A/N: Thanks for readin' y'all! I write for fun, but knowin' that so many people read my stories still is the reason I'm tryin' to fix/update/post my stories so again; Thank y'all!
Disclaimer: Glee will never be mine. Only the crazy made up plots...
As we fly down the street that leads to my house in my neighborhood I release a relieved breath when I see that it looks to currently be completely free from walkers. I then glance over at Cohan to see him asleep peacefully against the window before looking into my rearview and seeing the twins also passed out using each other as pillows. I speed into my front yard, whipping the SUV around and backing my way up towards the house and the front door area. I stop with just enough room to be able to open the trunk before shutting off the engine and getting out to instruct the others to park the same way I did while making sure that our surroundings are still clear. As soon as I have everyone lined up like I want them I begin to type in the code that controls my metal shutters for my door and my door only. The shutters aren't even fully open before Brittany's yanking open the front door with a megawatt smile on her face and a baseball bat in her left hand casually hanging at her side.
"Want some help?" She questions me brightly, and at my nod she begins helping Noah and I usher everyone into the safety of the house.
Once I know that everyone's safely inside I walk over to the bed of Noah's truck and begin to unload the mountains of duffel-bags that are piled inside. I steadily begin piling them by the front door while taking out a few random walkers here and there, and by the time I have the bed clear and am going to start hauling them all inside I notice that it's already been done for me except for two duffels. I grin slightly in relief that I don't have to carry them all inside still before slowly making my way inside the house, by-passing the living room to head straight into the kitchen. Once there I let the two bags fall from my shoulder with a muffled thud before making my way over to my fridge and grabbing out a chocolate and a strawberry milk. I then drag myself slowly over to my table and plop heavily into one of the chairs to wait patiently while opening and taking a drink of my milk.
Just as I predicted, not even two minutes later Sarah comes wandering into my kitchen searching for me and as soon as she spots me she immediately makes her way over to me to climb into my lap. I smile fondly while placing a kiss on the top of her little head before opening her strawberry milk for her and laughing lightly at her little happy squeal that I receive in reply. She then snuggles back into my arms and we drink our milks silently in contentment.
Around ten or so minutes later, after things finally calm down slightly from the exciting reunions, Noah swaggers into the kitchen and sits across the table from Sarah and I. He just stares off into space for a few minutes while occasionally glancing at me holding his sister before he finally clears his throat and shoots me a small grin. "We need to know where to put everybody," he tells me quietly. Instead of verbally responding to him I just give him a nod, stand from the table while adjusting Sarah onto my hip, and walk into the living-room to finally address the large crowd that I've been avoiding.
"Ok guys," I say loudly to gather everyone's attentions. Once they all quiet down and are looking at me to continue I begin doling out the room assignments. "Noah and Britt you already have your rooms, as do Jake and Kelly. I have two guest rooms upstairs, Quinn and Judy can share one while Dr. Lopez and Alejandro share the other. Coach Sylvester and Miss Pilsbury can share my father's room while Stevie, Cohan, and Marshal can bunk with Jakob. Stacie and Michelle can share with Kelly, while Tina and Mike can take the office down here next to the restroom. There's a pullout bed in the couch in there and Artie and Mercedes can take the pullout couches down here. There are also some spare beds up in the attic and that's where Kurt, Finn, Will, and Sam will sleep." As soon as I'm through telling everyone where they're sleeping Will looks like he's going to protest not being with Emma, so I just ignore him and I walk over to one of the many couches spread around the monstrous living-room to plop down with a groan while Sarah giggles from my hip. I see Will stomping off with a nervous Emma by his side as everyone disperses after my unofficial dismissal to go and check the house out and get comfortable, and I can breathe easier once the amount of people crowded around me thins significantly.
"Do you mind if I cook dinner?" Judy questions me quietly around ten minutes later. She sees me trying to put the fussy three year old to sleep and I give her a grateful smile and a quick nod.
"Not at all Judy, but please don't feel obligated," I tell her softly while slowly rocking Sarah back and forth. She's fighting her sleep so hard right now.
"Oh no, sweetheart. It's literally the least I can do after all that you've done for us today. Plus we all need to eat, and what better way to bring some normalcy back into this abnormal situation?" She dismisses with a nervous chuckle and a wave of her hand, shooting me a light grin. I can see where Quinn gets her good looks from.
"Well...when you put it that way. Thank you, Judy," I say with another grateful grin. There's no denying that I'm starving.
"No need for thanks, hun," she tosses over her shoulder as she makes her way into the kitchen to get started on the massive amount of food that she's offering to cook.
"I think I'm going to go and help her," I hear Dr. Lopez say from somewhere behind me just as Quinn walks into my view, beaming directly down at me while holding a passed out Beth in her arms.
"Hey," she whispers to me as she sits carefully down beside me.
"Hey back," I say just as quietly and we smile at each other stupidly for a good minute before she suddenly turns serious.
"Thank you," she tells me firmly while staring me dead in the eyes. Because of this I can see the unshed tears beginning to swim in her magnificent hazel eyes and my heart clenches painfully. I've always hated when she cries, even if she does do it with a beauty and grace that's unmatched by any other.
"There's really nothing to thank me for Quinn," I tell her back just as serious but she shakes her head firmly at my words.
"There is though!" She exclaims fervently with an intense look in her eye that I can't quite place. "You not only brought my mom back to me but-but you brought me Beth," she breathes out almost as if in awe as she stares down at the sleeping baby in her arms with a look of pure shock. "Not to mention so many other's loved ones. So yes, Rachel. There most definitely is a reason to thank you," she tells me as she finally looks up to catch my eyes again.
"It's nothing, Quinn. Seriously. It needed to be done," I tell her with a chuckle and a small head shake. If she only knew about my past, about my fathers and how we've grown up. She stares at me with that same intense look in her eyes, looking like she wants to protest my humility some more, but instead just shakes her head with an exasperated smile and look aimed towards me. I just stick my tongue out at her playfully and this causes her to chuckle softly as we fall into a comfortable silence just holding the babies as they sleep. We stay this way for God only knows how long as amazing smells begin wafting over from the kitchen and Britt walks over to us to ask if I wanted her to put Sarah to sleep in her room.
"Thanks B," I tell her gratefully as I stand up and stretch my stiff muscles out with a loud groan of pleasure after she gently takes the sleeping toddler away from me. I hear a sharp intake of breath come from Quinn but think nothing of it as I keep addressing my other second in command. "After you're done with that can you find Noah and the two of you meet me downstairs please?" I ask her solemnly.
"Sure thing Rae-Rae. We'll be down there in minute," she tells me brightly before bouncing off towards the staircase that leads strictly upstairs.
"I'll be back in a little bit," I tell Quinn with a grin and have to tell myself that I'm imagining things when she looks almost disappointed by my leaving.
After I make my way down into my basement I immediately walk over to the room that houses my gym and spare clothes to finally change out of this God awful pleated skirt and Sam's giant shirt. Ugh. I throw on some short-shorts and a muscle shirt quickly before sauntering my way over to my security cameras near my stairs to check the perimeter outside. So far only a few walkers spaced out here and there. Nothing too overwhelming. Seeing that everything seems good for the moment I walk into the room that's right next to my gym and straight up to one of my many gun cabinets that litter the room around me. I pull it open to reveal a plethora of guns, but I'm looking for my babies. A pair of solid gold Desert Eagles with thigh harnesses for each one. Just as I grab everything from their place and slip the harnesses over my thighs I hear footsteps coming down the stairs into the basement so I walk to the door while sliding my guns into their rightful places.
"Sup, Hoss?" Noah questions as soon as him and B notice me walking from the gun room. I smile and roll my eyes at Noah's greeting with a small snort.
"Hey, guys. So...I'm planning on going out to everyone's houses tomorrow to gather supplies that we can use, as well as their clothes and stuff. I was wondering if my seconds wanted to tag along with me?" I ask tentatively, not wanting to assume.
Noah and Britt stare at me incredulously for a few moments before Brittany blurts out, "Are you insane, Rachel?! Of course we're going with you. What kind of question is that?"
"Yeah, babe. You're certified crazy if you think we're willingly letting you go anywhere without at least one of us with you," Noah tells me with a small glare as soon as Brittany says her piece.
"I know, I know," I say semi-defensively while holding my hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry for asking such a seemingly dumb question, but I didn't want to assume," I tell them sheepishly. They both stare at me silently with blank faces and just quirk their eyebrows at me, but when I just shrug lamely they let it drop.
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Britt questions me, changing the subject as she walks over to one of the sofas in the open area of the basement near the security area and plops down with a small grin. Noah and I follow her lead and sit on the other sofa and chair so we can all face each other but still keep a casual eye on the cameras.
"I'm wanting to be loaded up and leaving by around seven in the morning, the earlier the better as far as I'm concerned. I plan on taking my Yukon and Noah his truck. We just need to hit up everyone's houses for anything that can be useful to us in the long run, as well as gathering anything sentimental and clothing for them. I'm going to tell everyone after dinner to make me a list of specific items that they don't want left behind, and we'll do our best to get what we can," I explain, leaning further into my chair and relaxing slightly.
"Are we just hitting up houses tomorrow, or did you have any plans on us stopping anywhere else?" Noah questions me after I pause.
"Well..." I begin, biting my lower lip in contemplation for a second before releasing it and continuing hesitantly. "I've been meaning to visit the new Cabela's in town, but haven't gotten around to it. I was thinking we might be able to check it out tomorrow, if it doesn't look too overrun." Noah and Brittany grin brightly at this, with B bouncing slightly in place on the sofa. "I was also thinking we can try and hit up some convenient and grocery stores. We need to stock up on gas for all of the vehicles as well as for back-up, and we can never have too much food and water."
"Sounds like a plan, Rae," Britt tells me as she stops bouncing and moves to the edge of her seat before asking, "Who are you leaving in charge for tomorrow? And how long exactly are we staying here for?"
"I figure that we can play how long we stay in Lima by ear, B. I was also thinking that we can leave Sue, Judy, and Dr. Lopez in charge tomorrow. They seem to be the most responsible," I say, with Britt and Noah throwing me a look at using the words 'Sue' and 'responsible' in the same sentence. I ignore them and keep talking. "If they have any questions they can just ask Jake and Kelly while we're gone, and I need your opinions on giving them their guns tonight."
"Sounds good to me, Hoss. B?" Noah says, and Britt nods her agreement as well. I smile slightly at them before focusing on Noah again. "You do know that Satan and Baby Mama are gonna go bat shit crazy when they hear, right?" Noah questions us with an amused smirk as he looks between Britt and I. I gulp harshly at the the thought of a pissed off Quinn and Santana at the same time and look over to see Brittany mirroring my look of horror.
"Yeeeaaahhhh...That's not going to be a fun talk," Britt mumbles out quietly in resignation and I nod my agreement slowly. I then decide that now's the perfect time to address something that's been on my mind since earlier today.
"But...Why though?" I ask in confusion. When they just look at me in their own confusion I elaborate. "Why is Quinn being so defensive and worried about me all of a sudden? You two I understand, but why me? I mean...yeah we're kind of friends now, but dayum!" I rant slightly in frustration. Women are so confusing! Noah and Britt just smirk at me with knowing glints in their eyes and I narrow my own at the two. "What?" I growl at them in exasperation. I'm too tired for this crap right now...
"Baby Mama wants her some you, Jewbabe," Noah explains suggestively with his smirk deepening and my brain almost short-circuits, so I just sit there and look at him as if he's insane. Umm...
"I think you broke her, Puck," I hear Britt stage whisper and I snap out of my shock.
"You sir, have lost your mind," I tell him weakly, feeling myself losing the battle on the hope that's breaking through out of it's carefully guarded cage.
"No, he's not Rach," Britt tells me seriously and I squeak slightly in happiness. "Quinn really does like you," she says and laughs cutely at the no doubt idiotic look on my face. It's a mix of utter shock, disbelief, hope, and excitement. They both snicker quietly to themselves at my mini mental breakdown until the basement door suddenly opens and pulls our attentions away from the relaxed atmosphere that's developed down here and back to the real world.
"Guys? Dinner is ready," Dr. Lopez's voice floats down from the top of the stairs over the hustle and bustle going on in the kitchen.
"Ok! Thank you Gerardo. We'll be right up," Brittany calls back to him before standing up excitedly and patting her tummy. Noah and I stand up too, me with a loud groan. I still need to shower...Ugh! Instead of us going immediately upstairs we slowly make our way into the gun room and up to another set of gun cabinets. I open them up quickly and pull out Britt's Browning GPDA 9's along with her shoulder holsters, and she grabs for them but I stop her.
"She actually likes me? You know...like that?" I ask her nervously but hopefully.
"Of course, silly. She has for a long time now," she answers with an amused grin and a fervent nod. I mimic her nod with an idiotic smile sliding onto my face as I finally give her her weapons. Brittany's the best people reader that I've ever known, so if she of all people tells me that Quinn likes me then I most definitely believe her. I do my best to stay focused on the tasks at hand as I go about handing Noah his holster for his Colts and he immediately buckles it around his waist with a smile. I also pull out Jakob and Kelly's guns and their holsters, handing them to Noah to hold as I shut and relock the cabinet. I check that both of the M&P 9mm's are loaded once I retake them from Noah, and once I make sure that the safety is on for both we finally make our way upstairs.
"There you are, B! What were you doing down in the basement with Things 1 and 2?" Santana questions Brittany as soon as she spots her. Britt frowns at Santana slightly but before she can reprimand Santana I quickly whisper into her ear,
"It's ok, B. Things 1 and 2 are way better than RuPaul or Treasure Trail." Her frown only deepens at this, but she gives me a small nod as she turns back to her girlfriend.
"We were discussing some things that we're all going to talk about after dinner. So after everyone's done eating you need to go into the living-room," she says, addressing the beginning to Santana and the rest to everyone in the room as she moves to make a burger for herself. Noah already has three on his plate, along with a mountain of fries, and I roll my eyes at the giant bites he's talking. I stand back and wait to see if everyone has a plate of their own before I move to make mine, wanting to make sure that everyone gets full.
"Hey, Rach?" Finn calls to me from his spot at the table as I'm heading to the counter to finally prepare my plate and I cringe slightly.
"Yes, Finn?" I question as politely as possible, but he's been wearing on my nerves the past couple of weeks so I don't know how much longer my patience with him is going to last.
"Um...Why are you holding guns? Where did you get them? And why are you, Puck, and Brittany wearing some...?" He asks as he scratches his head and shoots me a confused look. It's then that I remember I'm still dangling Jakob and Kelly's gun holsters on my arm and I look down at them as Finn speaks.
"Jakob? Kelly?" I call to them, deciding to ignore Finn for now. I pull them out of their respective conversations, and when they look over at me their eyes light up excitedly as they see me holding up their weapons expectantly. They bolt from the kitchen table they were eating at and rush me, grabbing at the guns eagerly and Noah's booming voice halts them in their tracks.
"Wait!" He shouts with authority and they turn away from me to face him. "What are the rules?" He demands in a no nonsense tone.
"Absolutely no playing around with them, because they're not toys," Jake begins.
"Keep the safety on at all times unless prepared to shoot," Kelly continues.
"Make sure to always show proper respect by keeping them clean, and away from children and those who don't know how to use them," Jake says.
"And always keep them pointed away from ourselves and others unless needed," Kelly finishes and they both beam proudly. Noah, Britt, and I all exchange a look and nods of approval before I carefully hand them their guns.
"Wait! Hold on a second," Will speaks up loudly, trying to sound as authoritative as Noah just had and failing miserably, but the kids still pause in their ministrations of buckling their holsters around their waists anyways. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath before whirling around to face the annoying teacher.
"What's the issue, Will?" I ask without really caring. I already know what he's going to say and I don't want to deal with it. I just want to get my veggie burger, eat, shower, and collapse in bed to try and get a few hours of sleep before going out there and risking my life again.
"You're seriously going to give guns to a couple of kids?!" He questions while glaring between the three of us as if we're insane. I force myself not to roll my eyes again and address him with a bite to my tone.
"Firstly...They're both thirteen, making them teenagers just like most of us here and not kids. Secondly...They know what they're doing with a gun more-so than most idiots who run around playing with them, cause if they didn't then myself, Noah, and Brittany wouldn't let them anywhere near them. Now calm down," I bark out in annoyance. He still doesn't look to convinced, but since no one else is saying a word about it he lets it drop.
Once I make sure that Sarah has a plate put up for her for when she wakes up I finally set about fixing my own burger and fries, piling my own mountain of them almost as big as Noah's was, and three pickles cause I'm starving. I make my way over to where Noah's eating at the bar and take the empty seat he's saved next to him, and we eat in an easy silence for a while as I inhale my food. I'm too focused on my plate in front of me to actually pay attention to much of what's going on around me, but my ears specifically pick up Quinn's melodious voice every now and again as well as Beth's adorable baby noises. Once I don't feel as ravenous I slow down and tune back into my surroundings better to notice Noah looking off into the kitchen at the giant table situated to the side of the large room. I follow his specific gaze and grin slyly. "Are you ever going to tell her, Noah?" I ask him curiously as I munch on my last pickle, starting to swirl back and forth slightly on my stool. He doesn't give me a verbal answer only a noncommittal shrug of his broad shoulders, so I grin mischievously while turning fully to face him and dropping my voice significantly saying, "How about we make a deal, Puckerman?"
"What kind of deal?" He questions hesitantly as he turns his head to meet my eyes warily.
"How about if it hasn't been done yet, we both buck up once we get to my lake house and we tell them our feelings?" He furrows his brow and an uneasy look flashes across his face as he begins to look between her, Quinn, and I. "C'mon, Noah. By that time we're going to have done some awesome and life saving stuff. If they're not into us by then, we can peacefully move on. Do you really wanna live in this world for the rest of however long our lives are never knowing? Asking ourselves what if?" I whisper-rant passionately. I already plan on telling Quinn my feelings soon, but I know Noah needs this encouragement. He turns his attention back solely to me, and after a few moments of deliberating he holds his hand out for me to shake with a serious expression.
"Deal," he tells me a bit nervously as we shake hands and I give him an encouraging grin. He gives me his signature smirk and a wink before turning back to what little is left of his dinner and I follow suit happily.
Hope y'all enjoyed!
