I am not the genius behind Glee. I own no part of it or the characters or the actors. I thank them and offer this story!

Oh and I'll miss JGroff from Glee ( tear!)

ENJOY, please let me know if you like it! St. Berry rocks


Rachel bobbed around the music section of the library with a broad smile, selecting duets in almost every aisle. She couldn't get Finn out of her head from the night before and though they had lost regionals and had been terrified of losing the glee club 2 days ago, everything had somehow mended itself, expect for the jesse thing, but she didn't let herself think about that. She and Finn were finally a couple, and a working one this time. Yesterday had been filled with walking along the pier, watching an old movie together ( while her two dads were upstairs) and making out that made her blush in the library. She grabbed sheet music for Quando Quando Quando and spun happily towards the musicals section. Sheet music stared back at her, as she stood in the dimly lit aisle, scanning the titles.

"Hey" A husky voice breathed behind her as she grabbed Guys and Dolls. She glanced to her left and emerging from the shadows of book stacks, was Jesse St James. Her expression of happiness dropped instantly.

"Congratulations" she breathed, caked with insincerity.

"You don't mean it." he paused, choosing his next words "You sang beautifully, best in New Direction's performance" he replied back, leaning against the book stacks and looking at the collection of music in her arms.

"Well I don't care what you think anymore" she snapped and his chocolate eyes lost their dangerous twinkle.

"I need to explain"

"I don't want to hear it" she responded

"But I owe you an explanation" he whispered back, stressing the owe.

"You're right, you do but it doesn't matter anymore"

"Why not?"

"I'm with Finn now" she said matter-of-factly. "You should go" she responded, snatching West Side Story and putting it on top of her pile of sheet music.

"I think that's a little out of his range" Jesse responded and her expression turned sour.

"At least hell give it a try"

"Ten minutes" he pleaded, his eyes mirroring deep sadness

"You're a great actor, I even think you care right now" she snapped back, spinning away from him. She stepped away from him.

"Shelby asked me to do it" He spoke softly and she stopped in her tracks, spinning around.

"She couldn't legally contact you herself, but she knew she needed to meet you. She asked me to befriend you" he explained, wondering if her could ever get her back.

"Why'd you do it?" Rachel asked, clutching the sheet music to her chest, to protect her heart, one he'd already broken before.

"I thought it was a good-" he breathed deeply, the pause heavy. His eyes grew in sadness, knowing the pain she would feel at his next words. "acting assignment"

"Well you pulled it off perfectly" she responded bitterly, knowing he could see the tears form in her eyes.

"I started to like you, really like you. I didn't want to see you get hurt"

"I don't really believe that, Jesse" she whispered back, wiping her eye quickly before a tear fell.

"You, if anyone knows that this is how they all start, the romantic comedies, the dramas, the misfortunate Shakespearean romances, all with deceit. Then when he gets a chance, the hero-"

"You're hardly the hero" she interrupted. He continued without missing a beat.

"The hero can't hurt the girl, he can't, even though he's supposed to, even though he was meant to all along. But when she finds out even a part of it was a lie, not how he felt, but how it all began, then they fall apart. But they always come back together in the end" his theatre-referenced logic brought a pain to her stomach, but she tried to ignore it.

"You're not the hero" she repeated "You're the guy that stands in the way, the villain" she responded.

"Look, I know I hurt you and I know you're with Finn now. It's as it should be. But I was only told to befriend you and get you to find Shelby. That's it"

"Then why did you lie! Why did you join our glee club and then not just betray me, but everyone here?" she begged, trying not the let her emotions show, but it was futile.

"Because I let myself fall for you!" he responded, his voice rising with passion. "I wasn't supposed to, I had to rejoin Vocal Adrenaline once you'd met Shelby. I had to"

"You didn't, if you loved me like you say you did, you didn't have to"

"Do I think I had a choice?" he asked, so truthfully it scared her. "I did what I was supposed to, I had to return. It was supposed to be simple"

"But it wasn't?"

"It was so complicated Rachel. I wasn't supposed to" he breathed in deep, preparing himself "Feel about you the way I did, it made it harder"

"But you still did it" she shot back

"You never loved me" he snapped back

"I gave you my heart"

"You were in love with Finn, so I left"

"So you did choose to leave!" she countered

"What do you expect, You think I wanted this? I didn't know it would happen, I didn't know I'd get so caught up in you that it would hurt to leave, but you were too in love with Finn to every truly give yourself to me or our relationship. Ya, I hurt you. I'm sorry, I really am. But I'm not perfect. "

"No you're not. and you're not perfect for me. Finn and I love each other, I'm glad I know everything, but I can't forgive you Jesse, you know I can't" she shot out of the aisle, leaving him in darkness, stooping in his thoughts. She dashed through the library, straight to the counter, trying to hold back the tears that begged to surge forward and out of her.

"That all?" the librarian asked and she nodded hastily, grabbing the music the instant she could and rushing out of the library.

She met Finn outside, they had been planning to meet at 2 30, but she had arrived early to check out the musical section herself ahead of time. Her conversation with Jesse had taken longer than expected and the time had snuck up on her, with Finn already waiting outside.

"Hey Rach, I thought you said 2 30?" he asked, as she bustled past him. "Rachel, is everything ok?" he asked and she shook her head, as if it was a simple

"Ya it's fine. I just came early to select some music and I saw the Moulin Rogue music, it just gets me every time. I think I have enough, wanna grab some food?" she asked and he nodded, his doe-eyed expression at her bustling self. He chalked it up to drama and took her waist in his arm, leading her away from the library. Jesse watched from the stacks of music and leaned against the wall again. Wondering why he even cared anymore. He hated this. He had been set to leave Ohio, very very soon. And Now he was stuck here, all because he was craving, missing and yearning for Rachel Berry, even with all her drama.


"So" Puck started, running his hair through his Mohawk before hitting "start" on his game controller. "Well I'm gonna whip you in Call of Duty"

"sure man" Finn replied, his eyes peeled to the screen.

"So this is good, right?" Puck asked, not wanting to get sentimental, but glad to have his friend back.

"Ya, we're getting there" Finn responded and Puck nodded, beating him easily.

"Rematch" Finn demanded and Puck clicked the 'start' button again.

"So how is everything?" he asked, not that he really cared.

"Good, Rachel and I are really good. It's sweet. And it's summer so I have nothing else to worry about, you know?" Finn replied, clicking the buttons as fast as he could.

"Sweet" Puck responded "took you long enough"

"What about you" Finn responded

"Santana and I are officially done, she dumped me again, something about my credit scores and financial need. "

"Well, you'll have the cougars with the pool cleaning right?" Finn joked and Puck shook his head.

"No man, I'm not even allowed this summer" he retorted

"What do you mean allowed?"

"Are you kidding? Quinn would kill me"

"What the hell man!" Finn asked, standing up and dropping his control to the floor. Puck won before looking up at him.

"You said we were cool"

"But you're dating Quinn now? For real? It's not like it's going to last man" Finn responded, his anger raging.

"So what if it doesn't, it's still happening for the summer. Deal with it"

"Doesn't mean you can start dating her!" Finn fought back and Puck shook his head.

"You do have Rachel and everything, I thought i'd be fine"

"Well its not"

"Fine"

"I was stupid for thinking things would change. We're not 'good' Puck. I'm going home"

"Fine, I'm too much of a stud to hang out with you anyway!" Puck shouted back as Finn left his house. He heard the door slam but paid no attention, slaying at Call of Duty still.


"And then Roxie Hart and I Dreamed a Dream" Rachel rambled on. Finn forked his crepe and stared at the banana glazed in Nutella with a sullen expression.

"Finn?" Rachel asked, her normal bubbly self.

"ya, what?" He asked, waking from the dream and looking at her. He smiled lightly, but she could still tell something was up.

"What's going on? Is my speech about my favorite Broadway songs boring? It's really important to know what you like in regards to Broadway." she instructed

"No, it's cool" he breathed deep "just a lot on my mind" he lied.

"Like what? I mean we are boyfriend and girlfriend now, you're supposed to talk to me" she offered an insecure smile.

"Ya well" he looked around the busy food court of the mall. "It's just Puck"

"I thought you and Noah were trying to friends again?" she asked.

"Ya we were, but he's messed that up"

"Why what happened?"

"Well He's dating Quinn now" he answered and she bit her lip.

"And you care"

"Well its just,I don't care Rachel. But I don't want to think about it or see it or whatever" He forked the banana and brought it to his mouth.

"So it's bugging you" she asked

"Rach, It's not like I'm jealous" he offered.

"Right, but you and Noah aren't friends now, because of it? So it's obviously a big deal Finn"

"Rachel"

"You know, I'm gonna grab a soda and take a walk through the Musicals section in the video store. I'll meet you back in a half hour ok?" She offered a sad smile and got up hastily, leaving him. He stared after her, anger flushing to his face, but he still couldn't help caring about Quinn and Puck.

"Boo?" Jesse St. James came up behind Rachel and whispered. She spun around, flushed with anger and shock.

"What, are you stalking me now?" She scolded and he smiled lightly, she was so dramatic. He happened to be buying the recent movie version of Rent, to practice his favorite songs and also because he hoped to see the new production in August in Los Angeles, if he would be out of Ohio by then.

"Only the biggest stars get stalked" he responded lightly and she knit her brows in frustration.

"Leave me alone Jesse" she scolded and he picked up on her tone.

"Everything ok in paradise?" he asked, sly.

"I don't want to talk to you" she snapped back, evasive. She moved past him, heading towards the C section of Musicals.

"Finn having trouble hitting that high C?" he asked lightly, following her without a second beat.

"Just back off, Jesse" she snapped back and he grabbed her wrist. She spun around to face him.

"Let go" she asked, but she didn't seem like she really minded.

"I thought we talked. I thought you understood" he whispered and she shook her head.

"I listened, but I didn't forgive you Jesse, I won't" she snapped, tugging her arm lightly, but not pulling out of his yet.

"I wish you would" he responded deeply, his chocolate eyes pouring into hers. She stared at them, her breathing slowing and then she shocked herself back to reality. She tugged her arm quickly away and moved feet away from him.

"It's not going to happen" she responded "I'm sorry." He smiled lightly and nodded.

"I get it" he offered lightly. "But you know, If you do want to talk, you can talk to me" he offered and she nodded.

"As I appreciate that offer, you know I won't pick you up on it. I can share everything with my boyfriend now. Unlike you, he's not a liar" She snapped, dashing out of the aisle before he could say another word. He walked over to R, picked up the copy of Rent he wanted, glanced over his shoulder to see her retreating figure and headed to the cash desk to pay.


"Hey Finn" Puck's deep voice called from behind him and Rachel and Finn spun around in the movie ticket line to see Puck and Quinn a few people behind them. They were going to see Get Him To the Greek- per Finn's request.

"What movie are you guys seeing?" Puck tried again, the people in between them in the line slightly annoyed at him yelling past them.

"Leave us alone Puck" Finn hollered back then forced a smile to Rachel.

"It's totally fine, I don't care ok?" He asked and she nodded uneasily.

"So I guess you told him" they heard Quinn say to Puck from behind them. The people in between them in the line decided against the movie and floated out of the line. Puck and Quinn were right behind them now.

"I wish there was more than one movie theatre in this stupid town" Finn muttered annoyed.

"We can go do something else" Rachel offered, but last night they had been discussing their plans for this Friday and a movie had seemed to be the only possibility.

"It's fine" Finn breathed, clearly anything but fine. It brought up bad memories, feelings of stupidity, of not seeing it, of being completely and utterly betrayed and lost in anger. He didn't want to return to that place, he wanted to be in the moment, happy with Rachel, but he couldn't help remembering Quinn and Puck's betrayal with them standing right behind him.

"We should see the movie you want to see" Finn offered, though he had no want to see 'Joan Rivers- A Piece of Work'."

"No, It's ok" Rachel shook her head. She dashed in front of him.

"Two for get him to the greek" she announced and the lady at the ticket booth handed her the tickets. Finn forked over a 20 and slipped it through the slot.

"Enjoy the show" the sullen woman expressed and Rachel beamed in response.

"Thank you, we will" She added, grabbing Finn by the arm and dragging him towards the concession.

"Popcorn?" Finn asked Rachel, trying to avoid Puck's gaze.

"Sure" Rachel responded, watching his expression.

"Two tickets" Puck called back at the ticket office and paid the 20.

Quinn linked in his arm and they walked towards the concession. Quinn shook her head, as in to say no for popcorn and he nodded.

"Want a drink though?" He asked

"Ok" she responded. He pulled away from her and got in line between Finn.

"Hey Noah" Rachel waved lightly and Finn looked at her.

"What?" she asked, whispering to him "I'm not going to pretend I don't know them" she whispered.

"Whatever" Finn responded, sullen and walked towards the counter. "Popcorn, reesse and two large cokes" he commanded and the guy behind nodded, preparing the order.

"you said you didn't care" Rachel whispered lightly.

"Rachel, not here" Finn asked and she shook her head.

"Fine, Finn" she responded, walking away from him towards the cinema.

"I'll find us seats" she answered, heading up the stairs to their theatre.

"Harsh man" Puck commented behind him.

"Just shut up Puck" Finn responded bitterly.

"What's your problem Finn?" Puck responded

"Nothing" He snapped back, grabbing the food. He spun around angrily to face Puck.

"You know, you could've warned me"

"You knew this would happen, bro" Puck responded

"Whatever, if we were friends again, you should've told me"

"I did. Besides stop caring so much and pay attention to your girlfriend" Puck snapped back, looking at the guy at the counter with a menacing look. he was sure he'd beaten him up last week.

"My girl wants a sprite and I'll get a twix" He commanded and the scared geek nodded, quickly getting the order. Finn heard Puck talking as he left, running up the stairs. He met Rachel at the top and didn't know that she had heard the whole exchange.

"Forgot my ticket" she confessed and he nodded, handing her the drink and popcorn.

"Everything ok?" she asked, trying to maintain her bubbly self.

"Ya" was all Finn offered back.

Finn sat beside her in the darkness, but it might as well be that there was no one there. He didn't reach out and touch her hand like he would in usual circumstances and the movie was not her taste, so she tried to submerge herself in it, but it was useless. Her eyes glanced at him every minute, but he seemed in his thoughts.

"Are you ok?" she whispered lightly.

"what?" he asked, breaking out of his daze.

"What's wrong?" she asked lightly and he shook his head.

"Nothing" he lied.

"you're a terrible liar" she responded lightly.

"Rachel?" he asked, looking at her in shock.

"What do you expect? Me to be ok that you're jealous?"

"I told you, I'm not jealous-" he began, shushing raising up in the cinema around them.

"Whatever" Rachel responded bitterly, she got up.

"Where are you going?" he asked, outraged but trying to keep his voice down.

"the washroom and I'm surprised you noticed" she snapped dramatically and he heard the click of her heels as she walked down the aisle and out of the cinema. He ran a hand through his hair, exasperated.

She dried her eyes in the washroom. Only a few tears had fallen, it was just so ridiculous and futile and the whole thing she felt could be avoided, she was just frustrated.

"Hey" Quinn announced herself, coming out of a stall. She had been there the whole time and came out to see Rachel wiping her eyes.

"Hey Quinn" Rachel commented. She didn't like the girl, but she would still acknowledge that she was there.

"Everything ok?" Quinn asked, but it didn't seem genuine.

"It's fine" rachel admitted, embarrassed.

"I know I'm not one to give out relationship advice" Quinn began grabbing a lip gloss from her purse and applying a layer of silk goo that tasted like strawberry. She pursed her lips and continued. "But you got to stick up for yourself" Quinn finished. She smiled at herself in the mirror, adjusting her hair and redoing her ponytail. Rachel didn't have to think hard to guess what they were doing during their movie.

"I mean having a kid really teaches you that" Quinn murmured more to herself. "But you have to take care of yourself and your body. You can't just expect people to do stuff for you" Quinn noted and flashed her a half-genuine smile before exiting the restroom.

Rachel sat back down beside Finn in the darkness and reached for his hand. He seemed to be barely there still, but she held on anyway. It could be worse. She could always be at home crying her eyes out. He loved her, she reminded herself, even if he did still have jealous notions towards Quinn.

"Sorry" She uttered, though she didn't think she needed to apologize first.

"Its fine" he replied and she pulled her hand away from his. Now she was definitely annoyed, as hard as she tried not to be. Not another word was spoken during the show and they exited the cinema with two feet between them as they walked back through the concession. They saw in the parking lot- Puck and Quinn. Puck leaned against his car, laughing brilliantly. His teeth shone in the moonlight and he grabbed Quinn around the waist, she emitted a small shriek and laughed. They couldn't hear their words, but Rachel watched Finn as he stared at the couple. Puck held Quinn against him as he leaned back on the car and silence grew between them. She straightened up, pressing her lips against his. Finn watched in anger. They pulled away what seemed like forever later and Quinn laughed again, shrieking a "stop" as Puck tried to tickle her. She got into the other side of the car and the engine started in a moment. Rachel and Finn had not spoken words. The silence was defining to her as she watched his reaction. She turned away hastily, bitter.

"Just take me home" she broke the silence, not masking the bitterness in her tone.

"Wait, are you mad at me?" he asked, doe eyed.

"Finn, I don't want to fight" she answered, tired.

"Well just tell me what's going on"

"I don't think you'd pay attention unless I'm Quinn" she snapped.

"that's not fair, I was just-"

"-staring? I get it Finn. It's fine, just take me home"

"Look it's not like I want to be with her ok, I just don't want to see them together. It reminds me of what she did" he snapped in a confession. She looked at him sadly.

"It's been months Finn" was all she said, walking ahead of him to his car.

She slammed the car door, wanting to get away. She walked towards her house briskly, not looking back at Finn. She heard his car pulling away and opened the door to her house. She pounded up the stairs, not bothering to stay downstairs and chat with her dads. She threw her pillow on her bed frustrated. She wanted to cry, or sing, or something. She stared at her phone, waiting for him to call. Well, he had to get home first, she thought to herself. She grabbed her original recording of WICKED and put on "What is this feeling" imagining every "loathing" line was sung to Quinn. She sat on her bed, 20 minutes later, staring at her phone.

"COME ON FINN!" she screamed at it.

"Everything ok, pumpkin?" one of her dad's called up the stairs.

"Fine!" she hollered back, filling the gold star glass she got from Shelby with water. She was thirsty, or upset, or something. The house phone and she picked it up hastily. It was for her dad. She threw the phone onto her bed and sat at her chair frustrated, the soundtrack of Wicked still blasting "What is this feeling". Shuffle turned Defying Gravity onto the next song and she listened to it, reciting the beginning without making any noise. She grabbed her cell phone angrily. She typed "So though I can't imagine how

I hope you're happy right now" and scrolled down to Jesse's name. Before another thought left her mind she clicked send. She stared at her phone in shock for what she had done. She couldn't believe what she had done.

"NO!" she screamed silently, looking at the little animation that declared "message sent". She shook her head and tossed her phone onto her bed. It was late, on a friday. Maybe he wouldn't respond.