Life rarely goes according to plan. Didn't an old poet say something about that once? "The best-laid schemes of mice and men…" and what not. Come to think of it, Rachel had written an essay on that very poem freshman year (and received a much deserved A, of course). Fate had certainly thrown its share of unexpected twists and turns during the last year, but somehow things had finally begun to fall into place. With another year of Glee on the horizon and the man of her dreams by her side, Rachel's happily ever after was set to go off without a hitch. She was determined to maintain control this time. Nothing and nobody was going to rain on her parade again, damnit.

Unfortunately, Rachel had not prepared herself for the deluge that was Jesse St. James. With a single word and a brush of his hand, Jesse had rushed back into her life unannounced, and with him came the pent up anger, love, and lust she had struggled so desperately to repress. Now, less than twenty‐four hours later, Rachel studied the beautiful boy sleeping beside her and wondered if she had thrown away the role of a lifetime in favor of more betrayal and heartbreak. Could her heart even take another blow like that? It had barely recovered from the last ‒ and only then because Finn was there to pick up the pieces. He sure as hell wouldn't make that mistake again. Despite possibly making the worst decision of her life, Rachel wasn't stupid. She knew that she had lost Finn forever.

In the heat of the moment, there had been no hesitation. Jesse had seemed so sincere, so vulnerable‒so in love. But now, with a sore body and a guilty heart, Rachel couldn't help but worry. She closed her eyes as the doubt crept in…

*** Hours before ***

Without even a backward glance, Rachel walked out of the music store and into the humid summer air. Her chest seemed ready to burst open at any moment, her body reeling from the touch of Jesse's fingers against her bare skin. She made it halfway to the car before he was once again upon her.

Those eyes, she thought, her heart pounding and lungs ready to explode. Those were the eyes that had haunted her dreams for weeks, the eyes that on so many occasions had radiated passion and (she had thought at the time) love. But those were also the eyes of a traitor, Rachel reminded herself. And yet…was it her imagination, or did she catch a glimpse of something that hadn't been there before? Remorse, maybe? No, surely not. It was pity, Rachel decided. And that hurt almost as much as watching the man she loved smear egg down her face.

A torrent of words came spilling from those perfect lips, and for once Rachel was silent. Jesse confessed everything ‒ how he'd begun their courtship with ulterior motives, how Shelby had threatened to ruin his chances at UCLA if he didn't go along with her plan, and how somehow along the way he had fallen for this tiny girl with the big voice.

"I am in awe of you, Rachel. You're beautiful ‒ an irresistible dichotomy of innocence and pure sex, of insecurity and unflappable confidence. And when you sing…your voice moves me. I am quite adept at recognizing talent, you know. It takes one to know one, after all. But you…Rachel, you blow me away." Bracing himself for a dramatic slap across the face (because this was Rachel Berry) he searched her eyes for a response.

It was like a romantic scene from one of her beloved musicals, and Rachel felt an overwhelming urge to belt out a Streisand ballad. Perhaps "The Way We Were" would suffice. And the best part? Jesse would have totally been on board. In fact, she was a little surprised he hadn't broken out into song before now.

But Jesse St. James was dangerous, she had to remind herself. He certainly had a knack for delivering romantic soliloquies and feigned sincerity. Could she really trust anything that came out of that gorgeous mouth? Could she believe someone who had betrayed her and her teammates‒ someone who had stolen her heart only to crush it in his cruel hand and rub it in her face? She'd almost convinced herself to resist until…

"Rachel, please. I have been dying a slow death since that day in the parking lot." Rachel had to smile; only Jesse could match her overdramatic declarations. "I can't breathe. I can't perform. All I think about is you and how I threw away the best thing that ever happened to me. And…you know this is hard for me, but honestly…you have more raw talent than I do. I didn't think I would ever meet someone who could keep up with me intellectually and emotionally, let alone someone who surpasses me in talent, beauty, and pure determination. But...here you are."

Rachel couldn't decide if it was what he said or his uncharacteristic vulnerability that ultimately won her over. Yes, Jesse had proven himself to be a good liar, but he would have never uttered those words if he didn't mean them. Suddenly his lips were against hers, and oh my God Rachel was on fire. Giving into him completely, she allowed Jesse's tongue to rediscover hers. Finn's kisses induced butterflies; Noah tasted like pure, unadulterated sex. But Jesse…being with him just felt natural, as if they were each part of the same person and kissing was the only way to survive. When they finally pulled away, chests heaving and eyes full of desire, all remnants of anger, hurt, and betrayal were gone.

When Jesse asked if Rachel wanted him to help her choreograph a number for next year, it was the easiest thing in the world to say yes. And later, when she found herself alone with him in his parents' empty house, she couldn't help but tremble with anticipation. Oh, the naughty things Jesse could do to her while his parents were away. Her body throbbed and ached with need as she considered the possibilities...