A/N: Only going to address something really quick. This is a Quintanna story, which means they are endgame. I know some people are concerned about this, but if I put two characters and the word romance together in the description of the story, it means exactly that: this is a love story that will involve Santana and Quinn. All relationships have ups and downs, happy moments and sad ones. They also have challenges and sometimes there are roadblocks in the way. Just know that all of my stories have happy endings for the pairing I happen to be writing about, even if the road to get there is rocky. Hope that puts everyone's mind at ease.

A very special thank you to Suckerpunch94 for being my sounding board for this chapter and discussing it with me. I really appreciate it!

Chapter 10

The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Quinn. While she tried to concentrate on the rest of her classes, she couldn't get Santana out of her mind for long. She kept replaying their weekend and their lunch over and over, looking for clues, trying to figure out what was going on. She couldn't understand it all, but she was sure she wanted to find out more. She wanted to see what could happen. Had Santana actually kissed her fully on the lips, she was positive she would have responded. However, she couldn't help but worry.

Seriously, what were they doing? She knew they were going to talk but she couldn't help the little bit of unease she felt when she remembered that Santana and Brittany had only broken up a month ago and that the Latina was still recovering. She had even admitted earlier to still feeling sad, if better. For her part, she couldn't help but feel the pull towards her friend, a pull she hadn't felt before and one she seemed unable to resist.

She hadn't dated anyone in a while, had almost stopped believing that she could find someone in high school that could make her feel something. She hadn't counted on that person being her female best friend. And not only was she hopelessly attracted to Santana, she was willing to explore it. She was willing to see where it could go. She wanted to know what it could be like between them. The old Quinn would have scoffed at the thought of possibly liking someone of her same sex, but that girl was long gone. Her father no longer had the opportunity to poison her mind and she had actually opened herself up to ideas and become much more accepting. Once she realized her father was a bigot and wrong, it hadn't been hard leaving the prejudices she had grown up with behind her. It also helped that her mother seemed to be going down the same road and it was for the better. They were much happier now that he was out of the picture.

Which brought her to another subject she had been pondering and that was her mother's attitude about the entire situation. It was as if she had pushed the two of them together all weekend long, had encouraged their interaction and seemed happy with it. Even Victoria seemed to be involved. She had caught their mothers looking at them several times and if she was right in her thinking, they were playing matchmaker.

She actually jumped when the bell sounded signaling the end of class and she looked around noticing most of the students had already packed their belongings and were starting to leave the room. She had been so lost in thought she hadn't taken any notes. Sighing, she wrote the assignment on the board quickly before hurrying out of the room.

As she approached her locker, her steps slowed down considerably because of who was waiting there for her. She hadn't been expecting her to be there, but she had no way of turning around because she had already been spotted. Taking a deep breath, she reached her locked and opened it after giving her a slight smile.

"Hey."

"How was your weekend?"

Quinn looked back at her for a moment, trying to read her before looking back at her locker and putting her things away. "It was fine."

"She looks happier today than she did on Friday."

"She does and she is."

"You must be a very special unicorn to make that happen so fast."

She frowned at the words. It was hard to understand Brittany half of the time, but if you paid attention, it paid off.

"What do you mean, Britt? Didn't you ask me to take care of her?"

The blonde sighed as she leaned against the lockers. "I did ask you to do that."

"Then what's the problem here?"

"I don't know. I guess I just didn't expect it to work."

Quinn turned and looked at her again. "So you sent me to take care of her but didn't think I was capable of doing it?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what exactly are you saying? Because it sounds to me like you're not happy that she's better."

Brittany just sighed again. "I'm the one that's supposed to make her happy, Q. I'm the one that can make her smile."

Quinn found herself biting her tongue so she wouldn't go off on her friend. But it was hard. Her first reaction was to defend Santana, to tell her blonde counterpart that it was her this time that made it better for their friend. That she had stepped up and done what was needed to make Santana happy. Alas, try as she might, she couldn't fully hold back.

"You're also the one that made her cry and you're the one that broke her heart," she said softly, but firmly. "I did what was necessary to make it better. She's not fully happy but I'm going to try my damnedest to make sure she gets there. I'm that one that's going to fix it this time and there's nothing you can do about it."

Giving the blonde one last look, she closed her locker and took off down the hall, not even giving her the chance to respond.

Down the hall, Santana had been watching the interaction with curiosity and knew by their body language and the expressions on their faces that something had gone wrong. She could see Quinn trying to hold back her HBIC persona because it was Brittany she was talking to, but judging by the forlorn look on the taller blonde's face, Quinn had given her a piece of her mind.

Interesting, she thought as she walked down the hall to her last class.

Santana was thrilled when the last bell sounded, even if she had cheerleading practice. After all she had eaten all weekend, she was hoping coach Sylvester was in a decent mood and didn't make them do the same things over and over again. She was also looking forward to showing off for Quinn, and no, she wasn't going to try and figure out why.

She just knew she was one of the team's best flyers and the new routine they were learning really showcased her abilities. However, she wanted Quinn to see it not only for that reason, but because she knew it could be improved and that was something the blonde was good at. She had a sixth sense about what would work or not, or what could make a good routine amazing.

That was why she had to find a way to integrate Quinn back into the Cheerios, even if she wasn't actually participating on the routines. She could, however, serve as a sounding board for them and she was someone Santana trusted.

Walking towards her locker, she kept an eye out for the blonde. Not seeing her yet, she opened her locker and put her books away before choosing the ones she needed to take home with her. A soft clearing of someone's throat made her smile but the smile died the moment she spotted the brunette standing nervously next to her.

"Something stuck on your throat, Berry?"

"I was merely trying to grab your attention, Santana. Now that it's worked, may I have a word?"

Sighing, she nodded once. She knew if she didn't, the dwarf would be pestering her until she got what she wanted. "Make it quick. I've got places to be." And a blonde to find.

Rachel eyed her for a moment, as if weighing her words before actually saying anything. "I noticed you and Quinn seem to be on better terms."

Her shoulders tensed as she narrowed her eyes and looked at the shorter girl. "What's it to you?"

"If I may speak freely without the worry of bodily harm?" Another curt nod was all she needed. "You and I both know Quinn has been through a lot of turmoil these past couple of years. She also went through a lot of it on her own and it changed her. However, things seem to be improving for her as of late and she appears to be in a happier place and it's wonderful to see that. Because of that, all I want to ask is that if you're not serious about the friendship you share with her, that you stop now before she gets hurt again."

Santana's eyes widened as she closed the distance between them and shot daggers at the other girl. "Who are you to tell me how to handle my relationship with Quinn?" she all but hissed.

Rachel didn't back down, however scary Santana looked at the moment.

"Believe it or not I'm her friend. I don't want to see Quinn hurt again and you have the potential to crush her, Santana. You have before and I don't think Quinn is in a position where she would survive it if you did that again," Rachel explained softly, not wanting to upset the Latina further. "If you're serious about this, then I will support you, but if you're not, stay away from her."

Santana bristled at her words and took a deep breath to keep herself from snapping or hurting the small diva. Her hand slammed flat against the locker making Rachel jump back a little. "You have no right to stick your big nose into our business so I suggest you back the hell up before I ends you, dwarf. Who the hell do you think you're talking to?"

"Problem here?" the husky voice she had been missing asked from behind her just as she felt Quinn's hand settle on the small of her back.

Santana felt some of the anger evaporate right away with the touch, but her eyes kept spitting daggers at Rachel.

Rachel's eyes widened almost comically as she looked at the blonde over Santana's shoulder. "No, no problem here, Quinn. Santana and I were merely having a conversation."

"Hmm, didn't sound like a very friendly conversation to me," Quinn continued as she burrowed the tips of her fingers under Santana's top and stroked her skin lightly knowing her touch was soothing the upset Latina. She could feel how tense her muscles were. "It sounds as if you're arguing."

She watched as Santana's shoulders dropped a little and her friend actually leaned back against her, as if seeking more of her touch. It surprised Quinn that she was being so open about it when usually she was one to hide most of herself from the rest of the student body. This only cemented her belief that they had been arguing. Her hand moved so it was anchoring Santana's waist, still under her cheerleading top but she moved her body slightly to cover what she was doing. She didn't want anyone spreading gossip when they were still unsure about what was happening between them.

"We're not, Q. Berry here was just leaving, weren't you?"

Rachel opened her mouth to protest but the look on Santana's face changed her mind. "Yes, I was just leaving. Remember what I said," she told Santana when they locked gazes again. She then turned back to the blonde and smiled. "Good seeing you, Quinn."

Before either girl could respond, the diva turned and walked away.

Santana watched her retreating back for a moment longer before turning and looking at Quinn. Quinn didn't drop her hand as Santana moved, but let if rest on the side of her waist lightly. In their new position no one could see and she felt safe leaving it there.

"Why don't you tell me what that was about for real this time, Tana?" she asked softly. "I know you and I know you guys were arguing. I can read your body language from a mile away."

Santana sighed and looked down at her tennis shoes. It figured that Quinn had caught them and there was no denying it. She might as well tell her some of it. The last thing she wanted was to have a fight with Quinn now that things were so good between them.

"She was getting her nose into my business and I didn't like it, babe. You know how nosy she can be."

Quinn nodded once before she looked back in the direction Rachel had gone. "What did she say?" When Santana refused to look at her, she took one look around them to make sure the coast was clear before putting her finger under Santana's chin and lifting her face. When their eyes finally locked on each other, Quinn smiled softly. "Tell me."

"She was just warning me."

"Warning you about what?" the blonde asked confused.

"About hurting you again," she finally said.

Quinn's eyes widened in surprise. "She what?"

"She says you're in a better place now and she didn't want me to screw things up for you again." Santana looked away again and sighed. "Maybe she's right."

"She's wrong, sweets," she said quietly, the endearment slipping out without her notice as her fingers tightened on Santana's waist. "I couldn't be happier that we're fixing things between us."

Santana looked at her again only finding sincerity in her hazel eyes. "I'm really happy we're fixing things, too, Q. And I promise I will do my best not to hurt you again. I'll say sorry for the rest of my life if that makes it better."

Quinn shook her head in the negative. "I don't want you to feel like that, Tana. We're talking about things, and yeah, some things are shifting a little, but we're talking about that later as well. I think as long as we keep talking, as difficult as it can be for both of us, we'll be fine."

"You're right, Q. We'll talk later but now I have to go before I'm late for practice. Will you be out there?"

"Wouldn't miss it. I'll even walk you to the locker room and then head out to the bleachers."

"You got a deal, Blondie."

Practice wasn't going as hard as was usual and Santana actually took a few minutes away from her teammates to approach coach Sylvester. They had been going at it for a good hour without the blonde woman going off on them much and her remarks had been mild at best.

"Coach, I'd like to have a word with you about the team."

The blonde woman turned to look at her and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Santana's eyes widened at the tone. "Nothing! I just wanted your opinion on something I've been thinking about."

"Maybe you shouldn't be doing too much of that, you know. It might give you a headache."

"You know what? Never mind! It's my job as co-captain to look out for this team but if you don't want to hear my ideas then what good am I?"

She knew talking back to the blonde woman was probably a huge mistake, but she knew her idea was a solid one and would help the team reach nationals again. She started to walk away when she felt strong fingers grab the back of her top and pull back hard.

"I didn't say you could walk away, Lopez. Now stop being childish and tell me what it is you're thinking about."

Santana stood next to her again and chanced a look at the bleachers were here current favorite blonde was sitting primly while reading a book. Coach Sylvester's gaze followed hers and she frowned.

"If you think she's going to be back on the team, I assure you, she's not. I've tried everything I can think of to lure her back to us and it hasn't worked. As annoying as that is, I think I admire her for saying no to me," she finished pensively.

Santana nodded. "I already tried that, but I was thinking we could use her talents in a different way this time."

Tilting her head, Sue watched her for a moment before nodding. "Continue."

"I was thinking that since she refuses to cheer again, maybe she could come back on the team as an advisor or even as a sounding board. She has a good eye for what works and what doesn't for us. I know for a fact she misses the team and would love to be involved again."

Sue tapped her index finger against her chin as she looked at the cheerleaders in front of them and then back at Quinn. "You might be right for once. These sloppy babies are going to lose me Nationals again if they keep going like this."

"Which is why I think bringing Q in and letting her help might work. She can add to the current routine and make it solid. We were watching a competition this weekend and she was spot-on on what worked and didn't for every team. She has an eye for detail and a very creative mind and I think we could really use her help right now."

Sue tilted her head and just stared at her, a knowing look on her face. "Sounds to me like someone has it bad."

Santana felt her face heating up and looked away from her. "I've no idea what you're talking about."

"I know you and I know that look. You're crushing on Fabray!" she said quietly. Santana said nothing and kept her eyes averted. "Look, I don't care, okay? You can like whomever you want as long as it doesn't interfere with my Cheerios winning nationals again. Talk to Q and see if you can get her interested in joining us as an assistant or something like you want. Dismiss these sloppy babies and hit the showers. I expect an answer by morning."

Without another word, she turned on her heels and left. Santana dismissed the girls before running over to the bleachers and up the steps until she was hovering over Quinn.

The blonde lifted her face to look at her and crinkled her nose. "You're all covered in perspiration."

Santana chuckled. "No shit, Sherlock! I've only been slaving away for the past couple of hours while you're sitting here looking pretty and reading."

Quinn smiled. "You think I look pretty?" she asked shyly.

Santana rolled her eyes playfully. "Figures that's the part you pick up on!"

Quinn's smile turned into a grin. "I'd hug you right now if you weren't so sweaty."

Santana, never able to control herself for long, lunged forward and buried her face in Quinn's neck, rubbing it against the warm, soft skin playfully while Quinn squealed in surprised and tried to push her away.

"Oh my God, Santana!" she exclaimed between giggles that only made Santana pull her closer and she kept on nuzzling her.

"Serves you right," she murmured against the skin of her neck before pulling back slightly, leaving their faces just inches apart. "Won't be so quick to call me sweaty next time, will you?" she whispered.

Quinn felt Santana's warm breath against her lips and she wanted nothing more than to close the remaining distance between them and tasting those tempting lips once and for all, but somehow found the strength to stop herself.

"Go shower, you dork!" she finally said as she pushed on Santana's shoulder.

Santana moved back a few inches so she could breathe and think easier. "Walk back with me and get out of this sun for a bit. We'll grab something to eat on the way back to yours."

Quinn nodded and Santana, feeling bolder again, dropped a quick kiss to the tip of her nose before grabbing her hand and pulling her up. She didn't let go of the hand as they descended the steps or on the way back to the school. It wasn't until Santana was about to walk into the locker room that she finally let go with a promise to be quick.

Quinn leaned against the opposite wall and took out her phone, sending a quick text to her mom telling her of her plans and that she would be home soon. Once she was done, she went back to reading her book. A bit later the first girls started coming out, some saying hi and other's averting their eyes shyly, which amused her to no end. She wasn't even in the team anymore and some of the girls were still in awe of her. It did nice things to her ego, if she was honest with herself, and made her miss the team even more. But like she had told Santana, she wasn't willing to screw up their friendship again over the team. Whatever was happening between them was too important and she didn't want to mess it up.

A few minutes later, Santana came out wearing a soft looking baby-t that molded to her perfect torso and sweatpants that were riding low on her hips leaving a sliver of tanned skin visible. Quinn couldn't keep her eyes from roaming a little before she moved away from the wall and joined the other girl.

"Am I hug worthy now?" Santana asked playfully as they walked down the hall.

"Mm," Quinn murmured because she couldn't trust herself to say anything at that point, much less to actually touch her. Her thoughts were still muddled and the last thing she needed was to make a fool of herself.

Neither was sure who did it. Maybe it was both of them at the same time. Maybe it happened naturally but the next thing they knew, they were holding hands again as they walked towards the exit doors. Neither let go even as they walked outside and towards Santana's car.

The Latina even came around and took Quinn's bag before opening the door for her and waiting until she was settled inside before closing the door softly. After putting their bags in the backseat, she settled in her seat and looked at Quinn.

"Where do you want to go?" she asked as she buckled her seatbelt and started the engine.

"How about we just pick sandwiches and eat at the park? I think we need to talk."

Santana just nodded and headed towards the Lima Bean. She didn't want to even broach the subject while she was driving so she kept quiet.

It wasn't long before they were sitting on a secluded bench, veggie sandwiches, fresh fruit and water bottles between them. Both were nibbling on their food, too nervous to start a conversation that could change everything for them. While they ate, they kept the subject on their school day and the homework they still had to work on, but then it was quiet once more and as Santana got up to throw their wrappers away she took a deep breath and reminded herself it had to be done.

Sitting down again she sought Quinn's hands, her fingers wrapping around them while she ran her thumbs over their backs. She didn't look at the blonde, preferring instead to look at the differences between their skin tones, the tan and pale colors surprisingly complimenting each other perfectly.

"Tana," Quinn started softly before swallowing and exhaling slowly. "Look, I don't want to get into a deep, soulful conversation here. I don't think either of us is ready for that just yet. I do, however, want to make sure we're both on the same page and that this isn't something one-sided that will screw up our friendship again. I don't think I can survive that if it happens again. Especially after this weekend."

Santana nodded before looking at Quinn, their eyes locking and holding for endless seconds. She remembered Rachel's words suddenly and she looked away again when she realized the small diva had been right. It was a bitter pill to swallow to acknowledge to herself that the other girl knew Quinn well enough to know these things. Apparently they were even closer than she had thought to begin with and the knowledge alone was enough to make her stomach muscles tighten unpleasantly.

She wanted to be there for Quinn. She wanted to be the one Quinn went to when she needed a friend. She wanted to be the one to hold her and make things right for her. Not Rachel. And sure as hell no one else. If she wanted that to happen, she had to step up and make it happen.

Quinn watched her silently, the play of emotions on her expressive eyes giving her away. But she waited, giving Santana the time she needed to compose herself and figure things out. It was the right thing to do because if she pushed, she was almost sure the Latina would bolt and things would get messy and difficult between them again.

"Can I ask you something?" Santana started while connecting their gazes again. "I mean, you mentioned that you want to make sure we're on the same page and all, so I need to know something."

"Ask me anything, Tana. We have to be honest with each other and I'll try my best to be."

"I'm not saying I'm ready to do it, but if I was to ask you out on a real date, what would your answer be?"

Quinn's eyes widened a bit and her fingers tightened instinctively around Santana's. She took a moment to admire her best friend, taking in her beauty and it literally took her breath away. What sealed the deal for her, however, was the desperation and insecurity lurking in her dark eyes. Santana was almost sure of what her answer would be and Quinn needed to show her she was wrong.

"When you're ready, if you ever are, my answer will be yes."

Santana exhaled, shoulders dropping in relief as happiness flooded her chest and her heart leaped in unexpected joy. "I'm not there yet, but I'm going to be, babe. I just don't want to do anything that could hurt you."

"I know and I appreciate that."

"So we're on the same page, then? We're both feeling this pull and this attraction?" she tried to clarify.

"I'd say that is correct."

Santana nodded, a little smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Alright. Good."

Quinn chuckled a little and nodded. "So now what?"

Santana shrugged. "We keep going as we've been? We don't push anything and let it happen naturally?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me. I like this. A lot."

"Me, too. Haven't felt like this in a really long time, babe." Quinn suddenly blushed and Santana tilted her head to look at her. "What is it?"

"It's nothing. I'm just being silly."

Santana tugged on her hands. "Tell me."

"I, um," she started softly while she fidgeted with their fingers. "I like it when you call me babe."

Santana grinned then. "That's a good thing because I like calling you babe."

"So can I call you Muffin?"

"No!"

"Oh, come on! Why not?" she pouted.

"Muffin? Are you being serious right now?"

"Mm, I like it."

"I'm a badass. Muffin is not badass."

"So what can I call you, your highness?"

"Hmm, that could work!"

"Yeah, dream on! Come on, let's get going before it gets any later. We do have homework to do."

Santana got up as well and when Quinn went to walk by her, she pulled her close and hugged her tightly. Quinn returned the hug as she wrapped her arms around her waist, keeping her close.

"Thank you," Santana whispered in her ear, causing Quinn to shiver slightly.

"What for?"

"Waiting for me to be ready."

"You're worth waiting for, Tana."

So, what did you guys think of the longest chapter so far?