A/N Wow, it's been way too long since I last updated! I am so sorry about that, it's a major exam year and school's taking it really seriously so I don't know when I'll be able to get another chapter up. Reviews are appreciated! I hope this chapter isn't too bad, I'll make the next one better. Promise!
"Good afternoon, Ms Corcoran. I wanted to talk to you today about Rachel." Dr Johnson said, gesturing Shelby to the seats in front of his desk. Shelby swiftly maneuvered her way through the small office and sat in one of the cushioned chairs.
"What about her? Is something wrong?" She asked, concern evident in her deep brown eyes as she sat up straighter in the chair.
"Well, yes and no. Her recovery is coming along remarkably well and she should be good to go in no time," He told her confidently.
"And?" Shelby prompted impatiently.
"Although Rachel hasn't admitted it, we have reason to believe, without much doubt, that she has been abused by her dad. Unfortunately, we don't know why, how or for how long and the damage that has inflicted on her. I think it'd be beneficial if Rachel spoke to one of the hospital's psychologists." The doctor explained as he clasped his hands before him on the neatly arranged desk.
"What if she refuses?" Shelby inquired.
"We have taken into account the fact that she might have trouble trusting others, especially adults, but these are trained professionals, familiar with such cases. However, if she really objects strongly, we can't force her into talking. That is why I was hoping that perhaps you could convince her to give therapy a chance." Dr Johnson said, finally arriving at the point of his meeting with Shelby. He was sure that Rachel would need help to overcome what she had been put through but that that help could only be received if she was willing to take the first step. Without her cooperation, therapy would be rendered much less effective.
"I'll try my best but I can't guarantee anything. We've only just started to get to know each other and I know she doesn't trust me yet." Shelby told him, lowering her eyes for a brief moment before Dr Johnson spoke again.
"That's all I ask. Thank you very much, Ms Corcoran."
"Is that all?" Shelby asked, eager to leave and go see her daughter.
"Yes, you're free to go," He said as he stood up to open the door for her, showing her out, "oh yes, you might want to tell Rachel that she'll be discharged soon and out of this dreary place."
"Of course." She replied, already one foot out the door.
She walked hurriedly towards Rachel's room where she had left her sleeping daughter some hours ago to run errands. As she rounded the corner, her heart jumped as she almost collided with a huge, lumbering figure.
"Oops, sorry!" She exclaimed, flustered. Quickly reaching her hand to the white wall beside her to steady herself, before looking up at the tall stranger in front of her.
"Oh, it's okay." He said distractedly before rushing off in the direction of the lifts. Shelby stared after him, brows furrowed. The boy looked so familiar but for the life of her, Shelby couldn't place his face. She was certain she had seen those light brown eyes and that lopsided smile somewhere before and the fact that she couldn't remember where was beyond frustrating. She didn't dwell on it too long though as there were far more important things at hand. Rachel, mainly.
She watched as he tossed the rose he was holding into the garbage can and disappeared into the lift before she continued towards Rachel's room. Outside, she could hear two female voices talking, one was Rachel, she assumed, and the other was likely Quinn but she couldn't tell what they were saying. She waited until both had gone silent then took a deep breath, letting it out through her nose as she turned the handle and walked in.
Two days later, Rachel's first therapy session had finally arrived. She really didn't feel like going. Walking into the small, cosy room, she was gestured to sit down by a small lady with dark brown hair, falling down onto her shoulders in soft waves. She gulped lightly but sat down anyway, curling into herself ever so slightly.
"Hi, I'm Amber and you are?" She asked kindly, smiling at Rachel, hoping to help ease her nerves. She inwardly sighed as she watched the small girl sit with her head down, legs curled beneath her as she fidgeted.
"Rachel." She squeaked, fiddling with the hem of Shelby's black sweat pants that she had lent to her temporarily, refusing to look up her therapist. She felt quite at ease with the woman before her but still couldn't help the need to protect herself.
"Well, since it's our first session, we're going to take things easy. What do you say?" She prompted, hoping to get the girl to look up at her. Rachel shrugged her shoulders but relaxed slightly, glad that she wasn't about to be grilled on her past and her thoughts. Amber noticed the loosening of Rachel's tense posture and smiled. Small steps were the key.
"Why don't we try and get to know each other better? Is there anything you want to ask me about anything?" Rachel looked up at this and nodded. She asked as many questions as she could about Amber's job, her family, anything she could just to keep the attention off her and avoid the possibility of being made to open up. Minutes flew by as she stalled and she felt relief flood her as she glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that time was just about up. It wasn't that the session had been all that bad, but she simply was not ready to talk about her...abuse. She was still having to get used to that word.
"Our session's almost over but before I let you go, would you answer one question for me?" Rachel's eyes shot back to Amber's friendly green ones and the woman could easily see the fear in them. However, she was gladly suprised when the small brunette nodded her head once more.
"Are you scared of your dad?"
"Yes."
"Do you love him?"
No, Rachel wanted to say, but she knew a part of herself still did. The part that held onto the memories of the man who had taught her how to ride a bicycle when she was ten, the man who brought her soup when she was sick and rocked her to sleep when she had nightmares. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't deny that she still cared about him.
Lying on his bed, Finn replayed the scene in his mind for what must've been the thousandth time. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed, that he hadn't even had an inkling as to what Rachel had been going through. As a friend, as a boyfriend, had he really been that oblivious?
Well, it wasn't like they had dated all that long. Maybe slightly over a week after Sectionals but he had only been to her house once. Then again, that one time should've been more than enough.
They'd been making out on Rachel's bed, on top of the pink floral sheets, oblivious to the sound of the car drawing up in the driveway and the front door opening and closing. They were rudely interrupted by the sound of Hiram clearing his throat as he stood in the doorway. His arms were crossed over his chest and his posture rigid. Finn had just assumed that he, like every parent, did not appreciate finding his daughter kissing a boy on her bed, not anything more.
"Dad?" Rachel gasped, jumping away from Finn as though she had been burnt by him and shooting off the queen sized bed. Finn glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. Surely such an extreme reaction wasn't necessay. Was it?
"Rachel, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend? Where are your manners?" Hiram said through a tight lipped smile. Rachel nodded ever so slightly, something she did out of habit to show that she had heard her dad's words, and cleared her throat softly.
"Erm...Th-this is Finn, dad." Rachel told him quietly, clasping her hands together behind her back and lowering her head slightly to avoid Hiram's hard gaze.
"I'm her boyfriend. Nice to meet you, Mr Berry." Finn said with a broad smile, hoping to ease the palpable tension in the small room. When his outstretched hand was ignored, Finn ran it through his shortly cropped hair, feeling truly awkward. It was obvious that he wasn't very welcome here. Way to make a good impression, Finn! He scolded himseld. His mom had constantly reminded him that first impressions were kroo- crushel? Crucial, in starting a relationship off on the right foot.
"Oh, uh...I guess I'd better go, it's kinda late. See you later, Rach!"He said hurriedly, hoping to make a quick escape before Hiram took out the shotgun. Grabbing his school bag lying on the floor, Finn stumbled down the staircase and out of the Berry household, leaving Rachel alone with her irate father.
On second thought, maybe that hadn't been such a wise idea. Definitely not.
A/N Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it. I estimate about a chapter or less before Rachel's out of the hospital and things can finally start picking up again, hopefully. Please leave me a review if you can, any comments or ideas you have. Thanks!