Hey Guys! I hope you enjoy chapter ten! I will probably have this wrapped up in two or three more chapters. Thanks for everything!!
Puck grinned down at Rachel, as she lay flat on her stomach on his bed. She was writing everything down from rehearsals this afternoon at Glee. She was taking notes on everyone performances, what needed fixed before the talent show, and costumes everyone would need for there characters. Her tongue was sticking out to the side in concentration and with her hair pulled into pigtail braids; he could not help thinking she had never looked so cute.
She looked over at him her eyes alive with excitement, "Noah, I think this is going to be great. I cannot wait to see everything come together. I mean I know that it is only a ten-minute performance but still. If we do well on this then that will give everyone better confidence for Sectionals, hopefully"
Puck laughed seeing Rachel practically bouncing up and down, he grabbed her arm pulling her down onto his lap. He dropped a kiss on her lips causing her to sigh and snuggle down into his embrace. "I'm sure its going to be great, Rach. I'm just glad to see you're excited about it."
She nodded wrapping her arms around his neck, "I was so afraid that I wouldn't be needed anymore especially in Glee. Its nice knowing I can still contribute." He dropped another kiss on her, loving the little sounds she would make every time he would touch her. She suddenly shot out of his arms causing him fall forward.
"Noah, I just had a great idea. What if Kurt was to come in from over here." She cried out excitedly running over to his door and started walking dramatically singing a few bars.
"Then Mercedes and Brittany can be seated here…" She bounded forward flinging herself on his desk chair, "Then Mike can…"As she stood up the room suddenly swam before her eyes causing her to stumble forward.
Puck leaped out of bed grapping her arms to help steady her, "Rach, Are you all-right?"
She nodded but he could tell she was still slightly dizzy, "Here, sit down for a few minutes." He helped her to the bed before crouching down in front of her. He ran his hands up and down her arms. After a few minutes he asked quietly, "You all-right now?"
Rachel smiled sadly, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry, Noah."
"What for? You can't help it." He told her harshly not wanting her to think any of this was her fault.
"I guess I should not move around so quickly. I keep forgetting." She whispered tears building in her eyes but she quickly blinked them back. There was nothing she could do about it so why waste perfectly good tears.
Puck sighed as he leaned forward to kiss her cheek, "Rachel, "He stood up so he could sit behind her. He pulled her so that her back rested against his chest. "It is okay to forget. It is normal to want to be NORMAL again. I understand."
Rachel nodded, "Its just…I don't know what to do."
Puck kissed her cheek, "I know babe but it will be okay, I promise."
She turned so that she was lying across his lap putting her arms around his neck. "I love you, Noah."
"I love you t-"
"No," she interrupted softly "I love you and it's not because how amazing you've been about all this or how well you take care of me. I want you know that. I want you to understand that my feelings for you have nothing to do with me being sick. I was already falling for you long before this." She looked down shyly before looking up with grin, "The first time you threw a slushy at me actually."
"What?"
She laughed seeing the surprised and guilty look on his face. He was still kicking himself for starting that, especially on her.
"The first time I ever saw you, I thought you were just a typical jock. Then do you remember during freshmen year and I was having a…fit because I did not get the lead in the school play of 'Wizard of Oz'? Since freshmen did not get the leads."
He nodded confused, "Yeah, so?"
"Everyone was just looking at me and Kurt was trying to pacify me. One of the reason I use to "pitch' fits is because I knew no-one could handle me. You just walked over and threw the slushy at me telling me to chill out." She tightened her embrace, "I was outraged and yet intrigued. You were the first one to stand up to me." She smiled wickedly, "I thought it very sexy."
He smirked but then he added softly, "I am sorry though, you know that right. I would never do anything like that aga-" But Rachel cut him off bringing her lips down onto his. He groaned sliding her body closer to his. She ran her hands over his head pulling his lips ever closer. The kiss growing more heated.
Puck almost lost it when he heard her groan slightly as he ran his hand down her thigh. She pulled back trailing kisses down his jaw line to his neck while lifting up his shirt running her hand over his stomach, grinning as she felt his muscle tense and quiver under her touch.
He growled before picking her up around her waist, she let out a giggle as he threw down on the bed before pinning her with his body. He leaned down recapturing her lips but before she could lose herself entirely, the door flew open causing Puck to jump backwards.
"Ma!" He shouted out in surprise. "Uh…What are you doing here?"
Ruth Puckerman just stared at her son, he might have had her looks but he certainly did not have her brains. "I live here, Noah." She told him sarcastically.
"Yeah, but um… this is Rachel. We were just…"
"Noah, stop before your brain explodes." Ruth looked over to a blushing Rachel who quickly stood up straightening out her clothes. "Hello, Mrs. Puckerman it's nice to finally meet you."
Ruth nodded taking her hand, "So you're the Rachel I have been hearing so much about."
Rachel nodded, slightly intimidated as she looked her up and down.
Ruth finally grinned, "Now I see what all the fuss is about." Before walking out of the room she turned, "I hope you will stay for dinner."
"Thank-You, I would love too. Do you need some help?"
Ruth smiled, "That would be lovely."
Rachel grinned and kissed his cheek before hurrying after her.
Puck groaned, "I'll be right down, Ma."
He stalked down the hall, "right after I take the coldest shower known to man." He grumbled slamming the bathroom door shut.
Puck walked Rachel to her car after dinner, "I'm sorry about earlier." He told her wrapping his arms around her.
She shook her head happily, "Don't be. I loved meeting your mom, she's great."
He grinned, "Yeah and she loved you. Of course, as long as you are Jewish I do not think it would have mattered. You could have been witch and she wouldn't care."
Rachel laughed kissing him softly, "Good-night."
"Night, Love you."
"Love you too." Rachel turned to get into her car but Puck touched her waist turning her around, "You okay to drive. You're not too tired or dizzy?"
She shook her head, "I'm fine. Dinner helped edge the last bit of dizziness away and I feel awake. I will be home in ten minutes anyway."
He nodded but asked her to call him when she got there anyway. She promised before heading out. As he made his way inside, he could see his mom washing dishes. "I like her." She told him without turning around.
He grinned, "Yeah, she's Jewish so of course you like her."
"Well, that does help but that's not why," She turned smiling, "You love her."
He nodded surprised his mom had noticed it because although he told her they were now dating he had yet to mention love.
"Don't look so shock Noah; I know love when I see it." She came putting her hand down over his, "I was worried after your father left that you would never let anyone else in. You almost didn't but I can see that changing."
She smiled down at her son. "She makes you happy which is all I could ever want so for that alone I like her. But I can also see why you love her. Which is important and even though I know it doesn't matter, I want you to know that I approve."
"Thanks, Ma." He whispered before hugging her tightly.
The next day Rachel fell into rehearsal a few minutes early. She was feeling pretty out of it. She had been unable to sleep as much as she supposed to because she had been determined to catch up on her schoolwork refusing to fall behind. She collapsed into her chair sighing deeply. Puck stared at her noticing her pale face, he came up behind her rubbing her shoulders.
She purred contently, "Thanks, Hon."
"You did to much today." He told her sharply.
She glared for a moment but he just glared back, "You're pushing yourself too hard, Rach. You have to make sure you get your rest. I know you skipped your nap to go to the library." His worry causing his voice to be a little harsher than normal.
She pulled away " I have a test in Geometry tomorrow." She told him defensively.
He rolled his eyes, " I could care less about a stupid test. You're still pretending that there is nothing wrong with you. That you can still do everything like you use too. Well I'm sorry but you can't." He told her angrily.
She stood up her entire body tense. She paced for a minute before turning back to him.
"I'm sorry Noah but I refuse to change my entire life. I've already given up dance and being able to walk two feet without feeling like I'm dying. Do you know what it feels like having to go to sleep at nine because you can't keep your eyes open any longer. Do you know how it feels having to sit down every time you try to walk and everyone stares at you because you can't do gym or having to go take a NAP in the middle of the day like a TWO YEAR OLD!" She was shouting now, tears rolling her down her cheeks.
"Do you know what its like for the person you love to suddenly just collapse in your arms?" He shouted back. "To watch her being loaded in ambulance, praying that she's ok. Then to see her in a hospital bed and know there is not a damn thing you can do for her."
He stopped noticing her tears, he walked over putting his arms around her. She fell against his chest, feeling sick she had never realized how hard that had been on him.
"I'm sorry, Noah."
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was worried that's all."
She shook her head pulling back slightly, "You were right to yell. I have been pushing it." She looked up at him cupping his face, "I love you Noah and I can't imagine what I would do if it were you in the hospital. The very idea makes me ill."
Puck kissed her deeply before walking back down his seat, pulling her down on his lap, "I love you, Rachel. I know how hard is this for you." He told her as he cupped her chin, "But you can't do this to yourself. You're going have to find a way to live your life with CFS instead of trying to fight it. Because I guarantee you will lose if you keep trying." He told her quietly."
She nodded, "I love you too, Noah. I'm sorry about today."
He smiled, "You have nothing to be sorry for babe but if you really want to make it up to me…" He trailed off smiling wolfishly.
Rachel giggled as he tightened his arms before capturing her lips, she melted against him knowing he was right. It was time to stop wishing things could go back to before and embrace what she had now.
Just then Matt and Mike walked into rehearsal making gag noises as they noticed Puck and Rachel making out. Rachel blushed pulling away but Puck just rolled his eyes at them before rearranging her so she could stay on his lap comfortably. After everyone had rolled in, Rachel told them everything she had worked out last night.
Mr. Shue grinned, "Rachel, that's sounds great. Much better than what I had planned. Why don't you show us a little bit of what you mean."
Puck tightened his grip but before he could speak, Rachel shook her head, "I'm sorry guys. I'm really not feeling good so I need to sit for all rehearsal today." Puck rubbed her back proud of her for not pushing herself.
"Kurt head over here… good. All-right, start the music and lets see how it looks." She watched with narrowed eyes.
Puck thought everyone looked pretty good but just a minute or two in, she shook her head. "Stop. Sorry guys but you were all off . This routine is from "singing in the rain." you need have a little…bounce in your step. Brittany, Quinn, and Santana come here."
They walked up to her with curious looks. "Do a routine."
"What?" They all asked at the same time.
"Do a cheer routine. One you would do before a big game." She told them seriously. Puck grinned and shrugged at the others. Having no idea what she was she was doing but he love watching her take charge, finding it incredibly sexy.
They girls shrugged but did one there usual routines. After they were finished Rachel nodded excitedly. "Yes, now see that's the kind of energy you need for this. Everyone think and do cheerleader."
Puck smothered a laugh at the other guys faces feeling grateful he had pulled himself out of this routine to help Rachel.
Matt just stared at her while Finn started shuffling muttering under his breath softly, "cheerleader, I am the cheerleader. Be the cheerleader."
Mike turned glaring slightly at Rachel, "there is no way I'm doing that. Its bad enough that I'm-"
"Do it, Michael." Rachel interrupted narrowing her gaze.
Mike swallowed nervously noticing the glint in her eye. "Yes, Ma'am." He muttered.
Rachel nodded happily, "Kurt I want to talk to you afterward because I have idea for costumes."
Mr. Shue stood up, "Oh, Rachel I've got that handle. You see the drama depart-"
"No, that's okay, Mr. Shue" Rachel interrupted sweetly causing Puck to laugh slightly recognizing that she used this voice when she was the most dangerous. "I'll handle everything. You won't have to worry about doing a thing."
She smiled at the teacher before turning back to the group, "From the top." She ordered causing everyone to scramble.
Let me know what you think as always!