Author's Note:

Where almost to the end folks! Enjoy!

Also, I do not own Glee

Chapter 11 – She loves me

"Rachel," he whispered.

"Yes?" she sighed.

"I love you."

Rachel froze at the words. Never could she have imagined this man lying with her would utter those words to her. At least not without her saying them first. Thinking back to the first time they met, love was hardly a word to describe her feelings for Noah Puckerman.

But she felt her heart soar and she knew that she felt the same way. When she felt him slowly try to pull away, probably at her hesitance, she pulled him close and started planting kisses along his jaw line, "I love you too Noah," she whispered in between kisses.

He moved so he was hovering over her and she barely registered him grabbing a condom out of her nightstand. The fact that he was ready for round two so soon made her arch her back in anticipation. Before she knew it, he pushed into her. He wrapped her legs around his hips and moved forward even more, loud groans filling the room.

Puck reached around her waist and pulled her into his lap, never losing contact. Rachel wrapped her arms around his shoulders and they were soon moving in rhythm. Rachel threw her head back as he kissed her down her chest and took a nipple into his mouth. One hand massaged her other breast while his arm was wrapped around her waist, guiding her up and down, slowly and passionately.

Rachel felt the heat rising and soon was coming undone softly moaning Noah's name. He followed with a loud groan and Rachel felt him expand inside her.

They stayed wrapped around each other, both coming down from the sexual and emotional high.

Puck nuzzled into her shoulder, "I don't deserve you."

He said it softly and Rachel couldn't register it, "What did you say?"

"Nothing," kissed her on the lips and they slowly separated.

Once both were back under the covers, Rachel noticed he didn't seem to be holding her as tightly as he had before. She was going to say something when she heard his breathing even out, telling her he was asleep.

(~*~*~*~*~*~)

When Puck and Finn's shifts ended the next day, they headed to their own apartment to get ready for a guy's night out with Sam and Mike.

Santana had notified them that her meeting with Sam that morning went pretty good and Sam was cool with her and her blonde girlfriend hanging around again. She also made sure to let Sam know that the four girls were going to hang out regardless, but he knew better than to say no to San.

Puck and Finn entered the sports bar they were meeting Sam and Mike at when Puck instantly saw a familiar blonde walking his way.

"Dude, save me!" groaned Puck, but it was too late.

"Hey sexy! I miss you," before he knew it, April was planting a kiss to his lips. He quickly pushed her away.

"What the fuck April? You can't do shit like that!" shouted Puck.

April simply smiled, "Oh, it never bothered you before."

"Puck, I'll meet you at the table," Finn pointed over to where Mike and Sam were sitting and sent a glare in April's direction.

"He never did like me did he," laughed April, "Oh well."

"April, what the fuck are you doing in a sports bar?" asked Puck irritated.

"Oh, sports fans are a real hoot," she laughed, "I enjoy their company. But now that you are here," she ran her hand up and down his bicep and he quickly pulled away. She smirked, "So it's true then? You really are serious with Miss Berry."

"Yes, very serious. Now if you'll excuse me," he began to walk away before her words stopped him in his tracks.

"She's too good for you, you know."

Puck's insecurities instantly brew inside of him and he did his best to ignore them, "She told me she loves me April. And I love her."

"That is so sweet," Puck growled at her condescending tone, "Puck, she is the star of Broadway. She's cocktail parties and charity balls. Do you think you would fit in at one of those things? I sure can't."

With that, she slapped his butt and walked away, but not before shouting over her shoulder, "You've got my number when you're ready to have fun again."

Puck stood there for a minute watching her retreating figure and realized that April Rhodes is a straight up jealous bitch and can't stand the fact that Rachel Berry had once again taken something from her. In this instance, it was Puck.

She needed to get the fuck over it. He had plenty of shit on that woman that could get her arrested and thrown in to jail for a long time.

Then Puck realized that he kept April's secrets just so he could keep fucking her.

I truly was an asshole!

But, I love her, and she loves me

A loud roar erupts through the bar and Puck looks up to see that the Jets had just scored a touchdown. He moved over to join the guys pouring beer into a cold mug. He immediately jumps into the conversation, "It's fucking preseason and these assholes act like it's the god damn Super Bowl."

The guys all laughed and after a few hours, several glasses of beer and five tequila shots, Puck was feeling pretty damn good. Puck prided himself on always being a somewhat controllable drunk, at least once he passed the age of 25. He ordered a glass of water because he was really looking forward to seeing Rachel that night.

Suddenly, everyone's phone but Sam's lit up at the same time.

Mike's phone showed Brittney was calling. Finn's Quinn and finally Pucks read Satan.

"What in the hell," shouted Puck

"That's some freaky shit man," muttered Sam.

They all answered only to be met with shouting.

(~*~*~*~*~)

Santana and Brittney had talked Rachel and Quinn into going to one of their favorite martini bars. Rachel giggled at the name (Tickle my Ivories), cutely named in favor of the fantastically beautiful grand in the center of the small bar. Max, the piano player and his wife Doris (who sang beautifully) owned the place and had for the last thirty years. Doris was a vibrant seventy six year old spitfire and Max was quite jovially for his eighty one years.

Santana and Britt quickly introduced us and after just a few sentences, Rachel knew that they were her kind of people. Doris reminded her lot of her MiMi, her daddy's mother. She passed a few years back but Rachel still yearned to have one more day in her Mimi's kitchen watching her make her famous Matzo Ball Soup.

Rachel and Doris were speaking about their shared love of Funny Girl. Doris also let Rachel know that she was a big fan and that her performances always brought her to tears.

Santana received a text from one of her coworkers telling her to check Mercedes Jones' blog.

She quickly selected hit the link her friend had sent and when the page loaded she practically choked on her tongue. She looked at Rachel who was still in a deep conversation with Doris and pulled Quinn and Brittney to the bathroom. Once inside she turned to them.

"What the hell-"

Quinn was cut off when Santana flashed her phone showing a picture of…

"Mother fucker!"

Santana and Brittney both jumped at the normally reserved Quinn

"This can't be real," uttered Britney, "they obviously replaced Rachel's body with that old lady. It's called photoshop."

Quinn gawked at Brittney and Sanatana rolled her eyes. I'm calling Puck.

(~*~*~*~*~*~*)

Culo! Culo!" Puck yanked the phone away from his ear. Finn had already walked outside so he could hear Quinn. Mike was heading towards the bathroom.

He held the receiver up to his mouth, "FUCKING SHIT! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

"MERCEDES JONES, idiota!"

Puck pointed at Sam, "Dude, MERCDES, NOW!"

Sam quickly worked his phone and Puck saw his eyes widen. He turned the phone slowly and Puck's heart sank. There on the front page was a picture of April kissing him.

"NO! Mother," Puck stood up and turned towards the rest of the bar, "WHO DID IT! HUH?" silence washed over the place and all eyes were staring at Puck in shock, "WHAT MOTHER FUCKER IN HERE TOOK MY PICTURE AND SENT IT TO A GOD DAMN GOSSIP BLOG!"

Sam had already started dragging Puck to the front door by the time "FUCKER" came out of his mouth.

"LET ME GO SAM. I WANNA KNOW WHO'S LIFE IS SO SHITTY THEY GOTTA RUIN SOMEONE ELSES!"

Puck realized he was outside and was shouting at a door.

"Puck, just calm down okay-"

"How am I supposed to calm down Sam, huh?" Puck took a threatening step towards Sam and Finn came from around the corner.

"Stop Puck stop, she doesn't know yet!" Finn shouted and pulled him further away from Sam, "Just breath. You've got time to explain this."

Puck crouched, balancing on the balls of his feet. His elbows landed on his knees and he threw his hands to his head, "I'm worthless," he whispered, "I don't deserve her."

"Puck stop! " shouted Finn. At that moment Mike exited the club to find the trio just outside the door, "Britt said they are distracting her. The owner wants her sing, so, we've gotta get over there."

"I'm not going," whispered Puck.

"Yes you are!" shouted Sam, "You are fucking going and making sure that girl knows that picture is bullshit. You pushed April away and I'm not going to let you push Rachel away! Puck you can't let her go man, don't do it."

Puck stood up straight and shot his eyes to the sky blowing out a breath. Sam was right. Rachel was the most wonderful person he had ever met and she had changed him for the good. His life was better with her in it. He was better with her in it.

And she loved him. She honest to God loved him and that was all that mattered to him.

They caught the first cab that drove by and headed up town.

OMG! This was sooo much fun to write!

Stay tuned for the final chapter!