Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.
A/N: Not beta'd; all mistakes are mine. Please mention them if you find any.
A/N2: A HUGE thanks and shout-out to those of you who have read and/or reviewed this story! It means so much! Your words keep me writing :D
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"Are you sure you want to do this?" Puck groaned leaning against the lockers.
"Yes, it's going to be great!" Rachel smiled.
He lowered his eyes and sighed, "fine," he murmured and pulled out a piece of paper. "It's Mrs. Morgan's number and address. Arin's there and she's expecting you to pick her up because I won't have time to go home between practice and the game -"
"Noah, I got it. I think I can manage," Rachel responded with a laugh, taking the paper from his hand.
He glanced around the hallways, "here," he handed her his keys, "the house key is on it and make sure Arin gets a heavy jacket out of the hall closet to wear because I'll never hear the end of it if she gets sick. And you probably should get something to eat before you come to the game."
Rachel took his hands in hers and smiled at him, "Noah, I've got everything under control," she laughed, "you need to relax."
He shook his head and squeezed her hands, "yeah, I'm sure you do," he agreed, trying to shake the nerves he had building up in his system.
"Yo, Puckerman!"
Puck jumped back from Rachel, his eyes scanning the hallway for who was talking; expecting a slushy, but found one of the guys from the basketball team. "What?" He asked quickly.
"Good luck tonight," he told him, glancing at Rachel before walking past them.
Rachel could tell he was nervous, "wow, Noah, is this what you're like before every game?" She asked moving towards him.
"No, because I usually don't have someone coming to watch me," he held out his hand, easy to see it was shaking, "see, this is why I don't mix my lives."
Rachel took his hand in hers and squeezed it, "everything will be alright. Arin and your mom are proud of you, but you never let them see that. I'm proud of you, Noah, we're going to be there to support you," she told him, pressing a kiss to his palm.
He looked down at his hand and closed it gently, holding on to that kiss as if it could fly away. He needed to focus on the game, but he couldn't shake the nerves.
They could hear voices around the corner and both looked to see Matt and Mike turn, "oh hey Puck, Rachel, dude, we gotta get to practice," Matt commented, patting Puck on the shoulder.
"Uh, yeah man," Puck nodded, glancing at the guys before turning back to Rachel, "I'll uh, see you later? You got my keys, right? Just make sure Arin brings a jack-"
"You already said that," she held out her hands with his keys, trying not to laugh at his behavior, "I've got things under control, Noah, just go and we'll see you tonight," she said standing up on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his lips. "Now go," she knew Matt and Mike were waiting for him.
"Dude, come on!" Mike called.
Puck sighed and nodded, "see you tonight. Game is at -"
"Six, I know," she told him, this time laughing.
Puck's shoulders relaxed and he nodded, turning on his heel to catch up to Matt and Mike.
Rachel watched him walk away and shook her head, pocketing his keys and the piece of paper.
"Rachel," Mercedes said coming up to her locker.
"Yes?" She turned and looked at her.
"Are you going to the game tonight?" She asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Just wondering," she laughed, "Tina and I are going to support Kurt; you know, since he decided to go back on the team and all. I figured you'd be going, so we could all sit together."
"Um, that sounds great!" Rachel smiled, "I'm bringing Noah's sister, too."
"Puck has a sister?" Mercedes eyed her.
"Yes, he does. She's ten," Rachel replied, zipping her bag closed.
"Damn, that boy has a secret life that no one knows about," Mercedes commented.
Rachel draped his jacket over her arm and closed her locker, "not secret, he just doesn't mix home and school that much. I really need to go so I can get ready and go pick up his sister," she replied.
"Oh, alright, we'll be here at 5:30, so see you then?" Mercedes asked.
"Yes, I will see you then," she agreed, smiling at Mercedes before heading out to her car.
She headed home and spent half an hour trying to figure out what to wear, finally figuring on jeans, a sweater and a pair of Mary Janes. Digging out the note from earlier, she called Mrs. Morgan and got directions to her house so she could pick up Arin and after getting them from her, she left.
Pulling up in front of a two story white house, she doubled checked the address and got out, walking up to the front and knocking on the door. An older woman with red hair opened the door and Arin ran to Rachel; excited. After a quick greeting, Arin got her backpack and returned, the two heading out to Rachel's car.
Pulling up in front of the Puckerman's, Rachel pulled Puck's keys from his jacket pocket where she had stashed them.
"Um, Rachel, I don't have a key to the house," Arin said as they got out of car.
"That's okay," Rachel smiled and held up Puck's keys, "Noah gave them to me before I left school." She flipped through the keys until she saw the one she's seen him use before and unlocked the house when they reached the door.
Going inside, Rachel felt a little weird being there without him, but pushed aside her feelings as Arin went upstairs. Moving to the hall closet he talked about, she opened up the door and looked through the various jackets and found one of Arin's. Taking it out, her phone began to sing 'Sweet Caroline'. Digging it out of her pocket, she saw it was Mercedes, "hello," she answered.
"Hey girl! We're stopping at McDonald's before we go to the game, want us to get you and uh, Puck's sister, anything?" She asked.
"Um, that would be great! It'll save us a stop," Rachel replied, moving further into the living room to look at the clock. "Thanks Mercedes."
"No problem. We're stocking up; so we'll have plenty," she laughed, hanging up before Rachel could respond.
"Who's Mercedes?" Arin asked skipping into the living room.
"A friend who's going to get us dinner and sit with us at the game," Rachel smiled, motioning to the jacket she'd laid on the couch, "does that fit?" She asked.
"Yeah, is it going to be that cold?" She asked.
"Well, it's going to be in the 40s so yeah, it will be," Rachel nodded hearing a car outside. Her eyes glanced up quickly to see outside and then her eyes landed on the open door.
"Mom's home," Arin said looking outside from the door.
Rachel relaxed when she saw Deborah get out of her car and walk up the path. Arin greeted her at the door. "Hi, Ms. Puckerman," Rachel smiled at her.
"Hello, Rachel. You can call me Deborah," she replied, "you guys mind if I tag along tonight?" She asked.
"Of course not, that would be great," Rachel smiled; Puck would never see that coming. "I've got some friends who are meeting us there at 5:30, so I was hoping we could get going soon, if that's alright," she added.
"Yes, that will be fine. I would just like to change out of my scrubs," she commented, heading upstairs.
Arin and Rachel waited for her to get ready and when she came downstairs, she went to the closet and got her own jacket out, "oh good, you already got Arin's," she smiled.
Rachel nodded, "yes, Noah made sure I didn't forget," she laughed a little.
It was getting later and Rachel didn't want to be too late, so she suggested they go. Deborah offered to drive, but Rachel insisted, so once getting into her car, she drove them to the school. It was busy, but she was able to find a parking spot near Puck's jeep.
Getting out, Rachel grabbed Noah's jacket from the back where she'd put it so Deborah could sit up front and after making sure she had his keys, her keys and her phone, she shut her doors and locked her car.
"I was wondering why I hadn't seen Noah wearing that," Deborah commented with a laugh.
Rachel blushed, "he gave it to me the night we started dating," she said stuffing her hands into her pockets.
"Why did he give you his jacket?" Arin asked as they walked towards the ticket booth.
"Um, I'm not quite sure why," Rachel admitted.
Deborah laughed, "when a guy has a Letterman's jacket and he starts dating a girl, it's a high school tradition that he gives her his jacket, kind of like promising himself to her," she explained.
"Promising himself to her? What's that?"
Rachel was silent as Deborah explained the tradition and she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach. "Noah gave me his jacket as a promise to be faithful?" She asked herself, knowing he'd never said anything like that before. "That must be why," she thought, glancing up as Tina and Mercedes came into view with bags of McDonald's.
"Hey girl! Almost didn't recognize you with that jacket on," Mercedes laughed.
"Hello, Mercedes, Tina," she smiled at them, "this is Arin, Noah's sister and his mom Deborah. Arin, Deborah, this is Tina and Mercedes, they're in Glee with Noah and I," Rachel introduced them.
The girls exchanged greetings with Arin and Deborah, when Rachel noticed Quinn walking up the sidewalk alone, wearing Finn's Letterman's jacket. Her hands were stuffed in the pockets and her head was slightly down as if she was embarrassed to be there. Glancing at the four, Rachel took a deep breath and walked over to Quinn, "Hello Quinn."
Quinn stopped walking and looked up at Rachel, "what do you want, Berry?" She snapped.
Rachel shook her head and crossed her arms, "you know, I'm trying to be nice here. I was going to ask if you'd like to sit with us during the game and you're biting my head off!" Rachel snapped right back, standing her ground.
Quinn's shoulders relaxed slightly and she glanced around Rachel to see Mercedes and Tina, waving at her and holding numerous bags of McDonald's food and also saw the two others she didn't recognize. She turned her gaze back to Rachel, "I'd, um, like that. This is the first game I have been to since I got kicked of the squad," she explained.
"That is no reason to be mean to everyone," Rachel responded.
Quinn took a deep breath, "fine, sorry, is that what you wanted to hear?" She asked.
Rachel smiled, "yes it is," she said calmly, while inside she was screaming, "yes! One point for me!" Puck hadn't had the best luck getting through to Quinn, but Rachel figured if she could get the girl to at least be civil to people then Puck might have a better chance. "Come on," she told her, turning and going back to the group. "This is Quinn. Quinn, this is Deborah and Arin Puckerman, Noah's mom and sister," she said.
"Quinn," Deborah smiled, extending her hand to her, "it's so nice to put a name to a face. Finn talks about you all the time when he comes over," she said.
Quinn calmly shook her hand, "um, he does?"
"You're dating Finn! He's cute," Arin smiled hopping up to Quinn.
"Food's gettin' cold here," Mercedes commented, moving towards the ticket booth.
Between everyone they paid their admission fees and went in, walking along the cement on the outside of the stadium.
Rachel walked along the fence that surrounded the track and field, watching the other team. They were dressed in white jerseys with orange and black outfits, and practicing on the field, while McKinley's team was no where in sight.
"They're in the locker room," Quinn commented.
"What?" Rachel turned her head to Quinn, when they walked up the steps to the bleachers.
"The Central Cougars are on the field practicing and our team is in the locker room," she explained.
They found a spot to sit in the first few rows of the bleachers. Mercedes, Tina and Quinn sat in front of Deborah, Arin and Rachel and as soon as they were seated, Mercedes and Tina started passing out food.
Rachel took the time to take in what was going on. The Cheerios were on the track closest to the bleachers, doing some sort of warm-up or simple routine, the marching band took up one whole section of bleachers, all dressed in their matching outfits, the bleachers they were in were pretty full, while Central's side was half empty; their cheer team also performing on the other side of the track.
"Does anyone know anything about football?" Rachel asked, realizing she didn't know anything about the game.
Tina and Mercedes shook their head 'no,' but it was the "I do," from the middle of them that was the surprise.
"Arin, you know football?" Rachel asked.
She nodded, "Noah teaches me between yelling at the football games on TV," she said, "but I'm not allowed to repeat the words he yells at the TV."
Deborah groaned, "that's probably a good idea," she muttered.
"I don't understand a lot of the big words, but some of them," she shrugged, "why?" She turned to Rachel.
Rachel noticed the dumbfounded look on Quinn's face as she started at Arin and couldn't help the small smile creep onto her face, "I guess you're going to have to tell me what they are doing then because I don't know anything about football," she replied.
The cheering from the side startled everyone as their football team started heading out onto the field. The women joined the cheering as the guys walked out. "There's Kurt! And Matt and Mike!" Mercedes called pointing to the numbers she remembered. The last two on the field was #5 and #20, Finn and Puck. The two were walking side-by-side, their helmets in their hands, and both were looking at the crowd. Rachel waved and Puck smiled, waving back and then looked next to her to see his sister and then his mom. Rachel noticed his smile brighten as he waved and Finn even patted him on the shoulder, nodding to whatever Finn had said.
"He's probably surprised to see me here," Deborah commented, "I haven't been to any of his games since he was in middle school."
Arin waved at him and he smiled, holding up three fingers and then pressing them against his chest for a second before continuing the walk out to the field with Finn.
"Oh, Damn girl, he's got it bad for you," Mercedes called turning around.
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"You saw what he just did, right?"
"Well yeah."
"He's got us in his heart," Deborah commented a smile on her face. "He doesn't say it much, but when he does something like that, he means it," she added.
She smiled again, this time glancing to see Quinn staring at Arin. When Quinn noticed Rachel looking at her, she turned her attention back to the field.
"And now, ladies and gentleman, please stand to honor our country with the National Anthem," the announcer requested.
Everyone stood and though Rachel should be looking over to the American flag flying in the breeze, she couldn't help her eyes as they landed on Puck. She felt a warmth inside her that she couldn't explain and it had started the moment she saw him do that with his hand.
As the band finished the anthem, the crowd cheered loudly. Central's players met in the middle of the field, and with a quick glance and smile to her, Puck jogged onto the field with the team, putting on his helmet as he went.
"Who are the guys in black and white?" Rachel asked.
"They are the refer-somethings," Arin said. "I think they are doing the coin toss," she added.
Rachel watched the referee throw something shiny into the air and it landed on the field. He pointed towards Finn, Finn said something and the announcer answered her silent question with, "William McKinley won the coin toss and has chosen to receive the ball."
Central's players lined up on one side of the field with the ball, while the Titian's scattered out along the opposite end of the field.
"What are they doing?"
Arin laughed, "the other team is going to kick the ball to our team. Whoever catches it will have to run to the end zone," she said motioning to the end where the Central Cougars were lined up.
While Arin had spoke, the kicker for Central had kicked the ball and it was in flight across the field. The guys in red all watched the ball until it came right towards Puck.
"YES! Noah!" Arin jumped up as he caught the ball and ran towards the end zone.
"What?" Rachel's eyes darted to the field to watch him run, dodging opposing players, until three of them ran right for him, tackling him to the ground.
"A great start for WMHS with a 62-yard run for Wide-Receiver Noah Puckerman! Only 38-yards to go!" The announcer called.
"Oh my God!" Rachel gasped watching as Puck stood up, "that's dangerous!"
"It a tackle, that much I know," Quinn commented glancing at Rachel, "it's legal."
The players lined up at the 38-yard line and Rachel watched as the ball was thrown to Finn and he threw it to Puck again, this time, Puck only making it 12 yards, putting them at the 26-yard line.
"Another great catch for Wide-Receiver Puckerman, damn where has he been hiding all season?" The announcer asked.
"Now what?" Rachel looked at Arin.
She shrugged, "they keep doing that until either Noah or someone gets the ball into the end zone, which scores them 6-points. Then a kicker comes out and if he gets the ball between the goal posts, they win another point."
Rachel tried to keep her eyes on the game, hoping to figure out what was going on, but every time Puck caught the ball and was tackled, she gasped and hid her eyes, afraid of him getting hurt.
"Central has had a good year, but man, McKinley is sure picking up their game; it's like a whole new team! First and goal now," the announcer commented.
Rachel turned again to Arin, and Arin began to speak before Rachel could even ask, "they only have five yards to the end zone, so when Finn gets the ball he has to throw it to an open player. If they catch it, it's a touchdown, if they don't, it's an incomplete."
Rachel sighed and watched the ball get snapped back to Finn, and he caught it, but he froze. Puck was being blocked by two guys, his other WR was blocked and before he could pull the ball to his chest and run, two players charged at him, tackling him to the ground.
The announcer was quick on his toes, "ouch, that's not good for Quarterback Finn Hudson. Bringing back to the 12-yard line, so second and ten."
"I don't understand how this can be a fun sport!" Rachel exclaimed, "it's barbaric!"
"Now you see why the guys have an attitude," Mercedes laughed.
"I think it will get worse," Arin said, "this is only the first quarter. There are three more after this one," she added.
Rachel groaned, hiding her head in her hands, "I don't know how much more of this I can watch."
Finn got the ball again, and Puck ran, ran without looking back until he was in the end zone.
"Look now!" Arin screamed jumping up to see above everyone, watching to see if he could catch the pass that Finn threw him.
Rachel looked up just as Arin told her, watching Puck jump up and grab for the flying ball, holding it to his chest as he landed on his feet.
"TOUCHDOWN!" Arin screamed jumping up and down as the referee's held up their arms for the touchdown sign.
"Touchdown, McKinley!" The announcer called.
The stadium went crazy as the guys celebrated on the field, slapping Puck on the back before Kurt came out on the field. The teams lined up again, but this time, when Finn got the ball, he set it on the plastic block and Kurt ran up to it, kicking the ball out from under Finn's hand.
Everyone waited on baited breath; hoping for the ball to make it.
"I can't watch," Rachel hid her eyes behind her hands, but was quickly relieved to hear the crowd cheering.
"We got it!" Arin grabbed Rachel's arm and jumped up and down.
"That's 7 points for McKinley, thanks to kicker Kurt Hummel," the announcer explained.
Rachel watched all the guys come to the side of the field and others went on, Puck and Finn stayed on the side, drinking water from bottles there.
"W-w-why didn't t-t-they go back out?" Tina asked turning around to look at Arin.
"I don't know the names, but there are two types of players. Noah and Finn are one type, the ones who went our are different players," Arin replied.
"Offensive and defensive," Quinn supplied, "Puck and Finn are offensive players."
"Yes, that's right," Arin nodded.
Rachel watched the field, unable to take her eyes off Puck. He rubbed his neck and turned around, as if he felt something on his back, but he didn't see anything.
"What do you want, Kurt?" Puck asked seeing Kurt appear next to him.
"I haven't been playing football very long, but I've never seen you play like that before," he told him.
"What's your point?"
"This wouldn't be because there is someone special here for you, tonight, would it?"
Puck shrugged, "three someones and it could be."
"Three?"
Puck nodded, motioning to where they were in the stands, "yeah, Rachel, my mom and my sister," he said.
"I see," Kurt responded.
The first quarter had finished and they were in the middle of the second quarter when Central scored a field goal, bringing the score to 7-3. McKinley was still a head, but needed to keep on their game if they wanted to finish the season with another win.
Before the second quarter ended, Puck was able to complete a touchdown, Kurt getting the extra point for McKinley, giving them a 14-3 lead over Central before the clock ran out on the quarter.
During halftime, the teams were off the field and the marching band went out to the field to do a routine, while the Cheerios performed to the band's song.
Tina and Mercedes had gone to take a walk, returning before halftime was over, with Mr. Schuester and Ms. Pillsbury. Quick introductions took place between them, Puck's mom and sister before the teams returned to the field to start the second half.
With what Arin had said during the first half and what she'd seen seen, Rachel tried not to ask any more questions about the game.
It was almost to the end of the third quarter; McKinley had possession of the ball. They had 28 yards to go to get the touchdown. Puck was open and when Finn threw the ball, he immediately wished he hadn't. One guy barreled towards Puck, just as he jumped get the ball. The linebacker was not able to tackle Puck before he he caught it, but as Puck came down, with the ball in his hands, he flipped over the linebacker, his body flying through the air until he came down, crashing head first into field. Another linebacker had been making his way towards Puck, but was unable to stop when he saw Puck fall, so his momentum caused him to fall right on top of an already down Puck.
Gasps echoed through the stadium as everyone silenced, waiting to see if he would get up.
Rachel's eyes were glued to him, begging for him to get up. "Please Noah, get up," she whispered and saw everyone around her nod in agreement.
"Hard hit for #20, Noah Puckerman, and it doesn't look like he's getting up," the announcer spoke, Rachel wishing she could choke the man at the microphone.
Around a lifeless Puck, players from McKinley and coaches from both teams were standing, trying to see if he was injured.
Rachel felt as if a wave crashed across the field; seeing Central's football team, cheerleaders, McKinley's team and the Cheerios taking a knee, bowing their heads slightly.
"This doesn't look good," Quinn muttered, her head bowed slightly; she'd seen many injuries at games, but nothing as bad as this.
...
A/N3: Oye! I didn't think writing a football game would be this tough since I'm a fan of the game, but I had to look up some info; thanks Wikipedia! I didn't expect this myself and I know I'm leavin' a cliffhanger, but I promise to have a new chapter up soon! Now that I know there is a limit to the length of a post on LJ, I'll try to keep my posts under 5,000 words. I'm already working on the next part, so look for it soon. Thanks so much for reading!
A/N4: I don't know the names of McKinley's rival schools, so I went with a rival school of mine from High School. The Central Kitsap Cougars; orange, white and black.