At the tender age of 24 years old, Finn Hudson has already seen enough horrors for more than two life times. He's already served five years in the army and has watched countless friends die. Countless people die. He knew when he was fighting the enemy, that they still had families, possibly children. He closed his eyes tight and gripped his seat, remembering one memory in particular flood back to him-three young boys being blown up by a roadside bomb. He twitched a little, remembering all of it...
"Finn?" an annoyed, yet soft voice asked. He slowly unpeeled his eyes. He saw his fiance, his high school sweetheart, looking down at him. He suddenly wasnt tense anymore and did his trademark side smile at her.
"Yeah?" he replied as he looked up at her. She squinted her eyes a bit at him. "Are you okay?" she asked, while sitting on the arm of the chair. Even though he's been home for a year now, Rachel still didn't get it. She knew he's seen horrible things, but, why couldn't he just get over it?
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine" he replied as he got and walked to the kitchen. "I'm gonna make myself a quick sandwich then head out to work, alright?" Finn yelled from the kitchen as he took out some deli meat and cheese from the refrigerator.
"Okay, I'm going out with Kurt and Blaine tonight, I'm sure I'll be home before you though" Rachel replied back as she walked to the kitchen and smiled at him.
"Alright, have fun. I'll see you when I get home. I love you." Finn smiled and kissed her cheek as he walked out their New York City apartment with a sandwich in hand.
"I love you too" Rachel smiled at him as he walked out the door.
Finn worked as a bar tender at night and during the day, he worked as a mechanic. He had to work two jobs, mostly because Rachel didn't have a job since her "auditions took up most of her time". Her words, not Finns. He supported her though and wanted to save some of the money from the army. For what? He didn't know. His future childrens college fund perhaps. His wedding. He didn't know, but he wanted to save it.
Rachel immediately called Kurt ten minutes after Finn walked out of the door, just in case he came back and forgot something.
"Kurt? It's Rach" Rachel said into the phone.
Kurt rolled his eyes at the other end of the phone. "I have caller ID, Rachel. All cell phones do now." Kurt replied. "What's up though? Are we still on for tonight?" Kurt asked, excitedly.
"Of course! But, prepare for a little venting session." Rachel replied to her best friend, followed by a sigh.
"Oh God. Can't wait for this one." Kurt replied back, rolling his eyes, again.
Finn strolled happily into work. He had to admit, he liked his job here. It was fun. Plus, he got to work with his long time best friend-Puck. "What's up my man?" Finn asked while smiling and fist bumping the mohawked man.
"Nothin' man. Cougar night" Puck replied as he was mixing a drink. "My favorite night" he said, without looking at Finn and handing the drink to a middle aged woman and winking. She smiled and walked away.
"Of course it is" Finn said chuckling as he put his name badge on.
A few hours later, and a few blocks away from the bar Finn worked at, Kurt, Blaine, and Rachel were at a trendy NYC club sitting at a small table.
"I just don't get why he can't get over it! I mean, he's going to therapy, but he wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and in a sweat! I don't know how much longer I can deal with this. I have to get all my sleep! My voice doesn't sound right if I don't get a full eight hours of undisturbed sleep!" Rachel exclaimed, throwing her hands up.
"Are you serious, Rachel? The guy just got out of combat..He's seen things. Don't you think you should be a little more sensitive and try to support him?" Blaine asked, seemingly annoyed and upset that Rachel was actually bitching about this.
"It's been a year, Blaine. A year. I knew he'd come back a little fucked up, but I didn't think it'd take him this long to recover. I thought at the most it'd take four months." Rachel replied, looking Blaine dead in the eyes. Blaine and Rachel were now in a full fledge staring competition.
"Rach, I gotta agree with Blaine here. You have no idea what Finn has seen. You know he's sensitive to start with, as just need to be patient. If you really love him, you'll stick by him." Kurt said looking between Blaine and Rachel and putting his hand on Blaines knee. He felt Blaine calm down more.
"You guys just don't ge-" Rachel was saying, before she was cut off.
"Wait, guys? Rachel? Blaine? Kurt?" the three looked up to see a petite blonde with a latin girl.
"NO WAY!" Kurt jumped from his seat and hugged Quinn, while Blaine followed and hugged Santana. Rachel stood up, still shocked that they were here. 'What are Quinn Fabray and Santana Lopez doing here in New York?' Rachel thought as she hugged the two girls in front of them.
"Sit down, sit down!" Kurt said while Blaine was already off to get two extra chairs.
"What the fuck is up, guys?! It's been, what, 6 years?" Santana replied as Blaine put their seats at the table and the five old friends sat down in inusion.
The five continued to catch up. Quinn and Rachel weren't as talkative as the other three though. Quinn noticed a shiny ring on Rachels finger. 'At least I know he came back alive..' Quinn thought as she stared at the ring.
"It isn't polite to stare, Quinn" Rachel said jokingly. Quinn shot her eyes up from the gaze and chuckled.
"So I'm guessing you and Frankenteen are engaged...again" Santana said while taking a sip of her drink.
"Yup!" Rachel shot up, smiling and holding her hand out so they could all see the ring.
Kurt and Blaine just looked at eachother. As if Blaine read Kurt's mind, he grabbed Kurt's hand and whispered in his ear, "we're gonna need a shot...or four". Wit that, Kurt and Blaine excused themselves and went up to the bar, leaving the girls to talk.
Quinn couldn't help but feel a little jealous. As Rachel continued to talk about her and Finn, Quinn just nodded and smiled. Santana nudged Quinns elbow, which got Quinns attention. She glanced over at Santana who rolled her eyes. This all went unnoticed to Rachel.
"I'm sure Finn would love to see you two! How about you guys come over for dinner tomorrow night? We have a usual Sunday night dinner-Kurt,Blaine, Finn, and I, and I'm sure we'd all love for you two to come!" Rachel exclaimed as she leaned into Quinn and Santana.
"Free food? Why the fuck not" Santana replied without emotion as she looked at Quinn.
"That sounds lovely" Quinn replied, giving a soft smile. With that, Rachel continued to be...Well, Rachel Berry, and just talk about herself. Quinn ignored her and played scenarios out in her head about what could happen on that Sunday dinner...
What do you guys think so far?