, anger flashing in his eyes, "Now!"

"But, sir –"

"Out," his menacing whisper was sharp and cold as a knife.

For another tense moment Jesse held the man's stare intently before facing the pregnant teenager again. Their eyes met for a second as he threw her an apologetic glance before breaking their gaze and quietly walking out.

No! Rachel screamed on the inside, her eyes pleading, her posture stiffened as she watched him leave. Come back!

She wanted to speak, to call out to him but she felt suddenly incapable of making any sort of sound. Her mouth had become dry. Shakily, Rachel closed the door gently behind Jesse and leaned back onto limbs were suddenly weak, her mind in a daze.

Slowly, Rachel brought her tortured gaze upwards to face the sudden fury and disappointment evident on the expressions of her parents. A sob ripped her throat as betraying tears threatened to fall. Fear had completely overcome her. Weakly, Rachel covered her mouth and sunk down onto the floor, burying her face in her hands. She could see nothing but their disappointment.

Finally, after a period of silence, it became too much and Rachel burst.

"Say something," she whispered, her voice catching as hot tears trickled down her cheeks.

Leroy Berry's mouth curved into a sneer as he took a slow step forward, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles whitened.

"What do you want us to say?" His voice was full of such disgust that it made Rachel cringe. She had never seen him this angry before. "Do you want us to tell you that it's all going to be OK? That we're happy for you? That it's going to be easy? Cause it sure as hell won't be!"

"Leroy…" Hiram's attempt at a reprimand failed. His voice, his stature, everything was just too weak, too fragile.

Ignoring his husband, Leroy continued, face turning purple as he began to pace, "Do you think you can be a mother? Do you think you can raise a fucking child?" His voice was taunting. "You're still a child, Rachel Barbara Berry! What makes you think you can raise one?"

"I –," her voice was nothing more than a squeak, her frightful eyes wide as a deer's.

"Well, you're the one who decided you were mature enough to have sex, so I guess you're enough of an adult to have a baby, aren't you, Rachel? Aren't you?" His voice was thunderous, his tone mocking.

When she didn't respond and simply curled up tighter, weeping, Leroy spoke again. "Get out of my house," he spat, contempt reflecting in his tone.

"Daddy!" Rachel screamed desperately, her voice ripping as tears streamed down her face, down her neck, "B – but… I'm your daughter –"

"I don't have a daughter."

Rachel's heart stopped.

"Leroy?" Hiram's voice was quiet and feeble as he staggered backwards and collapsed onto the stairs.

"Go," Leroy frowned, eyeing his daughter with disgust, "pack your things and get out."

Swallowing, Rachel raised her tormented gaze to her father, silent for a moment as their eyes met. His eyes were cold and stony. Emotionless. Turning away, he broke their stare as he angrily and briskly left the room. Rachel's lower lip quivered, her whole body trembling as she watched her father walk away from her without so much as a second glance. Desperately, Rachel looked over at her other father, pleading, no, begging with her gaze for him to do something. Anything. Hesitation and doubt overwhelmed Hiram Berry as his eyes met those of his daughter. For a moment, he faltered, unsure of what to do or what to say as he stared at the girl falling to pieces right before him. But, just as the man before him, he turned away from her. Silently, Hiram climbed back up the stairs, silently shaking his head all the way.

Rachel choked back a sob with her fist as she struggled to her feet.

She was alone. Alone. Silently, the tears began to pour freely down her cheeks as she reflected in disgusted surprise at how easily she had been cast aside. How easily rejected. A moan escaped her lips.

She needed to get out of here, out of this house. She wasn't sure that she could tolerate another second surrounded by all the pain and memories. Slowly, she wiped away the running mascara from underneath her eyes with her pinky fingers before gradually traveling up the all too familiar stairs and into the room that once belonged to her.

As Rachel walked back down the staircase and towards the door, her house had once again regained its uncomfortable still. Truthfully, the silence had become so regular as of late that it almost didn't even bother her anymore.

Almost.

Rachel hesitated at the brass handle, her fingertips lightly grazing past it as she paused in mid-step.

Her cheeks were still tear-stained, her eyes still red, her hair a mess. And yet, she was no longer crying. Rachel no longer had any tears to cry.

Quietly, she turned, lightly leaning backwards onto the door as she took a last look around the foyer. Rachel had grown up here. In this house she had always found sanctuary and refuge. It was her asylum from the cruel world. Her parents, they had been a part of this safe haven. Their faces, their smiles, their guidance. All of it was gone now. And now that it was, she was uncertain of where could she look to.

And then, without another glance, Rachel turned around, unlocking the door as she walked away from everything that she had ever known.

Jesse sat quietly outside on the steps of Rachel's front porch, his head in his hands.

He had heard yelling, screaming, arguing from beyond and he wasn't sure that he could handle just sitting there and doing nothing for much longer. Jesse felt powerless. Things hadn't gone well, that was something he figured safe to assume. And, to be honest, it frightened him.

As he heard the door behind him close, Jesse sat up quickly and turned around, straightening out his posture.

Rachel looked frail, her eyes red and distant. She wasn't even looking at him.

Nervously, Jesse stood, timidly approaching the girl standing before him. Ignoring him, Rachel turned and lightly set down a large duffel bag beside her.

"Rachel, what happened?" Jesse asked, concern flickering across his expression as he took a step closer.

Rachel's gaze flickered towards him for the first time. Her eyes were tired, her expression blank.

"They kicked me out." Rachel spoke, her tone flat.

Jesse opened his mouth but no sound came out. His eyes were pitying, fearful, distressed. Jesse stared at her in horror, frozen as a wave of guilt washed over him. She looked so vulnerable, so lost, so… broken.

What have I done to her? The thought haunted him.

Rachel swallowed, looking away from him as she begun to blink rapidly.

"They –," she started again at his silence, her face screwing up as she entered into a state of hysteria, "they kicked me out!"

A sob ripped from her throat as she sank slowly to her knees, pressing her cheek up against the door.

"Rachel," Jesse spoke quietly as he crouched down beside the shaking figure.

Timidly, he placed an arm around Rachel's shoulder and drew her close. At first touch, she became tense. It seemed as if she were uncertain as to whether or not she wanted to push him away or draw him near.

Slowly, Rachel turned her face towards his and as their eyes met, she howled, burying her face into his t-shirt. Reaching a shaky hand towards him, she gripped Jesse's forearm tightly and brought him closer, letting him hold her. It was comforting, the feeling of his arms wrapped protectively around her and, for a moment, Rachel let herself enjoy it. Taking in a deep breath, she relaxed and while still gripping his wrist lightly, she laced their finger together.

As their fingertips touched, Jesse became rigid. The gesture was too loving, too familiar. It worried him.

How could she still act so affectionately towards me when I've hurt her so many times?

Rachel sighed quietly, enjoying the sudden silence. In spite of all the bad things that had just happened, it was comforting that he wasn't rejecting her again, that he wasn't asking questions, that he was just simply holding her.

Turning upwards, Rachel looked back up into Jesse's eyes, offering him a small, vulnerable smile.

Jesse smiled weakly back at her, his entire frame relaxing as he sighed in relief, gently kissing the top of her head. Opening his eyes, he saw Rachel staring at him intently. Jesse blinked, unable to look away as they sat in a suddenly awkward silence holding each other's gaze.

Rachel stared quietly at him, her eyes unmoving.

And then, before she even knew what she was doing, Rachel had leaned in. Hesitating, she paused, glancing up at Jesse, their eyes still locked. He was staring at her so intently, so thoughtfully, that she practically shied away from his gaze.

Then, slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned down, closing his eyes and parting his lips. Rachel closed her eyes, just in time, as his lips met hers. Pulling her closer, Jesse gently cupped his hand around her cheek as he rested his other hand on the small of her back. He eased his lips over hers gently while she wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed.

It was perfection. Bliss.

Jesse leaned backwards, gently breaking their sweet kiss as he turned to stare at the girl in his arms. His gaze flickered reflectively across her face, his eyebrows narrowed in concentration. Rachel lightly bit her lip, her heart sinking as she waited for him to push her away again.

But he didn't.

Instead, he tightened his grip around her waist considerably and placed a hand on the back of her head. Jesse paused for a moment, a mere second and nothing more before his lips crashed down heavily upon hers. Gasping against his lips, Rachel pulled him closer.

At his touch, electricity jolted throughout her body. Reaching a hand upwards, she ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him down against her lips harder. He ran his hand lightly down the side of her body before gripping her hand tightly in his and bringing it up to his chest. Rachel tilted her head to the side, pulling back and taking a quick breath before crashing her lips down upon his even harder than before. As Jesse gently pushed his tongue into Rachel's mouth she opened her lips willingly as she kissed him with more passion than ever before. Their hearts raced, their minds ran a mile a minute.

They moved together like one, neither wanting the moment to end.

Wow. Long chapter. It was even kind of a cliffhanger. Sorry about that.

Oh, and, you caught me, Sea Serpent! Rachel's parents kicked her out.

Things are going to get PRETTY interesting now :) I don't really want to give anything away though. We'll see Rachel's parents again though, don't worry about it. Oh, and don't be too hard on poor old Leroy. He's just pretty temperamental and protective.

Chapter 15 is a big Jesse chapter. It gives him more of a back story and we get a glimpse into his family life.

By the way, the whole "Jesse threw her an odd look" will be explained in the next few chapters.

Ok. So now you review! Tell me what you think! Love you all.

-SpringSinger