Fic: Starlight, Chapter 20 by Sapphire (PG-13)

[sapphireej]

Title: Starlight, Chapter 20
Author: Sapphire (sapphiresfic)
Fandom: Glee
Pairing/Characters: Rachel, Puck, Rachel/Puck, the Glee clubbers
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 6,857
Spoilers: Up to 1x22 ~ Journey; just to be safe
Series: 'Starlight' (List of all the parts on my LJ)
Summary1: He's the star who just wants to be a high school student; she's the loser, who dreams of her name in lights on Broadway... When they meet at WMHS on the first day of a new school year; how will they take each other? ~ AU from the eps.
Summary2: Papa bear comes out and a wolf descends on Lima.
Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.
A/N: I edited this chapter, so all mistakes are mine.
A/N2: Feedback keeps me writing, so please comment or review. :D

~*~

A/N3: Keep in mind, within this AU... There is no Puck/Quinn, no Finn/Rachel, Quinn is NOT pregnant at all, Puck's dad never left when he was a kid and Puck will be OOC so yes, totally AU, though you'll see similarities to the episodes.

~*~

Ethan went into the main office of McKinley and checked in, getting a visitor's badge that he clipped on his shirt before heading towards Will's office in the choir room. Principal Figgins asked to meet with them Monday, to discuss the weekend and figure out where to go from there. Walking into the familiar room, Ethan noticed the club's first place trophy sitting on the piano, as he turned into Will's office, and knocked lightly on the door frame, seeing him in there, "hey Will."

"Ethan, hey. Thanks for coming in," Will said motioning to the empty seat, "did you find the contracts?"

He nodded, holding up a folder in his hand, "yep, one from this year and last year for her, but are we still sure it was her?" Ethan asked, "I mean there is speculation, but do we have any solid proof?"

"Yes we do," Will nodded, "I didn't want to tell you over the phone. When I got to school this morning, I had a chat with Figgins. Do you want the Noah news first or the club news?"

"Honestly, my concern is for my son's safety, so that first, no offense, to you or the kids or the club," Ethan admitted.

"None taken and I understand," Will replied, "Figgins was with one of the school's computer techs and they went onto Sue's computer to find that on Thursday afternoon, after school hours, someone from her computer, and with the screen name 'SSCheeriosCoach' posted a message on six different 'Puck' fan forums and sites that Noah would be performing at the Buckeye Civic Auditorium with his club from school, New Directions, and he would be there from about eleven-am to five-pm... Now obviously 'SS' means Sue Sylvester, and we can't prove that she was physically sitting at her computer, but the chances of someone else being in her office, using her computer and her screen name without her knowing about it, is slim to none, so it's a pretty good chance she did it."

Ethan's blood boiled, now, he was almost one-hundred-percent sure that Sue let the news out, but there was the off chance that she really didn't, but like Will said, the chances were slim, "you're right, but unless she admits it, we really can't use it against her. She can claim one of her Cheerios did it, or someone snuck into her office to frame her," Ethan told him sitting back, rubbing his forehead. "What's the news with the setlist?"

"It get's even better," Will replied with an evil smile, "Principal Figgins informed me that over the weekend, he received emails from both directors of our competitive schools, admitting that Sue told them what we would be singing and this morning, they faxed over the paper she wrote the notes on... Cheerios Letterhead, written in her handwriting and she signed them," he laughed, "she is screwed."

Ethan grinned, "yes she is. I haven't told Noah's manager about this weekend, because Elliott will be here in a few days, but if we can't get her on Noah, then we can at least get her for that, and it'll give us a chance to figure out the leak, which I'm pretty sure is Sue."

Will nodded and stood up, "he wants to see us at noon, but I have classes that start at twelve-twenty, so I can't be there too long, but I know he wants to talk to you about this and the concert, and after classes are over for the day, we're talking to Sue," he explained.

"That's fine, I'm free. Deborah is picking up Arin after school," Ethan replied.

~*~

Will, Ethan and Figgins talked in Figgins' office about what happened, and Ethan read over the part of the contract, explaining the ramifications if the contract was broken, and it clearly stated that their job would be permanently terminated from Lima School District.

When lunch was over, Will had to go teach classes, but Ethan remained, discussing the weekends' problems, along with the coming up concert, where he assured Figgins that things were under control and along with Noah's bodyguards, there would be several Lima police officers around the school, undercover and uniformed, for protection. Ethan didn't think Noah or Taylor would need much security, since the school seemed to be pretty calm with Noah being there now, but Ethan also wasn't taking any chances with their safety.

Hearing Figgins' phone ring, Ethan glanced at the time and saw it was almost the end of the day, so Will would be up there soon and they could finally confront Sue.

"...Yes, Superintendent Williams, his father is here... You do? Okay, well, I would like you to hear everything she says so she can't try and deny this ever happened or threaten to contact you," he said, pressing the speakerphone button, "so if you could stay on the phone and put yours on mute so we can not hear you, that would be greatly appreciated, sir."

"I'd be happy to stay on the phone and listen to this. I am disgusted that she would pull such a thing and I have the contracts she signed in front of me and I still agree with the termination, so if she admits to leaking the information, she will be terminated," Edward Williams, the Superintendent (head) of the entire Lima School District, said.

A bell rang overhead, so Ethan got up and shifted onto the couch, leaving the seats right in front of Figgins' desk for Sue and Will. Will was the next to arrive, when Figgins had gone out into the office and called Sue down. While they waited, none of them said anything.

When Sue pushed the door open and stepped into Figgins' office, she looked around, "so what is this? William came to sob about his pathetic group of misfits loosing at Sectionals?" She asked taking the empty seat.

"For your information, Sue, the Glee Club took first place, after having to come up with three brand new songs to perform after someone released our setlist to the other schools!" Will snapped.

"What did they do to win, beg?" She retorted.

"Sue, the directors, both from the 'Jane Addams Academy' and 'Haverbrook School for the Deaf' have informed me that you gave them the New Directions setlist," Figgins said.

She rolled her eyes, "you have no proof."

Figgins just stared at her, "the setlists were on Cheerios Letterhead."

"I didn't do it," Sue shrugged, averting her eyes from Will and the principal.

"They say 'From the Desk of Sue Sylvester'," Figgins added staring at her.

"Circumstantial evidence," she retorted.

The principal was getting very angry at this point, "they are written in your handwriting."

Sue stood her ground, "forgeries!"

"Sue, there is an orgy of evidence stacked against you!" Figgins snapped.

The woman in the room rolled her eyes and sighed, "well, you've clearly made up your mind not to be impartial in this case, so let's see if you can't wrap up this little lecture, slap me on the wrist and let me get back to whippin' my squad of champions into shape," she paused, standing up, adjusting her track jacket and then turned and headed towards the door, "we have to be in Albuquerque in a couple of weeks for Nationals," she added.

As Sue reached the door and started to pull it open, Figgins took a deep breath, "SUE! Sit down!" He snapped, "I'm not done, yet!"

Hearing his voice, she paused and slowly turned, stepping towards the chair she had been sitting in and stood behind it.

"Sit down, Sue," Figgins tried again, this time calmer as he motioned to the chair.

"I will not be ordered around by the male species," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

When she made no move to sit down, Ethan stood up, crossed his arms over his chest, and glared at her, "would you please sit down, Ms. Sylvester," he said calmly, but he was inches away from biting her head off.

Sue stared at him and then turned to Figgins and when he motioned to the chair, she took a deep breath and finally sat down after several tries. Ethan retook his seat on the couch, this time sitting further forward, because he would be involved in the rest of this conversation.

"Sue, on top of releasing the setlist to our competitive schools, you also announced on six different public fan websites for Puck, that Noah Puckerman would be at the Buckeye Civic Auditorium on Saturday," Figgins said calmly, "not only breaking a confidentiality contract that you signed about releasing information about Noah, but you also put him and everyone that was with him in danger."

"Oh please, what can a bunch of screaming girls do to a seventeen-year-old boy? Other than make him very excited?" She laughed lightly.

"Are you admitting that you leaked private information about Noah Puckerman to the public?" Figgins asked calmly.

She smirked, "now that I will actually admit to. Yes I did release that information."

Ethan shook his head in disgust, "you deliberately put my son, and every one of those teens in danger just for laugh. If I hadn't planned to go with them, and he didn't have bodyguards waiting when we got there, hard telling how many of them would have been injured. Have you ever seen what happens when twenty to thirty or more teen girls get an opportunity to be near their favorite celebrities without protection? It's how people get trampled on, how clothes get ripped, how injuries happen," he hissed, fighting the urge to get in right in her face.

"Well, then I guess it's a good thing that daddy and a couple of rent-a-cops were there to protect everybody," Sue said, standing up to stand behind her chair again.

"Sue, you broke a contract that you signed this year and last year that states that no employee of William McKinley High School is allowed to give out personal information about Mr. Noah Puckerman or any of the clubs or sports that he's involved in without permission from himself, his parents, his manager, or his lawyer."

"I signed no such thing," Sue scoffed.

"Yes you did," Figgins picked up a folder on his desk and held it out to her, "I have a copy, Mr. Puckerman has a copy, there is one at his lawyers office, and also one in your file at the district office. You signed it in August of this year, and the same one August of last year," Figgins said. "That is your signature at the bottom, isn't it?"

Sue looked over the paper, vaguely remembering singing it and nodded, "yes, it is my signature."

"Read the paragraph at the bottom talking about the ramifications of breaking the contract out loud so we can all hear it," Ethan snapped.

Sue skimmed to the bottom, "if any part of this contract is violated, the employee will be permanently terminated from employment of William McKinley High School and Lima School District, effective immediately, without possibility of being rehired," she read and then her eyes flicked to the Principal, "you've got to be kidding me!"

"Do I look like I'm kidding, Sue?" Figgins retorted, his face with a serious look on it. "All this time, I thought Mr. Schuester was overreacting about the issues he was having with you, and frankly I was to willing to look past it because you kept winning, but now you have gone too far. You have embarrassed yourself and disgraced the name of William McKinley!"

She threw the folder down on his desk, "a failed president!"

"Oh please, the greatest one who ever lived," Figgins retorted, rolling his eyes. "From this moment on you are hereby terminated from this school and the school district."

"I beg your pardon?" She glared at him.

"You are terminated from this school and the school district. My word is official," Figgins slapped his hand on his desk, "let it be written."

"I will be contacting the superintendent immediately to report this ridiculous decision," Sue snapped.

"Actually, Ms. Sylvester," the head of the district spoke up, still on the phone, "you don't need to, because I have heard everything that has been said in this entire conversation and you fully admitted to everyone here that you violated the contract you signed two different times to help protect Mr. Noah Puckerman and I am appalled at your lack of concern on the safety of the students on a school trip and for interfering with the success of New Directions! You are terminated from your employment with Lima School District effective immediately."

Sue's mouth fell open as she listened to him and shook her head, "okay, if this is the way you wanna play it..." She looked around at the three men and then backed up to the office door, "okay..." She trailed off, pointing at Figgins before pulling the door open and storming out.

~*~

After school, once dropping his girlfriend off in the choir room with some of the Gleeks who had walked with them, Noah jogged out to his SUV to grab his guitar and drop off his bag, noticing his dad's SUV in the visitor parking area. "I wonder how long he's been here," he thought as he headed back into the school and made his way towards the choir room, finding most of the club there, "hey guys," he greeted those he hadn't seen for a few hours, then moved to his girlfriend, "my dad's here," he told her.

"Really? I wonder how long he has been," she replied, "do you think they're talking to Ms. Sylvester?" She asked.

"Probably," he said, "I hope so."

"Noah! Come on, we're gonna jam," Artie called over from where he was sitting with a guitar in his lap, Ryan had his guitar, Finn was sitting at the drums, while Matt and Mike were sitting on stools waiting for him.

Noah stood up and kissed his girlfriend's cheek, moving towards the empty stool, pulling out his acoustic guitar and soon the guys were jamming away with an upbeat rhythm and melody on their instruments, Matt was kind of beat-boxing and Mike was dancing along, and the girls were soon up dancing to the music, too.

Ethan and Will stepped into the classroom, seeing the teens huddled around the guys playing instruments and smiled at the fun they were having, wishing they didn't have to break it up to tell them the bad news, but they didn't have a choice. "Hey guys," Will called out as the two men moved towards them.

"Hey Mr. Schue, Mr. Puckerman," a few of them said as they all stopped, looking at the adults.

Ethan nodded at them, "hey everyone," he replied.

"Come take seats," Will motioned to the seats in the class, "we need to talk to you."

Slowly the guys put their guitars away, and Finn moved from the drums and everyone took seats in their semi-usual spots, "so what's going on?" Finn asked.

Ethan took a seat on the piano bench, slightly behind where Will was standing, and Will looked at the teens, "alright, well, as you know, someone leaked information about Noah and also our setlist. After some research and emails from the other two schools' directors, it was confirmed that Ms. Sylvester did release the setlist to the other schools and she announced that Noah would be at the auditorium this weekend on several public Puck websites."

Gasps echoed across the room as everyone soaked in what he said; sure, speculation was one thing, but now that they were for sure she had done it, it was a shock to everyone.

"So what happens now?" Quinn asked, her, Brittany and Santana dressed in their Cheerio uniforms, now looking out of place compared to the rest.

"If Sue had only released the setlist, Principal Figgins probably would have suspended her or put a report in her file---" Will started.

"What do you mean, probably would have?" Santana snapped, cutting Will off.

The director held up his hands, "please, let me explain... Because she not only released the setlist, she also put everyone in danger for her little stunt when she leaked personal information about Noah that she did not have permission to. When Noah started school here last year, and then again this year, myself and every other staff member signed a confidentiality contract that Noah's lawyers, his manager, his parents, the head of the school district and Principal Figgins agreed upon. It states that we can not release anything regarding Noah, unless we have permission from him, his parents, and so on. This also includes any clubs he's in or sports he's on. If any staff member violates the contract, their employment with the school district is terminated without chance of behind rehired, so from that, I think you can understand that Ms. Sylvester no longer is employed here at McKinley or anywhere in the district."

"What?" Santana exclaimed.

"But we have Nationals in January, we can't go without a coach!" Quinn yelled.

"I know," Will nodded, "and I'm sorry, but every staff member, including Ms. Sylvester signed the contract and agreed to the terms. She violated them, and the superintendent of the school district has agreed with her termination, so it is final. Figgins is looking for a coach or someone in the school who would be willing to become an advisor for the Cheerios long enough to get you to Nationals in New Mexico until we can find someone to replace her."

Quinn sagged against her boyfriend and sighed, "why did she have to do it? Seriously? Why was she so stupid?"

"I don't know. I know she hated the idea that we might be successful and take the spotlight from the Cheerios, so all year and even part of last year, she was doing anything she could to break-up the club and she almost did it. When I tried to go to Figgins about her, he'd look past it, but now he can't and he's sorry he let it get this far. And don't blame Noah for this, he had nothing to do with it. He had no idea the contracts even existed. Sue put all of us in danger by what she did, so we should be thankful that Ethan prepared for something like that," Will said, standing up for the one person in the room who might be targeted for getting her fired.

Noah was sitting in the front row, Rachel one side of him, Finn on the other, but as soon as Will had started talking, he looked down, unsure if the Cheerios in the room would blame him, but he appreciated Will sticking up for him. Rachel squeezed his hand and he returned the gesture before looking up, "thanks Mr. Schue," he said softly, then looked at his dad, "what's the official statement?" He asked, knowing there would be one.

Ethan shrugged, "she was fired for cheating, by giving your competition the songs the club would be performing at Sectionals and for violating the terms of a contract she signed by releasing personal information about you without our permission and putting the safety of students in danger because of it," he replied, "the truth."

"Oh, yes, let's just paint an even bigger target on me!" Noah shook his head and sat back. "Now half the school is gonna hate me for getting her fired, because that's all their gonna focus on. I hate sounding selfish, but damn it," he hissed, pressing the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

"I don't hate you or blame you, and I don't think Santana or Brittany does either. She did put us all in danger. I've seen how crazy fans can be," Quinn told him, leaning around Finn to look at Noah as she spoke.

"She's right," Santana agreed, "it pisses me off that she got fired, but I don't blame you for it," she said.

"Why would I hate you? You're a friend and you're awesome," Brittany said seriously.

Noah smirked lightly at Brittany's comment, "thanks girls. I deal the most with you three, so your opinion counts, but out there," he motioned out in the hall, "who knows what people will think?"

"If anyone gives you shit, we'll take care of them," Santana says, motioning to some of the club who were 'jocks' in the school, Finn, Matt, Mike, her, Quinn, Brittany and Ryan.

"Thanks," Noah smiled at all of them.

Will stood in front of the club with his hands in his pockets, waiting for them to finish talking, "I have some more news," he said, continuing when he got their attention again, "with everything that has gone on, even though most of the stress has been because of Sue, Principal Figgins thinks I should have some back up, a co-director of sorts, someone who could help run the club if I was sick one day, so you guys could still practice, or back me up if something happens---"

"But Mr. Schue, you're doing a great job. Maybe now that Ms. Sylvester isn't here, we won't have problems," Finn said.

"What if we don't like the new person?" Kurt asked.

"Guys, calm down," Will laughed lightly, "look, Figgins is right. I could use some help and to be honest, Saturday freaked me out a little," he rubbed his neck nervously, "and if that is any indication as to what will happen when we go to Regionals, I could use someone around who's familiar with that life and we'll need parent chaperones, anyway, so Ethan will be joining us as co-director. I'm not sure if all of you know, but Noah's parents were members of the Glee Club at the same time I was going to McKinley, but they were two years ahead of me. Ethan was a member when he was a Junior and I was a Freshman. He can help out just like any parent volunteer can for other clubs we have here," he explained.

"I'll only do it if you guys are alright with it, especially, you, Noah," Ethan said, looking at his son, "I know being back home, you wanted freedom, so if you don't want me to do this, I won't," Ethan told him honestly.

"I'm cool with it," Noah smiled, "welcome to the club," he told his dad.

"Yeah, welcome, dad," Finn replied with a grin.

The others in the room also welcomed him to the club, all agreeing it would be great to have another director with different ideas to help out in giving them more variety, now that they knew who it was.

~*~

Noah pressed a kiss to his girlfriend's lips, "I gotta go," he murmured.

"I know," she continued to hold her arms around his neck, kissing him again.

His arms remained around her, not wanting to let go, "but this feels too good," he whispered.

Rachel nodded, her lips pressing against his and reluctantly letting him go, "it does, but you do have to go."

He sighed, "are you sure you don't want to come over? You know you're welcome," he said.

"I know I am, but he's your friend and I'm sure you'd like to catch up with him without your girlfriend, especially because he and his girlfriend just broke up, even if it was mutual," Rachel responded.

"It sucks they did," he told her softly, "have you talked to her since they split?"

"We've emailed back and forth a few times," she replied, "she does still have feelings for him, but they are both in a busy time of their lives."

Noah wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again, "you don't have to worry about that happening to us," he told her truthfully.

Rachel smiled at the sentiment, "I know," she replied, then looked at him, "Noah, you're stalling."

"Damn, you caught me," he laughed lightly, "alright, I'm going. I love you."

"I love you, too. See you tomorrow," she agreed, "tell everyone 'hi' for me," she pressed a final kiss to his lips before she nudged him towards the stairs of her porch.

Noah smirked, but moved down the stairs and turned around, "I will. See you, babe," he replied continuing to his SUV and got in. She had unlocked her door and waved at him as he started to pull away and he returned her wave before leaving her place and heading home.

~*~

It's just a few days after Sue Sylvester got fired for releasing information about him. Noah was nervous the next day at school, but was surprised to find that most of the students thanked him for being part of the reason why she was fired, so his apprehension was for nothing and he relaxed as the day wore on.

Now it's Wednesday and Taylor and his family would be arriving at the Puckerman's around four and Noah wanted to be home when they got there. He and his parents invited Rachel over, but she declined so he and Taylor could have some time to catch up, especially since Taylor and Taylor Swift, had broken up mutually, and it would give Noah and Taylor a chance to have some guy time without Rachel being the third wheel.

As Noah pulled into his driveway and parked, the Lautners hadn't arrived, but he had gotten a text from Taylor that they were close, so he knew it wouldn't be long.

"Let me guess, you didn't want to leave Rachel?" Ethan asked with a laugh.

Noah blushed as he walked inside the house to find his parents in the kitchen and his sister in the living room, "not really. I think she feels bad that the Taylors just broke up and wants to give us some catch up time without making him uncomfortable. I doubt he would be, though."

"It could be that she feels she's monopolizing your time and would like to give you some space," Ethan commented.

"But I don't want space; at least not from her. I want to be around her," Noah replied.

"I know you do," Ethan replied, "hey, if Taylor's up for it, go to her house and surprise her."

Noah grinned, "I like that idea, we'll see what Taylor's up for," he replied, "I'm gonna go throw my stuff in my room," he said.

~*~

The Lautners arrived just after four and after Noah opened the gate from the controls in the house, he headed outside to meet them when Daniel, Taylor's dad, was pulling the rental SUV up to the house. Noah motioned to where he could park and as the SUV came to a stop, Noah walked over and met Taylor and Makena as they got out first, "hey guys, welcome to Lima," Noah greeted them.

"Hey man," Taylor walked over to them and did the typical handshake slash pat on the back as they reached each other, "nice town. Saw some of it as we were passing through."

"Thanks. It's home," he replied with a smile, "glad you guys made it." Noah gave Makena a hug and then hugged Deborah and shook Daniel's hand as the two parents joined them.

Ethan, Deborah and Arin came out and greeted everyone. Arin and Makena knew each other, having met a few times when the families had been together, and they had similar tastes to movies, music and TV shows, so they hit it off right away and both headed inside to watch TV.

Taylor laughed as they disappeared and looked at Noah, "seriously. It's like a match made in heaven. Does she try and watch all those Disney movies all the time?"

"Oh yeah. There's a reason why I have a TV in the basement with my XBox hooked up to it," Noah laughed. "Does it feel weird to gripe about them watching Hannah Montana when we know Miley?" Noah asked.

"Yes it does," Taylor agreed, helping everyone take in their luggage.

After showing them to the rooms they'd be using while there, Noah gave them a quick tour of the main level of the house and the basement before the parents found seats in the kitchen to chat and Noah and Taylor remained downstairs. "So where's Rachel? I thought you two were like attached at the hip," Taylor joked.

Noah laughed, "she's at home. She wanted to give us some time to catch up. She didn't want you to be uncomfortable since you and Taylor just split up."

Taylor shrugged, "it's fine. Rachel's cool. She has nothing to do with the reason why we split. Right now Taylor and I are just friends. We both have feelings for each other, but the media is just taking a toll on our relationship, so we decided to just 'break up' for now and maybe get back together later. I still love Taylor, and I know she feels the same way about me, so in a few years when our lives settle down, maybe we'll try a relationship again; until then, we'll stay friends," he explained.

"Or have a super-secret relationship," Noah smirked.

"Or that," Taylor agreed, "so she has nothing to worry about," he added.

"After dinner we can go over," Noah said, "she's usually up until ten."

~*~

The guys were able to talk, and this time they could talk about anything without worrying about someone in the media over hearing. Usually their personal conversations were kept between texts and emails, but now there were no cameras, paparazzi or fans to interrupt. Taylor noticed Noah's game collection and they soon were just two teen guys discussing why they liked or disliked certain games and game systems.

They were called upstairs for dinner and the two families ate together, enjoying the major change from the last time the eight of them had been around each other; in a busy restaurant with Noah and Taylor trying to keep from being spotted.

As dinner came to an end and the dishes were cleaned up, Noah said he and Taylor were going out, but Ethan and Deborah knew where they'd end up: Rachel's. Taylor got a kick out of that as he got into the passenger seat of Noah's SUV. "So you only go to Rachel's house?" He asked.

Noah shrugged, "kind of. It's the holiday season so I don't want to press my luck by going to the mall or something. I go to the store and stuff with mom or dad and don't have problems any more, but now it's the holidays," he explained.

"That makes sense," Taylor agreed, "so what's there to do around here?"

"Not much," Noah laughed, "well, there's a movie theater, a bowling alley, ice rink, roller skating rink, a mall and other stuff, too. I mean, compared to LA or NYC were tiny, but Lima is one of the larger Ohio towns, or at least, in the Northwest part of Ohio."

It was dark outside, but as Noah passed a few places he'd gone, he'd point them out and then turned towards Rachel's house and pulled up behind her car. The two guys got out, and headed up to the front porch and Noah knocked lightly.

Hearing footsteps behind the door, Noah smiled at Alan who opened it, "hey Alan."

"Hey Noah, I didn't think you were coming over tonight," he glanced at Taylor, "and you must be Taylor."

"Yes sir," Taylor nodded.

"Come on in guys," he said stepping aside.

The two teen boys stepped into the house and Alan closed the door. "Alan, this is Taylor Lautner. Taylor, this is Rachel's dad, Alan Berry," Noah said introducing them.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Taylor. I've heard a lot about you," Alan admitted, shaking Taylor's hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Berry. I've heard about you, too. You're a lawyer, right?" Taylor asked.

"I am," Alan smiled, "and please, call me Alan. We're not that formal around here. I'd introduce you to Rachel's other dad, but he's still at the hospital."

"Why is he working so late?" Noah asked surprised.

"Since he took the next two weeks off for the holiday while we're in New York, he's working in the ER for a few hours a night this whole week," Alan explained, "you guys are welcome to go on up. She's packing and last I heard, she was watching 'Grease'," he added, motioning to the stairs.

"Thanks, Alan," Noah nodded at him and he headed for the stairs and started up them and Taylor followed him. Getting to the top of the stairs, Noah, familiar with her bedroom door, heard Taylor laugh lightly, "she has a thing for gold stars," Noah commented.

"I couldn't tell," Taylor smirked, seeing the large gold star on her door with her name scrolled on it, with smaller gold stars attached randomly all over her door, almost like the night sky.

Noah knocked on the door a few times, and was about to knock again when it opened, "hey beautiful."

"Noah! What are you doing here?" She pulled the door open the rest of the way and grinned.

Stepping in, he wrapped her up in a loving hug and kissed her, "came over to say 'hi'," he murmured against her lips before letting her go to move further into the room, seeing her bed covered in suitcases and sure enough, her TV had 'Grease' playing.

"Welcome Taylor! Glad you guys made it," she smiled, seeing Taylor next. "I didn't think you two would be coming over to night," she admitted, giving him a welcoming hug, "sorry, I'm not quite dressed for company," she added.

"It's okay. Looks like you're wearing workout clothes, no worries," Taylor told her, "and figured we'd stop over. I was surprised you weren't at the house when we got there, too."

Rachel brushed her hands through her hair and shrugged, "I know what happened between you and Taylor and... the first time I met you both you two were together, and I didn't want you to feel weird or anything," she explained.

"Thanks, I appreciate the concern, but it's alright," he went on to tell her what he'd told Noah a few hours prior and shrugged, "you make one of my best friends happy, so you're cool to hang around," Taylor replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Taylor," Rachel smiled, "I apologize for the mess, I was packing and decided to watch Grease, too. Right now it's where Sandy leaves Danny at the drive-in."

Noah knew that Taylor hadn't seen Grease, so while Rachel was still looking at Taylor, Noah was behind her making the 'don't say anything' hand signals, but Taylor didn't catch on quick enough, "I've never seen 'Grease'," Taylor said simply, looking at the screen.

"You what?" Rachel exclaimed in shock, "everyone must at some point!"

Noah sighed, looking at Taylor, "well, I know what we're going to watch," he thought.

"I've seen parts, because my mom and sister have watched it before, but I never watched the whole thing. I know the idea, but I didn't pay too much attention to it," he replied, "though I know it's huge, so I should watch it."

Rachel picked up some things on her desk chair and patted the empty seat, "have a seat," she picked up the DVD remote, "well, you guys have time, so we can watch it from the beginning. I do apologize for singing through some of the songs. I have the tendency to do that. Would you guys like anything to eat or drink?"

"I'll just have water," Taylor replied.

"Same," Noah replied. Rachel nodded and headed from her room and once he heard her going downstairs he looked at Taylor, "what did you not get about the 'don't say anything' hand signals?" Noah groaned, "do you know how many times I've watched this movie in the past few months?"

Taylor sat back in her cushioned chair, "I didn't think she'd make us watch it now," he admitted with a laugh.

Noah smirked, "oh yeah," he kicked his shoes off and closed her suitcases so he could take a spot in the middle of her bed.

Rachel returned and passed a water to Taylor and Noah before she took a seat next to her boyfriend and she hit the play button, the movie starting at the beginning.

Soon Taylor had his feet propped up on the box at the end of her bed and Noah was kicked back against the headboard of her bed, while she sat next to him. Rachel couldn't help taking a few 'candid' pictures of Taylor; it wasn't every day a famous actor was in her room, only an award winning pop star; there was a difference.

As Rachel warned, she couldn't help singing along with a few of the songs that Olivia Newton-John sang in the movie and Taylor was amazed at her voice, since he'd never heard her sing before.

When the movie neared the end and Sandy came out dressed in her black outfit and she and Danny sang 'You're The One That I Want', Noah and Rachel exchanged glances at the song, both saying, "Regionals," at the same time.

"Whoa, did you guys plan that?" Taylor laughed.

"No," Rachel blushed.

Noah shook his head, "no. But I think it would be a great song for us to sing at Regionals," he admitted.

Rachel nodded, "yes, I think so, too. We could suggest it in Glee after school tomorrow," she suggested.

"Alright, might help out, because once we get back to school after break, we only have about six weeks to come up with songs and dance routines," Noah reminded her.

"I know," she sighed, "I wish it was a little later than the middle of February," she replied.

Noah kissed her, "we'll work it out," he said looking across to see Taylor's eyes glued to the TV as the final scene of the movie came to a close and the credits began to roll, "you ain't turnin' into a chick over there, are you?" He asked with a grin.

"Huh? What? Oh, no," Taylor laughed, registering what he asked as he sat up, "no, I'm not, but it's a good movie, now that I've actually sat down and watched it."

Rachel grinned, "I knew you'd like it."

Noah stretched his arms a little and sighed when he noticed her alarm clock read just after nine-thirty, "it's late, we should probably go," he said softly.

Taylor really enjoyed just sitting back and watching a movie in someone's place, no need to rush for anything, and Noah didn't want to go, but he knew it was late, and they'd see each other the next day at school, so the two teen boys slowly got up and got ready to leave.

Rachel led them downstairs, where her dad was kicked back on the couch watching TV, "dad, daddy still isn't home?" She asked.

"No, I don't figure he'll be home for a while longer," Alan admitted, "you guys leaving?"

Noah nodded, "yeah, it's after nine-thirty, and we have school tomorrow," Noah replied.

"You do, but it's your last day of classes, isn't it?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, Friday is the concert, so while everyone is in class, I'll be doing soundcheck," Noah explained.

"Really?" Rachel looked at her boyfriend.

Noah laughed, "what did you think I was going to do?"

Rachel opened her mouth, but paused before she spoke, "I... I didn't really think about it, actually. I knew that you'd be missing classes, and that's obviously something that is done before a concert, but I just figured you'd be setting up."

He shook his head, "nope, that will be done early Friday morning, so it'll be ready when we all get to school at seven, then I'll have four hours to run through the songs and rearrange things if necessary before lunch."

"I see," Rachel nodded, "seems like you've got everything planned out. I really hope the school enjoys the concert. I know I'm looking forward to it," she admitted.

"I can't wait for you to see me in action, either. You should have gone to the concert Kurt, Tina and Mercedes went to," he winked at her.

She blushed, "I know. Now I wish I had, but on the other hand, I get to see you perform Friday," she replied with a smile.

"Good point," he agreed, wrapping his arms around her. Knowing they had to leave, and they had an audience, he gently pressed his lips to hers, "love you, see you tomorrow."

"Love you, too," she replied hugging him for a moment before letting go.

Taylor gave Rachel a quick hug and after saying 'goodnight' to both Rachel and Alan, the two teens headed for Noah's SUV and began their trip back to the Puckerman's house.

"Does she or the rest of the club have any idea that I'm coming to Glee tomorrow?" Taylor asked.

Noah smirked, "not a clue, so expect to shock a few people tomorrow," he told his friend.

~*~

Underlined text is from Glee 1x13 - Sectionals.

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A/N4: It has been a long week. I'm sick again and can't get into the doctor yet, so I'm just so 'blah' lately, but thankfully I had a few chapters almost ready to post. Hope you guys liked the new chapter. Let me know what you think. Up next: Taylor surprises New Directions and the teens decide on their songs for Regionals.
A/N5: Happy Birthday, Mark Salling!!! Today (August 17th) Mark is celebrating his 28th birthday.
A/N6: I had a fic idea come to me and I couldn't shake it, so I'm working on it; it's going to be a lot darker than anything I've ever written, but I hope I do the topic justice. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it in the Glee fan fic world, and I hope to have it posted soon. It's for my fic table, and will be another one-shot. Might want to add me to your author alerts so you know when I post it, because I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about it.

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