I am sooooo sorry for the late update! Omg you have no idea! I'm so sorry! The surgery tired me out so much, and then I went to a "MARIANAS TRENCH" concert, my favourite band (except for Hedley of course) and my American readers, I recommend you listen to them. They're Canadian and I don't think they're famous in America yet. So ya, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Nine:

What The Water Gave Me

Rain patters against the roof above his bedroom, awakening Finn from his slumber. He tosses in his sheets, reaching over to grab an extra pillow and shield it over his ears to keep the sound out. He knows he should get up, it's a school day after all, but he doesn't want to wake up from the dream he just had. But it wasn't a dream.

Driving Rachel home, kissing her goodnight . . .

It's hard to believe that actually happened. That the beautiful Rachel Berry let Finn, practically a stranger, hold her and comfort her like that. It kind of sickens him that she's letting him in and trusts him when he can't even do the same.

He presses his fingers to his lips, trying to remember the taste of her sweet kisses. It's been about eight hours since she gave him one and he already misses it like hell. The only good thing about waking up in the morning is knowing that he'll see her soon, in school or wherever.

His lips turn into a lopsided grin at the memory of last night, the way her mouth fit so perfectly against his, the way his hands tangled so softly in her hair. The passionate look in her eyes when they broke apart almost caused him to start kissing her again and never stop. It was one of the best feelings in the world.

Finn slides down from his mattress, stripping the sheets attached to his body. He walks in the same rhythm of the rain thumbing above him, making his way towards the kitchen after throwing on some random clothes. Grabbing himself a bowl of cereal, he downs it quickly, becoming more anxious to see the one girl he's been thinking about.

A red light flashing on the voice mail machine across the room catches his attention, and he walks over to it immediately. Pressing the play button, Emma's soft voice echoes from the stereo, her tone worried. "Hey Finn, it's Emma, just wanted to let you know that we'll be coming home early tomorrow morning. Sorry for the delayed visit we had some problems to solve with the family. Hope you're doing okay, and you're being safe. We'll see you in the morning. Have a great day of school."

Finn smiles slightly at the motherly concern, a tinge of family acceptance surging through him. He presses the delete button, checking the clock on the machine to see that school starts in twenty minutes. He rushes to grab his backpack and jacket on the coat hook beside the door, pulling the hood of his jacket over his head before running outside and into the rain.

Water pads against the skin of his face, the material of his hood acting as no barrier between him and the rain. He hurries into his truck, swinging the driver's seat door open and climbing in anxiously. Sticking the key in the ignition, he starts the truck, wiping clamps of water sticking to his forehead.

Finn pulls the truck out of the driveway, the pavement slightly slippery against his tires. His windshields swipe repeatedly against the windows, trying to create a clear vision to drive in. He breathes heavily, squinting to try and get the best view so he doesn't get in a damn almost-car-accident like on the weekend.

His eyes narrow at a familiar figure in the distance; the person's back facing him. He sees wavy, brown hair, past her shoulders, a black jacket curved around her like a warm blanket. It only takes him a second to realize who it is.

Finn rolls down the window of his truck slightly, trying not to let rain into the truck and make him more wet than he already is. "Hey!" he calls, though his voice isn't as loud as the continuous rain pattering against the roads and car roof. He amputates his tone even higher, and attempts again. "Rachel!" She doesn't turn around, and he swallows thickly, hating what he's about to do next.

Finn kicks the driver's seat door open, not even bothering to pull up his hood as he enters the rain. Water soaks his hair and face as he runs towards Rachel, getting more anxious the closer he gets. "Rach!" She still doesn't answer. He starts to pick up his feet and eventually catches up to her. Reaching forward, he wraps his hand around her left shoulder to try and gain her attention.

A sharp shriek rips from her lungs as his fingers make contact with her skin. Finn grips her tightly, turning her around in his grasp and face him. Her eyes are closed, her mouth frozen open as screams continue to flow out. "Hey, hey," he stammers, his tone rushed and full of worry. She closes her mouth, her eyes slowly opening at the sound of his familiar voice. Her gaze is unfocused, shady, as she stares at him. "It's Finn. Its just Finn."

Rachel closes her eyes briefly, breathing out shakily. Her face and hair are soaked with water, and he reaches out hesitantly, trying to comfort her in the softest way. "I'm sorry," she whispers, her eyes snapping open. "I'm just . . ." He nods, not needing her to finish the sentence in order to understand. She's still scared.

She continues to take shallow breaths, her hand steadying over the skin of her heart in an attempt to calm herself. Finn curls a wet strand of hair behind her ear, and she looks up at him with a softer and gentler gaze. "Why are you walking in the rain?" he asks, his voice low and light.

The features of her face turn sour at his question, hesitance evident in her voice. "My car was," she stares up at him, eyes flaming "the tires were slashed flat. Some boys tried to play a stupid prank, I guess." She giggles nervously, the rain covering the worried expression she doesn't want him to see.

Finn's face goes rigid at her explanation. They couldn't have seen him drop her off last night could they? They can't possibly know where she lives. He made sure to bring her home safely without any hint of them following. He was so sure they were alone.

"Hey," Rachel whispers, her hand coming up to rest against the palm of his face. "I'm sure it was nothing except a stupid prank. And besides we have bigger problems," she gestures her free hand towards the two of them, exhibiting their soaked clothing and skin. Finn laughs with her as they stare down at their dripping bodies. "We're absolutely soaked, and we're going to be late for school."

Finn smiles down at her as rain hoods over his eyes, making his vision slightly blurry. He tilts his head towards his truck, still parked down the road, causing her hand to slip off his cheek. He misses the contact immediately. "Come on, I'll give you a ride."

Finn churns away from her, as he sets to his truck, desperate to get out of the cold weather. "Wait," Rachel calls, leaping forward and wrapping her hand around his wrist. She pulls him back, turning him around to face her. Her eyes are sparkling; her lips slightly parted, as she whispers the words he's been dyeing to act on.

"You can kiss me again."

He stares at her, and he feels his lop-sided grin enhance his features. He rests both his hands on either side of his face, his thumbs wiping away tiny droplets of water that run down her cheeks. "I know," he teases, causing her to giggle lightly. He leans his forehead against hers, holding her gaze as he inches closer.

His lips fall onto hers heavenly, and it feels like forever since he last tasted them. Her hands slowly crawl up his body to bury themselves in his hair as he cups the back of her head, needing her to be closer. Water tickles at their lips as the rain mixes with their intimacy, causing the kiss to grow wet. Her smile presses against his mouth, and he thinks her happiness is contagious because he returns the grin and all he feels is their teeth touching each other's.

He doesn't really know what this means, what this makes them. They haven't exactly talked about it, due to the amount of danger they keep getting themselves into. Right now, the only thing he's worried about is keeping her safe and protected from his past and future. All he knows is that they care about each other, and that kissing is an okay thing even if they're not really together.

Finn feels her pull slightly away from him, their faces still so close as she opens her eyes to look at him. "I've never been kissed in the rain before," she whispers, and their lips graze each other's at every word she speaks.

He smiles against her mouth. "I'm glad I'm the one to change that."

"Me too," she mumbles before pulling him back down for another kiss.

It really doesn't bother Finn that he's ten minutes late to school and that he's waking down the hallway, slightly wet. It definitely doesn't bother him that he just spent the last seven minutes drying himself and this really, really beautiful girl in the girl's washroom. It most positively doesn't bother him that he occasionally snuck a kiss or two before walking that girl to her first period class.

Yeah, he could get used to this. Whatever it was.

It's times like this when he sometimes thinks that he has a chance to be normal, to have a common life with a pretty girl. Times when he forgets about his past, forgets that he's running. He wishes he can just live in this little bubble for a couple of hours, imagining a life without threats, without fear and danger. Instead he's stuck in this harsh reality where he has to be careful with everything he does, everything he says so he doesn't get himself arrested or killed.

English goes by torturously slow. He tries to ignore the sickening feeling he gets when he sees the empty desk where Quinn sits, knowing that he's partially the reason she's in the hospital. The lesson that the teacher is explaining is barely audible to him because all he can think of is the stupid seat across from him, his eyes burning into it and no matter how hard he tries he can't look away.

Biology goes by swiftly, cause, you know, Rachel's in that class and they were stealing glances all period. He kind of gets this feeling whenever he looks at her though, and he can't define it, because he literally never felt this way before.

The rest of the day goes by normally, until last period, when he's working on finishing his History homework when the class gets interrupted.

A knock sounds on the wood of the class doorway, and Finn looks up, surprised to see Principal Figgins leaning against the frame. His arms are crossed over his chest in a serious manner. "Could I excuse Mr. Hudson to my office Miss?" he asks; his tone coated with his thick accent. The teacher nods, and Finn stands up, annoyed by all the 'oos' and 'ahhs' the classmates hum.

While following Figgins down the hallway, Finn can't help but wonder if he's going to get in trouble for the fight he brought on Puckerman on Friday night. The guy probably ratted him out the second Finn left the school. He silently fumes to himself; he really can't stand adding another act or violence to his record.

Mr. Figgins opens the door to his office, nodding towards Finn to enter. He walks in cautiously, his eyes widening in alarm at the third person in the room.

A police officer.

"Mr. Hudson," he greets, holding out his hand towards him. Finn looks back at Mr. Figgins, his eyes questioning. The old man says nothing, gesturing for him to return the police officer's handshake. Finn takes a deep breath, extending his hand to the officer. He lets go, motioning for him to sit down. "Take a seat, son."

Finn nods, sitting down in the seat opposite of the officer, as Mr. Figgins stand in the doorway behind them. "Name's Officer Vito," he introduces, "and I know you're probably wondering what you're doing here. Ever since the stabbing of Ms. Quinn Fabray over the weekend, we have been working hard to uncover who the attacker was." Finn's stomach automatically ties in knots; he knows where this conversation is heading. "She was stabbed near your house, was she not? Were you home then?"

He nods rigidly, his heart pounding against his chest. "Yes, sir," he answers, his voice calm and cool despite the anxiety building inside him. Officer Vito narrows his eyes at him, sketching something in his notepad. "And you didn't hear anything suspicious during the time period of 7:00 to 7:15?"

"No, sir."

Officer Vito glances at Figgins briefly, and the urge to turn around to see the secret message they were silently passing with their eyes was burning him. His hands clutch at the fabric of the chair's arm, trying to think of some good way to calm himself down. "You know, son, I've seen your permanent record from New York, police down there sent it over when you moved. You intentionally beat up three individuals, one of them to unconsciousness, and stole a car, and you expect me to believe you have nothing to do with the stabbing of Quinn Fabray?"

His heart accelerates in his chest. Rachel, he breathes, think of Rachel. "I did my time – "

Officer Vito laughs, cutting him off. "What? 6 months in juvi? That's hardly a punishment, young man, that's a privilege."

Finn fumes at the man, he has no idea what he's talking about. He shakes his head at the officer, his voice sultry as he speaks. "With all due respect sir, if you had the time and patience to call Ms. Sylvester, the owner of New York's best orphanage and my lawyer, you would not make these judgmental assumptions. I've admitted to those crimes and I got the punishment they handed to me, there's no reason I should not be your top suspect because of the mistakes I made back home. Now, if I'm thinking correctly, I believe since you have no real evidence, you can't keep me here or ask me any further questions.

"I've dealt with you kind of officers for months, sir, and I know exactly how you bastards work."

Figgins gasp can be heard from behind him, but he doesn't care, the only thing he's paying attention to is the raging expression plastered on Officer Vito's face. "You've got some nerve, kid. You think I ain't got anything on you? You think I don't know anything of your past? There were rumors you killed a police officer, rumors you killed your own – "

"Don't," he hisses, and he can't keep in control, not anymore. Not when he's about to talk about his –

"Okay, you can leave, but I'm just warning you. Sometimes these mistakes, sometimes they come back to haunt you. Just remember that, kid, before you go acting like a smartass, trying to prove that you're innocent. You most definitely aren't innocent."

Finn's eyes grow cold at his words, and he stands up from the chair, their glare never breaking, even as he starts to back away. He turns around slowly, not even acknowledging Figgins as he attempts to put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. He shoves past them, past everything. His mind wracks with the officer's words, going on repeat in his head.

You most definitely aren't innocent.

Finn makes his way out of the front office, entering the emptiness and quietness of the school hallway. He looks around in confusion; school hasn't ended yet has it? His head snaps up to check the digital clock above him. 3:40. Looks like he's been talking to that jackass cop for longer than he wanted.

He starts towards his locker on the other side of the building, his footsteps heavy as he walks. He though Sylvester dealt with the cops, he thought that she promised that they would never talk about his past again. He knows that he's not innocent, hell, he's probably the least innocent of them all, but he's trying, trying so hard to pretend that nothing ever happened. And for some random douchebag to bring that stuff up again, reminding him of all the stupid mistakes he made. Well, it kind of sucks.

He's at his locker a couple minutes later, and he fiddles with the combination, unlocking it and swinging it open. He rummages through the books in his bag, switching subjects for subjects. He's so focused in bringing the right textbooks home that he doesn't even hear the footsteps of another individual in the hallway, gaining closer and closer . . .

A hand slaps on his shoulder, and Finn jumps, almost dropping his backpack at the sudden contact. His heart races unkindly, and he turns around, ready to face whoever wants him.

His eyes widen at the unexpected person.

Puck.

And he looks like crap. Total crap, with his bruised lip and reddened skin underneath his eye. He did that damage to him, and he doesn't even care if he starts to beat him up right now because he's pretty sure he deserves it too.

"H-Hi," he stutters, his hand dropping from his shoulder. "Sorry to scare – scare you." His voice is unusually shaken, as is his body.

Finn stares wide-eyed at him, closing his locker shut. "It's okay?" he murmurs cautiously, and it sounds more like a question, because he literally doesn't know why he isn't beating him up already. He knew he had to face him sooner or later.

He eyes his cuts specifically. "Did I – "

"No," Puck mumbles, as if he knew what he was going to say. "You didn't do this. Sure, you almost broke my nose b-but . . . "

Finn shakes his head in confusion. What the hell is he talking about? Why the hell is he acting like this? "If I didn't, then who – "

"I came here to give you a message."

Finn physically feels his heart drop in his chest. No, no he couldn't possibly be talking about –

"I visited Quinn last night in the hospital. Some – some people, t-they were dressed in black and stuff and . . . and they were holding Quinn, covering her mouth so she – she couldn't scream. They locked the door – beat the shit out of me, made sure n-no one heard. T-told me to give – give you a message. Something about hurting Berry – "

His heart shatters, his breath comes in short and shallow. This isn't happening, this isn't happening.

Rachel, her car, the flattened tires . . .

"What?" he whimpers, his voice barely audible. He can't think, he can't think of anything but Rachel and if she gets hurt, or worse –

"I-I don't know. I barely – barely remember anything. He was dressed in black . . . and t-touching Quinn – "

Finn grips Puck's shoulders tightly. For a guy who goes out to act so tough, he sure as hell is shaking harshly. "Puck. Puck. I want you to focus, okay? Tell me what they said about Rachel. Please." He must have seen the plea in his eyes because he nods quickly, trying to recompose himself to answer.

"Uhm, he uhm . . . said he'll give Rachel the same treatment he gave your mom – "

He wasn't able to finish before Finn started to run towards the doors.

Ohhhhhhhhh no! Something's gonna happen! I believe this fanfic is going to be fourteen chapters! So stay stuned kids! I'm not gonna spoil the next chapter though, hehe, let you guys think what you want! The next chapter should be up in maybe 3-4 days though, I'll try very harrd!

So did you this chapter? Or no? Please tell me in the review section! Would love to hear your feedback!

Thank you guys! Love you, xoxo. THANKS FOR THE PATIENCE! VERY APPRECIATED!