I've decided on the general direction of this fic (although some of you may not like it) but don't worry it is St. Berry! Review and enjoy.
"Okay guys, everyone up and get into your partners." Mr Schuester said, clapping his hands together for effect.
Everyone groaned and pushed themselves out of their seats, partnering up as instructed. Jesse grinned to himself as he walked to the centre, smirking as Rachel refused to look at him. He had been partnered with her, and, much to Finn's annoyance, Quinn with Finn.
"Remind me." Finn cut in. "Why is Jesse getting the lead on this?" He looked grumpy, glaring at everyone, except for Rachel who was sending him reassuring smiles.
"Because, Finn." Mr Schue answered. "Jesse suggested this song, and I also think it would suit his voice better. Anyway, aren't the rest of you complaining that Finn and Rachel are the only ones who get solos? Now they're sharing them out."
"Not really." Kurt joined the conversation. "Finn shares his solos with Artie a lot, it's Rachel who steals every single one." He said, earning a glare from Rachel. "Plus, when we say that they take solos from the rest of us, we don't include Vocal Adrenaline spies in that particular subject pronoun."
Jesse smirked, while Finn was trying to remember the difference between a subject pronoun and an adjective.
"You're lack of faith in me is very insulting." Jesse said, causing Rachel to laugh in disbelief.
"So, you think that you can break peoples hearts, egg them, and leave the club a week before competition and still be trusted?" She looked at him as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"What happened to forgive and forget?" Jesse muttered, before speaking louder for the rest of the glee club to hear. "Look, I really am not working for Vocal Adrenaline this time, and there's no way I can return there, with my parents away." He looked around, challenging anyone to contradict him.
The rest of the group was silent. Rachel just glared at Jesse, before her attention was turned to Quinn. Where as the rest of the group were trying to work out if Jesse was telling the truth, Quinn was just staring at him with raised eyebrows. She saw Jesse turn to Quinn and smirk at her, and she just grinned back. Rachel was very suspicious. Something was obviously going on here.
"Look guys." Mr Schuester steered the conversation back to the work for the afternoon. "Let's just practise now, okay? Even if Jesse is going to leave now, I doubt it's going to be within the next forty- five minutes, so he can take the lead on this song."
Everyone grumbled, but didn't object, the majority of the group giving Jesse evil stares. The group worked for about half an hour, learning the dance, before Finn cut in.
Jesse had been enjoying himself. The dance was very intimate, but in a cute way. He liked having Rachel in his arms, smelling her shampoo, just generally working with her. Okay, she wasn't looking at him, or speaking to him other than to confirm a move, but he still enjoyed it. And he had a feeling she was trying to not enjoy it too.
"I'm not really comfortable with this Mr Schue." Finn whined for the fifth time.
"What a surprise, Flint." Jesse smirked, and Quinn bit her lip in an attempt not to laugh, where as everyone else looked confused.
"My name isn't Flint…" Finn said, frowning.
"Yes it is" Jesse answered quickly. "And I have no doubt to the reason your finding this dance uncomfortable."
Finn was still frowning, trying to work out what Jesse meant, but Rachel decided to rebel too.
"I'm not comfortable or happy either, Mr Schuester. Could I possibly swap partners with Quinn? For the good of the team." She asked, smiling at Finn, who gave her a dopey grin back.
Mr Schuester sighed. "You can swap with Quinn, if you're willing to give her half your solo. Jesse too. We'll turn this song into one with two leading pairs."
Rachel looked torn. Choosing between Finn and solos was a hard decision. She bit her lip. Jesse just sighed.
"Look, you go with Finn, I'll take Quinn." He said, pushing her towards Finn. Quinn just rolled her eyes.
"Who says I want to dance with you, St James?" She asked. Jesse just smirked and walked over to her.
"I have one word for you." He muttered, before whispering into her ear. "Cousin."
Quinn narrowed her eyes. "Fine, whatever." She said, walking over to where Rachel had stood before. Jesse grinned and returned to his own place.
"Everyone okay now?" Mr Schuester asked, receiving nods from Finn, Jesse, and an annoyed one from Quinn.
Rachel was just frowning at the floor. Why had Jesse let her go like that? He did seem genuinely nicer, but then again, he could be acting. Their whole relationship had been an act before, so how could she tell? And then there was the Quinn issue. What had Jesse said to her to make her give in so easily? Was there really something going on their? And why did she care anyway?
"Rachel?" Mr Schuester asked, dragging the girl out of her thoughts. "You okay now?" He asked. Rachel just nodded.
"Okay then." Mr Schuester said. "From the top."
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Finn caught up with Jesse after rehearsal.
"Oi! St. James!" He yelled down the corridor after him.
Jesse just sighed and spun round, strategically marking exits and useful weapons in the empty hallway as Finn barrelled towards him. He raised his eyebrows at the taller boy, putting on a superior show face.
"Yes Flint?" He asked, receiving a glare from him.
"You think I don't know your game?" Finn spat, angrily. "Acting all nice and charming to try and win Rachel over, then messing around with Quinn to make her jealous. I'm onto you."
"Oh no." Jesse said in mock horror. "I wouldn't want you onto my tail! You might work out the truth within five years." He smirked.
Finn shoved him. "Shut it!" He raised his voice. "I may not be the brightest button in the bag-"
"Box."
"-but I care about Rachel, and I'm going to make it work between us, and you are not going to interfere." Finn said, seething with anger.
"Hey, calm down dude." Jesse just grinned at Finn. "I haven't done anything yet have I?"
"The way you were looking at her and touching her earlier suggests differently." Finn muttered.
"That was for the dance Finn. I was simply following instructions." Jesse patted Finn on the shoulder patronisingly. "Anyway buddy, interesting as this little conversation is, I've got somewhere to be. Laters." Jesse gave Finn one last smirk before walking down the corridor and out of the building.
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Judy Fabray smiled at the two teenagers in the living room. Her nephew, or rather, her ex husband's nephew, had come over and was messing around with her daughter. Judy had always liked Jesse, even though he was similar to his father. The two families, joined by her ex husband's sister being Jesse's mother, had spent a lot of time together, especially when the children were younger. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, all times where the adults could have a glass of wine and forget their troubles and the kids could see each other.
Judy disliked her old sister in law, and her husband too, but somehow their son had grown up to be half decent, if a little too self-assured. She thought it was to do with the fact that Jesse had never spent much time with his parents, and therefore not had a chance to have his parents personalities rub off on him. Jesse had always been pleasant, and got on well with Quinn and her older sister Frannie. And Judy had a feeling Jesse preferred her to his own mother.
After Quinn had given birth to Beth, she had moved back in with her mother. They were getting on better, and rather than being the cold bitch who ignored her daughter during the hardest time of her life, she was trying to be a conventional mom. She was baking a lot, and she took an interest in her daughter's life. She kept the house warm and made sure Quinn was happy. She tried her best to make up for her mistakes.
"Kids, dinner will be ready in five minutes." Judy called from the kitchen, already setting the table.
"Okay, thanks mom." Quinn yelled back, before turning back to Jesse. "What are you doing on my computer?" She asked him suspiciously.
"Just appreciating this very lovely Facebook status you set." Jesse replied with a smirk.
Quinn narrowed her eyes. "What Facebook status, when?"
"The one that says, "Hanging out with the coolest person." You posted it about two minutes ago." Jesse grinned, ducking the cushion that Quinn threw at him.
"You are such an idiot." Quinn muttered, trying to wrestle the laptop off him.
"Ohh, look." Jesse said, pointing at the screen. "Now Puck's talking to you."
"Pass it here!" Quinn moaned, but Jesse just shook his head. "Fine. What does it say then?" She asked him.
"I don't know, he seems to be slightly illiterate." Jesse responded. "Let me try and decipher this…. HU. R. U. W IV." He read out. "I believe he means to ask you who the very cool person you mentioned in your status is, although I can't be sure."
"You are the most annoying person ever." Quinn stated, glaring at her cousin.
"I think you're forgetting the existence of Rachel Berry." Jesse muttered.
"Like you'll ever forget that." It was Quinn's turn to smirk at Jesse.
Wow, he's very persistent." Jesse changed the subject. "He's now sent me a pair of question marks in insistence I tell him who you're hanging out with." Jesse tapped out a reply, just sending a wink face. "Does he forget that now you've popped out his sprog you don't want to date him?"
"I don't know and I don't care. And what did you reply?" Quinn asked.
"Just sent him a wink. Oh dear, I might have logged out and left the conversation at that." Jesse grinned. "I guess you'll just have to tell him when you see him."
"Eurgh!" Quinn groaned. "I can totally see why your parents left for Bali and didn't take you with them. Thank god you're staying with your other uncle! I don't know how they can stand you!"
"Everyone loves me except you Quinn. I'm very charming really, you just can't see it." Jesse replied.
"Rachel doesn't love you and she certainly hasn't fallen for your charm this time." Quinn countered, but their argument was interrupted by Judy calling the kids to dinner.
"This isn't over St. James." Quinn muttered as she got up.
"Nope, it aint over till the fat lady sings." Jesse replied. "And I haven't heard you sing a solo for a looooong time."
The last part was fun to write :D I love Jesse being cheecky. Tell me what you think so far? :)