I am so sorry for the wait. My computer's motherboard crashed two weeks ago, and I just got it back yesterday. Not to mention I started nursing school, which is so crazy, I can't even think sometimes. I will update when I can, but I promise you won't have to wait this long again. Next update will be fairly soon. Thank you so much for the reviews, they really keep me going! On with the story!
Light began to shine through the crack in the curtains, rousing Santana from her sleep. She yawned quietly and smiled seeing her girlfriend sleeping so peacefully next to her. She debated snuggling against the warm body against her and going back to sleep, but more important thoughts barraged her mind, making that action impossible. She pressed a light kiss to Brittany's forehead and quietly slipped out of bed. After changing quickly, she glanced on last time at Brittany before slipping out the door silently.
The cabin was quiet, as to be expected so early in the morning. The sun was beginning to rise, chasing out the friendly shadows until the next nightfall. Santana walked to Quinn's room and peeked in, seeing both occupants still asleep and looking peaceful. Maybe Quinn found a new friend, she thought. She shut the door quietly and crossed the rest of the room. Puck was sprawled across the sofa, breathing evenly with sleep. She crept past and stepped outside, letting the cool morning air surround her. As predicted, Christina was sitting on the front porch, sitting comfortably with her legs propped up on the bench. Her aunt smiled, seeing Santana approach her.
"Awake early there, huh?"
Santana returned the smile and sat down next to her, tying her ruffled hair back. "Yeah. Couldn't bring myself to sleep in any longer. Why are you out here alone? Why is Puck asleep?" She asked, a little miffed, seeing how the other Defender ditched.
"I sent him inside about twenty minutes ago. I think it's safe enough here we only need someone watching at night. We are all awake and alert during the day, so we can just be watchful of our surroundings as a group." Christina explained. "So how are you doing? Handling the info overload well, I presume?"
Santana shrugged. "I'm fine. On edge, but I guess that is to be expected."
"A lot has happened."
"Yeah, but I knew this day was coming. Well, I knew something like this was going to happen. We can't hide forever. It was only a matter of time." Santana said.
Christina nodded and turned back towards the forest. "A lot of things are changing. But I can see you are ready. Your dad did well preparing you."
Santana's eyes fell downcast. "When will I see my family again?" She knew they were hiding, but she couldn't help but feel worry when thinking about her family.
Christina placed a hand on her niece's arm. "I don't know yet. But Hun, your father is a very smart man. If he was in trouble, he would have called for help. He know's what he's doing. Don't focus on the bad. You must focus on what is happening around us."
"Right." It was quiet for a minute, and Santana formed a black shadow in her palm and began rolling it through her fingers mindlessly. A thought came to her, and the energy dissolved. With a serious expression, she faced her aunt. "What are we going to do about this?"
"What do you mean? About the Titans?"
Santana stood. "Yeah, the Titans. I'm sick of hiding out. What is Council planning to do to stop them? And don't say sit around and wait. Because I highly doubt Council is sitting on their asses twiddling their thumbs watching the death toll. What's the plan?"
Christina's eyes flashed toward her shoes and back up to Santana.
"You know something." Santana accused. "What is it?"
Christina nodded. "No point keeping this from you. I just wanted to wait until everyone else is up."
"Tell me. You can tell them later." Santana pleaded.
Christina's expression turned dark and serious. "Santana, Council is in the process of forming a militia."
Santana cocked an eyebrow. "Wow, what a suspense killer. I knew that, the Defenders."
"No Santana. This is going to be bigger. We aren't just recruiting those with great affinities. They are willing to take anyone who volunteers and the age limit was dropped. All Greek blood is powerful, you don't need an affinity to help. Council is recruiting for a battle against the Titans. Of course, they were hoping it wouldn't have to come to this, but at this time, both sides are building up, and its bound to happen. We can't afford to lose and give Titans control. The world, as cliche as this sounds, will never be the same again."
"Wait, so we are forming what, an army?" Santana questioned.
"Well, in a way, yes."
"Well, I'm in of course." Santana stated.
"I thought you would say that." Christina muttered.
"You thought right." Santana agreed.
"You need to talk to Brittany about this." Christina warned. "This is going to be extremely dangerous."
"I fought Titans before." Santana said, clenching a fist.
"Santana, you fought a Titan. As in one. Your father told me about the scuttle you got in. If you get hurt, I can guarantee it won't be just a gash." She acknowledged the pink line running across Santana's chest. "It could be death."
"Are you saying you don't want me to fight? Aunt C! This is what I have been training for my whole life!" Santana raised her voice.
"I'm not saying you can't! All I'm saying is to think about it! Give it some thought, talk about it with Brittany. I can tell you really love her. Include her in this decision. That's all I'm asking."
"What decision?" A light voice floated from behind them. The two women whipped their heads towards the voice, seeing Brittany standing in the doorway, watching them with a confused expression. "San, what's going on?"
Santana glanced to her aunt and back to Brittany.
Christina stood up. "Talk to Brittany, I'll wake up the rest of the group and continue our discussion from last night. Be careful." Christina patted Brittany's shoulder and disappeared into the house.
"Let's go to the lake?" Santana asked.
Brittany gave an uneasy smile and nodded, taking Santana's arm. "Let's."
They trailed down the overgrown path that twisted down a steady decline. Santana held Brittany's hand with a firm grip, not wanting to lose contact. She felt internally conflicted. For as long as she could remember, she always wanted to fight. It was in her nature. But now she had Brittany to think about. Brittany sensed Santana's turmoil and gave a reassuring squeeze. They reached the small beach and before they could sit, Brittany waved her arm over the sand, lifting small morning droplets of water off the ground and away, giving them a dry place to settle.
"How thoughtful." Santana remarked as she sat on the soft sand. Brittany just gave a small smile in response, joining her.
It was silent for a moment, and Santana scooped up the dark sand, letting the fine grains fall through her fingers. "Britt, Council is preparing to fight back."
Brittany nodded, encouraging Santana to continue. She began twirling a small ball of water in front of her.
"They are heavily recruiting so we can solve the Titan problem before it gets out of hand. Well, more out of hand than it already is." She paused and looked into Brittany's eyes. "Council also lowered dropped the age limit, so when the time is right I want to join my aunt and Puck."
The water sphere dropped and splashed against Santana's leg. Santana took this as a bad sign so she quickly back peddled. "B, you know I love you, because I do. So much. But this is something I've been training for my whole life. They need me. My powers will be needed. Our side needs more strength. And by joining, it will make our world safer. Make you safer. Because if something happened to you, I don't know what I would do and-" She was cut off with a pair of lips against her own. Brittany kissed her softly, effectively quieting her. She broke the kiss and ran a hand along Santana's cheekbone with tears in her eyes.
"San, I love you, too. I understand. Am I happy you going off to fight? Absolutely not. But this is who you are." She kissed her lightly again. "You are the bravest person I know, Santana Lopez. No matter how dark people think you are, you have a soul of light."
Santana blushed with Brittany's words and held a lock of blonde hair in her fingers. "Brittany, thank you for understanding."
Brittany's blue eyes stared back at her. "Of course I understand. That's why I am going to join, too."
Santana pulled back in shock, wondering if she heard correctly.
Brittany crossed her arms. "Don't look so surprised, San. If Council is even willing to drop the age limit, then that means they are pretty desperate. I want to do my part, too. I may not be the greatest fighter yet, but I can hone my powers and be one. I've already learned so much." She took Santana's hands in her own. "You can continue to train me, and when we are both ready, we can go."
Santana felt a stab in her chest, understanding how Brittany must have felt when she told her she was going to fight. Her love grew as well, seeing that Brittany set her feelings aside to let Santana do what she wanted. She found herself nodding to Brittany's statement.
"I don't want to lose you." Santana whispered, pressing her forehead to the blonde's.
"I don't want to lose you either." Brittany replied. "I wish we could just stay on the run, but we both know that isn't an option."
"If we run, we're letting them win." Santana said. "I worked too hard to hide. I'm doing this for our families. For us. For our future generations."
Brittany smiled. "I stand by my statement saying you have a soul of light."
Santana giggled. "Don't let Quinn hear you say that."
Brittany connected her lips to Santana's, showing her love. Santana smiled into the kiss and deepened it. They kissed for a few minutes until Santana broke it off, slightly out of breath. She swept a golden lock behind Brittany's ear.
"We should let Christina know of our plans." Santana suggested. "Then we can go from there." Brittany agreed, falling in step with Santana back to the cabin.
The group was settled around the kitchen, a pot of spaghetti on the stove. Quinn saw Santana's questioning look and shrugged. "It's all we have right now. Deal with it."
Santana rolled her eyes, but grabbed two bowls anyways, handing one to Brittany. She leaned against the counter and stabbed at the noodles. "So what were you all discussing?"
To her surprise, Rachel was the one that answered. "While you two were off cabin grounds, we were discussing the fundamentals of our current situation. We have also been informed of Council's plan. And I, Rachel Berry, have decided to join in honor of my family. The Apollo line shall forever be in history."
"What is your affinity?" Santana questioned. The rest of the group leaned in, all curious of the answer.
Rachel folded her hands on the table. "That is a good question. Well, first, I am extremely talented in the arts. I am a fantastic singer. I will guarantee I have the best voice of all of us."
"So are you going to sing the enemy to sleep or what?" Santana questioned. She felt Brittany's elbow nudge her ribs.
Rachel paused, but ignored the comment. "No. But my other affinity is healing. It isn't as strong as the Hestia line's power, but it is decent enough. Sometimes a little is all you need."
"Council would love to have you in the back lines. You would be extremely valuable in the efforts." Christina said. She turned to Santana and Brittany. "Have you two talked about it?"
Brittany spoke for the both of them. "We are both joining. We think our powers are to valuable to waste."
"Me, too." Quinn stated, glancing at Santana. "For the sake of our people and our safety. We can't continue sitting around. We need to take action."
Santana nodded in agreement. "Quinn's right. Let's do this."
Ok, I'll admit this chapter was a bit slow, but it was necessary to iron out some details. I promise a TON of action next chapter! We are moving into the action part of this fic, so there won't be a slow chapter like this again for a long time. woot! Please please review! They mean the world!