Pezberry: Vigilante 2.0
Fandom: Glee
Title: Vigilante 2.0
Author: purrpickle
Rating: T
Chapter: Two
Length: 1,500+
Pairing(s): Rachel/Santana
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee nor the characters within.
Summary: It's been two weeks since Rachel was saved by the mysterious Panther. Not able to shake her interest in the oddly familiar woman, Rachel's life gets even more complicated when people from her past come back into her life. Eventual Pezberry, AU.
A/N: Well, here's a small-ish update. I've had a bit of trouble with this story, but I finally wrestled it to somewhere where I think I got back on track. Possibly.
She and Brittany ended up talking for more than hour, and Rachel surprised herself by enjoying every minute of it. Lately, most of her time had been spent going to school, honing her voice, connecting with local agents, and researching Panther. Being so busy and single minded hadn't left time for anything but the barest amount of social activity. Brittany's company was very welcome (and if the blonde had gotten her way, Santana would have shown up at some point, but unfortunately she'd been too busy to make an appearance).
Discussing the winter break that was coming up soon, and having discovered that Rachel planned on flying back to Lima to visit her fathers as both Santana and Brittany planned to visit their families, Brittany had quickly gotten Rachel to agree meeting up not only in Lima, but in New York before and after the vacation as well. Not for the first time during their conversation did Rachel wonder if she, now, was the only person other than Santana Brittany had to talk to. That seemed a pity. Brittany, after you got used to her unique way of thinking, was a delightful person.
"It's too bad Santana couldn't make it," Brittany pouted as she and Rachel started getting ready to depart, gathering up their empty cups and used napkins, "I think she would have liked to see you."
"Really?" Rachel had to ask; while their relationship had tempered somewhat by the end of high school, there had always been an energy between her and Santana that made it almost impossible to be completely civil. If Rachel let herself admit it, she regretted not getting to know the fiery Cheerio better. Of course, that was mostly due to the callous treatment she'd gotten at Santana's hands practically from puberty.
Brittany looked up at her, tilting her head, smiling brightly, "Of course! Santana always said you made up glee club. She respects you, you know."
Rachel paused. Santana respected her? Tolerated her, maybe, but respect? Surprise making her voice higher than normal, she turned back to Brittany after throwing away her trash, shouldering her bag uncertainly, "You… You mean 'I'm what made glee club'?" Concentrating on that statement first would be the best course of action, she decided.
But Brittany didn't answer her, pushing open the door to the shop, leading them outside; cold air instantly stung their faces, each girl adjusting the collars of their coats to better cover their necks. "Honestly," the tall blonde chattered on, ignorant of the intense thoughtful look on Rachel's face, "I'm not sure either me or Santana would have stayed in if you hadn't been there. It was your talent Coach hated the most - well, after Mr. Schue, of course." Giggling, Brittany swung around and grabbed Rachel's hand, tugging her forward, "Come on, keep up."
Lengthening her strides to keep up with her, hand loosely returning Brittany's grip, Rachel shook her head. "That can't be right," she protested, "Glee was a group effort. While I admittedly had more going for me, due to intensive training since I could talk, I'm sure that when it came down to it, your coach was aware of how important everyone was."
"Oh, Rachel, stop worrying about it!"
Rachel frowned. "I'm not worrying. I'm merely reacting to what you have stated."
Brittany smiled knowingly at her, "Yeah, worrying."
Opening her mouth to refute, once again, Brittany's assumption, Rachel was interrupted when the alarm on her phone went off. Seeing the time, she was mortified to realize how wrapped up she had been to forget about the evening study group she had scheduled. Taking quick note of where she was and calculating how long it would take to get to her friend's apartment, she knew with a surprising sense of reluctance that she had to take her leave.
Seeing her expression, Brittany's shoulders drooped, "You have to go, don't you?"
Moving her shoulders up and down, Rachel slid her phone back into her pocket and nodded, "I'm sorry, Britt."
Brittany shook her head, "That's okay, I guess. But now Santana's really going to get mad that she didn't get to see you."
"…What?"
"Oh, I was going to take you to her - surprise her, you know? But now you have to go, so it won't work. Darn!"
The blonde almost stomped her foot on the ground, and Rachel's mouth quirked up in a grin, "Well, since you say it was going to be a surprise, just don't tell her you were planning on doing it, and she won't know."
Brittany thought for a second, then smiled, nodding, "Yeah! You're totally right, Rache!" Quickly changing tracks, she held out her hand, "Gimme your phone."
It didn't take Brittany very long to input her number in Rachel's phone, getting Rachel's in return. And, with a promise that they'd hang out later that week and a very tight hug that made the tips of Rachel's shoes barely touch the sidewalk, the two girls went their separate ways: Brittany on foot while Rachel ducked down into the nearest subway station.
During her ride, Rachel stared at her phone, trying to decide if she wanted to text Brittany for Santana's number. True, it was Brittany who had exhibited willingness for hanging out with Rachel, and even if she said that Santana would be interested as well, Rachel didn't know just how truthful that was. And even if Brittany and Santana were a 'package deal', that didn't mean Rachel should automatically include Santana in everything Brittany related.
It also seemed a little strange to ask for someone's number when you hadn't met them in person. Would it make her seem stalker-ish? Nosy? Yes, it wasn't like Rachel would ever have the need to randomly contact Santana out of the blue (at least, she didn't think she would), and certainly not without face-to-face contact. Their relationship had never been one of easy interaction, so why give Santana reason to possibly find fault with her?
A little discouraged at the path her thoughts had taken, Rachel sighed and replaced the phone in her hand with her iPod. Even if Santana most likely wouldn't get riled up by Rachel having her number (or wouldn't even know she had it), it was easier to make it a moot worry.
*
That night, Panther found her again.
Juggling two bags of both healthy and unhealthy snacks she had picked up for her study group (as it had been her turn in the rotation for who left for mid-session munchies), Rachel cursed herself for underestimating just how far her search for non-greasy food would take her. The helpful app on her phone hadn't been quite as accurate as normal, and it was only her stubborn refusal to spend more money than she should have to that had her lugging everything by foot.
Coming to the end of the street, she looked up at the street sign, and groaned. Realizing for the first time just how far away she was, Rachel thought about calling one of her study buddies to come pick her up; she quickly remembered, however, that none of them owned a car. Calling a cab would defeat the purpose of saving money, and it would be quite impractical to find the nearest subway. She resigned herself to walking.
She hadn't gotten very far when the sound of several pounding feet coming up behind her sent her spinning around. Three men ran by, giving her a wide berth, almost shoving each other in their haste to avoid her. Rachel would have been confused if a familiar voice hadn't spoken up from behind her, "Well, at least some people know how to show me respect."
Not able to help it, the adrenaline still spiking through her body, Rachel screamed, chucking the bag in her right hand straight into Panther's chest.
Entirely nonplussed, Panther caught it, a thoroughly amused smirk on her lips. "Really, Broadway Girl," she lowered the plastic bag, letting it hang from her fingers by the handle, "Don't you think it's time you stop attacking me on first sight?"
Rachel's jaw dropped. Her hand tightening around the bag she had left in her possession, she squared her shoulders and snapped back, "Excuse me? You're the one who insists on sneaking up on me like… Like a common felon. I should say it's hardly my fault that my first reaction is to defend myself."
Panther stared down at her, then smiled. Brown eyes twinkling behind her mask, she teased, "You're quite the firecracker, aren't you?"
F… Firecracker? Rachel stumbled mentally over that one.
But Panther had continued talking, smoothly taking a spot at Rachel's side, "Regardless, you have quite the habit of walking these streets alone at night. Whatever shall I do with you?"
"You don't need to do anything," Rachel offered smartly, letting bravado replace the adrenaline leaving her body with the slowing down of her heart.
"You sure?" Panther cocked her head, her tone light and airy.
Rachel nodded. "I am. Now," she grabbed for her bag, but Panther swung it around. Sighing, Rachel closed her eyes and shook her head, "Okay, never mind." She reined in her annoyance; despite the weirdness of the situation, she found herself oddly… touched by the vigilante's attention. She chose to ignore the cautious voice in her head that started spouting out statistics of stalking - for now, she'd take Panther at face value.
"Hey. Broadway Girl."
Realizing that she'd zoned out for a second, Rachel blinked furiously and focused on the amused smirk directed at her. She wondered what the probability of running into Panther again in a city of millions really was.
Slight pressure on her arm brought her back again. Disconcerted at how easily distracted she was getting, Rachel flushed and watched Panther retract her hand. Obviously quirking her eyebrows at her, the dark woman gestured off into the distance, "Shall we?"
Rachel couldn't say no. After all, the woman she had been furiously searching for was finally in front of her. It was only her pride that was keeping her back. "…Fine," she relented, stepping forward, hearing the other woman fall in step, "I suppose I cannot decline."
A triumphant smile bloomed on Panther's face, "No, you really 'cannot'."
The duo walked in silence for a couple of minutes, Rachel's gaze moving back and forth from her companion and their surroundings. While she was getting some naughty pleasure from having her own bodyguard, she couldn't deny that it was a little preposterous, too. "This makes no sense," she finally muttered, shaking her head.
Panther's smile widened.
Title: Vigilante 2.0
Author: purrpickle
Rating: T
Chapter: Two
Length: 1,500+
Pairing(s): Rachel/Santana
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee nor the characters within.
Summary: It's been two weeks since Rachel was saved by the mysterious Panther. Not able to shake her interest in the oddly familiar woman, Rachel's life gets even more complicated when people from her past come back into her life. Eventual Pezberry, AU.
A/N: Well, here's a small-ish update. I've had a bit of trouble with this story, but I finally wrestled it to somewhere where I think I got back on track. Possibly.
She and Brittany ended up talking for more than hour, and Rachel surprised herself by enjoying every minute of it. Lately, most of her time had been spent going to school, honing her voice, connecting with local agents, and researching Panther. Being so busy and single minded hadn't left time for anything but the barest amount of social activity. Brittany's company was very welcome (and if the blonde had gotten her way, Santana would have shown up at some point, but unfortunately she'd been too busy to make an appearance).
Discussing the winter break that was coming up soon, and having discovered that Rachel planned on flying back to Lima to visit her fathers as both Santana and Brittany planned to visit their families, Brittany had quickly gotten Rachel to agree meeting up not only in Lima, but in New York before and after the vacation as well. Not for the first time during their conversation did Rachel wonder if she, now, was the only person other than Santana Brittany had to talk to. That seemed a pity. Brittany, after you got used to her unique way of thinking, was a delightful person.
"It's too bad Santana couldn't make it," Brittany pouted as she and Rachel started getting ready to depart, gathering up their empty cups and used napkins, "I think she would have liked to see you."
"Really?" Rachel had to ask; while their relationship had tempered somewhat by the end of high school, there had always been an energy between her and Santana that made it almost impossible to be completely civil. If Rachel let herself admit it, she regretted not getting to know the fiery Cheerio better. Of course, that was mostly due to the callous treatment she'd gotten at Santana's hands practically from puberty.
Brittany looked up at her, tilting her head, smiling brightly, "Of course! Santana always said you made up glee club. She respects you, you know."
Rachel paused. Santana respected her? Tolerated her, maybe, but respect? Surprise making her voice higher than normal, she turned back to Brittany after throwing away her trash, shouldering her bag uncertainly, "You… You mean 'I'm what made glee club'?" Concentrating on that statement first would be the best course of action, she decided.
But Brittany didn't answer her, pushing open the door to the shop, leading them outside; cold air instantly stung their faces, each girl adjusting the collars of their coats to better cover their necks. "Honestly," the tall blonde chattered on, ignorant of the intense thoughtful look on Rachel's face, "I'm not sure either me or Santana would have stayed in if you hadn't been there. It was your talent Coach hated the most - well, after Mr. Schue, of course." Giggling, Brittany swung around and grabbed Rachel's hand, tugging her forward, "Come on, keep up."
Lengthening her strides to keep up with her, hand loosely returning Brittany's grip, Rachel shook her head. "That can't be right," she protested, "Glee was a group effort. While I admittedly had more going for me, due to intensive training since I could talk, I'm sure that when it came down to it, your coach was aware of how important everyone was."
"Oh, Rachel, stop worrying about it!"
Rachel frowned. "I'm not worrying. I'm merely reacting to what you have stated."
Brittany smiled knowingly at her, "Yeah, worrying."
Opening her mouth to refute, once again, Brittany's assumption, Rachel was interrupted when the alarm on her phone went off. Seeing the time, she was mortified to realize how wrapped up she had been to forget about the evening study group she had scheduled. Taking quick note of where she was and calculating how long it would take to get to her friend's apartment, she knew with a surprising sense of reluctance that she had to take her leave.
Seeing her expression, Brittany's shoulders drooped, "You have to go, don't you?"
Moving her shoulders up and down, Rachel slid her phone back into her pocket and nodded, "I'm sorry, Britt."
Brittany shook her head, "That's okay, I guess. But now Santana's really going to get mad that she didn't get to see you."
"…What?"
"Oh, I was going to take you to her - surprise her, you know? But now you have to go, so it won't work. Darn!"
The blonde almost stomped her foot on the ground, and Rachel's mouth quirked up in a grin, "Well, since you say it was going to be a surprise, just don't tell her you were planning on doing it, and she won't know."
Brittany thought for a second, then smiled, nodding, "Yeah! You're totally right, Rache!" Quickly changing tracks, she held out her hand, "Gimme your phone."
It didn't take Brittany very long to input her number in Rachel's phone, getting Rachel's in return. And, with a promise that they'd hang out later that week and a very tight hug that made the tips of Rachel's shoes barely touch the sidewalk, the two girls went their separate ways: Brittany on foot while Rachel ducked down into the nearest subway station.
During her ride, Rachel stared at her phone, trying to decide if she wanted to text Brittany for Santana's number. True, it was Brittany who had exhibited willingness for hanging out with Rachel, and even if she said that Santana would be interested as well, Rachel didn't know just how truthful that was. And even if Brittany and Santana were a 'package deal', that didn't mean Rachel should automatically include Santana in everything Brittany related.
It also seemed a little strange to ask for someone's number when you hadn't met them in person. Would it make her seem stalker-ish? Nosy? Yes, it wasn't like Rachel would ever have the need to randomly contact Santana out of the blue (at least, she didn't think she would), and certainly not without face-to-face contact. Their relationship had never been one of easy interaction, so why give Santana reason to possibly find fault with her?
A little discouraged at the path her thoughts had taken, Rachel sighed and replaced the phone in her hand with her iPod. Even if Santana most likely wouldn't get riled up by Rachel having her number (or wouldn't even know she had it), it was easier to make it a moot worry.
*
That night, Panther found her again.
Juggling two bags of both healthy and unhealthy snacks she had picked up for her study group (as it had been her turn in the rotation for who left for mid-session munchies), Rachel cursed herself for underestimating just how far her search for non-greasy food would take her. The helpful app on her phone hadn't been quite as accurate as normal, and it was only her stubborn refusal to spend more money than she should have to that had her lugging everything by foot.
Coming to the end of the street, she looked up at the street sign, and groaned. Realizing for the first time just how far away she was, Rachel thought about calling one of her study buddies to come pick her up; she quickly remembered, however, that none of them owned a car. Calling a cab would defeat the purpose of saving money, and it would be quite impractical to find the nearest subway. She resigned herself to walking.
She hadn't gotten very far when the sound of several pounding feet coming up behind her sent her spinning around. Three men ran by, giving her a wide berth, almost shoving each other in their haste to avoid her. Rachel would have been confused if a familiar voice hadn't spoken up from behind her, "Well, at least some people know how to show me respect."
Not able to help it, the adrenaline still spiking through her body, Rachel screamed, chucking the bag in her right hand straight into Panther's chest.
Entirely nonplussed, Panther caught it, a thoroughly amused smirk on her lips. "Really, Broadway Girl," she lowered the plastic bag, letting it hang from her fingers by the handle, "Don't you think it's time you stop attacking me on first sight?"
Rachel's jaw dropped. Her hand tightening around the bag she had left in her possession, she squared her shoulders and snapped back, "Excuse me? You're the one who insists on sneaking up on me like… Like a common felon. I should say it's hardly my fault that my first reaction is to defend myself."
Panther stared down at her, then smiled. Brown eyes twinkling behind her mask, she teased, "You're quite the firecracker, aren't you?"
F… Firecracker? Rachel stumbled mentally over that one.
But Panther had continued talking, smoothly taking a spot at Rachel's side, "Regardless, you have quite the habit of walking these streets alone at night. Whatever shall I do with you?"
"You don't need to do anything," Rachel offered smartly, letting bravado replace the adrenaline leaving her body with the slowing down of her heart.
"You sure?" Panther cocked her head, her tone light and airy.
Rachel nodded. "I am. Now," she grabbed for her bag, but Panther swung it around. Sighing, Rachel closed her eyes and shook her head, "Okay, never mind." She reined in her annoyance; despite the weirdness of the situation, she found herself oddly… touched by the vigilante's attention. She chose to ignore the cautious voice in her head that started spouting out statistics of stalking - for now, she'd take Panther at face value.
"Hey. Broadway Girl."
Realizing that she'd zoned out for a second, Rachel blinked furiously and focused on the amused smirk directed at her. She wondered what the probability of running into Panther again in a city of millions really was.
Slight pressure on her arm brought her back again. Disconcerted at how easily distracted she was getting, Rachel flushed and watched Panther retract her hand. Obviously quirking her eyebrows at her, the dark woman gestured off into the distance, "Shall we?"
Rachel couldn't say no. After all, the woman she had been furiously searching for was finally in front of her. It was only her pride that was keeping her back. "…Fine," she relented, stepping forward, hearing the other woman fall in step, "I suppose I cannot decline."
A triumphant smile bloomed on Panther's face, "No, you really 'cannot'."
The duo walked in silence for a couple of minutes, Rachel's gaze moving back and forth from her companion and their surroundings. While she was getting some naughty pleasure from having her own bodyguard, she couldn't deny that it was a little preposterous, too. "This makes no sense," she finally muttered, shaking her head.
Panther's smile widened.