I Don't Mean To Presume Chapter 10: 10 Get It Right, a glee fanfic

10 Get It Right

Rachel took a deep breath and looked around backstage. Finn was standing with Quinn, talking to her quietly while Puck and Artie were going over something with one of the band members. Brad was going over the music again while the Warblers left the stage. And she'd never felt more nervous in her life. Puck looked up as she was taking a sip from her lukewarm water bottle and grinned at her before leaving Artie with the band members. As he was making his way over Finn stepped between she and Puck, "Hey, Rachel, I just wanted to say that it's a great song, and you're gonna be awesome." The big quarterback told her with a smile.

"Thanks," Rachel managed to keep her voice level. Part of her wanted to know why he thought it was suddenly his place to encourage her when he never stuck up for her or even trusted her in the past. And part of her twisted, her heart remembering the last time they were here. "The last time we were here you said you loved me," She remembered quietly. Finn just looked awkward and uncomfortable and Rachel shook her head. "I guess forever isn't a long time for you Finn."

She looked past Finn's shoulder to see Puck pushing his way over, the glint in his eyes as he regarded Finn very telling of what he'd like to do to the quarterback, "Noah," She smiled happily, "You and Artie seem to have the band all straightened out."

"Yeah," Puck wrapped an arm around her shoulders supportively and kissed her forehead. "Just talkin' 'bout the timin' an' all. Some of the guys have some ideas 'bout Nationals." He seemed to be simply ignoring Finn in favor of talking to her.

"While I applaud their enthusiasm we have to win Regionals before we can even begin to think of Nationals," Rachel frowned. "Though their confidence is appreciated," She added as an afterthought.

"Yeah," Puck grinned down at her. "You're gonna be perfect angel," He told her simply.

"Well, I hope you know," Rachel looked up at her best friend and then regarded her ex-boyfriend for a moment before looking back at Noah. "I mean every word." She felt Noah's lips touch her forehead again before she had to take the stage.

Puck watched as Rachel walked away, a tiny little brunette with a voice as big as her heart, taking up a sparkling microphone from the top of Brad's piano before she stood center stage. "Just wanted to tell you man," He muttered to Finn who was still staring at Rachel. "Don't go messin' with her anymore. You're a fuckin' moron and she doesn't need that. She and Quinn deserve better."

"Puck you don't get to tell me what to do about Rachel," Finn hissed back at him defensively. "What we have is between me and her."

"She's my friend man," Puck muttered back. "If you think I'll let it slide this time, you screwin' around goin' back an' forth 'tween her and Quinn you'd better think again. I owe her better." He shook his head, "Now shut up. I wanna hear her sing." He settled back against the wall, able to see the stage and keep an eye on both Finn and half of the backstage area. The opening notes of the song had just died away and Rachel's voice was weeping through the air.

"What have I done? I wish I could run,
Away from this ship going under
Just trying to help hurt everyone else
Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders,"

Puck could feel his heart twisting in his chest under the weight of her words. He knew just how she felt, it was how he'd felt all last year, like his life had been hurtling out of control and no matter what he did he couldn't stop it. The chorus was everything that had resounded through him when he'd had to give up Beth.

"What can you do when your good isn't good enough
And all that you touch tumbles down?
Cause my best intentions
Keep making a mess of things,
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right, to get it right?"

His good wasn't ever good enough, not for Quinn, not for Mr. Schuester these days, not for his dad. It seemed like everything he touched went to shit, trying to help Quinn last year had gotten her pregnant. Doing what she wanted had screwed up his friendship with Finn beyond repair and nothing he did ever went right. She was starting the next verse and Puck knew just what she meant when she said she wanted to start over.

"Can I start again, with my faith shaken?
Cause I can't go back and undo this
I just have to stay and face my mistakes,
But if I get stronger and wiser, I'll get through this,"

She was the only good thing in his life that he hadn't screwed up, Puck realized with a half smile. With Rachel as his friend, if he could manage to keep being a friend to her, he could maybe survive his life. And he could protect her. That was the one thing he was good for. And she'd taught him that he had to face his mistakes, that he couldn't forgive himself, start over, if he didn't take ownership of his past. Tina and Brittany had joined her onstage and Puck smiled remembering how Rachel had insisted on those two, how their voices were perfect for the melodies they'd written.

"What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
And all that you touch tumbles down?
Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things,
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right?"

Puck knew that Rachel had written this song about Finn, about how her relationship with him was never right, how she always seemed to mess it up. But he'd told her once they'd finished the music for it that it meant different things to the people who'd heard it, that it resonated with him because of all his mistakes. That the song was about love to her, but to him it was about his life, that when the gleeks heard it they'd all have their own meanings they could ascribe to it. And she'd smiled and told him that was the best compliment he could give her.

Puck grinned at her and raised his fist in the air as she looked over towards the side of the stage where she could see him and Finn. Her smile was sweet and sad and then her eyes hardened with resolve as she belted out the bridge and the chorus.

"So I throw up my fist, throw a punch in the air,
And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair!
Yeah, I'll send out a wish, yeah, I'll send up a prayer
That finally someone will see how much I care,"

Puck listened as she held the final note, her voice soaring over the auditorium, igniting the crowd as the audience sprang to its feet in applause. She was singing her heart out, the heart she wore on her sleeve every day and for once, people were listening and loving what they heard. And then she was belting out the chorus one last time.

Puck took a deep shaking breath as Rachel's voice softened, her tone almost wistful as she sang the last line, making everyone realize that this wasn't just a song. This was her heart, this was her life, and just like everyone else she'd only get one chance to get it right. Then it was time to take his place in line, as Rachel exchanged mikes with one of the stagehands and introduced them all, striding onto the stage like they owned it. "Ladies and gentlemen, New Directions!"

The next five minutes of singing was some of the most fun he'd had, even if Puck was still really pissed at Mr. Schue for giving Finn the lead of a song he hadn't even helped to write. Rachel had even tried to argue, pointing out that Santana had done wonderfully at Sectionals and she should have a solo but Schuester hadn't been willing to listen. Even Rachel pointing out that without Puck and Santana and Mercedes they wouldn't have a song didn't make a dent in Mr. Schuester's stubborn. It was amazing how hard headed the teacher could be under that fro.

Puck caught sight of Kurt standing up and hollering his support in the audience and couldn't help grinning. Then they were doing the bridge and rocking out while Mike went to get the slushies and it was time for the final chorus everyone taking a cup and getting ready to throw, and the audience got doused in glitter. He couldn't stop grinning then, Rachel tucked under his arm with Artie on her other side.

Puck groaned as he watched Rachel dance with Jesse St. James. She'd assured him that she wasn't in love with the singer, she liked him well enough but he was very self centered and overly dramatic and coming from Rachel that was something. He and Lauren had come to Prom together and so far they were having fun. Brittany and Artie had broken up; Artie had lost his temper and called Britt stupid which was very uncool. Puck had seen where he was coming from, and Artie hadn't been totally wrong but still...it was a douche thing to say and Artie knew it.

It had been a crazy few months, after Regionals everybody had been pretty happy, then Sam's dad had lost his job, Finn had busted Rachel's nose, and Kurt had come back to McKinley. He and Kurt had managed to talk Rachel out of getting a nose job but he'd been seriously worried for a while that Rachel would try to turn herself into Quinn to get Finn back. They'd been alone in her room and Puck had seriously bared his soul telling her how beautiful she was, and nearly let on just how much he'd thought about kids with her and how beautiful they'd be. It had been worth it in the end because Rachel had left her nose alone and she was still his hot little Jewish American Princess but for a while there he'd been legit freaked out.

"Shit," Puck muttered as Finn stomped towards Jesse, "This ain't good." Lauren chuckled evilly and he looked at her, "Woman you're as bad as I am. Seriously, if her date gets thrown out Rache ain't gonna be havin' much fun."

"I was more thinking of how much less fun Quinn will have if her date gets tossed," Lauren retorted with a smirk. "'Sides, if Jesse gets thrown out Rache can hang with us. I think Chocolate Thunder is kinda takin' over Sam's attention."

Puck looked at her with a frown, "You sure you don't mind. I mean I know you like her but this is prom, don't wanna fuck it up for you Laur."

"Hell, the girl I like doesn't even know I'm alive," Lauren rolled her eyes. "I've just about given up on it. I have more fun hanging with you and Rache than I do pining after her." She groaned, "Though Diva's influence on me is serious weird. I just said 'pining' for fuck's sake."

"Cool," Puck grinned, "Because Coach Sue just ejected both our brawlers." He shook his head, "An' for once it weren't you or me babe."

"Armageddon must be on the way," Lauren chuckled. "C'mon, let's collect our girl; let 'er know she's got a ride home with us. We can hit the IHOP or somethin' on the way. Treat her to some pancakes."

Puck grinned, "Cool. 'Cause you know I gotta get a slow dance in with her right?"

"Just keep your hands off her excellent ass or Sue'll throw you out next," Lauren teased him as they started towards Rachel.

"I'm going to scream," Rachel declared as she plopped gracelessly down into her seat next to Puck in the choir room. "Mr. Schue still hasn't decided on songs. If we're going with originals we should be writing them already. We haven't so we need to decide on the music for Nationals. And Finn is making me crazy." She sighed and looked at Puck, "Why can't he leave me alone?"

"Not sure angel," Puck was frowning and Rachel couldn't help touching his cheek. He'd been such a good friend to her since he'd come back from Juvie. She'd been an idiot sometimes and overbearing and Puck just laughed off her crazy or called her on it and calmed her down. He'd stood up for her to Finn and the rest of the club and he'd been there for her in a way no one else had ever been. He was a better boyfriend than Finn was and he wasn't even dating or romantically interested in her. Acknowledging they had chemistry together was the closest they'd ever come to admitting an attraction and even that hadn't been referred to again.

"I'm done with him," Rachel said quietly. "Really done. As in if we weren't in Glee I wouldn't even speak to him." She sighed slightly, "Have I thanked you for all you've done for me this year Noah? You're my best friend. You've helped me and taken care of me and...I just was thinking I haven't done very much for you in return."

"Hell Rache, you're an awesome friend," Puck shook his head and set a hand on the back of her neck, his fingers rubbing away her tension automatically. "You help me keep my shit together. My grades are up 'cause you study with me an' I ain't been in as much trouble since I got outa Juvie thanks to you. Might just have a future outside a Lima 'cause you're my friend."

Rachel felt like purring as Puck's large hand gently squeezed and kneaded her neck muscles. He'd discovered at Prom that she seemed to carry all her tension in her neck and ever since then Puck had begun doing this whenever they sat together. "I owe you major cookies for the neck rubs alone Noah," She nearly moaned the words.

"Hell Rache, you ain't noticed but when you're not all tense and in pain you're a lot more laid back about who sings what," Puck chuckled as he gently turned her and began to use both hands on her neck and shoulders. "Lauren was laughin' so hard the other day when I started to rub your neck an' you lost track of the argument you two were having. It's almost as good as kissin' you to get you to shut up."

Rachel giggled and looked at him, "It's been more than two months you've been doing this, are you sure you don't want me to reciprocate?" She could feel her muscles melting, all the tension draining out of her body as Puck's muscular fingers worked on her neck and shoulders. "I could give you a lovely scalp massage. I seem to recall you enjoyed having your neck and scalp rubbed when we dated last year."

"Yeah," Puck grinned, "If you want me to turn around an' bend you over a chair for a good fuck that'd be the way to do it Rache." He gave her shoulder one last squeeze and turned her around. Rachel could see the wicked grin on his face as he spoke.

"Bad bad man," She shook her head. "I don't want to tease you Noah, I just want to help you relax."

"Orgasms are real good for that," Puck grinned at her impudently and she sighed in exasperation.

"Honestly Noah," Rachel rolled her eyes, "If you don't want me to touch you just say so." Part of her felt a little be hurt that Puck didn't want her touching him but at the same time, she was well aware of just how sensual Puck was. He related everything to the physical, to pleasure or pain. "You know I don't want to be a tease, I just..." She shrugged. "I feel like I take advantage of you sometimes."

"Hey," Puck's face had sobered and he tugged at her hair gently. "Ain't that at all," He told her quietly. "I just know my limits angel. An' you touchin' me... well that's just somethin' that'll put me to the edge pretty quick. You're honest Rache, an' I know if you touch me it's 'cause you want to, not to be popular or get back at someone or to show off that you can get some arm candy. You see me an' wanna touch me. Get's me goin' quicker'n anything any other chick could do."

"But I did use you when I found out about Finn and Santana, we made out and you...you kept me from going to far," Rachel shook her head. "I'm no better than any other girl."

"Aw Rache, that isn't the same an' you know it," Puck tugged on a curl, the smile on his face gentle. "You were upset an' you knew you could trust me to take care a ya. If we hadn't been friends you wouldn't a made out with me. I just stopped you 'cause I didn't wanna lose my best friend. Bein' your first... that's somethin' should go to a guy you love. Not 'cause you're pissed off at your boyfriend."

"You wouldn't have lost me," Rachel shook her head. "You're a better boyfriend when you aren't my boyfriend than Finn ever was when we were actually dating." She rolled her eyes in frustration, "That sounded incredibly convoluted but you know what I mean. I wouldn't ever have given you up Noah. Even if we had had sex, we'd have been awkward for a bit but I'd like to think we would have gotten past that."

"An' when Finn found out?" Puck made a disturbing point, "He already tried to tell me I had ta stay away from you, 'cause you were his. If he'd found out that we had sex, there's no way he woulda let me anywhere near you ever again. An' I'da lost you anyway."

"I find it more than a little disturbing that you believe I would let Finn choose my friends," Rachel frowned at him. "But I see your point that he would have made life difficult for both of us." She sighed slightly as Artie rolled into the choir room, the rest of the club behind him, "I wouldn't have ever regretted being with you like that though Noah," She murmured to him finally. "Because I know I can trust you. You would have taken care of me, made sure it didn't hurt too much, I doubt that Finn could ever say the same."

"That's 'cause I'm a stud baby," Puck had put his mask of the badass back on but his eyes were still green with affection and Rachel couldn't help smiling at him.

"Of course you are Noah," She agreed. "Everyone knows this." Rachel slipped her arm around his affectionately and waited for Mr. Schuester to come in and begin telling them how important Nationals were and how they couldn't afford to waste anymore time while he wasted time telling them that very thing. Rachel sighed in irritation and felt Puck's fingers pat hers reassuringly.

"We'll figure it out Rache, worryin' about it won't change nothin'," Puck murmured for her ears alone.

"I know," Rachel nodded slowly. His words were more appropriate than he knew. Ever since Prom, ever since she'd sworn off boys and dating and really began working on straightening out her head she'd been realizing just how important Noah was to her. He was kind and sweet and the most important person in her world that wasn't related to her. She was perilously close to being in love with him if she wasn't already and she had no idea what to do about it. No matter what she couldn't risk doing anything before Nationals. They'd all gotten distracted by Prom and then the funeral and Finn had dumped Quinn and while none of that was her fault she was extremely aware that by being more talented she was also a bigger target when things went wrong. If she did anything to draw the ire of her fellow glee clubbers all the blame for failure would fall on her, regardless of fault. If she got into relationship drama and messed up the clubs chances at the competition they'd throw her out of the club altogether.

Author's Note: Sorry this one is a little shorter that the others but the next one will be longer. We blitzed through a few episodes because frankly I didn't find them terribly interesting and I really wanted to get the story moving. And I hope everyone will be patient for a while longer. We're getting closer and I think you'll all be pleased with the next couple chapters.

I'd love to hear what all of you think so please review and let me know. Thanks for reading.