Hey guys I hope you liked the last chapter, I'm sorry for how long this has taken.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story it means a lot to me and keeps me writing.

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I do NOT own any of glee however I do own the mistakes within the story which I apologise for now.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Monday came too quickly for the girls, Santana, Quinn and Brittany had now basically moved into Rachel's house, only leaving when they needed to attend family meals. Even though the girls had become official again, they hadn't been intimate, they hadn't even kissed, yes they held hands and hugged, but the three girls felt like they didn't deserve that sort of affection from Rachel even though they all wanted it.

Rachel was up earlier than usual on Monday morning, she was nervous about returning to that school, the thought of going back made her feel a little nauseas, but she powered through. She removed the dressing over her wound and got a shower, her fingers tracing the sore wound, it had become a habit now. Hopefully she'd have the stitches out in a week or two. A scar will be left; Santana always states that it will add to her hotness factor. Rachel always chuckled when the girl says this.

She dries herself off and gets out the shower, grabbing the clothes she brought in with her and slipping them on. She had gone with tight black skinny jeans, with a black tank top that had a pink smily face on it that was sticking out its tongue, over the top was a dark pink zip up hoody. She went with pink converses that matched the colour of the hoody. She slipped into her room seeing three slumbering cheerleaders. The time was coming up to half six, the girls probably won't be up till quarter past seven. She smiled at the girls, she remembered the first time the girls stopped over it was the same time they realised that the girl's parents weren't around often.

Flashback

Rachel laughed as she opened the door and Santana came in lugging plastic bags full of as she stated appropriate snacks for their first official sleepover. Quinn followed behind with two duffle bags, one hers and one Santana's. Brittany bounced in with a backpack with her stuff in. She gave Rachel a quick peck on the lips before continuing into the house and letting the girl shut the door.

Rachel went into the living room and waited for the other girls to join her. Santana came in with a trey full of all different food, chips, ice cream, popcorn and cakes, chocolate and candy. Rachel laughed as she set it down and beamed proudly. Quinn followed the Latina in with drinks on a trey, cups and bottles of all different pop. She set it down next to the Latina's trey on the table before jumping onto the sofa and snuggling into Rachel's side. Brittany walked in with blankets and settled down next to Rachel and spread the blankets over the top of them, leaving it folded down for Santana so that she could get in. Rachel smiled and snuggled down lower making herself more comfortable. Santana placed one of the films she brought into the DVD player and let it play.

Brittany turned to Rachel and kissed the side of her head on her hair line.

'Rae?'

'Yeah Britt?' Rachel replied as she looked to her tallest girlfriend.

'Where are your dad's? Are they at work?' Brittany asks innocently, both she and Quinn feel Rachel tense at the mention of her fathers.

'No they live in California, in their apartment, they come back to visit every now and then but not because they want to see me it's so they can get more of their things, they are gradually moving up there, the longest they've stayed up there so far without coming back is five months, but it's getting longer each time they go, soon enough they probably won't bother coming back.' Rachel explains with a shrug, acting nonchalant but inside she was hurting, her parents had abandoned her, she didn't know why, but her parent's had stopped loving her, she must have done something wrong and driven them away, she just needs to make sure she doesn't make the same mistake with everyone else she loves.

Santana and Quinn glanced at each other, their eyes showing concern for their smallest girlfriend. Quinn held the girl tighter and closer.

'They are idiots Rach, they shouldn't have done that, it's not right, but it is their loss, we aren't going to leave you Rach.' Quinn told her sincerity covering her words, as Santana and Brittany made noises of their agreement.

Rachel smiled at them and nodded her head.

'Come on let's just watch the film, tonight's meant to be fun, so let's save that for another time' Rachel told them and the girl's reluctantly agreed, they weren't going to force her to talk about it, they wouldn't pressure her, they want her to come to them when she feels comfortable talking to them about it.

That time came a few days later, they were over at Brittany's when Rachel sat on the sofa with the girls and looked at each one.

'I'm ready to talk about it now.' Rachel told them simply, the TV went off and all attention went to the petite brunette. She took in a deep breath and looked at each girl, each of them looking back to her encouragingly.

'It started when I was twelve, until then they were loving and attentive parents, always making sure I knew how much they loved me, they spoiled me, we went on holiday to California and stayed in an apartment up there that they had bought, but a few months after my twelfth birthday they changed they started to grow distant, they didn't tell me they loved me that much anymore. They started going on what they called "business trips" I was smart even at that age, I knew that they were just trying to avoid me and were going up to their apartment to stay there for long weekends. Then they went away for a month. By my fifteenth birthday they didn't show any affection towards me, I was ignored, I thought I had done something wrong and until I was fifteen I tried to fix it, nothing ever worked so I just gave up, they started to stay in California for months and I would live by myself taking care of myself, I learnt to cook quickly. Now when they come back I'm treated like I don't even exist to them, I'm just waiting for the day when they don't ever come back at all.' Rachel murmured, tears falling down her cheeks and making tracks on her skin. Santana leant over wiping her cheeks before leaning in and placing a kiss on them.

'It wasn't your fault, they were stupid, horrible men, they never deserved to have you as a daughter Rachel, and you don't have to do this alone anymore Rachel, you have us and as Quinn said before we are not leaving you.' Santana exclaimed as she took the girl into her arms, holding her tight, their other two girlfriends joining the hug quickly. Rachel had never felt so loved before.

End flashback

Rachel smiled as Santana shifted and snuggled closer to Quinn. Santana was the biggest snuggler out of the group, she just loved to snuggle, it made Rachel laugh, the Santana Lopez, Mckinely's female badass, loved to snuggle. Rachel looked at the time, it was now quarter to seven, she shook her head and grabbed her hairdryer and straighteners so that she could do her hair downstairs and not disturb the other girls. She crept out of the room and snuck down the stairs and into her dining room, using the mirror in there to dry and style her hair. She decided to go for straight hair with her bangs swept to her right side. She smiled at herself and decided she liked her hair in this style. She chose to have chopped fruit and yoghurt for breakfast today. She was just washing up when arms went around her waist, making her jump. A soft chuckle filled her ears, she turned in the pair of arms and came face to face with Brittany.

'Good morning beautiful' Rachel said with a smile.

'Morning gorgeous' her face turned serious though. 'What did we say before? If you wake up early make sure to wake one of us up, don't worry about disturbing us Rach' Brittany told her, Rachel nodded.

'Sorry Beeb, I know you told me to do that but you all looked so peaceful and you all need to sleep, just because I can't doesn't mean that you three shouldn't.' Rachel explained, using one of Brittany's favourite nicknames. Brittany cups her cheek and makes Rachel lock eyes with her own.

'Don't you see, we don't care about that stuff, we will always put you first, we all put each other first, so if your awake at least wake one of us, we will feel better if you do that okay?' Rachel leans into the hand on her cheek and closes her eyes soaking in the touch.

'Okay Beeb I understand, I will wake one of you up next time' Rachel answered as she opened her eyes and saw Brittany's loving smile shining back at her. Brittany leant forward and Rachel closed her eyes, receiving a kiss on the forehead Rachel sighed, she really wished the girls would just kiss her. Brittany went to pull away when a hand came to the back of her neck and Rachel opened her eyes, looking at her, before her gaze flicked to the other girls lips, she pulled the girl down and their lips connected, they both let out a small moan as their lips connected. Rachel's hand slipping into the blondes long locks. Brittany tightened her grip around Rachel's waist and pulled her closer so their bodies were flush together. Rachel flicked Brittany's bottom lip with her tongue, the tall blonde immediately allowed access as their tongues begin to battle. Brittany pushed Rachel to lean against the counter as their kiss gained more passion, love mixing into the kiss as feelings were expressed through it.

Brittany pulls back first licking her lips, she stares at Rachel, her lips kiss swollen and her pupils blown. Rachel smiles widely up at the blonde girl; a grin spreads across Brittany's face as she rests her forehead on Rachel's.

'That was amazing' Brittany whispers not wanting to break the moment.

'You're telling me, it's literally blown my mind' Rachel whispered back and Brittany giggled. They pulled away a little as they heard footsteps enter the kitchen. Quinn and Santana smiled at their two other girlfriends already up and ready for school like they were.

'Hey beautiful, hello gorgeous' Santana said in greeting as she kissed both of their foreheads and carried onto the fridge to continue getting breakfast sorted. 'You had breakfast girls?' Santana asked the two still standing cuddled together, she looks them over and notices their kiss swollen lips, she smiles knowingly at them.

'Rachel's had hers, I haven't eaten yet' the smile goes off of Santana's face.

'Wait were you up early again?' Santana asked, Rachel nodded sheepishly. 'You woke Brits up right?' she asked and Rachel bit her lip before shaking her head no. 'Rae' Santana whined. 'What did we tell you about waking one of us up?' Santana asked.

'I know Santana, okay? I know, Brittany's already beaten you to the chastising, I promise next time I wake up early I will wake up one of you' Rachel murmurs.

'Fine' Santana grumbles and continues making the three girls breakfast. They all sit down at the table and start to talk. Santana smirks evilly.

'So who kissed who?' Santana asked, feeling a little jealous that she didn't get to kiss the smaller girl first, but she was fine with it, they were all together and she would get her chance to show the petite girl her love soon. Rachel looked up at her guiltily and Santana chuckled and smiled at the girl.

'It was me, I wanted a kiss, so I got one.' Rachel said and blushed.

'As long we all get a kiss at some point that's fine' Santana said and Quinn looked at Rachel with a loving smile, her eyes saying the same thing as the Latina beside her just said out loud. Rachel smiled and nodded her head, yes she is pretty sure they will all get their kisses soon.

After the girls had breakfast the cuddled on the sofa for a bit before they had to leave for school.

'How are you feeling Rae?' Quinn asks as she runs her hand through the girls brown locks.

'Nervous, very nervous, and a little sick, but apart from that I'm okay' Rachel answers with a small smile.

The girls smile at her reassuringly, they were nervous to, it was the first time they would be back to school after the shooting. Rachel glanced at the time and sighed.

'We better get going' Rachel muttered and stood up about to grab her bag but having it snatched away by Santana who smirked and walked past the girl with a wink. Quinn came to the side of the small brunette and grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers together. She smiled at the girl as they walked out to the car, Brittany following behind them, locking up the house.

The car pulled into the car park and straight away Rachel spotted the glee club boys in their men in black get up waiting for them by a, obviously reserved, parking space. The rest of the parking lot was empty except for a few new comers, Rachel knows that the boys probably cleared it out so that she would feel comfortable as she came into the school.

They quickly parked up and got out of the car. Noah pulled her into a hug and whispered.

'Don't worry, no matter what one of us at least will be with you at all times, if you feel overwhelmed, tell us' and then he lets her go smiles at her and then takes his position as body guard.

They moved through the parking lot quickly and quietly, the girls giggling at how the boys were acting, at every noise their heads would snap towards it and stay looking until they had assessed what it was, normally a can rolling on the floor, or a candy wrapped flying in the wind. They got to the doors and Sam and Finn took a door each, placing a hand on the handle. Rachel took in a deep breath before nodding to the boys who opened the doors simultaneously. All of the students in the halls turned to the doors, they quickly moved to stand by their lockers. As Rachel moved through the hall each student started to clap. Rachel noticed mixed in with all the students were teachers from all classes.

At the end of the line on the right were Mr Schuester, Miss Pilsbury, Coach Beiste and The one and only Sue Sylvester. Rachel smiled at all four and greeted them kindly. As she reached Sue the blonde coach stuck her hand out.

'Not many people are honoured with a Sue Sylvester hand shake, but you, you are, you are brave, fearless, and a hero. As you can see everyone is proud of you and who you are. You stand for a lot of things now. You have proven how strong you really are Rachel Berry, do not change not for anyone' The coach says, keeping it quiet so that only she and the girl's girlfriends can hear her, along with the teachers stood with her. Rachel smiled up at the cheerleading coach.

'I won't change, I'm happy with who I am, if people can't handle it, screw them' Rachel said and the coach laughed, as in an actual genuine laugh, not an evil laugh like usual. Rachel carried on down the corridor about to turn left to her locker, when she looked to her right and noticed something. She recognised where it lead, it was in many of her nightmares she was having. The girls didn't know about the nightmares, she didn't want to worry them, luckily she hasn't screamed out in one again so far, when she does, she knows she will need to do a lot of explaining.

Instead of continuing left, she turned right and carried on up the corridor, the one she had ran up to save Quinn.

'Rae what are you doing? Where are you going?' Brittany asked. Rachel just raised a hand, Quinn came up beside her and took it, understanding what the girl was doing. They continued down the corridor the others following behind, including some teachers and other students. They reached the end of the corridor and Rachel turned right to look down it, almost expecting to see Jacob there staring back at her. She used her free hand to rub the dressing over her wound. She looked to the lockers and then she noticed on the floor. A book, not just any book, but the book that she had thrown out to get the attention of the police officers. She bent down slowly and wiped her hand over the cover, noticing some blood smudges from where her hand had touched it.

She picked the book up and stood up, it was obvious that the part of the school had been sectioned off since the shooting. She turned the book over in her hands, looking back up the corridor again and then to Quinn who looked at her with fond eyes.

'This was the book I used to grab the police officers attention, they called my name out and I pushed it out of the door with what little strength I had left' Rachel explained, turning the book over again in her hands. Quinn noticed the blood on the book and shut her eyes as images of a suffering, injured, Rachel attacked her mind. Everyone stayed silent as the girl carried on lost in a daze. She walked to the door the light glinting of the numbers that was on it. 301. Rachel slowly lowered a shaking hand to the door handle and opened it. She flicked the light on and heard a gasp. She turned to see Quinn staring at a patch on the floor, she knew what she was staring at before she even looked at it.

'You lost so much blood' Quinn whimpered clinging onto Rachel a little more. The small brunette walked in, ignoring the blonde's protests, their other girlfriends coming to the door, she bent down and looked over the space she had almost died in. Rubbing her hand down the wall she had leant on, she noticed it also had a red mark on it. She wandered if they even tried to properly clean everything off.

'You know when we were sat down here and Jacob was chained to the radiator, he asked me why I did it' she said and looked up to Quinn who was watching her, she then looked to Santana and Brittany. 'He asked me why I had saved you, I told him about us you know, he said something about me being hurt by you the same way he was. I told him it wasn't true, that I had been put through more hurt and pain then he ever was. I told him how we went out, how I was in love with you, and when I sang grenade that was when I broke up with you because I couldn't handle that hurt anymore. But I told him, in that song was another message, even if we weren't together, even after all that pain, I would still do anything to protect you, to keep you from harm's way, to make sure you never got hurt. I love you all three of you, and now we need to wipe the slate clean, start again with a fresh slate and even though we know of that hurt and it still lingers, it has been forgiven and now we must move on and begin again' Rachel tells them, standing up and turning to face her three girlfriends. 'I thought I wasn't going to make it, I thought I was going to die in that stained red spot and in this classroom, and even if I had it would have been okay, because I had saved you, Quinn, you were safe and out of danger, and that's all I ever want for you' Rachel says pulling her closer.

Quinn pulls her into a hug and cries softly into her neck, holding her tight, really she didn't want to let the brunette go. Rachel held her just as tight, their other two girlfriends watching over them with a smile.

'I know you will make it up to me, and work hard doing it, but really just knowing that you love and care for me is enough now, knowing that I can hold you in my arms everyday is enough.' Rachel murmurs for only her girlfriends to hear, they smile and Santana and Brittany join the hug.

Rachel pulled away first grabbing onto Quinn's hand as the four left the room, Rachel turned shutting the door to the room with one last look at the radiator and the wall next to it, she shivers as Jacobs words from her nightmares run through her head.

'I'll be back and this time I'll succeed' Her hand is squeezed bringing her out of her thoughts and she looks to see Quinn staring back at her with loving hazel eyes.

'Come on lets go to class' Quinn said and pulled Rachel with her, they collected their books on the way before they moved to the classroom they needed, Rachel chose a seat to sit in at the back, Quinn following and immediately sitting next to her, not two minutes later there table was surrounded by other students asking questions and wanting autographs from Rachel, it really hits her then, her life was never going to be the same all because she put her life at risk for the one she loved, but she would do it again, it's in her nature she is always going to put her girls before herself, she couldn't be in a world without them, it would tear her apart. The teacher walked in before to many of the students could get to Rachel.

'Right sit down, I'm sure there's nothing special back there' the teacher says as she takes her seat.

'But miss its Rachel Berry she's back.' One of the students says with an excited smile.

'Rachel Berry' the teacher says standing up and walking over to them, Rachel locks eyes with her and freezes; it was those eyes, those exact same eyes.

'Well Rachel I'm a new teacher here, it's nice to finally meet you' she says but her eyes show she doesn't mean it, in fact as they stare into hers they show anger, blame, they show a revenge being planned. Rachel gulped but managed a weak smile to stay polite.

'It's nice t-to meet you to miss' Rachel says quietly.

'It's Mrs actually, Mrs Gibb' She replies as she turns with one last look at the brunette and walks back to the class.

Rachel breaths out and looks back at her work in front of her, it can't be of any relation to Jacob, she just imagined the whole thing, she doesn't even have the same last name, god she just needed to calm down and settle back into school, she's safe now, Jacob was behind bars, she had her girls nothing was going to happen to her. Rachel kept thinking as she took notes, keeping the mantra going in her head over and over again.

Quinn was watching her girlfriend, she had seen how she had tensed at the teacher approaching her, but after the teacher had returned to her lesson and Rachel had returned to work she thought that Rachel just needed to adjust back into her routine.

Rachel couldn't wait for this lesson to finish, she had hairs standing up at the back of her neck, she felt like eyes were on her constantly but not the good kind it was a bad feeling having these eyes on her, they were watching her every movement, god, she thought, am I becoming paranoid. Rachel took in a deep breath and just ignored it concentrating on her work, it wasn't there, it's not real it's just her imagination. The bell rang making her jump at the sound, a hand covered her own and she looked to the worried eyes of her blonde girlfriend.

'Sorry just zoned off into work mode' Rachel said with a smile and Quinn returned it back amusement in her eyes.

'Rachel could you stay behind please' Mrs Gibb shouts out over the bustling teenagers, Quinn looks to her in concern but Rachel just smiles.

'Don't worry, I'll be okay, I'll meet you at my locker' the brunette tells her before moving to the front of the class so the teacher could talk to her. After the everyone had left the teacher shut the door and walked round to lean on the front of her desk staring Rachel in the eyes.

'I don't like you disrupting the class like you did this morning' The teacher started.

'No wait I didn't do that I just sat down-' she's cut off though.

'You save one person and come back thinking you're the big bee well you're are mistaken, don't give me that attitude and do not talk back to me, you will not disrupt my class again Berry, do you understand?' The teachers eyes were ablaze as she stood up straight, the small brunette flinched away from the teacher, the older woman smirked.

'I don't think I'm the big bee miss, I just want to-'

'What be popular, be a big Broadway star, like anyone is going to want to hire you, your damaged now, a shot wound a horrible story behind you, your dream has been ripped from you, and from the way your acting, the whole big bow to me act, maybe it's a good thing, you need a reality check' The teacher snarled as she walked towards the girl. Rachel backed herself away, tears welling in her eyes at what is being said to her.

'That's not true I still have my dream, I don't want people to bow down to me, I just want to be normal, why are you being like this?' Rachel asked as tears leaked down her cheeks.

'Cause you're the reason my brother went to jail, it's all your fault, you strung him along every day dressing in those short skirts, making yourself look like a cheap tart, you made my brother fall in love with you and then you went and put him in jail, you ripped his dreams apart and I'm going to do the exact same thing to you' The teacher growled lowly, Rachel finally got to the door, opening it she sprinted out of the room and to her safe haven a place where no one would look for her, an old abandoned classroom, used to stored textbooks, no one went in there but Rachel when she needed time alone, she sat in there and cried ignoring her vibrating phone.

Quinn stood by the brunette's locker waiting for her with a phone pressed to her ear only getting the answer phone. Mrs Gibb walked out of her classroom a smirk on her face as she strolled through the halls. Quinn watched as her teacher walked past but not receiving any sign of Rachel she walks to her class hoping to find the small brunette there.

Only she isn't.

Hey guys thank you for reading it means a lot to me and please let me know what you think, your reviews mean a lot.