A/N: thank you again for all the alerts and favourites!

It wasn't that she was bossy and high pitched and irritating, or even that she wore the most insanely pleated skirts he'd ever seen in his life. It was the fact that Rachel Berry was becoming an increasingly permanent feature in his life. Which really, when he thought about it (which he seemed to be doing a fucking lot) wasn't all bad. But there were times when even her mouth – which was damn sexy, and he just knew she'd be able to do amazing things with it – couldn't make up for her personality.

"The fuck?" he asked roughly, slamming his locker shut and turning away from her eager face.

Rachel's smile faltered as Puck began striding off down the corridor. She was forced to jog to keep up with him. "I just thought it would be nice, seeing as it's his birthday, to hold some form of celebration –"

"Yeah" said Puck shortly, cutting her off. "He's gunna have a party."

"Have you arranged it, Noah? Because you've got precisely three days."

"It's sorted."

"I highly doubt that" said Rachel reproachfully.

"Well it's none of your business" Puck retorted. He knew it was stupid to be mad at Rachel for wanting to do something for Finn's birthday. In fact, it would take the pressure off him having to organise something if she was involved, but he just couldn't get over the thought of actually agreeing with her.

"Look, I know you find my company completely unbearable" sighed Rachel. "But –"

"I never said that" said Puck quickly, with a slight twinge of guilt.

"You didn't need to say it Noah. I'm perfectly aware how you feel about me" she said sadly.

Puck winced. He didn't hate her or anything – if she knew about the sexy catholic schoolgirl dreams he had about her that would be perfectly clear – but she was so demanding.

"Ok fine. Just organise the damn party Berry" he snapped.

Her face lit up. "Really Noah?"

"Sure. Knock yourself out. Literally – I wouldn't mind."

Rachel decided to ignore this last comment. "And I can invite all the glee club members?"

"Whatever" Puck shrugged. "Just make sure there's plenty of beer."

"Boys!" said Rachel, shaking her head. "You don't need alcohol to have a good time you know."

"Yeah, but it helps when looking at you."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that" said Rachel, rolling her eyes. "And I hope you'll help me with the entertainments, because I'm not entirely sure what Finn would want."

"If by entertainment you mean strippers, then I'm way ahead of you" Puck drawled.

"Noah!" Rachel looked scandalised. "Don't you dare engage women of the night to attend my party!"

"Your party?" he raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was Finn's birthday. And don't even get me started on "women of the night". What are you? Ninety?"

"It's what my dads call them" said Rachel, not in the least abashed. "And of course it's Finn's party, but if I'm going to be associated with its inception then I don't want my name tainted with that of prostitutes."

"Strippers aren't prostitutes" he told her. "My seventeenth would have been a hell of a lot more interesting if they were."

"You hired strippers for you seventeenth birthday party?" Rachel was appalled.

"Matt called them" he shrugged, as if that absolved him of everything. Actually, he needed to thank him for that. Two of them had ended up staying the night and it had been fucking amazing. So yeah. Maybe Berry had a point about "women of the night".

"Santana had a fit when they turned up" he said, grinning at the memory.

Rachel shook her head. For the first time ever she felt sympathy for the cheerleader. It couldn't be easy going out with Puck.

"Ok, just leave the entertainment to me" she amended.

"Whatever. So long as we don't have to listen to you sing."

Rachel's face fell. "But I already made a demo for Finn as a present!"

Puck smacked a hand to his forehead. "Kill me now."

"Don't even go there Puckerman" she snapped back. She could handle his mockery of her fashion sense and her dads, but when it came to music she refused to be criticised by someone who thought Barbara Streisand was a lingerie brand.

Puck was smirking. "Was that a threat, Berry?"

"Yes" she said darkly. "I don't care how bad ass you claim to be Noah, but if you doubt my music taste I will have to deal with you."

"Sounds hot."

Rachel groaned. "Why is it that you have to make everything sound dirty?" she demanded.

"It's one of my many skills" he said, following her nonchalantly out into the parking lot. "Wanna find out what the other ones are?"

Rachel shook her head emphatically. "No Noah. I most certainly do not."

"You might enjoy them" he pushed her, getting the satisfaction he was after as her face flushed.

"Be that as it may, I'm not willing to become another one of your one night stands" she told him firmly.

They'd reached her car and Puck leaned casually against the hood. "So you do find me attractive" he grinned.

"We were speaking hypothetically" said Rachel, pulling open the car door and dumping her bags on the back seat. "If you ever used your "skills" on me, then I'm sure I would have a good time. I'm aware of your reputation. But the situation in which that would occur would never happen."

Something deep within Puck's brain riled up at her words. She was flat out rejecting the idea of him. And yeah, he'd gone through this a million times in his head and it all worked out for the best if he didn't go after her. But that was a challenge if ever he'd heard one. And Puckerman's never backed down from a challenge.

"You're so sure about that are you?" he asked, pushing himself off the car and swaggering round to the driver's side. Rachel was putting her seat belt on and didn't answer until she's turned on the engine.

"Yes, I am" she told him. "Now if you'd kindly step away from the vehicle, I'm going to go home."

Puck ignored her and stuck his head in through the open window so there faces were only inches apart. Rachel felt her heart speed up at the proximity, but tried not to let the sudden emotions she was feeling affect her expression. Puck's breath was warm on her cheek as he spoke.

"We'll see about that" he murmured, and with a final smirk he drew his head back and walked away.

Boys! thought Rachel savagely as she put the car into gear. How was it possible that Noah infuriated her to the extent that he did, but whenever he looked at her like that her blood seemed to heat up several degrees? It was ridiculous. And she was determined not to let him affect her like that.

Puck thought about his encounter with Rachel as he drove home. Why was it that no other girl in school annoyed him as much as she did, but that there was something about her that kept making him go back for more? It was definitely to do with the skirts, he thought abstractedly. They were so short and so god damn tantalising the way they flew up when she did dance moves in glee club. Plus there was the fact that she stood up to him, which was hot in a weird kind of way, especially when she bit on her bottom lip when she got frustrated with him. Then again, she was Rachel Berry. Rachel Berry. The girl that he'd slushied pretty much every day of freshman year, the girl that screamed at him dementedly when he forgot lines in songs they were supposed to be learning, the girl that talked so much he wanted to cut his ears off. And then there was the fact that she didn't seem to want him. Everybody wanted him. I mean, had she seen his guns? But she'd sat there and said under no circumstances would he ever get into her pants. And it wasn't that he wanted to – ok yeah, who was he kidding? He totally wanted to – but the fact that she was so certain he wouldn't grated at him. He wanted the option.

"Damn it" he growled, executing a highly dangerous three point turn and speeding back in the direction of the nearest store. He needed dip.

No girl had made him think this much since Santana had asked him whether he'd prefer a lap dance or for her and Brittany to make out in front of him for his birthday.

"So, are you free on Saturday night?" Rachel asked, twiddling the phone cord around her finger.

"For what?" said Kurt, sounding suspicious. "I'm not taking you shopping again. You completely ignored my suggestions last time and bought that horrendous striped suit. I want to marry you off to a zebra every time I see it."

"I happen to like that suit. And not for shopping" Rachel told him, walking over to her bed and sitting down. "For a party."

"Rachel, Sweetie. In the nicest way possible, nobody would come if you threw a party."

She rolled her eyes. "Not for me, Kurt. For Finn."

"Finn?" Kurt's voice perked up. "I'm all ears."

"Well, Noah and I thought it would be nice if –"

"You and Puck?" Kurt cut in, sounding eager. "When were you discussing this?"

"Earlier today" said Rachel, confused by the question. "At school."

"Oh."

Rachel laughed at the disappointment in his voice. "We're just friends, Kurt. If that."

Apart from the fact that he always seems to be around, she thought. And what happened in registration the other day. And the constant innuendo's. But that was just Puck, right?

Kurt sniffed. "Whatever you say."

"Anyway" she continued, shoving all thought's of Noah Puckerman from her mind. "Are you free on Saturday?"

"For Finn, I'm always free. In fact I'm more than free, I'm – "

"Good" said Rachel, cutting him off hastily. "I'll put you name down on the list."

"Who have you asked so far?"

"Tina, Artie, Mike and Matt." She'd phoned Tina and Artie before Kurt and had bumped into Mike and Matt earlier at the store. They'd been having an argument over what type of chips to buy. They'd seemed really keen on the idea of the party and grateful for her input when she suggested they bought a packet of each flavour.

"Rachel, you need more than five guests" Kurt told her.

"I know Kurt. That's why I'm calling the others now. I'll see you tomorrow at school."

"Don't wear that suit."

Rachel hung up and added Kurt to her list. Looking over it, she frowned as she realised she'd put Noah's name at the top.

"Must be going mad" she said out loud, as she dialled Brittany's number. Brittany was the one cheerio that she actually liked and who didn't try and make her life a living hell. She was hoping she could get her to ask Quinn and Santana so she wouldn't have to speak to them. Not that she wanted the other two there, but it seemed a bit rude not to invite Finn's girlfriend to his own party. She never could understand what Finn saw in her. Finn was sweet and kind and funny and even though Quinn was the head cheerleader and he was the star quarterback, they had nothing in common. She liked to think of Finn more as a leading man. He was the one guy in glee who could keep up with her vocally (except perhaps Puck, but he slacked off too much to be given the solos) and she had always envisioned that at some point in the future they would get together. If Quinn ever took her claws out of him that was. Brittany's voice interrupted her musings.

"Hello?"

"Hi Brit. It's Rachel."

"Oh hey Rach. I was just thinking about you."

Rachel smiled at how cheerful Brittany sounded. "How come?"

"Well I saw this cow when I was driving home and I remembered what you said about not having dairy products before singing. You know, because it affects your vocal chords? So I was wondering if burgers counted in that."

"No Brit, burgers are made from meat."

"Oh. Awesome."

Rachel laughed. It was a miracle that Brittany passed any of her classes, but she was so sweet it was impossible not to feel happy when talking to her.

"Anyways, what did you want?" Brittany asked.

"Are you free on Saturday night?"

"Hold on, let me check."

There was a clunk sound as Brittany put the phone down and Rachel began doodling on the page in front of her as she waited for her to come back. Why had she put Noah at the top of the list? It was probably because she'd been talking to him earlier. And because they were supposed to be organising the party together, although she highly doubted he was actually going to contribute anything to it. But she usually put her own name first on things.

"Rach?"

Rachel looked away from the paper. "Hey."

"I'm back."

"I realised that Brit."

"Oh. Well, I am free on Saturday. You need help with Mike?"

"What?" Rachel was taken aback.

"Well I figured you wanted a girl's night in so I could give you advice." Brittany sounded matter of fact. "He likes you too, you know."

"I – no – well, that's not what this is about." Though she felt a small rush of pleasure at Brittany's words, she wasn't really sure how to deal with it. She liked Mike, but he was only a friend. And much too concerned with snacks to be a viable boyfriend option.

"Ok. So what did you want to do?"

"I'm organising a party for Finn" said Rachel, getting back into business mode. "It's going to be held at Noah's house and all the glee club members are coming."

"Great!" said Brittany. "I'll be there. Did you want me to book the stripers?"

"No!" Rachel was indignant all over again. "There are going to be no stripers present. Would you really feel comfortable if they were?" she asked curiously.

She could sense the other girls shrug. "They were there at Puck's party. I thought that's what all boys did for their seventeenth birthdays. Plus stripers are hot."

Rachel opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. She wasn't entirely sure about Brittany's orientation, but this seemed to imply that the rumours about her and Santana were true.

"Not all boys" she told the other girl firmly. "And definitely not Finn."

"Does he not like stripers?" Brittany asked.

"No he doesn't. Not all boys are as vulgar as Noah."

"Not all guys are as gorgeous as Puck either."

Rachel closed her eyes in silent prayer. Why did all conversations seem to come back to Puck? It was the last thing she needed. Or wanted.

"Perhaps" she said. "But that doesn't make him a nice person."

"But he is nice" said Brittany in surprise. "He's the only guy that listens to my stories about Chewy."

"Who?"

"My hamster. Matt and Mike don't care and Finn's always too busy with Quinn to listen."

"The fact that he once listened to you talk about your hamster doesn't mean he's a good guy" Rachel insisted. She wasn't sure why she was so adamant to prove that Noah wasn't nice. But she had a distinct notion that it had something to do with wanting to keep away from him. It would be so much easier if she knew he really was the sex obsessed jerk he came across as. Which deep down she knew he wasn't.

"It wasn't just one time" Brittany corrected her. "He brings me dip after cheerio's practise and drives me home. I tell him about Chewy then. And he always walks me to my door."

"Probably because he wants you to invite him in" said Rachel sourly.

"No, we only had sex once" said Brittany cheerfully. "And that was years ago. He walks me to my door because he knows I'm scared of my neighbour's cat."

"Oh." Rachel wasn't sure what to think after that, about Puck or Brittany's sanity.

Brittany seemed to take her lack of response as disappointment and hurried to assure her otherwise. "Not that he wasn't good Rach! He's one of the best I've had. But we're just friends."

"Well that's nice." Rachel's brain was trying to acclimatise to the notion of Puck being friends with a girl rather than using them for sex. It was distinctly out of character and most unsettling.

"Was there anything else you wanted?" Brittany asked. "Because I've got to go meet San."

"Umm, yes." Rachel tried to shake herself out of her thoughts. "Would you ask her and Quinn if they want to come to the party?"

"Sure thing. See you later Rach!"

"Bye Brit."

Ending the call, Rachel lay back against her pillow will a groan. Why was the universe trying to change her opinion of Noah? It was easy to hate him when he was obnoxious and sexist. But stories about him chauffeuring Brittany around and protecting her from neighbouring animals made her want to smile. And the last few days his comments towards her, though as crass as usual, had seemed more flirtatious. It was harder to ignore his obvious sex appeal when he behaved like that. She sighed, staring up at the gold stars stuck to her ceiling. Tomorrow he would probably slushy her and everything would be back to normal.

Her phone beeped, indicating a new message. She flipped it open, expecting it to be from one of her dad's but instead Noah's name flashed up. Trying to ignore the kick of adrenaline it produced, she took a deep breath and read the text.

Yo, I've bought the beer for the party, but food and music is up to you. No weird Broadway shit though, or I'm throwing myself under a bus and you'd be left to explain it to my mom.

Amused and annoyed in equal measure, Rachel closed her eyes and tried to think of anything other than Noah Puckerman.

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