Chapter 1:

Hey tony aaawaaards heeeere I aaaamm! (part 1)

Here she is, holding a Tony Award for best Performance by a featured actress in a musical.

It feels amazing.

It's everything she hoped it would be and more.

She places the statue on a pedestal that she arranged since her first Off-Broadway show, she was still a NYADA's student.

She's always known she would become a Tony winner someday, besides she's Rachel Berry, she is always prepared.

Contented, she can't help but smile at that sight.

She did it!

She brings her Tony award up to her lips and gives it a kiss. After years of dreaming, that award on her hand signalizes her dream becoming a reality.

After placing her Tony in its spot Rachel goes to her bedroom and throws herself onto her bed, with the largest smile on her face, she stares at the ceiling. The After Party was great, in fact the whole night was a dream coming true for her. She is feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness, satisfaction, and accomplishment.

She is a Tony winner… she is not even 25 yet!

"I got it!" She shouts aloud.

She falls asleep thinking that she indeed accomplished everything she wanted when she was just a teenage girl. Right?

###

When Rachel wakes up the following morning, and she notices it was 11:45am as she picks up her ringing phone, she gasps in surprise.

Since when does Rachel Berry wake up at this time of hour? Oh yeah, of course! When she became a Tony winner! She thinks smiling again.

"Hi." She says sleepy.

"Were you still sleeping?"

"Hello to you too Kurt." Rachel replies as Kurt giggles happily. "And yes, I was."

"But it's a quarter to noon, why are you still in bed?" He asks as he is surprised.

"Well, if you must know Kurt, I came home around 4am, after having a very long and exciting after party. And I'm pretty sure I just fell asleep at 6 something. So… you shouldn't really be expecting that I would be capable of-"

"Okay, okay…" He cuts her off. "Guess I forgot, and besides, I didn't know you went home that late!"

"The after party was great and…" She trails off teasingly. "I happen to be a Tony winner!" She says screaming.

In the other side of the line Kurt screams too. In front of him, Blaine puts his cup on the table and with a furrowed eyebrow he looks at his boyfriend. Kurt notices and puts his phone off his ear.

"We're excited because of her Tony" He explains.

"What?" Rachel says, completely out of the bed now.

"I was talking to Blaine, we did wake up late too, although, we didn't arrive home the time you did… we're eating breakfast… so, what's your agenda?"

"Well first of all, I need to eat!"

"What a coincidence! As a great friend, I'm bringing you your breakfast!"

"Sounds wonderful!"

"Well, I can't let my fabulous Tony winning diva go hungry, besides I was on my way anyway. Just needed to check something."

"What?" Rachel stops walking.

"Is there someone else on that bed of yours?"

Rachel laughs amused.

"No Kurt, there isn't, you saw me last night, I was alone… so why-"

"I don't know… " He cuts her off again. "There were a lot of dangerous ingredients in this after awards party. Like alcohol and beautiful people, known as the Rachel Berry weakness."

"You make me feel so shallow." She sighs.

"I take it back sweetheart, you're not shallow, but alcohol does takes away all your prudence."

"You are confusing me with Quinn."

Well… that's a new record. Less than 2 minutes of talking and here we go! It's Quinn time!

Kurt thinks smiling to himself as Blaine watches him curiously.

I need to tell Santana I have a new record.

He waves his boyfriend off and focus on his best friend again.

"Kurt?" Rachel asks, after having checked her phone to see if she had lost the call, completely unaware of her friend's thoughts.

"I'm still here, poor Quinn… one mistake-"

"Beth it's not a mistake Kurt, I shouldn't have said that anyway, she is my friend; I was just, I just…Oh never mind."

You just wanted to talk about Quinn.

Kurt finishes for her, but just in his head.

"Sorry dear, I know Beth it's not a mistake, I love Quinn, she's my friend too and I know you weren't insulting her, at least not on purpose, so anyway, listen, I'm going to get your food and then Blaine and I are coming to your place okay? So, I'll see you then."

"Okay yeah, I'll see you when you get here."

"Bye."

"Bye." Rachel hangs up the phone.

Rachel's apartment is on the Upper East Side. She lives alone despite her many relationships, most of them casuals and not very serious. Her dads come to visit once and a while, which is the reason she chose to move from her one bedroom and one bathroom to her two bedrooms, three bathrooms and one office apartment. And also because she could afford to move to a different place as her career on Broadway and her recent career as a singer (with 2 songs on billboard already) is making it possible. And also because of publicity, she has two contracts: one for tooth paste, she does have a great and powerful smile after all, and the other for a very conceited clothes trade mark. Yes, Rachel Berry has become a fashion reference, "who is laughing now?" she teased Kurt in their photoshoot. Kurt was also in the campaign, although his contract wasn't big like Rachel's. "The Broadway royalty" it was the theme.

Her spacious living room, charmingly decorated, with Kurt's help of course, and her fabulous and enormous bed are her favorite place in the apartment. Everything screams: "Rachel Berry lives here". Everything is meticulously organized and very neat.

All fresh and clean, Rachel leaves the bathroom at the same that the doorbell rings. She walks toward the apartment entrance and opens the door.

"Hi!" Rachel welcomes her best friend with her characteristic smile.

"Hi berrylicious!" Kurt gives her a very tight hug. "I'm so proud of you! And congratulations again!" He goes to the kitchen.

"Hi Blaine!"

"I'm so proud too!"

Blaine gives her an affectionate hug and follows Kurt into the kitchen.

Following them, Rachel enters in the kitchen and smiles at that sight.

As a teenager, she was so focus and determined to be a Broadway star, true the adult version of Rachel is still focus on her career, but now she also take time to notice the good things in her life instead of complaining about the bad things, for example, how unfairly she was treated all throughout her high school career, being it in Glee or the regular day to day schools' routine. She realized that life is too short to dawdle over the past.

She enjoys the little big things, like what her best friends are doing now.

Kurt is preparing her a delicious breakfast as he loves to spoil her, with Blaine following his lead and she can't forget her dads, who spoiled her everyday of her life, they always got her anything and everything that she ever wanted or could want.

Although Finn was a terrible boyfriend at times. He was actually great and even though the goodbye at the train station was a painful experience, she knew that for once in his life, he was doing what was best for her even if it meant breaking his own heart in the process. He knew she belonged in New York, and that she was born to be on Broadway.

Yes, it is great to be Rachel Barbra Berry nowadays.

"Come on my dear it's time to eat." Kurt calls out to Rachel as he is setting the table.

"I promise you that I didn't drink too much, I'm totally okay."

"I know…you don't own me any explanations." He kisses her forehead.

"Yes I do, you're my best friend and besides, did I ever tell you how much I like it? I mean… how much you care about me?"

"Well, thank you I guess, but I love to take care of you, and I also kind of love you Miss Rachel Berry."

"Okay, I think I'm jealous." Blaine puts the magazine he was reading down on his lap and pouts.

"Mmmm! That is amazing!" Rachel bites a piece of her croissant. "I love you too Kurt." She teases Blaine.

"Don't be silly baby." Kurt winks to his boyfriend.

Rachel focuses in her breakfast, why she was a vegan for so long was beyond her comprehension. When she could have been eating food like this?

The change started with the whole new Rachel project, first the makeover and then everything else. With Kurt's help, of course, she decided to rethink her annoying way of being.

She tried everything, and in the end, she found herself as a vegetarian. She was relieved because at least she could keep herself away from the animals, she still cares about them.

But still no meat! She tried it, even bacon.

I'm glad I change my eating habits, but I'm never going to eat another piece of bacon again, and I do mean never again! How can Quinn eat that with such enthusiasm?

Put that discoursing piece of meat in those wonderful lips? Did I just say Quinn lips are wonderful?

Glad they can't hear my thoughts, but they are wonderful indeed, I bet she is a good kisser with those delicious lips of hers. Well, Finn said, he saw fireworks when he kissed her, so I'm guessing she's probably good, right?

I mean as long they're far away from bacon…

But where does all that crap go anyways? She has like the perfect body. She works out. Definitely. That would explain how she got those amazing abs, they were so toned… What am I saying!

She is brought out of her thoughts, when she hears Kurt saying her name.

"Rachel, honey you're doing it again." Kurt says as he goes and sits next to Blaine.

"I'm doing what?" Rachel looks at him.

"You're moaning, you know like when…"

"I was not!" Rachel laughs.

"Was I?" She looks at Blaine and he makes a poker face.

"Yes, yes you were…" Kurt rolls his eyes.

"I'm just appreciating my breakfast; besides how can you tell anyway? We never did it, and I believe we never will, for obvious reasons." She teases Kurt. "You're not my type, I mean no offense by that." She smiles at him, as she begins to eat again.

"Sure, it's not because I'm gay or anything right?"

She shrugs.

"Not a problem to me."

"Yeah I know it's not, but I still can't believe you slept with Steve, he was in fact the gayest guy at NYADA. Well besides me, anyway, I see that you forgot your adventures with your ex. My stepbrother, otherwise known as Finn Hudson." Kurt pouts.

Rachel rolls her eyes.

"First of all eww, why the hell would I sleep with Steve? Were people actually saying that? Just gross, and secondly, if you are referring to the way I used to moan when I was 18. Then I should warn you, that I've gotten so much louder." she smirks.

"That was exactly what was referring to, and thanks for the new information, I think my payment as best friend is not high enough for that kind of subject." Kurt says in faux annoyance.

"I think a best friend can handle any kind of subject." Rachel points out.

"Okay, well then just don't describe your sex life with Finn and we'll be good okay?"

Rachel smiles weekly, her mind go far away again, her eyes glazed over. Teenage years… repressed teenage years; Did she really think, she would be a virgin till 25? Speaking of virginity… her first time, romantic… yeah, kind of, but the sex? That sucked. Well, Finn was just a teenage boy anyway.

"Earth to Rachel." Kurt teases as he waves his hand in front of her eyes. "Where did you go?" He asks when she snaps out of it.

"Nowhere. So, what are we gonna do today?" Rachel asks, changing the subject.

"I don't know, you tell us, what do you want to do today?"

"I'm not sure; I mean I'm free all day today."

"That's great! So, what do you want to do, there has to be something you want to do, right?"

"Umm..." She thinks. "How about girls' night out?"

"An innocent girls' night out or a ..."

Rachel cuts him off mid-sentence.

"A very naughty girl's night out! I just won a freaking Tony, Kurt!" She beams.

"My girls, your girls or our girls?" He asks.

"Our girls, I have had enough of those Broadway people for now. I just want to relax with my girls."

"I think my girls are in that category too."

"Yes and no, you know so much more people than me, I'm living in this Broadway bubble since…" She trails off. "I don't know maybe since I was in my mother's belly." She exaggerates.

They giggle at the joke. Well, Broadway was Shelby's dream once too.

"And when I got here and went to NYADA, Broadway was all I focused on. Plus, I really want to hang out with them. It's been a while."

"You are overreacting…"

"Maybe."

"So our girls it is."

"I'm not sure if they're available though, I know Tina is in the city, because Mike just came back. But, Quinn is on the other side of the country and the same goes for Mercedes, Santana and Brittany." She says with a pout.

"I'm pretty sure they are all here in town." Kurt says, his eyes are shining with excitement.

"How do you know?" She asks, getting curious.

"Well, that's something you would've known, if you weren't so damn busy all the time." He gives her his classic Kurt eyebrow and pout combination.

"I have been pretty busy lately, but go on, tell me who's here and why?"

After their high school graduation, they all followed their paths.

Isn't life about choosing paths, anyway?

The first year was easy.

Sure, there was the break up that happened between Brittany and Santana, Finn and Rachel, Kurt and Blaine. But their friendship was built in the middle of such drama and rough times, that it became too strong to break.

Then, the second year came around and Blaine and Tina came to New York and went to NYADA and Columbus, to be closer to Kurt and Rachel. Artie went to the New York Film Academy. Finn was still in Ohio, although Rachel missed him, he was part of her past.

Brittany went to L.A with Puck, Mercedes, and Sam, who two years later ended up being a Model, thanks to the talent scout who was at one of the strip club he worked at for money.

Although, she missed Brittany a lot, Santana was determined to graduate, in New York, and she did and then she allowed herself to follow her dream and Brittany was part of it. She also went to L.A.

In the moment Mike graduated, he went to New York to be with his high school's girlfriend, yes, they got back.

It was only in the second year that Quinn's trips to New York and Rachel's to New Haven started becoming more often, the friendship between her and Rachel grew to the point that even Kurt started getting jealous, he didn't want to lose his place as Rachel's best friend, although deep down he knew that when was about Quinn, he would lose… always.

The third year was rough. They barely had contact with each other. A few news feeds from the Facebook and some messages, but just that. The graduation year came with hope and promises.

Somehow, they all went home for the holidays that year, even Kurt and Rachel this gang knew that keeping their friendship together, meant the world to all of them. More than once they talked about how they missed the glee club and their time together as a group, as a team and as a family.

So, Finn put together all his friends, plus his girlfriend, although, Rachel with the passage of the years, became more than his high school's girlfriend, she became his best friend. They made a pact, to never forget their friendship. Puck and Quinn got back together that night.

After Quinn graduated, she moved to L.A. and moved in with Puck. After a while, they eventually broke up again, but they've never lost the complicity.

As Quinn's career started increasing, she became more and more comfortable with herself, which means, she was more inclined to accept that part of herself that she always had hidden so well. But not so well in Santana's opinion.

Quinn then started dating girls, not that she didn't try that in college, because she did, but in L.A she finally completely accepted the fact that she was also attracted to girls. Brittany was the most excited of her friends. Rachel was the most surprised.

She was surprised because, to Rachel Quinn was always very straight, she is member of a very conservative family after all. It was a little shocking, of course she wasn't judging.

How could she judge? She has two dads and her best friends are Kurt and Blaine.

But it wasn't just that. There was something else.

This was something she found out after she and Finn broke up again after her first Broadway musical.

In a moment she was dancing and drunk, in the other, she was in bed with a girl? She didn't want to hide, but she couldn't stop thinking about how her dads would be exposed because of all that stupid stuff about gay parents and gay kids.

She promised to herself that if she fell in love with a girl that wouldn't be a problem, otherwise she should be careful. Also, she wasn't dating boys to cover up her true sexuality. She tried her best to explain it to Kurt. What part of the word bisexual, they weren't getting? They all eventually found that out, Kurt told Mercedes, she told Tina, Santana, and Brittany and then Quinn. She didn't think it was necessary to tell Finn yet, even though he is one of her best friends.

They grew up and followed their own paths in life, but they were all honoring the pact they made.

Even Rachel with all her rehearsals and Broadway musicals with their crazy routines; they always had time for their friends. When Quinn graduated, Rachel was there and when Rachel graduated, Quinn was there.

"Well Santana and Britt, it's because of Brittany and the video clip, she is one of the choreographers." Kurt informs her.

Rachel nods in agreement, she is very aware of Brittany's career. She and Mike both were born to be on the dance floor.

"Mercedes is here to visit us, she arrived yesterday, but you know, with all the things going on with you and Tony... So, she's staying at my place, we let her rest, because she looked very tired. Tina obviously is here, you already know that and I need to call her by the way, you know, tell her that you got home safely."

"Sugar is here two!" Blaine announces happily staring at his phone. "She just sent me a message."

Rachel rolls her eyes, but she couldn't hide her excitement. All her females' friends are in her city. Or almost all of them.

"I guess just Quinn is missing." She pouts.

"Wait, you didn't let me finish, Quinn is here too."

"Since when? She didn't even tell me!" She exclaims, upset.

"I…"

"Wait, I'm gonna call her."

Rachel runs to her bedroom to grab her phone. She comes back with her phone on her hand. She checks it and sees it is full of new messages and missed calls.

"I have a lot of missed calls and new messages."

"You've not seen it yet?"

"No, I just tossed it away after you called me and I had no time yesterday, why?" She keeps checking her phone. "Most of them are congratulations and stuff."

"Did you talk to your dads?"

"Yeah, back stage after I won."

Kurt gives her an "of course" look.

She is always very methodic even with phone texts so she thought it is important to read the texts in the order they were sent. She wasn't surprised that Santana was the first; she probably prepared the message moments before, just to send it faster than anyone and be the first one.

From Santana: You got it!

From Brittany: Hey! A tony! BTW U R so sexy and 2day you were so hot!

From Santana: I can't believe I'm crying what was that speech by the way so not fair now I think I love U… OMG! I've been drinking a little, I was 2 nervous k? I luv u and I'm so proud of U! fuck! What am I saying? I'll call U later! You better answer your phone hobbit!

From Santana: Ps: R U thinking that with that speech I can forget the fact that U were 2 busy to notice that I'm in fucking New York.

From Artie: I directed U first! Congrats!

From Mercedes: I'll do this in person tomorrow, but damn berry U actually did it!

From Tina: Do I have 2 be concerned about U & alcohol? Kidding, have fun and well… I'll say congratulations tomorrow, in person.

From Mike: I'm so proud! Congrats!

From Puck: hey my little hot Jewish American princess! U were so hot 2night ;) also congrats!

From Sam: I knew it! Congrats!

From Steve: Congrats you little freak!

From Mom: My heart just stopped when I saw you on that stage, I love you baby you're the best thing I did and I don't deserve your love, you're so beautiful and talented and I'm so happy for you! Beth says hello and I'll call you soon.

She reads some more. There are so many, Mr. Schuester, Ms. Pillsbury, Jesse. Then, with a shy smile and a sigh she reads the next.

From Finn: I'm sooo proud of U, I wish I was there, I like to think that I was somehow in your heart, I know it sounds cocky but hey! I dated Rachel Berry! I think I can be cocky! ;) I'm your biggest fan! And I watched the whole awards by the way, I luv U so much.

She smiles and places the phone on her heart, then she shows the message to the two Boys.

"Aww." They say at the same time.

"I know right." She gets back to her phone.

All the thoughts about Finn disappeared in the moment she reads Quinn's name on the screen. With a wide smile on her face, she reads Quinn's message.

From Quinn: Hey Rach! I tried to call you! You don't answer! You suck! Kidding… just want to say congratulations! Call me… I really hope you're not too drunk now.

Rachel laughs aloud.

"Quinn's?" Kurt asks.

"How do you know?" Rachel talks to him without taking her eyes off of the phone.

"I guessed."

"Yeah." Blaine giggles.

Rachel doesn't see the looks between the two boys.

"Hum?" She says completely distracted.

"Nothing dear." Kurt smirks.

"There's another one!" She shouts excited.

From Quinn: hey! Me again just wanna say I'm so proud of you. You really did it! All by yourself, you are so talented! Somehow back then in high school, when you used to be so obnoxious and annoying haha I knew you were going to win it! And you did! You Rachel Berry are the most amazing person I know! Congrats manhands! ;)

"So… what's the plan for tonight?" Kurt asks, noticing the big smile plastered on her face.

"I'll call her, just wait a second."

"Sure." He rolls his eyes and he and Blaine start talking about the night.

Rachel dials her friend's number. The phone rings many times and then goes to the voicemail. A little disappointed, the brunette leaves a message in Quinn's voicemail.