A/N: Holy shit, it's been a year since I started this silly little idea that snowballed into this fluffy monster. I would like to yell THANK YOU from the top of buildings to all my reviewers because you guys are fabulous, new and old alike! I'm sorry it's been like 8 months since I've written on it, but now that Jesse is a mere week away from my eyes, I really wanted to write another little piece for you! It gets a little angsty in the middle but I was pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoy :D

–

'best of me'

'I'd like to think the best of me was still hidden up my sleeve.'

-John Mayer

–

"Rachel, please god, I don't ever want to see you in that thing again."

"Jesse! This dress is adorable, it was practically made for me!"

"No. That amount of feathers and rhinestone... even Gaga couldn't make that acceptable."

"Excuse me, but I happen to think this dress is very me. I don't see you telling Kurt his kilt looks ridiculous!"

"That's because Kurt isn't my prom date, Rachel. Seriously, everyone may still think I'm gay-"

"Honestly, the hair gel thing was a little ri-"

"I swear to god, if you finish that sentence I will burn your signed Funny Girl poster."

"You are a horrible human being, Jesse St. James."

"So I've been told, but I keep my promises."

"Fine, but I still like this dress the most."

"That's it, I'm calling Kurt."

"No! He's at his weekly American Idol party with Blaine- if you disturb him, he'll be more angry than the time I spilt soda on his new Jimmy Choo's-"

"Aren't those women shoes?"

"You should know that fashion knows no gender."

"I'm getting my phone out!"

"Fine. But I'd like you to know I will never forgive you for this fierce injustice."

"Somehow I find that hard to believe, drama queen."

–

His face from where she stood on the familiar stage seemed tore between two battling emotions. She knew them- hurt and pride. She had warred with them many times on her own. He looked good, though, just as beautiful as she remembered him. His eyes held a pain she had witnessed the last time she had seen him.

"Congratulations on winning your fourth consecutive National title. You must be so proud." She took the shameless dig at him, knowing that he deserved nothing more than that from her.

"Rachel, I know that I was this huge-" She cut him off before he could complete his sentence, "Ass? Because that's the only word I can think of that covers it well enough." Her voice shook for the first time in a long time. She hated that.

"Yes, an ass. A stupid ass who forgot how much it meant to be loved for just being himself and not the ass," He spat the word out like poison on his tongue, "that Vocal Adrenaline made me." He watched as his face morphed into a grimace.

"I came back to tell you that I love you, and I know I have no right, but I always will. Always. You were it for me Rachel. It took 3,000 miles and about three days for me to realize it." His eyes were glossy and she felt her heart stop for a brief moment as she realized that he was falling apart.

"I wish I didn't love you. Every night I pray to stop and every morning I curse that I can't." She spoke honestly; one of the most intimate and honest things she had said in a long time.

"I want you, all of you. The animal sweaters and crazy midnight calls about aliens. I- I just need you, Rachel." His voice was so raw that she could almost feel the emotion pouring off of him.

"Please, please don't ever leave me again. I don't think my body can take my metaphorical death a second time around." She said softly, walking towards him, and allowing his warm arms to engulf her once more.

–

"I think I've seen Kurt's boyfriend somewhere else."

"Well, he's a lead singer in his show choir. He's fairly talented, but very predictable."

"No- not at a singing competition. Somewhere else."

"Probably at a hair salon. Honestly, he likes gel more than you and that is saying something."

"Hah hah, Rachel, you should definitely go into stand up comedy."

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Jesse."

"It doesn't make it any less annoying if you say annoying things in a sing song voice, you know?"

"Please, you should feel honored that I would use my voice to speak to you."

"The Gap!"

"Jesse, please don't tell me you're going through that phase where you only wore plaid again."

"What? No, and it was an acting exercise I've told you that a million times! But I meant that was where I had seen Blaine before."
"Yes. Apparently the Warblers enjoy giving impromptu concerts for Gap shoppers."

"That is unacceptable! We're the only couple allowed to give impromptu concerts for anyone!"

"Well you left the position vacated for a year, someone had to have the great honor."

"Now you're just mocking me."

"Oh of course not, baby. Come on, let's go to the Gap and get you some plaid."

"I swear I could make sure your body was never found."

"Oh whatever, you love me too much."

"Again, this has proven to be more of a handicap than an asset!"

...

"Oof! Ow, Rachel! That hurt!"

"Your pride more than anything else, I think you'll recover."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you too."