I'm sorry for the long wait. My personal life has been in utter chaos since February. My son passed away. I'm not telling you any of this to get sympathy or for you guys to feel sorry for me. I just want you to know where my head has been at. My Son Alex was a great man. He loved my writing and he always encouraged me. Even if he didn't like Glee and Finchel. gasp the horror! But he did tell me to do what I love so here I am doing what I love and it is dedicated to my #50.
Next installment of Medal of Honor. The Last time we visited Lima, Finn and Rachel had talked and Finn confessed everything with Quinn was a sham and he was sorry. They plan on being friends for now and working toward a relationship.
Quinn and her Uncle Nathan are up to no good. But do they know each other's plans? Are they working together? We will see in the upcoming chapters. This is basically a filler. Just to get me back in the swing. I hope to update sooner. So enjoy our trip to Lima Ohio.
Honor the Tether! Remember the Drummer!
Medal of Honor
Chapter Nine: Men of the Hour
As Finn and Rachel walked back into the ballroom they spotted the evil blonde girl. Quinn was standing with her disappointed looking mother and a man they both knew well. Quinn was currently being yelled at by Carole.
"I told Finn not to bring you here. I did not want your negativity to ruin this night for our family. You have treated and still treat my son like a show dog. He does not have to obey your every command. I already told him you are not a welcome addition to his life."
Judy jumped in to chastise her daughter. "Quinnie I made myself perfectly clear you were to stay home." She then turned to her brother "Nathan how dare you show your face here and bring her. I am only here because I am on the board, if I didn't have to be here I wouldn't have. Carole and the General don't need reminders of why Christopher is not here."
Nathan had the courtesy to look guilty. "When Quinn called crying that her boyfriend was here with another girl and she wanted to salvage what they had, I couldn't say no. You know I hate to see her cry."
This is when Finn felt he should speak up. "Well first off I am not her boyfriend and secondly we were only pretending to date. I needed space from Rachel and she…Quinn tried to interrupt him but he continued…Ms. Fabray I caught Quinn trying to cut herself." The adults gasped in horror.
"Quinn is this true?" Judy asked.
Putting on her innocent face expecting everyone to just forget everything she has done to hurt others she says, "No, he only saw what he wanted and I let him. I needed to be away from Sam and Puck because they had been fighting over me all week..." Quinn confessed then caught what she said, knowing full well she had no hope of convincing Finn to take it all (her and their fake relationship) back now, she had really blown it and the fact her mother and Carole Hummel had heard every word of her selfish plans to again try and manipulate Finn, she was going to try and pass the blame on to the one person who really was the innocent in this whole mess and was wracking her brain for revenge against the man-handed hobbit.
Finn was steaming mad. She played him again. Rachel was standing next to him and felt the rage coming from him. She reached to put her hand in his and he let her. She felt him physically relax. He looked down on her then back to Quinn.
"It's like ground hog's day with you isn't Q, huh? Manipulate Finn, Finn finds out, Finn forgives you, repeat. You,… I-I Can't even believe you. No I take that back I can believe you. You lied about a human being that was someone else's responsibility breaking the heart of the only one I wanted to be with, so it is not surprising that you'd let me believe you were hurting yourself. We are so done. Not even friends in the most basic explanation of the word, don't ever speak to me again or anyone in my family and that includes Rachel Berry… especially Rachel, from this second until the end of time I'm wiping you from my memory and my life!"
Finn gripped Rachel's tiny hand in his large one spun on his heel and led Rachel off to the other side of the room. Leaving Quinn standing there with her mouth open and tears threatening to fall.
"Nathan take Quinn home. I will be right behind you. We will be discussing this young lady. I thought after Beth that you have changed. But no, you still think you must be the perfect virginal popular girl. But Quinnie, that can't be you anymore. You had a baby and you must deal with the consequences of that and giving her up for adoption, as well as the deplorable way you have treated Finn. Go home now. Nathan please." Judy Fabray pleaded with her brother.
Nathan nodded and took Quinn by her elbow to lead her out of the ballroom. Both pausing to look back over their shoulders. Quinn, with a hateful glare contorting her pretty face observing Finn leading Rachel to the table, holding her chair as she sat. Nathan glared at the General, then at the small brunette Finn was being chivalrous to; The voice in his head replaying the words that had started this obsession with destroying General James Berry "Enjoy it while you can old man!" Smirking at the thought that One day soon the General will lose everything.
Rachel regarded Finn as he held her chair out for her. On the outside, he looked calm but knowing him like she did she knew on the inside he was full on raging. Once both were seated she took his hand immediately and spoke softly, not wanting an audience.
"Finn, I know you are angry. But you are doing a fantastic job of hiding that. She's gone now and we can enjoy the rest of this wonderful evening celebrating your dad and my grandfather. Please do not let her take this night from you."
Finn looked at Rachel, watching her mouth move, but not hearing her words. Her mouth stopped then Finn let out a sigh and began talking.
"I'm the dumbest dude on the planet."
Rachel shook her head as she tried to interrupt be he wouldn't let her.
"No, don't defend me, I am. I bought her bull again. When will I ever learn. She was manipulative and mean the first time I dated her. Yeah, this time was all bullshit but still... I believed we were friends even after everything with baby gate. But no, I let her make me look like the damn fool, I really am."
Rachel detested when Finn would get so down on himself.
"Finn being trusting isn't a bad thing. You did nothing wrong. Well not telling her mom about what you thought and she let you think was probably not the best, but don't let her do this to you. You weren't even really dating and it's not like you were in love with her right?"
Finn smiled at Rachel because he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. "Not even when we were dating for real."
"Okay so let it go and ignore her. That is what I'm going to do from now on. She need more help than either of us can or are willing to give her."
"Right, you are so right Rachel. She doesn't matter. We are rebuilding and tonight is about my dad and the General. Let's enjoy that." Finn replied.
Prior to dinner some Marine big wig got up and spoke about why they were there. Dinner was served and it was time for the medals to be presented.
General Gomez stood and took to the podium. "Ladies, Gentleman, Marines and honored guest, thank you for coming out tonight to celebrate two men who served their country and the Corp well. I give you General Berry."
The ballroom clapped as the General advanced to the podium at the head of the ballroom.
"Thank you. It is my honor and privilege to present this Marine Corp Medal of Honor to Christopher Finn Hudson. For his gallantry beyond the call of duty; He gave his life for the lives of his other Marines. He was just and brave and one of the best Marines I've ever had the honor of knowing and serving with. He followed orders and carried out missions as any good Marine would. But Christopher was not a blind follower. He was a leader and if needed he would question the order until he felt in his own conscious it was the right thing. He was a good man, husband and father. He left behind a wife, son and mother. He was taken too soon. So, I present this Medal of Honor to his widow and son. Carole Hudson-Hummel and Finn Christopher Hudson."
Finn help his mother to the podium all the while shaking nervously because he was the one to give the speech. His mother usually spoke at these military functions because Finn was too young. But now here they were and it was his turn.
Shaking the General's hand and accepting the medal. Finn peered down at the velvet lined box at the gold medal attached to blue ribbon. Instantly he felt a calm wash over him, he lifted his head and looked out and spotted his safe place. Rachel was looking at him like he was her everything again and he'd swear he saw an apparition of his father standing right behind her smiling that Hudson smile. He knew he could do this.
The cards he and Kurt so painstakingly worked on were left in the inside pocket of his suit jacket as he strode to the microphone. He took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Growing up I'd walk by the picture of my father, Christopher, every day. He was in his dress blues with an American Flag behind him. He died when I was two. I have vague memories and stories others tell me. All my life I have aspired to be the man he was. The man he wanted me to be. I know I'm only 17 and barely a man, but I do hope I make him proud. He fought bravely for his country. Ultimately sacrificing his life. My mom tells me that I am like him in many ways."
"Not having my dad around had made me angry sometimes. Why do all the other boys get to have their dad and I don't? There have been many times in the last two years I could have really used my dad's advice. About girls, football and so many other things a teenaged boy needs his dad for. I am proud to say Christopher Hudson is my father. I just hope that I live up to the legacy he left.
I'd like to thank the Marine Corp, The United States Navy and General James Berry for honoring my dad tonight. I will cherish this Medal for always."
General Gomez and General Berry presented the Medal to Finn and Carole. Then General Gomez spoke about General Berry. He was presented with his Medal and the rest of the night was spent dancing with his mom and more importantly with Rachel.