Yes, i know I haven't updated this since the original oneshot but I'm taking loveaddict08's advice (finally) and doing some follow ups on this. I have it semi planned out, but the chapters will come slowly. This chapter is Puck's view through chapter one, so it's basically parallel to it. Enjoy, review!


Yes, yes I am amazing.

Puck strolled down the hall, shoulders back, head high, confident. Not that that was any different than usual. He saw Zisces ahead already waiting at his locker.

But who should be walking in his direction. Berry of course. He couldn't look her full in the face without remembering. He tried to focus on her friend that he didn't recognize. He gave her his signature smirk and kept on walking.

Puck turned back around to check out the new girl's ass, but he caught Rachel staring back at him, only for a second. It was all it took though for his mind to be thrust into the past.

Everyone thought Berry had always been this up tight bossy chick in short skirts. And it was true, she had always been in those short skirts. But the uptight part, it hadn't always been this bad.

He knew better.

Noah raced ahead of his mom, running at full speed at the little girl speeding ahead of her fathers. He had a winning streak going and there was no way he was going to let Rachel ruin that.

He stumbled though on something and flew forward. He managed to grab Rachel around the waste, his grip wasn't tight enough though. In a matter of seconds Rachel was able to release herself from his grasp and flip him over so she was on top.

Before he could do anything about it though his mom had plucked Rachel up from on top of him and one of Rachel's dads had picked him up off the ground.

"I won this time!" Rachel gloated as John put him back down.

"I would've won if I had been given two more seconds to flip you back under!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Yeah-ha!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Yeah-ha!"

Libby laughed. "You two fight like an old married couple."

Noah turned to Rachel and in unison they both yelled, "Ewww!"

All three parents laughed as Elton said, "You're both too young to see it."

They both yelled again. "Ewww!"

Still laughing the parents walked their kids to the temple. "Noah, where's your dad?" Rachel asked.

"He was still asleep when we left." He shrugged. "We couldn't wake him up." His dad had actually been doing that a lot lately. Noah would hear him stumble in late at night after he'd gone to bed and then he would still be asleep when he got home from school.

He didn't really care though. It hadn't been happening for too long and his mom said that his dad was just over stressed at work.

Unnoticed by both the kids though, Libby exchanged a nervous glance with Elton and John.

A nine year old Noah stared in wonder at what his mom was holding. In her arms she held his baby sister.

"Would you like to hold Sara, Noah?"

He nodded excitedly and he and Rachel both climbed up onto the hospital bed. Both holding the tiny girl, they giggled as she reached up a hand to touch Noah's face.

"Oh look," Rachel cooed, "she already loves you."

Noah stared at his baby sister, already feeling protective. "I'm going to be the best big brother ever." Not like his father had been lately.

"I bet you will be," Rachel said, unaware of Noah's current thoughts. "Noah, what's on your arm?"

"Just a bruise."

"Where'd you get it?"

He faltered for a moment. "I ran into a door."

"That's a really big bruise for a door."

"It was a big door."

Noah waited apprehensively as Rachel considered it. "Okay then."

She went back to playing with Sarah. Exchanging a glance with his mom, he took comfort when she squeezed his open hand.

There was a crash from the front door. Noah and his mom jumped and turned away from Sarah's crib and saw Mr. Puckermen towering in the frame. He was drunk that much was obvious.

He came at Noah, fist already pulled back but Libby stepped on front of him. "No, not again Eli. That's enough!"

Noah watched his dad pull his arm back again and then release the energy behind it, hitting his mom in the nose. Noah knew it would be broken this time. He couldn't watch this. His dad had done this for the last time.

In his fury Noah picked up the lap sitting on the table next to him and smashed it against his dad's stomach. Out of the corner if his eye he saw his mom grab Sarah out of the crib followed her as she ran out the front door.

Looking back his dad was still on the floor, coughing and spluttering incoherent words. He didn't know how long they had.

He ran ahead of his mother down the street to Rachel's house. His mom had told him a few months ago that her dads knew what was going on and if they ever had to run to go there. And now, he ran there as if his life depended on it.

When his mom knocked on the door Rachel opened it up. He saw her eyes grow wide as she took in his others nose and his bruises and cuts. "Rachel sweetie, where are your dads?"

"John is up in his office." Noah registered the fear and confusion in her voice.

Rachel bolted and came back quickly with her dad. His mom nodded at him and John quickly dialed the police.

"He's probably following us John."

"Hurry!" he screamed into the phone. He picked up Rachel and Libby and Noah followed them upstairs.

"Daddy, what's going on?"

"Honey, you've noticed the bruises on Noah lately, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, Mr. Puckermen did that. He hasn't been doing his job as a father or a husband very well lately."

Libby let out a sob and John went to her. "Libby, tell me what happened this time."

Noah shut his ears off. He didn't want to remember any of this. Tuning out his mother he scooted closer to Rachel resting his head on her shoulder to lean on something. He was so tired.

He jumped when there was a sound of breaking glass from downstairs and the noise of a siren. Libby and John got up and went out the door. "It's almost over," he whispered quietly.

Rachel followed Noah out of the room. "That was very braved Noah." She gave him a small kiss on the cheek. He felt an odd tingling sensation. Weird.

"It'll all get better." And somehow, he managed to smile.

Noah took a deep breath. How had Rachel convinced him to do this? He didn't sing in front of people, especially the entire eighth grade class.

He glanced over at the other side of the stage. Rachel gave him a thumbs up and a reassuring smile. Damn that smile.

He walked out on stage when Rachel did and heard the backup CD start up. Looking out he saw the sea of bored faces, but he still froze up. Never. Again.

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day

Rachel's voice was amazing. Noah couldn't help but think that while they sang. He got caught up in her eyes when they sang the last You had a bad day. No, he wasn't that sissy. That's why they had done this song instead of "What's Left of Me." Yeah, it was still girly but it was slightly better. Plus, Rachel loved it.

When they finished there was a weak applause and he followed Rachel off stage. While that chick Mercedes started singing she jumped into his arms. "That was amazing!"

"Good," he laughed. "If it hadn't been I would've never heard the end of it.

She giggled and together they walked out the backstage door to go around to the main entrance of the auditorium. Something stopped Noah though. He had to get it off his chest. "Rach, can I tell you something?"

She paused outside of the auditorium door. "Yeah?"

"We've been friends forever right?"

"Yeah."

"And we can tell each anything right?"

"Totally."

"I like you Rach." There, finally.

He waited anxiously while Rachel took in what he had said. "I like you to Noah."

He smirked, relief filling his body. "Of course you do."

She rolled her eyes at him but laughed. Noah stepped forward and kissed, for one perfect second.

Hell yes.

Nothing more than that ever happened though. Rachel got all crazy with the singing and dancing and Noah got into his sports. On the first day on ninth grade, Noah was out in the parking lot with Finn and Karofsky talking about some stuff that had happened during summer training.

Then that kid Kurt Hummel passed by, and suddenly Karofsky said, "Dude look at that kid. What's with him?"

Noah and Finn didn't say anything, but they knew what he was talking about. Kurt was always wearing these, weird, clothes that weren't normal for a dude.

"Guys, let's toss him." Karofsky got an evil look in his eyes.

"Toss him where?"

"Into the dumpster," he replied, as if it was obvious. The next thing Noah knew was he was helping Karofsky toss Kurt into a dumpster.

Standing back and laughing, all three boys suddenly heard a loud, "Noah!"

Looking back Rachel was running towards them. "Why did you guys do that?"

Noah glanced into the dumpster, but Karofsky cut in though. "Have you seen what that kid is wearing? It's gay! He deserved it!"

Looking into the dumpster with Noah Rachel saw Kurt Hummel lying on top of the garbage. Reaching out a hand she helped him stand up and climb out of the dumpster. He glanced around at the boys in fear and then ran away.

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" she screamed at the three boys. "You probably just scarred him for life!"

Noah and Finn looked a little guilty but Karofsky just laughed harder. "You probably just feel bad for him because your dads are gay to!"

"Shut up Karofsky!" Noah snapped. No one made fun of Rachel's parents.

"Oh, defending your girlfriend?" Karofsky sneered.

"She's not my girlfriend! I don't even like her that way!" Noah yelled back.

He knew before he was even done with the sentence he had said the wrong thing.

Hurt showed in Rachel's face, which turned to fury which was about to turn into tears. Then she did her first storm off.

A couple days later Noah saw Rachel open up her locker to get her books. He tried surprising with her favorite slushy, but she caught sight of him in her mirror. She was still mad at him though, it was obvious. So she just slammed her locker shut and started walking away.

"Come on Rach! Wait up!" Noah ran up next to her. "I feel really bad!" It was the truth.

"I'm sure you do," Rachel snapped and kept walking.

"Rach!" Noah yelled after her and was about to follow her but he tripped. The grape slushy he had gotten for her slipped out of his hand, splattering Rachel all across her back.

Dripping in the flavored ice she turned on Noah, livid. "I will NEVER forgive you for this!"

Tears started forming behind her eyes, so before he could even say anything to try to apologize she had run into the girls bathroom.

Still on the floor, Noah slowly got up. Karofsky came over, still laughing. "Nice one Puck!"

Accepting the high five, Puck outwardly smirked, but died a little inside. "Thanks man."

Puck sat on the bleachers, staring at Quinn. His baby momma. Finn's girlfriend. Man this sucked.

He heard soft footsteps behind him. No. Not now.

He didn't really listen to Rachel as she talked. She was just annoying now. Her perfect grammar. Her super long sentences where she didn't ever breathe.

"I just don't think we'll work out Noah. I hope we can still be friends though."

He felt her hand on his shoulder. It was so soft, reminding him of all those years ago when she was his comfort.

But then his eyes snapped to Quinn who was staring at the two of them. "We never were friends." He quickly jumped up and left. There was still a warm spot on his shoulder though. And an empty spot in his heart.

Are you gonna take me home tonight?
Oh, down beside that red firelight;
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls,
You make the rockin' world go round.

Hey
I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad,
But I knew life before I left my nursery,
Left alone with big fat Fanny,
She was such a naughty nanny!
Hey big woman you made a bad boy out of me!
Hey hey!

I've been singing with my band
Across the water, across the land,
I seen ev'ry blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while.
Take me to them lardy ladies every time!

This was so working. Zisces would be putty in his hand tonight.

Puck ignored Santana's revolted face. He hadn't really expected her to enjoy this. He did stumble a little bit though when he caught site of Rachel. Was she, dancing? He'd half expected her to look like Santana.

He realized he was a beat behind and put his head back in the song. It didn't matter, she wanted Finn, and he wanted Zisces.

"Puckermen!" Zisces shouted his name down the hall. It had flashed in front of his eyes in matter of seconds. "You better not be checking out her ass!"

"Not a chance." He did though give Santana a playful smack just to see her get mad.

Yeah, Puck was awesome. But what about Noah?

Well, not anymore.