Beginning Our Life

Last Time: Jake found out Ryder kissed Marley and took his anger out on Puck. Sarah accidentally heard that Rachel was pregnant and told Puck who almost told Finn. And that's what you missed on Beginning Our Life.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any songs that I may put in here.

Drop Out

Finn's Point of View

I was literally exhausted as I walked through the front door after another long day at McKinley. The house was weirdly silent. Burt was at work and Mom had taken Sammie and Nate out for the day while Sarah, Grace, and Puck were at their schools. I was a little jealous of Puck for still being able to go to LCC when I canceled my enrollment for Glee Club. He had a kid, but he still went. I had a voluntary position at my old high school that didn't even pay.

There was a soft, but annoying, beep coming from the kitchen and I went to see what it was. The answering machine was blinking, so I pushed the button to hear who'd called.

"Hello, this is Wendy Jenkins, the admission's assistant at Lima Community College. I'm calling to inform Noah Puckerman that his enrollment has officially been cancelled. His transcript with his earned credits has been sent out in the mail yesterday and hopefully arrived today. Thank you and have a good day."

My finger was frozen over the button. That little prick. He quit college and I'd bet anything Sarah doesn't know.

I glanced at the clock to see the 'college student' was going to be home from 'college' any second now. I ran into the living room where Mom usually leaves the mail. I dug through the pile on the coffee table before finally finding a white envelope addressed to Noah Puckerman with the return address as Lima Community College.

I stuffed the letter in my back pocket to use as blackmail just as the front door opened. Puck walked in with his guitar and backpack thrown over his shoulder.

"Hey," he nodded and began going through the mail next to me. Upon finding nothing, he reluctantly set it all back down and started walking away.

I grabbed Puck's shoulder, "Where were you?"

He turned, "What are you talking about? I was at school." He seemed a little more nervous as I stared him down.

"Don't lie to me," I stated.

"I'm not," Puck seemed to get his confidence back and added a glare for good measure.

"Are you sleeping around?" I taunted, "Going back to the old pool cleaning business to earn a little extra cash while my sister's at school?"

He jerked away from me, "I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Schue must be getting to you. Hey, how's his wife by the way? Oh, that's right, you kissed her and she cancelled the wedding."

I'd barely registered his words before he was stumbling back and my fist dully ached.

Puck looked up with a new fire in his eyes, "So that's how we're gonna play?" He lunged at me, throwing the two of us backwards into the wall. Pictures crashed to the ground and my leg seared as it caught the edge of the entertainment center.

"What is your problem?" Puck grunted while tossing me away from him.

I glared and caught his punch, deflecting him over to the chair that he tripped over, "My problem? Only one of us is a liar in this room and it's not me."

Puck scoffed and kicked me away from him, "I'm not lying."

I staggered while pulling his letter from my back pocket and held it up, "Really?"

He paled, "Where'd you get that?"

I nodded towards the mail and wiped my face, "It came today."

Puck jumped up and made to grab it, but I jerked it back, "Finn, stop, give it to me. What are we? 12?"

I smirked, "Tell me what it is. Do you know? I do. If you admit where you were, I'll give it to you."

"I-Finn," Puck begged, "Please."

"My mom trusts you. My step-dad took you in his home. My sister loves you. You have a kid. But you don't care. You just crapped all over it, for what? Your pride? Your dignity?" My voice rose and I became angrier and angrier.

Puck's face fell and I knew I'd hit a nerve, "Finn-"

"No!" I yelled, "You dropped out of college and told no one! How long have you been out? A week? A month? Did you ever even go?"

He fell on the couch and covered his face, "I've been out since the beginning of January. I officially quit the week Sarah went back to school. I didn't say anything because I knew your mom would be pissed and that Sarah would hate me," he glanced up at me, "I knew you'd hate me."

I slowly sat in the chair, "You've been out for two months?"

Puck nodded, "I don't remember why it took so long for them to cancel my term, but whatever."

"Where have you been going then?" I asked.

"Just doing odd jobs around the neighborhood for extra cash," he shrugged, "Usually I'll make sure I finish around the same time I'd come home from college. Other times I wouldn't care and just come back. I didn't even go a couple times. I know your mom got suspicious once or twice, but she never said anything."

"Why haven't you told Sarah?" I leaned forward. I felt my anger returning, "Why did you lie to all of us?"

"I'm sorry," Puck said, "I'm sorry." He stood and kicked the coffee table, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have quit. I shouldn't have lied. If I would have though, I would have been on my ass in the street faster than you could say 'drop out' and none of you would have cared. I'm just the moron that knocked up Sarah."

"You're not a moron," I said quietly.

"Now I'm asking you to not lie," Puck hissed.

I looked up, "Despite how much your life sucked the past couple years, I was still jealous of you. You've got Sarah and she loves you. You went to college and really tried. I went back on my promise and never went."

Puck rolled his eyes, "I don't know why I went; it should have been you. I realized in December that I really didn't know what I want to do when I'm older. Sure, teaching was kinda cool, but I wouldn't be any good. Writing's sorta fun, but I'm probably not good enough to get anywhere."

"You have to tell them," I stated quietly.

Puck shrugged and began putting the pictures back on the wall, "Maybe."

"No, you will tell them," I stood and started putting the furniture back.

"And be forced to leave? No thanks," Puck scoffed, "Your house is nice."

I chuckled darkly, "That's not why you don't want to leave. You can't leave your sister or son here and you don't want Sarah angry because we both know she will be."

"It's going to kill her," Puck whispered.

"Yeah, but she'll be even angrier if she finds out on her own," I told him.

"How'd you find out?" Puck asked.

"There was a message on the phone," I pointed to the kitchen.

"That's how you found out about the letter?" Puck guessed.

"Yeah," I nodded.

We finished in silence and stared at each other.

"You going to tell them?" I asked.

Puck glanced at his hands, "I have to."

"Next person that walks through that door," I said, "Promise?"

He looked at me and gave a stiff nod, "Promise."

As if on cue, the door opened and probably the last person Puck would want to see came in.

"Hey," Sarah smiled, "What's up?" Her eyes widened as she noticed the bruise forming next to Puck's eye, "What happened?" She rushed to gently place her hand on it, "Did you get in a fight?" She turned to me, "Did you-" she froze. Slowly, she let go of Puck and came towards me. Her fingers were cold as they brushed my cheek and I winced in pain. She glanced down, as did I, at the tear in my jeans and the scratch that shone bright against my skin; small drops of blood forming at the edges. She glanced between us then to the newly arranged furniture, "You fought each other," she whispered.

Puck stepped forward and grabbed her hand, "We need to talk."

"Yeah, yeah," Sarah waved him off. She glared at me, "What did you do?"

"Why do you assume I'm the one who did something wrong?" I shot back.

"Because Puck wouldn't just start punching out of the blue," Sarah stated.

"Ok, so yeah, I threw the first one, but he deserved it," I yelled back.

"Why?" Sarah asked, "Why would Puck deserve to be beaten?"

"Sarah, we have to talk," Puck repeated.

"He's a liar!" I told her, "He's been lying to all of us for the past two months."

Shock crossed Sarah's face, "What?" She turned to Puck, "Noah, what's he talking about?"

"I need to talk to you," he said. He glanced at me, "In private."

"No," Sarah crossed her arms, "Just say it. If Finn already knows, then it's not a big deal to say it right now." She started getting upset, "Come on, it can't be bad, right? It's nothing. Finn's just overreacting, right? Noah, right?"

"Sarah," Puck said softly, "Please."

"You're scaring me," Sarah whimpered.

"I dropped out of college," Puck whispered, "Two months ago."

"You what?" Sarah breathed. She glanced at me, "Did you know?"

I shook my head, "I just found out. There's a message on the phone and they sent his transcript in the mail." I held up the letter.

Sarah snatched it from my hands and shook slightly while opening it. She quickly read it over before running to the kitchen. We heard her turn the message on and listen to it. She sobbed loudly and there was a soft thud.

"Sarah!" Puck yelled and ran past me into the kitchen, "Are you ok?"

I followed him and halted in the doorway. Sarah was sitting on the ground crying into her jacket.

Puck knelt down next to her and attempted to soothe her, "Sarah-"

"No, stop," Sarah hit him away, "Just stop." She sobbed so hard she jerked forward, "Why would you lie? Why wouldn't you tell me you quit? I would have been ok if you said something at the beginning, but two months? That's too long."

"I'm sorry," Puck begged.

Sarah groaned and stood, "I need some fresh air," she breathed, "Fresh air." She brushed past me back to the front door.

I followed her, "Where are you going?"

"To think," Sarah hiccuped. She pulled her keys from her purse and ran out the house; slamming the door on her way. I listened as she started her car and hit the gas to leave.

I made my way back to the kitchen where Puck was still on the ground, "So..." I started.

He scoffed, "I hate you. You had to go and open your big, stupid mouth. Saying your jealous that a girl actually loves me, well, now I don't have that girl, do I?" He jumped to his feet and walked down the hall, "You might as well tell everyone else for me too. Ruin the rest of my life."

I winced as his door slammed shut, shaking the walls. The front door opened and Mom walked in with two baby carriers in hand.

She sighed while setting Sammie and Nate on the table, "Where's Noah and Sarah?"

I groaned and covered my face, "Puck's in his room and Sarah's who knows where."

~~~~~GLEE~~~~~

I slowly walked in the living room, "Hey, you should probably head to bed or at least put Nate in his crib; it's a little after 11."

Puck didn't move and continued sitting in the living room chair with his eyes locked on the front door, "No thanks." He adjusted the sleeping baby in his arms before going back to his previous position, "I've always wondered what it's like to actually hold a baby all night."

I leaned against the wall, "Really?"

"You shouldn't be complaining," he stated, "As long as I'm holding Nate, you're alive."

I absentmindedly gulped, "Ok." I was about to walk away, when I turned back, "When she comes home, tell me."

"Don't count on it."

I nodded, "Alright," I breathed.

Halfway down the silent hallway, I heard a choked, "Mom's coming home. She has to. I'll go out and find her if she doesn't."

~~~~~GLEE~~~~~

Puck's Point of View

A soft squirming in my arms woke me from my sleep. I groaned while sitting up. Someone had thrown a blanket over me, but nothing could prevent the crick in my neck.

I looked down at Nate, "Hey, buddy. You hungry?"

His quiet whimper quickly turned into a full blown cry.

"Ok, ok, one second," I untangled myself from the blanket and went into the kitchen to start a bottle. The clock showed it was about 12:30. I rocked Nate against my shoulder, "It's alright. I'm right here."

He cried harder, warm spit soaking my neck.

"I know, you want your mom, but she's not here right-" my eyes widened. Had I missed Sarah?

I tightened my hold on Nate and quietly ran down the hall to our room. I threw open the door as soft as possible, only to see that the bed was empty.

Defeated, I went back in the kitchen where Nate's bottle was already finished. I grabbed it and retreated to the living room. I slowly sat in the chair and began feeding Nate, "We're gonna stay out here all night until Mom comes home."

We sat in the dark with the only noise being Nate sucking on the bottle. I leaned back against the cushions. I hadn't expected Sarah to run away. Scream and yell, maybe even curse a little, but I didn't expect her to leave.

My phone beeped and I slipped the drained bottle from Nate's mouth before searching my pockets for it. I finally found it and looked at the screen to see a text from Jake.

Open the door ~ Jake

I shot up and hurried to put Nate in the bassinet then go to the door. I opened it up to see Jake standing in front with Sam behind him; and in Sam's arms, completely passed out, Sarah.

"What the hell?" I hissed.

"It's freezing, let us in," Jake demanded.

I nodded and stepped back. Jake warmed up his hands the second he was inside while Sam carried Sarah to the couch. As he passed me, I got a strong smell of alcohol and worried it was coming from Sarah.

"Where-" I started.

"She came to my house about an hour ago-wasted, by the way-and refused to let me bring her home," Jake said, "I text Sam and he came to wait with me until she passed out."

I went over to Sarah and knelt next to her, "What'd you do?" I whispered.

"She was at Brittany's," Sam muttered, "Sorry, Britt didn't tell me until she was gone."

"I'm guessing that's where she got the beer or whatever it was she drank," Jake added in, "Because she said something about me being her second stop to hell."

I kissed Sarah's forehead, "I am so sorry."

"Yeah, so you quit college?" Sam asked, "She kinda hates you...or at least, drunk Sarah hates you."

I rolled my eyes and turned to them, "Yeah, I quit in January after Nate was born. I was stupid and didn't tell everyone until now, though."

"Nice," Jake sat in the chair, "So how're you going to make it up to her?"

"I don't know," I whispered, "I screwed up."

"She didn't break up with you this time," Sam pointed out while picking up Nate, "Hey, kid."

There were footsteps in the hallway until Finn stepped in wearing his pajamas. He wiped the sleep from his eyes, "What the hell?"

I nodded towards Sarah, "Look who came home."

A look of relief crossed his face, "Thank God."

"Hey, Sarah hates you too," Jake stated.

"Yeah," Sam nodded, "Something about you being a crappy friend for telling her before Puck, but a good brother because you told her. So I guess she doesn't really hate you, just strongly dislikes you." He swayed back and forth while whispering, "Rock a bye Nathan, on the tree top. When the wind blows, the...something will rock."

I rolled my eyes, "Give me my son."

"No, he's soft," Sam muttered.

"Can I go home?" Jake asked.

"Of course," I stood, "Thanks for everything. You too Sam."

"Here," Jake tossed me a pair of keys, "I drove her car here."

"She was drunk driving?" I hissed.

"Brittany doesn't live far from me," Jake assured.

Finn sighed, "Still. She could have died."

"But she didn't," I snapped.

Sam passed Nate to Finn and stepped back, "We should get going."

Jake stood and patted my shoulder, "See ya later."

I silently nodded while keeping my eyes on Sarah. It was such a strange contrast to see her lying so perfectly still and peaceful, but only because of alcohol.

The front door opened and closed without another word.

There was a creak in the floor and I looked up to see Finn standing over me, "Want me to put Nate to bed?"

"Yeah," I croaked. I reached up to run a finger down Nate's arm, "Night buddy."

Finn was about to leave when he turned back around, "This is partly my fault and I'm sorry."

"Just leave," I grunted.

"Got it," Finn muttered and left.

I softly kissed Sarah's forehead, "I am so sorry."

She stirred before blinking open bloodshot eyes, "Noah."

I smiled, "Hey."

She grabbed her head, "Stupidest thing I've ever done."

I chuckled, but quickly stopped, "I'm sorry."

"No, you don't get it," Sarah slowly sat up, "I didn't drink because of what you did, I drank because I failed as a girlfriend."

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "I'm the one who quit without telling you for two freaking months."

"I get it, though," Sarah whispered, "I understand that you were scared of what was going to happen and that's all my fault. Yes, I hate that you didn't ask me or at least tell me, but I'm angry with myself for only thinking about myself. Do you realize that Brittany is the one who brought up the fact that you probably quit for me and Nate? Of course, I was around my fourth martini when she said it, but it made more sense the more I thought about it."

I shook my head, "I don't want you blaming yourself. This is all my fault. Not yours. Maybe a little of Finn's, but you can pretty much blame Finn for anything and it would work."

Sarah laughed softly and shrugged, "True."

I smiled. "Please never do that again," I moved to sit on the couch next to her, "It was scary as hell to have no idea where you were or what you were doing."

She punched me without a word.

"What are you doing?" I rubbed my shoulder.

Sarah smirked, "That's for being a hypocrite. One year ago, you left me for a whole night without a word and I found you in your old house, wasted. You cannot tell me how you felt because I felt it as well."

I nodded and looked at the ground, "Yeah, sorry."

Sarah kissed the side of my head, "I want you to know I'm furious because you quit and went back on a promise we made to tell each other everything-"

"But," I said hopefully.

"But," Sarah smiled, "I love you and know that somehow in your twisted head, you were doing this for us. Somewhere in that drunken blur, I remember Sam mentioning how you were doing weird jobs for extra money. So thanks."

I grabbed her and squeezed her tightly, "God, thank you so much."

"Please, stop," Sarah gasped, "I'm gonna throw up."

"Oh, right," I let her go, "Sorry."

She smiled, "No biggie."

I stood and helped her up, "You have to get in the shower because you smell like crap."

Sarah wavered while rolling her eyes, "Thanks, babe. Love you too."

I led her to the bathroom and in the shower, "Are you ok without me?"

"Yes," Sarah teased, "I can shower without you."

I chuckled and left the room. I went in our room and changed into some pajamas before slipping under the covers.

I dodged a bullet there, like big time. I could have been out a girlfriend or even a house. I was going to make it up to her though. Sarah's 17th was going to be the best birthday yet.

~~~~~GLEE~~~~~

A/N: What'd you think? I just wanted to say something about it. I know that Sarah was almost too forgiving for a sudden Puck problem that pretty much came out of nowhere. I went back and forth on the whole thing for a while as in Puck was always going to quit, but I wasn't sure of Sarah's reaction. When I actually wrote the beginning of this, Sarah was going to end things, but I remembered what the next chapter was going to be and couldn't have them be broken up for it. I know you probably think I could have just changed around the order, but in my mind, this was how it planned out. I hope you don't mind and apologize for the extra long author's note. PLEASE REVIEW with any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions! I'd love to hear your thoughts especially after this.

A/N P2: Btw, if anyone was interested, I wrote a couple one-shots in the future of this story and plan on writing more. I'm hoping to write a chapter of this and then write a one-shot, but who knows if it will always be like this. So review on those as well, or at least review here about what you'd like me to write about!

~~~~~GLEE~~~~~

dance-sing-live - Lol, I totally don't mind. I liked your guilty pleasure ideas, especially since they kinda matched mine, haha.

Tyra - Thank you! And you were right, it did get pretty ugly.

~~~~~GLEE~~~~~

Sneak Peak: My fingers traced the molding as I walked along the walls, "This is beautiful, but why are we here?" "Because it's ours."

Surprise!