A/N: I wrote this for a very interesting prompt over at the Rq_AU_meme. I'll try and update as soon as I can, I lead a very hectic lifestyle so I'll do my best tp update. The bar mentioned in this (Vox) is also a real bar in my town where I spend most of my weekends at.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it (:


The thin laminated plastic caught the bright glow of the light fixture positioned above her drooped head, the picture in the left hand corner of the card vanished in and out of focus as she turned it over in her hands. The white shine of the bulb bounced off the reflective surface, restricting the girls visibility from the information neatly inscribed upon the identification card.

Rachel's face was shielded by a thick veil of espresso coloured hair as she studied the ID some more, two of her fingers ghosted across the thumbnail sized photo letting them trace her beaming smile which shone flatly back at her.

Tonight was going to be a big step for Rachel. Tonight she had deemed the night she would finally, after some much needed time, have fun. It was a simple thing that many of her peers managed so easily yet she continuously struggled to engage in the most simplest forms of fun. She had become accustomed to it though, after all it was mostly her own fault. She was so focused on her school work, ambitions and her overall thirst to achieve that living a normal teenage life had unfortunately taken a back seat.

After many weeks of preparation and careful planning, Rachel finally held what would hopefully be her ticket to an enjoyable evening. Trying to think of a sufficient way to prove to herself, that yes Rachel Berry can have fun was difficult at first. She knew most people her age participated in illegal activities to get their kicks and she wanted to avoid that. But, much to her dismay a night of searching the internet for ways to have adequate, none breaking the law fun seemed impossible. Well, not unless you were a twelve year old and Rachel didn't believe a party with balloons, a bouncy castle, fairy cakes and orange squash would do her any justice to boost her social status.

So she had settled for the illegal option, and after a week of anxiously waiting for the post every day before school her desired package finally arrived on a wet, muggy Thursday morning. Rachel was shocked to learn that you could actually buy illegal identification online. The site she had visited promised they were legit and with convincing words of reassurance, the brunette was sending a passport sized photo along with a check for sixty dollars off to the company. She was apprehensive, half of her expecting it to be a scam but when the snap of the letter box echoed throughout the house and a crisp white envelop plopped onto the door matt with the small logo of the website stamped in the corner; she squealed.

Rachel sucked in a deep breath, releasing it in a sharp huff she stood from the closed toilet lid and faced the mirror above the bathroom sink regarding her reflection. Her hair spilled around her shoulders, framing her face in loose tousled waves. She had made an effort with her eyes in an attempt to look older, her lids were a deep shade of purple lined with a dark pencil, her eyelashes coated in a thick black mascara. She had gone for the understated yet classy outfit, a simple tight black dress which accentuated her curves perfectly. She looked good, hot even though her aim for tonight wasn't to pull or better yet, be pulled.

Giving her appearance the last once over and fluffing her hair up slightly before adding a final smear of clear lip gloss to full lips, she was ready. Luckily, she didn't need to explain her sudden transformation to either of her dads since they were out dinning at some restaurant for their weekly "Friday date nights." Considerate as always and in case they worried for her whereabouts, Rachel had stuck a post it note to the refrigerator saying she had "popped out" and "don't wait up."

She sat perched on the edge of the plush sofa in the living room, her fingers nervously fiddled with the clasp to her bag as she waited for the honk of a car horn signalling her taxis arrival. Of course, being fully prepared for this evening meant that Rachel had already pre-booked a cab to come and collect her. After a few more minutes of waiting the blare of a car horn sounded outside, she jumped up from her seat and stumbled slightly due to her heels. She wouldn't consider them necessarily high yet they were quite a difference to her Mary Jane's.

She gathered up her bag and smoothed her dress before heading to the front door, pulling it to a close and locking up. She slid into the back seat, shyly smiling at the taxi driver through the interior mirror. "Where to?" The man asked while he tried to tune the radio to a station dedicated to the 80's ignoring the brunettes polite hello.

Rachel had thought about "where to" for the last week. She knew she needed to avoid a club or bar in Lima at the chance of being recognised. So she had settled on visiting the town over from Lima, she was pretty sure she would be safe in the knowledge that no one would know her there. She gave the man the town name and he swiftly pulled away from her house.

The taxi ride wasn't exactly pleasant. The back seats were scattered with burn holes where people had most probably stubbed out their cigarettes and they were sticky with something Rachel didn't care to know the source of. The radio was too load and the driver insisted on carrying out a rather inappropriate conversation with his girlfriend through his mobile for the entire journey.

"Where do you want dropping?" The guy swivelled his torso to look at Rachel through the thin plastic shield that separated the back seats from the front.

She took in her surroundings, trying to gage a suitable place in which she could possibly have a good time. Though everywhere looked pretty bleak. They were currently on the outskirts of the town, the strip of road they were travelling down was lined either side with small suburban houses and cheap looking liquor stores. She anticipated whether to just ask the guy to keep driving until they reached a more substantial area, though the idea of riding in a grubby cab for much longer wasn't all to appealing.

"Here will do," she rummaged through her bag, pulling out fifteen dollars and handed them over to the taxi drivers waiting hand.

She climbed out of the car and stood on the side of the curb, wrapping her arms around her waist tightly as she watched the cab speed off with a screech of the wheels. The air possessed a damp chill, the sky was coloured a dull black where a thick, grey cloud formation filled the vast space. She began to walk in the direction of where the towns lights appeared more ample, hoping that in the centre there would be more life. She came to a set of traffic lights which displayed green, she checked both ways anyway just to be safe before she crossed and noticed a narrow side street lit up by only two street lamps.

Considering it could be a short cut into the towns heart since it was leading in that general direction, Rachel decided to take the detour. Her heels clicked and occasionally scuffed the uneven sidewalk as she followed the road around a bend, the sound echoed around her in the silent air. She was just about to give up and turn around, beginning to feel unsafe since she was alone in such a dark street when the road began to widen and span out. The low hum of voices and laughter not so far away made her pick up her pace as she carried on.

Eventually she reached a corner and as she turned, she arrived in another cobbled street which was buzzing with activity. There were a few quiet looking pubs with warm, welcoming lights gleaming in frosted glazed windows. One side of the pavement was littered with various busy looking bars, the music from inside muffled by the walls though still audible. She continued to walk the length of the street, taking in her surroundings until she spotted a group of men and women gathered outside of a particularly large bar all smoking and swigging their drinks out of pint glasses. She tilted her head to the side as she walked to read the name of the bar and in harsh blue neon lights, the name Vox shone above her. As she neared even closer she could distinctively hear a live band playing from inside, the low bass and drum beat pulsed through the ground making Rachel's body hum.

The idea of checking out a bar with an actual live band instead of choosing a place where the typical dance tracks boomed out was to good of an opportunity to pass up. She pushed past the loud group of people so she could make her way to the bars double doors.

There was a large burly man standing in the arch way of the bars entrance, he stood with his hands clasped in front of him in tight fists with a stern expression on his face, he did appear quite threatening. Rachel gathered that this must be the bouncer. She haltered her steps and stood off to the side, suddenly extremely nervous. This would be it, she would finally see if her ID would pay off or let her down. She rummaged around in her small bag and pulled out the plastic card, inspecting it one last time. She breathed in a composing breath and made her way over to the intimidating man.

The bouncer saw her approach, his narrowed eyes already running over her body taking in her appearance and probably a lot more. "ID?" He spoke with a deep, gruff voice. His hand already extended, waiting.

Rachel nodded and made sure to hold his stare as to not look suspicious. She handed it over and the man's eyes skimmed over the information, his dull grey eyes flickered from the picture up to the actual girl from the photo in front of him. Finally, he grunted in approval, "have a good evening, Miss." He stepped aside to let her pass.

Rachel couldn't help but beam her biggest smile. With a flourish, she flipped her hair over her bare shoulder and entered Vox with a new found confidence. She was actually doing this, her ID had now served it's purpose and she was ecstatic.

Her confidence soon wavered when she was inside. It was quite spacious, every inch of floor from what she could see was more or less covered with people. It was ridiculously busy and extremely loud. The live band she had heard from outside were still playing, they appeared quite popular as she took in the huge crowd which congregated around the medium sized stage. The drummer was in the middle of enthusiastically pounding out a drum solo, from where she was standing she couldn't really make out any of the other performing band members. The bar was smoky and hot, everyone in her line of sight was silhouetted against the steamy haze which was coloured a bluey red from the large spot lights rotating around the stage and dance floor.

It was a lively atmosphere and Rachel soon realised that this bar attracted a certain audience, of the alternative kind. The men were rather casually dressed and so were the women, both genders were clothed in indie type wear. This made her feel overdressed and out of place. A few guys were already looking her over with interest while a couple of girls looked at her with distaste. Shrugging off any negative vibes she was feeling, she decided that she should purchase a drink.

The drinks bar was just as crowded, she had to literally shove her way to the front but soon found her order wouldn't be taken any time soon. There were six bar staff working at a frantic pace pulling pints, popping bottles and mixing drinks. She had already researched various alcoholic beverages and knew what she wanted to try so she turned her head in the direction of the band who were just finishing up a number.

Rachel could see now that she was closer that the lead was male, he high fived a few of the crowd members before jumping off the wooden stage, disappearing into the sea of people. She watched the other band members place their instruments off to the side, the coloured spot lights remained on but dimmed, they were obviously taking a break. Rachel faced the bar again to see if anyone was available to serve her and found she was in luck. A young man leaned over the wooden surface so he could hear her order over the rowdy noise. "Vodka orange. Please," she raised her voice so she was practically shouting in his ear.

"Nice choice, though I prefer with Coke."

Rachel started slightly at the sudden voice surprisingly close to her ear. She turned to face a man with a Mohawk, his arms crossed over the bar surface. He was slouching slightly, his gaze fixed on Rachel as he smiled down at her, though she would of classed it as more of a smirk.

Before she could form a reply, the bar guy was back with her drink. He tapped the order in the till and shouted out the price. "I've got this," the man next to her said. He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a few dollars, handing them over before Rachel could protest.

He turned now, fully facing the brunette and extended a hand. "I'm Puck," Rachel eyed him for a second, wondering what kind of name was Puck and doubted that this was the mans real name before cautiously taking his hand and gave it a light shake.

"Rachel. You really didn't have to buy me my drink, but thank you."

He shrugged. "It's the least I can do for a pretty face. I like to welcome in the new crowd." Puck leaned back against the bar and took a bottle of water offered to him by the same guy that served her. So he knew Rachel wasn't a regular here, she frowned.

"How do you know I don't come here often?" She asked him, taking a sip of her drink. She grimaced slightly, the taste would take some getting used to.

"Often?" He smirked at her and continued, "everyone here is a regular. Most people come every night, you soon get to know the newbies."

"So you work here?" Rachel queried.

"No. I provide the music, babe. Me and my band, we play here every Thursday to Sunday. I have to lay down a day job in the mean time. But this is what I do." He gestured towards the stage and instruments, an affectionate smile forming on his lips.

Right away Rachel could tell music and his band were important to him. She nodded, "so what do you play?"

He chuckled and shook his head, leaning closer to Rachel. "I sing," Puck then gave her a cheeky wink and she playfully rolled her eyes. He must think this line worked on the women every time, knowing most girls were a sucker for a musician.

"Am I right in assuming that that is a charm the ladies find hard to resist?" She raised her eyebrows questioningly.

He grinned smugly back at her, "You know it. No one can, babe. And neither will you." Okay, so he was pretty arrogant. "When I'm finished up here, I can give you a private show, if you like. You won't be disappointed." Okay so a lot arrogant. He trailed a lazy index finger along her forearm, meeting her eyes with a hooded gaze.

Rachel actually snorted, this guy was far too presumptuous. "You're pretty confident aren't you? What makes you think I would want to leave with you?" She pulled her arm away from his touch and crossed her arms.

"The ladies always do. Believe me, babe; I'm hard to resist." He ignored her obvious show of defence and discomfort and moved even closer, his hot breath ghosted across her neck and cheeks.

This guy was unbelievable, she cringed as she expected what was to come and clenched her fists, preparing herself in case she needed to use force to get him to back off. She un-scrunched her eyes when she heard him sigh audibly. He pulled away and straightened his posture, turning to face a blonde girl who had a hold of his bicep.

The right side of her face was obscured from view by Puck's large form but Rachel could see the girl was pointing. Rachel's eyes followed the direction of her extended arm and found she was pointing towards the stage. Puck nodded and ignoring Rachel altogether like he wasn't just hitting on her, followed the blonde girl into the crowd.

Rachel was actually offended, she glared after where the two had disappeared. He could have been polite and excused himself. The spot lights which were before dimmed suddenly lit up, casting a bright light directly onto the stage. People all around her turned and some hurriedly pushed themselves into the throngs of people jostling to get a place at the front of the stage. There was a loud collective cheer from more or less everyone in the bar as she watched Puck stroll onto the wooden platform, he was soon followed by his band members one of whom was the blonde girl she had just seen.

Puck took a hold of the microphone, his eyes trailing across the crowd of people before him. "How is every one doing tonight?" There was a chorus of more cheers, Rachel knew he was stalling while the rest of the band set up their equipment. Her eyes wandered back to the blonde girl from earlier, her body was almost angled entirely towards the back drop of the stage. Her head was drooped as she tuned her acoustic guitar, her fingers moved in quick precise movements as the twisted the machine heads. Now the lights were brighter she could make out her appearance more clearly. Her hair was tied back in a messy, loose pony tail. She wore an oversized white vest top with black leggings and pixie boots. Her face was still hidden from view even though she had finished setting up her guitar.

"Alright guys, this is our last song for this evening. How does a bit of Eagle-Eye Cherry sound, yeah?" The crowd erupted into whoops and cheers. Puck bowed his head, clutching the microphone and began to tap his left foot, his index finger raised in the air signalling his mark to the rest of the band members he was ready to start. On cue, the opening notes of "Save Tonight" filled the space. Rachel's head snapped immediately to blonde who had begun playing the acoustic. She watched as the girls left hand slid elegantly along the neck, her fingers strummed and plucked at the strings with definite, practised ease. Rachel's attention was all to soon interrupted when Puck began to sing the first verse of the song.

"Go on and close the curtains

All we need is candlelight

You and me and a bottle of wine

Going to hold you tonight..."

Rachel had to admit, he did have a very clear and enjoyable voice; he could definitely sing. An electric guitar soon piped up, accompanying the acoustic but the man playing the instrument didn't hold her interest quite as much as the blonde did. Rachel was perplexed, the whole band were quite involved in the song, except for the blonde. She remained unmoving for the entire number, her head bowed and posture stiff. She didn't interact with the audience once.

"Save tonight

And fight the break of dawn

Come tomorrow

Tomorrow I'll be gone..."

The last notes rung throughout the room as Puck held is finishing pose. The crowd erupted once again into clapping and loud cheers. "Thanks guys! See you tomorrow night," He replaced the microphone back into it's stand and hopped off the stage, closely followed by the rest of the band members. Rachel remained still for a few seconds, her eyes fixed on the now empty stage. Her thoughts were still very much tuned into the performance, and that girls ability to play the guitar with such finesse. Her eyes became focused to her current surroundings again and abandoning her barely touched drink, she pushed herself off of leaning against the bar. She squeezed herself through the dense crowd of people in search of the band (well, more the blonde girl) in the hopes of congratulating them.

She found Puck by a closed back entrance. He was alone talking animatedly with a few men and women but unfortunately the blonde wasn't with him. She thought of interrupting Puck and asking where she was but that would be rude, so she shoved her way through another wall of bodies until she spotted her.

She had returned to the stage to tidy up some of the equipment, she was crouched on the ground wrapping amp wires around the body of her guitar. Rachel approached her hesitantly, her arms folded behind her back. "Hey?" She ducked her head to try and catch the girls eye but the blonde remained oblivious, she obviously hadn't heard or seen the brunette.

Rachel spoke up. "Hi..." This time the girl looked up for a fleeting second before returning her attention to her instrument.

"I just wanted to congratulate you, on your performance. You are very good, have you been playing the guitar for long?" Rachel was genuinely curious, the blonde didn't appear much older than her and she was surprised at such talent for a young girl.

The blonde didn't reply. She stood, and moved over to the electric guitar propped up against a side wall and began to unplug it's wires. Rachel's brow dropped, surely she had heard her that time? The music which was now playing through the bars speakers wasn't that loud and she was speaking in a raised volume.

Undeterred, Rachel followed her across the the platform and stood off to the side so the blonde could see her. "So, have you? Played the guitar for long that is." She clasped her hands in front of her stomach, leaning her weight against the wall and waited for a reply. The blonde continued to go about her business choosing not to hear her or even acknowledge the brunettes presence.

Rachel sighed, she was beginning to get slightly annoyed. She was only trying to be polite, there was nothing offensive or difficult about the question. It was simple enough to answer. "Excuse me, but I asked you a question." She stepped more forward, in the hopes that the girl would finally look at her and reply. But she didn't. Rachel watched as the girl hurriedly stuffed more wires into the front of a guitar case and shuffled away, her head bowed and her now unoccupied hands twisted the material of her vest top between her fingers in an anxious manner.

Okay, this girl is just being plain rude, Rachel thought frustratedly as she stomped after her. "Excuse me," Rachel ground out more forcefully this time, "but won't you answer my question? I find it extremely rude that you're blatantly ignoring me when I am merely being polite."

"Hey!" Rachel turned at the sudden demanding voice to see Puck marching across the stage to the two girls. He stood in front of Rachel, one free arm wrapped around the blonde's waist who was still facing away from the brunette. "Back off." He told her bluntly, his eyes narrowing as he glared down at her.

"I beg your pardon," Rachel asked utterly confused. "Why? I was asking her a question and she is ignoring me which is complete rudeness! I have done nothing of the sort to upset her if that is what you're thinking."

Puck remained glaring. "Talking in itself is upsetting her. She can't, okay? She can't talk so stop pressing."

Rachel was a little stunned. Of course, she didn't think of that. Her eyes flickered to the girl who still had her back turned and she had to admit, she felt a little embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry, of course I didn't know. Has she been deaf for...no, I'm sorry that is unacceptable of me to ask."

Puck frowned and gave her a her a look. "What? No, she's not deaf. Just, back off." He shot Rachel one last distasteful glare and guided the blonde off the stage.

Rachel stood alone on the platform with a furrowed brow as she stared blankly after their retreating forms. She processed what Puck had just told her and she found herself asking out loud "What?" She couldn't figure how that made sense. If the girl wasn't deaf, then why didn't she speak? And Puck didn't need to be so rude about the whole situation. The thought crossed her mind that the blonde girl may have been his girlfriend so that would explain the possessive behaviour, still, he shouldn't have flirted with her earlier if that was the case. Her mind now occupied, Rachel made her way off the stage and once again squeezed and elbowed her way through the jostling crowd ready to call it night. She was left feeling oddly intrigued. Her motive now was to discover why the talented blonde was unable to talk, she wanted to know more. She liked mystery and this girl seemed to deliver.


Reviews would be nice (: