TITLE: Music Lessons
AUTHOR: ponderer
SUMMARY: Rachel gets music lessons from members of the Glee Club.
DISCLAIMER: I want for nothing, except for Glee to start up again. April is too far away.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been too long. I'm babysitting now, so during that time, I'll be writing. This is not a one-shot. It will continue over a span, high lighting members of Glee while teaching Rachel about the music of the world (mostly all the songs I grew up with and love (or hate)). So, sit back and enjoy. Maybe you'll learn a thing or too, as well.

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For you, there'll be no more crying/
For you, the sun will be shining/
And I feel that when I'm with you/
It's alright, I know it's right

[ Songbird – Fleetwood Mac ]

---

Finn

She's stubborn, but the worst when it comes to music. Throughout her life, she was clued in on major diva hits; Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand (which also included music of Broadway – her first true love). She doesn't take to listening to the radio, instead only repeating her discs of Love Story Movie Hits have almost completely worn out from use. She has also been caught on numerous occasions "stealing" from her dad's collection of The Carpenters.

But when Rachel Berry met Finn Hudson, her music taste changed dramatically.

First off, she began listening to the radio. And not because he made her, but because her feelings were so large for him that she had to expand herself in other ways to not think about him so much. Which in fact held the opposite effect because the cliché of every song reminded her of him did.

It was a cruel thing.

Before Glee practice began mere days after sectionals, Finn was wearing headphones and tapping his right foot to the offbeat of the song he was listening to. "What's that song called?" she asked him later as he stuffed the wires and player into the front pocket of his book bag. He looked up, surprised at the question.

"Oh, it's something that Puck suggested," he began, stumbling slightly over the question. His hand clenched tightly but then he took a calming breath, an exercise Rachel had seen him use a lot lately, before he answered her further. "It's this band called Avenged Sevenfold," he replied with a shrug.

"Do you like them?"

"I guess. Why?"

This time, Rachel shrugged. "I'm broadening my horizons when it comes to music. I've decided to be prepared in all genres of music instead of just a few. It'll look better when I audition."

Finn nodded in understanding. "That's pretty cool. I could suggest a few songs you might like. I'm not so sure this band is what you're looking for."

Rachel beamed and pulled out her small, pink notebook. He said nothing of the color choice and instead began scribbling down names. She peered over his shoulder, only recognizing some of the names.

"Here, try these out for size," he smiled. She looked down at the list, smiling. Not only was she sharing something from with Finn (the only boy she had ever really liked) but she got to keep something from him too.

"These look great. Thanks Finn," she said, excited to get home and research. Just as he was about to reply, Mr. Schue walked in, waving sheet music in their direction.

---

Rachel spent that evening pouring over the music Finn suggested. She didn't have iTunes before, so she downloaded the program and set to work. His music taste was definitely opposite of hers; mostly 70s rock. Naturally, he chose Queen and The Rolling Stones, but also Foreigner and Chicago. She found websites that showed what albums the artists had and in turn, they suggested more bands based on what she researched.

The next day at school, her eyes were bloodshot and exhausted looking from not sleeping. She found the tall jock at his locker, pulling out his morning classes. He smiled when he saw her, but then his face turned to concern. "Rachel, are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine Finn. I just stayed up all night researching your music suggestions," she said, shuffling some of the books in front of her.

"All night?" he questioned, quirking an eyebrow.

"Sure. I am nothing but a loyal and attentive student. When I'm eager to learn about something new, I can't stop!"

Finn laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, what did you find out then?"

Rachel immediately got into working mode. "I really enjoyed Journey and Queen, but not so much of the Rolling Stones. I've found that the softer rock suits my voice better. My favorite though, I think, was Heart oddly enough."

This time, Finn laughed whole-heartedly. "You would love them!" Rachel semi-frowned, too tired for much else. "No, it's great that you liked them Rachel. My mom's always really liked them. She has some of the original albums at home."

"Do they still work?" she inquired.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I think so. You should come over some time; we could listen to them if you'd want."

"Of course, that would be lovely," she smiled tiredly while Finn blushed innocently.

"Okay then. Well, I'll see you," he replied and shut his locker firmly before heading back down the hall.

She would have seen him looking back at her but she was smiling with her eyes closed.

---

Rachel timidly knocked on Finn's front door that following Friday night. This was the first she had ever been there and was unsure of what to expect of her surroundings. He answered the door a few moments later, still wearing his school clothes. "Hey Rach, come on in. I pulled out all of my mom's albums in here. I never realized how many she had."

And he was right, there were at least three paper sized boxes full of albums. Finn lowered himself to the middle of the floor where one box was already open, some of the albums already pulled out. Rachel sat down across from him, legs bent to the side modestly, leaning her back against the couch. "I already found Fleetwood Mac. That's what's playing now," he acknowledged to the music playing from the record player off to the side of the room. Rachel listened closely the female's raspy voice, the chords of the guitar, the harmony of voices and instruments.

"This is good," she agreed. "What's this song called?" He wordlessly handed her the white album cover, entitled "Rumors".

"Its number five, I think," he counted off. Rachel took a moment to look over the cover, the image of two band mates together – reminding her of a possible future she could have with the boy in front of her.

"She has some of my dad's stuff too, but he was more into pop music I suppose. Which is kind of the opposite of what I always thought," he said. Rachel looked up surprised. Finn had never mentioned anything about his father to her before. She didn't want to push him, but she knew she needed to let him know she was listening to; even at the extent to which she was so excited at the prospect of being closer to him.

"What was his favorite?" she asked quietly, shifting her legs to be crossed in front of her, fixing her skirt to cover herself.

"My mom says he always listened to The Carpenters and the Beatles," he answered, shuffling through his handful of records.

"I always steal the album my dad has of the Carpenters. I've always been really fond of it," Rachel replied. Finn looked up and stared her down, seizing her up. Rachel shrugged. "It's been pretty catchy, listening to them. It's a sad story in the end, that the sister died, but their music was really amazing."

It was quiet for awhile, them listening to the record as it turned over to play the B-side. Rachel jumped when Finn spoke again, "I've always liked 'Superstar'."

Rachel smiled gently. "Yeah, that's a good one."

"Thanks for this Rachel," he murmured, the sadness gone from his eyes. Rachel was confused.

"For what? I should be thanking you, going through all of these just to help me expand my musical taste. Especially on a Friday night," she added nervously.

Finn chuckled darkly. "Yeah, it's not my usual schedule." Rachel felt the tension growing in the room, the song changing.

"I'm really sorry, Finn. For everything. You didn't deserve any of it," she said quietly, reaching over to place her small hand over his.

"I'm beginning to learn that," he replied.

---

"Thanks for the music lesson Finn. I had a really good time," Rachel smiled as they stood on his front stoop several hours later. Finn shuffled his socked feet, hands stuffed in his jean pockets. "I'll make sure to return this album safe and sound on Monday."

"Take your time. I doubt my mom will notice you borrowed it," he laughed, but Rachel stood strong.

"Yes, but still. I don't want to make her hate me."

"Why is that?" he said, looking serious. Rachel stumbled over her words.

"Well, we are friends. I would hope that I could get on well with your family," she answered, unevenly. Finn nodded, looking serious once again.

"Rachel, do you think that maybe, well, I could see you before school on Monday? My mom doesn't have to work tomorrow night and I sometimes make dinner for her if she's off and maybe you'd like to meet her?" he rushed out and her eyes grew large in shock and girly excitement.

"That would be great Finn. I can't wait to meet her," she replied and he finally smiled a Finn smile, so in turn, Rachel beamed.

"Okay, tomorrow night then," he said. Rachel nodded, unsure of what to do next. Finally, Finn chose for her and enclosed her in a comfortable hug. She inhaled his scent, remembering him from so many months ago, and when he let her go, his mouth brushed her cheek.

Blushing, she stumbled off the porch with a murmured goodbye, the album clutched tightly beneath her sweaty fingers.

---

Songs from the chapter:

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Superstar – The Carpenters
Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen

AN: What is your favorite 70s track?