"Marley's smart, like Brittany smart, and she's funny and she's got this really cute laugh, and this awkward energy about her. I mean but she still kissed me on the cheek at the end of the date. We're going for dinner and mini-golf next week. She's never been mini golfing. I mean Lima's mini golf place is shit, but do you think Frannie would open up a portal for us?" Quinn looks over at Charlie who is tapping the steering wheel of her truck. When her twin doesn't answer she immediately swats her. "Charlie."
Charlie blinked and looked over at her twin, she had stopped listening the moment that she had begun to drive them to school. "Frannie is awash with baby hormones Quinn. It could go either way, and after yesterday's debacle, she might be on strike. As Frannie's kids future godparent, stress isn't good for the baby. Also, for the record, mini golf is lame. So is golf. If I may make a suggestion—"
"No. You may not. Also Frannie isn't going to trust you to watch her baby." Quinn interrupts bluntly. "Marley doesn't have any powers Charlie, half the things that you like to do are for powered individuals."
Charlie rolled her eyes, but decided to press forward anyway. "Escape rooms are fun, so are arcades. Both are infinitely more interesting than mini golf." She spots a parking spot near the school and makes a beeline for it. Maybe she could talk to Figgins about having her own parking. He'd probably agree, and it would be a nice perk for the team.
Quinn paused for a moment, "An escape room doesn't sound like a bad idea actually," she picks up her phone to start googling possible locations.
Charlie shook her head as she parked and switched off her car, before reaching behind her to grab her bag. She exits her truck and stares at McKinley for a moment, she really didn't feel like doing school today, or going through the motions of practice. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken a personal day.
She'd been going non-stop for weeks now. All the after school practices, then the personal training that she did with Santana. She was also training Rachel, and dealing with attempting to manage Rachel's feelings about her mother. It really was the tip of the iceberg, and she just felt mentally exhausted.
"Do you think she'd be interested in like one of the scary ones? Because there's one in LA called the basement that is basically you trying to escape from a cannibal," Quinn asked.
Charlie closed her eyes and let out a sigh, she seriously needed a personal day. "Ask her? I don't know Marley. I don't know what she likes, I don't know anything. Seriously Quinn, I may not be interested in dating anyone, but I at least know that the foundation to a good relationship is communication."
"How'd that work in your last relationship?" Quinn asks.
"I communicated that I wanted to sleep with other people. She communicated that she didn't want me to. So I broke up with her, we were incompatible because she refused to compromise," Charlie said with a wave of her hand. She suspected she was the asshole in the relationship, but she wasn't a cheater, or a liar. "Relationships are easy if you communicate properly and effectively, and compromise when you can."
Quinn blinked, "You didn't actually tell her you wanted to sleep with other people did you?"
Charlie rolled her eyes at Quinn's judgemental tone. "Yes Quinn, I did. Lying in a relationship is only acceptable when you're planning a surprise party or planning a surprise engagement. And even then it's a shitty idea because people generally don't like surprises." Charlie waved her hand, and now she was giving Quinn life advice. She really should write a book for the family, it was rather troubling how no one knew this.
Quinn stared at her twin and closed her eyes before shaking her head. She wasn't going to touch that with a ten foot pole. She notices Charlie tossing her bag back into the car, and blinks, "Did you forget something at home?"
"I'm taking a mental health day, you're free to come, if you don't say anything." Charlie informs Quinn. "Like I don't want to hear about Marley, I don't want to have to give you relationship advice."
"Pass, I have a math test today and unlike you I don't get special treatment by the teachers," Quinn said patting Charlie's back. "Have fun." With that Quinn heads inside the building, if anyone asked she'd just let them know that Charlie was sick. She waits until Charlie grunts at her and hops into her car before she heads inside the building.
Before Charlie can pull out of her parking spot, she hears a knock on the passenger side window and turns to spot Santana, and groans before she pushes the button to roll down the window. Before Santana can say anything Charlie quickly informs her of her plans. "I'm taking a personal day Santana. You're the Captain while I'm away, and I hope it goes without saying that I probably won't show up after school today to spar with you."
Santana blinks, as she quickly processes the information dump that Charlie had just given her. There's a part of her that wants to be selfish, and demand that Charlie show up for their daily sparring session, but there's just something on Charlie's face that gets her to push it aside. "Okay."
Charlie opens her mouth to argue, before she realizes that Santana had just agreed with her, without any of her usual snark. "Really?"
"Yeah, I don't mind covering for you for a day. I mean it's just a usual practice anyway," Santana says with a shrug. "I think you should swing by tonight, not to spar. We can watch a movie or something, my parents aren't going to be home tonight."
Charlie paused for a moment, a movie sounded nice. It sounded normal, "I'll bring the snacks?"
"Enough to share," Santana informs Charlie, who nods at this. "I'll text you later, have fun." Santana informs Charlie before she takes a step back and watches as Charlie rolls up the window and pulls out of the parking lot. She sighs, Beiste had basically put her in charge of managing Charlie and if Charlie needed a day she needed to let her have it.
~ O ~
Rachel made a beeline towards Charlie's locker, first thing in the mornings was generally to catch Charlie before she got distracted by cheerleaders, or Santana, or schoolwork. But instead of seeing Charlie tossing her bag into her locker, she spots Quinn who is pulling out her notebooks for her first period. She pauses for a moment, wondering if she should say something. The last time that they had talked actually talked it had been awkward, but Charlie had mentioned that Quinn was seeing someone else. "Hey Quinn."
Quinn turned to look at Rachel and flashes her a small smile, "Hey, Charlie filled me in on what happened yesterday. She sent like 200 texts, so I don't think I missed much—but I think I should apologize for my aunt Cassandra, she had no right to spring that on you."
Rachel nodded, she was still a mess of emotions. "Thanks, but do you know where Charlie is? She was actually giving me some advice about what to do, I'm going to have an official meeting with my birth mom this Friday, we're going for dinner. I think my fathers picked a public place, so she wouldn't know where I lived and she couldn't make a scene. We're driving up to Columbus."
Quinn frowns, "Charlie's taking a personal day." She hesitates for a moment before deciding to give her opinion "I know it's not my place, but I think you should be careful. None of her actions have been above board Rachel. She got Jesse to get close to you and to find you. According to my aunt she stopped being a hero because she broke into sealed records looking for you. I'm not saying you shouldn't get to know your birth mom, but I mean this whole thing is just messy. While I'm sure that yesterday's mess was my aunts idea, she went along with it. Which should give anyone pause, my aunt is insane and not in the way the rest of my family is."
Rachel nodded, frowning. She had really hoped that Charlie would be here, but if Quinn was giving out advice she would at least listen. "Charlie thinks that I should get Shelby to teach me how to use my abilities, use her to achieve my dreams. Santana disagrees I think, I stopped paying attention. They started to argue and I think they ended up flirting with each other," Rachel takes a breath. She'd been forced to think about what she wanted, her dads had made it clear that this was her choice, and they wouldn't be offended or hurt no matter what she chose to do. "Is it terrible that I want to get to know her?"
Quinn bit her lip, maybe she should have taken a personal day with Charlie. "No. I think it's normal. I just think you need to be careful, especially since my aunt brings out the worst behavior in people sometimes."
Rachel nodded, taking Quinn's advice to heart, there's an awkward silence between them, and she frowns when Quinn turns to head to class. "How'd your date go?"
Quinn turned to look at Rachel, she really wasn't sure what the protocol was for this type of thing, but Rachel seemed interested. "It went great actually, we're going for dinner on Friday."
Rachel smiled, "Well I'm happy for you Quinn, you deserve to be happy—and I'm sure you know her name."
Quinn snorted, "Of course I do. I'm not Charlie." Quinn flashes Rachel a small smile, "We're still friends right?"
"Of course," Rachel agrees, at least that was one thing that she didn't have to worry about.
~ O ~
"I was under the opinion that practice was mandatory," Lauren stated, a frown on her face as she crosses her arms over her chest and looks at Beiste. "As our captain she should be here."
"Lauren, for the love of god, will you remove the massive stick that's lodged up your ass?" Santana snaps, getting fed up. No wonder Charlie had to take a personal day, it was just constant bitching. Rachel had tried to talk to her, people were coming to her for advice. Maybe she should tell Charlie to take the damn week off. "We get it, you have an inferiority complex that Charlie triggers, despite the fact that she's openly trying to get you into a good school or firm, because she believes in you. It's getting old Lauren, so please shut up."
Lauren scowled and got up ready to say something when Beiste held up her hand, "Practice is mandatory, and Charlie has been to every practice, morning and night. She asked for some time to herself and I granted it, mental health, burn out is important and even though you want to be heroes with all the responsibilities that entails, you need to also take care of yourself. As a hero you sometimes see some really messed up things, taking a mental health day is nothing to scoff at. So if any of you are feeling overwhelmed with anything my door is always open. Which brings me to my next topic before we get to practice, after a week of discussions, the commision has decided what the punishment for Dalton Academy is going to be." Shannon said with a sigh. They had wanted to make an example, but in doing so she was certain that it would take a miracle for Dalton to become the powerhouse it once was.
"That was quick," Santana muttered. She was certain that it would have been a bureaucratic nightmare. "How long is their ban two years?"
"Five. Dalton will be appealing the decision, so I imagine that they'll work something out. I also have some news about Sebastian. After seeing multiple level 4 healers, they've managed to reverse some of the damage, but I shouldn't have to tell you that he'll never be the same again and chances are he'll never be a hero again, unless he manages to meet with a level 5 healer. But as you know there are no level 5 healers in the United States. I heard that he was going to try his luck in China, India, Brazil and South Africa." Shannon made a face.
"Five years?" Rachel's jaw dropped. "Dalton charges as much as it does is because Dalton has produced some pretty good heroes. This will decimate them. They nearly made it to Nationals last year."
"That's not the problem Berry," Santana said with a frown, she pauses when everyone turns to her and she shrugs. "The problem is that Dalton's team is probably going to scatter to the wind. Other teams are going to try and poach them, and Dalton's team is already strong."
There was a momentary silence as Santana's words sank in, before Sam spoke up. "Is McKinley going to do some poaching?"
"No," Shannon says quickly. "I think we have the right team, and while I think it's best if we have a few alternates, people who can step in case of injury, I'm not going to actively try and campaign to bring anyone from Dalton here. Personally, I don't have time to wine and dine people, and Figgins has made it clear that the only people who he would accept into McKinley are people who actually live in the school district."
Lauren visibly relaxed, "Well at least we don't have to worry about anyone from Dalton stealing our spot."
Shannon resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but instead chose to ignore her and continue. "I know you'd all rather start practicing, but we've got a bit more administrative things to go over. After Christmas break we will begin to do joint practices with schools that did well but aren't going to sectionals. People who we didn't face. I've also been thinking of ways to take the team to the next level, which is why there will be practices during lunch, these practices will be focused solely on getting you used to your abilities. We need to raise nearly everyone's level by Sectionals. That being said, "Santana. Artie. Tina. Finn. Lauren. You five will not have to attend these practices, however if you want to help out then you can attend. This will change after the Christmas break, I'm working with Figgins and the administration to arrange your schedule so you each have a free period before or after lunch, where we will be working on your abilities and increasing fitness."
Sam raised his hand, and waved it until Beiste nodded at him. "I heard a rumor from JBI that a few pro heroes will be coming to watch us and maybe recruit us, is that true?"
Beiste frowned, she was going to need to have a long discussion with JBI about what he posted. "Yes and no, I have been in contact with some pro heroes, and while they may watch and try to recruit you, I personally requested that they help Charlie train." Before there are any protests Beiste holds up her hand. "Charlie has a provisional license, which means under supervision she is allowed to start doing hero work. After the Inter-high there have been top heroes who have wished to work out with Charlie, and after discussing it with Figgins and Charlie's grandmother, I've decided to allow it."
"Oh great more special treatment for Charlie fucking Fabray. Is Figgings going to give her a golden toilet as well, I mean she is full of shit. Probably needs that too," Lauren scoffed angrily. She turns to look at Santana and notices the look of jealousy on her face. "You don't think it's fair do you?"
Santana frowns when everyone turns to her, and makes a face, "Life's not fair Lauren, Charlie's a level 5. You saw what she could do at the Inter-high, and she was still holding back. She's helping me, she's helping all of us get stronger, but it's not like we can return the favor. It sucks because I want to be at that level too, where pro heroes are clamouring to work with me in hopes that I join their firm." Santana turns to Shannon. "You said that they will be watching us, if we impress them can we join in with Charlie's practice?"
Shannon hesitated for a moment, "If they make a request to have one of you join them, I will allow it—so long as it's their idea. There will be no begging to join, and I do think that all of you could learn something if you watched. So you will be allowed to attend, watch and take notes. Now onto today's practice, if we're done bitching and moaning about how life is unfair. I broke you down into teams. Santana, Sam, Finn, Kitty, Artie, Jake, you're one team. Everyone else is on the other, we're doing a full contact game of villains and heroes. First team is the villains, other team is the heroes. You have two minutes to plan and prepare."
Rachel raised her hand, "After practice Coach Beiste, would it be possible to get some time with you to discuss a private matter?"
Shannon blinked, and nodded, "Of course Rachel, you know my door is always open."
Santana flicks her eyes over to Rachel for a moment before she gets up, Beiste probably could give Rachel some actual advice, and it was probably better that they knew about any conflict of interest that Rachel had. Still, they needed to make sure that Vocal Adrenaline wasn't the albatross around their neck when they went to Nationals.
~ O ~
Figgins studied the documents in front of him, by all accounts this was all above board. The Andersons were well known in the community, in fact Blaine's mother was his physician. Both of Blaine's parents were doctors in Lima. Cooper had attended McKinley for a year, before he'd gone to Dalton Academy. "He wouldn't be able to transfer this semester, there's a week left of classes before exams and then Christmas break. It wouldn't make sense, however as long as we get his transcripts Blaine may attend next semester."
"What about that job?" Cooper Anderson asked. McKinley could be his big break, and if he could get close to the level 5 he might be able to get into a proper hero firm.
Figgins looked over at Cooper Anderson, once upon a time he had hoped to build a team around him to launch McKinley's team onto the national stage, but he had been poached by Dalton. "McKinley doesn't have the budget of the big schools, there is simply no room in the budget to hire someone else. Shannon Beiste is a former pro hero, and as such her salary is impressive. I can't afford to hire you this year, but if you make yourself indispensable to Shannon and McKinley makes it too and wins Nationals, then my budget will get bigger, and I can think about hiring you next year. Maybe." Cooper had overseen the worst,
Cooper frowned, that wasn't what he wanted to hear at all. He needed money to maintain his lifestyle, and he barely had any savings. He certainly didn't want to move back in with his parents. Still he was sure there was money to be made from this. How many teams would want information on Charlie to try and build plans against her. "I'm sure with my experience, coaching Dalton will be extremely helpful to the Titans."
Figgins nodded and looked over at Blaine, "I understand that you passed the drug test, and you're not subject to the ban that the commission handed down, however I can't promise you a spot on the team. I have no control over it. If you really want to be a part of the team I suggest contacting Shannon Beiste, I can give you her email."
Blaine nodded, that sounded fair, McKinley already had a team. Most teams had a roster of 15, but McKinley had the bare minimum needed to compete. "So I'll probably have to try out?"
"Yes, but I must warn you that most people fail. Nearly everyone in the school tried out, and nearly everyone in the school failed miserably, so don't be discouraged if you fail. The Titans are the best that McKinley has to offer." Figgins adjusted the paperwork. "Make sure that we get all the information from Dalton, the sooner the better, you know how things get around Christmas time. Everything is hectic, so get us his transcripts and make sure the documents are signed by his parents or legal guardian. And I'll be seeing you during the winter semester Mr. Anderson. Perhaps you'll make a fine addition to the Titans, but McKinley does have plenty to offer even if you don't make the team."
Blaine swallowed, he hadn't managed to stand out at the tournament but he had felt wrong taking drugs. McKinley deserved to win; they had been the better team. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"Excellent. Let me walk you out." Figgins says, standing up, walking to the door. He spots a student, fixing his bag as he was making a beeline to the exit and flags him down. "May I remind you Mr. Hummel, that there is no running in the halls."
Kurt stops and glances over at Figgins, a lot of things went down in the halls of McKinley, running was perhaps the most benign thing he could do. The students that could fly, generally flew to class. "Sorry I'm late for drama practice."
Figgins nodded and gestured to Blaine Anderson, "Kurt is a part of this year's production of Westside Story. Kurt, this is Blaine Anderson, he will be attending McKinley in the winter semester. Perhaps you can show him around."
Kurt studied the teenager in front of him and swallowed, "Sure," he says, his voice cracking. He clears his throat."I'll be happy to answer all your questions."
~ O ~
"Fuck." Santana groaned, she should have known better than to assume that Charlie being somewhat decent in bed was a fluke. She takes a deep shaky breath, trying to fill her lungs, it felt like she had just run a marathon, her body ached but in a deliciously positive way. Charlie had taken her time working over her body, worshiping every inch of it, and she had never once felt so relaxed. "Fuck."
Charlie rotated her shoulders slowly and dragged her tongue along her lips, she could still taste Santana on her lips. "Satisfied now? That was some of my best work Santana, I mean you didn't set anything on fire this time, but I don't think your parents would appreciate you accidentally burning down your house."
"Fuck." Santana repeats as she places her arm over her eyes. This time, Charlie hadn't hammered away at her body dragging her to powerful orgasm after orgasm. No, this time Charlie had taken her time, touching her, kissing her—playing her body like a master violinist played the violin, and she hoped that she wasn't hooked. She could get used to being treated like this. She pulls her arm away from her face when she feels Charlie's movements through the bed and spots Charlie trying to get up.
Immediately Santana grabs onto Charlie's wrist, stopping her. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Are you still not satisfied, Santana?" Charlie asks, slightly surprised, as she turns to look at her. She had given Santana some of her best work.
Santana closed her eyes, this wasn't exactly what she wanted. She wanted Charlie to feel exactly how she did, "No," she admits. "I'm not, I want to touch you too," Santana reminds Charlie, who smiles at her. "But since I can't really feel my fingers at this moment, or my toes can you just stay for a while? My parents won't be back for a while."
Charlie hesitated for a moment, she wasn't really the type to cuddle after sex, but Santana's bed is weirdly comfortable and she's not against spending more time with her. "Alright," she says as she lays back down and turns over so she could face Santana. "How was practice?" Charlie asked.
Santana makes a face, "It was practice, Beiste is practically doubling the amount of practice. Focusing on people who need to use their abilities better. I think when you're not around people don't work nearly as hard. But sectionals will be harder, Dalton's been banned from competing for five years, after an appeal they may get it down to two—but schools like Carmel, are poaching Dalton's students so I think they're going to have a much stronger team. Lauren is well—not happy—"
"When is she ever," Charlie says with a small laugh.
"It's different this time, Beiste is starting to treat you differently. Starting in the new semester you're going to start working out with top heroes. Your training will start being separate from ours, but Beiste said if we impressed them then they could ask us to join your workout as well." Santana smirks at Charlie, she doesn't need to tell her that she'd be joining in on those personal training sessions too. She would work harder to get there. "So what exactly does taking a mental day entail?"
Charlie shrugged her shoulders, "I worked out for a bit, headed to an arcade, then I went to LA for lunch but then I had to help Frannie set up a crib, before she would send me back home. I promised to help her paint the baby room once we go on break."
Santana blinked, "You went to LA for lunch?" When Charlie nods she scowls, "Next time I'm coming with you."
"Then you have to help paint Frannie's baby room."
"Deal, as long as we can stop by your old high school, I want to check them out they're a nationally ranked team."
"You want to spy on Pacific View Academy?" Charlie asks, blinking in surprise.
Santana frowned, "Pacific View, is one of the top ranked schools in the country. I want to scope out our competition, you weren't on the team. So I don't—"
"Alright."
"You're agreeing?" Santana asks sitting up so she can have a better look at Charlie. "I thought you might have some loyalty to the school or something."
"I never paid attention to the hero team, so I'm curious to see how good they are. Though I can imagine that Dani's going to be pissed that I'm captaining the Titans." Charlie blinks as Santana suddenly straddles her. "Round two—" Santana's lips are pressed against hers. Charlie's eyes widen for a second and she lets Santana take control, it's only for a moment till Santana touches her stomach and she immediately turns the tables on her.
