Author's Note:

Once again, thanks to everyone who is following this story.

Here is the next chapter, let me know what you think!

Chapter 5 – Sweet Caroline

"What the fuck," Puck turned to Sam, "I gotta go," he ran out the door and continued talking to Quinn,

"Where's Rachel? Is she okay? What happened?"

"I'm not really sure. I know she didn't open the door. Finn and I came out of the bedroom to see her hyperventilating on the floor. All we could understand was 'Jacob.' Finn ran out the door to find him. He hasn't come back yet…Puck please, Rachel won't talk. She's scaring me."

"I'm on my way, don't worry."

Puck arrived at Quinn and Rachel's around fifteen minutes later. The instant Quinn opened the door he pushed past her, "Where is she?"

"In her bedroom but," Quinn watched as Puck moved past her, "she locked the door."

Quinn was proven right when he reached the door and the knob wouldn't turn. He knocked softly and spoke through the door crack, "Rach, its Noah. You don't have to be scared. Just unlock the door and let me in okay?"

Quinn had a hard time not appreciating Puck's ability to stay calm. Being police officers, Puck and Finn had to do it often in extreme circumstances. She instantly had thoughts of Finn being hurt. No one knew what Jacob was capable of. He had obviously been following Rachel home after shows. There was no other way for him to know where they lived. Rachel even used an alias on the paperwork when she bought the place (which was done in a legal manner).

She shook from her thoughts as she heard Rachel's door being unlocked.

When she didn't open the door, Puck spoke through the crack,"Rach, baby, I'm gonna open the door now okay?"

"Noah, this is not a hostage negotiation, just open the damn door."

Quinn laughed as Puck looked at the door in shock, "Would you expect any less?"

Puck just smiled and shook his head, "No, can't say I could."

He opened the door and Rachel was lying flat on her back, eyes on the ceiling, "As you can see I'm alive," she moved her eyes to land on Puck, "The question is, is Sam?"

"You're seriously worried about that right now? And yes, Sam is very much alive. He's lucky I'm such a nice guy."

Rachel laughed and patted her hand for him to lie next to her. Before he had a chance they heard the front door close and Finn came into view, "Did you find him?" ask Quinn quickly.

Finn was a little out of breath but shook his head, "No, I thought I saw him go into a synagogue, but obviously I couldn't go in," when they looked at him strangely he pointed at himself, "not Jewish, duh…"

He didn't notice the looks he was receiving and walked closer to Rachel's door, "You doing alright?"

Rachel nodded, "Yes, but I will be going down to file a restraining order first thing in the morning. That should solve the problem."

Her three friends looked at each other nervously. Puck both gave them a look saying that he would take care of it.

"Finn, why don't we make some popcorn and watch a movie," she didn't wait for an answer as she pulled Rachel's door behind her.

"Thank you for coming, but, you didn't have to," Rachel said quietly.

"Do you really think I would have NOT come? Seriously, Broadway, I thought you knew me better than that?" he raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head, "But," he sat down next to her and looked her in the eye, "The restraining order, may not be enough Rachel. Sure it will probably keep him away for a little bit, but if he's anything like I think he is, it won't stop him from coming back eventually."

The fear that flashed in Rachel's eyes caused Puck to grab her hands, "I will NOT let anything happen to you. Finn will NOT let anything happen, to you. And we'll keep Quinn safe too, okay?"

Rachel sat up and threw her hands in the air, "How Noah? You guys can't be with us 24 hours a day! What if he, what if he hurts Quinn? I don't know how I would live with myself!" Rachel sobbed and Puck pulled her into his chest. He really didn't have a lot of experience with this. The last time he held a woman as she cried was when his mother lost it at the airport when he left for NYU.

Puck really just did the only thing he could think of.

As she cried into his shirt, he slowly started singing.

As the song got to the chorus Rachel pulled away slightly and looked up at him. He had an amazing voice. He had perfect tone and it definitely had a calming effect on her. He stopped singing with he saw her smiling up at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you could sing?" she asked as she wrapped her arms tighter around his torso.

Puck shrugged, "I don't know, guess it never came up."

Rachel felt a sudden pang of guilt, "God Noah, our first date was spent with me telling you my life story. You have to stop me when I ramble."

"Rach, I don't care. I've wanted to know all about you for so long. I don't mind listening. Besides, most of it was important, aka AprilGate."

Rachel nodded, "Right well, next date…I mean IF you ask me out again, then I will personally put the duct tape on my mouth."

"Don't tease me like that," he doesn't know why he said it, but he did. He cringed slightly waiting for her reaction and when it came, the giggle she lets out made his heart jump and his cock twitch. Puck thinks he must be in the twilight zone, but that moment just made him a teeny bit closer to being in love with Rachel Berry.

(~~~~~~~~)

Rachel woke the next morning to her alarm and quickly turned it off. She threw her blankets back over her head and let out a long sigh. She just had the best dream, and she just hopes that it will soon become a reality.

Dreaming of a naked Noah Puckerman making slow passionate love to her while nibbling on her ear lobe, led to Rachel's reaching her hand into her panties and her finger sliding along her already wet folds. It didn't take much to get her over the edge. She drew the moisture up to the tiny bundle of nerves and rubbed twice. She saw stars, and then slowly came down from the best orgasm she had ever personally given herself. If Noah could do that in her fantasies, what could he do when he was actually touching her? The results are unknown, but Rachel is sure she will find out soon.

Her cell phone rings on her night stand and she's really hoping to see Noah's name flashing, it's Kurt. She lets out a small groan and answers, "Leave me alone."

"You're that exhausted are you? Well, I should expect as much with Puck."

"Kurt I didn't sleep with him. We went out to dinner, and then coffee and he brought me home."

"No, I don't want the details, not until lunch." Interrupted Kurt.

"There are no details Kur-, wait, are we having lunch today," she quickly stood from the bed and pulled her calendar off her dresser. She flipped it open and saw mani/pedi, but no lunch with Kurt,

"Kurt I do not have you on my calendar," she huffed annoyingly.

"That's because this is an 'Oh by the way, I slept with the man that slept with my former idol/bff/sworn enemy' lunch. I'll see you at the usual spot at 12 sharp."

She was not ready to tell Kurt about what happened with Jacob last night. Not over the phone. Kurt had asked her six months ago to get a restraining order on Jacob. She simply laughed and told him he was being dramatic. They didn't talk for a whole month until they ran into each other at Starbucks and were crying apologies to each other while standing in line.

Rachel was afraid that Kurt would be mad at her for not taking things seriously when he warned her, and in turn, she would lose his friendship.

She looked at the clock and saw that she had to meet Puck at the police station in an hour. Finn had stayed the night with Quinn, so he would walk with her.

While in the shower, she thought back to the night before. She and Puck ended up on the oversized chair to watch the movie. Quinn and Finn were on the couch, her head in his lap. The chair brought Rachel's memory back to the night of the baseball game. The only difference was that she was cuddled into his side, arms wrapped around him, while he had one arm draped around her shoulders caressing her arm with his fingers, the other laying casually over the arm of the chair.

When they were saying their goodbyes, Finn and Quinn slipped into Quinn's bedroom to give them some privacy. Needless to say, they had a hot make out session up against the wall which ended with Puck's hands on her breasts (over the very thin tank top sans bra) while her legs were wrapped tightly around his waist. Somehow Rachel was able to snap to reality which led to her saying they better stop. He didn't get mad, he simply agreed. After a few more small kisses he told her he can't imagine himself kissing anyone else now that he's kissed her.

When Finn and Rachel entered the police station, he led her directly to the Captain's office. The blinds were partially closed, but Rachel could see the back of Noah's head and broad shoulders. Her mind shot to their goodbye the night before and she had to imagine the overweight football coach from her high school that had a liking of lycra shorts and fanny packs.

Finn knocked on the door that held a sign stating,

Captain Figgin's, Captain.

"Come in Hudson."

Finn let Rachel in first and she came face to face with a now standing Puck. She smiled and they did a quick hello.

Rachel then noticed the short Indian man approaching her. He grabbed her hand enthusiastically, "Hello Miss Berry, my name is Captain Figgin's, and you can call me Captain Figgin's. I must say, my wife is a big fan of yours."

Puck and Finn stifled there laughter. They knew full well that the Cap was an avid fan of anything and everything that involved The Great White Way.

Eventually, Rachel ended up in a chair that sat in the middle of Puck and Finn.

The Captain took his seat and leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands together on the desk.

"Miss Berry, Officer Puckerman has informed me briefly on the events that occurred last night. Now, I share the same concern as him when it comes to this man. Now, do you know his full name.

"Jacob Ben-Isreal, I know because he once asked me to sign an autograph as, Mrs. Jacob Ben-Isreal-Berry."

Rachel heard what she thought was a growl coming from Puck's direction but she ignored it and waited for the Captain to continue.

"Okay, Hudson, take this and search the arrest records."

Finn looked at him hesitantly, not wanting to leave the room. With a nod from Puck, he left the room to do as the Captain asked. When the door was closed the Captain turned back to Rachel.

"Miss Berry, I am going to assign Officer's Puckerman and Hudson as your personal security until this matter is resolved. However, there is not enough for us to start an investigation without some convincing to my superior. Unless there is something that has happened that involved physical assault."

Rachel looked quickly into her lap and played with her fingers, "There was an incident, probably about six months ago when I was still doing Beauty and The Beast. Kurt was head of costuming and Blaine had come to see him," Rachel glanced over at Puck's hands as they started gripping tighter on his chair, "I was running late after the show so I told Kurt and Blaine to go ahead without me and I would meet them at the diner. By the time I left the stage door, all the fans were gone, except for Jacob. He said that he needed me to write a letter to his mother telling her that I was in love with him."

"Rachel! Why the hell didn't you tell me about this?"

"Puckerman, let her finish," the Captain looked back at Rachel who had tears forming in her eyes, "Go on dear."

"Well," her voice shook. Puck scooted his chair closer and grabbed her hand. He squeezed it softly and ran his thumb over hers. She saw the slight look of recognition on the Captain's face as he took in their joined hands and she continued, "I told him no, that it was not appropriate as it was not true. I told him to go home and stay safe and began to walk away, but he grabbed me by the wrist," Puck's hand tighten and she heard the growl from earlier, only louder, "When I looked back at him, he had a very, unsettling look in his eyes. Then the stage door opened and the director and his wife came out. Jacob released me before they could see and I ended up walking with them until I was in front of the diner."

"Did you tell Kurt and Blaine what happened," asked Puck, his voice low and unsteady.

"Yes I did and they insisted on me filing a restraining order. But, I just waved it off. Kurt didn't talk to me for a whole month," she wiped a few tears that had fallen, "Nothing very serious has happened since. Just the normal request for my panties. Oh and he T-shirt was very strange."

"Officer Puckerman informed me of that as well. Now, with the information you have just given me, an investigation will begin quickly. I do however recommend you take some time off away from the show for a few days. Just until everything is fully in place."

"I'm not sure that's entirely necessary. Couldn't Noah or Finn just stay by my side at all times?"

Rachel's voice was quiet but steady. She had not taken a day off since she started as Maria. Her understudy was good, but not good enough.

"I will speak to your director and ask how he feels. I'll be sure he calls you to let you know what he wants."

Rachel knew that Christopher was going to make her time off. He was very protective of his cast and was always looking out for their wellbeing.

"Okay. Now, how does the security detail work?" she directed the question to Puck, "Are you guys 'officially' my bodyguards now?"

Puck knew she was trying to lighten the mood and smiled, "Yes, we are getting paid to protect you and Quinn."

Rachel was grateful that he made sure to mention her best friend. He knew her enough now to know that her friends were the most important thing to her aside from her father's.

"Miss Fabray," started the Captain," is in a pretty secure environment at Mr. Sinai. We will inform the security there of the situation and she will not leave the building without an escort. Officer Hudson will be there ready to take her home after every shift."

Rachel knew Quinn would not enjoy the extra attention. In high school she craved being the center of attention, but as she grew up, so did her views on popularity. But Quinn did know that the situation should not be taken lightly. Rachel just hoped this would all end quickly so they could go back to their normal lives.

She didn't, however, object to the extra time she would be spending with Noah. If she wanted to feel safe, he was definitely the on to help her with that.

(~~~~~~~~)

When Sam had called him that morning telling him that Puck and Rachel were plastered all of the homepage, he did his best to help her avoid it. After they met back up with Finn, they headed back to the apartment for a few hours.

Puck and Finn distracted her with a game of solitaire. She didn't have a chance to see the article,

That was until lunch.

Finn headed to the hospital to eat lunch with Quinn and Puck and Rachel headed to lunch with was definitely surprised by his presence, but when Rachel told him all the details of the night before with Jacob and then their meeting with the police Captain, he was more than grateful.

"I will not say I told you so Rachel. I am only concerned for your safety! Besides, had you done it back then, you wouldn't have this meat Popsicle as your bodyguard," he gestured

Puck rolled his eyes as Rachel laughed. They took their seats and Kurt immediately opened his lap top and turned it towards her. Here we go.

Rachel gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. She was looking at a picture of herself with Puck walking down the street arms wrapped around the other. A smaller picture of them kissing outside the coffee shop was in the corner. Puck had to hold back a laugh when he saw the headline:

RACHEL BERRY GETS PUCKED

HAS THE BROADWAY DARLING FINALLY MOVED ON FROM JESSE ST. JAMES TO ONE OF NYPD'S FINEST?

"Oh my goodness," whispered Rachel.

They read the article together and were shocked at the details. They were spotted at the restaurant and then followed to the coffee shop. Then a 'source' stated they saw Puck leave shortly after entering Rachel's building, but was seeing arriving back an hour later. 'Maybe Miss Berry changed her mind about that night cap after all' stated the article next to ANOTHER picture which showed Puck arriving after he got the call about Jacob. Of course, no one knew the real reason he went back, but the article also noted that arriving back at 10pm, Puck didn't leave the building till close to 1am.

"I'm famous, that's badass," joked Puck.

"No, no, this is not good Noah! I have tried so hard for so long to avoid being the topic of Mercedes's Jones' pathetic attempt at journalism. Someone took pictures of our date. That's not right!"

"Can I say something?" asked Kurt. He didn't wait for a response, "This can be a good thing. Think about the ticket sales. Besides, Puck will be around you a lot now and then Jacob will just think he is your boyfriend and that he doesn't have NYPD investigating his pale ass."

Rachel looked from Kurt to Puck who seemed to agree what he was saying.

Finally she smiled, leaned over to place a peck on Puck's lips and picked up her menu, "What's good here?"

At that moment Rachel's phone rang. She looked at it seeing her director's name flashing. She answered it with a sweet hello.

"Yes Christopher. I'm fine. I promise. Yes, but, no…but…okay, yes I understand. I know. Thank you, I'll see you next week."

She hung up the phone and continued reading the menu. Neither Kurt nor Puck were brave enough to bring up the fact that Rachel was on a week hiatus from work. Something she obviously was not happy about.