SNOWED IN - PART 3

A/N - Hey! Remember this story? SOOO sorry for the super long overdue update. Also sorry that I'm still stuck in Finchel fluff wonderland in this chapter, which really doesn't drive the story forward but... we're getting there. Plus, I figured I owed you this little TREAT for making you wait so long for an update...
ENJOY :-D

The aroma of freshly brewing coffee wafted down the hallway as Finn finally emerged from the guest bathroom. He reached the end of the short corridor to find Rachel already helping herself to his kitchen while working on the beginnings of breakfast for them. Wow she works fast… and damn, she looks HOT. He could easily get used to mornings like this.

Her hair was casually pulled up into a sloppy folded ponytail. He noticed that she'd transitioned from his sweatshirt into one of his t-shirts (where'd she get that from?), which was tucked loosely into a pair of his navy blue boxers with yellow smiley faces on them (he decides he doesn't even care where she'd found them – they're HERS now, and she's owning them – she can wear anything she wants as long as he gets to see this view).

Finn leaned against the wall, arms folded, licking his lips appreciatively while admiring the view of her wiggling backside, as she danced and sang along to the music playing on the iPod. If he's sleepwalking in some sort of dream state, he's positive he doesn't wanna wake up, like, ever. This was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen in his apartment - or maybe anywhere – and just the sound of her honey-dripping sultry voice singing along to the song that was playing was making his parts down south twitch with excitement.

I need you tonight, 'cause I'm not sleepin'
There's somethin' about you (boy), that makes me sweat

She shimmied her hips in time with the beat as she whisked the pancake batter in a large red mixing bowl that he'd forgotten he even owned. He approached her silently and joined in the singing fun for the next verse, answering the callbacks after she sang each question.

How do you feel? – I'm lonely
What do you think? – Can't think at all
What you gonna do? – Gonna live my life

His sudden presence had startled her. She jumped a little, glancing back with a bright sunny smile upon seeing him over her shoulder, but she never faltered or missed a beat with the song nor with the task at hand; she's always regarded making pancakes as serious business.

She continued her song and dance while working the batter into a frenzy, even as she felt Finn's large, warm frame press against her from behind. His hands glided gently from her shoulders down her arms to her wrists, when he gently coaxed her right hand to drop the utensil she was stirring with. As she released it and it sank deep into the batter, he spun her around slowly to face him while she continued singing the next verse.

So slide over here, and give me a moment
Your moves are so raw, I've got to let you know
I've got to let you know, You're one of my kind

Finn locked eyes with her as he sang the next part. His hands slowly slid down her sides and wrapped around her tiny waist, smoothing around to the small of her back. One hand tugged up her shirt just enough so the other could make contact with her skin beneath it, his fingertips coming to rest inside the waistband of the boxers just above the fullness of her ass, where they kneaded into her soft flesh.

He leaned down and breathed the bridge of the song into her ear, murmuring the lyrics against the supple skin of her neck beneath her earlobe, placing soft kisses along the column of her neck between the words.

I need you tonight 'cause I'm not sleepin'
There's somethin' about you girl, that makes me sweat

The feeling of his hot breath ghosting over the dampness of her skin from his kisses sent tingles to all the right places in her body. Her nipples hardened just at the feel of his lips on her neck and she pressed her chest against him, enjoying the friction produced by the writhe of their dancing.

Rachel smirked mischievously and reached for the strawberries on the counter next to them, placing one between her teeth, inviting him to taste. Finn obliged, biting the end of the sweet tangy fruit carefully, nibbling his way into a deep sensual kiss. The couple got lost in each other and let Michael Hutchence fly solo for the remainder of the song.

. . . . .

After gobbling down 5 pancakes heaped with whipped cream, strawberries and syrup, there was a perma-smile plastered on his face he couldn't seem to wipe off (not that he wanted to). "Wow Rach, those were probably the best pancakes I've ever tasted. Thanks for making breakfast, babe."

Rachel's smiling eyes twinkled brightly with pride. "You're just saying that because of what we did with the strawberries… and the maple syrup," she smiled coyly with a flirtatious wink.

"Hmm. Could be… but I'm kinda hoping there's still some whipped cream left in that can over there... I can think of a few more uses for it later on," he stated simply with a seductive lopsided grin that quite literally made her feel the dampness spread between her legs.

Rachel's eyes darkened and narrowed into focus with an impish curl to her lips. An expression he hadn't seen yet crossed her beautiful face. She stood up from her chair, dragging the tip of her index finger across the cool smooth surface of the tabletop while slowly stalking the short distance to Finn. Like a predator catching her prey, she swiftly straddled him in his chair, then loosely draped her arms over his shoulders, crossing them behind his head. She leaned closer to whisper "Really? Well, as a vegan, I can certainly endorse the use of non-dairy products… especially the rich, creamy, sweet ones. What sort of 'other uses' did you have in mind Mr. Husdon, hmm?"

She purred lasciviously in his ear enunciating each word carefully and Finn went completely hard. Rachel immediately felt his arousal and responded in kind by grinding herself against him while lathing the saltiness of his neck with her tongue. His hands reacted impulsively, sliding around her hips to her ass as he reflexively bucked his hips toward her heat. He sharply inhaled, "Uhh, Rach…" but she wasn't as interested in his words as she was in the taste of his still-sweet maple flavored tongue in her mouth. She took her time kissing him with some measure of need, her tongue enjoying the taste and exploration of his mouth.

Finn gasped in between her kisses, "Ra..r-rach.. I, um.. are you.." Rachel continued savoring the maple sweetness of his mouth in between his stutters while slowly gyrating her pelvis against his now throbbing erection, seeking some form of friction in relief. She finally breathed into his mouth "touch me Finn… I want you.. I want to feel you inside me."

He cupped her cheeks cradling her head in his large hands and gently forced eye contact with her. Her hooded eyes were dark and full of desire. She looked self-assured and determined, but he had to be sure. "Rachel.. Baby I want you so bad, you have NO idea.. God you're so damned sexy… but are you really sure about this? I mean, we talked about this last night and there's no hurry…"

"I believe what you said exactly was that there's no need to hurry, that you can wait… but you also said it was up to me and whatever I was comfortable with." She then took one of his hands from her face and slid his index and middle fingers in her mouth, sucking gently and swirling her tongue around them, then slowly pulling his hand back from her mouth, tracing his fingertips over her bottom lip. Once released she guided his hand downward, brushing his fingers over her breast toward her hot center and said simply "I'm so comfortable with you, Finn… and I've never been so sure of anything... I want this. I want you."

That was all the confirmation he needed. In one fluid movement he shot up from the chair so quickly it toppled backwards with a thwack to the floor. Rising to his full six foot three inch height with Rachel's arms and legs still wrapped around him, he supported her weight with his hands attached under her backside. His saliva drenched fingers of the hand she'd just had in her mouth were inching their way up under her and toward her wetness, setting her ablaze with anticipation. The pangs of desire pulsated out from her center and her whole body was buzzing.

Finn made short work of walking them across the room and pressed her into the sofa while showering her with urgent open mouth kisses trailing from her lips across her cheek to her jaw and neck, and worked his way down to her heaving chest. His teeth grazed over her taut nipple through her shirt until she mewled "Take it off." He dutifully obliged and was rewarded by Rachel's pleasureful moans as his tongue circled and suckled at her stiff peak. Finn hissed at the feel of her nails clawing and scraping across his muscular shoulders and down his spine. His left hand found its way to her other breast, fingertips pressing into the soft mound and rolling the sensitive flesh between his fingertips, inducing the sound of his name in soft moans from her lips.

"Hmmm.. you like that baby?" he smiled against her chest. Her hips bucked upward against his in response as her hands worked their way down the sides of his ribcage. "Mmm-hmm Finn… don't stop," she purred. She was desperate to feel his bare skin pressed against hers and began tugging upward on his shirt. Suddenly in a quick instant, said shirt was on the floor and his hot mouth promptly reattached to her heaving chest.

"God you're so sexy, you're making me crazy baby," he exhaled. "You don't know how badly I wanna taste you Rach," he muttered between kisses against her breast, the sensation causing goosebumps to erupt over her skin. His hand traveled straight down through the fly of the boxers she was wearing, over her little mound and his long fingers pressed against her wet folds. "I wanna taste every inch of you." He glanced up at her and was met by a view of the most gorgeous flushed face with plump, kiss-swollen crimson lips. He groaned at the sight of her nodding and was a little surprised when she said "then do it baby… taste me" while she reached for the waistband of her (his) navy boxers. He pushed her hands away and gripped the elastic band himself, wantonly peeling them down and off her long slender legs swiftly. He paused for a moment, taking in the view of this glorious, sexy woman, writhing on his sofa and begging him once again "Finn, I neeeed you NOW."

His gaze never tearing away from hers, he slid the palms of his hands up her inner thighs, teasingly pushing them wide apart and smoothly traversing them up toward her apex, his lips following the trail of his hands. She responded by moaning his name over and over, each sound causing his cock to pulse. He crashed an urgent fiery kiss on her mouth then offered his fingers to her lips once again, which she willingly took deep into her mouth. Sliding them out from her lips, he nibbled and sucked, swirling his tongue down her throat across her nipples and taut stomach, past the dip of her navel to her pelvis. She felt like a rubber band stretched too thin, ready to snap.

She clutched her fingers into his messy thick hair with one hand while she fondled her breast with the other. A sweet pleasureful cry at the sudden feel of his index finger sliding inside of her made him smile. "More Finn!" He grinned at her eagerness and his tongue flicked circular motions around the sensitive little bud between her legs. He felt her thrusting in time with his pistoning hand then added a second finger, working them in and out at a torturously slow rhythm. He locked eyes with her, withdrew his fingers and placed them in his mouth. His cock throbbed as he watched her tongue slide across her bottom lip with lust and desire burning in her eyes. "You're teasing me Finn, that's not nice," she exhaled and bit her bottom lip.

"You're biting that lip.. You know it drives me insane," he growled as his lips returned to hers, letting her catch his moans in her mouth. He whispered "Sorry baby, I'm not trying to tease you… I just need to grab a condom." As he attempted to pull away, she clutched him by the waistband of his sweat pants and wrapped her legs around him tightly. "I'm on the pill, and I trust you." His stunned expression looked to her eyes for certainty. When he was sure he found it, his pants found their way to the floor next to the rest of their – well, his clothes, and his mouth found its way back to her slick folds.

His hand slid right back between her legs. "You're so wet babe… you really want this, don't you?" He murmured against her hot center. Her nods and whimpers of pleasure were confirmation enough. His tongue plunged deep into her core as she whined and thrust back against him, fisting her fingers in his hair, pressing herself tighter against his face. She guided his head up and down, as his mouth followed her gentle navigation. She was in control and he let her guide him as she pleased. She reveled at the feel of his rough whiskers scraping against her sensitive flesh, followed by the hot, smooth muscle of his tongue lapping at her. His fingers once again suddenly thrust deep into her, curling and rubbing that sensitive spot of her inner walls.

Her breathing was labored and ragged and he nearly erupted on the spot as his name ripped from her lips over and over. "Jesus Rachel, you taste so good… so damn sexy, baby." The feel of her slickness and the look on her face was driving his own need to be inside her. "Come for me Rach... let go," he breathed as he pumped his fingers into her rapidly with one hand while stroking himself with the other. He felt her walls tighten and flutter, and she suddenly screamed his name "FINN! Oh god Finn, there.. don't stop!"

Feeling the burn low in his gut and spreading to his groin he throbbed when he heard her release a final squeal of pleasure and immediately positioned his swollen strained cock at her entrance. He waited til she looked at him with those determined seductive eyes. She reached down and wrapped her hand around his shaft, squeezing gently and stroking him, running her thumb over the wet tip. The building fire in his belly from the anticipation was a delicious torment. He really wasn't sure how he'd restrained himself this long; the mere sight and feeling of her coming undone under his touch was enough to push him over the edge.

Impatience finally won and he moved her hand away, gripped her hips and pushed into her slowly. She pressed her tiny hands into the flesh of his ass, urging him in deeper while shifting her position on the sofa, allowing him to fill her completely. She gasped at his girth and the feeling of fullness, which he took as a cue to still himself. His breathing became slow and metered, taking in her delicious scent and holding his breath for a beat. She finally thrust her hips up against him, a silent plea for him to continue.

They worked their way into a steady rhythm of matched thrusts, with Rachel biting and nipping at his bottom lip, tenderly sinking her teeth into the flesh of his neck suckling him into a guttural moan, then swirling her tongue around his earlobe. He wrapped his strong arms around her back, clamping his hands over her shoulders as his pace sped up. Bodies slick with sweat slid easily against each other as the need for release built in them both. With their foreheads touching and gazes locked on one other, he pumped into her until he felt himself on the edge. Wanting to feel her walls clenching, pulling him over with her, he pulled out and slammed hard and deep into her, over and over, he reached a hand down between them and rubbed her in soft circles, whispering "I wanna feel you come." Within seconds they were both riding waves of pleasure. "RACHEL! Fuck baby," he choked out, exhaling sharply in her ear as he slumped against her shoulder.

She clung to him, arms wrapped tightly around his waist and mumbling "don't leave." His pants in her ear promised "I won't." They lay cocooned in one another's embrace for a long while, bare skin damp with sweat, until their breathing evened out and their heart rates slowed. Finally he looked into her big coffee colored eyes as he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb and asked "You okay baby?"

Rachel smiled sweetly, blinking a few tears from the corners of her eyes. "Mmm.. I'm positively euphoric." She shivered a little and pressed a soft sweet kiss to his lips. "You're an amazing lover, Finn Hudson."

He felt a throng of warmth sweep through his chest and wasn't sure what to say to that; it sorta caught him completely off guard. He kissed her lips slowly, savoring the feel of them. With a throaty chuckle he replied "Uh.. thanks?"

She watched curiously as his face flushed with color in mild embarrassment. "Nobody's ever told you that before, have they."

"Um..well, n-not in so many words," he answered earnestly while toying with the ends of her hair. "And for the record babe, you are equally amazing. The sexiest, most beautiful woman I've ever seen… god Rach…" he grinned wide and exhaled "I seriously don't know how I'm ever letting you leave here."

She gently stroked his bristly damp hair, adding "Well, someone needed to tell you that you're incredible, I'm glad I get to be that someone." She smiled warmly and added "And… I also think I'm gonna have a lot of trouble leaving here. But at some point I'll have to."

At that he sat back on the sofa, scooping her naked body into his equally naked lap. "Nope. Don't think so… None of that crazy talk today." he peppered her neck with butterfly kisses as her musical giggles filled the room and made his heart thrum. "So.. how does round two in the shower sound?" He waggled his brow at her. She laughed into a deep kiss, and the next thing she knew she was being hoisted up over his shoulder as he carried her squealing, giggling form down the hall toward his room.

. . . . .

After round three in bed they were still molded to one another. Legs twined together, tangled in each other's arms, messy sheets twisted around them, when she heard the buzz of her phone in her purse. "Oh gosh! I've completely lost my wits being here with you… I haven't even thought once about checking my phone today!"

"Good," He chuckled and tightened his arms around her as she playfully smacked his chest, making him laugh harder. "Hey, me either babe.. I've been uh, kinda preoccupied with you being here.. frankly I could care less who might be calling. Don't need the outside world interfering today. Fuck 'em, they can all wait." he could feel her body shake gently as she suppressed her laughter. "'Sides, city's snowed in anyway, so I just wanna enjoy the day with you here all to myself." He curled his large frame around her tiny one and buried his face in her neck, trailing lazy kisses along the column of it.

"Sounds good to me," she exhaled while trying to stifle a small yawn. He rolled onto his back pulling her with him as she snuggled closer into his embrace and said "Nap time?"

With his eyes already closed he murmured,"Hmmm sounds perfect. Rest up, babe," he said with a lopsided grin as he kissed the top of her head "round four is coming."

. . . . .

* * KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK * *

Finn woke suddenly to the sounds of banging at his front door. As he shook the Rachel-haze and sleep out his fuzzy head, he also noticed Rachel's purse was buzzing again. Stroking his fingers down the center of her bare back and pressing a few kisses to her shoulder he tried to rouse her. "Baby, wake up, someone's at the door and your phone is buzzing again." He gently placed a kiss on her temple then sat up pulling on the closest clothing he could find – the red basketball shorts he'd offered to Rachel the night before.

As the banging continued, Rachel popped open an eye in time to see Finn disappear out of the bedroom, then stretched over the side of the bed and reluctantly mined through her purse to find the source of her annoyance. She answered her buzzing phone with a yawn "Hello?"

"Lil' B! Holy crap finally! Shit, I was worried sick about you! You need to answer your goddamn phone when I call you in the middle of a blizzard!"

"Noah?"

. . . . .

"Okay I'm coming, hold your horses!" Finn called out as he reached the front door and opened it to find Noah Puckerman with his phone pressed to his ear and a very frantic and pissed off look plastered on his face.

Apprising the appearance of Finn through the now open doorway, Puck's brow knitted together tightly meeting Finn's surprised gaze with an intense scowl. "Yeah Ray it's me.. get your sweet little better-not-be-NAKED fanny out here." He ended the call and abruptly shoved his phone back into his jacket pocket.

"Puck man, what the hell–"

"OH NO dude! Don't you fucking what the hell me!" He bellows as he barges past Finn into the apartment. "I've been calling BOTH of you all day and neither of you have been picking up! What the fuck man? I trusted you to take care of my baby cousin and you both drop off the grid entirely?! And somehow I'm NOT supposed to wanna hold you to that beatdown I promised?"

"Whoa whoa WHOOOA.. Hey Puck, dude, I'm sorry, we were up late talking and.. We didn't get much sleep since Rach had a bad dream and… shit, come to think of it I don't even know where my phone is. I always shut it off when we play a gig and I guess I never even thought to turn it back on. Sorry man."

"Well I'm guessing it's NOT stored in your left pec or tucked under your right armpit, yeah? Considering you're half naked here, I guess I can make some assumptions about what went down since last night."

"NOAH ELIJAH PUCKERMAN you will make NO such assumptions about anything – and you will leave Finn alone right this instant!" Rachel exclaimed as she finally joined the conversation, now fully dressed (albeit in Finn's sweatshirt once again – and only his sweatshirt).

"Ray! What the hell are you wearing?" Puck asked as he shot a death glare at Finn. "Go put some actual fucking clothes on - IE, YOUR OWN CLOTHES, I'm taking you home, NOW!"

"Noah stop it right now! Quit being a caveman, and watch your language! I'll leave here when I am good and ready to go, and I do not need you to escort me. I'm a grown woman, I can make my own decisions." She made her way next to Finn and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Besides, I'm quite certain Finn will gladly see me home safely WHEN I am ready to leave, but not a moment before then. Now stop acting like some kind of a mobster. You're making poor Finn a nervous wreck!"

"But Ray, I worried myself sick about you when you didn't answer my like, 35 calls, do you know how irrespons–"

Rachel silenced him by putting her finger up to his face. "SHHH! Noah, shut it! Right now, I mean it! Not another word!" Finn sniggered softly under his breath watching the petite fireball in action as Puck rolled his eyes. "Now.. If you can calm yourself and behave rationally and conduct yourself like a proper GUEST in someone's home, and NOT like an insane neanderthal, then I'll get you a cup of coffee, or a beer if you'd prefer… Otherwise, I'll thank you kindly for your concerns but you can leave right now. Are we clear?"

Puck shoved both his fists deep into his front jeans pockets with a huff. "Yeah yeah.. Fine, B. I'll calm down," then he looked to Finn and motioned "but White Chocolate over here needs to go fucking put on some clothes too.. Dude, I really don't wanna see your pasty white abs glowing in my face, frying my retinas out."

Finn presents him with a 'what the fuck' wrinkled brow and scoffs, "Whatever man… you're the one who showed up unannounced and uninvited to my apartment, remember?"

"Well you're the one who's apparently been taking advantage of MY baby cousin all night so.."

"ENOUGH!" Rachel shrieked. "Finn, you can go get dressed if you choose to. I'll handle NOAH over here."

Finn pressed a quick kiss to the side of her face and stalked down the hallway to his room. Puck plopped himself down on a stool at the breakfast bar, tapping his fingers on the counter and staring expectantly, awaiting an explanation. "So B. Exactly what the hell are you doing here? Playing the little woman in a stranger's house, this ain't like you in the least! Did he.. Did he force you–""

"Are you serious Noah! Don't even finish that repugnant question! Of course he did not! I'm appalled you would even think something like that of Finn! Why, he's been the most perfect host and a complete gentleman all night. And what may or may not have happened between Finn and I is absolutely none of your business!"

After a few beats of silence, he peeked an innocent face back up at her. "So you did the deed then, huh?" Puck asked with a sinister smirk stretching across his face, earning himself a slap across the back of his head.

Rachel then fished a beer from the fridge and placed the open bottle on the counter in front of him, just as Finn reappeared from the hallway. "Baby, do you want one too?" motioning to the bottle now in Puck's hand.

"No thanks Rach, a water would be great though." She smiled sweetly as she retrieved two bottles of water from the fridge. As she turned to hand one to Finn, he leaned down to steal a soft peck on the lips as she handed it to him. "Thank you baby," he murmured against her lips.

Puck winced at the sight. "Aww fuck. I guess you two are gonna be that couple, huh?" he quipped, then chugged down a generous amount of the ale in his hand and belched to punctuate his sentiment.

As Finn's confused eyes met Puck's, he clarified "Y'know, the cutesie, sickening, lovey-dovey couple who macks on each other over stupid shit and makes people wanna hurl."

Rachel's giggle cut through the room and she breathed out "There's absolutely nothing wrong with couples like that Noah.. Perhaps if you ever stopped being such a caveman, you might just find yourself fortunate enough to be in exactly such a relationship." Finn grinned widely, flashing his dimples at her and she winked back at him.

"Gahh, I can't stay here long. I have a weak gag reflex and you two are nauseating." Puck scrunched up his shoulders and shivered in disgust, further poking fun at the couple.

Ignoring his continued jabs, Finn took a seat at the table and asked "Hey man, how exactly did you get here anyway?I kinda thought all means of city transit would be shut down all day, or at least til it quit snowing."

"Yeah well, where there's a will there's a way.. When neither of you two 'lovebirds' were answering your phones, I freaked out a little. A buddy of mine drives a plow truck for the city so I hitched a ride. Of course, I had to bribe him with my Jets tickets for next week, but whatever. They're nosebleed seats and I'd be freezing my nads off anyway in this weather."

"If you bribed your way here, how were you planning to get back home again? Especially with me?" Rachel wrinkled her face in confusion.

"He's supposed to swing back 'round to pick me up in about 30 minutes."

"So not even the trains are up and running again yet?" Finn asked.

"Wow you two have taken this whole 'snowed-in' thing pretty seriously huh? What the hell have you been doing? Haven't you watched the news yet at all?" Rolling his eyes and ignoring the knowing grins on each of the faces across from him he continued "Some of the trains are already running, but they expect to be back to full service by tonight. And I did see a couple seriously brave cabbies out there on the way here, though there really isn't anyone out to be hailing them in the foot of snow that's on the ground already."

Rachel came around to perch in Finn's lap at the table. "Did everyone else get home okay last night? Have you talked to Blainey today?"

Puck rolled his eyes again while trying to ignore the fact that Rachel seemed to be only half dressed. "Yeah.. he texted this morning after you IGNORED HIM too.. said Kurt was still at his house and they'd be staying there until transit was open again, and also said to say hello to the both of you if I reached you first. And to CALL him." He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and pinched the bridge of his nose as Rachel nuzzled her into Finn's chest. "Okay so message relayed, now Ray, PLEASE go put some pants on or something, huh?"

She giggled as Finn dropped a kiss onto the top of her head. "Go on babe, feel free to raid that drawer again." She beamed a blinding smile back up at him, "Fine," she sighed then deposited a quick soft kiss on his cheek. She padded back down the hallway to Finn's room and an uncomfortable silence fell between the two men left sitting there.

Puck sat at the breakfast bar with arms folded across his chest glaring at Finn. After a few moments, Finn ran a hand over the back of neck, and with a twisted face and the tone of an apology in his voice said, "Look man, it's really not what you think." The stern look of intimidation on Puck's face made his thoughts obvious as he bored holes into him and made Finn more than a little bit nervous.

"Really? So then, you didn't bang my baby cousin after just meeting her less than 24 hours ago?"

Finn swallowed hard and decided to try another tactic. "Uh.. dude," Finn cleared his throat. "I know you're just being protective and stuff, and I get it, she's your family, and she's so little and everything… but Rachel is different, so unlike anyone I've ever met. I meant what I said Puck. I really do care about her.. A lot. And I'm pretty sure she feels the same."

Puck apprises the man before him, his sort of friend and new sort-of boss. He knows Rachel has never been the type to rush into any relationships but he also knows when she falls she falls hard. He just didn't expect her to fall so hard so fast, especially not under the circumstances.

"Yeah. You're sure right about her being special." He looks Finn in the eye and adds "I can see it you know, the way she looks at you. Saw it last night too. I think you're right... she might be falling hard already. I know I'm over protective but it's kinda my job. Just don't fuck this up, Finnster. If she is falling this fast, you'd better be there to catch her and not let go. Don't break her heart. Cause you KNOW I'll break your–"

"Hey man, I promise, I'd never do anything to hurt her or pressure her – I'm NOT the kind of mega-douchebag like her ex seems to be…" Peeking up to gauge Puck's response, he added "She told me everything y'know? About him that is, about Brody. And man, believe me, I totally understand your concerns. But I swear that isn't who I am. I really care about her, man."

The surprise of Finn's words hit Puck immediately. "Wait what? She told you about that asshole? Already? Damn. I didn't see that coming.. not so soon anyway." Puck contemplates the importance of what it means that Rachel has already opened up to Finn. Telling him her story this soon must mean that she really does feel safe, and that she trusts this guy completely. And if Puck is being completely honest with himself, he kinda does, too.

"Yeah well, Puck, man, look I totally get why you're so concerned about her. I am now, too… that fucker better hope I never run into him anywhere."

Puck pulled a wicked grin. "Yeah? So, what, you gonna be my wingman while we tear him limb from limb huh?"

Finn chuckled, "Yeah… Or maybe we can track down that toilet in Harlem you mentioned." The two men shared a good laugh as Rachel reappeared in another pair of Finn's basketball shorts, which appeared to be about four sizes too big for her and looked more like capris length pants.

"I look ridiculous in these, but I'll admit I was getting a little chilly." she mused out loud as she returned to the room. Finn jumped up and walked to her, sweeping her up in his arms "Rach, you shoulda said something. Here, I'll light the fire, you grab the blanket from the sofa."

"You're so sweet but I'm fine, thank you." She pressed a kiss to his cheek before he turned to light the fireplace. Noticing the time as nearly 4pm, Rachel turned back to her cousin and asked "Noah, are you staying a while? It's getting close to dinner time. I'm sure Finn and I can whip up enough to feed the three of us."

"Hell no, B. I mean, thanks for the invite and all, but I can see I'm obviously a third wheel.. and.. Well, you do seem to be in good hands from the looks of things. I just had to be sure. Sorry for crashing your little party. Besides, my ride should be swinging back through shortly so I'd better get down there."

. . . . .

As Finn pulled together some ingredients to make spaghetti and got dinner started, Rachel went through her phone. She sent a text off to Blaine to say she'd seen Puck and to apologize for missing his call. She also noticed two missed calls from her roommate which she decided she needed to return.

"Hey Teeny! I'm so sorry I didn't get in touch sooner.. Are you okay, where are you?"

— "Oh Rachie, I'm so relieved to hear from you! Puck called me three times this morning looking for you... I was a little worried – not terribly, just a little. Mike and I are still at our place. How about you, still at Errol Finn's?"

Rachel smiles at the play on names again and watches Finn from her spot on the sofa as he sings to a Pearl Jam song playing on the ipod while slicing onions.

"Yeah... he's cooking for us right now. Spaghetti. He's so adorable!" She adds loud enough to catch Finn's attention, who blows her a kiss and turns her a lop-sided grin that makes her knees weak.

— "I'm so glad to hear you're having fun... so everything's okay with you two? No problems last night?"

Rachel makes her way back to Finn's bedroom to answer. "Yeah everything with Finn is just sublime. He's amazing Teeny. And last night was... well it was incredible, we sat and talked for hours and had Chinese food. Then he slept on the sofa and insisted I take his bed... but then.., well, I had a nightmare and woke him up."

— "Oh no! Aw sweetie, I thought those days were over. I'm so sorry.. Are you okay?"

"Well, I thought they were too. Especially because.. Finn is so... UGH I wish I could explain it T! He's just everything I ever dreamed of. Almost too good to be true, you know? Which is a little scary..."

— "Are you... Ray, do you think you're falling in love already?"

"I... I think I could be? Or maybe I am... I just know I've never felt like this with anyone or for anyone before. He makes me feel safe and beautiful and... bold..."

There's silence on Tina's end of the phone for a long beat before she speaks again.

— "YOU SLEPT WITH HIM?! On the first date?! Rachel!"

"Hey hey! Shhh calm down! I just... Okay look, I know it's fast and it's totally not like me, but it felt RIGHT. And it wasn't last night – even though I wanted to but HE slowed us down.. he was worried about me. But yeah it was this morning, after he'd taken such good care of me last night and helped me through my bad dream and... Teeny. This is crazy I know. But it feels like.. maybe he could be... oh I know how this is gonna sound, but I swear I feel like he could be the ONE, you know? You probably think I'm crazy."

Tina listens to everything Rachel is saying and considers her response carefully.

— "So wait. You say you could've done the deed last night because YOU wanted to, but HE stopped you? Well that by itself is really saying something, especially after seeing you two together at the club last night. Do I think it's fast? Well maybe, but... I've never seen you react like this to anyone before. Ever since that night you came home after seeing him on the bus, I can tell there's something special between you two. Something maybe that's meant to be. But no... I don't think you're crazy. I think you have good instincts about people most of the time and if you trust him and you trust yourself, then that's all that matters, right? He makes you feel safe, so... I'm happy for you Rach."

Rachel sniffs back a few tears and nods along with Tina's response even though she knows Tina can't see her. "You are? You're really happy for me, seriously? That means so much Teeny. And I promise you, Finn is so special.. Wait til you get to know him better, you'll see what I mean! Now enough about me. Tell me about you and Mike!"

— "Mike is sooo wonderful, Rach! And those six pack abs of his are pretty awesome too! We um... well, we didn't quite 'close the deal' yet but ah... the day isn't over yet!"

"Oh my! Well don't let me stand in your way!" Rachel giggles. "So you really like him?"

— "I do, we have a lot in common and he's so nice. And funny. And you should see how good his dance moves are!"

"Really, he dances? That's awesome T... you know, Finn sings so well.. he sang to me a bunch of times since we've been here and it's like heaven. Our musical chemistry really is another good sign I think."

— "I'll second that! That duet you guys sang last night was unbelievable. I'm so glad you found such a good guy.. I just worry about your heart babe. After.. you know who... I was worried about you."

"I was a little worried about me too T, to be honest... but Finn is so very opposite of HIM in every single way. He's giving and kind and cares about what I have to say and how I feel... yeah. I really think I'm already falling in love. How could I not?"

— "Well, do you think he feels the same way?"

"Yeah, I think so. I mean it's not like he's said THAT directly yet, but he shows me.. You know what I mean? Everything is so loving and gentle... I just hope this feeling never ends."

— "Aww... Rachie I'm so happy for you two. Seriously. We all need to get together soon. I do want to get to know him better, and you need to get to know Mike too... I think he could be pretty special too. Who knew your crazy bus ride would be so meaningful to BOTH of us! Haha!"

Rachel giggles at her friend. "Yeah who knew? Well, I should be going, see if Finn needs any help in the kitchen. I'll be home later probably. Take care Teeny, love you!"

— "Love you too Rachie, be safe!"

. . . . .

After a great home-cooked meal together, Rachel helped Finn clean up the kitchen. It seemed to take forever to get the dishes washed since they both struggled to stay focused on that task instead of on each other. Between hot kisses and wandering hands, they finally managed to finish and settled back onto the sofa in front of the television.

"Wanna watch a movie?" he asks as she snuggles against his side.

"Sure, you choose... as long as it isn't too bloody."

Finn chooses Iron Man and Rachel shares her experience meeting Robert Downey Jr at a dance workshop once. Just then it strikes Finn that this girl might actually be pretty far out of his league and once again counts his lucky stars and thanks the universe for putting her in his path.

"Whoa... that's insane! Have you met any other celebrities?"

"Well, Patti LuPone was having lunch at Sardi's when I was there on a date once. I wanted to speak to her, but I was too nervous and chickened out."

"A date huh? Big spender, taking you to Sardi's... Whatever happened with that guy?"

"Oh gosh Finn, that was years ago... I was still in high school. He was really great though. In fact you remind me a little of him. But you know, he was just visiting family here over the summer and NYC wasn't really his cup of tea. Long distance didn't make sense either and we were so young, so he went back to his hometown and that was the end of that. It's kind of a shame too, since I really liked him... but on the other hand, I think things worked out exactly as they were supposed to, considering I'm sitting here with you right now."

Finn grins widely and kisses her languidly. "Hmmm. His loss is my gain. I should send him a postcard thanking him for being a dumbass."

She giggles softly and changes the subject. "So your hometown is back in Ohio, are you going there for Christmas?"

"Uh.. actually no, this year my parents are coming here for the holidays. They keep a townhouse in Brooklyn so they have somewhere to stay that's more like home when they come. How about you? Any special plans for the holidays?"

"Well, my dads are leaving on a Hanukkah cruise in two days and won't be back until the new year. Being Jewish I don't generally celebrate Christmas per se, but most of my friends do, and I usually get roped into spending time with Tina and her family, especially when my dads are out of town."

"You know Rach, I know this is all going kinda fast with us, but I'd really love for you to come to Christmas Eve dinner at my family's place. If you want to – you can totally say no and I'd understand."

She stretches a pearly white smile. "Really? You want me to come to meet your family?"

"I mean only if you're ready – no pressure or anything. I just... wanna spend more time with you. Like, all the time that we can find. If that's okay with you."

She laughs, "I wish we could stay in this little bubble here forever, but we'll have to get back to the real world eventually... but yes, it's more than okay with me – spending more time together, that is. And it's true, we might be moving a little fast but it sure doesn't feel like it to me. It feels like I've known you forever already... so yes. I would be honored to meet your family and spend Christmas with you."

"Awesome. Hey maybe tomorrow if the weather cooperates we can go get a little Christmas tree for here at my place. AND a menorah."

"But you're not Jewish, Finn."

"No, but you are. I want you to feel comfortable and included. And I wanna learn your traditions too. Hanukkah is only a couple of days away right? We can uhh... light the candle thingies and you can teach me wha–"

So much for Iron Man. Rachel launches herself at Finn, kissing him with everything she had. The idea of him wanting to learn her traditions and to include her in his was so overwhelmingly heartwarming. The movie was completely forgotten in favor of another makeout session that turned into round four, which was immediately followed by round five in the shower.

. . . . .

"So do you have plans for tomorrow? It's Sunday... will you have rehearsals?"

"Ahh, as it happens... we're supposed to, but I got another email from the theater and it seems they've canceled again due to weather. Too much of the city still isn't dug out yet. Which means I have two more days off before I have to go back."

"That's awesome Rach... so that's two more days we can hang out then?"

"Yes, but only if you wanted to... but can I make a request?"

"Of course I want to... I didn't wanna let you leave here at all, remember? And you can ask me anything."

"And as much as I don't want to leave yet, that's actually sort of my request... Do you think we can at least stop by my place? As comfy as your clothes have been, it would be nice to have something that I can actually wear outside of your apartment - besides the clothes I came in."

Finn laughed heartily, "Yeah sure babe, I think my old rust bucket of a truck is stealthy enough to get us there and back. You should um, maybe pack a whole overnight bag for the next 2 days. I meant it when I said I wasn't letting you leave yet."

Rachel giggles, making his heart skip a beat. "That's fine with me, for the next two days I'm all yours."

"Cool. Hey! How about this... tonight we'll stop by your place and get your things, then a quick stop on the way back to stock up on supplies, like food, y'know, since my fridge is a little empty now. Then tomorrow we'll go Christmas tree shopping and find a menorah, and then maybe Monday – if you're up for it – I think the guys are gonna try to meet up at our rehearsal space. I'd love for you to come by and see the rehearsal space."

"Yes yes yes and YES to ALL of that! I'd love to see your rehearsal space and get to know your bandmates better... but only if you're sure I won't be an intrusion and that the guys won't mind me being there."

"Are you kidding? They'll love to have you there. Just be prepared.. Pretty sure Josh is gonna want you to sing."

"Me, pass up an opportunity to sing? NEVER. Especially if you promise to sing with me!"

"It's a deal, babe. Now let's get moving to your place, I have plans for you when we get back."