If anyone is still reading thank you. I do have all of my current open stories finished, just need to edit them and get them uploaded. :)


November

Rachel had been in Los Angeles for two weeks, and to say its been a whirlwind is an understatement. She's been shuffled between her apartment, the movie studio, fittings, dialect coaches, etc. It was amazing and exhausting all at the same time. Rachel is suddenly living this crazy life she had always dreamed of, but she found herself dreaming of what she had left behind. She misses Finn. She misses her apartment. She misses New York.

She and Finn have only spoken on the phone twice, but text daily. He's been working nights which is the only time Rachel has been free. They're both realizing how much of a sacrifice it is to have Rachel so far away. They already didn't see each other enough in New York and Rachel lived two blocks from Finn's work. Now she's 3,000 miles away as she worked on a huge movie. Their lives couldn't be more different. He never seemed to mind, always asking a million questions about her work. She also tried her best to ask him how his day was going, trying not to worry about how much danger he was in. She cringed every time he sent her a text before he went out on a call.

Santana flew out to go over some logistics before filming begins. Rachel will be in LA until Christmas, then home for two weeks, then filming at two separate farms in Tennesee until the spring. She had known movie schedules were like this, but now that she's living it she's overwhelmed by the time frame. If she were single, she wouldn't have cared that she was gone so long. In fact, she would have welcomed it. She used to relish in any opportunity that distracted her from the fact that she didn't have anyone in her life. Now there seems to be a little piece of her longing for home. Longing for Finn.

"Hello? Rachel are you even listening to me?" Santana waved her hand in front of Rachel's face.

"Yes, sorry, " Rachel yawned. "I stayed up too late talking to Finn on the phone. I'm back. Keep going."

Santana laughed. "Wow. You have it bad. You never miss your beauty sleep. Ever. I can't even tell you all of the fun times you've missed because you were asleep!"

"Have what bad?"

"You're in L-O-V-E.". Santana said as she danced around Rachel in her apartment.

"So what if I am?" she smirked. "I"m realizing that in the past I always had things that I swept under the rug and tried to fix. The thing is, with Finn, there's nothing. I don't need to fix him. He's perfect the way he is."

Santana opened her mouth and pretended to gag. "Well aren't you two just sickeningly sweet? I must say Berry, I'm impressed. I practically had to force you into that benefit that night and here you are with a boyfriend six months later. A boyfriend you bought in an auction. Won't your kids love that story? I expect to be the maid of honor at your wedding FYI."

"Our wedding? I don't think that's happening any time soon." Rachel smirked as she glanced down at her calendar.

"See! You can't even say that with a straight face. That boy has it bad for you. He'll put a ring on that finger as soon as he can."

Rachel secretly hoped that was true.

"Santana, you know how I've been with my past boyfriends. Clinging onto them for dear life, having our entire life planned. Clearly I'm not married so I refuse to really focus on it. I'm just happy. We're happy. I'm busy! Too busy for much else. My main goal is just to have this relationship survive until I'm done filming in the spring. I can't fly home until Christmas, so unless Finn flys out here we won't see each other for a long time and it kills me. In a weird way though, its so nice to have someone to miss."


"Hey there stranger? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Rachel was caught off guard at Finn calling when it was well after midnight his time.

"Well I decided to head over to your apartment to try to get a good nights sleep and I missed you. This bed is so big without you hogging all of the blankets." Finn stretched his free arm out to Rachel's side of the bed. "Who's going to kick me in the middle of the night if you're not here?"

Rachel laughed imagining Finn stretched out in her bed like a starfish. "Oh come on I'm not that bad."

"I swear I'm going to film you in your sleep to prove my point. Good thing you're little and can't hurt me too much."

Rachel clutched the phone a little tighter. She really missed him even if she was busier than she's ever been. "I wish I was there with you. Better take advantage before my apartment renovations start and you'll be banned until I return."

"So I have a surprise, " Finn started, "I'm coming next week for Thanksgiving!"

"What!" Rachel screamed and started running around her apartment. "Are you serious? Is this a joke? Please tell me you're serious."

"Calm down. Of course I'm serious. I worked some extra shifts for a few guys and got to take four entire days off. My flight is booked so you can't tell me no. I arrive Wednesday morning and I don't leave until Saturday night."

Rachel's heart swelled. "Of course I'm not going to tell you no! I'm off for next weekend too except for some voice over stuff on Friday. You can come with me! "

Finn glanced at the clock realizing it was later than he thought. "Sounds great Rach! I hate to cut this short but I really need to go to sleep. I haven't slept much the past few days. Lots of calls at work. I just wanted to tell you because I couldn't hold it in any longer."

Rachel's heart swelled. She hadn't been expecting to see him for five more weeks, so this was such a welcome surprise. "I love you Finn. I can't wait to see you."


Movie schedules were grueling. Rachel had worked the past four days non stop. It was her last scene before she was off for Thanksgiving. She had worked all night and Finn was landing at 9 am. Her plan was to be home in time for him to arrive and have fantastic "I missed you" sex before passing out. She was sure Finn would be okay with that plan.

Her main co-star Josh, who was very famous and very taken, had been fantastic in their first few days of shooting. He was tall with almost black hair and piercing blue eyes. Not quite as tall as Finn though. He and his girlfriend Lara had even invited her over for dinner last week to help her get acclimated. She hadn't really made any friends since moving to LA and hadn't had any time to do so. He was well known in the business and was very helpful telling Rachel the ins and outs of how the movie process goes.

They both walked to their trailors at the end of the day since they were side by side. It was a nice way to wrap things up each day. The end of the day just happened to be 8 am in the morning today.

"So are you and Finn going to come up for air at all this weekend? Lara is flying home to see her folks but I wanted to see if you guys were available to hang out. I'd love to meet this guy I hear so much about!." Josh was very sincere and always asked Rachel about her personal life. He and Lara both wanted to meet Finn.

"I don't know. Friday I have to work a little in the morning and tomorrow Finn was going to cook Thanksgiving. Want to join us? You shouldn't have to spend it alone." Rachel felt bad for him. Josh had an early call time Friday morning so he couldn't go with Lara to visit her family. His family all lived out of town too.

"I might just take you up on that. Otherwise it will be me ordering a pizza for Thanksgiving dinner. I don't cook." Josh laughed.

"Sounds great! I'll text you with my address tonight." With that they hugged goodbye and headed their separate ways.

Rachel's trailer was cozy. It was pretty basic with a little flair. She had a lot of downtime in it alone, which at times just gave her too much time to think. Right now she just wanted to change, get to the airport to get Finn, and go home. She threw on some jeans and a t shirt and checked her phone before taking off. What she didn't expect was a series of texts from Finn giving her bad news.

10k: hey Rach, have you seen the weather? It's not looking good.

10k: I think you said you were working over night. Maybe you'll see this on your break. At the airport. My flight is delayed and I should land around noon.

10k: Got to the airport, flight has been cancelled. Call me when you are done. Headed to my house. Trying to get the next flight out.

Rachel's heart sank. He wasn't coming. Finn coming to visit was the one thing that kept her going through this stressful week. It's all she had talked about to everyone on set. She was crushed.

She tried to ignore the lump in her throat that formed as she dialed his number. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hey Rach. I'm so sorry. I don't think I can make it. I've been calling trying to get another flight out but the weather on the east coast isn't allowing for many planes to come and go. My plane never made it out of Chicago to NY." His voice sounded flustered.

"It's not your fault. I can't say I'm not disappointed though." Rachel swallowed hard trying to push back the tears. "I just...I just really miss you." She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. She let out a quiet sob.

"Please don't cry. I'll do whatever I can to get the first flight out, but its looking like they can't rebook until Saturday. I'm so sorry. I really was looking forward to seeing you and your new place." Finn tried to hide the dissappointment in his voice but was doing a terrible job at it. "I don't want you to be alone tomorrow."

"Well Josh and I can still do something. He and I are the only ones around tomorrow so I won't be alone. He was going to come over to eat with us but since you aren't coming anymore we'll probably just grab a pizza."

Finn winced at the mention of her spending a day alone, with a movie star no less. He wasn't the jealous type, but if anyone was going to spend alone time with his girlfriend, he wanted it to be him. "Okay. I'll call you back if anything changes. Otherwise I'm heading to my parents house for dinner tomorrow. It won't be the same without you."


Rachel had slept for most of the day Wednesday, making up for the all nighter she had pulled filming. Finn called a few times to update her, but nothing had changed. No flights were getting out tonight. She was thankful for exhaustion that kept her sleeping off and on throughout the night.

She woke up on Thanksgiving morning and had several text messages on her phone. Happy Thanksgiving messages from her dads, Kurt and Blaine, Carole, and even Santana. She thinks Santana might be turning soft because Santana only texts her about work or sex. Nothing in between.

Rachel hadn't woken up until 10 am, missing most of the Thanksgiving day Parade which was her favorite. She once was in it for a musical she was in. It was fun but freezing and she wasn't sure she'd ever want to do it again. It was a tradition though, to always watch the parade. This day was already so different than she wanted it to be.

She got a text from Josh asking her what time he should head over. "Crap!" she said out loud as she realized she had forgotten to text him. She sent a quick text back telling him Finn didn't make it and that there was no dinner to be cooked. She felt horrible forgetting to let him know sooner. He wasn't mad though. Instead he invited her to go out to a new restaurant in LA and she agreed to join him. No point in sitting here alone all night, she thought to herself.

She kills some time doing some Christmas shopping online, looking over her schedule for the next few weeks, and finally showering. Finn Facetimed her around 1pm, just as she had finished getting dressed for the day.

"Hey Beautiful. Happy Thanksigving!" he beamed on the screen. She couldn't help but notice how nice he looked in his sweater and jeans. His hair was combed a little differently too. She hadn't expected to be emotional seeing him on the screen, but the disappointment of having his trip cancelled overwhelmed her suddenly.

She curled her body up on the couch, pushing her hair behind her shoulders. "Hey! Are you guys having fun? I wish I was there. Or you were here." She stuck her lip out in a pout.

Finn opened his mouth to reply, but Kurt soon plopped down next to Finn, joining him on screen. "Rachel! You must give me the scoop on Josh! Tell me everything!"

Rachel rolled her eyes. She loved Kurt, but she wanted to talk to Finn and Finn only right now. "Josh is nice actually! He's been helping me navigate this whole movie business thing. Just an average guy I guess?"

"An average guy who makes millions!" he laughed. "He's not hitting on you is he? Or Finn will have to come beat him up!" Kurt laughed as he nudged Finn's side, Finn not returning the sentiment.

"What? No! He has a girlfriend. A very steady and long term girlfriend. She's super cool too. I know you've seen pictures of her in magazines with him."

Finn grabbed the phone out of Kurt's hands, eliciting a squeal of protest out of him. "So what are you plans today Rach? I know we were supposed to cook and stuff but now... I'm not there." He rubbed his free hand through his hair. "Please don't order pizza. I feel horrible. I get a fully cooked meal while you sit in your apartment with no Thanksgiving food."

After Kurt's comments earlier Rachel hesitated slightly. "Well Josh invited me to dinner." She noticed his face fall at that statement. "I don't have to go if it bothers you."

Finn shook his head. "No, no it doesn't bother me. I don't want you to be alone on a holiday. Even if I have to work we usually celebrate at the station or something. Don't worry about it ok? Go have fun and I'll call you tomorrow." Finn paused, hearing his mom call him for dinner from the other room. "I love you Rachel. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there with you."

"I love you too Finn. What are you going to do the rest of the weekend now?"

Finn groaned. "I'm heading back to work tomorrow. I don't want to lose my vacation days if I never got to have my vacation. I'd rather save them up to spend with you."

"I'm sorry you have to work but I'd rather you save them to. I'll let you go eat now. Don't each too much pie ok?" Rachel blew a kiss into the phone but couldn't help but notice the sinking feeling she felt in her stomach.


The flasbulbs blinded their eyes as they entered the restaurant.

"Geez, you think they'd take holidays off" Josh said as he held the door open for her.

"Well you're sort of like super famous Josh." She rolled her eyes as she laughed. "They certainly aren't caring about me. That died down in New York thank goodness."

A waiter started leading them to their table as they rushed away from the door. "You just wait Rachel, they'll find a reason to chase you too. Even Lara gets followed sometimes and she isn't even in the business."

Josh lectured her about the price of his fame, how he can't go anywhere without being followed.

"I've learned to live with it in a way. I don't like it, but I can deal. Sometimes I wonder why people find me so fascinating. They think of me as the characters I play and not the boring guy who goes to bed at 9 pm on a Friday after watching Dateline".

Rachel laughed because it was true. Josh was nothing like she thought he would be. He was a lot like Finn actually. They'd probably get along really well. They were tucked away in the back of the restaurant. Rachel noticed how crowded it was even though it was Thanksgiving. She wondered if these people had always eaten out on this day or if they were like her, alone in a city with no one she loved.

Rachel sipped her wine as the night progressed. She checked her phone a few times, but nothing from Finn. No calls, no texts. Maybe he was just busy with the family. She knows he doesn't like to have his phone out a lot, but she still wished he would reach out tonight.

"So," Josh began breaking her from her thoughts, "when will Finn come out since this trip was a bust?"

Rachel sighed, wishing she was at her apartment with him instead of out to dinner. "I'm not sure. We talked briefly this morning but nothing was said. I don't know if he will make it out before I go home for the holiday break. He had saved up all of his vacation for this."

The waiter served them their food, a super fancy version of a traditional Thanksgiving. Rachel found herself distracted and not able to concentrate on the conversation Josh was trying to have.

"I need your opinion on something" Josh began. "I bought a ring. A ring for Lara. Wanna see it?"

Rachel dropped her fork and began to clap. "Of course I do! Oh my god when are you doing to propose?"

Josh pulled up a picture of the ring on his phone and passed it to Rachel. "What do you think? I pick it up from the jeweler on Monday. "

Rachel looked down at the beautiful ring on the screen and began to tear up. It looked vintage, which was totally Lara's style. She wasn't expecting to get emotional. She barely knew Josh and Lara. It was something else.

"Oh Josh this is gorgeous. She's going to love it! I'm so happy for you!" Rachel stood up and walked over to Josh giving him a huge hug. "So tell me when!"

Rachel returned to her seat and handed his phone back to him. "Well I'm thinking next weekend once she's home from her trip. I won't be able to keep this from her too long. She knows when I'm hiding something and this is sort of a big thing to hide." Josh blushed and tucked his phone securely in his jacket pocket. "It will be private that's for sure. I don't want any of those crazy loons getting pictures of it."

She continued to listen to Josh tell her about his proposal plan, but her mind drifted to a place where maybe she'd have a ring on her finger too. -

Josh dropped her off around 9, the paparazzi following them the entire way. Once Josh drove off though, they all followed him, leaving her at peace for the night.

She changed quickly and set her alarm for the morning. Luckily she didn't have to be at the studio until 10, so she could sleep in a bit. Checking her phone again, she didn't see any activity from anyone. Even if Finn was busy, she thought at least her Dads would check in one more time today. She opened up her texts to Finn, and quickly sent one last "I love you" before pouring herself a glass of wine and settling in for the night.

Rachel flipped through the channels on the tv, but found her thoughts taking over. She was jealous. She was jealous of Josh and Lara. They were about to get engaged and she knows she wants that too. She hadn't let herself fully go there. Every time she did in the past, something would happen and she'd get dumped. This time though, its like she knows its going to happen. It feels different.

Finn has definitely said thing that have hinted at their future long term, but suddenly she finds herself not wanting to wait. She needed to talk to him, because if he wasn't all in, she would be devastated.


She awoke to hear her phone buzzing on the nightstand. She peeled her eyes open as she reached for it, the vibrations rattling against the wood. It was only 8 am, and she didn't have to be anywhere until 10 so she was relieved she wasn't late.

It was Santana. She answered quickly, but didn't have a chance to say anything before she was being shouted at.

"I swear Berry, at first it was funny, but I don't want to have to be cleaning up these messes for you every single time!" Santana scoffed.

Rachel was bewildered. She had no idea what Santana was talking about. "Huh? What mess? I went out to dinner and was home by 9. Are you in town? Where are you calling from?"

Santana laughed at the other end of the line. "No, I'm not in town! I would have told you! I'm coming to town the first week of December to help you with some press. What I'm talking about is the fact that you've broken up with Finn and are dating Josh."

Rachel felt ill. "Did Finn tell you we broke up? I just talked to him yesterday afternoon..." Rachel began to internally panic.

"I'm going to send you over some articles and then you call me back ok?"

Santana hung up the phone, leaving Rachel staring at her messages waiting for the aritcles to come through.

JOSH SIMPSON DATING BROADWAY START RACHEL BERRY

BROADWAY STAR RACHEL BERRY DUMPS SON OF NYC MAYOR

ICE QUEEN RACHEL BERRY HEATS IT UP WITH MOVIE STAR JOSH SIMPSON

Rachel scrolled frantically through the articles, not understanding what and why this was even a headline.

Then she saw it. A series of pictures of the two of them in the restaurant last night. She and Josh talking, him showing her the pic of the ring on her phone, her smiling and getting teary eyed, and the final one where she had hugged Josh congratulating him. She had to admit they had given the press a field day, even though the entire interaction was innocent.

"SHIT!" She was caught off guard. They have it all wrong! She frantically called Finn but his phone went straight to voicemail. Her eyes looked over the pictures again. She knows what they did was innocent, but would Lara and Finn? She felt like she wanted to throw up.

She called Josh and he picked up right away. "Hey Rachel what's up?" he asked casually.

"What's up? What's up is that the tabloids got pics of us last night and are claiming we're dating! Lara is going to be so mad and I don't even want to think about what Finn thinks. I've barely been gone a month and he'll think I'm cheating on him with-"

"Rachel!" Josh yelled, "Calm down. I already talked to Lara and we laughed. She's used to it. Do you know how many people they've claimed I've dated? Just call Finn and explain. I can talk to him too if you'd like. Just call me later ok?"

Rachel hung up the phone and called Finn back. Voicemail again. She called Carole and she didn't answer. Then Kurt. Then Blaine. Nothing. Finally she called the station figuring Finn was at work.

"FDNY how can I help you?" the man answered in a thick NY accent.

"Yes can I speak to Finn please? Rachel asked as her hands shook.

"Finn is off today. He went to his girlfriends house I think." Just then she hears the sirens go off and the phone go dead. Finn can't be at her apartment. It's being renovated while she's gone. She calls the doorman anyways who confirms Finn hasn't been in the building. Her mind starts going to a dark place. She knows his voice faltered when she said she was going out with Josh for dinner. Is he mad at her and not answering on purpose? What girlfriend is he with?

She paced around the apartment for a few minutes, knowing she had to get ready to head into the studio to do some voiceover work for the movie at 10 am. All of her insecurities she had worked so hard at conquering came flooding back all at once. Was Finn cheating on her? Was he mad about the pictures with Josh? The east coast saw them way before she did. Is that why no one was answering their phones? "RACHEL STOP" she yelled to herself. She found that if she verbally said it sometimes it helped her to snap out of it. This time it didn't.

She quickly showered, but laid her phone on the counter in the bathroom in case anyone called. She left it there while she got dressed, put makeup on, and threw on jeans and a sweater to head into the studio. Still no activity on her phone.


The drive to the studio was quick considering most people were off work today. She was able to get her voiceover material done in an hour, which meant everyone could go home early, including her.

Rachel slowly walked down the path to her apartment thinking about how she would fill her time up for the rest of the day. It was only 11:30. No one was answering her calls. She doesn't have to work again until Monday and she hadn't made any plans. A weekend alone with Finn has turned into just a weekend alone. She figured she can finish online shopping, maybe watch a movie. What should she get Finn for Christmas? That is if Finn hasn't dumped her over this drama. Deep down she knows its nothing, but why wasn't anyone answering her? It's been hours with no contact from anyone. Santana hadn't even called her back.

She reached her front door and fumbled with the keys, mumbling under her breath out of frustration. Just as she put her key in the lock, the door swung open to reveal Finn's smiling face.

Rachel let out a frantic scream before she realized who was standing there. "FINN! What are you doing here? You scared the crap out of me!" She dropped her purse and keys and jumped right into his open arms and he scooped her up into the air.

Finn kissed her hard on the lips before placing her down on the ground. "I got a 7 am flight out this morning. Santana gave me her spare key" he smiled as he dangled the silver key in front of her. "I wanted to surprise you. So SURPRISE!" He held out his hands to pull her in for a hug again. "I've missed you so much baby." He inhaled the smell of her, the familiarity of her presence. It had been a long six weeks.

Rachel didn't realize she was crying until she saw the wet stains on Finn's sweatshirt as she lifted her head up. "I missed you too. I'm so glad you came." Rachel wrapped her arms around him tightly, almost as if he would disappear if she let him go. She reached up to kiss him again, which lasted a few minutes before they both came up for air.

"Let me show you the apartment! Turn around!" She spun Finn around so he was facing the living room. "So over to the right is the kitchen, here is the living room, and my bedroom is through that doorway with a bathroom attached. That's it! Quick tour huh?"

Her apartment was a far cry from her living quarters in New York. It was even smaller than Finn's house in Brooklyn. She only had another month in it until she could go home for two weeks. It was small but it was all she needed. She was barely home when she was filming anyways.

"It's great! I just kind of hung out in the living room walking by the window every five minutes. Santana told me what time you'd probably be home but then I was worried you'd stop somewhere and I just wanted to see you so badly-".

He's cut off by Rachel kissing him again as she pulled him towards the couch. She was so turned on by him just being in the room. He had flown all the way across the country to surprise her and he had the sweetest grin on his face every time he looked at her. There was a nagging in the back of her head though that had to be addressed first.

She pulled away, leaving Finn with a confused look in his eye and slightly swollen lips. Rachel grabbed Finn's hand, rubbing her thumb over his knuckle as she spoke. "Finn, are you mad at me? Is your family mad?"

"Mad about what?" Finn had no idea where this was coming from. A minute ago she couldn't keep her hands off of him. What kind of signals was he sending?

"The pictures." Finn looked at her with a blank stare. "The pictures of Josh and I? Together? Last night at dinner?"

"Santana sent them to me this morning. She knew I was coming so she gave me a heads up. I'm not mad. Honestly, this isn't as bad as the stuff after the auction for me really, and even that didn't bother me a lot. It's fine. I guess dating a big movie star brings this drama on huh?"

Rachel's eyes grew wide. "I called Santana this morning and she said we had broken up and I was dating Josh and she was mad about it! What the hell?"

Finn laughed. "She wanted to throw you off. I also told my entire family not to answer your calls or texts. "

Rachel wanted to be mad, but it was sweet how he wanted to surprise her. "What about the guys at the station? They said you were going to your girlfriends house."

"Um yeah. I'm here aren't I?"

Rachel felt her heart race as she realized how she had spiraled out of control this morning. She had to reign herself in. She knew it was probably from the stress of the movie and being in LA by herself, but she had to get a grip or she was going to ruin everything.

"Look Rachel, I was so happy I got a flight out but you were still asleep so I decided to surprise you. I don't care about those pictures with Josh. I would like to know why you two were hugging though. You looked happy."

Rachel sat back against the cushions, letting her body sink in slightly. "He was showing me Lara's engagement ring. He's going to propose. I guess I caught up in the moment but I was just happy for him. That's ALL." She waited to Catch any sign of distress in his face, but all he did was smile.

"Wow! Good for them! That's exciting! I remember when Kurt and Blaine got engaged when my marriage was crumbling. It was a hard pill to swallow but their excitement sort of pulled me through in a way."

Rachel tends to forget that Finn used to be married. She will go days without thinking about it, and then something reminds her of it and its like a slap in the face. It doesn't bother her really, until she thinks about how he's already proposed to someone and had a big fancy wedding with her. She's never had any of that. Would it still mean as much to him if he did it all over again? Preferably with her.

" I can see that. It's such an exciting time for a couple. It's the beginning of something so special. I hope Lara doesn't find out! I hope I didn't blow the surprise!" Rachel hadn't thought of that and suddenly felt very guilty.

"Nah. You cant see what you're looking at in those pictures. I'm sure she'll be plenty shocked. ". Finn reached over to brush some loose hair out of her face. "Rachel, I would love to sit and talk some more, but you sitting here so close to me," he paused as he kissed her slowly, "We can talk later."

Rachel grinned widely as she pulled her sweater over her head. "I agree, I've wanted to jump your bones since I first saw you!"

"Jump my bones huh?" He laughed.

"Shut up and kiss me Finn".

They didn't have to say anymore, their actions did all of the talking. He laid her back onto the couch so he hovered above her. Not breaking their kiss, Rachel began unbuttoning his pants, Finn tugs on her shirt, they giggle slightly when they're tangled up in haste.

He whispered "I've missed you" in her ear, goosebumps rose from her skin. She had missed being close to him. He calmed her down and riled her up all at the same time. No one had ever made her feel this way, and after a few weeks apart, she was glad to see nothing had changed. He was still her Finn. Only caring about being with her. Wanting to surprise her. Wanting to be WITH her in every sense of the word.

She had thought about this moment since she left New York. Finn coming to visit and having some hot and heavy sex the second she saw him. Instead it was slow and passionate. He looked at her body like he wanted to memorize every inch of it in case he never saw it again.

After they retreated to her bed, Finn grew tired from his travels and fell asleep with Rachel lying on his chest. A corny holiday movie played lowly on the TV as Rachel tried to soak up this moment. The two of them, naked in her bed. She still can't believe he is here.

Finn stirred beneath her, a smile spreads across his face before his eyes even open. "I'm so sorry I fell asleep. I hope you weren't bored."

Rachel laughed because she's never been bored when Finn's around. Her life since May has been amazing in so many ways and he's the reason why. "Nope, I was fine snuggling you while you snored. It's my favorite past time."

Finn rolled his eyes, "Well what's the plan? We eating in or going out? I really haven't seen much of LA since I came straight here and we haven't left. "

Rachel sat up, bringing the sheet up and tucking it under her arms to cover herself. "Well I was thinking maybe we could go grab some Sushi with Josh? He had to film today but should be done by dinner. I'd really like the two of you to meet.

Finn hadn't been expecting it, but it was a good idea. If she's spending so much time with this guy, he'd love to feel him out. "Sounds great babe" he said and kissed her on the lips.


Dinner was going well. A little too well. Rachel sat back and Finn and Josh basically just talked to only each other for the past hour. She reminds herself that she wanted this. She wanted them to like each other and for Finn to see there is never a reason to be jealous. What she wasn't expecting was for them to become instant best friends.

"So when you were doing the flyovers in the jet, was the real or CGI?" Finn asked.

"OH totally real. It was amazing!" Josh beamed as he took another bite of his food.

"I've always wanted to do that! I'm so jealous! There's not much flying involved in the Fire Department."

"Well you save lives and I make movies. You clearly have the more noble profession Finn. Seriously thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. It can't be easy."

What. Was. Happening. Rachel was the audience for a two person compliment show! All they did was tell each other how great they were. She felt like the third wheel on a date.

Ten minutes and a full conversation about the New York Yankees later, Finn finally catches on to Rachel's boredom.

"You okay Rach? Sorry I guess we got carried away! Who knew I'd have so much in common with this guy huh?" Finn raised his hand to fist bump Josh.

"Rachel you didn't tell me your boyfriend was so cool! Wish you could stay until Lara gets home Monday! Maybe next time though! She's coming to Tennessee with me in January so maybe then?"

Finn grew quiet. He knew he probably didn't have the availability to go out and visit Rachel much after the New Year. Rachel hadn't exactly invited him either. He looked over at Rachel to read her expression when she spoke up.

"We haven't exactly talked about that yet. Finn's schedule is very busy. ". He noticed how she was avoiding eye contact with him as she spoke. "Maybe we can figure out another weekend that you can come out? I haven't gotten my full spring filming schedule yet."

Josh chimed in, not noticing any of the tension that just entered the room. "Yeah its different for Lara because she just does freelance work and can travel anywhere and still get her job done. I told her to quit her job but she isn't ready for that step yet. Maybe when we get married and have kids. It's up to her but she doesn't have to work if she doesn't want to."

Reality was setting in for Rachel and Finn. What if Rachel's career takes off? Would Finn follow her? Would he stay behind in New York? Suddenly dinner wasn't so fun anymore.

—-

"Do you not want me to come to Tennessee Rachel? You seemed really weird about it at dinner." Finn was driving Rachel's rental car back to the apartment. They hadn't said a word for the first five minutes of the drive.

Rachel was a little shocked at his question. Why would he think that? "Of course I want you to come. I just hadn't said anything because I don't want you to feel pressured to have to. I know my job is keeping me away from you and I've been feeling so guilty about it. You have no idea."

Finn grabbed her had as he continued to drive. "Well I have been feeling guilty because I don't have a job that allows me to travel as much as I need to right now. I guess we've not been 100% truthful lately. I"m sorry. I"m sorry our schedules don't mesh and I'm sorry that I've been letting things get to me that shouldn't. Josh is really great. I wasn't really jealous, but I'm glad I've met him since you send so much time with him."

Rachel sighed. "Finn do not feel guilty. I know we lead very different work lives, but I love you and trust me when I say I have been thinking about you non stop. I can't sleep when I know you're out on a call. I wake up and feel the bed for you before I'm fully awake. I'd love for you to visit me in Tennessee but I don't want you to ever feel like I'd be mad if you couldn't come. I know you love your job and I'll never ask you to do anything to jeopardize that. "

He kissed her hand and felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. "I know you wouldn't. I know you respect my job and my life. I respect yours. Maybe we should talk about it some more though. We'll get through the next 5 or 6 months. It might be tough and I'll miss you so much, but we can do it."

"I promise that when I come home in December, we will spend so much time together that you'll be sick of me." Rachel grabbed his hand and brought it up against her face. She really as going to miss him when he left.