A/N: This is a shorter chapter but that's how it had to be. (That and it sort of covers a decent time span...you'll see what I mean after.) Next chapter in a few days! I may or may not be close to finishing this story by the way…maybe just a few more chapters but we'll see. Enjoy.

"I ran into Jesse at the store." Finn said, handing Rachel the box. She was curled up in her bed, the blinds closed as she lay there, phone in hand.

She looked up from her phone, retrieving the box. "You did? Oh God, you didn't do anything did you?"

Finn shook his head. "No of course not." He said, sitting down next to her, his hand resting on her ankle through the blankets gently. "I did ask him if I should go back in there and purchase some eggs though."

Rachel giggled. "But you didn't do anything physically to him like Sean or that one random creep at the bar did you?"

Finn shook his head once more. "You told me not to do that and I promised you I wouldn't. Besides, I hardly know this Jesse dude."

"You didn't know that guy from the bar now either."

"That was different. I just wanted to say something to Jesse. I'm sure he regrets it enough anyway, but well, I got entertainment out of it."

Rachel sat up. "Only you." She said simply before asking him if he'd kindly go grab her some water. She wasn't mad, especially knowing he didn't do anything to him. As far as nothing like that happened, she didn't mind his protective side.

Three days later.

Their small mini-vacation in Lima flew by and before Rachel knew, she was packing her things, getting ready to head to the airport. After lying in bed the entire second day she was there, she felt better, and Finn had been so kind to her. He took care of both her and her daddy that day, and Rachel was so grateful to have someone like him. She had repeated it numerous times that evening when he cuddled with her.

"Thank you so much for everything you've done today. You could tell my dad seriously appreciated it as well." She said as they watched HBO in her room. Her head was resting on his chest as she spoke. Her cramps were still very present, but with the help of the Midol they weren't as severe.

"It wasn't a big deal." Finn said nonchalantly.

"It was to me." She said. "I'm so thankful."

"It was nothing." He said reassuringly, their hands linking together as she played with his fingers.

"I'm still thankful. I don't know how I got so lucky." She said, her head leaning up to look at him.

He chuckled. "I'm not saying I'm a catch or anything, but you do deserve this. You deserve everything out of the world that you could ever want from it."

Rachel went to speak but he lifted a finger to her mouth. "No don't talk back. Just listen."

She nodded as he continued on about how he viewed her and his feelings, and she almost felt the tears as he finished speaking, her lips meeting his after. "If it weren't for mother nature, I'd be tearing your clothes off right here and now." Rachel said quietly.

He laughed, kissing her back, before she rested her head back down. She had never felt so content or happy in her life.

"Are you ready?" Finn asked, appearing in her doorway. "We don't have to leave quite yet, but soon." He added.

She turned and nodded. "I think I'm about finished. I'm just mentally trying to make sure I have everything."

"You could always look instead of mentally visualizing." He replied.

She smiled. "Thanks for the words of wisdom, Finn, but I think I'm all set."

"I'll carry these to the car then." He said, grabbing the suitcases she had already closed.

She smiled. "I can do it."

"Rach…" He began.

"Okay, okay. I'm highering my expectations. I demand for my boyfriend to carry these down to the car, immediately!" She said with a snooty, almost British accent.

He looked at her and laughed. "That's more like it." He said as he disappeared once more.

Before leaving, Rachel embraced her daddy tightly. "You be careful, okay daddy?" She said quietly.

Hiram laughed. "I will, darling."

"No more problems with your health, okay? I don't want any more frights from across the country."

"I'll be okay, Rachel." Hiram reassured as she hugged him once more, Hiram kissing her forehead.

She then hugged her dad who told her to come back and visit at anytime, before proceeding to shake Finn's hand. "Take care of our baby out there alright Finn?" Leroy said, smiling up at him.

Rachel rolled her eyes as Finn agreed. "Of course, sir."

"Leroy." He said, just like he had on the first day of their arrival.

They said their goodbyes once more, before Finn and Rachel headed into the rental car, making their way to the airport.

"Are you going to be okay?" Finn asked, reaching to take her hand into his.

She gave it a squeeze, smiling lovingly at the man next to her. "I'll be okay. I'm happy to be leaving here, but not about leaving my dad's. However, it's very nice to know they're going to be okay."

Finn nodded.

"Thank you so much for doing all of this, I can't thank you enough."

Finn laughed. "Stop thanking me."

Rachel rolled her eyes before leaning over, kissing his cheek. "I love you. So so much."

"I love you too." He said, squeezing her hand.

About half way to the airport, Finn's phone started going off, and when he saw Jeremy's name on the screen, he ignored it before looking over at Rachel. Her eyes were closed, her hand still intertwined with his and he sighed. There was something serious going on with the band and a tour, but he refused to acknowledge it. He wanted to enjoy the last few hours outside of reality that he had left, focusing on nothing but Rachel and her happiness.

Five days later

Rachel's audition for United Talent Agency was early the next day. She was over at Finn's that evening, and he listened to her ramble and rant that entire day about it. She was nervous.

"Babe, calm down. You're going to be fine. How many times have I told you that?" he asked, grabbing a hold of her to prevent her from pacing back and forth any further.

Rachel sighed. "What if I mess it up?"

"You won't, you'll be fine. You're going to be perfect." He said, lifting her chin up to look at him in the eye with his index finger.

"You don't know that."

"Sure I do." He replied. "It's you."

Rachel sighed, pulling away from his grasp as he sat down on his bed. "No, it's not just me! What if I mess it up like last time. What if…." She paused, looking at him. "What if I don't have that Hollywood look?"

Finn's brows furrowed. "Babe, you're beautiful. Don't even start with that."

She rolled her eyes. "You're supposed to say that."

"But I mean the things I say. Rach, relax. Now come over here and let's go over it one more time before calling it a day, okay?" He asked, reaching over, grabbing the papers she had scribbled notes on about the song ideas she had.

She nodded, walking up to him as he grabbed her around the waist pulling her onto his lap.

000

Rachel woke up the next morning extra early. She began to brew a pot of coffee before turning, seeing Tina there.

"I wanted to wake up to wish you good luck." She said approaching her, jumping up to sit on the counter. Tina had gotten the part she had auditioned for in that concept show, and Rachel was extremely happy for her even though part of her envied her.

"Oh you didn't have to do that." Rachel said, pouring coffee, asking her if she wanted some.

Tina shook her head no before looking at her. "Are you okay? I feel like you've been distant lately."

Rachel smiled, taking a sip of coffee. "Everything is fine." She took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry, I feel like I've been spending all my time with Finn or talking to him and I haven't been telling my best friend anything. I promise I'll stop."

Tina laughed. "No, not that. I'm glad you found someone like him. I meant okay with your situation you know, job wise?"

"Oh…" Rachel stopped. "Well I mean I'm disappointed I didn't get that role but everything will be okay in the end."

"Yeah, it will be. Besides, you're Rachel Berry. If this talent agency doesn't decide to represent you, they'd be absolutely insane."

"Thanks, Tina. Everyone's been saying that though." Rachel said.

"That's because it's true though. The moment you start believing that, things are going to fall into place."

Rachel hugged her, thanking her appreciatively as they began talking about other things.

"So tell me about how Finn ran into Jesse again?" Tina said happily. She loved hearing that story.

Rachel laughed as she retold the story before getting the two got into a larger discussion about Lima and the people she ran into while there.

000

Rachel took a deep breath as she stepped out of the car. As she approached the building, she stopped, seeing Finn standing near the door.

"What're you doing…?" Rachel said, her voice drifting off at the sight of Finn, standing outside of the door, a wide grin on her face as he ran up to her. He had a suit on and flowers in his hand.

"I bought these on the way here. I thought you could use the support." He said, smiling down at her, handing her the flowers.

"Stop being perfect. I can't even compare to this." Rachel said before looking him up and down. "And you look all fancy, why?" She asked happily before leaning up, planting a soft kiss on him.

Finn shrugged as he returned the kiss. "I just thought it'd be a nice gesture. And after you nail this thing, maybe we can go somewhere nice to celebrate." He said with a shrug.

"That'd be perfect." Rachel replied quietly as she kissed him once more before turning back towards the door.

"You're going to be fantastic." He said, grabbing her hand, intertwining their fingers as they entered the building.

Rachel closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before separating from Finn. "Hold these please." She said politely, handing him back the flowers.

He nodded as they embraced for a hug. "Good luck, Rachel. I love you." He whispered into her ear before kissing her on the cheek.

She smiled widely before turning away from him, the sparkle in her large brown eyes evident. Finn's heart burst with pride as he watched her go, before taking a seat, waiting for her patiently.

000

Rachel came out once her audition was finished, tears in her eyes.

Finn stood quickly, rushing over to her. "Babe…" he said genuinely.

Rachel shook her head. "I told you." She said with a sigh.

"What? What happened?"

"I told you. They thought I had the talent, but they were skeptical over my 'look'" she said, making air quotes when she said the word look. "I knew this was too good to be true." She added, blinking more frequently than usual. She was trying to hold back the tears.

Finn looked around. "Are you fucking kidding me?" He said, sounding angrily.

Rachel grabbed his arms. "It's okay." She said glumly.

"No it isn't. Are these people insane? Wait, of course they are. Hollywood is so insanely fucked… Finn began as Rachel looked sternly up at him, causing him to stop.

"Come on, let's just go." Rachel said, grabbing his hand, forcing him out of the building. "There will be more agencies." She said depressingly.

Finn looked at her in disbelief. He knew she was putting on an act.

He stopped outside of her car, when she turned to him and sighed. "I don't feel like celebrating much." She said quietly. "So, i'll see you later, okay?" she said, looking up at him, taking the flowers once more. "Thanks so much for the flowers."

"Rach…"

"No stop. I don't want your pity and I don't want you to feel bad for me. I'm fine." She said reassuringly. He knew she wasn't.

He shook his head as she leaned up, giving him a soft kiss.

He returned the kiss and watched her as she silently got into her car. With one last wave, she drove off, leaving him confused in the parking lot. He shook his head before heading to his truck. This was in no way how he thought this day would go, and he knew giving her space was the best option. He couldn't believe that. He wanted to go in there and knock sense into every single one of those agents' skulls for stooping down to that kind of level. Sure she wasn't blonde and thin, but she was definitely beautiful. Everything about her, both looks and personality. It pained him to see these people tear her down the way they were.

He sighed. They obviously didn't know talent if it shot them in the face. He knew what he had to do. Without her knowledge, he was going to do something about it until she got the best damn agent in Los Angeles who found her the best damn roles in both film and television. His girlfriend would break into this business and she would be the girl that everyone wanted in their productions.

'Mark my words.' He thought to himself as he drove home, mentally cursing every single person in her life that had ever discouraged her.

I hope the writing wasn't too choppy! For some reason, I felt like it was in a way. Let me know what you think! And ps, I know everything with Rachel and acting seems to be depressing...but it's not all bad I promise. That's all i'm going to say about that.