AN: Sorry this has been taking so long. I just haven't had time to update it. Really tore up about Cory. I wasn't going to finish it when I found it. But I decided against that.

Changes

You worry about her, you worry a lot and you haven't been here that long. Everything is pretty tense right now, Santana is drunk after downing more than 6 glasses of wine. She's well on her way to pouring her seventh when you decide to take the bottle from her and pour the rest in your glass. The look on her face changes between completely devastated sadness to being confused and blank. You reach over and rub her shoulder, she smiles at you then her plate so you side eye Dave, he looks pissed.

"Come on Tiny," Dave stands and picks hers up -hoisting her on his shoulder-, "She's going to bed now."

He walks up the steps leaving you with Rachel and Quinn so you go back to poking at the jelly looking mess on your plate. You would kill for some tacos or a cheeseburger because this thing on your plate isn't good. It's disgusting when you think about it, really disgusting. You almost gagged when you tried it and ended up spitting it in the napkin when no one was looking.

"I heard about your injury, on the news, did it hurt?"

You shrug, "There aren't nerve endings in the brain, Quinn."

"Really?" Rachel leans in, "What exactly happened?"

"I don't like talking about it and I'm not suppose to talk about it. Sorry, Rach."

Rachel pouts, "It's okay."

"No nerve endings huh? So, do you have a plate in your head?"

You stare at Quinn, "100% grade A titanium used by NASA. I don't like talking about it."

"Finn," Dave walks up, "your boss wants to cuddle."

You smile, "Okay."

It's weird being around Quinn and Rachel, it's weird being around anyone in all honesty. Santana makes you feel normal, she makes you feel like Finn and you haven't felt like Finn in a long time. You ease into her room, closing the door, and walk around to the other side of the bed taking your shoes off. She's just lying on her side like she's waiting for something so you lie down and put an arm around her waist. She scoots back against you, it makes you smile, your grin only grows when she holds your hand. It's nice to feel like someone wants you.

When the door opens she tenses immediately and feel the need to protect her, you tighten your hold on her as she grips your hand. Dave walks in, closing the door, he looks extremely pissed. You can tell by how tight his fist are balled, one hand gripped around a vodka bottle, and his shoulders are tense. You're trained to notice things like that, things that make people angry when they try to hide it, missing stuff like that can get you killed.

"Wanna explain this shit?" Dave holds the bottle up, "Half empty."

She shakes her head, "Not really."

"We're not doing this again!"

"Dave..."

"No! Okay, I let this shit slide with Britt..."

"Get out!"

She screams it, standing up after she throws your arm back. She walks up to Dave and pushes him, he doesn't budge he just looks at her. You sit up in case this goes bad but you're pretty sure that this happens a lot.

"Santana."

"Get." She push, "The Fuck." She pushes hard, "Out!" She punches him in the chest, "Leave!"

He walks out, she drops to the floor hugging her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth. You get out the bed and sit beside her, putting your arm around her, humming a song under your breath. You rock with her and sing a song that always made you smile, 'I'll stand by you', it reminds you of when you found someone that would need you always. Someone that needed love and understanding from the first second their life to the last. Even when that little someone turned out to be Pucks something special instead of yours it felt nice know there was someone you could always stand by. Maybe you can stand by her.

"Won't let nobody hurt you..."

"I'll stand by you."

She whispers it and you kiss her forehead.

Changes.

You wake up in the floor with her head in your lap, you scoop her up and carry her over to the bed. You lie her down, cover her up and kiss her forehead before leaving the room. You don't remember falling asleep but you know why you fell asleep in the floor. You wonder what happened with Brittany and Santana to make her go over the edge? Carol never mentioned anything, she never mentioned much other than Kurt and Rachel, Burt's funeral, and how she wished you'd just call her mom. You don't know why it hurts so bad to think about calling her mom, well you do know why. It's all about training and adapting. Over there if you spend all your time thinking about home and you'll come back in a body bag.

"Finn! Answer the phone or give it to me!" Santana walks down the steps, rubbing her eyes.

You grin and take the phone out your pocket, "Santana's phone."

"Finn! Where is Santana?"

"Hey Rach," You look at Santana and she's waving her hands and shaking her head, "She's sleep."

"Oh my...just wake her up!"

"Isn't there an um saying about a sleeping fish?"

"What?"

"Ya know, a sleeping fish?"

"Oh my fuck, just tell her to call me. "

She hangs up, you grin at Santana in a fit of giggles, playing dumb is pretty fun because you know that people that have always known you will just give up. Even now, right in the middle of adulthood.

"You need a tux."

"Uh..."

"Movie premiere, that's why she called. We're going."

"Um...with like cameras and loud noises?"

She nods, "Old school cameras, the bulbs pop out and they have to crush them."

"I...I can't do that."

"What? Why?"

You shrug, trying to fight the shaking in your body and will the cold sweat to vanish, "I just...I can't."

She walks up to you, she walks slowly and carefully, she has this soft look on her face and she eyes are understanding. She takes your hand, your heart is pounding and now you're terrified, you can hear all these screams and cries for help, and back of your neck is warm. She stop in front of you and reaches up and places her hands on your neck, pulling you down.

"Look at me."

You look at her, she smiles and moves her hands to your cheeks.

"We're at home, our home. We don't have to walk the carpet. Okay? It'll be a huge crowd but it'll be a calm get together." She smiles, "I'll stand by you."

With that she's up the stairs. You smile as your heart slows down, she makes your brain stop hurting.

Changes

Santana

You ease into Dave's room and he's sitting at his desk writing, probably working on a new script, he is a great screenwriter, he does is write and fly. You walk up and lean down, wrapping your arms around his neck, you kiss him on the cheek and he's completely ignoring you. You rest your cheek on top of his head, hugging tightly.

"Dave..."

"No."

"I'm sorry."

"Always are."

"Don't be a dick."

You move and sit in his lap, he looks at you with these sad puppy dog eyes and he's also really angry. You put your head against his shoulder, he sighs putting an arm around wait.

"8 months in A.A., \" He holds you, "Why? Why now?"

"No."

"Santana, you gotta let it go. Rachel isn't worth this."

"Stop."

"Brittany is dead."

"No!" You jump up, "Stop saying that! Stop!"

You fall to your knees, it hurts so bad, you wish it would stop. You listen to Dave's chair slide out at the same time that his door is thrown open. You look up at Finn he goes from alert and angry to concerned.

"Santana," He walks up and leans down on the floor, "I'm sorry, I'll walk on the carpet with you."

You can't help but laugh at how wrong he is, you at him and he looks terrified You stand and grab his hand, pulling him out Dave's room and closing the door. This is when it hits you, he probably has no idea about Brittany or Puck or even the scandal that got the New Directions disbanded and glee club closed. Forever. Finn knows nothing and he just wants to make you laugh and grins at you like an idiot.

"We don't have to walk." You push your hair back, "I hate all the flashing anyway."

He smiles, "We can wear sunglasses and I can put in ear buds, that way no one can see my crazy eyes."

"Finn."

"No, I know you're sad but I don't know why and I can't really give you anything. I'm a wounded vet and you gave me a job and somewhere to stay, hell you're paying me. But I can be your friend and do stuff for you, I figure this carpet is important to you so let's do it."

You roll your eyes at his hopeful look, "You need a tux, come on. We don't have much time."

"It's not that late."

You stare at him, "Oh, I have a team that need to call. My beautiful bitch boy."

"Uh..."

"Planner is on the desk down that hall, they are very clearly labeled because my last assistant had OCD and it turned out to be very useful."

You grin at him and walk away, you really need a drink.

Changes

Finn needs an assistant to train him, he did everything wonderfully and made all the call, he got everything right the first time. But when was letting people in one of the guys from the make up team got smart with him about the space and he snapped at him. But he looks great, albeit uncomfortable, you think being in the limo and hearing all the upcoming noise isn't helping.

"Tina! I'll call you back..I'll see you inside. Relax, you're gorgeous. You are beautiful, stop it!" You hang up, "She needs to calm down."

Finn looks at you, "Tina? From school?"

"Yep, this is her movie, it's a musical and it's amazing. I'm stealing her from her current agent."

He stares, "Can you do that?"

"I can do whatever I want. I'm hot and I run a million dollar company."

The limo stops and I watch him put his headphones in the his sunglasses as he gets out the limo. He puts his hand inside and helps you out, gripping your hand as you smile at the cameras. You are pretty much a pro at handling red carpets and cameras and fans and the noise. You are the most famous talent agent in America, Forbes made a list and you topped it. This is not arrogance, this is fact. You are the best and it is a fact. And the cherry on top, you won an Oscar at 21.

"Santana! Can we get a picture alone?"

"I'm a package deal tonight."

"Who's the guy? Changing teams?"

You scoff, "He's my friend, losers!" You smile, "You guys want a picture, right?"

And you pose, you pose like a spy, Finn makes faces, you do the 'Dirty Dancing' pose, then he scoops you up and carries you down the carpet. Once inside he give you this manic smile and takes his sunglasses off, his eyes are darting from side to side. He looks crazy, now you're worried and you grab face. You run your thumbs over the skin gently, his breathing changes dramatically and he stops looking crazy. His grin turns into that goofy half smirk think and you wrap your arms around his and start leading. Tina runs up, pulling Mike behind her, a look of pure irritation on her face.

"Finn?"

Finn smiles, "Hey, congratulations."

You move as they hug him, he looks stiffens before hugging back. He moves back to your side and you take his hand. They stare, you just shrug.

"He's my assistant/roommate/bitch."

Tina nods, "I don't care. Help me. Now."

"Coming," You squeeze Finn's hand, "hang with Mike."

He nods and you walk away with Tina behind you, she's a nervous wreck. You can't blame her, this is a huge deal. It's her first movie, her first musical on the big screen. It's called, 'Broadway, I am here', it's about a small town girl on her way to the big stage and her eventual drug obsession, overdose, and recovery as the queen of music. Rachel has a part in it, co-starring, you lied and told Rachel that Tina already had the part so she wouldn't audition. In your mind this role was made for Tina because she is that person, minus the glorified down spiral, but Rachel has had that. She isn't the scared girl in auditions anymore, she's confident and she's traveled the world and won Tony and Oscar awards. Tina is still that terrified girl and she was so shaken up in the audition they thought she was method and a star was born. Under your secret management.

"See?" She points to Rachel, "She's doing it, again."

"What?"

"All eyes on Rachel Berry, how am I suppose to compete with that or announce...don't walk away."

You walk over toward the mock stage and go up the steps, standing beside her with a smile. She stops talking for a moment in surprise and you take the mic.

"Why, hello everyone. As you all know this is Tina Chang's night of first. First starring role, first time singing one the big screen, and her first official night under 'Megatrends talent agency'. Tina, get your gorgeous ass up here."

She walks up, smiling you then goes to the podium. You put an arm around Rachel's waist and pull her away. She leans into you, flashes of her scent attack you as you go to Finn and Quinn, you wonder where Mike went, Finn looks irritated and Quinn looks equally annoyed. You walk over and Rachel immediately attaches to Quinn.

"Where the hell are your shoes, Fabray?"

Quinn shrugs, "Under my seat, quit trying to stifle me."

"When you step on a needle and get herpes don't come crying to me."

Rachel smiles, "She'll be fine, my lover leaves for her tour tomorrow, let her be free."

Rachel pouts, Quinn kisses her and you gag which makes Finn laugh.

"Quinn, shoes. Now." You roll your eyes, "This is a movie premier, not a hippie music festival. When you do that you can be barefoot all day."

She sighs, "Fine."

She walks away, Rachel follows talking to her in a cute voice so you look at Finn, he still looks irritated. You take his head and lead him into the theater. Once seated you look at him.

"Finn?"

"Quinn," He say it so angrily, "She's so...she's so mean some times."

"What happened?"

"Are you still friends?"

You shrug, "In a way, less competitive but she's still pissed I kissed Rachel, even though Rachel kissed me."

"What?"

"Her word exactly follow by a slap," You smirk, "Wonderful slapper."

He stares at you, "She's a good kisser, right?"

"Yes!" You laugh, "Best kisser."

"Quinn isn't bad."

You shake your head, "Yeah, it's hot when she gets demanding but Rachel is better. Softer lips."

"Does she still do that thing with her tongue?"

You give him a large grin, "Oh yeah."

He laughs just as Rachel and Quinn sit down, they stare at the two of you as the room stares to fill. He nudges you with his shoulder before looking at the screen.

Closer

Finn

You'll the first to admit that the most talented person you know is Rachel Berry, there's no denying it, but the most surprisingly talented person is Tina. You started her standing ovation and Santana followed right along then everyone else. There is a scene, you think it's your favorite, where Tina breaks into a theater and she starts singing and dancing around when the lights come up. There is a man sitting there, he was watching her the entire time and he asked her, 'Why shouldn't I call the cops?'. She turned him and froze before closing her eyes and saying, 'Because I impressed you.'. Then you can just see it all over her face that she is shitting herself and he claps, telling her to come back. She didn't get that role, it was the opening scene after all, but that did land her a ton of auditions. A lot. It gave her an edge that was hidden behind her shy eyes. You love the movie and you can't wait to pay to go see it to help at the box office because every fan counts, that's how you feel.

The after party is a quiet get together at Rachel and Quinn's place in Brooklyn and it's on the roof and it's pretty cool. There is a little stage and Quinn is singing once again and Rachel is completely entranced by her, it's almost funny.

"Alright folks, I wanna sing with an old friend of mine. Finn Hudson."

You look around, Mike and Tina are here and they don't make you nervous, Kurt is around here somewhere, Santana is on the phone and everyone else is pretty much a stranger. You clear your throat and walk up on the stage, shoving your hands in your pockets. You don't...you don't miss this as much you thought you would over there. Now you just feel like you would rather be doing anything else.

"Lets go old school, 'I don't wanna know'. We did this in high school in our glee club."

The crowd claps and you remember that song clearly, it wasn't all that fun but you did enjoy the song when you practiced it. You look at Rachel as you sing and she's staring at Quinn with a dreamy face, it makes you wanna laugh so you look at Santana and she's smiling at you, even with the phone to her ear. She's busy a lot, you've noticed this, even during the movie her phone was in her purse lighting up over and over. My phone even buzzed a few times, I guess since I'm her assistant my number is important too.

"Still awesome Hudson."

You smile, "Somethings don't change."

And for some reason you mean this, not just about your singing but about Rachel being a school girl in love with the same expression you use to see. Or how Quinn commands the respect of everyone in the room without really trying, she's a lot friendlier and more laid back but she parts rooms because the HBIC title is forever for some people. Somethings don't change like standing by Quinn and realizing no matter how much things change you two will always fit in the perfect piece because you were quarterback and she was head Cheerio.

You walk off the stage as Rachel joins her and go over to Santana, taking the beer out her hand and pour it over the roof. She glares at you but takes your hand when you reach for hers. She didn't want to stay long and you're glad for it, you don't like being on the roof of anywhere. Too much room to fall to your death and no way to get a quick exit if people start to panic. You get down to the to sidewalk and get in the limo, so glad to be leaving.

"You are good, do you want a record deal?"

You shake your head,"What? No."

"Are you sure? Mercedes would totally do it and you are pretty good."

You smile, "Mercedes runs a record label?"

"No, Sam does. They got married like freshman year of college and Sam started managing Mercedes and hustled his way into some nice shit. Plus I helped him a little bit. I made connections very early because Rachel is very talented."

You nod, not too mention Santana is very pushy. It's hard to tell someone as pushy as her no. She's also intimidating.

"But Mercedes pretty much blew the fuck up, Sam became a label head and she helps scout talent, talent that I give her. I.E. Quinn Fabray, a hit making machine. It also helps that she's a hot lesbian and her girlfriend is America's Sweetheart."

You grin, "I thought that was Julia Roberts."

"Nope, Rachel Berry is America's Sweetheart. America's Jewish Sweetheart. Artie directs now, if you're wondering and Mike is an actor. Blaine is on tour, he is a major star and he acts on some gay show about a show choir. He plays the straightest gay guy in the world."

"What about Puck?" You smile, "Has he expanded his business?"

She looks at you with sad eyes, "You don't know, I keep forgetting you don't know. Why don't you know?"

"I'm not sure what you're talking about?"

She looks sick, she looks down at the ground and mutters about talking to much and keeping her mouth shut. You have an even better question,

"Where is Brittany?"

Her breathing starts to pick up and she clenches her fist, you reach over and touch her shoulder, she punches you. She punches you right in the face and that sucks because you almost twist her arm back but you caught yourself before a total blackout hit. She crumples so you hold her in your arms.

"Why'd you hit me?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's didn't hurt, I've been shot in the head, not much hurts."

"Don't lie to me, there are no nerve endings in the brain. Finn." She looks at you, "I thought it was a grenade or something."

You nod, "That's what got me honorably discharged. I got shot in the head. Graze me right here," You move her fingers through the scar on the side of your head, "That really hurt."

"Jesus Christ," She sits up, "you're like Superman?"

You shake your head, "Superman doesn't have a chunk of his skull replaced by a metal plate."

"Why you telling me this?"

"Because," You shrug, "Whatever happened with Puck and Brittany, you can talk to me about it..."

She looks at you, "Puck was your best friend, your mom didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what? Carol didn't talk about anything but Kurt and Rachel and Burt."

She looks at you with wide eyes of surprise as she sits up and leans against the seat, she looks exhausted.

"Puck, he uh, he's in jail, he's in jail for a long time."

You stare at her, "What? Why? What did he do?"

"We had a party, it was huge because Rachel finally made it big. All the New Directions got together and Puck...he went on a beer run...he took...he took Brittany with him...I should have said no! He just...he was so damn drunk and he just crashed...he killed her...I killed her! I should have protected her! I should..."

You pull her into your arms, between her resisting and throwing punches at your chest and face until she finally relaxes. You put your hand on the back of her head, stroking lightly, listening to her broken sobs.

"We'll get through it, Santana. Together, I promise."

Changes.

You stay up all night, researching what happened, reading the newspaper article. Brittany did not die instantly, she was pinned in the car and it kept her alive until she was released. They gave her a chance to say goodbye, Santana was the first there and it was a, and you quote, "A kiss more tragic than Juliet trying to get a small taste of poison from Romeo's lips.". You saw where some other people were killed and Puck has been in jail ever sense and you want to talk to him and go see him but he's in solitary for prison fights, you know because Jew Fro had it in an article for the anniversary of the tragedy.

When the sun comes up you're on the balcony drinking a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette. Dave left this morning for another trip, saying he would be gone for longer because he's flying for a client while they're on tour. You never smoked before the war or before that first shot to the head but something about being shot makes cancer look...not as awful as it is.

"What time is it?"

"1300 hours." You mutter, "Dave left at 0600."

She sits beside you, drinking from your coffee, "Yeah, that doesn't answer my question."

"It's 1 and Dave left at 6 this morning." You take your cup and give her your cigarette, "Rachel came over and left, she just wanted to tell you Quinn left for her tour this morning."

Santana scoffs, "I bet she did."

She hands you the cigarette and you give her the rest of your coffee, the silence is very comfortable. It smells like coffee and cigarettes, you like the smell quite a bit. It reminds you of Santana which is kinda funny.

"Hungry? Or are you gonna panic again and start flipping me around?" She smirks and leans down pecking you on the cheek.

You grin, "Can I have some cereal?"

"Are you six?"

She walks back inside and it makes you smile as you stand and flick the cigarette butt over the rail before following behind her. You walk into the kitchen and sit down at the table as she puts the Lucky Charms box down with a bowl, she reaches into the fridge and pulls out a carton of milk and slides it across the table.

"I'm not your maid, Scar head."

You smile, you're gonna get through everything together.