"And when her lips met mine, I knew that I could live to be a hundred and visit every country in the world, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when I first kissed the girl of my dreams and knew that my love would last forever." -Dear John


Rachel stood in front of the St. James theater, staring at the door. Rehearsals in progress, closed to the public. Rachel had passed by any theaters before and longed to see what was happening behind those doors. For the first time in her life, she would be the one behind the doors and have other people wonder what was happening.

As she stood there, Rachel had flashbacks to the first day of high school. She'd been nervous and in the seven hours she'd spent at William McKinley High School, she'd been hit in the face with a grape slushie from 7-11, had her lunch shoved into her face by a junior cheerleader, and missed the bus and spent an hour walking home in the rain. She prayed her first day of rehearsals went better than that.

The guard posted outside the door nodded at her as she pushed open the door and walked inside the theater. The conversation, which had been at a dull roar moments earlier, stopped when she appeared. Everything went silent, giving Rachel the impression they had all been talking about her. The silence was broken by Dustin, the slightly eccentric director.

"Ah, our Satine is here!" he crowed and the excited chatter started up once again. Rachel looked around, seeing most of the cast already there. Figures she would be the last to arrive on her first day. She felt a little out of place. Almost everyone else in the cast seemed to know at least a few more people. They'd all been in other productions unlike her. She felt very out of place.

Kitty, still not willing to talk about whatever happened in Paris, had harassed Rachel as soon as she walked into the kitchen dressed for rehearsals. Rachel had on a typical outfit for her. A knee length floral skirt with a matching sweater and knee high socks, a pair of sensible Mary Janes on her feet.

"Rach, you know I adore you, but you look like a toddler. Is that really the message you want to send to your new coworkers on your first day with them? Sex it up. Go steal a pair of my jeans and put a tight top with it. Show them you are Satine."

Rachel had rejected her advice, but was starting to wish she had taken it. She noticed a few of the actresses in the ensemble were looking at her and snickering, obviously at what she was wearing. She felt the self-conscious teenager in her coming back and moved towards the side, trying her best not to be seen.

Riley, the Christian to her Satine, was not letting that happen. He placed an arm around her shoulders and brought her into the group he had been standing with moments earlier. "Rachel, great to see you again. I wanted to introduce you to a few people. This is Miguel and Cameron. And then of course, I'm sure you know who David is."

Rachel felt herself getting a little star struck when she laid eyes upon David Patrick Kelly. She'd seen Once on stage more times than she could remember, and she remembered meeting him afterwards and getting his autograph. The fact that she was going to be working with him now was more than exciting.

"Now now," Dustin said, clapping his hands and drawing attention to himself. "I know you are all anxious to catch up with old friends and former costars, but we have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it. Previews start in two months, so I expect all of you to eat, breathe, and eat this show. Tell your spouses, significant others, and family members you won't be spending much time with them because until opening night, your asses are mine."

Rachel's eyes widened a bit as Dustin went over how they were not to discuss anything that happened during rehearsals, not even with their priest or rabbi during confession. Okay, he was slightly insane, but he had the reputation of being one of the best directors around. She supposed he'd earned the right to be a bit eccentric.

Riley leaned over towards her, his lips resting by her ear. "Don't pay any attention to him. He talks a big game, but he won't actually kill you. Maybe just maim you a bit," he joked, noting her pale face.

Dustin had the group gather in a large circle where they did a full read through of the script. Just from that, Rachel was relieved to discover she and Riley had amazing chemistry. She could tell at least their scenes were going to be phenomenal in the finished product.

Once they'd read through everything, Dustin had then break off into smaller groups so they could begin working on developing chemistry. Of course, that meant Rachel and Riley were placed together, Dustin instructing them to get to know one another so their love scenes would appear authentic. She made a mental note to use some of this with Puck at the wedding.

Rachel and Riley took a seat in the front row of the audience, facing one another as they began chatting. Rachel saw Dustin harassing some of the ensemble members and was thankful his attention had finally drifted from her.

"So, what do you think of Dustin so far?" Riley asked, looking at her with an amused expression.

"He is a bit...intense," she said, pausing to find the right word.

"That he is, but he's the best. If you want a chance to win a Tony, he's your guy," Riley promised. "Okay, so tell me a bit about yourself. What's your deepest, darkest secret?" He laughed, catching sight of her confused expression. "I'm just pulling your leg. Just fill me in on you and your background."

"Well, obviously I am Rachel Berry. Twenty-seven year old Ohio native. Since graduating, I have been doing my best to land a role, and after nearly four years, I have finally done it. I am thrilled to be working on this show with such a talented cast."

"Boyfriend?"

Rachel nodded her head, figuring she might as well keep up the facade. "He is a high school teacher. He has been very supportive for the one month I have been dating him," she giggled. "What about you?"

"Two Tony nominations but no wins. Native New Yorker. Die hard Mets fan, though I'm often ashamed to admit it. Been married six years with two kids who are more demanding than Dustin. As much as I wish I called the shots, my wife runs the ship. Which reminds me, she'll be wanting you and your boyfriend to come over to our place and have dinner or something. She always likes to meet my leading lady and her significant other before rehearsals get too crazy."

"Uh, I will have to check with Noah's schedule. But that sounds lovely. We would be delighted to." She doubted Puck would be opposed to a free meal. "So, are you excited to be the one to bring Christian to life on stage?"

"Yes and no. I'm thrilled to be a part of this production, but also scared shitless. There's huge expectations for us, and I don't want to fuck this up. I've seen people's careers ruined over a single bad performance. And, since I can't see myself doing anything else with my life, I'd really hate for that to happen to me."

Rachel nodded her head in agreement. "I completely understand. I knew I was going to be on Broadway from the moment I could sing, and I would hate for that to be ruined after my first performance. We will just have to ensure we kick ass then."

"That we will," Riley agreed, glancing at the clock. The cast had been at the theater nearly eight hours and both he and Rachel were anxious to leave. No actual rehearsing started the first day. It was always a day of read throughs and building chemistry with the other cast members.

"Alright," Dustin the director announced, addressing the entire company. "I know you lot are tired and want to get home to your spouses or significant others or fuck buddies, but I want to make a few announcements before you scatter. First, congratulations for being chosen to work for an extremely talented and good-looking director." Everyone let out a laugh, though Rachel wasn't sure if he was joking or being serious. "Secondly, for those of you who are new to working with me, I'm very strict about being on time. So unless you want to be locked out of rehearsals until lunch, get here on time. And finally, I know you all love your coffee, but if any of you bring a cup into my theater, I'll throw it and you out the door. Now get your rest. We're going to start on the choreography tomorrow."

Rachel grabbed her bag off the ground and pulled her phone out, sending a quick text to Finn, informing him she'd be a little late, then started heading out of the theater and towards the nearest Subway stop.

"Rachel!" She turned and spotted Cameron Murphy trying to catch up with her. Cameron was playing her other romantic interest and the show's main villain, the Duke. "Hey, sorry I didn't get much of a chance to talk to you back there. I guess the chemistry between you and Riley is more important," he laughed.

Rachel smiled as she nodded. "I suppose so. The two of us do share an exorbitant amount of love scenes, after all. It is a pleasure to meet you, though," she said, taking his hand and shook it a few times.

"So uh, you busy right now? I thought it might be nice to get to know the leading lady and the girl I'm going to have to make very uncomfortable for multiple scenes."

"Actually, I have to run. My very good friend is the director of a high school glee club, and I promised him I would give them a talk. I have been putting it off, and today is their last day of school, so I guess I have to do it today. Maybe another time?" she suggested with a helpful smile.

Cameron's face lit up and he nodded. "Yeah, great. We'll grab coffee after rehearsal one day," he said before giving her a wave and headed off in the opposite direction of her.

Rachel pulled out her phone as she walked, sending a text to Noah with a smile on her face.

I think my costar just tried to ask me out. Looks like you have some competition ;-)

The reply was almost instantaneous, as if he was staring at his phone, waiting for her to contact him all day.

Jeez, doesn't he know you're fake-dating an extremely attractive high school teacher who may or may not be a real-life Heisenberg?

Rachel placed a hand over her mouth as she started to giggle, reading over his response a few times. She couldn't recall ever being so amused by a text Sam had sent her. For that matter, none of her ex's ever send her amusing texts, just quick and to the point. It was nice having someone besides Kurt to converse with on a daily basis.

Obviously not. You are just going to have to set him straight. Want to hear something funny?

Your face.

Hilarious. Never heard that one before.

I'm just kidding. Please, tell me this very funny thing. I'm on the edge of my seat dying of anticipation.

Rachel had made it down the stairs and onto the platform, waiting for the next subway train to arrive. Luckily, she still had a single bar left on her phone, meaning she could continue her conversation with Noah until it went away.

I am heading over to your school as we speak.

What, you miss me so much that you felt the need to stalk me where I work?

Jerk. Not talking to you again.

There. That would teach him for being a smartass. Her phone beeped again a moment after she'd sent the message to him.

I'm sorry beautiful, talented, amazing Rachel. Please, can you ever forgive me?

I'm just joking. We both know you can't go two seconds without talking to me. And you won't leave a text unanswered because it's 'rude'. Face it babe, you're hooked on Puckzilla. No need to deny it.

Rachel walked through the doors and onto the train, her face going red as she read Puck's text to her. She clicked her phone off, taking a seat next to the door, riding the train for a few minutes before it came to her stop.

Rachel stepped off the train and hitched her bag over her shoulder, tucking her phone into the side pocket of the bag. She heard her phone buzz a few times during her walk from subway station to the school. She paused at the front doors, staring up at the American flag blowing in the wind, bringing her back to her own high school days. The only good things about them had been Kurt and Finn, which was the only reason, she was willingly setting foot in a high school again.

She'd hated high school from the moment it started. She went to school with the same people she'd gone to school with her whole life, the same people who had hated her all those years. It wasn't as though they were going to change now that they were in high school together. High school for Rachel had been one slushie in the face followed by another, and she had celebrated the day she received her diploma.

Rachel pushed the double doors open and strolled down the main hall of the school, recalling Finn's instructions on how to get to the classroom where the glee club held rehearsals. She passed by a few rooms, seeing teachers sitting behind desks busy grading papers. None of them appeared to be science labs, which meant she was probably not going to see Puck while she was here. She tried to convince herself she wasn't disappointed by that fact.

Rachel took a left down another hall and came to a stop outside a classroom, light music flowing from the doorway. She could hear a few students singing while the rest were giggling about something. Taking a deep breath, Rachel knocked on the door a few times before walking inside.

There were murmurs and a few squeals of excitement as she walked up to the drum set where Finn was sitting, not having noticed her appearance yet. "Boo,"she teased, placing her hands over his eyes.

The music faltered and Finn turned his head, peeling her hands away as he got a good look at her. "Rach! You made it!" he laughed, leaping to his feet as though it had been months since he'd seen her, not days. "I though you'd chickened out," he teased.

"Please," she scoffed. "If I can take on senior Broadway stars, I can take on your devil students," she joked, casting a look around the room. There were fourteen students with about an even mix of boys and girls. Some looked to be seniors while others appeared to be finishing their freshman year.

"Alright you lot, take a seat and have a listen to my oldest and most famous friend. And I do mean oldest," he laughed.

"Hey!" she accused while all the kids headed over to their chairs."You are a year older than me." She hopped onto the lid of the piano, facing the fourteen faces who were eager to hear what advice she had for them. "Okay, since Finn probably did not give me a proper introduction before I arrived since he lacks proper manners, my name is Rachel Berry, diva extraordinaire and female star of 'Moulin Rouge!', which everyone should come to see at the St. James theater when it opens September 22nd."

"Alright, alright. When you're done shamelessly plugging your show, you want to give my kids some useful advice or just sit here and look pretty?"

"I like the second option," she teased, to which a male student muttered he liked that one too, causing Rachel to blush. "Okay, so I promised Mr. Hudson I would give you all some worldly advice about following your dreams. I will start by saying I am jealous of each and everyone one of you. I was in college by the time I made it to New York. So, for all you future Broadway stars like me, that is half the battle." She crossed her legs at the ankles, swinging them back and forth. "Okay, now which of you are graduating?"

Three girls raised their hands. One was tall and pale with pink hair, one short and blonde, and the last had brown hair and glasses.

"So why don't you three tell me your names, where you are going to school, and what you want to do with your lives?"

The blonde stood up, straightening out a blouse Rachel was positive was designer. She needed Kurt or Kitty here to tell her which designer it was. "I'm Katie Wallace." From the moment Katie opened her mouth, Rachel wanted run a screwdriver through her own ear. Her voice was nasally and annoying. "I'm going to UCLA in California, and I want to be a singer. Like, on the radio." Rachel envisioned her as a future Britney Spears, and saw her making a lot of money in the future that way.

The more punk-looking one stood up, towering over the rest of the students. "I'm Jena Gordino, I'll be at the Royale Ballet Dance Studio in London in a few weeks, so obvi that's what I want to do with my life."

The shyer, nerdier looking girl rose to her feet, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My name is Lisa Nogle, I'm going to Princeton, and I see myself writing plays and becoming a famous author. Though, my father thinks that's impractical so I'll most likely end up going to med school and becoming a doctor like him and my mother."

Rachel gave all three girls a smile and thanked them for sharing. "I am going to give everyone in this room some advice I got when I was a freshman in high school. Never give up on your dream, even if you just want to bake creme bruele like Zeke from High School Musical." That earned her a few laughs from the students. "I guess what I really mean is, even if it seems impossible, keep trying or you will kick yourself later for giving up. I went to 327 auditions before I landed this role. It seemed impossible and I thought I was never going to get a part. But I stuck with it and now I am starring alongside Riley Walters."

A few girls giggled and blushed at the mention of her costar. Riley was a big deal on Broadway. He'd already won two Tonys and was probably going to be nominated for a third after the show premiered. He'd mentioned earlier that after everyone of his shows, the stage door was mobbed with women wanting pictures with him. No wonder why his wife was a little overprotective of him.

"Okay, now that I have given you all my one cheesy piece of advice, I have gotten permission from Mr. Hudson to perform something for you." She took a seat at the piano. "As much as it may shock you, I am not just a trained monkey who sings what she is told. I write my own songs and keep them in a notebook hidden in my room. It is very rare for me to actually sing them for other people, so you all should feel very special."

He left no time to regret
Kept his dick wet
With his same old safe bet
Me and my head high
And my tears dry
Get on without my guy

You went back to what you knew
So far removed from all that we went through
And I tread a troubled track
My odds are stacked
I'll go back to black

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

I go back to us

Rachel hunched over the piano, moving her head to the music as her fingers danced over the keys, the melody and her voice filling the wing of the school. The door opened and a few teachers snuck in, taking a seat behind all the students as they watched Rachel perform.

I love you much
It's not enough
You love blow and I love puff
And life is like a pipe
And I'm a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

Black, black, black, black, black, black, black,
I go back to...
I go back to...

Puck had been wandering down the hall, finished writing his final exam and trying to find something else to do. He figured he'd stop by the glee club's room in hopes of catching Rachel when he heard music. Curious, he'd quietly opened the door and found Rachel sitting at the piano, looking fully engrossed in the song she was singing. She didn't seem to notice anyone else was even in the room with her.

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black

Applause filled the room once Rachel finished, her hands drifting off the keys and back into her lap. Most of the songs she'd written recently were inspired by her breakup with Sam, and Back to Black was no different. She'd actually written it not long after finding out from the drummer in Sam's band that he and Chelsea had been having an affair for almost six months before Rachel caught them.

"Alright, you guys are dismissed. Anyone who has questions for Ms. Berry can come up to the front and talk to her on your way out. To my students, I'll see you at your final. Everyone else, have a great summer."

Finn watched as a line formed in front of Rachel, many of the girls asking her questions and wanting her autograph. He chuckled before making his way over to Puck who seemed to be waiting for her as well. "I seem to remember you saying nothing on earth could make you step foot in the show choir room," he joked.

"Well, that's because I never realized how awesome show choir is," he answered, his eyes on Rachel as she took a picture with a few girls, waving to them as they headed out of the room.

"Could you be anymore obvious?" Finn teased, punching him in the shoulder. Rachel was now talking with two girls who were in Puck's seventh period class, laughing at something the one girl had said.

"What?" he asked, rubbing his shoulder where Finn had punched it, his eyes never straying from Rachel. She hadn't seemed to notice he was even here yet, too occupied by all the students begging for her attention.

"Nothing," Finn teased, still grinning at Puck. He hadn't seen him look at a girl like that ever. Even when he'd been with Tina, he'd never stared at her from across the room like he was looking at Rachel right now. He just hoped Puck didn't turn into a giant asshole when he finally realized he was head over heels for Rachel like he tended to do. When he and Tina had first started dating, he'd stopped calling her for almost a week when things started getting serious. She ended up forgiving, but Finn really didn't want to see Puck act like a dick to Rachel because he was emotionally retarded.

Rachel snapped another picture with one of his students, waving to her as she left the room with a wide smile on her face.

"So, did you invite her to beer and wing night yet?" Finn asked.

"Why would I do that?"

Finn rolled his eyes. "Dude. Anytime one of us gets a new chick, we have to approve. You know, just to make sure she isn't too high maintenance or anything. I mean, no girl can be your girlfriend until she gets the committee's stamp of approval. Remember when Rory had to kick Anna to the curb because she was a total cunt to Artie?"

"Yeah, but Rachel's your friend. She doesn't count."

"Sure she does. She doesn't know any of the other guys, so she has to get their approval too. Invite her. Hell, she can even bring super bitch if she wants." Rachel looked up, arching her brow as she spotted Puck who was clearly waiting for her. "Anyways, Elsa's in town for the week so it'll give her someone to talk to besides Joe all night. Invite her or I will," he threatened as Rachel made her way over to the two, her bag slung over her shoulder.

"What, are you stalking me now or something?" she joked.

"This is my place of employment. If anything, you're stalking me," Puck joked, leaning down to give her a hug. Rachel felt her cheeks heat up as he embraced her, thankful Puck wasn't looking at her face as it happened.

"Right, well I need to be heading home. I have had a long day of rehearsals and have another long day tomorrow to look forward to."

"Here, I'll walk you out," Puck offered, flipping Finn off as he made kissing faces at Rachel's back. The two of them headed down the hall, heading to Puck's classroom first. "Let me just grab my briefcase and I'll walk you home," he offered.

"But Greenwich Village is out of your way," Rachel insisted.

"I don't mind," Puck said, refusing to admit that the reason he didn't mind was because he wanted to spend some time with her without other people hovering over his shoulder and dissecting everything he did.

The two made their way to the subway stop and boarded the train headed towards Greenwich Village. Rachel took a seat while Puck stood in front of her, grasping the bar so he wouldn't fall over.

"So, first day of rehearsals. How did it go?" he asked as the train started moving.

"It was not bad," she said, her bag sitting on her lap as she looked up at him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I spent most of the time getting to know my male lead, then got asked out by the other male lead as I was heading over to the school."

"Was he disappointed when you told him you were unavailable on account of your extremely attractive boyfriend?"

"Well, not exactly. I was already running late so I just gave that as an excuse. Next time I will give the boyfriend who pretends to be a drug lord as one," she laughed.

"Hey, I never claimed to be a drug lord, just a meth producer. Jeez Berry, get it right," he laughed, kicking her lightly with his foot as the train moved along the tracks, getting closer to Rachel's stop.

"Sorry for confusing your illegal activities. My mistake," she laughed, grabbing onto his hip as the train lurched to the side, her being sent with it. Once more, Rachel felt her face heat up due to her close proximity to Puck. She shrank back into her seat, mumbling an apology.

Eventually, the train pulled into her stop. Puck extended his hand to her, pulling Rachel to her feet. She pulled her bag on her back and the two of them headed out of the subway, arguing about what tie he should wear to the wedding.

"I don't care what people think, real men definitely do not wear pink," he said in response to Rachel insisting his tie match her dress. "Why can't I just go with a simple black or grey tie? That would look fine with your dress. Anyways, if I wear a pink tie that just reminds me of prom and girls insisting their dates coordinate their ties with the dresses and the corsages and everything else."

Rachel rolled her eyes as they made their way up the stairs. "Oh fine. I suppose black or grey will look okay. The wedding is a week from Saturday, so we are going to be leaving Thursday night. Finn is renting a car and the four of us are going to drive overnight so we get to Lima in the morning."

"Four?" Puck asked as they took a left.

"Sure. You, me, Finn, and Quinn. She gets back from the Ukraine on Monday, so she will be able to come to the wedding too."

"Back for good?" Puck asked.

"I do not know," Rachel admitted. "You will have to ask her that." The two came to a stop outside of Rachel's building, Rachel looking up at it. "Well, thank you for walking me home. It was very chivalrous of you." She smiled up at him.

"Oh, shit. I was supposed to ask you if you're busy Thursday night."

Rachel shook her head. "As far as I know I am not."

"Well, the guys and I always have wing and beer night, and Finn is insisting you come. See, anytime one of us starts dating someone, she has to get everyone else's approval. And, since they all think we're really dating, you need to get the approval. You can even bring Kitty if she feels like being social."

Rachel laughed a little. "We would be honored to come. I assume you will send me the location where this wing and beer night will be?"

"Naturally." Puck watched Rachel reach into her bag and pull out her keys, getting ready to head inside. "Wait," he said, grabbing her arm gently. "I gotta do this now before I don't and regret it." With that, he dipped his head down and placed his lips on hers. Rachel felt herself melt against his lips, but before she could fully register what was happening, his lips were off hers and he was gone, leaving Rachel standing in front of her building feeling very confused.

She headed inside and made her way upstairs, trying to figure out what had just happened. She headed down her hall, hearing her phone beep just as she reached her door. She pulled her phone out as she pushed her keys into her door, reading the text she had just received.

See you Thursday, babe.

Rachel felt butterflies form in her stomach and walked inside the apartment, realizing Thursday couldn't come soon enough.