A Story of New York

by Razmo

AU After S2 Finale. Rachel rejects Finn's proposal of renewing their relationship; instead heading to New York with Kurt for the summer to improve her chances of getting accepted into NYADA. Follow Rachel through the summer and Season 3 as she makes new friends. But, can she find the man of her dreams along the way? Rachel OC Ship. (Flashes of Finchel mostly friendship)

6. New York: Until Next Year!

Chapter 6

The next morning, Rachel was in a fantastic mood as she sat in the back of a cab with Kurt heading to NYADA for the final day of their summer programme in New York. This would have been a sad day but for the developments the previous night as she had dinner with James. This would have been the day they were saying goodbye, both heading their separate ways; but instead, he was coming to visit her for a few days in Ohio, staying in the guest room of her house.

She was sat with a huge grin on her face, and it had been there since she had entered the hotel room after saying goodnight to James. After going into her room, she was greeted by Kurt watching a late night talk show. He had dragged her into his bed after she had performed her night-time routine, and she had spent over an hour telling Kurt about what had happened at dinner, filling him in on all the little details as he squealed in happiness. Rachel felt a incredibly thankful for Kurt's advice. He had been the one who had told, almost to point of forcing, her to talk to James to get all of their feelings out in the opening so that they find out if they wanted to be together after they left New York and if so, work out a way to deal with the next year of being so far away. He was ecstatic that James had agreed with her that they could make it work. Kurt had become fond of James and admitted himself he would be upset if they fell out of touch with their new friends. He had also been proud of her, and appreciated how Rachel had thought about Finn's feeling in all of this; although a little scolding of how she had informed James of it; he was glad that she was going to talk to Finn before James arrived, and she had reassured Kurt that she wouldn't rub James in his face when he was in Ohio.

In the morning, at breakfast, she had talked to her Dads; thanking them for telling James he could visit whenever he wanted and was welcome to stay in their guest room. They had smiled, telling her happily that they loved the young man; and especially how he treated her. LeRoy had assured her that as long as he made their little girl feel special and made her happy, James would always be welcome to stay with them. She then told them about his intention to visit just over a week; asking if he take up their offer and if he could stay for a few days when he came to visit; something that LeRoy was particularly overjoyed at, to which they replied that as long as his parents agreed it would be alright with them, teasing her slightly saying that they would have to patrol the hallway at night to make sure they didn't sneak off to each other's room. Kurt had laughed loudly at this, causing many people to glance at them, while Rachel had sat there furiously blushing at the implied meaning.

Now her and Kurt were in the cab taking them to NYADA for the final time this summer, singing along to the cab drivers radio. This particular cab driver was called Thero and had driven them many times over the course of the past month and knew their names. Bidding him farewell, they got out of the cab and walked arms linked through the courtyard with a beautiful water fountain in the middle surrounded by well trimmed grass and multi coloured flowers.

As they walked into the auditorium foyer, Matt and the others they had become friends with waved them over. They greeted the group and were chatting for a few minutes about the upcoming NYADA student performance and what they thought would be sung to them. Laughing, a thought crossed her mind; something that hadn't occurred to her.

"Where's James?" Rachel asked concerned. She'd been so caught up in her happiness and the thrill of talking to her dads this morning that she hadn't realised he wasn't stood with them. That was odd, as he was always here before her: it was his thing where he would wait for her. Matt went to open his mouth when Rachel squealed as she felt two arms wrap around her waist and hug her tightly. She leaned back into the person as she felt lips press against the side of neck before they made their way up; leaving tender kisses along the way before settling just behind her ear.

"Good morning beautiful" a deep but soft voice whispered into her ear before she turned around and saw James grinning at her. "Surprise"

She smiled widely at him before standing up off her heels and kissing him fully. She felt him smile against her lips as he lifted her off the ground causing her to pull back and scream as they both, along with the others, laughed.

"You suck" Rachel pouted as he put her down, smiling before he pressed a kiss to her lips again.

"I know" he said against her lips, then pulling back to brush some of her hair out of her face. "I missed you"

"I missed you too. Last night was so great" She said before grinning, pecking him on the lip again "Where we're you? Normally you're here standing waiting for me with that cute goofy smile on your face"

"You think my smile is cute?" James asked smirking at her, and she rolled her eyes at him in response.

"If you two are done, we should go into the auditorium before we get shit seats" Jake said smirking as the group started heading towards the large doors. James smiled at her, intertwining his fingers in hers as they walked slowly behind the others. As they passed through the doors, she looked up at him and smiled.

"Where were you?" James smile faded slightly, and she stopped walking pulling him to face her. She spoke softly ; "What's wrong?"

"I was talking...talking to my dad" James replied softly, looking down at her; a look of sadness in his eye.

"Are you okay? What did he say?" Rachel asked tenderly, raising a hand to stroke his cheek trying to offer him the comfort he needed, knowing his strained relationship with his dad.

"Yeah, I'm okay" James said simply, and Rachel looked at him reassuringly "He was asking me about this summer. If I had a good time"

Rachel nodded, staying silent knowing that he would talk to her if she did. "As always, he had to go and talk to some business partner about something. Everytime I tell him something important"

"What were you telling him?"

"About you. How I had met this amazing girl and was going to Ohio to see her." James said smiling slightly. "But he doesn't care, just said he had to go and that this Rochelle girl sounds lovely"

Rachel leaned up and kissed James on the lips softly, rubbing his cheek reassuringly. "Don't worry about it"

"I know, its just I'm used to him not listening. Just when its something so important to me it really hurts"

"I know" Rachel replied, taking his hand in hers again "But I'll always listen to you. Come on lets sit down"

...

The performance by the NYADA and Julliard students was amazing. It spanned across a period of around 2 hours. They Julliard dramatic arts students performed a number of scenes from West Side Story as well as a few incredibly choreographed dance routines to popular music from the charts. The NYADA students in turn, featured four soloists who sung a medley of songs from different artists. Rachel and Kurt, along with many others, enjoyed the junior student who sung a number of Barbara Streisand songs. James rolled his eyes as he listened, watching them jump up and down dancing together as they sung along. Afterwards, the director of the Julliard theatre department Janet Williams came on stage and talked them for a half hour.

"Finally, I would just like to thank you all for spending this summer in our programme. We have enjoyed spending time with the incredibly talented people that you all are. We hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I and the other tutors have. I hope that this isn't goodbye, and that we welcome many of you into Julliard next year when you come to New York to study. For those of you intending to apply to NYADA; we wish you the very best of luck" Janet said, before smiling and saying before she left to applause from the kids. "May you all have safe journeys home"

A little while later, and they were all sat chatting in a diner around the corner from NYADA. The day had finished with them collecting a number of booklets and a certificate signifying that they had participated in the summer programme. It was around 2pm and some of them had wanted lunch; hence why they found themselves in the diner. They were sat in a circular booth, Rachel having finished her soup; wiping her mouth on a napkin. She was sat with James, who was talking to Adam, Jake and Matt about sports as he ate some fries, and Kurt, who was talking to the girls, on either side of her. Licking her lips she leant into James side, listening to his conversation vaguely leaning her head on his shoulder. She smiled as she felt his hand move to her knee and she covered it with her own two as he continued talking to Matt but now with a smile on his face as he rubbed her leg with his thumb. The seven of them spent the next hour and a half in the diner, ordering a few more drinks, as they spent time with one another for the last time before they would go their different ways. It was sombre affair, but no-one seemed to mind. They had become friends over the last few weeks and were just enjoying the time they had left. The boys soon turned from talking about sports to teasing James over his relationship with her. She made a point of turning his head to her and kissing him fully for several moments before pulling back and looking at the huge smile on his face as he gazed into her eyes. She leaned into his side as he placed his arm around her shoulder; kissing her forehead. Rachel smiled up at him as he turned back to talk to the guys.

"Did you talk to your mom about coming to Ohio?"

"Yeah I did" James replied, glancing and smirking at Rachel. "She says thats it cool if i do"

"Sweet man" Jake replied, highfiving him as Rachel bit her lip. "Gonna be so awesome, After you see Carmel you're going to want to transfer and join Vocal Adrenaline"

"Sure...you guys are just thatawesome right" James laughed back, afterwards he turned and glanced at Rachel. "I should tell you though, I'm going to cut it short by three days or so dude.

"Why?" Jake asked with a puzzled expression, and Rachel giggled.

"I'm going to Lima" James replied grinning widely.

"What's in Lima?"

"He's staying with me, it's going to be so much fun" Rachel replied, kissing James cheek.

"Dude...you're ditching me for the chick?" Jake said smirking

"You're lucky I'm coming to see you at all now that Rachel's dads are letting me use their guest room" James replied grinning.

"Ah I see how it is. She puts out and suddenly you ditch me" Jake remarked, and Rachel eyes widened slightly

"Dude not cool" James replied frowning, shaking his head. "Don't talk about her like that"

"Sorry Rachel , I didn't mean anything by it" Jake said apologetically.

"It's okay" Rachel replied softly, squeezing James hand gently as she could tell he was't impressed. He leaned over and kissed her on the lips tenderly and she smiled at him as he pulled away.

"So her dads are cool with you staying?" Matt asked, taking a drink

"Yeah, they love him" Kurt said causing Rachel to start giggling. "In fact, I'm pretty sure they're already planning a wedding"

"Really?"

"Apparently they want Barbara Streisand to perform" James replied, smirking. Rachel glared at him furiously, feeling her cheeks warm with embarrassment. She cared about him, but all this talk of marriage was just horrible, she didn't want to think about that yet; take things slowly and just enjoy it rather than worrying about anything serious. "It's cool though. They like me and I get on well with her dads. They are actually pretty cool themselves. As long as I treat her right; they are fine with me staying"

"It's going to be so much fun" Rachel said happily, rubbing her hand up and down his arm "I'm going to show him around Lima. Go for walks in the park, go the movies or well we could just stay at home watch some films cuddling up by the fire"

"Got it all planned huh?" James asked, softly. Rachel nodded proudly and cuddled up to him as he rested his head ontop of hers.

"Looks like we're never going to get him back to Oregon" Lucy said laughing

"I won't keep him forever, I promise" Rachel said giggling as James kissed the side of her head. Her eyes fluttering closed enjoying the sensation.

"Make sure you don't, we need him to win nationals again" Matt replied smirking, Rachel rolled her eyes at him and James chuckled.

"We'll have to see about that" Kurt said smugly, and they are all laughed.

"Speaking of going home" Jake said, "When do you fly out of New York?"

"Sunday" James said softly, his hand tightened in hers.

"Tomorrow afternoon" Rachel replied, smiling sadly at James who was looking down at their hands Kurt nodded.

"Then we've only got tonight?" Matt replied "Well we should go to Callback's again. There's a load of kids from the summer programme going there"

"That sounds great" Jake said smiling.

"I don't know, I kinda wanted to spend some time with Rachel" James replied sadly, and Rachel looked at him.

"It'll be fun, we can go and hang out there" Rachel said, nudging him encouragingly. He looked at her and smiled. "And…we can sing a duet"

James smile grew as the words left her mouth. He squeezed her hand. "Alright I'm in. I couldn't leave New York without singing with a duet with you"

"Then its settled. We'll meet there at around seven or so?" Jake replied triumphantly. They all agreed to meeting at the bar then, before they left the diner. James insisted on walking her back to the hotel with Kurt, Rachel eagerly agreeing; happy just to spend time with him before their inevitable departure. They laughed and talked as they walked through the streets of New York, and when they finally reached it; Kurt left them to it. James smiled and leaned down to kiss Rachel, and the two spent a great deal of time participating before he pulled back and bid her farewell. Rachel ran up to the hotel room, with a smile on her face, to get ready for tonight.

….

Several hours later, and Rachel found herself dancing in Callbacks with James. She'd worn a blue knee length dress that had gotten many remarks from the group about her pretty she looked. Their opinions didn't matter as much as the look of awe she saw on James' face as he first saw her. His jaw looked like it was going to drop off and it had made her blush furiously. Walking up to him, she'd kissed him and he had whispered in her ear telling how beautiful she looked. That was something sh loved about him. He never used words like "hot" or "sexy" about her; instead using ones such as Gorgeous, Beautiful and stunning. He knew how to make her feel incredible about herself, washing away the self-conscious thoughts that she had about how she would never be seen as attractive.

For the last time, the group of ten people that had grown to become friends this summer were spending time with one another. Rachel made conversation with them, particularly Jake who despite his crudeness he was sweet to her and reminded her in many ways of Puck. The fact that he was in Vocal Adrenaline meant that she hoped to see him during the next year along with the other Carmel girls. She hoped they would stay in touch, and that would make it easier to miss James when he was coming to visit.

The bulk of time however was spent with him. They danced for a long time together, ignorant to the others, goofing around or as they were now; slow dancing. She had her head rested on his shoulder as his was in the crook of her neck, tenderly kissing her just below her ear, on that spot that she loved when he did, as he whispered into her ear.

"I'm going to miss you so much" He said softly, and Rachel pulled back to look at him. There was a tear running down his cheek.

"So will I" Rachel replied, moving a hand to cup his cheek and wiping it away with her thumb. "But you're coming to visit. And I'm visiting you"

James nodded, as she moved her hand and placed it over his heart, leaning down to kiss her on the lips. They spent several more minutes kissing as they swayed on the dance floor, happy to be enjoying the time together, as the girl on stage finished singing her Adele song. Eventually, James pulled back, but only a little bit, so that his lips were an inch away as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm going to miss those lips" He said seriously, and Rachel just bit her lip.

"You make me feel so amazing" Rachel replied, and kissed him gently. "That's what I'm going to miss"

"I'll call you every day and tell you how incredible and beautiful you are" James said, kissing her again.

"How will you know I look beautiful if you can't see me?" Rachel replied teasingly, causing him to smile.

"Because you are always beautiful to me" James said kissing her once more on the lips. She smiled against him after a few seconds.

"Come on, Let's sing" She said, James grinned nodding and she tugged his hand towards the band.

"What do you want to sing?" James asked, leaning his head on her shoulder as he stood behind her while she looked through songs. Rachel bit her lip, before looking up and kissing the side of his face.

"Since you said it would be an honour to sing with me…" Rachel said grinning, teasing him at his words a few fays ago "I'll do you an even bigger one and let you pick"

James laughed, before kissing her. "Thank you Baby"

Rachel mouth opened to reply at the affectionate name, and she closed it smiling. The way it rolled of his tongue and how it sounded to her ears as perfect. She had dreamed as a little girl what it would be like to have a guy call her baby. This had beaten it by a mile. She grinned as his eyebrows furrowed looking through songs.

"Found one?" Rachel asked a few seconds later. He glanced at her and smirked, showing her his choice.

"Know the song?"

"I love them" Rachel replied grinning, taking his hand. "Let's do it"

...

James and Rachel stood on stage, facing each other as the music starts. James beating his hand against his thigh in time to the beat. Rachel swaying her shoulders softly. James winks at her as he starts singing, she smiles as he hits the falsetto on the first line.

I run from hate, I run from prejudice

I run from pessimists, but I run too late

Rachel takes over the lyrics, her voice clear and strong as she closes her eyes drawing out the note at first, before opening to see James smiling at her widely as the beat speeds up. He takes a step closer to her.

I run my life or is it running me, run from my past
I run too fast or too slow it seems

They sing together, their voices joining beautifully.

When lies become the truth
That's when I run to you

Rachel grins as James points at her as they sing. He then turns to the crowd as she keeps watching him.

This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to, I run to you

James walks around Rachel as they sings, her heard follows him; still a massive smile on her face. He pauses behind her, a hand moving to her waist as she turns to face him. She takes a step closer, and her leg touches his as they sing to each other.

We run on fumes, your life and mine
Like the sands of time slippin' right on through
And our love's the only truth
That's why I run to you

This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to, I run to you

James takes her hand, spinning her around on the spot as he grins. She sings the verse solo as he stares into her eyes full of adoration and she feels her heart beat faster. He always look at with such a mesmerized look in his eyes; as if he can't believe she's as good as she is. It reminds her of how Finn looked at her, and how she used to think that he was the only guy who would ever be like that with her.

Whoa, oh, I run to you

This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to, I run to you, I run to you, yeah

Whoa, oh, I run to you
I run to you girl, whoa

I always run to you
Run to you, run to you

They finish the song stood face to face, as the people in the bar cheer and applaud. He smiles and leans into kiss her cheek before she grabs his hand and drags him off stage.

….

"Singing with you is amazing" James said, scooping her up in her arms and twirling her around. Rachel giggled and laughed as he put her down and kissed her, placing two hands on her waist, running his tongue along her bottom mouth as she moaned and opened. Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer. After several minutes, she pulled back; kissing him once tenderly before taking his hand and walking over to where their friends were sat talking.

"You guys were fantastic" Kurt said smiling, as Rachel hugged him sitting down. "Your voices go together so amazingly"

Rachel grinned, looking across the table at James who was stood leaning against the booth with hand on Matt's shoulder. He was gazing at her with adoration in his eyes and winked as she bit her lip.

"I'm just so glad we got the chance before we go home" Rachel said, still smiling, as she took a drink.

She was still watching James, as Jake highfived him as he congratulated him on his duet with her. Rachel was amazed by how well their voices had gone together. The boys in the past she had sung with had complemented hers well; except for Jesse who was always looked to shine as much as she had; but James had matched hers for its intensity. He had sung with her still coming across stronger but instead of competing to be heard she could feel his voice relaxing into the song and his talent came across with hers. She'd felt butterflies in her stomach as they sung to one another; him gazing affectionately and lovingly at her. Rachel smiled at him again as she sat down across from her, moving her foot to touch his leg under the table; giggling softly as his eyebrows raised at her.

"Dude?" Matt said and hit his shoulder. Rachel watched biting her lip as his eyes snapped away from her and he turned his head to look at Matt.

"Sorry what?"

"I said, You were really great up there"

"Cheers man" James replied,

"Best you've been since nationals" Lucy said, and James smiled at him before taking a drink.

They spent an hour or so more at Callbacks, sitting around chatting and enjoying the company of one another. Eventually the time came that they would have to leave the bar and head home. They spent twenty minutes saying their goodbyes to one another outside the bar, reassuring one another that they would try to keep in touch.

"Going to miss you Berry" Matt said as he pulled out of his hug with Rachel. "Keep in touch and look after my boy"

She had a tear on his face, which made him squeeze her shoulder as he moved away and hugged Kurt. Rachel moved to hug Jake and the vocal adrenaline crew. James was stood at the back of the group smiling sheepishly as he finished hugging Kelsie. Some of the group headed off leaving James stood with Kurt and Rachel. Moving over to him she opened her mouth to say goodbye when he pulled her into a kiss, his hands on the side of her cheeks. After a while she pulled back.

"Don't say goodbye" James said softly, rubbing his thumb on her cheek. "I'm walking you home"

Rachel laughed, tears in her eyes. Nodding, she kissed him once more. "I don't want to say it either"

"We aren't" James said smiling slightly "We will have to eventually, but not until I'm leaving Ohio. Now let me walk you back to your hotel"

Nodding happily, Rachel linked her arm with James and walked with him and Kurt. As they walked they didn't talk much, just enjoying being together. As they reached the hotel, James hugged Kurt and said he'd see him in the morning before Kurt walked into the lift telling Rachel he would see him the morning. Rachel pulled James into a hug, resting her head in the crook of his neck as James rested his forehead against her shoulder.

They stood in each other's arms for a long period of silence, simply enjoying being close to one another. What was minutes felt like hours, before James raised his head off her shoulder, and rested his head against her forehead. Both of them had tears in her eyes, James moved his hands to cup her face; wiping her tears away with his thumbs. Rachel gazed at him biting her lip, she was upset that they had to leave one another. He opened his mouth to say something, and rather than here him; she titled her head up and kissed him fully on the lips, her hands snaking up to his neck and pulled him closer forcing her tongue into his mouth. He grunted and a hand went to her waist, pulling her into his body. She moaned as she felt the effect she was having on him against her thigh. She smiled against his lips, glad that she knew how attracted he was to her. They spent a time kissing one another, their action doing something their words couldn't; comforting one another before they would be separated.

Eventually, they slowed down as James pulled back and kissed her several times tenderly on the lips. Stepping back from him, she moved to take his hands in hers moving them to rest over her heart. They both had tears in their eyes.

"I'm going to miss you" Rachel tearfully.

"I'll see you in just over a week" James said, clenching his mouth; knowing that he was trying to keep himself composed. She moved forward and kissed him again softly.

"I'll be counting the hours" Rachel muttered softly, as he pulled her into a hug. They stood like that for around five minutes, before he pulled back from her and kissed her again. Freeing her hands from him, Rachel waved tenderly as she walked backwards to the lift. James blew her a kiss as he turned around and walked down the corridor and out of sight.

Rachel made it into the lift before she let the tears fall down. She knew that she'd see him in only a week, but it upset her immensely to know she wouldn't be seeing him until then. They had spent the best part of everyday talking and spending time with one another during this summer. Suddenly, the guy that had become such a large part of her life was going to be snatched away with her. They were still together, but this hurt a lot more than if they had broken up. She cared about him so much, but he was going to be so far away in Oregon.

As she opened the door, Kurt was sat on his bed waiting for her. He pulled her into a hug as she sat down, resting her head on his shoulder. They sat there for a while, Kurt whispering soothing things into her ear. Her dads came in and checked on her, hugging her and asking if she was okay. Rachel simply nodded as she thanked them and went to get ready for bed.

Thirty minutes later, and she was climbing into bed. She rested her head on the bed, as Kurt climbed into bed with her pulling her into him as he comforted her. She was beginning to drift off into her slumber when her phone buzzed. Reaching over, Kurt smiled as he handed it to her. Rachel grinned as she opened the message, a tear in her eye as she read it.

Goodnight Angel. I'll call you before your flight x x x