A/N: Thank you for reading my story and the responses!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee and its characters.

Chapter 6 – March 2012

"That's it?" Tina turned to face The Musicraker senior editor, her face furrowed, as she pressed the elevator.

Mercedes and she had just returned to the company building after they had bought their lunch and were heading for the large meeting room on the 12th floor to eat before the meeting could be started. For the August issue (Olympic issue), Mercedes and Rachel's team was going to London in May with some of Survêtement, and Tina was one of them.

"It looks like it is." Mercedes shrugged.

"I would hear him out first." Tina looked around to make sure nobody could hear them. Especially Kurt, who seemed to have no idea there had been something between Rachel and Finn, and not know either why Finn had had decided to leave even though he had gotten a job at The Musicraker at that time. She attempted to obtain some useful information about Finn from Kurt, but she got nothing so far (Kurt didn't even know his stepbrother had gotten the job then!). "'Let's put it behind us' is definitely not the closure." She shook her head before getting into the elevator with Mercedes.

Yup, that was the way (words) Rachel chose to draw the line for their past and break the awkwardness between Finn and her at the bookstore last month.

Mercedes could easily imagine that Rachel had monopolized the conversation so that Finn could hardly get a word in edgeways. Rachel said 'Oh, I think it was okay with him, because, we successfully had a smooth conversation after that,' blah, blah, blah. Hello, seeming Finn okay was because all Rachel had had a conversation with him about was, like, whether he was using purpose-built lenses for his EOS 5D Mark II or not, or if using lenses both of film cameras and purpose-built ones, how different they were. Of course, Finn kindly answered her random questions about the cameras. What else was he supposed to do?

"I know." Mercedes let out a sigh.

"I don't understand. That was over a year ago." Tina said, emerging out of the elevator. "She should get over it. If she just hears him out, she can move on."

"It's easy for the person who's in the stable relationship for a long time to say 'I would' or 'she should.' Mercedes retorted.

Taken aback for a moment, Tina furrowed as she pushed the meeting room's door and walked into the room.

Mercedes didn't mean to sound harsh, but it was true that it was easy for Tina to say like that since the senior editor of Survêtement was outgoing compared to her and Rachel when it came to relationships, of which both of The Musicraker senior editors didn't have good track records.

The three of them were interns when they first met. It was around seven years ago. Mercedes didn't like Rachel at first because they both were very competitive and ambitious. And she didn't like that Rachel was sometimes hard on everyone else (although she was hard on herself, too) when it came to the editor's task. They had disagreements more often than not, and Tina was some kind of bridge between them.

However, the more Mercedes worked with her, the more the Jewish girl grew on her. Especially after she had gotten to know what made her tick was her insecurities—they were two of a kind after all. Rachel and Mercedes were confident in themselves when it came to their job, but they were not about relationships. Tina was completely opposite. The three of them had encouraged one another and grown together.

Mercedes let out a sigh again as she took a seat at the end of the table. "You haven't seen how she was holding herself last month." She started as she opened the plastic container of smoked salmon sushi.

Tina raised her eyebrow. "I can see that, because she still has feelings for him, right?" She leaned forwards on the table, pushing aside her lunch container.

"That's not all." Mercedes turned her head to see the door, assuring Kurt or Rachel would not show up yet before facing her friend and speaking up again. "So he does, I guess."

"If that's the case, the sooner she talks to him the better, for God's sake!" Tina cried out.

"But I understand why she doesn't." Mercedes delivered one of the sushi rolls into her mouth.

Mercedes remembered Rachel had been a mess for a while after Finn's leaving without a goodbye. The brunette got wracked by self-doubt as an editor, her insecurity as a woman resurfaced, and she got defocused. Which caused her to be passed over for promotion, although she eventually regained her footings and got promoted last October.

"She's in the midst of crucial stretch, you know." Mercedes added after having swallowed the sushi roll. She was sure that Rachel was determined to prove to Sue and Will that she was the right person for the post.

"I still think she should sort it out as soon as she can." Tina murmured.

Mercedes opened her mouth to explain as to why Rachel avoided sitting down with Finn, but she shut it immediately as she saw the well dressed guy as always and the art director of Survêtement (she didn't remember his name) entered the meeting room.

"Are you sure?" Mercedes asked as the brunette and she walked out of the meeting room, Tina in tow.

"We don't have a choice, Mer, you know that." Rachel said, pressing the elevator. "He's the best writer about movies we've ever known." She reasoned as she tucked a pile of her hair behind her ear. "Will agreed with me."

Mercedes couldn't agree more with Rachel that Jesse St. James was one of the best when it came to writing articles about films, especially European ones. The Olympics Issue would be featured UK films and their music. They had already confirmed that some of film directors (Danny Boyle included) would leave their schedule open exclusively on interviews and photo shootings in May.

"But, he's–"

"Yes, he's my ex, I know that." Rachel interrupted before turned to face her best friend. "Mer, I appreciate your concern, but we broke up two years ago. No hard feelings between us." Her head perked up as she heard the elevator ding.

"What about Finn?" Tina cut in, asking in a low voice as she stopped Rachel from entering the elevator before dragging her into the corner of the foyer. Flustered, Mercedes followed them.

Rachel looked at Tina, her face furrowed. "What about him?" She asked in answer as her gaze shifted down to the floor.

"Rachel, I don't think it's a good idea that you've put the things between you two on the back-burner." Tina pressed, sensing that the presence of Jesse might make things more complicated and worse if both Rachel and Finn had still feelings for each other.

"Tina–" Mercedes tried, knowing Tina's meddling was not going to be of any help to the brunette.

"The things?" Rachel widened her eyes as she looked up to see the Survêtement's senior editor. "What do you mean by the things? It's not like we're exes or something, Tina. Why do I have to put something on the back-burner?"

"Because you still like him?" Tina bluntly gave her an answer.

"No, I don't." Rachel bit her bottom lip, her eyes cast down again.

"Tina, don't–" Mercedes tried again, but Tina held her hand up in the air for her not to bother interrupting.

"Why don't you just hear him out? As to why he left?" Tina folded her arms in front of her chest.

"What for?" Rachel snapped. "I would have nothing to gain but pain by bringing up the past." She was about to walk away from her best friends. "I've got to go."

Tina grabbed Rachel's arm. "Even if he still likes you?"

"How come you think he still likes me?" Rachel tried to brush her hand off of her arm. "He had a year, Tina. If Kurt didn't get a job here, he wouldn't have ever shown up to see me again. Don't you think he might have not liked me to begin with? What's the point of tormenting myself with the confirmation?"

"So, you still have feelings for him." Tina concluded.

"Tina, can we leave it at that?" Mercedes cut in as she saw the tiny brunette let out a shaky breath.

"Fine." Tina held her hands up in defense, hoping that the stubbornness of the brunette would not back the wrong horse.

"I was right." Will patted Finn on the shoulder as he beckoned a bartender to get their orders with the other hand, leaning on the bar counter of Figgin's. "Rachel was right."

"About what?" Finn asked as he took a bottle of beer from the bartender.

"I've already gotten some calls from advertising agencies and photographer ones since yesterday." Will held his bottle up for a toast. "Now the world knows your name and talent."

"Oh." Finn scratched his head, not knowing how to react.

"I think you should consider having rep or agent for the future, you know, since you're definitely gonna be busy." Will turned around to look over the floor where his staff and some parties concerned were mingling. "Actually, I invited her to meet you today." He nodded in the direction where a woman who was wearing a tight fitted green dress with a pair of high heels was standing at the table with Brittany who was one of the company receptionists. "She runs her own photo agency Snixx and is Matt's rep." Will explained before calling out. "Santana!"

The Latina snapped her head to see the direction where her name had been called before slowly approaching the two men at the bar counter. She looked at Finn up and down before turning her head to face Will. "Is this guy you've told me about on the phone this morning?"

"He is." Will looked at the tall photographer. "Finn, this is Santana Lopez, Santana, this is Finn Hudson." He introduced them.

"Um, nice to meet you." Finn nervously held his hand out for the Latina to shake.

Santana took his hand as she greeted. "I don't think your puffy vest is a chick magnet, but your pictures are definitely a cash cow." She smirked.

Will let out a laugh as he saw Finn a bit fidgeting. "Her bark is worse than her bite, Finn. She's a hot shot." He faced the Latina. "Go easy on him, Santana."

After the three of them (mostly Santana and Will) had had more talk, Finn walked over to Rachel. "Rachel, can we talk for a minute?" He nodded to the entrance which was quieter for them to have a conversation.

"Sure." Rachel put her glass of wine down on the table and excused herself to her coworkers at the table before following Finn. "What's up?"

"Will suggested me for having a rep." Finn started to speak, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, so you met Santana." Rachel beamed at him.

Finn nodded before asking. "Do you think that I should have one?"

"Considering you may get offers from other magazines or advertising agencies, which I believe you will, I think you should have one." Rachel pronounced. "Besides, you've said you were not good with going around pitching yourself, have you?"

Finn glanced at the Latina over his shoulder. "What do you think about her?"

"She's a real go-getter, Finn." Rachel answered truthfully.

"So I've been told." Finn murmured, running a hand through his hair.

"What's bothering you?" Rachel furrowed.

"She told me to throw all the clothes I was hanging up in the closet into the fire and go to the gym," Finn took a deep breathe, "you know, in order for her to sell me."

Rachel let out a soft laugh. "You don't have to either change your clothes or go to the gym, Finn." She assured. "She sounds vicious sometimes, but she really cares about the photographers who she represents.

Finn arched his eyebrow. "You mean, she cares about the money which the photographers she represents earn? She also said my pictures were a cash cow."

"Of course, she cares about the money too." Rachel answered frankly. "She's in a position to provide for her staff and the photographers she represents in a way. But she doesn't ever force you to do what you don't want to." She put her hand on his arm to reassure. "You don't have to decide right away, Finn. Why don't you talk to Matt, if you like?" She pulled her notepad and Sharpie out of her purse before scribbling down the name of the hospital where Matt had been admitting and his cell phone number. "Here." She thrust the paper into his hand, trying her hardest to ignore that she felt the brush of his fingers.

Finn nodded and stared at the paper in his hand before giving her a lopsided grin. "Thanks."

Rachel cleared her throat. "Now, go talk to Will. He wants to make the rounds with you." She pointed to her editor in chief who gestured for Finn to come join. "Go, Finn." She gently pushed him towards the direction.

"You don't come?" Finn asked, looking down at her over his shoulder.

"No, I have to t–"

"Rachel." A familiar male voice interrupted.

Rachel whirled around to see who had called her name was. Finn also stopped himself from walking away from the entrance to see who the voice was.

"Hello, Jesse."

"Isn't he in LA or something right now?" Tina asked in a low voice. "Rachel told us he would be back to the City next month."

Mercedes just shrugged.

"Who are you talking about?" Kurt called out from behind them before deliberately sitting on a high chair.

"Jesse St. James." Tina informed, nodding to the bar counter where Rachel and he were talking with Will. "He's a jerk."

"Tina!" Mercedes hissed as she saw Finn approaching to join them.

"What? It's the truth." Tina retorted, not knowing Mercedes' intention, before turning her head towards Kurt. "Don't get me wrong. He's a real good writer, but definitely not good boyfriend material."

"Who's not good boyfriend material?" Finn cut in as he handed a glass of cocktail out to his stepbrother.

"Jesse." Tina spoke up again. "You should keep an eye on him, Finn."

Kurt furrowed as he took the glass from Finn. "Why does my brother have to do that, Tina?"

"He's a Rachel's ex." Tina spat out in distaste.

Kurt's frown between his eyes got deeper. "What does it have to do with him?"

Mercedes glanced at the taller guy beside Kurt out of the corner of her eye. Yep, he totally got uncomfortable right now, judging by the way of his gesture—he was running a hand through his hair and shifted at the place. He seemed to be at a loss as to wondering whether he should leave or continue to listen to her friend.

"He took advantage of her once or twice." Ignoring Kurt's question, Tina continued talking, turning her head towards Finn. "I've got a bad feeling about this time, too."

Tina would never forget the fact that Jesse used Rachel as much as possible to make his name and dumped her once he found a person who was more 'valuable' to use. She believed that he might be bipolar or something since his articles were really good (unfortunately). Was there anyone else other than him whose character was too far from his (or her) writings?

"Tina, don't make such a big deal out of it." Mercedes tried to break the awkwardness hanging around the four of them. "Will agreed with Rachel on appointing him."

"Is there something going on with you and Rachel?" Kurt whispered in the ear of Finn.

"Uh–"

"He hooked up with Rachel over a year ago." Tina dropped the bomb. She had been annoyed with Rachel's indecisiveness, so she decided to push the other person in order for them to move on or do whatever they wanted.

"Oh. My. Gucci!" Widening his eyes, Kurt hung her mouth open at Tina's revealing. Mercedes face palmed. They were too shocked to notice that Finn mumbled 'it was not hooking up.'

"Just so you know, I'm still upset with you, too, Finn." Tina grabbed Finn's arm not to let him walk away. "You seem nice, unlike Jesse, but it's undeniably true that you hurt her."

Kurt cleared his throat after he had composed himself from the shock. "Alright, it seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know anything about what's going on with my brother and your coworker in a hideous dress."

"Kurt!" Finn admonished for his brother against insulting.

"What? It's true that she's always wearing weird sweaters." Kurt huffed, gently pushing his bang aside from his forehead. "Of course, you don't care how awful her attire is since you as dress awfully as she does." He scrunched his nose, pointing to the khaki puffy vest Finn was wearing now. "Anyway, you, Finn Hudson, need to explain. To me. First." Kurt turned to face his colleague and the other editor of The Musicraker. "If you'll excuse us." With that, he yanked the arm of Finn to get out of the bar.

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