Ok, so my usual followers… this one probably isn't for you. A very special girl was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and she's only 22 years old and still has so much life she needs to live. Her mom wrote to me on Fanfiction and asked for a special request. She is a HUGE "Glee" fan and requested a special story just for her. So, after watching over 3 season of this show I had NEVER seen before on Netflix during pretty much all of my free time, I am going way..way…WAY out of my comfort zone, I am attempting a story just for her. It won't be a super long one, but I want to post one up for her to read while she is stuck in a bed. Whatever can put a smile on her face is worth it for me. Please bare with me through the story. Thanks.

Capshawfan1981

WHAT IF – CHAPTER 1

Rachel Berry had always been independent. She knew what her goals were, and she knew what she wanted in life. Broadway. Nothing more and nothing less would suffice. She woke up every morning, she exercised, and she took vitamins, never drank alcohol or did anything to possibly damage her vocal chords. She studied hard, made straight A's and was in every after school activity that was possible in her school. Yes, Rachel Berry was headed for great things. And today she would walk across the stage, receive her diploma and give her valedictorian speech. The only thing that was keeping her from being excited that her dreams were just around the corner was the fact that she would be leaving behind a dream. One that she never got to fulfill and that isn't something that sat well with Rachel. Failure was not something that she experienced often. But achieving the goal of having Finn Hudson, the star quarterback, her co-captain of glee, fall in love with her was the one thing she just could not make happen. It wasn't that she hadn't tried, because as far as she knew she had.. well ok, maybe not really, but she always wanted to. She just turned into a huge pile of mush anytime she and Finn were alone.

Rachel stood in front of her senior class, as well as all of their family and friends looking out at the group of people she had spent the last 13 years with and spoke with pride. Finn was in the middle of his row, about half way back, smiling up at her. She swore she would melt if she didn't break eye contact with him, so she looked away and towards her two dads.

"These few years at Mc Kinnely High have been ones full of life lessons, heartaches, happiness and beautiful memories. I know that it hurts us all to walk away from all we have ever known just to venture out into a world larger than any single one of us. But even if we make the wrong choices… and we will… We will learn from it. Our futures are laid out before us, and it's the time to grab it and make it into whatever we dreamt of it being. I know that I wouldn't be here today without my two fathers, and their unconditional love and support. So today I want to thank them first and foremost, then my teachers and my friends. So let's hear it guys, Congrats Class of 2000. We did it!" Rachel pumped her fist up in the air as the crowd cheered.

When she returned to her seat next to the other honor students, she looked over her shoulder and chanced a look at Finn. He winked at her, causing her heart to race.

Once the ceremony was over and all of the seniors had received their diplomas they were scattered across the football field with their family members. Mercedes and Tina came walking towards Rachel and pulled her into a huge hug. "So Miss Berry, will you be joining us at the party tonight? You still haven't given us an answer and we are refusing to take NO as one." Mercedes said with her hands on her hips. Tonight was the huge party at Puck's house. All of the Cheerios and Football players as well as the Glee club would be attending. And most likely more seniors and friends then she could imagine. She wanted to go, but almost everyone was going with a date. Mercedes had Sam. Kurt had Blaine. Santana had Brittney. Puck and Quinn had been together most of senior year, but even though they had broken up, they still ended up pulled together like magnets. Tina and Mike Chang were a new item, as well as Arty and Becky. The only two from their group that had been single most of the year were Rachel and Finn. Sure they were really great friends, but that was it. So when they were around their group they always felt like third wheels. But even though she knew she would be uncomfortable, she did want to spend time with her friends before they all started going their own directions. Sure they had the summer ahead of them, but except for maybe a handful of the seniors, the rest were moving to get settled in wherever they were going to attend college. So after thinking about it and more encouraging from her friends she finally agreed. "Yes! Ok, I'll pick you up since you're on the way to Mercedes house. Then we have to pick up Sam and we can all 4 ride together. Mike is riding there with Arty since they are neighbors. Be ready by 8 Berry, because if you don't come out, I'm coming in after you!" Tina said with a wink before they walked off and Rachel headed towards her dad's car.

Rachel's phone chimed in her purse and she pulled it out to see a text from none other than Finn Hudson. She felt her hands get sweaty and her fingers shook as she slid her finger over the screen to unlock it.

-Going to the party tonight?

Rachel cleared her throat, getting her dads' attention. "Daddy.. Dad. There is a party at Noah's house tonight. Just to celebrate graduation. I was wanting to go with Tina and Mercedes. Do you think that would be ok? I promise to be home before too late." Rachel said innocently.

"Of course Honey. You're 18, you're graduated, and we trust you. Have a great time, and just take your key. If you need us, you call us. No matter what time." Her father Hiram said.

"Thanks dads."

With her confirmation from her dads, she quickly typed a response to Finn.

-Yes. Will you be there? So I have someone to be awkwardly uncomfortable with while everyone is coupled up? Rachel typed with a smile.

-You know it! We can make fun of everyone when they get drunk. See ya there!

She knew that she wasn't meeting Finn for a date, but she wanted to get home and find something insanely cute to wear to the party. She looked at her watch and realized she had less then 3 hours to be ready. So when her dads pulled into the driveway, she was the first one out of the car and disappeared up the stairs to her room to begin ransacking her closet. Rachel had tried on over 8 outfits. Curled, straightened, re-curled and re-straightened her hair until she finally threw herself onto her bed in defeat. She pulled out her cellphone and called Mercedes.

"You have the Diva on the line. Speak." Mercedes said as she picked up.

"I am SOOOO not going tonight." Rachel said simply.

"Do not tell me your dad's aren't letting you go. Rachel you are 18 and-" Mercedes began.

"NO! They said yes. No curfew even, but I can't find anything to wear, or get my hair right. I don't feel pretty and I NEED to look pretty. You don't understand." Rachel whined.

"Oh honey, I understand completely. This is all about one Finn Hudson. Let me make a call. I'll be there in 10 minutes with back up. Bye Berry." Then the line went dead.

Just as promised Rachel's door bell rang shortly after the call. Her father yelled up the stairs, "Rachel, your friends are here sweetheart!" Rachel walked to the top of the stairs to look down and smiled when she saw Mercedes, Tina, Quinn, Brittney and Santana standing there holding various dresses, a make up case and other items. "You ready for a make over Rach? Because we are going to make you so hot Finn will get heartburn!" Quinn said with a wink but the smile disappeared instantly when Rachel's dad cleared his throat and looked down at Quinn. She quickly changed her comment, I mean we just want you to feel pretty." She said with an innocent smile. Rachel's dad laughed and walked off, saying over his shoulder "Have fun with the make over girls." And he disappeared into his office.

45 minutes later Brittney, Santana, Tina and Quinn were sitting on Rachel's bed while Mercedes and Rachel were putting the final touches when Santana yelled, "Hurry it up! We have to get going. I gots to get my dance on." She said just as the restroom door opened and Mercedes came out. "Ok ladies. Meet the new and incredibly hot Rachel Berry!" Stepping aside, Rachel came walking out. Santana's jaw dropped to the floor and Brittney reached over to push her chin up. "Damn Huckelberry. You be lookin H-O-T. We are miracle workers." Everyone laughed, including Rachel who had to admit. She felt beyond pretty right now thanks to her friends. She was wearing a tight fitting black dress that stopped a few inches above the knee and had a plunging neck line that showed the perfect amount of cleavage. It had spaghetti thin straps and her hair was curled in loose, long curls. "Finn isn't going to be able to form words when he lays his eyes on you girl." Mercedes added, bumping her hip into Rachel's.

"Thank you guys. This really means a lot. Now, let's get to this party and enjoy our last night with everyone in the same place."

They all piled into their vehicles and stopped to pick up Sam before they made the short drive to Pucks house. Rachel walked up, her heart racing and feeling like she was going to pass out. She must have been breathing fast and loud enough for Sam to hear her because he leaned over and asked her if she was ok. "Yeah, I'm good. Just ready to have some fun." She lied. She was truly panicking. She felt so odd in the dress she was wearing and the good, sexy, confident feelings she had only moments ago at her house had disappeared. "You look great, just breathe." Brittney said softly.

Inside the house, everyone seemed to go in their own directions with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Quinn took Rachel by the hand and said, "Let's go find Puck and Finn. I guarantee they are out by the pool." Quinn said, pulling Rachel along with her until they were outside. "There's Puck. Come on." Quinn added. Puck was standing on the diving board, with a guitar in his hand, jamming out to whatever song the dj was playing and Quinn and Rachel laughed. They didn't see Finn and for a minute Rachel worried that maybe he changed his mind about coming. Puck saw his girlfriend, not girlfriend, whatever she was and came walking over to them when his performance was over. "Hey sugar. You look fierce." He said to Quinn then turned to Rachel. "Holy shit Berry. You are smokin tonight." She blushed and looked down at her feet, "Thanks Noah."

"Hey, we have a keg over there, and some punch on the table. I'm not sure what it's spiked with, but it's damn good. What can I get you ladies?" Quinn decided to go for the punch, but Rachel tried to request a diet coke and only received a laugh in return from Puck. "This is our senior party. It's time for you to tap into your wild side. You need a drink. I'll be back." He took off to get their drinks and Rachel looked around, unknowing to her that Quinn was watching her. "He will be here Rach. Just relax, and enjoy yourself." Quinn said, reaching over and squeezing Rachel's shoulder.

About an hour into being there Rachel sat on a chair watching her friends all dance and she couldn't help but be happy and sad at the same time. Mercedes and Sam were belting out a Michal Jackson song on the karaoke machine while everyone else busted a move. She was too busy watching them to see someone sneak up behind her and whisper into her ear. She jumped, spilling her still full cup of punch on the ground.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you Rach." Finn said, "I'll get you another drink. What did you have?" He asked.

"Hey! It's totally fine. I wasn't drinking it anyway. Puck insisted that I drink some of the punch, but I was simply holding it for show." She said, happy that he was finally there.

"How about I get you a diet coke instead?" He offered and Rachel smiled back, happy that he remembered her favorite drink. "I'll go with you."

Together they went inside the house and to the kitchen where Finn opened the refrigerator and pulled out a diet coke for Rachel and a regular coke for himself. "Here you go." He handed it to her and their fingers brushed against one another. Both feeling the spark that ran through them, but neither saying anything. "Thanks."

They stood there quietly for a minute until Rachel broke the silence. "I'm glad you made it. I was starting to think that you were going to let me suffer through the couple extravaganza alone."

"Sorry I was late. I had to take my parents to the airport. They had some meeting in D.C. in the morning so Burt and my mom flew out tonight."

"That's cool. So you and Kurt have the house to yourselves for a night huh?"

"Yeah, but he is crashing at Blaine's, so it's just me."

Rachel couldn't help but think about being alone with Finn, but brushed that idea off, knowing it would never happen.

"Anything exciting happen yet?" Finn asked.

"Not really. Puck and one of the other guys had a beer chugging competition, and a lot of beer pong has been played. One girl already threw up in the rose bushes, but that's about it. You didn't miss much."

"I know I didn't miss how incredible you look tonight. Really, you look beautiful." Finn said with the smile that made Rachel weak in the knees.

She blushed, shocked to hear Finn say something she had always wanted to hear, and just as he looked like he would say more, a wave of people came walking through, grabbing bowls of chips and snacks. Mike and Tina walked up to them and said, "Hey you two. You're up on karaoke. Let's go!"

Because either could protest they were being pulled outside and onto the make shift stage where they were handing microphones. Finn smiled and leaned over to whisper into her ear, sending chills down Rachel's spine. "What do you say? One more? For old times sake?

"Let's do it." Rachel said.

"Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air…." Rachel sang as the song started. It was a song they had sung a dozen times in Glee club, but for some reason, tonight the words meant something more to the pair. As they sung, it was as if everyone else that was in the room disappeared. All Rachel cared about was the way Finn's hand felt as it wrapped around her from behind. The way he rested his chin on her shoulder as they sung. He may have been singing the song, and playing the part.. but Rachel was going to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

When the last words were belted, their eyes were locked on one another. A scene that did not go unnoticed by their friends. Their breaths were ragged, and they were completely spent from giving the song their all. Everyone cheered and clapped after their performance, but Finn didn't stay on stage to accept the applause. He grabbed Rachel by the hand and pulled her through the house. Puck leaned over and told Quinn, "50 bucks said they are bumping uglies by the end of the night. And it's about time." Quinn smiled, but still smacked him in the back of the head. "Don't be a perve Puckerman."

Rachel could barely keep up with Finn as he lead her through the house and out the front door. On the side of the house, he stopped suddenly and let go of her hand. Walking about 10 feet away from her, his back towards Rachel. Rachel looked around, completely confused as to what just happened. She stepped forward, "Finn, are you—"

Before she could continue, he spun around and interrupted her. "I have watched you for 4 years. In glee club, in class, in the halls. Everywhere. You are everywhere." He was rubbing the back of his neck so hard that Rachel swore he would wipe the skin clear off.

"I don't understand what you mean? Of course I was there. We went to school together Finn. What is wrong? Just tell me." She said, stepping closer to him again. Stopping only a few short feet away.

"You were always there, and I… I was always there. But I wasn't really there."

Rachel felt like her head was spinning. She had no idea where this was all coming from, and she had no idea what he meant right now. "Finn.. I don't understand. If I did something wrong.. please just tell me." She begged, feeling like tears were going to swell any second.

Finn stopped moving, and looked Rachel deep in the eyes. "Rachel…" He began, but instead of finishing his sentence he closed the last few feet of distance and grabbed Rachel, pulling her in for a searing kiss. It started off ragged and fast, but his fingers found their way into her long locks, their bodies pressed together closer and closer until they were flush against one another. The kiss slowed down into more of a sensual, agonizingly slow kiss. All the build up feelings that they each had been holding back came pushing through. When they pulled apart, out of breath being the only reason for the break, Finn rested his forehead against Rachel's. Her eyes were closed, and she kept praying that when she opened them this wouldn't be a dream, and Finn wouldn't say the words, "That was a mistake." "Rachel… look at me." He said, but her eyes stayed shut and her hands that were resting on his chest tightened with his shirt. "Rach… please." He tried once more. Chocolate brown eyes opening to meet his hazel ones. "Finn, please don't say that you regret this. I can't handle it." She begged, and he felt like his heart broke right then and there.

"Rachel Berry… there is nothing about kissing you that I could possibly regret. I can't begin to tell you how long I have dreamt of doing that. And right now, all I can think about is doing it again."

Rachel put her hands on each side of his face, her thumb tracing gently across his bottom lip. This time she leaned in and initiated the kiss. Slowly, softly, pouring her heart into it to show him that she too had dreamt of kissing him for longer than she could remember. Finally they broke apart once more and this time Rachel did the talking. But what she said was the very last thing Finn expected to hear come out of her lips.

"Take me to your house. I want to be alone with you. Right…now…" She said the last two words in between small pecks on his lips. Finn didn't wait for her to say anything else, nor did he say a word. Instead he reached down, laced their fingers together and led her towards his truck. Opening the passenger side door, he allowed Rachel to climb in before shutting the door behind her and walking around to the driver side. When he got inside, Rachel unbuckled her seat belt and slid across to the middle of the seat and placed her hand on Finn's thigh. He swallowed a large lump in his throat and started the truck. Driving to his house in complete silence as he felt as if his heart would beat clear out of his chest. He had no idea where this night was headed, but he didn't' care as long as Rachel was there next to him.