A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed it means so much that you like this story and encouraged me to get the next chapter out right away.
~ Gabz
Jake silently backed away from the bleachers his mind racing with all this new information. When he'd first seen Finn having an argument with the small but imposing girl in the hallway his curiosity had been piqued and when he'd realised this was the Rachel Berry that no one stopped talking about he was determined to know more. He was incredibly confused when she'd turned after the argument and headed outside as the Rachel they all talked about would surely have at least a page worth of 'helpful' critiques to make them better.
Stealthily slipping out behind her, he'd followed in the shadows confused as he tried to understand why she was walking to the bleachers. He wondered if she somehow knew that something musical had happened between Marley and he here, the way the seniors talked about her psychic abilities he wouldn't put it past her. He hadn't believed them initially despite the fact that they'd all been so adamant until they began to describe some of the things she'd said and done over the years, now he wasn't sure where he stood.
Desperately trying to keep an eye on her as she became cloaked in darkness, he moved closer to the bleachers, his heart nearly beating out of his chest as he registered her falling. He would not be the idiot who let the Rachel Berry take a career ending fall. Desperately running up the stairs he stopped himself from calling out for help as he made out a figure moving rapidly and catching her before any damage could be done.
As the figure began speaking, Jake stepped back wearily as he recognised his brother's voice. He hadn't even known Puck was at the play. For some unknown reason the fact that he was here made Jake smile. When he heard him call her crazy he was a little surprised at the fact that not only did Rachel not slap him and walk away but that the insult itself was laced with what appeared to be affection.
He listened as the self-proclaimed badass put aside everything and listened as Rachel cried. While Jake had never held Finn in high regard, it was somewhat gratifying to hear someone else who believed the 'man' - who if the rumors were true shot himself with his own gun and spent the last four months backpacking through Georgia of all places - was not all he was cracked up to be.
His smile wavered momentarily as he heard Rachel praise someone, he knew it wasn't Finn due to the aforementioned debate on his worth but the only person Rachel would have bothered talking to Puck about was Jake himself. It was weird to hear someone other than his mother praise him so highly in such a simple sentence but it was even more amazing to hear his brother confirm it. Puck was right when he said that they were brothers regardless of Glee and Jake figured it was about time he got used to the idea.
Satisfied and thoroughly confused Jake turned to walk away before he heard his name being said. For a second he thought he'd been caught but he quickly realised neither had any knowledge of his presence. Hearing his mother referred to as 'some slut waitress' did not hurt any less the second time but he focused on controlling his rage wanting to know where Puck was going with this.
He looked down as he heard Puck talk about his sister - their sister - and the pain that their father leaving had caused her. Pulling at his hair, he fought the urge to walk over and ask him more about Abby. He'd always wanted a little sister but he wasn't sure how he felt about interacting with his father's other family. He may hate his dad with every fiber of his being but much like his brother he had tried countless times to find a way of getting the man's approval and he was uncertain about what to do now that he found people who felt exactly the same way.
It hurt to hear Puck say that he hated him but he knew that he too often hated the family that had taken his father away - both when he was young and once again once the man had returned - apparently after Abby was conceived - and left again, though now he knew he had not returned back to the other Puckermans. He knew his mum deserved more than that but he quickly realised that he'd never even thought about how Puck and Abby's mum felt. She had been married and had a child with him and he'd cheated on her. Jake guessed that was the other source of his unease. If he ever found out his significant other had an affair that had resulted in a child, he was not too sure that he'd want to see that kid, that he'd want to be reminded of the infidelity that finally broke his marriage.
As he heard his brother verbalize his own fear about turning into their father, he was unable to hold back his gasp. He shrunk back into the shadows and away from Rachel's seeking eyes not realising that he had crept forward as Puck had been speaking. Rachel's words soothed his own insecurities as he figured they were doing to his brother. When she started listing the things Puck had done to her he was even more confused by their weird friendship. One thing he knew for sure was that Puck hadn't been lying when he said he was the original badass and he was positive that even though Puck had credited the bunch of losers he was surrounded by in regard to him becoming a man, it was the woman before him that had made him change for the better. She was the reason he was ably to make it out of this town and not become their father. Though Jake was sufficiently shocked when he heard her swear, figuring she was the type of girl who would never do such a thing, he realised her intentions once he heard his brother's slightly more upbeat laugh carry through the air and was once again shocked by their camaraderie.
Jake shuffled uncomfortably as he realised why it had gone so quiet, the occasional moan that slipped through left little question about what was going on. He thought about clearing his throat before realizing that his brother deserved happiness or whatever it was that 'Crazy Berry' brought him.
Stepping back he walked away listening as Rachel sung his brother's praises. He struggled to understand how someone who had made her life a living hell for so long could possibly be considered the best boyfriend she had, either it said something about Rachel's choice in boys or she brought out a side to Puck that most weren't privy to but given how they were acting together he guessed it was a bit of both.
While the whole ordeal gave him hope, he was not sure he was yet at the stage that if Marley asked him to sleep with her to get even with Ryder that he wouldn't, but maybe there was hope for him after all. Finally after so many years he realised he had a male figure he had no problem looking up to.
Jake was so lost in thought he didn't notice he'd reached the school until he crashed into another body. Steadying the other person and himself, he looked up to see Marley peering back at him, concern shining in her eyes.
"Sorry Marls." Jake moved past her spotting the person he was looking for on the other side of the door, about to head to where Jake had just left. "Hey! Kurt… right?"
Kurt turned to look at the boy beside him, his eyes raking over him as he took in the various structures he shared with his brother. However the more subtle similarity was in the way he held himself - threatening but still guarded - and the fact that his eyes darted over and checked on Marley every now and then was very reminiscent of the patterns of a young Puck with regards to Rachel. "Yes."
Jake sighed in relief, glad that he had gotten the guy's name right. He remembered hearing Finn and Blaine fighting about what Blaine had done to Kurt and he felt a momentarily flash of sympathy flood him. Unable to think of another way to phrase his question, Jake hoped Kurt would be able to understand what he was asking and decided to embrace his good ol' Jake Puckerman tact. Gesturing outside with his head, Jake let his confusion flood his tone as he asked, "what was that?"
Kurt took in the slightly glazed look in Jake's eyes, the way his body seemed to want to open up more but his mind was still in control and realised exactly what had happened. He'd seen the same symptoms in many others when exposed to Puckleberry. "They got to you." His sentence was whispered and obviously never reached Jake who remained in his place as he watched Kurt try to sort through his emotions and figure out the best way to describe Puck and Rachel to him.
Marley ran a hand nervously through her still curled hair, she'd changed out of the leather outfit and into her normal clothes but desperately longed for her newsboy hat that wouldn't fit with all the hairspray. Yet another thing she was apparently too big for. Though she was appreciative of Ryder's approving glances throughout the whole play, she had still been feeling somewhat vulnerable until she'd ran into Jake. Their interaction may have been brief but he had looked at her like she was the most beautiful and sexy woman he'd ever seen. When his hands rested firmly on her waist to keep her upright, she realised that her not fitting into her costume had not been about her weight at all and almost definitely had Kitty handprints all over it.
Though usually she'd never admit it, this wasn't the first time Jake had caught her and as such she knew exactly where his hands fell on her body each time and it was exactly the same no more no less, they fit like the perfect puzzle piece. Marley had been prepared to go back and give Kitty a piece of her mind when she felt Jake's eyes run over her again holding her in place as she felt something was wrong. Felt as if he needed her to stay.
Glancing over at him, she noticed that he had walked up to one of the boys she recognized from last years glee photo - she vaguely remembered him being around the first week of school, Kurt maybe? - tossing her thoughts aside she focused on Jake who seemed uncharacteristically stuck for words.
Unable to help her curiosity, as she was undeniably intrigued by what could have the usually unflappable Jake Puckerman in such a state. Marley overruled any self preservation rules she'd made for herself regarding this specific boy and she moved closer, shifting into his side unconsciously as his hand came to rest on her waist.
Kurt caught Marley's eyes as she moved closer. In all honesty she was his choice for the New Rachel, the song had been straight out of Rachel's playbook but he figured since she was new it probably wouldn't have been the best decision to send her out with a target on her back, god knows he was well aware of the Glee Club's competitiveness. However he couldn't help but be amazed by the girl. She had the voice and the moves but none of Rachel's divaness, something which while appreciated in the confines of high school in Lima, Ohio would do nothing to help her succeed if she wanted to make it onto Broadway. Sometimes he believed that despite what Rachel insists she would have probably preferred to have friends over talent, so maybe Marley's kindness would work out for her. Kurt sure hoped it would.
His eyebrow arched as he watched Jake rest his arm on Marley's waist without even noticing. A small smile tugged at his lips as he finally understood what Brittany had been talking about the last few weeks.
Turning his full attention back to Jake, Kurt gently rested his hand against his chin, taking on the stance of a wise professor as he lectured the kids on what they were missing. After all no one understood the mess that was Puck and Rachel better than he.
"That was Puckleberry. What you're undoubtedly feeling right now is a common side affect of being in it's presence too long. No one knows why they work, for all intents and purposes they shouldn't. The fact that he made her a little less crazy and she made him a little less of a delinquent sparked the initial love of Puckleberry within Glee but after a while it just clicked." If it wasn't for the fact that he was half convinced that had had to have been dazed by 'Puckleberry' Jake would have laughed at the way Kurt was describing the whole thing as if it was it's own person.
Kurt chuckled as he recalled the week long relationship that defined one of the most complicated and intriguing pairings the glee club had. "It doesn't make sense in any of the normal ways but once you get to know them, it's almost impossible to not see them together. As Puck said their two good looking Jews."
Jake's eyebrows furrowed as he watched Kurt pale slightly, the change only obvious since the other boy had snapped his mouth shut. "Their fights though, they can make you want to run and hide, they can get really ugly, really fast and if I'm going to have to live in the same apartment with Puckleberry, I deserved to win that bet."
"Bet?" Kurt startled at the tone Marley used, closing his eyes as he was half expected her to launch into a Rachel Berry like rant about the moral injustices of betting and was pleasantly surprised when he opened his eyes and found her looking simply curious as to why he had said such a thing.
His mind was racing, trying to comprehend was Kurt was saying, but all Jake kept coming back to was the fact that he had missed something so important. "Live?" It was no secret that Kurt and Rachel were roomies in a seemingly awesome loft for their first place in New York but his brother lived in L.A right?
"Well since Rachel and Puck only 'dated' - and I use that term very loosely - for a week, no one - except maybe Finn - felt that Puckleberry had a real shot. Not to mention Sam was furious when he realised he might never get a chance to see Puckleberry in action." Jake felt Marley's fingers thread through his own, seemingly not aware of the comfort the simple gesture instilled in him.
"Anyway since that week Mercedes had a betting pool running on when Puckleberry were going to give it another try. Important events generally increased the confidence in the bidding while arguments decreased it. Everyone was certain that after the 'Run Joey Run' debacle it was going to happen - Jesse and Finn were busy licking there wounds there was no better time for Puck to strike, then after the whole Santana/Finn thing came to light there was definite tension there - I still don't think any of us got the full explanation as to what happened that day…"
As Kurt trailed off in thought, Jake realised that Rachel and Puck were a lot closer than any of the betters had realised. He may not have known his brother for long but he knew Puck was not exaggerating most of his sexual experiences and for him to not only turn Rachel down but actually comfort her, that meant he had some serious feelings for the girl.
"Alas it never occurred and as the days turned to weeks turned to months turned to years, we eventually started betting on just the months and this was my month." Kurt did a small victory dance as he restrained from pulling out his phone. He figured he'd give them another few minutes before resurrecting the McKinley Glee Club rumour mill.
"That still doesn't explain the whole living together thing." Jake's words were quiet, his lips tugged slightly downwards as he tried to wrap his head around why he was feeling so disheartened about the whole thing. Whether he was in Los Angeles or New York, Puck would still be out of Lima so it shouldn't make a difference yet it did.
Clucking his tongue at the impatient boy Kurt let a scowl bloom on his face before answering the questions. "Did you not eavesdrop long enough? Your brother just got a recording deal in New York. They're always at their best when the other one is around. New York won't know what hit 'em." With that Kurt spun on his heel and walked out the door, feeling along the cool brick of the outer wall until he found the switch he was looking for.
Pulling down, he moved the heavy metal bar slowly, willing all his energy into the task - there was a reason he'd only progressed as far as the kicker - and smiled as it had it's intended affect. Light bathed the football field and the bleachers, causing Kurt's smirk to deepen as he watched Rachel and Puck look up as if they'd been awoken from a dream. "Come on you two, we've got a plane to catch."
Marley could see the blush staining Rachel and surprisingly Puck's cheeks from here and couldn't help but smile as she got her first helping of Puckleberry. She vaguely heard Kurt texting in the background but ignored it as she felt Jake shuffle even closer, her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest and she tried to keep her smile on her face when Jake released her hand. She hadn't even realised their hands had been laced but now she was all too aware of the cold wind hitting the space between her fingers.
"You were amazing Marls." Jake pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, smiling warmly at her as he regaled her with his opinion of her performance throughout the play, loving the way her eyes sparkled as she listened to his obviously biased remarks.
There was moment of complete quiet, a break in the conversation as they all watched Puck give Rachel a piggy back across the field and found it slightly amusing that neither seemed to mind that Rachel's dress wasn't supposed to allow for such a act. However they were startled from their observing when a high pitched, rage filled screech echoed down the hall.
"San, stop." They heard Brittany's pleading cry following another round of silence. Bracing themselves for Santana, Marley and Jake glanced at Kurt with fear in their eyes. They had barely interacted with the Latina on her few visits to McKinley but they were aware of her ferociousness, after all stories of what she did still roamed the halls.
"Stupid Finn fucking Hudson. How dare he! One more week, one more week Hummel and you know that money would have been mine. They always get cuddly around Chanukah anyway but this year it was in the bag, especially since this year she was finally free of all things Finn Hudson, but of course he had to have a stupid play, had to do 'Grease'. Couldn't do a different play he said. Three years of betting down the drain all because of Finn fucking Hudson." They watched as smoke seemed to leave Santana's ears as she barreled past them and straight out onto the field.
Rachel and Puck seemed to be in their own world and no one had time to warn them before the Latina struck. Pouncing like a jaguar she had the two of them on the ground in no time as she stood above them her hands on her hips, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly.
"Look Satan, if this was about the video it was Berry's idea." Puck grunted as Rachel elbowed him in the stomach. He had momentarily forgotten the self-defence classes he'd insisted she take when he was in juvie in their Junior year and was immediately grateful she was in such a position that she wasn't able to hit anywhere lower. He was definitely going to remember that for the future.
"Santana, why don't we calmly talk about whatever has you in such a mood. You know violence is not the answer. I thought you were trying to change." Rachel's words were soft as if calming a wild animal as she tried not to let her fear show and silently reached for Noah's hand.
Both were shocked as the brunette girl's lip quivered for a moment before she bent down and wrapped them in a hug. "I'm really happy for you but you couldn't have waited one more week."
Brittany worried that Santana was secretly working on trying to suffocate Puckleberry pulled her ex off the pair and watched as Puck got to his feet and then helped Rachel up. She smiled happily as the pair she had been watching with interest all through high school finally seemed to find their stride. Sneaking a look back at Marley and Jake, she knew it was only a matter of time, after all she'd been instrumental in Puckleberry's relationship and was looking for a new project.
After all she was an angel in 'Run, Joey, Run' video and knew about all of the guys, she knew Santana had taken Finn's v-card and still kept it a secret, she knew Puck had kept Rachel safe and not taken advantage of her when they'd all found out about Finn's lie. She'd been the one to call Puck when she realised Finn had come home without Rachel the night they went looking for a Christmas Tree, she was the one who kept the others busy so only Rachel was available to help Puck when he was failing. All those moments others generally tossed aside as not important individually were beacons calling out to Brittany, telling her that they were important if she wanted Puckleberry. Lord Tubbington was technically the one who read the signs and she just did what he told her to, but it's not like anyone would listen to her cat without her and right now he had plans for Marley and Jake.
Rachel leant back into Noah's arms as she watched Brittany get lost in her thoughts as Santana stood still beside her. The heat from Noah's chest reassured her that this was in fact real, that she wasn't going crazy - well really crazy - just yet. That the girl she'd formed a tentative friendship with at the end of Senior year had just tackled them and given them her blessings as opposed to inflicting bodily harm for getting with her ex fuck-buddy and sometimes boyfriend. Clearing her thoughts she decided to focus on what she could understand of the past few minutes and settled on the second half of Santana's sentence, feeling a smirk grow on her face as she realised what it meant.
Santana took a step back as she noticed the 'Puckerman' smirk nestled happily on Rachel's face, somehow managing to not look out of place. "So who won?" Santana growled slightly as she looked at a victorious Kurt who was still happily texting everyone his great news.
Rachel chuckled at her friend, tossing her hair back as she called over to him. "You're paying for drinks at Callbacks for the next four years."
Santana shook her head in amusement as she watched Kurt wave his hand dismissively, too absorbed in the digital gossip surrounding Puckleberry to pay attention to the real thing. Wrapping her hand around Brittany's arm, she smiled as the action shook the blonde from her thoughts.
Laughing, Puck tossed his arm over Santana's shoulder, leading her and Rachel in out of the cold as Brittany tagged along beside them. He fist bumped Kurt - somehow between Junior and Senior year they'd worked out that form of greeting - congratulating his friend on winning, Puck broke from Rachel, Santana and Brittany, heading over to a slightly off kilter Jake.
"Good job bro, you were perfect." The term of endearment slipped out before he could stop it and Puck was glad to see Jake didn't show any signs of negativity towards it. Hearing Rachel clear her throat behind him, Puck rolled his eyes, shooting her a look before turning back to his little brother. "You were a little flat on one note in 'You're the One That I Want' but other than that you were perfect." Puck took a step closer to Jake not sure what it was but knowing something was different tonight. Lowering his voice slightly he bent his head making eye contact before continuing. "You okay?"
Jake nodded as he smiled at Puck. He felt Marley put her hand on his arm as if she understood why he was struggling with this. He'd been so determined to hold onto his hatred of Puck and the fact that he too blamed him for their father leaving that he hadn't appreciated the opportunity he'd been presented and just when he'd accepted that he had a brother, the guy goes and moves to NYC, out of this loser town, with the girl he loved on his arm. So no matter how selfish it was of him to resent his brother for it, it just didn't seem like he fit anymore. Pushing all his negativity to the side he allowed a smirk to slip through. "Yeah. I'm Fine. Congrats on the deal."
Puck beamed as he felt Rachel return to his side, it seemed so strange that everything was falling into place but at the same time he couldn't help but think it was destiny. Rachel had always said he was going to get out of Lima, she just neglected to mention that the second time it would be with her.
His life in L.A was fun but he always felt like he was missing something. It was only when he was halfway back to his mum's house after finding out about Jake and realised he was hearing Rachel's soothing words in his ear - he hadn't even realised he'd called her - and it had finally clicked, he finally felt understood. Still, looking at Jake he remembered what he was feeling at that age and as he noticed Marley's hand on his brother's arm his eyes sparkled knowing that Rachel's hand mirrored hers and he hoped that the girl would look out for Jake the way Rachel always had him.
"You need anything, call. Day or night." Puck felt Rachel's hand slip into his own and knew she was proud of him. It was surprisingly easy to treat Jake just as he treated Abby, the only difference in his life being that now he was working twice as hard to be a good role model for the two of them and he knew with Rachel by his side he'd just made his goal even easier.
Jake noted the seriousness in Puck's tone and nodded quickly. He didn't know what the feeling building in his stomach was but he knew that Puck was deadly serious when he said that. He knew if he needed anything he now had a brother who would do anything for him, that he had someone who would drop everything and come no questions asked.
Rachel stepped forward slightly, fixing her gaze on the younger Puckerman, trying not to smirk when he inadvertently shrunk slightly. "Anything that is legal. Any illegal problems I can help you with but Noah's new goal is to never set foot in jail."
They could all tell the goal was news to Puck but they knew when to pick their battles and in this case they all simply agreed if they were in any trouble Puckleberry was going to be there for them in one way or another.
Brittany noticed Kurt walking towards the pair obviously to tell them it was time to go. Unable to help herself she felt her eyes fill with tears of happiness as she realised this was it. If they didn't make it work now than Puckleberry was over for good but she had a feeling it was going to work.
Launching herself at Rachel, she smiled at the smaller girl as she enveloped her in a hug. Just being around the diva, filled Brittany with a new sense of confidence and she knew this time she'd make senior year work and hopefully by this time next year she'd be back by Santana's side ready to take the College cheerleading world by storm.
Turning to Puck she sniffled slightly when he wrapped her into a big bear hug. In many ways Puck had been like a cool older brother to her and she wasn't ready to say goodbye again. She felt him press a soft kiss into her hair and let the Puckleberry magic wash over her once more, soaking up as much of it as she could.
Stepping closer to Jake, Brittany held onto his hand as Santana gripped her other as they watched Puckleberry and a thirteen-thousand dollar richer Kurt exit the halls of McKinley. Lord Tubbington had told her that whatever happened now was beyond their control but as she lead the rest back to the glee room she couldn't help but smile. Puckleberry was back!
A/N - incase anyone was wondering how I got thirteen thousand.
Season 1 Glee = 12 members - 3 (Puck, Rachel, Finn) = 9 (Artie, Tina, Brittany, Mercedes, Kurt, Quinn, Santana, Mike, Matt) all bet $1 a school day for the rest of the school year (7 months) = 1x5x4x7= $140 per person. 9 members = 9x140 = $1260. $20 per person for summer holidays. First Year = $1440 (people bet on what day)
Season 2 Glee = Artie, Tina, Brittany, Mercedes, Kurt, Quinn, Santana, Mike (8 people x 36 weeks x $10 dollars a week = $2880) Sam (first year rates = $140). Summer Holidays = $30 per person. Therefore Second Year = $3290 (people bet on what week)
Season 3 Glee = Artie, Tina, Brittany, Mercedes, Kurt, Quinn, Santana, Mike, Sam (9 people x 36 weeks x $15 dollars a week = $4860) Rory (Bet twice = $10) Joe (didn't bet) Sugar ($50x36w = $1800 - Daddy's money). Summer Holidays = $40 each (all except Joe). Therefore Third Year = $7110. (people bet on what week)
Season 4 Glee = 3 months in = 10 people (Rory stopped betting), $50 a month. 10x150 = $1500 (people bet on what month)
Total = 1500+7110+3290+1440 = 13,330