Author's Note: Since many of you asked for the Lark theory this was based off of, here you go. **Once again, it's a THEORY! No one truly knows what happened between Mark and Lea except Mark and Lea (and their friends, family and castmates).

It's basic really, Mark and Lea met, they were super fond of each other during filming, things developed into some form a physical relationship, never fully committing to being anything serious. Lea goes away for vacation and comes back to find out that Mark's been shackin' up with Naya and they are "dating." After this, Jon Groff introduces Lea to Theo Stockman to help her get over Mark. Mark breaks things off with Naya (she SUPPOSEDLY keys his car). Then Mark dates a bunch of different girls (all who look similar in one way or another) but realized he really had feelings for Lea but she is (was) in a relationship.

Since Lea just got out of a long term relationship, we like to believe that Mark is taking the time to let her enjoy being single again. In the meantime, he's showing that he's grown up (i.e. spending his vacation with family/getting a dog).

That's the gist of it.

I hope that makes sense to all of you!

Chapter 11

"Berry! Wait up!"

Rachel turned around to see none other than Santana Lopez running down the hall towards her. She would have been frightened if it wasn't for the friendly smile that was gracing the pretty Latina's face. Instead, she was slightly disturbed.

"Um, hello Santana…wha-what may I help you with today?" Rachel's eyes looked around them to make sure there were witnesses. She surely didn't want to be a victim to the razor blades rumored to be spread throughout Santana's hair.

"I'm having a party Saturday night. You need to come," said Santana.

"Is that a request or a demand," asked Rachel with a roll of her eyes.

Santana let out a short breath, "Look, Berry. I think it's time we call a truce. We're more alike than you may think."

Rachel did her best to hold in her laughter but failed, "You and me?" Rachel flipped her hand between them, "Santana, we have been sworn enemies since I beat you in the Little Miss Lima pageant when we were eighteen months old! That's a lot of history."

Santana smiled, "That's the past. Besides," Santana looked around Rachel and pulled her to the side, "I was hoping maybe sometime soon, you would let me speak to your fathers."

"M-My fathers? Why would you need to speak with my fathers?"

Santana's eyes closed for a moment, "Because…I" she opened her eyes and made sure to keep contact with Rachel's, "I kind of need an adult figure to…who understands what I'm going through."

Rachel looked at her curiously and the light bulb quickly lit, "Santana? You are? I mean…but your past with Noah and all the other's…"

Santana's hand shot up to stop her, "Look, I have reason to believe I did that because I felt the need to ignore my true feelings. Maybe I was in denial. I don't really know. What I do know is I'm ready to accept who I am and be proud of it. I just need some guidance."

A smile formed on Rachel's face, "Well, I am glad you are comfortable enough to confide in me with this information. I also feel it's safe to assume that Noah and Kurt know about this as well," Santana nodded, "Okay, I will text my father's and let them know we will be having a friend of mine over for dinner tonight."

The smile on Santana's face widened, "Thank you Rachel."

The two girls walked down the hallway to their next class which they shared. Puck walked out of the small enclosure he had occupied when he noticed them talking. He had heard everything and was glad that Rachel finally knew the exact truth. He was also glad that the two girls seemed to be forming some sort of friendship.

(*-*-*-*-*)

It was pretty strange for Puck to see Santana and Rachel walk into the choir room smiling and laughing together. He also thought it was pretty hot but he would store that little image away for later.

He was glad that the two were friends. Bonding over Santana's sexuality was definitely ironic considering Puck had sexed up both of them.

"Alright you guys," Puck took his eyes away from the new friends and watched as Mr. Schuester wrote 'Nationals' on the whiteboard, "After a lot of consideration, we will have auditions for the male and female parts of the duet for Nationals."

The New Directions all clapped in agreement.

"Now, if you are interested in trying out, the sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board tomorrow morning. Auditions will take place next week."

Puck wasn't sure if he should try out. For one thing, him and Rachel killed it at Nationals. But the two of them doing another duet together could hurt their renewed friendship.

"Don't even THINK about not auditioning, Puckerman."

Puck looked over to see Kurt staring him down, "Oh yeah, and since when did you become the boss of me, Hummel?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, "Please, you know you want to sing with," he looked down and over to make sure Rachel wasn't listening, "You need to pick the perfect song for your audition."

"And why is that any of your business?"

"Because," Kurt lowered his voice to a whisper, "Blaine has been telling me some information about Rachel's favorite Warbler and I want her to see that she DOES have options."

Before Puck could get any more information, Mr. Schuester began talking about them needing to brainstorm for the group number for Nationals.

Something was up with Mr. Perfect and Puck needed to find out what it was.

(*-*-*-*)

The next day at school, Rachel was walking towards the cafeteria for lunch when she noticed Puck standing in front of the bulletin board. As she got closer she saw that he seemed to be contemplating whether to sign up for the Nationals tryouts.

"You shouldn't be hesitating," he jumped and turned to see her approaching, "You and I doing another duet would be our best chance."

Puck smiled, "You're so sure you are going to win, huh?"

Rachel shook her head slightly and looked down to the floor, "I didn't mean it like that."

"Yeah, well, everyone knows you are going to get it anyway. Besides, Sam and Finn will give me a run for my money."

He pulled the cap off the pen in his hand and began writing his name on the sheet of paper.

When he finished he stuffed the pen into his bag and turned back towards Rachel, "Walk with me?" he held out his arm and Rachel took it with a shy smile.

(*-*-*-*-*)

Puck ended up getting to Santana's party much later than he had planned. His ma was giving him a hard time about cleaning the gutters and shit that he wasn't in the mood for.

By the time he walked in the door, he could tell that pretty much everyone was half passed wasted. He could spot the designated driver's as the group sitting in the living room watching TV.

"Puckerman! Get the hell over here and play catch up!"

Puck entered the kitchen to find Santana, Brittney, Finn, Quinn, Sam and Rachel with shots in hand. Soon, he had one shoved in his and took it with the group.

"Where the hell have you been," asked Finn while the rest started talking about songs for Nationals.

"Ma was giving me a hard time about chores. I don't know what she expects me to do at ten o'clock at night."

"Sorry about that man," Finn lowered his voice, "If it makes you feel any better, Leo isn't here. Rachel's been a hell of a lot more fun without him around."

An hour after getting there, Puck was feeling pretty damn good. It was when he found Rachel coming out of the bathroom that he did something he would quickly regret.

"Hey," he smirked, "where's the boy toy at tonight?"

Rachel rolled her eyes, "The Warbler's had a gig at King's Island today."

"Oh," Puck slowly grabbed her hand, "So I think we should talk."

Rachel looked down at their intertwined hands, "Really, about?"

Before she realized it, she was being backed up back into the bathroom. Puck closed the door behind them and turned her body so it was up against the door.

Their eyes met and he moved his face closer. When she didn't seem to object, his mouth slanted over hers. His hands moved to her hips while she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

Puck pulled his mouth away from hers and began kissing at her jaw and slowly down her neck, "God I missed you," he whispered between kisses.

Rachel pushed her hips against his and wrapped one leg around his waist. She whimpered as his lips moved down her chest, his hand sliding up her body to knead one of her breasts. She arched into his touch and Puck groaned when she rolled her hips into his ever present hard on.

Puck took that as an invitation and moved his hand down onto her thigh, slowly rubbing towards her center. He could feel the heat coming from underneath her skirt, and that's when he lost all control. His hand shot and rubbed at her soaked cotton panties and the moan she emitted had him moving her underwear out of the way and inserting his index finger inside. Rachel gasped and he kissed her mouth hungrily as he inserted another finger while his thumb rubbed at her clit.

Rachel clung onto his shoulders while he sucked at her neck. It didn't take long for her to start shaking and she bit her lip to hold in any loud noise she may have let out.

"I missed making you come baby," he whispered has he lowered her to her feet. He heard her sniffling, "Baby?"

Suddenly he felt a sharp pain across his cheek and he realized she had slapped him, "DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME THAT!"

Puck held his cheek as he looked at her in shock, "What the FUCK Rachel?"

"You are NOT allowed to call me baby! You don't deserve that! I can't believe I let you do that!"

Puck's anger started to rise, "You didn't seem to mind so fucking much when you were coming around my fucking fingers, Berry!"

Rachel slapped him again, "Fuck you! You…You!" she pointed a finger into his chest, "I am in a committed relationship! Something you didn't want! Now you take advantage of me being under the influence and my obvious attraction to you! You broke my heart Noah Puckerman! You have NO right to bring me into a bathroom and try to seduce me just so you can get your dick wet!"

"Fuck that! You think that's all I care about!" shouted Puck.

"It's the only thing you cared about before," Rachel said in a quieter voice, "why should now be any different?"

She left the bathroom quickly leaving Puck to stand there in shock, "Because I'm in love with you."

Puck knew she didn't hear him but it still made him feel a little better finally saying it out loud. He knew what he had to do. And he needed a little help from his friends.

What do you think Puck's gonna do next? Guess we shall wait and see!