Title: You Hit Like a Girl (6/?)

Rating: PG 13

Pairing: eventual Quinn/Rachel, Puck/Rachel friendship

Spoilers: Season 1 compliant, AU Season 2.

Summary: The summer after her sophomore year, Rachel Berry has three goals: 1. Prepare for Glee 2. Befriend Quinn Fabray 3. Create a Lasting Romance with Finn Hudson. By the fourth week of summer she's completely failed two of them. Now what is she supposed to do?

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rachel woke up aware of two things: she couldn't feel her right arm and she was spooning Puck. She didn't know it was possible that she could spoon someone so much bigger than herself, but she seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it. It was kind of comfortable, except for the fact that Puck was laying on top of her arm and she was afraid it might be turning blue.

She groaned and shook his shoulder. "Noah…Noah…Get up!"

Puck grumbled but didn't move. Rachel reached up with her free hand, grabbed a fistful of Mohawk, and pulled. He yelped and rolled quickly away from her. Rachel hissed as the blood flow resumed in her arm.

"What the hell?"

"Pins and needles! Pins and needles!"

Puck eyed her clutching her arm and smirked, "What's that? You can't move your arm? Want me to help?"
Rachel growled, "Noah Puckerman, if you touch my arm I will end you."

"I thought we were taking a break from that," he teased, "Besides, you're the one how messed with the hawk."
"What other choice did I have? I would have hated for you to have my amputated arm on you conscience. Your immense girth was cutting off the circulation and any longer and I'm not sure it would have come back."

Puck raised an eyebrow, "Did you just call me fat?"

"Maybe."

He rolled his eyes and then yawned, "What time is it anyway?"

Rachel used her functioning hand to pull out her phone. "7:30. Oh God, I forgot to text Dad and Daddy to tell them that I was spending the night. They're going to make me work for my aunt all summer. It's going to be miserable."

"I thought you liked your aunt? Isn't she the one who convinced you dad to let you do capoeira?"

"Yes. She told him it was an advanced dance class. I think he's still angry at her and Daddy for that. I do enjoy our time together, but she's an unrepentant taskmaster. Daddy may have taught me to win, but she taught me how to be ruthlessly determined and fight my way to the top."

"How come I've never met her, even when we were kids?"

Rachel hummed and flexed her arm, relieved when everything seemed to be back to normal. "She's not a people person."

Puck shrugged and Rachel pushed herself up and stood slowly. She felt her bones creak and pop.

Puck groaned when he stood up, "Next time we bring pillows."

Rachel nodded and then paused when something caught her eye. "Noah, what's that by the door?"

Puck frowned and Rachel watched as he walked cautiously over to the doorway of their tree house. There was a large rock on top of a piece of paper. He didn't touch the rock, just jerked the paper from underneath as if he was afraid to spring a trap. He stepped back from the doorway and squinted at the paper, his face becoming steadily more pensive. Rachel frowned. Obviously it was a note of some kind. Who was it from? Had some hobo come to seek shelter in their tree fort and, upon discovering it was already occupied, issue a challenge? Did someone they know find them? Puck handed it to Rachel and she read.

Dear Rachel (and Noah),

I came to find you when it started raining and your dad started having a conniption. You were already asleep when I arrived. I assume you were exhausted, considering you had managed to actually fall asleep on the hard wooden floor. I'm going to assume this same exhaustion caused you to forget to text me with your changed plans. I told your dad you were safe and you were spending the night with Noah. He is expecting you both for breakfast at 8. Don't push your luck.

Love,

Daddy

Relief flooded Rachel and then she panicked.

"We have to go! We're going to be late! It's going to take a while to walk there and I don't think we are in any condition to run!"

" We can take me truck. I parked it on the other side of the trees."

Once they were actually in the truck, Rachel relaxed considerably. She looked over at Puck curiously, "Why do you look so nervous?"

Puck shifted gears and sighed, "I don't know, maybe because I've been an asshole and your dad probably wants to kill me."

"They both love you, you know."

"I know, which makes it worse. You dad knows how to cut someone's heart out of their chest."

"So we'll keep him away from the sharp knives."
"You'd better. The butter knives too."

Rachel rolled her eyes and grabbed her phone.

Rachel: Good morning, Quinn. I hope you slept well. I'm going to have breakfast with my dad and an old friend. Have a successful day.

"Who are you texting?"

Rachel fought the blush rising in her cheeks as she glanced at Puck. "Quinn."

He raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know you two texted each other."
"We don't. I text her."

She felt his questioning glance and she sighed. "Eyes on the road, Noah. I convinced her to allow me to texts a day."

"Allow?"

Rachel shrugged, "She wasn't ready to work on our issues, as she put them, but I convinced her to let me keep in contact with her."

"That's kind of a bitch thing to do."

Rachel hummed, "I'm fine with telling her good night and good morning until she's ready to talk."

Puck laughed, "So you've been texting her good morning all summer and you didn't realize you were in love with her how exactly?

Rachel smacked his arm, "Shush."

"So how's charming her pants off working for you?"

"I am not trying to charm her pants off! Dad assumed the same thing. I'm just trying to be a constant in her life and I think it's working a little bit. The day after our fight we met in the grocery store and she looked genuinely concerned for me. She didn't call me names and she implied that she was reading my texts and that she wished they were longer."

Puck shook his head. "You were better at wooing girls when we were younger."

Rachel smacked his arm again, "Shut it, Puckerman."

Breakfast went surprisingly well. While Hiram did lecture them about the health hazards of sleeping in an eight year old tree house during a rainstorm, he didn't cut Puck's heart out or send Rachel to work with her aunt. Rachel decided to keep her revelation about her sexuality to herself. She was feeling a little vindictive—they could have saved her so much trouble if they would have told her what they knew in the first place. As far as Rachel was concerned, they could suffer. Self discovery, in Rachel's opinion, wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

After breakfast, Rachel decided to forgo Glee practice (she was tired of picking about their Journey medley again) so that she and Puck could finalize a plan of attack. It was getting closer to the end of June and they needed to start practicing if Noah was going to get ready for the fall season. They compared schedules and decided that they could start after lunch and work until dinnertime, except on the days when Rachel had capoeira. Puck would be in charge of gathering supplies and Rachel had to compile a list of possible exercises. They determined they would forgo actual practice today because they were both a little stiff, but decided to meet at 3 pm in order to finalize their plans. Before he left, Puck told her that if she showed up with matching kitten calendars he wouldn't let her in his house.

She showed up with dinosaurs and Puck's mother let her in, hugging her like she hadn't seen her in years. She showed Rachel to Puck's room and then came back with peanut butter crackers and juice boxes, kissing them both on the forehead. Rachel had kind of wanted to cry, but they had a job to do, and Rachel had always been slightly uncomfortable with happy tears.

Puck approved of her plan to start out with a brisk jog in order to loosen the muscles and improve stamina. He also approved of her suggestion for stretching and using free weights to increase muscle mass. He did not approve of doing nothing but running drills.

"You're going to have to learn how to throw. I'm a receiver and I need to practice catching. I need to practice defense too, but we can't do tackling. We can do two hand touch or something."

Rachel nodded warily. Though she had told Puck she would learn to play in order to help him, she was unsure if she could learn enough to be a real asset to him. She knew she was pretty spectacular, but even she had her limitations, like bowling or cheerleading, and football could be something she was incapable of doing.

When she left Puck's mom, Rebecca, gave her another bone crushing hug and told her to come back soon. That night, Rachel texted Quinn.

Rachel: Today was a successful day. My friend and I have decided to break the monotony of summer by playing football. Wish me luck. Have beautiful dreams.

The first practice was disastrous. Puck was strong but he wasn't as in shape as they thought he was. Rachel couldn't throw a football to save her life. The crude obstacle course they set up in the old park to test Puck's agility turned out to be a little more dangerous than they anticipated.

The second wasn't much better. Rachel still couldn't throw, Puck was still a little out of shape, and the course was still dangerous. Even more so when Rachel ran after him to simulate a defender. She was fast, too fast, and she ended up dodging a board and tripping over her feet and crashing into him. They both had scraped knees and elbows. Her dad was gracious enough, for once, and didn't say anything as he bandaged them up.

Things went a little better the third practice and Rachel's throwing had improved (barely) but she was still disappointed with herself. She told her parents so at dinner.

"It's going to take time, pumpkin," Hiram told her.

"I know. I just wish I could do better with the throwing. Noah knows how to throw, but he's no quarterback and he doesn't know enough to teach me properly."

Elias quirked his eyebrow, "You know, Rachel, you have a perfectly good quarterback at your disposal."

Rachel gasped, "If you're suggesting I ask Finn—"

"I meant me. I was the quarterback for my high school team."

"I didn't know that."

"Well, I was and I'd be happy to teach you what I know."

Rachel beamed, "Thank you so much, Daddy!"

After dinner Elias found an old football in the attic and they went out in the backyard to play catch. He showed her how to properly hold the football, fingers between the laces, and how to stand solidly. He taught her to catch too, to pull the ball into her body and cradle it like a baby. Her dad had teasingly called out that when she was first born he had to tell her daddy to cradle her like a football so he knew what to do. Somehow, with her daddy's patient voice telling he what to do and his strong hands showing her how to move she learned much faster. But the end of the night, she was able to throw the ball wherever she wanted.

Noah was pretty impressed and a little bit relieved. Rachel could tell. Things started going a lot better. Seven practices in and Rachel was thoroughly enjoying herself and Puck seemed happier. Genuine laughs and full blown smiles. The sadness was, of course, still there but Puck still hadn't gone back to the fight club. Things went smoothly until their 10th practice when they showed up at the park only to find it occupied with a bulldozer and a construction crew. They exchanged heated words with the foreman and Puck had to drag Rachel away. After a brief discussion, they decided to relocate to the new park.

Rachel wasn't very excited about going to the new park. Though it would have more space for them to work with, it would not afford them the same privacy. She was sure part of the reason their practices were going so well, despite their peculiar methods, was because it was easier for them to look and act ridiculous when it was just them. No one questioned their motives or judged them. They were just Rachel and Noah playing football. At the big park, they might see someone they knew. Rachel wasn't ashamed of her friendship with Noah, but she really didn't feel like answering questions about it. Frankly, it was no one else's business.

Their first practice at the new park went well. They did get a few weird looks, especially when they were setting up their obstacle course, but nobody bothered them. With so much more space to run, they discovered that Rachel was an excellent runner. If Puck gave her enough room, she could blow past him and she was extremely agile. When he had the ball he had to twist and cut so Rachel couldn't open up enough to catch him. The longer they practiced, the better they got, and the easier it became for Rachel to get him.

"That doesn't really count," Puck gasped, bent over with his hands on his knees.

Rachel's chest was heaving and she stood with her hands on her hips, her head tilted towards the sky. "Why not? My two hands touched you."

"If we were really playing, you'd have to tackle me, and we both know you hit like a girl."
"We can't tackle. We don't have any padding."

Puck nodded, "I was just saying."

He kept "just saying" and it started to irk Rachel that he wasn't admitting to her superior skills. So, during their 8th practice at the new park, Rachel snapped. She didn't even mean to do it. Puck zagged right and, instead of zagging with him, Rachel lunged. Their bodies collided painfully and they had enough momentum that when they hit the ground they slid for a couple of feet.

"Holy shit, Superstar, are you trying to kill me?" Puck groaned.

"I got you."

She sat up slowly and he followed suit. Rachel was pretty sure her elbow was bleeding but she couldn't tell through the grass plastered against her. Her knee was angry looking.

Puck looked at her, "What did you say?"

"I got you. You said I didn't really get you until I tackled you."

Puck shook his head and grinned, "You're crazy."

"My sanity has nothing to do with the fact that I successfully tackled you."
"I forgot how competitive you are."

Rachel hummed and they sat in silence for a few moments categorizing their injuries.

She turned toward him with a cocky smile, "That was fun."
He smirked, "I know, right? I wish we had equipment."

Rachel nodded furiously and then winced a little.

"First aid?"
"First aid."
Puck got up and offered Rachel his hand and pulling her up too.

They were about to Puck's truck when a voice made them stop in their tracks.

"Berry? Puckerman? What the hell?"

Rachel's heart started thundering in her chest. She turned around and saw Quinn looking at her. Worry, anger, and confusion flashed across those hazel eyes and Rachel tried to remember to how to swallow. Quinn had obviously come to the park to go for a run because she was wearing running shoes, short shorts, and a tank top. Rachel tried not to stare because now that she understood why her body went haywire whenever Quinn was near, and now that she understood how she felt for Quinn, it was hard not to really look at her.

She was so busy not looking that she hadn't noticed Quinn stomping over until Puck nudged her. He looked a little bit sad, but mostly just terrified.

Quinn stopped in front of them her hands firmly on her hips. She glowered at Puck and only slightly less at Rachel.

"What happened?" She nodded toward Rachel.

The brunette smiled weakly. "Hello, Quinn. We've got to stop meeting like this."

Quinn was not amused. Rachel could tell by the way her eyebrow twitched.

"You're bleeding."

"Oh, yes, so I am. Noah and I were playing football and I tackled him. We connected with the ground a little harder than I anticipated."

Quinn's face wrinkled in confusion, "You were playing football, with Puck?"

Rachel nodded. Quinn seemed to be thinking about something. Rachel and Puck shared a nervous glance. Suddenly the blonde's eyes widened and she turned a level 10 glare towards Rachel.

"Puck's the old friend you've been spending all of this time with?"
Rachel almost took a step back. Instead she swallowed and licked her lips. "Yes?"

Quinn took a step forward and Rachel felt Puck take a step backwards.

"What did I tell you about pertinent information?"

"I told you what I was doing, not that it's necessarily any of your business."

"You should have told me you were doing it with him!"
"I didn't think you would care," Rachel's stomach twisted a little and she bit her lip, "Unless you still have feelings for him. I assure you, the relationship we have is purely platonic."

Quinn growled, "I do not have feelings for him. And since when have you ever spent time with a boy when you weren't trying to trick him into dating you?"
Rachel felt like Quinn had punched her in the got and she couldn't help the gasp that escaped her.

Puck stepped forward again. "That wasn't cool, Fabray. Rachel and I are bros. We've been friends a lot longer than you've been around."

If anything, that made Quinn angrier. "Get out of my personal space, Puckerman."

Rachel felt Puck tense beside her and she spoke softly, drawing Quinn's attention back to her.

"I apologize if my friendship with Noah offends you, but we really have been friends for a long time. Despite our brief romance, it really is gross to think about dating him."

Quinn's gaze seemed to soften a little bit but she still wasn't pleased. Rachel wanted to reach out and smooth her frown away. Her hand twitched and Quinn's gaze followed the movement. Her frown intensified.

"You're bleeding, Rachel."

Rachel looked down to find a line of blood from her elbow to her wrist.

"Oh."

Puck cleared his throat, "We were on our way to my truck for the first aid kit."

Quinn nodded, "Let's go then."

Rachel was surprised when Quinn followed them to the truck and even more surprised when, after Puck popped open the tailgate and Rachel hopped onto it, that Quinn glared at Puck, grabbed the first aid kit and slapped Rachel's hands away when she tried to get out some supplies. Rachel shivered when Quinn lightly grabbed her wrist and began wiping away the blood and grass.

"This is going to hurt a little bit, but you deserve it for being stupid enough to play tackle football with a varsity player."

Rachel huffed, "He's hurt just as bad as I am. Besides, we weren't really playing tackle football; it just kind of happened."

Quinn rolled her eyes, "Whatever, Berry."

Rachel was staring at Quinn's lips. She wasn't really aware of it until Puck coughed and she looked up to see him wink at her. She tried not to blush.

Quinn worked intently. Rachel was surprised at how tender she was. She could tell by her body language that she was still irritated. While she had said that she didn't like Puck, Rachel couldn't help but wonder if, maybe, she really did. She had been so scathing when she thought Rachel was going after him. Quinn finished her elbow and began on her knee. It wasn't bleeding but it was definitely scraped raw. Rachel hoped she didn't notice the way her breath caught when her fingers brushed against her skin.

"I thought I told you not to get injured again."

Rachel shrugged, "Technically, you told me not to make getting into fights a habit. Noah and I haven't fought since then so I think I've done as you directed."
Quinn got very still but Rachel didn't realize she'd said something wrong until she heard Puck swear and Quinn looked up from her knee. Her eyes were pure fire.

"What did you just say?"

Rachel snapped her mouth shut and shook her head.

"Did you just say "since then" indicating that Puck was the one who had you walking around looking like the poster child for domestic abuse?"

Rachel glanced up at Puck. He started to back away slowly.

"Rachel," Quinn whispered.

"But I beat him up too."

Quinn snarled and spun around, lunging for Puck. She smacked him hard and grabbed his ear, yanking him down to her level.

"You…you…"

Rachel slid off the tailgate and put her hands on Quinn's shoulders, "Quinn."

She shook her head, her eyes never leaving Puck's. "If you ever touch her again I swear to God they will never find the body."

Puck hissed in pain, "Jesus, Fabray. I would never hit a woman out of anger. We were sparring. Rachel's a freakin ninja!"

"I don't care if she's goddamned Chuck Norris, if you touch her again I will break every bone in your body, including Puckerman Jr."

He gulped and nodded and Quinn released him. She spun back towards Rachel and Rachel stumbled backwards into the tailgate. Quinn had her trapped,

"And you, how dare you let him do that to you? I don't care how tough you think you are or what weird friendship you have. You're delicate, Rachel. He could snap you in half."

"Actually—"

Quinn leaned closer, "I don't want to hear it. Promise you won't do that again. Promise!"
Quinn's eyes were angry, concerned and desperate. She needed Rachel to promise her and so Rachel did.

"I promise, Quinn."

Quinn nodded once and took a step backwards so she could look between the two of them. She jabbed her finger at them. "If I see one scratch on you and I find out that it was because the two of you were fighting or playing football or doing something stupid, it's not going to be pretty."

They nodded and she took a breath before walking quickly away from them. When she got back to the park, she broke into a jog as if she had never been interrupted. Rachel stared at her until she disappeared and then she shook her head lightly as if to clear it. It didn't work and she turned towards Puck who was still staring at the spot Quinn had disappeared from.

Rachel cleared her throat. "What just happened?
Puck blinked, "Other than the fact that I just got bitch slapped by my baby mama, I have no idea."

Rachel nodded and they stood there for a couple beats longer.

"I think we're going to have to find a new place to practice."

He nodded, "And we're going to need protection."