Something - Quinn Fabray

Chapter 40

While Ryan and Quinn were having their pizza night, Shelby and James were enjoying their own date across town. "How'd you even find this place?" Shelby asked curiously. It was a small place near the edge of Lima. She'd lived in this town for years and had never known about this place.

"I was talking to my new partner at work, this morning, and I mentioned how I had a really hot date tonight," James said with a sly smile. "Anyways, her cousin owns this place, and she said it was good. And she told me how to get here."

Shelby's mouth curved into a smile. It had been way too long since she'd gotten compliments like that. Her last 'date', if it could be called that, had been a mediocre make-out session with the leader of Vocal Adrenaline's competition last December. VA had beaten them handily and the man had glared daggers at her afterwards. Not that she really cared, she was pretty sure he was gay. "How is work, anyways?"

"Oh, it's pretty good. It's only been a few days, but it's a nice change of pace. We just got three calls this week, a pregnancy and a couple of broken limbs. It's a lot more relaxed than the Army," James admitted. He liked it. "And my partner's nice."

"That's good, I'm happy for you," Shelby smiled. She was glad he was happy so far, she'd been a little worried that he'd have a hard time adjusting to civilian life after all that time in the military. Conversation stopped as their food arrived, and they started eating. "Your partner was right," she commented after a minute. "This place is pretty good."

"I'll be sure to tell her," James agreed. "How about you, how was your week?" He smiled mischievously again. "Did you get involved with Rocky Horror?"

"No," Shelby answered, rolling her eyes at him. "Contrary to your belief, I'm not a total control freak."

"Of course you're not."

"Shut up. Anyways, the production's been cancelled. Long story short, at one point Will Schuester was slated to play Rocky, and one of the kids flashed the school to try to get confident enough to sing in his underwear."

"I sure hope that wasn't our kid," James joked.

"No, thank god," Shelby shuddered at the thought. "Anyways, Will finally got it knocked into his head that Rocky Horror isn't an age-appropriate production for a high school glee club, especially when a man in his mid-thirties is going to be playing one of the raciest roles."

"No it's not, is it?" James took a sip from his glass. "You know, I really want to see Ryan perform, though."

"You'll get your chance soon enough, their Sectionals competition is in December," Shelby informed him. "I think it's just a couple of weeks before his birthday."

Suddenly a pang of guilt shot through James. He didn't know when his kid's birthday was. "When's that again?"

Shelby blinked at him before recovering. "December 18th." She looked down. "I'm sorry, I should have told you."

"It's okay." James sighed. "I'm guessing there are going to be quite a few of these moments. For you too, probably, since you didn't really know him until this year."

"Yeah. We weren't kidding when we said we've got a lot to work out."

"We'll figure it out."

Shelby shot him a small smile, tilting her head. "So, moving on. How's the apartment? Are you settling in okay?"

"Yeah," James nodded. "I'm probably going to be getting some stuff next week though. You saw the place, it's half furnished, but it doesn't have a lot of stuff."

"You're the first tenant, right?"

"I am, so the place is pretty much good as new. Just needs a few touches, for example I don't have any place to put anything, so I was thinking of getting a few shelves."