Without You.

Chapter 1

New York. Rachel Berry was finally here. If only she didn't feel like something was missing. [AU. Finchel.]

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Glee belongs to Fox.

New York.

It was everything she had ever expected to be. The lights, the streets, the people, the fashion. Everything was alive.

Rachel Barbra Berry belonged in New York City.

She stood outside of NYADA, her heart pounding and the roar of chaos on the streets surrounding her. It sounded like music to her ears.

She smiled, gripping her suitcase tightly. She was determined to make the most of these next 4 years. She would be on that Broadway stage. She would be known for her incredible talent and passion for performing.

She had been dreaming of this day for the past eighteen years. She was so happy. One thing was missing...

Finn.

The thought of him shattered her heart into millions of more tiny pieces. He was supposed be with her right now, standing next to her, holding her hand. She didn't belong here without him.

She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. Rachel Berry did not cry in public. No. She was a star. She was meant for this. She pulled her shoulders back, straightened her coat and marched right into NYADA.

Four years. Four years since she had stepped foot in NYADA, broken and nervous.

What the hell had she been nervous about?

She was born to do this.

Rachel smiled to herself, scanning the crowd for her dads and friends. She heard a girlish squeal from behind her and she laughed, turning to find Kurt Hummel rushing towards her.

"You were incredible." He gushed, hugging her tightly, picking her off the ground. Rachel laughed, hugging him back just as tightly. They pulled away and Kurt smoothed over his silk suit, smiling down at his best friend.

"Thank you." She whispered, her eyes glossy with tears of joy.

"Move over, Lady Hummel, my turn to give Berry some lovin's." A husky voice said from behind Kurt and Rachel grinned at Santana Lopez. Santana smiled back, hugging Rachel just as tightly. "I have to admit, they couldn't have picked a better person to perform for graduation. I give you praise." Santana clapped her hands and Rachel's dads joined in, coming up and joining the three friends.

"I did the song justice, right?" Rachel asked worriedly, looking around at the four of them. She had been stunned when the Dean had approached her, asking her to perform the closing song for graduation. She had of course accepted, Rachel Berry never refused an opportunity in which she should show case her talent, but she had been surprised none the less.

"Rachel, if Barbra would've been here, you would've even given her the chills." Kurt reassured her, linking their pinkies together and Rachel blushed.

She had made the most the most of 4 years at NYADA. She struggled and learned and grew as a performer. She pushed herself to do her best and it had already paid off.

In five months, she would begin rehearsal for role as Marueen in Broadway's Rent. Her dream was finally becoming a reality.

She was brought back by Kurt and Santana's chattering while her Dad's led her out of the auditorium to take her and her best friend's to lunch in the city. She looked around at them, taking it all in and she smiled.

Three years ago, Kurt had decided to follow her to New York, deciding to follow his dreams with fashion. He had already worked with a few big names and he was finally getting his foot in the door. Santana came with Kurt, deciding that New York was where she belonged as well. Her attitude and talents had earned her numerous of commercial jobs and she was beginning to break into modeling. The three of them shared a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city and they couldn't have been happier with how their lives were turning out.

But Rachel's heart ached every now and then and she felt lonely. Kurt and Blaine managed to stay together and Blaine had come to New York to join Kurt. He was now a junior at NYU and finding his way. Santana and Brittany had broken up when Santana came to New York, but the summer after Brittany graduated from McKinley, she also followed Santana. She was making a name for herself in the dancing business, and her and Santana continued their relationship.

Sure, Rachel had dated a few guys on and off at NYADA. But none of them had worked out. None of them seemed to understand her the way Finn had. She compared them all to Finn, knowing that deep down, her heart still belonged to him. She was twenty two years old and still in love with the boy from high school.

"Rachel?" Her dad, LeRoy, asked softly, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Is this alright for lunch? Kurt and Santana told us this was your most favorite place."

Rachel looked up at their expectant gazes, and then glanced at the pizzeria sign. She grinned, nodding. "Of course, Papa. They have the most lovely vegan lasagna."

"Well then what are we waiting for? I wants to get my eats on." Santana said, dragging Rachel by the hand into the restaurant. Smiling, she let her best friends drag her inside, her fathers following them.

"What's wrong, Rachel?" Kurt asked later that night. The three friends were cuddled up on their couch, watching The Wizard of Oz. They had spent the afternoon celebrating Rachel's graduation and landing the role in Rent. Rachel's dads had taken a late flight back to Ohio for work.

Rachel had a slight buzz as they sipped on red wine in their pajamas. Her feet were in Kurt's lap and her head on Santana's shoulder.

"Yeah, Berry, what's up your ass? Lady Hummel and I have noticed it all day." Santana added, sipping her own wine.

Rachel glanced up at them, biting her lip. Could she really bring this up? She had vowed them a year ago that she wouldn't speak of Finn again.

Instead, she said, "I think I want to go back to Lima."

Santana dropped her glass of wine, swearing loudly and Kurt's mouth dropped open, his eyes wide.

"W-w-what?" Kurt stuttered, his voice higher than usual, and Santana ignored the spilled wine, grabbing Rachel by the shoulders, pushing her hand against her forehead.

"Are you sick? Do you have a fever?" She questioned and Rachel pushed her hand away, standing up to her full height, which sadly, was still just as tiny as in high school.

"I want to go back home." She stated firmly, hands on her hips. "I miss Lima. Having my dad's here made me realize how much I've missed them the past four years. I love New York, this is obviously my home and clearly where I belong, I know that. But I have five months until rehearsals start for Rent and I want to go back to where I grew up. Who knows the next time I'll be able to get away? Once my career takes off after Rent, I expect to be a busy women and this is my one chance to really spend time with my dads and everyone back home."

"Rachel, why I admire you for knowing that you are going to be a huge star after Rent, I'm really confused as to why this is all being brought up." Kurt said, sitting up and fluffing his hair.

Rachel shrugged. "I just miss home. I want to see Mr. Schue and their baby, to see everyone else and go back to McKinley. I'm not saying I want to spend five months there, God knows I would probably strangle someone; I just want to take a month to visit." She finished, crossing her arms. "I would love for the two of you to join; if not, I understand completely. But I plan on buying a plane ticket tomorrow."

Kurt and Santana glanced at each other before looking back up at Rachel. They knew better than to try and convince her not to go back. Once Rachel had her mind set on something, she was going to do it no matter what.

Santana let out a breath, smacking her lips together and Kurt sighed.

"Well," Santana blew a strand of hair out of her face and Rachel grinned, knowing the answer that was coming, "I guess we're going back to Ohio."

let me know what you think! i know the new season starts tomorrow, but i just recently started working on this and decided to post it after reading several finchel stories. reviews are appreciated!