Author's Note: So here we are with chapter two. Sorry for the slow update but I have had a lot to deal with over the last couple of days, but hopefully things will start looking up again now. Hopefully you will like this chapter, and fingers crossed you'll see it as good enough to stick with it. The song used in this chapter is Paloma Faith's 'Picking Up The Pieces'. The first time I heard this song I knew it was perfect with this story because of how much I can relate to it. The album is called 'Fall To Grace', which is coincidentally (or not) the name of this story (as you may have already noticed)! I was just taken over by the beauty of it, and the elegance of the idea of falling into grace as opposed to falling from it. So there we go! Enjoy!


Rory walked past the electronics store for the fifth time today. He hadn't really planned the day, all he knew was that he needed to get Sam out of the house, and get his mind onto other things. Quinn had torn him apart, her ghost following behind wherever Sam went. Rory could always see that pained look in his eyes. The blond had even started to become distant with him, often just replying to questions with grunts or very simple sentences. Rory understood – sure, it was difficult coping with a break up like that – but at the same time, Sam didn't seem to even be trying to take any steps forward in his life. The more time was passing, the more he felt he was being treated like shit, and, being honest with himself, he wasn't down for that. He was going to be there for Sam whatever though – he just couldn't bear to see the guy sad, even if it did make him a little pissed every now and again. Surely now that a week had passed, he should be moving on a little right? Wrong. It just seemed to be getting worse. He was getting thinner as well. Rory would keep an eye on that. Finally Sam came out of the store, holding a bag with a CD in it. He looked pretty pleased with himself when he pulled it out from the bag and proudly pushed the Lady Antebellum case into Rory's face. The Irish boy chuckled at the action.

"I know they aren't really cool, but hey, I like them okay?" Sam shrugged and packed the album back away. Rory was confused. Why did Sam go on the defensive? He didn't think he was laughing at the CD did he? It was just the look on his face… Oh shit maybe he is insulted! Better make it up to him.

"I like them too. Especially that one… Urgh, what's it called? Um… Oh yeah, 'One Day You Will'. That's a great song!" It was Sam's turn to smile as he watched his friend desperately trying to claw his way back out of the hole he had dug for himself. The pair walked on through the mall, stopping in a shop every now and again, but never spending any money. Neither of them really had that much cash to spare, so no impulse buying today. Sam smiled. For the first time since the break up, he was feeling a little bit happy. Rory always had that ability with him. At least, it was great until they reached the food court. Quinn was there, just standing there, her arms around Finn's neck and her lips on his. Sam couldn't watch. It hurt too much. He freaked and turned around without telling Rory, who was taken by surprise at the sudden change of events. His eyes wandered to where Sam's had just been, and comprehension filled him. He chased after his friend who was already on the escalator on his way up to the first floor. He needed to catch up quickly.

When he did. Sam's eyes were red. Rory cupped his face and wiped away one of the tears that was rolling its way down Sam's cheek. He really did not deserve this, even if he was treating Rory poorly at the moment. Heck, Rory could understand why. Turning his attention back to the task at hand, Rory smiled at his friend and tried to lead him off to the other direction, but his efforts were stopped when Sam didn't budge. Rory frowned and tried again, but his friend wouldn't budge. Sam looked him in the eyes and shook his head, indicating he wasn't going that way. Rory shrugged and attempted the other direction, but still nothing.

"Come on Sam, we can't just stand here forever. We need to get going". Sam looked at him again and shrugged.

"Go away Rory, I don't want to be with you now". Rory stood shocked, watching as Sam broke out of his grasp and turned away to disappear into the crowd. What had happened? What had he done wrong? This just didn't make sense. Yeah, seeing Quinn must have upset him, but did he really need to take it out on the only person there for him at the time? Rory tried to understand, but he just couldn't. It didn't make sense. What had he done wrong? He walked through the centre, not really knowing where he was going, lost in his thoughts. Until he walked into the back of someone.


Rory looked up to find Santana staring at him. She seemed pretty angry at first, but then, as she studied the small boy before him, she seemed to notice that something was going wrong, and despite the past between them, gave Rory a sympathetic look.

"What's going on potato-head? You look pretty down". Rory blinked. It wasn't like Santana to care, but he had heard rumours that she could have moments of being nice, you know, like a normal human being. He shrugged his shoulders, not really knowing what to say. "Okay, so something's obviously up, and although I'm still mad about what you did to Britt, I'm willing to overlook it for the moment and try and help you with that mashed up brain of yours. Seriously, what's going on?" Okay, now he really couldn't believe it. Not only was she actually giving a shit, but she was also suggesting that she wanted to help him out. Strange. He gulped. He didn't want to make Sam sound bad, but hey, what did it matter? The jock hated him anyway. So he spilled, telling Santana everything, and although he caught her looking at her nails every now and again, she did genuinely seem interested in what he had to say. As he finished, he looked up to her, hoping for some sort of response. "So Irish, you done your glee assignment yet?" Now he was really confused. What was the relevance of that? "Well, I think maybe you should use the opportunity to tell Sam how you feel". That was actually a pretty good idea. Before he knew it, he had arranged to meet her at her house in two hours so they could run over ideas. It was surreal to see Santana caring. As he walked away, he had to pinch himself just to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. Insane.


The next day at glee club, Rory was nervous as hell. The night before, Santana had spent ages trudging through her iTunes to find him the perfect song. As soon as he heard it though, he knew it had to be the one. She had looked at him briefly, before calmly asking Rory a question he hadn't expected to hear. "Irish, do you have feeling for Sam? Like you know, romantic feelings?" Rory had stood there in shock. He wasn't really sure what to say. Santana had a knowing grin on her face, and as he thought about it more, the more he realised that yeah, he did. It wasn't long that an evening planned for music had turned into a massive chat about life, love and everything in between. He still hadn't really gotten over the fact that he and Santana had bonded. He wasn't really sure what the others would think, especially after her earlier treatment of him, but he didn't really care. He just wanted to be friends. As everyone settled into the room, he took a deep breath and stood up for his performance. The song was perfect, it really was.

Do you think of her?

When you're with me?

Repeat the memories you made together?

Whose face do you see?

Do you wish I was a bit more like her?

Am I too loud?

I play the clown,

To cover up all these doubts.

That night, while Rory had been at Santana's, Sam had returned home, and, more importantly, to the mirror. He stared at it for a while, pointing out each of his flaws to himself. Places where he needed to lose weight, places where he was too fat. Everywhere. He couldn't stand it. It was disgusting, all bulging out. When his mother had called him down for dinner, he told her he had been to the food court with Rory. He wasn't lying, and this way he wouldn't need to eat.

Perfect heart,

She's flawless,

She's the other woman,

Shining in her splendour,

You were lost.

It had been a pretty cold night, but Sam found it perfect for exercising. He wouldn't get overheated while he burned off that excess fat that was eating him up. Today he had eaten three crackers, an apple and a glass of water. He was pleased with himself. Those calories could be burned off easily, and there was hardly any fat in them. He cringed at the mere thought of putting more weight on.

Now she's gone,

And I'm picking up the pieces,

I watch you cry,

But you don't see that I'm the one by your side.

'Cause she's gone,

In her shadow is it me you see?

'Cause all that's left is you and I,

And I'm picking up the pieces she left behind.

Rory had realised that although the song was perfect, it would also give some pretty strong suggestions that he wanted Sam to be a bit more than his friend. He had worried about how many of the glee clubbers would pick up on it. It was no surprise when he had seen Kurt smile knowingly before Blaine joined in. He started to falter as he realised that slowly the group was figuring it out, but was put back on track when Santana gave him a sly thumbs up. Sam seemed enraptured.

I found a photograph behind the TV,

You look so happy are you missing the way it used to be?

Now I have changed this room around more often lately,

It's clear that me,

And these 4 walls,

Still known as hers and yours.

Seeing Rory like this, it was different. Could he really be saying that he had feelings for him? No surely not. Even Quinn didn't feel that way. What would he do if Rory did like him though? Would he give it a shot? Sam thought over it. He could see him and Rory together, heck, he would like it if they were together, but first he would have to make sure he was better. Make sure he was less disgusting. Make sure that Rory definitely felt the same way.

Now she's gone,

And I'm picking up the pieces,

I watch you cry,

But you don't see that I'm the one by your side.

'Cause she's gone,

In her shadow is it me you see?

'Cause all that's left is you and I,

And I'm picking up the pieces she left behind.

Sam's thoughts turned to earlier on in the day. He had treated Rory like shit, and he didn't need to be treated like that. He was the only person there to comfort him, but Sam had lashed out. Why couldn't he just control his emotions? Rory could do better. He needed better.

Are we liars?

In denial?

Are smoke without the fire?

Tell me please is this worth it?

I deserve it.

Rory stopped singing, and looked around the room. Santana and Rachel were the first to start clapping, jumping up to give him a hug before the rest of the group followed. Sam sat there watching. He needed to improve. He needed to make sure that he was what Rory deserved, and nothing less. He needed to take his diet to the next level to make sure he was perfect. No more fat.


So yeah, I think you can probably see where this is going now right? Well please review to let me know what you think, and hopefully I will see you next chapter!