Promise Me (2)
Title: Promise me
Author: GirlnamedClark
Rating: T
Summary: there was only one thing that Quinn had ever made Rachel promise her, and it was that she would take care of her baby if something happened to her. Character!death. Present time (angst)/flashback (fluff).
Where is Quinn? Rachel asked herself, as she looked down to her watch only to realize that the girl was half an hour late for their national's general rehearsal. Mr. Schue had already given up on waiting for her and he ordered everyone to get in their places.
Rachel climbed to the top of the tiny bleachers on the stage of the auditorium everyone else - since last year, after they won at Nationals, Glee club had been receiving new members, and now was constituted of 26 people - where she could be best seen and heard. Mercedes was the one who had got the solo for that song, but that didn't mean that Rachel had to blend in with everyone else. Just because she didn't have the solo it didn't mean she couldn't stand out.
Mr Schue directed them as they started singing. Rachel was not made to sing in the background, but she had learned that it would provide her a better sense of harmony, which would come up handy if she ever got accepted to Julliard and actually wanted to pursue her dream of being a Broadway star. Plus, not getting the solo meant that she could climb to the top of the bleachers. There, she and Quinn could be do almost anything without Mr Schue noticing.
And, by the way, where was Quinn Fabray?
Rachel suddenly noted that Puck wasn't there as well. Would they be together? They were not dating anymore, and Quinn had told Rachel that Puck was the platonic love of her life, but you never knew with those two.
Suddenly and startling Rachel, she felt a tug on her leg. She was about to scream and shake her leg until whatever it was holding her leg let her go, when she looked down and, between the bleachers gaps, she saw Quinn's face, looking up at her, one finger over her lips. Rachel had to press her hand to her chest to try to calm herself down. What was Quinn doing bellow the bleachers?
"Come here" Quinn mouthed, gesturing. Rachel looked up, anxiously. Mr Schue wasn't paying her any attention, so she briskly jumped off the bleachers and crawled bellow them to meet Quinn. Quinn was waiting for her with an expectant smile.
"Where have you been?" Rachel asked reprehensively, knowing that, with the singing that was going on, no one would ever hear them talking "you're late and you almost missed the rehearsal. It's our last opportunity to polish our performances so that we are able…"
Rachel stopped talking when she felt Quinn's index finger against her lips "I went to the pharmacy".
"Why would you?..." Rachel's question was lost in her mouth, as realization hit her. They had talked about this before. How Quinn hadn't been getting her period. Quinn was the one suggesting that she might be pregnant. Rachel was surprised by her nonchalance and asked her what would her parents do if she was indeed pregnant. Quinn had replied that they were completely against abortion and that they would hate her for being pregnant, but they would have to accept it. Plus, Quinn added, excitedly, Puck's pool cleaning business is expanding and he said that we could rent a house. And I still have the money I inherited from my grandmother.
I thought you couldn't touch the money until you were overaged, Rachel had noted, frowning confusedly. Quinn had shaken her head with an amused smile guess who's turning eighteen in two months.
Quinn raised a small object that had the form of a pen and Rachel's eyes widened "well?" she asked, expectantly.
"I don't know yet" Quinn dropped her eyes to the object "it says here that it takes about five minutes".
"You don't know yet?" Rachel cried.
"No, I'm waiting for this thingy to tell me. I came straight from the bathroom" Quinn explained, practically.
"How accurate are these things, really?" Rachel asked, as she tried to reach for the pregnancy stick, but Quinn stopped her.
"Hey, remember what I've just done to this?" Quinn asked, sarcastically, arching a brow in a meaningful away. Rachel retracted.
"Oh. Gross".
"They are not one hundred percent accurate, but they're enough" Quinn replied, checking her watch "oh God. Twenty seconds".
"What are we expecting to see? A word, a plus sign, what?" Rachel inquired, leaning closer to Quinn, their heads touching as they both looked down at the stick.
"I think it's a pink line for a positive result" Quinn answered, now anxiety transpiring on her voice. Rachel looked up to the feet of the people singing, nervously.
"Five seconds" Quinn whispered, now completely breathless.
Rachel mentally counted. Four, three, two, one.
"Quinn?" Rachel called and the blonde looked up, confusedly "whatever the result is going to be, I'm here for you. I just wanted you to know that".
Quinn's lips stretched on a genuine affective smile "I know, Rach".
They both looked down and there's a moment of silence. They both stare at the thin, though clear, pink line, as if making sure they were not hallucinating.
Rachel squealed and Quinn laughed as she was being choked by Rachel's arms "you're having a baby!".
~~~~~~~~~~w~~~~~~~~w~~~~~~~~~w
"Are you sure you can get it by tomorrow?" Rachel asked, anxiously eyeing Puck, who was standing up on her bedroom, looking through the window to the street.
"Yeah" he said, turning around, though his tone didn't sound convincing to Rachel's ears "I'll try to get it tonight. She's not going to be home, so…"
"Are you sure you want to do it this way?" Rachel asked, hesitantly, captivating his eyes toward her direction "I mean, there's other ways to get the money, we don't have to…"
"No, Rachel, this way is just fine. It's my father's money, anyway" he told her reassuringly, as he moved toward the bed where Rachel was sitting. For a moment, he remained standing up, looking down at Rachel, his eyes revealing a mix of compassion and affection. Puck had not been handling this entire thing right, but since he had reunited with Rachel, he had been doing much better. Rachel understood him and, not only, she was ready and willing to help him. Not help him like everyone else was trying to by recommending him to see a shrink, or giving him comforting pats on his back; she was going to help him with what he really wanted. Rachel was his only ally in what he had promised himself to make his life mission: getting his daughter.
"Are we clear about our plan?" Rachel asked, again anxiously, her puppy chocolate eyes staring up at him as he thoughtfully glared her "Puck, I really need you to promise me that you'll stick to what we agreed. I don't want you to do anything crazy or rash".
Puck sat down by her side, his knees slightly brushing against hers "Rachel, have I told you how much I appreciate what you are doing? Have I thanked you enough?" he asked, really wanting to know the answer. Because as many times he could utter thank you, he would feel forever grateful for what Rachel was doing and he would always feel like he couldn't pay her back for it.
Rachel smiled, sadly. Puck knew what she was telling him with that gesture. She was telling him that he didn't have to thank her, because she wasn't doing thid just for him. Puck was completely aware of that fact. Rachel and Puck were good friends - Quinn had brought them together - but Rachel's main concern wasn't Puck's well-being. Her main concern was Spencer Fabray.
"I'm so thankful…" Puck mumbled anyway, and then he lifted his eyes to Rachel, by his side "and I know Quinn would be too. She is".
He immediately saw the tears invoked by the mentioning of Quinn's name in Rachel's eyes. Her lower lip quivered and she looked away. Puck reached for her hand, squeezing it softly.
Rachel dropped her head, not wanting to let Puck see her cry. Puck gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. He pressed his finger bellow her chin and made her turn her face toward him. Then, gently, he leaned forward and captured her lips in a soft, caring kiss.
Rachel closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks, but she let him kiss her. For a moment.
"Noah" she then called, in a whisper.
He straightened himself up, blinking confusedly and embarrassedly. His face turned of a deep shade of red, as he turned himself around "I'm sorry. God. I'm so sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean to… I just… I'm having a hard time dealing with this. I apologize".
"It's okay" Rachel said "Noah, it's okay. I understand".
~~~~~~~~~~w~~~~~~~~~w~~~~~~~~~w
It was not the first time that Sheriff Lamb appeared at the Berry's door, unfortunately. Robert sighed heavily, before he opened the door and tried to look as welcoming and inviting as the smug and completely obnoxious man allowed him to.
Rachel was a good girl. She was. She wasn't the type of getting into trouble. She did what every other teenager did, she just happened to be brought home by Lamb more than the rest because Sheriff Lamb completely hated her because of the fact that she was the daughter of the best private detective in Lima, and the man that constantly resolved the Sheriffs cases making look like… well, an idiot.
"What do I owe the pleasure, Sheriff Lamb?" Robert asked, forcing his upbeat tone, as he leaned against the door frame with a grin. Behind the Sheriff was Deputy Sacks that was probably even dumber than the Sheriff himself.
"I'm here to see your daughter" Lamb answered him, not bothering to return the pleasantries.
"Well, I'm not sure if she's home" Robert told him, holding his forced smile, knowing perfectly that Rachel was upstairs, just like she had been for the past months.
"Berry, this is not a joke. The Fabray's baby is missing".
Robert's expression immediately changed and his body tensed, as he straightened himself up "what?".
"Faith Fabray is missing and so is Noah Puckerman. Now get your daughter in here, right now, so that I know that she's not missing as well" Lamb ordered his tone rising slightly.
Robert glared the Sheriff frowning, before he stepped back inside his house. Anxiety overwhelmed him as he realized that he hadn't actually seen Rachel since lunch "Rachel?". She couldn't… she wouldn't…
"Yeah?" her voice made him relax automatically, relieved.
"Can you come downstairs for a minute, honey?" he called, meeting the Sheriff at the entrance of the house again.
Rachel appeared, with a careful expression, eyeing her father and then the Sheriff and the Deputy "what's this about?".
Robert inspected his daughter closely. As much as he liked to deny it, there was a perfectly valid chance that his daughter was involved in this. He knew how close she and Quinn were. He knew how upset her daughter had been after the girl had died and he knew how upset she was when the Fabray's got Quinn's daughter. Rachel, though, seemed oblivious to the fact why the Sheriff was there, but Robert knew her enough to know that she was a very good actress. Almost 18 years hadn't allowed him to catch on her bluffing, yet.
"Honey, Puck is missing" Robert told her softly, staring closely at her face for any signal that she already knew about this. She didn't show it, as her mouth slightly opened in confusion.
"What do you mean, missing?".
"He's taken…" he started, but Lamb cut him, impatiently.
"He has kidnapped the Fabray's baby" he paused and then arched one of his dark brows "but you already knew that, didn't you?".
Rachel frowned and looked at him confusedly "what?".
The Sheriff sighed in impatience as he stepped inside the house with his handcuffs "Rachel Berry, you are under arrest as an accomplice in the abduction of Faith Fabray".
Rachel looked astonished and she searched for her father eyes. Robert seemed to have frozen in surprise as Lamb made his way past him.
"Is this really necessary?" he asked, annoyed, as he stared down at the handcuffs "she'll come with you voluntarily, plus, you have no proofs against her".
"Actually, we have something" Lamb informed him, as he turned Rachel around and handcuffed her without ceremonies.
Robert threw a furious glare toward Rachel, but she shook her head, tears invading her eyes "dad, I didn't do anything" she cried.
"I will be the judge of that" Lamb told her, hurrying her toward the door.
"This is ridiculous" Rachel announced to thin air, seeing that she was left alone in the dark interrogation room, her hands still cuffed. She shifted on her chair, uncomfortably, but then she looses balance and almost falls sideways into the floor. She felt revolted, annoyed, mad, and she really wanted to scratch her forehead.
She let her head fall forward, resting in against the wood table in front of her and she sighed. She felt unbelievable uncomfortable with the possibility that someone was staring at her through the dark mirror window. She wondered if that was a method of interrogation. Let the interrogated person waiting there, not knowing what they wanted from them, driving them crazy, until they confessed to any crime they did or did not commit.
When Rachel finally heard the door behind her being pushed opened, she straightened himself up, immediately, to see Sheriff Lamb, her father and Cliff - her father's friend and lawyer - step inside the room.
"I'm sorry about the wait, we had to wait for your lawyer to arrive so that I can talk to you" Sheriff Lamb announced, in a tone that indicated that he felt like he didn't have to give you any explanations.
"I'm sorry, but my wife thinks it's funny to hide my car keys" Cliff said and Lamb stared at him weirdly. Rachel didn't take it seriously, because she knew Cliff and his odd sense of humor. Plus, she had more to worry about "first and foremost, Sheriff, you'll have to take her handcuffs off. It's completely ridiculous".
The Sheriff stared at him arching his brow as if to make sure everyone understood that he was the one in charge in that room. But then, slowly and reluctantly, he freed Rachel from the handcuffs.
"What was that about?" she asked to the Sheriff, mentioning the line-up that she had been put through, as she massaged her bruised wrists.
"You were just indentified by a merchant from a jewelry store owner from Carmel" Lamb announced, casually.
Rachel blushed as she dropped her eyes to the ground "oh".
"What do you mean, oh?" her father snapped, madly, eying her unbelievably "I was expecting rage, shock, indignation!".
Rachel stared at him apologetically, before turning to Cliff "I know what they must be thinking. But it's not like that".
"The why don't you explain me what were you doing in the possession of a very valuable pair of earrings that belonged to Chrystal Puckerman, Noah Puckerman's stepmother, and what entitled you to sell the piece of jewelry that didn't belong to you for…" Lamb checked his notes "five thousand dollars?" Lamb defied, sitting against the table, crossing his arms and feigning interest.
"First of all, I didn't know it belonged to Chrystal. I suspected it, but I was never told so" Rachel explained, practically. Robert seemed close to explode and she avoided his gaze carefully "secondly, I only sold it because Puck asked me to do it".
"But, Rachel, why would you do so?" Robert asked, exasperatedly.
"What do you mean, why she did it?" Lamb stood up "she sold it to finance his escape. That's obvious".
"No!" Rachel cried in despair, shaking her head "that was not where it was supposed to go. We had a plan".
"I can see that" the Sheriff commented cynically, walking around her. She turned in her chair to continue to glare at him, despaired for him to believe her.
"No, that's not what I meant. We were going to hire a lawyer, a good lawyer" Cliff feigned offense "Puck was going to try to get the custody of the baby. That was what the money was for. I swear" she eyed her father, who still stared at her suspiciously.
"Now, let me tell you what I think. I think you sold Chrystal Puckerman's earrings so that Noah Puckerman could run away with Faith Fabray…"
"Spencer Fabray" Rachel corrected between her teeth, her eyes falling to the ground and her shaky hands grabbing the sides of the chair she was sitting on.
"… and you stayed behind to look all innocent and naïve, so that we thought he had played you into helping him without you really knowing what he meant".
"That is a lot of thinking for you to do. You might tire yourself" Rachel joked, humorlessly, because she just hated Sheriff Lamb. He always got out of his way to catch Rachel doing something she wasn't supposed to do.
Rachel almost jumped when her father's fist hit the table, provoking a loud noise "this is not a joke, Rachel! This is serious. Do you know how serious it is to be accused of accessory in a kidnap or even kidnap itself?" Rachel flinched at her father's rage and he softened "straighten up" he ordered her, sucking his lower lip, regretting that he had lost his temper "now, what Puck did was wrong and I don't want you to think otherwise. The Fabray's have the legal custody of the baby. So you are going to cooperate with the Sheriff and you are going to answer every question he has, do you understand?".
Rachel stared hardly against her father, tears prickling her eyes. She knew he was right, this was a serious business. But it sickened her the thought of helping anyone to get Spencer back to the Fabray's. She lowered her head and, against every instinct in her body, she nodded.
"She will cooperate, Sheriff" Cliff announced, cheerfully, as if announcing the gender of a baby.
"Great" Lamb replied coldly, because, make no mistake, if she didn't, he would be sure she would suffer the consequences.
At that moment, Sacks opened the door of the interrogation room "we have a couple of visitors, Sheriff" he announced.
Rachel's jaw tightened when she watched a painfully familiar blonde woman and a man walking inside the room. She didn't even notice the man that followed them inside, as well.