A/N- So this is kind of a short chapter. But, I felt bad for leaving you guys with such a mean cliffhanger, so I needed to update. I'm sorry, please don't throw things at me! The next chapter will probably be much longer. Thanks for reading, and sticking with me, you guys are awesome. Keep reviewing, because that's part of my inspiration and you guys are awesome with your feedback. Keep it coming, and please enjoy this next chapter.
Tears. The only response Jesse had gotten, and would get from Rachel.
"I asked you a question", he said, angrily."Don't you dare disrespect me, and act like a child, giving me the silent treatment. Do what you do best, and start fucking talking."
Still, she just sat, looking up at him. Tears rolling down her face, not moving one muscle. She didn't even really understand what he was saying. Her mind was so fuzzy, that she pretty much had no choice but to tune him out.
Jesse took a deep breath, and then proceeded to looked around. Once he realized that nobody was really paying attention, he best down, eye level to Rachel, his face just inches from hers. Such anger in the young actors eyes. The same angry eyes that Rachel would have given her life never to see again. Her entire body trembled as she followed his gaze, and she let out a small whimper.
"I know that you took her out of my apartment last night, my door man described you and all your fucking friends right down the mohawk, and the two black chicks. I tracked her here, so why don't you just tell me what part of this fucking train on."
Fuck. I have her phone in my purse...he tracked me, not her.
"If I have to ask you again, you will be so sorry."
Rachel wanted to say it. She wanted to tell him that Sunshine wasn't even near the subway, much less riding on it. Her mouth was totally dry, and she had a lump in her throat the size of a golf ball. Regardless of how badly Jesse wanted an answer, there was no possible way he was getting one at that moment. He took another deep breath, then growled so maliciously, it turned Rachel's already churning stomach. He very slowly reached forward, but had barely touched the girl's arm before she let a scream so terrifying, he had no choice but to pull away, and stand up straight. A few people looked in his direction, and he just smiled politely.
"Dude...", said a random guy."What did you just do to that girl", he asked, noticing how scared Rachel seemed to be.
"Nothing, she's fine."
"Really? Than why did she just scream?"
"Yeah, and why is she looking at you like that", asked another random rider.
"Listen, just mind your own business", snapped Jesse.
"Sweetheart, are you alright", asked an older women, sitting next to Rachel.
Rachel didn't answer, she couldn't take her eyes away from Jesse.
"Alright, dude you need to get away from her."
"Screw off, I didn't touch her", snapped Jesse.
"I don't give a shit if you touched her or not, it's obvious that you're making her uncomfortable in some way, so step off before I knock your ass out!"
Jesse's hands balled into fists as he took a step closer to the guy. He was about to punch him, when his name rang through the subway car like a fire alarm.
"Hey, St. James!"
Rachel watched as a girl about the same size as her, with straight black hair pushed her way through the crowd of people. She hadn't really heard much of what was going on around her, not since he had tried to touch her. Her mind was all fuzzy. She finally blinked, and looked away from Jesse, and the girl that he was now arguing with. She knew the women next to her was still asking if she was alright, but she just couldn't form words, or think straight. She glanced up at the girl again, still fighting with Jesse. She looked very familiar.
Wait. Ashley...Alyssa...no...no. Think...think it's Jade's...friend...she's in Jade's band. The drummer...Alyson. It's Alyson.
As soon as Rachel figured it out, she cleared her head, and tuned into the conversation.
"Fuck you St. James, you're forgetting I know you! A little too well, so don't even try to defend yourself to me, or any of the people that just called you out on this! There's a reason people trash your damn billboards and shit, so why don't you just walk away? Save yourself the ass kicking!"
"You know what, I don't have time for this. I didn't do anything to her, I was just trying to have a conversation with her. I guess it will have to wait", said Jesse, with an attitude. He glanced down at Rachel once more, before angrily pushing his way through a bunch of people giving him weird looks. The raven haired girl knelt down in front of Rachel, and tilted her head.
"Hey Rachel, you remember me, right?"
"Y-y-yes. Yes, you're J-Jade's friend, Aly."
"Yeah, that's right", said the girl with a smile. Rachel couldn't help but feel just a little better. Alyson was a very comfortable person, just like Jade. She could see why they were friends."You okay?"
"I just...I n-need to go...go...I mean...I need-".
"Calm down, it's okay. He's gone now. Take a deep breath, and try again", said Alyson, calmly.
"I...need to get off the train...", sobbed Rachel.
"Okay, well I dunno' where you need to go...but I'm off at the next stop, because I got class. Do you want to come with me?"
"Class", asked Rachel, through her tears.
"Yeah, I go to NYU...next stop is near there."
Quinn! Quinn's on campus, I have to find her.
"Yes, please...please, can you take me with you", cried Rachel.
"No problem, Rach. It's alright. You're safe right now", said Alyson, reaching over, and rubbing her back."Us little chicks gotta' stick together, right?"
Rachel smiled just a little through her tears, and nodded her head.
The ride didn't last much longer, but Rachel spent the rest of it, trying hard to calm herself down. She wanted to vomit. She had never prepared herself for what she would do if she came face to face with Jesse ever again. She was mentally kicking herself for not having thought about it. Once she was up, and outside on the street she could breath a little easier. Before she went too far, she took Sunshine's cellphone from her purse, threw it into the ground, and smashed it into hundreds of pieces. Alyson was confused, but she figured she had a good reason for it. Rachel more than happily allowed Alyson to hold her hand as she guided her onto the NYU campus.
"Okay, is their somebody we need to call", she asked, in a rather determined manner.
"Um...I...n-need to call my girlfriend, Quinn", mumbled Rachel."She's here somewhere...she had a class today."
"Alright, I'll wait for you then. I won't go to my class until you're with her."
Rachel nodded, as she took her phone from her pocket. She felt bad keeping the girl from her duties, but she really didn't want to be left alone. She didn't know where Jesse had gone, or if he was still following her. She tried calling Quinn several times, while standing in the crowded area, looking around. Even if he wasn't nearby watching her, she sure felt like he was. Quinn's phone had gone straight to her voice mail every time Rachel called it.
"She...she must have turned it off for class...", she mumbled, a few tears escaping her eyes. Alyson gave her a sympathetic look. She could see that Rachel was trying really hard not to panic. She was about to say something, when they heard a voice calling for Rachel.
"Rach! Rachel...is that you?"
They turned, and there were Santana, and Brittany walking in their direction. Brittany, walking slightly faster than Santana, calling her name. Rachel wanted Quinn more than anything at that moment, but she was more than just slightly relieved to see the two of them.
"Hey", said the tall blond, as she approached her. Without even hesitating, Rachel moved forward, and latched onto Brittany as if her life depended on it."Whoa, what's the matter?"
"Jesus...Rachel you are terrified, are you okay", asked Santana, studying Rachel's behavior.
"Uh...", Alyson mumbled, awkwardly."I don't know if this means anything to you guys, but there was a problem with a douche bag named Jesse St. James on the subway."
"Excuse me", asked Santana, in shock.
"Oh my God, Rachel", said Brittany, who was suddenly much more concerned than she had been. She pulled back on the hug, and lightly held the girl by the shoulders."Talk to me, did he hurt you?"
Rachel shook her head, and forced her way back into the girls arms.
"What happened", asked Santana, putting her attention on Alyson.
"I'm not really sure, I just know he was about to fight some dude that got in his face, and told him to leave her alone. I recognized him, because I used to go to Carmel High. He pissed me off then, and he pisses me off now...I know what kind of person he is, and I cannot tell you just how much ripping his nuts off would make me smile." A small smirk made it's way across Santana's face, as she looked down at the girl.
Oh, I like her.
"Santana Lopez", said the Latina, extending her hand.
"Oh, okay, I know you. Well, I know of you. I'm good friends with Jade Price", she said, shaking Santana's hand.
"Wow, small world. So, you don't know if he touched her or not", asked Santana, knowing full well that Rachel wasn't going to talk about whatever had gone on. She was too busy finding comfort and safety in the arms of Brittany.
"I think the situation was, he tried to touch her, but she screamed and a bunch of people started telling him to back off. So, I said what I needed to say, he ran like the St. Bitch Boy that he is, and she asked to come with me here."
"Okay, yeah he's a dead man. Well, thanks for helping", said Santana, sincerely."If you have somewhere to be, go ahead, we'll take good care of her."
"Cool, thanks. Um, you ever hang out at Smashed", asked Alyson, slowly walking backwards.
"Yeah, actually I think I might have seen you there before", said Santana.
"Yeah, I think so too. I take it I'll see you tonight then?"
Santana felt like an ass hole all of the sudden. She hadn't know about any upcoming bar events, because she had been avoiding Jade completely.
"Uh...yeah, maybe."
"Nice, see you later then. Bye Rachel, please feel better. Bye sexy dance chick!"
With that, she was running across the campus to get to her class. Santana turned to Brittany and noticed Rachel had started crying into her. Brittany had a look of such worry plastered across her face, it was making Santana sad.
"Come on, let's get go sit down, I'll see if I can get a hold of Quinn", she said.
"Okay, come on, Rachie...", said Brittany, carefully pulling her along.
They found an empty spot on the grass, and sat down. Santana watched as Brittany held Rachel's hand, and listened to her talk about how they helped Sunshine the night before. She couldn't help but smile. Brittany's compassion towards anyone was amazing within itself, but when it came to somebody she loved and cared about, it was really something to admire. It was obvious to the Latina how much Brittany cared for Rachel, but it made her a little sad. When others were sad, Brittany was sad. It was how she had always been, and Santana did not like to see Brittany sad. As she sat there, looking at her, her thoughts turned to Jade. She felt so guilty. Not that she had done anything horribly wrong. Brittany had called her, saying she was near the campus, and asked if they could get together for lunch. At first, Santana had rattled off a bunch of excuses, and had no intentions of meeting up with her Ex. Until Brittany had said just one thing.
"San, I just missed you, that's all. I'm here now, close to you, and I wanna' spend time with you."
After hearing that, her heart melted, and she caved. They had done nothing but talk, and laugh with each other, and Santana felt great about it. However, she did miss Jade, and did feel like the worst person in the world having ignored her for the days that had passed. She was ripped from her thoughts, by Brittany trying to get her attention.
"San...Hello, earth to Santana...".
"What? Yeah, sorry...what?"
"Do you know when Q gets out of her class?"
"Um, should be soon", she answered, looking at her phone. She quickly sent a text to the girl, informing her of where they were. Brittany looked back at Rachel.
"I can't believe he did that to Sunshine. It's bad enough he hits girls, but he rapes them too? God, how can he be such a bad person", stated Brittany, close to tears."Did he eve-".
"No", said Rachel, cutting her off. She knew what was about to be asked, and she just didn't want to hear it again. She was very grateful for Brittany and Santana at the moment, but she wanted Quinn. She needed her.
Although Rachel annoyed the Hell out of Santana on the daily basis back in Lima, she had always had a tiny soft spot for her. She had her reasons for picking on her, and she couldn't deny that she had enjoyed it. She also couldn't deny that Glee was one of the best things in her life, and the bonding factor wasn't going to be ignored. Regardless of the fighting, bickering and bullying, she did care about every single person in that club. That included the small, sad girl that sat before her. She wanted nothing more, than to blow off her next class, find Jesse, and rip his head from his body. She decided she wouldn't be playing anymore games with him. She was going to help protect Rachel, and it wasn't going to be by luring him with fake sex promises.
"Fucking St. James", she mumbled."Do you think Sunshine's gonna' be alright?"
"Once she's home, yes I think she'll recover much better with her family. Her mother was worried sick, apparently she hadn't heard from Sunshine is months", said Rachel.
"Did he ever let you talk to your Dads", asked Brittany.
"Not very often, no. They were already pissed at me for moving in with him, so once Jade made me tell them what happened, they were even more pissed."
"Well, I'm sure they were upset, Rach, but not with you. A piece of shit was beating on their daughter, I promise you they were more pissed off at him, than they ever could be at you", said Santana.
"Yeah", said Brittany, in agreement.
"Hey", they all heard a familiar voice say.
"Quinn", said Rachel, and she was up, and in her arms in seconds.
"What the Hell is going on, you guys sounded really upset in your voice mails", said Quinn, kissing Rachel on the forehead.
"God...I was so scared", said Rachel, and she started crying all over again. She started to shake a little against the blond. She felt so safe, and so warm in Quinn's arms, that she couldn't help but loose control of her emotions.
"Rachel,baby...what the Hell happened", asked Quinn, squeezing her girlfriend tighter.
Later that evening, Quinn had taken Rachel home. Santana had gone to her last class of the day, and Brittany to teach a hip hop class. They all planned to meet at the bar later that night. As Rachel and Quinn made their way into the apartment, Rachel was talking on the phone with her boss. Quinn couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but she knew Rachel was in trouble.
"Yes, Wendy I realize...I understand that...okay, if you could please just let me talk, I can explain...fine. Noon tomorrow, I'll be there I promise. I'm sorry, it's just that I...okay. See you tomorrow."
"She couldn't just let you tell her what happened", asked Quinn.
"No, she's really mad at me. I get it though, I have been really irresponsible about work lately", said Rachel, sadly. They put their things down, and headed into the kitchen. After Quinn had put the tea pot on the stove, she sat down at the counter next to her girlfriend. She began to lightly stroke her hair. Not that she could have known that it was going to happen, but she was still so angry with herself.
God, I swore to protect her and I've done nothing but fail so far. How dare that son of a bitch even get near her. God help him if I ever see him. I won't hold back. I swear, I will never hold back on beating that ass hole, ever again...
"I'm so sorry...I wish I could have been with you...".
She could see that Rachel was holding back. Sure, she had cried her eyes out, and vented relentlessly while they were still on campus. But, Quinn could see she was holding back, and she didn't want her too. She was proud of her bravery, but she could see just how scared Rachel really was, and it was killing her.
"I wish you could have been there too", said Rachel, staring forward. She was so tired, and she felt horrible for all the trouble she had caused that day. Seconds later, Jade and Jonah burst into the apartment so fast, that Jade tripped over her brother, and landed, hard, on her stomach."Awe, balls", she whined, from the floor.
"Hey, be careful you two", said Quinn.
"What went down today, Rachel", asked Jonah, as he simply reached down, and pulled Jade to her feet with one hand. Rachel just shook her head. Jade hurried over,and hugged her from behind."Rea Rea...", she whispered into her ear.
"I'm alright, I promise", said Rachel.
"Alyson called me and told me everything, but I couldn't even call you because we had major issues at the bar. She said you were with Santana though, so I figured you'd find Quinn, and be fine. I'm sorry", said Jade,planting a kiss on her best friend's cheek.
"It's okay, I understand."
"I would have killed him", said Jonah, as she kicked his shoes off.
"That makes two of us", said Quinn.
"What problems were you guys having at the bar", asked Rachel. Jade just laughed a little, as she wandered towards the stove. The water was boiling, and she removed the pot, and proceeded to make a cup of tea for herself, and for Rachel.
"Oh Jesus, where do we start? I got electrocuted", breathed Jonah.
"What", asked Rachel, half laughing. Jade had to try and hide a smile, and Quinn just laughed.
"So not funny! I was trying to fix the damn fog machine, the thing shorted out, and lit me up like a freaking Christmas tree", explained Jonah. The three girls couldn't help but burst into laughter, he was so animated when it came to telling stories."So then we lost all the electricity. We called an electrician, but he was gonna' be an hour, so we were stuck in the dark for a while. Jade, being the genius that she is decides to bring out four bottles of liquor from the back...in the dark...".
"No you didn't...", said Rachel, in shock.
"Oh, come on Jade, really", laughed Quinn.
"It wasn't like pitch dark...", defended Jade.
"Yeah, well it was dark enough for you to fall down and break all of them", laughed Jonah."I can't even believe you didn't end up slicing yourself."
"Okay, it was only three of them and it was that gross Devil's Springs vodka. That stuff is one-hundred sixty proof, I'm glad we're out of it now. When people drink that stuff they loose their loose their ever loving minds", said Jade.
"Alright, well you're right about that. But, anyways...the electrician gets there, fixed everything. Tries to charge us like eight hundred bucks. Luckily Jade talked him down, by offering him a free tab for any night he comes in. After that, Aly calls, tells what happened with St. Shit Brick...I happened to be holding a mini strobe light at the time...", Jonah trailed off.
"God, what did you do", asked Rachel.
"Squeezed that shit like it was that ass holes head. So there was that mess to clean, the glass from the vodka bottles. Jade's crying all over the place, so I'm like trying to do four damn things at once. Mercedes calls, she can't make it tonight because she's working, so we can't even preform our song. This day is just...special, and that's all", said Jonah, sadly.
"Yeah, not a fan of this day", said Jade.
"Me either", said Quinn.
"No, I can't say I'm a fan either, but at least it ends with alcohol and music. I'll be happy to speak with Alyson later, I need to both thank her, and apologize", said Rachel.
"What do you have to apologize for? She's not mad at you", said Jade.
"I know, but I was a dazed and confused mess the whole time she was helping me, I feel like a fucking idiot."
Quinn shuttered a little at her girlfriend's last statement. She still hadn't gotten used to Rachel swearing as much as she did. However, she kept her mouth shut. She didn't dare start that fight at the moment.
"I'm sure she understands", said the blond.
"Where's Noah? Does he know what happened", asked Rachel.
"He's job hunting with some of his friends that lost out on that escort job", said Jonah.
"I figured you'd want to tell him yourself...", said Jade, as she put a cup of tea down in front of Rachel.
"You figured right, thank you", said Rachel.
"Are you sure you want to go out tonight, Rach", asked Quinn.
"Oh God yes, I need to drink. Plus, it's Super Hero Night...I have to tend the bar, it's going to be so packed."
"Super Hero night", asked Quinn.
"Yeah, that's why we had to work so hard down there all day. We do this night once a month, you can't get in unless you have a super hero costume on. Or, like a shirt or something that has to do with a super hero", explained Jade."There's drink specials, contests, and my band is playing."
"Oh, sounds like fun. I guess I need to go do some shopping because I own nothing that has to do with any super hero", said Quinn.
"Don't go too far with it", said Rachel. "You don't need to buy a whole costume or anything. A shirt would be just fine."
"Yeah, but don't get anything Batman", said Jonah.
"Why not", asked Quinn.
"Well, you can if you want but all the employees, plus Jade's band members will be wearing Batman stuff. So, there's already so much of it", said Jonah.
"I wish Alice from Alice in Wonderland was a super hero. That'd be so perfect for you, Quinn", giggled Jade. Quinn just shook her head and smiled.
"I know", exclaimed Rachel."Green Lantern."
"Nice", said Jonah.
"If you wear a green shirt, it will bring out your eyes", said Rachel, sweetly.
"Aweeeee", whined Jade, with a smile.
"Alright, I'll go buy a Green Lantern shirt, just for you, Rach", said Quinn, kissing her softly on the lips."I guess I better let San, and Brit know."
"Are they coming tonight", asked Jade, cluelessly.
"Okay, has Santana seriously not called or texted you at all", asked Quinn. She was clearly annoyed with her best friend. Jade just shrugged, and shook her head."Wow, I'm sorry, Jade. But, yeah I think her and Brit both planned on being there tonight."
"It's alright, I'm sure she has her reasons. I'm gonna' go shower and stuff", said Jade, calmly. She grabbed her things, and headed down the hallway. It was obvious to all of them, that she was sad, and missed Santana a lot. However, they also knew that she wouldn't speak up about it, at all.
"You know what, I was so upset before, that I didn't even make the connection that Santana and Brit were together today", said Rachel.
"Yeah, they met for lunch, it was probably completely harmless", said Quinn.
"Isn't that Brittany girl Santana's Ex", asked Jonah, suspiciously.
"Yeah, and she is definatly not over her. But, here's the thing. Brittany is like the sweetest person ever, her and your sister are actually a lot alike. She knows San is dating Jade, so even if Santana wanted to take their friendship anywhere father, Brittany wouldn't do it", explained Quinn. Jonah just nodded his head.
"True, but Quinn...Santana's head nearly exploded last time Brit and Jade were near each other. Now that they're friends, don't you think she'll be much worse than last time", asked Rachel.
"I don't know, but I guess we'll find out...".
Thank you so much for reading you guys. Please review, and I swear I'll update as soon as I can. Love you all so damn much!