Chapter 15

Unlikely to succeed

Almost three days had passed at McKinley High. Finn and Rachel hadn't talked since the debacle in the Hummel's basement and Finn bringing her back home. She had seen him in their common USA History class. Surprisingly, Finn had come to sit next to her, but he hadn't spoken to her and neither did she. At the end of the class, they had picked up their books and their fingers touched for few seconds. Rachel felt electricity passing through her fingers. They had looked at each other for a minute. Then, Finn had taken his books and had run away.

Rachel had tried to do her usual things, faking, for the others, that she was fine without Finn, but she couldn't fool herself. Even if she would have loved to despise Finn Hudson, she couldn't resolve herself to it, her heart was still his.

She really appreciated Puck's help. She had spent a lot of time with him during the last days. She was really grateful for his presence.

They had been spending a lot of time together in the auditorium. The auditorium had become her only place she could be herself, since the choir room had been taking hostage by the new power couple, and express what she truly felt. However, she didn't feel like signing right now. No hope; no signing.

On his side, the bad boy knew what would cure her, but he was reluctant to do it. He really had come to like Rachel and he thought that maybe, if Finn persisted to be the dumbass he had become, she would give a change one day. So, he had decided to wait.

However, Puck didn't have to wait much longer for Rachel to reach the bottom of the barrel. She did it the same week, on Thursday, on glee club rehearsal day at lunch time.

"I don't think I'll be going to glee this afternoon." Rachel told Puck, sounding very serious.

Hearing her, Puck strangled himself with his sandwich.

"You are kidding me, right!" he said to her, not believing what she had just told him.

"There's no reason for me to be there anymore. I don't really feel like signing and I am not sure I want to see Finn drooling on Santana." said Rachel crossing her arms on her chest.

"You can't do that to us! We have to win Regional's or the club is over, remember!" said Puck rising from his chair.

"I am not saying that I don't want to be part of glee club anymore. Seeing them together, seeing them touching each other hurts, more than I thought it would. I think that somewhere, in all this mess, I lost my voice Noah." she replied still sitting on her chair, not looking at him. "You'll tell Mr. Shuster for me, Noah, will you." asked Rachel to Puck.

Puck went back sitting next to her and patted her hand. He knew he had to do something even if it meant losing his chance with her. Deep down, he knew that Finn loved her too and he really wanted her to be happy, so he was willing to help them, to push destiny a little, Puck's style.

An idea rose into his head and he knew exactly what he had to do for her to get her voice back.

He finished his sandwich and excused himself to Rachel, pretending he had a phone call to make, and left the auditorium.

Once out of the auditorium, he called Mercedes.

"We need to have a glee meeting, now!" Puck said before saying Hi to Mercedes.

"Hi to you to Puckerman, Can't it wait until the rehearsal later today." answered Mercedes, annoyed.

"No it can't, we need to talk now." said Puck dryly. "I'll be waiting in the choir room. Mercedes, don't bring the new happy couple with you and don't forget Mr. Shuster, he needs to be there too." Puck added before hanging up and walked toward the choir room.

Puck was tapping foot when Mr. Shuster, Mercedes, Tina, Artie and the others walked into the choir room. They stopped in front of Puck who was sitting on a chair in the front row. They all looked at him pissed.

"Guys, we have a big problem." said Puck looking at everyone. "I suggest you sit down for this one." added Puck

Everybody was looking at him, waiting the bomb. He decided to exaggerate the truth to make a bigger impact.

"Rachel is quitting glee." said Puck scratching his forehead.

Everyone was looking at him, shocked. They all sit down at the same time.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Mr. Shuster.

"She told me that she lost her desire to sing, her voice, and we all know who's fault that is." replied Puck angrily.

"We need to do something guys or glee club is over for sure." said Tina almost breaking in tears.

"Maybe Santana can replace Rachel." said Brittany serious.

The whole group looked at her, sighing.

"Do you really think that Santana can sing a ballad as powerfully as Rachel can?" asked Puck looking at the dumb blond, standing up as a sign of protest.

"Puck is right, without Rachel, we're doomed. We need to do something." said Mercedes joining Puck standing up.

"I have an idea." said Puck as everyone came closer to him. "She thinks she lost her place in glee and she is devastated because she lost Finn. We need to make her see that she is still Rachel Berry; that she still is a star. We have to make her see that Finn didn't totally forget about her." added Puck.

"And how do you want to do that, Mr. Genius?" said Artie, crossing his arm on his chest.

"They have to sing together, to face in music, then sparks will fly and bingo!" replied Puck, proud of himself.

"But Finn loves Santana now." replied Sam.

"I am not talking to you bottle blond." Puck said looking angrily at Sam. "Do you really think that Finn really cares about Santana? If you do, loosing Regional's is the last of your worry." replied Puck. "The only problem is I don't have any idea of the song they should sing." said Puck, scratching his forehead.

"I know who will." said Mercedes taking her cell phone.

She pressed on one of her speed dial number.

"Hey, it' me, I've got a question for you, we need a duet for Finn and Rachel." asked Mercedes speaking in her cell phone.

"Yeah, sounds good, perfect, thanks Kurt." said Mercedes hanging up.

"Guys, I have the perfect song." said Mercedes happily.

"What about Santana? She won't let her 'Finnoncence' sing a duet with Rachel." said Quinn looking straight at Puck.

"I'll take care of Santana." said Puck putting his hand in his pockets. "You guys bring Finn and Rachel her at four and show on…" added Puck, looking at everyone.

"Deal." said Mercedes putting a hand on Puck's shoulder.

Then, they decided that Artie would be responsible for bringing Finn into the choir room and Mercedes and Tina would take care of bringing Rachel, willingly or by force Then, Mr. Shuster's authority and their loyalty would be their downfall, it was perfectly plan.

Finn's fourth class was English. He couldn't stop looking at the clock, not paying attention to a word Mrs. Jones, their teacher, was saying. He couldn't stop thinking about glee practice. Soon, he would see Rachel and he didn't know what he would tell her. He felt very bad about what had happened on Monday night. He hoped that driving her home had counted for something.

Although, he knew that things couldn't go back the way they were last year. As much as he wanted it, he knew it wasn't possible. She had hurt her, he had hurt her. But as bad as he was hurting, he couldn't imagine his life without Rachel Berry in it.

Lost in his mind, he didn't saw the others raising up and getting out of the room. He jumped when he saw Artie rolling next to him.

"Finn, Mr. Shuster wants to see you right now." Artie said to Finn as the tall boy was putting his books in his backpack.

"I have to wait for Santana first." replied Finn, resigned.

"No, I saw her leaving earlier. I heard her telling someone that she wasn't coming to glee today." said Artie, hoping Finn would see he was lying.

"Weird, she didn't tell me!" replied Finn scratching his head.

"Girls, Finn, Girls…" Artie said, taking Finn's backpack and rolled with it on his knees toward the choir room.

Finn followed Artie, almost running behind him.

Santana was waiting for Finn pressed on her locker when someone came from behind and put his hand on her eyes. Thinking it was Finn, she turned herself to kiss him. She stopped her movement when she saw Puck.

"I'd think you'd be more pleased to see a real man." said Puck pressed on Santana's locker.

"Hudson is my man." whispered Santana, looking in Puck eyes, licking her lips.

"Correction, Finn is a boy, but you need a man." he said, bring his face closer to hers, but she stepped back.

"Don't tell me he makes you scream like I used to do." he said touching her face, taking her hands and dragging her in the janitor's closet.

Once in the closet, Puck kissed her gently on the mouth, on the neck. She let him do it, craving for action that Finn wasn't giving her.

"Close your eyes." Puck told her moaning.

Santana closed her eyes, but didn't feel anything. She opened her eyes and Puck was gone. She tried to get out, but she couldn't; Puck had locked her up in the janitor's closet.

After her fourth period, Rachel was going to her locker to get and stuff and go home, when Mercedes and Tina took arms.

"Hey beautiful, Mr. Shuster wants to see you now in the choir room." said Mercedes dragging her toward the choir room helped by Tina.

Rachel didn't resist them. They were two and they were stronger than her. So, she let them dragged her into the choir room against her will.

When she stepped into the room, the other glee club members were there including Mr. Shuster. Rachel sat down in her usual spot and Mercedes in Tina sat next to her, very closely, too closely for it to be natural.

Then, she heard wheels and footsteps approaching the room. So, she turned her head and saw Artie and Finn coming into the room.

When Finn saw Rachel, his gaze dropped quickly and he went to sit in the back row of the choir room.

"Okay guys, I found the perfect song for Regional's. It is a duet and we need to be well represented if we want a chance to win, to beat Vocal Adrenaline and to be back next year. As you know, Glee club had helped you guys to grow and to feel accepted. We have the responsibility to continue this tradition. We are family and families stick for each other. I thought that our two co-captains could represent us. Finn, Rachel. "Mr. Shuster said inviting them to come next to the piano.

"Mr. Shuster, with all du respect, I don't think it's a good idea." Rachel said, walking toward Mr. Shuster, taking the music sheets from his hands.

"We have to Rachel, For the sake of the club. Others need us." Finn replied as he rose from his chair and came closer to Rachel.

He took the sheets of music and smiled slightly. This song would be easy. It would allow him to take off his mask for about four minutes.

"Let's forget about our problems, for a song. We have to do it Rach." said Finn gently, looking at her. He put on hand on her shoulder.

Hearing the nickname and feeling electricity passed through his hand, she lifted her face and looked at him. He was smiling, shyly, almost pleading her to sing with him.

She took one deep breath and went to place herself on the right side of the piano, her shaking hands holding the music's sheets. Finn went to the left side of the piano, shaking as well. Then, Mr. Shuster made a sign to Brad to start playing.

Rachel:

How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me,
when all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, cos there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face
Just take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds and that's what I've got to face.

Finn

I wish I could just make you turn around,
turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
so many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face
Just take a look at me now, cos there's just an empty space

But to wait for you, is all I can do and that's what I've got to face
Just take a look at me now, cos I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's a chance I've got to take.

Both:

Just take a look at me now

During the whole song, they had been starring at each other, shouting to, screaming at each other. Except for the last verse, where they had met at crossed road, at the far end of the piano, where they had taken each other's hands.

Rachel couldn't help crying after her verses. She had never felt so alive but so hurt at the same time, facing Finn, facing her emotions, living them out loud.

Finn had let his mask fall. He had lived the song like no other before. He had put his heart and soul spilled on the floor. During the song, he hadn't thought one single time about the glee club's salvation, no, he had only thought about Rachel; only Her could have that effect on her.

When the music stopped, everybody was starring at them. They all reminded silent, knowing that they had witnessed a memorable performance. They did not clap or talk fearing to ruin the moment for the two performers who had just shared something real.

"I think we just found our opening number for Regional's. It was perfect guys." said Mr. Shuster, breaking the heavy silence.

As Mr. Shuster started to speak, Rachel's and Finn's hands left one another's. Their faces turned red, but they stayed in the middle of the room close to each other.

"That's enough for today, but special rehearsal at four o'clock tomorrow. We still got to find two other numbers for Regional's. Finn, Rachel, try to work on that, my two favorite co-captains." Their teacher said very pleased, leaving the room almost dancing.

Soon after Mr. Shuster's departure, everybody came to congratulate the co-captains, telling them that they still had the real chance at Regional's if they kept teaming up. Then, they all left. Only Finn and Rachel remained in the choir room, unable to walk out of the room, away from each other.

Finn and Rachel stood alone in the choir room for a few minutes.

Rachel was about to pass the door when she turned herself to face Finn.

"Thanks" said Rachel.

"It was nothing. We have always sung well together." replied Finn, walking toward her, approaching the door as well.

"No, for the lift on Monday night; I didn't have the chance to thank you properly." replied Rachel smiling, starting to walk.

"Oh. It's was the least I could do. The way I treated you, the things I have said, they were really mean. I never should have said that to you." said Finn sincerely, walking next to her.

"We both said mean things night." said Rachel as they walk to his locker.

"I really miss you, talking with you I mean." said Finn opening his locker and putting his coat on.

"I miss your presence too." said Rachel, looking down, than up.

They both walked, in silent, toward the parking lot.

"Do you need a ride home?" asked Finn once they were next to his car. He didn't want their moment to end.

"I came with my car this morning, but thanks Finn, it's very kind of you." said Rachel, looking for her car keys in her purse. She didn't want their moment to end either.

Finn opened the door of his car and got in, but stopped his movement when he heard Rachel's voice.

"Mr. Shuster talked about song selection earlier and I thought that, maybe, we should have lunch together and talk about it. Let's say tomorrow at noon in the auditorium." said Rachel hoping he would say yes.

"Sounds great, I'll be there." replied Finn half-crooked smiling.

"Goodnight Rach." he added before closing the door of his car.

"Sweet dreams Finn." She replied seeing him closing his car's door.

She went to her car quickly, started her car and passed next to Finn, waving him goodbye as she went home.

Finn watched her car go, thinking about the moment they had just shared. He smiled even more widely thinking that tomorrow they would share lunch. He thought that maybe things would get better; he knew they had made a giant step to reconciliation tonight, but he knew he still had to win her trust and heart back. He suspected that it wouldn't be an easy ride.

Song: Against all odds, by Phil Collins.