Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or the characters. It would be a completely different show if I owned it.
Spoilers: 4x16 Feud, but anything is fair game.
"We want you to move out." Kurt says bluntly.
…"You're joking." Santana says in disbelief. They can't be kicking her out after dark in the middle of winter in New York City.
"We're not." Rachel says with no remorse.
…"Olsen twins, let me tell you something. I have known you both for years, and I don't like either of you 90% of the time. In fact, your wide-eyed keen painting approach of life makes my teeth hurt and my breasts ache with rage. But you know what? I have love for you. You're my family and I haven't lied to you in months. I'm smarter about other people than the both of you, you have to trust me." Santana explains trying to get them to change their minds.
"Santana, you're making Brody feel uncomfortable, okay? And he was here first, so you either lay off of it or you move out." Rachel says, choosing the boy she met a few months ago over Santana, whom she's known for years.
"Fine. That's fine. You know what, I don't, I don't mind going. I ran into Lena Dunham at Barney's, and she told me that I could crash with her if I ever needed to. So, that's cool, because she has two golden globes. Oh, and another thing. I have, what Access Hollywood calls, street smarts. I'm right about plastic man." She says pointing at the two of them as she grabs her comforter and pillow, her suitcase, and finally her jacket and purse, and then she throw-kicks the suitcase through the door as she walks out.
"I'm pretty sure she just stole my comforter." Rachel says in disbelief, not actually believing Santana would leave.
"Bitch took my pillow." Kurt says in the same disbelief as Rachel.
...
As Santana leaves the loft, her mind is going a million miles an hour trying to figure out what she is going to do now. Yes, she still has the money her mom gave her for graduation, but she needs a plan. Before she can make it too far from the loft, she runs into someone and they both drop everything they were holding.
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry." The other woman rushes out before kneeling to start picking everything up.
"It's okay. I'm sorry too. It was probably my fault anyway." Santana says as she kneels down as well.
"No, no. I wasn't paying attention, I was too busy texting." The flustered woman explains with a frustrated shake of her head.
"Like I said, it's okay. I'm not sure I was paying any attention either. My head isn't really all here right now." Santana says shaking her head to try to clear it.
Both women finally look up at the other after gathering their belongings and as their eyes lock, they both take a deep breath.
Before either can say anything more, Santana's eye widen in shock. "Oh my God. You're…" She doesn't even finish her sentence before the other woman nods shyly.
"Yea. Hi, I'm Dani Torres." She says as she stands up with her hand outstretched.
"Hi. Santana Lopez. It's nice to meet you." She says standing up and shaking hands with the blonde woman. "I'm a…big fan of your music." She admits with a shy smile.
Dani smiles and looks down briefly, noticing what Santana's holding. "Oh. I'm sorry! I'm probably holding you up. You look like you have plans." She says pointing to the pillow and blanket.
"Oh...umm, no. I…" Santana looks down at the stuff she's carrying, remembering her dilemma. "I was living with a couple of my…uhh…friends," she points behind her rolling her eyes, "but…uhh…they just…kicked me out." She explains quietly, eyes downcast.
"Oh my God. That's terrible! I'm sorry." Dani says gently. "What are you going to do now? Where are you going?" She asks hoping the woman she just met has a plan.
"I…I have no clue." Santana says shaking her head. "I told them something about running into Lena Dunham the other day, which totally happened and it was awesome, but I made up some lie about staying with her." She says shaking her head. She doesn't know why, but she feels completely comfortable with the blonde.
"Oh my gosh! I love her!" Dani exclaims excitedly. "I...I'm no Lena Dunham, but I have a guest room if you'd like?" She says with a smile, not knowing why she's offering this random stranger a place to stay. She didn't know why, but she felt protective of the other woman.
"Oh…no…I…I…couldn't." Santana says shaking her head.
"Okay. Well, how about you come over for some coffee or dinner or something and you can use my internet to find somewhere to stay?" Dani offers wanting to make sure the other Latina was safe.
"No. No. I…I couldn't impose." Santana says politely.
"You wouldn't be imposing." Dani says, shaking her head with a smile. "You would actually be saving me from having to lie about being busy tonight."
"Why would you be lying about being busy?" Santana raises her eyebrow curiously.
It's Dani's turn to roll her eyes. "My friends have been on me about my personal life and trying to set me up on blind dates. I've had valid reasons to get out of them before, but this time I was going to have to lie to them to get out of it. So, quid pro quo? You help me, I help you?" She explains smiling at the end.
Santana thinks for a minute as she looks at the woman she met five minutes ago before nodding her head with a smile and a chuckle. "I'm probably crazy for doing this, but sure. Why not?" She agrees.
"Awesome!" Dani exclaims. "Okay. It's cold out here. Let's go, my car is this way." She says leading them to the car waiting to take her home.
...
They reach Dani's building on the Upper West Side about thirty minutes later.
Santana looks up at the building in awe. "This is where you live?"
Dani nods with a smile as she leads them into the building, greeting her doorman on the way to the far elevator. She pulls out her keys and inserts a key to open the elevator doors, then inserts another key next her floor number before pushing the button.
Santana watches all of this in even more awe, as she realizes they're making their way up to the penthouse in a building on Central Park West.
The elevator doors open directly into Dani's foyer, which is as big as, if not bigger than, Rachel and Kurt's loft.
"Wow." Santana says looking around at what she could see of the penthouse.
"Why don't you put your stuff down here, for now, and I'll give you a tour?" Dani says trying to make Santana comfortable.
Santana nods and sets everything she had in her arms on the floor in the foyer.
...
"How big is this place?" Santana asks unable to hold in her curiosity any longer.
"Three…well, I guess, four stories, technically." Dani says leading them through the first floor. "This is the living room. The dining room is over there. On the other side of the dining room is the family room." She says pointing through to another room. "And this is the kitchen, in the middle of everything." She says in a satisfied tone as they make their way past the kitchen. "The door we passed on the way here leads to a bathroom. The stone stairs lead up into the mudroom/laundry room."
Dani leads them to the second set of stairs and leads them up to the second floor. "Okay. This floor has three guest rooms with en suites at the end of the hall," she says pointing to the doors at the end of the hall. "The laundry room, here." She says as the pass the door on the left. "My gym, here." Dani says pushing the next door open to show Santana. "And my dance studio, here." She says pushing open the door on the other side of the hallway to show Santana.
"Oh my gosh. It's amazing!" Santana breathes as she tests the floor with her sock covered foot, before walking in and spinning around to get a feel for the room.
"Thanks." Dani smiles as she leans against the door frame watching Santana as she spins and jumps around the room, losing herself in the movements.
Santana realizes what she's doing and stops, looking over at a smiling Dani, embarrassed. "I'm sorry." She says quietly.
"Don't be." Dani shakes her head. "Okay, next floor." She leads them up the next set of stairs and down the hallway. "These two are guest rooms with en suites." Dani says as the walk past the first two doors. "This is the spa room with a sauna and yoga area." She pushes the door open to show Santana. "Then the master suite, my room." She points to the door on the left side at the end of the hallway, before turning to the final door directly across the hallway. "This is my favorite room." She says pushing the door open. "My music and recording studio."
Santana walks in and gently runs her hand along the recording panel. "It's amazing." She breathes out.
Dani leans against the door frame and smiles as she watches Santana take in the room, the piano, the guitars.
Santana rolls her eyes as she realizes she did it again. "I'm sorry. I keep intruding."
Dani shakes her head and smiles. "No, no. You're fine. Okay, one more set of stairs." Dani says as she leads Santana to the final set of stairs and opens the door at the top with a flourish. "This is the roof."
Santana is astounded as they step out on to the roof. "It's beautiful." She whispers as she makes her way to the wall at the edge and looks out at the city.
"It really is." Dani whispers. "I lied. This is tied for my favorite spot." She smiles serenely as she leans against the wall next to Santana, just breathing in the city below.
"I can see why. It's amazing." Santana says with a content smile, still looking out over the city.
...
They stood looking out over the city in a comfortable silence. After about ten minutes, Dani breaks the silence.
"If you don't mind me asking," She starts, looking at Santana, "why did your friends kick you out?"
Santana shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she answers quietly. "They…we have a long history of not getting along and fighting in high school. I thought we had worked all our issues out before graduation, and then when I moved here they let me move in with them. I thought we were good." She shrugs. "I tried telling them that I suspected their new friend, Berry's boyfriend, who's living with them, is a drug dealer or a gigolo. I tried confronting him, but he told on me and they took his word over mine." She ends in a disgusted tone.
Dani watches the brunette as she tells her story. She notices the way she tries to conceal the hurt and the anger, but she can see it in her face, hear it in her voice, and feel it in the way she talks.
"I know it's not my fault, but I'm so sorry." Dani says empathetically. "I…can I say something without upsetting you too much?" She asks hesitantly.
Santana nods looking at Dani. "Sure."
"I know that we don't know each other, at all, and you can take what I'm about to say with a grain of sand. But I can see that you're holding back. I know that you're hurt and angry." Dani starts and notices that Santana is about to interrupt, she holds her hand up. "I saw it in your face, heard it in your voice, and felt it in the way you spoke. I know what holding in those particular emotions can do to somebody. Before they consume you, before you dwell too long, you need to find your way of dealing with them, whether that's dancing or music or whatever." Dani ends softly.
Santana looks at the shorter woman for a minute before turning back to the city skyline. She closes her eyes and breathes deeply. "I know." She whispers, and Dani has to lean closer to hear her. "I know. I've always had music and dance when all my emotions get to be too much." She shakes her head and turns to Dani with glassy eyes. "But…now I'm homeless, in a city I've been in for maybe a month, with no friends."
Santana begins to turn her head away before Dani can see the tear rolling down her cheek, but Dani sees and reacts before either of them can think. She brings her hand up to the tanned cheek and uses her thumb to wipe it away, then wraps the taller woman in a warm hug. Santana stiffens for a minute and tries to pull back, but Dani is unrelenting and holds tight. Santana finally gives up the fight and slumps against her, wrapping her arms tightly around the shorter woman. They stay that way for a while before Dani pulls back a little so they can be face to face.
"I know that you've already said no," Dani starts staring into Santana's chocolate eyes, "but, as you've seen, I have plenty of space for you to stay here. I also have a dance studio and a music studio that you are more than welcome to use." Santana begins shaking her head, but Dani pushes on. "And, honestly, it would be nice to have someone else around. I get lonely here all by myself. But, more than that, I-I…I feel…a connection with you. I feel…protective and I don't know why." Dani shrugs and shakes her head knowing that she's not explaining herself well. "I'm sorry; I'm not explaining this well at all."
Santana shakes her head. "No, no. I-I understand. I feel it too. I feel comfortable with you, which doesn't happen."
"So, will you please stay?" Dani asks with doe eyes.
Santana looks at Dani and she feels herself nod even before she consciously made the choice.
"Good." Dani whispers in relief, trailing her hand down into Santana's as she steps away. "Okay. Umm…dinner?" She asks realizing it's really dark and she doesn't know what time it is or how long they've been up on her roof.
"Sure." Santana shrugs pulling out her phone to check the time. She sees that it's seven and that neither Rachel nor Kurt has checked in to see if she's okay, and she frowns as she puts her phone away.
"What's wrong?" Dani asks squeezing the hand she's holding.
"It shouldn't surprise me," Santana shakes her head gently, "but neither of my friends has tried contacting me to see if I'm okay or safe or…anything." Santana answers trying to let go, but realizing she won't be able to until she gives in and releases her emotions.
...
Dani leads them back down to the kitchen and makes Santana sit on the stool at the breakfast bar.
"Do you like chicken and rice?" Dani asks looking at Santana after looking in the fridge.
Santana nods as she watches Dani move around the kitchen.
"Do you have paper and a pen?" Santana asks suddenly.
Dani nods and takes a few steps to the other side of the kitchen, pulls open a drawer, takes out a notebook and pen, and hands them to Santana with a small smile.
"Thanks." Santana gives her a half smile.
As Dani puts dinner in the oven and sets the timer, Santana opens the notebook and begins writing. When dinner is ready about an hour later, Santana is almost finished with the song she's writing.
Santana looks up when Dani touches her shoulder. "Hey. Dinner's ready." She says quietly, not wanting to scare the woman preoccupied with her thoughts and writing.
Santana nods looking at the clock on the oven, down to the notebook, and then up at Dani. "Wow. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude." She apologizes with a slight frown.
"It's alright. I don't mind." Dani tells her with a shrug. "I understand. Writing helps get your emotions out and under control. You seemed to be on roll."
Santana nods. "Yea. Apparently, angst is good for my writing." She shakes her head. "You said dinner was ready?" She asks. "I'm starved." She says dramatically.
Dani smiles and hands the other Latina a plate. "Here you go. Pollo y arroz."
"Gracias." Santana says with a smile. "I…" She pauses trying to figure out how she wants to say what she's thinking. "I just want to thank you. You've been amazing these past few hours, while I've been a mess. Tonight could have gone in a completely different direction, but it's turned out pretty well considering. So, thank you." She ends looking at her plate and finally starting to eat. "Mmm. This is so good." She says after swallowing her first bite.
Dani shakes her head. "Really, it's not a problem. I…" She pauses to think about what she wants to say. "I never talk about this, but my parents kicked me out when I was 16." She's facing Santana, but looking beyond her – almost watching it in her mind. "They caught me making out with a girl in the basement and all hell broke loose. I grabbed my guitar and clothes, and never looked back. I was lucky enough to have an aunt that took me in and gave me the opportunity to finish high school while doing my music. Some people aren't as lucky as I was. I-I…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know what you're feeling now, on some level. I know our situations are totally different, but in a way they're the same." She finishes gently, eyes focusing on Santana's instead of beyond her.
"Oh…wow." Santana whispers, reaching out and squeezing Dani's hand. "I'm sorry. That's awful." She shakes her head. "I was lucky that the only person to disown me when I came out was my abuela, her kicking me out and saying she never wanted me to come back was awful." She squeezes Dani's hand again. "I'm so sorry."
Dani shrugs. "It is what it is. I've dealt with it, and I'm okay. A little part of me still hopes that they'll come around, but I'm not holding my breath. I just wanted you to know that I know what you're feeling and that if you need or want to talk, I'm here." She smiles. "Or…if you want to dance or write or whatever."
Santana nods and smiles. "Thanks."
They both finish dinner, talking a little bit but mostly letting everything from the day sink in.
Please review and let me know what you think. :)
