Authors Note: Thank-you so, so much for the reviews and the alerts! I'm glad a lot of you were being critical. And comment to a writer can be helpful feedback, so please continue to do so. Oh, and for this chapter… note the rating. And the title.

Disclaimer: Ryan Murphy you should really put Glee up to be publicly traded. It would be better for you and your fans in the long run.

Standing there, looking down at the plastic, she was determined to make it not true. That it had to be wrong. She didn't cry. She wasn't upset. Just confused. That couldn't be right? Could it? Five times? A sixth had to say something different, right?

It didn't…

Carole Hummel came home from work and went into her son's room to check on his status of life. When he was still regurgitating uncontrollably as she left this morning, she was nervous to go. The maternal instincts inside of her tugging at her heart. But then Carole remember that her son is no longer a little boy and he can take care of himself for eight hours; even when deathly ill. As she opened the door to Finn Hudson snoring with his Xbox controller still in his hand, she wasn't too worried.

Walking up to the Hummel-Hudson household that afternoon, Rachel had to physically bite her bottom lip until it hurt to stop her crying. The technique wasn't working well. Hearing the ding-dang-dong after pressing the doorbell, she prayed that Finn was not the one opening the door. When Carole Hummel's smiling friendly face greeted her, Rachel sighed in relief. "Hello Mrs. Hummel, is Finn here?"

"Yes, but he's comatose and will probably will be in that state for the next few hours," Carole said in a mothering tone. "You can come back later if you like," she suggested.

"Well, actually, I'm glad he's asleep because I came over to speak to you. In private," Rachel explained.

Carole understood that Rachel was constantly searching for a motherly influence; this moment no exception. "Sure. Come in," Carole replied, opening the door wide for Rachel to enter. "I didn't know you were a cheerleader," she said, making small talk.

"Oh, yeah," Rachel concurred looking down at her uniform, "I just joined. I was enjoying it at first, but now I'm not so sure."

Once inside the home, Carole lead Rachel into the living room as the ladies sat on opposite sides of the couch. Carole previously only had encounters with the boisterous, confidant Rachel who was dating her son. The young lady sitting beside her was not that woman at all. She had been changed. Altered. Uniform or not.

I needed to talk to someone. A woman. And she was the only person I could talk to and trust. Shelby was definitely out the question. The girls from Glee and the Cheerios were only going to start gossip. Quinn was back to Queen Bee and wouldn't care if I were in the same state she was a year ago. Carole was my only hope.

"Are you okay, Rachel?" Carole asked with concern. Rachel looked up at the older woman with wide, sad, searching eyes and it became very clear why Rachel was there to talk to Carole. That Rachel was 'in trouble'. She was trembling; tears falling freely.

"I'm so sorry…" she croaked out, collapsing into Carole Hummel's chest. Carole wrapped her arms around the shaking creature, calming herself down as well. Rachel popped her head up and proclaimed, "It's not Finn's." She was surprisingly stern and clear when she spoke. "I promise," she said trying to make Carole believe her.

Carole was uncertain to trust the young lady as Rachel fell back into Carole's embrace, a new river of tears flowing. "Rachel, if it's not Finn's than who's…"

Carole trailed off as Rachel looks up at the older woman with doe eyes; knowing that Carole could answer her own question.

"I'm so sorry," The younger woman repeated, falling once again into her helpless position, needing Mrs. Hummel's loving hold as a glue to keep her from coming apart.

"It's okay," Carole comforted, knowing Rachel truly had nowhere else to go. "It's going to be okay. It will all work out."

"I don't want 'it to all work out.' I want it to end," Rachel murmured poignantly, raising her head once again. "Now," anger in her voice with her last word.

Carole was quiet as she processed Rachel's statement. Understanding how she felt and knowing she needed someone to help her. Carole knew Rachel had no one to turn to. "Okay. We can figure that out too," Carole said calmly.

Carole let Rachel cry and tremble in her arms for a while until there was nothing left. Carole had, thankfully, never been in this situation, but she knew several who were. She felt for each and every one of them. She knew she had to help Rachel because Rachel was a good girl. A good person. Yes, she was a little self-involved, but she wasn't mean or malicious like most of the other girls Carole had met from William McKinley.

Carole knew that Rachel didn't have anyone to go to about this. Finn had told Carole about what happened with Rachel finding her mom. That came out the night when Finn explained everything that had happened in The Basement between him, Burt, and Kurt. Subsequently Finn spilled about everything that had happened that spring in one long confused, upset rant. Carole appreciated that she was the kind of mom kids though they could talk to. Finn and Rachel being perfect examples.

Rachel had finally caught her breath and asked like a 5-year-old, "Can I have a glass of water?"

"Sure," Carole replied with a crooked smile. Once she returned and sat back down, Carole waited until Rachel completed several gulps from the glass before going further with the conversation. "I'm gonna have to tell your dads. They are going to have to consent," Carole said trying to be reasonable. "You don't have to be there when I tell them, but I have to. I'm gonna call and get you the soonest appointment to get this… taken care of…" Carole trailed off.

Finishing what little was left in her cup; Rachel once again pressed her body against Carole and wrapped her arms around her. The empty glass pressing into Carole's back. "I'm so sorry," Rachel said for the umpteenth time.

"Shhh. It will be okay," Carole cooed, rubbing Rachel's back. Once Rachel was sniffling, Carole asked, "What time do your dads get home?"

"About 30 minutes," Rachel guestimated.

"Okay. I'll make some phone calls and get this straightened out. Then we'll get you home, Okay?"

"Okay…" Rachel murmured like a toddler. Helpless in the world.

Carole and Rachel entered the Berry residence to darkness. Her dad's weren't home yet.

"I'm really tired," Rachel remarked as the woman headed into the foyer.

"Well you're upset. C'mon let's get you to bed," Carole said ushering her up the stairs.

Carole waited while Rachel changed into her pajamas and collapsed into her bed, rubbing her hair while she fell asleep. Once her fathers arrived 10 minutes later, Carole calmly explained the situation and that Rachel needed their consent according before she could undergo the procedure. As active and very vocal members of the American Civil Liberties Union, Rachel's dads gave their permission so they weren't hypocrites, but they would be lying if they were less-than-pleased. They always thought they raised Rachel to make better choices. Either way, when Rachel walked down the stairs the following day – in her pink jeans and matching pink and white stripped polo – they gave their daughter long hugs and bid her farewell. Both of them knowing this was the hardest decision Rachel had ever made.

Walking into McKinley High that morning, Rachel Berry felt different. She didn't feel confidant like the day walked in wearing her new Cheerio's uniform. She didn't feel sexy like the day she dressed like Britney Spears. She didn't feel ecstatic like that day after Sectionals Sophomore year. She didn't feel special like when she walked in with Finn on the first day of school. She didn't feel terrified like she did the day after her first slushy facial. And she didn't feel sad like she did when she found out Finn slept with Santana. She just felt different. Older? No. Confidant? Certainly not. Just different.

Hung on the hanger that Coach Sylvester gave her when handing over the uniform, Rachel held out the perfectly pressed garment and opened the door to Sue's office.

"Coach Sylvester," Rachel knocked as she entered.

"Oh, yes, Rachel. Take a seat," Sue said just creepy enough that she wouldn't be committed, but still terrified all who crossed her path.

"Hi Ms. Sylvester. I'm here to give this back to you," Rachel says with slight regret.

"Are you quitting the Cheerios?" Sue questioned with distain. "People don't just quit the Cheerios. I am the one who dismisses the unworthy."

"Yes, I'm leaving. It's been a wonderful experience," Rachel started to explain, trying to fight back the tears that came along with why she was conceding her Cheerleader status. "I had some great times, but I don't think Cheer is for me. You have been a great coach and I learned a lot, but I can't do this anymore. It's not me and I'm sorry," she finished. Leaving the uniform sprawled out on Sue's desk; Rachel quickly got up and headed out the door.

Coach Sylvester marched to the office door and flung it open as she watched Rachel Berry walk into her next class as the bell rang; books clenched to her chest.

"Becky Jackson!" Sue called out, seeking the attention of her minion.

"Yes, Coach?" Becky replied with attentiveness.

"I need an update on our Rachel Berry project. What has she been up to?" Sue questioned with inquisitive disgust.

"I was shadowing her yesterday, Coach," Becky begins to explain. "At precisely 5:16pm, I spotted Rachel Berry walking out of Finn Hudson's house with his mother Carole." Becky has her head facing down to a yellow legal pad as she read off her notes.

"Go on," Sue begged for more.

"She looked very upset as she left and Mrs. Hummel seemed to be comforting her. She was rubbing her shoulder as they walked to the car and Mrs. Hummel drove Rachel home."

"Interesting…" Sue snarled. "Humm. I will have to look more into this. Very good work, Becky."

"Thanks, Coach," Becky saluted, before leaving the room quickly. Sue knew something was brewing and she could smell the pot staring to fill up with scolding liquid. Rachel Berry was trying to keep something for Sue Sylvester. Big mistake.

Before the day was through, Rachel knew the hardest part was still ahead of her. It was physically hurting her to think about what she was about to do. Or maybe that was the zygote multiplying inside of her. She wasn't sure. But, Rachel knew she had to get this done before she left today. Carole was picking her up for her appointment soon. Plus Rachel knew she wanted to get this done now before the group met for the day.

"Mr. Schuester?" Rachel chirped, trying to get the curly-haired teacher's attention; knocking gently on the open door.

"Oh, hey Rachel! Come on in." Mr. Schue said, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk. "I see you're not wearing your Cheerio's uniform today."

"Yeah, well, I decided that wasn't for me." Rachel said with a cross between a grimes and smile expressed on her lips.

"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that. But to be honest, I didn't think that was for you."

"It wasn't" Rachel concurred. She knew it was now or never and she needed to get to the point. "Look, Mr. Schuester, you're not going to believe me when I say what I'm about to say, but you must understand that I'm being completely serious."

"Okay…" Will replied, slightly nervous.

"I'm quitting Glee," she said in an even tone. She wasn't regretful or overjoyed. Just stating what was happening.

Mr. Schuester let out a laugh. "Ha!" he giggled refusing to understand.

"Mr. Schuester, I'm being serious. I've decided to leave Glee. After yesterday, the club made it clear that they didn't want me there anymore and it's obvious to even me that you don't need my talent anymore. You guys are going to go to Nationals in New York and kick ass, but you don't need me to do it anymore." Rachel tried to plead her case as well as possible, but it was clear that Will wasn't having it.

"Rachel, you can't obviously be serious?" Will questioned.

"Look, Mr. Schuester, as much as I choose to be ignorant to the opinions my peers have of me, I know that my presence is no longer a good thing for the club." Rachel was tearing up as she continued, "Please don't make this harder for me than it already is. I know that my existence in glee is tearing the club apart, so consider this 'taking one for the team' and please try to understand."

"Rachel, this is absurd. Santana is just an insecure teenage girl. Don't let her catty comments upset you," Will pleaded.

Rachel and Will were both startled when Rachel's phone, resting in the palms of her hand started to ring and vibrate. When she saw the text from Carole stating she was in front of the main entrance. "Mr. Schuester, I can't keep wasting my time with Glee. It hurts too much." She had cracked, the tears spilled from her eyes without control. She was shaking too; the nerves finally coming out. "And Finn is there and I just can't do it anymore. I'm sorry, I really have to go," Rachel squeaked out before running out of Will's office and into the hallway.

She couldn't use the Choir Room entrance from his office anymore. Will watched as Rachel quickly grabbed her coat from her locker and ran out to Finn's mother's car; hair swaying to and fro as she hurried and ran.

Will saw Rachel quickly collapse into Mrs. Hummel's car and slammed it shut as mid-Winter rain started to fall. Will could feel's Sue's presence as she walked down the hall several paces behind him. As they watched the short student pull out of the parking lot, Sue and Will made devilish eye contact before going back to work. Both knew something was going on. Something big. One teacher trying to protect Rachel. One teacher knowing she was ammunition.

A/N: Okay, so thank-you to all of you who kept reading till the end. There is a few more chapters left, but like I said this is a short story and I already have a good portion of the next chapter written, I just need to type it out. (Since I find myself inspired to write more on the train to and from work; writing in a notebook). Please review and let me know what you think good or bad. Do several of you want to throw fruit at me? Let me know what you think will happen next. Will Rachel pull a Joan Halloway? Who knows...?