Warning, the fluff bunny was on the rampage in this one. Written for St. Berry week challenge: Day 3 Prom. I posted this story to my tumblr earlier this week, and have now posted it here with only a few minor tweaks made.
Prom Night
Jesse had been attacking that particularly ticklish spot on Rachel's neck with his lips and tongue when he noticed her giggle had suddenly cut off and her eyes had widened in distress. Before he could see what the problem was he felt someone shove his shoulder and spin him away from Rachel.
A glowering Finn Hudson stood before them. "Dude, keep it PG!" Hudson yelled over the band's music.
"Dude, it's none of YB; your business." Jesse shot back. What was it with this oaf anyway? Hudson had a beautiful girl as his date but he just couldn't keep his paws off Rachel and her life. Things deteriorated rapidly after that, and without Jesse even getting to throw a punch he found himself evicted from the prom by Mckinley High's resident nutcase, Coach Sylvester. It was Jesse's secret conviction that Coach Sylvester had a dungeon of torture somewhere on the school premises, so he was thankful he had escaped with only an ejection. The only other good thing about the so-called fight was that Hudson had been tossed out too, but overall this night had not gone as anticipated. In fact it sucked.
Jesse headed towards his mother's car (which he had borrowed for the evening) and weighed his options. Although he was not allowed back into the prom, he could at least wait for Rachel in the comfort of the Mercedes-Benz. If he kept a lookout maybe he could find someone to go in to see if she was okay, and perhaps ask her if she wanted to go home early. They could at least tell her he would wait for her at the car.
"You leave Rachel alone! She belongs to me, not you!" Jesse whipped around to once more confront his belligerent rival; Hudson had obviously decided not to let matters go and had followed him.
"Rachel Berry is NOT a possession! She doesn't belong to anyone except herself, and whom she chooses to spend her time with is up to her not you," he spat the words back into Hudson's face. "Not to mention the small matter of the fact that I believe you are dating a certain Quinn Fabray and you dumped Rachel for her. Now you've ruined not only Rachel's prom but also Quinn's. You are not Rachel's boyfriend, nor her keeper, but you sure are acting like it. Maybe you need to figure out why you only seem to want Rachel when she is with someone else and no longer acting as your personal cheerleader."
"Yeah, well at least I didn't throw eggs at her! You're not good enough for her, St. Jerk."
"Maybe I'm not yet, but I will be. I learn from my mistakes and unlike you, I don't repeat them over and over again, not to mention I've never, ever cheated on Rachel nor would I." Jesse could see by the anger in Finn's eyes that the lout was about to get violent so he quickly added, "before you start using your fists instead of your brain, you might want to consider how Rachel would feel about you beating me up."
"You're just a coward. You know you can't beat me in a fight so you're trying to talk your way out of it."
"Actually, I am trained in capoeira, that's a form of Brazilian martial arts, oh clueless one, so I could inflict severe damage on you before you even knew what hit you, especially as I am far more agile and co-ordinated than you'll ever be. However unlike you, I care about Rachel's feelings and I have a modicum of restraint." And, Jesse thought to himself, 'if I beat Hudson up Rachel's sympathy would swing in his favor, and I have no intention of having that happen.' He knew he was taking a risk in getting hurt, but his not losing Rachel again was worth that possibility.
Finn was clenching and unclenching his fists as he half listened to Jesse's words, but they weren't really sinking in. When Finn got really angry something had to be punched or hit, usually it was a chair or a wall, but punching pretty boy's face would be so much more satisfactory. He wanted his rival out of his and Rachel's life for good and if beating him up a bit could accomplish that at last then the fists would do the talking and he'd run Jesse off the school property. Should Rachel later ask where Jesse went, he could tell her St. James had deserted her and with any luck, Rachel wouldn't want to see or speak to Jesse ever again.
***
Rachel had been mostly immobilized with shock when the pushing and shoving began. She couldn't believe her eyes as she watched her two former boyfriends get into a fight and then get evicted from the Prom. On one level she couldn't help but appreciate the drama that had ensued over her, but on another level she was left with a seething cauldron of confused emotions. Finn had chosen her at last. He had finally admitted in public by his actions that she was the one he really cared about. So why did she feel so awful? At last she had what she'd always wanted, didn't she?
She glanced over at Quinn's pale, distressed face and mouthed "I'm so sorry" before she sprinted out after her two exes. It was bad enough that prom night had been ruined for the two girls; she did not need nor want any bloodshed in the parking lot over her. As Rachel quietly opened the side exit door she immediately heard Finn bellowing from somewhere nearby and unbeknownst to either Finn or Jesse, Rachel heard nearly every word of their heated exchange, and she'd had enough.
"Stop it right now Finn Hudson!" she yelled in her loudest, best diva voice and Finn whirled around and gulped as he saw Rachel standing just a few feet away. His arm, which had been coiling in preparation of executing a punch, went suddenly limp at his side. He looked down and scuffed his feet against the asphalt looking like a naughty boy who'd been caught tormenting the neighbor's cat.
"I am appalled at the scene you two caused, but most of all I'm ashamed of you Finn!" Rachel crossed her arms and tapped her foot in annoyance. "Quinn was your date. It was her big night and you deserted her, caused a scene and embarrassed both Quinn and myself in front of everyone. Congratulations, you made this a night we'll never forget. Jesse is right, you think of me as your possession, not a person in my own right. I am perfectly capable of telling Jesse if he is acting inappropriately or if his attentions are unwanted. He respects my decisions and my personal boundaries. I thought I made it perfectly clear when I sang "Jar of Hearts" that you and I were done and you have no say in my life anymore.
"But, but I thought you were singing that to St. James."
"I was looking at you when I sang that song Finn, why would you think I was singing it to Jesse?"
"'Cause he broke you heart and now he's back and"
"And you can't see it can you? You can't see yourself in that song; that it describes your behavior. You are a habitual heart-breaker. You want Quinn and then you want me, and then it's Santana or some other cheerleader, then me, then Quinn. It just goes on and on, Finn. I'm so over this game you play. I'm done, we're done, now go home."
All the fight seemed to go out of Finn as Rachel spoke. His shoulders slumped and he dropped his head again. A tiny sliver of hope remained that Rachel would forgive him and give him another chance like she had done many times before, but there was something in the tone of her voice this time that told him they were really over; there would be no more second chances. Without saying another word, Finn dejectedly walked over to his truck and sped off for home.
Jesse took off his jacket and draped it around Rachel who was now shivering with delayed shock. He wanted to take her in his arms and make everything better, but he didn't feel he had earned that right and he didn't want to take advantage of her in a vulnerable state. He wasn't going to mess things up this time. So instead he asked, "Do you want me to take you home now, Rachel?"
The petite brunette shook her head slowly. "No, it will just cause all kinds of questions from my Dads that I don't feel up to answering right now. Can we just go somewhere else for awhile?"
"Of course," Jesse paused for a moment considering. He really had no investment in any of the rest of New Directions but Mercedes and Sam had been decent to him tonight so he asked "what about Sam and Mercedes? They'll be worried about you, and how will they get home?"
"Right, I guess with everything else I forgot. Quinn will be stranded too." Rachel bit her lip in worry.
Jesse pulled out his wallet and took out some cash. "Look, here's some money for a cab. You go back in, since I'm persona non grata, and give it to Sam so he can get himself and Mercedes and Quinn home, and I'll drive the car up to the front entrance and meet you there, okay?"
"Okay." Rachel was now comfortably nestled into the warmth of Jesse's jacket, letting his familiar scent mixed with his aftershave envelop her and making her feel better, calmer. She took the cash and stuffed it into one of the jacket's pockets then turned and practically flew across the parking lot to the doors. She wanted to leave the prom and its disastrous outcome behind as soon as possible.
While Jesse waited for Rachel to return he quickly went through the cds of musicals that he'd put in the glove compartment; looking for one that would cheer Rachel up or at least be something lighthearted. In the end he opted for the soundtrack of "My Fair Lady." He was leaning against the car and humming along to the overture as Rachel reappeared at the entrance.
"Your carriage awaits, mademoiselle" Jesse said as he opened the car door with a flourish. "Where would you like me to take you?"
"I don't know. Can we just drive for a bit?"
"As you wish." Jesse buckled himself in and soon they were headed out of Lima. No words were spoken but the silence was companionable. He knew that when Rachel felt like talking she would. After they had driven for nearly an hour, Rachel at last started singing along with the music, and that was when Jesse knew she was getting her equilibrium back.
"You know, if we keep driving much longer we'll soon be in Columbus." Jesse mentioned casually as he paused the cd for a moment.
Rachel quit staring sightlessly out the side window and turned to look at him in surprise, she had no idea they'd been driving so long, so lost had she been in her thoughts. "Columbus?"
"Yup, Columbus. Are you hungry? We could go for some appetizers or a decadent desert. There's this great restaurant with a spectacular view of the Scioto Mile, and it serves vegan options." Jesse had no sooner mentioned food than Rachel's stomach gave a loud rumble.
"I'll take that as a yes." Jesse grinned and Rachel grinned back, then suddenly a thought struck her. "Do you have enough money? I mean you said you were looking for work and this night has already cost you more than expected."
"No worries. Gran's birthday present to me was generous and was given with the stipulation that I "have some fun."
Satisfied she wouldn't be plunging Jesse deep into debt, Rachel relaxed back into her seat; they spent the final twenty minutes of the drive debating which new Broadway show was going to succeed and which would flop.
Jesse had earlier pulled over to call the restaurant for a reservation and so they were ushered straight to their table without any delay. The night was clear and the view was absolutely breathtaking. For the first few minutes all Rachel could do was gaze upon the panorama before her; the fountain in particular was so beautiful. Finally she turned to look at her dinner companion and found that instead of him enjoying the city view he was looking at her. His look was unguarded and tender and Rachel at last began to believe that he had indeed come back to Lima for her and only for her, to make amends and to prove himself worthy of her love.
In a flash of epiphany, Rachel realized that with Jesse she could just be herself; he didn't try to change her or guilt her or tune her out. For nearly a year now she had been floundering and trying to be what Finn wanted her to be, what others expected her to be. She had almost lost sight of who Rachel Berry was. Seeing Jesse, however, had reminded her of what her goals were and who she was; suddenly everything was crystal clear again.
Instinctively she reached across the table and placed her hand on his. As his thumb gently caressed her hand a wave of desire hit her, it was so strong that she felt dizzy with it. She spent the rest of the meal in a state of euphoric bliss and it seemed far too soon that the restaurant was closing and it was time for them to leave.
"Alas, I must return Cinderella home or her Dads will turn me into a pumpkin." Jesse said as helped Rachel into the passenger seat.
"Jesse! That's not how the story goes and my Dads would never. They adored you and were nearly as devastated as I was when we broke up. They couldn't decide whether to put a contract out on you for the egging incident and breaking my heart or to go into deep mourning over the fact that they'd lost an ideal future son-in-law."
"I have to admit I was quite surprised they didn't great me at the door tonight with a shotgun and dire threats to my favorite body parts."
"Well, once I had fully explained the extenuating circumstances of our tragic breakup, they actually found it all quite dramatically romantic and have forgiven you."
"Still, I don't want to get into their bad books again. What time do they expect you home from Prom? Should we give them a call; it will be nearly 1:00 am by the time we get back to Lima." He really didn't want this night to ever end, but if Rachel kept looking at him the way she had been all through their meal he was going find it increasingly difficult to continue to be a complete gentleman. It was time to get her home and if he had a deadline than he was less likely to get too sidetracked.
"Fine! You win." Rachel pouted but pulled out her pink cellphone and hit speed dial. "Hello, Daddy? No, everything is fine. Jesse and I left the prom early because Finn caused a scene. We went out for a late dinner and Jesse just wanted to make sure he didn't exceed my curfew. I told him there was no curfew on prom night but he wants to hear it from you." Rachel paused and listened for a moment before handing the phone to Jesse.
"Mr. Berry, I" Jesse's words were cut off as both Rachel's Dads (they'd put Jesse on speaker phone) chattered away non-stop for several minutes. Finally there was a pause and Jesse was able to speak. "Yes, sirs. Thank you; you have a good-night too." Jesse stared at the phone a moment before returning it to Rachel. Well that was awkward. They'd basically given him and Rachel carte blanche for the evening, with no curfew and the admonition that they expected he would take the necessary precautions if the young couple got carried away with youthful ardor.
"I was right wasn't I? We have no curfew." Rachel was close to bouncing in her seat with excitement but that only reminded Jesse that she was a couple of years younger than him and still in high school.
"No curfew. But, we should start heading back." Jesse decisively put the car in gear and merged smoothly into the traffic. "There's more music in the glove compartment and it's your turn to pick a cd to listen to."
Rachel felt momentarily deflated but rallied quickly and dove into Jesse's collection of cds. Her eyes suddenly lit up and she grabbed one and laughed at the black lettering inked on the CD. "Josh Groban, Jesse?"
Jesse groaned inwardly. He thought he'd removed that one from the car. "Yes, well ever since we won Regionals when he was one of the judges, he sends me a cd of his latest album. I guess I forgot that one was in there. My mother likes to listen to him." There was no need for Rachel to know how often he'd played Groban's music when he was wallowing in romantic regret over breaking Rachel's heart and his own. In fact this particular CD wasn't even released yet. Josh had sent him an early preliminary version of the songs, and listening to it was his guilty pleasure/pain.
"Don't try to fool me, Jesse. I know your musical tastes and your secret penchant for melancholy romantic music."
"Okay, guilty as charged. He's not just a favorite of my mother, I like his stuff too. But I really did forget to take it out of the car."
"Well, I think it will be perfect for tonight's drive home. I love his voice too, even if I'm not enamored of his judging skills."
As music filled the car once more, they sped through the starry night until they reached Russells Point. It was too good an opportunity to miss so Jesse pulled over at a park lay-by by the lake. They watched the moonlight play upon the water for a few moments before Jesse turned off the car, turned up the music then got out and strode around to open the passenger door.
"Dance with me?" Jesse held out his hand to her and Rachel clasped it without hesitation. Suddenly she was whirling around in his arms under the moonlight. It was magical. When the final song on the cd began playing Jesse began singing along softly in her ear:
"I believe when I fall in love with you it will be forever,
I believe when I fall in love this time it will be forever
Without despair we will share,
And the joys of caring will not be replaced,
What has been must never end
And with the strength we have won't be erased
When the truths of love are planted firm,
They won't be hard to find,
And the words of love I speak to you
will echo in your mind I believe when I fall in love with you it will be forever,
I believe when I fall in love this time it will be forever"
Rachel reached up to cup his face, her eyes glistening with tears and sang the last chorus with him. As the notes died away in the night, it seemed perfectly natural and right to lean up and kiss him. It was a kiss of promise and his response made her heart pound and her toes curl.
"You really do love me don't you?" her voice was tinged in wonderment.
"Yes, so much that it hurts" Jesse leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. "I have a confession to make. The main reason I flunked out of university was because I couldn't concentrate. All I could see over and over again was me smashing that egg on your head and the pain in your eyes, and I hated myself. I kept thinking about how I could make it up to you and what an idiot I'd been. But you see, I've never loved anyone like I love you. I've never felt like this with anyone ever before, so I didn't realize until it was too late that I had fallen in love with you. You are my shining star, Rachel."
He stroked her cheek gently and sighed again. "And at this moment, a part of me would like nothing more than to be with you in every sense of the word, but I don't want us to rush things. Everything went way too fast last time and parts of it, at least at the beginning, weren't real. We need to be totally honest with each other and take it slower. I feel like I need to earn back your trust; I don't want you to ever have doubts about me again and I need to know that you truly love me with all your heart too. You need to be sure. I really can't take another "Run Joey Run" heartache.
We are both still so young; there is still so much for us to learn and experience. In my heart I know we are meant to be but you have another year of school and I have to find my way again. I'm going to apply to TISCH and NYADA and if I don't get in I'm still heading to New York next year to try my luck at auditions. I hope you'll be there with me in New York. There's no one else I'd rather have as my leading lady on and off stage."
Rachel placed her hand on Jesse's heart and looked him in the eyes unflinchingly. "I've been an idiot too. I've finally realized that you're the only boy who understands my passion for performing and who accepts me for who I am, even the not so nice parts of my personality; the only boy who has ever kept up with me vocally and whose talent I believe in and admire. So even though you make me see stars and fireworks when we kiss, I will, for the moment, agree to take things slow. Just remember that patience isn't really one of my virtues, especially when I know what I want."
"Duly noted, I can see I'll have to be vigilant in guarding against your plans of seduction." Jesse kissed the tip of her nose and Rachel laughed, then tucked her head beneath Jesse's chin and sighed in contentment. She couldn't help but think it had been the best prom night ever and that their epic romance was about to truly begin