A/N: Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter- can't believe I just surpassed 100,000 words! When I started this fic, I only planned on ten chapters at the most, but thanks to all the lovely reviews and follows/favorites, it kept me going to almost forty chapters. Crazy! Thank you all for keeping up with the fic and for waiting patiently between chapters. I hope you like this one, and I'll try to get the next one out soon. A review would make my day! So let me know what you think :) b-b-burntoshine on tumblr

"Wake up," Brittany whispers into Santana's ear, while lightly shaking her right leg. "San, we're here."

Santana's eyes open wide then shut just as quickly from the bright parking lot light shining through the van window. "Oww," she whines.

"Come on," Brittany starts putting away their personal items into their bags to take inside.

"What time is it?" Santana rubs her eyes.

"It's about eight."

"Oh god, I slept all day. This is going to throw off my entire sleep schedule."

"You've just finally acclimated to the lifestyle of a touring rock star."

"What am I supposed to do all night now? You'll probably fall asleep, and I'll be left to watch infomercials on mute in the hotel room."

"Don't worry, honey. If you're up, then I'm up. I think we'll have some fun tonight."

"Really?" Santana sits up. "What kind of fun?"

"Grab your bags," Brittany smirks and opens the side door to the van and hops out.

Liz sits waiting in the lobby, having already checked in. "Here you are. Now, I am going to go pass out. Please do not bother me for the next ten hours," she hands them their key cards.

"Thanks, Liz!" Brittany laughs.

"Goodnight!" Santana waves as Liz is already turned towards the elevators.

"Poor, Liz," Brittany remarks, "This must be torture to drive all day long, day after day."

"Yea," they start walking down the hall to their first floor room, "hopefully I can become successful enough that we can start flying city to city."

"You will," Brittany puts her arm around Santana's waist. "Although airplane seats may not be as comfortable as lying across the back seat of a van."

"Damn, you're right," Santana spots their room and slides the card in and out of the lock. "And some nicer hotels wouldn't be too shabby either."

"This isn't so bad," Brittany looks into the room as they walk in. "I mean, it smells okay, and there's a TV."

"I know, I don't mean to sound snobbish, but I just want to give you the best of everything."

"San," Brittany sets down her bags and pulls her into a hug, "all you need to give me is you. And you are the best," she kisses her gently.

"Mmm," Santana deepens the kiss. "You are."

"What do you say, let's get dressed and check out the hotel restaurant? You must be starving."

"You read my mind," Santana smiles.

The two change into some clothes more suitable for dining out and walk down the hall to the dining room. A hostess seats them in a booth next to the windows overlooking the near desolate parking lot.

"My name is Shelly, and I'll be your server this evening. Can I get you two ladies something to drink?"

"What you think?" Santana looks to Brittany.

"Do you have any champagne?"

"Uh, yea I think we do. Hardly anyone ever orders it, so I'll just check to make sure. It's $6 a glass or the whole bottle for $20."

"We'll take the bottle…if you have one," Brittany laughs.

"Sure thing, darlin'."

"Is there some special occasion I'm not aware of?" Santana asks.

"Possibly," Brittany smirks and looks down at her menu. "The roasted chicken looks great. What do you think?"

"Britt! Come on! What's going on?"

"I think I'll just have a salad though," Brittany flips through the menu.

"Don't change the subject," Santana laughs and reaches across the table to steal it from her. "I'll come over there and get the information out of you any way I can."

"Ooh, be my guest," Brittany wriggles her eyebrows.

"I'll do it. Don't test me, honey."

"I'm sure the seven other people in this restaurant would love a show."

Santana starts to slide out of her side of the booth.

"Wait, wait, wait! Okay," Brittany holds up her hands. "I prefer our shows to be private."

"So what's going on? Did we get engaged a third time that I don't remember?"

"No," Brittany giggles, "But I would do that a million more times," she reaches across the table for Santana's hand. "Liz told me on the way here…that the label is going to release your single on Tuesday."

"Tuesday?!"

"Yea," Brittany nods enthusiastically. "They didn't want to wait any longer."

"Like this Tuesday? Like…in a few days Tuesday? Oh my god…" Santana's mouth hangs agape, and her eyes start shifting around. "Oh my god."

"Wait, are you upset? I thought this was a good thing?"

"It is!" Santana snaps out of her daze. "I'm just kind of freaking out at the moment."

"Aw, San," Brittany gets up out of her seat and slides in next to Santana. She gives her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I am so excited for you."

"What if it doesn't do well? And then they decide to scrap the whole album and-"

"No, no, no! Tonight is all about being excited and celebrating, and there will be no 'what-ifs', okay?"

"Okay," Santana takes a deep breath.

"And perfect timing," Brittany sees their waitress arriving with the champagne.

"You girls were in luck," Shelly sets down the bucket of ice and takes out the bottle to uncork it. "So what are you two celebrating tonight?"

"Everything," Santana smiles at Brittany.

"Can I tell her?" Brittany whispers, and Santana thinks for a moment, then nods. "This one, right here, is the most wonderful singer-songwriter, and she is releasing her first single next Tuesday on a big, fancy record label and all."

"You're kiddi-*POP*" Shelly startles everyone in the restaurant as the cork goes flying into the air, hitting the ceiling. "Oh! Oh my gosh, I'm sorry about that!"

"It's okay," Santana laughs.

"Oh goodness, this is so exciting!" Shelly wipes the sides of the bottle overflowing with champagne foam with her hand towel. "What's your name, dear?"

"Santana Lopez."

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Santana Lopez. We don't get many rock stars coming through here," she pours champagne into the two flutes.

"Oh, I'm not a star," Santana shakes her head.

"I don't believe that for a second. You look like you were born to be one. You said your song comes out on Tuesday?"

"Yea," Santana replies.

"Hey, everybody!" Shelly turns around to the restaurant. "This here is Santana Lopez, and she is going to be a real famous rock star real soon!"

Brittany laughs at Santana's blushing at the attention and nudges her with her elbow.

"You all should go out and buy her single on Tuesday! Or use the iTunes or what have you," Shelly gesticulates.

The few other people in the restaurant look interested and stare at Santana, seemingly trying to figure out if they recognize her.

"This is embarrassing," Santana whispers in Brittany's ear.

"You'll have to get use to the spotlight, m'dear," Brittany laughs.

"Okay, you can all go back to eatin' now!" Shelly waves her hand and a few patrons clap towards Santana. "Sorry about that, I just think it's so exciting. I can just tell you'll be a big celebrity one day. Just like Dolly Parton."

"Oh," Santana's eyebrows rise. "That's quite a compliment, Ma'am. Thank you," Santana crosses her arms over her chest.

"So have you two decided on what you'd like to order?"

"Umm, you first, Britt."

"I'll have the Cobb Salad," she hands over her menu as Shelly scribbles it down.

"And for you Miss Lopez?"

"The Chicken Marsala."

"Okay, I'll put your orders in."

"Thanks," Brittany replies and reaches for her glass. "A toast," she raises it.

Santana grabs hers as well and holds it up to Brittany's.

"To my beautiful fiancée, to the start of her recording career, to being the most wonderful person I have ever known…"

Santana's face glows as she looks at Brittany.

"I love you," Brittany whispers.

"I love you too," Santana clinks their glass together, and they both take a sip.

"I should probably go back and sit on the other side," Brittany says, setting her glass down.

"Nooo," Santana loops her arm around Brittany's. "Stay and keep me warm."

"People might start to wonder."

"I don't care. Do you?"

"Nope," Santana shakes her head with a smile. "So what do you want to do tonight? Movie in bed?"

"Sounds perfect because I am exhausted," Brittany rests her head down on Santana's shoulder. "And this champagne is going straight to my head, but I promised to stay up with you."

"Excuse me," a small voice interrupts the two girls.

They turn to see a little blonde boy, around the age of seven, standing next to their table. "Well, hello there," Santana replies.

"Could I have your autograph?" he sticks his hand out, holding a napkin and pen.

"Sure! What's your name?" Santana takes the pen and starts scribbling away, trying not to tear at the thin paper.

"Ethan."

"It's nice to meet you, Ethan. Are you here with your family?"

"Yea, they're right over there," he points to the table in the far corner.

"Cool, so are you a music fan?"

"Yea, I like all kinds. I've never heard of you though."

Brittany snorts at the boy's blunt response. "It went up my nose," Brittany puts down her champagne, coughing.

"That's okay, Ethan. Not many people have."

"But that lady thinks you'll be famous, so I figured I should get your autograph now."

"Happy to do that for you," Santana hands over the napkin.

"Are you going to be famous too?" Ethan asks Brittany.

"No, no, I'm just along for the ride," Brittany replies.

"Are you girlfriend and girlfriend?"

Santana's eyes bug out of her head, "Wow, um," she turns to Brittany. "How could you tell?"

"Well, you're sitting on the same side. And my mommy and daddy always sit on the same side."

"Smart kid," Santana laughs. "And actually, technically we're fiancée and fiancée."

"That means you're getting married?"

"That's right," Brittany nods.

"That's cool. I went to a wedding once."

"Yea?" Brittany responds. "Was it super fun?"

"Yea, I got to eat a lot of cake, and everyone was really happy."

"That does sound really fun."

"I hope you get to eat a lot of cake at yours too," Ethan replies. "I gotta go now."

"Ok, it was really nice to meet you, Ethan," Santana says.

"Bye," he waves and runs back to his family.

"Wow," Brittany reaches for her glass.

"I know; that makes me a little hopeful for the future of society."

After finishing off the bottle of champagne and eating their meals, Brittany and Santana stumble down the hallway to their room.

"Where's the key?"

"I don't have it," Brittany replies. "You have it."

Santana checks in her bag, "I don't see it."

"Let me check your pockets for you," Brittany leans into Santana from behind. She puts her hand inside Santana's right front pocket and feels around. "Hmmm, not here," she takes her left hand and slides it down the left pocket. "Nothing here either. Must be in your back pocket," Brittany pushes Santana forward into the door and puts her right hand down the pocket, gripping Santana's ass. "Ooh, I think I found it." Before taking out the key card, her hand lingers for a moment to squeeze her ass cheek. "Here you go," Brittany hands the card to Santana.

"Thanks, Britt," she grins and slides it into the lock.

They stagger inside, slamming the door behind them. Santana peels off her coat, tossing it onto the desk chair. "It's cold in here," she walks over to the thermostat and cranks it up.

"I'll keep you warm, San," Brittany hugs her from behind. "Let's get into bed," she kisses the back of Santana's neck.

"Movie time?"

"Yea, or you know, whatever," Brittany laughs.

Santana turns around in Brittany's arms and kisses her lips. She brushes the hair back behind Brittany's ear, and kisses her again, deeper. "You're tired, sweetie."

"No, I'm not," Brittany shakes her head.

"You know I can tell. It's your tired kiss. Your mouth moves differently."

"It does not," Brittany replies defiantly. "Are you saying it was a bad kiss?"

"No!" Santana laughs. "Britt, I love all of your kisses," Santana puts her arms around Brittany's waist. "I know all the different kinds, and that was definitely your tired kiss."

"How many different kinds are there?"

"Lots, there's just-woke-up…welcome-home…welcome-home-and-I'm-rea lly-horny…"

"Stop," Brittany giggles. "I get your point."

"Come on, let's just snuggle in bed," Santana starts unbuttoning Brittany's sweater.

"Fine, but watch out next hotel. It's gonna get all kinds of crazy in there."

"Oh really?" Santana starts taking off her jeans. "Well, I'll be on the lookout for your get-into-bed-right-this-second kiss."

"You're damn right," Brittany grins and takes off her t-shirt before falling onto the bed. "Now come snuggle."

The next day, after a ten hour drive to Denver, Liz pulls the van into the parking lot of the club. "Finally!" Santana shouts from the back, where she lays leaning against Brittany. "I need to get out and walk. My knees are killing me."

Brittany hands Santana her jacket, then puts on her own and opens the door. "Holy hell!" The freezing wind blows inside the van. "Cover up, honey."

Santana zips her jacket all the way up and wraps a scarf around her face. "How can people live here? Are they insane!?" she muffles.

They both get out of the van, quickly shutting the door and going around to the back where Liz is rapidly unloading their cases.

"I can't breathe!" Santana yells. "What is this place?!"

"Relax, Lopez. It's just a little thin air. You'll survive."

"You don't know!" Santana grabs her guitar and runs inside.

"She's just been missing LA a little bit," Brittany says to Liz and grabs a case.

"I can tell," Liz laughs. "What about you?"

"Am I missing LA?"

"Yea," Liz nods.

"I suppose so. I mean, I love traveling around with Santana and seeing her career take off. And I can't say I am enjoying this weather, no."

"I can't blame you there. I guess my Chicago roots come in handy on days like these. What about your career though?"

"I'm just putting it on hold for now. I need to be here with San. No, I want to be here with her. More than anything."

"Yea, I know what you mean. And I've seen it before. If your career is something that is important to you, don't lose sight of it. It happens all too often to the husbands and wives."

"I haven't given up on choreography."

"I'm not saying you have, Brittany. I'm just saying that it's easy to get caught up and start making sacrifices."

"Yea, I know. Once the tour is over and we're back in LA, I'm going to start looking to see what's out there."

"That's good," Liz nods. "And I can put you in touch with a few people."

"Really?"

"Yea, I can't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Liz," Brittany carries the case inside. She finds Santana talking with the manager and leaves the case next to the stage. She sits down, with her legs dangling off the edge and takes out her phone. She sees a text from Rachel and opens it.

'I got a callback! You are not going to believe what this movie is!'

Brittany decides to call Rachel instead of texting back.

"Brittany!"

"Hi, Rach! Oh my god, tell me about this movie!"

"Okay, it's just a callback, so I still might not get it, but my jaw dropped when I walked in."

"Santana would have so many jokes right now."

"Seriously, Britt!"

"Okay, okay, tell me."

"It's for one of the leads in Ben's film! How crazy would that be if I was in the movie that Santana's scoring?"

"Holy crap! That would be so amazing!"

"I know! We would get to go to all the cast parties and red carpet events together!"

"I really hope you get it Rachel. I know you could play a great lesbian."

"Thanks, Britt," she laughs. "I've got to go now, though. Is everything going well?"

"Yea, we just got to Denver. Oh! And be sure to buy Santana's single on Tuesday," Brittany adds.

"Ahhhhhh! No way! Really?"

"Yea, and tell all your friends okay?"

"I will! Love you, Britt!"

"Love you too, Rach! Bye," Brittany hangs up and puts away her phone.

Santana walks up to her and places her hands on Brittany's knees. "Who was that?"

"Rachel. You're not going to believe it. She might be in Ben's movie."

"I always knew she could play a convincing lesbian."

Brittany laughs and grabs onto Santana's arms, stroking them with her thumbs. "So I was talking to Liz earlier."

"About what?"

"About my career and stuff."

Santana hops up onto the stage to sit next to Brittany. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, she just was saying that I shouldn't lose track of my own career in all this."

"Well, of course, Britt. I wouldn't ever want you to give up on your dreams."

"I know you wouldn't," Brittany leans over to kiss Santana. "But I'm basically living in a dream at the moment, so…" she kisses her again, lingering to taste her lips.

"Mmm," Santana sighs. "But really, I want to help you in your career too."

"I know. We can talk about it after the tour, plus Liz said she might know some people."

"That'd be great. She's definitely got a lot of connections to people in the hip hop world."

"Really? That's my favorite style to choreograph."

"I love watching you dance like that," Santana touches her forehead to Brittany's. "It's so hot.

"Hmm, I do need brush up on my skills. It's been awhile since I got a good session in."

"Good thing we're sitting on a stage right now," Santana nods toward the empty space behind them.

"Genius," Brittany stands up and stretches out her body.

Santana swivels around to face her. "I could help you stretch if you'd like," she wriggles her eyebrows.

"Not with Creepy Moe over there behind the bar."

Santana turns around to see the middle-aged man looking over at them. "Maybe I'll just help you warm down at the hotel then."

"Perfect," Brittany bends over to touch her toes. "Okay," she straightens back up and takes out her phone, picking a song to play. "How about a little JT?"

"Pusher Love Girl" starts playing, and Brittany starts dancing without a thought, as if she already knows the steps before thinking of them. Santana watches in awe and takes out her phone. She starts recording a video, with a huge grin on her face. Knowing full well that a few other people in the room may be watching, Santana remembers to control her urge to pounce on Brittany. The way her hips move drives Santana crazy and all she can think about is how they look when she grabs a hold of them in bed.

The song comes to a finish, and Brittany puts her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Santana stops recording and puts down her phone. "That was fantastic, Britt!" she claps a few times.

"Woo!" the bartender claps. "Yea!"

"Cool it, Moe!" Santana shouts behind her.

"My name's Tim."

"Whatever," Santana turns back to Brittany. "You're still the best I've ever seen, Britt."

"I'm not the best, but thanks, honey," she helps Santana stand.

"Brittany!" Liz walks up to the stage. "That was so great. Um, Santana you had a video of that right?"

"Yea."

"Email it to me. I've got some people who I want to show that to ASAP."

"Seriously?"

"I don't see any reason to wait."

"Wow, thanks Liz!" Brittany replies. "You really think it was that good?"

"I can't dance my way out of a paper bag, but I know good when I see it."

Santana puts her arm around Brittany's shoulder and kisses her cheek. "Told you."