Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters. I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 12
Santana/Rachel/Quinn
Santana awoke trembling, slightly disoriented as to where she was. She lay there for a moment getting her bearings and registered the weight on her chest. Breath still raged she tightened her grip on Rachel, she was trying to calm herself when Rachel starts to stir.
The first thing Rachel realizes as she wakes is that the body she's laying on is shaking like a leaf. She raises her head to see if Santana is awake and is met with haunted eyes. "Hey," she whispers trying to sit up a little but not able to with the death grip San has on her, "what's wrong San. You're shaking." She cups her face and nuzzles her neck for a second.
Santana just holds on tight as silent tears start flowing down her face. "I… I'm ok… really… just a bad… dream. I'm… I'm ok." She whispers, she doesn't want to wake Quinn.
Rach wipes her tears and kisses her check. "It was just a dream San. It's not real. You're ok," she coos rocking slightly trying to calm her.
San takes a deep breath bringing her body back to normal. The shakes subside and the tears dry but she still looks haunted. "Part of it was a dream, part was memory. I just have to remember I got to you and you are still here." She says while shifting and burying her face in Rachel's neck breathing her in.
Rachel just holds on, running her hands through her hair. "I'm ok sweetie. You got me, took care of me, and protect me every day. I'm here." San nodded into her neck. Rachel is still in awe of the situation. At first she thought San just pitied her. Took care of her because of the fear and understanding only another woman could know, but as time goes by she thinks it may be something else. She just doesn't know what. San has calmed down and is just resting in Rachel arms now. "San?"
"hum…?" she mumbles into her neck.
Rach just pulls her closer. "Why did you stay with me? You didn't have to. You could have brought me home and left or just got a teacher that day. You didn't have to help me." San just looks up at her for a long moment not saying anything. Rachel rushes on, "it's not that I don't appreciate you being here, I do. I love having you around and here for me, I'm just a little confused as to why when you use to hate me you would do this for me now."
San takes a deep breath and looks into her eyes. "Rachel, we already talked about this. I. Have. Never. Hated. You. I was a scared little girl stuck inside my head and acted out."
"San, what does that even mean?" Rachel sighs.
"Rachel, I don't think you're ready for what that means. You have been through a lot this week and I just want to be here for you and be your friend. Then maybe we can talk about what that means later. Right now just know that I never hated you, not even a little, and that I want to be here with you through all of this and for a long time to come. Ok? I don't want all of what happened this week to influence that conversation."
Rachel just listens. She thinks she understands what she is talking about but it unsure and doesn't want to assume anything. She feels like she's working without a net, and she doesn't like that feeling. "What if I told you that it wouldn't be influenced by anything? That I think I know what you are not saying and that I want it?"
San sits and thinks for a second, "ok, how bout we do this? Let's give it a week or so for things to calm down a bit and then if you still want to discuss it we will, but you will have to bring it up. I don't want to influence that choice. Ok?"
Rachel just nods and pulls Santana back into her and rubs her back. As their breaths even out and they fall back to sleep. They don't notice Quinn open her eyes and watch them for a while. She had a woken when San had buried her head in Rachel's neck and had kept quiet cause she didn't want to overwhelm her but wanted to be there in case she was needed. She heard the whole quiet conversation and is now just processing it. She's not sure how she feels. San is her best friend and just wants her happy, but Rachel is… So with those thoughts roaming around her head she drifts back off to sleep.
When Quinn wake again she is not wrapped around Rachel's back she is in Santana's arm. At some point Rachel had removed herself from their grip and they moved into each other. She tries to remove herself but San has a death grip. She lays there for a moment listening and hears something in the closet. She shakes Santana to wake her. "San wake up. Rachel is gone." She knows it was mean to wake her that way but it was a sure fire way to get the Latina up quickly and she thinks Rachel needs them.
Santana bolts upright in bed, "What? Where is she?" she looks around the room franticly.
Quinn puts a hand on her arm, "Hey, Shh, I think she's in the closet getting things ready for the day."
San looks at the closet door and can hear the sound of hangers scraping, then gasps, "Oh shit Q. With everything going on after practice we totally forgot to take her to the mall for clothes!"
Quinn leaps of the bed heading for the hall door, "Shit! Let me go look in my stuff I brought. I think I brought another pair of jeans like the ones she wore yesterday only a different color and I know I brought 2 more hoodies." She says as she leaves the room.
San gets of the bed and heads into the closet to find Rachel rummaging around through her things. "Good morning hermosa." She tells her gently letting her know she has enter the closet with her.
Rachel looks over sharply, "oh Santana. We forgot to go to the mall. I don't know what to wear today." She says exasperatedly.
San walks over and puts her arms around her. "Its ok carińa, we just remembered too. Quinn has another pair of jeans and hoodie. She went to get them out of the guest room. We will definitely go to the mall after Glee today. I will even set a reminder on my phone so we don't forget. It will be ok Estrella. I promise."
Rachel visibly relaxes in San's arms, "thank you. I can't believe I forgot."
"Yesterday was a long day querida." San says as Quinn enters the closet too.
"Here we go. These are the same size and style as the others and the hoodie is the same size too." She says handing them to Rachel.
Rachel pulls out of her embrace with San and hugs Quinn. "Thank you," she then grabs San's hand, "both of you." With this she asked San to help change her bandage and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Quinn leaves to go to the guestroom to do the same. After Rachel gets her bandage changed and San helps her get the jeans rolled up San goes to get ready and Rach finishes up herself. She heads down stairs to the kitchen to find Quinn at the stove again. San comes down and they all have breakfast and leave once Britt and Puck arrive.
The get to the school and separate ways from Puck. Going into the locker room together they have a similar reaction to the day before. Everyone stops talking and it is silent in the room but no one says a word to them. They change quickly and go to the gym depositing Rachel behind coach again. Rachel sets herself up again with the folder and her notebook and gets ready to watch.
Coach looks over her shoulder, "Streisand?" she says with a look of concern on her face. "You doing better today?"
Rachel meets her eyes, "yes coach, thank you." Sue nods and turns back around.
Practice starts and they run through everything they did yesterday but broke it down in sections working on each set of tricks multiple time to get them down perfectly before adding in the major tricks and fliers. The night before she and Britt had discussed how and when to introduce the fliers and major tricks and had decided on perfecting the base part or the routine for the rest of the week and starting on the more difficult stunts the next week. This way they had a solid base to work with. Also by talking about it at home it would be less likely that coach would see her helping anymore. Practice went well and they headed to the locker rooms to change and back out to their main lockers. They split up like they did the day before then meet back at Santana's locker.
They are standing there talking when a group of four football players walk by and all the sudden Rachel is wedging herself behind and between San and Quinn holding on to their shirts for dear life. Santana and Quinn turn into her gathering her to them and Britt takes note off which four boys were in that group. Britt is sure that one of them is the one that hurt Rachel but keeps it to herself until she can talk to Quinn or Santana alone.
The girls finally calm her down and she feels bad for her reaction. "I'm so sorry. I have to stop reacting that way. I'm stronger than this. I'm so sorry."
Quinn takes her chin in her hand and makes her meet her eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry about. Stop apologizing for a normal reaction. Did you see him again?" she says gently and Rachel just nods.
San pulls her into a hug, "you are the strongest person I know querida. It's ok to be afraid. It's natural to feel that way. Your strength is that you face it every time you walk through the doors of this school."
Rachel just melts into her. "Ok." Taking a cleansing breath she steps out of the embrace. "Ok. Let's go to class." They all gather their things from the floor where they dropped them and head down the hall. Britt keeps trying to make eye contact with Quinn. She finally succeeds. When Quinn sees the look in Britt's eyes she turns to the other two, "hey I forgot a book I need in my locker. I will walk Britt back down to her class on my way to get it and see you in homeroom." San nods looking skeptically at the blondes but doesn't say anything. She and Rachel continue on to class. Once they round the corner she turns to Brittany, "What's up B?"
Brittany looks around for a sec than says quietly, "I think I might know who hurt Rachie."
Quinn grabbed her arm pulling Britt toward her and whispered in her ear. "Who? How do you know?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but it is one of four boys, Karofsky, Adams, Johnson, or Nelson. That's who walked by when Rachie got upset." Britt was bouncing up and down getting upset. "I don't like it Q. It scares me."
Quinn pulls her into a hug. "Hey it's ok, we will take care of her. Now let me walk you to class then I need to get to mine. I will tell San when I get a moment with her alone. We will keep those boys away from her and keep an eye out."
"Ok Q. We can't let her get hurt anymore. It's not fair. She's too sweet and good for anything to happen to her."
Quinn just hugged her one more time, "I know B. We will make sure she is safe. Now let's go." With that they went on to class. When Quinn joins the other girls in class San gives her a questioning look and Quinn just shakes her head slightly. San knows she will tell her later.
The rest of the day is uneventful. At the end of the day they head toward the choir room. They sat in the same seats as the last meeting. Finn was the last to enter scoffing at them looking angry but just sat in furthest seat away from them. The rest of the club wasn't sure exactly what was going on with the unholy trinity, Puck or Rachel. All they did know was that Rachel had genuine fear in her eyes when Finn was around.
They had all heard what had happened between them the other day but they were convinced something else was going on. They may not be the best of friends with the tiny diva but they took care of their own and could tell something was off with her. Mercedes and Kurt had talked at length for the last few days about Rachel and the connection with the unholy trinity. Puck made more sense now that they knew the family connections, but they could not figure out why the three Cheerios were suddenly all about protecting the diva.
They were afraid they were setting her up for something but they seemed so genuine and sincere that they just weren't sure. They decided to just keep watching them. This morning in the halls they saw when Rachel had a minor meltdown but were unsure what had caused it, but they did see the way the other girls enveloped her in their arms and calmed her down. They had discusses all this with the other Gleeks as well and everyone was perplexed. It was just a waiting and watching game for now and they would compare notes and try to figure it all out.
Finally Mr. Shue came in, "Ok guys. If anyone has any songs prepared that they want to sing they can do so now. After that we will split up into our duet groups to continue to prepare for our competition next week. So, any takers?" Everyone looked to Rachel, she always had a song when it was free for all. She just shook her head and buried her face in Santana's side pulling Quinn into her back, and reaching out for Brittany's hand. Everyone was floored by this reaction, even the unholy trinity. No one had ever seen her turn down a performance.
Once everyone semi-recovered their shock Finn raised his hand, "Mr. Shue, I have a song." Mr. Shue nodded and Finn stood up and went to the center of the floor.
He looked to Rachel who was still melted in to Santana holding on to Quinn and Brittany. He looked down then cued the band and began
Everybody needs a little time away
I heard her say
From each other
As started singing this song all four girls' heads snapped up and they didn't look amused.
Even lovers need a holiday
Far away from each other
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
As he starts the chorus everyone is looking uncomfortable except Finn. He is singing his heart out. They all know that this will not end well. They don't understand what he is trying to accomplish.
After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go
Couldn't stand to be kept away
Just for the day
From your body
When the words from your body comes out of his mouth Rachel stiffens and starts shaking. San pulls her in and tries to comfort her but she is ridged and seems inconsolable. She, Quinn and Britt are glaring holes into him while Rachel just looks blank.
Wouldn't want to be swept away
Far away from the one that I love
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now
I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go
After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go
After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you,
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go
You're gonna be the lucky one
At this a look of rage crosses Rachel's face. The girls know that one of two things is about to happen. Either she is going to have a complete melt down or they are going to have to keep her from killing the idiot.
Everybody needs a little time away
I heard her say
As he finishes he takes a step toward Rachel only to be stopped by Mr. Shue's hand on his shoulder. He saw Rachel's reaction as well.
Rachel stands up shaking with rage. "Finn, I want you to listen to me and listen to me good. Nod if you understand." He starts to speak but she puts up a hand and stops him. "Nod. If. You. Understand." She says with barely controlled rage. He nods seeing that this is not going to go his way. "We are not now nor have we ever been nor will we ever be an item. I have told you this since before Quinn dropped your sorry ass and I have told you on more than one occasion since. Two days ago you try to physically threaten me and bully your way into my life after repeatedly telling you no. No. Means No. Finn."
She stops, trying to control her breathing. She takes one of Santana's and Quinn's hands and can feel Puck put a hand on her good shoulder. She sees Brittany in front of her giving her an encouraging smile and it all calms her enough to continue. "I don't know what I ever did to give you the idea that I had a romantic interest in you but it was not intentional. All I ever wanted you for was your voice in this club. You were with Quinn and I would never try and take anybody else's partner. I am not nor will I be with a cheat. From this moment you will leave me alone. You will not talk to me or interact with me unless it is for Glee and you better have Mr. Shue with you when you do or I will go to principal Figgins and slap a sexual harassment suit on you so fast your mothers head will spin." She stops again. Looking to her friends. They are all just looking at her in awe. She takes a deep breath, "if you need any more incentive to leave me alone," she looks to the girls and Puck. They stand beside her, "I have four of them standing right here." Indicating the people surrounding her.
She goes to speak again but is cut off by Mike, "No Rach you have ten," he says as the rest of the Gleeks stand and glare at him.
Rachel looks around and gives a very small smile. She nods at them all to sit and addresses the fuming boy, "do you understand Finn? Have I made myself perfectly clear? Or do we need to go see Figgins now and put a call into your mother and see what she thinks of how you treat women?" she says it all with such controlled rage and clarity that he has no choice but to realize that she wasn't just playing hard to get.
By this point Finn is shaking with his own rage and humiliation. When he answers it is ground out and almost inaudible, "Yes, I understand. There is no need to tattle to my mother like we are five."
When this leaves his mouth Santana flies at him only to be caught by Brittany and Puck before she can kill him. Quinn is being held back my Rachel. Rachel only managing to stop the girl because she was crying and Quinn comforts her. Mr. Shue grabs the boy by his arm and drags him into his office forcing him in a chair. About that time coach Sue and Figgins enter the room quickly.
Everyone calms down immediately and sits back down. Figgins goes into the office to talk to Shue and the boy while Sue stays in the choir room. She looks at her cheerios and Rachel and motions them into the hall. "I was walking past when I heard what the boy wonder was singing. I stayed through it and through your little speech. I stood to the side of the door and watched that boy and he was about to blow so I called Figgins told him what was going on and had him meet me at the door. He arrived right as you threatened to sue Hudson. I don't think he was pleased to hear what was being said." She pauses taking in their shocked expressions smirking. "Figgins is usually worthless unless you slap him in the face with hard evidence. I also had my video phone out." She looks to Rachel and places a hand on her shoulder. "I told you if you needed anything I would help. You seemed to need it." She says as she squeezes Rachel's bad shoulder. Rachel collapses with a cry of pain. Sue and Santana are on the floor with her in a heartbeat.
"I'm ok." Rachel says between gasps, "I'm ok."
San immediately goes to check the wound. "Let me see hermosa. Please."
Rachel shakes her head, "No, San. Not in the hall. I can't." Santana nods understanding.
Coach Sue just looks deathly pale. "Streisand? What the hell are you ok? I didn't think I squeezed that hard. I'm sorry."
Rachel just shakes her head again, "No coach, you didn't do it. I have a cut on my shoulder. You had no way of knowing, and thank you for the help. Before I was just annoyed and nervous around him but he is really starting to scare me."
Coach and San help her to her feet coach just smirks again, "it was my pleasure. I hate overgrown man children that don't have two brain cells to rub together." Rachel just nods and coach ushers them back into the room. The rest of the Gleeks are just staring at them looking scared, but coach has that effect on people.
After a few minutes Mr. Shue comes back out. "Sue? Can you take them to the auditorium to practice and plan their duets assignment while Figgins and I deal with Finn?" she nods and looks to the kids and motions with her head for them to follow her. Before she makes it to the door he calls to her, "and Sue, Thank you for stopping by." She nods and they head out.
They all went to the auditorium but no one was really in the mood for planning and singing. After they all just sat there silently for fifteen minute Sue sent them all home except Rachel and her crew since they all rode together incase Figgins needed her. The five teens and coach walked back to the Choir room to wait.
Finn's mother was called and he was suspended from school for two weeks with mandatory anger management classes to start the next Monday. He was also banned from glee until after the anger management classes were complete and he was evaluated.
When the meeting was through, Figgins and Mrs. Hudson came out to talk to Rachel. Rachel had met Mrs. Hudson on several occasions in the volunteer work she had done at the hospital where she worked.
Mrs. Hudson walked up to Rachel and pulled her into a hug that Rachel gladly reciprocated. "I am so sorry for what my son has put you through." She explains all that had been decided as punishment for the boy, "and if he steps one foot out of line again he knows that I will send him to military school. His behavior is unacceptable."
Rachel shakes he head. She wanted him to get in trouble and back off but this seemed harsh. "No, that seems like way too much…"
Mrs. Hudson stops her, "no dear. It really isn't. He has to learn to control his anger and how to treat women. He is very large. I hate to think of what he could do to someone as tiny as you if he lost his temper. I won't have it. He will fall in line or face the consequences."
Rachel just nods sadly to her thinking of exactly what can happen when a boy is so much bigger then the girl and she can't protect herself. San sees in her eyes where her thoughts went and puts an arm around her waist.
Figgins tells them that they can leave and tells them he will call on them to if the need arises for more details later. With that the girls and Puck gather their things and head to the car. They drop Puck off at his car cause there is no way he wanted to be subjected to four girls and the mall. They then head out just talking about cheer practice and mundane things. Rachel has never had friends that will go shopping with her at the mall and can't wait.
A/N: Ok that was a really long chapter. Next time the mall trip and maybe some more fun stuff to try and lighten it up for a bit.