Author's Note: So folks the rating is M for lemons for a reason. I'm going with the idea that you all know thats a possibility now and unless there's something I think might really freak ya'll out I won't put a note at the beginning of the chapter anymore. That being said... enjoy the story.
17 Questions and Assignments
Puck sent Rachel a grin and jerked his head towards Artie and Santana. Rachel blinked and tilted her head as if she was trying to figure it out and then just grinned. Mike came up to Puck and nudged him, "So what's the deal with you and Rachel?"
"She's my girl," Puck shrugged and took a sip of his soda. Rachel was having a going away party for Sam. Apparently his dad had gotten a job in Virginia or someplace like that and he was moving in another week. Money would still be tight but at least his dad would have a job and that was a good thing. Of course Rachel couldn't let one of her friends leave without at least giving him a goodbye party. Weird thing was Quinn hadn't bothered to even send a 'no thanks' text or voice mail. She'd dropped off the radar completely. Sam and Mercedes were acting really clingy with each other and Santana was hanging out with Artie. Summer always brought on the weirdness with Glee club, it just seemed a little weirder this year. "Whats the scoop with Artie and Satan?"
"Brittany doesn't want to be tied down to anyone right now," Mike was able to explain his frequent dance partner's motives. "Santana and Artie started hanging out mostly because they knew what the other was going through. Dunno what's really up there." He aimed a look at Puck, "So you and Rachel... the whole summer so far?"
"Dude, what're you tryin' to say?" Puck sighed, " Just spit it out 'cause I don't have time for this shit. Gotta help Hiram and LeRoy with the grill in another minute."
"Actually that answers my question," Mike grinned. "I sorta worried about Rachel ever since Christmas last year. She was doin' okay but not great. And then Nationals happened, and Finn's been out of school since."
"Yeah, we hafta go to court when school starts," Puck rolled his eyes, "Its kinda stupid how long it takes to get a trial goin' but apparently when its two people involved and not say, a dumb kid doin' somethin' blatantly illegal like tryin' to steal an ATM shit is twice as complicated. Add to that that Finn ain't precisely a minor the way I was an' its a lot more complicated."
"Kurt don't seem too upset with you," Mike noticed. "An' Rachel is pretty...pleased it looks like." He tilted his head at the tiny diva. "What is that huge ass ring on her hand? Did you get her some brass knuckles? 'Cause that girl is scary enough without the weaponry."
"Kurt gets that it ain't mine or Rachel's fault," Puck shrugged and began to move towards the grill to get it set up. Mike followed him, apparently he hadn't gotten his full quota of info yet, and Puck set about getting the charcoal ready and lighting it up. "Dude what do you want to know?"
"You ain't takin' advantage of our diva are you?" Mike asked quietly, "I don't think you would, you were pretty protective of her all last year. But it's hard to tell with you Puck," He looked over at Rachel who was talking earnestly to Sam about something and beckoning for Lauren to join them. "You play things pretty close to the vest so I just...well I like her and Tina likes her and I felt like shit for all the crap everyone laid on her last year. I just don't want that to happen again."
"It ain't gonna," Puck told him flatly. "Firstly because my fuckin' probation is up and if anyone so much as drips a slushy on her I'mma kick their ass." He grinned as Rachel came over to him and snugged herself into his side as if she belonged there, which she did, fuck you all very much. "Second because she and Finn are done and I don't gotta tolerate his Fidiocy around Rachel anymore. An' I don't gotta try and be friends with him since he nearly killed my ass and put me in a coma for a week." He heard Rachel's breath catch as it always did when she thought of that week and kissed the top of her head, "Its okay baby, I'm fine, standin' right here," He reassured her without a second thought and continued on his little rant to Mike, "Third, she's my girl and where she goes I go. So I'm done with cougars and Cheeri-hos and random hookups. And if alla ya'll don' like it you can just go fu-"
Rachel's hand over his mouth cut him off, "Daddy's about to come out and you're trying to watch your language around him," She reminded him. "But I believe Noah's point was that if people don't like that he and I are each others number one priority they can go take a flying leap of a tall building. I don't believe Lima is harboring the next Kal-El."
"Hells yeah for the DC comics reference!" Artie rolled up to them and high fived Rachel, Santana pushing his chair with a wry smile on her face.
"I've been hanging out with this one so much I think I've picked up geek like a disease," The Latina Cheerio grinned, "Because even I got that one."
Rachel laughed as her dad began to bring out burgers, tofu burgers and hot dogs, all kosher, "Noah didn't realize he was dating the closeted queen of the geeks." She laughed, "I'm trying to ease him into my kingdom."
"Throw me in head first baby," Puck kissed the top of her head, "Anyplace you rule is gonna be awesome."
Rachel shook her head wryly as Sam and Mercedes came up, everyone now congregating by the picnic tables and chatting with Hiram and LeRoy. Blaine was earnestly debating football with Mike now, Brittany and Tina were talking with Kurt who had dragged Lauren over with him and all three were trying to convince Kurt of something. And unfortunately for her, Rachel was about to find out what it was, "Hey B," Lauren called with a smile. "C'mere."
"I have to start bringing out the food in a minute Lauren," Rachel kissed Puck's cheek before she slid out from under his arm and joined the other four. "But what can I do for you?"
"Just wanted to see somethin'," Lauren put a finger under Rachel's chin and smiled slightly. "Uh huh," She looked at Kurt, "You sure about this? Things could get broken."
"It's a valid test of the hypothesis," Kurt nodded and Rachel looked at the two of them curiously before regarding Brittany and Tina both of whom shrugged.
"Okay, here goes," Lauren tapped Rachel's chin gently, "Don't hit me B, okay?"
"Why would I-" Rachel's words were cut off as Lauren's mouth descended upon hers. The girl's lips were warm and gentle and sweet and it was a nice kiss but Rachel wasn't feeling at all comfortable and began to back up to get away. Lauren's lips followed hers until there was a loud, very angry, shout and Rachel was under Puck's arm again, the boy every inch the protective and irate boyfriend.
"What. The. Fuck." Puck glared at Lauren when the girl wrestler sighed and tilted her head towards the male diva. "Someone talk. Now. Before I break out the guns and start breakin' teeth."
Rachel patted his chest gently, "It's all right Noah, Lauren didn't hurt me." She took a deep breath and snuggled more securely into his side, "I think Kurt wanted to see what would happen. He and Lauren were arguing and she asked that I not hit her."
"I want an explanation," Puck's voice was icy and his hazel eyes were dark with anger, "Fuckin' now Hummel."
"Lauren and Brittany were of the opinion that should anyone attempt to...woo Rachel away from you that you would react just as you did," Tina spoke up since Kurt was opening and closing his mouth and no sound was emerging. "Kurt thought that you would be more laid back about it. He thought you'd holler at Lauren to knock it off, especially since she wasn't hanging onto Rachel or anything."
"And what'd you think?" Puck asked with a dark look at the other three.
"That experimenting with a volatile substance is a bad idea without appropriate safety protocols," Tina said dryly. "Basically I don't throw gasoline on a fire."
"You're the smartest of the bunch," Puck growled. "Hummel, lemme get this straight with you. She is my girl. You think I'm possessive of my shit? You ain't seen nothin'. I like my truck an' I like my jacket an' my jersey, but I fuckin' love Rachel."
"What the hell is that on your hand?" Kurt, typically, ignored the immediate threat to focus on something else, grabbing Rachel's left hand and looking at the large class ring on her ring finger.
"Damn Puckerman, you did it," Lauren raised her fist for a bump and Puck rolled his eyes and grudgingly returned the gesture. "So where you got hers? No way it'd fit on your fingers."
Puck pulled out the chain Rachel had given him, a manly flat open link gold chain that was, she'd said, in keeping with his BAMF personality and his guns. It was long enough that he could tuck her ring under his shirt if he was working. "Rache got me a chain so I could wear hers," He explained. "It don't fit on my pinky finger."
Rachel giggled, "That's because nothing about you is diminutive Noah." Her laugh was like a fallen angel and Lauren chuckled along with her. Puck felt blood start rushing to his not diminutive groin and groaned.
"Baby you gotta stop sayin' shit like that 'fore I lose my mind," He muttered into her ear. "Hummel do you an' me got an understandin'?"
"Of what," Hummel was still staring at the ring in horror, "You've proposed and you're going to keep my diva here away from the stage that is her rightful future?"
"What the fuck kind of guy do you think I am?" Puck roared angrily. All conversation around them ground to a halt. "Are you nuts? I love her, why the fuck would I do that to her?" He took a deep breath and looked around; only in the eyes of LeRoy and Hiram, and Lauren did he see faith. Rachel was looking up at him with a smile of contentment, secure in his promise to her. So six people out of everyone who was supposed to matter in his life. To be fair Santana probably would be on his side if she knew what was going on, Artie, Sam and Mike were just as clueless. Blaine had no idea what was happening. "Seriously ya'll really think I'm that kinda guy? That I'd fuckin' hold her down to keep her with me?" He shook his head, "Do I look like fuckin' Finn? Really?"
"What are you talkin' about?" Santana asked the pertinent question with a threat in her voice towards whomever had upset her boy so badly.
"Kurt accused Noah of proposing to me in an attempt to keep me in Lima because I am wearing Noah's class ring," Rachel said in her clear crisp voice. "Noah is protesting vehemently that he would never do such a horrible thing to me because he isn't Finn Hudson."
"So why are you wearing Puck's ring," Santana asked curiously, "An' why's he got yours around his neck?"
"Because I'm his girlfriend, and he's my boyfriend and I'm not going to wear his name around my neck like a brand," Rachel rolled her eyes. "Noah promised me something when he gave me this ring. It's important to me and no it's not marriage. But I am not taking it off, ever, until he asks me to, so I don't want to hear another word about it." She looked at Kurt witheringly, "And I'm disappointed in you Kurt Hummel, that you would think I'd give up my dreams to stay here regardless of who proposed to me. I'm even more disappointed that you think Noah would do that to me. Noah, who has known me longer than any of you; Noah, who hasn't ever tried to change me."
"That's something else weird right there," Mike chuckled, "Puck was explaining to me about him and Rache and how he'd protect her, violently if need be, and Rachel was standing right there and didn't even lecture him about it. Only thing she did was remind him not to swear 'cause he wanted to watch his language in front of her parents." He looked at the rest of the group, "When has Rachel Berry ever condoned violence or allowed it to be even contemplated upon her behalf." He looked at Rachel, "What gives Berry? You been replaced by a pod person?"
"There is no puppet master in my head Michael," Rachel rolled her eyes. "Honestly, what kind of a person would I be if I said I love Noah the way he is and then immediately tried to change him?" She shook her head, "He's never asked me to change. Sure he kisses me to shut me up if I go on about something too long, but he never tells me to stop talking or that I'm boring. He didn't even do that when we dated sophomore year. Unlike Finn, Noah has never been ashamed or embarrassed to be seen with me. If he doesn't like my clothes he doesn't say anything, he just appreciates what he does like about them."
"Like the view a your awesome legs," Puck sighed as he looked down at Rachel's legs, gorgeous slender things he fantasized nightly about having wrapped around his waist. "Damn baby."
"Exactly," Rachel nodded. "Noah is a physical creature," When Lauren chuckled Rachel rolled her eyes, "Yes that too, but he relates most things to the physical. If I'm upset he asks who he should go hit. If he's happy he kisses me. When he's upset he goes and hits a sandbag. It's not all that he is but physicality is an integral part of him. So when he's threatening to beat up the jocks who slushy me I know he's just being protective and I'll attempt to remind him that I hate it when he gets hurt."
"So he hasn't proposed," Kurt clarified.
"You are fixated on me proposing to Rachel," Puck tilted his head sideways to examine the boy as if that would help him comprehend Kurt better. "Dude what the fuck? Did we get transported to Kentucky? She's not even eighteen yet."
"Maybe I'm fixated on it because I knew that someone else was planning on proposing to her their senior year," Kurt said slowly, "A plan that has since been derailed, rather violently, by Rachel refusing to get back together with him."
"You really do think I'm dumb as a bag a rocks," Puck shook his head in exasperation. "I've known since I was what..." He looked at Rachel, "Were we five or six?"
"You were four years old, both of you," Hiram called cheerfully. "Rachel had just won her first baby pageant for dancing. She came to show off her crown and she said she'd share with you."
Puck laughed, "Shit yeah, my ma still has a picture of us with that crown half on each of our heads." He shook his head. "So I've known Rachel Berry was headed to Broadway since I was four because that was all she ever talked about." He looked down at his girlfriend and squeezed her affectionately. "You kept goin' on about Maria an' then it was... Belle I think," He shrugged and looked at Kurt. "Point is, I can't know and like Rachel without knowing she was always headed to New York."
"Then what are you going to do when you graduate," Kurt asked as if graduation was some sort of catastrophic event.
"Fuck this," Puck shook his head. "Would someone explain to this kid that I am not dumb as a box a rocks please?" He turned and began to tug Rachel towards the grill. "Me an' my girl here we're gonna get the rest of the food for all a ya."
Rachel pushed Noah against the kitchen table and sat him in a chair, "Kurt has never truly seen your better qualities Noah, so don't let him bother you." She said sternly. "Our real friends know you and believe in you. Artie knows you. Lauren and Santana and I believe in you."
Her boyfriend, the BAMF whose reputation had successfully kept Karofsky and Azimio in line after Nationals, looked up at her miserably, "It isn't that angel, well it isn't all that," He sighed. "Didn't any of 'em notice at all? That I been studyin'? I've been workin' really hard baby an' its like they don't even see it. I didn't get in hardly any fights last year. You an' Artie an' Lauren, ya'll kept my ass in line. They're supposed to be our friends and they're all fuckin' surprised by the idea that graduation won't be the end of the line for us? Hell even if I don't get into college in New York that don't mean I'll let you go without me. Just means I get a job when I'm there an' I get residency and hit a community college or somethin'."
"I know baby," Rachel nudged his legs apart and stood closer to him, rubbing her hands over his scalp and soothing him. "I know you're going to come to New York with me. You're going to get into Columbia or some other NYU college, maybe get a football scholarship, or a musical scholarship. Or you'll work and go to school part time. We can get an apartment and save on student housing."
"You got no idea how good it feels to hear you say that," Puck told her. "I'mma talk to Coach Beiste this year too. Tryin' to plan for the future you know?"
"I know," Rachel pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I love you baby, I promise, we're going to New York, together, come hell or high water."
"Damn right," Puck nodded. "C'mon, lets get the food out there before someone comes lookin' for us."
"Too late," LeRoy Berry entered the kitchen and smiled as he leaned against the counter. "Noah, I don't want you to worry too much. I've got friends at NYU and Hiram has contacts with half of New York. Even if you don't end up with a scholarship, we're pretty sure we can get you started up there. If anyone deserves a clean slate in a new city it's you."
"I 'ppreciate that Mr. Berry," Puck nodded, his voice a little hoarse. "Just isn't...easy you know? Goin' against what everybody expects. 'Specially when they're s'posed to be your friends."
"If it's any consolation, Artie laid into Kurt and Lauren seemed very upset by his behavior. Santana is still furiously swearing in Spanish and Brittany is the only one who can calm her down." LeRoy picked up a bowl of potato salad and shook his head, "The rest of the group is still trying to figure out what's going on. You two don't talk to them much do you?" He walked out the door.
Rachel looked down at Puck and smiled ruefully, "I guess we'd better get going with the food."
"Yeah," Puck nodded, "Rache, I really do love you." He held the hand that bore his ring, "And if I have my way, the only way I'll ever take this off your finger is to put a different one on. But that don't mean we'd leave New York. You're Broadway and I'm never gonna get in the way of that. I just...I want you to know it isn't like I never thought about proposing. It's more... shit we aren't even eighteen you know? And when we're outa college and all, that's when proposals are supposed to happen. Rabbi says you gotta be a whole person to give yourself away. Can't propose when I'm not finished growing into myself."
"I understand completely," Rachel smiled at him, "And that is why I said yes to wearing this ring and your promise. And that is why I'm with you. Because I couldn't agree with you more," She gently tugged him out of the chair and moved to the counter and the rest of the food. "When we do get to that point... Promise me that you'll do it because you want to. Not because of what you said here. Growing up and being whole people means change."
"Baby, I can't imagine a day when I won't love you," Puck grinned. "Or a day when you don't make me crazy. But I promise." He grabbed the coleslaw and a tray of vegetables, "C'mon lets feed the ravening hordes."
"Brains, brains," Rachel giggled as she grabbed a bowl and pushed the door open.
Puck took a deep breath and looked at Rachel, "So the court date's set," He said quietly. "Finn's gonna be back at school when we start." He was prepared for Rachel to be upset. He wasn't prepared for Rachel to start breathing rapidly and gasping for air. "Baby," He grabbed her and began rubbing her back, "Breathe, Rachel goddamnit don't do this to me, fuckin' breathe angel," he demanded pushing her diaphragm in and out until she started to calm down.
Finally she was clutching at his shirt and hiding her face so he wouldn't see her crying, an old habit she'd developed when it seemed everyone in the damn school was out to provoke her tears. "I'm sorry Noah, I didn't mean to scare you. I just...I thought of him hitting you... all that blood and..." She shuddered. "I'll be all right I just... damn it, I don't want him to make me afraid for the rest of my life."
"He won't," Puck promised recklessly. "But if the idea of him scares you this much...maybe your dads oughta have a word about him bein' in Glee. I sure as hell don't want him on the football team with me."
"That reminds me, how many boys have you shown my pictures to?" Rachel asked softly.
"Mike, Sam, Artie, an' I showed Lauren 'cause you know she thinks you're pretty hot." Puck told her promptly, "Plannin' once practice starts, talkin' to Coach, askin' if I can keep my phone locked up in her desk."
"Thank you," Rachel sighed slightly. "Its not that I don't trust you, but if any of the boys Finn is close to told him about the pictures...I doubt it would do anything to calm the situation."
"Yeah you're right about that," Puck agreed with a sigh. "But until everything is settled in court... there isn't much we can do about Finn being at school. Knowing Schue he'll be in the Glee club for sure."
Rachel shook her head, "Well I suppose I'll do my best to stay out of his way." She looked at her boyfriend. "Will Coach Beiste let him back on the team?"
"Dunno," Puck sighed, "She might since Sam's gone, he's the only quarterback we've got."
"That really stinks," Rachel shook her head. "I'll talk to my daddy and see if there's anything we can do but legally he probably would have done it already." She pressed a kiss to Puck's cheek, "How's your mom doing with this?"
"Oh she's pretty pissed. Glad your dad is helping her with the DA an' all," Puck groaned slightly and pulled Rachel up where he could kiss her properly. "Baby, this maybe shallow an' stupid but if I don't kiss you an' feel like I'm alive I might just go crazy."
Rachel's dark chocolate eyes warmed and she draped her arms around his neck, "Well I can't have you going crazy, who'll keep me from losin' my shit?" She teased before pressing her mouth to his, her lips were sweet and hot and Puck groaned into her mouth.
"Love you baby," He muttered as he kissed her neck. "Don' worry. I won't let Finn start anything with me."
"More worried about Glee," Rachel murmured softly. Her dads and Puck's mom had gone to Figgins and demanded that Mr. Schuester be replaced as director or at least that someone else be appointed co-director but none of the other teachers wanted the responsibility. Ms. Pillsberry would have done it but she and Coach Beiste were going to handle the school play and wouldn't have the extra time for Glee club. "But we'll deal with it." She kissed him again and moaned as his hands slid under her shirt to find her breasts and squeeze. "You won't stop kissing me when we're at school will you," She moaned the question. "I'm seriously addicted to your kisses Noah."
"Don't think I could if I tried," Puck admitted as he slid his hand under her bra. "Wish we didn't hafta stop this in a few... you get me so hard baby." He found her nipple and rubbed his thumb over it feeling every breathy sigh and moan she uttered go straight to his cock.
"Hmm... I could take care of you," Rachel slid her hand down to his jeans and deftly unbuttoned his fly, her hand finding his cock unerringly.
"Damn angel," Puck groaned, "Not until I take care a you. Ladies first Rache," He slipped his hand under her skirt and found her panties, soaked wet and groaned at the feel of her hot pussy under his hand. "C'mere baby, gonna make you come, wanna feel you," He kiss her, devouring her mouth as he slid his fingers inside her, felt and heard her cry out in pleasure and rubbed his thumb over her sensitive little clit. She was rocking against his fingers, shuddering and moaning into his mouth even as her hand kept stroking his cock.
"Noah," Rachel moaned when he tore his mouth from hers to suck on the skin at the base of her neck before kissing her again. "Baby please," Her hips twitched as his fingers worked in her and he felt her body clutching his fingers deep inside, that spasming of her muscles as he pressed deeper, and then the tremors rolling into waves into tsunamis through her body, bucking and jerking against his hand, her voice echoing in his head as he drank in Rachel's cries. Before he could take a breath or even smile at her a little smugly Puck was painfully conscious of how close Rachel had gotten him, her hand tugging and pulling at his dick with the other slid under his shirt and teased the nipple he used to have pierced. And it was all over for him, she'd driven him to the brink with the sheer eroticism of her orgasm and now she was going to drive him right over.
"Rache, fuck," Puck groaned into her mouth as her slender hand expertly worked his cock, "God baby you're good, fuck angel," He cursed in a broken groan as his orgasm broke over him like an avalanche, no warning, just a steep fall and he was gone, his seed jutting out over her hand.
Groaning he grabbed for a tissue and cleaned her up, kissing her hard on the mouth before he licked his own fingers and groaned again at the taste of her. "Baby you oughta be x-rated," He told her with a half grin.
"You make me like this Noah," Rachel smiled in dreamy satisfaction. "I certainly never behaved like that with anyone else."
"Hmm…" Puck wrapped her up in his arms and cuddled her as she gently cleaned him up and fixed his clothes. "I gotta go get Bekah soon, an' your dads'll be home," He sighed. "Shit I hate leavin' you."
"It's entirely mutual baby," Rachel sat up and kissed him tenderly. "Senior year in a week. It's hard to believe somehow."
Puck nodded his agreement as he reluctantly pushed himself off her bed, "I'm just trying to think of it as one step closer to getting outta this town."
"Noah Daddy says NYU doesn't have a football program," Rachel murmured worriedly.
"But they got basketball," Puck grinned at her. "Don't worry baby, everything will be all right."
"You realize you're quoting the Beach Boys?" Rachel giggled at him and he smirked. He loved making her laugh.
"C'mon, walk me out an' I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?" Puck kissed her and scooped her up in a hug.
"Very well," She sighed in resignation of his going.
Puck grinned and tilted his head towards the choir room. It was only their third day back, the first two being taken up with auditions and meetings. This would be the first real meeting of Glee since last year. The good news was that Principal Figgins had decided Finn could not join any extracurricular activity for two weeks, he wanted to be sure Finn wasn't going to go ballistic apparently. The bad news was that it was only two weeks and then Finn would be back in Glee and on the football team.
He nearly laughed when Rachel took his hand and began pulling him into the choir room. "Didn't know you missed this room so much," He teased. "An' what's this?" He pointed at an eight inch square tin on top of her books.
"Cookies for Brad and the band," Rachel smiled. "As a thank you for all their work."
"Awesome," Puck grinned and opened the door for her so she could put everything down. Lounging in his chair he watched as she approached the accompanist and handed him the tin, her cheerful voice chattering away about how glad she was he played for them and she knew he was underappreciated but she understood all the work he and the band members put in.
"It's just a little thank you for you guys since you'll be putting up with us again this year," She finished with a smile.
Brad and the guys swarmed the cookie tin and when the glee clubbers started to come in the pianist hid the tin quickly. Puck smothered a grin, he didn't blame the man. Rachel's sugar cookies were like crack.
Mr. Schuester entered the room and began his spiel about hard work and this was their year until Puck was thinking he'd rather be running laps than listen to another word. Rachel was leaning against him, her head resting lazily on his shoulder, half on his chair with him. Finally Schuester wrote something on the board, 'Nine Inch Nails', and turned to the club, "I have assignments for you."
"Of course you do," Rachel muttered and Puck hid a smile in her hair while he helped her sit up and more fully into her own chair. "Useless as always," She added under her breath.
Puck stifled a laugh and looked at their teacher, "What's the assignment?" As if he couldn't guess from what was written on the board. How this would prepare them for competitions he couldn't figure, but then he'd never figured out Mr. Schue.
"Nine Inch Nails. I want you all to do something out of your comfort zones so I'm assigning you songs. You can work in pairs if you want but no duets," Mr. Schuester held up a hat and began to read out names as he drew them. Puck blinked as he realized exactly which song Rachel was supposed to sing and turned to look at her. No, she had absolutely no idea or her eyes would be narrowing when she looked at Schuester.
"Mr. Schue are you—" He began to ask and was cut off abruptly.
"I'm not changing assignments and none of you are allowed to switch," Schuester interrupted him flatly. "Sing what you've been assigned or don't, but these assignments and how hard you work on them will affect how solos are distributed in the coming year."
Puck heard Santana curse under her breath and mutter to Brittany, "Mr. Schue is growing balls at the totally wrong time." At that point Puck just gave up trying to figure anything out and took Rachel's hand.
Rachel raised her other hand at that point and waited silently for Schuester to acknowledge her. When he nodded after five minutes of pointless talking just to prove he could, Rachel was irritated but to the point, "You said no duets. Will we be allowed backup singers to convey the proper sound? If I'm recalling correctly some of these songs are very layered in their lyrics, words overlapping. That's difficult to do with only one voice unless you have a digital sampler."
"You can use backups if you can get someone to sing with you," The teacher sounded like he was already tired of hearing Rachel's voice. "Or if you can arrange for digital vocals I'll allow those too."
There was an exclamation of relief from Kurt who'd been assigned Dead Souls. Puck grinned, Rachel had just earned herself one backup singer and from the look on Blaine's face he wouldn't mind helping out either.
Puck had reluctantly picked up his sister from school since her baby sitter was having emergency oral surgery. Since Rachel had been with him she'd insisted they go back to her house and hang out to do homework. She'd feed them and send them home with leftovers for Esther so their mother didn't have to cook. Puck hadn't expected to have fun over at Rachel's house since his sister was there, but Rachel had made sure she had tons of snacks and pulled out Disney animated movies for Bekah to watch while they did their homework. He knew the exact minute she downloaded the song she was supposed to sing because her eyes got huge. "Oh my god!" She squeaked, his girl actually squeaked and she turned the volume down with a hasty look at Bekah. She must have gotten to the cursing in the chorus.
"Thought it'd be something like Seals and Croft?" He asked with a not unsympathetic grin.
"With Nine Inch Nails I was just hoping for something not pornographic," Rachel shook her head. "Noah, I really… I'm not sure I can do this."
"Yeah, I know how you feel, even though he gave me a pretty easy one considering all my shit," Puck nodded, "But you can do 'Closer' gorgeous." He stared at her over the geography book. "I know you can. Ask me how."
"How?" Rachel's voice was worried but her eyes were fixed on his.
"Because of what went down in my room the other day," Puck grinned wryly, "No pun intended," She blushed; damn she was cute when she blushed for him, "Any woman with all that inside her? You just tap into what you were feeling then..." He grinned as her lips parted, tongue moistening them and stifled a groan when his body reacted. "Because any girl who could scream like that…you won't have any trouble with this song."
Rachel frowned and nodded and hit a button on her ipod. "You know if you're one of my backups Mr. Schuester will have a fit."
"Yeah, but I saw the look on Kurt and Blaine's faces, they won't mind helping you out," Puck grinned at her. "And Schuester did say we've got a week."
"Yes, you're absolutely right," Rachel got a new look of determination on her face and began making notes in her musical binder.
Puck grinned to himself and pulled out his calculus book, she had a fire lit under her now, watch out Mr. Schuester.
Author's Note: So what do we think? This is the calm before the storm because in a very short while Finn will be back. And oh boy will everything hit the fan then.