Love is for everyone!

T Rated

By cab4five

Hello after a lifetime, I hope this little one shot is up to the standard you're used to reading from me, I'm seriously hoping this will unlock my muse and re-inspire me to finish the stories, patiently waiting in my to-do folder, the idea came to me a few weeks ago as a dream fragment, and I wanted to see what it would look like in words.

So please read and enjoy. There is a twist at the end where all is not as it seems let me know what you think!

A Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry fanfiction

Keep on drumming, 10 years on our Cory is still missed.

From his comfy spot in the sun on the porch of his care home, Finn slowly wakes from his nap, due mostly to the shrill yips and loud barking laughs being emitted by the group of youngsters making their way along the path that leads to the park next door.

Now fully awake Finn grumbles to the air "My gosh these young pups know nothing about manners…." Just about to say something else he hears the dinner time bell so forgets about the youngsters and instead focuses on getting his large body out of his basket chair, and as he stretches his tired achy body he winches and yelps a little as his knees object, to the, in their opinion sudden and unreasonable request.

After an age he is finally on his way to the dining room greeting his fellow housemates with a nod of his head or a smile, making his way to his reserved table by the window he makes him self comfortable thankful his age and length of residency affords him certain privileges.

As he is waiting for his dinner he looks around the large room filled with the sounds of many others chatting and plates being collected and delivered.

Taking an instant dislike to the sudden sound, Finn shuts his brown eyes and tries to not listen to the bitchy tone uttered by his uninvited and certainly unwelcome table companion, his good mood immediately evaporating.

"Howdy Finn, I was surprised to see you here thought you'd have wandered off looking for that one true love you always go on about and got lost but here you are, Personally I think you made it up and have instead been a loner looser all your life, but I'd still do you, ya know doggy style has always been my favorite position...".

This statement was followed by a high pitched barking laugh that has always made the hair on the back of Finn's head stand on end and his want to separate her head from her body.

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you Princess, but as you can see I'm still alive and well! So if you've finished… well, even if you haven't just leave and go about your business, surely there's some one out there who won't object to your company, if you don't mind I'd like to eat my dinner in peace."

With that Finn tunes the spoilt princess out and tucks into his beef stew with gusto, he doesn't give her words another thought… that is until later when he has settled down under his cosy woolly blanket and on the verge of slumber, when his mind opens the book of his favorite bedtime stories of another time and place that to him seems so very long ago but in reality is really recent history...

*****************.

(Flashback)

It was a coolish Autumn day just after lunch when Finn was in the park minding his own business running through the piles of red and gold leaves enjoying the feel and sound of them crunching under his big feet. He was distracted from his task by the sound of a voice calling out the word "Rachel" in a somewhat frantic way.

"Rachel where are you baby, oh my goodness how can I lose you already… your Papa is going to kill me… Rachel, Rachel baby, Daddy is so worried..."

Finn stopped completely in his tracks then, listening to the man calling out and running around in circles he could sense something was wrong and felt sorry for the man, so he put his army training to good use and ran over to the man who was now sat slumped on the park bench holding in his hand a bright colored coat with shiny things all over it, Finn cautiously came closer and gave some attention to the coat. Before running off towards the clump of trees beside the duck pond, as he ran by the edge of the water Finn saw the ducks diving under the surface and catching bugs and what have you laughing at the way their bottoms stuck out of the water and wiggled if the caught something yummy, he stopped for a minute and was just about to join them thinking he might catch a fish, when he heard a tiny cry then a splash…

Finn then forgot all about ducks and fish and having fun he raced as fast as his feet would go along the waters edge tumbling into the water a few times when his feet landed on a muddy patch of ground or a mossy rock, but he quickly righted himself and continued on his mission. Finally arriving at the source of the cry for help and without any thought for his own safety he splashes into the water which was a lot deeper than he expected which causing him to swallow some as he went under but he floated up and grabbed hold of the tiny brown haired body still frantically trying to get a foothold on the slippery bank the job made harder by the reeds that kept getting tangled around her feet.

Finn quickly pushed who he realized must be the Rachel the man was looking for to the waters edge and coughed loudly trying to get out the water he swallowed. Finally able to breathe properly he looked down and nudged his rescuee to see she was alive.

Finn shook his head to clear the water from his hair and ears and was just about to check the body next to him when the loud angst filled voice of the man with the shiny coat came running and fell to the ground next to Rachel.

Through his tears and weepy voice Finn could only understand a few words." Th – ank-you oh- my goo-ness Rachel baby are you ok..., quickly I must get you to the hospital… yes!"

With That Finn watched as the man quickly picked up the little body and wrapped the shiny coat around her, Finn wanted to say something but couldn't get his tongue working quick enough, because at the exact minute she was lifted into her Dad's arms she focused her now wide open big brown eyes on Finn's light brown ones and seemed to say thank you for saving me you are my hero!

Finn left then, as obviously the pretty brown haired girl wasn't coming back today so he wandered off still feeling a bit funny due to the dirty water he swallowed, he was just aimlessly making his way not paying attention to his surroundings, his mind filled with Rachel, when all of a sudden he is thrown up into the air, landing in a crumpled heap by the side of the busy road.

Next thing he senses is that this place is smells weird and there are funny sounds he tries to shake his head to clear his mind but something is stopping his neck from moving so he opened his eyes one at a time and nearly had a heart attack … Because the view from his bed was one he remembered from his past in the army and not one he was overly fond of. The smells and sounds from machines and moans and crying took him back momentarily to his early days when he accompanied fellow soldiers numerous times to the hospital and it is not a place he was interested in spending a lot of time in.

He tried to get up and get out of there but the heavy weight on his leg and the sharp pains in his side made his mission undo-able so after a few tries he just flopped back onto his cushions and tried to get his mind around what happened to land him here. The few moments he spent trying to figure out made him sleepy so instead resigned himself to the fact he was there and would be let out in due course.

"My name is Rachel… I wanted to say thank you for saving me you know before at the pond, are you OK, are you badly hurt… What's your name hello?"

The whisper soft worried voice somehow broke through Finn's sleep fuddled ears and he jumped, yelping at the stabbing in his mid section, banging his head and shaking it because he couldn't lift his arm to rub the sore spot. He he was now totally awake and moving as well as he could towards the beautiful sound. Finally able to look into the biggest brown eyes he has ever seen Finn mumbles out what he thinks are proper words but to anyone listening it probably sounded more like "Leaves are crunchy and the ducks are upside down…"

"Sorry what do you mean? Looking very confused the girl in the next bed tries again. "Hi my name is Rachel and I wanted to thank you for saving me at the pond before."

Feeling a little embarrassed Finn tries again. "Yeah um… hi I'm Finn and 'twas no problem … his voice changing to a worried tone, but um are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm alright thanks to you, I've got a broken leg and a bit of an infection due to the dirty pond water I swallowed, but really everything is good, The doctors told my Daddy that I need to stay for a few days to make sure the infection is gone. My leg was the reason I fell into the water 'cause I was running after the ducks and tripped over the tree roots. But what about you, you look pretty badly hurt I am so very sorry you got hurt… "Rachel starts to whimper which makes Finn feel sad for some reason,

"Hey Rachel don't cry please, it's not your fault it was my clumsy self that wasn't watching where I was going and got in the way please don't cry I'll be OK in a while"

Feeling bad, Finn is about to say something else but is interrupted by the squeaking of shoes on the shiny floor and soothing voice of the nurse.

"Oh good you're awake Finn and you too Miss Rachel, it's time for some medicine and some dinner, my goodness it looks super yummy, I won't be long, then I'll leave you two alone just remember, you especially Finn that you've got a big plaster cast on your leg and lots of wounds not to mention your broken ribs, so just take it extra easy and try not to move around too much yes?" The few minutes Nurse Penny took to inject more medicine into the IV's and put their dinners out Finn and Rachel spent watching each other even when eating.

Instead of sleeping Finn and Rachel spent most of the time just talking about absolutely everything and with each word it seemed as though they had know each other for ever. When he finally fell asleep his dreams for once were happy ones all involving Rachel and when the sounds of the new day reached him he woke to find a tiny hand on top of his he was happy to know his dreams came true.

It turned out Rachel was adopted and lived with her Dads' in an apartment in the city, and she didn't get much chance to play outside so when she ran away from her Daddy at the park she felt free and was thoroughly having a great time.

Finn added that he can't really remember his Mom, probably due to the fact she left him when he was only small and then he went to the Army at a young age and worked in Rescue and Recovery, but he was happy there and learnt a lot about how to find people who were missing or buried under rubble and stuff from bombing raids and earth-slides and such. But one time a rescue went wrong and he was injured losing his hearing in one ear and sight in one eye so was discharged.

Finn thought Rachel was going to cry again but said in all seriousness "I don't trust trees. They seem kind of shady." Rachel sent him a confused look so he tried again "What's brown and sticky? A stick. Ha, ha" He couldn't help himself and burst into loud laughs, winching and yelping every time his ribs hurt.

Rachel must have realized what he was trying to do then, and she then joined him in laughter squeezing in a "Th...ankyou Finn for making me feel better," suddenly sobering to say "I.. wish there was something I could do for you."

"Rachel please I'll be ok I'll ju…"

"Princess, are you alright my baby, my goodness you gave Daddy and me a big scare."

Rachel turned her head then at the voice of her Papa and was happy to see him, an excited happy smile made her face look even more beautiful … well according to Finn and her brown eyes seem even bigger.

"The Doctor said you can come home now we just have to bring you back to get the plaster off in a few weeks, are you excited baby girl hmm?" Rachel's smile dropped and Finn noticed she didn't seem at all happy to be going home

On his way past the Nurses station, Rachel's Daddy had overheard the staff talking about Finn and the fact he is homeless and has no-one to care for him or pay his hospital bills and they feel really bad because he is a lovely boy and very brave as he saved Rachel not to mention he must have had a hard life as he had lots of scars and healed bones that showed up in the X-ray but there was nothing they could do unless he could find somewhere to live. Making an instant decision, Daddy turns towards the Nurses.

"Excuse me I didn't mean to eavesdrop but did I hear you say Finn is his name? Has no one to care for him, Nodding along with the Nurse at the affirmative answer he digs his wallet from his breast pocket and says in all seriousness, "Please put his account on my bill and if you know of any shelters or centers that I can contact to take him in please let me know ASAP, I can do that for him at least, if it wasn't for him we could have lost our darling Rachel."

"Oh my goodness thank you Mr Berry, that will be our pleasure, you are so kind while Nurse May was finalizing the account Nurse Penny was busy writing down the names and numbers of the local homeless shelters that might be able to take Finn.

Rachel was sad when she heard her Daddy say he was taking her home, not that she didn't want to go home but more like she'd be leaving Finn all alone and she knows he has no-one to care for him and she has decided even after such a short time together that he really is a wonderful boy, so very brave and seemed to care more about others than himself, but doesn't know what to do she does know though that he will always be a special part of her heart and hopes to see him again.

"Goodbye Finn I have really enjoyed getting to know you and hope things work out for you, I am sorry you can not come with us but I am sure you will find a nice home very soon, please take care and stay away from roads and ponds. I really like you Finn."

Sighing deeply at her words Finn looks at Rachel with sad eyes and says softly, "Me too Rachel, I'll miss you too look after yourself yeah! I really like you too and won't forget you."

Then with one last look at each other Rachel is gone behind the softly closing door and Finn is alone again.

The rest of the time Finn was in the hospital seemed to drag, even though there was always someone new, they would talk to him, sometimes he would answer them but most days he just kept to himself wanting to be out of there and maybe try and find Rachel, but of course he had no idea where she could be.

He was just about fully recovered when a few weeks after Rachel left Nurse May came bounding into the room a super happy chirp to her voice,

"O ooh Finn great news, a place has been made for you at the Green Pastures Shelter, finally you'll have a home and folks to take care of you and the best bit Finn is that you won't have to leave so you'll have a home forever isn't that great news? Apparently Rachel's Daddy was so thankful to you for saving Rachel that he wanted to help you out, it's just wonderful that there there are still some nice people out there. I think someone from the shelter is coming this afternoon to pick you up, I'm sorry to see you go but very happy you have recovered well and have somewhere nice to go. We'll miss you Finn."

After hearing those words Finn couldn't form his thoughts so all he did was smile and press his hand against Nurse May in thanks, he seemed to have a new lease of life about him that day and was eagerly waiting for the shelter people to come for him he didn't have anything much to pack so when it was time to go he was more than ready.

Nurse May told him that Joey was here to collect him and she had given him the last lot of medicine he needed, gave him a big hug and waved as he followed Joey out of the hospital, he was happily saying goodbye to folks he knew before climbing into the back seat of Joey's truck, looking forward to his new home.

Bouncing around the seat wanting to see everything out the windows and every now and then putting his head out of the window feeling the cool Fall air on his face. not realizing they were out of the city and into the country, Finn looks out the front window as Joey slows the truck at some big gates. " OK Buddy here we are Finn your new home. Let me just park the truck and then I'll introduce you to your new housemates yeah."

Unable to make any coherent sounds, Finn just shook his head and smiled widely wondering hopefully if maybe Rachel knew he was here and would come visit, he followed Joey to the main building where a very kind looking lady was waiting, she said her name was Maggie and was glad to have Finn there and hoped he'd be happy Joey then took him to his quarters and as soon as he saw the extra large fluffy bed in front of the large window that was in the full sun Finn couldn't contain his happiness and immediately jumped on the bed stretching and rolling, rubbing his face against the fluffy cover.

Hearing Joey laugh at his antics made Finn even happier, he was used to people telling him off for taking up space and getting in the way, so to finally have a place he was welcome was nearly too much excitement. "All right Buddy I'll leave you to it and see you at dinner time."

Finn now tired out from his exuberant behavior laid on his bed and happily dozed off dreaming again of all the good things that have happened to him in the past little while, the tiny brown haired girl taking pole position.

Finn settled into his new home with ease all the other residents (well most) seemed to like him and welcomed him into their groups. Some like Princess (well, he called her that he wasn't interested enough to find out her real name but to Finn she looked spoilt he also sort of wondered but not caring how she ended up here, because she seemed to think she was better than anyone else) from the get go she bugged him always wanting to get close to him and share his beanbag on the porch, he wasn't interested in her one little bit, then there was Ollie, he was as white as snow who stayed indoors all the time he said if he goes in the sun his skin will burn, feeling sorry for him not being able to scrunch leaves in the Fall or chase the ducks Finn would sometimes just sit with him inside and they'd talk, though mostly they'd just take naps. Ben who's nickname was Bomber was tough to get to know but when he did Finn found him to be an OK dude, he'd been on the bomb disposal team in the Army so they had something in common to talk about. Then there was Fisher, weird at first cos he kept trying to jump in the pool every chance he got, Joey would give in some-days and just let him into the pool it was funny watching Fisher splash about then one-day Joey put a little paddle board in the water and golly Fisher was in his element he jumped on the board and with his one arm paddled along.

About 6 months after he had moved in Finn was woken from his nap by loud voices from the yard yelling his name and a very familiar sound that he hadn't forgotten even after all this time.

"Finn it is Rachel where are you Finn?"

Suddenly wide awake and tripping over himself to get up Finn races off the porch and along the path that runs by the pool, (not even noticing Fisher splashing about in the water) in disbelief that the tiny brown haired girl he has been missing is here in front of him.

"Rachel is that really you? How are you, gosh I've missed you so bad."

Rachel is about to cry but this time with happiness, at being reunited with her friend Finn. Finn starts to walk towards his porch and smiles as wide as his mouth will stretch at a tiny Rachel trotting along beside him and amazingly keeping up with his long strides. He then sits on the floor and motions Rachel to sit on his favorite beanbag, after he shakes it out and fluffs it up a bit, he tries to tell his little friend all about his new place but can't seem to get a word in because Rachel is telling him all her news.

"Oh Finn I was so happy when we came back to the city and Daddy said he wanted to check on you to make sure you were OK and happy in your new home, and my gosh this place is wonderful so many trees and places to hide and a little pond with Ducks… we have been overseas and had to go in a plane it was uncomfortable because my seat was so small and cramped, I was thinking to my self how would Finn fit in the tiny space...then I got all sad 'cos you weren't there and I wanted so bad to see you, even the new coat and sparkly necklace Papa got me didn't make me happy, but now I've seen you I'm more than happy and I hope I can come to visit you again soon."

In answer Finn lets out a deep bark of laughter as he watches Rachel dancing around in excitement also noticing she doesn't appear to want to sit on his beanbag, so he sits in it instead and he was startled when the tiny space next to him was suddenly fill with his sweet smelling visitor.

"Rachel, it's alright I'm doing real good here I even have my own reserved table for meals and I've been told by some of the others that this room is the best and only the special VIP folks can stay here, so please don't get so worked up I'm good everything is all healed and I feel like a youngster again. The only thing I miss is you and wish we could be together, but hey I'll take anything I can get you're here now so that's enough."

Instead of answering him Rachel just locks her brown eyes on Finn's lighter ones and reaching up presses her lips on his cheek then hides her face under Finn's shoulder, feeling his fast beating heart that seemed to beat in time with her own rapidly beating one.

"Rachel, where are you baby? Rachel it's time to go baby girl, Rachel, Finn where are you two… goodness me are you hiding? I know you like playing hide and seek but we have to go and pick up Papa and get to the airport… Rachel baby come on please."

Hearing her Daddy calling for her Rachel jumped up and shook her head, loathe to leave but knowing she had to, she snuggled against Finn again until Daddy's' voice was closer, she turned her face to Finn intending to kiss him again but this time he had the same idea and in an instant their lips touched and everything in the entire universe was perfect.

"Bye Finn I love you!" is the last thing she said as she rushed away to where her Daddy was waiting to pick her up.

Not sure what to do Finn tripped over his long legs in his haste to to catch her yelling out hoping she heard before she left.

"Bye Rachel, I love you too!"

End of Flashback

"Finn, Finn are you awake? It's breakfast time man did you not hear the bell? Finn."

Grumbling at the disturbance Finn snapped his mouth shut, licked his lips and slowly opened his eyes his one good eye taking in the smiling face of Jerry one of the new helpers at the shelter as he stood up shakily, his old bones really expressing their dislike, at getting out of the cosy cushion that had long ago replaced his bean bag because he tore a hole in it chasing his favorite treat. Finally standing on all fours he has a good shake, his tongue flopping against his lips before he buts his head into Jerry's thigh asking for his daily ear scratch.

A few minutes spent enjoying the attention, Finn then follows Jerry along the path to the dining room saying good morning to the few others he knows and wonders what happened to Rachel as he never saw her again after they kissed he really hopes she is OK but has no way of finding out, he still misses her though and hopes she is happy. He idly wonders how his friends Bomber, Ollie, Fisher and the others are going and if they are enjoying their lives outside of

The Greener Pastures Shelter for Homeless Dogs.

Are you wondering about the strange name of my home? Well I'll explain it's because my friends I am a dog! not exactly sure what bread but being I'm all legs I'm thinking maybe Great Dane or Irish Wolf Hound, and my Rachel well... I don't 'spose she was ever really mine being from a good home an all but she was a beautiful tiny brown haired Toy Poodle, But thanks to her and her Daddy, for the rest of my days here at Greener Pastures I can live in comfort, I don't spose I've got a long time left being that I'm an old dog of 15 and my body has seen some tough action more than once, but I'm happy.

The End

Hope it wasn't too confusing but I did say there was a twist to this story, Hopefully it was still enjoyable and will encourage you to review.

Thanks for reading

cab4five