CHAPTER 10

Santana woke mid-morning, stirring sleepily as she eased open blurry eyes. The first sight to meet her gaze made her feel as if it was the most perfect day she would ever experience. Brittany's head rested on the pillow next to her own, her mane-like hair spread in a halo framing her face. Her mouth lay slightly open, deep breaths moving in and out in a steady rhythm. Her cheeks were flushed from the combined heat of their bodies. The Latina felt her arm as it draped across the blonde's waist, even as her eyes swept over the bare skin of her shoulder, collarbone and the top of a smooth breast. She couldn't resist pressing a soft kiss on each spot, which woke Brittany.

"Hi," Santana whispered and the blonde gave her a soft slow smile in reply.

"Mm, what time is it?"

Brittany yawned before snuggling into Santana's side, her nose pressed to the Latina's neck. Santana shifted slightly to see the time on her alarm clock.

"Nine-twenty," she replied. The blonde sighed.

"Unfortunately that means I have to move," she mumbled. "I've got to prep the horses before the picnic today."

"Couldn't you let someone else take care of that? I'm sure they're all very capable. And I'm not inclined to let you go just yet."

Brittany laughed as Santana pulled her until she was lying directly on top of her. A few heated kisses followed which left them both squirming and gasping. But as Santana's hands ventured more boldly over her body, the blonde shook her head, causing strands of hair to tickle across the face of the woman underneath her.

"I'm serious, San." She smiled to ease the rejection. "Besides, I have to find someone special to ride double with you, seeing as you're so crippled that you can't manage a horse by yourself."

Santana gasped in mock offense but her face fell genuinely as Brittany rolled off her and stood up, going to collect articles of clothing from the places they'd fallen. She couldn't complain about the view but the distance between them displeased her, as did the idea of riding with a random that day. And really her ankle was feeling much better.

Brittany, now dressed, leaned down to kiss her goodbye.

"Don't scowl, sweet. You'll see me soon." With a wink she was gone, leaving Santana to revel in the events of the night.

XXXXX

After a shower, a change of clothes and a late breakfast Santana felt somewhat more ready to face the rest of the world. She stepped lightly to Tina's cabin and banged on the door. Waiting for a few seconds with no response, she turned around only to find the woman coming up the path toward her. She knew Tina was observing her over-bright eyes and flushed skin, her restlessness and the smirk that hadn't disappeared even after half an hour of getting ready.

"What?" She grinned even harder.

"I really don't know," Tina mused, "but I'm sure I'll get it out of you somehow."

As Santana reached her side they linked arms.

"We have about an hour before we set off. So you have plenty of time to spill about why you're in such a stellar mood."

Santana sighed happily. "I'll introduce you to her in an hour." She burst out laughing at the look on Tina's face.

"You jerk! How in hell did you have time to fall in love and get laid? More to the point, how did I manage to miss it?" Tina smacked her on the back of the head.

"What makes you think I'm in love already? Or got laid, for that matter?"

"Oh please," she snorted. "I'm not completely oblivious. You only get that stunned mullet look when it's one or the other."

"Whatever," Santana teased, shoving an elbow into Tina's side and causing her to jump sideways with a yelp. "I see all those sidelong glances you give Mike. I'm not oblivious either, you know. And…oh, speak of the devil." Her grin turned almost feral as she caught sight of Mike, Rachel, Finn and Quinn approach.

"I swear to god, San, if you embarrass me in front of him you will live to regret every subsequent moment of your sad, SHORT existence!"

Santana just laughed.

XXXXX

There were horses and people everywhere, more than Santana had seen gathered in one place in the entirety of her stay at Winslow Ranch. It put her in mind of those images of wagon trains in the Wild West days, except the wagons were replaced by top-of-the-line 4-wheel drives and even a few motorbikes. Piles of food and water were being loaded in one direction she looked, while in another stable hands were assisting cast and crew members into saddles.

The Latina made her way toward the horses, knowing that was the most likely place she would find Brittany. But it was Jack who grabbed her shoulder.

"Santana! Nice to see you moving so easily on that ankle. Your recovery was pretty quick."

"Yup. I thought I could ride by myself today."

Jack was already shaking his head. "Baby steps I'm afraid. Without a good ankle you won't be able to direct your mount as you need to."

"Look," Santana huffed, "I'll prove it to you." Her good foot was in the stirrup of a horse close to Jack before the man could protest, and she swung her other leg over its back. The animal shifted in response and all of a sudden the Latina was clinging to its neck in a blind panic, her eyes seeing stars and her breath coming in short gasps.

"Ye-ah, and that's the other thing," Jack said kindly as he helped her ease off and onto solid ground again. "Some people are shaken by a bad fall, especially if that fall results in an injury. They can't always remount like nothing happened."

"Jack!"

Santana's head jerked up at the sound of that voice, searching for a glimpse of the person she wanted to see above all others. In a moment Brittany was with her, replacing Jack's arms around the Latina's waist with her own. Kissing the top of her head the blonde glanced at the man. He shrugged.

"Small case of stage fright. No big."

"Santana," she chided softly, "don't you want to ride with me?"

Brittany and Jack both grinned as Santana took in that question.

"Told you I'd find you a hot body to double with," Jack chuckled.

"Babe, do you really think I'd let anyone else cuddle up to you?" Brittany pulled her closer and kissed her hard. Santana really thought no response was necessary, other than to kiss her back.

Their display of affection brought on a few wolf whistles, hoots, and one exasperated huff. Santana glanced around to see Tina observing them, her hands on her hips and her mock scowl wrestling with a grin. Pulling Brittany over to the other woman, Santana made the introduction.

"Britt, this is Tina. She's one of my closest friends. T, this is Brittany Pierce."

"Good to meet you," Tina said with a smile and shook the blonde's hand.

"Likewise."

They were interrupted by the whine of a siren. Jack grabbed a megaphone, jumped on the bonnet of a car, and yelled into it over the clamor.

"Right everyone, listen up. Find your mounts and be ready to ride. Guests, find your mentors. Ranchies, be ready to lend a hand if anyone needs help. We're going double-file with myself at the head, and a couple of my riders will bring up the rear. Stay with your group at all times and if you get lost, stay put till you're found. We'll be on the trail about an hour."

In the bustle of preparation Brittany led Santana by the hand to the black horse she had ridden previously.

"You remember Hermes, right? He'll carry us both easily."

Brittany mounted in one smooth motion and pulled Santana up in front of her. The Lioness hummed happily as the Latina shifted and leaned back into her embrace, held securely with an arm wrapped around the waist. Santana shuddered at the lips ghosting across her neck.

"Such sweet torture," Brittany whispered, sending goosebumps racing over Santana's skin.

Placing a hand over the one that held her waist and the other on Brittany's thigh, Santana sighed with contentment as the pair joined the line of riders moving out into the wild country beyond the ranch.

XXXXX

The ride was exactly an hour long and mostly along a wide forest path before a fairly steep decline into a valley filled with sunlight. The 4-wheel-drives had taken another route and ranch staff had already set everything out on long tables, waiting for the riders to arrive and start eating.

Brittany and Santana had spent the ride talking quietly about anything and everything, learning things about each other and getting more comfortable in each other's company with every passing minute. Santana especially loved the feel of the Lioness's fingers rubbing circles on her stomach, her lips on the various parts of her body that could be reached, and more than once the Latina had to twist her head enough to capture those lips with her own. She couldn't recall a time when she'd been happier.

Dismounting with the rest of the riders, they made their way to the makeshift tables and took seats next to Tina, Jack, Quinn and a larger group of cast and crew. The platters of food in front of them smelled delicious and Santana suddenly realized how hungry she was.

Sam Evans stood on a stool once everyone was seated and launched into a short speech about how much he was looking forward to the start of filming. He knew the shoot was going to go smoothly, they had the best cast and crew, blah blah blah. Santana rolled her eyes and let the words wash over her. She was much more interested in the slow sweep of Brittany's fingers on her thigh, the woman's whispers in her ear.

XXXXX

Their bellies full, Santana and Tina wandered beside a broad river lazily, enjoying the play of sun on their faces and the murmur of conversation around them. Brittany had excused herself to run through some business with Jack and Santana was already missing her. Until Tina punched her on the arm.

"Stop moping. You'll make me think I'm not good enough company for you."

Santana smiled at her apologetically.

"So tell me about her. How did this happen?"

"Honestly…sometimes even I'm not quite sure."

"It's not one of those 'savior complex' things, is it?"

The Latina looked at her, not understanding what Tina was asking.

"I mean, she kinda saved your life. You sure you're not just really…really grateful?"

Santana laughed. "I'm sure. I was feeling this way about her before that ever happened. And I don't think I'd have slept with her if it was just gratitude."

"HAH! I knew it!" Tina grinned in triumph, hugging Santana around the shoulders. "So you're serious about her, then."

The Latina merely nodded, a little sheepishly. They continued to walk, arm in arm, until they heard a loud splash behind them. Turning, they saw a golden head break the surface of the water. Apparently Brittany had decided to go swimming. Beckoning slyly to the pair, the blonde tried to persuade them to join her. Tina shook her head warily, but Santana grinned and began to strip to her underwear. She didn't care about all the other people in viewing distance - the water was just too inviting on this hot day. Brittany was just too inviting.

She was about to jump in, but glanced back at Tina. Suddenly dashing toward her, she grabbed her by the waist and lifted her body off the ground, bearing them both to the edge of the swimming hole and toppling in. Tina emerged spluttering and choking out curses at her friend, at which Santana laughed and Brittany whooped. The blonde threw her arms around the Latina's waist and lifted her high, then dumped her underneath the water again. Tina splashed them both, trying to conceal how much she was actually enjoying the moment. And then the trio were no longer alone. Several other people obviously thought a swim was a great idea. There was a riot of laughter, yells and splashes, in the middle of which Santana took hold of the Lioness and held her close, never wanting to let go.