Disclaimer: I don't own GLEE or its characters though I wish I did.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! In my crazy exhaustion last night, I failed to realize that I reached 100 reviews! HOORAY! Thank you SO much to everyone! And now here's another chapter...I'll try to post another but we'll see. I want to finish it by TOMORROW so...*gnaws on lip nervously* we'll see. I wish I didn't have to go back to school :( i wish i could do this for a living. But during school, I can barely think about posting. I'm up at 6am and hope at 4-ish...sometimes when I have soccer or other stuff, I'm not home till 8 or 9! I'm always exhausted and it's sad.
SORRY FOR THE RANT...just very sad. I love posting :(
For now...ENJOY!
She sits watching his peaceful face as he leans back in his seat, eyes closed as he holds a Kleenex to his bleeding nose. His lip stopped bleeding on the car ride but she also found that the back of his head that hit the edge of the locker was also bleeding so she holds another tissue to the wound, nervously chewing on her lip as she studies his calm face. She holds his free hand tightly and he plays lazily and affectionately with her fingers, easing her stress. She hasn't let go or took her eyes off of him since the incident. She's shaken and twitchy from everything and she can't get the sight of those obtuse jocks hitting him out of her head.
She reluctantly tears her eyes away from his perfect face to glance at Mr. Schue who's at the front counter, talking with the receptionist. She sighs, squeezing his hand again as she looks around the dreary waiting room of the doctor's office where few people sit, coughing or sneezing. Everyone's eyes occasionally float back to Finn's destroyed face in shock and the receptionist has gaped a few dozen times as well. Luckily since it's mid-day, they won't have to wait long to see a doctor.
They haven't talked about their issues at all though he's tried to a few times. She'd shush him, telling him to relax and that there'd be time to talk later when he's feeling okay. She's completely forgotten that they were even broken up and right now, she's okay with it.
Her knee is bouncing and she fidgets a lot, feeling apprehensive, worried and shaky as her eyes dart around the cramped office. He runs his thumb lightly over the bandage on her hand from when she got stepped on before pulling it quickly to his mouth and pressing a delicate kiss to it to calm her. She smiles at him, withdrawing the tissue from the back of his head and tossing it in the nearby trash before winding her arm around his, resting her head against his shoulder to seek comfort. He places his now free hand on her bruised knee from the fall, rubbing it gently and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head, whispering an "I'm okay" into her hair as a reassurance.
He knows her too well.
Finn had been so worried about her and she spent the whole car ride assuring him that she was fine. He was hard to convince but after caressing his face and sending him a smile, he'd relaxed enough to stop his rambling and fussing. It was funny how concerned they were about each other.
She snuggles into the fabric of his sweater and inhales his scent, soothing the tears that were brimming for him. The tears were grateful that he was okay but anxious for him as well. It was unsettling and relieving all in one. She curls her arm around his bicep and cuddles closer, ignoring the unreadable looks from the ill spectators around them and focuses on the rhythm of his breathing. He kneads her thigh and eases her, nuzzling her hair and occasionally breathing comforting words.
"Finn?" the receptionist calls, gaining their attention. They turn to look at the plump woman who stands at the door to the offices with a file in her hands. "Dr. Smith is ready to see you."
Mr. Schue jogs over and they both slowly help Finn up, leading him toward the door. They follow the woman down the narrow hallway before entering another small confined office. A desk sits in the corner with an newer computer that sticks out among the other old, worn things like the chipped pain that layer the walls at the ratty old seats that sit near the examination table. She doesn't look at the equipment because doctor's offices and hospitals have always made her uncomfortable. The woman tells them the doctor will be in shortly and departs, leaving them alone.
She takes a seat as Mr. Schue helps Finn onto the examination table. She watches him intently as he settles, sending her a serene smile that makes her heart stutter and all breath leave her body.
He's never looked at her that way...so much love and adoration. His cinnamon, bruised eyes glow with a deep doting affection and respect and his smile is extremely loving. It makes a blush creep up to her cheeks and she smiles shyly in return, averting her gaze bashfully.
Mr. Schue chuckles, breaking them out of their trance and her head whips to see him rolling his eyes playfully as he looks at Finn's adoring (and adorable) face that sports a goofy, dreamy smile, his eyes focused solely on her. "Do you think he has a concussion?" Mr. Schue asks jokingly, waving a hand in front of Finn's now amused face.
She giggles shrugging lightheartedly. "I'm not sure."
Finn scoffs. "I told you I'm good" he says with a smirk. "There's just lots of colours and Mr. Schue has a twin...no biggie."
They all laugh, forgetting the troubles that weighed heavily on them mere minutes ago. Mr. Schue sighs sadly then, turning to look at her. "I'm really sorry, Rachel" he murmurs honestly. "What I did was wrong...you were right. I treated you horribly and unfairly. Maybe you'll be happy to know that New Directions is falling apart without their captain."
She shrugs, running a hand through her hair. "It's okay, Mr. Schue" she says idly. "I was unbearable at times. But it was hard. It's nice to hear that from you, however. I'm sorry that the club isn't functioning."
He grimaces. "Everyone keeps arguing" he huffs. "I had no idea why until we all realized that you kept us in order. Now they're all trying to be captains. We haven't done any rehearsing since you left."
"That's too bad" she says softly.
"We really need you back" Mr. Schue laughs lightly but she can tell he's being serious.
"I'm sorry but I can't" she says gently. "I need a break. I love performing but we're going through a bit of a rough patch. I just can't go back right now. I need to think."
Mr. Schue nods understandingly. "I'll get everybody to give you space" he says authentically. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you for being so horrible?"
She gives him a small smile, shaking her head. "I don't think so" she chuckles. "Just don't do it again. And I don't know how long I'll be able to stay away from performing so if I come back, welcome me with open arms. You're lucky I'm in such a forgiving state."
He laughs relieved and she stands to give him a hug. She looks at Finn over the teacher's shoulder and he gives her another warm, affectionate smile which she returns. They break apart and she feels a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. Now she doesn't have to fear bitterness from a teacher and mentor.
"Since we're all apologizing," Finn says when she sits back down. "Rach...can I-"
"No, no, no" she shushes hastily, striding to his side. She presses a gentle kiss to his bruised cheek and revels in his dreamy smile. "We'll talk when you're not sitting here with a bloody, broken nose and a big, fat cut on the back of your head."
He grumbles slightly in disappointment. "We're going to talk about this" he mutters pouting.
She beams at him, kissing his cheek again. "I know we will" she murmurs soothingly.
He grins, winding an arm around her waist and tugging her closer. "I love you, Rach" he whispers, his breath tickling her ear. "More than it's possible. I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry...I-"
"Shh" she whispers soothingly, stroking his face. "Like I said we can talk when you're feeling better. It's not always easy and we're bound to make mistakes but remember that no matter what I love you more than anything in the entire universe and nothing will ever change that. It's always going to be a challenge but I know we can make it. I love you, Finn. You're my best friend. And the love of my life. I'm upset and angry and hurt but what you just did...it was...beyond words. Thank you so much."
He smiles, tears leaking from his eyes. It takes her breath away. "I love you way, way, way more, Rach" he murmurs. "More than anything in existence...more than life...you're incredible. Thank you for being so good to me." Tears streak down his cheeks and she kisses them lightly away. "I can't even express how much I love you and how thankful I am to have you in my life. And I'd take a billion beatings from those jackasses for you."
She beams at him, kissing his lips gently. "You and me, Finn" she breathes. "That's the way it should be. And that's the way it will be in the end."
"Absolutely" he says with determination. "Forever."
She nods, kissing him once more, unable to take another moment without feeling his sweet lips on hers as the door clicks open. She caresses his face and turns to see the doctor enter. She's late-forties with short, dark, thin hair and aging lines. Her smile is warm and inviting as she greets all of them, introducing herself as Doctor Smith. She gives the woman a small smile as Mr. Schue introduces them before turning back to Finn who's gazing at her with so much love it takes her breath away. She beams at him, kissing him soundly before taking a seat next to Mr. Schue, Finn's eyes never leaving her. She blushes under his intense, smoldering stare, watching as he gives her a soft, adoring smile making her heart flutter. She returns it and hears Mr. Schue chuckle. "Don't worry about them" he says to Doctor Smith. "They're love struck…I'm pretty sure it's not a concussion."
"Alright" Doctor Smith laughs. "Well…let's check you out, shall we?" Finn nods slightly, barely tearing his eyes away from her to look at the Doctor. She takes out a file and a pen, taking a seat at her desk. "So, Finn…can you tell me what happened? Or as much as you can remember?"
Finn nods with a sigh, pursing his lips as he thinks. "Well...there's these two guys in my school who are both over 200 pounds and they've always been real dou-I mean jerks" he begins. "And one of them shoved Rachel. They were all laughing and then they dumped a drink on her head. I kind of…uh…got really mad and confronted them. I told them to leave her alone and how I don't care about my popularity and how much I love her—" He pauses, smiling at her warmly. "Then one guy grabbed me from behind and punched me in the nose. Then the guy who I was screaming at hit me again and I remember hitting the lockers and my head and but I was really worried about Rachel. She was amazing. She shoved one guy off of me then kicked him in the nads and when he was off balance she shoved him away then she started yelling for the guy who was hitting me to get off and he pushed her off so I hit him and then a lot more punches were thrown and then I was on the ground. Then I remember lying on the ground and looking up at the ceiling and it was kind of spinning. I had a huge headache but I was just really worried about Rachel. She hit the ground pretty hard and I wanted to see her and make sure she was okay. Mr. Schue came up and asked me if I was alright but I was too worried about Rach to care. Then she told me she was okay so I finally calmed down. That's it, I think."
The doctor nods, scribbling on the file in her hands. "Alright can you tell me where you're hurting the most?"
"My nose" he answers. "And the back of my head is stinging. My face hurts but my nose if the worst. My side hurts too because they kicked me."
Doctor Smith shakes her head slightly. "I hope those boys suffer the consequences" she murmurs.
"I'll make sure that's so" she pipes up as all eyes fall on her. "I plan on having a serious discussion with our principal about the suspension of those Neanderthals."
She turns crimson from Mr. Schue and the doctor's amused expressions and Finn's affectionate one. "Good" Dr. Smith says with a smile. "Are you hurt anywhere, Rachel?"
Finn's face twists into one of concern as she shakes her head lightly. "My hand but I cleaned it off and put a band-aid on it" she replies. "And my knee but it's just a bruise. Nothing compared to Finn."
Finn still looks worried but the doctor nods. "That's good" she says. "So let's take a look at your battle wounds." She gets to her feet and strides to the examination table where Finn removes the tissue pressed to his nose as he gazes only at her. She smiles in reassurance at him, blowing him a kiss and he returns the smile, mouthing an 'I love you'.
Doctor Smith hisses at the sight of his nose. "That's definitely broken" she confirms. "We'll have to adjust that. And your face looks like it'll be badly bruised. Let's see the back of your head." Finn shows her and she can see the bleeding cut from where she is. She inhales sharply, clenching her fists and resisting the urge to go find and kill the jocks that did that to him. Finn turns to look worriedly at her, assuming she's hurting but she shakes her head slightly, giving him a sympathetic and worried look. He smiles in assurance as Doctor Smith examines the cut. "Luckily you won't need stitches for that but however I will put a bigger bandage on it because it's pretty bad."
She gets out gauze and hands it to him. "I'll need you to press that to the wound while I go get the things I need to fix your nose and bandage your head" she says as Finn obediently does. "Good…I'll be back in a moment."
Doctor Smith exits the room and she immediately gets to her feet, striding to his side. She fondles his face gently, kissing the bruises soothingly. "I'm going to kill them for doing this to you" she whispers against his cheek and he chuckles lightly, pulling her closer. "I'm serious."
"I know you are, gorgeous" he murmurs. "I'm going to kill them for doing this to you. How are you feeling? Are you still hurting?"
She shakes her head, running her fingers through his thick, tousled hair. "I'm fine" she coos. "I'm okay. I love you and how protective you are."
He grins. "Love you way more, Rach" he says genuinely. He kisses her cheek, corner of her mouth before pecking her lips and she giggles, taking the gauze and pressing it to the back of his head for him. He winds his now free hand around her waist and pulls her into a tight hug. She squeezes him back, enjoying the feel of him.
This is where she belongs.
"When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong..."
AN#2: Awwwww cute protective!Finchel. LOVE IT! btw song credit was "Going the Distance" again :)
THANKS FOR READING AND PLEASE REVIEW! HOPING TO POST ANOTHER TONIGHT!