Chapter 2

I can't tell you what it really is
I can only tell you what it feels like
And right now it's a steel knife in my windpipe
I can't breathe but I still fight while I can fight
As long as the wrong feels right it's like I'm in flight

"Artie," The thin boy spun his wheelchair around at the sound of Rachel's voice. She sounded so quiet, not bright and cheerful or forced and cheerful, just...quiet. It was weird. "Artie...are you still interested in directing?"

When he got a look at her Artie got even more concerned. Rachel always stood ramrod straight, ballet and talent competitions had pretty much brainwashed her body (was that even the right phrase?) into perfect posture. But she was half hidden in the doorway and leaning against the end of the wall of lockers, nearly in the shadows, "Rachel, are you all right?"

"I'm perfectly fine as far as anyone in this school is concerned," Rachel replied in a quelling tone. "Are you still interested in directing?"

"Yeah, but they aren't even talking about the school play until second semester," Artie shrugged. "That's pretty much my only shot this year. Why?"

"I had an idea... a music video, but not like Run Joey Run," Rachel started to make a face and stopped, her expression was odd, Artie couldn't place it.

"What song were you thinking of?" He held his breath and prayed. Directing Rachel was in some ways a dream and in others a nightmare. She knew a lot about movement on film and stage, lighting and angles and she certainly knew drama. But she also could argue until she was blue or he was exhausted and the last music video (Run Joey Run equaled unmitigated disaster in his mind) had not been a success in any sense of the word.

"Well you do some rap, right? I mean I heard you doing some of the music from 8 Mile and you seemed to-" Rachel stopped. "I'll need your help finding the third party. I don't know how to ask anyone else, or even who would be any good. But... if you thought it was a good idea..."

"Geez Rachel you really must wanna do this huh?" Artie had never heard Rachel take so long to speak her mind. "Yeah I like Eminem and yeah I can rap. So can a couple of the other guys. What's the deal?"

"I want to do Love the Way You Lie," Rachel blurted out. "I can sing the Rihanna part, I know I can. But I can't rap, its pathetic when I try; I can't muster the necessary drive to my words so I'd need you to-"

"Okay," Artie nodded. "Okay I'll do it. It's a damn good song, and you're right. Your voice is perfect for the chorus. And if you want to do a video like the song's only set in Lima... yeah we could do that.

Rachel smiled and Artie wondered why she was suddenly so keen to do this, "Wonderful." She grabbed the handle of her rolling case and began to walk along with him. "So do you have any idea who you'd want for the other part?" She tilted her head towards him, "If I may, I don't think Finn will work for the part. I think we want someone who can...be angry and tender...but a different physical type than Dominic Monaghan."

"No I wouldn't ask Finn," Artie rolled his eyes. "I think Rocky Horror proved his lack of acting ability." He looked up at Rachel, "I don't think Mike would be able to do it. Dancing yeah, not rap. Sam might be able to. Blaine possibly but...really..."

"The only one who has the skill and the right look is Noah," Rachel said softly. "If he'll do it," She looked at Artie and he shrugged, "Do you think he will? If you ask?"

"Why can't you ask him?" Artie blinked, "He won't tell you no Rachel. I don't think he ever has."

"Which is why I can't ask him," She shook her head. "If he's willing to do it then great. But I don't want him to agree just because its me, because I asked. If you ask...he won't think I'm making the request."

"Are you all right?" Artie frowned up at her, "You seem a little...off."

"I'm...all right," Rachel shook her head. "I'll explain later."

Artie watched her walk away a bit more slowly than usual and went to find Puck. Something told him this would be interesting.

Finding Puck didn't take long, the football player was at his locker, trying to remember what books he'd need.

"Hey Puck," The football player grinned as Artie rolled up to him. "What're you doin' for the next few weeks?"

"Uh, lettin' Rachel browbeat me into studyin'," Puck ticked items on his fingers, "Football, Glee, chores an' I hope gettin' laid, and hopefully not in that order." He shook his head as he began to put books in his locker and dragged others out. "Why dude? Need help with something? I can put the fear of Jew God into anyone you need."

"Have you noticed anything odd about Rachel lately?" Artie asked and Puck's attention sharpened as he looked down at the smaller boy.

"Odd how? She's been datin' that Jesse guy for the last coupla months an' I'm not thrilled with that but she says he's fun and treats her decent and she isn't serious, she just don't wanna be single when Finn is an' fall back into that habit," Puck made a face. "She hasn't been singing as much though, I noticed that. She let Mercedes have that solo the other day with barely an argument. Something isn't right but she's not talking about it. 'Bout all I can do is hang out with her as much as possible and make a you know pest of myself. Least she knows I'm there."

"Yeah," Artie nodded. "She asked me for a favor. I figured you'd be the best to help with the other part of it." He nodded towards the classroom nearby, "Step into my office. I don't want the whole school hearing about this. Top Secret."

Puck nodded but grabbed his backpack and followed Artie into the classroom, shutting the door behind him. "So what's up?"

Artie took a deep breath and began to explain what Rachel had asked him to do.

Author's Note: So here's chapter two. What do all of you think? We'll start to get more of an explanation for Rachel's behavior soon.