Okay I'm just gonna go ahead and beg for you all not to throw various objects at me for taking so long for posting this chapter. I'm very super duper sorry I got sucked into a new OTP and my Puckleberry muses left me but they have returned and provide all you beautiful people with this new chapter enjoy this chapter I'm actually really glad how it turned out
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, if I did well everyone know what I would do because I ship Puckleberry!
LAST CHAPTER…
Little did they know that the universe had only just started its plans for Puckleberry!
Rachel and Puck had spent the rest of the weekend just thinking of what was going to happen come Monday. Puck decided he didn't want to screw anything up so it was all up to Rachel. Rachel spent her he whole weekend practically with her head in a pillow, thinking so hard she got a headache. But when Monday rolled around she hadn't come any closer to coming up with any choice of how to deal with her feelings for Puck. She decided to see what happens. She climbed into her car and took a deep breath. 'Here goes everything' she thought.
To her surprise the day ran more smoothly then she thought it would, the gleeks acted as if nothing had happened (because technically they didn't know anything had changed) and Finn stayed back but everyone was wary of him, knowing that although he wasn't the brightest or devious he could still screw things up. By glee Rachel was in a good state of mind and ready for anything, at least she thought she was until Mr. Shuster made the announcement.
She was sitting next to Mike and Tina while Puck was down below talking to Artie. Everyone could see Puck and Rachel avoiding each other. Rachel and Mike were in an argument over what was better, Hairspray or A Chorus Line.
"How could you even compare the two? Hairspray obviously wins." Rachel said and Mike rolled his eyes, "Oh please Rachel, Hairspray has does have a good story line but A Chorus Line is way more personal and real, it totally trumps it."
Tina just laughed at both of them.
"God I feel like I'm drowning in theater geek." Santana muttered, and for once everyone laughed knowing she wasn't purposely making fun of them.
Then the bell rang and Finn and Mr. Sheu entered, Finn took his seat in the front, not talking or looking at anyone. But Rachel had a feeling something was about to happen. Mr. Shuster clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Okay people now as I said yesterday I had to make some changes to our set list and that's because several of you came to me yesterday and said that Rachel and Finn shouldn't sing together anymore. After asking Finn, I'm sorry Rachel I couldn't find you to ask you, but Finn shared the same opinion the others had and came to me this morning saying he was bowing out."
Rachel blinked in surprise and looked around seeing Kurt, Tina and surprisingly Mercedes smiling and giving her a thumbs up. She smiled back and was truly touched the three of them would know how uncomfortable singing with Finn would make her. Rachel settled down thinking that was it but Mr. Sheu continued.
"Now I went through who could sing with Rachel at regionals unless you want to entirely switch it up?" Mr. Sheu asked looking first at Rachel.
Her first reaction was to loudly protest of him squandering her talent but then stopped herself when she thought of how the others had helped her. She took a deep breath, "I'm okay with anything the team wants to do." Rachel said, a few snickered at Rachel's words, which she seemed to be forcing out against her will.
"Mr. Sheu we all know that Rachel is best on the love songs, she kicks up the emotions until the whole audience is practically sobbing. She should definitely stay." Kurt said and the others nodded their approval. Rachel beamed, Mr. Shuster seemed satisfied with this, "Alright then, I was prepared for that also." He turned and faced the piano taking several piles of papers out, "I went over several past performances of the rest of the guys in glee and have found the best new male lead for Rachel would be…."
Then Mr. Sheu turned and sealed Rachel's fate.
"Puck."
Puck who had been half paying attention and lazily strumming his guitar snapped his head up when his name was called and his hand slipped down his guitar making a loud ugly noise echo in the room. Rachel sat in her seat basically just staring at Mr. Shuster as her stomach preformed a Ringly Brothers trapeze act.
'Oh God no, not now, how can I…..' Rachel thought.
And then her and Puck turned toward each other, Rachel thought she saw a spark of something in Puck's eye but then it was replaced by his usual cocky look and he stood up.
"Well come on Berry lets see what you've got."
Rachel stared at him for a moment, was it possible he didn't feel anything last Friday night? Was it only her? Rachel stood up to walk to the front of the room.
"But wait Mr. Sheu I said-" Finn started to protest but Mr. Sheu quickly silenced him.
"Yes Finn I remember your suggestion but I found they didn't match up as well as Rachel and Puck can. I have a good feeling about these two." Mr. Sheu said with a smile and handed them both the music. The glee club was all trying to hold in their smiles and giggles but almost lost it when Brittany turned to them and started bouncing in her seat mouthing Puckleberry. At the front of the room Puck and Rachel looked over the music while Mr. Sheu kept talking to them.
"Now I know we usually go for 80's classic rock with this song but that's more Finn's genre. So I want to explore a little with you two. Lets just start with this today and see how it goes. Rachel of course takes the higher key."
They both nodded, each of them to lost in there thoughts but as the music started Rachel took a breath and tried to shut out her personal feelings, 'It's just a song.' She thought. Then her eyes snapped up and she grinned at Puck and started skipping around him,
Bold: Rachel Italic: Puck
Underlined: Both
Authors Note: I do not own "I'll Cover You" that belongs to the amazing genius Jonathan Larson
Live in my house
I'll give you shelter
Just pay me back
With one thousand kisses
Be my lover
I'll cover you
Rachel wrapped her arms around Puck's upper arm and grinned up at him Puck seemed to jump when Rachel touched him but when he saw her smiling face he slowly grinned back.
Open your door
I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage
To lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I got to spare
I'll be there
And I'll cover you
He then spun her away from him and just like that they were in a world all there own. Rachel ran around the piano and Puck went to the other side.
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you are my love
Rachel hopped up on the piano and slid towards Puck until they were right in front of each other
On life be my life
Puck grabbed Rachel and spun her around before putting her next to him Rachel giggled and smiled. She then took Puck's hand and started pulling him farther in the room
Just slip me on
I'll be your blanket
Whenever wherever
I'll be your coat
Rachel then turned and playfully bowed to him feeling as if it were just her and Noah playing pretend
You'll be my king
And I'll be your castle
Puck totally forgetting there were others in the room grabbed Rachel's hands and pulled her right against him
No you'll be my queen
And I'll be your moat
Rachel pulled away a little from Puck and started making him dance around the room
I think they meant it
When they said you cant buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you are my love
On life
All my life
I've long to discover
Something as true as this is
Rachel and Puck slowly pulled apart and Rachel ran over to the piano bench and sat next to Brad. Puck smiled and slowly approached her
So with a thousand sweet kisses (If your cold and your lonely) I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses (If you've got one nickel only) I'll cover you
Puck stood in front of Rachel; she quickly jumped up and ran to the other side of the piano but slowly walked towards each other
With a thousand sweet kisses (When your worn out and tired) I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses (When your hear has expired) I'll cover you
They both arrived in front of each other inches apart
Oh lover I'll cover you
Yeah yeah yeah
Puck slowly took Rachel's hand in his, she looked down at there now intertwined hands then back up at Puck his hypnotizing green eyes.
Oh lover I'll cover you
The music faded and the applause came, they could both her Mr. Sheu in the background saying that was great but they could find something better. But neither of them heard anything, all they realized was that at that moment they could both cross the few inches between them and kiss and that scared Rachel how much she wanted to.
It was official, she didn't know when it happened or if it was always there but Rachel loved Puck. But at the same time she loved Finn. Still she was confused and hurt and didn't know what to do, so she did the only thing she thought to do.
She pushed herself out of Puck's arms and ran out the door to the sound of Mr. Sheu and the gleeks calling her name. Puck stood there frozen for a few minutes just staring at the spot Rachel had just vacated. Until he heard someone shout his name before throwing his backpack at his head.
He turned to the source angry only to see to his surprise Sam standing next to him holding Rachel's bag that she forgot to grab on her escape.
"What the hell are you doing? Go after her."
Puck looked at Sam and he could see Sam understood everything that was going on, 'man he can surprise you' Puck thought as he slowly took Rachel's bag out of Sam's hands.
"What the hell are you doing?" Finn shouted. Sam turned to Finn and Puck started running out of that room knowing there was going to be a fight.
When he thought of Rachel's face at the end of that song, how she seemed to realize something like as if she just realized she could love him. It made Puck fill with utter joy, but then he remembered how quickly her face changed from surprise and happiness to fear and confusion. He ran faster, he ran out the front doors to the senior parking lot. He cursed as the rain was pouring down, of course it was raining. He ran through the cars looking for Rachel's stupid tiny Prius.
Then suddenly he saw it and watched as she pulled out of her parking space. Without even thinking Puck ran until he was right in front of Rachel's car. It jumped as it pulled to a quick stop. Puck stood there and watched as the driver door opened and Rachel ran up to him and wacked him.
"What the hell Noah I could have killed you!" she said glaring at him clearly upset that she almost hurt him. Puck slowly handed Rachel her bag.
" You forgot this."
She looked down at her bag in Puck's hands; she looked up at him seeing in his face that there was so much more he wanted to say. She sighed as he just looked at her; she took her bag out of his hands.
"Go home Noah." She said and started to walk back to her car. Seeing her walk away snapped Puck out if his frozen state. He walked up to her and grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around. Rachel was so surprised she yelped and dropped her bag.
"I know you felt it." He said. Rachel just stared at Puck, "that night, at the bowling ally and just now in glee you felt it."
Rachel then looked at him sadly knowing exactly what he was talking about.
"Rachel?" he said uncertainly when she looked down at the ground.
"Noah I…"
"Please Rachel I just need to know."
Rachel sighed and looked up at his face, "Yes Noah I felt it."
Puck felt as if all the breath had been knocked out if him, as he started to smile he heard, "But I also still love Finn."
And once again the breath was knocked out of him but not in happiness. Rachel looked at Noah's face then squirmed out of his grip.
"I love both of you and I don't know what to do. He hurt me I'm not supposed to be in love with him. And I can't fall in love with you this quick it's not possible. I'm sorry Noah I just don't know what to do." Rachel said and then both of them just stood in the rain staring at each other.
Puck sighed knowing how much he just wanted to grab Rachel and never let her go but he knew he couldn't do that.
"Then you need time to yourself." He slowly said. " Just by yourself, you need to find what you want, make more friends." He grinned a little before saying, "Find that loud dramatic girl that is my best friend."
Rachel stared at him, "But what about you?" she asked fearfully.
Puck then chuckled at this but not happily, "Rach I have been waiting since 7th grade I think I can wait longer."
Rachel looked astonished at Puck's confession.
"Noah I don't want you to spend your whole life waiting for me to decide."
Puck just stared at her a forced grin on his face. He shrugged but Rachel shook her head, "No Noah, I cant do that to you." She said then stared at the ground.
"Just give me a little time." She said looking back at him, " Till the end of this year." She told him, "If by the last day of school I still haven't decided I want you…" Rachel hesitated, "to move on."
"Rachel I cant just-"
"Please Noah."
Noah sighed and looked at her begging face, "Fine." He said, "till the end of the year."
Rachel sighed, "Okay." She said and then picked up her bag and looked at Puck, "Still friends?" she said hesitantly.
Puck smiled, " You can't get rid of me that easily." He said, she then walked to her car and got in. Puck moved out of the way and watched as the car drove off. He sighed
"I'll be waiting…."
TO BE CONTINUED…