Hey guys…it took me a little longer than it should have to update this. I'm sorry! Also..isn't "Rolling in the Deep" the best duet ever?

As always, thank you for all the support, it really keeps me motivated in my writing! Hope you enjoy it.

It was Friday again, but Rachel barely noticed it. Since that last Saturday, when Puck walked her home, they had seen each other almost every day. He showed up to take her to breakfast, lunch, one of his performances, and even showed up on Juilliard one day with a brown bag, a couple of vegan sandwiches and fresh strawberries he picked at Dean & Deluca.

So it was in a good mood that Rachel walked down the halls of Juilliard as she hummed to a song that had been in her head for a while (but which she couldn't identify), her melodic voice filling her personal space. She had just performed "Head over Feet" by Alanis Morissette, and her vocal coach, Anna, had complimented her for it. Well, maybe complimented wasn't quite the term. Anna had said "improved somewhat". Well, it was still a rose in the desert.

Anna had taken a liking to her, and she was glad of the chance. She hadn't really excelled on anything at Juilliard, mostly because she simply didn't have her mind into it. She was in such a state when she left Lima that she wasn't even sure she wanted to come to New York anymore. But she did what she had to do. And when, upon arriving at Juilliard, she didn't immediately shine, that furthered her disappointment in herself whilst dimming her academic chances. But Anna had taken her in and given her a chance. So she was quite afraid of disappointing her and quite happy when she pleased her. And today had been a somewhat good day.

Rachel stood outside the choir room, smiling as she remembered the praise and absentmindedly running her hands through her hair. She sighed in contentment, preparing to leave as she wondered what she would fix up for her dinner. There were plenty of things since I barely ate in this week, she thought, still combing her hair with her hands. There is even some soy yogurt that I think expires today…

She was cut out of her reverie by the sight of Noah, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere (he seemed to be doing that a lot lately), right in front of her. He was looking straight at her in a weird manner. He looked…transfixed somehow. She stopped combing her hair, embarrassed to be caught like that. He was staring at her, in a way that made her think that he knew the color of her bra. "Noah" she said, half annoyed at him, half annoyed at herself "don't do that. It's irritating." "What? - he said, feigning innocence – I thought you liked it when I brought you food" he held up a paper bag. Her mind went bogus. "You said you brought food?" She had just realized how famished she was and hastily took the brown bag from him. He had the ability to find really delicious vegetarian food. She did enjoy cooking on weekends, but she didn't have the time to do it (or the energy) during the week, and since it was harder to find truly vegetarian fast food, on most days she would eat very little. Sometimes she would even eat eggs, when she felt really weak.

"Hey, apparently no one was feeding you before I came here, gremlin" he said laughingly, but he had noticed she had gotten quite thinner. And she wasn't someone who needed to lose weight in the first place. Rachel smiled at him a little. It was weird to think that he was taking care of her. But that was what he was doing, and she was, oddly, growing used to it. She hadn't felt lonely this week nor snooped on Finn's Facebook profile.

And that also raised the question of when Puck would return to Ohio, which she knew would probably be soon. For some reason she wanted to avoid the subject altogether. "Yes, well, are you going to deny me the goodies now?" She said to tease him. "I would never, and you know it" he said meaningfully, putting both hands on his pockets and looking intently at her. She looked down, smiling in embarrassment. Then he looked upwards. "It's actually a pretty good day. I thought we could go eat at Central Park." She looked at him, a smile making its way to her face. It was indeed a good idea, and soon they were heading towards the park.

They ate what Puck had brought them – including the delicious strawberries from before – and had a pretty pleasant afternoon under the nice shade of the park's trees. Rachel told him all about her day at Juilliard, and he listened to her intently. He then, in turn, told her about the meeting he had had that day, and how he had already closed a deal with Olive Garden. Rachel was impressed. Olive Garden was a popular chain, and if he had clients that big, then business must be going really well. She listened in fascination as he told her about the way he had convinced them to go for his website. He talked excitedly about it and it was just obvious that he was proud of himself. Rachel found that was an oddly pulling quality. She felt drawn to his self-confidence and go getter attitude. She would never admit it, but she had made excuses to touch his hand quite often throughout the afternoon. He didn't seem to notice it was on purpose.

As the sun started setting and the day drew to a close, Rachel said she was tired and he escorted her home, as usual. But not before stopping on a Barne's and Noble on the way and Rachel purchasing a cookies recipes book. It was one of those big books, filled with pictures inside and with an elaborate cookie on the pink cover. "Are you going to bake for me, Berry?" He teased her, as always. "Keep dreaming" she said, throwing him a sideways glance, but smiling a little in wonder nonetheless.

He seemed reluctant to let her go. He curiously was very intrigued by every window on every shop in the way to her place and constantly made her stop. Rachel was finding it amusing, to say the least. What was he up to? Until finally there was no other way and her building appeared right in front of their eyes. She turned to him, to thank him, and maybe ask him to come up for tea or simply to hang out. Her heart beat nervously.

But as she was getting ready to say those words, he beat her to it. "How do you feel about going out tonight?" He said, leaning casually against the wall of her building, looking intently at her. She instantly brightened. Then she realized that she was about to say "yes" in a very eager manner. Get a grip Berry, she told herself. "Sure – she said, coolly – I don't think I have plans tonight". He narrowed his eyes at her, throwing her a sarcastic look. She kept her smile steady, but now a little self consciously. She knew he realized that she never had any plans and therefore was just playing him. She decided to turn it in another direction. "So, are you going to play again tonight?" Good Berry. Distract him. Show him a little cleavage, he'll forget it. Shut up, she told herself. Gosh, she knew she was a little mental, but now she was developing another personality? And a nasty one too. He looked at her, confused but still smiling, and she smiled back at him, waiting for an answer. "Not really" he told her, looking down at her "David suggested me this bar/club that's supposedly good. I thought you might join me in trying it out."

Half an hour later Rachel was up in her apartment, wearing only a towel wrapped around her head and another around her body after a shower. She knew exactly what she would wear for tonight. She would wear that dress.

She was making her way through to Juilliard as usual when she passed in front of a Banana Republic window and saw a gorgeous black dress. It came just above her knees with a closely fitted skirt. It had lacy sleeves and a conservative neckline, but it accentuated the waist beautifully. She instantly imagined herself inside that dress and decided, on an impulse, to buy it. It had been forever since she had felt the urge to buy something, so her wardrobe had pretty much remained the same for the past two years.

Now, as she watched herself on her bathroom's mirror and applied her makeup she decided it had been a good idea to buy the dress after all. She was usually modest, but this time, she decided she looked hot. She put on black high heel shoes and opened her wardrobe for the final touch – her purse. It was a classical Louis Vuitton that her dads had given her as a graduation gift. And it was perfect to go to that trendy place that Puck wanted to show her.

Soon enough he called her telling her he had arrived. She went down the elevator and saw him leaning against a yellow cab. He was smartly dressed in black social pants, a white shirt and a jacket thrown over one shoulder. Hot. She smiled towards him as hello and he opened the cab door for her. She went inside, feeling a little nervous. Rachel, get a grip, she thought. It's Puck. You know him. Yeah, I know him, he gets into girls' pants on the first date. Okay, one, that's not a date and two, why are you talking to yourself again? Right, not healthy. Noted.

Rachel sighed. Her head was a mess. Puck looked at her, a "humor me" look in his eyes when he spoke to her "Are you saying something Rach?" Her eyes shot up in her lids, scared that he might have a hint on what was going on in her head. "No. No! Why are you asking?" He had an eyebrow raised. "Your lips were moving frantically just now." He had a knack for making her feel ashamed. "It's exercise. Part of my vocal practice" He smirked at her again in that way that said he had x-ray vision and was seeing her knickers. She looked out of the window to hide her red cheeks.

They finally arrived at a fancy building. Rachel opened her wallet to pay for the cab, but Puck would have none of it. With one hand he held her down on the seat by the waist (so she would make no further attempts to hand her money to the driver) while he paid the driver adding a very generous tip. Rachel felt frustrated. She didn't like for anyone to pay her stuff – well, except for her dads. In the other hand, she did like his touch and the way it seemed to linger over her. Once they left the cab it drove off, leaving them staring at the tall building. "It's on the last floor" Puck told her in a let's go manner.

A couple of security guards were standing on either side of the only elevator. There were no other doors, nowhere to go that she could see. She felt a little intimidated. Would they try and stop them? But Puck nodded at them and they simply nodded back as the elevator arrived to start its long way back up.

Neither said anything through the first ten floors. Rachel, as usual, was the first one to speak. "So, it's really high." She gave herself a mental kick. Brilliant thing to say. Puck looked at her, seemingly uncomfortable as well and offered "Yeah. It's supposed to have a great view."

The elevator at last arrived with a chime, and the doors opened to reveal a huge, expensively decorated lounge. There was an enormous bar filled with beautiful and colorful bottles, hunky barmen and model-looking waitresses. There were chaises and puffs everywhere, with couples elegantly spread over them. Rachel could see that most women carried Chanel bags and shoes with red underneath them. She knew pretty well that meant Louboutins. She looked down at herself and felt a little self conscious. Well, good thing I bought a new dress. Puck stiffened beside her, obviously uncomfortable as well.

The hostess quickly approached them, first with a sneer at Rachel and then finally smiling when she saw Puck's good looks. "The waitress will show you to your table" she indicated graciously. Puck rested his hand on the small of Rachel's back, guiding her towards the appointed seats. The waitress looked at Rachel with obvious contempt. Puck pulled the chair for Rachel, which made her feel a little victorious as the waitress looked surprised. Linda was her name, and she was a tall blonde. Rachel disliked pretty, model-looking women like her.

Linda set the menus in front of them and said she would be back soon with mineral water. Rachel opened hers and was shocked to see that it was completely written in French. Even the descriptions. She understood it a little bit, but she didn't feel confident enough to order a dish that wouldn't have meat on it. Puck, on the other hand, had quickly closed his and was looking cool as a cucumber. He smiled at her. "Ready to order?" He asked, just as the waitress appeared with their drinks. Linda looked eagerly at Puck "Anytime sir". Puck looked towards Rachel. "I don't know, maybe we need a little more time..?" Rachel, wanting to get rid of the woman who was looking at her purse obnoxiously, quickly ordered the first dish that came to her head. It was a part of the salad menu – that much she had understood – so there could be no error. Puck ordered the lamb. She'd forgotten he ate meat, since he had been accompanying her on a vegetarian diet. She didn't blame him. Men usually liked meat, and she'd never been a militant vegetarian.

They were sat at what probably was one the best tables in the house. It was right beside the glass wall, so Rachel had a magnificent view of the glowing city. I'm going to spend half the money my dads deposited at my account this month, but the view makes it worth it. When she finally tore her eyes from the city bellow, she turned towards Puck, who was looking at her with wonderment. "Beautiful, isn't it?" He had a twinkle in his eyes. Rachel blushed, not sure why. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Hmm, yes it is" she said quietly.

They talked a while longer and Rachel was starting to forget their surroundings and enjoy herself. She was laughing at something Puck had said when Linda arrived with their dishes – all smiles. She put a huge, succulent – not on Rachel's opinion – lamb accompanied of potatoes in front of Puck and a fresh looking salad with snails in front of Rachel. "Enjoy!"Linda said brightly.

Rachel's eyes were the size of tennis balls. Puck looked, shocked, first to Rachel's plate then to her face. He pressed his eyebrows together, obviously foreseeing disaster, and quickly called the waitress back. "Please, exchange her dish for one that is meat-free." Rachel's eyes went up by a notch. She'd never seen anyone returning a dish to the kitchen before. Well, except in movies. Linda looked towards Rachel, displeased. "But that is what she asked". "Well, Miss Berry made a mistake. Please be kind to amend that. I will pay for both dishes; she just won't have the first" Linda looked from him to her, and then nodded. "Right away, Sir. Courtesy of the house".

When Linda left, Rachel looked gratefully towards Puck. "You didn't have to" she told him kindly. "How am I to enjoy my lamb with you looking hungrily at me?" He winked at her. Rachel laughed. "You're evil." She rolled her eyes.

Soon enough her salad – sans meat, this time – arrived and she was able to enjoy it. It was pretty good, but not worth spending a fortune on. It was a onetime thing, for the view, so she enjoyed it as she should. Puck and Rachel talked and laughed throughout the entire evening. They even shared a strawberry tart, which seemed just the slightest undercooked to Rachel's tastes, a fact she pointed out to Puck. "You're a snob" he said, shoving her spoon playfully out of the way. Rachel laughed and shoved his spoon back. Soon they were having a spoon – shoving contest and laughing loudly, until the maitre gave them an ugly look. They stopped with a guilty look. "So" Puck looked up at her from the tart, in a sexy way, on Rachel's opinion, "when are you going to cook for me?" he said, putting the spoon on his mouth and looking intently at her. Rachel felt a little breathless to think of them alone in her apartment. Jesus, I think the air conditioning must be failing in here. She mentally fanned herself and forced her eyes to focus on him. "I don't know…" she said, putting a piece of strawberry on her mouth as well. "Maybe…this week?" She still had the spoon insider her mouth. He stared at her lips. Then he cleared his throat and checked the time. "It's late. Shall I ask for the check?" Rachel simply nodded. "So…breakfast in the morning, your place?" he asked with that trademark smirk of his. She raised one eyebrow. She didn't want to think on the implications of that. He quickly corrected himself. "I have a meeting very early tomorrow but I can show up with something for a brunch?" he told her, hopefully. She decided she didn't want to get away from it. "Sure! I'll make…pancakes or something."

Linda delivered the check directly to Puck with a big smile on her face. Rachel didn't even get a chance to see how much it had amounted to. She was upset over this, but figured she could make it up to him somehow by hosting a nice little brunch for them tomorrow. Yeah, I know exactly how to pay him back. Oh, shut up, myself, she thought, putting her head in her hands on fatigue. "Shall we go?" She looked up at Puck, who was already standing. She smiled at him and made to stand. But, at the same time she was grabbing her purse, Linda came, out of nowhere, right beside her with the serving dishes from the couple at the next table. Rachel, not sure how, managed to knock the plates all over the lady and her Lady Dior purse. Rachel took one look at the disaster, horrified, and quickly started apologizing while the lady threw her a nasty look. The once white purse was stained by primavera sauce. Puck quickly stepped forward and grabbed her by the shoulders, murmuring "Let's go Rach". Rachel nodded, not sure what to do, and didn't even notice Puck quietly slipping a card with his phone number to the husband, such was the disgrace she felt.

They walked the walk of shame towards the elevator, the room seemingly silent, and Rachel felt every pair of eyes upon her. She tried to walk as quickly as she could without falling over and embarrassing herself any further. Those doors couldn't be open soon enough.

Once they entered the elevator, they stood there quietly, Puck's hands still on her shoulders. The descent went by in a blink, and soon Puck was nodding again at the security and they were out of the building.

As soon as they were hit with fresh air, they looked at each other and a wave of laughter hit Rachel, then hit Puck, such had been the absurdity of the situation. They laughed hard on the quiet night, their voices echoing on the tall buildings surrounding them. Rachel chuckled a little, then Puck offered her his arm, and they started walking their way back to her place, in a much lighter mood than while eating at the restaurant.

Puck seemed unaware that walking the streets of NY wasn't as safe as walking at that time of the night in Lima. But Rachel felt disheartened to tell him that. She felt so safe with him, and he seemed to enjoy walking around all the time.

And also they were having such a great time. They laughed, remembering the way the woman's eyebrows had twitched when she looked positively murderous.

But Rachel's mood fell when she spotted a woman sitting on the sidewalk, holding her crying baby close to her, obviously homeless. She stopped in her tracks, confusing Puck. Then he saw the woman and his face changed slightly as well. Rachel looked at him, said nothing, let go of his arm and walked towards the woman. Puck observed, from a distance, Rachel bending down to talk to her, the woman responding, then Rachel looking at the baby. Rachel asked her something, the woman vigorously shook her head no. Rachel insisted, but still the answer was no. Rachel gestured for her to wait, then went back to where Puck was.

She looked up at him "She refuses to go inside a Starbucks with me for something to eat" She sighed. "So I am going to buy her and her baby some food, diapers, then escort her to a woman's shelter I know. You can go home if you like, I know this mustn't be your idea of a fun night out" He quietly observed her, then took both her hands in his. "I'll walk you anywhere you need to go." Rachel smiled at him, squeezing his hands a little, turned towards the woman to assure her they would be back soon and started pulling Puck towards the nearest open place she could get the stuff.

Rachel seemed to know exactly where to go, which left Puck wondering if she had ever done that before. She certainly seemed quite sure of what she was doing. He looked at her, thoughtfully. "What" she asked, smiling, then rolling her eyes. "Is there something on my face?" "Do you always do that?" "What, buy diapers?" she said, putting 3 packages on a basket. He looked at her with mock impatience. "No, help people like that" Rachel looked at him seriously, then looked back to make sure she was buying the right kind of diapers. "If I am willing to spend on stuff – like dresses "she looked at him "why not help someone in need?" She turned towards the cashier.

Puck watched her as she reached for her wallet inside her purse. He then spotted a small plush animal, took it in his hands, seemed thoughtful for a while. Then he lifted it up so Rachel could see it. "Do you think her kid would like this?" Rachel looked up at what he was holding and smiled, nodding her head. He took out his wallet and went to the cashier to pay for the toy.

They were soon heading back, hands full with bags, towards where they found the lady. She seemed happy out of her mind when they showed her the contents. After making sure she could walk, they escorted her to the shelter, Rachel leading the way. Once they arrived, Puck noticed the receptionist already knew Rachel. His hunch had been right. She had done this before.

Convinced that the woman was safe at least for now, Rachel said goodbye to her – after being profusely thanked – pretty happy she had been able to help someone. She proceeded to explain to Puck that she felt her heart break every time she saw someone in need. So she had reasoned with herself that, instead of just feeling bad, she could actually do something. She had, sometimes, felt scared of how the person would react in the beginning, but she eventually got over it and now she did what she could. Feeling even lighter, Rachel left the shelter's building with Puck right behind her. Now her house wasn't far, and she slowed down a little so that Puck could catch up to her.

He reached for her hand that she had tucked behind her. He played with her hand a little, looked up to her to see her eyes bright and a big smile. He seemed enchanted for a moment. "You're full of surprises" His eyes were a bit dark and muddled with a feeling she couldn't quite grasp. He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a light kiss on the back of it that made Rachel suck her breath and shiver imperceptibly. He looked up at her with those eyes, but she noticed a slight change on them. They had darkened, if that was possible. Not at all in an unpleasant manner.

He then turned her hand over, and proceeded to kiss her palm, then her wrist, leaving a warm trail on Rachel's forearm. He was only lightly touching his lips to her skin, but it seemed to awaken her whole right side. She slightly bit her lip. He looked up at her, those dark eyes sending a shiver down her spine. She was curious by the intent way he was staring at her. They were already in front of her building and she was leaning against the building's wall. She felt a little cornered by him, from the way he was hovering around her, but not in a bad way. She looked up at him, feeling a flame on her chest. She then locked her eyes in his, at first hesitant, then more assertive as her confidence grew. "Do you want to come up?" There. She could barely believe she had said it, but she felt daring, a little like she felt in that night she sang Stripper. But she had been dizzy and drunk; now she was fueled by a completely different thing.

He just looked at her, smiled in a very sexy manner and leaned towards her ear. She leaned forward, the proximity of his skin making her neck tingle. "See you tomorrow, Rach" and gave her a peck on the cheek whilst squeezing her hand. With that he left, quickly disappearing away in the night.

Rachel was left alone, confused and not sure what to make of that. After a while she turned around and entered her building, feeling weary.

This is the first time I've updated without having the next chapter completely written…but I had to publish this, I didn't want to make you guys wait any longer! Please review