A/N: I do not own any rights to Glee just borrowing a few characters for a bit.

Chapter 2

Rachel watched from the far side of the studio while other students entered, as she stretched in preparation of today's class. She recognized everyone and mentally catalogued each person where they belonged in her mind. That wasn't saying much as her fellow dancers were just that, dancers, or students of the subject at least. A big part of her training had always been mental. She knew to observe each person, regardless of age, color, creed, religion or background (if she knew it). She was to analyse any potential problems, threats to herself, others or their surroundings as well as general behavior so to learn everything about any situation that may arise. She recognized every person there as a student or parent of a student and had been with this class for 3 years so there was nothing new to focus on as she stretched. That is until she was bent over, legs split, touching her toes and looking between her legs upside down. This was the position she is in when a very tall, long legged blonde girl, she guessed to be about her age comes in shyly trailing behind a larger woman Rachel guesses is her mother. Straightening into a full reach stretch while turning around to observe more closely, Rachel listens intently as the girl's mother greets the instructor and gently pulls the girl around from behind her to introduce her.

"This is my daughter, Brittany. She has been in dance class since she was 5 and with moving to Lima we thought to continue her training as she is quite good at it." spoke the blonde woman who looked nothing like her daughter except sharing hair color. Brittany held out her hand to the instructor saying, "It's nice to meet you." as she smiled beautifully. Shaking the young girl's hand the instructor smiled in return and welcomed the girl to class. Rachel watched all of this as she shook out her arms, keeping the circulation going and noticing how pretty the girl is. She thought the girl seemed rather shy but well mannered and wondered if maybe she could be her friend. Of course, as soon as she thought this she internally shook her head at the thought, knowing most kids just found her odd and Brittany probably would too. Taking a position on the floor as their instructor called attention to the class, Rachel smiled kindly at the new girl as she came to stand next to Rachel near the front. Brittany returned her smile, seeming quite shy and before Rachel could introduce herself the instructor began speaking. She wouldn't have an opportunity to do so until after class as she was intent on the lesson for the day and did not want to disrespect their instructor or the class by being rude.

In the locker room after class Rachel stripped and went into the showers to rinse off knowing she would clean better at home and just needed to get the sweat off for now. As she let the water spray over her well-muscled yet small frame she heard what sounded like conflict near the lockers. Turning off the shower she wraps in her towel quickly and joins the other girls who seem to be intent on starting trouble of some kind. Seeing the new girl, Brittany surrounded by several girls who Rachel knew to be troublemakers, she quickly squirmed her way between the onlookers until she was standing next to Brittany. Looking up at the tall blonde, Rachel notices tears forming in her eyes and immediately places herself between Brittany and her tormentor, a girl named Sheila asking, "What seems to be the problem here Sheila?" Looking down into the inquisitive brown eyes of the smaller girl, Sheila huffs a laugh saying, "We were trying to figure out what the new girls game was, Berry. What's it to ya?" Rachel chuckles softly while shaking her head before saying, "Seems to me you're trying to intimidate her and I'm not sure why as if you were paying attention, she dances better than most of you." Hearing a small gasp behind her Rachel turns slightly to give Brittany a smile continuing with, "In fact, I am sure she is not playing any game and that she simply wants to dance like the rest of us. Right Brittany?" Giving the smaller girl a small smile, Brittany nods her head even as Sheila growls upset that Berry was once again ruining her fun. Before she can say anything further Rachel feels herself being shoved roughly in the shoulder as Sheila grits out, "Shut up Berry! No one was asking you!" Having only allowed herself to be pushed a few inches resulting in her back being pushed against Brittany's front Rachel looks up to the tall blonde whispering, "Sorry." before she takes a large step forward putting herself an inch in front of Sheila speaking softly yet firmly, "I suggest you take your bad attitude and cronies and leave well enough alone Sheila before you push the wrong person too far." Ready to put the dorky little dancer in her place, Sheila glances into eyes that have turned almost black in obvious anger and takes a step back instead. Before she can react further, their instructor calls into the locker room, "Lets go girls! Finish up - the next class is trickling in." so she merely states, "You're lucky Losers." and turns to finish getting dressed with the rest of her friends.

Taking a deep breath, Rachel turns back to check on Brittany only to find the girl exiting the locker room rather hurriedly. Sighing, she goes to her locker and gets dressed in her street clothes, tossing her towel in the bin marked, Used, Rachel hurries out the door searching for the tall blonde. Not seeing her anywhere the little dancer sighs again before spotting her Daddy waving from the car and heading in that direction wishing she had had the chance to talk to Brittany. Once in the car with her seatbelt fastened, Rachel turns to her Daddy as he asks "Good class Sweetie?" to which she answers, "Yes Daddy but there's a new girl and Sheila was giving her a hard time in the locker room after so I tried to help but she left before I could talk to her." Frowning slightly as he drives them toward home, Hiram Berry wonders if the new girl was who he thought she was since he only knew of one new family in town and that family, The Pierce family were known to the Berry men as friends and colleagues. Observing her daddy's expression and silence as they rode along Rachel asks, "Do you already know of whom I am speaking about Daddy?" Chuckling softly Hiram answers, "In fact I believe I do Sweetie. The Pierce family just moved to town and they have two daughters. One of whom I believe is near your own age." Lifting an eyebrow at her daddy knowing the new family in town she thinks to ask about them but stops as he says, "We'll speak about this more at home Rach." ending the topic of discussion for now while letting Rachel know there was definitely more to it than them simply being new to town. Turning slightly she stares out the window, wondering just how much more there was to the new family and if it would possibly infringe on her becoming friends with Brittany.

TBC

Let me know what you think so far ~Moon~