Disclaimer: I don't own Glee. I do own Mouse, Candy and Sarah though.
Thank you to those who read and reviewed. To those who simply read, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter.
Read on, oh faithful ones.
...
Chapter Twenty Three
...
"I miss my sister. Every night at 10 or so, she used to call me on the phone, and when I asked her why, she'd tell me that her body told her... She wanted to hear my voice. I miss my sister. The smell of her shampoo. The way she could always convince me to read her another book. When you love someone like I loved her, they're a part of you; it's like you're attached by this invisible tether and no matter how far away you are, you can always feel them. And now every time I reach for that tether I know there's no one on the other end and I feel like I'm falling into nothingness. Then I remember Jean. I remember a life led with no enemies, no resentments, no regrets, and I'm inspired to get up out of bed and go on. I miss my sister so much it feels like piece of me has been ripped off. Just one more time I want to hold her. Ten more seconds; is that too much to ask? For ten more seconds to hold her? But I can't and I won't, and the only thing keeping me from being swallowed whole by sadness is that Jean would kill me if I did. So for now I'm just going to miss her. I love you Jean. Rest in peace," Sue said, finishing her eulogy for her sister and looking to the white coffin to her side.
There was silence as Sue walked back to her seat, tears in her eyes. When she sat down, Will took her hand in his own, attempting to give her a sympathetic smile.
Standing and making their way next to Jean's coffin, the McKinley High Glee Club waited for Brad the pianist to set up his music sheets. Soon, soft music began playing and they started to sing.
Jane watched Sue carefully, her voice cracking slightly as the video of Jean and Sue began playing. Beside her, Candy was holding her hand, tears in his eyes. They'd both seen Jean at the hospital with Sue, and when she was alone, Jane had often gone to sit with Jean while Candy was in the hospital for another test or appointment.
She'd listened to Jean as she talked about her sister, her voice filled with pride and excitement. Jean had talked about things no one at McKinley High ever saw: Sue playing in the park with her, both when they were young and now when they were older; Jean asking Sue to read to her, simply to hear her voice and be with her for a few more minutes; her excitement at seeing Sue on TV or in the newspaper with her latest championship. Jean spoke of Sue's love and kindness, and it was hard for Mouse not to see her the same way as well.
Tina finished singing, and they all returned to their seats. Candy held Mouse's hand tightly, the tears running down his face now. She hugged him to her, pressing a kiss to his head gently. He sniffed loudly, crying into her shirt and soaking it in seconds. Sue looked ready to do the same.
Rubbing Candy's back lightly, Mouse hoped that he'd be okay. He hadn't experienced death before, and he'd been good friends with Jean. Soon Candy's cries and sniffs quietened, and she looked at her brother to see that he'd exhausted himself to sleep. Beside her, Puck took her hand, his thumb caressing her. She gave a brief smile, returning her attention to Candy.
...
Kurt waited impatiently for Mouse to arrive for her afternoon job. He'd paced about the shop until his dad told him to go inside if he wasn't going to help. He was sitting in the kitchen, tapping his foot along with a song on the radio without really hearing it.
The moment he heard Mouse call out to Burt, Kurt hurried out to the shop to see her. Candy was beside Mouse, looking quiet and far more solemn than Kurt had ever seen him before. He said hello to Burt and Kurt softly, and at Mouse's insistence, he went inside to lie down.
"Is Candy all right?" Burt asked, frowning slightly.
"Not really. He took Jean's death really hard," Mouse replied, sighing as she looked to where her brother had just left.
"Do you want to go home? I'm sure he'll be more comfortable there," Burt offered.
Mouse shook her head briefly. It was Friday, which meant Sarah left work early to get home and prepare for her night of scouring the local pubs and bars for sex. She'd be in no mood to talk with either one of them, and her pre-drinking-drinks would make her crueller than usual.
"I think he just needs to sleep for now. Candy is comfortable anywhere."
Burt didn't look entirely appeased, but nodded and slid back under the car he was working on.
"I just need to borrow Mouse for a minute, Dad!" Kurt called, pulling her inside without giving either one a chance to answer. He didn't stop until they were in his room upstairs and the door was closed behind them.
"What's going on, Kurt? Are you all right?" Mouse asked, frowning slightly
"Fine, fine... Mercedes told me what you're doing."
"What I'm doing?" she echoed, frowning slightly. She had no idea what he was talking about.
"You know... With the sex ed class," he said, his voice turning to a whisper.
"Oh, that. Yeah, what about it?" Mouse asked.
Kurt reddened slightly, and he suddenly felt warmer. "Could... Could you teach me too?" he asked.
Mouse was silent for so long that Kurt looked at her in worry, thinking she was going to laugh or ridicule him for not knowing anything.
"I'll have to read up on some things, but I can definitely try... Has your dad talked to you about sex before?"
Still red, and sure that his temperature was rising through the roof, Kurt shook his head briefly. "I don't think he really knows what to say, or how it works for ... me."
"Okay, that's understandable... I won't be able to do anything tonight, and I'm going out with Puck tomorrow, but I can come over on Sunday, if you like?"
"I'm busy on Sunday," Kurt replied, shaking his head.
"What are you doing?" she asked, smiling.
"Oh, just going to the mall to help Blaine serenade some guy he likes. His name is Jeremiah, and he works at The Gap," he muttered.
"Jeremiah?" Mouse asked, a slight grin on her face.
"Yeah, what's so funny about that?" he asked quizzically.
"Jeremiah was a bullfrog,
Was a good friend of mine.
I never understood a single word he said,
But I helped him drink his wine,
And he always had some mighty fine wine," Mouse said, finishing with a laugh.
"Oh, good god, I'm not going to be able to keep a straight face on Sunday," Kurt said, covering his face as he laughed.
"So... Helping the guy you like win over another guy? That's going to be tough," Mouse said sympathetically.
Kurt lowered his hands, sighing. "Yeah, and I thought things were going so well after the song we worked on together."
"Do tell," Mouse said, grinning.
"It was a couple days ago. He said he needed help practicing for Baby, it's cold outside. Singing with him was just ... amazing," he said with a content sigh.
Outside, a car horn beeped loudly, startling both of them.
"Oh, I've got to get to the shop. I'll come back soon, okay?" Mouse said, hugging him.
"All right. I'll check on Candy and make sure he's okay."
"Thanks, Kurt," she said, smiling and heading downstairs quickly.
Sighing softly, Kurt smoothed down his shirt and headed down to the lounge where Candy was sleeping.
...
Jeremiah was a bullfrog... No, that was definitely not a good thing to think about, Kurt thought to himself sternly as he watched Blaine dance and sing his way around The Gap, the rest of the Warblers helping him to win over Jeremiah.
Kurt smiled briefly when Blaine danced past him. He wasn't singing as enthusiastically as he could have, but with the pumped atmosphere in the store, his fellow Glee members didn't notice how soft his voice was.
... Was a good friend of mine. I never understood a single word he said. But I helped him drink his wine. And he always had some mighty fine wine. The song just wouldn't get out of his head!
Blaine stopped singing as he reached the counter, dropping a pack of socks in front of Jeremiah with a exhilarated grin. Jeremiah's cheeks were slightly red, but Kurt didn't think it was due to pleasure or excitement. In fact, he almost looked ashamed. Kurt's expression fell slightly when he saw the direction Jeremiah was looking: at his boss of the store. The man looked absolutely murderous, and Kurt winced slightly. He might not like Jeremiah for being the object of Blaine's affection, but he had no desire to see him in trouble at work for being serenaded.
As Blaine and the rest of the Warblers left the store, congratulating each other, encouraging Blaine and telling him that Jeremiah was sure to go out with him that very night, Kurt glanced back to the frizzy-haired boy once more. He was being chastised by a very red-faced employer, and Jeremiah paled ridiculously fast when the man said something in particular. Kurt couldn't see anymore, forced to keep up with the rest of the Warblers, but he had a sinking feeling that whatever had happened to Jeremiah had not been good.
...
Puck refrained from rolling his eyes as his mother started her usual inquisition on his love life. He thought she'd liked Mouse, but it seemed that she really, really wanted a Jewish daughter-in-law. He really had no idea why it mattered so much to her; his mother wouldn't be the one marrying whoever he proposed to!
"I think she's a pleasant enough girl, Noah, but you're denying your Jewish heritage. What about a nice Jewish girl instead? Why Jane?" Puck's mother asked, frowning at him.
She's everything I need that I never knew I wanted,
She's everything I want that I never knew I needed.
The lyric was a whisper in his head, but he didn't dare repeat it aloud. That would result in too many questions that he really didn't feel like answering.
"Her not being Jewish doesn't bother me, Mum. She's a great person, and it's really none of your business," Puck replied.
His mother looked offended, but eventually returned her attention to her TV show and dinner.
Katie grinned at Puck from her place between them, and he rolled his eyes in return, making her giggle quietly. He continued to pull faces at his sister, turning her soft giggles into loud laughter.
...
"Why do we have to do this? Can't we just photocopy the essay and fill in the blanks for each college?" Kurt groaned, his head flat on the desk.
"That still involves writing," Mercedes replied, flexing her hand and wrist, wincing in pain.
"Yeah, but not as much. If I don't get accepted into all of these colleges just for writing these applications, then I have no hope in the educational system of America."
Mouse laughed, biting her tongue to muffle the noise. "Come on, it's not that bad. We'll go buy a shopping cart full of ice packs later."
"We've got frozen vegetables until then," Tina added, bringing in a few packets of vegetables.
Kurt hurried to grab one, groaning in relief when he put it on his sore wrist.
"Where are you applying to, Santana?" Mouse asked.
"Every college that's as far away from here as possible," she muttered, not looking up from her stack of applications.
"Do you think 'having a baby' counts as an extracurricular activity?" Quinn asked, grinning.
"It might if you want to be a doctor or nurse," Brittany said, frowning slightly. "What?" she added when she saw everyone looking at her.
"That's actually really smart, Brit," Santana said.
Brittany smiled brightly, humming to herself as she returned to her applications.
"Just how many colleges are you applying to, Mouse?" Mercedes asked an hour later when she'd finished, yet Mouse was still writing.
"There's a lot more work involved when it's for a scholarship. I need to prove that I have financial hardship, and explain why I should be awarded the scholarship over the hundreds of other people who apply," Mouse muttered, not looking up. "I'm thinking of adding that I'll give five percent of my earnings to the college as a thank you when I'm fully qualified and running the Library of Congress," she said, grinning briefly.
"So, never?" Santana asked, smirking at her.
"Ooh, burn. Quick, give me the frozen vegetables!" Mouse said, laughing.
"Um, slight problem with that. They're not exactly frozen anymore," Kurt said sheepishly, holding up the bag, water dripping from it.
"Do you really think the guys are applying for colleges now, or they're just screwing around?" Tina asked.
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked at each other.
"Screwing around," they chorused.
...
"If you don't put the lightsabers down, I will stab you," Puck said, glaring at his friends.
"You can try," Matt said, smirking at him.
"Do or do not, there is no try," Mike countered, bowing slightly and raising his saber.
They started fighting, and in minutes, Mike was crowing his victory, his saber at Matt's throat.
"All right, guys. We've really got to get this done. Come on," Finn called from his place at the kitchen table.
No one did as he said, and Finn frowned slightly, not used to his leadership being ignored.
"That's it," Puck muttered, frustrated and more than annoyed. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping along the ground.
Grabbing a wooden spoon from the bench, he started to fight Mike, who hurried to raise his toy lightsaber in response.
"I win, you sit down," Puck said between strikes.
"I win, you keep playing," Mike retorted, grinning, bringing his saber down.
Seeing a shadow on Mike's face, Puck spun around, grabbing the spatula from the bench and holding both of his weapons against Mike and Matt's. The fight grew more earnest, Puck giving as good as he got, but beginning to fail against his two opponents.
A loud ringing made them stop for a moment. Puck winced, realising that it was his phone ringing, and recognising the ringtone as Mouse's.
"I'm not forfeiting," he said, pointing the spoon and spatula at them, moving away and quickly picking up his phone. "Hey, babe."
"Babe?" Mouse echoed in surprise. "Why do I have the feeling you're not doing your college applications?"
"I was, but then Mike and Matt were reenacting Star Wars, and..."
"Which ones?"
"What?" Puck asked, surprised that she wasn't tearing him a new one.
"Which Star Wars? Originals or prequels? If anyone so much as mentions Jar-Jar Binks, you have my permission to beat them with the closest blunt object... Would you shut up, Santana?" he heard Mouse hiss, the phone held away from her.
"What's she saying?"
"She's telling me I should dress up as Princess Leia and ... I'm not repeating that. Keep doing your application," Mouse called. "I don't care if you've finished; start on Kurt's then!"
He shut his eyes tightly, trying hard not to imagine Mouse in a slave Leia outfit. He'd imagine it later, when he was alone.
"Originals," Puck managed to finally say. "They're reenacting the originals. I think Matt was trying to be Obi-Wan, and Mike's Darth Vader. I'm Han Solo, so that means I win by default and they have to do their applications."
"Are you just saying you're Han Solo so you get the girl?" Mouse asked, and he could hear her grinning.
"Something like that... Gimme a sec, I think Matt's impersonating Jar-Jar Binks."
Puck glared at Matt, who was actually pulling faces at him, attempting to indicate that he was whipped, gone soft, or even worse, both. Putting the phone down, he smacked Matt with the spatula before he could retaliate, and then pointed to the seat.
"I win, and now you have to do your application. You too, Mike, or I'll get Mouse to put Santana on the phone."
Mike blanched slightly, taking a seat before Matt did.
Picking up the phone again, Puck frowned when he heard Mouse's laughter. "What's so funny?"
"You chose ... Han Solo 'cause ... you've got ... the guns!" she said between gasps of laughter.
He grinned slightly, not knowing whether that was a really bad or really good pick up line. Maybe it'd be better if she was dressed as Leia.
"Wait, am I Chewbacca then?" Mouse wondered, still laughing.
"No, you're definitely Leia. Did you call for any reason, or just to check that we were doing our applications?"
"Bit of both. Wanted to know how Candy was going. Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he's watching a movie with Katie," Puck said, leaving the kitchen to go look in the living room. He grinned when he saw that Candy and Katie were asleep on the couch, a large bowl of popcorn between them. "They're asleep," he added.
"What were they watching?" she asked in surprise.
"Happy Feet, I think," he replied uncertainly.
"Oh, that makes sense. The lullaby puts Candy right to sleep, even for the small amount of time that it's in the movie... Santana, if you don't stop doing that, I'm going to find the thickest book in this house and hit you with it repeatedly."
"What's she doing?"
"Drawing on my leg with texta. It tickles, and for goodness sakes! Not you too, Quinn! Santana, if you insist on drawing hearts, at least use our actual initials instead of writing Mouse and Puck. You're making my leg into some weird animal/hockey crossover! No, don't draw that now!"
Loud bursts of laughter came through the phone, and there was a moment of silence.
"Puck? Oh, hi," Brittany said cheerfully. "Santana says to tell you that Mouse is our hostage, and we're torturing her with textas... No, I want to draw the unicorn!"
Another moment of prolonged silence, a heavy sigh, and then Kurt was on the other end. "Still there, Puckerman? Good. Just to let you know, Mouse will come back in one piece, but she'll probably be covered in ink from top to bottom. And possibly makeup if we can hold her down long enough... The eyeliner and mascara are in the outside pocket, 'Cedes," he called. "No, the other pocket. Oh, for heck's sakes... Tina, take the phone, would you? It's this pocket..."
"Tina, you there?" Puck asked when he didn't hear anything.
"Yes, but I'm just getting my weapon of choice, so you don't have long," Tina cackled. "Oh, that's a nice purple colour. Can we draw on me next?" she called, passing the phone to Rachel.
"Hello, Puck. We're all drawing on Mouse now, but I would like to point out we've finished our applications. With the exception of Kurt, who claims to have injured his wrist... I really don't think he has, or else he wouldn't be able to hold Mouse down like that. Oh, they're saving me a spot to draw. Have an enjoyable afternoon!"
He heard Mouse laughing loudly, and then a shout when she realised what Mercedes and Kurt were doing to her face. The call cut off abruptly, and Puck shook his head, pocketing the phone.
"Everything all right, Puck?" Artie asked, looking out into the hallway.
"Yeah... The girls and Kurt have finished their applications already," he said.
"Really? What are they doing now?" Finn asked, hopeful that they'd come over and help them finish.
"Torturing Mouse with textas by drawing on her," Puck replied with a grin.
"So... What was that about Princess Leia before?" Matt asked, grinning.
"Nothing you want to repeat," he retorted, pushing Matt's head closer to his stack of unfinished applications.
Beside him, Matt just chuckled, and continued with his. He didn't doubt that Puck would call Santana if he took up the lightsaber again.
...
Numerous smiley faces, uneven love hearts, oddly coloured rainbows (does no one know what Roy G. Biv means?), bright orange suns and purple moons, and one surprisingly artistic unicorn later, Mouse's legs were finally left alone.
Her face was another matter, with Kurt and Mercedes doing an entire makeover including a bright green eyeliner, black mascara, some shade of lipstick that she was sure wasn't a real colour, and then some weird device that curled her eyelashes. The rest of the afternoon had been spent with an impromptu makeover session with Rachel as their next victim.
Tina's mother had driven them over to Puck's house, a smile on her face every time she looked to her brightly-decorated passengers. When Katie had opened the front door, rubbing sleep from her eyes, she simply stared at them all, unsure if she was still dreaming or not.
The boys had all laughed at them, their stack of applications finally completed. Then, while they were preoccupied with their laughter, Kurt and the girls all brandished their weapons, attacking every free inch of skin they could see. Mouse grinned at Puck, holding up a navy blue texta. He grinned back at her, unbuttoning his shirt.
"So, Han Solo, what do you think I should draw?" she asked, backing him into a corner.
"I think that rainbow looks pretty badass," he said, chuckling.
"Stop laughing, or I'll make Kurt and Mercedes give you a makeover as well," Mouse said, batting her eyelashes.
"You look nice with makeup, but I like you better without it," Puck murmured, his thumb caressing her cheek. "All I can feel is that powder, and I'd rather touch you."
Even through the makeup, Mouse's blush could be seen. "I think I'll draw a heart here," she said, placing a texta over the left side of his chest.
"Feel free to add any Star Wars characters."
"I could probably draw Jabba the Hut. Or a very bad Chewbacca, if you're lucky."
Puck shook his head briefly, his eyes lingering on her legs to see the designs. "Is that a unicorn on your thigh?"
"Brittany likes unicorns. We all got one, but I think mine's the best," Mouse said, grinning.
"Do you have any skin that isn't covered in texta?" he asked, seeing the symbols, words, and small cartoon depictions travelling up her arms.
"Yes, and I'll let you guess where," she replied, humming under her breath as she started doodling along his collarbones.
Puck glanced over her shoulder to see everyone else preoccupied with their own attacks. Mercedes was helping Tina draw on Artie's arms, and he was giving them suggestions amiably enough. Matt and Mike were flat on their backs, Brittany and Santana drawing on their faces, laughing to each other. Quinn and Rachel had Finn stuck on a chair and were working together to draw on his forehead. Kurt wasn't in the room, but he could hear him singing along to the beginning song in Happy Feet with Candy and Katie.
When he was certain that no one was watching, Puck gently slid his hand under Mouse's shirt, feeling her breath catch beneath his touch.
"I think you're still bare there, and here," he murmured, his hand moving to the small of her back, travelling up her spine slowly.
Mouse stopped drawing for a moment, staring at him with darkened eyes. She kissed him gently, pulling away before they could draw attention to themselves.
"I'll let you decorate me if you want," she said, grinning slightly.
"Today?"
Kissing him again, Mouse nodded briefly, and then returned to her drawing, a smile on her face.
"So, what are you drawing on me anyway?"
"I'm attempting to draw a seascape on your collarbones."
"How's that turning out?" Puck asked with a grin.
"Not good; I'm awful at drawing," she admitted, shrugging. "I can draw stick people, a few flowers, and a house."
"Such a huge portfolio. How are you not a famous artist?"
"Well, what can you draw, Mr. Sarcasm?"
"Probably not much more than that. Maybe a football and a couple of animals if I feel up to it."
"I can draw a MOQ cat," Mouse said, grinning.
He frowned in confusion, and she drew the letters vertically: a small M for a cat's pointed ears, the O for it's face, and the Q for it's lower body and tail.
"I can do a bat too. Basically the M and O, but with wings," she added, drawing the bat hovering above the cat. "Oh, and a snowman... This is fun," Mouse said with a laugh, drawing more basic shapes and announcing their depictions as she continued.
"It's going to be fun getting home on public transport with this," Mercedes said, grinning.
"More like embarrassing, and we're going to be slushied by complete strangers," Matt called from his position on the floor. Brittany had undone his shirt, and was humming to herself as she drew a large unicorn on the middle of his chest.
"You think people just carry slushies around to throw at complete strangers?" Tina asked.
"Well, no. But it could happen."
"Don't worry, they're not permanent textas. We checked," Brittany said, kissing his nose gently.
"Double check now, please," Mike said, his face paling.
Santana rolled her eyes at him, licking her finger and sliding it down one of the pictures, pulling away with a stained finger. "See, nothing to worry about. I'll help you clean it off," she added quietly, winking at him.
Mike grinned up at her. "Like the sound of that. Your folks home?"
"Nope," she said, popping the p with a grin.
In moments, Mike was standing up. "We've gotta go now. Great day, very productive. We should do it again," he called over his shoulder as he left with Santana.
Brittany promised something similar to Matt, and they left moments later. Within ten minutes, Artie's phone began to ring, and he answered, hanging up a few moments later to say that his dad had arrived to take him home. Realising that Tina's mother was still waiting out in the car, Mercedes left with Tina. Kurt and Finn left soon after, going to have dinner with their parents (once they were clean, of course, Kurt added, frowning up at the flowers that were blooming on Finn's forehead). Quinn left for a doctor's appointment, wearing a large floppy hat. Rachel's fathers arrived to pick her up soon afterwards, and she left with a smile, calling out goodbye to Candy and Katie in the lounge room.
After putting in a new DVD for their siblings to watch, Puck led Mouse upstairs to his room, closing and locking the door behind them. He kissed her neck, his hands stroking her skin beneath her shirt. After making him turn around, Mouse took off her shirt and lay down on her stomach on his bed, blushing once more.
Puck turned around to see her lying on his bed, and he simply stared for a moment, wanting to remember this moment forever. His fingers caressed her as he undid her bra clasp (one handed, now that was expertise) and lowered the straps to better access her shoulder blades. He took the lid off the texta, sitting on her gently and starting to lightly draw on her bare back.
Mouse closed her eyes, surprised at how relaxed she felt, despite being half naked. Puck's bed was very comfortable, and whatever he was drawing actually felt nice on her back, as if she was receiving a feather-light massage. Her eyes began to close within minutes, and soon, Mouse was dozing into a light sleep.
Puck chuckled slightly, continuing to draw. He didn't mind that Mouse had fallen asleep; it just meant she was comfortable being with him, and trusted him not to do something untoward. When he finished his drawing, he got off the bed, waking Mouse in the process.
Blinking slowly, she saw Puck standing beside her, his shirt off and a rainbow over his navel. Mouse felt the air cool on her back, looking over the mattress for her shirt.
"What did you draw on me?" she asked, yawning slightly.
"Stand up and have a look," he said, nodding to the mirror near his wardrobe.
"Close your eyes."
Puck was more than disappointed, but he closed his eyes anyway. Picking up her shirt, she held it to her chest and got off the bed, moving over to the mirror.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Puck asked when there was nothing but silence.
He had no idea if Mouse was even in the room still, but had no desire to be on the receiving end of her right hook if she caught him peeking.
"Okay, open them now," she said, her head still craned to look at the picture on her back.
Puck had drawn a seascape on her, the waves on the shore on her lower back, a sun high on her shoulder blade, and clouds flitting across her spine and right shoulder blade. In the middle, boats were sailing to her ribs, while beneath them, a small school of fish were swimming.
"I thought you said you couldn't draw," Mouse said with a grin, turning to look at him.
He'd been staring at her arms pressed against her breasts, the movement of her stomach as she breathed in and out, her exposed skin pale and getting goosebumps. Her bra was hanging off her body loosely, the two straps in the crooks of her elbows. He moved towards her, kissing her eagerly, his hands on her bare shoulders, moving up to cup her face as she kissed him back, her own hands resting below his ribs.
Puck led her to the bed, his knee rubbing between her legs gently.
"No, Noah. Wait," she breathed, pulling away from the kiss.
"I know, I'm not going to. Just... trust me," he murmured, his breathing heavy as well.
Looking at him, Jane nodded briefly, letting him sit her back on the bed. Slowly, Noah moved her arms so her shirt wasn't covering her body, and then removed her bra gently. He kept his eyes on her face the entire time, making sure she was all right. Glancing down, Noah smiled when he saw her body, moving to kneel in front of her, Jane's legs on either side of him.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, kissing her, his fingers threading into her hair.
She kissed him back, her fingers trailing along his shoulders, moving to hold his biceps. Licking his lips as he pulled away from their kiss, Noah copied her motion, his hands warm against her skin. Jane smiled at him, moving to kiss him once more, her hands cupping his face. He continued to caress and stroke her shoulders until she was relaxed. Slowly, he moved his hands so they rested on her breasts. Noah rested his forehead against Jane's, looking at her as he waited for a reprimand or permission to continue.
"It's okay," she breathed, biting her lip when he cupped her breasts, holding her in his hands.
He smiled, kissing her as he stroked her, his thumbs circling her breasts gently, her body arching to get more of the feeling he was creating within her. Jane pulled him up slightly so she could kiss him properly, Noah's hands firmer against her body.
Somehow, between the breathless kisses, the heady caresses and his hands on her skin, a song started in Jane's mind. It was in the background between everything they were doing, making out and touching each other without letting their hands move below their stomachs.
When I find out who I am,
I'm gonna know just what to do.
When I pull myself together again,
I'm gonna give myself to you.
Is this forever, this feeling I got,
Not enough, and too much,
So free and so caught up.
Something and nothing,
Both at the same time.
I'm either out of my head,
Or out of my mind.
When I find out who I am,
I'm gonna know just what to do.
When I pull myself together again,
I'm gonna give myself to you.
Is this forever, this feeling I got,
That I'm not moving at all.
But I just can't stop,
It's like I'm dreaming,
And I'm wide awake too.
Will you remember me?
'Cause I won't forget you.
When I find out who I am,
I'm gonna know just what to do.
When I pull myself together again,
I'm gonna give myself to you.
Noah made himself move away before he went too far. Jane stayed where she was, breathing heavily, moving to hold his hands, her fingers entwined with his. They were both silent, watching each other for a few long minutes.
Sitting up eventually, Jane looked around for her bra and shirt. Grinning at her, Noah held up both pieces of material. He slipped the straps onto her shoulders once more, taking a moment to do up the clasp at the back (not one handed, but that was ridiculous to attempt anyway). Kissing her shoulders gently, Noah rested his hand at the small of Jane's back, his free hand trailing her spine.
"We'd better stop now," Jane murmured, her hands stroking his shoulders.
She'd discovered that she really liked touching Noah, his skin and body warm under her hands. Jane knew that if she touched him with just her fingertips, then he'd shiver and goosebumps would follow her fingers.
Sighing, Noah nodded in agreement, and offered her shirt back to her. Slipping it over her head, she smiled at him, taking his hand once more. He helped her stand, and Jane pressed a kiss to his bare chest, right over his heart. Noah wrapped an arm around her body, holding her to him for a moment longer.
"Jane?" he murmured softly. "I love you."
Smiling at him, she pressed a kiss to his lips. "I know."
For a moment, he was too stunned to reply. Then when he saw the cheeky grin on her face, Noah laughed and rested his forehead against hers.
"Very funny, Han Solo."
"I thought so," Jane replied, grinning. Her grin faded slowly, and she kissed him again, her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Noah."
"I know."
...
"You've slept with how many people?" the doctor asked Puck, his eyes wide in surprise.
"Twenty-three. Give or take a few," Puck replied calmly.
It had taken some time to find a doctor whose wife he hadn't slept with. The sexual health clinic was on the edge of town, and this particular doctor was new to Lima, and had no female relations that Puck could have possibly had sex with.
Mouse was waiting in the reception area as a form of moral support, but Puck was wary of the looks some of the men had been giving her as he left with the doctor.
"And this is the first time you've been tested?" the doctor asked, sounding wary now.
"I didn't think to do it before," Puck replied. "I nearly always wore condoms, so I didn't think it was necessary."
"These twenty-three people, were they all women?"
"Yes," he answered with a nod.
The doctor shut his eyes for a moment, telling himself that Puck was a teenager who was probably couldn't pronounce any sexual diseases he did get, and told himself that he'd moved from the city to get away from the drunk assholes who came into the clinic just for free condoms. Unfortunately, that aspect hadn't lessened, but at least it wasn't as often. Although, there was one particular woman who came in almost regularly every week. No matter who was on her arm, she never failed to hit on him, even if he was more interested in checking out the ass of the guy she stumbled in with. (Not that he did. He was in a very happy relationship with a man who made him very happy as well, and the thought of his partner was usually what made moving to Lima worth it.)
"Why did you think to get tested now?" he asked in a conversational tone, opening his eyes once more.
"My girlfriend," Puck admitted.
"Then she's obviously a very smart girl," the doctor muttered.
"Yeah, I know," he replied, grinning. "Beautiful and smart, how lucky am I?"
The doctor nodded in response, although he was slightly surprised at his description. Most guys he had in the clinic used words like hot or something involving their body, ass, or breast size to describe their girlfriend of the week.
"How long have you been going out?" he asked as he pressed a needle into Noah's arm, drawing blood.
Puck was silent for a moment, trying to work it out in his head. Did he start from the time Mouse had asked him out in the nurses office? And did he include those three weeks where he had been stubborn about his presumption of Kent and Mouse, and when he'd gone out with what's-her-name instead? If he did, then they'd been dating for five months, going on six around the same time Regionals were scheduled. If he didn't, and he counted from the time that he and Mouse had been dating afterwards, then it was a bit over a month.
"Almost six months."
"By the time I get the test results back, you'll be going on almost seven months. You'll keep it in your pants until then?"
Puck nodded reluctantly.
"Okay, there's just the swab tests left. They do hurt, but I'll be as gentle as possible," the doctor promised.
Nervous, Puck nodded, not wanting to reply verbally and have his voice an octave higher. Seeing his nerves, the doctor threw two soft miniature footballs to him.
"They're stress balls; squeeze them as hard as you need," he said, and then instructed him to take his pants and boxers off. "Take a few deep breaths and try to relax."
Puck squeezed his eyes shut, gripping a football in each hand, and tried to breathe deeply. Behind him, the radio was playing, and he concentrated on the song.
"Pretty little thing, yeah, you're pulling on my strings,
We're breaking all the rules tonight.
Playing dirty games, don't even know your name,
I know that this just can't be right.
"Stop calling ca-calling me,
This isn't what I wanted.
You're not the one that I need,
You're such a bad, bad girl.
"Don't look at me that way,
I can't help it, I want it.
I'm throwing it all away,
For such a bad, bad girl.
"Oh-oh-oh, you're such a bad, bad girl,
Oh-oh-oh, caught in your bad, bad world.
Oh-oh-oh, why you such a bad, bad girl?
Oh-oh, I want you bad, bad.
"I just can't ignore you,
I need you, I want you.
I'm giving up,
Give me all you've got tonight."
In the waiting room, Mouse heard Puck cry out in pain. Around her, the men waiting winced in sympathy. Ten minutes later, Puck walked out of the doctor's office with a pale face.
"You're the girlfriend?" the doctor asked, giving her a brief smile.
"Yes... I'm Jane," she replied, looking concerned at the washed out colour of Puck's face.
"He'll be all right, just very tender for a few days. If you experience any discomfort urinating, go straight to the doctors, understood?" He waited until Noah nodded in response before turning back to Jane. "I won't receive the results for another month, so make sure to keep yourselves under control until then."
"Okay, we will," she replied, her cheeks flushed.
The doctor nodded, turning to the waiting room and calling for the next patient.
A few minutes later, after the appointment had been paid for and the next one set up, Mouse and Puck left the clinic.
"Are you all right?" Mouse asked, feeling helpless and anxious.
Puck had a bit more colour in his cheeks with the fresh air, and he shrugged. "Been better, really. Let's just go, I don't want to hang around here anymore than I have to. I swear that doctor was using a metal cotton bud," he groaned, heading over to the car.
...
Burt wasn't comfortable with this at all. When he and his wife had discussed having children, they'd always joked that he'd handle the nappies when they were young, and she'd be the one to tell them about sex when they were older. It hadn't quite worked out like that, of course, but he found that by taking one day at a time, one week, one month, one year at a time, helped him not think too far ahead. By not thinking of the future, Burt could keep the problems at bay until they actually happened, and then he'd sort them out...
Sitting in his garage next to Kurt, facing Jane, (who had brought a stack of books from the library, and pamphlets from the local sexual health clinic), wasn't exactly the way Burt thought he'd be discussing sex with his son. But then, he hadn't wanted to face the problem until it was a problem, which had kept Kurt in the dark about most things when he was younger. His young face confused, his forehead scrunched up as to why wearing high heels to school was so wrong when they were sensible and looked good on him... Perhaps it was time to rethink his way of facing things, after all.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Kurt said beside him, his cheeks tinged red. "I just wanted to know, and I thought this would be easier on both of us, because I know you don't really know, and I didn't know what else to do..."
Burt made himself relax his shoulders, and smiled at Kurt, taking his hand in his own. "It's all right, son. This probably is best. I'm not good with explanations myself."
Kurt smiled at him with watery eyes and Burt looked to Jane, nodding for her to begin.
Jane gave them both a reassuring smile, and started to talk about sexual intercourse between two homosexual men. She used the pamphlets she'd picked up from the clinic with Puck to describe how to be safe, and the risks involved, as with any sexual relationship. With the books, bookmarks in each corresponding page, Jane told them the technical names for abbreviations such as GLBT, detailing both positive and impacts of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in schools, and the technical details of oral and anal sex, trying not to smile when both father and son went bright.
Giving them the pamphlets to read over together or separately, Jane also gave them a book each. For Burt, it was a book of questions and answers about homosexual people called "Is it a choice?". For Kurt, it was a book written from the parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children, and how they handled the news, called "Beyond acceptance". She admitted that she hadn't read either book and was simply going by recommendations on Amazon, as well as what was available in the local library.
"I tried to find something that you'll be able to read individually, and then swap if you think it's useful in any way. There'll be more in those books than I could probably tell you," Jane added.
"Thank you, Jane," Burt said quietly, looking at the book in front of him and opening to the contents page. "I'm sure they'll be very helpful," he added, looking at the list of questions, some that he'd been worried about but had pushed to the back of his mind.
"Thanks," Kurt added with a grateful smile.
"You're welcome. I'll leave you to read, or talk. See you tomorrow."
They said their farewells quietly, both lost in their own thoughts.
Mouse went into the house to get Candy, who was sitting with Finn at the kitchen table, doing his homework to practice writing longer words. Carole smiled at her, thanking her softly for her help. In a few minutes, Candy was packed up and ready to go. Thanking Carole and Finn for looking after him, Mouse led her brother out of the house and down to the bus stop.
...
"Come on guys, Regionals is almost here, and we need to be at the top of our game!" Will said, clapping his hands at the Glee club standing on the stage. "Take it from the top!"
They returned to their starting positions with a groan. Even Candy looked weary, his head hung as he made his way across the stage again.
Will indicated for the band to start again, tapping his feet along with the music as he watched them critically.
Finn stepped forward to start singing.
"Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time,
I feel alive, and the world, I'll turn it inside out, yeah.
I'm floating around in ecstasy,
So..."
As part of the chorus, they all sang together, moving up and down the stairs.
"Don't stop me now.
Don't stop me,
'Cause I'm having a good time,
Having a good time."
Mike moved to the front of the stage, jumping over Matt who had crouched down.
"I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky,
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity.
I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva,
I'm gonna go, go, go there's no stopping me.
I'm burning through the sky, yeah,
Two hundred degrees that's why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit.
I'm travelling at the speed of light,
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you," the final line sung by all of them before the chorus.
"Don't stop me now,
I'm having such a good time,
I'm having a ball.
Don't stop me now,
If you wanna have a good time,
Just give me a call.
Don't stop me now,
'Cause I'm having a good time.
Don't stop me now,
Yes, I'm having a good time,
I don't wanna stop at all."
"I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars,
On a collision course.
I am a satellite, I'm out of control.
I'm a sex machine ready to reload,
Like an atom bomb about to oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, explode!
I'm burning through the sky, yeah,
Two hundred degrees that's why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit.
I'm travelling at the speed of light,
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you," Puck sang, the final line sung by all of New Directions.
"Don't stop me, don't stop me, don't stop me, hey, hey, hey!
Don't stop me, don't stop me, ooh, ooh, ooh. (I like it!)
Don't stop me, don't stop me,
Have a good time good time!
Don't stop me, don't stop me.
Ohhhhhhh!"
Artie rolled to the front of the stage for the guitar solo, the others spinning into their positions behind him.
"Ohhhhhhh.
Burning through the sky, yeah,
Two hundred degrees that's why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit.
I'm travelling at the speed of light,
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you."
At the front once more, Finn began to sing, each 'don't stop me now' sung by the group.
"Don't stop me now,
I'm having such a good time,
I'm having a ball.
Don't stop me now,
If you wanna have a good time,
Just give me a call.
Don't stop me now,
'Cause I'm having a good time,
Don't stop me now,
Yes, I'm having a good time,
I don't wanna stop at all."
The final part had everyone swaying as they sung.
"Da da da da daa da da da,
Ha da da ha ha ha ha,
Ha da da da da."
"That was excellent, all of you. Take a five minute break, and we'll work on the solo. We'll do the first dress rehearsal tomorrow," Will said, grinning as they made their way off stage. "Tina, how are you feeling? Ready to do the solo?"
"I'm ready. Really good. Fine. I'm okay," she said quickly.
"Only if you're sure," Will said, his grin fading on seeing how nervous she was.
Tina nodded, attempting to smile and reassure Mr. Schue that she really was fine. Everyone got a bit nervous before singing in front of a large crowd, didn't they?
"Would you like to sit with me, Tina? I can tell you how I relax before a big show," Rachel offered with a smile.
"Thanks."
When their five minutes were up, everyone made their way back onto the stage once more, looking a bit more refreshed.
"Try not to step on my toes this time," Quinn hissed at Finn.
"Are 'Cedes' toes still hurting?" Candy asked with a look of guilt.
"They're fine now, Candy," she said, smiling at him. "You're getting better, so that's good."
"Mousie helps sweet dance," he said with a bright smile.
"Everyone in position? Okay, take it from the top!" Will called out, nodding to the band.
Tina stepped forward as the music started, letting the sound wash over her and calm her. Behind her, paired in twos, the others began to dance, a fast-paced waltz that Tina was more than glad she hadn't had to learn. She had two left feet when it came to ballroom dancing.
"If you came to make some trouble,
Better make it good.
Your sexy cocktail hour stubble,
Is doing what it should.
Looks may be sweet and subtle,
I think it's trouble, honey,
I think it's good.
If you came to make trouble,
Make me a double, honey,
I think it's good."
Puck counted his steps in his head, trying to remember when he was supposed to swap partners. In his arms, Mouse just smiled at his look of concentration, and relaxed, listening to Tina singing.
"Novices have expectations,
'Cause they think they should.
Experts have their revelations,
Like they knew they would.
What may seem complicated,
Is overstated, downright misunderstood.
Love will not be outdated,
Maybe placated but it's got to be good."
Spinning out of Puck's grasp, Mouse swapped with Santana, grinning at Mike as they continued to step through the dance.
"We're so precarious with semantics,
I think this could be trouble.
I think it's trouble, honey,
I think it's good.
If you came to make trouble,
Make me a double, honey,
I think it's good.
"What may seem complicated,
Is overstated, downright misunderstood.
Love will not be outdated,
Maybe placated, but it's got to be good.
We're far too serious,
I think we could be,
Such nefarious pyromantics."
The final spin and swap had Mouse partnered with Finn, and she silently hoped that she wouldn't need an ice pack after this like she had the day before.
"I think this could be trouble,
I think it's trouble, honey,
I think it's good.
If you came to make trouble,
Make me a double, honey,
I think it's good."
The song ended on a painful note, Rachel falling onto the stage, holding her foot.
"I'm really sorry, Rachel," Artie said quickly, rolling to be beside her. "Sorry, Tina, but I don't think this can work. I just can't do this!" he said in frustration, moving off the stage by the ramp, and leaving the auditorium.
Schue looked stunned for a moment, especially when there were a few echoes of agreement, Quinn glaring at Finn. "But Regionals is only days away!"
"Perhaps we should think of a different song that allows all of us to participate on an equal footing," Rachel said, frowning slightly at her unintended pun.
Looking a little lost, Will simply nodded. "All right, I'll think of something tonight. If you have any suggestions, they'll be more than welcome!" he called as they made their way off the stage.
"Is your foot all right, Rachel?" Mouse asked, looking down at her.
"I should be fine in a minute. It was a surprise, mostly," Rachel replied, seeming embarrassed.
"I'll wait around, just in case. I've got bandages in the nurse's office if you need them," she added, sitting beside her on the stage.
Candy sat down as well, humming the song to himself.
"How did you go with your dancing, sweetie?" Mouse asked, grinning at him.
"Good! I didn't step on any toes!" he replied happily.
"I don't think Rachel believes you. You should show her," she said quickly, standing up and offering Candy her hand.
He giggled, taking her hand and standing. Candy mouthed the steps to himself, leading Mouse around the stage.
Behind them, the band started playing, and Rachel began singing, smiling as she watched brother and sister dancing.
Puck, who had been waiting in the auditorium seats, made his way onto the stage. He tapped Candy's shoulder, grinning at him as he took over, leading Mouse in a dance. Candy sat beside Rachel with a bright smile, and joined in the song.
...
In her office, Sue pushed away her clipboard, the Cheerios new gameplay not even enough to distract her from her thoughts and sorrow. Silence overwhelmed her, and she put her head in the hands, her mind full of thoughts of Jean.
Hearing a noise coming from the gym, Sue hurried to wipe away her tears, coughing briefly and putting up a stern face. School had finished, the gym was closed, and the Cheerios practice had been cancelled for the night. Leaving her office, Sue clenched her hands tightly, intent on blasting whoever had been stupid enough to disturb her peace.
Opening the door to the gym, she stepped inside, and immediately stopped short on seeing the sight before her. Becky, who she'd fired days ago and hadn't seen since, was skipping, the rope flying over and around her quickly with her movements. She jumped each one, a pure look of determination on her face. Going to leave, Sue's shoes made a squeaking noise on the floor, and Becky stopped jumping, her eyes wide.
"I know school's over. Sorry, Coach," she murmured, the rope dropping to her side.
"You shouldn't be ... you don't need to apologise," Sue replied, turning to face Becky once more.
Sue dropped to one knee so that she was eye-to-eye with the young girl before her.
"Are you okay, Coach?"
She nodded in response. "I'd ... I'd like you to be my assistant again," Sue said, hesitant as she continued to watch Becky. "Please," she added.
Becky smiled happily, nodding. "I'd like that too, Coach."
Holding out her arms, Sue gathered Becky in a hug, her eyes closed as she thought of Jean. She'd never be able to hug her sister again, hadn't been able to hold her before she died, but maybe, just maybe, this would make up for a tiny part of it.
"Thank you," Sue whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek.
...
End of the twenty-third chapter.
Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed it!
Note: The book given to Burt is called "Is it a choice? Answers to the most frequently asked questions about gay & lesbian people" by Eric Marcus. The book given to Kurt is called "Beyond acceptance: Parents of lesbians & gays talk about their experiences" by Carolyn Welch Griffin.
...