A/N – Okay so a PezBerry heavy chapter, it's so much fun to put these two together and see what happens I wish it would happen more on the show! I have almost finished writing the next couple of chapter so they should be up soon, I'm now debating where to end this story either after the competition ends or take it bad to McKinley and see how the girls deal being back at school.

Any thoughts feel free to review!

Chapter Eleven

Santana wondered how in the hell none of the other members of glee had noticed that both she and Rachel had disappeared in the middle of their club meeting for a substantial amount of time. The cheerleader could believe that no-one really missed her presence but Rachel was the core of the whole group, whether the others wanted to admit it or not. Plus she was loud, really loud.

'What exactly do we say if anyone asks where we were?' Rachel piped up as the two strolled back together.

'That we're two strong-willed, independent young women and if we want to go make-out in a storage room then we will' Santana replied, enjoying the look of shock that passed over her girlfriend's face 'That, or we were having a raging bitchfest over who left the bathroom in a mess this morning, whatever'

Rachel rolled her eyes as she playful knocked shoulders with the other girl 'It would be worth seeing the look on Puck's face to go with option number one'

'Ew' the Latina stated with a shudder 'I do not want us to become part of his wank-tank imagery box'

'Point taken'

'Besides I'm sure Quinn will have covered for us' Santana said with a smile.

Rachel frowned as she stopped to look at the cheerleader 'Quinn? Why?'

'She screwed around with the room arrangements so we'd get put together, something about unresolved sexual tension' Santana chuckled, 'I forgot how devious she can be'

'Oh…it's kind of hard to be mad at her when she was right' Rachel shrugged, 'You know…there's only ten minutes left with the meeting and if Quinn's taken it upon herself to act as matchmaker, perhaps we should make the most of our opportunity and spend some time alone together?'

'Rachel Berry, are you suggesting we skip our responsibilities and go make out some more?'

Rachel beamed as she wrapped their hands together and tugged on the cheerleader's hand 'That is exactly what I'm suggesting'

'This is a new side of you Berry, I didn't think you had it in you to skip anything'

'Well I guess you're a bad influence on me' the diva joked.

Santana forced a laugh, even as she felt a heavy weight on her chest she managed to smile, years of practice making it easy to keep her care-free facade in place. She didn't want the diva to realise she'd hit a nerve.

'Santana! Rachel!'

Hearing their names shouted in the distance the cheerleader looked up and spotted the rest of the glee club headed their way, led by Quinn and Britney who both wore matching grins as their eyes flicked between the two brunette's.

'Hey' the two girls replied in unison, discreetly untangling their hands and taking a step away from each other.

'We're going to find Mr Shue, he said he'd be here but no-one's heard from him since this morning' Finn said with a frown as he looked at the two girls 'What are you guys doing anyway?'

'None of your business Frankenteen' Santana snapped, it wasn't that she disliked Finn any more than she disliked most people but seeing the way the football player was eyeing up Rachel made her blood boil. She wanted to yell at him to keep his sad puppy dog eyes to himself but restrained herself to casting a disgusted look in his direction.

'Come on' Quinn interrupted, sensing the tension before any of the others could 'He has to be around here somewhere'

As the words left her mouth the calm of the hotel was broken by the sound of shouting in the distance. The glee club looked at each out for a moment before simultaneously heading in the direction the voices were coming from, after all drama was what they did best.

The group entered the lobby and were greeted by the sight of Mr Shue staring down a chubby, middle aged man who was gesturing wildly at him his face slowly turning red as he barked at Mr Shue 'I don't know who you think you are coming to me and making wild allegations about my students'

'That must be Jackson High's faculty advisor, Mr Barton' Tina whispered, pointing out the obvious.

Santana groaned, this was exactly what she had wanted to avoid. A public slanging match which would more than likely end in nothing being resolved but everyone leaving angrier than before and she really did not want to make those jerks any angrier. She glanced around the large room and noticed members of several of the other glee clubs observing the scene and the cheerleader cringed she did not want everyone here thinking she was some weak, defenceless loser who couldn't stand up for herself.

Before she could really contemplate what she was doing Santana was storming over to the two teachers, gritting her teeth she steeled herself as she approached them.

'You have no right to insinuate that my students are-'

'Oh I'm not insinuating' Mr Shue argued 'I'm telling you that your glee club needs to take a serious look at what kind of values and beliefs they subscribe to because it is completely unacceptable for anyone to be judged by the colour of their skin'

'You have no proof'

Santana growled as she took her place next to her teacher 'I think you'll find a room full of witnesses is proof'

'Let me guess you're the girl who's been causing all this trouble' Mr Barton sneered, as he looked Santana up and down.

'She's not the one causing trouble' Mr Shue interjected, but quickly found himself cut off.

'No, no I see what you're doing now' the other teacher shouted as he turned his attention fully to Santana 'You concocted this elaborate story to get attention am I right?'

'What?' Santana and Mr Shue shouted in unison, their voices echoed by the teens behind them.

'Did you think this would give you the edge in the competition, make everyone feel sorry for you and your group of misfits so you can sweep to victory?'

'How dare you accuse Santana of-'

Mr Barton didn't even acknowledge the other man as he continued to rant at the Latina 'My kids worked hard to get where they are today and they didn't do by making false accusations and lying. God, it's not enough that this country lets people like you in, no you have to take advantage of the race card at every opportunity you can to try and get ahead of us regular folk. Well it's not going to work this time, you can't manipulate everyone into thinking you're the victim when obviously you're just a self-conscious, deceitful little-'

'That's is enough!' Mr Shue shouted, his voice ripping through the lobby and silencing the other man 'You should be ashamed of yourself'

Mr Barton scoffed but stayed quiet as he watched the rest of the glee club join together, each of them casting the bigoted man a fierce glare.

'I think it would be best if you left now Mr Barton' Rachel piped up as she took her place next to Santana, glaring at the older man.

'Fine, but stay away from my students' he threatened, throwing one last look of disgust in the Latina's way before storming out of the room.

Watching him leave Santana frowned as she wondered how she could go from feeling so good to so bad in such a short amount of time. She wished she had just stayed locked away in that storage cupboard with Rachel, or better yet she had refused to get out of bed that morning.

'I'm sorry Santana' Mr Shue said as he turned to face the group with a look of regret.

'It's not your fault' the cheerleader replied, trying to sound unfazed.

The teacher shrugged as he looked at the glee club 'You shouldn't have to deal with this, any of you'

'There are some things you can't protect us from' Santana replied.

Mr Shue sighed 'Maybe, but this isn't one of them. That group have no right to be here representing their school'

'What are you gonna do, get them sent home?' Puck asked sarcastically.

'If that's what it takes' Mr Shue answered with a nod 'Then yes'

'God, can you not just leave it alone?' Santana exploded suddenly, making everyone jump 'You've already made it worse, so just stay out of it. We're only here for another day I just want to forget about it and stay as far away from them as possible until we're done okay?'

'Santana…'

'No Rachel, it's me they have a problem with and I can deal with it so drop it okay?' the cheerleader bit back, wincing as she saw the flash of hurt that crossed the divas face.

'Okay' the brunette said softly, diverting her eyes away from the Latina 'If that's what you want'

'It is' Santana said firmly, making sure the group knew she was talking to all of them.

'Okay' Mr Shue said reluctantly 'But if anyone of those guys so much as looks at you funny I'm stepping in and I will be getting them ejected from the competition, do you understand?'

'Fine' the cheerleader replied, scowling.

'Good, now it's time we got something to eat. We need to get an early night ready for tomorrow' the teacher said, though it was clear to see he was still unhappy with the situation.

'Whatever' Santana muttered, barely caring if the others even heard her. All she wanted was for this to be over, pushing past the group the cheerleader tried to maintain a mask of indifference.

Making her way out of the lobby and through the main doors Santana half-hearted wondered if anyone would follow her and by anyone she meant Rachel. The Latina had made it a good way down the street before she accepted that no-one was coming after her, and she didn't really blame them. She had wanted so badly to change her ways, to stop being the bitchy defensive girl everyone knew and actually let the group help her but she couldn't. On one hand it felt good to have all the others stand up for her but at the same time she hated it because it served to remind her that she didn't deserve any of the kindness they were offering, not after the way she had behaved in the past, and she defiantly didn't deserve Rachel.

She knew that by acting the way she just did that she was rejecting the rest of the group and she also knew that by snapping at Rachel she was pushing her away, she had known that at the time but it made sense, why should she risk Rachel getting hurt? Sure the diva could hold her own against most of the bullies out there but Santana knew that none of the crap she had put the other girl through even came close to the pain these guys could cause.

'Santana!'

The cheerleader was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she almost didn't hear the shout in the distance; it was only the quick thud of feet that made her turn around. As she did she was met with the sight of Rachel hurrying towards her.

Turning her back again Santana continued to walk away, she didn't know where she was going she just knew she needed to get away. It was all too much and the cheerleader couldn't cope with having to face Rachel.

'Hey!'

The anger in the singer's voice made Santana wince but taking a deep breath she pushed down the pain that was welling up and plastered a look of contempt on her face. Years of training made it seem almost easy 'Go away'

'Stop right there' Rachel practically screeched, her years of performing amplifying her voice and echoing around the park Santana had stormed into.

The Latina stopped in her tracks, shocked she turned to face the tiny singer. She raised an eyebrow as she maintain what she hoped was a displease look 'What do you want?'

Rachel scoffed as she walked closer, stopping only when she was an arm's length away. Her face softened as she looked at the taller girl 'I want you to explain to me what that was back there'

'I don't know what you're talking about'

'I'm talking about you acting like you're okay with what those guys did, as though it's something you can just sweep under the rug and forget about. I mean, are you suddenly okay with what happened?'

'No!' Santana half-shouted, the uncertainty in her voice cutting through.

'Because I already told you that no matter what you may believe, you don't deserve this'

'Don't I?' the Latina asked, staring solemnly at the smaller girl 'Because from where I'm standing I deserve all this shit a lot more than I deserve a second chance'

'What?'

'Oh come one Rachel, I'm a complete bitch to you and the rest of the glee club for years and suddenly everyone wants to stick up for me? In what universe does that make sense? In what universe do I deserve any kind of friendship from them? From you?'

'I don't-'

Santana ploughed on her arms gesturing wildly as she felt tears beginning to build up 'You don't understand do you? I can't do this' the Latina shouted, pointing between the two of them 'I don't want you getting hurt because off me'

'I won't get hurt, those Jackson High Neanderthals are-'

'It's not that Rachel, you're too good for me and we both know that it would never work. I'll stomp on your heart, it's what I do'

Rachel stopped, her eyes widening as she took in the other girls words. Santana could see the tears building behind her eyes and forced herself to look away as the small girl whispered 'So all that stuff before, the sandpit and the slushies', that was all lies?'

'No!' Santana replied, raking a hair through her hair. Everything had seemed so much easier when they were alone before, but now it was all falling apart as the voice in her head sapped away at her confidence 'I do like you, I really do…that's why I'm doing this, don't you see? If you're with me then…there's always a risk you're going to get hurt-'

'You're not talking about those guys anymore are you' Rachel sighed.

Santana shook her head as she looked down 'I'm not worth the risk Rach. You deserve better'

'I already told you that you are' the singer insisted, as she took a step forward and placed a hand on the taller girl's cheek.

Santana sighed as she leant into the touch, she could feel the tears running down her face as she stared at the ground unable to look up 'I'm a lot of things but I'm not selfish and I won't risk your happiness for mine'

Rachel gritted her teeth, the muscles of her jaw tensing as she surveyed the girl in front of her. The two stood squared against each other as Santana finally looked up, neither of them was willing to look away as the tension built between them.

'You need to get as far away from me as possible Rach' Santana whispered sadly, her voice choked with sobs.

Rachel frowned, her mind working overtime as she tried to unite the broken girl she saw before her with the one she had been so used to seeing. She wanted to say something, anything to make the cheerleader understand what she was thinking but for the first time in her life her voice failed her. Instead, she leant forward slowly drawing the cheerio close, her arms encircling the girl in a tight embrace as she brought their lips together.

The kiss was gentle and tender and Santana melted into the soft touch, the closeness of the other girl pushing away all of the negative thoughts that had bombarded her. As they broke apart Santana made to move away but Rachel clung to her unwilling to let her go.

'Rachel' the Latina whimpered, hating how weak she sounded as she moved her arms up to the singer's chest trying in vain to push her away.

But Rachel held on tight, they battled for a moment but soon Santana slumped against her, the fight driven from her body as the diva whispered soothing words of comfort.

Santana held back a sob as she struggled to regain her composure 'You should run while you can'

'I'm not going anywhere' the diva stated firmly as she pulled back from the embrace to look at the other girl 'I know you think it's easier this way, that your saving me from potential heartbreak in the future by pushing me away now but it doesn't make any sense'

'It's easier this way'

'It doesn't feel easier to me' the singer replied, her own tears beginning to fall now 'You don't know what's going to happen between us and you can't push me away because of something that might happen. You might break my heart, but maybe I'll break yours'

Santana blinked in surprise, the thought of Rachel breaking her heart shouldn't make her feel better but somehow it did because she was starting to realise that she couldn't control what was going to happen and that was actually okay, because they would be together.

'Besides' Rachel added, her voice full of finality 'It's not your decision to make'

Santana nodded a small smile on her face as she heard the very-Rachel statement 'I know, I…I wanted to protect you'

'And normally I'd appreciate how sweet that is but I don't need protecting from you' Rachel smiled, added sadly as Santana looked up 'You seem like you might need protecting from yourself though'

The cheerleader frowned 'I don't-'

'You are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for, and I don't know why you have this urge to push everyone away but I'm telling you now you have got to stop thinking I'm going to leave because I'm not going anywhere'

Santana gazed at the other girl in disbelief, she had given Rachel every chance, every opportunity to take the easy road and abandon her but she was still here willing to be with her after everything that had happened and that gave Santana enough hope to at least try let Rachel past the walls she had spent so long building up.

'Promise?' Santana asked, the hope in her voice making the other girl smile.

'I promise'