A/N:

HI THERE. So, I used to write this little old thing back in the day, but then season 3 took things off the rails and I had to be a responsible adult and it kind of dropped off.

Luckily - or unluckily, depending on your perspective - the unsatisfactory finale ending got me all fired up, because I had laid out for the writers the perfect scenario for our beloved foursome, and they messed it up anyway! In retaliation, I have decided to continue the fic as best I am able - with Kurt, Blaine, Rachel, and Finn all happily in New York together. This thing has officially gone AU.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and alerted in the past. If you're still around and willing to give me a shot, I'd love to have you along for the read! I'd also like to give welcome ponies to all new readers! 3 Thanks to everyone who reading and please let me know what you think.

What follows is a brief interlude - the preview for Chapter 10, if you will. More to follow. Enjoy!

"OUCH!"

"Oh, you're so melodramatic."

Finn flinches as Rachel tosses a second item of clothing at him, a white terry cloth headband to follow the bright orange gym shorts already in his lap. "What are these for, again?"

She ignores him. "Heads up, Blaine." There's a flash as another article of clothing flies through the air.

"Oh, so he gets a heads up but I –"

"And why are you buying my boyfriend Spandex blend pants, Rachel?" Kurt sniffs, pulling the black fabric from Blaine's hands with two fingers and a look of distaste.

"They're compression shorts for chafe-free running in the steamy New York streets, of course. These go over top." She throws anotherset of blaze orange gym shorts into Blaine's lap with an accomplished smile. "Plus I knew you'd appreciate the view. I mean, dat ass," she whispers appreciatively.

"Why do you think it's OK to make comments about my boyfriend's ass?"

"Am I not getting any compression shorts?"

"What are the workout clothes for again, Rachel?" Blaine holds the shorts up with a quizzical expression.

In response, Rachel shakes her head and says, "Well it's swimsuit season, isn't it? Don't we want everyone to be in shape?"

"I think everyone is in shape," Blaine answers loudly, clearly hurt by the accusation. Kurt starts humming quietly and looking pointedly upwards. "What? Are you saying I'm out of shape? Really?" Kurt refuses to look at him and he notices that Rachel's suddenly very interested in the ceiling as well. "I can't believe you guys think I'm out of shape! I could run circles around all of you! Do I need to remind you about Fight Club? Which one of you wants to fight me right now? Huh?" When he is met, not with silence, but with soft, building giggles, Blaine turns ugly. "And I mean, if I'm out of shape, just look at Finn!"

"Hey!"

"Finn is a lot of man, and that's exactly the way I like them," Rachel interjects. Finn grins dopily. Blaine mimes gagging. Kurt blushes. "But that doesn't mean he can't stand to work out just like the rest of us. It's going to be an adventure in health."

Finn's grin falls. Blaine makes unintelligible noises under his breath.

"She's right," Kurt says. "Exercise is good for your complexion, your demeanor, your stamina…"

Blaine's outburst about his stamina being just fine, dammit, draws enough attention that Finn's reddening cheeks go unnoticed.

"We are all going to work out together and that is that." Kurt announces with finality. "And if you think differently," he warns, pointing menacingly at his boyfriend, "just keep in mind that I hold the keys to some of the best parts of your life and I am not above withholding them."


Finn would never admit it, but he's actually looking forward to working out with his roommates. He misses the sweaty euphoria of football practices now that they're in the city, and he likes the idea of reminding them all who the real athlete is. I mean, sure, he lets Rachel think she's really got him beat, but only because she likes feeling superior, and he finds it pretty cute that she honestly believes she can outrun him.

His happiness over the whole affair disappears when Rachel's phone alarm goes off at like 300 decibels at 4:30 in the morning.

"Baby, what –" he moans out, flapping one arm around in search of the offending device.

"Time to work out!" she whispers sweetly, stealing a quick kiss before rolling over and bouncing out of the bed.

When Finn manages to get his eyes open his girlfriend is fully dressed in black pants that are literally plastered to her legs with little pink shorts over top and a blue halter top. She's also holding what looks suspiciously like a protein shake and grinning at him way too widely for this hour. He can't find any words, so he just blinks at her over and over, thinking maybe she'll put the drink down and slip back into bed with him if he's silent long enough.

Maybe.

"Come on," she commands, pulling the covers back with one sweeping motion.

Finn only manages to avoid cussing because it's Rachel.

There's a loud crash from the kitchen, followed by a screech and an answering roar and another crash.

"Oh, Kurt and Blaine are already up, hurry!"