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 8
Santana
After they all meet at Rachel's locker they headed to the choir room. As they started to pass the bathroom closest to their destination Rachel stopped. "You guys can go ahead. I need to use the restroom before Glee." Rachel paused looking at the door. She leaned in and whispered to San. "Can you wait for me please?" With that she went through the doors.
Santana watched her go through the door. She was extremely nervous but turned to the others. "Go ahead guys, I'll wait for her." They all looked to her not sure if they should. "I got this. The choir room is one door down, its ok." With that they turned and entered the choir room. She stood there waiting. When Rachel didn't come out when she thought she should she entered the room.
She just had to make sure. As the door closed she called out, "Rachel, you ok?" She didn't get an answer but she heard soft crying. She walked over to the last stall and knocked on it. "Carińo, are you ok? Please open the door for me." The door lock clicked and she pushed it open. What she saw broke her heart a little more. Rachel was sitting on the toilet, head in her hands quietly crying her shoulders shaking.
Santana kneeled in front of her and gently took her into her arms. "It's ok Estrella, I got you."
Rachel shook her head. "It's not. I'm sorry. I thought I could do it alone. I walked in here and it's not the same bathroom but it all came flooding back and I couldn't breathe. I'm sorry I'm not stronger." She burrowed her face into Santana's neck and just breathed her in taking the comfort that was offered.
Santana grasped her chin lightly so she could look into her eyes. Rachel just looked at the floor. She gently spoke, "Look at me hermosa." When Rachel's eyes finally met hers San rubbed her thumb over her cheek. "No Estrella. You are one of the strongest people I know. Today has been rough and you are still here. Hell the fact that you came to school today is proof enough of your strength. It's going to take time querida, and I will be here with you ever step of the way." She released her face and pulled her in for another hug. After a moment she spoke again. "Come on, let's wash your face and get to Glee." Rachel nodded and got up to do that.
All of the Glee club
When they entered the room San noticed that the only other members to arrive other than Q, Britt and Puck was Tina and Matt. Quinn was sitting in the second row to the far right with two chairs between her and Puck who was sitting by the wall. Matt and Britt were sitting in front of the empty chairs and Tina was next to Britt in front of Puck. Santana smiled at the wall of protection that they built. She led Rachel to the empty seats and sat next to Quinn with Rach next to Puck. As the rest of the glee club entered they noticed the new seating arrangement and followed suit. Kurt and Mercedes came in first sitting behind San and Rachel. Mike came in and sat by Matt. Artie wheeled over and placed himself by Tina.
Kurt leaned forward in his chair and spoke to Rachel. "I must say Rachel, I noticed your outfit today and you look really good. I approve of your choice, but it is drastically different from the norm."
Rachel was wearing jeans, a Wicked hoodie and black chucks. No one but San and Puck knew why. They had noticed when she came down the stairs that morning but didn't comment.
Rachel looked back "Thank you Kurt. I was just trying a wardrobe change everyone keeps telling me that I needed. I'm glad you approve." Her voice was tight but not unkind. She just didn't want to discuss it. She had worn this outfit in an attempt to feel safe.
Before any more could be said Finn entered the room. He looked at the others and scoffed, "guys really?" When no one spoke he sat on the far left of the group one seat between him and Mike sulking.
Mr. Shue entered next late as always carrying their sectionals trophy. He noticed the odd seating arrangement but shook it off. "Ok guys, here it is, the first of many trophies we will be bringing home." Everyone but Rachel cheered but she clapped with the others, "and in the spirit of winning we will be having a duets competition. The winners will receive a gift certificate for two to Breadsticks."
Again everyone but Rachel cheered and Tina spoke. "Do we get to pick our own Partner?"
Everyone looked back to Mr. Shue, "No Tina, I have assigned partners randomly drawing from the Hat." Everyone groaned "Ok guys don't be like that it will be fun. So we have Kurt and Mike, Matt and Mercedes, Quinn and Brittany, Puck and Tina, Finn and Rachel…" He was cut off. Finn had started to smile then it turned to an angry frown as the room erupted around him.
Rachel had her head in her hand as Santana leapt up from her chair. "Oh but hell no. There is no way you are making her sing with him. No me gusta!"
Mr. Shue was shocked. He had no idea what was happening right now. Rachel was holding Santana by her arm pulling her back. Finn stood and tried to lunge at her only to be stopped by Matt and Mike who were still holding him back. The rest of the room yelling over each other trying to make their own point.
Rachel pulled Santana to her, "STOP!" Everyone was immediately quiet. She looked around at everyone as Finn retook his seat, everyone else did the same except Rachel and Santana who were standing together with San's arm around Rachel's waist as she spoke again. "With all due respect Mr. Shue, I don't feel comfortable or safe spending any time alone in Finn's presence and I respectfully decline this duet."
Finn was on his feet again, "This is bullshit!"
Mr. Shue stepped in this time and raised his voice to him, "Sit down Finn." He looked around the room to the other students glaring at Finn. "Ok. I'm not going to make anyone do something that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Who wants to switch with Rachel?"
Artie spoke up, "Mr. Shue, I will sing with Finn. Santana and Rachel can do the duet and everyone has a partner."
Mr. Shue looked to the girls still standing. "Is that ok with you Rachel?"
"Yes Mr. Shue. That is acceptable, thank you." She sat pulling Santana down next to her and put her head on San's shoulder.
"Ok than let's get started. Split into your groups and brain storm. We will perform our songs next week on Friday. Miss Pillsbury, Mr. Lange from the AV club Mr. Figgins and I will decide the winner of the contest. If you leave the room to work on this please be back at 10 minutes before the end of practice." He clapped his hands together and walked over to Rachel. "Rachel, I would like to speak to you after Glee." He said kindly. She just nodded.
Puck, Tina, Quinn, and Brittany decided to follow San and Rach to the auditorium. They split up with Puck and Tina in the back, Quinn and Britt in the middle and San and Rach on stage by the piano. They sat on the piano bench together, San looking through her iPod for songs and Rachel staring at the keys.
San looks over and bumps her shoulder with her own. "Hey, not feeling this today?"
Rachel just shakes her head. "No. Not really. I just can't seem to get my head in it. I'm sorry." She says looking down.
Wrapping an arm around her San tells her "No. You don't have anything to be sorry for. It's been a really long day and we still have to talk to and deal with Quinn in a little bit. You're allowed to be overwhelmed. Let's talk about something else. What do you want for dinner tonight? We can get take out again or I can cook dinner for us, you choose."
Rachel just chuckles softly. "I don't know. Nothing really sounds good right now, and I know talking to Quinn is going to make it worst. I probably won't be able to eat after that."
San just pulls her closer, "How bout this? I will cook dinner and we will talk to Quinn after we eat. That way you can get something in your stomach before all the heavy talking."
She shrugs "I don't know. Quinn probably won't want to stick around my house long enough to eat and talk."
"Ok just a sec." She gets up and walks to the edge of the stairs, "Quinn," she calls out as she squats done by the edge, "come here a sec."
Quinn walks over, "What's up."
"Were going over to Rachel's after Glee. We are going to tell you everything that is going on. We need to eat dinner first though. I am afraid that if we don't Rachel won't be able to eat after talking and she hasn't been eating enough as it is. You can even talk to your mom and spend the night with us if you want so that you aren't getting in too late." Santana pleads with her.
Quinn just looks at her for a long moment, "It's really bad, isn't it?"
San just looks down fighting tears, "Yes, about as bad as it gets." As she looks up a tear escapes.
Quinn just wipes it away, "Ok, I will call mom and go by the house on my way to Rachel's. I won't say anything about it until you guys bring it up. Do I need to bring anything?"
"No. Thank you Q." San looks at her phone noting the time. "We gotta get back to the choir room. Go get your stuff, I'll get Rach." She stands and walks back to the piano. "Ok hermosa, Quinn is cool waiting until after dinner and you're ready to talk. She's also going to spend the night so she doesn't have to worry about getting home by curfew. If that's ok with you carino?"
Rachel looks at her shocked. "Ok, that's f…fine."
San just smiles at her, "Quinn is not a bad person querida. She's just misguided and power hungry like me. We need to go back to the choir room now." Rachel nodded, gets up and follows Santana to the others and out of the auditorium.
When they return to the Choir room everyone has returned to their original seats waiting for them. As they sit Mr. Shue comes out of his office and walks to the middle of the floor. "Ok guys. I hope you got some progress done on your duets. If any of you need help with song selection please feel free to talk to me anytime. Well that's all for today, have a great night." He turns and walks over to Finn, "I need you to go to my office close the door and wait for me there Finn." Finn does as he is told and Mr. Shue walks over to Santana and Rachel as the others leave the room. "Santana I need to speak with Rachel if you wouldn't mind giving us a moment."
San starts to get angry but Rachel cuts her off, "Mr. Shue if it's ok with you I would like Santana to stay. She knows about what is going on and if would make me more comfortable if she is here.
He just looks confused but nodded, "Ok, if that's what you need. Now, why don't you tell me what is going on with you and Finn?"
Rachel runs through what happened this morning in detail from when Puck left her at her locker. San is livid when she hears this but says nothing for now. She will deal with him later. Rachel then tells him what happened at lunch. When she finishes Mr. Shue just looks gob smacked and slightly disbelieving.
He opens his mouth to speak but Santana cuts in, "and before you cut in trying to say it was a misunderstanding and trying to protect your golden boy, we have tons of witnesses that can tell you the same exact story."
He shakes his head, "No girls. I wasn't going to defend him. I am appalled at his behavior. I will be speaking to him and explaining that if he tries anything else that I will take action against him and he will be suspended for sexual harassment and will be kicked out of Glee and probably the football team too. I will tell him not to talk to you unless you initiate the conversation from now on." He looks in to Rachel's eyes. "You will not have to sing with or interact with him until you feel comfortable doing so. I will even make sure he is not near you in the choreography in our numbers. Is that ok?"
Rachel sighs in relieve, Santana is shocked that he took Rachel's side, "Yes Mr. Shue, that is satisfactory, thank you."
Mr. Shue smiles and nods his head, "Ok, I need to go discuss this with Finn. I will see you in Spanish class tomorrow girls." With that he turns and walks away.
San turns to Rachel. "Ok hermosa, let's go and get something for me to cook for dinner." Rachel nodded leaned in to her and they left the choir room to find Puck and Quinn.
A/N: Ok that's that. The next chapter will probably be a little longer as they explain everything to Quinn and she processes and reacts to it all. Thank you for the continued support and reviews.