Hey guys! Thanks for your reviews on the last chapter. Like I said before, I did not like this storyline AT ALL. I felt that both Finn and Rachel were very out of character, and I HATED that they brought back Puckleberry, Fuinn and St. Berry (don't even get me started on any of those couples, especially the last one...) In this chapter, I did my best to understand why Finn and Rachel did what they did. Hope you enjoy what I did and review if you want me to keep going!

On the Glee Forum, I was voted Best Writer, and I'm so happy about that! Thank you to everyone who voted for me!

Chapter 33: A Very Glee Christmas

Christmas could make everything better.

At least that was what Finn thought. Rachel had been avoiding him at school, and maybe that was for the better. He hadn't been talking about what happened. He wanted to, but he was afraid to. What she'd done was wrong, but what he had done was wrong, too. Instead, he was putting his energy into focusing on the upcoming Christmas season. He'd ordered Rachel's gift already, but he ordered gifts for his parents and Kurt and found a Christmas tree on the side of the road to decorate in glee club. When he'd posted about that on Facebook, Puck commented that he could get some presents to put under the tree and Santana commented that she had some ornaments to put on it. As the glee club decorated the tree and sang Christmas songs, Finn found himself beginning to feel better.

New Directions Girls: We're on the island of misfit toys
Here we don't wanna stay
New Directions Boys: We want to travel with Santa Claus
In his magic sleigh
Artie: A pack full of toys means a sack full of joys
For millions of girls and for millions of boys
New Directions: When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year
Sam: A jack-in-the-box waits for children to shout
Quinn: Wake up!
Don't you know that it's time to come out!
New Directions: When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year
Toys galore scattered on the floor
There's no room for more
And it's all because of Santa Claus
Sam: A scooter for Jimmy
Quinn: A dolly for Sue
Sam: The kind that will even say
Brittany: "How do you do?"
New Directions: When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful day of the year
Brittany: How'd you like to be a spotted elephant?
Artie: Or a choo-choo with square wheels on your caboose!
Quinn: Or a water pistol that shoots... jelly?
New Directions: We're all Misfits!
If we're on the island of unwanted toys
We'll miss all the fun with the girls and the boys
When Christmas Day is here
The most wonderful, wonderful
Wonderful, wonderful
Wonderful day of the year!

Mr. Schue came in. "Hey, guys. What's this?"

"Oh, we're trying to get into the Christmas spirit, Mr. Schue," Finn said. "Christmas is totally my favorite holiday. And check out this awesome tree! I found it on the side of the road. It must have fell off some guy's car."

"And the ornaments?" Mr. Schue asked.

"The guy who lives next door finally killed off his elderly mother," Santana said. "And when they carted him off, they left the house, like, wide open, so... I think she was a holiday hoarder."

"And the presents?" Mr. Schue asked.

"I lifted them from a display at the mall. But don't worry. They're empty," Puck said.

Mr. Schue didn't look impressed. "Guys, look, I appreciate the effort, but this isn't what Christmas is supposed to be like."

"For us, it is," Mercedes said. "This tree is like a mascot for Glee Club. We won Sectionals two years in a row, and according to everyone at this school, we still suck."

"I'm pretty sure they just added food coloring to real slush from the parking lot," Mike said.

"You can eat that, you know," Lauren said.

"No, no," Mr. Schue said. "I am not gonna let you guys throw yourselves a pity party. Look, I'm the first one to say that things haven't turned out exactly how I would have liked them to this year, but Christmas is all about being grateful for the things that did."

"I thought that was Thanksgiving," Puck said.

"And this year, Glee Club is going to lend a hand to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth program right here in Lima," Mr. Schue said.

"How are we going to do that?" Rachel asked.

"The only way we know how— by singing about it," Mr. Schue said. "We're going to go classroom to classroom, caroling, to raise money for McKinney-Vento."

Finn didn't know if that was a good idea. The student body didn't like them very much. "Wait, classrooms in this school? With like, students in them?" Tina asked.

"Well, if there are no students in them, there will be no one to put money in the collection box while we sing," Mr. Schue said.

"We're gonna be killed," Quinn grumbled.

Finn tried to boost everyone's spirits. "No, guys, it's Christmas... a time for miracles. We got to try this."

"Finn's right," Mr. Schue said. "So let's start rehearsing. This year, Glee Club's going full Santa."

x

Caroling didn't go so well.

They'd only been to one classroom and it had been a disaster. Not even halfway through the only song they sang, the teacher had thrown her shoe at them and the students had called out all kinds of insults. The New Directions decided not to do more caroling that day and instead went to hang out in the choir room.

"I can't believe that that teacher let those students speak to us like that," Rachel complained.

"I can't believe she threw her shoe at us," Puck added.

"I guess we're done caroling," Tina said.

Finn felt pretty deflated, but he didn't want to give up. "No, we're not, guys. We can't let what just happened ruin our Christmas spirit. Mr. Schue got us this beautiful tree to inspire us. We're gonna practice now, and gear up for round two tomorrow."

Rachel leaned over to Finn. "Would you mind, um... meeting me at the auditorium tomorrow at 4:00?"

"Sure," Finn said. For a second, he'd forgotten.

x

Rachel had done her best to create an elaborate Christmas scene for Finn and gotten the AV club and the band to help out. She'd been so excited to spend Christmas with Finn. Even though her family typically practiced Judaism, they still celebrated Christmas, and she always enjoyed the decorations and the Christmas songs and the exchanging of gifts. "Now, remember, it has to be lush and romantic," Rachel told the AV club members.

"Why?" Finn asked. He was here before Rachel was ready.

"Because I am very specific when I give a gift. You don't know how many kittens I've given away because they haven't been just right. So, do you like my winter wonderland?" Rachel asked.

"Well, I don't really like artificial Christmas trees," Finn said. "I like real ones. They smell amazing; that's kind of the whole point."

Strike one. "Right. Anyway... Merry Christmas." Rachel handed Finn the wrapped box. She decided to bend things a little to make Finn feel special. "Being a Jew, I generally don't give Christmas gifts, but considering how much you care about the holiday I figured I'd make an exception. Just... read it. It's a note."

Finn opened the package. "The bearer of this note is entitled to one song of Rachel Berry's choosing, sung to him or her with love."

Rachel already had one picked out. "At least it's not a kitten. Come sit."

Finn looked uncomfortable. "I don't think so. I know what you're trying to do, and it's not going to work."

Rachel just wished Finn could listen to her side of the story. "Look, not letting me apologize isn't fair."

"I've let you apologize plenty, and I know that Christmas is supposed to be about forgiveness but... I'm not ready to forgive you, so please stop trying to make me," Finn said as he left.

"Should we, like, leave?" one of the band members asked Rachel.

"No. Whether it's a heart attack or heartbreak, just like on Broadway, the show must go on. Besides, the AV Club worked so hard on the snow," Rachel said, deciding to sing the song, hoping Finn would hear wherever he was.

Rachel: Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmas-ing with you
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas darling

By the end of the song, Rachel was in tears.

x

The Christmas season was getting worse and worse.

The glee club had presents for the homeless in the choir room, but the presents were gone and the tree had been destroyed. It stung on top of everything else.

Finn just wished things would go back to normal with Rachel. When they were together, whenever he was sad, Rachel found a way to make things better.

"They took everything," Mercedes said as the glee club surveyed the choir room.

"Including all of Sue's Secret Santa gifts we were gonna give to the homeless kids," Tina said.

"Only further proof that everyone in this school hates us no matter what we do," Rachel snapped.

"It's not the school. It's Sue. She did this," Mr. Schue said.

Brittany looked confused. "It wasn't Sue, it was Santa. He said a light was out on the tree, he'd fix everything. We just need to let him do his thing."

Mr. Schue paused. "Okay. Are you sure Santa was a boy and not a girl, Brittany?"

"I swear on my life. Santa's a boy; everybody knows that," Brittany declared.

"It was probably one of the boys on the football team," Rachel mumbled.

"I guess it wasn't Sue," Mr. Schue said.

Finn just wanted things to get better. "So our tree is gone. So our presents are missing. All around the world today, way worse things have happened to people than this. Sorry, but I'm not going to let this get us down. 'Tis the season."

"I agree. Come on, guys, let's clean this up. Come on," Mr. Schue said.

Rachel looked at Finn. "Finn. You and I are the leaders of this club. All right, we need to fix this. We have to put everything that's happened behind us and save Christmas for the Glee Club. I want to make this right."

Finn knew Rachel was right. "Okay, how about I pick you up tonight and we go get a new tree?"

"Sounds good," Rachel said.

x

Finn picked Rachel up in his mom's car to take her to get a tree. Surprisingly enough, Rachel had been completely silent on the way to the lot. Finn was quiet too, but he was thinking. Thinking about how much he loved Rachel and how much he wished things could just go back to the way they were.

When they got out of the car, Finn sniffed and finally spoke. "You smell kind of funny."

Rachel held up a pine air freshener. "Oh, I, um, I put this on for the car ride over. I know how much you love the smell of Christmas pine. But guess I don't really need it now that we have the real thing." She linked her arms with Finn's. "It's so cold out. It's cuddle weather."

Finn had a feeling he knew where this was going. "It's unseasonably warm, actually, for this time of year, but, uh..."

"I just, I really wanted to come here with you," Rachel said. "I mean, the Christmas tree is the foundation of Christmas. It's the hearth of the Christmas home. Without it, there wouldn't be anywhere to hang the ornaments or put the presents under."

Finn knew what she meant. "Yeah, yeah. Whenever we put the tree up, I always knew Christmas was really here." He looked at a tree. "This one's too small. But, uh..."

Rachel perked up. "Oh, I love this song. It's, uh, it's my favorite Christmas song. It's Wham!"

Finn knew that whenever Rachel sang, he couldn't help but join in. "Yeah, yeah. Cool. Um... I'm going to look down this row of Frasier firs. Maybe you could check out the Douglases and I'll meet you at the end."

"Okay," Rachel said before they went down different aisles.

Finn loved this song too. As the music began, he could hear Rachel singing, and he couldn't help but join in.

Rachel: Last Christmas,
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me baby
Do you recognize me?
Finn: Oh
Rachel: Well, it's been a year
Finn and Rachel: It doesn't surprise me
Last Christmas
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I love you" I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I know you'd fool me again
Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
Finn: But the very next day you gave it away
Rachel: Gave it away
Finn: This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special.
Rachel: Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
Finn and Rachel: But the very next day you gave it away
Rachel: You gave me away
Finn and Rachel: This year
To save me from tears
Finn: I'll give it to someone special

They couldn't avoid each other. They knew each other so well, they knew which parts of the song the other one was singing and when to make it a duet. Soon enough, they were facing each other.

After a few moments of silence, Rachel spoke. "Last year for Christmas, I asked Santa to give me you." She leaned up to kiss Finn.

Finn pushed her away. He wanted to kiss her, but he couldn't. "It's not last year anymore."

"It's Christmas, Finn. It's time for you to forgive me," Rachel protested.

He wanted to forgive her. He just needed time. "No. I can't. This is wrong. I shouldn't have brought you here. You messed me up Rachel. Can't you see how screwed up I am about this? I've had two girlfriends and both of them have cheated on me. Maybe you can ask Santa for me again next year. I'm officially breaking up with you." Finn began to walk away.

"You have to listen to me! I'm sorry! I can't say it enough!" Rachel said, practically chasing Finn down the aisles of trees.

Finn turned around. "I'm sorry Rachel, I just can't talk about this. You know I'm sensitive about people doing things behind my back. Didn't you learn anything from the whole Quinn incident?" He wanted to forgive Rachel. He wanted to so badly. He just couldn't. Not yet.

"Be that way, Finn!" Rachel shouted. Other people at the tree lot had turned to look at them. "If you hadn't lied to me about what happened between you and Santana, I wouldn't have kissed Puck."

"We weren't together when Santana and I did it!" Finn called. "You don't know what it's like to have someone you love cheat on you." He went to his mom's car and drove home.

x

That's when Rachel remembered. Finn was supposed to take her home. She called her dads, crying. "Finn left me here. Could you come get me?"

x

"I didn't expect to see you home this soon," Carole said as Finn walked in.

"Sorry," Finn said, starting to go upstairs.

"Finn? Where's Rachel?"

"We got into an argument at the tree lot and I left her there."

"Finn! From what I remember, you were going to take her home."

Finn couldn't believe his mother was lecturing him. "Well, excuse me for not being able to get the fact that SHE CHEATED ON ME out of my head!"

"That was wrong of her, but it was also wrong of you to be dishonest with her about you and Santana," Carole said.

"We weren't dating when that happened." Finn stormed up to his room and slammed the door.

x

"He hates me," Rachel said to her dad on the way home. "I can't believe he left me there."

"Well, Rachel, it was wrong of you to make out with Puck," Hiram said. "You knew he'd be upset when he found out."

"I was angry. He could have told me himself," Rachel said. She knew what she did was wrong, but she wished people would understand where she was coming from. "I had to find out in front of the ENTIRE team team right before Sectionals. From the girl who he lied to me about."

"It was wrong of him to lie, but that doesn't make what you did right," LeRoy said.

"I was upset and Puck offered to make me feel better!" Rachel groaned.

"Maybe you two can talk about this when you're both calmer," Hiram said. "I think a break is best for both of you right now."

"Whatever," Rachel mumbled as they got home.

x

Rachel hadn't spoken to Finn since the incident at the Christmas tree lot. She figured maybe she needed to take a break from trying to get Finn back. Every day she felt worse and worse about what had happened. To be honest with herself, she couldn't blame Finn for breaking up with her. She wanted him back, but if he never took her back, she'd understand. Ever since they'd broken up, her life had felt so empty. She was always by herself. Her dads were always working and she didn't have friends. She was looking forward to singing Christmas songs with him, watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, exchanging presents, going ice skating and playing in the snow together...

Now it looked like she was going to spend her winter break like she spent every other winter break: alone. And she really had no one to blame but herself. Right now, Rachel hated herself.

Rachel felt her phone vibrate. It was a text from Quinn. She wondered why Quinn was texting her. Rachel read the text: "Today at Cheerios practice, Coach Sylvester asked Santana, Brittany and me to get the glee club to meet at Mr. Schue's at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Do you think that would work for you?"

Rachel was just glad the text didn't have anything mean to say. She sent a text back. "Sure, see you then."

Would Finn be there? Rachel just decided that maybe avoiding him was the best policy.

x

Finn was surprised Rachel didn't talk to him when they went to Mr. Schue's house on Christmas Eve. In fact, he was rather disappointed. As they decorated the tree, Finn looked over at Rachel, who was putting up some ornaments. He wished they could talk about what happened. He wished they could forget what had happened. He wished they could just put this behind them and get back together, but it still hurt. As if Rachel knew Finn was looking at her, she looked over at him and gave him a warm smile. Finn gave her a small smile in return and then Rachel went back to decorating the tree. But Finn couldn't help but hold his gaze on Rachel.

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