Finn

Finn knew that Puck had a good reason for being upset. He should have told everyone about leaving on Sunday, but he couldn't take anymore goodbyes. The last two days had been really hard on him, but he knew that it was time. He picked up his phone and sent a mass text to everyone asking them to meet him at Breadsticks for dinner at 7pm.

His phone started going off with all of the replies a few minutes later, everyone was coming. There were the expected questions of 'how r u' but he didn't want to lie to anyone. Going through his contacts, he found Rachel's number and hit send. He waited with his breath held, not sure if he wanted her to answer or not. Finally, she picked up the phone, "Hello?"

Rachel

She had just finished cleaning out the last of her boxes from the guest room for Santana. It was good to have some busy work to do. She went to the kitchen and pulled out a cup for water when her phone rang. She picked it up and froze when she saw Finn's picture smiling up at her. She knew that if she didn't answer it soon it would go to voicemail so she steeled herself and answered, "Hello?"

"Hi, Rachel, it's me Finn. I guess you knew that."

"Hi. Is everything okay?"

She heard him take a deep breath, "I'm shipping out on Sunday for Georgia. I wanted to call and tell you that because I think you deserve to know from me and not some text message."

She fought to keep her emotions in check, but her voice still broke, "So soon?"

"Yeah, that's when they wanted me there."

She took a few deep breaths before she answered, "Please be careful Finn. We may not be together right now, but I do still love you and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"So how is New York?" She wasn't really sure she liked the change of subject.

"New York is fine," she decided it would be better to be light than honest. "Santana is gonna be my roommate which will be interesting…good…but interesting."

"You're gonna live with Santana? Is that a good idea?" The shock was evident in his voice.

"She asked to stay here for a couple of days, but I convinced her to just stay with me. It will be good for me to have someone familiar around."

"But, Santana?"

She had to laugh at his confusion, "Yes, Santana. She and I really started getting along near the end of school and since we're both new here, it might be good for us to be here together."

He laughed and she smiled. It was good to hear. "I think you're the one that needs to be careful. Santana can be scarier than anything I'll be facing."

It was meant to be light, but it brought her mind back to the real danger that he would be facing. "Don't get yourself killed, alright?"

She heard his sigh, "I won't. I know I have no right to ask this, but would it be okay if I visit you sometime while I'm on leave?"

"I'd like that very much," there was a knock on the door, "I gotta go. I love you."

She realized what she had said a little too late and was about to apologize when he replied, "I love you too, Rachel." There was a click and he was gone.

Finn

The phone call to Rachel had gone well, but it made him seriously question his decision. He missed her so much and he wanted nothing more than to jump on the first plane to New York. He decided to focus on something else. He showed up at Breadsticks early so that he could work through what he needed to say to everyone. Saying goodbye to Rachel was hard enough and now he had to say goodbye to the glee club, which had become his family.

He looked up to see his mom, Burt, and Kurt enter the restaurant. They knew he was leaving soon, but he never told them how soon. There was some small talk and the table began to fill with the faces of his friends. When everyone was seated, Finn stood up and addressed them, "I wanted to thank you all for coming. I have some news and I wanted to tell you all at once." He took a deep breath before continuing, "As you all know, I'm going into the army. What you don't know is that I'm leaving on Sunday."

The table got loud very quickly and there were several protests from the group. Finn bowed his head and just let their words sink in before he raised his hand to quiet them, "Look, it wasn't my decision to leave so soon. I got a call and they want me in Georgia next week. I know that many of you don't support my decision to enlist, but I really don't need you guys ragging on me right now. I need your support."

His mom stood up and hugged him close. "You know I love you and will support you no matter what."

"Thanks mom."

Kurt stood up and smiled at Finn, "Well, I supported your hair-brained scheme to get Rachel to go to New York, so I guess I'll support this one too."

"I'm proud of you son. I wish you weren't leaving, but I hope you find what you're looking for."

Finn relaxed as the people he cared about gave him their support. After everything he had been through it was nice to know that so many people cared about him and were there to help him through all of this. "Thank you everyone. I don't know what I would do without you." It was then that he realized Rachel didn't have anyone right now. She was in New York dealing with their breakup and being in a new city all alone. Could he feel like a bigger ass right now?

"Hey, Frankenteen, got a question for ya." He looked over to see Santana and Brittany squeeze in next to him. "Since you're not leavin' until Sunday, how would you feel about helping me move? Kurt and Brittany already volunteered, but I think we could really use a pack mule. What do ya say?"

He quirked an eyebrow, "You want me to help you move into Rachel's apartment?"

She was obviously caught off guard, "How did you know? Did Kurt tell you?"

He shook his head, "Rachel did. I talked to her earlier."

"And?"

"And…I'll help you move. After all of this," he gestured to the gathering, "I realized that she has no one right now. I may not be who she needs to see right now, but I would like to see her before I go."

Santana shared a look with Brittany who scooted away, leaving them to talk. "Look Hudson, I know you're worried about your girl, but I got her back."

"I really appreciate that Santana. I feel better knowing that you'll be with her." He pulled her into a hug and Brittany reappeared.

"I called Rachel. She's okay with you helping us move Santana."

"Did he go for it?" They all turned to see Kurt smiling behind them.

"Yeah, it wasn't that hard to convince him. Just mention Rachel and he's in." They all laughed, and he rolled his eyes. It's not like it wasn't true, but it made him wonder once again if he was doing the right thing.

Rachel

When Saturday rolled around Rachel was more nervous and excited than she had ever been. She was going to see Finn which made her stomach knot up. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to act around him now. They were technically broken up, but she wasn't sure if she could just pretend to be his friend. There was a knock on the door and she rushed for it without a second thought.

Standing in the hallway was Kurt holding a big box and behind him stood Santana with some bags. "You gonna let us in so I can put this box down and hug you?"

Rachel's face lit up with a smile and she opened the door for her best friend and her roommate, "Where are Brittany and Finn?"

"They're getting stuff out of the truck." Santana looked at her anxious face, "Don't worry he'll be in soon."

Rachel blushed and looked away when she was pulled into a crushing hug by Kurt, "I get the first hug."

Rachel laughed and it felt really good. There was a sound behind her and she turned to see Brittany walking through the door, "Hi Brit!"

"Hey Rachel. Lord Tubbington said to tell you hi."

Rachel smiled at her spacey friend, "Well tell him hello for me." She exchanged hugs with Santana and Brittany.

She turned when she heard Kurt, "Oh, Finn! I'll get some of those." In the hall was Finn with boxes piled up past his head and a duffle bag slung over his back.

"Thanks Kurt." Rachel's breath caught when she saw him. She wanted to knock the boxes out of his arms and take their place, but she waited rather impatiently for him to set them down instead. He turned to her and smiled, "Hey Rachel."

She didn't think she could speak without crying so she just ran into his arms and hugged him close. When she felt slightly more in control she whispered, "I missed you so much."

She felt his hand caress her hair, "I missed you too."

They broke apart and she offered to help with the rest of the boxes, but there weren't any. "So how long are you guys staying?" She could hear the hope in her voice, but it didn't stop her from asking.

Finn answered, "I can only stay for an hour. I have to get back and finish packing." Her face fell slightly, but she got it under control.

"Brit and I are gonna stay the rest of the weekend and take the train back on Monday if that's okay with you?"

She hugged her friend close, "That would be more than okay with me." She looked around, "Are you guys hungry?" They nodded and Rachel took them for food at the restaurant on the corner. After they ate, Rachel prepared to say goodbye to Finn again.

She started back toward the apartment when Finn stopped. "I'm gonna say goodbye here. I need to get back to Lima." He gave Kurt, Santana, and Brittany hugs. Rachel stepped forward for her hug, but instead of embracing her he grabbed her hand in his, "Will you stay back for a minute Rachel?"

She nodded, "Of Course." Their friends walked off leaving the two of them alone in the street.

"I just wanted to spend a few minutes alone with you. I hope that's okay." He smiled shyly at her.

She felt her face flush as she replied, "It's okay."

They started walking with no real place to go, "I'm sorry about everything Rachel. I've really missed you this last week."

She squeezed his hand between hers and looked up into his eyes, "I've missed you too. I know why you did it, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. I just wanted to share my dreams with you. I still do."

He stopped and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek, "You don't know how much I wish I could stay here with you, but I have to go. I want you to be happy Rachel, no matter what that means."

She looked him straight in the eyes and answered him in a determined voice, "I'm not going to move on. I refuse to. I love you and I don't care if I'm here and you're not, I'm not letting you go."

Finn sighed and placed his forehead to hers, "I love you too Rachel, but I don't wanna hold you back."

She grabbed his chin and stood on her tip toes to kiss him. When she released she held his gaze with hers, "You have never held me back Finn Hudson. You give me strength. You made me realize what my dreams were…"

He scoffed, "You've always known you were going to be on Broadway."

She shook her head, "No. I still want to be on Broadway, don't get me wrong, but it is only a fraction of my dreams now. I want to marry you. I want to start a family with you. I won't move on because there is nobody that will ever be as good for me as you are."

She watched as his eyes lit up and he pulled her close. His lips connected with hers and she allowed herself to melt in his embrace. They stood there ignoring the rest of the world for several minutes before pulling away. "I'm coming back for you."

She smiled, "You better."

They walked to Finn's truck and she waved as she watched him pull away. She may not have him right now, but she would have him again.