Many thanks to 'luvtheheaven' for being a beta and sound board.

The second floor of the hospital was flooded with high schoolers waiting to pay their respects to Mike and his family. Tina had remained close to the Chang family after her break up with Mike; they all attended the same church services, and shopped at the same supermarkets. Tina had never wanted to avoid the Changs after Mike left, and now her bond with them was that much stronger.

"It isn't right," Puck bitterly commented under his breath. The thought of losing a teammate and friend was unbelievable to him. In high school, Puck truly believed that he and his crew were invincible – they could walk on water if need be. Seeing Mike's body made the once dominating bully hide in his shell.

Rachel walked into the room with Finn, their arms around one another. "How do you say goodbye to someone forever," Rachel whispered. Tonight was supposed to be a day of reunions and catching up, not a day of permanent goodbyes.

"My drill sergeant says that instead of mourning, we should fight to keep the memory alive."

Rachel stepped forward and looked at Mike, whispering a Hebrew prayer that her dads had taught her as a young girl. As she finished, she turned to Finn and told him that she was going to find Tina.

Tina was buried in her phone, looking through old pictures of herself and Mike which dated back to the beginning of Glee Club.

"Good memories?" Rachel asked, peeking over Tina's shoulder.

"Some good, some not so good," Tina mused out loud, her eyes not leaving the screen. "This one here was taken one week before we broke up, or rather before Mike broke up with me. If I had my way…if I had my way…" Tina's phone slipped from her fingers, and was caught by Rachel at the last second.

Rachel wordlessly took Tina into her arms, guiding her to the sofa. "Let it out," she whispered. "If you can't turn to your friends –"

"Who can you turn to," Tina finished, reciting an oft-spoken theme that Mr. Schue had impressed upon his students during their time in Glee Club.

The gang stayed at the hospital well into the early hours of the morning.

"I need to get back to Yale," Quinn said quietly, sipping her cup of automatic hot chocolate.

Several of the graduates seconded Quinn's sentiments, citing various conflicts and reasons to get back to their routines. There seemed to be nothing but sadness in Lima.

"Wait!" Rachel stood up, commanding attention in her usual fashion. "Before we go our separate ways again – I mean who knows when we'll all be together again anyway…"

"Don't say that Rachel," Mercedes wearily scolded. "We'll be together again sooner than you think."

"How about coming to see me at the NYADA Winter Showcase?"

"That sounds a lot like Glee," Santana commented, crinkling her nose.

"It's an exclusive performance for the best of the best at NYADA, and I get to perform in front of the whole school."

"Most of us will be on winter break," Finn suggested.

"Will the Army let you leave?"

"I can't make any promises," Finn explained, kissing her on the cheek. He wanted to come see her sing more than anything, but there was no point in promising something if he wasn't sure he could deliver.

"Count me in," Artie said. "I'd like to go back to New York again."

Several glee clubbers nodded their heads in agreement.

"So maybe we could have a second little reunion," Quinn suggested. "Something smaller."

No one had the heart to disagree, everyone still searching for a way to stay connected in lieu of recent events.

"So we'll tentatively plan for Winter Showcase. I'll get everyone the details," Rachel said with a tiny smile. She had found a little joy in an otherwise heartbreaking day. Rachel pulled Finn's arm, taking him to a corner. "Will you really try to come out?"

"If I don't make it, I want you to sing your whole set for me."

"It won't be the same if you're not there though," Rachel said, lowering her head. "I always sing better when you're in the audience – you inspire me in ways that no one else can."

"Maybe the inspiration should come from here," Finn suggested, placing his hand on her heart, "and not from me."

"If I don't see you at Christmas, when will I see you?"

"We still have our letters."

"You know that's not the same."

"Soon," Finn promised. "Time will move fast for both of us."

"I have a feeling you're right. We're definitely not in high school anymore."