Disclaimer: I don't own anything GLEE-related.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thanks for all the reviews...I'm SO happy you all like the direction I'm going in :) By the way, song credit in last chapter was 'Can't smile without you' by Barry Manilow. This chapter's very sweet and I love it but it's NOT the end. There's still a lot of journey left ;). Side note: GLEE tonight! I'm kinda nervous for the next few episodes but I'm trying to be optimistic...as we all should :) I don't think Fuinn will be for too long. Anyways ENJOY this chapter :) I think I might be able to update again tonight! yay! and tomorrow :D

"And I know this isn't enough, I still don't measure up.

And I'm not prepared, sorry is never there when you need it..."

She walks out of English with him by her side, chatting idly. He does most of the talking because she's still warily shocked that he's doing this. She doesn't understand him at all sometimes.

He sat behind her in English and she could tell he was staring at her the majority of the time. When she'd look back, he'd smile brightly or pretend to sigh tediously to make her laugh. It was sweet but she was trying to remain mum. She couldn't let him back in yet. She was too scared.

But when she was with him, it was increasingly difficult to be distant. He compliments her, makes her feel protected and genuinely loves her. It feels amazing. But she's so scared. If he hurt her again, she has no idea what would happen.

He walks her to her locker and leans against the neighbouring one with a gentle smile. "You look better in that sweater than I do" he says, purposely trying to sound seductive.

She laughs lightly, feeling warm. "Nice pick-up line."

He shrugs with a grin. "I'm an irresistible stud, what can I say?"

She rolls her eyes playfully as she closes her locker, falling into step with him. "Can I ask you something?" she asks quietly, twisting her fingers nervously and ducking her head.

"Of course" he replies instantly. "You can ask me anything."

She gives him a small, half-smile before looking down again. "Why are you doing this now?" she inquires, her voice sounding emotional and worried. "After everything you put me through...why now?"

He sighs sadly and she chances a glance at his perfect face to see it contorted in guilt and shame. "Because I'm selfish" he responds in a murmur. "I took you for granted every time I had you. And I can say I didn't know I was hurting you but deep down, I knew. I wanted to be wanted. I wanted to have someone to take out my anger on. I felt so bad for myself all the time. And then you came along and made me feel...good. I felt special and appreciated. And you still liked me even when I was a douche. I wasn't mature enough for you. And then when I screwed up and you left, I'd get all...all...umm...uh...possessive! That's it. I'd get all possessive of you and jealous. I didn't want you to want anybody else. I was wrong to do that. But I still didn't get that I was really hurting you." He frowns deeply. "Then when we broke up, I was so hung up on your mistake because I thought...damn it. What's the word? You know when something comes back to haunt you..."

"Karma" she supplies.

"Right! Yah...I didn't think karma would happen. I didn't think that you could ever make a mistake. And I was selfish because I thought about myself again and didn't think about why you did it."

"I am so sorry" she whispers.

"You don't have to be" he says, grabbing her arm. He turns to face her, hands on her shoulder as he bends down slightly, looking her right in the eye. "I get it now. You were in a bad place...just like I was after I found out about BabyGate. You weren't thinking clearly and he was there. I was stupid. I waited and waited and waited, thinking that you'd forgive me eventually and that I didn't have to say sorry. And you were angry. And hurt. It's my fault. I kept thinking that there was something wrong with me-"

"Nothing is wrong with you" she interrupts, her voice breaking as she shakes her head.

"There was" he says softly. "I was self-centred. And I went to Quinn because I wanted you to hurt. And it was wrong of me. But now, I finally realized that I made you feel that way all the time. I made you feel like there was something wrong with you. It just hit me like a ton of bricks. Kurt was screaming at me and once he left, it just all crumbled down. I figured out that I was an immature ass. You deserve so much better than what I gave you. And I realized how much I love and need you, Rach. You're my life. And I loved you before but now...it's just so much deeper than that. I love you more than it's possible. And I was thinking yesterday, I just really want you to be happy. I just want to be what you want me to be. It's not about me anymore. I want you to know how much you mean to me. You deserve the world, Rachel." He pauses, brushing his thumb along her cheek. She realizes she's crying. "And I thought to myself 'I hope she finds someone who will love her and...and...and...cherish her like I do now. Because she's so amazing.'" She's shocked to see him tearing up. "But there is no one out there who could love you like I do now...it's impossible. It's too deep. You're my best friend in the entire world, you're my partner in crime, my home, my heart, my soul...I'm nothing without you. And I just want you to know that now, I get it. I'm thick...but not that thick." She laughs through her tears. "I'm not asking for you to forgive me right now...I really hurt you. But I'm asking you to give me a chance to give you what you deserve. I want to love you even if you don't love me. I won't love anybody else but you...this is forever. And even if we're never Finchel again, I'll still love you and be what you want me to be. And if you ever want or need me, I'll be waiting in the wings. I'd wait a lifetime for you."

She's shaking with sobs, overwhelming tears of joy, relief and general pain streaming down her cheeks. She can't believe the words she's hearing. She never imagined it to be this way. He loves her. He loves her as much as she adores him.

For the first time in what feels like centuries, she thinks everything will be okay. Maybe she won't have this raw, gaping hole in her chest or crippling hurt or searing numbness. Maybe she'll be even better than before.

She wraps her arms around his waist and buries her face in his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears. She cries as he reciprocates the hug, winding his strong, protective arms around her trembling frame, shielding her from the judgmental world of students around them. He holds her close, murmuring his love for her into her hair, his voice thick with tears as he rubs her back. He makes her feel protected and loved and secure. She misses this. But he's never held her this way before.

Like he said, it's deeper than that.

They remain locked in their embrace for a few minutes until they finally break apart, his hands still on her shoulders and hers still on his waist. He cradles her face tenderly, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead before wiping her tears away with the pad of his thumb. She looks up at his angelic face, feeling warmer than ever. His eyes are swelling with tears but he still smiles softly, making her feel tingly. The gaping hole in her chest feels less raw and smaller, filled with hope for a brighter future.

"Does that answer your question?" he breathes with an emotional laugh.

She laughs as well, hugging him again. When she pulls, back she misses the warmth. "Thank you, Finn" she says, wiping the last of her tears with a watery smile. "That was beautiful."

He beams. "I thought it was pretty good."

She giggles. "It was." Pausing, she looks up at him in awe. "I think we're making progress. What you said...it's exactly what I've wanted to hear and more for so long."

"If you want me to tell you that every day, I will" he vows, brushing a stray hair from her eyes. "I want you to know how I feel every second. If I annoy you, I'll still make heart signs and googly eyes from afar."

She laughs wholeheartedly. "If you tell me that every day, I think we'll be-"

"Just fine?" he guesses with a grin.

"Better than fine" she says genuinely, smiling. "But for now, we're still taking it slow. I need to learn to trust you again, okay?"

He nods. "I'm going to prove it to you, Rach. I promise."

She gives him a huge smile. "Look at that" she says lightly. "I'm already getting better."

He pulls her in for one more hug. "And it's already the best thing ever."

"Or I still have your letter, just got caught between

Someone I just invented, and who I really am

and who I've become...

And I do want you know I'll hold you up above everyone.

And I do want you know I think you'd be good to me

And I'd be so good to you...

...I can't be without you..."

AN#2: Aww...yay for next step in Finchel's journey :) Song credit was 'Good to You' by Marianas Trench...amazing song :)

Next Chapter: Lunch with the rest of the Glee Club

THANKS FOR READING, PLEASE REVIEW AND I THINK I'LL UPDATE AGAIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW! I HAVE A DAY OFF :D