Author's Note: I honestly can't believe I managed to get this chapter done considering I put it off for the entire holiday weekend. However, it turned out pretty much exactly as I needed it to, which isn't to say y'all will love it but it is necessary to keep with the realism that I'm trying to achieve. So, please read and let me know what you think! And, as always, thank you oh-so much!

Disclaimer: The songs mentioned are not mine, and I can't even give a YouTube clip for the mashup because it is all in my head. Don't sue.


Mr. Schuester clapped his hands together to get the attention of everyone in the glee club, which at that moment included Mercedes and the rest of the disbanded Troubletones again. Spirits were high with everyone laughing and catching up, so it was no surprise that Mr. Schue was having a bit of trouble getting the group to calm down. Even if the teacher had manned up a lot this year, he still wasn't the toughest authority figure – especially with the glee club kids, who it was no secret got away with a lot; the hotel assignments last year at nationals alone was a story that was so epic, mostly because Mr. Schuester still had no idea about everything that had gone down. Still, as time was of the essence, Puck decided to take matters into his own hands.

"Hey!" He shouted loudly, the room nearly going silent. "Shut up."

Mr. Schuester cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, thanks, Puck." He nodded at the young man before putting his full attention back on the group of students. "I know it's already been said, but I'd like to officially welcome back Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany into New Directions. And, in that same regard, Sam has not only returned to McKinley but is interested in coming back to the glee club, and he has prepared something for our consideration."

"Ten bucks says it's sword swallowing," Santana sneered. "So not impressive with a mouth that big."

Sam ignored the Latina, shaking his head a little as he made his way to the sound system. Puck and Mike also left their spots to stand up front, everyone waiting for the music to start; typically people worked ahead of time with the band or learned the song on an instrument, but Sam didn't have time. Rachel had just barely convinced him to rejoin New Directions, and if it weren't for Mike and Puck helping him out, the blonde probably wouldn't have done it in the first place. Then again, Mr. Schuester had said he didn't need to audition again, but this performance wasn't really about the glee club.

It was about Mercedes.

"Uh, I heard I missed your guys' big mash off, so I thought I'd do one of my own."

The music kicked in and immediately the girls started to swoon. Even in a group with such diverse tastes, playing Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" was a sure hit. And then lacing the familiar tune with a new popular song from LMAFO was just icing on the cake. The beats and the reaction to them should have been enough to calm Sam's nerves, but he hadn't performed since nationals last year and hadn't had a solo since sectionals – and that was actually a duet. With Puck and Mike dancing on either side of him, though, Sam tried to exude the same amount of confidence in his voice as they seemed to have in their dancing abilities.

Dirty babe

You see these shackles?

Baby, I'm your slave

I'll let you whip me if I misbehave

It's just that no one makes me feel this way

As rehearsed, as soon as the last word came out, the three boys were lined up in the center and the music changed from focusing on "Sexy Back" to LMAFO's "I'm Sexy and I Know It". Sam took the first two lines of the hook, pointing to Puck for one line and then Mike for the other. Then, for the last repetition, Mike and Puck joined in and said the line at the same time while both pointed to Sam before they all took the final line. The next time, they went down the row starting with Mike and spoke the line after a small spin move and all three said the last line while lifting up their shirts to show off each of their six packs.

Girl, look at that body

Girl, look at that body

Girl, look at that body

I work out

The girls in the glee club went absolutely crazy, which was actually kind of funny considering it wasn't anything they hadn't seen before. Between sporting events, pool parties, and dance rehearsals that went on forever in the sweltering auditorium, all three boys have had their shirts off in front of the group before. But there was something about the music mixing with their confidence that seemed to take it to another level; even Santana was appreciating the view even though she'd sworn off dick unless it was something kinky with Brittany. Regardless, Puck didn't care about her reaction or anyone else's but Rachel's. He found her gaze from where she was wedged between Kurt and Blaine in the middle row, curious what her reaction would be to him singing the next verse.

I'm bringing sexy back

Them other fuckers don't know how to act

Come let me make up for the things you lack

'Cause you're burning up, I gotta get it fast

The trio immediately started back up with different lines from "Sexy and I Know It", but Puck's focus remained on Rachel. She was blushing a little and he couldn't help but feel some extra confidence building inside him. He needed it, too, because this was really the only area in his life where he really felt any. It was where his ego came from and the only reason he ever felt like he could do anything. Rachel was very similar, actually. On stage, she was more herself than anywhere, which was weird considering she's pretending to be someone else usually. Still, it was an interesting parallel; Rachel pretended to be confident on stage, but Puck pretended to be confident everywhere else.

Except, of course, when he was with Rachel.

He wasn't cocky enough to think she broke up with Finn because of him, but he also wasn't dumb enough to just let this opportunity pass by. Unfortunately, his usual arrogance when it came to being the one to pick up the pieces of a broken heart weren't going to work on Rachel. He couldn't just grab her wrist and pull her into the nearest semi-private area. And, oddly enough, he didn't want to; Puck didn't want to just be a rebound. He wasn't sure what he wanted since he was still coming to grips with all these new feelings, but he knew he didn't want Rachel to do something with him that she'd later regret. He'd known it since he walked out of her bedroom last year before Christmas, and it was truer now than it had been then.

When I walk in the spot

This is what I see

Everybody stops and starin' at me

I got passion in my pants

And I ain't afraid to show it

Show it

Show it

Show it

I'm sexy and I know it

All three boys ended the mash up with a model-esque pose, earning a roaring round of applause from the group even if some of the guys were laughing, too. They shrugged off both reactions with calculated indifference, each of them taking their respective seats again after Mr. Schuester had pat their backs in congratulations. Puck had ended up sitting next to Mercedes because he'd almost been late, and he couldn't help but grin at the bashful smile on the girl's face even though she was trying hard to hide it. And since Mr. Schuester was busy doing his best to pry Tina and Mike apart, Puck didn't mind nudging the black girl with his shoulder and winking at her knowingly.

"Welcome back, Chocolate Thunder."

Mercedes merely rolled her eyes at Puck, both of them knowing his tone was anything but casual. Instead, they all moved their focus to the front of the room again, where Mr. Schuester had moved on to giving his typical pre-sectionals speech. They had two weeks before they were set to perform, and like a terrible sense of déjà vu, the glee club still hadn't prepared a set list. It was probably for the best considering New Directions now had four new members to work into the numbers, but their competition wasn't going to be easy. They had to compete against two new groups as well as the Warblers again, and Blaine had told them all just how good they had sounded when he stopped by the school earlier in the week.

"So I really want you guys to be thinking about what's best for the team," Mr. Schuester said as a way of dismissal. "This is the last year for a lot of you, and I know you don't want it to end in December."

While everyone else stood to pack up or leave, Rachel scurried down the risers toward Mr. Schuester. Puck wasn't exactly eavesdropping, but he heard the brunette mention a duet and then her big brown eyes landed on him. He tried to pretend like it wasn't affecting him since Mr. Schue's gaze also moved to Puck, but he was sort of frozen in his spot until Mercedes poked him in the ribs. Her smile, like his had been earlier, was all too knowing.

"Welcome back, Cue Ball."

He glared at her as she laughed on her way out of the choir room (Sam waiting outside the door), his hard stare softening once Rachel moved into his line of vision. "Hey."

"Hi," she responded softly, her eyes down for a moment. "You guys were really good."

"It's what we do." He shrugged and waited, but she didn't offer anything more than that. "Ya cool?"

She blinked once, then tilted her head and smiled softly. "Yes, Noah. Thank you for your concern." Her hand came out to touch his forearm. "Despite how sudden and drastic the breakup might seem to others, it was a mutual decision."

"Right." Puck just nodded. He knew Finn had been thinking about Quinn a little lately, but the breakup was all Rachel. Finn would have stayed Rachel's boyfriend for as long as she let him, especially given the promise of sex Rachel apparently made last Friday. "Keep tellin' yourself that, babe."

"Do you think it was a mistake?"

Puck stopped his retreat just a few steps into it, turning slowly and facing her again. He squinted his eyes and played her question back over in his head as he watched her. She hadn't sounded unsure, but questioning her decision wasn't exactly the picture of certainty. "You don't need my blessin', Berry."

"Yes, I know that." Her gaze faltered for a moment, her voice hitching a little. "But I thought maybe …" She bit her lip, watching him watch her and clearly losing her nerve.

"As long as you're happy, right?"

She nodded once, her lips in a thin line before they curled up a little as she spoke. "I'm working on it."

He smiled, too, if only because she was and he couldn't help himself. Honestly, he had no idea what that had meant, and he couldn't figure it out for the entire walk to the locker room. Most of the other guys had already finished changing, but Puck had a special kind of talent when it came to dressing quickly. If people asked he said it was because he'd run so many laps for Coach Tanaka for being late, but the truth was he'd acquired the skill after one too many run ins with husbands who didn't appreciate Puck's happy ending bonus to the wives for cleaning their pools.

"Puckerman!" Coach Bieste shouted, her voice as clear as if she were sitting right next to him but her presence unknown.

"Almost done!" Puck yelled back, scrambling to replace his shirt and shorts at almost the same time.

"Go to my office when you finish up. Cooter wants to see you."

Puck's actions halted, his shirt half on and a shoe gripped loosely in his one hand. The recruiter hadn't met with anyone outside of Finn since he got there, and even that had turned out just to be to talk to the captain and get a rundown of the team from a player's perspective. Finn was still working extra hard to get the recruiter's attention, and it was no secret Mr. Cooter had his eye on Shane. But Puck? He didn't even want to go to Ohio State and sure as hell hadn't made any attempt to impress the recruiter while he was here.

"Take a seat, son." Mr. Cooter pointed to the chair in front of Coach's desk, and Puck plopped down into the spot casually. He hinged over to finish tying his shoes while the recruiter watched with a stern but somehow inviting expression. "I don't want you to miss much of your practice, but you seem to run out of here like a bat out of hell and I wanted to talk to you." Puck leaned back slowly. "You've got a lot of talent, kid."

"Thanks," he answered respectively, if not hesitantly.

"A lot a talent. One of the best on the team."

"Thanks twice," Puck said, his voice a little agitated at the way the recruiter slowed his speech. "I ain't tryin' to be a dick. I'm not slow, I'm just not interested."

Mr. Cooter leaned back in Coach Bieste's chair, his hands folding in front of his stomach and a small smile forming. "You've got balls. I like that. It's why I'm talking to you." He pointed out toward where the field was. "There are plenty of kids out there who got the build and the speed or are willing to work every damn day to get those things. But you've got all that and charisma, kid. You have a power to lead people, and that's what I need."

Puck stared blankly at the recruiter for at least a full minute. He had been prepared for the hard sell. He wasn't cocky enough to think Mr. Cooter would lay it all down on the line just to get Puck to come to state, but he knew what these guys did and it was basically one step up from being a used car salesman. Regardless, Puck had never really seen himself as a leader. Then again, he wasn't sure if that was because he wasn't one or because he had always shied away from that (all) responsibility.

"If you don't mind me asking, if you aren't looking at state, what do you plan to do after graduation?"

Puck knew he didn't have to answer, but he also knew Mr. Cooter didn't know anyone in town other than Coach Bieste. He wasn't his mother or Rachel or anyone at school. Puck could tell him the truth and it wouldn't matter other than he might actually get some unbiased advice. "I haven't decided yet, but I saw this one place. Hofstra."

"It's a good school." Mr. Cooter nodded. "Dropped their football team last year, though."

Puck's heart sank along with his head. It was already far-fetched considering his grades weren't the best and it was an out-of-state school, but now he just felt stupid. Anyone else would have figured out that the football program had been canceled, but he was too dumb to realize. He was just a Lima Loser.

"I know a guy at Wagner, though, if you're heart is set on New York." Puck's eyes shot up, his heart racing as he realized that, yes, his heart was set on New York. "It's in Staten Island, about 30 minutes from the heart of the city. I know a bunch of guys who live in Brooklyn as sort of an in between spot, though I'm sure the school has some restrictions for at least their first year players." Mr. Cooter knocked his fist on the desk. "I'll give him a call for ya."

Puck wasn't sure what to say, other than an awed thank you before basically stumbling out of the office and onto the playing field. He went through practice in a blind fog, not coming out of it until afterward in the locker room when Finn finally cornered him. The tall teen had asked about the meeting with the recruiter at least a dozen times, and Puck hadn't revealed anything. He'd tried to just brush his friend off considering the conversation was none of his business and hadn't had anything to do with Finn's chances (if anything, Puck had helped out by taking his name out of the running). But, clearly, Mr. Cooter wasn't the only thing on Finn's mind.

"So what do you think about Rachel and me breaking up?"

Puck shrugged. "Whatever."

"That's it?" Finn questioned, one of his eyebrows lifting skeptically. "You don't care that she's single?"

"Ain't ever been a problem with me before, ya know?" Puck joked, playing the asshole card because he could hear the same tone in Finn's voice. They still hadn't really talked about what was said between them yesterday, and Puck was sure the end of this conversation was going to be very similar if he didn't do his best to avoid it. "I'll see ya at the shop."

"I know you're into her, man."

Puck stopped, sighing a little as his head sagged in front of him. The weight of his duffel bag falling from his shoulder swung his body back around to face Finn, his gaze strong but wary; he really didn't have the strength to listen to yet another tiresome speech about how Finn didn't want her anymore but didn't want anyone else to have her either. It was still circling in the back of his mind as a possibility, regardless, and hearing the confirmation might just make him sick. After all, he had a bet going with Santana that the two would be back together by the end of the week.

"I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but …" Finn trailed off for a moment, licking his lips nervously. "You're not good for her, dude."

Puck coughed on his exhale, not expecting that and really having no idea how to react to it. He was sick of talking, but he couldn't exactly beat the living crap out of Finn either since … well, he wasn't sure if he was wrong. Puck knew he was better for Rachel than Finn was, but that didn't make him good for her. The thought occupied his mind for the entire walk home. He ignored a text from Rachel asking if he wanted to work on the duet, and he'd ignored his mother when he walked into the house and she'd all but tackled him with messages that Rachel had called the house. And when he got up to his room and fired off a quick text to Johnny at the shop calling in sick, Puck fell to his bed and ignored his homework for the night, too.

He's sexy and he knew it, but what else?