It's mid October and everyone around here knows that that means it's the start of a new basketball season. When Coach Beiste took over the football team, the guys in the program got a real wake- up call. Things done changed! With a new coach and new found success, the school decided it was time to spend the money and make coaching changes within the basketball programs as well. Sue's Cheerios had multiple state championships, why should other students have the same opportunities? Coach Hill took over the boy's program and Coach Eckles took over the girl's. There have been a lot of changes at McKinley and the past is shaping the future.

"One more time!" Sue yells through her megaphone as the clock strikes four o'clock.

"Wrap it up Sue!" A voice shouts across the gym. The gym instantly becomes so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The Cheerios collectively hold their breath as Sue turns on her heel to see who has the nerve.

"Your practice is technically over. We've got the gym reserved from four to six tonight." Coach Eckles says calmly. "I'll give you one more rep and we're coming on."

Sue pauses for just a second and says, "I'll deal with you later. One more time and make it perfect!" Having experienced so much success, it's only natural that Sue Sylvester wants the Cheerios last routine under her direction to be better than perfect. It is just that as they execute their final tosses without flaw. Sue is as satisfied as she's going to get and ends practice there.

"Much appreciated Coach." Coach Eckles says firmly as the girl's basketball team takes the floor for practice. Sue sends a piercing glare her way, but it seems to bounce off the new basketball coach without leaving a mark. Sue screams at the Cheerios to meet in room 202B. They file out quickly and quietly.

Standing off to the side is the Cheerios coach in waiting, Santana Lopez. Santana left Lima after high school to attend college as far away as possible. That landed her at Ohio State. She originally wanted to become a doctor, but teaching ended up calling her name and for reasons she hasn't quite figured out yet, she ended up back in Lima. Santana quietly observed the short exchange between Sue and the new cage coach. As the basketball team went through their stretches, she walked over to introduce herself.

"You handled her well." Santana said with admiration and sarcasm all wrapped into one. "She normally attacks anyone that tries to breathe the same air as her." Coach Eckles turned and looked down at that Latina. The coach wasn't a towering figure, only 5'8 or 5'9, but definitely taller than the women standing next to her. Their eyes locked for a moment- unexpected by the both of them.

Coach Eckles broke the brief silence with, "Thanks….I think." She didn't know Sue all that well yet and certainly didn't want to offend anyone. Truth be told, she really didn't mind her though. Success breeds success and those are the people that she wanted to be surrounded by.

"You look familiar…. I feel like I've seen you somewhere before….."

Santana felt some nerves flare up and quickly said, "You probably saw me in the Cheerios pictures in the trophy cases. I was Captain back in the day. Santana Lopez. I'm taking over the Cheerios after Sue retires this weekend."

Coach Eckles smiled sweetly. "That might be it. It's nice to meet you Santana." She extended a hand and said "My friends call me BJ" and quickly followed up with, "No need for jokes. I heard them all growing up." Santana chuckled softly. There was a time when she would have been the one leading the way with those jokes, but over time she'd changed.

"So what does it stand for?" Santana asked.

"I just met you. I can't be telling you all my secrets already."

"Fair enough but, you should know that I'll figure it out sooner than later."

BJ gave Santana a side-eyed glance and then turned to face her as she pulled her shoulder length brown hair up into a ponytail. BJ was from the Midwest and played her college ball at Ohio State. She stayed on as a graduate assistant coach and pursued her Master's degree in psychology. It hit her then. Santana had been a cheerleader while she was coaching there.

At that same moment, Santana suddenly realized that she knew BJ from somewhere too. "I know you." Santana said quietly.

"I know you too." BJ replied. "Small world."

Santana smiled and asked so suddenly that she surprised herself, "Do you have dinner plans tonight? We could catch up or uhh…..get to know each other? I mean we are both Buckeyes." she said trying to make the moment less awkward.

The moment must have only been awkward for the Latina as the basketball coach shrugged and answered, "Practice plans and game tape, but I suppose I have to eat sometime."

"Seven o'clock at the Brew Pub?"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll meet you there. Now get out of my gym so I can turn these girls into champions." BJ smiled and turned to get to work.

Santana smiled as she turned to head out of the gym. She suddenly had a little energy in her step. Almost everyone she had known from her high school days had left for college and not returned. She had been pretty lonely since she moved back a couple months ago. It was time to venture out. Maybe getting out would help her figure out what that gut feeling was that practically forced her to move back.