Now be patient with Finn and Rachel and just know that rushing into anything is not going to happen.

Honor the Tether! Remember the Drummer!

Chapter 8 Man of Valor

Finn escorted Rachel into the ballroom of the Radisson in downtown Lima. There were a ton of military people and their wives and families. Rachel spotted Carole and Burt sitting at a table that had been assigned to the Berry and Hudson Families.

The General was receiving two Medals of Valor, one for his time in Vietnam and the other for a mission that he completed with Finn's father Chris during Desert Storm. Christopher Hudson was also receiving a medal posthumously.

Finn led Rachel over to their table pulling her chair out for her after they both greeted their families again. Once Rachel was seated, Finn sat beside her. He wanted to tell her about what had happened with Quinn earlier. He had briefed the General prior to him fetching Rachel for Finn.

"Hey Rach, Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything Finn." Rachel said without any of the snipe she had been using with Finn in the last few weeks.

Finn sighed "I wanted to tell you…Finn's eyes drifted to the door…What the actual Fuck!" Rachel's eyes went wide and looked where Finn was now glaring and saw that Jesse had entered the room. Seeing Marnie standing off talking to one of the Marine officers trying to keep herself in check.

"Finn must you use that language?" Rachel chastised. "What is it?"

"What the hell is Jesse St. Douchebag doing her? Did you invite him? I know I didn't."

Rachel internally snickered at the obvious jealousy Finn was displaying. "No, I did not invite him. His Uncle is a pretty big deal in Lima Banking so maybe that is how he was invited." Finn still glaring at St. Douche until he felt Rachel place her small hand on his forearm. "Finn ignore him, what did you want to tell me?"

Finn relaxed and started again "I wanted to say that, I have to tell you, earlier, I need you to know…" Finn was stumbling and Rachel thought she'd throw him a bone.

"Finn relax it's just me."

The music was playing in the background as Finn gazed into the girl he loved eyes. She was so pretty, and tonight she looked beyond beautiful. Just as he was going to tell Rachel he broke off things with Quinn a clearing throat interrupted him.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Last I heard Finn you broke up with our tiny Diva and took up with the blonde preggers again."

Rachel knew what was going to happen but she hadn't thought Jesse would be so in your face. She could feel Finn starting to tremble with rage. She rubbed his arm to calm him but it did little to placate him.

"Not that it any of your business, but you have no idea what you are talking about. So if you could get the fuck out of my face I'd appreciate it." Finn growled lowly as to not draw attention of the ballroom.

"Now, Now Finn, that is no way to behave. I know you are a caveman but seriously this is Lima high society." Jesse gave back.

Finn abruptly stood leading Rachel to do the same. "Finn don't, this is a great day for my grandfather and your dad. Jesse please just go." Rachel pleaded.

Marnie was coming up to the three onetime teammates because she could see Finn about to lose his shit and she just wanted to ruffle his feathers not start a brawl. She hurried, then reached the little group linking her arm through Jesse's. "Finn, I see you met my fiancé" Marnie sing-songed.

Finn looked at Marnie, then at Jesse who had a smug look on his face then back to Marnie. "Are you really that desperate that you'd used Rachel's cousin, actually ask her to marry you just so you could get with Rachel. Marnie do you even know who this guy is? He over here trying to get with Rachel."

Finn was on a rant, his voice starting to rise and it took everything inside Jesse and Marnie to not laugh. Rachel was the one to step in. She got into Finn's eye line "Finn, Finn, baby look at me." She ignored herself calling him baby. "Finn, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that Marnie was engaged to Jesse, but we aren't together, you really don't have the right to get mad that the male species wants to talk to me."

Finn glared at Rachel. "Yes I do."

"Oh really!" Rachel was gonna go all Divalicous on Finn but he noticed his mother glaring at him and not in a good way so he took Rachel's hand and pulled her toward the doors leading to the balcony that over looked the Ottawa River. Her protesting just under her breath as to not draw attention to them.

General Berry was talking to Grace Hudson, Christopher's mother. They both had been watching their grandchildren with mirth in their eyes. "James, I think we did it. Did you see my Finny when that boy with the overly done hair was talking to your angel girl.?"

"I sure did Gracie, I'm glad you called me. Those two are even more stubborn than Chris and Carole were."

"You are telling me. Like I told you when I called you, Finn came over and was pacing around like a caged animal after he broke up with Rachel. Saying he loved her but hated what she did. I couldn't get a word in because he wasn't hearing me. That boy is just like his father and my Finn, rest in peace."

Finn was named for his paternal grandfather who died in a training accident. His troop was being sent to the Faulkin Islands. Grace was devastated, but her son and her good friend Camilla helped her through.

"Well, Marnie's plan seems to be working that boy is so in love with Rachel everyone here sees it. He did tell me, when he picked up Rachel, that he ended things with that blonde girl." James dared not speak Quinn's name to Grace. She was not a fan. Grace had met Quinn once when Finn started dating her, before Glee and baby gate. She pulled Finny to the side and told him "Finny, I love you so I'm going to be straight with you, that girl is not for you."

Finn was shocked at his grandmother but he knew he couldn't not disagree with her. "Ok Grans, I'll keep it in mind."

"Oh, James that is wonderful news. I went over there when Kurt told Carole and she called me crying about what the hell that boy had been thinking. He came in and I smacked him upsided the head. I told him how disappointed I was in him. He looked hurt and that's when I knew something was up. He hates disappointing him mother and I. That is why I called you. You were the only one who could see that boy make sense. Thank you."

"Anything for my angel girl and Chris's son. May I escort you to the table?" James held his arm for his co-conspirator and she gladly obliged.

"Finn Hudson, stop manhandling me. Who do you think you are? You can't tell me what to do or who to see. You are so frustrating. You only want me when you think you can't have me. I so tired…."

Finn released Rachel from his grasp to pace. As he paced he listened to every word coming from her mouth. He knew she was absolutely right with everything except that part about only wanting her when he can't have her. He wanted her all the time. Finn stopped pacing and looked at Rachel in her beautiful dress, looking like a Hebraic goddess and couldn't help himself. He glided over to her grabbed her around the waist pulling her to his body, then pulled her by the back of her neck to his lips for a kiss that rocked the ground.

Rachel was surprised by Finn pulling her to his body. He started kissing her and she let him. She melted into his embrace for a couple of minutes but then bells and whistles went off in her head and she pushed him away.

"Damn it Finn, I told you I would not be the other woman. You are with Quinn despite the circumstance, we can't do this."

Finn stood there looking at Rachel's well kissed lips and chuckled. "What is so funny Finn? Do I amuse you?"

"As a matter of fact you do. You can try and deny it but you still want me."

"OF COURSE I DO YOU IDIOT, I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!"

"Well, that's good because I still love you."

"So what I am supposed to do with that Finn? The last two weeks you've been parading another girl in my face. Great way to show your love."

"Rach, I know I fucked up. I am sorry. That shit show with Quinn is over. I told her before I picked you up that we couldn't fake date anymore. I can't help her. She need more than just me. I was going to tell Puck tomorrow about the cutting. Maybe he could be what she needs"

Rachel listened intently to Finn. "That's good that you recognize what you were doing was wrong. But how does that change the fact that I kissed Puck and you couldn't forgive me?"

"Baby, I forgave you the minute you said it. I know you did it because you were hurting. But, I am a prideful person I've been told. I let my pride blind me. I am sorry and I do forgive you. Ca-Can you forgive me?"

Rachel regarded Finn. She did love him. He did hurt her. He was apologizing. But the hurt was still so fresh. "I do love you Finn, I want to be with you but I can't. I know that if we just jump into something it won't last. We need to heal from this."

Finn sighed. What could he say to that. She was right. "I love you too. And as much as I want to be with you, you are right. I don't want to break up and get back together then break up. I want us to go the distance. I want the fairy tale as well. Friends for now. No seeing other people."

Rachel knew he was referring to Jesse. She had to tell him what Marnie did. "Finn, I don't want anyone else so friends and no seeing others. Marnie is engaged to Jesse and I love that you think he would go to the trouble to make my cousin fall in love with him to get to me. I love that you think I'm worth that. But that is not what he is doing. He really loves Marnie. When he met her and found out she was my cousin he came clean right away. He didn't hide anything from her. She had some of her football friend at UCLA give him a taste of his own medicine and she told him it was for what he did to me. So they really do love each other and are getting married."

Finn smiled "You are worth it." Finn's stomach growled and they both laughed.

"Come on let's get back. Dinner should be served soon and the ceremony is going to start. Are you or your mom going to speak on behalf of your dad?"

"We both are. I've been working on my speech since we found out about the Medal. Mom, Mr. Shue and Kurt have been helping me with it. It's all mine, they helped with the structure and grammar."

"I look forward to hearing it. By the way, did I tell you how dapper you look?"

"Thanks I think"

"Yes, Finn that's a good thing.

The "Friends" reentered the ballroom to notice both of their families in a tizzy due to the pretty girl in a yellow dress standing with a man they knew all too well.

Before you all yell at me. She may have forgiven him but she hasn't forgotten. They may be friends but the hurt is still there and come on they are in public. In private our diva has a bunch of stuff to say to our Quarterback. Until next time.