Back by popular-enough demand, and I kind of got into the story too, so here goes chap 1 of the original one-shot (told you I didn't do one-shots). We'll call the other chap an introduction/test… so yeah.

Rachel burst off the stage, for the first time in her entire life speechless to describe how she felt.

Just two months out of Julliard, she'd made it; the curtains had just been closed on her first (of many, based on the directors, other actors and audience's reaction to her voice and stage presence) Broadway show. She was playing Rizzo in the latest version of Grease, and had blown them away.

She didn't want to brag (but of course she did really), but it seemed like when she stood forward, she had received a louder cheer than any other characters had. She couldn't entirely chock that up to her acting and singing abilities: the fact that Rizzo is naturally a popular character was of course a contributing factor. Nonetheless, there was at least one cat call from the audience, and – while it was of course vile and grossly inappropriate – she found it surprisingly flattering.

The cast met in the small room beside the stage where they waited for it to be their turn on stage and commenced an after show ceremony, where they congratulated Rachel on her first Broadway show, and generally celebrated a successful evening.

Afterwards, one of the stage hands whispered in Rachel's ear that somebody was waiting in her changing room and that she'd better go see him quickly.

Rachel pulled the director aside to tell him where she was going.

"There's someone to see me in my dressing room, Mr Carthy. Just letting you know that's where I'll be." She patted his arm and hurried off before he could complain.

That was the one downside to this part; the director had a creepy obsession with knowing where she was at all times. In her third rehearsal she had popped to the toilet when she wasn't needed – they were going through a love scene between Danny and Sandy – and he'd flipped out. Now she had to inform him every time she was on the clock and she had to leave the room, which was normally when he chose to strike up a lengthy conversation with her in an attempt to discourage her departure.

Rachel was out of the room in time to avoid said chat this time, and heading down the hallway to the dressing room she shared with the girl who played Sandy, Caroline Hecholls.

Rachel pushed open the door and sashayed in to avoid the piles of roses that covered every surface. They were probably for Carol: her fiancé was really romantic, which sometimes translated to really over-the-top acts of affection that would be sweet if they were still courting, but they'd been engaged for two years.

Rachel spotted a note, and – hoping for just a second somebody had thought of her – had a peek, but no such luck. Sandy was one loved gal.

Behind the piles of foliage, Rachel spotted the one person she wanted to see there more than anyone else she could possibly think of.

Puck had been waiting four years for this. The night Rachel performed for the first time on Broadway, officially reaching her dream of becoming a star, making all of his efforts worth while.

Firstly, it had been the money issue. At this point, Puck realised what he'd been denying to himself all the years he'd known Rachel… That he was totally and completely in love with her. Then, when his business went down the toilet because of his crappy financial situation, Puck realised the only way to make himself worthy of the star metaphor incarnate was to get a real job that paid real, steady money, and pay off his debts and start earning money, and what better place to do so than the same city Rachel studied. By some fluke, he got such a job in his first week in New York, and it paid better than he'd even thought possible. This was when he found out that he was unbelievably talented at selling cars.

Thinking he was on the home straight, with no more debt and a fair amount of savings in the bank, Puck figured he was on the home straight. He just had to wait for Rachel to get somewhere he could reach now, right?

Wrong. He bumped into her – totally unplanned and accidental, cough, cough – and they got to talking. He was pleased to find her happy and well-adjusted, and glad she noticed how much he'd changed and matured, until she mentioned her boyfriend.

Of course she had a boyfriend. She's fucking hot, and any repelling features – such as a undying need to succeed and become a star – was negated at that school, because it was basically a place to put everyone in America who was just like her. Damn.

So, his next task was to keep her single, and while the slushy facials seemed to work last time, he didn't think he'd be able to keep it up while maintaining a full-time job. Plus, she'd barely forgiven him for the high school attacks; she'd never forget if he sent it to college with her.

His only option was to just break up her relationships. It was cruel, selfish and awkward, but necessary. Very necessary.

And so started Rachel's spout of bad love. It started with Harry the cheater, who slept with a hooker (paid for by Puck). Then Hustov the illegal immigrant, who was deported before their third date (the authorities received an anonymous tip…). And most recently was Jesse St. James, the return, who ironically broke themselves up because there is only so much limelight, and that much need for attention is not good in a relationship.

Essentially, Puck's whole life for the past four years had led up to this moment, the moment he would finally be worthy of Rachel Berry. Now he could at long last ask her out. Nothing was going to ruin this for him.

He'd lined everything up. He sent one hundred red roses to her dressing room with a note saying:

My Sweet Caroline,

I knew you'd make it.

Love always.

He's called ahead to make sure he could get in and see her, so he could visit after sitting in his pre-booked front row seats he'd had for the month and a half since he'd found out she had the part of Rizzo.

All was left was to await her answer, and if she said no… She wouldn't, but if she did, he'd change her mind somehow. There was no way this wouldn't work.

Rachel stared at her father. "Daddy, You came! You said you wouldn't, but you did! I'm so glad!"

She rushed forward and threw herself into his open arms.

"Proud of you, Star." She smiled into his chest.

She'd missed being called by the nickname her two dads had bestowed upon her.

Her dad held her for a moment longer before loosening his grip and pulling away. His face was no longer a grin.

"There's no easy way…" He couldn't look his daughter in the eye.

Rachel's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "What's wrong, Daddy?"

He took a few breaths to pull himself together. "I'm so sorry to have to tell you like this, Star, but your Dad had a heart attack last night. He p…" He paused to regain his composure again. "He passed away early this morning."

Rachel stared at her remaining father, unable to react.

Sorry about the sadness, but I figured to make this into a chap fic I'd have to spice it up a bit. Continue reading to get more flavour (note the attempted continuation of the 'spice' metaphor. That's style right there).

Reviews please :D