A/N - Thanks to those that took an interest that was cool. Another little installment and also wanted to say that because I have no set plan I'm totally open to suggestions and prompts. Thanks :)

Xxx

''What the hell is this?''

To say that Santana was insanely furious right now was the biggest understatement of life. In fact, she didn't know how she was managing to think clearly and not murder anyone that came within two feet of her. She felt like ripping somebody's throat out.

She threw her script down onto the large, messy table that the writers sat around to think up their twists, turns and plots. Usually she was fine with them. She liked the direction of the show, its characters, her character and she just loved the material she got to come in and work with everyday.

But not today and not this.

''Santana…''

William Shuester, the creator and mastermind of the show, began with a placating and therefore patronising tone, only to be cut off by the irate Latina.

''No. Don't 'Santana' me – what the hell is that?''

He sighed and ran a hand over his face, the other writers looking to him or between themselves hoping that they wouldn't get caught in the cross fire. Some of them had tried to warn him that this would be her reaction, and some had been eager to throw this little twist into the mix for her character.

They had a prime time show on their hands and Santana was definitely one of their biggest stars. She worked hard and she had lots of ideas but sometimes she could be a little temperamental. Not one of those actresses that demanded and threw hissy fits or anything, but she definitely had a passionate vein.

''Is this because I'm a lesbian? Is that what this is?''

She demanded, pointing at the offending script that was now looking a little worse for wear considering she had thrown it across the room several times in the last hour or so.

''We thought it'd be an interesting avenue to explore.''

Will said unconvincingly, earning himself a withering glare.

''You mean you. You thought this would be an 'interesting avenue to explore'. Are you serious with this? Is this because of me? What, you think because I like girls you can just get me to make out with whoever the hell you want on the show for a ratings hike? No way!''

She accused, pointing a finger directly at him before flailing off as she continued to yell loudly. What the hell made them think she would be okay with this? It was insulting and infuriating and demeaning. She had spent two years working her ass off for these people and they try to use her like this now?

This business wasn't exactly fair but she at least thought that she had the respect of these people and the right to be treated with professionalism and equality. It was hard enough to not play up to Latina stereotypes and be different from the typical Hollywood looking starlet, let alone be the inspiration to go and turn her sexuality into some flippant ratings booster for the show.

Especially when it was off of the back of true confirmation of her being gay. The cast knew and all and she had managed to date under the radar before she got this gig but because it had blown up in epic proportions it was a lot harder to do anything without being noticed. There had been rumours she never really denied but her relationship with her girlfriend had gotten to the point where she didn't want to deny anything. So she hadn't. And now everyone knew for sure.

''Santana, please calm down. Look, you have to deal with the fact that we're writing for a wide audience here and we're supposed to reflect what happens in real life. You should be happy that we want to include this.''

She scoffed loudly.

''Well I'm not! I should be happy that you what? Want to include a lesbian make out scene and then drop it as soon as that's done? That's insulting. She isn't the lesbian, I am – and you can't just use me like that. She's never shown any signs of being interested in girls, so obviously it isn't an avenue to explore. If it was a serious storyline I might get behind that but this is just…it's disgusting and advantageous and you think that you can just use my life for your own purposes? If you want a lesbian kiss then fine, do it – just don't us me. I don't want anything to do with it.''

Santana declared after dressing them down and folded her arms across her chest, panting slightly at the exertion of being so worked up. Seriously, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt like this. Sure her temper could flare sometimes but not ever to this degree, but she felt so fucking angry.

Actually she felt violated. It was a violation.

''Are you saying you won't do it?''

Will demanded with a coldness to his voice, showing that he clearly wasn't getting Santana's point one little bit. She knew in her head that maybe if she was calmer then it could possibly go in a lot better but calm was about a thousand miles behind her. Calm was a dot in the distance.

Santana really wouldn't have a problem playing a gay character, she really wouldn't. Because that would just be hypocritical. But to just do this with no regard to what it means was not something she could get behind. It was wrong. She wanted to be genuine with what she did and the character she played really was not this type of girl. She wouldn't do what they had written, it would be unbelievable it would make people angry and she didn't want any part of it.

It was gratuitous and they were only doing it because of her and they thought they could just flick on the switch then flick it off. They weren't thinking about how much things like this meant to a lot of people.

''Hell yes I'm saying I won't do it. This is my life, do you get that? Do you know how hard it is to be taken seriously? You do this and you'll not only cost me my credibility, but hers, yours and the entire shows. If you want to write about real experiences, then make somebody really gay, not curious for an episode because it'll be hot.''

''It's just a kiss…''

Santana flailed again, spinning around because she was so frustrated. This day was just a very bad day. And no matter what happened now she was going to be disillusioned by this experience.

''It's not just a kiss! It means something to people. It means something to me. It matters. I won't do it, I absolutely refuse to do it.''

This time she didn't shout. Her words were strong and confident but she didn't actually yell like she had been. The resolve was written across her face because she was adamant that she would rather go with her integrity than pander to this.

''You know that they'll be consequences if you don't.''

The Latina shrugged at the threat.

''I don't care. You can fire me if you want. This is trash. You are all better writers than this, and we don't need this for our ratings. If you do this you'll be belittling everyone. She is straight. She just is she wouldn't do this. I would, so it just makes me feel like crap that you'd pull this on me just because I'm gay. I thought you had more respect for me than that.''

''Of course we respect you Santana, you're extremely talented and a valued member of this cast.''

Will tried to refute and compliment her – like that would actually make her roll over and do it.

''If it makes you feel better, we were going to reach out for Quinn to come in and play the part.''

He added hopefully. Santana stared at him with more intensity and wrath than he had ever seen anyone have. For a long tense moment she stared, completely frozen and in shock that this 'gesture' was supposed to make her feel any kind of better.

Then she laughed. An exasperated 'you just made things so much worse' kind of laugh as she dropped her head back for a moment.

''If you had any fucking respect for me you wouldn't be trying to use what has been one of the hardest experiences of my life to cause some titillating wet dreams. If you had any respect for me, you wouldn't sit there and tell me you were going to try to use my girlfriend to 'legitimise' this shit. Get someone else to be your episode long lesbian.''

She didn't wait for anymore to be said. She didn't wait to hear about these consequences. If they wanted to punish her they would punish her, at least she could hold her head up high and sleep at night. It might have been a small thing to a lot of people, in the grand scheme of things who really cared right?

But some people did. It wasn't small to her it was huge. It had taken most of her teenage years to accept the fact that she was a lesbian and be okay with that. She was proud of who she was, she worked hard and she was passionate and she at least could stand up and do the right thing. It really wasn't a big deal for the storyline to happen but not like this. Not because they saw an opportunity just because one of their cast was gay.

And definitely not because she had a girlfriend that also happened to be a well known actress.

Santana headed home, driving through traffic with a steely focus. Not being overly angry or overly upset because she was behind the wheel of a vehicle, so just being intently focused. Maybe scarily so.

She made it home in one piece and for a moment after pulling up besides Quinn's car – which by the way was always a cool thing to see in her driveway – she just sat. Part of her still not quite believing what had happened at the end of her working day. She got out of the car feeling somewhat calmer and composed, she had always liked driving so it had probably helped a lot.

''Q?''

''Kitchen.''

Of course. Santana smirked before propelling toward the kitchen. She lifted up an amused eyebrow when she heard a voice speaking in Spanish and then Quinn repeating it. When she turned into her kitchen she just leant a shoulder against the doorframe and watched the blonde stir something and try to get some pronunciations right, before she paused the CD she was listening to.

''Hey baby! Rachel sent me a cool CD to practice so I can be the slightest bit impressive when your parents…''

That was it. That was the length and breadth of Santana's composure. From absolutely nowhere she just broke out into tears. Or not tears – flat out sobs. She hated crying but here it was. She just felt so dejected and used.

Immediately, though she was shocked at the display, Quinn abandoned the cooking and went over to her girlfriend. She pulled her into her, hand wrapped around the back of her head and cradling her against her shoulder, the other on the small of her back.

It's not that Santana didn't get emotional, she did – a lot. But not like this.

''It's okay. Whatever it is let it out.''

So Santana did. Her hands clutched onto the material of Quinn's shirt and she cried into her shoulder for maybe a good 5 or 10 minutes. Quinn just held her and let her, because Quinn always seemed to know what she needed. It was crazy how that had happened because it required a deep understanding of her which sometimes people never got.

After a few minutes when the crying started to wan a little and Santana was mostly just sniffling, Quinn's hands cupped her face and pulled her back a little, and she placed a gentle kiss on her lips, thumbs tracing her dampened skin. Santana breathed out a heavy breath and hiccupped, nuzzling close for a moment and just breathing in the blonde's scent. It made her feel better.

''I love you.''

Santana sighed and nodded, clutching onto her girlfriend a little tighter. The words had never meant so much in her life.

''I know, I love you too.''

''Is it something you wanna talk about?''

It was an option to not talk – or to delay the talk until words could be found – as Quinn had learnt fairly quickly when to push and when to wait. Santana didn't do well with feeling pressured into talking and like everybody, sometimes the words just were there immediately.

But she had ended up talking to Quinn about a lot of things. Maybe that's what had made her fall in love with her so easily? It had sneaked up on her and beat her around the head, because Quinn had that disarming smile and that way about her that got right past your defences. She was a love ninja, is what she was is what she was. A damn love ninja.

In a couple of weeks she would be officially introduced to her parents that were coming for a visit. They knew about Quinn and there had been an occasional 'hello' spoken over the phone, but they were yet to meet. The last time they visited Quinn had been away on location so Santana had just talked a lot about her instead.

She knew her parents were totally going to love this blonde ball of randomness who was repeating stupid Spanish phrases off of a CD just so she could buff up and not seem ignorant of their language.

Because hell yeah that was the kind of thing her girlfriend did for her. And later she would rant to her about what happened at work earlier and she knew Quinn would get it and be on her side. That's all she needed right now.

''Maybe later? Right now I'll just help you finish dinner and listen to you repeating stupid CD Spanish!''

Quinn laughed and nodded and Santana kissed her again. This was exactly what she needed.