A/N: In all fairness I warned you… lol, but seriously I'm sorry for my absence. Anyway, a recent review begged for an update. I have some time with the Thanksgiving holiday so I think I can do this. I'm working on another chapter now!

Chapter 7:

With Finn's blessing, Rachel continued going to school at McKinley High. She was careful to not talk too much about school because she knew, despite his gallantry, the aftertaste of bitterness still taunted his tongue. He in turn fought his own curiosity and was careful not to pry too much into her experience, knowing her answers would only kindle his jealousy.

However, a few weeks before the Halloween holiday both broke down. Rachel was positively glowing and her entire being practically humming. She wanted to tell him badly. Finn in turn couldn't stomach knowing so little about such a large part of her life.

"What is it?"

"What is what?" Rachel said, trying to perpetuate what was left of the thin façade.

"Raacch!"

"Okay, so you know how I've been going to McKinley," Rachel began.

"What?" Rachel rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course, I know," Finn sighed.

"I joined the drama club."

"Sounds perfect for you."

"Yes, well, that's not the news. Remember I was in drama last year too."

"Alright…."

"The club's putting on a musical."

"Cool. Are you trying out?"

"Yes, I already auditioned."

"Oh, okay, cool. How'd it go?"

"Well, I actually auditioned quite a while ago. That's not then news either."

"Okay, well what part did you get anyway?"

"Naturally I landed the lead."

"Obviously modesty wasn't one of the qualities they were evaluating," Finn teased.

"The stage is no place for modesty, Cory," Rachel clucked pedantically. "Whatever, what I wanted to tell you was the premiere is in a few weeks," she paused and her voice softened. "I want you to be there."

Finn heard a vulnerability in her voice that he had heard from her only when they were discussing subjects about which she felt insecure. Theater and music weren't matters that usually shook her confidence.

"What do you think?" Rachel whispered, pulling Finn from his thoughts.

"I want to be there for you…"

"But?"

"Rachel, when I walk into that auditorium, no one is going to be paying attention to what's going on stage – no matter how talented and attractive the female lead is – they're going to be staring at the monster in front of you now."

"Is there anything I could do to make you come?"

"Honestly, Rach, there's nothing I'd like more than to see you on stage, but it's not about what I want."

"I want you there."

"You think you do. My presence would ruin everything. I'd feel you guilty. You'd feel resentful. No one should steal your spotlight."

Rachel nodded in resignation. "I'm not worried about you disturbing the show or distracting from my performance. I'm more worried about this unnecessary guilt you've assumed. If you don't want to come, I understand. But I still want you there, so if you change your mind…." She passed him a ticket.

Finn clutched the little blue paper in his hand. Here she'd tried to include him, but the stupid curse got in the way of everything.

Rachel rose, patting his shoulder gently as she did so. Finn took the opportunity to grab it. Rachel cocked her head quizzically.

"Thanks."

Rachel's brow furrowed further.

"For inviting me."

Rachel smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Cory."

After the initial breakdown, the conversation about McKinley started to flow easily between them. Rachel was only too eager to share stories about herself and Finn's curiosity about her and the outside world fueled the flame she'd sparked. This talk consumed their conversations.

At breakfast:

"What's on the agenda today?" Finn asked between bites of toast.

"Mmmm… I have a quiz today in English."

"Nervous?"

Rachel finished a sip of mango-orange juice. "Nah, English is easy."

"The teacher or the material?"

"Both actually," Rachel chuckled. "It's always been that way for me. Comes naturally, I guess."

"Anything else exciting?"

"Rehearsals after school as always. The show's really coming together. I can start to see it now."

"That's great, Rach."

She nodded in agreement. "What about you? What are you up to today?"

"Calculus."

"You're so lucky!"

"Are you kidding? I didn't hear the sarcasm I should've."

"No! Math at McKinley moves at a snail's pace. I miss Mr. Schue's lessons. I could learn at my own pace, which was leaps and bounds ahead of what we're doing now," Rachel grumbled.

"True," Finn conceded.

"Still not your favorite?"

Finn rolled his eyes and scooped eggs into his mouth.

At lunch:

At McKinley Rachel munched her cucumber salad sandwich.

"Babe, I've been looking for you all morning." Rachel blushed as Jesse St. James plopped down beside her at the lunch table. "I've decided to host a Halloween party for the cast and I wanted you to be the first to know."

His smile was charming and Rachel appreciated the attention, but something in the sweetness of his voice made her wonder if he didn't have certain intentions.

"I'm so honored! Do you need any help preparing?"

"Most definitely not. You will be a guest and a guest only. I want you to have the night off to have fun and let loose," he said, raising his eyebrows and bumpy shoulders with her.

"Should I come in costume?"

"Need you really ask? Of course! This is a drama club production," Jesse said dramatically, gesturing with his hands.

A secretive smile stretched across Rachel's face.

At home Finn was eating spaghetti o's.

"Do I need to create some rules for the house?"

"Huh?" Spaghetti sauce stained Finn's chin, which he quickly mopped with a napkin. "Like chores? I know I haven't been as helpful as I could or should have. I'm sorry, but I'm in a different place now. I want to be helpful. I want to work. So sure, give me a whole list! I'll do it all. Look I'll do the dishes right now," Finn said, taking his empty bowl to the sink.

Mr. Schue chuckled, "Good idea, Finn. But, no that's not what I meant by rules."

"Rules…like no wearing dirty shoes inside the house?" Finn pondered aloud.

"Closer."

"Aw, Mr. Schue, just say what you mean."

"You had the right idea at least. I meant rules about behavior."

"Like no cussing?"

"Again, you're on the right track. I meant behavior between people-"

"No cussing at each other?"

"Finn, stop guessing. You said you wanted me to explain, so let me. I mean between people of opposite genders."

Finn chewed on this for a minute. When angry lines dented Finn's forehead, Mr. Schue knew he'd realized what he'd been trying to get at.

"You mean Rachel."

"I mean you and Rachel."

"What kind of rules?"

"Things like curfews and open-door policies…"

"Why this and why now?"

"Finn, you both are young and the hormones are—"

"Ewww, Mr. Schue don't say it," Finn covered his ears and closed his eyes.

"I just don't think it's reasonable to expect you two will control yourselves around each other. Before you were kind of a jerk and she seemed so out of your league, it wasn't necessary to set these standards."

"Thanks. Thanks a lot for that."

"But now, it's clear that we need to create some ground rules."

"Fine. Whatever."

Figured. What the curse didn't take away from him, some other person would. He should have just accepted that Rachel was too good for him and their relationship was too good to be true.

At dinner:

"You seem awfully cheerful," Finn observed somewhat grumpily.

"And you seem awfully glum," Rachel quipped, irritated that she'd only been with Finn a few minutes and he was already trying to bring her down from her high.

"Sorry, I just… well, you'll see. Mr. Schue will explain."

Rachel's eyebrows shot up. "Whatever bad news he may bear, it surly cannot compete with the good news I bring you."

It was Finn's turn to be intrigued. "Yes?"

"We're going to a party!"

"We?"

"Yes, that's what I just said," Rachel said in exasperation. "Weren't you listening?"

"We, as in you and me?"

"No, you and your secret groupies hiding in that closet over there. Yes, me and you!"

Finn blushed. "Rachel, I feel like we've discussed this before, but just in case you still haven't gotten it, I'm going to repeat myself." Rachel eyes narrowed at his patronizing tone. "I can't go out in public. Alone or with you, it doesn't matter. Sorry your beauty, though powerful, is not magic. Being around you doesn't make me any less hideous." A rumbling sound erupted from Rachel. "Did you just growl?"

"This party is different. It's with the cast of the musical."

"Oh, so because the hosts are freaks themselves a freak like me won't be an issue?"

"Cory! Don't call them freaks! And don't call yourself that either. And for another thing, stop interrupting. The cast is having a Halloween party. It's a costume party."

It took a few moments for the implication to sink in.

"Costumes?"

Rachel nodded triumphantly.

"No one has to know…"

Rachel nodded again, her smile broadening.

"Then I'm in."

"Good, because I already told Jesse that I was bringing a guest."

Finn's brow wrinkled, "Jesse?"