A/N: Once again, I can't remember the details about the original prompt aside from the very basics:

Alone without you.

This one was on the short side, but it's for everyone who took the time to tell me they didn't like this drabble collection sitting around with the most recent chapter being a sad one. Thanks for letting me know. =)

He isn't going to make it.

That's the only thought running through Rachel's head as she paces in her dressing room. She should be excited; it's her first night on Broadway, and she twenty minutes away from going out on stage and playing a role that she's dreamed of playing since she was a little girl. She should be thrilled.

Instead, she feels about two inches tall. She's almost certain that she's never been so terrified, or felt so alone.

He isn't going to make it. He promised her he would, but it won't be the first time he breaks a promise. Not that she blames Noah this time; his meeting with the record label was supposed to end early enough that he had hours to get home, change, and make it to the theatre. It isn't his fault that the company bigwigs kept him waiting, or needed more from this appointment than he'd anticipated. She can't begrudge him anything that leads to the realization of his dream, not when she's so very close to hers.

But she wishes so much that she could see his face before she walks out into those bright lights, if only just to know that he's here with her.

She has support, she knows that. Her fathers have been around all day but now they're in their seats, right next to Santana, Brittany, Finn, and Kurt. Her dressing room looks like a veritable garden thanks to the bouquets sent by her family and friends. The other actors in the show drop by to chat briefly, wish her well, giggle about how excited they are.

Somehow, it's not the same. She's surrounded by love and all she can think about is the man who's missing.

It's five minutes to show time and she's on her way to the stage, trying to keep her head up and smile when she's shaking inside, when she hears his voice. It's loud and annoyed and tinged with the promise of violence, and she's never been so happy to hear another human being before.

She follows the voice and sees Noah at one of the side doors, arguing with a security guard. "I forgot my fucking pass, okay? Where's Mark? He knows I'm cool to get back here… Dude, if you don't get out of my way and let me through, I'll move you myself. I need to see my girl."

She smiles as she approaches them. It's like a miracle, the way her tension drains away at the sight of him. "Cutting it a little close, aren't you, Noah?"

The security guard turns, and he's a man she's never seen at practice before. No wonder Noah's having problems getting through. "You know this guy?"

Noah doesn't even bother to point out that he's been saying exactly that. He just steps around the distracted guard, his eyes focused on her. "I made it, didn't I?"

"Barely." She sighs when he tugs her into his arms, fitting her curves seamlessly against the planes of his body. This is more comforting than tea, than whiskey, than chocolate, than any good review could ever be. She wishes she could kiss him, but it might ruin her makeup and there isn't time to fix it. As it is, he's probably messing up her hair. "I'm glad you're here."

"Wouldn't miss it, babe." He pulls back to look into her face, and she's embarrassed to realize that she's so relieved there are tears in her eyes. Noah frowns. "Hey. What's with the waterworks?"

"I was afraid you weren't going to make it, and I… need you to be here."

"Nervous?"

She lifts her head a bit. "Of course not. I just wanted my support system."

"Babe, you've got all sorts of support. There's a whole fucking room full of people ready to cheer you on out there. Support's not an issue."

"I know. It's just…" She glances away. "Even if there's a thousand people in this place, I still feel alone without you."

She thinks he might laugh, might not get it, but he surprises her. There's understanding in his eyes when he leans down to kiss her, and she needs it so much she doesn't even protest on her makeup's behalf. "I get it. But you're not alone, remember? You're never gonna have to face anything alone again."

He links their hands together, and her fingers automatically rub against the smooth platinum of his wedding band. Her rings are safely locked away in her dressing room until the show is over, and she thinks that maybe her naked finger makes her as twitchy as anything else. "Thank you for being here. Now go to your seat."

He squeezes her hand. "You're gonna blow us all away. Love you, Rach."

"Love you, too, Noah."

He winks at her before he walks out of sight, and Rachel squares her shoulders as she hears one of the stage managers calling her name. She's ready now.