Authors Note: I have literally been toying around with the concept behind this story since Fall of 2010 and now, with our dramatic cliffhanger, I finally have the ambition and courage to send it out there. All the actors mentioned here are real people, so if you haven't hear of them, Google them. This is a real labor of love (and I know it's long), but please read and respond. As many have said, reviews are love.
A/N 2: This chapter was edited a little but for some typo clarification.
A/N 2: I found out the I spelled Lili Taylor's name wrong, and I felt bad, so I corrected it. I also edited this chapter for some minor typos.
Disclaimer: If I owned Glee, there would be several Popular references in the episode airing tomorrow. (Who knows, there might be…)
He fiddles with his tie. He's running late. Kurt insisted on him dressing very professional and classy, but it doesn't matter because his flight still came into LaGuardia forty minutes late and then he was stuck in stupid rush-hour traffic for another forty-five and now he's late. And sweaty and out-of-breath because he's late. And maybe a little because he's nervous.
See, today is the first day of the rest of his life. He had heard that expression before, but it didn't really make sense until two days ago when he got the call. The call that the job actually went through. And he had to fly out to New York to show everyone what he had done. (Well, him and his coworkers.)
He was supposed to arrive in plenty of time to get to his hotel and change. He was told that his bosses made sure there would be a room available for his use before check-in. So that he could drop-off his stuff, take a shower, change, and mentally prepare himself for the whirlwind ahead of him (which was, like, the most important part). In reality, after three different people at the front desk had to consult before giving him his room key, he had about 25 minutes to get all of that done (not even being able to do the last part) and get to the press line.
Yep, press line. Because he was going to the Fox Upfronts. Because his show was picked up by the network. And he was now a real, working member of society. Right out of college and everything. He still couldn't even believe it. The only people who knew were Kurt, his Mom, and Burt. But in a few minutes, the whole world (or, well, at least people who care about what TV shows will be starting in the fall) will know. When this all started, he didn't really think too much of it; even though he loved the script. He approached it like all other parts, like those at his now, Alma Matter.
He thought it would be a long shot, but when he got into DePaul University, he had to go. It was a good school – the best one he had applied to – but he also realized that it looked good to have a congressman's step-son attending your institution of high education. But, once he got there, he wasn't sure what to…do. The theater program enticed his interest. Little did he know that four years later, and one trip to LA to visit his brother at his internship, he would have an agent, a resume, and a real-life job!
He gets to the blue carpet late and most of the reporters and crew have started to coil up wires and gather their belongings. Only the FOX-hired photographer takes a quick snapshot of him in his snazzy suit before he's ushered in to the theater. He had to stand in the back because, even with his viewing advantage, he can't see any empty seats.
He's still wrapping his brain around all that is happening today when he feels it.
Feels her.
She's there. Here.
The elastic pulling from him to her. Their tether.
She's excited! Really excited! She even splurged and bought a fancy new dress at a fancy downtown boutique to celebrate. But, is it really a splurge when you're actually making enough money to afford the dress, your groceries, and rent? She wasn't sure. Either way she is excited. Like literally jumping up and down in her living room excited. She can't stop glowing.
She got a job today!
A real job as a paid actor!
The call came though and her heart was pounding so fast. This was really happening! She immediately called Ezra, Patrick, and Lili. She was so excited to rave about the big news. Then she of course called her dads who were screaming over the phone, but promised not to say a word until after the event.
Gosh, she was shaking. This was the biggest thing that happened to her in her life. She was barely making ends meet once Kurt finished a semester early and moved out to LA to accept the job he was offered after his internship; leaving her with a bigger bill to pay every month towards rent. Yeah, it's nice not to having to share a one-bedroom apartment with another person, but finances were really tough for a while. Now she had a real income that wasn't dependent on coins left on sticky tables.
Her life at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts was going well. She was graduating on time with a collection of lead performances, summer workshops, and bit parts in Off-Off Broadway shows under her belt. It was one of her said leads that got the attention of her, now, agent. He was a good guy who was trying her hardest to steer her in the right direction. The best example of this was her current employment.
Even though she was animate about becoming a star on Broad-way, he insisted that she just "read the script." She hated the fact that he knew she would want this part. That she could relate to this girl through and through. And although it was a sitcom, it was still the best dialogue and direction (hell, writing) she had read in months. And at least for this, it wasn't a cattle-call. When she saw the smiles as she left, she knew the role was hers, and the pilot being picked up as a series was just icing on the cake.
(Icing that she desperately needed because rent was due next week.)
The few days that followed passed in slow motion as she waiting for today. Upfront day! She wanted to get there early. (But not too early.) She constantly texted her costars to know their whereabouts so she was arriving right around the same time. She knew that was key to keeping the conversation about their show lively. She arrived on the tails or Lili and Peter, who were two of the recognizable actors with a new show on Fox's 2016-2017 season. The reporters politely questioned her as she gushed about working with two well-know actors on this buzzed-about program. She got her picture taken and soaked up every moment of posing on the Press Line. She knew it was the first of many.
She had taken her seat about 15 minutes ago. Purposely taking an isle as she saw in the program that the sitcoms were being presented first and she wanted to have easy, quick access when she was called on stage. The room was filling up quickly and soon they were hardly any empty seats left. Apparently there were lots of people who wanted to see what FOX had to offer for the Fall and this made her glad; as she was now part of that selection. She was getting restless as the lights grew dim and the voices fainted until there was silence. A man walks up to the podium and the projection screen starts to reel.
Then, she feels it. The wind shifts and the mood changes.
A pull is tugging at her; away from herself.
He's here.
But…he can't.
Can he?
They had to start now without her. They would have lost their spot otherwise. Rachel didn't have a choice. And now she was walking down towards him and he really couldn't believe it. It was surreal.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here today to celebrate the coming together of these two very young people in matrimony."
Hearing the words from the judge made it all real. Was he really about to get...married? Had he actually proposed to Rachel? Was this actually...happening?
"The couple will be exchanging vows they..." the judge begins before trailing off as the first run of sirens roars down the street.
He tries to being again, however a second, longer, stream of emergency vehicles passes. Continuing to halt their ceremony.
Than the third, the longest group, went by; causing Puck to peak out to the window.
"Quinn," he murmurs softly as he storms out of building; running down the street.
The rest of their group rushes to the widow and sees the lights and trucks. It's only a few blocks away. And in the center of the commotion, Quinn's little Beetle. Mangled and distorted on what appears to be where she would have been sitting, but it's almost too hard tell.
He runs out after him - chasing behind - trying desperately to catch him. He finally gets to Puck and grabs him from behind. Halting him in his tracks.
"There's nothing you can do!" he yells, panting. Trying to get him to stop.
"I have to go. I have to get her! I have... I have to..." Puck trails off as he collapses into Finn's body, tears in his eyes.
The club (wedding party?) staggers outside and joins them as they view the devastation - mesmerized. There will be no ceremony today.
He sees her. She's sitting up straighter – her shoulders back, her knees tightly crossed over one another, her hands clutched together in her lap – as the preview plays. She's proud of her work and he knows it. He's proud of what he's done as well. Her show looks funny and has a cast of actors he recognizes. It's a family sitcom with a bit of an irreverent edge; which it what FOX is known for. (He looked that up on Wikipedia.) When they call the cast of stage, she looks so excited that she's dazed. He knows she doesn't see him. He also knows that she is looking for him; because she can feel it too. (And her head is whipping around looking for someone, so it's gotta be him, right?)
He can't help but smile watching her up there, so excited and eager as her and her cast mates discuss their show. He knows that he has a smile that belongs only to her. When he's with her or watching her perform. He's so happy for her and he knows she's happy for him as well.
After her cast disembarks for the stage, FOX introduces the rest of the new comedies and praises those that are coming back for the 2016-2017 season. Some of the shows look good, but none of them are as special as her show Parents and Children.
Then they introduce their reality programming, discussing the rating juggernauts that are American Idol and The X Factor. The Drama category is the last one remaining, and finally, she sees him. God, he looks good.
His show is about cocaine use in upper-class LA and it's called The Sands. He looks magnificent up there and in par with his stellar cast. When he walks from the very back of the theater, holding up the caboose of his cast, he gently taps her arm ass he looks up at him. He looks at home with coworkers who are just as impressive as hers. The other two leads in the program are the little girl from Mad Men and the guy who played Joe in Empire Records.
He could see her on the opposite side of the after party tent mulling of the food selection at the table. There seemed to more food to her liking at the table near him, so he grabbed a plate and filled it up, eventually making his way over to her.
"Hi," he starts, not really sure how to process...everything.
"Hi," she replies with a warm smile.
"I got you some food from the other table. They had more vegan-friendly options over there."
"Thank-you," she says sweetly as she looks down at the hummus, pita chips, and fruit. "I got some items for you as well."
He smiles and opens his mouth to speak when he hears someone yell out "Rachel!" from behind him.
She quickly switches their plates as Kevin Riley walks up to them with a bright smile. "I see two of our brightest newcomers are meeting each other."
"Oh, yes!" Rachel replies sprightly, extending her right hand. "I'm Rachel Berry."
"Finn Hudson," he responds taking her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Well, Finn," Kevin interrupts, "There are some people I would like for you to meet if you don't mind."
"Not at all," Finn responds. Honestly, he did mind. There was a lot to be said. But he wasn't about to piss off his new boss. "Goodbye," he says to Rachel before heading off with Kevin, who has his around Finn shoulder.
"Goodbye," Rachel replies before he walks off.
Lili comes up behind her as she watches him walk off. "He's cute," Lili retorts before grabbing some cheese and crackers.
Knowing there was a lot to be said, and not sure how to process it all, Rachel pulls out her phone.
Want to meet tonight for dinner to talk, she texts him.
Yes. Will meet up when this thing is over, he responds.
They both spend a good few hours mingling with the several members of the FOX family they will now consider their colleagues. It was overwhelming and exciting. They also met the press and reviewers who will be critiquing their every move with their new programming becoming the talk of the town. But Rachel figured, if they want to meet them, it had to be a good thing, right?
They finally meet up after the crowd has winded, significantly, down and only a few others remain. They both smile awkwardly at one another. For some reason this feels weird. She doesn't know why. They talk on Facebook a lot and text each other when they see or hear something funny. They see each other whenever they are home at the same time and catch each other up on what they have missed. But for some reason it's different now. Probably because their whole lives will be different from now on.
"You wanna go get some food or something?" Finn asks in an uneasy tone.
"I'm not really hungry yet," she replies.
"Oh, well, I have a pretty nice hotel room if you wanna just hang out for a little while?" he suggests.
"Okay," she agrees. "Where are you staying?"
"The W Times Square." They start to walk out of the building and on to the street when he asks, "Do you want to get a cab?"
"No. It's not too far. We can walk from here," she explains.
They walk in totally silence as they navigate their way through the crowds to the hotel. They walk through the lobby unnoticed by others as they are still average people. She hopes someday soon they will have to walk through hotels in disguise using fake names on their reservations because they are so adored.
They enter an empty elevator and ride up to floor Finn marked off. Finn leads her down to his room and opens up the door. Once their inside… they can't help it… they have to let it out…
They both scream on the tops of their lungs.
"AHHHH!" They cheer as Rachel flounces up and starts jumping up and down on Finn's bed.
"How did this...How did this happen?" Finn asks flabbergasted, so excited and out of breath to carry on with more than that.
"My agent told me that I had to read this script and audition for this part. So I did, and I did, and now the show has been picked up and I'm here and I actually have a professional acting job!" She's bouncing up and down "How did this happen to you?"
"Well, as you know, I was able to meet that agent when I was in LA visiting Kurt last summer. Well, he knew I was graduating soon so he would have me do tapes for auditions. I got a callback for this one so I drove out to LA and now here I am!"
"Ahhh!" she cheers again as she jumps off the bed and into his arms.
Excited, he kisses her on the lips. And then the shift happens. The mode changes. They are NOT supposed to kiss. They are friends now. They are no longer dating. And even though the kiss wasn't sexy or romantic – more friendly and purely out of excitement – they both knew they were not to do that anymore. Especially now; after all that has happened.
They break apart and it's quiet. Awkward. "Ummmm…" he starts to say, as he sets her down onto the carpet.
"We're not supposed to do that," she says.
"No, we're not."
"Then it didn't happen." She's pushing her arms back and forth against her a-line skirt, almost in an effort to get this moment over with.
"It didn't happen," he repeats with a friendly grin. "So, tell me all about your show. It looks good."
"Oh, it is!" She bounces on to his bed to sit down; leaning against the pillows. He skirt fanning over her legs. He joins her, sitting toward the foot of the bed, his legs dangling off.
They spend the rest of the night just talking. Discussing their new employment and all the excitement that led up to it. They order room service and catch up. Just like they've done from time to time before. Just like old friends do.
They talk for a really long time and eventually they are both laying on top of the covers – heads against the pillows – eyelids no longer fighting the urge to stay open. They are lying side by side facing each other. She has her right hand on his shoulder. He has his left hand on her waist.
They are each in their own spaces. Their own individual bubbles. But the gentle touches connecting them are the osmosis drugs that drifts them both to slumber.
Feeling the sunlight on her eyes, Rachel realizes its morning. She opens her eyes and doesn't recognize anything around her. She's cold due to the lack of a blanket. Then she turns and sees him. His hand is on her waist as he starts to stir. He opens his eyes and she is staring back at him.
"Hi," he says with a grin.
"Hi," she repeats. She knows that grin. "I should really get going. I still have to wait tables for a little while before we start shooting in July."
She starts to rise when he grabs her waist and rolls them over. "I don't think so," his sly reply includes a mischievous grin as he hovers above her.
She smirks back as his hands caress the sides of her waist. God, it's a tempting offer, but she knows they can't. "Finn, I realize you're…um…awake, but we can't do that." Her hand pushes on his shoulder to move him farther away from her. "We can't."
He succumbs to her argument and rolls back over to the other side of the bed as she starts to sit upright. "I know," he moans. She looks back at him gratefully as he takes her hand. "But no one will know," he has puppy dog eyes as he gives his last plea.
She stands aside of the bed and snatches her hand back. "NO!"
"Fine!"
They both have smirks on their faces as she quietly leaves and heads down to the subway as the morning dew settles over the still-quiet city. When she gets to her stop, there's a little bustle, but not too much, and she worries about the walk of shame. Then she realizes that anyone who would care that she's partaking in the horrible tradition wouldn't be near.
He moves in with Kurt in early June. His show starts filming in a few weeks because they want to get a leg up on their costly production. Although Filming in LA is cheaper than New York (but more expensive than Canada he had learned), because the show was about the wealthiest of the wealthy, they needed to start filming early because of all the locations they were going to rent. He liked going to Malibu everyday and seeing hot chicks in bikinis during breaks on set, so he really didn't mind.
He did mind living with Kurt though. When they were with their parents it was different because they each had their own space and a mom cooking dinner every night. With Finn on Kurt's couch of his livable-for-one-person apartment, it's a bit crowded. Not as crowded as the Hummel basement fiasco, but Finn does end up banging some part of his body against the coffee table in-between the couch and the TV every night.
But luck dances to his side at the late-July TCA Press Tour. When Mike Chang magically appears as one of the new choreographers for reality juggernaut So You Think You Can Dance, Finn finds himself a new roommate. The boys find a livable two-bedroom with a big bathroom in a LA suburb not too far from both their jobs. He also hangs out with Sam and Mercedes a lot. They both came out here after graduation to make it as musicians. When Sam asked if he wanted to join his band as they were despite for a drummer who could keep up with the rest of his group musically, he jumped at the chance. It gave him an outlet outside the show. Mercedes seems to be doing better than her Ken doll former boyfriend though, as he heard she got a recording contract and is writing songs for an album. Mercedes apparently wants to be a black girls Adele. (But wouldn't that make her, like, ever other, far-superior-than-Adele African American female soul singer?)
He does also see Rachel at the TCA Upfronts, but she's only their briefly as her and her entire cast have to fly back to NYC the following day to film. She says this is just the beginning of the intense journey and he doesn't disagree. He does think she might be over exaggerating a bit, but that's Rachel.
He really likes working on his show. Kiernan is great and so is Anthony. One day one of the Producers jokingly said that cast could bring anything they wanted to set with them. Finn, knowing the man was joking, still took him up on his offer and showed up with his drum kit in the bed of his truck the following day. Impressed by his effort – and because he's aware it's hard for people to say 'no' to him when he flashes his dimples – they let him keep them there so he can practice his skills during their downtime.
Commercials for the show start airing and billboards start being posted all over town. FOX says the show is being buzzed about. TV Guide comes to interview Kiernan Shipka and Anthony LaPaglia because, you know, they've been on successful shows before. Kiernan talks about how she likes playing his little sister, because she always wanted a big brother. That makes him pretty happy. The show seems to get positive response from critics and there are high hopes from the network. He's a little nervous because he's such a big part of everything. What if they like the show, but don't like him? What if his performance is the one holding everyone else back? These questions, and a million similar ones, are thoughts that infiltrate his brain on a daily basis as they go about production waiting for the honest magazine reviews to come in.
On a hot summer night she hands in her apron and note pad. Her final table has just paid and she walks out of the restaurant; counting her tips. But then she realizes that she doesn't need to pinch pennies anymore. She has a real job which finally begins tomorrow morning. She saves a couple dollars for laundry and gives a one to a panhandler on the street as she walks down to the subway. Her new life begins tomorrow.
It's a delight to her to walk up to the doors at Silvercup and for security to just wave her through. She gives hugs to all her cast mates as they wait in the wings before they can walk on set. Set. The whole gambit is wonderful and grand, even when trying to depict an average Brooklyn apartment. She is also among the two lucky cast members who get to film at the picturesque Brooklyn College; where her character attends. Although she never got to have that idyllic college experience of historic buildings and grassy knolls where students read between classes while attending the uber-urban NAYDA, getting to experience it factiously on a real campus is close enough for her.
She films most of BC scenes are with Ezra. Ezra Miller. He's a cutie-patooie who knows Andrew McCarthy. He's already done a lot more professional acting than she has, but he doesn't treat her as less than anyone else. He's a really great person and his girlfriend is so sweet. Their storyline is that they are a high school couple trying to stay together now that they are in college. She could easily relate. It's a little different though because it's a sitcom and the hijinks she gets into with Patrick Gallagar and Lili Taylor, who play the parents.
She really likes the show though. Occasionally they film around other parts of Brooklyn too. And the show is funny. Really funny. She laughs reading nearly every script and can barely make it through some of the scenes. Her best friend on the show is played by Ariel Winter. Ariel has a lot more experience than her, so Rachel is still unsure why she took such a small part on the show. She assumes that it has to do with the fact that Ariel is also full-time at NYU, but either way, Ariel doesn't click too well with her. She doesn't let it get to her though, because everything else right now is so fabulous.
Both his show and Rachel's show – along with Seth McFarland's adaptation of The Flintstones – were asked to represent FOX at a Question and Answer session presented by the Paley Center for the Arts. They are siting on opposite sides of the stage, but they can see each other clearly, and it's comforting to have a familiar face in this scary room of people.
The discussion begins with clips from all the shows and the woman conducting the panel takes the stage. There are a lot of questions about the new Flintstones because it's premiering much later than originally anticipated, but much of that is to do with, as Mr. McFarland says, perfecting it and respecting the Hannah-Barbara classic. Then they ask a few questions to Rachel's cast, mainly to Patrick and Lili, about how this project differs from others they have done in the past.
"Now, Rachel, you're character is hysterical." The panel leader say, getting her attention.
"Thank-you," she says with a hint of blush.
"Now, you and Ezra's characters play probably the cutest young couple on TV right now. Do you rehearse your funny and adorable moments in-between scenes?"
"No, not really," Rachel replies to laughter from the audience.
"I rehearse our scenes my girlfriend," Ezra interjects to even more laughter from the crowd.
"Love you too, Ezra," Rachel comments sarcastically. Even more laughter.
"And you wonder why we get nothing done on this show," Patrick interrupts.
"But, in all seriousness—"Rachel tries to begin to more snickers. "No seriously," she finally regains control of the comments. "For me, the kids trying to keep their relationship together is probably the thing I can relate to most about my character. I had a really important relationship in high school and I'm still close with that person today."
Rachel looks over to him and he smiles. She smiles back.
"Speaking of intense high school relationships, Finn your character on The Sands became a narcotics officer to avenge his girlfriend's overdose on cocaine," the panel leader comments.
"Yep," Finn responds.
"What's it like to play that?"
"Well, ya know, it's a little intense," Finn says to more snickers.
"Just a little."
"Just a little. That whole talking to graves thing is little strange. And now we've been filming some stuff that goes deeper into him and former girlfriend so it starts to make a little more sense. But, I mean, I definitely had a very intense relationship when I was a little younger and it very much shaped me into the man I am today and it's something I will cherish forever. I understand how it's hard for him to get over it and how he's unsure whether he even should. So, that is something I can understand about my character and relate to." He looks over to Rachel and they lock eyes for probably longer than they should. She looks down and blushes.
"We've also been filming some stuff that explains how…other factors contribute to Finn's character," Kiernan explains, snapping him out of his daze.
"Yes, definitely," Finn concurs.
"Now, Kiernan, how is this different than working on Mad Men?"
"Well, I'm allowed to watch an entire episode of this series, so, ya know, that's different." Laughter erupts again from the crowd. "And I really like how I play this character who is basically being raised by her big brother and that whole brother-sister relationship is something that is so different for me and what makes it so wonderful and exciting to come to work every day. I love getting to have a pusdo-big brother in Finn."
"Awww, I love having you as a fictional little sister Kiernan," Finn comments back.
"Thank-you."
"Do either of you have any siblings in real life?" The woman interviewing them asks.
"No," Kiernan replies.
"I have step brother," Finn responds. "We're really close, but we're also the same age, so it's very different than the relationship between our characters on the show."
The panel continues for a little while longer and the producers start to discuss getting East Cost early ratings for Rachel's new show. As they head out, dusk is settling in LA and he catches up with her.
"How long are you in LA for," he asks. No need for pleasantries.
"Just until tomorrow unfortunately. It sucks we just flew in last night, did press all day today, and now we have to get back to filming. It's such long days, it's hard to get used to," she explains, shaking her head in minor frustration.
"Yeah, I know. Leaving work at midnight and having to be there at 7 the following morning; it's crazy."
"Yeah."
"You wanna grab some dinner before you head back to your hotel?"
"Yeah, sure, I'd like that. I already had a hotel sweet-slumber party with Kurt last night, so it would be nice to spend a little time with you before I head back East."
"Yeah."
They had a great time that evening. Comparing notes about their shows. The network's involvement with everything. All this stuff that is still as new to them as recent college graduates at their first professional places of employment. He loves getting to share these moments with her. They both know they are on the brink of something big and it's so wonderful to have moments when they can look at each other for support and appreciation – like they did earlier this evening.
He can see how she's grown up. How the city has shaped her so much in the last few years. He wonders if she can see that in him to. He's not even sure if that's actually happened to him.
"You look good," she comments as they share a piece of vegan cheesecake. (He purposely took her to a vegan restaurant he passed the other day, because he's cool like that.)
He smirks. "Thanks, you look good too. Different."
She blushes and takes a bite of her cheesecake. He notices that she doesn't take complements as well as she used to. Maybe because all her dreams that she was so egotistical about when they were teens are actually coming true?
Rachel insists they split the check because they are both making enough money to pay for their own meals. He walks her back to her hotel which is not too far from the restaurant (thankfully).
"I had a lovely time tonight on our work-date, Mr. Hudson," Rachel cutely comments looking up at him with wide eyes and grin.
"I had a lovely time as well."
"Good night, Finn." She reaches up on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.
He kisses her cheek as well. "Good night, Rachel."
He watches her walk off, totally unsure of his feelings towards her. And terrified because he's unsure of his feelings for her.
She likes getting interviewed. She tries to come up with totally awesome Jimmy Rabbitte-esque answers to the questions, but as they start to become nearly the same with every interview, the answers start to become the same as well.
She and Ezra are being interviewed by people at E! for their "Watch with Kristen" column when they're ask about if they had any high school romances.
"I did have a girlfriend for a while," replies Ezra. "We were the kind of kids who thought it was cool to be uncool."
"I dated the quarterback of the football team in high school," she says in a cheeky tone; crossing her legs and shifting in her seat with a hit of ego.
"WHAT!" Ezra yells. "I haven't heard this story. Are you serious?"
"Yes! We dated on-and-off all throughout school. I even still have his letterman jacket."
"So you were a popular kid in high school?" Asks Ezra, with a hint of jealousy.
"No," she sighs. "I tried to be more popular, but I, just, wasn't. But oddly, he always remained pretty well-respected despite the fact that he was dating someone who was much-less cool."
Ezra smirks with a very quite giggle as the interviewer carries on with questions about working with the rest of their cast.
He feels awkward being interviewed. He tries to talk about the show as much as possible, but when they ask him person questions, like if he has a girlfriend, he doesn't know what to say because, like, he doesn't want to lie, but it's not really their business, ya know?
So when Michael Ausiello from TV Line comes with a camera crew to interview the cast and take a tour of the set, he gets a little nervous.
"Your character is getting a lot of attention," Michael says to Finn as he begins the interview.
"He is?" he asks.
"He's being gushed about all over the Internet. Your show is developing a very loyal following already, of people who are so excited about your character and his story with his girlfriend."
He's not really sure how to respond to this remark. He knows the show has become popular, but he didn't know people cared so much about his character. "Wow," he replies. It's the first word to come to his mind. "That's awesome. In my opinion the stories are just getting more in-depth and intense as we keep filming, so it's exciting to hear that."
"Do you think you'll get a Back-9 pick up soon?"
"I really hope so."
"Your Twitter handle. Frankenteen? Where did that come from?"
"Well, by the time I was 15, I was nearly the same height and weight I am now. Someone called me that once jokingly and it stuck. That was right around when Twitter became all the rage, so it became my account."
"Okay, so I have to ask you, where did you get your shirt?"
Finn looks down and at his Property of McKinley Athletics shirt and looks back at Mr. Ausiello with a questioning look. "Uh, my gym teacher…"
"You attended William McKinley High School?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"No reason."
"Okay. You wanna take a tour of the set?"
"Absolutely."
He shows Michael all around the set and the reporter talks a little with the various cast members. The last place is the back lot where he keeps his drums.
"This is my drum kit," he points out with a smile. "The producers one night said that we could bring anything we wanted to set after someone asked if they could bring their dog. So I jokingly asked if I could bring my drum kit so I could practice songs from my band. I think they were so shocked that I actually showed up with it the next day that they've been kind enough to not make me move it. I just don't play when they're rolling."
He looks at Mr. Ausiello and he has a huge smile on his face. "You play the drums?"
"Yeah. I'm in a band with a few of my friends."
"You didn't happen to play basketball and have a girlfriend with shiny brunette hair in high school, did you?"
"I did play basketball…" he replies, unsure where this is going, and purposely not responding to the part about past girlfriends.
"You're a dimpled, sweet, drum-playing, lanky guy from William McKinley high who plays basketball? You are my favorite person in the world."
"Okay…"
"Can you show us some of your drum skills?"
"Okay…"
When the article comes out a few days later, he goes on to Amazon to buy the DVD box set of the series.
Calling Judd Apatow!
Finn Hudson: the Real-Life Nick Andopolis
So, I feel in love. Finn Hudson of The Sands plays the drums while proudly sporting his McKinley High t-shirt.
It basically goes on about how Finn is like this character on this TV show from a long time ago. He's never heard of it. But, he'll watch a few of the episodes when the package comes later in the week. Whatever. There's also a video of him playing the drums. That's cool because now people know he can do other things beside hold a gun and grieve a dead girlfriend.
He is chosen by Entertainment Weekly as one of the "TV Breakouts" of this past year for their "Best and Worst 2016" issue. They ask him to come to New York for a photo shoot and he jumps on the opportunity. Even if he's only in NYC for a few days. He arrives to there at 10, like he's requested, with a cup of coffee, hoping there will be some food at this.
He's new to the whole photo shoot thing, having only done one besides the promo shots he did when the show started. It's so uncomfortable and they keep asking you to act natural, but what's 'natural' about being dressed up all fancy, with all these lights around you, while a short guy with a huge camera takes your picture? It's not like taking group shots while on vacation.
But then he feels it. The pull. Her.
He hears the music coming from back of the big loft space and someone going "That's great Rachel. Do that again." He walks in to see her. Jumping up and down on a trampoline. Dolled up in a pretty dress and her hair all shiny and nice. She looks like an angel; flying through the sky.
"I want to jump," he comments over the noise, watching her go up and down as the flash goes off. He does.
"Finn!" Rachel calls out and she stops bounding; steadying herself. "Can he?" she asks the photog.
"Can we shoot them together?" the photographer asks the reporter.
"Why not?" the interviewer says with a shrug.
30 minutes later he's walking out of the mad dash of commotion that occurred when the crew were told they need to get him ready ASAP, as he was being shot earlier than anticipated. He grabs is iPod and hooks it up to the dock someone setup on the floor as Rachel and the photographer get up from their seats.
They are up on the trampoline bouncing slowly as the Van Halen tune starts to blast through the speakers. Rachel gives him a knowing grin as they start to sing along. They sing along to the other songs that shuffle through as they carry on with the photos. The spend most of their time doing what camera man says, but occasionally, the turn towards each other and laugh. Because they are having a lot of fun.
"Rachel, do you trust me?" he asks her.
Having a feeling he's up to no good, she cocks her head to her side and says, "Sure."
"You're mistake!" He jumps really high into the air and folds his legs so he lands sitting down. That propels Rachel about two feet high than she has been jumping with a loud laugh/holler combination. The photographer says that's good and ends it there. He says that last shot is the photo that will make it into the magazine.
He sees that there is a guy with a camcorder occasionally filming them for some behind-the-photo shoot coverage for their website. He's not worried at all about that though. After they are done jumping up and down they grab some water and sit on a couch to be interviewed. The reporter says he has some fan questions for both of them.
"Oooh…can I interview Finn!" Rachel asks.
"Sure," replies the reporter as he hands her the questions.
He turns on the couch to face her and she pushes her hair back, transforming into Studious Rachel, whom he knew very well in school.
"This is so exciting!" she says as the guy with the little camcorder comes back. She turns to him. "Hello I'm Rachel Berry…"
She gestures to him, "And I'm Finn Hudson."
"And welcome to our Entertainment Weekly photo shoot." She turns back to Finn and contuse. "I have some fan questions here that I'm very excited about asking Mr. Hudson. Here we go. Question 1: what do you look for in a girl?"
"Is that really the first question?" He tries to look at the paper.
She snatches it back before he can't see it. She folds it so only the first question is showing. "Look. See."
"Wow, that's the first question? Well…," he turns to the camera, "If you really must know." Turning back to her, "I look for Rachel Berry in a girl." She puts her head down and blushes. "What do you look for in a boy?"
"Well I look for Finn Hudson in a boy, of course!"
"Of course!"
"Question 2: what do you want for Christmas?"
"An African sow pig."
"Ha!" she says laughing hard, grabbing her belly.
"An African sow pig…" he starts turning towards the camera to explain.
She picks it up. "An African sow pig is a pig that you buy and you give money to feed it and it feeds a needy family in Africa."
"For, like, a month!"
"For, like, a month. I will get you an African sow pig, Finn Hudson. Would you like that?"
"Yes."
She carries on with the few last questions and he asks questions to her. Her questions are kind of boring, like what shampoo does she use to get her hair so shiny. The last question is kind of important, though.
"Final question: what have your real-life friendships been like since all this change?"
"Well…see…like Finn here is one of my best friends," she gestures to him. "And it has kept me grounded through all this stuff that is new for me. It's nice to see familiar faces like his and others."
"We're attached by invisible theater," he can't help but add. "Theater. Connection," gesturing between them.
She laughs, gesturing between them as well. "We're attached by an invisible theater."
"God, when are you gonna Get It Right, Rachel?" he asks nudging her with his arm, laughing even harder.
"When are you gonna stop Pretending, Finn?" she asks back as they continue to laugh, ending the questions to one another.
They are both in hysterics to unknown reasons to all but themselves as the camera guy stops rolling and the reporter comes back to ask them the boring questions for the magazine. The video comes out about a month later with the magazine. There are some comments that they are cute together, but mostly people talking about how much they love their shows. And that's really the important part.
The FOX Winter Press Tour All-Star Party is just the beginning of a whirlwind that she is up against in LA the next few weeks. Luckily they wrapped up their most recent episode before her and her coworkers headed out. The show has gotten a lot of critical praise, and now, lots of nominations. It was nominated for three Golden Globes; including one for her performance in a supporting television role.
Kurt has been monitoring her every fashion moment since he is now, officially, an assistant for THE Rachel Zoe. She walks the red carpet at the event tonight and all the press and reporters want to talk to her. To take her picture. She's famous.
It's AWESOME!
She can see his tall frame several people ahead of her on the press line. He looks quite spiffy; probably due to Kurt too. He's famous as well. She Google's him every once-in-a-while and all she reads is more and more praise for his work. It's makes this all so much better. His show is nominated for tons of stuff too! He even has a nomination for Supporting Actor in a TV Series. It's so weird that they are both nominated for nearly the same thing, but it was meant to be that way.
He sees her a ways away and smiles before heading to the party with Mike Chang; turning her insides into mush.
The party is truly hopping with a live band and an open bar. It's a fun time and the critics are getting hammered; which she guesses is a good thing.
She walks up to Mike and Finn who are holding drinks at a high round table near the bar.
"Hey!" she says walking up to the boys, placing her clutch and champagne on the table as she gives each of them a friendly kiss on the cheek.
They carry on with small talk, discussing all the famous people there, when Mike comments that, "Ya know, there's a karaoke set up too? Anyone can participate while the band is taking their breaks. In fact, actors from the shows are encouraged to sing a tune or two…"
Her eyebrows wiggle along with Mike's and Finn's and they all think the same thing, at the same time. She thinks…
"One song each?" Finn suggests.
"We'll blow the roof off this place," she concurs.
Mike puts his arm out and she and Finn place their hands atop. "A Gentlemen's Agreement!" Mike arranges.
"Hazzah!" they respond back.
They all go up and pick songs from the book. Mike Chang goes up first and does a flawless rendition of "Sexyback." Although not the hardest tune vocally, the interpretive dance really put it over the top.
Finn is next, and when she hears the familiar guitar riff, her heart starts pounding in her chest. She should have known.
Jesse is a friend
Yeah, I know he's been a good friend of mine
Shaking her head, she can't help but "WOOH!" at the top of her lungs at his performance. Mike joins her back at the table and she can't help but be mesmerized. He looks really good up there. Once he starts to perform the bridge while playing the drums; there are the women in the crowd openly swooning. She's hearing hollering that she thought was only reserved for boy-band concerts. It's a sexy man performing a sexy song. She really can't blame them. He's out of breath and he finishes on the drums for the final notes, but the smile on his face tells it all. She knows that he knows that it was good. And he's proud of himself because it was good.
She's the final person up from their little arrangement. She politely asks the guitarist if can join her for the song and she mentions what it is, he immediately jumps at the chance. Finn is walking across the stage to the stirs on the other side when she gets to the mic.
"Oh, Finn Hudson," she says right into the microphone while looking at him to get his attention. "Would you mind playing drums for this song with me?"
"What if I don't know it," he asks, barely audible to the audience.
"Trust me, you know the song." The microphone still echoing her voice.
"Okay," he obliges with a head nod.
Turning back to the audience, she comments "This is a song that's better performed when people sing along; especially to the chorus. And trust me, you'll know it."
The instrumental start on the machine and she goes for it.
Loving You, isn't the right thing to do
How can I, ever change things that I feel?
Besides some vocal runs, she basically let the guitarist have his solo. And Finn's drumming was some of the best she's heard from him in a long time. It was phenomenal. The room was filled with this amazing energy and nearly everyone sang along. She was shaking when she came off stage. That was more fun than she ever could have imagined.
She went back to her hotel that night floating on air. She forgot how much fun it was to sing for an audience. She knew she needed to do that again soon.
It appears on YouTube a few days later. And from there, on the Vulture blog; as they like to post videos they find of celebrities acting normal (and not so normal).
See Fox stars sing karaoke! The tagline reads. The Sands Finn Hudson can sign and play drums at the same time. And apparently give a very good Rick Springfield impression.
She knows they're not celebrities, but its fun to read the few comments people write. Mainly about how talented Finn is as playing drums and singing at the same time.
He saw the trailer a few months ago, and he goes to the theater to see it as soon as it comes out, but he must admit he's socked when he sees that Crossrhodes: the April Rhodes Story is nominated for as many Golden Globes as it is. It was pretty awesome though, especially Puck's small part as April's reoccurring one-night-stand. (It's not too far from the truth.)
The Golden Globes are scary. There are all these people and cameras and it's just really overwhelming. More overwhelming than anything else he's experienced so far. He goes up to one of the ladies asking questions and she asks what his favorite movie of the year was.
"Crossrhodes: the April Rhodes Story," he replies, because he can't think of anything else.
"Really? I wouldn't have taken you as an April Rhodes fan," the lady comments.
"Oh, I love me a 'Pippin' Hot Cup of Will Schuester'," he comments, referencing one of the new songs that was added to the film adaptation to April's autobiographical musical.
The reporter laughs and asks him who he wearing. He explains that he's brother is a stylist and that if he doesn't wear what he says, his mother calls and yells at him.
Not many other reporters want to talk to him, but that's okay. He's just about ready to go in when he sees her. Rachel. She looks incredible. So grown-up and mature in her gown. He knows he does as well in his tux. She sees him and smiles. Maybe this will be an okay night after all?
She sitting not too far from him at the Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel and she mouths to him, "How cool is this?"
"Awesome," he mouths back.
It turns out to be a totally awesome night when his show wins for Best TV Drama. He's literally shocked as he gets on stage with the others. He didn't win for his acting category, but he knew he wouldn't. It didn't matter as much as learning all their accomplishments as a whole are celebrated. They walk back stage and a very famous person congratulates them and tells them they enjoy their show. He's in shock as he texts Rachel that she needs to come back there this instant. This could be her one shot at this.
He walks up to the woman. "Um, Ms. Streisand? Can I ask you a quick favor? "
He finds Rachel in the wings and grabs her shoulders. "Don't say I've never done anything nice for you," he comments before turning her around.
She heads backstage because he asked her, even though they just won their award. He grabs her.
She turns around – annoyed at Finn for making her come back to this crowded area and for his comment – when she looks up and sees her.
Holy Shit!
Stop blinking your eyes. Say something. Speak!
"You're Barbra Streisand." Officially the dumbest thing she's ever said.
"Are you okay?" the older woman asks.
"I don't know. I'm standing in front of my idol and I have no idea what to say because I have so much I want to say. I'm not even sure what's going on."
Ms. Streisand giggles.
"I guess I just want to thank you for making it okay for girls like me to be girls like me." She gestures out with her hands.
The older woman smiles and nods. "You're welcome."
"Okay. Thank-you for meeting me. How did that happen actually?"
Barbra points to Finn. "That young man asked if I could meet his best friend for a moment." The older woman leans down and gives her a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. "He's cute," she comments before she walks off to mingle with someone else. A smile grows on her face and she can feel the blush rushing to her cheeks. She knows that he's cute. She's already been advised by Ms. LuPone (as well as countless others).
She still shaking as she goes back to her seat. "Where have you been?" Ezra asks, whispering with concern. "Our category is next."
"I just met Barbra Streisand," she tells him. She still cannot believe that happened.
Then their show wins for Best TV Comedy. They all go up on stage and accept the award.
This has been the best night of her life.
The SAG Awards are an even bigger party than the Golden Globes. He guesses because they're a little more laid back. Puck is there because the entire cast of Crossrhodes was nominated for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture. Puck's goofing off all over the entrance way and he just shakes his head at his friend.
His and Rachel's shows are also nominated for Best Ensembles as well, for their categories in TV. When they all win, it's crazy. Surreal. He gets Kiernan to take their picture as Puck, Rachel, April, and himself standing together with their matching trophies. He and Rachel write Mr. Schue a note on the back of Puck's invitation (mainly because they know he's too drunk to notice its missing) telling him how much they miss him and thanking him for all that he's done for them.
There is still more of the night to go. He talks to his cast for the rest of the evening until Rachel stumbles to her table with Ezra. The ceremony has just ended and people are making their way out. He likes Ezra; seems like good guy. Until now.
"Finny!" Rachel calls out, gripping on tight to him. "Me and Ezra made a bet about who could drink three glasses of champagne the fastest. I won!"
"You gave her alcohol!" he hollers at Ezra.
"Well, I didn't know she'd turn into these ten minutes later!" Ezra defends himself.
"Finny, I love you. You're sexy and prefect and we're gonna get married someday!" Rachel slurs.
"Okay, I'm gonna take the drunken mess back to her hotel." He grabs her phone from her bag and hands it to Ezra. "Call her car and tell it come by."
Ezra does what he's asked and gives the phone back. Her car is waiting at the side exit by the time he gets her to the door.
"I love you, Finny," she says again before grabbing his face and kissing his cheek. He gets her into the vehicle and she's asleep by the time they arrive at her hotel. He ushers her up to her room and gets her to bed. She's asleep again instantaneously as he gets her a glass of water, some aspirin, and some crackers and places them on her nightstand.
"Sleep it off, Rachel. Good night," he murmurs before turning off the light and heading out the door.
The image that appears on Perez Hilton the following day looks more incriminating than it is. It says their kissing, but anyone with eyes can clearly see that she's kissing his cheek. And even the article says that he left the hotel and got into a car home ten minutes after dropping her off.
Thankfully she doesn't get any angry messages from her producers or agent after her drunken escapades the previous evening. She woke up feeling like she was run over by a truck. She vaguely remembers Finn taking her home, but when she sees the items beside her as she looks at the clock to see the time; she knows it was him.
She puts on some much-needed sunglasses, heads out of her hotel, and walks to the Starbucks around the corner when she gets the text from Kurt with a link to the Perez Hilton piece. It's really not as incriminating as it could be, so she brushes it off as she waits for her soy latte at the other end of the bar.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss Rachel Barry." The voice behind her is like nails on a chalkboard and she really, really doesn't want to turn around, but she knows she really doesn't have a choice.
Jesse.
She takes be cup and turns towards him. "Jesse St. James, star of the CW adaptation of former FOX hit series Ally McBeal. To what reason do I owe the honor?"
"Oh, I'm just getting a morning coffee. Congrats on your award. Or should I be congratulating you and Hudson. I saw your little tryst posted on Perez. You fuck him drunk and good last night?"
She's so in shock by his words that it takes her a moment to process the comment fully. This is the Jesse she dislikes. Hates. The same boy who threw eggs at her head. She isn't even sure where she gets the courage, but when the hot beverage fly's from the cup onto his face, it feels good.
"How dare you speak to me in such a way? And Finn is twice the man you'll ever be!" she yells at him. "Sorry about the mess," tells the Barista before storming out.
She's not sure how she got the nerve for that - probably the presence of her minor hangover - but if she didn't get a talking to about her actions the previous evening, she will definitely get a speech about that.
The video taken by a customer makes it onto You Tube and a few other blogs. People could really care less about the fact that she threw hot coffee on a CW heartthrob. It's the fact that she made the comment about Finn that gets (a very small) amount of press. People think they're dating and what not and even through it's entirely not true, a few people still throw out the question. The real fact of the matter is, because although her show is popular and well-received, it's still a small show with a small cast, filmed in New York and the 'attention' is just not really newsworthy in comparison to XYZ-child star with a DUI.
Once the awards that actually pertain to TV actors die down, she's back in NYC and back to work. Life is normal again. But is it 'normal' to be a paid, working actor? She gets asked to a small, indie film premier at some theater downtown with the rest of the cast. Only Lili, Ariel, and Ezra join her, but she puts on a pretty dress and does her hair and makeup and heads out.
She gets her picture taken a few times and a person from E! asks her what's in store for the rest of the season. They talk for a few moments about the show and some great comedy moments ahead. Then she gets a question that throws her threw a loop.
"So are you in Finn Hudson dating?" the woman with the mic asks.
She grins. She can't help it. "I am not dating Finn Hudson. I promise."
"How can I be sure?"
"Well if you're not sure, than you know I'm NOT dating. I promise that if, I, Rachel Berry, was dating Finn Hudson, you would know. You would definitely know. And you don't."
"But how would I know?"
"I would be carrying around a Trapper Keeper that says 'Rachel Berry and Finn Hudson forever.'" The woman laughs. "No, but seriously, were not dating. Not even close. Finn's brother is my best friend in the entire world, so I've known Finn for a while and we're buddies, but we're not dating. And if we were, I would have too much of a big mouth to be quiet about it, ya know?"
The interviewer takes that response as acceptable and bids her adieu. She gets her picture taken one more time and heads inside to watch the movie.
It's Sunday morning and she's vegging out on the couch with a cup of coffee and her laptop when her door buzzes. She hits the intercom and finds out is Ariel on the other side. Over the past year, she had developed an interesting relationship with Ariel. One day they're getting along great, and the next she couldn't be bothered. But then again, she feels that everyone can say that about a coworker or two.
When Ariel arrives, she asks what brought on this impromptu visit.
"Well, I'm meeting some friends for brunch in the neighborhood and I was early, so I figured I would stop by and say hello if you weren't doing anything. Are you doing anything?" The tone in her voice is minutely condescending as Ariel plops down and takes over the love seat. Seeing her act this way, and how it disgusts her, shows her how much she's actually grown up when she realizes this immature behavior is just not acceptable anymore.
"Please make yourself at home." She tries to hide the annoyance in her voice. "No, I wasn't up to much, considering it is Sunday morning. Just catching up on some e-mails, waiting for my laundry to dry, watching Four Weddings."
"Cool," Ariel nods, as though she's expecting more to be said. She doesn't really have more to say as her phone goes off on the coffee table.
"Oooh…It's Finn!" Ariel comments as she wiggles her eyebrows. She grabs the phone ignores the call. "What's the deal with you two anyway? I've seen at events your minor flirtation. Are you really dating him, just under wraps?"
"I'm not dating Finn."
"Yeah, right. You can be honest with me. I really don't have anyone to tell and I don't think anyone would care either."
"Gee, thanks."
"Seriously, he's a really cute guy. I know you're, like, close with his brother or whatever, but I wouldn't judge if you've taken him for a ride a few times." Ariel's rolling the pendant hanging from her necklace in her fingers as speaks. "With his height, it seems like it would be a pretty good time."
It's the final comment that sends her over the edge; pissing her off more than she already was by the entrance of the other female. "That is enough! Ya know, you don't know me. You don't know Finn. And you certainly don't know anything about our friendship and your comments are contemptible and deplorable." She rises from her chair and heads toward the door. "I don't know why you felt the need to kill time by torturing my on a lovely Sunday morning, but now you're just being a rude guest. Get out!" she commands, swinging the door open.
Ariel gets up and quietly, but quickly leaves. Before she can walk all the way to her bedroom after locking the door, she sees a text from Ariel apologizing for her behavior. Yeah, sure.
She goes to her dresser and opens up her little pink jewelry box. Her dads gave it to her when she was 8 and she's never had the heart to replace it. Grabbing the smaller velvet box inside – opening it up to see the shiny rocks staring back at her – the wave of memories she's worked so hard to hide, come peaking out.
Their Motley Crew all sat all dressed up in the guest area as they waited for a prognosis. Apparently, the accident was as bad as it looked, and the outlook for Little Miss Head Cheerleader was looking grim.
She'll never say it, but she had a feeling. Something was off. Like her needing Quinn to be there was almost a way to protect her. Assurance she was okay. It was a gut feeling that she needed to make sure Quinn Fabray was okay before they began. She didn't wait and now they were all here. Waiting.
She walks up to Finn, who's leaning against the wall leading into the corridor. "You wanna get out of here?" she asks, because she desperately needs to leave. It's killing her being here.
"Yeah," he obliges, taking her hand. They walk together past the group. "I'm gonna take Rachel home," he notifies them."And don't worry, we're not gonna run off and elope or anything."
She's not sure if he was joking, but his comment would have been far funnier if it wasn't under these circumstances. The patiently waiting Glee Club still gives small smiles as they head through the automatic door.
When they arrive to her house, they go up to her room and she looks out the window to the setting sun. She is purposefully distant towards him. And him to her. They both know why; without even needing to say the words.
She says them anyway; still not able to face him. "They were right, weren't they," she begins, hardy above a whisper. "Everyone. That we were too young. That we were being foolish and stupid and idealistic and not truly thinking this through. They were right. Weren't they?"
She turns and faces him, waiting for a response. "Weren't they!" she demands.
"They were," he finally agrees, speaking as softly as her. "I'm so sorry Rachel. This is all my fault," the regret pours from his voice as he carries on; rambling about. "I didn't mean to hurt you or anyone else. I just love you so much and I thought by doing this it would keep us together because whenever I think about my future I think about you and that's so unfair to you. And I'm so sorry to put you through this, but I do love you so much and I never meant to hurt you and put you in a position you were unsure of—"
"I was sure!" She interrupts him. "I love you. And I want to be with you so much, but it's just—"
"It can't be right now." He interrupts her. "We're too young. We don't know what we're doing. And it was so unfair – to each other – making decisions we really aren't ready for."
"But I thought I was ready," she explains as she walks closer to him, placing her hands on his chest. "I really, honestly did, but—"
"We're not ready, Rachel," he calmly interjects, placing his hand on her back, and rubbing up and down. "We're not. It just took a devastating car wreck for us to realize it."
She places her head against his chest and he holds her for a long time. She tries to fight back the tears, but some still come out anyway. She looks back up at him and wipes some off her cheek. "I should…I should probably give this back to you," she says looking down, still in his strong arms, taking it off her finger and handing it to him.
"No," he replies, placing the ring in her palm and folding her fingers over it. "One day, I'll put that ring back on your hand it will be for the right reasons. That I promise."
She can't help but shed more tears at his hopeful statement. They engage in a passionate kiss and soon find themselves lost in one another.
They make love that night, and for the first time (since, ya know, they starting doing that), it didn't feel like they were two kids sneaking around when their parents weren't home. It felt adult and grown up, like she was hoping tonight would go. But she realized they felt older because the decision they made that night – the decision not to wed at eighteen – was the most adult action they've ever taken. Either of them.
They matured that night more by not getting married, than they ever would have if they had gone through with it. And the blissful acts they partook in that evening were a reflection of that.
He hasn't heard much from Rachel recently. He thinks some of the press about their fictional relationship freaked her out a bit, but he doesn't really mind. They just hung out a few times at some events. It wasn't like they were having hot make out sessions in the janitor's closet. (A fantasy he always wished would come true.) He has a feeling that something – or someone – rubbed her the wrong way.
With all the excitement of awards season long past, life went back to its daily routine. They really didn't speak much besides e-mail and texts messages before all the events and occasions, and now things were just back to what they were before.
He gets an interesting phone call at the end of February that gives him something new to add to his resume. Mercedes Jones needed a drummer for a few of the tracks on her album, and he was the only person she could call for the job. Honored by her request, he immediately takes her up on the offer and comes in for a recording session of a few of her songs.
It's his first time ever in a real recording studio.
When he finds out that one of the tunes he's helping out with is her first single, and he's asked to be in ten seconds of her video, he's excited. Despite working on a TV series, music was still a love of his and this was just a cherry on top of an awesome run of months.
It suddenly becomes ten-thousand times better when Stevie Nicks walks in to listen to their recording session. She politely praises Mercedes and her vocal prowess, as she talks all about her life. Him, Mercedes, Sam (who's being hanging around), and the others working with them are all awestruck by Stevie's presence. She, like, a real rock star.
"Now you, 'Jesse's Girl' person." Holy shit, she's talking to him. "I've seen that video and I come from a long line of men name Jesse, so I'm Jesse's girl many times over, so I'm a huge fan of the song and you're rendition was just as good as the original. And you play the drums so well! And the cover you did of our song with that girl was wonderful."
Holy crap. Stevie Nicks just complemented him. "Um…um…thanks," he says slower than he wanted. He's blushing really hard and it wishes it would stop.
She speaks for few more minutes and politely exits to let them get back to the music. He still sits their dumbstruck, like he's fifteen, as he watches her go by.
Her agent called and said that it was an emergency. When she heard the words coming out of the other end of the receiver, it was most definitely an emergency.
It's a big audition. Huge. Even bigger than Parents and Children. It's a dream come true.
"Rachel Berry," the call out for her to start next. Her music starts to play.
She knows exactly what to do. She pushes open the curtain from the back and watches Adam Shankman and his 'people' sit awestruck at what she is capable to do. What notes her voice can reach and the stage presence she truly has. It's perfect, just like it was December of 2009.
She finishes singing and takes a second to catch her breath. "So, I can run some lines when you're ready," she comments to silence as the casting people pick their jaws up off the floor. She can't even stop the devilish grin growing on her face.
He's about to be interviewed by Kristen Dos Santos about the gripping season finale of his series when he looks down at his phone.
I'm gonna be Barbra! She texts him, with no further context.
He sees his in his inbox a press release explaining that Parents and Children starlet Rachel Berry has been chosen out of several contenders to portray Barbra Streisand in the Bio-Pic for HBO filming this summer. He's eyes shoot out of his sockets when he reads the e-mail. And now he has to be interviewed.
"I'm sorry I'm a little 'off the walls' a friend of mine just got really good news today and I'm just so happy right now!" he explains.
Kristen smiles, charmed by his demeanor, (as several report seems to be when they interview him), and they continue talking. She asks him how it feels to know that the show has been picked up.
"It's awesome!" he says, because it, like, really is. "It's great knowing that I will have a job again next year. And it's also great knowing that I get to come back to this job that I love so much and getting to work with such amazing people. It's such an embarrassment of riches."
She smiles wider at him and says, "You're a cute kid, you know that."
He blushes. "Thanks."
When they get picked up for a second season, he caves and goes to the car dealership. He even has to admit that the truck has seen better days. Most of which occurred before he even owned it. He's cautious, so he only leases It, but he is excited to troll around in a German-engineered car that goes, "Vroom, vroom."
When Finn offers to pick her up at Kurt's when they both have to go to the big corporate FOX building for their contract renal meetings, she thinks it's just an act of kindness out of his heart. When he shows up in his new toy, she realizes that showing off was a contributing factor to his chivalry. She shakes her head as she enters his vehicle.
They head to their destination when he asks, "So how's it living with Kurt in his tiny apartment."
"I've done it before; I can do it again for a few months. Especially for something as great as this."
"So are you subletting your current place?"
"No. Ya see, I have this amazing job that is so great that I can afford to pay for that pad while away for business for a few months."
"That sounds like an amazing job!"
"It is!"
"I have one of those too!" They pull into a spot at their destination when he asks, "What time do you get out of your meeting? I know it's later than mine, right?"
"I'm supposed to be out by 1, so we can meet up for lunch if you want."
"It's food. I never say no to food."
"Okay, I'll see you then."
He heads up to his room assignment a few floors above hers as she enters the conference room for her meeting. She's really early, but she still takes out the folder with her contract and papers; and a pen and pad for notes. She sits around quietly waiting as she looks down at her watch and sees how early she actually is. She's tempted to go get water at the vending machine when she sees the double-doors on the opposite side of the room open, and Kevin Riley appears, with few other executives.
"Glee clubs?" one of the other men in fancy suits asks.
"Yeah, he wants to do a one-hour musical-comedy about glee clubs," Kevin explains.
"We are talking about the same Ryan Murphy?" the same gentleman asks rhetorically. "The guy who created a show about psychopathic plastic surgeons?"
"Same guy. He really wants to do this. Glee clubs." Kevin shakes his head in bewilderment.
"Excuse me?" she interjects, getting their attention. And really who's gonna deprive her. She's on the highest-rated non-reality show they have. "Did you just say that Ryan Murphy, creator of Nip/Tuck and cult classic Popular wants to make a show about high school glee clubs?"
She's terrible at hiding her excitement at the end of her questioning. "Yeah. Why?" one of the suited men replies.
"No reason." She looks down at her watch. "You know, we have a few minutes till we start, so I'm gonna go run and get a soda. Be right back." She's out of there faster than she can change her mind.
She runs up the stairs two flights to his floor. She storms down the hallway with a determined expression and intense pace. She sees him though the window on the side of the room.
She opens the door just enough to make her figure seen, but holds it open, not wanting to fully enter. "Hi. Sorry to interrupt," she says to the cast of his program (who must now all think she's crazy).
"Rachel, what are you doing here?" Finn whispers with a stern edge.
"I need to talk to you. Right now."
A/N: So, should I continue? I see this story being 3-4 long segments like this. I hope to have more up soon. Please review and let me know what you were thinking, feeling, and more. :-)
(And I hope I didn't offend any Modern Family fans by making Ariel an antagonist. I just needed to find an actress around her age and of similar popularity to her.)
