Flash Pack to Quebec - A Quinntana Story

Chapter 1: Friday

"I do not need this trip, Tina Cohen-Chang-Chang!" Santana exclaims at the top of her lungs.

"Santana, you need to get out of the public eye for a bit. Look at this website, at least, please."

"Fine. But you can't make me go, Tina."

Those were the last words Santana spoke to her publicist before she was unceremoniously shoved on plane, first class, to Montreal.

Six hours later, she arrives in Montreal. Her celebrity status doesn't do her any favors getting thru customs but soon enough she was greeted by her driver, Jaqucues, holding up her pseudonym, her mother's name and her grandmother's maiden name: Maribel Sanchez. Santana was excited to practice her French. She'll be the first to admit she was a bit rusty. She did become fluent after spending a summer in Provence filming her Oscar-nominated performance. By 1300, she was ensconced in the privacy of her room at the Le St. Martin hotel.

This was supposed to be a weekend getaway from the press. They had been harassing her since her recent break-up with her backup dancer, Brittany S. Pierce. Santana was one of those superstars known as a triple threat. She had been nominated twice for an Academy Award. Her first album won her Best New Artist. But dancing, that was her passion. It was easy to see why she would fall for one of her dancers. It was easy, since they spent long hours together toiling in a dance studio. Britt, well, she was the latest one in a string of many failed relationships. The media fell in love with them as a couple, even coining the portmanteau: Brittana. But, Brittany was the one who ended things. She had a boyfriend now. She claims that Santana wasn't making her happy anymore. In reality, she had been cheating with Wheels, Santana's light and sound guy. She knew it but when she caught them, she knew she could no longer deny the truth. Being the woman that she is, she didn't let the media find out about it. She had Tina write up a simple statement saying they mutually decided to end their two-year courtship.

Santana was heartbroken. When she fell in love, she falls hard. She really believed that Brittany was the one. She had even bought a ring. "Well, I guess I'll have to return it to Tiffany's when I get back to LA," she thinks to herself as she relaxes in a hot bubble bath. She had to give it to Tina; she did know what she was doing. She was right in scheduling this getaway trip. However, Santana would never admit it to her face. Tina had been there from the beginning of her career. She was just starting off as a publicist and they hit it off. Now, Santana was her biggest client, and she knew her shit.

In the bathtub, Tina is calling, FaceTiming her. Santana begrudgingly answers.

"Yes, Cohen-Chang-Chang."

"Oh good, I see you are relaxing in a nice bath I hope?"

"I am, indeed. Care to join me?"

"Oh, Santana. Give it up already. You know I'm happily married. You officiated mine and Mike's wedding."

"I kid, I kid, boss lady."

"Well, it worked. This trip has you off the grid for the next 4 days. The media is now caught up in the latest Kardashian turmoil so you are out of the headlines for now. Please take this time to recharge. Maybe you'll find some inspiration up there for your next album? I will be blocking your FB, IG, Snapchat, and Twitter accounts while you are in Canada. Of course, take plenty of pictures. We can use them later, when you return. Ok, your meet and greet is in 2 hours, at 1700. Your guide's name is Quinn, a local. I already discussed with her your celebrity status. You will be in a group of some celebrities and some normal folk. I already know Finn Hudson will be there, as well as Mercedes Jones.

"Great, Tina. A jock and and diva."

"Takes one to know one, my dear. Ok, enjoy the bubbles and the bubbly. You will find I packed you everything you need. Have a great weekend. Call me in case of emergency. Otherwise, I will call you when you back on your plane on Monday night. Bye San. Try to have fun, please?"

"I will Tina…and thank you," Santana finally says. She means it, too.

Right on the dot, 1700, Santana goes down to the lobby of the hotel. Punctuality was a trait engrained in her my her military doctor father. "Be on time, if not 5 minutes early," he always said. She is greeted by a beautiful woman with a sexy French accent. She introduces herself:

"Je m'appel Quinn Fabray. Bonjour, Mademoiselle Santana."

Santana does the European thing and kisses both of her cheeks. It catches the tour guide off guard. What catches her even more off guard is Santana speaking to her in French.

"Bonjour, Quinn! Comment vas-tu aujourd'hui?

"Oui, ca va, mademoiselle. Et vous? Ca va aussi?

"Je suis tres fatigue mais excite pour ce week-end."

"Oh. of course. I believe you had the longest flight out here."

Just then, Jock and diva show up, along with Julia, a Swiss-German medical doctor and Allison, an English professor at Harvard. They were a small group of 5, starving and ready to eat. If they are, Allison and Julia don't appear starstruck. They were professionals in their own field. She assumed that Tina already pre-approved and did background checks on everyone involved. Santana warmly greeted everyone but with handshakes, not kisses. This piqued Quinn interest, as she felt he blush finally starting to subside.

"Let's go group and have an aperatif!"

3 hours later, Santana had taken the mic from the night singer at the French bistro and is serenading to dining crowd with her version of Edith Piaf's "Non, je ne regrette rein." It is a good group, Quinn can already tell, which is an excellent omen for the adventure packed weekend ahead. WIth full bellies, they head over to the trendy BarGeorge. Quinn takes her leave of the group. Santana decided to join her, not wanting her to walk alone. Montreal seems like a safe city, but you can never be too careful.

"Are you excited for tomorrow, Santana?" Quinn asks.

"More like scared shitless. I hate flying. This is like 1,000,000 times scarier."

"I'll do it with you. It's exhilarating. You feel so free- like a bird."

They make small talk on the 10 minute walk back to the Le St. Martin hotel. Santana walks her to her room, kissing her good night.

"Can I ask you a question, Mademoiselle?" Why do you kiss me but shake hands with the rest of the group?"

"Well, they are American, mostly, so they get greeted with a handshake. And I never miss the opportunity to kiss a beautiful woman," Santana says, taking her hand, kissing the back of her hand.

"Bon soir, Mademoiselle Quinn. Fais de beaux reves," Santana says before leaving her for her room.

And with that, Quinn blushes hard for the 2nd time that night.