Title: Let's Do The Time Warp Again (Part 3/9)
Author:
inanawfulmessRating: PG-13
Length: 18,750
Spoilers: Season 1.
Summary: There's something going on between Lea and Dianna that could lead to Glee being canceled. Can Rachel and Quinn help them work it out in order to save their own existences?
Author's Note: Well, here's my entry for the
gleefsbigbang . Special thanks goes to my wonderful beta,
jo_eva and artist,
insidethetimes . It gets a little crazy, but I hope you enjoy!
Rachel Berry was nothing if not determined. When she had been just a toddler on the pageant circuit, her drive to win, while strong, paled in comparison to her drive to get her way. Her fathers always threatened to show the video of a two-year-old Rachel stomping off the stage because she was awarded her crown to the Little Miss Western Ohio jingle and not something she could sing along to to any romantic interest she brought home to meet them. The point, however, was that Rachel had been practicing determination (and the accompanying diva storm-out) for eighteen years and her perfection of the art had forced people to go along with her, even against all forces of better judgment and common sense.
“We’re going to the real world,” she declared in glee rehearsal. “Something is up and we’re going to fix it to save ourselves and the society we know and love.”
“You love a society that constantly throws slushies in your face, both metaphorically and literally?” Artie questioned.
“Well, not that part so much, but - “
Mercedes interrupted. “A society that continuously mocks you for your fashion sense and two gay dads?”
“I’ll have you know I love my fathers.”
“Dude, Berry, your mother didn’t even think you were worth it.” Rachel’s face fell and everyone knew Puck had taken it too far.
“Shut up, Puckerman,” Quinn hissed, too busy shooting a glare to notice the effect her words had on Rachel.
“I’m just not done here,” Rachel continued. “I have a lot to accomplish in this life that I haven’t had an opportunity for yet. I’d like my chance.”
“Like Broadway?” Tina asked.
“Well,” Rachel paused thoughtfully. “Yes, but more important things too.” She rolled her eyes as her teammates gasped. “There is more to life than winning Tonys. I’m thinking something like true love.” The dreamy smile she directed in Quinn’s direction went largely unnoticed as the glee club either rolled their eyes at Rachel’s dramatics or began ribbing on Finn for not fitting the bill despite the fact he had been trying to get Rachel to agree to a relationship for weeks.
“Anyways,” Rachel directed the attention back toward herself, “I have done some extensive research and it seems to me that the proper course of action is for us to enter the real world to attempt to remedy any schisms within the cast that portrays us so that we can continue on in these lives unhindered. Our first task will be to fix any problems between Lea Michele and Dianna Agron such that they may continue to work together and both will sign on for the new season.”
“Hold up,” Mercedes interrupted, placing her hand up with her palm pointing toward Rachel. “How exactly are we supposed to get to this so-called ‘real world’?”
“Ah!” Rachel squealed. “I had a feeling someone might ask that. After many phone calls to different distant relatives who are blessed with the same gifts as I, I have determined that the easiest way to gain entry to the real world’s Hollywood is through The Real World: Hollywood.”
“Pardon?” Kurt asked.
“The MTV program. Surely you’re all familiar. We just need to crawl through the television when that program is airing and we’ll end up just where we want to be.”
“But wasn’t that like, eight seasons ago?” Santana asked.
“Yes,” Rachel conceded, “but we’re in luck! MTV frequently reruns episodes of that season and the next time it’s set to air is today at 4:00 PM, just after glee rehearsal!”
Artie cleared his throat. “I am not crashing my chair into some television set like I’m Harry Potter trying to catch a train.”
“Yeah, Rachel,” Tina added. “I’m sorry, but that idea is just insane.”
“I’ll go with you, Rach.”
Despite his sweet tone and puppy-dog expression, Rachel couldn’t help but turn him down. “While I appreciate your offer, Finn, I’m afraid I can’t accept. You see, much of the real world is ignorant to our existences, much as you all were to theirs until I enlightened you. I realize the idea that there are people who look exactly like you living in another realm can be hard to handle for some, and the news should be broken gently.”
“Oh, like you did for us?” Kurt asked.
Choosing to ignore his sarcasm, Rachel continued. “I do not wish to overwhelm our counterparts right off the bat, and therefore feel it would be most irresponsible of us to bombard the real world all at once. Therefore, may I propose that Quinn and I make the first trip together, as our counterparts appear to be at the center of the crisis, and others of you may follow as they become accustomed to our presence.”
“You’re nuts if you think Q’s gonna go with you, Berry,” Santana snapped with a roll of her eyes. “She’s not gonna run into a tv screen just to have you laugh at her when she falls on her ass.”
“I’ll go,” Quinn spoke quietly before Rachel had a chance to retort, surprising even herself.
“You’ll go?” Santana asked incredulously. “With Berry?”
“With me?” Rachel echoed in disbelief.
“Jeez, guys, it’s not that big a deal. Somebody’s got to be there to mock her when her plan fails. Besides,” Quinn said quietly now, turning to Santana and Brittany. “It’ll give me a chance alone with her to scare her away from Finn for a bit longer in case she’s thinking of finally giving in to him.”
Santana and Brittany nodded before Quinn stood and smoothed the wrinkles in her Cheerios skirt. “Alright, Man Hands, let’s blow out of here. We’ve only got half an hour before your show starts.”
Everyone in the glee club stared, mouths hanging open, as Rachel quickly grabbed her backpack and followed Quinn out of the room, not even pausing to suggest that they stay in rehearsal an extra fifteen minutes to work on their voices because Rachel’s house was only a five-minute walk away.
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“Alright,” Brad Falchuck cried, clapping his hands together to get everyone’s attention. “That was good. Let’s wrap on the library scene and you guys break for half an hour or so while we get the choir room ready to go for the next one.”
The kids all nodded and came together in the center of the room at one of the library tables, chatting with each other about the upcoming group scene.
“Did you guys see what the gossip blogs are saying?” Amber asked conspiratorially. “Seems like Ms. Lea really has gotten too big for her britches.”
“Mm hmm,” Chris agreed, smoothing a wrinkle on Kurt’s latest designer knee-length sweater. “I love the girl, but really, we’ll do the show without her. I mean, come on, wanting to quit is one thing but dragging Di’s good name through the mud to get there? I don’t think so.”
“Don’t you think you guys might be overreacting just a smidge?” Naya chimed in, a bit of Santana’s attitude lingering in her voice. “You of all people should know you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
“Yeah,” Heather added. “I love Di as much as the next girl, but maybe we should give Lea the benefit of the doubt. I mean, according to the internet, Naya and I are dating!”
Naya shrugged. “Or just fucking, depending which websites you visit.”
“You mean you’re not?” Jenna asked in such a way that it was impossible to tell if her incredulity was mocking or sincere. She shook her head. “The way I see it, what’s going on between Lea and Di is going on between Lea and Di. We should probably just mind our own business before we get ourselves in trouble.”
“Speaking of…” Chris trailed off before subtly motioning to the door where he saw Lea about to enter, dragging Dianna behind her.
“See!” Heather squealed excitedly before being shushed. “I told you they were cool. Look, they’re even holding hands.”
“That’s not holding hands,” Amber whispered back. “Look at that grip she’s got on Di’s arm. That’s assault!”
“Hello, fellow glee clubbers,” the short brunette spoke when she got closer. “And how are you all this fine day?”
“Drop the act,” Naya spat out, straightening her spine and putting on her best Cheerio face. “And drop Di’s arm while you’re at it. You’re hurting her.” The short brunette looked around, confused, but released her grip on the taller blonde who quickly scampered to safety behind the bookcase on the other side of the table.
“We’ve seen your newest diva-licious news story,” Amber said angrily, walking forward intent to stare Lea down. “So don’t you think you can fool us with your innocent little Rachel Berry act. It’s all over TMZ, E! News, everywhere by now. Did you honestly think we wouldn’t find out?”
“But-“ the girl tried to cut in, but Chris quickly stopped her.
“No buts, missy,” he cut her off, stepping forward to look down at her as well. “I’m not usually confrontational and I do love you, but man, Lea, you’ve crossed the line. What has Dianna ever done to you, huh?”
The girl straightened her five-foot two-inch frame in an attempt to appear more menacing. “Excuse me, but I do not appreciate being welcomed to your world in such an unwelcoming manner. If you would let me have the floor a moment, you would know that I am not this Lea of whom you speak, but rather Rachel Barbra Berry of Lima, Ohio.”
“Right,” Chris laughed sarcastically. “And I’m Harry Potter.”
“No,” the girl shook her head, confused. “If I’m not mistaken, which, mind you, I rarely am, you are one Chris Colfer, an actor portraying the character of Kurt.”
“Alright, Lea, cut the crap.” Naya butted in. “I was willing to see this through calmly and not jump on you the second you came on set, but seriously, cool it with the Rachel Berry act. It’s just obnoxious. You’re not Rachel Berry, just like I’m not Santana Lopez, just like she’s not Quinn Fabray.” Everyone turned to look at where the blonde was still hiding behind the bookshelf.
“Who’s not Quinn Fabray?” they heard Dianna’s voice ask from behind them as she entered the library set. Slowly, each of them turned around, staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at Dianna. “Okay, what’s going on here?” Dianna asked nervously. “This isn’t like the dream where you show up to school naked or anything, is it?” She glanced down at her fully clothed body and breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s not it. Guys, can someone please tell me what’s going on? You’re starting to scare me.”
Rachel pushed forward, breaking the silence. “Allow me to introduce myself, since no one here seems neither interested nor capable. My name is Rachel Berry. And you must be Dianna. It’s true what they say online, Ms. Agron. You really are exquisitely beautiful.”
Dianna flinched and turned away, unable to hide the hurt in her eyes. “Leave me alone, Lea. I saw the news last night, you know. Not how I wanted to find out. You could’ve come to me.” She sighed and discretely wiped her eyes before turning back to her other cast mates. “What did she say about me? Is that what you were saying when I walked in? Come on, just get it over with. Tell me, what’s the joke, who’s not Quinn Fabray?”
Quinn Fabray herself stepped forward, past the bookshelf and the row of cast members who had up to that point kept her hidden from Dianna’s view. “Apparently me,” she said. “But I think they really meant you.”
Dianna turned white as a sheet and fell to the floor.
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“So you’re Rachel Berry.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re Quinn Fabray.”
Quinn shrugged. “Apparently.”
“And you’re here. Like, in LA. You exist?”
“Obviously. Are you blind or something? I figured you wouldn’t be so bitchy to us just because Santana would be.”
“Quinn!” Rachel admonished before turning her attention to where Heather and Naya sat at a picnic table outside of their shared trailer. “You’ll have to excuse her. I’m afraid she was planning to use this time to mock my efforts to gain entry to your world and never truly expected my plan to succeed. She must be in quite a bit of shock that she actually successfully crawled through a television set to get here.”
“You crawled through a television set?” Heather asked, smiling. “That is so cool!”
“Jeez,” Quinn scowled. “You’re just as dumb as Brittany. You’re just gonna buy into that? Berry’s a freak, obviously. You shouldn’t believe a word she says.”
Heather frowned. “You know, I’m just going to ignore you and deal with this one instead.” She turned to Rachel. “So, why are you here? And, more importantly, how do you get back?”
“Well, getting home is quite simple,” Rachel responded, grateful for the captive audience. “We just crawl back into the television, this time while an episode of Glee is playing.”
“Can we come?”
“Heather,” Naya said, “I don’t think that’s the best idea. Even though she’s being an uber-bitch, I kinda have to agree with Quinn here. Something about this just doesn’t sit right with me.”
“But don’t you want to meet Brittany and Santana? How awesome would that be?”
“Awesome, Heather, I’ll give you that. But let’s hear this out before we go making any vacation plans, alright?” Heather pouted, but nodded in agreement.
“What Ms. Rivera suggests is actually quite smart,” Rachel spoke up. “It’s dangerous enough for us to come here, we don’t want too many people switching realms until we know more.”
“Dangerous?” Quinn asked. “You did not tell me that part. What the hell, Berry? When we get back I’m gonna slushie you so bad you won’t know what hit you. What do you mean, dangerous?”
“Well, not dangerous, per se, just, you know, it’s important that we’re careful. If Glee is cancelled while we’re here, we may not be able to get back.”
“You did not tell me that. That doesn’t even make sense. I mean, we got here through The Real World: Hollywood and that was over years ago.”
“Dude, I loved that show!” Heather exclaimed.
Rachel ignored her. “If Glee is cancelled, our world will no longer exist. We are not a reality program, those continue beyond when the show airs.” She rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“You know what?” Quinn said, seething. “You’re an insufferable little midget and I never want anything to do with you again!”
“Well, you’re being, if you’ll excuse my language, a bitch.”
“Dwarf!”
“You seriously aren’t smart enough to come up with insults that don’t comment on my height? I know I’m short! Get over it!”
And with that, Quinn charged at where Rachel had seated herself on the picnic table, plowing into the smaller girl and knocking her to the ground. Rachel quickly grabbed a fistful of Quinn’s hair and yanked, causing Quinn to become distracted long enough for her to roll on top and gain control. They continued to roll across the ground, wrestling for the upper hand.
“We should probably stop them,” Heather said, but made no move to break it up.
Naya nodded, transfixed.
“Maybe they’ll work it out themselves though, let’s give it a minute.”
Naya nodded again.
“Oh, who are we kidding?” Heather threw her hands up in the air as she propped her feet on the bench of a second picnic table. “That’s fucking hot.”
Naya small smile grew into a grin as she nodded once more.
Part 4