Hello everybody happy Monday! Chapter 9 is here, and you know what that means, season three has just begun! This chapter happens before "The Purple Piano Project and I am Unicorn" because I hated the way the writers brought Shelby back, it was really random.

Special shoutout to my amazing beta reader BadassMotherShucker94 because she turned 18 last Saturday! Go read her stories and leaver her reviews!

Speaking of that I recommend the fanfic "Never be alone again" is wonderful and the author is always accepting suggestions, so go and check it out if you have the time.

One last thing, I used a song on this chapter it's called "You had me at hello" by A Day To Remember and if any of you is like me and needs to listen to it to get the mood of the moment here's a link: .com/watch?v=oKhagERGRxU

Enough with my ramblings, go and enjoy the chapter!


Chapter IX

Shelby was sitting at her couch; she was watching Beth play with one of the toys Noah had sent to her. Shelby and Noah barely talked anymore. He had called her for Beth's birthday and talked to the one year old for a few minutes over the phone, but when she tried to talk to him, he had excused himself and hung up. There weren't any more calls or text messages after that. Noah only wrote her emails and it was specifically when she send pictures or videos of Beth.

She didn't understand what had happened; she missed him, as odd as it seemed, she consider the teenager an important part of her life. She tried to call him to ask him what she had done wrong but they had drifted apart. Shelby suddenly smiled when she saw Beth giggling; she was squeezing Elmo, and the toy began to shake causing her burst into laughter. Shelby went to the playpen, lifted up her daughter and covered her face with kisses, Beth continued giggling as she buried her face in her mom's neck.

Shelby put Beth on the wooden floor and started to play with the toddler when unexpectedly; Beth grabbed one of the corners of the couch and stood up.

She gasped, "Oh! Bee look at you," she said, tears forming in her eyes.

Beth smiled at her and sat down on the floor. "I'm so proud of you, you're growing up so fast," said Shelby as she stroked the baby's curls. She looked out her cellphone to call Noah, but just as she was about to hit the call button on the screen she stopped herself. "He probably won't pick up," she thought.

A couple of hours later, when Beth was sleeping soundly, Alex showed up at Shelby's door. He gave her a kiss. "Hey baby." he said before entering and making himself comfortable on the couch. Shelby sat down next down next to him and grabbed his hands.

"I got a job offer," she began.

Alex smiled, "That's great! Where?" he asked hugging her from the waist.

She frowned, "In Lima," she almost whispered, but Alex heard her clearly.

He looked at her straight into her eyes, "Lima, as in Lima Ohio?" She nodded in response, "But you're not going to accept it, right? You love New York, your whole life is here." he paused "I'm here."

Shelby stood up and began to pace around the room running her hands through her hair. She remembered what had happened hours before, and how she didn't even think of calling Alex when Beth stood up, she didn't even want him with her. The first person who came to her mind was Noah, and that made her feel very confused.

"It's a good job. I won't be coaching a team, I'll be giving signing lessons to a girl," she explained. "Besides is Rachel's senior year, I want to be around for her graduation."

Alex got up and grabbed her hands. "Shelby you can't leave me," he pleaded.

She squeezed his hands in response. "Alex, I'm going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me, ok?" said Shelby trying to hide the sadness in her voice. She already knew what he was going to answer and also because even though she didn't love him, she had enjoyed their time together.

"Do you want a family?" she asked. Alex stayed quiet but his eyes revealed his true feelings. Shelby leaned forward and kissed him softly, "its okay I won't be angry."

He sighed, "Shelby, you are amazing, but the truth is I don't want a family right now," he admitted.

She nodded, "I know, so even if I decide to stay this relationship won't last," she said as she hugged him.

They stood in silence hugging each other until Alex broke the embrace. He gently stroked one of Shelby's cheeks with the back of his hand, "Sorry for not being what you're looking for."

She smiled, "You're really are a great guy, maybe if we had met at another moment, things would have been different." she paused, "But for now I need to focus on my family."

Alex nodded and kissed her cheek, "You're a great mother," he chuckled, "I never told you that before, but I mean it."

He started to leave, but when he was near the door he turned to face her. "Good luck in Lima and if you ever consider coming back, call me," he said, winking at her before walking out the door.

After the door had closed, Shelby sat down on the couch. She felt tears running down her face, and immediately wiped them away with her hands. She wasn't crying because she was sad, she was crying because she felt frustrated. The feeling of wanting to call Noah invaded again. She sighed bitterly before she went to her daughter's bedroom, and she sat on the rocking chair, "Seems like it's going to be just the two of us again," she told the sleeping baby.

She took out her cellphone and dialed a number: "This better be something good," answered a sleepy voice.

"I'm going back to Lima," replied Shelby.

Jesse opened his eyes and sat up on his bed "Okay, I'm awake now!"

In Lima Puck had a very difficult summer; avoiding Shelby was harder for him than he thought it would be. Every time he felt his phone ringing because Shelby was calling him, he found himself feeling extremely guilty, but that was the only way he could get over his feelings for her. He was determined to keep their relationship around Beth's adoption arrangements and nothing else.

Puck arrived to Quinn's house. He hadn't talk to her since the school year had ended, she didn't call Shelby for Beth's birthday, and she wasn't hanging out with Brittany and Santana at school anymore. She was drifting apart from everyone and he wanted to know the reasons why.

He knocked the front door and was received by Judy Fabray, "Hello Noah," she greeted him.

"Afternoon Mrs. Fabray is Quinn here?" he asked.

She nodded and let him come in, "She's in her room, but I must warn you she's not been herself lately."

"I know, but don't worry I'll try to find out why she's acting like that," he said as he went upstairs.

Puck walked to the last room of the second floor corridor and knocked the door. When Quinn answered it, his jaw dropped, "Your hair," was all he managed to say.

Quinn sighed with boredom at his reaction, "Seems like a déjà vu."

Puck analyzed the clothes she was wearing. "What happened to you?"

She laughed, "This is the new me, don't you like it?"

Puck shook his head, "I doubt my opinion would matter" he opened his backpack and took out an envelope. "These are from Beth's birthday party, I thought you might want to have them," he explained handing the envelope to her.

"I don't want them," she snapped, throwing the pictures to the floor.

"What the fuck Quinn?" he almost shouted, he looked at her straight in the eyes. "This isn't you, I know something is bothering you, so when you feel comfortable enough to talk I'm here, and so are your other friends." He picked up the photos and went downstairs.

"Bye Mrs. Fabray." He gave the envelope to her. "Could you save these for Quinn?"

She nodded, "I'm pretty sure she'll want them when she's over with this phase of hers" she said.

Puck smiled and thanked her before leaving the house.

Later that day when Puck was leaving his football practice he received a phone call. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering it; he didn't recognize the number, but in the end he picked up.

"Stop being stupid and answer her next phone call," ordered a voice before Puck could even said hello.

"Who the hell are you?" he replied, upset.

"Jesse St. James, now could you just do what I said."

Puck sighed, "Jesse, I'm starting to believe that being that close to…" he paused and checked that Finn wasn't nearby, "Shelby isn't a good a idea."

"She and her boyfriend broke up," said Jesse with a smile on his face.

"They did? Well that doesn't change anyth…"

"Please, just talk to her one more time, before deciding anything," interrupted Jesse.

Puck chuckled, "Fine" he paused, "Jesse why are you doing this? You don't even like me."

Jesse shrugged, "Like I said back in New York, you have what makes her happy, so I consider myself as your wingman."

They laughed, before Jesse continued. "She misses you, you know," he said.

Puck scratched the back of his neck, "I miss her too," he admitted sadly.

Jesse smiled again. "So, answer her next call, trust me you won't regret it," assured Jesse before hanging up.

A few days later Puck was on his way to Finn's house when his phone began to ring. He set the speaker so he wouldn't have to stop driving.

"You've reached for Puckerman!" he answered.

"Noah," he recognized the voice and grinned like a goof. "Shelby! How are you? It's good to hear your voice again," he admitted, not caring how he excited he must sound.

Shelby blushed slightly, she missed his charming voice "Is good to hear you too," she replied.

"How's my monkey face? Did she enjoy her summer?" he continued.

"Yes she did, we went to the beach and I know you're waiting for the pictures but I actually have a surprise for you," she explained.

Puck felt his heart starting to race, he was getting excited. "A surprise, really?"

Shelby smiled because he sounded like a little kid. "Yes, you think you'll be able to wait?" she asked trying to control herself from laughing because she knew he could say no.

"C'mon Shel! You know I'm not very patient, please just tell me!" he begged.

The line stayed silent for a few minutes. At that point Puck couldn't believe what was happening; Shelby Corcoran was teasing him. "Shel, please, please, please" he insisted.

Shelby began to laugh at his impatience, "Beth and I are coming to Lima!" she finally said.

Puck's foot hit the brake and he was glad that the road was empty, because if it wasn't he would have crashed. "Are you serious?" he almost yelled.

"Yes, we have to be there in a couple of weeks, but I'll be there in a few days to settle everything," she explained.

Puck knew he couldn't wait weeks to see her, "Do you need help carrying the furniture? Or placing everything I could help you if you want?" he suggested.

"You don't need to do that; you must have other things to do."

"No, I don't send me the address in a text message, and I'll be there after my football practice," he said smiling.

"Alright then, I'll see you soon, bye Noah" said Shelby, and with that the phone call was over.

Shelby arrived at her new apartment four days later. She liked it; it was cozy and big enough for her and Beth. She had call Rachel to surprise her, and the girl was so excited that she insisted on coming that same day to visit her. That reaction made her happy, she always thought that if she ever returned to Lima no one would be excited to see her again; but she was wrong, this time two people were excited to see her.

A knock at the door put a smile on her face. She looked through the peephole and saw Noah waiting for her outside. She opened the door, "Noah," she greeted him with a smile.

Puck stood there looking at her for a couple of seconds. "She looks even more beautiful than before," he thought.

"Hey," he replied shyly as he gave her a lily. "For you, I thought it would be nice to have a flower on your new place."

She smelled the flower before giving him a friendly hug. "Thank you for coming."

"It's nothing." he assured her.

Before they started to organize everything, they sat down at the kitchen table and talk for a while. Puck imagined it would be weird to talk to Shelby in person, but it wasn't, it was as comfortable as when they talked on the phone or when they texted each other. The only difference was that talking in person with her was more difficult, because he had to control himself so that he didn't grab her hands or lean forward and just steal a kiss from her.

Shelby felt comfortable too. She liked how Noah listened to every word she had to say. She also noticed how he looked more mature. His eyes seemed different, but they were as intense as she remembered. She had trouble staring directly at them, because she could feel he was trying to tell her something.

Noah decided to start with Beth's room, while Shelby organized the rest of the kitchen utensils. She was happy to have him with her helping; it gave her the feeling that she wasn't alone anymore. She grabbed her phone off the kitchen counter and dialed her sister in law's number.

"Hi Shel how's Lima?" answered Sarah.

"Pretty much the same, but I must say moving with a baby is pretty exhausting," she replied.

Sarah laughed, "You should have let David go with you."

Shelby ran her hands through her hair "No, you're taking care of the twins and Beth," she paused, "Besides I've got a friend helping me."

"Oh," replied Sarah with curiosity, "Is it that cute blond teacher?" she asked.

Shelby burst into laughter. "No! He doesn't even know I'm here," she paused to calm herself. "Can I talk to Beth?" she asked, changing the subject.

Sarah went to look for the baby, and Shelby took the opportunity to call Noah over, she set the speaker and they heard the baby babbling "Hey Bethie, it's your…" he stopped himself "It's Puck," he said.

Beth laughed, "Pak!" she replied and Noah looked at Shelby, "She learned to say it a few weeks ago, I tried to call you but…"

"I never answered." he finished for her.

Shelby gave him a comforting smile and patted him on one of his knees, "It's okay you're hearing it now."

He nodded, "Thanks for letting me come over."

Sarah grabbed the phone and Noah left the room again. He continued unpacking and found a pair of iPod speakers. He plugged the set into his phone, and kept doing his job enjoying the music.

Shelby went into the room to ask Noah if he was hungry or thirsty and she spotted him dancing as he put some of Beth's stuffed animals in her toy box. She leaned on the doorframe laughing at the picture, when Puck heard her he immediately turned to face her blushing slightly, but he turned serious when he noticed her eyes were puffy and her nose was red.

He walked closer to her, "Is everything okay?" he asked concerned.

She sniffed and nodded "Is just that Beth said 'momma' over the phone, and I just lost it and began to cry. I miss her; this is the first time we've been apart for more than just a couple of hours," she explained.

Puck nodded and grabbed her hand. "Come with me, I'm gonna cheer you up!" he said taking her back into the living room. He coaxed her to sit down. "Wait here, I'll be back in a second."

As promised, he returned almost immediately with his guitar. He sat down across from her and started to play it. "Noah what are you doing?" she asked, but he shushed her and began to sing.

I've never seen a smile that can light the room like yours

It's simply radiant; I feel more with everyday that goes by

I watch the clock to make my timing just right

Would it be okay?

Would it be okay if I took your breath away?

Shelby lowered her head to hide her blushed cheeks. "Thank you Noah" she said simply.

He approached her and wiped the few remaining tears from her face. "It's nothing, you are too pretty to be crying," he replied.

Shelby instantly leaned her head into his touch. She knew she shouldn't but the sensation of Noah's hand on her face felt really nice.

He took that action as a good sign and leaned forward; Shelby closed her eyes, they knew what was going to happen, they felt their hearts beating fast, their faces were just inches apart, when "Defying Gravity" began to sound aloud causing them to jerk back, both blushing.

"Hi Rachel," said Shelby when she answered the phone. Puck got up and picked up his guitar. He waved at her and mouthed, "I should go," but Shelby shook her head.

"Rachel hold on for a moment," she covered the phone making sure she wouldn't listen. "Could you come tomorrow and help me paint?" she asked. Puck nodded his head in response and left.

The next day they painted Beth's room and put all the furniture where it belonged. Neither of them brought up what happened the day before but neither of them could stop thinking about it; but despite that the atmosphere on the apartment wasn't awkward at all.

Shelby left Lima after that. Puck was sad but he kept thinking that the next time he would see her she was going to be with Beth. He also felt hopeful because he knew he still had a chance with Shelby Corcoran, and this time he wasn't going to lose it.


I hope this messured your expectations, because I know a lot of you have been waiting for their reunion, and like I always said reviews are very well received.

Take care everybody have nice start of the week, and until next Monday as usual!