Santana's POV

Long flight is suck. You can't do anything but sit here and watch stupid things in this system. Well, beside from using that tiny toilet. At least, it's better here in first class area. It's a perk of having money.

Ah, yes, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Santana Lopez and as you must know, they just discharged me after 10 years of serving in military. With hornor of course. Why? Probably they couldn't stand my attitude anymore. Well kidding, I got myself into a fucking situation that added in my collection some fantastic scars and a limp walking as a bonus. Doctors said I could do whatever I want if I have special shoes to level up both of my legs. To hell, I would ever use that shoes. I'm badass Lopez, if limping is my new walking style then let it be. They sent me to Germany to treat my injury and now I'm back to my old town. Practically, I have no friend no family there anymore. I have no idea what will I do now. Have been in war for too long maybe. At least, my old stuffs are still in warehouse and waiting for my return.

Nothing has changed here actually, it's still chaotic at this airport. People run to hail cab to go wherever they want or run into family who are waiting. As I said, I had noone. After collecting my big duffle bag from the belt. I walk toward the entrance door, getting few respect nods from some guards here and there. Yup, definitely I'm back. It's freaking cold. Quickly hailing a cab and tell him the address that I memorized for the past few months. I'll crash at my best bud for a while before I know what to do next with life again.

'Hey, sweet chick. Everything is prepared. Text me time and when you arrive. Incase I'm not here. Here is code n key info . . .' - I reread the message from Puck over and over again. He's the only one I actually can come to now. I have no choice.

Right, Noah Puckerman or Puck is my comrade or was. Well, we were in the same training camp when I first joined the army. He was suck but a good man. I had saved his ass many times until he got nasty injury and had to transfer back to the State with early discharge. It was terrible there, I don't know why they keep sending fine young men there. Puck and I are the same in several aspects. We were both running away from our world and ended up in another shit hole. We got our back, that's what we had promised after our third mission. Hence, now I moved in with him. At first you may think he is douchebag which he is most of the time. But behind that, he simplies just a little lonely boy who doesn't know what to do with his life. His life was pretty much on set before he even born. And that is for another story.

Pft - of all places, he had to stay in Manhattan area. I hope no one will recognize me here. Yes, I'm running from my past. Walking quickly toward entrance and thanks god, Puck had left instruction to doorman so after checking my ID, he let me in and also show me the location of all the elevator. Apparently there is one special elevator to reach the top floor and well I can't use it since Puck's floor is not on top. This is funny because Puck wanted to purchase penthouse here but he was slower than some chick. He was super mad and even talked about that all night during our monthly skype ritual. Finally, he purchased the whole floor under that top floor and announced proudly that if he could not have the best than second best was good too. I laughed at his logic. But thanks to that now I will live in such a spacious place and the view is not bad either. Apparently his flat has 2 master bedrooms, 1 guestroom, and at least I will have my own room and separate bathroom. Thanks God, I love that man but sharing bathroom with him is just yuck. He left me something on bedside table. Turn out he got me new phone, few 100 notes and a note.

'Hey Satan - make it short. This is half welcome gift. Will deducted from your future salary - Super duper Puckerman.' - note content

I shake my head at this note. Seriously, do I need the money. Well duh, you do, at least for now until you open new bank account to get money from those years of working for this country. I transfer most of money to Puck's account in the last 10 years so this is mine anyway. Thankfully I keep up with new things with the help of new meats in the platoon. Fuck, damn Puck, do you have to put your ugly face as wallpaper. I quickly change it to default and look through my contact list. Sadly, there is only 1 name appear here - Handsome Boy. I snort at that name. Open my old phone to add some contacts but when browsing through the list, I figure there is no fastI need to contact anyway so I shut it off and put it in the drawer of bedside table. Now, what should I do? It's only 7pm.

"Hey Princess, how is new home?" After long waiting and listening to horrible ringtone, finally Puck picked his damn phone up. It seems he's in crowded place because I can hear all the noise in the background.

"Yeah yeah, it's cool place. Thanks man. Whatya doin?" - I asked casually. Actually I'm bored and I just need someone to talk to.

"Nothing, boring stuff as usual. Hey wanna come take a look at your new workplace?" - He sounded kinda excited in the end somehow.

"Uhm, sure. Text me the address." - I think why not. I need to move on with my life anyway.

I get all my clothes out and put everything that reminds of my old life in my duffle bag and put it in the back of the closet. Apparently I don't have much clothes. I laugh at myself slightly. Actually, I only have 2 pairs of rip jeans, few old tees. Why do you need many clothes when you only wear uniform anyway. I shake my head slightly and mentally add clothes shopping in my list. Look at the address that Puck messaged me, I get out of the house and start my new life.

- Five months later -

It's slow night today. Only a few regular patrons here at the moment. It's close to Christmas anyway. Time to shop for family and friends. I bought some for Puck and few staff here. Oh, I forgot. I am working at Puck's bar and restaurant now as manager and also bartender. The bar located in a crowded corner and we got 2 floors here, nice and cozy restaurant upstair and busy bar downstair. The first night I was in the city, Puck showed me his newly opened bar and asked me to manage it for him because he had noone to help him and he trusted me. It took me fully five seconds to accept his offer even though I only had few months experiment as bartender years ago. Turn out, he used part of his inheritance to open the first bar when he was discharged. He may look like a playboy but he is smart and adventurous entrepreneur, like father like son he said. Moreover, he loves booze and girls so why not find something that give him both. It's lame but his first bar actually attracts quite a lot of customers and brings money in for him but he wants to expand more. Since he knows that I would come back, he decided to expand his business in another area in the city to cover another group of customers. His first bar, Harsh Life bar, is located in Brooklyn where the majority of customers are working class so the price range is pretty decent. And people around there like him a lot because he helps the neighbourhood from time to time. Moreover, his father gave the authority to use this business block in Manhattan anyway so he thought why not put his expansion plan on the go. That's why he moved to our current flat. The bar is only 7 streets down from our place. It's very convenient for me but Puck still has to drive to Brooklyn almost everyday to work at the other bar. I also help to take care of that place if Puck is busy with his personal business too. Every staffs here are either Puck's acquaintances or injured soldier like us. We understand each other and look at each other like family. Though because this new place serves mostly for business people or sometimes people in entertainment industry of the city, we hire some young staffs and also better chef for our restaurant but as I said everyone is family at Hard Life. I like this life. So easy and fun in a way that I haven't had in years.

I'm cleaning glasses when Sam walks in. He is head manager of some talent recruit company that has office few blocks from here. He comes here quite often after our grand opening. He and Puck became fast friend after few encounters. He's a nice guy. He flirted with me at first but once he knew that I wasn't interested then he turned to make friend with me. We're cool together and actually I'm kinda fond of him. We have breakfast sometimes on my day off at his favourite coffee shop which is near his office. He knows that I don't want to talk about my past so we talk about everything but that subject. Recently he starts talking about his company's new talent and it seems he like this girl a lot. Puck and I tease him for weeks now because it's fun to listen to his pathetic attempt to ask the girl out but get rejected every time. However, it seems different tonight though. He looks kinda smug and happy.

"Hey, Sam. What's up?" - I nod at him and intend to mix his favourite drink. But he shakes his head.

"It's OK, Santana. I don't need a drink now. Wanna know what I got today?" - He scrubs his hand and smile as if he's ready to burst out.

"Hmm, No?" - I shrug at him and pretend I don't care. His shoulders slumped down disappointedly. I laugh heartedly at that gesture.

"Come on. I'm joking. Do tell whatever it is. Please." - I make a long s sound after that.

"I got a date with her. Well technically not with her but it's a big step anyway." - He sit down in front of me and briefly tell me his story excitedly. Finally, he has a night date or dinner with his crush but also with her friends. Her song is on top list 3 weeks straight so the company want to have a party to celebrate but due to her schedule and also she doesn't want a big party so Sam proposed a dinner with just him as representative of the company and whoever she wants. He hoped that there would be no one but the girl wants to meet her friends who also his company' talents. And he chose our restaurant for dinner tonight. He didn't reserve because he doesn't know all the guests' schedules and he only got green light few hours ago. I give him a glass of wine to boost up his confidence.

"On the house. It's indeed a big step. Go on and make good impression" - I wink at him before he goes to upstair restaurant.

"Ok. Thanks. Will report the status later, Sergeant." - He mocks at my old title. I wave boringly to shoo him away and shake my head slightly when he starts jogging toward the stair. I continue to several patrons. It's quite boring today so I ask Jeff, another bartender here, continue to take turn this place for me while I go and check the status of upstair. We just hired new chef to attract more customers for our restaurant. So I check in from time to time to get opinions from the guests. The truth is, I want to check in with Sam to see how he is and to see whether he needs my help.

Once, I'm upstair. I talk to Kitty, our waitress, about today's work. It's quite crowded here tonight. Almost every table is occupied. I spot Sam's location, he's sitting opposite to two girls. He's sitting near window. They're looking at the menu so I guess they just arrive. I look quickly at his friends, one has large frame, black hair and dark skin. She is talking and laughing to Sam and by the look of his eyes, I guess that girl must be his crush. I quickly look at blond girl next to her. As if she knows I'm looking at her. She looks up from the menu right at the moment I land my eyes on her. We're staring straight at each other. Time seems to stop at this moment, I haven't seen such an intense clear blue eyes before. I could get lost in there easily. It's not the kind of scary lost but it's more like refreshing or excitement. I don't know to express that feeling but definitely I could look into those eyes for days without getting bored. I don't know how long I stare at her but it seems that make her friend and Sam notice her behaviour. Because the next thing I see is she turn to her friends and kinda point at me with her gaze. She looks at me once again and smile. Suddenly I feel hot on my face. I think I'm blushing. It's unbelievable. She can make me blush in just few seconds of seeing her. I want to run down and hide but fate has its own plan. Sam notices his guests manner so he turns around and sees me. He signals me to come over.

"Hi, what can I help you tonight, Mr. Evans?" - I use my best professional voice to address him. I'm trying not to laugh.

"Come on, Santana. We pass this formal bullshit. Let's me introduce you with my friends. Girls. This i Santana Lopez, manager aka bartender here. You should try her mix some days. They're the best."

I blush at his praising. Well, it's true though. I won the recent bartender competition in New York last week anyway. I know I'm good.

"You praise me too much Sam. Let's them try and make conclusion themselves." - I punch his shoulder slightly and look at these two girls with smile on my lips. Before, Sam could continue his introduction, blondie is faster.

"Hi, I'm Brittany. Dancer and choreographer. This is my friend, Mercedes Jones. We're under Sam's company." - She smile brightly at me and give out her hand.

I shake her hand and node at her friend. Before I can start conversation. Her phone goes off. She quickly looks at the screen and picks it up.

"Hey Rachel, where are you? Sam and MJ are here already." - She nods few times and puts her phone down. She looks at me, smiles and turns to her friend to retell the message which turns my world dark again.

"Rachel said she had to pick Quinn up at the firm. They're having celebration for Quinn today because she won another case. They'll be here in 20." - She turns to me and continue "Nice to meet you, Santana. Do you want to have dinner with us?"

"Britt, she might have something to do. This is her workplace anyway." - that black girl scolds Brittany slightly and it makes Sam laugh a little. Brittany is like a small child and blush a bit. In another day, I might it's cute and lovely. But now, I feel nothing. I'm trying to absorb what she just said.

"Is your friend Quinn Fabray?" - I ask shakily.

"Yeah, you know her." - Brittany turns back to her friendly attitude. But she senses my wavery and maybe my face turns pale after the news.

"No, no. I just heard her name from few guests here." - I lie quickly and excuse myself. - "Sorry, I just remember I have something to do for my boss. Uhm, I hope you enjoy the time here. See you later, Sam" - I quickly turn around and walk as fast as I could to get out of this place before it's too late. But before I go, the look of Brittany makes me sad somehow. She gives me a question look as if she wants to know what happens to me. But I'm too busy with my own thought to care about that.

I call Puck and ask him to get here to take care of the bar tonight. He asks me what happens to me because of my odd voice but I refuses to reply and just tell him get here as soon as possible. I sit at the corner of the bar and down few shot before Puck runs in like a tornado.

"What's up? Anyone messed with you? I'll kill him." - He looks at my pathetic self worrily.

"Nothing Puck. I'm not well, that's all. I'll go home." - I start to stand up and get in my jacket. He just nods and lets me leave. Puck knows never question me if I'm not willing to tell. He learnt that lesson in a very hard way.

It's cold and windy outside. When I cross the street, I don't know why but I want to look at that girl one more time. So I turn around and look up. She's there talking to Sam. It seems Sam is making a funny joke that make them laugh. I like to see her laugh, it makes me smile too. I have never had this kind of feeling before. It's new, nice and terrify me at the same time. But this happiness is cut short when I see who just gets out of the nice black limo that is parking in front of the bar. The blond short hair woman is turning around to help someone to get out of the limo. I could never forget that face. My past is in front of me. Her friend, Brittany, notices her too. Because she looks up and wave at Brittany. I look up too and at that moment Brittany seems to notice me so she waves at me with her bright smile. That make me turn around and run as fast as possible because I don't want her friends notice me there. I will run away from that past as long as I could. I don't know how long I have run but my injured leg could not let me run further. I breath heavily and walk slowly toward the nearest bench at could spot in this small park. I rest there before I could walk again. Suddenly, I feel someone also sit down next to me. Before I could tell them go away, I'm shock because it's Brittany.

"Why did you run?" - She looks at me worriedly.

"I don't know. Why are you here? You should go back, it's cold here." - I look down at my hands.

"I saw you run. I don't know why but something in your eyes intrigues me." - Her voice is so soft and soothing.

"Do you know Quinn? I saw your expression when you saw my waving. You were scare. Your eyes darted from me to Quinn. That's why I go after you."

"You're wrong. I don't know who Quinn is." - I reply louder than I should. - "You should go back. I'll go home now," - I stand up abruptly. My leg is still in pain but put it aside. When I start walking away from her, she holds my hand and puts something in my hand. Then she also stands up. I look at her confusedly.

"I want to know more about you. Call me if you want." - She leans toward and places a kiss on my cold cheek. Before I can react, she's far from me. I touch my cheek and feel warm again.