*Hey everyone! Sorry this took so long but I've been reading and writing a large number of stories. I'm afraid I'm going to have to end this story here. I had another idea but I am just starting too many stories now. I may come up with a sequel… But anyway, very sorry about that :( Thank you so much for the story subscriptions and the lovely reviews (: Please tell your friends? Make a great day. –Ariel*
"Okay Quinn, We'll see you later. Make sure you call us if he wakes up. No matter what time. See ya Puck!" Mercedes added as the group started out the door to go to their hotel.
Finn had been talking to the minister, when he heard the gunshot. He'd rushed in to see Puck lying on the ground with blood seeping from his arm and Quinn kneeling before him, sobbing. Finn had called the police then told everyone else and Puck had been rushed to the hospital. It had been two days and Puck was still unconscious but the doctor said he would wake up any minute. Everyone had been very worried about Puck but Quinn was the most. Elle had been staying with Quinn's mother at Quinn's apartment; Quinn hadn't left Puck's side since it happened and had had her mother bring her clothing and what not.
Quinn smiled at her friends as they left then turned back to Puck. She looked at him; He looked so peaceful, and yet he didn't look weak. Quinn thinks he's the strongest person she knows.
"Well, you're going to be okay," Quinn said to Puck's still body. She walked over and grabbed his hand. "I'm so sorry I did this to you… I'm such a horrible person… I mean, I didn't even know Charlie was so…" Quinn trailed off. She reached over and touched his cheek. Running her hand along it and making her way to his lips. So soft… She leaned down and pressed her lips softly to his.
"I love you; More than anyone. I'm so sorry it took all of this for me to figure that out." Quinn said softly.
"It's about fucking time." Quinn saw Puck's lips move but couldn't figure out if it was just her head… Puck's eyes popped open and he smirked. Quinn gasped and momentarily, could not speak. Puck watched her with amusement in his eyes, the smirk never leaving his face. He watched the emotions flash by on her face and bit back the urge to laugh.
"Noah. Puckerman." She finally spit out, "How long were you awake? And why didn't you tell me?"
Puck waited a minute before replying, "It was funny really, and I woke up to some kind of angel kissing me… It was amazing." Puck smiled; Quinn laughed and playfully swatted at him. The two were silent for a while.
Quinn gazed down at Puck and took his hand in hers, "I'm sorry… I… I just didn't know he was… I just…" Quinn stammered. Puck squeezed her fingers and cut her off,
"Quinn… Quinn be quiet." Puck said sternly, "What happened, then, that was not your fault. You had no way of knowing how evil he is. Quinn, I already told you, I'd do anything for you; I just want you to be happy. This bullet, hurts way less than if It had have hit you."
Quinn was quiet for a moment; going over the years that she had known Puck. Since 3rd grade Puck has had her back; especially when it came to guys. Puck 'took care of' every guy that bothered Quinn. She had thought it was annoying and overprotective then; but she was starting to think he did that to protect her from getting hurt in the way Charlie hurt her. That's all he's been doing, protecting her. Quinn didn't notice the tears streaming down her face until she heard Puck moan,
"Ugh, don't cry…" Puck pleaded and Quinn wiped her face and looked at him. She grabbed his hand and held it in hers; Tracing the lines on his palms and softly rubbing his thumb.
"Thank you. For everything, all those years I got mad at you for kicking the shit out of guys and standing up to my father; I should've known you were just trying to protect me." Quinn finally said, breaking the short silence.
"Jeez Quinn, You're acting like this is some kind of sappy chick flick. I'm not dying." Puck joked. Quinn swatted him again and the two laughed. "I was trying to protect you. And, if I do say so myself, I did a pretty good job." Puck said quietly. "I love you Quinn, I always have."
"I love you too Puck."
.
.
.
.
*Separate*
.
.
.
.
{Puck got to go home a few days later, since the shot wasn't too deep. His arm was bandaged where the shot went (Of course he claimed it was "Just a scratch" and it "Doesn't hurt"). Quinn wouldn't let him fly back to Lima, she insisted he stay with her until he was fully healed; With Charlie behind bars, Puck could finally try to get Quinn back; so he eagerly agreed. }
"Hey Quinn, can we talk?" Puck asked Quinn as she stood in front of her bed and folded some laundry. It was his second night home (Or Quinn's home) from the hospital and he finally worked his nerve up. Elle was spending the night at the hotel with their friends. The former Glee club was staying another three days but all had to be home soon.
"Sure, why don't you sit down, I'm all ears," Quinn replied, motioning to the bed. Puck hesitated a minute, then walked over and sat down. Chill the fuck out Dude! Why the hell are you nervous? You are Noah Fucking Puckerman! Puck scolded himself and looked up at Quinn. His breath caught as he saw her beauty in the sunlight. Her blonde hair was an inch shorter and curled softly at the ends; it fell slightly over her face as she turned toward him. Her hazel eyes glowed as he saw himself reflected back in them.
"I, uh… I have to tell, er ask, you something." Puck stammered. Quinn tried to hide a smile.
"Yea, okay, I'm listening." Quinn said finishing the shirt she was folding and putting it in the basket. She pushed the basket aside and sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at him curiously. She gave him a smile and a look as if to say, you have my full attention. Puck took a deep breath and blurted out,
"Quinn, I think you should give me another chance." He looked at his hands as he said this, playing with his thumbs. As the minutes went by, Puck went from twiddling his thumbs to tapping his fingers on his thigh, he felt slight pain in his arm, but ignored it.
As he was doing this, Quinn's brain was practically turning wheels. 'I love him. I already know that. But what if he hurts me again?' Quinn's brain questioned her. 'Oh, stop being so paranoid! He loves you; from that cute little Mohawk to his cute little toes. Stop ignoring me. Quinn, you know what to do,' her heart retorted. Quinn, honestly, was tired. Tired of lying to herself and pretending she didn't love him. So what, if he breaks your heart again, look what happened the last time you didn't trust him! Quinn thought. Screw it! Quinn thought, just as Puck couldn't take it anymore,
"Quinn! I'm sorry! I'm sorry about everything I did to you. I'm sorry for getting you pregnant, messing up your Cheerio position for it; Sexting Santana! I'm just so fucking sorry! But I'm done with that! All I want is you! Quinn, please…" Puck pleaded, Quinn could see the frustration and worry in his eyes. He's right Quinn thought. She looked up into his eyes,
"I know. I know, Puck. You forgave me, and I forgive you. We both did stupid shit Puck. You and those other girls; and Instead of being an adult, I ran away from my problems. I thought they would disappear and you'd appear like Prince Charming. I was stupid. We were both stupid, but look what we got out of it, Elle is the best thing that has happened to me. But she's ours and I shouldn't have tried to take you out of the picture like that. I love you Puck, and I'm tired of hiding it," Quinn felt as if she had just let go of a breath she had been holding in for years, 5 years to be exact. She breathed in and out and looked up at Puck.
"So does that mean we can give 'us' another try?" Puck asked, just to be sure. Quinn let the idea play around in her head. She smiled,
"Yes, Puck. We can give 'us' another try." Quinn said. Puck slowly held his arms out and Quinn just looked at them and smiled. She tackled him and they both fell to the floor (Puck's arm hurt but he pretended it didn't). Quinn kissed his neck, his cheeks, and ran her lips along the edge of his.
Puck was not going to go out like that. He slowly lifted his injured arm to her head then his good arm and pulled her lips to his and kissed her as passionately as he could. That moment, they both stepped right through the gates to their bright and sunny future, as a family.