Santana's P.O.V.
"Hey San." Brittany says from the other end of my cell phone. I just got off work and I'm walking to my car.
"Hey B, What's up?" I ask.
"Would you do me a favor?" She asks. I open my car door and get in.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Pick up Adriana? I have a student here and it's taking him longer than I thought to understand this problem." She says.
"Yeah no problem B. Want me to drop her off later?" I ask.
"No I'll come get her. Thanks San."
"No problem. Talk to you later B." Brittany says goodbye and we hang up.
Brittany is a high school math teacher. Brittany says she wants to be that teacher that believes in her students even if it seems like they are a lost cause because to other people, in high school Brittany was that lost cause. If it weren't for one specific teacher believing in her and pushing her to take the ACT there's no telling what may have happened to Brittany.
On my way to pick up Adriana, I drive past a flower shop. An especially colorful bouquet catches my eye…I'm not even sure why. They just…remind me of Rachel. They're gorgeous. Pink, purple, red and green. They made my day better…maybe I'll pick them up.
After the flower shop I head straight to Rachel's. Great, it starts raining again. I hate the damn rain. I get to Rachel's and park. I grab the flowers before I get out of the car and sprint to her front porch, luckily there's an awning above me. I put the flowers behind my back and ring the door bell. Rachel has a surprised look on her face when she opens the door.
"Santana? I wasn't expecting you." She says.
"B got caught up at work so here I am. You're welcome." I say and she chuckles.
"Come in." Rachel moves aside and I enter the house. I hear Rachel close the door and I turn to face her.
"Did you bring Adriana flowers?" Rachel says as she moves to collect Adriana's things that are sitting on the couch where they always are.
"No. They're for you actually." I say as I reach to give them to her. Rachel has the biggest look of confusion on her face as she takes them from me.
"Thank you but why?" She asks and I shrug.
"They stood out to me and screamed Rachel Berry. I thought you'd like them so I just got them. I'll take them back if you want." I tell her and she shakes her head and smells them.
"They smell lovely. Thank you Santana." Rachel says then hugs me with the widest grin I've seen from her in a while.
I wish I could hold her like this forever. Rachel's skin is so soft and warm and she smells like strawberries. Feeling her body this close to mine sends my mind places and as much as I want to end this hug, I can't bring myself to break away.
"Mami!" I hear Adriana say as she runs towards me. Rachel and I break apart and I bend over to pick Adriana up.
"Hey monster. Were you good for Rachel today?" I ask her and she nods her head against my neck as I rub her back.
"Good. Did you tell Leo goodbye?" Adriana nods again and I look at Rachel.
"Goodbye Adriana." Rachel says and Adriana reaches her hands out to hug Rachel. Rachel comes close to me to hug Adriana and I enjoy every moment of it. Once their hug ends, Rachel grabs Adriana's things and hands them to me so we can leave.
"Don't let those die. I looked at them and they brightened my day. They can't do the same for you if they're dead." I tell her as she hands me Adriana's bookbag.
"Will do. They're so beautiful I'll have to show them off." Rachel says.
"That's exactly why they reminded me of you." I say…did I just say that? Shit. What the hell are you thinking. Rachel smiles and blushes and I try to avoid eye contact.
"Uh…what are you doing this weekend?" I ask her and Rachel shrugs.
"Probably nothing." She responds.
"What about next weekend?" I ask.
"Same thing. My life is pretty mundane." She says.
"Well next weekend I'm taking Adriana to an indoor water park. You in? On me. You and your two and a half kids." Rachel furrows her eyebrows and I point to her stomach.
"Oh, right. Yes, I'll let you know okay?" She says and I nod.
"Alright, I'll see you later." I tell her and I leave.
Rachel has no idea that when I said later, that's exactly what I meant.
Rachels' P.O.V.
These last few weeks with Santana have been really nice. I haven't been treated this kindly in such a long time. I can't tell if Santana is just being nice or if…she's flirting with me. I know she was flirting with me earlier today but there's no way she meant it…right? Santana has always been flirty. That's just the kind of person she is. I'm reading too much into this. No way she'd be interested in me. I'm not even attractive…I'm not loveable, that's why Quinn hurts me. Who would really want to put up with me?
The rest of the day has gone as normal. I sat the flowers in a vase on the kitchen table. Quinn hasn't commented on them so either she hasn't seen them or she just doesn't care. I've bathed the kids and put them in bed and I've showered. Quinn is already in bed and I've just gotten out of the shower.
I hear my phone ring implying I have a text message. I grab my phone and read it. It's from Santana.
1 new message: Santana
Put on some clothes and come outside. It reads. I type my reply.
It's almost 11 o clock at night. Where am I going? I ask.
Just come on. You'll be back before sunlight. Wear something old too. Preferably black. Santana replies.
This might be a bad idea. I haven't asked Quinn and she's asleep. I can't wake her up now or she'll be upset…What is Santana planning this late at night? I'm going to take the risk and go with her. I quickly but quietly get dressed, grab my things, and leave the house. Santana is sitting in her car and I hurry to the passenger side of her car and get in.
"Where are we going?" I ask as Santana backs out of the driveway.
"That's how you greet someone? No, Hello Santana. How are you?" She says and I roll my eyes.
"Hello Santana. Where are we going?" I ask again as she begins to drive.
"Just ride." She says.
"Are you kidnapping me?" I ask and Santana chuckles.
"In a sense. It'll be fun though, trust me." She says and I sigh and sit back in my seat.
Santana is so unpredictable. I have no idea where we could be going this late. I look over at Santana as she drives and she's dressed in all black with her hair in a ponytail.
"We're not robbing a bank are we?" I ask and Santana laughs.
"Since when have I become a criminal?" She asks me and I shrug.
"Rach, I promise it's nothing bad. You're going to enjoy it and if not, we can always leave. Okay?" Santana assures me and I nod my head then return to looking out the window.
Santana and I talk about life and things that don't matter too much until we get to our destination. It looks like a huge warehouse and the parking lot is almost filled. What is this place? After Santana and I find a parking spot, we get out and begin to walk to the door.
"Now can I know where we are?" I ask again.
"This, my dear Rachel, is overnight laser tag."
"Overnight laser tag?" I repeat.
"Yep. It's not over until 11 a.m." She says as we reach the front door. Santana opens the door for me. I walk inside and look at the set up. It's pitch black with the only light source coming from the glow in the dark lining of the material that covers the floor and walls. Wow. This building is enormous. You can hear people running around but you can't see anything but the black walls they are behind. Santana touches my arm and I look over to her. Santana takes my arm and places a bracelet on it and we take a few steps from the glass booth where a man is sitting, selling admission bracelets. Soon there is a group of 8 people, including Santana and I, waiting for the next step. An employee comes out and tells us to follow her up the stairs which we abide by. We are taken into a single room where the lights are now red. Safety guidelines are given as we arm ourselves with a vest and gun. We're told that we are playing against the green team and that there is a tournament that ends at 1 a.m. and the winning team will receive a prize. There is a door behind the instructor that had been closed but is now being open by another employee from the other side. We are instructed to walk inside the room and do so. This room is the room we will be playing in. We're escorted our 'home base' where we can reload and where we will start the game by the other employee. The employee tells us to have fun and the game begins.
"Let's go this way." Santana says as we leave our base. I follow her as she turns left and make sure to keep an eye on what's behind me. The design of this room is that of another planet. It has interesting decorations with aliens, stars and planets. I continue to follow Santana and we run into our first pair of enemies. We shoot until we can take cover and once we reemerge, they are gone. Santana and I continue walking and I notice a balcony off in the far left corner of the room. I tap Santana and once I have her attention, I direct her towards it. Santana nods in understanding and we make our way towards the staircase to the balcony.
As we make our way over to the balcony, Santana and I switch places and I am now in front of her. We reach an opening where we will be vulnerable for far too long in my opinion. I look around and notice there is a more discreet way to reach our destination but involves more opportunity to run into an enemy. I take the risk anyway and turn right. As expected, a person is there and Santana and I shoot until they run away. We continue, and I turn left but then quickly step back when I see two more people from the green team. They're standing, talking to each other. If I would have taken one more step, they would have noticed me. Santana doesn't take a step back and I realize…I'm up against her. My behind is firmly pressed against Santana's crotch and…I hope that's just her phone in her pocket. The people from the green team finally leave and Santana and I proceed ahead as planned.
Before I knew it, the first tournament was over. Santana and I were second place and actually won a free game. The first place winners won 2,000 dollars but I didn't play to win, I just wanted to have fun and I did. In another part of the warehouse, they have a few food vendors. Santana goes to get herself some ice cream but since they don't have anything vegan friendly, or at the very least vegetarian friendly, I don't get anything. Santana and I sit at table so she can eat her ice cream and I check the time. 1:15 a.m.
"Who would have known Rachel Berry would be a good shot?" She says with a smirk.
"I know how to have fun."
"Yeah but most of your fun involves someone under the age of 7." She says then eats a spoonful of ice cream.
"That happens when you have kids Santana." I tell her.
"You sure about that?"
"Not everyone has someone to watch them like you do."
"You have a wife. Make her useful for something." Santana rolls her eyes and I sigh.
"Why do you hate her so much?" I ask curiously. I would really like to know what happened between them.
"What's to like?" She responds then eats more of her ice cream. I roll my eyes and sigh.
"Come on San, what did she do?" I ask. Santana shrugs.
"I…Quinn went behind my back to…fill a position I wanted. She stole an opportunity from me and she knew how I felt about the situation. Quinn knew I was devastated when I fucked up and didn't take the opportunity when I had the chance. I can't forgive her for it." She says. An opportunity? I don't remember San talking about any opportunity back in college.
"Well, I understand that's upsetting but why is it unforgivable?" I ask.
"Because it could have been life changing. I can't trust her so I don't want her in my life.
"So she can't make it up to you? Earn your trust back?" Santana shakes her head.
"Nope. Fuck her." Santana says.
I drop the subject after her last response. I can't blame Santana for being upset with Quinn because those are her feelings. Also, I know first hand how evil Quinn can be.
"So what are you doing tomorrow, or later today I should say?" I ask.
"Nothing unless you're available?" She as asks.
"Not doing anything with Adriana?" I ask.
"B is taking her to a birthday party." I nod.
"Well…I'm not sure. I'll let you know as the day goes on?" Santana nods her head.
"So, can I ask you something?" She asks and I nod my head.
"Yes?"
"What's with you and Quinn?" Huh? Where did that question come from?
"What do you mean?" I question.
"I mean, I have eyes Rachel. Somethings going on and you seem very unhappy." I sigh. I should have known Santana would notice something.
"We're just…going through a rough patch right now." I tell her.
"So, overall you're happy?"
"Santana…I appreciate the concern but we're working through it." I tell her. Santana crosses her arms and leans towards me, putting her elbows on the table.
"Bullshit Rachel. There's something you aren't telling me. I'm only asking because I want to make sure that you are okay. I'll kick Quinn's ass if need be." She says and I chuckle slightly. Violence is still one way Santana shows that she cares.
"That's sweet San but I'll…I'll be alright." Santana sighs.
"You know if you need to talk, cry, vent, or whatever, I'm here for you? Things get bad…my door is always open." She says and I smile softly at her.
"I know San."
"You could do a lot better than her." Santana says and I shake my head.
"I'm lucky to have what I do." I tell her and she looks baffled I even uttered those words.
"Lucky? Lucky my ass. That waste of space is lucky to have you in her life. You deserve more than what Quinn could ever give you." I shake my head.
"No, I really don't. Why would I deserve anything more?"
"Well, we'll start with how amazing of a mother you are. You have two kids and my kid 5 days out of the week and that house is always spotless and you care for all of them effortlessly. You are still one of the most brilliant, talented, beautiful people I have ever met. That answer your question?" Santana says and I can't help but blush. Does she really see me this way? How could she? She's just saying this to be a good friend.
"Thanks Santana but- "
"There is no but. Everything I said was true so don't even try to argue. Rachel, you are amazing, and you may not be able to see it but I do." She says and I nod my head.
Santana and I continue to talk for a bit more then she takes me back home. I enjoyed myself so much tonight and I'm glad Santana decided to kidnap me. I sneak back into bed and go to sleep.