Hey everybody! So I'm pretty proud of myself for getting this out in a timely manner. Now I know that this story deals with some tough issues and I promise that I'm trying to handle them as delicately and carefully as possibly. I also know that some people might not like that Finn is kind of villian. I promise that I love Finn and there might possibly be some sort of redemption for him. Although no justification, because his actions can never be justified. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Also, I love writing this story but reviews and any sort of feedback/suggestions would be really helpful!
I don't own any of the characters, just the story:)
Finn yawned as he woke up from a deep, and surprisingly restful, sleep. He went to move his arm and noticed that it was trapped by his 5'2 and sound asleep fiance. She was barely moving, the only indication that she was still existing was the rise and fall of her chest. This was the only time she was calm, the only time when she was just merely alive was when she was sleeping. She's a mover and shaker, constantly going and going with little regard to the effect that it has on anyone around her. She was always gone, rehearsing or performing, or interviews or award shows. In three months she'll be filming some movie in Europe meeting all kinds of people and doing all kinds of amazing things, and Finn would be stuck here in New York. Working his crazy hours at his business trying to prove to her that he was capable of being her fiance. It as stressful and she didn't even attempt to care. That's what's been so frustrating these past few months. She never took the time to stop, to pay attention to him. Finn rubbed his hands over his eyes and glanced down at her again. When she was quiet and thinking or keeping to herself she was perfection. She was an angel, she was peaceful and Finn silently wished that she would as least take some time just to be. To just exist. He ran his arm over hers and noticed her wince when he reached her shoulder. He pushed back her hair and was face to face with a big ugly bruise. He felt his stomach churn when he flashbacked to what happened last night. He had been in the kitchen and she was setting the table when everything exploded.
"You never come see my shows anymore Finn. Why?" Rachel said as she set his plate infront of him
"I don't have time to spend at your shows Rachel. I have to work." Finn laid his head in hands already frustrated with the conversation.
"But Finn, you used to love coming with to my shows! And you know I'm always less nervous when I see a familiar face." Rachel sat down across from him.
"Rachel, you're surrounded by familiar faces. All of the time. I don't need to be there." Finn said, his voice raising with each word.
"It's not the same." Rachel said, her voice soft and low, the contrast between the two becoming more and more evident as Finn's demeanor, along with the air, turned very hostile right before her eyes.
"Well guess what sweetheart? I can't be there all of the time. Do you know I had to fire my secretary the other day? Now I'm going crazy with this new case and I don't have a secretary to keep things straight and in order. I'm a candidate for partnership this spring Rachel, did you know that? No you don't because you're so consumed with you and your damn show and your fucking little perfect Broadway world. So, no, Rachel I can't go to your shows right not. To be honest, I never liked going to your shows. You know why? Because you run around backstage kissing some reporters ass trying to get good reviews, or you running around eye-fucking your damn costar. I hate going to your shows and if I can somehow manage to never see one again, I would." Finn slammed his fist on the table and somehow during his rant, the entire table had over turned and Rachel had made herself a spot in the corner.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. But you can't expect me to know if you don't tell me. Finn you don't tell me things anymore. And I'm sorry, I'm really really sorry that I haven't been around much. It's just, it's going to be time for Tony nominations soon and I really would love to get one again and I-"
"There you go with those stupid awards again. As long as we live in this house, I never want to hear you talk about those fucking awards again." Finn gripped her shoulders and glared at her.
" Finn, you're hurting me." Rachel whispered through her tears.
"Do you understand me?" Finn shook her.
"I understand." Rachel said, her voice giving out at the last syllable.
"Good." Finn let go of her. "Now I'm going to go watch the game down the street with Tony. Make sure this is clean when I get back." Finn grabbed his coat and walked out leaving his distraught and bruised girlfriend in a crumble on the floor.
"Jesus fucking Christ." Finn whispered. He rebuked the tears forming in his eyes and jumped off of the couch. He ran down the hall into his room and reached for his cell. He dialed the familiar number and sat down on the bed. The phone rang three times before he was met with the answering machine.
"Hey, I just wanted to call see how you're doing. Ever since you quit the other day things have been kind of crazy. But I wanted to see if maybe you're up for something tonight? Anyway, give me a call. Bye Q."
Rachel sighed as she was woken up but her body falling off the couch.
"Ugh." Rachel groaned as she landed on her side. The apartment was filled with silence. Figuring that Finn had left, Rachel headed to her room to get ready for tonight. She had made up her mind about going, and God help her if her ghost of a boyfriend got in her way. She was determined to have fun if it killed her, which in the reality of the situation, it might get her seriously injured. As she got closer to her room she heard a voice. Finn.
"I wanted to call to see if you're up for something tonight. Anyway, give me a call. Bye Q." Rachel clutched her stomach and squeezed her eyes shut. Who in the world would Finn be making plans with named Q? That didn't make since. The only person with the initial Q who she knew was Quinton their doorman. Now Finn occasionally hung out with him, but only if one of his business friends wasn't available. Strange. Rachel shrugged it off and walked inside.
"H-hi Finn. How was your nap?" Rachel walked timidly up to their bed and sat down.
"Hi, baby! It was great. How about yours? You looked so peaceful sleeping there. I hope I didn't wake you." Finn's eyes were full of kindness and love. Rachel hadn't seen those eyes in a very long time.
"Um, it was nice. I didn't know I was so tired." Rachel avoided Finn's last statement. Moments like this with Finn were few and far between, and she wanted to soak it all up.
"Listen, Rach. I want to apologize for screaming at you. I'm just stressed out at work and stuff. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. That wasn't fair." Finn stroked the top of her head gently and opened his arms to her.
"Oh. It's alright Finn. I just didn't know things had gotten so crazy at work for you. You should tell me these things, I'm here to lighten your load, not make your burden heavier. I'm sorry too." Rachel climbed into his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. This was her Finn. The Finn who she loved more than anything else. The Finn who loved her in return. The only person to ever truly love her, save for her parents.
"Well. I'm glad that you feel that way. I was thinking, that maybe I could could go to your next show. I haven't been in a while."
"Oh Finn would you? That would make me so happy! The show's gotten much better than the last time you saw, on account of my co-star's been replaced with someone who takes the role of the Beast seriously. You'll just love it!" Rachel clapped her hands excitedly.
"What show is it again? It's been so long, I can't even begin to remember."
"It's Beauty and the Beast Finn. There are billboards and sign all over Time Square. You make fun of Mrs. Potts every time the commercial comes on t.v. When I'm sick you sing me the title song. You don't remember?" Rachel scooted off of his lap to look into his eyes. As much as she wanted to savor the moment, she couldn't help but feel hurt by his lack of memory.
"Rachel. I have a lot to keep up with at work. How in the world do you expect me to remember every little detail about your life?" Finn sat up straight and glowered at Rachel.
"I didn't think asking you to remember what I do for a living is too much. I'm sorry I expected that from you." Rachel's eyes were downcast as her pulse quickened. This is when it starts. This is when it all goes downhill. She had no way of knowing how close he was to the edge other than staring him straight in the eye, daring him to make his next move, so she lifted her eyes bravely and met his gaze. Finn's eyes turned from a cloudy shade of gray to his natural warm shade of brown and leaned down and kissed her, as if their prior conversation was about nothing more than the headline story in that mornings paper. His kiss was long and heated and full of passion and anger. Finn seemed to want to get out all of his emotions in that one searing kiss. He pulled back almost an eternity later leaving a very dazed and a out of breath Rachel.
"W-what was that for?" Rachel stammered completely confused.
"Can't a guy kiss his girlfriend?" Finn smirked.
"Well, yeah. Of course he can."
"Good." Finn's phone buzzed and he checked his messages. "Oh, hey, I'm gonna go hang out with Tony tonight. Will you be alright here?"
"I wanted to ask you about that. Mike, you remember Mike right?" Finn nodded. "Good. Well he invited me out with him and Tina and Kurt and Blaine and some of their friends tonight. They wanted to see if you could come, but if you're going with Tony..."
"Yeah, sure go ahead. Have some fun. Look I don't know what time I'll be in tonight so don't wait up."
"I'm not sure when I'll be in either. We're going to that fun karaoke place we used to go to all of the time when you first moved here!" Rachel said excitedly.
"oh? That's nice babe. Look I'll see ya later ok?" Finn grabbed his coat.
"Ok." Rachel offered a small smile.
"Bye." Finn kissed her temple and ran off, out to spend time with his friends. Rachel texted Mike to let him know she'd gotten the aproval. He texted back with a "GREAT! Ur gonna hav fun. I promise". Rachel walked into her bathroom and started a bath. She poured in some bath salts that she got in a gift bag at some party for her show, and sunk herself into the tub. Right when she started to get wrinkly a little while later, she lifted herself out of the tub. She wrapped herself in a towel and padded out of the bathroom to her closet. She opened to door and went to her go-to karaoke outfit. Her red fitted dress. It was Finn's favorite and she loved it to. Wanting to go for a more casual look, she paired it with her studded black sandals. Accessories were minimal, just a simple bracelet and a silver pendent that stopped right above her exposed chest. She went back to the bathroom just to put a little make-up, eyes lightened with a touch of black liner, tined pink lip gloss, and a bronze blush just over the apples of her cheeks. She sprayed a hint of her favorite vanilla scented perfume. She fired up her curling iron and added a curl to the tips of her long locks. Rachel stared at her reflection in the mirror and admired herself. She really was beautiful. This high sense of self esteem had become Rachel's favorite accessory. When she first moved to the city eight years ago she thought nothing of her looks; she knew she was attractive but not a knock-out. It's surprising what a few Broadway roles will do to a person. After a moment Rachel exited the bathroom, grabbed purse and her phone, and almost flew out of the room...until she noticed the clock in the hallway that only showed the time to be 6:30. Karaoke night didn't start until after 10:30. Not getting out much definitely overexcites people. Rachel set down her purse and slipped off her shoes. She walked into her kitchen and pulled out the leftover Chinese from the night before and heated in up the microwave. She glanced at the wine bottle in the fridge and figured there was no harm in starting early. She grabbed the bottle, a glass, and her food and situated herself on the couch in front of the TV. Four hours of a mindless activity didn't sound too bad.
Puck stepped into the club with a critical eye. It wasn't really a club. It was more like a dive. Which was strange for this area. How many dives do you find on the Lower East Side? Anyway, the dive's patrons definitely reflected the area. They all were upstanding New Yorkers who had cushy jobs compared to his as an officer. But hey, it's noble work and it gets the job done. Puck scanned the crowd and couldn't find Blaine so he headed to the bar for a drink. After he placed his order he turned and looked toward what he thought was the dance floor. He spotted a medium sized man wearing a fedora with a peacock feather. Kurt. The bartender handed Puck his beer and he went to search for his friend.
"Kurt!" Puck yelled over the music. "KURT!"
"What? Puck! Hey! Hey buddy! Blaine didn't think you were coming! But I knew you would. I knew you'd want to exercise those chops with your best friends.!" Kurt said excitedly still bopping around to the music. Puck took notice of the slight slur of his words.
"Ok lightweight. Why don't you show me where Blaine is?" Puck grabbed Kurt by the shoulders and guided him out of the crowd. Once they were on the other side of the throng of people, it was easy to spot Blaine.
"BLAINE! Blaine I found Puck!" Kurt ran over to Blaine and hugged him.
"I see that! Hey man, how are you?" Blaine smiled at Puck.
"Good. I'm good. Kinda made a last minute decision to come out tonight. But I figured why not?"
"We're very glad that you did. Mike! Tina! Puck's here?" Blaine motioned for Mike and Tina to come over.
"Hey how are you guys?" Puck smirked.
"We're great! How are you? What's new"
"I'm good. Nothing new, just fighting crime and keeping ya'lls asses safe everyday. Nothing special" Puck took a swig of his beer. "So who's ready for some karaoke?"
"Oh, oh I am!" Kurt jumped up an down and clapped his hands. "I already signed us all up for something! Even you Puck!"
"Hummel I didn't plan on singing. I just want to relax and watch you all embarrass your drunk selves." Puck sat and leaned back in his chair.
"Oh no Puckerman. You are gonna sing. And you are gonna like it." Blaine shot a pointed look in Puck's direction.
"One song. I'll sing one song. But that's it."
"Alright everybody! Time to get tonight started!" The MC for the night hopped up on the stage. "First on the list, Mr. Noah Puckerman singing Sweet Caroline."
Puck glared at the table. "Oh hell no."
"You promised you'd sing once. Just get it out of the way!"Kurt slurred happily sipping his drink.
"Fine. But you're not filming this."
"Oh yes we are." Mike whipped out his iPhone and waved it in Puck's face.
"Well damn. You just want to ruin my life." Puck said bitterly
"Noah Puckerman? Noah Puckerman to the stage." The MC shouted.
"Yeah I'm coming, I'm coming." Puck gulped down his beer and started for the stage. He got to his destination and jumped onto the stage. He smirked when he heard the appreciative noises from the women in the crowd.
"Hello everybody. So I don't really want to do this but-" Puck stopped short when he saw a flash of red catch his eye. She was standing with her back to him, but he still caught the way the fabric hugged her ass and her legs seemingly went on for miles. Her hair hung loosely down her back in curls. Puck had a thing for curls, but he could've sworn he'd seen her before. Well, at least her legs and her ass before. Puck was brought back to his audience when he heard Kurt yell "Just sing the damn song!"
Puck smiled at the audience and hopped to God that mystery bar girl was listening.
"Where it began, I can't begin to know when. But that I know it's growing strong..."
Rachel shifted back and forth on her feet at the bar. She'd only been here for ten minutes and had already suffered the leers of many old men. She loved the Rave, but it could attract some questionable people. All she wanted was a drink and all she'd gotten so far were propositions to meet said old men in the back alley. No thank you.
"Hey sweetheart how can I help you?" the bartender approached her. Rachel looked up and smiled.
"Will! How are you?" Rachel leaned over the bar to hug her favorite bartender Will Schuester.
"I'm doing very well. How's my favorite singer?"
"She's fabulous. Oh it has been ages since I've seen you. I haven't been to the good old Rave in months!" Rachel hopped on a bar stool eager to chat. Will was a bartender and manager of the Rave. When Rachel first came here she was so desperate to find a part-time job but no one was hiring. One day on her back to campus she saw a sign in the Rave window asking for singers. She jumped at the chance and Will hired her on the spot. She was the spotlight singer on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It was all above board, though, because no alcohol was served Tuesday and Thursday. She worked there until she got her first stage job. However, she always made it a point to see Will at least once a week. She felt nothing but guilt after having going months without seeing him.
"Well we've missed you. How about I make you your special drink, Berry Blitz?" Will winked at her.
"I think that will be perfect. You make the best Blitz'es. "Rachel smiled.
"Well, I am the only one who makes them!"
"Then I guess you make the worst ones as well." Rachel laughed. Will followed with his chuckle and proceeded to make her drink. She had no clue what was in it, but it was delicious and she trusted that will didn't put poison or anything remotely disgusting in it. Rachel turned her attention to the cup holders and arranged them in color order. It was standard practice. Suddenly Rachel's ear perked up. The opening lines of Sweet Caroline were being sung...and it was beautiful. Rachel likes to think she's a good critic of singers, particularly singers of this song. It was her dad's favorite and Caroline was her middle name because of it. The song meant everything to her, her dad used to sing it when she had trouble sleeping, and seeing as he's not around anymore makes it that much more sentimental. But this boy was very good. Rachel turned on her stool and was almost instantly connected to his eyes. He was staring at her, like he was trying to reach her soul. For the next three minutes every part of Rachel was consumed by this musically inclined stranger. When he finished he gave a subtle nod in her direction, which every girl in the audience seemed to think it was for them exclusively. He jumped off of the stage and disappeared into the throng of tipsy girls who looked like they wanted to jump him.
"You like him huh?" Will nudged her with her drink.
" Yeah. Well, his voice. I like his voice. He's very gifted" Rachel said matter-of-fact as she accepted his drink.
"Oh of course. Just his voice is appealing." Will winked at her as he wiped down the counter.
"Yes of course. I would be just as content to listen to him wearing a blind fold, thank you very much." Rachel lifted her chin and sipped her drink.
"But you'd rather listen to him without your eyes covered." Will countered.
"Fine. Yes, the Sweet Caroline singer has a beautiful voice and is very handsome. Are you happy?"
"I don't know about the bartender, but I sure am." The Sweet Caroline singer appeared next to Rachel with a smirk. "Hi. I'm Noah Puckerman. My friends call me Puck. But I'll go by anything you want to call me, especially if you're screaming."
"Do you always make it a point to be so forward?" Rachel said crossing her legs on her stool.
"Only if the women I'm talking to are beautiful. Or drunk. They don't really have to be beautiful if they're willing."
"That is an extremely horrid thing to say! I cannot believe that in this day and age men can be so incredibly objectifying to women! It's preposterous and absurd and I refused to be treated that way Mr., Mr.,. I'm sorry, what was it again?" Rachel looked quizzically at him.
"Puckerman. Noah Puckerman. My friends call me Puck. That's what started this whole thing." Puck raised his eyebrows. This girl somehow managed to be completely wacked yet insanely hot at the same time. Who knew this feminist shit turned him on?
"Right. I'm sorry. Mr. Puckerman. And that's another thing. You have a perfectly good Jewish name. Why go by the awful name of Puck? It's terrible and it doesn't suit you're musical persona at all. Granted, it definitely helps your womanizing side." Rachel stirred her drink with her straw and took a sip.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you. But let me ask you a question. How did you know that I'm Jewish?" Puck took a seat next Rachel.
"Are you serious? You look Jewish and your last name is Puckerman. It was a dead giveaway." Rachel turned to face him.
"Ok, fine. I'll give you that. So, who are you here with? A pretty girl like doesn't usually go out alone." Puck said casually signaling Will for another beer.
"Oh I'm not alone Mr. Puckerman. I'm here with...several dates actually." Rachel followed Puck's suit and signaled Will for another Berry Blitz.
"I never would've pegged you for that kinda girl." Puck took a swig of his beer.
"Don't judge a book by its cover. And with that, I should probably go and find my dates. It was...interesting meeting you Mr. Puckerman."
"Hey! You wanna tell me your name?"
"Not particularly." Rachel gave Will a quick hug and in return he handed her another Blitz. She hopped down off of the bar stool and shot Puck one final look before disappearing into the crowd. Puck noticed the hug of course and looked at Will.
"You wouldn't happen to have been one of her dates would you Schue?" Puck raised his eyebrows.
"One of Rachel's dates? I should be so lucky." Will said cleaning out one of Rachel's glasses.
"Rachel huh?" Puck rolled the name off of his tongue. It felt right. Like he should be saying over and over again. "And why is it such a lucky thing to date her?"
"For one thing there's plenty of guys who want her. She's beautiful and successful. She's on Broadway you know? She's done some movies and stuff. She's even heading off in a few months to shot some action thriller. Or is it a romantic comedy? I don't know what she's doing these days. She's so busy. Plus, she's got personal things that you don't want to get involved in. And if you did get involved it'll be bad for both of you. Especially her." Will stopped and stared Puck in the eye.
"What kind of personal things?" Puck leaned forward on his elbows.
"Personal things that I'm not gonna tell you. Rachel doesn't even know that I know. But I'm telling you, she's attached to some pretty powerful people in this city. People who could make a police officer's life a living hell."
"Jesus Will. It's just a little flirting. Besides, I'm not the kinda guy to get serious." Puck leaned back . "Powerful people huh?
"Puck. I saw the way you were looking at her. Harmless flirting is never safe with her. Trust me." Will said and turned to his other costumers. Puck looked over his shoulder back at the spot where Rachel had left. Even though Schuester seems to think otherwise, it was just harmless flirting. Nothing more. But knowing that Rachel was dangerous made her that much more enticing and getting into her pants challenging. And Puck loves a challenge.
