First of all, this is a long chapter. Well, longer than usual but I didn't want to split it up. I think it works best that way especially with what's coming in the next chapter. Second, the song at the end of the chapter is The Best of Times by Styx off their Greatest Hits album if you want to look it up and listen to it. Thanks.
Chapter 29
Monday, December 17, 2012
Things are slowly getting back to normal. Over the weekend they had Puck come over and help move some furniture around. They probably could have done it themselves but Santana thought it would be fun to hear Puck grumble and complain about doing it. Knowing the whole time that he would never say no to them or refuse to do something for them.
Santana is in her office. Another Monday drags on. She has a ton of paperwork to catch up on. She had a trail last week and was out of the office most of the time. Thus, a mountain of paperwork that needs to be done waiting for her on her desk when she arrived on Monday morning.
It's mid-afternoon as Santana looks outside into the December sky. Wishing that she was outside instead of stuck in the office all day. A gust of wind picks up a group of loose leaves and swirls them around in the air in front of her window.
"Check that, I don't want to be outside." Santana mumbles and returns to the folder in front of her.
She finishes with that folder a few minutes later and puts it on the 'done' pile. The pile slowly getting larger and the 'not done' pile slowly shrinking.
She picks up the next folder when there is a knock on her door.
"Yes." She says for the person to enter. It's Linda, of course. Santana waves her into the room. The woman smiles and enters and shuts the door behind herself. She leans up against it and takes a deep breath.
"Detective Evans is here again." Linda says.
Santana looks up from her paperwork. "Did he say why he is here?" Santana asks cautiously. Linda shakes her head, no. "Okay, well, I'm just doing some paperwork, let him in."
"Alright. Anything else?" Linda asks politely.
"No, that's it." Santana goes back to her paperwork as the woman leaves the room. A few seconds later there is another knock on her door. Santana takes a deep breath. "Come in."
Santana rushes home leaving her torrid paperwork for another day.
She can't wait for the garage door to open all the way, throwing the car in park and shutting it off in the driveway. Leaving everything in the car she runs, as quickly as can in heels, towards the garage door that is still in it's upward assent. She ducks under the door and dashes into the house. "Brittany." She shouts.
She throws off her shoes and runs into the kitchen and looks around the room quick. "Brittany." She yells again.
She runs into the living room. "Brittany. Where are you?" She yells though the house. Lord Tubbington meows from the other side of the couch scaring Santana. She jumps and then narrows her eyes at him, threatening. She shakes her head at him. Then. "Brittany." Again.
"What is it?" She hears Brittany says. Santana snaps her head in the direction of her voice.
Brittany is standing at the top of the steps with her hands on her hips. Santana rushes over to the stairs. She makes it up a couple of steps before she trips in her hurry, nearly face planting into a step.
"Careful." Brittany breaths.
Santana rights herself and hurries the rest of the way up the stairs. She is standing in front of Brittany all of a sudden. "Whoa." She whispers as her thoughts come rushing back to her.
Brittany reaches out and steadies a wobbly Santana with an arm on her shoulder. "Where's the fire?" She smirks.
Santana squints at Brittany. What the blonde just said going completely over her head.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Brittany amends.
Santana shakes her head. "I- I have good news."
"Okay."
"It's sort of like an early Christmas present." Santana continues. Brittany raises an eyebrow at that. "Okay. Okay. No Christmas present then. Just- it's really good news. Go with that."
"Okay. What's the good news then?" Brittany folds her arms across her chest.
"Detective Evans came to see me this afternoon." Brittany narrows her eye. "They arrested a suspect."
"That's great." Brittany smiles.
"And get this, they confessed." Santana beams.
"Shit. Wow." Brittany nods and thinks about the implications for a second. "So that means-"
"It's all over now. You're name is completely clear. We don't have to worry about it ever again." Santana bounces excitedly up and down on the tips of her toes.
"Wow." Brittany says again. The weight of the situation not fully sinking in yet.
"You said that already Britt." Santana giggles.
Brittany pulls Santana into her and wraps her arm tightly around her. "I don't know what else to say. That's definitely good news, though."
"Indeed." Santana agrees and rests her chin on Brittany's shoulder. "Indeed."
Brittany pulls Santana away from her body suddenly thinking of something. "Do you know who it is? Can you tell me?" Brittany looks Santana square in the eye when she asks.
"Uh- well, I do know their name but I can't tell you. I can't tell anyone- yet. They haven't been processed or charged or even seen a judge yet. The arrest was just a few hours ago. Sam came and told me right away and then he was going back to question them some more. But as soon as this become public knowledge you will know."
"Yeah, me and every other schmuck in the city." Brittany scoffs.
"Hey, how about I talk to Sam and see what I can do?" Santana shrugs.
Brittany gives her a funny look. "What do you mean?"
"Well, maybe I could get you in there when they have a meeting or something and we can look on- from behind the glass, ya know."
Brittany nods. "That would be great. I really want to know who this person is."
"There's one more thing Brittany."
Brittany doesn't like the sound of Santana's voice when she says it. "What's that?" Brittany questions. She knows, somehow, this isn't something she is going to want to hear.
"You might have to testify if there is a trial." Santana says softly.
"Oh." Brittany breathes out and looks away from Santana.
"Don't worry I will be there." Santana says quickly.
"As my lawyer." Brittany voice is distant. She really doesn't want to have to step foot in another courtroom again.
"Umm-"
"No." Brittany says.
"You don't technically need a lawyer if you are just testifying. But DA Berry will want to meet with you before hand and advise you as to the sort of things to say and not say during your testimony."
"Hmm." Brittany nods.
"It will be fine. I will be in court. Try not to worry too much about it. It might not even go to trial." Santana tells the blonde.
"Hopefully." Brittany comments and finally looks back at the woman in her arms. She kisses Santana on the forehead. "You hungry. I'll make dinner." She doesn't want to talk about it anymore.
Santana nods and grins up at Brittany. "What?" The blonde asks.
"Let's go out to celebrate on Friday night." Santana suggests. "Me, you, Puck, whoever, lets go out."
Brittany thinks for a second. "Okay, but you know the world is suppose to end on Friday."
"You don't actually believe that bullshit, do you?" Santana narrows her eyebrow at Brittany.
"Well, no, I signed up for that class in January. Do you think I would have done that if I thought the world was going to end?" Santana shakes her head. "But- want if it did?"
"It's not going to Britt. It's just some big conspiracy theory or some dumb shit." Santana groans. "We are going out on Friday, end of story."
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
"What are we going to do for Christmas? And no presents. I mean- where are you going to be for Christmas?" Brittany asks as they lay in bed.
"I usually go to Florida. I mentioned that to you, right?" Santana says playing with a strand of Brittany's hair.
"Yeah. So, then you are going to Florida for the holidays?" Brittany deducts.
"I never said that." Santana rolls so that she can lay on top of Brittany. The blonde giggles a little. "I will go to Florida- but only if you go with me. I want to be where you are Britt. It doesn't matter where that is. Whether it's here in this house or at your dad's house or at my parent's place in Florida. I just want to be with you." She kisses Brittany sweetly.
"Mhm." Brittany hums into the kiss.
Santana detaches her lips from Brittany's with a little pop. "So I am going to ask you where you want to spend Christmas. We can totally go to Florida if you want. But I have a feeling that you probably want to be with your dad and sister, or close to them."
Brittany is silent for a few seconds as she thinks. Her hands rub up and down Santana's back absentmindedly.
"I've never been to Florida, so it's tempting but I don't think I could be away from my family for Christmas." Brittany half-shrugs against the mattress.
"So we will stay here. I will call my parents in the morning and tell them." Santana gives Brittany a quick kiss and lays her head down on the blonde's chest. A big yawn escaping from the tiny brunette.
Brittany thinks it's totally cute. Santana being all tired and cuddly. She smiles. "Do you think they will be upset?" Brittany asks, her voice a little quieter than before.
"No. They will understand. They will miss me but they get it, babe." Santana replies as she pats her left hand against Brittany's breast bone, right next to her face.
"M'kay." Brittany mumbles. She believes Santana when she says it. She knows that what she says is true. "Should I turn out the light?" Brittany asks the nearly asleep girl on top of her.
Santana nods. Brittany reaches over with her right hand and turns the small table lamp off. "Goodnight, Santana. I love you."
"G'night, babe. Love you." Santana mumbles.
Brittany smiles and kisses her on top of the head before closing her own eyes and drifting off to peaceful sleep.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A blonde sits, hands cuffed, in an interrogation room at the jail. Her lawyer sitting idly next to her. They sit, waiting.
Detective Evans enters the little room adjacent to the interrogation room. "Oh good you're here." He says when he sees someone in the room already.
"Only been here a few minutes."
"Okay. It's good to see you again Ms. Berry. I am one hundred percent confident that I have the correct suspect this time." He smiles with his chin held high.
"Yeah, I heard she confused so…" Rachel jabs.
"Yeah, well- about that though-" Sam shrugs.
"About what Detective?" Rachel prompts and crosses her arms across her chest. "There better not be any more surprises."
"No. No. But while we are in there-" He points into the interrogation room. "-Santana will be bringing her client, the former accused, here to see the murderer. They will not have any contact. Officer Hudson will escort them in after we go in and will escort them out after a few minutes- before we are finished."
Rachel raises an eyebrow in his direction. "You better not be trying to pull anything here." She warns.
"No, I'm not. I swear. It wasn't my idea. Santana actually approached me and asked if we could set something up. Apparently, her client wants to see the suspect and can't wait to read it in the paper or see it on the news."
"Well, can you blame her?" Rachel spits. Even though she is the District Attorney that doesn't mean that she doesn't feel bad about what happened to Brittany. She's not cruel.
Sam hangs his head. "I guess not." He says lowly.
"Well, if there isn't anything else, shall we start?" Rachel asks.
Sam's head snaps up. "Sure." He says eagerly.
They walk into the interrogation room and take their respective seats.
A few minutes later Officer Finn Hudson escorts Santana and Brittany into the viewing room. The blinds have been drawn shut so they can't see into the room when they walk in.
"Okay. Here we are. I will just be standing over here in the corner, don't mind me." He says to the girls.
"Okay." Santana says only half listening. Most of her attention is focused on Brittany. The blonde is staring at the covered window like if she stares at it hard enough the blinds might fly open magically.
Santana comes up behind Brittany and puts a hand on her shoulder. She feels the blonde flinch. Her other hand reaches for the sting to pull open the blinds. "Ready?" She asks. Brittany nods. Santana raises the blinds revealing the interrogation room.
Brittany stands there unmoving, just staring into the room. She recognizes District Attorney Berry and Detective Evans even with they're backs facing her. She sees what she assumes is a lawyer sitting across from Rachel. And across from Sam is the women that has been arrested for murder. For the murder that Brittany was accused of committing.
The women is in her jail issue orange jumpsuit. Her hands cuffed together. A smug frown on her face, if that's possible. She has blonde hair that comes down to the shoulders, just a little bit shorter than Brittany's. From where she is standing Brittany can't quiet see the color of the woman's eye but she thinks maybe they are blue or grey or even possibly green. She is a slim woman but Brittany can't tell how tall she is when she is sitting. If she guessed Brittany would say that she is shorter than herself though. And she can't be much older than Brittany.
She can see how some old woman could have mistaken her for the woman in handcuffs. Especially from far away.
"Brittany?" Santana tries to get her attention.
"Hmm." Brittany hums.
"Are you okay?" Santana asks.
"Yeah." Brittany says shakily.
"Are you sure?" Santana doesn't really believe Brittany. Brittany just nods. Santana squeezes her shoulder with her hand. "Okay. Do you want me to tell you what I know?" Brittany nods again as she watches the conversation that is going on on the other side of the window.
Santana fidgets a little at Brittany's side. "Her name is Quinn Fabray. She is 27 years old. And she is friends with that Joe guy that you sold your car to. Other than that, that's all I know."
Brittany nods at the new information. Santana watches her carefully. Eyeing her from the side. Santana sighs before her hand slides down from where it rests at Brittany shoulder down her arm to her hand. She laces their fingers together and squeezes Brittany's hand.
Slowly a small smile forms on Brittany's face. Santana watches as it happens. Brittany squeezes Santana's hand and rubs her thumb across the brunette's knuckles. She turns her head to the side and looks at Santana. "Okay. Let's go."
Santana turns to the corner where Officer Hudson is standing. "We are done here. But I would like to talk to the District Attorney when she is done. Can you show us another room until she is finished?" She asks the young man.
He scrunches his face up in what Santana assumes is intense thought. He kinda looks like he is constipated though. He nods after a brief few seconds. "Follow me." He tells them.
Brittany and Santana follow Finn though the interrogation area of the jail, hand in hand. He leads them to any empty room and opens the door for them to go through.
"Will you let the District Attorney know that I want to speak with her and that I am waiting for her then?"
"I will, Ms. Lopez. I will make sure that she gets here when she is finished with her meeting." Finn says politely.
"Thank you, Officer." With that Finn steps out of the room.
Brittany is sitting there, nervously bouncing her leg, facing the door. Santana is pacing the room behind her. The lawyer trying to think of what she wants to talk to the District Attorney about.
"Will you sit down you're making me nervous?" Brittany asks as she turns to Santana. The brunette stops in her tracks and look up from the floor. She smiles after a second and nods.
Santana comes over and takes the seat next to Brittany. She notices the blonde's bouncing leg so she wraps her fingers around the knee nearest to her. Brittany stops moving immediately. She turns and sees Santana smiling at her.
"What?" The blonde questions.
"Nothing." Santana runs her hand up the inside of Brittany's thigh and watches as the girls eye getting wider the further up she goes. She giggles, delighted. She finds Brittany's hands in her lap and tangles their fingers together. She then raises the hand and kisses Brittany's knuckles. "Relax." She breathes. Brittany nods.
The door swings open and they both freeze. Santana turns to see Rachel Berry standing there. "Did I interrupt something?" The District Attorney says with her hands on her hips.
"No." Santana scoffs and lets their, still, connected hands fall onto the tabletop. She has nothing to hide.
"Well, it kind of looks like it." Rachel steps into the room fully and shuts the door behind her.
"Whatever, Berry. I'm not here to talk about myself. I want to know if this is going to trial?"
Rachel pulls out her a chair and sits across from them. "I don't know that yet. I just came out of the meeting and I have to review all of the facts of the case." She folds her hands and sets them on the table.
"Well, are you going to offer her a deal?" Santana asks.
"I don't know." Rachel shrugs.
"What do you know?" Santana raises her voice a little.
"Things. That I can't tell you about." District Attorney Berry smirks.
Santana throws her hands up in the air. "You're so frustrating." She groans.
"Santana." Brittany says from her side. The brunette's whole body language changes. Santana slumps down in her chair. Brittany reaches over and squeezes her knee, just like Santana had done for her earlier. All the aggravation slipping from her body.
Rachel watches as Brittany defuses Santana. "Sooo- you two are together then?" The District Attorney asks.
Santana nods. "Yeah."
"I thought I warned you about that?" Rachel stares directly at Santana as she speaks.
"You did and I didn't do anything wrong." Santana furrows her eyebrows trying to figure out what Rachel's angle is.
"No. When did this start?" She motions between Santana and Brittany.
Santana turns to look at the blonde and scrunches her face up at the question. "Maybe a month or so after Brittany was released from jail. Right?" She ask the blonde for confirmation.
"Right." Brittany agrees.
"What's it to ya, Berry?" Santana grumbles. She's had enough of Rachel Berry's nosy ass today.
"Just making sure. Don't want any-"
Santana cuts her off. "Listen, Berry, I didn't do anything wrong. Brittany didn't do anything wrong. No rules or laws were broken. So enough already. If you aren't going to tell me anything about the case then we are done here."
"Fine." Rachel gets up to leaves. She takes a few steps to the door and then turn around abruptly. "I see you got your tooth fixed, Brittany. It looks good." She turns back and opens the door.
"Oh, and by the way, Santana, I think you two are totally adorable together." She says over her shoulder with a little smile. A second later she is gone.
Santana flops forward, her elbows on the table, her face in her hands. "She really knows how to push my buttons." She groans into her hands.
Brittany rubs Santana's back. "Mhmm." She agrees.
Friday, December 21, 2012
"Santana, you almost ready?" Brittany yells across the room.
Brittany is in the bedroom and Santana is across the hall in the bathroom doing her hair.
"Yup." Santana says, suddenly in the bedroom doorway.
Brittany looks up from the unexpected closeness of the brunette's voice. "Whoa." Brittany looks Santana up and down. "I'm so glad that the world didn't end today. You look great." She tilts her head to the side briefly before righting it. "No, you look amazingly beautiful."
She slides across the room towards the door. Santana takes a step into the room. Brittany gets to her and slips her arms around Santana's waist and leans in for a kiss. "Cheek." Santana whispers. Brittany changes direction quickly and avoids Santana's lips and plants a kiss on her left cheek.
"You ready to go?" Brittany asks again when she pulls back and looks into the brunette's eyes. Santana nods.
Brittany lets go of her waist and reaches for Santana's hand. The Latina slide in fingers in between Brittany's and lets the blonde lead her down the stairs and out of the house.
The evening plans are to go out to dinner and then meet Puck and some of Brittany's friends from work at a local bar.
"Puckerman, you're buying the first round." Santana announces as the two women approach where Puck is standing.
"No way, Jose." Puck shakes his head. "Glad you ladies finally decided to grace us with your presence." He takes a swig of the beer he already has and then picks up a dart off the table and throws it at the dart board.
"Us?" Santana questions.
Puck throw the two darts he his left before turning to Santana and Brittany. "Yeah, us. I brought a date. We are celebrating right. So, I thought the more the merrier." He shrugs.
"Where is she?" Brittany asks.
"Bathroom." He walks over to the dart board and pulls out the three darts that he had just thrown.
"I'm gonna go get us some drinks." Santana whispers in Brittany's ear. Brittany nods and Santana walks off towards the bar.
Puck returns and takes aim at the dart board again. Brittany has a seat at the table and watches him. "You're pretty good at that." She comments.
"You know what they say- practice makes perfect. That dart board in Santana's basement has seen lotsa action." He smirks over at Brittany and then throws another dart.
"Right." Brittany chuckles.
"Oh, hello Brittany."
Brittany stares at the woman that has occupied the spot across from her at the table.
"Enjoying your evening so far?" The woman asks.
Brittany nods. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Noah asked me to come with him."
Brittany looks from the woman to Puck. He smiles over at Brittany and nods. "Yup, that's correct." He confirms.
"Oh." She mouths as she looks around for Santana and sees the Latina coming back to the table.
"I just got us two beers to start." Santana says to Brittany as she approaches the table. Then she shouts in Puck's direction. "Puckerman where's that date of yours?" Brittany smiles her thank you. Santana hands one to Brittany and then pulls out the seat next to her and sits down.
He turns and points. Santana swivels around and looks in the direction that Puck is pointing. Her eyes go wide. "What the fuck? Rachel Berry. What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too, Santana." Rachel says in mock politeness. "Noah asked me to come with him."
Santana whips her head around to Puck. "What?" He throws his hands, palms up, in the air and shrugs.
"You're dating Rachel Berry?" Santana scoffs.
"No, not yet." Puck says with a smirk. "Tonight is like a trial run. If it goes well then-" He shrugs. "-we'll see what happens, I guess."
Santana turns to Rachel. "You agreed to this?" Rachel nods. "Good grief." She exhales and slumps in her seat. "I'm gonna need something stronger if I'm gonna make it through tonight."
Brittany giggles next to her. "I thought you guys were friends?"
"I wouldn't go so far as to say friends. More like acquaintances." She turns to Brittany with a shrug and a tight lipped smile.
"Santana, now, come on, we are friends, even if you don't want to admit it." Rachel speaks up.
"We don't hang out like most friends do." Santana counters.
"We don't have to hang out to be friends." Rachel says simply.
"We aren't friends." Santana huffs and crosses her arms over her chest.
"Yes, we are." Rachel argues.
"No, we are not."
"Santana." Brittany cuts in and gives her a warning look.
"Fine." Santana huffs.
"Come with me." Brittany demands.
Santana stands and follows Brittany to the other side of the bar. They take a seat at one of the empty tables. Brittany finds one of Santana's hands and rubs her thumb across the brunette's knuckles. "Santana, lets just have a good time, okay?"
"Okay." She sounds a little dejected.
"What's the matter?" Brittany asks.
"Her. He brought her. He wants to date her. I just- what is this high school all over again?" She shakes her head at it all.
"Well, I don't know about high school but I do know that if they want to date that there is nothing anyone, even you, can do to stop them. And nor should anybody. They are two mature adults and I'm sure they have both changed since high school."
Santana nods. "Yeah, you're right." She chuckles. "You're always right, babe."
"Yeah, well." Brittany grins and shrugs. "What can I say?"
"That you're a genius." Santana says cheekily.
"And you're a dork." Brittany leans forward and gives Santana a sweet kiss on the cheek. "You ready to-
"Brittany, there you are." A woman's voice floats over to them.
"Oh, hey Alison." Brittany stands and hugs the woman. "And Debbie." She turns and hugs the other woman. She motions for a puzzled Santana to stand. "Alison, Debbie this is my girlfriend, Santana. Santana this is Debbie and Alison from work." Brittany introduces them all and takes a step back.
"It's nice to meet you." Santana extends her hand to Alison first.
"Nice to meet you too." Alison says politely.
"And nice to meet you too." Santana shakes the other woman's hand.
"Likewise." Debbie says.
"Well, we were just taking a break. A couple of Santana's friend are over by the dart boards. We could head over there and everyone can meet." Brittany instructs.
Alison nods and turns around to make her way over. The rest following her.
"Rachel's not my friend." Santana mumbles under her breath.
"I heard that." Brittany says from next to her. She puts her hand on the small of Santana's back and leans in to whisper in her ear. "Just drop it."
"Want if I don't want to." Santana says stubbornly.
Brittany smirks. She has a way that she know Santana won't say anything about it for the rest of the night. "If you let it be- I will make it worth your while." She pulls back and catches Santana's eye.
"What are you saying?"
Brittany ducks her head again to whisper and lowers her voice. "Let's just say that when we get home we will have a little celebration of our own." She looks up with that devilish grin and winks at Santana.
Brittany escorts a somewhat distant looking Santana back to the table where Puck and Rachel are sitting with another person.
"What the hell is this a fucking high school reunion?" Santana practically shouts when she sees who is sitting at the table.
"Hey Santana. It's kinda funny right. Either a high school reunion or a law and order convention."
"Not funny Samuel." Santana tells him as she sits down.
After a few minutes everyone is introduced. Brittany is chatting with Alison and Debbie at one side of the table. Santana sits between her and Rachel thinking about other, more intimate, things. Her right hand sits idly on Brittany's thigh. Next to Rachel is Puck and on his left is Sam.
"So, what brings you here tonight Sam?" Rachel asks as the table gets settled. Puck ended up buying everyone a round of drinks.
"Oh, just came out for a few drinks. I thought about maybe playing a round or two of pool. Ya know, just a usual Friday night." He says without much thought.
Puck clinks his beer bottle with Sam's in agreement. "Right, my man."
"You didn't bring a date then?" Rachel asks.
Sam shakes his head. "Nope. Don't need a date to have a good time."
"Well, that is true." Rachel agrees with a nod of the head. "Hey do you guys think they have karaoke here?" She asks and then points across the room to where there is a small stage set up. "Obviously not tonight but they must on one of the nights of the week. I bet if we asked nicely we could get the owner or manager to let us do it tonight."
"I don't know Rachel-" Sam starts.
Puck interrupts. "I will go see what I can find out."
"Oh, yay!" Rachel claps her hands together as Puck walks off towards the bar.
Pucks come back a few minutes later wearing a wilily grin and holding a microphone. "Let's go dudes."
"I am not a dude, Noah." Rachel chastises.
"Sorry, dudes and Ms. Rachel Berry." He grins at her like an idiot. Rachel rolls her eyes and stands up. Puck offers for her to go ahead of him. Sam gets up and follows the both of them.
Puck takes a few steps before realizing that no one else is following him. He turns back to the table he just walked away from. Brittany is still talking with her friends but Santana is just sitting there with a blank stare on her face and her arms crossed.
Before Santana knows it she is being pulled out of her seat and thrown in the air. "Puckerman." She squeals as soon as he lifts her up and puts her over his shoulder.
Brittany turns to see what is going on when she hears Santana yell. She turns back to her friends with wide eyes. Both Debbie and Alison shrug at her, obviously, not knowing what's happening.
"Britt, help." Santana yells as Puck spins her around a few times. "Puckerman, put me down. I'm wearing a dress. Everyone in this bar is gonna see- well- everything." The brunette groans and starts hitting him in the back with her fists. "Britt-" She yells once more.
Brittany watches as Puck starts walking across the bar. She smiles at the two of them. The way they interact it's almost as if they were brother and sister- but not quite.
"I'm not putting you down. We are singing karaoke." He tells her.
"Oh, hell no."
"Hell yes." He says back. "Come on Brittany and Brittany's friends. You guys are singing too. We all are." Puck shouts over this shoulder as he carries Santana over to the stage.
"I'm not singing." Santana whines and kicks her feet in the air.
"Yes you are- and quit fidgeting or I will drop you." Puck tells her. He spins around suddenly to see if Brittany is following him.
"Put me down, Puckerman." Santana growls.
He sees Brittany walking towards him and smiles. "Can't, you might run off." He jokes as he waits for Brittany to reach him. "You ready for this blondie?" He asks.
"Damn it, Puck, put me down." Santana yells.
"I love karaoke." Brittany says brightly. "And I can't wait to hear Santana sing."
"You hear that Lopez, your girl can't wait for you to show her what you got. I think that means that you're up first." Puck chuckles.
"I'll show you something, Puckerman, if you don't put me down."
Puck raises an eyebrow at the blonde still standing across from him. Brittany giggles at Santana 'threat'. "You should probably put her down Puck." Brittany says simply.
He nods and sets Santana's feet back on the floor in between the two of them. The Latina wobbles a little before getting her footing. She runs her palms over her dress a few times, flatting it out.
"Thank you." Santana huffs and storms off towards the karaoke stage.
Puck shrugs at Brittany and then turns to go towards the stage as well. Santana is already up there and it looks like she is picking out a song. Rachel is standing next to her with her hands on her hips and a disgruntled looks on her face. Brittany follows Puck over to the stage and takes a seat in front of it next to her friends. Puck and Sam are sitting a row behind her.
"Get off the stage Rachel." Brittany hears Santana says. "You can sing as soon as I'm finished. I know how you operate. You guys are going to make me do this whether I like it or not. That being said, I am going first to get it over with." She swats Rachel away with her hand until the girl finally leaves the stage.
Santana pulls a stool from the side, to the center of the stage, and takes a seat on it. She waits for the songs and lyrics to pop up on the screen in front of her. Although, is doesn't really need them because she knows, all too well, the song she choose.
The song starts and Puck stands and brings a hand to his mouth. "Get it, Lopez." He yells at the stage and pumps his fist in the air. Santana shakes her head at him but is smiling as she starts singing. He knows the song she is going to sing and is smiling from ear to ear as he takes his seat again.
Tonight's the night we'll make history, honey, you and I
Cause I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time
And stay with you here tonight
I know you feel these are the worst of times
I do believe it's true
When people lock their doors and hide inside
Rumor has it it's the end of Paradise
But I know, if the world just passed us by
Baby I know, I wouldn't have to cry, no no
Where Brittany is more into new music, hip-hop, rap, etc. Santana is more old school, classic rock, ballads, that sort of thing. And Puck knows this, they use to spend hours listening to old rock records, together. Everything from Bon Jovi to Bryan Adams, Journey and REO. Even Def Leppard, you name it she probably knows it.
The best of times are when I'm alone with you
Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime
We'll take the best, forget the rest
And someday we'll find these are the best of times
These are the best of times
As she sings she looks out at the crowd that has gathered around the stage and finds Brittany. She knows all the lyrics she doesn't need to look at the screen. It's less karaoke and more of a musical performance at this point.
And the lyrics ring true as Santana sings them - everything they've been through in the short time that they have known each other. The bad came along with the good and if they just stick together everything will be fine. It's been a struggle at times, especially for Brittany, but the future promises to be the best.
The headlines read 'these are the worst of times'
I do believe it's true
I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide
I wish the summer wind could bring back Paradise
But I know, if the world turned upside down
Baby, I know you'd always be around, my my
Santana smiles at Brittany shyly as she starts the next verse. She's singing for her. To let her know that no matter what she will be there through it all. It's a bold statement, in front of all of these people, but she believes that Brittany needs it, the reassurance. And frankly, she needs it too.
It's big, it's powerful, it's a brilliant rendition of an old classic.
The best of times are when I'm alone with you
Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two
When I'm alone with you
Everything's all right
When I'm alone with you
You brighten up the night
When I'm alone with you
The song fades out and the bar erupts in a fit of clapping and cheers. Santana climbs off the stage with a wave and a mouthed thank you.
"Wow, Brittany I didn't know you're girlfriend could sing like that." Alison says from next to Brittany.
"Yeah, me neither." Brittany mumbles a little stunned at the whole thing.
"Great job, Lopez." Puck cheers as soon as she reaches them.
Santana slides up to the empty seat next to Brittany, her head ducked down, looking at the floor. Brittany wraps her hands around Santana's bicep and pulls the Latina into her body. "That was awesome. I didn't know you could sing like that." She kisses Santana on the cheek. "Was that song for me?" She asks shyly although she thinks she already knows the answer.
Santana nods and finally looks up at the blonde. "Did you like it?"
Brittany smiles her biggest brightest smile. "I loved it and I love you. What do you say we get out of here?" Santana nods again.
"Hello everyone, I'm Rachel Berry, and I'm going to be singing-"
"Hey, where are you two going?" Puck asks over Rachel's voice as Brittany drags Santana, by the hand, passed him.
"Home." Brittany yells over her shoulder as she keeps walking.
Puck throws his head back in laughter. "Goodnight ladies." He yells after them as they reach the exit.
