Fast Lane Chapter 34: Canyon Conflict, a glee fanfic

As much as I would like to own them, all the characters of Glee belong to Fox – I own nothing. All the characters of The Fast and the Furious belong to Universal Studios, I'm just borrowing some of them. All writing belongs to me.

So here you go guys! Another long update and the long awaited canyon battle with Dani! (Sorry for the long wait). Anyway, I hope you enjoy and just a quick word: I went and saw Furious 7 this week and I would just like to thank all the wonderful people who made those films and for giving us the awesomeness that is Letty and Mia (I love writing them). So, as this story is heavily influenced by that franchise and is a slight crossover I would just like to say thank you for the awesomeness that it is.

#FORPAUL

Thank you to all my new followers and everybody who sent me kind words of encouragement in reviews after last weeks author's note. It's a weight off my mind and I hope to keep rolling out the good quality so enjoy this update and I will hopefully see you again next week! :D

Also, thank you to my 200th follower this week: NikeWest! It means a lot that just over 200 of you would follow this little old story of mine and I hope you continue to enjoy it to the end!

Santana awoke to the sun in her eyes and the comfy body she'd been sleeping on the night before gone. Slowly waking up she reached up to rub her eyes and found that her arm ached like a son of a bitch. Looking down her left arm had a few bruises spotted along it from the fight the night before. She immediately frowned and as soon as she made to pull herself up into a sitting position she immediately regretted it. Pain radiated through her entire body and caused her to gasp loudly. It was then with perfect timing that Brittany bust through the door to the room, worry already taking over her features.

"Santana? Hey, don't try to do it so fast"

Brittany's hands bracing her shoulders Santana gritted her teeth through the pain. "Britt, why does it hurt so bad?"

"Because Dani beat the crap out of you. Here, let me help you"

Usually Santana would have batted her away determined to do it on her own but Brittany was the only one she was willing to be patient for. With that she let Brittany help her up so that she was sitting and waited patiently as the blonde propped up some pillows behind her. When she was done she ever so gently pushed down on Santana's shoulder to get her to sit back. Once she was comfortable Brittany placed a kiss to her forehead.

"There"

"I want my other pillow" The pout on Santana's face and the seriousness of it made Brittany laugh. "Hey, it's not funny! I want my pillow!"

"Ok, calm down. I'm making breakfast and then I'll be back to be your pillow ok?"

"Ok"

"Ok" Leaning in Brittany pressed a kiss to her forehead before starting to pull away only to be pulled back by the wrist. Smiling down at Santana she indulged and pressed her lips against the Latina's. She tried to pull away again but chuckled against Santana's mouth as she tried to draw out the kiss much longer. "I've got to go"

"Stay here"

"No, the waffles are gonna burn"

At the momentary pause Brittany managed to pull herself away from the other woman to see her look of confusion. "Waffles?"

"Yes, waffles or you don't like them...?"

"No I like them!"

"That's what I thought. I'll be back in a minute"

Before Santana could draw her in again Brittany made her exit and headed back to the kitchen to check on the food. Five minutes later she was re-entering the room with a fully loaded tray of food in her hands. Santana looked up at the sound of the door opening and smiled when she saw the other woman.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever had breakfast in bed. Well, I guess I did when I you know, got shot, but not like this"

Brittany couldn't help but grin at the Latina's explanation as she stepped further into the room, placing the tray down over Santana's lap.

"Britt, you didn't need to do this"

Brittany shrugged as she pulled off her sky blue hoodie, depositing it down on the lounge chair in front of the bayside window. "I didn't have to but I wanted to"

"But how did you get all of this food? My kitchen is basically empty" She asked as she watched Brittany round the bed and slip under the covers.

"I woke up before you and thought that you'd like breakfast in bed. Especially after last night. Anyway, as long as you let me have a few bites I'm happy"

Turning to the woman next to her Santana lent forwards the best she could and placed a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you" She whispered.

"No problem" Brittany replied, cupping her slightly bruised jaw so that she could press their lips together.

"Here," Santana prompted as she pulled away. "I don't think I could finish this all by myself anyway. It would be a pleasure to share it with you"

"Yes!"

The sound of Brittany's excited agreement made Santana grin as she reached for her cutlery. Despite the night before the morning after, no matter how painful, was worth it.

Later that day Brittany had gone out to get Santana more pain meds and when she came back she found her walking around the living room area whilst still on the phone but unlike when she left the Latina was dressed. Well, as much as she could be considering her fight the night before. Her feet bare she was padding back and forth over the cream carpeted floor in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, her glasses on with her hair up in a messy wet pony tail. She figured she'd attempted to shower whilst she was out. Rolling her eyes at the fact that Santana had clearly ignored her order of all day bed rest considering that it was Sunday, she made her way over the pool and towards the door. Opening it she caught the last part of what sounded like a concerned phone call.

"Está bien abuela. Everything will be fine. I just need to rest up and I'll be back to normal in no time"

"Ok mija, if you say so. Just call me later"

"Ok."

"Ok. Bye Santana"

"Bye abuela"

"Love you"

"Love you too"

At the sound of a click on the other end of the line Santana pulled the phone away from her ear and ended the call just as Brittany made her presence known.

"Was that your abuela?"

Santana looked down at the phone in her hand and then back up at the other woman. "Yeah, I figured I'd better call her and let her know what happened"

"And how did she take it?"

"As well as you could expect. She freaked out at first but once I explained I wasn't on my own and I had you here with me she more or less told me to take it easy and try not to get into so many fights. You know it's funny..."

"What is?" Brittany questioned as she placed the carrier bag that she'd been holding down on one of the ottoman's.

"Even after everything me and her went through, including being apart for eight years, it's like nothing changed. I know she still isn't one hundred percent on my sexuality but in the last few months I've caught glimpses of the woman I used to know, the woman who raised me and just now I felt like a teenager again. I used to get into fights all the time when I was younger, I had her temper – I still do, but I kinda feel bad for making her worried again especially with everything going on with Cassandra and her shooting me."

Taking a step forwards Brittany cupped her face and made sure that their eyes were locked. "Don't ever feel bad for it. Last night Dani finally stepped out of line and she attacked you with no reason to. You didn't start that fight Santana, you just reacted the only way you knew how and I'm not surprised that both you and Dani threw equal punches. Just don't try to do it often ok because as much as I don't want you to feel bad about stuff now that we're kinda, you know, I don't really want to see you get hurt, ok?"

"You're such a genius Britt" Before she had time to reply the blonde was being pulled flush against the Latina's body and into an impassioned kiss. Not that she minded though.

"I try" She replied as she pulled away.

"Well, you seem to be doing a good job without really trying at all. Thank you"

"Don't worry about it. Now, seeing as it's turning dark outside and I just heard your stomach rumble how does pizza sound?"

"Really good"

"Then come with me"

Brittany took Santana's hand and the Latina was happy to be the one being pulled this time around. Brittany led her into the kitchen and once she was sat up at the breakfast bar she pressed a kiss to her cheek before heading over to the fridge. Santana happily watched her mill about the kitchen back and forth as she prepared the pizza. Just as Brittany slid it into the oven her phone vibrated in her back pocket. Closing the oven door so that the pizza could start cooking she then pulled it from her jeans and placed it in the center of the breakfast bar and slid her finger across the screen to answer whilst making sure it was then set on speaker.

"Letty you've got me and Santana"

"Good, it means I won't have to call you both separately"

"What do you need?"

"First of all, S how are you?"

"As good as I can be considering that I got the crap beaten out of me"

"And I want to apologize for that. I can't speak for Dani but as crew leader I am truly sorry Santana. I know things still aren't' great between us and the rest of the crew but I really am worried. You didn't deserve this, especially since I know you still aren't fully healed from those gun wounds yet."

"Don't worry, I've got Britt looking after me so I should be fine. As for everything else the progress was slow anyway, I could have lost all function in my arm but I was lucky but I guess I haven't been lucky in everything after. Look, Letty, I know we're still not on good terms but you really don't have to worry. I came back with a plan and I knew the risks."

"Yeah but that still doesn't make up for what Dani did. I know she beat you up bad and I know you fought back but this time you're not in the wrong Santana, she is. Look, I don't know what's got her so pissed off but if there's one thing that works it's our way of doing things. I know it sounds stupid but what makes us good as a team is that we settle our differences on the road not with our fists. Dani was way out of line and she knows it, her temper gets the better of her and this time it went too far. I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that I'm sorry for demanding you race her and if you're up for it you can choose if you want to or not."

"I appreciate it Letty and you bet your Latina ass that I'm up for it! If getting behind the wheel and fighting on narrow winding canyon roads at high speeds is what it takes to teach her a lesson you bet your ass I'm gonna be there at that start line extra early and ready to do it."

"So you're in?"

"Hell yeah"

"Good. I'll give you a week to get better and I'll talk to Blaine about setting up a race maybe on Friday. Until then take it easy and seeing as today is only the day after I want you to rest up and take tomorrow off. I'm sure we can all amuse ourselves here at the garage with the two new cars you got us until you get back."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, that goes for Brittany too."

"Great, thanks"

"No problem. Oh, and one last thing"

"Yeah?"

"I don't know what's going on between you two but whatever it is don't fuck it up again, you hear me?"

Santana's eyes met Brittany's briefly in understanding before they both looked back down at the phone. "Loud and clear Let"

"Yeah, loud and clear boss"

"Good, now if you don't mind I have to go and help my girlfriend make dinner. I'll see you guys on Tuesday."

"Agreed. Bye Letty"

"Bye S. Bye Britt."

"Bye Let"

When the phone call ended the two women shared a look of confusion. "Did she really just...?"

Santana nodded. "I think so. Does it really matter though?"

Brittany shook her head. "Not if it doesn't to you"

"Then I guess we're both on the same page"

"I guess we are"

"Come here"

At Santana's coaxing Brittany lent over the counter and connected their lips, the two of them letting it linger before pulling away. This week was going to be a long week.

It was the day before the race with Dani had been set for and currently Santana was sat in the living room area on the lounge chair that she remembered Cassandra occupying every now and again when she'd visit her. Now she was sat in it watching the night skyline of the city in the distance as she steadily sipped at a bottle of Corona. Not hearing footsteps she was surprised when she felt a sudden weight in her lap and when she looked up Brittany was looking back down at her with a smile on her face.

"Hey"

"Hi" She whispered back, leaning up to kiss her as her arms wrapped around the blonde's waist.

Brittany happily kissed her back, momentarily losing herself in the feeling of the Latina's lips against her own before pulling back to rest her forehead against hers. "I ordered take-out. Is that ok with you?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"What about you? How are you feeling?"

"I'm still aching but the bruises should be gone by next week. Why?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were ready for tomorrow. Are you sure you still want to do this?"

Santana nodded, her arms tightening around her waist. "Of course. I'm not backing out now"

"But-"

"Britt, I'm ready to do this. Tomorrow night Dani's not gonna know what hit her"

"What about your 350?"

"My cars ready to go. Her Ford won't have anticipated what I'm gonna be doing in that car. It's time we settled this once and for all"

"If you say so"

At the blonde's sigh Santana reached a hand up to her cheek to get her to look at her. "Hey, I'll be ok. I'll be careful but I can't promise it won't get ugly up in that canyon. I promise I'll try"

"That's all I ask" She sighed back, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Come on, I need to pee"

Brittany happily got up but before Santana could get up the blonde was helping her. She groaned as she felt an ache in various parts of her body that still weren't healed yet.

"You ok?" Brittany asked, one hand pressed to the center of her shoulder blades whilst the other braced her t-shirt-clad stomach.

Santana nodded, the pain subsiding. "Yeah, I think I just sat there too long"

"Go pee. The food should be here any minute"

"Good."

Brittany smiled as there was a kiss pressed to her forehead and she watched as Santana left the room in the direction of the bathroom. She couldn't say that she was looking forward to tomorrow night but she was going to be there to support Santana no matter what. She just hoped that it didn't cost her any more of her health. The Latina was barely getting by as it was.

The mist was heavy as she waited at the top of the canyon pass. She was early and that meant waiting for all the others to arrive. Her hand gripped at the wheel as she stared out blankly at the road in front of her. She had heard small titbits here and there about this particular stretch of road and from the sounds of it they didn't race here regularly. She could see even from here that the way it remained relatively dark added with the mist it was going to be a tough trip down to the bottom. But she was ready. She'd been ready the moment she'd woken up that morning after, ready to put Dani into her place even though her body didn't want her to. It was still sore but it was at a point where it was good enough for her to get behind the wheel. She knew this track would probably give her another physical beating all together but she would take that if it meant knocking Dani down a peg or two. She just had to turn up first for her to do so. She hadn't seen the blonde since the night they'd fought and Dani had seemed to avoid everybody, including Kitty, for the entire week leading up to this. Even though she had text Letty and told her simply that she'd be there Santana wouldn't be convinced until she saw her pull up next to her.

"Santana?"

Shaking herself from her daze Santana turned to her right to see Brittany looking back at her with a worried expression on her face. "What's going on in your head?"

"Nothing but this race. I just wanna start already"

She looked down to see Brittany place a comforting hand on her forearm, immediately letting go of the steering wheel so that she could connect their hands. Their fingers threaded together and she raised them to her lips, pressing a kiss to Brittany's knuckles. The blonde smiled and leaned over the center console, in return leaving a kiss on Santana's cheek.

She reached up her other hand to cup Brittany's jaw. "I'll be fine"

"But you're still not better"

"I know, not completely, but I'm good enough to do this. I'm not running from this race, I need to show Dani that I'm not playing around. This score needs to be settled now for everybody's sakes."

Eyeing the Latina carefully for a few moments Brittany finally relented and nodded, this time the one to bring their conjoined hands up to kiss Santana's knuckles. Her other hand cupped the tanned hand she already had a hold of and she squeezed reassuringly, Santana smiling over at her in thanks.

"So," She began, turning her attentions to the cabin of the car. "This is your first time racing on a canyon road with your 350. You think it's ready? I know you haven't had time for tuning considering you haven't done much of anything this week due to the fact that you're..."

"Injured? I know but it's pretty good at not needing to be adjusted. I usually like to tweak it in my spare time and just make sure that everything is more or less at a certain level or performance but I have faith that it can handle it. A weeks worth of missed tuning isn't going to hurt it. It's gonna keep up with Dani's GT without a problem and hopefully stay ahead without missing a beat. As for the canyon thing, yes it's my first race back but I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

"So you're sure?"

"Of course. One hundred percent"

"Then that's all I need to know. I'll be watching every minute of it"

"I know you will. Come here"

At Santana's small command Brittany happily lent in, thankful that she could freely kiss the Latina without the weight of anger or pain on her shoulders. She'd enjoyed the last week of enjoying this new thing that they had just between the two of them and even though the rest of the crew except Letty didn't know they were happy to just keep it between themselves for as long as they wanted. That meant that Brittany could enjoy kissing her as much as she wanted without worrying about the consequences. However, the moment didn't last long as they were interrupted by the sound of approaching engines. Pulling apart they both looked behind them to see the familiar headlights of Letty's Plymouth approaching.

"Looks like it's game time" Santana said, watching as Letty pulled up alongside her, just catching sight of Quinn's yellow Skyline behind her.

"Lopez, you still good for this?"

"More than ever."

"Good, I'll see you at the bottom. Quinn's gonna hook you up and then she'll drive down and Blaine can start the race. Britt, where are you gonna be?"

"Coming down with Quinn"

"I'll see you there. Good luck Santana"

"Thank's Letty"

With a nod of acknowledgement Letty pulled away and started heading down. Quinn pulled up at the side of the road and Tina followed behind their crew leader. Next was Rachel, the brunette coming to a stop next to the gold 350Z.

"Good luck Santana"

"Thanks Rach"

"I'll see you at the bottom Britt. Kick her butt S"

"Noted."

As Rachel pulled away Mia followed behind in her Silvia, sending a nod to the other woman before pulling away. The last was Marley and as soon as she had cleared the way Quinn made her way over the road and to Santana, Brittany already hopping out of the car. As Quinn slid into her previously occupied seat with a go-pro in hand Brittany rounded the car to the drivers side, Santana already rolling the window down. Quinn said nothing as she got to work and soon she was done, already heading back over to her car to get the other camera without having said a word to her. Blaine pulled up in his Porsche a minute later behind the yellow Skyline and all they had to do was wait for Dani to arrive.

She was keeping them waiting on purpose, Santana knew this, but she wasn't going to let a little tense waiting cause her to chicken out, that was what Dani wanted. She was going to do this and she was going to be there. Luckily she didn't wait long though when Kitty pulled up alongside her car sending an apologetic look at her before pulling her TT away to start the canyon descent. Then Dani pulled up next to her at the line, not sparing one single glance over at her as Quinn opened her passenger side door to get in and set up the camera.

Santana didn't give her the glance that she knew she wanted her to and instead focused on prepping her car. The moment had arrived and she was more than ready to kick things off. Brittany watched from outside the car as Santana primed her two Nos bottles, tapping away at the screen in the center console and setting her iPod to shuffle. Making sure she was strapped in she rolled her shoulder and readied herself in her seat. Brittany reached in and placed a comforting hand to her left shoulder, rubbing with her thumb in the spot she now knew as the place that seemed to give her the most trouble, the scar tissue. She wanted so badly to kiss it but decided against it considering as everybody else but them knew what was going on between them. That didn't stop her from giving her words of encouragement though.

"Remember, this is the canyon. Dani's technical but she hasn't got what you've got"

Santana looked from the road up to the other woman, enjoying the feeling of her hand still on her shoulder. "Which is?"

"You drift."

"But-"

"I haven't driven on this track in a while but I know that there's a hell of a lot of temp barriers on the turns facing the canyon cliffside. Keep it tight or wide and drift don't turn. She'll play dirty, you know that, but you have the advantage so use it."

There was a few moments of silence between them but Santana heard her loud and clear. She usually would have done whatever needed to be done as it presented itself to her but being reminded that she had the advantage due to the fact that her car was indeed a 350z and she drifted nearly every race she was in she was a little more ready to do this. She tuned out everything but Brittany and nodded, reaching up a hand to the one on her shoulder and squeezing. Brittany smiled back down at her just as Blaine made his way to the middle of the road.

"Britt, you ready to go?"

"Yeah"

She looked back down at Santana. "Good luck baby"

Before she could respond to the term of endearment which made her feel warm inside Brittany was gone and moving over to where Quinn was waiting for her. Brittany spared her a final glance before getting into the Skyline and soon enough Quinn was already heading down the canyon road. Five minutes later Blaine's radio buzzed.

"Blaine, we've reached the bottom. You're good to go"

"Thanks Quinn. Ok ladies, it's go time. Santana, are you ready?" He got a loud rev in return. "Dani, what about you?" Another loud rev. "Ok then, let's do this" He stepped backwards a bit and then with his white bandanna in one hand he raised it high above him, both cars already growling in anticipation for the race to start.

Santana didn't even spare a glance to her right as she eagerly anticipated the 'go' from Blaine but she could tell from the way her hand gripped the steering wheel that she was more than ready. Her other hand primed on the shifter she felt as if she had an itchy trigger finger, dying to pull it and get this show on the road. Both highly powered engines revved beside one another as Blaine glanced from his right to his left, both women more than determined than ever.

"Three...two...one...GO!"

Before he could fully drop to the floor both of them were off the start line, smoke and the smell of fumes engulfing Blaine like a heavy blanket of smog. Burning rubber filled his nostrils as he spun on his heels, the rear lights of the two cars already disappearing around the first turn.

I'm not the table you can come and lay your cup down on now
I'm not the shoulder for a bag, don't wanna carry your heavy load
I'm not the road that you take when you're lookin for a short cut, uh
I ain't the steppin' stone, to be steppin' on, I ain't nobody's crutch

The first turn had come up fast but it hadn't much bothered either woman. Their only concern was each other. Naturally as they hit the first corner of the track Dani came out in first and shifted up a gear as her powerful engine showed Santana what it was capable of already. It didn't phase her though. She only shifted up into a higher gear and made sure to stay glued to her rear end as best she could as they hit a series of back and forth bends, the two of them speeding even though it was clear that they really should have been taking care around them but it didn't matter. Nothing else other than getting to the bottom of this canyon in first place mattered. First the first time in a long time Santana knew she had to really prove she could take the shit and come out on top.

I ain't the money man, with your money man, you ain't lookin' at me
I'm not the cheap one, lookin' at me son, you ain't lookin' at free
I ain't the dish rag, to come clean up, all the shit that ya dish out
Ain't got no check for em, if you checkin' in
Mothafucka check this out

Dani looked up in her rear-view mirror to see Santana keeping up, the gold Nissan staying right on her tail. She growled as she looked ahead and shifted up a gear even though the turn was much wider than the first few. She aligned herself in the center and made sure not to let Santana pass as she took up the middle of the road, the other woman still managing to keep up with her despite the fact that she wasn't letting her pass. Santana knew what she was doing and she could have easily drifted around that turn but she knew that it would have been hard to do and the way Dani and placed herself made it hard to get past her regularly anyway. Trying to slide a car sideways around a car in the middle of the narrow spaced road was next to impossible and even as Brittany's earlier words floated around in her head she knew that it wasn't quite time to put them into action just yet.

Ain't much I can do but I do what I can
But I'm not a fool, there's no need to pretend
Just because you got yourself in some shit
It doesn't mean I have to come deal with it

You handle your own when you become a man
And become a man when you handle your own
Ain't much I can do but I do what I can
But what can I do if I do till it's gone
Oh, oh, till it's gone
Oh, oh, till it's gone
Oh, oh, till it's gone
Oh, but what can I do if I do till it's gone

Instead she remained right on Dani's rear, not giving her an inch as they came out of the turn and hit a short straight. Everybody at the bottom of the canyon watched through their dashboards as they sped up, Brittany wincing as she watched Santana rapidly approach a dead ninety degree turn that would surely send her straight into the wall. She wanted to close her eyes as she saw it come straight at the screen but to her and everybody else's surprise the Latina manoeuvred her Nissan as if it was nothing. She hit the brake and the handbrake at just the right point and spun the car to the right, coming out fast as she watched Dani struggle ahead. The Ford swerved from left to right as the blonde had only just managed to get around the corner at the last moment.

Santana saw this opportunity and as soon as the timing was right she shifted back up a gear and played on Dani's moment of weakness. Just as she was straightening up at the opening of the turn Santana pressed her foot down on the accelerator pedal and went wide. It was risky as there were black and yellow temporary barriers lining the side warning that there was a sheer drop that you weren't safe from but despite this she sped up anyway and as soon as the nose of her car was in front of Dani's she hit the brake and slid it into a drift, the momentum carrying her as she set herself up for the exit. Looking to her left she smiled over at Dani who snarled as she was put into second place, Santana now taking the lead she had once held. Turning back to the road Santana's grin grew even wider as she put her foot down, the car only needing to be turned to the right just a little bit for her to put herself straight in the line of the road.

I'm not the trash bag, not the last man at the finish line now
I'm not the new kid, on the block
That you can just follow and push around
I'm not the fuckin' needle in the haystack, that you finally found
This ain't no free rent, come and pitch a tent, you ain't tying me down

Now out of the turn and her car positioned forwards she immediately shifted up in gears and sped up as she handed the next few curves in the road. Dani remained close however as they handled the next turn, Santana glancing up in her rear view mirror every few seconds as they battled with one another. It was tight but she wasn't letting her past, Dani's expression just clear enough to tell her that she was pissing the other woman off more and more. Glancing back at the road in front of her it wasn't long before she was entering the next corner, seeing the wide open opportunity. Yes, Dani was right on her tail but there was enough space between them for Santana to take the moment and do one of the things that she did best.

Dani along with the rest of the crew watched as the Nissan up ahead swing into a full blown drift, the turn wide enough for her to really let loose. Brittany watched as Santana executed a perfect slide, her car made for the action as she moved as if she was on water around the turn. Call her crazy for putting it like that but after not having seen Santana actually do it for so long she'd forgotten just how good at it the Latina actually was. To a drifter like herself she had used what she had and taken the moment when it come to her, using it to her advantage. It was more considered show-boating to most people but strategically Brittany could see from the camera mounted on Dani's dashboard that it was to block her further. She had seen them battling for position and although Santana was good at keeping her in second throwing her car sideways across her path was enough to stop her attempts entirely. Dani was clearly frustrated, already trying to get past through the small space left between Santana's rear bumper and the barrier but it was futile. Going that wide would kill all her chances of winning and she would surely go over the canyon cliff and probably kill herself entirely. That wasn't an option and she knew it so she'd have to settle for second place until Santana either made a mistake or there was a potential place to pass her.

Coming out of the turn Santana expertly turned her car semi-forwards, using the momentum for the turn she'd just exited to carry her towards the next one. She flickered her gaze quickly from the road to her rear-view to see what Dani was doing and then back to the road, the gears turning in her brain as to what to do next. She hadn't come out of her drift state completely for a reason, the next turn way too close to pass up the opportunity to chain her motions together. It wasn't as smooth a turn as the last but it wasn't something she couldn't handle. She timed it perfectly and executed a rapid snap in the opposite direction, smoke bellowing from her tires as she forced the car into the opposite direction, keeping it tight to the inside line as Dani fast approached from behind.

I'm not a bus ride you can hop inside, and just roll away clean
Not the wheel on the wagon you wanna break
Because I hold up the weight for the team
I'm not the gold watch, and the new truck
That you scheming to check out
Unless you're looking to check out *shot, shot, shot*
What a mess now (c'mon)

As the turn wasn't as circular as the last Dani saw her chance to at least try and throw Santana off. She had to admit, the combined drift was impressive but it wasn't enough to make her change her mind about winning. Her heart was set on one thing and she wasn't about to let a little show-boating direct everybody's attentions away from what this was really about. This was a canyon race and if she couldn't use her fists to show Santana just how angry she was she was going to use her car instead. A canyon race meant that you traded paint on purpose and she wasn't going to let that opportunity pass her by. Back to the race at hand as they made to exit the turn Dani used her current position to her advantage. Santana was still at an angle as it came to an end and seeing her chance Dani sped up before it was too late.

As if out of nowhere Santana felt herself rammed out of control. A solid hit to her side threw her from her well controlled drift into a slide of utter panic and chaos. Up ahead after having gained first place once again Dani laughed as she handled the next turn, already speeding up as soon as she was out of it. Back behind her Santana fought for control and as expected after so many years of spending time with this car and knowing what it would do, expertly she regained the control she had lost in a matter of a few tense seconds, almost hitting the wall. Luckily though she had gained it back just in time to save herself but she was immediately confronted with her next problem. The tight turn ahead she was now in and she was dangerously close to the temporary barrier, the black and yellow a blazing sign that she was dangerously close to being thrown off the canyon cliff. Knowing this she continued to fight for control of her car as she slid, this slide definitely not controlled and definitely not like she was floating on water. It was a slide of fighting to save herself from falling and as flashes of Dani and her probable shit eating grin crossed her mind she growled and righted the car back into a forwards facing position as she hit the exit of the turn, already hitting the shifter and speeding up to make up for the space the blonde had now put in between them thanks to her car-on-car contact.

The stretch of road wasn't quite short but before she entered the next corner Santana could just make out Dani's rear tail lights in the process. Having seen this it only made her more determined to get her back for nearly killing her. She sped up as soon as she came out of the turn and just as Dani was pulling her GT into the inside line Santana was right back on her, the blonde frowning.

"What the-"

"Didn't think. You could get rid of me that easily did you Harper?"

Even thought she knew Dani couldn't hear her she still said it, her hands gripping firmly at the wheel as they both resumed their battle for first place. Dani growled as Santana came to her side, just enough room for the Latina to challenge her for the top spot once more. She wasn't going to let her through though. She'd just gotten it back and it felt good to be winning, Santana was just hanging on like a lingering smell and it was starting to get old. She wanted her gone already but she wasn't letting up. That meant she had to kick things up a gear, quite literally, and show her who really was the bitch in charge of this. She couldn't let her win, it wasn't an option and she was going to do everything in her power and little book of tricks to make sure she came out on top and not Santana.

Ain't much I can do but I do what I can
But I'm not a fool, there's no need to pretend
Just because you got yourself in some shit
It doesn't mean I have to come deal with it

As soon as they came out of the turn they were thrown into the next but they stayed glued on each other, Dani desperate to break free and Santana eager to reclaim her top spot without flying off the edge of the canyon in the process. This being said though she wasn't about to let up on her intensity. Driving off the edge was a very real threat but in the canyon anything went, much more than their usual racing rules. That meant if Dani wanted to play dirty and hit her out of control to get into first place she was going to fight fire with fire and do the same. She just had to wait for the opportunity to arise.

Luckily she didn't have to wait long as they came to a short straight before the next right. She shifted up a gear in an attempt to pass but Dani blocked it and even though they fast approached the next left corner they sped up, neither woman willing to relinquish control in favour of playing it safe. There wasn't much track left to battle on and the race was rapidly coming to a close and if Santana didn't do something quick she would surely lose. That wasn't a choice, she couldn't let Dani win. She wouldn't hear the last of it for months or however long it took to get all these cars etc. Back to the situation at hand, hands down the other racer couldn't win and she had something to prove.

Shifting up another gear she was now entering extremely dangerous territory. The next corner came up way too quickly and she was about to get burned if she didn't position herself right. Dani was next to her on the inside line and seeing no way to drift her way around this bend she had only one choice and that was to play it wide. It was her only option. Giving up her current position would mean Dani would take first and she would surely lose so playing dangerous was her only choice. She wasn't happy about it but it had to be done. As expected Dani saw the way that she was pressed between her Ford and the temporary barrier so she risked it and swerved closer to the inside line of the turn and then rapidly back out again. Santana groaned as she felt her still-healing body bashed about in her bucket seat, her harnesses keeping her relatively in check as Dani hit her. She had no time to think on it though as she was grazing the side of the barrier, already seeing it starting to break away behind her. One more hit and she and her car would be history. Taking it in her stride she knew there was one more major turn up ahead that would make or break who won this race so she figured she'd have some fun. If Dani wanted to play dirty that's what she was going to get.

I jump to the sky for my people
I walk through the fire, I give love when it's equal
Don't tell me not to complain about my money and fame

She let her finish out the turn in front, the blonde already smirking at regaining her lead. She thought she was in the clear as she sped up along the straight, the bumps on the road nothing as she gained a little air time hear and there due to her speed. What she didn't expect though was Santana to be right behind her and as she seemingly glued herself to her rear bumper once again she had no idea that the other Latina had something up her sleeve – one last trick that would put in her place.

When you come around and telling me I changed
Damn right I fucking changed
When this fuckin' change hit my pocket
Hit the bucket, it was a rocket all a sudden

Steeling her gaze Santana gripped the steering wheel tightly with her left hand whilst the other gripped at the shifter. She had to time this right or her chances at winning would be shot. As the two cars rapidly approached the oncoming bend Dani thought for sure that she was in the clear to win this thing. Surely after threatening to throw her off the side of the canyon was enough to make her cease trying to win, right? Wrong. It was the complete opposite. Instead it had only made Santana more hungry to put Dani back in her place. At the last moment she shifted up into a higher gear and then pressed down on one of the Nos buttons built into her steering wheel. Her car instantly surged forwards as she swerved to the right and Dani and everybody else watching watched on in awe as she propelled herself into one of her coveted Nos drifts, the action extremely dangerous but needed if she was going to cross that line first. The car slid at high speed as she fought for control, locking it sideways as it overtook Dani and blocked any chance she had at overtaking her.

I went from shoppin' without nuthin'
To goin' shoppin' for my cousins
Now that the cops know that I'm buzzin'
They wanna drop me in the oven

Pull me over just to say "I'm a fan"
Hip-hop, you gotta love it, fuck it

Her job wasn't done however, control much needed as she rapidly approached the exit of the turn. She was going way too fast and any one else surely would have crashed by now. She kept her hand steady on the steering wheel as the car came out of the corner at an angle, this time prepared for Dani if she tried to hit her out of control. It never came however as seeing the last corner pushed Santana to act quickly, taking the chance that presented itself to her. Her car still at an angle she had moments to pull it back straight before she hit that final turn, hitting the second Nos button as she slid in the opposite direction. Dani watched from behind as Santana's Nissan snapped into place around the last wide corner of the track, knowing that the finish line wasn't that far away from the exit of it.

Ain't much I can do but I do what I can
But I'm not a fool, there's no need to pretend
Just because you got yourself in some shit
It doesn't mean I have to come deal with it

Up ahead Santana felt a rush of adrenaline course through her veins as she came out of the bend, swinging her car back into a forwards position as she shifted up a gear and used the last of the Nos' momentum to propel her towards the rapidly approaching finish line where she could see everybody else waiting for her along the sidelines. Seeing Dani in her rear-view she knew she had already won so she pressed her foot all the way down on the accelerator and cruised across the finish line as if it was a breeze. Watching in her rear-view as Dani slowed down she used what space she had and hit the brake, sliding around until she was facing the finish line and the rest of the crew. Smoke billowed up from her tires at the action but she couldn't find herself to care about that or the pain she was feeling radiating throughout her body from the countless back and forth of the canyon turns.

As she caught her breath she let the fact that she'd won sink in and as it returned to normal she found the power to unbuckle herself from her racing harness, pushing open the door and stepping out of her car. Adjusting her beanie she watched as the crew made their way towards her, smiles on all of their faces. Despite what had gone on between them in these past few months they couldn't deny that she'd just blown them all out of the water with her win and finally put Dani in her place. Hopefully now things would be calmer between them in and out of the garage.

"Santana..." Letty started, trailing off and leaving a moments silence between them before smiling and pulling her into a hug. "Well done. For a second there it was tense but you pulled it off. Good win"

"Thanks" She blushed, the others clapping.

"I have to admit, you pulled it out of your ass Lopez. Well done" Quinn clapped.

"Yeah, congrats Santana" Rachel agreed, pulling the Latina into a hug as Letty stepped back.

There were more and more congratulations as Brittany came to stand in front of her last, the blonde smiling before wrapping her arms around the other woman's shoulders. Luckily Santana was prepared for it and happily hugged her back, her hands coming to rest around her waist. She wanted so badly to kiss the blonde woman as Brittany pulled back but she refrained, knowing that neither she or Brittany were ready to announce to the rest of the crew (minus Letty of course) just what was going on between them. Instead she settled for a sweet smile and letting Brittany happily adjust her beanie. When she eventually pulled away, happy that she had it just the way Santana liked it, she remained by her side as Letty smiled at them knowingly.

"So, considering that you won we decided that we would at least make it interesting. We came up with a winners pot and we all pitched in. Whoever won would get it. So, you now have six hundred more dollars in your pocket"

Santana frowned. "Really?"

"Yep. What's a race if you don't make a little cash when you win? Mia?"

"Here"

Mia handed her girlfriend the rolled up bundle of cash and Letty took a step forwards, placing it in Santana's hand. "There, plus a round of drinks at Kitty's on me"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, you won fair and square Lopez, you'd just as well celebrate it. You in?"

Looking up from the cash to the crew leader Santana nodded. "Of course"

"Good, there's just one more thing to do before we leave"

"And that is?"

"Saying congratulations to the winner. Harper, get your ass over here!"

Knowing that she was being stared at by the entirety of the crew Dani decided that she'd have to face it, not that she had a choice. She had to face up to this like a woman and admit to something she really didn't want to – Santana had won and she hadn't. Ignoring the rest of the crew's stares, including that of her girlfriend, she focused on Letty and let her booted feet carry her towards the woman in charge.

"What?"

"Hand" Holding up her hand she watched Letty turned to Santana. "Yours too Lopez" Doing so Santana held up her hand. "Now shake like women so we can leave and celebrate with some alcohol."

For the first time Santana and Dani's gazes met one another, the two women still far from over their differences. Hopefully this would be the start of changing that as they reached out to grip hold of each other's hands, shaking firmly as Dani realized for the first time that Santana wasn't going anywhere. As much as she still hated her she was here to stay and she'd settled that fact by winning. Shaking one more time she eventually let go and pulled back and looked up at the other Latina, swallowing her pride as their eyes met.

"Good race, congrats on winning"

Santana nodded appreciatively. "Thank you"

Dani nodded and took a step back as Letty stepped forwards, the crew leader clapping her hands together. "Ok then, to Kitty's! Let's go people!"

Everybody cheered as they started dispersing back to their cars, Letty clapping Santana on her shoulder before making her way back to her Plymouth with Mia by her side. Turning back to her car she watched as Brittany made her way over the passenger side, the two of them slipping in and buckling themselves into the race harnesses. Moments later Letty passed by them followed by Mia, Dani and then Quinn along with the others, leaving them as the last people there. Taking the momentary time alone Santana turned to look over at Brittany once she'd started up the car.

"Come here"

Brittany happily grinned and complied, leaning forwards and pressing her lips up against Santana's. Her hand coming up to her jaw she smiled at her as she pulled away, her thumb rubbing back and forth as she looked into her eyes.

"You don't know how much I wanted to do that just a minute ago"

Santana reached up and took hold of the blonde's hand, lifting it to her mouth to press a kiss to ivory knuckles. "Me either" She mumbled against her hand, making Brittany giggle as it tickled her skin.

This time Brittany was the one to pull the other into a kiss. Their mouths lingered against one another for a few moments, the two of them just enjoying the feeling of each other. When they pulled apart Brittany grinned even wider than before.

"What's that grin for?" Santana asked as she let her hand fall to the shifter.

Brittany shrugged. "For winning. Congratulations"

Unable to help herself Santana surged forwards and connected their lips together in a chaste kiss before pulling away, her own grin just as bright as Brittany's. Moments later she was turning back to face the road and starting up the car, turning it around so that she could start following after the rest of the crew. When she felt Brittany's hand grip her free one over the center console she couldn't help but smile, her life finally getting back on track.

She don't think that I can change

So I switched from a Benz to a Range
First class to the jet (yeah!)
Got more money than her ex
Way more money than her ex
And he ain't nothing like me, girl
I done showed you shit you never seen, girl
But he ain't nothing like me, girl

Santana grinned as she watched the crew celebrate from the bar. They were currently located on the other side of the room in their usual spot, all of them celebrating her win. She was happy to watch from the bar as they did it for her, her happy to just sit there and contemplate it from her bar stool. That and she didn't really want to be around Dani. There was still tension between them and it would probably be like that for a while but she had a feeling that from here on out the blonde would just be quiet and brood rather than verbally assault her nearly every chance she got. Instead here she was sat at the bar sipping slowly on her first and only bottle of Corona enjoying the atmosphere of being invited to join them. The last time she'd been completely ignored and if she had to admit it it had hurt. She wouldn't admit out loud that being brushed off didn't sting but as she sat here having actually been invited she knew that things were really changing. At one point they couldn't stand to even look at her and now they were inviting her out for drinks. It was a big step in the right direction and hopefully the first of many.

Coming out of her thoughts she watched as Mia approached her, leaving the hectic atmosphere of her friends to join Santana instead. Taking a seat at the bar she ordered a fresh drink and turned to the Latina who took a sip of her own. "Hey, you ok?"

Santana nodded. "Yeah"

"Then why are you over here instead of over there celebrating with us?"

"Just thinking"

"About what?"

"How things have changed"

Taking her drink from Kitty Mia turned fully towards the Latina. She glanced from the crew and back to the other woman. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"I don't know" She shrugged in response. "I don't really know what to make of all this"

There were a few moments of silence before Mia replied. "It's about the day we got my NSX isn't it?"

Santana's gaze snapped to Mia, her eyes slightly wide. "How-"

"I was there Santana, it wasn't hard to miss how they brushed you off"

"But-"

"That's in the past. I understand that we still don't trust you completely, especially back then but we've come a long way in the space of nearly two weeks. You got us two cars and finally put Dani in her place. I'm sorry that they didn't invite you that night, I know it's not as good as it would sound if it actually came from their lips but it's something"

"You don't have to apologize to me Mia, you didn't do anything wrong"

"Yeah but they did. I'm sorry Santana, for everything, including that evening. You risked your life to get me a car and saved Brittany's. If anything that makes you good in my books"

"Thanks. Sorry, I don't really know what else to say" She chuckled nervously, picking at the corner of the label on her bottle.

Mia shrugged as she took a sip of her own drink. "Nothing, just come celebrate with us"

There was a pause as Santana considered it and as her eyes met Brittany's from across the room she nodded and pulled herself up off her bar stool. "Lead the way Miss Toretto"

The sun was hot in the sky as Santana tinkered on her Nissan under the shade of the sheltered garage. The car was currently propped up on a portable hydraulic lift that Roz had sent her way not that long after she had gotten her car back. Now she was putting it to good use whilst enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon on her own. She had beaten Dani the night before and her spirits were high. That meant she wanted to relax and do something that she enjoyed which just so happened to be lazing around and tweaking her car here and there. She hadn't really had a chance in between getting cars and injuring herself over and over. She had to admit it was starting to get frustrating and she hoped that after this that she'd continue getting better and not take yet another step backwards in her recovery. She was getting tired of her shoulder and abs always hurting. Now though it was playing nice and she was happy for the break, allowing herself to relax for the first time in a while. Her plan was under-way and going good; the crew didn't hate her on sight, Dani had been put in her place and she was in an extremely good place with Brittany. The expected thing to do as the blonde crossed her thoughts was to ponder on what they were but she had to admit that she was enjoying the no labels thing. They were happy just being with one another and even though nobody but them and Letty knew they were content with not slapping any major labels on what they were. Not until they were both ready. They were still getting used to each other but it had only been two weeks something like this was going to take time and as she tweaked her car assessing the damage from the race the night before Santana wasn't going to rush it. She'd already fucked it up once, she wasn't going to do it again. At least not willingly.

Speaking of...

She rolled out from under the car on the wheeled yellow creeper, sitting up on it and grabbing her rag from the floor to wipe her dirtied hands on. She watched from her position as the familiar blue RX8 pulled up into the driveway and the blonde who had been occupying her thoughts stepped out, pulling her sunglasses up to the top of her head and smiling over at her.

"Hey"

"Hi" She replied, her hands now relatively clean.

Brittany rounded her car and spent a few moments fiddling with something before stepping back, a huge smile on her face as she moved back around and towards the Latina who was still sat on the creeper.

"I have someone who's missed you!"

Santana smiled when she saw the sight of the large cat nestled in Brittany's arms. "Lord Tubbington!"

The cat's head snapped around and as soon as he laid his eyes on the Latina he hadn't seen in so long he let out a long meow as his tail started flicking back and forth against Brittany's stomach. He was visibly eager to see the other woman and Brittany couldn't remember a time when the cat had been so excited about something. She didn't know why but he seemed to be obsessed with Santana, not that she was complaining though. She was pretty obsessed herself, not that she was going to admit that out loud though. Instead she continued forwards and knelt down, Santana's arms already wide open and ready to accept the feline. Immediately loud purring could be heard as Santana's hands wrapped around his huge stomach, Brittany smiling as Santana hugged the cat tightly.

"Hey buddy, I missed you"

"He missed you too. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time"

Santana looked down at the cat she was currently holding. "Is that so? And to what do I owe the pleasure of your glorious visit today Lord T?"

"I figured that he could help you get better. Plus I also figured that it would be good to let him have a wide open place to roam around in. He can't really do that in the yard back at the house"

"I understand, it was a nice surprise and you're welcome to stay any time Lord T." She then turned to Brittany and smiled. "Thank you, I feel better already"

"My pleasure" The blonde whispered back as Santana pulled her into a kiss. When she pulled back she looked down at her cat and back up at the Latina. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, now that you mention it..."

"Then let's go" Santana nodded and stood up with the cat still in her arms. "Are you sure you can carry him?"

"It's a little sore," She shrugged. "But it's nothing I can't handle. Come on, I'm hungry" She said, placing a reassuring kiss on Brittany's cheek and already heading for the gate that led into the house.

Brittany followed behind her and opened the gate to let her through, closing it behind them. Santana then placed Lord Tubbington down after she'd crossed the bridge. "There you go buddy, feel free to roam wherever you want"

The cat looked up at her and then rubbed at her leg affectionately before already waddling off in the direction of one of the open doors. Brittany rolled her eyes but slipped her hand into Santana's, the two women entering the house.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?"

Santana shrugged as they headed towards the kitchen. "I don't know. I figured we could just chill for the rest of the day together"

"That sounds good"

"Ok then, let's eat and we'll go from there"

"Sound like a plan" Brittany smiled, placing a kiss to her cheek as they entered the kitchen.

Santana grinned as she stopped walking, suddenly pulling Brittany flush to her front. "A very good plan" She husked, pressing a series of kisses along Brittany's jaw.

The blonde chuckled, bracing her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "Your insatiable Lopez"

"What can I say? I can't help myself when it comes to you"

Brittany laughed as she pulled away, playfully swatting Santana on the arm. "You wish." She said, pressing her lips against Santana's.

"But-"

Brittany shook her head as she moved away from her and over to the refrigerator. "Uh uh, lunch first, make out later"

Santana sighed in defeat, moving over to her and resting her hands on the blonde's jean-clad hips, placing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Fine, but later you can't back out of it"

Brittany turned and kissed her jaw. "I wouldn't dream of it"

Santana hugged her close for a few more short moments before pulling away to sit up at the bar. Today was going to be a good day indeed.

Santana hit send on the text to Brittany and slid her phone back into her pocket, her arms coming to rest over her knees as she sat up on the hood of her car waiting for someone to arrive. She wasn't kept waiting long when she heard the sound of an approaching engine. Turning to her left she watched as Rachel's purple S2000 pulled up beside her Nissan, the shorter brunette stepping out and closing the door behind her as they met gazes. Rachel then walked over to her.

"Hey, you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, I have something that I've needed to talk ton you about for a while"

"And you wanted to meet me here?" Rachel asked, looking around at their surroundings. They were currently parked at the edge of the city, a small sea-view parking lot to be exact. The beach wasn't that far away, they were practically parked on the coast.

Santana shrugged. "I figured that it would be better here. I also couldn't really do it at the safehouse"

"Why?"

"Lord Tubbington's staying there on an extended vacation with Brittany so the house isn't really empty any more and I guessed that the crew house is buzzing with everybody packed in there too"

"You've got that right but why did you need me alone?"

"I just wanted you to hear this first without anyone else eaves dropping. They can't know, not until you've heard first"

"Yeah but what's so important that I've got to hear it first?"

"Take a seat and I'll tell you"

Rachel took the offered empty space next to the Latina on the hood of her car and made herself comfortable before prompting her to spill. "Ok, I'm ready..."

"It's about Finn"

Immediately Rachel frowned. "Finn?"

"Yeah, now you know why I wanted you alone"

"But why now?"

"Because I needed us to be on equal terms if I was going to tell you. I couldn't just barge back in and tell you. I had to build up some sort of trust between us enough for you not to bite my head off every time I spoke to you"

"And here we are"

"Yep, here we are. Just so you know before I continue I never wanted to keep this from you Rachel. I know how much Finn meant to you, I know he was your first love. He was a starting pillar in your crew, I just figured that even though I never met him that you of all people deserved to know first before the truth really got out"

"It got out?"

Santana shrugged. "I've had an inkling that Tina's working on something. I think it has something to do with the day I got shot but I'm not going to poke myself into it, I'm just going to let her do what she wants with whatever it is. Anyway, if there is something that goes with the day I got shot I wanted you to know what happened to Finn on your own terms instead of it bombarding you. I hope that's ok?"

"Yeah, sure it is. I now trust you enough to let you tell me this although I have a feeling I'm not going to like it even when it's got nothing to do with you."

"I know and I would rather it be anyone than me what with everything that went down but I'm probably the only one that knows the truth."

"Go ahead"

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I can't go back now. Tell me Santana"

Nodding and breathing in the sea air Santana turned to the coastline in front of her. "It's the information that's in the R8, the information that your mom is sitting on. I know what it is."

"The information that could bring Cassandra down? The six year investigation? Are you sure you should be telling me this?"

"The crew will find out at some point, I just wanted you to know first. Not that I'm playing favourites that is. I just knew your connection with Finn"

"So what does Finn have to do with Cassandra and bringing her down?"

"Cassandra told me that day that the car had information stored in it, information that would end the six year investigation into something that she had done a long time ago. Rachel, that race when you guys were new on the scene, the one where Finn stepped up behind the wheel..."

"The race he never finished"

"Yeah, the person he was racing against was Cassandra. Rachel, Cassandra killed Finn. That's what we're working to bring her down for. The evidence that Shelby's sitting on is the information we need to take her in on." She studied the suddenly quiet brunette sat next to her, Rachel's face void of emotion. It was starting to make her uncomfortable so reaching out she placed a steadying hand on the other woman's hoodie-clad arm. "Rach? Are you ok? Talk to me"

Snapping out of her emotion-induced haze Rachel turned to the Latina who had worry plastered across her entire face. "She killed Finn?" She asked, unsure that what she had heard was even true.

Santana nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry Rachel"

Her eyes turned back to the sea view in front of her as a stray tear streaked down her cheek, not quite strong enough to hold it back. Soon enough she was unable to stop the emotion from overflowing and without really thinking as another tear rolled down her face she collapsed into Santana's embrace, the other woman already prepared the moment she had seen the first tear fall. It didn't take long for sobs to start racking her body, emotions and feelings buried deep for so long finally resurfacing. They came from a wound that had never fully healed, Rachel having never expected to get the closure that had just rolled out of Santana's lips. She had never expected to find out what happened to her first love, the cause of Finn's death having been a mystery not only to her but everyone. Santana was right to have told her now, Rachel knowing that she was right when she told her there had to be a little trust between them before she could tell her this truth. She was sure that if she had gone ahead and decided to tell her the moment she got back with her plan in hand she would have told her every word that had come from her mouth was a lie but as she sat here on the hood of her car, Santana's arms around her and holding her as she cried she knew every word was the truth. It only cemented in her mind that the Latina hadn't meant to do what she had and she was truly trying to make up for something she'd never done – at least not willingly. They'd agreed to a clean slate but right now Rachel knew that even if everybody else thought she'd gone crazy she had forgiven her.

Pulling away she sniffled and wiped at her eyes, though not pulling far away enough that Santana's arms left her shoulder's. "Thank you"

"That's ok, I think..."

"For everything. Thank you for getting me a car, thank you for making things right, and thank you for telling me the truth. I meant what I said when I wanted a clean slate but you don't have a long way to go any more. I forgive you Santana"

The smile that broke out on the Latina's face made Rachel smile in return before she was engulfed in a bone crushing hug. "Thank you"

"I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you. I was mad, I will admit, but I'm sorry. You didn't know what Cassandra was really doing and now knowing that she played and used you that entire time to cover up what she did to Finn I know that you really didn't mean what you did. You were in the wrong place at the right time for her but I guess if you hadn't have flipped our lives upside down none of this would have ever happened and I never would have known what happened to Finn. Now that I know what she did I'm going to make sure that we do whatever it takes to bring her down. I've got your back Santana – friends?"

She took the offered hand and shook. "Friends"

"I've got your back" Rachel said as she pulled her into a hug. "And I'm gonna be right by your side when we bring that bitch down"

"That's all I ask"

"Good. You wanna celebrate with a race?"

Santana grinned. "I'm always down for a race but are you ok?"

Rachel nodded. "I will be. Thanks for telling me. I'll think about it later when I'm alone but right now I just wanna drive instead"

"Sounds good to me. Where to? You pick the place"

"Hmm, does the house sound good?"

"Yep. May the best woman win" She grinned, holding out her hand.

Rachel took it and shook it enthusiastically. "You're on Lopez"

Santana pulled up outside of her small garage late that evening and put her car into park, unbuckling her harness and getting out to make her way over to the woman who had called her in the first place. Lent up against her Ford Dani looked up at the sound of the other car and felt nervousness pool in the pit of her stomach. She was rarely ever nervous when it came to these kinds of things but with everything that had happened between them she knew she deserved every tense moment that she was feeling. She'd done this to herself and she was paying the price. She'd treated Santana like shit and now she had to be the bigger woman and swallow her pride. It had been eating at her the moment she'd crossed the finish line the week before.

"Why'd you call me here Dani?"

"It's about the other night"

Santana frowned. "You're not going to beat me up again and make me race you are you?"

Dani shook her head. "No, not again"

"Then why am I here?"

"The other night when you crossed the finish line I realised something"

"Which is?"

"That I've been being a dick when I shouldn't have"

"What are you getting at?"

"I needed to talk to you alone away from the others"

"So you could beat me up?"

"I'm not gonna beat you up again, I promise. I just wanted to apologize to your face"

"Now you want to apologize to me? Why not sooner?"

"Because I had my head up my ass and even though I won't admit it to anybody, most of the time myself comes first and I do things without completely thinking them through. You should know by now that my temper gets the better of me and it's extremely short."

"Why should I believe you now after all that you did to me?" Santana asked with a raised eyebrow as she lent up against the side of her own car with her arms folded over her chest.

"I'm not asking you to. I just wanted to get it out in the open."

"Ok then, spill"

Taking a deep breath Dani reminded herself that she had to be the bigger woman and push away her pride. "I'm sorry Santana. I know it may not seem like it now but I really am sorry for what I put you through and giving you a hard time. I was so stubborn that I let my anger cloud my judgement and I didn't give you a chance to do what you came to do. If you couldn't tell I have trust issues big time and when you lied to all of us it hit me the hardest."

"Yeah but that doesn't justify the way you treated me. When all of the others settled and tolerated me being around you treated me like shit and it hurt. Before everything went down I knew that you didn't trust easily, I could see that especially when it came to Kitty, but when I came back it's like you made my job ten times harder and it's like you were fucking me over every time we were around each other. I've had enough of that from everyone else let alone you."

"I know and I'm sorry and now I know that no matter how much you say that you're sorry you can't make someone forgive you. Lord, you have to deal with that problem with ten people and you still are even now. I now know it isn't easy for you and I know that as I'm feeling that now – what you've been feeling for so much longer since the moment you got back, it's not easy and I only have it for one person. I can't imagine what it must feel like."

"It fucking sucks"

"All I can say is I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like"

"Damn right you can't"

Dani sighed. "Look, point is I feel like shit and if there's one thing I learnt by settling it in the canyon is that you're here to stay and I can't change that. If you've gotta be around you've gotta be around."

"That still doesn't justify what you did"

"I know and I don't expect after all I did for you to go ahead and get that car for me and I'm ok with that. What I did was wrong and I'll try to make it up to you as much as I can but the only reason I can give is that before I came to Lima and joined the crew someone lied to me and I lost my entire family because of it. I was next, that's why I came to Lima."

Before Santana could reply Dani was getting into her car and speeding away leaving her confused at what had just happened between them although she had a pretty good idea that she didn't go around sharing that information with everybody. Still staring in the direction that Dani had just driven in she was broken from her thoughts by her phone ringing. Shaking her head she reached into her pocket and opened her car door whilst the other answered the call.

"Santana? Is everything ok?"

"Yeah babe, it's good."

"But you're ok?"

"I'm fine Britt" She replied, propping her phone in between her ear and shoulder as she slipped herself back into her harness. "I promise"

"What did Dani say? She didn't beat you up did she?"

"No, she just wanted to apologize"

"It's about time"

"I know"

"So that was it?"

Santana decided to not divulge the last part of their conversation, getting the feeling that Dani wouldn't appreciate it and let her head fall back against the seat. "Yeah, that was it"

"Thank God. I don't think we could take you two at each others throats any more."

"Me either. It's a relief"

"Yeah. Are you heading back now?"

"Of course"

"Good, I'm in bed watching TV and waiting with Lord Tubbington. He misses you already and he threatened to start smoking again if I didn't call you and tell you to come back immediately."

Santana laughed as she used her free hand to start up her car. "Tell him I hear him loud and clear and I'll be back in ten minutes. Is there anything you want from the grocery store? I was thinking of stopping by on the way back."

"M&M's?"

"What kind?"

"Any"

"Anything for Lord T?"

"No, he needs to lose weight"

"Ok" She chuckled. "I'm gonna start driving. I'll see you in a minute ok?"

"Ok, I'll be waiting for you"

"I know you will. Bye Britt"

"Bye baby"

Ending the call and pulling out onto the road Santana couldn't help but smile. Finally things were starting to go her way and were looking up from there on out. She just hoped they stayed that way.

Songs used: Yelawolf - 'Till It's Gone' / Chris Brown & Tyga - 'Nothin' Like Me' (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign)

TBC