Chapter 1

The Middle

So Here's what's happened;

New Directions song list was leaked at sectionals leaving the group in peril

Will had split up with his wife Terri after finding out she wasn't really pregnant

New Directions won at sectionals

and that's what you missed on GLEE!

"Hey Mr Schue!" Finn shouted, noticing Will and Rachel entering the room.

"Hey guys, great job at sectionals, I am so proud of you guys." A tear was dwelling in Will's eye, but he held it back as Rachel began making her way towards a seat, right next to Finn and behind Kurt and Mercedes. "So guys, since you all worked so hard at sectionals, I thought that you all deserve a break, so today's practice is just a chance for you to do whatever you want, kick back, catch up on some Spanish homework" Will turned to Finn. "Mr Schue come on, I don't get why I'd need to know what 'Ques Pasa' means when I grow up.." Finn said, a sarcastic tone in his voice. The group began to giggle lightly, but then they began to scatter around the room, forming some 'clicks'. Brittney and Santana pulled Finn into the corner, most probably discussing the 'spur of the moment' makeout after sectionals. Puck stay seated with Quinn, and they began to talk about one of Pucks favourite subjects, 'How Super Mario changed the world'. Mercedes, Kurt and Rachel walked to the piano where Mr Schuester was seated. The rest stayed put, Mike putting in his Ipod. "Mr Schuester, I was wondering if perhaps we could use the piano to practice a new number I've been working on." Rachel asked, a sweet smile noticeable. "Yeah sure guys, let me just move al-" Rachel cut in, "Mr Schuester, I was hoping perhaps you could help me."

"Yeah sure, whats up?" he replied, placing the papers he was grading down on the bench next to him.

"Well, I can't help but remember our incredible duet of 'Endless Love', and I was thinking perhaps I could perform another ballad at regionals, possibly a duet."

"Erm, sure Rachel, but surely it would help more to ask one of the guys who are actually part of the team wouldn't it?"

"Well yes it would, but come on, Finn is practically a child in a teenagers body, Puck is busy with Quinn, and Kurt, well.." She turned to Kurt who was deep in conversation with Mercedes, something about a facial after class, 'Kurt doesn't really have the male lead I need to prepare myself for. And the others are nowhere near strong enough to compliment my voice." Will turned his head slightly, a look of dispair across his face. "Fine Rachel, I'll help, did you have something in mind?"

"Oh most definitely, don't I always?" She replied, seating herself on the piano bench inbetween the un-graded papers and Will. "I'll play, and you follow my lead" Rachel demanded. Will just looked away, hoping he knew the song before it was too far into it. He didn't even want to imagine what Rachel would be like trying to sing a duet with a clueless partner.

Rachel began playing, as the other members of the club began to turn and listen.

Rachel took the first verse of the song solo;

"Watching every motion in my foolish lover's game,

On this endless ocean finally lovers know no shame,

Turning and returning to some secret place inside,

Watching in slow motion as you turn around and say."

Will then joined in for the chorus, their voices joining in a beautiful melody. The other Glee club members began pulling out their phones and raising them as if there were torches. Rachel turned to Will as they sang the chorus, hoping he would look back into her eyes.

"Take my breath away,

Take my breath away"

Rachel continued playing, giving Will a nudge to signal that he was to take over the next verse. He began to think to himself, "No, not again please, you can't be serious". He knew too well the song, he knew too well the lyrics, and he knew even better the story of the song, and singing it to Rachel would most definitely not be a good idea.

"Watching I keep waiting still anticipating love,

Never hesitating to become the fated ones,

Turning and returning to some secret place to hide,

Watching in slo-"

He stopped singing, "That's enough practice Rachel. Umm, I think you've got it covered. Finn, perhaps you could fill in the male lead if this is used at regionals?"

'Yeah, sure thing Mr Schu, although it's a shame you didn't keep going, you did last time when the fates had spoken.." Finn replied, a cheeky smirk appearing on his face. Rachel looked at Mr Schuester who by now had taken his papers and gone to it on a seat placed further behind the piano. A feeling of disappointment ran through Rachel, but she knew she couldn't let it show. Rachel walked back towards Kurt and Mercedes, and was greeted by comments such as "Aww, that was kinda cute Rachel" and "Guess who's got a crush again", Finn then leaned in a added his own comment, "Rach, can we talk outside quickly?"

"Wha-?" Rachel thought to herself, that's not a comment, she can't use that as creative criticism or as a building stone towards her temple of talent. Nevertheless, she stood up and followed Finn outside, Mercedes, Kurt and Santana watching them as they left. Brittney would have been, but she was too caught up in a conversation with Mike. Well actually, it was just one line from Brittney. "So why did the chicken cross the road?". Mike just looked at her, puzzled.

"What's up Finn?" Rachel asked, a quick tone used. "Well, I just have to tell you, what happened with me and Santana, and Brittney at sectionals meant nothing, it was just a, a, spurred reaction."

"Erm, okay. So?" Finn looked a bit suprised. He'd planned for this to be a perfect lead up to him admitting he liked Rachel, hoping for her to reply with a slightly more grateful answer which could lead him into something like 'Your the only girl for me Rach' or 'but while it happened i couldn't help but wish it was you'. But no, just a simple 'So?', Finn was not best pleased and was taken aback. "Ok, plan B." Finn thought to himself.

"Rach, there's something else I gotta tell ya to."

"Ok, and what might that be?". Finn took a deep breath, "I like you Rach, I mean I really like you, as in I can't sleep at night without thinking of ways to tell you this, and trust me, I've gone through so many that they've blocked out some of my football plays." Rachel looked a bit stunned, and was feeling a mix of emotions right now.

On one hand it was "YES! Finally!" the guy she had wanted to be with since first hearing him sing had admitted he liked her.

On the other hand, "Oh Crap." (She mentally told herself off for the swear). She liked Mr Schuester. Admittedly she had feelings for Finn, but they were nothing compared to the ones Will had the honour of.

"Is you not talking a good thing or a bad thing right now?" Finn asked. Rachel was still torn, not sure whether to respond with the hug and possible Kiss she would have previously gone with, or to reject this ex-crush, and pray that Mr Schuester wasn't a fantasy, and that there was some possibility in them being together.

"I need to think Finn, but I'm flattered that you feel that way about me"

"Thank goodness, I even amaze myself sometimes." Rachel thought to herself. "Oh, Erm, yeah sure that's fine Rachel." Finn replied, with a rather obvious look of 'Wha-?' on his face. He began to ponder to himself "I'm sure she likes me, why would she reject me?"

Rachel walked back into the room, Finn following shortly after. Will stood, the re-entering of the 2 drawing his attention from the papers he was grading, giving him a chance to look at the time. "Now guys, we have 8 minutes left, but before you go, I'd like to ask if anyone has anything that they'd like to especially do as a group?"

Everybody looked around, no real reaction. "I've got something Mr Schue." Everyone turned to Finn who was yet to sit down since coming back into the room. "But I was kinda hoping I could do it alone, if that's okay Mr Schue."

"Any objections guys?". Nobody objected to the idea, so Will allowed Finn to take centre and do whatever he had planned.

Finn turned to the jazz club behind him and whispered something to them, in which they approved. Music began, and Finn sung his sudden solo. He looked towards Rachel as he sung;

''Put your head against my life,

What do you hear?

A million words just trying to make

The love song of the year,

Close your eyes but don't forget,

What you have heard,

A man who's trying to say three words,

The words that make me scared.."

He began walking towards Rachel as he sung, all eyes on Finn as he slowly approached his target;

"A million love songs later,

And here I am trying to tell you that I care,

A million love songs later,

And here I am,

Here i am , a million love songs later,

Here i am."

Rachel blushed, Finn began a slight smile, knowing that her reaction was perhaps a sign that she was touched by his song.

''Looking to the future now,

This is what I see,

A million chances pass me by,

A million chances to hold you,

Take me back, take me back,

To where I used to be,

To hide away from all my truths,

Through the light I see."

Finn pulled Rachel from her seat, and pulled her towards where he had begun his song. They both joined voices to sing the final chorus.

"A million love songs later,

And here I am trying to tell you that I care,

A million love songs later,

And here I am,

Just for you girl,

A million love songs later,

Here I am,

A million love songs later,

Here I am."

Finn and Rachel had ended the song, Rachel close to Finn's chest, Finn's arms around Rachels waist. Neither of them moved, staring into eachothers eyes, not even noticing that the rest of the club had left, and Mr Schuester had started stacking chairs.

Will turned, "That was beautiful guys, a great idea for regionals. Finn, great choice of song, I could really feel the passion, and Rachel, I think I've found your duet idea you spoke about." Rachel turned to Will, speechless. "Finn, if you've got some free time tomorrow, I could help you really nail that chorus, it'll really make a difference to the judges."

"That'd be great Mr Schue." Finn replied, his eyes still gazing at Rachel.

Will began to leave the room, and in doing so, Rachel reacted by pulling away from Finn and walking towards Will, Finn looking disappointed as she left his arms.

"What about me Mr Schuester, I know I'm by far the strongest talent in the group, but you didn't even comment on my performance just then..." Almost a hint of desperation for approval coming from her voice. "Well Rachel, you nailed it as usual, and you know that you did." Rachel looked proud, but felt empty. She felt that even the slightest of errors and he would have picked up on it, and it could, no, would, have resulted in alone time for her and Mr Schuester to 'practice'.

"Bu-"

"Yes?" Rachel eagerly jumped in, maybe a little too eagerly she thought, but decided that no, it was just eager enough to seem cute, rather than scary. "I know it's a personal thing, but I noticed you two enter the room just before Finn sung. Finn was full of passion and emotion as he sung, creating a wonderful atmosphere. But Rachel, I sensed more of a feeling of uncertainty in your voice. Is anything going on between you two?"

"No everyth-" Finn cut in.

"Mr Schue, I took Rachel outside to tell her that I like her. I really like her. And I had to let it out, and your idea was the perfect opportunity for me to do that."

"Ahh, well Finn now that I know, I can say it was really clear that you felt that way, the passion was intense and it really made a difference in your performance."

"Rachel." Will began. "Yes Mr Schuester?" Rachel answered, hoping for a positive reply.

"How did what Finn say make you feel?". Rachel was shocked. This was her teacher dwelling into her private life. Wait, no. This was the man of her dreams testing her to see if she liked Finn. That had to be it. Yes, that was definitely it. Rachel all of a sudden oozed her usual confidence. "Well Mr schuester, I have to say, Finn is a great guy, but I hate to say it. I need a man right now Finn, not someone who wears the rings out of haribo on his fingers." Finn blushed, and hastily left the room. "Rachel, what was that?" Will abruptly stepped in. "What do you mean?". Rachel's confidence was down the drain as she yet again became putty in Will's hands. That wasn't the reaction she had hoped for...

"Well, Finn is a great guy. Yes childish, but also a mature teenager who has found the courage to express his feelings towards you. I know for a fact that telling a girl you like them is hard enough, and it's even harder when its one of your closest friends, and to be shot down the way you just did to him."

Rachel looked down at her feet. "Oh crap." (Another swear, that would be $2 in the swear jar when she got home). Will left the room.

Rachel stood for a while, then went to follow. As will was ahead, Rachel quickened to a hurried pace. "Mr Schuester please wait." Will turned as Rachel approached. Just as Rachel got within feet of Will, she slipped on a slushie patch, the one she had been the cause of earlier to be precise, and flew towards Will. Will Reached out and caught Rachel, who had been brought closer to his chest to cushion the impact. Rachel looked up into Will's eyes as he looked down into hers for a few seconds, until a voice was heard. "Rach! This is why! What the hell!" Rachel and Will both turned at once to see Finn, red with anger heading towards them.

Will let go of Rachel, "Finn, it's not what it looks like." Finn reached the two and turned towards Will, "I opened up to you, I trusted you, you know that I like Rachel. You're her teacher god dammit!"

"Would be a dollar if you lived in my house." Rachel thought to herself. Finn turned his attention to Rachel, "Forget what I said, those feelings don't exist anymore." Finn stormed off, not looking back towards them. "But Finn.." Rachel mumbled to herself. Will turned and walked off the other way.

Leaving Rachel, stood alone in the centre of the hall, on her right was the guy who admitted his feelings towards her. This was the guy who had stolen her heart from day one. On her left though, was the man who had taken her heart From Finn and locked it away safely so it was never to be taken by anyone else. He was a more mature dream guy in Rachel's eyes. But she was left alone, hoping tomorrow would be a better day...