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 16

Santana/Rachel/Quinn/Brittany

The next morning when they arrive at the school Samantha is waiting for them at the front door. "Hey guys I wasn't sure how we were doing this or when you were introducing the new stunt so I figured I would wait for you so we could talk without others hearing."

Britt is the first to answer, "Well since it is the most difficult stunt in the routine I was going to introduce it before any of the others. It will need the most work and time. So, I think we should do one more run of what we have first thing this morning and then introduce it even though it is one of the last major stunts in the routine. What do you think Rachie?"

Rachel contemplates this for a moment, "Yes, I think that would be good. It is going to take a lot of practice. Once you introduce it this morning I think you should only practice it in the morning and save afternoon practices for the other stunts. You have five morning one hour practices a week and two afternoon two hour practices. That gives you an hour more a week to train that stunt. Also depending on how well they pick it up you may need to add some Saturday practices in there too but only with the girls that need to train for that stunt. You can use the backup girls you are training for spotters for your fliers."

The four Cheerio's all look at each other thinking this over. They all nod but Quinn is the one who answers for them. "I think your right Rach, let's see how this week goes with training for it in the mornings and we will see if we need to start Saturday practices next week." They all nod again and enter the school and head to the locker room.

Once they are in the gym Rachel takes her seat behind coach and Brittany, Quinn, and Santana all stand in front of her to talk about the change in the routine.

Brittany takes point. "Coach, I wanted to talk to you about the part in the routine we were thinking still needed something more. You said it was boring. I think I have a good idea but I wanted you to look at the stunt plan drawing." She hands coach the plans and continues. "It's dangerous but I think we can pull it off."

Coach looks at the plans noticing the detail. Britt didn't make these, she was sure of it. "B, these aren't horrible. I take it these two mouth breathers behind you will be assisting in helping you train these sloppy babies to do this?" Britt nods. "Ok then, you have one week to prove to me these talentless hacks can do this without killing my fliers. This is not going to be an easy stunt and to do it in double… we will see. At practice next week I will give my approval or not. We don't have time for something that could be a waste of time if they can't make decent progress in a week. You also have authorization to have Saturday practice to accomplish this. Now, whip these losers in to shape. I will be in my office for a bit on a call with the super intendent of schools to see about banning gel type hair products to teachers in a high school setting. It's a fire hazard or something." With this she gets up and leaves the gym.

Brittany turns around to look at Quinn and San. "I don't know guys, one week? Without being able to at least show them a visual they may not get it quick enough."

San thinks this over and looks to Rach motioning her to them. "Hey, this weekend you let us see that recording of the stunt where we could pause it frame by frame to learn it. Do you have one with your back up dancer doing the stunt?"

Rachel just shakes her head. "No that was the recording from the competition. We didn't make any at practice." The others are talking quietly to each other trying to realistically figure out how to accomplish what coach wanted. Rachel is debating with herself. "Hey guys," they turn to her again, "I will show them."

Britt look confused. "The recording?"

Rachel just shakes her head. "No, the actual stunt. We did it half the weekend and you guys are good."

San takes her hand. "But querdia, what if coach sees you or the squad tells her. She's going to want you for the squad Hermosa."

"It's ok, I have no intention of joining. But if I can help keep them from getting hurt I will. This stunt is too good not to do and with the proper training they can do it. How bout this. What if you introduce them to it explain it and see what happens? If they don't get it then I will demonstrate."

The three look at each other for a moment and Quinn says, "Well if you're sure Rach. We don't want you to do anything you don't want or feel obligated to us to do it."

"I don't Quinn. This is my stunt, I created it. I just want to help and don't want to see anyone get hurt cause they don't understand it."

"Ok Rach. If you're sure." Rachel nods, Quinn turns to the other two. "Ok B, San let's get to it." They nod and head toward the squad.

Brittany spends the next twenty minutes outlining the stunt. As she explains it showing the slides of the drawings the girls looks range from excited, confused or plain fear. They ask for a volunteer flier to try the first part of the stunt. None of them volunteer.

Quinn is getting frustrated. "Come on, all she is asking for is a twisting summersault. The rest will come later."

The flier Stacy speaks up. "Do you have a clip of the stunt? Has it even ever been done? That sound really dangerous for us fliers."

Britt speaks before Quinn can. "It has been done." She motions to Samantha to join them up front. "The four of us trained all weekend to be able to teach you how. We've seen it done."

Stacy speaks again, "Then why don't we have a clip?" The other fliers start talking at once. Britt and Quinn can't get a word in edgewise.

The fliers are understandably scared. Rach can see this. Decision made. "STOP" she calls from the stands climbing down and walking toward her girls.

San meets her half way. "You don't have to do this querida."

Rach just shakes her head. "San, their scared. They have every right to be. This is a dangerous stunt. If they see it done they will at least see that it can be done." San just nods and follows her to the others. When she gets to them she looks at the four. "Set it up." They all move to do as she says.

As she moves to take her position she stops. "All fliers, come to the front and watch carefully."

She goes to move again but is stopped by Stacy's voice. "What do you think you're doing Berry? You don't belong on our floor."

San and Quinn move to speak but Rachel stops them with a raised hand. "I am going to show you the stunt."

Stacy scoffs and the others laugh. "What makes you think you can do it?"

Rach just looks at the girl with a smirk. "Because, I created it." There are gasps heard throughout the gym as she turns and gets in position. The squad is in varied states of shocked and disbelief but they just stand there in silence and watch.

Rachel leads off getting her running start then does the one handed summersault twisting herself in the air and landing in between Britt and Sam. As she lands they use her forward momentum to flip toss her into the air toward Quinn and San. While in the air she does a triple twist with her body flipping so when she lands she is on her back. She lands in between them sitting in their arms as they use her momentum to flip her into the air in a backwards dismount. She landed gracefully on the mat on the other side of them. She looks at the squad who are all in various states of shock and disbelief. "Now." She says addressing them. "The steps are all laid out count by count. Listen to them and you can do it."

Some of the girls start to get angry. They are yelling and refusing to do anything that Rachel has had a part in. Quinn, San, Britt, and Sam are all yelling back and Rachel turns to walk back to the bleacher.

About that time they hear a squeal from a bull horn. "Shut up." Coach is walking toward them and silence descends. They had no idea she had been there hidden watching the whole time. "Shut up you ungrateful whiny ingrates. She has just handed you a national winning stunt and you want to yell and scream at her for it. She is a trained choreographer and trainer in her own right." She pauses taking in the faces around her.

Quinn, San, Britt, and Sam are all smirking at the fact the squad is getting their asses handed to them for disrespecting their friend. Rachel looks shocked that coach knows all this about her. She walk over to Rach whispering in her ear. "Yes Streisand I know about your gymnastics and dance. I have been watching you and B this past week and did some research. We will talk later." She turns back to the squad then looks at Britt. "B, how many of the major stunts in all the routines you have taught the squad have been created or taught to you by Streisand? Be truthful I'm not mad."

Britt just looks at her confidently. "Most of them. I set up all the choreography and dance stuff but usually stunts I use, we have done in gymnastics or dance. Rachie creates a lot of them and helps teach the rest. Rachie helped me explain the routine better to everyone last week, she's good at that."

Coach nods at her. "How about this new stunt? Has it been used before?"

Britt smiles, "Yes, we did it in a competition we did a couple of weeks ago, and we won. Rachie has been watching the routine this last week and told me we could use it for that blank spot."

Coach turns back to the squad. "Now, I don't want to hear another derogatory thing come out of your mouths in regards to Streisand again. She just saved your sorry excuse for a squad a ton of time on this routine that would have taken three times as long to learn if not for her and handed you a winning move that will shock and awe the judges. You will listen to anything she says. Is that understood?"

"Yes Coach." They all yell together.

"Good now get back to work before I smoke you all in suicides for being useless." She walks over to Rachel. "Come to my office we need to talk."

"Coach, with all due respect…" she starts but coach cuts her off.

"Just hear me out." Coach says gently. Rachel thinks for a moment looks to San and Quinn, who look nervously back at her, looks back to coach and nods following her to her office.

Once in the office Sue sits and motions for her to take the seat next to her and begins speaking. "I want you on my squad…"

Rach cuts her off. "Like I said before, with all due respect I really don't want to be a Cheerio coach. I don't mind helping out but I don't want to be a cheerleader."

Coach looks at her for a long moment. "May I ask why? I would think with your talent you would want to showcase it and what better way to do so then here?"

Rach just shakes her head. "I showcase it in dance and gymnastics. I really don't feel comfortable doing it here. I'm sorry."

"Does this have anything to do with what happened in the stadium last week with the football players?" she gently asks. Rachel flinches but doesn't respond. "It's the uniform isn't it? You don't have to do anymore then answer that question. I won't ask any more than that." Rach just nods. Sue just sits and thinks for a moment. "Ok. How about this? I want to make you official trainer and student manager for the squad. You don't have to wear the uniform the squad does. You will wear pants and a shirt with the Cheerio's name on it. I really think you could be an asset to this team and if you are more comfortable in that capacity than I am fine with that."

Rachel just looks at her in awe. First off she has never heard the coach sound so kind. Secondly she isn't pressuring and threatening her to get what she wants. She willing to compromise. "I don't know coach. Can I think about it?"

Sue nods her head. "Yes you can, but think about it Rachel. A Cheerios uniform of any kind is protection. Yours more than the others because of the position it will put you in. No one would dare mess with one of my girls. I promise you that. Now sit here for a minute. Think about it and we will talk about it this afternoon."

Rach looks up at her. "Can I think about it overnight and talk to you tomorrow? I have a lot going on today and won't have much time to really think about it."

"That is fine, just let me know in the morning." She says as she moves to the door. "Now, I am going to step into the gym for a few. Lock the door and don't leave or open the door until my head Cheerio's knock and yell through the door so you know it's them… and Streisand if you ever tell anyone I was nice today I will deny it, I have a rep to protect." She says with a wink and heads out the door. Waiting until she heard the lock turn to walk away.

Coach walked back in the gym and watch for a few. The four had Stacy running through the summersault part of the trick over and over. Sue steps further in and yells to the group. "B, Sam, take charge. Q, Lopez, come with me. B, wrap it up when it's time I need these two for the rest of practice. Meet them in my office when practice is over." She walked out with San and Quinn in tow. Once they were out of ear shot of the gym and her office she stopped and turned to the girls. "Ok. I wanted to talk to you two for a minute. Rachel is in my office with the door locked waiting for you. We had a talk. I know something happened to that girl."

She pauses for a moment to gather her thoughts. The girls look concerned not knowing what to think of all this. "I don't know exactly what happened and I won't ask, but I want to help. I also want her help with the squad. She can give you the details. I'm sure that's one of the reasons she wouldn't give me an answer right away. Right now though go in with her and see if she is ok. I may have overwhelmed her, but I was making a point. Knock and call through the door to let her know it is you. I told her to stay and keep it locked until you did. Also this conversation never happened." She walked away toward the weight room.

San and Quinn looked at each other and took off like a shot to the office. San knocked, Quinn yelled through the door. "Rach, it's me and San. Let us in sweetie." They waited a minute and the door opened.

Quinn was first through the door and had her arms full of Rachel as soon as she was all the way in the room. As soon as she saw San she reached out to her and San wrapped herself around her back. Thoroughly making a Rachel sandwich. After a minute Rachel starts to pull away. "Sorry" she says.

The girls don't let go. Quinn cups her face "Hey, what are you apologizing for?"

Rachel shrugs, "I kind of attacked you guys. I was just sitting here with nothing to do but think and I haven't been away from you guys at school. Then I kept thinking I was hearing things." She finishes with tears in her eyes.

Both girls shift so that they are each to a side of her. They both kiss her cheek but San speaks first. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You can need us and hug us anytime. We don't mind, do we Quinn?"

Quinn just smiles at her. "Absolutely not. We are here for you anytime you need us. Just like we know that if we needed you, you would be there for us. Wouldn't you?"

Rachel looks back and forth between them. "Of course I would." She looks down shyly. "I love that you guys have been here for me and I will always be there for you too. I always have been, even if you didn't know I was." San and Quinn looked confused at this.

San cupped her face and pulled it up to meet her eyes. "What do you mean even if we didn't know?"

Rachel blushed. "I'm not sure you want to know."

Quinn shifted to look in her eyes. "Yes we do sweetie. Just tell us. Nothing you say will make us mad at you if you were helping us."

She bit her lip and looked from one to the other. "Well this past summer right before school started I was walking in the park. I decided to walk in the woods a bit and was about to come upon the pond when I heard rustling and I saw Jacob Ben Israel with a video camera. He didn't see me so I decided to try and see what he was filming. I walked a little further to the edge of the clearing further from him but closer to the pond. When I got there I saw the two of you on the other side of the pond. You were kissing. That's what he was filming. I was furious with him. That was private. I was about to yell and tell you what he was doing but you stopped and walk off through the other side of the woods, so I confronted him. He said he was going to put it on his blog that night. School was supposed to start the next day."

She paused a moment gauging there reaction. "I didn't think either of you wanted that to happen and I didn't have your numbers to call and warn you. He told me if I gave him a pair of my panties he would give me the SD card. So he followed me to my house and I gave him a pair. I made him give me the camera and I took the card out myself and checked the camera's internal memory and deleted it as well. He thought I wouldn't think of that. Without proof he couldn't spread the rumor without being called a liar and facing your wrath so he never said anything. That's why he is always around and you guy have to continually run him off. I should have told you what he was doing but I was afraid you would be mad that I saw what I saw."

They were shocked. They had no idea they had been seen, but the fact that she had given her panties to that pervert just to protect them floored them. San pulled her face back up because she was looking at the floor again. "You really gave him your panties?"

Rachel nodded, "Yes well they weren't any that I had worn. They were from a new pack that I had bought and washed before school started. I never actually used them."

They all chuckled at that but Quinn was still confused. "But Rach, why would you do that? We were horrible to you. Why would you protect us?"

San nodded her head, "yea, I don't get it."

Rachel just chuckled again, "I told you the other day San. I've always seen the good in both of you, and I would have still given some to him even if I hadn't had new ones. I couldn't let him do that to either of you. Whether you were a couple or just playing around didn't matter. That's private and for you to tell people if you want. Not for some idiot to plaster all over the internet for his own gain."

"Thank you Rach. You didn't have to do that." Quinn said gently "but we really appreciate it. That was right before mom kicked dad out and if he had seen it I would have been on the street or in one of those camps to turn you straight."

"Yea querida. That was super cool of you." San said pulling her into a hug. "Now, what happened with coach?"

Rachel started to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door and Brittany coming in. "Hey guys practice is over and we have about fifteen minutes to before we need to be headed to our lockers."

Rachel sighed, "Ok let's go so you guys can shower and change. We will talk about this at home later." They nodded and headed out to the locker room.

They finished, went to their lockers and home room. After first period it was time for Rachel to leave. San and Quinn walked her to the door. San pulled her into a hug. "Good luck with your test and your appointment. Text when you are on your way back and one or both of us will meet you back here and walk you to class?"

Quinn hugged her from behind. "Yea Rach, please text us. We'll worry until you do."

Rachel held onto San with one arm and reached around to hold Quinn with the other for a moment before stepping away. "I will, I promise. I will text after my test to let you know if I passed then I will text on my way back." She saw her aunt's car, waved at the girls and headed out.

San and Quinn just watched until she got in the car. Once the car was out of sight they looked at each other for a minute and headed to class.

The day was torture for Santana and Quinn. They went to second period and sat in their normal seats at first with Rachel's empty between them. They looked at each other than the seat, than Quinn scooted over and laid her head on San's shoulder until class started. They couldn't concentrate but thankfully they were watching a movie in class and they just tuned it out, too worried about Rachel to do anything else. Third period was the same but as they entered their fourth period class their phones went off. They couldn't get to them fast enough. It was a text from Rachel.

Rachel-Santana, Quinn: I'm legal behind the wheel but I am not pleased with my license picture.

Santana-Rachel: That's awesome querida, now you can drive us around lol.

Quinn-Rachel: That's great sweetie, proud of you.

Rachel-Santana, Quinn: Thank you both. I miss you, see you soon.

After that the rest of the day was the same. They worried and were lost in thought. At lunch time they sat at the glee table as always but didn't really eat. San sat with her head resting on Quinn's shoulder and they just pushed their food around on their plates.

The group noticed but it was Mercedes that said something first. "What's up with you guys? You look like somebody kicked your puppy."

They both answered at the same time. "Nothing."

Kurt looked around. "Hey where's Rachel?"

Mercedes scoffed, "Who cares, it's nice and quiet."

San growled, "Watch it Wheezy."

Quinn placed a calming hand on her arm and answered Kurt's question. "She went to get her driver's license this morning and this afternoon she has an appointment. She'll be back for last period."

Kurt just nodded "Oh, ok. Are we still on for the party tonight?"

At this question both girls perked up but San was the one to answer this time. "Yes absolutely" she looked around at all the others, "Is everyone set with their parts?"

"Kurt, Tina and I went by yesterday and put up the decorations." Puck said as Kurt nodded. "Before that we went and picked up everything on the list and it's there as well. Tina also picked up all the stuff for the punch, made it and it is in the fridge chillin."

Mike spoke next, "Mom text me right before lunch and said the cakes were ready. She decided to make the lemon and the chocolate."

"I got the music all ready." Artie said.

Matt smirked at them, "I got my sexy grillin man apron all ready for me to grill out."

Quinn nodded at everyone. "Great sounds like everything is ready to go, we jus..."

Mercedes cut in. "and just what are you guys contributing."

San growled again, "more than you."

Quinn rubbed her hand up and down that was still on San's arm. "We contributed the two hundred dollars for all the food, plates, cups, a few other things and the use my house. What are you contributing?"

Mercedes just rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Quinn looked around at the others. "Ok then, we're all set. If you guys want to come a few minutes early we will be there around 7:15. Make sure the lights are all out so she isn't suspicious since my house is supposed to be empty. I will turn the lights on when we get in the door but do not scream surprise or anything it will scare her."

Mercedes smirked, "but that's the best part of a surprise party. The only part I was looking forward to."

San stood up, her voice was controlled rage, "if you scare her, I promise you I will endz you. I will rain hell fire on you and you will never have a quiet moment in this school. Since last week we have done our best to keep the club members from getting slushied per Rachel's request but I will open you up as a free for all if you upset her tonight." Santana glared at the girl then sat back down.

Mercedes looked around and noticed that Puck, Quinn, and Brittany were all glaring at her nodding their approval of what Santana had said so she said nothing more.

Santana turned her attention back to the club "and guys like we said no alcohol. Also this is a glee only party. The only other person that is coming is Samantha from the Cheerios cause she is Rachel's friend. We don't want Q's mom having a conniption. She ok us to only have the 12 of us there no more. Her neighbors are nosy and they will report back to mama Fabray." They all nodded

They all talked about the party a little more as they finished lunch. Once they got to their next class they started to get anxious again, worrying about if she was doing ok at the hearing. They were still unable to concentrate on their classes. About ten minutes before the end of seventh period they got the text from Rachel.

Rachel-Santana, Quinn: I'm legal with the rest of my life now too. Now I don't have to worry about people trying to take me from my home because of my aunt's neglect, it's all done. I will be back in about ten minute.

Santana-Rachel: We will meet you at the door.

Quinn-Rachel: Ok see you soon.

When the bell rang they shot out of the room and down the hall to wait by the door for Rachel. She arrived two minutes later. They watched her get out of the car and make her way to the door. They noticed she looked tired. When she made it in the door San swooped in and pulled her into a hug, Quinn following to hug her from behind. They released her and they all started off toward their final class of the day.

San nudged her with her shoulder. "So how did everything go? You ok?"

Rachel smiled sadly. "Everything went fine. It was more a formality of paperwork then anything. It's all done and I don't have to deal with my aunt's crap anymore so that's a plus. How was school today? Drama free I hope."

Quinn chuckled at this, "It was an uneventful bore, and we missed you. It wasn't the same without you sitting between us."

Rachel just smiled, "well I'm back and I will sit between you now." She said as they entered the class.

The rest of the day flew by. Class let out and they went to Cheerios practice. Once they had the squad lined up they started on the rest of the stunts. Coach was back on the bleachers but Rachel stayed on the floor to help Britt teach it.

After an hour of training Coach called time out and called San, Q, Britt and Rach to her. "Why are you starting on the other stunts and not working on the one from this morning?" She asked eyeing all of them.

"That was my idea," Rachel said shyly "since only half the squad is involved with that stunt I suggested that they only train that one at the morning practices and leave the afternoons to the other stunts so they have time to learn them all and have plenty of practice to make them perfect. I also suggested they possibility of Saturday practice if it was needed for the morning stunt if they didn't get it quick enough."

Sue contemplated that for a moment, "ok, sounds like a plan. Get back to it." She dismissed them and they called practice to start again.

The rest of practice went well. They had a rocky start with the stunt they were learning that afternoon, but in the end it was slowly coming together. As they called practice and the squad started heading to the showers coach called Rachel over waving the others off when they tried to follow. "This," she said "What you did today, this is what I want you for. I have never seen them come together so quickly with any stunt. You have a way of breaking it down for them so they understand almost immediately what you want and how you want it. This is what I need." Rachel went to speak but Sue stopped her. "I'm not asking for an answer now. You can give it to me in the morning but the way I see it you're here anyway, you're helping anyway, why not get the recognition. It will also be good for college applications." She stopped paused and held her hand up. "Ok, that's my pitch. Please seriously consider this. It's a win win for all of us." She walked away and made sure the others were moving toward her before she left the gym.

San was the first to her. "Everything ok?" The others stopped by her waiting for the answer.

Rachel nodded. "Yes everything is good. I will explain it all at the house."

They all nodded and headed off to showers. The three Cheerios were doing their best to hide their excitement for the party that they were about to arrive at. They just hoped after the rough day she had that Rachel would have a good time and forget her worries for just a little while.

A/N: Ok the party is next. I wasn't going to have Coach Sue approach Rachel just yet but my muse had other plans.