Calm Before the Storm

Rachel's POV

The next morning I woke up to my pillow bouncing up and down. I squeezed my eyes hoping that the bouncing would stop but it only shook harder. Why won't it stop? I finally forced open my eyes and found myself staring at Jesse's chest. My eyes traveled upward and found why my head was bouncing up and down with such force. He was laughing hysterically, his green eyes glowing.

"What." I snapped irritated that he had woken me up and was laughing at me.

"Sweetie, I couldn't help it. Look at what you are wearing." He said with another laugh, gesturing down at me.

I hopped out of bed and ran toward the bathroom mirror. Oh dear God. What did I have on? My hair was sticking up at odd angles from sleeping on Jesse, my tank top was bright green with a purple heart on it and my shorts were blue and red with pinstripes. I was horrified. I quickly grabbed the pink brush on the counter and yanked it through my hair. It was twice as knotted as it normally was. Strong arms wrapped around my middle pulling me backwards.

"That's cute. You still stress out about how you look." Jesse chuckled in my ear, his cool breath fanning across my face.

I grunted. "My hair is a mess. It is so tangled." I said exasperated, giving another tug as it caught on another knot. Jesse's strong hands completely covered mine as he pulled the brush from my hands.

"Here, let me try." Jesse said as he gently pulled the brush through my hair. It didn't catch once.

"How did you get so good at this?" I joked as he continued to guide the brush through my tangled mass of hair. Jesse smirked at me through the mirror.

"You forgot already. Do you forget your lines too?" Jesse asked me his eyes rolling.

It took me a moment to remember. "This is what Michael does for little Jane when he tells her that she is too old to have an imaginary friend." I said. "I cant believe that I forgot that.' I muttered to myself.

Jesse laughed. "Lets get ready. Unless you want to go out like that…" he trailed off, his eyes running up and down my form, he signature smirk on his lips. He and I walked to the closet pulling out clothes from our sides respectively (Jesse's was for like two shelves). I watched from the corner of my eye as Jesse grabbed a pair of dark wash jeans and a light blue shirt. He turns around and grins. I quickly grab my clothes and walk into the bathroom, blushing.

Later that Morning

Jesse's POV

We walked hand in hand as we walk through Main Street. We really didn't have to meet anyone. We had seen everybody yesterday. I absentmindly scanned the small town shop around us. I glanced at our hands intertwined. My hand completely engulfed hers, but it felt right.

"Quinn!' yelled Rachel. I watched as Rachel pulled her hand away from me to wave at the blond, who was a few feet ahead of us. The blond turned and saw Rachel waiting for Rachel to catch up. Rachel lengthened her stride leaving me by my self. I watched as Rachel and Quinn hugged. I sauntered up taking my own time.

"And when I woke this morning I looked horrible!" Rachel explained.

"It couldn't have been that bad, Rach." Quinn soothed.

'You weren't there. I was awful! I had morning breath and looked like one of those troll dolls!" Rachel said.

"St. Douche." Said Quinn as she noticed my presence.

"Devil Spawn." I replied with a nod. Quinn, Puck and I had never got along but weren't openly hostile either. She was one of the few people to "accept" if that's the word that I was back in Rachel's life. Although she did threaten that if I hurt Rachel she would personally make sure that I never reproduce. I inwardly winced at the thought. As I looked at Quinn talking with Rachel about being married I realized that Beth looked like a little Quinn. My phone vibrated, I pulled it out and looked at the screen.

Baby,

7:00 get introduced to the "new" Vocal Adrenaline

7:30 perform

8:00 watch "new" Vocal Adrenaline perform

9:00 mingle/ party

We are meeting at Carmel since that's the only appropriate place to have this party in this cow town. Can't wait to see you!

Love Andy

I scowled glaring at my phone.

'So you and St. Douche will be at our house at six thirty?" Quinn asked.

I opened my mouth to say something but was cut off by Rachel. "Yes! We'll be there!" Rachel confirmed. 'Bye Quinn!" she yelled as walked away. Rachel grabbed my hand again and continued to walk like there wasn't a problem. I sighed. I will talk to her later.

Later that dayRachel's POV

Jesse was quiet the rest of the day. He only nodded and gave short answers when I ask him questions. It was a quiet ride to the Puckerman's house; Jesse sat in stony silence as we drove, his eyes staring straight ahead. I reached for the radio and turned it on. Jesse reached over and turned it off. I sighed, and that was it until we reached Noah and Quinn's house.

"Quinn! Rach and the douche are here!" yelled Noah, as he let Jesse and I in. "How are you doing?"

"Good! Trying to relax before opening." I laughed. Noah nodded.

"Is the douche bag treating you right?" Noah asked cracking his knuckles and taking a threaten step toward Jesse, glaring at him.

I laughed and put my hand on his arm. "No, Noah he is not." Just then Quinn came down holding a struggling toddler in her arms.

"I hate you." She said as she passed the child to Noah. Both Noah and I look at her. "Your son just called himself a BA! He does not need to know what that is." She said.

"That's my boy." Noah said lifting his son high above his head. Quinn glared at him and turned to Jesse and me. She shot Jesse a smirk as she is hugged me.

"Rach…." Jesse said is voice stressed.

"Rach…" Quinn mimicked. Jesse looked at her, his eyes dark.

"You know what Quinn? Beth is just like you." He said. Quinn's eyes widened in shock and Noah's head snapped toward us. "She is a little monster, I feel bad for her. She has your attitude and this Lima Losers looks, and even worse she has Shelby as a mother she is on a one track way to being a terror." He says.

"What did you say douche bag?" Noah said coming to stand besides Quinn.

"Jesse…" I warned, looking at him.

"No, Rachel I am sick of this. You don't stick up for me…" he said.

"I do too!"

"Really? St. Douche, douche bag…."

"Okay but Jess. It's just some harmless fun…"

"No, it's not, harmless fun is wiping flour on your cheek when you bake, harmless fun is accidentally changing the channel when your watching The Way we were. That is harmless fun. You have fun I'm leaving." He said.

"What your. What? Why?" I shouted.

" I have a party." He said and walked out.

"Rachel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make him that mad.' Quinn sniffed.

"Its okay, you both were wrong." I said.

I turned from the door after looking at where Jesse had stood moments before, I was shocked at the way he looked, his voice cold and face void of any emotion besides anger. My phone went off. It wasn't a number I recognized.

"Hello?'

"Is this Ms. Berry?"

"This is she."

"Ms. Berry, we need to talk."