A/N: So, this is the final chapter. I want to thank all of the wonderful readers who have been on this journey with me. This started as a litte one shot and quickly grew into one of my favorite stories to write. It has been a joy sharing this with you :D Without further adieu, the final installment of Rolling In The Deep.

Something Special

Rachel felt her nerves mount as she stood in the back of the auditorium, watching Sunshine Corazon perform a moving ballad. It had heart and soul. It was a damn good performance, led by a damn good performer. Immediately Rachel began to question her decision to step away from the spotlight and let her teammates have equal time at the front. Should she have taken over like she always had before? With her at the helm, she knew they had a chance. Now, though, with everyone taking turns she wasn't so sure.

She felt him beside her before he even said a word. She reached for his hand, sighing softly when she felt his fingers slide along her own. "They're wondering where you are," he said. "Puck even warned me that if they found you in a waste bin out back that he would personally show me why he had landed in juvie."

Rachel grinned slightly. That was why she had stepped back and let the others shine, too. Because they were good, caring people. And with time she had learned they were good, caring performers, as well. She turned toward him and reached up, sliding an arm around his neck and tugging his face to hers. The kiss was short and then she murmured, "Thank you."

"I don't know what I did for that," he said with a grin. "But I'm glad that I did it."

"I should head back to the team," Rachel said. "I have a vague idea of what Puck was talking about and it's not pretty."

His slid an arm around her waist, rubbing her side while he dipped his mouth to her ear. "You are going to be fantastic up there, Rach. All of you are."

"You think?"

"I know," he said. "You're not having doubts, are you?"

"No," she said with a soft smile. "Not anymore."

They returned to New Direction's holding room together, Rachel's arrival drawing the team's attention. Puck nodded his head toward Jesse and said, "Alright, you're off the hook, St James."

"Are you okay, Rachel?" Mr. Schuester asked, walking toward her. It wasn't like her to disappear right before a performance. She nodded and told him, "Just checking out our competition."

"And?" Artie asked.

"They're good," Rachel admitted. "But we're better."

"It's a big solo, isn't it?" Tina said from the back. Rachel nodded, watching Tina and Mike exchange a knowing look. Judges always liked a rousing solo. If the vocalist was talented it could be the most memorable number of an evening. Rachel had been proof of that. But, she was convinced that New Directions had something that not even a solo could offer. They had chemistry. After all they had gone through together there was a raw energy that the entire team fed from. They had the type of onstage chemistry that was palpable, infectious. Even more, it was irresistible.

She explained this to the group and Lauren said, "Damn right we're irresistible. We're going to rock this."

"That's the spirit guys!" Mr. Schuester said excitedly. Their time slot was nearing and the coach was visibly shaking with anticipation. "You are all going to be fantastic out there. Just give it your all!"

Time moved on and before they knew it a stage hand was at their door telling them that they had five minutes before they were on. For all of her previous nerves, Rachel felt a strange calm settle. Jesse noticed this and said, "You have your game face on."

"It's Nationals," she answered simply. "Is there ever a better time for it?"

He grinned, sliding his arms around her waist as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "No, there is not. And Mr. Schuester is right. You are going to be fantastic."

"You know, I'm kind of excited."

"You should be."

"Come on, Rachel," Finn said from the doorway, motioning for her to follow. She gave Jesse one more quick kiss and then followed Finn out toward the auditorium. On the way Finn turned toward her and said, "Listen Rachel, are we okay?"

"What?"

"Look, I know I've pissed you off with my opinions on you and Jesse." Rachel didn't argue that. "But we've always been there for each other with performances. I, uh, I need to know that you have my back for this."

She was struck by his words and said, "Of course I do."

"Okay, good because I wouldn't want to lose you. I still care about you, you know. No matter what is happening with us, I always will."

Despite everything they had been through she admitted, "Me too. So, you ready to kill it out there?"

He smiled, happy with how the exchange had ended. "Yeah, how about you?"

"I have a good feeling," she admitted.

"Alright guys," Puck said, careening between them and draping one arm over each set of shoulders. "So, here's the plan. If at any moment you feel we're kind of sucking, just look at me and I'll bust out these child-making-hips." He did a few experimental juts with them. "No man or woman can resist."

Rachel laughed lightly and told him, "We wouldn't want to overwhelm them, Noah. And besides, we are not going to suck."

"Yeah Puckerman, how about you keep those delicious hips for me?" Lauren proposed, falling into stride with the three of them. Behind her Santana rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smirk. The stage came into view and nervous energy bounced off all eleven New Direction members.

"Alright guys," Puck said, chin jutted up in defiance. "Let's do this."

They took their spots, Mr. Schuester standing to the side while he looked on like a proud father. Secretly, Schue thought he enjoyed the competitions more from the wings than he did when he was onstage. There was no disputing that performing was a rush. Even more, though, was watching these mismatched kids who didn't seem to fit anywhere melt into the stage as if they were born there. He would never forget the first time he had seen them together singing Don't Stop Believin' in McKinley's auditorium. That day had been nothing short of revelatory. And now after countless more stages and performances, they finally made it to Nationals.

Rachel knew the moment the curtain began to rise. Even more than the rustling of the velvet curtains, she had felt the pull in her stomach, the itch in her palms. It was like a first date, exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. However, just like nerves quelled at the first touch, first smile, Rachel experienced that same softening when she felt the eyes of the audience. They were there for her, for New Directions-and they were going to get one hell of a show.

The opening notes played and she looked to the wings quickly, suppressing a grin when she found Jesse watching her. Turning her attention back to the audience, she sang the first verse of their song. The performance started off slow, gaining momentum as their voices blended. Rachel felt the energy-the pure joy-and knew without any doubt that they had it. They had the audience's attention, their heart, and they were going to get the trophy, too.

Rachel couldn't help but smile as she looked to her teammates. They had come a long way, gotten past a lot of heartache and partner swapping, and somehow come out on the other side relatively unscathed. It was pretty amazing, but only proved to show how deep their bond ran. They were connected by something deeper than friendships of convenience. After two years of overcoming the odds, they had grown closer than any of them realized.

The song ended and they were suspended in silence for one spectacular moment while the audience and team both held their breath. Once the clapping began it rose to a crescendo, washing over the team in rolls. They exited the stage, executing boisterous waves toward the audience as their final send off. Once off stage, the team descended on each other with embraces and rushed sentiments. Caught in the moment, Finn wrapped his arms around Rachel and his mouth darted toward hers. She froze, but then he stopped. Checking himself, Finn pulled away and said, "I'm sorry, I-"

He was cut off by another teammate pulling his arm to yell out another exclamation of congratulations. Rachel shook her head slightly and turned, looking for the one person who had yet to congratulate her. She found him directly behind her, glaring over her shoulder at who she could only assume was Finn.

"Did he try to kiss you?"

"Yes," Rachel said. "But he stopped himself."

"Oh, well how virtuous of him."

"He was caught up in the moment," Rachel said, stepping forward and slipping her arms around his waist. "That's all."

"Sometimes I think you cut him too much slack."

She glanced back and murmured, "Maybe I do. But this team is my family, him too. He'll get over me." She turned back to Jesse and smiled slightly. "I got over him, after all."

Jesse's face changed slightly and he mirrored her grin, dropping his mouth to hers. "You're right," he murmured against her skin. "By the way, have I told you yet how breathtaking you were out there?"

"No, you haven't," she replied.

His arms relaxed around her waist. "Rachel Berry, you were positively brilliant on that stage. I would be shocked if you were not offered a Broadway part instantly."

She pressed her head to his chest, her restless heart slowing to the steady beat of his own. "I'm so glad you're here," she mumbled.

"Me too." He pulled away slightly and pressed his lips to hers again. He drew an arm from her waist and gently touched her cheek with his fingertips. "You should be with your team, Rach."

"I don't want to leave you alone," she said softly.

"I'll go talk with my supposed father," Jesse joked.

"You sure you don't mind?"

He kissed her forehead. "Go be with your team."

She gave him one last kiss before turning and rushing over to her team. Sam Evan's arm found its way around her waist as Kurt grabbed her from the side. She laughed, hugging both of them back. Looking around, she felt the happiest that she had in ages. She glanced over to Mr. Schuester and saw him and Jesse talking amicably. He felt her gaze and looked over at her, sending her a small wink. With her team surrounding her, Jesse only a few feet away, Rachel found herself not caring a whole lot if they won. In fact, she didn't care at all. For her entire life, all she had ever wanted was to be a part or something special. She saw with stunning clarity that winning Nationals or not, she had finally found that something special.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this! Would LOVE to hear your thoughts :D