Hey guys :) really sorry for the delay with this chapter but I've been on holiday and then really busy and haven't really had time to write. I've finally finished now though after a stressful couple of days. Found out today that I got into Uni so things are going to be pretty hectic for the next couple of weeks sorting everything out for that so the next update could be a while but I promise I haven't forgotten about you guys :) Enjoy!

Rachel walked in to the spare room to see Shelby putting on her makeup in the mirror. She was sure that her mother hadn't noticed her come in so sat on the end of the bed until she had finished putting on her mascara so as not to disturb her. From the few times she'd tried to wear mascara, she knew the concentration required to not poke yourself in the eye.

Once she had finished, Rachel spoke up.

"Mum?" She asked.

"Oh, Rachel! Sorry I didn't see you there."

"It's ok. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can, honey." Shelby replied.

"Can we go shopping? I want to get some new clothes that will help me fit in at school. My dads, well, they aren't very helpful when it comes to fashion."

"Rachel, sweetheart, you don't need to change the way you dress just because other people don't wear the same thing."

"I need a new image. I need to stand out for more than just my voice if I'm going to make it on to Broadway." She said desperately.

"Trust me, Rach, high school popularity won't make a difference when it comes to being on Broadway. It's all about being in the right place at the right time to get your big break." Shelby assured her.

"I still need to be popular. I want to look pretty and be like all the other girls. I need this for my career. You of all people should understand this. Why won't you take me shopping?" The young girl whined.

"I never said I wouldn't take you. I just think you're doing this for the wrong reasons. I know you want to fit in but you shouldn't have to change who you are in order to do that. I know that high school is difficult and there's a lot of pressure to have the right look and wear the right thing but one of the most important things to do is to stay true to yourself."

"But staying true to myself means getting a slushie facial every day." Rachel said sadly.

Shelby could see that her daughter was hurting. She knew some of what went on at school and could tell that it had left her with some deep confidence issues but she didn't want Rachel to have to change from being the lovely young girl that she'd had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few days in order to fit in with everyone.

"Okay I'll take you." Shelby agreed. "But we're only buying clothes you feel one hundred percent comfortable in." She reasoned.

She needed Rachel to learn to accept herself and not care what other people thought but she also figured that damaged confidence during high school would probably affect her even more in later life. If she was serious about having a career on Broadway like her mother, Shelby knew that she needed the confidence to cope with the negative comments and the paparazzi, not just the performing. Besides, she knew that her daughter could do that part easily, having heard how well she performed at Nationals last year and about the time she stepped up with a solo at the last minute to help her team win their first competition. She just wished that confidence would spread to Rachel's image of herself as well.

"Ok." Rachel agreed. "I'll go and get ready and see if I can persuade my dads to give me my allowance early this month."

"You'll do no such thing! This is my treat. I'm not letting you or your dads spend a penny."

"Are you sure?" The young girl asked timidly.

"Of course I am." Shelby smiled. "You're my daughter and I intend to spoil you rotten today."

"Thanks mum!" Rachel exclaimed and hugged her. Shelby's grin doubled in size and she knew she would never get used to her daughter calling her that.

A couple of hours later mother and daughter found themselves at a mall just outside of Lima. They decided not to go anywhere local in case someone recognized Rachel with Shelby and started asking questions.

After going to a few shops and being unsuccessful, Rachel started to lose hope of finding something nice.

"I'll never find anything that suits me." She whined. "I haven't looked nice in any of the outfits I've tried on today."

"Maybe we're just not looking in the right shops." Shelby suggested. "How about we stop for a coffee and try somewhere different later, somewhere you don't usually shop."

Rachel agreed and the pair made their way over to Starbucks, only to be interrupted by a group of young girls who looked excited, after having obviously recognized Shelby.

"Oh my God, you're Shelby Corcoran!" One of them screamed. Shelby looked to Rachel and smiled, both of them remembering that her friend had said the exact same thing the night before when he saw her. She mouthed a subtle 'sorry' to her daughter before putting on her show face and talking to the girls.

"Please can we take a photo with you?" Another girl asked.

"Of course." The star smiled genuinely. She loved meeting fans and talking to them, although she always found being recognized when out on her own awkward.

Rachel had volunteered to take a photo on each of the girls' phones, knowing exactly how excited they felt to be meeting one of their idols. One photo turned into many when each girl wanted an individual photo with Shelby as well. She could tell that her mother was used to this happening and was taking it in her stride, however when the teenager imagined herself in Shelby's position she almost freaked out at the thought of someone recognizing her and wanting her autograph. As she was used to getting negative attention at school, she couldn't imagine how this would feel.

Once Shelby felt that she had spent sufficient time with the girls to leave without feeling rude, she politely excused herself and the pair walked into Starbucks. When they got to the counter Shelby ordered herself a coffee and Rachel chose a hot chocolate.

"Have you heard anything from Kurt since last night?" Shelby asked her daughter as they sat down at one of the tables at the back with the sofas, hoping that she could skip Rachel's excitement over her being recognized.

"Not yet. To be honest I think he's still in shock." She laughed.

"I think you're right. Did you have a nice time talking when you went upstairs?"

"Yeah. He wanted to know everything about you." Rachel giggled as her mother blushed. "I'm glad I told him." She paused for a moment before bringing up something that had been on her mind since dinner the night before. "Are you really going to write me a letter for NYADA?"

"Of course I am, silly! I just want to give you and your friend the best chance of getting in. I know how much this means to both of you. I was in your position once, remember?"

"You went to NYADA?" Rachel asked, shocked.

"Yeah."

"I didn't know that!"

"There's more to me than what you can find out on the Internet. You of all people should have figured that out by now." Shelby giggled and Rachel blushed.

"So what was it like?" She asked, eagerly.

"It was incredible. You're going to love it!"

"If I get in." Rachel added.

"Which you will after I write you a glowing letter of recommendation." Her mother smiled. "Trust me, it's all about who you know. I'll always look out for roles for you and you'll make some great contacts at college." She continued, happy that she was able to help her daughter to reach her dreams.

The pair talked for ages. Shelby told Rachel all about her years of training at NYADA. Rachel took in every word she said. She was becoming even more excited to start college in September with her best friend and hoped it was as amazing as her mother was making it out to be. She had wanted to bring up what happened earlier but wasn't sure how to. She didn't want to seem stupid in front of Shelby for thinking it was a big deal when she figured it probably happened to her all the time because she was so well known.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice a familiar face walk in.

"Rachel, hi!" Mr Schuester called out, making his way over to their table.

"Mr Schue!" Rachel exclaimed. She hadn't expected to see anyone she recognized here, especially not her glee coach. Shelby turned around to see who her daughter was talking to.

"Will!" She said, shocked.

"Shelby!" Will replied, sounding equally as surprised.

Rachel just sat there looking confused. 'How did they know each other?' She wondered.

"It's been so long, how are you?" Shelby asked.

"I'm great thanks, I'm teaching Spanish at Rachel's school now. You seem to have done well for yourself." He remarked, causing Shelby to blush. "So how do you know Rachel?"

The teenager saw a look of panic flash through her mother's eyes.

"She's an old friend of my dads." She helpfully supplied. No more than a quick glance between the two women for Shelby to realize where her daughter was going with this.

"Yeah we've been trying to get in contact again but I've been so busy with the show I haven't had a chance to come and see them." Shelby added.

"Well it's great to see you again." He smiled. "Do you mind if I go and get a coffee and come and join you?"

Shelby looked to Rachel, unsure as to whether her daughter would feel comfortable with her teacher there. The teenager nodded. She had a good relationship with her glee coach and he was her favourite teacher at McKinley.

"Sure." Shelby said, moving her bag off of the seat next to her and placing it on the floor by her feet. Will offered to buy the pair another drink but they politely declined. After she was certain that her teacher was out of earshot, Rachel turned to Shelby.

"Do you think he bought that?" She asked her mother.

"He seemed to. I guess you got your acting skills from me." Shelby smiled.

"So how do you know Mr Schue?" Rachel asked but Shelby was prevented from answering by the man in question returning to their table. The three of them made small talk for a while before an idea came to Will.

"Shelby, how would you feel about being a special guest coach at our glee club?" He asked. He noticed Shelby hesitate so added, "You don't have to, I just thought that it would be good for us. The kids are in a bit of a funk regarding Regionals and I figured that maybe your expert advice could help."

Realizing that Will had misunderstood her hesitation, Shelby smiled.

"I think that it's a great idea, that is if Rachel's alright with it." She said, facing her daughter.

"You have to do it. It would be so cool. Everyone would love you and we'd definitely be able to beat the Warblers with your help and expertise. Plus you might be able to convince Mr Schue to let us do some different music." She smiled.

"There's nothing wrong with my music selections!" Will said, defensively.

"Ice Ice Baby?" She smirked. This made Shelby laugh.

"You didn't?" The older woman questioned in disbelief. Will could tell he was outnumbered and figured he would save himself the time and back down, knowing both brunettes well enough to guess that they wouldn't, no matter what defense he came up with.

"Okay so maybe that wasn't one of the best songs that I've chosen." He admitted.

"Looks like you're going to need my help." Shelby said, wearing a smirk that matched her daughters from moments before. This similarity didn't go unnoticed by Will, however he put it to the back of his mind and smiled, telling Shelby that he was really grateful for her agreeing to help them. He already knew that Shelby was leaving on Tuesday so they planned for her to come to Monday's rehearsal and, depending on whether or not she could move her flight back a few hours, she would try and attend on Tuesday as well. This made Shelby happy as she would be able to spend an extra few hours with her daughter before she left for New York.

A while later Will excused himself, having to go home and finish marking some work, and Shelby and Rachel continued shopping. They found a couple of nice pairs of jeans, a skirt and a blouse, as well as a new pair of boots for Shelby. Satisfied with their purchases, the pair began to drive home, talking about song ideas for the glee club and Rachel told Shelby more about the people in glee and their competition at Regionals. Shelby was glad that Rachel had been able to relax around her over the past few days and enjoyed every moment of time that she spent with her daughter.