Second Chances, Strippers & Stars

by K.I.DofXstream

The dream of a second chance, the dream that life crushed and the dream to shine brightest. Everyone has dreams and this is the story of three dreams that come together. Some will be achieved, some will change completely & some will fade away but at least they'll be together?

38. Old Haunts, Out Of Place & Observed

Wait, hold up, it can't be, can it?! Oh but somehow it is batfans! (Yeah I don't know where that came from either but you know deal with it haha

I just want to say as always a huge thank you to those of you who took the time to leave me a wonderful review on the last chapter. They truly mean so much to me and help beyond words so I cannot say thank you enough, although I know I sure try.

Knowing how you are all feeling about what is going on, the characters and situations along with what you are suspecting to happen and wanting to happen etc it truly is just beyond anything I can say so thank you all so very much.

I would not still be here writing this story if it wasn't for all of you and your continued support that has meant and means so very much to me.

Enough of me though so I'll just say I'll see you on the other side!

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Chapter 38

"Old Haunts, Out Of Place & Observed"

The early evening started to blanket its self across the city skyline as buzzing lights began to flicker and the ever present noise of the city started to rumble. It was almost like a well constructed, chaotic, orchestra the way the noises merged together to form the heartbeat of the world famous city. A very slight shift in the wind meant the air cooled a few degrees as tired commuters were in the midst of their trips back home.

In contrast to the trudging feet of over worked men and women in suits, holding their briefcases with limp grips, the night life of New York was just starting to find it's voice. Finishing touches to last minute outfits ready for a end of the week night out were taking place all across the city. High heels were being carefully chosen to match outfits for long awaited date nights or to turn heads when entering a bar looking to start a new chapter. The application of favourite cologne was stinging freshly shaven cheeks as the prospect of another bar meet up to watch the game filled the air.

Considering it was still somewhat early, especially by New York standards, the streets and bars were yet to be filled but a steady flow was beginning to pick up pace. The overall energy of the city was shifting from day time to night life and it was almost as vibrant as the neon signs which were humming to life.

Looking out of her hotel window, Rachel's young face beams with a smile as the reflection of New York's city life emerging before her twinkles within her chocolate brown orbs. To say the fourteen year old was captivated by New York was easily the biggest understatement anyone could make. Just watching her youngest daughter Shelby was adamant she knew exactly what Rachel was currently feeling and thinking.

'God, I can remember doing that exact same thing when I was twelve and my birthday treat was getting to come to New York and see a show with dad. If you could have a picture of my face and pair it up against Rachel's now they would be a dead match, no doubt.' Shelby's inner voice informs the reminiscing mother.

The day had been long since arriving, it took awhile to get everyone checked in and settled but thankfully the Vocal Adrenaline team for the most part were far too thrilled to be here to cause much of a fuss. The team were mostly all new this year so this was their first experience with getting to be in New York and compete at Nationals. Of course this meant a lot of nerves and excitement floating around but Shelby was confident that just the threat of a pissed off 'Coach' Corcoran was enough to keep the teenagers in check.

In true 'Coach' Corcoran form though Shelby hadn't allowed the team t get too relaxed before she had them in the huge auditorium of the hotel practicing and taking in what would be their stage in roughly twenty four hours. One of the perks to arriving so early was the chance for extra practice within the space but also the brunette coach hoped it gave the young teens a chance to truly take in what they had already accomplished just by making it this far.

The time to pat themselves on the back and soak in the moment didn't last for long though as within a few minutes Shelby had her team on the stage and warming up ready to practice. As fair as Shelby could be when it came to a competition the fierce side of 'Coach' Corcoran showed their face and made an impact with little to no remorse. There was no time to be nice now, this was serious and this was when every member of Vocal Adrenaline was expected to give all they had and even more.

By the end of a brutal session the entire team, Lexi and Amanda included were laid out on their backs on the stage, searching the lights while sucking in any air their lungs could manage. Shelby was a tyrant, everything had to be perfect and by god she was going to make sure it was. The Coach of Vocal Adrenaline often showed this side but when Nationals were concerned every was upped by a few, large notches.

After the three hour work out and practice, Vocal Adrenaline were dismissed to shower and rest up for two hours or so. Shelby had given her team a time to all be ready and down in the lobby waiting for her so she could take them out for their team dinner. The team dinner the night before the competition was something the demanding coach had started to do after she took full control of the choir, years previously.

No one really knew what to expect but they of course knew better than to disobey their coach's instructions and so had scurried off to their rooms for some well needed rest. Of course none of them truly rested as their excitement and nerves for the competition were far too high but they managed to channel their energy into getting ready for their team dinner instead.

"Rach, you do realise that window isn't a mirror right? If you want me to do your make-up you're going to have to come and actually sit the hell down." Lexi snaps towards her younger sister who by now she'd been waiting to turn away from the window for the past fifteen minutes.

Reaching across the gap between the two large king sized beds within the hotel room, Shelby lets her hand swipe across the back of Lexi's head. It wasn't rough but it was enough to gather the sixteen year olds attention. For now the mother just lets her glare speak as a warning to her eldest not wanting the two sisters to end up fighting once more.

Lexi of course cringes at the movement and is mindful to scoot herself further along the end of the bed where she was currently sitting. Of course if her mother wanted to she could e in Mexico and Shelby would still be able to reach her but it gave Lexi a little more security all the same.

'What?! Okay Lex, just chill out. Remember who you would be snapping at and how horrendously that could go wrong for you? Exactly, just breathe.' The sixteen year olds mind smartly instructs Lexi as her initial gut reaction thankfully gets swallowed back down.

"Rachel, baby come on you wanted Lexi to do your make up and she's waiting for you." Shelby interjects knowing if anyone was going to currently get through to Rachel it would be her.

The mother of the three brunettes was sat on her own king sized bed currently doing the finishing touches t o her own make up. It was nice for the team to dress up a little and have some fun before the crippling nerves and excitement of the competition truly sunk in the next day.

"Hmm?" Rachel answers as she is finally awoken from her trance and turns to look at an un amused Lexi and understanding Shelby.

Deciding not to risk another comment, Lexi instead holds up her bag of make-up and gives her younger sibling a 'duh' expression. The sixteen year old understood Rachel was currently in her version of heaven minus Barbra Streisand but she also had her own make up to finish before they head off for this team dinner.

Rachel gives an apologetic smile as she bounces on her toes and hurries across the room to Lexi who was clearly counting to ten from frustration.

'I still can't believe I am here and this is happening. It is so much more than I ever imagine it could be and to be here with mom and Lexi just makes it that much more precious.' Rachel comments within the confines of her mind as her sister's annoyance flies completely over her head.

Letting out a slow breath Lexi finds herself biting back a smirk at Rachel's overall demeanour. The fourteen year old was on cloud nine and had stars sparkling in her eyes and no matter what else was happening it truly warmed the older sister's heart to see Rachel so happy.

"So you still haven't told us where we are going tonight." Lexi points out as her eyes bravely flicker towards her mother for a split second before focusing back on the job at hand.

A smirk spreads across the oldest of the three brunette's faces as she finishes a final curl to her hair. Tonight was going to be special for the team but there was something just that little bit more gratifying for the choir coach this time because both of her daughter's were with her.

Both Rachel and Lexi clock the suspicious grin growing on their mother's plump lips. Instantly the two sisters connect their eyes and ask the exact same question, all be it silently. Just what was their mother playing at?

'Oh she has some kind of hidden agenda with this dinner that is as plain as day.' Lexi mentally mutters, her eyes all but conveying that comment to Rachel who was also highly suspicious.

With a subtle nod of her head, Rachel purses her lips together for a moment as she contemplates actually calling her mother out. Of course instantly butterflies attack the fourteen year olds stomach like a tornado and instead of verbalising her intrigue Rachel just thinks them.

Standing up from her bed, Shelby walks across to the large vanity style mirror which spanned the entire length of the wall. There was a small ledge under it for make-up and such and since checking in the teacher had already set up her essentials.

"Well, New York was once upon a time my home, so I have a special place in mind. For a while actually me and 'Square Bear' worked there." Shelby reveals with a smile as the memories of those days come flooding back into her consciousness.

Both Rachel and Lexi's ear perk up at this new information and their attention is instantly grabbed. The younger of the two sister's leaps up from the end of the bed where she was perched with a damn spring in her step. Lexi stays sat but her eyes stay locked on her mother like a radar missal target ready to deploy.

"I'm sorry, did you just say that you and Helena used to work at the place we will be going to dine tonight?" Rachel questions for clarification. Her already enchanted eyes seemed to sparkle even brighter at the news as she practically jumps up and down while gripping on to Shelby's forearm.

Shelby laughs a little at her youngest child's enthusiasm and places a gentle hand to Rachel's shoulder to stop the fourteen year old from jumping like 'Tigger'.

"Yes that is what I said Rachel, I didn't think it would be such a big deal." Shelby answers with a somewhat dishonest statement. The brunette mother knew all too well that this would be the reaction, it was what she had been fishing for.

'Just being able to show my girls some more of where I have been and what has made me who I am is a thrill to me. Seeing them get excited by it as well though it icing on the cake.' Shelby's motherly voice informs the grinning choir coach.

"Not a big deal? Mom, come on now we all know you are not dim. This is our chance to see a part of your history, where you spent the years we weren't with you. Also Helena worked at a restaurant, that is just mind blowing for me." Lexi comments with a half chuckle as she tries to contain her enthusiasm somewhat.

Shelby can't help but laugh at her oldest daughter's comment. It had been funny all those years ago watching Helena attempt to keep herself from throttling a customer or not spill the food over someone's lap.

'Has to be even harder for them to imagine. They have only ever seen 'Square Bear' as the rich business woman with the polite English accent and charming smile. If only they could have seen the things I did.' Shelby remarks within the confines of her own mind as Rachel continues to gaze up into her eyes.

"How long did you work there for? Do they know we are coming? Have you been back before with your other teams?" Rachel quickly rattles off questions unable to contain herself, this whole trip was causing a serious adrenaline rush through the fourteen year old.

Shelby reaches out with both hands this time and gently coaxes the smallest brunette back to be fully standing flat on her feet. Looking in to Rachel's wide and energized eyes the mother can't help but smile though and just strokes her cheek.

"All will be revealed okay? Just take a breath and finish getting ready, you two only have thirty minutes before I want everyone ready and waiting to go." The mother announces with a soft smile before pointing Rachel back towards the bed where Lexi was waiting to finish her make-up and gently pats the girl's butt to get her moving.

Lexi gives Rachel a knowing grin as her baby sister is somewhat forced to make her way back over to her. The two sisters could read one another's expressions, for the most part, as though they were books. Each teenager had a run of questions currently spinning around their heads and were eager to see a part of their mom's past.

As scheduled the entire Vocal Adrenaline team are assembled, dressed to impress and waiting for their respected and somewhat feared coach. All together there was far too many of them to get cabs but luckily the place Shelby had in mind was a short walk away.

The youngest of the three Corcoran girls was in a simple dark teal coloured dress, headband to match included. Her make-up was flawless and made the normally young for her age looking brunette suddenly appear almost like an adult. Lexi had made sure to keep the look recognisable as Rachel, as at the end of the day her baby sister had her own style and the diva in training should be free to embrace that.

As soon as Rachel, her sister and mother had exited the elevator the fourteen year old had been able to feel many sets of eyes on her. Of course the young brunette was used to the sensation when on stage performing but this was different. Instantly though the smaller framed teenager found herself locking eyes with an extremely humble looking Jesse.

'Okay just ignore the fact he is looking at you as if it was the first time all over again. 'Gold Stars' who am I trying to fool, my heart is skipping multiple beats right now just knowing he is admiring me,' Rachel's inner voice rambles silently before a strong hand gripping her own tugs the diva in training out of Jesse's eye line.

Lexi had clocked the silent conversation a mile off and wasn't about to sit on her hands and let it continue. Swooping in as only an older sibling can the taller brunette quickly ushers her sister to the front of the waiting group in the lobby.

'Oh I am on to you 'Waffle Boy', you got away with it on the plane but don't think it will be happening again.' Lexi protectively warns the fourteen year old who had made her sister cry, all be it within the confines of her own head.

Motioning with her index and middle finger towards her own eyes and then back to Jesse, her upper lip curling much like a dog will when growling, Lexi makes her silently message as clear as crystal glass. Wanting to show some dramatic flair as she turns away from the now shuddering fourteen year old singer, Lexi flicks her newly straightened long brown locks over her shoulder. However the motion has more range than she intended and damn near takes out poor Amanda's unsuspecting eye.

"Oh crap, I'm sorry 'Tinkerbelle'. Did I actually get you in the eye?" Lexi apologises instantly, her hard faced persona evaporating like a vampire in direct sunlight. It was almost comical, at least to the onlookers not checking if their eyes was still inside their skull.

'Tinkerbelle' had been something the sixteen year old had called Amanda on their first real interaction and ever since it had just become a term of endearment for Shelby's assistant. Lexi could call Amanda 'Tinkerbelle' but if any other member of Vocal Adrenaline or anyone else even dared the tall brunette would instantly put a stop to it.

"It's okay Lexi, honestly. I think my contacts saved me." Amanda assures with a somewhat nervous chuckle. At this point though the blonde assistant was still blinking rapidly to try and make sure she had vision in her eye.

Lexi's face was filled with a mix of guilt and concern but hearing the normally mild mannered blonde assure she hasn't lost her eyesight the sixteen year old lets out a huge sigh of relief. Not to her surprise however the injured woman does swiftly make her way t the front of the waiting group.

"Now you're not toddlers so I don't expect to find anyone wandering off or thinking they can try and sneak a drink in a bar. Believe me, I have seen and stopped every trick your minds can even attempt to think up so do us all a favour and don't even bother." Shelby announces to her assembled audience of excited, all be it slightly tired teenagers.

The sound of 'Coach' Corcoran's voice was enough to end any and all conversation between the show choir members and their full attention to turn to the well respected teacher. Rachel was eagerly rocking back and forth on her feet at the front of the small group, just being in New York was enough to keep her smiling like a crazed clown. So to know she was about to go and see somewhere her mother had once worked was almost too much for the fourteen year old to handle.

Lexi had decided to slip into the back row of the group, half because Amanda was still testing her eyesight and half because no matter how she tried the sixteen year old couldn't help but feel somewhat out of place. This entire trip was for the team, it was about them making it to Nationals and all being well winning Nationals as well. It was all too obvious to Shelby's oldest daughter that she was only there due to the fact her mother understandably hadn't trusted to leave her unattended.

'I wish San was here with me, at least then I wouldn't feel so … alone.' The sixteen year olds inner monologue sadly comments as the group awaits for further instructions.

"Okay, so let's head off. Don't worry it's only a few blocks away and believe me, all that energy and calories you burnt off earlier will be made up for with this meal." A grinning Shelby announces to the bright eyed crowd of teenagers in front of her.

Once out in the early evening air of New York, the teacher feels herself taking in a deep breath and almost absorbing the energy of the city she loved. Although her time here in many ways had not been anything like Shelby had always dreamed of, it didn't mean all of her memories were bad ones. If anything the older Corcoran woman was sure her bond with this city meant that much more to her than it ever would have if she had achieved what she had initially she'd set out to.

'Maybe it's because I'm with my girls but this is the first time since being back where I have felt the same buzz I used to get when I pictured it in my head as a child.' Shelby reveals within her own inner thoughts as Rachel manages to squeeze past a few bodies and catch the taller brunette up.

Looping her arm inside her mother's Rachel grins brightly at the older version of herself and practically skips alongside her as they walk.

"I know we are here because of Nationals and Vocal Adrenaline but this is truly significant an special to me because it's my first time here, in New York with you, my mom." Rachel reveals with a sweet smile spreading across her lips.

Shelby wasn't expecting that revelation and has to remind herself she had actually spent time on her make up in order not to cry. Tugging her youngest a little closer by pulling her arm in to her side, the mother of two beams proudly at the fourteen year old beside her.

'After nearly a half an hour of putting this stuff on I am not going to ruin it before we've even made it down the block. I will be replaying the memory of her saying that for years though.' The motherly voice inside Shelby's mind makes note as the older brunette attempts to compose herself.

"I have been in this city many times, lived here for years but this is truly the most special time for me because I get to be here with you and Lex. Competition or no competition, being here with you two makes this perfect." Shelby explains with suddenly glazed over green orbs as her youngest daughter looks up at her adoringly with chocolate brown eyes.

Rachel is about to speak when out of the corner of her eye she spots something that gathers her attention. It was only a momentary glance but it catches the teenager's attention enough to make the younger brunette strain her neck to look back. It had been across the street and what exactly it was that had made Rachel need to take a second glance the diva in training wasn't sure but for some reason it strikes a chord none the less.

Frowning as whatever had grabbed her attention a mere second before was seemingly gone, Rachel shakes her head a little and just refocuses on walking arm in arm with her mother. With a bright smile across her face Rachel squeezes Shelby's arm and just rests her head gently against it as they walk.

Watching the mother and daughter scene unfold, Lexi can't help but feel a strong pang hit her stomach. Of course the sixteen year old was attempting to ignoring the gnawing sensation but even she had to admit she was losing that fight.

'Ugh, why can't I just be happy for them? Why do I have to feel… what even is it I am feeling right now anyway?' Lexi questions herself silently as she straggles behind, her hands buried inside her leather jacket pockets which went with her high waist, black jeans and off the shoulder white ruffle shirt.

As the group turns the corner Lexi feels her phone vibrate from her front jean pocket and frowns. No one ever texted her, her reading and writing were still a long way from that level yet. Pulling the device in to her right hand Lexi's brown orbs examine the screen and she frowns seeing Santana's name showing she'd sent a message. Santana's name was one of the things that the brunette teenager had memorised long before finding Shelby and getting help so realising it was the Latina who was attempting contact was thankfully easy.

Opening the message Lexi feels a smile and laugh explode from her chest. Starring back at her was a picture of Santana looking sad with puppy dog eyes and a heart drawn around her beautiful face. The Latina was stretching out the shirt she was wearing so the logo was visible and instantly recognisable. It was one of Lexi's favourite shirts which the brunette thought she'd lost a few weeks previously.

'She even helped me search for it. Ugh, she is lucky she is so damn hot in it.' Lexi comments within the confines of her mind as the adorable picture of the Latina manages to give the sixteen year old a much needed boost.

Wishing she could reply and tell Santana how grateful she was for the message and possibly scold the darker brunette for stealing her clothing, Lexi thinks of an alternative. Instead the tall teenager, who in her heeled boots and done up like she was could easily pass for eighteen, possibly even twenty one, flicks her camera on and hangs back a little more from the group.

"Hey, I don't know what you are trying to do by sending me that picture but thank you for doing it. I miss you like crazy and I wish you were here but you are." Lexi speaks for the video as she opens her jacket to reveal what was in fact Santana's top that she was wearing.

With a wink the brunette teen laughs and focuses the camera back on her face as she looks deeply in to the lens. Making sure no one was around who knew her could hear, Lexi moves to the side slightly as for the early evening the streets were still busy.

"Great minds think alike. I love you San and I can't wait to see you. I'll try and call tomorrow if I get a free second, which I doubt. Miss you." Lexi concludes and blows a kiss to the screen before quickly sending the video and rushing off to try and catch up with the rest of VA.

As the tall sixteen year old pockets her phone once more and speeds to catch up with her quickly disappearing group, Lexi ends up somehow being hit rather harshly by a stiff shoulder of a fellow pedestrian. The impact is enough to send the rushing brunette to the concrete with a thud, something which sends a jolt through Lexi's spine and for a moment steals her breath.

"Watch it!" Lexi manages to gasp out with her last bit of breath as her head spins violently to try and see just who had damn near shoulder tackled her. Of course the guilty party by then had disappeared into the crowd and the sixteen is left trying to collect her breath while people pretty much step over her.

"Here." A voice offers to accompany his hand and as Lexi looks up she is of course left starring at an almost smug looking Jesse.

'He is dicing with death right now.' Lexi mutters inwardly before slapping the offered hand away and pushing herself back up to her feet. Brushing the back of her jeans with her hands the slightly embarrassed sixteen year old marches off to catch up with the rest of Vocal Adrenaline.

"You know you really are charming sometimes Lexi." Jesse sarcastically comments as he catches up with the intimidating older sister of his girlfriend. If they were still in a relationship that was, which in its self was a minefield that for now the male lead was choosing to ignore.

Snapping her head around to look at the fourteen year old beside her, Lexi allows her pissed off brown eyes to burn a deep hole in to the suddenly regretful singer.

"And you are pushing your luck." Lexi retorts sharply as finally she manages to reach the tail end of the group just as they make it to a thriving but not overly large or fancy pizzeria.

Jesse decides that if he is going to die tonight he may as well do so for a reason and sticks close to the sixteen year olds side as they merge back in to the Vocal Adrenaline members.

"You do realise you are trying to intimidate me for absolutely no reason don't you? Rachel made her feelings towards me and her desire for space during this trip perfectly clear. You should give her more credit, Rachel can fight her own battles." Jesse declares with a sniff of the arrogance and confidence he was most known for.

'He probably wants you to punch him, do not give him that Lexi. He'll only use it as sympathy to worm his way back to Rachel. For once think with your mind and not your fists.' Lexi silently instructs herself as she deliberately takes a few seconds before reacting.

As Shelby and Amanda attempt to gather everyone to one side, ready to head into the pizzeria, Lexi pushes Jesse into the brick wall and stands over him with a stern face. The brunette was so close to the male lead that he was sure she would be able to see his dandruff if he had any of course.

"You see Jesse, my problem isn't with my sister. I trust her and I was beyond proud of her for not letting you worm your way back in on the plane. My issue is with you and the fact you seem to think some puppy dog eyes and half assed apologises are going to do the trick. I warned you at the airport and you ignored me Jesse, don't make that same mistake again." Lexi warns for what to her was a final time before hearing her mother's voice calling her over.

Shelby had separated from Amanda at this point and her assistant was funnelling the teenagers in to a large booth which nearly went down the length of one entire wall. There were chairs on the other side of the table so one side was booth seating and the rest were just simple dining chairs so although a long line there was enough room for everyone.

'Oh she does not look amused. Time to step in before I lose my mal lead for tomorrow and possibly my eldest daughter to jail.' Shelby comments within her mind as her green eyes spot the intense scene to the side and further back from where she was standing with an oblivious Rachel.

"Lexi, come up here please. Jesse go and find somewhere to sit with Amanda." Shelby instructs firmly, the tone of her voice showing that none of this was up for any kind of discussion.

Letting her intense gaze linger on Jesse for a few extra moments, Lexi turns back to her mother and sister and forces a huge smile to spread across her face. Although she felt somewhat out of place in this situation the last thing she wanted to do was cause an trouble for what she knew for both her mother and sister was incredibly special.

As her eldest approaches, the brunette mother of two wraps an arm around each of her girls and turns towards the grey haired gentlemen stood in front of them. His wide brown eyes and bright smile hidden somewhat within a peppered grey gruff goatee, told both girls that he clearly knew their mother from the past.

Rachel had been observing the rest of the jam packed pizzeria, it wasn't the biggest location or the fanciest but it was clear it was a local favourite. It was somewhat stereotypical or a new your Italian style pizzeria with some of the décor and aesthetic but it had its own charm just from a quick glance around.

'To think that both my mother and Helena once worked here, it truly is incredible. Obviously this must be some fantastic pizza considering the amount this city has and how busy this place seems.' Rachel concludes to herself before feeling her mother's hand rubbing her arm to gather the teens attention to the patiently waiting older gentlemen.

"Girls this is Sal, believe it or not but once upon a time he was actually my boss. He really helped me out when I first moved here and he truly has the best damn pizza in the city." Shelby introduces the still smiling grey haired man who nods appropriately to his introduction to the two younger versions of Shelby.

Sal was tall, his skin olive and although grey now his hair you could tell was once as jet black as the night sky. There was a charisma about him that seemed to twinkle from his eyes as he looked over the mother and her two daughters.

"She thinks I am going to pay her for the ass kissing but what she says is true, my pizza truly is the best in the city." Sal retorts with a chuckle and wink before looking at Shelby and opening his arms to greet the choir coach.

Lexi and Rachel share a quick glance as they each make their own assessments of the man before them who clearly shared a history with their mother.

'He seems friendly enough, sweet even. I can imagine he was somewhat of a charmer in his younger days though. Then again I doubt that has changed due to age going by that twinkle in his eye.' The fourteen year old brunette comments to herself instantly taking a liking to the pizzeria owner.

Lexi however was not as easily swayed, her chocolate brown eyes remain on Sal and make sure to take in every little detail possible. As Shelby reaches her arms around to greet Sal and he leans his chin on the brunette's shoulder Lexi makes sure to stare directly in to his puppy dog like eyes.

'Bet he thinks those eyes can work on anyone? Yeah, well not me.' Lexi silently notes unable to help the way her previous experiences with men had tainted her perception of her mother's former employer.

Being able to kiss Sal's always sand paper like cheek, due to his gruff and goatee, a bright smile flashes across Shelby's face. Although her visits with Vocal Adrenaline before Nationals weren't new, this one was so much more than just a drop in visit to an old friend.

Taking a step back but remaining against Sal's side, Shelby faces both of her daughters and has to bite her lip to stop from becoming overly emotional. Sal had been a part of the family that the then twenty four year old created during the hardest time of her life. Just the fact she was still standing today, in part was owed in no small amount to Sal,

"Sal, I'd like for you to finally meet my girls. Lexi and Rachel. I haven't told them anything about you or this place as I wanted it to be a nice surprise." Shelby introduces each of her daughters and uses her free hand to point them out respectively.

Rachel at this point was grinning from ear to ear as she is formally introduced to this important person from her mother's past. Meeting Helena and April had been wonderful but just being able to meet another person who had spent time with the older Corcoran woman all those years before was a thrill for Rachel to say the least.

"It's so lovely to meet you Sal. Mom made sure to keep this all secret and I have to say it is a wonderful surprise. You have to tell me everything about what my mom was like when she first arrived, first started working for you and how she even came to you looking for employment?" Rachel rattles off her many questions with almost giddiness as the older gentlemen is left somewhat trying to catch his bearings.

Noticing that her youngest was probably going to do herself an injury with how excited she was, Shelby reaches out and gently takes hold of her daughter's shoulders and guides the shorter brunette so she is standing in front of her.

"Okay Rach, calm down. We have plenty of time for all my embarrassing stories to b revealed to you and the entire team I am sure." Shelby chuckles, her eyes giving a silent apology to Sal who waves it off instantly.

Sal had known Shelby when she first arrived in New York and although at the time disillusioned by life due to her girl being snatched from her life, he had also seen many a time when the brunette had acted almost identical to how her youngest daughter was now.

The reaction of Shelby's eldest daughter however was the one that Sal was more intrigued by. He could have sworn if looks could kill the sixteen year old would be arrested for his murder. Lexi's entire demeanour was stand offish, arms crossed tightly over her chest and her large eyes were locked on him like a sniper rifle looking for a headshot.

'Oh Lexi, please don't do this. Not with Sal.' Shelby mentally groans as her eldest child's attitude is about as obvious as a slap to the face by a tiger.

Feeling her stomach knot from uneasiness the mother of the two teenagers looks pleadingly in to Lexi's eyes in an attempt to gather the sixteen year olds attention as well as tear her eyes away from poor Sal. Luckily Sal was anything but easily rattled and just kept his usual joyful smile in place even as Lexi seemingly plans his death.

"How about you go and join your group and decided what you all want. There is a lot to choose from but I am sure your ma here will steer you in the right direction. We can talk once everyone has some food in front of them, how does that sound?" Sal suggests sensing the uneasiness radiating from Shelby and the sheer intensity from Lexi and not wanting to see what happens when the two meet.

Nodding her head instantly the oldest of the three Corcoran girls quickly guides Rachel by her shoulders over to the large table where the rest of Vocal Adrenaline were all waiting and looking over menus. The mother of two stops half way across though and turns her attention to Lexi who was still giving Sal the stink eye with her arms defensively across her chest.

'So clearly Lexi is not a fan of Sal for some reason. Oh this is going to be fun.' Shelby mentally comments unsure what to make of her eldest daughter and the way she was currently acting. Normally Lexi was the mature one of her two children, the one who could be mistaken for an adult but right now she was much more mirroring a petulant child.

"Lexi, come and sit down." Shelby warns through gritted teeth and with narrowed green orbs which could easily burn through steel like some kind of superhero.

Lexi is hesitant to move, despite the tone of her mother's voice. Not entirely sure herself why her reaction to this man was so harsh, the sixteen year old just continues to stare at him with a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach.

'Look at him, full of himself. I don't like the way he rubbed his hand down mom's back like that. I don't trust the look in his eyes.' Lexi's inner voice has its own debate as her brown eyes stays transfixed on the pizzeria owner.

"Now." Shelby adds sharply, her left hand reaching out and gripping on to Lexi's crossed forearm tightly in order to pull her daughter towards her.

It's a jerk movement that Lexi was oblivious to until she was nearly hurled into the back of the pizzeria face first. Thankfully her mother's strength keeps her exactly where Shelby wanted her though and the teen soon finds herself being marched, roughly away from a clearly relieved Sal.

Although having clearly angered her mother, Lexi doesn't outwardly flinch, even as her arm is nearly pulled from the socket. Regret was starting to dawn on the tall teenager though but she wasn't about to show that outwardly knowing it would be a sign of admitting she was wrong. Shelby roughly shoves her defiant daughter down onto the booth and leans in close to the sixteen year olds face.

The other members of Vocal Adrenaline were far too terrified to actually blatantly stare at the scene unfolding but side eyeing was coming in handy. They, including an intrigued Amanda, hold their breath as they wait to see how this volatile situation turns out. Between a pissed off 'Coach' Corcoran and a stubborn Lexi the results could be catastrophic.

"I don't know what you think you are playing at but it damn well stops and I mean right this second." Shelby insists, her eyes ready to pop clean from her head with pure intensity.

The oldest Corcoran woman was infuriated by her eldest's antics and also partly embarrassed in front of someone she had so much love and respect for in Sal. This was now how she had envisioned this meeting going, this was meant to be something truly special and it was quickly turning sour.

"Do you hear me Lexi?" Shelby asks pointedly not about to allow Lexi the chance to ignore her or her reprimand.

'You probably could have played this differently Lexi, you know actually used your brain or something crazy like that.' Lexi's inner monologue berates the quick to action sixteen year old who was now feeling about two inches tall.

'Yeah well clearly I just reacted, my brain didn't come in to it. I don't even really know why I reacted like that but I did.' The internal conversation continues within the confines of Lexi's mind as the pressure of her mother's burning green eyes becomes far too much.

"I hear you mom." Lexi answers quickly deciding it was best to keep any conversation between the two of them as short as possible.

'What the hell has gotten in to her? I'll figure it out later, for now we are going to have a nice team dinner.' Shelby informs herself, a slight defeated sensation overcoming her as she sits down with the rest of Vocal Adrenaline and Amanda.

It doesn't take long for everyone to decide what they want and a large order is sent back to a still smiling Sal. Due to a few special diets and just different tastes in food, they end up ordering four different, large pizzas but none of it would go to waste so Shelby was happy to oblige.

Once the drinks arrive a small clacking is heard against the side of one of the glasses to indicate someone had something to say. All eyes instantly turn towards Shelby expecting any speech to come from the Coach's lips but everyone is shocked to see that instead it is Amanda offering up a toast.

"I know I don't usually do this sort of thing but I felt it was only right that in this circumstance I do. We have come a long way this year and I can safely say I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this team and no matter the outcome tomorrow, you have all individually and collectively proven to me that you are without a doubt the very best at what you do." The skinny blonde somewhat shyly announces to the crowd of eyes all looking at her expectantly.

A quickly murmur of voices waves through the teenagers who of course absorb the compliments given to them with giddiness before settling back down to allow the assistant coach to continue.

"I think it is safe to say though that there is no one we owe a bigger thank you to than 'Coach' Corcoran. She has spent countless hours whipping us all in to shape and coming up with the routines that have bought you here to Nationals and I have little doubt the ones that will win you the title. This year has not been, shall we say conventional for Ms Corcoran but she has proven yet again why she is renowned for all the right reasons and most importantly as the best choir coach in the country. So on behalf of myself and every member of Vocal Adrenaline, thank you Shelby and tomorrow whatever happens I know we will make you proud." Amanda raises her glass to the group who all reciprocate and give a round of applause to an almost blushing Shelby.

'Oh damn you Amanda, now I'm either going to cry or blush. I don't know what is worse in this situation.' Shelby mentally curses her assistant in a playful manner as she accepts the applause and gratitude from her beloved team.

Of course one of the loudest to show their admiration was Rachel, who despite being sat next to her mother felt the need to sue the full range of her voice to get her point across. To the mother's shock though as her green eyes scan the group she sees Lexi proudly beaming and loudly clapping her support also.

'Well it is nice to know even when she is clearly pissed at me my daughter will still show me some love. I don't know if that would be the case if me and Rachel were in this situation but that is another matter completely.' The now flustered mother's brain surmises before pulling herself back together.

"Thank you Amanda, I can truly say this year and being at Nationals would not have been possible, at all without you and your help. So thank you, from all of us." Shelby starts off by thanking her right hand woman and truly the glue which had kept this team together in the last year.

As the second round of applause, this time for Amanda, dies back down the choir coach smiles and looks out to her team one by one. Each of them were beaming brightly and to see how far they had come individually and collectively for Shelby made all the hard work more than worth it.

"As Amanda said, no matter what tomorrow brings, at the end of this competition I can truly say I will have my head held high with pride. I know I am no easy task master and I have little doubt my name has been cursed by each of you many, many times. It's something I take pride in, in fact and not because I'm sadistic but because I know if that is the case than I am doing my job. I push you hard for a reason and that reason is I can see in each of you what you are capable of and I will be damned if you don't reach your capabilities and hopefully succeed them." Shelby continues her eyes meeting each pair belonging to the Vocal Adrenaline members around the large table.

Lexi feels the knot in her stomach return as the team collectively celebrate their hard work and thank one another. The tall teenager knew none of those thanks were directed towards her, nor were they be deserved if they had been. Lexi was the outsider here and she knew it all too well and as proud as she was of the team and of course her mother and sister she couldn't help but feel somewhat awkward.

Picking up her glass of water the sixteen year old takes a needed sip and spots Sal making his way over to the table with the start of what she guessed would be an almost never ending supply of food. Even though she was hesitant to admit it, even from where she was sitting the pizza smelt amazing and she has to stop herself from drooling.

"Tonight is a celebration for all of our hard work as a team but tomorrow is when everything is put firmly in your hands and it is up to you what happens on that stage. You cannot control who wins or loses in any other way than going on to that stage and performing your hearts out. Knowing you all the way I do, I know that is exactly what will take place. Tomorrow when everything is said and done, not only will you have pride in yourselves and each other but you will have earned every single person who watches you perform tomorrow evening's respect, including mine. So for now let's stuff our faces." Shelby declares sincerely before slapping her hands together with a laugh as Sal rounds her to place down the first pizza.

Multiple slices of pizza are soon being shovelled in to teenage mouths and smiles had once again returned to everyone's face as they enjoy the mouth watering food presented to them. For the most part the conversations around the table stay topical, either about Nationals or the fact they are in New York. Here is the odd discussion of nerves or anticipation of what their parents think when they arrive and see them perform the next evening.

As truly contented and happy as Rachel currently was sat among her peers and enjoying what she had little doubt was the best pizza ever made, something was making the teen feel on edge. At first she had thought it was due to the fact Jesse was in such close proximity but to be fair to the fellow fourteen year old he had actually listened and was sitting as far away as he could. Now whether he listened to Rachel's earlier plea on the plane of her older sister's threats remained to be see but he had listened none the less.

'Jesse is occupying himself with boy talk, whatever that entails so it can't be that which is making me feel… watched?' Rachel's mind attempts to figure out just what it is that is sending a shiver down her spine.

Turning her head to examine the entire table and then the rest of the pizzeria which was still packed, Rachel frowns not spotting anything that could give her reason for her 'spidey sense' tingling as it were. Chewing on her bottom lip and tasting the remains of her uncounted slices of pizza, the diva in training lets her chocolate brown eyes gaze out of the large glass window at the front of the pizzeria.

With the lights on inside and the evening darkness blanketing the new York streets, there wasn't much to see apart from the reflections of everyone inside, all smiling and eating. That is until of course the fourteen year old spots the rather sombre looking mirror image of her older sister.

'Oh Lexi, why does she look as though she might burst into tears? That is not like my sister at all.' Rachel's inner voice points out the obvious as the younger brunette's heart sinks inside her chest at the sight in front of her.

Quickly spinning around to face Lexi, who was sat at the end of the booth side of the table, somewhat in the corner on her own, Rachel gives a sympathetic smile. Although not sure she can move without busting her dress at the sides, the fourteen year old sibling edges her chair around the table end so she is sat next to an otherwise disconnected Lexi.

Rachel watches her sibling a little closer for a few moments as her presence hasn't seemed to do anything in waking Lexi up from her own thoughts. Realising for once that Lexi may not want this broadcast especially in front of their mother or the other VA members, the smaller teenager gently uses her foot to nudge Lexi's leg and get her attention.

"Lex, what's wrong? You can't tell me you didn't enjoy that pizza because even I exceeded my normal one slice and a half limit it was so good." Rachel attempts to half joke but is met with her sister's natural reaction of trying to act fine.

As the older of the two brunette's shakes her head and attempts to laugh off the question, Rachel allows her brows to knit in to an unconvinced frown. Raising her own version of the 'Corcoran' eyebrow, Lexi lets out a sigh to indicate she was relenting.

"Okay, okay you win. I'm just feeling… I don't even really know. It's just all this, the meal, being here in New York it's meant for you and the team, I am… well I'm an imposter." Lexi reveals surprisingly easily and truthfully.

''Gold Stars' is Lexi ill? She has to be in order for her to just come straight out with what it is that is bothering her. Why is this making me nervous and anxious?' Rachel's inner voice questions as suddenly the weight of knowing what to say in response to make this all alright is brought on to the fourteen year olds shoulders.

Hesitating for a moment, Rachel forces herself to step up and force once be there for her sister instead of the other way round. Giving a soft smile towards Lexi, the younger brunette stands form her seat and nudges Lexi further down the booth in order to sit beside her.

"I can certainly see how you would feel that way Lexi. I however don't agree with your assessment though. You may not think you have contributed to us getting to Nationals but I can certainly see how that is exactly what you have done. You are forgetting that at one time Lex, you were helping mom and Amanda teach all of us that stupidly complicated dance routine." Rachel points out with full seriousness in both her tone and manner.

A small smile starts to tug at the corner of Lexi's lips as her younger sister seemingly puts her in her place and does so in style. As tough as the sixteen year old often acted, the truth was she was actually deeply insecure and having Rachel of all people point out such a fact meant more than Lexi would ever be able to explain.

Leaning in to her older sibling's arm, Rachel looks at Lexi and smiles brightly realising by the twinkle behind the sixteen year olds brown eyes that what she had said had indeed had the correct effect.

"I've always needed you Lexi and I always will, I mean that in life in general but I think it is safe to say in my career also. Without your belief in me throughout the years, the last one in particular it is safe to say we would not be sitting here right now. I also know for a fact that you are highly respected by all of Vocal Adrenaline's members and we truly value having you here." Rachel continues, her words honest and true as is the way Lexi's bottom lip starts to tremble in response.

Panic strikes Rachel's heart as she realises that Lexi is now fighting back the urge to cry. Shaking her head and quickly rubbing up and down her older sister's arms, Rachel leans in closer to Lexi who is trying to bow her head and hide the fact her eyes were brimming with tears.

"No, no you cannot cry Lexi. I was attempting to make you feel better not worse. Please don't cry, I hate it when you cry, it's like the world has changed the way it spins or something. Do you want more pizza? Oh how about a nice dessert you love sweet things don't you?" Rachel desperately attempts to think of a way in which she can achieve her attended goal of making her sister smile instead of bringing her to the verge of crying.

'Of course she thinks I am crying for a bad reason. Only Rachel.' Lexi chuckles inwardly as she rapidly wipes underneath her eyes to make sure any sign of her near emotional break was indeed gone.

"Rach, calm down okay? I wasn't crying because you upset me, actually you just really touched me by what you said. I'm okay though see, no tears in sight I promise." Lexi assures, her smile bright as she points to her own face as evidence that her statement was indeed true.

'Oh dear 'Barbra' thank you. For some reason my heart cannot take it when Lexi cries, especially when it is due to something I have said or done.' Rachel mentally thanks her version of a higher spirit and lets out a breath of relief as Lexi wraps her arm around the fourteen year olds shoulders and pulls her in close.

"Now, what is this I hear about you eating more than a slice and a half of pizza? Are you feeling okay?" Lexi jokingly mocks as she lifts her hand to test Rachel's temperature and of course gets it bat away for good measure.

The two sister's fall in to one another and laugh as Sal again makes his way over to the group table. Lexi's eyes instantly fixate on the older gentleman, again her reasoning for doing so still a mystery to her as much a everyone else. Rachel however happens to let her eyes linger out of the window for a moment and for a split second she is sure she sees a half lit face she recognises.

Needing to take a double look at what the fourteen year old is sure is just her eyes playing tricks on her, Rachel strains to look around at the window when Lexi tugs her back around to face the table. Sal was proudly presenting a mountain of desserts to the grateful and probably already over stuffed team.

"Oh Sal, you didn't have to do that." Shelby admonishes her former employer who grins brightly and leans down to kiss the oldest Corcoran woman's cheek as he stands beside her seat at the table.

Rachel finds herself unable to get a second look and instead shakes off what she outs down to a weirdly lit passerby and focuses back on the group in front of her. Sal's actions catch her attention but unlike her older sister she finds it sweet and gives a bright smile in return.

Lexi feels her stomach churn at the scene in front of her and scoffs loud enough to gather the attention of the table. It hadn't been intended but the sixteen year old wasn't about to back down now so she just flashes an insincere smile and raises her eyebrow towards the grey haired man.

'Why does he have to keep coming over and trying to impress. Also, what does he have a thing for my mom or something, is that what all the kissing and cuddling is about?!' Lexi irrationally condemns Sal within the confines of her mind as she is no longer able to keep her mouth shut.

"No one ordered dessert, you really don't have to lay it on quite so thick there Sally boy." Lexi remarks sarcastically and much to the horror of her mother who if she could would turn bright red from a mix of embarrassment and rage directed at her eldest daughter.

An audible gasps runs through the Vocal Adrenaline members and Shelby narrows her green orbs directly at the suddenly not so confident sixteen year old across the table. Rachel's mouth was hanging slightly open from shock, her eyes bouncing back between her sister and mother like a ping pong match was taking place.

'Oh dear 'Barbra' what in the world has gotten in to Lexi this evening? She has pushed her luck too far this time though and I for one would not want to be in her shoes.' Rachel mentally comments as part of her can't help but be intrigued as to how her mother would react to Lexi's clear defiance.

"Lexi Alice Berry, you watch your mouth. Sal is a friend, no let me correct myself, Sal is family and I will not have you disrespect him like that." Shelby immediately scorns her sixteen year old daughter but is somewhat cut off by Sal waving the annoyed mother off. He was attempting to cool things down between mother and child and clearly letting it be known he had an answer for the tall sixteen year old.

'That is it, she is dead. Oh she better run because when I get my hands on her cocky little neck..' Shelby's motherly inner voice rants before Sal interrupting her actually breaks in to the choir coach's consciousness. When it does however she does find herself looking towards her former boss with intrigue as to what his retort was going to be to her disrespectful teenager.

"So let me get this straight, you are saying that all of you are turning down free ice cream?" Sal asks rhetorically as an instant shaking of heads and protests to the contrary flood the pizzeria from all other VA members.

Raising his eye as an almost challenge to the unmoved sixteen year old Sal just smirks and returns to handing out the desserts. Lexi wasn't the first or the last teenager who pushed her luck with the grey haired man so it was much like water off of a duck's back.

'Well played sir, well played.' Shelby comments with approval within the confines of her own mind as her green orbs quickly snap back to Lexi with displeasure for her attitude.

"Nice try little lady." Sal quips towards Lexi before snapping his tea towel over his shoulder, hanging his head back and laughing on his way back to the kitchen.

Lexi can feel the heat rising on her cheeks but just bites every emotion she as feeling back down inside herself. Her face was stoic but the pure anger behind her brown eyes was as brazen as a flare in a jet black night sky. If Lexi had issues with Sal before then now she straight up hated him.

Shelby looks over the rest of her team who were enjoying their night and now the boat load of ice cream which Sal had dumped on their table. As much as the mother in the brunette was screaming to drag Lexi out by the arm and read her the riot act, the coach side won out and decided to leave that conversation for later, in private.

With an uneasy sensation in her stomach, Rachel looks to her sister and just offers a weak smile. Reaching out the younger of the two sisters delicately pats Lexi's shoulder before reaching out for the quickly disappearing bowls of ice cream.

"You know perhaps you should try the ice cream, if it is anything like the pizza then…" Rachel trials off with her suggestion as Lexi's deadpanning eyes are enough to warn the diva in training that her sister was not interested.

After everyone is done eating Sal almost out of business Shelby declares that it is time or the team to head back to the hotel for an early night. Tomorrow would be busy and it started at five sharp so sleep was something her team better make the most of while they can. Amanda leads the way back to the hotel with barely able to move teenagers trailing behind her, all gossiping and praising the meal they had just been treated to.

Lexi had refused to consume a single ounce of Sal's offered ice cream, instead choosing to spend the time with a face like stone and attitude to match. In reality the sixteen year old wasn't even truly sure why this was her reaction but she felt committed now and wasn't about to break out of principle.

Standing with Sal at the front door to the pizzeria, Shelby laughs with a bright and thankful smile towards her former boss. Leaning up she places a kiss to the older man's cheek before embracing him with a tender hug.

"Ah, I do not want to hear a 'thank you' or 'sorry' leave your mouth Shelby. It was my pleasure, as it always is. You have a great group of kids there and I know you're going to kill it tomorrow." Sal interrupts the choir coach before her mouth can even fully open to speak, he knew her that well.

Shelby smiles with pride at Sal's compliments but quickly flashes a glance across to her eldest daughter who was about to try and sneak her way out of the pizzeria without detection.

'Not a god damn chance in hell Lexi. When will my girls learn I know all the tricks already?' Shelby questions silently before looking in to Sal's eyes apologetically and holding her hand up to indicate she would only be a second.

The mother of two takes a large step away from where herself and Sal were standing and reaches out towards a sheepish looking Lexi. Shaking her head the older brunette firmly grabs her eldest daughter by her upper arm and tugs.

'Shit! When did I become so poor at sneaking any way?' Lexi mentally curses herself as the feeling of her mother's hand wraps around her skin.

Spotting that her mother was dragging Lexi back into the pizzeria, Rachel decides to do the smart thing and follows the rest of her team. It was considerably later than when they had first walked the short distance and with all the light of the city now fully lit it was almost as thought they had been transferred somewhere else completely.

''Gold Stars' I feel like I need to pinch myself. I am actually here in New York where tomorrow I will perform on stage at Nationals.' Rachel's inner voice comments as every slight detail of the city grabs a piece of the fourteen year olds attention.

"Hey Rach." A familiar voice breaks the diva in training from her inner monologue and Rachel finds Jesse scurrying up next to her in the group as they head back to the hotel.

Taking in a deep breath the short brunette composes herself before replying, this trip was about nationals and Rachel was determined not to let anything at all overshadow that. Of course when Jesse was stood beside her with his showbiz grin being flashed in her direction it was easier said than done.

'Remember what he did and said Rachel, remember that you need to focus on the competition not your love life.' A surprisingly stubborn and strict part of the fourteen year old singers mind instructs Rachel as her stomach starts to knot.

"Jesse." Rachel answers with a nod of her head, her brown orbs trying to avoid glancing to the side and taking Jesse's features in. Despite their falling out she was all too aware that the fellow singer was most definitely her weakness.

Slightly taken back by the lack of a response from the girl he still considered his girlfriend Jesse takes a moment to collect himself and re strategise. He was nervous, not only because he knew he had hurt Rachel deeply but because of her sister's threats which were still ringing in is ears. If it wasn't for the fact he knew Lexi was still in the pizzeria when he had left, this conversation would not be taking place at all.

"That was a hell of a dinner huh? I bet coach is going to make us pay for it in the morning though." Jesse laughs in an attempt to somewhat break the ice between himself and the shorter brunette.

Rachel remains unmoved however and just gives a weak nod in response as she speeds up her walking to keep up with the rest of the group. Jesse lets out a sigh and decides to bite the bullet, he either tried or he would always regret not trying.

Reaching out the male lead of Vocal Adrenaline catches Rachel by surprise and grips her hand before swiftly tugging the fellow fourteen year old back in one movement towards his chest.

"Jesse, what in the world has gotten in to you?" Rachel protests in anger at the male singer's antics although admittedly her heart was now skipping a few beats.

'Oh, he smells amazing.' Rachel's inner voice comments out of nowhere and leaves the diva in training doing everything she can to shake the thought out of her mind.

Pressed against Jesse's strong chest Rachel's brown eyes flicker up and connect with the apologetic orbs of one Jesse St James. The two fourteen year olds were off to the side and out of anyone's way so they were free to just take a second.

Gulping down a lump he hadn't be aware had formed in his throat a regretful Jesse apologises with a nod of his head and his grip on Rachel's hand lessening so she was free to walk away if she wished. For a small second the diva in training is sure she sees the confident teen's cheeks flash red but the darkness of the night is a good disguise.

"I'm sorry Rach, I just hate this. I hate not being able to talk to you about, well anything really. I just miss you and I know that is my own fault, really I do. It's just I know that being here, in New York means so much to the both of us and I never thought we would be here and not sharing the experience together." Jesse admits in a rather rushed tone as he looks deeply into Rachel's chocolate brown orbs.

Jesse's words travel directly to Rachel's heart but surprising even herself, the fourteen year old doesn't let that break her resolve. A small smile does appear on her plump lips though but it was mainly one which said she understood where Jesse was coming from.

"I never imagined that this would turn out like this either. I imagined us walking hand in hand, discussing our nerves and excitement. I envisioned being here with you as not only your team mate but your girlfriend also. Unfortunately what you said and how you behaved, well it meant these circumstances have changed." Rachel retorts not about to allow the confident teen to get away with how his actions had affected her.

'I miss you too though Jesse, oh so much do I miss you. I need to stay strong though, I have to for myself.' Rachel reminds herself inwardly as her body starts to shake ever so slightly in a way which could be mistaken as due to the cold night air.

Nodding his head in understanding Jesse smiles but it is obviously tinted from the bittersweet emotions running between the two fourteen year olds. Leaning in slowly he places a delicate kiss to the soft textured cheek of the girl he had hurt with his actions and words.

"Well, that is my fault Rachel and I am truly sorry. Even though we may not here as boyfriend and girlfriend I am still thankful we can be here as team mates." Jesse explains sincerely as he pulls back and lets his thumb gently trace over Rachel's cheek, exactly where he had just placed his kiss.

Taking a second to find her breath Rachel slowly nods her head as she stares in to Jesse's eyes. Her heart physically hurt and part of the fourteen year old was screaming to forgive the male lead and forget what had happened but deep down Rachel knew she just couldn't do that.

"I am glad we can be here a team mates too Jesse, we should get back to our team though before they think we have gotten lost." Rachel chuckles as she pulls away from the taller teenager and scurries off to catch up with the rest of Vocal Adrenaline.

'Oh dear 'Barbra' if I didn't get away from him then I would have broken like my voice does in my worst nightmares.' Rachel's inner voice realises as the short fourteen year old does a light jog to catch up with the tail end of the group who had gotten ahead of them.

Left alone off to the side of the New York city street, Jesse lets his head fall against the hard brick wall and sighs. He had completely destroyed the connection between himself and Rachel and was truly unsure if anything he did would ever be able to rebuild it. He was desperate to make things up to the girl he loved and make things right for all of his behaviour but apparently the male lead still had a steep hill to climb.

Letting out a frustrated sigh the brunette teenager pushes away from the wall ready to follow after the group like Rachel when across the street a figure catches his attention. They were holding a camera which was hardly rare in a place like New York but something about them, what they were shooting and overall demeanour put Jesse in an uncomfortable position.

At the same time in the pizzeria Lexi realises she had no other choice than to just accept her fate. Her deceivingly strong mother was going to drag her exactly where she wanted no matter what the sixteen year old did or said. drags

As expected the taller brunette teenager finds herself dragged back inside the pizzeria and over to a rather amused looking Sal. This of course doesn't go down with the pouting sixteen year old but for her own sake she manages to keep that displeasure solely inward.

Steadying her daughter at her side, the grip on her child's arm not letting up an inch however, Shelby collects herself together once more. Looking at Sal she smiles remembering how he had previously been refusing to allow the choir coach to thank him for anything he had done tonight for her and her team.

"I do owe you thanks though Sal and not just for tonight or all the other times you've done this for my team. I owe you thanks for giving me a job when I was at my lowest and for always being there for me and Helena. I wanted tonight to be special, for you to finally meet my girls and see that I am finally, truly happy." Shelby explains pointedly, her words making the guilt inside Lexi multiply a thousand times over.

Bowing her head, ever so slightly, the sixteen year old brunette just keeps her arms defensively crossed over her ample chest. No matter how hard she tried, which granted wasn't overly hard, Lexi could not stop the way she felt towards this man.

"Unfortunately someone decided that would show their immaturity and act like a spoilt brat tonight and almost ruin the entire evening not just for me but the Vocal Adrenaline team as a whole. She may not be a part of the team but I thought she had enough respect not to ruin the experience for everyone else, clearly I was mistaken." Shelby continues her not so veiled dressing down of her daughter as Sal gives a sympathetic smile in the mother's direction.

Sal shakes his head sympathetically towards his former employee and just gives a reassuring smile to the woman he had always known was above all else meant to be a mother. Clearly he hadn't been mistaken as despite what had happened she was showing to him that she was a damn good one.

"You see I only brought Lexi here along because I didn't feel she could be trusted being left back home, even with her grandmother's guidance, for a day and night. I truly thought that perhaps here my darling daughter would be able to behave and not cause me more problems than I am already facing with the circumstances. I even thought that perhaps Lexi would be able to use this time as a way to regain my trust in her but clearly that was stupidity on my part." The mother continues her rant clearly infuriated by her eldest child's behaviour and rightly so.

'Wow okay she is driving home the fact that I am a disappointment pretty damn hard. Point taken mom, Jesus.' Lexi inwardly rants, her insecurities only making the overall situation worse for everyone involved.

"Do you have anything to say to Sal, Lexi?" Shelby asks her daughter leadingly but before the sixteen year old can respond the mother pulls Lexi's arm closer and leans down so she can speak directly in to the teen's ear.

A shiver spikes directly up Lexi's spine as her mother draws her in so close she can feel her breath on her skin. As fearless as the brunette teenager often was, this was not one of the times where Lexi could pretend she was unaffected.

"I suggest you think very carefully before you answer young lady." Shelby sternly instructs her eldest who she can feel trembling ever so slightly under her grip.

'For once in your life Lexi do the smart thing here and don't lash out because you are feeling hurt and laded.' The smart and sensible side to the sixteen year olds mind pleads with the conflicted brunette within the confines of her mind.

'Screw that, she only brought you here because you couldn't be trusted and clearly you've let her down again, like always.' Lexi's childish side intervenes and ultimately wins out the debate that was taking place silently in the sixteen year olds head.

"No but maybe you should have listened when I said I didn't want to come on this trip in the first place." Lexi lashes out, her emotions had been hurt and her natural instinct was to do anything she could to regain some control of the situation.

Not entirely sure how to react at first to Lexi's outburst Shelby finds herself slack jawed from shock. Her eyes blink slowly a few times almost as though she is checking that what she had heard had been correct.

'So clearly Lexi has all of a sudden developed a god damn death wish. Good to know.' Shelby rants within her own thoughts before the switch is flicked on and she is straight in to action to deal with the situation.

"I am so sorry Sal for my disgraceful daughter and how she has acted tonight towards you. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done tonight though, I will let you know what happens tomorrow and see you soon." Shelby apologises towards her old boss as by now she was not only furious by Lexi's behaviour but deeply embarrassed also.

Not wanting to wait around and embarrass herself or Sal any further Shelby pays for the meal and leaves a hell of a tip before she drags her eldest daughter clean out of the pizzeria and begins to march her back towards the hotel.

As she is being forcibly led down the New York street Lexi lets out a sigh of regret for her childish outburst and overall behaviour during the meal. Something had been triggered by meeting Sal but Lexi for all she had could not figure out what that had been or why.

'Breathe Shelby, just breathe. Now is not the time to have a full scale row with your child. Get back to the hotel and in the privacy of the room before you completely lose your shit.' Shelby instructs herself silently as she focuses squarely ahead of her.

If the mother was to turn and look at Lexi at this point Shelby knew she would not be able to bite her tongue and that would not be a smart move at all. No Shelby needed to remain in control of the situation and handle this once hopefully she had calmed slightly, acting in haste wouldn't get them anywhere.

Lexi remains completely silent as the grip around her arm is kept strong, not enough to hurt or leave a mark but enough to let the sixteen year old know her mother was fully in control. The brunette teenager could tell that her mother was completely furious with her and without a doubt disappointed and clearly from her previous words ashamed and disgusted also. Of course that was the last thing that the eldest of Shelby's two daughters had wanted but she was also fully aware it had been her own actions which had made this happen so she only had herself to blame.

'I mean just what in the name of everything holy has gotten in to her? Why would she be so rude and disrespectful to Sal, someone I told her meant a lot to me? It just doesn't make any sense.' Shelby's motherly voice attempts to silently put the pieces of the puzzle together but was coming up remarkably short.

Shaking her head as almost a way of confirming there was no hope in trying to guess why Lexi had behaved how she had, Shelby continues to pull her sixteen year old child alongside her as they make a bee line back to the hotel.

Once arriving back at the hotel Amanda had left Rachel in the lobby to wait for Shelby and Lexi while she took the remaining Vocal Adrenaline members up to their respective rooms. Jesse had attempted to swerve the coaching assistant but had been caught at the last second.

Rachel knew that both her mother and sister were going to be in the midst of an argument when they returned so she was trying to make the most of the peace while it lasted. For Rachel just being able to absorb her surroundings was like something from a fairytale or dream for the youngest brunette.

The hotel was almost like something out a movie in Rachel's eyes, the grandeur of it and the elegance, it certainly couldn't have been cheap. It was the perfect stage for the competition though and as she sits in one of the lobby leather armchairs, the fourteen year old can't help but feel at home and almost as though she was getting a glimpse into her future.

'I wonder how many stars before have stayed here? From what I have read this is the first time Nationals is actually being held at this hotel. The entire events hall has been refurbished especially, it is practically a theatre in its self now. To have its very own theatre built inside had to be a huge selling point however.' Rachel ponders the many different questions she had in regards to this year's location for Nationals. In typical Rachel fashion it was something she had been sure to do her research on before even leaving Akron.

"Is that, why if my eyes don't deceive me." An elegant and sophisticated voice calls across the lobby and brings the thoughtful teenager out of her own mind.

A huge grin is spreading across the beautiful, elegant face of one Helena Rawlins as she draws in closer on the unsuspecting fourteen year old. The English beauty was in a tight fitting black dress with heels almost as high as some of the new York skyscrapers but that doesn't stop her dashing across to Rachel.

"Rachel, I was hoping I would run in to you. Is there a reason you are sat here on your lonesome? The receptionist haven't given you a hard time have they because I can sort that out for you no problem. Oh come here give me a hug." Helena questions with her white teeth shining in the well lit lobby looking like someone out of a toothpaste commercial.

Having not expected to run in to the third member of her mother's three musketeers Rachel takes a moment to respond. The short fourteen year old quickly registers what is happening though and leans up out of her seat to embrace the English beauty in a warm embrace.

"Oh, No nothing of the sort. The staff has been incredibly accommodating to us since we arrived, I'm just waiting for mom and Lexi to return from our special team dinner at a place I believe you know every well." Rachel explains not wanting this business woman to get the wrong impression of this hospitable hotel and its staff.

Helena's wide grin only expands more as she quickly understands just were the diva in training was referring too. Giving the younger brunette a strong squeeze, Helena drops her bag to the floor and takes a seat opposite from where Rachel was now returning to sit.

"Sal's? Oh fantastic, I bet he was just thrilled to finally meet you and your sister. The food is just out of this world isn't it? I really should drop in and see how everything is going, phone calls sometimes just aren't quite enough are they?" The business woman gushes before leaning forward and reaching for Rachel's tanned hands just excited to see her after a long absence.

Rachel nods in ready agreement as she feels the taller of her mother's two old friends grip her hands sweetly and returns the favour. The two were sat facing each other and in that moment nothing and no one else around them existed.

'I can just imagine Sal ate their visit up. I know finally seeing 'Hair Bear' with her cubs again was something that truly changed me.' Helena comments silently as she continues to take in the features of the younger version of one of her oldest friends.

"Oh it was just wonderful, I feel like I have gained fifty pounds from the one visit. I think he was pleased to see us, although my sister wasn't exactly the most approachable towards him. In fact I think that could be the reason her and mom are so late in returning back." Rachel explains with a sympathetic tone to her voice in respect to how Sal had been treated by her older sibling.

Making an 'Oh' face, the slender, older brunette slowly nods her head as she leans back in the leather pleated armchair she is sat in. Rachel stays leant forward but allows the hand connection to drop off as Helena clearly imagines just how bad things could have been.

"In other words your sister is in your mother's dog house? Oh, I would not want to be Lexi right about now." Helena surmises with a half smirk before laughing the situation off and leaning forward once again so she is closer to the youngest of Shelby's two daughters.

Rachel sniggers in agreement to the statement about not wanting to be in Lexi's shoes and smiles brightly at the always vibrant darker brunette before her.

'I really can't help but admire Helena, she is always so enthusiastic and clearly successful. I know she comes from a family of money but from everything mom and auntie 'Bubi' have told me she has made her own success very much on her own.' Rachel's inner voice gushes slightly with admiration for the English born business woman before her.

"So enough of all of that drama, tell me how does it feel to finally be in New York and about to perform on stage at Nationals? I cannot tell you how utterly thrilled I was when your mother told me you had gotten through. It was there and then I knew I had made the right decision in getting this place refurbished and put the bid in to host this year. Sometimes things are just meant to be." Helena chirps with pride, her blue eyes glistening in the light much like her teeth as a soft frown slowly crosses Rachel's forehead.

Intrigued as to what the English woman meant Rachel raises her eyebrow slightly, it wasn't in full 'Corcoran' mode yet but it was getting there.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?" Rachel questions unable to hide the fact she was suddenly very lost as to where the conversation had steered off too.

'Oh shoot, clearly I was mistaken and 'Hair Bear' hasn't let this information be known. Well done Helena, well done.' The business woman mentally chastises herself as understanding suddenly flashes across her face.

"Oh I'm sorry sweetheart I didn't even think. I presumed you knew or perhaps your mother would have told you. This hotel, I own it and well when I found out about you joining Vocal Adrenaline with your mother I decided to take a bit of a gamble. This place needed to be refurbished anyway and I thought what better excuse than to get it ready for Nationals where I just knew you would end up performing." Helena reveals as though she was talking about having purchased a new pair of shoes not a hotel's refurbishment.

As Helena speaks Rachel finds herself shell shocked, so much so she is actually struck completely speechless. With her mouth ever so slightly open as if she was a malfunctioning machine trying to reboot Rachel just slowly begins to nod her head to show she did actually comprehend.

'Oh my 'Gold Stars', Helena owns this hotel and especially bid to host Nationals just on the hunch that VA would make it to the final. I did not think it was possible to be any more amazed by this woman and yet here I am.' Rachel inwardly freaks out at the news but outwardly manages to somewhat keep it together.

"I really don't quite know what to say to that information Helena, well apart from I am certainly glad we didn't render your bet a failure." Rachel expresses with a slightly nervous laugh floating out behind her words.

'Oh well that is just fantastic Helena, now you have gone and terrified the poor thing. She was clearly nervous enough and you have gone and made her feel responsible for what you chose to do. This is why you don't have any children of your own.' Helena's mind comments in annoyance at her own thoughtless actions but attempts to rectify them.

Helena shakes her head and shuffles a little more to the edge of her seat, a task which was no easy in her current tight dress. Reaching across the English beauty delicately takes both of Rachel's hands in hers and squeezes them once more to gain the fourteen year olds attention.

"I had absolutely no doubt about it Rachel. It is all besides the point now though, you are here, you made it. Consider the bet well and truly won on my part and getting to see you perform tomorrow is just going to be the cherry on the top." Helena assures not wanting the young singer to feel any more pressure than she was sure Rachel already did.

Before the young singer can respond to the encouraging pep talk from one of her mother's dearest friends, the two are interrupted by the screeching of sneakers against the marble flooring of the lobby. It was Jesse, who had previously been marched up to his room by Amanda about ten minutes previously.

The male leas of Vocal Adrenaline seemed flustered, possibly even panicked. He nearly slips as he slides beside Rachel and the un amused looking business woman speaking with her. Helena was normally a bright, kind person but when annoyed there weren't many people who would want to mess with her.

"Rachel, thank god I found you. We need to talk immediately." Jesse proclaims in a hurry as he reaches for the girl's upper arm but is beaten to the punch by a sharp slap knocking his hand back from Helena.

By now Helena was on her feet and positions herself between the two fourteen year olds, her face was stoic and told anyone looking at it she meant business. With narrow piercing blue eyes, the business woman keeps her stance tall and strong.

"She will be doing no such thing with you. Rachel, do you know this… boy?" Helena questions pointedly, her head tilting just enough over her shoulder so she can make a quick glance towards a slightly shaken Rachel, still sat behind her.

Jesse lets out a huff of frustration and pushes his hair back from his face, he had run down multiply flights of stairs and this was not going how he had planned at all. His attitude however only causes Helena to grown more distain towards him though so he was truly fighting a losing battle.

Rachel looks to Jesse, around Helena's protective form with confusion and annoyance. Her brows were furrowed in the middle as she tries to almost ask him through her eyes what in the world he was playing at.

'Didn't I make myself clear earlier or even on the plane? What is it going to take for him to just leave me be?' A rather frustrated fourteen year old questions silently before giving a slight nod in response to Helena's question.

"This is Jesse, my… ex boyfriend. He has been adamant with speaking with me throughout today, although I have let it be known multiple times I don't wish to." Rachel answers and attempts to half explain the situation to her mother's oldest friend and half get a point across to Jesse.

'Oh, this is Jesse. He should be grateful it is me he is facing and not 'Hair Bear' or god forbid Lexi. I truly am not sure who would be a worse fate for this boy.' Helena mentally comments before nodding slowly in understanding and focusing back on to a fidgeting teenager in front of her.

"You heard Rachel, now I think it is best that you return to your room. You wouldn't want your coach to find out that you are breaking curfew or worse, harassing her daughter now would you?" Helena asks knowingly, her jaw clenching slightly as she speaks.

Shaking his head in a mix of desperation and frustration Jesse tries to swerve the English beauty before him and reach for Rachel once again. He had to speak to her, tell her what he saw and the suspicion he had that she was being followed.

It is of course a mistake as within a flash Helena side steps and blocks his path completely. Now though the dark brunette was pissed and it showed by the expression across her otherwise beautiful features.

"That is your last mistake Jesse. You do not want to push this any further, believe me. Now, do as I said and return to your room." Helena instructs the defiant fourteen year as a final warning, her blue eyes almost like pinwheels as her adrenaline was pumping.

Rachel had jumped at the sudden movement of her ex and frowns even deeper than before. With her heart thudding inside her chest the young brunette just pulls herself in the opposite direction of Jesse. Reaching out she finds Helena's waist and has to stop herself from wrapping her arms around it as she was truly starting to feel unsafe.

Helena feels the shaking touch of Rachel behind her and quickly lowers one of her hands to grip the fourteen year olds. Starring at the still unmoved Jesse however the business woman can't help but wonder if she should perhaps call over someone else to help.

"Jesse, please just… just go." Rachel pleads in a final attempt to get the clearly agitated male lead to leave her be. Her chocolate brown orbs were swimming with unshed tears and just that sight alone is enough to have Jesse recoiling backwards as though he had touched a bare flame.

Hearing the shaking behind the diva in training's voice Helena turns to her side and just wrap and arm delicately around the fourteen year olds shoulders before piercing her stare right back at Jesse.

"I'm sorry Rach, I just wanted to talk… I…" Jesse stumbles on his words as he feels a tightness in his chest realising he had only upset the girl he loved even more.

Holding his hands up as a sign of giving in, the male lead of Vocal Adrenaline reluctantly just nods his head and starts to take a few steps back. His eyes were swimming with apology but by now Rachel was past looking at him and just looking at Helena who was attempting to see if she was in fact okay.

Finally reaching the lobby of the hotel, Shelby is both relieved and still simmering with anger at Lexi's behaviour. By now her grip around her daughter's arm was much looser but she was still very much guiding her child and taking control of the situation.

'Well you have well a truly put both feet in it this time Lexi. Sometimes you can be such a god damn idiot.' Lexi curses herself within the confines of her own mind as she just lets her rightfully annoyed mother tug her wherever she wants.

As they walk into the lobby a loud shriek of surprise can be heard and it completely catches Lexi off guard. Lifting her head up from its bowed position of shame, the sixteen year old spots Helena suddenly embracing her mother.

"I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow?" Shelby asks her friend as they give one another a tight hug. All annoyance to the mother's voice having evaporated the second her eyes spotted one of her dearest friends.

Laughing at the comment in a way which told everyone Shelby should have known better, Helena leans back from the embrace and gives the choir coach a knowing grin.

"Well you know me 'Hair Bear' if I get the chance to make a entrance I'll take it." Helena quips in reply before her blue eyes spot the rather solemn and now embarrassed Lexi lingering in the entrance way of the hotel.

Lexi feels her stomach tighten as Helena looks in her direction, the two hadn't seen one another since the night everything about Lexi's baby was revealed. Of course that also happened to be the same night when a drunk, emotional sixteen year old had attempted to kiss her mother's oldest friend.

'Not your brightest moment that's for sure.' Lexi's inner voice points out the obvious as the already defeated brunette attempts to look anywhere but fully into Helena's crystal blue eyes.

There had been some interaction between the pair but nothing physically in person so this was somewhat awkward to say the least. At least it was for Lexi but seeing by the way Helena confidently strides towards her the embarrassed sixteen year old had to guess perhaps it wasn't as much for the English beauty.

"It's good to see you Lexi. You certainly look a lot better than the last time we saw each other." The business woman attempts to joke but only catches a look of disagreement from the younger brunette in return.

Smirking slightly as she already knew the predicament the sixteen year old was in with her mother, Helena just gives Lexi a gentle hug and whispers delicately in to her ear.

"At least you are aren't drunk this time ahey? Rachel told me about you and Sal not getting on? Yeah, good luck with that sweetheart." Helena half teases but mainly he was trying to earn a smile from the eldest daughter of her friend and hopefully lighten the mood a little for her.

'Oh I have been on the wrong side of 'hair Bear's' disapproval myself many a time and I can safely say it is not pleasant. May as well try and get a smile out of her before she without a doubt gets a seemingly well deserved bollocking. Helena mentally surmises as she rubs Lexi's back a few times before pulling back completely and offering a sympathetic pout to the sixteen year old brunette.

Shelby was stood with Rachel, checking that her youngest had been okay while she waited for them to g et back. Stroking down a few hairs on top of the fourteen year olds head the mother smiles as she feels Rachel curl into her side.

"Well, I wish we could talk more 'Square Bear' but I have to get this one to bed ready for tomorrow and me and my eldest there need a good, long talk. Don't we Lexi?" The mother asks pointedly, her green eyes somehow darker as she stares at a clearly regret filled Lexi.

Nodding her head in understanding Helena beams a bright smile and pats Lexi's back a final time before walking to collect her bag she discarded to the floor when sitting with Rachel. It was a pat to both say 'goodbye' and also 'good luck' because god knows when facing an angry Shelby luck was something you needed.

It isn't long after saying goodbyes to Helena that the three Corcoran girls finally make it back up to their large hotel room. To Rachel at least how they ended up with such a luxurious room all made sense now she knew that Helena was the entire hotel's owner.

The tension between the two eldest brunettes was palpable once in the privacy of the hotel room so Rachel decides it is a smart idea to use this time to take a long, long shower. At least that way she would be out of the firing line just encase things did got worse, not that the fourteen year old was sure how they could.

Now just left with herself and her oldest daughter in the room, Shelby lets out a large sigh. She was exhausted from the travelling, stress of looking after an entire group of teenagers almost single handily in New York. Most of all though the brunette was exhausted due to trying to figure out just why Lexi had behaved like she had with Sal.

Slipping off her blazer and kicking off her heeled ankle boots which had her skinny black jeans tucked in to them, the mother of two flops down on to the end of her bed. Not entirely sure how she should even attempt to start this subject Shelby just runs her hands up and down her jean clad thighs. Green eyes were fixed on Lexi who was doing an expert job in avoiding the inevitable and actually looking in her mother's direction.

'Okay, you are alone now Shelby. You don't have to handle this as a coach or keep an eye on everyone else. No, you are here in this room and you are solely her mother so come on, let's get on with it.' The motherly voice inside Shelby's head instructs the worn out brunette as she contemplates how best to start this 'conversation' off.

"So are you going to actually tell me what was up your butt all night or am I going to have to a guess?" Shelby asks rhetorically, her emerald eyes burning a hole into her eldest daughter's back as Lexi was facing the window.

Feeling a nervous heat rising up from her back and around her neck Lexi lets out a shaky breath as she stares at the bright lights sparkling throughout the city in front of her.

'You knew this would be coming Lexi, time to just woman up and deal with it.' The sixteen year olds inner voice reminds the nervous brunette.

Knowing all too well that her daughter was trying to delay the inevitable Shelby just leans back into a more comfortable position as she waits. The choir coach wasn't about to get flustered or allow her frustration with Lexi and her behaviour cloud how she handled this situation, although it was damn tempting.

Pushing some of her hair from her face Lexi sheepishly allows her chocolate brown eyes to rise from the floor and connect with the waiting ad judgemental counterparts belonging to her mother. Taking in a deep breath the eldest of Shelby's two children gives a soft shake of her head.

"I honestly don't know." Lexi replies, she knew it was weak but unfortunately for her it was also the truth. Any idea as to why she had reacted the way she had with Sal was completely lost on the tall teenager.

Of course this is not what Shelby had been looking for as an explanation so her 'Corcoran' eyebrow instantly shoots up to its well known and feared position. Clenching her jaw ever so slightly the older brunette rests back on her hands either side of her hips and looks up at the ceiling, almost asking for help.

"I just didn't like him." Lexi blurts out sensing that she was only digging herself a deeper grave but that had to be better than infuriating her mother anymore than she already had tonight. It was the best explanation she had so she may as well through it in to the mix.

Slowly bringing her head back to its natural position and moving both hands to her knees the mother of the two Corcoran women narrows her green eyes in confusion. Pushing up from the end of the bed where she had been sat Shelby takes a step closer to her daughter and causes Lexi to take a nervous step backwards.

'I don't know what she thinks I am going to do but okay.' Shelby mentally comments noticing the hesitant retreat Lexi had just made. It seemed highly out of character for the normally hell bent and determined teenager.

"You know how important this trip is for Vocal Adrenaline, for your sister, for me and yet you still decided to throw your toys out of the pram and have some kind of tantrum. Are you jealous is that it, because this trip is to do with VA and Rachel performing? Am I not giving you enough attention or something?" Shelby questions somewhat clutching at straws as she looks for an explanation for her eldest's behaviour.

Although Shelby wasn't yelling the full force of her words were still most certainly being felt by their intended audience. Lexi can feel her stomach churning with that gnawing uncomfortable feeling you get when you know you are completely banged to rights and have no excuse.

"I want a damn reason for your behaviour Lexi, I won't allow you to be the person you were tonight." Shelby snaps as Lexi's apparent non reaction was starting to wear very thin for the tired choir coach.

Lexi looks up at her angered mother and for one of the only times in her life she feels intimidation run through her core. Sure the brunette had been scared before but she would rarely actually allow that feeling to overcome her with another person. Perhaps it was because this felt like the first real time that the teenager had overstepped the mark with a parent who wasn't going to just ignore it.

'It was different when everything happened the night I told her about my baby, I actually had a reason for my behaviour. Even if it was a stupid and immature way to handle my situation it was somewhat understandable. I don't have that this time, I was just… out of order. Fuck.' Lexi's inner monologue continues to give the anxious teen a running commentary and some revelations to boot.

"Lexi, you are going to have to do better than 'I didn't like him'. You completely embarrassed me and yourself tonight and honestly you disappointed me too." Shelby pointedly explains unable to hide the fact she was truly annoyed by how Lexi had behaved.

Hearing her mother talk about being 'disappointed' in her was a stab to the heart that for a moment completely chokes Lexi. It is a reaction the sixteen year old hadn't seen coming and she reaches up to hold her hand over her heart in response. Tears sting at her brown orbs but in typical Lexi fashion she refuses to let them fall or grow any further. Instead the brunette teenager just bites hard on her lower lip as her hand finds her always present locket and squeezes for all she's worth.

'Do not fucking cry Lexi, not a single god damn tear. You fucked up and you know it, you have taken worse than your mother rightly having a go at you. What the fuck has happened to you?' The inner voice inside the sixteen year olds head chatters away as Lexi desperately holds on to her resolve.

"Okay, so you don't like him? So to you that means it is okay to act like some spoilt brat and be nothing but ignorant and rude to someone who I consider family? Is that really what you are telling me young lady?" The mother of the two brunette's asks in a way which was baiting for a reaction but still Lexi was remaining stoic in her response.

"What, am I missing something here? I mean tell me if I am misunderstanding something here Lexi because right now all I am getting from you is that you don't like him so you decided to be damn right rude." Shelby continues in her attempt to get Lexi to actually say something else or hell at this point even scoff or cuss at her, anything.

Taking yet another step towards her eldest, Shelby makes sure her eye contact with Lexi is regained and this time uninterrupted, no matter how desperately her daughter was trying to break it. Starring deep into the glistening orbs of the sixteen year old however the older brunette starts to feel alarm bells ringing.

'There is so much more to this but for the life of me I can't seem to figure out just what. Yes I am angry and yes she will be punished but perhaps for now I should focus on getting to the bottom of whatever the hell this is.' The motherly voice suggests to a concerned Shelby as she reaches out and takes hold of her daughter's hand.

Sitting down on the end of the bed, still gently gripping Lexi's hand and keeping the sixteen year old in front of her Shelby softens her expression slightly. By now Lexi was struggling to keep it together, her plump lower lip was quivering and her breathing was shaky to say the least.

"Baby girl, you need to talk to me honey. Please." Shelby pleads in a much softer tone this time as she can feel the trembles running through Lexi's body as reluctantly the teenager allows her mother to guide her down next to her.

"What do you want me to say? I was a fucking bitch and I know it, I knew it while I was doing it. There isn't an excuse I can give for that. I was wrong and… I'm sorry." Lexi declares in defeat, her barriers having returned in a way to protect the teenager from any emotional pain.

Shaking her head slightly at her child's words Shelby frowns and grips Lexi's hand a little tighter before reaching with her free hand and cups Lexi's chin to gently tilt it back so she is looking at her mother and not over her shoulder at the window.

"Lexi, stop it right now. I know what you are doing sweetie and you need to stop. This is me talking, your mom. I am angry yes but you are a teenager and I'm your mom so that will happen a lot in the next few years, god help me." The mother of the two brunette's attempts to lighten the mood ever so slightly but Lexi is unresponsive although the good sign is she does keep eye contact.

Taking in a deep breath of her own, Shelby strokes her hand down Lexi's cheek and gives a warm smile which despite herself Lexi is unable to help returning, even if just slightly.

"Got you. Now listen to me okay? You're saying that you don't have an excuse for how you behaved and I believe that is true but that doesn't mean you don't have a reason for it, they are two different things. We need to get to the bottom of what that reason is because you can't carry on like that Lexi." Shelby affirms as nicely as she can without losing any bite to her words which she could tell were actually sinking in to her eldest daughter for once.

Lexi reaches up and wipes underneath her eyes before once again her emotions get the better of her. Sniffling back the tears which had just threatened to escape the brunette teenager slowly nods her head in agreement to what her mother was saying. Deep down Lexi knew she was right but she was also incredibly stubborn.

"I can't tell you what it is that made me act like that it's just, I saw him and you and he was kissing your cheek and … rubbing your back and I… I don't know I just didn't like that. Men, they're all the same and I don't know this guy and I certainly don't trust him. He made me uncomfortable." Lexi reveals in a rather fast flurry of words as for the teenager it feels like her emotions burst out of her chest.

As Shelby listens to Lexi explain how she felt some of the dots start to connect within the worried an drained mother's brain.

'Okay so the fact he kissed my cheek and rubbed my back made her uneasy and clearly she has not trust in men. Then again with what she has been through, why would she? At least I can kind of see why she reacted so strongly, doesn't make it right but I do understand it.' Shelby's mother monologue concludes silently as the last thing she wanted tod o was interrupt when Lexi was finally expressing.

"I didn't want him thinking he could get close to me or Rachel. I didn't even want him touching you because… because you just… you don't know. He seemed nice but… people often do seem nice." Lexi continues, now the flood gates have been opened she was finding it hard to shut them again.

Starring deeply in to Lexi's emotional brown orbs Shelby feels her heartache for her baby. Putting aside how angry she still was with how the sixteen year old had acted she could tell that Lexi was fighting some serious emotional distress right now.

"I couldn't stop myself, I knew I should have tried but something wouldn't let me. Of course typical me I do something and end up having my mom disappointed in me, I have a real habit of parents being disappointed in me don't I?" Lexi mutters somewhat under her breath as the tears she had previously beaten again return and threaten to fall.

A sharp realisation hits Shelby square in the face and suddenly the older Corcoran woman can't help but feel like a failure. Overcome with her own guilt Shelby just starts to slowly shake her head in response to Lexi's words and cups her cheek before bringing the sixteen year old down in to her arms.

Curling her head in to the crook of her mother's neck and smelling the recognisable and comforting scent of Shelby's perfume Lexi finally lets a few tears fall down her face. She was somewhat hidden within her mother's embrace so the sixteen year old felt a little more comfortable in being so vulnerable.

'Why did you have to go and say you were 'disappointed' in her. You know that is what those bastards told her constantly, not to mention when they stole her god damn bay from her arms. Fucking hell Shelby, you need to think!' Shelby chastises herself harshly within the confines of her mind as her heart beat increases from the emotions coursing through her body.

Unable for once to find the words to say which will somehow help her little girl Shelby instead just holds her in a little closer. Right now the choir coach was beating herself up for her mistake and holding Lexi was as much a comfort for her as she prayed it would be for the sixteen year old.

'That's it Lexi, you've gone and blown it now. She is disappointed in you, the one thing you always promised you would never let her of all people be of you. It's like with Leroy and Hiram all over again, it all starts with disappointment.' Lexi informs herself as rational thinking gets consumed by the high emotions involved in the current situation.

"I am sorry mommy, I am. I know I was wrong and a brat and I…I truly am sorry. Please don't hate me or …. Stop loving me okay? Please I'll be better I promise you. I don't even really know why I acted like it and I know I was wrong but I swear I will never do anything like it again. Just please, please don't hate me or stop loving me, I can't take it." Lexi panics as the defences she had desperately thrown up crumble to the ground.

A spear is sent directly through the centre of Shelby's heart as she hears her sixteen year old daughter beg and plead for her not to disown or stop loving her. A huge surge of rage starts to build within the brunette mother but more so an overwhelming tidal wave of guilt and sadness crashes down around at the same time.

"Lexi, stop it sweetie. Listen to me okay, please just listen to me." Shelby pleads as she uses her own shaking hands to tilt Lexi's head up again so she is able to truly look in to her daughter's chocolate brown orbs which right now were swimming with terror and pain.

Sniffling and inhaling some sharp breaths Lexi slowly allows herself to be guided in making eye contact with her mother. Fear was strangling her chest at the thought she had once again ruined her relationship with one of her parents and this time with one who actually did care about her the same as Rachel. Searching the swimming emerald orbs of the older brunette Lexi finds a small calmness start to overcome her and her head faintly nods to indicate she is indeed listening.

"I should not have said I was 'disappointed' in you. I know that in the past your fathers' said that too you and unfairly so, I should have been more thoughtful and for that baby I am sorry. How you behaved was wrong and yes I am angry with you for it but part of me does also understand why it happened. Now that's not me saying it is in anyway okay or that I am going to accept it but I can see how you reacted like you did." Shelby begins to explain hoping what she was currently saying was coming out a lot calmer than her current situation within her own mind and heart.

Lexi was for the most part motionless, her eyes just flickering from side to side as they almost examine her mother's counterparts while the older brunette speaks. It was in a moment like this when Lexi's true age of only sixteen showed and the toll a life of mistreatment by her fathers' has taken on her can truly be seen.

"Right now what is most important though is you hear me when I say this and truly take it in." Shelby emphasis her point with a nod of her head as she keeps her eyes locked on her child's.

'Listen to her Lexi, just listen.' A somehow calmer side to the sixteen year olds inner voice encourages Lexi as she slowly gives a small nod of agreement once again.,

"I love you unconditionally and I am never ever going to stop loving you. It is impossible for that to happen, you are my baby. You came from me, I fed you and carried you for nine months. I brought you in to this world and believe me that love I have for you is not something that can be taken away by anyone or anything." Shelby assures as her own eyes start to threaten the fall of tears but somehow she manages to keep them at bay.

Lexi feels her body curling in to the embrace of the older brunette slightly but makes sure her eyes stay looking directly into the emerald orbs of her mother. Hearing the heartbeat belonging to the older brunette is a soothing comfort for the emotional teenager and for a second she focuses in on it while Shelby takes a breath.

"I do not and never could I hate you. Tonight you were out of order but clearly that stems from something we need to address and we will. Lexi, I am going to get mad at you for how you behave, for what you say and do sometimes because you're sixteen, headstrong and stubborn as all hell and as your mother it is my job to make sure that you that those attributes and use them into becoming an even more wonderful person. That means I will be on your ass like a ton of bricks when I think you step out of line hut just because I get angry or even frustrated that doesn't mean my love for you is under any kind of threat of being taken away. Nothing can do that, nothing in this world or beyond it." Shelby continues as her hand delicately wipes away a few stray tears which were lingering on Lexi's now slightly flushed cheek.

'She looks so young right now but also so hurt. Those bastards really id a number on my poor little girl's head.' Shelby's inner monologue concludes as Lexi absorbs everything that her mother had just told her and slowly the tears completely disappear from her brown eyes.

"I am sorry mommy, really I am. I don't know what got into me but that doesn't mean what I did was right. I will apologise to Sal right now, I'll go and tell him how sorry I am and that I'm a complete brat and that's not your fault." Lexi apologises, sounding very much like a six year old as oppose to a sixteen year old but under the circumstances it was to be expected.

Shaking her head with a slight chuckle, Shelby increases her grip around Lexi and holds the suddenly full of energy teen in place within her arms. Rocking the tall teenager ever so slightly the mother of two just lets out a laugh before placing a kiss to the top of her eldest daughter's head.

"You are going nowhere. You will apologise to Sal but not now, it's late and I am exhausted as are you and your sister. I want your phone for now as a punishment and we will talk about something more tomorrow after some sleep alright? Also we will talk about something that will help you understand why you reacted how you did with Sal too." The mother of the two freshly cried out brunettes explains as finally she feels Lexi relax in to her arms again and just soaks up the moment.

Lexi was not off the hook by any means and clearly there was an underlying problem which had to be addressed but for now what mattered most was Shelby's baby knew she was loved and that it was not ever going to be taken away or conditional.

Soon enough the entire Corcoran family are curled up in to the same huge bed within the hotel room that had two. Between Rachel's nerves for the next day and Lexi's need for her mother's comfort it made sense and in all honesty Shelby wouldn't have it any other way.

In the darkness of the room though, just before it reaches midnight, with all three brunettes softly in the land of slumber, curled up together a buzz echoes through the otherwise quiet room. Lexi's phone, which Shelby had confiscated and placed in the draw beside the bed flashes with a new video message. Unbeknown to all three sleeping Corcoran girls the content of that video message awaits its discovery and the aftermath in which it will cause.

Between the hectic Nationals which would be taking place the next day and the ticking time bomb now lingering on Lexi's phone, It was safe to say that when the next morning came in New York city would be in for a day with plenty of fireworks.

---

And we reach the end of yet another chapter. I seriously applaud all of you who read my chapters all the way through because I know they are gigantic!

As always I owe a huge thank you to those of you who do take the time to read this story, I write it for you all to enjoy and I truly hope that you do and continue too. It's no shock what I am going to say next but I will say it anyway, an even bigger thank you is owed to you wonderful people who not only ready this story and it's huge chapters but also take the time to leave me a review.

I read each one and take them on board with every single chapter that I write and their overall help is truly irreplaceable. To know what all of you are thinking, feeling, wanting, expecting and so much more is priceless and helps me in ways I cannot even convey properly.

Please never feel shy in telling me what you think, want to see, suspect or anything else at all. I love to know how the story and each chapter is being received as not only does it help me know where to go, not to go, if what I am trying to create is working or not but it's just lovely to see that all the hours I put in to each chapter has (hopefully) been worth it in creating something that overall you are enjoying and wanting more of.

So I have a hospital appointment yet again, I know I basically need my own bed at this point but that's beside the point. It's tomorrow actually and with the heat wave the UK is facing right now I am hardly looking forward to it but you know that is life. I only mention it as they truly do wipe me out and along with the heat it could possibly be something to remember if I am a bit late with how fast I get the next chapter out.

Now fingers crossed I am hoping I will somehow manage to be on time once again, like magically I was with this chapter. Honestly it was very skin of my teeth stuff this time around but then again it often is. But as always I assure you I will do everything in my power to make sure I get this next chapter out to you as soon as I can, which I am aiming to be within the month period I have set myself.

Thank you also for all being so wonderfully understanding of the time gaps between each chapter and also encouraging when it comes to that as well. It is so motivating and just lovely to know so thank you all!

I think that is well and truly enough of me for one update

so until next time stay safe, happy and well ;;'x