A/N Thanks for all the alerts and reviews with this story :) I really appreciate it, and it inspires me to continue. - Remember, more reviews, faster updates.

A/N #2 – Yes, I did name Santana's sister Naya.. I got a laugh out of it haha.

A week had past which meant it was the day before the glee club left for Nationals in New York. Santana left her bedroom, hoisting her worn backpack over one shoulder before she made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, greeted with the sight of her sister Naya sitting at the small table, eating a bowl of cereal. "Hey Kiddo." Santana called before kissing the top of Naya's read and ruffling her hair. The small girl giggled and shoved Santana's hand away.

"Morning San." She smiled brightly before looking back down and poking at her cereal. "Are you going to eat anything today.." Naya asked timidly.

"Um." Santana faltered. "Nah, I have.. cheerios weigh in today."

"Naya's head dropped slightly. "Yeah.. okay." She muttered.

The sound of their parents loudly fighting made it's way down the stairs and Santana reached over and turned the radio on to drown it out. "It's okay Nay. I promise." Santana rubbed Naya's shoulder gently. "Just finish up your breakfast and I'll take you to school."

Naya nodded slowly before returning to poking at her cereal with her spoon. The yelling soon stopped and heavy footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Santana glanced up and was met with her father. He was disheveled to say the least. His tie hung loose around his neck and his dress shirt was half untucked. The fire raging in his eyes was unmistakable and Santana calmly took a step in front of Naya and crossed her arms, an obvious protective gesture. Her father's eyes narrowed slightly and Santana raised an eyebrow, silently daring him to do anything that would give her a reason to beat the shit out of him. He scoffed before roughly brushing past her and out to the garage to leave for work. Santana took a deep breath and released her clenched fists.

"San?" Naya called timidly.

"Yeah kiddo."

"We can go now if you want."

"Yeah.. let's go.."

After dropping Naya off at school, Santana drove towards McKinley High in a daze, thinking about nothing but the fate of her family. As she pulled into the parking lot, she parked as far away from the school as she possibly could. Near the back field, next to the dumpsters. She dropped her forehead down onto the steering wheel and wrapped her arms around herself, desperately trying to keep herself together.

The latina's head lifted quickly when she heard the first muffled scream. She looked around curiously, wondering where the outburst had come from. The scream erupted once more. Santana's head swiveled left in the direction of the scream. Which was apparently coming from within the dumpster beside her car. She groaned wondering which geek Karofsky and his goons had trapped in their today.

With a quick glance at the clock she grabbed her backpack and exited the vehicle, purposely walking past the dumpster and knocking on it as she passed.

"Hello?" A timid voice asked.

Santana froze mid-step, instantly recognizing the voice. "Berry?" She spun around, fully facing the revolting dumpsters.

"Santana?" Rachel called out softly. "Oh, Santana, please help me out, those neanderthals threw me in here before home room and I'm not strong enough to lift the lid. Quite honestly it smells absolutely horrid in here so it would be greatly appreciated if you would lift the lid and allow me to exit this hell hole."

"Save the rant Berry." Santana barked but she smiled naturally at Rachel's monologue. Santana carefully lifted the heavy lid and peeked inside. Rachel sat cross legged on a pile of garbage, her arms crossed and a scowl adorning her face.

"I do not rant." She argued.

"Yeah and Puck doesn't screw every girl in school."

Rachel's jaw dropped slightly and her eyes narrowed. Santana couldn't help but laugh quietly at the sight before uncharacteristically reaching a hand inside the dumpster to help the damsel in distress. Rachel stared at the offered hand for a good minute.

"Come on Berry, I'm not gonna kill you. I lifted the lid for you, didn't I?"

Rachel seemed to contemplate this for a moment before timidly reaching up and taking the latina's hand. Santana pulled slightly, helping the smaller girl out of the filth. Who once on solid ground began tediously brushing at her clothes.

"What's the matter Berry, didn't bring a change of clothes today? That's risky. I hear Karofsky's got a nice extra large slushy with your name on it."

Rachel flinched almost violently and Santana stepped backwards in surprise, taking in the girl's pained expression.

"I was kidding." She said quickly.

"No you weren't, we both know it's going to happen. And for your information, no, I did not bring a change of clothes today. All of my clothing is packed for New York already."

Santana sighed softly before reaching into her backpack and pulling out an extra pair of jeans and a t-shirt. "They'll be a little big on you, and unfortunately they're not argyle... and there's no sweater with any animals on it. But at least they don't smell like garbage." Santana spoke, avoiding eye contact while zipping up her backpack. "Oh, and if you tell anyone about this then I'll make sure you get it worse then getting stuck in a dumpster."

Santana turned and quickly walked towards the school leaving a very bewildered Rachel Berry holding clothes in her small hands and sporting a rather large grin.

Later that day Santana stood beside Quinn's locker listening to Quinn and Sam fight like always, but also watching a tiny brunette fix her hair in her locker mirror across the hall. Rachel looked up and briefly made eye contact with Santana, smiling brightly. The latina instantly returned the smile, but it faltered quickly when she began to wonder why she was smiling in the first place. As she glanced away she noticed a large boy in a Letterman jacket making his way down the hallway towards the small brunette, an extra large cherry slushy in his right hand.

Before she knew what she was doing, Santana had pushed off of the locker and was now standing face to face with the boy.

"Karofsky." She growled through gritted teeth.

The boy halted, looking down at the cheerio. "What do you want Lopez?"

"I want you to go find someone else to dispose of that slushy upon."

Karofsky barked out a laugh. "Aw, what's the matter Lopez? Don't want me to hurt your little girlfriend."

Santana instantly stiffened. "Back off Karofsky. I'm warning you."

Karofsky grinned cockily. "You're losing your touch Lopez. Going soft on us."

Santana smirked. "Am I? I guess we'll have to change that, won't we."

And with that Santana smacked the bottom of the slushy cup, upending the frozen drink all over the front of the large hockey player. Gasps rang out from the small crowd that had gathered. Santana then stepped sideways, walking past the boy and shouldering him roughly, causing him to stumble back slightly.

"Hey Karafosky!" She called back to the boy who was now dripping in red syrup. "You're losing your touch."