Chapter Four

It was dark when Puck woke up he frowned at his surroundings, he was still clothed... what? Sitting up he saw the genie, her figure slumped on the edge of the couch, head in her hands, shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

"I'm not your whore Noah. "she whispered brokenly, "I'm not something you can just trot out when you're horny. I have feelings you know."

He reached out his hand stopping just short of grasping her shoulder, God he felt like an ass, "I know." He whispered.

She whipped around, her eyes red with crying, "Don't touch me!" she snarled, scooting away from him.

"We didn't have sex." He mumbled.

"Thank you Captain Obvious." She snapped, "You made a wish. A stupid, selfish wish. Without considering the consequences beyond the end of your dick. Can I tell you something?"

"What?" he asked, fingers curling into a fist.

"You say you don't want to be like your father but Ethan, Ethan was the only one of your relatives not to abuse his position. You're just like your great grandfather. You're a monster."

Puck flinched, the girl's words stinging him more than he could have expected, "I'm...sorry." The words sounded foreign to him, but he knew, in that instant, he meant it.

The hallway light flicked on, Debbie Puckerman filling the doorway, "Kids? You're still up? It's a school night. Up to your rooms."

Puck got up so fast it was like he'd been burned, "Night Ma, Berry."

Silence fell over the lounge room, the two women listening to Puck's heavy footfalls as he disappeared upstairs.

"You know," Debbie said conversationally, "it's amazing how you haven't aged in ten years."

Rachel whipped around, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

Debbie laughed mirthlessly, "I remember Ethan bringing you home when Noah was about seven. You stayed for about...a month I think it was. I was pregnant with Bekah. It was right before Ethan ran off."

"I-"

"Don't insult my intelligence Rachel. For someone as old as I think you are, you're a shitty liar."

Rachel frowned, "So, you know what I am? A genie?"

"Ethan mentioned it, I'm sure. I would have thought he'd take you with him."

Rachel smiled, softly, "I think he wanted to make sure you'd be looked after eventually."

Debbie Puckerman regarded the genie for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip thoughtfully, "I know my son's an ass. He means well just, just... don't hurt him, please?"

A/N: So, I had my angst on, just a little bit. Rediscovering my muse, Puck's next wish'll be up soon.