Five Years Later

"Hey Jen? Can you get me two tickets for that Trent Stevens concert?" Rachel called out. She was sitting in her music room, trying to write her next big hit.

What a difference five years made. After her first Broadway performance, Rachel Berry blew up. And then came the show soundtrack that number one on iTunes for months. Then came the solo record deal. Then came the tour and the platinum record sales.

And for the first time since that first night on the Broadway stage, Rachel Berry had a little downtime.

Jen, her assistant/publicist, came into her music room.

"Two tickets to Trent Stevens? The country singer?" Jen asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Isaac hates country."

"That's why you're going with me, Jennifer." Rachel said.

Trent Stevens was playing at the Madison Square Garden in a few weeks. Rachel had been anxious to see one of his shows live for the longest so she could finally witness Noah Puckerman in person! Puck was just as famous as Trent was now. Even though he was still apart of Trent's band, Puck made his own headlines now. The way he played, the way he moved with the guitar–if the women weren't flocking to see Trent, they were there to see Puck.

Rachel had heard of Puck's success and tried to keep up with him via the gossip columns. She couldn't dare read about herself, but she liked to keep tabs on him sometimes. He was still a playboy and an asshole to the paparazzi, but Rachel was proud to see that he'd also been charitable. He donated instruments and money to the glee club back in Lima. Schue and Finn, the dynamic duo, appreciated that, Rachel had heard.

"Does this have to do with your crush on Noah Puckerman? I know you follow him in the magazines."

"Jennifer, get real. Puckerman and I went to high school together. He's going to practically be in my backyard, so I need to go congratulate him on his success."

"High school? You're shitting me. When the hell were you going to spill this? Can you please introduce me? I am available for one-night stands and random hookups when he's in the city."

"And this is why you didn't know until now. But 'random hookups when he's in the city,' I like that line. Get us good seats and backstage passes." Rachel said, scribbling away in her notepad. Jennifer knew it was her to cue to exit and she shut the door behind her.

Rachel thought she had something, but as quickly as it came, she lost it. Her phone alerted her to a new text message from Isaac. He'd be in New York next week and wanted to see her.

Rachel didn't really know what she and Isaac were doing. The tabloids seemed to think that she and the A-list actor were engaged, or that she was pregnant by him, or that they were secretly married. They were just friends. He'd taken her on a few dates, but it's not like she slept with him. Yet, at least. There was only so long you could deny a gorgeous man like Isaac Hunter.

She couldn't quite make out his intentions. Her past relationships fueled her first album, mainly the fiasco with Brody and then the attempt to reconnect with Finn. Parting from Finn was even harder the second time around, because their lives were now so different and there was really no hope for them in the future. Her smash hit "Miss You Already" was inspired by their break up.

She wrote from what she knew and what she felt, but she was not going to be the next Taylor Swift. Whatever this thing with Isaac was, Rachel planned to keep it light and out of her songs.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Well, nice of you to join us." Trent said bitterly. Puck did feel bad for being late, but it was so hard for him to roll out of the comfortable bed after a wild night with–who knew her name at this point.

"T, sorry. No excuse." Puck said.

That first jam session five years ago was the start of something great between the two guys. Celebrity bromances didn't get tighter than the one between Trent and Puck. Puck knew he owed it all to Trent and Archie for making him something. Trent felt the same way about Puck. Even though he didn't sing during the shows, Puck performed just as hard as Trent did. The ladies loved how intimate Puck got with his guitar in hand–the deep concentration and look of sheer ecstasy on his face while playing. Puck often had a solo part of the show, when he could wow the gals and impress the guys. Their performance chemistry was unprecedented.

"Let's just get started. The Gardens is in a few weeks." Trent said, giving Puck one last stank eye. Only time the chemistry was thrown off was when Puck was late.

Puck knew Trent was being all uppity about rehearsals because MSG the first stop on his second tour. The Gardens was a huge venue and tickets had sold out within minutes. This was a pretty big fucking deal. Trent Stevens was this close to being an international country star.

This particular rehearsal was especially grueling. Trent kept starting the songs over and over, messing up, and just screwing up the flow for everyone.

"Take five." Puck called. Normally Trent would have bitched him out for stepping out of his place, but today he looked grateful.

"You wanna spit out what's going on?" Puck asked him.

"I'm just too wound up. They're calling me 'The Face of Country Music.' That's intense."

"Yeah, you are the face and I'm the body of country music." Puck said, flexing his muscles. "This tour is gonna be awesome dude. Stop reading those articles and shit."

"You know Eli emailed me this morning and said Rachel Berry's assistant called for VIP tickets and backstage passes. I can't believe she's coming to my show. Maybe I should take her for drinks afterwards?" Trent asked.

"Isn't she dating that dude from that movie?" Puck rarely picked up any celebrity gossip, mainly because the articles were bullshit. But his ma liked to keep him abreast of what they were saying about him and what was going on with Rachel.

"Dude she's gorgeous, but I'm much more interested in recording with her. I want you to introduce the idea to her. "

"Yeah except we haven't spoken in the last 5 years. But what the hell, I'll see what I can do. Now can we get this rehearsal started for real this time?"

Sometimes, Trent got like this. And all it too was a pep talk from Puck to clear his mind. Trent was a good guy and raised with morals and values and shit. The fame still freaked him out.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Rachel could see why women were mesmerized. Puck was always hot. But the way he played his guitar was such a turn on. Sweat dripping off of him, eyes closed in ecstasy during his solos–Rachel had to practically hold Jen back from running on stage.

Rachel spent all day listening to Trent's latest CD so she'd recognize his songs. She also didn't want to meet him and not have any specific complement about his music. Of course, she'd heard his singles and could talk about those, but she wanted to be genuine. Well, as genuine as she could get from one day of listening.

"Y'all, I've never done this before. But I keep looking at this beautiful woman in the audience and I'm a huge fan. Give it up for Miss Rachel Berry!" Trent said. She was caught totally off-guard as her face showed up on the stadium screens. She found where the camera was and gave a smile and a wave, praying the attention would be off her soon.

Puck ran over to the mic, looking straight at her.

"Sup, Berry?" The crowd roared at the sound of his voice.

"A little Trent Stevens tour trivia. Noah Puckerman and Rachel Berry went to grade school together. Tonight's like a high school reunion for them after the show. Now are y'all ready for some more?" Trent yelled. And just like that, the embarrassing interlude was over and it was back to the music. Jen poked Rachel in the side and winked.

"'Sup, Berry?'" Jen yelled at Rachel over the music. She rolled her eyes, just imagining that being the headline of every gossip story the next day.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

After the show, Puck and the rest of the band recapped in Trent's dressing room. The energy was high after an incredible show. Puck had nearly forgotten about Rachel until Eli, Trent's tour manager, came knocking.

"Rachel Berry is outside."

"Send her in!" Trent called. Puck felt a little nervous. At least he thought that's how the emotion started. He wasn't sure what he was feeling once she walked in the room. A blazer, cropped vintage tee, jeans, and heels. She looked so dressed down compared to her usually trendier looks, but still really, really hot.

"I think I'm starstruck. Nice to meet you." Trent said, hopping up to hug her.

"Not as much as I am in the presence of country music's superstar! It's such a pleasure to meet you!" Rachel exclaimed. Trent introduced everyone in the room.

"And I think you know this scoundrel." Trent said.

"Noah Puckerman. I can't believe it's taken so long for us to reconnect." Rachel said, meeting him halfway for a hug.

"I've been busy getting Trent even more famous. What's your excuse?" He asked. Everyone in the room laughed.

"Still an asshole. But you can play the hell out of a guitar." Rachel said. Puck knew an admirer when he saw one. Rachel Berry dug his moves. He just winked at her.

"Why don't we go get some food and drinks, or something? Not like we have an early day tomorrow, right guys?" Trent suggested.

"Absolutely. Jen, make reservations for us at Bradley's."

"Done." Jen said and left the room.

"I actually have a car waiting on me out back. If you guys want to join–"

"He's got a ritualistic thing to do. I'll ride you though." If Rachel caught Puck's intentional slip, she didn't show it. She and Puck said their "see you in few a minutes" and then followed Jen towards the exit.

"Noah Puckerman. I am so stunned right now. Hanging out with the coolest guitar player in America."

"No way. Coolest guitar player in the world." Puck corrected. Rachel linked arms with him as she laughed genuinely.

"Still a cocky bastard."

"You're still a controlling diva. Trent was back there trying to make the plans tonight. Then you have your assistant call up Bradley Cooper, whom apparently you know on a first name basis."

"Sounds like you're jealous." Rachel said.

"Fuck yeah I'm jealous." Puck said.

"So are you hear an extra day? I have a meeting tomorrow morning but in the afternoon I am spending it with you. We are going to catch up before you leave New York and another 5 years passes."

"Meaning you can't get enough of me. Feelings mutual, Miss Berry. You have turned out marvelously. I'd be honored to share my presence with you tomorrow."