Dear readers,

Firstly, I'd like to reassure you this is not a Finchel FF at all (just in case you were worried). And secondly, well - enjoy. This is loosely based on the film Silver Linings Playbook and is an AU Faberry fanfiction. If you have seen the film then I can tell you that Rachel's story line will be loosely following Pat's (Bradley Cooper's) Story line whilst Quinn will be taking after the lovely Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). The chapters will be getting longer as the plot develops, and I hope to be updating regularly. Reviews are very much welcomed, and as mentioned - enjoyed.

-N x

"So what did you have for breakfast?"

"Cereal."

"What kind?"

Rachel dragged in a long hollow breath as her eyes traced from her seat to Doctor Brown's. She met his grey eyes with an empty stare and a roll of her shoulders. It seemed like the questions had started to become more mundane the longer she stayed at this place, sometimes Rachel wondered if her dads were getting their moneys worth. None the less she knew how to play by the rules, you sort of pick that up after a year.

"Lucky charms and soya milk" The brunette answered in defeat, her eyes catching sight of the clock hung above the doctors head "It's almost ten" she prompted as calmly as she could even though her insides were bursting with excitement, an emotion that had long vacated Rachel's soul and only made an appearance on Mondays when the cafeteria served her favorite type of broccoli. It was hard for her to keep her emotions balanced, especially since they seemed like a caged beast, fighting her every desire to keep them - normal. It seemed that when she didn't show enough emotions they'd up her medicine dosage, and well the last time she showed too much emotion - she didn't want to think about that.

"I know" the large man with bushy eyebrows softly replied. It was the same tone he used in almost every conversation with Rachel since last December, no matter how heated the topic was. It didn't matter whether he was talking to her about her favorite animals or what had happened that winter night, every word was pronounced with the same professional stillness to it that Rachel envied. If she could have even half his control she wouldn't be here in the first place. She felt her heart grow a little anxious as each tick of the clock pounded louder and louder. 10.15 was when her dad would be outside, 10.15 and not a minute later. She had to pack her bag and all the things in her room then maybe she should leave time for a shower since she wanted to look her best for when she came back. She didn't know when Finn would be there, maybe he would be greeting her at her house or maybe he was busy since that's what he was like, but either way she wanted to make sure her hair was nice just in case. You never know what life can throw at you.

"Rachel?"

"Huh?"

"I said you're free to go now dear, don't forget to get your dad to sign the paperwork now-" the crimson cheeked man hardly had time to finish his sentence before the girl was half way out of the door and fleeing her way through the corridor. The sound of her feet pattering on the linoleum floor chorused through the hallway as she triumphantly made her way into her room and began the ordeal of packing everything in under ten minutes, alas saying goodbye to the opportunity of a shower. The smell of her washing detergent wafted through the air as she piled her clothes into her suitcase and ripped off the picture of her and her dads from the pin-board on her wall. They said she wasn't allowed one of her and Finn, but it didn't matter anyways. They were getting back together, they'd have plenty of pictures to come. That familiar surge of excitement buzzed through her heart at the thought of him. Zipping her suitcase firmly shut Rachel tugged it from her bed and onto the floors that she'd never walk upon again. Shutting the door behind her she said one last goodbye to the room that held all her secrets and took a step forward to her new life, or more accurately, her successful return to her old one. Lima was getting their star back, or maybe just their Berry, since Rachel didn't use that metaphor (or any metaphor) anymore. Metaphors were stupid, along with that other thing she no longer talked about. She couldn't help but smile as she made her way through the lobby, even if she was in the presence of other patients. It was the exact moment when you know you've aced that test, and even though everyone around you is crying at their future failure you can't help but smile at your success. And it wasn't like Rachel didn't work for this, she'd attended every doctors meeting and every group session and every trivial training and art class that the centre could force her into. She was even growing out her bangs because Finn always used to say how he'd like it if she grew out her bangs.

That wasn't the only thing that Rachel was doing, actually maybe it was the smallest. Rachel Berry was becoming everything that Finn ever wanted her to be, or at least she was trying. This was all part of her five step plan - five steps that would inevitably and rationally lead her to becoming Finn's girlfriend (again). And potentially, even becoming his wife (sort of again). Finn had loved her once, and this time it was her chance to make him love her again, and maybe then he would finally forget about the small incident that happened between them last year. Sure Rachel might have tried to kill him, but he was still alive, wasn't he? Every relationship has hiccups, and more importantly it was out of love. Finn would learn to forgive Rachel, he had to, it was the best for the both of them. Along with the bangs Rachel had began learning to play the drums, or at least learn a little beat - it was hard to learn the drums in a mental facility since all she could acquire was empty tubs of economical mayo. But with the use of two HB2 pencils the brunette was sure that she had a mean beat to her. She'd also finished the entire series of Two and Half Men. She laughed at every joke (even the ones she didn't understand, which was most of them) and she learnt to familiarize herself with the characters. She even made a flowchart. If she could bear to hear the sound of anyone singing, perhaps she'd have tried to listen to the same music as him, but that was something Rachel didn't speak about anymore. She did however manage to get comfortable around dogs, something she knew was very important to Finn, and even learnt the ins and out of football. She was perfectly made for him, and they were going to live happily ever after.

"Is that my little girl?" LeRoys smile shone bright behind tired eyes as he walked through the visitors entrance of the centre. He hadn't gotten a goodnights rest for nearly a year now, but at least his eyes managed to look a little more alive today - the day that the time that Rachel legally had to spend at the centre under the local Lima courts order ceased. His daughter was a free woman again, sure she had to attend weekly meetings with her doctor, but at least she would be home and on the road to recovery. LeRoy just didn't know that his version and his daughters version were two very different roads. Wrapping her up in his arms he helped her with her bags before being stopped by Rachel's anxious tone.

"I'm not little, I've actually put on some weight. See my hips are fuller and I swear I'm a little taller" She pointed out proudly, they were all pointers that Finn had previously and subtly mentioned on. Pointers that Rachel had tried long and hard to fix in order for things to get better when she got out. LeRoy hesitated but then gave into a warm smile as he placed a kiss on the top of his daughters head.

"You're perfect" He reminded her and she smiled gently. She hoped to hear the same words from Finn pretty soon.

"You've got to film the forms first"

"What forms?"

"The forms that you're taking me out, dad." Her brown eyes nodded nervously, there wasn't anyway that she was messing things up now, not when she was so close to the exit. With one swift swoop she made her way to the secretaries desk and retracted the pile of forms that had a stick note with "Mr Berry(s)" on it. She flipped to the page where she knew he had to sign and laid the paper down on the coffee table next to them for him to put his signature on. Her heart grew a little anxious as she watched his every move.

"They saying their personal advice is not to let you out yet?" LeRoy asked in that familiar serious tone he used when asking Rachel what she wanted for dinner. Meal times were big in the Berry household, and Rachel's stomach grumbled at the very thought of one. Hesitantly she nodded before wincing down at the floor. She was furious that Doctor Brown would write that, but it wasn't any news for her. She knew all too well that the centre thought it would be for her best interest to stay longer. But how much is a little longer? She couldn't waste another moment in here, not when Finn could be out there forgetting about her. Rachel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear proudly, the reassurance that her bangs were growing out offering some comfort to her anxious disposition. LeRoys hand stopped writing and Rachel's heart stopped beating. He looked up with a curious expression and Rachel tensed herself as she waited for whatever could come.

"And what do you - what do you think Rachel? You think you ready to go?" He motioned with his hand which was now tightly holding a pen to make his point, a gesture that Rachel was very fond of. She nodded profusely, hoping her certainty would be clear in her eyes.

"More ready than I've ever been, I promise dad"

"And what about..." his pace slowed down for a moment, the sentence on the tip of his tongue as he decided whether or not to say it. "What about the singing?"

Rachel's body winced once more, though she tried her best to hide it. She practiced the steps she'd taught herself to do when the question would come up, which she presumed it definitely would. One deep breath in, one deep breath out, and then she focused on the image of her and Finn. The answer to this question was simple in her mind. Singing was evil, it was the curse that burdened and destroyed her life. It was the worst thing that ever happened to her, it was the source of all pain and misery in her existence. Singing had caused her to choke in her audition to NYADA. Singing had caused her to nearly kill (on purpose) her boyfriend who had proposed to her moments before she went on stage and ruined her stamina. Singing was the reason why she'd spent the last year of her life in a nuthouse alone when she could've been happily married to the man of her dreams. She would never speak of singing again. She would never hear anyone sing again. And she would never again herself sing a single note.

"It's fine" She pushed through clench teeth, her eyes staring at the floor. Think of Finn. You can do this Rachel. Convince him that you're okay - which you are. Convince him and then you can go see Finn when you're home. Then he'll love you again. Just let him take you home. "I mean it's not something I'm really into right now, but it's okay"

"Good" LeRoy said with the first earnest smile that had appeared on his lips since twelve months ago. "Good."

"So we can go?"

"After you, princess"

LeRoy held the door open to the outside world for Rachel, but it wasn't just the outside world. It was the same world that Finn Hudson was in. And this time, she was going to get him back.