Jesse began to cry in that parking lot, on his knees, his face in his hands. He had just destroyed the girl he once, no, still loved and wouldn't be able to get her back.

"God...please. P-please let her be okay. Let her recover. I'm so sorry, Rachel." he whispered through his tears. He couldn't make this right. Nothing could make up for the pain he caused her. There was no point in trying. He couldn't change the past and he knew "sorry" just wouldn't cut it this time.

"I deserve to be beaten." he cried. "Dammit! Why couldn't Puck have beaten my ass?" he punched a fist on the pavement, only to bring it back to wipe at his eyes and to run it through his hair. This wasn't the Jesse he had become or what he was...this was the real Jesse - everything stripped away.. This was the Jesse he always wanted to find, but never could. He didn't like being arrogant or conceited or alone. He paused for a moment and stared at the sky.

"I'm sorry Rachel." he whispered.

"It's gonna be okay, Sweetie. I can promise you that." Puck whispered into Rachel's hair as he took her to each of her classes. They had become so much closer since he stopped her that day in the hallway. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt like he was falling for her. And she felt the same way. With him she felt...safe and secure. He was going to be there day to day wiping her tears away and letting her sleep on his chest, cuddled safely and warm in his strong arms.

"I know. Noah?" It seemed like their conversations always played out like this.

"Yeah, Rachel?" he smiled looking down at her. She looked like she was recovering, but he knew it would take some time, and he was fine with that.

"Thank you. You don't have to do all this and I know I've been unbearable in the past but,I don't mean to be like that. I'm sorry." he took the frustrated brunette in his arms and held her close.

"I don't like seeing you so lost and unhappy. And now that I've seen the real you, I get it. You don't have to be sorry for anything, Rach. I love you just the way you are." She grew stiff in his arms.

"Y-You, you what?" she asked a bit startled.

"I said I love you. I love you for you, Rachel." he said confidently, smirking.

"I-I don't know what to say..." she looked up into his dark, glistening eyes and collected herself. "Except that I love you, too." she leaned in as he did and they shared their first kiss together in the vacant hallway. The only class they were missing was Glee and Mr. Schue would understand. After practically swallowing each other whole, they walked hand in hand to Glee club. She expected him to pull away when they arrived, but he didn't. Instead, he tightened the grip and they sat together in the front row.

Mr. Schue stared at Rachel who simply dismissed the eye contact and leaned her head on Puck's shoulder, only giving a quick smile. He had become so frustrated at what Jesse had done to her, what he made her. He hated him. He just wanted to kick Jesse's ass and then hold Rachel when she cried. She had become like a daughter and a friend to him and it killed him inside to her hurting.

Noah kissed her forehead while Mr. Schue taught, but was cautious. Rachel hung in the entire time, listening intently although she was really thinking about Puck. She clung to his arm, resting her head on his shoulder still. He held her tightly to his body, imagining that if no one would've talked to her, seen the signs, she could be dead right now. He savored his time with her, never wanting to let her go.

"Rachel, could you stay after class, please?" she gave him a questioning look as she picked up her bag, ready to leave, but nodded. Noah stopped and was about to hang around, but she hugged him tightly before speaking.

"You can go, Noah. You can't miss anymore classes and I'll be fine. I promise." her words melted his heart and he hugged her before quickly pecking her on the lips.

"Oh, wow. So are you guys kind of a thing now?" Mr. Schue asked surprised.

"Yeah. He cares about me and he says he loves me. I believe him, because well, I love him too." Rachel smiled thinking about him.

"Rachel..." he walked towards her and set her down, sitting next to her, placing his hand lightly on her knee. "Isn't this...well, isn't this kind of what Jesse did?"

"No...no. Noah...he, he loves me. And I love him. Y-you're wrong. He's not like Jesse." she shuddered, remembering, and fell forward into her teacher's arms who held her tight.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." he whispered rubbing her back gently. After a minute, she pulled back and allowed him to help wiping her many tears away.

"Sorry, I'm kind of all over the place. Don't sweat it. Thanks, Mr. Schue." she got up and began walking to the door.

"Wait." he called. She turned back and headed towards him.

"Are you gonna be okay, Rach?" she watched his concerned, tired eyes. Noah's eyes were tired too. He swore to her he slept, but she knew the truth. Neither of them would admit the weight being pressed down on them.

"Yeah...I think so." she wrapped her arms around him one more time to try and ease his mind. She let go and again headed for the door. This time, he let her leave.

"Be good to her, Noah." he spoke to the silence.

"Hey I can come over tonight right?" Noah asked Rachel on the phone thinking he knew the answer.

"Actually...my dads come home tonight." she said sadly, heart practically breaking.

"Oh." he said quietly. "What are we gonna do?"

"I-I don't know, Noah. I-I need to see you. Please." she begged.

"I'll be there in five."

He must have sped down the road 3 times the speed limit because he was right with his prediction. 5 minutes.

"Noah!" Rachel cried, leaping into her boyfriend's arms. He caught her easily, no problem. She took his face in her hands and kissed him fiercely.

"I love you, Noah." she whispered against his lips.

"I love you too, Rachel." she hugged his neck before he carried her up the stairs to her room. They sat on her bed for a while, holding on to each other.

"I'm sorry I'm so needy." Rachel said looking down, playing with his fingers. It was silent for a moment.

"I'm not. And you're still getting back on your feet and I'm gonna be here until you do...and after, if you want me." Rachel looked up at him and smiled, thanking him with kiss.

"I'll always want you, Noah. That won't change. I promise." Rachel knew she had no control over that, but she didn't care. She said it anyway, curling into him.

He kissed her head and they drifted off. They could face her fathers when they woke up and not a second before.

Thank you all for the support and for reading! I really love you guys! Please review!

Also, need help on where to continue this...sort of at a loss! Any ideas, just review! Thanks so much!

Love y'all! :D