Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters.

Chapter 49

Rachel awoke with a start early the next morning. She hadn't had a nightmare and wasn't sure what had awoken her. She looked up to see San's peacefully sleeping face and realized it must have been Quinn being out of bed that woke her. She sat up and looked around not seeing her. She gently got off the bed and checked the bathroom not finding her there.

She decided to check down stairs. She was almost down the stairs when she heard the music coming from the open basement doors. She headed down only to stop short when her mom motioned for her to be quiet and listened intently to Quinn playing the piano and singing.

She smiled softly, recognizing the song. She quietly slipped past her mother to enter the room and sit with her love while she played. Quinn smiled softly at her never breaking stride in the song. At the chorus Rachel joined in backing her up.

Shelby smiled as she watched them and listened to the heartfelt rendition of the song. She smiled brighter as San passed her to sit on the other side of Quinn joining in with Rachel as well. She remembered fondly her second morning here when she found Rachel singing and the others joined her. That was the morning in her heart that she gained not only one daughter but three.

As they finished the song Shelby quietly slipped back up the stairs to start breakfast. She rounded the corner to find Sue at the coffee pot filling a cup. She smiled and went to her wrapping her arms around her. "Good morning."

Sue leaned into her. "Morning. What are they doing up so early singing?"

Shelby sighed. "Quinn woke first and started playing then that song came out. Rachel made her way down then Santana shortly after. Music is so ingrained into them, it's their outlet. When one is upset she usually goes down alone to sing, eventually the others follow and sing back up. It calms them."

Sue looked thoughtful for a moment. "That's actually pretty neat."

Shelby just smiled. "The first time I saw it happen was my second morning here and Rachel was playing. They sang Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. I've heard San do a slowed down version of Stronger, Quinn has done this song and actually the duet that San and Rachel did for regionals. She really likes that song. Rachel has done so many I can't count them."

Sue listened as they started over the song. "Do you know this song? I really like the lyrics."

Shelby turned to get a cup. "Yep. It's one of my favorites."

Sue listened again then leaned over to kiss her cheek. "It's nice. I'm going to go change and shower for the day. I need to run to the school early to put away the uniforms. We just shoved them in the locker room trying to get out of there last night."

Shelby turned back to her. "If you wait, we can all go and help. It'll take less time."

Sue shrugged. "Only if the girls are up to it."

About that time the girls came in the room. Rachel smiled at Coach still being there. "If were up to what?"

Shelby smiled to her. "I was telling Sue that if she waited, we can all go in together and help her put up the uniforms and stuff from this weekend."

The girls shrugged and Quinn answered grabbing her coffee mug. Shelby had gotten them for them the last time she was in Columbus. Hers had a koala bear on it, San's an angel and Rachel's a bright glittery gold star. "Sure, we usually go in early anyway." Rachel and San nodded their agreement.

Shelby turned to Sue. "See, problem solved and you don't have to go in so early. Now, go take a shower and I will start breakfast, all of you."

Quinn chuckled. "I already had one so I will help with breakfast."

Shelby nodded and the others moved to go upstairs. She and Quinn worked seamlessly together to make breakfast. After putting the breakfast bake in the oven and Quinn putting smoothies in the fridge Shelby turned to her. "How are you doing honey?"

Quinn thought for a moment. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I hate what happened yesterday and that it put a damper on our win but it was a long time coming for my sister and I. I'm a little nervous about dinner tonight. There is no telling if anything good will come out of that. The last time my sister and I had civil words that didn't include tons of snark and backstabbing was when we were little."

Shelby walked over and pulled her into a hug. "Well, you never know until you try and maybe it will be for the best regardless of the outcome."

Quinn leaned into her soaking up her love just thinking. "I never thought of it that way. That kind of makes me feel better." She leaned up and kissed her cheek then fell back into the hug. "Thank you mama Shelby."

Shelby's breath caught momentarily then she just hugged her closer. San had been calling her that off and on since she was given guardianship. This was a first for Quinn. "Ok love. Why don't you go get dressed for school? The bake will be done in about thirty minutes. Tell the girls."

Quinn nodded and headed upstairs. They all came back shortly after and they had breakfast together then headed off to the school once the dishwasher was loaded. They quickly got the uniforms and other things put away and readied the presentation for that day for the new routine.

They went and sat in the gym and waited on the girls. When they arrived Rachel had them sit in the stands and she stood going to her boards she had made. "Ok, the dance for the new routine is totally different but definitely doable. We will be doing some of the same stunts but in different sequences and some new ones. New to you not to me and I can demonstrate with Sam and Brittany. I wanted to ask if you all felt comfortable keeping the big stunt. I have one other big stunt I want to do as well but I wanted input from you flyers."

Stacy raised her hand first. "I have no problem with that. It's a badass stunt and the crowd loved it."

Amber raised her hand next. "I'm good with it. We did it perfect and this way we don't have to learn two new big stunts."

Rachel smiled. "That was my thought as well. Makes for learning the new routine faster with more time to fine tune it." She turned back to her drawings. "This is the series of stunts I have in mind."

She spent the rest of their hour explaining it all to them. Coach just sat back and smiled. At the end of the practice the squad headed out and Coach called Rachel to her. "Do you really think that they can pull off that stunt?"

Rachel looked at her apprehensively. "Well I kind of wanted to talk to you about that."

Sue just looked concerned. "What is it Rachel?"

Rachel took a deep breath. "I think that with the skill set of our flyers that only Stacy could pull it off."

Sue looked at her curiously. "If you think that why introduce the stunt? I'm all for dangerous stunts but not if someone is going to definitely get hurt."

Rachel looked down and took a shakier breath. "I'm going to do it, I've done it before. That is if the offer still stands for me to join as a cheerleader."

To say that she was shocked was an understatement. "Rachel, are you sure? Honey what about the uniforms?"

Rachel sighed then looked up at her with sheer determination in her eyes. "I need to do this, I have to. I want the rest of my life back. He has taken enough from me. Please Sue, let me do this. I have to try."

Sue pulled her into a hug and waved off her concerned mother and girlfriends. "Ok Rach. If you want to try I will let you. You will be an asset to this team, but at any moment that you change your mind you have to promise me that you will tell me and we will pull this stunt and put you back in your trainer uniforms."

Rachel nodded into her chest and sighed into her comforting embrace. "Thank you for this. The uniform is still protection, and I'm not alone anymore."

Sue lifted her head up by her chin. "Sweetheart, you never have to be alone again. You have your mom, your girls, the squad, Puckerman, those damn Gleeks and honey, you have me."

Rachel sobbed and fell into her again holding on tight. Sue just smiled softly. "Ok, how do you want to do this? Ease into it or jump in with both feet?"

Rachel looked up and thought for a moment. "I think I just need to jump in. When can you get me my new gear?"

Sue smiled. "The only thing we will change is your school and competition uniforms. Training gear and sweats as stuff stays the same. You are still our trainer, you're just going to be a performer as well. I need to order your school uniforms, give me two days to get what you need then we will go from there."

Rachel nodded and looked back to her anxious looking girlfriends and mother. She motioned them over and they rushed to her side. Shelby scooped her up first. "What's wrong with mama's baby?"

Rachel chuckled at that. "I'm ok. I was just asking Sue if I could join as a cheerleader."

They all gasped and Shelby tightened her hold on her. "Are you sure baby? You know that means a change in uniform."

Rachel nodded and stepped back only to have Santana and Quinn move in to hold her close. "I'm sure. I need to do this. I need that last part of me back. I have to do this for me."

Shelby smiled slightly. "If that's what you need sweetheart I will be 100% behind you and I will to all I can to help you feel safe."

Quinn kissed her temple. "We will too baby." San held on tighter and nodded her agreement.

Rachel sighed into them. "Ok, the order for my uniforms will be in two days from now. So I we will see then. I will do this for me and I will succeed. I'm tired of dressing like this, I want to feel like a girl again."

San finally found her voice. "I know you will querida. You don't know how to fail, and we will all be with you every step of the way. But hermosa, you are all girl and you look hot no matter what you wear." Quinn nodded along enthusiastically.

Rachel chuckle. "Well, I want to feel hot again and what better way than a Cheerios uniform."

They all laughed then startled at the bell. Rachel winced. "Crap we are so late."

Sue pulled out a little note pad and wrote on it. "Here's a pass to class, they will not count it against you. Now go, I will order your uniforms and get a definite day for you."

The girls nodded and headed off. They watched them go and Shelby turned to Sue. "God are you sure this is a good idea?"

Sue nodded. "She needs to at least try. She promised me that if she changed her mind that she would tell me right away and she would go back to the trainer uniforms. We have to let her set the pace for this. If she says she's ready we have to support her."

Shelby sighed and leaned into her. "You're right, I know this, but she's my baby and I worry."

Sue rubbed her back soothingly. "I know, I do too, but we will help her anyway we can." She kissed her temple. "Now let's go order her uniforms and I have an idea that might make it a little better."

Shelby just looked at her curiously but followed her to her office.

The girls made it to class, gave their note and were excused. The rest of the day flew by without a problem. At 30 minutes to before the last class the Cheerios were called to the football field and the announcement was made for the student body to meet on the bleachers there during last hour.

When they came out to the field Amber was leaning on some of the others holding her knee with tears in her eyes. The girls rushed to her. San making it first. "What the hell happened?"

Marissa looked pissed and answered. "We were coming down the stairs and one of the AV idiots was running up not paying attention. He slammed into her and she fell half a damn flight of stairs."

Quinn threw her hands up. "Shit are you ok? Do you need a doctor?"

Amber looked up tears still streaming. "I couldn't even put any pressure on it. They carried me out here."

Rachel took out her phone and called coach to explain what happened. She hung up and came back over. "Take her to a seat to get her off of it." She turned to Britt and Sam. "Run in and get her a couple of icepacks and a towel."

She turned back to San and Quinn. "Quinn stay here with the squad. I need to run to the locker room and I'll take San with me."

Quinn looked curious. "What do you need in the locker room?"

Rachel sighed then steeled herself. "A uniform. We don't have time to re-block this and I can do all her stunts. Looks like it's sink or swim time."

San grabbed her arm. "Are you sure querida?"

Rachel shrugged. "Whether it's today or Wednesday it's all the same. At least this way I will be focusing on the routine. I'll be fine. I promise."

San held up her hands. "Ok, let's do this."

As they ran to the locker room San sent a text to Puck and David to make every boy take off their letterman before coming out to the stadium.

Santana-Puck and Dave: Stop all lettermen's from being worn out to the assembly. Rachel is going full Cheerio and I don't want the jackets distracting her. Our routine is dangerous.

Puck-Santana: Oh shit. I'm on it.

Dave-Santana: I got this no worries.

Santana-Puck and Dave: Thank you so much.

Puck-Santana: Anything for Rachel.

Dave-Santana: Ditto

The both took a breath as they entered the storage room. Coach was setting things on the table. "Are you sure about this Rachel?"

Rachel just straightened her spine. "Absolutely Coach. I need this."

She motioned to the table. "Ok boss, suit up."

Rachel chuckled as she left the room. San helped her get ready then they headed back out. At the door Rachel paused, took a deep breath then pushed them open and strode out on the field.

Amber looked up and gasped. "Rachel no!"

Rachel went to her and kneeled in front of her. "As of Wednesday I was going to be a full-fledged Cheerio anyway. We're just moving things up a bit for this performance. We don't have time to re-block this. This was not your fault. I can do this Amber, I need to do this for me."

Amber looked up to San and Quinn who just nodded and back to Rachel. "Ok, you're the boss."

Rachel smiled and went out to the others, all of them gathering around. "Ok, I'm taking Amber's place today. Form up and let's wait for Figgins to introduce us before we set up on the field."

They all nodded stunned and San looked at the bases menacingly. "Drop her you die."

Sam looked at her determined. "We got this cap." The others nodded just as determined and they fell in formation.

Shelby and Sue came out and Shelby grabbed her arm tightly. "Oh my god what is going on?"

Sue sighed. "One of the girls got hurt on their way here and Rachel insisted on replacing her." Shelby moved to go to her and Sue pulled her back. "Let her do this honey. She needs it. If it doesn't work out she can change her mind right now. Trust her baby."

Shelby deflated. "Ok, who is she replacing?"

Sue tightened her grip on her. "One of the stunt flyers."

Shelby gasped and turned her head. "Oh god I can't watch this."

Sue rubbed her arm. "It will be fine. She's done every one of these stunts countless times. Just breathe and watch how truly talented she really is."

Shelby sighed and turned to watch.

Figgins looked to them as he stepped out looking stunned for a moment at Rachel then turned to address the student. "Good afternoon students. As you know our Cheerios went to their regionals competition this weekend and brought home another trophy and are now going to Nationals."

He paused as the students cheered. "So here they are doing their regionals winning routine."

Rachel counted them off and they scattered to the field setting up the formation. The music started and they were off.

Once again the routine was flawless. Neither Rachel nor the bases missed a beat. She flew through the routine effortlessly. When they did the major stunt the students gasped and cheered wildly for them. When it ended they were all on their feet clapping and cheering madly.

Rachel and Stacy dismounted the pyramid and stood proudly together. Rachel call out "Form up!" and they all fell in line.

When the cheering died down a bit Figgins came back out with his microphone. "Thank you ladies. That was wonderful." He turned to the rest of the student body. "Students you are all free to go. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Sue grabbed his mic. "All New Directions meet us down here now." She handed him the mic back and she and Shelby went to the girls. "Just as good as yesterday ladies."

Shelby hugged Rachel then stepped back letting Sue talk to them. "Ok, as you've noticed we have a new flyer." Rachel beamed and they all cheered. "She will be official when her uniforms come in on Wednesday."

She looked to Rachel. "That is if this is still what you want."

Rachel nodded. "It is Coach."

Sue smiled. "Alright you are free to go if you are not in glee."

Rachel turned to the girls. "Practice tomorrow no training gear. We still have more to go over. We'll see you in the morning." They all rushed her in a group hug then headed out.

San and Quinn pulled her close. San let out a breath. "God you looked good out there, but my heart stopped as we watched you from the top of our pyramid doing that damned stunt."

Quinn nodded her agreement. "I almost passed out."

Rachel chuckled. "You better get used to it." They groaned and she laughed pulling away and going to Amber. "Is your mom on her way?"

Amber sighed. "Yes. She should be here any minute. She said leave it to me to be a flyer and never get hurt just to twist my knee on the damn stairs."

They both laughed then Rachel rubbed her shoulder as the Gleeks came out. "It wasn't your fault, you we knocked down. Josh and Jake will carry you to the car. I don't want any pressure on that until it's looked at."

She just nodded sadly. "Ok."

Amber's mom arrived a few minutes later rushing on to the field. Rachel had the boys carry her out. "Call and let one of us know what the doctor says. I'm going to worry about you until we know something."

Amber nodded. "Ok boss. Talk to you later."

They waved her off and Sue turned to the group. "Alright guys. We still have to nail down this set list. We will all be going to the auditorium and you will be splitting off into your duet groups. Shelby, Shuster and I will be at the director's desk finishing this up so the choreography can be nailed down as well."

Josh and Jake ran back and joined the group. Shelby address them. "Ok let's go." She turned to Rachel. "Baby are you going to change yet?"

Rachel thought for a moment. "No, if it's ok I think I will keep this on for now. San and I will grab my clothes and meet you all in there since we don't have to work. If you have any of the set list figured out I can start on it while you pick the rest."

Shelby hugged her. "Ok honey go get your clothes then meet us in there and we will see where were are."

They all headed in, Rachel and Santana went off to get her clothes then headed to the auditorium.

A/N: Ok there it is. Rachel is trying to finish healing. We will see how it goes. Glee practice and Fabray dinner next.