When he first sees her, he isn't convinced it's actually her. Yeah, she's in the city too, and yeah, that girl does look an awful lot like the one he's seen on the posters, but he still has his doubts. He's learned by now that New York is a big place, and no matter how long he's been there, it seems just as large as ever. In all his years, he's never run into someone he knows while on the street.

It's only fitting that she would be the exception.

It's when she draws closer that he acknowledges the truth; it's definitely her, and she's heading his way. It also happens that he's walking towards her- not because he wants to approach her, it's just that he was already heading in that direction (the liquor store is at the end of the block). He's not going to change directions just because of her, he's a little too old for that sort of behavior.

Not that he would have acted differently when he was younger.

So he's walking down the sidewalk, just moving with the flow, and he's surprised to see her. But it's not like there's some giddy emotion coursing through him or anything, it's not like he'll start jumping up and down like a pussy. It's not like he's been waiting to see her again, because lately she hasn't hardly crossed his mind (of course he can never completely forget her, either). He's moved on, and he knows she must have moved on too, because they're not idiots and they know how life works. Only losers get caught up in the 'what may have been' scenarios.

He likes to think, after all these years, he's finally proven to them that he isn't just some small-town loser. Not that he needs anyone's reassurance, he sure as hell knows that he's become more than most of them.

She's walking towards him, but she doesn't see him- and he's not surprised in the least; her gaze is focused too far ahead to notice him. It always has been. But even if she doesn't see him, he sees her, and his eyes are resting on her, unashamed. Even if he's not giddy, he is surprised to see her; it's been a long time.

He sort of relishes the fact that he sees her before she sees him. He finds a perverse satisfaction in that he can call the shots right now, that he can choose whether or not she notices him. He has the power to enter her life again, no matter how brief the moment, and it's just as easy to decide against it as for it. This power makes him feel like he's one-upped her in some way, and one-upping Rachel Berry is quite the feat.

His eyes roam her body as it becomes visible through the crowd. He's satisfied to see she's still a hot piece of ass. He thinks he'd be depressed if she were ugly now, as if that would somehow reflect poorly on him. He likes to imagine that all the chicks he's banged are still attractive, at least all the ones around his age. He likes to think he has a talent in picking out the future cougars.

He refuses to admit that she deserves more of a title than 'girl I banged #437', but he does admit that he's sort of impressed with how well put together she is. If he thought about Kurt at all these days, maybe he would think the boy would have been impressed with her ensemble.

She's almost at him now, but he doesn't do anything to attract her attention. He doesn't speed up or slow down, and he briefly wonders if he's going to actually allow her to slip past him, allow her to remain oblivious to his presence, allow her to go on her merry way.

That would be the nice thing to do; that would be the right thing to do.

"Hey." His tone is just light enough to convey some sort of excitement in seeing her again, because that's how you're supposed to greet old friends (admittedly, they'd never really been friends; somehow they always managed to skip that fundamental building block in their relationship).

She stops in her tracks, several steps past him, and he stops as well, turning his head and shoulders to stare as she whips around. Surprise is etched into her features, but it disappears quickly as a warm smile spreads across her face.

He had almost forgotten how good of an actor she really is.

"Noah?"

He lifts his shoulders in a casual, half-hearted shrug, his jacket crackling at the movement, as if to say 'who else?'

She flips her hair over her shoulder to keep the wind from blowing it in her face. Her smile doesn't falter as her lilting voice hits the air,

"My god! How are you?"

"Pretty decent, pretty decent." He admits, life hasn't been bad for him at all. "How've you been?" He can't tell whether or not the interest in his voice is real, but he isn't given the time to think it over.

"I've been doing remarkably well, actually." She's facing him now, her smile still so damn perfect; he doesn't turn around completely, and his smile is more of a smirk. She doesn't elaborate on her life, just like he didn't elaborate on his. He thinks she's also realized how little both of them care.

He's not good with small talk, he never has been, and in all honesty he fucking hates it. Still, he's not quite brave enough to delve to deep in a conversation with her again, so he settles on something that's familiar enough to both of them, while also being unsettling enough to stir some interest:

"Have you ever gone back?" He's not sure if he actually even cares, but for some reason he can't bring himself to avoid saying it.

She understands, of course, and for a moment he thinks he sees the smile flicker. But she's a damn good actress, and in the end he thinks he was just imagining the slip.

"Not since my fathers moved out to California." She responds so easily, and he wonders if this conversation is just like acting out one of her Broadway scripts. She seems so collected, and he thinks that maybe she just doesn't do awkward anymore; it's probably not something she has room in her life for.

For a second he wonders if there's anything real about her or if she's all fake, just like the clichés and stereotypes have proclaimed. And then, for a millisecond, he actually cares enough to be upset with the idea that she's totally phony. Then the moment passes and he's back to normal, wondering what the hell is wrong with him.

"What about you?" She asks, as if she realizes that it takes two parties to have a conversation and that she has to initiate some of it. He's surprised to see her try.

"Used to. Not so much anymore." He doesn't know what else to say about it. He used to visit frequently, to see his mom and his sister and his old friends, but now he doesn't. His mom and sister come to New York to visit him now. And his old friends, well, he just doesn't see them at all.

He's been making good money lately, and he's starting to make a name for himself. Who he used to be has faded into the background, the delinquent he'd once been no longer occupying the center stage. He's successfully buried the old "Puck" away, making him more of a memory than an identity.

Still, he's not quite as big as her (of course not), but then again he's still something. He doesn't even acknowledge that she's somewhat responsible for his success; because it was a really long time ago (at least it feels that way).

Neither of them mention the awkwardness associated with "going home". They don't talk about how uncomfortable they feel whenever they return to Lima, because it's not like they left together or anything. This point in their lives, this moment, is composed of two entirely separate people; two completely different stories have led up to this point. So, they don't bond over how awkward it is, being so changed, so new, only to return to that sleepy little town and discover that nothing there has changed, not really. They've each seen most of their old friends, and they've seen how little those friends have changed, and they realize that time doesn't really seem to pass in Lima, and it's like the town is nothing more than a memory. Needless to say, they've always been desperate to leave by the time they actually get to depart.

"There's not a whole lot for me there, ya know?" At first he's not sure he actually said it aloud, and then he's not sure why he's said it, and then he's glad it's finally been said. He's been denying it for years, keeping it hidden like a sin, and deep down he feels like a traitor.

"I believe I can empathize with you there." Her smile seems more genuine now, not that it looked fake before, so maybe this is all in his head as well. Still, whether she's real or fake, he grins back, realizing that if there is one person who can understand his reluctance to visit Lima, it's her. They both avoid it, the small hometown they've outgrown, and neither of them miss it in the slightest (at least, neither of them miss the actual town).

"I guess we were too big for that place, huh?" He chuckles, offering a meek smile to accompany his words. That's before he realizes that that is the first time in a long time he's used "we". From the way she shifts, as if surprised, he thinks she may have realized this also.

"I suppose," her response comes easily, airily, "but then, it's only to be expected." There's humor in her tone, and he's confused for a moment, and it must show on his face because she quirks a brow teasingly.

"We're a couple of good looking Jews. It was only natural we needed something more."

Her words make him freeze but he doesn't know why. He knows there's more behind the words than he recognizes, but that doesn't help him remember. Something about the words scream familiarity, and for a second he wonders if it's some old movie quote.

It's only then he realizes she's walking away, exiting his world just as quickly as he entered hers. He turns a little more, shamelessly staring at her ass as she goes. Yeah, still hot as fuck.

The ghost of a smile on his face, he waits a few seconds before turning and going on his way. He tries to remember what brand of liquor he was supposed to pick up.

And of course, there's no evidence that they ever even ran into each other.

Assigned Prompt: Puck and Rachel run into each other in the street after years of not seeing each other. Implications of a past romance required.

Note: The votes are in and I've decided to make this more than just a one-shot! Wooooooo...-cough- Anyways, this is my first fanfiction, and therefore I'd love some reviews if any of you have the time. If not, no worries, life can make us busy. XD