AN: This is a request from TRod which I decided to turn into a proper story. This is just a taster and hopefully I'll write another chapter soon.
Brittany smiled as she rounded the corner where she saw the bright light of Santana's restaurant come into view. It filled her heart with joy and pride every time she saw Santana's nickname lit up. Santana had made it, just like she always dreamed. I just wanna be famous, plain and simple. Don't even care how it happens, I just want everyone to know my name.
Santana didn't just have a talent for singing, although it took a while to figure it out, cooking was a thing the Latina was extremely good at. Every weekend, when Brittany was off work, Santana would try out dozens of recipes she put her own touch to. Brittany pushed Santana into the direction of a culinary school in the city where Santana could develop her skills further.
However, once pursing cooking through college for a few months, Santana found out she didn't want to work for someone; getting bossed around really wasn't her thing. So taking the money her mami gave her as a graduating present, Santana opened her own restaurant, still known to this day, 5 years later, Snix was created. The restaurant of course.
Brittany directed her dance friends in the direction of the restaurant and they were hooked. Brittany couldn't blame them, the food was delicious! Santana's cooking had something about it. Dance friends drew in the attention of others, others being managers to other celebrities. Some of the managers even directed their clients to the restaurant when they were in town.
Brittany always laughs at the memory of Santana completely freaking out when the restaurant received a booking from the one and only Jennifer Anniston. Santana had dressed herself up and slipped her chef jacket over the tight fitting dress. She made it her duty to greet her guest, seat her, take her order, cook the food then deliver it herself. The Latina wanted the best for her first celebrity dinner guest.
Once the word that Jennifer had eaten there got out, things really began to take off. Santana's restaurant was swamped, people even lining up outside for hours before just to get a table. People from all over came to try her food, bloggers began to write 5 star reviews, Santana's food was high in demand for not just New York City, but for the whole country.
Brittany had never seen Santana so happy. She thought back to the words said in high school I can't live withouts my fame and realised how true it was. Santana was smiling a lot more, more than usual when she was around Brittany, anger was hardly a problem and she just seemed to be in her element.
Still to this day, a couple of restaurants later dotted around the country, Santana stays loyal to her first restaurant. She demands to cook for as many people as she can which is stressful from time to time. Snix is kept to the kitchen, and the kitchen only. Though her alter ego doesn't actually come out that often.
Brittany could see from the line outside leading down to the end of the street that tonight would have been and still is a particularly stressful evening for Santana, therefore, a surprise visit from her blonde bombshell would be very appreciated.
Brittany herself was very well known at the restaurant considering she was the head chef's wife and the fact she visited there at every possible moment. She decided to take the back way, not wanting to barge through a line of hungry punters eager to taste Santana's cooking; she wasn't too keen on waiting either.
Taking the headphones from her ears, Brittany made her way to the back, smiling at the blonde sat on the bench at the side; she didn't think twice about it. Brittany slowly opened the back door, as to make sure Santana wasn't there so she could surprise her. The coast was clear, so Brittany stepped in, the door slamming after her causing Santana's prized sous-chef to nearly jump out of his skin. Brittany laughed and placed her hand on his arm as an apology.
"Good evening, Mrs Lopez," He laughed, continuing his walk to the refrigerator. "She'll definitely be happy to see you this evening," He shouted out and Brittany nodded. She heard Santana shouting and knew Snix was raging. Brittany could easily fix that.
Brittany glanced around the kitchen then smiled when she saw Santana hard at work. The blonde weaved her way through the other helpers in the kitchen and held her fingers to her lips so her cover wasn't blown.
"Order for table 1 is ready, Chef," Brittany whispered, her arms snaking around Santana's waist. The Latina's tensed muscles relaxed once she felt the warmth from her wife's arms around her and she leant back into her. "They requested take out," Brittany placed her lips against Santana's covered shoulder then peppered kisses along it until she reached the weakest point; her neck.
Santana had continued plating up while Brittany did so, but stopped when a particularly long kiss was pressed against her neck. Santana quickly finished and pushed the plate to the front and placing the order slip under it. She then turned around and smiled at her wife.
"I'm finished for the day, take over?" Santana asked after kissing Brittany as a greeting. She glanced to her side where her sous-chef waited and he nodded, motioning for her to leave. Santana smiled gratefully then took Brittany's hand, leading her to the back so she'd be able to gather her belongings.
"Thank you for showing up tonight," Santana said shyly, wrapping her scarf around her neck. "I thought I was going to throw a plate at someone's head," Brittany giggled and slid her arm around Santana's waist.
"Well how about when we get home, we have a bath date with extra bubbles?" Brittany said softly, pulling Santana into a hug. Santana knew the bubbles would be for Brittany.
"Sounds perfect," Santana mumbled into Brittany's jacket. The couple stood there for a few moments, Santana finding it a perfect opportunity to start relaxing and Brittany revelling in the rare moment where Santana was shy. Their moment, however, was interrupted by a scream coming from outside, followed by the sound of struggling.
Santana immediately pulled back and raised an eyebrow. The voice sounded familiar. Once another scream was heard both darted towards the back door leading to the side alley. The light from inside caused the two figures outside to be illuminated. It didn't stop them , though, as the slightly taller, masculine figure continued to yell then push the other figure. A whimper was heard and Santana pushed her way between the two.
"Jamie!" Santana shouted causing one of her helpers to snap out of whatever daze he was in. Brittany had followed Santana but moved behind her where the other figure had fallen. "What happened?" Santana asked not moving from her space.
"She," Jamie moved to the side and pointed to the quivering figure. "was stealing food! I caught her in the refrigerator pocketing as much as she could!" Santana nodded, urging him to continue. "I told her to drop it and she did, but she refused to empty her pockets, so I took her out here and thought I'd threaten it out of her," Santana's jaw set at this. As much as she hated the thought of someone stealing, the idea of one of her employees beating a girl was deplorable.
"Inside, we're talking tomorrow," She pointed to the door and glared at Jamie. He ducked his head shamefully and walked inside, leaving the door open.
Santana turned around saw Brittany kneeling in front of a blonde girl. Her hair was matted and her clothes had been worn out in places. The girl was hugging her knees, trying to make herself as small as possible.
"Is she okay?" Santana asked softly. A sigh escaped Brittany's lips and she shook her head.
"She freaked when I tried to comfort her, she's so cold San," Brittany said quietly, shuffling a little further towards the blonde. Small steps. Santana immediately unwrapped her scarf and placed it over the blonde. The girl's head shot up and she looked at Santana who was towering over her. The blonde stared at Santana, pain and fear taking over her eyes as tears fell freely.
"It's okay," Santana said softly, choosing to kneel beside her. The blonde placed her thumb in her mouth then covered her hand with Santana's scarf. "Are you okay?"
Santana and Brittany watched the girl; though she seemed the same height as Brittany, the girl looked so small and fragile. Santana figured it was because of Jamie and once again she was full of anger.
"We should take her to the hospital," Brittany spoke up, startling the girl in front of her. The blonde shook her head and began crying hysterically.
"No! No hop'tal!" She wailed, her voice extremely hoarse. Her breathing became erratic and it was apparent she was going to pass out soon.
"Okay Okay!" Brittany said, scooting further so she was now directly in front of the blonde. She placed her hands on the girl's knees. "Sweetie, no hospital, okay?" but that didn't help; the blonde continued to cry.
"Breathe sweetie," Santana cooed out beside her. "Copy our breathing okay?" Santana had placed her hand on the girl's lower back and began breathing slowly. Brittany then followed suit and waited for the blonde to look up.
It took a few seconds before the blonde began copying the pair. Though she was still crying, it seemed her breathing had returned to normal.
"I'm Santana," The Latina cooed again. "And that's Brittany, my wife," The blonde focused on Santana through her teary eyes but turned her attention to Brittany when she felt a rubbing on her knees.
"What's your name?" Brittany copied Santana's tone of voice since it had worked on her. Quinn moved her thumb, opening and closing her mouth a couple of times before speaking.
"Keh-win," The girl's voice was still hoarse, but there was an infantile tone to it. Santana and Brittany shared a glanced then looked towards the girl.
"Quinn?" Brittany asked and the blonde nodded. Brittany smiled, happy they were communicating. "That's a pretty name," Quinn smiled shyly in response then covered her mouth with Santana's scarf again.
"You look pretty worn up," Quinn's eyes were on Brittany all the while, but she did glance to Santana occasionally. "Would you like to come back to ours to clean up? Then we can access your injuries, if any," Brittany waited until it seemed the blonde had taken in what she had said. Quinn nodded albeit it reluctantly.
"Okay, we'll help you up," Brittany and Santana stood up and the blonde held her hand out to Quinn. Quinn grabbed the hand and allowed herself to be pulled up, but immediately leaning into Brittany once standing.
"Can you walk sweetie?" Santana asked, wrapping her arm around Quinn's waist to steady her. Although Quinn nodded, she continued to lean into Brittany for support which the taller blonde didn't' mind.
Once Santana had gathered her things, the trio walked to the sidewalk where Santana hailed a cab. The brightness from the street lights allowed Santana to take in the proper appearance of Quinn. Her eyes where heavy, along with being bloodshot. Her cheeks where hollow and bruises of red and purple highlighted them. From these injuries, Santana wondered how long the fight had been going on.