Disclaimer: Ownership is neither claimed nor implied.

A/N: New Year, new things to deal with…

Quinn felt weird going back to school after Winter Break. She hated leaving Beth again and she felt like everyone was looking at her, talking about her, talking about her family. She overheard a few whispered conversations that stopped abruptly when the ones speaking realised she was there. She headed to the choir room and the peace she knew she would find there.

"Oh, hi Quinn," Mr Schuester said as she walked through the door. "How are you holding up?" he asked.

"I know it might sound awful, Mr Schue," Quinn began as she sat down near the piano, "but I don't feel any different to how I felt before. I lost my dad a long time ago," she said as she shrugged, "now it's just permanent." Mr Schue nodded, not quite sure how to respond to that and altogether thankful that he still had his own father in his life. "I'm glad that Beth has both Mr Epsteins that she sees regularly because at least she's got a grandfather figure in both of those two. And they love her to pieces," Quinn said thoughtfully. "My father would never have been a grandfather. That would have been far too close to admitting he was getting old," she revealed a touch bitterly.

"And how is Beth?" Mr Schue asked, feeling like a change of subject might not be a bad thing.

"She's amazing," Quinn gushed, happy to be talking about her baby. "She took her first step yesterday. Just the one then she fell down and cried. She was so sweet. Puck got it on video, he's watched it a thousand times already," she said, laughing at the memory.

"Ah, yeah," Mr Schue replied, smiling, "he was in here earlier to show me."

"She's so funny when Puck sings too," Quinn sighed and looked wistful, wishing that she was at home with her baby. "She stands up, holds on to whatever is in front of her and bounces up and down like she's dancing."

Other Glee club members started to arrive, each of them giving Quinn sympathetic little half smiles. Puck, naturally, was late. He'd been showing the video of Beth's first step to everyone he passed. He sat down next to Quinn and took her hand, quietly asking how she was. Quinn shrugged, not giving any particular answer.

"Ok," Mr Schue began, consulting his list. "You've all had enough rehearsal time, girls, if you're ready, can we start with 'This Kiss'?" he asked. The girls all got into position. Rachel, Mercedes and Quinn leading. Tina, Santana and Brittany backing.

Rachel:
"I don't want another heartbreak
I don't need another turn to cry, no
I don't want to learn the hard way
Baby hello, oh no, goodbye
But you got me like a rocket
Shooting straight across the sky"

All:
"It' s the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's, ah, impossible
This kiss, this kiss
Unstoppable
This kiss, this kiss"

Mercedes:
"Cinderella said to Snow White
How does love get so off course
All I wanted was a white knight
With a good heart, soft touch, fast horse
Ride me off into the sunset
Baby I'm forever yours"

All:
"It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's, ah unthinkable
This kiss, this kiss
Unsinkable
This kiss, this kiss"

Quinn:
"You can kiss me in the moonlight
On the rooftop under the sky, oh
You can kiss me with the windows open
While the rain comes pouring inside, oh
Kiss me in sweet slow motion
Let's let everything slide
You got me floating
You got me flying"

All:
"It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's (ah) subliminal
This kiss, this kiss
It's criminal
This kiss, this kiss"

Tina:
"It's the way you love me baby
It's the way you love me, darlin'"

All:
"It' s the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's (ah) subliminal
This kiss, this kiss
It's criminal
This kiss, this kiss"

Tina:
"It's the way you love me baby
It's the way you love me darlin'"

All:
"It' s the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's (ah) subliminal
This kiss, this kiss
It's criminal
This kiss, this kiss"

Tina:
"It's the way you love me baby
It's the way you love me darlin'"

"Well done girls," Mr Schue called as he clapped along with all the guys. "Good job. What do you think?" he asked the class. "Regionals?"

"I think it'd be even better with a dance routine, maybe the girls singing to the guys while dancing with them," Mike volunteered. "It was really good, I just think that would make it even better."

"Great idea Mike," Mr Schue enthused. "Do you want to work something out? Teach it to everyone?" he asked, nodding.

"Sure," Mike agreed, "I can do that."

"Excellent. One down two to go," Mr Schue murmured as he consulted his list again. "Guys? 'Savin Me'? Are you ready?" he asked.

"Good to go Mr Schue," Puck answered. Puck and Finn took the lead, Mike, Artie, Kurt and Sam backing.

Puck:
"Prison gates won't open up for me
On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'
Oh, I reach for you
Well I'm terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can't hold my soul in
All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'"

All:
"Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me"

Finn:
"Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth storey
And oh I scream for you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'"

All:
"Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me"

Finn:
"Hurry I'm fallin'"

Puck:
"All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh, I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin', I'm fallin'"

All:
"Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me"

Finn:
"Hurry I'm fallin'"

All:
"Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me"

"Again guys, wonderful work," Mr Schue shouted as he clapped. "I think that is definitely a winner," he said. Mr Schue checked his watch. "Ok guys, that's it for today. Next class we'll hear the group number. Thank you, all of you, really great work," he said as he hurried away.

Every one left, Puck taking Quinn's hand as they went through the door. "Did you speak to your mom yet?" he asked.

"Yes." Quinn replied, she didn't sound all that happy. "I asked her to meet me after school to pick Beth up from your Nana's. She said she can't because she's going with Frannie and Peter back to their house for a few days. I think they're all just trying to avoid me," she muttered.

"Of course they're not," Puck reassured. "Everything's cool with the three of you now, isn't it?"

"Yes, except for Frannie's gift," Quinn reminded him with a pout. They had made the decision, after discussing things with Ruth and Sarah, that Frannie could start a trust fund for Beth with the legacy that she wanted to share with Quinn but make it so that if Beth ever had any siblings in the future, they would share equally. Quinn had decided that she did not want to directly profit from her father. Frannie couldn't understand Quinn's reluctance. Quinn would imagine, if she told any of her friends about it, that they would think she was mad too. But Quinn was adamant. She couldn't in all conscience deny her child a wonderful future but she couldn't take it herself. She really, truly did not want anything at all from Russell Fabray. Puck was proud of her stand and supported her wholeheartedly.

After school Puck went to work. Quinn drove to Sarah's to collected Beth. Judy had insisted that Quinn have her car back and wouldn't take no for an answer that she would help with the costs. Even Puck agreed with that little bit of assistance, because it made life for Beth a little easier. Judy had also, covertly with help from information from Ruth, given Puck a huge chunk of money towards Quinn's medical bills. She had insisted. Puck wasn't happy about it, he felt that it was his responsibility and no one else's. Judy had again played the 'Beth' card to get him to accept. It was becoming a sort of pattern.

"How has she been today?" Quinn asked when she got to Sarah's house, Beth had been a touch fretful this morning when she had woken up.

"I think she's either getting some more teeth or she has an ear infection," Sarah told Quinn. "She's been upset and grumpy all afternoon and she didn't want to eat."

"Ok," Quinn said, picking her tired and irritable daughter up. Beth tucked her face into Quinn's neck and rubbed her head against her mommy's shoulder, the action making her cry. "She feels a little warm, I think I'll take her to see Dr Stenburge, get her checked out," she told Sarah.

"That's probably a good idea. Let me know how she is, won't you?" Sarah asked.

"I will. Say 'bye bye' to Nana Sarah, Beth," Quinn encouraged softly, looking down at her flushed little cheeks. Beth grizzled, nothing like her usual sunny self. "Mmmm, something is definitely not right with her, isn't it?" Quinn murmured.

At the doctor's office Beth was seen right away. "Yes, it's an inner ear infection. I'll give you a prescription for an antibiotic for her. Start her on it straight away and make sure you give her the full course of treatment. She should be feeling good as new inside a couple of days," Dr Stenburge advised.

"Thank you Dr Stenburge," Quinn said as she tucked Beth back into her coat. Quinn collected the medicine from the pharmacy on the way out of the building.

Back at home she gave Beth her first dose of the medicine. Beth did not like it at all and tried to spit it out. "Oh, come on baby girl, this will make you feel all better," Quinn encouraged as Beth stretched herself backwards fighting Quinn. She was getting herself really upset. Quinn had to be satisfied that she had got at least some of the medicine down her before Beth realised it was totally yacky.

Ruth got home just before Puck. Quinn had started dinner, Hannah was in the family room watching TV. Beth was dozing in her bouncy chair near Hannah, she kept whimpering in her sleep, poor little mite.

"Hey, what's for dinner?" Puck asked, coming up behind Quinn and stealing his arms round her. "It smells good whatever it is."

"It's vegetable and pasta casserole with garlic bread," Quinn told him, half turning to get a sneaky kiss.

"Eeeewwww, you'll spoil the dinner," Hannah cried, coming into the kitchen to see how long dinner would be.

"Get lost Squirt," Puck grinned and dipped Quinn over his arm to give her a much more substantial greeting, making Hannah cry out even more.

"MOM!" Hannah shouted, making Beth startle in the other room and start crying again. "Noah and Quinn are kissing in the kitchen again," she yelled.

"What's up with Beth?" Puck asked. "She's not usually bothered when Hannah shouts."

"She has an ear infection, she doesn't feel very well," Quinn told him and explained about the doctor visit.

"Why didn't you call me? I'd have come with you," Puck asked, a little annoyed that no one had thought to let him know his little girl was poorly. He went to see Beth who had dozed off again, her little cheeks and her ear even redder than before.

"You have to work, you can't miss work for something minor like that," Quinn replied following him to the family room. "She has medicine, she'll be fine. I think I'm going to miss school tomorrow though. I'm not willing to leave her when she's not well. It's not fair on your Nana either to have to look after a poorly baby. She's our responsibility not hers," she said firmly.

"Maybe I should stay home with you too," Puck suggested hopefully.

"Err, no," Quinn smiled at him. "You can't afford to miss any classes, you need to work harder in them all to pass as it is, otherwise you'll be a junior for forever. At least I'm ahead in most of my classes and Mercedes will bring me any notes and homework. And I can manage. We'll be fine. Nice try though," she grinned.

Ruth overheard the last of what Quinn was saying and agreed with her. "I'm working from home tomorrow anyway so I'll be here if Quinn needs any help," she told Puck, which made him frown even more.

"Damn," Puck grumbled. "I'm going to go shower. How long till dinner?" he asked.

"About ten minutes," Quinn told him going back to the kitchen to check the garlic bread.

Puck went to get showered, on his way back to the kitchen afterwards he stopped by to see Beth, still dozing in her chair. He bent towards her and kissed her head gently, not wanting to disturb his poorly little girl. Beth stirred but didn't waken.

After they'd eaten, Beth woke up. Quinn offered her some mashed up dinner but she pushed it away. Quinn tried her with some porridge and Beth ate a little before again pushing the spoon away, holding her hand over her ear. "You just don't want it do you, baby girl?" Puck said softly. He picked her up and carried her into the family room to lay with him on the sofa. He stripped her off down to her diaper and took off his t-shirt. Beth settled on his chest for a while but was still quite warm. Between them, Puck and Quinn managed to get the next dose of medicine into her. Quinn ran Beth's bath water a little cooler than usual to try to bring her slight temperature down. When she was dressed in her pyjamas Quinn managed to keep Beth feeding for long enough, even though she kept stopping to tug her ear and cry. Beth slept, waking a lot through the night, for her medicine and to eat again.

Quinn, Beth and Puck were equally tired the next day. Puck thought he had a good case for missing school, that he'd only had about three hours' sleep.

Ruth laughed. "You've managed on less after staying out partying, mister," she told him without sympathy. "Go to school, Noah," she added, her tone did not invite Puck to argue his case further. Puck left after breakfast, grumbling under his breath about equal rights for fathers. Ruth contacted school to let them know that Quinn would be absent today.

"Where's Quinn?" Kurt asked as Puck sat alone in the choir room, checking his phone.

"Beth's sick so she's staying home today to look after her," Puck replied. "I offered to stay home too but apparently sick babies only want their mommies not their daddies, so I had to come to school," he grumbled.

"And how many texts have you sent to Quinn to ask how Beth is?" Mercedes asked. "Bear in mind Puckerman, that it's only eleven thirty and you still have four more hours of school," she reminded him. Puck mumbled something. "What was that? I didn't hear you," Mercedes said loudly. "Thirty?" she asked incredulously.

Puck glared at her, he knew she'd heard right. "Fifty alright. I've text fifty times, and Beth has been a little better this morning so the medicine seems to be working. Quinn says thank you all for your concern," he finished sarcastically.

"How could we be concerned if we didn't know anything about it? We didn't know Beth was sick," Finn enquired reasonably.

"Well now you do," Puck growled, his face set in a scowl. "And I only got three hours sleep last night," he grumbled, still scowling.

"Maybe daddy is a little cranky too?" Mercedes dared to tease.

Puck tried to hide the smile but failed miserably. "Yeah, this daddy is very tired and very cranky and it's not fair that Quinn got to stay off school and get some sleep today," he pouted. Puck stretched and yawned. "I'm going home at lunchtime to see how they are," he decided.

"Want me to come with you?" Mercedes offered, wanting to make sure Quinn that was holding up.

"Nah, if I can swing the pity vote I might not make it back to school this afternoon," Puck replied, hoping that the puppy dog eyes would work for him today. "I might just fall asleep on the couch," he said through another yawn. Puck was already planning to try that. He really hoped it would work, he was very tired. And he missed his baby girl. And Quinn. Roll on lunchtime.

"Hey," Puck whispered, seeing that Beth was sleeping in Quinn's arms. "How is she?"

"Oh, hey, I must have drifted off, I didn't hear you come in," Quinn mumbled through a yawn. "Where's Hannah?" she asked as she shook herself awake.

"School probably," Puck replied, "it's only lunchtime. I came to see how Beth is and how you're managing," he said, bending closer to Beth.

"Well, she's slept most of this morning but she doesn't want to be put down," Quinn answered. "Will you take her for a minute while I go to the bathroom, please?" she asked, still feeling a little groggy from waking up so suddenly.

"Sure, just a second," Puck replied taking his jacket off. He took Beth from Quinn's arms and sat on the sofa with her. Beth stayed asleep in his arms. As soon as Quinn left the room he laid down, closing his own eyes, his hand stroking Beth's back gently, soothing and comforting both her and himself. By the time Quinn returned Puck was fast asleep, his hand still on Beth's back, both of them snoring gently.

"Oh that was smooth Puckerman," Quinn whispered and went to find Ruth. Ruth called school and explained that Noah would not be back this afternoon.

"Good job he's not working later isn't it?" Ruth asked wryly.

When Hannah came home from school she found her brother still lying on the sofa with a more alert Beth in his arms. She was still a touch grumpy but more like her usual self. The medicine was certainly kicking in now. Both Quinn and Puck hoped they'd get a better night's sleep.

Beth slept through the night, and woke the next day looking and feeling much better. Sarah came over to watch her at home instead of her house. Quinn and Puck both went to school in Quinn's car.

"Is Beth better now?" Mercedes asked them as they got out of the car. "I take it the pity vote worked then yesterday?" she asked Puck expectantly.

Quinn looked at Puck, her mouth open. "Pity vote?" she growled, giving him a narrow eyed stare. "You didn't come home to check on Beth at all yesterday, did you?" she demanded.

"I did," Puck insisted, wishing for once Mercedes had kept her mouth shut. "Of course I came home to see how she was doing, it's just that I was tired too and I fell asleep," he finished lamely seeing that he wasn't getting anywhere.

"You used your daughter's illness and discomfort to grab an afternoon off school," Quinn hissed. "That's low Puckerman. Even for you," she snarled then turned away grabbing Mercedes' arm and marched away leaving Puck stood by the car wondering if he dare defend himself.

"God save me from tired, hormonal women," Puck muttered as Kurt and Finn appeared at his side.

"Thank God I'm not into girls," Kurt preened. "I don't think my ego could stand the competition," he admitted.

"Where did you disappear to yesterday?" Finn asked. "One minute you're going for lunch then you never turn up for afternoon classes."

"Keep up Finn," Kurt muttered, shaking his head. "I could hear Quinn ream him out all the way over there. Puck went home at lunchtime to 'see Beth'," Kurt used his fingers to emphasise that part to his perennially behind step-brother, "and conveniently fell asleep missing the rest of the afternoon at school," he explained.

"Oh. Right," Finn said quietly as he considered the information. "So Beth wasn't really ill then? You were just taking time off school?" he asked, figuring it out.

"No asshole," Puck replied. "Beth really was ill, she has an ear infection and kept both of us up the other night. My mom and Quinn decided that it didn't need both of us off school to take care of her. Quinn didn't want to shove the responsibility for a cranky, sick baby onto my Nana so she stayed home to look after her. I went to check on them and genuinely fell asleep on the sofa giving Beth a cuddle," he explained.

Further in the distance, almost at the entrance to school, Quinn was grinning at Mercedes. "Well played there, you should be an actress," Mercedes whispered. "How could he possibly think none of us has been in touch with you since finding out Beth was ill yesterday?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"He really was tired though," Quinn acknowledged. "Well, we both were, we'd both been up almost all night with her and I got to sleep all morning while he was at school. Thanks for the homework email by the way," she added, hugging Mercedes' arm a little tighter.

"When will you let Puck know he's not really in trouble?" Mercedes asked.

"Mmmm, I don't know," Quinn pondered aloud. "Maybe after he's made it up to me," she added cheekily with a flick of her eyebrows.