A/N: for disclaimer and warning, please refer back to chapter 1. My apologies for the delay in updating. Life has been hectic.

Chapter 2

Sunlight filters through the windows in the master bedroom, and dances across Fleur's pale features, rousing her from the first restful slumber she has had in what feels like forever. The part Veela slowly opens her eyes and runs a well manicured hand over them, yawning. She takes a look at her watch and realises that it is 6:30 am. She's quite surprised she managed to sleep for so long, a small smile creeps up her features and then full, onslaught panic. She completely forgot to call her parents to let them know she arrived without any problems.

"Merde." She exclaims as she rises to her feet, in search of her cell phone. She quickly hits speed dial for her family's phone, and waits patiently for someone to pick up.

"Fleur, is that you? I thought you were going to let us know you had arrived all right last night." Apoline asks worry clear in her voice when she answers the phone.

"Yes mama, it is me. I'm sorry I didn't call last night when I got in. It was really late, and I was really tired." Fleur says into the phone, shaking her head slightly. Who else would call them?

"You know, this could have been prevented if you had just agreed to put your new house in the floo network." Apoline chastises.

"Mama, you could have just picked up the phone and called me instead. It would have been the same thing, and just as fast. Besides, I can't risk anyone just popping through the fireplace if I were to have people over." Fleur counters, growing tired of having to explain things over again. She then smiles gratefully that the only fireplace in the house is nowhere near her bedroom, in case her parents try to sneak a connection through.

"You know we don't really like to use muggle technology. It's not very reliable. And we would never just show up unannounced." Apoline replies.

"Yes, I know you don't. You have reminded me of that fact while I was in school, and when I was enjoying muggle technology back home. I just wanted to let you all know I arrived just fine. I need to go now. I have a full day ahead of me." Fleur says quickly, not wanting to get into another argument over her choice.

"Already? Don't you want to talk with your family?" Apoline counters a bit hurt.

"You know I do, mama. I just have a lot of things to take care of. I need to finish furnishing my new home, get myself a car, get some food, wait for the rest of my things to arrive, and finally, head over to the school to finalise my contract." Fleur explains patiently. She knows it's a lost cause, but still tries to reason.

"All right. Your father and I will speak to you later, when you have more time. I love you." Apoline says defeated.

"Thank you mama. I love you too. Please send my love to papa and Gabrielle." Fleur says relieved. She quickly ends the call before her mother has a change of heart and starts with the questions again.

Fleur decides to take a walk to clear her head before she begins all that she has to do. She can't help but shake her head at her mother's attitude to all things non-magical. At least she was allowed to study and use muggle life without much interference (something she is quite grateful to her father). It had been such a wonderful surprise when she found out her future father in law shared her love for all things muggle; too bad things didn't work out better.

Fleur is so absorbed in her thoughts she doesn't notice the young brunette running her way. They collide quite painfully, the momentum sending the quarter Veela sprawling down the cement sidewalk.

"Pardonnez-moi s'il vous plaît."/"I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

They both say at the same time.

The brunette quickly pulls the earbuds out, pauses her iPod, and quickly offers a hand to assist the woman she just ploughed down. "I am so sorry. I was very distracted and normally there aren't many people out walking at this hour, I mean, that is no excuse, but still, you can't really blame me for an occurrence that is out of the ordinary…" The brunette stops her rant short once she glances down and notices the amused look on Fleur's face.

"It is all right Miss. I was not looking where I was going either." Fleur says, rubbing her left ankle slightly.

"Uh, it's Rachel. Rachel Berry. Are you ok?" Rachel says quickly, hand still extended.

Fleur quickly takes the hand in front of her, and with a little help is back on her feet again. "Oui, I am all right. I'm Fleur Delacour. Pleased to meet you Miss Berry." Fleur says as she now shakes the hand still in hers, and puts her left foot down. "Merde!" she exclaims as pain shoots up her leg once it makes contact.

"Oh shit, you're hurt. And it's Rachel. Let me help you. I'm not sure where you live, since I haven't seen you in the neighbourhood before, but my house is just two doors down. We will need to ice your ankle as soon as possible to keep the swelling down. You can lean on me. I'm sorry I'm a bit sweaty though." Rachel says quickly.

Fleur thinks about declining the help, but the brunette looks like she's about to have some sort of panic attack, so she gracefully accepts the help. "That is very sweet of you Miss Berry. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated." Fleur says softly, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation over the obvious muggle treatment she is about to receive.

"It's Rachel, and it's no problem at all." Rachel says quickly. "Here, lean on me a bit and it should take some of the pressure off your ankle." She says wrapping her arm on Fleur's waist and pulling the platinum blonde's arm over her shoulder with her other arm.

They quietly make their way to the Berry household, and once inside, Rachel guides Fleur to the couch where she quickly props the injured leg over the coffee table, on top of a cushion.

"I'll be right back. I'm just going to grab an ice pack for your ankle." Rachel says as she quickly runs into the kitchen.

"Normally, the house wouldn't be this quiet, but my roommate is away with her girlfriend on vacation, and my dads are at work." Rachel says as she sits on the floor and gently wraps an ice pack with a tea towel around Fleur's ankle. "I'm sorry, I know it hurts, and it's really cold, but it will ease up some. This will keep the swelling down, and in a bit, it should start to dull the pain some." Rachel says when she sees Fleur flinch at the contact.

"Thank you very much, Rachel." Fleur says sincerely. "How is it you know what to do?" Fleur asks, curious.

"My dad is an ER doctor and he made sure I know what to do in most situations because one never knows when it might come in handy. I also dance quite a bit, and sprained ankles come with the territory. Knowing how to treat minor sprains speeds up the recovery time, minimises down time, and the risk of permanent injury. Sorry, I have been told I talk too much." Rachel blushes a bit when she sees the same amused expression on Fleur's face.

"Please don't apologise. I find it fascinating. It's just you remind me of someone I know." Fleur says sincerely.

Rachel smiles brightly at that. "Oh. Err, I was wondering, what were you doing out this early? I mean, you weren't dressed for a run or anything like that." Rachel asks, curiosity getting the better of her.

"I was getting acquainted with the neighbourhood. I just moved in last night, and I am still getting used to the time change." Fleur says with a smile. It seems that since meeting this young lady, she has smiled more in the last hour or so than in the past five years.

"Oh, you're the new owner of the house down by the corner? Welcome to the neighbourhood." Rachel asks, realisation dawning on her.

"Yes, I am, and thank you." Fleur says.

"I'm going to grab the first aid kit, so, um, make yourself at home." Rachel says getting up, and heading up the stairs. She shows up a couple of minutes later with said first aid kit and a t-shirt covering her sports bra now.

"I'm going to have to take a look your ankle a bit. I'm sorry, it might hurt, but I need to see how serious the sprain is." Rachel says as she pulls the ice pack away. She then gently probes, prods and pokes this way and that, determining the range of motion and how much swelling is there. "Well, it doesn't look very bad. I'd say it's a mild sprain, so you should be ok with lots of rest and more icing. I'll just wrap it to give it support, and the proper kind of pressure to keep the swelling down, and aid in pain management." Rachel says as she opens the first aid kit and grabs a roll of tensor bandage. She then quickly wraps the ankle, and gets up on her feet, offering her hand to Fleur. "Here, let me help you up, I need you to put some weight down because if it's too painful, then I'll drive you to the hospital and have my dad check on it. The last thing I want is for you to be in pain." Rachel adds as an afterthought.

Fleur takes Rachel's hand, where she is slowly pulled up to a standing position, putting all her weight on her right foot. She gingerly sets her left foot down, and when there isn't any shooting pain, she slowly transfers more of her weight on it, and is pleasantly surprised to find it can fully support her. She takes a couple of steps, and is glad to notice she can walk with almost no hint of a limp.

"Perfect. I felt almost not pain, and I can walk almost normal." Fleur says happy.

"Just don't abuse it. You need to keep off it as much as possible, and ice it again at least once this afternoon and maybe just before you go to bed tonight." Rachel says, smiling at the way Fleur was almost bouncing because her foot wasn't hurting.

"I will do my best. The icing part might be a little difficult, since I still don't have a refrigerator." Fleur says quickly, smirking a bit.

"You don't have any furniture or appliances yet?" Rachel asks surprised.

"No, I don't. I was only here once, and it was to get my work visa and my contract sorted out. I only had enough time to get my bed. I was planning on buying the rest of my furniture, and perhaps a car so I can return the rental." Fleur explains, a bit surprised at how forthcoming she was with information.

"I, uh, don't mean to be so forward, but, er, do you live alone?" Rachel asks shyly, looking at the floor.

"Yes, my family and friends are either in France or England." Fleur says softly, sadness evident in her voice.

"Well, I can't have you injure yourself further, so I will gladly take you where you need to, this way I can make sure you get what you need and not overdo it." Rachel offers, blushing madly at her spur of the moment offer.

"I can't allow you to spend your vacation running after me in such a way, I really appreciate the offer though." Fleur says sincerely.

"Please? It would make me feel better about causing that injury in the first place." Rachel says quickly with a slight pout, wanting to spend more time with the platinum blonde with the icy blue eyes.

"I will accept your offer, but at least let me take you to breakfast." Fleur says, unable to resist the pleading, and in truth, enjoying the company of the brunette.

"Deal. Let me go take a quick shower and change. Just make yourself at home. You can watch TV or something. I should be down in about 20." Rachel says practically sprinting up the stairs, not giving Fleur the chance to change her mind.

TBC