Chapter 2

A/N- Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed and is following this story. It makes me very happy to know so many people are finding my writing interesting. I hope you enjoy this next chapter as much. As always I own nothing connected with Glee. Please let me know your thoughts via a review or PM. All mistakes are mine. cab4five.

Mid morning on Monday, spending some free time before their shifts started, Finn Hudson and his buddy Noah Puckerman were in the rec yard of the station house challenging each other in a one on one game of basket shooting.

"Come on Huddy, just throw the damn ball dude or are you scared my superpower basketball skills are more superior to yours, and you know I will win the pot for the most shots thrown this month?" " I can see it now" his voice taking on the tone of a radio sports caster "Puckerman the pro wins the precinct pot with an unbeaten 147 straight shots in set amount of time", "plus I have plans on how to spend my winnings , I have my eye on the pretty little blonde honey on the front counter, down at the gym who I know would be very much interested in a night of ecstasy with the Puckerone".

As he is talking Finn turns his head to see a leer and eyebrow wiggle on the face of his friend, all he does is shake his head and let out a sigh, saying with a one sided smirk that showed off his dimple, as he finally throws the basketball straight through the hoop, much to Pucks annoyance.

"Sorry dude looks like your blonde babe will have to wait, because if my calculations are correct, and I'm pretty sure they are, it seems it is in actual fact, Hudson 150 to Puckerman 147".

"I don't fucking believe it I demand a rematch, who would have thought you would have had that much time in the freaking army to play ball and beat me! Who, I will have you know, thank you very much, in senior year of high school and all through college; I was known to be a 'hoop shark', betting against other guys, that's how I supplemented my income you know".

Finn laughs out loud at the miserable look on his friends face as he makes his way back to the rec room to shower and change before his shift, Finn shakes his head again not wanting to think about his own high school experiences, mainly those that had anything to do with girls, he zones out Puck's continued boasting. As he recalls not fondly, like most people do about their time in high school …..

He had joined the army straight after he graduated from high school in Lima Ohio, and spent the next 6 years on tours in the Middle East, after being awarded numerous awards and medals he was honorably discharged. He has been single since leaving the army, after he found out that for most of the time he had been away, his cheerleader girlfriend from high school, whom he had got together with in senior year, had been cheating on him, with his best friend. Then to throw a proverbial spanner in the works, she discovered she was 3 months pregnant and tried to make him believe the baby was his, when he knew for damned sure it wasn't, because they hadn't been anywhere close enough for him to impregnate her for nearly a year and even when they were 'together' he always made sure to wear protection. The last time he even saw her was for about 15 minutes one day, when he was home on a brief 1 week leave before his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. Most of that leave was spent at home with his Mom anyway. She couldn't see him any other time, because she apparently had an appointment at the hairdressers, or she had to go dress shopping for her cousin's wedding, not that he was overly bothered , he realized he hadn't missed her all that much anyway, he certainly wasn't ready to settle down and all she had ever wanted to ever talk about was wedding dresses and flowers and shit.

Her excuse when he confronted her about her lie was,

"Well you weren't here, and while you were off playing your little war games and stuff, I was lonely and one day when I was feeling fat, Ben paid me the attention I wanted and after a few wine coolers, things happened."

As she is talking her facial expressions and vocalizations, have not one ounce of remorse in them. Finn is stood rooted to the floor eyes squeezed shut, a deep frown causing his eyebrows to dip together, his thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to abate his temper that is nearly at exploding point, quite unable to comprehend the blonde, green eyed girl in front of him.

"So you are saying this is MY entire fault?"

"Well of course I wouldn't have needed to go to Ben if you were here in Lima like a good boyfriend should have been; you could have got a job at the gas station or the tire shop you know you were never meant to be anywhere else , let's face the facts Finn, Lima Ohio was all you were going to get, I had our future all mapped out I was going to sell real estate and we would settle down here togeth…."

"For fucks sake just shut up! Do you even hear yourself? You know damn well I never wanted to stay in this town for the rest of my life, tell me, when had I ever given you any indication I wanted to settle down for the rest of my life at 18 with you, huh?. I can't believe this crap, I don't want to hear anymore of your lame ass excuses, 'cause while you were here screwing my 'best friend' his fingers forming air quotes to go with his words, I was in the ARMY! Actually doing something important, to help keep my family and this country safe. Getting shot at everyday and living in tents in the freaking desert, eating sand every time my mouth was opened. It wasn't a fucking video game for god's sake, and I was good enough to get out of this town, do you think the army gives out medals for bravery, because they have some sort of quota system or something?"

The blond just shrugs at his question. He shakes his head in annoyance his voice taking on a hard tone"They give them to soldiers who earn them, by nearly getting killed protecting their buddies, and the innocent villagers trying to make some sort of life in tiny shit hole places that have nothing, sometimes not even enough food to eat. Then some insane asshole decides that those poor people had something he wanted, he just waltzes in and takes it. While here you are , living like a freaking princess, having everything you want whenever, and just because you were 'lonely' one day, you are trying to pin some other fucking prick's kid onto me knowing full well that it wasn't mine, how dumb do you think I am huh?", he turns towards her and stands in front of her, straightening himself to his full impressive 6'3in height.

She cowers slightly, a pout forming on her face now, and mutters in a quiet voice, her waspish tone diminished by the fierceness of the man ."I was scared and when I told Ben he just laughed and told me to deal with it, I always wanted you to be the father of my kids, I wish it was you, because you would have been a good dad and I knew you would look after us"She starts to sob but Finn just stands there looking at the girl in front of him trying to figure out how he ever thought he loved someone who could lie and try to deceive him so shamelessly about something as important as a baby.

"Well guess what? You will NEVER! Get that chance, and believe me when I say I don't care either, good luck with everything, WE ARE DONE! I don't want to hear any news about your kid or anything to do with you ever again."

As he turns to walk away he kicks over the patio chair next to the table, and all he can hear is loud desperate wailing, he shakes his head thankful to be out of that relationship, as he walks to his car he tells himself there has to be someone out there who is honest and loving and will just love him for himself and let him love her with everything he has, as well as encouraging each other to always be the best they can be. He wants a partner to share everything the good and the bad…

At 25, after leaving the army, he applied to and was accepted by the NYPD, and after three years as a beat cop he is getting ready to sit his detective's exams scheduled for late January he is brought back to the present when a message over the screeching PA system reaches them in the station house rec room,

"Call on line 5 for Puckerman or Hudson, Puckerman or Hudson on line 5",

"You take it dude, I need to go to see the Captain, I'll catch up in a few minutes OK?"

"OK Puck see you in a bit", Finn makes his way to the squad room, picks up the phone and says in a professional tone, "Officer Hudson speaking"

"Oh, hello Officer Hudson I-It's Rachel Berry calling about the break in at my apartment on McKinley Street in Washington Heights last Friday, your partner said to call when I had some more details of anything stolen"….

"Yes hello Miss Berry… he can't help but notice the soft breathy tone in her voice, and decides it sends out a sexy vibe, which sparks his interest a bit more. I hope you have managed to sort everything out "as he is talking his mind drifts back to the tiny dark haired woman he had a fleeting glimpse of a couple of days before, after one glance into her eyes, from where he was standing they looked to be a dark color, the feeling he got was really weird. As he drove away to attend the auto accident, he took a cursory glance at her again in the rear view mirror and had a strange feeling deep in his gut, not sure what it was but it was definitely a feeling of something, maybe the need to protect and care for her? …..

As Finn hangs up the phone a small lop sided smile grows on his face making the dimple in his right cheek obvious. He still has the happy smile on his face when Puck waltzes back into the room after his meeting with the captain regarding working a relief shift this afternoon for another Officer, who is taking leave because his wife just had a baby. He slaps him on the back asking him what the phone call was about, when he sees the smile on his partners face he laughs out loud and asks who the hell the call was from to be able to put such a dopey look on the taller man's face.

After their favourite weekend breakfast of pancakes, bacon, fruit and yoghurt, Rachel and Kurt made an early start the Saturday morning after the break-in, at Rachel's apartment to attempt to discover if anything had been stolen, or if the damage done was just some creep's idea of fun. Rachel's nerves were a bit shaky as she and Kurt made their way to the front door, Rachel had a tight hold on Kurt's hand the whole way from the car as she was terrified the intruder had come back. When Kurt unlocked the door his free hand automatically covered his mouth but not before a shriek of outrage left his lips, his face flushed with anger on his best friend's behalf, before his hand released Rachel's to wrap comfortingly around the tiny woman's shoulders. Rachel for her part was meekly surveying the scene again trying to think how anyone could have the nerve to come into another's home and trash it like this as far as she knew she didn't have any enemies'. She had always tried to be friendly and kind to others even though they didn't always reciprocate the act.

"Well I guess we should make a start" she says after taking a deep breath, squaring her shoulders and putting a determined look on her pretty face. "I'll start in my bedroom and ensuite, if you want to deal with the chaos in here" she says to Kurt waving her arm around the living area "The vacuum cleaner is in the hall closet"

"OK Diva, I'll straighten and clean then you can check if anything is missing."

"Thank you so much for this Kurt, with Blaine away I don't know if I could have done this without your help".

"It's alright Rachel that's what best friends and family do, I wouldn't have let you deal with this terrible mess all by yourself anyway, and at least by the time Blaine does get home on Monday you will have things sorted and be ready to let the Police know if anything is missing".

Rachel crosses the room to place a kiss on Kurt's smooth cheek and wrap her arms around his middle in thanks, and then heads off to her bedroom.

She starts by collecting her laundry basket to put all the clothes off the bed and floor into before returning the empty drawers to their rightful place in the dresser, then refolding her clothes and placing them in piles on her maroon and cream striped comforter, that she had straightened out over the top of the bed, making a mental note to wash her clothes before wearing them, as well as all her linen before sleeping in her bed again. As she folded she took note of things, and she discovered after about an hour of folding and sorting that a few of her favorite lace thongs, and silky camisoles were missing along with a sexy black lace baby doll nightie and a pair of strappy ruby red stilettos with 5 inch heels. She moved to her en-suite bathroom, not understanding why the person who did this found it necessary to empty everything including her boxes of tampons and other items all over her blue tiled bathroom floor. After putting everything to rights the only items that appeared to be missing were her purple dildo, a tube of personal lubricant and an unopened packet of condoms. With a deep blush on her face she adds them to the list in her notebook, she is hoping the police are understanding and not think she is weird. Her mind suddenly wanders unbidden to the very tall policeman that she only saw for a brief minute on Friday, and the feeling she had after looking into his eyes, imagining his strong muscled arms wrapped around her petite frame and his firm naked chest pressed against hers as he kisses her….

She wakes up from her racy dream and shakes her head to clear the arousing thoughts after hearing Kurt call out that he thought it is time for a break and wants to get a coffee and a bagel from the coffee shop on the corner.

"That sounds like a brilliant idea Kurt be there in a minute".

She quickly splashes some cold water on her face to calm down the flush on her cheeks and walks out of the now organized tidy bathroom, remembering to grab her notebook on the way. After making doubly sure everything was locked the two friends make their way to the coffee shop for a well earned break.

While waiting for their order they discuss the missing items quietly as Rachel doesn't want anyone to overhear, she's not embarrassed to own the stolen items, she rationalizes most women with a healthy libido at one time or another sometimes have to help themselves. But more the fact some creepy pervert took them to do goodness knows what with, coupled with the missing underwear, night gown and shoes, she really is concerned what was going through their mind. Refreshed after their food break, although the whole time they were there Rachel had a strange feeling that she was being watched, but after glancing around she couldn't detect anyone showing her any attention or anything out of the ordinary, the coffee shop was filled with friendly staff, some of whom Rachel and Kurt are on first name basis with, and the regular Saturday morning patrons minding their own business and enjoying their food. Rachel and Kurt returned to the apartment to finish cleaning and for Rachel to pack a few more clothes and things, as she would be staying with Kurt at least until Blaine returned home. Not wanting to wait till later she decides to strip her bed and throw everything in the washing machine. By late afternoon everything was back to normal the apartment was once again the immaculate well ordered home that the two were accustomed to seeing, nothing else besides the intimate items had been taken and luckily her Grandfathers' antique clock wasn't damaged and was keeping time reliably from its rightful place on the mantel. Leaving the apartment Rachel and Kurt made their way to Kurt's car to go home and spend the evening indulging in their favorite Mexican take out and sharing a bottle or two of wine relieved that the horrendous task of righting Rachel's home was done. She would call the police station on Monday.

Monday morning finds Rachel still at Kurt and Blaine's apartment just sitting down to breakfast, Blaine was due home about lunchtime and Rachel couldn't wait for her big Brother to come home, she had spent Friday night and all weekend with Kurt and as school was on Fall break it meant she wasn't teaching. She felt after discussing things with Blaine when he returned and the police she would be ok to move back into her home, she had made a list of missing items and called the station to find out the next step. Her heart began to beat a little faster than normal and she immediately felt her face warm when a very sexy deep baritone voice answered.

"Officer Hudson speaking".

"Oh, hello Officer Hudson, I-It's Rachel Berry calling about the break in at my apartment on McKinley Street in Washington Heights last Friday, your partner said to call when I had some more details of anything stolen".

"Yes hello Miss Berry, I hope you have managed to sort everything out ".

" Well that's what I'm calling about actually, I have discovered some items of an …um… somewhat personal nature missing and was wondering if you want me to come to the station or if it is possible for you to come to me ?"

"No, no it's OK Miss Berry I can come to you, are you free this afternoon? I can be there by fourteen hundred hours, I mean 2:O'clock".

"That sounds perfect Officer Hudson I look forward to seeing you. You have my cell phone number and my friend's address where I am staying don't you? "

"Yes thank you, it is all in the report you gave to my partner, Goodbye Miss Berry you take care now"

"Goodbye", as she hangs up the phone her insides have all of a sudden turned to mush just hearing Officer Hudson's voice and she wonders what that means, it's been years since she has felt like this about a man and is excited about meeting the tall, dark and handsome, (well from the very brief glance she had of him she thought he was good looking) Policeman.

The rest of the morning she and Kurt spend pottering around the house doing laundry and chores and baking sugar cookies and banana bread, until about 11:45am when Blaine called and told Rachel he was stuck in traffic but should be home just before 2:00 pm.

"OK Lainey you should be here at about the same time Officer Hudson is coming by, drive safe I can't wait to see you, love you."

"Love you too Chele, see you both very soon."

When Blaine finally walks through the door at 1:55pm Rachel jumps into his arms, tears forming in her dark eyes as she presses her face into her Brother's neck. Blaine stumbles a little from the impact but soon rights himself and makes his way over to the black leather sofa pulling Rachel onto his lap as he sits down, she snuggles into the strong arms that have wrapped themselves around her petite frame and lets out a few sobs while mumbling in a soft voice.

"Oh L-Lainey it was just so awful a-all my things were thrown all over my a-apartment, Poppy's clock was knocked over, and even my u-underwear".

"Shh-shh, it's okay Chele I'm home now we will sort everything all out".

As he cuddles her a bit tighter and kisses her cheek they hear Kurt walk into the room and in a soft voice let them know that Officer Hudson is here, Rachel lifts her head from Blaine's chest to look directly into a pair of eyes that have something akin to jealously in the light brown depths, and notices the officers tense body , his hands formed into fist's at his side and his mouth pressed into a hard line, from what she can see it would appear he is jealous which is totally silly as they are basically strangers. Once she realizes that Officer Hudson doesn't know Blaine, she relaxes a little and jumps off his lap to introduce herself and Blaine.

"Good afternoon Officer Hudson, I'm Rachel Berry, this is my Brother Blaine Anderson and my best friend and Blaine's partner Kurt Hummel".

As soon as she indicates Blaine's relationship to herself she notices the officer's whole demeanor relax and the hard look in his eyes soften as he takes her offered hand and shakes it, not in any hurry to release her tiny hand that seemed to fit so comfortably and perfectly, into his very much larger one. Now he has seen her up close he has to rethink his earlier opinion there is nothing pretty about the tiny woman standing in front of him, she is, no doubt about it stunningly beautiful . Her eyes he notices are a dark chocolate brown with gold flecks around the irises, and framed by long dark lashes he reckons would touch her cheeks when she shuts her eyes, brunette tresses falling in soft waves down her back to her tiny waist, her beautiful face bordered by softly cut bangs ending just above perfectly shaped dark brows. Her smile at first was small and a closed mouth one but soon changed to a wide, bright beaming smile that made his heart jump in his chest, the thing that really gets his protective feelings going is the fact she is so tiny she can't be much more than 5'2 or 3 in tall, which compared to his 6' 3in makes him feel like a giant, and gives him an unbidden image in his head, of how good it would feel with her tiny body, that by the way he thinks is totally sexy, snuggled against his on his couch under a cosy throw rug, watching the snow falling outside, his lips smashed against her soft looking plump pink lips, his hard body pressing into her soft perfect one, their joined sounds of passion pushing them to immense heights then slowly coming down to bask in the afterglow. He shakes himself out of his lustful fantasy, and manages to calm down Finn Jr without embarrassing himself, to focus on the three people in front of him.

"Yes hello it is good to meet you; But please call me Finn if it makes you feel more comfortable, I hope I can be some help with the matter at hand he says shaking both Blaine's and Kurt's hands.

The four occupants make themselves comfortable, Rachel and Blaine returned to the same sofa as before hands clasped tightly in Rachel's lap, Blaine looping his free arm protectively around Rachel's thin shoulders, Kurt and Finn each settling into a single matching leather chair, Kurt had provided hot drinks and a plate of Rachel's famous sugar cookies. Rachel hadn't had time to tell Blaine about the things that were stolen, so with a quiet voice and a mask of shyness over her face, she proceeds to recite from her little pink notebook blushing bright red when Officer Hudson's eyes widen in surprise when she mentions in a small voice about the missing underwear along with the personal toy and condoms. As she finishes speaking she leans over to grab her star patterned mug from the coffee table, causing her long hair to fall over her shoulder, as she gently tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and bites her bottom lip, she lifts her head only to make contact with Finn's warm caramel eyes. The feeling she gets when their eyes meet makes her feel like a blushing high schooler going all gooey over her first crush. The room is silent for a few minutes while everyone digests the information and finishes their drinks, she notices with a soft smile that Finn takes an extra cookie and happily munches it with a dreamy smile.

"OK, well thank you for letting me know what was stolen, Finn says as he stands, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, unfortunately due to the er... intimate nature of the items there is not really much we can do to recover them, but please let me,… er … I mean the Police know if you have any more problems, even if it is just a note or something. Thank you for the coffee and may I say fantastic cookies, they are my all time favourites, as he is speaking his soft gaze never wavers from Rachel's face, Please call me at anytime on this number".

Finn hands Rachel a small white business card and as their fingers touch their breath hitches at what feels like electricity surging through their skin. The right side of his mouth quirks up to show off his goofy dimple and his eyes shine with an emotion that he has not felt for a woman in years. Rachel is overcome by the close proximity to the very cute adorable man and is in robot mode as she nods her head vigorously , her hair falling over her shoulders causing a strong scent of strawberries to be released that invades Finn's nostrils and makes his head swim, and Finn Jr stir downstairs. The couple are shaken from their daydreams by Blaine coughing loudly holding out his hand to shake Finn's and with a knowing inflection in his voice, thanking Finn for seeing them and of course they will pass on anything unusual immediately.

"O-of course it has been my pleasure, please keep in touch" these last words directed solely at Rachel, who just nodded and in a soft voice as she held out her hand to shake once more, her eyes never leaving the tall policeman's handsome face.

"Thank you I will most certainly keep in touch".

Finn released her tiny hand and made his way to the door not noticing the shameless starring following him.

Rachel just stood still her mind all fuzzy and a dreamy look on her face, all to the utter delight of the two other occupants of the room. When she finally turned around she was stunned to see Kurt squealing and clapping his hands in happiness and Blaine nodding and beaming proudly.

"What are you two grinning like fools about" Rachel asks with a happy smile on her flushed face, her hands clasped together pressing the business card that she finally noticed was different to the one Officer Puckerman had given her on Friday, against her rapidly beating heart as she stole a peek at the light blue card in her hand, with a picture of crossed drumsticks in the top left hand corner, she reads the words printed in bold black script.

Finn Hudson

Apt 115, 55 William Street

Hamilton Heights

031-115-2986

"My god Chelebell you should have seen your face, you my girl are smitten with the dashing police officer aren't you?" her brother asks.

"I must admit Lainey he is very cute and that adorable half smile that shows his dimple is just the thing to get my heart racing, though I'm sure he must have ladies falling at his feet all the time".

She takes another peek at the address card which the other two notice and playfully demand she shows them. They have already guessed what it says because they noticed the instant attraction long before Rachel and after making eye contact with each other, both approved of the tall dark and handsome policeman, and hoped to see something happen between him and their favorite girl.

A/N- Well what did you think? Our favorite couple have met and lit the spark; I wonder what our creepy stalker will have to say when they find out? Hmm, their identity will be disclosed in due course. Please review or PM and let me know what you all think. Thanks to all the readers who have left reviews so far, I really appreciate the effort. I know Police usually work in pairs for safety but for the purpose of this story I needed Puck to be busy elsewhere apart from the initial meeting.

Cab4five