A/N Thank you to the readers that took the time and sent me a PM, about the dialogue for the different characters, needing separate lines, I have taken that advice on board and hopefully fixed the hiccup, and made it easier for you guys to follow. Thanks again for the great response for this story, please enjoy this next instalment and please keep those reviews coming.
The entire drive back to the station house Finn was thinking about Rachel, and how much he hoped she wouldn't think he was too forward in giving her his personal contact details, but he seriously wanted to get know the stunning brunette better, from the instant their hands touched he felt something. Much more than was considered as normal in his professional capacity, something he doesn't think he has ever felt this strong with any other woman. Not that there have been loads of them a couple of casual dates,( he never really had the time to pursue anything much anyway) over the years since leaving the army, but no one has ever made him feel so right and hopeful for the future. After giving Puck the basic info from the meeting, purposely leaving out the stolen items exact descriptions and just saying that a few items of clothing were taken he went to the report room to type it up in full not the abridged version he gave Puck and filed it. Then readied his self to go home and do some last minute revision, for his fast approaching Detective's exams. He felt pretty confident about passing them, the unofficial word from the top was in his favour as well so with luck, in a couple of weeks he would be Det. Hudson and was looking forward to the challenge . About 7:00 his stomach was telling him he had done enough and basically ordered him to feed it, so he gets up off his sofa and makes his way into his open plan kitchen/dining room in search of sustenance. He finds a single serve of frozen lasagne and some garlic bread in the deep freeze, throws them in the oven, while putting a small salad together on a plate.
He digs through his closet and pulls out a pair of academy sweatpants and a light grey t-shirt with the word ARMY printed across the front dumping them on the end of his king sized bed, before heading to the bathroom for his shower. By the time he has finished in the bathroom. The oven timer has beeped off, so he puts his dinner plate together and carries it on a tray along with a beer into the living room, settles on the sofa and turns on the TV, he catches the last half of the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tennessee Titans, on 'FOX sports'. It doesn't take long for him to completely wind down and with a full belly he relaxes and dozes off, he wakes up to an overly chirpy blonde (for that time of night in his opinion anyway ) on the TV droning on about some must have new, whiz- bang kitchen gadget, a glance at the cable box clock tells him it is 11:45pm, he swears to himself and massages the back on the of his neck, as he always gets a cramp when he falls asleep on the sofa and drags his body up. Taking his dinner tray to the kitchen on his way to bed thankful he has a couple of leave days due starting tomorrow. He settles under the covers and closes his eyes, his features relaxing with a contented smile. His mind falling into another world filled with tiny brunette's with gleaming smiles, endless smooth legs, steamy kisses, white dresses and flowers floating towards him, little boys with dimpled smiles, tiny girls with dark brown eyes and musical giggles escaping from the angel sitting in the white porch swing.
By Tuesday Rachel feels it is time to return to her own apartment, so both the guys drive her home and stay for dinner after Rachel insists, plus she tells them they have to organise their Christmas shopping and dinner. She also thinks it would be nice this year to have a little get together for New Years with their small group of friends , the guys think it's a great idea and say they will start the organising of food and drinks. She sends them home about 9:30pm with some left over's, after they have double checked to make sure all the doors and windows are locked. As she snuggles into her warm bed it doesn't take long for her to slip into a dream world filled with dimples, warm cinnamon eyes and strong arms.
Finn stops by Rachel's apartment late afternoon on Wednesday. Rachel, after looking through the peep hole at the sound of the door bell, sees a firm plaid covered chest and she instinctively knows just who it is outside. With a sudden warm flush coloring her face and neck, she quickly runs her hands through her hair and tries to calm herself down, she checks her appearance in the hall stand mirror and is satisfied with the result, smooths her clothes down, then opens the door her heart thumping erratically.
"Officer Hud... I mean Finn, hi what brings you here?"
"Hi Rachel, well I was in the neighbourhood and was wondering how things were with you …and also ifyouwouldliketogograbacoffeewithme", he says without a breath.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" she asks a giggle escaping before she can cover her mouth.
A deep blush stains his face as he takes a deep breath and speaks again slowly "I was hoping you would like to go and grab a coffee or maybe some dinner with me?"
"Oh, of course I'd love to there is a coffee shop on the corner that does great food and coffee, right next door to my favourite book store, just let me get my coat, come in, I won't be long".
Rachel takes off up the hall and Finn is left standing staring at her endless legs (he wonders again how a woman as tiny as her can have such long legs) and cute butt encased in a pair of tight jeans, a dreamy smile on his face, until she disappears into her room he doesn't want to be seen as a perve so he turns to look at all the photographs, lined up along the wall smiling gently when he spots one of a tiny Rachel, he surmises she was about 4 or 5 years old, dressed in a cute frilly pink Tutu, her hair in a tight bun on top of her head with a bright beaming smile stretching across her little face, standing on a stage with a trophy that was nearly as big as her. One of Rachel and her friend Kurt from High school he thinks, with a trophy that is actually taller than Rachel, and the words 'Regional Champions' on a banner hanging behind them, another one is of a teenage Rachel and Blaine with two men , one tall and dark skinned and the other shorter wearing glasses on a boat with the statue of Liberty in the background, all four people are showing their teeth in brilliant smiles, eyes sparkling with happiness, they look like they are having a great time and it makes Finn smile just thinking about it . He doesn't hear Rachel come up beside him and say in a sad voice,
"That photo was taken a week before some speeding drunken idiot ran a red light and slammed into their car sending them into a brick wall, killing our Dads' and himself instantly".
"Oh Rach I'm so sorry" Finn says, unconsciously wrapping his arm around her thin shoulders and pulling her in for a hug.
" Thank you, but it's ok Finn it was a long time ago, I don't suppose you ever really get over it you just learn to deal I guess, anyway are we still going out or not?
"Yeah of course Rach, let's go when he removes his arm from her shoulders he notices what she is wearing she has on a brightly colored multi striped coat, that comes to her mid thighs over her tight black jeans, low heeled black boots, a fluffy white scarf and gloves and the cutest soft white beret perched atop her shiny brunette tresses. He thought she looked beautiful, well he thinks he said it to himself, until a small giggle escapes and a quiet
"Thankyou Finn" makes its way to his ears. He blushes at being caught thinking out loud, not that it wasn't true, but you know he wants to do this right, so he just takes her little hand in his and turns towards the front door .
They find a table by the window after placing their orders at the counter and wait for a waitress to serve them, while they wait their conversation and laughter flows easily , a couple of times Finn reaches across the table to hold Rachel's hand and rub it gently with his thumb, which she seems to enjoy and every now and then squeezes his back. All of a sudden Rachel stops talking and spins in her seat looking around at the other patrons with a worried look on her face. Finn automatically moves to her side of the table and pulls her into his chest looking around trying to see what spooked her.
"Rach what's wrong?"
"I-I don't know I just have a feeling someone is staring at me it happened on Saturday when Kurt and I were here as well, but I don't know, a lot of the people here are regulars, though I've never really spoken to them, just a good morning or hello, you know just basic chitchat".
"Well I am here and I will do everything in my capacity as a Policeman, then his voice changes to a shy but hopeful tone as he continues to speak softly, as well as your boyfriend, to keep you safe, I feel a very strong connection, it's almost like a tether or something, to you Rachel and want to get to know you better and go on dates and do stuff and then you know ….kiss you?"
"My boyfriend, huh? Oh my, she giggles, Finn you are just the sweetest most chivalrous man I think I've ever met, I'd love to go on dates with you too and like, you know…kiss and do stuff as your girlfriend".
"YOU WOULD!" he yells loudly in excitement, pumping his fist in the air and going red when he notices, the attention of everyone around them, wait, I mean you would?
"Yes Finn", she giggles at his child like happiness, "I would, you know you can kiss me if you want to".
"I want to". The second the words are out of his mouth his lips are pressed gently against Rachel's and the world stops. His tongue flicks against her bottom lip asking for entry and is granted it straight away, their tongues then tangling in a heated kiss that sucks all the air from their lungs, and when they pull apart sucking in deep lung full's of fresh air, their heads are dizzy and their hearts are beating so hard it wouldn't surprise either of them if the people in the next booth could feel the vibration through the seat.
After a lovely dinner, that consisted of chunky vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, apple pie with custard and a creamy coffee, which they both thoroughly enjoyed. They decide to take a walk it turns out that Finns apartment is only about 5 blocks from Rachel's so they walk there, holding hands, their fingers entwined, and continue the conversation started in the coffee shop, they chat about random things. Including their past relationships, he laughs a little at the look of anger on her face at the mention of 'baby gate', while he clenches his fist and tenses the hand holding hers, while she remembers the debacle that was her fiancé, and all about their families, childhoods pretty much anything and everything. Rachel asks what the significance of the drumsticks on his business card meant, Finn explains that as a kid and all through high school he played the drums and really loved it, but when he joined the army there wasn't any time to play, so his kit is in storage at his parents' home in Lima Ohio, until he has the time and space to play them again.
By the time they get to Finn's it seems they know everything, warts and all about the other and still want to spend time together. Finn suggests watching a movie so Rachel gets to choose while Finn grabs some popcorn and drinks, he comes back into the living room to find Rachel curled up on the sofa under the hand knitted throw rug his Mom made as a house warming gift. That normally lies draped across the back, he can't believe what he is seeing it is just like the dream he had the very first time he met her. As he makes himself comfortable next to her she turns around and leans into his chest. Wrapping her arms around his waist and stretching her neck to land a soft kiss on his bristly cheek, then lowering her head back to his chest on the left side so her cheek rests just over his rapidly beating heart. Finn isn't really watching the movie he is just resting his cheek on the top of her sweet strawberry scented hair, thinking about how lucky he is, when he notices Rachel's breathing even out and cute little snuffling snores are heard, he realises she has fallen asleep, so he digs the remote out from under the cushions, trying not to jostle Rachel around too much, turns off the TV and very gently scoops her into his arms and carries her bridal style into his bedroom and lays her in his bed, leaving her jeans and sweater on then pulling the covers up to her chin, he then goes to the bathroom to wash his teeth and change into his PJ's, before climbing into his bed endeavouring to keep some distance between them, only so Rachel wouldn't freak out when she woke up and found herself in a strange bed. Before turning out the light he leans over to place a soft kiss on her cheek and whispers to the night air
"I think I am falling in love with you Rach, and really hope you feel something for me too, goodnight baby".
Little did he know she had heard every word and was feeling the exact same way and wanted so badly to tell him but didn't want to spoil his moment. She just sighed a little and rolled over reaching her arm around his waist, pressing her face into his neck and tucking her feet under his legs to keep her toes warm. She smiled into the darkness when she felt a warm arm encircle her body and pull her closer to his firm bare chest before placing another soft kiss on her forehead. She then fell into a contented sleep alongside the star of her dreams, wrapped in his safe loving embrace.
A/N, Well what are your thoughts? Please let me know, by reviewing. Thank you so much to everyone that has left reviews and favourited this story so far it means a lot to me. I know the creepy stalker was absent in this chapter, but please be assured they will return in the next chapter.