This is the first in a series of one-shots. Some will be based around songs (as this one is) some will just be whatever thoughts i had floating around in my mind. I probably won't update this like a regular WIP, it will be for my St. Berry one shots that won't leave me alone, or that I think don't warrant their own separate story.
There will also be no flow to the chapters. They also may go up in rating, depending on what strikes me.

California Girls

Jesse settles onto Rachel's bed as she rushes around her room throwing sunscreen, towels, her sunglasses, her iPod, a couple magazines and a novel into her beach bag. Jesse laughs at his friend, all he's bringing to the lake is his towel and his iPod and he's got both waiting in his car.

"Don't laugh at me Jesse." Rachel says as she zips up her bag, "besides I'm ready to go now."

"I think you're forgetting something Rach."

"No I'm not. I made sure to put everything in here."

"Well then I guess we are just going to have to find a nice secluded spot on the beach since you plan on skinny dipping." Jesse says, laughing at the expression on Rachel's face, knowing that she forgot to pick out a bathing suit.

Rachel drops the bag and immediately head to her chest of drawers pulling out a pile of suits and going through them looking for colour and skin coverage.

Jesse drops down onto the bed and closes his eyes. He thinks about how great it is to be home in Ohio for at least a part of the summer. He's going back out to California at the beginning of August to start rehearsing for the fall musical, in which he is the male lead.

He would have stayed in California all summer, but he needed to get away from his clingy as all hell co-star Cara. And he missed Shelby, Beth, his former team mates on Vocal Adrenalin, his group of friends from New Directions and of course Rachel.

Rachel who he befriended to help Shelby become reunited with her. However Jesse found himself falling in love with the petite powerhouse singer, but he never acted on those feelings because he knew he would be going away to college and he didn't want to burden Rachel with the stress of a long distance relationship. Although being away for a year, but being in almost daily contact hasn't helped with lowering his feelings for her.

Jesse muses over ways to tell Rachel that he has more than just friendly feelings for her, that he doesn't notice Rachel glancing over to him and fretting over her choice of swim suit.

Rachel pulls out all the styles she owns and frowns at the selection of pink, yellow, blue and star print bikinis. She knows that they all look great on her, but she wants to look better than great for Jesse, she wants him to be speechless, wants his eyes solely on her.

Since their first meeting Rachel couldn't deny her attraction to Jesse, but she had been to in awe by his appearance, his status as the lead of the best show choir in the nation and of course the fact that a senior had taken some kind of interest in her to really do anything brave – like ask him out.

So she followed Jesse's lead and the two formed a friendship. When there was a moment of sexual tension – it usually happened when the two would sing together or be sitting cuddled on the couch watching movies – it was quickly brushed off and the status quo was returned and neither would speak of the moments of almost intimacy.

Rachel spies the bag on her desk from Bikini Village, she knows that the swim suit in that bag is sure to capture Jesse attention. She drops all of the old suits back in her drawer and takes the bag into her en suite to change.

"Ok now I'm ready to go." Rachel says to Jesse as she emerges from the washroom, wearing a pair of faded denim mini shorts and a white tank top, the black halter strap from her suit visible around her neck.

"Finally." Jesse says, pulling himself off the bed and following Rachel out of the room.

They make it to the lake in about 40 minutes. They are meeting the glee club members at the beach for a day of summer fun. The minute Jesse parks the Range Rover Rachel is out of the door and skipping off to join the group who is staking out a chunk of sand to set up.

Puck asks Jesse if he wants to play a little beach soccer, Jesse says no. Instead Puck recruits Finn, Matt, Mike, Santana and Brittany to play. Rachel is gossiping with Quinn and Tina, Jesse decides that this is the perfect time to go for a swim. He pulls off his shirt revealing his LA tanned and toned body. The remaining girls can't help but stare and Rachel seeing this wants nothing more than to gouge out all of their eyes.

The afternoon is spent in the warm water. After Jesse had gone in everyone had followed suit and joined him. Rachel and Jesse took on Brittany and Finn in a game of chicken – the pair of them lost to the taller, stronger and more athletic cheerleader and football player. The pair also did their usual race out to the buoy and back, and like always Jesse lets Rachel win.

When everyone finally gets out of the water and goes to grab their late lunch Jesse finally takes note of Rachel's bikini. Of course he enjoyed having her wet, smooth skin brushing up against him in the water; just now he got to appreciate the reason why so much of it did.

Jesse's walking up to Rachel, wanting to touch more of her skin when he hears someone calling his name.

"Jesse! Jesse!"

He looks towards the sound of the voice and groans. He'd recognize the owner of that voice any where. It was his co-star Cara, who he thought he had gotten away from.

Cara is some blonde California girl who clearly thought her talent was enough to warrant her any all and lead roles in all performances – to Jesse her voice was like listening to an un-auto tuned Avril Lavigne – and who thought that because she and Jesse were the leads they were destined to become this power couple. So throughout his first year Cara had constantly tried to seduce Jesse.

Jesse can't believe that she actually showed up in Lima.

Jesse continues to follow his group to their towels as Cara makes her way towards them. Rachel shoots him a questioning look and Jesse mouths 'Cara', Rachel nods in understanding.

Rachel has heard all about Cara's antics and not that she's jealous – she is a little, because this girl spends every day with Jesse. Rachel thinks that with this girl here it might finally be time to tell Jesse about how she feels, especially if just to keep this girl away from Jesse.

Jesse is pulling on his t-shirt as Cara comes up to him and immediately envelopes him in a hug.

"Jesse I thought I would find you here."

"Yeah," Jesse says giving her a confused look, "Firstly what are you doing here? And secondly how did you know I would be here?"

"Well I thought it would be good for us to get in some rehearsal time this summer so I came out to visit you." Cara says taking Jesse's arm, ignoring the odd looks from the group. "And the answer to your other question I called your home and whoever answered said that you were at the beach."

"Oh, cool." Jesse says extracting his arm and bending to pick up his bag and shooting Rachel a pleading look.

"Um Jesse, are you going to introduce us to your friend?" Rachel says coming to save Jesse.

Jesse immediately tucks Rachel under his arm and then calls over to the rest of the group introducing them to Cara.

"So where are you all headed?" Cara asks.

"Just to the diner for an early dinner," Jesse answers.

"Don't forget the karaoke." Tina says as she passes by Jesse, stealing Rachel in the process.

"So Jesse, how do you know all of them?" Cara asks.

"Well they are all members of a rival show choir. I met them in my senior year and we became friends."

"They're all still in high school?" Cara says, with a disgusted tone.

"Yeah, but you really can't choose your friends. Plus Rachel is my best friend and really if it wasn't for her I wouldn't come home as often as I do." Jesse says, looking over to Rachel who is walking with Tina.

Cara just rolls her eyes, why would a hot, talented guy want to hang out with a bunch of high school juniors. Cara thinks that she just needs to tell Jesse what he's missing by being out here, in nowhere'sville Ohio.

The group takes over a few tables in the diner. Artie had saved them as he met everyone after he was finished work. They place their usual order of fries and Cara turns her nose up at the greasy food. They all eat and all decide what songs they want to sing. Cara decides that she wants to go first.

"This song goes out to a friend who will slowly come to realize the sentiments of this song."

I know a place

Where the grass is really greener

Warm, wet and wild

There must be somethin' in the water

Sippin' gin and juice

Layin' underneath the palm trees (Undone)

The boys

Break their necks

Try'na creep a little sneak peek (At us)

Cara swivels her hips to the music and everyone sitting around their table quickly shoots looks over to Jesse. His face a perfect mask of nothing.

You could travel the world

But nothing comes close

To the Golden Coast

Once you party with us

You'll be falling in love

Oooooh oh oooooh

California girls

We're unforgettable

Daisy Dukes

Bikinis on top

At this line Cara opens her button up plaid top to reveal her bikini. She was a California girl, and definitely not the girl for Jesse.

Sun-kissed skin

So hot

We'll melt your Popsicle

Oooooh oh oooooh

Cara makes her way over to Jesse and runs her hand across his shoulders. She gives him a little wink, trying to convey just how much better she thinks she is.

California girls

We're undeniable

Fine, fresh, fierce

We got it on lock

West coast represent

Now put your hands up

Oooooh oh oooooh

Cara continues the songs and Rachel watches with amused disgust – she finds it funny how Jesse has been put on the spot, and she can't believe that anyone would give a girl with that voice a lead in a musical. Rachel wonders for a moment if Jesse really does want a California girl, it might not be this one, but it could be someone else.

As Cara finishes the song Jesse leaves the diner. He can't be there when she comes back demanding some kind of response from him. He quickly makes his way back down to the shore. He knows that Rachel is following him and he doesn't mind. He drops himself at the edge of the surf and Rachel follows suit.

"I guess she thinks that you need someone like her." Rachel says.

"Oh god, anyone but someone like her. I mean clingy and talentless, nothing that I want."

"Well what about a California girl?" Rachel asks and Jesse gives her a confused look. "I mean, being out there with girls that that Katy Perry song describes don't you want someone like that?"

Rachel's voice fades out by the end of the question and her face is tinted red from embarrassment. She can't believe she just asked Jesse that, she might as well have put a sign on her forehead that flashed 'jealous'.

Jesse studies Rachel's face for a moment. He's trying to process the meaning behind Rachel's words. He thinks that maybe she is jealous and trying to hide it, it gives him hope to admit his own feelings. Maybe not voice them, but show them.

Before he can think it through Jesse crushes his lips onto Rachel's. His hands immediately tangle in her hair pulling her closer as their lips slide over one another. Rachel smiles into the kiss, finally getting what's she's wanted since that first meeting. Jesse drops a few pecks on Rachel's lips as he slowly pulls away.

He wraps his arm around Rachel and pulls her into his side and places his lips on her ear whispering,

"I'd take my Funny Girl over a California girl any day."