Hello everyone! I'm back! This was originally a one-shot but it took life of it's own... so now it will be told in three parts. I really hope you enjoy it

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not glee or Finn or Rachel or anything.

This couldn't be happening. Is it April Fool's day or something. It can't happen and it isn't happening because her dads and Kurt's dad are clearly insane and will snap out of it soon enough. But what if they didn't? If they really had to cancel their plans of going to an arts camp and join workshops during the summer because their parents suddenly decided to care about society she'd be screwed. She's not getting younger and she needs all the experience in the world before college. She has to be the best.

She just has to.

She looks at Kurt who looks almost as shocked as she is. She wants to tell him they shouldn't take this seriously because no way in hell it's going to happen but she's not so sure. She wants to do something to make it all better and she can't. It's incredibly frustrating, really.

"Rachel, what are we going to do?" he says absently, in a whisper.

"I don't know." Her fierceness has left and the only thing remaining within her is just resignation.

"At least we'll be together in this, right?"

"Always."

As a kid, when she was scared she would close her eyes, scrunch them pretty tight. If she couldn't see what she was scared of, there was nothing to be scared of. It was all she did for the last weeks of her junior year. She pretended her parents and Burt never said anything. That her best friend and her were going to be all right. But closing your eyes doesn't work against reality and as much as she wishes for the opposite it's really happening.

Her parents really signed her up for volunteering every day at the Soup Kitchen. They granted them the rest of the time but refused to allow the children to anything involving theatre, singing or dancing. If they wanted to learn how to play soccer or join a gym, then they'd pay whatever the expense. They said they needed to expand their perceptions or something like that. She wasn't paying attention, not one bit.

But it's true and it's her first day. It's not like she's disgusted or thinks that working there is beneath her. She just doesn't see why it has to be this type of charity rather than organizing auctions, or building houses… or something more interesting. Besides, she was scared that maybe some of the people there would be somewhat unstable or have a meltdown or be sick or something and she really wouldn't know what to do then.

She even begged her parents to chose any other charity work, but they said no and that was that.

And this is it and she's on her way.

It's not as bad as she feared. The only thing she's noticed is that it's very boring. Some of the people are nice; ask her name and stuff while others just grumble at her. Still, the repetition of serving a dish is somewhat disconcerting. It makes her feel numb and detached. She actually wishes she had a way to interact with the people around her.

She sees a plate in front of her and scoops the required portion amount. Just when she's about to tip the spoon, the person behind the plate speaks up.

"Wait."

She looks up and sees a chest. Her eyes roam upwards again until she sees amber, and fire and warmth. It's a boy around her age, really tall with cute dimples and a sweet face. He looks really clean but his clothes have seen better days. The logo on his shirt is faded, the hoodie has quite a couple of very visible holes, his jeans are ripped in a couple of places and the soles of his shoes are slowly breaking apart.

"Is there something wrong?" she asks.

He stares right into her eyes for a couple of seconds.

"Um, It's just that… like, could you please only give me half the portion? Give my half to Amy."

"Amy?"

He flashes her a cute grin and points down to his left. Her vision lands on a cute little blonde girl who clearly isn't getting enough food, judging from how sadly bony she looks.

"Finn, you don't have to…" says the little girl. Rachel just watches.

"You know how I'm really big?" he asks the girl and she nods.

"Well, food makes you grow." He kneels and looks at the little girl in the eye. "If I keep growing I'm going to start hitting my head against the ceiling and that would hurt. You are still tiny, so you need to grow and I need to avoid breaking my head."

Rachel looks on with a warm heart. She looks around and sees the other people busy, she beckons the boy towards her.

"That was really sweet. Just for today, I'm going to give you a full portion and give Amy one and a half."

His eyes light up in shock and wonder.

"Just don't rat me out."

The next day is as equally boring. Kurt is not even around to complain to because he met another volunteer, Blake or Blaine or something like that, and they've been talking non-stop all the while they've been here. At first she tried to join the conversation but it was like both men could read each other's minds and it made her feel like a third wheel. So, she resigned to scoop food and then scoop more food. At least some of the people we really nice, some old lady even saying she wished she had a granddaughter like her. It was sweet.

This time the boy with the amber eyes doesn't take her by surprise because she sees him in line. How could she not? He's a head taller than everyone around.

When he gets to her he hands her a flower. It was obviously picked from somewhere but it's white and simple and she loves it. She just doesn't get why he's doing that and her face clearly shows it.

"It's a thank you, for yesterday." He clarifies.

"Oh it's fine, your little sister is just too adorable."

"She's not my sister." Then what? Please don't say his daughter because he looks too young to be a father.

He smiles "she's just a kid that comes here sometimes, when her parents really don't have any food left. I just figured she needed it more"

He shrugs his shoulders and with a blush, extends his plate.

"I'm Finn by the way. Finn Hudson."

As she scoops his food into his plate she meets his eyes.

"I'm Rachel. Rachel Berry."

It's been two weeks and aside from the Soup Kitchen, Kurt and her had not wanted to do try anything else than sulking around. They really miss the stage and it shows, though Kurt's demeanor is happier because he has a new friend. She can't help feel a little left out but she's happy for Kurt because he's her best friend and he deserves everything that's good in this world.

Finn and her have talked a couple of times, always very polite "How are you doing" type of conversations. Sometimes he comes up to her and tells her a joke. Usually they're really bad or have the worst puns ever but she appreciates it nonetheless. She likes to laugh.

It's a day like any other. Kurt and Blaine are refilling some food, currently moving something to the deposit room. Mrs. Greenberg told her another funny story about her cat. She really hopes Finn has a good joke today because she's a bit tired and lonely.

"Hey."

She looks up to see a man. He must be in his thirties and she doubted he had a shower some time in the last week. His face was greasy, some patches of his dark hair missing.

"Good evening, sir." She replies politely, before scooping some food.

"What's on the menu?" he asks.

"Mashed potatoes and beef."

"Can I have you for dessert baby?" he grins lecherously.

Before she can even realize what's going in the guy has one hand on his groin and the other one leaning towards her.

"Hey man, what's going on?" her neck snaps at the voice and she sees Finn approaching them. No one else has noticed anything yet, clearly.

"Just having a chat with this lovely lady, none of your business."

"She doesn't look like she wants a chat."

The guy just gets closer to her. "Look at the bitch, she wants it. Don't you? You want me to bend you over and give you what you need?"

She's never been talked to so rudely. She's trying to conjure something to tell the pervert when the sound of Finn's fist, hitting the guy right on the nose, snaps her out of her trance.

She yelps and runs behind Finn because the guy's body was on the counter. He stands up again, staggering and taking out a knife when one of the guards stops him and takes him away.

Finn just turns around and embraces her, comforting her.

"Rachel, you have to tell your dads."

"I can't. They'll pull me out of it and tell Burt too, so the same would happen to you."

"Since when do you care so much about serving food to the less fortunate?"

"It's just… I don't know I think I enjoy it. Sure it's kind of boring but some people are really nice and it's interesting."

Kurt's lifted eyebrow indicates he doesn't believe her, not one bit.

"If you get pulled out of it too, you wouldn't see Blaine every day…"

His eyes widen. Bingo, struck a chord.

"Look, I'm fine and I'll be fine. You know as well as I do how safe that place is. That guy was just a freak occurrence, no need to alert the parentals. Ok?"

"Fine." He grumbles. "You better be right."

Even if she isn't right, she can't just leave. She can't leave Finn. She didn't tell Kurt about the knife and since he wasn't there, he didn't see it. The guy could've easily put a knife against her at some point and take her to do unspeakable things to her. She knew it was dramatic but the guy was obviously unstable and she doesn't think it's farfetched to believe it could've been much worse. Finn had saved her from that fate and she had to repay him.

"What's the favorite bands of Jehova's Witnesses?"

"I have no clue."

"Come on Rach, think of something."

"An angel choir?"

"Nah." He grins, "The Doors."

It's really bad but she can't help laughing, her eyes scrunching up in glee.

"Wow Finn, I'm not sure if your jokes just keep getting better or worse."

"I made you laugh, didn't I? It's a win for me." His smile is radiant and for a second he doesn't look sad or shabby, he looks like just a carefree boy enjoying life.

"Finn, I was thinking. Since my only friend is Kurt and he's been… busylately…" she shifts her eyes towards Blaine and Kurt, dreamily staring at each other, "and you know, you're ok for a boy and you don't seem to have cooties, do you maybe want to hang out this weekend?"

His mouth shuts close, smirk gone and he's looking at her like he can't quite comprehend what she's saying.

"Are you like, making fun of me or something?"

"N-no." she looks down sadly "I just thought we were kinda friends… I guess not? Sorry I asked."

"No no, Rach… I just never thought you could consider yourself as my friend. It's really cool actually."

"Really?" she looks up at him full of hope. Sure he might be really poor or whatever but he saved her and he was nice and she was so lonely, plus she needed to repay him. How would she accomplish that if they barely talked?

"Yeah, so the offer stands?"

"Of course!" she replies excitedly, clapping her hands.

"Cool, is Sunday ok? It's the only day I don't work."

It's not like she has better things to do any other day, so whatever day he asks for is just fine with her. She nods.

"Meet me at eleven in Bow Bridge?"

She arrived twenty minutes ago but she was early and she didn't want to get out of the car just yet. She didn't know why she was nervous; she was just hanging out with a friend… right? Totally. She stands and she hopes she looks good. She's never been a skinny jeans kind of girl but the do look great with her polka-dotted flowy top and pink ballerinas.

He's standing there, looking down to the water. He's wearing khaki pants, and a shirt and he looks great.

"Hey" he smiles when she gets there. He looks a bit scared though.

"Finn, so good to see you." She gives him a little hug to show him it's ok.

"Got anything planned or are just gonna stand here? I'm cool with that too, by the way."

"Just walk around? It's a lovely day and fresh air is never bad for one. Especially in this city."

"Sure."

He shrugs and they start walking. They discuss everything they see and the randomest topics. She avoid asking too many questions because she doesn't want to pry, she wants him to open up.

"You know, I do go to school." He randomly says in the midst of a discussion about Frisbee.

"Sorry?" she asks, completely caught off guard.

"In case you were wondering, I do go to school. Gonna start my senior year next year."

"Me too. I mean, I'm going to be a senior too."

He smiles at her. "I just wanted you to know… considering where you met me and all you might not think much of me."

"Well, I know you're funny, kind, heroic and you make the worst puns I've ever heard. Nothing else"

Her evening with Finn was delightful and this time, he actually asked her whether they could do a repeat next week. Of course she agreed.

Which means she is now in a Starbucks, nursing a Chai Latte waiting for him anxiously. Her eyes are fixated on the door until the moment she spots him. Not wanting to seem desperate, she shifts her gaze down her latte.

"Hey Rach." She really likes that nickname.

"Hey Finn, so why are we meeting here?"

"I've got a surprise for you."

Her eyes widen and she just lets him take her hand. As he tugs her along the street she decides Finn Hudson's hands are not too bad, actually, they're kind of perfect. They stop in front of some store named "Schuester's" and she's surprised when Finn opens the lock with a key.

"This is my job by the way, well one of them anyway." He leads her in "Mr. Schue owns this place, he's my teacher, and lets me work here after school."

"That's a really cool job" she comments.

"Yeah and it's mostly like, vintage music which is totally on demand right now so it's pretty sweet."

They walk inside the shop and it's incredibly cozy. Everything is covered in the same old school wooden panels and there's old posters everywhere.

"It's a beautiful place, but I don't get what we're doing here Finn."

He smiles at her and takes her hand again. They go to the back of the store and open a door. It's a little room with drums, a guitar and a base on racks, a keyboard and some microphones.

"Mr. Schue runs a program to help kids learn music here. All teachers are volunteers, but it's cool. I teach the drums on Saturday mornings."

"I didn't know you played."

"I have since I was five. Anyway, you told me how your parents wanted you and Kurt to have a non-musical summer, right?"

"Don't remind me. They even took my Barbara DVDs." She groans.

"What they don't know won't hurt them. I figured you'd like to use this room… maybe to sing or like… practice on the keyboards. You told me you played piano, right?"

She turns to look at him. It's the sweetest thing anyone has done for her in her life. Sure it wasn't a professional theatre workshop, but there was a microphone… and she could just be who she really is for a little while.

Appreciation overwhelmed her. He kept doing wonderful things for her and she could never seem to be able to do the same.

She knows the rules but she needs this one exception and she prays to everything and anything her parents consent.

"Dad, Daddy? Can we… talk for a second?"

"Honey this is the dinner table, of course we can." Says her Dad puzzled.

"Hear me out ok? I need you to think about what I'm going to say."

Both men look at each other, like confirming something and then look back at her.

"We promise to withhold our judgment until you explain what you want to say Berry-pie."

She feels some tension ease out of her body at the cute nickname. She remembers these men have never given her anything but support and their unconditional love, even if they were being unreasonable this summer they were still her dads.

"I got an email from my vocal lessons teacher… as you know she's very into promoting the arts and all…"

"We are aware." Hiram comments.

"She… she's organizing this fundraiser gala for the arts in education and… well, she wants to show how much an arts education can do so she wants me to sing as the main event. I know you said no music this summer but it's not like a workshop or classes… just one evening. It's not only an honor and it's for a good cause."

She left out the part where influential producers and Broadway directors would be going. She did want an education and her eyes were set on NYADA once she graduated but that didn't mean she had to wait around to break into the business.

The two men look at each other intensely. She wishes she could find that one day, someone she could have whole conversations with just by looking at them. Finally, her dad speaks up.

"If we do make this one-time-only exception for you baby girl, you better get us tickets."

She's sure her squeal can be heard all the way in China.

She sees him stand up and asks the head volunteer for a break.

"Finn! wait."

"Hey Rach" he turns around "what's up? We still on for Sunday right?"

"Yeah… uhm… it's about… well…"

"Just say it."

"I've been asked to sing at this fundraiser thing Saturday night…"

"That's amazing Rach, congratulations."

"My… my teacher asked me to, it's for a good cause. Anyway, um… she kind of gave me five tickets. I gave two to my dads, two to Kurt so he can go with Blaine… and I have a spare. So, you know, I would really like to offer it you."

"You… you want me there?" he asked dumbfounded.

"Of course! We're friends, right?"

"I'd love to go Rach, but um… at what time is it? I work on Saturdays."

"10 pm."

"Oh that's cool, I'm done before that. Is it like… formal?"

She didn't consider Finn might not have the means to attend a gala or even a suit.

"Uh yeah, would that be a problem?"

"Nah… just asking."

"Ok… I have to go back but I'll see you tomorrow and give you the ticket ok? The address is on it and everything."

She's certain Finn won't come. She hopes he will though, he's a really good friend and she's kind of nervous. Kurt dismissed her nerves by saying she was being dramatic so she needed some friendly advice that wasn't that. She turns around and spots him across the room, right before her jaw drops on the floor.

He's clean-shaven, with his hair still messy but styled with gel. He's wearing a simple black suit with a thin tie. It's amazing how the suit fits him, it's like it was designed for him. His shoes are black and shiny and he looks like he walked right out of the red carpet. She feels inadequate even though her dress is couture, crimson red and hugging her curves… she felt like a peasant next to him. Her feet start carrying her towards him.

"Finn!"

He looks down and just stands there, gaping at her.

"I'm so glad you came" she reaches to give him a hug.

"Whoa Rach. Like, seriously… isn't it illegal to be so beautiful?"

She laughs at his corny joke.

"You don't look bad yourself, Mr. Hudson. You clean up nicely."

"It's just my dad's old suit." He blushes a bit and it's adorable.

"Come on, I want to introduce you."

He halts at that and eyes her dubiously.

"Don't worry, they don't bite." She smiles at him and he doesn't look reassured but walks along with her.

She can't see Kurt and Blaine anywhere but she does spot her daddies by the bar so she makes her way to them.

"Dad, Daddy I want you to meet my friend, Finn Hudson."

Her daddy jumps at the name and looks intently into Finn's eyes. She can feel him retreat, intimidated. Before she can figure out what's going on, her daddy walks towards Finn and gives him a hug.

"Thank you very much son, we heard what you did for our daughter."

She knows she didn't tell them and she knows Kurt didn't tell them either so how the hell do they know what happened? It's not time to question them, not in public and not in front of Finn. He would probably not like a family argument in front of him.

Her dad approaches too, looking positively happy.

"Hiram, it's him?"

"Yes Leroy."

He extends his hand towards Finn, who looks very glad not to be getting another hug.

"It's a pleasure to meet you young man. We owe you a lot."

"Wow. Mr. and Mr. Berry I-"

"Call us Hiram and Leroy."

"Yes. Well, you really don't need to thank me. No woman deserves to be talked to like that and especially not one like Rachel, she's super special."

"That she is." Her father looks fondly at her and she just feels awkward "please, come Wednesday night to our home. We're having an annual tradition amongst very close friends of the family. It would be an honor if you and your parents could join us too. Rachel will be there of course, she already told the volunteers about this when she started so she's taking the night off."

"I… I can't accept. I mean, thanks but you really don't owe me anything."

"Son, are you a friend of my daughter?" Leroy asks in his most stern voice.

He looks at her and she nods, dissipating any doubts he might have.

"Yeah"

"And do you care about her well-being?"

"Well yeah she's my friend, of course I do."

Finn just said he cares about her and her heart feels like a hot pile of goo. She cares about him too, of course. He's been a really cool person to talk to lately and he's not super judgmental like most of the people at her school.

"Since you're admittedly friends with Rachel then you must know you are immediately friend of the family. We all care for her too. So really, I'm not asking because I feel a debt to you, I'm asking because as I said, the dinner will be for friends of the family and you are one. Now, just say yes and notify your parents."

"I…. It's only my mom. She does have Wednesday nights off, so…"

"Perfect. Now you two go along and have fun." Finalized her daddy, going away with her dad while Finn looks at them shocked and she's trying really hard not to giggle at his bewilderment.

She returns to the table trying to not look up. She tells herself to look at the floor, that her shoes are so beautiful they deserved to be look at, even looking at the tables would work. Basically, looking towards anywhere but him will work.

For some reason, when she started singing 'My Man' her gaze fluttered towards Finn and they kept eye contact throughout the whole song. It was intense and powerful and really confusing.

"Rach, that was a-amazing." He's standing right in front of her, looking down at her so sincerely.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it touched something… right here." He points his hand to his chest- but to the wrong side.

"Your heart is on the other side, you know?" she giggles and he laughs.

"Yeah well, you sing so amazingly I forgot where my heart was for a moment." He jokes and she thinks it's adorable. He doesn't mention the eye contact and neither will she, so maybe it was just a moment thing.

She sits back down and chats with Finn quietly. Her dads, Kurt and Blaine are at the table amongst some other people, most of them acquaintances.

"If it isn't mighty Berrys? What a surprise!" a man exclaims, approaching their table accompanied by a younger man.

"Puckerman! So good to see you. And Noah is here too? Fantastic."

"And it seems we're on the same table too"

The men sit down.

"They're the Puckermans; father and son and they're close to our family." She whispers in Finn's ear to explain the occurrence.

He nods.

"Little Jewish American princess where the hell have you been?" asks Noah, sitting on the vacant seat next to her.

"Noah! So good to see you. How's the lovely Quinn?" she asks, making it clear her question is loaded with sarcasm. She hates Quinn Fabray but Noah just seems to really love the evil girl.

"She's good I guess." He shrugs.

"Allow me introduce you to my friend, Finn Hudson."

Noah extends his hand to shake Finn's, she's about to introduce Noah properly when a voice joins their conversation.

"Excuse me son, did you say your name was Finn Hudson?" It's Noah's dad and she doesn't get it.

"Yes sir, why?"

"This may sound weird, but is your name Finnegan?"

Finn blushes beet red. "Y-yeah?"

"Finnegan Christopher Hudson?"

She can tell he's completely freaked out and just keeps nodding in confirmation. She wishes she knew what it's about.

"Son to Carole and Christopher?"

Finn keeps nodding furiously and how in the hell does Noah's dad know Finn?

"You know son, some people know me as Sargent Puckerman. I was in the army with your dad, he was my best friend actually. I looked for you guys but you were gone without a trace."

"Y-yeah my Mom moved states after dad died… but … wow this is really weird."

The older man smiles. "Actually, you and I have a lot to discuss. Here's not the time or place though… tomorrow perhaps?"

Finn looks at her like asking what to do. She smiles at him "It's fine, you can cancel our hang out."

"Yeah, um… where?"

"Meet me at the Ritz for lunch. It's on me."

"Rachel Berry" she hears coming from the hallway, the voice immediately following the ping of the elevator of her penthouse.

"Kurt! What are you doing here?"

"Oh, dad had to go to New Jersey to pick up some rare motor or something for a client, so I got bored and decided to see my best friend."

"Then why does that all sound like lies?"

Kurt rolls his eyes "I was trying to be polite, you know?"

"I know you too well Kurt Elizabeth Hummel and I know that look. It's the look you get when you think I'm being crazy."

"I don't think you're crazy Rachel… and I didn't say anything then but was that guy from the gala… the guy from the soup kitchen?"

"So what if he is?" she snaps at him, glaring at him, daring him to say anything against Finn.

"There's two things bothering me about this. One, and this is because I love you, he's not dangerous is he?"

Before he can list the second thing she stands up, walks up to him and looks him straight in the eye.

"Finn is a good guy and the most dangerous thing about him is that he's so clumsy he might hurt someone by accident. Need I remind you how he protected me?"

"Hey, diva, relax." He says grabbing her shoulders, "I just don't know his background or why he needs a free meal every night, you would ask the same."

She knows she would if the roles were reversed and she relaxes. He's only looking out for her; it's what they do.

"He hasn't specified, but it seems like it's just unfortunate circumstances for his family. He usually references his mom working a lot of shifts, or the fact he has two jobs. Plus, he still goes to school."

"So he's just a guy with bad luck, I can deal with that."

"What's the second thing?" she asks warily.

"When did you two become such good friends? I swear I never noticed."

"That's because you think Blaine's eyes are the center of the universe."

Finn's going to arrive any minute now and he better, otherwise she's going to punch something. Sure, she's seen him for the past couple of days but they can't properly talk when she serves food and her breaks are never too long so she hasn't had the chance to discuss what in the world Puckerman senior wanted with Finn. She's hoping some time before dinner they can chat.

Also, she's about to meet Finn's mom and she's nervous about that too. Not like she has any real reason to, it's just that she wants to make a good impression on her friend's mom. She can tell she's really important to Finn so she wants to get along, now that their friendship is a thing.

They're the first guests to arrive, and she watches as her father opens the door.

"Finn! So glad you could make it."

He's wearing the same suit he did for the gala but that doesn't impact on the fact he looks drop dead gorgeous in it.

"Mr. Berry… are we too early?"

"No, everyone is just late. We do admire punctuality." Her father replies jovially.

"Cool. Mr. Berry… I mean, Leroy… this is my mother; Carole."

"Pleased to meet you Carole, it's so good you could come too."

She approaches them timidly.

"Hi" she says softly.

"Oh you must be Rachel?"

"Y-yes."

"Finn's told me all about you, but never told me you're so beautiful. Please, call me Carole."

"It's delightful to meet you too Carole."

The adults head towards the living room and Rachel asks for permission to go with Finn to her room.

"Rach, your place… it's really nice. I don't think I've ever seen anything so fancy."

She didn't know how to reply to that, she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

"Your mom is lovely"

"Yeah, she's awesome." He says smiling, hiding his hands in his pockets.

"Sit please… and if you don't mind me asking, what happened on Sunday?"

He sits next to her, smiling.

"He told me a lot of stuff, about my dad. Like some awesome things he did in the army… apparently he saved Sargent Puckerman once too. He also told me that my dad and him invested on some company a long time ago and that he had saved dad's part for me, apparently he's been looking for us for a while."

"Wow…. And your mom knew about it?"

"Nah, Sgt. Puckerman said it was some money dad got as inheritance but never told mom about. Something about wanting to surprise her once it was invested. Sgt. Puckerman says that the investment paid off and wants to give me the share."

"Are you going to accept it?"

"I didn't want to, 'cause like mom and I have survived without my dad and all but… I talked about it with her and she said I should for my college education and like… maybe I can only work one job and my mom doesn't have to do back-to-back shifts. I mean, I still feel kind of weird accepting it but, it would be selfish not to. Gotta think of my mom too, you know?"

"Finn! That's incredible!" she hugs him tightly.

"Yeah… there's only one problem though." He says and suddenly she's worried because it might just be that some technicality doesn't allow him to have the money and it would be just so cruel to dangle all that hope in front of him and then snatch it away.

"What's wrong Finn?"

"You do realize this means I don't need free meals anymore and won't get to see you right?"

"Well, since you won't be so busy we can compensate by hanging out?"

"That's awesome."

The dinner was amazing. It was very emotional when Carole and Mr. Puckerman reunited. Apparently she had vanished without a trace because Finn's grandparents wanted to take him away from her, not because she was an unfit mother but because they had just lost their son and somehow decided Finn would be the perfect consolation. Regardless, it was clear Carole was beyond ecstatic to see her old friend. Mr. Puckerman even gave her a number so she could apply for the position of head nurse at the Veteran's hospital. He would personally recommend her and since he had made various donations to it, he was sure she'd get in.

Also, much to her amusement and Finn's shame, Carole and Burt seemed to click it off. Kurt and her grinned knowingly and Finn was obviously making an effort to keep his protective instinct under wraps. Most adorable thing she's ever seen.

Now she's here at the music shop and they're in the little backroom again. She's playing on the keyboard while he drums along, both of them just making stuff up as they go. She starts to play the opening notes to Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing'. She's immediately startled when Finn starts singing, but her professionalism allows her to just keep playing. Eventually, she joins him too and they come together in song like they've never bonded before. As if something between them just connected.

"That was amazing Finn."

"Yeah, you're awesome."

"No, I mean you! You're very talented. I would know, I'm very talented too. Where did you learn how to sing?"

"Glee club."

"Finn Hudson, you're in glee club and you didn't tell me?"

"'cause we're crap Rach. We barely made it past sectionals last year and you go to the top New York Preforming Arts school."

"Well I for one do not care for how much your club sucks because you don't. Do you… like singing?"

"Yeah." He stands from the drums and goes towards her, standing in front of the keyboard. "It makes me feel… alive. I wish I could do it all the time."

"With that voice, you should."

A bulb lights in her head. "You know, I can always tutor you to help improve it… who knows? Might win you a Regionals next time."

With everything that's been going on she forgot to confront her dads about one tiny tidbit of information. Mustering her inner strength, she opens the doors to the study where she knows her parents are at the moment.

"Star, is there something wrong?" her daddy says.

"I just remembered how fond you were of meeting Finn because of what he did for me. The funny thing is that I was certainly not the one to tell you and neither was Kurt. So I want you to be honest with me and tell me how you came across that information?" she says, keeping calm and logical.

Her dads look at each other alarmed. Clearly, they thought she forgot all about that, mistakenly believing to be off the hook. They both smile sheepishly and she knows she won't like whatever they have to say.

"Look princess, you know we love you very much, right?" he daddy starts.

"What did you do?"

"Honey, nothing. It's just that we may have put a guard of our hiring at the soup kitchen to make sure nothing happened to you."

"You hired me a bodyguard without my consent? And it doesn't make sense, I know you guys, you would've pulled me out as soon as you heard what happened."

"Now Rachel, it's not a bodyguard…. Just extra security. And we only pay two thirds of the service anyway; he's also there for Kurt. Look, we trust you immensely that's why he's only there… because there's an uncertainty about your safety that bothers us. You're our baby girl, we're just looking out for you."

Hear heart warms at her daddy's speech. It makes sense, to an extent. She had to be honest and realize that she had the same fears when she started and it's not as if they were completely unfounded.

"We did consider stopping the whole thing" her dad adds "but we heard how that young man jumped for you and we were assured it was a freak occurrence."

"That makes sense, I think" she ponders "but never, and I mean ever keep things like that away from me! We're honest with each other, remember? Oh and, it would've been nice to warn Finn you were basically going to build him a shrine. He was so freaked out."

"I like Finn, he's such a good boy." Her daddy smiles "we're glad you're making new friends."

"Really?" she asks shocked "I mean, it's not like I thought you would look down on him because I know you're not like that, I just didn't imagine you would care about our friendship."

Her daddy stands to place his hands on her shoulders.

"Rachel, we care about you and by extension, the people you care about. Finn's an outstanding young fellow whose story is just sad."

How do her parents know his story? "Did Carole tell you about it?"

"No, Puckerman did."

"Ah, of course. So, I guess there's nothing I need to know?"

"Honey, there isn't anything to know. Carole had an accident, had to be on bed rest for three months and they couldn't pay the bills. They lost everything to the bank, and are just getting back on their feet. Apparently they had even been homeless for a while before Finn's multiple jobs allowed them to finally rent an apartment. It's admirable, really. From your tone I guess Finn didn't tell you, but he's probably embarrassed."

"He shouldn't be, I don't care."

Her dad smiles sadly at her.

"That doesn't mean he doesn't."

Part Two will be posted soon, if nor tomorrow then the next day.

Don't forget to believe in the tether!