Summary: Rachel Berry never learns ANYTHING the easy way, as mom Shelby will soon discover. Some lessons bear repeating. Follows the events in Storm Out.
Hi Dear Readers!
I'm on a roll right now with posting fics! I am having trouble with FFN, it's not telling me when I receive reviews, so I'm only seeing them if I manually check the reviews on the story page. I'm much more active on AO3 and even tumblr, so find me on one of those if you'd like to get in touch with me!
Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Trouble At School
It didn't surprise Shelby that her daughter would need another lesson. She had hoped it wouldn't need to be so soon, however.
Little more than a week (eight school days, to be exact) had passed since Shelby had taken Rachel to task in her office. And Shelby again found herself stalking down the hallway in search of her little miscreant.
She found her in the auditorium (her child was nothing if not predictable), huddled over a stack of sheet music with Brad. Their backs were to her, so Shelby was able to storm up the center aisle unannounced. "Rachel Barbra Berry, you get your little truant butt off that stage this instant, young lady!" her voice boomed in the cavernous space. Rachel squeaked out a startled yelp and spun towards the voice, a look of pure shock plastered across her face. Brad was unperturbed.
"Mom!" the girl hissed angrily. "You scared me half to death!"
Shelby's eyes narrowed and she pointed a finger to the spot directly in front of her. "Come. Here," she bit.
"What?! No! I'm not doing anything wrong! It's my free period!" Rachel argued, her heart beginning to race regardless. The look her mother was giving her was far too reminiscent of the one she'd received last Tuesday. It was the one she'd received just before Shelby had taken Rachel over her lap. Her stomach flipped at the memory.
"No, you have study hall. You should be in the library working on your homework," Shelby countered, watching with some amusement as Brad slunk away on silent feet.
"I've already finished my homework!" the teenager interjected hotly. She was so focused on her mother that she hadn't realized Brad had gone. She was using the man's presence as insurance—her mother wouldn't do anything in front of an audience.
"Watch your tone, little girl, unless you'd like to find yourself over my lap on center stage," Shelby growled, her finger now pointing at her child in warning.
Rachel's face burned brightly and her stomach dropped clear down to her feet. "MOM!" she gasped. Brad was right there and—
The girl turned her head and realized she was all alone up on this stage. She swallowed audibly.
"Come here, Rachel. I won't tell you again," Shelby ordered.
Heart pounding and stomach fluttering, Rachel obeyed. She stopped just outside swatting range and chewed at her bottom lip. Time for damage control, she thought.
"I'm sorry! I don't know why you're mad at me, though. I'm not doing anything wrong. I finished all of my homework—I'm even ahead in some of my classes. I shouldn't be in trouble for being here instead of in study hall," she said in a rush.
"You aren't in trouble for being here instead of in study hall," Shelby said simply. She watched as confusion and relief flitted across her daughter's face. "You're in trouble because you stormed out of your biology class this morning."
Rachel sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes bulging. How did her mom—
"Mr. Fitzpatrick came to my office during his free period and we had quite the talk, Rachel," the mother answered the unspoken question, watching a plethora of emotions play out across her child's face.
"I—I can explain!" Rachel assured, though her tone sounded decidedly uncertain.
"Can you?" Shelby demanded, the anger clear in her own.
"Mom! You don't understand! It was a matter of personal beliefs and standing up for what's right despite the consequences and—really, you should be proud of me for having such a high moral fiber—"
"Proud of you?" Shelby said in disbelief. "Rachel, you made a spectacle and stormed out of class at the very beginning of the lesson! I'm not proud of you, I'm—"
"But the lesson was on the dissection of frogs, Mom!" Rachel defended, stomping her foot with an angry huff. "You know I won't stand for the injustices done to animals in the name of science!"
It took everything in Shelby not to roll her eyes clear into the back of her skull. She shook her head and looked skyward instead. When she met her child's steely gaze again, she was calmer.
"Rachel, I know that. The whole school knows that. And Mr. Fitzpatrick was going to excuse you from the lab portion of the lesson because he knows that, too," Shelby said, her voice soft.
Rachel deflated like a balloon. "O—Oh."
Shelby sighed. "You're so reactive, Rach. You never stop to think things through, you just act. And that needs to stop."
The teenager's shoulders dropped and Rachel ducked her head at the reproach. "I'm sorry," she offered meekly to the carpet.
"You are going to apologize to Mr. Fitz after you and I are finished in my office," Shelby stated, and Rachel's head snapped up to stare at her in horror.
"Mom, no!" the girl pleaded. "I'm sorry. I don't—You don't have to do that!"
Shelby raised an eyebrow, giving Rachel a pointed look. The girl squirmed under the attention. "I do," the mother confirmed. "I told you I would and I meant that. I meant what I said about the office at home, too—we'll be repeating this lesson as soon as we get home this afternoon."
Rachel's horrified expression deepened and she opened and closed her mouth like a fish. "Mommy," she whimpered as soon as she found her voice.
"Let's go, Rachel. I want to finish our discussion and then have you go speak to Mr. Fitzpatrick with me before your study hall period is over. We don't have time to waste."
The teenager let out a tiny squeak as Shelby grabbed ahold of her, but was otherwise silent on the march back to her mother's office. Rachel's feet dragged the closer they got to their destination, but Shelby had no problem moving her along just the same. The office door opened and then shut, the finality of the lock sliding home sealing Rachel's fate.
Shelby moved to the chair she'd used last time and sat, her hand sliding from Rachel's bicep down to the girl's wrist. She pulled the teen in between her knees and then met her daughter's eyes.
Rachel could already feel the tears welling and she used them to hopefully gain some sympathy from her mother. Shelby only shook her head, which sent a single tear trickling down Rachel's cheek.
Shelby stared stone-faced at her child, though her insides were anything but. The tear now falling down Rachel's cheek sent a flash of pain through Shelby's heart. She ignored it.
Rachel gasped and tried to step back as her mother's hands disappeared under her skirt. "W—What are you doing?" she squeaked, her pulse racing.
"You have tights on. I'm at least pulling those down," Shelby said as she worked to do just that.
Cold air hit Rachel's legs and she sucked in a shaky breath. "Mom, no," she whined, reaching for the clothing now bunched around her knees.
"Stop it, Rachel. You weren't wearing tights last time anyway. I'm not doing anything I didn't do then. Besides, I need to see what I'm doing and I can't with those up," Shelby said as she batted her child's hands away.
"Mom—"
"I don't want to hear it. Keep arguing and I'll take your panties down as well."
"No!" Rachel cried, her face turning scarlet. She didn't want that at all! She didn't fight her mother as she was tipped forward over waiting knees. She wiggled as she was situated and gave a pathetic little sniffle as Shelby lifted her skirt over her back. And when the woman's hand came to rest against her clothed bottom, Rachel couldn't help but clench the muscle under that silent promise.
Shelby sighed as she stared down at the child over her knees. It felt surreal having to do this again so soon (Rachel had taken her first trip over a maternal lap last Tuesday and only made it to the following Friday!), but from everything she'd learned of her child in the past six months, it was that Rachel never did do anything half-assed. And so, it seemed, neither could Shelby. While the mother had hoped her initial punishment would prove sufficient enough to keep Rachel on the straight and narrow, she now understood she hadn't done enough. Rachel needed more.
With that thought firmly in mind, Shelby raised her hand and let it fall a second after with a resounding crack. Rachel stiffened across her lap, and the mother held her closer in anticipation of the girl's squirming. That proved a wise action as Rachel twisted her hips and then kicked a leg in response to the sting of that first swat. More followed and Shelby quickly fell into a rhythm, blanketing her daughter's bottom in a simmering heat.
"Ow, ow! Mom, OW! S-Stop! I'm sorry!" Rachel cried, twisting back and forth in an effort to avoid her mother's hand. It didn't work and only served to wear Rachel out. "Ouch, Mommy—please! Ohhooh, ow! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Mom!"
It was easier to ignore the building sting on her palm than it was Rachel's protests, but Shelby managed both as she continued her task of setting her child's backside on fire. She kept a close eye on the color creeping out from the leg holes of Rachel's underwear. She wanted to deliver a worse spanking now than she had last week and ensure that Rachel would be sore enough through the remainder of the school day, but not too sore as to cause problems for the follow-up spanking she had to deliver at home. It was a delicate balancing act and one Shelby did not want to get wrong.
"Mommy! Mommy, please, I—Ow—I've learned my lesson! You can—Ouch! Ouch! Oh, ouch—stop now!" Tears were now falling at a steady pace, making a tiny wet patch on the carpeted floor below. Rachel was growing tired and her bottom hurt SO MUCH. She was losing her fight and after several more stinging swats to the backs of her thighs, she gave up. It was clear to her that her mom wouldn't stop until she wanted to, and there was nothing for Rachel to do but accept that.
Shelby's hand descended one last time after Rachel had gone limp over her thighs and then brushed across the hot seat as she surveyed her work. Rachel's skin was glowing a pretty shade of red that would no-doubt fade nicely before she was to paint it again. Her child was crying softly, and even as the sound broke the mother's heart, it told her she'd given her daughter exactly what she needed. It was enough for now.
Rachel let out a sob of relief as she was lifted to her feet. That had hurt so much more than the previous spanking she'd gotten and she hadn't forgotten her mother's plan to do this again at home. That was still a few hours away, however, and Rachel's mind was already formulating reasons a second 'discussion' wouldn't be necessary.
The girl was so focused on the fierce sting and the strong desire to avoid further attention to that area that she wasn't prepared to find herself on her mother's lap again, face up this time. She yelped as her bottom hit firm thighs and shifted her weight to relieve the pressure. Rachel glared accusingly at her mother.
Shelby offered a sheepish smile in return, kissing her daughter's head. She was then content to hold her child and offer what comfort she could in the confined office space. Rachel was happy to accept all the loving up Shelby was giving, even if it was a bit uncomfortable with them both seated on a narrow school chair.
When Rachel's tears had ended and the girl calmed, Shelby set her daughter on her feet for the second time. Rachel shifted in front of her and Shelby didn't miss the twitch of the girl's hands aching to reach back to rub. She didn't and the mother smiled at that—so she had learned something from last time, it seemed.
Rachel caught a glimpse of her mother's knowing smile and looked down. Her cheeks grew warm when she realized her black tights were still down around her knees and she quickly set about fixing that. She hissed as the material raked across tender skin and then settled into place, trapping the heat in. Rachel whimpered at that and clenched her fists to keep them from venturing behind her.
Shelby rubbed her daughter's arm in sympathy and then offered the girl the box of tissues on her desk. She waited while Rachel dried her face and inspected it herself to make sure the girl's make-up wasn't ruined. Miraculously, it wasn't. Shelby nodded in approval.
"Okay. Let's go see Mr. Fitz," she announced, dropping a guiding hand to Rachel's lower back.
The walk to Mr. Fitzpatrick's office was an uncomfortable one. Rachel walked stiffly, her bottom protesting every step of the way. Shelby was a pillar of silence beside her, but her hand at the small of Rachel's back was a comfort. They stopped at the closed glass door of Mr. Fitz's office. Rachel could see the man seated at his desk inside, but still her mother made her knock on the door.
David Fitzpatrick looked up from his grading and smiled as he waved the two ladies inside. "Shelby. Rachel. Come in and have a seat," he said, motioning to the two empty chairs in front of his desk.
"Hi, David," Shelby greeted, returning a warm smile. Rachel mumbled a small hello, her cheeks a bright red as she sank slowly into the seat beside her mother. From the chastised look about her, David had no doubt that Shelby had given the poor girl an earful for her earlier behavior.
"Rachel," Shelby directed her child's attention. "I think you have something to say to Mr. Fitzpatrick?"
Rachel blushed further and shifted in her chair, a small hiss escaping her lips despite her best efforts. Timid eyes flashed to her teacher, wondering if he'd noticed. The man only looked patiently back at her. Rachel quickly licked her lips before she spoke.
"I—I'm sorry for my behavior in class this morning, Mr. Fitz. I was only concerned with my own feelings and beliefs regarding the torture of helpless animals in the name of science that I didn't stop to consider my actions. I assumed you were going to force me to participate in that barbaric—"
"Rachel," Shelby's warning was clear to the girl, and Rachel quickly amended herself.
"Sorry," the girl offered hastily to both adults, glancing at each of them in turn. Shelby raised an eyebrow in response, but Mr. Fitz was trying (and failing) to hide an amused smile. "What I mean to say, Mr. Fitzpatrick, is that I assumed something and reacted on that without the proper verification that I was correct. I wasn't and that not only hurt me, but you as well. I'm sorry."
Shelby turned her head and hid her face behind her hand while she schooled her expression. Rachel was just too much sometimes. The mother rolled her lips inward as she returned her attention to the conversation and noticed the mirth dancing in her colleague's eyes. She returned his look with an amused quirk of her brow.
"Thank you, Rachel," Mr. Fitzpatrick managed evenly, offering the girl a warm smile. "I appreciate your apology and of course accept it. I am aware of your feelings regarding the current lesson plan and I sympathize with you. I have to teach it, but I had every intention of excusing you from the practical portion of today's class. You never gave me that chance, however."
Rachel appeared appropriately abashed at the light scolding. "No, sir, I didn't," she agreed.
"Now, while I was willing to still give you the alternative assignment I had planned to make up for what you'd miss during today's lab, your mother disagrees. During my talk with her this morning, we decided that you will receive a zero for today's class, Rachel," Mr. Fitz said, his tone taking on a stern note.
Rachel's eyes widened and she looked from her teacher to her mother in disbelief. "That will affect my grade!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, it will. As it should, Rachel," Shelby said firmly.
"Mom! That's not fair! You already sp—punished me!" Rachel sputtered in outrage. She needed to calm down—she almost let the way Shelby punished her slip.
"I've given you consequences as your mother. This is your consequence at school," Shelby would not be swayed. "You left class without permission, Rachel. You don't deserve to receive credit for a lesson you walked out on."
"Mom—"
"Enough," Shelby said, and Rachel quieted at once. David Fitzpatrick watched the exchange with interest. Rachel's reputation preceded her—the girl was known for her overreactions and ability to somehow talk herself out of trouble. Maybe it was because none of the teachers or faculty had ever wanted to really deal with her level of…dramatics. Seeing Shelby shut it down so quickly and with apparent ease, it was a sight to behold!
Shelby turned once more to her colleague. "I'm sorry on behalf of Rachel as well, David. I appreciate your understanding. And rest assured, this will not happen again. Will it, Rachel?" Her tone turned stern as she regarded her daughter.
Rachel hunched her shoulders and avoided the adults' eyes. "No, ma'am," she mumbled.
Shelby's brows rose—Rachel had never called her 'ma'am' before, but she'd take it. She nodded her approval and then stood, holding her hand out for Rachel. Rachel cast a glance up slowly—tentatively. It was clear her daughter was trying to assess her mood. Shelby relaxed her features. Rachel took her hand.
Once both brunettes were standing, Shelby smiled and thanked David for his time. She was pleased when Rachel did the same without prompting, and then the two were making their way out of the office.
"Are you mad again?" Rachel asked after a while. She'd been quiet since leaving Mr. Fitz's office. They were now halfway to the library and the girl couldn't stand it any longer.
Shelby sighed and stopped walking, pulling Rachel to the side of the hallway with her. She heard the quick intake of breath and rubbed her child's arm soothingly. Looking into timid brown eyes, she offered a small smile. "I'm not mad, honey. I'm upset about the choices you've been making in your classes. And I realize we didn't talk much about why I'm upset and why the constant storming out is wrong. That's my fault and I intend to fix that this afternoon. For now, I expect you to go sit in the library until your study period is over and then head to your next class. And for the love of Barbra, Rachel, stay in class the rest of the day. Okay?"
Rachel squirmed and blushed, chewing at her bottom lip as she endured her mother's gentle scolding and veiled reminder of what was ahead of her this afternoon. "Yes, Mama," the girl whispered, surprising even herself with the diminutive name for her mother. She'd used 'mommy' often enough, but somehow 'mama' felt even more infantile. She wasn't sure how she felt about that, but one look at her mom told her the woman didn't mind that at all.
Shelby felt the familiar prickle of tears welling and she blinked to clear them. Her heart swelled with warmth at the title that slipped from pink lips. "Good girl," she praised, stepping forward to place a kiss to Rachel's forehead. "Go on now. I'll see you this afternoon," she added, sending her child off with a small pat to her bottom. She then watched the girl walk away from her, surreptitiously giving her bottom the briefest of rubs as she went.