I AM SO SORRY! I didn't mean to take this long to update I just got caught up in my senior musical auditions and college visits. But both have ended and just to make it up to you wonderful people I am going to try to put two chapters up today. If not then the next day. Also since I got into my senior musical they have us working from 6-9 several days a week so I'm going to try to finish this story before practice gets hectic, but anyway on with the story! AGAIN I AM SO SORRY AND BEG FOR ALL OF YOUR FORGIVNESS

Last Time….

Puck laughed, some things never change…

"Strike, Strike, Strike!"

"You know the funny thing about chanting strike? It doesn't do anything."

Puck burst out laughing at Mercedes response to Matt's continuous chanting. Matt just grinned "Aw come on Mercedes I'm giving you good luck."

"It will be good luck if I don't whack you with one of these." Mercedes held up the bowling ball and Matt laughed as he put his hands up and sat down in defeat.

They were at the bowling ally and it was better then Puck remembered, Mike and Matt ranting about good luck, Rachel jumping up and down and screaming every time she got close to a strike. But now he had the added benefit of having Mercedes sass and Tina's random sarcastic comments.

"I don't know why we didn't add you two sooner." Puck said when Mercedes came back from her turn, which she did get a strike she was in the process of shoving the smirk off Matt's face.

"Because you weren't aware of our vast awesomeness we had." Tina said and fists bumped Mercedes. Mike laughed while Puck rolled his eyes, " Yeah that's why." He said sarcastically.

Rachel laughed and Puck grinned, she looked really happy, happier then she had in a long time. Puck mentally patted himself on the back. 'You put that smile on her face Puckerman, you did that.' Just as Puck was on cloud nine he felt something whack him in the head. 'Ow! What?'

Puck looked to find Mike holding there scorecards rolled up like a bat, 'that's probably the thing that wacked me' Puck thought.

"Yo Puck you want to get out of your head? There's nothing in their dude." Puck glared and whacked Mike back.

"Are you two done?" They both looked up to see Rachel trying to look authoritative. It was lost because she looked as if she was holding in laughter.

"It's our turn Noah, and since we need some strikes and spares to get ahead of Mercedes and Matt I need your help." Puck got up and walked to the lane with Rachel.

"Hey who said helping was allowed?" Mercedes called.

"When you joined and started kicking all of our asses, even with Matt's sucky bowling skills." Puck called over his shoulder.

"I'm going to ignore that because currently we are winning." Matt said. Puck turned to see Matt and Mercedes hi fiving, Mercedes was giggling and smiling away.

'Oh yeah there is definitely something going on there.'

Puck turned back to see Rachel getting ready to throw the bowling ball. Puck sighed she was already doing about 10 things wrong.

"Okay Berry, stop before you hurt yourself or someone." Puck said, he got behind her and wrapped his arms around her, positioning her hands.

Rachel jumped when his arms wrapped around her, they were so warm and she thought they had gotten even bigger then they were last year. Rachel looked up into Noah's face to see him smiling at her.

"You really suck at this Rach." He said

The way he said it was meant good naturedly, with his soft smile and teasing tone it automatically made Rachel's stomach flip and her face heat up. She ducked down and tried to focus instantly banishing the feelings that had suddenly creeped up.

Puck chuckled as he watched Rachel look up at him and then look down in embarrassment. 'She's really cute when she gets flustered. Whoa! Puck stop right there. Shut that down right now because it's not gonna happen. She just got out of a really dramatic relationship she needs friends right now only friends.' But Puck couldn't help but move her a little closer to him as he helped her guide the ball and didn't let go when Rachel threw the bowling ball. They stopped and watched it fly down the lane to make a strike.

"Yes!" Rachel squealed as she jumped out of Puck's arms, he grinned, laughing at her excitement. Rachel turned and jumped on Puck, he quickly caught her and returned the hug.

"I did it Noah!"

"Yeah Rach, that was great." He said, they kept hugging and laughing.

"Um excuse me? Love connection?" someone said and they both turned to see Tina standing there grinning, "It's Puck's turn and we would like to finish the game before morning." The girl said. Rachel and Puck quickly stepped away from each other and awkwardly stood there.

"Right my turn." Puck said and then reached for a bowling ball. Rachel nodded and went back to the group's booth and sat in her seat. She watched as across from her as Matt and Mercedes sat close together looking over the scorecard. It looked like they were trying to figure out if they could be beaten but Rachel saw how they would occasionally touch and then separate. As if they were just electrocuted, she knew there was a spark between them.

"So" Tina said as she sat next to Rachel, "What was that?" She asked. Rachel turned to Tina

"What was what?"

"Are you kidding me Rachel, you and Puck were practically making out!"

Rachel could feel her face heating up again, "I have no idea of what you are referring to." Rachel said quietly encouraging Tina to do the same.

"Right Rachel just be in denial, that's healthy." Tina said more quietly. Rachel sighed, she knew what Tina was talking about but she could not start that right now. She had just broken up with Finn, any feelings she might have just couldn't happen right now.

"I am not in denial." Rachel told Tina, she snorted

"Okay Rachel."

Rachel glared at Tina, "Why don't you go bother Mercedes about Matt."

Tina looked at the two teenagers, still whispering and giggling over the score sheet.

"Good idea." Tina said, and then turned back to Rachel " But this is not over."

Rachel sighed she put her head down and closed her eyes. She did not need this right now its not possible to get over one person and be into another person this quickly. She felt someone tap her shoulder; she opened her eyes to see the very person causing her this headache that was forming.

"Hey other Asian said we had to grab the food." Puck said, Rachel sighed and got up.

'Okay don't screw this up Puckerman' Puck thought to himself 'She is just a friend, that is it.' Or at least that's what he tried to tell himself, but that all went out the window when he looked over and saw her, 'Dammit why does she have to be so God damn freakin hot!' Puck thought.

Most people thought Rachel was okay looking on a good day, but they were all insane if they didn't see what Puck saw. They saw Rachel being super competitive, what they didn't see is her sparkling eyes after she won something. And her walking around practically bouncing with her whole being seeming to glow. What people saw was Rachel barging into other people's business. They didn't see her at home looking up countless notes and songs for everyone's keys or finding ways to get slushy out of clothes easier and faster. They just saw the uptight mental chick that talked too much; they didn't see the true passion and dedication and well beauty of the girl underneath.

'And now you have reached Sapville on the corner of totally whipped with you as the mayor' Puck muttered to himself trying to snap himself out of the daydream to see Rachel standing by the snack counter. Paying for the tray covered with food. Puck shook his head to get himself out of the daze and ran up to help her knowing there were a few meat related entrees Rachel wouldn't want to get near.

"I got this." He said as he reached for the tray as she tried to balance it, and in that second their hands touched.

You know that moment that happens? Like when Romeo and Juliet's eyes met or that scene in The Princess Bride, when Buttercup realized she loved Westly. Well when Puck and Rachel's hands touched it was at that second that Puck realized he was in love with Rachel and Rachel realized she could love Puck.

To say that surprised them both shitless is an understatement. Rachel leaped back from Noah, causing the tray to tip forward. Puck who was still in shock couldn't catch it in time resulting in the soda spilling all over him, they both stood there for a second.

Rachel didn't know what to do as she stared at Puck that touch, that one simple touch had awakened feelings she had never felt when she was with Finn. Feelings she had only felt a spark of last year, when she was with Noah. Noah of course was freaking out inside. Knowing that if he loved Rachel, well it was one thing to ignore her if he liked her. But love? He had no idea what to do.

"Hey Puck, walk much?" someone said from behind Rachel making her jump. Matt passed Rachel and took the tray from Puck letting the last of the spilled drinks fall to the floor. He started laughing at Puck who was still standing there in shock with soda dripping down his shirt.

"Come on guys your up soon." Matt called as he walked back with the food.

Puck and Rachel looked at each other again. Rachel then took a deep breath, having no other choice but to lock those feelings down.

"Come on Noah." She said smiling, "Lets kick their Asses."

She then walked off and Puck slowly followed a few minutes later.

When they were done Matt offered to give Mercedes a ride home. They left to Mike and Puck making kissing noises at them. Tina and Mike left soon after that, leaving Puck to drive Rachel home.

They stood in the parking lot in silence for a few minutes before Puck sighed and started gesturing for Rachel to follow him to his truck. They both climbed in and Puck started the drive back to her house. It was silent in the car, neither of them knowing what to say. Both had been able to hide the awkwardness between them for the rest of the game. But now their friends were gone and there was no one left to clear the sexual tension between them. Puck quickly got tired of the silence and turned on his radio.

He then concluded that the universe hated him as the opening lines of Sweet Caroline started to play. He went to change it when Rachel reached out her hand to stop him. She stopped before she touched him.

"Leave it, this is one of my favorites."

They both readjusted themselves so they were more comfortable and let the music fill the car, making them both smile. Soon they arrived at Rachel's house. Rachel opened the car door and got out she then turned to Puck.

"Thank you for everything your doing Noah."

He shrugged, "What are friends for?"

She paused and then nodded her head while closing the door. As Rachel walked to her house and Puck drove away one thought played in their minds and scared them both. Friends was the last thing they wanted to be.

Little did they know that the universe had only just started its plans for Puckleberry!

TO BE CONTINUED….