I don't own Glee, or its characters!

"Alright guys! I know we lost last year at Regionals, but we're determined to get back on our feet to get to nationals… which!" he paused for effect "Is in New York!" Mr. Shue said excitedly. It was only the first day back, and Mercedes already wanted to shoot herself. It was odd, being back in school without her boyfriend, er, ex-boyfriend. The day he left she stood on the pavement in front of his old house crying for 15 minutes before someone came and helped her get back home. It took her a while to bounce back, heck its been almost three weeks, but she thought she was doing relatively well for someone who got left behind with little warning. She looked around and noticed everyone was cheering, except her.

"Whats the matter Mercedes? Aren't you happy? Its New York!" Tina basked as if it were a revelation.

"I am happy." She said. She didn't sound convincing at all… not even to herself.

The rest of the club passed in a blur, and she was amazed to see that just about everyone came back. Tina and Mike were now together, and so were Finn and Quinn-that caught Mercedes by surprise, but still happy nonetheless to see him moving on. Artie and Brittany were still together, and everyone else, well, they were solo birds.

Puck heard Tina's question and waited for Mercedes' response. He internally cringed at her answer and knew that she was not happy at all. He wondered if thinking about New York made her remember about all those times when they were there last. The late night talk, the skipping out to go to Time's Square, but got ruined, and ended up (almost) skinny dipping at the beach, which was so fun. Watching the sunrise, anything! He wondered if she even remembered.

"So, being back in New York, that would be fun, wouldn't it?" Puck asked her after class.

"Yeah, I guess." She answered and he continued walking with her to her locker.

"Whats wrong?" He didn't know if he wanted to know what was. What if it had to do with that Sebastian kid? He wouldn't be able to handle listening to her spill her guts. It left him cut when he found out she was standing on the sidewalk in front of his house crying the day they left, but he still wanted to know if she was going to be okay.

"Nothing. I'll be fine." He nodded.

"I know you'll be okay, but if you need help, I'm here. I mean, we're both victims of being unexpectedly dumped." She chuckled a little, and that got him to smile.

"Yeah, but to be fair your ex is still around." Mercedes reminded him and again, he nodded.

"Yeah, but is it really?" He really wanted to understand just how invested she was in her relationship with Sebastian.

"But you would be a great help about moving on. I know you were absolutely devastated about Quinn breaking it off last year." She made a face of concern and he shrugged off the warm sensation he was beginning to feel.

"Yeah, and if I can move on, so can you." He said, grabbing her arm and looping it through his. Ignoring the fact that he wasn't so devastated about not being with Quinn as he was with admitting openly that he wanted Mercedes. He tried to bust those walls down, but they immediately went back up when he saw her with Sebastian. He was trying to destroy his insecurities and the walls he had when it came to her, but he knew it was going to take a while.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked.

"Nowhere special. Just taking you for a walk." He said, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. "You talk. I'll listen." She looked at him like he was crazy.

"Why would you want to listen to my personal problems?" She asked and he shrugged.

"Guess I know that talking it out will make you feel better." He said and she smiled lightly at him.

"Where would I start?" He took a moment to think about it.

"I was going to say where you felt comfortable, but you can start of by telling me how you feel?" He said, giving her arm as squeeze.

Mercedes looked at him like she wasn't sure. She wanted to take his acts of kindness genuinely but thought he'd just use it against her later. If not, that she would spill her guts, and he'll ignore her, like every other time.

"I don't know if I feel comfortable talking about it." She said. It was mostly true.

"Is it because you two did the-?" He moved his head from side to side… letting the question hang, and she scrunched up her face.

"No! And besides why would that be your business?" She asked, and he shrugged.

"Guess because I know that sex can complicate things more. I was just checking. And besides, as best friends with the JJ's, its my duty to make sure their kid sister is safe." He said as if it were not a big deal.

"Oh."

"So since you didn't do the deed, why would you feel uncomfortable?" She took a deep breath. She didn't know if it was because the level of intimacy shared between them, or because of he said he wanted her safe, but she wanted to be honest. She was nervous as hell, but she was finally going to bring it up.

"Because I don't understand our friendship for squat." She admitted, and his step faltered a little.

"How do you mean?" Puck knew exactly what she meant, but he wanted to hear her say it. Once again, he was being a coward, but he didn't care right now.

Mercedes took it that she was making it all up in her head. Maybe there really was nothing going on between Puck and her, but she couldn't help but think and feel like there was! She wasn't about to go insane over it again.

"Nothing." She said. Thinking back on New York, the stolen and silent glances. The glare he's thrown at literally any guy she spoke with. Too cowardly to seize an opportunity, he ignored it, if he spoke about their friendship there would be no going back. Maybe she'd know he was too good for her, and she'd probably wouldn't even want to go there.

"You can tell me anything." He thought that was fair enough.

"Can I?"

"Yes." He said, confused by the slightly snide tone she used. She was too scared to elaborate on her question, but she wasn't willing to put herself out there if he wasn't willing to at least try to meet her half way. She couldn't afford to get hurt by Puck.

"I have to go." She said, and pulled away, but he squeezed her arm to stay in place. He didn't say anything, instead he just looked her in the eyes. It had been a while since they've made eye contact like that. Her big doe eyes, and his hazel ones, feeling that gravitational pull where, no matter where in life they were, he knew would suck him in like a supermassive black hole. Except its beautiful, entirely different, and it'll be the kine that made him feel full in his heart. He knew he confused her, and he liked having that power over her. She never told him, but he could tell he did. From the times she'd bring her eyebrows in concentration at something cryptic he'd tell her, or do, he knew what he was doing. But it was about time he had something over her, because when it came to her, he'd give her the world. He'd do whatever he needed to, to make her happy, even if it means he shouldn't initiate anything with her. Plus, he'd never never let her have the power of letting her know she left him confused, too.

"Puck, please let me go." Her voice was just above a whisper, and as always, he'd do whatever she told him to. He let go of her arm and she quickly walked off.

A month had passed and Mercedes was doing really well. She stepped down from leadership and she was trying to concentrate on herself. She was a junior now. Ministry would always be there when she was ready to serve again, until then, she was just focusing on school. It was alcohol awareness and the glee club had to perform. Apparently Rachel had never tasted alcohol before-Mercedes had like a year ago. Her, Artie, and Tina wanted to know what it felt like-and Puck convinced her to throw a party since her dads were out of town. Thats what led them to the Berry household.

It was a nice house, had a modest stage in the basement, and a bar to the left side of it. It was a pretty big basement so you had enough room to dance, or sit, or whatever.

A few hours in, they were all wasted enough, and decided to play 'Spin the bottle.' Mercedes was nervous as hell as she spun her bottle because the only other person she'd ever kissed was Sebastian. And what if she kissed Puck? Worse, it landed on Sam. They made eye contact, and she saw his eyes darken as he smirked. Reaching over for her he grabbed her by the back of her head and pulled her in for an immediate deep kiss. Mercedes thought his lips felt nice. They were plumper than Sebastian's, and honestly, boy could kiss. His tongue was working wonders, and she hoped she was returning the sentiment. She bit lightly on his lip and she felt him moan. He was just about to deepen it again when a pair of hands pulled him back. Mercedes felt the air whoosh out of her and when her eyes opened, she saw Puck removing his hands from Sam's shoulders. She hadn't even realized her hands were in his hair, until she looked at his swollen lips and tousled hair. She blushed, and so did he, but he still remained his eye contact. Puck was eyeing the boy sitting next to him, and he had to say something.

"What the hell, trouty? Its 'Spin the bottle' not seven minutes in heaven." Sam broke eye contact to look at Puck.

"Maybe we should change the rules then?" Mercedes' heart picked up. She'd never really considered Sam before, but now she was! Boy can kiss. She didn't know if the alcohol was talking, but she wanted more, too. She giggled loudly then as Sam rose his eyebrows at her.

"I see she agrees with me." He drawled and winked at her. She glanced over at Puck sitting next to him, and she had to do a double take. He was glaring. At her!

"How's about Rachel spin? Its her turn." Tina said, as Puck and everyone else turned their attention to her. Oddly enough, it landed on Puck, and Puck leaned in closer. 'Deliberate, and sexy' he kept repeating to himself. He did have Mercedes watching, after all. Though her kiss with Sam was hot as hell, and he could've sworn the blonde moaned, he wanted to make this a show for everyone. Eventually someone pulled him away and scolded him the same way he scolded Sam.

"My bad." He smirked as he wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb, and stared at Mercedes. He wanted to kiss her right then and there. Her swollen lips, fluffed hair, sweet eyes. He wanted to experience what Sam just did, but he wanted so much more. Because DAMN if she didn't look like a great kisser.

Mercedes watched in disgust as Puck eagerly kissed Rachel. She looked so awkward, and buddy boy was just going for it! She had to admit though, after he pulled away and wiped his mouth, it was pretty hot. He was smirking at her, and she returned it challenging. The whole rest of the game went by as she prayed it would land on him, or his would land on her, but it never happened. Almost an hour of playing that game, and it never landed for it to happen for them. How freaking ironic! She even had to kiss Tina, actually, everyone, even Artie! That was funny, a bit awkward, but it was still fun. She was surprised at how good he actually was. Santana had nice lips, too, but the game was over, and now everyone was dancing and singing.

Mercedes was dancing against Mike when she made eye contact with Puck. This time he didn't look away. Instead, he watched with that sex shark look in his eyes. She didn't react to him staring, but instead, she moved closer to her dancing partner with Tina hollering at them. She was working it, she knew it, and when Puck came up to them, she hoped he was going to ask her to dance. He didn't. He was walking by to get to the other side of the room like she didn't even phase him, and it annoyed her. Turning so she was facing Mike and so that Puck was in her line of vision, she danced even closer to him. His hands on her waist and pulling her in even closer. She watched as Puck turned around and looked at her, but this time, he turned away, opting to talk to Sam.

"Dang girl! You've got the moves!" Mike said, and Mercedes laughed.

"Thanks!" She said, and the song came to an end. With one hug to Mike, she walked over to the punch where Sam and Puck were standing.

"Hey guys!" She said, and Sam eagerly greeted her, Puck… well, he pretended like he hadn't heard her. "Hi guys she emphasized." Still he didn't turn. Sam had a blissfully confused look on his face when Puck didn't turn around to greet her, and he turned his attention back to Mercedes.

"So that was some kiss, huh?" He asked, and because she was drunk, it temporarily distracted her and she smiled.

"Sure was. People can say whatever they want about your mouth, but I think it works wonders!" She heard Puck scoff, when she turned to look at him, he was shaking his head, and started to walk away.

"What's with him?" Sam asked, and Mercedes thought that if she knew even a fourth of what his problem was, her life would be a million times easier. Artie never understood before why she stood around long enough to even notice that pattern of the 'hot attraction' at first, then 'cold shoulder' way later.

"Not a damn clue, but lets dance!" She said, placing down their cups and pulling him to the dance floor. Once there, she turned her back to him, so she was against his front, and his hands went to her hips as he gently kissed her left ear.

Puck watched in rage as Mercedes danced with Mike and Sam. Sure they were at different times, but did it ever occur to her that he'd probably want to dance? Puck never got jealous, but as his walls were going back up, he felt his jealousy rising along with it. Soon he'd learn that the walls can only hide so much. Taking a swig of his drink, he watched in satisfaction that at least the blonde teen, with the lips that 'worked wonders' with Mercedes' mouth was pretty shitty at dancing. His mind was about to be ease at how she seemed to be laughing with him more platonically then anything else, when he saw her walk behind him, and wrap her arms around his stomach, moving HIM from side to side in rhythm. It was increasingly annoying to watch, so with one more shot, he took his sulky, half horny self to the girl he couldn't keep his eyes off.

By the time he mustered the courage, her back was pressed against Sam's front, so he went in front of her and asked if she wanted to dance. She simply ignored him and faced Sam. Puck knew he deserved it, but he wanted a piece of Mercedes tonight. Hell, he always did. He started dancing behind her, and he easily swayed in time with her. Damn her ass felt so damn good against his growing member. He gripped her hips and eventually she was completely flushed against him. She couldn't deny he felt good behind her, and after Sam finally excused himself, she put her hand behind Puck's head, pulling his face closer. The song switched from quick and upbeat, to slow R&B, or as Puck liked to call it, 'Grinding music.' Her movements became slower, and his arms was now completely circling her waist. He obliged and moved closer, her face was a few inches from his, and he wanted to kiss her so badly. Instead, he opted for running his nose along her neck, ears, and cheeks. He placed a few tiny pecks, but thats all he allowed himself. They were interrupted by Rachel and Blaine taking over the stage and killing the mood completely by playing some show tunes. Okay, so the song they chose in beat wasn't good, but the lyrics were pretty ironic. It was as if the duel was trolling him.

They sang, 'Don't you want me.' by The Human League. Though the lyrics were on point, it popped that little bubble they had going on. Mercedes was standing a respectable distance away, jumping up and down and singing the song with Brittany, both shouting lyrics at each other. Puck knew he just wanted a little piece of Mercedes, but after he got it, he wanted more. He couldn't ignore at all the uncomfortable tightness in his jeans, and discretely made it to the bathroom. Once there, he wanked himself off, thinking about, and only about Mercedes and how she looked, smelt, and felt in his arms. She was the reason for this hard on he had, and only she could get rid of it. A few moments later he was giving out in a tissue. After cleaning himself off, he went back out to the party that was slowly torturing him.

Puck woke up the next morning feeling the effects of Rachel's party. As soon as he opened his eyes he knew he wasn't in his house. He was still in the grand house that was Rachel's. He was on the floor in the middle of her basement. He shot up, and quickly regretted it. After his head stopped spinning, he looked around and saw Sam cradling a bottle water sitting next to a fan. He continued looking around. Rachel was gone, and everyone else was asleep. He saw in a corner, the long couch and spotted Mercedes laying on it with her back facing the room. He smiled, figured she'd get the couch. Well, she was the first one out last night. After she fell asleep, Puck remembered thinking the rest of the night wasn't worth it, but he ended up staying up longer. Eventually he blanked out, and assumed he was one of the last ones standing, since he was in the middle of the room.

Puck really wanted to talk to her about last night, and waited patiently as she woke up. In the mean time he grabbed his extra clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste and made it upstairs. When he made it to the top he bumped into Rachel. He straightened her, and apologized, asking where the nearest shower was. She showed him to the guest bathroom and gave him a wash cloth. After expressing his gratitude, he showered and got ready for the day. He of course, had his morning boner, and like the night before, he wanked it off to Mercedes. Who looked like an angel this morning. Finishing all his business he made it to the nook. Rachel was making french toast.

"Are you seriously cooking?" He asked rubbing his headache.

"Yes." She said, grabbing more bread. When she looked back at him, she sympathized. "Noah, theres medicine in the cabinet above the coffee pot." She said.

He stood and grabbed it. Downing it with a water bottle from her ice box, he studied her for a minute.

"Are you not hung over?" She shook her head and he rose an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I did get drunk, but I stopped before a lot of you guys did. I couldn't even stand straight, so I drank a lot of water and ate a lot of bread. Finn helped me." She stated simply, going back to her pan and flipping the bread.

"Lucky girl." He said, and she chuckled. She made him his plate.

"Here." He was happy because he was hungry. Gracefully, his stomach agreed with everything and the only thing he had was a headache. A few minutes later they were joined by Mercedes and Artie.

"Smells nice in here." Artie said with Mercedes pushing him. As soon as Puck saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, and she was wearing yoga style capris and a large t-shirt. She looked so homey and comfortable, Puck wanted to pull her back to bed so he could snuggle with her. He was so busy in his thoughts that he almost missed the small smile she gave him as she walked past. He quickly smiled back, and she reached for his toast. Taking a bite of it without his permission, she closed her eyes in satisfaction.

"Good?" He tried to collect his wits, but his voice came out weak.

"Extremely. Thanks for sharing." She winked, and he chuckled.

"Wheres mine?" Artie asked, eyeing Puck. Puck knew he didn't like him, it was fine. Sort of. He didn't usual care who did or didn't like him, but Artie it was different. He wanted to befriend anyone who was Mercedes' friend. Damn he had it so fucking bad, it was pathetic. Rachel made him some, and Mercedes. He noticed the two were completely normal.

"Are you guys not suffering at all from last night?" He asked them.

"Mm, my head's a little sore, other than that, I'm okay. I have to thank Artie though. He brought me water and stuff to help me." She looked at her best friend and winked.

"Someones gotta look out for you, baby girl!" He easily replied, and Puck thought he could've done that. He still didn't know what it meant to truly like a girl. He was still new to this, but he definitely took notes for later.

"You know I love you, Artie." She said simply, and he shrugged.

"The same way you know I love you." He answered, and she shrugged.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" Puck asked, and Artie eyed him.

"I prefer the term 'soulmate' ...and…?" He rose an eyebrow and Puck immediately backed off. Every fool knew that Artie and Brittany were perfect together. Even Puck knew Artie and Brittany had done the tango in their history, except their tango went smoothly now. Unlike his and Mercedes'. They kept doing the dance around each other, but never quite with each other.

By the time Mercedes finished her breakfast, just about everyone was sitting at Rachel's huge nook. She looked at the time and saw it was almost noon, and she needed to head home.

"I got to go." She said getting up to wash her dishes, but Rachel stopped her. "You sure?" She asked and the girl nodded.

"You're my guest! I got it! Besides, I know how pop Jones gets!" She said chuckling.

"Thank you so much Rachel, it was fun! And you're a great cook for a vegetarian." Everyone had to laugh then. She headed back to the basement to get her stuff when she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned around it was Puck. She quickly turned back to her bag. She was so grateful for her dark complexion, because had she been any lighter, her face would've been red.

"Mercedes could I have a ride?"

"I can't take any detours." She said, continuing on with her quest for her things, making sure she had everything. And thankful she didn't have to spend a car ride with him alone.

"Well, that works out perfectly, because I need to go to my grandmother's house." He said and she cringed.

"Then I don't see the problem." She said, clearly she couldn't make up any excuses without sounding like an asshole. At the confirmation, Puck grabbed his duffel, said his goodbyes and headed out with Mercedes.

"What about Artie and Tina?" Puck asked belatedly.

"Oh, Tina drove separately, so it was already agreed that Tina was taking Artie home."

"Why didn't you guys come together?"

"Tina had dinner with her parents. You know the Cohen-Chang tradition." She stated and shrugged it off. Puck noticed the air between them was a little strained. He debated if he should bring up the topic anyway, or if he should just wait till later.

The air ran thick in the car, and though he really wanted to see if she remembered last night the same way he did, he bit his tongue and held back what he wanted to say. He propped his arm against the door, and held up his head with his hand.

"So what are you doing today?" She asked him. He was so over everything it took him a while to answer. He lifted his head from his hand and started picking at his nails.

"Nothing, I guess. I know my grandma went to chuch, so…" He said in a bored tone. She looked over at him.

"I thought you were supposed to go to her house. But she's at church?" He shrugged, not caring that it was a lie, and he really needed to go home so he could rest. If he went to his grandmother's house, she'd work him to the bone. She'd make him clean the bathroom, and the patio, rake the yard, do whatever it is that she needed done.

"I don't know. Guess she just needs help around the house." He answered in the same bored that made him sound like an asshole.

"You're a good guy." She simply stated. He tried not to look at her so quickly, but he pretty much failed. He could tell she had her blush face on, and he could see a faint pinkness on her dark complexion.

"Thanks." He said warmly. He wanted nothing more than to bring up their little dance last night, but he chose not to. Sitting back in the chair, he closed his eyes and threw an arm over his face. He mostly thought about Mercedes, and as her scent was all around the car it reminded him more and more of last night. How she felt, and smelt. He snapped his arm off his face as he groaned loudly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Mercedes jumped. He scared her.

"Nothing." He snapped then winced at his tone. "Its just this headache won't go away." He said calmly, and they went back to their silence the rest of the ride home.

"Thanks for the ride." He said once they parked the car. "I'll see you."

"Bye." She said collecting her things. She watched as he walked away, she wondered if he remembered anything that happened last night and doubting he did from how much he drank.

"So what the hell was that last night?" Tina came up to Mercedes. She was the only one home since her brothers moved away to college not two weeks after Sebastian left and her parents had a meeting.

"You were there." She said, still finishing her outline for her english paper.

"Between you and Puck." Mercedes sighed, and put her pen down. "You guys kissed, didn't you?"

"No we did not kiss."

"Thats what it looked like when you were all bumpin and grindin'." She made a motion with her hips that made Mercedes burst into laughter.

"Well we didn't. I promise." Mercedes looked a little to disappointed for Tina's liking.

"Be careful, Mercedes. Your 'like' is showing." She rolled her eyes. If her knew anything about her best friend, it was that she tried her hardest to mask her feelings for this boy. Even if it was apparent as day, and nothing was standing in their way. Except their own stubbornness.

"Will you be quiet? Last night was because we were drunk. I told you I was over it. I meant it. You know I hate him because he's just an ass."

"No, you hate him because he confuses you." Tina corrected. Mercedes sometimes hated her bluntness. "And you know what they say. Hate, love, theres only one line separating them-"

"No, please don't say what I think you're going to say." Mercedes interrupted.

"And its a thin one." Tina continued not even a beat after her friend was done talking. Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"Luckily I know which side of the fence I'm on." Mercedes sassed, and Tina shook her head.

"Do you now?" Tina challenged. "Alright then, no more talk about that." She said after Mercedes shook her head at her question and went back to her own work.

Once again, Tina was 100% correct. She did hate him because he did confuse her. Usually, everywhere she looked, if a guy liked a girl, and danced with her the way he had, he'd go for it. But Puck never went for it. He had a 20 minute ride home in which he could've admitted anything he wanted to, but he was cold, shut out, and wasted it sleeping! They always said if a guy liked you, he'd go for it, wouldn't leave you guessing, and wouldn't leave you high and dry. She didn't have a lot of experience with guys, she only had one boyfriend for six months, and he was one of the most straight up guys she'd ever met, so she didn't have to worry about stupid shit like the kind that was going on with Puck. She hated the feeling he'd leave her with, and what was worse was, it wasn't always bad. He'd give her the cold shoulder, then pull some shit like stare at her, or smile at her. Or even something like last night.

"You could talk about it if you want." Well there was something that came to her mind just now.

"Okay, remember that night when he came and pointed to something imaginary at the sky then buckled my knee?" Tina nodded.

"The night you called him a punk and all those other names?"

"Yeah, and you told me to be warmer to him? I have been warmer to him, and he still refuses to remove that chip off his shoulder. Sure I was dancing with everyone, but I was dancing the closest to him, and you know how closed off I get." She said and she made sure to soften her tone at what she was about to say. "So Tina, I appreciate fully of your support for me to admit what you want me to, but sometimes its too much for me. Like now, and I need you to be that friend that I love, and back off for a little bit, okay?" Tina nodded. Mercedes never told her to butt out before.

"Yeah, okay." She said, and brought up nationals in New York. Mercedes internally groaned because though she told Tina just about everything about the trip in intermediate, she didn't tell her about the things that went on between her and Puck. Tina was always shelving their 'chemistry' and 'relationship' down her throat, so she kept that tidbit to herself. But talking about New York always made her have flashbacks of the last time she was there. Some of it painful because she was such an outcast, and some of it sweet because of the night Puck laid and just talked with her since she couldn't sleep.

Luckily enough Tina's mother called her phone to tell her to get home, and with that she was gone. Leaving Mercedes alone, finally the thing she wanted to be since the moment she fell asleep at Rachel's house.