A/N: I don't Own Glee or The Unit. Thanks to those that reviewed. I'm still not getting them in my email so I just want to take the time to say thanks now. I really do appreciate it. Enjoy this next chapter. Please Review.


Chapter 3

Previously…

Rachel's cinnamon eyes lock with Finn Hudson's puppy dog brown eyes and she immediately feels…

Rachel was shocked to discover that she felt nothing for her former love. It was as if he hadn't once been the only thing that Rachel had wanted more than Broadway. There were no more butterflies as his eyes met her gaze and the longing in her heart when they were apart no longer plagued her. Finn Hudson would be swept into her past and looked fondly on as one does when reminiscing about their youth. The revelation was a bittersweet one for Rachel. She had been so positive that Finn would at least hold a small part of her heart forever.

"Hey Rach. You look great…how you been?" The tall former football player smiles his signature sheepish grin that Rachel had loved so much but did nothing for her now. Now it would only be a smirk and dimples that would have the tiny diva's heart skipping a beat.

"I'm great Finn. It's good to see you again." Rachel smiles her megawatt I'm a star smile that she had spent years perfecting. The awkward tension could be cut with a knife. Charlie takes Quinn aside so that the two former sweethearts could talk privately. The last time Rachel had spoken to Finn had been the night they broke up for the final time. It was the middle of senior year and Rachel was facing a major crossroads in her life. She had two paths to consider, Julliard or the Unit.

Past…

That day of the incident had replayed itself in her mind several times a day. The rush of adrenalin coursing through her veins made her feel more alive than singing on stage ever could and that was a bit disconcerting for the tiny star. Her dreams of stardom were becoming murkier and murkier by the day. Colonel Tom Ryan's offer of a spot in his Unit of elite soldiers was more tempting than she had realized. She couldn't seem to get the promise of a different future for herself out of her mind.

Immediately after the EMT's had checked Rachel for injuries she was ushered quickly over to Jonas Blane. The tall Unit leader stared down the petite beauty with his typical cool demeanor. It took a lot to surprise Sergeant Major Jonas Blane and Rachel had given the man the shock of his life. He still couldn't wrap his head around what had just taken place. Jonas wouldn't have believed it if you told him but he was there and there was no denying what had transpired.

He didn't know what to make of the tiny brunette that was clutching Betty Blue's arm desperately. She was a walking contradiction. Tiny and fragile with large soulful brown eyes but also a fierce fighter with a natural born killer instinct. Colonel Ryan himself had to meet Rachel and see for himself the tiny slip of a girl that could take down two armed men twice her size. He had watched the video footage and was still completely flabbergasted by what he saw.

Rachel was swept away quickly to meet with the tough as nails colonel. Her fathers were told that they needed Rachel to give a proper statement and would be returned as soon as possible. The diva was put on a transport plane with the Unit and whisked away to Fort Griffith to meet with Colonel Ryan. She clutched Charlie's hand the whole way. He was the only thing keeping Rachel from completely breaking down.

"What's your name? I'm Rachel Barbara Berry, future tony wining Broadway star and under appreciated glee club co-captain." Rachel was slowly gaining back her sense of stability with each passing moment. She attributed that to the man sitting next to her. Rachel couldn't quite figure him out. He seemed gruff and hotheaded but yet held her hand reassuringly the whole time without complaint.

Grey couldn't help but smile widely at the dark haired girl. She was definitely not like anyone he's ever met. She was confident and slightly abrasive with her rambling words and manic over the top smile. "Betty Blue is what you can call me or Mr. Black." Charlie hated the slight frown playing on her full lips. He knew he couldn't reveal his real name to her. As far as anyone outside of the unit was concerned, Charles Grey was a ghost.

Rachel searched the soldier's eyes for any hint of mischief. She didn't want to believe that his was making fun of her by lying about his name. But the look in his dark eyes proved that there were just some things he wouldn't be able to tell her. "Ok Blue…it's nice to make your acquaintance. I also would like to take this time to express my heartfelt gratitude for the heroic measures you displayed in saving my life. When I'm retelling my life story to Barbara Walters I'll be sure to tell them of your unwavering bravery." Rachel squeezed his rough calloused hand just a little tighter and beamed another bright smile at him.

Charlie chuckled softly. "Star, do you always use so many words when one would do the job?" Rachel frowns again and blinks her large brown eyes several time to keep from tearing up. Grey sighs softly and holds her tiny soft hand a little more tightly. This would be the first of many conversations the two would have about their life, Grey's past and Rachel's future. It was also the first time he used Star as her nickname. "Hey…it's not a bad thing. I barely made it out of high school, so you got to speak simply for this old gang banger here." Charlie flashes his dimples her way and Rachel instantly feels better.

The two chat quietly as Rachel ask an abundant amount of questions about Charlie's life before the army. She discovered that he was an only child like herself and that his mom raised him on his own. He grew up in a poor part of L.A. and had joined a gang by the time he was fourteen. The tiny diva had to hold back her tears when she learned that his mom passed away when he was barely seventeen and he had promised her before she died that he would make something of his life. A week later he and his homeboy were busted robbing a corner store but he managed to out run the cops. Two days later he was on a bus out of town and headed for boot camp with his mom's last words running through his head. He never looked back.

Of course Rachel had outlined her future starting with Julliard and ending with her lifetime achievement Oscar acceptance speech. Rachel rambled on about her two gay dads and how Shelby had decided not to be a part of her life. She assured Blue that she would not let her mother's rejection get the best of her and that even though Shelby had adopted her ex-boyfriends baby, in the end her life would go on the way it was meant to be. Grey was amused by her tenacious attitude but admired her for rolling with the punches. He had no doubt that she would accomplish every goal she set out for herself.

Before long Rachel was once again whisked away quickly into a large nondescript barracks building, one she would come to be all too familiar with after high school. Inside a small classroom type room waited Colonel Tom Ryan. He managed to keep the shocked look off his face as the petite brunette hesitantly stepped in the room still holding onto Betty Blue's hand as if her life depended on it. She was far smaller than what she had appeared on screen. Even Carlito looked taller standing next to her and that was saying something.

"Rachel Barbara Berry, seventeen and a junior at William McKinley High, member of about every extracurricular club at the damn school and co-captain of the glee club. Fathers Richard and Benjamin Berry, mother Shelby Cochran and adopted sister Beth. Now I know everything to know about you Miss Berry but one thing. Where the hell did you get the balls to do what you did today?" His voice is gravelly and serious but his blue eyes are full of mirth as he stares at the tiny diva.

Rachel immediately rambles on about her krav maga training as well as her singing and acting lessons. In true Berry form she manages to give her whole life story in a matter of minutes. "Most of all I just couldn't watch Mr. Shue bleed to death. He's an amazing person and he's one of the few that truly believes in me and of course nationals is next week." Rachel bites her bottom lip waiting for the hard as nails soldier to respond.

"You got gumption kid and I like that about you." Colonel Ryan has always been a good judge of character and he could tell that Rachel Berry was something special. "I don't usually let women in my unit and my enemies know that but I'm willing to make an exception for you. They will never see you coming." Rachel knew he was being serious. The look of this man told her that he was not one to joke, at least not very often. He continued with explaining what becoming a unit member entailed. The tiny brunette suddenly felt overwhelmed and just a tiny bit curious about what the colonel was offering.

After the conversation was over the Colonel handed Rachel a plain white card with his name and number. He gave her strict instructions never to mention what she knows about the 303rd logistical studies group and if and when she decided to take him up on his offer he would help her every step of the way. Rachel felt her heart swelling at the faith that this stranger had in her. It was a first for the high maintenance beauty. Most who met her took an immediately dislike to her but these soldiers took all her crazy in stride.

The whole way back to Lima Rachel slept. The stress of the day had caught up to her and she curled up on the long bench seat with Blue's jacket to keep her warm. Jonas seeing how attached Rachel had become to Charlie had him accompany her back to Lima. Charlie took the quiet time to write in his small green notebook. Each poem centered on large cinnamon eyes.

The landing was a little rough and woke Rachel with a start. She looked around disoriented at first and Charlie couldn't help but smile at how adorable she looked with messy hair and sleepy eyes. He pushed those thoughts aside, after all he was twenty eight and she was barely seventeen. "Your fathers are waiting for you at the gate." Rachel nodded and suddenly felt a pang of sadness at leaving Blue. He was her hero and she felt some kind of connection to him.

"So this is it then. I…thanks." Rachel decides to keep it simple for the former gang banger as he said earlier. Charlie smiles widely flashing the dimples Rachel had come to like in the short time she knew the handsome soldier. Charlie hastily scribbles something on a piece of his notebook paper and tears it haphazardly. He hands the torn paper to Rachel as she is ready to exit the cargo plane.

"If there is ever a time you need to just talk or anything really don't hesitate to use this. Depending on what you decide we just might be working together soon." Rachel takes the paper in her small hand and sees a cell number with Blue written in his messy handwriting. He doesn't know why he gives her his private cell number but something about this girl just makes him believe that She was going to be in his life whether he wanted her to be or not.

Rachel smiles widely and hugs Charlie as tight as her little arms can. His scent of soap and sandalwood calms her racing mind. Grey doesn't know what to make of this connection he has with Rachel. He's never been affected by someone the unit has saved. It was his job and when the job was done he'd just walk away but he didn't think he could walk away from her so easily. "Take care of yourself kid." With that Blue heads back into the plane and Rachel waves excitedly before running into her fathers' waiting arms.

It would be a few months before Rachel would use the number but it was comforting for her to know that Blue was there on the other end listening patiently to her and giving her advice when she needed it most. So as she neared the end of her senior year she called Blue more and more frequently then she had previously. But Blue was no help. He couldn't make the choice for her but said he would support whatever decision she made. The only real advice he offered her was to take a moment and close her eyes and picture what she expected her life to be like. The first image to come to her mind would be what she truly wanted for herself.

Rachel did as Blue told her and the moment she closed her eyes the image of her glammed up in a gorgeous evening gown looking like a star was nothing new for her. But what she wasn't expecting was the small handgun she slipped from her designer clutch. It was like a scene out of a mission impossible movie with Blue and the rest of the team in tuxes as they saved the day by stopping some arms dealer in a fancy casino.

It was then that Rachel knew where her future lye and Finn was just not a part of it. He had already expressed his desire to eventually take over Burt's auto shop and settle down. This was not what Rachel wanted. She loved Finn but she loved herself more. So with a heavy heart Rachel had ended things with Finn and wished him the best with his life. Of course Finn argued that with everything they had went through that it surely meant that they were meant to be.

In the end Rachel knew she made the right decision. Once graduation had passed and Rachel said her final goodbyes it was time for her to make the one call that would change her life forever. Colonel Ryan had answered the phone as if he were expecting Rachel to call. It was as if he had no doubt what the tiny diva would choose and for some odd reason it comforted Rachel and made her more confident in her choice.

Making the choice was easy but telling her fathers that she wasn't going to Julliard was nearly impossible for Rachel. She sucked up all the courage she could muster and had told her dads that she wanted to take some time off of school and take a trip around Europe to expand her horizons. Richard and Benjamin were hesitant at first but decided that Rachel could use the experience as a way to improve her acting and singing.

Rachel Packed her bags, gave both her dads hugs and kisses and promised to call and e-mail every chance she got. She tossed her bags into the trunk of the taxi and took one last look at her home. It would be the last time she felt that way about the house she was raised in. She never looked back.

Present….

"Can't believe your married now Rach. I thought you would be performing on Broadway. You were always so sure about that." Finn shoves his hands in his jean pockets and gives Rachel that I still think about you look he use to give her when they were broken up in high school.

"Yeah well things change. People grow up. Charlie makes me very happy. I love who I am when I'm with him." Rachel smiles and looks to the other side of the room where Quinn is talking with Charlie about how he managed to sweep Rachel off her feet. Charlie's eyes meet hers and she feels the fireworks that had been missing from her moment with Finn.

"Huh…I never thought I see the day Rachel Berry loves someone more than herself." Finn's comment hits Rachel hard. He didn't mean it to sound as bitter as it did but the unresolved feelings he has manages to taint his words.

"It was nice seeing you again Finn, but my husband and I really have to get going. I promised Santana that I would meet her for a drink later at the bridal shower. See you at the wedding." Rachel turns to storm out in one of her patented Berry moves that she still manages to do.

"Rach…wait. I didn't mean it like that. It's just a little hard seeing you look at him like that and knowing that I wasn't enough to keep you. I'm happy now with Quinn but I still wonder what if." Finn looks at Rachel and she knows what he's trying to say and she can see the hurt in his eyes at realizing that it took a better man than him to keep her from Broadway.

She wishes she can tell him the truth. Tell him that it wasn't a man but an opportunity to do something extraordinary with her life. Protecting her country and saving innocent lives. But she knows that even with the truth it still wouldn't change the fact that Rachel chose a different life than what he could have given her. He just wasn't enough. She knew it and he knew it.

Rachel gives him a sad smile and rushes to Charlie's side. She shares a few civil words with Quinn and the fake husband and wife leave. The whole way back to the Berry's home was quiet. Rachel was in no mood to deal with all the feelings seeing old faces from her past was bringing up. What had her really tied in knots was Finn's statement about how she looked at Charlie. She knew she was a good actress but she was questioning whether or not her true feelings were coming through and if Charlie could tell.

She knew he felt more than friendship for her but what she wasn't quite sure. There were moments the two shared that left her questioning their relationship. They had on two or more occasions drunkenly kissed and then acted as if nothing had ever happened the next morning. She knew he was jealous of Echo team's Oscar Rodriguez. Rachel had a brief romance with the fellow Unit member and Charlie didn't hide his disapproval of her relationship. Rachel herself had been jealous over Blue's numerous one night stands. But Rachel was becoming very good at pretending she wasn't in love with Charles Grey. How long she was able to keep that up was another issue entirely.

Grey leaves Rachel to her thoughts as they pull up to the Berry's home. The two change quickly into dark clothes and arm themselves accordingly. They need to check out Sue Sylvester's old house. It had been left abandoned these past seven years. So the two park down the street and walk through the thick trees behind the large house. Grey picks the lock on the back door and the two unit members pull out their nines and ease their way into the dark house.

Charlie goes first as Rachel has his back. They go room by room and clear the house. "Snake Doctor, this is Starlight the house is secured. It doesn't look like anyone's been here in a long time." Rachel holsters her sidearm and pulls out a flashlight. She begins to look through a dust covered desk while Charlie checks out the bedroom.

"Roger that Starlight. I need you and Betty Blue to gather what you can and the rest of your brothers will meet you at the party. Snake doctor out." Jonas went back to the blueprints that he was studying while Hector and Bob got dressed. The two unit members would be doing security on the inside of the bridal shower with Blue and Star. Him and Mack would be on the outside making sure nothing out of the ordinary would be taking place.

Rachel could find nothing except an alarming amount of trophies scattered about the whole house. It was Grey who discovered a box of journals written in Coach Sylvester's handwriting. "You know she was out her damned mind for a long ass time." Grey couldn't understand how someone like this could be left in charge of young kids. He tosses the book back in the box and lifts it easily. Rachel follows him out the back and to their car.

Rachel waits patiently as Charlie goes back for several more boxes. These will be given to Hector to go through in hopes of finding out where the crazed former cheer leading coach is. They head back to her house to get ready for the bridal shower. Once again they must prepare to play the happy couple.

Rachel puts on the red Prada cocktail dress and strappy black jimmy choos that Kayla had delivered this morning from the Unit stash. One of the perks of Unit life was the clothes and accessories provided for the more glamorous missions. Of course she had to give them back but it was still nice to have them for a little while. Rachel curls her hair and completes the look with smoky eyes and glossy lips.

Grey keeps it simple with a royal blue dress shirt, charcoal suit coat, dark jeans and black dress shoes. He hates getting dressed up but one look at Rachel and he could care less about what he was wearing or where they were going. She looks amazing in her deep crimson strapless dress. It was her legs that always garnered the most attention for Rachel. Grey couldn't quite figure out how someone so tiny could have legs that went on for days.

Grey fiddles with his suit coat as Rachel signs the guest book for the bridal shower. It was a jack and jill party so it would be interesting to see how the men acted through the night. "Don't fuss Blue. Just grab a beer and hang with the boys at the bar. Hector and Bob should be making their rounds soon." Rachel not really thinking about it pecks him softly on his full lips. A light blush tinges her cheeks when she pulls away and catches Charlie's eyes. His dimples come out in full force and Rachel can feel the butterflies go crazy in her stomach.

"Diva! I couldn't believe it when Finn told me he saw you this morning. It's been too long." Kurt coos adoringly and Rachel feels a pang of regret for missing so much with her once rival and friend. The fashionable young man hugs Rachel and cast approving blue eyes over Charlie's short frame. "And who is this dark handsome rugged man?" Before she can answer Kurt quickly grabs Rachel's left hand and ogles the shining diamond on her small finger. "Harry Winston. I approve. Kurt Hummel." Kurt holds his hand out for Charlie to shake.

"Sergeant First Class Charles Black. Nice to meet you." Grey shakes Kurt's hand firmly and the former glee clubber smirks in approval. Rachel rolls her eyes playfully at Kurt as Charlie wraps a strong arm around her waist pulling her closer hopefully coming off as a loving couple.

"It's so good to see you again Kurt." Rachel genuinely smiles as Kurt rambles on about his job as a stylist in New York and how he just styled Jennifer Lopez for her recent movie premier. "Wow Kurt…your life in New York sounds amazing." Rachel would be lying if she said a part of her wasn't jealous of Kurt's life.

"Charlie you're going to have to part with your lovely wife here for a while. The other ladies are here and we are dying to know what Mrs. Black here has been up to since high school." Kurt smiles widely and grabs Rachel's hand. Charlie kisses Rachel soundly on the lips leaving the diva breathless and blushing. He flashes his trademark smirk complete with dimples before heading to the bar which Hector Williams just happens to be tending.

The sable skinned unit member flashes his best friend a questioning look as he approaches the bar where the rest of the male wedding party is amassed. Hector hands him a corona and also manages to slip him a note with his beer. Charlie takes it and discretely reads the small note which informs him that the building was checked over and so far all looked good. Charlie crumples the paper and drops it into a cup of water that just happens to be sitting on the bar. Charlie watches as the paper dissolve leaving no trace of Hector's note.

"Charlie over here." Finn Hudson calls over to Grey. He grabs his beer and nods his head at Hector letting him know he read the note. The two unit members go their own ways as if they never knew each other. "Guys this is Rachel's husband Charlie….Charlie this is Mike, Puck, Artie, Sam, Matt and the groom Will." Finn is a little tipsy and a lot friendlier than he seemed this morning. Charlie says hi and shakes all their hands.

He answers the typical questions about him and Rachel but soon the conversation turns to sports and movies and other manly topics. Unfortunately for Rachel she was currently being grilled by the ladies and Charlie along with the rest of her team can hear it all through their ear pieces. Charlie tries not to eavesdrop too much but there are a few things that catch his attention.

"Alright spill. I want all the deets because if he can leave you breathless with just a kiss the sex must be phenomenal." Kurt grins as Rachel blushes even more as he drags her to the tables the girls are sitting at. Santana waves them over as Rachel catches the eye of her team mate Bob Brown. Rachel drops her clutch on the floor and Bob posing as a waiter hurriedly helps her pick up the spilled contents of her purse while slipping her a small note. Rachel reads it quickly and learns that all is ok for now. She drops the small square of paper into a cup on the tray Bob has and pushes her hair behind her ear signaling that she read the note.

Bob quickly disappears and Rachel is left to the wolves. At least that's how she feels. She takes a seat after hugging Tina, Mercedes, Brittney and Emma. Santana winks at her and Quinn smiles nicely at Rachel. "Ok enough with the pleasantries. I want to know about the sex. Is it as dirty as I think?" Rachel blushes furiously as she hears Charlie choke on his beer as Bob, Mack and Hector chuckle. Even Top laughs a little which makes it even worse for Rachel.

"Ohhh…it must be good if she's this quiet about it." Santana purrs with a mischievous smirk. Rachel gulps her glass of Merlot hoping the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.

"Easy on the booze Starlight. Don't want Carlito having to pick you up off the floor like the last day of dead." Hector chuckles in her ear. Rachel wishes she could just strangle the whole lot of them.

"What Charlie and I do in private is between the two of us. But to let you know he is a very good lover. The very best I've had." Rachel lets the lie slip easily over her lips. She's heard the stories about Charlie and his many conquests. He may not be the tallest or the handsomest but he makes up for it with his skills in the bedroom. Every time he kissed her Rachel could tell that if she let herself go there with him, he could make her feel like no man ever could.

The rest of the evening passes quickly. Mack and Jonas take turns walking the perimeter of the restaurant and Bob and Hector make sure the inside of the building is safe. Charlie keeps a sharp eye on the exits and the people that come and go through the entrances. Rachel also makes sure to watch the crowd but the several glasses of wine she has downed are making it hard for her to concentrate.

The ladies talk and laugh as they reminisce about their high school days. Rachel learns that Mercedes and Sam are still going strong and have a two year old daughter Malania. The cute picture of a mocha skinned little girl with caramel curls and blue eyes passes around the table. Tina then fishes out a picture of her two boys she has with none other than Noah Puckerman. Rachel feels like an outsider as her friends talk about their lives. Brittney is still single and so is Santana. Quinn talks about her upcoming nuptials. Rachel smiles and offers a few details of her fake life and drinks another glass of wine. This was going to be a long night.

A/N: Please Review. Up next Sue makes a move.