Author's Note:

Once again, thank u for all the reviews and alerts! This story is quickly becoming my pride and joy (aside from my children, of course)

Got a lot of ideas still flowing, so I hope you all enjoy them!

Editing note: My usual method for breaking up scenes seems to no longer show after I upload. Hoping my new way works this time.

Shot out to Sidalee, one of my fave authors. Thanks for reading my story and I'm glad you are enjoying it!

*So, mayonnaise is not a dairy product, I am aware of this fact but apparently I was in a 'mode' and didn't bother fixing it.

**Also, if you don't want to know the end of West Side Story, don't read this chapter

I DO NOT OWN GLEE OR ANY CHARACTER ASSOCIATED WITH GLEE

Chapter 3 – A Change Will Do You Good

A few hours after Rachel left, Quinn called Finn asking what happened. Puck could hear the yelling from across the room. When Finn finally hung up he went in the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Puck followed him,

"Well?"

Finn took a swig from his beer, "Apparently she stormed into the apartment and went straight into cleaning mode. Quinn said that's a red flag and asked what happened, but Rachel just said it was nothing a little elbow grease wouldn't solve."

Puck shook his head slowly, "Dude, it was just one last fuck to get out of my system. I really like her."

"I know, but dude, you picked the wrong chick to do it with. But, still, you guys were flirting all night and I was sure that you would know better than to have sex with someone in less than 24 hours."

"Apparently not," mumbled Puck.

Puck pulled off the cover on the container Rachel had brought over. There was a note written on a small piece of paper that made him smile.

For Noah,

Rachel's "I'm sorry I made you think I hate you" cookies

Puck grabbed one and took a bite and groaned loudly, "Dude, I seriously fucked up."

(~~~~~~~~)

Rachel didn't show up to the game that Sunday, as expected. But that didn't stop the little glimmer of hope when he spotted Quinn taking a seat in the stands. She wasn't alone, but the very feminine looking man (if you can call him that) was not Rachel.

After the game, he was packing his things up when he heard someone clearing their throat. He turned around to find the busty brunette from last week standing in front of him.

"Hey, you handle that bat of yours pretty well," she purred.

She was definitely hot, smoking hot. She had on a thin, spaghetti strap tank top, her tits barely covered. Her jean shorts barely covered her pussy and he could see the inside of her pockets poking out the bottom. He instantly started thinking about how her hair wasn't shiny enough. Her eyes were to dark and her voice just wasn't right.

"Can I help you?" he asked turning back to close up his bag.

He was sure he heard her gasp a little, probably in shock that he didn't jump her right there, "I, well I saw you eyeing me last week and..."

Puck turned around and crossed his arms, "That was last week. I'm not interested."

With that he walked passed her and headed to his truck to wait for Finn.

Quinn couldn't help but over hear the conversation that had just happened not far from where she waited for Finn. At first she thought Puck had seen her, but she could tell he hadn't looked her way since she was in the stands, most likely looking for Rachel.

She wanted to believe that Puck was actually making an effort in not being such a man whore. Maybe he really did like Rachel, and the thing with April was just what Finn had told her. One last fling out of the way before he attempted to woo Rachel.

"Hey baby," she was shook to attention by Finn leaning down and kissing her cheek, "You alright?"

She smiled and nodded, "Of course, just thinking about work stuff. Come on, let me introduce you to Kurt."

Puck was waiting at his truck playing poker on his phone when he saw them walking over. He hadn't spoken to Quinn since the Rachel blow up and he was sure she was going to give him a piece of her mind. He was mistaken.

"Hello Puck, I want you to meet Kurt," Quinn motioned towards the man he saw her sitting with during the game, "He's one of mine and Rachel's dearest friends, as well as her stylist."

Puck ignored the lump in his throat at the mention of Rachel and shook Kurt's hand, "Sup?" Kurt smirked a little and gave him a glance over, "Whoa dude, check the eyes. I don't go that way."

Kurt chuckled, "Oh I know. I'm just checking out the man that my dear girl was crying about all of Friday night."

"Kurt!" shouted Quinn.

Puck ignored the twisting in his gut and got into his truck.

(~~~~~~~~)

Rachel was glad to have a distraction today. She had pondered going to the baseball game but decided against it. She was sure she would have to see or hear Puck hitting on the closest thing with boobs and she wasn't about to subject herself to that punishment.

Tonight she would be attending 'Broadway Honors: Barbara Streisand' (she was sure it had been done before, but she didn't mind) and she had been promised by her director that she would be introduced to her idol.

She heard the front door open and Kurt and Quinn's laughter filled the apartment. She ran excitedly to the living room, "My dress! Where's my dress?" she was jumping around like a little kid waiting for a piece of candy.

Kurt rolled his eyes and handed her the garment bag he had slung over his shoulder.

"Calm down before you pee yourself." Rachel grabbed the bag and headed to her bedroom, "Don't put it on yet! I have to do your make up first," he turned to Quinn, "well, are you going to tell her?"

Quinn shook her head, "No. I don't want to mention him right now. She is in too good of a mood."

(~~~~~~~~)

Puck was eating dinner with Sam and Mike at a café a fellow coworker had suggested. Finn was called in to work to finish some paperwork he had forgotten about and would be meeting them later back Sam's place for what they called 'An Epic Call of Duty Tournament.'

He noticed a limo pull up across the street and didn't really think anything of it until he noticed the laughter that had filled his ears. He knew that laugh.

Puck's eyes shot up in time to see Rachel exit the building across the street with Kurt on her arm. His mouth went dry and he could barely swallow. She looked….amazing. Her hair was down and her makeup was done dark, but not overdone. Her navy blue dress clung to her curves perfectly and the off the shoulder strap exposed one of her sexy collarbones he always had the itched to touch (and lick).

Mike spoke first, "Hey isn't that-"

"Yep."

"Shouldn't we say hi?" asked Sam

Puck thought about this for a moment then responded, "Nope."

He returned to his burger and ignored the questioning looks from his friends. Rachel's smile was too bright and happy and he didn't want to ruin her mood by bringing his crappy ass into her thoughts.

Thinking with only his dick had screwed up something that could have been really great and he knew it was time to make a change.

(~~~~~~~~)

A month passed without Puck seeing Rachel. He had focused all his energy on work and then playing some open mike nights at a bar around the corner from the apartment.

There were plenty of chicks that approached him after he performed, but none of them were the petite brunette that had failed to escape his mind.

It wasn't until his mom arrived with Finn's mother for their yearly visit to New York that he would see her again.

Puck was cooking dinner and chatting with the two women when Quinn entered the apartment.

"Mom," said Finn, "Mrs. Puckerman, this is Quinn."

Both of the women stood quickly and Puck vaguely heard the conversation as Carol fawned over Finn's girlfriend.

His mind went to Rachel, as usual, and he wondered how the show was going. Suddenly he heard squeals of excitement.

"Oh, Quinn, that is wonderful! You must thank Rachel for us!"

"Well, I think you can probably thank her yourselves. We should be able to visit with her afterwards."

Puck entered the living room, "What's going on?"

Ava Puckerman ran over to her son and handed him a white envelope, "Tickets to West Side Story for tomorrow night!" Puck took the envelope while his mother continued talking excitedly with Carol.

He tuned his mother out and looked in the envelope. There were five tickets.

"She really wants you to come," he looked up to see Quinn in front of him, "She's been a bit of a hermit since the show started. Puck …" she pulled him into the kitchen for some privacy, "Finn and I have both noticed how you have changed. And I like to think that maybe it has something to do with her?"

He nodded and smiled a little, "It's just…the look on her face that night. I don't like that I did that. And, I kinda want to be good enough for her."

Quinn seemed a bit shocked by his words, then her face softened, "I heard you shoot down that woman at the baseball field."

Puck's eyes widened, "You did?"

"Yes, and I wanted to tell Rachel, I did. But, it had only been a few days and when I got home she was so excited about the event she was going to. It was the first time I had really seen her smile since that night. So, I held on to it. And then Finn mentioned the other night that you haven't had any woman over since April. That you were there every night sleeping alone."

"What are you getting at Quinn?"

Before she could answer the timer on the oven beeped indicating that Puck's pot roast was done. Quinn was then swept out of the kitchen by Carol and Puck was left to his thoughts.

The moment they started dinner, Puck sat in silent fear that his mother was going to bring Rachel up. It didn't take long for his fear to become a reality.

"So, Quinn, what is Rachel up to tonight?" Ava glanced slightly at Puck then focused back on Quinn.

"Oh," she looked at her watch, "Probably singing 'I feel pretty' on stage in front of an audience right now."

"Is she seeing anyone," asked Ava.

Puck choked on a potato and Finn had to slap his back to un-lodge the piece that was stuck in his throat. He took a drink of water and cleared his throat. He didn't miss the knowing look his mother sent his way.

"Well, no she's not," Ava's smile widened, "She's very focused on the show. Plus she doesn't really have a lot of free time."

"Oh, there's always time for love!"

"Ma, drop it!" seethed Puck, "Rachel's love life is none of your business."

Ava smiled at her son, "Noah sweetheart, you seem rather bothered by the subject, may I ask why?"

Puck didn't answer and just continued eating his dinner.

Carol and Ava headed to their hotel shortly after dinner. Puck was sitting on the couch while Finn and Quinn did the dishes since he was awesome enough to cook dinner.

He felt Quinn sit on the couch but kept his eyes on the TV.

"I'm about to go, but I just want to let you know," she stopped, "Please look at me for minute," Puck chuckled and looked over at her, "she overheard me and Finn talking the other night about, well, you."

"You mean?"

Quinn nodded. Puck felt a bit of hope spring in his chest. Rachel knew he was making a change.

"Are you sure she wants me there tomorrow?" he asked meekly.

Quinn nodded, "Absolutely."

(~~~~~~~~)

Rachel was pacing back and forth in her dressing room waiting for curtain call. She had never been this nervous before a show and knew it had everything to do with the man that would be sitting third row back, dead center. She credited herself on being a wonderful performer, but wondered what would happen if she 'accidently' made eye contact.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yes?" she called.

"It's Quinn," Rachel's heart stopped. As if reading her mind Quinn added, "I'm alone."

"Come in."

Quinn slipped in and gave Rachel a hug, "How are you?"

"A nervous wreck! I almost wish I didn't know he was here. That would make this much easier."

"Here, sit down," Quinn guided her to the loveseat Rachel had in the room and sat her down. She rubbed circles along her back, "Do you remember our Senior Year, Nationals?"

Rachel smiled, "Yes, that college guy that had dumped me the week before was in the audience."

"Right, and what happened?"

"I rocked it," said Rachel weekly.

"Yes, you rocked it."

"TEN MINUTES TILL CURTAIN!"

Someone had shouted over the loud speaker indicating that Rachel had to get to the stage.

Quinn took Rachel into a bug hug and whispered in her ear, "Go out there and rock it, Maria!"

(~~~~~~~~)

Puck was actually surprised at how much he enjoyed the show. There was fighting and gangs even if there was dancing and singing mixed in.

During the sex scene he became slightly perturbed to see another guy touching Rachel. That was until Quinn nudged him, "Don't worry, Blaine is strictly dickly."

The play was coming to an end and Maria (Rachel) was holding a dead Tony (Blaine) in her arms.

Puck could hear the sniffling all around him. He looked to his right to see his mother wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. To his left Quinn was trying to contain her tears as well, her hand holding on to Finn's tightly. He peered over at Finn and they both rolled their eyes.

To say Rachel was amazing would be an understatement. She owned it in every way possible. Puck couldn't help but be turned on by her stage presence.

By the time they made it to the stage door to wait for Rachel, there was a crowd of about twenty people waiting for the cast for pictures and autographs.

"Oh god, I can't believe he is here again!"

Finn and Puck gave Quinn a curious look when she pointed towards the crowd.

"Right there, the guy with the curly red hair."

"You mean Jew-Fro," laughed Puck.

"Yes, that is Jacob. He has a very unhealthy obsession with Rachel."

"You mean she has a stalker?" asked Finn.

"Close, very close. The guy has been around since she understudied on Wicked. Rachel thinks he's harmless and just overzealous but…."Quinn lowered her voice so only Puck and Finn could hear her, "The guy has asked for her underwear like, hundreds of times."

Puck glared at this Jacob guy. As a cop, he knows full well the extent of what a stalker is capable of. It always starts fairly innocent and to know this guy had been following Rachel for almost two years made him want to investigate it a little further.

The cast started flowing out, the stars of course saved for last. When the crowd see's Blaine exit, they erupt. Kurt is on his arm and Puck chuckles abit at the couple. Then Rachel is not far behind and the crowd is even louder.

A good fifteen minutes pass and Puck is impressed at how friendly and warm Rachel is with her fans. She signs everything asked of her and takes pictures with anyone with a camera or phone. When the crowd thins out, Jacob makes his move.

"Rachel! Rachel! Come here, I got you a present."

Puck can see Rachel's face contort in annoyance, but quickly replaces it with a smile. He makes his way closer so he can hear the conversation.

"Hello Jacob, it's good to see you. It's been what, three days?"

"I was sick, but here," I had it made for you.

Rachel hesitantly grabs the gift bag and pulls out a t-shirt. Puck cannot believe his eyes. The guy had a picture of him and Rachel superimposed onto the shirt with the word FOREVER on the bottom.

Puck is close enough now to see her hands shaking, "T-thank u Ja-"

"You ready baby? I'm hungry," Rachel looks back and relief washes over her face. This dude just scared the crap out of her and Puck was there to save her.

"Yes, I am," Puck grabs her hand and pulls her away. He notices the anger on Jacob's face but just scowls back at him. If looks could kill, Jew Fro would probably be dead on the concrete.

"Thank you Noah," whispers Rachel once they make it over to their group. They slowly release hands and she begins greeting Quinn and Finn.

"That was very chivalrous of you dear," Puck rolled his eyes and looked down at his mom,

"Dude is seriously on my radar."

"Rachel that is way creepy, throw that thing away!" squealed Quinn.

"Be quiet Quinn, I don't want him to hear," she looked over at Puck and Finn, "I have a problem, don't I?"

They both give her sympathetic looks and Finn speaks, "On your word Rachel, we can open up an investigation."

"Okay, let's just go eat. There's an awesome 24hr diner up the roa-"

Rachel stopped and turned to Carol and Ava, "OH MY GOSH, I'M SO SORRY! Where are my manners?"

Carol and Ava smile wide, "Don't worry dear," says Ava, "We can get to know each other over coffee."

"That would be lovely, um,"

"Ava," said Puck, "Rachel this is my mom Ava. And this other striking lady is Carol Hudson."

Once the introductions were finished, Puck felt strangely happy when Rachel took Ava by the arm and guided her towards the diner.

"That is a lovely Star of David around your neck Rachel."

Puck groaned and Rachel looked back at him and winked, which only caused him to smile goofily back, "Thank you Ava, it was a gift from my fathers."

The atmosphere was comfortable inside the diner and Puck was grateful. He really didn't know how things were gonna go with Rachel. But the fact that she knew about the changes he'd been making in his life was probably a big factor, that and Puck is stud, duh.

Once at the diner, everyone ordered coffee and dessert. Puck knew he had to get Rachel alone for a second to say what he's wanted to say for a month.

Rachel was talking with Blaine and Kurt who had met them there after what Kurt called a hot post show make out in his car (Puck really could have lived the rest of his life without hearing that).

"Hey Rach," he whispered across the table, "Can we go talk outside for a minute?"

She nodded and they made their way to a bench in front of the diner.

"Noah, I don't want you to apologize, as I said that night you weren't obli-"

"Just, stop for one second okay, cause I've been practicing this all day and I just gotta get it out."

She smiled and he continued, "I like you, okay. I like you a lot and I know that my big mouth tends to say inappropriate things and for some reason, they always came out when you are around. I think it was just because you intimidate me." He ignored her look of confusion and carried on, "I've had a fucking star crush on you for like…ever okay? And it may not be manly to admit it, but whatever. And then to know you, to actually have a conversation with you I found out you are just as awesome as I expected, maybe, no definitely better than I expected," she blushed and turned her head away. He gently took her chin and turned her eyes back to his, "I realized that the life I lived was shitty. I treated woman shitty and I don't want to do that anymore. Because I really think we could have a great time together, so, how about you let me take you to dinner?"

Rachel giggled and nodded her head, "That would be lovely, Noah."

He smiled wide, "Great, now one other thing. That night, the night of the game, I really wanted to kiss you."

"I know," she said, "and I wanted you to."

"So, it's alright if I kiss you now, right? Cause I've real-"

Before he could finish, Rachel mashed her lips to his. Once he registered what was happening, he buried one hand into her hair and the other around her waist. It was slow, but passionate and he thought he could definitely enjoy kissing for as long as she'll let him.

She pulled away when they heard cheering coming from inside the diner. They turned to see their friends and family watching. Some with shocked faces (Kurt and Carol), some smiling and clapping, (Blaine, Quinn and Finn) and one with a look that made him think she was going to be calling Rabbi Greenburg to reserve the Temple for a winter wedding.