Rachel Berry was not one to give up on something without a fight. So far, Finn had resisted her attempts to heal the rift between them and the way Santana had attached herself to him at the lips wasn't helping matters. Finally, Rachel decided to give things one last effort at the New Years Eve Party Brittany was having.
She had enlisted Noah's help, knowing he'd at least listen to when she asked him to help her wrangle Finn towards her for a kiss at midnight. Through him, several other members of the club got involved and Rachel was grateful. For the first time in weeks, she found herself smiling and laughing as Noah described how they were going to herd Finn her way, like ranchers do to cattle.
A vegan, she wasn't totally happy with that comparison, but it was the thought that counted.
As the clock ticked down, she saw Noah steering Finn through the room, Tina and Mike blocking one escape, Sam and Quinn another. To avoid tripping over Artie and Brittany or walking headlong into Kurt and Blaine or Mercedes and her date, Finn really had no choice but to head straight for Rachel.
The plan worked.
Or it would have if they hadn't forgotten that Santana would have no problem hip checking Kurt and planting herself in front of Rachel, grabbing Finn's shirt and pulling him to herself for a kiss as they waited for the ball to drop.
Her smile falling away, Rachel realized she was once again not going to have anyone to kiss on New Years. Maybe it was for the best, as Finn so clearly didn't want her anymore. She started to turn, intending to leave so no one would see the sheen of tears in her eyes, when a hand caught her elbow.
Noah gave her arm a gentle tug, pulling her to his chest. Around them, the crowd of their fellow students began to countdown and he leaned close, pushing her hair behind her ear to whisper, "He's a douche, Rachel. I'd choose you…heck, I did, remember?"
That was true. Even though their little romance last year had been brief, Noah had chosen her over football and his own assured place in the school hierarchy, something Finn had failed to do, time and time again. Then again, Noah had a far greater sense of self confidence and she'd always found that appealing. She'd always found him appealing.
Even slightly down, just standing in the circle of his arms, looking up at his face and warm, hazel-green eyes made her feel better. Like someone cared.
When the ball dropped, he kissed her, gentle and sweet and she smiled against his lips.
Best New Year's Eve ever.
Around them, other members of the glee club were enjoying their own kisses, but exchanged grins when they saw their plan had worked. Finn and Santana were looking disgruntled, but they hadn't been a part of Operation Puckelberry.
When Puck had wrangled them into helping him help Rachel, Sam and Mike had called a meeting with Quinn, Artie, Brittany, Mercedes, Tina, and Kurt (who had brought Blaine). It was decided among them that Finchel was a thing of the past and what they really had to do was direct Puck and Rachel together.
Hadn't they noticed the fact that they were both far more calm, normal and likable when they were together. Hell, that week last year when they'd dated, each of them was like a way more sane version of themselves.
It only took a little tweaking of the plan Puck outlined. Simply put, instead of keeping Santana away from Finn, they'd give her a nudge his way. It really wasn't difficult.
Once the cheerleader pulled her suction cup routine, they figure Puck would step in to comfort a disheartened Rachel.
Which he did.
Their plan worked like a charm. They were totally badass, stealth match making ninjas!