I'm guessing based on the number of reviews of the last chapter, that it wasn't a fan favorite. Oh well, its part of the story & needed to be told. I still appreciate those that did review and added this to story alert or favorite story…that means a lot to me! I don't own Glee or the characters.

Sam slowed momentarily as he and Rachel entered the gym. He abruptly moved to his left to stand near the wall just inside the entryway. Tugging on Rachel's fingers, she quickly followed. He spun around to face her, releasing his hold on her tiny hand. Her chocolate brown eyes peered up to meet his gaze.

"So what exactly happened out there between you and Puckerman?" Sam asked.

Rachel swallowed quickly before she spoke. "We were just talking." Sam noticed she shifted her eyes downward when she answered him.

"Talking, huh? That was some pretty intense talking then." he snorted. Rachel's head snapped up in astonishment. Had Sam overheard their conversation? Or worse, was he jealous she was talking to Puck? Her head was swimming with explanations. She was so lost in her thoughts that she scarcely heard the next words he said.

"Whatever it was, you both had…" Sam began.

"Noah rigged the voting for king and queen." Rachel blurted out, cutting him off. Her eyes widened as she realized what had just come from her mouth. She hadn't consciously planned on telling Sam. She had hoped Puck would come clean before the night was over to Principal Figgins and she and Sam could just hand over their crowns unceremoniously. Then she would be free to slink away into the night before the heckling began. Heckling that she was sure Sam would probably not have to endure, since he wasn't at the bottom of the popularity hierarchy at McKinley.

"You're kidding, right?" Sam looked puzzled.

"I wish I were." Rachel shook her head. At that moment, she caught a glimpse of Puck darting by, head down and hands shoved in his pockets. She fought the urge to turn her head to see where he was going. Sam didn't seem to notice that Puck had re-entered the gymnasium. He stood staring at Rachel, a look of bewilderment plastered across his face.

"Why in the heck would he do that?" Sam questioned.

"I'm not sure I full understand his reasoning, but it seems he was adamant that Quinn and Finn not win." she explained.

"But I thought things were cool between him and Finn." Sam scrunched his face in confusion once again.

"I told Noah that we would have to give the crowns back." Rachel said bluntly. She waited for him to nod in agreement. Instead he stared at her in disbelief.

"Come again?" he blinked several times rapidly.

"I encouraged Noah to tell Principal Figgins what he did. Once he does, we will be forced to hand over the crowns anyways. I figure it would be more favorable if we simply relinquish them before Quinn or whoever else sees fit seizes them from atop our heads."

"Have you even listened to yourself, Rachel?" Sam asked. "You want to just hand over that crown to Quinn?"

"No, no, no. That's not what I said, Sam." Rachel's head wobbled back and forth. She was seriously starting to regret letting this information slip from her mouth. He didn't seem to be on the same page as she was and she was really starting to get frustrated.

"Why can't we just keep them?" Sam shrugged.

"Because Sam, that's just plain dishonest." she scoffed. "Do you really want to get expelled for this or worse…a mark on your record? Julliard won't even think twice about me with a tarnished record." Her eyes were wide as she screeched out the last few words. Rachel could barely catch her breath as she continued her rant.

"I can't have that on my record Sam, you just don't understand. My father's will be absolutely disappointed and…"

"You want to go to Julliard?" Sam interrupted. He realized he knew so little about the brunette powerhouse standing before him.

"Well it's one of my top choices." Rachel smiled briefly before remembering the reason behind her argument. "But that's not the point. I'm trying to reason with you about why we should tell the truth."

"Can't we just at least keep them for the weekend?" He dropped his eyes and gave her a playful frown.

"Why do you want to keep them so badly?" she raised an eyebrow. Sam's frown faded and was replaced with a small grin.

"Being Prom King and Queen certainly won't hurt our images…even if it is just for the weekend." Sam shrugged. Rachel narrowed her eyes in irritation.

"What is it with you people and your desire to be on top of the proverbial pyramid?" Rachel grumbled.

"The prov…wait, I don't even know what that means. Or how to pronounce it." Sam shook his head.

"Being on top, Sam. It means being on top. Why is popularity so important to you?" Rachel groaned. Her gaze was concentrated on his mouth, waiting patiently for a reaction. Sam paused for a moment, swinging his arm forward and grabbing Rachel by the hand.

"I don't know." he blushed slightly. "It's nice to have people look up to you and want to be like you."

"That's called being a role model." Rachel sighed, slowly letting go of his hand. She frowned as she slowly took a few receding steps away from Sam.

"Hey, where are you going?" Sam asked.

"I thought you were different Sam. I didn't think you were like Quinn and Santana and Finn and even Noah sometimes. Always worried about what others think about you." She spun around in the direction of their table. Before she could take a step, Sam grabbed her around her waist. He pulled her close and leaned down from behind, his mouth lingering close to her ear.

"Look, I didn't have it so good at my last school." Rachel blinked rapidly, wondering just what he had to endure at his previous school. She knew so little about Sam or his life before he moved to Lima. "Being at McKinley has given me a fresh start and I have to say it's a whole lot better being at the top."

Rachel turned her head towards his mouth. She could feel his breath tickle her ear as he exhaled. It sent a shiver down her spine and through her legs.

"I wouldn't know." she whispered, leaning her head towards his face. Her legs were feeling a little wobbly as he continued to breathe so close to her ear. Rachel allowed her eyes to wander. The only thing she could see from her position was a bunch of balloons tied to a chair. They danced up and down as if they were moving to the music. She lazily rolled her head back in an upright position and caught Puck staring at her from across the room. He raised an eyebrow and smirked at the sight of her and Sam in a somewhat intimate position. Rachel felt heat rising in her face, as she wiggled delicately from Sam's grasp. Sam watched her stroll over to the Glee table and choose an empty seat next to Puck. She clasped her hands together on her lap and stared straight ahead. She seemed to be lost in thought until Puck leaned over and whispered into her ear. Sam could see the corner of her mouth pull into a grin. She bent her head down slightly as Puck continued to whisper to her. When Puck finally turned his attention back to Lauren, Rachel glanced up to find Sam still standing where she had left him. She flashed him a smile and patted the empty seat next to her. He didn't even have to think twice. No sooner had she lifted her hand from the chair, he broke into a slow jog over to the table.

Wow, I didn't think it would take me this long to crank out this chapter. I really hope you like it. Prom night is winding down, so one chapter left!