Love and Dreams-Faberry

Chapter Three

A few days later Rachel was standing out front of a dance studio near Times Square. She hated this part of town because it was the touristy part of New York that was always more overcrowded than any other part, but she was on a mission.

She pulled the front door open and stepped inside, smiling as she took in the sight of trophy cases and plaques with various students' names on them. She smiled at one photo of a dance troupe because Brittany stood with her group of students, her smile just as big as theirs as they celebrated a win.

"Can I help you?" a woman asked from behind Rachel and when the brunette turned, the woman behind her gasped. "You're Rachel Berry."

Rachel smiled and nodded, moving forward to shake her hand. "Hi. I'm looking for Brittany."

The woman's eyes went wide and she nodded. "Of course, Miss Berry. Would you mind if I asked for your autograph?"

Rachel shook her head. "Not at all." She leaned against the counter and signed the playbill for her show.

"Thank you," the woman gushed. "I'll get Brittany right away."

"Thanks," Rachel replied.

Rachel wandered around the small lobby and continued to take in all the things showing just how talented Brit's kids were. A squeal behind her caused her to turn. Before she could even open her mouth, a blonde blur was slamming into her and hugging her for all she was worth.

"Hi, Brit," Rachel laughed as she hugged her back.

"Rachel, what are you doing here?" she asked as she pulled back, holding the brunette by the shoulders to keep her close

"We've been living in the same city for a long time and I haven't seen you once," Rachel told her with a smile.

"You're a big star, you've been busy," Brittany pointed out. "Come back to my office and we can talk."

Rachel followed her back through several studios to her tiny office in the back. It was barely big enough for a desk and two chairs.

"Can I get you some coffee?" Brittany asked. "Or a bottle of water or something?"

"Water would be great," Rachel replied with a smile.

Brittany reached into the tiny refrigerator under her desk and pulled out two bottles of water, sliding one across the desk.

"You're awesome in Chicago, by the way," Brittany told her. "Your dancing has gotten almost as good as your singing."

Rachel smiled. "I've been working on it. Velma has some interesting moves. I wish I'd known you came to the show."

Brittany shrugged. "You're a big star. We're just the nobodies that followed you to New York."

"You're hardly a nobody," Rachel told her. "Your kids have obviously had a lot of success."

"I love it," Brittany replied with a smile. "I thought tearing my ACL was the end of the world in high school but things turned out for the best I think."

"You should be really proud of this," Rachel told her. "I should have come by sooner."

"Rachel, it's fine."

"I think part of me was worried that no one would particularly want to see me," Rachel admitted softly. "I know most people simply tolerated me back then."

"Not me," Brit told her. "I was your friend. I still am."

"That's really good to know," Rachel replied with a grateful smile. "So how long have you been here?"