"Fire it up puckerman"

"Santana? What the hell are you doing here? We're not scheduled to record until next week"

"Well" She shrugs, removing her jacket "What can I say, inspiration hit. So again, lets go Puckerman"

"Inspiration or you still avoiding your feelings? " Puck shakes his head, moving towards the sound board "Can't run forever Lopez"

Santana rolls her eyes, entering the booth. She shuts off the light in the soundbooth before placing the oversized headphones over her head. Santana sits at the piano as flashes of last night's argument replaying she deeply inhales cueing the music.

Something Quinn yelled as Santana left the apartment this morning stood out more than anything else, "What are you scared of?"

Talking about feelings wasn't one of Santana's strong suits but where words failed her, music always had a way of saying everything she felt and more. Maybe if she could put down how she felt, Quinn would finally understand.

.

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If I'm bein' honest when you look at me

It's like kissin' a million angels

And every tattoo's so intoxicating

From your neck and right down to your ankles

Fifteen and sixteen, I had to be strong

Twenty-two, I'm still scared of it all

'Cause I know one day I could wake up and you'll be gone

And I'll just be lonely, missin'

Holdin' your hand when we're half asleep

Lonely, wishin' we'd never kiss in your backseat

And that's what scares me the most

Knowin' that you could just let me go

And I'll just be lonely, missin'

Holdin' your hand when we're half asleep

Getting kinda tired of turnin' pages

I hope you'rе not the type to pull the samе shit

'Cause you could be like everyone I've dated

They don't love me, they just want to see me naked

If I'm bein' honest when you look at me

It's like kissin' a million angels

And every tattoo's so intoxicating

From your neck and right down to your ankles

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As the music fades out she wipes away the tears. Carefully, Santana closes the lid on the piano and places the headphones back. Then makes her way back over to a now stunned and very silent Puck. Taking a seat next to him, she rests her head on his shoulder as he plays back the track.

"Damn. You haven't played in a minute, that piano was a sick addition. I don't think I've ever heard you so…..vulnerable" He places a gentle kiss on top of her head "You okay, San?"

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"I knew it! I fucking knew it!"

Santana and Puck turn towards the door as a fuming blonde enters.

"Quinn? What are you doing here?"

Quinns shakes her head, beginning to pace "So this is why you stormed out of the apartment? Why, you're so afraid to tell me how you feel Santana? Because you're busy writing songs with NOAH? Didn't you learn in high school?"

"Hey now Quinn, that's not fair. Wait a minute" Puck stands but quickly sits back down as Quinn leans down to make eye contact with him.

"Don't hey Quinn me, Noah" She puts a finger in his chest "You listen to me. You had your chance with her, you fucked up. With both of us. You pissed away your chance and now she's mine and I'll be damned if……"

A soft "I am yours" echoes in the booth causing Quinn and Puck to look over at Santana.

"I need you to hear what I haven't been able to say Q, so please come into the booth"

Quinns eyebrows furrow, she looks at Puck who only nods before moving towards the board.

Cautiously, Quinn enters the booth. She sits on the stool as Santana places the headphones over her head

"Please" Santana whispers, placing her forehead against Quinn's "Just listen to the words, okay? Please?"

Quinn nods as Santana closes the door.

The piano starts and Quinn's eyes water. She looks at Santana standing behind Puck leaning her chin on the top of his head. With tears streaming down her face, she mouths the words. Quinn has never heard Santana this raw and unedited, sure she sings while doing simple tasks around the house but nothing like this.

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Memories flash…..

First she remembers Santana being outed and humiliated in high school but handling it with such grace. Then Quinn remembers stealing Puck from her. Later, Santana admitted that she had learned Puck had a bet going on to see who could sleep with Quinn first. Santana agreed to date him only to protect Quinn, only for Quinn to end up pregnant and alone in the end.

Quinn remembers an absolutely heartbroken Santana showing up at her dorm room in the early morning hours after yet another person who promised the world left after they got what they wanted from her.

She remembers their first sleepover. Quinn had never seen Santana so nervous as they cuddled into each other. Quinn was awoken by Santana violently tossing and turning, seemingly caught in a nightmare. Santana blindly reached for Quinn's hand, a soft exhale escaping Santana's lips as Quinn leaned over and kissed the girl's furrowed eyebrows causing Santana to relax. Quinn watched Santana sleep for the rest of that night. With her fingertips, Quinn drew randomly along Santana's arms, chest and face. It was that very night that Quinn realized she was hopelessly in love with Santana.

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Finally the chorus replays and Quinn smiles. She now understands why Santana is so guarded. Santana loves Quinn and is scared of the past repeating itself. The song ends and Quinn exhales, placing the headphones back.

"I get it now" Quinn says moving to sit next to Santana on the couch

"I'm gonna grab a soda. Take your time ladies" Puck smiles before giving the girls privacy.

Santana lowers her head "I'm terrified of you Q"

Quinns eyebrows furrow "Of me? Why?"

Santana raises her head as tears begin to form "You're not Puck, Dani or even Britt"

She deeply exhales, resting her head against the couch. "I feel things….Things I've never felt before. You don't just give me butterflies you give me…" Santan exhales, using both hands to cover her face.

"You're going to have to talk to me, San." Quinn smiles softly, removing the girl's hands.

"Hope, Q. You give me hope and that scares the shit out of me. It was just sex with Puck to keep him away from you. It was just fun in a small band with Dani and with Britt it was just…..high school but with you……" Santana intertwines their hands, moving to kneel in front of Quinn "I can't just be a stepping stone for you Quinn, I can't. I won't survive losing you. You make me want Friday night date nights. Saturday mornings with breakfast on the patio and Sunday mornings in bed reading the paper while we drink coffee together. You make me want to shout from the rooftops. We both know I know i suck at saying how I feel, but you make me want to work on it, you make me want to tell you everything."

"And you said Rachel was long winded," Quinn laughs, guiding the girl back onto the couch. She leans in and places a gentle kiss on Santana's lips "I want all of those things with you Santana. Every single one of those things and so much more. With you and only you. Until we're old and gray"

Santana laughs, shaking her head "I'm gonna stop you right there. I will never be gray, Fabray. Santana Lopez ain't goin out like that"

"Either way" Quinn laughs "I'm telling you that I'm here for the long haul Santana"

"Promise?"

"Promise"

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Puck knocks before entering "Is it safe to come back?"

Both girls laugh as Puck places his drink next to the soundboard

Quinn stands, embracing the young man, she whispers "I'm sorry Noah"

He smiles, squeezing the blonde a little tighter, whispering back "It's okay Quinn, I get it but Santana's crazy about you"

Quinn nods "I'm crazy about her too"

"You can let go of my girl now, Puckerman" Santana interrupts causing Quinn and Puck to laugh

Quinn extends her hand towards Santana "Are you ready to go home?"

Santana nods and smiles, accepting the girl's hand.

"Don't keep her up all night, Fabray. She needs to be back here bright and early tomorrow. I pitched the song while you were having your little gay heart to heart and the execs loved it, they want a final cut like yesterday"

"I can't promise anything, Noah. Tell them she'll be here when she gets here and if they have a problem with that they can talk to her lawyer" Quinn winks as Santana nods, wrapping her hands around Quinn's waist

"Sexy lawyer mode, activated...Wanky"