Rachel found herself once again escorted from Noah's truck with Noah on her left and Santana on her right. She surmised they both were nervous, as the closer they came to the doors leading toward the ballroom, the tighter their grip on her hands became.

She wanted to be supportive; really she did. However, she wasn't quite sure how to accomplish such a thing without posing problems with one or the other: Noah obviously wanted to impress their peers with two attractive girls, so it would have made the most sense for Santana to walk on one arm and herself to take the other. However, the Latina wanted to have just Rachel around, apparently (if the episode at Breadstix was any indication) as both a means of making Brittany jealous and as moral support; which would have been best achieved without the mowhawked boy's presence. Therefore, the tiny brunette found herself caught in the compromise of simply allowing them to constantly sandwich her, gripping her tightly as both attempted to lay claim.

Her first pleasant surprise of the night (that didn't involve getting through the evening without things going horribly horribly wrong) came when they walked through the doors and heard a set of familiar voices singing the last chords of Plain White T's Rhythm of Love. She looked up and realized it was none other than…the Warblers! Rachel had barely made it through the front door when she was accosted by Kurt, Mercedes, and Tina's embrace as they excitedly squealed over the appearance of their former rivals. Rachel happily greeted Mike, Sam (escorting Mercedes for the night), and Blaine (apparently excused from his vocal obligations in order to attend the dance with Kurt) as they approached the three newcomers. Of course instantly the girls (and Kurt) started fawning over each other, and by the side conversation the boys were having, it was not the first time that night.

Santana was quickly bored after the girls finished complimenting her, and dragged both Rachel and Noah to a table before dropping the boy's hand and stating, "We're going to dance."

The Latina dragged out the diva and they started a sultry give-and-take as the Dalton boys started up Ke$ha's We R Who We R, and it wasn't long before the rest of the girls (and Kurt) were out on the floor with them.

The boys came up behind them, and though Rachel could feel Noah's breath on her neck and his fingers grazing up her sides (which she didn't deny caused her to shiver just a little), she felt a wave of happiness course through her as she watched Santana jumping around with all of them, her hand firmly in the brunettes, singing along with a genuine smile as she lost herself in the music.

The next hour and a half was quite a balancing act. She made an effort to dance with Noah consistently (he was her date after all), and the girls (including Quinn, who showed up twenty minutes after the rest) all rotated through the boys (although Kurt was quick to steal back Blaine any time any song slower than 90 beats per minute began to play). However Santana was very possessive, and always stole back Rachel before she'd been away more than three songs, as well as keeping her close for all group dances.

It was about eleven o'clock, just before the announcement of King and Queen, when things began to fall apart.

Noah had excused himself to get a drink (there was an open non-alcoholic bar just beyond the dance floor), leaving Santana and Rachel to themselves just as the Warblers started up a new number.

There she goes

There she goes again

Racing through my brain

And I just can't contain

This feeling that remains…

The brunette recognized the song as a cover of the La's, and she and her dark-haired partner slowed to a sway as the Warblers continued to sing.

It was then she realized that the Latina had begun to grip her harder, and her breathing had become slightly unbalanced. Rachel attempted to pull away in order to get a better look at the girl, but she found Santana had a firm grip on her, her fingers grasping her skin tightly.

There she blows

There she blows again

Pulsing through my veins

And I just can't contain

This feeling that remains…

The smaller girl tried to squeeze the other's arm, tried to comfort her in any way possible given her limited mobility, but just as soon as it had begun, Santana instantly released the diva, flitting away toward the bathrooms, ducking her head in a desperate attempt to hide the tears forming behind her eyes.

Rachel whirled to where her date had been facing, and sure enough was Brittany, still standing frozen on the edge of the dance floor, not even noticing Artie as he wheeled towards her with a Shirley Temple in hand.

There she goes, there she goes again
She calls my name,

Pulls my train
No one else could heal my pain

"Is she okay?" Kurt slipped behind the brunette, snapping her out of the staring contest with the blonde. When the petite girl shook her head slightly, Kurt's gaze followed her to the floor. "Poor thing," he muttered, taking her hand as they rocked back and forth not really in time. "I wondered when something like this might happen."

"I couldn't conceive where to even begin to help her," Rachel told him softly. "I sort of understand, but not enough, I suppose." She looked up at Brittany, now dancing with Artie (though her gaze kept shifting toward the bathrooms) and sighed.

Kurt followed her eyes, pausing before suggesting, "I'm not an expert or anything, but perhaps I could offer a few words in such a situation?"

Rachel's eyes met his, and she could feel the sparkle as she smiled in gratitude. She hugged him tightly, whispering her thanks and watching him wander toward the girl's room.

There she goes (there she goes again)

There she goes (there she goes again)

There she goes (there she goes again)…

"Can I cut in?" a deep voice murmured, and Rachel smiled as she felt Noah's strong hands encase her own. She nodded, and they transitioned into a slower, closer rhythm as David, Wes, Jeff, and Nick came together to sing "I Swear"

"Kind of lame playlist," he murmured in her ear.

"Noah," she chided softly. "It's Prom, not a competition. The point is to enjoy the sentiment."

"Fine," he agreed, pulling her closer into his chest. She always loved the feeling of his arms around her, and his chest was solid; it made her feel safe.

They rocked back and forth for most of the song in silence, his head resting lightly on top of hers as she buried her face in his chest.

She felt something catch the mowhawked boy's eye as his head tilted up and away from hers. "Is San going to be okay?" he asked softly.

"I hope so," Rachel replied. She didn't feel it was her place to divulge the details of Santana's personal life, and so they fell back into silence.

As the song came to an end, she looked up to meet his eyes. "Thank you," she told him sincerely.

"What kind of date would I be if I didn't dance one slow song with you tonight?" he replied, shrugging.

She shook her head. "No, I mean, thank you for asking me," she clarified. "I know that you were just looking for a replacement for Lauren, but it means a lot that you thought I was worth second choice, and that you've been relatively compassionate about Santana."

"You know Rache," he told her, his lips curling up into a half smile. "I'm kind of glad Zizes broke up with me. It's been fun here with you, even if San's been hogging you all night. In fact, you know—"

"Rachel!" A whirl of blonde and Quinn was standing beside them. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Noah snorted. "We're in the middle of the fucking dance floor, Q—how hard did you look?"

Quinn arched her eyebrows. "I guess I expected you to be-ahem- dancing elsewhere," she said pointedly, causing Rachel's face to fall into a puzzled expression. The blonde smirked, continuing as she grabbed the brunette's hand "Anyways, it's almost time for the announcement and you're up for the first dance." And with that she pulled her away.

Rachel had completely forgotten that she'd convinced Mr. Schue that one of the New Directions should sing for the winning King and Queen's first dance. She hadn't personally vied for the part, but she was pleased to accept the honor of duetting with Thad when it was offered. Now she was dreading it, because by the malicious smile on the blonde's face, she had a terrible feeling she already knew who had won.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Figgins called out haltingly into the microphone, attempting to quiet down the masses.

"Oh and by the way," Quinn whispered gleefully. "Puck's been bragging all week about the room he has rented upstairs. It's been circling about you and Santana and him the whole night. Congrats on making rebound to the Queen Teen Cellulite."

"Your king and queen, Finn Hudson and Quinn Fabray!"

Quinn's face instantly flipped into a surprised ecstasy as she walked onto the stage opposite Finn in order to accept their crowns. Her perfectly manicured fingers dabbed lightly at her eyes to wipe away any tears, and then pressed against her lips, her bouquet, her crown, as she expressed her appreciation and thanks to the entire student body over and over again.

"And now, to perform a duet with the Dalton Academy Warblers for the King and Queen's first dance together as royalty, Glee Club's Co-Captain, Ms. Rachel Berry!" Figgins continued, and Rachel took a deep breath as she strode onto the stage.

She knew Quinn was trying to hurt her; to break her. She'd dealt an impeccable blow too—the double whammy of linking herself to Finn via class vote and declaring Noah's true intentions right before a performance would have destroyed any normal girl. But Rachel Barbara Berry was not any normal girl.

She listened as a slow intro played to a Rolling Stones song. She saw the spotlight come down on the perfect couple, and she began to sing.

Childhood living is easy to do

The things you wanted, I bought them for you

As she took a breath for the next verse, she heard footsteps join her center stage, and watched gaping as not Thad, but Noah moved towards her and began to sing.

Graceless lady, you know who I am

You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses, couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away

He walked out to her, taking her hand, and Rachel watched his hazel eyes as they reflected an honest belief in what he was saying. She continued their duet

Oh, oh

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain

Now you decided to show me the same

Noah never took his eyes off of her, and Rachel wondered how she'd never noticed how good he'd been to her. Not just the plans he'd helped her with (however ill-conceived), but how he'd walked with her proudly when they'd dated, how he'd stuck up for her when the team was against her, how he'd maybe never said it, but that he appreciated her in a way that she wondered if anyone else did. After all, here he was, in what he had to know was one of her hardest moments, singing next to her whether she needed him or not.

No sweeping exits or offstage lines

Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind

She belted out the chorus then, wondering if her eyes held the same glitter when they performed that the boy's next to her seemed to—how did she never notice that?

Baby wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

As he entered into the final verse, he smiled softly at her, and she couldn't help but return the gesture, taking his hand.

I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie, oh

I have my freedom, but I don't have much time

She listened closely to his words (or the Stones, she guessed), and she wondered if it would be so bad. She knew she'd promised herself that she'd wait until she was 25, and that it would be romantic and special, but sleeping with Noah on Prom night didn't seem like an awful proposition. He seemed to genuinely care for her (to the extent that anyone seemed to be able to); and Prom was a special time; and a hotel room seemed kind of romantic. She'd have to be certain he'd brought protection, obviously—just because she was veering slightly off course didn't mean she was willing to throw away the map.

Faith has been broken, tears have been cried

Let's do some living before we die

Rachel, staring into his eyes at that moment, decided that Noah Puckerman was special, and maybe that was enough. She gripped his hand and let him twirl her into his chest as they harmonized the final chorus.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild horses, we will ride them someday

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…

They broke apart, eyes still locked, barely hearing the scattered applause and not even noticing the Golden Couple taking a bow just below them.


A/N: The thing that Puck didn't see, and the incident that Rachel refers to regarding Santana, will be addressed in the next chapter- I promise. Be patient.

A/N: Songs performed include The La's There She Goes, and Alicia Keyes and Adam Levine's cover of the Rolling Stone's Wild Horses