Disclaimer: Glee does not belong to me...except in my dreams :)

The day after the cast party, Rachel woke early as was her habit. She dressed in some yoga pants, a tank top and hoodie ready to start the day with her run. She tied her pink Nike tennis shoes, slipped her ear buds in her ear and pressed shuffle on her iPod. As she jogged down the steps, her mind drifted back to the conversation she had last night.

"Tina? Where'd he go?" Rachel inquired as she scanned the room looking for Finn. She mentally cursed her short stature; if she were just a bit taller she'd be able to find him easier.

"Who?" Tina looked at her a little dazed. She gave a light little giggle which made Rachel peer into her cup.

"Finn; you know Finn Hudson? And how much of that have you had to drink?" Rachel swiftly took the cup from Tina's hand trading it for her bottle of water.

"Geeze Mom, I only had two beers. Or maybe three. I'm fine." Tina hiccupped and Rachel just rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, Tina focus. Where did Finn go?" She wanted to shake Tina; how could she have gotten so buzzed in the 20 minutes she was gone.

"He was over there; talking to that little girl." Rachel followed the direction of Tina's hand, spotting a short girl talking with a girl of average height. Crap, it looked like they were getting ready to leave. She went to cross the room to talk to them just as Tina began to say she was feeling sick. Rachel whirled around to help Tina find the bathroom but by the time she got back, the other girls were gone.

Replaying the events through her mind as she ran, she couldn't help but mutter his name. Finn Hudson. It sounded like a good, strong name and suited his looks. His hair was a little shaggy, but it just made her want to run her fingers through it. The way his eyes stared at her it was like there was no one else in the room. She was just going to have to make it a point to seek him out at the next performance. Shaking her head in determination with the thought, she turned her iPod louder as Kelly Clarkson's, "(What Doesn't Kill You) Stronger" came on. She rounded the street corner, spotting her destination: Conga Coffee. Making it to Conga meant she was half way done with her run, and she always stopped and ordered a small coffee to increase her energy just a little more. She paused the iPod and walked up to the counter, pulling her ear buds out as she went.

"Hey Mike! I'll take the usual please." She continued to take small steps in place, not wanting her legs to tighten up.

"Sure thing Rachel. By the way, you were great last night." He smiled at her as he said it. "I know you weren't thrilled with the part, but at least you got to dance with Tina and San right?"

"Yep. Believe me; I'm fine with the part. It's just one show, you know? Who knows what Professor Herbart will come up with next?" She said it with a small smile since she had insight as to what was coming up. In fact, the Professor had all but guaranteed her the lead at the cast party the night before.

"That's a great attitude Rachel. I know Tina was worried with how you would take it, you know with Jesse and all." He trailed off, embarrassed to be talking about her personal life.

"It's fine, Mike, really." Rachel pulled a five dollar bill out of her pocket. "Keep the change," she said with a wink. She turned with her coffee intending to finish it outside when she walked right into what felt like a solid wall. "Excuse me." She mumbled as she looked up to face the person she walked into. She had to tilt her head almost all the way back. Oh. My. Barbra. It was none other than Finn Hudson. Great; she has to run into him when she's sweaty and gross and not wearing any makeup. She smiles awkwardly until she realizes she's spilled some coffee on the sleeve of his hoodie.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" Rachel tried to wipe the coffee off the sleeve, only succeeding in rubbing it deeper into the fabric. "I can't believe this. I ran into someone else just the other day. I'm not usually so clumsy." she rambled on at him, still dabbing at the stain.

"It's ok! I totally should have been looking where I was going." Finn held up his phone at her saying, "Texting and walking. Not a good combination." His phone beeped as he held it and a picture of him and the girl he was talking to at the party came up.

They both realized when he held up his phone that they had run into each other the other day. No wonder they had a sense of déjà vu at the cast party.

"Still, I ran into you. Can I at least buy you a coffee to make up for it?" Rachel asked while trying not to stare too obviously at his phone as he read the message.

"Um sure. I'd love a cup…but I can't let you pay." Finn smiled at her as he walked towards the counter. "Do you have some time? You could keep me company while I drink?" He pointed to a table in the corner of the coffee shop.

"Sure!" She replied enthusiastically. "I'd like that." She was talking to his back as he placed his order. She wandered towards the cushiony chairs, hoping she wasn't coming off as overeager. Overhead, the speakers were playing "Collide" by Howie Day. She loved this song and was quietly singing along as Finn approached.

"You have a pretty voice." Finn stated, breaking her out of her reverie. She also had beautiful eyes, and hair and well everything. But he couldn't tell her all that; he didn't want to come off as some psycho.

"Thanks," she murmured, twisting her coffee cup in her hands. "So do you come here often?" God Rachel, she thought to herself. Such a cheesy line.

"Um actually no. My friend recommended it since I'm on the way over to her place." He replied absently, just awestruck that he actually was talking to her. "I'm Finn by the way. Finn Hudson."

"Rachel Berry. Pleased to meet you Finn." She gave him her trademark smile, then wondered if she was showing too much teeth so she quickly closed her mouth and bit her lower lip.

His eyes followed the action of her teeth. Seriously, was she trying to kill him? "So, do you come here often?"

"Every day. Part of my guilty pleasure/motivation to run." She crossed her legs delicately swinging one foot back and forth. Who cared if her muscles tightened? She was talking to Finn!

His eyes slid down her legs, watching her foot swing like a metronome. "I'm not a big coffee drinker usually, but I have a feeling I'm going to get put through the paces this morning." He rubbed the back of his neck as he rolled his eyes. "I'm finishing my student teaching and my friend and her roommate volunteered to pretend to be in detention for the day." Boy that probably came out creepy. "I just um want to make sure I come across as authoritative you know? So they said they'll pretend to be obnoxious kids so I can get some practice." Shit, that just made it worse. When was he going to learn to shut up?

"OH I get it! It's kind of like method acting right?" He nodded along having no clue as to what she was talking about. "I'm a theatre major with a minor in vocal studies so I have plenty of experience."

"You're in the musical right?" He blurted out as his phone beeped. He hit ignore and watched her face. "I mean, I saw you at the cast party and all so I just assumed."

"Yes, actually I'm munchkin number four." Rachel mumbled.

"Well that's pretty cool. I'd never have the guts to be on stage like that." He took a sip of his coffee, realizing it had started to go cold.

"Oh but you have the guts! You're doing something far more nerve-wracking. You're shaping the minds of our future!" She positively beamed at him, and then thinking she was coming on too strong mumbled,"Well that's what I think anyway."

"I guess I never really thought of it that way." His phone beeped again and he rolled his eyes, seeing another text from Naomi. "Listen this was really great, but I have to run. Erica, my friend Naomi's roommate is only there for another couple hours before she has to go to work and…"

"I get it. I actually need to get back to my run as well. That way I won't throw the rest of my day off schedule." She rambled, afraid she sounded like a neurotic tight ass. "It's just with the musical and all; I find it easier to stick to a routine you know?"

"Yeah, I get it. Well, I guess I'll see you at the show tonight?" Of course she'd be at the show; she was in the stupid thing right? "Would you like to grab something to eat after?" He blurted out, staring into those liquid brown eyes.

"I'd love that Finn." She smiled her 10,000 watt smile as they began walking to the door. "Wait for me backstage?"

"Absolutely." He started to walk away and turned back to her. "I can't wait." He said grinning, watching her own smile spread.

"Me either." with that she turned around and started jogging. She had a lot of planning to do and not a lot of time to do it.

At the Conga counter, Mike finally caught a break as the line died down and was furiously texting Tina: Babe, you're never gonna believe what just happened.

Finn loped up the steps to Naomi and Erica's apartment, unable to keep his smile from spreading. He knocked on the door twice and waited for someone to answer. When Naomi opened the door she practically yanked him inside.

"Finn! Where have you been? You know Erica's on a schedule right?" Her tone was a little irritated and the fact that he was grinning was not making her any happier. He had totally screwed up their timetable; he was almost 45 minutes late.

"I've got a date." He pulled her into a hug before breaking apart to do a little boogie over to the couch. He sat and made himself comfortable.

"Erica, come out here. I think he's delusional." Naomi placed her hand on his head, "Do you feel sick? Have you bumped your head?"

"No and no. I'm fine." He couldn't get the dopey grin off his face.

Erica entered the room, pissed beyond belief that Finn has messed up her schedule. It was bad enough she had a headache thanks to the number of Sangria's she had consumed last night but now Finn was in danger if making her late for work. "Give me your phone." She demanded, extending her hand.

"What? Why?" He sat up a little straighter, handing it to her.

"I want to see if she who shall not be named is calling you again. You know you can't date her. That girl is just bad news." Erica shared a glance with Naomi as she scrolled through Finn's phone. Odd, there were no missed calls from unusual numbers. "Ok, if isn't her, who are you going out with?"

"Rachel. Rachel Berry." He said her name almost reverently. "We're grabbing a bite to eat after the show."

Naomi sat down, shocked. This was Finn here, he was never known to move quickly when it came to girls. Iris had completely changed his outlook on dating and he had claimed he wouldn't rush into anything again. Now, here he was again looking positively smitten. "Where did you see her?" Naomi asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she paced in front of Finn.

"At Conga's. Great coffee by the way, penguin. Thanks for the tip." He stared off into space for a moment before continuing. "It was so weird. She ran right into me. It was like fate or something."

"Finn, what do you know about Rachel?" Naomi questioned as Erica sat down in the armchair across from the couch. "I mean, you talked for what five seconds?" This behavior was just so unlike Finn and she was concerned he was rushing things.

"It's more than that Naomi. I mean God, I saw her at the party last night and it was just like BAM. I couldn't stop staring you know?" he left out the part about bumping into her the other day. That was special, plus Naomi would stress if she knew testing him made him late to rehearsal. "If she who shall not be named hadn't come along I would have gone over right then and there." He ran his hands through his hair, not caring that it sent it in all different directions.

"I saw you Finn. But what you know about her? I mean, who knows, she could be Iris2.0" Naomi felt bad as she was saying it, but she couldn't stand to see Finn hurt. If that meant playing devil's advocate for awhile, then so be it.

"She's not. I just know she's not. There's just something about her." Erica and Naomi again shared a look as Finn's dopey expression returned. "Besides, it's just dinner. One dinner. What harm can it do?"

"Just promise me you won't tell Kurt yet ok? He doesn't like her remember? Especially since she originally beat out Bernadette for the role of Elphaba." Naomi reminded him gently, not wanting Kurt to explode all over Finn and try and lock him in the house or something so he couldn't make his date.

"You're right. You're absolutely right." He stood up to leave. "I'm sorry guys, I just gotta go. I really want tonight to be special you know?"

"I know…" Naomi trailed off, shrugging her shoulders.

"Where are you taking her?" Erica asked, finally trying to have some input.

"I don't know; that's why I have to go plan this out." He looked slightly frazzled as he pulled Naomi close for his customary one armed hug.

"You should take her on a picnic. Girls love that kind of stuff." Erica told him. "It's super romantic."

" A picnic? But it'll be dark out by the time we're done." He looked at Erica like she had just stepped off an alien planet.

"A moonlight picnic. By your favorite spot on campus?" She suggested with a sly smile.

"A moonlight picnic? That's" he trailed off for a moment looking at the floor. "That's brilliant! I knew there was a reason I kept the two of you around." He placed a peck on Erica's forehead and walked out the door.

Erica and Naomi stared at each other before Naomi replied, "I hope he knows what he's doing."

Rachel rummaged through her closet, trying to find something suitable to wear on her date with Finn. She was so excited she had run into him again literally and figuratively. Absentmindedly she began to hum "Faithfully" as she searched through her clothes. "San! What do you think of this?" She held up a black scoop neck dress. "Too much for the first date?"

"Ugh. Too ugly for ANY date." The Latina joined Rachel in the hunt for something cute to wear. "You need something that shows some skin, but not too much." She began pushing aside hanger after hanger of clothes. "Really, Berry. I'm pretty sure I told you the animal sweater was NEVER coming back in style. And what's with this black catsuit?" pulling the offensive item from the closet she turned to Rachel.

"You know that's my Grease audition outfit! Put it back!" Rachel made a grab for it as Santana pulled it out of reach.

"Only if you agree to wear WHATEVER I pick.". Santana waved the hanger with the catsuit in front of Rachel.

"Fine. I don't know why I ask for your help sometimes. All you do is insult me." Rachel folded her arms across her chest as she sat on the bed.

"You make it too easy to insult you. Aha!" Triumphantly she held out a sundress for Rachel to look at. It was peach, had a sweetheart neckline and crisscrossing straps. "Here. This is it, it's cute and I'm sure you'll say it's comfortable."

"It is! You're sure it's not too much for a first date? I don't even know where we're going. Maybe I need jeans." Rachel was tugging on her hair, starting to second guess her decision since she had NO idea what to wear.

"Berry. Chill out. He's a dude. He'll want to see some skin. No jeans on a first date." Santana replied firmly. "You never did tell me where you met him though," Santana reminded her.

"I saw him at the after party then again this morning" she conveniently left out that this was the oaf that made her late to rehearsal. "It's just one dinner."

"Well start getting ready for the show. The sooner we do this, the sooner you go on the date. Hopefully he loosens your ass up a bit." Santana mumbled the last bit as she walked away.

"I heard that you know!" Rachel yelled out, exasperated as she began to braid her hair.

"I meant you to!" Was the sharp retort she heard from the other room. "Just get your ass in gear."

Rachel smiled at herself in the mirror. Just two days ago she hadn't known Finn Hudson had existed. Now, she would be going out on a date with him in mere hours. There was just something about Finn that made her heart beat a little faster. She felt like a little girl being told she was going to Disney World. Her eyes were dreamy in the mirror as she reflected on their coffee encounter. He was just so sweet! Yes, he rambled a bit but so did she. And wasn't that a good thing that he rambled? It meant he was excited. She nodded at her reflection in the mirror as pulled the braids into their signature munchkin knot. She stood and grabbed the hanger with her dress, her makeup bag and purse. Catching herself in the mirror she smiled at her reflection as she called out, "Santana? I'm ready!"

A/N: Thank you so much to all of you who have read and reviewed this little fic. Their first date is coming soon :)