A/N-Not as long, but I plan on having another chapter up either today or tomorrow before I leave for vacation. Rachel's POV as this chapter has some (relatively strong) Rachel drama. It also shows a peek of Rachel and Puck's relationship with each other.

A minor rewrite to chapter 3, nothing major. I just had to tidy up some sentences.

Thanks again for all of the love my story's getting! You guys are awesome.

Video Camera

Chapter 4: Considerations

In all my fifteen arduous years on this planet, I had never heard anything more surprising in my life. Not even in my wildest dreams had I ever imagined Noah Puckerman asking me to use my video camera. Not saying that I dreamt about Noah Puckerman asking me for other things; he was not featured in my dreams, never mind my wildest dreams…and that's not to say that I have wild dreams, with Noah or otherwise. I shook my convoluted thoughts out of my head with a sigh.

Noah Puckerman appears in my conscious thoughts, as well as my subconscious reveries with the same frequency as any other glee member. I nodded my head firmly at this compromise and drew up my jaw upon the sudden realization that it was hanging at least an inch below the rest of my head.

Even though I found it strange that Noah would need a video camera, I suppose it would make sense to ask for mine. After all, when I informed my fathers that I would start posting videos of myself and my talent on Myspace (and convincing them that it was perfectly safe while informing them of the possible future benefits that putting myself out there could bring), Dad insisted that they would not have grainy videos of their little girl out on the Interweb, World Wide Net or whatever it was called (Daddy was the resident tech expert in the house; he worked for an IT company). This sparked a week's worth of fervent research and fervid searching for the absolute best video camera that the market of Lima and the surrounding area had to offer.

If there's anything you need to know about the Berrys, it's that when we put our minds to something, it will (usually) get accomplished without a hitch.

Long story short, my video camera produced movie-quality videos to complement my showbiz-quality voice. Yeah, if only those Cheerios would actually watch through one of my videos instead of just insulting them. Then they could find it in them to compliment at least one of those stellar qualities.

My mood dropped a notch when I imagined what my dads would do, were they to know that no one actually cared about the quality of the camera that they had so painstakingly sought out as a proof of their commitment to my abilities. That even the cheapest video camera would have the exact same responses.

Anyway, Noah chose well in coming to me. But that did not explain why he needed it.

Right before I could inquire as to his motives behind needing my video camera, he spoke to ease the awkward silence that had descended as I was thinking.

"Look, Rachel. I'm not saying that I need to film in your room too, or anything…"

I watched him cringe slightly as I realized what he had just inadvertently admitted. My Myspace videos?

Noah soldiered on. "I mean, if I could just borrow your video camera for tonight…I could have it back for you bright and early tomorrow morning. I…Please, Berry?" His pleading was evident in his eyes for a split second before his face snapped back to one of indifference, but with a little crease between his eyebrows.

I could just imagine the thoughts running through his mind. Something along the lines of, 'Noah Puckerman does not beg,' with profanities thrown in. Why these words hold such appeal to people today is completely beyond me, I mused, before I was interrupted by Noah talking again, trying to break me from being shocked into silence.

"Just give me your camera, and I'll be out of your hair…and your sofa."

I don't know if it was my manners pushing through, or an unconscious desire for him to stay in my house, but I was able to muster up one word. "No."

Noah looked genuinely confused for a moment, probably about to question what I meant.

Clearing my throat, I continued. "I can not simply allow you to take my video camera home. It is not a question of trust, really. I am quite sure that you are capable to safeguard anything I trust you with. The main reason that I can not, in good conscience, permit you to handle my video camera on your own is that frankly, it is an upscale device with many different features. It took me several nights to go through and highlight the manual to learn about the various features included in my camera that I could use to manipulate the quality of my video. Since I have obvious experience using this camera, I feel that you would be able to achieve a better output with me manipulating the controls."

I was taking in a breath when Noah snapped, "Look, I'm not stupid. I can work a fucking camera, Berry. And it doesn't need to be as prissy perfect as your videos. I just need to record myself singing a damn song to enter this stupid fucking contest, so if you could just stop ragging on me and just hand me the camera, I'll be able to do this shit on my own."

I was absolutely appalled. "Let me put it into layman's terms for you, Noah. It took me an hour just to find the power button, never mind how to shoot the 'prissy' videos, as you call them. If you want to use my camera, you accept my help. My God, I am sick and tired of everyone just writing off my videos as simple garbage, assuming that I just like to show off. It's just too much work to open your eyes for three minutes to see the effort and work I put in just to produce one measly video that I know will only get offensive comments, telling me to go die, or to burn my camera before it can produce anymore of this 'bullshit'. Do you think it's fun? Every time I click the upload button, I am fuelled by the meagre hope that someone, someday will chance upon a link to one of my videos and realize the talent that everyone else just sneers out. The meagre hope that my efforts will be appreciated for once. But no. Video after video, I get plenty of views. People who click on the link, not to praise me for my excellent tone and pitch, but to criticize what I'm wearing, or the décor in the room."

I took a steadying breath before continuing. "You come into my home, asking me for a favour, yet you have the gall to defile my sanctuary with your deplorable language. What I am saying is, if you need something from me, I need respect from you. We do this on my terms, for once. If you would like to use my video camera, you accept my help. Agreed?"

It was Noah's turn to be stunned into silence. In truth, I would be shocked by my speech. Everything I had been holding in for years finally burst open.

I wasn't sure what caused it, but Noah pushed my buttons in the slightest possible way which released all my bottled-up emotions like a hurricane on an unsuspecting tourist. These snaps had happened twice before, but I was never embarrassed afterwards. Talking at Noah was actually very comforting, and I felt comfortable with him in a way that I never was with Finn, or any others, really.

His face was impassive as he asked cautiously, "Are you finished?"

I sighed meekly and asked, "Do you agree to my terms and conditions, Noah Puckerman?"

He got up from his seat on the couch and put both of his hands on my cheeks, saying, "Rachel Berry, I would be glad to accept your help on this endeavour."

The customary mega-watt smile returned to my lips. "Great! So, what's this you mentioned about performing a song?"

A/N-More name suggestions for Puck's mom and sister would be lovely. Leave them in the reviews!

Thanks to those who have given me some recommendations, I'll definitely think about them. Hope you're enjoying the story!