A/N: sorry about using Demi again in this chapter but I'm running out of depressing songs, lol. I can't promise another chapter today but I will try. Don't own glee, or the song, but do own my errors.


Two weeks. It didn't seem like a long time but to high school students, it was almost a lifetime. And in two weeks at McKinley everything had changed, everything. Noah 'Puck' Puckerman, who had been almost reformed over the past month, was suddenly back to his bad boy ways. Not one day went by without at least two students tossed in dumpsters. Not a period went by without a student being slushied. Puck's grades dropped to back below F and his mother dusted off the 'I'm disappointed in my failure of a son' speech. The only difference was that he now took his frustration out with his fists instead of using sex. It didn't matter if the victim deserved it, it was just a matter of wrong place, wrong time, whenever Puck got pissed. Girls even stopped approaching him, both scared and knowing that he hadn't given any for over a month.


Kurt 'fabulous' Hummel was no longer a loser. The change had been sudden, all he did was cling to Rachel and he was popular, off limits to bullies and slushies. He no longer dressed in high-end clothes or the latest fashion; he simply blended in. He was single and girls were circling; people now believed he was straight, and also Rachel's favourite bed buddy.


Santana was no longer HBIC but she didn't seem to care, somehow she had more power over the school now that she did a month ago, she controlled everything. Santana had even come out of the closest, revealing Brittany as her girlfriend. Any negative comments were quelled before they even started, simply with a look from new HBIC Rachel. Everything seemed to be going perfectly for Santana, but she still looked down every time she had to walk past the choir room.


Mike was back on the market after retreating back to the silent nameless jock role.


Finn was currently king of the school, everyone copying whatever he did. He wasn't so much him as the girl her currently referred to as his girlfriend. Rumours told that Rachel, although with Finn, had a few on the side, but Finn was still the shit as McKinley for bagging himself the head cheerleader.


Artie, Tina, and Blaine had all joined Shelby's show choir with Mercedes. Mercedes ruled them with an iron fist, demanding daily rehearsals, turning each group activity into another chance to practice. She wouldn't even let any of them talk to anyone who wasn't in the glee club with them.


Shelby stopped caring and simply let Mercedes take over. The glee club was quickly resembling vocal adrenaline, the only difference though was that vocal adrenaline was good, not just robots.


Even the normally cheerful Brittany barely cracked a smile now.


Quinn had the most extreme makeover, suddenly sporting pink hair, a Ryan Seacrest tattoo, and body piercings. She had joined a new group of friends, trying to move on from the pain that Finn had caused. She called herself a 'skank'.


The reason for all this change sat on the edge of the stage in the auditorium. She knew what she had done, and the guilt ate her everyday. She wished there was a way she could take it all back, make them go back to how they were before her, but she couldn't. She laid back on the stage, keeping her knees bent over the edge. She let her eyes look upward, staring into the stage lights. A soft smile covered her face; they reminded her of stars if she stared hard enough.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars

I could really use a wish right now

Wish right now

Wish right now

Rachel let her voice fade out as soon as it started. She hadn't sung since sectionals. Not one note until that. God it felt good, she missed that feeling more than anything. Rachel squeezed her eyes closed, trying to halt the tears threatening to spill. She just couldn't forget what had happened. She wasn't sure if she wanted it.

The night of the bus crash she had been so happy, entirely happy, it was like she had sung all of her pain out of her. She remembered sitting next to Puck on the bus, staring at his face, wanting to kiss him more than anything. Everything was still so clear to her; the bus swerving, rolling, Puck holding her tightly, her trying to pull herself from his arms, seeing the pole in front of her, leaning forward, hitting her head on it as hard as she could as she fell from her chair to the roof of the bus as it rolled.

She was out for the rest of the time but she knew that Puck would have clung to her, still trying to protect her, and blaming himself that she was hurt, she knew the type of guy he was. It had happened so long ago but Rachel still felt the same thing she had felt at that moment, at the moment she had tried to kill herself. It was the same thing she had felt after her Daddy died, guilt, blame, and hopelessness.

It had all happened so quickly but it was a second after wanting to kiss Puck, when she realised how happy she was. She didn't deserve to be happy, not when it was her fault her Daddy was dead. Maybe it was just a present from her Daddy, a simple moment of happiness before she was supposed to die, because Rachel had been positive that she should have died during that bus crash.

Rachel had seen her Daddy; he had spoken to her. She closed her eyes now and was thrown back to that moment

"Hey star," her Daddy had said to her.

"Oh Daddy! I missed you so much! I am so happy that I get to see you again!" Rachel had squealed.

Her Daddy had drawn her into his arms. "I'm happy to see you again as well Princess, but you have to go back."

"No I don't," Rachel pouted. "I'm staying here with you."

"No your not sweetie. You Dad needs you. He won't make it without you."

"Daddy please don't make me go back. I can't do it without you, there is no reason anymore," Rachel cried.

"Rachel, listen to me. There is so much for you to live for."

"What! What could there be without you?"

Rachel's Daddy had reached towards and touched her throat. "This. every time you open your mouth you save someone. Think of those 19 kids that you led to sectionals. You gave them hope. And there is only even more ahead of you, little miss Broadway star."

Her Daddy moved his hand to her heart. "This. Right here. I was so worried about you when I was alive. I was so worried that you were so ambitious you would never find a man to love you. I get to watch you now and I can see you've already found him. The one for you like your Dad was the one for me. Don't let him go baby."

"Noah?" Rachel asked quietly.

"Baby can you promise me something?"

"Anything Daddy."

"When you go back it's going to hurt. Not just physically but mentally. I've seen it and I know you, so I know you're not going to understand and you're going to make some mistakes until you get it back together. What I need you to promise me is that the moment when you're ready to move on from everything that you're not scared and you move."

"Daddy I don't understand?"

"Don't worry princess, you will. You have to go now."

"No Daddy! Take me with you!"

Rachel had continued to scream for her Daddy, even as she felt herself floating away from him. Suddenly she had felt a presence on her mouth, something amazing, she gave into it and as soon as she did her Daddy was gone and she was yanked back to Earth.

Rachel opened her eyes again. She hadn't understood then but she did now. She had ruined everything; her Daddy would be so disappointed in her.

"I know I promised Daddy but I'm just so scared. I don't know how to take it all back." She rolled her head and saw it, the piano. It was as if her Daddy was right there, making her see it, making her realise. She smiled softly, remembering advice her Daddy had given her after Jesse St James had dumped her for a college student in Rachel's junior year. 'Just sing'. Rachel stood to her feet, approaching the piano slowly.


Puck had never stopped stalking Rachel, always just around her to make sure she was OK. He knew that she entered the auditorium, daily. He always followed her, waiting to see if today would be the day she would play again. But she never did. Puck sat in the middle of the seats, hidden from her view, watching with held breath as she walked towards the piano. He sat forward as she dropped gracefully to the piano bench, opening the piano and setting her fingers over the keys. She hadn't even played yet and a shit-eating grin had already broken out on her face.


Santana, Brittany, and Kurt had been following Rachel. She always disappeared for 15 minutes a day and it was time to find out why. The tracked her to the auditorium, frowning at each other as they entered; they knew she hadn't sung since the accident. The saw her laying on the stage and took seats in the back, noting Puck was hiding in the middle of the auditorium.


Shelby had been spending a lot of time in the auditorium; it had become her and Rachel's place almost. She often walked in on Rachel laying on the stage, and she would always stand to the side of the stage, just hoping that her daughter would get up and sing. Today was her lucky day.


Mercedes led her gleeks to the auditorium. It may be lunchtime but with regionals fast approaching she believed they needed the extra practice. She wasn't expecting to walk in and see the theatre was in use. Blaine, Tina, and Artie saw Santana, Brittany, and Kurt in the back and quickly moved to join them. They hadn't spoken in two weeks but they all shared the quiet anticipation at the chance Rachel was about the sing again. Mercedes even followed them.


Rachel placed her fingers over the keys and took a deep breath. She could do this.

My state of mind has finally got the best of my

I need you next to me

I'll try to find a way that I can get to you

Just wanna get to you

Rachel began softly, singing with the emotion she was known for.

The world I see is perfect now, you're all around

With you I can breathe

Rachel took a deep breath, preparing for the intense chorus this song demanded.

Until you're mine, I have to find

A way to fill this hole inside

I can't survive without you here by my side

Until you're mine, not gonna be

Even close to complete

I won't rest until your mine

Mine

Rachel cut the song back to the softness for the next verse. She closed her eyes, thinking of Puck, and of her Daddy, and the love she felt for both of them.

Alone inside, I can only hear

your voice

Ringing through the noise

Can't find my mind, keeps on

coming back to you

Always back to Noah

Whoops that wasn't the words. Rachel couldn't stop the smile the grew on her face. She had never been so distracted by thinking about something, or someone, that she sing the wrong words to a song.

Wanted something out of reach

It's killing me, you're all I see, yeah

Puck had heard her slip up and had stood to her feet, quietly and slowly moving to the stage. Did she think about him like he thought about her still?

Until you're mine, I have to find

A way to fill this hole inside

I can't survive without you here by

my side

Until you're mine, not gonna be

Even close to complete

I won't rest until you're mine

Mine...

Puck was right behind her now, everyone watching with baited breath to see what would happen between the two.

Just stop wondering

If we were meant to be

Forget about fate and just hold me

I'm ready to begin

The waiting has to end

Right now, today

I've gotta find a way

Rachel thought about what her Daddy had told her about Puck maybe being the one for her. She knew that was the first step she would have to take towards redemption; fixing things with Puck.

Mine...

Until you're

Mine...

Until you're mine, I have to find

A way to fill this hole inside

I can't survive without you here by

my side

Until you're mine, not gonna be

Even close to complete

I won't rest until you're mine

Mine...

My state of mind, has finally got the

best of me,

I need you next to me...

Rachel let her voice fade out softly. She began to close the piano but dropped it after a hand touched her shoulder. She jumped up and squealed, spinning to come face to face with Puck.

"Noah... hey...," she whispered.

Puck placed her hands on her hips, forcing her close to himself. "Berry... hey...," he whispered back.

"How long have you been here?" She asked.

Puck shrugged. "Long enough."

"I'm considering finding a new place to perform, or maybe place locks on the doors."

Puck chuckled.

Rachel couldn't help what she did next. His eyes were sparkling and his grin was so cute and he was touching her. She jumped up and kissed him.

Puck took a step back, completely shocked by her sudden onslaught.

"Oh no," Rachel stepped away from Puck, hand to her mouth. "That kind of just happened. I am so sorry it just came out. I always knew I had no impulse control but I was able to refrain from attacking you when you hugged me after sectionals, and every single time I saw you before that. It must be two weeks without spending time with you, I was having withdrawals, or lost my tolerance or-"

Puck cut her off with his lips. He hadn't expected the kiss but it was the opposite of welcome. His arms wrapped around Rachel's little waist, drawing her in. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed herself against him. She felt his tongue touch her lips and opened her mouth to him. The kiss grew from soft to heated very quickly and the gleeks began feeling uncomfortable.

"Do we leave or...?" Tina asked.

"If we leave we may interrupt them," Artie commented, looking down at the squeaky wheel on his chair.

"That's settled then, we stay," muttered Kurt.

"Wanky," Santana agreed.

Unfortunately for them the watching teacher disagreed.

Shelby interrupted, just as Puck let one hand drift up under Rachel's shirt, almost reaching his prize. The loud cough caused Rachel and Puck to jump away from each other, but Puck still held her hand, not able to let her go again.

Both teens turned to look at Shelby, Rachel bright red.

"Rachel. I came to see if you were OK," Shelby said.

"As you can see, she's fine," Puck replied, pulling on Rachel's hand in order to move her closer to him again.

Shelby cleared her throat again, glaring at Puck. "Can I talk to my daughter alone."

Puck rolled his eyes, making no move to leave, instead placing Rachel a little behind himself. "So now she's your daughter? Only when it's good for you right?"

"Noah!" Rachel slapped his back lightly.

All the gleeks in the audience smiled; that's the Rachel they knew and loved.

"C'mon Berry, I hate that she keeps treatin' ya like shit 'til she wants somethin'."

"I know Noah, but could you possible give us a moment... please." Puck still didn't move. "Dad is away all weekend and we can pick this up after school if you leave now."

Puck's eyes widened. He turned quickly, dropping a kiss to Rachel's head before basically running from the stage with a, "my car after school Berry."

Rachel smiled at his retreating back, a smile that dropped as soon as she turned her eyes to Shelby.

"Yes?"

"Sweetie I'm worried about you. I've been watching you these last few weeks and you're not being yourself."

"How would you know? You don't know who I am," Rachel snapped.

"Rachel Barbra Berry! Don't you talk to me like that! I know very well who you are, you do have half of my DNA-"

Rachel scoffed.

"-and I spent two years as your vocal coach and Glee director. I know who you are baby, and this girl, this person that talks back to teachers, doesn't study or do work in class, mounts guys in public, doesn't sing, ruins friendships, that girl isn't you. What happened?"

"What happened! What happened was that my mother wanted nothing to do with me! Luckily I had two fathers who loved me very much and gave me everything I could want. They pushed me to be nothing short of amazing and everyday I lived for them! Then suddenly this woman comes back into my life, trying to claim status as my mother, take me away from the only two people who ever loved me for me. But, as soon as I started bonding with this woman she left me, choosing instead to adopt a new perfect baby.

"She never contacted me again, until a letter. It wasn't anything simple really, didn't explain where she went, no heartfelt confession of her love for me. It was just a note to say there was an audition for a community theatre musical I might be interested in. Turns out, I wasn't. But that didn't stop her from sending the same note to my Daddy, the Daddy that pushed me towards everything and knew I would be a star. He saw this as another step in my path to glory, so he made me go. That night, as he told me how amazing I was, he was hit by a car and torn from my life forever.

"Well, forever until I was in a bus crash myself and hit my head. I saw him; did you know that? And it reminded me that I would never be able to again! So you have no right to care about me, because as much as his death is my fault, it's even more so yours!"

And with that Rachel left.

Shelby and the gleeks were left speechless, well, almost.

"That explains a lot," Artie commented.


R and R makes me write faster.