Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or Sweeney Todd or Kohls... or Angelina Jolie's hair...

A/N: Just a little bit of something I had lurking in my mind... no song credits this time but links for Rachel's outfit

THE DRESS: http:/ www .kohls. com /kohlsStore/ womens /brandswomen /lc/dresses/ PRD~707430/ LC+Lauren+Conrad+Chiffon+Strapless+Dress. jsp

THE SHOES: http:/ www .kohls. com /kohlsStore/ womens /shoes/heels/dress/ PRD~661595/ Simply+Vera+Vera+Wang+Dali+Platform+High+Heels. jsp

Rachel was as hopped up as a Chihuahua buzzed on caffeine. She had her lists, had bought supplies, googled anything she was unsure of… Rachel Barbra Berry didn't do things by halves, no sir-ee, and it was imperative that this plan worked out perfectly.

It was one of her dads' weekends away, and it coincided with Noah's birthday. The fates had spoken, and Rachel had listened. She owed Noah a grand gesture since he'd serenaded her over the PA system at school, and so she set about planning a perfect, romantic evening. Rachel had decided she would cook for her man (remembering that although 'Rachel Berry's I'm Sorry Cookies' far surpassed any baked treat her glee team-mates had otherwise consumed, actual cooking was not something Rachel was familiar with), and so she had told him to be at her house by six.

"Fuck, babe, you look smoking" Noah held Rachel by her shoulders, unabashedly appraising her as he dragged his eyes up and down her body. Rachel's short black dress was strapless, baring an expanse of smooth, tanned skin (Kurt had sworn black and blue that if he weren't gay he'd have lost it right there in the change rooms at Kohls), and her simple-yet-sexy black heels emphasised the line of her leg. She had twisted her hair up in a loose 'Angelina' inspired knot, and Noah trailed his fingers down her neck and across her collar bone as he stepped closer and lowered his face to hers…

"Noah? You stopped…" Rachel couldn't disguise the whine in her voice as she opened her eyes to see her boyfriend sniffing the air experimentally.

"Babe? You cooking? 'Cause something don't smell quite right…"

"Fuck!" Rachel cursed as she dashed for the kitchen (as quickly as her nearly five-inch heels would allow her). There was a boiled over mess on the stove top and smoke billowing from the oven. As Rachel opened the oven door she heard Noah call out.

"Don't open it, babe!" Too late. As even more smoke invaded the small space, the smoke alarm started to shriek at them. Noah reached past Rachel and turned off both the hob and the oven, moving the pot from the hot element, and running water over the dish of whatever had been cooking for dinner. He turned to see Rachel, speechless, and on the verge of tears. Noah took in the table setting, with candles and wine, and crisp white linen.

"Aw, babe…. You did this for me?" He wrapped his arms around the still shell-shocked woman in front of him (after silencing that fucking smoke alarm) and leant down to press a kiss against her forehead.

Rachel shook her head slowly, as though trying to organise the cacophony of thoughts running through her mind. Then she burst into tears.

"Oh, fuck. Not crying, Rach... you know I can't deal with crying… babe, c'mon, tell me what's wrong… I'll fix it for you…" Noah's eyes were wide with alarm as he stroked Rachel's back in little circles.

"It was supposed to be perfect!" she sobbed "I was cooking you a wonderful meal, we were going to have a little wine, share dessert and watch Sweeney Todd because it's a musical but it has blood and stuff in it so you'd like it, and I brought pretty underwear, and massage oil and I've been on the pill for six weeks and we were going to finally have sex by candlelight with my mix cd playing…"

"Wait, what? Rach…"

"And it was going to be your birthday present, and now I've ruined it all" with a wail, Rach burrowed her head into Noah's chest, where she could feel his heart thumping rhythmically.

"Babe," Noah whispered softly "you are the best thing to ever happen to me"

Rachel sniffled a little in response.

"I mean it. You are fucking awesome. Look at what you did for me… you are amazing…"

"I ruined dinner" it was muffled, but the petulant tone shone through. Noah smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"That's what takeaways are for, babe… you can cook for me another time… I'm more interested in what was supposed to happen after…" Rachel looked up and saw a predatory glint in Noah's eyes.

"Oh, the movie?" she asked, feigning innocence. "You'll love it…"

Her words were cut off by Noah crushing her lips with his. With a hand on either side of her face he groaned against her.

"After the movie…"

"Oh, after the movie…" Rachel's voice had a husky quality to it, and it sent shivers down Noah's spine. "Well, we were going to retire upstairs and…oh!" Rachel let out a short squeal as Noah swung her into his arms, bridal style and carried her up the stairs to her bedroom. Rachel giggled as she gazed into his eyes, dark now with desire.

"Best fucking birthday present, ever, babe… God, I love you!"