Enjoy the update and stay safe. As always, I own nothing related to Glee...except for the first season on DVD.
Rachel passed out on her bed after reading Finn's letter and text on her phone. It was a simple text, one to say that he was missing her and thinking of her today as she headed back to Ohio. She treasured Finn's texts, knowing that phone access was not a guarantee on base.
"Rachel?" Tina poked her head through the door. "Your dad's said you were resting upstairs."
"Tina!" Rachel sat up and pulled her friend in for a hug. "It's only been a week or so but I miss you so much."
"We went from seeing each other every day to seeing each other a few times a year," she laughed, kicking her shoes off.
"I'm glad to get some quality time with just you," Rachel assured her. "How have you been feeling?"
"I have good and bad moments," Tina admitted. "Finals and New Directions have been a good distraction from everything else, and my parents are being very understanding. You know they seemed to like Mike better after we broke up," she laughed.
"Maybe because he wasn't dating their little girl anymore," Rachel suggested.
"Your dads never met Finn before you two started dating did they?"
Rachel shook her head. "My dads can be a bit on the dramatic side," she admitted. "When Finn and I had our first family dinner together – after announcing our engagement – they did everything they could to split us up."
"Well I started dating Mike right after ending things with Artie. I think my folks were just glad I was dating someone Asian American." Tina grabbed one of Rachel's pillows. "You know, I had this dream scenario where Mike and I, and you and Finn were engaged and had a double wedding."
"We always have our dreams," Rachel said aloud. "Where everyone is safe and together; no one's fighting with guns in the Army."
"Oddly specific," Tina remarked with a raised eyebrow.
Rachel handed Tina Finn's latest letter. "I just got this in the mail today. You know he actually enjoys it there and can't wait to tell me more about it!"
Tina licked her lips, reading the correspondence. "He supports your dreams."
"The Army wasn't his dream until this year; I could support him doing anything else, living anywhere else. Though I'd prefer it if he stuck to the original plan and went to New York with me and Kurt."
"New York was always your plan. It didn't become Finn's until you two got together."
Rachel reached for a glass of water on her bedside table. "What's your point with that?"
"Maybe Finn wants to find his own dream. Mike says that was part of the reason why we broke up – he wanted to venture out on his own."
"But he was coming back to you."
"And Finn is coming back for you. Maybe this year even."
Rachel nodded her head. "He says we can ring in the New Year together. That puts us together at major holidays and vacations."
"Only for a year or so."
Rachel pointed at a line in the letter. "He loves it so much, he might want to extend his stay past the two-year commitment."
"Then maybe you do need to learn more about his time there," Tina suggested. "If it's his passion…"
"He doesn't know what his passion is," Rachel cut in. "He said so in his letter."
Tina passed the letter back to Rachel. "If he's happy where he is…"
"I should be happy for him," Rachel finished. "He's always supported me in my projects and goals; I'd have an easier time supporting him I wasn't so…."
"Scared," Tina finished.
Rachel nodded, clutching one of her pillows.
"Tell you what," Tina said, "There was a reason that I came here today, and it wasn't just to talk about Finn."
"I'm all ears."
"I finally figured out what I'm doing after high school this summer."
Rachel clapped her hands. "Early acceptance to Brown?"
Tina shook her head. "I'm not going to college."
Rachel raised a finger, "Don't tell me you're joining the Army too!" she laughed.
Tina put Rachel's finger down. "Not exactly. Remember when I mentioned the mission trip? My church was talking about a mission's group that's headed to China, and they are looking for a dance teacher."
"You're moving to China so soon?"
"My parents have already started raising money for the move. It'll give me a chance to get some perspective, maybe a fresh start."
"I get it," Rachel nodded. "Not many New Directions seem to stay in Lima for very long."
"The big plan was to go to school where Mike was – Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance. I spent months working on my submission for the school, only to be told in August – right before school starts – that he wants to see other people."
"You could still go to Joffrey eventually," Rachel suggested.
"That was more his dream," Tina admitted. "I was pigeonholing myself into his dream because I thought it would be easier to us."
"But ultimately you would have been unhappy. Just like if Finn had tried to come to New York just to be with me and Kurt."
"Just something to think about," Tina offered.
"I'm really happy for you."
"I'll be able to do some real good there in China, make a difference in someone's life."
"Just like Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury."
"Don't tell anyone just yet, though. I want to tell everyone on my own."
"And you started with me," Rachel laughed, pumping her fist.
"You won't be here much in the new year." With that being said, Tina and Rachel continued their gossip session until dinner, with Tina divulging the new information on the newest of the New Directions and Rachel reciting her various accolades from the Winter Showcase.