I would like to apologise for the mistakes in the last chapter. As I re read it I realised them.. I shall be fixing them
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Disclaimer I do not own the Glee characters or Titanic
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Chapter 9
April 11th . Afternoon. RMS Titanic.
Brittany P.O.V
I was in a state of shock. I could not believe that she was here. That she had actively sought me out to be in my company. I had resigned myself to never seeing her again. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
I paid no attention as to where we were going as we wandered aimlessly along the passageways. I was too distracted by the way in which her jade green two piece dress showed off her figure.
Embroidered pale yellow flowers played with jade green of her corset. The tied with similar coloured laces that criss crossed over each other, tightly pulling it in at her tiny waist and pushing up her ample bosoms. I felt a small heat at my cheeks as I remembered the previous evening and feeling of them pressed against me. The skirt was long, almost to the ground. It fell into two creases at the front. At her waist, another sash wrapped round her, becoming a tiny ruffle at the base of her spine. The excess material flowed down over the curve of her buttocks. Every time she took a step it made a swoosh sound. Over her shoulders, she wore a jacket of matching colour that came only a quarter of the way down her back. It had long sleeves with a slight lace ruffle at each cuff and a tiny inch high collar that stood to attention. Again, she wore her raven locks down, this time she had held back one side with a small toothcomb in the shape of a dragonfly.
She behaved a lot happier than she had the previous night, smiling her true smile, the one that showed off her dimples, more often, yet she seemed jitterey as every now and then she would look over her shoulder. Her coffee coloured eyes still held sadness within but also a hint of something else I could not quite put my finger on. I willed all the elation I felt at being near her, down into our interlocked pinkies, hoping it would somehow reach inside her and find that sadness, then it whole.
"So Britt-Britt, where shall we go? She stiffened slightly. "Is it ok if I call you Britt-Britt?" She asked.
A shiver went down my spine at the sound of my name in her voice,
"Sure. I like it!" I squeezed her pinkie reassuringly. I loved the way they felt together.
Relaxing visibly she repeated,
"Where shall we go?"
"I don't know?" I shrugged. "I thought we could wander and explore, unless there is some where you would like to go?"
She looked over her shoulder once more. I copied her; there were one or two White Star workers, no doubt on some important mission and one or two other passengers, nothing out of the ordinary. I half expected to see a monster. She was making me nervous.
"Are you ok Princess?"
She nodded,
"Yeah I'm fine. Please can we go to the third class top deck?"
"Sure, where ever you want to go San."
She smiled that glorious smile. It was like a piece of art. It was something the whole world should see. It transformed her into a completely different person.
"Lead the way Britt-Britt."
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One or two people threw us curious glances, no doubt wondering what a first class lady in all her finery was doing being accompanied by me in my mannish attire, as she led me by the pinkie to the prow of the ship. She stopped just beneath the very tip of the liner, almost as if she wished to be as far away from prying eyes as possible. She began to gather her skirts.
"San. What are you doing?" I asked.
"Sitting down." She replied.
"On the deck?"
"Of course. Where else shall we sit?" she reproached.
I realised there were no seats or benches near by. I peeled myself out of my jacket, removing the food parcel before holding it out to her at arms length,
"Here, you can sit on that. I don't want you to ruin your dress."
She clucked as she attempted to brush it away,
"It won't ruin. Besides I have plenty more."
"I don't care! Take it!" I commanded. "I will not have you sitting on the floor." I shook the jacket for emphasis.
"Ok. Ok!" She rolled her eyes playfully as she took it.
She began pacing in a tight circle. I watched her fascinated. She was like Lord Tubbington when he wanted to get comfortable. I took in every small movement, committing it memory. How she swept her hair behind her ear as she concentrated. How her lips pursed and her nose twitched as she tried to find the perfect spot. Satisfied, she placed my jacket on the floor. Gracefully she lowered herself down, drawing her skirts and legs beneath her, leaning against her left hand. She peered up at me. I must have had a look of surprise on my face because she broke into a deep, hearty laugh.
How I loved that sound.
She chuckled,
"I'm not afraid of a bit of dirt Britt."
"Well, you look like…" I ventured.
A hint of amusement played across her exquisite features, arching her eyebrow, she teased,
"I look like what?"
I pursed my lips,
"You look like an indoor girl is all!"
She snorted, pulling at my trousers, indicating she wished me to join her.
"I'm far from an indoor girl."
I sat down opposite her, crossed legged, placing the food parcel in the tiny gap between us.
"So what are you?" I asked. I wanted to know. So far everything about this woman was so unexpected.
"I prefer being outside in the air. When I was little I was always covered in dirt after playing in the vineyards or the stables."
"Vine yards?" I unwrapped the cloth of the parcel, laying it out in a neat square. It contained a small apple, lump of cheese and a small slice of beef.
She looked impish as she teased,
"No Britt-Britt. That is not how you play Tit for Tat. You asked a question now it's my turn."
I swatted at her,
"You never said we were playing a game?"
She shuffled closer; a spark of mischief in her coffee coloured eyes, leaning forward she began poking me in the ribs. Throwing my hands up in defeat, I squealed,
"Ok! I'll play! I'll play!"
She returned to relaxing upon her hand. A smile ghosted her plump, red lips as she pondered. I imagined they would taste like cherries. To distract myself I patted my pockets, fishing out a small penknife, I began to peel the small red and yellow apple. I could feel her observing my every move. The juices ran along the blade, over my thumb and down my hand. I gave it a quick lick.
"How did you end up in Europe?"
I looked up from what I was doing,
"I'm from Cincinnati originally. My mother was a Dutch ballerina and my father a top banana comedian."
I began to nibble upon a piece of peel as I continued,
"There was more work for them on the "Home Continent", as my mother called it. We got to travel all over. It was exciting growing up."
I returned to peeling the apple,
"What about you?"
"I was born in America, just like you. California to be exact. My father is Spanish, so they decided to raise me in the Catalonian region of Spain, where his family is from. Have you ever been?"
I shook my head. She began telling me about her home. She became so passionate and alive as she talked about her Andalusian horses. Gone was the sad girl from the previous evening. I sat, listening to her soothing raspy voice as she described the vineyards, the haciendas, the heat and the valleys that made up her home. It sounded like her, Wild yet beautiful. I cut the apple up into slices.
"How rude of me? Going on about myself." She added sheepishly.
"No. its ok." I reassured her. "I like listening to you talk."
Offered her a slice, she took it tentatively,
"How old are you?"
She began to nibble on the slice of apple, delicately. A small sliver of juice trickled down her chin. I wanted to wipe it away. I stopped myself by shoving a slice into my mouth. She waited patiently as I chewed.
"20." I choked out as I swallowed. "You?"
"I'm 19."
I sliced up the piece of cheese and cut into strips the small piece of beef, leaving them along with the rest of the apple on the small cloth between us.
"Help yourself." I offered.
She beamed at me, her dimples appearing at her cheeks.
"Britt! Its like our own little picnic." She proclaimed as she clasped her hands to her chest.
She began to relax and become more carefree, no longer looking down the deck so often, the conversation flowing between us easily as we ate our meal.
I had told her where in Europe I had visited. I told her about the stages I had performed on. The circuses and shows I had seen. I told her how I had met Kurt and Puck. She in turn told me about Rachel, her maid who was evidently dear to her and Quinn, who in contrast was not.. Her fingers had fluttered over my arm as she replayed how she had met my companions and Pucks antics with the porter. I was secretly pleased that she liked them both. I regaled her with funny stories from the music halls and my youth. We howled with laughter until it hurt.
"Please Britt! Stop!" She begged. "No more! I can't breath!"
Her cheeks were flush with colour, her dark hair shone in the afternoon sun as her eyes danced with mirth.
Finally catching her breath she shuffled closer until her knees were touching mine.
"Britt?" She ventured shyly, looking at me from beneath her long dark lashes.
"San?" I winked at her.
She tipped her head coquettishly, looking as if she was contemplating something.
"What is it Princess?"
"Who is Madame Carmellota? You've mentioned her so many times and I just wondered."
"My father died when I was 13.I had no one else so Madame Carmellota took pity on me. She took me under her wing and taught me everything she knows about the stage. She's like a mother to me."
"So she's not a proper Madame?"
I sat bolt up right, crying out in shock,
"Dear god! No! That is just her stage name."
A look of relief crossed her face,
"Well I just thought."
We broke into fits of giggles at her misunderstanding. I reminded her.
"Not fair. You asked two questions. Now it's my turn.!"
Every time she had moved her left hand, I had caught the sparkle on her finger.
"Are you married?"
She immediately went quiet. She shielded her eyes from the sun, shadowing her expression as she looked out across the wide ocean.
"No. Engaged." It was barely a whisper. I had to strain to hear it.
Maybe I had been too forward.
An awkward silence, broken only by the shrieks of the gulls above, settled between us as she picked out the pattern in the warm timber. I watched in agony as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Her bottom lip began to tremble. Covering her face with her hands, she let out a strangled sob.
I shifted round, sitting beside her, placing an arm around her shoulders. I pulled her into me. She placed her head upon my breast as I held her and began stroking her hair with my other hand. What had I done?
"Shh , Shh Princess." I cooed, trying to sooth her as she racked with sobs, "It will be ok."
"No it wont!" I felt and heard her muffled wail. I rocked her gently and rubbed her shoulder until her sobs died down. Worry filled me. I felt her sniffle into my chest.
"I don't want to get married." She mumbled.
I gently pried away her fingers. Pulling my sleeve over my left hand I began to wipe away the excess tears from her stained face. Her deep eyes were huge and full of hurt. She looked so small and fragile. I was afraid that, if I squeezed her too hard, she would break. It was heart wrenching. She gripped my now damp shirt as she curled back into me.
"Well don't!" I murmured into her hair as I kissed her crown. I closed my eyes as I took in the scent of lavender and everything that was Santana.
"I don't have a choice Britt!"
I did not know what else to say or do so I continued to rock her gently. She sniffled once more, shifting a little in my arms; she started to fiddle with the material of my trousers. It all began to tumble from her sweet lips.
"My father is gravely ill. Our vineyards and business are dwindling. We have enough money but not enough for me to take care of my aunt and be an unmarried woman for the rest of my life. He's worried about my future."
I could barely hear her. I pressed a finger to her chin, raising her face. Her eyebrows pinched together in a frown. I attempted to smooth the creases from her brow with my thumb. She continued angrily,
"My Aunt has put it into his head that marrying me off will ensure that she and I shall be taken care of after he's gone. Who am I to refuse him?"
I decided to be bold. I needed to know the answer to a provocative question,
"Do you love him?"
She began furiously rubbing the deck with her perfectly manicured fingernail.
"I hate him!"
"Can you not walk away?" I exclaimed. She twisted out of my arms.
"Brittany, I cant!" She snapped.
I flinched at her full use of my name. In agitation, she began gesticulating with her hands.
"It's all been arranged. The invitations have already been sent out. The whole of high society shall be there."
A bitterness crept into her voice..
"In a few short months I shall me Mrs Richard Hartley, to be shown off like a prize filly. Moreover, my Aunt shall be back amongst the social butterflies where she believes she belongs. I am nothing more and a pawn!"
I gulped. I could not imagine living my life with out love. I could not help but think how desolate and bleak it must all seem to her. I moved until I was as close to her as possible. She rested her head upon my shoulder. I took her hand, interlacing our fingers. It felt so small and soft within my own. Toffee against cream. Her anger dissipated as she let out a sigh,
"I feel so trapped Britt-Britt."
We sat watching the ocean stretch out before us far and wide. She broke the silence,
"When I met you, last night." She paused with a deep breath. I waited. She squeezed my hand until our knuckles turned white. "I was on my way to throw myself overboard."
The anger I felt inside me turned to sorrow as my heart broke at her words. I could not comprehend how someone could make this heavenly creature beside me so miserable that the only option she felt she had at happiness was by ending it all. I apologised,
"Im sorry."
"For what?" She asked.
"Bringing it up and ruining our day." Tears began to prick at my eyes.
"Shh Britt. It's not your fault. I have never told anyone this. Not even Rachel.."
She lifted her head to look at me. The sadness had returned to her mocha eyes as she gave me a weak smile.
"I don't know why but I feel like I can tell you anything."
She placed her other hand over the top of our already clasped ones.
"Its actually kind of a relief being able to say it aloud. So thank you.."
She pressed her soft lips gently to my cheek. It lingered and burned. My heart skipped. She retuned her head to its nesting place. I leant mine upon hers.
"Santana, what makes you truly happy?" I queried.
She replied without missing a beat,
"Singing and horse riding."
"Why?"
"Its liberating I guess.."
"Like me with my dancing?" I replied
I felt her nod.
"Your like Pocahontas!"
She looked up at me in confusion.
"She was an Indian chieftain's daughter." I began to explain.
"I know who she was. " She waited for me to carry on.
"Pocahontas. All she wanted was to be free."
Her eyes darkened.
Suddenly an idea struck me. If I could not free her from her horrible situation, I would do what I could. I would give her the next best thing. I would give her the illusion even if it were only for a few brief moments, it would be better than nothing at all.
I jumped up, spooking her with my sudden movement.
"Come on!"
I pulled her to her feet. She bent down to retrieve my jacket. I swiftly pulled it on as she shook out her skirts, settling them. Standing behind her, I placed my hands upon her waist,
"Britt, what are you doing?" She asked in puzzlement.
"Trust me." I crooned in her ear as I guided her to the very tip of the prow.
She gripped the railing, the wind whipped her hair back into my face. I began to cough and splutter. She laughed as she looked over the side.
"Look Britt! Look!" She yelled, bouncing up and down in excitement, pointing down to the sea.
I wrapped my arms around her waist. She was leaning so far over I was in fear of her falling overboard. I peered over the side to where she was pointing. Far below was a school of dolphins, racing along side the ship. They jumped and dived with the waves left in the ocean liners wake. It was as if they were playing. One broke the surface, flipping over showing his belly.
"Look princess! He's waving!"
She giggled as we both waved back. She turned her head slightly,
"Did you know that there is a dolphin with a horn called a Narwhale? Sailors in their delirium would mistake them for unicorns."
I tightened my grip round her tiny frame as I replied.
"Unicorns are rare and magical." I kissed her cheek lightly as I whispered in her ear. "You are a unicorn."
She straightened herself,
"You really think so?"
"Yes. And if no body else can see that, then they don't deserve you!"
She hummed to herself as she closed her eyes, the wind catching her hair once more, as she relaxed into me. I rested my chin upon her shoulder. She slowly let go of the railing, inter twining our fingers at her waist. Closing my eyes, I held her, listening to the song I did not know, and enjoying the way she moulded into me.
I do not know how long we had stood there but when I opened my eyes, the sun had begun to dip. She looked almost peaceful, standing at the prow of the ship, facing out towards a brave new world.
"See, you do look like Pocahontas." I told her.
She bumped backwards into me playfully,
"Does that make you my John Smith?"
I chuckled. She turned in my arms, pressing herself flush against me, her mocha eyes searching my face as she breathed,
"Is this what you do Miss Brittany. With your stage show ways?. Turn girls heads with speeches of Indian princesses and unicorns?"
Our faces were inches apart,
"Only the pretty ones." I murmured back.
She knotted my shirt at my chest with her right hand, her left rose hesitantly before softly caressing my cheek. I dare not move. She reached up and pressed her plump full lips to mine. They were soft, smooth and tasted of apple. The air disappeared from my lungs. I could not believe it. Princess was kissing me.
She pulled back. I held her tighter against me. I could feel her trembling. I leant down, taking her bottom lip between mine, sucking gently. I felt the vibrations as she let out a small moan at the contact. She gripped the back of my neck as she pulled me down further, tentatively running her tongue along my top lip. I allowed mine to slip out and softly meet hers. She drew my tongue a little deeper.
I tingled from head to toe, I did not wish to break from our perfect moment. I could not hear, see or feel anything but Santana.
A deafening horn blew, crashing into our own private world. We pulled our lips apart. Our breath mingled together. I started into her almost black eyes. They were like the night, if you started into them long enough you could see the light hidden there. She closed them, resting our foreheads together. I felt dizzy from her proximity.
"I wish I could stay here, forever." She buried her head into my chest as she wormed her arms round my torso, hugging me close.
"Me too!" I whispered into her hair. I tried to lighten the mood, not willing to allow our impeding separation to upset her.
"Are you going to be Cinderella and leave me a shoe so I can search for you this time?"
I felt her giggle rumble against me. She lifted her head,
"Oh Britt-Britt. You and your fairy tales." She gave me a quick peck at the corner of my mouth,
"You know I must go and so should you. That was the dinner bell, we do not have long to get ready. People shall be looking for us."
I was reluctant to let her go. She rose on her tiptoes to give me another sweet peck on my nose.
"Come on."
We both stepped down from the prow. She linked her arm through mine as we meandered slowly along the deserted deck. Neither of us wishing to part company from the other. We kept catching each other's sideways glances then quickly looking away, bursting into fits of giggles at our silliness.
At the gate that led up to the upper class deck, she stopped completely, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear,
"I would love to spend some time with you tomorrow." She looked bashful as she added, "To talk about your dancing being we didn't get to talk about that much today."
I placed my hands in my pockets, looking around nonchalantly as I rocked back and forth on my heels.
"Oh well, I don't know Miss Lopez. I have quite a full schedule tomorrow."
Her eyes narrowed as she feigned offence,
"Have a better offer, do we?"
I smirked,
"Something like that."
She stepped upon the first step that would lead her up the flight of stairs back to the upper classes, her fiancé and away from me. She looked around then grabbed the lapels of my jacket, pulling me towards her. I tilted my head up. She crashed our lips together hard, kissing me until neither of us could no longer breathe.
I heard a wolf whistle from somewhere. Her voice was husky as she said,
"Better than that?"
"I shook my head, unable to speak
"Here, tomorrow afternoon. I don't know what time."
"I'll be waiting." I croacked.
She dipped her head to give me a quick peck on my forehead.
"Thank you for today sweet Britt-Britt."
I watched in a daze as she ascended the stairs. She turned at the top, giving me a seductive wave with her fingers and then she was gone.
A scottish accent snapped me back to reality.
"Go on my son!"
I looked around.
"Up here!"
I looked up. Off to the left, two navy sailors were smoking idly against the railing of an over hanging gangplank. Probably the culprits of the earlier wolf whistle I thought.
"What's your secret laddie? Landing a fine lassie like that?"
"Im a girl!" I retorted.
"Get out! Your kidding!" They nudged each other. "Does she know?"
"Yup!" I threw over my shoulder.
Catcalls and wolf whistles followed me as I felt like I was walking on air. My face split in two by my huge smile I did not seem able to keep off my face.
I couldn't wait to tell Puck and Kurt about my day .
