Hi there! I am ACR, and I will be your author for this fanfic.

Before we get started, let me just clear this up. Circumstance and Desire is a PUCK/KURT fanfic. While I'll also be mingling into some other ships, that is the main storyline. If you don't like the ship, don't read the fic, please.

The idea of the fic came to me and I thought it'd be fun. Its just something for me to work on, really. My first fanfic, I'm sure it wont be too amazing. And I know, I have a weird writing style.

Setting up the scene: Circumstance and Desire takes place during the summer between the Glee clubs senior and junior year. But I'll let the rest play out for you.

This particular chapter is really short (shorter then the other chapters will be) and is more of an prologue.

I hope you enjoy it!

Glee and its Characters are (c) Ryan Murphy

The sun in Lima, Ohio didn't seem to exist that fateful day in June. The swollen clouds darkened the sky, and threatened to burst down upon the seemingly harmless small town, if the occasional clap of ear-deafening thunder wasn't already an indicator of a rainy day.

So much for summer Puck thought to himself as he leaned on the door of his truck and stared up into the looming mass. His folded arms tightened around himself, bringing back a familiar feeling he wasn't fond of.

It had started two days ago, exactly a week after school at McKinley High School had released. Puckerman woke up feeling almost disastrous. His chest was tight, and an inkling in the corner of his being was whispering that something wasn't quite right. It had lasted all that morning, and bothered him so much he needed to get away from it. He remembered picking up his phone and searching for the name of his best friend in his contacts. Finn. He hit 'call' and pressed it to his ear, listening.

It rang once.

It rang again.

It rang three more times, and went to voice mail. Puck remembered how the feeling in his chest tightened. Finn almost always answered his phone.

In the few days that followed, Puck had called Finn so many times and sent him so many texts, he started feeling like a desperate girlfriend or something. But Finn never answered, which made Puck so uneasy it almost made him sick. Something was clearly wrong, though he didn't know what. He had called Quinn, but she didn't know what was wrong. Even Rachel was stumped (and clearly more then a little angry at the fact her boyfriend wasn't answering her calls).

Now as Puck sat under the cloudy sky in the parking lot of Breadstix, he still couldn't add anything up. He probably had nothing to worry about. Maybe Finn had lost his phone, which made perfect sense because he was such an idiot...

"Puckerman," A familiar arrogant voice sounded. Noah tilted his head in time to see Santana coming towards him, her regular panties in a twist, "Lets go. I gots to get my FOOD on."

The two walked into Breadstix and found their regular booth. Puck huffed to himself and looked at the dark haired girl across from him.

"So, why did you invite me to come eat with you?" Santana smiled devilishly at him, "Are you trying to hook up or something?"

"No," he rolled his eyes, "No one else wants to hang out, so I figured I might as well have some company."

She pouted, "Why didn't you invite Lauren? Aren't you two, like, a thing?" She shuddered dramatically.

Puck played with the fork in his hands, "I don't know if we are dating. She sends me so many weird signals."

Santana eyed him. His face was different then usual. He looked like he hadn't slept well. And he wasn't acting nearly as flirty and sarcastic as usual. Is something wrong? She barely had time to open her mouth to ask when the waiter approached them. The thought was pushed to the back of her mind as she began to order, consumed with hunger.

Puck sighed and let Santana order for him. Why did I invite Santana here anyway? Oh yeah. Because everyone else is busy all the time.

True enough, Mike and Tina were always together doing Asian things, so he didn't bother to call them. Oddly enough, Sam and Mercedes always seemed to be able to dodge every opportunity to hang out. Brittany didn't even know how to work a phone. Although they had a kid together, it seemed like Quinn was constantly avoiding him. Him and Lauren always seemed to be fighting. Rachel was too annoying. Artie was busy. Finn wasn't answering his phone. So all that left was Santana. Right?

He felt like he was missing someone.

"I know how you feel about not knowing your relationship deal," Santana said, "I haven't talked to Karofsky since we got out of school."

Puck made a disgusted noise, "Gross, are you still ON that? He's such a... well, he's a douche."

Santana's bitch-face faltered for a moment. Her train of thought suddenly on Brittany. Before school ended, Brittany had said she loved her. And yet Santana still felt so in-the-friend-zone it was unbelievable.

"You okay?" Puck raised an eyebrow. "You looked almost sad there for a second."

"Shut up, I'm fine." Her scowl returned, "I just think relationships are pointless is all."

"Agreed." Puck smiled as their appetizer arrived. But. as the food was put down, a sudden bad feeling lurched in his stomach. Outside, lightening flashed. And in his pocket, his cell phone started ringing.

Santana started stuffing her face and Puck pulled out his phone, answering it and pressing it to his ear.

"Yeah?" He said, his voice cracking a little.

"Hey dude." Finn's voice flowed from the phone. It sent shivers down Pucks spine. It was monotoned and emotionless, and extremely tired sounding.

"Man, did you lose your phone? I've been calling your for days!"

"Gay." Santana sing-songed, making Puck throw a breadstick at her.

"No, I didn't lose it. I've been a little... preoccupied. Sorry I didn't pick up." Finn said, his voice sounding a little less dead then before.

"Its fine. Is everything okay?"

Silence, and then "No. I mean, yes. Everything is fine now. But it wasn't... Are you alone?"

Puck bit his lip, glancing at Santana across the table, figuring it was a safe lie, "Yes."

"Okay," Finn breathed, "I've been in the hospital for the past three days."

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"Not for me."

Puck raised his eyebrow, "Huh?"

Finn released a shuddering sigh, "Kurt. Kurt is in the hospital."

"What?" Puck nearly stood up with shock and surprise. Santana stopped eating and stared at him, a worried expression coming over her face.

"He's fine reall-"

"What the hell happened?" Puck demanded.

"Some guys... We don't know who... The ganged up on him... They beat him up pretty badly but-"

"I will find them! I will end them!"

"Puck, calm down. Kurt is gonna be fine. He's mostly just shaken up."

"This isn't okay. Its Kurt!"

"Whats going on?" Santana said loudly, looking half-worried and half-annoyed.

"Who was that? Aren't you alone?" Finn almost yelled through the phone.

"Shut up, dude. I'm coming to the hospital." Puck said finally.

"Fi- FINE! But Puck! Puckerman. Listen dude. You can NOT tell anyone. Keep this to yourself. I don't want to worry anyone else. The only reason I'm telling you is because... I'm kinda freaked out. And I need someone to talk to, okay?"

"I'm on my way." Puck hung up the phone and stood up, heading for the door.

"Hey!" Santana chased after him. He turned around and got out his wallet, shoving money in her hand.

"Look, Santana," He looked her in the eyes, "I need to go. Here's the money, pay for the food. I promise I will explain to you later."

Her eyes looked angry, and almost scared. But she nodded. With that, he turned and headed for the door. Out and into the rain, to his truck. To drive to the hospital to what was awaiting him.