Author's Note: Here's the second to last Chapter! I may get the last part up tonight, depending. Thank you for all the favorites, follows and reviews! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

I was only following standard protocol. When someone leaves without notice, on their own accord, without so much as a "See you later!" you ignore them. Silence does more to the human heart and mind than yelling curse words with the appropriate hand gestures. Yelling eventually ends, silence, well, sometimes it lasts forever.

Finn had continued to knock on my door, his persistence annoying. At point that night, I almost gave in, the temperature had surely dropped. But then the knocking stopped and I heard the clinking of his truck down the street. It was when I went to unlock the door for Santana (she was terrible at conveniently forgetting her house key) that I saw it. A small white envelope, "Rachel" scribbled across the front.

Settling myself on the couch I tore it open. Even if it was from Finn, I had to know what it said.

Dear Rachel,

If you're reading this, that means you wouldn't talk to me face to face, lucky for you I had a Plan B. Just so you know, what you're about to read are not excuses, just the truth. So please continue. For me?

I'm sorry for not saying goodbye. Disappearing without any kind of notice was a shit thing to do. But honestly I had no idea what to say to you. When I had dropped you off at your house, saw you standing at your door, looking sad, I had to stop you. I had promised a conversation, and at the time I had a millions things to say to you, but no courage to actually say them. I'm not mad you ignored my text, it was only fair that you ignore me. Honestly, I'm not mad. But now like I said I really need you to listen (or read I guess?).

The day after dropping you off I requested a transfer, dropped out of my lease, and headed to Cincinnati. I wasn't sure how long I would be there, but I knew I needed to be, everything with Sarah wasn't right yet. Driving by myself gave me time to think about what I was doing. Here I was a twenty-three year old with a kid in the backseat with no relation to me, but I still felt obligated to take care off. That's when it hit me, I was doing this not out of remorse but instead I was going it because I decided I was obligated. And maybe I was, I did crash that car into an innocent person's vehicle, sending them into an unwarranted a coma. But it clearly was an accident, I realize that now. And did that also mean I had no other option but to take in a child? Did I regret taking in Maddy when she needed love the most? No of course not, she didn't deserve to be alone. So despite obligations or remorse or whatever compelled me to make this choice, I had made it.

When they finally released Sarah from the hospital I helped her find an apartment. I had decided it would be easier to move in with both her and Maddy to help make the adjustment easier. For the first month Sarah could barely move around, still sore from being bed ridden for months, and the doctor had put her on some pretty strong meds, I could leave her alone, sick and all. I took care of her and Maddy, making sure Sarah did what she was supposed to do to get better and make sure Maddy was happy. In that first month, we got along fine, but we were strangers. I tried to make Christmas special for Maddy, I know being one and a half she probably won't remember, but you can't just not give a kid Christmas.

The second month the doctors cut down on the meds Sarah was taking she was even allowed a glass of wine for New Years. We all even sat on the couch that night, watching the ball drop. And when everyone in Times Square cheered and kissed each other, I thought of you and what you were doing, so I had to let you know. It's okay that you didn't respond, again I understand.

February came and Sarah was almost back to being normal. We took Maddy to the zoo one Saturday, she got a stuffed elephant and named him Finn. I tried to persuade her otherwise, but my name was all she could pronounce. Valentine's Day came and I bought Sarah flowers, just because every girl deserves flowers (I owe you a ton). We sat around that night talking about our lives. Her story was just as sad as that nurse made it out to be, all alone with no family, just her and Maddy. But I could tell she was strong, like you. ( I know you don't show it but I can tell you're hiding some pain you don't want anyone to know about.) February was good.

The fourth month, March, about a couple days ago actually, Sarah sat me down. Told me I needed to move on with my life. Her and Maddy were not my responsibility and she told me if I didn't leave she would force me out. It was hard saying goodbye to Maddy, she had been in my life for long enough that I really care for, but I had to remind myself (still doing it) that she wasn't mine to begin with. That made it easier to let her go. Sarah did say I could visit once in a while, but that might confuse Maddy, so for now it's goodbye for good.

Right now I'm staying at the local Best Western in Lima, my room number is 102. Please come by if you want to talk.

Finn

The pounding on the door vibrates down the hall, I'm sure the small amount of occupants are awaking. Probably preparing nasty remarks for the "Please leave comments" notepads on the bedside tables. But when something's important you make as much noise as deemed worthy. The door finally opens, he looks more awake than I believed he would be, almost like he was waiting for me.

"Rachel, you came."

"I had to, after reading your letter. Can I come in."

"Actually why don't we go outside, in case you yell at me or something."

He smirks at me.

"I promise I won't yell, but okay fresh air helps the mind think clearer anyway."

We headed outside then, through a set of side doors down the hall. The temperature had dropped, our breath freezing in mid air. Finn directed my towards a bench, overlooking one of the few scenic views in Lima. There was a questioning silence then, neither of us knew what to say, but I figured he gave me a letter, so it was my turn.

"My arms ached."

"Wh-wh-what?"

"When you left, after hugging me, my arms ached. I would wake up at night, rubbing my arms, wishing the constant ache to just disappear. They say when you love someone, when they're gone, your arms ache. Because holding someone, being that close to them, is the most personal, and safest feeling in the world. And maybe that's when I knew."

"Knew what?"

"That I loved you. I could really feel it then, understand that it was real. You know I thought I loved Jesse, but when Jesse was gone I didn't feel alone and my arms definitely didn't ache."

"You, you love me?"

"With every bit of my soul and everything that I am. Cliché yes, but I do, I love you."

"When your head fell on my shoulder."

"What do you mean?"

"That's when I knew that I was in love with you. When you invited me over that first day we met, you put your head on my shoulder and I fell, and haven't been able to get up since. I may not have really known it then, but now when I look back, I know it was then."

"You love me too?"

"I love you. So much."

And then we stood in front of each other, my body still shivering a bit from the cold, and our eye's found their soul mates. When he finally kissed me, I felt everything at once, and then I saw stars. Bright, beautiful, sparkling stars.

Something cold touched my cheek, we broke apart faces tilted to the sky. Snow began to fall, landing on my cheeks and on the shoulders of his woolen coat. And as we stared at the sky I swear I could see stars, like a summer sky in winter. I wasn't so cold any more.

"We should probably head inside, I can tell you're getting cold."

"I'm fine, plus I'm too happy to care."

"Well, while I can agree, I also cannot feel my toes, so why don't we head inside and get warm."

"Okay, if you insist. Why don't we lay down in that overpriced hotel bed of yours and watch one of those movies they offer."

"Whatever you want."

We headed inside then, the heat from the building hitting my frozen cheeks. Finn offered my an pair of his pajama pants (I had to tie the strings around twice) and one of his sweatshirts. After getting comfortable, we somehow forgot about a movie and ended up talking.

I told him about what happened to my dad's. Crying into his shoulder. He laughed when I told him stories of living with Santana (she had scarred me for life in more ways than one).

"Broadway."

"Huh?"

"That was my dream. Broadway. You know how I mentioned I was planning on attending a prestigious performance arts school? Well, it was in New York. I wanted to be the next Fanny Brice. Big voice and applause every night. My father's actually took me when I was seven. They got tickets to see Les Mierables. And I remember even at such a young age, staring up at the stage, knowing that's where my destiny was."

"You should do that, be on Broadway."

"But you've never heard me sing."

"Then sing for me. Anything."

"Okay how about one of my favorites."

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want your story to remain untold

But all the promises we made
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

"You have the most amazing voice I've ever heard."

"Thanks you don't have to be nice."

"I'm serious, you're fantastic and you need to be using your voice."

"I'll think about it okay."

"Thank you, and please seriously consider it."

" I will. What was your dream? Before everything. "

"My dream? I wanted to teach music, to kids who had nothing else. Music always inspired me, every day, and I wanted to give kid's that same outlook. I have my teaching degree, actually from Ohio State. But after I took in Maddy, I sold my drum set, the one I was using during my brief stint in New Directions was an old one of Sam's. It just didn't seem like the right time anymore."

"I may have a solution, put your shoe's on and come with me."

"Rachel, it's like 1am."

"I know but I'm excited now, so come on!"

"This better be good."

Ten minutes later

"Here it is!"

"What is it? Am I supposed to be excited about a box?"

"Lift it up silly."

He lifted the box, slowly revealing the gift I had found sitting in that music shop.

"You got me a drum set!?"

"Merry Christmas Finn."

"But, why?"

"I saw it in a window at this music shop and knew it had to be yours, I wasn't sure if you would ever see it, but I hoped you would."

"You know what this means right?"

"No, what?"

"Our dreams are still out there, calling us. I know it sounds lame, but everything is where it's supposed to be. You and me could take over the world."

And there Finn was pleading, with such excitement in his eyes, this was our moment.

A/N 2: Reunited at last. I hope it wasn't too rushed. One more part left! Has Rachel found her inspiration again? Stay tuned! Song mentioned was "All I Want is You" by U2 (possibly my favorite song in the entire world).