Thanks for the reviews! Once I read them, I totally changed this chapter. They inspire me, so feedback is much obliged :)

That night after Sectionals Jesse couldn't sleep. He didn't care that Vocal Adrenaline would crush them at Regionals (ok, yes, he was actually quite disappointed that they didn't stand a chance against them at Regionals but there was little he could do about that right now. In fact this didn't bother Jesse that much, Glee club wasn't exactly his whole life, though he did take it quite seriously.), he just couldn't stop thinking of Rachel Berry. She was almost as good as him, maybe even better, that was what had him worried. He couldn't help but imagine how they meet, how they burst together in song, how they perform together on stage… Whoa, what? Jesse St. James was fantasizing about sharing the stage with someone else? Better yet - a girl from his rival team? This strange effect Rachel Berry had on Jesse was quite odd indeed, and they hadn't even met yet. Jesse knew it was inevitable, for stars like them were bound to meet someday, anyway. However, he preferred it'd be sooner than later. Jesse suddenly felt thirsty, so he hopped out of bed and made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Oh, dad… You're still up?" Jesse said, as he entered the kitchen and saw Will sitting at the table.

"Yeah, I gotta finish grading these papers before tomorrow." Mr. Schue answered. "What about you? It's past midnight."

"I'm finding it incredibly difficult to fall asleep, my mind just won't let me doze off. And I got thirsty."

"This doesn't have anything to do with Rachel Berry, does it?" Will asked, as he put his pen down and looked at Jesse. He had seen the way Jesse's mood changed after Sectionals, and it wasn't just because Vocal Adrenaline was so good. It worried him a little that he took such an interest in Ms. Berry.

"Why would my mouth be dry because of her?" Jesse hesitated and got a glass and poured some water in it, trying to avoid the subject. Ok, that really came out wrong.

Mr. Schue sighed, he would have none of that. "You know what I mean. Are you nervous about Regionals?"

"Nervous? No. Besides, shouldn't you be the one doing the worrying? I mean, they're totally gonna kill us."

"Ok, yes, I'll admit I do feel intimidated by them. But that doesn't mean we're going to give up. We might not be as technically good as them, but we still have a lot of determination and well… We're different. We can connect with the audience. Vocal Adrenaline are too busy trying to be precise to make that connection," he told his son, "But are you sure that's all that's bothering you?" he continued, trying to get back on the Rachel subject.

"Absolutely. But I feel much better now that you have reassured me of our prospects. Goodnight!" Jesse quickly replied and headed back to his room. Why did he feel so uneasy about that subject? Oh well.

Will Schuester just shook his head and went back to grading his papers. He had a feeling something bad was brewing.

It was a Monday afternoon and Jesse was heading to glee practice after a long and hard day of school. But glee always pumped him up, so he never complained about the afterschool practices. He usually was the first person there, but this time Quinn Fabray had gotten there before him and was already sitting in the back row.

"Jesse. Hi, I was hoping you'd come before the rest. There's something I wanted to talk to you about." She stood up and said, pushing aside her long, blond hair.

"Uhh, hey. Sure, what's up?" Jesse said, as he put his bag down on the chair in the first row.

"I'll just get straight to the point. I know things have been a little awkward between us since, well, you know..."

"Since you told me you couldn't go out with me because you needed space." Jesse was blunt.

The story of Jesse and Quinn was quite simple. It may be safe to say Jesse saw Quinn more like a conquest – he was determined to make a power couple out of them but Quinn was in a relationship with Finn Hudson. They had been childhood sweethearts but they finally realized that it just wasn't working out. She needed some time for herself before she could jump right into another relationship.

"Uh huh. Well…I think I've had enough space." Quinn said, as if she was forcing herself to say it. No, this totally wasn't awkward.

"Quinn Fabray, are you asking me out?" Jesse surprisingly asked.

"I-I guess so. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? It's about time I move on from Finn." This couldn't be truer. Finn was already on girl #3 since they broke up, and was on his way to becoming the biggest player in McKinley.

"Great. What do you say about Saturday night?" Jesse smirked.

"Hmm... I might have to check my schedule but I think we could work something out." Quinn flirtingly joked.

Just then the rest of the crew started coming in, interrupting their conversation with their own mindless chatter. Jesse and Quinn smiled at each other before turning to talk to the others.

Jesse sat down with a satisfied smile. Rachel Berry who? He had a date with a mortal.

Tuesday afternoon Jesse was driving in his blue Honda past the local book store. Something miraculous happened as he looked over at the parking lot – Rachel Berry was getting out of her car and heading inside.

"This has to be fate" Jesse thought, as he pulled in the parking lot, determined to meet this girl. What on Earth would Rachel Berry be doing in his territory? He didn't even think twice, he was going to do this, he simply had to. He pulled in and parked his car as close to the front door as he could.

Once he had reached the front door, Jesse headed straight to the music section, for he knew that that is where she would be, he just felt it. Of course he knew this book store like his own pocket, he came here quite often so he knew right where he had to go. And sure enough, there she was, right in front of him, skimming though sheet music. She took the collection of Lionel Richie and opened it, putting it in front of her face, examining it.

This was it. He slowly went up to the shelf, put his hand out and shoved the book down, revealing himself to her.

"Lionel Richie, huh? One of my favorites." he said to her, leaning down the shelf, as smoothly as he could. He was quite proud of himself for seeming so cool, because he knew he was. She looked much different than she had while performing, obviously, in every day clothes(which of course for Rachel meant a perfectly planned and stylish outfit, to make her look a bit superior to others, yet approachable and casual), her hair slightly pinned back. She looked… real.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" Rachel said, startled, yet with a sense she had seen him somewhere before.

He wasn't surprised that she hadn't remembered him from Sectionals, she was in performance mode, and rarely do performers actually notice their audience while singing, as much as they try to make a connection with them. Afterwards they usually don't remember a single face they didn't know before.

"Probably not but I sure know you. You're Rachel Berry, you're in Vocal Adrenaline. I saw you perform at Sectionals."

"Wait… Are you the guy that was drooling over me during my performance?" Rachel asked with a quizzical brow.

"You remembered, maybe you're not such a diva after all," Jesse surprisingly answered, not showing that he was a bit embarrassed about the drooling part. "Your rendition of "Don't rain on my parade" was flawed. You totally lacked Barbara's emotional depth. But you're talented." He grinned, as he took Lionel Richie out of her hands and walked off. He knew she would come after him, he knew he had intrigued her. Nobody probably had ever dared to say such a thing to her but Jesse St. James wasn't a nobody. Sure enough, she was following him.

"Stalk me much? You still didn't tell me who you are." She said, sounding a bit demanding, offended yet flattered at the same time. Even though he seemed quite strange, she sensed something special about this mysterious guy.

"This is one of my favorite hunts. I like to come here and flip through the celebrity biographies, pick up some life style tips." He ignored her demand and walked over to the celeb bio shelf. He stopped and looked at her, for he knew he had to pay her at least a little bit of attention to keep her intrigued. She was obviously baffled by this stranger that was treating her like… Well, like she treated everyone else. Rachel didn't even know what to say, she was just about to walk away when Jesse looked over at the piano, and heading towards it, asked her a question.

"What do you say we take it for a spin?" he asked and sat down at the piano.

"Here?" she replied, thinking that he was completely crazy and would embarrass her in front of all these people. Rachel had absolutely no idea who this guy was (except that he was a musician of some sort, with him being at Sectionals and all), she was afraid she might have to call security that there is a mad person by the piano attempting to sing on key.

"What are you nervous or something?" he said provokingly. Though he himself was a little intimidated by her. After all, she was the lead singer of the National Champion Show Choir, and she truly was talented but had made up his mind that he would go for it – he couldn't shake the urge to sing with her.

"Please… I can hardly remember when I used to get nervous." Rachel replied arrogantly at the same time dazing off, trying to remember.

"Come on, I do this all the time." Jesse tried to convince her, snapping Rachel out of her daze. But this actually was true, he did do this all the time. He performed anywhere he could get an audience; he thought it would make him more noticeable or something.

Without waiting for Rachel's reply, he started playing. She was surprised at how good he was with the piano but she still was a bit anxious about him singing. He obviously knew what he was doing with the piano, and the security guard in the corner of the room seemed oblivious to this, as if it really did happen all the time. Maybe he wasn't a lunatic after all.

I've been alone with you inside my mind.

And in my dreams I've kissed you lips a thousand times

Rachel was stunned as she heard him sing. He sang, as he looked intensely at her. It sent small shivers through her body but she didn't let him notice. This guy was amazing, his voice so soft, so contained, so…perfect. It was unlike anything she had expected, she was simply mesmerized by it.

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Rachel couldn't help but join in, singing in harmony, as Jesse stared at her, she was so beautiful up close.

I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile.

You're all I've ever wanted and my arms are open wide.

Jesse was relieved and thrilled that she joined him, the feeling of accomplishment was what always kept him going, and right now this feeling made him feel like he could go on forever.

Cause you know just what to say and you know just what to do

And I want to tell you so much I love you.

They both felt the intense connection between them. Their voices flowed together so well, as one. They complimented each other perfectly.

Jesse signaled her to sit down beside him as they kept on signing. She sat down slowly, as if something was telling her not to, that it wasn't a good idea. But she looked in his beautiful inviting green eyes and couldn't help it. And Jesse couldn't help but smile as he watched her sing in admiration. Her voice was so beautiful and it was right next to him. It sounded even better when it was soft, and also up close.

Hello, I've just got to let you know

The excitement they felt was burning in their eyes, they could barely contain it. The thrill it gave them was unlike anything they've felt before. They just burst out in song.

Cause I wonder where you are and I wonder what you do

Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you?

Jesse and Rachel were so taken in the moment, they're voices now loud and strong, as if one was trying to overpower the other yet it came out just right. No one can really describe what it feels like to sing together with someone, especially someone who can keep up with you.

Tell me how to win your heart, for I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying…

I love you.

As they stared in each other's eyes they could feel their hearts racing, for a moment they had almost kissed but were interrupted by the applause of their audience. They hadn't even noticed there were people around them, it was just the two of them together in song, their song. It couldn't have been more perfect, they felt as if fate had brought them together, right then and there, with precisely that song. Jesse didn't even acknowledge the thought that Rachel was his rival for one second.

"We should do this more often. How's Friday night?" Rachel broke the silence.

I think I might be slightly too obsessed with these two, lol. And no, Jesse and Rachel haven't completely switched personalities, as you may have noticed – Jesse is still a bit more confident than Rachel. But later on it might make more sense. Jesse is just so awesome I can't even make myself change him one bit *swoon* but I'm trying. I'm still VERY confused as to where this original scene takes place, so I just went with book store. Also, Quinn isn't a cheerleader, if anyone was wondering. Anyway… Hope you enjoyed it and don't hesitate to review ;)