Chapter ten

The car ride to the airport was difficult at best. Finn had to put up with disapproving looks and scoffs from several agents in the car. He pinched the bridge of his nose and rested his chin on his knuckles. Everything escalated so quickly…too quickly. Finn was just finding his feet again after Dewey's death and his relationship with Rachel had grown. What was Finn going to do now? He was going back to Fort Benning, Finn was going to be amongst his unit and training for war just like the old times: but how was he supposed to forget everything, forget Rachel?

Finn fiddled with a loose string from his jacket, he could still smell Rachel's faint perfume on his jacket. Finn looked at his plane ticket: Economy. Delta Air Lines. Columbus. Georgia. He placed it inside his jacket and leaned back against the seat. Finn didn't really know how to feel: of course he was devastated but he also felt empty. Finn had promised Rachel he would always come back to her but he actually had no clue how he was going to do that. Even if Finn visited Rachel months after the whole Talisman ordeal has ended, Hiram wasn't going to let him anywhere near Rachel. Hell, Hiram would probably castrate Finn before he could say hi.

"What a Lima Loser."

Finn looked over to the agents sitting adjacent to him in the van.

"I know right. He had one job and he couldn't even do it."

Arrogant chuckles could be heard, Finn felt uncomfortable and tried to tune out the conversation.

"I told you didn't I? These army folk can't be trusted, they're all just dirty animals-" The agent turned to look at Finn. "-Can't believe you took advantage of Hiram's daughter."

"I can't believe that Rachel would do it with him. I actually thought that one look at his dick would've sent her out the door." The agents laughed and shook their heads at Finn. They wanted him to hear that. Finn felt weirdly self-conscious and brought his legs together, he coughed awkwardly and sat up straight.

After what seemed like hours, the black van finally arrived at the airport. The boot of the van opened and Finn grabbed his suitcase, he walked into the terminal without looking back to say goodbye.

Finn handed the woman his passport and heaved his suitcase on the conveyer belt.

"Heading to Georgia?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Well, I hope you enjoyed your stay in Virginia."

The lady smiled and sent Finn's luggage down the belt to be later picked up.

If only she knew.

He walked to the food court and sat down. Finn took a much needed exhale and rubbed his temple. Looking at his phone, Finn saw three messages from Rachel:

R: Finn, i'm so sorry

R: I miss you so much

R: Please text me once you arrive in Georgia

Rachel was so close yet so far. Boarding the plane, Finn took his seat next to an elderly woman who was looking out the plane window. She turned around and flashed a warm smile at Finn who was busy buckling himself in. She had soft features, her hazel eyes twinkled and her lips were arched into a sweet curve. The lady was probably in her late seventies judging by the wrinkles on her face and hands and white hair. She pulled the complimentary blanket on her thighs and rested her hands on her lap.

The pilot announced the upcoming takeoff and every passenger tightened their belts and waited for the plane to run on the runway. Once the plane cruised in the air, Finn put in his earphones and tried to relax with the music. He was exhausted, Finn couldn't remember the last time he had a good night's rest. He closed his eyes and heard the plane's engine gradually become a muffle. Finn napped for half an hour before a loud cough woke him up. It wasn't long before he felt a slight chill from the high altitude of the plane. Finn searched his carry-on bag and found his old army jacket, it still had his rank and number sewn on the sleeves.

The old lady sitting next to him turned and looked at the jacket. She tapped Finn on the arm and he took out his earphones.

"My son was in the armed forces just like you."

Finn looked at his jacket.

"Really?"

"Hi, my name's Carole." The lady turned to look at Finn once again and opened her hands for a shake.

"Finn Hudson-" Finn accepted the handshake and smiled, "-My mom's name is Carole." It was in that moment, Finn realised just how much he missed his mother.

"Well, I bet she's a beautiful lady."

"Yeah…she is."

Carole frowned and pointed a finger at Finn.

"Did you say your name was Finn Hudson?"

"Yeah I dd."

"Are you the Fort Benning kid?"

Finn nodded once more and suddenly felt two warm hands on his face. The old lady laughed and kissed Finn's cheeks.

"You saved my son from the burning truck in Syria. He was the last soldier in that truck and you…you saved his life."

Finn remembered that mission. It was his first tour and capturing Omar Abboud was first priority. Finn couldn't help but feel pride and happiness that he at least did one thing right in his life.

"How is he?"

"Well Mr Hudson, because of you, my son was able to give me two beautiful grandchildren and become one of the best lawyers Boston has ever seen." She squeezed Finn's hand before settling back into her seat. Finn transited in Atlanta before heading over to Georgia. He bid a heartfelt goodbye to the old lady before hopping on the plane for Georgia. It was only a one hour trip before Finn finally reached his destination, he caught the military shuttle bus and headed straight for Fort Benning.

Finn had missed the scenery: the trees and the mountains. Over in New York and Virginia, there were buildings and skyscrapers as far as the eye could see and even though Finn thought they were 'modern' and 'cool', the countryside was where Finn felt at home. He sent a message to Rachel and held his phone waiting for a reply.

F: I've arrived in Georgia. Rachel, i miss you too.

The bus turned a corner and Finn saw the familiar sign.

'WELCOME TO FORT BENNING U.S. ARMY – military reservation'

Finn looked up and shook his head in disbelief. Standing with arms crossed was his mentor from hand-to-hand combat training: Shannon Beiste. She was a big lady, a bit scary sometimes but Finn loved her. She was like a guardian to him ever since he told her about his dad and how he joined the army to not only serve the country but to clear his father's name.

"Who is this?" Beiste joked and hugged Finn the moment he stepped off the shuttle bus. "Long time no see son."

"Miss you too Shannon." Finn slung his duffle over his shoulder and followed Beiste. He left his suitcase near a metal fence before taking a nice walk with his mentor around the army base for a catch up. They finally found a wooden bench and sat down.

"The boys will be so happy to see you Hudson. They're always bugging me about you, asking: 'Where's Finn?' or 'When will he be back?'."

"Well, I'm excited to see them too." Finn clasped his hands together and breathed in the cold, fresh evening air.

"I heard about Andreas. Sorry son, I know how close you two were." Beiste rested her hand on Finn's broad shoulder and squeezed for reassurance.

"Things happen…don't they Shannon."

Shannon turned to look at Finn. He didn't have the same charisma or hope like before. Did something happen to him?

"So how's life been treating you?"

Finn shrugged: "Fine…I guess?"

"Kid, I can read you like an open book. Something's getting you down."

"Shannon-" Finn could feel a build up of tears behind his eyes. "-I think I screwed up. I'm not the invincible man I thought I was when Hiram Berry recruited me and I kinda feel like…I let Rachel down…I let myself down." Finn found Shannon easy to talk to because she didn't ask any questions or pry. She would listen and give him advice like his mother would back in Lima.

"Do you know why I liked you during combat training? It wasn't because you were the best in the class or because you kicked my ass during an assessment…it was because of your determination and perseverance-" Shannon rubbed Finn's back to calm him down. "You know why you're special?"

Beiste leaned forward and placed her hand on Finn's heart. "Because you've got a heart of gold son. They don't make men like you. You're one in a gazillion Hudson and you damn well gotta believe it."

Finn looked down and smiled.

"Thanks Shannon."

"Alright. Enough of this emotional drama, I think it's time you were reunited with some old buddies."

Rachel wiped her tears and finally gathered the strength to look at Hiram.

"I can't believe you did that." She seethed.

"I'm only protecting you."

"Keep telling yourself that. Finn wasn't harming anyone and he was especially not harming me, he was protecting me. Who cares if we had sex? I'm a grown woma-"

"He was meant to be your bodyguard. He was meant to put his interests aside-" Hiram walked up to Rachel dominantly. "Rachel Berry, if your life wasn't in danger I wouldn't give a damn if you slept with Finn Hudson and all the agents in the whole goddam agency! Finn wasn't doing his job and right now professionalism and vigilance are essential."

"Do you really think that Finn was just another army fuckboy whose only goal was to sleep around?" Rachel didn't care that she swore, she needed her father to see the truth. "Do you know how many times he has managed to save my life and reputation?" Rachel thought back to the two thugs at the NYADA party. "Do you know how many hours he had spent waiting outside NYADA for my classes to finish so I wasn't left alone?" Rachel spat and took a big step towards Hiram.

"Finn Hudson-" She pointed towards the door and tried to calm the quivering in her voice, "-the man that you just sent away, has been there for me more times than you ever could. All this time, have you actually asked how I'm doing?"

Hiram looked around at his agents who were standing around awkwardly in the house as they listened to the fight between their boss and his daughter.

"I am your father. Do you know how many hours i have spent in headquarters trying to track down the Talisman for you?"

"All my life i just wanted you to stop and hug me...and tell me everything's going to be alright. Sure, you're my father but you don't feel like my dad."

Rachel walked past Hiram and stormed upstairs, Kurt followed Rachel into Finn's room and closed the door behind him. Hiram swallowed and buttoned up his coat.

"Max, you will be in charge of my daughter and Kurt Hummel. Jackson, I want you to come with me back to Langley. I need your expertise in tracking to locate the Talisman" Hiram walked over to Palmer. "And you…just make yourself useful around the house."

Hiram left and the swarm of agents followed suit. They climbed into the black agency vans and made their way towards Langley once more.

Back in the house, Rachel choked and finally couldn't fight the tears. They flowed down her face and she brought Finn's pillow up to her nose. Finn's musky smell overwhelmed her senses and all she could do was picture his handsome face. A face she will probably never see again.

"I agree with everything you said." Kurt soothed and sat next to Rachel on Finn's single bed.

"I just can't believe he's gone."

Kurt sighed and rubbed Rachel's shoulders.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better…Jackson is travelling to Langley with Hiram so you don't have to put up with that asshole for a while."

Rachel smiled softly and wiped her tear stained cheeks with the back of her sleeve.

"I'm so glad I have you." Rachel turned and hugged Kurt, at least she still had one man in her life who cared for her.

Downstairs, Palmer played around with his gun on the coffee table. He turned on Masterchef for some form of entertainment but all he could feel was guilt. It was partly his fault that Finn got the boot and his fault that Rachel and Finn parted ways. Palmer looked over at Max who was busy making a phone call in the backyard. Palmer wasn't as close to Max as he was with Jackson. Hiram brought Max in six months before the whole ordeal with the Talisman and he just tagged along on some missions and proved he had great skill in weapons and combat. Max was a short fellow but boy did he have a mean right hook.

Palmer disassembled and assembled his gun out of boredom and finally realised Max had already finished his phone call and was sitting next to him on the couch. The smell of cigarettes wafted into Palmer's nose and he grimaced. He hated the smell of smoke.

"Boy did that Hudson guy have it coming."

Palmer frowned.

"He wasn't bad. Finn was actually a pretty good bodyguard." Palmer defended.

"Whatever you say."

Palmer scoffed, 'Jackson wannabe' he thought and kicked back to finish watching the cooking show.

It wasn't long until it was midnight. Normally around this time, the majority of agents would be inside their temporary homes briefing on their next point of action or deciding who's patrolling what areas. Rachel and Kurt were still upstairs watching reruns of Moulin Rouge when the abrupt sound of gunshots rang through the neighbourhood. Rachel, Kurt and Palmer sat upright.

"Kurt…What was that?"

Before Kurt had any time to process Rachel's question, five bombs erupted through the neighbourhood shaking Rachel and Kurt. The strong vibrations could be felt around the house and Kurt had a difficult time standing up. Rachel peered through the window and felt her stomach drop.

The Talisman were here.

The extremist group gunned down every agent with their powerful machine guns and many Talisman members swarmed the area and entered different houses.

"They're here. The Talisman are here."

Kurt suddenly felt the colour drain from his face and he had to swallow to stop bile from rising in his stomach.

"Kurt…I need Finn."

Palmer barged in through the door with a gun loaded in his right hand.

"We need to get the fuck out of here right now." He extended her hand and pulled Rachel away from the windows. The three ran downstairs where they bumped into Max. A small bomb was dropped through the shattered skylight and exploded in front of their faces, throwing Rachel and Kurt backwards and separating them.

"Go Palmer! Take Kurt! I've got Rachel!" Max shouted. Palmer and Kurt saw Rachel with Max and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come on, we'll meet up with them later outside!" Palmer and Kurt turned and ran away from through the exit on their side of the house. The bomb had left a huge hole on the floor in the house, there was no way Rachel could've jumped to join Palmer and Kurt. Even though she trusted Palmer, Max was all she had.

Max grabbed Rachel violently on the wrist and lead her through the exit behind them.

"Rachel! We have to go!" The two ran out through the backward furthering the distance between herself and Kurt.

"I really hope Rachel's okay." Kurt said as he felt his lungs burn from exhaustion.

"Yeah, me too." Palmer ran with his gun out in front of him. "Let's just keep running." By this time, Palmer's face was black from the smoke and his throat was parched from the running but Kurt was his main priority right now.

Palmer and Kurt finally reached their designated location for their getaway. They waited for Rachel and Max. Palmer was alert, the Talisman was around every corner and the faint sound of bombs could still be heard. The night sky grew gold as the fires spread through the neighbourhood.

"This…this was an ambush." Kurt shook his head in fright.

"Where the hell are they?" Palmer couldn't risk calling in case Rachel and Max were hiding from the Talisman.

"Palmer? Please tell me Rachel will be fine."

Palmer paced backwards and forwards. He looked at the abandoned house behind Kurt. The getaway car was right behind the house but they couldn't leave without Rachel and Max. Palmer could almost taste survival and freedom.

Each passing minute was torturous. Both men knew they had to wait for the others but every second confirmed their hunches that Max and Rachel were either captured by the Talisman or dead.

Suddenly the screeching of tires shocked Kurt and Palmer. The Talisman were driving towards them but they were still too far for the terrorists to see. Palmer looked and saw an underground basement next to the cottage.

"Fuck!" Palmer smashed the lock and shoved Kurt inside the basement. "Whatever happens, don't come out. I promise they'll never find you. If you hear anything, run to the back of the house and drive to Langley "

Kurt walked down the steps carefully.

"Wait, what are you going to do?" He asked and looked back at the agent.

"I'm going to buy you some time." Palmer shut the basement and jumped behind a stone fence for cover. Kurt looked through a small crack in the basement and saw the Talisman get out of their vehicles.

"Oh my god." Kurt brought his hands to his mouth in shock and took a step back. Max held Rachel in headlock and behind him stood dozens of Talisman agents.

"Max? What the fuck?" Kurt saw Palmer walk towards the Talisman with the weight of betrayal burdening his shoulders. He looked at Rachel, she was crying and frightened to the core. The Talisman had her.

"Oh please Palmer." Max scoffed and pointed a gun at Rachel's head.

Palmer put his hands up and slowly walked towards Max.

"Why did you do it? Why'd you betray us for the Talisman?" Kurt saw Palmer trying to calm Rachel down. His heart was beating violently in his chest and even though he didn't believe in god, Kurt prayed for Palmer and Rachel's safety.

"Cut the bullshit. Drop your fucking weapon on the ground!" Max shouted and took the safety off his gun. Palmer balled his knuckles into a fist and placed his gun on the floor in defeat. Kurt continued to stare through the crack and caught Palmer's gesture. The agent was signalling for Kurt to run, something was going to happen.

"Max-" Palmer walked forward cautiously but was grabbed by two Talisman agents. Max chloroformed Rachel and handed her limp body to the Talisman agents behind him to be put in the van. "-you son of a bitch."

Palmer was punched in the stomach by his captors. Max walked up to the beaten agent and pointed a gun at his chest.

"Nice meeting you."

Kurt flinched and gasped as the bullet ripped through Palmer's body. The agents stepped back and watched as his body slumped on the ground in a heap. Max spat and turned back towards the vans. The Talisman finally drove off in the night with Rachel in their possession and leaving the neighbourhood to burn. Kurt waited until the coast was clear before rushing to Palmer's side.

"Palmer!" Kurt found the bullet wound and placed pressure on his chest. Palmer was still alive but his life was fading fast.

"Kurt…what are you doing? Get out of here." Palmer choked on his own blood and curled into a fetal position from the pain

"I can't just leave you here."

"Hey, hey hey-" Palmer tried to grab Kurt's attention. "-I've accepted my death but I don't accept yours. Get out of here, drive to Langley and tell Hiram everything. Get out of here…and survive Kurt." Palmer lifted his hand and Kurt accepted the handshake.

Kurt stood up and ran to the back of house, he started the engine and drove to Langley. He had tears falling down his face but he had to be strong. Kurt reached over and found a phone in the glove box: before he called Langley, he needed to call someone first.

Shannon Beiste led Finn towards the bunkers. He was still feeling nostalgic as he walked through the shooting ranges, boot camp fields and mud grounds.

"Fellas, look who's here!" Shannon opened the door to Finn's bunker and pointed towards him.

"No fucking way." Five boys in the bunker looked up and saw Finn Hudson. They all jumped up and embraced their best mate.

"Finn! When did you arrive?"

"This morning actually." Finn smiled at his friend's warm welcome and followed them to the round table in the middle. There were cards lain askew on the table and cherished objects in the middle: poker.

"Jesus Hudson, look at you! Tanned, buff and handsome as always." His friends joked and sat around him.

"It's nice to see you guys too."

The army boys sat around and talked until midnight. They cracked open soft drinks, ate chips, joked around like boys do and finally sat back against the bunk beds.

"So how'd the Rachel Berry mission go?" Tommy asked

"That's kinda why I'm back here. I got fired actually by Hiram Berry."

Tommy and the boys sat up with a look of confusion on their faces.

"Wait what? Finn Hudson got fired from a job? That's a sentence I never though I would say. Jeez, what happened?"

Finn sat in awkward silence.

"I slept with Rachel and Hiram viewed that as unprofessional and decided that because of my actions, I wouldn't be able to protect her."

His friends looked at each other before breaking into guffaws and laughs. Tommy slapped Finn on the shoulder.

"You sly dog! Getting some action with the director's daughter! My god, Finn Hudson has changed."

"Our boy has finally become a man."

Finn took a swig of his drink and chuckled at his friend's immaturity.

"Alright, alright. Back off." Finn chucked a chip at Tommy and Angus and leaned back against the bed. "It's nice to be back though."

Finn looked around and saw guns lying on the bed and duffle bags packed. His friends looked in Finn's direction and sighed.

"We have another tour in Syria. Angus and i have been training but we were wondering if you would like to come?"

Finn weighed his options. He didn't have anywhere else he needed to be and he was certainly happy to serve his country again on his third tour to Syria. Besides, Finn missed the thrill and the training.

"A lot of guys would really want you to come...to you know, protect their backs." Tommy added

"Sure, i'll come." Finn finally said and his mates all clapped with excitement. Suddenly, he felt pockets vibrate. Finn pulled out his phone and saw that it was Kurt. Finn stood up and walked outside to escape the loud noise of laughs and burps.

"Hey Kurt- whoa, calm down."

"Finn! They've got her. The Talisman have got Rachel. I didn't know who else to call. Please, you've gotta save her!"

"Rachel?" Finn felt his world collapse, the laughter behind him turned into distorted muffles and his breathing became short and choked. "What about you? Are you safe?"

"I made it out, I'm driving to Langley right now. But everyone's dead. The Talisman attacked: they took Rachel and shot Palmer."

Finn listened carefully, he pulled himself out of his trance and the strategist in him kicked in.

"What else Kurt?" He needed all the information he could get.

"Max is the traitor. He shot Palmer in cold blood Finn and he is with the Talisman. I need you here, there's no one else I can trust."

Finn rubbed his face. He needed to get to Langley but he didn't know how.

"Kurt, how long ago was this?"

"An hour ago."

"Okay, meet me in Langley. Don't worry…I'm coming."