This was the city everyone came to make their dreams come true. She came just to survive, wishing she still had a dream. Maybe, one day, she would dream again.

New York. It was beautiful and so crowded. Brittany loved it for both of those reasons. She could get swept up in the tides that flowed down each street and spend the entire day just exploring. Granted, a few times she needed Quinn to help her get back to the apartment but they had been living here for a year now. She was starting to know her way around.

It was luck she had gotten the job that she did. One day she'd gotten lost and decided to ride the subway till she made it back to her corner of the city. Except she hadn't ridden with Quinn yet to know her exit. A guy sitting across from her picked up on her worried nerves. She'd never shied away from conversation before so she answered all his questions. When she told Quinn she had gotten quite the lecture on trusting strangers but he had gotten her back to her building in one piece.

A few weeks after that, Brittany had run into him again except this time at the bar he owned. Quinn took her out to dance to enjoy the last few days before she would begin her first semester at NYU. She promised to still spend quality time with Brittany but she couldn't promise what they would be doing and Quinn didn't trust the city enough to let Brittany go dancing alone.

Julian, her new-found friend, owned the bar and had been looking for a bartender. One that was hot and would bring in a lot more business. When he saw Brittany on the dance floor and learned that she was over 18 and legally able to serve alcohol in New York, he offered her the job. It took some time to convince Quinn that it would be a good thing for. She needed something to keep her mind off things and keep her busy since she wasn't going to school and with the income she could help with rent and groceries. Quinn's dad was taking care of most of the finances fort hem but Brittany had never wanted to be a free loader. She just wanted to get out of Lima.

Quinn finally accepted but only after getting written promises from Julian and his business partner Rick that they would make sure Brittany was on a cab safely home each night she worked and that Quinn was called and informed when Brittany was on her way home. With those demands that thought that Quinn was either her sister or her girlfriend but Brittany just told them she was family and that Quinn would rip them apart if they didn't just do what she asked. More like demanded but Brittany loved that someone was still watching out for her.

Transitioning to New York wasn't as hard as they thought it would be. The apartment was great, small but everything they would need. They each had their own room and enough space in the living/dining room. Quinn couldn't cook so Brittany was forced to survive off of fast food or street venders and their neighbors were super nice. One of them on the third floor had a huge crush on Quinn but Quinn wasn't looking for romance. She just wanted to pass all of her classes. College was a big deal and Brittany was going to stay out of Quinn's way while she studied.

When the semester started for Quinn, Brittany took as many shifts at the bar that she could get. It left the apartment quiet for Quinn to study and it kept Brittany busy, to where she never had time to dwell on memories, only thinking of the present day and the future. Plus, she made a lot of money. She was a natural flirt and some nights she would come home with as many numbers as she would tips. But she didn't want to date. Not because of the same reason Quinn gave but because she already found her soul mate and you only got one of those.

Quinn rolled her eyes. She was having lunch at the bar while Britt was working. Brittany was pulling a double today to help out one of her co-workers. Quinn had given her a ride to the bar and stopped to grab one of their famous steak subs.

Rick was Julian's business partner and currently trying to get Quinn to go out with him. He was tall and pale with gelled hair up into tiny spikes. It looked like he'd just stepped out of the shower and forced his hair straight up. Then there was his hooked noise and pointed eyes. She really didn't know what his background was but it definitely wasn't getting a date with her. Not only did she not like his hair but the lack of wit and personality he possessed as well. He really, simply got on her nerves but he was persistent.

"So, I hear you are a closeted bad girl," Rick leaned against her table, crossing his feet at the ankles.

"Excuse me?" Quinn didn't know if that was a sexual insult or just plain rude.

"Brittany told me you used to have pink hair for a few months. That's hot," Rick smirked.

Quinn rolled her eyes once more,"Just because I dyed my hair, doesn't mean I'm a freak or into you and your freakishness."

"Awe, you say that now babe but I'll change your mind," Rick grinned now before chuckling. "So why did you dye your hair?"

"I wanted to join one of the sororities. Well, more like my mother wanted me to. One of the things they made us do was dye our hair. Figured I could pull the pink off better than the lime green," She answered before turning back to her paperback novel. Perhaps if she ignored him he would finally disappear.

"That's still hot. So, let me take you out. I promise you a good time," Rick stayed and continued to annoy her.

Brittany finally got a second to come check on Quinn and noticed how annoyed she appeared and then seeing Rick in her personal space. She chuckled. Rick wasn't a bad guy, he just came off a little strong. Rick had been after her for a while but she'd told him she was already in love and unavailable. Then he turned his sights to Quinn. Brittany headed over to collect her empty plate and get her a refill on her diet coke.

"Rick, still chasing dead ends,"Brittany joked.

"If she'd only give me a chance. I'm not a horrible human being," Rick shot out his bottom lip into a pout and Brittany didn't hold back her laugh.

"He's like the New York version of Puck. You liked Puck," Brittany tossed out.

"And we all know how well that ended up," Quinn shot back, not lifting her gaze from her book.

"Fine. Just go out with me once and if you don't have fun I'll give up. You have my word," Rick promised.

Rick was good for his word. He'd been the one to make the promise to Quinn to see Brittany safely in a cab at the end of every shift and that Quinn got called. He hadn't missed once during the year and a half that she'd worked here.

Quinn set down her book and looked him in the eye. "Fine," She sighed, "But I better have fun even if I don't like you."

"Deal. I promise to please your inner bad girl," Rick lit up like a Christmas tree. With a confirmed date he strutted to the back.

"You didn't have to agree to go,"Brittany said, still holding her dirty plate and glass.

Quinn shrugged, "I've been wanting to go out and you're always working. I need a break from studying and despite the fact that I can't stand him, he's really not that bad of a guy. We'll go out and he'll give up when I tell him no to a second date."

"If you say so," Brittany grinned and headed to drop off the dish and get a refill for her.

Thursday night finally came. There wasn't any classes on Friday so it was really the only night Quinn went out to do anything. The weekend nights were when Brittany worked the most so Quinn would go to the coffee shop across the street and work on homework while keeping an eye out on the place. Brittany didn't know that, nor would Quinn ever tell her. She had made a promise and she was going to keep it till the end.

Despite keeping an eye on the bar,Quinn would still head back to the apartment long before Brittany got off. Britt would stay and close the bar down so sometimes she wouldn't make it back home till nearly five in the morning. Quinn worked in a retail store on the weekend during the days so she had to get some sleep. But she still woke up when Brittany called and said she was heading home and since it was only a ten minute cab ride she'd stay awake till she heard the front door and Brittany heading to bed. Then she'd pass back out till she had to get up to work.

It wasn't easy going to school full time, watching out for Britt, and working but she still managed to make the Dean's list every semester, keep Brittany safe, and afford nice things for their apartment. Despite the tragedy that happened Junior year, life was good for them. Everything had balanced out and if she could only convince Britt to go to college then things would be better. She just wanted Britt to realize her dream of dance again or any dream really. But Britt was happy working in the bar and her bosses were good guys.

Speaking of good guys, Rick would be there any minute. Quinn checked herself in the mirror once more. Her short hair was swept out in the back, her makeup was flawless and her tight jeans and blouse hugged everything perfectly. Brittany had talked her out of the dress saying it would only spur Rick on more. Something about 'easy access' and she wanted to shut that down out of the gate so tight jeans it was because they were harder to get her out of.

"You look great, Q. He's going to love it and you," Brittany said. It was a rare night off for her so she leaned against the kitchen counter in sweats and a wife beater. She held a bowl of lucky charms and munched happily away at them.

"Are you sure I'm going to enjoy this?" Quinn asked grabbing her purse and double checking it's contents. She had her wallet, phone, and mace. She was good to go.

"He did say he was going to take you someplace to appeal to your inner bad girl. I don't really know what he meant," Brittany confessed with a shrug.

"I swear if I get raped or murdered tonight because of your boss I"m going to haunt your ass," Quinn threatened. When she realized her words her entire body froze. She turned around and Brittany just starred at her.

Brittany finally blinked before setting her bowl in the sink and walking towards Quinn and pulling her into a tight hug, "Your right, you shouldn't go."

At that moment there was a knock on the apartment door. Both girls snapped their heads toward the entrance to their apartment. Brittany pulled back and went to answer the door. Rick stood there with a daisy in his hands. He was dressed in dark jeans, a button down and his favorite leather jacket. His hair was in its usual wet spikes.

"Rick, you know, Britt isn't feeling all that well. I should stay here and take care of her," Quinn didn't even say hello. She was going to make it quick and painless and never make a stupid joke like she did two minutes ago.

"Whoa! I just got here," Rick protested.

"Quinn, it's okay. Call me if you need me. Rick's a good guy and you'll have fun. You need a night out where you're not worried about me," Brittany said.

"Britt," Quinn started but Brittany pulled her into a loose hug.

"Go have fun and I'll see you when you get home," Britt released her and turned to Rick, "If one hair on her head is hurt, I will find you." Brittany had never threatened anyone before but Quinn knew she had it in her. Quinn smiled softly and Brittany pushed her out the door.

"I promise she'll have fun and come back in one piece," Rick promised.

Rick was true to his word through dinner. He had taken her to a great Italian restaurant hidden away in Little Italy. Apparently he was close friends with the owner and was able to get a reservation in at the last minute. He joked with her and asked her safe questions about Lima, like what her family was like and how was it being a cheerleader. She had a great time joking and laughing through stories about old classmates and evil Sue.

Instead of ordering dessert he knew of place also in Little Italy that had the best chocolate so they paid for dinner and they took a leisure stroll to his next destination on their date. They joked some more and she asked him about his life. He'd lived in New York his entire life, actually being Julian's adoptive brother but no one knew that. Rick had been abandoned by his parents and of course that made her think of Beth but Rick told her it wasn't cause they didn't want him but that they had been taken from him. They'd died in a fire shortly after he was born. Julian's parents had been close friends of his dad's and they took Rick as their own.

Rick's phone went off,interrupting their conversation. He pulled out his phone and looked at the caller ID, "I need to take this, it's one of the waitresses," He explained before answering.

"Amy, how's work?" Rick answered. His smile immediately shifted to a look of worry. He listened for a minute before stepping off the curb and hailing a taxi.

"Did something happen at the bar?"Quinn whispered. Sure, Brittany was off tonight so she wouldn't be in immediate trouble but that was her livelihood and if it was threatened, Quinn still needed to be worried.

Rick shook his head hastily, "Amy,don't worry. I'm on my way now. Tell Nick I'll have his money and be safe till I get there."

A taxi pulled up to the curb just as Rick pocketed his phone, "I'm so sorry Quinn but I have to take care of this. I promised Amy's brother I would look after her."

Quinn stepped to the curb next to him and jumped into the cab with him, "I understand. I ask you to look after Britt and you do a good job of that."

"I'll have the driver drop you off before we go where I need to," Rick said sliding in after her.

"I'm going with. Sounds like you might need help," Quinn said.

"No, Nick is dangerous and he doesn't need to set his sights on you," Rick argued. He looked worried and ran his hand through is hair. She noticed not a spike moved.

"Then send Amy my way while you take care of Nick. I'll stay out of sight and make sure she's okay. It'll be easier for you deal with him if she's not in the way," She argued.

He was silent for a moment before leaning forward and telling the driver their destination. She noticed it wasn't her apartment and she nodded in victory. This was the least she could do to help Rick out after all he'd done to help her with Brittany. She made a mental note to thank Brittany for convincing her, in a roundabout way, to give Rick a chance. Brittany was right, he was a decent guy. One of few.

As the cab driver took them further into back alley roads and into a section of the city she would never find herself going to she had to remind herself that Rick wouldn't take her here unless someone was in trouble. This was one of the areas that if you were caught hanging around in, you were bound to find trouble if you weren't already the trouble yourself.

The cab pulled up to the curb,"Keep the meter running. If one of us is not back in thirty go ahead and go."He gave the cab driver as stack of bills and waited until the driver agreed to stay parked. Quinn followed him out and down the alley to a low lit door. If you didn't know what to look for you wouldn't have found the entrance.

"Stay close and when I signal for you to stay put, please just don't move," Rick advised before knocking on the door.

A slot in the door opened up but only silence greeted them. If you listened carefully you could hear hoots and cheers followed by groans and shouts. A second or two she could hear something breaking and then more shouting.

"I'm here to settle a debt," Rick announced before pulling out a wad of cash from his wallet and waving it around in front of the slot. Quinn frowned, not thinking that was a good idea at all .Immediately the slot slammed closed and then the door opened. Stupid idea or not, it got them in.

The noise was deafening but she was expecting that. The smell, however, caught her off guard. The air was thick with stale beer, sweat, and something coppery. She followed Rick, keeping close to him. He looked back every few seconds as he led her to the thickest of the group.

The area was full of men with very little women spotted throughout the space. Small round table were strewn about with half drank beers, white dust spots, and ashtrays. As they traveled through the hollowed out building she was able to make out what everyone was gathered around.

It was a ring shaped area with chest high wooden walls. Most everyone cheering was on the outside of the ring,money in their hands in the air or beers sloshing around in there bottles. In the center of the ring a male and a female were busy wailing into each other.

Both were clearly bloodied, making it hard to determine facial features at a first glance. Seeing all the blood she realized what that copper smell was. She'd heard about the 'Underground'. A serious street fight operation that NYPD had yet to put a stop to. Either they didn't have any lead, although it was clear this was their main fighting ring,or they didn't care since it kept a number of dangerous people and drunks of the streets for the majority of the night.

Rick signaled for her to wait so she folded her arms around her chest after getting a firm grip on the mace from her purse. The crowd broke around the ring and she watched as the female landed three hard blows to the temple of her staggering opponent. She was quick and precise, having the least amount of cuts on her hands and face. She was hunched over slightly, evidence she'd taken a few hard hits herself.

The man toppled and fell to the ground and the crowd began to count. The female limped to one side and grabbed a mans drink before downing it waiting for the count to finish signaling her win. Quinns view was blocked as a slightly taller than her, jet black haired girl stepped in front of her.

"Quinn?" She asked hesitantly.

"Amy?" Quinn asked in return. Amy nodded and Quinn noticed the bruise forming under her left eye and the dried blood in the corner of her nose and mouth. "Rick will be finished soon so how about I take you to the cab?" Quinn offered, slightly reaching out afraid she might scare the girl. Amy nodded and Quinn began to lead her towards the exit when she froze.

She had to be seeing things. This wasn't possible. She'd gone to the funeral. She'd helped Brittany through the loss and heartbreak. Her path broke from towards the door towards the makeshift bar set up near the fighting ring.

In the brunettes hand was a bottle of Jack Daniels that she was taking large swigs from. She leaned against the bars counter and quickly counted through the wet and dirty bills she'd just won. Quinn didn't want to believe it. Couldn't believe it.

She stood only a few feet away finally seeing the girls full face. She'd almost hoped she was wrong, that her mind had played a cruel trick on her once again. This was real. She was real.

"Santana?" The name left Quinn's lips before she even realized she had the voice to speak.

The brunette looked up in shock,the bottle of Jack banging against the counter, "Holy Shit, Quinn?"

Quinn winced. That was the voice that haunted her dreams some nights. She couldn't believe this was real. There was no way Santana was alive and well, living it up in New York. Quinn took determined steps until she was standing right in front of Santana before reaching out firmly.

The slap echoed between the two of them, no one else aware of their exchange. Santana pulled her head forward,wincing as she wiped away a fresh trail of blood from her already split lip. Seeing that blood, San's wince, and the sting in her palm she knew her mind was fooling her this time.

"Santana?"

Authors note: Yay! Now you know. Well, you know that San's alive and kicking(literally). I would love to hear everyone's thoughts. Also, please visit me on Tumblr.

Also, I would love to hear what you think about Rick. Introducing OC's can be difficult and I sometimes hate reading fics that have a main OC but other fics it just works. For instance fics like Taking the Long Way (which if you haven't read A) kill yourself and B) as if.) ((If you don't know that reference...we need to talk cause your barely living)) Anywho! Just wondering thoughts on OC's.

Also, thanks to my beta: missmandamargo. tumblr. com

Another also, THANKS! There are so many story alerts/favorites/and comments. I love each and everyone of you. Just wanted to share my appreciation for you dedication. :)