Broken

Chapter 24- Keep It to Yourself

A/N: Thank you to those of you that reviewed! It blew me away that some of you waited until fanfic was done with its glitch to actually review. And BIG shoutout to who PM'd me when she couldn't review, and then reviewed as soon as she could. This chapter is dedicated to you.

New York City

Finn was just walking into his lonely apartment when his cell phone rang. Without looking at the name on the screen, he hit the answer button and gave a surely, "Hello?" The voice on the other end wasn't one he thought he would ever hear again.

"Hi Finn, can we talk?"

Hearing his sister crying into her phone sent him into overdrive, ready to head out the door again to go get her, wherever she was. "Yeah Rachel. Is everything okay," he prodded gently.

"Everything is fine. Noah had a fight with his sister and he wanted me to try and help talk some sense into her. I just realized," Rachel paused to sniffle, and it broke Finn's heart, "How can I tell Bridget that she shouldn't be fighting with her brother, because he's the only brother she'll ever have, when you and I have barely had a conversation that doesn't turn into a fight in months? I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. I don't want to lose you, Finny."

Listening to Rachel's heart-felt plea had Finn holding back tears of his own, "Rachel," he began gently, "You have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be sorry, it's me. I'm the one that started all of this by not accepting you and Puck as a couple," he paused and looked up at the ceiling, "And I guess neglecting to tell you about Jesse didn't help either. I was just always so worried about you, and how you would react to things. I didn't want you to lose all of your progress, ya know?"

"Yeah, I know. Thank you though, Finn."

"For what," Finn questioned with confusion in his voice.

"For still caring about me. I could hear it in your voice as soon as you heard me on the phone. You were ready to come get me wherever I was," Rachel sighed into the phone, "I think we're coming back tomorrow. Do you want to come over for dinner? I'll cook."

Finn grinned, relieved that his sister had extended an olive branch, "Yeah. I'd love that. Just let me know if I can bring anything. Love you Rach."

"Love you too, Finn."

…***...***...***

A little while later, Finn was laying on his couch attempting to take a nap. He had just dozed off when he heard three sharp knocks on his door. Sitting up silently, he stared at the door for a few brief moments, waiting to see if whoever it was would go away. Hearing the sound of knuckles against wood become louder and more persistent, Finn sighed and stood up, addressing the unwelcome guest on the other side of the door, "Okay, okay. I'm coming." Wrenching the door open in annoyance, he glared at his visitor, "What do you want," he paused and glared when he realized who stood before him, "Santana?"

Santana refused to let the larger boy intimidate her, and remembered the reason she showed up at Finn's apartment unannounced. "Hi Finn," she responded, her tone icy and detached, "We need to talk. Can I come in?"

Westerly, RI

Rachel hung up the phone and leaned her head against the car. Her conversation with Finn went better than she expected. There was no yelling, or swearing, and Finn actually acknowledged his part in the issues they were having. She had a small smile on her face until she heard the front door of the Puckerman home slam shut. She kept her eyes trained on the ground as she heard footsteps coming closer to her. She peeked a glance to see who was walking towards her, and when she saw Puck she let out a little sigh of relief. "Noah," she breathed, smiling at him brightly, but then she was the look of anger in his eyes and her smile dropped.

Puck brushed Rachel off and stalked over the driver's side of the car, ignoring the look of hurt in his girlfriend's eyes.

Rachel tried to grab for Puck's hand, and when he gently removed it from her grasp, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into me. It wasn't my place. I don't know why I said any of those things. I promise, I'll never say anything to Bridget again. She was just making me so angry. She was acting like a spoiled brat, and it's not fair to you. I'm so sorry, Noah. Please don't be mad at me," Rachel whispered, looking up at Puck. When he stared at her silently for a full minute, she bit her lip nervously. "Please, say something?"

Puck shook his head at his girlfriend, attempting to control his anger. "What you said in there to Bridget was…" he trailed off, trying to choose his next words carefully, "Not okay Rachel. Yes, she's being a brat, but she's also only a teenager, and she's my sister. She's in there in tears, because of what you said." Puck shook his head. "I love you, Rachel, but you owe her an apology."

Rachel nodded sadly, "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I know it was wrong, but she was acting like you tricked your Nana into leaving everything to you. I'll go back in and tell her how sorry I am." Rachel slowly stood up and crossed her arms over her body when she saw Puck's disappointed eyes on her. "I really am sorry. Please don't be mad at me, Noah."

Puck saw a single tear fall down Rachel's face as she walked back to the house and sighed in frustration. Nothing in his life could ever just be easy it seemed lately. Once Rachel was safely in the house, Puck unlocked the car and sat in the driver's seat, just staring at what was in front of him, and seeing nothing.

…***...***...***

Back inside the house, Rachel saw Bridget sitting on the couch, holding a pillow. "Bridget," Rachel said quietly as she approached the girl, "Are you okay?"

Bridget looked up at Rachel and glared at her, "Do I look like I'm okay Rachel? You hardly know anything about me, and you just jumped down my throat. I'm sorry if you thought I was acting like a brat, but I'm not some perfect little princess like everyone seems to think you are. I was completely gypped when it came to that Will, and we both know it. Seriously, don't take your issues with your brother out on me. Noah and I were perfectly fine until you came along."

Rachel stood stock still, staring at Bridget. She couldn't believe the words coming out of the girl's mouth. Rachel hadn't had such malice thrown at her in a long time, and she was shocked at just how much it hurt coming from this fourteen year old child.

"Well," Bridget snapped, "Are you going to say anything or are you just going to stand here all day."

Rachel shook herself out of her stupor and looked at the younger girl fleetingly, "I was coming in here to apologize, but clearly you don't deserve it." Without giving Bridget the chance to respond, Rachel turned on her heel and walked out of the room to come face to face with Aaron and Hannah. She looked at their faces and steeled herself for another berating when she saw the disappointment in their eyes. "Aaron, Hanna, I'm so sorry. I know I was totally out of line. I completely understand if you never want me to come here again," she hung her head and waited for their response.

Hanna looked over to Aaron before shaking her head, "Rachel, I think it'd be best if we let this situation cool off a bit. It'll also give Aaron and me a chance to talk to Bridget here on her attitude as of late." Hanna looked towards her husband hoping he would know reassure a wounded looking Rachel.

"Right… Rachel please don't take this as we don't want to know you better or that we'll suddenly disapprove of your relationship with our son. But you can tell Noah I'll call him later and to not contact his sister until we can straighten everything out." Aaron said gently, placing his hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Now, come here and give me a hug before you leave. Until then, tell my boy not to be too hard on you." He pulled Rachel into a hug, kissing the top of her head.

"Okay…" Rachel didn't know how to respond to their kindness. "I think I should go now, Noah is waiting for me. Thank you." Rachel gave Hanna a quick hug before scooting out the door. When she reached the car, Puck had it started, ready to go. Rachel thought twice about actually saying anything to him, not wanting to start a fight.

"Did you apologize?" Puck asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly, not bothering to look over at her.

Sighing, Rachel laid her head against the passenger window. "Your father said he'll call you later and not to contact your sister until he and your mother can talk to her." Rachel figured she wouldn't tell him the exact truth. Bridget had made some clear points though. If she were the issue…

"You didn't answer my question." Puck said, snapping Rachel from her train of thought.

"I'm not five Noah," Rachel meekly said, she was becoming afraid of where this could go.

The rest of the car ride was in silence, neither one of them willing to break it. Puck put the car into park not bothering to see if Rachel needed help out. He walked up to the house, ignoring the urge to glance back and see if Rachel was following him, he hated being mad at her. Puck opened the door and continued his way to the bedroom, slamming the door before Rachel could follow.

"Noah? Talk to me, please?" Rachel leaned against the door, hoping he would open it, and just hold her. When she received no answer, she pushed herself off it and trudged into the living room. Rachel toyed with her cell phone, she wanted so badly to talk to someone but hated running to others with her relationship problems. Finally giving in, she pulled up Santana's name.

Are you free to talk? *Rachel

She put her phone down and waited. After 15 minutes with no answer she gave up on hearing from Santana, Rachel pulled up Sam's name.

Hey Sam, can you talk for a few minutes? *Rachel

Her phone buzzed in her hand, Sam's name flashing on the screen. "Hello?" Rachel answered.

"For you? Of course I have a few minutes." Sam laughed.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Rachel asked nervously.

Sam glanced over his shoulder towards the coffee shop he just left. He knew that if he told Rachel he ditched his date to take her call she would feel guilty and probably never talk to him. Making the lie roll effortlessly off his tongue, he responded. "Nah, just walking home, you can keep me company. What's up? Where's Puck?"

"We had a fight," she paused for a moment, "I think?"

"You think?" Sam responded, as confused as Rachel sounded.

"I don't know what happened," Rachel exclaimed. "He wanted to talk to his sister, and he got snappy with me, but he apologized, and then Bridget was being a brat so I kind of yelled at her, and then I just left the house, and Puck came out and told me I needed to tell her I was sorry, and I went in to tell her, but she berated me for ruining their relationship, and I told him I tried to apologize to her, and he's not talking to me." Rachel held back a sob, trying to figure out where she went wrong today.

Sam sighed, "Its okay Rach. You didn't do anything wrong. Why did you yell at Bridget?"

"I don't really know. I was frustrated with the way she was acting, and how it was upsetting Noah, and I guess I felt guilty because I was trying to fix their relationship, but Finn and I haven't been able to have a civilized conversation in weeks, and I just snapped. As soon as I yelled at her, I knew it was wrong. Everything just bubbled over all at once and I couldn't stop once I started," Rachel took a deep breath, "And now Noah hates me. I know he does."

Sam felt his heart break for the brunette on the other end of the phone and knew that he would have to have a chat with Puck in the not too distant future. "Rach, I promise that he doesn't hate you. There's no way that's even possible."

Rachel sniffled and nodded, even though she knew Sam couldn't see her. "But what do I do to get him to talk to me? Everything was perfect last night. We were laughing and talking and we even-" Rachel cut herself off before she continued that train of thought. "I just want him to talk to me Sam. I don't even know what I did to make him mad at me," Rachel whispered.

…***...***...***

On the other side of the house, Puck was staring out a window, wondering how everything turned to shit so fast. He and Rachel had been doing so well, and in the blink of an eye, they're fighting, again. He groaned in frustration and scrubbed his hands over his face. He was such an asshole. Rachel didn't deserve to be ignored or snapped at when she didn't even do anything wrong, but that was his sister that she yelled at. Bridget was only fourteen, and this was a very stressful time for their family, it could only be expected that she would act out to get a little extra attention. Puck knew that he had to go talk to Rachel and explain his actions, but he didn't know if he could handle seeing tears in her eyes, again. It seemed like all Rachel had done lately was cry, and it was always his fault. Fuck this, Puck thought; I need to get out of here. Looking over at his phone as it buzzed, he ignored his father's phone call and opened the door to hear Rachel on the phone with someone. He quietly stood in the hallway where he couldn't be seen, only feeling slightly guilty for eavesdropping on her conversation.

"Yeah, Sam. You're right. Thanks for the advice. I'll call you later and let you know how everything goes." When Puck heard that Rachel was talking to Sam about their relationship problems, he got momentarily upset.

Not thinking, he stormed into the living room, ignoring the smile that graced Rachel's face at his appearance, "Evans have good advice about our problems, Rach?"

Rachel's face dropped and her heart sank at the curt tone of Puck's voice. "I'm sorry, Noah. I needed someone to talk to and he was available," she responded timidly.

"If you want to talk to someone about our relationship, you need to talk to me, Rach! I don't need you airing all of our shit for everyone to know about. I thought you knew that. God, what has gotten into you today? First my sister, and now this? What the fuck changed since we got here to make you act like this?" Puck glared at Rachel, choosing to ignore the tears in her eyes. "I swear, all of you are the fucking same. As soon as there's an issue, you go running to whoever the fuck will listen. Not everyone cares about your relationship drama. And really, if you would have just kept your mouth shut around Bridget, none of this would be happening."

Rachel registered the stinging sensation in her hand before she even realized she had hit Puck. "I cannot believe you just said that to me. How dare you," she hissed out, pushing past the hurt and focusing on the anger she was feeling. "Wasn't it you who wanted me to have more friends? Wasn't it you who thought it would be great for Sam and me to get along? Is that only supposed to be a good thing when it's convenient for you, Puck?" Rachel glared at Puck, daring him to respond. "I think I'm going to bed. It's been an exhausting day. You'll be fine out here by yourself, right?" Without waiting for a response, Rachel rushed to the bedroom and slammed the door shut, throwing herself down onto the bed and dissolving into tears.

…***...***...***

Hanna sighed heavily. "I wish your son wouldn't put his girlfriend in the middle of our family issues like that." She rubbed her forehead, "I love the girl to pieces but it's not fair to her to have this added stress to their fairly new relationship." She shook her head, sighing once again.

"I know, I know and I completely agree with you. I'll talk with him about it tonight. After we talk to our daughter." Aaron led his wife towards the stairs where they were sure to find Bridget in her room.

Hanna knocked on the white door, allowing Bridget a moment before they opened the door. "Bridget, we're coming in." Hanna pushed the door open, glancing around the messy room. "You need to clean this room young lady."

"Sure mom, whatever you say." Bridget had her back to her parents with no desire turning around to face them.

Aaron sat down on her bed, "I think it's time we discussed your attitude. If you think for one minute we'll allow it to continue you're absolutely wrong." Aaron was as tired as Hanna was about the way their daughter was acting. "Let's discuss why you have been acting like this before we hand down a punishment."

Bridget sat up and twisted around to look at her parents. "Punishment?!" She screeched.

"Yes Bridget Puckerman. A punishment for the way you've been acting the last eight or so months. We are done with it Bridget. So tell us what has you in this attitude and then we'll tell you what said punishment is." Hanna snapped, sitting next to her husband watching her daughter sulk. "We don't have all night Bridget!"

Bridget huffed, rolling her eyes. "Fine! You want to know what my issue is? It seems like every since Rachel waltzed in our lives and family relations have gone downhill! Noah moved away for college out of state when he could've stayed here and went to school. He doesn't come home anymore like he used to. Not only did Nana love him but you two think the sun shines out of...well you know what I mean. It seems like all he cares about is Rachel. Rachel is always with him; Rachel takes him away from us!" Bridget seethed, finally getting it all off her chest.

Aaron took a deep breath. "So, it's Noah and Rachel's fault your grades are slipping? It's their fault you laid to us? Saying you're going to a friend's house after a football game this fall and then heading to a party and drinking! You're 14 Bridget! I will not take this kind of behavior from my 14 year old daughter! You talk back to both your mother and I; you're never home and when you are, you hole yourself up in your room!" Aaron was now standing, pacing the length of her room.

Bridget stood up, facing her father. "Noah did it! Noah 'acted' out! Went to parties, lied to you…"

Hanna cut her off. "But your brother stopped; never let his grades slip, and got into NYU. We're worried about you Bridget. Your brother needs a life too, yes he moved out, yes he finally found a decent women and she's kind and cares about all of us. Take a step back Bridget, he can't stay here forever and be at your every beck and call. I know Noah has messed up in the past but that doesn't mean you follow his same footsteps. You have all this resentment built against Rachel because…?" Hanna wondered out loud. "She took your brother? Wake up Bridget! Noah will always be your big brother. He will always love you, he will always be there for you, and no one can take that away from you. I know this is new for you, for all of us. None of us are used to 'sharing' Noah but...give Rachel a shot. Maybe if you'd actually be nice to her she'd be more willing to come spend time here.

"And all this bullshit about your Nana's will? Is absolutely ridiculous and she's probably rolling over in her coffin. This is not what she would've wanted. She did things the way she thought best. It was her money after all. And let me tell you, you do not need that kind of money right now. Your father and I are providing for you just fine. And Noah didn't come out of this scotch free either. There are many stipulations for him to get his inheritance as well." Hanna paused and watched what she said sink in. Hanna hated play the bad cop so to speak but it was needed in this moment. "Now, with all that being said. I'll take your cell phone, the laptop, the cable box to your TV as well as the DVD player; you're grounded until further notice. No staying after school, no sports games and absolutely no friends sleeping over or you spending the night." Hanna walked out the door without another word.

Bridget stood there shocked to her core. "But, but."

Aaron cut her off, "Enough Bridget. You'll also need to apologize to Rachel and Noah for your recent attitude towards them and the will. Hopefully you stop. Good night." Aaron walked out of his daughter's room closing the door behind him. While he wanted to seek out his wife, he needed to make a phone call.

Aaron made his way to his office, dialing his son's phone number again, hoping he'd get a response this time.

"Hey dad," Puck sighed.

"Good evening Noah. I wanted to talk to you for a minute, do you have time?" Aaron sat down at his desk, picking up a pen to doodle.

"Yeah dad, what's up?"

"Well, I just finished talking to your sister or your mother did but you know her. Anyways before you go taking your anger out on Rachel, like I know you either have or will, Bridget has been acting out quite a bit. It seems your relationship has seemed to spark some insecurity with her. That because you're with Rachel you don't love her…"

"That's fucking bullshit! And you didn't hear the way Rachel acted towards Bridget! It was rude and uncalled for! Bridget is only 14 for Christ sakes!"

"Noah! Now you listen to me! Bridget probably deserved it, the way she has treated us over the last few months has landed her to be grounded!" Puck stayed silent, Aaron sighed heavily. "She's drinking Noah, she's 14 and she's drinking. Her grades are slipping, she's never home, and she's lying to us and yelling at us when she is at home. She's spiraling out of control and taking it out on everyone. So hopefully I've prevented you from screwing up your own relationship."

"I'm sorry dad. I didn't know." Aaron could hear a sigh of defeat coming from his son.

"You didn't know and we didn't exactly go telling everyone. You need to live your life too." Aaron rubbed his face, feeling a massive headache forming.

"Look I better let you go, I think I owe someone else an apologize."

Aaron chuckled, "Alright Son, try not to screw this up anymore than you already have." Aaron hung up after Puck had said his good buys. He sometimes just didn't understand his children. Looking up Aaron met the eyes of his wife. "Well I think Noah already took out some anger on Rachel, hopefully an apology will make it better." Aaron shook his head.

Hanna walked across the office, taking a seat on her husband's knee. "You know, I'll never know where our children got their hot head's from."

"Oh! Really? Do you need me to remind you who didn't let me get a word in while trying to explain to our daughter why she couldn't act that way? Because I'm pretty sure that was all you." Aaron wrapped his arm around Hanna's waist, giving it a gentle squeeze. Hanna slapped his arm playfully, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

…***...***...***

Once Puck hung up the phone with his father, he sighed heavily and hung his head. How did he manage to screw things up so badly? He walked back to the bedroom and was about to open the door, but paused when he heard Rachel sobbing. Maybe I should give her some time, he thought to himself. Instead of opening the door, Puck leaned his forehead against it, his heart breaking with every sob Rachel let out.

He stood there for what felt like hours, and was broken from his thoughts by the buzzing of his phone. Seriously asshole, the fuck is your problem? Stop taking your stress and frustration out on Rachel. -Sam

Knowing his friend was right, he knocked on the door lightly, "Rach," he said softly, "Can you let me in?"

"It's unlocked," he heard Rachel's muffled voice call out from the other side of the door.

Realizing that was as good as he was going to get at that moment, he opened the door and felt his heart break when he saw Rachel. She was curled up into a ball in the middle of the bed, her hair tangled from being tugged on so much. Her face was red and blotchy from crying, and she just looked so damn small. "Can I sit," he asked tentatively.

"That depends," Rachel croaked out, "Are you going to yell at me some more?"

Puck shook his head, "No. I never meant to yell at you in the first place," he told her as he sat as far away from her as he could, giving her as much space as she needed.

Rachel looked over at him and bit her lip before slowly moving closer to him, "Then why did you do it?"

Puck sighed, "Everything was just building, and unfortunately you were the one who was closest when I couldn't hold it in anymore. I am so sorry. I never should have yelled at you, or demanded that you apologize to my sister. I never should have told you that you can't talk to other people about our problems, especially when I won't talk to you. My dad just called me and told me that with the way she's been acting you were probably well within your rights."

Rachel nodded and sat up, "She blamed me for you and her fighting," she mumbled, looking around the room.

Puck sighed, "I know. Dad told me that too. But I want you to know that it is not your fault, okay? It is between my sister and I, and you have nothing to do with this. This was happening well before you and I started dating. I'm pretty sure I know where her issues are stemming from, and it has nothing to do with you. This is all me, okay?"

Rachel sniffled, and ran her hands through her hair again to get the mess out of her face. "I'm sorry too."

Puck looked at Rachel confused, "For what, babe?"

Rachel blushed crimson, "For hitting you, and for calling you Puck."

"I deserved both of those things, Rach. But if it makes you feel better, I forgive you."

Rachel nodded minutely and leaned up against Puck's shoulder, closing her eyes, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, I talked to Finn on the phone earlier today. We actually had a good conversation," Rachel smiled, "I invited him over for dinner when we get back home. Is that okay?"

Puck chuckled and kissed the top of her forehead, "Babe, its perfect."

A/N: Holy UPDATE! This baby is seven pages long. Sorry it took so long to get this out, time got away from me. There was a lot of drama going on in this chapter, so if you need anything explained, feel free to ask me in a review. I know that Puck might have seemed harsh to some of you, but high stress situations can make even The Pope snap. Chapter title comes from Keep it to Yourself by Kacey Musgraves