"I am sure that there are some agents promising you the world, and telling you to sign with them so you can have an easy path to signing with a firm, after you graduate. But you're fifteen Rachel, so why don't you tell me what your goal is so I can advise you on the best course to take."

Rachel studied Mr. Rifkin carefully, there had been quite a few agents that had practically followed her home after McKinley had won the regional Inter-high. But Mr. Rifkin was the first one who had simply asked her what she wanted. "I want to go to Summit."

Mr. Rifkin sat back in his chair, and stared at Rachel, slightly shocked. "That's a lofty goal."

Rachel flushed, but she wasn't going to be deterred. This was her goal."I've done the research, I know that many agencies have deals with hero firms, and they make promises about all the money that they can make, and how they can move up and become these massive heroes. You get them to forgo an accredited hero course, so that they can do some grunt work for a firm. That is not what I want. Most, I'd hazard to say 99% of them don't amount to anything, they don't become famous heroes, and the pay isn't that great either. Most burn out, and just go back to being regular people."

Mr. Rifkin picked up his tablet, opening the screen to the notes he had taken on Rachel, he glanced over the stats carefully before looking up at Rachel. "Summit does have an excellent support program, as well an excellent sidekick program. With your abilities being what they are, if you strengthen them, and do well on the written then perhaps Summit will accept you."

"I want to be a hero." Rachel informs him. She didn't mind being a sidekick, but those that graduated from Summit's sidekick program, rarely ever branched out to be successful heroes in their own right. Most stayed sidekicks, and because they were from Summit they were paid extremely well. She had never heard of anyone in the support program getting any of the spotlight either.

Mr. Rifkin sighed, he wasn't a fan of stubborn clients. There were firms that did want to sign her, but she was right. There were very few people who could sign with a firm right after highschool and become household names. "Rachel, I'm going to be frank with you. Your powers, as they are now are support powers. If you picked up some martial arts and could hold your own in a fight, then I can see you becoming a sidekick. Do you know how many teenagers apply to Summit every year?"

"The acceptance rate is one percent," Rachel admits, swallowing.

"Yes, that's for the support and sidekick programs. To get into the hero program—well the acceptance rate is less than one percent. I'll bet everything I have that your captain, Charlie will be accepted into Summit, if they haven't already promised her a spot. That girl, Lopez was it? I can see her getting accepted into Summit. She showed some real guts yesterday, but with your abilities, both your actual AI abilities, and your physical abilities, there is no conceivable way that you would be asked to participate in Summit's Entrance exam."

Rachel swallowed, "My abilities—"

"You're a level 2, Rachel. But as I said you are still young, your abilities could evolve, and if that's the case we can reassess, but even though you impressed some firms and some scouts from some of the lower tiered schools, we don't have to rush anything. But if that's your goal then you're going to need to prove your worth during Sectionals, we can revisit this conversation if and only if you manage to show the world more. Force the world to recognize you, and take every opportunity, and turn it into gold."

Rachel swallowed, it wasn't what she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear that she had a shot and that she could make it to Summit, that she deserved to be at Summit. "Thank you for your time Mr. Rifkin. I have a lot to think about and more importantly I have a lot of work to do before sectionals." Rachel admits extending her hand to shake it. She needed to get a plan ready, and get some one on one time with Charlie.

Lawrence had informed her that she had this weekend off, for the competition but perhaps she should head over and see if she could get some secret training done.

~ O ~

Judy sighed as she opened the door, half expecting it to be another agent who wanted to sign Charlie to an exclusive contract for the next four years. She was certain that her mother had chased them all away, but perhaps they were getting brave again. She doesn't expect to see Santana balancing quite a few large glass containers in her arms. "Santana? I thought my father gave you and Rachel the day off?"

"He did." Santana replies with ease, "But I didn't have anything to do and I wanted to practice with Charlie, so I brought over some food, since she won't pick up her phone and come over."

Judy glanced at the four huge containers and sighs, grabbing the top two containers, "Is this how much you normally feed her?"

"No, but my mom insisted that I should bring enough for everyone," Santana smiled gratefully as she followed Judy back through the house and placed the containers on the island.

"Well, I'll need to call your mother and thank her. Unfortunately, the reason that Charlie isn't answering is because she's currently in a state of hibernation, or a food coma. She basically ransacked the house when we came home last night. I needed to send Quinn, Brittany and my father out to do a restock." Judy admitted shaking her head. "You're free to go and check, but please keep the door open."

Santana's cheek flush, "Charlie and I aren't a thing," she quickly says defensively.

Judy glances at Santana for a moment, before she smiles at seeing the embarrassment on Santana's face. "It's a general rule for Charlie. It needs to be enforced because I really can't give her an inch."

Santana nods and quickly turns so she can go and wake Charlie up, so they could spar. She still had some moves that she had hoped to try out on Charlie. She makes her way to Charlie's room and pushes the door open slowly. She can't help but stare, when she spots Charlie sprawled out on her bed. There's a trail of drool making its way down her cheek, her blankets half kicked off, to reveal that she's wearing nothing more than tight black boy-shorts and a tank-top that has ridden up to reveal her abs. There are two fuzzy lumps sleeping at the foot of her bed, and the moment she approaches she spots Charlie's pets who stare at her for a moment before promptly laying back down.

A loud snore erupts from Charlie, startling Santana as she rolls over onto her side. Mumbling something under her breath.

"I really can't believe that you're hiding that much power," Santana shakes her head, in disbelief, wondering how anyone could look at Charlie sleeping and think that she was a threat. But she had witnessed it—she'd experienced it, and just thinking about it gave her goosebumps. She suspected that Charlie had held back considerably as well. Still she was here for a reason and she slowly approaches Charlie and taps her shoulder, but it doesn't do anything and she sighs, and leans in and whispers into Charlie's ear. "I'm naked and ready to give you your reward for getting us to sectionals."

Green eyes snap open, and Charlie yawns before she sits up and turns to look at Santana, a dopey grin on her face which quickly fades as she rubs her eye to see that Santana is very much clothed. "Liar."

"And you're a sex addict," Santana retorted. "Otherwise known as Pervert Smurfette," she can't help but smirk when Charlie scowls at her. She smacks Charlie's leg gently. "Come on, I brought some food over. Let's get some training done."

Charlie stares at Santana, "Did I sleep through school?" Charlie asks, picking up her phone to check the date. "It's Sunday afternoon Santana," Charlie grumbles. "Shouldn't you be dealing with agents and recruiters?"

"Not interested in anyone until after sectionals. Plus I plan to sign with whatever agency you choose. It's probably got to be super exclusive. Now put on some pants, and let's train!"

Charlie blinks slowly before gripping her blanket and flopping back on the bed, turning her back to Santana. "Day off. Go bother someone else." Charlie announces with a yawn.

Santana wonders if lighting Charlie on fire is an option. Instead she decides to try and get Charlie moving by focusing on her two weaknesses. "And after I was going to suggest a ride in your truck."

Charlie does turn over at this and she looks at Santana who flashes her a playful smirk. Charlie flashes Santnana a dull look. "I am not getting out of this bed, unless I need to go to the bathroom, I need to save someone, or mom makes bacon wrapped cherries or any of my favorite foods. If you want to fight someone go fight my grandparents, or my sister. The pregnant one. She literally teaches at a high ranked hero course. She might have some tips for you and a training plan." Charlie yawns again, before she once again rolls over.

Santana blinked, she was basically offering to have sex in Charlie's weird sex truck, and she was getting blown off. "Seriously?"

Charlie sighs, she wasn't going to get any sleep if Santana kept pestering her and she was tired. Forcing herself to sit up she looks at Santana carefully, "Santana, I think you're beautiful, and it's not that I don't want to do that with you, but I really am tired. And I've told you this before, there is only so much insight I can give you. You need to develop some skills without me knowing about it or interfering, so let me have today and then tomorrow we can practice for as long as you want."

Santana flushed under Charlie's gaze and immediately looked away. Charlie was certainly laying it on pretty thick. She had to wonder if this was how Charlie had managed to seduce quite a few women at McKinley. Charlie almost sounded sincere. But she can't focus on that right now, "The last time I fought a member of your family—"

"Note that I didn't suggest Quinn, or my aunt. My aunt is psychotic, and even if I trusted Quinn's ability to control her abilities, her powers make her a terrible matchup for you. Brittany isn't a fighter. My grandmother, my grandfather, and Frannie are safe options. Well Frannie is a bitch, but she's not psychotic, and given how much pride she takes in whatever she does, I assume she's actually a pretty good teacher. So go ask. Be polite and kiss her ass a sufficient amount, and she'll probably work with my grandma to help you."

Santana nodded, Charlie had attempted to warn her against sparring with Cassandra, so perhaps she would be fine. "If anything does go wrong—"

"Brittany's still around, and I will save you. I promise."

Santana hesitates, before nodding. "Next time we'll talk about my safe word."

Charlie's eyes dilate and she tilts her head watching Santana leave. She was certain that they weren't going to get any training done tomorrow.

~ O ~

Lawrence raised a brow as he looked at all the ice cream and junkfood that Brittany was throwing in the cart. "Brittany," he said in a patient tone. "I know my daughter, she will blame me if half of the groceries are junk food. Apparently I'm supposed to be the adult."

Brittany flashes her grandfather a mischievous grin, "But ice cream is the best cure for heartbreak," she says in a matter of fact tone. "This is for Quinn!"

Quinn frowned and rubbed her arm, "Britt, I really don't need any ice cream at all, I'm fine. And realistically we all know that we don't have the space for that, and Charlie will eat it all before the day is over, and then complain about her head pounding, from the brain freeze."

Brittany nudges Quinn, "Everyone gets rejected Quinn at some point or another. It's a part of life, that doesn't mean you're going to be alone forever. Rachel might not be the one, and that's okay."

Quinn scowled, "Charlie doesn't get rejected, when was the last time either of you got rejected."

Lawrence snorted, "You think your grandmother said yes the first time I asked?"

"She thought you were cute," Brittany points out.

Lawrence laughs, "I think that was after she got to know me, but your grandmother like you Quinn, kept things very close to her chest. She didn't know who wanted to be with her, or who wanted to use her. Personally I just wanted to test myself against her. One thing led to another—" A wolfish grin appeared on Lawrence's face.

"Gross grandpa!" Brittany groaned.

"My point is she said no, I hadn't even asked her out! She saw me approaching and she just said no! I wasn't even interested in that sort of thing, I was quite the gentleman and your grandmother corrupted me."

Quinn scoffs, she was certain her grandmother would remember things differently. "Right, so you're saying that I should just wait until some idiot tries to fight me and then have sex with them?"

"No, I'm saying that when the right person comes along, everything just makes sense." Lawrence corrects patting Quinn on the head. "Besides Quinn, following someone around and not having a life of your own, doesn't make a healthy relationship. When was the last time you did something, for yourself that didn't somehow involve Rachel? The last time you sculpted something? For the past few months you've been holding onto Rachel like she was a lifeline, and that hasn't been healthy. Go out and do something that you love to do, find someone who shares your interests. Have fun, not too much fun, but have fun. Your mother will yell at me if she thinks I'm encouraging you."

Brittany nods, and nudges Quinn gently. "He's right, you know, how about you visit my dorm next weekend? We can go to an art class?"

Quinn shakes her head, if she left Lima right now, she was certain she would not want to come back. It would be difficult to see Rachel over at her house, but she needed to get over her and move on her life. "I can take art classes here. Mom will probably make Charlie tag along since I've been helping her with the Titans, but I will probably need a good laugh at how shit Charlie is at art."

Brittany pauses for a moment, studying Quinn before smiling, "I don't think you should just abandon Rachel, but I do think you two need to spend some time apart. Who knows maybe you'll find someone else in art class."

Quinn rolled her eyes, and scoffed. She wasn't going to find anyone in Lima, and even if she did. They'd probably be far more attracted to Charlie, who was going to be a hero. Maybe she'd try to date when she went off to university. At that point Charlie would be off doing hero things, and she could just live a simple life.

~ O ~

Artemis took a sip of her tea, before turning her attention to her eldest granddaughter. "Well?" She prompts.

Frannie flicks her gaze to her grandmother, before she looks around. "I did as you asked, if anything happens things have been prepared," she responds easily. "I don't understand why though. You know I have no inclination to save strangers, I barely have an inclination to save anyone. Why aren't you looping the dumbass in."

Artemis smiles and looks up to where Charlie's room is located, "She's not ready."

Frannie scoffed, and followed her grandmother's gaze. "I think she's an idiot, but even I can't deny her power. But you've been building her power since she was a child, you're going to need to trust her to handle this responsibility."

Artemis hesitated, perhaps Frannie was right. "I still see her as my cute little granddaughter."

Frannie rolled her eyes, "I see her more as a garbage disposal, but whatever floats your boat." Frannie sighs and rubs her temples. "You can't keep her protected forever grandma, her little stunt at the Inter-High has caught the attention of the world."

Artemis was quiet before nodding, she had been forced to make a scene earlier to keep the vultures away from Charlie. Things were changing, and Charlie wasn't anywhere ready. "I think—"

"We're teammates Santana, and we're supposed to be working together! You can't just co-opt all of Charlie's time for yourself! There are plenty of others who want to get stronger! You're plenty strong enough." Rachel complained to Santana who looked irritated by her presence. Neither teenager realized that they had just interrupted a conversation.

Santana ignored Rachel's bitching and turns to look at both Artemis and Frannie who were staring at them, like they had interrupted. "Sorry for interrupting, but Charlie is hibernating till tomorrow, and she won't help me train. So she suggested that I ask you Frannie."

Frannie blinked slowly and studied both Rachel and Santana for a moment. "I don't work with teenagers," she flatly refuses, turning back to her iced tea.

Artemis chuckles as Santana's facefalls at being denied. "I would suggest a simple sparring session, but unfortunately my abilities may prove a bit too much for both of you. And Frannie is pregnant, so there will be no sparring from her."

Rachel steps forward, and approaches Frannie, who raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow at her. She swallows, Quinn had mentioned that Frannie was difficult. "While you may not want to train us, Quinn mentioned that you taught at a first rate institution, and that you were busy scouting people. I was wondering if you had any—wisdom or tips that will help me get scouted by a school like Summit?"

Frannie tilted her head. Rachel had been on her list of people to recruit, but she hadn't put her in the hero column. "The Summit sidekick or support branch?"

Rachel swallowed, perhaps Mr. Rifkin was right about how lofty her goals were. "I want to be a hero."

Before Frannie can say or do anything, Artemis clears her throat. "Frannie, these are Charlie and Quinn's friends. I'm not asking you to be nice, just be professional." Artemis said, taking another sip of her tea.

Frannie rolled her eyes, she wasn't the one that talked to teenagers. She was not a guidance counselor. "Can you do anything else?" Frannie asks. "Apart from the healing?"

Rachel flushes. "No."

"Well unless you learn how to control your abilities so you can use them in an offensive manner, then no. I don't see a path to Summit from you. Or any reputable hero program. How old are you?"

"Fifteen," Rachel mutters.

"There is still time," Artemis points out to Frannie.

"Barely," Frannie pointed out. "She would need to learn how to use her abilities in both an offensive and defensive manner, and hone her control to the point where her abilities won't do some friendly fire. Simply put, the fact that you can't control who your voice affects is a problem. Even if you could gather some offensive capabilities, that level of control for a power like yours is unheard of. You'd be far better off increasing your physical fitness and trying to be a sidekick."

"How?"

"How do you get more fit?" Fran questions. "Do I look like a personal—"

"How do I gain offensive capabilities?"

"My expertise is expensive and I don't work with teenagers," Frannie repeats. "For most people it's simply decision making instead of wanting to heal I want to cause pain. Figure out what you think of and what you want and then try it out."

Santana immediately steps forward, "What about me?"

"What about you?" Frannie asks, and groans when her grandmother clears her throat and shoots her a reproachful look. "I'm serious, she has to know that she was one of the standouts beside Charlie at the competition. I'm sure there are things I can teach you, and I'm not saying you shouldn't work hard, but whatever you're doing is working."

Santana nodded, "So keep forcing Charlie to spar with me, got it."

Artemis paused studying Santana, "Thank you, for helping her when things were too much for her to handle, and for being her friend. I understand that it may be difficult, but please give her time. She'll understand eventually."

Santana flushed as Artemis went back to drinking her tea, maybe she was overthinking it but it was like Charlie's grandma had just given her permission to date Charlie. She didn't want to date Charlie, she just wanted to beat the blonde.