Chapter 3 – Hindi Sad Diamonds - Part One

There was a heavy rain rushing down on the Big Apple when Rachel Berry finally finished her double shift that evening. Her boot heals clicked hurriedly through the large puddles that started to flood the streets, splashing water as she merged seamlessly with the busy sidewalk traffic on her walk home. She narrowly avoided getting knocked over by speeding pedestrians several times as she rounded the corner leading away from her work, but Rachel hardly noticed the bustle. All the surrounding bystanders running to escape the strong shower blurred with the rain that fell around her. It was as if Rachel was walking through a waterfall, and the feeling was surprisingly comforting.

Rachel's world was taken over by the fluid pouring from the clouds, soaking her coat and hair. The sound of the passing cars and hasty footsteps were drowned out by the water splattering against the pavement. The splatter seemed to silence all the chaos that 'tornado-ed' around her, but she could not care less because as the downpour engulfed her senses, Rachel felt free.

The rain was a strange type of cleansing for her. It clouded the distractions which took place outside her mind as well as the thoughts that generated the uncertainty within her, and as Rachel sped along the surprisingly settled sidewalk, a sudden security surged through her. In the waterfall induced silence, Rachel was beginning to find the confidence that she had hid away long ago.

Although it was dark out, the journey back to her apartment building was lit up with a sparkle that shone brighter that the stars. 'She was a star and she knew that one day she would be.' This was the motto of her former confidence. A confidence that was always tangled with a guiding light: hope. As she moved down the street, without having to push anyone out of the way, that strange sense of hope rushed over Rachel like a tidal wave.

She slowed her pace; longing to linger within the cool downpour, and feeling her mind lighten with each drop that landed on her already drenched skin. Her eyes drifted closed for a moment, and her steps faltered just briefly as a nearly forgotten memory flashed under closed lids. A breath caught in her throat as the smell of fresh rain triggered his face, but this time, unlike her usual reaction, Rachel wanted to remember. She wanted to feel and taste all she yearned for.

Tilting her head back, Rachel caught the raindrops on her tongue, licking her lips as water dripped from her brow. She savoured the taste, and focused her mind on imagining the combination of his flavour with the rain. She wanted to blend the bitter water with the sweet kiss that stained her lips 'till this day. Her hands curled into fists at her side, feeling the wet strains of his bronze hair threaded through her fingers.

"Jesse," She sighed as she dropped her head. She swore the tingles that raced up her spine were not caused by the cool air. I know that you are here she thought as the heat of his hands ran up her sides, pulling her closer to his warmth and causing her already rosy cheeks to blush. Rachel could feel his reaction to their passion pressed against her. She felt his breath against her skin as he whispered his love into her neck. His tongue danced down her collarbone as he sucked and kissed the tender tingling flesh, and Rachel swore Jesse was there. He had to be, he had to have felt the powerful emotions flowing through the air, right?

Another shiver coursed through her body, and she opened her eyes. Rachel stood alone in the empty sidewalk, feeling refreshed for the first time in a while with a smile persistent on her lips. It was as if her thirst was finally quenched after decades of walking through a desert; her desert however, was metaphorical, unlike her Jewish ancestors' journey through the Sinai desert for forty days and nights. Rachel let out a soft laugh at the thought of her Jewish roots and her dramatic comparison. He never would have let that one down she thought before forcing herself to continue down the sidewalk and up the stairs to her apartment; images of golden curls and blue pools swimming lingering in her mind.

"St. James!" A loud voice boomed through the auditorium. It echoed off the walls, drawing Jesse back to his surroundings. "Earth to St. James, you with us now?" Arthur Hammel's voice was full of frustration, and as Jesse glanced around at all the actors who stared at him with a very shocked expression blanketing their faces, he immediately understood what had happened. Jesse St. James froze during a performance.

It was something that Jesse never thought was possible. He was always brilliantly in character and never missed his cue, but this was not some forgotten line, or missing blocking sequence. Jesse St. James was frozen completely. He sat there in front of the desk, wearing the hat he was suppose to set down, hands hovering over the keys of the typewriter which was currently over flowing with freshly printed paper. It was not only concerning, it was absolutely horrifying. Letting out a sigh, Jesse nodded before meeting the gaze of his director, Arthur Hammel.

"I'm just a little tired Arthur, sorry. It won't happen again." Jesse swallowed audibly before setting the hat on the desk and regaining his character, willing Christian to come back to him. He heard the surrounding cast members whispering their hushed concerns, but all he could focus on was the paper in front of him. His hands were shaking at the sight of the words before him, and he could not understand what was going through his mind as he wrote this. Jesse's whole body had reacted to some unknown sensation that pummelled through his mind like a Mac truck, and he did not know where it came from.

"Take five." A female voice demanded, ringing through the air, and Jesse's head snapped up, locking his gaze with Rylie Graham. He watched as Arthur nodded towards her, and left the auditorium with the rest of the actors present before Rylie made her way up the stage steps. "Jesse?" Her tone was questioning, and Jesse's head dropped in shame.

"I don't know Rye," his voice was soft and uncertain as he answered the unspoken question, his hands running over the papers which littered the desk.

"I've never seen you freeze like that." She said taking a seat on the empty chair opposite him. "You were doing amazing. Christian was there when you placed your coat on the chair, with a look of distress on your face. Then, you sat down, all in character might I add, but," she paused and he glanced up at her briefly before collecting all the papers that were scattered. "The minute your ass hit the chair, and you looked at the typewriter, it was as if you were possessed with some sort of demon. I have never seen anyone write that fast. The paper was flying out of that machine. I swear I thought the old thing was going to break at the rate you were typing."

He took a shaky breath scanning through the papers, reading what he thought would be a bunch of madness, his eyes widening with each page that dropped onto the table.

"I—I" He stuttered, unsure of how to explain the stream of consciousness that flowed through his mind.

"What did you write anyway?" She grabbed one of the fallen papers and began to read through it. "Tilting her head back, Rachel caught the raindrops on her tongue, licking her lips as water dripped from her brow. She savoured the taste, and focused her mind on imagining the combination of his flavour with the rain." She glanced up at him before finishing the page. "Oh, Jesse this is beautiful."

"I swear this is going to sound crazy." He ran his hands nervously through his hair, "I left my body." At his admission Rylie choked back a laugh.

"I am pretty sure everyone who was watching you knows that already."

"I was in the street with her. I had her pressed against me, I kissed her with all I fucking had, and I swear she kissed me back. I didn't want to stop Rye, but then Arthur," He sighed, and Rylie's eyes widened slightly in confusion as she sat in silence, "and I was back here staring at this stupid typewriter."

"Jess—"

"No," He stopped her before she could continue. "Just no. I don't want to talk about this right now. We have a scene to do. I promise it won't happen again. Let's just drop this." Rylie nodded before getting up and heading out the door of the auditorium to get the cast members. Taking another shaky breath, Jesse got up, straightened the stack of papers he wrote, and placed them neatly in his backpack before slipping his costume jacket on once again. Glancing back at the typewriter, he noticed the paper which lingered in the machine. He crossed the stage swiftly, reaching the desk in only two strides. His fingers hesitated before running along the edge of the page, drinking in the words that stained the white paper.

"I still love you, Jesse."

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own glee, or moulin rouge... just rylie and arthur hammel.

Author's Note:

So sorry I didn't update in a while. I had to stay longer with my family and help take care of my grandfather. He is alright now though :D

This is a shorter chapter, yes, I am sorry for that, but I felt it better to post the chapter I have written in two parts because it was very long. I know they aren't together yet, but I am building up to it. I have the next chapter written, It just needs some editing and then it will be posted.

That audition is coming up, BUT first must come Santana and Brittney's engagment party.

Please review I would love to hear what you guys think!