A/N: I just saw a new promo for season 2. AHHHH! I've missed the music, I've dreamt about the drama, and I can't WAIT for the wait to be over! (.com/watch?v=da9C69r-mwU&feature=player_embedded) It was a real good promo if you can't tell.

So now with no further ado, let me present- Chapter 7!

As she carefully applied her makeup, Rachel thought happily of how great her once lonely life had become. A little over a month had passed since she met Finn on the subway and things couldn't be going better. After a week had passed, she had convinced him to come stay at her apartment instead of continuing to spend money at the hotel. Now, as if to illustrate the perfection of her life, he was about to escort her to the Tony awards where she was nominated for "Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical" and her show was nominated for "Best Musical" along with a myriad of other things. Rachel Berry's life couldn't be more perfect.

Strangers waiting up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night.

As Finn and Rachel moved down the red carpet at the Tony's, Finn admired how poised and comfortable Rachel was. She answered each question the strangers waiting along the carpet asked her, never missing a beat. She didn't seem at all fazed by all of the cameras either, though they made Finn kind of jumpy. He thought she was the most beautiful woman there, no contest at all. But then again he thought she was beautiful all the time, whether extremely dressed up like tonight or wearing her sweats to work out. He was startled when she tugged lightly on his arm.

"Come on, let's go inside."

Once they were inside, Rachel seemed to find a million people she knew, all of whom she of course had to stop and talk to. After she finished talking to the third former co-star, she turned to lead Finn into the theater only to run smack dab into a painfully familiar face.

"Rachel Berry. And how is stardom treating you dear?" She looked at her high school ex-boyfriend critically for a moment before responding.

"Better than you I hope. Because we both know who the "Best Musical" award is going to and it won't be your show."

"Oh, ice princess!" He laughed for a second then turned and recognized her date. "Hudson?"

"." Finn responded coolly, eliciting a shocked

"Finn!" from his girlfriend and a laugh from Jesse.

"His juvenile insults don't bother me Rachel. Nice to see you, Break a leg." With that he turned and walked away. Rachel laughed at Finn's expression.

"What was that?" He asked, confused.

"That my dear, was an actor who was once in a show with me wishing me luck along with a little friendly competition."

"But that was. Wait, you were in a show with him?"

"Yes Finn, keep your voice down please. He was in the chorus and I had one of the lead parts. He did apologize to me fairly early in the run."

"But still, Rachel, that was still Jesse St. Jerkface! The guy helped his friends egg you in high school!"

"Yes and as I already told you, he apologized quite nicely. He and I have had a minor friendship for a while now. He's actually a quite nice guy."

"Whatever you say Rachel, let's just go sit down."

"And the winner of the Tony award for Best performance by a lead actress in a musical goes to, Miss Rachel Berry!" Thunderous applause followed this announcement and Rachel jumped to her feet, after hugging some of her fellow cast members who were seated nearby, including Todd with his date, Kurt, and kissing Finn quickly, Rachel headed onstage to receive her award.

"Wow! Thank you so much. I could never do this show without the wonderful cast, especially my leading man, Todd. And of course I owe a huge thanks to the writers and directors who created my wonderful character. I owe all my success on the stage to my amazing fathers who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. And a huge thanks to my high school glee club for letting me be their star. And of course, last but not least, my boyfriend Finn, who has always stood by me and helped me to succeed. Thank you so much!"

The rest of the night passed in a blur for Rachel, She'd done it! At 24 years old, she had achieved her lifelong dream of winning a Tony award. She followed the rest of her cast onstage to accept the award for "Best Musical" and cheered loudly when any of her compatriots won. After the awards were over, she went with Finn in a daze to the afterparty. She barely heard the congratulations or saw the flashing of cameras.

On their way home, Finn finally pulled her out of the daze by announcing,

"I got a job."

"Yay! Where?" she asked, delighted that his long search had finally paid off.

"Right outside the city. I can take a subway to work everyday!"

"Yay!" Rachel was thrilled, as much as she knew his missed his old job and the glee club there, she was delighted that he would be staying near her, because she didn't think she would ever be able to let go of him again.

A/N: So Todd and Kurt are dating, Rachel won her Tony and Finn got a job! YAY!

Thank you gleek721 for the idea of using Jesse, I hope I did ok…

Only 2 chapters left : ( But they're gonna be good ones!)

So? Thoughts? Suggestions? Rotten Tomatoes? Let me know!