Broken
Chapter 9-What If I Just Need Some Help?
A/N: Super long, since I made you all wait so long for an update! :)
I have told you guys lately that you're amazing? The response to this story is just blowing me away. Thank you once again to all those anonymous reviews.
Again just a quick thank you to the lovely Dreamer1483, always pushes me to write more! Got to love her! Lol. Okay, on with the story! I own nothing...unfortunately.
"Rachel?" Puck continued to rub her back, thinking about what she confided to him only minutes before.
"Yeah?" She felt his grip tighten. She couldn't admit to anyone that in one month, she grew attached to a man, especially when this man provided her comfort, even when they weren't talking.
Puck braced himself, he didn't know whether the question would make her pull away or not. "What we're trying to say earlier? Before Dave came in." Puck felt Rachel tense, "I mean..."
"No, it's okay, I was just confused?" Rachel tried to hide her face in Puck's chest, but he pulled away slightly.
Confused? What the hell is she confused about? Puck thought about events leading up to them not talking. Then he remembered this morning's original conversation. "Rachel, please finish telling me what you were talking about. I know it has something to do with Finn and me fighting..." He trailed off, really trying to figure what she had been saying.
Rachel tried once again to bury her head in his chest. "It was nothing..."
"Obviously it wasn't nothing, please, tell me?" Puck begged.
"Maybe I should just go..." Rachel went to stand up, to move off his lap and to take her leave.
"Damn it Rachel! Are just going to walk away every time I want to have a serious talk with you? How is anything supposed to work out if you won't open up to me? Just tell me Rachel! What were you trying to say earlier?" Puck heaved for breath, by this time Rachel was pacing in front of the door, biting her lip and wringing her hands.
How could she tell him, last time she was a little more confident, she had nothing to lose but now? Now he was still willing to be a friend, how could she destroy that? "Most you really know?" Rachel stopped to glance at him, he nodded sharply. "Ugh! Why must you know?" Rachel turned around, "Don't answer that..." Puck gazed at her questionably but nodded anyways. "I..." Rachel took a deep breath and started to pace again, her nerves eating away at her. "I...was scared." She watches as Puck's eyebrows knit together. He opens his mouth to say something, but she stops him. "I've...never really had a friend before. Well I did... His name was Noé (pronounce it like "No" even though in English it would be "No-ey") and besides Quinn, he was my only friend, well I had Kurt but...at first he wasn't so nice." Rachel grimaced at the thought of how Kurt acted before everything happened. "Anyways, you remind me a lot of him, but I pushed him away when Jesse told me to, because he didn't like him..."
Puck was confused, "Who's Jesse?"
Rachel swallowed nervously, and with an unsteady voice, answered Puck. "Jesse was my boyfriend at the time. Noé started to notice changes, and he would constantly ask me what was going on but I would ignore him...like Jesse asked me too." Rachel shook her head, she was still so mad that she let him push her around, but at the time she didn't know what else to do. "But on one particular day, Noé got into his top school so, I did what a supportive friend would do..."
Flashback begins
Rachel was walking to class with her best friend Noé, they'd known each other for ages. He was her only friend besides Quinn, and her brother but Finn didn't count. They were laughing and joking when Noé looked at her and said that he was going to one of the top colleges in California. Rachel was so happy for him that she couldn't contain herself. She jumped on him and hugged him. She was laughing and planning their celebratory dinner, not even thinking about her boyfriend and the fact that he was right around the corner watching everything.
"Baby, what were you doing hugging him? I don't trust him." Jesse was pissed that Rachel was hugging someone else and the fact she might leave him.
"Nothing, he's my best friend Jesse. He got into his dream school, he has a full ride scholarship. I was happy for him. Sorry." Rachel said, looking down at the ground.
Jesse just saw red, thinking she was lying. "Do NOT lie to me Rachel Barbara Berry! You'll be a slut for anyone else, but when it comes to me, you act like a prude." Jesse scoffed and pushed Rachel before walking away.
Rachel cried a little bit when she fell, not realizing anyone was still there. Noé ran up behind her, concerned. "Rachel, are you okay?" Noé helped her up.
"Yeah, Noé, I'm fine." Rachel brushed off her pants and looked at him.
"You don't look fine. How long has this been happening Rachel? Does Finn know? Do your dads know?"
"Not long, and no, no one knows, besides you. Please don't tell anyone." Rachel looked up at Noé with tears in her eyes. "Please Noé?"
Noé sighed a little and looked at her, "Fine Rachel, I guess. But if it happens again, I'm telling Finn, okay?"
Rachel nodded her head and wrapped her arm around Noé's waist walking towards their next class.
Flashback Ends
Puck was tense as he listened to Rachel tell him about her only other "friend", his hands were balled into fist when Rachel finally finished. "He saw and didn't do anything? He watched you get pushed and verbally abused and did shit! What kind of friend is that?" Puck said threw a clenched jaw.
Rachel stopped mid step and looked over at Puck, who was beat red with anger. "Noah, I asked him not to say anything. I didn't want to be in more trouble with Jesse..."
"If I was there...I would have beaten the shit out of Jesse for talking to you like that, never mind the shoving! What the fuck? This kid didn't deserve a best friend title. Does he still talk to you? Was he there for you when Jesse finally snapped?"
Rachel's eyes went wide with terror as she listened to Puck talk with such anger in his voice. "Please...stop. You're scaring me." Rachel felt a few tears slide down her face, she choked back a sob. "No, I cut off connection with him after everything happened. I'm sure he doesn't even notice..." Rachel wiped the tears from her cheeks. "So, I was scared that once you found out everything about me, you would stop talking to me..."
Puck's eyebrows rose, he didn't believe a word she was saying. "Cut the crap Berry. You started this morning with something about the argument Finn and I had almost over a month ago. How 'bout we pick up there."
Rachel looked at him, and was about to continue were she left off but thought better, talking a deep breath she looked towards the floor. "This morning..." Rachel sighed and moved a little closer to the door, she knew he wouldn't want to see her after this. "...I was saying this morning, how," Rachel gulped nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her t-shirt, mumbling out the next part. "Finn said you were falling for me and you said it wasn't about love and I was scared that you would never want me like that because I was too broken..." She got it out in one breath, flinching when the silence stretched between them.
Puck sat frozen in shock. He remembered exactly what he said in the heat of the argument. At the time, yeah, it was the truth, he didn't want whatever they had be love, but now? He can tell you, he was pretty sure he could tell you he was lying. The way he felt when she only said two worded answer's made him fell horrible, when she wouldn't look at him, made his chest ache. He went out that Friday night to rid his thoughts of her, but even then, she was always in the back of his mind. When he realized he hadn't said anything, he cleared his throat and looked up at Rachel, locking eyes with her.
"I'm sorry. I never meant it like that. I didn't know of the situation, I didn't know anything and when Finn brought it up, he took me off guard. I had only known you for a few days, I didn't want to scare you with what I could be possibly feeling but I did feel protective of you, I still do. Do I like you?" He smirked, "Hell yes. Do we have things we need to work through?" His smirk fell off his lips, nodding grimly. "Yeah, a lot. We might argue, we might want to kill each other at times, we might not talk for a night or two but let's never do this month without speaking thing again, okay?" Rachel narrowed her eyes at him, not sure where this was going. "Come here." He motioned for her to join him on the bed. Rachel slowly nodded and walked over to him, sitting close. Puck smiled, taking her hands in his. "I'll never be like either of those guys, I'll be a true best friend, someone you can look for when you need to be comforted, someone you can talk to you whenever you need to talk, I can be someone to sing to you when you're sad. I'll protect you from any jackass that tries to harm you, you'll be safe with me, I promise. I refuse to treat you like you're fragile, so if I yell and get upset, let me cool off; take everything with a grain salt, because I could never hurt you." Puck reached out, wiping a few tears off Rachel's cheek. "I know this is going to be a long and difficult road, but let's do it together. I know this all seems crazy, and you're probably scared, but maybe..." Puck intertwined their hands, "We can even heal your heart in the process." Puck smirked, but saw the fear in Rachel's eyes.
Rachel felt her heart beating faster and faster as she processed all of Puck's words. She was still unsure of what this all meant. "Wh-what do you mean?" She loosened the hold she had on Puck's hand but he kept his grip.
Puck sighed, "Look at me Rachel. I mean, let me take you out," Puck saw her eyes widen at those thoughts but he pushed through his sentence. "On a date, Sunday, we'll have lunch and do whatever you would like to do. How does that sound?" Puck watched as a smile grew on her face, but he received his answer when she let go of his hand, throwing her arms around his neck. Puck let out a small laugh, smiling himself, "I'll take that as a yes."
Rachel nodded into the crook of his neck, a huge smile on her lips. She pulled back to look into his eyes, "You really mean it? I mean going out with someone like me?"
Puck saw the insecurity written all over her face. "Of course I really mean it, why would I say something like that just to say something? That would be rude...unless you don't want to go out. I mean, I guess it would be okay." Puck tried to just shrug it off, but he was truly hoping it would take the opposite effect.
"No, no, I think I want to go out..." Rachel thought for a minute, but when it all came down to it, she knew she would be perfectly safe with Puck. "I want to go out tomorrow night." Rachel mustered up as much conviction she could. She couldn't remember the last time she felt even a little excited for something.
Puck's arms wrapped around her waist, squeezing her to him. "Good, because I want to go out with you too."
They sat in silence for a while, just holding each other, both thinking about tomorrow night, and what it could mean by the end of it all. "Noah?" Rachel was the first to break the silence.
"Yeah Rachel?"
Rachel sighed, relaxing against him a little more. "I want to move on, I want to forget he ever existed."
Puck's arms tightened ever so slightly, "I know and you will..."
"Will you help me?"
A small smile played on Puck's lips. "Yeah, I'll be here to help you."
They were still in their own little bubble, thinking about each other and what the future could possibly hold when Finn came in. "Hey, what are you two doing?" Finn looked at Puck and then Rachel, both cuddled into an embrace.
Puck shrugged, "Just talking out some problems."
Finn looked skeptical, glancing at Rachel. "Rachel, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, better actually." Rachel let go of Puck, a smile still stretched across her face.
"What's going on?" Finn looked at the two, very confused as to why all of a sudden Rachel was smiling like Puck had handed her the moon.
"Noah's going to take me out tomorrow night." Rachel said, sounding happier than she had in the last two years.
Finn's eyebrows shut up, his eyes widening, but anger showing through. "Like on a date?"
Puck scoffed, "Of course dude, on a date. I'll take her to dinner, and then whatever she would like to do after that." Puck shrugged, not seeing a problem with this situation.
"Dude! How about you ask me? I am her brother, this is my little sister we're talking about! You can't just ask her out..."
"Last I checked, she was a grown woman and could make her own decisions." Puck argued back.
"Yeah, well she doesn't know you like I know you! You can be crass, and inconsiderate!" Finn seethed.
Puck stood up, "Since we want to talk about her, why don't we ask her!" Puck turned to Rachel, who looked nervous and upset over seeing them fight, again. "Rachel, honestly, do you want to go out with me tomorrow night?"
Rachel's flitted glances between Puck and Finn, she was nervous. No matter what she said, one of them wouldn't be so happy. Biting her bottom lip, she weighed her options; go out with Noah and be happy or stay in with the both of them and have Finn happy but have Puck upset. Swallowing nervously she looked at an angry Finn. "You might not want to me to go out with Puck, and I'm not. I'm going to go out tomorrow night with Noah." Rachel heard her voice shaking a little, she hasn't stood up to anyone or told anyone what she wanted in a long time, and it felt good.
"You can't be serious?" Finn yelled, not happy that Puck was going to take his sister out, on a date no less. Since when does Puck date? He asked himself. Finn looked at Rachel once more, hoping she would change her answer.
Rachel adverted Finn's gaze, and very quietly she answered him, "I am serious." With that one answer, Finn turned on his heel, stomping out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Finn knew he needed to cool down before he talked to either one of them again.
Before Rachel could even react to Finn, Puck had swept her back into his arms, hugging her closely.
After a few moments of silence, and Puck thinking of where he could take her, he thought of the perfect place. Of course he would have to make the reservations tomorrow morning. "Hey, for our date, get dressed up, okay?"
"Okay?" Rachel looked up at Puck, "Why?"
"Because I said so." Puck chuckled when Rachel scrunched her face into a scowl. "I know the perfect restaurant that I want to take you to, it's a little on the fancy side, so, dress up. Please?" Puck made his best puppy dog face, his lower lip trembling.
Rachel felt a blush rising on her cheeks, "Okay," Rachel mumbled, hiding her face in Puck's chest.
…***...***
When Sunday came around, Rachel was nervous. She hadn't been out on a date in over two years, she had no idea how to act. What if she said the wrong thing? What if she wasn't entertaining enough for him? What if he took her somewhere really nice for dinner? She was running around her room, trying to find something to wear. What did people wear on dates these days?
Quinn snickered as she watched Rachel run around the room. "Rachel, I have the curling iron heating up, and I brought over my make up as well. What are you doing?" Quinn was amused at the way Rachel was acting.
"I have nothing to wear!" Rachel exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
Quinn held up a garment bag and a shoe box. "I have you covered, don't you worry. Come on, let's get you ready for this date." Quinn unzipped the garment bag showing a violet purple, halter satin dress. A white, long sleeve cardigan draped over the dress. Quinn hurried Rachel to change into the dress, praising her work; the dress was tight fighting dress, ruched in the middle, falling just above her knees. Quinn took out the white satin, three inch heels with a little bow on the outside of the shoe. As Rachel slipped the shoes on, Quinn pulled out a white clutch to match the shoes and cardigan. "Come on, I need to curl your hair, and put your make up on!" Quinn pulled Rachel into the adjoining bathroom, finishing Rachel's look for the night. Once Quinn was done, she gave Rachel one more look over, "Damn, you look fine." Rachel gave Quinn a thankful smile, she hadn't felt this good in over two years.
…***...***
Puck ran a hand over his now very short mohawk, trying to decide which dress shirt to wear with his grey Polo pants, grabbing the black shirt off the hanger buttoning up, except the last three. "Bow tie or no bow tie, that is the question." He said to himself, unaware of Finn standing in the doorway.
"How 'bout no bow tie." Finn laughed, and strolled into his friend's room. "You're serious about this aren't you?"
Puck reached back into the closet pulling out the matching grey blazer. "Yeah, I am."
Finn sighed, "Where are you taking her?"
"A place called, Abigael's on Broadway, it's all kosher..."
"Isn't that place pricey?"
Puck slipped on his black dress shoes before turning to Finn. "Yeah, your point?"
"Oh, um, I don't know. I guess this just makes things a little more serious..."
"What the hell man? You think I would take her to some pizza joint down the road for our first date?"
Finn blanched, "There's more dates after this one? Dude, you don't date!"
Puck sighed, walking over to the bed, taking a seat next to Finn. "I don't know, people change. I've changed, I mean come on, I'm in college, I have to grow up at some point."
Finn's face turned serious, "Dude, I swear, anything happens to her, I will kill you. You make her cry, I'll kill you. Break her heart, I'll kill you. Do anything to make her the least bit upset, I'll kill you. And god, please remember, no means no!"
"Are you done?"
Finn thought for a moment, before frowning, "No. Show her anything, I'll cut it off."
"Okay, okay, gotcha. Damn, you're not even her father...fathers?" Puck thought about his last sentence, "Damn, I have to deal with a big brother, Dave, and two dads?" Puck shook his head, silently adding, but she is so worth it.
…***...***
Walking into the living room, Rachel had butterflies in her stomach. She paced back and forth for a few minutes worrying that maybe she wasn't ready for this. Her head snapped up when she saw Finn walk in. "Hey Rach, I'm sorry about freaking out yesterday." Finn said, coming towards her to sit on the couch. He grabbed the remote, turning it to a football game. Finn sighed and continued his thought. "It's just, you're my sister, and I know Puck. I was just being a stupid over protective big brother. Can you forgive me?" Finn looked at Rachel and half-smiled.
"Yeah Finn, I think I can." Rachel said quietly, moving to hug her big brother. "And like you said, you know Puck, I know Noah. You know he wouldn't hurt me. He's not like that." I hope, she added silently but pushed the thought aside, she had to stay positive.
Finn smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I know, but uh...if he does, I put pepper spray in your clutch thing Quinn bought for you." Finn chuckled a little. He knew Puck was a good guy and would never intentionally hurt his sister. He also knew sometimes Puck didn't think with the right head, and that's not his fault, but with Rach it could be very bad. "You look great tonight, all dressed up." He laughed a little, smiling because someone finally got Rachel to dress up and look more like herself.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Puck walked into the room. The first thing they Rachel noticed was that his mohawk was shorter. Finn looked over at his sister and noticed the smile on her face. "Noah," she said quietly, "you look wonderful." She cautiously walked toward him, stopping a few feet away from him.
Puck swallowed nervously when he saw her. He wanted so desperately to not mess this up. He really liked Rachel and wanted her to be happy. He had been planning a date like this, with her since the first time she let him hold her, sing to her. They were going to go to have dinner, and even though he said whatever she wanted to do, he had a surprise for her.
Puck really looked at Rachel, from the loose curls in her hair, to the light make up applied to her face, the dress she was wearing that hugged every curve of her body just right; he sighed, mumbling a response. "So do you Rachel, beautiful." Puck watched a blush form on Rachel's cheeks when she realized he was staring, smirking when she looked away from him embarrassed. "Ready?"
Rachel nodded, "Just let me get my coat." Rachel turned away from Puck and went to find her coat.
Puck waited until she had the head start before talking to Finn, "Nothing will happen, I'll keep her safe." Finn gave him a short nod, as Puck started towards the closet to get his coat, he called over his shoulder, "Don't wait up!"
…***...***
Puck led Rachel into the restaurant by the small of her back, when they came up to the hostess she looked up, smiling seductively at Puck. "Good evening and welcomed to Abigael's on Broadway, how may I help you?"
The blond flirted shamelessly with Puck, he just rolled his eyes and pulled Rachel closer. "I have reservations under Puckerman." Puck noticed how tense Rachel became, and how her eyes were darting around the restaurant nervously. Puck leaned down, whispering her ear, "Your okay Rach, I've got you." She nodded stiffly and tried to relax against her date.
The hostess cleared her throat, "Uh, yes, right this way." The hostess led them back to their table, "Your server will be with you momentarily." She handed them the menus before leaving.
Rachel looked around nervously, she had no way to get out if she needed to, she looked across the table to Puck, who smirked at her before looking back down at the menu. She relaxed slightly, looking at her menu. "Noah is this all..."
"Kosher? Yeah, it is." He smiled brightly at her, "I know that if Finn is Jewish, that must mean you are too." He laughed at her confused expression, "You know, I am Jewish."
Rachel gave a small smile, "You are?"
"I am. So, what sounds good? The Thai sea bass sounds pretty good. Maybe a salad..."
"Hello, my name is Jeff, I'll be your server tonight. Can I get you anything to drink?" Puck looked up to this Jeff guy, his eyes were on Rachel. She was looking uncomfortable and avoiding all eye contact.
Puck cleared his throat, "Hey Jeff, I'll have an ice water, Rach?"
"Oh, the same please."
Jeff smirked at Rachel, mistaking her uncomfortable state as shyness, maybe even flirting. "Okay, can I place any appetizers?"
Puck scowled at the server, "Yes you can place the duck and arugula salad for me." When Jeff didn't even look his way as he placed the order, Puck was ready to go off.
"And anything for you miss?" Jeff said sweetly, not wavering his look.
"No, I think I'll just share a few bites from his, is that okay?" Rachel looked up from her menu to Puck.
"Whatever you want babe." Puck smiled at her, but turned serious when he caught Jeff's gaze. "And when you come back, keep your eyes off my date."
Jeff swallowed nervously, nodding at Puck, "I'll be right back with those waters."
When Jeff returned with the waters, he kept his eyes trained on Puck, only glancing at Rachel when she ordered her main dish. They kept up small talk as they waited for dinner. Puck learned how Rachel had a love for singing, dancing, and acting. She told him her favorite musicals and her dreams of being on Broadway. He told her about his home town, what position he played in football, his friends that still live back in Rhode Island and his childhood dream of opening a restaurant. But he discovered he loved music more.
Dinner was served, and Rachel found herself smiling and laughing at all of Puck's little jokes. She slowly relaxed into the night and was more than please when Puck ordered dessert and coffee for the both of them. She didn't want the night to end.
"Can I tell you something?" Rachel said as she took another bite of her crème brulee.
Puck smiled, "Of course you can." He looked down at his molten chocolate cake, waiting for Rachel to speak.
"I feel normal with you. Like there are no problems for me to worry about. No past that follows me, and I really like it." Rachel said sheepishly, adverting her eyes from Puck.
Puck sat silently stunned, he wasn't sure how to respond to her statement. "I really like when you smile, and if I can make you do that every day, I'll be happy to." Puck waited for her to look up at him, when she did, he was greeted with a shy smile.
Jeff appeared out of nowhere, like he had been doing all night. "Here is your check when you're ready. Have a nice night." Jeff gave Rachel one last look before walking away.
Puck pulled out his wallet, slipping the right amount of cash inside the folder. Rachel watched him, frowning, "Are you sure you don't want me to pay for my half?"
Puck stood, grabbing his coat and putting it on before helping Rachel with hers. "Rachel, it's a date that I asked you on, I'm paying. Now come on, I have a surprise for you." Puck led Rachel through the restaurant and out the front door.
A sleek black car sat at the curb. "Good evening Mr. Puckerman are you ready?"
"Yes we are." The driver opened the door for them, letting them both slide inside.
"Noah, this is too much. Where are we going?"
Puck took her hand in his, squeezing tightly. "Babe, you're safe with me. And it's a surprise." Rachel nodded and let silence come over them. When the car stopped close to Central Park and let them out, Rachel took in her surroundings, making sure she had Puck's hand securely in hers.
When she saw the horse and bugging at the entrance to the park, Rachel gaped. "Noah?" Puck laughed and helped Rachel into the carriage. She saw chocolate dipped strawberries with red roses waiting on the opposite side of her seat. She was smiling like she has never smiled before. No one has ever gone this far for a date for her. "Noah, this is so sweet. Thank you."
Puck sat next to her, draping the blanket across their lap. "You're more than welcome. I wish I had time to plan more for you." Puck placed his arm around her shoulders and drew her into his side.
"No, this is more than enough. I don't mean to push, but how did you afford all this. You're a college student..."
"Rach, don't worry about. My family, well, we're well off. Both my parents work as surgeons in a hospital, and my family was always on the wealthy side. I've got it all under control, trust me." Puck smirked, looking at the scenery around him.
"I do trust you." Rachel whispered, and right there on her carriage ride through Central Park with a man that she found herself liking more and more, who was healing her for the better; leaned up and gave him a simple, lingering kiss.
A/N: Okay you guys got a fluff-tastic chapter. Next drama will hit the fan! :)
Questions? Comments? Ideas?-I love these!
Check out my new story, Lightning Crashes, very different from this one! Rachel and Puck are long time friends. Puck starts to notice changes, mysterious bruises that have no explanation. Whose hurting Rachel? Can Puck stop it before it's too late? A/U, OOC
Okay! Till next time...