A/N: The story really kicks off in this chapter…Hope you like it!
RPOV:
On Monday morning, the last Monday morning of high school I couldn't help thinking to myself, just as I was about to get into Finn's car to go to school, Kurt maneuvered his "baby" into my driveway.
"I'm taking Rachel today" He said in response to our questioning looks. "I want to show off my handiwork and besides you don't open doors for her anyway." Ignoring Finn's confusion, I laughed and climbed into the passenger seat as Kurt held the door open for me.
"See you at school, Finn!" I called as Kurt hurriedly backed out.
When we got to school, Kurt once again came around to open my door and linked arms with me as we walked into the school. Suddenly he stopped as a few large shadows loomed over us, slushy cups in hand. Really? On the last day before graduation they were still trying to ruin our day. But then again, some people never change. Kurt shrunk back slightly as they leaned towards him. Suddenly I felt an arm drape around me as Finn and Noah walked up on either side of us.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay the hell away from my girlfriend Karofsky?" Finn yelled."And we've been over the fact that you LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE too many times to count!"
"Sorry Hudson." Karofsky muttered. "wait, your girlfriend?" He looked me over. "Wow, she looks…" at a glare from Finn, Noah, and Kurt, he finished slowly with "different. Come on guys." He led his Neanderthals away.
"Whew!" Kurt sighed with relief. "Thanks guys!"
"No problem." Noah replied. Finn was too busy glaring at Karofsky's retreating back to answer.
"Come on." I said, tugging at Finn's arm. "We've got to get to class." Suddenly the ancient PA system crackled to life and Principal Figgins said rather nervously,
"Will everyone please report to the gymnasium, this is mandatory for all students and staff. Please get there as quickly as possible." We all looked at each other questioningly.
"Cheerios assembly?" Finn asked. Kurt shook his head.
"As insane as Coach Sylvester is, she would have told us if there was an assembly today." He said.
"All right, let's go then." I said "We don't want to end up on the floor." I don't know of any other school that seriously doesn't have enough bleacher space for their students but that's definitely WMHS. At least 50 of the latest comers to assemblies end up on the four of us joined a the parade of people headed to the gym continuing to speculate about what this "assembly" could be about.
As we entered the gym, I could see that Finn's suggestion that Coach Sylvester was having a "sudden death" performance for the Cheerios (a suggestion that had nearly sent Kurt into a full-on panic attack) was not correct. Neither was Noah's idea that Vocal Adrenaline was attacking us again, unless their new costumes were similar to that of a security guard's uniform, with what looked like real guns in the holsters. As the men in uniform ushered us into the bleachers I could tell that one thought was going through all of our minds- What the heck is going on?
"Hello students and faculty of William McKinley High School." A tall man had stepped out to the middle of the gym, flanked by 2 of the guards in uniform. "We are going to read out a list of names, those people are going to come down and stand in a line. When we instruct them to do so, they will walk outside and follow the further instructions given then. Anyone who resists will be shot." There was a frightened murmur throughout the gym. I looked over at Finn, terrified, to see a mirror of my fear in his eyes. I turned to see similar expressions on Kurt and Noah's faces. The microphone crackled as the man began reading from a piece of paper,
"Jeremiah Levy, Deborah Katz, Adam Kahn," as he continued reading I looked around again, Finn still just looked scared stiff, as did Kurt, but as I met Noah's eyes I saw the awful truth register there.
"Jews." He whispered and I nodded horrified. What on earth could this mean?
"Jacob Ben Israel." As he read that name a scream resonated throughout the gym.
"No!" As Jacob had stood to walk down to the gym floor Lauren ZIzes had dived in front of him. "I won't let you take him!" A shot rang out and she fell to the ground.
"No, Lauren!" Jacob yelled, and he began to run as if to tackle the man who had shot her and another shot rang through the gym. My own personal stalker fell to the ground with a cry of pain. I turned and buried my face in Finn's shoulder, I didn't want to watch him die. The man continued to read from his list and then I heard the words I was dreading.
"Noah Puckerman, Rachel Berry." Finn and Kurt gasped and I could have told you where each of the rest of the members of the glee club were seated from their own gasps.
"Rachel no!" Finn whispered as I got up. He held on to me tightly.
"Finn, they'll kill you too. I have to go. I promise I will see you again soon." I looked at Kurt, silently pleading for him to protect my boyfriend. "I Love You" I said softly and leaned to kiss him before turning to make my way down the bleachers.
FPOV:
My heart broke as Rachel pulled away from me. All I wanted was to be able to protect her from all harm.
"Finn, I promise you that I will take care of her for you." Puck said quietly as he moved past. "I will make sure she is safe. Finn, I will make sure she gets back to you or I will not be coming back." His words had a sincerity to them that I, despite our history, believed 100%.
"Please Puck, and don't you dare hurt her in any way or I will murder you!" I told him.
"Finn, I got your back. And I would never hurt your girl."
"Ok, keep her safe! And um stay safe yourself!" I gave him a one-armed hugand he lightly punched my shoulder.
"See you soon." If Kurt hadn't had such a tight grip on my arm I probably would have leapt after him, and Rachel begging them not to leave me. As it was I was sobbing, like a baby.
"No, no, no, no. Rachel, rach, rach" I just kept muttering. I knew that my whole body was shaking but I couldn't help it. Kurt wrapped his arms around me and murmured comfortingly in my ear. I watched as the tall man at the microphone finished reading his list, crumpled it up, and threw it backwards as he walked out of the gym. As soon as all of the uniformed men left the gym there was pandemonium.
"Come on Kurt!" I yelled running towards the door. He followed me as I ran outside just in time to see a large open truck pulling away. Just inside I could see my beautiful girlfriend, with my best friend since kindergarten holding her tight. I fell to my knees and sobbed. As time passed each of the members of glee club gathered around me. We all sat together for a long time, crying and mourning the loss of our two friends.
NPOV:
As we were marched out of the gym, I noticed that Rachel was sobbing. They led us to an open truck and indicated that we should get inside. I helped Rachel up and then climbed in myself, wrapping my arms around her once I had sat down. Gosh I hated it! I hated feeling so weak, so powerless. Puckasaurus doesn't take crap from anyone, y'know. But when I realized that that man was calling out all the Jewish kids and teachers in the school, I was scared. Because that meant that this was bigger than me, bigger than the small girl shaking in my arms, bigger than WMHS or even Lima. This was old hate, old problems and I was helpless against them. So I promised my best friend that I would take care of his girl because it was all I could do. I couldn't watch him die, I would die for him I think but that wouldn't help at all. So I would help him by watching out for Rachel. After all, I did care about her too. A little. I've never been good at the touchy-feely stuff, so as she continued to cry I did he only thing I could. I tried to make her laugh, or make her slap me, or just bring her back to herself somehow!
"So jewfro and that twilight goth chick huh? Never would have guessed."
"Shut up Noah." She muttered, turning away from me to stare out the back of the truck. I followed her gaze and saw Finn running out of the building, followed by Kurt. As the truck we were in pulled away, I saw Finn fall to the ground, and Rachel sobbed even harder if that was possible.
"Shh…Rachel, it will be ok."
"What are we going to do Noah?" she asked me.
"I don't know Rachel, but don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you." She leaned back against me and her sobs subsided slightly, though she was still shaking violently. I almost started crying too as I watched everything I'd ever known disappear.
A/N: I was almost crying writing this. It's really hard for me to write scared and sad Rachel, because I love her so much. It was surprisingly hard to kill Jacob too. Oh well, I think it turned out okay.
So what do you think of "teddy bear" Noah? I think he's sweet : )
So? Thoughts? Suggestions? Rotten Tomatoes? Let me know.