Summary: When Rachel's dad's die in a car accident who steps in to take care of her? Why Shelby of course. Established Shell. (Rachel's Junior Year)

Rachel quickly walked to Ms. Pillsbury's office confused as to why she was being called down in the middle of her class period. Soon enough she saw Mr. Shue, Shelby and Ms. Pillsbury through the glass windows which heightened her anxiety. She hadn't had any "diva storm outs" lately and things were going well with Shelby who had Rachel stay with her at least one weekend a month. She quietly knocked on the door frame and walked into the office. "Please have a seat Rachel" Emma told her quietly. "We have some difficult news," Rachel looked around at Mr. Shue and Shelby who looked extremely worried, out of instinct Shelby laced her fingers with Rachel's and told her "Sweetie, your dad's were in an accident on the way home from the airport, um they didn't make it." Rachel sat still, completely shell shocked at the news. In a completely uncharacteristic manner, Rachel quietly stood up and walked out of Ms. Pillsbury's office, as she turned the corner she began sprinting until she could no longer breathe. When she looked up she realized she was standing in the dance studio, heaving and gasping for air the tears began to fall and Rachel sunk into a corner behind a stack of old equipment, squeezing her arms into her chest in an attempt to comfort herself as she sobbed.

In Emma's office the three adults sat awkwardly, each debating what the next course of action should be. A few minutes after Rachel's departure Shelby stood and asked Will "Where's the dance studio?"

"Why?"

"The choir room is filled with Glee kids, your office is locked, the bathroom is too public for the breakdown Rachel's about to have, the only place in this school she's going to go is the dance studio." Shelby explained.

"It's down the hall and to your left, you can't miss it." Will whispered, before he could finish Shelby was out the door.

By the time Shelby got to the studio Rachel was pressed deeply into the far corner of the room, head buried in her knees, with great hiccuping sobs escaping her throat. Shelby wordlessly approached the girl and slid down the wall, she began stroking Rachel's back in some attempt to comfort the girl. Rachel turned towards Shelby and pressed her head into the crook of Shelby's neck, Shelby wrapped her arms around the girl and pulled her onto her lap. "Shh Baby, shh it's ok." Rachel gripped tighter at Shelby's jacket and her sobs grew. "I've got you baby, I'm not letting go, alright, I'm right here." Shelby continued rocking Rachel until she heard the young girls sobs turn into sniffles. Rachel looked up at her mother and asked "Where am I gonna go?" Rachel again turned her head into Shelby's chest "If you want you can come live with me, I live in the McKinley District so you could still go to school here." Rachel looked up at her mom and whispered "Thanks, can we go now?"

"Sure Baby, we have to go to the office first and let them know you're going to be absent the rest of the week and then we can go, ok?"

Rachel nodded and stood up along with Shelby and the pair walked out of the dance studio and through the halls. When they finally made it to Shelby's car Rachel spotted Finn on the football field, "Mom, can I?" as she gestured towards her boyfriend.

"Sure, go ahead, take all the time you need." Rachel turned and walked towards the field her breath becoming ragged with every step she took. Finn caught a glimpse of his girlfriend from the huddle and immediately knew something was wrong, especially if she was missing Glee practice. The football team was on an unusual winning streak and they had to miss one Glee practice a week, which was all right with everyone except Rachel. Finn ignored the shouts of Coach Tanaka as he ran to Rachel who collided with his chest, and pads. "My dads, they're gone." Rachel choked out as Finn stroked her back slowly comprehending what Rachel was struggling to say. A few moments later Rachel lifted her head off of Finn's chest, "My mom's waiting, but I'll call you later." Rachel told Finn,

"Rach, I'm really sorry this happened, do you want me to come with you?"

"No I'll be alright, I'll talk to you later ok." and with that Rachel turned and walked to the car.

"I love you" shouted Finn, a ghost of a smile passed Rachel's lips.