AN: Are y'all ready for the party? Once again a huge thank you to Allie and Sara! Here we go, things are about to get interesting.

Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own Glee, original characters or songs that may appear in this story; I do however own all of my errors and a few characters that will be showing their face eventually.

Here we go!

Time to Mingle

Finn and Puck are sitting on the wrap around deck, sipping beer as Kurt is making sure that the decorators are placing each candle, flower, lantern and palm tree exactly where he wants them.

"I can't figure out why in the hell Kurt had sand shipped in, I will never get all of it out of my backyard." Finn grumbles to Puck.

"Dude lighten up, you are the one who signed all of the checks for all of this crap!"

"I write the checks because Kurt is far more stubborn than the sand," Finn smirks and continues, "Do you realize that this time last year I had just been told that I was going to be a father?"

"Finn, just be happy that the truth came out before you actually said I do." Puck said sympathetically as he looks at the hurt look on his best friend's face.

"You just don't understand Puck that was the happiest time in my adult life, a feeling that Lucy just jerked out from under me the night before we were supposed to get married." Finn said as tears threatens to fall from his eyes, "I ask myself every damn day if she would have just kept pretending that the baby was mine if Edward hadn't came to me and told me that the baby was his." Finn continues, "I will never understand why they did that to me, I remember thinking how I would have a baby this year at this party."

"I know that you are hurting Finn, but you didn't do anything wrong." Puck said "Hell, you gave that girl anything that she could ever want!" he sighs heavily before he continues "Listen to me Finn, there is a woman out there for you but she won't fall in your lap or magically appear outside of your office door."

"I don't know if I'm ready to attempt to date again, how do I learn how to trust again?" Finn asks seriously.

"First thing first, you need to get out of your shell and speak to women, and you can't go into it expecting them to hurt you like she did." Puck adds sincerely," You deserve someone who will treat you like the damn sun sets in your ass!" Puck adds as he takes a sip from his beer, "Now enough of this girly talk, I feel like I'm going to grow a vagina if this conversation continues."

"Alright Finn, it is time for you to get dressed before our guest get here, shoo!" Kurt said as he walks onto the deck.

"What the hell is wrong with what I have on?" Finn huffs "It's a fucking backyard party not a gala at the Ritz-Carlton!"

"Finn you simply can not greet our guest dressed in a ragged tee shirt and board shorts, I have already planned your outfit and it's laying on your bed ready for you to put on after you shower; now go." Kurt said with that 'don't mess with me look' that Finn has learned through the years means that he isn't going to win this argument.

Meanwhile next door:

"Rachel, Kurt told us not to bring anything but our swimming suits," Blaine huffs as he looks at all of the dishes that Rachel had prepared, "Remember this isn't an Ocean City backyard barbeque, Hell I bet it's being catered."

"Well, since you won't let me decline the invitation, I refuse to show up empty handed!" Rachel said as she adds another dish on the table.

Quinn enters the kitchen, eyes wide open as she see the mess that Rachel has left in her path, "Rachel, I believe this is enough." Looking at Rachel, "You need to get in the shower and get ready so we aren't late; we all know that Rachel Berry doesn't like to arrive anywhere late."

"Well, it's just rude to keep the host waiting!" Rachel huffs, "I'm going right now to get ready."

"I laid out the perfect outfit in your dressing room for you to wear, and I have already packed you a couple of bathing suits to change into." Santana said as she joins her friends in the kitchen, surveying the disaster zone left in Rachel's wake; "I'll get all of this mess cleaned up and the dishes in the dish washer."

"Why do we not have a maid again?" Blaine mumbles as he starts putting the dirty pans in the dishwasher.

"Because four adults live in this house and we are more than capable of cleaning up after ourselves!" Rachel replies as she storms out of the kitchen.

"Finally, I didn't think that she would ever leave, now everyone knows what their job is today, right?" Quinn whispers to ensure that Rachel doesn't hear their conversation.

"Yes, Operation Berry-Hudson is a go and Kurt, Puck and Sam all know their duties!" Blaine smirks.

"So when are you going to let us in on the midnight meetings between you and Kurt?" Santana asks with a wink.

Blushing Blaine shyly says that all that he and Kurt have been discussing is how to help mend Rachel's and Finn's hearts.

"Sure!" both Santana and Quinn exclaims with a laugh.

About a half an hour later Rachel enters the kitchen and nearly screams through gritted teeth, "Santana, why in the hell do you think a baby doll dress is a good idea for a backyard party?" Gritting her teeth, "I was planning on just wearing a nice pair of shorts and shirt, you know for comfort!"

"Rachel, chill out you look amazing" Quinn defends Santana's decision as she looks at her cousin in the red, white and blue baby doll dress with white wedges on her feet.

"Alright, my ladies it's time for us to head on over to Finn's." Blaine says bouncing in the room, acting like a five years old getting ready to go to Disney World.

"Kurt, why in the hell do I look like I'm in a Hollister commercial?" Finn asks as he opens the sliding patio door and glancing at the table that is now set on the deck, "Are those place cards on the table?"

"Finn, you look like you're getting ready to entertain your guest, and yes those are place cards." Kurt answers, "Just because this is an outdoor party doesn't mean that it shouldn't be classy."

"Usually we have tables scattered everywhere, why is there only one table set up?" Finn asks as he turns to look at Kurt for an answer, "there were about one hundred people at our last party; I don't think that many people will fit at one table!"

"Well, I figured that this could be a more intimate affair so we could get to know our neighbors better", Kurt shrugs.

"Why do I feel like I'm going to regret allowing you to have this party?" Finn mumbles as he turns and walks back into the house.

Kurt glances at his watch and looks at Puck, "Our guests should be arriving any minute; you know what to do, right?"

A smirking Puck replies, "Aside of getting to know Quinn at lot better; I will make Finn see the light known as Rachel Berry; yeah I got it."

"Helllooo?" Blaine sings as he walks into the backyard, "Kurt, we are here!"

"Hi there" he breathes, "and goodness what is all of this?" he asks counting at least eight dishes spread out among his neighbors' arms. "Puck, Finn come help!"

"Rachel insisted that we not come without bringing some of her fabulous treats!" Quinn said as she hands the dishes she is carrying to Puck.

"Wow, everything looks amazing!" Puck said as he stares into Quinn's eyes.

"Here, let me grab those for you." Finn tells Rachel as he reaches to grab the trays that she's carrying, as his hand brushes against hers he is startled by the shock that he feels running through his body.

"Why thank you, Finn" lost in the warm feeling that she suddenly feels rushing through her body, as she looks up into his eyes "You are very chivalrous."

This moment didn't go unnoticed by the five sets of eyes that are looking at them. As Kurt takes the trays from Santana, he leans into her and whispers "This may be easier than we thought."

Once Sam and Kitty arrives and introductions made, Kurt instructs Puck and Sam to hang the volleyball net over the pool as he turns to their guest and directs them toward the pool house and bathrooms inside of the house where they all can change into their bathing suits. "Nothing like a friendly game of water volleyball to get to know each other, right?" he asks as he winks at Blaine.

Rachel starts to protest as Quinn pipes in as she takes her by the arm heading toward the house, "Come on Rachel, it'll be fun."

"Who are you and what did you do with my prissy cousin?" Rachel whispers as she lets Quinn lead her in to the house.

"Hey, Brittney, I didn't know if you'd be able to make it this year, I thought that you went back home for Mike and Tina's wedding." Finn says after finally taken his eyes off of the retreating form of Rachel; shaking his head wondering why in the fuck he couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

"I flew back in this morning; I wasn't going to miss this party for anything!"

Walking toward Santana, Brittney sticks out her hand, "I'm Brittney, and you are beautiful!"

Mesmerized by the beautiful blonde and undressing her with her eyes, "Santana, very pleased to meet you."

"Britt, we are getting ready for some water volleyball, did you bring your swimsuit?" Kurt asks, amused by the way the Latina and blonde are staring at each other, thinking to himself that this volleyball game could very easily turn into an orgy with all of the lust in the air.

All of the guys except for Kurt were standing around the pool waiting on the ladies and Kurt to come out. "Damn, how long does it take to change into a swimsuit?" Finn grumbles, "My only plan for today was to sit on my ass and swig back a couple of Coronas."

About that time, Rachel and Quinn came out of the sliding glass doors, "Fuck!" Puck chokes, "I'm getting in the pool now before I embarrass myself."

As Finn looks up and sees Rachel in her itsy bitsy red, white and blue bikini "God bless America, I think that I'll join you." unable to control the affects that she was currently having on parts of his body that he thought had died a long time ago.

Blaine pleased with Finn's reaction turns to the guys in the pool, "Okay you two can be the captains and when everyone gets out here, you can pick your teams."

Still staring at Rachel, Finn walks over to Puck who was standing on the other side of the net and whispers, "Maybe Kurt had the right idea to keep this an intimate affair."

Puck shrugs his shoulders with lust in his eyes and turns to Finn, "Yep, princess did well with the guest list this year."

Finally, everyone made it poolside waiting on the captains to pick their team. Now normally, considering the participants you would think that Finn and Puck would be fighting over Sam, but this isn't the case. Puck won the coin toss for first pick.

"I'll take Quinn" Puck exclaims, "Now Finn you have to pick a lady so our teams stay even!"

Looking over at the group standing around the pool waiting to be chosen for a team, he is unable to take his eyes off of Rachel. Again, totally in shock of the tingle that he is feeling, "I bet a cousin rivalry would be fierce, come on Rachel and let us see what you got!"

"Oh Rachel is very competitive," Santana giggles at the look that Rachel is giving her as she slides into the pool.

"I'll take Sam", Puck chimes in.

"Blaine", Finn picks.

"Santana", Puck decides.

"Come on Britt, you are on my team", Finn motions.

"Okay, come on Kurt" Puck grumbles "that leaves you with Kitty, Finn."

As the game starts, Finn finds himself constantly looking at Rachel as she tries to keep her head above the water, with a chuckle he asks her if she was going to be able to play without drowning herself.

Rachel, who is probably the most competitive person in the pool, looks at him over her shoulder and smirks, "Be prepared to be amazed Finn, I always play to win!"

After about an hour in the pool, Finn's team won and Rachel proves to all of her new friends just how competitive she is. "I told ya I always play to win!" Rachel smirks at Finn as she was getting out of the pool to dry off. After always being told all of her life that she would never make it on Broadway or on the big screen because she didn't have 'the look'; Rachel has always pushed herself to prove to all of her doubters that she was going to get everything out of life that she ever wanted. Which in case you haven't noticed, she was doing just that.

Wrapping her towel around her, Rachel looks over at Blaine and asks if he'd go get her bag with her clothes in it so she could go home and shower and change. Realizing that he didn't want her to leave Finn speaks up, "You know there are three showers in my house and another one in the pool house, you are more than welcome to shower here."

"Oh okay, if you are sure." Rachel practically whispers.

"Absolutely, all of you are welcome to grab a shower." Finn tells all of his friends as he takes Rachel by her arm, yearning to feel the spark that he knows is there, leading her toward his house.

After Finn and Rachel walks into his house leaving all of their friends stunned, Puck winks at Quinn and boasts to the group. "I be damned, I don't think this is going to be as hard as we all thought!"

"I agree, I haven't seen Rachel this relaxed around a man every since the Brody incident." Quinn tells Puck.

"Exactly what happened to her, what made her give up on love and throw herself into work?" Puck asks looking at Quinn for the answer, "and why are you three so protective over her?"

"Rachel doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to relationships, she has fallen in love twice and both times it ended with the guy cheating." Quinn tells him as she shakes her head, "Jesse was her high school sweetheart, and he was sleeping with our theater teacher, and Brody cheated on her with her co-star in West Side Story."

"Do you mean the guy that played Tony?" Kurt asks with one of his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, and as to why we are all so protective of her, Rachel has had more heartbreak in her 25 years on this earth than most people have in a lifetime," Quinn sighs, "Rachel was raised by her two gay dads, who gave her everything that her heart desired, our families live in Ocean City; which is about three hours away from Baltimore where we went to school," tearing up she continues "our parents would take turns coming and staying with Rachel and I, usually my mom was with us since she could work from Baltimore; but she had business that she had to take care of at the office in Ocean City so Rachel's dads were on their way to come stay with us for a few days." Quinn starts crying even harder, Blaine wraps his arm around her shoulders and continues the heartbreaking details.

"They had stopped at a fruit stand in a pretty rough area of Baltimore and were approached by a group of men who demanded that they hand over their money and keys to the car; when they refused they were both shot multiple times." Blaine said fighting the tears that were threatening to fall, "Leroy critically but after weeks of fighting he survived, but unfortunately one of the bullets struck Hiram's heart and he died instantly.

"Ever since, I promised myself that I would never let Rachel's heart get broken again, and I have failed twice", Quinn whispers "she has a heart of gold, and there is absolutely nothing that I wouldn't do for her."

As everyone stood around in silence, unshed tears in their eyes; they all knew that they too would do anything to help make Rachel happy again.

Quinn speaks up finally, unable to take the silence any longer, "Okay this is a party, so we all need to put smiles on our faces and get out of these wet clothes so we can enjoy the rest of our day."

"I agree, come on ladies I'll show you to our guest bathrooms so you can get showered and dressed." Kurt said hugging Quinn.

Once everyone is sitting in their seats, the catered meal is brought out. Amazed at all the food that is being placed out for them, embarrassed Rachel turns to Blaine and whispers, "I guess you were right, I didn't need to make all of those dishes."

As soon as the words left her mouth she notices that all of her creations were being placed on the table with the catered meal. Finn shrugs overhearing what she had said to Blaine, "From what all of your friends said about your cooking, I just figured that it would taste better than what the restaurant could offer."

"Well I hope it all lives up to the hype!" blushing Rachel replies.

Everyone was sitting around the table in silence as they enjoyed the meal, once the men had finally finished eating; Puck finally broke the silence, "Rachel, babe please feel free to cook for us anytime that you want to!"

"Yes definitely, the only time I ever get a home cooked meal is when I find the time to make it home." Finn adds as he slices another piece of her 'better than sex' cake.

"Hey here's an idea; since like us," Kurt said as he motions to his friends, "you all don't have much to do with the Hollywood scene, why don't we set a standing dinner date just for the people sitting at this table."

"I would be honored to help you prepare the meals Rachel", Kitty boasts "because I'm fairly certain that you are the only one of us with any culinary skills."

"Alright, one night a week, everyone at this table better be at my house", Rachel said "now which day of the week shall we plan this for?"

"Well the Lawyers and the teacher are off on the weekends and I make my own schedule, so really it will have to boil down to when you and Blaine would be available." Kurt said as he looks at Rachel hoping this would be possible (hey don't forget that he still has his eye on Blaine).

"And I can schedule all of my meetings around the best time that works for Rachel and Blaine, and well Rachel is Santana's job; Brittney what does your schedule look like," Quinn asks since she hadn't heard what Brittney did for a living.

"Oh, I don't have anything coming up until rehearsals for a new movie that I will be choreographing in a few months," Brittney said, "and I won't be working many nights at first, so anytime is good for me."

"Are you talking about 'Full Moon'?" Kurt asks looking at Brittney; waiting for the light to come on in her head.

"Yeah, that's the name of it!" as she looks at Kurt, "How did you know, I was told that everything was being kept under wraps because some big Broadway star has been cast as the lead!"

Amazed once again at how scatter brained Brittney is, Kurt says really slowly; "Britt, a big Broadway star, one who just moved to the area…do you have any idea who that could be?" as he purposely looks at Rachel.

"Huh, No I don't know any one from Broadway, except for Rachel now." All so confused as to why everyone was looking at her the way that they are.

Rachel decides to help clear up the confusing, "Brittney, I am the Broadway actress that will be portraying the lead role," as she looks up at the rest of people at the table she continues, "Sunday's will be the best day for me."

Blaine agrees that Sunday would most likely be the best day for his filming schedule also.

"So it is settled than, we will meet every Sunday to share an amazing meal", Finn said as he shares a smile with Rachel, "and I will be happy to help cover the cost."

"Okay, it's settled than starting this Sunday, I expect all of your faces around my table at seven o'clock sharp" Rachel beams.

Later on that night, after the group spent hours sitting around the table just getting to know each other; Kurt announces that everyone needs to find their spots to watch the local fire department firework display; swearing that they had the best view from Finn's backyard.

The whole time that the new friends were talking around the table, Finn keeps thinking back to his conversation with Puck earlier today, and for the first time in nine months he decides that it is time to move on from his past and he couldn't help but wonder if Rachel could have a place in his future.

The group headed out in the yard to claim their spots for the firework show, Finn bent down and whispers in Rachel's ear, "I have the perfect place to watch the fireworks from, would you like to join me?"

Feeling very light-headed; unable to speak, Rachel just nods her head as she accepts his outreached hand. Finn looks around the yard and practically busts out laughing as he notices that everyone has paired off and spread out throughout his yard.

Leading Rachel around the house so no one would notice that they were going into the house, walking through the front door; he notices the confused look on Rachel's face he explains, "We are going up to the rooftop terrace, the fireworks are directly on top of you up there," giving her his half smirk, "is that okay with you?"

Still not able to find her voice, Rachel just nods; still finding herself in awe at how perfect her hand feels entwined with Finn's.

Rachel and Finn walks out to the rooftop terrace and were met by the wind that was starting to pick up, Finn pulls her closer to him as he asks if she wants him to go get a blanket for her.

Finally finding her voice, she whispers "Please that would be lovely." As she was wondering if the light-headed feeling that she feels was from the wine that she had been drinking on all day or from the warmth of Finn's body against hers. She quickly figures it out as soon as Finn pulls away from her to retrieve a blanket.

Finn is gone only for a few minutes but she found herself really missing his touch. "Here you go" Finn said, Rachel was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even see him walk out the door to the terrace.

"Thank you, now where is this perfect spot that you were telling me about?" she asks reaching for the blanket and draping it over her shoulders; instantly realizing that she really would rather have his arms wrapped around her instead.

"Right this way," Finn said as he wraps his hand around her elbow. "I did promise you the best seat of the place."

Finn sits down on the floor of the terrace overlooking the massive backyard. Rachel is looking over the railing sneaking a peek at her friends feeling happier than she has in a very long time. She sees Quinn wrapped up in Puck's arms, Blaine holding Kurt close to his side and Santana kissing Brittney. "Oh wow, looks like everyone down there is having a good time", she giggles as she turns back to look at Finn. "Where are Sam and Kitty, I didn't see them down there?"

Mesmerized by the way Rachel looks with the moon shining down over her; he is having a hard time forming words, "Um Sam said that Kitty had too much to drink, so he was going to head on home for the night, I can't remember a time that Kitty has ever made it to the fireworks." Finn said with a smile.

"Oh okay, poor Kitty!" Rachel said shaking her head.

"Hey aren't you going to sit down and enjoy the show?" Finn whispers, "The show can last well over an hour and it really is more beautiful from down here."

"Okay, I'll take you word for it," Rachel whispers as she sits down next to Finn, brushing her leg against his and feeling the rapid beat of her heart through her body.

"Are you going to share that blanket with me or do I need to go get one for myself?" Finn asks with the most gorgeous smile on his face.

"Of course," she said as she spread the blanket over both of their legs as she leans closer to him so they are both covered. Finn wraps his arm around her shoulders, perfectly happy sitting there enjoying the fantastic firework show that is on display directly overhead as Finn had promised.

After the show, they reluctantly separate and stood up to head back down to the back yard for the bonfire that was planned for after the fireworks.

As they walk around the corner of the house, all of their friends are looking at them with questioning looks on all of their faces. "Where have you two been?" Puck questions; "We didn't even notice that you two had disappeared."

Rachel shrugs her shoulders and said "We didn't disappear, Finn just took me to the best place to see the fireworks." Smiling up at Finn "And I'm pretty certain that we did have the best view!"

"Noah Puckerman, what in the hell are you trying to do?" Kurt screams, "I don't think that you need to use a whole bottle of lighter fluid to get the fire started!"

Rachel laughed, "Noah, huh?" flinching from the look that Puck gives her.

Finn puts his arm around Rachel's shoulder and explains that Puck's real name was Noah, but only his mother was allowed to call him that.

"What's wrong with Noah?" Rachel asks "it's a perfectly suitable Jewish name; with a last name of Puckerman I assume that you are Jewish."

"Please do me a favor Berry, don't call me that!"

"Alright Puck, I won't call you that", she moves closer to him so no one else can hear "as long as you don't hurt my cousin."

"Promise and I really hope that you and Finn can get over the past and move forward together." whispering "I think that you two are perfect for each other."

"Oh don't be silly, he is just being friendly with me considering that all of my friends have abandoned me for others tonight?" Rachel says with a smile letting Puck know that she was okay with it.

"Rachel, believe me when I say that I haven't seen him this relaxed around a woman for a very, very long time." As he notices the smile on Rachel's face, "I don't know your whole story, but I do know that you deserve to be happy too!" adding quickly as he starts to walk toward the bonfire, "Now come on, it's a Hummel-Hudson tradition to roast marshmallows around the fire and tell stories."

All of the friends are sitting around the bonfire; the crackling of the wood burning on the fire is the only noise piercing the silence as everyone is lost in their own thoughts.

Rachel keeps replaying her conversation with Puck; just as Finn was doing with the conservation that they had hours ago. It was time to move on and find happiness again, both of them realizing at the exact same time that Puck was right; they look at each other at the same time with a smile. Neither one of them knowing how the other was feeling or if they both were feeling this way; but sometimes you just have to take a chance, right?

See, I promised you guys that the chapters were going to get longer. Next chapter will include a bunch of hangovers and hook ups! Please let me know what you think so far.