Disclaimer: If I had owned Glee, its characters or the used songs I wouldn't be still living in the Netherlands and Glee wouldn't have ended.
Special thanks to all of you who are still following this story for your patience.
English still isn't my native language. For that I have jenmer61977 as my amazing beta.
A.N.: I'm starting this over because I stumbled upon some inconsistencies that I couldn't let go because they were irritating me as hell. I also changed things up a bit to make it fit better for what I have in mind later on in the story.
Previously on Into the Fire:
Around two o'clock three dark figures carrying backpacks make their way towards the house, setting off the motion detectors Emily had set up around the property. The agent in the car standing in the parking lot in front of Sam's Club Gas station grabs the night vision goggles to make sure it wasn't a squirrel setting it off. Getting out his phone he dials a number and nudges the person beside him awake. "It's time." He says to his partner as well as to the person picking up the phone.
"How many and where did they come from?" comes from the other side of the line.
"Three came by foot from Applebee's. I don't know if they have a car somewhere stashed," the agent says after searching the mentioned spot.
"Good. Stay where you are and keep me posted," Emily answers already in motion to get dressed. Throwing on a sweater she makes another call.
"Shell, it's time." Emily says when the phone is picked up.
"Fuck," Shelby swears, hanging up she shakes Sue awake.
"Sue, wake up. We need to get dressed. It's time. I'll wake up Rae," still a bit groggy from sleep she gets out of bed to wake up Rachel.
Meanwhile at the hotel Emily has awoken her team. "Three unsubs just made their way to the house from the parking lot at Applebee's. Rossi, Alvez and Walker you three wait there, when they come back arrest them. JJ, you take a car and go to the meeting point. They will be there in…" She looks at her watch. "Approximately twenty to thirty minutes. You know where to bring them."
"What about you? Are you okay?" Agent Rossi asks her.
"I'm probably gonna be needed at the house when the boyfriend and best friend show up and I need to get my acting on. It is my family 'burning' in that house. At least I know they'll be safe so yes, I'm okay." She assures her colleague and friend.
Right at that moment she receives a text. 'Two Molotov's just went in and they set fire to the front and back door.'
'Wait five minutes then call 911.' She texts back.
"Okay guys, show time," she claps her hands. Rossi, Alvez and Walker hurry to the parking lot while JJ leaves to take the women to a secured location and she sends her friend a text that the show just started.
"Rachel, wake up. It's time, we need to get ready to leave," Shelby gently tries to shake her daughter awake.
"No. More sleep go away," Rachel whines, slapping her mother's hand away.
Having no time for being gentle Shelby shoves Rachel, making her roll over far enough that she falls on the ground.
"Ow, what was that for," the girl growls.
"It's time. Get dressed, we're leaving as soon as Em gives us the green light," the taller brunette orders before leaving to get ready herself where Sue is already completely dressed in black like they discussed, waiting for her with a cup of coffee earning a thankful smile.
"She awake?" Sue asks knowing how deep the girl can sleep.
"She better be. I accidentally pushed her to the floor," Shelby looks a little guilty for pushing their baby girl off the bed.
"I'll check on her and bring her one of these just to make sure," Sue holds up a second cup. Their daughter is just as much of a coffee addict as they are and can't function without her cup of joe in the morning.
"Have you called it in yet?" Emily slips in the car still standing at Sam's Club Gas station.
"Yeah, Lima, Bath and Perry fire departments have just been paged." The agent responds. "They should be here in a minute or ten."
"You have to be kidding me. Did you say there was a house on fire with people in it?" The agent nods looking through the goggles again.
"Do you have people at the parking lot? They're leaving the premises now." He turns around to face Emily.
She nods as she sends off a text to Shelby. 'Leave now. LFD isn't there yet and the perpetrators are leaving, you can get away without being seen. JJ is waiting for you at Bowman Road.'
"Fuck," The agent with the goggles curses, frantically searching the area between them and the house . "I lost them."
"What?" Emily grabs the goggles out of his hands and when she looks herself, she sees nothing. "Fuck indeed. No wait, they're crossing Bellefontaine Rd now. Now we lost them."
In the shelter Rachel is just entering the 'living room' when Shelby receives the text from Emily. "We have to leave now. The fire department isn't here yet so we can get away unseen."
Thankfully Rachel's leg is healed enough that she doesn't need the crutches anymore. Just as they reach the tree line the fire department arrives and with one last glance over the property and their burning house they disappear between the trees. Being raised around this house ever since her parents moved back to Lima and growing up with boys like Dave and Noah, meant that Rachel knows these tree lines like the back of her hand, giving her the ability to find the bikes even in the darkness of the night with ease. Normally a bike ride like this would take them around five minutes but since they can't turn on the headlights and are carrying three large and heavy backpacks, it takes them twenty minutes to reach Bowman Road.
As soon as JJ sees them coming through the trees, she flashes her headlights once to let them know where she is. The minute they enter the vehicle she takes off.
When the call of a fire and three possible burn victims comes in at Lima Memorial Hospital Deborah, who works the night shift, springs into action.
She clamps a hand on the very handsome new doctor on call lab coat. "D… do you know where the fire is or who the victims are?"
He looks at her strangely but answers the question anyway. "I believe the fire is at a farm just outside of town. I just started this job so I have no clue as to the names of the victims. But from what I heard, the chance that any of the victims will be brought here is very slim to none. Apparently, the fire grew very quickly from barely there to raging. The people inside probably didn't stand a chance."
"No, no, no," Deb furiously shakes her head. "I have to call my son."
"Do you know the victims?" He looks her worried up and down.
"Yes. I'm afraid so," Deb answers with tears starting to form in her eyes. "If it is who I'm afraid of it is I've known the girl from the day she was born. She's my son's girlfriend and her mothers are very good friends of mine. If you will excuse me, I have to call my son."
"Wait," the doctor places his hand on the small of her back. "You're way too upset to be alone right now. Come with me, you can call your son from my office."
Deborah lets the phone ring five times before hanging up. Then she calls again and Noah picks up after four rings.
"Noah, you have to go to Rachel's house." She practically screams through the phone.
"Ma, It's…. two thirty in the morning? Are you crazy, why?" His vision is a little blurry from being called awake.
"Because it is on fire Noah," Deborah cries.
"What? I'm on my way," He quickly throws on some clothes and is out the door. On his way he calls Santana telling her that he is picking her up.
As soon as the fire department and police arrive they close both entrances of the property off with the infamous yellow tape. As they work to contain the fire and the growing crowd Emily receives a text from Agent Rossi that they lost the perpetrators. She also knows the hospital is already notified of three possible burn victims, meaning Deborah probably already called Noah to tell him what is happening and that he will be there soon. She starts working herself up so it will seem she's out of her mind with worry about her niece and best friends before she walks up to one of the police officers guarding the entrance to explain what is about to happen as soon as the teens arrive.
Ten minutes later Noah brings his truck to a screeching halt as close to the house as the first responders will allow. Santana flies out of the cab before he comes to a complete stop and he is right behind her after slamming it in park.
They round the hood and make it to the yellow tape trying to cross under it but are stopped by a police officer. "You can't cross. That house could explode at any moment, it isn't safe."
Noah pushes against the man shaking his head. "My girlfriend is in there. Let us through."
The officer pushes back and calls over his shoulder for help trying to keep a hold of both teens.
Santana fights him for a moment then getting desperate she bites his arm, "Let us go," and quickly passes through as the officer yelps in pain and releases her out of reflex.
She doesn't get far as Emily stops her wrapping her arms around her, "Stop San." She turns to the officer. "Let him through. I'll keep them with me."
The officer complies and Noah rushes towards her. "Where are they?"
She shakes her head as tears continue to fall. "They haven't found them yet."
Releasing Santana, Emily walks toward a group of firemen yelling. "What the hell are you doing? Get in there and get my family out."
The fireman shakes his head. "We're doing all we can. We have a team trying to get in through the back and locate the family within but that side is on fire too. Whomever did this meant business. There's no way in until we have this fire under control."
At that moment an explosion goes off throwing them all backwards. All three of them jump up and
make a run for the house. Emily had informed her crew to expect this and three FBI agents and three firemen grab them and hold them back.
"That place could blow again at any moment and collapse. You can't go in there." One of the firemen
yells trying to keep a hold of Santana.
"Let me go." Santana screams as Noah breaks free but is immediately tackled to the ground by two other firemen and two police officers.
He tries to shake them off, tears streaming and hysterical, "Let me go, I need to get her out. I need to help them."
Emily is screaming profanity at the people holding her and struggling in their hold and just as she breaks free another explosion goes off sending them all a few feet back. They get up again but all they can do is watch as the house collapses in on itself.
Emily drops to her knees and wails out her grief. "NOOOOO!"
Noah stands there in shock shaking his head as Santana falls into his arms. "It can't be."
Santana shakes out a sob. "Oh my god… Noah… Rae…"
Noah just continues to shake his head holding her tight. "It can't be."
Sobs start to overtake him as well and Emily comes up taking them both in her arms and they all cry together.
Back in the car Rachel, who is looking out the window, notices that JJ just past the turn onto the road where Allen County Airport is located.
"Uhm JJ, you just missed the turn to the airport," She turns her head again to be sure.
"That's because I'm taking you to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton," the blonde agent replies.
"What?" All three women turn their heads towards JJ.
"Because it is such a small airport, flying from Allen Country right now or even within the next few days would draw too much attention," she explains. "Plus, you don't have any identification with you. We have a private jet ready to fly you to a military base somewhere only Emily and the pilots know."
"What about the bikes?" Sue asks, concerned that somebody will find them and will know they managed to escape the fire.
"Already picked up by Spencer with a cargo van." JJ answers. They will be brought to your new address together with the horses."
The rest of the drive is spent in silence, each woman lost in their own thoughts.
True to JJ's word a private jet is waiting with the engines already running. The pilot quickly loads their bags into the plane and after a big hug from JJ they're off.
Rachel sighs deeply with tears streaming down her face as she watches the ground beneath them grow smaller and smaller.
"What's wrong baby girl?" Sue looks worried at her.
"I'm going to miss them so much," she answers, keeping her eyes on the window.
"I know baby. So will I," Sue takes her in her arms, kissing the girl on the top of her head. "So will I."
While the three women are brought to safety far away from Lima. In Lima at the house, or what's left of it, there is still a flurry of activity. The firemen closest to the house when it exploded are brought to the hospital and thanks to their protective gear, only minor burns, cuts, bruises and a broken arm or a few cracked ribs are treated.
By dawn the fire department finally has the fire under control enough that they can start looking for the remains of the women, which they ofcourse won't find. So when a fireman comes out of the house shaking his head the bystanders presume they found the remains of the women living in the house. Having calmed down from her breakdown that early morning Emily walks up to him asking him what they found.
"Nothing except for a pair of crutches. I am informed that the girl walked with crutches due to an accident last week. Can you, or anybody from their inner circle, confirm that information?" she nods slowly. "My guess is that the intensity of the fire combined with the explosions and the type of accelerant used to ignite the fire instantly cremated the bodies. I believe the girl was the daughter of the couple that died in that fire a few weeks ago. Do you have any idea if they had any family left? We have to notify them."
"I am family. One of those men was my brother, the girl my niece and her mothers were my best friends. I'll take care of the notifications." She allowed tears to fall down her face then glances over her shoulder to where Santana and Noah are huddled together crying out their grief for their friend and girlfriend. "Here's what I want you to do. I want you to call the coroner's office anyway to pick up three heavily burned bodies. I'll call their Rabbi to start making arrangements for their funerals. Could you tell them for me please?" He nods and makes his way to the teens.
When Santana starts to chant no, Noah looks up to see the fire captain walking up to them. He starts shaking his head.
"I'm so sorry," he whispers apologetically.
'The gas line caused some explosions. Coupled with the accelerant they think was used to start the fire, the fire department assumes your bodies were cremated in the fire. Try to have fun in the Aloha State. I'll call you tonight with an update and come by in a few days. If you need anything contact me with the phone I gave you.' Shelby reads the text she receives as they exit the plane and shows it to Sue.
At the bottom of the stairs a tall handsome man with dark hair is waiting for them.
"Good morning ladies my name is Commander Steve McGarret from the Task Force Hawaii Five-O. I'm here to escort you to your residence for the unforeseeable time." He greets them. As he takes over their bags he continues, "We did a full sweep of the house this morning and it is clean so to speak."
"What does that mean, a full sweep and why would that be necessary?" Sue asks him.
"That means we checked the house for any disturbing factors," he explains. "Agent Prentiss called us earlier in the week and told us what is happening in your old hometown and that she would have to bring you here for a little while. She requested we do a full sweep before you came in and to escort you. She called again yesterday evening to inform us you were on your way." The women nod and they enter the car.
"This is where you'll be staying," he says after a fifteen minute drive, turns off the engine and steps out of the car. "As I was saying we were informed that you were coming so we had a service fill up your refrigerator and make the beds." The Commander explains as he carries the bags into the main house.
"Oh my god Sue. Despite my objections, they bought it anyway." Shelby gasps.
"You mean this is ours?" Rachel's eyes widen. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Sue replies. "Remember when you came to the island with Santana the last week of your summer break?" Rachel nods, of course she remembers. She had an amazing time at the Lopez' vacation home "Your fathers wanted to buy another vacation home for themselves and us like the one we're having built in Salt Lake City so we could soak up some warmth and sun whenever we want. So, they asked us to come with them to look at some properties and this was one of them. Your dads' and I immediately fell in love with this one but your mom thought it was way too expensive for just a vacation home but knowing you would love it with the pool and the beach as a backyard they bought it anyway. We were planning on coming here for Hanukkah, Christmas and your birthday to surprise you."
"So this is mine now?" Rachel just looks stunned at her mother who just smiles.
"I believe so baby girl," the mother answers. "When we think the time is right we'll take the guesthouse as planned but that ain't happening any time soon. However, the master bedroom with a stunning view is all yours."
"Well, my job here is done for now," the Commander gives Shelby his card. "You can find the keys for the cars in the safe. The combination to both the safe and the alarm is the girl's birthday. If you need anything or there is something wrong don't hesitate to call me." After giving them his card he leaves the house.
After giving Rachel a tour of the house Shelby suggests that she lies down for a bit.
"If I sleep now, I won't be able to sleep tonight," the girl declines. "I did get some sleep on the plane. I think I'm just going to lay on that comfy looking sunbed on my balcony and enjoy the view."
"That's okay honey, but it's been a long night so we're going to try to get some rest," her mother kisses her on the head before disappearing upstairs.
As Emily makes her calls to the Rabbi and Shelby's parents that they need to come back to Lima for yet another three funerals Santana just sits there staring at the house apathetically and Noah runs to his truck and starts driving like a maniac.
At the hospital Deborah starts sobbing in the new doctor's office when she gets the news that there are no survivors. He sits beside holding her while she cries.
"Why her? Why them?" She cries burying her head in his shoulder. Although he didn't know the girl or her parents, he does feel sorry for the woman in his arms. He might not have been here that long, but he has worked a few night shifts with her and from what he has seen she is a hard worker, a good nurse and an even better person.
"I'm so sorry," she blushes when she has calmed down. "You don't even know me and here I am getting snot all over you."
"That's okay," he reassures her. "You just lost some people very close to you. I wouldn't leave you alone with your grief."
"Well, I'm sorry anyway," she looks around searching for her phone. "I need to get home. My son is probably going crazy and my daughter doesn't even know what has happened yet." She starts getting up to leave the office.
"You're in no condition to drive. I'll take you home," the doctor stands up too. "Let me just talk to the doctor on call for the day. He should be here already."
"Rachel honey, wake up." Shelby gently nudges Rachel's shoulder. When the girl opens her eyes, blinking against the sunlight she holds out a cup of coffee.
"Why didn't you go to bed?" She asks her daughter as they sips their coffee.
"I don't know," the smaller brunette answers. "One minute I was enjoying the view, thinking and the next you woke me up. I guess I was more tired than I thought."
"What were you thinking about?" Shelby removes a lock of hair from her daughter's face.
The girl shrugs, "Everything that has happened these last few days. What's going to happen now? We didn't bring any clothes for this kind of weather, and if we start using other names than our own it will be such a hassle by the time we can use our own names again. Can't we just use either Corcoran or Sylvester?"
"Well, the fact that we didn't bring clothes for this weather gives us an excuse to go shopping and annoy the hell out of Sue for a couple of hours," Shelby grins deviously. "I'll ask Em about the name change when she calls me. As to what's going to happen now, I honestly don't know. What do you want to happen?"
"What I want is this whole ordeal to never have happened and be back with Noah but that ain't happening any time soon," she repeats her mother's words from before. "Since Emily already mentioned about aunts and a cousin in Texas I want to move to the ranch in Burleson for now. That will fit perfectly with my plans for the future."
Shelby looks at her confused. "What do you mean baby?"
"Can I be honest?" Shelby nods. "Broadway has always been more daddy's dream than it was mine and I was planning on talking to them sometime this year to tell them that I don't want it. I mean, music will always be an important part of my life, but Broadway? I think by living it through me was their way to make up for what you missed out on when you became pregnant with me. They never asked me what I wanted. I won't give up on music completely. Maybe I can sell some songs here or there or even record them myself when all this is over. But I don't want it as my main source of income."
"Okayyy," Shelby drags out the word shocked as well as surprised. "Didn't see that one coming, I thought you loved the idea of Broadway. But what do you want to do then?"
"I've been around horses and taking care of them practically my whole life and I love it more than anything else. Now that we're probably going to end up at the ranch in Burleson, I want to run the Equinery myself one day. Or sell it and start looking for a bigger property and expand it with livestock for the meat industry." She looks at her mom expectantly.
Shelby smiles and nods her approval. "I want you to know that I never have regretted giving up on my dream of becoming a Broadway star. From the moment that doctor told me that I was pregnant you became my dream and first priority. And I never had the idea of living that old dream through you. I'm proud that you had the courage to tell me all of this. I can't say I'm surprised either. In that case you need to figure out which college has the best program to do so and what classes you need to get there."
"I kind of already did," when Shelby looks at her surprised, she shrugs. "Like I said, I was already planning on talking to all of you about it before I had to make choices about what classes to take next year. I'm already in pre-advanced English, Spanish, Math and Biology and could easily advance into the Advanced classes next year. I can see if those classes give me college credit or I can take Dual Credit classes if offered at my new school. After graduation I want to go to either Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University to study Animal Science with a minor in business."
"You really have thought about it," Shelby looks impressed. "We'll look into it when we have you enrolled into your new school."
She stands up from her place next to her daughter. "Now how about we find out what groceries that task force supplied us with and start making dinner?"
The news of the fire and three women dying with it slowly made its way through Lima. Sadly, most people don't even care, most of which never approved of or liked the family anyway. There were even some who said good riddance when the Berry men died and now they just figure it was the same for the ladies.
Night rolls around and being Saturday, there is a big party happening at Mike's house since his parents are out of town. A mass text went out to all of the New Directions and half the school about the party. Around 10:00 p.m. the party is in full swing and the Gleeks minus Santana and Noah are gathered around drinking.
Kurt looks around the group. "Have you guys heard about that big fire last night? Does anyone know whose house it was or if anyone was hurt?"
They all shake their heads. "No, but if it was someone important, I'm sure we would have heard already." Quinn shrugs.
"I heard it was coach Sylvester's house." Some Cheerio listening to the conversation chirps in.
"I heard that too." Another confirms.
Quinn shakes her head. "I don't believe that. If it was coach' house, I'd have heard about it by now."
"Besides, she's married to Rachel's mom and if it was Rachel's house, I'm sure Santana or Puck would have contacted at least one of us by now. I'm sure the Diva and Coach are just fine." Mercedes says with an unconcerned shrug.
They all agree and change the subject moving on to a drinking game. All but Brittany, who picks up her phone and starts texting Noah, Santana and Rachel to see if they know anything and to make sure Rachel is alright.
As the night proceeds an already completely drunk Noah arrives. He stumbles in the house, looks around then makes a beeline for the table full of alcohol. The moment he has a drink in hand a Cheerio approaches him and starts flirting.
A few others notice the girl draped all over him and Kurt smirks. "See, the diva is fine. If the diva was dead, I'm sure he wouldn't be here flirting with a girl like he is now."
Quinn smiles evilly. "I think I'll go over and make sure he's okay." The others snicker and watch as she saunters over to him.
When she gets close, she can hear him rambling about how much he loves Rachel and how much he wants her here.
Quinn gives the girl a glare who scampers off leaving Noah just standing there in a daze. She puts a hand on his shoulder turning him around. "Hey Puck, want to dance?"
Noah looks up at her. "No, I need Rachel." He looks around blearily. "I need her here."
"Did you have a fight?" She asks, trying to sound sympathetic.
He just keeps staring at his drink with tears in his eyes. "She left me. She's gone."
She grabs his arm and pulls him into a hug. "It's okay, let's go upstairs and wait for her. I'm sure she'll show up soon."
Noah looks at her with such hope in his eyes nodding his head and follows her up.
Brittany watches as they go up the stairs then grabs her phone again stepping outside to call Santana.
After dinner Shelby sends Emily a text. 'We need to go shopping, didn't bring any clothes for this kind of weather. How do we do that without any money?'
Not a minute later the phone rings. "I'm so sorry I didn't think of that." Emily starts when she picks up.
Shelby chuckles at her antics. "That's okay. Question is how are we going to fix it?"
"It looks like our diversion worked. The whole town thinks you're dead so I guess I could ask Garcia if she can see if there is anybody monitoring your accounts. I don't think they would have gone that far or have the knowledge of how to but you can never be too sure. If not, you could use your own credit cards," the FBI agent thinks out loud.
"That's funny. You want to know what Rachel asked me this afternoon?" Shelby sees the opportunity to mention the girl's question about their names. "She asked me if we could start using either my or Sue's last name now instead of going through the hassle of having to change it back when you catch the ones responsible for all this."
"I'll see what I can do," her friend states.
"Thank you," Shelby breathes grateful. "Now, how did it go on your end today?"
"As expected," the agent sighs. "I think when the hospital was informed of the fire Deborah called Noah, who showed up at the house with Santana. When the fireman notified them, or tried to, that you guys were gone, they lost it and Noah took off. We haven't seen him since. The fire department hasn't found any remains but assume that the seriousness of fire combined with the type of accelerant used and the explosions instantly cremated your bodies. I had the coroner's office take away three body bags anyway for show. Your funerals are tomorrow or the day after."
"Wow," Shelby is speechless. "Do Rae a favor will you? Keep an eye on Noah while you're still in town. She is afraid this will make him spiral out of control and start ignoring school."
"I will," Emily promises. "But I guess she won't be needing me to do that. There is a very fiery Latina who'll probably be doing just that."
"It wouldn't surprise me if she will play dirty to do so," Shelby chuckles. "When were you planning on giving them the letters Rachel wrote them?"
"She asked me to give them right after the funeral, but I think I'm going to wait a few more days just to make their grief looks real to the rest of the town and school. Maybe give them the letters on Wednesday or Thursday," the girl's aunt admits.
"That's a good idea," the mother agrees. "It would look weird if they just went on with their lives all of a sudden after being best friends their whole life."
"That's what I thought too, by the way he reacted it seems Noah really loves our little Hummingbird. Anyway, I'll call Garcia right after we hang up and get back to you in a few hours." With that the women hang up and Emily calls their Technical Analyst if there is any suspicious activity on the women's bank accounts. When she receives word that there is not, she sends Shelby a text that they can use their credit cards.
Knowing that Rachel would want her to make sure Noah is okay, Santana has been looking for him all day. He had left her without a ride home the moment that fireman had told them Rachel and her mothers didn't survive the fire. Lucky for her that thanks to her dad who is a doctor at Lima Memorial all the EMT's know who she is, one of whom had given her a ride home.
She had literally looked everywhere, the school, the school auditorium (perks of having a mom as a teacher. Sue had given them a key to the school so they could use the auditorium to jam and rehearse whenever they wanted to), his home but his mom had also no idea where he might be. She even had gone so far to look in the hospital's morgue, but all she had found there was Rabbi Greenberg fulfilling the part of their faith that states that a deceased should not be alone from the moment they die until they are buried.
For the millionth time she takes out her phone, dialing Noah's number. There is no surprise when he doesn't answer, again. "Where the fuck are you? I swear to god I'll hunt you down and kill you myself if you're offing yourself somewhere to be with her. There are people still alive who need you asshole. I need you."
There is no point in continuing to run around trying to find Noah, so she decides to head home. As she walks through the door, she notices her parents in the kitchen.
"Santi is that you?" Her mom calls out from her place at the stove.
"Yes mami," she answers, going into the kitchen.
Her papi stands up to pull her in a bear hug. "Are you okay?" He looks at her worried.
Santana shakes her head. "No I'm not okay. I saw my best friend being blown up into pieces this morning because her parents were gay, and I can't find my other best friend anywhere." They both look at her sympathetic, pulling her in another hug.
"You need to eat something Mija," her mom tells her.
"I'm not hungry," the smaller Latina declines. "I'm going to take a shower and go out looking for that dumb ass again." She says as she walks down the stairs to her bedroom.
She ignores her phone when she started receiving texts from Brittany and a few of the other Gleeks but when her phone rings she doesn't even look at the caller ID in hopes that it is Noah.
"Where the hell have you been dim whit? I've been looking all day for you." She answers angrily.
"San? It's Britt. Um, I'm not sure what's going on, but Noah just showed up here looking very upset and totally wasted. Q went to talk to him and took him upstairs. Are he and Rachel fighting? Did they break up or something?"
Santana chokes back a sob. "No B. Didn't you hear about the fire? Rachel and her moms are dead. Where are you so I can come get Noah?"
Tears instantly spring to Brittany's eyes, "Oh my god. I was hoping they were all wrong. Why didn't you call me?"
"I'm sorry Britt, but I've been looking for Noah all day. We were there last night and this morning, when the fireman told us Rae and her mothers had no chance of surviving the fire he took off and I haven't been able to find him. Where are you?"
"We're at Mike's. He's throwing a party." Brittany says.
Santana grows furious with what she's hearing. "You mean to tell me that you all knew that there was a possibility that Rachel was hurt, and you are still partying?"
Brittany shakes her head. "No, I didn't hear about it until after I got here, and I've been trying to text you. I didn't know what to do, you didn't text me back."
"I'm on my way. Don't let Noah leave, sit on him if you have to." With that she hangs up, runs up the stairs, yells at her parents that Noah has been found and she's on her way to pick him up, jumps in her car and drives to Mike's house.
Brittany goes back inside and sits on the bottom of the stairs and starts to cry at the loss of her friend. That is how Artie finds her. "What's wrong Britt?"
Brittany moves to sit on his lap, buries her head in his shoulder and sobs. "Rachel and Coach S. are dead."
"What, no. You have to be mistaken." He whispers in disbelief.
Brittany shakes her head in his chest sobbing. "I'm not. I just talked to San. It was Rachel's house that burned down with her and her mothers in it. She said she and Noah were there this morning. She's on her way to pick him up."
Tears come to his eyes now too and Mercedes and Kurt come over, looking concerned. "What's going on?" Kurt asks.
"Britt talked to Santana and she said that fire was at Rachel's house. Rachel and her mothers are dead." Artie explains with tears now streaming down his face.
Mercedes rolls her eyes in annoyance. "No, you guys are wrong. This is just another way for her to get attention and her way. I'm sure she's fine. I'm going to get a drink."
Kurt watches her walking away for a moment then after sparing a glance back at Artie and Brittany he quickly follows after her.
Some jocks and Cheerios heard them talking and news spreads quickly through the house about the tiny diva and coach. Mike and Matt try to end the party but there are just too many people for it to be stopped.
Upstairs Quinn manages to get a totally wasted Noah onto the bed. "Come on Puck. We can have some fun while we wait, Rachel can join us when she gets here."
"She can't." He sits up and downs the rest of the bottle in his hand and looks around for more. "I need another drink."
Quinn had grabbed a bottle of vodka and a shot glass on their way up and pours him a shot dangling it in front of him. "Here."
He takes it and the bottle downing the shot and a good portion of the bottle before handing it back and collapsing back on the bed. "I just want Rachel back."
Quinn lays down beside him starting to kiss his neck and face. "I can be Rachel if you want."
He tries to focus unsuccessfully and when she kisses his lips, he loses all sense of what he was trying to say.
It takes Santana longer than she liked getting to Mike's because she lives on the opposite side of town. When she finally pulls up in front of the house she jumps out of the car and runs up to the house. Once inside she looks around and sees Brittany still sitting in Artie's lap at the foot of the stairs and quickly makes it to her.
"Hey B, is he still upstairs?" She asks.
Brittany just nods sadly. "Yes, Q took him up there a while ago and they haven't been down since."
Artie looks up at Santana. "Is it true about Rachel and Coach Sylvester?"
"Yes," Santana sighs without looking at him as she starts up the stairs trying not to cry again, wanting to get Noah and get out of there.
She starts opening doors looking in every room but stops when a door opens, and Quinn comes out fixing up her dress and hair. "What the hell Barbie, is Noah in there?"
Quinn smirks. "Yes, he passed out when we were done."
Santana recoils like she'd been slapped. "You had sex with him? What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm tired of her always getting her way. They had a fight, so I made him feel better. What's the big deal?" Quinn shrugs and Santana sees red.
"What's the big deal? They aren't fighting you Puta. Rachel is dead." Her voice hitches as she shoves the other girl out of the way and goes to check on Noah.
He is completely passed out and she is going to need help to get him in her car. Completely pissed, she comes out of the room to find Quinn still standing there stunned. "You're lying. She's not dead."
Santana grabs her arm and starts pulling her back down the stairs. "Yes she is, you fucking whore. We were there and saw them being blown into pieces just because her parents were gay."
As she passes Brittany and Artie she looks around until she finds the group of Gleeks. Artie and Brittany share a look and follow after her as she stalks towards the group. When she comes to a stop she shoves Quinn away from her in disgust. She would have tripped if she hadn't been caught by Mercedes.
"What is your problem Satan? You can't just come in here and start throwing people around." Mercedes yells at the fuming girl.
Santana levels a glare on her then looks at the others. "I can't believe you people. Britt told me you heard about the fire. It's been all over the news the whole day and I heard people talking about it when I came in and you are here partying like nothing happened. This is how you act when someone you know dies in a horrible fire? This is how you act when a friend dies?"
"She sure as hell is no friend of mine. This is just another ploy from the bitch to get attention and to make us see her way. The diva is fine." Mercedes scoffs in disgust.
Santana looks at her in disbelief then looks around to all the others. "You have made it very clear you were not her friend, but she sure as hell was yours. All of yours," Santana waves her finger around them all. "My god I can't believe you guys. You seriously think I would lie about something like this? I was there. Noah was there and we both saw them being blown up in a fire this morning just because her parents were gay. We held each other while all we could do was watch their house burn, explode and collapse while the fire department could do nothing to save them. We watched as my best friend's house exploded and you guys really think so little of me that I'd lie about that?"
She tries really hard to reign in her rage and heartache. "You people sit here and party like she meant nothing. Well you're wrong. She was my sister and she was Noah's everything and now she's gone and all you can do is sit here and have fun," then she turns accusatory eyes on Quinn, "and take advantage of him in his grief and drunken state. I'm ashamed of all of you."
"I can't even look at any of you anymore." She turns away and starts to walk out but stops. "Mike, Matt, I need you to get Noah in my car so I can take him home."
Kurt stands up. "Rachel is really de.."
"DON'T YOU SAY HER NAME! YOU DON'T GET TO SAY HER NAME, ANY OF YOU!" She rages and with that she heads back upstairs with the boys in tow.
They help her get him in the car then she drives to his house. Deborah comes out when she pulls into her drive and helps her get Noah into bed. After she takes off her clothes herself, she curls up with him and cries as he sleeps.
This one turned out a little longer because I couldn't find the right spot to split it into the next chapter. You know the drill, reviews are the fuel to my imagination.