A/N: So. Here's the deal. I've been on yet another self-imposed, unannounced hiatus, because I was lacking in inspiration to such a degree that even when I tried to write, there was just nothing. And then, suddenly, just a couple weeks ago, BANG! Inspiration Explosions all up in my mind. I wrote 34 separate updates (that's first chapters of new stories, chapter updates for those stories and other in progress stories already published, some one-shots, and drabbles/drabble-y ficlets for this collection) and stockpiled them in a folder. Alas, I just recently got around to actually typing them up so I can post them (this is the drawback of writing everything by hand first instead of using my laptop for everything like most people). Anyhoo, I'm going to start posting stuff again right about…now. So, this particular drabble-y ficlet I wrote awhile back, after bsloths commented of every one of the first six updates, and said she would like to see Puck. I now present you with Puck, and his feelings after giving up Beth in "Journey." Enjoy. R&R! Thanks! –Mac

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Life Is Like Music

-7-

Regret

There is a single moment of regret when Puck leaves the hospital, after looking at his daughter for the last time.

His heart starts to race, his chest tightens, and he feels dizzy. He's pretty sure he's only having a mild anxiety attack, but he feels like he's going to kill over.

He has to sit down on the curb outside the hospital and put his head between his knees until he can breathe again.

He feels like he is making the biggest mistake of his life. It makes him want to run back into the hospital and take Beth back. But he can't do that, so when he can stand up without collapsing, he forces himself to walk away without looking back.

The first thing he does is drink every drop of alcohol he can get his hands on—staying away from wine coolers—until his regret is a distant memory and he is in a self-induced stupor.

When he emerges from his bender, he puts on the tough face everyone else expects of Noah "Puckzilla" Puckerman. If Quinn's not going to say anything about Beth than neither will he. If she wants to pretend the last year didn't happen, that's okay with him too.

He'll just swallow down his regret and go on with his life that feels emptier somehow without the one thing that was never his.