A.N.: For the first time, I'm posting a story when all of the chapters are written and ready to be edited! This, my dears, is the end of the Jar of Hearts series. I haven't watched Glee in years, so this is of course completely AU from Season 2 – Jar of Hearts substitutes for Duets, You and Me for Never Been Kissed, Hope's on Fire for The Substitute (I forgot how awful it got, and how fast...) so we're talking Kurt as a boy with a crush on Finn, Quam (was that what they called it?) no Blaine, and Shelby disappeared into the sunset with a baby girl named Beth that Puck finds himself missing...Please enjoy!

Life's for the Living

"I want to touch you," Rachel whispered. Her hands tightened on his and she rolled her body against him.

Puck groaned and dropped his forehead to hers. "I know you probably don't mean that the way I want you to, but I'm gonna have a fucking fantastic dream thinking you did," he rasped. He released her hands and stroked his own down her arms and across her collarbone, leaning up on his elbows.

Her smile was seductive as she reached between them. "Yes, you are." She unsnapped the button on his jeans. "And I'll make them come true," she murmured huskily. She licked her lips and slowly dragged the zipper down. "Just like you're making mine come true," she continued. She slipped her hand inside and caught her breath. "Commando, Noah? You were certainly hoping for something…" She skimmed the back of her hand down his hard length and took hold of it with a low moan. "Oh, Noah…"

"Noah? Did you even make it home last night?" His mother knocked again. "Noah?"

Puck's eyes flew open. Why the fuck can't I just dream in peace? "Yeah, Ma, I made it home. See the truck in the driveway? That's not magic."

"Can I come in?"

He looked down at himself and snickered. Somehow doubt you wanna do that right now. "I'm gonna take a shower, Ma, I'll be down in a few."

"Do you smell like one of those...those girls?"

He snorted. "Not even close, Ma, but thanks for giving me credit."

"Hmph, fine." Her footsteps retreated down the hallway.

He closed his eyes again, turning onto his stomach and reaching under his pillow. None of those girls would be wearing a perfume like this. He buried his face in Rachel's cardigan and grinned. Way too classy.

Rachel stretched and smiled. "Oh, what a beautiful morning...oh what a beautiful day…" she sang softly. She drew the flannel closer around her and inhaled deeply. You really aren't getting this back. She threw the covers aside and practically skipped to the mirror. "Oh, Noah…" She gingerly touched the hickey and grinned. What would my fathers say…

"Rachel?" Stephen knocked lightly on her door. "Breakfast is ready, sweetheart, Dad made those whole wheat strawberry shortcake pancakes you love."

"Thanks, Daddy...I'll be down in a few minutes." She tilted her neck and shook her head. "Just let me get dressed."

"No problem, we'll keep them warm for you," Stephen promised. "See you in a bit."

Rachel picked up her phone, pulling up the text messages from Noah with a smile. I wonder if I could get away with wearing this all day. She giggled and set her fingers to the buttons. I somehow doubt it would be a good idea if I'm trying to hide the hickey. She caught her own eyes in the mirror and shivered, a vision of Noah behind her heating her blood. I'll try sweats. That's probably safest. She spun away from her reflection and moved towards the closet, blushing and turning to her dresser instead.

Puck tugged on a flannel, giving his wet Mohawk one last swipe with the towel. He smirked at the cardigan and sequined top draped over his letterman's jacket and tossed his towel on the bed, skimming down the stairs.

"Noah?" His mother called out from the kitchen.

He rolled his eyes and went in. "Yeah, Ma?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "What time did you get home?"

He shrugged. "Probably around 1:30? Definitely not after 2." He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his messages. "1:38 am."

"You texted someone as soon as you got home?" She raised a brow. "That's different. Usually you're glad to get away."

He opened his mouth to explain and shut it again. Not yet.

Her other eyebrow lifted. "Something I should know?"

"Not yet," he repeated aloud. "Nothing bad though."

"I certainly hope not." She gestured him towards the table, setting the everything bagel down in front of him. "Smoked salmon, cream cheese, sliced red onion, tomato, black pepper. Eat."

He frowned up at her quickly and sat. "Thanks…" He kept his eyes on her and took a bite.

She sat across from him. "So, I saw Hiram and Stephen Berry at the market last night." She cleared her throat. "They...thanked me for what a gentleman you were to their Rachel, for taking care of her."

He froze for a moment, forcing himself to chew and swallow. "Uh…"

"Are you sure there isn't anything you want to tell me about?" She waited expectantly.

He took another bite and shook his head.

She rolled her eyes. "You know, Noah, some people would want to brag about their good work." She pushed away from the table and poured a glass of orange juice, setting it down in front of him. "I thought you'd be happy I asked." She folded her arms and stood over him.

I'd be happier if you didn't sound so shocked about it. "It's not a big deal." He glanced down at his phone. Speaking of big deals...He clicked the button to check for text messages and swallowed hard. "Seriously, Ma, it's nothing."

She threw her hands up. "I'd keep after you, but I have to pick Sarah up from Megan's house."

He forced a smile. "Nothing to harass me about. Don't worry about it."

"I'm not worried, Noah." She sighed. "It would just be nice to be proud. Or to know more about why I should be."

He blew out a breath. "Some jackass was harassing Rachel at school. I chased him off."

"And drove her home, and took her to a party to cheer her up." She rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to see if you would tell me." She shook her head. "You should have, Noah. I'm very proud of you." She poked his shoulder. "I always thought you and Rachel would be sweet together."

He ducked his head.

"Oh my goodness. Noah. Tell me." She clutched his arm. "Please make your mother the happiest mother in Lima."

"Shut up, Ma, you're gonna be late." He smirked. "You know Megan's mom gets bitchy if you're late."

She snorted with laughter. "Like a hibernating bear, big and fat and angry." She kissed his head. "I want details when I get home."

If I'm still here. "Yeah, Ma, I hear you." He took a bite and nodded towards the door. "Better go."

She eyed him suspiciously again. "I know where you live. You have to come back sometime. And if it's a good thing, Noah, you should share with your mother."

He rolled his eyes in return. "I'll see you later, Ma."

She sighed theatrically and grabbed her keys from the counter. "You will."

Puck waited until the door shut and flipped the phone open, smirking as he read the message.

I'm going to need to purchase stock in stage makeup. But I don't mind a bit. :) Can't wait to see you.

"I suppose wearing a tank top to a backyard gathering in October was not my most brilliant idea." Rachel popped the last strawberry in her mouth and shrugged. "Hopefully this chill will pass soon." She tugged lightly at the turtleneck and tried to peek at her handiwork.

"I certainly hope so, honey, aren't you all gearing up for Sectionals?" Hiram exchanged a look with Stephen. "You would think you'd have been vigilant about that."

Rachel blushed. "I - I know, I just -"

Stephen gave his husband a sharp look. "You just let us know if we can get you anything or do anything." He smiled at her. "You had fun."

She nodded shyly. "I did. I never expected to, in fact, I fully anticipated calling you, but..."

"Noah was a gentleman?" Stephen interjected.

"Yes, Dad. He was attentive and sweet. If anything, I wasn't fair to him - I left him for a bit to talk to Finn."

Her fathers exchanged a frown.

"Oh?" Hiram raised a brow. "How was that?"

She giggled. "That was that, Dad." She froze as her phone vibrated. "Finn and I spoke, and…" She tore her gaze from the phone and shrugged at her parents. "I was right. About Quinn. He's - they're - "

"Oh, sweetheart." Stephen reached over to squeeze her arm. "Are you all right?"

She bit her lip and nodded. "I...I am, actually."

Hiram smiled. "You came home early in the morning, I noticed."

She blushed again. "You told me to have a good time…"

Her dad laughed. "I did, honey, and I'm glad you did." He nodded at the phone on the table. "Want to see what Noah has to say?"

Puck let the truck idle in his driveway. I shouldn't just barge over there. Play it cool. Wait for the text from Q, then I have a reason to go. He glanced at his phone and patted his backpack. Unless she says different…

Rachel ducked her head and nodded quickly. "If you don't mind?"

Hiram and Stephen exchanged another look. "By all means, Rachel, go right ahead," Stephen confirmed.

She snatched the phone up and checked the text, giggling. "Thank you." She glanced at them both. "Would it - would it be all right if Noah came by today?"

Hiram hid his smile behind his coffee cup. "Of course."

She sent a quick response before rereading the message with a grin.

Happy to invest too if it means I can come over and do it again. Can I?

Puck jumped as his phone buzzed, scrolling to check the message. Yes please. He smirked and pulled out of his driveway, retracing his late night drive back to her.

Hiram exchanged a smile with his husband. "So, no Finn, and Noah is coming over, hmm?"

Rachel blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. "We - Noah is -"

Stephen chuckled. "Your dad is teasing you, honey. We bumped into Mrs. Puckerman and the two of them are rooting for you."

Rachel bit her lip and shrugged. "He may have asked me out last night and I might have said yes."

Hiram smiled triumphantly. "That's my girl."

Rachel frowned quickly. "Dad, you realize Noah isn't...most parents don't..." She sighed. "He isn't exactly -"

He reached out to squeeze her hand. "What I realize is that that boy has treated you like an equal, whether you were on the same side or not, once he realized what those slushy things were like." Hiram raised a brow. "And he defended you against everyone Friday, after making sure you got home safely on Thursday." He shrugged. "Noah may not be a model citizen but it's more for lack of practice than will. I think, anyway."

Rachel gave a soft smile and nodded. "Exactly."

Stephen smiled. "Then we're happy for you. And keep the door open."

She caught her breath and froze. "Daddy!"

Hiram rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Stephen. Pretty sure she's hiding a hickey under there anyway."

"Dad!" Rachel clutched a hand to her neck.

"Dead giveaway, my dear," Hiram said with a grin. "Even if I didn't know, you just told me." He nodded at her father. "Door open. That's if we even let you go upstairs."

She frowned. "My computer and my books are upstairs. Would you like me to relocate everything?"

Stephen tsked at his husband. "No. You just keep that door open, that's all."

She bit her lip and nodded, blushing. Guess I can put that flannel on after all.

Puck blew out a breath and rubbed unexpectedly sweaty palms against his jeans. Man up, Puckerman, you signed up for this gig. He rang the doorbell.

Rachel jumped up. "I'll get it!" She ran for the door.

Hiram handed Stephen the Arts & Leisure section and shook his head. "At least the stage makeup works, no one will have to know."

"We do!" Stephen shook his head. "But still, so much better for her than Finn..."

Rachel smoothed her hands down the flannel with a smile and opened the door.

Puck froze, relaxing as he saw who was waiting to let him in. "That looks so damn good on you. Your dads didn't ask?"

Rachel grinned, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "Thanks. And um," she blushed and shrugged as she continued, "they tricked me into revealing the hickey. I tried to get away with a turtleneck but..."

Puck shook his head and smirked. "Rookie move, Rach." He quirked a brow. "Should I turn around? I don't wanna get you in trouble."

She grinned and shook her head. "I wouldn't be in my flannel if you were in trouble." She took his hand and pulled him inside.

"Your flannel, huh?" He raised a brow. "Got over not wanting to take it pretty quick."

She shrugged. "It's comfy and it..." She flushed again and ducked her head.

"What?" Puck shook his head. "You can't blush like that and not tell me what you were gonna say."

"It smells like you," she whispered.

He smirked. "Yeah? Well I wanna know what perfume you use, 'cause your sweater smells delicious," he whispered back.

She giggled. "Come say hi to my dads." She took his backpack and dropped it on the stairs as she led him through.

Stephen nudged Hiram as Rachel and Noah entered. "Hello there, Noah."

Puck approached with his hand outstretched. "Good morning, Mr. Berry."

Stephen smiled at Hiram as he stood to shake hands. "Good morning."

"Mr. Berry." Puck turned to Hiram.

Hiram stood and nodded. "Good morning." He shook Noah's hand and winked at Rachel.

She beamed. "Quinn said she was going to give Noah the email address, we're going to go upstairs and formulate an email."

Stephen raised a brow. "You did already send her one on LinkedIn, didn't you?"

Rachel flushed. "Well, yes, but this one is definitely closer to her, so it's more important." She gave a calculated shrug. "The last one was written without preparation. This needs careful consideration."

"And an open door," Stephen added. "Nice to see you, Noah. Thank you once again for taking care of our Rachel."

Puck smirked. "Someone's gotta do it."

Rachel smacked his arm lightly and dragged him towards the stairs.

Hiram chuckled. "And here I had always thought I would be the stickler." He raised a brow. "You weren't nearly this adamant with Finn."

Stephen raised a brow. "Turtleneck."

Hiram laughed and waved him off. "Touche."

Puck frowned at Rachel, snagging his bag as they passed. "Open door?"

Rachel giggled and sighed. "They're just trying to preserve my chastity."

Puck smirked and pulled her to him. "Saying I'm a threat to your virtue, baby? That turns me on."

Rachel blushed and swatted at him again. "I'm getting the t-shirt made tomorrow."

Puck grinned. "How do you spell it? Two r's? Incorrrrrigible. Or one like dirigible?"

She raised a brow. "Dirigible? Really?"

He shrugged. "The Hindenberg. And the Goodyear blimp."

She giggled again. "Fair enough." She pursed her lips. "Hi."

He grinned and tossed his bookbag aside. "Hi." He leaned down and kissed her.

Rachel sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with a grin. "How did you sleep?" she murmured.

Puck smirked. "I had this kickass dream, but Ma woke me up too soon." He whispered into her ear, tightening his grip on her and bringing her closer to his body. "You just took hold of my cock but we didn't get anywhere…"

"Noah!" Rachel blushed furiously, hiding her face in his chest. "You can't say such things."

Puck chuckled and shook his head. "Can and will. Think we established that." He spun her in his arms so her back was to his front and walked them further into her bedroom.

She shuddered as he held her against his growing erection. "Noah...you...I…"

He pressed a kiss to the slope of her neck. "Yup, that's the plan."

She flushed and giggled. "I really do just need to get you a t-shirt."

He stopped in front of the full length mirror, catching her eyes with his. "Can't blame me. Look at you."

She ducked her head. "I'm - Noah, I'm just -"

"Gorgeous. Amazing." He squeezed her lightly. "The best."

She reached around to hug him. "Thank you." She turned in his arms to look at him. "Did Quinn send the email address?"

He shook his head. "Uh, not yet."

She frowned fleetingly. "O-oh. I thought that's why you wanted to come over."

He shook his head again, slowly. "Just you."

Rachel met his gaze steadily even as she shivered. "Oh."

"In love," Quinn's voice echoed. Puck licked his suddenly dry lips.

Rachel rose to her tiptoes and kissed him tentatively.

Puck shuddered and held her in place, focusing on the feel of her mouth on his.

She whimpered and pressed closer, her arms wrapping around him while she lifted her body to align with his.

He groaned and hoisted her into position, chuckling as she wriggled. His hands tightened on her ass.

She tore away from the kiss, gasping for air while hooking her ankles behind his back. "Noah…"

He growled and turned to stalk to the bed, lowering her gently and following her down.

She laughed breathlessly, shaking her head. "Noah, please, my fathers…"

He grinned and kissed her neck. "Your fathers let me come over after knowing I gave you a hickey last night, they can't be shocked."

She moaned and bit her lip as he found another sensitive spot. "Noah…"

He nipped at her. "You keep talking, I'll keep exploring."

Rachel laughed again and shuddered. "You are going to get us in trouble."

Puck shook his head. "You're just gonna have to be quiet." He ducked down to kiss her with a grin.

She kissed him back for a minute, then pushed lightly at his shoulder.

He groaned and flipped them. "All right, you wanna be on top, I keep forgetting."

She gasped and blushed. "Noah!"

He quirked a brow. "Yeah? Like I'm wrong?"

She blushed deeper and pressed both hands to his chest, biting her lip.

He groaned again. "That's not even fair, y'know." He sank a hand into her hair and leaned up to catch her lower lip between his teeth instead. "You have the most perfect pouty lips."

She whimpered and subsided against him. Just a little...

He slipped a hand under the flannel, smoothing up to her waist.

Rachel jumped at the feel of his hand on her skin. "Noah..."

Puck groaned and released her. "Fine, but don't blame me when you're all riled up later."

She dropped a kiss on his lips and sat up. "Agreed."

He shook his head slowly. "What am I agreeing to? 'Cause all I feel is you pressed against my -"

She blushed furiously and rolled off.

He boosted himself to his elbows. "I wasn't complaining."

She shook herself, running her hands through her hair and frowning at her reflection in the mirror. "I - I know, I just -"

He blew out a breath. "Need to slow down?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry, Noah, but...just be assured it's not anything about you, it's -"

"Them. It's Hudson and St. Dumbass." He sat up and rubbed his hands over his head. "They suck. You are awesome. And the fact they didn't make you feel wanted is their problem. Not yours."

Rachel turned. "Thank you, Noah. I - I'm working on that."

Puck smirked. "You were working something for sure."

She gasped and blushed, laughing. "I can't even call you incorrigible anymore."

He grinned. "You can, I just take it as a compliment."

She rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

He quirked a brow. "Wanna reconsider being - y'know, whatever - now that you're sober?"

"Reconsider - what? No!" Rachel bit her lip. "I mean, unless you - if you're not - not interested -"

Puck rolled his eyes in reply. "C'mon, Rachel. I think you can tell just how interested I am." Which is still fucking weird. "But I'm not trying to push you into anything." He smirked. "Maybe push something into you but..."

"Noah!" Rachel blushed and rolled her eyes. "All right, you're interested, as am I." She took a breath. "But we also don't - we don't have to label anything per se, unless -"

Puck raised a brow. "You trying to tell me that you're cool being friends with benefits? 'Cause if that's it, I'm not buying it for a second."

She flushed and shrugged. "I don't - I know you don't do labels, or - or relationships for that matter, usually..." Exactly, so what is going on here?

He frowned. "Usually, yeah, but this isn't usually." And why is that, huh?

She blinked. "It's...not?"

He rolled his eyes in return. "No, okay?" Stop making me think about it. "I didn't - I didn't mean for this to happen, I just -"

Rachel caught her breath and nodded. "I told you, it's fine. We can be interested but not -"

Puck ran his hands over his head. "That's not what I meant, Ber - Rachel. I didn't mean for it to happen, I was gonna give you space and stuff but you were -" He snorted, grabbing his backpack and pulling out Rachel's bustier. "How was I supposed to give you space when you looked like a wet dream?"

Her blood heating her cheeks, she yankee the shirt from his grasp. "I - I just wanted to - to look -"

"Chill, Rachel, it's not a complaint." He smirked. "Not even a little bit. But I just kinda...couldn't help myself."

She ducked her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I've never - I never thought of myself like...like I've felt these past two days."

He shook his head. "I'm gonna get St. Douchebag and Hulk Hudson in a room and smash their heads together." He raised a brow. "Want me to show you how hot you are again?"

Rachel laughed and shook her head. "I think I know quite well how attractive you consider me."

Puck sighed theatrically. "Not just me, you know that. You know that from Friday and from last night."

She bit her lip. "I suppose I do," she said softly. She shivered lightly at the recollection.

He smirked. "Saw that."

She blushed. "I'm not - I don't know if I will ever get used to - to -"

He advanced on her slowly. "Get used to what? Me?" He grinned and slowly shook his head. "You're not supposed to."

She nodded, her heart racing. "All right, that's - I can -" She let out a whimper as he tugged her into his lap and kissed her again.

Puck grinned and lifted her legs to wrap around his waist, burying his hands in her hair.

Rachel sighed raggedly and wriggled closer. More than a little...

He groaned and shifted his hips up into her, nipping at her lips. Untangling one hand, he trailed it down her neck and up under the flannel to cup her breast, his thumb rubbing over her bra.

"Mmph!" Rachel arched and clutched at his shoulders.

More. The word echoed hazily in his head as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping every inch of her mouth.

Rachel shuddered hard and squeezed him tighter before tearing her mouth from his. "Noah..."

He shifted his mouth to the curve of her neck, kissing softly while his hands wandered. "Mm."

"N-Noah -" She shivered and clenched her hands around his shoulders. "Please..."

With a groan, he released her. "Greedy. Sorry," he managed.

Rachel shook her head. "Don't - don't apologize." She bit her lip and glanced towards the open door. "If the situation were different..."

Puck picked his head up. "My mom's not home."

Rachel giggled. "Noah! Is she gone for the whole day?" She blushed. "I should not have asked that question..." She shifted from his lap and shook her head to clear it. "You are..."

He grinned. "You know you can't finish that sentence, right? Incorrigible is now a compliment in the realm of Puckzilla."

She rolled her eyes. "Have I entered the realm of Puckzilla? I would much prefer Planet Noah."

He rolled his eyes in return. "Yeah, well, that'd be just for you."

Just for...Rachel caught her breath and licked her lips. "Noah -"

"I think I'll try defying gravity...kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity…"

Her gaze jerked to her phone. "Kurt, it's - he probably -"

Puck snagged the cell and tossed it towards her. "This should be fun."

She giggled and shook her head as she answered. "Kurt, can I -"

"No, you cannot call me back! What is this I'm hearing about you and Puck and -"

She turned her back to her bed. "Kurt! Who -"

"Mercedes! At least she, like a good friend called to tell me how the party I was not invited to was!" He clucked his tongue. "Really, Rachel? When Finn -"

She frowned at the phone. "Did Mercedes tell you who Finn left with?"

Kurt froze. "Well, yes, but -"

"Thank you very much, Kurt, I'll see you tomorrow." She stabbed the screen with a finger and disconnected the call. "Sorry about that," she murmured as she turned.

Puck raised a brow. "You all right there, Be-Rachel?"

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm - I'm fine, Noah, I'm sorry. Kurt just…" She blew out a breath and smiled tightly. "Kurt still sees things through Finn-colored glasses, shall we say."

He snorted and shrugged. "Yeah, well, that's a mancrush that's doomed from the start." He chuckled again at her expression. "You didn't think we knew? He's not cool about it at all."

Rachel scoffed. "Not even a little bit." She shook her head to clear it. "Anyway. Where were we?"

I said something totally true that I never would've thought I meant. "I don't know, I think I was still trying to sweet talk myself into those pants." He wagged his eyebrows at her.

She laughed. "That's probably about right." She caught her lower lip between her teeth and scanned the room, her eyes widening as she spotted her motivational posting opposite her elliptical. "Sectionals. Oh, Noah, we're not going to be ready for Sectionals at all! This is like - it's bad deja vu, it's - why can't we get it together for Sectionals, we -"

"We lost maybe one day to me and Hudson. Relax, Rachel. We're starting real rehearsals this week, it's gonna be fine." He smirked. "Especially since now no one can object to the choreography."

A laugh escaped against her will. "Of course you would think of that."

He shrugged. "Yeah, well, we at least avoided throwing punches this year. We know we're all gonna get on the bus, we just don't know what everyone's gonna sing."

She sighed. "That's every year with Mr. Schue."

Puck eyed her. "So, what would you sing, Captain? If Schuester were willing to let you lead, like we both know you want to -" He paused as she giggled and nodded. "Well?"

Rachel pursed her lips. "I do like how 'One' has been sounding, and the staging is very dramatic...but I also know that Santana has been working very hard on something, even if she hasn't told Mr. Schue."

He frowned skeptically. "You do? She is?"

Rachel nodded. "I was trying to get into the auditorium and I happened upon her singing on stage. I would actually love if she offered the piece, but she hasn't, so I haven't mentioned it."

Puck gave her a disbelieving look. "You have something you can call her out on, and you haven't. Why the hell not?"

"Because I know my place, Noah. Santana…" She sighed. "Santana and I may understand each other, but I don't know if I'd consider us on the level where I can speak to her like that."

He grinned. "Baby, after last night? You're in. Tell her whatever you want."

She flushed. "You know, I still can't keep up. Baby, Berry, Rachel."

He blew her a kiss. "Yeah, well, good. Don't keep up, just enjoy the ride."

She pouted. "I don't do very well with that, you know."

He smirked. "Yeah, that sounds kinda familiar."

Rachel gave a mock glare. "Well, thanks."

He shrugged again. "Can't help it if I get you."

She grinned. "Can you admit that I similarly understand you?"

"Damn it." He pretended to consider the question. "You tell anyone, and I'm gonna have to tell people what a badass you actually are."

She giggled. "No one would believe you."

He gave her a smirk. "Yeah? After the slap heard 'round McKinley? I think they would."

She blushed and shook her head. "Please tell me it's not actually called that."

"Maybe just in my head." Puck grinned. "But I'm gonna call it that if anyone asks about it."

"Noah!" Rachel shook her head again. "Please, I'd much rather forget about that."

He snorted a laugh. "They're gonna be talking about it tomorrow. Especially when Santana banned him from the party."

Rachel closed her eyes. "I didn't even think about that…" She sighed. "I just didn't want you to go back to detention over that troll."

"And that's why you're so awesome." Puck walked up and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You actually give a damn about me."

"Noah, of course I do." She spun to face him. "I'm not the only one, I promise you that."

He shrugged. "Yeah, well, you're the only one who gave a damn to find me and see if I was okay. And yeah, I gave you grief about it, but I know it wasn't just 'cause of Glee or 'cause you felt guilty."

Rachel's face softened as some tension drained away. "Really?" She swallowed hard. "I didn't want you to think it was only obligation that brought me. Though perhaps it did give me the pretense."

Puck cleared his throat. "Don't ever think you need an excuse to come see me, okay?"

She smiled gently. "But I thought we were never friends, Noah."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause it's hard to be friends when I wanna do this." He leaned in to kiss her again.

Rachel shuddered against him and pressed closer to deepen the kiss.

"Beth, I hear you callin', But I can't come home right now..."

Puck jerked at the sound of his ringtone, reluctantly breaking away. "That's -"

Rachel nodded. "Get it. Please."

He released her and reached for his bookbag, digging for his cell phone. "Text," he murmured.

The last I have is from shelbyc at nyc.gov Check your email, will forward pics.

"She - Quinn said she has pictures," he said slowly. "She gave me an email and is gonna forward them."

Rachel crossed to his side, rubbing his shoulder. "That's good, Noah, that's wonderful."

Puck grabbed her hand and stood. "Can we check?"

She nodded, moving towards her laptop. As if you even have to ask.

Threading his fingers with hers, he followed. "I wonder how old the pictures are."

Rachel gave a small smile. "Does that matter?"

Noah shook his head. "Not even a little bit. I just wanna see her."

She sat and kissed his hand before untangling their fingers. "I type faster with two hands."

He grinned. "Bet you can do a lot of things faster with two hands."

She laughed as she logged on. "Now you're just saying things to get a response."

He gave a mock innocent look. "Is it working?"

She moved aside as the browser window loaded. "Getting a response? Less so, now. The computer? All yours."

Noah blew out a breath and sat down.

Rachel moved to the other side of the room, grabbing her ipod and earbuds and settling onto the bed. The least I can do is give him a tiny bit of privacy.

He typed in the web address for the email slowly, his heart racing. What the hell, Puckerman, there's nothing to be nervous about. He carefully entered his login and password, inhaling deeply before hitting submit.

She glanced over and grabbed for the sheet music book on her nightstand, scrolling through songs and nodding as she found the track.

Nothing. 'Cause there's no email. Puck frowned at the screen. The hell, Q? He looked at his phone again and scrubbed a hand across his eyes. Maybe she texted before she sent the email.

That would sound beautiful. Rachel hummed lightly to herself and jotted down chords and harmonies. We could pull this off. We really could.

He hit refresh again, taking care not to stab at the mouse. Not the computer's fault. Maybe we should just email her?

Would he even go for it? She paused and scrolled back a few seconds to catch a note. I know it was for him, but...She glanced over and frowned, pulling the earbuds from her ears. "Noah? Are you all right?"

He sighed and sat back from the screen. "She must've sent the text first and not the email. Still waiting for it." He turned and quirked a brow. "What're you working on?"

She pressed her lips together for a moment. "An experiment, actually. You told me to pick what I'd perform if I had control. Well, I was inspired and…" She nodded over at the guitar case. "Want to indulge me while we wait?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, why not. What song?"

She smiled. "The one from last night."

Puck froze. "Let Her Go?"

Rachel nodded slowly. "Y-yes. Is that - is that all right?"

He swallowed. "Uh, yeah, I, I guess. I wasn't really intending on - you know, doing a solo…"

She shook her head. "Not a solo. Trust me. I'll work around you, you just do exactly what you did last night."

He grabbed the guitar and tuned it quickly.

"Has anyone ever told you how impressive your ear is?" Rachel remarked. "I've watched you tune that guitar so many times and I don't know that I've seen you use a tuner once."

Puck shrugged. "I don't need one, I just hear it."

She nodded, her eyebrows lifted to emphasize the motion. "That's talent, Noah. Don't forget that."

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "When you're the only one telling me things like that, makes it tough to forget."

She grinned. "Well, I'll just have to keep telling you, then."

He gazed at her, his stomach going into freefall. Could Quinn actually be right? He licked his lips and nodded dumbly. "Sure, okay." He tore his eyes away and started to play.

"Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go,
and you let her go…"

Rachel hummed in harmony with Puck and caught his eye, pointing to herself for the next verse.

"Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast…"

She pointed back to him.

"You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies…"

She nodded with a grin and harmonized on the chorus.

"But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go…"

Rachel signaled a cutoff and clapped. "What do you think? Would you do it?"

Puck blinked at her. "You did that in like...five minutes?"

She shrugged shyly. "I've been thinking about it since last night, but in terms of working through the actual harmony, probably?"

"Yeah, and you're gonna tell me I'm talented." He rolled his eyes. "Damn."

She waved him off. "So? Would you sing a duet with me?" She bit her lip. "In front of everyone?"

He shook his head. "You're the dumbest smart person I know. I sang a solo for you in front of the whole club, I think I can manage a duet with you for Sectionals."

"And Regionals. And Nationals." Rachel grinned. "If I'm that talented, and I'm telling you you're talented, guess how talented that makes you?"

Ding.

Rachel and Puck both turned towards the computer.

"You've got mail," Rachel murmured.

Puck spun his guitar across his back and tugged her across the room with him. "You click."

She frowned quickly as he nudged her into her chair. "Noah -"

"Come on, Rachel, I'm gonna show you anyway." He took their joined hands and clicked the email. "Oh wow."

Rachel grinned. "Noah, she has your eyes." She stood and snagged the guitar strap from over his shoulders, passing it over him and onto her own back. "Sit. Look." She pulled him into the chair and retreated to the bed again.

Puck clicked through the pictures one by one, smiling at a familiar smirk on a blonde haired baby. "She's beautiful."

She gave a soft laugh. "Of course she is, Noah. Look at her parents. You're both gorgeous." She pursed her lips. "Beth probably doesn't even have to worry about her nose, or her hands…"

"Stop being crazy, neither do you," Puck countered. "But seriously. She's blond. I don't think I expected her to be blond."

"There's time for a Mohawk yet," Rachel teased.

Puck snorted. "Not a chance." He silently scrolled through the rest, frowning as he reached the end. "She's too pretty for a Mohawk."

Rachel giggled. "So do you finally admit your haircut is ridiculous?"

"For a girl, yeah." He waved her over. "Help me email?"

She nodded and put his guitar down on the bed. "Of course." She paused. "Shall I send the same one?"

He bit his lip. "This one is from my email address, though, going straight to her. It should be from me, right?"

"There's no wrong answer, Noah." Rachel rested a hand on his shoulder and looked down at the screen. "It's whatever you need to get more of her." She pointed at Beth's smiling face.

Puck blew out a breath. "I can do that." He set his fingers to the keys to type.

Rachel retreated to the bed, picking up the guitar and working out a melody.

"Proofread me?"

Rachel looked up, startled. "You want me to -"

"Proofread my email?" Puck rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, if you don't mind. I don't - I don't wanna sound like an idiot, not when it's this important."

She shook her head and crossed to the computer. "You wouldn't sound like an idiot, Noah, I'm sure of that."

He stood and shrugged. "I'm not, so I'm glad you are." He raised a brow and nodded towards his guitar. "What were you playing?"

Rachel ducked her head. "Nothing really. Just fiddling around with something." She turned to the screen. "Let me read."

Puck gave a short laugh and waved her on. "Excuse me."

She blushed and shook her head. "Sorry. I just - I didn't mean to start playing your guitar."

He grinned. "I didn't mind. Nice to know a girl is so skilled with those hands and fingers…"

She rolled her shoulders. "All right, okay, I'm reading." She gave a quick glare. "Incorrigible, as always."

He bowed and gestured at the screen. "So? Did I do okay?"

Dear Shelby,

This is Noah Puckerman, Beth's father. I'm writing to you because I know I'm not able to be her dad, but I do want to know she's okay. I got some pictures from Quinn, and she's beautiful. I want to thank you for taking such good care of her. But even though I know you're taking the best care of her, and I can't be her dad, I want to be a part of her life. When you adopted her, we talked about sharing pictures and keeping in touch, but it's been six months without hearing from you. I'm not criticizing you being a single mom, and probably being really busy, I'm just hoping we could keep to the agreement we made. The pictures you sent Quinn are from three months ago. Could you please send some more current ones? Maybe we could just send pictures and stuff every three months, if that's what you're comfortable with.

I know this might be asking a lot, but I want to record a lullabye for Beth, and I would really like for you to play it for her one night. It doesn't even have to be every night, just sometimes. I'll send it in another email, and I hope you'll let her hear it.

I hope to hear from you soon, with some pictures of our girl.

Sincerely,

Noah Puckerman

Rachel swiped at her eyes. "Noah, you did more than okay. I know my mother may not be the warmest of hearts, but this is so genuine and heartfelt…" She stood and turned to hug him tightly.

Puck froze at the unexpected gesture. "Rachel?"

She only squeezed him. "Just hug me back, Noah, and don't ask questions."

He blinked slowly and wrapped his arms around her. "Okay, I'll take any excuse to press your boobs against me."

She laughed around the lump in her throat. "You know what the new word for you is going to be? Conundrum. You, Noah Puckerman, are a conundrum to me."

He raised a brow. "That better not have anything to do with drumming, 'cause Hudson is not gonna give another thing to me without a fight."

She rolled her eyes and squeezed him again before turning back to the computer. She hit 'send', then loaded Merriam-Webster. "Conundrum: one - a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun, two, a - a question or problem having only a conjectural answer, b - an intricate and difficult problem." She pursed her lips. "Maybe not quite that, now that I think about it, though you are quite a riddle…" She clicked on synonyms and grinned. "Ah! Enigma."

"Enigma? Wasn't that a Batman villain?" He cast a skeptical look at the screen.

"Enigma. One: an obscure speech or writing. Two: something hard to understand or explain. Three: an inscrutable or mysterious person." She raised a brow. "That one."

"Why not mysterious?" He shrugged. "Or the other 'i' word in there?"

"Inscrutable?" She clicked over and bit her lip. "Not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood. That actually works." She giggled. "We can trade one 'i' word for another."

He rolled his eyes. "Until I figure out a better meaning for it. Like badass." He shrugged at her skeptical expression. "What? You can't figure me out, right? That's what it means, basically. I think that's badass. So inscrutable it is."

Rachel considered him for a moment and nodded. "It certainly is, with you."

Puck blew out a breath and reached out a hand. "Now I'm gonna stop staring at my email and get back to you and those hands and the guitar. C'mon, what were you playing?"

She placed her hand in his and stood. "Do you really want to know that badly? It's nothing at the moment, though if it works I may have an idea for Sectionals."

He quirked a brow. "If you think that makes me wanna know less than I do, you totally got that backwards. What was it?"

She nodded towards his guitar. "May I?"

He grabbed it and handed it to her, relinquishing his grip to let her maneuver the instrument. "Yeah, I'm really curious now." Didn't even know you could play guitar.

Rachel shook her head. "It's not that much of an idea, but I was browsing songs…" She cleared her throat lightly and started to play.

"Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start

They tell me I'm too young to understand
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
Well that's fine by me

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost…"

Puck let out a low whistle.

Rachel's gaze jerked up to his. "No? Bad? We could go with what Santana's working on, if she'd ever share, but -"

He rolled his eyes. "Not bad. Just if that's what 'fiddling around' is for you, I'm scared of what you could do when you really tried." He quirked a brow. "So between that and Let Her Go, what's the idea?"

"I was thinking it's almost the story of a love affair." She tilted her head as she considered. "Start with Let Her Go, then Wake Me Up as almost her response to him. And we could end with One, the messy part, where they try to figure out if there's anything there."

He paused to work through the lyrics in his head. "You know, it could totally work that way. I mean, at least I think so." He nodded towards the guitar. "Wanna give me a crack at that? You have sheet music or something?"

"I do, as a matter of fact." She pointed towards her desk. "It should be filed on the side there. But are you sure you want to work on that? Isn't there something you need to be recording?"

He rubbed a hand over his head. "I mean, yeah, but I wasn't gonna leave just yet, so…"

"Can I help?" She shrugged. "I have experience recording such things. Not that they were ever well-received, but they were at least well produced."

He frowned for a second. "You - oh. The YouTube thing, right?"

"MySpace, but yes, I've had years of experience recording performances." Solo. She fought the wince and smiled at him instead. "If you want to, of course. I couldn't help but think that was why you wanted me to read it as well."

He chuckled. "You might think I'm that tricky, but that didn't even cross my mind. I just didn't want to sound like a moron. I was gonna record myself tonight, at home."

She waved at the computer. "If you want to do so now, I'm happy to set it up for you. I can even leave the room."

He raised a brow. "You really wouldn't mind?"

She shook her head. "Not even a little bit. You know I want to help."

He nodded slowly. "I do. I still may not get it a hundred percent, but I do know that." He blew out a breath. "Thanks, Rachel."

She rubbed his shoulder and urged him back into the seat by the computer. She took the mouse and pointed to the webcam program. "Double click this, and move the top until you like the focus, and just click record. Once you hit stop, it'll prompt you to upload or save. Save it, and we can attach it to the email. Sound like a plan?"

Puck nodded. "Yeah. I can handle that." He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. "Thanks, again."

Rachel's smile widened. "You're welcome, Noah." She tilted her head towards the screen. "Now, go ahead, take your time. Call me or come down when you're done."

Puck waited until Rachel closed the door behind her and claimed the guitar, checking the tuning again. He clicked as she'd said and started to record.

"Beth, I hear you callin'
But I can't come home right now
Me and the boys are playin'
And we just can't find the sound

Just a few more hours
And I'll be right home to you
I think I hear them callin'
Oh, Beth what can I do
Beth what can I do..."

Rachel blew out a breath and hit start on the microwave, teabag at the ready.

"Everything okay, honey?" Hiram Berry peered over his newspaper. "What are you up to? Did the email address come through?"

She nodded and watched the countdown. "He's recording a song for Beth now," she said quietly. "I wanted to give him some privacy, and the proper acoustics."

He eyed his daughter. "You're a good girl, Rachel. You deserve the best. Someone who sees you and values that. If you think Noah does that, don't think yourself out of it."

She frowned and turned to look at her father. "Why would you say that?"

He raised a brow. "Because I can see that as much as you want him to be a part of Beth's life, it reminds you of Quinn, and Finn, and all of that. But it doesn't have to be a package deal."

She retrieved her tea cup as the microwave beeped, dropping the oolong tea in and joining him at the table. "It's not. He's - this is because Noah wants to be a part of his daughter's life, to be better than his father - and my mother, for that matter."

Hiram nodded. "And he's come to you to help him, Rachel. You're the one he trusts to guide him. Look at where he is now and think of where he was what, a month ago? Detention, depressed and alone and unmotivated." He gave a small smile. "I know his mother credits you with changing that."

"His -" How did I forget about that? She shook herself. "Dad, when did you talk to his mother?" She flushed. More importantly..."What did you tell her?"

Her father smiled. "Only that we appreciated Noah's protection and concern for you. And she seemed to think that you're the only one he's ever shown that side of himself with. So, there's that."

She gave a small smile in return. "I've seen it more than that. But as Noah said, I seem to be the only one who has."

"Beth, I know you're lonely
And I hope you'll be alright
'Cause me and the boys will be playin'
All night…"

Puck let the chord hang for a moment before reaching towards the mouse. "Good night, Beth. Sweet dreams." He clicked off and inhaled unsteadily. Save. Click. Desktop. He named the file and rubbed his eyes.

"I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore?
You lost the love I loved the most…"

He opened his eyes and stared at the screen, Rachel's voice playing through the speakers. What the hell?

"I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time...

And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?"

Puck's jaw dropped at the raw emotion in her voice, her eyes only on the guitar strings. "Holy shit, Rach. That's heavy." He clicked stop and moved to call down the stairs.

"Rachel?"

Rachel turned towards the sound of Puck's voice, pushing back from the table. "That's my cue. Thank you for keeping me out of my own head."

Hiram chuckled. "My pleasure, sweetheart. Go on."

She dropped a kiss on his cheek as she passed and skimmed up the stairs. "I'm here, Noah."

"I think I got it, but more than that, I gotta say your last song started playing - it was awesome. I only listened to a couple of verses, but..."

Rachel blushed. "You - you listened to it? It must've autoplayed, I didn't - "

"Doesn't matter. That was just - freaking heartbreaking. Damn." He shook his head. "Can we use that somehow? Where the heck did you find that song?"

"You - you remember how you were saying that you pick a song to just work through what you're feeling? Well, that's...that's for Shelby, and for Finn." She shrugged. "And for me, I guess. To remember to hold on to myself and keep pushing through when it's so easy to go backwards."

"Yeah, well, whatever it is, that's major." He raised a brow. "Seriously, musical Tetris queen. How do we get this into the set?"

Rachel bit her lip. "We can't let the music get too heavy, too depressing. It's powerful, but we can't just drown them."

Puck chewed his cheek and raised an eyebrow. "What if we use those two verses to open, then Let Her Go, into Wake Me Up, and then...can we wrap with something shorter than One? And maybe happier too?"

She shrugged. "Let's send that lullabye and find out."

He pulled up his email and attached it, labeling the subject as Lullabye and leaving the body blank. "Done. Now let's play and maybe we can play…"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Inscrutable and incorrigible. Just so you know."

"I think that's it." Puck sat back from the computer and flexed his fingers. "That would totally work, if everyone went along with it."

Rachel nodded slowly. "It really would, and it would be beautiful." She tapped a finger to her chin. "We could let other people take lead on Wake Me Up, I'm not too attached."

We? He shrugged. "If you think so. I don't have to do any of it, seriously."

She shook her head and glared at him. "There's no way I'm having anyone else sing Let Her Go. You know it, you sound beautiful, and that's final for me."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Sorry, Captain, didn't mean to upset the ship." He smiled at her. "I'm with you, Rachel, promise. I'm just saying my ego isn't involved here if you think someone else could do a better job."

She gave a soft laugh. "You know, this is why I call you Noah. You're different with me."

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "So? Is that a bad thing?"

She kissed his cheek. "Absolutely not. It's just…" She shrugged a shoulder. "No one would believe you have this side to you, but I've always known better."

You have. What the hell does that say? Puck blew out a breath. "Well, hopefully Shelby gets the message and thinks the same thing."

Rachel took his hand, squeezing. "She will. It might take a while, but she'll come around. I believe that."

"And I believe you, so I guess I'll go with that." He glanced at the clock. "I should probably get back home."

"Really?" She clapped a hand over her mouth. "I mean, of course, you should -"

He laughed and kissed the hand still holding his. "I like knowing you don't want me to go."

She blushed. "I've - I've enjoyed this. I haven't truly collaborated with someone since Jesse, and even that wasn't so much collaboration as competition."

Puck bowed his head. "Glad to give you a good time. Would rather do it with my -"

"Noah!" Rachel blushed deeper. "I'm aware there are a great many ways to complete that sentence, but I'm quite afraid that you'd choose something -"

"Completely sexual and inappropriate." He smirked. "Absolutely right."

She giggled. "And so proud."

He shrugged. "Weren't you saying I was talented?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not exactly what I was referring to, but I can accept that."

He grinned. "Good." He quirked a brow. "So, uh...what're you wearing to school tomorrow?"

She paused. "You know, I haven't actually considered it at all." She smiled. "I'll have to be sure to be worthy of your attentions."

"Baby, if you didn't wear those animal sweaters, those tiny skirts would guarantee you're worthy of every guy's attention." He wagged his eyebrows at her. "So try on one of those tiny skirts for me and we'll figure out what top to wear."

She laughed. "I will try on an outfit for you, because I have one in mind."

He smirked. "And I'll follow you into that closet, now that I'm allowed to."

She flushed. "You're not allowed to!"

He pouted. "But I'm your boyfriend now. I've felt it and seen it by moonlight. Real sexy. But I want to see them right here, right now." He fixed a pleading gaze on her. "I won't even touch if that helps."

She bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't - I'm not -"

He set down his guitar and stood, backing her towards her closet door. "I'm gonna be leaving soon. I promise I won't push too far. And if either of your dads come in, it's totally my fault."

Rachel gasped when her back hit the wood. "You - you really would just - just look?"

Puck snorted a laugh. "Not my first choice, of course, but yeah. I would be good to see you in the light for now."

She reached behind her and twisted the doorknob, open the closet and backing in. "I'm still not giving your flannel back," she whispered.

He shook his head. "Wouldn't take it. Too hot thinking about you sleeping in that flannel and nothing else. Like those chicks in the metal videos in the 80s, all legs and eyes and gorgeous."

She shivered. "Noah…"

He smirked and advanced on her. "Don't ever doubt that you're hot. They were morons. You are sexy as any Cheeri-ho at McKinley."

She nodded slowly. "I'll - I'll try to remember that."

He smirked. "Same as I'll try to remember that I'm talented. I'll keep telling you till you believe it, and I know you're gonna do the same."

She nodded again. "I will, because you are."

He reached behind her to snag a black flounce mini. "And you are too. Can you wear these? And high heeled boots?"

She took the skirt and blushed. "I'm not wearing the high heeled boots to school, Noah, they'll look at me like -"

"A delectable piece of ass they want to get at." He shook his head. "You're right, too dangerous. That skirt though…"

She caught her breath at the look in his eyes. "I can - I can work with the skirt." She held on to the hanger as she moved towards the black sweater with the white hearts, and grabbed a white blouse. "I have kitten heels too."

He raised a brow and considered the items she held, bracing his hands against the ceiling of the closet. Not gonna grab her, no matter how much I want to. "That looks good."

She exhaled shakily. "Noah…"

"Rachel…" He considered her face. "Too much?"

She shuddered. "Maybe? I'm still - I know I'm a - a sexual being, but you are…intense."

He smirked. "Is that a bad thing?"

She shook her head. "Not bad, just...a lot when I'm still learning myself."

He pursed his lips. "That's probably true." He looked her up and down. "Can I unbutton that flannel for you?" He held her eyes. "I won't touch anything but the flannel. Promise."

She shivered but nodded wordlessly, hanging the potential outfit behind her.

He moved towards her slowly, watching for a flinch or any sign of discomfort. Keep it together, Puckerman. He flicked his eyes to her mouth and fought a groan as her mouth parted, her breath coming faster. "You are bad for my equilibrium," he rasped, unfastening the top button.

Rachel clenched her fists, her heart pounding. This is insane.

Puck freed a second button, tugging gently at the fabric to part it. "I like what I see already. I would take a picture, but I'm not gonna take the chance…" He worked a third button free and gave a low hum of desire. "Is it all lace in there?"

She blushed. "N-no, not all."

He grinned. "Did you choose this for me? Maybe?" Another button was released and the shirt gaped open. "Thinking about how sexy all that lace would look against your skin?" He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Maybe with my hands on it?"

She whimpered and nodded. "M-maybe."

He clucked his tongue. "I wish you knew, 'cause then I could figure out what to do." He unfastened the last few buttons, breathing hotly against her neck. "But I'll admire you and leave you to change." He stepped back and blew out a breath. "You are fucking gorgeous, Rach, just…" His hands clenched and unclenched. "I'm gonna leave you to change before I push you too far." He backed out of the closet and closed the door, exhaling heavily.

Rachel shuddered hard and dropped the flannel to the floor, throwing on the blouse and sweater over the jeans. She bit her lip and changed into the mini skirt, smoothing it in place before opening the door.

Puck lunged at her and grabbed her face in his hands, kissing her hard. He thrust his tongue into her mouth to taste, groaning at the whimper she gave. "Sorry. Had to." He released her and stepped back, panting.

She swayed on her feet, reaching out for Noah's hand.

He steadied her and shook his head. "Didn't mean to knock your knees out, but can I be proud that I did?"

She giggled breathlessly. "That's - that's fine." She managed a gesture down at herself. "How's this for tomorrow?"

He pulled her in close, letting one arm snake around her waist while the other hung loosely at his side. "Hmm. I think I like it." He moved his free hand to her leg, smirking as his fingertips hit skin. He grazed his nails upward lightly. "I really like it."

She shuddered and braced her hands on his chest. "You - I'm - I can't -" She shook herself. "Fast."

He nodded, though he didn't release her. "Got it." He moved his free hand up to her waist. "How's here?"

She smiled. "I can handle that."

He smirked. "Now that's a challenge." He kissed her lightly. "I'll pick you up at 7:30 again."

Rachel gave her own smirk. "You can even come to the door if you get here early."

Puck rolled his eyes. "Fine, I will."

She grinned. "My fathers will be thrilled."

He laughed. "My mother will be calling to plan our wedding later. Be ready."

She quirked a brow. "Is that why you're going home? The interrogation?"

He shook his head. "It's not gonna be an interrogation. I'm gonna tell her, she's gonna flip, and then she's gonna call to ask what the dimensions of the chuppah should be."

Rachel laughed in return. "I'll refer her to my fathers."

"And I'll be happy to answer," came the reply.

Rachel jumped at her father's voice. "Daddy!"

Stephen Berry smiled from the doorway. "Hello, dear. Just checking in to see if Noah would be staying for dinner."

Puck spun around and shook his head. "I'm actually on my way out." And there's nothing to see here.

"I heard you were recording a lullabye," Stephen remarked. "Mind sharing what it was?"

She ducked her head. "Daddy -"

"It was the song I chose Beth's name from," Puck answered quietly. "I thought it was appropriate."

Stephen clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I think you're right, Noah." He looked from Puck to Rachel and back again. "Are you sure you can't stay?"

Puck shook his head. "I can't, but I'll be picking Rachel up in the morning."

Stephen smiled. "We'll see you then." He squeezed Puck's shoulder and left the two alone again.

Rachel blew out a breath. "That was -"

Puck grinned. "Totally fine. There was nothing to see."

Rachel pinned him with a glare. "No thanks to you, Mr. Striptease."

He smirked. "I wish I'd gotten a striptease. I just got a tease tease."

She bit her lip. "I - I told you -"

Puck shook his head. "Stop. Seriously. I got lots of boob to tide me over, okay?"

Rachel blushed and swatted at him. "You didn't have to say it like that."

He wagged his brows and smirked again. "Yeah, I did, because I like reminding myself."

She spun him towards his bag. "All right, until tomorrow."

He nodded and snagged it, turning for the door. "We'll see how much trouble I can get you into at school."

She gasped. "I would never!"

He grinned. "Challenge accepted." He skated lightly down the stairs.

She could only laugh and follow.

"Noah? Is that you?" His mother looked towards the door. "Ha. I told you you'd have to come home eventually."

He smirked and laughed. "Yeah, I know. But then I get to come home, say yeah, I'm dating Rachel Berry, and head upstairs to help Sarah finish her homework." He waved and ran up the stairs before his mother could recover her jaw from the floor.

A.N.: For the songs, check out Boyce Avenue on YouTube – "Let Her Go" by Passenger and "Wake Me Up" by Avicii. Hope you enjoyed!