A/N - Thank you all for the luv last chapter and those that came by tumblr for a chat too! Still getting used to writing for such a big 'cast' so hopefully it's translating alright.
With everyone moved into the loft and somewhat acquainted with one another, Santana feels like she can breathe a little easier. Keyword: a little. The team is aware of what they need to do and set off on their tasks, even Quinn's orders are already starting to arrive at the loft. You think you're addicted to online shopping? Well, you've never met someone like Quinn Fabray.
"What is all this?" Santana asks as she comes round. She's eyeing all the empty packaging and bubble wrap then steps out of the way just in time as a hulking man rolls a large box through her path. She knew she should've given Quinn some ground rules when she told her to make sure they had the necessary equipment needed.
Who the hell knows what she considers necessary.
"Don't worry, you'll like them," Quinn chuckles then gives the guy's shoulder a pat, "Thank you, Hank. You can set it down by that wall over there."
"Yes, Miss Fabray," He nods and wheels off the box.
Santana quirks a brow, "You're on a first name basis with the delivery guy?"
"We've been in business together for awhile," Quinn nods and waves for her to come closer. "Two things first," Quinn points to the giant box being wheeled away, "That's a 3D Printer – which we're going to have so much fun with once it's installed – and these."
Santana looks down at pair of the most dorkiest glasses she's ever seen being handed to her.
"Try them on," Quinn says.
Santana snorts and backs away with a chuckle, "I'm not wearing those."
Quinn rolls her eyes, "Just do it."
"So you can snap an embarrassing pic of me to post everywhere?" Santana waves off, "Nope. I wear contacts for a reason."
Quinn just gives her a stern look until Santana finally relents and snatches them from her hand.
She slides them on and is immediately surprised by the graphics that pop up. These aren't your normal pair of dork glasses, they're super high tech dork glasses! She looks around at the various boxes and equipment surrounding before looking back to Quinn who has this proud smile on her face.
"Cool right?" She asks while Santana continues to look around.
"This is awesome," Santana mumbles in awe. She sees an icon that kind of look like a camera and asks, "Can this thing take freaking pictures?"
"Even better," Quinn answers, "They can capture scans which can be sent to Mercedes' laptop or directly to the 3D printer. Once it's up and running, we can replicate pretty much anything!"
"Like the necklace?" Santana smirks.
"Like the necklace," Quinn confirms.
Santana's just about to praise her for nabbing such a handy find when the door leading to the garage slides open and in comes Brittany, clad in her leather jacket and Ray Bans.
"Someone's parked in the loading zone. I think you're about to get towed," Brittany calls out as she chucks her helmet on the counter and slides off her sunglasses.
"Crap!" Tina curses from her desk set up across the room and quickly bolts outside.
Quinn chuckles at the pair but Santana continues to watch as Brittany grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. Her cheeks look a little flushed as she tips the bottle back for a long drink and Santana stares the whole time, wondering why Brittany doesn't wear this leather jacket more often. That paired with Brittany's tight blue jeans and white t-shirt is a look Santana won't ever get tired of.
When Brittany pulls away from the bottle, she notices Santana and Quinn and starts to make her way over to them. Now with her coming their way head on, Santana can't help but admire the view. It seems like Brittany knows Santana's caught in a trance again because she reaches up and rakes her fingers through her hair, attempting to bring some life into it after being constrained by her helmet.
As Santana's eyes slowly drag up Brittany's slim frame, her mouth goes dry.
"Jesus, give me those!" Quinn snaps when she notices Santana's leering.
"What?" Santana sputters out.
"You're ridiculous. That's what," Quinn shakes her head just as Brittany approaches them.
"Shut up," Santana hisses just before Brittany greets them.
"Hey, finally invest in a pair of x-ray glasses?" Brittany asks but it's directed at Santana. She's wearing this smug grin as she adds, "Although, you don't need them if wanted to see me naked."
"Here we go," Quinn groans as she face palms while Santana shakes her head.
"They're not x-ray glasses," Santana corrects her.
"Just for looks then?" Brittany asks, "Do we all get a pair?"
"No, we'll just share this one," Quinn says as Santana hands them over to her, "I already know what Santana would use them for anyway and I don't think anyone needs that."
Brittany frowns at Quinn, "You don't want Santana to see? That's kind of rude."
"They're not for seeing," Santana clarifies with a chuckle, "They can take pictures."
"Oh! Wow, really? That's like some super secret spy stuff," Brittany comments before taking a sip from her bottle.
"Yeah. They'll be perfect for Emma when she and Tina go to the Cartier vault," Quinn replies proudly.
Santana nods while Quinn stows away the glasses case for safe keeping. She turns to Brittany, "Nice jacket."
Brittany looks down at what she's wearing as if she forgot, "Oh this old thing?"
Santana chuckles, "Did you have a good ride?"
Brittany hops up on a counter and swings her legs, "Yeah, it was nice. Hot out, but nice. You should come with me next time. It'd be perfect for you, maybe you'll finally find some peace."
Santana shakes her head, "Peace? That's the last thing I'd find if I got on that thing with you."
"See, that's what I don't get," Brittany laughs and waves at all the new equipment, "You can play with all this gear and put yourself in danger with these heists, but you draw the line at riding a motorcycle? Because that's too risky?"
Santana takes a step closer to Brittany, "Among other things, yes."
"Other things like what?" Brittany challenges as she sets down her water bottle. Her legs fall open a little wider and Santana nearly slips in to stand right between them without even noticing.
"Well for starters," Santana narrows her eyes as she steps like she's being drawn in, "There's the helmet hair." She reaches up and ruffles Brittany's blonde hair, momentarily reveling in the softness, "Not cute."
"You don't think I'm cute?" Brittany asks behind a pout.
Santana almost falls for Brittany's trap, "I just don't think I could pull that off as well as you do."
"I beg to differ," Brittany grins mischievously and tugs Santana in close by her hips. It catches Santana off guard, but she doesn't move once she's there. She's too caught up in the look Brittany's giving her, "I've had many, many dreams of you doing just that and I can confirm, you looked very sexy. No surprise there though, you make everything look sexy."
Santana smirks as she lifts a brow, "You having dreams about me now?"
"Yup!" Brittany pops the 'p' while her hands slide around to the small of Santana's back, "Hot ones too. I'm kind of jealous of dreamy me. She has way more fun than I do."
Santana giggles but it comes out low and husky.
The sound has Brittany licking her lips and the two get so caught up in staring at each other that they completely forget that they aren't exactly alone. With how wound up they are and so desperate for each other, giving a fuck about being alone has nearly left the building. Brittany's got Santana trapped between her legs and if Santana's hands start to trail inward, she'd be right where Brittany wants her.
She thinks back on what Brittany said about changing her mind soon and she finds herself really considering it now.
When has an orgasm ever gotten her into trouble?
Santana thinks of a specific instance actually but chooses to ignore that one because majority of the time it doesn't.
"Can you two make out somewhere else?" Quinn interrupts with a groan, "Some of us are trying to work here."
Santana and Brittany both blink out of their daze and pull away from each other.
Thankfully, Quinn and the random delivery guy Hank are the only ones around but Santana doesn't want to make something like that nearly happening in front of everyone a habit. She doesn't want to deal with having to explain what's going on between them; she just wants to steal some expensive shit and get rich, not have a whole existential crisis about whether or not her feelings would be taken seriously.
"I – I'm going to make sure Tina's alright," Santana says abruptly and heads outside. The more distance she can put between her and Brittany right now, the better. That was too close of a call for her comfort.
Quinn just eyes Santana leaving and turns back to Brittany with this tired look on her face, "So I see you two are still like this…"
Brittany frowns as Santana disappears out the door, "I guess so."
\\
As the countdown ticks away, the most important day for Santana arrives. She's trying hard to seem cool and collected, but on the inside she can't help but feel a little anxious. Today, Emma and Tina are off to the jewelers to hopefully get a successful scan of the Toussaint so Quinn can begin the printing process and Tina can start crafting the decoy. It's probably the most important part of the entire heist because without this scan, the whole thing goes to shit.
"Knock knock," Brittany says softly as she raps her knuckles on Santana's bedroom door. She's already poking her head in through the crack, looking for where her partner might be.
"Hey," Santana greets from the edge of her bed. She's been sitting there for awhile trying to wrangle her thoughts so she can make it in time for the live feed of Emma and Tina's trip.
"We're just about to connect to the feed downstairs. You coming down?" Brittany asks.
Santana just nods, "Yeah. I'll be there in a sec."
Brittany frowns a little at the sight of her and the sound of that faraway tone.
"You okay?" She asks in that voice that calms Santana and puts her on edge even more so all at once. The blonde goes to take a seat next to her partner and eyes her warily, "You look stressed."
"I think I am," Santana chuckles lightly and turns to Brittany, "It's an important day."
Brittany gives her a sympathetic grin and squeezes at Santana's thigh, "We're gonna be fine. Everyone knows what they need to do. You know how to get us out if something comes up, right?"
Santana returns the grin, "Right."
"So there's nothing to worry about then," Brittany shrugs, "We're prepared for whatever happens. You made sure of that."
"Yeah, you're right," Santana nods, already feeling somewhat eased by Brittany's words, "Just the jitters I guess."
"We'll be okay," Brittany moves to stand and holds out her hand, "Now turn that frown upside down, we've got a show to catch."
Santana smiles at the offered hand.
This is why their dynamic is so perfect;. when one is starting to spin out, the other takes hold of the wheel and gets them back on track. They balance each other out but also always have each other's backs. It's something Santana's never found in anyone else and it's one of her favorite things about being in this with Brittany.
So Santana takes Brittany's hand and they head downstairs together.
\\
It's one of the most nerve-racking thirty minutes of Santana's life, but just as Brittany predicted everything goes according to plan. They get a perfect scan and start the printing process so that by the time Tina returns to the loft there is a set of zirconia ready for her. While Emma's across town attending her first session with Rachel Berry in regards to designing the gown she'll wear for the Gala, Tina gets started on replicating the necklace.
"Wow," Tina breathes out as she steps forward to get a closer look. The rest of the team minus Emma is huddled around her as she looks in the 3D printer's case, almost mesmerized by how similar the fake is to the actual necklace.
"Think you can work with this?" Santana smirks, nudging her childhood friend's arm.
Tina's smile is big and bright, "Definitely. This'll be fun!"
Sugar steps up too and her hands itch to make a grab at it, "You guys think I can try it on?"
"No!" Everyone says in unison.
Sugar just pouts and jams her hands into her pockets.
\\
In the following days the team begins to find their grove and go off on their individual missions: Emma deep in designing Rachel Berry's dress, Tina hard at work on the necklace, and Mercedes hacking away. While Brittany hangs back with her and Sugar, Santana and Quinn head to the Met for their next task: plant a Banksy.
It's a simple switcheroo, one that'll cause enough ruckus to grab the security team's attention which is exactly what they want. Minus the getting caught part, of course.
So once inside the Met, the two split off: Santana gets into position with the painting while Quinn distracts a guard. They've done something like this loads of times before, so the switch is smooth and Santana's out of there in no time. With the Met thinking there's been a breach of their security system, Mercedes can slip in and do whatever she needs to do to make sure that they can get around undetected.
Once a crowd begins to form, it's all pretty fast moving and the two slowly make their way back to the car without a second glance.
When Santana and Quinn get inside, Santana pulls out her phone to send a text to Brittany to update her on their progress. She's surprised to find a new text waiting for her though when she swipes into the conversation. It's a selfie with Brittany and Sugar making silly faces while Mercedes sits behind them looking as unamused as ever with both of her middle fingers up.
It makes Santana chuckle before she goes to type her text.
Quinn notices and asks, "What's so funny?"
"Just this picture Britt sent," Santana shrugs as she types, "It's kinda cute I guess."
Quinn watches Santana's smile grow and quirks her brow, "So…what is it about you and Brittany?"
Santana sends off the text and looks to Quinn questioningly, "What do you mean?"
"I see how you two interact with each other. Neither of you have changed any after all these years," Quinn explains, "All of the planning and the scheming and the intricacy of it all…it's like your foreplay or something."
Santana feels her chest tighten and quickly turns away from Quinn to focus on starting the car. Here she goes again, sticking her nose job in places that she shouldn't. Santana wished Quinn would just mind her business, but that wouldn't really be Quinn now would it?
"That's just how we are," Santana brushes off as she begins to drive, "We like to have fun."
"So that's what you're calling it?" Quinn smirks.
Santana rolls her eyes, "What else am I supposed to call it, Q?"
Quinn just shrugs and goes to look out the window. The silence doesn't last long though.
"Fuck," Santana snaps as they catch up to all the traffic, "We're going to be here forever!"
Quinn chuckles at her dramatics. Since asking her question, they've sat in near silence the entire ride so Quinn jokingly asks, "Trapped in a car with me, isn't that a dream come true for you?"
"You have no idea," Santana answers sarcastically then lays on the horn as if it'll make all the traffic suddenly disappear, "Let's fucking go people!"
"Stop! What's that going to do?" Quinn whines and starts swatting at Santana's hand until she quits it. She gives her an annoyed glare which Santana returns instantly.
"We're just going to have to wait it out," Quinn says to which Santana lets out a long sigh. "Don't be like that. This is good, we can finally catch-up. We haven't really talked much since you broke into my garage."
Santana softens at that. At one point in time, she and Quinn were pretty tight. Not in the way that she and Brittany are, but Quinn was around just as much. Also, there was the whole giving birth thing that Santana had to witness and that kind of thing creates a weird bond between people.
"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" Santana relents and puts the car in park since they aren't moving anytime soon.
Quinn looks pleased with herself, like her mood has instantly lifted at the very idea of some girl talk.
Santana regrets agreeing to this the instant Quinn starts talking about Beth and how much she misses her daughter.
\\
Later that night, Santana's sitting alone at a diner across from the McCallister Security tower. She's been sipping coffee while Mercedes and Sugar are off trying to infiltrate the building. They got word that an important meeting regarding the Met's breach was going down and it was imperative that they listened in.
Right about now, Mercedes should be tapping the room and then on her way to meet Santana at the diner where they could catch all the hot gossip. It takes about ten more minutes of Santana waiting before Mercedes finally joins her.
"Where's Sugar?" Santana questions as Mercedes pulls out the headphones.
"Went back to the loft already," Mercedes answers and hands Santana an ear bud, "Said listening to a meeting was even worse than having to sit in one."
Santana chuckled as she popped the earbud in, "Fair enough. Let's see what we're dealing with."
\\
It's late by the time Santana and Mercedes return to the loft and almost everyone has gone to bed, everyone but Brittany.
"You're late," She points out as Santana and Mercedes enter. Mercedes' brows rise at the blonde's tone and quickly disappears to her room without a word.
Santana just strolls over with a sweet smile on her lips, "You keeping tabs on me, Britt-Britt?"
Brittany shrugs, "Maybe. Maybe I kind of missed you? Between Emma's weird muttering and the constant squeak of rubber gloves and Tina being annoying, it wasn't much fun here."
Santana laughs, "What about Quinn?"
"She's getting into character for tomorrow. Whatever that means…"
"She has her interview with Vogue," Santana explains as she shrugs out of her jacket, "Sorry you were lonely. Mercedes and I grabbed a bite while we listened to the meeting. She's actually pretty cool. Oh! I brought you a cannoli. You like those, right?"
Brittany instantly perks up as Santana hands her a small box. She wastes no time in taking a bite and hums happily at the taste, "Thanks San. You bring home the best desserts."
Santana feels a blush beginning to creep up her cheek, but she does her best to ignore it and takes a seat next to Britt on the couch.
"How'd it all go?" Brittany asks with her mouthful.
"We're in! It was an interesting meeting but a long one," Santana smiles proudly before it falls, "These late nights are starting to get to me."
"That's because you need to relax," Brittany tells her before putting on her best flirty smile, "You know, I can help with that. My offer still stands."
Santana lets out a breathy chuckle, "Cute. I'll keep that in mind, but I think I know something that might help me even more?"
"What is it?"
"Take the lead on the meeting tomorrow?"
"You giving up control on something?" Brittany fakes a gasp, "Maybe you really are losing steam."
Santana just rolls her eyes, "You really gonna give me a hard time?"
"Sorry. Yes San," Brittany nods seriously, "I can run the meeting for you."
\\
And so she does.
The next day, Brittany gathers the team for an update on the McCallister Security meeting Santana and Mercedes listened in on last night and how that'll effect what happens at the Met.
Mercedes has the overview of all the Met camera angles projected on the drop down screen while Brittany comes up to the group with a mug in her hand. She ends up handing it to Santana who is curled up the arm chair watching the various camera angles like it's her favorite show.
"Here. Made this for you," Brittany says softly as she hands Santana the mug, "It's herbal. The packet said it's supposed to help you relax or something."
Santana takes the offered mug with a surprised smile, "Thanks Britt."
"You're welcome," She winks before turning back to the team to get the meeting started, "Okay! So as you can see, the Met is covered in camera and security will be watching them like hawks. It's almost impossible to get out of there without being spotted…let alone with a ridiculously expensive necklace at that."
"Keyword there is almost," Santana interjects before taking a sip of her tea because she can't help herself.
"Right. We're going for a spot security doesn't even care about: the bathroom," Upon its mention, Mercedes clicks to the angle, "But once we get going security is going to go over everything with a fine tooth comb, even angles like this. Whoever exits that is going to be a suspect. So what do we do?" Brittany asks and waits for someone to answer. When no one does, she continues, "We get a mule. Not an actual one like I thought, but a figurative one…sort of."
The group all exchange somewhat confused looks so Santana cuts in, "Someone else is going to move the necklace for us."
Brittany points to Santana, "Exactly."
"Sugar, how much room do you need to plan something on someone?" Santana asks.
Sugar ponders a moment, "Like nine feet?"
Santana nods and looks to Mercedes, "And how long will it take to create a nine foot blind spot?"
"Maybe 10 or 12 days if I'm moving the camera bit by bit," Mercedes responds.
Santana smiles proudly at their answers and looks to Brittany who's already looking back at her with an equally pleased grin. She loves when things just come together like this.
"Sounds like a solid timeframe to me," Santana says and turns back to the team, "What do you think?"
"Yeah, I can get to work on that now," Mercedes replies and everyone else starts to shuffle about to continue their tasks.
"Wait!" Sugar stops them and raises her hand, "Question."
Santana notes the hand in the air and laughs as she looks to Brittany, "Is she raising her hand right now?"
Brittany just shakes her head and laughs too.
"What is it, Sugar? I already told you I'm not paying for your Metro Card," Santana says.
"It's not that," Sugar waves off as her hand drops to her lap, "I was just wondering…are you two like…a thing?
Santana looks slowly to Brittany.
"I was wondering that as well," Emma adds, "You don't really see one of them without the other."
"Two peas in a pod!" Tina chimes in happily.
"Glad to see I'm not the only one that's noticed these two fools making googly eyes at each other all the damn time," Mercedes says next.
Santana catches Quinn's eye and the blonde just smirks as she adds, "Didn't I tell you that your subtly needs some work?"
Santana feels her face getting hot so she's glad that the lights are still off for the projector because she's sure everyone would see her as this blushing mess and that's not a good look.
The team is all talking at once, giving their examples and theories, and it's a lot. Santana doesn't know how to deal and Brittany's just kind of watching with her hand covering her mouth, hiding her smile. She thinks it's all so hilarious and she loves how flustered and riled up Santana gets over the teasing.
The girl can dish it but struggles when it comes to taking it.
Suddenly Sugar has her hand up again and she's speaking a little louder than everyone else, "Okay, raise your hand if you think Santana and Brittany are banging."
Everyone raises their hand instantly, even Brittany.
"Oh my God, Britt, put your hand down," Santana urges looking stressed.
Brittany does as she's told as a couple giggles escape her.
Santana doesn't think it's quite as amusing though, "We aren't banging. Who even calls it that anymore?"
"That explains everything," Tina replies knowingly, "It's probably why this heist is so immaculate, she's gotta channel all that extra energy somewhere."
"Preach," Mercedes nods and goes to bump her fist with Tina.
It's all playful – at least that's what it was meant to be – but Santana hates feeling like the butt of a joke. She hates that her thing with Brittany is being analyzed by all these people she barely knows. People that shouldn't be commenting on whatever goes on with them.
So she snaps and jumps to her feet to address the crowd.
"They're immaculate because I'm a fucking genius and decided to use my time in solitary confinement wisely, so let's just be careful here with trying to talk about things you know nothing about," Santana threatens with her steely gaze, "Don't forget. I'm a convicted criminal. I've been to jail and I will shank one of you if you happen to piss me off. So try me, I dare you."
"Santana…" Brittany whispers and gives Santana's arm a gentle tug, "They were just joking."
"Well this isn't fucking comedy hour, okay?" Santana growls and Brittany backs off as she turns to the group again, "You're all here to do a job. Not speculate. There is nothing going on between Brittany and I – not that it's any of your business – so let's stay focused on the plan and do what we all came here to do. Get me?"
The group all nod in unison before heading back to their tasks.
Santana turns away from them and hits the lights. She's still fuming and a little embarrassed but she instantly feels a whole lot better when she spots Brittany staring at her ass.
"That's not helping," Santana points out.
Brittany chuckles, "Maybe you should stop wearing those leather pants around me. You know they're my favorite."
"I thought you don't pick favorites?" Santana asks with narrowed eyes.
Brittany lifts her shoulder casually, "Guess I make an exception when it comes to you."
Santana's heart skips a beat and it takes everything in her not to swoon. This is Brittany. This is how she talks to everyone. She's charismatic and flirty and everything good in this miserable stinking world, but she can't get wrapped up in all of that again.
It didn't end well before and she doubts it'll end well now.