take me back to the start

Chapter 12: Gravitational Force

".. I'm happy for you."

Rachel was taken aback at the lamentable expression on Finn's face. Why did that phrase (accompanied with that look) seem so familiar?

It came rushing back to her in a wind of Madonna songs, eye-sex with her drummer boy, and navy pullovers.

Finn stood up briskly, oblivious to her inner revelation, and asked "Alright, are we ready to go?"

She turned around to look at herself in the mirror, ignoring his question. He probably thought she was checking her appearance, but in reality she was trying to find some clue in her reflection that could help her solve the mystery raging within her.

Rachel! What does it matter that Finn just had the same heart-rending look on his face that he gave you when he thought you had lost your virginity to that male diva from Vocal Adrenaline? Even if Finn still has feelings for you, that doesn't change anything. You're in a perfect place right now, your life is turning out just the way you always imagined it would. Why let Finn Hudson, the boy that cruelly dismantled your heart, mess that up? Yes, his sweet smiles and adorable mannerisms might make you forget the agony he caused you, but it doesn't change the fact that that's what happened. You allowed yourself to become friends with him on the condition you'd keep it on a shallow level. This is getting way too deep. Swim out while you still can Rachel, swim out...

"So is that a no?"

Rachel jumped, realizing she had been boring into her reflection for quite awhile now. She turned back towards Finn and leaned against the silver counter, letting it hold her weight.

"Sorry," she said, "But I'm actually not feeling all that well tonight. Can we maybe rain check this late night dinner for another time?"

Finn walked closer to her, obviously worried.

This is so not what I wanted to happen.

"What's wrong? Do you want me to maybe go out and buy you some chicken noodle soup or something? There's a great 24 hour deli around the corner from here. Or maybe I should call the onsite nurse? Do you think you have a fever?"

At this he lifted his hand to her forehead, presumably to gage her body temperature.

The atmosphere took a heavy shift.

Rachel suddenly became acutely conscious of her breathing as his hand moved from her forehead and slowly slid down her face, lingering right below her cheekbone.

She looked up into his intense stare. Her face felt like fire where he had touched it, and his body was separated from hers by the slightest film of air.

It should be illegal for Finn Hudson to be this close to females. Because how could anyone possibly resist someone that pretty? It's like he has some bizarre gravitational force over me that makes me lose all control when I'm within a one foot radius of him.

She gave up and just let herself lose herself in his eyes.

Finn stared down at Rachel intently.. he had forgotten how potently his body reacted to her. Her face had felt like silk as he had run his fingers gently against her soft skin.. all he wanted to do was kiss her senseless.

And then her deep, big brown eyes raised to meet his, and before he could justify his next decision, he was grabbing her waist, propping her up to sit atop the silver table, and leaning his head down to meet her lips with a searing, passionate kiss. A weight literally lifted off his shoulders as he felt her mouth meet his with an equal carnal need. He gave himself over to her, urgently groping the small body whose curves he knew by heart.