Hey Guys!! Sorry for the lack of updates the weekend got away from me. Anyway I'm back and I should be able to post daily again. Thanks for all the reviews and alerts. Finding those totally makes my day!! Hope you enjoy chapter 9!


"Are you sure you're up for this?" Puck asked pulling into the school parking lot.

"Of course, Noah," Rachel replied reassuringly noticing the worry in her boyfriend's eyes.

It had been a week since that wonderful moment in the hospital when they told each other that they loved one another. They had been inseparable ever since. She had been released from the hospital three days ago and while she was glad to get home, she found it hard to fall asleep without knowing he was there. He found it even harder, texting and calling her every twenty minutes.

He was a little worried about her going back to school so soon after being released but Rachel knew she would have to face it eventually. Besides the day before she was released Dr. McGill, Rachel, Noah, and her fathers had gone over her new "game plan." Dr. McGill recommended that she start getting nine to ten hours a night instead of eight. She had started taking her vitamins, changing her diet slightly making sure she had more protein to burn and a lot more fruits and vegetables.

Dr. McGill had also recommended Yoga for her new workout routine, it would help keep her in shape without making her need to sleep the rest of the afternoon. Noah was especially glad to come over during that time and help. Which really meant coming over to ogle his girlfriend especially when she had to do the legs over her head move, he loved that one.

"Hey Puck, come on in. "David told him, opening the door Saturday morning, "Rachel is in the den doing her new Yoga routine."

"Thanks, Mr. Berry. How is she doing?" Puck asked curiously, since this was her first day home from the hospital.

"Good. She seems to be trying to adjust the best she can. It was hard for her not going to dance class this morning but I think she's going to be all-right."

Puck waved to Jonathan before heading into the den, "Hey, Rach it's me. How's the Yoga-"

Puck suddenly found himself unable to breath, the gum he was chewing sliding down his throat. He started coughing, his eyes never leaving Rachel. Her back was flat on the floor, her legs completely over her head, and her toes touching the ground next to her ears. She was wearing a pair of skintight gray sweatpants and a little pink tank top. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing deeply.

She opened her eyes slowly, hearing his coughing, "Hi, hon."

Noticing he was still staring, unable to speak, her brow wrinkled worriedly. "Are you all-right? I would get up and check on you but I fell asleep like this and I don't think I can move my legs."

He let out a chuckle; breaking out of his daze he hurried over to help her lower her legs. She groaned as the blood went rushing back down into her aching limbs. "You all-right, Babe?" He asked massaging her calf but she could feel his chest rumbling with repressed laughter.

She blushed laughing slightly at herself, "Yeah, Dr. McGill was right. This is very relaxing. I really like it actually."

"Good." He leaned down, dropping a kiss onto her lips, "So does it have a lot moves like this?" He asked curiously, a tiny smirk forming.

She nodded, "it is a good thing I'm already so flexible because of all my dance training."

Puck raised his eyebrow as a thousand images raced through his brain at that statement; he made a mental note to come back to it later.

"You know, Babe, " Puck began smiling suggestively as he ran his hand slowly down her leg, which never failed to cause butterflies to erupt in her stomach. "I think I should be here to help you every time you workout, just in case you get stuck again."

She rolled her eyes but smiled well naturedly, "and by help, you mean stare at my ass with your tongue hanging out."

He laughed deeply before leaning down close to her, "exactly," He growled, capturing her giggle with his lips.

Rachel leaned across the cab, recapturing his attention. "I promise if I start feeling really tired or if I need to sit down somewhere, I will. I won't push myself very hard today."

"All-right and you have your note for gym, right?" He asked seriously.

"Yes, dad." She teased.

He grinned at her knowing he was probably overreacting but he couldn't help worrying slightly. This would be her first day with a full schedule since she had been diagnosed. As they walked into school hand in hand everyone stopped and gaped. Rachel knew that they were going to cause a stir especially since there was no explanation given about where they had been last week. Rachel had asked the gleeks to keep quiet about her illness, not wanting the entire school talking about it.

As people spotted them they immediately started talking, wondering how on earth Rachel Berry had managed to snag the best looking guy in school. Some were even making lewd suggestions about what they had been up to since they had both been absent from school last week.

Although the one that really made his blood boil is when some mean spirited cheerleader had made the comment that he was probably being offered extra credit if he would hang out with school freak, "why else would he ever talk to her let alone touch her" She snapped out, causing everyone in the hallway to stop.

Puck had stopped cold in his tracks glaring at the chick who just smirked at Rachel who blushed but refused to look down, she stared back unflinchingly. Puck grabbed Rachel's arm pulling her around to stand in front of him. She looked up curiously but before she could ask him what he was doing, he gathered her close wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. He leaned down, kissing her deeply. She instantly melted at his touch, rising up on her toes to reach him better. He deepened the kiss when he felt her hands running up and down over his Mohawk, almost forgetting that they were in the school hallway. Finally after few minutes they broke apart, he grinned at the glazed over look on her face, loving that he was the one who caused that reaction.

"I love you." He told her, not bothering to lower his voice so that everyone in the hallway could hear.

Rachel smiled fully aware that everyone in the hallway was having mini strokes but she could honestly say she didn't care. "I love you too"

He smirked before shrugging out of his lettermen jacket, which she slipped on without hesitation. As they began walking again, he flung his arm around her shoulders, "Any questions?" He barked out, his eyes flashing dangerously causing everyone to scatter around them.


Around lunchtime Rachel could feel herself slipping down but at least now she was expecting it and she knew what it was. As she headed toward the cafeteria she heard someone shouting her name. She turned smiling softly as Puck hurried up to her; she had not seen him since this morning. She wrapped her arms around him as he dropped a kiss on her head. Just having him near caused her to feel instantly better and more awake. "Hello, Noah. How was your day?" She asked as they walked into the cafeteria together.

"Fine, but I'm more curious about you," He stopped taking her face into his hands. "You look tired. Are you ok?" He asked softly.

She nodded, "Yeah, just a little worn out which we knew would happen. I need to sit for awhile and try to eat before I get to tired and food makes me nauseous."

He nodded seriously, "Ok, you go sit and I will get you your food."

She smiled feeling tingles erupt over her skin, loving how protective and loving he was with her over the simple things. She leaned up kissing him softly, "Thanks. I should probably have the-"

"Don't worry, baby. I got this, you go rest." He interrupted chuckling as he pushed her gently towards the table where Kurt and Mercedes were already waiting

She sighed as she sank down into her seat gratefully. Although she had been sitting for most of her classes, the walking back in forth between classes to her locker was tiring plus she had to make a conscience effort to stay awake and to take diligent notes on her classes so not to lose focus.

"Hello, Darling." Kurt chirped, "How was your day?"

She smiled weakly, "I hope I will become adjusted quickly."

Mercedes looked over sympathetically, "Is it real difficult for you, Rach?"

Rachel shrugged, "A little but I knew it would be at first. I'm sure that I will learn not fight it so hard and it will become easier to stay awake in class which is the hardest part. Dr. McGill told me that my concentration will improve more once I get use to it and my body starts getting the designated rest we set up."

"How much do you need?" Mike asked sliding his tray next to a stunned Mercedes who had never seen a football player even look over at this table let alone sit down.

Rachel laughed at her friends who were openly gaping as Matt, Finn came over as well. "I have to try to get at least nine hours of sleep a night, ten if I can manage it. Plus I have a free period in the afternoon which is when I would usually go to the auditorium to practice…" She trailed off, quickly changing subjects not wanting to dwell on the negative right now. "Anyway, I take that time to go sit in my car or more likely Noah's to take a nap. That should help."

They all nodded but before they could comment, Puck pulled in next to her, sliding the tray in front of her. It had some of the fish with a small salad and two oranges with a glass of milk.

"Eat as much as you can, it will help boost your energy back up but remember don't force yourself if you start feeling sick."

Rachel pulled his head down, giving him a slow and passionate kiss. Which took him by surprise since Rachel was not usually this aggressive but he sure as hell wasn't complaining. Rachel grinned against his lips knowing she shocked him but she had wanted to convey how lucky she felt that someone like him was in her life. As they pulled apart, the table erupted into shrieks and whistles. But before they could get too far, the attention was diverted as Tina and Artie finally rolled in.

Tina was sitting in his lap and as soon as he reached the table, Tina leaned down and they began making out passionately, showing no signs of stopping. The boys gawked and started making bets on how long they could go at it. While the girls sighed, (Yes, even Quinn and Santana) with dreamy expressions as though they were watching Cinderella for the first time.

Finally the couple pulled apart, staring deeply at one another.

"So how was the date?" Mike asked with sly grin interrupting the silence.


That day in glee, Rachel sat down next to Puck. She was feeling pretty good since she had been able to take a twenty minute nap earlier but she knew there was no way she could stand up and do the routine. She sighed wistfully; Puck grabbed her hand squeezing lightly. He knew this would be difficult for her having to sit for the majority of the time although Mr. Shue had taken the news well and had worked out for her to do a couple of ballads for sectionals.

Kurt had worked out a whole set and lighting stage so that it would look very retro and bluesy as she sat on a stool. She had decided to sing some Billy Holliday and Frank Sinatra's "The way you look tonight." All in all it would be a show stopper and she was really pleased with it but it still wasn't what she was use to and he knew that she desperately wanted to get up and started performing.

He kissed her cheek and she smiled sadly as he stood up to take his place with the rest of the guys for the "Irreplaceable" number.

Afterwards, Mr. Shue was very excited to announce that he had worked out a musical number for them to perform in the talent show. As he began setting everyone up, Puck hurried over to Rachel as she wiped the tears away discreetly knowing she wouldn't be able to participate in that either.

He crouched down next to her wiping the tears off her cheeks, "You want go?" He asked quietly.

She shook her head, "No, of course not. I'm fine, it's just…" She trailed off shrugging.

"I know, babe" He muttered, kissing her softly before sitting down next to her. They could do without him for awhile. He grabbed her hand running his thumb back and forth over her skin. As they sat there together, Rachel narrowed her eyes slightly. She frowned at Mr. Shue positioned everyone, explaining the role they would be playing and the song that would go along with the story from the musical he had chosen.

"Actually, Mr. Shue. I don't think that would work. Matt, you should go over there. Now, grab her hand… Yes, that works much better. Now, Quinn…" Rachel could feel some her spark coming back. She directed the entire scene from her chair, taking completely over for Mr. Shue.

Puck just grinned as he sat down there next to her, I think we found Rachel a new calling he couldn't help thinking.

Directing.


I hope you enjoyed it!! Let me know what you think!