Another new story about Will and Emma. I think I'm making this a multi-chapter fic, but I suppose it could be a stand alone as well. I'll just have to see about that. There might be some mistakes in it, so excuse me for that, and this takes place before the scene in the season two finale, just to be clear. It's from both the POV's, but I think that that'll be obvious when you read it. Constructive criticism is always welcome, so don't hesitate to give it!

Also, I do not own Glee. Much to my dislike.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay here, not when she had told me not to be a stranger, before she had kissed my cheek and walked away. Not when we called at least once a day, to give each other updates about how the things were going. It was platonic. Always platonic. We were friendly to each other, nothing more, nothing less, 'cause we couldn't. Not when I was miles away, not when we couldn't give in to the feelings we both still had for each other because I was sure they were still there. Somewhere, deep inside. At least, I was sure I still had those feelings, but I couldn't be sure whether she still had them. I still kept hope. And I still kept longing for her smile more and more with each day that passed.

I kept wondering how much he was enjoying himself back there in New York. I kept wondering if he missed me, whether he would come back some day, just to spend some time with me, his best friend, just to be able to laugh again, because honestly, I seemed to have lost the will to laugh. I couldn't walk through the halls of McKinley High without seeing him everywhere. I wasn't able to walk through the halls, corridors or even outside the school, without remembering our time together, specific moments, such as the place where he scraped gum of my shoe. I kept longing for him. I wanted to be in his arms more than ever and never let go. But he listened to my advice and when the Glee kids would return tomorrow afternoon, after placing twelfth at Nationals, I knew he wouldn't be there with them.

I wondered whether I had made the right decision when I was in the plane back to Lima, together with the Glee kids, giving up on my dream in New York, but persuading the dream I had left behind in Lima, only realizing that when I was singing on that stage. I didn't tell Emma I was coming back. I wanted it to be a surprise for her, and I couldn't help but feeling that the time was passing way too slow. I couldn't wait to see her red hair, her doe-like eyes, the smile on her face. Couldn't wait to tell her that I had returned to live my dream and that I wanted to make new ones along with her. If only she'd take me back.

I hid in my office, pretended to work hard on paperwork that was almost overdue. I knew not many people would fall for that trap, especially if they knew me, seeing as I was an organized person at heart, but I certainly hoped that it'd keep the people away. I also truly hoped that the Glee kids were excited enough about the twelfth place, we're happy to see the banner me and Shannon put up to celebrate their success in New York, but would avoid me at all costs. Will would be considerate enough not to let them pass messages to me. He'd probably call later today, being too busy to call me earlier. He was busy for that show in New York anyway.

I slowly walked through the halls of McKinley, smiling and greeting students as they welcomed me back, not really stopping to answer their questions, but making my way to the glass office instead. As I walked, I pondered about how I'd greet her. I wanted to get there as fast as I could, but I didn't want her to hear me approaching. I didn't want to look too desperate to see her, even though I was. I decided to play it safe, just greet her as friends and see how it'd go from there. I didn't want to mess it up again. I couldn't lose her again. She meant way too much to me. As I approached the office, I saw that the door was slightly open. I knew it didn't make any sound when opened further, so I walked slowly to it, pushed it open somewhat further and leant against the doorframe, folding my arms and staring at her, while she seemed occupied with a lot of paperwork. Yet I couldn't leave. Not when I could stare at her, drink in her sight, wishing I could run my fingers through that soft, red strands again.

I wrinkled my nose. Somehow I had the feeling that I was being watched and even though my office had walls made of glass, I never had had that feeling so strong before. I didn't like it at all. Getting frustrated, I looked up slightly, just to make sure there was no-one around and that it had just been my imagination. There was nobody in sight, and just as I returned to my work, I realized that there had been someone. I looked up yet again, saw that familiar lopsided grin, eyes that sparkled with amusement.

'Will.' It came out as no more than as whisper, but as soon as I voiced that first thought that came into my mind, I knew it was real. Will was standing here, in Lima, against the doorframe of her office. It seemed too good to be true.

It was cute to see how she looked around, not realizing him standing there, before her head snapped back up again, eyes full of wonder. My grin widened as she whispered my name. It was barely audible, but yet I understood it perfectly.

'Hi,' I said. I took a few steps towards her, my eyes never leaving her face. There was something in her eyes that looked like hope, but it seemed like she was containing herself. I sincerely hoped that I wasn't too late. That she would still want me back, after all that we'd been through. Oh, how I longed to be able to look inside her head to see what she was thinking.

He was real. He was really real. He was standing in her office, greeted her and I could hardly contain myself.

'Will… what are you doing here? I thought you were in New York. You were chasing your dream!' Oh, way to ruin it. Exactly the words I needed to say. He was back and although I needed to know if he was staying and why he wasn't in New York, I felt like I had to say that I needed him near with me. It would kill me if he'd only be here for a couple of days, before leaving yet again. I didn't know if I was able to handle that.

'I am chasing my dream.' I chuckled lightly, wanting to hold her even more. Stroke her face, stroke her hair, never wanting to let go of her ever again. 'My dreams have changed, Em. I couldn't stay there. It isn't my dream anymore.' I smiled, taking a few more tentative steps until I stood right beside her. I crouched down to eye-level, gazed into her eyes, grabbed hold of her hand. I looked at her, adoringly, seriously. I frowned, searching for the right words, opened my mouth a few times, but no sound came out.

'I… I was wondering if… you know… you would like to be a part of it. If you would like to help making things finally right, as it should've been the last time.'

I had trouble breathing. He was staying here. He wasn't going to leave. His dreams had changed and now he was holding my hand. I tried to keep myself under control, while he was staring so intensely in to my eyes. I felt my legs grow weak and I was suddenly thankful that I was sitting in a chair. I bit my lip while his look turned serious, while he tried to form a sentence and stumble through it when he finally managed to make one. I smiled, nodded. We were going to make things right. It was going to be finally right and it certainly felt that way when he pulled me into a warm embrace. All too soon he pulled back, but he rested his head against mine. I sighed happily.

'We need to take it slow. Set our own pace and we have to talk more often about how we feel.' I was so happy to hear his voice again.

'Baby steps,' I whispered, agreeing. He chuckled. I could taste his breath on my lips. Oh how I longed to kiss him.

'Baby steps,' he agreed, before pulling me in a warm embrace again.