A/N: You haven't let me down… so I won't let you down. If you didn't read my notes at the end of Chapter Three is said: "I would like to apologize in case I have not gotten anything right about Chanukah… or if I don't in the future. I am not Jewish, but have tried to research it a little. I'll try the best I can. I do not mean to offend anyone."

So on with the show!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

Chapter Four: Shalom: Peace Be With You

Rachel nervously flattened her hair as she rang the doorbell of the Puckerman's residence. She turned back to see Kurt pull out of the driveway, give her an encouraging smile and drive off. She turned back to the door, terrified.

"Don't be so nervous!" Kurt exclaimed, running a flat iron through Rachel's hair. "It won't kill you… plus you don't want to miss out on your traditions and holiday!"

"I know, I know." Rachel cried. She glanced at the clock. In another 20 minutes she'd be standing at his door, ringing his bell. "It's just… the one thing I promised myself was that I wasn't going to see him. Chanukah, Kurt, lasts for 8 days! And I can't go over for just one night… no, I have to spend 8 of them with him." Her heart fluttered. 8 days with Noah… her Noah and she didn't even need an excuse to see him. They were just going to celebrate their Jewish holiday together and that's it. Rachel's face fell at this thought… she didn't want to spend just Chanukah with him.

Kurt tugged at her hair a little harder than needed. "Rachel you really need to stop spacing out on me. TALK!" He sat down next his best friend and took her hands in his. "I know something is bothering you. Just tell me. I know it's about Noah."

Rachel sighed. "Kurt. I love you and you're amazing."

"I know." Kurt grinned. "Now, what's up?"

"Kurt you know how I feel about him. I'm just afraid he won't feel the same way. I'm afraid that all I'll get with him are these 8 days and the rest of my vacation will be Noah-free. I don't want my vacation ruined… I need this break. But… I…"

"Honey…" Kurt placed a finger to her lips. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it! Now, get dressed, we don't want you late!"

Rachel replayed the scene in her head from 20 minutes ago. Just as she predicted she was now on Noah Puckerman's porch, ringing his bell. She waited just a few more seconds before the door opened. In the doorway stood a middle aged woman, about a head shorter than Rachel, dressed nicely with a dark gray shawl wrapped around her. She didn't smile or frown when she saw Rachel, her expression blank until her eyes saw the silver Star of David dangling from a silver chain around Rachel's neck.

"Ah, Shalom! You must be Rachel, Noah's friend." A smile broke on the lady's face as she reached out her hand and took Rachel's.

"Shalom." Rachel said, shaking Ms. Puckerman's hand.

"It's so lovely to finally meet you. Noah has told me about you. It's a shame you are alone this year, so we are more than happy to share this holiday with you." Noah's mother pulled Rachel into the house and into the living room. The room was small, yet comfortable with a Menorah sitting on top of the mantle. Rachel noticed all the pictures in the room, ranging from Noah to his younger sister and some of Rebecca.

"You have a very lovely home." Rachel picked up a photo of Noah and Rebecca, admiring the bond they shared.

"Yes. Thank you." Ms. Puckerman drew the shawl tighter around her. "How do you know Noah?"

"Oh…" Rachel didn't know if Noah had actually mentioned they had dated, so she left that tid-bit out. It was only for a few days anyway. "We went to high school together. We both did Glee Club."

Ms. Puckerman's face began to soften. "So you know about Rebecca?"

"Oh yes!" Rachel said. "I was very supportive of Noah and his decisions."

"Funny… he has never really mentioned you until now." The woman casted a glance at Noah, who was entering the room. "Rachel is here. From high school Noah."

Noah gulped. "Hey Berry. Nice of you to come." He tried to advert his mother's glare and question. "I, uh… need help in the kitchen. Mom… can you check on Bec in the tub please?" Noah grabbed Rachel's hand before his mom could protest and pulled her into the kitchen. Once the sounds of his mother's footsteps died away from the stairs, Noah sighed in relief. "Sorry about that. My mom is a little… nuts."

"It's okay." Rachel played with her hand that Noah had grabbed. It seemed to burn and the same feeling crept to her cheeks. "She seemed a bit confused though. You never mention me back in high school?"

"Berry… what was there to mention?"

"Well, the fact that we dated?"

Noah groaned. "That was for like what, 4 days? My mom would have flipped if I told her."

"Why? Your mom wouldn't you let you date anyone?" Rachel teased. She went over to the stove to see what was cooking. In one pan a batch of potato pancakes were frying. Her favorite.

"My mom… really wants me to date a 'nice, Jewish girl'." Noah went the cupboard and pulled out some plates. "She always has. That's why I never really said anything about you. Until now that is… I'm gonna get it when you leave tonight." He laughed and counted out the plates, then grabbed the cups.

"Oh." Was all Rachel could say. She flipped the pancakes over and checked the other pots, occasionally stirring them. "Well have you found that 'nice, Jewish girl' then?" Rachel stood still and stopped breathing so she wouldn't mishear what he said.

"Nope. Rebecca, my mom and Arin are the only Jewish girls in my life." Noah placed the cups and plates on the table. "Why?" he asked, turning to look at Rachel. She had her back to him and continued stirring the pots.

"Just curious, trying to catch up on people's lives is all." Rachel responded, the answer Noah gave her still didn't answer the real question Rachel wanted to ask. It was too soon for that though. She cleared her throat and asked something else. "So… how's work going?"

"Work? Its going I guess. I got laid off recently, so I had to turn back to my yard business. It's a little slow seeing how we didn't get any snow this winter." Noah had recently lost his office desk job. He turned his pool cleaning business into a year long yard maintenance business. He mowed grass and cleaned pools in the summer; raked leaves and cleaned gutters in the fall and the winter he shoveled snow and cleared sidewalks. "Until we get something… I might not work at all this season." He laughed, yet it was a fake laugh. He really needed the money. Being a single dad had it perks, women love single dads, but he couldn't do it alone. Rebecca was getting bigger and growing girls need more clothes and food and newer, more expensive toys.

"I hope it picks up for you." She turned the stove down, keeping the food warm. "I heard we're suppose to have a dry winter though."

"Thanks Berry."

"Just saying." She finally turned around and looked at him. "You could always move up north. We get tons of snow."

Before Noah could respond, Rebecca bounced into the room. Her curly hair was put into braids and she wore a simple blue dress. "Well… how do I look?" She spun around, enjoying the feeling she spun around again. Noah laughed and caught her as she fell.

"Very beautiful." Noah kissed Rebecca on the head and let her go. The young girl went up to Rachel.

"You look very beautiful too. Doesn't she Daddy?" Rebecca turned and looked at her father, waiting for an answer. Rachel was too; a blush creeping to her cheeks.

Noah smiled and looked at Rachel. She wore dark skinny jean with a black cashmere sweater and simple black boots. "Yes, she looks very beautiful too."

Rachel's heart seemed to stop and she smiled shyly. "Well…" she managed to say. "Your dad doesn't look to bad himself now, does he?"

Rebecca placed her hands on her hips. "Daddy always looks handsome."

Noah chuckled and moved to the stove to check on the food. "Well, food's done. Let's get this party started."

He had meant it jokingly of course. After they lit the first candle of the Menorah and said the traditional Jewish prayers the Puckerman family and Rachel began to eat. They all sat in the dining room and enjoyed their meal together, talking and laughing. Soon the conversation turned to Rachel.

"So," Ms. Puckerman started, "Rachel, how's New York been treating you? Have someone waiting for you to return?" She smiled and winked at Rachel. Noah groaned and gave Rachel an apologetic look.

"New York is amazing! And no…" She looked at Noah. "I don't have anyone waiting."

Ms. Puckerman kicked her son under the table. "Oh? That's too bad. I hear you're in Broadway?"

"Oh yes." Rachel began, but stopped. She didn't want to bore anyone. She picked at the food on her plate, hoping no one would ask more questions.

"Which ones have you been in?" This question was from Noah, who actually looked and seemed interested. Rachel hesitated.

"Les Miserables, Hello, Dolly!, Grease, Cinderella… just to name a few." Rachel took a bite of food.

"Who did you play in those?" Noah asked, leaning forward slightly. Rachel smiled and went into depth about her roles, the songs and costumes. Rebecca seemed interested in Cinderella and Rachel was glad that no one seemed bored.

"When I return I start Wicked. Of course, I already told you that." Rachel blushed, hating how she repeated the information.

"I'm excited for you." Noah said honestly. "You've always wanted that part, correct?"

Rachel nodded and swept her hair off her shoulders. "Only since it appeared on Broadway… the story line is so intriguing and the characters are so complex. I really have my work cut for me this time."

"I think you can do it." Noah smiled. He got up and began clearing the table. Rachel joined him and watched as his family moved into the living room to play a few rounds of dradle. They were alone again.

"You know… you don't have to pretend to be interested for you mom's sake." Rachel placed the dirty plates in the sink and turned the hot water on.

"What makes you think that?"

"You never were interested in anything like that before." She took the cups from Noah and placed them in the sink as well.

"I like to catch up on people's lives, that's all." Noah mocked, his famous Puck grin shining through. "But seriously, I was interested. I'm jealous Berry. You got out of Lima. You're not a 'Lima Loser'."

"Who's a 'Lima Loser'?" Rachel asked, glaring at Noah. "If you think you are, guess again mister." She turned to the dishes and began to clean them. "You, out of all people, are not."

"What makes you say that?" He took the clean dish from her, rinsed, dried and put it away.

"Look what you've done with Rebecca. You made it through all the hard times and heartaches just for her. You worked your butt off just so you could have her. You've gone through so much, more than I could ever go through and you did it all alone. You never abandoned your little girl. You are good, caring father and wonderful person Noah. And you are certainly not a 'Lima Loser'." Rachel finished the last dish and handed to Noah. He grinned at her as he put it away.

"You know Berry; you always know what to say. Thanks."

They make their way into the living room where Rebecca was playing dradle with her grandmother. A pile of gelt wrappings were next to the 6 year old and she popped another chocolate coin in her mouth.

"Alright young lady. No more chocolate for you." Noah said, sitting next to his mom. Rebecca gave him a pout but Noah didn't waiver. Rachel smiled at the young girl's face, positive that she would give in if Rebecca gave her a face like that. "Wanna play a round Berry?" Noah asked, twirling the dradle in his fingers.

"You're on, Puckerman." Rachel replied, scooting closer to the table top. They played several rounds for what seemed like hours until headlights appears through the window and honking was heard. Rachel looked at her watch and realized it was Kurt. "Sorry, that's my ride." She got up and grabbed her belongings before turning to the Puckerman family. "Shalom and good night."

"We'll see you tomorrow night?" Ms. Puckerman asked, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes.

Rachel looked at Noah, who nodded. "I'd love to. Good night." She waved and headed out the front door. AS she went to close the door she realized someone was there.

"Berry, thanks for coming. I had… it was fun." Noah ran his hand over his head where his mohawk use to sit. "I was wondering… if you're not busy tomorrow… want to grab some lunch?" He peered at her shyly before sticking his hands in his pockets.

"It was fun and thank you for inviting me." Rachel rummaged through her purse and pulled out a pen and paper. "I got a new cell phone number… call me. I'm free all day." She scribbled down her number neatly and handed it to him. "Good night Noah." She smiled before turning down the stairs.

"Night." He called to her and headed back into the house, staring at the piece of paper in his hands.

Rachel climbed into the cab of Kurt's car and buckled in.

"So…"

Rachel looked over at her best friend. "What?" she asked innocently.

"I want details. Now." He simply stated as he backed out of the driveway.

Rachel sighed. At least Noah would have it worse with his mother.

A/N: WHEW!! Done and done. Let me know what you think! Sorry it was a little slow, I promise to pick it up a bit. Keep those reviews coming! Next up… lunch time, but something interrupts them. Good or bad? Maybe both. You'll just have to wait and see!! Until next time!!