Two Weeks Later

Jesse and Rachel were surprised to find that they had a lot in common, and they were quickly forming a strong bond. So much so that Jesse found himself texting her between takes, thinking about her during scenes, and hurrying to her apartment when filming was over for the day for a night of classic movies; amusing conversation; and, when he was lucky, getting Rachel to sing for him.

That was another thing that he found extremely captivating about Rachel Berry, she was incredibly talented. Jesse had no doubts that she would be going places soon. The exact places she had classified as a dream two weeks ago now seemed more of an inevitability to Jesse. He new that if she went out for any part, it would be hers. But, perhaps, he was a tad bit biased.

Tonight, though, was not going to be for movies, and other home bound occasions. This was Rachel's second to last night before her flight home, and he knew he had to do something special. Tonight he was going to make one of Rachel's other dreams come true because in one hand he held a garment bag, and in the other he held two tickets to the Tony Awards.

He rang the doorbell outside of the apartment and waited patiently for Rachel to answer.

"Hey," Rachel said as she opened the door. "What are you doing here I thought-"

"Surprise!" Jesse laughed.

"Oh my God," Rachel squealed. "Are you kidding me?"

"Of course not. I'm not that cruel. I've got an extra ticket and nobody else I'd rather take. So take this." He handed her the garment bag. "Change, do your hair, and whatever else girls do to get ready. I'll wait in the living room, and you have about forty five minutes before the limo gets here."

"I love you!" Rachel said giddily as she ran off to her bedroom.

Jesse smiled as she ran off. He unbuttoned his ridiculously expensive suit jacket, and took a seat on the couch. He waited, waited, and waited some more. But, when Rachel stepped back into the living room it proved to be all worth it because his breath was taken away by her beauty.

Stepping out of the limo at the Tony Awards was the most exciting moment of Rachel Berry's life. She'd never experienced anything like it, but Jesse threw an arm around her waste and whispered into her ear.

"Just smile and walk. It's easy. I promise. Ignore the photographers and just focus on enjoying yourself. That's why we're here."

"Easy for you to say," Rachel retorted. "You've done this plenty of times."

"Trust me."

As Jesse guided Rachel down the red carpet he thought they might actually make it all the way to the actually awards without being stopped by an interviewer.

"Jesse! Jesse over here!" Or not...

"It'll only take a few seconds," Jesse assured Rachel before walking over to the reporter who had called his name.

"Well I must say you look dashing!" the female reporter who was most likely in her early twenties complimented.

"Thank you," Jesse said slightly amused. He squeezed Rachel's side lightly, and she smiled.

"So you're here shooting your new movie, and you just decided that you'd stop by the Tonys too!" the reporter remarked a little too enthusiastically.

"Well," Jesse smiled, but Rachel could tell it was a little forced. "I'm a huge Broadway fan, so when I was invited a couldn't imagine passing up the opportunity."

"And who is this you have with you?" the lady asked with evident suggestion in her voice as she turned to Rachel.

"My best friend, Rachel Berry. She shares my love for the stage, so she's my date for the night," Jesse answered flawlessly. He threw Rachel a grin and she laughed softly. "Plus, she's dying to meet Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenowith. She has this picture-"

"I hate you," Rachel injected, but Jesse could tell that she was kidding.

"You love me," Jesse corrected.

"Well," the reporter said, "I hope you have a great time."

"Thank you," Jesse nodded and shot a smile at the camera before leading rachel into the theater.

Watching Rachel throughout the show was definitely on the top ten of Jesse's favorite things to do. The way she reacted to everything that went on was so adorable and so completely Rachel that he wished the awards would go on forever just so he could watch her face. He supposed that to her this was the biggest event of his life, and she probably felt as he did when he went to his first Academy Awards show. She seemed to mesmerized by everything, and he thought she was going to die when she saw they were sitting by John Gallagher Jr. who was an acquaintance of Jesse's.

And when the last award was given out, the last speech was made, and the last performance done Jesse found that he really didn't want to leave. Reluctantly, he lead Rachel back to the limo.

"I can't believe you got Kristen Chenowith and Sean Hayes to meet me. It's official you're my new best friend!" Rachel's grin had yet to falter.

"Thank God," Jesse sighed dramatically. "I was beginning to wonder what all it was going to take to earn that title."

As Jesse's driver opened the door Jesse allowed Rachel to step in first, and then he followed suit.

"Ms. Berry," the driver said before closing the door.

"Yes," Rachel replied.

"I believe you left your phone back there. It's been buzzing all night," he informed kindly.

"Thank you," Rachel smiled, and the driver shut the door.

"Eleven text messages!" Jesse exclaimed as he held up Rachel's phone. "Somebody's popular."

"Hey," Rachel tried to sound serious but she accidently let a laugh slide. "Give that back! She reached for her phone, but Jesse pulled it out of her reach. "Jesse!"

"Okay, okay," he gave in. "Here." He handed her the phone back, and pulled his iPhone out of his pocket. "No fair. I'm famous, and I didn't get one message!"

"Ha." Rachel flipped her phone open and read through the messages she had received.

Kurt: Am I hallucinating or are you on the red carpet at the Tonys with Jesse St. James?

Mercedes: Girl, I better be seeing things because I know you would have told me if you were rubbing elbows with Jesse St. James

Kurt: It is you! I just saw the interview. He called you his best friend! You have A LOT of explaining to do.

Kurt: Why aren't you answering me?

Mercedes: Answer me!

Quinn: Manhands, Kurt just called me saying that your spending the night at the Tonys with Jesse St. James. Are you kidding me? I thought you said you didn't hold respect for his talent!

The rest of the messages consisted of demands for answers, and threats if she didn't. So, Rachel sent out the vaguest answer she could come up with.

You're all right. I'll explain when I'm back in Lima.

"Wow," Jesse commented, and Rachel noticed that he had been reading the messages over her shoulder. "Friends of yours?"

"Not exactly," Rachel answered. "They don't really like me that much."

"I can't imagine why not," Jesse said seriously. Why would anyone not like Rachel? I mean sure, she was a tad bit controlling but only because she knew what she wanted.

The next morning Jesse was at Rachel's door bright and early.

"How are you here? I thought you were filming," Rachel said in surprise when she saw who was at the door.

"I may, or may not have asked for the day off," Jesse explained vaguely.

"Jesse! You can't postpone the production of one of next year's most anticipated films to spend the day with me!" Rachel scolded.

"I already did," Jesse smiled. "And I know that you love that I would think to do that for you, but I will admit that it was slightly selfish of me because I enjoy our days together far more than filming."

"That's ridiculous."

"Get your shoes on. I was thinking a walk through Central Park."

"-and that is why you never agree to sit next to Steve Carell at the Emmys."

"Wow."

"Exactly."

"Right. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"Which is why that," he pointed with the hand of the arm that wasn't around Rachel's shoulders to a picnic basket and blanket sitting on the ground, "is ours."

Rachel raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"And don't worry, your meal is completely vegan friendly."

"Perfect," Rachel grinned.

"So you're leaving tomorrow," Jesse said as he handed Rachel her meal.

"Yeah," Rachel confirmed sounding slightly dejected.

"All the way back to Ohio."

"Straight to Lima."

"I always hated Ohio," Jesse frowned.

"I think most people share that opinion."

"You'll get out of there though. Just like me, I know you will."

"I hope so," Rachel said honestly.

"I'm gonna miss you, Rach. Who knew that this trip would lead to this?" he gestured between the two of them.

"I know," Rachel smiled. "It's surreal, really."

"It is," Jesse agreed. "But it isn't going to stop here. Don't think that you're getting rid of me by leaving the state."

"Darn."

"Hey," Jesse laughed. "I'm your best friend, remember? Kristen and Sean!"

Rachel just smiled, and continued eating. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jesse found a way to interrupt it... by throwing a grape at Rachel.

"Hey!"

"Hi."

They spent the rest of the day walking through New York, going into random stores (including the one in which they met), and eating dinner. Jesse managed to only get stopped by seven, or so, fans which was pretty successful. Before they knew it it was almost midnight, and Jesse was dropping Rachel off at her aunt's apartment.

"What time's your flight tomorrow?" Jesse asked.

"Seven AM."

"Fuck," Jesse muttered. "I start filming at six."

"Then I guess this is goodbye," Rachel whispered. She was surprised that she had to keep her voice from cracking. This was crazy! She had only known this boy a month, sure he was gorgeous, they had everything in common, he was insanely charming, and the first real friend she'd ever had; but she shouldn't feel so completely attached to someone she had practically just met! Who was she really kidding though, even after only spending a month together she felt as if she had known him forever.

"Only for now," Jesse assured with a sad smile. What he had said at the picnic today had been true. He never thought that his remark to her at the store would lead to the strongest friendship he'd ever had. He definitely didn't expect to become so close to some one he hadn't known for that long, but he felt a connection with Rachel that he was not going to let fade just because she had to go back home.

"Only for now," Rachel repeated. She smiled, and Jesse grinned back. He reached out and wrapped her in a tight embrace. They hugged for what seemed like forever before finally releasing each other.

"Call me before your plane takes off and when you land."

"Okay, Dad."

"You would have called me anyway."

"No comment."

They said their final goodbyes before Jesse, reluctantly, headed back to his hotel.

Whoa... Chapter 2 already? Haha reviews?