Author's note: Apparently, I can't help but be a sucktastic updater. It was a combination of my Stargate Atlantis obsession rising to the forefront and some serious trouble working around the end of the chapter. But here it is, with a lot of Puckelberry sprinkled in for good measure (for real, lol!).
Music suggestions: 'Go your own way' by Glee Cast, 'Drive by' by Train, 'When we stand together' by Nickelback, 'Don't stop' by Glee Cast.
Disclaimer: Don't own Glee.
Rumors, Continuation
"Why can't you accompany me to my dance practice tomorrow?" Rachel asked, falling onto her back on her bed and attempting to catch her breath.
"Artie asked me to help him out with this week's assignment." Puck replied, putting his left arm underneath his head as he stared at the ceiling. "He wants all of us guys to back him up on guitar for 'Never going back again'. It's gonna be epic, babe."
"I love watching you play guitar." Rachel commented in a content tone, laying her hand palm down on the pillow beneath her cheek before resting her head upon it. "It takes such talent and coordination. Devoting as much as I do to a singing performance, I couldn't possibly master it the way you have."
Puck preened under her praise. Which also meant a little teasing was in order. "You don't have to brown nose me anymore, Caroline. You already got into my pants."
Not one to pass up an opportunity, Rachel rolled onto her stomach as she trailed her fingertips brazenly down Puck's chest. "And what fine things you keep in those pants. I'm a very lucky girl."
"Uh huh." Puck agreed in a distracted tone as he followed her hand's slow trek down his midsection.
"When should I come?" Rachel asked in a sultry tone, turning her gaze up to his face.
"Come?" Puck repeated, his voice the slightest bit high-pitched.
"To the performance? You and the all the guitar-playing boys? I'm sure I'll be most delighted by the show. Even if Finn will be playing." Rachel clarified. Puck's eyes snapped up to meet her twinkling ones.
"Have I ever mentioned that you're a mean one, Caroline?" Puck mused in a strained but playful tone. "All insinuating bark but a total 180, complete with no bite."
"I'll show you no bite." Rachel retorted with a small snap of her teeth.
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"Rachel?" Quinn prompted, gracefully taking the open seat to Rachel's left in their third period English class together. "I want to sing this week's assignment with Finn. Do you think that will make Sam jealous?"
"I don't know him as well as you do, but I would think not." Rachel answered after a thoughtful pause. She then widened her eyes as another thought occurred to her. "Do you want him to be jealous?"
"No, of course not." Quinn replied immediately with a small frown. "It's just that, I honestly think that given the song choice and our rocky relationship past, Finn would be the more appropriate choice to sing it with. And with all that's been going on lately, I don't want Sam to get the wrong idea, or worse, feel inadequate or something because I chose my ex to perform a song with."
"First off, I must know the song you selected. It will help me determine whether or not Finn will actually have the range for it." Rachel said in her usual forthright tone. "And, have you already talked to Finn?"
"After listening to my mom's record of the Rumours album last night, I heard "I don't want to know" and immediately thought of all the drama that is me and Finn. And no, I haven't yet approached Finn about the project yet." Quinn described in response, resting her chin on one hand as she focused on Rachel.
"Yes. Yes, I believe that is an excellent song choice for you! The harmonies will be just wonderful. I can hear it in my head already. I definitely think that you should go for it. And after all that you and Sam have been through, I think he will understand. Just one thing." Rachel replied enthusiastically, clapping her hands together. She then leaned forward and lowered her voice and infused it with a sage underlining. "Discuss it with Sam first. If there's one thing we've all learned from this week, and all of our failed relationships, is that a little honesty goes a long way."
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"Quinn's going to sing a song with Finn tomorrow." Rachel informed Puck as they walked down the hallway side by side to their after school glee rehearsal, Rachel's arm threaded through Puck's right. "And I think they are going to sound just lovely together."
"What's that gonna say to Sam?" Puck asked, defending Sam. It was easy to do considering he now knew what was actually going down. Plus, Sam was a pretty cool guy and a hell of a lot better for Quinn. "It'll be like kicking the man in the nads when he's already down, or something."
Rachel frowned and turned her face up to look at him with that look. "You know something that I don't. What is it? Tell me now."
Puck shifted uncomfortably as he pulled Rachel out of the flow of traffic and pivoted her around so that they were facing each other directly. "I can't do that babe. It's personal."
"So you're saying that you are willing to suffer should I choose not to...be alone with you as a means of getting you to tell me anything?" Rachel stated, presenting it more as a statement of fact than a question.
Puck grimaced but nodded. "In this case, Rach. Yeah."
"Very well then." Rachel stated in a definitive tone with a curt nod.
All of the color drained from Puck's face. Just because he said he was willing to take this kind of hit for Sam, it didn't mean he was looking forward to her actually following through with the threat. "You mean, very well, you're gonna hold out on me?"
"How very crass, Noah. And no, I didn't say that." Rachel replied in a clipped tone, threading her arm back through his and leading them back into the thinning after school traffic.
"Why not?" Puck questioned, knowing he should let it go, but like his girlfriend, unable to do so.
"Because," Rachel replied with a long-suffering sigh. "If the subject of Sam's secret is as personal as you claim, then it would be hurtful and disrespectful of me to pry any further. Besides, I'm not really in the mood to "hold out" any more than you are. It would serve no purpose."
"Thanks, babe. You're pretty cool, you know that right?" Puck commented with a private smile, leaning down to peck a quick, affectionate kiss on her cheek.
"I'm still not happy about this." Rachel protested in a sulky tone, pursing her lips together.
"I figured you would be." Puck replied, tugging her in closer to his side. He then maneuvered the conversation in a different direction. "You still plan on singing 'Go Your Own Way' this week?"
"Of course." Rachel stated in reply. "I would be remiss not to do so. I believe my interpretation of Lindsey Buckingham's classic will be simply awesome. I've always thought that the song's emotional depth could possibly be expressed even more so by female vocals. Unfortunately, as you well know, my opinion is almost always ignored by the less intelligent masses."
"They just don't know what's good for them." Puck commiserated, going along for the ride as he patted her hand sympathetically with his.
"Exactly!" Rachel agreed exuberantly. "I've already picked out what I'm going to wear. It's very 70s chic."
"You want me to back you up with my ax?" Puck queried, guiding them into the choir room.
"I couldn't think of anyone better." Rachel replied fondly. Rachel then let go of Puck's arm, set her bag on the floor next to a chair in the front row and sat down.
Puck followed at a more sedate pace, taking the seat beside her.
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Rachel loved watching Noah play guitar. As she had informed him of in the past, it took incredible skill and dexterity. Not to mention, very strong fingers. She preferred his acoustic, because it had a more pure, fuller sound and he didn't have to spend a whole lot of time plugging it in to anything. But on occasion, she really enjoyed watching and listening to him play on his electric. It gave him a chance to really let loose and play.
And, even she had to admit, it sounded totally awesome. Her man was seriously skilled.
Although, sometimes the way his fingertips moved across the strings, it secretly made her mind float away and settle in hotter...more sensual places as she recalled other things his hands were skilled at playing. Thoughts she really shouldn't be reminiscing about in a classroom setting.
So that was why she wasn't currently singing "Go Your Own Way" solely to him. Because if she did so, her eyes would drift away from his face, down his chest and lovely arms, to his guitar. Where her gaze might zero in on his hands and tune everything else out. Her face would then adopt an enraptured "take me now" expression, according to her ever-so-eloquent boyfriend, and she might do something even more mortifying, like forget the lyrics to her song.
Every time she felt her resistance waning, she would turn and sing to the audience, or to Finn, the latter of which was actually an appropriate thing to do, considering the song was about breaking up.
When she turned to look at Noah as he started his solo, she snorted with laughter and her eyes crinkled with amusement at his comical, exaggerated expressions. That was something else about him. He took down his walls and let everything loose when he played guitar. He didn't hide one thing, he put it all into his guitar. The same way she did her voice.
And it was in times like this that she couldn't help but love him.
They were so finding a dark corner after practice.
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"Sam is not doing anything with Kurt!" Quinn repeated in an infuriated and impatient tone, her temper flaring.
Puck took his time pulling his guitar strap over his head, placing his guitar gently into the upright stand behind him as the bickering continued to disintegrate.
He still couldn't honestly say how they'd gotten to this point. One second, Rachel's doing her thing and finishing her song, looking hot as hell and giving him her "take me" eyes, and the next, accusations are flying. It was kind of freaky how good the glee club was at singling out and ganging up on one of the other members. Human nature and all that.
"You know what? I blame Sam for all of this." Santana commented in a uninterested tone. "And Rachel too. I blame her." Santana added as an afterthought.
"Me? What did I do?" Rachel asked in an affronted, perplexed tone.
Puck situated himself behind Rachel after he noticed how she'd uncrossed her arms and clenched both of her tiny hands into fists. Just in case she got any ideas.
"I'm sure you did something." Santana replied in her cool, snide tone.
"See, I'm with Santana on this." Lauren chimed in, gesturing vaguely in Sam's direction. "I mean, why doesn't he have anything to say about this?"
Puck's glance shot from one accuser to the next with an apprehensive set to his expression before turning his eyes to Sam, who looked ready to explode at any moment.
"Guilt." Matt answered in a reprimanding tone. "Seriously, dude, what you're doing...it's not cool. Blaine's pretty cool, aside from being our competition and all."
"Shut up!" Sam shouted, his frustration radiating out of him in waves. "Look, I'm not messing around with Kurt, or anybody, except Quinn. Who is my girlfriend. They're just helping me."
"Oh, so that's what we're calling it now." Mercedes quipped in a supercilious tone.
"Now hold on!" Mr. Schuester yelled, attempting to regain control of the conversation. He then turned to Sam with a gentled expression. "How are they helping you out?"
Oh crap. It was about to hit the fan. Puck reached out and pulled Rachel against his chest, cradling her there as the truth finally came out...four hesitant seconds later.
"Kurt was bringing me clothes and Quinn's been helping me babysit my younger brother and sister." Sam explained reluctantly, ducking his gaze to the floor.
Puck clapped a hand over Rachel's mouth when he felt her draw in a breath to speak. He didn't even care what she had to say. Or what she might do to him later.
"Then why were you in that motel?" Finn demanded in an accusatory tone, a haughty expression on his face.
Seriously, that was the first time Puck ever wanted to hit Finn over another dude.
"Because that's where I live now." Sam lashed out in reply, directing a lethal glare at Finn. "My dad lost his job a few months ago, then we lost our house, so now we live in that motel, in one room." Incensed, Sam shot up from his chair and turned to glare at everyone. "Are you happy?" Sam demanded, pausing to let the words sink in. He continued when no one spoke up. "The truth's finally out."
And with those parting words, Sam spun back around and stalked out of the room.
"He also had to give up his guitar. He had to pawn it for money. Just in case you were wondering why he hasn't brought it in recently." Quinn stated in her frosty, condescending tone as she gathered up her things. And, after picking up Sam's backpack as well, Quinn left the room in the same direction as her boyfriend.
Leaving a properly chagrined glee club behind them.
Puck was glad that Sam got the final shot and all, but for the most part, that had really sucked.
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"I feel terrible, Noah." Rachel confessed after Puck dropped his hand from her mouth, glancing up at him with a guilty expression after Sam and Quinn left the room. "I had no idea."
"Now you understand why I couldn't say anything?" Puck stated as he met her expression.
Rachel nodded affirmatively and turned her attention back to the aftermath discussion going on with the remaining glee club members. Puck released a relieved sigh and tucked Rachel's head underneath his chin, tuning in as well.
"Why didn't he say anything?" Mercedes asked in an impertinent tone, throwing her hands up. "Instead of just taking all that crap we kept throwing at him."
"I still blame Rachel." Santana quipped from the back row, crossing her arms over her chest, as if that excised any blame from her.
Puck tightened his grip around Rachel when she tensed up in his arms. She breathed a deep aggrieved sigh, but didn't say or do anything else.
"Kurt. Maybe you could explain?" Mr. Schuester prodded lightly. All eyes turned to Kurt in expectation.
Kurt rolled his eyes in exasperation, but complied. "Since there really isn't any need for discretion any longer...before Sam pawned his guitar for money, he was delivering pizzas for awhile. He delivered to Dalton a few times. That's how I found out. As for Quinn, Sam's family attends the same church as hers. And you know how secrets spread in the pews. Kind of like how it spreads in this school."
"Why didn't he just tell us?" Matt reiterated, sweeping his gaze around, looking a little betrayed himself. "We could have helped him out. We'd all be there for him."
Murmured agreements sounded out across the room.
"Dude, you're a dude. How would you feel about sharing something like that?" Puck asked, having more hindsight than the rest of the club, more experience with barely being able to make ends meet. That kind of stuff was never easy to talk about. He couldn't stand that pitying look. He didn't need pity. And neither had Sam. No one else really got that. Because they'd never been there.
Not even his hot little spitfire of a girlfriend.
"But, we're his friends." Mercedes commented in a sad tone, considering Puck's words, but still not understanding.
"It was pride." Rachel clarified for her boyfriend, patting his linked hands across her abdomen. "He didn't want any of us to know that he was any worse off than anybody else. He didn't want any extra undue attention, singling him out. He just wanted to be like the rest of us. Regardless of the fact that we would have supported him without judgment."
"It's kind of hard to see that. I mean, just look at how you all were this week." Kurt intoned in his reprimanding tone, uncrossing his legs and recrossing them in the opposite direction with a disapproving purse to his lips.
"Now that we know, we can start making things right." Rachel stated resolutely, accepting her share of Kurt's criticism with a humble expression and a terse nod.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Lauren questioned Rachel, staring at her pointedly. This time around, Puck let her go when she took a step forward to address the group.
"I think we should buy back his guitar." Rachel replied. Glancing over her shoulder, she shot Puck a meaningful glance that sought his approval.
Since he thought it was an awesome idea, he smiled back at her reassuringly and stepped up beside her.
"All right, guys. Collection time." Puck commanded cheerfully, clapping his hands to get everyone in gear.
Not one person grumbled about chipping in.
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"Where are we going? We're supposed to meet up with Finn." Rachel asked as Puck turned in the opposite direction of where they were supposed to meet up. "I thought you were going to drop me off at the gas station by the motel."
"We need to go by my place first. It'll only take a few minutes." Puck replied, one hand on the wheel as the other held onto Sam's guitar protectively. "I'm gonna grab up a few of my jeans and shirts for Sam. Figured he might need something other than Kurt's couture sense of fashion."
"How very thoughtful of you, Noah. I'm very proud." Rachel acknowledged affectionately with a warm smile. The smile wilted as she looked back out at the road. "We were very lucky that his guitar hadn't already been sold. It's in excellent condition. He took very good care of it before he was forced to pawn it. And I bet that Sam didn't even get ten percent of its actual worth. Vile, loathsome little man. I didn't haggle him nearly as much as he deserved." Rachel spat, referring to the pawn shop clerk that had harassed them for a good fifteen minutes before Rachel finally got him to settle on a reasonable price.
Puck chuckled and reached for her hand across the guitar. "You really gave him hell, babe. I don't think he'll be able to swindle anyone properly ever again without thinking of the smack-down you just laid on him."
"I'm just glad that we're doing something that might actually bring Sam a little happiness. He's kind of like you, isn't he? With his guitar, I mean." Rachel said in a questioning tone, squeezing his hand. "You know him better than I do. This will really mean something to him, won't it?"
"Yeah, babe. It will." Puck stated simply, his voice dropping slightly from suppressed emotion.
It would mean a hell of a lot.
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Well, there it is. Finally! I hope it was to your viewing pleasure.