A New Direction Chapter 1, a glee fanfic

Title: A New Direction
Rating: M (just to be safe)
Pairings: Will/Rachel
Spoilers: Current through episode 2x22
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own anything relating to Glee. That honor is reserved for the wonderful Ryan Murphy and Fox.
Summary:Rachel never dreamed she would become a mother right out of high school. With no one else to turn to, will her trusted former glee advisor be the one she needs to help her find her new direction in life?

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Rachel weaved her way through the bustling crowd of the street fair, her sights set on the coffee shop that was still two blocks away. As often as she hated being small, she had to admit it had its advantages. She was making better time than she expected. Adjusting her bag on her shoulder, Rachel neared the coffee shop. She braced herself for the lecture she was going to be receiving from Kurt for keeping him waiting so long.

No one in glee could have imagined Kurt and Rachel making it to graduation without murdering one another for the final solo at Nationals, let alone that they would become friends. Yet, here they were meeting for their weekly coffee date to gossip and dream of whom they were going to mention in their Tony speeches when they finally make it big on Broadway. They had become inseparable since Junior year, as though that time spent on the stage of Wicked had cemented they were forever going to be the very best of friends.

Their graduation ceremony had taken place yesterday. Rachel had declined attending any of the celebratory parties or events that were planned, stating her father's had planned a dinner already. Almost all of her fellow gleeks were at home sleeping off their hangovers, but Kurt had begged her to meet him for coffee so he could fill her in on all the gossip from the night before, as well as discuss what they were going to be bringing with them to the residence hall in Tisch.

Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel had applied; auditioned, and gotten the affirmative they were now undergraduate students at one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the country. Rachel was beyond thrilled when she received the news; she even threw a "We Got Into Tisch!" party the weekend after they received their acceptance letters.

She thought she had it all planned out. She was going to go to Tisch, major in Drama, attend their graduate program for acting, and be belting out "I'm Not That Girl" when she starred as Elphaba in Wicked. All of which she planned to accomplish by her 25th birthday. Rachel had prepared herself for the small disappointments she knew life would throw at her. She knew she might not be considered the headliner she once was when she got to New York. She knew she would have to start all over again to prove she deserved to be the Broadway star she had been telling everyone she was going to be. She was prepared for that fight. Nowhere, in all of her meticulous planning and preparation had she dreamed she would now be facing the obstacle she was now up against.

Realizing she had finally reached her destination, she pulled open the doors to Panera. It was the only place in town that offers her favorite iced green tea, and a pecan roll that Kurt swears is a gift from the heavens. The coldness of the air-conditioned café wrapped around her, calming her nervous, queasy stomach. Closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths, she steadied herself before searching for Kurt.

Seconds later she heard, "Hang on a second Blaine, Rachel just got here. I'll call you later." She opened her eyes to face her best friend. His eyebrow arched in curiosity and slight irritation, he wrapped her in warm hug.

"Sweetie, you know there is such a thing as a courtesy text if you are going to be late. I ordered your tea 10 minutes ago. If it's watered down you have no one but yourself to blame." Smiling, he sat back down at their table. Sipping his latte and eating a piece of his pecan roll, he motioned for her to sit.

Taking a deep breath she lowered herself into her seat. Sipping from her drink, she smiled at him, motioning to his pastry, "Would you mind if I tried a piece of that? I really need to settle my stomach."

His eyes widened with surprise. She was usually very strict on only eating vegan-friendly treats. "Suure, of course you can Rach." He said, sliding the pastry across the table to her.

Grabbing a piece, she let the delicious caramel melt in her mouth before steeling her nerves for her big announcement. "Kurt," she said, pausing to sip her tea, "we need to talk."

"Why do I feel like you are going to throw a break-up speech at me?" the boy across from her said, laughing. "You haven't found another best friend have you? Because I guarantee they are nothing compared to me."

"No, it's nothing like that." Rachel said, eyes downcast. " I…" She trailed off, feeling a tear streak down her cheek.

"Sweetie?" Kurt asked, his voice becoming soft with concern. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Is it Finn? Did he say something horrible to you? I knew he didn't take the break up well, but everyone knows it is for the best. He's always been more country than city. Even if he had gone to New York with us, he would have been miserable. I swear I am going to kill that boy, brother or not." Sighing in frustration, he reached across the table to hold her hand.

"I am fine, physically. I am… I am not going to be able to make it to Tisch with you guys. I am so sorry. I wanted nothing more than to go with you. It's just… everything is so confusing now. I don't know what to do. The only thing I do know is I can't go. God, how I wish I could. This is what they warn you about. Statistics show…" she trailed off as she noticed Kurt holding his hands in the "time out" position.

"Okay, let me see if I am following." He said, not sounding annoyed, just genuinely confused. "You aren't going to be able to go to the school you have been dreaming about attending for years? What on God's green earth would prevent you from going?"

Tears falling much quicker down her cheeks now, she said between soft sobs, "I'm pregnant."

There, the words were out in the universe. She had finally said them to someone besides her fathers. She felt relief and dread simultaneously as she raised her eyes to gauge her best friend's reaction.

She saw a slightly stricken look cross Kurt's face before it turned into one of concern and sympathy. "Are you sure? Rach, are you 100% positive that you are pregnant? I hate to sound like an after-school special here, but have you had a doctor confirm this? Home pregnancy tests aren't always accurate."

Rachel nodded, wiping her eyes, "Yes, I am positive." She reached into her purse and pulled out her positive home test, putting it on a napkin on the table. "For the last week I had taken one home test a day, until I worked up the nerve to tell my dads. They were all positive. I have also seen a doctor. That was why I was so late. There was a bit of a wait at my gynecologist. She confirmed I am about 6 weeks pregnant. It happened after prom. Oh god, I really am a statistic!" she cried, burying her face in her hands.

"Honey, not to sound unsympathetic or anything, but did you pee on that?" Kurt asked, motioning to the test that sat between them. His face had a slightly green quality to it.

Rachel nodded, "Yes, Kurt. Of course I… Oh sorry." She said, realizing her error and putting the test back in her bag.

"Not a problem," Kurt said, taking a sip of coffee. "If it happened after prom does that mean that…? Oh god, Finn is going to be a dad?"

Rachel looked up quickly, "Oh, Kurt please don't tell him yet. There is so much going on I just want to get settled first. Please? Please wait? For me?" She begged, holding her hands in what could only be described as a dramatic prayer position.

Kurt's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Get settled? What do you mean, 'get settled'? Rachel Barbra Berry, you had better start talking, and fast."

Trying to hold back the tears she felt forming, she started to tear at her napkin. "My dads gave me an ultimatum. Either I abort the baby and attend Tisch as planned, or they are kicking me out. I am 18 now, so I guess legally they can. I don't know what to do. I can't get rid of this baby. I love her or him too deeply to even consider it, but I can't attend school pregnant. I would have to drop out eventually. I can't afford to go to school full time and pay for childcare. I need to find a place, like now. My dads agreed to keep me on their insurance until I can find a job with benefits, but that is the extent of their willingness to help. They said they couldn't witness their only child make such a bad decision. How could they say that about their own grandchild?" Feeling her resolve slip, she broke down into tears.

"Oh Rach," Kurt sighed, kneeling next to her chair and pulling her into a hug. "Don't worry, everything will work itself out. You'll see how amazing this will be. I won't tell Finn. You need to, when you are ready. You do need to tell him though. Preferably sooner rather than later. I will be there for you as much as I can while I am in New York, and I will fly home every break to prove to you I am going to be the most amazing uncle to that little bundle of joy in there." He said, tickling her soon to be swollen stomach.

"I would offer my room for you to sleep in, but with the whole Finn still being upset about your break up thing, I am not sure it is the best idea in the world. Gosh, I wish I wasn't going away. We would totally rock as roommates. Let's grab the paper and see if there are any good options out there okay? We will find a great one. I can just feel it."

An hour later and two new beverages and pecan rolls later, they were almost through the ads and not a single one looked promising. "What is with all the freaks wanting roommates?" Kurt asked, gesturing to the paper. "Like this one, 'WANTED: ROOMMATE. $450/mnth. Preferably blonde, young, and female. Open-mindedness a must.' I am not even sure I want to know what he… or she… means by that."

Rachel smirked and continued scanning, "I know what you mean. Kurt!" She grabbed his arm to get his attention. "Look who put out a want ad for a roommate! I guess this is going to turn out to be a good day after all."

Kurt read over the ad, his smile growing as he reached the end. "Well my darling diva," He said turning toward Rachel. "It looks like you need to pay a visit to a certain former glee advisor."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read my first Will/Rachel fic. If you would like me to continue, just let me know! Love and hugs until next time!