Thank you for all the reviews for the last chapter. They all mean a lot to me, and I am glad that people still like this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or the characters they are all owned by FOX. Or the songs that are mention or used.

Some scenes and dialogue from episode 11 of season two are used in this chapter.

Warning homophobic slurs and swearing.

Thanks to Wheelie91 for editing this chapter for me

Chapter 9:

"Puckerman," Santana called out as she followed him out with Quinn next to her.

Puck stopped walking and turned back to see who had called out to him, "Fabray, Lopez, what do you want?"

Santana and Quinn stopped next to him, "we wanted to see if you were able to talk to Rachel about what happened yesterday with Finn." Santana asked, getting straight to the point as to what she and Quinn wanted to talk to him about.

"Not to her face as she was apparently busy with training or something last night, but I did send a text giving her a quick run-down of what took place. She said she would talk to me today here at school. So far I haven't seen her, I'm not even sure she's at school."

Quinn giggled, "She's at school today. She gave Santana quite a scare this morning at her locker."

Santana groaned, "Shut up Q. It's not my fault that Berry has some wicked ninja skills. You would have been scared to if she had done it to you."

"True but it was you, not me. And it was funny as hell to watch." Quinn laughed.

"Shut the fuck up, tubbers." Santana growled at her friend.

"Sorry, sorry." Quinn said as she stopped laughing.

"Don't worry too much, Lopez, I too have been on the receiving end of Rae's ninja skills." Puck told her, "So was that all you wanted to ask?"

"No, it wasn't, how do you plan to deal with Finn?" Quinn asked.

"Not sure yet, with Mr Schue siding with him, there is not much I can do apart from just watching him and to try and keep him away from Rachel." Puck answered honestly.

Both Quinn and Santana sighed, knowing that Puck was right, there wasn't much anyone could do as long as Mr Schue always sided with Finn. Finn was protected.

"So Rachel is screwed." Santana said, she was angry that none of them had any ideas with how to deal with Finn.

"Yeah for now, but why do either of you care? You have never shown concern for Rae before." Puck asked, narrowing his eyes slightly at the girls. He wasn't sure if he could trust them or not.

Quinn sighed, looking at Puck, "After the way Finn acted in class, he scared me, actually I think everyone was scared of the way he acted. Therefore I'm scared and worried about what he could to Rachel." Quinn sighed again, "Frankly I'm worried what he could do to the rest for us if things don't go his way."

"I agree with Q here. He's already manhandled Berry once, what's going to stop him from doing it again to her or to anyone of us." Santana commented as she crossed her arms.

"Okay, I understand, as long as both of you don't hurt Rae then you're both good in my book. I'll talk to Rachel at lunch and see what she wants to do." Puck said, running his hand over his Mohawk.

"We don't plan on hurting her; we just want to look out for her and each other." Quinn said honestly. Quinn didn't want to hurt the Diva anymore.

"Can you tell us what she plans to do?" Santana asked, wanting to know if the Diva had something planned.

"I'll ask and then let you know." Puck replied.

"That's all we ask. Did Berry get a new number? Because I tried ringing her cell and it said that it was disconnected. " Santana asked as she looked at Puck. She could feel Quinn staring at her from her side.

"Yeah she did, she got it a few days ago because Finn kept harassing her by phone. She thought it was best to change it. Why?" Puck answered the cheerleader. He was slightly confused as to why Santana was trying to get hold of Rachel.

"Because I was wondering if I could have it?" Santana asked.

"Why?" Puck glared at Santana, unsure why she wanted Rachel's number.

"Because I want to talk to her about something." Santana replied only telling part of the truth.

"I don't know. I don't want you to hurt her if that is what you are planning to do with her number." Puck answered, glaring at her.

"I'm not planning to fucking hurt her, you dipshit. I just want to talk to her. Something that is private." Santana snapped.

"Okay, okay, I'll text it to you." Puck told her as he pulled out his phone and texted Santana with Rachel's number.

"Thanks," Santana said happily as she heard her phone go off.

"Lets us know when you have spoken to her, so we can all be on the same page." Quinn said to Puck. Quinn was planning to ask Santana for Rachel's number so that she could try and get the Diva to at least talk to her even if it was by text.

"Sure, I'll text you later." Puck called as he walked away. Quinn and Santana watched him walk in the direction of his next class.

"Well that went better this time round." Quinn smiled as they were able to get some answers from Puck.

"Fuck yeah it did." Santana chuckled as they started to walk down the hall.

"Why did you want Rachel's number?" Quinn curiously asked her friend. She wanted to know why her friend wanted her number and what she wanted to talk to Rachel about.

Santana sighed, "Because I wanted to ask Berry something and seeing as I can't in person, I thought I would try by phone."

"It would seem talking to her by phone might be easier than trying to find her and talk to her." Quinn agreed with Santana, "Do you think you could give me her number?"

Santana stopped walking and looked at Quinn a little stunned that she wanted Rachel's number as well. Santana knew that Quinn wanted to try and be the diva's friend and to try and make up for everything that she had done to Rachel over the last years. Some days, Santana wondered if Quinn was repressed, and secretly loved Rachel even if Quinn hadn't recognized it yet. Well, it would explain a few things about Quinn's past behaviour. It probably wouldn't hurt for Quinn to have her number. It might help them both in the long run. Hell, it could even get Rachel to open up to them and tell them what had happened to her.

"Yeah sure I'll text to you." Santana replied.

"Thanks S." Quinn replied with a smile on her face.

They arrived in their next class. They took the seats at the back. Santana pulled out her phone and pulled up the text that Puck sent her containing Rachel's number. She studied the number, deciding if she should text her. Santana pulled out her school work as the teacher arrived. Santana texted Quinn with Rachel's number. Santana heard her phone go off and looked over at Quinn who pulled out her phone and looked at it. Quinn looked up from her phone and smiled at Santana before putting her phone away. After a few minutes Santana made her decision.

To Rachel: Hey Berry.

Santana thought that this was a good opening. Hopefully Rachel wouldn't be too suspicious and not text back as they hadn't been on good terms with one another. Santana actually feared that Rachel wouldn't answer her. She knew that Rachel would know who was texting her, she did after all have all the New Directions' numbers on her phone. A few seconds later, her fears were unwarranted as her phone went off.

From Rachel: Lopez, shouldn't you be paying attention in class?

Santana chuckled quietly and wrote her reply.

To Rachel: shouldn't you be paying attention in class?

From Rachel: Touché. So what do you want? Also how did you get my number?

To Rachel: I grabbed your number off Puck. I wanted to talk to you.

From Rachel: Of course you got my number off Noah…. So what did you want to talk about? It's not about what happened at your locker? Cause if it is you can stop texting me.

Santana sighed when she read the text that Rachel had just sent her. She had been surprised that Rachel would be guarded and wouldn't want to talk about herself.

To Rachel: this isn't about you. Actually it's about me.

From Rachel: Okay, so what did you want to tell me?

To Rachel: do you think I can talk to you in person?

From Rachel: what is it about?

Santana growled slightly at the text that Berry had completely ignored. She should have known that Berry wouldn't agree to talk face to face at the moment.

To Rachel: what we talked about in the bathroom.

From Rachel: the conversation that supposedly never happened?

To Rachel: Yeah that conversation.

From Rachel: Okay what part of the conversation did you want to talk about?

Santana stared at the text, knowing that she would have to tell Rachel the truth about why she wanted to talk to her.

To Rachel: Brittany.

From Rachel: Brittany? What about Brittany?

To Rachel: Look Berry, do you think we can do this in person? It might be easier for me to explain instead of thru text.

From Rachel: tell me what you want and I will see?

Santana growled quietly. She was starting to get angry with Berry as she kept going around in circles. Santana decided that she would tell her what she wanted and hopefully Berry would agree to talk to her and might be able to help her.

To Rachel: I hurt Brittany and I want to make it up to her.

From Rachel: you hurt her and now you want to make it up to her? So what do you want from me?

To Rachel: yes to both questions. I would like your help to make it up to her.

From Rachel: I will think about it and get back to you.

To Rachel: how long? I would like to do something ASAP.

Santana waited for a reply back, hoping that Rachel would agree to see her and to help her. The bell rang twenty minutes later ending class. Santana hadn't received a text back from Rachel. It actually had pissed her off that she didn't get an answer, but then again Rachel might not have been able to text back or something.

"Did you get any reply from Rachel?" Quinn's voice said, pulling Santana out of her thoughts.

"Yeah I did, but then she stopped, probably got busy or something." Santana grumbled.

"Well we are in school. Be grateful that she even replied back." Quinn said with a smile.

"Of course I am grateful." Santana replied sarcastically.

"Were you able to talk to her about whatever you wanted to talk about?" Quinn asked. She wanted to know what her friend wanted to talk to Rachel about.

"Not really, I tried convincing her to talk to me in person, but so far she's declined." Santana told her, Santana was slightly disappointed that Rachel hadn't agreed to meet her face to face.

"You shouldn't be surprised that she doesn't to talk to you in person. We haven't been the nicest to her so it would make it difficult for her to trust you." Quinn explained to her friend as they walked down the hall to their next period.

"I know, I know. But you would think that she would be willing to help someone. She always helps people even if they didn't her help." Santana argued.

Quinn sighed; she understood what Santana was saying. Rachel was someone that always helped others but now she was unsure what Rachel would do.

"What you should remember S, is that we are dealing with a whole different Berry so she might not be so willing now. If you need to talk about anything or need help, I am here for you." Quinn genuinely said.

"I know that this Berry is different. I just hope she isn't too different. And thanks, I know that I can come to you if I need to. That also goes for you." Santana said as she bumped Quinn's shoulder.

Quinn smiled at the gesture, "talk to you at lunch." she said as she headed into her class.

"Yup, later bitch." Santana smirked as she continued to her class. She hoped that Rachel would contact her soon, hopefully that she would agree to talk to Santana in person and that she would help Santana with making it up to Brittany. Santana could no longer live in denial about how she feels about the tall blonde cheerleader. Brittany was the world to her.

Puck cautiously walked into the library at the beginning of lunch period. Rachel had texted him last period asking, well more like demanding, him to meet her in the library. Puck was basically afraid of Rachel right now. He sensed from the text that Rachel was furious with him. He didn't understand why he had to meet her in the library; there were other places in the school that they could meet up to talk in private.

Puck was grateful that the library was empty but then again in was lunch period or else he wouldn't have been caught dead in this place. He headed to the back of the library where Rachel had said to meet her.

When Puck reached the back of the library, he found Rachel sitting on top of the table that was there, she had her head down and was swinging her legs backwards and forwards. He could see that she was deep in thought. He was worried about her. He didn't like how distant she had become, he knew that she had been dealing with a lot lately, with her dads, how the school had reacted to the change in her, and with the shit that Finn was pulling. He wished that Rachel would open up to him so he could help her through all of it, but he knew that Rachel wasn't ready yet.

Puck cleared his throat so he wouldn't scare her.

Rachel snapped her head up at the sound and gave Puck a slight smile, "Noah."

"Rae," Noah said as he walked closer to her, "How are you?"

Rachel looked at him, "I'm doing better. I would like to know why you gave Lopez my number, my new number."

Noah sighed, knowing that she would want to know the answer to that before anything else, "You can't say no to Satan unless you want to be on the receiving end of her fists. I just thought it would be easier to give her what she wanted."

"That is true. You could have texted me to ask first." Rachel said, looking at him.

"I know I should have but you know that she wouldn't have allowed me to leave without giving her the number."

"Argh, I hate it when you are right." Rachel groaned loudly.

Noah chuckled at her, he was happy that she didn't seem to mad at him for giving her number out.

"I am sorry though." Noah said.

"I know you are. So what went down with Finn yesterday in glee?" Rachel asked.

Noah explained to Rachel in full detail about how Finn had a go at him and that he didn't believe him when he told Finn that Rachel didn't want him back, that Finn didn't deserve Rachel as he had treated her like crap, Finn called Noah a liar and that he didn't know anything, how Mr Schue finally got involved, how he accused Noah of lying and that he shouldn't interfere with Finn and Rachel's relationship and how they both stormed out.

Rachel groaned loudly after Noah finished recounting his story, "what the hell am I meant to do? I have already changed my number because he constantly blew up my phone with calls and texts, and now I have to deal with his stalker, obsessive behaviour here at school now as well."

"Yeah, pretty much. Also it doesn't help that Mr Schue is on his side, so that has made Finn untouchable." Noah told her. He was stumped; he didn't know what to do.

"I've always known that Mr Schue favored Finn, which is completely wrong and unfair." Rachel answered him.

"I know. I can't think of a way to deal with Finn. The only thing we can do is keep an eye on him and try not to be around him too often."

"That works well during classes but when it comes to glee, we can't do anything as Mr Schue is in charge and he won't stop Finn." Rachel sighed.

"I know." Noah sighed, "Speaking of glee, are you planning to come back anytime soon?"

"I will be returning, just not yet." Rachel said, looking at him. She knew she would have return soon but she wasn't ready yet.

"Okay, because I miss you there." Noah told her.

"I know you do and I'm sorry I've been distant lately. I've just had a lot on my mind."

Noah walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, "I know you have, but I do wish you would open up to me more."

"I wish I could Noah. I'm still wrapping my head around it all." Rachel mumbled against him.

Noah sighed, "Take all the time you need, just know that I'm here when you're finally ready to talk." Noah said as his stomach growled loudly, which caused Rachel to laugh.

"Go eat Noah; I'll talk to you later." Rachel chuckled as she pulled out of the hug.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure. Go, before you stave." Rachel told him.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later." Noah said as he kissed the top of her head.

"Yeah talk to you later." She replied.

She watched Noah walked away, "why is my life such a mess at the moment?" Rachel thought to herself as the tears started to fall from her eyes.

Santana was sitting in the library after school, finishing up some homework. She didn't have cheerleading practice or glee, which she was grateful for. It had allowed her to catch up on a few assignments that she had fallen behind on as her mind had been on other things. It had been a few days since Rachel had last texted her back, when she had asked for Berry's help. She couldn't believe that Rachel still hadn't given her an answer.

Santana had caught up with Puck the day before, asking what he had planned for dealing with Finn and what Rachel had to say about the whole situation. Puck had told her and Quinn, as the blonde cheerleader was there when they were able to catch up with him, that they couldn't do anything at this stage, that Finn was protected by Mr Schue. Santana and Quinn both agreed with him on that: Finn was untouchable. Puck told them that they should all be careful around him and just keep a close eye on Finn for now.

Santana agreed to watch Finn and make sure he didn't do anything stupid. Santana firmly believed that Finn was unstable right now and it didn't help that Mr Schue seemed to be feeding his behavior. Santana would deny it if she was ever asked but she was afraid for Rachel. Who knows what Finn would be capable of if things didn't go his way?

Santana looked up from her work when she heard a chair at the table she was at move. She watched as Rachel sat down next to her.

"Lopez," Rachel said, looking at Santana.

"Berry," Santana replied, "what brings you here?"

Rachel smiled, "to talk."

"Talk about what? I'm not in the mood to talk around in circles." Santana huffed.

"I understand that and I'm sorry I didn't text you back, I had to think about it for a few days. So, I'm here now, so how would you like me to help you?" Rachel told her.

Santana looked at Rachel, a little stunned that she'd agreed to help her with Brittany.

"You're actually agreeing to help me?" Santana asked.

"I can try and help you but I can't make any promises that my ideas will help though."

"Okay, so what do you suggest I do?" Santana asked.

Rachel sighed, "Just to be her friend."

"What? That's all you suggest? Just to be her friend. It was a waste of time talking to you. Just leave, Berry!" Santana snapped at her.

"You have to start somewhere Lopez and it's all you can do at the moment." Rachel stood up, "She's with someone right now and she knows that you're jealous of her dating someone that isn't you. You must control your jealousy and just be there for her as a friend. Just by showing her that you are there for her, for anything, will help you in the long run. Not only that but just by talking to each other, and you opening yourself up to her more, you never know what could happen in the future. Find me when you want to talk more." And with that, Rachel walked away from the table before Santana could reply.

Santana watched as Rachel left. She couldn't believe that the only suggestion Berry had come up with was just to be Brittany's friend. Santana wanted more than be Brittany's friend, didn't Rachel understand that?

'Just by showing her that you are there for her, for anything, will help you in the long run.' Ran through Santana's mind. Was Rachel right just by being Brittany's friend will show Brittany that she cares? That it would help Santana in the end? Santana groaned, she didn't know what to do.

It was Monday morning and Rachel was hiding in the gym. She could see that the cheerleaders were getting ready to do a practice performance of the routine they had for their big competition. She was hiding in the shadows so no one could see her. She loved cheerleading and the stunts they did. Why wouldn't she love it? After all her Aunt is a coach. She also missed it, she used to be a cheerleader before coming to high school, her Aunt wanted her on the Cheerios but Rachel refused as everyone would have known that she was Coach Sylvester's niece and she couldn't have that but also because Rachel was loyal to her old squad; The Hawks. Every now and then her old team would ask her help seeing as Rachel was a trained trainer in dance, gymnastics and a few other things. Some of the stunts she had designed had never been used as her old team didn't want to use them without Rachel being on the team, but Rachel didn't want to be on the team as it might cause problems if anyone found out she was a cheerleader.

She watched as they performed to a Katy Perry's song. Rachel stood there stunned and speechless. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing. This was not cheerleading! This was a circus performance! Where were the stunts? Where was the dancing? Fire and bikes was what passed for cheerleading today?

Rachel wanted to cry in horror as the Cheerios destroyed everything she loved about cheerleading.

"I'm bored." Rachel heard her Aunt say over the bull horn once the music had stopped, "Ladies, I am at a loss. Brittany, please remind me of how I single-handedly put cheerleading on the map?" Sue asked.

"In 1979, you directed a made-for-TV movie about the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders called The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders." Brittany replied, wearing a blue wig like the rest of the cheerleaders.

"That is correct, and in the meantime, what's changed?" Sue answered, looking bored.

"Personal grooming habits?" Quinn replied sarcastically with a shrug of her shoulders.

"What's changed is I have completely lost interest and, ladies, I blame you." Sue said, pointing her finger at the girls.

"Becky, more silicone falsies." Sue called out.

"Got it, Coach." Becky answered as she walked up to the girls with a bucket in her hand.

"You will each enhance your bust with an additional pair of chicken cutlets in an attempt to add some jiggle to what is the most boring routine I have ever witnessed." Sue said as she watched Becky hand out the chicken cutlets.

"But, Coach Sylvester, this is the most elaborate routine the Cheerios have ever done. We're shoo-ins at Regionals next week, and we're the favorite to win at nationals." Quinn butted in and tried to explain.

Sue picked up her Bull horn, "Yet I am still so very bored!" Sue said through her bull horn before putting it back down. "Even things I used to think were hilarious Case in point: Sandbags slap yourself with a chicken cutlet."

Santana slapped herself on the cheek, "Now slap Brittany." Sue said as she watched Santana slap Brittany on the cheek.

"See? Not even a chuckle." Sue replied in a bored tone.

"The problem is you keep trying to make a bigger and bigger spectacle. No matter how hard we try, we can't make a routine work unless you find a way to make it interesting for you. You have to find a way to top yourself." Quinn told her.

"Q, you just may have a point." Sue replied as Quinn smiled, "But to be sure, slap yourself with a chicken cutlet."

Rachel watched from the shadows as Quinn slapped herself with the chicken cutlet. It was slightly amusing to watch them hit themselves with chicken.

"You are all dismissed." Coach Sylvester said.

One by one, the Cheerios left the gym.

"Becky, we need do something immediately, that performance was dismal." Sue said once the girls had left.

"On it, coach, bigger the better." Becky replied as she stood next to the coach.

"You don't need to do something so extravagant and over the top." Rachel said as she walked out from where she was hiding.

"Rachel, what are you doing here?" Sue asked, stunned as she watched her niece walk towards them.

"I just wanted to see the routine that the Cheerios were planning to do for Regionals, and I got to say I was disgusted in what I saw. I can't believe that was what cheerleading has come down to." Rachel answered, with a tone of sadness.

"Rachel, we have to win. I want another national win." Sue argued back.

"Not by doing this. This is desperation. Seriously you don't have to do this kind of performance to win. What happened to the true meaning of cheering?" Rachel told her sadly, hoping to get her point across.

Sue sighed, "You're right, but how am I going to get the team to win?"

"Go back to the basics and start from there. I'm sure if you went over some old performances, you might be able to create something from that." Rachel replied, still looking at her aunt.

"Alright I will start from there and see what I can do. Thank you." Sue said to Rachel.

"You're welcome, Aunty. Even if I don't cheerlead anymore, I'm still a cheerleader at heart." Rachel said sadly, thinking about the time she was on her old cheerleading squad.

Sue could see that Rachel still missed cheerleading at times. She was grateful that her niece was still part of her old team even if it was just helping out and giving them a bit of training but not only that but part of a dance troupe that has won a lot of competitions over the years because of Rachel's routines.

"Ever thought about returning?" Sue asked.

Rachel sighed, "even if I had, you know I can't. That's why I only help out with dance routines every now and then for the Hawks."

"You could always be a Cheerio?"

Rachel laughed bitterly; at times she did wish she was on the Cheerios, "that would never work and you know why?"

Sue sighed sadly, "True." knowing that what Rachel had said was true.

"I'll talk to you later." Rachel said, turning to leave.

"See you later kiddo." Sue replied as she watched her niece leave the gym.

"Some days I find it weird that she's your niece." Becky said after Rachel had left.

Sue laughed, "I understand that but I couldn't have asked for a better one."

Rachel stood in the doorway of the choir room; she hadn't been to practice for a while. She was worried about how Finn would react with her being there. She just had to stay strong. She watched as her team mates goofed around and had some fun before practice started. No one had noticed that she was standing there, just watching them. She smiled as she saw Brittany and Santana talk. Maybe Santana had listened to her after all.

"Really fast." Rachel could hear Tina say as she danced in one spot.

"Four, five, six." Mike called out as he tried to teach her.

"Oh, my God. Artie." Tina gasped out in horror as she saw him roll into the room covered in slushie.

Brittany got up from where she was sitting and hurried to him.

"It was awful." Artie gasped out.

"That's it. Screw rehearsal. This ends here and now." Finn spat out in anger as he got off his chair.

"We're gonna go all Thunderdome on those guys." Noah said as he and the other guys followed Finn.

"Do you really think that's a wise idea?" Rachel called as she walked into the room.

Everyone stopped what they doing and they all were looked over as she walked further into the room. They were all surprised to see her there. It was the first time they had seen the diva in the room or talk to anyone since school had started back up after the winter break.

"Rachel," Finn whimpered.

Rachel just glared at him.

"Why shouldn't we go all Thunderdome on them? They deserve it." Noah asked as he studied Rachel.

"I'm not saying they don't deserve it, far from it actually. But there are other ways to get them back without going all Braveheart on them." Rachel calmly explained.

"So what do you suggest then? Sing them to death." Santana snapped out.

"No." Rachel smirked darkly, which caused everyone in the room to shiver but before she could explain a voice rang through the choir room.

"So this is what the ladies' lounge looks like on the inside." A voice called out, causing everyone to snap their heads towards the other door.

"This is the choir room." Sam answered as the whole football team filed into the choir room, "Now put up your fists because you and I are gonna do some dancing." Sam said as some of the jocks on the team chuckled.

"No, I got this, Sam." Finn said, putting his hand on Sam's chest in order to stop him, but Sam just pushed it off.

"Coach Beiste told us to come. Where is she?" Dave Karofsky said, holding a slushie cup in his hand.

"Watch it." Coach Beiste said as she walked in the room with Mr Schue, "Everyone have a seat."

"You too, guys." Mr Schue said as both the football team and the New Directions took their seats.

"All right. New Directions, let's give a warm welcome to the newest members of Glee Club." Mr Schue said to the room.

"What?" everyone yelled out in abject horror and shock.

"Oh, hell to the no, Mr. Schue. Are you serious?" Mercedes cried out in horror.

The choir room was in chaos with everyone shouting at the teachers, wondering why they were doing this.

"Hey! Hey!" Coach Beiste called out, "Hey!" She tried again to calm the room.

"Mr. Schue, are you serious? These are the guys that made Kurt transfer." Finn said as he stood up, pointing his finger at the football players.

"You have completely lost your freaking mind if you think I am going share the choir room with a known homophobe." Rachel snapped out in anger, glaring at Karofsky before turning her glare on Mr Schue.

"I don't disagree with you guys, but I talked to Coach Beiste about it and she and I both agreed that the kind of bullying that David does is born out of ignorance. Having him in here, as difficult as it may be for us, is an opportunity to show him and the rest of the guys that being in Glee Club is kind of cool. You know, find some common ground." Mr Schue explained.

"All of you are gonna be in this Glee Club for one week, no exceptions." Coach Beiste said to the football team, causing them all to groan in protest.

"She's bluffing. Next week is the championship game. Without us, she has no team." Karofsky said to his team mates.

"With you, I have no team. You guys have gotta find a way to come together or we're gonna get our asses kicked from here until Tuesday finds a saddlebag full of buckwheat." Beiste said as everyone in the room was confused at her last sentence.

"If I have to stay, I'm not singing no show tunes. That is the music of my oppressors." Azimio said.

"Do you even have any idea what we do in here?" Finn asked from his chair.

"No. None of them do. We have to show them." Mr Schue said, "Has anyone got something to sing?"

No one raised their hand; none of them wanted to perform in front of the football team.

"Come on guys," Mr Schue said, hoping that someone would be brave enough to stand up in front of everyone and sing.

"I have something." Puck said as he stood up.

"Awesome, show us what you have."

Puck took off his jacket, walked over and stood in front of Rachel. Rachel looked up at him, raising her eyebrow up at him, asking silently what he wanted.

"Come on Rae, I need your help." Noah said, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of her chair.

"With what? I'm not singing." Rachel told firmly him. A few of the New Directions gasped quietly when they heard that she wasn't singing.

"Oh yes you are, and I have the prefect song in mind." Noah replied with a smile.

"And what song is that?" Rachel asked as she glared at him.

Noah bent down and whispered the name of the song in her ear.

"You have to be joking, right?! There is no way I will do that song." Rachel replied, stunned at his choice of song, "It would cause problems for me."

"Oh, you are doing that song and who cares what people think of you." Noah said as he walked over to the band.

Rachel followed him, "No I'm not."

"Yes you are." He grabbed a guitar and handed it to Rachel, "you'll need this as well. Please do this for me."

Rachel sighed, she couldn't believe what she was about to do. She had keep this part of her quiet, "you owe me big time."

"I know." Noah said as Rachel took the guitar from him. He was happy that Rachel had agreed to do this song with him. Also it showed everyone who Rachel really was.

"Whoa, hold up. You know how to play the guitar?" Santana called out, clearly stunned as she watched Rachel hold the guitar.

Rachel sighed, "Yeah I do."

Finn laughed, "No you don't. I have never seen you play it before. I'm your boyfriend remember?"

"You are not my boyfriend I broke up with you remember?! Just because we dated doesn't mean that you knew everything about me." Rachel replied angrily, glaring at him. She couldn't believe that he thought that they were still together.

Finn went to stand up and yell at her, he wanted to tell her that they were still together and that she didn't mean to break up with him. She was just still angry about him sleeping with Santana. He had just hoped that with the space that they had had that she would have crawled back to him. There was no one else that could love like he did.

"Okay, guys, when you're ready." Mr Schue said before a fight could break out.

Puck and Rachel both stood in the middle of the room, both holding guitars in their arms. Puck nodded to the band.

Puck/Rachel/Both

I'm on the train that's pullin' the sick and twisted,
Makin' the most of the ride before we get arrested,
We're all wasted,
And we're not going home tonight

Covered in black we lack the social graces,
Just like an animal we crawl out of our cages,
They can't tame us,
So if you're one of us, get on the bus

If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out

So shout if you're a freak like me,
You were born to burn,
This is no disease, you don't need a cure!
It's our time now to come out!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!

We're underground but we will not surrender,
We're gonna give them something to remember, yeah,
So write your name in gasoline,
And set that shit on fire

The New Directions sat there stunned with their jaws hanging low as they watched Puck and Rachel play and sing a heavy rock song. They couldn't believe how well Rachel played the guitar. She was playing it like a pro. Hell, her voice had completely changed to suit the rock song; her voice had taken on a husky, raspy tone which made her sound more like a rock singer than a Broadway diva.

They noticed that Puck's voice had changed as well to suit the song. How come no one knew that they both could sing and play that way before? They all knew that Puck could play the guitar. Why did they both keep it a secret? What else are they hiding? They all knew that Rachel had changed but they didn't know she changed that much. They watched in stunned silence as Rachel and Puck rocked out to the song. They all noticed that Rachel hit the high notes differently to what they were used to. They didn't know how to make sense of this.

If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out

So shout if you're a freak like me,
Don't apologize,
They can't hold you down,
You were born to rise!
It's our time now to come out!

Finn sat there fuming as he watched his ex-girlfriend rock with his ex-best friend. This was the first he had seen her since they had started back at back school. All his plans had gone down the toilet because of Mr Schue and Coach Beiste bringing in the football players for this week. He wanted to tell Rachel that they were meant to together. Now he had to wait again. Why did she change? Why didn't she tell him that she could play and sing this way?

If you're a freak like me (Hey hey)
If you're a freak like me (Hey Hey)
Are you a freak like me? (Hey, Hey)
Are you a freak, like, me?!

If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out

So shout if you're a freak like me,
Don't apologize,
They can't hold you down,
You were born to rise!
It's our time now to come out!

If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!"

"Whoo! Whoo! That was amazing! I can't believe that you guys didn't tell us you could sing and play that way! It was completely different from what we're used to when it comes to the both of you!" Mr Schue yelled after the song had finished. The New Directions clapped and cheered although they were still stunned.

"The girl with the Mohawk had a really nice voice." Azimio said.

"That's funny." Noah said as he took off his guitar. Rachel followed behind him and placed hers on the piano.

"It is funny at least you weren't like the fag spawn here, confirming that she's a freak. I wouldn't be surprised if she was a dyke because she never put out."

"Whoa, hey!" Mr Schue called out.

"What did you call me?" Rachel hissed out in anger as she looked over at Azimio. Everyone frozen at the tone of her voice. They had never heard that much anger in her voice before and it scared some of them.

"You heard me fag spawn." Azimio laughed with some of his team mates, "you're probably nothing more than a dyke."

Noah rushed at him with the guitar in his hand, only to be stopped by Coach Beiste who caught and tried to pull him away from the Jock. Mr Schue was trying to keep the Jock away from Puck.

Rachel followed Noah as he went to be attack to only be caught around her waist, to keep her from beating the shit out of Azimio. She heard the rest of the New Directions screaming and yelling at the football team who were yelling at them.

"Great first day, right?"

"Awesome!"

The choir room was in chaos. Everyone was screaming and yelling at each other. Profanities were thrown around the room. Mr Schue and Coach Beiste were trying to keep the two groups apart so it wouldn't become a fist fight. No one could hear the teachers telling them to stop and break apart.

Rachel screamed in English and some other languages at the football players as she struggled against her hold. She wanted blood, she wanted to hurt them. She couldn't believe that she was called a dyke. How did he know? Was he only thinking that because she wouldn't put out for Finn or any other guy for that matter? She hoped that was the answer. She was no way ready to come out if this was the way people would react to her being a lesbian.

"Let me fucking go before I cut off your dick and feed it to you." Rachel screamed at the person holding her.

"I can't do that, Rachel." Sam said, still struggling to hold her.

Rachel fought harder against him, "let me go, Evans. Now."

"Calm down Rachel." Sam groaned as he continued to try and keep hold of Rachel, "I need some help here." He called out.

"Titans, enough, get out! Move it!" Coach Beiste boomed out as she started pushing them out as Mr Schue tried to keep the New Directions in the choir room as they continued to yell at each other.

"Yeah run, you worthless piece of shit! I will find you and make your life fucking hell!" Rachel screamed out.

"Rachel, enough!" Mr Schue yelled as a few members of the New Directions looked over at her stunned as they watched her struggle against Sam.

"Rachel, calm down." Quinn said as she arrived to help Sam.

"Not until I rip his body apart." Rachel hissed in anger as she watched the football team leave, causing her to fight harder against Sam.

"Rachel, this isn't like you. Please calm down before you hurt yourself." Quinn said as she helped Sam by grabbing hold of Rachel as well.

"Everyone, that is enough! All of you need to calm down right now!" Mr Schue called.

"You can't let them get away with what they said to Rachel." Finn said.

Noah went over to Rachel and looked at her. He could see that she was extremely angry and upset, "hey, calm down, it's going to be okay. Don't listen to what that douche bag said."

Noah could see the fire in her eyes; he could see that she wanted to hurt him. "Please Rae, calm down. He's not worth it."

Noah grabbed her face in both hands so he could look at her, "please, calm down." He said softly. He watched as Rachel started to calm down and stopped struggling.

"You're going to have too as you guys will be working together." Mr Schue stated, which caused everyone to yell at him again that they shouldn't have to.

"QUIET! That is enough from all of you. All of you stay here and calm down. Don't leave this room until I come back." Mr Schue yelled before leaving the room.

"You guys can let go of Rachel now." Noah said to Sam and Quinn who still held her. Noah could see that Rachel had calmed down a bit.

"Are you sure?" Sam asked hesitantly.

"Yeah I'm sure." Noah replied, still looking at Rachel.

Quinn and Sam both released their hold on Rachel. They slightly moved back just in case Rachel tried to take off.

Rachel took a couple of deep breathes to calm down as she stood there with Noah in front of her.

"Are you going to be okay now?" Noah asked Rachel quietly. He was worried about his friend and her anger.

"I'm fine." Rachel replied through her teeth, trying to let go of her anger, "But I'm not working with them."

Noah sighed, "You don't have much of a choice. None of us do."

"I always have a choice." Rachel glared at him.

"Not in this you don't unless you quit." Noah replied.

Rachel just sighed, knowing that Noah was right; the only way to not work with them was to quit. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know if she could work with them or not. She had to go home and think. Rachel knew she shouldn't allow what he said get to her but it was all she could think about. She wanted to know if he knew the truth about her or not.

Rachel walked over to the chairs where her bag was and picked it up before walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Noah asked as he watched her walk towards the door.

"Home."

"You know you can't leave. Mr Schue wants us to stay here." Finn called out as he got up as well.

"Mr Schue can bite me." Rachel said as she walked out of the choir room.

Noah sighed, knowing that Rachel needed to calm down. Hopefully by tomorrow, she would be fine.

"Is she going to be okay?" Brittany asked, looking towards the door.

Noah turned around and looked at the blonde cheerleader, "I hope so." Noah smiled sadly at the blonde. He hoped his words were true and that Rachel would be okay.

"Thanks for grabbing her." Noah said to Sam.

"All good, I couldn't allow her to get hurt." Sam replied, "But you should also thank Quinn, she was the one who told me to grab her."

"Really?" Noah asked, stunned as he watched Sam nod his head, he turned back to look at Quinn, "well thank you Quinn."

"All good Puck, as Sam said, we couldn't let Rachel get hurt." Quinn smiled at him.

Maybe Quinn was changing and she was starting to care for Rachel. Only time could tell.

The next morning Rachel arrived at school. She had been able to calm down after yesterday and was feeling better in herself. She had told herself not to allow his words to get to her. He didn't know anything about her. He was just running his mouth off. Rachel was heading to her locker when she heard a familiar scream, followed by something been thrown, then more screaming and shouting.

'Oh god, please tell me that isn't my Aunt?" Rachel thought to herself, 'Please, please tell me it isn't.'

Rachel turned her head when she heard students screaming and loud bangs of a body hitting the lockers. Rachel watched as her Aunt barrelled down the hallway, shoving students left and right, grabbing books and other things and throwing them.

Rachel groaned loudly, 'Why was I right? Who the fuck pissed her off at this time of the morning? Is someone asking for a death wish? This isn't good.' Rachel asked herself as she watched her aunt march down the hallway, screaming and throwing things. 'Man, I haven't seen her this mad in a long time. Huh, now I know where I got my temper from.' Rachel shivered at the thought. It seemed that she was much more like her Aunt Sue than she thought.

'I bet my money Mr Schue is the reason that my Aunt is furious. He always seems to bring out the worst in my Aunt.'

Rachel saw Quinn, Sam, Santana and Brittany pressing themselves against the lockers as her Aunt marched by screaming at them.

'Huh, than again maybe not. Mm, it looks like her Cheerios are behind this, this time. I wonder what they did. Mm, maybe I should talk to them to see if they know what is going on? Hopefully I might be able to calm down my Aunt before she hurts somebody or does something really stupid. Damn, why does the Cheerios uniform make the cheerleaders so hot? The way the top hugs at their chest area, showing curves, showing off their boobs.' Rachel sighed, 'Let's not forget the way they show off the legs. Fuck all three of them have amazing legs, now I can understand why Santana was leering at Brittany's legs. SHIT! I'm doing the same. I hope no one saw me, I can't afford being caught.' Rachel quickly scanned the area and saw that no one was watching her. 'Damn that was close, I still can't believe how hot Quinn looks in her uniform she worked really hard to get back in shape and it really paid off. Her pale legs are so mouth-watering in that uniform I would so love to have them wrapped around me, Sam, you are a lucky bastard. What the hell am I thinking? I shouldn't be leering at Quinn Fabray of all people. UGH! What the fuck is wrong with me?! I shouldn't be having these thoughts about her. Okay, Rachel, calm down, clear your mind. That's it, no more of these thoughts about Quinn. I'm acting like a horny male teenager. God what is wrong with me, I have never had thoughts about her like that before. Okay, I need to stay calm and let's get this over and done with. I can panic all I like when I get home tonight. Yup I am so going to panic later.'

Rachel walked up to them as her Aunt went around the corner, still screaming and throwing things. Sam, Quinn, Brittany and Santana all looked so terrified that they hadn't moved from the lockers yet. "Do you know what that was about?"

"Rachie." Brittany called out, bouncing over to her and gave her a hug as everyone else turned to look at her. They were all surprised that she was standing in front of them, talking.

"Brittany." Rachel smiled, releasing Brittany.

"Are you doing better today?" Brittany asked, still a bit scared of the Coach.

"I am, what was all that about with Coach Sylvester?" Rachel asked the group.

"She's probably mad that she can't shoot Brittany out of a cannon." Santana said. She was stunned by how angry the coach was. She had never seen the coach that angry before and it frightened her.

Rachel stood there in disbelief, not sure if she had heard right, "did you just say cannon?" 'What the fuck is my aunt thinking? An actual cannon?'

"Yeah, Coach Sylvester wanted to shoot Brittany out of a cannon for the Cheerio routine." Quinn replied, also frightened by the coach's display.

"That's insane, but, not only that, fucking dangerous." Rachel replied, clearly still stunned at what her Aunt was trying to do. 'That's it; my aunt has clearly lost her fucking mind. Must be all those shakes and weird diets. She does eat weird and random things….'

"I know, that is why we went to Mr Schue to see if he could do something, and judging by her reaction right now, he was able to stop her." Quinn told her.

'Thank you Quinn, make things ten times worst by going to him first. Should have gone straight to Figgins instead! Great, Glee will be targeted again with my Aunt's desire for revenge. I should seriously be getting paid for cleaning up both sides' messes. Better start planning on how I am going to deal with this. Hopefully I might be able to find a way to control my aunt, ha; I don't see that happening though.'

"That woman is clearly insane." Rachel muttered but everyone still heard her. She needed to speak to her aunt, to see what the hell she was thinking. 'Maybe I should find someone that could talk to her. I should probably look into committing my aunt into a mental hospital. What hospital would take her though? I don't think any would be equipped with the right equipment to help her. I really doubt there is any in this country. Should I look overseas?'

"Clearly." Santana replied angrily, "hopefully this has stopped her from using it." 'I wouldn't bet on it. She would find a way to use it if not she would find a way to destroy the people who had stopped her in the first place. I should really talk to her hopefully I can get her not to do anything else. Hopefully one that doesn't involve a cannon in any size.'

"I hope so too." Rachel replied, frowning. She knew her aunt and Rachel knew that this only the beginning. Her Aunt had back up plans for back up plans.

"Will we still see you in glee today?" Sam asked Rachel.

"Yeah." Rachel said absent minded before walking away. She was deep in thought, she needed to stop her aunt before she did something more dangerous than a cannon. 'Seriously my life is fucking hard sometimes.'

"That was weird. I wonder what she was deep in thought about." Sam asked as he watched Rachel walk away.

"Who knows anymore? We are dealing with a completely different Berry." Santana replied as she too watched Rachel walk away. They all agreed with Santana they were defiantly dealing with a different Rachel Berry.

Instead of going to her first period, Rachel headed to her Auntie's office to talk to her and see what the hell she was thinking. They were in need of a serious conversation. She wanted to know what possessed her aunt to get a cannon, not only that but to fire a student out of it.

"Is she in?" Rachel asked Becky when she came to her Aunt's office.

Becky looked up and saw who it was, "She is. I will tell her you are here."

"No need. I'll do it myself." Rachel said as she opened the door.

"Really a cannon?" Rachel hissed angrily as she walked in and closed the door, "you have clearly lost your mind."

"Rachel, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?" Sue said looking up from her paper work. She was stunned to see her there but then again she really shouldn't have been surprised. She knew that Rachel would come and see her once she found out about the cannon.

"Class can wait. I'm here to talk about you using a cannon." Rachel said, still angry.

Sue sighed, she knew that her niece would be upset and angry about the idea of her using a cannon, "I'm not going to use a cannon."

"You're not?" Rachel asked, confused and letting go some of her anger.

"Of course not I just wanted to rattle some cages." Sue told her as she watched her niece sit down.

"Well, you most certainly rattled some cages." Rachel sighed, looking at her aunt.

"I wasn't planning to use it, let alone fire a student out of it. I'm not that evil. I just wanted to scare them a bit. Gets their blood pumping?" Sue explained.

"Thank god. You really had me worried there for a bit, but couldn't you have found another way to scare them instead of using a cannon. Gets their blood pumping for what?"

"For a new routine hopefully. I could have but where would be the fun in that? Plus now I have a way to mess with William."

"What do you mean? What have you got planned now to mess with New Directions?" Rachel sighed, frowning at the idea that her Aunt had plans to mess with them.

"Nothing concrete yet, but you will see soon enough." Sue smiled at her niece.

"UGH!" Rachel threw her arms up in the air in frustration. Sue chuckled at her niece.

"Have you got a new routine planned?" Rachel asked, wanting to know if her aunt had listened to her.

"Not yet, but I did listen to your suggestion about going back to the beginning. So hopefully I will be able to have something soon."

"Well, I hope so and it isn't like the last one." Rachel said.

"It won't be. Here take this." Sue said, passing her a late pass.

"Thanks." Rachel said, taking the pass from her, "I better head to class, and no more cannons please!"

"I promise there will be no more cannons." Sue promised. She wasn't going to use it, she just wanted to create chaos for a while.

Rachel nodded and left her office, she hoped her aunt was being honest and wasn't going to use the cannon.

Rachel strolled into the choir room and could see that most of the team was there already there. She could see that they were divided. One side had the football team and the other held the New Directions.

"Hey Rae-Rae." Noah said as Rachel took her seat next to him.

"Noah." Rachel smiled.

"How are you doing today? Are you okay?" Noah asked.

"I'm fine." Rachel answered as the Cheerios came in and sat down in front of her.

"Alright guys, settle down, we have a lot to go through." Mr Schue called as he walked with Coach Beiste.

He watched as everyone sat down.

"Ok, we have a problem, Coach Sylvester has somehow moved the day of the cheerleader's regionals to the same night as the championship game. By doing that; we have now lost the half time show and the cheerleaders."

"What?!" Everyone yelled at once.

'Great just fucking great, my Aunt has struck again. Why I am not surprised that she would pull this stunt? She really is pissed at them. I don't know why though, especially since she told me that she wouldn't use it. Ugh, she has probably done this to mess with people's minds. That woman clearly has no bounds.'

"What are we going to do now?'

"Coach Beiste and I thought that the New Directions and football players could come together and do the half time show together."

"No fricking way." Karofsky said.

'I can't believe I am thinking this but I actually agree with Karofsky. Yuck, that really does leave a bitter taste in my mouth. The first chance I get I am bleaching my mind and mouth; I seriously can't believe I actually agreed with him. What the hell is wrong with me today? I've been all over the place.' Rachel grimaced to herself, before tuning back in to listen to what was being said around her.

"We don't have a choice. Sue pulled the Cheerios from the game, so if we don't do it, there's no halftime show." Mr Schue told them.

"And this is a problem because?" Lauren said, slightly confused about it all.

"It's not a problem. It's an opportunity." Coach Beiste said to her.

"Opportunity to humiliate ourselves." One of the jocks answered.

"Hey. The whole point of this week was to bring you guys together. To bring the school together." The Coach said to her team.

A few people were nodding their heads as they agreed with the coach's words.

"Wait. So you want us to play the first half change into some "sequin" ball gowns and then go out and do the halftime show at our own championship game?" Azimio asked sarcastically.

"Yes." Coach Beiste replied.

"It's the championship game! This is a crazy town! This is crazy!" Azimio stood up, shouting.

"What about the Cheerios in Glee Club?" Noah asked Mr Schue, looking around the room.

"They have a choice. Us or the Cheerios competition." Mr Schue said, looking at the Cheerio'.

"Well, obviously Quinn is gonna choose the Cheerios and the other two will follow." Finn said. He still couldn't trust the Cheerios after everything that had happened last year and that Quinn cheated on him with Puck.

Rachel scoffed loudly, causing everyone around her to look at her, "what gives you the right to say that, Hudson? This is their Regionals after all, something that they train and work very hard for, whereas what we are doing in this class is nothing more than a performance during half time of a football game. I know what I would choose but it's their decision and you don't know what they're gonna do."

This caused everyone to look at her in surprise. They couldn't believe that Rachel had stood up for the Cheerios, even Santana, Brittany and Quinn were stunned. Finn was fuming as well as embarrassed, he couldn't believe Rachel had spoken to him that way. She really had changed and he didn't like it. He blamed Puck.

Quinn turned away from Rachel with a small smile on her face. She was speechless, she could feel the blush creeping onto her cheeks when she turned around, she didn't understand why Rachel had stood up for her. She couldn't understand why she was confused all of a sudden.

"I think the cheerleading competition is gonna be a lot of fun but if you go, you're gonna miss out on us doing the most iconic song of all time the Super Bowl of pop anthems: 'Thriller.'" Mr Schue said.

All the New Directions clapped and cheered at this idea.

"Yeah, remember a few years ago when that Philippine prison did that mega performance of "Thriller" and put it on YouTube? Now, in the four months it took to rehearse that number prisoner-on-prisoner crime dropped 80%. Doing that, together, as a team created a unity within that prison. And that's what I'm looking to do here." Mr Schue explained.

"I mean, don't get me wrong. You know, I'm big on Michael and everything but isn't that kind of what they're expecting us to do?" Mercedes said, looking around the room.

"Which is why we're gonna mash it together with Yeah-Yeah-Yeah's equally spooky single "Heads Will Roll." Mr Schue said.

The members of Glee club sounded happy and excited for this mash up and couldn't wait.

"Who's Yeah-Yeah-Yeah?" A few jocks muttered confused.

"All right. New Directions, Titans, we're going to zombie camp." Coach Beiste said before blowing her whistle.

Everyone got up from their seats and started to follow the teachers out of the choir room, who were heading towards the auditorium. Rachel waited until Finn had gotten up and started making his way out before getting up. She was still very worried about his behaviour and the way he was acting. From what Puck told her about the blow up last week, it was safe to say she didn't want to be around him alone. Rachel believed that due to the football team being forced into glee this week had made Finn pull back a bit. He probably didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the boys; she knew that once this was over he would more than likely start up again.

She was the last one to leave the choir room; Rachel had watched Noah leave with Lauren talking. Apparently he has been having some problems with Lauren. He has trying to get her to date him with no luck so far, but he kept trying and would continue until he had a date with her. Rachel hoped that she would agree to go on a date with him soon.

"Berry." Santana called out as Rachel walked out into the hallway. She looked up and saw Sam and Quinn were standing next to her.

"Lopez, Fabray, Evans, what can I do for you three?" Rachel asked as she got closer to them.

"We wanted to thank you." Quinn said.

"Thank me for what?" Rachel asked, slightly confused.

"For what you said in there for us." Santana replied as she watched Rachel, quietly gathering clues as to why Rachel was different.

"Oh is that all? Well, you're welcome." Rachel replied with a small smile.

Quinn closed the distance between them and placed her hand on Rachel's, "it meant a lot to us that you did that for us."

'Oh my god she's touching me! I'm getting those same sparks as before when she touched me. This cannot be happening again. I've gone from calm mode to full blown panic mode in under 3 seconds. Okay, I can't let them know that I am panicking; have to keep my emotions in check. Just smile. I am so going to panic later.'

"Don't mention it. He shouldn't have said that." Rachel smiled tightly, keeping her emotions under control.

Quinn released her hand and smiled back at her, "I know but still thank you for standing up for us."

"All good." Rachel shrugged her shoulders, she really wanted to get the hell out of school and away for Quinn so she could sort out her emotions. From the corner of her eye, she saw Santana narrow her eyes slightly at her.

'Shit! Does she know?'

"Come on, we should headed to the auditorium before Coach and Mr Schue have a go at us for being late." Sam said, looking at Quinn lovingly.

"Sounds good, I'll meet you all there. I need to quickly grab something from my locker." Rachel told them. 'I need to get the fuck out of here and get far away from Quinn and Santana. I think Santana is on to me. Oh god, I hope not!'

"Do you want us to wait for you?" Sam asked nicely.

"Nah, you guys go ahead, I'll catch up shortly." Rachel replied.

"If you're sure?" Quinn asked, wanting to make sure.

"Yeah positive."

"Okay, we'll see you there." Sam said, before they all walked away, leaving Rachel in the hallway.

Rachel saw Santana quickly look back at her with her eyes still slightly narrowed before looking straight again. 'She knows, she fucking knows!' Rachel panicked.

Rachel quickly walked to her locker and grabbed what she needed before heading home. She was going to miss practice today. She was in full panic mode. Rachel thought she had been careful but apparently she wasn't careful enough if Santana was able to pick up something.

Rachel raced out of school and made it home in record time. Rachel entered her house and started pacing the lounge. She was panicking. So much had happened today, with her thoughts about Quinn and now Santana.

What the hell was she going to do now? She couldn't tell Santana. Maybe she could wait and see what the Latina cheerleader would say to her. Maybe she didn't know, maybe she was trying to work out why she stood up for her and her friends. Hopefully that's all and nothing else.

Rachel tried to process why she had been thinking about Quinn the way she did that morning. She had never thought about the cheerleader that way before, of course Rachel had always thought that Quinn was beautiful but she had never thought of her sexually. Why now? What changed all of sudden? When Quinn grabbed her hand, she felt the sparks that radiated up her arm like before. In part of her mind, she felt giddy that Quinn had touched her and that Quinn wanted to thank her for standing up for her and her friends. The other part was confused and didn't trust the blonde and that she should keep her distance. Rachel didn't want that; she wanted to close to the blonde and get to know her better. To see what the blonde was really like under all her layers. Holy shit, could she actually have a crush on Quinn? Was that why she felt the way she did when she was around the blonde? No, she couldn't be, she just couldn't. She would have known if she had a crush on Quinn. This wasn't sudden, there would have been clues?!

Rachel shook her head, of course there had been clues and she was too blind to see them at the time. It was right there in front of her; their past history, how Rachel used to search her out at school! Their arguments! How she always offered help to Quinn! How Rachel sometimes received one of Quinn's rare smiles that were truly her! How Rachel had always thought that Quinn was very attractive! And now the sudden sexual fantasies that she was having about her! Rachel sighed loudly in the room before flopping on the couch.

How could she have been so blind?!

"Holy Fuck! I have a crush on Quinn Fabray!" Rachel muttered loudly in the empty house.

AN: well, there you go. At least it didn't take me almost eight months to post this chapter. Actually I had this chapter mostly drafted before I posted the last chapter which saved me a bit of time as life gets in the way of writing. I am hoping to post the next before Christmas. Please leave a review and let me what you all think.

Song used was Freak like me by Halestorm.