Sanctuary Chapter 4

Personal Note: I would like to give a huge Thank You to franki3; her support and help make me want to push myself to make this the most realistic story I can. Also, to the 25 readers who have added this story to your favorites, I have to admit I've checked out your profiles because it makes the butterflies in my stomach do flip flops that you actually like the story enough to attached it to your fanfiction account. For the over 100 of you that have added this to your story alerts, OMG I never thought 10 people would want to read this let alone want to know when I update the story! As always, I am humbled by everyone's reactions to this story and I hope I continue to meet your expectations.

Also, I began this story before madmatt070 started the Damsel In Distress challenge but am joining in and she would like us to thank Lunar Kitty Kat for her help with the challenge.

********Chapter 4*************************************************************

Puck had just finished his second brownie when he noticed Rachel had crumbled hers into bits.

"Rach, what's wrong?" Stupid Puckerman what do you think is wrong? I wonder if she would notice if I beat my head on the table for that one?'

"I'm sorry." Rachel looked at him with huge sad eyes. "I just thought that if I faked it hard enough, pretending it never… that it was just a Broadway show… that I could make myself feel normal again. I'm sorry, I know you made the brownies for me, but I just can't eat."

"Hey, it's fine. I actually made the brownies to keep myself from going crazy. So what you're really trying to say is that I could have ordered mushrooms," he teased her, trying to lighten the mood.

"I just… the thought of eating… I mean… I don't want to hurt your feelings."

"Rachel, you're allowed to feel whatever you want, it won't hurt my feelings if you're too upset to eat. Besides, you're probably one of those girls that think salad is a meal." Puck winked at her and took her napkin and dismantled brownie to the trash.

"Come on…Wait, you won't freak or anything if I eat, right?" Puck asked just as the doorbell rang, signaling the pizza delivery was there.

"No, it's fine. I'll meet you in the living room."

Rachel had just turned on her DVR when Puck entered the room with his pizza.

"Berry, Dancing with the Stars?! Do you want me to poke my eyes out?"

"It's not that bad."

"Tell me that after you see blood coming out of my ears."

"Fine, you big jerk, I'll pick something else."

"So You Think You Can Dance?! are you still mad about the slushie facials?"

"Puckerman, it's half over anyway, just eat your pizza."

"Fine, but for the record I stopped slushing you awhile ago." Honestly I don't care what we watch, as long as she is still talking. Berry quiet is just weird.

Puck had just finished eating when Rachel abruptly turned off the TV and walked over to the fireplace. "I'm going to start a fire."

"Sure." All right, a little on the crazy side but whatever.

"Do you want me to turn off some of the lights?" Puck asked, because she had turned on every light in the room earlier.

"No, I can't stand the dark right now," Rachel replied as she returned to the couch with Puck.

After a few minutes of silence as they both watched the flames dancing in the fireplace she asked, "What do you think school will be like tomorrow?"

"I don't think it matters, because I don't think your dads are going to let you out of the house," Puck told her as he placed his palm face up on the couch between them.

"I have to go back sometime."

"Not tomorrow." Puck spoke with finality.

"Why?"

"Come on, Berry, even you can't be that masochistic."

"Wow big word, didn't know you had it in you."

"Just because I think school is lame doesn't mean I'm stupid."

"Do you think everyone will know by looking at me?" Rachel asked as she reached out and laced her fingers with his.

"If you wait until Monday, you'll be able to cover your black eye with make-up." He felt her tense next to him.

"How do you know that?"

"My mom had a boyfriend hit her once." He heard her suck in her breath next to him. "I was in the sixth grade and saw it happen. She never saw him again after that, but I hated that I couldn't help her. That I was too small to defend her, that's when I started working out. I knew I had to protect her and Hannah."

They sat in silence for a few minutes as Rachel thought about what Noah had just told her.

"So you really meant it when you said you wouldn't let anyone hurt me?"

"Yes, if I had known what he was going to do I would have beaten the crap out of him before he ever came near you." Puck could feel his entire body tense.

"Do you think people will know it was me?"

"Rachel… I think sooner or later people will know. I mean, you are going to have to testify in court, but I think it is up to you if you want to tell people yourself or wait to see if it just comes out. Matt said they all know what the arrest was for; it's just a matter of time. I think the Gleeks would support you if you let them. Look how good they are to Quinn."

"I don't think I can tell them, it was hard enough to tell at the hospital…do you think if they knew, they would tell the rest of the school?"

"Not if you asked them not to, they're our friends, Rachel, and in some ways, I guess, we are all one weird, messed up family."

"Do you think you could tell them for me?"

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"I don't know, but I know I need help." Puck felt Rachel take a deep breath. "Noah, I…I don't know what I would have done if you didn't find me." Puck looked over and saw a tear run down her face.

"You're a lot stronger than you think, Rachel Berry."

"No, I mean it. I mean, imagine if Kurt or Artie would have been there, or even Quinn, or one of the others."

"They would have gotten you help. Of course Kurt's fashion sense might have been compromised with the cloth I chose, and let's face it my guns are bigger than Artie's." He flexed, trying to lighten the mood.

"Noah, I've told you before, you have lovely arms."

"Berry, are questioning my badassness again?" he asked her with a mock frown.

"If I do, will you sing to me again?"

"Fine, I walked into that one, the next time we're in Glee I'll give you a show you'll never forget." Puck gave her his cougar grin.

"Promises, promises." Rachel managed a slight smile before turning back in to the fire and relaxing into the couch.

"Noah, tell me something that nobody else knows about you. You know my biggest secret, not that it will be for long, what's yours. Oh, being a great big brother doesn't count."

"No, you'll hate me, and in a way it isn't mine to tell."

"Noah, please? I know you said we were never friends when I broke up with you but I hope that has changed now."

"Why did you break up with me so fast, do you really love Finn that much?"

"I don't love Finn, I just didn't want to come in second place to Quinn again and I know you love her. I see you watching her."

"It's not Quinn I love."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll hate me."

"Noah after today I could never hate you, no matter what you tell me."

"That baby isn't Finn's, it's mine. Quinn and I were drunk at a party one night and she told me she did it because she was feeling fat. Finn has never even been with her."

"Then why, how does he think it's his?"

"Quinn told him some bullshit story about hot tubs and he believed her. She picked Finn and won't let me help and how can I tell my best friend I slept with his girlfriend?"

"Noah, you have to tell the truth."

Puck leapt off the couch, ran a hand along his Mohawk and stared into the fire keeping his back to her, "Don't you think I want to? My dad left us, I swore I would never do that to my own kid, and now she isn't giving me a choice, that's my baby, my little girl. How the hell am I going to protect her if Quinn won't let me near her?"

"You love her? The baby, I mean."

"Yes."

"I don't hate you Noah, I never could." Puck turned and they looked into each other's eyes, both laid bare with only their newfound trust between them. Suddenly, they heard a noise at the door and Rachel's eyes widen with fear as she reached for his hand.

"It's okay; I think it's just your dads."

The next moment Rachel was being swept into a hug by both of her fathers.

"Rachel, I'm so sorry we weren't here." "Are you ok?" "Did you eat?" What do you…"

"Dads!" Rachel spoke as she stiffly removed herself from their arms. Puck could see that they were overloading her with too much hugging but he understood their need to hold their daughter.

"Sorry, honey." Her dad said hesitantly as her daddy turned to Puck.

"Thank you Noah, for helping Rachel when we weren't here." He was looking Puck directly in the eye and holding out a hand to shake.

"I just did what anyone else would have," Puck replied and reached out to shake hands as the older man jerked him into a tight hug. Okay. This is weird.

Stepping back, Puck answered, "I better go. I'm sure you both would like time alone with Rachel, plus I have school tomorrow."

"You'll come back, right?" Rachel asked and he could see the panic in her eyes again. "You promised you wouldn't leave."

"Calm down, Berry, I told you I keep my promises. I'll bring you your backpack and homework. Is there anything else you need from your locker or anything?" Puck asked, as they both reached out and held hands.

"No. I'll walk you to the front door." They moved into the foyer together, still holding hands when they reached the front door.

"Noah, tell them for me."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but I'm not sure of anything right now."

"Alright, I'll see to tomorrow. Try to get some sleep." He reached down without thinking and placed a kiss on her forehead as he had given Hannah a hundred times. He felt her stiffen but she didn't pull away.

"You'll be a great dad one day, Noah Puckerman," she told him, looking up into his eyes.

"Thanks." He felt his throat tighten up as he turned and opened the door. Looking back at her one last time, he promised, "I'll be back after Glee practice." She nodded her head and closed the door behind him.