Thanks a million for the reviews! This is my first time writing a real fic so they mean a lot to me :) Katy Perry was amazing, I now want her lady babies so badly, but that's another story! I was asked for a longer chapter so here it is! :)
Half an hour later
Santana checked her reflection in one of the shop windows. She brushed a loose lock that had fallen from her bun and fixed it securely behind her ear. She then adjusted her dress awkwardly, causing the neckline to be pulled down dangerously low. Santana however did not notice this as she touched her cheeks lightly.
It was the first time the girl had been out in public in ordinary clothes, her whole face totally exposed for anyone and everyone to see. The brunette felt vulnerable without the means to hide her identity.
She had nearly sprinted to one of the secret hideouts of the guild- an old store room that had been long forgotten- where she raided the wardrobe until she found the only woman's garment there, a long, sleeveless maroon dress with some yellow detail on the bust, which when she tried on enhanced her assets greatly. Never before had she really noticed her soft hips and the swell of her breasts.
There was always a source for everyday clothing for the assassins if they needed them but Santana had never the desire of them. She liked the way the heavy white tunic hid the signs of her gender, the way the hood covered all but her lips. She relished in the fact that she was a mystery to those who she pursued and to those who pursued her.
The idea had struck her to change as she looked at the entrance to the art gallery where Brittany had stepped through. She had desperately wanted to follow the girl inside but knew her attire would raise too much curiosity in the small space for her to go unnoticed. Artists were intrusive bastards and would have only badgered her with constant questions which would have made keeping to the rule of not killing innocents a hard one to keep.
But now as she pulled away from her reflection Santana was having doubts. What was she going to do once she went into the building? Was she going to approach the Brittany girl and actually strike up a conversation? She shook her head. What could I possibly say to her which wouldn't make me look a fool? I know nothing about art.
Her initial confidence in her plan was now failing her, but as she patted her thigh the brunette sighed. Being the assassin she was, Santana had attached a long dagger to her leg and the feel of it made her more secure. She hated how she had to leave the rest of her arsenal including her favoured hidden blades at the store room, but her dress did not allow many hiding places for the concealment of weaponry.
Santana then quickly but fluidly made her way back to the gallery. She found she had to walk in a completely different way now than how she could with her hooded "uniform". She could no longer stalk through the streets. She now had to have a lady like air to her, something that Santana found somewhat difficult to get used to.
She had men leering at her, another new experience and one that Santana did not like at all. She shot them death glares but soon stopped, that wasn't how a woman should act, so she simply averted her gaze and blushed with angry heat as she felt the stares grazing her back.
It took the Lopez girl less than ten minutes to make it back to the building which contained Brittany. Santana could feel herself quiver, why was she so damn nervous? But before her worries could get a sufficient hold on her, the brunette walked up the steps and into the gallery.
The place was packed full of people, there was a musky smell and a heavy scent of sweat and perfume that was trying to mask it which made Santana want to gag. But after a few minutes in the throng she accustomed herself to it, however the feeling that Brittany could be anywhere made Santana extremely nervous. She spotted small stone pillar and leaned against it watching the people in around her.
The gallery was not really a gallery at all, more of a market place for artists. Stalls were set up everywhere with painters screaming at potential customers to come look at their masterpieces. The noise of the place was beginning to give Santana a migraine. She rubbed her temples.
However after a few minutes of acclimatising to her situation and glancing at all the potential exits out of habit, Santana slowly began to feel more comfortable. She straightened out of her position and decided to look for Brittany.
No sooner had she decided this she saw a flash of blonde and yellow. It was her. Santana placed her palm on the pillar . This was the closest she had been to the Pierce girl. It made her feel weak.
She scolded herself mentally. You are Santana Lopez, the best damn assassin Rome has ever had, you are daughter to Miguel Lopez master of the assassin's guild, people fear you! why should you be afraid of one simple girl when you have faced countless enemies with a smile on your face?
Santana tracked the girl as she walked aimlessly around the building, stopping every so often to look at a painting. She seemed oblivious to the looks gentlemen around the room were giving her, but Santana noticed. The dagger on her thigh felt hot and heavy, itching to be taken out and to taste the blood of those sleazy men and she would have liked nothing better than to comply.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a man jumping in front of her, "Madonna! Madonna! Let me paint you!" he pleaded "you are exactly what I have been looking for my entire life! God has answered my prayers and has sent me you as my muse!" He then glanced down at her breasts and grinned, "and my what an exquisite subject I have to divulge with my paintbrush!" he winked.
Santana was livid, here she was trying to remain unnoticed and this guy stands in her way, thinking he can draw attention to her like that? Plus he was blocking her view of Brittany. She leaned in close to the man, who inhaled deeply and put her lips to his ear. "Listen" she hissed "you are going to turn around and walk away now, otherwise you will no longer have the use of your pathetic excuse of a paintbrush, do you understand?" She smiled sweetly. If anyone had been watching their confrontation they would have guessed the girl was accepting his offer.
The man was about to reply but the look in Santana's face stopped him. That smile had the look of a lioness about to pounce and devour her prey. He turned around and moved swiftly away from the scene muttering to himself.
Santana too turned away huffing only to be met by two oceans crashing into her very core, she could feel herself sinking and drowning, a feeling the brunette was getting used to as her breathing stopped.
"Are you alright?" Brittany asked "I know those painters can be annoying at times, but you just have to ignore them, don't let them deter you from the wonderful artwork" she smiled her eyes still fixed on her own. Brittany's expression slowly began to change from one of consideration , to one of confusion.
"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" the blonde asked "I feel as if I know you from somewhere, your eyes look familiar..." she trailed off.
Shit! She knows me! She did see me that night! and there was me thinking she was only waking up, Stupid! Stupid!
Santana tilted her head learning how to breathe again and smiled "No i don't think so, I think I would remember someone as pretty as you" Did i really just say that? Shit!
Brittany blushed slightly causing Santana's stomach to flip and said "well then sorry if I am mistaken" she paused "but seeing as we have come across each other now it would be a shame to waste this meeting, would you perhaps like to look at some works together?" she asked hopefully, a small pout forming on her lips, she grabbed an end of her gorgeous locks and began to play with it.
How can I say no to that? "o-of course" Santana stammered. Why am I stuttering? Hold it together Lopez!
"Great" Brittany breathed dropping the golden curl, Santana thought she could spot a hint of relief on the girl's features, "I'm Brittany by the way" she extended her hand, "Santana" the brunette blurted out before she could stop herself, the need to touch the girl overpowering her normally collected mind. She pressed her palm into Brittany's and felt a blazing fire travelling up her entire arm. Even when she let go Santana could feel a tingle in her hand where Brittany had touched. It was only my first name she whined pathetically in her mind.
The first few minutes between them were slightly awkward for Santana but as she saw how non fussed Brittany was she began to ease into it. She decided to find out some more about the girl.
"So what brings you here?" Santana asked. Brittany looked at her quizzically before answering "to look at art of course!" she laughed musically, Santana could not even form reply as she was too embarrassed by her idiotic question and blown away by Brittany's laugh, there was no hint of mockery in it just pure mirth which made Santana's heart jolt and jitter uncontrollably.
This girl makes me more flustered than being surrounded by an army of guards, why is this happening to me?
While Santana regained her composure, Brittany then launched into her life story, where she lived and who with, all things Santana knew already but of course she couldn't tell Brittany that. Besides this was the first time Santana had heard Brittany talk and she took pleasure in the fact that she was addressing her and the way the girl said her name made her shiver.
"So Santana what about you?" Brittany asked "tell me about yourself!"
This is definitely going too far, I shouldn't even be talking to the girl!
"I live in a house with my papa, he's a...map maker, he makes maps" fucking smooth.
"I guessed a much" Brittany chuckled brushing against Santana's arm playfully, Santana's whole body hummed with the contact, she pressed her lips together to stop her from making any noise.
They continued to circle the room, Brittany commenting on a few paintings and Santana would only grunt in agreement, she couldn't see half the things Brittany saw in those paintings and it made her soul ache even more for the girl.
She couldn't help but steal glances at the blonde and marvel at her perfect beauty. Santana would wonder if she was real or was she in fact dreaming but then Brittany would glance at her too and their eyes would lock momentarily, making Santana feel more alive than when she was being chased, adrenaline pumping in her system.
But all too soon it was over. It had become dark outside and people began to mill out of the gallery. When they stepped outside Brittany told Santana that she would be returning tomorrow if they would like to meet up once again, "I had fun" she grinned.
Before Santana could stop herself she told her she would like it very much. Brittany's cheeks reddened, making Santana want to cup her cheeks and circle them with her thumbs, her fingers twitched. They agreed on a time and bid farewell to each other.
Santana waited until Brittany was out of sight before making her way back to the hideout to change. I am in so deep right now, I must have broken about twenty rules Santana mused I may as well make the most of it.
When Santana reached the storeroom she changed back into her tunic, relief washing through her as she put up her hood and ensured her blades were secure around her wrists.
Santana was buzzing with excitement, she could not wait until the next day when she could actually converse with this girl and not have to stay in the shadows and watch from a distance. She sighed.
Now it was time to come back down from her high and into reality. She had to do her job and to watch Brittany's house for her father. He was determined to find out something about the family to put John Pierce to shame (she still had to find out why) but after meeting Brittany, Santana was sure there wasn't a more sweeter and genuine person in the whole of Italy.
Little did Santana know as she climbed up onto the rooftop of her stake out position that the girl in the house she was watching felt the exact same way about her.
Note: Thanks for reading! and as always please review if you can I always take on board what people say :) I'm really falling behind on my coursework at the moment so please don't hate me if I don't update for a day or two :S