Author's Note: As always, thank you so much for the amazing reviews! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


"The party this year is going to be killer, dude."

Rachel popped the top on her salad as she sat down next to Kurt at their table. It was during their lunch break and all of their friends had gathered at their usual table. "What party?" she asked in response to Puck's comment.

"That's right," Sam said. "We have to add you and Kurt to the invite list." He smirked and added, "We should probably add Santana, too."

"What party?" Kurt repeated. "Is this a fancy party? Is there a theme? Should I dress up?"

Puck rolled his eyes. "It's not that kind of party, Petunia. We're just having a bonfire and beer."

"It's our pre-Fourth of July party," Finn explained after he chuckled at Kurt's affronted look. "Since we have that big performance on the actual Fourth of July, we have our party the weekend before."

"We can't be hungover on the Fourth," Puck said. "Because we have to spend all day in the park and that would just suck. Trust me, you don't want to have to do that."

"Mike's parents have this big field behind their house," Sam added. "That's normally where we go. It's the best party of the summer!" He high-fived Puck after that, as they were both eager for the party that Saturday.

"You said there wasn't a theme," Kurt grumbled. "But since it's the Fourth of July, I can only assume that it will have a patriotic theme to it. So everyone will be dressed in red, white, and blue, correct?"

"One can assume so," Rachel said just to humor Kurt.

Kurt grabbed Rachel's arm. "We only have two days to search for a dress for you that will fit the theme. We're definitely going shopping after work. And don't tell Santana, either. I don't want her trying to take over the trip."

"Why don't I just go shopping for my own dress?" Rachel suggested. At the appalled look on Kurt's face, she held her hands up. "Never mind, then."

Finn chuckled and caught Rachel's eye. He gave her a sympathetic look before he winked at her, and Rachel smiled and suppressed a giggle.

They were distracted when Mike sat down at the table with a highly dejected look on his face. Tina slid into her spot next to him and immediately noticed how put-out her boyfriend seemed.

"Mike, what's wrong?" Tina asked.

He frowned before he said, "Sugar somehow found out about the party and pretty much invited herself."

"Dude!" Puck exclaimed. "Now we'll have to invite all of the mermaids!"

Sam gave Puck a pointed look. "You got special permission to invite Quinn this year, Puck. This was bound to happen. I bet they did one of their freaky mermaid sharing things and Quinn probably told them. Shit, and now we're going to have to have Kitty and Harmony there, too."

Finn shrugged his shoulders. "The mermaids don't really like hanging out with us. They like to do their own thing, so I doubt that Kitty, Harmony, and Sugar are going to be spending much time around the party. They'll probably bail within an hour."

Sam clapped Finn on the back. "Finn, always the logical one."

Puck snorted. "Since when?"

Finn punched Puck on the arm, and he winced and rubbed it. "Thanks for that, asshole," Finn grumbled.

"Well, you're right," Puck said. Turning to Rachel, he added, "Aren't you glad that you didn't end up as a mermaid, Berry? You got invited to the most kick-ass party of the summer."

Rachel looked into Finn's eyes as she spoke. "I am glad," she said. She was being completely truthful—she really was happy that she didn't end up as a mermaid this summer. She just wanted Finn to know that.

And when he returned her smile, it kind of seemed like he did.


Rachel rolled her eyes as Santana made yet another crude comment. "Tana, you need to stop." Rachel was thoroughly embarrassed by Santana's increasingly loud and extremely inappropriate comments about her and Finn.

"What?" Santana smirked and didn't even bother to deny it. "It's true. This party could be the night that you and Tubs finally hook up."

"Finn most definitely is not tub-like in any way," Rachel immediately said. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered seeing him in the locker room in nothing but a towel. "His body is fantastic."

"Down girl."

Rachel glared at her friend before she continued. "And I don't want this to be just a hookup. I really like Finn and I want—"

"Good Lord, you want an actual relationship with the Jolly Green Giant," Santana teased before she smiled. "Good for you, Berry. I'm happy for you." She pointed a threatening finger at Rachel then. "But don't tell anyone that I like the dude."

Rachel laughed as she searched through the rack of dresses in front of her. "I won't ruin your reputation. Don't worry, Tana." As she pushed each dress aside, Rachel grew increasingly frustrated. All she wanted was a nice dress for the party that night, and it seemed like the universe wanted to give her the exact opposite. "Ugh, there isn't a single dress here!"

"What about this one?" Santana suggested. She pulled a red tube dress from the rack and held it up to Rachel. "This would look perfect on you."

Rachel hit Santana with another dress. "Would you stop trying to make fun of me and help me find a dress?" she pleaded. "The party is in three hours."

"That's what you get for waiting until the last minute," Santana quipped. "That's normally not like you."

"I had work and I was tired," Rachel defended. Rachel and Santana had planned on going shopping the previous Friday night, but Rachel had been so tired that when she got home from work, she had lay down on her bed and promptly passed out.

Santana smiled. "I know. Which is why I took the liberty of finding you a dress and putting it on hold."

"You did?" Rachel asked. She hit Santana with the dress again. "Then why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I wanted to see you sweat a little. But let's just focus on the fact that I'm an amazing friend and found you a fantastic dress. I mean, I would never wear it, but it's definitely something that you would go for. And it's one that Hummel didn't have any say in, so it's even better."

Rachel rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Just show me the dress, Santana."

The Latina went to the front and talked to the girl at the register for a few moments. She returned later with a dress hidden in a garment bag, and she and Rachel went into the dressing room. Santana unzipped the garment bag and then held up the dress for Rachel to see.

"Oh, Santana," Rachel said. "It's perfect!"

The dress was dark blue and made out of a cotton eyelet material. It had thin straps and a sweetheart neckline with a semi-full skirt. It was summery, pretty, and perfect for Rachel. She held it up to her body in the mirror just to see it fully before she tried it on.

"Yeah, I know. Now go try it on."

Rachel quickly tried the dress on. It really was perfect. "Santana, I forgive you for every crude comment you made about me and Finn earlier!"


Rachel smoothed down the skirt of her dress as she picked her way through the field. Santana had already ditched her and was holding court over on the other side of the party. Kurt was next to her, but he was too busy searching for Blaine through the crowd.

Thankfully, Tina and Mercedes found them easily. Tina immediately thrust a cup full of pink something in Rachel's hand as she greeted her.

"Girl, you look fabulous!" Mercedes exclaimed. "We're so glad that you're here!"

"Has anyone seen Blaine yet?" Kurt asked as he stood on his tiptoes.

Tina waved her hand dismissively. "Please, we don't need the boys yet! And this is a fantastic song. So chug those drinks and let's get out on the dance floor!"

Kurt and Rachel looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders before they followed Tina and Mercedes onto the dance floor. Neither chugged their drinks (because that just wasn't something they did) but they did hold on to them and continue to sip their drinks as they danced.

Rachel didn't know what was in that pink drink, but she could definitely taste the alcohol. It was strong enough that she didn't object to a second drink as she continued to dance with her friends.

Off to the side, Finn was standing with Puck, Quinn, Mike, and Sam. Finn hadn't taken his eyes off of Rachel since she had walked in the party. He sipped at his beer, not really paying attention to his friends.

Puck was standing with his arm slung around Quinn's shoulders, but he noticed how distracted Finn was. "Hudson, why don't you just go and dance with her already?"

"Dance?" Finn pulled himself from his thoughts. "I don't dance." But he would dance with Rachel without a second thought.

"True. She might not want to date you if she sees how you dance."

Mike nudged Finn. "Oh, leave the poor guy alone. It's not his fault that he can't dance."

Finn glared at all of his friends. "That's because you're the best dancer, Mike. So shut the hell up." He quickly chugged the rest of his beer and then discarded his cup. "You know, I think I will go out there with Rachel."

"Shit," Sam muttered to Mike. "How much do you think he's had to drink? He never willingly goes out on the dance floor."

Meanwhile, Rachel was just losing herself in the music. Kurt had found Blaine a few minutes ago, and Tina had gone off with the intent to pull Mike out to dance with her. Mercedes had been in charge of keeping the cups filled, so she had already gone off to get more drinks.

A pair of hands suddenly landed on Rachel's waist, and she was pulled back against a broad chest. Rachel wasn't afraid, however; she knew who it was right away. Rachel smiled and began to roll her hips as she slid her hands over his.

Finn ducked his head down so his mouth was right next to Rachel's ear. "You look amazing tonight," he muttered. It was different from how she had been dressed at the karaoke club, but she still looked beautiful all the same.

Rachel leaned her head back against Finn's chest as she moved against him. He did nothing besides bounce to the beat behind her, but Rachel didn't mind. She loved the way he was holding her against him. "You don't look so bad yourself," she said. One of her hands slid up behind Finn's neck, her fingers tangling in the hair at his nape. Finn's hands tightened on her waist in return, and his cheek pressed against hers.

The alcohol allowed them to abandon their inhibitions. It wasn't clouding their judgment, and they were in complete control of their actions. However, they were just inebriated enough that they weren't afraid to do what they wanted. And Finn wanted Rachel, and she wanted him in return.

They danced to another song before they went and joined their friends off on the edge of the party. Finn slung an arm around Rachel's waist and pulled her against him. She snuggled into his side, curling one fist in his shirt. Their friends watched with amused, knowing looks on their faces, but Rachel and Finn just ignored them.

Finn was talking animatedly about the fireworks that would be set off later that night (it was pretty much his favorite part of the Fourth of July), when Rachel stretched up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He was just too adorable for her not to. Her lips lingered there, smiling when she heard Finn's breath catch.

Finn stopped talking abruptly and looked down at her, that half smile lifting his lips. He brushed her hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on the curve of her cheek. His calloused thumb tugged gently on her bottom lip, and she pursed her lips to kiss the pad of his thumb. Rachel beamed at him and he took her hand, leading her off to a slightly more secluded area so they could watch the fireworks.

Jake and Ryder had been nominated to remain sober and be in charge of the entertainment for the night. After a few minor mishaps, the fireworks were eventually set off. The crowd of college students and coworkers watched the display with amazement and awe.

Finn had sat on the ground, leaning against a large tree that was off to the side. Rachel settled herself between his legs, leaning against his broad chest. His arms were wrapped around her waist and her tiny hands were resting over his large ones.

Rachel tilted her head back to look at Finn. He smiled down at her, and Rachel stretched up, intent on kissing him. Finn seemed to have the same idea, as his lips moved towards hers and one of his hands came up to cup her cheek.

Just as their lips were about to touch, however, Finn pulled back. Rachel opened her eyes as tears suddenly came to them. She held them back when Finn didn't pull completely away from her; in fact, he kept his arm wrapped around her waist and his free hand against her cheek.

"Finn?" she whispered.

"Rachel…" Finn licked his lips. "I've wanted to kiss you since I've first met you. But we've been drinking tonight and I just want this to be something that we'll both remember without any haze. You deserve better than that, Rachel." As he spoke, his calloused thumb brushed back and forth on Rachel's cheek. She stared into his eyes and knew that he was being completely sincere.

"Really?" Rachel whispered.

Finn leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. Rachel's eyes drifted shut as his lips tenderly lingered against her skin. He really did like her, and he wanted to do this the right way.

When Rachel opened her eyes again, she saw that Finn was smiling down at her. "Really," he said.

Rachel beamed at him. "That's very chivalrous of you," she murmured. Another few moments passed with them just smiling at each other before she suddenly said, "Come back to my apartment with me." At the amused look on Finn's face, she added, "Not to do anything. Just to spend some time together."

Finn tightened his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. "That sounds great."

Once the fireworks were finished, Finn and Rachel didn't waste any time in going back to her apartment. Only when they were there did they realize how tired they were. Rachel disappeared into the bathroom to change into her pajamas while Finn stripped down to his boxers. She came out in a tiny pair of shorts and a tank top, and Finn took her hand and squeezed it when she came over to him.

They crawled into her bed, and Finn wrapped her arms around her as she rested her head against his chest. He traced soothing patterns on her back, and Rachel smiled as she felt sleep creep up on her.

This was the greatest feeling, better than anything she could have ever imagined. She loved being wrapped in Finn's arms. She felt secure and safe, and it made her feel like she could ask for the moon and Finn would give it to her without question. This was real.

The last thing she saw before she slipped into slumber was Finn's smiling face.


Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Awwww. Finchel went to a party and had lots of fun and ended up cuddling. I can't stay away from cute fluffy Finchel. I'm not even sorry about it.