Here it is. Everyone's been asking for this chapter. I hope it meets expectations.

She was breathtaking, naturally. His breath was literally caught as she opened her mouth and started to sing. He'd love to take some credit for the way she'd picked herself up backstage but this was all her. All fear and nervousness was apparently behind her as she blessed them with her song. He felt a nudge as someone settled into the seat next to him but his eyes were glued to the woman on stage. Her eyes connected with his and everything sort of shattered within him.

She was everything and it was so all-consuming that he couldn't think straight. He'd never been a poet or a song writer and this was probably why. On the odd occasion that he allowed his emotions free-reign it absolutely fucking wrecked him. There were no words or sounds, only feelings that were indescribable and sometimes agonizingly truthful. Rachel swam in and out of his vision as her voice took him to another place completely; somewhere warm and light and incredibly Rachel.

He'd like to spend forever in this moment, in this place with her. She was singing to him even as she was singing for her future, her life, her livelihood. He'd been shocked when she'd told him her final choice for her audition piece. Hearing it now he knew she'd been righter than she'd ever been wrong. Florence and the Machine had written this song for her and only her. It was dark and edgy and beautiful.

"Fucking hell." Santana muttered next to him and he recognized Blaine's low whistle of agreement.

"I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map!

And knew that somehow I could find my way back!"

"Oh my God. She's loving it." Quinn breathed and Sebastian's gaze finally moved from the stage to the strangely dressed woman in the crowd.

Carmen Tibideau was a scary-looking woman and she'd remained impassive for Kurt's performance. Her lips kept twitching and her eyes were bright as Rachel serenaded them.

"So I stayed in the darkness with you."

"She'd have to be fucking deaf not to." Puck growled quietly.

Rachel hit the chorus again and the emotion swelled in her voice. She'd found a way to make the performance personal in a way that Kurt had failed. There was no theatricality or flare as she sang the song. She barely moved as her small body belted out the notes beautifully. He could see that her eyes were sparkling with tears and he could hear a few sniffles in the seats next to him.

"No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight,

In the shadow of your hearrrttt!"

The auditorium fell into silence as Sebastian and his friends heeded Rachel's reminder to stay silent out of respect for Madame Tibideau. They all watched the woman with bated breath as she considered Rachel. His eyes darted to Rachel who was standing tall under the Dean's scrutiny.

"An interesting choice Miss Berry. Given your resume and performance videos I was expecting something from a Broadway musical."

Rachel took a deep breath and smiled. "I was going to sing a piece from 'Funny Girl' but someone very special to me told me to showcase myself and not emulate someone else. I came upon this song almost by accident but I felt a great emotional connection to it." She finished with a half-shrug and Sebastian grinned as her eyes twitched in his direction.

Madame Tibideau was silent for another moment before offering a small smile. "An excellent choice my dear. You'll be hearing from my office."

They all watched as she stood up and walked towards the exit. She spared a smile to the still silent group of friends before walking out of the auditorium.

"Fuck yeah!" Santana yelped as the door closed.

A grin broke out over Rachel's features as the group jumped to their feet and rushed the stage. Sebastian stayed back slightly as her friends hugged and congratulated her on her performance.

"Holy shit Quinn, when she used to go on and on about being better than everyone else she actually knew what she was talking about!" Santana crowed happily.

Rachel was passed from Sam to Puck and finally into Blaine's arms. Sebastian watched in fascination as the two of them seemed to have a wordless conversation that ended with Rachel's eyes watering.

"Thank you." She replied quietly before pulling out of his arms.

"You losers had better be at my house tonight for a celebration party!" Santana announced as their friends left them alone on the stage.

Sebastian walked up to her and wordlessly scooped her into his arms. He held her tightly as all of the tension that had plagued him during her performance leaked out into her embrace. His chest swelled once more as he buried his face in her hair and breathed in as much of her as he could get. They stood there in silence for a few minutes before he finally lifted his head and caught her gaze. His hands caressed her cheeks as the words came spilling out.

"You were so, just fucking perfect. I've never seen or heard anything more-" He kissed her forehead. "More beautiful. I just-"

"Seb-"

"I love you. I'm no good with words but Rach I really just fucking love you." He declared.

Her eyes were wide and she let out a squeak of surprise just before his lips descended on hers hungrily. He kissed her desperately and he felt her small hands grasping blindly for purchase on his shoulders. She half-climbed him in an attempt to get closer, to kiss him more deeply. His arms wrapped around her waist and her legs wrapped around his hips. She was mumbling nonsensical sounds into his mouth as she pulled him tighter. His lungs started to burn as he head was foggy but he didn't want to pull away. He sank slowly to his knees and she climbed more fully into his lap. They broke apart slightly, chests heaving as their foreheads touched together. Her brown eyes opened and gazed fondly into his. Her fingers smoothed against his stubble-covered cheeks and she smiled widely.

"I love you too Sebastian. So much."

Everything after that was a blur of strewn clothing and stumbling backstage to a more secluded spot. Their cries and moans filled the air as they coupled out of sight. Their fingers moved hastily and they sought pleasure endlessly. Hours later as they lay together in a sweaty heap of tangled limbs, he ran his finger down her spine as she hummed "Cosmic Love" against his chest.

The only sound he loved more than her singing was her telling him she loved him every time she came.

Any thoughts? Thanks!