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 30
Wednesday started off normal. Breakfast with her girls and now her mom. Cheerios practice that went well with great progress. The school day started off normal as well. The Cheerios were still shadowing her and the student population was giving her a wide berth. Everything was good until lunch when they sat down at the Gleeks table and Mercedes decided today was the day to cause problems.
"Ok, I have to ask, how did you do it?" She asked in a snarky voice to Rachel.
Rachel just looked confused. "I don't understand Mercedes. Do what exactly?"
Mercedes scoffed. "Get the Cheerios, Coach Sylvester, and these two," she said motioning to Quinn and San "to do your bidding?"
Rachel just looked shocked. "I didn't do anything but be myself and train the Cheerios like coach asked me to."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Oh please. You had to have done something. You don't go from the bottom of the heap to the extreme top without doing something drastic." She leaned forward "Tell me. Did you give favors to these two and the rest just fell in line."
Gasps were heard around the table and all the Cheerios at the table were on their feet ready to pound the girl. Rachel stood and gave a look to all five of her girls, "Sit." She said in such controlled rage that they immediately sat and feared for Mercedes life. "I want to know what I have done to you, other than try to be your friend, that has caused you to have such horrible ideas running through your head about me? I got a solo you wanted? I was given captain of a club no one wanted to be captain of, including you?" She paused and looked around to the other Gleeks. "Does everyone think so little of me that you think I would have to resort to such things to get what I have worked for?"
Every head at the table shook except Mercedes. All of them knowing something she didn't and fuming at the implication of what she had said. "I just have to wonder how you did it?" she said with a shrug.
Rachel leaned in with her hands on the table. "All I have done, is put all of my training and accomplishment on the table and been recognized for them. Coach saw what I could do with gymnastics and dance. She found out I had training credentials and wanted me to train her squad." She was trembling with rage.
Mercedes leaned back. "If you are so good, why not be on the actual squad? Or was that not good enough for you?"
San and Quinn stood sensing the impending melt down or raging blow up that was about to happen. Rachel's voice was deadly calm. "I was originally asked to do both, but I declined, for reasons you don't get to know about." Rachel straightened crossing her arms over her chest, "Actually nothing that involves Cheerios is any of your concern, and as far as Glee is concerned, it's not your decision."
Mercedes scoffed, "And what, it's yours?"
Rachel laughed hollowly. "Yes, it is now. That power of decision was given to me by our new coach, but still ultimately the choices are hers. I just carry them out. That's what a good captain is allowed to do." She paused putting her hands in her pocket. "To take direction from the coach and carry out a winning routine. Whether it Cheerios or Glee that is my job."
Mercedes stood, causing the Cheerios all around the room that had been witnessing the exchange to stand and slowly move closer. "So now what? You think your all high and mighty because you are captain of both?" she yelled.
Rachel shook her head. "I am not captain of the Cheerios" She pointed to her two girls. "They are. I am the Manager and trainer. I am not high and mighty as you put it. I am simply doing a job that was asked of me. In both clubs. If you remember I did quit before break. I was asked to come back."
Mercedes voice held venom. "Well maybe you shouldn't have. We don't need you."
Rachel actually genuinely laughed at this. "Ok. If that's the case, let's take a vote. A Cheerio free vote." She looked to the group. "You all will vote, and if the majority chooses, I will willingly leave the team and tell coach it was my choice and that I just wanted to concentrate on Cheerios."
Mercedes just smirked. "Sounds good to me."
Rachel smirked back at her. "All in favor of my leaving the club, raise your hand." She looked around and the only hand raised was Mercedes. "All in favor of my staying and continuing to be captain, raise your hand." This time every hand came up except for Mercedes. "Well, I guess it's decided." She paused, the look she was giving held so much heat Mercedes physically stepped back half a step. Rachel sat back down followed by the rest. "Now, SIT down or leave. I'm going to finish my lunch. This redundant conversation is over."
Mercedes looked like she had been slapped. She lunged forward her hands gripping the table across from Rachel. "Bitch, you did not just dismiss me like I was one of your red and black pee-ons."
San and Quinn were back on their feet but Kurt beat them to speaking standing himself. "SHUT UP MERCEDES." he screamed at her causing her to jump back and the group to smirk. "You need to get over whatever petty jealousy thing you have going on against Rachel and LET IT GO. No one agrees with you here. In fact I agree with coach that our best shot at regionals is with Rachel sailing the ship. Like coach said, if you don't like it leave. We need her, we don't necessarily need you." He was fuming.
Mike stood up next. "and for you to accuse her of something so horrible and out of character is so not ok. Rachel's a good girl. She would never stoop so low as to do the things you were implying. Get over yourself." He sat down and Matt patted him on the back trying to calm him.
San smirked leaning on the table. "As you can see, no one here is going to side with you. Get on board or get off the tracks, because in a choice between you and her, she wins every time."
Mercedes huffed and just didn't know when to quit. She was livid that the others hadn't sided with her like they had in the past and it clouded her judgement in her next statement. "That's because she's your little toy. Did you have to force her to be your toy to help Cheerios?"
Santana was over the table before anyone could blink or stop her forward motion and she had Mercedes on the floor with her arm pressed to her throat bearing down. Rachel in the background yelling at Sam and Britt to grab her. "Don't you ever say something like that to me again. I will endz you." She had tears running down her face as she yelled. The Gleeks all understanding where this was coming from, but Mercedes was clueless.
Sam and Britt had gotten a hold of her and Rachel and Quinn were now in front of her. Quinn rubbing her arm and back. Rachel cradling her face. "Shh angel. Calm down." She cooed to her. Rubbing circles with her thumbs trying desperately to calm the girls rage and heartache she still saw in her eyes. "It's ok. No one actually thinks you would do such a thing."
She turned to Quinn a question in her eyes. Quinn nodded laying her forehead against San's shoulder. The tension in her body still very evident. They knew of only one sure fire way to calm her, but it meant outing them and they just didn't give a damn right now. They needed to calm her before she killed the other girl.
Rachel cupped her check. "Santana" she whispered to her, San looked into her eyes and saw her intent. "We love you." She leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips, Quinn kissing her temple. Santana sighs and deflates, the tension leaving her body.
Rachel gave her another small peck. "Don't listen to her. She doesn't know you. She doesn't know us." She said nodding to Quinn than back to her. "We know what we are, and that's all that matters." San nods and buries her head in Rachel's neck pulling both girls to her.
You could hear a pin drop in the lunch room as they all watched the three most powerful girls in school cuddle each other. Out of the corner of her eye Rachel saw two Cheerios making their way with Slushies in hand toward Mercedes. She shot out a hand. "NO. I think San adequately handled her. No slushies." She said to them and they nodded and backed off. She turned San's face toward her. "You ok now angel?"
San nodded, "Yes but can we go. I don't want to be in the same room as her right now."
Rachel nodded kissed her lightly and released her hold. She and Quinn gathered their stuff and headed out. Britt, Samantha, Marsha and Puck in tow.
After they left Kurt turned to Mercedes who had finally picked herself up off the floor. "If you cannot make peace with this don't bother coming to Glee at all." Mercedes was about to defend herself but he stopped her with a raised hand. "No. I don't care. If you pull anything like that again I will go to coach myself and have you removed from the club." With that he and the rest of the Gleeks headed out to look for the others, leaving a defeated and dumbfounded Mercedes in their wake.
She was about to leave when Stacy and the rest Cheerios stepped in front of her. "If you ever disrespect her or them again, I don't care how many suicides I have to run or what punishment I receive. I will rain hell fire and misery on you for as long as I can get away with it." She moved into her personal space right in her face. "Don't try my patience, you will lose. Leave her alone or else." With that they exited the room.
Mercedes looked around at the disapproving looks of the rest of the students and exited the room quickly.
The rest of the Gleeks found the others in the auditorium. Santana was sitting in one of the seats with Rachel in her lap and Quinn draped around them. Rachel rubbing San's stomach to calm her and Quinn rubbing Rachel's back. The other Cheerios and Puck just talking quietly beside them.
They stopped in front of the girls and Kurt addressed them. "Are you guys ok?"
Rachel looked up and sighed. "Yes, we just needed a moment to calm down and regroup."
Kurt nodded. "I told her to not bother to come to glee if she was going to continue to try that crap any more. I will go to coach myself if she does. We don't need this. YOU don't need this. We have too much work to do to prepare for Regionals to deal with her jealousy anymore."
The others nodded, Matt stepped forward. "Besides, we like you a whole lot more than we do her right now. You have our best interest at heart. She has her own. You just want what's best for us. We are behind you 150%."
Rachel smiled, a tear in her eye. "Thank you."
Tina moved forward. "So? You guys are a couple… or I guess a threesome or something?"
They looked at the group and saw nothing but curiosity from them. Quinn sighed and answered for them. "Yes we are. It's not just for fun or anything. We genuinely love each other equally." She looked between all of them. "This isn't going to be a problem is it?"
Tina held up a hand "Not from me. I'm happy for you all." The rest of the group nodded most of them except for Tina, Kurt and Artie already knew they were together.
Kurt chuckled. "I'm not all together surprised by this." They looked at him shocked. "You guys have been getting pretty close and buddy, buddy for the last little while. I actually expected at least two of you to get together, but the three of you? Oddly enough, you seem to work, and I'm ok with that."
Rachel just nodded and snuggled back into her girls. They all sat quietly until the bell rang than they all got up and headed to class hoping afternoon Glee rehearsal would be calmer then lunch. The rest of the day was uneventful and after the last bell rang the girls met up with Sam, Britt and Marsha, changed into workout clothes and headed to the auditorium.
Once there the noticed all the other Gleeks except Puck. Mercedes was there but sitting of to the side alone. San tensed when she saw her and Rachel grabbed her hand. "Hey, calm down angel. If she's here it's ok. Kurt warned her what would happen." She whispered in her ear then nuzzled her neck and kissed her lightly.
Feeling the tension release from her Rachel straighten up and was about to address the group when Puck entered with 3 boys in tow. He walked over to her. "Rachel, these are the boys from the team I was telling you about. This is Mark, left tackle, and the twins Josh, kicker and Jake, receiver. They want to try out for glee." Mark was a tall, thin but muscular black boy, and the twins were a little shorter but just as muscular Latino boys.
She shook their hands. "Ok boys, it's nice to meet you. So, are you trying out together or do you have separate audition pieces?"
Mark was the one who answered. "Puck helped us come up with a group piece if that's ok, but we are waiting on the last of our group."
Rachel looked to Puck confused. "There are more?"
Puck just smiled. "I had two more people come up to me yesterday after school and we change the song and fit them in. It's one more girl and one more boy." As he finished speaking he motioned toward the doors that just opened with Stacy and David Karofsky walking in.
Stacy just chuckled at the stunned look on Rachel's face. "I hope you don't mind. Dave and I were walking by and heard Puck talking to these guys about their number to join glee and decided it sounded like a good idea. The new song was actually my idea."
Rachel just smiled and shook her head. "I don't mind at all." She turned to Puck. "Ok Noah get them set up and the rest of us will find a seat." Puck smiled and ushered the group to the stage.
Kurt leaned forward in his seat as Rachel and the girls sat down, whispering in her ear. "Are you sure this is a good idea. That's a lot of Cheerios and jocks in here?"
Rachel leaned back to whisper back. "Let's just see if they can sing. It will give us a total of eighteen if they can. The bigger the group the better, the dances will be more dramatic. Let's at least give them a chance." Kurt nodded and sat back.
Coach and Shelby walked in at that moment and went over to sit in front of Rachel. Coach leaned over the seat. "What's all this Cap?"
Rachel smiled at the women. "Auditions for five potential new group members."
Coach glanced briefly at the stage then back at Rachel. "Are they doing this together?" Rachel nodded and they gave their attention to the stage as the music started.
Mark, the Twins or David {as indicated}/Stacy/All
{Mark} Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
Now it's too late to hold you
'Cause you've flown away
So far away
Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together (together)
One sweet day (and I'll wait patiently to see you in heaven)
{The Twins} Darling I never showed you (I never showed you)
Assumed you'd always be there (always and always will be there) (thought you'd always be there)
I, I took your presence for granted (presence for granted)
But I always cared (but I always cared)
And I miss the love we shared
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way (lost along the way)
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day (and now that I know this I'll wait patiently to see you in heaven)
{David} Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven (and I know you shining down on me, I'll see you eventually yeah yeah)
Like so many friends we've lost along the way (with a light looking down from heaven)
And I know eventually we'll be together (I know I know yeah yeah yes we will)
One sweet day (one sweet day ohhh)
{Stacy and David} Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
As they finished the Gleeks in the auditorium erupted in applauds and were on their feet. Rachel was a sobbing mess thinking of her daddy but was on her feet applauding right along with the others.
Once she was composed and the group had calmed she walked on stage with San and Quinn in tow. "That was outstanding guys. Welcome to Glee." She hugged Stacy and whispered in her ear. "Thank you. That meant more to me then you will ever know." She then turned to the group. "Ok guys that gives us eighteen. I was planning for sixteen but adding two more will not be a problem." She smiled and clapped once. "Ok everyone on stage. Let's get this started."
Shelby and Coach watched from their seats as Rachel took charge, smiling their approval and pride in the tiny diva.
The Gleeks stormed the stage and Rachel, San, and Quinn started handing out sheet music and dance sheets. When Rachel came to Mercedes she spoke for the first time that practice. "I'm sorry about this afternoon at lunch Rachel." She said begrudgingly hoping to calm the rest of the Gleeks toward her.
Rachel just gave her a sad smile. "I accept your apology Mercedes, and I hope one day you mean it, and it's Santana you really need to also apologize to for accusing her of something so atrocious. But, not until you mean it." She said then turned away to finish handing out papers. Mercedes just looked dumbfounded.
Kurt came up behind her and whispered in her ear. "She's not the enemy Cedes. Give her a chance and let's see where this goes." Mercedes just nodded and he walked away to talk to some of the others starting to go over the papers they had been handed.
The rest of practice went ok. Getting the music down would not be a problem. The dancing would need some serious work. She decided to add Marsha and Josh, and Stacy and Jake into the group special dancers, giving them a total of four special dance couples. After two hours of work Rachel called practice.
She called everyone to sit in the seats by Coach. Once they were seated, with Coach now standing beside her and her co-captains she began. "Ok. That was a good practice. I want to concentrate on the group number during glee rehearsals, Santana and I will work on our own time for the duet, and I want to have Saturday practice with the dancers for the solo number. That's Santana and Noah, Quinn and Matt, Brittany and Mike. I am also going to add in Stacy and David, and Marsha and Mark."
Mercedes raised her hand. Rachel apprehensively motioned for her to speak. "I mean no disrespect, I just have a question?"
Rachel nodded. "Go ahead Mercedes."
Mercedes lean back in her seat. "Why is it that you are having separate practice with just some of the club?"
Rachel gave a small smile. "The Saturday practice will be to concentrate on the dance number for the solo that only those named are going to be doing. Anyone is welcome to come and watch but I didn't think it right to make all of you show up to just watch us if you didn't want to, as you don't all have participation in that number."
Mercedes just nodded. "Ok, I was just wondering."
Rachel smiled and continued. "For anyone else who wants extra help with their parts in any number? I will be available for an hour after glee practice during the week as well as on Saturday." She looked to Coach to see if she had anything to add. Coach just waved her on. "Ok that's it for today. I'm sure I will see you all tomorrow at some point. Have a good night." She dismissed them and turned to sit with San, Quinn, Shelby and Coach.
She waited for the Gleeks to all say their goodbyes and turned to the others. "I think that was a good start. With plenty of practice I think we will pull this off."
Coach nodded. "I agree, and I agree with splitting them up for Saturday practice. But don't run yourself too ragged trying to do too much with the extra hour you offered them."
Rachel shook her head. "I won't. I have quit my outside activities and classes to concentrate of Cheerios and Glee."
San gasped. "Querida, don't give up on your own stuff for this."
Rachel shook her head again. "I'm not. All of this has become quite the challenge for me. I am enjoying it all immensely. I may start up classes and such later but for now I am content with this decision." She squeezed her hand. "I promise angel." San nodded sitting back in her seat.
Shelby leaned forward and grabbed Rachel's hand. "I have to say Rach, I am very impressed with you. You took a group that almost half of them had never worked together and made it look like they had always been together. The way you took command and got them in sync seemed effortless." She smiled at her daughter pride in her eyes. "You're a natural leader baby."
Rachel beamed and Coach clapped her on the back. "I know, that's why she's in charge."
They talked for a few minute more and all headed off for home, eating dinner, doing homework, and winding down and headed to bed.
The rest of the week went well. The Cheerios kept improving by leaps and bounds. Glee rehearsal on Friday went well. They spent the first hour on vocals and the second on the routine. The extra hour Rachel had set aside was filled with the special dancers for the group routine. Brittany and Mike, Samantha and Matt, Marsha and Josh, and Stacy and Jake. There would be some special flips and partner dancing for those eight woven into the number. Santana had helped Rachel in demonstrating the special dances.
After heading off for home with a very exhausted set of girlfriends, they decided on take out. They got home and Shelby was waiting for them.
She smiled at the tired group. "Hey girls how was rehearsal? Sorry I couldn't make it today I had another conference call."
Rachel smiled at her. "Practice went well mom, and you don't have to show up to every rehearsal. Not that I don't want you there, you just don't have to feel obligated to." The other girls nodded their agreement collapsing into the chairs at the kitchen table to eat.
Shelby took Rachel's hand. "I don't feel obligated baby. I love watching you girls' perform." She smiled at them and started to help take the food out and get plates and drinks for everyone. "I did need to talk to you all for a moment though."
They sat up a little straighter and gave her their attention. She smiled at this. "I need to leave tomorrow and head to Columbus for a few days. I will be back by Tuesday. I have some personal business to see to and a play to turn in. I finished the final revisions and will be handing it off Monday to my bosses who are meeting me there since I refused to go back to New York just yet."
Rachel looked a little sad for a moment. "Well, we will miss you but you will be back on Tuesday, right? I mean if you have other obligations there and need to stay longer I will understand." She said in a small voice causing Quinn and Santana to move toward her slightly and grab her hands.
Shelby sighed. "Rachel sweetheart. The only obligation I have there is to turn in my work. Otherwise I will be coming home as soon as that is done."
Rachel smiled brightly that she called this home, nodded, let go of the girls' hands and started eating. It was still hard for her to wrap her head around having people in her life that wanted to be there, but she was trying. Sometimes she still woke in the night and thought it was all a dream until she felt their arms around her. She still had nightmares but rarely woke the girls because she was able to calm herself most of the time. Slowly she felt like she was healing. It was still so hard, but she gave it a conscious effort every day to feel better about and get over all that had happened.
They ate dinner with conversation running from glee to Cheerios to Shelby's play and everything in between. After dinner the girls claimed exhaustion and headed up to shower and go to bed early. They wanted to get up and eat breakfast with Shelby before she headed off to Columbus and they had Glee rehearsal right after that.
They settled into bed with a sigh. Rachel snuggled into her angel with her bear wrapped around her back. She sighed again and let her fear leak out. "You think she's really coming back?" She asked in a small voice.
The girls just tightened their hold, Santana kissing her forehead. "Yes querida. I think she's really coming back. She loves you, hell I think she actually loves all three of us."
Quinn kissed the back of her head. "She right sweetie. She loves you and us, and she will be back. I'm sure of it."
Rachel turned to Quinn and lightly kissed her, then turned back around to do the same to San. She burrowed back in feeling safe and loved. "Ok, thank you. I just needed to hear it from you guys I think."
They burrowed in and fell asleep quickly wrapped in each other, content that they were loved.
A/N: Next more glee and fluffy stuff with Rachel and her girls. School and Shelby's return.
The new members audition piece: One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz 2 Men.