Two months on, things were going well for Rachel and Sam. They had announced that they were dating six weeks ago and everyone was happy for them; Carole herself even supported them, saying that Finn would want Rachel to be happy. With the nerves now gone, the pair could enjoy being together in New York.

Rachel's room was the biggest in the apartment, so when they decided it was time to share a room Sam moved his stuff into hers. Sam's old room was quickly turned into a music room, filled with instruments and sheet music. Every night the whole group would go in there and sing a song together before dinner.

The two of them were also left alone more often, as the occupants of the apartment kept dropping. Kurt and Blaine found their own apartment just a few blocks away and Artie moved nearer to his film school. Santana, however, was happy to remain in the apartment knowing she has the power to interrupt Sam and Rachel's dates and make them feel awkward.

One Friday evening, Santana had gone out clubbing, leaving Sam and Rachel alone. Sam was sat on the sofa watching TV when Rachel approached him with a DVD in her hand.

"I think we should watch-" She began.

"-You want to watch Funny Girl AGAIN? We've watched it three times in two weeks!" Sam said and Rachel laughed.

"It brings back memories, Sam! I can watch this and know my Broadway dreams have come true. I have played Fanny Bryce on a Broadway stage!" Rachel exclaimed. Sam smiled at her.

"Yes, and you were amazing, but I just think instead of holding solely on to your past career achievements you need to find new opportunities as well." Sam commented. Rachel's face suddenly dropped.

"...What do you mean by that? You think I'm not looking for work?" Rachel asked almost as a demand.

"Of course not, it's just that-"

"I have been looking, Sam, I HAVE. Most of the jobs out there would mean I take a step back from being on Broadway, and no Broadway auditions are coming up for months yet." Rachel said.

"I get that, but sometimes you need to take a step back to take an even bigger one forward. Just because you've been on Broadway doesn't mean you can't take 'lesser' jobs. That just seems like you're looking down on people who haven't been on Broadway." Sam said. Rachel looked annoyed.

"Well, Broadway cannot be beaten, Sam. I'm a star; I can do so much better than being a waitress or a cleaner or...or a model." Rachel blurted out then instantly regretted it as Sam's face grew both shocked and angry.

Silence.

"Sam...I didn't mean that."

"Yes you did. You think me being a model is shameful." Sam snapped.

"No I don't."

"YES YOU DO. That was my dream Rachel; I had my dream, you had yours and we both fulfilled them. And you dare say that MY dream isn't as important as yours because it doesn't involve me being on stage and showing off to huge crowds every night?" Sam shouted.

"Excuse me? Show off? It's not about showing off!" Rachel shouted back.

"Could've fooled me." Sam said.

"Now you're being childish, Sam."

"Well you're being a diva, Rachel. And a drama queen. I thought you'd grown up."

"I'm FED UP of people calling me a diva and a drama queen. And for the record I HAVE grown up. I am a grown woman who can look after herself and has been successful on the stage. I am fed up of people saying I'm stuck up just because I've been a star. And I'm really fed up of you treating me like I'm a weak little girl!" Rachel exclaimed, now really angry. Sam stepped towards her.

"Well, you know what I'm fed up with? You thinking you're so much more special than everyone else. I'm fed up of you mentioning Broadway every minute of every day. You were a star and I'm proud of you, you were amazing in the show, but you need to think about the future to. We need to think about OUR future together. And I'm really fed up of always being second best." Sam shouted.

"Second best?" Rachel asked, irritated.

"Yeah, you always put yourself first, and that really pisses me off sometimes. You never show care for anyone else for longer than twelve hours at a time! And I know that I'm always gonna be second best when it comes to Finn, but I can live with that and accept that because it's clearly true. You'll always love Finn more than me, and that's fine."

"Don't you DARE use Finn to try and make me feel bad, Sam Evans! I am trying to find work; why is that hard for you to understand? Just because you get modelling jobs all the time doesn't mean that you're supporting both of us. I still have lots of money to get us by, and I've worked my ass off to get us to where we are right now. I want my success to be recognised, so why do you think it's okay for me to take a low paid job after everything I've done?" Rachel asked.

"Because I've known what it's like to not have a home, Rachel! You remember full well when I was homeless all those years ago. We had NOTHING. And that hurt me. It hurt me more than I thought anything could. I had to take even the crappiest jobs I could find just to afford cheap, unhealthy meals for my whole freakin' family! And that sucked!" Sam shouted.

"You missed out the part about being a stripper." Rachel said as she slammed her DVD on the table.

"You KNOW I'm ashamed of that, but I had no choice! You really think this low of me, don't you? Well I'm so sorry if I worry about us and where we're going. I'm sorry that I think about if we ever got married and started a family but couldn't afford to put food on the table. I'm sorry I CARE ABOUT YOU. I'm sorry that I lov-"

Sam stopped himself before he said the words. Rachel looked at him, stunned to silence.

"...I am not letting a fight be the first time I say that to you." Sam said.

"Well, maybe we'll say it when you calm down." Rachel said.

"For God's sake, Rachel. GROW UP!" Sam shouted.

"TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE!" Rachel screamed and walked towards their bedroom.

"Where are you going; we're not done." Sam said loudly.

"Yes we are! And I'm going to bed; don't worry, the sofa's nice and comfy." Rachel shouted and slammed the door shut behind her. Sam slammed his fist on the table in rage.

Sam lied down wide awake on the sofa for hours on end. He couldn't sleep a wink. He looked up at the ceiling with tears in his eyes as he kept checking his watch. It felt like an eternity that the apartment had been silent. While Sam was awake, Rachel was to. The two of them couldn't sleep as they had grown so used to sleeping by each other's side. Rachel wiped away tears as she looked at her pictures of both Finn and Sam.

Eventually Sam couldn't cope anymore and got up and walked tentatively up to the bedroom door and knocked on it gently.

"Baby?" Sam whispered, leaning his head against the door.

"Come in." A muffled whisper replied. Sam opened the door and he saw Rachel sat up in bed with a tear-stained face. It broke his heart knowing he was the cause of it. They looked at each other for a moment before Sam raced to the bed and sat next to Rachel. Their lips met instantly. Sam ran his hands through Rachel's hair while she leant her hands on his chest. The kiss deepened and grew more passionate as they started undressing each other. After, they passionately and lovingly made love.

Afterwards, the two of them were lying in bed with Sam wrapping his arms around Rachel's fragile body as she ran her finger along his bare chest.

"I'm sorry." Rachel said.

"No, I'm sorry." Sam said.

"I was completely wrong. I didn't mean what I said." Rachel admitted.

"Neither did I, but we both said bad things. Things that hurt." Sam replied. They kissed again.

"I hate it when we fight." Rachel whispered, tears building up again. Sam wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled reassuringly at her.

"And me." He replied. Sam sat up as Rachel did. Rachel grabbed his hands.

"Now you listen to me; there was one thing you said back there above all else that really broke my heart, and I could tell it hurt you. Finn was my first love and he'll always be in my heart, but you are NOT second best. You are my number one in your own way, you know why? You saved me. I really don't think I could've made it this far without you by my side, and that means the world to me. And what you were saying about us maybe having a family one day...I can see it. I really can. And I like what I see." Rachel explained. Sam smiled and kissed his girlfriend again. They hugged each other tightly and began making out. Sam climbed on top of Rachel as she wrapped her arms around his back and held his body close to hers as they locked lips.

The moment ended when Santana finally, and drunkenly, stumbled through the door and started singing and laughing to herself. Sam and Rachel laughed with her in between kisses.