A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews!
Chapter 7: What to wear
Rachel was in the cab on the way home thinking about the past twenty-four hours. Yesterday she didn't know Finn Hudson had ever thought twice about her and now no one could remove her from the euphoric state she had entered.
He really liked her.
Rachel had waited for Finn to come out of his anesthesia before letting go of his hand, which had not gone unnoticed by Burt or Carole. Rachel didn't care about the stares. Hearing Finn say her name was more than enough reason to justify staying at his bedside until he woke up.
Finn had woken up long enough to talk to the surgeon and the nurses about what to expect after he left the hospital. They were taking him home and Carole was making a list of things they would need like pain killers and soup for Finn when Rachel decided she needed a shower. Finn looked at her in a fog but asked if she would come over later to check on him and she agreed she would. Which is why she was mentally going through her closet and trying to think of something to wear.
Remembering her current fashion dilemma, Rachel decided to call Kurt while traffic came to a standstill.
"Are you my sister-in-law yet?"
Rachel was blushing even though Kurt couldn't see her through the phone.
"Nope. I am still single."
Kurt sing-songed a reply that had Rachel trying to remember how to breathe.
"Not for long! I saw the photo of you two this morning."
"What photo?"
Kurt laughed loudly.
"Burt took a photo of you sleeping on the big bear that is my brother. He sent it to me. Speaking of, does this call mean I am forgiven?"
Rachel sighed as she watched people walking by the cab. They looked like they were going places quicker than her cab was.
"Did you ask Burt to speak with me on your behalf?"
"He did what?"
Okay. So Kurt hadn't asked his father to smooth things over. Good to know.
"Burt had coffee with me this morning. He made me realize you were in a tough spot all along. I don't know what will happen with Finn, but I do know that our friendship is solid enough to survive. If you don't hold things back from me."
Kurt sighed as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I promise to not keep anything from you that doesn't betray someone else's confidence."
Rachel knew that was as good as she was getting.
"Good. Fashion emergency: what do you suggest I wear to Finn's to check on him tonight? Carole will be there. She insisted on taking care of him tonight."
Kurt began to laugh in Rachel's ear.
"I bet she did. You should know she is the picture of the doting mother. Was she mean to you?"
"Not mean, but not exactly a fan of mine."
"Don't take it personal. She is that way with everyone who is close to Finn."
"I'm trying."
"What do you want the outfit to scream? The picture showed you were still in your yoga clothes from yesterday. Walk of shame RBB. Shocking! Have I taught you nothing?"
"Kurt! You know I rushed there after showering at NYADA yesterday, and I didn't go home. Which is why I want to make a good impression tonight."
"How good? PG or you want Finn to think about the mailman all night?"
"The mailman?"
"Not my story to tell. You have to ask Finn. How about those black and white shorts with a black top? Maybe some flats to go along with it?"
"Should I wear flats? He's so tall already."
Kurt laughed, "He will be laying down in recovery. He may not even remember you being there. Go with comfort tonight."
Rachel could hear Blaine in the background asking if Kurt was ready to leave.
"Perfect suggestion. It sounds like you need to go."
"Yep. I want an update on how it goes. But none of the sexy time stuff."
Rachel laughed.
"Go before I remind you who it is you are talking to."
After the phone call Rachel felt better about her outfit selection and the night in general. She mapped out the address Burt had given her for Finn's condo knowing she would need another cab to get there.
Rachel leaned her head back and thought about the man with the most beautiful eyes as she waited to get home.
-#Finchel-
When Rachel entered the apartment she heard Quinn rambling on about some Urban Decay product. Rachel guessed she was vlogging which was even better so that Rachel wouldn't have to speak to her. Rachel grabbed her robe and towel before heading to the bathroom to take a shower.
Rachel had recently been waxed but found herself double checking that she didn't need to shave anywhere and smiled when she was able to wash her hair using her favorite products.
After Rachel dried and curled her hair she walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom where she was shocked to see Santana sitting on her bed.
Santana hadn't spoken to Rachel other than to insult her lately and Rachel really didn't feel like hearing it.
"Did you have fun at the hospital?"
Rachel turned and crossed her hands over her chest. Clearly Santana was going to do this now, with Rachel standing in her robe wanting to hurry up and get to Finn.
"I wouldn't call it fun seeing Finn hurt."
Santana stood and approached Rachel until she was a few inches away.
"Listen, Hobbit, I don't know what you think is going to happen there, but let me be the one to let you know, it won't happen."
Rachel was seething. What right did Santana have to ambush her like this?
"Santana, none of this is your concern. I didn't ask for your opinion, Finn didn't ask for your opinion. I'm not even sure what you have heard or where you got your information from, but stay out of this."
"This is what I do. Right now I am helping you see the light. You aren't right for him. Trust me, been there done that, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Oh but wait…you're still a virgin, right? Well Finn isn't. And while it gives me pleasure to think about someone bringing your holier than thou self down a peg, I will warn you that Finn Hudson doesn't do relationships."
Rachel wanted to scream. How dare Santana try to bully her about her lack of sexual experience?
"Thanks for the warning. It's been delivered. Get out of my room."
Santana barked back a laugh before stepping closer to Rachel.
"Listen, I tried to warn you. But oh well. Have fun with my sloppy seconds. Oh and I guess Quinn's sloppy seconds too."
Rachel's shock must have shown on her face because Santana's smile grew. Rachel thought of the Grinch, but then she didn't know what to say to the accusation Santana had thrown out there. Sensing Rachel's doubt Santana stopped smiling.
"You can ask anyone from Ohio. They'll tell you. We both had him. Remember this conversation when it doesn't work out."
Rachel didn't have to think of anything to say, Santana left the room.
Rachel sat on her bed, mulling over the idea that Finn had slept with Quinn and Santana. Rachel knew Santana was a lesbian, but Kurt had told Rachel that Santana had slept with boys before when they were younger.
Rachel wondered how long ago Finn had slept with them? Was it a one night stand? Rachel could never just be a one night stand with him.
Rachel picked up her phone to call Kurt when she saw the picture he had sent her of Finn holding her this morning.
Finn looked so happy. So gorgeous. His arms shielded Rachel's face from the camera, but she could see that even in her sleep she had clung to him.
Rachel heard Santana and Quinn laughing through her bedroom door. She got up and closed the door Santana had left open before going to the closet.
Rachel could do this. Couldn't she?
Rachel sat in front of her closet and looked at the floor for a bit. Why did Santana have to say all of that to her? How could she ever compare to Quinn and Santana? They oozed sensuality at any given day. All Rachel had was Jesse St. James and a few kisses here and there. Jesse's kiss wasn't even in the same league with Finn's.
If Rachel did go to see Finn now she would fall harder. What would happen when he got bored or when he realized she didn't know what the hell she was doing? Romance novels and Cosmo only taught so much.
She was always so awkward.
Rachel pulled her knees into her body and silently began to cry. Crying sounded like a good idea right about now.
-#Finchel-
At some point Rachel fell asleep on the floor. When she woke up she momentarily forgot where she was and looked at her alarm clock on the nightstand. It was nearly six p.m.. Kurt had called many times while she was asleep and she opened her text messages reading that he needed her to call him.
She also saw a text from an unsaved number .
I'm awake now if you want to come by. I hope you come by. I'd come to you but I'm stuck in bed. 1:12p.m.
Finn had texted hours ago.
Rach do you want to come over? I waited but I have to take a pain killer. My knee is hurting like a bitch. This is Finn in case you didn't know. 2:23 p.m.
She hadn't meant for him to think she didn't want to come over.
If you don't want to see me again then o.k. but can you let me know you got home safely? 4:52 p.m.
Oh no. How could Rachel have done this to Finn?
Rach Kurt said he found out you got home ok. Did my mom say something to you? Pls talk to me. 5:26 p.m.
Rachel's phone screen lit up with Kurt's name and picture.
"I fell asleep!"
"What? How did my seven calls not wake you up?"
"My phone was still on vibrate from the hospital and it was on the charger. I have like five messages from Finn."
"Yeah. I gave him your number after he wouldn't stop asking where you were. Finally Dad called and said Finn was denying pain meds until he knew you were okay. Which is why I called Santana. What did she say?"
Rachel had almost forgotten. Almost.
"He slept with Santana and Quinn? True or false."
"Do not Hunger Games me right now. Why did she want to tell you that?"
"So it's true?"
Kurt didn't say anything for a few seconds and Rachel knew it was true.
"Well, she informed me that my lack of sexual experience wouldn't be good enough for Finn. But not before adding that I would be having Quinn's sloppy seconds. He slept with Santana too? How am I supposed to compete with that?"
"Rachel Berry, you stop that right now. You want the full story on this one, you ask Finn. I will tell you that yes, they did sleep with him and I'm fully certain he regretted it. So get off your ass, go get your man. They knew Finn as a boy. He's grown up a lot since then and who the hell cares about you being a virgin? People auction up their virginity all the time. I read Fanfiction where the man always wants the virgin. It means no one else has been there. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and be proud that you aren't some slut who has banged the entire crew of a Broadway production."
Rachel listened to Kurt.
"But what about my nose? I practically have no boobs compared to Santana. And Quinn! Let's not get started on Barbie 3.0 "
"Rachel! Do you like my brother?"
Rachel didn't think like was the right word for how she felt about Finn.
"Yes."
"Well he likes you. And had Carole not been there he would probably be on his way to our place right now. Get up. Call him and then get in a cab and go to him tonight. You can figure the rest out after you get there."
Rachel nodded her head as if Kurt could see her.
"I'm calling him now."
Kurt didn't even say goodbye when he ended the call.
Rachel took a deep breath and called the number beside the text message. Finn picked up instantly.
"Rachel?"
"Hi Finn."
"Rachel are you okay?"
Rachel felt like such a horrible person for falling asleep.
"Finn, I'm really sorry. I fell asleep after my shower. My ringer was off and as soon as I woke up I got your messages."
Finn sounded relieved.
"Oh."
"Finn, are you feeling okay?"
"I'm okay now that I know you don't hate me or something."
Rachel did feel terrible about all of this.
"I don't think I could ever hate you."
"Me neither."
The words were spoken in Finn's deep voice and she wanted to ask him to say it again.
"Is it too late to come over?"
"Not at all. Have you had dinner?"
Rachel's stomach growled. She was starving.
"No. I fell asleep and forgot to eat."
Finn chuckled a little.
"How do you forget to eat? I think about food, a lot. Like a lot a lot."
Rachel giggled into the phone.
"Rach, can I send a driver for you?"
"No, Finn, that's not necessary. I can take a cab. Burt gave me the address."
"Babe, I have one on call. Just let me do this for you."
Rachel stopped breathing the moment Finn Hudson called her 'babe.'
"Rach?"
"Yeah, sorry. Okay if you want to. It shouldn't take long for me to get dressed. Maybe fifteen minutes?"
Finn sounded extremely happy.
"I'll text you the details when I put the call in. Also, do you like pizza? I kind of want pizza but I can get something else if you want."
"Pizza sounds great."
"Veggie pizza?"
Rachel loved that he was so considerate and remembered details about her.
"Yes, but I can eat whatever you want if you want."
"Rach, stop. I'll get both. Texting you as soon as I know when the driver will be there."
"Thank you, Finn."
There was a long pause before Finn spoke again.
"See ya in a few."
Rachel laughed as she noted that he had ended the call without her saying goodbye. Men.
Rachel quickly found her houndstooth short s and her black long sleeve sweater. It was time to grow up and take some chances.
It was time to get her man.
