Title: You Hit Like a Girl (9/?)

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.

For the first time all summer, Rachel hesitated to send Quinn her good morning text. Sure, before there were times when she wasn't quite sure what to say, but this time she wasn't sure whether or not she should text Quinn at all. Quinn had just left so abruptly like she couldn't get away from Rachel fast enough. Even though she expected the rejection, it hurt. But Rachel Berry was nothing if not determined and she still had two texts a day. So, she took a deep breath and sent one as per usual.

Rachel: Good morning, Quinn. I hope you have a good day.

She didn't want to admit it, but she had gotten used to Quinn responding, even if was gibberish about football and Puck and immense pain.

Hiram noticed that she was more subdued than usual and tried to talk to her about it, but Rachel was still irritated with him. She couldn't exactly discuss her Quinn problems with him without revealing that she was aware of her feelings and she wanted him to suffer a little while longer. She went about her day as if nothing had happened. Technically, as far as she knew, Quinn hadn't liked her at all before, so it wasn't as if anything had really changed.

Puck didn't say anything and he didn't try to get her to say anything. They practiced and ran through their drills and laughed. Part of Rachel wondered if Quinn might show up again. Puck must have wondered too because every time he tackled her he would jump back and look around before helping her up. For some reason, hid belief that Quinn would come back made her feel better. When he drove her home, he turned the radio on as loud as it would go and they hand banged all the way home.

The next two days passed much the same. Rachel tried not to feel upset, but she was acutely aware of Quinn's absence. Stalker Quinn was better than no Quinn at all. Actually, the more Rachel thought about it, Stalker Quinn was kind of sexy in a crazy, passionate kind of way, but it didn't matter. Rachel tried to keep her MySpace videos upbeat. When she showed them to Puck to get his opinion, he looked a little alarm and then told her she needed more electric guitar and drums. Rachel told him she didn't think "Under the Sea" was supposed to have electric guitar.

On the third night, Rachel was just about to start another MySpace video when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," Rachel called out.

Puck walked in with an empty case of hard lemonade and a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies. Rachel raised an eyebrow.

Puck shrugged, "We need to talk and we agreed there would be alcohol involved the next time we talked about emotional shit."

Rachel bit back her denial. "So, why is the box empty?"

"Elias shook me down at the door. I think he was going to let me up here with the contraband but then Hiram walked around the corner and turned a funny purple color. Dude ended up doing a full pat down, even took my hip flask."

Rachel chuckled, "Only you would show up to the house of a police officer with a six pack. And since when do you carry a hip flask?"

"Only for special occasions."

He sat on the bed and Rachel went and sat by him. He handed her a cookie and they munched quietly.

Rachel sighed, "I don't know what to say except that I feel kind of stupid, it hurts, and I'm trying to move on."

"Were you just succinct? Because now I'm really concerned. Especially after the happy songs. You live music, babe. You're always honest with your music."
Rachel looked down," I just… with Jesse and Finn I made such a big deal about everything. It was big and showy. It was a show, a part like the relationships, even if I didn't realize it, "She turned to him, "I've never really been heartbroken before, Noah. I don't know how to deal with it. Part of me feels like I shouldn't even get to feel like this when we didn't even have a relationship."

"Us badass Jews, when we want something, we go all in. You went all in and you feel like you went bust, of course you feel like shit. But, I don't think you should give up. Where'd my Superstar go?"
"She opened her mouth and stuck her foot so far in it that she choked and died."

"I was kind of joking when I said it at first, but seriously, she didn't slap you. That means something."

Rachel scowled, "What does it mean? She walked away, Noah."

"Think about it, she couldn't have been angry about it. IF she was angry she would have gone all ape shit on you like she did me. Baby mama's got claws and a mean right hook."

"I would have preferred that. Then I would know for sure where I stood. Here, there's a shred of hope, and it's torture."

Puck raised an eyebrow, "Isn't hope supposed to be, I don't know, hopeful?"
Rachel frowned, "Not when you really know that you're doomed but you can't accept it because you're clinging to that last shred of light."
Puck nudged her, "I don't think you're doomed. I think you just surprised her. Emotional overload or whatever. Did you not notice how she was touching you?"

"Of course I did. I felt it. She was so close and I wanted to kiss her."

"Well, she was looking at you the same way."

"Noah…"
"True story. I swear, if you weren't my bro, I'd totally add the image of you two pressed together giving each other sex eyes to my personal collection."

Rachel wrinkled her nose, "Thank God I'm your bro."

"I'm just saying, don't give up, okay?"

"I don't want to turn into some sort of stalker. I don't want to pressure her."

"Babe, girlfriend was stalking you first. They say that love is a form of obsession."

Rachel rolled her eyes, "Sure they do."
Puck nudged her again, "Just promise, okay? My bro is hot shit and she can get anyone she wants."

Rachel gave him a small smile, "Okay."

Puck smiled back, "Okay. Now just keep sending your little text messaged and charming her pants off."

Rachel groaned, "Noah, I'm not trying to get her pants off, I'm trying to date her."

"Date, get into pants, same thing."

"Says the self proclaimed sex shark."

"Don't be jealous because I'm the school stud. Speaking of school, are you get ready to go back? Less than a month and then breaks over."
Rachel hummed, "I don't know. I mean I'm excited about going back to Glee. I really believe we have a shot at Nationals this year. And another school year means a year closer to New York and Broadway. But, I don't look forward to the slushies or the insults."
Puck looked at her earnestly, a little hurt, "Do you really think that after the summer we've had I'd let them do that to you?"

Rachel's eyes widened and she put her hand on his arm, "Of course not. I just meant people will try to do it and, even though I know they're nobody, it still sucks."

He nodded and then his eyes lit up, "I say we turn that goddamn school on its head."

Rachel quirked an eyebrow, "And how do you propose we do that?"

Puck smirked, "Simple. We be ourselves. We're total badasses without even trying. Remember in elementary? We weren't popular, but we ruled that freaking place. Why? Because we were awesome. Now, we're ten times more awesome."

Rachel hummed, "Did you know that the principle of the middle school had a contingency plan for our arrival at middle school? In 8th grade, they let me help in the office instead of participate in recess. I saw them shred it."

"No shit? Like I said, Superstar and Puckasaurus are unstoppable together."

"I'm not going to turn into a class skipping juvenile delinquent—" Puck pouted "—but I wouldn't be opposed to making sure everyone knows our bromance has been renewed."

Puck smirked, "This is going to be so epic. Like the first time Mario meets Yoshi epic."

Rachel chuckled, "That epic, huh?"
"Don't question the greatness of Mario and Yoshi's relationship. People are going to see us walking down the halls and they're going to dive out of the way."

Rachel smiled and Puck paused. His face turned serious and Rachel looked at him questioningly.

"Wanna know what would be even better?"

"What?"
"If you joined the football team with me."
"Noah—"

"Here me out, okay? We already have the matching gear. We'd be like the twin terrors—scoring touchdowns and tackling like a boss. And you said we were doing this to help me get a scholarship. Who wants to give a scholarship to a player from the suckiest team in history? You're good, babe, and you like to play. Even with Finnept as the quarterback, we could mop up the field. I can't do this without you. Please?"

Rachel smirked at him, "I believe you've been spending too much time with me. That was definitely a Rachel Berry sized ramble. If you would have waited a moment to let me speak, I was going to say yes."

Puck crushed her in a bear hug. They spent the rest of the night talking about their plans for the rest of the summer.

Rachel debated on whether or not to tell Quinn. She had gotten used to telling her little things like that. In the end, Rachel decided to. If Quinn still cared, surely she would respond.

Rachel: I just want to tell you that I've decided to try out for the football team. Please don't be upset. Sweet dreams, Quinn.

Rachel fell asleep waiting for a text that never came.

Two days later, Quinn was still silent and Rachel was getting a little irritable. Puck convinced her they needed another bro night so, after they got cleaned up after practice, they headed to the mall. This time, Rachel wasn't worried about anything. Kurt had already texted all of Lima about their supposed romance and she was fully prepared to ignore whoever approached them. She didn't have to worry about Quinn seeing them because it was obvious that Quinn didn't care anymore.

First, Rachel bought them each two pretzels because they were ravenous from practice, and then they went to the bookstore. Rachel showed Puck all of the best sheet music and Puck showed Rachel the best comic books categorized by best storyline and the ones with the hottest chicks. When they were done there, they went to the arcade. Puck bought their tokens. They set a new high score on DDR. Rachel schooled him on Mortal Kombat and he owned her in a shooter. There was never a clear winner when it came to racing games because they each claimed the other was a horrible cheater. By the time they ran out of tokens, their stomachs were growling and they headed to the food court.

Puck got the biggest burger he could find and Rachel purchased a vegan stir fry. They sat down at a small booth and ate. They didn't bother with small talk because the silence was comfortable.

Rachel had finished eating and glanced to her right when she saw Kurt walking out of a store. She quickly turned away and watched him out of the corner of her eyes. She saw him notice them and stop walking before trying to sneak closer. Rachel pretended to keep her head down and Kurt slid into the booth behind Puck, sinking down so Rachel couldn't see him. She rolled her eyes. Amateur.

She tapped the table and Puck quirked an eyebrow. She smirked and grabbed one of his French fries and wrote Kurt in ketchup. She nodded behind him.

"Follow my lead," she mouthed.

Puck nodded and Rachel cleared her throat in order to make sure her voice was loud enough for Kurt to hear.

"Noah, we need to talk about the protection we've been using."

"Protection?"

"You know, for that thing we've been doing lately?"
"Oh. Ohhh. Babe, we've been using plenty of protection. Trust me."

"Are you sure? It's just the first time there was so much blood."
"That's because the Puckasaurus is as hard as a brick wall baby. Besides, didn't it feel good?"

"It did. Very satisfying. Such a release."
Puck smirked, "I know what you mean. After that first time, I just wanted to pound into you again and again."

Rachel tried to hold in a laugh as she heard Kurt gasp. "I felt the same way. I think I've decided that I like it better when I end up on top."
Puck almost spit out his drink. He winked, "It sure does make you sing."

"Well, you do shove me over the edge."

"Anything to get you off."
Rachel rolled her eyes, "Are you finished eating for the night?"

"Is that a trick question?"

She stood up, "I think it's time to go."
Puck followed suit and they headed away from Kurt.

"You are so freakin bad," Puck whispered.

"What can I say, I'm a master of innuendo."

Rachel glanced at a store window as they passed and noticed Kurt following them.

"We've got company."

Puck through his arm around her shoulders and whispered, "My turn."

He cleared his throat. "Babe, I've been thinking, you know that new uniform you got for when we play?"

Rachel hesitated as he turned them towards Victoria's Secret. "Yes?"

"Well I think you need some new underwear. Don't want anything to chafe."
Rachel glared at him discreetly, "That sounds like a fantastic idea."

Puck smirked, "Glad you think so," And he pulled her into the store.

Rachel couldn't help the blush that rose on her cheeks. She had never actually been into one before. There were unmentionables, lacy unmentionables, everywhere, and pictures of half naked models. Kurt hadn't followed them into the store but he was lurking outside the doorway.

"Now what," she hissed, "Bros don't underwear shop together."

He shrugged, "We'll just pretend." He held up a pair of boy briefs, "Santana or Brittany?"
Rachel glared at him. He raised an eyebrow. She relented. "Definitely Brittany."

Puck looked thoughtful for a moment, "You know, I think you're right. Santana?"

"Does she even wear underwear?"
"Ouch."
"I didn't mean it like that. She just seems like a temptress of some sort, you know?"

"No underwear is tempting?"

Rachel scowled, "Never mind. I change my answer to something red and lacy."

"What about Quinn?"

Rachel sent him a warning glare.

"Babe, we both know you've imagined it."
"Is Kurt gone yet?"

Puck sighed and glanced over his shoulder. "Yep."

"Good, let's go."

They were walking past the food court again when a voice called out, "Rach, wait!"

Rachel tensed as she recognized it and told Puck to walk faster. They didn't walk fast enough, and their pursuer had abnormally long legs, and Rachel spun around when a hand grabbed her shoulder.

She glared at Finn, "I have nothing to say to you, sir."

"Rach."

Puck stepped in front of her, "She said back off, dude."

Finn glared at him, "You shouldn't be hanging around her."

Puck tensed and Rachel huffed, "You should stay away from me. I repeat, I do not wish to speak to you."

Finn gave her his best puppy dog eyes, "I'm worried about you. You're my friend. You shouldn't be hanging out with him."

Rachel pinched the bridge of her nose, "You are not my friend. I do not befriend people who are ashamed of who I am or who my parents are. Noah is my friend. My best friend. Don't speak poorly of him in my presence."

Finn's eyes narrowed, "I told you it wasn't about the gay thing. Are you doing this to get back at me? Puck's not your friend. He's just using you for sex."

Rachel and Puck exchanged a glance. Rachel's face remained stony, "I assure you, whatever physical activities Noah and I are engaged in are mutually beneficial."

Finn gaped at her and she heard Kurt's voice call, "I knew it!"

She looked beyond Finn to see Kurt rapidly approaching, along with Mercedes and…Quinn?

Rachel's breath caught in her throat. She looked as beautiful as ever and it made Rachel's heart twist. Quinn's eyes were burning brightly as thy flicked over the three of them. When she met Rachel's gaze, the look intensified. Rachel was vaguely aware of Puck and Finn arguing, her bro acting as a shield for her. Fin kept trying to reach out and touch her and she didn't like it. The way Quinn's eyebrow was twitching indicated that she didn't like it either.

"Rach, don't let him do this to you?"

Rachel blinked and focused on Finn.

"Excuse me?"

"He's going to turn you into a whore, Rachel."

Finn's voice was so sincere it made Rachel want to kill him that much more. Puck caught her as she lunged for him.

"He's not worth it, Superstar."

"Pet names?" Kurt quipped.

"Can it, Shirley Temple," Rachel hissed, "And you, you pathetic excuse for a human being, never say anything like that about either of us again. Noah is one of the best men that I know. My fathers are proud to consider him a member of our family."

Mercedes spoke, "Hold up, do they know what you to are up to? Because my dad wouldn't let me near anybody who had me talking dirty in the mall where anybody could hear. And picking out sexy underwear. When Kurt came and told us poor Finn couldn't believe it and Quinn turned green with disgust."
Something she said made Rachel pause. She looked at them and her stomach twisted. "You all came here together?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, "Wt does that have to do with anything?"
Rachel felt the frantic energy in her body begin to build. She flicked her eyes from Finn to Quinn, "You came here with them."

Rachel wanted to kill Finn and hide his body, but she was too busy staring at Quinn who had quirked her eyebrow as if to ask "what?"

She swallowed hard, "You. Came here. With him."

Puck swore softly beside her and Quinn's eyes widened when she understood what Rachel was saying.

Finn spoke, "I can see whoever I want Rachel."
Rachel forced herself to turn around and storm away. She heard Puck say, "That was a bitch move" before he was beside her and they were headed out the door.

Rachel felt betrayed and angry and jealous. She wanted to kick and scream, but she forced herself to stay still as Puck put the keys in the ignition and started the truck. She nodded once when he glanced her way and he put the truck into gear. Rachel took a deep breath and her phone went off. She only checked it because it might have been one of her fathers. It wasn't.

Quinn: Rachel, it wasn't like that, I swear.

Rachel clenched her jaw and put the phone in her pocket. It went off again.

Quinn: I was hanging out with Mercedes and we met them here.

Rachel mashed on her keys furiously.

Rachel: Sounds like a double date to me. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Quinn: It wasn't like that, I swear. I wouldn't do that.

Quinn: Now who's being the possessive girlfriend?

Quinn:Rachel.

Quinn: Goddammit, Rachel, I was not out on a date with Finn. Get over yourself.

The truck stopped in front of Rachel's house. She hugged Puck.

"I had an awesome bro night with you. Thank you."

He gave her a sad smile, "Except for the end."
"Only the very end. See you tomorrow."

"Sure thing."

She waved as he pulled away. Her phone went off again.

Quinn: You'd better not be doing something stupid with Puckerman.

Rachel kissed both of her dads goodnight and went through her nighttime regimen.

Quinn: Rachel. Please talk to me.

Rachel shut off her phone, crawled into bed, and went to sleep.