Strong
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Glee.
Chapter 1: No Voice
Noah Puckerman, commonly known as Puck, was left paralyzed after a stabbing incident while he was overseas. The attack also damaged his vocal cords, resulting in a stutter and difficulty with speech. While lying in his hospital bed he stared at the fresh stitches on his neck, which had just been bandaged by the nurse.
Just then, he heard Tracy, Kurt's daughter, walk into the room. "Why did those mean men hurt Nono? I'll get them, Daddy!" she exclaimed. Unable to speak, Puck motioned for Kurt to lift her onto his lap.
Puck pressed his forehead against Tracy's. She said, "No, no! I know, but they hurt you! I don't care if I'm too small, Nono! You're my hero, and nobody gets to hurt you!"
Tears welled up in both of their eyes. Quinn walked in and said to Kurt, "Beth came by earlier and yelled at him for making me give her up. She knew it was my choice, but she tried to get him to yell back at her. Kurt, this is the first time I've seen him get emotional about what happened to him."
She leaned in to whisper, "He's been asking about Tracy since Beth left, and he kept staring at his neck before you two arrived. I think he just wanted to see her because the last time he saw Beth was when she was Tracy's age."
By the time Burt and Carole arrived, Tracy was asleep on Puck's chest. Soon after, Norah entered and told Kurt, "I know she is Blaine's daughter, but I believe she is just what he needs to heal."
They heard Puck groan before Tracy called out, "Nana Norah, come here! Nono wants you!"
Tracy then looked at Norah and asked, "Where's Aunt Sarah?"
Norah glanced at Puck and replied, "Her boyfriend wouldn't let her leave and even tried to call the cops on me."
Tracy exclaimed, "What a jerk!" but Puck quickly covered her mouth and shot her a glare.
Burt chimed in, "Ha! Puck, you know she's saying what you can't say, right?"
Puck continued to glare at him, and as he removed his hand, Tracy said, "Nono, I'm sorry, but Grandpa is right, and you know it!"
Puck motioned toward Kurt before Tracy answered, "I only swear around you, Nono! Okay? Besides, do you want me to write your responses for everyone when I can read your mind and tell them what you're thinking?"
Puck looked at the others before replying, "No," and then broke down in tears.
Tracy wrapped her arms around him and said, "Everyone except Queenie and Nana Norah, please leave for a few minutes." The others complied, hearing her hum softly as they exited.
Fifteen minutes later, Tracy called them back in. As they entered, Puck looked at Burt, and Tracy said, "Grandpa, go get Sarah now!"
Dave soon walked in with Sarah and said, "Puck, I took care of her ex, and Tracy, your dad helped."
Sebastian entered with Blaine, who had an eye patch over his eye. Blaine looked at Kurt before saying, "I've got a swollen black eye."
Sebastian remarked, "At least it wasn't a slushy filled with rock salt."
Tracy exclaimed, "What the hell, Papa?! Are you crazy? Do you want to end up in that bed over there?" She pointed to the bed in the room.
Everyone turned to look at Puck, who shook his head in disagreement. Then Tracy said, "I'm mad at him! He could have been hurt worse!"
Blaine added, "Puck, I was with Dave and Boss when we saw your mom trying to help Sarah leave her boyfriend. We waited for everyone to leave the scene. I should have told you what happened first, but I wanted to hurt the guy for you with Dave's help."
Puck looked at Tracy, who replied, "Papa, I'm not repeating myself! Plus, Nono says you're an idiot!"
On the day Puck was released from the hospital, he still had stitches in his throat, and Tracy saw them for the first time. As she watched Quinn change his bandages, she started to cry and said, "Nonno, I know I'm not Aunt Beth, but I'm glad I could help you feel better."
Quinn responded, "I tried to get her to see you today, but she refused."
Then Quinn looked at Tracy, and before she could say anything, Tracy interjected, "I'm not trying to replace Beth! That was Nonno doing that, not me! Doesn't she understand that? Plus, he only did it because she got mad at him!"
Soon after, Quinn called Shelby, and they overheard Blaine yelling at Beth, shouting, "Beth, Puck needs you! Tracy is just his friend!"
Beth replied, "Blaine, your daughter can read my dad's mind! They have a bond that I will never have with him."
Blaine countered, "Tracy doesn't want to replace you, Beth! She knows I'm her dad, and Puck is her friend! Now, get off your high horse and come see Puck."
Beth retorted, "Never!" as the call ended.
One day, while Tracy was visiting, Quinn heard her ask, "Do you want me to read your mind forever, Nonno?"
Puck stuttered, "Tree, see?"
Puck refused to learn how to say "Dada" and only spoke to Tracy. He had chosen not to talk to anyone else because he felt they teased him behind his back, and he believed Tracy felt the same way.
Tracy wanted to stay with Puck and Quinn after Beth had Shelby file a restraining order against them for alleged harassment. It wasn't true; they had never harassed her. However, Quinn didn't want to confront Shelby just to get Beth to see Puck.
Quinn, however, had a better idea. She called Blaine and asked, "Would you and Kurt want to move in with us?" Kurt repeatedly said no in response.
Blaine sighed and told Kurt, "Tracy can't keep going over there when Quinn needs her help with Puck. Besides, you know Finn wouldn't be happy to learn you're turning your back on him."
Kurt grumbled, "Okay, but only until they get a home care nurse."
Burt chimed in, "You didn't get me a home care nurse after your mom died. Blaine, tell Quinn she better have room for all of us, and Tracy, Grandpa Hulk misses her."
Puck then took the phone and said, "Dada," which made Quinn and Tracy giggle.
Burt chuckled and said, "Puck, I would be glad to be your dad. I just retired from Congress, so maybe you can teach me how to use a rifle or a flamethrower for real."
Puck replied with a chuckle, "Maybe."
Quinn took her phone and said, "Mr. H, don't make me regret this. Kurt, you owe this to me. I was supposed to be Tracy's mom."
Burt reassured her, "Quinn, stop worrying; if you keep stressing out, you'll give yourself a heart attack."
Blaine laughed and said, "Quinn, if you hadn't called me, I would have called you. Burt and Carole had the same idea, and they had to remind Kurt about the last time you lived with them."
Quinn said, "Blaine, tell Mr. H he better be glad he's not with Norah." She ended the call before Kurt could yell at her again, and Puck and Tracy laughed.
Quinn then turned to Tracy and asked, "How long have you been helping Nono speak?"
Tracy chuckled and replied, "Since he came home. What do you think I was telling him in Hebrew? I tried to be polite, but he's a big baby. I know he misses Aunt Beth. Plus, that's why he clings to me. I wish my Nana Shelby wouldn't be such a meanie and come visit him."
Quinn sighed and whispered, "Me too, Tracy, me too."
Puck's homecoming was a bittersweet affair. The house was filled with the laughter of Tracy and the quiet support of Kurt and Blaine, but the absence of Beth left a gaping hole that no one could ignore. Despite his physical limitations, Puck was trying his best to keep the atmosphere light, often making Tracy giggle with his attempts at humor.
Quinn, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. She constantly fussed over Puck, adjusting his pillows, checking his bandages, and making sure he was comfortable. Her worry was palpable, and it was clear she was carrying a heavy burden of guilt.
One day, while Tracy was at school, Quinn found herself alone with Puck. Looking at him, his strong features softened by pain, she couldn't help but break down. "I'm so sorry, Puck," she sobbed. "I should have been there for you."
Puck reached out, took her hand gently, and looked into her eyes. "Quinn, it's not your fault." His voice was barely a whisper, but the sincerity was clear.
Meanwhile, Tracy faced her battles at school. She was fiercely protective of Puck and didn't take kindly to the whispers and stares that followed her around. "My Nono is a hero," she declared defiantly. "And he's stronger than any of you."
Back at home, Kurt and Blaine did their best to support Puck and Quinn. They cooked meals, helped with housework, and provided a listening ear whenever it was needed. Despite the circumstances, they grew closer to Puck and Quinn, forming a bond that was as unexpected as it was strong.
As days turned into weeks, Puck's condition slowly improved. He started physical therapy, and although the progress was slow, it was steady. His speech, too, was getting better, thanks to Tracy's relentless coaching.
One day, Puck surprised everyone by standing up from his wheelchair. It was a small step, literally and figuratively, but symbolized a giant leap in his recovery. There were tears and cheers, and even Tracy couldn't help but hug Puck, whispering in his ear, "I told you, Nono, you're my hero."
As Puck continued to heal, the wounds of the past began to mend as well. Beth finally came to visit, her anger replaced by regret and a desire to reconcile. It was an emotional reunion, and although there were still issues to resolve, it was a start.
Amid all this, Quinn fell in love with Puck all over again. His strength, resilience, and unwavering positivity were a beacon of light in her life. When Puck confessed his feelings for her, she knew she had found her home in him.
Chapter 2 will be up soon. Stay tuned!
