Okay, everyone! So, I don't really have much to day about this chapter, just that I hope you enjoy it! This is getting to the end of the major turning point, however, things aren't over quite yet. I hope that you all like this chapter and once again, I do not own these characters or in the case of this chapter, the songs used in this story. Thanks!

It had been a few days since Rachel had last seen Puck. He hadn't talked to her since he found out about Finn. Rachel had always thought that maybe if someone found out, it would all get easier. With the secret out, the guilt would go away.

But it was still there.

Rachel's guilt from hiding Puck from her dad's and Finn from Puck was instantly replaced by a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach that would not go away. Rachel felt terrible about what she had done to Puck. It was wrong, and not only that, now that he was gone, she felt like she needed him more than ever. I guess what they say is true, Rachel thought, you don't know what you have until it's gone.

Rachel looked at her puffy, red face in the mirror and wiped her eyes. There was only 2 minutes left until class, and she didn't want to arrive looking like a wreck. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself down for what felt like the billionth time this week. Crying in the bathroom had become a regular occurrence for Rachel. But as always, she controlled her uneven breathing and heartbroken sobs before class started and did anything in her power to make it through the rest of the day.

Rachel felt truly uncomfortable under the combined stares of everyone in the glee club. She tried to ignore them, but she could feel the multiple pairs of eyes burning into her skin and leaving a tingling sensation all over. No matter how hard Rachel tried to put on a happy face and act like nothing was wrong, it seemed like everyone in the glee club could tell something was up. They had tried to reach out and help, but Rachel continued to push them then away, claiming nothing was wrong. She didn't know who would understand what she was going through, who wouldn't hate her for what she did to Puck.

"So, Rachel, you up for a solo today?" Mr. Schue asked as he walked into the room.

Rachel put on a large smile and said in the brightest voice she could muster up, "No, Mr. Schue, that's okay. Why don't you give the solo to Tina? She hasn't had one in a while."

"Actually, Rachel, we were all thinking you should sing today. Clearly you've had something on your mind lately and you haven't quite been yourself. We know you aren't quite ready to share it quite yet, but we figured, you know, it might help to sing about it. You can sing whatever song you want, but we can all see your having a bit of a hard time right now and we think you need all the help you can get," Mercedes said.

"Look, guys, its okay! Yes, I'll admit, I've had a bit of a rough time recently. But I'm fine! Honestly. You guys really don't have to worry about me. Besides, I don't even think I'm ready to sing about it yet." Rachel said brightly. At least she was being partly honest.

There was a collective sigh from the other glee clubbers. They could all see something was bothering Rachel and they really wanted to help. None of them were used to seeing Rachel like this. She was usually so full of energy and never let anything get her down. But lately…

Mr. Schue opened his mouth to insist to Rachel again that she soloed today, but another voice came from the doorway before he could get his thought out.

"Well, if you're not ready to sing, I guess I am."

"…Puck?" Santana asked, her confusion obviously mutual between her and the other glee clubbers.

"Hey, Mr. Schue," Puck said, "I know I don't really go to McKinley any more and all, but I've had a rough time lately and there's been something I've been needing to say, and well, I the best way to figure out my thoughts to sing about it. I figured I could always come back here if I wanted an audience."

"Yeah, totally, Puck. Take it away."

Puck told the band what song he was planning on and took center stage as the opening began, and started to sing even better than Rachel had ever remembered him being before.

I never meant the things I said

To make you cry

Can I say I'm sorry?

It's hard to forget

And yes I regret

All these mistakes

I don't know why you're leaving me

But I know you must have your reasons

There's tears in your eyes

I watch as you cry

But it's getting late

Was I invading in on your secrets?

Was I too close for comfort?

You're pushing me out

When I wanted in

What was I just about to discover

When I got too close for comfort

Driving you home

Guess I'll never know

Remember when we scratched our names into the sand

And told me you loved me

But now that I find

That you've changed your mind

I'm lost for words

And everything I feel for you

I wrote down on one piece of paper

The one in your hand

You won't understand

How much it hurts to let you go

Was I invading in on your secrets?

Was I too close for comfort?

You're pushing me out

When I wanted in

What was I just about to discover

I got too close for comfort

Driving you home

Guess I'll never know

All this time you've been telling me lies

Hidden in bags that are under your eyes

And when I asked you I knew I was right

But if you turn your back on me now

When I need you most

But you chose to let me down

Won't you think about what you're about to do to me

And back down...

Was I invading in on your secrets?

Was I too close for comfort?

You're pushing me out

When I wanted in

What was I just about to discover

I got too close for comfort

You're pushing me out

When I'm wanting in

What was I just about to discover

When I got too close for comfort

Driving you home

I guess I'll never know...

Puck finished singing and looked down as the glee club applauded him. Throughout the performance, Puck's eyes had never left Rachel's once. Mr. Schue proceeded in wrapping up the meeting, thanking Puck and making a few announcements. Rachel, however, heard none of this. She and Puck continued to stare at each other, and as soon as the meeting was called to an end, Rachel followed him out into an empty classroom.

"Look, Noah, I am so sorry about what happened. I've been so stupid, I really never meant to hurt you. I meant to go talk to you but I—"

"Who do you like better?"

"P-pardon?" Rachel spluttered out, caught of guard in the middle of her apology.

"I said, who do you like better? Me or Finn?"

"You," Rachel gulped, "it's always been you. It's just…my dads would never approve of a guy like you." Rachel looked down. "They think Finn is perfect, though."

"Rach, I only have one thing to say, and then I'll go and give you some time to think about it. But you have to stay quiet until the end," Rachel nodded, "Okay. Look Rach, I still…I still love you. I know what you did should have been unforgivable but to be honest, I've never met a girl before that I can have a real relationship with. Someone I can talk to, who is always there for me, all the sappy stuff you see with couples. I've never had anything like that. And I have never met anyone else that I think I could have something like that with. Only you. So I realized I could forgive you, that I wanted to forgive you. But I don't want it to be like before. I want it to be real.

"So, I will take you back and we can continue to go out as we did before, and move on past this event. Which I want to do…I really think we were going somewhere. But only on one condition," Puck paused to make sure he got his point across. "No more secrets." He looked Rachel in the eyes for a few seconds before moving on. "That means, first of all, you have to come clean to everyone you hid this from. Finn, your friends, and most importantly, your dads. Then, if there's anything else you think I should know, you need to tell the truth about that too. I want an honest relationship, Rach. Not something built off of lies. I want to be in love with you, not stories you've made up about you." Rachel looked down again, feeling on the verge of tears.

"Well…I guess that's all I have to say. I'll let you make up your mind. It's your decision. And when you've made your choice, just let me know." Puck walked up and gave Rachel a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Berry, see you later."

Rachel watched Puck walk out of the room and let a few tears fall slowly. She didn't move for a few minutes, but eventually walked out. She honestly felt like she had no more tears to cry. She walked down the halls and made her way outside. She honestly didn't care who saw the slightly distressed state she was in right now. She just wanted to go home.

And of course, through the drama of their conversation, neither Puck nor Rachel had noticed that the entire time, Finn had been watching their entire conversation through a window at the back of the classroom. And he had heard ever word.

Songs:

Too Close For Comfort by McFly