I was reading the reviews the other day and I would like to address some points raised.

I have also noticed that a large portion of fics featuring Rachel as a central character often have her with no parental figures close by, but I noticed when watching the Here's To Us performance - the first time I recall seeing Rachel dads- that they looked amazed that she could sing so well, and you would have thought that whilst they should be proud of their daughter, they shouldn't have appeared so shocked. Additionally, I think Rachel's fathers being gone would account for Rachel's level of social awkwardness. She would have to be mature enough to manage her own funds and wouldn't have much free time to be a teenager alongside all her extracurricular activities.

In response to the next point, Quinn didn't start the bullying she was forced to do it as initiation into the squad, however, Rachel knew the real Quinn on her first day and that is the memory she holds onto. She knows the Quinn that didn't have the ice queen facade and that is what she thinks about when Quinn tosses insults around- anyway, it will be addressed in this fic.

I whole heartedly agree that Rachel is too often shoved aside by the other gleeks and used only for their gain before being dropped like a hot potato but Rachel can protect herself if the situation arises -see Sunshine incident- and hopefully we'll see that in chapters to come.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own glee.

Dave took the proffered hand in a tight grip. Not alone... He felt himself begin to break. He had been going to... Fuck! He couldn't stop the tears that began to fall and he felt himself being pulled into a hug. He buried his face in the small brunette's hair as the sobs racked through his body. He wasn't alone...

-/-

When he calmed down, Dave couldn't bring himself to meet the singer's eyes. He was embarrassed by his actions. Men don't cry, it's weak. He could practically hear his father's derisive snort.

"It's okay to cry David. Do you want to go home?" Karofsky gave a scornful chuckle.

"I don't have a home Berry. My parents threw me out when they discovered I was sick in the head."

"You can live with me. I meant do you want to come home with me, and you are most certainly not 'sick in the head'. Being gay isn't bad David, actually it's 'bright or showy'."

Dave looked at her strangely. She's offering me a room? And... What on earth is she talking about?

Rachel sighed, "That was my attempt at a joke. That's the online dictionary definition of gay. I'm afraid my sense of humour is not very humorous, apparently."

David let out a snort. It was pretty clever. "Maybe you just need to work on your material, not everyone reads the dictionary."
Rachel smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. He didn't need to know she did actually read the dictionary once... Well, she got up to halfway through the 'C' section. Dave grew serious, his voice going quiet, "Did you mean what you said? About me going to your house."

Rachel nodded. "My fathers... They work away from home a lot and... You need somewhere to stay. Plus, you even get your own en suite. Unfortunately, you won't get room and board though, unless you want food poisoning. I'm an exceptionally terrible cook but I do order a mean take out."

Dave nodded slowly, taking the time to process all this information. "Would your... F-Fathers... " He couldn't help his stumbling over the word," Mind me staying?"

"Not at all. There's too much emptiness in that house to be honest. You'd be doing me a favour."

"Okay... I'd... I'd like that Berry. But, are you sure because I've never... I've terrible to you. Why are you being so nice?" He had to know, this was the girl whose life he helped turn into a living hell...

"You were doing what you had to, to get through. Something I have done myself. I don't bear you any ill will David, I forgave you every time and will continue to do so. The world is full of enough hate, I don't wish to add to it." Dave wondered when Berry had talked so much sense, or maybe she always had but no one listened... "Oh! One condition. Can you call me Rachel please? I think Berry's just too fruity for me." Dave actually gave a belly laugh at that.

"Your sense of humour is improving already! It's a deal as long as you burn the argyle."

"Why is everyone so obsessed with seeing it burn? Why not shred it or give to the homeless?"

"Because the homeless have suffered enough. What even is that on your shirt?" He frowned at the disturbing white splodge.

"It's a polar bear." Rachel stated, before glancing down at the knitted figure, "I think..."

"Uh, yeah we're defo burning the argyle. "

As always feedback is much appreciated!