A/N: While I was writing this, I realized: Rachel pretty much only has Finn. Which sucks, because I'm bad at writing Finn. Siiiiiighhh….

Rachel opened her locker, and took one last look at the picture of Jesse St. James on the locker's wall. She had forgotten to take it off. Why not now? She ripped off the picture, shred it into pieces, then shoved the pieces in her pocket. She would burn it later. Finn appeared behind her.

"Hey," he said, hands in pockets.

"Hey," she said back.

"So…"

"I kind of don't want to talk right now," Rachel said quietly.

"Okay." And Finn was gone. Rachel sighed, and gathered up her stuff. She went into the chorus room. Mr. Schuester was conversing with another man. Tall, skinny, formal, looked to be in his late twenties. Rachel figured he was the new 9th grade Science teacher, because the old one got fired for stealing coffee mugs. She sat down in one of the chairs. Santana was already there, crossed legs, crossed arms. Artie rolled in next, followed by Tina, Mercedes, and Kurt. Kurt sneered at her favorite pair of knee socks. Rachel ignored him. Finn came in last, sitting next to Rachel.

"Hello, everyone," Mr. Schue said pleasantly, just like he always did.

"Who's the guy?" Santana asked. The man turned to her with a look of disgust on her face.

"My name is not 'the guy'. It's Sheldon Cooper, but you may refer to me as Dr. Cooper."

"I had a bunny named Pooper once," Brittany whispered. Mr. Schue sighed.

"Dr. Cooper here is conducting a research on our glee club. For…" he turned to Sheldon. "What is it?"

"The studying of the speed vocals travelling faster through air particles if sung," Sheldon said.

"Yeah, that."

"Actually, I came here because of one particular girl…" He scanned the faces, and his eyes rested on Rachel. "You. Miss Berry. Your screaming in which you call singing was very intriguing to me." Rachel knew she should've been offended, but really, she was pretty freaked out by this weirdo.

"What about the rest of us?" Kurt piped up, offended. Sheldon looked at the short soprano boy.

"What's your name?"

"Kurt Hummel."

"Can you scream as loud and as long as she can?" he asked.

"Of course." Kurt gave a sharp glance in her direction.

"Good. From now on, I shall be observing your glee club. Act as if I am not here." He took out his laptop and began typing God-Knows-What. They practiced some classic rock. Not Rachel's favorite genre, but she put up with it. Kurt got a lead, surprisingly. Mr. Schue usually gave the classic rock to either Puck or Finn. Maybe since Dr. Cooper showed an interest in Kurt. After class, Dr. Cooper closed his laptop.

"I'll need to converse with Kurt and Rachel," he announced. Kurt gave Rachel a 'he's kind of weird' look, and for once, Rachel fully agreed with him.

"So…how was your day?" Sheldon asked, forced pleasantness.

"Uh…fine?" Kurt said.

"Mine was awful. First I-"

"Okay, that's enough small talk," Dr. Cooper said. Kurt perked up. Interrupting Rachel, equals points in his book. "I want you to meet my co-workers, who are traveling with me. They are not nearly as superior in intellect as I am, but they are still my friends, nonetheless."

"Oh..kay."

"Hold on, let me call my friend Penny so she can pick us up," Sheldon said.

"Aren't you old enough to drive?" Rachel asked. She knew she shouldn't get in the car with strange men, but it was obvious that Kurt was gay, so why would a strange man pick up a gay guy and a straight girl?

"No, I cannot. And I brought Penny along solely for the purpose of driving me," Sheldon said. Kurt shrugged.

And so, the three most incompatible people got into the blonde woman's car.