Rachel gazed at Finn, her Finn, just before they stepped on stage. She didn't realize how much she'd needed him in her life until recently, how much it meant that he was there. Finn was genuine, and while still trying to figure out his place, he deeply cared about her. He wanted everything for her, and knowing that made her feel better than when she sang "I'm the Greatest Star".
The music began, and Rachel listened as Finn's voice projected out to her. She stepped out from behind the door. "Restless hearts sleep alone tonight; sending all my love along the wire…"
Just away from his own group, Jesse stood, watching them perform. He saw the way that Rachel's beautiful eyes lit up as she performed with him, and his heart ached. He'd done the right thing: this was how it was supposed to end ever since she told him she couldn't give herself to him. He'd realized within moments of transferring to McKinley that it had nothing to do with his being a rival, and everything to do with Finn Hudson. He saw them, and despite everything he was, everything they were together, he'd known that Jesse St. James would never hold the same place in her heart as the goofy jock did. She cared for Jesse, but she loved Finn. And so he'd done everything he could to give her everything she wanted: a dutiful boyfriend for as long as he could have her, and every reason to hate him and run back to Finn's arms when he transferred back to Carmel.
She'd never know that everything, good and bad, was for her; to make her happy. She'd never know how much he wanted to tell her everything from the start, how much he had loved her, still loved her. She'd never know that it killed him not to be on stage with her right now, to have choreography and harmonies linking them together. But next year he'd be in California, and he understood that, though she hadn't even thought about it, the distance would be too hard for her, maybe for both of them. And so he maneuvered himself out of the picture, hurting her so his leaving would be nothing but a welcome change.
"I'm forever yours…faithfully."
He sighed. He couldn't have said it any better himself.