Authors Note: Thanks so much for the review and the alerts! Sorry it took so long for a new update. I got horribly ill with this terrible virus and it's made me a little sluggish. But there is a lot of plot in this chapter. The song Finn sings in is "Love Hurts" by Incubus. It you haven't heard it, You Tube it! I think it's a great fit for Cory Monteith's voice. If you haven't seen The Wedding Singer version of 'Love Stinks", you might want to You Tube that too. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Ryan Murphy you should really put Glee up to be publicly traded. It would be better for you and your fans in the long run.

Sitting in the Choir room on Monday morning, there was a thick layer of discomfort as Rachel glanced over at Puck sitting precisely four people away. Moving her glance up one riser to Finn slouching in his seat, Rachel knew that everything would be different. That it already was.

Mr. Schuester writes the word 'Love' up on the dry-erase board and encircles it with a heart as he starts his lesson. "It's February 7th, which means in 7 days it will be the 14th. St. Valentine's Day. And although it could easily be argued and proven that V-Day is merely a mediocre attempt for advertisers, Hallmark, and Russell-Stover to make some money before Easter, the fact that Valentine's Day is about love is a very important aspect for those of us in this room. Love is THE most discussed and proclaimed topic in music. Millions of songs have been about love. Written for loved ones. Or declarations of love lost. Your assignment this week is to perform a song about love. Each of you – individually. It doesn't have to be about romantic love or sexy love. It could be about heartache or disapproval of love. Or even how Love… Stinks!"

The first few chords of J. Giles Band hit start to fill the room, the majority of the club starts to cheer, but Finn is not one of them.

"C'mon Table Nine Mutants, are you joining me?" Will asks. The lot rises and starts to sing and dance along.

Okay, that was funny, especially since The Wedding Singer is definitely Sandler's best film next to Happy Gilmore. I don't even want to think about the waste of money Grown-Ups was. Well, not a complete waste there were those two hot chicks and Selma Hayek in that movie, but anyway, I'm totally not feeling this assignment. I mean, yeah, this song is funny and I finally got up the courage to join the others because I don't want to seem like I'm not a team player, but to be completely honest, it feels like Mr. Schue is just doing this to hurt me. He knows that me and Rachel are broken up and that I'm having a hard time dealing with the fact that yet another girlfriend cheated on me, but now he wants me to sing a song about love? Is he serious? And Rachel; the one time her big mouth would have really come into use and she doesn't even say anything. She just sits there staring up Mr. S while he gives his lecture and doesn't bother to question how it might make some of us feel? She just sits there with her pony-tail up tight. Why did she choose this week to become a perfect, studious Cheerio? God, look at her. Even that uniform, which I still think does seem right, she looks beautiful. She really is, ya know? Her body's always been smokin' but now that's she's a Cheerio other guys are noticing that as well, and it bothers me. I don't like it. It was as though that was my little secret. And she's a good kisser too. Her full lips definitely come in handy. And all that talking has taught her tongue some tricks. I miss her mouth. I miss her kisses. I miss her and now I have to do this assignment and be reminded more about how much being broken-hearted sucks. Love does stink, damn it.

Hey," Rachel started as she walked out the door of the choir room with Finn beside her. She was hoping their conversation on the football field a few nights before led to some progress in going back to being friends.

"Hey..." Finn murmured back. The conversation was not as helpful as Rachel thought.

"How was your weekend?" She was desperately trying to make small talk.

"Fine. I was still a little sore from the hit I took at the game, so I just relaxed and played X-Box."

"Oh, okay." She was very quiet in her response.

"Kurt stopped by for dinner on Saturday night."

"Really? How is he?" Rachel was excited to hear about Kurt. The whole club missed him more than they will admit.

"Fine," Finn grumbled.

"Well tell him I miss him and I hope he stops by to visit sometime when Karovsky's out sick."

Finn smiled at that little remark. He could tell that Rachel wanted to discuss more, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to. Or if he even had anything worth discussing with her. "How was your weekend?" He asked trying to be polite; she at least deserved that.

"It was fine. Nothing new or interesting to report," Rachel replied at a high pitch, sounding like she actually did have something very interesting to talk about.

"Okay... Well, bye..." Finn remarked skeptically as he walked past her locker down the hall to his own. Just as he was turning the combination lock, a red-nosed Jacob Ben Israel started to slowly saunter down in Finn's direction. Jacob was the newest victim to horrible virus that was now overtaking McKinley for the second time this school year. Right when Finn turned to take off his knapsack, Jacob sneezed so strong, Rachel was convinced the building shook. Jacob's main target was Finn. Finn was disgusted and groaned as Jacob continued to carry down the hall.

"Sorry, Bro," Jacob semi-apologized to the taller boy as he kept walking by. "Ew." Rachel commented out loud to herself from her locker a short distance away. She decided she would rather take a slushy facial over that horrific display any day. That was just another sickening experience Rachel had partaken in during the past 72 hours.

Rachel looked over to Puck as he shoved down his massive cheeseburger; completely revolted. His 'midnight snack' was dripping grease all over his gray t-shirt. The blanket was up to her chest, covering her body. Not that it mattered. She was still wearing her bra; she never took it off.

"I thought I would feel different afterward," Rachel says looking over to Noah; mid-bite. She quickly moves her head back to the forward facing position, desperate to look away.

"Yeah, well I've noticed that it takes about 20-or-so times for the feeling of accomplishment to kick in," Puck wisely says back. Looking over to Rachel's distraught demeanor, as she stares at the wall straight ahead of her, "How do you feel?" he asks.

"I don't feel anything. 'Cause it didn't mean anything." Rachel replies, not looking towards him.

"C'mon, it's getting late," Puck comments before belching loudly. "I'll take you home."

'Love Songs…' Rachel types into her web browser lying in her bed, letting out a heavy sigh. She closes her laptop and pushes it away on the other side of the mattress.

This should be gravy for me. Rachel Berry and Love Songs go hand-in-hand. But lately it I haven't really felt like singing about love. Good or bad. And now, after what happened, it just doesn't feel appropriate. Mr. Schuester is always out to get me and I guess this assignment is no different. But I guess I deserve it after what I did. I really didn't mean to hurt him. I DIDN'T! Did I have a right to be upset because he lied? Yes. But, it doesn't matter now. When 'it' would happen, I always pictured myself having his wonderful romantic evening with candles and beautiful music in the background. And Finn would just hold me all night long. Sometimes when I pictured this, he even made me vegan pancakes for breakfast. The fact of the matter is that after I met Finn, and we became as close as we were, I knew that my first experience of that should be shared with him. And that can't happen now. For either of us. And it sucks. And it hurts.

Finn felt lightheaded as he headed into Glee rehearsal on Thursday afternoon, he really wasn't feeling well. And this 'Love' assignment was really pissing him off. Finn knew right away what song he wanted to sing, but that doesn't make it any easier. Especially since Rachel is already there and he said in yesterday's class that he would present this afternoon. On top of that, being sick really sucks and he only seems to be getting worse.

Standing up at the front of the room, Finn can feel the room's eyes stabbing him like daggers to the skin as the opening guitar riffs start to play. Finn plays the powerful drum introduction then starts to sing. The drum set sat before him like protective armor as he sang and played along with the band. He didn't feel the need to get up and move around the room. Plus, he was a little dizzy from his headache. By the time Finn got to the chorus, seeing the pained expression on Rachel's face only made things more painful.

Sometimes when I'm alone I wonder

Is there spell that I am under?

Keeping me from seeing the real thing

Love hurts

But sometimes it's a good hurt

And it feels like I'm alive

Love sings

When it transcends the bad things

Have a heart and try me

Cause without love I won't survive

Finn sang with beautiful angst, and as the song ended he gently closed his eyes – fighting back the pain he felt and the tears that formed – when the group quietly clapped. Trying to graciously nod, "Achooo!" was the only noise that came out of his mouth as Finn sneezed.

The room said 'Bless You' in return and Quinn walked over to Finn with a slightly grossed-out expression as she put squeezed some hand sanitizer into his palm.

"Thank-you," Finn said to Quinn with glassed over eyes.

"Are you okay?" Mr. Schuester asks Finn as sneezes for a second time.

"Uh…I think I am," Finn replied sounding stuffy and groggy.

"I think maybe you should go to the nurse," Will recommends.

"Okay…" Finn agrees as he walks though the choir room heading towards the door, picking up his book bag on the way out. Rachel flashes him a smile as he walks out slowly. Artie sings his 'love' song, making Brittany blush and rehearsal ends early that day. Everyone feeling the inevitable tire that comes with the cold winter weather.

By Friday, half the school was sick. Holly Holiday was filling in for three different teachers and the average attendance for most classes dwindling down by the second. The Monkey Flu had taken over. And the styrene of germs migrating though William McKinley for the second time this academic year was much more powerful this cycle. And since Principle Figgins had taken early precautions to prevent getting infected again; he was still kicking. Making McKinley High a place about equal treatment of students, and fairness, and blah, blah, blah… The fact of the matter was this was making Sue Sylvester prickly. Sue was hoping that by knocking Figgins out of power once again, she would finally gain enough clout for a coup d'état to overturn McKinley, exile The Beiste, and get Shuester's Brillo pad out of her sight. That did not seem the case this go around.

Standing in Cheerio's practice yesterday, I noticed something Journal. My best tumbler, and newest addition to my squad, Rachel Berry – who is also a member of the glee club – was off-center in not one, but TWO of her tumbling passes. Then she yawned before staring the pyramid formation. It's making me nervous, Journal. I think I even saw a quiver…

"Becky Jackson!" Sue loudly projects, summoning her minion to her office.

"Yes, Coach?" Becky dutifully answers; pushed up her glasses resting on her nose.

"I need you to keep a tail on Rachel Berry. Follow her around campus. On her way home after practice a few times. Don't do it every day or she'll catch on, but just keep an eye on her. I will be doing a same. If you see anything unusual, inform me immediately. I want a detailed report in two weeks." Sue finishes rattling off her assignment by handing Becky a clipboard.

"Right on it, Coach!" Becky responds, giving Ms. Sylvester a salute before marching out.

It was Monday. Judgment Day. Valentine's Day. And Rachel Berry had nothin'. She's never, ever been unprepared for Glee Club and she really had nothing to present at class today. At least she was lucky enough that Finn was still out because of the flu.

Closing her locker after getting her books for first period, Rachel found herself being yanked by Tina down the hall. Mercedes, Quinn, and Lauren in tow. "Ow!" Rachel complained as she tried to pry Tina's grip.

Once inside the Girls Restroom; a wide-eyed, giddy Tina began to speak. "I… I… Ahhh!...," Tina takes another deep breath and then begins. "Mike and I totally had sex on Saturday night!" Tina said with gusto. A toothy grin on her face and bounce with her last word.

"AHHH!" The girls replied in unison.

Sam was walking down the hall with Artie as they heard the uproarious cry from the Ladies Room. They stopped, startled, and shared a questioning glance.

"Twice!" Tina said in an excited whisper, the others on their toes.

"AHHH!" The girls replied in unison once more.

Hearing the second excited scream, Sam and Artie stopped short once again with the loud noise.

"And girls say we're the weird ones…" Sam comments as he starts to push Artie down the hall.

"Preach," the spectacled companion concurred.

Back in the bathroom, the ladies of the glee club begged like dogs to hear more of the story. "See, my parents were very, very stupid because they decided to go away the weekend before Valentine's Day. Leaving their 17-year-old daughter, with a very handsome boyfriend, alone with a whole, big house all to herself.

"Stupid," Lauren commented.

"Stupid," Tina repeated, before she continued. "It was amazing. He came over and I wasn't even expecting it. I mean, I had hoped… but I never thought it would be as amazing as it was. Mike was so gracious and respectful. And romantic music was playing. And he held me all night while we slept. Then the following morning… he even made me pancakes. And on top of being a very nimble dancer, Mike Chang can even flip pancakes in the air!"

At this point, all the girls in the room were swooning listening to Tina's story – clenching their braided fists to their chests. "Good for you girl!" Mercedes chimed in as the others shared wide smiles. Happy and excited for the milestone in their friend's life.

"I'm surprise you're happy about this, Abstinence Queen," Lauren said to Quinn.

"Well, just because I personally abstain from sex, doesn't mean I can't be happy about a friend's sensational experience," Quinn replied to Lauren's remark with a devilish grin.

"It was pretty sensational… I mean, I knew he had done it before, he was honest to me about that," Tina continued, causing Rachel to take in a sharp breath. "Sorry…" Tina said with regret at her last remark, trying to be cautious of Rachel's feelings.

"No, it's okay." Rachel clarified, getting the room's attention. "Continue. I want to hear more. I'm so happy for you!" she finished. She wasn't lying. Rachel was happy for Tina. So happy she was envious. Tina's night was exactly what Rachel had wanted too.

"Well, I knew he had done it before. With Brittany, but for some reason, when it was happening, it didn't matter. I know that Mike loves me and respects me, and that's all that really matters. Plus… his abs… And his arms…" Tina moons. "Yum…"

Quinn, Lauren, Rachel, and Mercedes all had warm, daydreaming smiles on their faces as Tina talked. Pleased for her. Thrilled for her. And all the girls not-so-subtly watched as Mike Chang entered the Choir room to sit next to Tina in glee rehearsal later that afternoon. When Mike put his arm around Tina's shoulders and Tina leaned into his chest, all the girls shared a wicked grin as the class was about to start.

"I'm getting a weird vibe in here today," Mike mumbled to Tina right before Mr. Schuester began his lesson.

"Yeah, but it's a good weird," Tina concurred back.

Rachel was sitting in the front row, in the chair at the end. She was nervous and her body was stiff, although she did smirk at Mike's remark; along with the other girls. Mr. Schuester stood in the front of the room, getting the students attention as he started to conduct his lesson for the week ahead.

"Okay, before we get started on our new project to gear up for Regionals, Rachel still has to perform Love Song for Valentine's Day. When your read, Rachel" Will gestures towards Rachel, walking up to her.

"I don't have a song prepared. I'm not doing the assignment," Rachel says with a small voice; her eyes looking down at her fingertips playing with the open pleats of her cheer skirt.

"Rachel, you are aware that glee now counts as a class with credit and you will get an 'F' for this assignment if you don't participate," Mr. Schue replied with soft determination, looking down at Rachel with distain, making it clear this might be a bad choice.

"I'm aware, but I'm also aware that this is a free country, and I have rights, and you can't force me to do anything I choose not to. I'm not comfortable with doing this assignment and I would rather take the dip in my grades than perform something that makes me feel ill-at-ease." Rachel responded quietly, but with self-assurance.

"Jesus!" Santana snaps from the back row, up high on the risers. "He's not even here today!" She bitches in her snarky voice.

Rachel snaps her head back at Santana's comment, but then turns back forward when Mr. Schuester begins to reprimand her. "You know, Rachel, I'm really disappointed. Just because you're sad right now doesn't mean you can't do an assignment. You don't have to a song about being in love, it can be anything related to love, as we discussed in class. You are one of the leaders of this club and you're letting us down."

Rachel felt like a sad puppy after an accident in the house, and she opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, she was cut off—

"This is crap!" Santana hollered from her seat; causing Rachel to look up over her shoulder once again. "I am so sick of you thinking that the Glee Club needs your talent and that you're so special. You're not."

"And you're not the only one who can hit a high note," Mercedes chimed in; adding fuel to fire.

"To make something clear, Midget, just because you're wearing that uniform does not make me your friend. If you're a freak, you are always a freak, despite the Cheerios uniform or not!"

"Guys... calm down," Puck spoke-up. Knowing that one of the reasons Rachel might not have wanted to sing was because of him.

"No!" the Latina barked, her voice echoing with the acoustics. "It's about time she learns that no one here likes her. Boo-Hoo. You're boyfriend didn't break-up with you because you kissed another guy. He broke-up with you because you're a self-centered brat!"

"Like you're much better, Santana!" Quinn interjected, but it was too late.

Rachel opened her mouth to rebuttal, but she couldn't think of anything to say. Looking around at the group as Santana caught her breath, Rachel started to feel queasy. The room felt like it was suffocating and spinner her at the same time. She needed to get out of there. Taking one last look at Mr. Schue before reaching the door, Rachel walked out. But it wasn't her typical, indigent storm-out – she left defeated; beaten and broken.

"That was disgusting," Quinn said with disgust as she glared down Santana, acting like the head cheerleader she was.

"You know, I am let down that Rachel didn't participate, Santana, but I'm more disappointed in your current rant," Mr. Schue commented.

Puck sat at the opposite side of the row as Rachel and looked down at his feet. He knew this was just the tip of the iceberg of something bad and he was just waiting for the cruse liner to collide.

She still felt like she was spinning as Rachel headed down the hall towards the ladies room. There were tears in her eyes and Rachel was unsure if they were from the recent bashing of her entire lifestyle or from her queasiness. Either way, Rachel was balling as she rushed into the closest stall and started to vomit. Feeling even more lightheaded. The feeling was making her nervous. Was she the next victim of the Money Flu? After the second round of regurgitation, Rachel flushed and slid her back against the side of stall until her bottom hit the tile floor. It was then when Rachel realized what wasn't happening right now. Something she needed to be happening right now. It was the middle of the month. And, therefore it should be her 'time' of the month. Only… it wasn't…

A/N: Thank you so, so much for reading. Do you hate me? I hope you liked it. Please review and let me know what you thought. Good? Bad? Indifferent? I want to know. The story is actually getting close to the end and I'm hoping to finish before the Super Bowl episode, and reviews always inspire me. Thanks again!