Now that Rachel was two weeks into school, everything had gotten back to normal. She had been right when she thought that a fraction of the student body didn't believe it was really her in those pictures, and the other half assumed it was just some short fling of friendship and Jesse had long forgotten her by now. They obviously didn't know who Rachel texted during every class, and who she talked with on the phone with for at least an hour every night.

But, Rachel was just glad that the constant staring and occasional questioning had stopped. Even Kurt had stopped asking about every aspect of her relationship with Jesse.

While driving back home from school, Rachel was having a minor freak out. All day, Jesse hadn't been answering her text messages, and the night before while talking on the phone Jesse had been strangely vague. She found herself extremely concerned that he had decided he was too famous for her company.

But, all these fears swept away when she pulled up in front of her house. What appeared to be an extremely expensive sports car was parked in her driveway. Dare she say the car looked... movie star worthy?

Rachel pulled her keys out of the ignition and ran up to her front door, throwing it open. She expected him to be directly on the other side of the door waiting for her, but the house looked just as it did when she left that morning. Empty.

She knew he had to be here, unless her dads had decided to trade in one of their cars. If that was the case she was going to be extremely disappointed.

Slightly deflated, Rachel walked into the living room.

… and there he was. On the couch. Asleep.

Rachel smiled, he pretty much covered every sleeping cliché there was. His hair was flopped over to partially cover his eyes. His chest moved up and down in a steady, slow pattern. His facial features where almost completely relaxed, except for the way his eyebrows seemed to be pulling together slightly, like he was concentrating on something in his dreams. If Rachel had never seen him when he smiled, she would think that he couldn't get cuter than when he slept.

Part of her felt that she shouldn't wake him. He had spent the last few months on little sleep trying to finish filming a movie after all. He was bound to be tired, but the more selfish side of her argued that she hadn't seen him in two weeks. And he hadn't come here to waste his time asleep in her living room. Rachel could also guess that he didn't have very long to be in Lima. He had mentioned before that he had another project in LA that began almost as soon as his current one was over. So, she went with the selfish side.

"Hey, St. James," she called lightly. She saw his eyes flutter, so she continued. "I don't know that kind of perks you're used to, but we don't allow free loaders to sleep on our couch."

"I think I paid my way with a Tony ticket and an Oscar Del- What ever his name is," Jesse groaned. He sat up lazily and rubbed his eyes.

"Good morning," Rachel said cheerily.

"Back atcha," Jesse replied. His voice was husky with sleep.

"How long have you been here?" Rachel asked curiously. She took a seat next to him on the couch.

"Since two or so," Jesse answered. "I thought I'd come and leave my stuff here, and then go pick you up from school. Then I realized that I was extremely tired and that you have an amazingly comfortable couch."

"How long are you staying?" Rachel asked. She tried not to seem to eager to hear the answer. No need to increase his ego.

"The rest of today and tomorrow," Jesse informed. "I have a flight back to LA Sunday morning. So it's a short trip, but what kind of friend would I be if I didn't stop by before I headed back to the West Coast?"

"A pretty crappy one," Rachel nodded.

"Exactly," Jesse smiled. "So, I figured you could show me around the town."

"You used to live here."

"Yes, but I have never spent a week in the life of Rachel Berry, future starlet, in her natural habitat. This is a golden opportunity, a once in a lifetime chance, a-"

"Okay, okay," Rachel laughed. "Stop!"

"So," Jesse said, "What's first?"

"Just turn on this next street and it's the first building," Rachel directed.

"Got it," Jesse said. "You know, I honestly don't see why you wouldn't let me drive my own car."

"It would draw too much attention. If you insist on not wearing sunglasses or a hat then I'm at least taking one precaution of you not getting recognized."

"Fine," Jesse sighed as he parked in the lot of the building Rachel had pointed out. "So, now that we're here. Where are we?"

"My favorite music store. We met in one in New York, so I figured it would be a good place to start. It's usually pretty empty so we don't have to worry about you being ambushed either."

"What's your special connection to this place?" Jesse asked as he held the door open for her to walk into the store.

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked. She lead him over to one of the shelves of music quickly to keep him from being spotted.

"You say this is your favorite music store," Jesse commented. "Why?"

"I suppose it's somewhat by default," Rachel shrugged. "It's hard to find a place like this in Lima. Even Ohio for that matter. Out of the very few musically dedicated stores, this one has the best collection."

"I almost find it insulting that you would take me to a place of such little insignificance. So insulting, in fact, that I don't buy that it's true. So, what's the real story? What is it about this place that makes you tick?" Jesse asked. He watched as Rachel tried to look completely interested in the rows of musical books in front of them before she sighed and began to speak.

"My dads used to take me here when I was younger. It's where I got my first Streisand CD, my first Oklahoma DVD, my first Idina Menzel poster. It's where I decided that I want to have a book of my music here. My own CDs and posters that people want to buy."

"Now that," Jesse said, throwing one of his arms over her shoulder, "I believe. Come on, I've got an idea."

He grabbed the Cabaret book she was holding out of her hands and lead her to the piano he had seen when they walked in.

"Um, What are you doing?" Rachel mumbled when Jesse pulled her down to sit on the piano bench with him.

"'Maybe This Time' of course," Jesse stated as if it should have been obvious. "Unless you'd rather sing 'Perfectly Marvelous.'"

"Jesse-"

"Yeah, 'Maybe This Time' is way better. More iconic." Before Rachel could try and protest any further Jesse had begun to play the opening to the song.

"I didn't even know you could play the piano," Rachel hissed.

"I've got to keep somethings a surprise," Jesse smirked. "Now sing."

"No."

Jesse raised an eyebrow at her in a seemingly innocent fashion, but Rachel could read through it. She saw it for what it really was. A challenge. He was daring her not to sing. So when Rachel heard the introduction notes again, she sang.

She pretended to pay no attention to the wide grin that spread over Jesse's face when she began. Though he saw the way the corner of her mouth tipped up at his approval. He kept his eyes on the music in front of him for the most part, and he prayed that she didn't notice the notes he missed whenever he found himself looking at her instead.

Slowly, a small crowd began to gather near the piano to see who possessed the amazing vocals they were hearing throughout the store. Jesse caught a few impressed whispers, and a few whispers from people who had recognized him. As the song drew to a close, Rachel hit a final note that was enough to take anyone's breath away. Standing from the piano, Jesse quickly grabbed Rachel's hand and ran with her out of the store before he could be ambushed by any of the people who had placed his face.

"Sorry," Jesse said once they were both back in Rachel's car.

"For?" Rachel asked seemingly unfazed.

"I just yanked you from an adoring crowd to avoid being harassed. A totally selfish move on my part. You sounded incredible."

"I suppose it doesn't really matter. I'd rather you not be trampled."

"I appreciate that," Jesse laughed. "But, really, they loved you. How could they not?"

"Maybe they were just admiring your piano playing, though you did miss a few notes here and there," Rachel commented.

"I'm a little rusty," Jesse half-lied. "I haven't gotten to play in a while."

"Though I am a skilled dancer and singer, one thing I've yet to accomplish is playing a musical instrument. I envy you for that," Rachel admitted.

"Then I'll have to teach you," Jesse smiled.

"Oh, I don't know-"

"It's easy. I promise. Not to mention you'll have the best teacher."

"I doubt even you would be able to teach me how to master the piano in one day."

"Maybe not," Jesse frowned. "I'm sure we could figure something out."

The following Wednesday, Rachel was sitting in her room doing her homework when she heard the door ring. She figured it was the food she had ordered earlier since her dads would be home late that night, so she ran down to the front door and opened it.

"Are you Rachel Berry?" a man asked. He was holding a clip board and behind him was an enormous box.

"I am," Rachel nodded.

"Great," the guy smiled. "I'm going to need you to sign for this." He handed her the clip board and she signed it with confusion before handing it back. "Cool, do you want me to bring it in?"

"Sure. But, what exactly is it?"

"A piano," the guy informed. "Here it came with a card." He handed the envelope to Rachel.

You can't learn how to play an instrument if you don't have it. Don't freak out, consider it my investment in your future.

Lesson One: Go to that music store you took me to and find a beginners piano book. Study, learn, play. Next time I see you I want to hear what you've accomplished.

Good luck,

Jesse

So there's chapter four!

Now, time to answer some questions!
Yes, Jesse and Rachel will end up together romantically. This would be a lame St. Berry fic if I kept them as just friends!
It will take a little while for them to work out the relationship though. I mean they're living a few thousand miles apart, they've got the whole Jesse's famous drama, and they'll have some more stuff I'll be throwing into the mix. (Maybe a new girl/boy that draws some attention? Maybe a jealous ex? Who knows?)

But trust me when I say that my semi-creepy obsession with Jonathan Groff will ensure that they will end up together. I promise. For now at least... :)

Reviews?