I don't know if I said this before, but Rachel isn't going to be vegan in this, probably vegetarian at the least. I just really suck at thinking of meals without meat and animal based products. Respect to all those that can live without Chicken Mc Nuggets. I salute you.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Glee.

When Dave made his way to the kitchen on Saturday, he was very surprised to see Rachel dressed in blue sweats and a wife beater with her hair in a messy bun. She was absentmindedly munching on a bowl of cereal whilst nodding her head to the beat of the radio. Was that Radiohead?

"Um...where do you keep the bowls?" Dave asked softly, trying not to scare her.

Rachel looked over at the sound of his voice and he chuckle a bit at the image. The usually composed diva still had the spoon stuck in her mouth and some milk dribbling down her chin.
She hurried to pulled the spoon out and wipe away the liquid.

"Middle cupboard, bottom shelf. All the cereals are in the cupboard to the right, just help yourself!" She replied cheerily.

Dave went about fixing his breakfast and settled down on the opposite side of the table. "Oh! Where do you keep the spoons?"

"Left drawer beside the dishwasher."

"Ah. Right." Dave got the utensil and tucked into his bowl of Shredded Wheat.

"No I said left." Dave just gave her an unamused glare, he was not a morning person. Rachel merely grinned at him. "So... Do you want to go move your stuff in today?" She watched him carefully for a response.

"It's all back at my old house." Dave simply stated and continued to chew away.

"So? We can just go round and get it, unless you don't want to?"

"They might not let me in." Dave frowned at the bowl.

"Oh they will." Rachel declared with certainty, tossing her bowl in the dishwasher.

"How can you be so sure?" Dave watched her with a puzzled expression.

"Do you seriously think they won't let you in if you have me with you? Do you know how many debating championships I've won?" Dave smirked, this was the Berry he knew.

"You'll go with me?" He asked cautiously.

"Of course, unless you wish otherwise. Any fool who thinks love can ever be bad needs a kick up the ass - excuse my language." Dave chuckled, that was probably the closest the little singer had ever came to swearing. He soon sobered up at the thought of confronting his family, though.

"I'd really appreciate the support Rachel, thank you. Thank you for everything really... I would never have guessed that anyone would want to help me. Least of all someone whose friend I tortured for the better part of a year, and herself for even longer." Dave said quietly, he was ashamed of his actions.

"I'm honoured to help you Dave. You deserve it. What you did to Kurt was bad but not irreparable. He isn't my friend by the way and I can tell you he most certainly would not go out of his way to help me if the situation was reversed. The members of Glee are all team mates and I am viewed as an instrument nothing more despite my invaluable contributions to that club."

Dave didn't really know how to respond so he simply nodded.

"When would be best for us to go back to that house then?" He inquired after a few moments of munching away in silence.

"Whenever you want. I just need to get a shower and then I'm good to go anytime. I'm actually not busy for once which works out rather well eh?" She replied, stretching out and he cringed as he heard something give a sickening pop.

"Well I'll grab a shower too if that's okay and then we could go get this over with?" He was most certainly dreading what was sure to be a distressing encounter with his parents.

Rachel smiled at him reassuringly, as she detected the questioning and cautious tone to his voice. She hoped he grew comfortable enough here so that he didn't feel as though he had to run everything by her. It was his home too now.

"Rightio then. I'll just stick are bowls in the washer," Rachel said as she saw Dave polish of the last of his cereal. Dave put his hand out to stop her and gathered the bowls himself.

"It's the least I could Rachel. Don't say I don't have to because I do. I don't feel right with myself if I don't make the slightest effort to help you about the house in return for your astounding generosity."

Rachel relinquished her argument that had been building beneath the surface. She understood that it was a matter of pride for the boy and he disliked the idea of not earning his way. It was really a rather commendable attribute to have and it made Rachel pleased to know that there were still civilised youths in society.
So many teenagers got bad press that the good was rarely ever celebrated, which was really rather diabolical.
The news was supposed to give unbiased accounts but that was rarely the case. Most articles were subjective pieces written by distant pen pushers that took backhanders all over the shop.
It infuriated Rachel but she was getting off topic- she hated rambling in her mind, it left her awfully confused- and she was simply happy to have made a friend with such a strong character.

-/-

I decided to leave off Dave going back to his house because I felt it was being too rushed and that this deserves a chapter mainly devoted to it as this is a pivotal moment in Dave's character's growth.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts and thanks for the positive feedback so far.