A/N: Thank you all that have favorite or followed this story. Those of you that have left reviews seem to like the stuttering Santana and confident Dani dynamic. You'll love this chapter then…lots of the nervous Latina. Again, I don't own anything. Credit to Demi Lovato for "Catch Me". Just the story in my head. Also sorry for this chapter taking so long. School had been kicking my ass, and I just don't have the time to write.
Santana's hand shook as she tried to unlock her front door. She couldn't believe she was having this girl over. Her palms were sweaty, and she was more nervous now than she was walking up to Dani's front door.
"Let me help you with that, babe," Dani said as she slipped the keys from Santana to open the door.
Allowing her to take over, Santana just nodded. Afraid of what nonsense would come out of her mouth if she spoke.
Santana hooked her arms through Dani's as she took the keys back and lead her into the kitchen. Seated at the table were Santana's parents and her grandmother, drinking some coffee. Santana looked shocked and confused because her parents were to have gone out tonight, and her abuela usually invited them over not the other way around.
As usual her abuela broke the silence. "So this is the girl your mother has been telling me you've been drooling over for the past week?" Santana's abuela said pointedly, then gave Dani the once over. During this time Santana turned a shade darker, and Dani clung to her arm affectionately and laughed. "I approve very much, Santana."
"Mami!? Why!?" Santana shouted, extremely embarrassed.
"Ouch, babe. That was right in my ear."
"S-sorry," Santana mumbled, to which her parents laughed.
"It's okay," Dani whispered, at a level her parents couldn't hear. "You can make it up to me."
Santana flushed at the implications of what Dani was saying.
"Mind out of the gutter, Lopez," she laugh-whispered. "Not what I meant."
Santana turned an even brighter shade of red.
"Mija, what is she whispering in your ear?" Maribel laughed.
"Tell her that I'm not saying anything," Dani purred into her ear.
Santana's parents and abuela watched her expression, knowing something was being said, but also aware that it was rated PG.
Santana gulped, "N-no-nothing."
Her parents and grandparents attempted to mask their laughter, but that mission was immediately unsuccessful, with Dani joining in soon after.
Santana glared at Dani who just laughed harder. She had to admit the teasing wasn't as bad with Dani was laughing; she could listen to it all day.
"Well, Santana, it seems to me that this girl already has broken down your glare. That's record time, I should say," her abuela said breaking up the laughter.
"Hey, that's exactly what the lady at the restaurant said," Dani laughed.
Santana's mother hooted with laughter. "Oh, Candice. I can't believe she already has you pegged, Santana."
Santana looked to her father for refuge from all the teasing.
"Sorry, honey. But you've set yourself up for all of this."
"C'mon, babe. It's not that bad. Your family is just having a little fun. It just so happens that it's at your expense," Dani consoled her, squeezing her arm.
Santana hoped that the pet name would escape them, but she could tell from their expressions that it didn't, but nothing was said about it.
"I changed my mind, Santana," her abuela began. "I don't just approve. I adore."
"Okay, I've had enough of you all! I'm taking Dani upstairs to watch a movie. Goodbye." Santana tugged on Dani's arm to pull her out of the kitchen.
Her father laughed. "Just keep it PG-13, mija."
Santana let go of Dani's arm and put her hands on her hips. "I am 20-years-old. I can do whatever I damn well please with my-uh…with Dani."
"Oh, you can, can you? I may have some objections to that," Dani smirked raising her eyebrows. She also caught the slip up but decided not to mention it, as to further embarrass her.
Santana looked downright embarrassed and a little uncomfortable at this point. She looked to Dani for help who noticed how all the teasing was affecting her. Dani slid her hand and fingers into Santana's. She glanced up with apologetic eyes, momentarily forgetting Santana's family a few feet away. "So, San, just promised me a movie. I think we should go watch it."
"Go," Santana's abuela responded rather dramatically.
"Nice meeting you all." Dani tugged on Santana's hand this time, towards the stairs hoping she was going the right way. Once at the top of the stairs she could tell which room happened to be Santana's. The door was open, and there were dresses similar to the one she had on covering the bed.
"My, someone has a lot of clothes," she said, letting go of Santana's hand and moving to the closet.
Santana wrung her hands nervously. "I've—uh—been meaning to do a detox," she said picking up the dresses and hanging them up in the packed closet.
"You know," Dani started, "I have a lot of time on my hands…I could help you with that." The last part of the sentence was said right in Santana's ear which made her shiver.
"I'd like that," Santana struggled to get out, as Dani arm deliberately reached around her to hang another dress up.
"Great, babe! How about we start tomorrow?"
"Start tomorrow?"
"Sorry to tell you this, but it might take more than one day to clean out this extensive of a closet," Dani flopped onto her bed, propping herself against the headboard.
"Dani?" Santana asked nervously, leaning against her dresser.
"Yeah?"
"Can you play something for me?" she asked quietly, nodding toward the guitar in the corner. Ever since Dani said she could play she'd been dying to hear her. "You don't have to, but I wanted to hear you play."
Dani sat up looking slightly uncomfortable. "Umm, I mean I guess I can, but…" she trailed off.
Santana walked over to her and kneeled beside the bed. "Dani, look at me. I want you to feel comfortable here, for however long you decide to keep coming over. If you would be happy playing the guitar, then play mine. If not, then don't You won't be judged in this house, aside from a little teasing," she chuckled. "I know how much I love music, so much it's what I'm going to school for. Based o how you talked at dinner and the looks you gave me during that song at the restaurant, you love it just as much."
"If I get to play that guitar everytime, I won't ever stop coming," Dani replied, the smile evident in her voice.
She thought about it, but Santana couldn't let that one go. "Wanky."
Dani's face showed a range of emotions as she tried to figure out what that meant before realization occurred. "That is not what I meant Santana! Besides…who's the one on her knees?"
Santana's face was pricelss as she sputtered to try to come up with a better retort.
Dani giggled and sild off the bed. She swayed her hips back and forth as she went to grab the guitar, taunting Santana. Slowly and sensually, she leaned over to grasp the neck of the guitar. Turning around, she saw the gulp and readjustment of her eyes as well as heard Santana mutter a few obscenities under her breath.
"What was that?" Dani asked innocently.
"Tease," Santana mumbled.
"What?"
"Fucking tease," she got out.
"You deserved it, you perv." Gracefully, she mirrored Santana's position before leaning back against the bed, cradling the guitar. "Now you wanted to hear me play didn't you?"
Santana just nodded still a little awestruck.
Dani strummed lightly to tune the guitar to where she needed it to be and began to sing.
Before I fall too fast
Kiss me quick
But make it last
So I can see
How badly this will
Hurt me
When you say goodbye
Looking fondly up at Santana, she realized, with just this day and one other encounter, this song might be slowly coming true. And that fucking scared her. Dammit, Dani! Don't fall for her. Not yet.
Keep it sweet
Keep it slow
Let the future pass
And don't let go
But tonight I
Could fall too soon
Under this beautiful moonlight
Dani stared right at Santana to sing the chorus part directly to her. She hoped that it would come off as teasing the girl. She didn't want Santana to sense how true the lyrics might be.
But you're so hypnotizing
You've got me laughing while I sing
You've got me smiling in my sleep
And I can see this unraveling
Your love is where I'm falling
But please don't catch me
Dani stopped strumming at glanced away from the guitar to Santana who cast her eyes away, blushing. She was about to put the guitar back when Santana stopped her. "Keep going. Finish the song?" she requested sweetly.
"Okay, babe."
See this heart
Won't settle down
Like a child
Running scared from a clown
I'm terrified of what you do
My stomach screams just when I look at you
Santana studied Dani pouring her heart into the song. She felt her cheeks warm up when Dani's eyes pierced hers and winked back.
Run far away
So I can breath
Even though you're far from suffocating me
I can't set my hopes too high
Cuz every hello ends with a goodbye
"Sing with me, Santana. I know you know the words." Santana began to sing the second chorus with her. Their voices creating a harmony that carried with it a beautiful moment between the two. Then looking directly into Santana's eyes Dani sang the bridge.
So now you see
Why I'm scared
I can't open up my heart
Without a care
But here I go
It's what I feel
And for the first time in my life
I know it's real
Dani nodded to Santana signaling her sing with her again as the girls began the chorus for the last time.
But you're so hypnotizing
You've got me laughing while I sing
You've got me smiling in my sleep
Dani angled the guitar and began to jam out to the rock-edge of the end of the song.
And I can see this unraveling
Your love is where I'm falling
So please don't catch me
If this is love please don't break me
I'm giving up
So just catch me
"So Dani girl, why that song?" Santana asked, lifting up her arm to play with the ends of the blonde's hair. "It couldn't be because you think I'm so irresistible that you're already falling for me, could it?"
"Wow, Ms. Lopez. A little conceited aren't we?"
"Maybe…" she whispered, dropping her hand to trace her jaw. She dropped her hand when she felt Dani lean into it. "Maybe not…"
Dani tilted her head until she was inches away from Santana's face. "Well, Ms. Lopez, I know one thing for certain," her voice coming out coarse and husky. She was so close Santana could feel each breath. Santana leaned in to capture Dani's lips with hers, Dani wanted to let her, but backed away before she could. "I'm the one who should be asking if you've already fallen. You look about ready to jump me, babe." She laughed and stood up, placing the guitar back on the stand. As she turned around, Santana was standing in her space.
"Maybe I want to, babe," her voice dropped and her fingers trailed along her arm.
Santana took her hand and kissed her inner wrist. "Santana…"
"Yes, babe."
"Santana."
"Hmm?" she breathed, still tracing the length of her arm.
Dani laughed and walked around her to sit on the bed. Santana moved to the bed and hovered over her. Dani smirked one of those 'I-dare-ya' grins. Santana tackled her and began to tickle any part that could even remotely be ticklish. Santana straddled her to get more leverage and didn't relent even slightly as Dani pleaded.
"Please, Santana! Stop!" she gasped, trying to catch her breath.
"Never," she murmured in her ear. She pulled back, and as she did she found herself paralyzed with the look of desire and need in Dani's eyes. Santana leaned over to kiss her.
Knowing that if she let Santana kiss her now, they would not be able to stop at that, Dani turned her head. Santana's lips landed veryclose to her pulse point, and Dani whimpered as Santana nipped at her skin.
"Fuck," Santana," Dani grumbled, using what little will power she had to push the girl off of her. She closed her eyes to control herself, when she opened them she saw Santana shocked and uncertain.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
Dani tilted Santana's chin to get her to open her eyes. "Look at me, Santana." She looked up. "Don't apologize to me. If I had let you continue, there was going to be no stopping. And as much as I like you, I can't let that happen right now."
Santana nodded, then looked around suddenly nervous again. "So—uh…what do you want to do?"
"We could always watch that movie, but based off the state we're both in, not sure turning the lights off and lying in bed with you would be a very good idea at the moment. So tell me about yourself," Dani requested pushing off the bed to look more closely at the details in Santana's room.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Who are these girls?" she asked, pointing to the picture of Santana, Rachel, Quinn and Brittany.
"Friends from high school. The one on my left is Brittany. The one on my right, the brunette, is Rachel. She goes to NYADA and is going to be in a production of Funny Girl on Broadway once the summer is over. We hang out a lot still, being in the same city. The one with the short blonde hair is Quinn. She's at Yale."
"You still close to them? And Broadway, huh?"
"Yeah. Brittany was supposed to come home for the summer, but got recruited to be a back up dancer for Beyoncé's summer tour…"
"Hold up! Seriously?!"
Santana laughed. "That was my same reaction when she told me. She's getting me tickets for me, Rachel, and Quinn. Would you like me to tell her to get you one as well?"
"Oh my god. Yes!" she yelled tackling Santana on the bed.
"Okay," she laughed sitting her up. "Which brings me to Quinn and Rachel. They're coming in a few weeks for a week or so. You'll meet them. What else you want to know?"
Looking around, Dani saw an NYU t-shirt hanging over a chair. "You go to NYU? What do you study?"
"I am a music composition major. I want to learn the ins and outs of how to write it, produce it, and make something my own. What about you?"
"Uh…"
"Shit. Forget I asked. Sorry," Santana apologized.
"No, it's fine. As of last semester, I was majoring in Biology at Johns Hopkins."
"Wow. Not only do you have the beauty, but the brains, too."
Dani playfully hit Santana's shoulder. "Very funny, Santana."
"It's true," she retorted. Another hit. "So obviously that's not what you want to do. What is it you do want?"
"Well, I want a degree in something, preferably relating to music, but I want to record music and play stadium shows and go on tours. I want to inspire people with my music."
"When that happens and you become a big pop star, I better get front row tickets," Santana said, dead serious.
"Well, if that happens, no worries. You'll get VIP tickets." Dani leaned across the bed and brushed her lips lightly over Santana's. She watched Santana, who continued to sit there, not saying anything. "Santana?"
"Hmm? What?" Santana asked, broken from her dazed state.
Dani laughed, realizing that Santana had zoned from the kiss. "I was wondering if you had anything more comfortable for me to ear," she inquired gesturing to her leather outfit.
Santana's breath caught. "Umm…yeah… sure." She leapt off the bed to her closet. She picked out a pair of flannel shorts and an oversized Ravens t-shirt.
"Ravens? Really?" Dani asked, removing her jacket and blouse she was wearing.
Trying to moisten her dried mouth, "Uh—I—uh, my—ummm…it's my brother's."
"Ah, I see," she responded pulling the shirt over her head, then slipping her bra off underneath. Slow enough to tease Santana, she pulled the leather pants off and folded them before replacing them with the flannel shorts. Dani watched as Santana tried to look away, loving the way she could affect her and make her stutter. "Like the view?" she teased.
Santana nodded still staring at her legs. "L—love it."
"I'll bet, seeing as you can't stop staring," Dani giggled, climbing on the bed.
"Uh—suh—sorry." Dani began to laugh. "What?" Santana demanded.
"Nothing. It's just one minute we're having a conversation and you're blatantly flirting and the next you're a stuttering nervous mess," Dani explained. "It's so adorable."
Santana mumbled something Dani didn't catch.
"What was that?" she asked.
"I'm usually a confident bitch," she said as she got up off the bed and began to pace. "Always have been, although heavy on the bitch part. I mean I have a rep. Everyone in town knows me as a class-A bitch, and I own it. I don't stutter; I'm the one who makes everyone else nervous. Hell, I'm Santana Lopex for god sakes. I'm a badass!" she shouted in the mirror.
"I'm sure, Santana," Dani giggled, "but to me you're that sweet stuttering girl who took my breath away the first time I heard her sing."
Santana grumbled a reply.
Dani laughed. "C'mon over here, Santana, and explain to me why everyone knows you as this person." She pat the space beside her and lay back, stretching her legs out, preparing for a long story.