Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, but am so excited for a happy Finchel tonight! Happy Valentine's Day :)
Finn followed Principal Miller into his office, feeling as though he was walking the plank. Maybe the concert hadn't been the best place to stage a scene, but Finn really wanted to put this whole Iris thing behind him. If it meant at the end of his student teaching that he wouldn't be welcome here then so be it.
His gaze darted around the room, taking in the photos and framed newspaper articles on the Principal. Rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, he turned to face the Principal.
As he sat behind the desk, Primcipal Miller said," Well Mr. Hudson. That was quite the little scene we had back there."
"Yes, sir. I know sir and I'm .."
"Sorry?" Principal Miller asked, leaning back in his chair. "Sorry might not cut it here."
"I understand that sir. I really never thought she was this crazy. I had no idea this would happen." He closed his eyes at the lie and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry that it happened here and I will personally send out a letter to the families if you would like."
"That's not a bad idea there Mr. Hudson." Principal Miller stroked his chin as he considered. "Of course, something like this may make the board here in town reluctant to offer you any permanent jobs. Do you understand that?"
Finn swallowed thickly. "Yes, I do understand that. However, these circumstances were beyond my control. If the school board has a problem with that I'd be more than happy to explain." His voice strengthened with conviction. Yes, the parents may not have LOVED what happened, but really was this reason enough not to offer him a job?
Principal Miller sat behind the desk, tapping his fingers together. "All I'm saying Mr. Hudson is be careful. In some people's eyes you're on very thin ice." He stood, and Finn did the same. Walking towards the door, he clapped Finn on the back. "Gotta tell you though Hudson. That was the best concert we've had in years. The kids were great."
Finn smiled at that. "Well they did all the work."
"No need to be so humble, I know just how much you've accomplished with these kids." He stopped walking as he noticed the little brunette he'd seen in the gym approach. "Now go enjoy the rest of your evening." He left Finn to enter the gym once more to supervise the rest of the clean up.
The smile on his face grew as Rachel got closer. He held out his hand to her,"Better baby?"
"Yes, a bit though I'll be excited to get home and actually shower." Rachel replied. "I think my hair is still a bit sticky."
"I'm sorry she did that to you. I wish I could have handled it for you. I felt so helpless standing there you know?"
"It wasn't part of the plan. It's ok, really." She offered him a smile. "It was totally worth it if she'll leave us alone."
Finn leaned in and kissed her. Pulling back he said,"C'mon. We better get to Dooley's before the gang thinks we forgot them."
They began walking to the truck as Rachel chatted about how great the scene was and how she thought it would finally free them from Iris. Finn agreed, but was a bit distracted thinking about what the Principal said.
He told Rachel about it on the short drive.
"They can't do that Finny. They can't harass you for circumstances beyond your control. If they try, we'll sic my daddy on them." Rachel said resolutely. "He's the best employment attorney around."
Finn found a parking spot at Dooley's and cut the engine on the truck. "I'm sure it'll be fine" he said. "But it doesn't hurt to have a backup in your dad. Now let's go celebrate."
He helped her from the truck and they walked into the pub, finding the fanatics sitting in a booth. Spotting them, Kurt quickly stood and grabbed a chair, placing it at the end of the table so Finn and Rachel could sit in the booth together. They slid in and waited for the waitress to take their order.
"You did great tonight Rachel." Erica told her. "I've got the video right here whenever you want to watch."
Rachel smiled and cuddled into Finn. "Maybe in a bit."
The waitress came and quickly took their order. Erica and Rachel both ordered a Corona, Finn got a Guinness, Kurt a seven and seven while Naomi ordered a coke. Rachel looked at her questioningly when Finn jumped in to answer her unspoken question.
"Penguin here doesn't drink. The one time she tried? Not a pretty experience." Je said smiling fondly.
"How was I supposed to know that planters punch wasn't really punch? I wouldn't have had it if I knew." Naomi replied.
Rachel smiled as she sat in the booth. The waitress returned with their drinks and Kurt proposed a toast.
"To the fanatics, for getting rid of Iris once and for all and to Rachel, for getting Finn to smile again." He raised his glass, waiting until everyone tapped it before drinking.
Rachel asked Erica, "Can we see the video?"
"Sure!" Erica replied. "We've watched it a ton already."
So Finn and Rachel watched the video together. She tensed for a moment as she realized she mentioned the "l" word. Would he notice? Would he care? She probably really rushed this. Continuing to watch, she missed the smile on his face as she spoke of what he needed.
When the video was done, the group sat for awhile basking in the glory of a job well done. After about an hour, Finn made a production out of checking his watch. "Gee, it's getting kind of late. I should get you home."
Rachel sat there, still focused on the fact that she had mentioned love. Was he taking her home so he could dump her now that Iris was out if the picture? He probably thought Rachel was just as crazy.
"Sure. Whenever you're ready."
He slid out of the booth, offering her his hand. "Let's go." They waved to the rest of the group, calling out goodnights as they left.
Kurt slid back in the booth looking at the girls as he said, "He's so getting laid tonight."
Finn opened the door for Rachel and helped her inside the truck. She began twisting her hands together, hoping this wasn't the last time she'd be in his truck. He hopped in and started the truck, beginning the drive to her apartment. He turned the cd player on and grabbed her hand. She smiled as "Faithfully" came on.
He noticed her smile. "Kind of our song now wouldn't you think?"
Our song. So he wasn't breaking up with her. "Hmm I can see why you'd think so. It was the first time we really saw each other you know."
"I know. I'm so glad I went to that party." he told her, running his thumb over her fingers.
They sat in silence for the rest of the drive, reflecting on the events of the evening. When they reached her complex, he turned off the engine and got out, intending to walk her to the door. Once there, he leaned in to kiss her and one little kiss quickly grew into two. Then three, each more passionate than the one before.
Rachel took a breath and looked at him. "Coming up?"
He smiled, "I thought you had to shower? I wouldn't want to intrude." He said with a smirk.
"Maybe you can help with those hard to reach places." She said with a wink.
He couldn't take it. Pushing her hair back he looked in her laughing eyes and said it. "I love you. Don't worry, you don't have to say it back. I know it's fast, but I can't help it. I just, well I just, just needed you to know."
She couldn't have stopped the smile on her face if she tried. "Well that's convenient. I love you too." She pulled him inside. "Now come on...I believe we have some celebrating to do..starting in the shower."
He grinned at her, his heart filled to bursting as he followed her into the apartment. The night just kept getting better and better.
Meanwhile, across campus, Iris sat in her room crying as she viciously attacked photos of Finn and his friends. She hung them in a circular pattern on the wall, similar to a dartboard with the picture of Finn and Rachel as the bullseye. Crossing back to her bed, she picked up a small doll she began working on when Finn started dating Rachel. She had hoped it wouldn't cone to this, but they left her no choice. Fixing the hair on the little voodoo doll she picked up a pin, debating where to stick it first. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
A/N: Oh Crazy Iris…just can't leave Finchel alone. However, they're in love, aww. Thanks for the read, don't forget to review if you liked :)