Author's note: This is my newest fic. It's somewhat inspired by Next to Normal. We'll see if it goes anywhere, since I've been unable to finish a story lately. Please review and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or Next to Normal

Rachel Berry pulled up to the familiar building, put her car into park, and took a deep breath. William McKinley High School. At twenty eight years old, it had been ten years since she had stepped foot in these halls. She had been all over the world, but coming back to her hometown had filled her with a sense of nostalgia. So here she was, fresh off the plane and she found herself in her old auditorium. She closed her eyes and let the memories wash over her. So many routines had been performed on this stage, and there were so many memories attached to those routines. Absentmindedly, she started doing the moves to some of her favorite routines. Don't Stop Believing, Somebody to Love, Like a Prayer. Without realizing it, she had started to sing.

Life is a mystery

Everyone must stand alone

I hear you call my name

And it feels like home

Then she heard that voice, the one she couldn't forget if she tried. It was sadder than she'd ever heard, almost wistful, as he whispered,

"Rachel." She spun around to see those familiar pale green eyes, that wavy brown hair, the strong jaw that accentuated his perfect features. He still had the lean, muscular body of a dancer.

"Jesse," she said, shocked, overjoyed, and confused all at once. The same emotions were evident on Jesse's face.

"Rachel?" he repeated, this time as a question.

"What are you doing here Jesse?" she asked, hands on her hips, guard instantly up.

"I, uh, I heard you were back in town. I figured you'd turn up here," he explained looking flustered. Rachel's expression softened. He had come to see her.

"It's good to see you Jesse," she said, stepping toward him, arms open to hug him. He stepped back, looking almost fearful. Rachel stopped short, letting her arms drop awkwardly to her side.

"Sorry," Jesse apologized, "It's just-"

"I get it," Rachel said, cutting him off. "It's been a long time," she said with a shrug.

"It sure has," Jesse sighed. He sat down at the edge of the stage, letting his feet dangle. He motioned for Rachel to join him and she did. "So tell me all about living in… where were you living again?" he asked. Rachel laughed.

"Pretty much everywhere," she answered. "But most recently, Germany."

"Okay," Jesse said with a short nod. "Start there and work backwards. Tell me everything."

So she did. Rachel got so caught up in telling the tales of her travels that she was shocked to glance at her watch and realize three hours had gone by.

"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed. "I've got to go," she said standing up. Jesse stood up too. She turned to him and gave him a small smile. "This was nice. I'm really glad I got to see you." Jesse reached out warily and touched her arm. Rachel smiled at the warmth of his touch.

"Me too, Rach," he said in that sad wistful tone again. Rachel wanted to lean forward and kiss him, but decided against it. After a quick goodbye, she hurried out of the auditorium and headed to her mother's house.

"Rachel!" her mother cried. When Rachel had called Shelby Corcoran telling her she was coming home, her birth mother had jumped at the chance for them to try to restore their relationship. "Come in," she urged, stepping aside to let Rachel into the house. "Beth!" she called. "Come here, there's someone I want you to meet." Rachel stood there apprehensively as she waited for her half-sister (was that even the right term?). The pre-teen bounded down the stairs, then came to a halt. She looked down at the floor shyly. She had beautiful curly blonde hair, reminding Rachel of Quinn.

"Hi, Beth, I'm Rachel." Rachel said softly. Beth looked up and Rachel sucked in a breath as she found herself looking into the eyes of Noah Puckerman.

"Nice to meet you," Beth mumbled. Then she looked over to her mother. "Can I go back to my room now? The Sound of Music just started." Her mother nodded and with a stunning grin, Beth hurried back upstairs.

"She's lovely," Rachel said as she and Shelby headed into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. "She looks so much like them," she added softly.

"Have you talked to them lately?" Shelby asked. "Or any of your glee club friends?"

"Once or twice right after we graduated but after that…" Rachel shook her head. She sat and took the cup Shelby offered her. She took a sip of the coffee. "I saw Jesse today," she said softly, looking into the cup of warm liquid. She looked up when she heard a crash. Her mother had dropped her cup of coffee, shattered pieces covering the floor. Rachel rushed to help clean up the mess. Her mother was still standing, frozen.

"Rachel," she said.

"Don't worry, Mom, I wouldn't even think about getting back together with him after what he did. It was just nice to see him is all," she explained, looking up at her mother. She frowned when she saw her expression. Her mother was pale as snow, her eyes wide in a horrified expression. "Mom?" she asked, concerned. Her mom took her hand and sat her back down.

"Sweetheart," she said, and instantly Rachel knew something was wrong. Rachel didn't know Shelby well, but she knew she wasn't one for pet names. Rachel stiffened even before Shelby spoke again. "Honey, Jesse died five years ago."