The next morning, Rachel awoke alone in the hospital bed when the nurse came in to check on her. "I'm sorry dear," she apologized. "I was just making sure you were okay," she whispered, walking out of the room after making sure her heart rate was stable.

Rachel looked around the room, frowning a little. Was this going to be their new routine, Noah sneaking in late and sneaking out early? It made her feel like a cheap whore.

She rolled over onto her side with a pout, hearing the crinkling sound of paper beneath her. Rachel set up, moving her pillow to see a folded sheet of paper with her name scrawled across the front.

She smiled, opening it up to find a hand written note from Noah.

Rachel,
Sorry for leaving (again) without saying goodbye, but I didn't want to be there in the morning in case your dads decided to come by early. And I didn't want to wake you either—you looked so peaceful, baby. I'm going to head home for the day and relax for a bit, maybe even go out later and spend some time with Finn and Sam. Call me later and we'll talk. I miss you already.
Noah

Rachel smiled a little at the note, her fingers tracing over his signature. He'd actually written her a note before he left. She placed the letter carefully on her bedside table, lying back down. Well, she was up, and with all the noise in the hospital, there was no way she was falling back asleep.

Rachel picked up the television remote, flipping it on. The first thing she came to was The Today Show. And, of course, they were talking about her and Noah. She had a feeling that was all anyone was going to be able to talk about for a while. Curious, she decided to watch and see what they were saying about her.

"…now this girl, Rachel, what do you think of her?" the one host asked the other.

"She seems like a real sweetheart. I mean, you've seen the videos. She's always smiling. She'd talented as hell, too," he added.

Talented? What were they talking about?

"Yeah," the other host agreed. "That girl has a set of pipes on her and she's only what? Seventeen?"

The other host nodded. "Seventeen, yes," he said. "I'm telling you, this girl is going to be famous one day. I mean, famous for something other than being one hell of a survivor."

"And that fame might be sooner than we think. Let's bring out our guest, Mr. Jesse St. James!"

Rachel's eyes went wide open. Jesse? Last she'd heard, he had dropped out of college to film some pilot with a friend of his from LA.

But there he was, right on her TV. He had the same curly hair, the same good looks, and the same condescending smirk as she remembered.

The female host embraced him, giving him a kiss on each cheek. "Jesse!" she laughed. "So good to see you, again."

"It's good to see you too, Meredith," he said, leaning back in the chair. The crowd of fans in New York City could be seen in the background, causing Rachel to instantly feel jealous. There he was, living her dream while she was stuck in a hospital bed.

"So, tell me about the show," the cohost asked, leaning in closer.

"Well, it's about a teenage guy, played by me, who's sent to jail for a crime he didn't commit. So he's trying to prove to everyone that he doesn't belong there, though everyone's telling him that's what everyone says. So soon, he starts thinking that maybe he really does belong there. It's an interesting role to play."

"Tell us how you got involved in this show."

"The creator is actually a friend of mine from college. We were in a bunch of classes together and one day, he comes up to me. He says, 'Jesse, I have this great idea for a show and I want you to star in it.' He was asking me to take a leap of faith, to drop out of school and do this show. And I did. Luckily, it's paid off," Jesse laughed.

"What about this new project you're working on?"

"Well, it's just in the development stages, but I think it's going to be great. I'm helping write it, actually, though TJ, the other writer, wants me to star in it as well."

"What's it about?"

"That plane crash and what happened after it crashed."

That caught Rachel's attention. Jesse was writing a movie about…her?

"No one really knows what happened," the one host said. "Those two kids didn't give us any information in that little press conference held by the airline."

"No, but I know Rachel Berry. She's my ex-girlfriend and I took her to her junior prom. I'm hoping maybe she'll tell me. Besides, we want her to play herself in it."

Rachel had to cover her mouth to keep herself from screaming. A movie! They wanted her to be in a movie! This was it. She'd play herself in this movie and then…Broadway.

"What about the other kid, Noah? Are you going to get him to play himself as well?"

"We don't think so. He's not much of an actor, trust me," Jesse laughed, causing everyone else to laugh. They finished up the interview and Jesse left, but Rachel kept the TV on, shaking. A movie! Jesse wanted her to act in a real movie! She could hardly believe it!

xxxxx

Rachel was discharged later that day and her dads brought her home. They told her about the school's call and she just nodded her head, heading upstairs to her room. Once she was there, Rachel laid on her bed, looking at the ceiling.

A minute later, Puck's face was hovering over hers. His lips were on hers the next second as his hands rested on her waist. "You're back," he breathed after he pulled away.

"Are you stalking me or something?" she teased, looking over at her door, making sure it was shut. It was.

"No, I was just in the neighborhood," he claimed, though Rachel suspected he was lying. "Besides, someone had to be here to welcome you home from the hospital," he laughed, pulling her close as he lay beside her on her bed.

Rachel smiled, kissing his nose once. She wanted to tell him all about what she'd heard on the TV this morning, but stopped herself. Noah might not want her starring in a movie with Jesse. And Jesse still hadn't even called. She would wait until he called and told her himself before telling Noah. Then it would be too late for him to say anything about it.

"Glad to be home?" he asked, brushing her hair out of her face.

Rachel nodded her head. "I am," she said, leaning her face up to kiss him again. He returned her kiss, pulling her close.

"Good," he said, his fingers trailing over her body. "Also, I was told by Kurt that both of us are expected to be at his house tonight for a party, no excuses allowed," he laughed.

"You saw Kurt today?" Rachel asked.

"Just briefly. I went over to see Finn, but he came running out and said I wasn't allowed to be there, but he wanted me and you over there by eight tonight for a party. And then I came over here and saw you getting out of the car. So I snuck up to your room to surprise you," he teased, kissing her again.

"Do we really have to go to this party?" she asked, taking his hand and lacing their fingers together.

"Well, you have to decide which is worse. Go to a party thrown by Kurt or face the wrath of a furious Kurt?" he asked.

Rachel sighed. "Fine fine, we'll go to the damn party," she laughed, looking over at the clock. "Well, we have a few hours, which means I need to shower and get dressed. You leave and be back here at seven. You can take me out to dinner before we head to the Hummel-Hudson house," she teased, kissing him once.

Puck grumbled a little, though got up and left, promising he'd be back soon.

Rachel headed down the hall to the bathroom, carrying her pink robe with her. She shut the door and locked it, turning on the water a moment later.

Once the water was hot, she stripped off her clothes and climbed in, letting the hot water trickle down her body. She was still getting used to taking actual showers again instead of bathing in a lake. Being stuck on that island really had taught Rachel a few things, like not taking things for granted. Who would have thought the one thing Rachel missed was taking actual showers?

But she had, more than she was willing to admit to Noah. There was just something about the warm water trailing down your back that made Rachel happy.

Rachel picked up her bottle of shampoo, the same stuff she had been using before the crash, and put a small amount in her hand, working it through her dark hair. She wondered if the reason it was still here was because her dads never got rid of it. She hoped not and prayed they had just gone out and got a new bottle. Because despite what she had gone through on the island, she couldn't even begin to imagine what her fathers had gone through.

Their only daughter, snatched from them in a deadly plane crash. Rachel shook the thought out of her head. She was back now, and she wasn't going to leave them ever again.

Once she was clean and had the smell of the hospital washed off her, Rachel dried off with a towel and pulled her robe back on, walking back to her room. There, she dried her hair and straightened it. She was sick of having curly hair all the time. She put on makeup before admiring her reflection in the mirror. She looked nice, which was a change from the dirty look she'd been used to the past few months.

Rachel changed into a tan dress that came down to her knees, the sleeves going down to her elbows. She slipped on a pair of matching flats before hearing one of her dads calling for her.

Sighing, Rachel ran out of her room and headed downstairs, seeing Leroy Berry waiting for her with the phone in his hand. "Someone's asking for you," he said, eyeing his daughter. "Going somewhere?" he asked.

Rachel ignored her father, taking the phone from him instead. "Hello?" she asked.

"Rachel?" came a familiar voice.

"Jesse?" she breathed.

She could practically hear him smiling on the phone. "Hey."

"Um hi," she said, feeling a knot in the back of her throat. Here she was, talking to the boy who had broken her heart by cracking an egg on her forehead. Though she'd returned the favor when she chose to get back with Finn instead of back with him. "How—how are you?" she asked nervously.

"Good, good. LA's been great. Listen, I want to ask you a question."

"Alright, I'm listening."

"A friend and I are working on a script about the crash you and Puckerman were in, but we don't really know what happened."

"So?"

"Well, you and him are the only ones who know what happened. And since Puckerman hates me, I was wondering if you'd come out to LA for a week or two. You know, like a consultant for the script."

Rachel felt her heart beating in her chest. "Um, I'll have to ask my dads, but I think so. Dad!" she yelled, running into the kitchen. "Here, you talk to him," she said, thrusting the phone into her dad's hand.

Hello?" Leroy asked, looking up at his daughter with a confused expression. He listened closely, nodding his head as Rachel waited with anticipation. "Well, I suppose we could arrange something with the school," he said thoughtfully. "Why don't you give me your number and I'll give you a call later this week," he said. He scribbled the number down on a piece of paper before hanging up. "Rachel?" he asked.

"Please Daddy. I really want to go. They're making a movie about me and they want me to play myself. Please let me go?"

Leroy chuckled a little. "I'll talk to the school. No promises," he said as the doorbell rang. Rachel ran over, pulling it open to see Puck standing at the door.

"Okay Dad, I'm going," she said, trying to leave.

"Hold on, Rachel. Where are you going?" he asked.

Rachel bit her lip. "Well, Kurt's having a party, and he said I have to come. So Noah's going to drive me there. I'll be back before midnight, or I'll call if I'm not. Please, can I go?" she asked.

Leroy let out a sigh. "Alright, fine. But I don't want to get a phone call from Mr. Hummel complaining," he said, knowing he never would. His daughter was a good kid.

Rachel nodded, taking Puck's hand and pulled him over to his car while her father watched with an amused look. Rachel climbed into the passenger's side, waving to her father.

"Be safe!" he called as they drove away.

"So, dinner?" he asked, looking over at Rachel. She looked amazing. Plus, the little dress she was wearing showed off her legs wonderfully. He reached a hand over, letting it inch up her leg slowly.

Rachel nodded her head. "There's a vegan café not too far from here. Let's go there," she said.

Puck didn't even bother complaining. He was too hungry to actually care where they were eating or what they were going to eat.

Puck followed her directions, pulling into the parking lot and opened the door for her once they had parked. "Am I allowed to hold your hand when we walk in?" he teased, taking her hand before waiting for an answer.

Rachel smiled up at him, holding his hand lightly. "Yes, you can hold my hand," she laughed. The two of them walked inside and were seated immediately. It seemed people in Lima didn't eat vegan—there was only one other table with people at it.

Rachel looked over the menu, her foot tapping on the floor. "I can actually get something that isn't dirt here, right?" Puck asked, opening the menu.

Rachel gave him a look. "Don't be a jerk," she said. "There's plenty of stuff here you'll like," she promised.

Puck gave her a look, though decided to keep quiet. She did seem actually annoyed that he'd insulted her diet choices.

The waiter came over and Rachel ordered them both a glass of water, then ordering Puck vegan chili and herself noodle stir fry. Puck stayed quiet as the waiter walked away before turning to her. "So, do you come here a lot?" he asked.

Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "Sometimes. I like this place, and the prices are pretty good," she said before biting her lip. Was she supposed to pay since she was the one who suggested coming here? Or did he because he was the guy? This was the one thing she hated about dating.

Rachel and Puck chatted quietly about what the party was going to be like. When Kurt was the host, no one knew really what to expect.

When their food came, they ate quietly, not showing each other a lot of affection. Rachel could see, out of the corner of her eye, the waiter watching them. She supposed it was because of their picture being splashed on every news channel, but still, it was weird.

When the check came, Puck paid instantly, shaking his head at her claims that she didn't mind paying. "My treat," he said. "You just got out of the hospital, the least I can do is pay for dinner," he laughed.

Puck and Rachel headed out of the restaurant and climbed back into his car. Puck took her hand as he started driving towards Kurt's house, smiling over at her.

"Do we tell them?" he asked, turning onto Kurt's street. "Or do I still act like you're just my friend?"

Rachel bit her lip. "You can decide," she said. Puck nodded his head, not saying anything after that as he pulled into the driveway. He helped Rachel out of the car, but didn't take her hand.

The two of them walked up to the door, hearing the music playing already. Puck rang the doorbell and was greeted by Kurt, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Finally!" he laughed, letting the two of them in. Everyone from glee club was there, all of them looking at Rachel and Puck as they walked in.

It was now or never. Without even thinking twice, Puck pulled Rachel close and kissed her. It wasn't an innocent little peck, either. It was a full-on mouth kiss, complete with tongue.

Everyone was silent, watching them. Then, someone let out a whistle, and when Puck pulled away, everyone was cheering.

Kurt put an arm around both of their necks. "Finally. I was wondering when you two were going to tell everyone!" he laughed, handing them each a cup filled with some kind of alcohol.

Puck laughed, watching Kurt head back over to Blaine and give him a slightly drunk kiss. "What was that all about?" Rachel asked as Puck placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Well, I decided I didn't want Hudson thinking he still stood a chance with you," he laughed, taking a sip of his drink. "You're all mine, and I wanted at least everyone in New Directions to know it. Now come on, baby. Let's dance!"

Rachel was pulled into the small crowd by Puck as Lady Gaga blared on the speakers. Puck pulled her close, his hands on her waist, forcing her ass against his hips. Rachel swiveled her body to the music, her body moving against his.

Puck let out a groan, holding onto her tightly while finishing his drink. After that, his eyes stayed on her, watching every little move she made. He leaned down, kissing the side of her neck while she took a long sip from her cup.

Puck looked off to the side, seeing Finn staring at the two of them with jealous eyes. She leaned her head back against Puck's shoulder, his hands running over her stomach.

"Having fun?" he whispered in her ear.

Rachel smiled and nodded her head. She was. Puck leaned down and kissed her lightly, the two of them ignoring everyone else in the room, only focusing on each other.