THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! SO SORRY FOR THE CLIFFHANGER, BUT YOU'LL SEE NOW IT WAS NECESSARY

I DO NOT OWN ANY PART OF GLEE.

When the arrest of Dietrich and his gang was made known in Lima, Ohio the small town pushed for the trial to begin as soon as possible. By the time the FBI brought them back a jury had been selected and the trial would begin the next day. The former members of New Directions were home from college for their winter breaks. Christmas would be in less than two weeks, and what better gift than watching as these men finally paid for what they had done to The Berrys as well as Finn and Rachel. Everyone was gathered at the Hudmel house the night before the trial.

Quinn shook her head, "I don't want to go, and they are going to show pictures and stuff. I just don't want to see it."

Puck's head snapped up, "Then close your eyes for that part, look we have to be there and show how much they were loved."

Blaine looked around at everyone, "So we're agreed as long as this goes on we're going to be in that courtroom."

Mercedes nodded, "The trial is about her dads though, and there is still no evidence that they killed Finn and Rachel."

Santana started to cry, "WE KNOW THEY KILLED THEM!" Brittany hugged Santana as they all started to cry softly. Sam, Puck, and Kurt still kept the secret of what was witnessed the day of the funeral. Although there was no proof it was just a hunch that their friends were still alive, and needed to be protected by keeping the secret.

The former glee clubbers, Mr. Schuester, Miss Pillsbury, Burt and Carole filled up the first few rows at the courthouse. All three men would be on trial together, the judge spoke, "You are accused of murdering Leroy and Hiram Berry on the night of March 25th, 2012 how do you plead?"

Dietrich stood up and glanced at the plaintiff side and grinned at Carole, "Not Guilty." The other two men claimed their innocence as well as the people in the courtroom began to murmur. The judge banged his gavel, "ORDER, order in this court, we WILL make this a closed trial." The crowd quickly shushed as the mountain of evidence was presented to the jury. The trial went on for three days – finally, during a recess the prosecution once again tried to get the gang to agree to a plea deal. Dietrich sat back, "You don't have as much evidence as you thought you did. I can't plea to something that I never did, you have no witnesses." After the recess, Dietrich took the stand, "Yes, I saw them at the restaurant. I remember I was quite taken with the little brown haired girl. Very mature for her age if you know what I mean."

Puck could feel the rage boiling to the surface, "You sonofabitch…"

The judge banged the gavel again, "ORDER, young man I will have you arrested for contempt, do you understand me? One more outburst and I will make this a closed court." Puck nodded, apologized and sat down as Kurt looked wide eyed at him.

Dietrich went on, "She looked very happy that night, such a shame what happened to those kids, not once but twice."

Puck, Sam and Kurt all gasped, not once but twice, they kept the secret for nothing, the bastards had killed them after all. Puck couldn't contain himself, "TWICE! You did it, they ran and you killed them! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"

Quinn and Santana started screaming at Puck, "What do you mean they ran? You knew they were alive?" Carole began to sob as Burt held her in shock.

Before Dietrich could go on he was pulled from the stand as the judge spoke. "THIS COURTROOM IS NOW CLOSED! Unless you are intricate to the proceedings please follow Bailiff Andrews out of the courtroom." Carole broke down in Burt's arms as she wept for Finn and Rachel all over again.

Mercedes confronted a guilty looking Kurt, "YOU KNEW, YOU KNEW TOO!"

Kurt pleaded with everyone, "Please, please understand we had to keep it a secret. Sam and Puck saw a couple near Rachel's dads' graves on the day of their funeral." Puck continued, "Rachel had short red hair and Finn wore a hat and glasses it was obvious no one should recognize them." Sam had started to cry along with everyone else, "We had to tell Kurt once his depression became so deep. I feel horrible that we're losing them all over again."

The group stood in silence as Carole walked over to all three boys and embraced them, "You gave them more time, it's sad they'll never know what brave and loyal friends they had."

Agents Reynolds and King walked up to the group. "Mr. and Mrs. Hummel, Will, Emma, kids…I want you to go home."

Puck became agitated, "I'm not going home! I want to see them convicted for what they did."

King laid his hand on Puck's shoulder as he looked at the sad group, "Go to Burt and Carole's, wait for me, I will deliver the verdict, and you don't need to be here." Reluctantly they left to await the verdict at the Hudmel home.

Dietrich looked over at the other members as the judge spoke, "Have all the pictures and evidence been taken away?" The prosecutor nodded and the judge continued, "Call your next witness."

"The prosecution calls Miss Rachel Berry." She walked into the courtroom leading Finn by the hand as he took his seat with the agents. She locked eyes with Dietrich and smoothed out her still blonde hair as she swore under oath to tell the truth and nothing but.

Dietrich began to panic, "NO NO WE killed you! We saw the car blow up; it's not possible that you two are here?"

Rachel smiled an equally sinister smile, "Surprise, you left a witness." He continued to panic offering to sign the plea now but it was too late. Rachel told of the night as she heard the gunshots and the beatings of her fathers. How Finn was on the phone with her as she came face to face with the men but due to her hiding spot they could not see her. She told of when they came back and tried to kill them by burning her house down. Finn also was called to the stand for his testimony on that night. It was all too damning for the Nazi gang. It took the jury less than one hour to reach a guilty verdict. Sentencing would take place in two months as they were extradited to Virginia for the deaths of the other families, once it was established the messages were left for Rachel.

King smiled and leaned over to Reynolds, "This will be the best knock on the door these people will ever receive."

Finn and Rachel sat in the back of the SUV as King and Reynolds told them different reactions they should expect from family and friends. King parked outside of the home and Finn swallowed hard. The Christmas lights were hung on the outside of the house and he could see the wreath on the door. Rachel reached out and held his hand, he could feel her ring and he smiled. She turned toward the agents, "Can you give us a minute?" The agents nodded as they stood outside of the car and Rachel kissed Finn, "You asked me to marry you in a difficult circumstance, we thought our only future was each other. If you want this back before we go in there I understand. You've given up enough of your life for me."

Finn shook his head in disbelief and pulled her face close to his, "For the last time Rachel Berry I love you, I proposed because you are the only future I want. I gave up nothing, I got so much…I got you." He kissed her tears and smiled, "So are you ready to do this?"

Agent King opened Finn's door, "in five minutes come in after us." They watched the Agents disappear into the house and they left the car five minutes later. Rachel was already crying as she could hear her friends' voices. They stood in the snow for another minute, they wanted to see their friends and family but the last eight months had definitely changed them. Finn took Rachel's hand as he opened the door and could hear his mother crying. They walked a few steps in and saw everyone in the living room looking as if they had seen a ghost…or two. Carole embraced them, "my babies, oh my god, I can't believe you are here."

Finn began crying, "I'm so sorry mom, I couldn't let her go alone, please please understand."

Carole looked up at him, he looked so much older now somehow and she wiped a tear away from his face, "I have never been so proud of you."

Santana walked up to a shaking Rachel and flipped the ends of her blonde hair, "I hate your hair."

Rachel cried harder, "I DO TOO! I hate it!"

Santana started crying with her and hugged her tight smoothing down the blonde curls, "We'll fix it tomorrow, and we'll make you Rachel again."

Puck walked up and hugged Finn, "Good Job Dude." Finn smiled and returned the hug. Puck turned his attention to Rachel, "Berry you scared the shit out of me, I just can't believe you're really here," he placed a closed mouth kiss on her lips.

Finn grabbed him by the arm. "WHAT THE HELL? Stop kissing my wife!"

In unison the entire group shouted, "YOUR WIFE?"

Agents King and Reynolds laughed as they turned to Finn and Rachel, "Looks like you have a lot to explain." The agents turned toward the others, "and they will, but it's quite a story you may want to pace yourself."

Finn started with the most obvious, "Chel is not my wife….yet. I have asked her to marry me. Now that we're home, I want that to happen as soon as possible."

Brittany scrunched up her nose, "Um..who is Chel?"

Finn rolled his eyes, "Oh well we couldn't use our actual names so I called her Chel instead of Rach, this really is a long story. I think we need a night of rest before we go into it all."

Rachel giggled as his stomach grumbled, "Are you hungry baby?"

Carole pointed toward the kitchen, "There's some food in there for sandwiches and some fruit…" before she had finished the sentence Finn and Rachel were in the kitchen. They were gone for about five minutes as the agents told more of what had happened. Sam called Rachel's name, she didn't answer. Quinn called Finn's name…there was no answer. Agent Reynolds cleared her throat, "For eight months that has not been their names. Those names….unless it's them talking to one another they associate with being killed. It's going to take time for you to know them now. They've been through a lot and you need to be patient. They all nodded as Finn and Rachel came back into the living room and sat on the couch. Finn was hunched over the coffee table eating his chicken sandwich. His mom looked over with tears in her eyes. She couldn't see her little boy anymore, he was a man, and she had been told he had killed one of the gang members. She just wanted to see a slight remnant of the mischievous boy she missed so much. She softly whispered his name, instinctively Finn looked up and smiled that little boy smile.

Gradually everyone left the Hudmel home so everyone could sleep, also because after hours of being grilled about their time on the run Rachel and Finn were visibly exhausted. Reynolds hugged Rachel, "I am so glad we could provide you some closure to this and get justice for your dads. They would be very proud of your bravery Rachel. You and Finn, you're responsible for their capture." Rachel smiled and thanked the agents for everything they had done.

As they were leaving Finn called out, "We'll see you at the wedding right?"

King waved his hand, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Carole had Rachel in the guest bedroom and Finn was sleeping in his, Carole had never done anything to his room…it looked exactly the same as the night he ran out of there after hearing Rachel on the phone. In the middle of the night he heard the door open and felt her small hands around his waist. He turned around and kissed her, she nuzzled closer. "Do you think Carole will get mad? I haven't slept a night without you near me in eight months, I feel safe with you." Finn held her close and kissed her forehead, "We are safe Rach, I don't think she'll be mad, she's just thinking like a mom."

As promised the next day the girls came to pick up Rachel to get her hair done. She held Finn's hand on the couch as she started to shake. The thought of going anywhere without him scared her. Santana held out her hand, "You can hold my hand the whole time Rachel."

Rachel turned to Finn and he stood up, "How about I drive you there and leave you with the girls?"

She nodded and turned to the girls, "I'm sorry, I know it's stupid I just don't feel safe unless…"

Mercedes hugged her, "You don't need to explain anything Rachel, and we'll do whatever you want."

Finn walked into the salon after three hours and saw her standing by the counter with Tina. He walked over and picked her up, "There's my girl, my beautiful Rachel Berry." She touched his face; he finally felt like he could shave which took years off his face, "There's my baby-faced Finn Hudson!"

Mercedes smiled, "There's the Finchel I remember."

The next few days were full of getting ready for Christmas and Chanukah, talking about things Finn and Rachel had missed, they were given their diplomas which was completely surreal considering everyone thought they were dead when they received them. However, after speaking with the school board it was decided that they would take their final exams and if they passed they would be able to keep them. Rachel eventually went shopping with everyone as the boys went one way and the girls went the other. Every night was spent at the Hudmel home with their friends, they figured Rachel and Finn had definitely had enough alone time. Rachel and Finn would definitely disagree, Quinn started talking about Prom and how she had won Prom Queen. Rachel leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Remember when we made love all night for "our" senior prom, I really miss you baby." Finn for the first time in months had to think of the mailman as he whispered back, "First point of business we need our own place."

It was Christmas morning and Rachel, Finn, and Kurt sat around in their pajamas Carole had bought them. Everyone opened their gifts, although the real gift was having Finn and Rachel okay and home. Rachel and Kurt were looking through bridal magazines planning the wedding for next March. It wasn't a long time to plan but Finn insisted he wanted to marry Rachel before they left for college. Carole came down with two more gifts for the couple. She placed them on the table as they began to tear off the wrapping paper. Rachel's eyes filled with tears as she held the tiny star with the floating diamond on the gold chain. Finn's eyes teared up as he watched Rachel look at the necklace. "Do you want me to put it on you?"

She nodded and managed to choke out, "You're the only one who has ever put it on me."

He clasped the necklace then kissed her, "I love you so much Rach."

She wiped away her tears and pointed towards his box, "I think I know what that is." He opened it to find his dad's watch; he bumped her shoulder with his, "See, I told you mom would hold on to it for me. Now you need to get dressed, you have one more gift baby." Rachel beamed, "another gift, this is too much!" Burt drove with Carole in the passenger seat, Kurt, Finn and Rachel sat in the back of the SUV as Finn covered Rachel's eyes.

Kurt handed over his scarf, "Here blindfold her with this."

They came to a stop, Finn helped Rachel out of the car and stood behind her," Okay are you ready?"

Rachel was clapping and nearly squealing from excitement, "YES! Can I take it off now?" Finn untied the scarf as Rachel stood in shock; she saw all of her friends were there as well as Mr. Schue, Miss Pillsbury, Agents King and Reynolds, most of the town in fact. She couldn't stop the tears as she looked at the sign in front of them 'The Leroy and Hiram Berry Memorial Public Library' Rachel walked toward the sign and then turned around to everyone, "This…this is just…"

Finn walked over and bent his head down to look in her eyes, "Do you like it?"

She hugged him and wiped her tears away talking to everyone, "I do, and they would have loved this. They loved books, and education, and learning so very much. I can't believe you did this." The mayor of Lima walked up to Rachel, "Amazing men your fathers, would you do the honors of officially opening the library?" Rachel beamed as she cut the ribbon, "for Dad and Daddy."

Carole and Burt had conceded and let Finn and Rachel sleep in Finn's room together. They were engaged, and Rachel truly felt safer. They were lying in bed, he was playing with her hair, "Did you finally have a good Christmas?" Rachel snuggled next to him, "It was amazing, I miss them, but what you all did to remember them, it was perfect." She looked up at him with her big brown eyes, "you are amazing and I love you."

Finn held her close as he watched the snow fall outside. It had been a rough few months, and he knew there would be more as they adjusted to a normal life again. They had each other though, through it all no matter what their names were or what they looked like, they had one another. He looked down at her tiny hand resting on his chest and smiled as he went to sleep thinking of their past, present, and future.

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THERE WILL BE AN EPILOGUE AND THEN SADLY, THIS STORY IS OVER.