I apologize for the wait everyone. Long chapter to make up for it!

"Yes, I understand, but no I'm not happy about it. I want that to be clear. Make sure to pass that message along to your superiors, those holier than thou powers that be. I am not happy." She hung up without waiting for a response and locked her phone, throwing it on top of the neatly packed suitcases littering her bed. She flopped onto the bed, imagining a raging fire burning her PR company to the ground, and the thought made her smile, if only momentarily.

You can't be seen with Heatherwas a phrase that floated her way multiple times a week from her PR manager. She was well aware that it was his job to create her image, mold her to be desirable from a working stand point, but there were only so many times she could listen to the broken record without its words becoming permanently engrained in her heart and head. Granted, that didn't mean that she couldn't have a little fun with her manager and shake things up on one side if she wasn't allowed to do the same on the other.

Scrolling through her contacts, she hit a familiar phone number and waited until a breathy voice on the other line made itself known.

"Hey Di, you're still in New York, right?"

Feather light kisses were pressed against the back of her shoulder as the relatively ignored movie played in the background. She felt her breath catch as Naya sucked on the skin just inside of her shoulder blade, but wiggled away regardless.

"Nay, stop." The brunette murmured protests and continued to place open mouthed kisses over any and all exposed skin, humming contentment. "Please, just stop. I really don't feel like it tonight."

"But I'll be gone for days Heath."

"That didn't have to be a problem." Her tone left little room for discussion, the words cutting through Naya despite the fact that they'd been barely whispered. "I'm gonna go home. You ought to get to bed, since you're leaving so early tomorrow. Text me when you land." With that, and a swift kiss on the cheek, she grabbed her purse, slipped her feet into her shoes by the door, and was gone.

No matter where you are, there's a chance you want to be somewhere else. You could be suffering from a severe diagnosis of wanderlust, or perhaps find yourself thousands of miles from where your heart is residing, steadily beating outside of your chest and in the hands of another. There are planes and trains and cars and buses and ships. All you need is a ticket and a destination - a city, a country, or a person.

But, as with just about everything else in life, sometimes it isn't that simple. Sometimes your ticket is bringing you to the city you know you need to be in, to a person who once gave you their heart, while the bewitching woman who has yours on her fingertips will be in your rearview mirror. Sometimes your ticket and hotel room feel like a prison, and you can barely convince yourself to leave, as the shackles attached to your wrists and ankles are of your own creation. Sometimes the hustle and bustle feels suffocating, and all you can wish for is your own bed, a beautiful blonde, and no demands on you or your time.

Made it to NY. The guy next to me snored the whole flight though haha. Heading into the studio, I'll text you later babe. Love you xx

Naya had barely had time to send the text because settling into her hotel room had consisted of dropping off her bags before she was rushed back downstairs into a waiting taxi to make her way to the recording studio. She was more than happy to do so, but after the relaxing two weeks she'd had prior, getting back into the swing of a routine was harder than she'd anticipated. After a few hours of going over lyrics, debating whether songs fit the sound she'd envisioned, and laying down vocals over previously decided on tracks, she was exhausted to say the least. The iced coffee she was presented with once she'd taken a break was the only thing she could focus on for the moment, and it wasn't until several sips had passed her lips that she decided to check her phone. Her lock screen boasted multiple text messages and she typed in her passcode quickly, scrolling through the alerts.

Hope you got here safely. I'll be in Soho Wednesday, but maybe we could do dinner after or something? Thankfully, her favorite lady was in fact in town, and she'd have someone to both drag her into and pull her out of any trouble she'd find. Di mentioned dinner tonight at the Carlyle. Chord's coming, and you should too! She hadn't spent much time with Kelly, but she was always a good time, and had she not already found herself exhausted from the day's activities, she might have gone. She sent a text back to both, confirming with Dianna, and graciously turning down Kelly's offer for this evening. All she wanted was a hot shower and her bed tonight. So proud of you Naya! Call when you get a chance. I want to hear how recording's going! Love you! She sent her mother love in return, saying she'd probably call the next day, because she had a feeling tomorrow wouldn't be nearly as grueling as her return today.

Her last priority before the break was up was checking her Twitter, as per habit. She'd tweeted about being back in the studio, and couldn't catch the enormous giggle that slipped through her lips at Kevin's reply.

NayaRivera wrong drink?
druidDUDE The right work

Sipping down the last of her coffee, she smiled at her best friend's ability to pick up on any and all rap songs and headed back into the recording booth to redo a few of the vocals that were less than perfect, because anything other simply wasn't an option. Thankfully, the rest of her afternoon was so busy, she hadn't had time to think about the fact that Heather had responded to her text, and there was no way she was still sleeping, despite the time difference. It was another thought for another time, and Naya decided that losing herself in the music was a much better choice of activities than throwing herself into an anxious panic over one text message, or lack thereof.

Round two in the studio. :) Hope LA isn't too boring without me there. Miss you already, and I'll call you later. xoxo

She was stuck in yet another cab, trying to focus on the conversation the driver was attempting to engage her in, but she couldn't help her attention being pulled away by the feeling in her gut that something was off between her and her girlfriend. She hadn't heard from her since the day before she left, and though Hemo wasn't the best at checking her phone, hell she usually didn't have it on her, she had expected something.But no texts, no calls, no e-mails.

She pulled up in front of the studio and made her way upstairs to her booth, the one she'd begun to find familiar, after so many trips to New York like this. Her skirt brushed the floor, and she hiked it up slightly so she wouldn't trip. Opening the solid wooden door, she was met with a sight for sore eyes and dropped the fabric in between her fingers to pull her best friend in for a bone crushing hug.

"It is so good to see you!" she practically squealed, her arms wrapped firmly around the blonde's shoulders, swinging her slightly back and forth. "I've missed you Lady."

"Missed you too Mouse," she replied with a giggle before they separated and Naya was ushered back into the recording booth to continue her work from the day before. Everyone ordered in, and after lunch, Dianna left, giving her friend a little more time to work on some of the heavier material she and the studio had decided on thus far. It wouldn't seem like much to most people, but the hidden meanings behind her lyrics were running rampant if you knew her well enough.

Her PR had decided that videotaping some of her recording sessions could be good for future publicity, and though she'd had the same thing done while behind the mic for Glee, this felt much more personal, toopersonal. For several minutes, she tugged at the bottom of the knot tied at her waist, fidgeting slightly while everything was set up, and when she was asked if she was ready, she nodded shyly, thanking the musical gods for the slow back beat that flooded her, easing her growing panic.

After finishing up for the day, which included several high fives and more compliments that she was unable to accept fully, she headed back to the hotel to pass out, knowing she'd resume the exact same activities the next day.

Unlocking her phone, she had another few text messages, from various cast members wishing her well with the recording, another from her mother thanking her for the video they'd sent of her singing, and one from Dianna, saying she was glad they got to see each other, and she was looking forward to hanging out the next night. She scrolled further, and her heart leapt into her chest when she saw she'd had a missed call from Heather. She slipped her phone between her shoulder and cheek, listening to the incessant ringing as she removed her makeup in the mirror.

"Hello?"

"Hey babe," she grinned, shaking her head at her enthusiasm, which was evident across the entirety of her face.

"Oh, hey. How's New York?" The feigned interest was suffocating, and Naya wasn't entirely sure how to take it, so she played along with whatever game it was she'd found herself in.

"It's going pretty well. It's exhausting, but I'm glad I get to do it, you know?" She wiped the remains her mascara from under her cheeks before tossing the wipe in the trashcan and flopping on the bed. "I wish you were here."

"Yeah, same. At least Dianna's there though, right?" There was an edge in her voice that didn't suit the nonchalant nature of her comment. She rarely used anyone's full name in casual conversation unless there was something she was upset about.

"Yeah, but I mean, I really haven't spent much time with her. She came into the studio earlier, but I was recording the whole time, so it's not like we got to hang out." Naya was too tired to fight about things, so she did her best to ease the subject.

"Oh."

"Hemo, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you one wording me now?"

"I'm not."

"Heath, is this about Di? Because I told you in Mexico that things were over between us. There's nothing there." She was becoming frustrated quickly, and her tone was rising to match Heather's without her meaning to.

The blonde took a long, shuddering breath before replying. "It's just bullshit that you can hang out with her, or Chord, or Matt, but you can't be seen with me. I'm really getting sick of it Nay."

"I don't know what you want me to do about it Heather. I've tried talking to my manager. They won't budge on it. I've threatened so many things, and they aren't ever phased by it. I fought them just a few days ago about you being able to come, and I fought them on Hawaii, and I fought them on the Mexico pictures. Hell, I even fought Brad on Comic Con!" Her tone crossed back and forth between raging and broken, and anyone who knew her knew it wasn't a good combination. "I've been fighting for us, okay? Believe what you want, but I have. I - I just can't have this conversation right now Hemo. I really need to get to bed."

"Naya I - "

"Night Heath. I love you."

The blonde returned the sentiment, her voice low and shaking, but her girlfriend had already hung up.

After a third day of vocal runs and warm ups and song writing, the only thing Naya could desire more than her bed and a large glass of wine was a night out with one of her favorite people. She and Heather hadn't spoken since the night before, and she'd called Kevin about it earlier, needing a fairly unbiased third party. He hadn't said much, given that apparently grocery shopping is difficult, but his tweet later that day spoke volumes.

some people got they heads soooo far up they own a$$ that they forgot how it ever got there. #ratchetyrachetA$$

She heard a knock on her door, signalling that Dianna was finally there to pick her up, and the two headed out for the evening, giving Naya the opportunity to forget the texts and calls and tweets that had been plaguing her for the majority of her trip thus far. After a long night filled with good food and just enough alcohol, she collapsed into bed, plugging her phone into her charger and checking her alerts before shutting her eyes for the night.

I'm sorry I've been weird. I just miss you, and I'm ready for you to come home. I shouldn't have gotten jealous over Di, because I trust you. Call me on your lunch tomorrow? Love you xx Hemo

A few more days, and she'd be back in Heather's arms. A few more days and she wouldn't find her chest aching as she fell asleep in a cold hotel room. Just a few more days and things would be back to the way they should be - lingering touches and long sleepless nights and entertwined limbs and those bluer than blue eyes.

She huffed as she fell back on the bed, slipping a pillow between her legs to compensate for the lack of toned thighs she'd usually find underneath her. Longest few days of my life.

AN: Sorry about the angst, but as I'm trying to follow public knowledge facts and then embellish upon them, it didn't seem fitting to have Heather with her in New York, and for the most part, you guys have been given lots of fluff. Haha. Only a few more days of her in New York, two or three (I don't have my timeline in front of me), and then a day with Megan once she gets back to LA. I'm debating on something big happening that day, but that will blow the reality of the fic out of the water, so we'll see. Haha.

A big thanks to njhousefan for alerting me to the fact that Di was in fact in New York at the time of Naya's recording.