How frustrating was last night's episode? I really wish I had turned it off after Quinn's advice to Rachel. Ah well. Here's the next chapter.

I own nothing.

Rachel was released from the hospital the next morning. She had protested heavily about being kept overnight but the doctor had been worried about a concussion. Santana had picked her up from the hospital and driven her home to grab some fresh clothes and a shower. She had laughed when Rachel had insisted on going to school despite everything. Pulling into the parking lot just before classes let out for lunch the two girls walked to Rachel's locker. The bell rang and Rachel winced minutely at the way it worsened the residual headache. Her pain had not gone unnoticed as she found herself being dragged to the nurse's office for some painkillers. From there, they headed to the cafeteria to join the gleeks. All of them got up and hugged her as the student body watched. Rachel realised with some discomfort that everyone had heard about the fight with Mercedes.

"Screw 'em." Noah whispered in her ear and he held her tightly against him. Letting go, he pulled her on the bench beside him and wrapped an arm around her waist. Rachel smiled brightly at her friends as they finished fussing over her and went back to their lunches.

Rachel noticed that Finn had a rather dark black eye as he walked by their table with a glare. She whirled on Noah accusingly who had turned to look at Artie in surprise. When Artie simply shrugged his shoulders and said that he had warned him Noah roared with laughter. Realising what his words meant, Rachel found her shoulders shaking in laughter as well. Artie had just winked at her before sending a threatening glare at a suddenly nervous looking Finn.

Rachel left the lunch room 30 minutes later laughing again. The gleeks had spent the rest of lunch bugging Artie to explain how he had done it.

"I'll never tell. And I can almost guarantee he won't either." He grinned evilly before leaving for his next class.

Rachel and Puck exchanged amused glances again and Santana high-fived Quinn. Rachel's eyes caught Sam's as he regarded her worriedly. Excusing herself from the others she walked over to Sam at his locker. His eyes widened in surprise when she wrapped her arms around his middle. She stood that way until he relaxed into the hug.

"I'm not mad at you Sam. How could I possibly be angry with you for what Mercedes did? You didn't ask me to defend you and you certainly didn't tell her to lash out and try to hurt me. You're my friend and I know for a fact that you've defended me in the past. Let me do the same." He stared at her thoughtfully before pulling her closer and whispering a 'Thank you' into her ear.

Sam was so relieved that Rachel wasn't mad at him. He had been so worried when Mercedes had tried to hurt her. His eyes wandered over to his friends and he laughed nervously when he saw the glare that Puck was shooting at the two of them. Shaking his head slightly he stepped back out of Rachel's embrace.

"You're an amazing friend Rachel." He said loudly enough for the tension in Puck's shoulders to ease.

Rachel just shot him a smile before walking back to Puck and asking him to walk with her to her locker. Sam caught a smile between Santana and Quinn and decided to ask them about it after school.

Rachel hooked her arm through Noah's and they walked towards her locker. She felt him lean against the locker next to hers as she fiddled with her lock.

"How's your head?" he asked quietly as if he knew she still had a headache.

"It's still a little sore. Santana found some Advil for me earlier so the headache has faded a bit. It's probably for the best that Glee was rescheduled for tomorrow instead of today. I'm sure I'll be feeling much better by tomorrow!" she announced with determination.

"Only you could decide to get over a concussion in time for a performance." He laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him.

She closed her locker door and waivered a bit as she stepped towards him. She hoped that he hadn't noticed but she knew that his sharp hazel eyes caught everything. His hands shot out to her arms as he steadied her.

"I'll drive you home."

"Noah I insist that I will be absolutely fine. I shouldn't miss anymore classes today. It would be negligent of me to-"

"Berry, everyone knows about what happened yesterday. None of your teachers are expecting you." He said as he steered her towards the front doors.

"What about you Noah? You shouldn't miss any classes."

"I've been to like every class this year. Ditching a few isn't a big deal babe." He was reaching into his pockets for his keys now.

"Won't your mom be upset if the school calls?" Her forehead wrinkled with worry.

"Baby, all I have to do is mention your name and my mom melts. She'll probably gush about how proud she is of me for taking care of you." He grinned when she blushed and got into the truck obediently.

They spent the afternoon cuddling on the couch watching a Friends marathon. She fell asleep in his arms after a few episodes and he was too comfortable to leave her. Eventually he drifted off to sleep himself. He was sitting in the auditorium and he was listening to her sing. He didn't know what song she was singing, but she was owning it. He doubted that the original singer sounded even a fraction of how great Rach did. As she finished the song he walked up the stairs and onto the stage. Pulling her close he looked into her eyes and saw no hesitation. Cupping her face, he pulled it towards his own. His lips moved softly against hers and she sighed in contentment. He was startled awake as Rachel buried herself closer into his chest. Staring at her peaceful face, he thought back on his dream. The kiss had seemed so real. His pulse quickening and his breathing becoming shaky as her lips teased his own.

"Huh." He breathed out.

I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know.