Chapter 37.
Short chapter I know, but I'm currently also writing a LLM dissertation... involves loads of research and lots of writing, so last thing I want to do is write anything else! But this chapter is dedicated to some "friends". NayaFan, for letting me bully you on twitter, (and I thought you were Scottish). Beaner (PUPPY) - because you are a ridiculous muppet who infuriates the hell out of me, but you put up with me and that means you deserve the Nobel peace prize... (Well if Obama can get it for jack shit, I think you stand a chance!) and Stargirl888 your stories always cheer me up, even if my day is sucking beyond the telling of it!. Anywho next chapter here we go. P.s most of my reviews are anonymous, is that because you are embarrassed you are reading my story, or is the same person reviewing in multiple guises? P.s loving the abuse I'm still getting, but as I get enough from my extended family, if you could make it constructive it would make me a happy camper!
Rachel sat silently in the kitchen; it always amazed how she could go from incandescent with rage to quiet shame so quickly. She blamed the teenage hormones, that's what her dad's used to always say about Santana's erratic crying. Rachel smirked to herself, Santana acted all tough but she sure used to cry a lot as an angst teenager over the most innocuous things. She wasn't that bad, she convinced herself. Rachel glanced up at Brittany, who was watching her like a hawk. Rachel took a deep breath, "you know if you blink I won't vanish."
Brittany increased her glare and narrowed her eyes at the younger girl, "whatever you say Houdini, but you are crazy if you think I am letting you out of my sight before they get back. You are a flight risk."
"You make it sound like I'm being held on remand," replied Rachel with a slight edge to her voice.
"You are, pending punishment for your vanishing act. You're propensity for running needs to be curbed Rachel."
"You don't think I was entitled to be upset," responded Rachel the ire in her voice showing.
"Yes you were allowed to be upset, but that doesn't mean you can have a temper tantrum like a 5 year old."
"Like a 5 year old, yeah because loads of 5 year olds find out their vocal teacher is actually their mother and their sister knew and hid it from them. Just an everyday occurrence, I didn't storm out because my big sister broke my favourite toy. She lied to me."
Brittany sighed, "Technically she didn't lie."
"You are not pulling that shit Britt, you and Santana are always telling me an omission is just as bad as a lie."
"They are two very different scenarios," said Brittany, "we have to do what's best for you."
"We..." commented Rachel, "oh my god, you knew as well! Did the whole fucking world know, was this just one big joke, let's see how long it takes Rach to figure it out. Let's all laugh at how stupid she is."
"You are not stupid Rach, you are just naive."
"Naive? You have to be kidding me. I watched someone die, how does that make me naive?"
"Ok wrong choice of word," Brittany corrected herself, "you are vulnerable, and you know you are. Once you are a victim of something, it's more likely to happen, I don't know why, but people can sense it and they can take advantage of it."
"You think I'm weak and pathetic," stated Rachel in a disappointing tone.
"No I don't I think you are strong beyond measure," stated Brittany standing up and walking over to Rachel to grasp her hand tenderly in hers.
"But you are also a child. A child who has seen more than she should have, a child who deserves to be protected, even coddled, accepting help and affection doesn't make you weak it makes you strong. It takes a strong person to ask for help when they need it."
Rachel nodded, and smiled lightly, "you always seem to know what to say to me."
"I know how your mind works Rach, it's a confusing odd place, but it makes you, you."
Their moment was interrupted by another voice, "well thanks for telling me she is home Brittany."
Quinn stomped into the kitchen, irritation masking her beautiful features. She turned her anger onto Rachel, "what the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea how worried we all were! You are such an idiot! Anything could have happened to you out there!"
Rachel raised an eyebrow at the girl, "anything could happen to me in here, couldn't it Quinn."
Quinn's face paled, and Brittany who had been enjoying the Quinn rant, looked up in worry. "What does that mean Rach?"
"Nothing Britt, just something between Quinn and I."
"If something has happened you need to tell me," responded Brittany bitingly with worry.
"Nothing than concerns you," answered back Rachel. Brittany was shocked at the tone of voice Rachel was using, not used to such harshness coming from the generally airy spirited girl.
"Don't talk to Brittany like that," came a voice from the doorway that had just caught the end of the conversation.
"Everything about you concerns us, don't forget that!" Continued Santana. Quinn regained some of her colour, "guess all the players are back for world war three part two."
"If you are just going to make snarky comments Quinn you can go to your room," responded Brittany. Shelby stood off to the side slightly choosing to observe rather than be directly confrontational.
"Why is she even here?" questioned Quinn glaring at Shelby.
"She's here because I want her here, and she's going to be a part of our lives."
Brittany smiled proudly at Santana when she said that.
"God Santana, are you bi-polar or what? You went from hating her, now you are bumming her. Is she blackmailing you or what?"
"Quinn, enough!" said Brittany firmly, staring at her other girl, "you can be respectful or you can go to your room."
"Stop treating me like a child!"
"Then stop acting like one," replied Brittany, her voice contained a steely edge that meant raising her voice was unnecessary. Santana at this point turned her attention to Rachel and wrapped her in a tight hug, "never do that again Rach."
Rachel allowed herself to enjoy the warm hug, basking in the comfort Santana provided. She had not anticipated this reaction; she had expected righteous anger, not whatever this was?
"I can't lose you Rach, I already lost our dads."
Rachel sensed the vulnerability in her older sister's voice, and felt the guilt start to bear down on her shoulders, "I only vanished for a night," she responded pitifully. Shelby took this opportunity to wade into the debate, "but you are 15 years old Rachel, too young to be out on the streets at night, there are awful people out there who would take advantage of a young girl like yourself."
Rachel felt the guilt dissipate and anger replace it like a fire, "I didn't ask for your input."
"Rachel," barked Santana, "I know you are upset, but I know you were taught to respect your elders, Shelby is still your teacher, would you speak you speak to Mr. Schue like that?"
"No," replied a chastised Rachel.
"I'm not asking you to call me mom, I'm just asking for a chance,"
Rachel glared at the woman, and then glared at Santana, "you don't deserve a chance, and I don't trust you, but I'll do it for Santana. But Santana realise I don't trust you anymore, you may have thought you were acting in my best interests but that doesn't matter you should have told me."
"You are grounded Rachel," cut in Brittany, she saw the look of despair on Santana's face and knew this conversation needed to be ended. "You know better than to run off like that, so go shower then go have a nap, we will wake you for lunch."
Rachel nodded and left the room. Brittany turned her attention to Quinn, "what is going on with you and Rachel?"
"Nothing," snorted Quinn.
Santana interrupted angrily, "For the love of god Q, would you just cut it with the angry teen routine. I have seriously had enough of your bad attitude. I'm fed up of fighting with you over every little goddamn thing!"
Brittany could sense Santana had reached her boiling point and needed sleep they all did. "S, leave it for now, we can talk later when we are calm and not exhausted."
"Yes just like always," sniped Quinn.
"What's that supposed to mean?" snapped Santana. Brittany sighed in exasperation.
"When it's to do with Rachel we have to deal with it then and there, but anything to do with me, we'll discuss later,"
"That's because you won't talk!" yelled Santana.
"Maybe I want to but I can't" screamed Quinn back, "and maybe because deep down I know that you don't really care! All that matters is Rachel and Rachel's future."
Santana's anger dissipated, "you don't really believe that do you Quinn. I'm sorry you feel that way. You and Rachel are like chalk and cheese. I know Rachel, you are always putting these walls up, and they are so hard to break through Q, but I've never stopped trying!"
"Then why does it feel like you have?" Whimpered Quinn, she lifted her head up to stare Santana in the eye, and the whole room watched as one tear dripped down her face. Santana closed the gap between them and pulled the girl into a hug. She gently tugged the girl into the direction of the living room, sitting on the sofa and pulling the girl down with her. They both just enjoyed the comfort of each other as Brittany watched with warm eyes, and Shelby hovered awkwardly in the doorway.