When Rachel Berry first received the news she wasn't sure how to react. It wasn't as if the two had been friends exactly, although they had occasionally talked during the four years of high school that they shared together and had become Facebook friends post-graduation. So, when she saw the news on Facebook that was inviting all friends to the ceremony she wasn't quite sure what her answer would be. Attending, Not Attending, Maybe Attending?

Rachel hesitated for a second longer before moving her mouth pointer over Attending and clicking it. The drive back to Lima, Ohio, would be long but she knew if she didn't go then she might regret it later.

So that is why three days later Rachel Berry arrived in the small town that she had once vowed never to return to. All because of him. The next day felt like it was going in slow motion as she slipped on her dress and fixed her hair before getting in her car and driving to the only church in Lima.

Rachel watched as people piled inside the church while she pretended to fix her shoe. Maybe she shouldn't be here. Rachel took a deep breath and forced herself inside, finding a seat near the back by herself.

The ceremony passed rather quickly. People stood and made their way to the front, telling stories while some laughed and others cried, there was a slide show, and then a lovely slow song while everyone stood and made their way outdoors. It was only when the workers at the church lowered the casket into the ground that Rachel felt a lump rising into her throat. His headstone was beautiful, simple, and elegant. Rachel stood there like a statue as everyone paid their respects and finally left, leaving her there staring down and all alone. She slid off her heels and ventured forwards, stopping at his gravestone and sliding down to the ground in front of it.

Finn Hudson

Wonderful son, amazing person

Rest with the angels

Rachel traced his name with her fingertips and finally let the tears slide down her cheeks and onto the cold stone beneath her.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Rachel jerked up and wiped frantically at her eyes as she looked up at the older man who was wearing a top hat with a strange coin in it. "Yes?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He apologized, glancing down at the headstone. "Was he your boyfriend?"

"Umm, no, no he wasn't." Rachel mumbled, "I wanted him to be in high school but… it never happened."

"Why not?"

Rachel blinked down at the headstone she was still touching, remembering it as if it were yesterday. It had been after Mr. Schue had informed them that he was leaving because his wife was pregnant.

"Look, I should go. I can't do glee anymore, it conflicts with-"

"Your reputation?" Rachel interrupted, "You've really got something Finn, and you're throwing it all away."

"I-I'm gonna be late."

"You can't keep worrying about what people think, Finn. You're better than all of them."

Rachel shook her head as if to rid herself of the memory, "He never came back to glee like I hoped he would. Maybe I could have tried a little harder to get him to come back, maybe if he had then things would be different now…but its not exactly like I can go back and change the past now so there's no use in thinking about it."

"Do you really think you would be able to make a difference?" the man asked, his eyes shining strangely as he leaned forward.

Rachel felt almost mesmerized by this stranger, "Yes. I do."

The man nodded and flashed her a crooked smile before jumping forward and latching onto her upper arm. Rachel opened her mouth to scream but before she could her whole world went dark.

"You're better than all of them." Rachel blurted out and then blinked, looking up in amazement at the tall handsome boy in front of her who looked at her with both a guilty and annoyed expression. What the hell?

Rachel frowned and looked around her, instantly recognizing the halls of McKinley High. "Finn?"

Finn sighed and rolled his eyes at her, "I'm sorry Rachel, I don't mean to let you down but I just can't be in glee anymore!"

Was this some kind of joke? Oh my gosh, that guy must have knocked her out and now she was having a very vivid dream. She was going to sue the hell out of that man when she woke up!

Rachel watched as Finn turned and began to walk away, wanting to call out to him or tackle him to the floor. Something. Anything. Instead she just stood there and watched him disappear around the corner, knowing that it wouldn't matter either way what she did. Time travel wasn't real, this wasn't real…but what if it was?

She took a breath and took off at a full run. She was going to save Finn Hudson's life, she was going to take a chance.