THE BEAUTY BEHIND THE LIES

If the face inside can't see the light

I know I'll have to walk alone

And if I walk alone to the other side

I know I might not make it home

Faceless Man

Creed

Rachel stood in shock as her eyes fell on Jimmy standing before her...in Theresa's doorway...in Chino.

"Hey kid," he said.

Rachel didn't know what to say, she couldn't believe that he was here, he had travelled all that way to see her. To bring her home.

"Hey..." she replied softly.

"How you doing?"

Rachel almost laughed. Couldn't he tell?

"Why?"

"Because I want to know how you're doing," he said.

"I've been better."

They stood there in silence for a moment each knowing the exact reason why Jimmy was there. Despite this, Rachel didn't think that she could handle having to explain herself again, having to delve deep into the emotions which were so close to over-running her body.

"You gave up on them..." Jimmy whispered.

Rachel looked to the ground, for some reason she felt as though she could talk to Jimmy about what she was going through, but despite this, she wasn't going to let him win without a fight.

"I gave up on myself, they had nothing to do with it," Rachel replied.

Jimmy smiled at made her meet his eyes. "What happened to second chances?" he asked quoting her own previous advice to him.

Rachel looked back at him strongly. "I've had my second chance Jimmy. I've passed my third and am on my fourth. Get it?"

Jimmy only shrugged. "Something I've learned about the people in New Port is that one minute you think you know someone and then suddenly you don't."

"I don't need this, not from you," Rachel stated before turning her back on Jimmy and walking into the house feeling that this conversation was going the same way that her last one with Ryan had.

"Why?" Jimmy asked following her. "Because when you look at me you see what you used to stand for? Someone who has taken the chance to redeem themselves."

"Because," Rachel began whirling back around to face him. "I see what I used to be. I used to think that everything would go away if I just had faith in the people around me. Well Jimmy, let me tell you that is a load of bullshit."

Jimmy stopped short at her strong words and Rachel instantly regretted yelling at him. He was only trying to help.

"You can still become this," Jimmy said watching her as she dropped onto the sofa.

"Why would I want to do that?"

"Because you know you can and you're afraid to go back because of all of the pain."

Rachel smirked. "I don't need to go back to feel pain."

"Then what do you have to lose?"

"More than I have to gain!" Rachel yelled. "Am I talking to a brick wall?"

Jimmy began to walk around the small lounge room taking in every detail. The photos in the frames, the colour pain on the walls. He continued to walk as he spoke.

"You know Ryan hasn't left the pool house since he came back. He just sits there watching the phone expecting you to call. Maybe not expecting – more hoping."

Rachel felt her chest tighten at the mention of her brother. She knew how he was feeling right now. All she wanted was to speak to him, to see him one more time. Rachel felt as though her security blanket had been ripped out from under her when he wasn't around. When she couldn't see him.

"Tell him to let it go," Rachel whispered forcing back the tears which threatened to escape her eyes.

"See," Jimmy said sitting down beside her. "That's where you're thinking wrong. None of us can just let it go – especially Ryan – because you're too special. We know you're better than this."

"What I am," Rachel said standing up. "Is the misguided, younger sister of two criminal brothers, daughter of a drunken mother, self mutilating girl from Chino who doesn't deserve half the stuff she had. Especially not an entire town trying to get me back."

"Why not?" Jimmy asked simply.

"Because I don't mean that much. People like you think it's smart to have dreams, but when you're from here, what makes you smart is knowing they don't come true."

Jimmy smiled at her. "Ryan used to say that."

"He's right."

"You say that, but you don't mean it. You know you had something amazing in New Port, a family, a boyfriend..."

Rachel looked at him.

"Okay, had a boyfriend. You had friends, were getting a good education..."

"It doesn't matter."

"You know what I think?"

"I know you're gonna tell me."

"I think you're just scared because for once in your life everything was going right. Your dreams were really coming true."

Rachel looked at him instantly knowing that what he was saying was right. She was scared. Caleb had made her scared. Because for once she had what she wanted. Everything. And he was the one thing, which threatened to take it all away. She couldn't go through that. Couldn't handle having another dream destroyed, so she ran. Ran back to a place where she knew that this would never happen. There were no dreams which could be taken, no wishes ungranted. But at the same time, knowing this, and knowing what she left behind...

"I'm taking you back," Jimmy said. "You don't belong here any more, you belong with people who love you."

"I..."

"Go do what you have to do, I'll be waiting."

Rachel smiled at him taking one last look at Jimmy before running out of the door to finish one last thing before she returned home.

Rachel walked straight into the house, not caring if she was un-invited. She saw him and instantly froze, watching as he sat on the couch, polishing his silver gun. The same one, which had fired that one, shot...

"Come back for more Babe?" Kurt asked not looking up at her.

Rachel felt sick in her stomach. She couldn't believe that she had once actually thought that this was the only man she would ever need, would ever be with.

"Your bro was 'round earlier, talking about staying away from you or some shit."

"I don't need anyone to fight my battles," Rachel stated coldly staying in her spot, standing strong. "I used to rely on my brothers – on you..." she let out a small laugh. "God I was such a dumb ass."

"Really?" Kurt asked intrigued.

He turned to her from his spot, eyes trailing to the injury, which he had previously caused her. Rachel saw no regret in his face and it chilled her to the bone.

"You're not what I want. You're not what I ever wanted," she said calmly as he stood from the couch and began to stalk toward her.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that you bitch!" Kurt screamed, reaching out and pushing her hard against a nearby wall.

The wind was knocked out of Rachel and she momentarily regretted going after him at all. What was she thinking? But then at the same time, she knew she had to end this. To tie up loose ends...

"I can talk to you however the hell I want ass hole," she hissed.

Kurt pressed his face close to hers and placed a single hand on the wall next to her face in a fashion, which let her know not to move or else.

"You forget what I gave you," he said.

"What, protection from things that I didn't need protecting from?" Rachel replied sarcastically.

"And your first ride Babe," he smirked letting his eyes trail down her figure and slowly, bringing them back to her face he moved a little closer. "You forget that."

Rachel pressed herself deeper into the wall trying to get as far away from him as possible.

"I haven't forgotten, I just don't care. I know that I can have so much more."

She pushed off the wall and moved away from him but Kurt wasn't ready to let her go. Taking a tight hold on her arm he tore her back toward him, using her momentum to pull her body against his. He looked deeply in her eyes and Rachel could see the slyness in his own.

She knew that she had to get out of there or things were going to get ugly.

"You aren't going back there," Kurt whispered tightening his hold on her.

He brought his lips down to hers and let them graze the softness of her neck. Rachel tried to fight against him, but her strength couldn't match his and she knew it.

Taking in a deep breath she brought up both of her hands and pushed with a strength she didn't know she had. Kurt flew backward and away from her.

Rachel spun and went to run from the house when he was on her again, this time placing his hand on the back of her neck he threw her into the bookshelf by the door.

Rachel's head struck the corner of the wood and her vision went black momentarily before she regained knowledge of her surroundings. Blood flowed strong and fast from the deep gash which had been created.

Spinning around she came face to face with Kurt and only realised what was happening once it was too late. He brought up a fist and connected it with her cheek with a powerful force.

Rachel stumbled slightly but regained her composure quickly.

"Normally Ry' would have killed you by now," she stated spitting blood.

"Really?" Kurt asked sarcastically.

"But he's not here. I sent him back."

"All by yourself then." Kurt stated moving closer to her.

Rachel stood a little straighter and looked Kurt directly in the eyes, he was only inches from her now. "It's just me."

"Alone. Powerless."

Rachel only smiled. "That's where you're wrong."

"How do you figure?" Kurt asked tilting his head interested.

Rachel held his gaze for a short moment. "All I need is me..."

She threw a punch at him, lightening fast and powerful knocking him clear off his feet and sending Kurt crashing to the ground.

"...To take you down," she finished before stepping over his squirming body and out the door.

Jimmy was standing there waiting, a look of approval on his face. Rachel knew that he would have been there the entire time, only going to step in if he felt it absolutely necessary. He smiled at her warmly and Rachel nodded.

The door opened. It seemed to move so slowly, almost too slowly to be real. When it finally revealed the person who stood behind it Rachel's heart did a small jump.

Ryan stood there, eyes wide in shock, un-focused for a moment.

Rachel raised her eyes to her brothers and he was instantly drawn to the new injuries, which were evident on her face. Her left cheek was developing a light bruise just below her eyes and cuts were seen on various other spots on her face.

They both remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, just staring at each other, not moving, barely breathing. It was then that Rachel saw the small glint in her brother's eyes, one of complete tranquillity.

She threw herself into his welcoming arms, feeling unspeakable happiness in knowing that she was finally back with him, in his protective care. In his warm embrace.

Ryan placed his chin on the top of his sister's head and pulled her close, not knowing what to think, what to say. He was so relieved to have her back, safe. To know that she was with him.

His eyes fell upon Jimmy who was standing beside his car on the opposite side of the street, watching them with the engine still running. Jimmy gave a small smile before climbing back into the car and driving off.

Ryan focused his attention again on the girl in his arms, the one he loved the most. A weight was now lifted from his shoulders. There would be no more sleepless nights of not knowing if she was safe, sheltered. No more secrets, no more questions. He didn't care about any of it, just that she was back home.

He closed his eyes and hugged her tighter.

They heard footsteps coming toward the door and both looked up when Sandy appeared, an annoyed look on his face.

"Ryan can you please shut the door, it's letting in a dra..."

Sandy couldn't finish his sentence, because it was then that his eyes fell on Rachel, standing behind Ryan. Her eyes were downcast, and Sandy knew that she was unable to look at him out of pure regret and sorrow for what she had caused to happen to his son.

"Rachel..." Sandy whispered only then seeing the injuries, which were evident on her face. Cuts, bruises.

The young girl raised her gaze slightly and he saw the pain in her eyes, the complete hatred toward herself. And also the fear.

Rachel didn't know how Sandy was going to react. She had even been scared as to how Ryan would take her sudden return. She had put them through so much, it was impossible to tell if they would forgive her. Part of her almost didn't want them too, she didn't deserve that.

Sandy stared at her for another moment his heart sinking at the sight of what had been done to her before a small smile cracked along his lips.

"You must be hungry after the trip. Lunch?" He asked.

Rachel stood in shock for a second, not expecting the question. She blinked a couple of times before seeing the mischievous look in Sandy's eyes.

It was then that he started laughing, making her jump in shock. What was happening? How could he be laughing? She had almost had his son killed and he wasn't telling her to get out of his house?

Sandy moved a step closer and looked into Rachel's eyes seeing the sheer apology in them.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Sandy shook his head slowly before pulling her into a tight embrace. "All that matters is that you're safe."

Ryan stood by and watched as the two shared a forgiving hug. He couldn't wipe the feeling of relief away from his face. He moved his hand and placed it gently on his sister's shoulder causing her to turn back to him.

"We'll get you cleaned up," he said and Rachel nodded hesitantly as he lead her into the house and toward the bathroom.

"What happened?" He asked whilst rummaging through the various first-aid items as Rachel watched from her sitting position atop the bench.

She didn't say anything, she didn't know what to say. All of this had happened because she was selfish enough to leave the protective family, which she had behind for her own personal gain. This wouldn't have happened if she stayed in New Port.

Ryan looked at her when she didn't answer his eyes searching hers for a moment. "Rach, you can tell me anything."

Rachel looked back at him seeing the pure love in her brother's eyes. "It..." she began shakily. "Kurt did it...when I...I went back to see him."

Ryan smiled calmly at her and nodded his head. He had known what her answer was going to be, he just needed her to be able to tell him, so that he knew that she was truly ready to open up. That she hadn't lost her trust in him.

Rachel flinched as Ryan lightly pressed a damp cloth to the cut above her brow and he pulled away slightly, now being gentler than he was before.

"Why'd you come back?" Ryan asked after a moment.

Rachel didn't need to answer him, part of Ryan didn't even want her too. All that mattered was that she was back, safe.

"I can't believe Sandy wasn't mad," Rachel whispered.

Ryan frowned at the comment and stopped his movement for a second. "Why would he be mad?" He asked.

Rachel looked at him with a steady gaze. "Because...of what I did."

Ryan only smiled and moved a piece of Rachel's now short hair away from the area he was cleaning. "Sandy loves you Rach, he could never be mad at you."

Once Ryan had nursed all of Rachel's wounds he placed the cloth down on the bench beside her and looked at his sister strongly.

"It's good to have you home," he said giving her a light kiss on the forehead before moving away and out of the door.

Rachel stayed where she was watching the spot where Ryan had just been and not believing what she had just heard. He was happy to have her back. Sandy wasn't upset because of what she'd put his family through. This couldn't be real. Why was everything suddenly fine?

Footsteps sounded from outside the bathroom door and Rachel looked up to see the last person she expected to be standing there staring at her with hurt eyes.

Seth.

Everything wasn't fine...

TO BE CONTINUED.........

(Mwahaha. Well Rachel's back, so you don't have to keep begging me to get her out of Chino any more. Sorry this chapter took a little longer to post, I've bee hugely busy lately and haven't really had much time for writing. In the next chapter issues with the Cohen's and Rachel are raised, and finally things are addressed between Rachel, Luke and Anna. Will post ASAP. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!!)