Chapter Five: Getting To Know You

Quinn was getting to go home now. It was a few days after she lost the baby. She was glad to be going. She was getting all the paperwork signed. Puck was coming to pick her up. She was glad that Puck was coming. She hadn't really talked to Jesse about the baby. He knew that they'd lost it, but not anything about how Quinn felt. She mostly couldn't put it into words. She was almost finished with her paperwork. She was wondering what it would be like to actually work at things with Puck. She was really very nervous. What would it be like? She couldn't imagine what she would do without him, actually. Quinn was glad that she admitted that to herself. She had to try harder to be with Puck. He cared about her, even after she hurt him. Quinn thought that was amazing and she was very flattered. She was looking at all the cards she'd gotten from all her friends. Most of them were very beautiful and sentimental. Some were written by those who were unsure of what to say. Quinn expected that, she'd lost a baby. Most people didn't know what to say in that situation. She didn't blame anyone for what they had said. She ran her hand through her long blonde hair. She adjusted her bed, wondering when Puck was getting there.

That's when there was a knock on the door. It was Jesse. He was carrying a bunch of flowers. He put them on the table with some of the others. Jesse sat down in the chair next to Quinn's bed. He ran his hand through his curly hair. He let out a deep breath. Jesse wanted to talk about the loss of the baby. He just didn't know how. It was a touchy subject, and especially since it hadn't been that long since it had happened. Jesse couldn't find the right words. He didn't want Quinn to start crying. He still couldn't believe that it had happened. Jesse sighed. He took one of her hands in his. Quinn didn't pull her hand away, and Jesse didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. "I'm sorry, for starters." Jesse said, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

Lifting her hazel eyes to Jesse's, Quinn let out a sharp breath. She didn't know how to talk about this. She let out another breath. Quinn felt awful that she'd lost the baby. She didn't want to talk about it really. "Jesse, I do not know how to talk about this with you." She replied. Quinn looked out of the window for a second. She was trying to find the words that she wanted to use. It wasn't fair that she had lost her baby. Quinn had been looking forward to getting the baby's room ready and all of the things that came with it. Then it was taken away from her. Quinn didn't know what she had done to deserve all this bad stuff that was happening. Quinn had thought she was a pretty good person. Since she had thought that she was a good person, she didn't think she deserved anything that was happening to her. She was without her memories, she had lost her baby, she had treated her poor husband like shit, and whatever else was going to happen. Quinn was tired of things happening. She just wanted to go back to her real life. It was just annoying because she didn't really know what it was. "I do not know how to deal with any of this…" Quinn replied, shaking her head.

It was not as if Jesse knew how to deal with it, either. He had never lost a baby before. Mainly because he had always been careful before. Jesse had wanted to avoid this very situation. Jesse was not going to be a good parent. He was sure of it. He cared too much about himself to care about anyone else. Deep down, he supposed that he cared about Quinn, but it's not like it mattered. Jesse did not want to come between Quinn and Puck anymore than he already had. Jesse hated feeling guilty, and he felt guilty enough. He wasn't going to do anything that would make it feel worse. Jesse sighed and shrugging, replied, "It's not like I know what I'm doing either. I still am sorry it happened. At least it's not going to happen again. You are going to go back to Puckerman and you two going to work things out. It's what's best for everyone." This was most certainly true. Jesse didn't know he wasn't going to feel guilty about this all the time. He was sure that he was going to. This was the worst thing he'd ever done.

Quinn listened while he talked. She was not sure why she was even still listening to Jesse. They didn't have anything else to say to each other. They didn't need to discuss losing the baby. Quinn didn't think her sanity could take it. And her sanity was barely holding on as it was. She really didn't know how she was supposed to get through any of this Quinn was a strong person. She knew that much. She was letting out a deep breath. "Jesse, would you just go? I don't want to talk about any of this. I don't want to bury it because I won't get over it but I don't want to discuss it with you. This is hurting me right now. This talking to you. I need you to go, please." She wasn't crying yet but if he didn't get go she might. "Please." She added.

As Jesse was getting up, Puck came in the room. He was carrying a big suitcase for Quinn to put her things in. He gave Jesse a glare. "What are you doing here, St. James?" He asked Jesse. He sat down on the side of Quinn's bed. He kept himself in between the two of them. He was trying to give Jesse a message that he should stay away from Quinn. Jesse was backing up even more, and Puck was heartened. Maybe Jesse was giving up. That would be great. Puck ran a hand over his head. "How could you think that it was a good idea to come here? Quinn just lost your baby. Why would she want to see you?" Puck asked, rolling his eyes. He met Jesse's eyes. "Just go. And don't come back. I don't need you ruining my wife's life any more than you already have." He snapped. Normally Puck would have to worry about Quinn thinking he was being too overprotective. Right now she didn't remember that, so it wasn't so bad. Puck liked being a little protective. It showed that you cared. Quinn had always disagreed. But it was okay. Puck was longing for the real Quinn back. He wanted for her to be annoyed with him being overprotective. He just hoped she'd get her memories back. The longer she went without them the longer he got worried that she'd never get them back.

The fact that Puck was angry at him for being here was not a surprise. Jesse would have expected it. He ran his hand through his hair again. Jesse wasn't going to argue with him. He did want to leave. "It's okay, I'm on my way out. You don't have to worry about me hurting Quinn anymore." He told Puck. Jesse kept his eyes averted from Quinn's, so as not to hurt her any more than she already had been. "I'll see you both some other time." Jesse said. He ducked from the room and headed down the hall.

Quinn's hand found its way to Puck's, and their fingers were laced together. She dropped her gaze to the bag Puck had brought. "Is that for all of my things?" She asked. There was more going home with her than she had to the hospital with. She didn't want to take any of the flowers home. It would just remind her of what she had lost. "Please. Leave the flowers here. I don't want to take them with us." She told him. She had not been officially checked out yet. She ran her hand through her hair again. Puck was looking around the room at all her things, as if trying to decide what to pack first. Quinn let out a breath and stared out the window. Her hand stayed in Puck's, squeezing his fingers tightly. She was actually thinking about when she and Puck had been planning on having a baby. Then that's when she gasped. She remembered something. "Puck!" She said excitedly, shaking his hand.

Puck turned his gaze from all of her things to her. She seemed very excited about something. He looked at her. "What's up, babe?" He asked, getting caught up in her excitement. He let go of her hand so he could start packing. He wondered if she had remembered something. That would be amazing and helpful. Puck started tossing out flowers as Quinn had instructed. He had spent the last night tossing and turning. Puck had been worried for Quinn's safety and welfare. Plus, the fact that she'd lost the baby. He'd been so angry that Jesse had been here when he'd showed up. Puck grabbed the clothes Quinn had packed in drawers and took them out. She'd been here for a week and a half. Puck was glad that she was getting to go home now. He had been missing her at the apartment.

Quinn sat up, as a nurse came in to check her vitals and hand her the check out forms. She told him, "I actually remember something." She reached for a hair tie to pull back her hair and get it out of her face. She found one and a pen so she could start her forms. She yanked her hair back into her ponytail and then told him more. "I remembered when we were planning on having babies." She told him proudly. It was the first memory she'd had come back. It was exciting. "Maybe I should take notes about what I remember, I thought it would be interesting." Quinn was actually excited about what else she might remember. She was also glad she had chosen to stay and work things out with Puck. She was even more comfortable calling him Puck. She was sure that Puck was happier about that. She felt more comfortable with him now. She was sure he was happier about that too.

Puck stopped what he was doing to look at her. He was glad that she remembered something, especially that. "Yeah. We were wanting a boy first." He said. He ran his hand over his head, again, scratching it. He was very glad that this had sparked her memory. Even if she'd had to lose her baby. Puck couldn't help but be glad she'd remembered something. He wanted to kiss her but he still wasn't sure what would happen if he did that. She was still sore and whatnot anyway. He didn't want to hurt her. Puck went back to packing her clothes in the suitcase. He finished with the first drawer and moved on the other. He was almost finished, although Quinn was a bit of a clotheshorse. She had a lot of clothes, and it was true that they hadn't originally known how long she'd be here. Puck thought she'd traveled light as far as that went.

Quinn started in on her forms, glad that she was able to do these without asking anything of Puck. That was a good sign. While she worked on those, Puck finished packing. Quinn finished the paperwork, and put it on the desk attached to the bed. Then she gingerly got out of bed and put on the outfit she had laid out the night before. She had put out a pair of jeans and a white tank top and a purple sweater. She got dressed, and grabbed the boots she wanted to wear. She finished dressing and then grabbed up the forms. She looked at Puck, who was all finished packing her things. "Thanks for packing my things." Quinn said, as she grabbed her purse. It was nice, having someone to take care of her. Quinn of course could take care of herself but it was nice having to Puck to help. She couldn't imagine life without him right now, and that was very pleasing to her right now. Quinn knew that he cared a lot about her.

When they got home, Puck helped her put her things away. He'd gotten the rest of her things away. He'd gotten the rest of her things from her mother's while she'd been at the hospital. He had wanted her to be all settled in when she came back home. It had seemed to be the best idea. Puck didn't really know what was going to happen, but he wanted to find out. Puck could tell that Quinn was really into trying to work things out with him. That was a good thing. Puck was really glad. After all of Quinn's things were put away, Puck set about to getting food ready. He was going to make grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup for lunch. He was sure that that would satisfy Quinn. She had said that she was hungry on the way home. Puck got out the sharp cheddar cheese and the expensive bread he'd gotten. He also knew how to make bread from scratch. He hadn't made any in awhile, however. He was getting out tomatoes to cut when Quinn joined him in the kitchen. She had a sketchpad. He wondered if she was going to work on some drawings of clothes. He thought it might be amazing, she had at least remembered that they had planned on having children. That was something. Better than remembering nothing.

Quinn settled herself at the kitchen island with her portfolio. She had actually had some ideas to draw some clothes. She was glad, it was part of her personality coming back. She was working on a skirt at the moment. She was actually feeling like this was a good thing. Like she was finally getting back to herself. That was amazing part. Quinn was sketching away while Puck was cooking. She thought it felt amazing, it felt like home. She was glad that it did. Maybe it meant she'd get more of her memories back. Quinn was very excited about this prospect. She was humming as he was drawing. The outfit was starting to take shape. Quinn was so proud of herself. She had thought it she wouldn't be able to draw anything till she got her memories back. She was glad that she was able to do it now. Her mind was full as she was sketching. Quinn didn't know how she was able to just do this after she had lost her baby. Quinn could not believe it. She knew that having another man's baby would have hurt her marriage, so in a way, that was helpful that it wasn't happening, but it had been her baby. Quinn had been looking forward to the baby coming. It is truly amazing that Quinn was even up and talking after she'd lost her baby. She was mostly trying not to think about it. That was what was going to serve her best. She kept up her humming. Quinn was wondering how Puck's music album would go. She knew that he was going to be recording. She hoped it went well for him. Now, she asked, "When will you be finished with your album?"

This made Puck look up from the food he was preparing. He could not believe that she had retained something that did not pertain to herself or Jesse St. James. Puck could not be happier about that. He worked on cutting up tomatoes as he thought about a reply. "I am going to be recording for at least another month or so, I'm still finalizing songs." Puck flipped the sandwiches onto the Forman grill. He was so glad she was taking an interest. It meant a lot. Puck went back to flipping and putting the ingredients of the soup on the stove. Puck was also glad to see Quinn sketching. He had thought it would take forever for Quinn to get back to her clothes design. Puck was sure she would be a big name designer one day. She was so talented at what she did. Her fingers were busy drawing away as he worked on cooking. Puck was almost finished. He was busy thinking about his portfolio of songs. He was sure that he was going to be huge. Puck was actually feeling good about his chances. His music was shaping up to be amazing. Puck knew it was because of his real feelings he'd poured into it. People would respond, he was sure of it.

The next afternoon, Puck was working by himself in the studio. No one else was there. He had wanted to work out some of the kinks. Santana was sure that he could do it. Puck was beginning to have doubts. It was time to record and he couldn't get things under control. Puck had always prided himself on his music. He didn't want anything to be wrong. Puck didn't want anyone to badmouth his music if he could help it. It was very important to him. The song he was working on at the moment was an acoustic version of song that was very important to him. Puck had written it about his ma. It was how he felt about her death. Puck had cared about his ma a lot. She had worked so hard to make sure that he and his sister had had all she could give them. Puck had loved her very much. He had also spent as much time raising his sister as his mother had. He didn't know how she had turned out like she had. He felt guilty. Puck didn't want his kids to turn out like Sarah. Puck didn't know he had not been able to get his sister to behave right. It embarrassed him to no end.

The music was coming now, flowing nicely. Puck decided he would have to record it for real when he had someone else working with him. Puck put away his guitar. It was getting to be that time that he could go home if he chose. Puck was going to finish up some paperwork and then he would go. He went into his office, and got to work. Puck had finalize some things for Blaine's album. He didn't want things to mess up there, he knew Blaine was going to be a huge star. He had such an amazing voice. Puck thought he was going to make the label a lot of money. Puck didn't care about that as much as he did Blaine's music getting out there. He knew that most people would think he was weird because of that, but it was true. He just wanted the music out so others could hear it. Puck was glad Blaine's album was almost finished. It was going to be amazing.

As he was finishing up, there was a knock on his office door. It was Blaine. He looked upset about something. "Puck, can I talk to you a minute? I really need to talk and there's no one else I can confide in." Blaine had to get some things off his chest. He had been having issues with Kurt and he didn't know what to do. He had to talk about it. It was eating at him. Blaine didn't know what to do. They had been arguing a lot about kids lately and he didn't want to anymore. Not that he thought Puck could really help him but he had been in a ten year long relationship. He must know something that would help.

Puck assessed him carefully. He wasn't sure what to say to help. He didn't know anything about gay relationships. He did know about relationships though. He supposed he was getting ahead of himself. He didn't even know if it was relationship issues. Puck looked at him. "If you want to talk I'm here. What's up? You got problems with Kurt?" Puck got into his mini fridge to get a soda. He offered one to Blaine. Blaine took it. Puck waited for whatever it was Blaine was going to say.

"I'm having problems, yeah." He said, nodding. Blaine opened his soda. "Kurt and I have been arguing a lot. We've been arguing about whether we're going to have kids. I don't know what to do. I want to have kids. Kurt doesn't. I don't know what to do. I can't even get him to compromise with me. It is so not fair. Kurt and I have been together for three years. We met in a coffee shop, and we've been inseparable ever since. Except now. And I don't know what to do." Blaine did not want to break up with Kurt. He really didn't. They were so happy before they started fighting all the time. Blaine didn't want to fight with Kurt anymore. He wanted to come to an agreement. Blaine just didn't see how they were going to. They had been fighting for awhile now. He just wanted it to stop. He wanted to be happy with Kurt. They couldn't seem to do that right now. He let out a deep breath and ran his hand through his curly hair. He really hoped that Puck had some good advice for him. He would take anything right now.

Puck rubbed his head as he thought about how best to answer this. He didn't know what he should say. He didn't know what was going to help Blaine. Puck replied, "I don't know what to tell you. I don't….. I do know that you can't have a kid with someone who doesn't really want to. That won't really work. You might have to break up with him if you can't get him to compromise." Puck didn't want Blaine to do that and be unhappy, but they couldn't agree on something big. It's not like they were arguing about unloading the dishwasher. Puck didn't even know for sure what he would do if Quinn and he were fighting about something that big. He hoped Blaine figured everything out. "Blaine, you know that I would never tell you to do anything that would make you unhappy, but you shouldn't have to give up what you want. You deserve to have things go the way you want. It doesn't have to go the way that Kurt wants."

Letting out a deep breath, Blaine ran his hand through his curly hair, messing it up again. Blaine knew he was right. He did deserve for things to work out the way he wanted. He rubbed his arms with his hands. He was so upset. He didn't know what to do and it was driving him crazy. Blaine loved Kurt so much. More than anyone he had ever been with. Blaine didn't know what to do. He was glad that he had talked to Puck about this. Blaine felt like it had been a good idea to hear someone else's perspective. He supposed that someone else may consider it bad because Puck had told him what Blaine felt, but he hadn't known that when he'd come over here. He was still glad he had gotten a second opinion. It was just now not clear as to what he should do. Blaine did not want to give up on having kids. He didn't want Kurt to feel like he had to have them though. Blaine would be happy with one if he could get him to compromise. "Thanks, Puck. I really do appreciate it. I won't bother you anymore. I just needed to get that off my chest."

Puck nodded. He still didn't think that Blaine was going to take his advice to heart, but he hoped that he did. Puck didn't want Blaine to get hurt. Kurt seemed like a great guy. There was no doubt about that. He just didn't want Blaine to settle for anything. He just hoped Blaine would do what he could. If he had to break up with Kurt, Puck hoped that Blaine would be okay. Puck wondered when Quinn was going to feel okay so they could have kids. Puck actually wanted to be a father. He wanted to have a little boy and a little girl. Puck hadn't thought about names yet, but he did want kids. Puck was just glad that Quinn wanted kids too. He was good to go. Puck turned out the light and closed up his office door. It was time to go home and fix something for supper. He looked at Blaine. "You need anything you let me know, okay?" Blaine nodded, and they both left the building.

When he got home, Quinn was at the kitchen island, cooking. She was chopping up veggies. She smiled at Puck as he came in. "Hi!" She said excitedly. Quinn was making pasta. She had thought it was high time that she learn to cook. She had busted out a cookbook and had picked out a recipe to try. Quinn wanted things to go well. She wanted to work things out with Puck. She was sure that learning to cook was going to help towards that goal. She went to the stove to check the chicken. It seemed to be doing okay. She seemed to be doing okay so far. Quinn was so glad that Puck was back home. She gave him another smile. "Did you get a lot of work on your music done?" She asked, as she worked on cutting up the carrots. She had already finished with the peppers.

Putting his coat on the coat rack, Puck leaned and gave Quinn a kiss on the cheek. She didn't object, and that gave him a very good feeling. Puck could go ahead and take a shower now. That was sounding great. He told her, "I'm going to go and shower. You let me know when you've got dinner ready." She gave him a nod and he went off to take a shower. This was so great. It looked like Quinn was really trying. It was great. Puck got in the shower and let the hot water run off him. He was so sore. It felt great. Puck was wondering what was going to happen. Quinn was seeming to be actually trying. Puck ran the little bit of shampoo he needed on his shaved head and worked it in his hair. Puck was wondering how his music was going to be received. He had worked so hard on it. It was the first time that he had let anyone hear his music. Puck was proud of himself for being able to let it out. Puck was very nervous, but he was sure that Quinn would be proud when she finally got her memory back. That was the one thing that was getting him through the whole process. Santana was very proud of him already. She thought his music was going to bring the label a lot of money. She was already counting up money in her head.

By the time he was finished showering and dressing, it was time for supper. Puck headed into the kitchen. Quinn had set the kitchen island. Puck got himself out a beer. Quinn had poured herself some wine. Puck did not do wine, he thought it was nasty. He was a little surprised that Quinn was having some, but really, he supposed that it was part of her new personality. Puck thought it was okay, she was going to be a lot different until she got all of her memories back. Quinn was going to be interesting for awhile. Puck sat down at the island, and looked at Quinn. "This looks amazing, babe." He told her.

Quinn was proud of herself. She was going to really learn how to cook. She didn't remember why she didn't really cook before but she was really going to learn. Puck worked hard every day, and he should get to come home to a home cooked meal on occasion. Quinn was sure that she worked hard, too, but she did it at home. It just wasn't the same in her mind. Quinn was glad that she had gotten a meal together. She gave Puck a huge grin. "Thanks. I worked so hard on it." She told him. She had, too. She was mostly glad that the chicken was all the way done. That had been the part that she had been the most worried about. She was going to try something harder the next day. Maybe she would try pork or something. It was time to try and get to know Puck again. Really try and get into her routine. Quinn wanted to put the whole thing with Jesse and their baby behind her. She wanted to just let it go. Quinn just wasn't sure how to do that right now. She focused on eating at the moment. Quinn was so nervous. There was so much that they had to talk about. She was not sure how to bring any of it up. It was all at the forefront of her brain.

They dug into the meal. Puck was wondering if he should ask her how she was doing. He was sure that she would be glad he asked, she just might not want to answer it. Puck didn't want to ruin the good mood she seemed to be in right now. If he asked her about the baby or her mood, she might get depressed. Puck was sure she was right now, but Quinn usually compartmentalized and never let anything show. Not even her good emotions sometimes. Puck usually didn't mind, because as long as she was dealing with things, she could do it however she wanted. He was really liking the pasta she had made. It was very good. Puck sipped his beer, wondering if he should get another. He looked at Quinn. "How was your day today, babe? Did you get a lot of designs done?" He was sure she had kept with it. He hoped she had gotten a lot done, and it was starting to feel more familiar with her work. He was hoping that she would get more comfortable with it. He wanted her to come back to work, that might help her get her memories back.

That was not an easy question for Quinn to answer. She had worked some, but she had mostly wrote. Quinn had decided to write a book about her experience. She had gotten quite a bit written. She was proud of herself. She just wasn't sure she wanted to tell Puck about it yet. She just didn't know if she was going to get it published at all. She thought it might be just for herself. Quinn shrugged briefly. "I got some work done." She admitted. That did cover everything so she wasn't lying. She didn't want to lie. She didn't want to elaborate on that. She would have to lie if she did. "What about you? Did you have a good productive day?" She asked. Quinn knew that he'd started work on recording his album. Even though she knew, she didn't understand how big a deal that was she was still really proud of him. She thought it took a lot of bravery to do something like that.

Puck nodded as he got up to get another beer. He sat back down at the kitchen island with her. "Yeah. I got a lot done once everyone left and I was alone. Blaine came to talk to me too." He admitted. He didn't think he was going to tell her what they talked about, though. He didn't want to break Blaine's confidence. Plus, Quinn had only just "met" them, so she didn't really know them like she had when she had had her memories intact. "I really can't wait until you hear my stuff." He told her. Puck was also nervous about it. What if she didn't like it? That was a worry. It was so very important to Puck that she like his stuff. If she was herself, she would.

Author's note: Sorry it's been a little while. I hope you like this chappie. I am still hoping that it will be less on the drama. Review if you want!