A/N: Hi again everyone. I am so sorry for leaving this story as a WIP for so long. If you read my profile you would know that school, work, family and life just got hectic so I sadly had to put this on the backburner. But I swore to myself that I would finish this story and it's always been niggling me in the back of my mind. So, here I am!

I've rewritten many parts, edited scenes, added new ones, and just improved it heaps. Since it's probably been a while since you read it last, I recommend going back and rereading.

If you're still following this story, thank you! I hope you stay with me till the end.

A/N 2: I beta my own work so any and all errors are mine. Please forgive me!


Chapter 7

Rumours

Santana Lopez: We needa talk Yentl.

Rachel rolled her eyes at how even through text, she could hear Santana's 'Snix' persona.

Rachel Berry: Why hello to you too Santana. How has your weekend been?

Santana Lopez: Let's skip the chit chat aight?

Rachel Berry: You have my undivided attention.

Santana Lopez: Prom is in two weeks and we needs to gets ourselves our girls coz I sure as hell aint goin stag. You got any ideas for Fabgay?

Rachel Berry: Actually, I don't think I'll be attending prom this year at all, let alone with her.

Santana Lopez: Oh come on Berry, buck up! Alls we needs to do is get her attention and show her that Finny boy isn't worth the trouble, and that you are.

Rachel Berry: And how exactly do you expect me to do that?

Santana Lopez: The same way you always have; make her jealous and go after her man.

Rachel Berry: Finn? I can't, she'd kill me! And even if I did, I don't think Finn would be interested…

Santana Lopez: Wait, is this a wrong number? Am I or am I not texting the same girl that wanted a solo so bad she sent a girl to a crack house? And please, that tall tree gets wood practically every time he sees you.

Rachel Berry: You know, I take it back, not all metaphors are important. I still don't want to hurt him, or her. And that place was deserted, and it was one time!

Santana Lopez: Look, do you care for the girl or not?

Rachel Berry: You know I do.

Santana Lopez: Then prove it, promise me. Promise me you won't pussy out. Promise me that by the end of this week, we will both have dates. Promise me Berry.

Rachel knew that what Santana was asking of her wasn't so much for her own benefit, but for Santana's. Even through text Rachel could tell that the other girl was very vulnerable and insecure about Brittany, and more importantly herself. She knew Santana wanted to hear the vow to reassure not Rachel but herself in knowing that if Quinn chose Finn and Brittany chose Artie, that she wouldn't be alone. That they would be there for each other, to support each other.

It was with that in mind that Rachel's nimble thumbs typed out her next text with certainty and sincerity.

Rachel Berry: I promise.


"Hey," Rachel intercepted Finn as he made his way to the choir room, taking a copy of the Muckraker from Becky Jackson as she did. "I think we should talk about Nationals, we need to do a duet."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Finn replied as he looked down at the short form of the bouncy brunette next to him. His avoidance and reason for it obvious by the nervous scrunching of his forehead.

Rachel groaned softly as she persisted further. "Why are you so concerned with Quinn's feelings when she obviously has no interest in yours?"

It was harsh, but she had to do it. She had heard from Kurt about his seeing Quinn visit Sam after he had to lend him some clothes (as to why that was Rachel wasn't sure, but Kurt's blunt tone waned her away from asking). With that information at her disposal, she left an anonymous tip on Lord Tubbington's and Jacob Ben-Israel's blogs about Sam and Quinn being seen together. Rachel had known that either Brittany or Jacob would read it and report it to the gossip column that Sue had put them in charge of informing. Whether it was true or not didn't matter, only that the rumour would distance Quinn from Finn as much as possible. If there was one thing that terrified Finn, it was his fear of losing his girlfriend to another.

"What are you talking about?"

"Haven't you read the Muckraker? It's our school's newspaper," Rachel explained as she unfolded the paper and handed it over, pointing at a certain section of it. "Look at the blind items column."

Taking it in his hands, Finn read over the black and white text of the first item of gossip. "What Prom Queen candidate is spending a lot of time in her closet? That's garbage, Quinn's claustrophobic," he dismissed with a chuckle.

Rachel bit her cheek as she realised how it could have been about Quinn, before amending his error in judgement. "No, that's Santana. Read the next one."

The lowering of his eyes and the sneer forming on his mouth as he barrelled down the corridor with newspaper in hand gave Rachel the reaction she was hoping and waiting for.

Finn stormed into the choir room as his peers were taking their seats with Rachel hot on his tail. Striding up to Sam, he shook the paper violently in the air as he showed his teeth in a snarl and gave him what he thought was a narrowed threatening glare, but really he just looked like he had when Rachel had tried to tutor him in calculus.

"What the hell is this, dude?" Finn barked as Sam turned around and Finn stepped up into his face. "What blondie former cheerleader is having a secret moonlight motel rendezvous with another big lipped blondie?!"

"What? Where does it say that?" Sam asked innocently at the accusations being thrown at him.

"Right on the front page of the school newspaper!"

Sam's brows furrowed in confusion as he read the print before Quinn got up and defended him. "You don't seriously believe this do you?"

At his girlfriend's siding with the other boy, Finn's frustration increased and his anger propelled further. "Well why shouldn't I? Why wouldn't he do the same thing that I did to him?"

"Because it's gossip Finn," Quinn drawled in annoyed exasperation. She was tired of her boyfriends' trust issues with her. True, in the past they had had adequate reason to have them, but now Quinn had told Finn that he shouldn't. He should trust her enough to know that she wasn't going to cheat on him. Not again.

At that moment, Santana burst through the door also clutching a newspaper in hand and used it to point toward the quiet blue eyed girl sitting in the back row of chairs.

"This is your fault! You told everyone that I play for another team on your ridiculous melted cheese show!"

Brittany tilted her head in confusion as she took in the angry frustration on Santana's face. "Wait, are you mad? You do play for another team. You were on the Cheerios, and now you're only in the New Directions…"

"And you couldn't have thought of any other way to say that?" Santana bit back in irritation.

Like watching a tennis match, the observing uninvolved members of the club watched between the two heated conversations on opposite sides of the room, switching their gazes from one to the other with the constant turning of their heads.

"I swear I'm gonna punch your face off!" Finn spat as he shoved Sam backwards.

"Hey, you got a lotta nerve accusing me of cheating when you're the one who snuck in and stole my girl!" Sam shouted as he shoved Finn back before Quinn and Will got between the two feuding boys.

The rest of the club's gaze flicked back toward the ever fuming Latina as she uncharacteristically glared furiously toward the blonde.

Brittany's lip pushed out of its own accord as her best friend's anger hit her in waves. "San why are you so angry at me? Jewfro was the one who made me post it, but it isn't like it isn't true, right? You…you wore my shirt that I made…"

"In Glee Club! In front of only Glee Club! I wore it for you, not the whole damn school!" Santana fired back as she shook her head frantically and pointed dramatically at the now cowering and hurt girl. "Everyone is gonna know now, because of you!"

Santana scrunched the paper up into a ball and threw it to the floor as she rushed out of the room, leaving Brittany standing from her chair in following until Artie held her hand and tried to comfort her, tugging her down to have her stay beside him. Looking down at him and then up again toward the doorway, her heart told her to follow, but her eyes connected with Rachel's and the light shaking of the brunette's head let her know that what Santana needed right now was to be left alone.

Following Santana's lead, Finn spun around and paced himself away and toward the door.

"Hey Finn, where are you going?" Mr Shue yelled at the hunched back of his favourite student. "We got rehearsal!"

"Not today!" he growled back as he left his girlfriend and the rest of the club in his wake.


The next day after that scandalous Monday, all of the members of Glee reluctantly attended their free period rehearsal with nerves for Nationals taking priority. Will entered the choir room and observed the divided pairings of students seated in waiting for him. Sam sat next to Puck and Lauren in the back row, with Puck trying to peruse a fist bump out of the other boy for being a "badass" by also apparently sleeping with Quinn (which was like a prestigious honour to him), and for getting back at Finn by giving him a taste of his own medicine. Brittany sat in the middle rows with Artie, Mike and Tina, with a wounded look on her face as she stole glances at Santana in the front row. Quinn sat beside Finn to the far right with an almost visible tension between them. Santana sat in the far off left corner with Rachel immediately beside her and Mercedes behind the both of them. The ex-cheerio's uncommon friendliness of late toward the true club captain was odd, but not unwelcomed Will reasoned, so he decided that all was well enough for him to attempt to run a successful rehearsal and teach a moral life lesson in doing so. He just loved to do that.

Pulling off the lid to the whiteboard marker, he proceeded to write 'Rumours' on the board before capping it firmly again and smiling at his students.

"'Rumours'. A classic record by Fleetwood Mack. One of the greatest albums of all time, written as the band was breaking apart, to keep it together. Now this week, we are done with the backstabbing and the gossip, and we're channelling all that energy, into working together. So, pick a song from the album and put your own spin on it. Simple as that."

After Mr Shue called the meeting to an end, Rachel gnawed her lip as she watched Brittany deflatedly walk toward the cafeteria for lunch, dragging her feet along the floor behind her as she went.

"Hey Britt, wait up."

Brittany recognised the voice, but it wasn't the one she longed to hear, so she didn't turn to face it. She had hurt Santana and she wanted to apologise for everything she had done. After last week, she had thought that the other girl had finally accepted who she was and was happy to be open about herself at school so she didn't need to keep being so angry all the time.

Catching up to the blonde, Rachel touched her arm softly, pausing their way through the halls.

"Can we please talk?"

Brittany shrugged cheerlessly, making Rachel sigh sympathetically as she guided them outside and toward the bleachers.

Scaling up the metal platform of stairs and taking seats in the middle rows, Rachel right beside Brittany, they sat there in silence for a moment as they watched some boys fling a football around on the field and the fluffy clouds roll by.

"It isn't your fault Brittany. You didn't mean to do it so you need to stop blaming yourself, ok?"

Brittany closed her eyes and dropped her head down and into her hands as tears slid down her pale cheekbones and onto the cold steel of the seat in front of them. "It is though Rach. I'm the one that asked her to wear the shirt. I'm the one that pushed her to be open about herself. I'm the one that outed her to everyone else," she sobbed through gritted teeth.

"Hey, no, B, come here," Rachel soothed as she pulled the tall blonde into her arms and held her snugly close. Brittany dropped her head down onto Rachel's chest, into the nook under the other girl's chin as the brunette whispered sweet hushed truths into the shell of her ear. "You only wanted to help her. I know that, and she knows that."

"But," Brittany blubbered through her shallowed breaths, "I didn't help her, I hurt her."

"She's a strong girl Brittany-"

"I've tried calling her to say sorry, but she won't answer her phone. All she did was send me a text saying I can't. The thing is, I'm not sure what it is she can't do. Does she not want to be herself at school, or be my friend? I just don't know anymore…" the blonde cried as she nuzzled further into Rachel's cream woollen jumper, seeking the warmth held there. "W-will you make sure she's ok, f-for me? Please?"

Rachel hugged Brittany tighter as she rocked their bodies back and forth slowly in a relaxing rhythm. Seeing the tear between the two girls broke her heart. Both wanted nothing more than to be together, but neither could seem to make that a reality.

"She just needs some time. It's going to be ok," Rachel sighed as she realised she would be repeating the same words she had told Santana on the weekend. "I promise," she cooed, "I'll make sure of it."


On her way home from school, Rachel's phone lit up as a text flashed on her screen.

Noah Puckerman: Meet. Lima Bean. 1 hr. B der or b a frkn square.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise as a conference call from Mercedes and Tina immediately followed and she thumbed and slid the green answer symbol in response.

"Hi girls, what's going on?"

"Did you get Puck's text? We need to sort all this fighting out if we want to be a unified group for Nationals in a month," Mercedes explained.

"Yes, I just read it. Who else is going?"

"Everyone except Sam, Santana and Brittany have returned our calls. Sam's phone number says it's disconnected or no longer in service or something, but the other two just won't answer our calls and we get put through to voicemail. Maybe you could persuade them to come?" Tina asked hopefully.

"I think that they just need to sort it out between them. Forcing them won't help, but I'll be there. As co-captain of the club it's my duty after all."

"Cool hot Mama, see you soon."

Walking over to the long table with fresh soy chai latte in hand, Rachel sat sandwiched between Mercedes and Puck as everyone nursed their own varying drinks in their hands.

"Why are we all here?" Quinn questioned no one in particular as she looked around the table.

Puck sat up in his seat as he chugged down a gulp of his black coffee laced with a bit of vodka he snagged from the teacher's lounge earlier that day. "Because everyone needs to stop bitching about everyone behind everyone's backs."

Seeing no forthcoming reply and many confused faces, Rachel touched Puck's arm softly, asking a sort of silent request to speak to which he placed his hand on top of hers with a grateful smile.

"I think what Noah is trying to say, albeit in a less eloquent way, is that we need to resolve this conflict in our team if we want any hope of winning Nationals in a month," Rachel rephrased as Puck gave her a thankful nod and her hand a small squeeze.

Finn observed the closeness between the two Jews before clearing his throat in order to distract themm by forcing Rachel to have to shift her body away from Puck, moving her hand away from him in order to face Finn.

"You're right," Finn admitted. "We're sitting here squabbling over what? A rumour. I even heard from Jacob that Kurt was seen with Sam too. Maybe Blaine's the one who should be upset, not me."

Quinn rolled her eyes as she stood from her seat. "Listen, Sam is a good guy ok? It's rude and completely hypocritical of you all to be talking about him behind his back. All I'm going to say is, Sam's not gay. Kurt isn't cheating with him, and neither am I."

Grabbing her bag from behind her chair, she smoothed her floral dress out and walked away from the group and to her car before silently making her way to visit the boy in question.

Lauren clapped her hands in finality. "Right, well, I think that's settled. Good talk guys but now the Puckster and I have a wrestling match to see to."

"I hope you mean an actual match and not the two of you in bed…" Artie joked, earning a smirk from Puck but disgusted looks from everyone else.

"He wishes. We all know who would win that contest," Lauren quipped as she hauled Puck up and they too left.

Soon everyone began filing out but, just as Rachel made a move to follow, Finn raised his hand to stop her.

"Rach wait, I uh, I need to talk to you."

Wringing her hands in nervous thought of what the possible reason Finn could have for keeping her behind, she remembered Santana's advice of getting much friendlier with Finn in order to earn unquestionable trust and in having him open up to her, bringing him closer to her and further from Quinn. Reluctantly, she pulled her chair back out and tucked her skirt neatly under her as she sat.

We're still friends, right?" Finn pressed, a little too desperately for Rachel's liking.

"Yes, of course Finn. I have so few the way it is, I wouldn't want to lose any after all."

"Good, because I need your help with something…"


"What are we doing here Finn? It's getting late and my dads are expecting me home in an hour."

The corners of Rachel's eyes crinkled as she squinted out into the darkness of the road ahead before a large neon sign reading 'MOTEL' shone brightly. Her eyes widened in worry as Finn's pick-up truck pulled up outside of what she knew was one of Lima's furthest away and cheapest motels. Finn killed the car's ignition and turned to look at her with a timid smile. Rachel felt a heavy lump lodge in her throat as a troubling thought crossed her mind, only to be quelled and gratefully swallowed down by Finn's shifting in his seat and the pulling out of Kurt's long lensed camera that the effeminate boy had always used to take photos of his creative and daring outfits with. Following that, Finn continued to fish out his biological father's old pair of binoculars he found in a box labelled 'old army equipment' in his attic from the back seat.

"We're staking out," he said as he handed her the binoculars and raised the Nikon camera up to his eyes. "I just know Quinn came here after she left the shop, and I need to know why. I mean, why would she say that thing about Sam not being gay? She was so sure about it…"

"Well, they did date…" Rachel offered with straightforward frankness.

"Yeah but the way she said it, there was something else going on… She said she wasn't cheating, but I don't know if I can trust her. She cheated on me with Puck, and then she cheated on Sam with me, so I just want to be sure."

Choosing her words carefully, Rachel put on her game face. "Finn, trust is the most important thing in a relationship. I don't understand why you're back together with her if you don't have it with her," she sighed as Finn stared blankly ahead though the camera lens at the door which Quinn's car sat parked outside of.

"I dunno," he shrugged as he really wondered why he was dating Quinn again in the first place.

"I do," Rachel admitted gingerly. "It's because you forgive your first love anything." Licking her lips contemplatively, she knew it was true. She knew first hand. All the bullying, taunting and vindictive abuse was all in the past now. Sometimes she wondered if she had ever really loved Finn, or whether their connection was purely one of a close friendship, turned affectionate out of her competition with Quinn.

Finn lowered his camera and looked at the girl in the passenger seat as she sat with down cast eyes on her lap, obviously deliberating something with herself. Observing her, he doubted whether Quinn really was his first love at all…

Finn really drank the sight of Rachel in. Wearing a red overcoat and black skirt with matching knee highs, her soft brown locks falling down gracefully on either shoulder, Rachel was as beautiful as ever, and Finn sighed at the implications his feelings for both girls could have on his relationships with them.

"The problem with dating Quinn, besides the mood swings, is that she's so protective about her feelings. You never quite know where you stand with her," he answered a little disdainfully. Rachel nodded in understanding as she empathised with him. She had felt the exact same.

As dark brown bet light, Finn smiled dopily as he spoke his thoughts. "You never did that. I always knew what you were thinking."

Rachel smiled unabashedly back at the thankfulness in Finn's tone before movement caught her eye out through Finn's driver's side window. Finn and Rachel both watched on as Quinn emerged from the hotel room with Sam following soon after, before the two embraced in a hug, with Sam rubbing up and down Quinn's back with his hands.

Finn lowered his camera and tossed it a little more roughly than necessary into the back seat with a heated huff. Rachel pursed her lips into a thin line as she too lowered her binoculars and placed them in the back seat (more gently than Finn had).

The boy beside her was fuming, furiously gripping the steering wheel and flexing his knuckles against it. He seemed as though he was debating whether or not he should do something as a loud growl rasped from his throat. After a beat, it seemed he had made his decision, reaching for the door handle and pushing it open as he went to undo his seat belt. Rachel realised that an angry Finn without a chair to kick may end up kicking something else. Or rather, someone else. Reflexively she threw her arms around his bicep and clung desperately.

"Finn, no! You don't want to do this!"

"Actually, I really do! I'm gonna kick his ass, let go of me!" he groaned as he trying to shrug her off.

Rachel's clinginess was always a level beyond, not only in her relationships but in the physical action as well. It really was astounding how strong the small girl could be when she wanted to be.

Hearing the motel room door close and seeing the red rear lights that belonged to Quinn's Volkswagen disappear into the distance back toward town, Finn finally relented and swung his door closed again, dropping his head down onto his white knuckles on the steering wheel.

"I just…I can't believe she cheated on me, again! That freaking whor-"

"Finn!" Rachel gnarled as anger ignited within her. "You can't make assumptions based on what we saw. They just hugged. You don't know what she was doing here with him-"

"Actually I think I have a pretty good idea Rachel!" Finn spat back, instantly regretting it as he saw her expression turn from anger to terror as his overpowering physique loomed beside her.

"Hey, Rachel…" He reached his hand out for hers in reassurance that he didn't mean to frighten her, only to be pushed away as she crossed her arms over herself defensively.

"Just take me home Finn."

"But-"

"Now."


As Quinn read the news in the school newspaper, she scowled deeply as she stormed down the school corridors, only to be met with her equally as upset boyfriend.

"Finn!"

Finn gripped one sling of his backpack over his shoulder as he tried to maintain his controlled composure as the blonde walked up to him with that Fabray ferocity flaring in her eyes.

"Wait, why are you storming? I'm the one who should be storming," Finn questioned as he glowered with a puzzled look overtaking his features.

"Really, because the way I see it, I'm the stormer and you should be the stormee!" Quinn threw back as she tightened her grasp of the paper she had just read in her hand.

Finn frowned in confusion before Quinn crisply flattened out the page and read it in a mockingly light tone. "According to today's paper, Finn and Rachel were seen sitting closely, laughing and talking intimately," she finished with a sarcastic smile.

"We were on a stakeout. What were you doing with him in that motel?"

"I'm not cheating on you. This time around I haven't, and I won't. You'll have to learn to trust me."

"I can't trust you if you won't tell me the truth," Finn replied sharply as Quinn matched his narrowed gaze.

"Well what were you and Rachel doing together huh?" Her voice bitter, holding malice as the thought of Finn with the brunette consumed her thoughts.

"Staking out. That's what you do on a stakeout!"

"So let me get this straight Finn. You don't trust me, your girlfriend, with my ex, but you expect me to trust you alone with yours? How damn hypocritical are you?"

"The difference is I'm not a cheater!"

"Oh so it's ok to be cheated with but not on? And don't give me that crap Finn, I know you kissed her when we were still together last year! So tell me, what were you really doing in that car with her?"

"We were talking about Glee, ok, s-she wants to do a duet with me. That's all, trust me."

"Well then I guess we both have to learn to trust each other."

"I guess so."

That Wednesday's after school practice was when Rachel had decided to make her move and to push Finn and Quinn's relationship off of the delicate teeter it was currently on. To push them both over the edge, because she knew now that Finn didn't deserve her, and Quinn didn't deserve him. She deserved better.

Having heard him almost call her such a disgusting, vile and degrading derogative, without any real proof behind it, and with such contempt, almost losing his control over himself, she didn't want him ever doing the same again. Especially not around Quinn. The two only ever seemed to bring out the worst in each other, because when they were together, neither one was really themselves.

Watching the pair voice their spat through song, Rachel knew that her actions were going to be more than necessary.

"I don't wanna know the reasons why,
Love keeps right on walking down that line.
I don't wanna stand between you and love,
Honey, I just want you to feel fine."

The acerbic tinge to both Finn and Quinn's voices and their plastered smiles, along with the chosen song unsettled Rachel further.

"Finally baby,
The truth has told.
Now you tell me that I'm crazy,
It's nothing that I didn't know.

Trying to survive,
Oh, you say you love me but you don't know.
You got me rocking and a-reeling."

As they finished their song and stood beside each other before the club in the choir room, they were met with a lacklustre reception.

"Ok, terrific job guys," Mr Shuester added to break the awkward silence in the room. "You uh, might want to try and smile a bit more next time…"

"Yeah, it was lovely, but I prefer Quinn's duet performance of Lucky with Sam better," Rachel stated plainly as Quinn's gaze flamed into her own. "Since you and Sam have become a lot closer lately, maybe you guys should do duets together more often."

Finn gave her a wounded look but turned to garner Quinn's reaction at the words too. Sam rubbed the back of his neck as some of the group turned to him, but he just avoided all their gazes.

Releasing a scornful laugh, Quinn ignored the brunette and her boyfriend and walked back to take her seat, crossing her left leg over her right as Mr Shue stood and took the floor.

"Alright guys, who's up next?"

Raising her hand, Rachel stood immediately and strode up to Finn, whispering in his ear to do her the favour of accompanying her song of choice with the drums.

Taking the wireless microphone out from its stand, she flipped her hair to one side and took a breath. As Puck also joined at her behest with his electric guitar, strumming out the intro, Rachel looked over to Santana and returned the smirk she had seen on her lips as she watched the other brunette mouth the words "go get 'em." Quinn turned her head up and pursed her lips, muttering to herself under her breath at the wink Rachel threw Santana's way.

As the song began, Rachel confidently crossed the room to her right where Quinn sat beside Lauren with a blanched expression. Closing her eyes, she reminded herself that she chose the song for Quinn and that she was singing it about her, but she had to make it seem as though it was intended for Finn. That she wanted Finn. That was the only way.

"Loving you,
Isn't the right thing to do.
How can I ever change things that I feel?"

Opening her eyes and locking them with Hazel, she saw a tiny intake of breath in the blonde before she smiled to herself and whipped her body in the direction of the drum kit, making her way over there and staring into Finn's brightening gaze.

"If I could,
Maybe I'd give you my world.
How can I,
When you won't take it from me?"

Quinn's stomach almost heaved as she watched Rachel place her hand over her heart before turning her back on her, and toward her boyfriend instead, shattering her initial thought and pinching herself for her insolence.

As the chorus hit, Santana, Mercedes, Tina and Brittany all began singing back up and soon all the club (with the exception of herself) was clapping along.

"You can go your own way,
Go your own way.
You can call it another lonely day
You can go your own way,
Go your own way."

As Finn's rhythmic beating on the drums and Rachel's final note finished, Quinn uncrossed herself and in a grating voice cut into the satisfied brunette.

"Don't you think it's a little inappropriate that you chose to sing a love song to my guy?"

Rachel shrugged casually as she replied. "I was simply embodying the message of the song."

"I know what you're doing. You want Finn and I to stop singing together so that you can sing with him again."

Both girls knew they weren't really talking about just 'singing' with the boy, but much more. Their locked eyes battling silently, trying to get the other to bend in their confrontation and snap in their shared coolness.

"Frankly yes, Finn and I have amazing proven harmonies, and when it comes to Nationals, I think it makes more sense for him to be paired with me."

"Well it's not happening, not as long as Finn wants to be with me."

"Wait, I thought you said this relationship was about trust?" Finn interjected as he stood from the drum set and into the middle of the room beside Rachel.

Seeing the action, Quinn stood from her own chair and moved to stand between the two, turning to look down and face Rachel who maintained her nonchalant attitude, but Quinn could see the hidden levity in her eyes.

"Oh I trust you, I just don't trust her."

Mr Shue coughed loudly, knowing that the conversation wasn't really focused on Nationals, but wanting to ensure that the club didn't sabotage itself for the competition. "Quinn I don't think you can mandate who pairs up for Nationals, alright? Vocal Adrenaline doesn't need any help from us."

"I love being here and I want to win, but my relationship comes first. Sorry but Finn, if you want to be with me, no more songs with her."

"If our relationship comes first then why won't you be honest with me and tell me why the hell you were at that motel with him?" Finn sniped back as he pointed at Sam who was sinking lower in his chair with every second that more attention was drawn his way.

"Nothing is going on between Sam and I!"

Other members of the club joined in, also scolding Sam for seemingly getting involved with Quinn before Sam stood up and raised his voice above them all.

"Shut up! I'm not messing around with Quinn ok? She's just helping me!"

"Oh is that what we're callin' it now?" Mercedes replied caustically, coaxing an imploring expression from him because she was the last person he wanted to judge him blindly.

"Wait, hold on," Mr Shue broke in again, giving Sam the break he needed to reel in his emotions and calm himself before standing and making his way to the door.

Stopping in its frame, Sam turned around and cast hurt eyes around to who he thought were his friends, only relenting to softness when they landed on Quinn. "Quinn was only helping me babysit my little brother and sister."

"Then why were you in that motel?" Finn asked with anger still fortifying his tone.

"Because that's where I live now!" Sam practically shouted as he ran a shaky hand through his hair. "My dad lost his job a few months ago and then we lost our house, so now we live in that motel, in one room. Are you all happy? The truth is finally out."

"Why didn't you tell us what was going on?" Rachel asked tenderly as she stepped closer to him.

"You know how information flies around this school. You think everyone would have just treated me the same after they found out? I don't want anyone's pity. Quinn only found out because we go to the same church, and she's a great person and friend to have around." Sam cut his gaze across to face the now plaintive quarterback. "Maybe you should remember that before you yell at your girlfriend for something she didn't do. Okay, so she wasn't telling the full story, but she was being honest; she never cheated with me, and she was only keeping my situation secret from you to protect me, and I can't thank her enough for that and everything she's done. Maybe you should start valuing what you have before you take it for granted."


"Hey," Rachel greeted softly as she walked up to the red and navy plaid shirted boy as he closed his locker, slinging his backpack over his shoulder as the final bell rang, signaling the end of that Friday's school day.

He turned around in surprise, taking in the appearance of the familiar girl offering a small smile up at him. The navy sailing boat sweater she wore made him smile inwardly before he noticed the purposeful gaze she was directing at him. Remembering what Santana had told him after they broke up a few weeks ago, he clucked his tongue curiously, offering her a questioning look.

"Why are you talking to me?"

"Can't I say hello?"

"I guess, I just, Santana told me never to speak alone with you because you would try to steal all of my gold…" he laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. Santana and he had both known that their relationship wouldn't work out because both knew that neither really wanted to be with the other and had only been in it for ulterior motives - his being to prove that he was stronger than others thought and that Finn and Quinn's actions didn't deter him, although he had been hurt by them because both broke his trust. The thing that he had really valued and that drew him to Quinn initially was the friendship that she offered. Being the new kid in school, having someone that he could spend time with was a great relief. The relationship just sort of happened, as they always do in high school. Her being the first person he felt he could be his own dorky self with, he valued her and what they shared so much so that he wanted to ensure that they stayed that close; albeit the promise ring was a little forward. But all along he knew she didn't harbour deeper feelings for him, and that her motives were based on what he assumed was purely popularity.

Rachel pursed her lips at Santana's ridiculousness before straightening up and looking determinedly into the green eyes that lay under a mop of whisky blond hair. For an instant she was reminded of another blonde with brilliant eyes that shone with green flecks before she shook her thoughts straight and reached into her pocket, pulling out a brand new packet of chapstick before she held it out in both hands toward Sam. "I got you this."

Sam accepted it with a small smile as Rachel explained, "I'm so sorry, on behalf of not only myself but the whole of Glee for what happened the other day. We shouldn't have doubted you, or Quinn. I thought that I would give a small gift as a show of my apology. I know everyone is always making fun of your lips, but I think they're cute, and worth weatherproofing."

Sam smiled as he accepted it welcomingly. "Thanks Rachel. Not having a lotta funds, I have been running out of it."

"You're welcome Sam."

Tucking the chapstick into his pocket, Sam looked back up at Rachel and smiled wistfully as the memory of last night came to mind. "I want to thank you too, for your visit last night with Finn. I know it was yours and Quinn's idea to have the club buy me back my guitar. I really appreciate it, more than I can say."

"It was our pleasure Sam. And if you need a babysitter for Stacie and Stevie, I would be happy to help also."

"That's awesome Rachel. I feel truly blessed to have friends like you."

Rachel smiled cutely as she bopped on the backs of her heels nervously at what she was about to ask next. Her attempts at breaking Quinn and Finn up before prom had seemed futile now, with Quinn not willing to lose her six foot something ticket to prom royalty, and Finn not wanting to face the blonde's wrath if he did deny her his arm. Rachel, having heard that Sam was available and knowing that he was really a sweet guy and genuine guy, thought of capturing Quinn and Finn's attention and jealousy via other means.

"So, are you going to prom?" Rachel continued with a bright smile as solid greed faltered slightly under wispy bangs.

"Uh…"

"Well, considering we're both single, and I think your lips are cute, I was wondering if you would, go to prom with me?"

"As in, your date?"

"Yeah!"

Sam hesitated at the proposition before sighing loudly. "Sorry, but no."

The blatant rejection gave Rachel pause, but didn't cause her to waver in her mission. "No, as in?"

"No as in, no prom," Sam murmured with little enthusiasm as he looked down at the floor with his hands in his back jean pockets, kicking his sneakers against the floor. "I don't think I'm going."

Rachel realised that his hesitation may be due to something other than her such as his lack of funds or some sort of concern about Finn, so she tried to persuade him of otherwise.

"Is there any particular reason? Is this about money? Because I can assure you that I have a fool proof way of budgeting everything so that we don't exceed limits." Seeing no resonance in Sam's face she thought about other possible reasons. "Or are you scared that Finn will get jealous? You know, me being his ex and all…"

That captured Sam's attention with him lifting his eyes again and looking at her with greater focus.

"This isn't about money or Finn. God, that guy broke the bro code and lost all my respect when he cheated with Quinn, so trust me, upsetting him by going out with you is the least of my problems, and if he did have a problem with that, then he is a bigger hypocrite than I gave him credit for."

"Then why not?"

Sam slouched and rolled his shoulder as he tried to say tell Rachel gently. "Look, you're just…not my type."

Rachel sighed as her confident front gave in at the reply. Why did I think this was a good idea? A popular guy like Sam wouldn't want to take me to prom. Especially seeing as he has dated Quinn and Santana. Going with me would probably hurt his reputation. To go from going out with Cheerio royalty to a gleek, it would be such a downgrade…

Sam realised how abrasive that explanation sounded and quickly sought to make amends to it. "It's not you Rachel, really, i-it's me."

Big brown eyes looked up in expectation and with a little more clarity to them at the cliché words, and Sam released a steady breath of air as he looked around the now emptying halls before deeming it safe enough for him to be completely honest with Rachel in. "I want to ask someone else, but I'm just worried that they won't want to go with me."

Rachel furrowed her brow before pondering the people that the boy could be referring to. Her lips parted as a shock realisation came to her. 'Not his type'. "So, you are gay?"

Sam coughed loudly before rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand and ducking down further toward Rachel. "No!" He whispered hastily, "why does everyone keep thinking I am?"

Rachel gave an apologetic smile, as he reinforced his statement, "my type is girls."

Giving a patient nod, she waited for him to explain himself further. Sam sighed as he backed up against the bay of lockers and exhaled heavily, letting his hair fall over his face, shading his features from the fluorescents above.

"I like Mercedes, ok? But I know that she and I don't really know each other very well and I'm not sure if she would like me in that way…" Sam shrugged disheartened as he felt Rachel's hand sweep his bangs out of his eyes, silently asking him to meet hers.

"Hey, it's ok Sam," she encouraged softly. "Mercedes is a very lovely person and from what she's told me, she hasn't got a date yet but would like one, so I'm sure she would be more than happy to accept your offer if you should see fit to simply ask."

Sam's large lips tweaked at hearing his crush's friend's vote of confidence in him. "You really think so?"

Rachel returned the smile brightly as she looped their arms and walked them toward the car park. "I really do."


Across the school Brittany entered the choir room after being left a note in her locker to meet someone there.

"Hello?"

"Hey Britt-Britt."

Seeing Santana standing in front of the piano in blue form fitting jeans, an off-the-shoulder white top and with her long straight raven hair draped across her right shoulder, Brittany couldn't help the grin that broke out and the bounce in her step as she approached her. Santana smiled a hopeful smile which brightened the closer Brittany came. It was really a sight to behold, and it made Brittany's excitement at their rendezvous peak.

Santana smiled her smile, the smile that spoke more than words ever could. The smile that only Brittany could ever evoke.

"Oh San I've missed you so much. I hate not being able to talk to you."

"I know B, and I'm sorry I ignored you. I was just…"

"Hurt," Brittany finished with a sorrowful frown.

"Scared," Santana corrected, lowering her eyes to drag Brittany's gaze back up to meet hers again.

Reaching out, Brittany wrapped her long slender fingers around Santana's constantly fidgeting hands. "What's going on Sanny?"

Gathering her courage, Santana held onto Brittany's hands more tightly. "Sam's speech about not taking things for granted the other day really made me think. Made me think about you. You and me. Us."

Brittany leaned her body forward on her elbows on the piano in order to edge that tiny bit closer to Santana, reducing the proximity of the distance between them. She longed to feel the openness and warmth emitting from Santana once more. She had missed it too much. More than she could bare.

"I was going through that 'Rumors' album and I found the best song that really goes one step past in expressing my feelings for you… my private feelings." Santana led Brittany with their joined hands to a chair in the front row of the room before nodding toward Brad the pianist (who was always conveniently there it seemed) to start the song.

The graceful melody created by the black and white keys wafted in the air as Santana stared into vibrant blue that glistened with what she could only hope was love.

"For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right

To you, I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right.

And I wish you all the love in the world,
But most of all, I wish it from myself.

And the songbirds keep singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before, like never before."

Both wiping away tears, the two girls stared at each other before Brittany stood up and held tanned rosy cheeks within her fair hands, wiping the stray tears that fell down them clean away.

"That was beautiful," Brittany smiled overwhelmingly as the lyrics and beautiful manner in which Santana has serenaded them danced around her head and still in her ears. "I feel the same."

Santana sighed in relief as she leaned into the blonde's supple touch, covering Brittany's hands with her own over her cheeks, and closed her eyes. "Brittany, you know I've been having a hard time accepting myself and letting others know about… me, but as long as I have you, I'm not so scared anymore. As long as you're mine, I know everything will be ok. That's why I wanted to sing this song to you, and to ask you if you would go to prom with me."

Brittany stared into Santana's sanguine gaze before guilt wrapped around her, and her hands fell from Santana of their own volition.

"San…I do love you, you know that."

Santana's arms lowered to her sides before she lifted them up and crossed them over her chest, almost as if acting as a sort of armour by covering her heart to protect it in preparation of the next words Brittany would say.

"Why do I sense a but coming on?" she replied bitterly as her self-preservative defences began rising.

Brittany took a step closer so that she could stop the girl from building her emotional barriers and walls up against her again. After such a display of vulnerability, the blonde feared more than anything that Santana would shut her out again. Maybe this time, for good.

"San, nothing in the world would make me happier than to be with you, in every way possible, and I am so so proud of you for being brave enough to want me as your date to prom in front of the whole school…" The next words felt like a ragged knife as they tore sorely out of her now dry throat. "But-"

Santana scoffed brusquely as she took a step back and away from the girl that she had given her heart to, too afraid to be near her when she no doubt would crush it in her grasp.

Seeing the retreat Santana was making, Brittany took two steps closer and closed the distance even more, holding onto the crossed arms that denied her the ability to hold her hands. Tears rose and her lip trembled as she saw Santana's defence mechanisms being employed before her eyes. Brown iris' shut off and became void of all emotion, and Santana's plump lips thinned out into a firm line.

"Please S, please know that I can't, not because I don't want to, but because I promised Artie I'd go with him. He…he needs me."

Santana's blackened gaze ripped fire into her words as she brokenly looked back into the ocean blue eyes that now drowned her, holding her head below water as she gasped for air. As she gasped for Brittany.

"I NEED YOU!"

Tears raced down both dark and light cheeks as Santana lost control over her body and her forced composure shattered.

Brittany's tiny and weakened voice tried desperately, but no words could manifest themselves on her tongue. Her hands reached out searchingly for the love that she knew was now constricting in not only her own heart but Santana's, like an unrelenting vice grip that squeezed until you yielded under the pressure, or died from it.

Brittany closed the remaining distance Santana had put between them and wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck.

"Santana, please," she sobbed into the crevice between the girl's shoulder and neck. "I'm so yours, proudly so."

Santana heard the words and her mind tried to process them, but her heart had felt like a dead weight, so heavy in her chest, that her body rejected the elation that the words would normally have brought, and with that her body also rejected Brittany. Pulling her arms up between them, Santana broke the hold around her neck and pushed Brittany's form away from her.

"Get off of me!" Santana croaked painfully. "You were the best thing that I ever called mine, but now I know you're no longer mine anymore. You're his too."

A loud sob wracked Brittany's entire body as Santana turned her back on her and looked away. Brad had left sometime after the song was performed, when exactly that was, Santana didn't know and didn't care. All that she had cared for in that moment was Brittany, but Brittany hadn't only cared for her, she had also cared for Artie too. And that is what crushed her, knowing that no matter what confession or declaration of love she made, Brittany was too caring to just dump the boy without any warning, and so close to prom.

That was the thing about being too nice. Brittany, having always cared for others, left little time to care for herself. Placing others first meant that her own desires and agenda came second. Her selflessness prevented her from ever being selfish, even when Santana had no qualms about being selfish about her.

Lost in the reverie of what could have been, with the image of Brittany dancing not with her but with Artie, Santana bit her bottom lip so hard to stop the dam of tears threatening to burst completely from breaking free as she ran out the door of the choir room and out into the pouring rain, not daring to look back.

After a moment Brittany rushed after, but her legs threatened to give way as her heart ached painfully in her chest. The blonde had sunk down to the floor in the middle of the eerily empty hallway and sank even further into the depth of her own misery. And then she wept. Wept for the love she had. Wept for the love she shared. And wept for the love that she lost.

On the opposite side of the choir room, in the halls outside the windows of Mr Shue's small dainty office, Artie watched on as he heard song-filled professions of love, longing looks of need, and most importantly, as he saw how his girlfriend's body caved in on itself as her mind had told her to do the right thing and stay loyal to her oath to him, instead of following her own heart instead.

Seeing the dissonance unravel before his eyes as the Latina fled from the room, he couldn't bare it any longer, so he spun on his wheels and rolled his way in the opposite direction, toward the school car park and down the wheelchair access ramp to where his mom waited. He didn't turn when he had heard Brittany's cries. He didn't turn back and offer her a way out of her promise and back into Santana's heart and arms. No, he kept on rolling away, never looking back at all.


As she said her goodbyes and waved to Sam as he got a lift from Puck, Rachel waited under the shelter of the overhanging roof as the grey clouds broke and rain fell from the heavens. Rachel sighed as she pulled her bright pink umbrella out and opened it above her head, standing in waiting for Santana to give her the lift she had promised. After two unanswered calls and a left text, Rachel concluded that Santana wasn't coming and so she had begun walking home in the chilly Ohio freeze until a light honking sounded behind her. Turning around, the shape of Mercedes' car could just be made out through the bright headlights in the blur of rain.

Pulling up to the sidewalk, the passenger side door was thrown open and Rachel quickly scurried inside as she closed her umbrella and the door behind her.

"Girl, why do I always find you hoppin' in my car when it's buckettin' down?" Mercedes joked. "What do you think you're doin' walkin' home in this kind o' weather?" she chastised as she helped Rachel put her bag and umbrella in the back seat before turning the heat up higher to quell the chattering of teeth beside her.

"I-I-I w-was su-p-posed to get a l-lift f-from Santana, b-but she isn't answering h-her p-p-phone."

"Well next time gimmie a call girl, I'll happily help ya out."

"Th-thanks Mercedes."

On the drive to the Berry house, Mercedes and Rachel discussed what songs and solos they thought would be appropriate for Nationals and who should sing them. Both obviously bickered and thought that they deserved the solos, but instead of turning it into a rivalry, they laughed about their competitiveness and then named songs that they thought the other would sing superbly.

Before long the subject of prom came up and Rachel smiled as she knowingly asked Mercedes about her plans.

"Sooooo, you going to prom with anyone in particular?"

"Na, nobody has asked me yet, and it's only two weeks away, so I doubt anybody will," Mercedes shrugged unenthusiastically as she focused on the slippery road ahead and the window wipers that swiped rapidly at the downpour of water. "It'll be ok though. I'm used to being the wallflower. I just hope someone asks me to have one dance. Then I'll be happy, but I doubt anyone will…"

"Hey now, don't be so sure of that," Rachel replied with a small smirk and a lilt of teasing. "You're a Beyoncé, not a Kelly Rowland, remember? Stop doubting yourself, I'm sure everything will work out perfectly."

Mercedes stopped at a red light and turned to question the insinuation behind Rachel's words.

"Why do you say that? Did someone say something to you, about prom I mean?" Mercedes asked, her hopefulness evident in her lifted eyes and shy smile.

"Let's just say some people have big mouths."

Mercedes frowned in confusion as Rachel doubled over in her seat at her pun. Rolling her eyes, Mercedes joined in the laughter just at the sight of this happier and funnier Rachel Berry that she now considered a great friend. She tolerated the little diva before, but now she really felt as though she was truly adoring the friendship that had blossomed between them. Without Kurt beside her anymore, she found comfort in having Rachel there to be there to talk to and gossip with.


"Thank you Mercedes," Rachel said for the umpteenth time as Mercedes smiled from her driver's seat window.

"Anytime girl, now don't be a stranger!" she laughed as her electric window rolled up and she drove home.

Rachel walked up her drive way and under her veranda before closing her umbrella again and shaking the excess rain off of it. Reaching into her bag, she plucked out her house keys before the light sound of their jingling was muffled by the sound of soft sobs coming from the other side of the porch. Jumping back in surprise, Rachel saw the curled up form of Santana Lopez, hair dripping wet and clothes soaked through, shivering violently as the cold breeze swept over her, setting her skin aflame with goose flesh. She was sitting hunched with her knees drawn to her chest and her arms resting her head on top of them.

"Oh my gosh Santana, are you ok?" Rachel rushed over as another jagged sob hacked itself out of Santana's throat, sounding so tired and hoarse in the air around them. "Come on, it's freezing out here, and you're so wet."

Normally a phrase like that would have been replied to with her signature wanky, but Santana was too disgruntled with herself to do anything but try and stop the onslaught of tears burning her vision.

Wrapping her overcoat that she had thankfully had the forethought to bring before she left her house that morning around her friend's bare and shaking shoulders, Rachel helped pull Santana up from the cold timber and walked her over to the front door, swiftly unlocking it and ushering the shuddering mess of a girl inside before entering herself and closing the door behind her.

Leading her into the living room, Rachel guided Santana onto the large black leather couch before expertly lighting a fire in the brick hearth and then hastily making her way to the bathroom and then bedroom to grab some towels and a fresh change of clothes.

Upon her return Santana seemed to be tremoring less and a little quieter now, staring off into the mesmerising glow of the bright embers and soft flames. Sitting beside her, Rachel studied her friend's fallen face and then rested her hand on Santana's knee.

"Talk to me S."

A small smile tipped Santana's full lips at the nickname that she only ever let Quinn and… the other blonde call her, but she didn't reprimand Rachel for using it because Rachel was now the closest and most trustworthy person she had the privilege of calling a friend. Who would have thought?

Rachel smiled at herself for getting the other girl's attention through the nickname, and not being pulled up for it too.

"Come on, why don't you change out of those clothes and into these ones while I go make a nice hot cup of hot cocoa?"

Santana replied with a nod as she accepted the purple hoodie with 'Wicked' written across its front and the grey track pants before Rachel stood and made her way into the kitchen to make the drinks, placing a white marshmallow in Santana's and sprinkling a hint of cinnamon on top.

Balancing the two mugs in both hands, Rachel walked back in to find Santana sitting on the carpeted floor, closer to the fire with the towel wrapped around her hair and the new clothes on, the wet ones hanging on the adjustable fireplace screen just off to the side to dry.

Handing the mug over, Rachel retook her seat beside Santana and nursed her drink as she watched Santana take her first taste.

"Careful, it's hot!"

Santana tossed a mouthful of the only slightly scalding liquid down, leaving a burning searing sensation scorching down her constricted throat.

"What is this Berry? It tastes…" Santana's voice was gruff from her crying earlier, sounding not at all like her normal self.

"Its vegan friendly hot cocoa, with a touch of cinnamon. Do you like it?"

"Why do you call it that? Call it hot chocolate like a normal person."

"Well, I like to think that I am not a 'normal person', and that I'm special, actually," Rachel replied pedantically with a playful smile.

Santana shook her head as she looked down into the contents of her mug.

"It's..." Santana took another sip and hummed softly as she swallowed, feeling the warmth of it coat her raw gravelly throat. "Surprisingly, not bad."

"Well that was almost a compliment," Rachel quipped. "I'm glad you like it."

Rachel smiled as she brought her own mug to her lips and took her first sip. Santana turned to her and rolled her eyes before reaching out with her thumb and wiping the froth moustache off of Rachel's lip before bringing her thumb into her mouth and licking the delicious coating off of it.

Santana gave her a wry grin as Rachel blushed. "The froth is my favourite part."

Looking back into the precarious nature of the flickering orange flames, both girls sat in a comfortable silence as they finished their drinks and placed them on the table behind them. Dragging herself down to lie on the carpet, Santana lay her head back and closed her eyes. Rachel followed suit and mimicked her position, her arms resting on her stomach and her elbow touching with Santana's.

"Thank you Rachel."

"For what?"

"For just, being here for me."

Rachel shifted from her back and onto her left elbow as she turned her body side on to face Santana. "S, please talk to me. Tell me why I found you waiting for me here on my porch and not in your car outside the school like we agreed."

Santana inhaled slowly, her chest rising higher as she held her breath for a moment, before she exhaled equally as slowly. Licking her lips that were slightly chapped from the cold, she turned her body to somewhat mirror Rachel's position and then opened her eyes to look into caring chocolate orbs, shining with concern.

"I tried to keep my promise, but I failed. I…I don't have a date for prom."

Rachel nodded softly, knowing that that had meant Brittany rejected Santana, and that was the reason she was in the emotionally battered condition she saw before her.

"I just…" Santana continued in a resigned tone, "I just didn't want to be alone right now, and I didn't know where else to go."

Rachel scooted closer to Santana and took the girl's hand within hers. Ironically, Rachel was repeating the same words Santana had told her in the coffee shop the other week when her world was shifted on its axis. "You aren't alone, ok? I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

Santana closed the gap between their bodies and made a move to rest her head on Rachel's shoulder as the shorter brunette lay back down on her back to accommodate her. Santana wrapped her arm over her Rachel's waist and Rachel moved hers under Santana's head and around her shoulder as the Latina sighed into the comforting embrace.

"Who would have ever thought I'd be cuddling up to Rachel Berry?"

"Certainly not I, but I can't say I'm not quite content at the fact that it's actually happening."

Santana poked Rachel's ribs eliciting a giggle as the two girls lay there listening to the beautiful juxtaposing sounds of the cold rain pouring outside and the warm crackling of the fire before them.

"Did you at least keep your promise?" Santana asked as she readjusted herself so she could look up into Rachel's face.

"No, I couldn't either. Quinn will do anything to become Prom Queen and would never jeopardise her chances of winning, and Finn is too scared to do anything, especially when she's so determined."

"Yeah, no shit, I would be too if I was dating her."

Rachel poked Santana back in annoyance. "Hey!"

"Oh calm down, I'm sure both of your crazy would balance each other out somehow when you two get together."

Rachel's heart soared at the fact that Santana had said when and not if, loving that her friend had such assurity and faith in her and in Quinn. Rolling her eyes, Rachel poked Santana again.

"Hey! What was that one for?"

"For bad mouthing me to Sam and saying I would steal his gold! Where did that even come from? Was that a wise crack at that horrible Jewish stereotype about us being money obsessed?"

Santana thought back for a moment and shook with laughter. "He actually said that? Wait, does that mean you asked him to prom? What did he say?"

"He wants to go with someone else. Mercedes, actually."

"Really? Fish lips and Aretha? Can't say I saw that coming."

"I think they'll make a lovely couple."

"Mmm," she hummed in agreement as a yawn came over her. The entirety of the day's events had left her exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

Silence dominated them once more before Santana broke it with a chuckle. "Want to skip the hetero dance and have our own anti-prom or something less lame at mine?"

Rachel thought about that for a moment before a brilliant idea light-bulbed itself in her mind. An idea so unexpected, so incredulous, so utterly insane, that it actually sounded like a great one. A confident smirk overtook Rachel's lips, causing Santana to raise a curious eyebrow.

"No, I don't think that will be necessary, we are still going to be going to prom. I made you a promise and I intend on keeping it."

"Berry, I'm not going to go to prom alone to just watch them dance in my face-"

Rachel swiftly brought her index finger up to Santana's lips before smiling mischievously with that cute impish smile that showed her dimples off adorably.

"You won't be going alone, and neither will I."

Santana lifted her head up off Rachel instantaneously as the mirth in the shorter girl's features alluded Santana to her thoughts.

"Rachel Berry, are you asking me what I think you are?"

Rachel sat up and tucked her legs under herself as she took Santana's soft hands with her own.

"Santana Lopez, would you do me the honour of accompanying me and being my date to the William McKinley High Junior Prom?


A/N 3: Dun dun dunnnn! Hahahah hope you enjoyed it! Just wanted to say sorry again for my extremely long hiatus with this story. I aim to be updating after Christmas, but this time of year does get hectic so please bear with me! Also, let me know what you thought by leaving a review! Thank you, Merry Christmas and happy holidays!