Author's Note: Who's excited at the prospect, which is more of a reality now then a prospect, of Idina coming back for Glee's second season? I know I am! And for those of you asking for the interview links, I will send them to you as soon as I can get a hold of them again, since it's becoming more and more difficult by the minute to find them. Also, word of warning-I've been feeling horribly dyslexic lately when it comes to typing up my chapters and have found I'm actually spelling things backwards(how I manage to do that, I have no idea but it probably doesn't help that my vision sucks as it is) so if there are any mistakes in this chapter or any of the coming ones, well...then you'll know why. Hahah. Oh and I promise, after this I'll shut up-but I may or may not be putting up a Faberry(either one-shot or multi-chapter) here soon, depending on if I can find a decent plot line to use. If anyone has any ideas, requests, throw them at me in a message or review and I'll take it into consideration. The reactions of the Glee members over Rachel's attack will appear soon, if not in this chapter then in the next but they as I've said before, will be breif.
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Everyone knew it wouldn't last, even Rachel herself, knew that it wouldn't last. As the nightmares returned to the front of her mind, she found herself closing back up which instantly meant closing her mouth again as well. Quinn had visited often since that night she had brought her home, a week ago, and had took a liking to the normally annoying brunette. She wasn't sure when it happened, or even how, but now she couldn't imagine it being any different. She hated to say it, but she's almost glad this happened-because in a way, it's as if it had broughten her closer to her glee-mate.
But as soon as that thought had crossed her mind, as soon as she actually took a moment to realize what she'd just brought into her mind, she pushed it back out, frowning. She was happy she and Rachel were no longer enemies, and were now forming something slightly akin to friendship(or in Rachel's case, affection) but Quinn was definitely not happy about Rachel being attacked. Not happy in the least. In fact, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got-and she knew, as well as Rachel, that it was only a matter of time before one of the two girls lost it completely.
Rachel on the other hand, was still battling with several internal and external demons, that she just wished would go away. Her mother had began once again, to appear more in her life, something she was extremely grateful for, and her father's unlike what she'd expected, had yet to ask questions. The panic attacks had lessened at least enough to where she was able to sleep at night(well, only if Quinn or her mother were there beside her) and she was beginning to get just a hint of color back into her cheeks, as well as a slight appetite.
She ate now, but not much more then before, when she hadn't been eating at all. She still went through a considerable amount of 'bad periods,' where she would tend to daze out and relive that night again, whether asleep or awake, but she found there were a few 'good periods' as well-for instance when she was with Quinn. Anytime she was with Quinn really, was considered a good period because Quinn made her forget, Quinn didn't treat her as a china doll about to break, Quinn was just Quinn, she treated Rachel normal and that's all Rachel wanted from her.
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Mercedes was never first to show up for Glee practice, but she had been hoping to run into Rachel, although she knew at this point it was almost impossible she'd find the young diva in here looking over sheet music as she used too while waiting for the rest(including Mercedes herself) to enter the room. A small, defeated sigh left her lips as she found no brunette, in fact the only person she found was Mr. Shuster who was sitting on a stool beside the piano looking at a stack of papers.
She took notice to his presence when he looked up and locked eyes with her while she absentmindedly dropped her bag in a chair, and she gave him a weak smile, one that did not fully reach her eyes. She wasn't entirely sure what she had planned to say to the brunette on the off chance she had found her here early, but she did want to say something. Instead, she found herself rambling to Mr. Shue, asking questions and adding in her own thoughts about the attack and how she thought it was volitile and disgusting and made her stomach churn.
Mr. Shuster didn't disagree to that, in fact putting in his own two cents and telling her about the interaction with Shelby the night of the attack. He knew he shouldn't have been telling her this, for the sake of Shelby and Rachel's privacy but the words had fallen from his mouth before he could even think to stop them and by the time he was finished(after describing the paleness in Rachel and the light that had been sucked out of her), Mercedes jaw was nearly on the ground.
She quickly picked it up however, when she noticed the remaining Glee members, including the disheveled and overexhausted brunette enter the room, with Quinn Fabray in tow. Mercedes turned towards the pair as everyone else settled into their seats and swallowed the lump forming in her throat as she glanced over Rachel's complextion. Her face was pale, the bags under her eyes possibly darker then they'd ever been and her body trembling while Quinn spoke to her off to the side in hushed tones. No longer able to take the waging war that was going on in her head on whether or not to go over and speak with the brunette, she pushed it aside and stalked over anyway-clearing her throat to announce her presence.
While Quinn's head seemed to snap around at her presence, Rachel's seemed to slowly turn until after what had felt like an eternity to Mercedes, she had faced her. "Hey Rach, Quinn." She mumbled, acknowledging the two before turning towards the brunette. Rachel chewed nervously on her lip and nodded her head slowly, eyes fluttering shut for a moment before she slowly peeled them back open. Mercedes noticed that it seemed to take Rachel almost all of her energy(what little she had left) just to nod her head. She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind and regained composure before speaking again.
"How are you feeling?" She continued, voice cautious.
A mere shrug of the shoulders was all Mercedes got in response and before she could open her mouth to speak again, Mr. Shue had asked for them to take their seats so they could begin today. As per usual, Rachel and Quinn had chosen the seats in the back, farthest away from any human contact as possible. Quinn had voluntarily given her sweater to a still trembling Rachel before grasping her hand.
She glanced down when she noticed how cold it was, and then slowly raised her eyes to seek out the brunette's who were dull and almost lifeless. Quinn bit her lip and gave the girl a sheepish smile before Rachel mouthed her a small 'thanks,' as she rested her head on the blonde's shoulder, fighting to keep her eyes open as Mr. Shuster spoke. She was found unsuccessful when they promptly closed not a second later and the soft breathing was heard by Quinn who glanced over at her and frowned. Lately Rachel had been getting little to no sleep, on the nights she and her mother were not there and it was definitely beginning to take it's toll.
Sighing softly under her breath, Quinn turned her attention back to the front of the room where Puck was chosen to start on the assignment for the week. Quinn had spent most of her time caring for Rachel and making sure the girl wasn't going to have another psychotic break that she'd completely neglected Glee and therefore had no idea what was truly going on, but in the same moment, she realized she didn't care because all that she cared about, all that she cared for was sitting right beside her, sleeping peacefully on her shoulder-and that scared the living shit out of her because Quinn Fabray could not like Rachel, let alone be falling for her.
At least that's what she used to think, but as time went by she realized that was no longer the case and that maybe, all Rachel needed was to love and be loved. Maybe it would help her, maybe not-Quinn wasn't entirely sure, but for Rachel's sake, she was willing to try.
For Rachel's sake, she needed to.