Author's note: This short little snapshot of a story takes place some indeterminable time after the "Mash Up" episode back in season one. Way back in the day, around the time I wrote Puck's Chivalric Gesture, I originally considered continuing it. This is what got swept under the rug when I started writing Protecting Berry instead. I figured, what the hell, post it. So, here we are. I hope you all enjoy it. It's the shortest story I've ever posted. And it's the premier chapter of my new "story": Protecting Berry Excerpts. Even if, technically, it's not from Protecting Berry. Just think of it as an alternate opening ;-)

Music suggestions: 'Colors' by Crossfade.

Disclaimer: Don't own Glee.

Finn's Rude Awakening

Puck always went to the bleachers to think. Needless to say, he'd spent a lot of time with his butt planted on a cold metal seat lately.

As a child, Puck had had pet rocks that were smarter than Finn. It made no sense that, even though it seemed as if his world was tumbling down around his shoulders, Finn still got everything handed to him on a silver platter. Finn was the captain of the football team and overall leadman for Glee. Finn had "impregnated" the queen of the chastity ball. Finn had the hottest girl in school as his girlfriend and baby mama.

Perhaps worst of all, Finn had the girl he didn't even realize he had. A girl that was willing to stand in the background and wait patiently for him, no matter how long she had to stand outside of the picture, or how long she continued hurting herself by doing so. Ironically enough, she was also the girl that sought out the spotlight like a bloodhound chased game to ground. She was probably the most energetic and driven person Puck had ever met.

And they both let her slip right through their fingers. Only he wasn't as lucky as Finn as to not even realize what he'd had in front of him all along. In Puck's case, he lost her to her chasing after a dream that would never come true. Now, Finn hadn't exactly lost her yet, technically, but he was about to.

Puck could have tried harder to keep her. He was God's gift to women, after all. It may require a little work, but he was never one to turn down a challenge. Especially when the reward involved naked parts and spread legs. And Rachel Berry had very nice legs. He'd had them around him, so he knew. The fact that he was still fully clothed all those times was hardly beside the point.

He hadn't really wanted to break up with Rachel anyway. And Quinn wasn't coming to her senses anytime soon. She'd made her choice. So he'd make his.

Finn was in for a rude awakening. This was the one time he wasn't going to get the girl.

This time, it was Puck's turn.

Rachel wouldn't know what hit her. Half-time was over. It was time to get back in the game.

oooeooozoo*oowooonooo-ooooaoooooo*

Well? What'd you think? (This is me leaving a short end author's note to go with my short short story.)