Chapter 4:

Kurt and Rachel drove back to the Hudson-Hummel household in silence. Rachel was sitting in the passenger seat playing with her fingers and thinking deeply.

"Are you sure your not hungry?" Kurt asked as they pulled into the driveway. "I'm sure Carole's got something here I can whip up really quick."

"I'm sure. I think I'm just going to go to bed." Rachel replied unbuckling and stepping out of the car.

Kurt followed her up the walk after shutting the car off and fished the keys out his pocket that Burt gave him. The house was eerily dark when they entered and it made Rachel anxious. Their home was always filled with laughter and was never this dark. Kurt flipped on a few lights as he made his way around the main floor of the house, eliminating the darkness but not the hollow feeling in her chest.

It felt weird for her being there without Finn. Kurt was always nice company but it just felt strange. She grabbed the handle of her suitcase and slowly made her way down the short hallway towards the basement. Kurt watched her go, knowing she probably wanted to be alone right now what with everything that was happening.

She nudged the door to the basement open and it was like she stepped back in time. Like she was right back in high school. Almost nothing had changed since the last time she had been there. She left her suitcase at the foot of the stairs and took a look around. She noticed that Finn's bed was a mess as usual. He hardly ever made it. She moved slowly around the room taking in every detail, including the fact that he still had pictures of them up almost all over the room. If she had any doubts about what she meant to him still, she didn't now.

She let out a sigh as she ran her finger over the photo they had taken after graduation. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. She glanced over her shoulder at his alarm clock and realized it was approaching eleven pm. She knew sleep wouldn't come easily to her but she promised Finn she'd try for him.

She sat down on the bed to think as she played with the hem of her skirt. She wasn't sure what to do about her situation. She knew the producers for Funny Girl were going to want an answer soon but she was still torn on what to do. On one hand Finn was right, it was her dream role but on the other hand she wasn't lying when she said she didn't want it without him. He was too important to her.

She thought about Finn's conversation with her before she left. He wasn't mad that she kissed him. Did that mean he wanted to try again? What if she decided to go back to New York to finish Funny Girl, would that change everything?

She decided not to dwell on all that right now and take it one step at a time. Thinking about what Finn said before she left, she moved to his dresser in the corner of the room and opened the second drawer from the top, where she knew that Finn kept his t-shirts. She dug around a bit, looking for just the right one when her eyes caught a familiar article of clothing. She pulled it out slowly and her breath caught. He had held onto one of her shirts that she had left behind. She fingered the fabric momentarily.

She placed the shirt back in the drawer, not really worried about why he decided to keep it after they broke up. She ended up settling on one of his navy blue t-shirts that was buried at the bottom.

After reorganizing his drawer, she moved to her suitcase to grab some clean undergarments and her bath supplies.

She heard a soft knock on the door as she was zipping up the suitcase. "Come in!"

Kurt poked his head through the door at the top of the stairs. "I just wanted to let you know the shower is available if you wanted to freshen up. I was going to turn in."

"Thanks Kurt. I just can't seem to get my mind to shut off." Rachel replied.

"I understand. Carole called and said the x-ray results came back after we left." Kurt responded moving farther into the room but staying at the top of the stairs.

"And? What did they say?" Rachel asked anxiously. "When will he be able to come home?"

"Well their not sure when he'll be coming home yet, they won't know until morning how he's faring. The x-rays came back good though, his leg is healing up nicely." Kurt explained as Rachel started moving up the stairs.

"That's good. Hopefully he'll be home soon." Rachel said softly. She knew that things were good between her and Finn were good for now but would things change when he got home? Would he still want her to stay or will he force her to go back to New York. She dare not call that home because her home wasn't a place.

She showered quickly and made her way back downstairs. Making her way to the kitchen, her phone chimed with a new message. She grabbed her glass of water and took a swallow as she opened the message.

Go to sleep, Rach. I can hear the gears turning in your head from here.

She smiled as she read it, he knew her so well sometimes. She finished her glass of water and typed out a quick reply before heading back down to the basement.

I'm heading to bed now. Can't get my mind to stop running.

She sat down on his bed and grabbed his pillow. She let out a breath before bringing the pillow to her face and inhaling the scent that was distinctly Finn. She smiled as she put the pillow back in its place. Her phone chimed once more with a new message. She picked it back up and smiled at the message he sent.

Stop worrying so much. We'll figure everything out, I promise.

Instead of replying, she clicked the phone off and placed it on his nightstand. She pulled her knees to her chest and tried to shut her mind off but it kept running with all the possibilities depending on her decisions. Releasing a heavy sigh, she pulled his comforter over her and laid her head down on his pillow, surrounding herself with his scent until sleep finally took over.

Rachel was up at six am, like she always was except this time she wasn't getting up to workout. She stared at the ceiling for a bit, contemplating what the day would bring. She was hoping Finn would be able to come home but she was still worried about his injuries. She picked her phone up off the nightstand and checked her messages. She had one new message and it was from Carole. She nervously unlocked her phone and opened her messages in worry.

Finn was taken for a MRI for his stomach but visiting hours start at 7 am :)

Rachel let out a breath of relief, she thought that Finn had taken a turn for the worst. She pushed the covers back after glancing at the alarm clock and seeing the time flash at 6:15am. She moved to her suitcase and pulled out a black knit sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans.

Quickly getting dressed, she made her way up the stairs where she could smell coffee brewing. Kurt was nursing a cup of coffee on the counter when she entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Diva. How did you sleep?" Kurt asked turning around.

Rachel shrugged. "Okay, I guess. It's just weird to be here and to sleep in Finn's bed without him, you know?"

Kurt nodded and handed her a cup of coffee. She smiled gratefully at him and noticed that he had made her coffee the exact way she liked it. She took a sip and sighed at how wonderful the flavor tasted. "Do you want something to eat? You know Finn's probably going to ask."

"Yeah, I know. I'll make myself some toast." Rachel said moving toward where she knew Carole kept the bread as Kurt grabbed the toaster for her.

"You okay? You seem like you have something on your mind." Kurt commented setting up the toaster before looking at her.

"Yeah, just worried. What if things change between us when he comes home? I mean things are good right now, as good as they can be considering but what if he doesn't want me here anymore?" Rachel explained.

Kurt moved towards her and gently held her by the shoulders. "Are we talking about the same person here? The same person who broke his own heart to send you to New York to fulfil your dreams? You're being paranoid, he's following your lead right now. He only wants what's best for you." Kurt replied gently. "Did Carole message you?"

Rachel nodded and looked up at him. "Yeah, nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought something had happened to Finn."

"She would have called if something like that were to have happened. Are you ready to go?" Kurt asked finishing his coffee as Rachel buttered her toast.

Rachel raised her eyebrow at him. "Do you want Finn to be upset with me? Let me finish my toast and I'll be ready."

She scarfed down the toast in record time and grabbed her phone and her purse. Kurt got the hint, grabbed his things and Burt's keys before locking up behind them.

When they entered Finn's room, Rachel noticed he was sleeping. She set her stuff down on an empty chair and took a seat next to him. Carole gave her a small smile.

"Did you eat?" Carole asked her gently.

Rachel nodded and focused her gaze on Finn's face. He had changed so much since high school but he was still incredibly handsome. "How did the MRI go?"

"They haven't told us the results yet. He was tired when they got back." Carole explained sipping a coffee she got from the cafeteria.

"How did he sleep?" Rachel asked softly.

"He was restless, I think he finally was able to fall asleep around midnight." Carole replied.

Finn started to stir and Rachel gave all her attention to him. He groaned and reached a hand up to rub the sleep out of his eyes. As he opened his eyes, he saw his mom first. "Hey mom."

"Hey, baby. Do you need anything?" Carole asked getting to her feet.

"I could use something to eat." Finn responded.

Rachel chuckled softly. "Same old Finn. Always hungry."

Finn turned toward the sound of her voice and smiled. "Rach...when did you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. Your mom was catching me up on what I missed." Rachel explained as Carole stepped out to get Finn some food.

"Not much, just more testing." Finn sighed. "I'm getting kind of tired of being poked at."

"Your mom said that they might be able to determine when you go home this morning." Rachel said looking down at her lap.

"What's on your mind?"

"N...nothing."

"We promised never to lie to each, Rach." Finn said holding out his hand for her to take.

Rachel gave him a small smile and took his hand, squeezing it lightly. "I just hate seeing you like this. I mean, what's going to happen when you go home?"

"I'm not sure what you mean?" Finn shook his head in confusion.

"I mean..right now things are good between us. We're not bitter or at each other's throats. I don't want that to change when you go home." Rachel explained biting her lip in nervousness.

"Do you want it change?" He asked softly, drawing her attention back to his eyes.

Rachel shook her head. "I don't want anything to change. I want to be with you."

"Then nothing will change. If you want to stay then I can't stop you." Finn replied running his thumb over her knuckles. "I want whatever you want."

A knock sounded from the door and Finn looked over without letting go of her hand. A doctor entered and smiled at them both. "Morning, Mr. Hudson. How are you feeling today?"

"Feeling better, still a bit sore." Finn replied.

"That's to be expected. I'm going to do a physical exam so if your girlfriend doesn't mind waiting outside?" The doctor replied.

"Oh, I'm not his..." Rachel started before Finn interrupted her.

"She doesn't mind, right Rach?" Finn looked at her with a look of adoration that he saved only for her.

Rachel shook her head in shock and stood up. She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek which made him smile. "I'll be back as soon as their done."

She was sitting in the waiting room lost in thought when the doctor emerged from Finn's room. "Ms. Berry, you can come back in now."

She stood immediately and moved back to Finn's room. The doctor followed her in as well as Carole, who was carrying food for Finn.

Finn smiled at Rachel as she moved back to his side and he patted the bed next to him. Rachel gave him a small smile and carefully sat next to him as his mom placed his breakfast on the rolling table.

"So how is he doing?" Carole asked the doctor. "How was his MRI?"

"Everything checked out, he's going to be sore and in a bit of pain for awhile but he's recovering nicely. I think we can send him home by tonight as long as things keep progressing." The doctor replied.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

So sorry dear readers, this chapter went on longer than I was anticipating but fear not. Finn will be home in the next chapter. There was too much to say in this chapter to fit it in but it's coming. Stick around, there's even more Finchel to come. When writing this I know it doesn't really mesh with the Finn we all knew at McKinley but I wanted to show that he evolved while being with Rachel. He seemed to have become 'smarter' after being with Rachel, he wasn't so ditzy so i wanted to capture that more. It was almost like we saw more of who Cory was off screen and I really liked that aspect. I'm going to try to include some more of the humor that Glee is known for as well in upcoming chapters. As always, please review and let me know what you think so far.