"St James" the chubby female director called off her clipboard, adjusting her moon shaped glasses. He jumped up from a seat and dashed to the stage. Rachel's shock was unmasked. Her mouth fell to the floor and she watched him with huge eyes, unable to take in the spectacle at hand.

"On the Street Where You Live" she croaked, her nicotine addiction making her voice raspy.

Rachel hid in the shadows of the door and watched, not wanting to be seen. She felt like she did at regionals, watching his performance but this time she couldn't wait to go to him. She listened to his words and a smile came to her face.

"People stop and stare. They don't bother me.

For there's no where else on earth that I would rather be.

Let the time go by, I won't care if I Can be here on the street where you live."

"Very good" the director croaked, checking her clipboard as he finished the song. "That's all folks. I'll see most of you Thursday for fittings and don't forget, this weekend is tech weekend. What time should you be here?"

"EIGHT" the actors yelled back in unison. Jesse looked to the piano instructor and nodded. She started playing a melody, 'Maria' from West Side Story and Jesse began singing as other actors began filing out, the theatre erupted with sound, people moving about off stage and behind the stage, actors chattering about their favorite song or how excited they were for opening next week. Rachel's eyes were fixed on Jesse's as he sang each 'Maria'.

"Say it loud and there's music playing, say it soft and it's almost like praying"

"Who are you?" The croaky director asked Rachel and she snapped out of her staring contest with the stage and Jesse's figure as he sang each line.

"Oh, Rachel, I'm here to see Jesse" she said quickly.

"ST JAMES" the director hollered, turning to face the stage, which Rachel did not expect. Jesse stopped singing and looked towards the director.

"VISITOR" she yelled, turning back to Rachel.

"No, it's ok" Rachel assured in an embarrassed whisper as fast as she could, but it was too late. "Really, I-"

"Don't be shy dearie, he's got lots of fans" she croaked and the door opened, illuminating Rachel in sunlight from outside. Jesse made eye contact with her. His face transformed to pleasant shock upon seeing her. She was emerged in the shadows as the door slammed shut, but Jesse had stopped singing and his eyes were still on her. She could still see his brilliant smile and assured herself it was just his stage face, but she knew otherwise.

"That's all for now Kate" he told the pianist, not even glancing behind him, his eyes fixed on Rachel's masked in the shadow of the door way. Kate rose, grabbing her sheet music and made her way off the stage.

"Bye Jesse" she commented as she headed through the aisles towards the exit.

Rachel came forward out of the shadow towards the stage. She walked down the aisle, her hand bumping against the backs of the seats as she looked down, walking towards him. Aware that his eyes were on her.

"Hey" she said joyfully, genuine.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, confusion masking his happiness as she climbed the stairs.

"It's great to see you" she responded, with a smile.

"Really?" he asked, his genuine vulnerability making her smile brighter.

"Ya, but I thought you left, I'm really confused" she explained and his face lit up in a smile.

"I left, I went to LA. I came back. I only went to see Rent" he responded and she nodded. "Thats when you called me, I was about to leave. I was there for a day. I've had tickets for months"

"Oh" she bit her lip as the awkwardness grew. She had nothing to say.

"What did you think of the solo?" he asked quickly, to save the tension.

"Great" she replied "as per usual" she complimented and he couldn't help but smile.

"I wanted the lead you know, but they said I was too young" he chuckled lightly. She had no reaction and he watched her face.

"Rach, what's wrong?" he asked and she looked up into his eyes.

"I need you to tell me why you're here" she responded.

"Well this is where we rehearse, trust them not to be able to afford the community performance hall-"

"No Jesse" she interrupted. "Why aren't you at University?" she asked, bracing herself for the answer, though it surely wouldn't be what she thought.

"What, when I could be a minor character here?" he asked, joking.

"Jesse" she responded, still staring into his eyes.

"Don't you know?" he asked seriously.

"I want you to say it" she whispered back and he nodded. He gulped down his fear and looked away from her, to the piano. He glanced back at her and she could tell that he was nervous.

"You" it was barely audible in the giant auditorium. He cleared his throat and tried again, but the words wouldn't come. "uh" he stuttered. "You" he repeated with more confidence but his voice still soft. He licked his lips and sighed deeply. he was sure he could hear his heart beating in the silence. "Say something" he whispered as she stared at him in shock. But he wasn't sure she had even heard him.

"Jesse" she didn't want to hurt him. Her eyes filled with tears. She didn't know how she had come this far, from hating him to this moment. "If I told you to go" she paused, fearful of her affect on him.

"Would you?" she asked. Her breathing staggered, heavy, she watched him for his reaction.

"Ya. If that's what you wanted" he muttered, glancing down to his shoes. He could feel the silence magnified in the auditorium, almost duplicated. He felt as if she could hear his heartbeat, for it was surely too loud to be in his chest.

"Then" she started. His eyes glanced up to meet hers. "Then I want" she tried again. She breathed in and chuckled with nervousness. She couldn't believe what she was about to say.

"I want you to stay" she finished, finally getting it out. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched his face for a reaction. A confused and dumbfounded smile crept to his face. Disbelief washed over him like a wave in the ocean, hitting him again and again.

"Is this pay back?" he asked slowly "I mean I know I hurt you, if this is because of how I treated you. I want you know, I would take forever to make it up to you. You're not just some girl Rachel, I-" his voice caught in his throat. He coughed and mustered confidence.

"I know" she smiled. "I missed you"

"I didn't leave" he reminded with a teasing smile, but not one that was very confident. He was still clearly unsure about her words.

"I thought you had"

"What was it you missed most?" he joked "singing with me? Rehearsing lines? Watching musical marathons, arguing about who sang it better?" he paused "No, or was it my stunning good looks?" he teased and she smiled.

"God, you're ego, it's-"

"What? bigger than yours?" he cut off, smiling at her.

"Ya" she laughed. She paused and then spoke genuinely "I missed your voice"

"Good thing there's a piano behind us" he whispered, stepping closer to her. Not daring to mention Finn first, though the guy popped up into his head. NO wonder she missed his voice, she only had Finn to sing with.

"Jesse, I can't, I'd do something I regret" she stuttered, moving away.

"That's what I'm hoping. Come on, we sing perfectly together"

"I'm still with Finn"

Oh" he responded, shaking his head with angered confusion. "What?"

"I came here to tell you to go. I did. But seeing you, I can't and I-"

"You what Rachel? Are you leading me on? This is payback for the way I treated you?"

"No. I just needed to hear it, the reason you stayed"

"Well I'll tell you a million times, but it won't change anything"

"That's the problem" she snapped "it already has!"

"What?"

"I'm not over you" she confessed, shouting. She gasped from her own revelation. "No!" she reacted, eyes wide open. Her hands clasped over her mouth as she shook her head. She took her hands down, dumbfounded at her own words.

"I didn't say that, I have a boyfriend. One who loves me and here I am flirting and talking to you and enjoying your confession. This is isn't fair to you. This isn't me" her words came tumbling forward at rapid speed.

"Rach"

"I know, I have to pick" she nodded "I didn't know I felt this way" she paused "until about a moment ago"

"Is there any way I can build my case?"

"The whole not leaving for University thing, when I know you hate Ohio is pretty good for you. It's about the most romantic thing ever"

"So, I shouldn't serenade you with a song?" he joked and she shook her head.

"I'm still confused, I need to hear all of it, the reasoning. I mean, what did you think would happen if you stayed?"

"Nothing." he breathed, exasperated "But I hoped you'd forgive me and that we'd at least be friends. I hate that you have this affect on me. Shelby hates it, she thinks I should be in LA with the bright lights. Not moping over and waiting to see you, trying to give you space. I just know Finn doesn't deserve you. We fit together and I messed up, I wanted you to know the truth and then next thing I knew, I was staying for a term, just in hopes of seeing you or passing you or even talking to you, I mean I love you and it's crazy to thin-" She cut him off, she raced forward into his arms and propelled herself against him, cutting his speech off with a kiss. His eyes opened in shock as her lips touched his. His arms wrapped around her instantly, pulling her closer. His eyes fluttered shut as he melted into her arms and the touch of her lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him into the kiss. The kiss grew in passion as he held her near. His lips greedily encased hers.

She pulled away suddenly, breaking out of his embrace and stepping backwards to give them space.

"Oh my god, I have a boyfriend, I'm sorry" she breathed, looking at him with somber eyes.

"I'm not" he confessed "And I hope you pick the right guy for you. " he then added "And I hope it's me" he flashed her a smile. "Come on, you should get home, call your boyfriend. Mr. Perfect but tone deaf"

"Jesse" she whispered and he looked at her to see her crying.

"Hey, it's ok, he's not that bad." he whispered, not wanting to approach her. She shook her head and still tears fell.

"I don't kiss that bad, do I?" he asked and she laughed through her sobs, cradling her face in her hands.

"Rach, I won't tell anyone, if you're worried about you and Finn" she let out a bawl and stepped forward to him, closing the space between them and pulling him into a soaking wet hug. She sobbed against his shirt as he looked down at her in confusion. He wrapped his arms around her cautiously.

"It's ok" he mumbled, not knowing what he was comforting. He brushed his fingers through her hair, because he wanted to and to comfort her. She felt so much pain at his romantic gesture compared to Finn. She felt horrible for feeling bad kissing Jesse when she felt that Finn barely noticed her, consumed with jealousy over Puck and Quinn. She held onto Jesse, bawling. Knowing that her relationship with Finn, whom she loved and whom she had seen such a bright future with, was surely about to end.

"Sorry" she pulled away from him ten minutes later. "I'll call you" she assured, hoping off the stage and heading towards the exit before he could get in another word.

He stood on the stage confused and exhilarated, as the door slammed shut. He sat down on the piano, a smile on his face. Thinking there was hope for him at last.


She walked towards the mall in a rush, wiping her tears as she went. She needed to think, to evaluate her life, her choices. She called one of her dads to pick her up and ten minutes later, was in the car headed home.

"Finn called for you three times" he announced, but she nodded in the car.

"Everything ok, my little star?" he asked and she smiled lightly.

"Ya" she muttered, looking out the window of the car.

"Are you and Finn ok?" he pressed on.

"I don't want to talk about it" she started "It's too dramatic"

"For you? Wow" he commented and she kept her gaze on the passing cars beside her.

When they arrived home, she bypassed dinner and headed towards her room, blasting West Side Story and bawling. She hoped her dads didn't hear her under the music. She wondered where it all went wrong, she had been so in love with Finn and hated Jesse and now didn't even know where she stood.


Finn approached her before classes began the next day. She had spent the night thinking, barely getting a wink of sleep.

"I'm sorry" he apologized, kissing her on the cheek. "I've been stressed with football and you're right, I was stupid about the whole Quinn thing"

"Finn, I don't think this is working"

"What?"

"I think we need to take some time away from each other" she confessed, breathing heavily.

"NO" he retorted "I mean we have problems, who doesn't have problems, well probably Chuck Norris, but Rachel, I love you"

"I sang with Jesse" she confessed and saw his face change to anger.

"That doesn't change anything. I mean I'm pissed but I still wanna be with you"

"Finn, we need a break, we're Tybalt and Romeo"

"What?" The bell rang behind them, home room was starting. Finn stayed rooted in his spot and Rachel grabbed her binder, closing her locker.

"We're not working" she breathed, looking back at him.

"Rachel, how can this make sense to you?" he asked "I love you, You love me, I was a jerk, but I'm over it. Quinn's not gonna do anything to us anymore. We don't need a break"

"I kissed Jesse" she paused "and I've been lying to you" but he didn't even hear the second part.

"WHAT?" he nearly bellowed. A few passerby straddlers to class stared.

"Yesterday" she confessed and he stared at her in shock. He looked at her dumbfounded and furious. Silence passed in moments. The second bell rang.

"There's an explanation" he countered

"Ya. He stayed in Ohio for me. He didn't go to University and leave this town he hates. For me. And you, you still care about Quinn"

"Rachel"

"I'm sorry" she responded "I wanted us to work"

"Doesn't seem like it." he forced his next words "But, even though, you kissed that jackass, we can try"

"Finn, I don't regret kissing Jesse" she confessed and he looked at her in shock.

"Fine" he whispered but she could see the layers of hurt and anger that she'd caused. "I'm sure you two will be so happy. Singing and watching musicals together, you know I"m over it. Whatever Rachel"

He walked away from her and she watched his retreating figure, filled with pain in her stomach. She swung her backpack on and headed to class.


When the bell rang for Glee, Rachel filed into the choir room. Some of the members were already there and she sat down at the front. Finn passed her chair as he climbed to the back row and sat down. Puck and Quinn entered, arms around each other waists and Finn heard Santana sigh loudly beside him.

"Alright" Shu started, sitting on a chair and facing the class. "This week, as I mentioned yesterday is all about pairs. So you'll pick a partner and sing a song together, or in a duet. I just want a lot of unison and show choir, is all about understanding each other"

Rachel raised her hand in the air.

"Yes, Rachel?" Shu asked, ready for a correction of what show choir was really about.

"I think we should pick names out of a hat. Like we did with the Ballad" she offered and some of the club complained. "It gives us a chance to work with people we wouldn't normally"

"Actually Rachel, you're in luck. We want to focus on the people you normally sing with. So Santana and Puck, Rachel and Finn, Kurt and Mercedes, it's all about finding a balance and trusting your partner. But here" Shu paused, a smile coming over his face "Is the fun part, I've picked the songs and it's up to you and your partner to draw the song. So don't worry Rachel, we're using a hat"

"Not what I meant" she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.

"Some of them are together, some are sung in unison, but all of them tell a story. Rachel, do you want to be the first to pick?"

"What are the options?" she snapped from her chair.

"Well alright, we're looking at Love the Way You Lie, Lucky, All I Ask of You and other ones just with pairs. Broad range, not all of them are love songs. Just go for it" Rachel stood up in class and headed towards the piano. She shut her eyes, praying for a neutral song and stuck her hand in the black hat, feeling the folded sheets of paper. She selected one. She wished for it to be a good choice and pulled it out.

"Hate that I love you" she read out loud. "Mr Shu, Can I pick again or change partners?"

"Rachel no. Who's next?"

Rachel sat in her seat impatiently for the rest of Glee and as the bell rang, approached Mr. Shu.

"Mr. Shu, I know this is an important assignment, it will just be really tough."

"Rachel, it'll be fine"

"No, I can't sing with Finn"

"I'm sorry Rachel, but everyone's paired up and we don't have time to switch. Have the piece ready by next Wednesday"


The next day was more hellish, in regards of school. It seemed that Finn was everywhere she looked, despite the fact that he didn't want to see her. Their conversation was non existent, but after school she approached him. She was dutifully aware that she had to discuss their song and she dreaded the moment, but approached him at his locked nonetheless.

"Hi" she offered, weak and soft. His eyes glanced up to look at her, but he looked away just as quickly.

"What?" he asked, looking at her defeated as he grabbed his bag for football practice.

"We need to practice" she commented and he nodded, not knowing how he would last hours with her dissecting his singing.

"But I don't think it's a good idea to do it together" she confessed and he stared at her.

"But the song should be good"

"Well I don't think we can last if we try to rehearse together, so I'll see you in Glee"

"Fine" he commented, heading away from her, leaving her speechless.


As Thursday rolled by and she spent most of the days of class in a daze, not thinking about anything really, she longed to see Jesse. She needed to talk to him, to explain her feelings, to see what she really even wanted. Sure she didn't regret kissing him, but she didn't know if she could trust him again, even though his gesture brought intense swarms of butterflies to her stomach. She decided, spacing out during math and doodling lyrics in her notebook, that she would go to the theatre. With his opening night soon coming up, he was sure to be rehearsing. It was a sure fire way of seeing him.


She pushed the grand theater door open. Against the rainy weather of september, the heated bright bustling theater was a nice change. She shook her hair from the rain and lay her umbrella in the corner where she entered. A dozen people crowded the stage, all chattering. The same chubby director was motioning something to some stage hands covered in paint. She could hear vocalizing scales in the background a few sopranos crowding around the piano. She couldn't spot Jesse in the mesh of dancers on the stage, rehearsing one of the songs. She looked around, hanging lights. Everything seemed to be happening. She saw Jesse emerge onto stage, from backstage. He had just been fitted in his costume and wore trousers, a waist coat and a bow tie. She smiled at how dashing he looked in his costume. One of the men, the one playing Higgins she assumed, he was the oldest in the cast by far, looking near 40 and wore a broad smile, tossed Jesse a black top hat.

"Thanks Guvner" she heard Jesse yell in an accent. She laughed to herself, still transfixed in her spot, watching the scene before her.

"ALRIGHT" the director yelled, the theater rumbling stopped and silence filled the vast arena of art. "Places, I want to see SHOW ME and then straight into the next scene. Where's Eliza? Where is Rene?" she yelled out and a few of the stage hands cracked a joke Rachel couldn't hear. They nudged elbows, laughing. Eliza appeared seconds later in a glorious white and black dress and tattered old hat that didn't match at all.

"Start from stage left and work your way across" the director instructed, hoping down off the stage to sit in one of the seats. The stage cleared in the next two minutes, leaving just Eliza and Jesse on stage.

"Jesse, Rene, whenever your ready" she instructed from her seat in the 6th row.

Jesse's British accent sent chills up her spine as he recited the lyrics. The piano began slowly as he started singing along, following Eliza like a lost puppy. Eliza was just about to sing and cut him off, when the director stood up and yelled.

"STOP" she instructed "from the top, again. Rene, you've got to feel Eliza. Think about it, don't pity Jesse, think about Freddy. We're going to do this till you get it right, then I want to run the horse race with full props"

"I thought you said we would have an early night" Rene, playing Eliza protested, holding her accent even for the complaint.

"Well had you been available for your fitting, miss we would've. Take 5 everyone and text or call your loved ones, you wont be home for hours"

"But Ms-" Rene began

"I don't want to hear it! We are opening next week after all!" she directed "from the top, wonderful job Jesse"

As the scene began again, Rachel felt the importance of the rehearsal. No one even saw her in the back of the theatre, leave through the door. Everyone was fixed on Jesse and Rene, singing perfectly.

She swayed her umbrella as she walked slowly through the foyer, eyeing the posters and cast pictures. The posters of upcoming and now showing plays and musicals. She sighed deeply, she had wanted to see him. But it was better this way,she mused, she would have time to decide how exactly she felt about him. She passed a huge poster for "Godsend, this October" and another for "Death of A Salesman, October 12th" and a huge poster for "My Fair Lady starting Wednesday" she glanced at the sign, reading all the appropriate information and was pleased to find students only had to pay ten dollars. She smiled at the concept of going, but forced it out of her mind. It resurfaced a moment later, with why not. She stepped forward to the ticket office, seeing a red head popping gum and leaving through a magazine about guitar.

"Hey" she asked, coming forward.

"Sup" he asked, without looking up.

"One ticket for My Fair Lady please" she said, before she could chicken out.

The red head handed her the ticket. She glanced at the date and pleased with it, took the ticket.

"20 dollars" he announced.

"I'm a student" she clarified and he nodded his head.

"Ten then"

"Thanks" she put down a ten and pocketed the ticket. She left the theater with a broad smile even though it was pouring rain and she should be depressed. She did just break up with her boyfriend after all.


Shelby stood behind the swing, pushing Beth every few seconds. The girl giggled with delight at the swinging. Jesse approached.

"Hey Jesse" she called, swinging Beth forward.

"Hey" he called back as he approached. He handed her a ticket. "Wanted to invite you" he commented and she smiled.

"Great" she commented

"Oh and you were wrong. I'm glad I stayed" he smiled to her.

"Really, developments in the Rachel department?" she asked and he nodded.

"I told her everything. Why I'm here and well" he smiled, thinking about it "we kissed"

"Jesse, I'm glad you have hope" Shelby commented "I just hope she treats you right" she smiled. She went quiet and them changed the topic, swinging Beth away from herself again.

"Well, Beth missed you" she smiled and he looked at the little girl, picking her up out of the chair with ease.

"Heya Beth" he smiled, carrying her in his arms. The girl giggled and held onto his finger with her fist. "She's getting big"

"How long can you stay?" Shelby asked, looking to him with a smile.

"Just for ten minutes, rehearsal" he commented, turning his attention to Beth. He led her towards the colorful slide with a explaining tone. "Hey, wanna go on the slide?" he asked, taking her towards it. Shelby looked after him with a smile, sitting down on the bench, exhausted. She was glad she could rest her feet for ten minutes, mother hood was exhausting. Also, she was ecstatic that things were finally going right for him and that staying here paid off after all.


** Authors note: This August (2010) there actually was a production of Rent at The Hollywood Bowl in LA.

Directed by Neil Patrick Harris. Starring Wayne Brady, Aaron Tveit, Skyler Astin, (who was in Spring Awakening with Jonathan Groff) and Vanessa Hudgens.

Please Review if you like it. Will add more super duper soon.