Note: Again, thank you for your reviews. As for the guest who asked me not to kill Santana's mother off (wow, that sounds kind of odd out of context), I have made up my mind about that. Can't tell you what her fate will be, but you'll figure it out soon enough!

With that being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

"Come on Santana, sing with me," Rachel said as she tugged at Santana's hand. "I've requested a song I know you will like."

The night's been fun so far, but Santana hasn't gotten on stage yet. Quinn watched Santana's face contort a little. It probably wasn't that Santana didn't want to sing, she just needed some time to get use to doing things she wanted. Judging from these past few weeks Santana hasn't really been paying a lot of attention to herself. She worried about her mom most of the time – with every right – and it felt like she was always on edge. Seeing Santana cringe as Rachel continued to try and pull her up Quinn almost felt guilty for making Santana stay. But she realized Santana needed this, a night that was just about fun. That wasn't too much to ask for, was it?

Quinn looked at Santana and saw her silently plead for help. Quinn however refused to give in. "Santana, I think you should give it a try. You might actually enjoy it."

Santana sighed, clearly that wasn't the help she was hoping for.

"Quinn's right, and I know for a fact you will enjoy it," Rachel stated with a smile.

Santana frowned. "Berry what song did you pick?"

Rachel shook her head. "You'll find out as soon as you get up off your ass and join me on stage."

"Ugh fine. If that's what it takes to shut you up," Santana muttered as she got up.

Rachel chuckled as she guided Santana to the stage. She knew this was all she was going to get out of Santana, and she would gladly take it.

"Have fun!" Quinn shouted from the table with Kurt, and she could instantly feel Santana glare at her from across the room. So Quinn subtly blew her a kiss, causing Santana's expression to soften again. Oh, what a night this was.

As soon as Santana and Rachel settled on stage, drums started playing an up-tempo beat. A bass line filled the room and people recognized immediately that Rachel had picked "Valerie". They started clapping as Quinn nodded at Rachel's choice. She noticed Santana couldn't help but smile, as much as she tried.

Well sometimes I go out by myself
and I look across the water
and I think of all the things what you're doing
and in my head I paint a picture

It still took Rachel singing the first few lines before Santana finally gave in. But when she did, she really let go of herself. And that's all Quinn wanted for her, just to loosen up.

cause since I've come home, well my body's been a mess
and I miss your ginger hair and the way you like to dress

Won't you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why don't you come on over Valerie

Did you have to go to jail, put your house out up for sale, did you get a good lawyer?
Hope you didn't catch a tan, hope you find a right man who'll fix it for you
Are you shopping anywhere, change the colour of your hair? Are you busy?

By now Santana and Rachel were clearly enjoying themselves together. Rachel Berry and Santana Lopez, singing together and making funny faces… Who would've thought?

"She looks happy, doesn't she?" Kurt asked, noticing how Quinn was watching Santana.

Quinn nodded as she kept her eyes on her. "Yeah, she does."

Seeing Santana up on stage like that caused Quinn's heart to flutter. This was a side of Santana she hadn't gotten to see a lot lately. And it made Quinn want to kiss her even more. However, Kurt and Rachel didn't have to know about what was going on between them yet. Not until they figured it out themselves anyway.

Did you have to pay that fine, that you were dodging all the time, are you still busy
Well since I've come home, well my body's been a mess
and I miss your ginger hair, and the way you like to dress

Won't you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why don't you come on over Valerie

Santana smiled as she motioned for Quinn to come over as Rachel did the same with Kurt. Quinn and Kurt exchanged a glance before gladly getting up and joining them on stage. Santana welcomed Quinn with a hug and a subtle look that said something in between the lines of "I want to kiss you".

Well sometimes I go out by myself, and I look across the water
and I think of all the things what you're doing, and in my head I paint a picture
Well since I've come home, well my body's been a mess
and I miss your ginger hair, and the way you like to dress

Won't you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why don't you come on over Valerie

They finished the song together and Quinn had to admit, tonight may be the best night she's ever had. She was sure Santana was having a good time as well.

"You guys go ahead, Kurt and I wanted to do one more song together," Rachel announced as Quinn and Santana stepped off stage.

Quinn nodded. "Go for it."

She made her way back to the table with Santana. "Come on," Quinn started as they sat down. "Don't tell me you didn't have fun."

Santana didn't reply, she just smiled and it was an obvious answer.

Quinn took a moment to look at Santana, unable to help her own smile. Santana felt Quinn's eyes glued to her and lifted an eyebrow in response.

"What?" Santana asked.

"It's just good to see you smile."

Santana rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like I've been going all Kristen Stewart on you. It's not like I haven't done it before."

Quinn shook her head. "Not like that. Not since I ran into you that night, anyway."

Santana shrugged. "Guess you could say I'm having a good day."

"Does that have anything to do with a particular hot blonde?" Quinn teased, throwing Santana a luscious look.

Santana scoffed, shaking her head. "Oh – my god. If I had known you would turn into this…"

"You wouldn't have kissed me?" Quinn asked as she raised an eyebrow, daring Santana to answer.

Santana playfully narrowed her eyes at Quinn. "Well I would've gone all Lima Heights on you first. And then kiss you."

"Cute," Quinn replied, slightly tilting her head upwards, not sure if she should should be scared or find it endearing.

They turned their heads to see Kurt and Rachel, singing "Call me maybe". It was a fun sight. It reminded both Santana and Quinn that life didn't always have to be complicated. At least, not all the time.

"Quinn…" Santana started. "Thanks. For tonight I mean."

"What part of it exactly?" Quinn said with a chuckle.

Santana could only smile. "All of it."

Beneath the table, Quinn reached out her hand to Santana's. "You deserve it."

"So do you Quinn. I know college has been tough on you."

Quinn sighed. "Yeah it has. But… I know… Things will get better." She wasn't sure if she was entirely convinced, but she had to hold on to something.

Santana nodded, giving Quinn's hand a light squeeze.

"For both of us," Quinn added.

Santana shot her a sympathetic smile. "I hope you're right."

Quinn would've loved to confirm that with a kiss, but that would have to come later. Right now was enough. In this moment they were both in a good place, what more could any of them ask for? People strive so hard to make things better and become happy, but they often forget to pause for a moment. And take that moment to actually be happy. But tonight, that's what they did.

When they looked back at Kurt and Rachel they saw Rachel frantically jumping around. Or dancing, might be what she would call it.

"How did we ever become friends with them?" Santana joked, shaking her head.

"I honestly don't know," Quinn admitted as she quirked an eyebrow at Rachel's interesting movements. "They're good people though."

"Good people…" Santana repeated, agreeing to accept that as a reason. She let out a sigh. "You know, I can't stand them a lot of the time but –"

"Really… I hadn't noticed," Quinn remarked sarcastically.

Santana rolled her eyes before continuing. "But, I kind of had fun tonight… Maybe I should thank them."

Quinn playfully gasped. "Santana Lopez, is that you?"

"Shut up Fabray," Santana replied with a scoff.

"Never mind. There she is," Quinn said as she furrowed her eyebrows, causing Santana to make a face.

"Sorry, it was just weird to hear you talk like that about Rachel and Kurt of all people."

"Tell me about it," Santana huffed. "I must have like a fever or something. I think Kurt and Rachel are nice people and I made out with my arch enemy."

"Arch enemy?" Quinn laughed.

Santana shrugged. "Sometimes. You did kind of rob me off that captain's spot and put me on the bottom of the pyramid in cheerios."

"You're still not over that?" Quinn replied with a chuckle. "Anyway you stole my boyfriend just for spite."

It was funny how they could laugh about it now, when back then, high school drama seemed like the most important thing in life. In the end all that superficial stuff didn't seem to matter that much.

"You're right though, I never would've seen this day coming," Quinn continued. "But I'm glad it did."

"Sure about that?" Santana teased, playfully raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

It was almost as if nothing had changed. The same playful banter was still there, and Quinn knew that there would be times she would still want to rip Santana's head off. But the truth was, things have, undeniably changed. Even when a lot of things remained the same, it was only after tonight they had both openly admitted to themselves and to each other, that whatever happened, it would always be underlined by care, friendship, and… maybe love, eventually.

"We're the two hottest bitches in this joint. When you think about it, we shouldn't be that surprised," Santana said with a smirk.

Quinn rolled her eyes before looking at Santana with a warm smile. A moment later Kurt and Rachel had finished their song and made their way back to the table.

"So, how were we?" Rachel started with a proud expression. "Amazing right, I know." It seemed like a joke but with Rachel you could never really tell.

"Rachel," Kurt said as he nudged her in the arm. "That's not what tonight was about."

Quinn and Santana let out a little laugh. "Now those were some interesting moves you did there Berry," Santana commented.

Kurt chuckled. "Miss July would've killed you if she saw that performance."

Santana lifted an eyebrow in confusion.

"Her dance teacher at NYADA," Kurt clarified.

"Oh."

"Well I'm sick of doing pliés and pirouettes all the time," Rachel stated. "There's nothing wrong with letting go every once in a while."

"You're right," Santana said with a smile, causing Rachel to look somewhat confused. Of course it was a little odd that Santana of all people was the first to agree with her.

As Rachel let it slide, she started grinning at Santana. "Speaking of letting go, I think someone had fun tonight."

"Yeah I saw you, smiling up on that stage," Kurt joined in.

"Fine, yeah. I… I had a good time," Santana admitted with still a bit of an awkward smile. "Your song choice wasn't too bad, Berry."

The grin on Rachel's face grew bigger, if that was even possible. She held out her arms, motioning for Santana to give her a hug.

Santana sighed. She shook her head before getting up, allowing Rachel to pull her in for a hug.

Quinn chuckled at the sight. It was quite interesting, if you thought about their early years at McKinley this would be unthinkable. Then again, a lot of things right now seemed that way.

With Rachel's arms still wrapped around her, Santana shot Quinn a death glare.

Quinn teasingly raised an eyebrow at her, before noticing that Kurt had been paying attention to them making faces to each other. He didn't say anything, but he looked suspicious to say the least. Were they really that obvious?

"Well anyhow, it's getting late," Rachel said as she let go of Santana. "I think we should go, we kinda have class tomorrow."

"Berry out on a school night? My how things have changed," Santana couldn't help but remark.

"Don't worry," Rachel said, tilting her head. "I will be back to my daily schedule tomorrow."

Kurt sighed. "Ah the daily schedule…"

Rachel picked up her jacket from the chair and threw it on. "Make fun all you want Kurt, but one day you will all be applauding me from the crowd when I play the role of Fanny Brice!"

"I have no doubt," Kurt agreed for the sake of their friendship. He got up as he put on his own jacket. "We should do this again some time."

"Definitely," Quinn agreed. "We'll talk to you guys later."

Kurt and Rachel both nodded before turning around to pace towards the exit.

"Wait," Santana called out to them. They turned to face Santana with a questioning look.

"What is it?" Kurt asked.

Santana looked at them with a genuine expression. "I feel like I should say this, I just… wanted to thank you guys for tonight. It means a lot to me."

"That's okay. We're glad you could make it," Rachel said with a sweet smile.

"Yeah and besides, we had a great time too," Kurt added. "But we really should get going now."

Santana nodded. They said their goodbyes, leaving Quinn with Santana.

"That was kind of sweet," Quinn said, causing Santana to scoff.

"Whatever."

"So, do you wanna come to my place?" Quinn asked, suddenly realizing the question felt a lot less casual after making out tonight.

Santana let out a small laugh, as if she had the same realization. "Yeah… but this time I want to get some clothes at my house first. I'll meet you at your place?"

Quinn chuckled. "Don't be silly, I'll drive you."

Santana grinned as she agreed to let Quinn take her.

About twenty minutes later they arrived at Santana's apartment.

"I'll be right back, I'll just get my stuff from my room and we can go."

Just as Santana was about to walk away Quinn grabbed her hand and pulled her back to face her. She gently placed a kiss on Santana's lips.

"I've been wanting to do that for these past two hours…" Quinn whispered.

A smile gradually appeared on Santana's face. "We can do a little more of that when we get back to your place."

"Hurry," was all Quinn had to say to get Santana going. She went into her bedroom to collect her things as Quinn waited at the kitchen counter. She felt herself getting a little hungry so she checked Santana's fridge. She quirked an eyebrow, as there was barely any food in there.

"Geez S, have you been eating at all? There's like nothing in your fridge."

"I'm never really that hungry, besides, I've been busy," Santana called back from her room.

Right… Quinn thought to herself.

"Guess it's a good thing I've been taking you out for dinner then," she called back.

"Yeah except for that time you ordered me that disgusting pizza."

Quinn rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Are you done yet?"

"Yeah, one sec."

Quinn sighed, closing her eyes for a moment as she leaned her back against the kitchen counter.

Suddenly she was startled by a horribly loud noise, causing her eyes to shoot wide open. It sounded like glass shattering, followed by a hollow thud. Quinn's breath hitched and it took her a few moments to get her heartrate back to normal.

"What the hell was that?" She looked over to the window and noticed the glass had completely shattered. Panic started to overcome her, and when she didn't get a response from Santana she quickly looked over to the side. "Santana what –" And then she gasped.

"Oh my god."

Santana was down on her knees, holding her head. She had dropped her bag and about two feet further lay a small but fairly heavy looking piece of rock. When Quinn looked back at Santana she noticed blood trickling down from where she held her head.

"Santana!" Quinn was by her side in no-time.

Santana didn't say anything, she just continued to press her hand to her head.

"Baby can you hear me?" Quinn tried. Santana was conscious, but she remained unresponsive. "Shit."

Quinn threw a quick glance at the rock and noticed a tiny note tied to it. She narrowed her eyes, trying to make out what it said.

"Three weeks."

And just like that, her heart sank. Reality now literally came crashing down...

Song / Chapter Title: Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People