Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.

Holy crap! I lost the original file for this chapter so I had to re-write it completely from everything I could remember originally. I hope it meets your expectations and look for the sequel to this story in a week or two from now. It'll be titled 'We Found Love' and I'm working on the first couple of chapters of it already, so yay! Anyway, this chapter is such a roller-coaster but right now, I'm content with the ending (it also sets up story-lines for the next one). Enjoy!

"Jesse? Can I speak to you for a moment?" Shelby called out over her microphone.

Jesse sighed, standing up from the risers that were currently onstage. He didn't want to talk about anything anymore. He was just... Tired. Emotionally drained after Rachel had abruptly ended their relationship.

"Are you sick?" Shelby asked cautiously, inspecting his forehead for a temperature. Coming up with nothing, she frowned.

"I'm sick of the hypocrisy." He began softly. "I'm sick of the lies, the drama, the complications, but most of all Ms. Corcoran, I'm sick of love."

"Why do you say that? I thought you were in a rather serious relationship with Rachel."

He gulped. "She ended things a couple weeks ago and obviously I haven't exactly gotten over it."

She nodded in acknowledgment. "I see. Listen, kid. I don't want to tell you how to live your life or anything but in show business you can't let your personal life affect your performances. I've seen the way you practically zombie-d your way through that number a few moments ago. Your soul is gone."

"Haven't you heard?" he exclaimed humorlessly. "I'm a soulless automaton."

Shelby rolled her eyes. "The other kids out there may be, but you're special, Jesse." she cleared her throat. "And if you really love Rachel then you won't give up on her. She's sixteen and bound to make so many mistakes but do not allow this to be one of them, understand?"

His eyebrow shot up. He was kind of surprised that his coach was telling him to fight for her daughter's affections. "Are you rooting for me?"

She smiled. "Something like that. Now, I'm letting you go with a warning. Try to fix things with Rachel but don't let any of that drama affect this song for Regionals, understand?"

He nodded.

"She's going to crush glee club," Santana repeated once more.

Mercedes and Tina shared a look and Rachel blinked. "Tell us something we don't know, San." Quinn commented.

Santana rolled her eyes, "Listen, Preggers. Coach Sylvester said that she was going to be one of the judges at Regionals. She's going to pick us as last so Glee gets revoked. It's simple logic."

"Well, that's just fantastic," Rachel grumbled, putting aside her notebook and pen. They were currently in the choir room thinking about possible song choices to pitch in for the meeting later on in the week at Mr. Schue's. "Just another thing that I love that gets tossed away."

"Rachel," Mercedes began. "You've got to get over the whole Jesse thing. We funkified them too so it's all good."

"No, it's not 'all good'." Rachel croaked, getting up from her chair and excusing herself. She hadn't told anybody the actual truth about Jesse yet. Like the part where she'd been aware of the funkification but also that she'd been the one to break things off after getting egged. Although she never believed that Jesse had commanded his team to do such a horrendous thing, she couldn't help but feel... Doubtful. She wasn't beautiful like Quinn. She definitely didn't have a sex appeal like Santana did and she wasn't likeable the way Brittany was. So, why would he have ever fallen for her?

Who are you kidding, Rachel? Jesse cared about you- he told you he loved you.

She bit her lip, leaning against some lockers in the empty hallway. It could have all been an acting exercise, you know. You of all people know how devoted he is to his future career.

"Rachel?"

She turned around and faced Quinn. She had her hands around her bulging stomach. "Are you okay?"

Rachel sniffled and nodded. "I'm just- I'm just really worried about glee club."

The blonde shook her head. "You know, I can always tell when you're lying, Rachel. I've gotten very good at it."

Rachel opened her mouth but shut it again. What was the point in denying anything anymore?

"This is about Jesse, isn't it?"

The brunette nodded and Quinn sighed. "I'm just not over him, that's all."

"He betrayed you by going back to his team, Rachel. Then, he had them egg you."

"Quinn?" Rachel choked out. Her eyes looked up with uncertainty. "Can I tell you something private?"

The other teen nodded, waiting.

"That's not exactly how things happened. The whole Jesse thing and the egging. I left out some parts because I was too afraid of admitting them to myself."

"What are you talking about, Rachel?" Quinn asked.

"I was in on the whole 'funkification' thing with Jesse."

Her green eyes widened. "Rachel!"

She bit her lip. "And after his teammates egged me in the parking lot, we argued when I broke up with him. He never betrayed me- at least, not directly."

"You broke up with Jesse? I thought you two loved each other?"

Rachel shut her eyes. "I'm not good enough for him, Quinn. I don't deserve such a great guy..."

"Not good enough?" Quinn screeched softly. "You two are practically the same person! Why are you the only one who can't see that you're too good for any other guy here except for him? You're equals."

"I'm not pretty like you or the other girls in Vocal Adrenaline. I'm scared that if we stayed together while he went off the college that he'd meet someone better and-"

"Break your heart?"

Silence.

"So you broke his instead?" Quinn whispered and Rachel's lips trembled. "Rachel... You have no idea what a big mistake this is. What did you think you would do after this? Hook up with Finn Hudson and stay in this one pony town for the rest of your life while you wallowed in pity and misery for giving up your dreams?"

Nothing.

"Wouldn't you rather have a guy by your side that shares your same ambitions? Rachel, you are beautiful. And strong. And beyond talented. If that isn't a match for Jesse St. James then I don't know what is."

Rachel's brown eyes looked at the blonde. It was kind of funny how the roles were suddenly reversed. Suddenly, Quinn was the one being nice to Rachel. "Well, it's kind of hard to see myself like that when you told me otherwise for the past couple of years."

Quinn frowned, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her caress tightened around her stomach. "I'm sorry for all that. I really am, Rachel. I'm sorry I was such a bitch to you even when you hadn't done anything to me. I was out of line with all of those offensive comments but I'm telling you now that if you let this guy go you'll regret it big time."

She blinked. "Do you regret not telling Puck that you love him?"

Quinn sighed. "He's the father of my baby. Of course I love him but he's... Puck. It's kind of hard for him to commit to one woman."

Rachel chuckled lightly. "Yeah." she sniffled again and sighed, "And you have a valid point. I was wrong to break Jesse's heart and I know that I have to fix it and... I will. Soon." there was another small pause before she continued. "Thank you."

Quinn smiled a bit. "You're welcome and I'm sorry I was such a bitch to you."

They shared a friendly look and Rachel's lips curved up. "Friends?"

The blonde nodded. "Yeah, we're friends."

"He's my son," a voice boomed from the kitchen.

Jesse had gotten to his uncle's house at the wrong time apparently because his father was currently sporting a red face and staring at his brother with rage.

"Well, your ex-wife wanted Jesse to stay here, with me." his uncle fought back. "And frankly, I don't blame her. You've always had a knack for being a first class alpha male douche-bag."

"I don't give a damn what you or my ex-wife says, I'm taking Jesse with me."

"Why?" Jesse interrupted, stepping into the kitchen. "So you can give me crap about how I'm not the son you wanted?"

"My reputation is already damaged because of the divorce and I'm holding a Gala at the house and I need you to come and support me." the man's lips twitched. "Think of it as an acting exercise or whatever, I know you like that kind of stuff."

Jesse rolled his eyes. He didn't know how much longer he could keep going on like this. With everything happening in Vocal Adrenaline to his current status with Rachel, he didn't really want his father wanting him to play pretend for his own gratification.

"I won't do it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have music to memorize." he turned to leave but his father grabbed his arm.

"You're coming with me whether you like it or not because at the end of the day, I'm the one who has to pay for your tuition at UCLA."

"I got that scholarship all on my own-"

"Who the hell do you think paid for your acting lessons? Your dance lessons? What about vocal lessons?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek. Damn. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. His father had a point, although he had paid for all of those things, Jesse still felt like he didn't owe him anything except maybe a black eye. "Just for the Gala. I'm staying here though before and after it happens, got it?"

The man stared at Jesse for a moment before letting his arm go and nodding. "Fine. But be at the house in the morning so nobody sees you sneaking in when it's going on later in the day. Don't be late."

Mr. St. James left the house and his uncle sighed. "I'm sorry you've had to deal with that for the past eighteen years, Jesse."

His blue eyes looked at the man in front of him. He looked so much different than his father even though they were brothers. "You don't have to apologize for his actions, you know." Jesse muttered, grabbing his backpack and heading to the guest bedroom.

If there's anybody to blame for his actions, it's nobody but himself.

You're not going to cry, you're not going to cry. Rachel kept repeating, her sulking face staring emptily at the stack of pizzas currently placed on Mr. Schue's coffee table. The rest of the New Directioners were there, their faces plastered with dimmed hopes.

"Nobody wants any pizza?" Mr. Schuester asked skeptically. When they didn't answer, he clapped his hands in attempts to lighten up the mood. "Alright, well, let's get started. Welcome to the first annual New Direction's Regional set list nominations party."

"What's the point, Mr. Schue?" Artie murmured sadly. "Coach Sylvester's one of the judges. She's gonna crush us."

He sighed. "Artie, you don't know that."

Santana scoffed at the choices of pizza and shook her head. "Yes, we do. She told us at Cheerios practice."

"Yeah, she said 'I'm going to crush Glee Club'." Brittany commented, depression heavy in her tone.

"The whole freaking year was all for nothing." Puck complained.

Just when it seemed like it couldn't get any more depressed, heads turned as Tina started to sob. "I'm sorry-" she choked. "I just really love you guys."

Rachel's lips quivered.

"Do you know how many Facebook friends I had before Glee?" Tina asked rhetorically. "Two. My parents. Rachel was right, being a part of something special made me special. I just can't believe it's going to be over in a week," she continued to sob and Mercedes leaned forward to pat her on the back sympathetically.

Rachel, upon hearing Tina quote her earlier rambling from the start of the year, made her feel guilty. Guilty for not having the energy to work harder. Guilty for not giving it her all in the recent rehearsals. Guilty for all the dumb mistakes she's made over the course of the year from obsessing over Finn to falling for Jesse then breaking his heart just because she was an insecure little girl.

"Wait- who says it's going to be over?" Finn asked.

"Please," Mercedes began. "Do you think that Santana and Puck are even going to acknowledge my existence once we're not in Glee club together anymore?"

"She has a point," Puck cleared his throat.

"Mr. Schuester?" Rachel asked. "Do you think that instead of nominating songs we could all just... Go around the room talking about things we loved about Glee club this year?"

Rachel bit her lip, realizing how much of an idiot she must've looked and sounded like the other night. They were supposed to be working on a way to place at Regionals, not soaking in their own little pity party.

"Hey- we need to talk." Finn announced, rushing to stand in front of Rachel.

She sighed, "I don't want to hear any of it."

"We had a chance at keeping it together at Mr. Schue's until you decided to bail. You're our leader, Rachel. The way you're on everybody is annoying but it's also what keeps the club motivated."

She opened her mouth to speak but he didn't give her a chance.

"But you and I are going to fix this. We're going to Regionals and we're going to win this thing." he asserted the last line and Rachel nodded.

She knew he was just trying to do what was best for the team and as much as she hated to admit it, he was right.

"You have a valid point, Finn. We've got to get the team out of this depressed funk."

"Yeah," Finn repeated. "We're going to make this thing work, I just know it."

Suddenly it felt like they weren't talking about the club anymore.

"Finn... I still love Jesse." she stated honestly. "I'll help you so we can win Regionals but it doesn't go beyond that, okay?"

"He egged you. And he betrayed the team." Finn rambled.

Rachel nodded. "Yes, he betrayed the team but no, he didn't egg me and I don't blame him for the fact that I did get egged. He's my first love and it was mistake letting him go and although it's none of your business, I'm going to tell you that emotionally, I'm still attached."

She walked around him without uttering another word, leaving a very stunned Finn Hudson on the staircase.

"Mr. Schuester, Finn and I have something we want to say," Rachel announced.

The director nodded. "But me first. Have a seat."

Once seated, he began his spiel. "Nine months ago there were five of you in here. And we sucked- I mean, we really sucked. Bad."

There were a few chuckles among the teens.

"One day, all of you are going to be gone. And all of this, all of us, will be nothing but a hazy memory. It will take you a second to remember everyone's names. Someone will have to remind you of the songs we sung or didn't sing. Life really only has one beginning and one end. The rest is just a whole lot of middle. And I love you guys too much to not let you make the most of it."

He paused to take a deep breath.

"Now, I was going to quit once but you guys brought me back with 'Don't Stop Believin'. It was a nine but we are going to make it a ten."

"We're doing 'Don't Stop' at Regionals?" Rachel asked astounded.

"And then some." Mr. Schue answered. "We are doing a Journey medley because who cares about what happens when we get there when the getting there has been so much fun?"

There were smiles exchanged and he turned to Rachel. "You had something you wanted to say?"

Rachel smiled her bright smile. "Just that we're really glad you didn't become an accountant."

The Gala was perfection. The music was good and the champagne was chilled. But did Jesse really care about that? No. He hated the fact that snooty rich people were parading around his old home wearing fancy dresses and suits.

"Put on a smile, Jesse. We're supposed to be supportive of each other," his father whispered.

Jesse bit his lip. "Have you talked to mother recently?"

Mr. St. James let his eyes drop. "No, I haven't. Why?"

"She hasn't been answering any of my calls lately."

"I'm sure she's perfectly fine parading around half naked with some Columbian stripper-"

Jesse's eyes glared at him. "Don't talk about her like that."

"Since when are you and your mother close, Jesse?"

Jesse shifted slightly. "We might not be close or anything but she's still the woman who gave birth to me. And she's a hell of a lot more tolerable than you are."

"You'll show me respect. You are in my house."

His lips curved up. "Of course. Does Candi enjoy taking my mother's place as the woman of this household?" When his father didn't answer, he scoffed. "Unbelievable. Did you already replace her with some other tramp?"

"The only whore who's ever lived in this house is your mother, Jesse." he stated.

That was the last thing he said as Jesse's fist came in contact with his face. The watched in astonishment at the realization that he'd just punched his own father in the face in front of fifty people. There were gasps as his father held onto his jaw.

"Get out of here!" the man shouted. "You're nothing but an ungrateful little brat who doesn't deserve any inheritance or recognition from me!"

Jesse chuckled without humor. "As if that's any different from how it was when I was still living here!"

The music faded and there were people beginning to chatter about the scene happening before them. Mr. St. James shot up and straightened his tie.

"What are you rambling about? I've always supported you and your art."

"No; you always supplied money so I'd shut up. If you cared about your family the way you tell the press than you wouldn't have let Grant and Anne leave. You wouldn't have cheated on mom and you definitely wouldn't have abused me!"

More gasps as Jesse shut his mouth and bit his tongue. His father's eyes were wide with Jesse's confession and the teen just shook his head. "I'm done being the victim. I won't let you do that again. Not to me. Not to mom. Not to Grant or Anne if they ever come back. I'm done here and you're dead to me."

He began to walk away as his father yelled after him. "Jesse, wait!"

But Jesse wasn't listening. For the first time in a long time, he felt... Free from the horrendous burden that was his father. Although he'd never liked either of his parents, he was beginning to see why his mother had been so harsh from the beginning. It was because his father changed people... He brought out the worst in them and Jesse had let him go on for years.

Well. It was time that things started to change.

Jesse licked his lips as he sighed the card and placed it in the bouquet of flowers he'd gotten for Rachel. He wasn't kidding when he'd said that things were going to change. He wasn't done fighting for Rachel. He had an attendee deliver the flowers to New Directions' dressing room and all he had left to do was wait until the competition was over to finally confront Rachel face to face.

I love you. Break a leg. - Jesse

Rachel's eyes stung a bit when she looked at the card and then to the beautiful flowers in front of her. They weren't cliche roses. They were a mix of white and pink Dahlia's. It was so beautiful that she wanted to jump up and down with joy. And the fact that it had been Jesse that sent them meant that she hadn't completely blown her chances with him yet.

Good, because I need to talk to him after this. she thought.

The lights blinked and everyone started to rush backstage. Quinn looked at the bouquet of flowers and smiled knowingly.

Rachel, sighing with content, walked to her spot after Finn.

"Break a leg, Finn." she whispered. The tall teen nodded and smiled and both listened as the chords to Journey's Faithfully began.

Highway run into the midnight sun

Wheels go round and round

You're on my mind

Her small hands opened the doors and she stepped forward, the heat from the spotlight hitting her skin.

Restless hearts sleep alone tonight

Sending all my love along the wire

They say that the road

Ain't no place to start a family

Right down the line it's been you and me

She imagined singing this song to Jesse. It felt to right. Every lyric went along with their relationship. Hell. It was Jesse. It'd always been Jesse from the very beginning. She was lost without him and she knew how much it killed him being apart.

And loving a music man

Ain't always what it's supposed to be

Boy

You stand by me

Because now I know, Rachel echoed, following Finn's steps just like they'd rehearsed. I'm one-hundred percent faithful and committed to him. As crazy as it may sound, I think this is it. He's the one for me.

I'm forever yours

Faithfully

Filled with the adrenaline of the performance, she raced to her spot on stage as the curtains drew up, revealing the rest of New Directions.

Oh, oh, oh

Faithfully

oh, oh,

I'm still yours

Oh, oh, oh

Jesse watched from the alcove as Rachel belted out the rest of her verses. How'd he ever get so lucky?

It was that night after Vocal Adrenaline rehearsal. She'd needed a ride and he'd never been one to turn down a beautiful girl. He thought that she'd be easy to get with but as they got to know each other over the weeks and eventual months, he realized there wasn't anything easy about Rachel except the way it was when they were together. They were so alike that there were no creative differences.

And as the odds may have it, he cared more about her than his own family. Rachel was his rock. She kept him grounded and she'd changed him for the better. Because before her, all he thought about was being the star. Just the star: Jesse St. James. He'd pushed away his morality, the side of himself that made him just Jesse.

I'm still yours

I'm still yours

Faithfully.

Rachel caught a glimpse of Jesse as she finished the song. She smiled and looked down for a second before moving backwards to her spot for the next song. The rest of their performance was so energetic that she didn't have any doubt that they wouldn't place.

As they raced to their dressing room, Finn stopped her, a dopey smile on his face. "We did it!"

Rachel nodded and hugged him in appreciation. "Thank you for not quitting on us when Sectionals happened. You're the only male on this team that can practically keep up with me vocally."

Finn shook his head. "You're amazing, Rachel."

Then it happened. His hand grasped the back of her neck firmly as he brought her closer and he leaned in and captured her mouth in his just as Jesse rounded the corner. His eyes widened in shock and fury as he quickly backtracked, leaving the scene.

You've just been played, St. James. his mind echoed as he shook his head, getting ready to go onstage for his performance. His heart was hurt but his mind was furious at the fact that he'd become so damn weak. So emotional. For what? A girl who kept him at arms length because she thought he was too good for her. What did that even mean? He'd thought- He'd thought they were finally getting it mended together. Well, this wouldn't be the first time somebody manipulated you.

Back in the dressing room, Finn continued to kiss her. She gasped, scrambling to get away from it. Once she did pull away, her hand flew up and came in contact with his face.

He held onto it tightly, surprised. "Ow, Rach!"

"What the hell, Finn? Who do you think you are?"

"I thought- I thought we were both feeling it!"

She shook her head. "No! I told you the other day that I love Jesse."

"When are you going to realize that he's not in to you the way I am?"

Rachel held up her hands in frustration. "When are you going to realize that I'm finally happy? I respected that you were in a relationship with Quinn and I moved on to let you be happy. I'm sorry that she lied but just because you got hurt doesn't mean you can come back to me expecting me to just forgive and forget!"

"I love you, Rachel!"

Her brown eyes grew wide. "You don't know what love is, Finn! You don't really know me the way Jesse does and I'm sorry but- it's never going to happen. We're not going to happen as long as my heart still belongs to him."

"Is that how it's always going to be, then?"

Rachel bit her lip, shrinking back. "It was always him-"

"Guys, Quinn's water broke!" Mercedes announced, a cellphone in hand as she dialed an ambulance. Rachel opened her mouth but no words came out as she raced to go check on Quinn.

Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide

No escape from reality

Rachel frowned as she stood next to the door. She had been looking for him for the last ten minutes to no avail. She'd thought that they would meet up or something to talk things out and was confused as to why he'd avoided her.

Open your eyes

Look up to the skies and see...

Jesse looked up into the crowd. His eyes scanned and he easily found Rachel's small petite figure standing with arms crossed near the entrance door.

I'm just a poor boy

I need no sympathy

Because I'm easy come, easy go

Little high, little low

He didn't need this. He didn't choose to feel hurt. To feel like he wasn't good enough for Rachel to give him a chance. He'd been led on and like a fool, he'd let the walls he'd built down only to get heartbroken.

Any way the wind blows

Doesn't really matter to me, to me

Jesse neared the piano and sat down, his fingers easily remembering the chords. He didn't want to wallow in pity. He had no desire whatsoever to waltz around like a lovesick puppy. He loved Rachel but he didn't want to be her toy. Although mature for her age, she was still two years younger than him and seemed like she didn't have a clue as to what she wanted. He already knew. He wanted her like he'd never wanted anything before in his entire life. Hell, when they'd had the college talk, she'd mentioned NYADA and what had he done? He'd auditioned for it (just for laughs, is what he told himself but who was he kidding? He wanted to be with her).

Mama just killed a man

Put a gun against his head

Pulled my trigger, now he's dead

Then there was his own father. The man who'd helped make him but had also played part in destroying him. That's why Jesse had become a hollow shell for years- everything was easier that way. It was better to not feel anything at all rather than coming home and feeling like he'd been the mistake. The one to drive his parents apart.

Mama, life has just begun

But now I've gone and thrown it all away

Mama, ooh

Didn't mean to make you cry

If I'm not back again this time tomorrow

Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters

He wasn't sorry for hitting his father. Hell, the man had spent fifteen years hitting Jesse and his siblings that the monster deserved it. How had he compensated for physically abusing them? Right, he'd bought them their silence.

Too late, my time has come

Sends shivers down my spine

Body's aching all the time

Did his mother know about the violence? No. Nobody had told her and whenever they'd have bruises they'd blame it on being clumsy. It seemed like lying was a genetic trait for the St. James family.

Goodbye, everybody

I've got to go

Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth

Yes; the truth. The reality was that he was Jesse St. James. Even at the end of the day when he'd be blinded with the illusion of first love would he still be that empty and heartless automaton, dancing and singing his way through life without something to believe in. It was all that he'd known. It was all he was sure about despite the countless efforts he'd made to fix it with Rachel when she clearly didn't want it to be fixed.

Mama, oooooooh (Anyway the wind blows)

I don't want to die

Sometimes wish I'd never been born at all

I'm not some kind of puppy she can keep on a leash. He thought. She was easy to be around but their relationship was.. Complicated. If that even made sense. He knew that deep down Rachel was insecure and he had his own messed up problems with his family. Alone they were unstable but together they seemed to make it work- they balanced it out and they were there for each other. At least, that's what it felt like to him.

So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye!

But for Rachel, he wasn't so sure. His mind drifted back to earlier when he'd walked in on Finn and her kissing. Fury and jealousy sparked through him and he did what he did best, he channeled it all into his performance.

So you think you can love me and leave me to die!

Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby

Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here!

But it doesn't matter anymore. It's over; she made it very clear. So maybe nothing had changed over the year. He was right back where he started. Bruised and rejected. Empty. Numb. Alone.

Nothing really matters

Anyone can see

Rachel's heart sped up as an icy chill ran through her entire body. She knew this was just a performance and she knew how theatrical Jesse could be but... Why did she have the strangest feeling that he was singing this to her?

Nothing really matters

Nothing really matters to me

Except Rachel. Jesse added silently, seeing as Rachel began to retreat. It was really over between them but he knew deep down that he was always changing his mindset. Right now he was angry and hurt. But when the time passed, he'd be just as persistent.

Any way the wind blows...

"Congratulations," Rachel announced, closing the lounge door behind her.

Shelby paused her stirrings and looked up, crossing her arms over her torso. "Thanks, Rachel."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have first place in the bag."

Shelby smiled. "Well, you were very good too."

Rachel smiled softly. "Jesse's a great singer and the way he sung out there... It had a lot of heart."

"Yes, I imagine that he channeled actual emotions for that one." she sipped her coffee. "Speaking of which, have you talked to him about you know, the breakup?"

"I will soon. I haven't had a chance to catch him yet so..."

There was an awkward silence before Rachel spoke again. "Shelby?"

"Hmm?"

Rachel's heart sped up as tears began to sting in her eyes. "I have a proposition for you." she moved forward, fiddling with her hands. "Come teach at McKinley."

Shelby's own eyes widened a bit at the suggestion. "Excuse me?"

"You and Mr. Schue could be co-directors," Rachel explained. "We'd be unstoppable and there's so much you can teach me." Rachel stopped short of nearing Shelby. "So much only you can teach me."

Shelby sighed. "Oh, Rachel... I can't do this anymore. I'm tired of coaching Glee club. I want a life. It took meeting you to realize all this stuff I missed out on. I need some balance, you know? I need a house, and a garden, and a dog..." her eyes shifted slightly to Rachel. "A- A family..."

Rachel gulped and nodded. "Oh." she wasn't a part of Shelby's life no matter how much she wanted and needed a mom.

Shelby sensed this and she moved forward. "I missed out on my chance with you and it kills me and I can't let that happen again."

Rachel's lips quivered slightly but nonetheless, she mustered up enough confidence to speak. "Then don't let it." she swallowed hard. "I'm right here, mom. I'm right here and I need you. I'm asking you to please give me a chance. I'm scared and I don't want to figure any of this out all by myself."

Shelby sighed as her heart felt heavy. She reached forward and brought Rachel into an embrace. Both females cried and sobbed at the reunion.

"Okay." Shelby murmured. "I believe you. I think we can figure this out together."

Rachel pulled away, nodding. "Thank you."

Rachel shared a look with Jesse while they waited for the judges. When the audience started to clap, they both knew the judges were ready.

"Thank you all for coming. As you all know, Glee club is such an important... And I honestly can't finish that sentence so let's get right to it," Coach Sylvester announced. She held up the envelope and Rachel's heart sped faster.

"And the 2010 Midwest Regional Runners Up are... the not at all stupidly named Aural Intensity!"

Jesse's eyes widened. He knew what was at stake for New Directions. If they didn't place, they'd lose the program. Now he began to panic because next came first place and it was them against him and Vocal Adrenaline. The bad part was that his team never lost a competition. Ever.

Both remaining teams moved up the stage as the other team celebrated their 2nd place. This was it- now or never.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the 2010 Midwest Regional champions... Vocal Adrenaline!"

It was a madhouse. Everybody around him began to jump and cheer for their first place award but all Jesse could do was turn and look at Rachel. Her face said it all. She was devastated and he knew how much show choir meant to her. Hell, he wanted nothing more but to walk over there and tell her everything was going to be okay. He had every right to be mad but he really didn't want to be. Not with her.

Quinn stared through the glass at the little baby in the pink blanket. As far as she could tell, the baby was perfect.

"She looks like you," Puck stated. Quinn pursed her lips. "Do you want to keep her?"

"I don't know," Quinn rasped. She let her eyes drift to the boy next to her- the father of her baby. "Do you?"

Puck shrugged. "I love babies. Not sure if babies love me though."

Quinn looked down. "Did you- Did you love me?"

"Yes." he said without hesitation. That was a good sign. "Especially now."

They locked eyes and she bit her lip. "If we keep her it won't be easy, you know. We'll fight. One of us will have to get a job. We'll lose sleep and it's going to be hard."

"It hasn't been easy since you told me you were pregnant," Puck said.

Quinn tucked some hair behind her ear. "I want to keep her. I think... I think I can do this. Be a mother, you know? I already love that baby."

The baby squirmed in her blanket and Puck smiled. "Me too."

"So I guess that's it, then? We're doing this?"

The boy turned and smiled. "Guess so."

Quinn felt elated as she returned her gaze to her daughter. "Hey there, Beth Fabray- Puckerman."

"Hyphenated last name?"

The blonde nodded. "Well, it is the twenty-first century, Puck."

It was the day after they'd said their goodbyes when Mr. Schue had announced that Glee would get another year. Everybody was ecstatic about the news, even Santana who'd claimed to hate it. And despite never getting to fix it with Jesse, Rachel had high hopes that he'd come knocking at her door any minute now... Okay, that was mainly because he'd called and texted her that he would do so. When her doorbell rang, she raced downstairs and swung the door open.

If I sleep on the floor

Will it make you love me more?

"Hey." Rachel said, standing in the doorway. Although it was spring, the evening air felt a bit chilly and she'd wished she'd worn a sweater.

He nodded curtly. "I need you to answer something honestly."

She scrunched her eyebrows. Alright, he was getting straight to the point.

"Did you kiss Finn during Regionals?"

Rachel blinked and shook her head. "He kissed me..." her eyes widened. "You saw?"

Jesse nodded again. "I was on my way to talk to you actually when I was bombarded with Hudson macking on you."

She fought the urge to laugh at his use of words.

"I'm guessing you didn't see the part where I slapped him for doing so?" she looked up at him. "Or the part where I told him off?"

He shook his head. "I wish I had... It would've made a big difference in my mood and for my actions."

If I pack up my things and leave

"I'm so sorry." Rachel murmured repeatedly. "I was stupid."

Jesse closed his eyes. "There's nothing stupid about you. It's not like I was perfect. I made mistakes, too."

"Like?"

"I punched my father the day before Regionals."

"What? Why?" Rachel asked with concern.

He looked down. "There's only so much I can take from him, Rachel. He'd crossed the line and trust me, that punch was long overdue."

Rachel recalled the previous conversations they'd had concerning Jesse's family. They were harsh people and one of the reasons Rachel had felt such guilt for only causing Jesse more pain. He'd dealt with it his entire life and she saw herself as insensitive for ending it because of her selfishness of being insecure.

Rachel sighed because although there was a bit of distance between them, the spark was still there, urging them closer.

Can I still be the queen to your king?

"I'm sorry for being to harsh and breaking up with you." she swallowed, fighting tears. "I was just so scared and insecure and... And I'm sorry I broke your heart but you have to know that it wasn't simple for me, either."

His blue eyes gazed into her brown ones. "I know, Rachel. I get why you did it but... If we do this, you can't just runaway."

"I know..."

No, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no.

"It won't always be easy, Jesse." Rachel commented. "I can't change overnight."

He nodded once more. "I know that. But as long as you're with me I'm willing to go to hell and back if it means staying with you." he licked his lips. "And do you really think I changed overnight after I met you? Hell, it took weeks."

Know that you don't mean to say things

That hurt me and drive me to my knees

"And no matter the distance, we can do this, understand?" he reassured her.

She nodded.

Been around this crazy world

Jesse continued. "Because I'm just as new to this whole relationship thing as you are but there's one thing I'm certain of."

"What?"

"That I'm so desperately in love with you that I'd never be able to get over someone who's so right for me. I love you, Rachel and I'll do anything to prove that."

But I still want to be your girl.

She opened her mouth to speak but he held up a hand.

"Another question. Do you love me?"

'Cause there's no one like you,

no one like you, no one like you.

Rachel's eyes brightened as she wrapped her arms around his neck intimately. Oh, how she missed him.

"With everything I am, Jesse."

No one like you,

no one like you, no one like you.

He smiled, leaning his forehead against hers and breathing in her scent. He needed to commit this to memory if he was going to be in LA for a year.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he whispered. "You've changed me."

Rachel's heart leapt. "Well, you helped me find who I am, so thank you."

"Do you realize how over-dramatic we sound right now?" he chuckled.

She trailed her lips to his ear so she could whisper softly, "Well, how dramatic would it be if I said that I'm ready?"

His relaxed state froze before he pulled away to stare at her. "Wait, what?"

"Do I have to spell it out for you, Jesse?" there was a mischievous glint in her eyes and his lips curved up slightly. Rachel bit her lip, her small hands holding onto his jacket as she pulled him into her house, giggling the rest of the way until his lips found hers and she shut the door.

Jesse's phone continued to buzz but it was useless. The contraption was in his jacket pocket and well, his jacket was currently on the floor... Downstairs while he and Rachel had retreated to her bedroom, too entranced in their reunion.

The call went straight to voice-mail.

"Jesse. It's your uncle. Look, I don't know where you are but there's- there's been an accident involving your parents... Grant and Anne are on their way here. When you get this message get to the hospital."

The end. I can't believe this. Guys, this is amazing and I couldn't have done it without your support. Thanks a million to those who read and reviewed this story because it really warms my heart. After all, at the end of the day, I wrote this for you guys (and because RIB completely screwed us over with Jesse and Rachel's relationship). Come on, these two are my OTP. *Fangirling* Anyways, please tell me what you though of this final chapter and I can't wait to hear what you guys think of the sequel when it's posted!

-Fanatic4Fiction

Song used for their make- up: No one like you by Best Coast. I love that song :D

If anyone wants to check out a promo for the sequel (it's a fan-video basically) here's the link for youtube: watch?v=E9EUw68weuc&feature=