Author's Note: This is my first attempt at a fanfic. Glee has become my new addiction and after reading all the great things on here, I decided to try my hand at it. This is my version of what happened after Mash-Up, which sadly killed the Puck/Rachel relationship far too quickly! I am gonna try my best to keep them in character, but still stick with my ideas. I have all the chapters planned already, but we'll see how it plays out. Please read and review- good, bad, suggestions, all of it! If the reaction seems favorable, I will definitely keep going! But I must warn, I may not be able to update too quickly because the end of the semester is fast approaching, but I am shooting for once a week.
P.S. I do not own Glee, or any of the songs that are used, but I thank God every day for Ryan Murphy, Fox, and finally Mark Salling! I am only borrowing the music and characters for my own enjoyment!
"Okay guys, We're trying something new. Duets," Mr. Schuester said as he walked in the room, not noticing the collective eye rolls he got.
"Mr. Schue," Kurt interrupted. "Are we gonna have to do costumes too?" He looks at Mercedes, "because I have a great idea for outfits. I'm thinking blue shirts…"
"That's great Kurt," Mr. Schuester said, interrupting, "Each pair will get to choose a song, come up with choreography, and yes, complete their performance with costumes."
Rachel was the next to speak. "I'm assuming you'll be pairing us by vocal strength?"
"Not quite," he says pulling out a hat from behind the piano.
Finn spoke up. "You can't be serious Mr. Schue!"
"Oh come on guys. This will be fun. Everyone will pick a number from the hat. That will be your partner. The rest of practice tonight will be spent working on your duets. You'll be performing them for the group next Thursday. So who's first?" Mr. Schue asked holding out the hat.
Kurt jumped up, took his number, and sat down. Mercedes followed, as did Tina, Artie, Mike, Brittany, Santana, Matt, Quinn, and Puck. On his way to sit back down, Puck stopped in front of Finn. With his hands on his hips he said, "Dude, just go pick one. Otherwise, we're gonna be here all night." Leaning closer, he whispered, "and I got things to do, if ya know what I mean," with a smirk.
Reluctantly, Finn got up and chose his number. Seeing him get up, Rachel quickly followed suit. After everyone was seated, Mr. Schue said, "Go ahead. Look at your numbers."
Everyone started opening their picks and looking around. Soon they were pairing up. "This is gonna be fun," Rachel heard Artie say to Mike, as she looked down and saw a 5 on her paper. She then looked around at the pairs already situated. Tina and Santana. Kurt and Brittany. Matt and Mercedes. My lucky number… she thought to herself.
"I guess we're partners," Finn said excitedly, walking up to her, holding out the 5 on his paper.
She couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. "It seems that Mr. Schue's attempt to break up our powerhouse vocal dream team was in vain. I think we should sing…" she continued without breathing as usual.
"Whatever you want Rachel," he said, grinning at her with that goofy-half smile as he shoved his hands further into his pockets. "I trust you. So where do we start?"
She stopped talking and smiled back at him. "I'm really excited about this, Finn. You know, between my vocal prowess and your impressive lyrical abilities, we're gonna impress Mr. Schuester so much that our number is going to be a shoe-in for sectionals."
He didn't even realize he was watching them until he heard, "Um, hello? We need to pick a song. God, I can't believe I got stuck with you, while man-hands is over there with my boyfriend."
He looked down at Quinn, her eyes full of annoyance. "Yeah, well this isn't exactly a walk in the park for me either. Hell, Finn's lucky to be working with Berry. He looks like he's having a lot more fun over there. At least "man-hands" isn't an ice cold bitch all the time," Puck replied through a clenched jaw.
"You're siding with her?"
"What's it matter to you?" he sneered, his voice rising in decibels. "YOU don't want me around you or my kid. You've made that perfectly clear."
Quinn grabbed onto his arm. "Shut up! People are going to hear you!" She released his arm and crossed hers over her chest. "Rachel Berry? What is it about that… thing?" she asked rolling her eyes.
Puck shook his head and grabbed his coat off the chair behind him. He paused and glanced over at the couple practicing their song. He turned his gaze back to the one person who could get his blood boiling anymore. Taking a step closer, so that he towered over her, they locked eyes. "She's not a thing. Berry is at least willing to give people a chance. More than I can say about someone who goes around calling people losers." With that, he turned and walked out the door, leaving Quinn standing in her spot with all eyes on her.
It wasn't until the door slammed shut that Rachel looked up and caught a glimpse of that strip of hair through the glass. She turned her gaze to the girl standing there. Quinn looked at her and rolled her eyes in disgust, with her arms still crossed.
Just then, Finn raced over to Quinn and Rachel heard him ask her what was wrong. She tuned them out. I wonder what caused him to storm out like that in the midst of practice. He should have been excited to work with her. It was his chance…
Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Schue. "Good practice. I can't wait to see your numbers. See you tomorrow afternoon."
She picked up her things and headed for the parking lot. Why am I even worried about this…?
He walked into practice 15 minutes late the next day. All the pairs were already practicing. His eyes scanned the room and stopped on Finn and Rachel. They were laughing at his most recent choreography mishap. If he wasn't my best friend, I'd punch the dude myself. He's over there with Berry, making oogley eyes at her, leading her on. Even with a baby on the way. Well, at least as far as he knows… and they all think I'M the ass…"
He snapped out of his thoughts just as the sheet music was thrust into his face. "Here. We should get started. If we want to avoid embarrassment, we should probably, actually work on the song."
Did that tone in her voice ever go away? He looked at her face for a few seconds before taking the sheets from her. "Is this your idea of a peace offering? Because if it is…" he trailed off when he looked in her eyes, a small smirk crossing his lips.
"You are delusional. We're doing this because we have to. I figure that will be impossible if you are storming out like a child every time we practice," Quinn replied icily before continuing. "We can do this," she said, softening her voice a bit, trying to reassure herself more than anything. She paused and took a breath before forcing a small smile on her lips.
"What is this you're referring to?" Maybe this is the chance I need…
Her eyes grew big and she spoke immediately. "Be civil to each other. Besides, I love Finn, but I want to crush that freak like a freight train," she snarled, before looking over at the pair.
His heart sank a little, but he also felt the anger growing, so he fought the urge to yell at her. No need to make a scene today. "Ok then. Let's get working. It'll be worth it to see Berry's shock when we win this thing."
She smiled at him. Well, that's a first… He grabbed his guitar and started strumming the chords to the intro. Yeah, I can do this…
"Finn, we've been at this for almost a week now. We perform tomorrow. I'd change the choreography, but I think that would be more disastrous than keeping what we've been working on." What is with me? Why is his inability to tell his left from his right suddenly so annoying to me? She found her eyes turned to the pair in the corner working on their song. They certainly seem to be much more comfortable together than the first day. That's weird…
Finn let out his breath and looked at her, bringing her back to consciousness. "Sorry, Rach. I'm trying. It's just… I've been really stressed. This new job, the baby, school, football, Glee… then there's y-" He stopped himself. Her eyes widened. Crap. Before she could ask he continued. "There's just a lot on my plate right now. I promise I'll get it. Let's try it again?" He looked at her with that spark in his eyes that she was so used to seeing.
What had he been going to say? Snap out of this! Focus! She put her hand on his arm and couldn't help but notice that familiar tingle run through her body. "I know. I'm sorry I snapped. You obviously haven't been doing this as long as I have or had the extensive training in dance that my last 10 years allowed me. You're doing great, Finn. I want you to know that. You'll get it. Let's run through it again." She had taken one look at his tense face and it stung her. She couldn't help but needing to reassure him. He is the one who has been there for me lately; it's the least I could do. And I know he has it in him. That doesn't mean that he will always be there for you Rachel. There's still Quinn…
"He's never gonna leave Quinn…not with that baby in her belly."
She took a deep breath and let it out. God, I need to get him out of my head… Though she wasn't entirely sure who 'he' was that she was talking about.
"Thanks, Rach. It's gonna be great," Finn reassured, as he moved behind her and threw both arms around her neck, playfully, and they both smiled.
As they continued working on their choreography, they were so engrossed in each other that neither one noticed the two pair of eyes that were glued to them.
He doesn't even see what he's doing to her…
I'll show her who'll come out on top…
"Great job, Mercedes, Matt. This has been fun to watch," Mr. Schue commended the pair. "Now, Rachel, Finn. It's your turn."
Finn stood up and Quinn sat up, removing her cheek from his shoulder. He moved toward the piano and stood next to Rachel. "We've got this," he whispered in her ear, causing a smile to spread across her lips.
The music started and Rachel began, leading Finn in the choreography.
Just when I believed I couldn't ever want for more
This ever changing world pushes me through another door
I saw you smile
And my mind could not erase the beauty of your face
Just for a while
Won't you let me shelter you
When Finn joined in, Rachel felt her heart race a little. She caught a glimpse of Quinn's eyes, shooting daggers at her. She returned her focus on the chorus with Finn, forgetting everyone else in the room.
Hold on to the nights
Hold on to the memories
I wish that I could give you something more
That I could be yours
Puck couldn't help but notice his partner tense up next to him She looks so pissed… He listened as Finn sang, and shifted when he realized that there was a certain honesty behind the lyrics. Yeah, I'm totally the asshole… Look at Berry, believing every word coming out of his mouth. For someone so smart, how can she be so dumb?
How do we explain something that took us by surprise
Promises in vain, love that is real but in disguise
What happens now
Do we break another rule
Let our lovers play the fool
I don't know how
To stop feeling this way
Their voices joined again for the chorus, their eyes locking on each other.
Hold on to the nights
Hold on to the memories
I wish that I could give you something more
That I could be yours
Finn kept up with the steps, and put all his emotion into his next part, almost believing it himself.
Well, I think that I've been true to everybody else but me
And the way I feel about you makes my heart long to be free
Rachel smiled as she took his hands, giving them a squeeze as she sang.
Every time I look into your eyes, I'm helplessly aware
That the someone I've been searching for is right there
As she finished, they pulled apart and joined their voices, feeling every word they sang.
Hold on to the nights
At the sound of applause, they turned from each other to face the group. "Wow," Mercedes said. "That was good. You two sounded great."
They smiled at each other as they took their seats. Quinn refused to look at Finn as she got up. "What?" he asked her quietly, receiving a roll of her eyes in return.
Finally, "Puck. Quinn. Are you ready?" Mr. Schue asked.
"Yeah," Puck replied, motioning for Quinn to join him on the floor.
She took her place next to him, and heard his voice close to her ear. "Don't let 'em see you break. Crush 'em like a freight train, remember?" She smiled weakly back at him as he picked up his guitar. She nodded and they began singing.
As soon as she heard the first note, all of Rachel's attention turned to the boy behind the guitar. Lost in her memories of the last few weeks, she found herself thinking about it all. He's looking at her like I look at Finn. She's only looking at Finn… She can see he notices where Quinn's attention is as well when his gaze turns to the girl's stomach as she moves further away from the guitar.
As he continues the chords, his mind wanders. I'm as dumb as Berry. Look at Quinn, looking at him. What is it about him? He looks up and their eyes meet. Why's she staring at me? Damn… She sees it too… He looks back down at his guitar and joins Quinn on the chorus, refusing to look out and catch her eyes for the rest of the song, though he can feel her eyes burning a hole through him.
Rachel inhales hastily as their eyes meet. She can see the hurt in them. But just as quickly, he looks down and she sees his gaze harden. Her mind wanders again. I know his pain… What is it with us? Why do we want something we can't have? It's pointless and I'm tired of being a doormat. It has to end…
Her thoughts are interrupted by Finn's voice. "That was awesome. And you looked beautiful up there," he said taking Quinn in his arms.
"Did ya like that, Berry?"
Startled, she jumped and found herself staring into his hazel eyes. That hurt that had been there had been replaced with anger. "What? Uh… Oh… yeah. It was good," She said, stumbling over her words. As she watched him take his seat, it hit her… She had been staring at him, so focused, that she hadn't heard one word of their song.
