AN: Inspired by lyrics from "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5. So this is my little take on what fall might be like for a couple of our Glee graduates. Hope you like.


The October rain was coming down steadily. The mild wind only added to the chill of the New York City day. Walking amongst the total strangers Rachel Berry walked slowly back to her dorm room at NAYADA. Her mood matched the dreary day.

She had thought that catching an afternoon matinee performance of "Wicked" would boost her dreary mood. It hadn't though. She just couldn't shake the loneliness she had felt. Being in New York wasn't all she had thought it would be. She wasn't supposed to be here alone - Finn and Kurt should have been by her side.

A sudden gust of wind caught her umbrella turning it inside out. As the rain continued to fall down, Rachel's tears of frustration joined them. Reaching an intersection, ruined umbrella in hand, she paused with the other strangers on the street, waiting for the walk light to come on.

"Care to share my umbrella," a familiar voice said behind her, as Rachel found herself sheltered from the rain once more.

Turning, she looked up into the smiling face of her best friend.

"Kurt! Where did you come from!"

"The Palace Theater," Kurt replied. "We just got through with rehearsal."

"You got a role in a Broadway performance?" Rachel asked, feeling a mixture of joy and envy.

"Not a role exactly. I mean I've gone to a couple of auditions the past couple of weeks since I got here, but haven't had any success. However, I'm playing piano for the upcoming run of "Annie". Not exactly my dream, but it's a start," he replied, slipping his arm around her shoulders and leading her across the street with the rest of the crowd. "I've been meaning to call you but I guess I was hoping to have something going for myself before I told you I moved to the city."

"Kurt, you're playing piano for a Broadway production. That is something. More than I have going right now."

"We made it to New York, Rachel. That's one step closer to our dreams."

Rachel leaned her head against his shoulder as they continued down Broadway. The day didn't seem quite so dreary.