Author's Notes: Hello everyone! You may have read my previous story "Blaine's Best Friend", but I really lost hope when no one reviewed it. Then two years later I get reviews and follows! Well I kind of lost steam and can't go back, but I've written this new fic set in Season 4 mostly because I was so unhappy with where they took Blaine, Finn and Kurt this season. And I absolutely hated 'Blina.' So here I give you Blaine and Rina, her name meaning song in Hebrew. It will mostly center on the two of them and Finn but it will involve Kurt, Rachel, and the rest of the New Directions. I will be using some season four cannon, but it will be my very loose interpretation. Hope you like it! And I own nothing but the character of Rina Hendrix.

Chapter One: The Last Time

Blaine Anderson had a perfect summer. He had spent his time bonding with his boyfriend and reconnecting with his best friend Rina. But the summer was over, Kurt had gone to New York to pursue his dreams, and Blaine was left in Ohio wondering what his senior year would be like. He liked the New Directions, and with Rina back in his life he knew it would be a little less intimidating to return to a team that admittedly was not where he felt at home. But would she stay? That was the more important question.

Rina Hendrix was born just hours before Blaine at the same hospital, and their mothers had met and bonded over the birth of their new children. When they were fourteen she got the chance of a lifetime to go away and study at a fancy theatre academy and had been living in Chicago ever since. But now she had returned, with every intention to spend her senior year with Blaine, and win him another nationals trophy with the glee club.

Blaine wasn't sure why Rina had returned into his life. She was what he called a 'drifter'. Since she had moved to Chicago just after his beating, she had come and gone like the changing tides. She would disappear for a time, then as suddenly as she left she would reappear. At first Blaine was hurt by it, not understanding why his loyal best friend would disappear for months at a time. But when she was in his life, she was the most attentive and supportive friend he could ask for. So when she told him that she would not just be spending the summer, but the entire school year in Ohio, Blaine couldn't help but wonder just how long it would really last. He had spent a perfect summer with her and Kurt, a summer he could only have dreamed of. But now the school year was starting and he could feel her growing restless, he sensed her urge to run, and he wondered why she had returned at all.

Rina was a young girl with big dreams, impossible heartbreak, and dark secrets. She had loved and nearly lost her best friend when she was only 14, and carrying around her fear of losing him for real caused her to walk in and out of his life, being unfair and selfish with her love. She had spent three months of summer with him, and had committed to another ten, and it grew harder every day to resist the temptation to run. She didn't want to run because she was afraid of what she could lose, she wanted to run because of the secrets she carried; the secrets that had the power to ruin both their lives.

At 7:30am on Monday morning Blaine knocked on Rina's door, "Rina? Are you ready?" He couldn't hear anything so he opened the door to see his best friend staring at herself in the mirror, with tears in her eyes. "What's wrong Ri?" he asked as he walked toward her. She dried her eyes and said, "oh don't mind me, I'm just getting all sentimental thinking about how this is our last first day of school. It's the beginning of a lot of lasts." He smiled warmly at her and said, "and the start of a lot of new beginnings." They hugged tightly and then walked out of her room, toward their first last.

Rina's first day of school at McKinley High was a blur, but at the end of the day it was time for her to audition for the New Directions. She waited patiently until Mr. Schuster called her name, "Rina Hendrix, please take the stage." She picked up a guitar and moved to the middle of the stage where she said, "my name is Rina Hendrix and I will be singing 'I Won't Give Up' by Jason Mraz." The boys of the glee club watched the small girl intently; she had shoulder length auburn hair and fiery brown eyes. Rina sat down on a stool, bowed her head reverently to her guitar and began playing the tune.

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

Her voice was rich and deep, a strong mezzo-soprano that although would have a hard time fitting in on Broadway, would certainly make for a striking lead vocalist. The glee club members watched her with wonder; she wasn't like Rachel, devoid of ambitious power that knocked you back into your seat. She was quiet, restrained, calmly confident and eager only to be herself; or rather, a version of herself.

Well, I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

Blaine couldn't help but laugh when she sang those words, 'so you're giving me space when you disappear' he thought to himself. However he was soon surprised by the growing emotion he could hear in her voice.

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am

Rina felt herself slowly losing composure, she knew the words she sang rang more true than any others she could have said. She looked up momentarily to meet eyes with Blaine and knew he had to understand this was the beginning of a long apology from her.

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, still looking up.

Well, I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

As she finished her song Mr. Schuster said, "that was an interesting song choice, care to share its meaning?" Rina fidgeted slightly but composed herself and said, "I sang it for my best friend Blaine. We've been apart for so long, and it's how I feel now that we're together again." Blaine smiled at her words and Mr. Schuster thanked her and then called the next student onto the stage. Blaine met her back stage and said, "you were fantastic!" Rina smiled at him and said, "I don't think Mr. Schuster liked me, everyone else is so talented, I don't think I'll be in glee club."

Blaine hugged her and said, "no way, I'm sure Mr. Schue loved you. Besides, we don't have a voice like yours in the New Directions, you could be our secret weapon!" Rina laughed and the two walked back into the auditorium.

At the end of auditions everyone was anxious to meet the new girl, especially since she had a history with Blaine. Blaine introduced her to the group saying, "everyone meet Rina. She is my best friend from Chicago. She grew up here in Ohio but moved there with her parents to go to a performing arts school. She's back to spend her senior year with me." Rina was intimidated by the group, but they were easily just as intimidated by her. Her impressive education made Tina, Artie, Sam, Joe, Unique, Sugar and Brittany feel as if they were inadequate. However they never let it show and Artie asked, "so what was your emphasis at that fancy school?" Rina smiled and replied, "I was a theatre major, but I took additional classes in dramatic writing, I hope to be a playwright someday." Suddenly the group felt collectively relieved, she would be no threat to anyone's stardom, and maybe even let Artie direct some of her work. After they had all met and talked Blaine and Rina went to get coffee at the Lima Bean.

Although Blaine loved having Rina staying with him in his own house, it never felt quite comfortable being around her and his parents at the same time; especially with his father constantly nagging, "come on son, she's pretty, why not give girls a try?" And despite her recent devotion he still had to wonder, will this even last? He had to know why she was back, and why she was suddenly so committed to what had been a rather one sided friendship.

They sat down at the Lima Bean, Blaine with his black coffee three sugars, Rina with her double shot coconut milk mocha, and for a while they just sat in silence. Finally Blaine couldn't stand it any longer, he had spent three months with her without a satisfactory explanation so he blurted out suddenly, "why are you really here?" Rina looked at him with wide eyes and said, "wait a minute, where is this coming from?" Blaine felt a little ashamed for being so blunt but he still wanted to know, "well since you left we've had this on again off again kind of relationship. Now suddenly you're back and I'm just supposed to wait around until you get bored and ditch me again? I love you Rina, but I'm tired of you disappearing and reappearing as you please, what did I do to make you treat me like this? I loved the song you sang, but how can I trust the words?"

Blaine's words cut Rina's heart, she had always known that Blaine wouldn't appreciate her disappearing act, but he had never had the guts to be so up front with her before. She had her reasons, and very good ones at that, but she couldn't seem to be able to tell Blaine. After all, her biggest regrets all lied with him, and when the pain got too intense, she erased him from her life, only to ache for his presence not a second later. But telling him this would only lead to questions whose answers had the power to destroy their relationship forever, and she wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Rina scrambled mentally for an explanation, but no amount of justifying seemed to be enough. Finally she said, "I'm sorry I've hurt you, I've been selfish. I should have been there for you after the Sadie Hawkins incident, but the longer we were apart the more it felt like you wouldn't want me in your life. I felt like I was just reminding you of everything that hurt you. But I'm here to stay now. I promise I won't leave you." Blaine looked at Rina knowing she wasn't being completely truthful, he could see she was hiding something from him, but would he risk her running away to uncover the truth? Blaine stared at her for several minutes, wondering if she would break down and open up to him, but she didn't. She remained steadfastly faithful to her secrets, ones that she had locked away deep inside a place that Blaine wasn't allowed to go. Never before had he felt that with her, but it was now abundantly clear, just like Cooper, his parents, and eventually Kurt, she was keeping a part of her life from him. The only person who hadn't, suddenly kept him out and he ached to know why. After several seconds he relented but said, "this is the last time Rina. I can't lose you again. If you leave, you will never see me again." Rina held back tears but said, "then this is the last time you have to forgive me." Blaine hugged her tightly, silently wishing to whatever mystical powers that existed, please, make her let me in.

The next day at McKinley High the glee club additions were posted and Rina made her way to the bulletin and closed her eyes. A million times she had done this at the Academy, always getting the parts she auditioned for, yet she had never wanted anything more than to be in the glee club, to be close to Blaine. She finally allowed herself to look up at the list and to her relief her name was listed along with Marley, Jake, Kitty and Ryder. Not a moment later she heard the familiar voice of her best friend behind her and he said, "see, I told you Mr. Schue liked you." She smiled and said, "let's go find out what our first assignment is." The two walked into glee club and took their seats among the other members. Rina was happy to have a place in her new school, a place where she could slowly make amends for her past mistakes.

As the final members filed in Mr. Schue happily greeted them and said, "I'd like to welcome our newest members of the glee club, Marley, Jake, Ryder, Kitty and Rina." The room erupted in applause and for a moment both Blaine and Rina let go of their past and lived only in the present.

"Now we have no time to waste preparing for sectionals, we are facing the Dalton Academy Warblers this year, and we all know how formidable of a foe they are." Rina looked at Blaine and whispered, "is it weird competing against your old team?" He frowned for a minute but said, "in a way, but I know this is where I belong." Rina was surprised, "because this is where Kurt was?" He shook his head, "no, because you're here." She smiled at his words and then refocused on Mr. Schuster and his ideas for sectionals.

Rina was excited to be at a new school where she could reinvent herself. She had left behind quite a reputation at The Academy and was relieved that not even Blaine knew about the baggage she was leaving behind. As much as she wanted to admit that the Sadie Hawkins incident hadn't affected her, it had, more than anyone would ever know. She tried dealing as best she could, but nothing worked. She drank, she did drugs, she looked to sex for an escape but none of it worked. She still awoke to visions of Blaine and his friend lying motionless in the Westerville High parking lot, bruised and bloodied, left for dead by . . . "Rina" she suddenly heard.

Startled from her nightmarish vision she looked up to see Marley looking at her, "hey, are you okay?"

"Yes," she replied, "just thinking, sorry, what was your name again?" The girl smiled and said, "I'm Marley, I love your voice, it's going to be amazing with you in glee club." Rina blushed and said, "oh, you're too nice, my voice doesn't compare with yours. I love Broadway, I've already written part of a book for a musical, but I'd never get a role with my voice." Marley smiled kindly at her and said, "oh that's no way to think! Voices come in all different tones and styles, maybe you just need to write one for yourself." Rina laughed and said, "yeah, maybe." Marley then asked her, "hey, would you like to have lunch with me?" Rina smiled and said, "yeah, I could use a girl friend." Marley laughed and the two walked off to the cafeteria.

That afternoon Rina was the first one to appear in glee club. She set down her backpack in a chair and waited a few moments. Suddenly she realized that she was alone in a room full of instruments, "why am I not playing?" she thought to herself. She picked up a guitar and sat on one of the stools. She began plucking a few random cords before deciding on the song that would best suit how she felt. Once she knew the notes drifted from the guitar into the hall where Finn Hudson was looking for Mr. Schuster.

Finn Hudson had come back to Lima for one reason and one reason only. He and Rachel were over. His big plans to join the marines had failed, he didn't fit into the scene in New York; he was a man with no purpose and no home. So now at his lowest point he could only think of one place that felt safe, that felt like home. He walked the halls of McKinley High longing to feel as if it was still his safe haven, but it wasn't, it belonged to someone else now. As he approached the choir room he could hear the steady hum of a guitar and realized one of the glee kids was playing. At first he sped up to see which of his beloved friends was there. However he heard a voice he didn't recognize and slowed his gait, suddenly entranced by the saddest voice he had ever heard.

Good times for a change
See, the luck I've had
Can make a good girl
Turn bad

So please, please, please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
This time

Finn approached the doorway of the choir room to see a small girl with auburn hair sitting on a stool in the middle of the room with her eyes shut tight. She wore skinny jeans and converse shoes, clearly a hipster kid. He moved in further to notice her pale skin and winged eyeliner. She certainly didn't look like she had lived there long. The kids of McKinley High would rid her of that soon enough.

Haven't had a dream in a long time
See, the life I've had
Can make a good girl bad

So for once in my life
Let me get what I want
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Lord knows, it would be the first time

As she finished her song Finn clapped, startling her back into reality. She got up with a start, dropping the guitar and almost looking as if she was ready to attack.

"Woah, I didn't mean to scare you" Finn said. "My name's Finn Hudson, I'm just here visiting Mr. Schue and the glee club. I used to be in it last year." Rina caught her breath before realizing who was standing before her. Suddenly she said, "wait, you're Kurt's step brother. The one who almost got married last year." Finn felt pained at her mention of his failed attempt to marry Rachel Berry, but then realized, "how do you know that?" The girl then picked up the guitar she dropped and said, "I'm sorry, I'm Rina Hendrix. Blaine is my best friend, I'm here to spend my senior year with him. Kurt and I got to know each other over the summer obviously, so he mentioned you." Finn nodded and said, "right, Kurt told me about you. It's nice to meet you. You have a really great voice by the way." Rina blushed slightly and said, "oh, thanks. I just like to fool around you know? I'm more of a writer anyhow." Finn nodded his head while smiling at her. He didn't know why or how, but he was convinced that somehow the universe had brought them together; she was going to be important to him.

Suddenly their moment was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the glee club, along with Mr. Schue. The room erupted into joyous words as those who knew Finn Hudson welcomed him home, the new kids cautiously watching in silence from their seats. Finally the room settled down and Mr. Schue asked Finn, "so what are you doing back here?" Finn sheepishly grinned and then gave Mr. Schue the abridged version of why he was back, "I missed home, and the marines didn't work out, so I wanted to figure things out in a place that felt safe." Mr. Schue patted him on the back and said, "we're happy to have you. Besides we could use your help coming up with a set list for sectionals!" The club erupted into applause as Finn took the seat next to Blaine, hoping his brother's boyfriend would help him get closer to Rina.

Rina was certain Blaine had been the victim of temporary insanity. Or at least that's what she wanted to believe. However much to her horror she learned that he was running for student class president, was a member of the absolutely ridiculous cheerio team, and president of the superhero club. She was all for the superhero thing, but his other two endeavors left her in shock and without a way home before the hour of five pm. Glee club had ended at 3:30, but there was still an hour and a half left of Blaine's activities.

As the kids all left the choir room Finn overheard Blaine tell Rina, "why don't you just study in the library until 5? I'll try to hurry, I promise." The girl smiled at her best friend and watched him walk out of the room, and Finn noticed a small sense of worry in her eyes. He walked over to her and said, "hey, if you're not busy, do you want to grab some coffee with me, Artie, Tina, and Brittany?"

Rina was surprised at the tall boy's offer, but what choice did she have? It was either sit alone in a library or get to know some of Blaine's friends. After thinking it over, the latter seemed the better option and she replied,"sure, I could always go for a cup of coffee."

The five walked into the Lima Bean on a chilly October afternoon. They were a strange group, four old friends with a stranger in their midst. However they were all curious about the new girl, she seemed to be a fragile person, despite her outward appearance. The ordered their coffees and sat down at a table next to the window and Artie started the conversation, "so new girl, what do you write?" Rina smiled at him and said, "oh, well, I'm writing a play at the moment. It's sort of a mix of romance, tragedy, and science fiction." Brittany looked on in amazement, "so, have you been to space? What are aliens like? Are you an alien?" Rina wrinkled her nose at Brittany's absurd questions, but humored her nonetheless and said, "I haven't met any aliens, but I like to write what I think they'd be like." Brittany looked dejected and said, "she's not cool, she hasn't met aliens." The group just chuckled at her and Tina asked, "what colleges are you applying to?" Rina perked up at her question, she had been considering many options, but having someone other than Blaine bounce her ideas off of was nice. "I was thinking about Hunter, The New School, NYU, Julliard is my dream, they have an amazing fellowship program for playwrights that's highly competitive. That's sort of my pipe dream. Oh and Emerson, but I'm not sure I'll apply there." "Why not? It's a great school for writers" Artie interjected.

"Well," she said quietly, "Blaine will be in New York, and ever since we were little we've said we were going to move there and be famous." "So what's the story with you two anyhow, I mean, for being his best friend Blaine like never talked about you" Tina said.

Rina was saddened by Tina's words. She had known she hadn't been a good friend to Blaine, but it never made her stop to think that it would cause Blaine to erase her from his present, and presumably his future. Rina sighed and said, "honestly, I haven't acted like a best friend to Blaine. When I left Ohio he was a part of a scary past. Sometimes I got so overwhelmed by the memories it was just easier to leave him behind with all of them."

Brittany could sense the table's mood shifting from positive to dark so she changed the subject quickly with, "I think for sectionals this year we should do a Brittany Spears medley with me singing lead. The table laughed and Tina said, "oh no! With Rachel Berry gone, it's my turn to shine!" Artie slapped Tina across the arm and she immediately held her hands up to her mouth and said, "oh Finn, I'm so sorry!"

Finn smiled with great effort but said, "it's okay Tina, I'll get over it eventually."

Rina could sense it was not a subject the boy wanted to spend any more time on so she said, "seriously, what should we sing at sectionals?"

The rest of the afternoon the group discussed song possibilities and duet partners until finally at five thirty Rina got a text from Blaine that read, I'm here! Let's go home I'm starving! Rina laughed at the text and said to her new friends, "thanks for coffee guys, looks like my ride is here. See you tomorrow!" The group bid her goodbye and watched as she left the Lima Bean. Finn sat quietly watching her get into Blaine's car, as he did Artie said, "dude, remember Rachel? It's too soon for a rebound." Finn smiled and said, "I just want to be her friend. She looks like she could use a friend, just like I could." Tina, Artie and Brittany looked on at Finn and wondered what had happened to him, he was no longer the epitome of confidence he once was. But that would come out eventually they thought, just like the secrets they knew Rina was hiding behind.