Thank you to all the wonderful people who've reviewed. I can't believe that there are over 400 on this story! So just thank you - it makes my day to read each and every one of them.

Thanks to Gillian Deverone for beta'ing.

Enjoy!


They sound awesome, he thinks, as the guys' instruments blend together to create a soft song, something new that they're trying out. He sings the words gently, his voice hovering around the room, mixing perfectly with the music. Finn smiles and when he looks at his band mates, they're smiling too. It's not like their normal songs, which mainly consist of lyrics about women, partying and more women. But this, it's different – each word had come from his heart, his soul, all of his passion swept into the song.

And yeah, it's kind of hard to play so well with his wrist, but it is healing much faster than anticipated and the doctor said he could play still, as long as he didn't overdo it.

By the time the song comes to an end, or what they've got so far anyway, the pride on their faces is irreplaceable. "We sounded good," Mike says, not normally one to blow his own trumpet. "Really good."

"It's new," Sam adds.

Puck places down his guitar. "Yeah, it's not as totally lame as I thought it would be. The lyrics are a little too loved up for me, but I'm not singing it, so it's cool. And chicks really go for that serenading thing, huh?" He smirks at the thought of wooing said ladies with their new song. "Actually, good going Hudson. Maybe we should have more songs like this."

Finn smiles, pride swelling in his heart to find out that his song has been well received, "Well, you can't just write it, you know? You've gotta have the right inspiration…" For a moment, he's not in the room with his friends; he's lost in his mind as he thinks of Rachel and their times spent together. There's an undeniable happiness that soars through his entire body, leaving no inch untouched, as thoughts of her fill his mind. She was his inspiration. She continues to be so, not just for songs, but for everything in his life.

He wants to be good for her. Long gone are his trials with drugs, his terrible attitude towards women, and his run-ins with the law.

He just doesn't feel like that person anymore, and it's Rachel who made him feel like someone new, something worthy of being with her. She has no idea how much she's helped him, and how she will in the future. She took away his mask, revealing the true him. He'd never shown that person to anyone else and he thinks it is special that Rachel was the person to first know who he really is without the 'bad boy' act.

A sharp knock hits the back of his head and he flinches, "Ow." Finn rubs the sore spot, spying his own drumsticks in the hands of Puck. "What was that for?" He glares, making his annoyance known, but Puck just smirks and shrugs.

"You were just staring off into space. I was bringing you back."

"You didn't have to hit me so hard," he mumbles sourly, receiving a shit eating grin from his friend.

Puck taps the same spot, this time lighter. "Knowing you, you were probably thinking about Berry and that hot little ass of hers."

"Shut up, dude." He doesn't need Puck thinking about Rachel's ass thank you very much.

Before their bickering can escalate, the front door opens. "Finn. You there baby?"

"Speak of the devil," Puck smirks as the sound of heels against the hardwood floor become louder and louder, finally revealing a smiling Rachel, struggling with some bags in her hands. He's quick to swoop in, relieving her of the bags and placing them in his good hand and placing a quick kiss to her lips.

"What've you got in here?" he asks with childlike excitement, trying to peek into the bags until Rachel swats at the air before him, shaking her head and grinning widely as she tells him that it's a surprise. She kisses his pout away, sliding an arm around his waist and holding onto him tightly. For a minute, he totally forgets that his friends are there. It's just so easy to do when Rachel is around, like she's this giant star, her gravity pulling him closer and closer every moment, and each second spent with her makes his heart swell with happiness.

Her lips linger for a few moment, savoring the taste of his mouth, before she's pulls away abruptly and pushes a bright smile to her face. "Do you want some lunch?" she asks him and his friends, "I can make something while you're rehearsing." At her question, his stomach produces an eager, hungry growl and he blushes at her knowing smile. His friends quickly agree too, remembering the first time she'd cooked for them, and the few times after that. Much like him, they fell in love with Rachel's cooking and know to never say no to it. It makes him feel proud that Rachel seems to have won them over, seeing as his last few girlfriends – if you could call them that – never made a good impression, and the guys never made that fact unknown. He was constantly jibed for his choice in woman, but not now. He hasn't heard any complaints about Rachel, well other than that she's a little intense which yeah, that's kind of a given.

Finn follows her into the kitchen, ignoring Puck's smirk on the way there, and soon it's just the two of them. He takes no time in taking advantage of their privacy as he swoops down to catch her lips in a more demanding kiss that earlier, tongue teasing her bottom lip, begging for entrance. All he wants to do is run his hand through her hair, across her face, to feel her smooth Finn beneath his fingertips, but he still has the bags in his hand, struggling under the weight of them too.

She seems to notice, taking one from him and placing it onto the kitchen counter. Finn follows suit. And, naturally, they return to their kissing, and now his hands find their place; one delicately cupping her chin while the other slips into her hair. Even with her heels on, she has to crane her neck all the way back for their lips to meet and he chuckles, going to pick her up and place her atop the counter. Now they can kiss more comfortably, and for longer too, and it's only an added bonus when her legs wrap around his torso. "I missed you," he mumbles against her mouth, his stubble grazing her skin and causing her to shudder.

"You saw me this morning," she smiles, letting Finn's hands bring her closer to his warm body and kissing his jaw softly. It's true – this past week she'd barely spent any time at her apartment, choosing instead to keep Finn company, mainly in his bedroom. Her eyes rise to meet his, hazel pools staring back at her.

"That's too long."

He leans down more, dragging his eyes away from her soft, begging lips to meet her gaze. His words are true; he just can't seem to get enough of her, and yeah that's kind of a great feeling. Pushing some stray hair back, he kisses the now exposed skin, "so perfect, so beautiful." He takes care to pay attention to every inch, travelling down until his lips brush against hers, and he deepens the kiss, his tongue caressing hers. With every second that passes, the ferocity of the kiss increases, Rachel's hands stuck to his neck, tying them nearer one another. Lightheaded, he detaches himself from her mouth for some much needed oxygen while she gazes at him with such an adoring look that he's never received from anybody. It makes him feel… like… like he's invincible, like he can do no wrong, and he loves how she makes him feel like that.

Rachel goes in for another kiss, and they could probably do this for hours – they have earlier on in the week – but Puck takes this as the perfect opportunity to interrupt them.

"As delicious as Berry must be, I'd rather not watch you two make out, again." He moves over to the fridge, yanking it open and peering inside while the couple detach themselves from one another, Rachel slipping down from the counter. "Hey Hud, there's no beer."

"That's 'cause you drank it all," he shrugs, not remotely interested in the lack of beer.

"Dude, go get some more."

He rolls his eyes, "Get your own, lazy ass."

Before they can go any further, Rachel intervenes. Although her methods aren't so mature either. "Noah, if you don't leave, Finn and I will start making out again."

Finn's eyes light up, "I like that idea." He's already going in to kiss her when she starts to walk away, and he notices Puck's retreating figure, "Aw, babe. Come on… one more?" He pouts. He follows her like an eager puppy, taking good time to stare at her ass and then down her toned legs and those heels… damn. "Rach, you're depriving me here."

She giggles, "I think you've had enough kisses for a while. Besides, I have to make lunch for everyone, and I know that you love my cooking."

He grins like a child. "Well yeah, it is awesome, but I'd much prefer you." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and Rachel smiles before pushing him away gently. Finn's face drops. "Spoil sport." In response, he gets a famous Rachel Berry beam, but then manages to snag a kiss from her anyway. After that, she gives him a light push in the direction of the living room, claiming that he'll only 'distract' her. That sounds like a good idea to him.

The stares he's met with upon returning to his friends make him shift uncomfortably on the balls of his feet. "…What?"

Puck smirks, "Nothing, dude."

"No, seriously, why're you all looking at me like that?" Sly glances are exchanged once again and Finn's confusion increases as he goes to take his seat.

"We just," Mike begins, "noticed that you're a lot happier lately. With Rachel and everything. She must be really great…"

"Great?" he says, shaking his head at the inadequate word. "She's more than that. She's… she's amazing." He stares ahead, his eyes shining brightly, a smile tugging at his lips. "I don't even think there are words to describe how wonderful Rachel is." He wishes that he had a big vocabulary, like her, to express how he feels. Every time he thinks about her, he's just overcome with an insane amount of happiness – he sometimes doesn't know how to handle feeling so strongly about one person. It used to seem crazy to him, but then he experienced it for himself, and now he understands. "I don't know what I'd do without her." It feels crazy – that they've only been in each other's lives for a couple of months, but at this point he can't imagine his life without her; he doesn't want to.

Over these few months together she's become part of him; she's wormed her way into his heart and soul, and he knows that she's going to be there forever.

"Dude," Puck snaps him out of his trance, "you keep staring off into the distance. Do you ever stop thinking about Berry?" As usual, a slimy smirk crawls onto his face. "I know she's hot, but come on, there's gotta be a limit, even for you."

No, not really. "It isn't all about looks, you know?" Finn states, "Sure, Rachel's beautiful, but she's this incredible person too." She's one of a kind; he's never met anyone quite like Rachel Berry, he thinks with a bright smile.

Puck snickers, "When did you grow a vagina Finn? You've turned into a sappy shell of Finn Hudson."

He doesn't reply. Why bother to deny it when he knows it's true? Instead, his smile widens in a way that shows his friends he already knows that, and he is happy about it.


After a quick lunch and Finn kicking the guys out of the apartment, the two start to get ready for going out to another hockey game. Rachel may not enjoy it as much as Finn, but the least she can do is share his interests, no matter how violent they can be. Besides, Kurt had just recently discovered that Blaine likes hockey too, and begged to come along with them – adding Blaine of course – to spend time with him.

She thinks it's sweet though the reluctance of both to make the first move leaves her a little frustrated. If you like someone, you should just go for it. If she hadn't asked (told) Finn to kiss her, she wonders where they'd be right now. As it is, she's glad that she did, because being with Finn is the best relationship she's ever had – it's the best feeling in the world.

With a bright smile, she steps in his bedroom to find him searching around in his closet frantically. He mumbles to himself, pushing his face in further to get a better look.

"What're you looking for?" she asks curiously as she steps behind him.

He lets out a long, dramatic sigh – she's start to rub off on him apparently – and begins to speak, never taking his eyes from his messy closet. "I can't find my jersey for the game. I thought I put it in here but I can't…" He slowly begins to turn, his voice trailing when he sees her, his jersey baggy on his girlfriend. "I think I found it," he says, straight faced.

Rachel rolls her eyes. "Hey, it's comfy!" She hugs her arms around herself, a serene smile on her face.

"Yeah, I know it is," he says, moving to her and going to tug it off, "and it's also mine, and I wanted to wear it today." Rachel pouts, clamping her arms down to make it impossible for him to get said jersey. "Rach," he starts, the tiniest of smiles of his lips. He lowers his head so that their faces are nearer each other, eyes boring into hers, "can I have it back, Dollface?"

A huge grin grows on her face. "What's yours is mine, darling." She slowly slides her hands up his sides so she can hook her arms around his neck, standing on tip toes to kiss him softly.

"Isn't it 'what's mine is yours'?" Finn's eyebrows knit together.

"There, you said it yourself! You're so generous Finn," she beams, trying to wriggle out of his grasp when he pulls her back to him, their bodies pressed against one another.

"Nice try."

They're interrupted by her cell ringing and she rolls her eyes at the caller ID. Jesse, again—ever since the slight debacle between Finn and Jesse, her ex has been trying to convince her even more that Finn is still the violent, dangerous delinquent that he once was. She knows different, of course, but Jesse won't budge, and is apparently putting up a fight against Finn by annoying her to no end. She is yet to see Jesse – and she's sure she will at the awards tomorrow – but just his calls enough are tiring.

Finn doesn't hold back on his groan. "Is it Douchebag?"

She shakes her head. "Finn, come on, Jesse is my friend." Or so she keeps telling herself, because she feels like maybe it's time to let their friendship fade out.

"Your friend who broke into your boyfriend's apartment and then proceeded to tell him that he wasn't good enough for you?" Finn says through gritted teeth, his grip on her tightening without realizing. Her phone continues to ring, but it goes ignored as they begin a staring war.

"He didn't break in," Rachel replies weakly, "he got a key from Noah."

"He isn't welcome here."

Finn's low, hard voice causes her to frown. When she can't find the words, he goes on. "And I don't wanna be one of those overprotective boyfriends, but… I don't like it when you spend time with him. Hell, I don't even like him calling you," he lets out a long breath, rubbing his palm over his face as he contemplates his speech, "he doesn't treat you right. He just wants you as some…some…prize."

"He's not going to get me, ever," she assures him, holding onto his arms gently. Over time, Rachel has become less confused about Jesse and his intentions. A few months ago she thought that she'd still loved him, but she knows in her heart that it wasn't love; Jesse had manipulated her feelings, made her act like a different person and then thrown her away when she didn't do as he wanted. But she's stronger now, with Finn by her side – he gives her that strength. And she doesn't love Jesse. She'll always feel that small attachment to him, but it's not love. She looks to Finn, and she feels like she knows what love is. She leans up to kiss him again, showing him that she is his, just as he is hers.

He responds, and it's almost like she can feel his insecurities through the kiss; like he feels threatened by Jesse. She deepens it, her eyes staring into his lovingly. "You're the only one for me, Finn. You know that, right? The whole thing with Jesse right now is confusing, but I'd never choose him over you."

His whole body sighing with relief, he smiles and kisses her forehead. "Come on, we've got a game to get to." Rachel beams, beginning to walk away when he pulls her back. "You're still wearing my jersey."

She rolls her eyes, "Finn, it's our jersey. I'm your girlfriend, we share things."

"No," he says, "it's not that. You're still wearing it, that's the problem." When she frowns at him in confusion, he smirks, "I'd rather you not be wearing anything to be honest." Oh, that's what he means. And then he captures her lips in a deep kiss, the very one that makes her feel like she's floating and she never wants to go back down again.

"How much time do we have?" She breathes against his lips.

"Fifteen minutes."

She's quickly working on unbuttoning his jeans. "Then let's not waste any time."

By the time they actually get to the game, Rachel clad in his jersey, they can spot Kurt and Blaine in their seats. In unison, they smile and wave at the other couple, or almost couple - Rachel suspects that they're just teetering over the line between friendship and relationship. With Finn's hand firmly wrapped around hers, they head over to the other two, taking their seats.

Blaine seems to be a little more comfortable around her this time, but there's still that look of awe in his large eyes. It's quite cute actually. And then, when he's not doing that, he's staring at Kurt with the uttermost adoration, turning and blushing every time that he's caught. Looks like it's time for matchmaker Rachel Berry to make her grand entrance.

"You look very handsome today Kurt," she suddenly announces. "What do you think, Blaine?"

"Well… I – he always looks good and," Blaine splutters for the words, his face a beet red while Kurt too is sporting his own blush, subconsciously smoothing out his jacket, and she can see the smallest hint of a smile of his lips.

"Why thank you Blaine," he says gracefully, "I know that this may just be a hockey game (he receives a glare from Finn for that; "it's not just a hockey game) but any chance is a chance for fashion, right?" His eyes move over to the jersey on Rachel. "Which cannot be said for you, my dear."

She pouts, "Are you insulting my jersey?" Rachel pretends to be offended, but can't hold it for any longer and a playful smile bounces onto her lips. At this point, Blaine excuses himself to the bathroom. For a moment, she almost suggests Kurt go with him because that's how guys bond, right? But she's quickly distracted.

"My jersey," Finn intervenes before returning to the game again.

"I know baby," she giggles, patting his shoulder gently, looking at Kurt. "He's very attached to this jersey. I don't know why."

But Kurt prefers to focus on something else. "Baby?" he pulls a face. His next words are whispers. "You know that you don't have to pretend to be a couple around me, right?" Even Finn manages to tear his eyes from the action on the ice to stare at Kurt, his expression unreadable. He remembers what Kurt had told him – don't get involved with Rachel. Well, he's never been one to listening to others; why start now? His brother catches on to their behavior, how nervous they both suddenly become, and his eyebrows rise is suspicion, though it's mainly confusion etched on his face as he glances from Finn to Rachel. His eyes are like a magnet to their entwined hands on Rachel's lap. Neither one had realized that they were even holding hands – it just sort of happens naturally now.

"W-we're just used to it, that's all," Rachel scrambles an answer together, though her hand doesn't leave Finn's. "It was bound to happen, since we spend so much time with each other." She forces a strained smile onto her face, hoping that he won't ask any further questions. They don't know how Kurt will react to their actual dating. He'll most likely be annoyed, since this is only supposed to last a few more months, and then they'll 'break up', but how can they do that when they are in an actual relationship? It wouldn't be long before someone would see them on another date, and then the rumors of their sparking the relationship once more would surface.

Both would rather not deal with all that – they just want to date and be happy with one another.

Kurt doesn't look too convinced by her story, but he drops it as soon as he sees Blaine returning and Kurt's attention in stolen away. She shares a look with Finn, biting her lip, then decides to try and watch a little of the game, subtly (or so she thinks) listening in on their conversation. She winces, unsure of whether it's due to the violence occurring on the ice, or the awkward words held between Kurt and Blaine. She begins to wonder how Kurt even invited Blaine to the game today, but then again Finn had been there with them too, so she suspects that it was his idea for Blaine to come.

"So," she begins loudly, nudging Blaine in the side, "anyone special in your life Blaine?"

"Well Katy Perry's pretty special to me," he says, launching into how amazing she is and how much he loves her songs. Rachel shakes her head.

"No, no, I mean like, dating special…"

"Oh," he says slowly, his gaze hovering in Kurt's general direction. "I'm not really seeing anyone."

"So you're single?" she clasps her hands together excitedly. "So is Kurt! What are the odds?" Blaine offers a tiny smile

Her friend glares at her, obviously seeing what she's doing. "A lot of people are single Rachel."

The tone of his voice does nothing to faze Rachel, who in turn beams at them and delves into a speech about 'conquering love' and 'finding the one'. "You never know," she adds, "he might be sitting right next to you and you never knew." At this point, she feels Finn's eyes burning into her cheek and turns to face him. "Yes?"

"Come on," he tugs at her hand, standing up, "let's go get something to drink." She protests to him pulling her arm so hard that she's sure it'll come out of the socket, but his grip soon falters as soon as they're a good distance away from Kurt and Blaine. "What're you doing?" He whispers harshly.

Rachel smiles, "I'm just helping Kurt and Blaine along the line of their inevitable dating."

"You're making them uncomfortable," he tells her.

"No I'm not," she sighs dramatically, but when he sets her with a glare she changes her tune. "They're just being so slow and cautious around each other, and I wanted to… hurry them up a little. How're they supposed to get together if they can barely say a word to one another without blushing and avoiding eye contact?" She pouts, letting herself fall into Finn's embrace. "I'm just trying to help."

He chuckles, "I don't think it's helping babe. More like making it worse."

She gasps. "Take that back!"

"No, you are. You have to just let them do it in their own time. If it's meant to happen, it'll happen."

"But they're missing out on precious time – dating time!" Finn shakes his head at her, resisting the urge to face palm.

"It's not your relationship though. You can't try and force something to happen." Rachel frowns, looking up at him with big, sad puppy dog eyes. "Yeah, that's not gonna work on me." He's totally lying, but she doesn't need to know that. "So can you promise me that you'll stop meddling? Please?"

"Fine, I'll leave them to awkwardly stare at each other for the next few years before one of them finally decides to make a move. Happy?"

"Couldn't be happier," he grins, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go back. I've missed some of the game now, thanks to you."

Rachel laughs. "Oh God forbid that you miss any of your hockey. Wow, I feel absolutely terrible. I'm such an awful person."

He raises an eyebrow. "Mocking me is not helping the situation." She leans up and kisses his cheek. "Warmer." With a giggle, she then pecks his lips. "That's better." Rachel smiles, leaning into his chest and heading to the steps with Finn. She halts when she spots Kurt and Blaine, talking and laughing together, so close that their legs are touching. Finn gives her a knowing look, "See? All in good time."

"You know that it's because of my influence, right?"

"Yes, dear," he sighs, shaking his head at her stubbornness.

"I thought you were getting drinks," Kurt says when they sit down again.

They share a glance. "The line was too long," Finn replies with a shrug and Rachel nods along with him, her hand rising to meet the arm draped across her shoulders. And then her eyes travel along to Kurt and Blaine's hands, so close to touching that she just wants to grab them and wrap them around each other.

The rest of the game is pleasant, Finn making sure to keep her in line around the other two, and the mood kind of takes a hit when Kurt confesses that their 'relationship' is losing interest with the public and that he's planning some more things to regain it. At that point, Finn has a distanced look in his eye, almost thoughtful, because he smiles down at her brightly and squeezes her hand. She decides to just dismiss it, instead getting excited about the awards tomorrow.

"They're finally here!" she says, resisting the urge to jump up and down like an excited school girl, but she has been waiting a long time for these, and the proud look that Finn is giving her just escalates her mood. She knows that there is stiff competition in her category, but she's sure that she can outshine them all. She is a big star, after all.

Kurt and Blaine slip off by themselves and she can't contain her giddy squeal. "I hope that it works out for them." She confides in Finn as they walk to the car. "They deserve it."

"Kurt hasn't dated for a while," Finn admits, "this'll be good for him, and they looked happy, right?" She can see him worrying for his brother and she smiles.

"They did. Now, to your place or mine?" She grins, "Bearing in mind that Quinn will be coming to mine tomorrow while I get ready for the show!"

He pulls a face. "And no doubt you'll spend hours getting ready…"

"I have to look my best," she simply says.

"You could walk the red carpet in sweatpants with your bed hair and you'd still look beautiful."

Rachel bursts out laughing, "Yeah right." He sends her a look. "Besides, you'll like my dress - really like it."

"Oh?" he smirks.

Her teasing smile stays stuck in his mind for a while.


Everyone excited for the awards next? I know I am

Please review :)