AN: OMGlee!! The response to the first chapter was amazing. Thank you so much for all the reviews and alerts and favorites! They made me absolutely unbelievably happy. So I am staying up late to get this done before this horrid hiatus is officially over! Can you believe that we've all survived the last 124 days without a new episode of glee...but the wait is almost over and I'm going to stop talking! Enjoy the chapter and the episode tonight! R&R!!!


Puck and Rachel spent the rest of the weekend exchanging a few texts. Puck was busy with Quinn who still continued to call on him whenever she needed things despite the fact that she wanted nothing to do with him or the baby the second the adoptive parents take her. Rachel busied herself around the house all weekend, recording several MySpace videos to be uploaded at a future date and making sure that her homework was complete and correct before indulging herself in a little television.

During school hours, Puck and Rachel barely saw each other. They shared no similar classes (not that Puck attended half of them) and while before any time they passed each other in the hall, they didn't pay attention to the other; they now locked eyes or sometimes Puck would nod his head in acknowledgement, little things that no one else seemed to notice. It wasn't that they were hiding their budding friendship; it just wasn't anyone's business. There was no need to make a grand spectacle of it all.

But that didn't stop Puck from one day, after they had been friends for about a week, walking into glee and taking a seat next to Rachel then striking up a conversation that continued the one they had had the previous night about the greatness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Puck thought the show was an amazing combination of drama and Buffy's as kicking that created what Puck thought was a pretty fantastic show. Puck had tried for a good hour to convince her to let him start a Buffy marathon with her. The only episode Rachel would agree to was the musical episode, which she found to be only mildly amusing and found herself commenting on everyone's vocals that she deemed were all sub par to her own. All of this caused Puck to just roll his eyes. So now as they were picking up their conversation, Puck was trying once again to convince Rachel that she must watch from the beginning in order to appreciate it beyond one episode.

While Puck and Rachel were deep in their conversation, they didn't really pay any mind to the rest of the glee club as they walked in with confused and shocked looks on their faces. The most shocked of course were Finn and Quinn. Quinn had come in laughing at something Tina had said and froze causing Tina to bump into her and then both girls gawked at the scene in front of them. Quinn didn't like it one bit. Despite the fact that she wanted nothing to do with Puck romantically, she hated the idea of seeing him with Rachel. Rachel had been the one to come between her and Finn (well before Finn found out she slept with Puck) and she did not need Puck distracted by Rachel when his attention should be on her and her baby. She shot Tina a look as the two went to take a seat. When Finn walked in it was Santana that stopped abruptly. The Latina looked at the two, both still enthralled in their conversation, and gave them a dirty look that went completely unnoticed.

By the time everyone was in the choir room, everyone was whispering trying to figure out what was going on. It wasn't until Kurt decided this gossip was just too juicy to leave to speculation did anyone actually confront Puck or Rachel.

"Since when did the two of you start talking to each other?" Kurt shouted causing complete silence to fall over the room, "Its not like either of you can stand the other."

Rachel got that look in her eyes that she got right before she was going go on one of her tirades but Puck spoke up before she put him and everyone else through that.

"Look Hummel. If we want to talk to each other, we will. And I don't give a damn what any of you gossip girls think about that."

Kurt was completely insulted by Puck's outburst and just rolled his eyes and crossed his legs and started talking to Mercedes. Puck immediately turned back to Rachel determined to convince her that Angel and Spike were good reasons to start watching Buffy because all the chicks totally dig them, but Mr. Shuester walked in the room and immediately called everyone's attention to him.

"Alright guys," Mr. Shuester said clasping his hands together in front of him, "Regionals are in a little over a month, and we've been working really hard and I know that we will continue working that way. But I want us to try out some new songs just to see what they would sound like. I feel really good about the song choices we've been going over but I want to make sure we have just the right set list. So, here is our new song. Finn and Rachel I want you to take the leads."

Rachel looked over the music in front of her. She loved this song. It wasn't very popular.

"Mr. Shuester," Rachel said raising her hand and then continued before the instructor could even acknowledge her, "I think that maybe we could try a different lead for this song."

"You don't want a solo Rachel?"

"What? No. That's not what I mean. I just think that since you are trying different things out it would be beneficial to maybe give the male lead to someone else."

"Did you have someone in mind? Maybe Artie?"

"Noah." Rachel said firmly and everyone, including Puck, looked at her as if she was insane. He hadn't sung by himself since the Sweet Caroline incident a couple of months back and never once did the thought of singing in that capacity again cross his mind. He only did that for Rachel, to prove that he could be a leading man.

"Well Puck," Mr. Shuester said pulling him from his thoughts "Is this something you're interested in?"

"Uh, yeah I guess."

"Alright then in the interest of fairness I have to ask if anyone else wants to audition."

Everyone was quiet. It had suddenly dawned on everyone that it would be the first time that Finn and Puck would be challenging each other for something since baby gate exploded and when none of the boys decided to throw their hat in the ring, Mr. Shuester made it officially.

"All right then. Thursday it'll be Finn versus Puck for the solo in 'Water and a Flame'. Just like in the diva-off, we will put it to a vote. I can't wait to see what you boys come up with. So until then we will run through our other numbers."

The rest of practice went by slowly and as Rachel was exiting the choir room, she heard someone behind her call her name. She turned to see Puck hurrying after her. Once they were in the hallway, Puck grabbed her by the elbow and dragged her away from the group.

"What was that all about?

"Remember all that potential I said you had?"

"Yeah," he said confused where she was going with this.

"Well if you don't take chances like this your potential becomes unused. And unused potential is almost as bad as not having any. So I didn't want you to have any unused potential."

"So this was your plan to light a fire under my ass?"

Rachel laughed at Puck's language, "I wouldn't put it precisely that way but yes I do believe the method is the same."

"Cool. Uh, thanks."

"You're welcome Noah. I would not be the friend you need if I didn't do what I can to help you out."

Puck and Rachel turned their heads when there was a pregnant blonde girl suddenly standing next to them.

"Puck, we need to talk," Quinn said and Puck knew from the venom in her voice that she was being serious, "Now!"

Rachel felt as Quinn's eyes pierced into her skin. And she turned her attention back to Puck.

"I'll see you later Noah," Rachel said leaving the parents-to-be to whatever it was they were about to do. Fight? Rachel had no idea. Puck had made it clear to her that Quinn and him weren't dating. They tried; but Quinn didn't want it and she didn't want their daughter and he didn't have a choice but to deal with what Quinn wanted. Rachel asked him if he wanted those things: Quinn and the baby, but he was just silent and then Rachel dropped it. Exiting the school Rachel made her way to through the parking lot to her car. She had plenty of homework to do when she got home and though it was utterly horrible, she wanted to watch One Tree Hill. Her Dads had extended their trip an extra day so they wouldn't be home until the next morning so Rachel planned to fully enjoy having the house to herself for one more night. As she approached her car, she saw that there were two people making out against the car two cars down. Rachel swallows the bile that is burning the back of her throat when she realizes those two people are Finn and Santana. Rachel quickly got in the car, and then put her seatbelt on before turning the ignition. She was grateful for her Broadway mix and she turned the volume up as she pulled out of her parking spot and sped out off school grounds.

~~~~&~~~~

Rachel found herself making dinner for herself in the kitchen when her phone started ringing. She looked at the screen and rolled her eyes when she saw that it was Puck. Rachel answered the phone then tucked it between her ear and her shoulder as she continued the preparation of her meal.

"Good evening Noah," she said stirring the noodles inside the pan.

"Yo Berry. What's shakin'?"

"I'm preparing dinner."

"Whatcha makin'?"

"Spaghetti, Noah."

"Why do you sound so pissed? I didn't do anything."

"I'm just trying to get all of this finished."

"I'm coming over."

"What? Noah."

"Come on you're home alone aren't you?"

"Well yes."

"Cook me food and I'll keep you safe."

"I don't remember asking you to Noah. I am perfectly capable-"

"Yadda, yadda, yadda. I know Berry, but I'm bored and I've got two hours till I have to pick Sarah up from her friend's house."

"One Tree Hill is on in approximately thirty minutes Noah."

"I'll be there in ten and I promise I'll behave like a good little boy."

Rachel snickered, "Fine. But one peep and you're gone."

Puck showed up twelve minutes later, devoured most of the spaghetti Rachel hadn't finished and then settled in front of the television on Rachel's 'fucking comfortable' couch as Rachel watched her show.

"No Gossip Girl?" Puck asked as Rachel turned the television off immediately after the program ended.

"Normally yes. But Daddy and I watch it together so I promised him I'd wait until he and Dad returned before viewing the episode."

"Right. Now what?"

"I am not here simply to entertain you Noah. Now I will finish my schoolwork. You should do the same."

"Berry, I don't go to class. Why should I do the work?"

"Because a shining academic record helps everyone else see the potential. If they don't see you try you can't expect them to believe you can do it."

"But do we have to do right now?" Puck whined.

"If you insist on ignoring your academics maybe you would prefer to focus on music. We could practice the duet for the sing off Thursday."

Puck shrugged, "Okay."

Puck and Rachel ran through "Water and a Flame" twice before Puck had to leave to pick up his sister and Rachel thought that they duet sounded decent. But with a little more work, she was sure that Puck would beat Finn.

~~~~&~~~~

Tuesday Puck went to all of his classes and even learned that he and Rachel had the same English class. He showed up just in time to be assigned a project with Rachel. He was never going to be able to skip English again.

~~~~&~~~~

When glee came around on Thursday, Puck was nervous. Which then upset him because badasses didn't get nervous, or upset? Maybe it was the fact that he was competing against his former best friend who still refused to speak with him. Or maybe because he was about to put it all on the line. If he couldn't beat Finn here, he was never going to. Finn had always been the one to get all the glory, no matter what they were doing. If Puck lost here, he knew that he would never be able to win against Finn. And that made the stress level rise again.

"Why did I let you do this to me?" Puck said taking his seat next to Rachel.

"You could have objected Noah."

"Would you really have let me?"

"No. But then you could have blamed me."

Puck scoffed.

"Noah, stop worrying. We've run through this enough times."

"But this time we aren't in your bedroom and your not up there."
"Are you questioning your own badassness Noah?"

"Hell no."

"Then stop stressing. I'm rooting for you," Rachel felt her heart constrict just a bit as she realized those were the same words Finn had used before her diva-off against Kurt. As Finn walked in and took a seat next to Santana, Puck shot Rachel a look.

"Really? I'd thought you'd be on Team Finn."

"I put you into this whole ordeal how could I not be on your team."

"So you're finally taking responsibility!"

"No. Well not entirely."

Puck rolled his eyes as Mr. Shuester entered the room and called the start of the sing off.

Puck is the first one to audition. Rachel gave him a reassuring smile as he started and she relished in how much she enjoyed his voice. Since they had started their friendship, she was able to hear his voice more than she had ever before and she felt that he truly possessed a gift. Their friendship had become a very important fixture in Rachel's life and there wasn't a thing that she would change. He may drive her crazy with his cockiness and his insistence on making everything that he can into a sex joke, but she had gotten used to his company. He had told her once before that they weren't friends before they dated for that extremely brief period, but she could say that they were now, and that being Puck's friend was much more comfortable than anything she had experienced with the boy during their tryst. Watching him finish the song, Rachel felt so very proud of her friend. She knew it wasn't easy for him to do what he was doing. Especially against Finn who was once the boys very best friend and was now the boy who refused to look at him, speak to him or even acknowledge his presence unless absolutely necessary. Everyone clapped as Puck made his way back to his spot next to Rachel who was practically beaming before both teens turned as Mr. Shuester called Finn to the front of the room for his chance to sing the song.

Rachel knew that Finn's voice was good. She knew talent because she was talented. And as Finn took his spot in the center of the choir room, Rachel couldn't argue that if Finn got the solo that he wouldn't do the song any harm. But Finn was making out with Santana and not her and singing songs with Finn was incredibly difficult. Not that she could blame Finn for choosing to spend his time with Santana after everything he'd endured. And while she could never condone the actions of both Quinn and Puck, she knew that Puck was remorseful. It was an accident and there was nothing he could do to take it back so he was taking care of the situation the best he could. But Finn, Finn found that becoming Puck was the best way to get his revenge on Puck. Rachel felt that Finn just needed to get this rebellion or whatever it was out of his system before he would come to her. Rachel was certain that he would soon see the error of his ways and they would in fact get the chance that Rachel had been hoping for all along. Rachel glanced over at Puck who looked completely uninterested then back to Finn who seemed to be focused…on her? She smiled brightly as she felt Finn's eyes on her. She had certainly not planned for it but maybe her friendship with Puck had made him jealous and now he was singing to her. And she hoped that no one was paying attention to her because it was then that Rachel realized that Santana was sitting directly behind her and that Finn wasn't looking at her at all. It was a fantasy she made up in her head and her face dropped. Rachel decided in that moment that Santana and Finn were much more disgusting than Finn and Quinn.

Once he finished singing, Finn returned to his seat next to Santana and everyone filled out their ballot and handed it to Mr. Shuester. Mr. Shuester laid all the slips of paper and inspected them all before he turned back to the group.

"All right guys. You both did amazing up there, but there can be only one," Mr. Shuester paused them to make everything more dramatic but Puck wished he would just get on with it, "Congratulations Finn."

Everyone, including Puck and Rachel, applauded as Finn just nodded in acceptance. When Mr. Shuester dismisses rehearsal, Puck stormed out of the choir room. Rachel found him at his locker a few minutes later.

"Noah, I'm sorry."

"Did you enjoy that?"

"What?"

Puck rolled his eyes at her, "Was all of this payback for the slushies and the taunting? Or were you in on it with Finn so you both could make me look like more of a fool in front of everyone else?"

"Of course not Noah."

"Are you sure about that Rachel? Because you've been telling me for two days that I've got this in the bag and then I don't. And while Finn's singing, you're smiling like a big shit-eating cat. Like you just got your prize. Your boy got his part."

"Noah, I promise you that it isn't you think."

"Oh, I know exactly what it is. And I'm not going to sit around and let it continue." Puck already feels like shit for losing, once again, to Finn but he feels even worse when he grabs his bag and storms down the hallway towards the exit to the school.

Rachel watches Puck storm down the empty hallway completely flabbergasted. She doesn't really understand what just happened other than the fact that Noah is upset and he blames her for the humiliation that he's feeling. Watching the door close behind Puck, Rachel realizes that being Puck's friend is going to be a lot more difficult that she'd realized.

When she texts him later that night….he doesn't answer.


The song that Mr. Shuester wants to use is "Water and a Flame" by Daniel Merriweather featuring Adele. It's an amazing song.