Disclaimer: I don't own Glee all rights belong to Ryan Murphy and Fox…I'm only borrowing the characters for a little bit of fun writing!

Chapter 6

Rachel watched Quinn walk away. It was a relief and a curse at the same time. She felt unusually sympathetic for the other girl. Almost as much sympathy as she had when Quinn had been pregnant with Beth. But she felt relieved because, she so didn't need anymore drama in her life right now. She was all stocked up on crazy, drama, sickness, and demanding five year olds. Add a little Noah Puckerman into that mix, she had herself an atomic bomb! She sighed to herself and turned to see what her sister and the girl's father were up to. She smiled at the scene in front of her.

Puck was wiping peanut butter off the corner of Beth's mouth. He looked up as he felt Rachel's presence, and smiled.

"What was that about? I've never heard those kinds of words leave your mouth before. Quinn must have really pissed you off." Puck started. Beth gave him a meaningful look before replying.

"Daddy! Watch your language!" He just smiled down at the dark haired little girl. His little girl. Wow.

"I'm sorry little one," he looked over at Rachel while continuing, "So, what do we do now? I mean…" His words trailed off. Rachel was staring at him with Beth, picturing a future that seemed so close, yet so far away. What if? What if, she thought, she ended up marrying Noah and taking care of Beth with him? She suddenly felt nauseated.

Shelby. Rachel was so confused. She didn't know how she could be seeing a future picture without her mother? The air felt cooler, she rubbed her arms as chills went up one and down the other.

"Why don't we get back? I'm, um, not feeling so well. Beth? You ready?" Rachel shot a look in Puck's direction that made him close his mouth before he could utter the sentence that lye on his tongue. Beth simply nodded her head.

The three of them silently packed up the leftovers of their picnic, the mood ruined with the appearance of Quinn and the feelings stirring in the pit of Rachel's stomach. She was definitely not looking forward to getting back to the hospital. Not because she didn't want to see her mother, but because she didn't want to think bad thoughts or see that future where her mother didn't exist.

On the way back to their respective vehicles, Puck had his own thoughts running a marathon in his mind. He wondered if Beth really wanted him to be her father. He also wondered if what his daughter said really would happen? He and Rachel marrying and taking care of Beth together. He smiled slightly, the thought wasn't entirely revolting. He didn't want to light himself on fire because of it.

"Daddy? Are you going to come back to my other daddies' house?" Beth asked before Rachel had unlocked the door to the BMW. Rachel froze, her fathers weren't Beth's fathers. But it did make sense if you viewed it through a five year old brain. Puck stiffened.

"What do you mean?" He asked calmly, Rachel could see the anger boiling behind the words. She'd known Noah for many years, she could tell you almost everything there was to know about Noah Puckerman.

"She means, Noah, my parents' house. That's where we stayed last night." Rachel was praying that he would get the hint or the fact that Beth was five. She saw the anger dissipate.

"Oh. Um, I think I need to go to my house first. I have to talk to your Grandma, tell her about you. You should go with your sister and see your mommy. Okay? I'll see you again real soon." Noah explained as he walked over to Beth. He had gotten down to her eye level once again. He loved seeing the widening of her blue eyes as he said 'grandma'.

"I have a grandma? I wanna meet her, daddy! Can I? Can I, Rachel?" She looked from her father to her sister. Rachel smiled, and shrugged.

"Yeah, but let's go see mommy first, kay?" Rachel tried to distract her little sister, but wasn't sure how effective she would be.

"Okay. Bye, daddy!" She hugged Puck's neck, then waved as Rachel buckled her in her booster seat.

Puck and Rachel stood there, silently staring at the other. He had his hands in his pockets again and she was pushing a thick strand of hair behind one of her ears. The air felt heavy around them, even though there was a light breeze blowing. Before Quinn had shown up, they were actually laughing with each other and generally enjoying the other's company. Now things felt awkward and they both hated that feeling.

"Look, Rach. I know things are weird right now. But do you think we could continue hanging out? I'd like to get to know Beth some more and I'd like to take her to meet my mom and Ariel too. Plus, you know, it's not so bad being around you either." He playfully threw in that last part to break the tension. It seemed to work. Rachel nodded with a smile on her face.

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow. We're going to get back to the hospital. I need to see how my mother is doing. But thank you for today, Noah. It really makes me feel better knowing I've still got you as a friend." She lightly hugged him. As she was getting in her car, his heart was cracking. Friend?

That was not where he wanted to be, but he'd take it for now. He made his way back home, he couldn't wait to tell his mother and Ariel all about Beth. As well as tell Finn about his encounter with the women they both loved in high school. He smirked to himself at that thought, he'd rub it good in Finn's face. He wasn't sure why he wanted to do it. But he supposed it was because he'd been back and forth with Finn through the years over both Quinn and Rachel.

It didn't take Puck long to reach his house. The drive was slightly more than ten minutes. He had a shit eating grin on his face as he walked in the front door. His mother had already left for work, and Ariel was no where to be seen. His excitement faded, he was so ready to tell them about Beth. He decided to call Finn, he knew Finn probably had something going on. But he didn't care, he had to tell someone, he was practically bursting at the seems and that wasn't like him. He walked into the kitchen and dialed Finn's cell. To his distress, Finn didn't answer. Shit.

Guess he'd just go take a nap. He fell asleep quickly, though his thoughts were alive with Rachel and Beth's faces, the way they'd smiled when the three of them were talking and eating their sandwiches.

Rachel walked into the hospital in Lima, her little sister in tow. She was slightly upset. Why had she told Noah they were friends? She wanted to be so much more than that. But her priorities as of now were Shelby and Beth. She'd simply get to Noah eventually. All that Rachel heard as she opened the heavy wooden door was the low beeps and whirls of the hospital equipment, as she and Beth walked inside.

The sight was depressing, Shelby lie in the adjustable bed, tubes and machines surrounding her. Beth's grip tightened on her sister's hand. She was frightened by what her five year old eyes were seeing. Rachel squeezed gently to show she understood. The two girls took a seat in the two chairs on either side of the bed. Rachel wanted to ease Beth's anxiety, so she began softly speaking to their mother. Beth hopped from her chair and joined Rachel in hers. The two sat there quietly talking about their day to Shelby. Rachel had always heard coma patients could hear what was going on around them. She hoped it was true. She began singing when she saw Beth's eyes drooping. She thought she'd get her little sister to sleep for a nap and then they would go back to the Berry Residence.

If Shelby could hear them, there was no sign or indication to Rachel. The woman's body still lay limp and her breathing was even because of the breathing apparatus connected to her taunt face. Rachel sighed audibly, she wasn't sure what to do. She had to get back to New York soon or she would go insane. But she knew that wouldn't benefit her or Beth, or Shelby for that matter; if she pretended this wasn't happening. She looked at her sister's sleeping form, the way she held her mouth looked identical to the way Noah held his mouth while asleep. She'd seen him asleep numerous times in high school, well mostly during their math class. Well, on the days that he actually showed up. She quietly laughed to herself. One could see the family resemblance between father and daughter, that was the honest truth.

Rachel was staring quietly at her mother when her cell began to vibrate. She looked at the caller id, it was her dad Jeffrey.

"Hello, hi dad. Yeah, we're fine. At the hospital, I don't know. We've been here for a while. Beth is asleep, oh yeah she had a great time. Well, until Quinn showed up," Rachel could feel her father's outrage through the phone, "no, no. She doesn't know anything other than, well, that Noah is her father."

"What? You told her? Rachel of all the insensitive, irresponsible things to do!" Jeffrey was slightly peeved.

"Dad, please! I didn't tell her, she overheard Noah and I talking. Well, arguing is more accurate." she whispered, trying to explain herself.

"Rachel, dammit! I have told you and told you. If you and that boy can't be civil to one another; do not talk to each other!" Jeffrey was even more cross. Rachel rolled her eyes even though her dad couldn't see.

"Look, I'm tired and I'm coming home soon. Noah and I have always been this way and always will be; that's us. Deal with it, or get the fuck over it." Rachel was angry, she rarely let it get to her, but her dad had pushed her too far. She hung up, giving him no chance to retaliate whether with words or punishment. She smirked, one that vaguely reminded her of Noah; his influence on her had been rubbing off more in the last few days than in the last ten years of her knowing him.

A/N: Next, Puck finally gets to tell his mother and his sister about his daughter. Thank you for being patient while I found the time to update : ) Sorry this was short. Longer updates will follow soon!