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A Rachel/Puck fic.

Chapter Ten.

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Disclaimer: See Chapters 1 & 7.

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A/N: I can't believe how many reviews I have on this story. I should probably be studying for my 2nd batch of midterms right now ... but this is more fun.

Alright, this chapter: the Rachel/Puck performance! Yay! I'm so excited to write that scene.

I'm so happy you guys are still enjoying this story, and that I'm still getting new readers.

As always, please read and review, I live for feedback!

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When it was time for Glee, Rachel was nervous. She walked in with Owen holding her hand, wondering how her friends were going to respond to his presence. She had already cleared it with Mr Shuester, so that wouldn't be a problem, and the Cheerios were the ones who'd suggested it, so she knew she wouldn't have a problem there. She was, however, concerned about the other football guys. Puck had said he was fine with it, but she didn't want there to be any tension, or worse ... a fight.

She sat in back, mostly because while she wanted Owen to see her performance - and maybe get him more interested in music - she figured it would be better if he didn't have to watch her and Puck dance right up from the front. Plus, there was less of a chance he could attack Puck from the back of the room, without someone stopping him.

Puck had been acting weird last night ... she really hoped he wasn't going to back out of the performance. She was pleased with what they'd come up with, but she would have felt better if they'd rehearsed it a few more times. Maybe they would have even come up with something better than what they already had.

Puck had an eye for adding pieces in that just worked.

Rachel smiled when she saw him walk in, but it faltered from her face when he spotted Owen, and then immediately made a beeline for them.

"Hey, Berry," he greeted, sitting on the opposite side of her.

"Hello," she said back, glancing between the boys on either side of her.

They were saved from any small talk when Mr Shuester walked into the room.

"Alright, let's get started. Today is the day you present your songs. First up: Tina and Artie.

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Mr Shuester had purposefully left Rachel and Puck's song until the very end. He was looking forward to seeing them perform, as they had sounded really good together the last few times he'd heard them, and wanted to end the day on a good note. Something to go home and smile about.

"Alright, last but not least: Rachel, Puck, let's hear it. Get on down here," he urged enthusiastically.

Rachel let go of Owen's hand, which had become oddly sweaty, and stood, casually wiping her palm on the material of her skirt.

She and Puck walked to the band, explaining the cue, and then stood by the far wall, ready to begin.

Rachel allowed her eyes to flicker to Owen once before she slid her hand into Puck's, noticing his eyebrows twitch. She ignored him, and everyone else in the room, as she nodded to the band to begin the song.

They began playing, the same song but with less of a country twang to it.

Rachel and Puck walked slowly into the middle of the room, Puck leaning down and whispering conspiratorially.

"Are we having fun yet?" he wondered, as part of their act was to look like they were just walking and chatting, lost in their own world.

"Loads," she commented back with a light smile.

"Well, let's give 'em a show," he teased, before it was time for her to sing.

"People are talking," she sang, glancing up at him as though she were telling him a story. "Talking 'bout people. I hear them whisper," she glanced around at their audience, but didn't really look at any of them. "You won't believe it! They think we're lovers, kept under cover."

She saw Puck smirk at that, and told herself it was part of the performance.

"I just ignored it, but they keep saying: We laugh just a little too loud."

He turned into her, something they hadn't rehearsed, and touched the point of her elbow with the tips of his fingers.

Like a true professional, she continued as though nothing had changed, stepping lightly away from him with her hand on his chest.

"We stand just a little too close," she sang, eyes downcast before bringing them back up to catch his gaze. "We stare just a little too long. Maybe they're seeing, something we don't, Darlin'."

He pulled her back towards him for the chorus, singing with her, "Let's give them something to talk about. Let's give them something to talk about. Let's give them something to talk about! How about love?"

Rachel prepared to step away so he could sing his verse, and follow the steps they'd planned out, but he splayed his hand out across her back, holding her in place.

"I feel so foolish," he sang, looking at her without his trademark smirk or cocky grin. "I've never noticed. You act so nervous," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trailing his fingers across her cheek. "Could you be falling for me?"

Puck placed his hands on her hips, walking around her as he sang, going completely off-script. Rachel swallowed roughly, not knowing exactly how to respond.

"It took a rumor, to make me wonder. Now I'm convinced, that I am going under!" he said, putting as much conviction and honesty into the words as he could. He could see she'd noticed it, and her eyes softened, smiling lightly at him, oblivious to their audience.

"Thinking 'bout you every day," he sang, taking the tips of her fingers and holding her arm up, his hand ghosting over it. "Dream 'bout you every night." He added a wicked grin when he sang that, waggling his eyebrows and making her chuckle.

"I'm hoping that you feel the same way. Now that we know it, let's really show it, Darlin'!"

She turned with him, stepping in as close as they'd rehearsed, and then a fraction of an inch closer.

"Let's give them something to talk about," they sang, moving in a circle. "A little mystery to figure out, babe. Let's give them something to talk about! How about love, love, love?"

He took a breath, drawing her closer for a second and making her gasp before his hands fixed on her hips and spun her away perfectly. He followed her to the end of the room, catching her arm before she turned and pushed him back, her hands almost digging into his chest, before she took another stride and fell dramatically into his arms, sinking down.

He picked her up easily, as though he'd done it a hundred times, drawing her towards him with a finger on her chin. His head dipped towards her, and her eyes flared as she realized he was doing more improvising. Would he? Would she stop him?

His mouth stopped millimeters away from hers, before he pulled back, cueing her step.

Her eyes flashed dangerously, and she walked around him, her nails scratching against the material of his shirt and sending shivers up his spine. He turned when she was behind him, pulling her back towards him with more force than necessary, almost slamming their bodies into each other, but neither of them missed a beat.

"Let's give them something to talk about! A little mystery to figure out," they sang into each other's eyes, holding the last word for emphasis. "Let's give them something to talk about! How about ... love?"

Her hands had found their way to his triceps, gripping the firm muscles as they finished the song.

They breathed in unison, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Rachel's eyes were wide and wandering, where his were calm and set, even though his body was telling him a different story.

They were brought back to Earth as the room erupted with applause.

"That was amazing!" Mr Shuester complimented, standing by the piano and clapping.

The other kids were smiling and whooping, even a few wolf-whistles could be heard from Mike and Matt's general direction.

Rachel stepped away from Puck, dropping her arms to her sides and smiling in appreciation.

"Rachel, that was amazing choreography, I am beyond impressed," Mr Shuester told him, sliding up to the two of them in the middle of the room.

Rachel shook her head. "Then you should be impressed with Puck, Mr Shuester. Most of it was his improvisation, I was just following his lead," she confessed, daring herself to glance up at Owen.

His skin was several shades darker, and he appeared to be gripping his chair so hard that his knuckles were turning white.

Oh boy ...

Rachel excused herself to pull Owen out of the room.

"Are you okay?"

He gritted his teeth. "How do you expect me to respond to that?"

Rachel shrugged. "I'm not sure, but definitely not like this."

He stepped into her personal space, his face close to hers. "I thought I was coming here to see you perform, not to watch you have foreplay!"

"Lower your voice," she told him in a quiet voice.

"Why? Wouldn't want your friends hear you having a conversation with your boyfriend? 'Cause it seems like you've forgotten which one your boyfriend is!" he hollered, and then was slammed into the nearest wall.

She had fully expected Puck to start a fight with him, but what she didn't expect was for Mercedes and Britney to be right behind him.

"Back off," Puck snarled.

Mercedes crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh no, you didn't, white boy!" she declared, standing in front of Rachel.

Rachel spoke, "You guys, I can handle it. It's just a misunderstanding."

Puck looked over his shoulder at her in exasperation. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Can you please unhand him?" she asked in a steady voice.

He bit his tongue, going against every fibre in his being when he released him.

Rachel stepped forward, feeling her friends behind her. It was touching.

"I thought you were coming here to support me, but instead you degrade my entire performance, and then yell at me like I've done some unspeakable thing," she told him. "I'm sorry, but I can't be in a relationship with someone who treats me like that."

Owen glared down at her. "So, you're breaking up with me over a stupid "glee club" thing?"

Rachel stood her ground. "The fact that you think it's a "stupid glee club thing", proves exactly how little we have in common. This is my passion. You don't get that, and I don't get you. So, I think it would be best if you left. I'm sure I can find another ride home."

He stared at her in confusion and anger, not wanting to leave.

Mr Shuester stepped out of the classroom. "Young man, you're no longer welcome in this school. You were invited to watch a performance, that's all. I think it's best if you leave now."

Puck stared him down, and finally Owen pushed off of the wall and stormed out of the hallway.

Rachel sighed, looking down at the ground.

Mr Shuester cleared his throat. "Well ... great practice today, guys. I'll see you tomorrow. Rachel, do you need -?"

"I'm fine, Mr Shue," she told him, wiping discretely at her eyes.

He nodded, returning to the room to grab his bag.

The girls gathered around Rachel, concerned for her.

Puck stood off to the side, wanting to say something, but hating when girls cried. It was one of his few weaknesses.

"He was a total tool," Kurt commented, joining with the people surrounding Rachel.

Britney nodded. "He didn't deserve you at all."

"What he did just wasn't right at all," Mercedes offered.

Rachel nodded. "I know. I'm fine. I think I'm just gonna ... go call one of my dads to pick me up."

Puck stepped forward. "I can drive you."

Rachel tentatively looked up at him. "I don't want to put you out."

He shook his head. "It's fine. It's on my way," he said, telling her the same thing he'd told her last time.

She nodded after a moment. "Okay. Thank you."

"No problem," he said, returning to the classroom for his backpack and guitar.

Quinn and Britney watched them leave the school together. "That was ..."

"Yeah."

Quinn looked at Britney. "Is it bad that I still want to go ahead with our plan?"

Britney shook her head. "Nope. In fact, I think we should step it up. Let's talk to Ms. Sylvester."

Quinn nodded. "Perfect."

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Puck dropped her off at her house, walking around to grab her bag out of the box of his truck.

"Thanks," she told him, her tears having subsided.

"Don't sweat it," he replied, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry about ... I didn't mean to wreck our duet with that as a finale."

He shook his head. "Nah. We totally nailed it."

She smiled lightly at that. "That was some good improvisation. Surprising. But good."

"Thanks," he mumbled. "I just kind of ... went with it."

"Well, it worked," she complimented.

She walked up to her front door, holding her bag awkwardly in her hands. "Well ... thanks, again."

He nodded. "No problem. You know ... if you need a ride, tomorrow, I usually come in early to run laps."

She smiled. "That would be nice. Thank you."

He shrugged. "You don't have to thank me for everything."

Rachel bounced on the balls of her feet. "I just believe that when people have done something good, it should be acknowledged."

"Okay, then," Puck said. "Well ... see you tomorrow, then?"

Rachel nodded, the weird feeling in her stomach returning. "7:30 okay?"

He nodded his agreement.

"Then I'll see you then."

Puck walked back to his truck, his hands still in his pockets.

Rachel thought a moment before calling out, "So, I guess you don't have any reason to get someone to throw a slushie at him now, do you?"

Puck paused, then turned his head and threw a smirk back at her before sliding into his truck and driving away.

Rachel opened the door to her house, feeling sad about no longer having a boyfriend, but confident that she'd made the right decision.

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End of chapter ten.

Hope you liked it! I know I loved writing it!

Now I have to spend the next hour and a half studying for my midterm. *Groan*

Reviews are appreciated, positive or negative.

Until next time ...!