Thanks to everyone reviewing and alerting! Lord Tubbington thanks you too! I am enjoying this fic so much, the writing, the emotions…I am falling in love with Puck and Dave as much as they are falling for each other…Please review and Have a wonderful week! Hemmy

Puck/thought italics

Dave/thoughts bold italics

Chapter 3

The End and The Beginning

It took an hour for Brittany to calm down and Santana had to promise to take Lord Tubbington to Smokers Anonymous so they both could quit smoking. In that hour Dave looked at the 'holes' in Puck's thighs from the fur ball's claws. They weren't deep but Dave knew they stung pretty bad from the hissing sound Puck made each time one of them touched the red bleeding spots.

While making promises she knew Brittany would forget about tomorrow, Santana decided that they would go with Dave and Puck to retrieve the beat up old Chevy pick-up. Puck tried to protest the idea but Dave agreed with Santana, their was safety in numbers when facing one Burt Hummel.

The drive to Kurt's house was uneventful for Dave and Puck, other than the larger jock noticing how Puck kept trying to get closer to him in the truck. It was as if Puck needed to touch him, to let that touch ground him, keep him together.

So Dave did the only thing he could think of, he reached across the bench seat of his Dodge pick-up and letting his hand slide down the sleeve of Puck's tee shirt pulling the dark smaller hand into his own. He waited for Puck to jerk it away to tell him to stop, but the Jewish teen surprised him by lacing his fingers with Dave's. Oh Shit! Oh Shit! I understand it now! Oh Damn! Butterflies in your stomach! Warm Fuzzy feeling! Oh God My Vagina is bigger!

My hand has always been the biggest when I held hands with someone, even Kurt! But…Fuck! Dave's hand almost covers mine! Don't look at him! Just enjoy it! God why won't my knees stop shaking! My heart feels so warm! Stop it! He's just being nice to you! It doesn't mean nothing! But what if it does…?

Santana has been a very busy teenager on her cell phone. She made two phone calls to make sure both men would be at the Hudmel house when they arrived, Finn and Burt. She knew Burt loved Kurt but she also knew that the elder Hummel was a fair minded man. If Kurt was in the wrong he would stand up for Puck too.

She told Finn that he needed to man-up and tell the truth when they got there. If he didn't do it then she would tell Rachel that he has known all along that Kurt was cheating on Puck and they all knew Noah had a special place in her Jewish heart. Besides it was the right thing to do she added as he sputtered in to the phone begging her not to call Rachel. 'After the whole fucked mess called Junior year they were finally back together and there was no way Finn was going to screw that up.'

As the car and the truck pulled up in front of curb outside of the house, Dave squeezed Puck's hand. "I'm right here with you and so are the girls. Plus we have a weapon. A fat pissed off horny old tom cat! So don't worry I/we won't let anyone hurt you." He watches Puck laugh and smile for a moment.

"I hate that evil creature. Thanks Dave. I just want….Let's do this." Puck almost said 'I just don't want to let you go yet.' He pulls his hand away from Dave's feeling the loss of warmth immediately. He opens the truck door and steps out with his friends lining up beside him.

Kurt swings the front door open dramatically yelling, "Thank Gucci I was so worried about you babe!" He runs to Puck only to have Puck step away from him.

"Stop with the acting Kurt!" Puck tries to step around Kurt to his truck but is blocked by the slender soprano.

Dave, Santana, Brittany and Lord Tubbington watch as Puck steps into battle with Kurt. They all knew that Puck had to confront Kurt and they could not intervene unless it was to stop it from becoming physical.

"I don't know what you're talking about Puck! I was worried about you! You didn't answer my calls or my texts! You let that thing answer your phone!" Kurt's voice is shrill and full of hate aimed at Dave. "I don't know what he said to you…"

Dave physically flinches at Kurt's remarks. Santana growls under her breath. Both teens just want to beat Kurt's ass. Brittany's grip tighten on Lord Tubbington as the old tom cat hissed and growled a feral warning.

"Dave didn't have to say anything! He didn't know!" Puck throws his arms up in exasperation. "He was just being my friend last night!"

"He's just trying to break us up! He still wants me! He's the reason I transferred to Dalton remember? Babe just let me explain…" Kurt tries to touch Puck but the dark teen jerks his arm out of his reach.

"Don't touch me! I'm not the one you want! I'm not the one who was sticking their tongue down your throat yesterday!"

"Puck..That's not what.." Kurt is cut off my a furious Puck.

"Kurt I know what I saw! I saw the two of you on your bed in your room!"

"You just saw us rehearsing for the play! That's all Puck!" Kurt is putting his best hurt look on and letting the tears gather in his eyes. He did not see his father walk out of the garage.

"Not unless Hogwart's has suddenly allowed gay porn on stage! Harry wannabe Potter was half naked with his hand down the front of your pants! And by the fucking way you were half naked under him while his tongue was in your throat!"

"Puck please listen to me!"

"Save it Kurt! We are through! I did everything you asked of me! I became the person YOU wanted me to be! But I wasn't enough! So fuck you Kurt Hummel or better yet go fuck Harry! I could hear you moaning all the way at the front door!" Puck is crying now, all the hurt from the night before coming back to him all at once. Anger Puck can deal with but hurt/angst is something that terrifies him.

Burt walks out when he hears the fighting and arguing between Puck and Kurt.

"What the hell is going on? Puck? Kurt? Somebody better talk to me right now!" Burt had heard the conversation between the couple and wasn't pleased with what he was hearing.

"Mr. H you have always been fair to me. You gave me a chance to prove I was worth it, to date Kurt." Puck turns to look at the man that had become like a father figure to him. A man that saw past the mask. "I'm sorry I disappointed you because I really like you and I kinda always wished you were my father instead of …."

"I don't know what is going between the two of you Puck, but…" Burt didn't start out a fan of Puck's but the teen had surprised him in many ways. He always treated Kurt right and proper around him. He even talked with Burt about a future with Kurt. But he had heard what Puck was accusing his son of and some of the pieces of the last month were starting to fall into place.

"Dad he's breaking up with me because he saw me and Blaine working on that play I told you about." Kurt is really using his acting skills with his father. The pouty face, the whine in his voice.

"A play that involves you being half dressed son with another boy's tongue down your throat? Yeah I head that part." Burt looks at his son, really looks at him hard.

"That's not what happened!" Kurt adds the crocodile tears for effect with his father.

"Yeah it was Kurt. I was home Burt and Puck is telling the truth! I tried to stop Puck from finding out because little brother here promised me he was going to break up with Puck, and tell him the truth." Finn walking from the garage, turns to look at Puck with so much regret and sorrow in his eyes. "I didn't want to tell you bro. If I had told you, you would have said I was just trying to break you guys up. To get back at you for Quinn. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I really am. I just didn't think you would believe me."

"Finn you bastard!" Kurt screams at his step brother.

"Kurt Hummel get your ass in that house NOW!" Burt, pointing a finger at Kurt and then at the house, believed Puck without Finn saying anything. But hearing it come out of Finn's mouth and knowing that this wasn't the first time something had happened in his house infuriated the older man. "I will deal with you when I am done out here! I said NOW KURT!"

Kurt looks at Puck and sneers, "just remember that when you're with him, he will be wanting me. Just like I wanted to be with Blaine." With those words Kurt spins on his heel to walk back in the house but a huge hand on his arm stops him.

"YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THIS HUMMEL! YOU JUST THREW AWAY THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU! YOU CHEATED ON HIM! YOU ARE NOT THE VICTIM THIS TIME! AND IF YOU EVER HURT HIM AGAIN….." Dave snarls at Kurt looking him dead in the eyes letting the emotions raging through his body speak for him. Santana steps beside Dave her hands curling into fists.

Kurt jerks his arm free and stomps back in the house slamming the front door.

Dave puts his arm around Puck pulling the trembling jock close to him. "Don't listen to him Puck. He is only trying to hurt you."

"Dave's right Puck. He's mad because you caught him and called him out in front of his dad." Santana gently rubs his back.

"Puck I meant what I said. I am so sorry for not telling you." Finn looks as if he could cry, the shame showing in his eyes.

"How long? How long has…was he cheating on me?" Puck's voice is small and distant.

"It doesn't matter Puck." Finn looks away from Puck not wanting to hurt him anymore.

"Yes it does. I have a right to know Finn." The tears are spilling over the dark smoky lashes and there is so much pain in Puck's voice.

"I have a right to know too. Finn don't stop telling the truth now son. Puck and I both deserve to know the truth." Burt is shaking with rage.

"At least the last two months that I know of. If he came home then he would bring Blaine on the nights you and Mom had date night. The nights you stayed in a hotel." Finn shuffles his feet around. "I would hear them make plans for the weekends Kurt stayed at school. I'm sorry Burt. He told me if I told you or mom then we would have to move out, that you and mom would get a divorce."

"All those times he said he had to stay and study he was here the whole time?" Puck is at his breaking point. When Finn nods his head yes, he turns his face into Dave's chest. why? Why?

"Puck I am sorry that Kurt did this to you. I will punish him for this bullshit, for all of it." Burt turns Puck to look at him. "Son you are NOT a disappointment to me. Far from it. None of this was your fault. You're not the one that was wrong in this mess. This rests solely on Kurt's shoulders and Finn's. Again kid this isn't your fault and I wish it had never happened to you." Burt walks away back towards the house motioning for Finn to follow him.

"Uh, Mr. Hummel could you make sure Kurt doesn't harass Puck with his cell phone? He wouldn't leave him alone last night. He kept sending texts and calling like hundreds of times." Santana asks before Burt reaches the garage door.

"Don't worry he doesn't have a cell phone anymore." Burt tells the kids before he closes the door.

Dave looks at Puck who is still trembling and sniffling. "Santana do you think Brittany can drive my truck back to Puck's house. I'm gonna drive Puck home."

"Sure. We will go drop fat ass off at her house and come back for your truck. Do you want us to take it to your house or Puck's?" Santana walks Brittany to the car.

"Take it to Puck's, we will be there in a little while. There is someplace I want to take him to first. Just tell his mom we will be there soon." Dave tells Santana as he walks Puck to the passenger side of the old Chevy. He watches as the dark Latina nods her head and a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

Puck opens the passenger door sitting down inside of the old beat up truck. Its just like me, not good enough. Kurt called it a death trap and they always had to take his Nav if they went out somewhere. He looks at Dave who is sliding in under the steering wheel. "Where are we going?"

"It's somewhere I go when I need to think and get away from everything. It won't take long to get there. I promise." Dave reaches for Puck's hand; it is becoming second nature in the last twenty four hours to want to touch, comfort the hurting jock.

Puck takes the offered hand without hesitation. It feels like a lifeline, a warm tether holding him up in a drowning flood. He lays his head back against the rear glass closing his eyes and drawing in the comfort of Dave's touch.

After fifteen minutes of comfortable silence they arrive at the old rock quarry. There was a small beach like area in front of the man made lake. Dave opens his door to step out and pulls Puck across the seat to exit out of the driver's side door; never letting go of the smaller jock's hand.

Dave leads Puck to the white sandy spot and sits down on the sand. He pulls Puck down positioning the jock between his legs and pulling him back against his chest. Dave wraps his arms around Puck and whispers in his ear, 'just let go I got you'.

Dave can feel the tremors starting to shake the Jewish boy's body as he finally lets go. The sobs rack the dark body, the angry shouts of 'why does it hurt so much' echo slightly against the rock walls. Through it all Puck clings to the arms that are holding tight against his chest and around his waist.

"I didn't cheat. I didn't want anybody else. I didn't flirt. I didn't do anything wrong. I did it all right this time. Everyone kept telling me not to hurt Kurt. They thought it was a joke that Kurt wanted to be with me. That I was experimenting or it was a prank. That I couldn't love him, that I would break his heart.

They were so worried about him that they didn't even care that I really loved him that I wanted to be with him. Well the jokes' on them. The mighty Puckasorus has fallen. My heart hurts so fucking bad right now.

He kept telling me that he wasn't ready, that we hadn't been together long enough for sex. He was just using me until something better came along. Someone that was good enough for him. Why could he just tell me it was over? Why did he have to cheat on me?"

Dave waits for Puck to continue and when he doesn't…

"Puck he used you. I don't know why but he did. And yes you did everything right this time. I know you didn't cheat. Burt knows you didn't cheat and Finn and Santana and Brittany and that psycho cat from hell does too.

I don't know how long its going to hurt, but I do know its not going to be forever. I know this is the last thing that you want to hear right now but you can trust me. I am not going to let anything else bad happen to you. And Santana and Brittany are going to be there for you too." Dave nuzzles Puck's stripe of hair, inhaling the smell that is all Puck. I don't care if I have to wait million years I will help you to feel real love. To know its okay to love again.

Puck leans into the body that makes him feel safe, that lets him feel like everything is going to be okay. He closes his eyes, they are so tired from all the tears. He slumps down farther into Dave's embrace letting his head rest against the strong arm holding him. Why could it have been Dave these last few months? Why couldn't Dave have been the one that was suppose to love me? Why is he doing all this for me? I don't want to fall again…It hurts too much…But it doesn't with Dave….

Dave knows the moment Puck falls asleep. The exhausted jock is so limber in his arms. He gently kisses the stubble beside the Mohawk, letting his lips linger for a moment. He tries to get more comfortable attempting to move his arm only for Puck to pull it tighter against his body snuggling deeper into the embrace. Dave chuckles to himself as Puck once again relaxes against him.

Looking out at the lake, the different colors reflected on the rock walls from the sun hitting the dark blue water, Dave thinks about the last twenty four hours.

Here I am holding one Noah Puckerman in my arm again while he sleeps. I should be totally freaked out right now. The way his body fits with mine. He fits right under my chin, his hips fit snug between my legs. The once hard body now soft in my arms. The way his head fits on my arm and I know the boy is drooling on me again, but its okay. It's kinda cute and gross at the same time.

I always thought his hair would be stiff, rough. But it is soft and smells like musk and something else. I just cant say what exactly. I love the way it feels against my cheek and lips. The way his hand fits into mine. The rough calluses from football and his guitar feel good against the palm of my hand. God he is so beautiful!

Oh fucking hell! I am in love with Puck! From just one day of being around him and his crazy girls! I am falling in love with this hurting soul. They say rebounds never work. Would I be a rebound for him? Could he love me?

After all the years of fighting each other trying to beat each other to a pulp could we work out? Could we have a future together? Do I take the risk? Do I just enjoy whatever this is and back off when he doesn't need me anymore? Fuck I am so screwed now!

"Hey." A sleepy voice brings him back to the present. "What are you frowning for?"

Dave looks into the hazel eyes that are going to be the death of him. "I was just thinking about you and well….You drooled on me again." Dave smiles down at him.

The smile that Puck returns is open and honest. It breaks something inside of Dave.

"I just…Dammit! Fuck!"

He can feel Puck stiffen as he yells the words. He buries his head against Puck's holding the jock closer to him.

"I like holding you. I like it that you drool on me. I like the way your body fits against mine. I like you." There I said it! Oh shit I said it! To HIM!

"I like you too. I feel safe with you. I just don't want to get hurt again. I just broke up with Kurt and…" Puck looks down at the sand. I know it's too soon! But even with Kurt I never felt this way! It's like I can't stop the way my heart flutters every time he touches me.! We have beat the shit out of each other so many times in the past. He was the only one I ever considered my equal in a fight. How can this be happening to us?

"Puck I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. I know this is too soon, too sudden but I had to tell you. I don't want to keep secrets from you and I don't ever want to lie to you either." Dave feels like some of the weight has been lifted off his shoulders at the honesty in his words to Puck.

"Thank you for that Dave. I know it's strange but I trust you. I just don't want to be the guy that hurts you. We have a history of, well, trying to kill each other. I don't know how all that can just change in one night.

All I really know is that I want you to hold me. To hold my hand. To be there for me however long this lasts. Is that okay with you?" Puck holds Dave's hand. Please say yes! Please say this is enough for now! I need you Dave! Whatever this is I need it and I need YOU!

"I'm here as long as you need me Puck. I don't know what this is either, but I know I don't want to let you go." Dave smiles down at the dark hazel eyes staring up at him. Dave's phone begins to ring in his pants pocket. He takes it and it's Santana.

"Yes dear." Dave answers just to annoy the Latina.

"What the hell? Dear? Don't tell me the two of you are off getting drunk somewhere!" Satan rages in his ear.

"No we haven't had any alcohol." Dave rolls his eyes at the mental image of Santana with her hand on her hip glaring at him.

"Well that's good. Listen Puck's mom is cooking a nice dinner and we are all invited to eat dinner over here. So you two need to be here by five. Okay?" Santana mutters something under breath in Spanish at Brittany.

"Sure, I guess. What time is it now?"

"Three thirty."

"Uh let me call my Dad but it shouldn't be a problem. Okay. What movie?"

"Something really scary and gory. Puck can usually pick out a good horror movie so let him pick. Make it two of them. And you might as well tell your Dad that you are spending the night, Mrs. P just said she is going to cook us all a Jewish breakfast in the morning. Got to go. Bye"

Dave looks at the phone feeling like he just snowed into the whole thing, like he didn't have a choice.

"Dave what did Satan want?" Puck knows from this end of the conversation that something is up.

"It seems your mom is going on a cooking spree at the moment. She is cooking dinner for all of us, including the girls and it seems they are helping her cook. You and I are suppose to pick up a couple of horror flicks for after dinner. And we are having a slumber party cause your mom is cooking us a Jewish breakfast in the morning." Dave looks at Puck like don't shoot the messenger. Dave is happy at being invited but he doesn't want to push Puck.

Puck laughs at the thought of his mother's cooking spree. She only cooked like this when she was happy or upset with him in a major way, And for Santana to be there she had to be really happy otherwise she wouldn't let the 'man happy' girl in the house.

"I hope you're ready to eat. If she is cooking a Jewish breakfast then it means she is just cooking tonight. Nothing will be Kosher based tonight. Last time she got like this we ate for days on fried chicken, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, the biggest bowl of mac-n-cheese I ever saw." Puck smiles at the memory. His mother was so proud of his grades at the end of his junior year He got a B plus thanks to Artie and his GPA was high enough for several schools to offer him scholarships for college.

Dave smiles listening to Puck talk about his mom. He can feel the tension ebbing away in the jock again.

"Are you listening to me Dave?" Puck taps Dave on the leg.

"Um…"

"Yeah I thought so. I asked if your folks would mind you staying at my house tonight. I want you to be there. You can't leave me alone with all those girls and that crazy fucked up in the head cat." Puck's eyes plead with Dave silently.

"The resident badass is afraid of a little pussy….cat." Dave laughs out loud as Puck struggles in his arms. Both boys end up wrestling in the sand for a minute before Dave has Puck pinned underneath him, nose to nose, feeling Puck's warm breath tickle his lips. Oh shit! I just want to kiss those full soft lips. Taste him. Nibble on that fat bottom lip….sucking on it…Dammit!

"We better go if we are going to make it by five. We still have to go to the video store and I need to pick up some clothes if I'm spending the night." Dave pushes himself off of Puck offering him a hand up.

"Yeah. We better go." There is disappointment in Puck's voice and in his eyes. Before he can't stop himself he wraps his arms around Dave holding the larger jock against him. He can feel Dave's arms slip around him easily and his head resting on top of his 'hawk. "thanks" the words are so softly spoken by Puck as he pulls away from Dave walking back towards his old truck.