Rachel Berry sat in a quiet corner of the glee rehearsal room. It was over an hour until the rest of the gang would be arriving, probably muting their discussions about the Prom as they entered the room. She had never been worried about coming into school before, even with the thoughts of people making fun of her or the threat of being slushied every day had never stopped her holding her head high. Yet today, she had worried. She had gotten butterflies as she reached the school gates and her mouth had become dry at the thought at how the day may pan out. She did not want to see Jesse or Quinn and she was very unsure whether she even wanted to see Finn. Somehow she had gotten through the day without coming into contact with any of them, by walking quickly between classes and making detours from her usual routes. Well they were not really detours, they were the routes she should have taken if she wasn't trying her best to accidentally 'bump' into Finn, whose class was on the other side of the school to hers. Actually it was kind of nice to be on time for a change.

Her whole weekend had been spent thinking of the events at the Prom. Why had Finn acted like that? He was supposed to have been with Quinn, beautiful, popular Quinn. OK, she had picked Jar of Hearts, because it had expressed her feelings towards him, but she had not expected quite such a jealous or violent response. She had to admit, her heart had flipped when she had seen Finn moving across the dance floor towards her and Jesse, and she had quickly cursed herself for being so silly as to be playing stupid games. Maybe she had over-exaggerated her dancing with Jesse to cause a response? She liked Jesse, ok he had treated her badly in the past, but he seemed to understand her true talent deep beneath it all, and she cursed once again that she had somehow used him as a pawn to make Finn jealous. But she had to find out for sure, if there was any glimmer of hope that Finn would be in her arms once more. And maybe in time things could go back to how things were before. The time when she felt secure and protected by the guy she loved and who loved her back unconditionally. She lovingly played with the gold star on the necklace he had given her. She hadn't removed it since the day he helped to put it on her; it felt like a little bit of his love remained as it glistened against her skin.

'I thought I'd find you in here. Have you been avoiding me Rachel?'

Her head snapped up at the familiar voice of the person she had been avoiding all day.

'Look about the prom, I want to say sorry.' She looked up into the apologetic eyes of Jesse. He took a step towards her.

'N-n-no I've not been avoiding you, I've been…busy' She lied. He sat next to her, fiddling with a button on his collar, he coughed in preparation for what he was about to say.

'Rachel, I'm so so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed Finn like that, but he was asking for it. He isn't your boyfriend anymore, so why should he care what we are getting up to…'

'Well we're not really getting up to anything Jesse I' but he cut in, turning his body slightly towards hers and taking her tiny hands in his.

'Rachel, I meant what I said the other day, hurting you was my one big regret and I would like it if we could erm, you know, give it another go?'

'Jesse I don't know'

'Well at least say you'll think about it. Just think we could be taking on the world one song at a time, together.' And with that he leant forward and placed a quick, soft kiss upon her lips. A split second before the occurrence Finn had appeared in the doorway, his heart speeding up with the sight of the girl he loved in a somewhat compromising position. And that kiss damn right hurt.

The sound of an 'ahem' made the two figures jump apart, just as Kurt pushed passed Finn wearing his Prom Queen crown and announced his arrival into the room. The others minus Quinn shuffled in behind him, and Rachel glanced at Finn and wondered if he had seen anything that had just happened. She hoped not. Finn made his way tentatively into the room, making sure as not to give any eye contact to Jesse. He was sure if he were to clock any hint of a smirk playing at his lips, he would be sure to finish what he had started at the prom this time. Rachel moved to a chair near to Kurt and spoke with genuine passion 'Kurt I am so proud of what you did on Saturday night, you stood up there and you showed them that you were not going to let them trample all over you. I admire that.'

'All right guys! Lets get down to business, nationals are two weeks away and we need to work our socks off if we want to beat Vocal Adrenaline.'

'Hey Mr Schue, before we start there is something I would like to say. Well sing actually' Finn's heart was beating fast, he didn't care that Jesse was in the room, or that everyone was probably talking behind his back, he thought this was the best way he knew of reaching out to her. To speak his heart truthfully.

'Sure Finn, the floor is yours.'

And as the piano started up behind him, he allowed himself to look deep into Rachel's eyes, a small smile aimed towards her which she miraculously mirrored back to him. She was nice like that.

What've I got to do to make you love me?

What've I got to do to make you care?

What've do I say when lightening strikes me,

And I wake to find that you're not there?

What've I got to do to make you want me?

What've I got to do to be heard?

What've do I say when it's all over?

And sorry seems to be the hardest word.

Rachel shifted in her seat, very aware of the two sets of eyes that bore into her. Finn was singing this to her, and she could feel his rival watching for her every reaction from the side of her.

It's sad, so sad

It's a sad, sad situation

And it's getting more and more absurd.

It's sad, so sad, why can't we talk it over?

Oh it seems to me

That sorry seems to be the hardest word.

What do I do to make you love me?

What have I got to do to be heard?

What do I do when lightening strikes me?

What have I got to do?

What have I go to do?

When sorry seems to be the hardest word.

At the end of the song he took a deep intake of breath and waited to see what would happen. The rest of the group clapped half-heartedly, unsure if it was the best thing to do. Jesse scowled at Finn, and all eyes were on Rachel who unfolded her arms and slowly stood up. It's like time stood still but sped up all at the same time. Everything was a blur behind her; she was a vision coming towards him. Could he let himself hope that she could forgive all of his stupid mistakes? He didn't even hear Jesse the Jerk calling behind her 'Rach? What are you doing?' but she continued forward until she came to a standstill in front of him.

'Finn, I can't' and with that she left the room, trying as hard as she could to keep the sobs at bay that were ready to spill from her heart.

Finn felt like he had been punched in the stomach, she hadn't forgiven him. But he wasn't going to give up- they belonged together and he was going to use everything in his power to make sure he got Rachel back in his arms.