Disclaimer: Glee is not mine unfortunately

Graduation

Graduation day came. They we're all nervous. It meant that they had to be proper adults, go find jobs and live in the big bad world on their own. They we're all grateful for each other. Even Finn and Rachel, who still got on like bickering brats or an old married couple, much to their friend's amusement.

Jason and Sarah had been engaged for over 6 months and they had set their wedding for the following December. Finn was to be Jason's best man and Rachel Sarah's maid of honour. On occasions, this meant that they had to spend more time with each other, getting into more heated debates over little things.

Rachel now lived with Santana and Kurt since Sarah moved out, all three sharing their rent and finding a comfortable pace between the three. Their place was the meeting spot before they all went off to Julliard for the graduation ceremony.

Rachel couldn't believe she got this far. She could now move on to pursuing her dream career, either in Broadway or being a vocal coach. She'd much prefer the first but for now, the latter seemed a good way to start while auditioning and hoping for the call. She already did some vocal coaching during the weekends to help pay for rent and save up for a better place eventually.

Finn was excited to finally have something under his belt that would make his mum proud. He loved percussions but he was always a drummer at heart. He sung occasionally too but that was for private use only, like when he would write a song and try it out. He didn't like to share that with anyone, his writing or his singing, so he stuck to a major at percussion for Julliard. He dreams of having his own band one day, possibly recording albums and being on tour. He likes the idea of being a rock star. Jason always called him a dreamer but who was he to say that. Anything was possible, right?

Finally, everybody was at their place waiting to set off together; all in their best attire. Rachel wore her 'good impressions' dress which she had abandoned since that fateful night two years ago. It was the only dress she owned which Santana said didn't make her look like a school child slash librarian. Finn, for the first time in a long while, wore a black suit, with a blue shirt and a navy blue tie.

If she'd cared at all, she would have told Finn that he looked really handsome today, all grown up, but she didn't care, so she kept it to herself. Finn on the other hand…

'Hey Shorty, you're looking good today'. They had a million mock nicknames for each other that they used mutually with no hard feelings and he chose to use this one right now. 'Your dress actually makes you look all adult and stuff. It makes you look tall' he said as he gave her a once over, referencing her long legs.

'You are such a jerk Finn.' she responded 'Your suit is making you look half human at least. Can't have them think there's an alien invasion at graduation. Quick! The Na'vi's are coming' she mocked pretending to hurry away from Finn as she waved her hands in the air.

'Oh please, don't tell me you two are at it again. You haven't even been together for all of 5 minutes. Play nice, kids' yelled Santana

'Honestly, I have half a mind to lock them two up together until they see sense' Kurt threw in in frustration.

'Hah, If I'm a Na'vi that makes you a Borrower. Seriously Titch, it's perfect, I can stick you in my pocket' He smiled at her as he demonstrated picking a little person up and tucking them away in his pocket.

She hit him on the chest in frustration almost knocking herself back.

'Just stay away from me Finn, I can't have you ruin my perfect day. There'll be scouts at the graduation ceremony today. I want to be in my best mood and give them the best impression' she explained as she walked away from Finn.

It then dawned on him why he had this nagging feeling. 'Listen Titch' his eyes not leaving her long legs, 'you may be singing but I'm having to play drums for YOU so I'm being showcased too. I suggest you be on your best behaviour and play nice or you know, the beats might go all wrong.'

'Was that a threat?' She stopped in front of him 'I'll tell you what, I will stay out of you way if you stay out of mine. Deal?' she held her hand out towards Finn.

He took her hand and pulled her towards him before he came down to her ear level to whisper 'Deal! You look beautiful by the way, like that night two years ago' before walking away leaving Rachel standing there, gobsmacked.

True to their words, they stayed out of each other's way though they shared the same car ride. Their complete silence towards each other worrying everyone else

'Are you both ok? Did you take Valium before you walked out?' Kurt asked.

'They've probably had one of their silly arguments again' Sarah weighed in. 'But it doesn't last this long, they usually start bickering within a minute' Jason whispered to Sarah. They all stare at each other and then at the two quiet ones sitting beside one another, acting like the other didn't exist.

'Alright, which one of you two love birds is going to tell us what's going on?' Santana asked them both getting her a reaction.

'Nothing' Rachel insisted. ' We merely made a deal to keep out of one another's way to avoid upsetting each other or ruining the day. We both know of scouts coming and want to make the best impressions, therefore need to be in a good mood, hence our silence'.

'Oh please' Santana squirmed. 'Like that would even work. What's the longest you've both managed to keep silent when you're in the same room? I don't recall ever seeing that?' she looked towards the others, actually trying to figure out the answer to her own question.

'Just leave it guys. Let's get on with the day' Finn tried to end that conversation. He wouldn't dare look at Rachel. He didn't want her getting any funny ideas. He meant what he said, she really did look beautiful then and she does now, especially with her hair in those tight curls and her long lashes batting away at her fringe but that's all it was; a compliment. He could never think of Rachel in THAT way because she was, well, Rachel- his annoying buddy that made him want to just pick on her for some sort of reaction and just that Rachel- The intense psycho. He doesn't know what came over him to even give her the compliment as he was pretty sure that was the first ever time but he was reminded of the first time he saw her. He blamed it on the dress, it was the dresses fault because it's the same dress and he knows it is because the memory is etched into his brain pretty solidly.

Rachel, true to her words, tries to avoid Finn altogether. She doesn't know what happened before. He must have been joking, but it couldn't have been a joke because he sounded dead serious. Maybe he was playing mind games with her as some sort of payback for all the times she has hit him or called him names. It worried her because it was Finn. The guy that made her skin crawl with his stupid sense of humour and everything about him. Had he not been the jerk he was when they'd first met, and had that date gone well, she probably would have seem him in different light. They may have given it a shot but he isn't that guy. He is just a Neanderthal in a very pretty shell. Her mind, still revelling about the moment, pretty much decided it was a joke by the time they got to the Ceremony.

They all got out of the car and headed towards the lawn where the ceremony would be held, each looking for their parents. Rachel said a quick hello to Burt Hummel, Kurt's father, a really sweet man. Kurt didn't have a mother; she had passed away when he was younger so it was only his dad and himself. She then went over to Santana's mother and brother who happily greeted her before making her way up the rows to find her fathers. She had two dads which surprised everyone but she'd become accustomed to the questions and initial responses from people.

As she walked down she noticed Finn heading in the same direction on the other side of the row of chairs. So much for keeping out of each other's ways.

As Rachel spotted her dads she walked towards them giving them both hugs and asking them about their journey and how they were. Finn stood on the other side of her fathers hugging a middle aged woman whom she could only assume was his mother. Realising their parents were sitting beside each other Finn decided he would introduce everyone. They were bound to find out that Rachel and he know each other and would wonder why they'd all never been introduced.

'Mum, this is Rachel Berry' he introduced Rachel to his mother as he lightly touched her on the shoulder.

'I've heard so much about you, I'm Carole Hudson' Carole said as she hugged Rachel. Rachel, weirdly, felt connected to this older woman but put it down to the fact that it was probably because she didn't have a mother and here one was, offering her instant maternal love.

'Only good things I hope' Rachel said towards Carole before looking back at Finn who was now a little red in the face.

'Of course darling, my son says you have the voice of an angel and that you'll be performing later. I can't wait to hear it' Carole said as a blush crept on Rachel's face 'does he now?' she smiled back shyly. Turning towards her fathers she introduced them.

'This is my daddy and my papa' Rachel pointed to each of her fathers who stood up to greet Carole.

'Nice to meet you Mr and Mr Berry' Finn said as he shook each of their hands. He was acting very sweet and caring towards her fathers which surprised Rachel. One, because that was an unusual reaction to her parents and two, because Finn wasn't being a huge jerk like he usually was.

An announcement came for everyone to get to their spots for the procession to begin.

'Since you've all been introduced you can continue chatting while we get going. We're all getting together later at Rachel and Kurt's with everyone's parents. You don't mind do you mum? Finn asked Carole.

'Of course not. It'd be nice meeting all the other parents too. Good luck. Look at you, my baby boy, graduating. I am so proud of you.' She gave Finn a kiss on the cheek before giving one to Rachel too.

'Good luck to you too honey'.

'Thank You Mrs Hudson' she managed before Carole cut her off. 'Call me Carole'.

Rachel smiled looking at Finn who stood there with a big smile on his face, almost as though he was beaming with pride. She turned to say goodbye to her parents before making her way with Finn behind her.

'Nice meeting you Mr and Mr Berry. We'll see you later' Finn offered as he walked away from the three parents.

'You've told your mum about me?' Rachel asked Finn shyly as they walked beside each other, arms grazing.

'Only to tell her how annoying you really are' Finn replied, smiling down at Rachel earning him a playful nudge on the side from her.

'Yeah, that's why I have 'the voice of an angel'', Rachel exaggerated the quotation with her fingers as she laughed.

'What's to say they were my mum's words and not mine?' he challenged her.

'Erm, let's see, because your mother has never heard me sing and because she said you said' Rachel retorted.

'Whatever Snooty, I'm sitting over there, you're here. See you later' he said as he pointed towards his seat trying to avoid any further questions. So what if he did say she sounded like an angel? He wasn't about to admit it to her of all people. She did sound like an angel and it made him feel good. He'd heard her sing on a few occasions, at karaoke bars but usually when they did the odd production for their majors. Today she would be singing For Good from Wicked as it was a suitable song for graduation and he would be able to sit behind her enjoy listening to her while he played the drums. It was like getting two rewards in one.

Rachel looked across the lawn to where the parents were sitting to spot her father's deep in conversation with Finn's mother, laughing at something, like they'd all known each other for a life time. She wondered how a woman as sweet as Carole could have a son like Finn. She was so sweet and he was just so annoying.

Rachel would be lying if she didn't say she was looking forward to her performance later. She'd personally selected For Good from Wicked as it was a well-known song but very different from what was usually performed by Vocal Arts students. She hoped it would show scouts her versatility. It helped that she had a great drummer like Finn playing for her, not that she'd ever admit to him that he was good. His ego was big as it is, she didn't need to inflate it. Rachel readied herself for the procession, giving each of her friends one last smile in good gesture.

On the other side of the lawn, the Berry's and Carole joked about how they may have more than graduations to attend together someday in the future.

The ceremony and after party went very well. Rachel's performance got great reviews as soon as she got off the stage with many professors, graduates and parents and even an agent coming to congratulate her and thanking her for moving them to tears.

Finn, too, got recognition from many professors as did much of the band. He did get a few cards off possible agents for bands and found one that offered him great prospective.

They all got back to Rachel, Kurt and Santana's house a few hours later, setting out the dinner they had got as take out. Kurt and Santana got the dining area ready while Jason and Sarah sat with all the parents in the lounge and Finn and Rachel dished out the food.

For once they were behaving and not acting like brats around each other.

'It looks like your mum got on really well with my parents. We should all do parent meets more often' She laughed she put out the plates while Finn placed the vegetables on them.

'Yeah, I'm not surprised, your dads are really cool Rach. It seems she's hitting it off with Kurt's dad too' he said as they both turned to watch Burt and Carole's interaction like proud parents. If they didn't know any better, they'd say the two were flirting.

'Maybe there'll be another wedding to attend soon' Finn laughed.

'Maybe' Rachel replied as she gathered all the glasses as Finn gathered the cutlery.

'I just really want her to be happy you know. She deserves it and if Burt can do that for her then I think it's great' Finn said as he stared into the dishes. Why did he need to tell Rachel that he thought to himself.

'I think that's really sweet' Rachel said shooting Finn a kind-hearted smile.

'Look, Finn, about before, when we were leaving the house. What was that about? I almost thought you grew a sweet bone in your gigantic body' Rachel asked Finn who almost became panicky.

'Yeah, about that. I DID mean it but just as a friend. I don't want you getting any funny thoughts if you get me. You know. You're you and I am me so, you know. It was a platonic compliment.' He hoped she was convinced.

'Like I would think anything otherwise' Rachel argued back, 'I thought you'd loosened a screw in your head. I was starting to get worried about you. Not that I'd worry about you because you're a complete jerk' she chucked a dish cloth at Finn before grabbing a plate per hand. 'But thank you' she added before walking towards the dining area where everyone was now ready.

'Whatever, Midget' Finn retorted aiming the dish cloth back at Rachel hitting her on her backside as she walked out. He grabbed a few more plates before, he too, went and served everyone else.

Graduation was a good night. They all took pictures with their parents, with each other's parents, with each other and then a group picture. It was nice having all the parents together. It was nice having everyone together before the impending separation and future careers. Things were going to change and they all found a comfortable place in one another's lives.

Thank you for the reading and reviewing. I didn't expect this kind of response. It's all appreciated.

By the way, all the short jokes/nicknames are things I get all the time. The quirks of being vertically challenged ey? :D