A/N: To my anon hater… I don't know if you know this but on Glee Rachel and Quinn never dated and in this story they have dated the whole time just like how on Glee Puck/Quinn's hookup is a sore subject for a lot of people but in this story it was told completely different.

Yes my lovely anon is back telling me how to write my story I'm guessing this troll didn't read SIB where I clearly explained that I changed that to fit my story just like how I changed that Rachel and Quinn are DATING!

It really is simple if you don't like it STOP READING!

Now back to our previous scheduled fun.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, anything mentioned, any songs, quotes, or books used.

Chapter 9: Always Count on Me

"There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like

a sore stomach for the right reasons."

-Stephen Chbosky; The Perks of Being a Wallflower

/

Quinn woke up to her favorite smell… bacon. Well actually it was her second favorite smell, the first was vanilla. But her eyes fluttered open and she realized that Rachel wasn't with her.

Then her heart fluttered because Rachel was making breakfast. It had been so long since someone made her breakfast. Christmas break in fact and she missed it.

She hopped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen where she watched her sexy girlfriend flitting around the kitchen while the bacon sizzled and popped in the pan.

"Would you like some help?" Quinn said and she saw Rachel whip around to see her with her famous hundred watt smile spread across those incredible lips, Rachel nodded.

"Yes please… you can cook the disgusting meat and I'll take care of everything else," Quinn chuckled and took the spatula out of her hand. She leaned down and kissed Rachel ever so sweetly.

"Mm," Rachel hummed against her lips before Quinn backed away. Quinn winked and turned to the bacon pan while Rachel started to work on the pancakes. They worked together seamlessly and didn't even notice that they had an audience until Mercedes started to laugh. Both girls' eyes landed on her and saw Mercedes, along with Kurt and Tina watching them.

"What?" Rachel asked.

"Nothing it's just you two," Mercedes began.

"Are nauseatingly domestic," Kurt finished and they all giggled again.

"Do you want breakfast or not?" Quinn threatened and he nodded. "Then shut it!"

"It wasn't meant to be mean Quinn," Tina told her. "It's cute… you guys are still just as ridiculously cute now as you always have been," that brought a dopey smile to Quinn's face.

"Yeah and twice as horny," Puck's voice sounded behind them and Mercedes giggled.

"That too," Rachel blushed but hid it by turning away from them and going back to the task at hand.

"What can we do to help?" Tina offered.

"You can set the table," Quinn told her and since there are only six places to sit at the table everyone who isn't up yet and can fend for themselves." Tina laughed and grabbed the plates out of the cabinet, she set the table and Mercedes helped.

Twenty minutes later Quinn, Rachel, Tina, Mercedes, Puck and Kurt were sitting around the table happily eating as everyone started to trickle in to join them. Mike, Sam and Blaine were first and Mike and Blaine sat at on the two barstools at the breakfast bar, while Sam leaned against the wall and ate while standing. Sugar and Artie came in next.

"Thanks for breakfast Quinn," Sugar said with a wink and Rachel growled.

"Sugar knock it off," Quinn reprimanded and Rachel beamed and kissed Quinn. It was only briefly though; she pulled back with a look of disgust on her face.

"Ugh Quinn you taste like bacon," she quickly drank her juice to get the taste out of her mouth.

"Sorry babe," she said and shoved more bacon in her mouth. Rachel stared at her with a disgusted look on her face.

"Why do I love you again?"

"Because of my sweet ass," Quinn said through her mouthful of bacon and Rachel laughed. Sugar took her plate to the couch and Artie followed with a plate of his own. Brittany and Santana were the last to join the party.

"Rough nigh Satan?" Rachel teased. She heard her and Brittany sneak out of the room last night and only assumed that they were in the bathroom. Her assumption was confirmed a moment later.

"It was a great night Berry except I have a bruise on my ass from that fucking sink," Santana grumbled while rubbing her ass.

"Hey it was your rule," Rachel reminded her.

"I fucking know," she yelled and made a plate for herself and Brittany. Brittany was slumped in the chair still tired from fucking Santana into the wall pretty much all night long. When Santana handed her a plate she smiled up at her girl.

"Thanks baby," she said with a love-struck grin and Santana returned it. She watched as her girlfriend sat down gingerly in a nearby chair and smirked knowing that her slow movements weren't just because of the bruise on her ass but mostly because she was stretched out from the strap on; Brittany smiled dumbly at the memory. Santana's voice brought her out of fantasy land.

"Thanks for breakfast losers," she yelled not knowing who made it.

"You're welcome," both Rachel and Quinn replied.

"You guys are all going to the show tonight right?" Puck asked with his mouth full of pancakes.

"Yeah," Santana answered for everyone knowing they all were and didn't know why he was even asking; she shrugged. "So what kind of music do you idiots sing anyway?"

"Mostly rock," he replied.

"And what's the name of your band?" Artie wondered.

"Noah Loco," he answered and Artie seemed impressed and apparently he wasn't the only one.

"I like it Noah," Rachel said.

"Yeah it is pretty cool Puck," Santana said and his eyes met hers. He wasn't used to compliments from her.

"And did you guys know that Loco means crazy?" He asked with a huge grin and Quinn tried not to laugh. He seemed genuinely proud that he knew that.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Santana shouted. "I'm Latina," his smiled turned into a frown. "And Mr. Schue wasn't that bad of a teacher that we wouldn't know what that meant?"

"What does it mean?" Sugar asked.

"I stand corrected," Santana said with a laugh. Like seriously does she ever pay attention? Santana then started to wonder what went on in Sugar's head and then she shook those thought out of her head… it was pretty frightening."

"It means crazy," Puck repeated and Sugar smiled.

"Oh that's cute… so it's like Noah crazy," this time even Puck shook his head.

"Yeah except Noah Loco rolls off the tongue better."

"Yeah it sounds good Noah," Rachel repeated.

"Yeah I'm surprised you came up with it on your own," Santana said to him.

"I didn't," he admitted with a slight frown. "I used a band name generator." Santana laughed and Rachel smiled and patted his arm.

"I still like it," she said and he grinned.

"I liked another one better but it would only work if you were in the band Rach," she beamed at him.

"What was it?"

"Better Badass and the Argyle Elf," he answered and she glared at him and smacked his arm while Santana was barking laughter.

"Noah that's mean," she was pouting.

"I know, but seriously babe that was a choice it gave me when I put in the word badass," they could all still hear Santana laughing. Puck got to his feet shoving the last of the food into his mouth.

"I gotta go," he mumbled around his mouthful, rinsed his dish off in the sink, and added it to the dishwasher before turning back to them. He finished his food before speaking again. "I got rehearsal and then sound check before the show so I'll see you guys later," he leaned down and kissed the top of Rachel's head. "Thanks for breakfast," then he leaned down and kissed the top of Quinn's head too. "Both of you."

"Break a leg," he heard Rachel say as he grabbed his leather jacket.

"Thanks babe," he winked at her and then bounced out of the apartment.

"So what are we going to do until then?" Santana asked.

"I have only been here once and we didn't have a lot of time," Mercedes said to them all. "So I want to go sightseeing."

"Oh fuck off," Santana grumbled but no one believed her anymore. They knew she was looking forward to some time together. Everyone got showered and changed and then they were off.

They were having a blast as they visited most of the tourist's sights around the city and Rachel was reveling in the feeling of being with all of her favorite people.

Even Santana.

There was just something wonderful about being with these people that had her smiling longer and laughing harder. When she was with these people she laughed so hard her stomach hurt and weren't those the best of times.

They were currently walking through Central Park and she was watching Quinn being goofy with Santana and Brittany and she smiled at the sight of it. She always loved seeing Quinn so carefree and happy; and this was definitely one of those times. She felt an arm circle through her own and she looked to see Mercedes smiling at her.

"Penny for your thought Rach."

"I was just thinking about Quinn," Mercedes rolled her eyes and Rachel chuckled. "I know, I know what else is new right," Mercedes nodded. "But it's just so good to see her smiling."

"You guys are okay though right? I mean you seem okay."

"Yeah we're wonderful… it's been tough but yeah we're great," Mercedes saw her smiling like a fool and knew she wasn't lying. "And how about you… you and Sam seem pretty into each other still?" Mercedes laughed and smiled shyly.

"Yeah… I think I will always go weak in the knees because of that boy," Rachel's smiled widened. "It's complicated though; I mean we broke up for a reason right?"

"And that reason was," Rachel trailed off waiting for Mercedes to finish.

"It was because of the distance. I just didn't want either of us to promise to wait for each other and then cheat you know… I'd rather we give each other the freedom to see other people so that our friendship doesn't get ruined in the process," Rachel nodded.

"How very mature of you," they both giggled at that.

"Yeah but then he looks at me the way he looks at me and I forget all of those very true reasons why it won't work."

"Yeah I know that feeling," Rachel said and it was true. Quinn always made her go weak with those intense eyes of hers. "Not that I don't like seeing it but you two definitely seem like more than friends and I do believe it was the two of you locked in the bathroom earlier that made us leave late," Mercedes blushed at that.

"Yeah well I guess we're going with the no strings attached plan… I mean I can't keep my hands off of him when we're together but we both know it's only when we're together… at least for now." Rachel nodded.

"Sounds like a good plan as long as you're both feeling the same."

"We are," Mercedes said and then her thoughts were flooded with worry. "At least I think we are."

"Maybe you should talk to him about it," Rachel suggested.

"Yeah but every time we're close to each other our hormones take over."

"I hear that," Rachel said knowing the feeling. "But why don't you go talk to him now… we're in public and you're not going to mount him right here in Central Park," Mercedes giggled and nodded.

"You're right," she said and walked away from her. Rachel saw her approach Sam and say something to him. He nodded, took her hand and led her away from the group. Rachel smiled at her friends and hoped they would find a way to work it out because they really were perfect for each other. She was startled by another arm slipping through hers but when she looked over and saw those amazing hazel staring at her she relaxed into Quinn's touch.

"Are you having fun baby?"

"So much fun," Rachel responded. "Are you?"

"Yeah," Quinn answered simply and then they walked over to join their friends who had stopped to feed the ducks. Well Brittany dragged Santana over and everyone else followed.

They got to the club early so that they could have enough seats for all of them, which meant that they started drinking early, which also meant that they were all already drunk off their asses pretty early.

After the first set, Puck hung out with them, had a couple of shots, and as he laughed with his friends he realized that he had been missing them all so much, and made a promise to himself that he wouldn't ditch them again no matter what he had going on.

When it was time for the second set he got up on stage and looked out at his friends.

"Hey everyone," he yelled into the microphone. "Are you enjoying the show?" The room erupted with a loud applause. "Well that's good but I'm about to get a bit sappy on all of you… but no worries I'm still going to be completely badass about it." He laughed when they all cheered again. He took a swig from his water bottle before continuing. "Here with me tonight are some of the greatest people I have ever and will ever know so this next song goes out to them because I want them to remember that they can always count on me," the crowd cheered again and his eyes landed on his friends; he smirked as he looked at each one of them. "This is for you guys," he did a mock toast with his water bottle and took one more sip as the music began.

When he started singing, Rachel was watching with awe and pride. Her Jew Bro had become so much more that the Lima loser he once thought he was.

I know that life ain't always good to you.
I've seen exactly what it's put you through
Thrown you around and turned you upside down and so you
You got to thinking there was no way out
You started sinking and it pulled you down
It may be tough you've to get back up
Because you know that life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
You can count on me
Cause I will carry you till you
Carry on

The crowd was going nuts but the glee club was just listening with honor and pride as he continued.

Anytime you need someone
Somebody strong to lean on
Well you can count on me
To hold you till the healing is done
And every time you fall apart
Well you can hide here in my arms
And you can count on me
To hold you till that feeling is gone

I wonder why nobody's waiting on you
I'd like to be the one to pull you through your darkest times
I'd love to be the light that finds you
I see a silver lining on your cloud
I'll pick you up whenever you fall down
Just take my hand and I will help you stand

Puck's eyes met Rachel's and he winked and then he looked to Quinn and shot her a wink too.

Because you know that life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
You can count on me
Cause' I will carry you till you carry on
Anytime you need someone
Somebody strong to lean on
Well you can count on me to hold you till the healing is done
And every time you fall apart you can hide here in my arms
And you can count on me to hold you till that feeling is
Gone so you can live today
Seems so long to yesterday
Keep on counting on me to carry you till you carry on
Carry on

You know that life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
You can count on me cause I will carry you till you carry on

Anytime you need someone
Somebody strong to lean on
Well you can count on me to hold you till that healing is done
And every time you fall apart
You can hide here in my arms
And you can count on me to hold you till that feeling is gone
Remember life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
That you can count on me to hold you till that feeling is gone
Remember life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
That you can count on me to hold you till that feeling is gone

When the song was over the entire room was on their feet cheering and Puck stepped off the stage and found himself being nearly tackled by his Jew babe.

He laughed into her shoulder and felt Quinn pulling him into a hug as well.

"It was beautiful Puck," he heard Mercedes say and everyone else agreed.

"Thanks guys… but I gotta get back up there," he pointed to the stage. Rachel and Quinn released him and he got back onto the stage.

"Thank you all so much," he said into the mic. "Now I was wondering if I could get one of my best friends on this stage to join me in a song… if she's not too drunk that is," Rachel looked up at him with a panicked look in her eye and she shook her head.

No, No way.

She couldn't get up there and sing… he was right she was way too drunk.

"C'mon babe," he stared at her. "What do you say?"

"No!" She yelled and was still shaking her head.

"Come on Rach," and the crowd started to cheer her on. She looked to Quinn for help but she was useless.

"You hear them baby… you're public awaits," Rachel downed the last of her drink and glared at her traitorous girlfriend.

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

"You are in the dog house Quinn Fabray," she pointed in her face. "You are on the couch tonight," she looked over at Sugar. "And you're with me."

"Yes!" Sugar said with a fist pump and she caught a glimpse of Quinn's glare, shrugged and watched Rachel walk to the stage to a loud cheer.

"Fuck," Quinn said quietly and heard Santana laughing in her ear. "Fuck you Santana."

"Oh relax Q… she wasn't serious and even if she was I know you can convince her to change her mind… just rub up against her or something she'll go nuts for it," Quinn laughed and started to plan how to make Rachel happy.

Yup, just as whipped as ever.

Once Rachel got on the stage the cheering increased and Puck smirked at her.

"Alright everyone give it up for my best friend Rachel Berry," they cheered more. "Okay babe… let's hear those pipes on a rock song for a change," he started to play and as she started to sing, the crowd went wild she knew she would be fine… also at some point she stopped being mad at Quinn and started to sing to her girl.

Quinn meanwhile was never happier to see her girlfriend smiling at her and singing to her and it was wonderful.

The bad thing was that Sam- who had one too many shots- had climbed up on the table and started stripping.

Sure the women in the club loved it but the bouncers not so much and before the song was over they were all tossed out of the club. Quinn begged them to let her stay at least until Rachel was done singing because she was with them.

They agreed to let her stay but everyone else was outside.

When the song ended and Rachel made her way to Quinn; she tried to explain what had happened but Rachel's lips were on hers and Rachel's tongue was in her mouth and just like that Quinn forgot everything but Rachel.

The kiss was interrupted when the bouncer grabbed Quinn's arm. She could see the fear on Rachel's face as the bouncer led them out.

"Quinn," she whined.

"We kind of got thrown out while you were singing Rach," she saw her girl relax instantly and then a smile took over.

"Why?"

"Because Sam started stripping," Quinn answered and Rachel stared laughing. The bouncer led them outside where everyone else was waiting. Sam's shirt was ripped so Mike had given him his jacket to wear.

Rachel took in the sight and started to laugh harder.

"What do you say we move the party back to the apartment," Santana suggested. "Where we won't get thrown out for Sam getting his freak on," both Santana and Rachel laughed again.

"Yeah just let me text Noah so he isn't confused as to why we're not there anymore," Rachel told them.

"Yeah and we needs to find a liquor store too," Santana said as they all started to walk. "Because I ain't ready for this party to end."

Puck was confused when he saw that all of his friends had left. He called a short break and stepped backstage he pulled his phone out to call one of them when he saw he had a text from Rachel.

From Rachel: We got thrown out because Sam started stripping. We're going back to my place to continue the party. Join us when you're done and I'm real sorry Noah. But you are wonderful and I'm so proud of you.

He laughed at the situation and then beamed with pride that he was finally making someone proud. He went back out to start the last set so that he could go back to Rachel's and party with some of the only people that mattered to him.

And when he arrived everyone was still up and having fun, he was surrounded by hugs, pats on the back, and words of congratulations.

He loved them all.

And then they partied the night away.

The next morning they all woke up with hangovers and Rachel felt bad for everyone that had to travel with a hangover. They said goodbye to everyone that was going back to Lima, which included Mike, Kurt and Mercedes who all wanted to spend the remainder of the week with their girlfriend and boyfriends.

Rachel couldn't fight with them on that because she knew how much of a bitch distance was so even though she's miss them she smiled and hugged them all goodbye.

Once they were gone Puck, Quinn, Rachel, Santana and Brittany were sitting around the apartment.

"So what are we gonna do?" Puck asked.

"I don't know what do you want to do?" Santana replied.

"I don't know what do you want to do?" Puck repeated and from there not much got done except for a movie, lots of coffee and five friends nursing massive hangovers.

By the afternoon and after they all took naps their hangovers had dissipated quite a bit and they were all getting ready to go to Puck's show for that night when there was a knock at the door.

Quinn and Rachel were getting ready in their room. Brittany and Santana were getting ready- or by the sounds coming from the room- getting busy in Kurt and Mike's room and he didn't know what to do.

Again the person knocked so not wanting to be rude he opened it and what he saw took his breath away. Standing before him was the most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes on and he had laid his eyes on plenty of women.

She smiled.

"You must be Puck," she said with a wink and a grin.

"My reputation precedes me," he smirked his signature smirk and she may have melted a bit.

"Not really but your Mohawk has," she held out her hand.

"Sawyer Bishop," his smirk tuned into a full blown smile.

"Noah Puckerman, at your service," this time she smirked and he may have melted a bit.

"Not yet… but if you play your cards right," she winked and pushed passed him.

Puck was pretty sure he had fallen in love in that moment.

And he didn't even care he just wanted to know more about this magnificent girl.

"Quinn get your skinny ass out here," she called and both Quinn and Rachel exited her room.

"You're early," Quinn greeted her with a hug. "You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow night."

"Yeah I know but I got sick of listening to my father tell me what a disgrace I am," Puck laughed and she wheeled around and pinned him with an icy glare that reminded him so much of scary Quinn.

"I-I just laughed because I know the feeling," her glare dissipated and a smile formed on her mouth.

"Hm, Puckerman… if that's true we might just be perfect for each other," she looked to Rachel. "Where's the restroom because that train ride was a fucking bumpy ass bitch," Rachel giggled and pointed to the bathroom. Once the door was closed Puck collapsed to the couch.

"I think I'm in love," he said and both girls smiled.

"We thought you might be," Rachel told him and Quinn laughed.

After that night's show they all went back to the apartment again. Santana and Brittany had gone to Kurt and Mike's room and went to bed waving and saying goodnights over their shoulders. No one had gotten crazy drunk but they did have a good time.

"We're going to bed too Sawyer," Rachel said but you can use Brittany's bed. We promise we won't do anything naughty."

"Okay thanks Rachel," she said. "But I'm kind of hungry do you mind if I make something first?" Rachel smiled.

"No of course not, make yourself at home. The pans are in the cabinet on the bottom right and the plates are in that cupboard," she pointed.

"She'll figure it out Rachel," Quinn's sleepy voice said and all but dragged her away.

"There is nothing wrong with good manners Quinn and…" her voice trailed off as Quinn pulled her into the room. Sawyer smiled shyly at Puck and went to the kitchen. He shrugged off his jacked and followed her.

/

Quinn pulled Rachel into the room and fell onto the bed while Rachel was still ranting.

"…And I would think as her roommate you would want her to be more comfortable."

"I was," Quinn said and looked up at her infuriating girlfriend. "She wanted to be alone with Puck so I made sure she was."

"Oh," Rachel's mouth dropped open. "Oh," she repeated with a naughty glint in her eye and Quinn giggled at her cuteness.

"Yeah and I'm surprised you couldn't tell babe you're usually good at this stuff," Rachel shrugged.

"Maybe it's because I was trying to be a good host… or because I'm tired and horny and had just promised I won't do anything about it," she grumbled and pulled her dress up and off, Quinn moaned. "None of that babe I promised Sawyer we wouldn't be doing anything naughty," Rachel said but the look in Quinn's eyes made her change her mind.

"I'll be quick… and you'll be quiet," she pulled Rachel closer and she giggled but climbed over her on the bed.

"When have I ever been quiet?" Quinn smirked.

"Good point," she flipped them over on the bed and hovered over her. "Well how about this then… you make a noise and I stop," Rachel moaned at the idea and nodded as Quinn lowered her panties.

"I love the way you think Quinn," she said and then fisted Quinn's hair and bit her tongue to stop from making noise when she felt that magic tongue on her.

/

Puck was sitting at the breakfast bar watching Sawyer flit around the kitchen and he was definitely crushing on this girl already even thought he'd only known her for a day… he could tell she was making breakfast.

"Mm," she hummed inhaling the scent of the food. "I love food… don't you just love food?" She asked and he nodded. He moved to the fridge, and turned to her. They were suddenly inches apart and he licked his lips staring at hers. After a moment of quiet staring he shook his head.

"Want a beer?"

"Mm, yeah that would be lovely," he withheld a laugh at how much she sounded like Rachel just then. He pulled out two beers opened one and handed it to her. Their fingers grazed and he felt a spark shoot through him.

He had never felt that before.

Rachel and Quinn always did say it was the small moments that counted the most.

She smiled and took the beer from him and he blushed slightly as he turned away from her and opened his own beer.

"So Sawyer Bishop tell me about yourself," he sat back down on the stool and watched her working.

"Hm, well I love to cook and I especially love making breakfast food at any other time than at breakfast time," he chuckled. "I love pictures… I love the idea of capturing a moment in time and being able to access that memory any time you look at it, to me that is real life and actual magic. I love books, and writing, and science," he giggled at that. "But I would never ever want to do any of that as a job because… ugh doing it for money would ruin it."

Oh crap he was already smitten with this girl.

Fucking hell.

"I mean I certainly wouldn't mind making money off of anything I cooked, photographed, wrote or…" she trailed off as she thought about science. "…Or discovered," she shrugged and he laughed again. "But I could never do any of those things as a job, I think it would get ruined and I have way too much passion for them."

"Wow," he breathed and she smiled shyly. She flipped the omelet she had been making onto a plate and placed it on the counter between them. She took a swig off of her beer and she handed him a fork.

"Share this with me," she told him before digging in with her own fork. He watched as she cut off a piece of the most perfect omelet he had ever seen and put it to her mouth. He knew he had a dopey grin on his mouth but he couldn't help it.

"Stop staring Puck and eat or I'll start to think you're a creeper," she said and he laughed before taking a bit himself.

And he moaned.

"Wow… this is incredible," she blushed again and looked away shyly. He was beginning to think there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep making her smile like that. "You should make money off of this it's amazing."

"No because then that would ruin it… haven't you been listening?"

"I have actually and once you get to know me better you'll see that isn't something I do very well."

"You're being modest… both Quinn and Rachel told me how wonderful you are," this time he blushed.

"Okay… okay," he smirked. "So if none of those things are what you want to do with your life what do you want? I mean what is your passion?"

"I don't know… I just know I don't want to be like my dad," she said with a small pout. "So chances are because I don't want it I'll probably end up just like him," Puck nodded at that.

"I know what you mean… I spent most of high school trying to be a badass because my dad is a badass but what I found out is that I don't want to be like him I want to be the opposite of him," she smiled and took another swig from her beer.

"Here's to not being like our dads," she said holing up her beer; he followed suit and they toasted.

"Okay so… you don't want to be like your dad and you don't want your passions to be ruined," she nodded. "So tell me something about yourself. A secret, something no one else knows." She thought about it for a moment.

"I want to sing," she replied softly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said. "I've just always wanted to sing."

"Where?"

"Anywhere… in a band, in a concert hall, in a local bar… in the shower," he chuckled. "I want to do what you're doing with your life Puck… I just want to perform." He smiled and nodded.

"And you don't think that doing that as a job will ruin it?"

"No! And I'll tell you why… if someone demands me to cook I can stop, if someone demanded that I take pictures I can stop, if someone demanded that I write or discover a cure for cancer I'd tell them to go fuck themselves and then I'd stop," he nodded. "But if someone demanded that I'd sing… I would sing and do you know why," he shook his head. "Because I can't stop."

I'm in love with this girl- he thought.

"That's awesome dude," he said instead.

"Yeah?" He nodded and they stared for a few minutes. "Y-Your turn… tell me something about you that no one else knows."

Okay," he thought for a moment. "But you can't tell anyone because these guys would tear me apart, especially Santana." Sawyer laughed because she and Santana had become friends and she was very aware of how the girl worked.

It was hilarious.

But it wasn't always nice.

"I pinky swear," she held out her pinky he laughed and gave her his pinky.

"Okay," he took a deep breath. "I love musicals," he whispered and she laughed. "I can't help it they're so amazing," she was laughing harder now. "So you're laughing at me this is great."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… it's just," her eyes met his. "It's cute," she husked and he leaned closer. And just as their lips were inches apart he pulled back. He saw her face flush and she turned away taking the now empty plate with her.

"I'm sorry… I thought, Oh god," she covered her face, she felt so stupid that she didn't even know he had moved and was now standing behind her.

"Don't be sorry," she turned around and he was literally right there she could feel his breath on her face. "Look Sawyer… I like you… a lot," she scoffed and he tucked a finger under her chin forcing her eyes to meet his.

"I do… but-"

"But what?"

"But I'm thoughtless and reckless and sometimes kind of an asshole and you seem like the kind of girl that deserves the best version of myself that I can be. He's in there, I know he is… he's the guy that Rachel and Quinn are so fond of but he is also the guy who wants to do this right," he told her honestly and she swooned.

"Does this mean you won't kiss me?" She teased and he raised his eyebrow and smiled. She bit her lip and he nearly lost his shit right there and kissed the hell out of her but he held back.

"Not yet." She nodded at his chivalry and they stared into each other's eyes for quite some time until he spoke again. "We have a couple of hours until sunrise… and I'm having a blast getting to know you, what do you say we go for a walk and do more of that, and maybe we can watch the sunrise together," she nodded.

She always did love a romantic.

"I would love that Puck," she husked and he helped her with the dishes and then led her out into the city.

Rachel's eyes fluttered open, she looked over at Brittany's bed, and saw that not only was Sawyer not it… it definitely hadn't even been slept in.

"Quinn," swung her arm over to Quinn but the girl was closer than she thought and she kind of punched her stomach.

"Umph," Quinn groaned when Rachel hit her; instantly waking her up. "Rach," she whined but the girl was already hovering over her.

"Oh my god Quinn… I'm sorry," she kissed her stomach. "I'm sorry," kiss. "I'm so sorry," kiss. "I didn't mean it," Quinn was giggling now and she pulled Rachel's face away from her stomach. "I was half asleep and you were closer than I thought."

"It's okay baby I know it was an accident… it just startled me," Rachel pouted and Quinn smiled at her adorable face. "But what was so urgent?"

"Sawyer," she pointed to the empty bed. "She didn't come to bed Quinn."

"So," Quinn said with a shrug and Rachel gasped.

"Quinn! She spent the night with Noah… NOAH!" She shouted again. "What if... they," she curled her lip at the thought. "What if they did it?" She whispered that. "What if they're all naked out there?" Quinn shrugged again.

"So they're naked… they'll be the embarrassed ones," Quinn pushed Rachel up so that she could see her better.

"Ew Quinn… I don't want to see Noah's… parts," she shook her head as she said it and Quinn chuckled and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips.

"You're so cute my little lesbian," Quinn told her. "But there is only one way to find out. Let me up," Rachel shifted off of her so that she could get up; then she followed her. Quinn opened the door and Rachel covered her face. "They're not here babe," Quinn said as if it was no big deal.

"Quinn how could you be so nonchalant about this… it's a big deal?"

"It's really not though."

"You're so infuriating."

"And you're so cute," Rachel melted.

"And you're both so fucking annoying," Santana grumbled as she came out of the other room. "Seriously who gets up this fucking early on vacation?" Brittany grumbled too as she also got out of the bedroom. She had taken a few days off of work but didn't want to push her new employers for too many days off so she had to go back today and she was in desperate need for some coffee.

"Kurt's bed sucks," she grumbled. "I miss my bed," Rachel held back a laugh that she and Santana had chosen to use Kurt's bed instead of Mike's and she vowed to never tell the boy what happened on his bed while he was away.

A few moments later Puck and Sawyer walked into the apartment laughing and carrying two trays with coffees in them.

"Oh thank god for you," Brittany greeted them and looked at the coffees when they looked at her like she was nuts. "Those are for us right?"

"Oh y-yeah," Sawyer said handing one to her. "Puck remembered how all of you take your coffee," she said with a smitten grin and Rachel's eyes met Quinn's. They shared a knowing look.

"Aw, you do love me Puckerman," Santana said taking her coffee from Sawyer.

"So what is on the agenda for today guys?" Sawyer asked.

"I gotta work," Brittany said with a pout.

"Aw… but you're still coming to the show tonight right?" Puck asked and she nodded.

"Yeah but no booze for me tonight," Brittany told him.

"And I'm going back to bed… in Britt's bed," Santana told them.

"What do you want to do Sawyer?" Rachel asked and no one missed that her eyes briefly landed on Puck before she spoke.

"Sightseeing?"

"Oh fuck no," Santana grumbled and plopped on the couch. "Definitely sleeping," she flipped the TV on and sipped her coffee. Sawyer giggled.

"Well we don't have to-"

"No that's fine Sawyer… it sounds like fun actually," Rachel promised.

"I'd love to tag along ladies but I have rehearsal and sound check and I should probably take a nap or something," he smiled at Sawyer who returned the sentiment.

"Ugh!" Santana shouted. "Your sexual tension is almost as annoying as Q and Berry humping all the fucking time," she yelled and both Puck and Sawyer blushed. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll see you later," he whispered and she nodded. He winked and then turned to see his Jew babe and his baby mama smirking. He rolled his eyes at them, patted Rachel's arm and left. Rachel squealed and turned to Sawyer.

"Oh my god! You guys are so cute!" She shouted and Sawyer blushed but Quinn could see the huge grin on her face.

"I know!"

"Oh fuck off," Santana yelled. "If you're going to go all One Tree Hill and start squealing about how the cute boy finally noticed you… you needs to leave before Snix goes all Teen Wolf on your asses," Rachel ignored her and smiled at Sawyer.

"Ignore her… give Quinn and I a few moments to get dressed, we'll go out sightseeing, and then you can tell me all about your night with Noah."

Later in the week at Puck's final show, the girls were all sitting around talking and since Santana wasn't tired, she wasn't yelling at them; which was wonderful. Puck joined them after the first set and they were chatting away happily. When the second set was almost over Puck decided to take a risk and he hoped with everything inside of him that it didn't blow up in his face.

"How are you all doing?" The crowd went nuts, each night the crowd had gotten bigger and bigger. "In the tradition of have one of my girls up here to sing with me," he met Quinn's worried eyes. "No not you Quinn," he said with a giggle. "But I will have the whole Unholy Trinity up here with me later but not yet… this moment is about a new friend," he saw Sawyer look at him with panic in her eyes and she shook her head no. "Sawyer would you please join me up here," she shook her head again but the roar of the crowd and the urging from Puck had her on her feet and walking over to him.

"Why are you doing this?" She whispered and he smiled.

"Because you told me you love singing, you told me you want this life and I'm offering it to you… I've heard you sing remember," she smiled remembering their night under the stars waiting for the sun to rise. "I want you to follow your heart and singing is what you love."

"I'm scared."

"I know but you told me that if someone demanded that you sing, you'd sing because you can't stop," she smiled at him and he smirked. "So I'm demanding it… and I know you know this song." He nodded to the band and they started to play Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore; which was the song she sang for him that night. She chuckled took a deep breath and waited. When it was time to sing, she did.

She sang her heart out.

And in the audience the girls watched with shocked expressions.

"Did you know she could sing like that?" Rachel asked.

"I had no idea," Quinn answered while shaking her head.

And then they just listened enamored as Sawyer sang like a fucking rock star.

After the song was over, she looked at Puck and she was grinning from ear to ear. She winked at him and hopped off the stage to the sound of the roaring crowd and it sent chills throughout her body.

Yeah this is what she wanted.

She walked back to the table where all of her friends were staring at her.

"Wow Sawyer that was-" Quinn began.

"That was fucking incredible," Rachel finished and Sawyer beamed- that was one hell of a compliment coming from Rachel Berry.

Puck walked over with a look of awe on his face. He circled his arms around her waist and turned her to face him.

"Marry me," he said seriously and Rachel gasped.

"Not yet," she answered with a shoulder shrug.

"Kiss me?" He asked.

"You first," she said with a heavy breath because he was suddenly a lot closer and when their lips met they both felt it to their toes. She opened her mouth and he deepened it. If they weren't lost in their own world they would've heard Rachel squealing.

"I told you Quinn," she said softly.

"Yeah you did," Quinn agreed.

"Whipped," Santana chimed in and then got dirty looks from both girls and she merely rolled her eyes; but they were all looking at Sawyer and Puck and they were all hoping Puck had finally found a girl that he could be himself with.

And she'd love him anyway.

A/N 2: The song Puck sang was Count on Me by Default and the title of the chapter is from the song That's What Friends are For by Dionne Warwick.

Up next: It's summer and Quinn and Rachel go on a road trip together.