Hi guys! Thanks for all your reviews on the last chapter. I really appreciated them! Again, I'm exploring another sensitive issue in this arc, so I apologize to anyone I might upset. I lost a family member to ovarian cancer in 2011, so I'm being extra careful with it. Enjoy this chapter and review if you want me to keep going!

Chapter 27: Breaking The News

"You're going to be okay, right?" Rachel asked Finn as they walked to Columbia. "I don't want those two assholes from your one class to bother you again..."

"I don't have that class today, remember?" Finn asked.

"True, but I don't want them to bother you," Rachel said. "You don't need any more crap in your life."

As they arrived at the campus, Finn pointed at some boys who were hanging out on a bench. "Rachel, that's them."

Rachel decided to give these guys a piece of her mind. Without saying anything to Finn, she just walked over toward the bench. Finn followed behind her. "Rachel, what are you doing?"

Rachel didn't answer because she knew Finn wouldn't like what she was about to do. "Hello," she said to the male students.

"Hi," one of them said.

"It's my understanding that you're in my boyfriend Finn Hudson's introduction to college life class," Rachel said.

"Yeah we are," one of the boys mumbled. "I can see why Finn let that girl touch him. You're ugly."

Rachel slapped the guy across the face. "You can say whatever you want about me, but don't you dare make light of what Finn went through. It wasn't something that he wanted at all. It was sexual assault, which is not a laughing matter. And you guys are idiots to think it is."

"No need to get so defensive," the other guy mumbled.

Rachel glared at him. "Oh, I think I do need to get defensive. You see, no one gets away with treating my man that way. He had a traumatic experience, and you two are making it worse. And if I ever hear anything about you two acting that way with Finn again, you will get much worse than slaps."

Rachel took Finn's hand and walked away as Finn pulled Rachel in for a kiss. "You didn't have to do that."

"They mess with you, they mess with me," Rachel said. "Maybe I could even get Santana to come here and go Lima Heights on them."

"I'm so lucky to have you," Finn said.

"I'm the lucky one," Rachel said. "Have a good day, okay? I'll see you tonight."

"Okay," Finn said, kissing Rachel before she left.

When Rachel got to the NYADA campus, she got out her phone and dialed Kylie's number. She knew that this was the week that McKinley freshmen and sophomores didn't have to come in until later since the juniors were taking the PSAT, so Kylie would most likely be able to answer her phone.

Sure enough, Kylie picked up the phone. "Hey," Kylie said.

"Hey," Rachel said. "Kylie, I saw our mother yesterday..."

"You did?" Kylie asked.

"She has cancer," Rachel said.

"Oh my God," Kylie said. "What kind?"

"Ovarian," Rachel said. "Stage three." It felt more real when she was repeating it to Kylie. Since Shelby wasn't sure if Kylie's parents would like it for her to contact her, Rachel said she'd tell Kylie.

"That's a pretty serious kind, isn't it?" Kylie asked. "One of my mom's friends died of that. Did she tell you..."

Rachel seemed to know what Kylie was thinking. She could tell by the sound of Kylie's voice that she had the same fears. Despite the fact that they didn't have what their friends had with the women who'd given birth to them, they didn't want to lose the woman who'd given them life. "I don't know. She didn't make it very clear. She said she'd like me to help out with Beth, and she wants to see us more, because if something happens to her, you and I will be all Beth has..."

"I feel sick," Kylie admitted.

"I know," Rachel said. "I feel horrible. I know I shouldn't want anything to do with her after what happened, but she's done something for me that no one else has and I don't want to lose her."

"Me either," Kylie said. "It's just - I don't know if my parents will let me come see her. They aren't big fans of her after what happened over the summer."

"Neither are my dads," Rachel said. "It gets more complicated for you because I'm a legal adult and you're a minor, but..."

"Have you told anyone else?" Kylie asked.

"I wanted to wait until after I told you," Rachel said. "I didn't want you to find out from someone else. She was worried your parents wouldn't like it if she contacted you to tell you, so I told her I'd call you."

"Rachel, she has to be okay," Kylie said.

"Of course she does," Rachel said. "She's our mother..."

Kurt came around to where Rachel was. "Rachel, is everything okay?"

Rachel then realized she'd totally forgotten - she had to go to class, and today was the day that the early applicants would be coming to perform for current students. "Kylie, I totally forgot about class. I'll call you later, okay?"

"Okay," Kylie said.

Rachel hung up the phone and went to join Kurt. "So, what's going on?" Kurt asked. "Couldn't you have waited to call Kylie?"

"We'll talk later," Rachel said. She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Kurt - she was sure that Kurt would tell Finn, and she didn't want Finn to worry about her after everything that happened. Of course though, Rachel also felt like she should tell Puck and Quinn, and Puck would probably tell Finn...

"Come on," Kurt said. "Let's go watch the early admissions applicants. It's too bad NYADA didn't offer this option until this year. It would have taken away the pressure for us and Blaine."

"Yeah," Rachel said. She followed Kurt into the round room, where Blaine was waiting and lots of other NYADA students were as well. Rachel saw Brody give her a dirty look, but she pretended not to see him.

Carmen took the center stage of the round room. "Welcome, current students and hopeful students. Today, hopefuls have the chance to show students who are good enough to get in what they can do and the current students will offer their input. Let's start today off with Amy Abraham."

Rachel was too preoccupied to really listening to the performances. Her thoughts were consumed by Finn, and by Shelby, Beth, Kylie, Puck and Quinn. However, her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar name. "Next up we have Sebastian Smythe."

"What?" Blaine and Kurt both explained in horror.

"Maybe it's a different Sebastian Smythe," Rachel said, trying to help them feel better. However, when they saw who took the stage, they knew it was the same one who'd bullied Kurt and injured Blaine.

"Hello," Sebastian said with his trademark smirk. "My name is Sebastian Smythe, and I'm from Dalton Academy in Westerville, Ohio. Today I'll be singing One Thing by my favorite band, One Direction."

Sebastian began singing his song, and as he sang, he worked his way around the room, giving flirty looks at everyone, male, female, students, faculty. When he came up to where Kurt, Blaine and Rachel were sitting, he gave them especially flirty looks, and Rachel saw that Kurt and Blaine were giving him some of the nastiest looks they'd ever given anyone.

At the end of Sebastian's song, Carmen stood up. "Thank you for that, Mr. Smythe, but next time, stay on the stage."

"Thank you," Sebastian said, walking away.

"Why is he here?" Kurt snapped. "I was hoping if I moved I'd never have to see him again."

"We don't know if he'll get in," Rachel said, trying to help Kurt feel better. "And he did break the rules..."

"His dad will probably find a way to get him in," Blaine snapped.

"Next up is Harmony Taylor," Carmen said as Harmony came on stage. Rachel had a feeling that Harmony would be here today. After all, she had begun meeting with other hopefuls when she was only a freshman.

"Hello, I'm Harmony Taylor," Harmony said, before listing all her credits. Rachel had trouble keeping track of all of them. "I go to McKinley High in Lima, Ohio, and this year, I'm going to lead New Directions to another national title. And today, I'll be singing Don't Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl."

"Oh, your song," Kurt whispered to Rachel.

"It's Barbra Streisand's song," Rachel whispered back.

However, when Harmony sang, Rachel noticed that Harmony was much better than she was. Would she ever be able to move up from the understudy role? Here was someone who hadn't even tried out who could do the song much better than she could.

"That was excellent," Carmen said, the highest praise anyone had gotten all day. Harmony walked off the stage, looking thrilled, and Carmen said that was the final performance for the day.

Then Sebastian came up to Kurt, Blaine and Rachel. "Well, I thought I'd be seeing you here."

"You know we go here, Sebastian," Rachel said, trying to stay calm in hopes that Kurt and Blaine would follow her lead.

"I do know that," Sebastian said. "So, do you think NYADA can handle me?"

"No," Kurt said. "NYADA is too good for you."

"Well, if it's good enough for you, then it's good enough for me," Sebastian said. "I'm going to start the next big boy band, and I need NYADA to help me do that."

"What's going to be your specialty?" Kurt asked. "Throwing rock salt slushies in people's faces?"

"Very funny," Sebastian said. "And I hear you guys have a loft in Bushwick. Maybe I could live with you?"

"No," Blaine said. "I don't want to share a living space with the guy who almost blinded me."

"Very funny," Sebastian said. "Well, you guys will come around."

When Sebastian left, Harmony came over to Rachel, Kurt and Blaine. "Hi!" Harmony said. "How did you like my rendition of Don't Rain On My Parade? Was it as good as yours, Rachel?"

"You are a great singer," Rachel said.

"I know!" Harmony continued.

"So, how's New Directions?" Blaine asked.

"It's better than the Unitards, except for the fact that I still don't get all the solos," Harmony said. "I mean, I should be playing Glinda or Elphaba in Wicked. Kitty and Marley let Unique and me have one performance as the leads, but we should have them all."

"Well, one's better than nothing," Blaine said.

"I guess," Harmony said. "You guys are coming back for it, right?"

"Of course we are," Rachel said. "And we'll come back for Sectionals, too."

"I'm going to get the solo for Sectionals," Harmony said. "At least I hope I do."

"Good for you," Rachel said, reminded of herself as a sophomore.

"Your version of Don't Rain On My Parade was good too Rachel," Harmony said. "Almost as good as mine."

"Well, thank you," Rachel said.

"New Directions is better than the Unitards," Harmony continued. "I like the people there better. They may not be as talented as I am, but they're nice."

Well, that was something Rachel could agree on with Harmony. New Directions was the best group of people she'd known.

x

After classes were over for the day, Rachel told Kurt and Blaine that she had to go pick some things up, but she really just wanted to call Puck and Quinn to tell them about Shelby. When she arrived at the coffee shop, she dialed Quinn's number. Quinn picked up almost right away. "Hi Rachel."

"Hi Quinn," Rachel said. "Is Puck there?"

"Yeah, he is," Quinn said.

"Can I talk to both of you?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah," Quinn said as she heard Puck say, "Hi Rachel!"

"Hi Puck," Rachel said. "Guys, I need to tell you something."

"What's going on?" Quinn asked.

"Shelby has cancer," Rachel said.

"Are you serious?" Puck asked. "What kind? Is she going to be okay?"

"I'm not sure how bad her specific case is, but it's ovarian, stage 3," Rachel said. "She told me she's going to need lots of help with Beth over the next few months..."

"Of course we'll help," Puck said. "How'd she seem when you saw her?"

"Well, she seemed concerned," Rachel admitted. "I'm concerned, too. I know our relationship isn't perfect, but she is my mother..."

"Does Kylie know?" Puck asked.

"Yeah, I called her this morning," Rachel said. "She wants to come out here and see Shelby, but she isn't sure if her parents will let her with everything that happened this summer."

"They should let her!" Quinn said. "Birth parents are still parents, even though they might not be the ones raising her."

"I know, but the fact is, they are the ones with legal rights to her," Rachel said.

"Do you think Shelby would let us come help out with Beth on weekends or something?" Quinn asked. "We can get train passes."

"I'll see about it," Rachel said. "I'm sure that would be nice for Beth."

"Keep us updated, okay?" Puck asked.

"I will," Rachel said. She'd been thinking about Shelby all day, so she decided to maybe go to Shelby's townhouse and see if she was home. She took the train there and knocked on the door. Shelby answered the door, looking tired. "Hi Rachel."

"Hi Shelby," Rachel said. "I hope you don't mind that I came by."

"You're always welcome here," Shelby said. "Come on in."

Rachel followed Shelby inside. "I've been thinking about you, and I just wanted to see you."

"Well, thank you for coming," Shelby said.

"Are you feeling okay?" Rachel asked. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Rachel, you don't have to worry so much," Shelby said. "I have everything I need right now."

"Where's Beth?" Rachel asked.

"She's at one of her preschool friend's houses," Shelby said.

"I'm sorry for popping up unannounced," Rachel said. "Just, with everything that you told me..."

"You don't need to apologize," Shelby said. "I'm glad you came by."

"I talked to Kylie," Rachel said. "She wants to come to New York to see you and help out with Beth, but we're both worried that after what happened this summer..."

"That was wrong of me," Shelby admitted. "I hope her parents will let her, but I can see why they might not."

"I told Puck and Quinn too," Rachel said.

"That was something I wanted to tell you," Shelby said. "I was thinking about what you were telling me, about how they've grown up since high school. Being without you and Kylie for so long - I don't want that to happen to them. I want them to be part of Beth's life and I'm willing to give them another chance."

"I'm sure they'll be happy to hear that," Rachel said. She heard the doorbell ring. "I'll get that, you should rest," Rachel said. She went to the door and saw Beth with another young woman. "Hi Beth!"

"Rachel!" Beth exclaimed. She turned to the woman with her. "This my sister."

"Well, it's nice to meet you," the woman said. "I'm Paula Green. My daughter Hailey goes to preschool with Beth."

"Well, it's nice to meet you," Rachel said. "Shelby's inside, but thanks for bringing her home."

"No problem," Paula said. "It was nice to meet you."

When Paula left, Beth turned to Rachel. "Rachel, I don't want Mommy to be sick."

"Neither do I," Rachel said, feeling sorry for the little girl.

"When do you think she won't be sick?" Beth asked.

"Soon, I hope," Rachel said. She felt her phone vibrate and saw a text from Kylie. "I talked to my parents. They said they'll consider letting me come to New York. Keep your fingers crossed."

x

"I can't believe Sebastian thinks he can just show up at NYADA!" Kurt snapped as he and Santana prepared dinner as Finn and Blaine played video games.

Finn couldn't believe it either. Now that he'd been assaulted himself, he had much more sympathy for what Sebastian did to Blaine. "He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near you two."

"You should tell the admissions people not to even let him apply," Santana said. "He's trouble."

"Well, they didn't seem impressed by his audition," Blaine said. "People trying out were supposed to stay on the stage, and he walked all around the room singing a stupid One Direction song and giving everyone flirty looks."

"They totally ripped their name off our glee club," Santana said.

Finn laughed before realizing Rachel wasn't home yet. "Where's Rachel?"

"Maybe she's beating up Lucy," Santana said. "I am impressed by what she did to those assholes from your class. I've trained her well."

"Yeah, they know not to mess with me again," Finn said. He heard the door open and saw Rachel coming in. "Hey! Where were you?" he asked, going up to Rachel and giving her a kiss.

"I just had some stuff to do," Rachel said.

Finn noticed that Rachel looked upset. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Rachel asked.

Finn could tell she wasn't okay. "You look upset. Did something happen?"

"Finn, you have nothing to worry about," Rachel said. "I'm just tired and hungry."

But Finn knew Rachel. He knew that something was upsetting her. And he was going to figure out what.

Chapter 28 preview: Finn tries to figure out what's upsetting Rachel. He finds out - but not from Rachel. Puck and Quinn come to New York to help with Beth - how will it go? Rachel and Kylie try to convince Kylie's parents to let her come to New York and see Shelby.

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