Okay, so this is a bit shorter than usual, but I think y'all won't be too mad at me when you read it. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! Reviews are digital love.

"This is something we don't want to live life without." – Emerson Drive

Will entered the three room cabin completely exhausted. His friend had recommended a local rock climbing group and Will had agreed to check them out. After three days of lessons, he had been deemed ready to go out and try a small cliff. After four hours of climbing, his arms and legs were aching and his back was throbbing, but he felt good.

He showered to give his muscles some relief and made a sandwich. Noting his dwindling groceries, he made a mental note to drive into the small town and restock for the rest of the week. He only had five days left in Colorado before he flew back home. Five more days until he could see Emma's smile and get back to rehearsing with his championship team. Five days until he could begin the rest of his life.

Thinking about her made his heart ache to hear her voice. He fished his cell off the nightstand and turned it on. Per his own self-promise, he had it off most of the time. The only time it was on was when he talked to his parents or Emma, then it went right back off again. This complete isolation was both relaxing and nerve-wracking; he was a social creature by nature. He loved his friends and family dearly, and enjoyed being around them. But being alone had given him a better perspective on what was really important in life, and just what he wanted out of it.

His phone buzzed a few short times, indicating he'd received a text message while it was off. Shaking off his introspective thoughts, he keyed it open.

Board threatening to shut down glee. HELP!

His heart raced in his chest as he fumbled through the key sequence that would connect him to Emma. She had sent that earlier this morning just before classes started. He hoped he wasn't already too late.

"Will?" her voice was higher than normal, indicating she was either panicked or having a germ-episode.

"Yeah, it's me. Is everything okay? What's going on?" He sank down on the sofa, unsure if his legs would support him if she told him the worst.

"There's a man here from the board doing an audit of all the arts programs. He said he was going to shut down glee. Will, I don't know what to do? You should have left someone else in charge of glee; now it's going to be cut and I can't do anything…"

"Emma, just relax. Breathe for me…" he waited until she calmed a little, then took a breath himself. "Has he cut the program yet?"

"No, but –"

"What did Figgins say?" Will cut her off, unable to hear her apologize one more time for something she had no control over.

"Well, you know how Figgins is," she said, sounding more like herself. "If it saves money, then he's all for it. But, gosh, this Bryan Ryan guy is something else." Will's blood ran cold at the sound of his old rival's name.

"Did you say Bryan Ryan?" he said quietly. Emma picked up on his tone immediately.

"Yes. You know him." It wasn't a question.

"We went to school together," Will confirmed. "He was two years ahead of me, but he was the most popular boy in glee, probably the school. He got all the girls, and all the good parts." Will paused and asked a question he dreaded knowing the answer to. "Does he know that I'm in charge of glee?"

"Yes, he does. He's asked about you." She took a deep breath and continued. "He said he wants to talk to the kids, Will. Should I let him?" She was back to frantic and Will was quick to reassure her.

"If Figgins gives him the go ahead, there's little you can do, Em," Will soothed. "Don't worry about something you can't control. Man, I wish I was there now." He ran his hand down his face in frustration and made a split second decision. "I'm coming home."

"Will, no," she said hastily. "There's nothing you can do, either," she said. "Don't cut your vacation short because some…man is throwing his power around."

"Emma, I need you to stall him for me. Can you do that?" His mind was made up, and he moved around quickly as he packed his belongings hastily into his suitcase.

"Gosh, I'm not sure," she replied. "I mean, I'm not sure what you want me to do."

"Well, nothing too drastic," he added only half-jokingly. Right now, Will's life was coaching those kids through regionals and getting through to Emma. If Bryan Ryan swooped in and took the two good things going on in his life, Will didn't think he could be held responsible for his actions. Emma, at least, recognized the attempt at humor and chuckled.

"Well, that's a relief. Will, you really don't have to do this."

"Emma," he paused in his movements and gave her his full attention. Making sure to put the right combination of determination and emotion in his voice, he told her what had been on his mind for a few days now. "This vacation was designed to get me to think about life, and what I want out of it. I love my job, and I love coaching those kids. Seeing their faces when they're singing…it's like magic. But I also realized that the highlight of my days, the reason I get out of bed in the mornings, is on the other end of my telephone." He heard her sharp intake of breath and continued before she could interrupt his impromptu speech.

"I know this is scary. Hell, I'm scared too. I've actually never dated anyone as an adult, so we'll have to learn together. But I'm ready now, and I'll go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. And as long as you'll have me, I will never do anything to hurt you. You have my word on that, Emma. I care too much about you to risk you for anything stupid or superficial." His meaning was clear, and his heart hammered in his chest as there was only silence on the other end. Then, she said three words that stopped his heart.

"Come home, Will."