Sorry it took so long to update! I've been trying to wrap up a few other fics here and there, so I took a break from this one but I'm back! I also wrote a oneshot during, something I'd been writing for awhile, and I'd really appreciate it if you all checked it out. It's called, "Wherever You Go," and it's a Puck/Quinn oneshot that's totally different than anything you might have read from me about them, so let me know what you think. So, now that I'm done shamelessly plugging, I give you guys this latest chapter which I definitely think will make up for the few days it's taken…if you guys don't kill me for it first. Anyways hope you enjoy, read and review, and thanks again! Love!

"...Rome, by all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live."

Beth let her tears fall freely as she shoved another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, her heart breaking even more as she watched Gregory Peck stare longingly after his love. It had been two weeks since her and Balen's painful breakup, the young girl having dealt horribly with the loss of her boyfriend and father of her child. To make matters worse her pregnancy had done nothing but irritate her fragile condition, Beth's hormones now causing her to suffer from fits of tears instead of anger. Quinn and Puck had tried their best to be supportive but nothing they tried worked, their young daughter having closed herself off to her friends and family completely.

"Beth," her mother called out as she knocked, "Honey can I come in?" Beth mumbled something incoherently that Quinn took as a yes, opening the door to find her sixteen year old bawling in her bed.

"Oh honey," Quinn cooed as she joined her daughter, cradling her in her arms and rocking her side to side, "What is it hun? Did you find another picture?"

"N-no, I don't even c-care," she denied fervently, trying her best to appear brave while pointing to the screen, "I-it's the movie. I-I just don't understand why they can't b-be together!" She continued to sob as Quinn kissed her forehead, sighing as she rubbed her daughters back.

"Beth its ok to be upset sweetie, you're going through a lot right now," she assured the young girl, "I mean it's ok to hurt and cry-"

"I'm not hurt," Beth snapped suddenly, wiping her eyes as she shook her head stubbornly, "Psh, not me! It's just-you know-the movie."

"God you are so your father," Quinn sighed as Beth denied the truth, her spoon finding its way back into her bowl while she grumbled.

"I mean why would I be hurt? Because my jackass of a boyfriend knocked me up and then abandoned me with his baby?" she asked quickly, "I mean why would I cry over that?" A few more tears trailed down her cheeks as she frowned into her spoon, Quinn squeezing her baby tighter as she rested her forehead on hers.

"Well have you tried to talk to him?"

"No," she groaned out, "And why would I? He broke up with me, he can call me."

"Well you both kind of agreed-" Quinn noted the glare Beth was flashing so she quickly snapped her lips shut, knowing all too well that she just needed to be supportive right now.

"Look darlin' I know how you're feeling, but you can't just eat your life away."

"Sure I can," Beth dismissed, "I've already got back up cartons in the freezer."

"Beth please, I think you and Balen just need to talk. I know you think you're right-"

"I am right-"

"Of course, but still, how do you know what's going on between you two if you don't ever talk to him about it?" Beth pondered her mother's words as she slurped her ice cream, knowing the woman was right but still unable to admit it with her pride in the way.

"I don't care what's going on between us because nothing is going on between us because he's a jackass." Quinn moaned as she shook her head, giving up temporarily as she stood.

"Well despite what's going on, you still have to live life doll. I was thinking maybe some shopping for new clothes might make you feel better and lift up yours spirits, what do you say?" Beth looked between her bowl and her mom, knowing she meant well but in no mood for people.

"Mom I'm a mess-"

"Well we'll get you showered and cleaned up! Wipe the ice cream off your chin and everything!" Quinn cheered optimistically, "Just trust me baby, getting out of this house and taking your mind off of this will make you feel so much better, I promise" Beth could tell her mom was trying hard so she grinned softly while handing her the bowl, forcing herself up as she sighed.

"Fine, but we're getting more food when we're out."

"Of course, now is there anyone you'd like to invite? Maybe Tess or Les-"

"I'm not really talking to them right now," Beth answered miserably, having been reminded of her estrangement from her friends and breaking down again.

"What? Sweetie why not?"

"Well-I-it's just awkward," Beth answered sadly, "They're awkward, I'm awkward, it's all so-"

"Awkward?"

"Yes!" Beth pouted, "I mean I haven't told anybody about the baby yet, so when they kept asking why Balen and I broke up I lied. They know me too well though, and they know something's up, so now they won't talk to me until I tell them the truth."

"Well Beth just tell them," Quinn smiled, "Honey they've been your best friends since third grade, they're probably just hurt since you're keeping something from them. And anyways, you know they wouldn't tell, they would support you."

"Yeah, but its embarrassing!" Beth cried out, "Getting pregnant and then dumped?"

"Baby they love you, they aren't gonna judge you," Quinn said as she remembered those same silly fears she used to have, "Beth you have to trust me, I know how you feel, but this right here is the test. The test to see just how many true friends you have or not, and it might surprise you who will be there when you need them."

"Yeah, but it might hurt me by the people who aren't there," Beth moped.

"Well then who needs them? Not you! You're too good to surround yourself with those kind of people anyways, but I think you know Tess and Leslie will love you no matter what. Just trust yourself and everything will be alright honey, I promise." Beth nodded as Quinn pecked her forehead, rubbing her shoulders while turning to the door.

"Now enough with all this stress, get that cute butt up and moving…and throw something not stained in chocolate on that cute butt too!" Beth laughed as Quinn hurried down the hall and into her bedroom, snorting as she found her husband sprawled out on his back in their bed while napping peacefully. She carefully climbed up on the bed and gently laid beside him, rubbing her nails tenderly across the soft spot on his neck.

"Oh Puuuuuck," she called lightly, "Wake up honey." Her husband merely sniffled as he crinkled his nose, smacking his lips together sleepily while flinching against her fingertips.

"Puuuck, baaabyyyy, wake up love," she whispered in his ear, "I need you for something." Her husband shuffled around a little as he grunted, smiling in his sleep as she moved her hands further down his chest. She began tracing light circles around his pecks, dragging her fingers slowly down his abdomen while purring his name.

"Puck, please wake up for me," she begged seductively while her nails lazily glided back and forth over his belly button, "I really, really need you." Puck mumbled incoherently as he arched towards her hands, Quinn sliding her fingers under the edge of his jeans while fumbling with the button.

"And if you wake up now I can tell you why." She grinned ear to ear as he cocked one eye open, raising her eyebrows and licking her lips as she crawled back towards him.

"Hi," she whispered as nibbled his lobe, "Sleep good?"

"Mmhm," he groaned tiredly while pulling her close, "But waking up was even better."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Quinn cheered as she leaned up, "Because I have a big, big favor to ask."

"Oh yeah?" he asked while pushing himself up on his elbows, fully awake and waiting for what it was she had to tell him, "How big?"

"Huge, and you're the only one who can help me." Puck was trying desperately to hide his excitement but the trail of goose bumps her nails were leaving on his shoulders were making it hard, real hard.

"Does this favor involve restraints and gags?" he asked optimistically, Quinn shaking her head as she giggled.

"Nope, even better," she said teasingly while kissing his lips, "It involves me-"

"Yeah-"

"And your big-"

"Mmhm-"

"Fat-"

"Oh-"

"Credit card." Puck's eyebrows furrowed as she bit his bottom lip, pushing her back a little before cocking his head.

"You…wanna rent a prostitute?"

"Not exactly-"

"'Cause I'm pretty sure we can get Rachel for free-"

"No, Puck-"

"Damn that'd be hot, can you just imagine-"

"I need it for Beth." The fantasy of the two women in his bed cooing and moaning quickly popped as he lost any urge he had, groaning while falling back onto the pillow.

"You tricked me."

"No, I said I had a huge favor, I just didn't specify."

"You sucked on my ear woman, like I was your young cub, and you led me on."

"You believed what you wanted, you led yourself on." Puck glared through her as she whimpered, cuddling next to him and sniveling.

"Puck you don't understand, Beth is miserable-"

"Welcome to the freakin' club-"

"She's been sulking in her room for a week-"

"I'd sulk to if I was carrying that child-"

"And it breaks my heart to see her like this, you know how terrible it feels-"

"Almost as bad as the blue balls I'd imagine-"

"So I have to cheer her up, I have to make her feel better-"

"Don't worry about me or my boys, we're fine-"

"And to do so I'm gonna take her shopping, which is why I need your credit card." Puck flashed Quinn his angry eyes as he fumed, his wife now puckering her bottom lip out while quivering.

"Please baby, think of our daughter, think of your little girl and how hurt she is. She needs a good day, she needs to take her mind off of this." Puck wanted to argue but her puppy eyes were too damn adorable for him to stay frustrated any longer, groaning as he reached into his pockets and removed his wallet.

"Fine, but you better buy something skanky and black with that card while you're out."

"Deal."

"Really?"

"No, I'm PMS-ing." Puck exhaled deeply as she pecked his cheek, springing up off the bed and throwing on her jeans.

"How's she doing anyways? Beth?"

"A little better, I mean she's only eaten one carton today so that's good," Quinn answered from the closet as Puck rolled his eyes, never having learned the ability to understand his women, "How about Balen? How's he been?"

"Uh, er-ok," Puck answered uncomfortably, shifting around awkwardly in his bed as he tried to change the subject, "I mean he's pretty mopey but he'll get through it, they both will."

"I know, it's just so crazy," Quinn mumbled while emerging, "I mean don't get me wrong, I do kind of agree that they need a break and some time on their own to figure it all out, but still when did Balen get so…mature?"

"Meh, I try," Puck mumbled to himself, quickly halting as Quinn turned to him.

"What?"

"Nothing," he insisted, hoping to God she hadn't heard him.

"You tr-Puck," she said slowly as her voice growled, "Did you say something to Balen?"

"Wha-psh, me?" he asked while scooting away towards the other side of the bed, "Why would I? Not that I would-"

"Puck-"

"Ok fine, I might have." Quinn groaned in frustration as she slung her flat at him, Puck rolling off the bed as she began yelling and charging towards him.

"I can't believe you-"

"Now hold on-"

"You hate him that much that you would purposely break them up-"

"I-wait, what? No-"

"I mean our daughter is hurting and you're just chilling-"

"I'm not chilling, I'm fleeing for my life-"

"Asshole, I swear-"

"HEY!" Quinn's hand was midair as she prepared to pelt him with her other shoe, Puck throwing his hands up defensively while calling her off, "Just, STOP!"

"You have one minute," Quinn fumed, "one minute to explain or so help me God I'm telling Beth and letting her have her way with you."

"Look I was doing what you said, lightening up and sympathizing with him, and we were talking about what he was going through."

"And…"

"And he was telling me about Beth and how they were always fighting and he doesn't think she's happy anymore."

"Then…"

"Then I told him about how you and I went through the same thing and how you made me change and get my shit together."

"So…"

"So he asked me how and I might have kind of sort of maybe mentioned you broke up with me. And then he might have kind of sort of mentioned if he should do the same for him and Beth, give each other time to figure out their own lives and feelings."

"And now I might be kind of sort of maybe murdering you for being so stupid." She continued to chase Puck around their bed as she yelled, Puck trying tirelessly to defend himself as she shouted.

"Time!" Puck called after she finally caught up to him, now straddling his back on the floor as she smacked his head, "Just, just time out ok? Look I'm sorry, I didn't know that's what he was gonna do! And anyhow I wouldn't have even talked to the damn kid if you hadn't made me! You ask me to do this and that and I do and then you yell at me for it! The hell woman? Do you know all the shit I've had to just suck up and deal with? How many feelings I've put aside and pretended I don't have because I'm supposed to be supportive? I'm trying to be a good dad and take care of my kid, but every time I try you always tell me how much I screw it up and how it's never good enough! I don't know what you want from me but whatever it is can you just tell me?" Quinn sat stunned as Puck finished his rant, sliding off his back silently as he rolled over. He was right, it burned her to actually admit it, but he was absolutely right, and even worse was the fact that the two adults were starting to sound oddly like Balen and Beth.

"Look I didn't mean-"

"No, you're right," Quinn said softly as she patted his hand, "You are, you've had to put up with a lot from me and I've never really appreciated it and I'm sorry."

"S'okay," Puck mumbled, grabbing one of her feet and squeezing it a little, "I just-this all sucks.

"I know," she agreed, "And I hate that we're supposed to just sit here as they struggle through."

"But we did the same and look at us, we did fine."

"Yeah, but it's because of us that they're in this mess. We can't just watch anymore, we have to do something to help."

"Haven't we done enough? I mean really, if we'd have just-" Puck noted the glare Quinn was flashing so he quickly snapped his lips shut, knowing all to well that he just needed to be supportive right now.

"Look I get it ok, I get his reasoning's and all the stuff he was trying to do for them, but if he's miserable too then maybe what they need after all is each other!"

"Maybe, I don't know Quinn, you didn't get back together with me for months."

"Yeah, because you were plugging it wherever you could. Besides, Balen and Beth are different than us."

"Still, I'd rather not get involved…again."

"I know, I know, but we're only gonna get involved one more time, just to get them out of the mess we got them in, and then we're done." Puck inwardly groaned as he stared at Quinn, finally nodding in agreement as he sighed.

"Fine, what are we gonna do?"

"Well, Beth's pathetic, and if Balen's as sad as you say then they might have both finally realized they need each other."

"Maybe, but then won't they just work it out?"

"Have you met our daughter? She's like you in a skirt, and there's no way she's about to suck up her pride. Much less Balen, who is you, and isn't about to admit he made a mistake."

"So what do we do?" Quinn grinned as she thought, Puck already shaking his head at whatever idea she had brainstormed.

"This is what we're gonna do…"

"It burns!"

"It's supposed to!"

"I don't like it!"

"So take another!"

Puck, Finn, and Balen all sat at their table, the two men rolling with laughter as they watched Balen down his third round of shots. Puck had agreed to taking Balen out, his job to pump the young boy for information and see how he was doing while "subtly" dropping hints that Beth missed him. Finn had also been forced to go, Puck guilt tripping him into the excursion with, "Remember that one time my daughter got knocked up and you knew?" While he knew his method wasn't exactly what Quinn had in mind, him and Finn having taken the boy to the rundown bar Puck had gone to himself when he had to clear his own head, and that the operation was highly illegal, he remembered that proverb his mom told him, the one about "a drunk man's words being a sober mans thoughts" or something like that. So here they sat, watching the teenager groan and curse as whiskey burned his throat while hoping they loosened him up enough to talk.

"How ya feeling?" Finn asked as he sipped his beer, stifling his laugh as his nephew swayed dizzily.

"I'm 'right, I'm 'right," he slurred, blinking his eyes groggily while gripping the table for support, "Jus' gotta focus, ya knows?"

"Oh I know," Puck smiled, leaning back in his seat while stretching his hands, "I know exactly what you're going through."

"Mnphm," Balen muttered through his beer, leaning the glass back and draining its contents.

"Well I'm gonna get another round," Finn said as he took the glass from Balen, "I'll be back ok."

"I'll miss yoouuu!" Balen called while pointing after Finn, turning to Puck and smiling sleepily, "Thas a good guy, I mean he's really a good guy."

"Yeah," Puck smiled, "And you know who else is a good guy Balen?"

"S'Obama?"

"You," Puck pointed, "You are big guy. I mean look at you, you go to school, you work a job, you keep good grades, you love your dads," the more he went on the more he realized Balen actually was a decent kid, Puck growing unnerved at how easy it was to compliment him and quickly shutting up, "Anyways you're a good guy."

"Stop it," Balen blushed, dismissing Puck with his hands as he rested his head on the table.

"No Bale, really, which is why it kills me to see such a good guy going through something so terrible."

"Whatcha mean?" Balen mumbled as he rolled his head up from the wood.

"Well, you know, the whole Beth thing."

"Oh," Balen muttered as his features dropped, his eyes growing sad and his shoulders sagging down, "Right."

"How have you been doing with all that?" Puck pried as Finn returned, passing Balen his beer quickly while leaning in, "You been doing ok?"

"Psh, yeah," Balen faked quickly, "I mean 'course."

"Really?" Puck asked as he arched his brow, "'Cause I mean you can tell me Bale."

"I'm fine," he pretended happily, 'Jus' peachy."

"Wow," Puck said as he leaned back, "Well I wish Beth was the same."

"Wha?" Balen asked, Finn helping the boy out by tilting his cup towards his mouth while Puck sighed.

"Yeah, Beth's not doing to good," he said dramatically.

"Awful really," Finn added on as he drained Balen's mug into the boy's mouth.

"Well…like, how awful?" Balen asked curiously as he wiped his lips.

"Oh awful, real awful," Puck played, "I mean she cries just all the time, moaning and groaning about how she misses you."

"Tears," Finn chimed in, "Just, everywhere."

"Really?" Balen asked sadly, "But I mean-she said she wanted a break."

"She didn't mean it! Come on Balen you know women, they're stubborn and defiant, always gotta have the upper hand and the second they think they loose that they get defensive."

"Claws," Finn joined as he arched his fingers, "Nails, attack."

"But what about the whole break thing? You said it helped you and Mrs. Quinn-"

"Well yeah-"

"And my wild oats? What about my oats?"

"Uh-"

"And how come she won't talk to me? If she feels this way, why won't she talk to me?"

"I-well," Puck sighed as Balen barraged him with questions, trying to think of answers but struggling to find them, "Look Balen listen, what works for some might not work for others. Yeah, I told you about me and Quinn but I didn't mean that you had to go and do it too! You and Beth and me and Quinn are two different scenarios ok? You and Beth have to figure out what works for you guys, not base it off of us."

"But-"

"And as far as your oats go, I never want to know what you're doing with those ok? I mean yeah, you should have a chance to be young and free, but are you even happy on your own?"

"Well…no-"

"Exactly. And as for Beth not talking to you, you haven't exactly tried calling her have you?"

"Well-"

"Ok then. All I'm saying is I gave you some bad advice and I'm sorry. What I should have said is this; talk to Beth. Put your stupid pride aside and just talk. Tell her how you feel and what you want and let her do the same."

"But she doesn't even listen-"

"I bet she will after what she's been through these past two weeks," Puck smiled, "I promise you she misses you just as much as you miss her, if not more. Don't let miscommunication screw you guys up ok?" Balen nodded as he slouched back, his mind hurting from everything that was happening.

"Thanks Mr. Puckerman."

"No problem, now tomorrow she has her twelve week check up, you're going right?"

"But of course."

"Good, perfect opportunity to talk to her," Puck nodded as he and Finn clinked their drinks to Balen's, taking long swigs before sighing, "Now finish up being stupid tonight because in the morning it's gonna come back to bite you. Hard." Balen nodded as he drank his beer, feeling an odd sense of relief as he relaxed.

"And you, and you, and you, you're gonna looooooove me!"

Puck and Finn led the audience in applause as Balen screeched out his notes, the young boy taking center stage as he belted out the tune terribly. Despite how illegal the whole thing was, and despite his disdain for the punk, Puck had been having a pretty good time with Balen. Sure, he'd blame it on the beer and say it was just because Balen was a fun drunk, but deep down he had actually had a great time just kicking back with the two guys.

"S'thanks, s'thanks," Balen murmured in the mike, "Now I'd likes to do jus' one more, dedicated to a real, real nice girl." Puck bit back laughter as Balen jerked the microphone from its stand, stumbling across the stage as he talked.

"She sorta, no she totally, broke my heart. Like, pshum, but it's s'okay guys 'cause guess what? I'm getting her back!" The crowd roared as he raised his fist, Puck clapping along as Finn jerked him back.

"Dude-"

"So Beth, this ones for you!"

"He is so wasted-"

"Puck-"

"And to Mr. Puckerman and Uncle Finn, thanks for being the coolest dudes ever, sussly." The music began playing and Balen began singing, Jon Bon Jovi blaring through the speakers as he fumbled the words.

"Puck!" Finn called again as he jerked his friend, "Dude, we need to go."

"What's your damage, let the kid have a little fun."

"It's not him I'm worried about," Finn said as he turned Puck's head towards the bar, "It's you." Puck scanned for what he meant and suddenly found it, punching Finn hard as he scrambled away.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead."

"What the hell?"

"I don't know!"

"Well we gotta go!"

"What I've been saying!"

The two rushed towards Balen as they signaled for his attention, trying to hide within the crowd as they called for the young boy.

"Balen!"

"You were born to be my baaabby, Baby I was made to be your maaan!"

"Balen!"

"Even-wha? I ain't done!"

Puck and Finn groaned as they continued looking behind them, Finn pushing Puck as he yelled to his nephew.

"We'll be in the truck ok? Come outside when you're done! And hurry!"

The two of them barreled through the doors as they climbed in his truck, slamming the doors and staring at the other as they finally laughed.

"What are the chances?"

"For you dude, apparently high."

Balen couldn't exactly remember how it was that he had gotten here, or where the hell Puck and his uncle were, but he did know that his hands weren't wrapped around Beth and his lips weren't kissing hers, his body pressed against another's as they straddled each other in the women's bathroom.

"What do ya say we get out of here honey?" she asked as she pulled on his belt loops, "You and me?"

"Can't," Balen mumbled as he rested his head against the wall, "S'got something to do tomorrow…I think…"

"Oh come on sugar, one night," she cooed in his ear, her breath warm against his lobe as he melted, "I could make you feel better." Balen knew he should probably push her away, but something about her tongue in his ear kept his hands on her waist.

"I should go," he whispered.

"No you shouldn't, you should stay here with me sweetheart!"

"I just, I can't-"

"Why not? You got a girlfriend?"

"Yea-not exactly-I will thou-"

"Then what's the problem?" Balen racked his mind hard, knowing there was something he had promised to do or something Puck had told him. He tried to think of their talk and what he had said about Beth, but the only words he remembered were something about his "wild oats" and "having a chance to be young and free."

"I-"

"Come on darling," the feisty woman moaned as she kissed his neck, her blue eyes flashing dangerously as she smiled widely, "Let me take care of you hun."

"I like older women," Balen smiled stupidly, the redhead pressing her lips to his while cupping his face, "But I dunno-"

"Come on sweetpea, it'll be fun! I won't tell if you don't." Balen tried to think as she slid her hands up his shirt, nothing clear but the sound of her sweet, sugary voice as he pulled back, "What's your name anyways baby doll?"

"Bale-Balen, whas yours?" he asked as she looked up and smiled.

"Robyn, my name's Robyn."