So I just watched the Sectionals episode, the thing Brittany said about keeping a bird in her locker? It's still making me laugh. I love her! And Rachel telling Quinn to beat her up, but to please avoid her nose was also priceless. And Shue and Emma melted my little heart…

CHAPTER FIVE:

It's Not Mine, I Swear

"Wait a sec!" Finn called out, following the other six members of glee to the parking lot.

"What's up big guy?" Kurt asked as he and Mercedes stopped in front of his SUV.

"Rachel is dating Puck?"

The soprano shrugged. "Don't know."

"But they were- And then he… It's Puck! Rachel can't date Puck."

"What's wrong with Puck?" Brittany asked, looking over from where she was fussing over Mike's injuries. "I thought he was your best friend."

"Yeah," Santana glared from under Matt's arm, "And since when do you have any say in who either of them date? You have Quinn. Remember your pregnant girlfriend?"

"Of course I remember, it's just… It's Rachel." He glanced around, confused when he didn't get any support, "And Puck!"

"No," Kurt corrected. He batted his eyelashes at Mercedes dramatically "It's Noah."

Brittany giggled at how Kurt mimicked the breathy way Rachel always said Puck's name. It was almost as cute as the way Puck said her name all growly, not that she'd ever tell him that. "Mike?" the blonde asked tugging on her boyfriend's sleeve. She watched how his face changed as he looked at her. His eyes went all soft and his mouth turned up into a smile. The good smile, the one with the dimple.

"What's up Brit?" She felt her stomach flutter when he looked her in the eye and said her name.

"My sisters are at the babysitters and my mom's at work. I think you should take me home."

Mike's eyes widened slightly, this was new. "You drove to school…"

Brittany blinked, "Oh yeah. Well, I'll just have to take you home then."

The football player cleared his throat and started ushering her towards her car. "We're out. See you later, guys!"

"We're gonna go too." Santana announced.

Matt nodded at everyone. "Later."

Kurt looked at Mercedes and waved his phone at her. "Want to come over to my place? We can edit some footage and scoop that creepy Jacob kid."

"For sure."

Seconds later Finn found himself standing in an empty parking lot. "But it's Rachel and Puck!"

Puck's arm was heavy on Rachel's shoulders as they made their way to the parking lot, it made her shiver involuntarily. How had she never noticed this before? Every time he touched her there were sparks…

"You okay?" Puck asked looking down at the petite singer.

"What? Oh, yes. Yes I'm fine. But I left all my stuff in the washroom. I need to go get it."

Puck sighed. "Berry, we're trying to make a dramatic exit."

"Noah. I need my books. Plus my keys are in my bag."

"Fine. But I'm adding dramatic exit to the list."

"What list?"

"The list of things you owe me. 1) A little tattoo exploration time. 2) A dramatic exit. And you definitely need to let me touch your boobs for, you know, defending your honor and stuff."

Rachel rolled her eyes and suppressed a grin as they reached the ladies room. "Right. I'll be right back."

Puck watched Rachel disappear from view and leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned as he waited. What was he doing? This morning he'd had every intention of never speaking to Rachel Berry again. She'd broken up with him. Him. Nobody broke up with him, he was a stud. A fucking legend. He'd banged half the school's moms and most of their girlfriends- his frown deepened as he errantly thought of Quinn- so what was he doing standing outside the girl's washroom, like a pussy, waiting for some girl who wouldn't even put out?

He looked up as Rachel pushed the door open. She was dragging her huge pink bag behind her and carrying a Cheerio duffle bag in the other hand. She smiled hesitantly at him. "Brit forgot her bag too." Puck grunted his response and watched her silently. She started to fidget nervously. "What?"

Impulsively the green eyed jock cupped her chin in his hand and leaned down to kiss her. He paid no attention as the two bags she was holding dropped to the floor; he was too distracted by the way she smelled like mangoes, but tasted like cinnamon. It was a weird combination, but it turned him on more than any cougar had in the past. He groaned as she arched into him and tried to pull him closer, until there was no space between them at all. Normally he hated it when people touched his hair, but as Rachel ran her fingers across his smooth scalp only to fist her hand in the short hairs of his mohawk and pull on it gently it was all he could do not to push her into the washroom and take her, on the floor, against the wall, in one of the stalls, it didn't really matter… It took all of his willpower to break the kiss. Right, that's what he was doing.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead as her eyes fluttered open and picked up the bags she'd dropped. "Come on, Rach, let's get you home."

They walked quickly to the parking lot, neither one of them speaking a word which was highly unusual for the opinionated diva. When they reached his truck Puck tossed the bags into the bed, then walked around to unlock the passenger side door. He helped Rachel into the truck silently then made his way over to the driver's side door. He took a deep breath before getting in; this was going to be a long ride.

The awkward silence continued as Puck hoisted himself into the truck and started the engine, but the quiet was shattered when his radio started blaring at a decibel high enough to deafen small children. Rachel cocked her head to one side. "Eye of the Tiger? Really?"

"It's the radio." Puck said hastily, turning down the volume. "There's CDs in the glove box."

"You're gonna let me choose?" Rachel asked quietly.

Puck leaned over to open the glove compartment, "Sure, why not?"

She smiled at him. "Thanks Noah."

"It's just music." He replied straightening up and throwing the truck into gear.

Rachel laid her hand on his and waited patiently until he looked at her. "It's not just about the music, Noah. Thank you."

Puck cleared his throat uncomfortably and turned his attention back to the road. This time the silence was less awkward. It was kinda nice, actually, just being together and not having Rachel talking his ear off. It had never been like this for him with any other girl. Guilt tugged at him as he thought of Quinn, the baby, telling Rachel… Shit. He had to tell Rachel. He looked over at the brunette who was humming and smiling as she thumbed through his CD collection. Why did he feel like things were going to end before they even began?

Rachel looked over at Noah, who was scowling at the road, she considered not saying anything, but looked down again and couldn't help herself. "Hannah Montana?"

"What?" Puck looked over at her blankly.

Rachel smirked and held up the book of CDs so that the offending one was in front. "You own a Hannah Montana CD?"

Puck groaned. "It's my sister's."

Rachel snorted. "Sure it is."

"It is!" Puck said indignantly, trying to defend himself. "I told her to stop leaving her shit in my truck, but she won't listen to me! I-"

Rachel laughed and slipped a CD into the stereo. "Relax Noah. I think it's sweet that you let your sister listen to her music in your truck." She cut him off just as he opened his mouth to speak again, "I won't tell anyone."

Puck grunted. "Good."

They made small talk the rest of the way to Rachel's house; easy stuff like the weather, and school, and glee… But the awkwardness returned when he parked in her driveway.

"Do you want to come in?"

Puck smirked at her. "You have no idea. But I'm not really a 'bring home to the folks' kinda guy."

"My dads are in New York until next weekend." Rachel told him quietly.

Puck squirmed in his seat at the idea of being in an empty house with Rachel for over a week. "I can't."

"Oh," Rachel looked down at her hands, "Okay, well I'll see you at school I guess… Thanks for today-"

Puck reached over and cupped Rachel's chin in his hand before she could make her hasty getaway and turned her face so she was looking at him. "I want to Rach," he looked down at his now incredibly uncomfortable jeans, "you have no idea how much I want to. But I gotta go pick my sister up from the babysitter's."

Rachel smiled tentatively. "But you want to?"

Puck nodded. "I definitely want to."

Rachel's smile broadened and she leaned over to kiss him briefly on his swollen lips. "Okay. Raincheck?"

Puck pulled her in for another quick kiss. "Totally."

"I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Puck shook his head. "I'll pick you up."

She smiled at him again. "Okay."

Puck waited until she'd grabbed her and Brittany's bags from the truck bed and entered her house before taking off. He was going to kill his sister for leaving Hannah Montana in his truck.