Chapter 5

Lieutenant Noah Puckerman entered the fire station a different man than the one who left not 24 hours prior. There was a spring in his step, a slightly bemused smile on his lips, and he was humming random Neil Diamond melodies. Sergeant Michael Chang, the dispatcher, noticed his demeanor immediately. "You saw her again, didn't ya', Puck?" he incredulously exclaimed.

"Who?" Noah calmly retorted, pretending not to know.

"You know…that Broadway chick, the one with the cookies…" he detailed.

"Oh…you mean Rachel," he played along. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I did," he admitted with a grin.

"OK, Puck; out with it," Mike encouraged Noah, "what happened?"

"I met her after the show on Friday and we went out for coffee…that is, first we went back to her place…"

Mike was grinning lasciviously, interjecting, "Yeah, go on…"

Noah rolled his eyes. "'S I was sayin', we went back to her place to walk her dog, and then we went out for coffee," he clarified, smugly noting Mike's immediate deflation.

"What kind of dog was it, some little Chihuahua or something?" he questioned.

"Actually, this is really cool; she has a retired racing Greyhound," Noah explained. Mike's expression showed that he was impressed with her selection of canine companion, and Noah smirked smugly back at him.

"Yeah, and afterward…" Mike pressed for details.

"Afterward, I took her home, and I went home, which, coincidentally, is about eight blocks away," Noah concluded.

"That's it?" Mike asked dejectedly.

"Well, no…actually, I ran into her after services this morning," Noah elucidated. "We went back to my place for lunch," he emphasized, "and then back to her apartment, and we took the dog to the dog park."

"You've got to be kidding," Mike retorted.

"No, I'm not. She's gonna stop by on Monday, and we're goin' to lunch, and I'd appreciate no wise cracks from you," Noah instructed.

"Puck, you do realize that you've broken most of your cardinal rules of dating," Noah looked at him skeptically, as Mike enumerated: "One; never let a woman know where you work or what you do for a living. Two; never, ever, under any circumstances take her back to your place. Three; never give out your number. Four; never reveal your full name."

Mike grinned superiorly, as Noah chuckled, replying, "How do you know that I gave her my phone number?"

"I didn't," Mike retorted, "but you just confirmed it. And you haven't even slept with her. Did we just enter the 'Twilight Zone', or what?"

"Rachel's different from any of the bimbos I've hooked up with, Mike," Noah explained. "I actually like her, and I want to spend time with her…get to know her better. Is that weird or what?"

Mike grinned widely, proclaiming, "I never thought this day would come, but I think this woman has tamed 'The Puckerone'. Well, congrats, old man, and if she's gonna stick around, make sure she brings cookies when she visits," he concluded.

Meanwhile…across town, Rachel was once again "defying gravity", bringing down the house with her heartfelt performance. After "Oz" was put to bed yet again, Rachel left the theater, happily waving over her best (male) friend Kurt as she signed programs and posed for pictures with excited tourists. Fan meet-and-greet completed, she met Kurt, sharing a warm embrace before he pulled back and gave her a once-over. "Diva, you are simply glowing," he archly commented. "That man must be good between the sheets."

Rachel laughed, gently admonishing Kurt, "Kurt, we haven't been intimate; we only met three days ago."

"Rachel, if you put him off, he'll lose interest," Kurt advised.

"Kurt, I haven't 'put him off', as you said; it'll happen when it happens." They began walking down the street toward the subway station. "Besides," she continued, "if it happens too soon, the relationship is based on sex, and that never lasts."

Kurt grinned slyly, replying, "So you're admitting that you hope it becomes long-term, are you, Rachel?"

Rachel smiled demurely; "He's a very nice man and we have a lot in common. I really like him, Kurt," she admitted. "I'd like to see where this goes, not turn it into something physical immediately and watch it crash and burn."

Just then, Rachel's cell phone pinged, indicating she had received a text. She fished it from her purse, grinned when she read the text, and busily returned a reply.

"Rachel, who was that from?" Kurt demanded. Rachel grinned sheepishly and Kurt gasped, "Your fireman?"

"Yes," she replied quietly, just as the phone pinged again. Before she had a chance to read and respond, Kurt grabbed it from her hands. He read:aloud: "Hi, Rach! How was the show?" "Good, thanks, Noah. How's work?" "Quiet. Thinkin bout u. Lookin fwd 2 Mon 'smiley face'."

"OMG, Rachel," Kurt exclaimed, handing her back the phone. "This is so cool. Well, answer him, already!" he demanded, and she obliged. One more text back and forth, and she returned phone back to her purse, smiling dreamily.

"OK, Diva, when do I get to meet your handsome firefighter?" Kurt teased.

"We both work evenings, plus he's in school for his MA…in music, by the way," she informed Kurt with a bright smile. "Maybe once Blaine's back in town, we can all get together for drinks or something," she suggested.

"OK, we'll 'play it by ear'," he acquiesced, "but I want to meet the man who's captured your heart soon, Missy."

"All right, Kurt, I'll work on it," she promised him.

Kurt and Rachel returned to her apartment, dropped off her things, and took Maisie for a walk. After they returned, they busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing a late snack, as Rachel was, in fact, hungry after her evening's endeavors. Rather than Kurt returning to Manhattan by himself, he was going to stay the night, sleeping on Rachel's comfy sofa, and go home after breakfast. Rachel excused herself for a moment and went into the living room to make a quick call, which Kurt (ever the busybody) strained to overhear: "Hi, Noah…Yes, we're home, now…Yes, I'm going to eat, I promise…How are you?...Well, I guess quiet is good…Yes, Kurt's staying the night…Of course on the sofa, really Noah…Yes, I am, too…Please be careful and have a good night…Bye…"

Rachel turned toward the kitchen to see Kurt leaning up against the doorpost, arms folded and a bemused grin on his face. "You called him when you got home?" he asked, incredulous.

Rachel blushed a bit, answering, "He asked me to call before he left this afternoon. He just wanted to be sure that I'm safe." She looked up at Kurt wistfully, explaining, "Oh, Kurt, I don't know what to do. I like him so much, and we only met the other day."

"Rachel, maybe it seems like things are moving a little fast…"

"A lot fast," Rachel interjected.

"OK," Kurt continued with a grin, "a lot fast. You're not a kid any more, and you've got a reasonably sensible head on your shoulders."

"Thanks…I think," Rachel sardonically commented.

"The point I'm trying to make is to let nature take its course. If it feels 'too fast', talk about it with him. You'll know what's right for you," Kurt concluded.

Rachel sighed, "I suppose you're right, Kurt."

"Of course I'm right, Diva; I'm always right," he commented. "Now, let's eat; I'm sure you're starving."

Author's Note: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) is quickly approaching, so there will not be an update until the weekend. L'Shanah Tovah Tikasevu - May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year.