I feel like I can't thank you all enough for the kind words and tons of story alerts. When I started writing this story, I wasn't really sure where I'd go with…honestly I'm still not totally sure where my characters will take me, but I'd like to thank all of you for enjoying this ride with me. I still don't own Glee or the characters, but I sure wish I did!

Rachel glanced around the gym, as she and Sam walked through the door. Her arm linked with his, she held her breath for few seconds, hoping no one had heard what happened between her and Quinn. Sam stopped walking and looked over at her. He was glad to see that her smudged eyeliner was in fact not noticeable. Not that it mattered to him, but he knew how girls could be about ruined makeup. His mouth curled up into a smile. Rachel's face relaxed and she returned the smile. Sam tugged on her arm gently and led her back to their table.

"Well, so glad you two decided to join us." Puck smirked, raising an eyebrow at both Rachel and Sam.

"Really Rachel, I didn't think you were one to partake in the same extra curricular activities as Puck." Kurt crossed his right leg over his left and pointed a finger in Rachel's direction. Rachel scrunched her nose up in disgust and shook her head.

"If you must know Kurt, Sam and I were in the hallway, simply talking. There were several witnesses. I can subpoena them if you insist." she huffed. Kurt scoffed, waving his hand in the air, then turned and winked at Rachel.

"I think I need something to drink. Sam, would you like some punch?" Rachel pushed her chair away from the table and stood up.

"Um, no thanks." Sam shook his head. "I can go get it for you, if you want?"

"Don't worry, I don't plan on having another confrontation with Quinn, if that's what you're worried about." Rachel leaned down and whispered to him, flashing a smile his way before heading over to the refreshment table. She waited patiently as Ms. Armbruster, the Physics teacher, filled a glass with pink punch. As she carefully took the cup from the teacher, Rachel noticed a shadow fall across the table. Glancing to her left, she noticed Finn standing next to her.

"Hey Rach." he smiled, shifting his weight back and forth on his feet. His hands were stuffed into the pocket of his pants and he barely made eye contact with her.

"Hello Finn." Rachel murmured, taking a sip of her punch.

"Your dress…" he nodded his head towards her. "it's very, uh, nice. It looks, um, nice on you." Finn stumbled over his words.

"Where's Quinn?" Rachel asked, matter-of-factly. She turned and looked over her right shoulder, certain the Ice Queen was somewhere near.

"Not sure, she said something about going to the choir room for a few minutes." he shrugged. Rachel slowly took a few steps away from the table and realized that Finn had followed her.

"Oh." Rachel replied. She turned to look at Finn again. He still had that sad look on his face.

"I'm surprised to see you here with Sam." Finn said, scuffing a foot along the floor. His hands were still stuck in his pockets, as if he were afraid to take them out.

"Really? Did you think it would be better if I came alone?" Rachel craned her head slightly sideways.

"No, that's not what, uh, um, I meant." he stammered. "I just, um, thought…"

"I know what you meant." Rachel sighed. The DJ began playing another slow song and Rachel noticed several couples filling the dance floor. She figured Sam would come looking for her momentarily if she didn't hurry back. Finn lifted his head and looked towards the stage, flashing a dimpled smile.

"You hear that?" the smile remained plastered on his face. "Would it be awkward if I asked you to dance?"

Rachel listened to the words drifting through the speakers. Open Arms was playing. The one Journey song they had always wanted to do, yet Mr. Schue always overlooked. Rachel had once even described to Finn how she had dreamed about them performing that. He never laughed, even though she was sure he would, he had just kept listening to her give the sordid details of her dream.

"Probably." Rachel nodded. She hung onto her empty cup in one hand and fiddled with her dress nervously with her other. She darted her eyes around the room again, certain that Quinn would walk in and witness this interaction. "I should get back. They're probably wondering where I am."

"Yeah, um, tell everyone that I'm sorry we couldn't hang out with them tonight. Quinn thought it might hurt our chances of winning king and queen." Finn said sheepishly, lowering his eyes as he spoke. Rachel shook her head in disbelief. "Uh, well don't tell them the last part though."

"Good luck." Rachel smiled. She couldn't decide if she was wishing him luck as a prom king contender or on his relationship with Quinn. She turned away quickly, taking a few steps, before glancing back over her shoulder slowly. Finn was still standing where she had left him. "You know, maybe you should tell them. They're your friends too." And with that, she marched back to the Glee table.

"Apparently I can't let you out of my sight for more than a minute." Sam laughed, as Rachel sat down next to him. She placed her empty cup on the table and smoothed out the bottom of her dress with her hands. Sam placed his right hand on her knee, as the speakers let out a high pitched noise. Coach Bieste fumbled with the microphone for a few seconds and then coughed loudly.

"Well folks, it's that time." Coach Bieste grinned. "Time to announce William McKinley High's prom king and queen. If I could have the envelope please?" She took a gold envelope from another teacher and waved it above her head. A few people clapped, followed by a few groans. Withdrawing a piece of paper from the envelope, Coach Bieste squinted as she read to herself. A huge grin spread across her face as she nodded her head.

"Ladies and Gentlemen…your new prom king is…"

Ah, sorry I just had to leave that on a cliff hanger. And I'm sure I'll get some flack about the Finn/Rachel interaction, but hey…that's ok. There's a method to my madness!