All That Glitters

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Songs are the property of the writers/singers. Glee characters are the property of Glee.

"It's not what you have on the outside that glitters in light, it's what you have on the inside that shines in the dark."
― Anthony Liccione

Chapter 3

Finn walked up the stairs and headed for his old bedroom. His Mom had asked him to awaken Rachel so they could start preparations for tonight's gathering. After they had arrived home from the hospital, Finn called the hospital to check on the status of the cab driver. They had forwarded the call and he had talked with the man's wife who thanked him for his concern and said that he was awake but was being kept overnight but the doctors said he should be fine.

Rachel had been given Finn's old room to which she had resisted at first. She felt that she should take the couch and let Finn have his bed. But they had insisted that Finn's room was best because he had an en suite bathroom, giving her much more privacy. Kurt and Jeremy had taken Kurt's old room and Finn settled downstairs on the pullout couch in Burt's office.

After being bombarded by Kurt and Jeremy about LA and her career, Finn rescued Rachel, taking her upstairs and helping her to get settled in. After showering, she laid down on the bed and had quickly fallen asleep. It had already been a long day for the two of them and it was just a little past 3pm.

Approaching the door, Finn opened it slowly, not wanting to startle her. Rachel was laying across his queen-sized bed with his old TCU blanket pulled up around her. Walking across the room, Finn stood over her, smiling. She was so tiny lying on his large bed. He took time to really look at the gorgeous woman he could now call his friend. She was breathtaking with her dark hair swirling around the pillow. He leaned over to get a closer look at her. She had long thick eyelashes that touched her cheeks. He face looked so smooth and soft, relaxed as she dreamed of people and places he probably never would know. Her lips were full, pink and plump, inviting.

Leaning in even further, he closed his eyes. Taking in a deep, slow breath, he could smell strawberries and another fragrance he couldn't quite pin down. So intoxicating, a personalized siren drawing him in, making it so difficult to fight his growing feelings for this vivacious, spirited little ball of energy. Finn was falling quickly for Rachel and sitting there watching her sleep wasn't helping matters.

How could someone so beautiful, so finely cultured and successful be so sweet and funny and kind? From the 7 or 8 hours they have spent together, they had talked about any and every thing and he felt as if he had known this woman for 7-8 years instead.

Finn had never experienced such a strong, sudden attraction to another female until meeting Rachel. How he wished he had met her first. Had made her his. He wanted to be the one she was lying there dreaming about. He wanted to be the one that made her smile, laugh for the rest of her life. He wish he was the one that had placed that ring on her finger that was now glittering from her finger. He just wished she was his.

He took in a deep breath, sighing from the hopelessness of his thoughts. He then reached down and lightly started stroking her shiny hair, calling her name softly. "Rachel," he said delicately, as she began to stir. "Rachel, time to wake up. Rach?" he repeated as her eyes started fluttering open.

Rachel smiled up at Finn as he stood close to her, stroking her hair as he looked into her eyes. They had just finished touring the campus of the school he taught at and had ended up in his office. It was so soothing, such a tender moment. His eyes were so entrancing, pulling her into his world. His perfect pink lips looked so soft, so kissable. She just enjoyed every second that she could spend with him. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to reach up to kiss those lips but he was looking at her strangely now, saying something she could barely hear.

"Rachel, time to wake up," he was saying to her. Why? She was awake, standing there looking at him.

"Rach?" he said again. She was trying hard to tell him that she was awake but nothing was coming from her mouth. Why was he playing games with her? This is so not funny, Finn. Especially when he was disrupting such a tender moment. All she wanted to do was kiss him and he had ruined it.

Rachel let out a frustrated groan, "Finn!" she said through gritted teeth. Why was he laughing? Rachel slowly opened her eyes, squinting and trying to figure out where she was. Opening her eyes completely, she frowned at a smiling Finn.

"Hi sleepyhead," said Finn, smiling.

Rachel rolled onto her back, stretching out her tight muscles. Where was she? Why was Finn looking at her that way? Rachel yawned as she slowly realized that she had been dreaming as she looked around at her surroundings. She was lying on Finn's bed, she had fallen asleep and had been dreaming, dreaming about Finn Hudson. She smiled back at him weakly. "Wow, I didn't realize how tired I was. How long have I been asleep?"

Finn sat up on the side of the bed. "Oh, about 4-5 hours. You were tired and needed it . We both did so Mom let us sleep."

"What time is it?" she asked as she yawned again as she turned toward him, her bed hair flipping across her face. Finn reached down and pushed a few stray hairs away from her face, keeping his hand on her face, causing Rachel to blush a deep pink. Just his touch caused a warmth to spread throughout her body.

He smiled at her softly. "Well, it's about 3:00. Mom's already started cooking for tonight." He forced himself to get off the bed, reaching out for her. "I warmed us up some soup and made cheese toast. Let's go. I'm hungry and I know you should be too." He reached out his hand for her, taking it and led her out into the hallway.

Going down stairs, they saw Carole in the kitchen, cutting up onions for a marinade. "Hey you two. Your lunch is in the dining room. Eat up and then I'll need some help in here, okay?"

Finn leaned over and kissed his Mom on the cheek. This warmed Rachel's heart to see how much he adored his parents. "Okay. Mom, where's Burt, Kurt and Jeremy?"

"Well," said Carole, talking over her shoulder, "Burt's out back on the patio tending to the smoker. Funny seeing him bundled up like the abdominal snowman turning a roast." She laughed. "Kurt and Jeremy are out in the storage building prepping the bags for tonight. So you two scoot, outta my way."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Finn and Rachel sat in the dining eating. Carole could hear them laughing and talking as they finished up. She had glimpsed in at the two earlier and there they were, sitting side- by-side at the huge table, Rachel leaning into a willing Finn as he smiled at her. He had a paper napkin in his hand, clearing away crumbs from her face. There was definitely some serious electricity, instant attraction between those two. Carole was afraid, though, that those two were getting a little too cozy for such a new "friendship" and and her son appeared to be quite smitten. She had never seen her son behave this way with a girl before. Never with the slew of girls he had dated in the past.

Burt and Kurt had commended earlier about the strong chemistry they saw between them. She saw the attraction they had for each other. Carole just hoped that neither of them ended up hurt or heartbroken when Rachel has to leave. Sighing as she placed the marinating wings into the refrigerator, she turned as Finn and Rachel came into the large kitchen.

"Mom, I'm going to check on Burt and then head out to the storage building to help the guys with the bags." He leaned down and kissed her cheek as he headed out. "And Rachel will need some warmer clothes for when we go outside later. She wants to help place the illuminated bags along the sidewalk." He smiled over at Rachel as he stepped out of the door.

Carole looked over at Rachel as she never took her eyes off of Finn until he was out of her sight. "So Rachel, you can help me finish up in here and then we'll see about getting you some more clothes. Okay?"

"Thanks, uh...Ms. uh, Carole," Rachel said nervously. "And thanks again for inviting me to stay. You know, not from here and all. So, just thanks."

"Oh please. If my son trusts you and then I trust you. I trust his judgment 100%. So, subject closed. Now, you can help me make the potato salad. Puck insists that I make this every year. The eggs and potatoes are cooled so," she said as she reached up into a cabinet for a large bowl, "can you find the mayo in the frig for me?"

"Sure," replied. Reaching into the refrigerator, Rachel sorted through the mirage of containers and bottles and spotted a large jar of mayonnaise, Duke mayonnaise and let out a loud giggle. Sitting it on the counter she laughed and said, "He wasn't joking. That Finn!" as she shook her head.

"What's so funny?" asked Carole, mixing the ingredients.

"Well at the hospital, Finn was exalting the virtues of Duke mayonnaise and it's superior taste. And lo and behold," she said pointing to the jar, "Duke mayonnaise."

Carole laughed. "That boy. He can be so silly sometimes."

"I know," smiled Rachel. Carole noticed the gleam in Rachel's eyes and the slight smirk on her face as she obviously thought about Finn.

"Well," said Carole, changing the subject. "Rachel tell me about yourself. Finn has told me a little but what made you fly all the way over here for Christmas? I thought I read somewhere that you were Jewish."

"My father is Jewish. My Mom's Catholic. We were really raised as neither. We're not very religious but we attended the temple and Mass growing. Up until it got too confusing." They both laughed. Rachel continued with the same information she had told Finn as she helped with the rest of the food prep. Carole was surprised to hear that Rachel was engaged and was waiting to join his family.

"So this Mason guy is in Davidson? How long have you been engaged?"

"Since last Valentine's Day." Carole noticed that she didn't have the light in her eyes any longer. "We decided to spend Christmas with his family since we spent Thanksgiving with my family." Rachel never looked up and Carole noticed she wasn't wearing rings.

"No ring? Does Finn know because Rachel, I must tell you if..."

"Oh Carole, he knows. I just thought that, you know, it would avoid a lot of questions from Finn's friends and family if I didn't wear it while I'm here." And less of a reminder to Finn, she thought to herself.

"Okay," said Carole, doubting Rachel's explanation, "we're just about done here. Let's go upstairs and see about getting you warm clothes."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Finn came into the kitchen, shivering. He removed his boots and placed them on the mat by the door. He looked up and Rachel and his Mom were covering dishes and laughing. "Rach, I thought we were going to help Burt and those set up the bags?"

"The what?" asked Rachel looking up from the container she was sealing.

"The candle bags. Mom was suppose to help find you a coat and stuff."

"Well," answered Carole. "Rachel here is such a tiny thing, we don't have any boots that fit her. I wear a size 8, Finn, and Rachel would break her neck in that snow storm. I looked in Kurt's closet and those old boots in there need to be thrown out. So I figured that me, Burt and the other boys could set out the bags. Then we need to head to the community center to help set-up for the Christmas Eve gathering. We'll be gone about an hour or so." She finished putting the containers in the refrigerator and closed the door. "In the meantime, you stay here with Rachel and finish the meatballs and wings. How does that sound?"

"Well, I hate to have Finn stay and babysit me when..." started Rachel.

"No, no it's no trouble, Rach," said Finn quickly. "You're not use to this stuff and I want to turn you over to Mason and his family pneumonia-free." He smiled at her. The thought of the two of them being alone for the first time gave him a nervous kind of anticipation.

Carol removed her apron as Burt came in. "So," started Burt, "what's the plan? Kurt and Jeremy have the bags all loaded on the trailer and waiting for us. They're warming up by the burner in the shed before we head out."

"Well,"said Carole, "Finn and Rachel are staying here to finish up because she doesn't really have anything fitting to stand out there in that stuff laying out candles. I'm going upstairs to put on my boots and jacket and I'll meet you out front in 5 minutes."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Finn and Rachel placed the wings in the large baking pan and placed them in the oven and started on the meatballs. "So Rachel, I hope you know what to do with this big bowl of hamburger gunk 'cause I don't have a clue." Finn said as he placed the bowl on the table."

"Well, I do. I've cooked quite a few meals in my day," Rachel replied, looking at the instructions that Carole had left.

"Well, I thought you and Mr. Big Shot Producer would have a cook, maid, chauffeur..."

"Ha! So not me, Finn," she pushed him teasingly toward the stove. "Just find a baking pan for these and I'll need some cooking spray." Finn looked at her curiously. "You know, like Pam? In a spray can?"

"Oh, oh yea," Finn said, finally realizing what she was referring to. He gathered the pan and the spray. "Now what?" asked a clueless Finn. Shaking her head Rachel showed Finn how to spray his hands to keep the meat from sticking and then they started rolling the mixture into balls.

"So, where did you learn to cook?" asked Finn, making figures out of his meatball he was rolling.

Rachel reached a took it from him. "Finn, stop playing with the food."

"Can't help it," said Finn, reaching in a scooping up another handful of mix. "This stuff reminds me of Playdoh. Makes me wanna make toy soldiers or something."

Rachel just shook her head. "Anyway. I learned to cook from my mother. With 3 girls in the home, my Mom taught us some basic things. The rest I learned in college. When you barely have extra money for toothpaste, deodorant, things like that, you learn to make gourmet meals from a can of tuna, box of mac and cheese or one egg and 2 slices of bread" Rachel giggled. "You were a college student. How did you survive?"

Finn blushed a little. "Well..."

"Oh I forgot. You were a jock. I'm sure they kept your frig well stocked."

"What can I say," Finn mocked. "And the ladies didn't mind taking us out to dinner."

"Finn Hudson! You were a playa!" She teased. Somehow, the thought of Finn with other women kind of unnerved her.

They continued talking about their lives as the wings and meatballs were cooking and they started cleaning up. Finn had turned the radio on and found a station that wasn't playing Christmas music on a loop.

Rachel was washing the dishes as Finn dried them and put them up. "Oh, turn that up," Finn said as a familiar song came on. He started singing the words to Rachel as he dance around her, using the towel he had as a flag.

"There you were beautiful
The promise of love was written on your face
You led me on with untrue kisses
You held me captured in your false embrace

Quicker than I could bat an eye
Seems you were telling me goodbye
Just a minute ago your love was here"

Rachel smiled as Finn continued to sing, spinning around the kitchen and sneaking kisses to her cheek.

"All of a sudden it seemed to disappear
Sweetness was only heartache's camouflage
The love I saw in you was just a mirage

You promised that happiness we'll ever share
But all I have are memories of love that was never there

We used to meet in romantic places
You gave the illusion that your love was real
Now all that's left are lipstick traces
From the kisses you only pretended to feel

And now our meeting you avoid
And so my world you have destroyed
Just a minute ago your love was here
All of…

She giggled as Finn continued dancing until he was face to face with her. They looked into each other's eyes as the song continued, the smile on their faces replaced by something more, something deeper. Finn reached a palm up to her cheek, neither breaking the intense eye contact. Finn felt like his heart would beat out of his chest as he stared at her lips. He wanted to kiss her so badly. But she probably would push him away and have nothing else to do with him. That's why it took him by complete surprise when Rachel wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him in closer to her. He could smell her shampoo, feel her breath on his face as she tilted her head up. He decided that he just had to kiss her. Now. So he did.

His lips were so soft, so sweet. As he kissed her gently, slowly, Rachel melted into him. She closed her eyes slowly, letting the feeling of the growing warmth of his kiss spread throughout her body. She never felt this way when she kissed anyone else, not even Mason. Never had she been kissed like this before. With so much passion, so much emotion. She moved her body in closer to him, grabbing the back of his shirt with her fingers, grasping at the material. He smelled so good. Like fresh linen and aftershave. She opened her mouth slightly so that he could deepen the kiss.

His tongue immediately pushed through her parted lips and he began to caress hers. Sucking and tasting all of her, he palmed the back of her head to steady her. She tasted so good, just like he thought she would. Her lips were so soft he thought he would dissolve from the passion he felt for her. He had wanted this since he first saw her. He felt himself growing hard against her stomach as she began pressing herself further into him. Not now, Finn. Don't scare her off! Get control of yourself.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The timer on the oven brought the two of them out of their cloud of passion. Finn was suddenly brought back to reality from the sound. He suddenly stepped back as Rachel brought her fingers up to her now swollen lips. "I'm so sorry Rachel. I never should have..."

Rachel shook her head as she brought her hand down from her well-kissed lips. Damn could he kiss! "No, no Finn. We both crossed that line." She blushed from embarrassment as she saw the passion still in his eyes, even as he apologized. She also had felt what she was now witnessing looking down at his crotch.

She quickly looked away, turning as she straightened her hair. "Um, I think the food is ready." They then silently removed the pans from the oven and placed them on pads on the counter.

Just as they closed the oven door they heard someone in the doorway clearing their throat. Finn and Rachel look up to see Kurt looking at the two of them with a knowing look on his face. "Well, well. You two are quite the pair." Shaking his head, he stepped into the kitchen. He looked first at Rachel then over at Finn, letting them know that he had been standing there long enough to witness something between the two.

"Anyway," he continued, "we finished with the bags and helped at the center." Moving toward the stairs, he turned back to look at the guilty-looking pair. "I see you two have been, well, finishing things up here. I'm going to take a hot shower and change." He headed upstairs and yelled down, " And Finn, you might want to take care of that big tent you've pitched in your pants before Burt and Carole come in."

Kurt laughed and dashed up the stairs as Finn tossed the towel at him.

A/N: The song Finn sang to Rachel in the kitchen is "The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. The Christmas Eve Eve party is up next and you'll meet Shannon among more of Finn's friends.