Keep Me Awake / Better Than Caffeine

Summary
Santana becomes a barista in her uncle's coffee shop called 'La Planta' at his desire. Actually she hates the job, but her opinion about it changes, as soon as she meets the regular customer Brittany. She's a curious journalist with a wanton imagination and has a strange effect on the Latina. They become friends – and soon even more. But her delicate project she's working on causes a lot of trouble and perilous situations. So they have to ask themselves: Is their love strong enough to go together through the imminent danger?

AU. Brittana story / Pucktana brotp / Slight side of Faberry / Other pairings possible

A/N:

Today is a day of my firsts: My first Brittana story, my first fanfiction written in English and the first fanfiction I published via my new account. :)
Therefore I'll appreciate every review, which tells me if my language is okay and the story interesting enough to keep on writing and uploading new chapters. I won't be able to update new chapters soon, since I have to study for my final exams and it takes a long time to correct my mistakes (If someone is interested in becoming my Beta, I'll be really happy..)

I hope you enjoy reading my story. Thank you for giving it a try! :)

Disclaimer:
I don't own anything, everything is made up and if any of the invented characters show a resemblance to someone you know in real life – fuck it. I don't have a social life and therefore I probably don't know anyone of your social environment, so the chance I did it on purpose is almost zero. Have a nice day. ;)

Chapter 1

Thick snowflakes fluttered down onto the roofs of New York City. Led by a frosty wind, they danced through the air to a silent melody and hounded the citizens through the town, until they disappeared behind closed doors to escape from the bone-chilling cold. A storm was coming up, but no one seemed to care. People hid in crowded cafés or in their homes, enjoying the safety and pitying those still outside fighting against the coming winter.

Santana Lopez was one of these poor souls, still walking down the snow-covered streets. Several snowflakes fell into her long eyelashes and blocked her view from time to time. Beneath her feet the snow scrunched, and the young woman crinkled her nose at the sound of it. She was freezing, but the anticipation she felt right now made her feel cozy and smooth. She was on her way to the 'La Planta', the coffee shop her beloved uncle owned. It was located in a side street and was never as overcrowded as certain chains of coffee shops, which could be found in almost every shopping mall and high streets, (and therefore had no charm and personality!) However, the 'La Planta' was still well patronized, but one's privacy was always ensured. That's why Santana loved this place.

When she arrived and pushed the glass door open, a cold breeze tried to follow her inside, but it was instantly cut off by the heat of hot drinks and the warm chatter of customers. The smell of coffee and old leather furniture enwrapped and welcomed her, causing a small smile on her rosy, jittering lips. A few people eyed her, as she stepped to the centre of the venue, but quickly lost their interest in her and returned to their former activities.

As usual people were chatting, sometimes a newspaper crackled and in the background the coffee machine made its buzzing sounds. Santana spotted her busy uncle behind it. She searched for his eyes, but he was too focused on taking a customer's order to notice his niece. So she decided to get in line and wait.

When it was finally her turn, she couldn't wipe the grin off her face. Ricardo Lopez turned around to take the next order and his face lit immediately up. "Sobrina!" he exclaimed with glee, as he walked around the bar. Before he got to Santana, he tapped a young man on his shoulder, "Sam, could you do me a favour and take charge of the counter?" Sam was one of the baristas of the coffee shop. He was a tall blonde with shiny grey eyes and a muscular body, but his most striking features were definitely his huge pink lips. When Santana had noticed them for the first time, they reminded her of trout. She liked trout, but only when they were boiled and called 'trout au bleu'. At least Sam seemed nice though.

"Sure, Ric." he said with a gentle smile and put the broom he held in his hands away. On his way to the cash register he greeted Santana with a nod. She smiled in response, but didn't care too much.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" Ricardo said putting his large, hairy arms around the shorter woman. He was a fine man. Okay, he didn't look fine. In fact, Santana thought he was pretty ugly. His age played around his eyes and grey hairs started to shimmer through his thick black curls, which were always stuck to his sweaty forehead. His face was chubby as was the rest of his body- and the brown apron he had to wear everyday didn't help enhance his figure at all. However, Santana adored her uncle. He had always been a hard-working man who did everything for his family. Sometimes she believed the only reason his heart kept beating was his love for the people around him. Even for Santana, who was his youngest niece.

"Yeah, me too!" she grinned and hugged him back. "I can't wait to hear the 'big news'!"

Ricardo stepped back and rubbed his hands over her shoulders. Proudly he took a closer look at her and whispered "I still can't believe you became such a strong and beautiful woman. Just like your mamà." Santana blushed at his words and smiled shyly.

"You tell me every time..." she laughed nervously and tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

"Because it's true!" The old man carefully patted her cheek, as if he was afraid Santana could break any moment. "Come on, let's go upstairs and warm you up. And then I'll tell you about my plans." He turned to the young barista, who was struggling with a tight drawer. "Sam, you'll manage that? I'll be back soon, got some Lopez-business to do."

"Don't hurry, boss. Everything's in control." Sam assured him with a confident grin, covering the drawer with his body. After mouthing 'good boy' the old Latino turned his attention back to his niece and pulled her eagerly towards the storage room, which led out to the hallway.

"Follow me, Sobrina, follow me." His voice was filled with pride and excitement and Santana couldn't stop herself from finding it adorable. Ricardo was in his sixties and that fact that he still showed so much enthusiasm made her incredibly happy. At least in his mind he would stay young. She walked behind him out of the room, thinking about what his 'plans' might be.

Piercing blue eyes followed her, until she disappeared into the storage room. The young woman sitting in the corner of the coffee shop was the only customer who hadn't lost their interest in the young Latina. Something about her had caught her attention and twisted her thoughts back onto her. She was well hidden behind the huge screen of her laptop, so she hadn't been caught leering. And that was good, since she felt pretty uncomfortable at the moment.

Thoughtfully she tapped her bottom lip and stared at the closed door. A change was coming, she could feel it in her bones. And she knew it had something to do with the woman, who was obviously here for Ric. The need to find out what was going on burned in her chest. She couldn't fight it, curiosity was in her nature. At least, she thought that explained this strange feeling. She grabbed her coffee and took a large sip. Yes, something was going to happen. And she would find out what it was. That was a promise she made to herself.

The tall blonde leaned back and casually crossed her legs. "Nice to meet you..." she muttered with a coy smile. Santana Lopez.

"Wait! What did you say?" Santana narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Her uncle was still beaming at her and squeezed her hands.

"I said- I want you to work in my 'La Planta'! How does that sound?"

Santana took her hands away and shook her head. "No, Ric. Definitely not. I can't!" she said, jumping up off her chair and starting to pace in the Lopez' kitchen. "I mean, look, I really love this place. But I already have a job and I can't spend more time working! I... I- I have to study, and-"

"No! That's not what I meant!" he interrupted her, also jumping up from his seat, hissing at the pain in his back. "Santana, I would pay you like any other employee and you can choose your working time as you wish! You just need to quit your other job and- "

"Tío, I really appreciate your offer, but..." Santana didn't know how to finish her sentence. In actual fact, her uncle's idea was pretty great. She hated her current job, chamber-maid in a dubious hotel, and she liked the idea of working with him, but she didn't feel comfortable with what came with being a barista, or being a waitress. She wasn't a very social person, especially because she often felt like an outcast. A large dislike of people had been growing in her chest for a very long time, she didn't feel able to be around such a huge amount of customers every day. It scared her, but of course she would never admit that. So her protest stayed unfinished. "Why don't you hire a second barista like Sam? I'm not that skilled anyway" she asked instead.

Ricardo smiled weakly. "You spent your first years of life on a coffee plantation, and you have spent a lot time with me. I highly doubt that you have no knowledge about the business." The young Latina laughed at his statement, because it was more than true. Whenever she visited her uncle, he would hardly stop talking about coffee. "You probably know much more than Sam and therefore I trust you a lot more."

Santana's cheeks turned pink. She wasn't used to compliments which were genuine. Sure, people often told her that she was hot and had a great sense of style, but hardly anyone had ever complimented her skills. Most of the time they didn't even believe that she was in law school. and it bothered her a lot. More that she would admit.

"I need you, Santana." Ricardo said and grabbed her at the shoulders to pat them reassuringly. "I am older and I need someone who'll manage my coffee shop the way I do. I can't stay up till all hours anymore, but I have to, because I am the one who does the daily settlement, who locks the doors, who prepares the shop for the next day. I like Sam and I think he's a good employee, but I don't trust him enough to entrust him with these tasks. You're the only one, who would live up to my standards."

Ricardo looked his niece straight in the eye, hoping she would understand, how much he depended on her. "But I'm a lawyer, Ric." She chuckled quietly. "I'd judge your customers by their order and probably scare them away."

Her uncle burst into a loud laughter, showing his sharp lion teeth. "That's the Lopez-gene, that has nothing to do with your studies!" He sniffed and brushed his tears away. "Look, I'm not planning on leaving you the coffee shop... unless you want me to?" The way Santana's eyes widened at this suggestion told him that she didn't like this thought at all. "Calm down, kiddo. I'm not going to die soon. And besides, I'm already looking for potential purchasers. I just need you for the transition time. I can't do this all on my own anymore."

She sighed loudly and rubbed her temples. "I'm not sure, Ric. It sounds awesome, but I gotta think about it." Ricardo nodded.

"I understand, Santana. I mean, I kind of assaulted you with my idea... but please, come to a decision within the next few days."

"Yeah, yeah... I will." He raised his hand to pinch at her cheek and smiled happily at her.

"Great. And now, let's have lunch. I'm starving."

An hour later Santana had left her uncle and was on her way home. The blizzard had gotten worse, so she found that she had to cover her face with her scarf as she walked outside. The sharpness of the frost hurt her cheeks, but this time she couldn't ignore it. Too many thoughts ran through her head, causing questions and doubts, sometimes even unpleasant feelings. She didn't feel she was able to be a barista, she was afraid of disappointing her family. Of course she trusted her uncle's judgement. He knew her almost better than her parents did, but she also was aware of the fact that her family was wrong about her in many ways, especially when it came to her private life. However, she didn't have the courage to correct them, therefore she had lived with these insecurities her whole life. And now it seemed like they somehow crawled back into her mind unknowingly.

When she finally arrived at her apartment, she hesitated a moment and didn't turn the key immediately. Her roommate was probably at home and she wasn't in the mood for dealing with his inappropriate comments. Her clothes were soaked, her hair was a mess- and she was glad there was no mirror, which no doubt showed her how bad her make-up looked. She eventually twisted her key, after all, she couldn't stay outside in the cold with her wet clothes; so there was no way around greeting him.

As the door swung open, her roommate stuck his head instantly out of his room. "You look horrible." he stated, making Santana roll her eyes. Yup, this was what she had expected.

"Really thank you, Puck. I look like shit, I feel like shit. I already know that, you don't have to tell me." she snapped and shut the door. "And if I glued a dead squirrel onto my head like you did, I'd probably look so much better after being outside in this fucking snowstorm."

"Wo-ho-ho, calm your tits, Santana. I didn't mean to offend you." Puck said frowning, touching his Mohawk protectively with his hand. "Did something happen? You seem upset."

"None of your business." The young woman took of her coat and slipped out of her shoes, a small puddle had formed around her feet. The clammy clothes stung on her skin and she couldn't wait to get into the bathroom to take a long and hot shower. And to get out of his sight.

"Well, it is my business when you take it out on me." When she didn't respond, he sighed heavily and got out of his room. Slowly he walked over to her. "How did your meeting with your uncle go?"

Santana ran with her fingers through her damp hair and bit nervously down on her bottom lip. "Actually it was pretty great."

"Buuuut?" he asked raising an eyebrow, following her with his eyes as she disappeared in the kitchen to get some paper towels. She came back frowning, trying to find the right words.

"He puts a lot pressure on me. You know, he has his coffee shop, but he doesn't feel well enough to keep it for another couple years. He's already looking for a successor, he even asked me in a way, if I wanted to inherit it, but I can't. I am a lawyer and not someone who wants to count roasted coffee beans every goddamn morning" she explained while drying the floor. Puck chuckled quietly at the image, but stopped instantly, when she shot a glare at him. He raised his hands, letting her continue. "So, instead he asked me if I could work for him. To support him at least. As a barista or a waitress or whatever. He would pay me, I'd have flexible working hours... It sounds awesome, but I don't think I can handle that."

Puck looked puzzled. "Why?"

Santana got up from the floor and looked him into the eyes. "Because I've never been a barista?" she said, as if the answer was obvious.

"You have never been a chamber-maid either. And still you're working in a hotel" he argued. "I dunno, I think you really should consider accepting his offer. Or do you really wanna keep on scraping sperm stains away?"

The woman grimaced in disgust at this memory. "Thank you for the reminder."

"You're welcome!" he laughed and pulled her into a tight embrace, even though she was dripping wet. "And besides, it would be such a huge chance for you to get to know some people. I have this feeling that I'm your only friend, and that seems kinda sad."

"Actually that was the second reason why I didn't say yes then and there. I hate people and you know that" she sighed and closed her eyes. "I love working on my own. In hotel rooms I can hate and judge people for their conquests as much as I want without worrying about consequences."

"You know that the customers in your uncle's coffee shop are probably different from the sex-crazed guys in the hotel? Santana, being in contact with people isn't that bad. Look at me, I have a lot of people around me and I'm happy." Santana snorted.

"Because you sleep with most of them."

Puck hummed in response. "That could be true. Maybe you'll find a reputable fuck buddy there too." Santana moaned in annoyance and pushed him off her. "What?" he grinned and slapped her ass, when she turned away to head into her room. "Actually I don't understand why I haven't seen any guys in here for ages. You're way too hot to live a life in chastity."

"Well, there are many things you don't understand" she said sneering and grabbed her purse from the floor. "Perhaps I'm not just a whore like you. Simple as that."

"Ouch, that hurt." he pouted and faked a sniffle, but Santana didn't even consider changing her tone.

"Yeah, the truth can hurt. But at least I'm honest with you. And I am fucking hilarious. So I don't care." she shrugged as she stood in the door frame of her room. Puck mirrored her smirk while offering her his raised middle finger. "Mature, Puck. I really don't get why so many girls have a thing for you." She crossed her arms and shook slightly her head, trying to fight her smile.

"Never heard of the Puckasaurus charm?" Santana burst into a loud laughter and pointed at him.

"So this thing on your head is not a hairstyle but a crista? I'm sorry that I've always been wrong about it!"

"You know what?" he shouted whilst smiling, "Go, take a shower and fuck yourself, while I'mma get some pussy now."

"Sure." she winked and watched him, still laughing, as he put his jacket on and searched for his keys. When he finally found them in another coat, he took a last glance at Santana.

"And while I am not at home, you'll think about your uncle's offer. Your stories about used condoms you find underneath pillows disgust me."

Santana nodded and turned her head away shamefully. She knew that Puck didn't mind these stories, actually he found them really entertaining, but she knew that he was aware how much she hated her job. He cared a lot about her and she was beyond thankful for it, even though he had hard times with finding appropriate comforting words. And by telling her, how disgusting he found her stories, he reminded her that she was the one, who was unhappy, that it was her chance to change something about it. His ways were strange, but they worked and that was everything that counted. She felt lucky to call Puck her best friend.

"Yeah, will do." she sighed quietly and leaned against the door frame.

"Awesome. See you later, bitch."

And there was the next inappropriate comment that made her stomach churn.

Bitch.