A/N: 4-in-1 interlude for the Christmas break! I apologise if the timeline of this story sounds wonky, I'm actually not that in tune with American high school timetables so I'm just making up my own timeline :p Also, my OCs will take on slightly larger roles in the second half of this 'season' so as to build up to them taking on the reins of the glee club in the following (hypothetical) season after the present members leave, as true to the spirit of the show - but rest assured that the main lot still remains central. Hope you all enjoy this one; lots of testosterone bonding!

CHRISTMAS BREAK: Finn, Puck, Sam & Mike

"Does your dad mind if we snitch that bottle in the corner of the last cupboard? I promise I will..."

"You can try that with Rachel's dads, but Burt keeps his alcohol for special occasions," said Finn, smirking at Puck. "Unless you want him to give you a speech on the dangers of alcohol and how you matter, I suggest you don't test his skills at knowing where he keeps the prized stuff."

Puck groaned dramatically as he sank into the couch in Finn's sitting room. Mike, seated on the floor and engrossed in trying to smack down Sam's Street Fighter character on the Xbox, spared a second to give Puck a sympathetic look.

"It's three in the afternoon, Puckerman," said Sam, his eyebrows furrowed as he jammed the button on his controller rabidly. "Why'd you wanna get wasted so early?"

"Who says I'd get wasted?" Puck snorted. "The cold's getting to my bones and I'm feeling lazy as shit. There're only so many times I can fireball and kart-race your ass off. Also, no hot mamas to date when the pools are all frickin' frozen and the ladies all covered up with their mink."

Mike chuckled. "To think I actually thought you were sobering up with that scholarship application."

Puck ignored him. "Also, that Christmas party at Mercedes's was frickin' boring. Any party without guzzling it down? It's like a five-year-old's McDonalds' pony ride. I ain't down with that! This is officially the most boring Christmas ever."

Sam rolled his eyes.

Finn laughed. "You could make Kurt's day by making a snowman for him to dress."

Puck flipped him a finger. "Is that what your holidays have been? Playing Gaga dress-up with Hummel?"

He regretted that instantly, for Finn scowled. "Oops. Sorry, forgot that the midget's still banged up."

"I can't understand why Blaine's parents just won't let any of us visit him," said Finn. "So nobody really knows how he's doing, including Kurt. But with regards to Kurt, Rachel just managed to get him out of the house to go shopping with her and that's a step," Finn proceeded to throw a cushion at Puck, "so don't you come messin' it up or I'll have Burt sort your mouth out!"

Puck raised his hands in surrender. "Don't keep sending your dad on my heels. I'm guessing he didn't let you get your mack on with Rachel without shutting the door."

Finn sighed. "Actually, I wouldn't mind doing that in full view of everyone if only Rachel would let me. She's been going on and on about college and future and I just want to kiss her to shut her up."

"She's got a point, you know," said Mike, and whooped so loudly that they all jumped. Sam cursed and pretended to throw the controller down in anger. "Sorry, you know my combo moves are too hot for you."

"Ass," said Sam. "Finn – it's your turn to thrash Changster. Make sure he sinks to the ground in shame."

Finn frowned as he took over the controller. "Are you sure you're going to go to an academic college, Mike? I mean, you're so talented in dance, it seems like a waste if you're not pursuing it further."

Mike shrugged unconvincingly. "Dancing's a hobby, not a career."

"Dude, have you watched So You Think You Can Dance?" said Puck.

Mike laughed. "Man, I gotta be realistic. There're so many talented dancers out there..."

"There are also many talented doctors and lawyers out there," Sam pointed out.

Mike clammed his lips together and just stared at his controller.

"Ookay... heavy talk," said Puck, clambering off the sofa. "At least a soda, anyone?"

"Cocoa, please," groaned Sam. "It's freezing."

"Thought you have plenty already." Puck winked and went straight to the fridge, clearly not meaning to help with any cocoa-brewing at all.

"Shut up," growled Sam. Then he sighed. "Actually, I haven't seen Mercedes since the party. She seems to be so busy with something. Church stuff or – I don't know what."

"Christmas is coming to an end, man," said Mike.

"You should have known better than to sing with Grace after she tried to tap on you the last time," said Finn.

"And how would you know that?" Sam stared at Finn.

Finn shrugged. "Rachel and Mercedes have the occasional sleepovers, don't they?"

Sam didn't say anymore, but he just scrunched up his nose. "So are you guys going on or not? Otherwise we should just play poker or something."

"You guys are such boring asses," Puck lamented as he came back to sink into the couch once more, soda in hand.

"You got a better idea?" Sam glared at him. "Scaring old ladies in the park?"

"Who's up for spicy pranks? I feel like messing with Lawrence for being such a bitch all the time."

Sam smirked. "Are you sure you're doing it 'cos she's a bitch to you? Or is she messin' with someone and you hate her for that?"

Puck scowled. "What the hell are you talking about, Evans?"

"She does get on everyone's nerves," admitted Mike. "I don't understand why she's in glee club when she doesn't care about any of us and makes condescending remarks all the time. I mean, Santana did that before, but at least she made some effort to practice and stuff. Grace just thinks she's so good and doesn't bother working as hard or care about having a good time."

"Natalie doesn't seem to care either," said Finn. "I don't get what Artie sees in her."

Puck made a rather rude noise.

"Are they dating?" asked Sam. "I think they look kinda nice together."

"She accepted my candy," said Puck, rather ungraciously. "I should think not. Abrams knows the bro code too."

"But he specifically blew us off with the reason that he was meeting someone else," Mike pointed out.

"He could be meeting Tina, they're still pretty chummy," Puck argued, then waved his hands as Mike arched an eyebrow. "Sorry. My bad. I mean..."

"I overheard Natalie asking him out during Mercedes's Christmas party," said Sam. Then he eyed Puck a little coldly. Puck refused to meet his gaze.

"Can we stop talking about the chicks?" Puck asked, irritated. "Somebody should just be Chun Li and let me smash her to a pulp. Girls just angst so much and make us look like unwanted pups at the shelter."

Finn snorted. "I'll tell Kurt to look out for someone who would take in an unwanted pup like you. Although that might be a permanent problem..."

Puck's eyes narrowed. "That's it, Hudson."

Finn's eyes glinted as he abandoned the controller.

"Uh-oh," said Mike.

"What?" asked Sam, cluelessly.

"Let's... just back off a bit," whispered Mike, and he literally got up and moved away, tugging Sam by the collar.

"One..." Puck smirked.

But Finn had already moved and the two of them scrambled for the door – Finn swung it so wide that it nearly crashed into the wall. Quickly, Mike jumped over the couch and slammed the door shut behind the two boys, while Sam ran to the window to see Puck and Finn engage in a really violent (and cold) snowball fight and tussle, sans coat, hat and boots.

"Ookay..." Sam raised his eyebrows.

Mike grinned. "Place your bets, son."

A/N: Ep 11 preview - When the kids return from Christmas break, things are not looking too rosy. Friendships and relationships face serious tests, no thanks to spiteful gossip, distance and jealousy. (What's new, really...) On a personal note, I'll be taking a short hiatus to focus on my RL assignments, but hope you all still stick around! Drop a review or two to let me know what you think of this fic so far! (: