Love in a Sunburnt Country.

AU- a Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry Fan fiction

M rating- romance-drama/humour

Before focusing on their lives at college, and unknown to each other, High school graduates Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry decide to take a year off and travel, leaving their homes and families in Lima Ohio and New York City. They end up in the rugged north of Western Australia. What does the vast isolated outback have in store for them? Will they find amidst the open country, beautiful sunsets and rugged scenery what they didn't even know they were looking for?

A/N: Hi and welcome to my newest chapter story, this one is set in Australia, so I apologize if some of the language or descriptions confuse non Aussie's. But I hope you stay with it and enjoy regardless.

Please read and let me know what you think via a review. As always I own nothing except the plot and OC's. All mistakes are mine.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited or followed my last one shot story, I sincerely appreciate every single one.

cab4five

Chapter 1 (The small town boy)

Finn Hudson –May/June 2014

"Please put your hands together for the McKinley High graduates of 2014!"

Amid the shower of red graduation caps, clapping, cheering and hundreds of camera flashes going off and making him see stars. Finn Hudson, recent graduate of McKinley High School in the small town of Lima in Western Ohio, realises more than ever the big wide world is now his to discover. High school is done; he has an acceptance from New York University to study education with an extra degree, which will allow him to also teach music.

So that summer finds Finn spending his days either working at his step-dad's tire and mechanical workshop where he has spent quite a lot of time since he was 10 when his mom married Burt Hummel. He also helps out when he can at the local youth centre, and teaches the kids' basketball, baseball skills and football for the up coming fall/winter season.

He keeps pretty busy and it all helps keep his mind off his disastrous love life, well lack of, due to the fact he was one of two guys his first serious girlfriend was playing against the other. So as soon as he found out (thanks to a bottle or two of Mikes hard lemonade) and an end of season party at guy number one's house, he dumped her blonde cheerleader ass and swore he was going to forget about girls and focus on himself for a while. He was firm even though every time, he opened his locker numerous bits of paper and sticky notes with names and cell numbers scribbled all over them would fall out and flutter to the ground, he ignored them and just picked them up and put them in the trash, he wasn't interested in hooking up with anymore high school girls . He knew one day he would find the right girl, but for now was going to focus on his last year of school and make sure he got into NYU.

For a few weeks at a time, with the permission of his old high school Principal and education board (for extra practice and credits) he supervises on-line summer school lessons, in the McKinley High school library. He loves the interaction with the kids and really enjoys helping them understand the way math works and learning new concepts. Finn had always loved the simplicity of math because it was mostly following patterns or codes and as far back as he could remember he'd enjoyed puzzles. English though, was another matter completely, he obviously did well enough to get into the teaching program at NYU, but he still occasionally got confused (well lets be honest 75% of the time) understand big words and their meanings.

It was a Thursday in early July that unbeknownst to him would be the day that was about to change his life. He was just finishing working with a group of soon to be freshmen. Thinking about what to get for lunch, but as he was passing the guidance and careers office he spotted a flyer in big bold font on the notice board, that caught his attention and interest straight away…

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA, AND EARN MONEY WHILST YOU ARE TRYING SOMETHING NEW?

CALL TOLLFREE- 555 15 29 31 OR DROP INTO OUR OFFICE AT UNIT 5/ 715 WESTFIELD STREET, DAYTON, MON-SAT 9AM – 3PM AND TALK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY REPRESENTIVIES FROM

'ON TOP-DOWN UNDER EMPLOYMENT AGENCY'

THE ONLY CONDITIONS ARE YOU MUST BE 18 OR OVER, HAVE A VALID PASSPORT OR IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING ONE (WE WILL HELP WITH VISA'S DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF TIME YOU WISH TO STAY AND YOUR HOME COUNTRY'S REGULATIONS), HAVE ENOUGH AVAILBLE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE YOUR OWN RETURN PLANE TICKET (Just in case you decide the Australian outback it isn't for you) A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF ENGLISH AND WILLING TO WORK ON ISOLATED HOMESTEADS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY BE PREPARD TO HAVE A GO.

CALL TODAY AND STEP OUTSIDE YOUR SQUARE, WE CAN PROMISE YOU WILL SEE THE WORLD WITH DIFFERENT EYES. ALL FOOD AND ACCOMADATION SUPPLIED AS PART OF WAGE PACKAGE.

On top - Down Under employment agency is a reputable employment service Est. in 1980. Offering young people between the ages of 18-30 the chance to spend time in Australia and experience life on an outback station (Ranch). Meeting new people and gaining skills. If you have experience in any of the following occupations; it makes it easier to place you.

Mechanical, Food service/prep, Education/child care, Housekeeping or working with animals. Even if you only have basic knowledge/experience, or are unskilled.

Please call it could just be the new opportunity you have been looking for.

All prospective employers have been thoroughly checked and approved by us at 'On top-Down under Employment Agency', and many have been long term clients of ours for a number of years. So you can rest assured you will be in a safe, caring, friendly environment.

PLEASE CALL US NOW, WE'D LOVE TO HELP YOU, AND MAYBE THE YOU, YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IS JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED.

Finn unpinned the flyer, folding it neatly and putting it the back pocket of his jeans, his mind overflowing with thoughts and images the words he had read on the paper had planted in his brain , he raced out to his truck to go home to talk to his mom and dad.

"MOM, DAD…" Finn has hardly gotten through the front door before his bellowing voice has his mom running into the room to find out what the commotion is all about.

"Finny? Whatever is the matter?" his mom asks in a worried voice.

"Where's Dad Mom? I need to talk with both of you 'tis important and Kurt as well I guess if he is home."

"Burt's still at work but he should be home in about half an hour, and I think Kurt said he was going to the movies with Blaine, why what is the matter Son?"

Finn nods his head in response to his moms answers and starts to walk towards his bedroom to dump his backpack, running his hand over the back of his neck, his preoccupied face on, Carole knows that look all too well her son hadn't always been a deep thinker, but when something really stirred his interest he turned the idea over and over in his mind until it was as clear as glass.

"Mom is my passport still valid from that trip we took to Canada? I'd probably need to get a new photo though, afterall it was years ago and I've changed a bit…., I hope it doesn't take too long to organize 'cause I would want to leave pretty soon so I would have at least a year…., oh and plane tickets maybe I can look into it when I go into Dayton and talk to them…"

Carole is looking at her son with a puzzled look and as he rambles on about going into the office and looking up the government's visa regulations and suitcases and what clothing he'd need, and cameras. All the while he has a dreamy far away look on his face and his brown eyes are alight with a vitality that she hasn't seen since he decided he wanted to be a teacher when he was in 9th grade and again when he opened his acceptance letter from NYU, a couple of months ago.

"FINN CHRISTOPHER HUDSON, what in the world are you talking about? Why do you need a passport?" Finn is shaken from his thoughts by the stern raised tone of his mom's voice; she only uses his full name when she is either really angry or worried.

"Huh?"

Carole takes a deep breath and moves to sit on the sofa, patting the cushion beside her and saying softly, "Finn can you please just sit down and calmly tell me what is going on and what has you so excited?"

"Oh sorry Mom," he says guiltily, as he looks at her he pulls a folded sheet of paper from his back pocket before sitting down on the sofa next to his mom. He opens it leaning on his knee to straighten out the creases and proudly presents it to Carole, who takes the page reaching over to the coffee table for her reading glasses. She takes another look at her son's cheerful face, and then focuses her eyes on the A4 sheet of paper.

A few minutes of reading Carole Hummel, reaches up to remove her glasses and looking at her son, (who she can't believe is already nearly 19 years old) his handsome face aglow with happiness and determination.

"Sounds good, huh?" He asks tapping the paper with a long forefinger.

"Well it certainly sounds like a legitimate agency Finny, but have you researched them or spoken to anyone else to ask questions? I mean Australia is a very long way and you've only just graduated high school an…"

"Mom" he says through a deep chuckle, "I'll be fine, but if it will put your mind at rest we can get on line now and check 'em out and if you and Dad want, you can come with me tomorrow when I go into the agency's office in Dayton."

"Ok Son lets check them out so we will have some sort of idea to tell your Dad."

Finn presents his charming, dimple producing half smile to his mom before pressing a quick kiss to her cheek, and moves his solid 6ft 3in frame at lightening speed up stairs to his room to grab his laptop. Carole just shakes her head smiling fondly at her son who everyday is looking more like his father Chris, and she is positive he would be proud of how his son is turning into such a good man.

When Burt arrives home about 20 minutes later he finds his wife and stepson on the sofa, huddled around what he can see is Finn's laptop.

"Hey what's going on with you two?"

"Oh hey honey, Finny was just showing me this website for an employment agency in Australia."

"Australia? Is it for teaching? But you haven't even started college yet."

"No Dad it's not for teaching, it's for working on an outback ranch, well they call them stations in Australia, I can do mechanical work or drive trucks and work with sheep and cows and live in a bunkhouse and see the country and get paid and as I wouldn't need much, my pay check would just stay in the bank, plus food and board is included …. " Burt stops Finn's breathless ramble when he addresses his wife with an inquiring tone asks.

"You agree with this idea Carole?, it's all the way across the world for gods sake, what happens if you get sick or have an accident how would we get to you…? I don't know if it is a good idea what about NYU, I'm not letting you turn down a fantastic opportunity like that to go …"

"Burt honey, calm down please, I've been looking at their website and it all seems to be ok, plus Finn wants us to go with him into the office in Dayton tomorrow when he goes to find out more, and as much as I don't want to believe it, he is 18 years old and his own man."

"Dad" (Burt softens a little at the way Finn says dad, even though they are not related by blood Finn has always thought of Burt as his real dad and knows Burt reciprocates the feeling) I'm not throwing away college and my future, I just want to travel and see some of the world before I go to college, I reckon it will make me a better teacher and help me to grow up to be a better man and be more independent plus I will be earning my own pay check. I was going to contact NYU and discus this anyway. But I'd really like it if you would come with me to check them out for your self, so will you please…?"

Burt looked at his wife who just nodded as if to say Finn would go anyway, but doesn't want to hurt his feelings by not involving him or asking for advice. He then noticed the look of excitement and happiness on Finn's face and just let out a loud sigh before nodding his head saying, "I don't really 'spose I can stop you can I? Of course I'll come with you I want to ask my own questions. Have you told your brother you won't be in the New York apartment with him straight away yet?"

"Thanks Dad, I promise it is all above board and I'll be safe, you do know they have phones and internet in Australia don't you? And no I haven't told Kurt yet I will , though I'm not looking forward to his diva fit when he finds out, but I'm sure him and Blaine can manage the apartment without me for a while. Maybe they can get another friend to share"

At the thought of his son and his boyfriend sharing the apartment alone made Burt's face pale and as he took of his baseball cap and ran his fingers through his thinning grey hair, he let out a deep sigh and silently wholeheartedly agreed with Carole that kids did indeed grow up much too fast.

After thanking Burt again with a manly hug and a kiss and hug for his mom, Finn raced upstairs with his laptop yelling as he went that he was going to call NYU and find out what to do about deferring his acceptance.

The adults just sat on the sofa hands clasped together each lost in their own memories of those little boys that they had raised on their own, now becoming men and on the cusp of their own lives, hundreds and in Finn's case thousands of miles away from home.

Over dinner that night Finn told his family that after an assurance from NYU his place would be waiting for him, and even though his parents were not still a 100% in favour of his idea, they accepted his reasoning once Finn explained further that he wanted to see the world before knuckling down with his studies at college. Because they both knew teaching was his passion and something he has wanted to do since middle school. He was willing to work to help pay his college fees, 'cause he knew they were not cheap and as he was enrolled for a double degree, it would cost even more.

His brother was another matter though, Finn thought Kurt was going to attack him when he told him that it would be just him and Blaine for the first year or so as Finn was going to Australia. Finn wasn't sure what to do when Kurt all of a sudden threw himself into his big brother's chest (Finn is older by a month) and through his sobs begged him to stay safe and not get eaten by a koala bear. But he made Finn promise to make weekly skype time and e-mails. Finn just hugged his brother and tried to make a joke by saying

"Kurt, chill, the bears would have to be pretty freakin big to be able to eat me dude, but I will call and write home as often as possible and in return you have to promise not to paint my room pink or some other girly color ok man?"

Kurt nods through his tears, promising he would leave Finn's room till he came home, "but maybe we can find roommate who is as uninterested in fashion and décor as you" he quips as he walks out of Finn's room after their nightly warm milk chat muttering to himself that he needed to vent to Blaine, about how his brother was abandoning him to go all 'Man –v - Wild' across the other side of the world, and why would anyone want to go that far just to get eaten by bears and attacked by boxing kangaroo's .

Finn just chuckled to himself at his brothers theatrics and thought how lucky he was to have his family, who he would miss terribly but understood his need to go to Australia, maybe he would find himself just like the paper from the agency said. He went to sleep thinking about windmills and for some strange reason the vision of a girl standing on a veranda looking at a beautiful sunset popped into his brain; he smiled in his sleep and wondered if the image was a sign.

A/N: what do you think? Please review and let me know your thoughts.