Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.

Things to Know: Rachel and Puck never dated. Quinn's baby belongs to Finn. Quinn and Puck are not interested in each other. Rachel and Finn had mutual crushes, but stopped after finding out about Quinn's pregnancy.

My first Glee fanfiction…enjoy! Rated "M" to be safe as this is my first story, but it's probably really "T".

Puck flopped into bed after enduring an evening full of his mother's tears and pleading for him to behave better. He had gotten suspended once again. Puck felt guilty because he hated disappointing his mother. Of course, his mother hadn't known that the suspension actually occurred because he was trying to be helpful to a friend…acquaintance…classmate…someone. Puck certainly wasn't going to be the one to tell her that.

After finally stumbling out of bed at 11:30 the next morning, Puck noticed a familiar face outside his house. He watched in amusement through the living room window as she walked back and forth from her car to his front door. There was something adorable…and a little bit sexy…as she talked to herself. He decided to end her misery and opened the front door. Rachel was standing there with her eyes closed, seemingly working up the nerve to knock on the door. He took the opportunity to rake his eyes over her long legs, plump lips, and high cheekbones. Yes, she was definitely more sexy than adorable. Puck internally chastised himself…why on earth was he thinking these things about Rachel Berry of all people?

"Noah! I mean, Puck. Hello. How are you this morning? I hope you don't mind me visiting at this hour. You look like you just arose."

Puck moved aside to let her in the house, smirking as he scanned her body with his eyes and said, "Well, Berry, parts of me did indeed just rise."

He chuckled at the faint pink that highlighted her cheeks as she noted his innuendo and found himself wondering…against his will, of course…what else could make Rachel Berry blush?

At the same moment, Rachel had suddenly noticed that Puck was shirtless, wearing only a pair of pajama pants. She found herself admiring his pectoral and bicep muscles. But naturally, she was only in admiration because he was a prime example of appropriate health and fitness. That was the only reason, definitely.

She met her eyes with his and realized by the smirk on his face that he had noticed her noticing his attire…or lack thereof. Before he could make another sexual innuendo, she quickly began talking again. "I looked up your address in the school directory and decided to call on you because I felt so guilty that you were suspended while defending my honor."

"It's no big deal. I just felt like messing with someone's face yesterday. You happened to be there."

"Noah...Puck…please don't minimize what you did for me. Jacob Israel is an abhorrent creature who was saying disgusting things to me. I greatly appreciate that you stepped in to assist me with the situation. I feel terrible that you got suspended and I brought these cookies as a thank you."

Puck hadn't even noticed that she held a plate with brightly colored and decorated cookies. "Wow, they actually say 'Thank You' on them. You are a very interesting person, Berry."

Rachel looked down and softly stated, "Well, it was nice to make 'thank you' cookies for once. Sometimes I am able to make 'I'm sorry' cookies, but I don't often get to extend my gratitude to someone for defending me."

Puck felt bad for her in that moment, realizing that it wasn't often that anyone came to the defense of Rachel Berry because she was usually the victim of slushie attacks and rumors. Truthfully, he had been the perpetrator of many of the offenses against Rachel. Okay, really, he needed to stop thinking in words that Berry would use…and he definitely needed to stop feeling pity for her. He needed to stop feeling anything but dislike for Rachel Berry. He was a badass! Cougars loved him!

Puck realized that Rachel was looking at him curiously with those big brown eyes with depths that one could easily get lost in and he quickly changed the subject.

"So, did Jacob bother you today?"

Rachel laughed. "I think it's safe to say that it will be awhile before Jacob bothers me again".

"Good", Puck grunted.

"However, Puck, you really should reconsider your use of violence to solve problems. While I appreciate your efforts, violence is really never the best solution. For instance, I read a study in which use of violence to solve problems as an adolescent was correlated with lower GPA in college, as well as lower earning potential as an adult. It really is important to develop alternate coping strategies to deal with confrontational situations. I think that…"

Puck was so aggravated by her incessant chattering that he did the only thing he could think of to shut her up. He grabbed her hip with one hand, pulling her body towards his, as he crashed his lips onto hers and weaved his other hand into her hair. It was as soft as he had expected. Not that he had thought about it before. Puck realized that Rachel had one hand on his chest gently pushing him away while the other was on his neck pulling him closer to her. He smirked at her indecision, and it was unclear who was more shocked when Rachel took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Puck instinctively sensed when Rachel realized what she had done. Knowing that she was about the break the kiss, he deepened it further before releasing her and allowing her heels to rest once again on the floor. Rachel's eyes remained closed and Puck stared at her, grateful for the opportunity to steady his breathing. That kiss really should not have affected him like that.

"I had wondered if that would shut you up."

Rachel's eyes flew open. "Ugh, you are incorrigible." Strangely, though, there wasn't much annoyance in her voice, as if she knew that what Puck was thinking and saying weren't in agreement.

A moment of silence lapsed. Both were uncertain of what to say.

"Well, I really need to be getting back to school. I was only able to come because I have study hall just before lunch on Wednesdays. Also, I spoke with Principal Higgins and insisted that he allow you to return to school tomorrow. It was simply unacceptable that he suspended you for the rest of the week when he didn't even know the reasoning behind the altercation. And of course, we need you for rehearsal."

"So, as a reward for my help, you've arranged for me to miss less school?"

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…"

Puck smiled. Rachel wasn't sure if she'd ever seen him smile like that before.

"Well then, Berry, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

Puck reached past Rachel for the cookies that were on the table, relishing the sharp intake of breath he heard her take as his arm brushed her side. She quickly moved towards the front door.

"These cookies are delicious, Berry. Taste of vanilla and cinnamon. Just like you."

Rachel glanced over her shoulder, attempting to look annoyed, but Puck could see the slight smile that adorned her face as she walked out the door. "Enjoy, Noah".

Up next: Quinn and Kurt have always prided themselves on being more observant than others. Wonder what they will notice at Glee rehearsal…