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 25
Winter Break:
The next morning is much like the others. The girls get up and dress for the day, making breakfast and cleaning up together. They grab all of Rachel's new equipment and make their way to the basement studio to get it all set up. She is anxious to hear it all when it's finished. The old equipment has been there since her father had the studio built when she was eight. It's outdated, well-worn from years of use, and just not working properly. Not only was the old mixer having problems but the speakers had started to have a crackling sound and the mics had only worked when they wanted too. The only thing that was in good working order were the actual instruments. She had learned over the years the proper upkeep of them to insure that the continued to play perfectly.
They removed the old equipment first hauling it out of the basement to the trash. Quinn and Rachel installed the mixer and mounted the two new speakers in the sound booth and set up the speakers with stands in the performance room and ran all the wires. They kept the old mic stands; San took them to the garage and with some of the stuff she had bought at the music store and some gold spray paint, restored them while the other two worked on the mixer and speakers. When they were finished they put the new mics on them attaching the cords to the sound room that were attached to the new mixer. They ran all new cords from all the instruments that needed them to the mixer as well. The last thing they did was attach the IPad and start downloading the software and getting it ready to be used. They read the manual and started sound checking the mics and instruments to make sure that they were hooked up properly. They had been at it all day and didn't realize the time until Puck made his way into the room.
Rachel saw him first and ran to him, hugging him close. "I missed you." She said looking at the clock on the wall. "Oh my god, is it that late? You're early, not that I mind, but I should have started cooking an hour ago." She said in a rush.
As the girls came over to hug him as well he looked around. "I missed you too so I came early. What's going on in here?" he motioned to the mic stands. "Are these new? I love the gold."
Santana just beamed, "No, they are the old ones I just put new hardware on them and restored them giving them a little color to match nuestra estrella."
Rachel was bouncing excitedly on her feet. "You have to come see what I got for Christmas Noah." She said pulling an amused Puck into the sound booth showing him her goodies and explaining the new set up with the IPad.
He beamed a smile at the two girls that had made his favorite person so excited and happy, noticing the looks of pure adoration on their faces. This could be a problem he thought. I knew that San had feelings for Rach but with Quinn feeling it too… these two might end up killing each other. He would have to keep an eye on them. He didn't want Rachel caught in the cross fire. But he was curious… "Who got you what?"
Rachel clapped excitedly. "They got it all for me together. Aren't they sweet? I also got chocolates and jewelry, but now I need to head upstairs and get started on dinner, Britt will be here in an hour. Girls?" She said in a low voice over her shoulder on the way out the door. "Come on up and help once you finish showing off your wonderful gifts and help me please." The nodded franticly, both affected by that low voice and turned back to Puck once she was out of sight.
San chuckled at the confused look on his face. "Something bothering you Puckerman?"
He shook out his head. "No. I just haven't seen her this happy in a long time." He say said wistfully. "Any way, is there more stuff or just the stands and the stuff in the booth?"
Quinn spoke up this time. "There are new speakers and mics in the performance room and all the cords for the instruments have been replaced as well. Other than that everything else is the same."
Puck was happy for Rachel. She had wanted to upgrade this space for a while now and just hadn't gotten around to it. He looked back to the girl. "So, what did you guys get for Christmas?"
Quinn bounced happily, "We both got new MacBooks with lots of software, jewelry and chocolates."
San cut in, "we also got ITunes cards, and other accessories for our MacBooks. New earbuds, carrying case and apple TV. It's awesome." She said while moving toward the door. "We need to go up and help nuestra estrella get dinner ready." She looked to Quinn as she made her way toward San, "come on Q bear."
They linked hand not thinking about it and headed up the stairs leaving a very confused Puck in their wake just standing there. "What the fuck?" he said under his breath and headed upstairs to see what was going on with them.
Upstairs he found them all in the kitchen talking and preparing dinner. He watched them, adding to the conversation when expected or necessary. What he saw was a comfortable routine. He could tell they cooked together often. They moved around each other anticipating each other's moves and needs with very little verbal communication as to what they were doing.
Rachel went to knead some dough and removed her ring grabbing Quinn's hand and slipping in on her pinky. Quinn smiled and went back to what she was doing. That's when he noticed the exact ring on her hand as well. But it was when San came over grabbing her hand kissing the rings that he saw another ring like the others. He just sat there dumbfounded. 'They could be friendship rings.' He thought 'but then why would San kiss them?' He was so confused. He watch a while more.
The girls didn't even think about what they were doing. They always acted like this while together in the house. Except for San kissing the rings it was all normal behavior for them. A hand briefly laid on an arm, a brush of a shoulder walking by to inform one the other was near, a hand to the lower back guiding one way or the other to retrieve something needed. It had been a little over two weeks of living together and they have developed into a well-oiled machine.
It wasn't until Rachel finished her dough putting it in the oven washing her hands retrieving her ring with a kiss to Quinn's that Puck spoke up. "Ok. What's going on here?"
They all looked up confused. "What do you mean Noah? We are cooking dinner" She said looking at the girls and back to Puck her confusion evident on her face.
He sighs. "First you talk to them in that low sexy voice, then San calls you both some nicknames and then they are holding hands. I come in here and you are acting like you've been cooking together your whole lives. The constant touching and the matching rings and kissing of said rings." He looks between them all again. "Are those matching necklaces? I'm so confused." He said putting his forehead on the table in front of him.
The girls share a look, San and Quinn nodding to Rachel to lead this conversation. "Noah, we were going to talk to you and Britt together after dinner, but…" She looked at her girls again a little nervous that he won't be ok with it. They move toward her. San taking her hand Quinn putting a hand on her shoulder. She takes a deep breath. "We have decided to date."
Puck just looks between them still confused. "You and which one of them?"
"Both of them." She says wrapping an arm around Quinn, pulling San closer by her hand.
Puck just stares with his jaw on the floor. "Both of them? All three together? As in you now have not one but two girl friends?" he asks just wanting to make sure he is understanding this completely.
"Yes Puck, all of us together as girlfriends." San answers for them.
"How does that work? I mean not like the bedroom stuff but don't you like get jealous of sharing each other or something?"
Quinn answered this time. "No. It's not like sharing each other. Do you remember this summer at Britt's summer BBQ?" he nods. "You met her aunts. The four that Britt told you were all married to each other?"
He thought for a second, the light finally clicking. "Oh, the ones that have been like together forever and got kids and stuff? They were cool. Ok I think I get it." He looked at Rachel "Are you happy Rae?" He said stepping toward her cupping her cheek.
She leans forward and kissed his cheek. "Yes Noah. I am happy. They make me very happy."
He nods and steps back. "That's all I need." He looks between San and Quinn, "and you guys? Are you happy? Do you think you can keep each other happy and my Jewish Princess?"
"Yes." They say together, which causes them to giggle. San puts a hand on his shoulder. "We will take care of each other and especially nuestra estrella." At his look of confusion she laughed.
Cocking his head he asked. "You called her that before. What does it mean?"
San smiles softly. "Our star."
He chuckled liking the name but before he could reply the doorbell rang. "I'll get it. You guys finish up the food. I'm starving." He says turning and walking out to answer the door.
The girls turned into Rachel hugging her between them. She laid her head on Quinn's Shoulder sighing happily. "That went well." She said laying a kiss on Quinn's neck with a small lick to her pulse point causing a moan.
Quinn tighten her hold "Rachel" she said breathily. "Stop that. You know I can't resist it and we have our friends here."
Rachel and San chuckle both kissing her cheek. They move away to finish dinner. Britt and Puck made their way back into the kitchen. Britt skipped over and hugged the girls one by one talking in a rush about what she had done for Christmas and how much she missed the girls. They settled at the table as Rachel, San, and Quinn set the table and sat dinner out. The talked about what they had done on Christmas Eve at the mission and what they had gotten for Christmas from each other. Puck said he was bored stupid at his granny's but got a lot of cool stuff. After they finished eating they all helped with the cleanup and headed into the living room where Puck and Britt dropped off their presents when they came in by the tree and settled to open present together.
Puck got each of the girls ITunes cards, a matching set of earrings, bracelet and necklace for Rachel, set in her birthstone. He got a necklace, 4 books and 3 tickets for the art and history of photograph exhibit that was going to be in Columbus in the month of January for Quinn. He also got a portable music mixer with software for Santana, hers had gotten broken at his last party. He loved the guitar and accessories they had gotten him.
Britt got each of them ITunes cards as well, and had made a homemade cookie and candy plates, that she and her mom made, for each. She loved her ducky and IPod the girls got her, and her necklace from Puck. Britt's family was not financially well off like the others and she felt sad about not getting them better gifts. They quickly reassured her that they loved their gifts and it was the thought, effort, and love that went into the gift that counted not the cost. They all gave her a big hug and she was happy again.
After they cleaned up the mess of paper. They decided to watch a Christmas movie in the living room. The girls settled into their normal seats with San by the arm of the couch Rachel leaning against her with her legs in Quinn's lap on the other side of her. Britt and Puck sat on the loveseat. Halfway through the movie San had an arm around Rachel's middle rubbing up and down her side and Quinn had been rubbing her legs.
Britt had been watching the girls off and on through the movie. Rachel turned her head and placed a kiss to San's shoulder, grabbed one of Quinn's hand and rubbed it to her face kissing the palm. Britt sat up straight and called out, "I knew it, finally you figured it out." She clapped excitedly.
The girls all turned toward her. San looked at her confused. "What Britt? Figured what out." She said not realizing what she had seen.
She just bounced in place. "You figured it out. Just like Aunt Lydia, Sam, Audrey, and Kassie. You figured it out."
The light went off and they just smiled at her nodding. Quinn was drawing circles on Rachel's thigh looking down shyly. "Yes we did, but when did you figure it out?"
Britt just leaned back smiling, "I figured it out at the glee back to school dinner. I just wondered when you guys would figure it out." She said giggling. She jumped up, ran over and hugged the girls. "I'm so happy."
Rachel just beamed, "we are too."
With that Britt went back to her seat and they finished the movie. After it was over they decided it was time for bed. Puck went to his room and Britt decided to take the guest room.
San touched her arm as they stood in the hallway about to spit to different rooms. "Britt you can sleep in here with us like always. You don't have to stay by yourself."
Britt shrugged. "No, its ok, I don't want to interrupt sexy times."
Rachel cut in. "Sweetie, we aren't going to have sexy times tonight. You are more than welcome to stay with us."
Britt looked down at her feet. "I just don't want to get in the way." She said with a pout.
Quinn lifted her face by her chin to look in her eyes. "Hey, you're not in the way. You're our best friend and it's a sleep over, you're supposed to sheep in the same room with us."
San rubbed a hand on her back. "You will never be in the way. If we want alone time we will tell you, ok?" Britt just nods with watery eyes.
Rachel takes her hand. "Come on ducky, it's time for sleep." She says pulling her into the room.
They all settle for the night with a very happy Britt who had been afraid her friends wouldn't want her to be there now. The girls cuddled in their normal positions with Britt spooning behind Quinn. They all fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
The next morning after breakfast Puck decided he was going to go down to the studio and play his new guitar and just hang out waiting for the girls to get back from helping coach. The girls left and headed to the school, Britt tagging along to help.
When they arrived at the school they headed to coaches office. "Hey you're early, good." coach said getting up and coming around the desk. "I have everything arranged by size in the supply room. We just need to get the garment and duffle bags filled for each Cheerio."
Rachel cut in. "Coach? I made a spreadsheet of all the cheerios and their sizes. I organized them by the uniform size and split them up in to 5 separate lists. One for each of us giving us each 6 Cheerios each to fill bags for." She said handing each of them a list and 6 checklist each. "I also made a check list of everything that needs to go in each bag so we don't miss anything and the Cheerios can double check after they get their bags to make sure they have everything."
Sue looked the lists over. "Excellent. Ok let's get started."
The work together for three hours sorting and filling bags. Each bag had the name of the Cheerio it belonged to on it. Once they were done Rachel got their attention again. "Your list also has the locker number of each Cheerio on it. I noticed the hook at the top of our lockers. We can hang the bags and they can just get them in the morning. So we don't have to take training time to pass them out."
Sue nodded. "That's a good idea. Let's get these hung and I have some things we need to talk about before I send you home." They got to work and had the garment bags hung and the duffle's set in front of the lockers. They cleaned up the supply room and headed to coaches office.
She took a seat in the arm chair and motioned for them to sit on the couch. She placed a duffle bag in front of Rachel. "These are some things I hadn't given you yet. The duffle and some Cheerio's sweats, tee shirts and shorts. I have given you five black sets as well as three red ones the regular Cheerios get. When we go to competitions and we are in the hotel you are to wear your black sweats, tee shirt or shorts when not in uniform. Just like your training gear, the black to set you apart from them as leader. The other girls wear the red. I just gave you the red for your own use. All the girls have multiple sets. We do not take any regular clothing to competitions. Just Cheerios gear."
Rachel nodded and she continues. "Ok, now that all that is out of the way, I want to talk to you about what happened after the duets competitions." Rachel shifted uncomfortably. "You were totally in your right to get upset the way you did Streisand. Wheezy and Shuster were in the wrong. After you left, Quinn and I had our say to Shuster then Figgins had his. Figgins has suspended him from being glee coach for two months. At which point he will be allowed to return if he chooses to, but in the meantime we are looking for another coach for you that will co-coach with Will if he returns but will be in charge."
She pauses for a moment watching the girls as they sit there with their jaws on the floor. "Figgins heard the last of your argument and all that Quinn and I had to say to him. I also had the entire fight with Wheezy and Will on tape. Figgins was not pleased and Mrs. Pillsbury was livid. After reviewing the tape this is what Figgins, Mrs. Pillsbury, and I all agreed upon. I will also be taking over as acting coach until another can be found."
She shuffled through some papers on coffee table in front of her. "I have already looked into the rules and regulations for Regionals and what this year's theme is. It is inspirational. In addition to the winning duet, I have chosen the solo and group number already. I will announce this to the group on the first day back to school. I will also announce who will be singing the solo, and who will be highlighted in the group. Streisand, it is up to you and Britt to take care of the choreography for the numbers. Santana you are to work on the musical arrangement. I know that you have been helping Shuster do so without the others knowing." Santana ducked her head shyly as the girls looked to her shocked.
Sue smirk at her then continued, "So that is what you can expect. Streisand you will remain captain and you need a new co-captain since Gigantor will not be returning to Glee. His mother called me and informed me of his quitting the club and what happened at your house. Santana and Quinn this is now your job. You work well together and they are less likely to buck you while the new order of things is set in place. Rachel is in charge you are her seconds in command. If they don't like it they can leave the club. Just like Cheerios I will not tolerate mutiny. Also you can recruit any Cheerio who wants to join, I am lifting the ban on Glee. Any questions?"
The girls are all shell shocked. Rachel is the first to respond. "Coach, what if they don't find a new coach for us? Will it be back to Mr. Shue alone being in charge?"
Sue shakes her head. "No. I will continue as coach until another is found if ever. I will not have my Cheerios treated the way he has been treating you and I won't have them associated with a losing club. To win we need you to be able to captain properly. So that's what is going to happen."
San leans forward, "and Shue is just ok with all of this."
Sue just growls. "Shuster no longer has a say so in what happens. He lost that privilege when he yelled and berated a student without knowing the full story of what was going on. He stepped over the line and Figgins is putting his foot down. He may come back in two months, which is the day before Regionals, if he chooses to. But by then everything will be set in place."
She hands Rachel a piece of paper. "These are the songs and who is singing and being highlighted in them. Have a plan ready, we start rehearsals the second practice after we return from break. If all of you work together it should work out fine, and I want better choreography then sectionals. You have two months to train everyone. If they don't like it they can leave." The girls nod still overwhelmed by this change in Glee. "That is all, I will see you tomorrow for training." She dismisses them getting up and going to her desk.
The girls grab their new practice gear and Rachel's new duffle, as she sent out a mass text with an attached list of what to bring to turn in tomorrow as a reminder to the Cheerios, and they head off to Rachel's. Once they get to the house they settle in the living room and explain to Puck what coach said about glee. He was as shocked as the girls had been.
Rachel looks to the others. "I don't think this is another trick to destroy glee club."
Puck just shook his head. "You can't be sure of that Rach."
Rachel just sat back. "Yes I can. Glee club was already falling apart. I wasn't going to go back, you and the girls said if I didn't you wouldn't either. She could have just sat back and watched it sink. She's helping, and by putting her name on it she will expect us to succeed. I think it will be ok."
San agreed. "I think she's right. Coach wouldn't get involved this much if she didn't plan on us winning. She gave us the set list, it's really good and has given Rachel, Britt and I free rein with the music and choreography. I think our problems will be with the rest of the club. Wheezy especially. We also have to find a replacement for Finnept."
Britt leaned forward in her seat. "I don't think that will be a problem. I know at least two Cheerios that wanted to tryout but didn't because of coach. But coach said she was lifting the ban."
"Which ones are they Britt?" Quinn asked.
"Samantha and Marsha. They both sing really pretty, and Marsha can belt it like Mercedes."
"If we are getting more popular kids in the club and with Rachel's rising popularity I may know two football players that I might be able to talk into joining." Puck said trying to think of a way to get the boys to join. "I'll work on it this weekend when I see them. We are all getting together for paintball."
Rachel clapped her hands together. "Excellent, we can talk to the girls after practice tomorrow." The other girls nodded "Ok, let's go down to the studio and get started on the arrangement for the set list after we eat. Once we get those down we can spend some time in the next week figuring out choreography."
They all agreed with that plan and headed in to the kitchen to get lunch. The rest of the day was spent in the studio with Rachel and Santana working on the music arrangement. The others helped with the breakdown of the group number and who sang where looking up lyrics and sheet music. Before they stopped for the night they had the music and lyrics down for the two new numbers.
Puck and Britt left to go home for the night and the girls locked up and headed to bed. The next week they would try and nail down choreography in between Cheerios practice and just hanging out. They still wanted some time for just the three of them. They settle for the night cuddling looking forward to the change in glee but hoping the other Gleeks wouldn't cause too big of a problem.
A/N: Next Cheerios, New Year's Eve, and an unplanned, and very unexpected visitor.