Here's the post-performance chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Some of you maybe have noticed that I changed the rating to 'm' and it's solely because of language.

I own nothing.

Rachel threw her cowboy hat in her duffel bag along with her school clothes. Noah walked out from the changing area still dressed in his cowboy attire sans hat as well. The two of them appraised each other and laughed as they waited for Mike and Sam to finish changing. Mike was the first to emerge with a thumbs up. They all started laughing again when Sam walked out wearing normal clothes and his cowboy hat. He took a look at the others and smirked.

"I told you guys that cowboys kick ass." He said simply before leading them out of the room.

"Those short shorts more than make up for the lack of tiny skirts lately Berry." Puck whispered in Rachel's ear as he dropped his arm around her shoulders.

"I'll have to keep that in mind Noah," She said giggling at his Puck-ish compliment. "Have I ever mentioned that I find something incredibly attractive about cowboys?"

Sam turned to Rachel and tipped his hat at her and she giggled when Noah shoved him lightly into a locker.

"She was talking about me Sammy boy."

"That's what you think." Sam said as he ran into the choir room laughing.

They followed Sam into the choir room to another loud round of applause and appreciation. Santana walked over and pushed Puck out of her way before pulling Rachel close.

"Berry, have I ever told you how hot I find you? Now that you're single..." She trailed off with a suggestive smile.

Rachel looked at Noah's awestruck face and said she'd keep her offer in mind.

"So. Hot." Noah breathed out with hazy eyes before wrapping his arm around Rachel again and pulling her to their seats in the front row. Rachel giggled at his reaction and turned her attention to Mr. Schuester who had stepped up to the front. Puck settled his arm around the back of her chair and lightly played with her curls.

"Great performance guys! I loved the amount of work you put into it. Your energy was fantastic and the chemistry was palpable. Most importantly, the four of you looked like you were having the time of your lives. I have no critiques." He said over the sound of more cheers and high-fiving.

"I really enjoyed it Diva! Who came up with the concept?" asked Kurt.

"It's obvious isn't it?" Mercedes began angrily. "Only Rachel would think up a song and dance with three guys panting after her as she acted like a whore on stage."

"Mercedes! That's completely uncalled for!" Mr Schuester replied with volume.

"She's not wrong Mr. Schue. She obviously only did this to make me jealous." Finn said as he scowled over at Rachel who looked as if she might cry. His scowl deepened when he saw Puck's grip tighten on her shoulder as he flipped Finn the bird.

"Actually, I choreographed the song." Mike spoke up from his seat at the back.

Everyone's attention turned to the normally shy dancer.

"She uh, called me the other night. She asked me to help her with a project for Glee. I figured she would want to make Finn jealous. But when I got there she was hanging out with Sam and Puck too." He flinched when he heard Mercedes mutter 'slut' under her breath. "She explained that she wanted to do something fun for the Glee club. She just picked the song. She said something about how Sam's voice was perfect for the country song and that she'd like it if I would back up sing and dance with her and Puck."

"She didn't do much backing up Mike. She stole the damn show." Mercedes shot back.

"Well that's 'cause that's how I arranged it. We tried out the choreography and it just worked better that way. It was all my idea," He drew himself up and jutted his chin out. "So if you're going to be such a bitch about it than maybe you should yell at me instead."

No one said anything for a few moments. They were all surprised to hear Mike speak so passionately in defence of Rachel. None of them had heard him swear before either.

"Looks like Mike wants Berry too. Worried Chang?" She asked with venom looking at Tina.

"That's enough Mercedes," Blaine cut in forcefully before Tina could respond. "You've said what you wanted to say. Rachel prepared a fun song for the club and you're ruining it. I think I speak for everyone when I say no one wants to hear you open your big mouth again today."

Mercedes looked over to Kurt waiting for him to back her up and he shook his head at her. She glanced over to Sam where he was sitting next to Rachel. He gave her a look of confused disappointment before turning to smile at Rachel. She growled in annoyance and turned to face the front where Mr. Schuester was standing.

"Well Rachel, Puck, Sam and Mike I speak for almost everyone when I say that your performance was fantastic. Keep up the good work." He said before turning to the white board. "You've given me an idea for this week's assignment. I want you all to come up with a song that we would have fun singing as a group. I'd also like for there to be at least two group numbers with at least eight people involved performed by next Tuesday."

He smiled at them and dismissed them for the day.

Rachel stayed in her seat as she watched Finn and Mercedes rush out of the room. She was upset that Mercedes had so blatantly attacked her after their performance. She looked away from the door to see her friends looking at her.

"I'm fine." She said.

"Of course you are." Quinn said sarcastically with a smile.

Artie rolled over and high-fived her.

"Your performance was fantastic. Loved the song. You were a very believable slutty cowgirl." He said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

She laughed when she realised that he was teasing her. Sometimes it was hard to tell when her friends were just kidding. She was so used to Finn's backhanded compliments and people belittling her. She figured that having friends would take some getting used to.

"Hey Midget, we're going to the mall. You in?" She smiled and nodded when she realised that Santana's voice held more affection than malice.

As Noah pulled her out of her chair and into his side she realised that 'We' meant everyone except Finn and Mercedes. She decided she was going to enjoy having friends as Brittany linked pinkies with her.

I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know.