Author's Note: This is a story I wrote over the holidays. I hope that you enjoy it! I truly appreciate the reviews and alerts for my previous stories. Please let me know what you think! I have other Finn/Rachel stories written (including a sequel to this one), so if you'd like me to post them, let me know. Thanks for reading!

Chapter One: The Cold Shoulder

He was watching her again. She could feel it. Rachel stared straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge his penetrating looks. She was done. Done trying to be his friend, done waiting for him to want her as much as she wanted him. She was just done.

Before Sectionals, Finn had rejoined glee, making her heart swell with hope. He'd been thrilled, almost as much as she, about their triumph that Saturday afternoon. Rachel had known that it would take time for Finn to heal after the blow of Quinn's betrayal but, given time, Finn would move on. Until then, she'd be his friend.

Unfortunately, Rachel had quickly learned that her plan, like all of her others it seemed, was doomed to fail. Oh, Finn still came to rehearsals. He sang, discussed choreography, and shot out the door the second Mr. Schue ended each rehearsal. No small talk, no smiling, no flirting. She'd tried to talk to him and offer her support, but he'd been very clear that he was not interested. He'd been perfectly nice about it, but it had still sliced her heart into shreds to hear Finn say the words out loud, the ones she'd never let herself consider. I don't need you, Rachel.

It had been nearly a month since Finn had broken her heart. Again. Yet, lately, she'd noticed Finn looking at her. A lot. She rarely returned his gaze, but when her eyes accidentally met his, she could tell that his looks were purposeful. He didn't turn away or blush at being caught staring; his eyes just locked on hers, searching for...something. Still, Rachel refused to dwell on those looks. So what if Finn Hudson was paying her attention? She no longer cared. Hardly at all. They were merely teammates. Not even friends anymore. Finn had cut her out of his life and Rachel refused to keep pursuing him. It was time to regain her pride. Nothing, not even love, was worth the constant pain and disappointment. She had other priorities and had neglected them for too long.

"Rachel? Rachel?" She blinked, realizing that someone had been calling her name. Mr. Schue stood in front of her, his eyebrows lowered in concern (and amusement, if she was not mistaken).

She quickly painted a smile on her face. If she looked happy, she would feel happy. Eventually. "Sorry Mr. Schue. I forgot to have my energy shake this morning."

Mr. Schue chuckled. "It's okay. I was just assigning songs for the Winter Concert. Principal Figgins is letting us perform six numbers." he added with enthusiasm. "This is huge, guys. Glee club hasn't performed in the Winter Concert in nearly seven years, so this is our comeback!"

"Um, Mr. Schue, wouldn't winning Sectionals have been our comeback?" Artie questioned reasonably.

"Ah, but this is our first public performance since winning. The bar has been set high," Mr. Schue grinned, clearly unworried about our meeting expectations. "Anyway, I want to do some fun, up-beat holiday numbers. Real crowd pleasers. Let's avoid the tired songs that are done in every school across the country this time of year."

Rachel stood abruptly. This is could not allow. "I'm sorry, Mr. Schue, but...it sounds like you are suggesting we ditch the holiday classics." Her brow furrowed. "It's always been a dream of mine to perform 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.' I feel certain that I can do Judy Garland justice. Most singers completely butcher the song with painfully forced vibrato." Rachel was reminded of her first time competing in the Little Miss Ohio Pagent. Her main competition, Jeannie Allerby, had been blessed with tight, bouncy sunshine curls and baby blue eyes. She'd also been a singer, much to Rachel's dismay. Luckily, the girl had sounded as though she'd been perched on top of a washing machine whenever she'd performed. Too much vibrato, Rachel reflected, could kill a song. And a career.

"Relax, Rachel. I'm just suggesting that we shake things up a bit. No 'Jingle Bells' or 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," he replied with a cheeky grin.

Rachel's eyes darted around the room, stunned by the laughter and visible signs of approval from the other group members. Rachel huffed, clearly out-voted and in no mood to argue.

"I'm not suggesting anything crazy and we'll be keeping with the holiday spirit, I promise," Mr. Schue added. "In fact, Rachel, I'd like for you to sing 'Baby, It's Cold Outside." He grinned, anticipating Rachel's reaction.

He did not have to wait long. Rachel's eyes lit. It wasn't 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' but it was still a holiday classic and one not often part of a high school's repertoire, she reasoned. The song's flirty overtones would be the perfect showcase for her acting skills. It was a duet, though, which meant--

"Finn, you'll take the male lead," Mr. Schue said, finishing Rachel's train of thought. Mr. Schue grinned, pleased with himself. Rachel avoided looking at Finn altogether. She could handle this, Rachel reminded herself. She was a professional, after all, and she and Finn sang together all the time. She turned her head as Mr. Schue walked over to Finn, giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder before returning his gaze to Rachel. "I'm counting on you two to bring the romance back to Christmas!"

Rachel whipped her head back around, refusing to acknowledge Finn's grin. This just proved it, Rachel decided, eyes widening in growing alarm. Mr. Schue really was out to destroy her life! Ho, ho, ho!

Chapter Two: A Chilly Reception is coming soon!