In the days that followed Santana could not stop thinking about Brittany. A part of her was angry, angry with Brittany that she still had this hold over her. A major part of her was angry at herself. She had a great relationship with a wonderful woman which she was ruining because she was acting like a school girl with a crush.
She tried to make it up to Laura and the two of them went away for the weekend to a little bed n breakfast upstate. It was beautiful and romantic but Santana's head wasn't really in it. She went out of her way to plan really romantic little outings for them but it didn't seem to work for her, although they had a lot of fun. Laura however didn't seem to notice and lapped up the attention Santana was showering on her.
When Laura brought up the topic of moving in again, Santana gently told her she wasn't ready but she still wanted to be with her and just needed more time. Laura was extremely understanding and they compromised by spending weekends, and whatever free time they had together. It was moving along, slowly but it was moving.
Santana was sitting on the couch one evening, feeling low. It was just one of those feelings that she got sometimes and the dreary rainy weather outside wasn't helping anything. Her phone on the table by her started to ring. She looked at the caller id and a small smile settled on her lips.
"Hey Britt" she answered
"Hey S. How are you?" Brittany replied in her perky voice
Just hearing her voice made Santana feel better. "I' m good." She said.
"You don't sound good. Is everything ok?" Brittany asked. Santana marveled how Brittany could still read her like a book. Her walls worked for everyone but her, only she saw right through. It shouldn't have made her feel this good, but it did.
"Umm.. yeah. I think I just need a change you know. I'm thinking of maybe going to L.A to visit Wheezy out there." she answered, wondering where that came from.
"That sounds awesome. We should go together, on a road trip or something." Brittany said excitedly.
Santana just stuttered "Oh… umm it's just a thought, I dunno… I haven't spoken to her in awhile."
"Or maybe you should come here. Take a break" Brittany said. "My friends will love you and I can take you to this little restaurant Rob and I found the other day that's just like Breadstix."
Santana stiffened hearing his name again. She couldn't deal with Brittany and that guy right now. "Thanks Britt but I think I'll pass" she said wearily
"Ok." Brittany said sounding disappointed. "At least I'll get to see you next week."
Santana perked up. "What's happening next week?" she asked
"That's why I called. We're coming back to finish the last bit of the shooting for the film. It was a little uncertain 'cos the producers were talking about getting other dancers but I guess they changed their minds." she answered.
"That's 'cos no one dances quite like you Britt Britt" Santana said warmly.
Her response was a cute chuckle. "I'll see you soon Santana"
"Bye Britt"
Santana hung up with a smile.
It was easy to pester Rachel to get the shooting schedule for the troupe. Santana planned on surprising Brittany on set instead of meeting her at Rachel's as was planned. That evening, she sat in the back while the dance troupe finished their scenes for the day. When they were done she bounded up to the stage and then stopped short as she saw Brittany being lifted in the air and swung around by Rob. And when he set her down, she saw him lean forward for a kiss. Santana heard warning bells in her head. This was NOT happening, but she couldn't do anything about it, so she did the next best thing and turned and stalked off. She missed seeing Brittany push him off with a glare.
Santana walked out of the theatre, and blindly on to the street, with her brow furrowed and an ugly feeling that she knew too well inside her chest. It took quite a few jostles and angry glares for her to wake up and realize she was in the middle of the street. She shoved her hands in her coat pocket and started walking home. When she got there, Laura was waiting for her. "Hey beautiful, I got off early today so I could make it to Rachel's place" she said kissing her. Santana grimaced. Crap! She had forgotten about the hobbit's stupid party. "Let's just stay in. I don't feel like going" she whined. Laura chuckled, "But Brittany's going to be there and you haven't stopped talking about how excited you were to see her. And plus, I hardly ever get to go out or meet your friends so I think we should go" she said. Santana grumbled to herself. She really did want to see Brittany. Even though it had been two months she literally ached for her, but the thought of that sleazeball with his hands all over her made her see red.
"Fine" she groused, "I'm going to take a shower"
Later she was putting on her earrings and the finishing touches of her makeup when she felt arms encircle her, she looked up to see Laura's hungry reflection in the mirror. Her eyes raked over Santana in a strapless tight fitting red dress that showed off all her curves.
"Babe, I thought she said dress casual. You look so…hot" she whispered in Santana's ear.
Santana's reply was her trademark smirk. That was kinda the point she thought.
They arrived at Rachel's place, and it seemed that she'd invited quite a few people, making it a lot more than a dinner party. Santana was sure Rachel was already tipsy when she opened the door because she kept giggling and holding on to Santana, telling her how good a friend she was, as well as how pretty she looked in red even though people thought she was Satan. Santana who was never comfortable with such open displays of affection kept trying to push her off, while Laura laughed and walked away to talk to someone she knew. She met up with Blaine, who had her drink waiting and convinced him to take Rachel away from her, when she felt her. Like before the air literally crackled and she turned to those familiar blue eyes and big bright smile. Brittany pounced on her and Santana almost fell over, not expecting that reaction. "Santana, you're here!" she yelled, while Santana couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "Hey Brittany" she managed "Are you trying to kill me. I need some air here." Brittany just grabbed her hand and dragged her off to her friends who Santana knew and they spent some time catching up. That is till Rob came over and asked if Brittany wanted to dance. Santana slunk back not wanting to look at them, till she made her way over to the bar and knocked back a few shots.
A little while later, she'd lost track of Laura, Rachel, Blaine and Brittany. She had no idea if Kurt was even at the party. She made her way to the bathroom, and stopped short when she realized it was occupied. "Uh.. I'm sorry. I'll go" she said backing out, looking at Brittany standing at the counter. "Don't be silly Santana, I just needed a minute. I was just leaving" Brittany said, starting to walk out. Something in Brittany's face made Santana catch hold of her and drag her into the adjoining room which happened to be Rachel's bedroom. She sat on the bed and made Brittany sit with her.
"What's the matter?" she asked softly
"Umm… its nothing really, I just needed some time alone." Brittany said not looking her in the eye.
"Is something wrong? Did someone say something?" Santana asked
"Uh no… not that, it's just… Rob" Brittany sighed
Santana stiffened, fuck! She did not sign up for this. "Umm… did you have a fight?" she asked tentatively only because she couldn't bear to see Brittany look so sad.
"No… not really… umm he tried to kiss me earlier and I pushed him away and when we were dancing he.. uhh.. he tried to do it again." Brittany said looking at the floor.
Santana took a deep breath, not trusting herself to speak. "Is it something you want? Do you want him to kiss you?"
Brittany just shook her head. "I only want to be friends. But he thinks we're more and maybe I encouraged it cos it was fun but now he seems to want to and he kept pushing up against me and trying to grab….."
She never got to finish her sentence because Santana had jumped off the bed with a noise like an angry cat and was heading for the where the dancers were dancing. Before anyone even realized, she had reached Rob and started screaming at him. The music died down and everyone stood still looking at Santana looking wild. "Listen asshat, I don't know where you're from but when a girl says no she means NO. If you even touch Brittany again I will END you!"
Rob looked at the Latina who was positively quivering with rage and then back at Brittany. "What is this? This is none of your business. If Brittany wants to talk about this I'm open to it, actually I'm open to pretty much anything she suggests, in private of course…."he said with a suggestive gleam in his eye and a wink in Brittany's direction.
"And why would you ever think she would want to get it on with you, oil slick?"
He just sneered. "What's getting you all hot and bothered honey? She seemed perfectly ready to get it on a little while ago, she was pretty much all over me like the little slut that she is."
Three things happened at that time. Rachel, Blaine and Kurt (who was at the party) instinctively moved towards Santana anticipating trouble. Over on the other side of the room Brittany sucked in a breath and whispered "Uh oh". But the one who reacted the fastest was Santana, whose hand connected with Rob's face with a loud SMACK!
"You little bitch" he said incredulously as he moved towards her, but was stopped by his crew members. Santana was being restrained by Kurt, Blaine and Rachel all the time screaming Spanish curses at him till Brittany walked in between them. "Stop the violence" she yelled. Santana stopped screaming and just glowered at him. Brittany turned to Rob and said, "I think you should leave Rob." Rob looked at her dumbstruck. "But she's the crazy bitch that hit me Brittany. Look at her she's clearly insane. Why the hell are you taking her side?" Brittany looked to Santana whose face was still as dark as thunder and replied "Because we're best friends. Because she gets me and I get her." Rob looked at her and sneered, "Whatever! I'm over this. You're just a stupid slut anyway" he said spitefully and turned to leave, trying to save whatever dignity he had left. On hearing this Santana started threatening him again and had to be restrained by Laura as well. Once he left, Rachel nervously declared, "Well now that we're done with the drama for the evening, let's get back to the party." The music started playing, drinks were being passed around and soon everyone was back to what they were doing before.
Laura just looked over at Santana who was still looking murderous. Brittany came over to Santana and gently pulled at her hand. "Santana, its ok. He's gone. It's ok. "she whispered soothingly. Santana seemed to shake out of her trance and look warily between Brittany and Laura, the latter looking at them speculatively. Santana took a deep breath before she turned muttering, "I need a drink" and walking away. Laura made to follow but Brittany held her back. "Let her go. She needs to cool off" she whispered, her eyes looking at the retreating Latina full of concern.
Laura scoffed at Brittany and walked after her girlfriend. Santana was at the makeshift bar already on her third shot. "So that was intense" Laura said nonchalantly trying to make conversation. Santana merely grunted throwing back the shot. "Where did you even learn some of those curses?" she asked trying to lighten the mood. "I grew up in Lima Heights Adjacent. I learned to insult before I knew how to talk" Santana shrugged. "Why did you do that?" Laura asked quietly. Santana looked at her in disbelief. "That slimy bastard was pushing himself on Brittany. I had to do something!" she said. "Why? Why were YOU the one who had to do something?" Laura asked, anger beginning to seep into her voice. "She's my best friend, I couldn't just sit back and let him freak her out like that. I couldn't let him touch…" Santana struggled to say, disgust clouding her features and her voice, while she angrily clenched a fist at her side. "She's my friend. I was looking out for her" she stated firmly, like she was trying to convince herself of her reason. Laura just looked at her for a long moment, and then said in a dejected voice "I'm going to leave. I don't think we're getting anywhere tonight and I have work tomorrow but Santana, I think we need to talk. I'll stay at my place tonight." And then she left.
"Fuck!" Santana yelled. She took the bottle and went out on to the fire escape. She sat there awhile while she cooled off, and pulled out her phone to call Laura, but she'd turned it off. She was wondering whether she should go look for her when a shadow fell over her. "Santana" Brittany's voice sounded tentative, almost scared. She reached out and cupped her face. They both moved closer, "I couldn't bear the thought of him… of him… and I had to do something" Santana struggled to get words out. Brittany just made soothing noises, and soon their lips were touching, gently and sweetly. Santana moved away when she realized her face was wet, from Brittany's tears. "Thank you" was all Brittany said. It was all she had to say. Santana grabbed her and crashed her lips to hers, her kiss desperate, trying to make her feel what she was feeling, because if anyone could figure out what she was feeling it was Brittany.
"It means so much…that you care." Brittany said softly. Santana looked surprised. "Of course I care Britt. I always have"
"I'm sorry I kissed you. I was just… you were…" Brittany started crying again and Santana instinctively wrapped her arms around her trying to calm her.
After her sobs subsided, a little, Brittany whispered, "I'm sorry"
"Why?" Santana asked
"I didn't mean to get you into trouble with Laura." She said.
Oh yeah Laura. This is going to be a long night. Santana thought.
