Chapter 38

Rachel woke up alone. This itself wasn't unusual but she felt like she was missing something. She didn't know what it was, but she felt like it had something to do with Quinn. She missed her. She knew that much, but it was deeper than that. There was more to this ache inside her. Then she thought about their conversation last night just before they both went to bed.

Quinn wanted her to be happy. She wanted Quinn to be happy. They made each other happy, but she wasn't sure that she was ready to leave New York. She was tired and wanted something new. A movie would give her that, but she wasn't sure that she would stay when she was done. The call of the stage might take her back. She knew that she had been obsessing over it, but Quinn had given her another idea. It was an idea that she'd been toying with for years, but never really acted on it. An album...she could record an album. She could do that anywhere, LA, New York, Atlanta... The possibilities were endless.

She rolled out of the bed and looked at her clock. Her audition wasn't until just before lunch, but she wanted to be ready. The studio called Tina the night before and made sure that she was good with the time. Tina texted her the updates and she was ready. She was told that she didn't have to be at the studio until around 10:30 to check in. It was just after eight.

When she got out of the shower about thirty minutes later, Kurt was lying on her bed reading on her tablet. He looked like he didn't care that she was wrapped only in towel. She went into the closet and began to select something to wear for her audition. She didn't want to be overdressed or underdressed, but she wanted to reflect her ability to be the character. She looked back over at Kurt.

"What should I wear?" Rachel asked as she dropped her towel and put on her matching set of underwear.

"Well, Hunter is a ridiculously feminine woman, but she doesn't do dresses. How about a part of dark jeans and a nice t-shirt. Nothing to extravagant, but enough to make sure that they know that you have curves. You should do your hair, too," Kurt stated as he sat up on the bed to face her more fully now.

She pulled up the dark pair of jeans that she bought on her night out with Quinn. She liked the way they made her feel and she had to admit that they made her ass look good. When she turned around, Kurt gave her a wide smile and a thumbs up. He jumped off the bed and started going through the closet looking for just the right shirt. He pulled out several tank style shirts before he landed on a white one with lettering on it. It said "Paris, Milan, London, Los, Angeles." It was perfect.

"This one. Wear this one," he said as he handed it to her and began to look at her shoes. "I'll find your shoes for you, too. By the way have you eaten? You should eat before we get there."

Rachel just nodded as she finished getting dressed. When she was finished, Kurt handed her a pair of black Chucks. She finished getting dressed and then they left the hotel. They took the car that Rachel was renting. After stopping at a diner for a quick breakfast, they made their way to the studio.

The guard at the gate gave then directions across the lot to the building where the auditions were being held. It was when Rachel saw the building that her nerves finally hit her. She started getting nervous and Kurt could see it. He reached across the car and took her hand.

"You've got this, remember? They want you. They need you for this part. They called you in to read for it. So go in there and give them Rachel Berry and don't hold back," Kurt told her as they neared the small office building on the lot that the auditions were being held in.

They walked up the two flights of stairs to work off some of her energy to get to the floor where the auditions were being held. She knew that it would probably be a large open room with the producers, director and writers in it. They would give her a piece of the script and then have her read with someone else or one of the producers. What they didn't know was that Rachel had memorized the script. All they would have to do was give her a line and she would begin her audition.

She took a seat in the chairs outside the room where they were doing the auditions. Kurt sat beside her. They both surveyed the others there. No one else really fit the description of Hunter, but that really didn't mean anything. Rachel knew how make up and wardrobe could help make a part. It was just weird to her because they were all blond or sandy blond. There wasn't a brunette in sight.

Kurt leaned over, "I told you that you got this."

Rachel just smiled. She didn't know what to say. She didn't want to hope for the part, because she wasn't sure that she would get it. She never wanted to be overly confident going into an audition. She would be afterwards, but never before. This was no different. She sighed as she smiled at the other women waiting to audition as well.

A girl about her age looked up from whatever she was reading and smiled at Rachel. Her blond hair wasn't that dark, but it was more natural than a bottle job. Her green eyes were soft and she had a pleasant look to her. Her smile was soft and endearing.

"You trying out for the movie?" she asked Rachel.

"Yes," Rachel replied.

"I'm assuming that you are going out for Chris," the girl stated.

"No, I am here to read for Hunter."

"Oh, that's cool. They seem to be an interesting person from what I've read so far. I don't think that I've seen anyone here today that's come to read for Hunter," the girl told her.

"Oh...well, how long have you been here?" Rachel asked her.

The girl looked down at her watch and then back up at Rachel. She gave her a weak smile. Just then the door opened to the room where the auditions were happening, a blond came walking out with her head down. She looked on the verge of tears.

"Have they all been like that?" Rachel asked her.

"Yes, at least the last few hours. I've been here since seven thirty. The first few weren't so bad, but they have gotten progressively worse," the girl told her.

"Well, I hope that things get better. I think that the producers and such are tired. I don't think that they could have all been that bad. Do you?" Rachel questioned.

"I don't know. Some of them seemed a little... I don't know flaky. I am not sure what brought them here to read for Chris. They just didn't give me the vibe that I think the character needs, you know?"

"I do."

"And, you do?" Kurt asked her.

"I can be a bitch when I need to, so yeah. Chris is complex. She's afraid, but she isn't. She is trying to maintain her popularity while fighting for what she wants. I know what that's like. I know the pressures of being on the head bitch on campus. I know what it is like to be 'super popular.' I also know what it is like to want something that you can't have because of who you are supposed to be," the girl replied.

"What's your name, dear?" Rachel asked.

"Kitty Wilde," she replied.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Kitty," Rachel told her before she was cut off by one of the people from the audition room.

"KITTY WILDE!" the runner called out.

"Well, that's me."

"Break a leg, Kitty," Rachel told her as she stood up to go in.

"Thanks," Kitty replied as she headed towards the audition room.

Kurt waited until she was in the audition room to say anything else. He wasn't sure what Rachel was thinking, but he was sure that Kitty wouldn't be something that Rachel wanted to work with. She might be good for the part, but she seemed just a little over the top and harsh for the part. She was also shorter than he thought that Chris should be.

"Are you serious right now?" Kurt asked her.

"About what?"

"What was that?" he questioned.

"What was what?"

"You actually wished her luck," Kurt accused.

"Why shouldn't I? I might have to work with her on the film. We should start out on the right foot so we don't end up hating each other. Trust me, working with someone so intimately, like in a play or on a film, day in and day out, makes for hard work, long days, and really bad tensions between everyone. I would like not to have that. I've done that before with a play," Rachel explained.

"That sounds fair," Kurt replied.

"Besides, she might be perfect for the part. We don't know what they are looking for really. All we know if that they really want me to be Hunter. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but right now..."

"Right now, it isn't theatre and you're happy that someone wants you to perform?"

"Exactly," Rachel said.

They sat in silence for a moment. They kept looking at the door and waiting to see if Kitty would come out like the rest of the potentials had. After a while, they gave up wondering and went back to looking around at the other potential candidates. They whispered among themselves about who they thought looked the best or by their demeanor would be a good Chris. Rachel was surprised that no one really stuck out to her. They all seemed too young or too nice. She felt bad for that assumption, but no one was really giving her a good enough vibe. And, when she heard about the other before Kitty leaving crying or with tears in her eyes, the more she shook her head at the rest of the ones waiting.

"They don't really have potential, do they?" Kurt asked.

"Not really and I hate to say that, but none of them strike me as Chris."

"I know. She isn't petty or cruel, but she is a bitch and none of this women strike me as a bitch. But, I know much looks can be deceiving. They have to be believable and they have to make the audience believe that they are the character. If they can't do that, then they can't do the part. If they can't convince the producers, how are they going to convince the audience?" Rachel asked.

"True," Kurt answered, "But, do you think that Kitty has what it takes?"

"That's not up to me. That's up to the producers and the director. If they like her, then great. If not, they will find someone."

More time passed and no one else was called. Rachel smiled. She wondered if that meant that they liked Kitty and they wanted to see how she would act with her. She knew that she was basically coming in for a reading, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't be basically auditioning as well.

The same assistant that called Kitty before came out again. She looked around the waiting area at the other hopefuls and then at Rachel. Her smile was beguiling to Rachel. She didn't know if she liked it or not. She couldn't tell if it was genuine or if there was malice behind it.

"We've found our Chris. The producers want to thank you all for coming out. Please leave your info with Mr. Peabody as you leave," she told them as a man came in from another room, waving at them. "If we need you for anything else or if something happens, we'll call. Again, thank you for your time."

Rachel looked at Kurt. The smile she gave him was telling him "I told you so." She wanted to laugh, but she didn't. They both watched as the assistant went back into the room. They still hadn't seen Kitty come out.

"I wonder if they want you to read with her?" Kurt asked.

"I know. She hasn't come out. And, I doubt that they sent her out a different way since all the other auditions came back out that door," Rachel mused.

They only had to wait for a few more minutes before the assistant came back out. She scanned the room and immediately her eyes landed on Kurt and Rachel. Rachel turned to face her more fully.

"Rachel Berry?" she asked loudly.

"Yes?"

"They are ready for you now," she said before turning around and going back into the room without waiting for Rachel to follow her.

"Go get 'em tiger," Kurt told her.

"Why am I nervous?" Rachel asked as she stood up.

"Because you want this."

"I do."

"Then go in there and become Hunter for them. You've got this, Rachel. Break a leg," Kurt told her.

"Thank you," she replied as she walked through the waiting area to the door.

She paused at the door. She took a deep breath and reached for the handle. She mentally psyched herself up and opened it. She walked in the room confidently and waited for the producers to address her.

She stood there for a minute or two before anyone looked up at her. She looked around the room trying to see if anyone looked familiar, but she didn't recognize anyone. Kitty wasn't in there either.

"Miss Berry?" a tall blond woman addressed.

"Yes, I am Rachel Berry."

"You're shorter than I thought you'd be, but that doesn't matter. I'm glad that you could make it and thank you for rearranging your schedule to be with us. We know how hard it can be for hard working actresses like yourself to come to auditions."

"It was no trouble," Rachel told her.

"My name is Sue Sylvester and I am the director and main producer of this movie. To be honest, I wasn't sure that you would be a good Hunter until the other producers and some of the executives in New York told me that they wanted you. I had them send me some footage of you on stage."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I did. You are definitely a powerhouse with your voice and presence on stage. I want to be honest with you though," Sue told her.

"Please," Rachel said.

Sue stood up. She walked around the table. She stopped in front of Rachel. She looked down at her, but Rachel didn't budge. If anything, the little diva puffed up a little.

"I like you. You've got spunk and you don't let yourself get bullied. I'm a little upset, but not much, that you won't be singing in my film. However, I might get you to work with the music department for the soundtrack," Sue stated.

"So, what does that mean for me?" Rachel questioned.

"I would like to formally welcome you to the film."

"Thank you," Rachel said shaking the extended hand offered to her.

"So, while you're still here. Do you think that you could stay for a few hours? We want to do some screen tests with the actresses and actors for the film. It will also help us get ahead with the costume department," Sue explained.

"Absolutely."

"Don't worry about filming yet. We are still securing locations and studio time. Once all that is clear, we'll get with your agent to get you the dates. Sound good?"

"Amazing," Rachel said.

"Now, go get your friend and let's go have some fun."

Rachel just nodded and headed back for the door. It was too easy, she thought to herself, but she didn't want to jinx things. She'd gotten plays with a lot less. But, she knew that the screen tests would help them with chemistry between the actors and the characters. She just hoped that she had enough between herself and the other actors that they had selected for the film.

She opened the door and waved at Kurt to follow her. He looked at her stunned for a moment, before jumping up and down and running at the door. He could tell that she got the part and he was happy for her. He didn't know what was going on now, but he knew that he would take notes, not only for herself but also for Tina. He was being Tina's eyes and ears while he was playing at being Rachel's assistant.

They walked through a set of double doors into another room. It was more open and had more windows. She saw a few cameras set up at different angles in front of the tables in there. At each seat at the table sat the director, the producers and the writers. It was then that she saw her. Rachel's heart dropped.

Quinn was sitting at seat. She was behind a camera so she didn't see Rachel come in, but Santana did. Santana pulled herself from the corner she was in to get Quinn's attention. At the same time, Kurt took Rachel's hand.

"That's Quinn," Rachel whispered to him.

"I know."

"Why is here?" Rachel asked.

"I don't know, but I think that is her friend Santana with her. She looked surprised to see you here. Is this her movie? Her script?" Kurt asked her.

"I don't know," Rachel told him.

She didn't know what to do. She knew that Quinn didn't want this film made if it was hers. But, there she was in the screen test room, and Rachel had already accepted the part. What was she going to do now?

"If everyone will get settled, we'll get started. We've selected our Chris and our Hunter for the film. We have a working title, but that's about it. We've been given the green light. So, let's make some preliminary magic today folks," Sue bellowed as she moved to take her seat.

"Kurt, I can't do this."

"Yes, you can."

"She doesn't want to make this movie, Kurt. It's personal for her. I can't do this to her," Rachel told him.

Then she saw the surprise on Quinn's face. Santana had finally gotten her attention. Her green eyes bore into Rachel. She stood up and moved around her chair. Santana moved to allow Quinn more room. She crossed the room in easy strides and stopped in front of Rachel. Rachel bowed her head. She didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes. She couldn't meet them.

Quinn reached out with her hand and tipped Rachel's head back to look up at her. The gesture wasn't missed by anyone in the room. Kurt moved away from them to give them a little privacy.

"Rachel, don't be upset," Quinn told her.

"But, I didn't know."

"I didn't either."

"I won't do it if you don't want me to," Rachel told her.

"I can't think of anyone else that I would want to play Hunter. You'll give a softer side then I could with me words. Stay. Please," Quinn replied.

Rachel just nodded.