Chapter 1

A/N: Hi this is my first Glee fanfic. I love the idea of Puck and Rachel. This however is not a Puck and Rachel fic. Rachel is an important part of this fic but it's not what you are expecting. If you are reading this wanting them to have a happy ending in a romantic way then stop right now. This is very A/U and takes place 11 years after Puck graduates from high school. Please don't flame me or send anonymous reviews saying terrible things. I'm warning you a head of time so if you don't want to see Puck with an OC character then don't waste your time or mine. Thanks and please enjoy if this is something you want to read.

Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face
You told me how proud you were, but I walked away
If only I knew what I know today....

Hurt..Christina Aguilera

RPOV:

Oh no Kurt is going to kill me. I'm so late for our appointment. I pull out my cell and send him a quick text letting him now that my meeting with my agent ran longer than expected. A few minuets later as I'm sitting in my taxi my cell goes off. "Where the hell are you Rachel? You know getting ready for an event like this takes time. I can't just snap my figures and make you fabulous no matter how talented I am." He says before I can even say hi.

"I know Kurt. I'm sorry; I'll be at your studio in fifteen. I promise." I sigh already exhausted from all the rehearsals for tonight's Tony awards. I'll be performing in the segment for West Side Story as Maria. It's been eleven years since I graduated from high school and left for NYU. I got my degree in drama and have been performing in many Broadway productions since. Currently I can be seen starring in West Side Story, my dream come true.

I pull up to Kurt's loft/studio and I quickly pay the driver. I tiredly drag myself up the three flights of steps to Kurt Hummel (stylist to the stars) work studio. I tried to keep in touch with everyone after graduation but after the years and with busy schedules I grew distant. It was purely accidental when I bumped into Kurt two years ago standing in front of Tiffany's living out his Audrey Hepburn moment.

We've been inseparable since. He's now my personal stylist for all my special events like red carpets, premiers, openings of new shows ect..ect..ect. "Darling you look absolutely terrible." Kurt says aghast. "Nice to see you too." I huff not really wanting to hear how awful I look right now. "Still not getting any rest Sweetie." He sighs giving me the once over. I shake my head and flop down on his soft large chaise lounge.

"What have I been telling you? Your going to run yourself ragged with going from show to show to show without a break. Your not sixteen anymore and it's not like we have Mrs. Shue's 'vitamin d' to perk us up." He says sweetly. I toss a throw pillow at him. "I know, you don't have to tell me again. I hear it enough from my fathers." I say wearily.

"Rach, you should come home with me next month. I'm going to visit with my dad and his new wife and I'm pretty sure your dads would love to see you. Not to mention a certain hunky brooding bad boy with a heart of gold." Kurt says with a sly wink. My heart clenches at the mention of him. "Don't go there Kurt." I say warningly.

"Sweetie your still hung up on him. I can see it in your eyes every time he gets mentioned. It's been over ten years Rachel. You should at least get some closure." Kurt says wisely. I hate when he's right, but I'm not brave enough for that. I took the coward's way out when I left and I'm too afraid of what he would say after all this time.

"For all I know he's married to Quinn and is living happily ever after with their daughter." I say trying to hold back the tears that the mere mention of him causes. "That's not what Mercedes told me yesterday." Kurt says with a knowing look. "What are you talking about?" I ask my curiosity piqued.

"I thought you didn't want to go there." He says like a smart ass. I glare at him and he nods his head with a little laugh. "Well Miss Diva told me that when she was back home visiting recently she ran into him with his daughter but no Quinn." Kurt states his eyebrows shooting up for effect. I motion for him to continue. "Well, apparently a year after graduation Quinn was offered an internship at some agency in LA that deals with models. She took the job and gave Puck full custody of their daughter and hasn't been back to Lima since." Kurt finishes thoroughly enjoying this bit of gossip.

I'm left sitting there dumbfounded. Quinn gone and Puck, I mean Noah left to raise his daughter on his own. I fall back into the large cushions completely unaware of what Kurt is babbling on about. I'm lost in my thoughts of the past. My thoughts center mostly of my first boyfriend, Noah Pukerman. My first love.

It's been over ten years since I saw him last. Eleven to be exact. Eleven years since I took off in the middle of the night without a word. Eleven years since I left like a coward breaking his heart and mine. "Kurt even if I did go back to see him who's to say he'd want to see me." I say softly still daydreaming about days gone by. "If you don't go you'll always wonder what if and frankly I'm tired of your fake peppy facade. Don't say anything let me talk." Kurt hushes me. I nod and let him continue.

"When we fist reconnected two years ago you were fantastic. You were so happy and full of life. You achieved everything you set out to and I was thrilled for you." He says taking a seat next to me. He pats me on the leg sweetly. "But the last six months Honey have been awful just watching you. Now I'm your friend and I say this with love but you're a robot. You're missing something Rachel. It seems like your just going through the motions." He says leaving me stunned.

I sit up quickly and stare at him dumbly. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have everything I always wanted." I say defensively. In all honesty he's right but I don't want to admit that just yet. He nods his head in frustration. "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel…if that were true you would be happy but your not. I see it everyday. Yes you have the career you wanted and the notoriety that comes with it but sweetie you have no one to share it with. Especially not the one you want to share it with." He says pointedly.

I look at him not really sure about what to say next. He's right though. Every guy I date never compares to Noah. Every fiber of my being screams out for him but I'm too scared to see him again. Too scared of what he'll say or do. Part of me wonders if he would throw another slushie in my face. I would deserve it after what I did to him. What I did to both of us.

Kurt hugs me softly then drags me up with him. "Come now darling we must get ready. You have to be on the red carpet in two hours and I have the most fabulous yellow Besty Johnson dress for you." Kurt purrs and drags me to the dressing room. Two hours later I'm walking down the red carpet smiling my superstar smile while the paparazzi flash pictures and reporters ask questions about my dress and upcoming shows I'm interested in.

I'm smiling but all I wanna do is cry. Kurt was right. No matter how much I wanted this it doesn't seem worth it without him here by my side. The rest of the night passes by in a blur and all I can think about is Noah. Think about Noah and his intense green eyes seeing into deepest part of my soul. His husky voice that would send shivers down my spine when he would strum his guitar and sing softly to me in his messy bedroom.

I would gladly trade all this for just a moment like that with him again. Sitting in the limo on the way home with Kurt I finally gather enough courage to face him. "Kurt I'm going with you." Is all I say. Kurt just smiles at me and for the first time in months I feel like me again. The me that was brave and determined and always got what she set her sights on. I smile the first genuine smile I've had in months.

One month later….

I wait at the baggage claims area while Kurt grabs a cart for our luggage. Being back in the state of Ohio makes my stomach twist in knots. Knowing that he's here and literally within reach makes me so nervous I think I might pass out.

Once I get my rental I practically race towards Lima. Kurt laughs at how impatient I am but I can't help it. I'm not only excited about seeing my parents but also getting a chance to see Noah again. The closer we get to Lima the more my heart is pounding in my chest. Relief washes over me as I see the once familiar sign welcoming us Lima, Ohio.

I turn down the same side streets I had eleven years ago when life seemed so much simpler. I pull into Kurt's driveway and promise him that I would call him the moment something juicy happens. He kisses me on the cheek and flounces up his front steps. I wave goodbye and head straight to my parent's home.

I pull into my familiar drive and rush up the steps leaving my luggage behind. I'll get it later. I knock on the door and I can hear my father Richard yells 'I'm coming'. I bounce excitedly in place. This is the first time I've been back since I left. I usually fly my dads to New York a few times a year. I always make excuses as to why I never come home. I tell them I'm busy with work but deep down I think they know it has to do with Noah.

The first year after I left they would come and visit and tell me how much Noah missed me. I broke down so badly and made them promise to never mention him again. Till this day they still haven't. The opening of the door snaps me out of my thoughts. "Daddy." I squeal happily.

My father's shocked expression was worth the trip. He pulls me in a tight hug then yells for my dad Ben to come see a miracle. My daddy ushers me into the house and I am immediately pulled into the arms of my other father. "My word baby girl this has to be the best surprise I've ever had." He says kissing the top of my head softly. I pull away and can't help but beam at him.

"I missed you too dad." I say sweetly and walk over to the crème colored sofa and take a seat. "I thought you had rehearsals for the next show sweetie." My dad Richard says. "I did but I pulled out early. I just needed a break. I already finished my run in West Side Story so I just thought some time here would be a nice change." I say feeling so much lighter and happier then I have been in months.

"That's just wonderful darling. It's about time you take a break. The last time we visited you just looked so worn out and tired." My dad Ben says with fatherly concern in his eyes. "Well I'm going to head up stairs and freshen up and maybe take a nap. Oh…my bags." I say forgetting that I left them in my rental. "Don't worry Rachel, I'll go get them just go up and get some rest."My daddy says and I kiss him softly on the cheek.

I drift upstairs and hesitate at my bedroom door. I wonder if it's still the same as I left it. I swing open the door and tentatively step in. Suddenly the room is filled with old ghost. All the memories of Noah and I in here come rushing forward. Our first kiss, our first fight as a couple, the first time he sang to me a song he wrote, the first time we made love. I place a hand on my chest trying to ease the pain I feel there.

"Oh sweetie…don't be so sad. I'm pretty sure he misses you just as much. In fact his mother asked about you last week at temple." My dad Richard says while dragging my luggage into my room. "Oh…I'm surprise she doesn't hate me. I mean after all I did break her baby boy's heart." I say softly trying to hold back my tears. "Rachel no one hates you. Especially not Noah and his mom. Yes he was hurt. I'm not going to lie to you. It was bad but he's fine. Your father and I see them at temple all the time and he has nothing but good things to say about you." My father says trying to ease my pain.

I brush away the few stray tears that have fallen down my cheeks and take a deep breath. "I don't know what I'm doing here daddy. You know I had this whole speech planned out for when I saw him, but I don't know if I can do it." I say feeling like running back to New York. "I know sweet heart." He says and hugs me tightly. I pull away and toss one of my bags on my bed. I begin to unpack.

As my father leaves my room he stops at the door and turns to me. "You know darling you should go to the school tomorrow and visit with Mr. Shue. He still runs glee club. I'm sure he'd love to see you. Besides you just might be surprised at what you find there." He says before leaving me to my thoughts.

I mull it over while I finish unpacking. Why not? I would love to see Mr. Shue again and thank him for everything he did for me while I was in school. I just don't understand what my dad meant by 'I might be surprised'. I wonder what that is all about? Oh well I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

A/N: Please Review. I hope you liked this. Next up Rachel gets her surprise.