Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any song mentioned in this chapter.
A.N. My thanks to all who have taken the time to read this story, for reviewing or adding it to your alerts.
Thanks to my wonderful beta xXLittle Rose AngelXx
This chapter is a little different but I hope you all enjoy it :)
Mercedes had spent the duration of the break pacing the hallway outside the auditorium. Both she and Sam had felt it was best to be away from Mr Schue for the time being and also so that they could provide extra privacy to Rachel, Puck and Kurt, who were inside, sitting on the edge of the stage. Little conversation passed between the couple, both aware that they were in danger of losing the slight hold that was keeping their tempers in check. For that reason, the arrival of Artie and Mike was most welcome.
"Lauren sent us. She has some more anger management exercises set up. I've just finished. Artie is going to go back with you; he's here to collect Kurt as well."
Noting the sceptical look on Sam's face, Mike continued, "The girl is a genius when it comes to this. Look how she calmed San down earlier. Trust her, she's trying to help."
Mercedes knew there was something else not being said, but it was Artie who confirmed her suspicion.
"Look, Lauren feels as if she has to make up for yesterday and this is the only practical way she can think of, so let's just get Kurt and be on our way."
Kurt appeared at the door, having caught their slightly raised voices, and he was quick to say goodbye to Rachel and Puck. Accepting the hug Mercedes offered him, Kurt urged his friends to make a move to where the other gleeks were waiting. The break was nearly over and they wanted to reach the choir room before Finn.
Knowing that Rachel would have to leave her sanctuary in the next few minutes, Mike approached her cautiously. She was sitting at the piano, playing random chords. Her eyes were closed, and it looked as if her thoughts were not on the keys but some distant memory.
Mike thought it was a bit strange that Puck was standing slightly off to the side, until he noticed the way his hands were tightly held together, almost as if he was afraid of losing his composure. Of all the gleeks, Puck was the one who had the most to lose if Finn managed to provoke him. He was still on probation and no one wanted to see all the progress he had made since Junior Year wiped out by Hudson's mind games.
Rachel's playing was so quiet that it took Mike a few moments to notice that the random chords had become a distinct song. In fact, it was only as he watched in awe as Puck transformed before him that Mike became aware of the change. Puck's shoulders relaxed and his death grip on his hands eased. Slowly he made his way to sit beside Rachel.
Mike blinked as he realised that it was Noah, not Puck, who accompanied Rachel on the piano, both in complete harmony with the other and Mike knew he was privileged to witness this. Both teens in front of him were no longer conscious of his presence. Even without words, the power of the memories evoked by 'Sweet Caroline' was enough to comfort both Rachel and Noah, leaving them ready to once more face Finn.
"Is it time to go back?" Rachel's question startled Mike, who had been caught up in the emotional scene before him. It took him a second to reply.
"Yes Rachel; the coast is clear and Sue is on duty to act as a buffer or diversion if needed."
A small grin lit Puck's face as he imagined the tactics the coach would use in such an event, before sobering again.
Rachel looked to him and said, "It's okay to smile Noah. We've done nothing wrong, right?" There was a hint of her old strength, but as long as the trace of doubt remained, both boys knew that Rachel was still questioning herself.
"Do you need to get anything before we go back? Water? A snack?" As Rachel only shook her head to say no, Puck made his way down from the stage, turning to help her down.
As he released her hand, she gently rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. He felt as if he had been branded and he barely repressed a shiver. Mike, who felt like he was intruding, turned to give them some privacy, but as Puck was aware of just how fragile Rachel was - her shallow breathing giving her away - he slowly lifted her hand to his mouth, applying the lightest kiss to it before letting her walk in front of him.
There had always been a spark between them. Most of their friends thought it was from the week that had dated, but in fact the first time he sang 'Sweet Caroline' to Rachel was the evening of her Bat Mitzvah. She had always seen him as Noah, even when Puck began taking over as his hormones raged and the absence of his father really took hold.
They both knew that something had changed that night, as he sat on the back porch of the Berry house, playing the song he had spent three weeks learning. The adults had long disappeared, so it was just the two of them outside.
"Noah, that was so beautiful. You should be a star like me when you get older." Setting his guitar down carefully, he moved closer to her and sighed.
"Ray, I can't leave Mom and Becca; we have so little money. That's why I had to sing you the song. Becca needed new clothes and..." He trailed off not know where to look.
"You took time to learn the music, Noah; you put yourself into it, which means I'll remember it forever. You don't have to give me anything else."
He would still deny it to this day, but Rachel's words helped heal his broken soul just a fraction and he knew then, as much as a thirteen year old can, that he needed this person in his life forever. He felt her thumb gingerly touch his knuckles so he caught he hand and raising it, kissed it gently.
Time stood still, neither able to look away as their heads mover closer together. Puck felt her eyelashes on his cheek as his eyes closed of their own accord. Their lips met like a soft whisper, the lightest of contact. He applied a little more pressure and he was lost, drowning in unfamiliar sensations.
Rachel let out a little sigh, opening her lips slightly, and acting purely on instinct Noah let his tongue caress inside her mouth. Rachel's hands moved up to his shirt collar, pulling them closer together, her tongue dancing playfully with his. She moved one hand to the nape of his neck and stroked the hair she found there.
How long they spent like that neither ever knew, only the fact that they ran out of air, and then the sound of Leroy Berry walking into the kitchen caused them to stop. They stared at one another wordlessly, their hands somehow finding each other and still the silence lingered.
Puck was called back to the present by the gentle touch of Rachel's hand on his arm, so he tried to push away the lingering emotions of his memories and put all his focus on the girl in front of him. As they walked back towards Glee headquarters, he really wanted to take Rachel's hand in his, but knowing the unnecessary trouble that might cause, he resisted the temptation.
He had noted that Rachel's hands had seemed cold, so he asked softly if she had any extra clothes with her. He was glad to see her open her bag and grab a sweatshirt from it.
"So that's were that disappeared to," he said.
Raising her eyebrows questioningly, Rachel started to hand his McKinley hoody to him, but Puck just rolled his eyes, a feeling of contentment settling in his stomach at the sight of his girl in his clothes.
Soon, the rest of the gleeks joined them, followed by Mr Schue, who made a quick beeline for Ms Pillsbury. Seemingly happier than he had been earlier, Puck assumed the teacher had been told that he would have more involvement in what was to happen next.
Sue strolled in, an odd expression on her face, which Puck put down to Hudson's appearance mere moments after her. He cringed as Schuester practically frogmarched the boy to his seat, giving him an encouraging smile as Emma handed him something.
Puck was just happy that there was plenty of distance between Rachel and Finn, and that his former best friend appeared not to have notice that Rachel had 'Puckerman' emblazoned on the sleeve of her top. No doubt Finn would react badly when that finally caught his eye, but for now Puck was just waiting for him to dig his own grave, metaphorically at least. There were any number of willing volunteers to help him on his way, and by his reckoning the task would only take a few more hours.
A.N. As a reward for all the suspense and drama, some much needed and long awaited Puckleberry cuteness. Please let me know what you think.
My muse is on overdrive at the minute so I'm hoping I may be able to update a bit more over the weekend.