Ha! i pulled this one out of my butt. I really hate studying. It's a little shorter than usual but i figured that you guys wouldn't mind seeing how you finally get to figure out why Rahcel lives with Puck. So be happy and enjoy!

Rachel couldn't read James's current expression. From all she could see was he was still taking in the sight of Sara. Granted Sara was nine but he probably still hadn't registered that yet. "Rachel, who is he?"

"Remember what me and Noah were talking about yesterday?"

"Yeah, you were talking about sucking face with someone." James didn't even smile at that.

"Well, this is him."

"Oh." Sara looked at him for a moment then whispered to Rachel, "He's real cute."

"Yes he is." James still wasn't smiling. "Do you have any homework?"

"No."

"Sara?"

"Yes. But Noah said I didn't have to do it."

"Well, Noah is a liar. Go up to your room and get it started."

Sara jumped down out of Rachel's arms and ran upstairs. She turned to James, who still hadn't moved. "Is she..?"

"No. I would've been eight if she was."

He sighed with relief, but then his eyes shifted to Puck. "What about him?"

"You're going to need to sit down for this story." James looked a little scared. She wanted to know what ideas were running through his head. But then again, maybe she didn't.

She led him into the kitchen, Puck following behind them. He knew that Rachel would have a hard time telling this, even after the four years that had past since.

"Have you heard the assumptions about me at school?"

James was taken aback by the question. Where could this possibly lead? "Well, a lot of people say you're loud, bossy, and think to highly of yourself." He paused for a second but quickly went on. "You know I don't think that right?"

"Yeah, I know that." Rachel gave a big sigh. She didn't want to have to talk about this. She never told Jesse or even Finn about what happened with her dads. But James was so much more than them. She hadn't had to work hard, flirt, or be someone she wasn't for him. So she pushed on.

"Another assumption people have about me is that I have an amazing and perfect home life. And I do, just not with my dads. Honestly, when I was younger I still spent a lot of time here. I didn't want to be home alone or with my generally drunk dads. They were pretty horrible alcoholics. They'd come stumbling home past midnight and then wouldn't wake up until after noon for work. I had to care of myself. That's why I grew up so fast. Mrs. Puckerman helped though. She was always there for me at the temple and she'd come by sometimes and check on me. For a while, everything was fine. I could manage."

"But I'm guessing things got worse."

"When I was about thirteen, yes. Once, I got older, my dads apparently remembered they had a daughter. They would pull me out of bed at two in the morning and beat me. It went on for a while before I finally ran away and came here. Everyone was happy I'd gotten out of there. It took my dads a couple of months to find me, but they finally did. I was home alone that night when they crashed through the door. They started beating me so badly I went unconscious. I'm not sure how long it lasted."

Rachel could feel tears welling behind her eyes. She hated this story. That's why she never told it. It only brought back the feeling of loneliness and how she couldn't easily trust anyone. She thought about it everyday though and knew she would until she died. Unfortunately, it wasn't something easily forgotten. She regained control of her breathing and carried on.

"The next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed with Noah and Libby standing over me. The doctor said my dads probably would've ended up raping and killing me if Noah hadn't shown up."

And there Rachel broke. She didn't think it was possible for her to continue speaking. Before James could even think about what to do, Puck had her up in his arms. Sobbing, Rachel didn't notice the look on James's face. Even if she had, she wouldn't have been able to describe it with an emotion. He just looked as if he was intruding, like he was an outsider.

When Rachel had finally stopped crying and pulled away, Puck still looked concerned. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'll be fine."When she turned to James though, her face fell a little more. "Are you okay? I know that was a lot to take in but it looks like you didn't take it well."

James thought everything over for a moment. It was going to be hard to put into words. "I know this going to come out differently than I want it to, but I feel like there's so much more between you and Puck."

Rachel looked at James in horror. "There has never been anything between me and Noah!"

"I know. That's not what I meant. I mean I feel… I feel like there's something there that I can't replace. Something that I can never be better than."

"Oh my gosh James. Do you have any idea how much you have come to mean to me in these past couple of days? Last week, I had no idea how quickly I could fall for you. Now I can't even imagine a day without you!"

"I get that Rachel, I do. It's just Puck gets you. He knows your past and knows what's going to remind you of it. He's ready to comfort you when that happens."

"But I don't want to remember! In the past four years, you're the only person who's been able to make me forget! When I'm with you, I only see you. I don't know or care about anything else going on. The second that you leave, I hear or see something that makes me think of what happened and I hate it! I wish I could erase it all from my mind!"

"I believe you, I really do! But I feel like I'm always going to be second best."

Rachel stared in disbelief. "So what does this mean?"

"It means… that I'm just going to need time to think about this. I'll see you tomorrow morning?"

"Sure." He didn't like her short answer and when he leaned in to kiss her, she pulled back. He was hurt, but he understood."

Once he was out the door, Rachel flung herself on the couch, just crying. She couldn't think of anything else to do. Puck, who had stayed uncharacteristically quiet during the exchange between James and Rachel, quietly came over next to her. "If you're going to do this Rach, at least get up in your bed."

When she didn't move though, Puck took matters into his own hands. He scooped her up off the couch and carried her upstairs to her room. Sara came out to see what was going on after hearing the yelling. "Is Rachel going to be okay?"

"I think so. She's survived worse."

"That boy was being stupid. You and Rachel could never be together. You're brother and sister! It would be disgusting!"

"You're pretty smart for a nine year old squirt."

"I know!" She skipped back into her room.

Once Rachel was under her covers, Puck turned to leave. Rachel though found her voice and quietly called out, "Don't go." That was all Puck needed to crawl back on top of the bed with Rachel. She immediately curled up into his side. The tears were basically gone with just a few sniffles here and there. "Did I just screw this whole thing up?"

"No," Puck answered strongly. "He's screwing this up if he ends this. He's crazy for Rach, everyone can see that. But if let's 'us' get in the way of this, he's going to lose the best girl on the school."

"Thanks bro. "

"Anything for you sis. Go to sleep."

Before she fell asleep she added, "Please don't hurt James which ever way this turns out. I understand why this situation freaks him out. I would be freaked out to if the situation was reversed with someone like Quinn."

Puck sighed, but agreed. "Fine, but only for you. I hope you know though that the entire time I will be hurting myself not to punch the kid."

"And I can live with that." Within ten minutes then, Rachel's eyes had fluttered shut for the night.

Outside James was still on the curb, keys not even in his ignition. He was hitting his repeatedly against the steering wheel. How could he be so stupid? Of course he knew Rachel didn't have any feelings for Puck other than love fore a family member. And family had to a part of any relationship. He had probably just screwed that up the way he acted in there. Puck hadn't said anything but the way he looked at him when he left clearly said I will kill you.

He didn't want to lose Rachel over this. He had been so stupid! He really wanted to run back in but he had a feeling that Puck would quickly kick him out. It wasn't the time.

After ten minutes, he finally pulled away from the house. He was glad he did because when he got to the turn to get off the street, a woman in scrubs turned on to the street. He had a nasty feeling that Puck would be telling his mom about what had just happened soon.

When he pulled into his driveway, he was still thinking. He had to something big for Rachel to make up for being such an ass tonight. He couldn't think of anything though. Of course it would be a song, as it was the best to Rachel's heart, but what one?

He slumped into the house, ignoring his parent's questions about his day and if he was hungry and why he looked so sad. After dropping his bag off in his room, he plopped down in front of the piano, thinking hard. He needed something that described Rachel and how much she meant to him. In the past few days she'd come to be his everything. His favorite person to be with.

Then he remembered the numbers Sam had done a few days ago with the other glee guys, when he still had a chance to keep Quinn. He quickly pulled out some blank sheet music. He had a lot of re-composing to do.

"He really said that?" Puck nodded at his mom's mortified face. It would've been funny if the situation wasn't so serious. "To even think of you two liking each other like that is weird. You two are just so close I forget that she's not actually related to this family."

"I know. It's crazy. I used to think about her that way but then I realized how that wouldn't work in our situation. I let it go and put those feelings into seeing her as a sister."

"Well, it's time to put the brotherly side of yours into action. What are you going to do?"

"I have to wait and see what him and Rachel decide. I promised her I wouldn't hurt him, but if it ends up that he breaks her heart, I don't know if I can keep that promise."

"Maybe she doesn't think he'll break up with her. Maybe she has faith that he likes her enough that he'll overcome this."

"Who knows. We'll see tomorrow though."

Libby sighed. She'd never had this kind of drama when she was younger. "It was a long day. I'm just going to heat up some leftovers and go to bed."

"Kay." Puck got up to leave, but paused at the kitchen door. "Can I ask you something mom?"

"Of course honey.

"Why don't you push me into being with Rachel? I mean, the way you used to talk she is the perfect fit to my ideal wife."

Libby thought a moment. "I used to want you two together, and I used to see that you wanted to be with her to. But after she had been living with us for a couple of months, I realized that it wouldn't be right. I could see that you were trying your hardest to make her your sister and I didn't want to put pressure on you. You were already doing the right thing before I got to you." She got up and stretched. "I also gave up the idea of a Jewish bride for you anyway. After seeing all the girls you've been with, I know you wouldn't listen to me if you found the one you truly loved."

Puck smiled. His mom knew him better than he thought sometimes. "Thanks mom."

"Anything for you sweetie. Now get to bed."