Disclaimer: I do not own the book this story is strongly based off, or any of the characters from Glee.

Sorry for waiting so lonnnnngggg to update. i know its been like a year. But I've had so much going on this year. i also have a new story in mind so my goal is to get this story completed and a new story up and near finished by the end of the summer. Although i have school for a few more weeks, so its not gonna be frequent until school is over. This chapter has some Puckleberry goodness so i hope you enjoy. Please Review.


Chapter 7

It took Rachel an hour and a half to drive home, change her clothes, and fight her way through midtown traffic. By this time a major traffic jam had built up along Dorchester Avenue, leading up to the Four Seasons Hotel. With all of the red lights it gave her time to shake her hair loose and check her make up, in the visor mirror. Even with powder her bruises were still visible, but at least she found a black bead choker to cover up the stitches on her neck. It actually looked attractive with her dress. A long silk red dress, which cinched in the waist had spaghetti straps and revealed a large portion of her back. Unfortunately for Rachel the whole look required high heels; before the night would be over, her feet would be killing her.

The ballroom at the Four Seasons was packed. There was probably enough furs and jewels in the room to fund the city budget for a year. A buffet table held platter of shrimp and smoked salmon, pastries and caviar, all of it served on real china, of course. Rachel handed her invitation to the official at the door and pushed her way through the room. She was reminded why she hated going to these types of party's, especially on her own. Sipping at the requisite glass of white wine, she wandered through the crowd and searched for a familiar face. Mostly she saw a lot of tuxedos, a lot of mink, a lot of orthodontically perfect teeth bared in perfect smiles.

She heard her name called. Turning, she saw her ex-husband. 'And I though you weren't going to show,' he said grinning as he approached.

'I never said I wouldn't show, I can't just pass up a free invite.'

'Hey, I want to get a photo taken. You and Major Figgins,' he glanced around and spotted Figgins in a corner surrounded by admirers. 'There he is come on.'

'I don't do photo ops.'

'Just this time.'

'Jesus Jesse, I've told you I'm not here to endorse him. I'm here for free drinks and-' she stopped, her gaze suddenly focusing across the room, on a distinctive Mohawk. Noah Puckerman didn't see her; he was facing sideways engaged in a conversation with another man. Next to Noah stood Quinn, her blond hair pulled into a delicate bun. The perfect couple, Rachel thought. Stunning in their evening dress and tuxedo.

Puck must have sensed he was being watched. He glanced her way and froze when he saw her. To Rachel's surprise, he abruptly stopped his conversation and made his way over to her. She caught a glimpse of Quinn's frown, but all she could focus on was him.

He was smiling at her, the relaxed greeting of an old friend. The bruise on his cheek stood out. 'Rachel, I didn't know you were coming.' he said, he reached out to her, and her hand felt in the warmth of his grip.

'I didn't know I was coming,' she said.

The sound of a throat being cleared caught he attention. She glanced sideways at Jesse. 'I guess I should introduce you two,' she said sighing. 'Jesse, this Noah Puckerman. Noah, this is Jesse St James. Our acting DA.'

'St James?' said Noah as the two man shook hands.

'I'm her Ex-husband,' said Jesse with a devilish grin. 'We're still very close.'

'Fuck off Jesse,'' said Rachel.

'So your both campaigning for Figgins?' asked Noah.

'Jesse is, I'm not.' said Rachel.

Jesse laughed. 'And I'm trying to change her mind.'

'I came for the free alcohol,' said Rachel. She took a sip of wine, then she looked directly at Puck, a cool, hard gaze that no one could mistake for a flirtatious. 'And to see you.'

'Well,' said Jesse. 'She always did favor the direct approach.'

'I'd like to say I'm flattered,' said Puck, frowning as he studied her face. 'But I have a feeling this isn't a social chat we are about to have.'

'Its not,' said Rachel. 'Its about Simon Atkins.'

'Oh,' suddenly seeming stiff and guarded – as well as he should be. 'I think we should talk in private, If you'll excuse us St James.' he said placing his hand on Rachel's shoulder.

'Puck!' called Quinn, moving swiftly towards them. 'I want you to meet someone, Oh Dr Berry, Have you recovered from last night?'

Rachel nodded. 'Getting there,'

'Your very tough. I would have been terrified, having my life threatened like that.'

'Of course I was terrified.' admitted Rachel.

'And then having your car stolen? Your lucky it was just a mini-'

'Will you excuse us?' Said Puck, pushing Rachel towards the exit. 'I'll join you later Quinn.'

'How much later?'

'Just later,' with a firm grip on Rachel's upper arm, he pushed Rachel through the crowd and into the lobby, where it was just as crowded. 'lets go outside, at least we can escape this madhouse.'

They found a spot near the hotel fountain, it's trickling water aglow in a rainbow of colored lights. The sounds of the party could still be heard.

He turned to face her. 'whats going on?' he asked.

'I could ask you the same question'

'What's got your panties in a bunch.'

'Zestron-L' she said looking him dead in the eye. 'you have heard of it, haven't you?'

She could see at once that he knew what she was talking about. She had seen the shock in his eyes when she mentioned Zestron-L, but then his expression quickly changed into unreadable. So he knew. All this time he knew which drug was killing innocents.

'let me refresh your memory, in case you've forgotten,' she continued. 'Zestron-L is a long acting narcotic, new generation, of the class levo-N-cyclobutl-'

'I know what it is.'

'Then you also know Inveruit holds the patent'

'Yes.'

'So then you knew the drug was out on the streets?'

'It's not possible. We are still in the research stage, it hasn't even gone through human trials yet!'

'Well, unfortunately for you human trials have started in South Lexington. And the outcome isn't too encouraging. Terrible side effects. Mainly death.'

'Fuck sake it hasn't even been released yet!'

'Simon Atkins had it.'

'how do you know?'

'Seeing as the hospital couldn't ID it, they sent a blood sample to a university lab. A lucky break, they were able to identify it.'

'There are two other victims-'

'Yes and funny thing happened to their blood samples. Jane Does went missing in transit. And Alison Vargas, I wont trust any results I get back on her. In fact I don't even expect to get hers back.'

'Aren't you being paranoid?'

'Trust me I'm not. I've never had much imagination. Its one of my faults.'

He moved closer to her, so threateningly close she had to fight the impulse to retreat a step. 'Whatever your faults, Berry, a lack of imagination isn't one of them.'

'Let me lay out the facts, disturbing but true. First Jane Doe's specimens were lost. I know I labeled them properly and I filled out all the right forms, and put them in the correct box.'

'Well, the carrier could have lost them. Or it could have been stolen from the vehicle. There are tons of reasons why.'

'Then there's the matter of Alison Vargas. Her specimens did make it to a state lab but they cant identify the drug. So they sent it to an outside lab for further testing, guess which lab they sent it to?' she looked him in the eye. 'Inveruit.'

He didn't even flinch. He calmly said, 'We constantly handle requests from the state. We're only 30 miles away and we are better equipped.'

'Third, there's the matter of Dr. David Karofsky, Simon Atkins doctor. He identify s the drug as Zestron-L. Then he resigns from Hancock General and then skips town only leaving me a note? I think he was forced out of the hospital. Because your company just happens to be a major donor to the hospital.'

'Inveruit has nothing to with Karofsky resignation. He was already on his way out.'

'And how would you know that?'

'Because I'm on the hospital board. Three malpractice suits were more then we'd tolerate. Karofsky was a disaster. God even his fucking license was in jeopardy.'

Rachel paused. That would explain why Karofsky's reluctance to face the press. He didn't need the publicity.

'But Zestron-L is your drug. And someone is trying to keep its identity form the ME. Someone's protect Inveruit.'

Puck began paving back and forth by the fountain. 'this is stupid,' he grumbled. 'I don't see how that ID could be right.'

'You cant argue with a lab result'

He stopped pacing and looked at her, 'No your right, I cant.'

Staring into his gaze made her want to believe there was no lies between them. I must be falling for his charm, she thought. A tuxedo, a man too gorgeous for words. What is wrong with me.

'Come with me,' he said, holding out his hand.

She didn't move, feeling shaken by the sudden longing to take his hand, to feel her whole body swallowed in his warmth. This was what she'd fought against, from the first time they'd met, this quickening of desire.

He was still holding out his hand, still trapping her gaze. 'C'mon Rachel.' he said.

'Where?'

'To Inveruit. The lab. Tonight, i'm going to root out the answers and I want you to be with me as a witness.'

She shook her head. 'I'm not so sure that you'll like the answers.'

'You may be right.' he said. 'But it's clear to me your not going to give up until you have answers. So I might as well work with you, not against you.'

she looked at him for a moment studying his handsome features on his face. Finally she said 'Okay, I'll go with you.'

'Okay first let me sort things out with Quinn, she is going to be pissed.'

Back in the ballroom, she watched Noah approach Quinn, saw the hurried excuses and the apologetic head shaking. Quinn glanced in Rachel's direction with a poorly disguised look of disgust.

Rachel spotted Jesse flirting with some big chested blond, all done up with diamonds and a face which showed the tell tale signs of someone addicted to plastic surgery. Grinning she sidled up to him. 'Jesse.' she said.

He glanced at her before excusing himself away from the blonde, who glared at her before strutting off swaying her hips in a way she must have thought was seductive. Turing back to her, 'did the direct approach work?' he said.

'Puckerman's taking me to his lab tonight'

'Lucky you,' he winked jokingly grabbing some of the posh food that lay on the buffet table.

'I want you to let Chang and Rutherford know. Just in case.'

'In case what?'

Instantly she fell silent as Noah came towards her.

'Just keep it in mind.' she muttered to Jesse. Then forcing a fake smile on her face, she followed Puck out the door.

They went into the hotels garage. 'We are going to have to take your car,' he said. 'Quinn's going home in mine.'

'She didn't look to happy about it.'

'She hasn't got much of a choice.'

Rachel shook her head. 'Are you always so thoughtful with your lady friends.'

'Quinn,' he sighed. 'Is a very stunning girl with a cozy inheritance. And a lot of suitors, she hardly needs me to keep her bed warm.'

'Do you?'

'Do you keep Jesse St James warm?'

'That's non of your business.'

He cocked his head. 'Ditto'

They got in to her rented Mercedes. The smell of the leather seats mixed with the scent of his aftershave. It left her feeling a little light headed. Rachel started the car and swung into the late night traffic.

'How do you like the car?'

'Its okay.'

'Okay?' he said obviously wanting her to elaborate.

'Yeah, its okay.'

He looked out the window scanning the traffic on the other side of the road. 'Next time, ill have to try and really impress you.'

Rachel put her foot down on the gas pedal.

'A Roles Royce, a Bentley' he mused. 'How does that sound,'

'Hm, we'll see.'

'There,' he said. 'Take the next turn off. Its eight miles north.'

The road took them out of midtown Albion, into a district of industrial parks and corporate head quarters. The Inveruit complex was one of the few that appeared to house a thriving corporation. Even at 8'o clock at night, most of the windows were still lit, and a large majority of cars filled the parking lot. They drove past the security booth and pulled into the stall marked Puckerman.

'Your people work late.' said Rachel glancing at the parked cars.

'The evening shift.' he said, shoving his hands in his dress pants. 'We run a twenty-four hour diagnostics lab.'

They walked to the front door, where Noah pressed a few numbers on a wall keypad and the lock snapped open. Inside he led her down a brightly lit hallway. No smudged walls, no crappy flickering fluorescent lights; only the best for corporate America.

'Where are we going?' she asked.

'Diagnostics. I'm going to prove to you that were not engaged in a cover up.'

'And just how are you going to do that?'

'I'm going to personally hand over Alison Vargas's toxicology screen.'

The diagnostics chamber was a vast chamber of space age equipment, manned by half a dozen technicians. The evening supervisor, an elderly woman in a lab coat, came to great them.

'Don't worry, Vera,' said Noah. 'This isn't a surprise inspection.'

'Thank god,' said Vera chuckling. 'We just hid the beer keg and the dancing girls. So what can I do for you Puck?'

'This is Dr. Berry, ME's office. She wants to check on a tox screen sent here from state.'

'Whats the name dear?'

'Alison Vargas,' said Rachel.

Vera sat down at a computer and typed in the name. 'Here it is. Logged in this afternoon. Its not checked priority, so we haven't run it yet.'

'Can you run it now.' asked Puck.

'Its gonna take some time.'

Noah glanced at Rachel. She nodded. 'We'll wait.' he said. Vera nodded and went off to another technician obviously arranging the screening.

'We'll be in my office,' shouted Noah. Pushing Rachel through the glass doors. By the time they reached Pucks office which was up two flights of stairs and down a ridiculously long corridor, Rachel's feet were numb. The minute she hobbled through the office door, she pulled off her shoes and let her feet sink into the velvety carpet. Slowly she glanced around the room, impressed by her surroundings. It wasn't just an office; more like a second home, with a couch and chairs, book shelves and a small refrigerator. The walls were lined with photos of what seemed to be family and accomplishments.

'I was wondering how long you'd last in them shoes'' said Noah before loosening his tie and grabbing a bottle of water out the mini fridge offering Rachel one as well.

'I confess i'm a socks and sneaker type.' Rachel said grabbing the bottle of water before collapsing on the couch.

'What a shame you looked good in heels.'

'My feet would beg to differ.' groaning she leaned down and began to rub her feet.

Noah smirked at her before sitting on the coach next to her, before grabbing her feet and placing them in his lap.

'Allow me.'

'Allow you to what?' said Rachel turning so she was sat sideways on the coach leg spread out in front if her.

'Make up for the long walk down that hallway.'

laughing she pulled her feet from his lap and stood up. 'It wont work Puckerman and foot rub isn't going to soften my brain.'

he gave a sigh of disappointment, before leaning back into the coach and rest his arm across the back. 'She doesn't trust me.'

'Don't take it personally. When it comes to men i'm just an old skeptic.'

'Ah, deep rooted fears. An unreliable father?'

'I didn't have a father.' said Rachel examining each picture that was perfectly position on the wall of his office.

'So what happened to you father?' he asked.

'I wouldn't know, I don't even know his last name.' Rachel said turning to look at him.

Noah's eyebrow twitched in obvious surprise. That was his only reaction.

'I know he had brown hair, brown eyes,' said Rachel. 'I know he drove a nice car. And he had money, which was what my mother desperately needed at the time. So...' she grinned.'Here I am brown eyes and all.'

she expected to see shock, perhaps even pity in his gaze, but there was neither.

'So you see,' she continued. 'I'm not exactly manner born. Though my mother used to claim she had noble Italian blood. But then Mama did say a lot of crazy stuff towards end.'

'then shes...' trailed off Noah.

'Dead. Seven Years.'

He titled his head up. His eyes full of questions.

'Mama would say these really bizarre things,' explained Rachel. 'and she would complain of headaches every morning. I was in my last year of medical school. I was the one who diagnosed the brain tumor.'

Noah shook his head. 'That must of sucked.'

Rachel gave a sad smile. 'It wasn't the diagnosis that sucked. It was the part afterwords. Waiting for the end. I spent a lot of my time in Hancock General. Learned to hate the place. Discovered I couldn't stand to be around sick people.' she shook her head and laughed. 'Imagine that.'

'So you chose the morgue?'

'Its quiet. Its contained.'

'A hiding place.'

Anger darted through her but she contained it. After all what he said was true. The morgue was a hiding place, from all those painful emotions one found in a hospital ward. She turned her attention back to the photos. 'It suits me.' glancing round the room she caught sight of the mini fridge. 'You would happen to have anything edible in there, do you?'

He rose from the coach, and walked to the fridge. 'yeah I have some sandwiches for those impromptu meetings.' he reached in and pulled out two luncheon plates. 'Lets see Roast Beef or … Roast Beef. What a selection.' he pushed the plate into her hand. 'Afraid its not quite Majors benefit standard.'

'That's alright its not like I paid for my ticket anyways.'

he grinned. 'Neither did I.'

'Oh?'

'It was Quinn's ticket. Shes a big fan of major Figgins.'

'I cant imagine why.' said Rachel unwrapping her sandwich and sitting down on the coach tucking her feet beneath her.

Noah sat down next to her. Not to close, she noticed with a mingling of relief and disappointment.

'To be honest,' he admitted. 'i'm not a fan either, but Quinn needed a date.

'And you didn't have any better offers for the evening.'

'No,' he said taking a bite from his sandwich. 'not until you came along.'

Rachel put the plate on the coffee table in front of them and slowly wiped her fingers on the napkin. 'You can flatter me all you want,' she said. 'its not going to change things. I still have a job to do. Questions to be answered.'

'And suspects to be suspicious of.'

'Yes.'

'It doesn't bother me, being a suspect. Because i'm not guilty of anything. Neither is my company.'

'Still the name Inveruit keeps popping up in all kinds of places.'

'What do you want me to say? Confess that i'm manufacturing some secret drug in the basement and selling it on the streets for a profit? Or maybe confess that i'm part of a scheme to help the government solve Albions crime problem by killing off junkies. The ultimate drug rehab. That's why I was at the majors benefit. Because Figgins is in on it two.' he leaned forward and sighed. 'Come on Rachel, he said. 'Doesn't that sound the slightest bit ridiculous.'

He did make it sound ridiculous, but she refused to back down. 'i'm not discounting any possibilities.'

'Even the wild and crazy ones.'

'Is it so wild and crazy?'

he was moving closer to her, but she was too stubborn to give up an inch of territory on the coach.

She sat perfectly still, even as his hand reached up to touch her face, even as he caressed her cheek. Even as he leaned forward and pushed his lips on to hers.

'Don't.' she said as the sudden heat of desire filled her face and roared through her veins. She said again louder. 'Don't.' and pressed her hands against his chest.

He pulled away, his gaze searching her face. 'Whats wrong?'

'You. Me.' she pushed of the coach and rose to her feet. 'This wont work Noah.'

'I thought it was working just fine.'

'You thought. Did you care to ask me how I felt about it? Do you care?'

he gave a sheepish laugh. 'Shit, I guess I miss-judged that.'

'Why are you doing this?'

'I need an excuse for kissing a hot as fuck woman?'

her cheeks started to blush.'You're trying to distract me with flattery, arn't you?'

'If you knew me you wouldn't ask those questions.'

'That's just it. I don't know you. Except as a phone number in the hand of a corpse, and that doesn't exactly inspire confidence.'

The phone rang and he reluctantly broke eye contact and rose to pick up the receiver. 'Hello Vera,' he said. A pause then; 'We are on our way.' he turned to Rachel. The results are back.

They found Vera sitting in front of a computer. A readout rolling out of the printer. She tore off the page and handed it to Noah. 'There you go Mr Puckerman. A little booze. Traces of decongestant, and that.' She pointed to a band on the chromatography printout.

'Did you analyze this band?' asked Noah.

'I ran it …' she rambled off what she had found.

'Zestron-L' Said Rachel.

Vera looked at her in confusion. 'Zestron-L whats that?'

'Check with the research wing.' said Rachel.

'You mean our research wing?' Vera glanced at Puck. 'But that means...'

Noah nodded. 'The drug is one of ours.'


Dont forget to review. I will try and update as fast as possible.