Chapter 9

"Oh, Sam, let's rest for a minute…" an exhilarated if slightly winded Rachel requested. "You're dancing me off my feet."

"I always wanted to sweep a lady off her feet," Sam flirted.

"I didn't say 'swept', Sam," Rachel teasingly chided, "You've danced me off my feet."

"Same difference…" Sam commented with a grin.

"So not…" Rachel corrected, helping herself to another cocktail as a waiter passed them. She was about to sip from the glass when Noah and Quinn danced by, stopping when they met.

"Having a good time, there, Rach?" Noah inquired with a wink.

"Sooooooo good, Noah," an obviously inebriated Rachel confirmed. "This is a wonderful party."

"Yes, it is," Noah agreed. Before anyone had a chance to speak, the band began another song, and the vocalist sang "Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor..."

"Listen, Noah," Rachel excitedly announced, "They're playing 'our song'." She looked at him wistfully, inviting, "Dance with me?"

Hesitating only a moment, Noah smiled nostalgically and he acquiesced, "Sure, Rach." Taking her in his arms, they danced away, leaving Quinn and Sam alone.

"May I interest you in a dance, Miss Fabray?" Sam invited.

"Of course, Sam," Quinn answered with a soft smile.


"You look beautiful, Rachel," Noah complimented as they danced.

"Thank you Noah," Rachel accepted. "You look rather dapper yourself."

"Thanks, Rach," he modestly replied.

Smiling gently, Rachel hummed along to the music.

"It's nice to see you so carefree," Noah fondly observed. "It's been a long time…maybe not since college. I'm afraid that's probably my fault," he admitted. "I'm truly sorry, Rach; I never meant to hurt you."

"That's OK, Noah," Rachel placated. "Everything is soooo fabulous tonight, and I love everybody. I love Kurt, I love Blaine, I love you..." Rachel's eyes widened as she continued, "Oops…I probably shouldn't've said that," she tipsily confessed, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. "After all, I'm getting married tomorrow…"

"'In vino veritas', Rachel," Noah quietly reminded her. "You know how I feel, Baby," he affirmed, drawing her closer and tenderly tilting her face toward his.

"Noah, please; stop," Rachel softly requested, lightly placing her right index finger over his mouth to silence him. "I've made a comm...commitimit…" floundering for the correct pronunciation, she settled on "…promise…"

Gently moving her hand away, Noah hesitantly responded, "But, Rachel, there's…something I need to tell you..."

"What is it, Noah?" Rachel prompted.

Noah had barely opened his mouth to reply when he was tapped on the shoulder…by Sebastian.

"I've been looking all over for you, Muffin," Sebastian paternally rebuked Rachel, largely ignoring Noah as he stepped between the pair. "It's well past time for all good little brides-to-be to head off to sleep."

"But, Sebastian, the night is still young," Rachel pouted. "I'm not ready to leave, yet."

"Well, then, rest for a minute," he placated. "Come, now, Muffin." Turning toward Noah, Sebastian dismissively announced, "I've got this under control, Puckerman. We'll be saying good night, now." He placed his right hand at the small of Rachel's back, guiding her away from the activity and into the house, where he found a quiet spot in the den. "You sit here and collect yourself, Rachel," Sebastian instructed. "I've got to talk to somebody about business, but I should be back in 20 minutes, and I'll see you home safely."

No sooner had Sebastian left the room than Rachel grinned impishly, stood up and headed back toward the party, helping herself to another glass of champagne, sipping as she wandered back toward the party. She'd barely left the house when she was intercepted by Sam, who was struggling to untie his bow tie.

"Boy, is it hot tonight, or is it just me?" Sam posed, finally freeing his neck and clumsily unbuttoning his collar.

"Both," Rachel giggled in reply. She pondered momentarily before giddily announcing, "I know what let's do…let's go for a midnight swim." She glanced around before conspiratorially whispering, "The coast is clear; no sign of Sebastian anywhere." Playfully grabbing Sam's hand, she grinned mischievously, encouraging, "Let's go," and the duo snuck off together, somewhat unsteadily retreating toward Rachel's neighboring property.


Her dress shed in favor of a shocking pink bathing suit, a sheer matching cover-up carelessly tossed over her shoulders, Rachel stood at the foot of the stairs, impatiently calling, "Hurry up, Sam. If you're not down here in two minutes, I'm goin' without you."

"I'm comin'," Sam's voice echoed from upstairs. Although bit unsteady on his feet, he somehow made it down the steps without tripping. "OK, Rachel," he pronounced, taking her left hand in his right one, "time for a li'l swim..." Somewhere between the staircase and the patio door, Rachel's jacket slipped off, unnoticed as it floated to the floor behind them. Exiting through the back, their journey was temporarily stopped by Rachel's cell phone. She glanced at it, noting the number was Sebastian's, rolled her eyes, shrugged, and deposited the phone on the nearest table. Rachel turned, closing the French doors, and they continued, stumbling their way toward the pool.

Upon reaching their destination, Sam glanced at his watch to note the time, realizing, "Hey, Rachel! I can't go in the pool with my watch on. This was my grandfather's watch; it's one of those wind-up ones…"

"Pool house…" Rachel nodded toward the structure to their right. "I'm sure Noah's robe's in there. You can put it in the pocket."

Sam did as he was told and returned shortly with two plush white terrycloth robes, one considerably smaller than the other.

"Which…which one?" he sputtered out, holding one robe in each hand.

Unsuccessfully choking back laughter, Rachel confirmed, "The bigger one, silly…"

Sam did as instructed, fumbling to remove his family heirloom and stuffing it in a pocket before he deposited the robes on the closest chair while Rachel looked on, fondly observing his somewhat clumsy attempt. Upon completion, Sam looked up, noting the moonlight bouncing off the water that seemed to illuminate Rachel from within.

Sam approached Rachel, stopping only a hairsbreadth away. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Rachel?" Sam quietly asked, gently brushing back a stray hair that had found its way onto her face.

"That's a lovely thing to say, Sam," Rachel accepted his compliment, sighing dejectedly. "Sometimes, I think that's why Sebastian's marrying me…because I look good on his arm." She paused briefly before continuing, "He treats me like I was made out of glass, Sam…something to be put on a shelf and admired from afar…maybe taken down for special occasions. Am I really that…just a decoration?" she asked, searching his face as a single tear ran down her cheek.

"Rachel, as far as I'm concerned, you're anything but that," Sam quietly disagreed, looking deeply into Rachel's eyes. "You're…you're amazing, Rachel. I've never met anybody like you. I see fire and passion when I look in your eyes, and if that guy doesn't…well…" Rachel's breath hitched, causing Sam to pause momentarily. Noting that he had her complete attention, he added, "If you weren't an engaged woman, Rachel, then I'd have to kiss you."

"Don't let that stop you, Sam," Rachel softly encouraged.

Sam drew Rachel closer and leaned in, their lips meeting. The kiss was sweet but brief; before it could escalate in intensity, Rachel playfully pulled away and called out "Last one in's a rotten egg!" She ran forward and jumped into the pool, treading water as she watched Sam follow her lead and do the same.

Sam swam toward Rachel, anticipating a continuation of what had occurred only moments before. As he floated beside her, he noticed her sudden pallor.

"Sam, I…I don't feel well…" Rachel moaned.

"Can you make it to the steps, Rachel?" Sam concernedly inquired.

"Yeah…I think so," she quietly replied.

Sam held Rachel closely as he moved toward the pool steps at the shallow end. Once there, he stood up, taking Rachel in his arms and gently carrying her out of the water.

As soon as Sam stepped on dry land, Rachel muttered, "Bathroom…pool house…hurry, Sam…"