PREVIOUSLY: All of the New Directions had their first Counselling, and Puck in particular was giving a strange Counselor. Zac Gifford. Who knowing his drinking history, and him being on the wagon for 32 days, ended up placing a bottle of whiskey and a glass in front of Puck. What will happen?
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And now the continuation
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CHAPTER 27 - REUNITED
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Puck stared at the bottle.
"Are you fucking serious, Dude?"
"Yes I'm serious. You are free to have a drink."
Puck looked up at Zac in disbelief.
"Are you pulling my leg?"
"No."
"Dude, I've signed a contract with Mr Baxter, stating that I wasn't allowed to touch a drop for a year while I was here, otherwise I'd have to pay double back to him. There is no way I am touching the stuff."
"What you say in here, Puck, stays in here. What you do in here, stays in here. If you want to have a drink, that stays between me and you."
Puck looked at the bottle. Zac picked it up, and opened it and poured some of it, into the glass.
"Go ahead, have a drink, Puck."
Puck looked at it, and got up, he walked towards the door. There was a clicking sound, as the door was locking. Puck looked back to see Zac holding a door remote.
"What kind of head shrink are you? Are you fucking serious? I haven't touched a drop for 32 days. What makes you think that will help. Please let me out so I can go and complain to Mr Baxter."
"Relax Puck," said Zac calmly "This is just an exercise."
"EXERCISE?" yelled Puck "What kind of fucking exercise? Drinking to get drunk? Get off the wagon? What?"
"A memory exercise."
Puck stared at Zac angrily.
"Please sit down, Puck."
"Take that away first."
Zac drunk what was in the glass, and then placed both the glass and the bottle back in the box.
"You're fucking crazy," said Puck
"Am I?"
Puck walked back over to his seat, and sat down. Zac sat down on his seat.
"At least we know that you're very good with not wanting to touch another drink," said Zac
"You have no idea," replied Puck "I so wanted to grab that glass."
"You have amazing will power Puck, which is a good thing. I want to try that exercise again, but I want you to just concentrate as it will bring your memory back of Tina want's you to remember. Can you give it a try?"
Puck just sat there "I'll try."
Zac gently pulled the bottle back out of the box, and placed it in front of Puck.
"All I want you to do is to listen to my voice, and concentrate on the bottle. If at any time it gets too much we can stop. Do you understand?"
"Sure. As long as we don't discuss the party. Do YOU understand?"
"Yes," smiled Zac "Are you ready?"
"Let's just try it," replied Puck
"Okay, so focus on the bottle."
Puck focused hard on the bottle, his body was screaming out for at least a drop.
"How much do you want to grab that bottle?" asked Zac studying Puck
"Badly. I want it so bad."
"Instead of thinking of how badly you want the bottle, I want you to focus on the bottle, and think back to the morning after what happened the night before."
Puck focused hard on the bottle. He focused hard. He tried to think about the day after and the bottle became a blur, he started to see faces.
"What are you focusing on now Puck?"
"Faces?"
"Who's faces?"
"Finn's, Kurt's, Sam's, and Artie's."
"Where are you?"
Puck focused hard.
"The choir room,"
"What are you guys doing in the choir room?"
"Talking!"
"Can you remember what you are talking about?"
Puck focused hard. He could feel the pain. The pain of the night before. The pain was coming. Puck's face looked like it was in pain.
"Block out the pain, Puck, block it out."
"I can't, it's too painful."
The choir room disappeared, and then the faces disappeared. Puck saw the bottle again. He leaned forward exhausted.
Zac took the bottle away, and placed it in the box. He picked up the box.
"That was a really great first up try Puck, you should be proud of yourself. Not many people get it at their first attempt."
"Can we try again?" asked Puck exhausted
"I'm not going to recommend it. That pain was too much for you to handle."
"How long before I can try again then?"
Zac put the box back in the cupboard, and shut the cupboard.
"Properly... Tomorrow at this time."
"If I do it by myself, is it possible?'
"I wouldn't recommend it."
"But is it possible?'
"It is possible, but if you're going to do it without proper supervision, please have someone with you, who can help pull you back from brink of grabbing a drink."
"Thanks for the advice," said Puck
"You have done well for your first session Puck. Hopefully tomorrow we can focus on a bit more."
"Are we finished?"
"Yeah the hour has flown by. You may feel tired for a hour or so, but you'll come right."
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All of the New Directions finished their first mandatory counselling session. None of them addressed the events leading into the 10 year break. They all had refused to discuss it. Instead they had focused on other things.
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The New Directions now had their first 3 hour break. Most of them chose to stay back to recover from their first counselling session.
Instead Kurt and Blaine went to see Burt, Kurt's Dad. Finn and Rachel went to see Carole, Finn's Mum. And Puck just chose to get out.
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HUMMEL CAR SERVICE
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Kurt and Blaine were driven into the Hummel Car Service by Kurt's minder. Blaine's minder was seated in the front passenger seat.
"Do you two have to come in?" asked Kurt
"We can wait out here," said Kurt's minder "Providing you don't use the back way out!"
"Would we do that?" asked Blaine "Don't answer that."
Kurt got out, followed by Blaine.
"Wow," said Blaine looking at the building "Your Dad's certainly built this up well."
"That he has," smiled Kurt
"Are you okay about seeing him?"
"Yes, I wouldn't be here otherwise. Shall we go?"
"We shall," replied Blaine
Kurt and Blaine, headed for the main office and walked in. A young guy was at reception.
"Hi I'm Kirk, how may I help you?"
"Hi Kirk," said Kurt "I'm looking for Burt Hummel."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, not really."
"Oh okay. Mr Hummel doesn't really like non appointments from off of the street. I can pass you on to Jacob Masters, his 3rd in command."
"That's okay," replied Kurt "Mr Hummel will do."
"Are you sure?" asked Kirk
"Yes," said Blaine "Something tells us he will be pleasantly surprised."
"Okay," said Kirk
Kirk went to the intercom.
"Mr Hummel, please report to reception please. Repeat... Mr Hummel to reception."
"Thank you Kirk," smiled Blaine
"Well don't blame me if he's a bit rude," said Kirk "I did warn you."
"Yes you did," smiled Blaine
A couple of minutes later the door to the work shop opened and Burt's voice could be heard.
"By gosh Kirk, I don't have an appointment at this time. This better be good."
Burt walked through the door, and when he saw who was standing there he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes were wide.
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Blaine was smiling. Kurt just stood there too. Trying not to smile.
"Kurt?" said Burt
"Hi Dad."
Kirk looked from Kurt to Burt. Burt walked from where he stood, over to Kurt, and gave him a massive hug. He looked at Blaine and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"How are you son?"
"I'm good Dad, I'm good. Well now I am."
"What are you guys doing? Are you and Blaine back together? Hi Blaine. Has this got something to do with Finn?"
"Dad you're hugging me too tight, I can't breathe.."
"Sorry son."
Burt stopped hugging his son.
"Hi Burt," laughed Blaine
"Yes," said Kurt "I'm with Finn here in Lima... We're all back together as the New Directions... Blaine, and I are working things out and taking it day by day..."
"That's good to hear. So where are you staying?"
"We've had a training base built for us at the old site of McKinley High."
"Wow that dude who met with Finn must be richer than his elder brother."
"No he's just a committed fan of the New Directions," said Blaine
"Where is Finn?"
"He and Rachel have gone to see Carole!" replied Kurt
"Rachel Berry?"
"Yes Dad."
"Baxter found Rachel? He must have had some resources."
"I wouldn't know, Dad. But she's not the same old Rachel, it's like she's had a nervous breakdown. She won't talk about it. Mercedes, and Mr Baxter knows, and maybe Finn does too."
"I'm sure being back around the group may help," said Burt "So if you are at a training base, where can we see you for a meal?"
"Probably Sunday would be best," said Blaine
"So I'll organize it with Carole, and you four can come around for tea on Sunday."
"Sounds great," smiled Blaine
"Yea," smiled Kurt
"Come and join me for a cuppa," said Burt heading towards his office.
Kurt and Blaine followed Burt.
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Finn and Rachel were driven to the Hummel-Hudsons house by Finn's minder. Rachel's minder was in the front passenger seat.
"Do want us to come?" asked Finn's minder
"No it's okay, we're only going inside," said Finn "Are you ready babe?"
"Yes," smiled Rachel
Finn got out of the car, and waited for Rachel, before gently grabbing her had. They kissed. Then Finn led her down the drive way to the front door.
"Are you okay?" asked Finn
"Yes," said Rachel quietly
"It's going to be okay," said Finn giving Rachel a quick hug "It's just my mum, she loves you like I do."
"I know," smiled Rachel
Finn knocked on the door, and they waited.
Two minutes later the door opened.
"Yes." came Carole's voice
Carole then saw her son.
"Finny is that you?
"Yes Mum," smiled Finn
Carole gave Finn a big hug, and while she was hugging Finn, she saw Rachel
"Rachel, honey, is that you?"
"Yes ma'am," smiled Rachel
Carole went from Finn to Rachel, and gave her a massive hug.
"Are you okay girl?"
"No, not really," said Rachel as she started sobbing
"It's okay," said Carole looking at Finn "You're okay."
"I'm sorry," replied Rachel "It's just too much."
"I know, why don't you guys come inside."
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Finn sat on the couch with Rachel by his side, and they both drinking a cup of cocoa.
"I'm glad you two are back together. You are strong with each other side by side. It's really good to see you Rachel. Finn missed you so much."
"I know he did," said Rachel looking at Finn "I found out yesterday about the whole story."
"Finn would never kiss anyone if he was with you. You two are suited to one another!"
"Well, we're back together again," smiled Finn
"So Kurt is with his father," said Carole looking at her phone, who received a text "There'll be a tea for you guys on Sunday. It'll be good to have everyone back together."
"We free on Sunday hey Rach?" asked Finn
"Yea," smiled Rachel back "Where ever you go, I go."
"Too right," replied Finn
"How is Kurt?" asked Carole "Burt's been so worried about him."
"He's okay," said Finn "He looked a bit cave manish when we first saw him, but he's good."
"Cave manish? What had he been doing?"
"Keeping to himself," said Finn
"Are you happy being back among the New Directions, son?"
"It has it's moments!" replied Finn
"Too many dramas sometimes," said Rachel "Especially in the last 24 hours."
"Has anything been resolved since the break up?" asked Carole
"No, not really."
"I'm sure thing will work themselves out, they have to in order for you guys to work together."
"They will," said Finn
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While Kurt and Blaine was with Burt, and Finn and Rachel was with Carole, Puck had ventured out as well.
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He was in the pub that Michael had found him in 5 weeks before. He was staring at a bottle of whiskey. He had been staring at it for half an hour.
"So are you going to drink it Mr Puckerman?" came Michael's voice
Puck didn't look around "Nope."
"You could so easily touch a drop, and be released from your contrac, and your pain will be over so much."
"You'd like that wouldn't you?" said Puck
"No actually I wouldn't, I like you Mr Puckerman. You're talented and you need to stay a part of this team, even if you don't see it yourself."
"Whatever Dude. How did you know I was here?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
Puck looked towards the door and saw his minder.
"Do all minders report to you? If that is so, we aren't safe."
"No, just the ones who think the situation, need sorting out. What is it that you are trying to do?"
"Were you aware your so called Head Shrink offered me a drink as part of the session today?"
"No. Did you take a drink?"
"That's between me and the Head Shrink, but no I didn't. He was showing me away to remember."
"Remember what?"
"To remember what's so important to Cohen-Chang."
"Why Cohen-Chang?"
"I do not know, but it's bugging me, she's bugging me, and she won't tell me. So I'm trying to remember how the Head Shrink did it. But it's not working."
"So maybe you shouldn't try too hard. How about I give you a lift back to the Training Center?"
Puck stared at the bottle again, and tried to focus hard.
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Suddenly he saw a flash, and there was a choir room room. Finn, Kurt, Sam, and Artie's faces flashed in and out. And then all he saw was Raven's face. And then the pain, oh the pain, came searing back. Everything disappeared.
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"God dam it," said Puck lunging forward.
"I take it, you saw stuff," said Michael "And then couldn't keep attention focused on it?"
"Yes," whispered Puck looking at the ground "Always the pain. Just too much of it."
"You're going to have to face it to deal with the pain, so you are able to find that memory that you need."
"Are you a head shrink now?"
"No, but I've been there and done that. Come on let me take you back to base."
"Okay," said Puck
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Will Puck ever be able remember what happened to him that day after the incident? Is Rachel okay?
All this and more to come.