You guys. I just can't anymore, you are all SO sweet! It's ridiculous! I'm so glad you all loved the last chapter! Your reviews are just incredible, and I have spent the whole day happy-dancing knowing you all enjoyed it! Thank you!

"Oh. Hey" she smiled awkwardly

"Hi there Quinn! How are you?" Rachel beamed, ignoring the girl's discomfort

"Not too bad. Tired, but good" she nodded

"Oh by the way, I found these on the street outside their apartment" Jess grinned innocently as she held up the keys, and Quinn blushed at the memory

"Oh my God, thank you so much!" Quinn grinned her appreciation

"So did you have fun?" Brittany beamed, as Quinn handed her a coconut cake

"Yeah, it was great. Lots of fun" she swallowed, looking between the girls awkwardly

"We'll have to do it again" Rachel grinned and the blonde nodded "So...if you dropped your keys, then what did you do last night?" she asked casually. Quinn cleared her throat and dropped her eyes

Brittany rolled her eyes, before saving the girl "Did you stay at your brother's? He lives near-by, doesn't he?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah I did" Quinn nodded, still looking down at the counter she was wiping unnecessarily

"I see." Rachel nodded "Anyway, we just came in to see how you were feeling today. Not too hungover?"

"No, I've felt worse" the grin was back, and Jess and Brittany shared a glance "You?"

"Yeah, we're not too bad. Took us over an hour to drag Rachel out of bed, but we're feeling good" the blonde grinned

"So yeah, guess we'll see you next time" Jess smiled, swinging the door open, and they left.

-ooOoo-

It was a cold Wednesday morning, only one week left of school, and Santana had dragged herself out of bed with a groan, to trudge to work early. She had left a box of mock-exams at the school, and they were due to be marked for the second period of the day. She moped self-pityingly as the snow fell around her, feeling sorry for herself as it made the path slippery as she walked to the school from the subway station. She hadn't spoken to Quinn since the weekend. She wasn't avoiding her; she just hadn't needed to visit the bakery this week.

But the blonde hadn't called her either. Or even texted. Rude.

She arrived at the school an hour before the students would arrive, and unlocked the classroom with a groan. The room was almost as cold as the exterior of the building, and Santana immediately crossed to the radiator. It was freezing cold. She checked her watch, realising that the heating in the room should have been on and working at least half an hour ago. It was just too much.

She let out a small scream of frustration, balling up her hands and screwing her eyes shut as she stamped her feet. Ugh. Okay, that feels better, even if it was childish and a very Berry thing to do. Thank God she was alone.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Oh fucking fuckety fuck. She turned her head slowly, to look at the fat balding janitor in the doorway. Well. This would be horribly embarrassing if it wasn't THE WORST DAY OF MY FUCKING LIFE.

"Yes. Fine. Just cold." She smiled politely and he looked guilty

"Sorry ma'am," STOP FUCKING CALLING ME MA'AM, DO I LOOK LIKE A FUCKING PENSIONER? " I meant to get here sooner but I got held up. I'm here to fix it" he gestured to the toolbox in his hand and the radiator, and she gave a tight smile as he entered. She sat at her desk, not daring to remove her coat and brave the cold. Sighing, she pulled the box of papers towards her, grabbing the first one and marking through it. She worked quickly through them, slowly growing more and more irritated.

No, Jenni, that is NOT a fucking Quaver and it's not four beats!

Yes, Ellie, THAT'S a motif. You fifteen-year-old moron.

Oh God why are you taking music?

Jesus, Matt, its fucking MINIMALISM, we have this conversation EVERY LESSON.

She finally finished flicking through the papers, still sat huddled in her coat, as the janitor left, and dropped her head onto her forearms with a sigh. It would be a long day.

-ooOoo-

She was been right. It had been a long day. And to top it off, in the last period, Sophie had turned to her with a grin and announced it was her birthday in two days. Great. She smiled and promised the girl an extra special cupcake, inwardly cursing. Why did I even fucking start this stupid tradition?

She sighed as she let herself into the apartment. It was filthy again. She leaned against the back of the sofa, knowing she should probably tidy and clean, but just not having the energy. She sighed again, feeling glum, and tipped herself over the back of the sofa, landing upside down, on her back. She felt a familiar tug of unease as she breathed in and remembered the last time she laid here. The couch cushion still smelt like limes, and she bit her lip.

She'd have to talk to the blonde tomorrow and order Sophie's cupcake. It wasn't like she was particularly dreading it, she just wasn't exactly...eager. Quinn had left before she woke up, and hadn't tried to contact her at all. And that had to mean something. Santana frowned and bit her thumb nail as she thought about the blonde, and reached over to her bag with a sigh. She pulled out her phone and slumped back on the sofa as it dialled, still laid upside down

"Hello?"

"Hey Rach, it's me."

"Hi. Are you okay, you sound upset?"

"Not upset, exactly. Just...what are you all doing tonight?"

"Uh, I think Jess and Brittany have a date. I'm not doing anything. Fancy the bar?"

"That's perfect, but could you just come here instead? I've had enough of people for today"

"Okay," she replied cautiously "gimme an hour?"

"Cool." She hung up and sighed again, before pulling her legs down so she was laid staring at the ceiling. How depressing.

-ooOoo-

Rachel arrived exactly an hour later, and Santana crossed to the intercom to let her in before dragging herself back to her position on the sofa. The brunette appeared at the door a few moments later, frowning when her eyes fell on the Latina girl laid in the dark. She pulled off her coat and stepped across to the couch, flicking the lamp on and pulling Santana into a sitting position. She sat down before allowing Santana to slump back with her head in Rachel's lap.

"What's up, honey?" Rachel smiled as she began to stroke Santana's hair, eying the girl's heavy frown, and Santana sighed.

"Do I like Quinn?" she asked

"I think so." Rachel gave a sympathetic smile and Santana bit her thumb nail "Why? What happened the other night?"

"Okay," Santana took a deep breath "Well she came back here when she lost her keys, which I'm assuming she's replaced now," Rachel looked away guiltily "to stay the night. She read the notes on the fridge and she was laughing at me, then she pushed me over the back of the couch and I pulled her down on top of me. By accident" Rachel grinned "and then we kissed. For a while..."

Quinn pulled Santana to her feet as they kissed, chuckling slightly when Santana lost her balance, grabbing the girl around the waist "Thanks" Santana whispered against her lips. She pulled Santana towards her, in the direction of the bedroom, but they had only taken a few steps before the brunette slammed Quinn back against the wall, pressing their bodies together. She let out a small cry of surprised pain, and Santana pulled an apologetic face as she muffled the cry with a kiss. The blonde twisted her hands into Santana's hair as she ran her hands down Quinn's pale arms, pulling her hands up and pinning them either side of her head, intertwining their fingers.

Quinn pushed off the wall and walked Santana in the direction of the bedroom, sliding one hand down to the small of the brunette's back and under the hem of her t-shirt. Her nails dragged across the soft skin and Santana turned them around to push Quinn onto the bed, her knees either side of the blonde's thighs. She pulled away, gazing down at the girl's face, framed by her own dark hair, suddenly tense "Uh..."

"Mmhm." Quinn bit her lip, looking unsure

"Should we...?" Santana frowned

"Yeah I think so" she grinned, her face flushed, and Santana sat back on her haunches

"I mean, its not..."

"No! I understand. But..." the blonde sat upright, her hands still on Santana's thighs as they stuttered, and Santana took a deep breath

"Yeah." she nodded with a sigh

"Okay." Quinn gave a reassuring smile and they both giggled again, before Santana cupped the blonde's face, leaning in for another sweeter, less frantic, kiss. Quinn smiled and Santana slid back off the bed, crossing to her dresser. The blonde watched from the bed, breathing heavily and biting her lip as Santana pulled out two pairs of shorts, a vest top, and an 'I 3 NY' t-shirt. She turned and held them all up in front of Quinn, who grabbed the stripy shorts and NY t-shirt with a grin, "Thanks" Santana nodded and attempted to avert her eyes as Quinn pulled her top swiftly over her head. "I can see you looking, pervert." She laughed, folding it and placing it on top of the laundry basket

"You think a lot of yourself." Santana rolled her eyes, "I was actually just admiring your bra" she added scathingly, pulling her jeans off

"Yeah, that'sless creepy." Quinn nodded before stepping towards her and grabbing the hem of Santana's t-shirt. She pulled her into a kiss and dragged the t-shirt over her head, grinning when it messed her hair up, and tossed it to the floor.

Santana raised an eyebrow "Oh, are you gonna tidy up tomorrow?" she glared and pulled the blonde back in, shuddering and biting the blonde's lip when she stroked her fingers lightly down Santana's spine. The blonde giggled and stepped back to let Santana put her top on, turning away to slide her skirt off.

Santana reached forwards and thumbed the label of Quinn's underwear before tucking it back in, grinning when she heard the blonde's breath catch, and she leaned down to press her lips to the bare skin where the girl's neck met her shoulder. She felt Quinn smile as she pulled her shorts on, and sunk her teeth into the flesh lightly, laughing when Quinn squirmed away with a shriek "That's payback for biting me!"

Quinn turned to grab Santana but she dodged out of the way, running down the hall in her vest and pants to the bathroom, the fully dressed blonde close behind. She grabbed her wrist and spun Santana round as they reached the door, pressing her against it and into another long kiss, before Santana turned the door knob and the door swung open, dodging out of Quinn's grasp once again. "Here. This is the one you used last time" she held out the toothbrush to Quinn, who took it with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow

"Do you keep all your overnight guests' toothbrushes? That's a little serial-killer." She smirked and Santana shrugged

"No, of course not. Only the ones who's DNA I'd like to keep for cloning" she shrugged casually and Quinn giggled

"Wow, I'm gonna take that as a compliment" she said genuinely and Santana grinned. She squeezed toothpaste onto both brushes and frowned as she took the space beside Quinn.

"Move over! You're taking up all the space!" she complained through a mouth of toothpaste, bumping the blonde out of the way with her hip

"I am not!" Quinn spat bubbles of foam over the mirror as she protested, pushing Santana back

"Yes you are!" they pushed and shoved for a few moments before Santana changed tactics "Fine! I'll just have to stand behind you!" she stood directly behind the blonde, leaning forwards exaggeratedly to crush the blonde between her body and the sink, and Quinn spat her mouthful into the sink

"You're only doing that so you can press your 'gina against my ass! Pervert!" she laughed, meeting Santana's eye in the mirror

"Oh, you wish, blondie! You're so full of yourself!" she rolled her eyes with a grin

"Whatever" Quinn raised a sceptical eyebrow and narrowed her eyes "I'm on to you, sex pest."

"...then we got into bed, had a goodnight kiss and we cuddled for a while and fell asleep. We woke up the next day and everything was fine, still not awkward. Then we fell back to sleep, and I woke up, and she was gone. It was like a nail-and-bail, but without the nailing. And I haven't seen her since; no call, no text...nothing." she shrugged sadly and Rachel frowned thoughtfully

"Okay...well, have you texted or called her? Or been to see her?" she asked, already guessing the reply

"...no. I'm not avoiding her or anything, I just haven't really...had anything to...say." she shrugged, blushing and Rachel rolled her eyes with a smile

"Well, why don't you just say hi. Tell her you had a good time? Go see her"

"Well, its Sophie's birthday soon, you know the sophomore drummer girl? So I'll have to go in tomorrow to order a cake but...I don't know, she just left. She didn't even wake me or say bye. She was just gone?" she bit her thumb nail and Rachel sighed

"Yeah, I get it. Well, maybe you'll just have to play it by ear? When you go in tomorrow" she shrugged

"Thanks, Rach. That's so helpful" she rolled her eyes. Rachel's jaw clenched and she sighed "...I'm sorry. I'm being a bitch. But I don't know. I didn't even realise I like her. And now I like her. And she didn't even say goodbye."

"Maybe she just didn't want to disturb you? She probably assumed you'd be in to see her on Sunday so didn't bother" Rachel laughed, and Santana frowned, "For all we know, she's sat at home freaking out just as much as you right now!"

"Maybe. You might be right." Santana frowned "Thanks, Rach. I guess I'll just see her tomorrow after school"

"Feeling any better?" Rachel grinned

"Yeah a little." She smiled "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet, you?" Santana shook her head and Rachel smiled "Okay, take out?"

"Mexican"

"Ew"

-ooOoo-

"Hi" Santana smiled shyly as the green door swung shut behind her, and Quinn looked up, slightly startled

"Oh. Hi" she gave an awkward smile and a blush started to creep up her neck

"I'm just here to order a cupcake. For tomorrow. Please." Santana stuttered as she stepped up to the counter, not noticing as Quinn's face fell slightly.

She coughed to hide it and grabbed her notepad, attempting to act professional "Sure that's fine. What would you like?"

"Um, it's for Sophie. You know the little sophomore drummer girl?" Quinn nodded with a polite smile and Santana continued "Yeah. And she likes strawberries. If you'll be...doing anything like that..." she trailed off, staring down at her hands

"Yeah I have strawberries. Um, how about a strawberry cupcake, with a jam and cream topping?"

"Sounds delicious. But nothing special on top this time, it sounds like it would ruin it" she nodded, feeling tense and willing her heart rate to slow down, and Quinn nodded

"Okay great. I'll have it ready early, as usual" Santana smiled gratefully before taking a deep breath. Ask about the other night. Just do it. Do it now. She opened her mouth to speak, before frowning and closing it again.

Quinn bit her lip Oh God she's going to say something. No wait, no she's not. I saw you open your mouth. I saw that! What were you going to say? Say it!

"So, um...I guess I'll go then" Santana lost her nerve and turned to walk towards the door. Quinn looked at her retreating back hopefully, but stayed silent, and Santana left the shop, stopping once she was out of sight.

She leaned her back against the wall of the next building with a heavy sigh, and dropped her head back with a groan. Well that went well. If 'well' now means 'awkward as fuck'. She is clearly horrified by the whole ordeal, and now I look like a fucking creep. Awesome. Nice work, Starlight.

Quinn rested her elbows on the counter and dropped her head into her hands, blushing furiously. She sighed heavily before screwing her face up in frustration, dropping her arms and bashing her head onto her forearms. Brilliant. She clearly came to give me the message that it meant nothing, so I look like a total idiot and she probably feels awkward as hell. Great. Smooth moves, there, Cupcake Girl.

-ooOoo-

Santana showered as soon as she got home, with a sense of unease in her stomach. Despite Rachel soothing some of her insecurities yesterday, she now felt worse than ever. Quinn had made it perfectly clear how she felt, and now Santana was left with a newfound vulnerability and a pretty big sense of loss. The nagging frustration in her mind and persistent tugging of disappointment in the pit of her stomach refused to subside. She sighed heavily as she dried herself and changed straight into her pyjamas, spending the night watching trashy TV and playing stupid games before crawling in to bed for an early night.

She was still awake, tossing and turning, five hours later. It was three in the morning and she was starting to grow agitated and restless. She sat up straight in the darkness, frowning and leaning her head on her knees with a sigh. She rubbed at her eyes and stretched before glancing at the clock on her side-table and calculating how many hours of sleep she had left before she had to get up for work again.

She flipped the bedcover over, before leaning back and turning her pillow, and she flopped back down onto the bed, smiling between the cool sheets. She frowned again a few moments later when she still couldn't relax, and decided to move over into the middle of the bed. She threw her pillow into the corner and grabbed the other to tug it into the middle of the bed. She laid her head down and inhaled the lingering scent of limes. Ugh. Now she's just mocking me. She lifted the pillow to swap it with the one in the corner, before pausing. Instead of throwing the pillow, she dropped it onto the space next to her as her eyes fell on the crumpled paper on the pillow below.

She leaned over and flicked the lamp on, wincing at the sudden burst of light, and pushed the pillow back against the headboard, leaning back onto it as she uncurled the paper and her mouth dropped open.

Hello, Santana-Poppa-Starlight-Guest-Baker-Cupcake-Girl-Number-Two
Not quite sure when you'll get this, so sorry!
But last night was lots of fun
You should call Quinn-Sweetie-Pie-Cupcake-Girl-Blondie
Love Sober Quinn xxxx
P.S. Now go stick this on the fridge.

Santana grinned, dropping her head back onto her knees with a relieved sigh. She shook her head and let out a giddy laugh, re-reading the note again a few times, before following the girl's instruction, bounding out of bed and running to the kitchen. She flicked the light on and grabbed an available magnet, looking for a space. It was then that her eyes fell on another new note. How did I fucking miss that?

You're right.
This colour is hideous.
CG xx

She grinned delightedly and stuck the new note beside the others, before lifting herself onto the counter-top, still staring with a blissful grin. She swung her legs back and forth and bit her lip through her smile as he eyes travelled over the notes. Then her heat skipped a beat. Fuck. What about when I went in today? I didn't even acknowledge the billion notes she's left. She's going to think I don't like her. Dammit! Fuck. Shit. What do I do now? Should I call her and tell her? Yeah, at 3am, she'll love you for that. She rolled her eyes at her own stupidity, and jumped off the counter to slouch back to her bed. She slid under the covers with a frustrated sigh as she closed her eyes. She was moments away from falling, when another thought popped into her head. You're seeing her tomorrow morning to get Sophie's cupcake. You fucking moron.