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.

As per my author's note here is the first of six finished chapters! To keep it short, I'm gonna give you guys a brief sort of 'today in Fast Lane...' kind of thing to give you an idea of what's gonna be going down.

Today in Fast Lane...

Santana and Dani bring the BRZ back to the garage for the rest of the crew to see, Brittany invites Santana over for dinner to meet her family, Rachel and Shelby finally confront their feelings about Finn and Shelby's lie, Santana finally gets to meet her girlfriends family (including a very enthusiastic sister who wants to follow in her big sisters footsteps) and Santana and Brittany have a mutual revelation regarding a certain dream they both shared...

(P.S. if you haven't read my Brittana 25 Day Christmas Challenge, I've cast Brittany's sister as Eliza Taylor because it just works, ok? Can anybody guess who I picked for her girlfriend? ;P Lol.)

Anyway, thank you all for reading, reviewing, everybody who followed and favourited despite this story being on hiatus, and everybody messaging me on here and over and Tumblr to stay updated. As always, thank you and I will see you tomorrow for the next chapter! :D

The sound of laughter filled the garage as Quinn examined the front of the BRZ. "Damn S you fucked this thing up!"

"Yeah, it's a wonder it hung on all the way back here." Tina grinned in agreement.

"Beats me. It's coming off anyway."

"Who said it is? It's my car."

Santana turned to the woman next to her ready to protest. "Britt-"

"I know, still, we're not jumping to conclusions. This bumper was gonna be coming off anyway considering that it's hanging on by a thread. Here, step back a minute."

The other women doing as they were told they watched as Brittany knelt down and gripped the bumper with both hands and with a powerful enough tug she pulled it off. In reality that meant she had just pulled the entire front of the body off.

"Damn, that's cruel." Marley gasped as she stopped walking to admire the view.

Brittany nodded. "It's a shame but it's better than letting it just hang there. The impact you needed to pull this off like this must have been pretty big San. I'm not as strong as you are but with just a tug I could pull it away."

"I know. The way I hit the highway wasn't at a great angle and the dodging cops afterwards probably didn't help matters."

Tina nodded. "Other than that from what we've seen the car is pretty solid. There isn't all that much damage apart from cosmetic that we can't fix."

"I agree. Once you've got the body down really all it is is swapping performance parts and paint etc." Quinn agreed.

"What about the Camaro?" Santana asked.

"The Camaro is in just as good shape. Because it was fitted raid-style like the Raptor's it absorbed most of the shock of the heist and the following police chase, especially with Dani behind the wheel. In the long run the performance upgrades strapped to this thing saved us a lot of time and effort fixing it." Tina explained.

"Ok so what do we have to do to it?"

"Nothing much." Quinn answered. "There's a few scuffs and nicks on the paint and body that me and Marley can quick-fix but really it isn't that much of a priority."

"What about the tech inside?"

Tina held up a finger and pointed over at the Camaro. "That's where it gets interesting. It's packed full of high performance track-level mods that we can't get a hold of here in Lima. Not even Holly has access to stuff that high-grade."

"So whoever our mystery 'helper' is has some serious connections on the parts market." Quinn finished.

"Ok, so the Camaro is fully loaded. I guess the BRZ is our next priority."

"Until you get my car." Letty smirked as she walked past them, a large turbo cradled in her hands.

Santana rolled her eyes. "Lo que usted diga Letty! Anyway, back to the BRZ..."

"It's got Subaru STI performance upgrades throughout but I want to do a full run down and make sure we know what parts I'll need to make this the perfect drift spec."

Santana grinned at her girlfriend. "Oooh, look who's all Miss. Tuner Perfection." She laughed.

Brittany shrugged innocently and lifted up the hood of her new car, the other three women crowding around her to get a look when she pointed a finger at Santana. "I've learned from the best."

"So what do we have here?" Quinn queried, peering over the engine with her arms crossed over her chest.

Santana shrugged as Brittany took a step back to stand beside her. "I don't know the STI stats but I know the base facts from my research."

"Fire away." Tina prompted, receiving a nod from the Latina.

With a nod in Tina's direction Santana began. "It's got a two litre boxer 4-cylinder engine, six manual transmission, two hundred horse power, probably more from this model, a hundred and fifty one pounds of pure torque, direct and port fuel injection, Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and a few other standard little things but I suspect because this is a STI model it's got every single optional extra packed into every nook and cranny. This car looks like it has everything."

"But there are a few things that need upgrading."

Santana nodded at her girlfriend's statement. "Yes. We're gonna pack it even more with as many high level performance parts we can. There's no way this thing isn't going to be the best drifter."

Quinn laughed. "And on the streets. Looks like Santana's got it down that you're gonna be the best. I'm pretty sure if you let her she's gonna make sure that you're better than all of us combined, whether you're drifting or just plain street racing or not."

Brittany grinned and pecked Santana on the cheek. "That's the idea." She winked.

Tina rolled her eyes. "Whatever, just make sure it happens Lopez. This is Brittany's car, she's got high standards."

Said woman laughed. "I know, I've been planning this car for months."

"Good, then maybe we can get to looking at some parts catalogues."

"Good idea Q. Babe, fancy doing some reading?"

Brittany smiled with a small nod. "Lead the way."

"Then let's go."

Rachel sighed as she took another bite of her sandwich, the warm ocean air washing over her as she enjoyed the sound of people down on the beach below enjoying themselves as if nothing else in the world mattered. In her case though everything in the world did seem to matter. She was thinking about it again, the situation between her and her mother, and it was just bringing herself to the same conclusion she had come to every single time before – that she didn't know what on Earth to do.

In reality it would have seemed simple to anyone else. She'd done a lot of thinking since she was last here. She'd took a cold hard look at everything that was opposing her, taunting her, and she'd somewhat overcome them – at least in her mind she had and that was all that mattered. She'd pushed past them instead of burying them and in the end she'd arrived at this point of confusion where she was no longer angry in a sense but more confused than she was at first. Her emotions weren't running as high but she took that as a good thing as it allowed her to focus on what really mattered. Whether that be the question of what she should feel or do next, she didn't really care. She was just relieved that she wasn't angry any more. It was understandable that there was residual anger and a tenderness that had yet to go away but she was thankful that she wasn't raw with rage. She didn't like that side of herself, it felt ugly and foreign and she was glad it was gone.

Taking this small break, even if it was just for lunch, she let herself appreciate the sight before her, the wide open sea, and let it calm her and her jumbled thoughts. They were still a puzzle that she had yet to solve but they were nowhere near as unclear and perplexing as they once were. In her books that was a small victory that she'd take and appreciate whilst she could.

However, she was thwarted from her deep thoughts as the sound of another car pulled into the lot. At first she just brushed it off and ignored it, continuing on in her own little world as she continued to think about what she was going to do next, but then when the car pulled up beside hers, a door opening and closing, and a familiar body sat on what little free space was left on the hood of her car she knew there was no escaping it.

"What are you doing here?"

The was a beat of silence before the other person spoke, breathing a loud sigh before they broke the tension between them and ignored the unintentional bite in Rachel's words. "I wanted to talk."

Turning to the other woman Rachel took in the slumped figure of her mother and momentarily a brief flash of guilt coursed it's way through her before she slipped back almost effortlessly into her cold demeanour, unable to stop herself. "I don't want to talk to you Shelby. Leave me alone."

"Well, tough because you're gonna sit here and listen whether you like it or not."

Santana grinned as she watched her girlfriend eye Holly's parts catalogue eagerly, the blonde absorbed into everything that was shopping for new upgrades. She would be lying if she said she wasn't a little bit inspired herself by it. Ever since the moment she had handed her the book Brittany had been eager to pour over every single aspect of what they could possibly replace on the BRZ to make it the best it could be. Santana was amazed by her eagerness to be involved from the tiniest detail to the most insignificant little thing.

"Babe, slow down." She chuckled. "The BRZ isn't going anywhere. At least not yet."

Brittany momentarily looked up from the page that displayed various inter-coolers to see Santana looking at her with a raised eyebrow and a smile plastered across her lips. Her eyes flickering down to the page and back up again she let herself take a breath and shrugged. "I know but-"

"You want to make it the best, I know. Don't worry, you've got the best team working on it. It'll be ready."

"Yeah but I want to impress you."

Santana's expression turned into a frown. "You're trying too hard."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't need to impress me babe, you already do in lots of little ways. I have a feeling though that this is about you wanting to learn from me isn't it?"

Brittany shrugged sheepishly. "Maybe..."

"Britt-"

"I know, don't push myself, don't overwork myself trying to prove to you something that you already know, but I want to prove to myself that I can be as good as you."

Knowing just by looking at her that Brittany was feeling insecure Santana made a mental note of the page she was on and closed it, discarding it to the coffee table and turning and taking Brittany's hands in her own.

"Hey, it's good that you want to challenge yourself but make sure it's healthy ok? When I left Lima all those years ago when I got my start in a different city I wanted to prove myself so bad that I did end up overworking myself and physically and mentally it eventually broke me down. I got sick and it wasn't until somebody close to me told me what I had been doing to myself wasn't necessary that I realised that it really wasn't. So, I took a step back, saw what I had done and made a change. I'm all up for you setting goals, which is what I did and I still do, but don't make it so that every waking moment is spent trying to prove to me something that I already know ok? I may have risked a lot more than I should of when I got this car for you but I want you to enjoy every single moment building it. You won't ever get that again once it's finished. I don't want you worrying every moment your working on it about what I'm going to think and whether or not I'm going to approve of it. This is your car, treat it like the baby it is. You got me? Bueno?" Brittany nodded with a small smile and Santana pulled her close enough to press a small kiss to her lips. "Good. Don't overwork yourself on my account."

Brittany chuckled and pulled her in for a hug. "Thank you, I needed that."

"That's ok, anything for my Britt-Britt." She grinned, her hands rubbing soothingly up and down the blonde's back.

"I want to learn from you San." She said as they pulled apart.

"I know you do, and I want you to but it will happen over time, just not right away. I didn't get where I am by pushing myself too far. I eventually took it slow and the car that is waiting back at home that has been with me through nearly everything is the sweet sweet fruit of my labour. That's what I want this BRZ to be for you, your baby. Don't rush it."

"Only if you promise to be there every step of the way."

Santana laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair that had worked it's way out of Brittany's ponytail out of her face. "Of course! No girlfriend of mine is gonna be left out in the cold on a build as cool as this!"

"Oh, so my car is cool now?" She teased with a grin.

"Hmm, not as much as my Supra but pretty close."

Brittany gasped dramatically and clutched a hand to her chest. "Are you, Santana Lopez, saying that my car isn't as cool as yours?"

"Maybe?"

"Maybe I'll just work on it all by lonesome them, prove to you that it can be just as good, if not cooler."

Santana smirked. "Try it Pierce."

"Don't challenge me Santana, not when you know I could beat you."

"Beat me? Santana Lopez?"

"You don't think I can?"

"I'm the master."

"Hmm, you may think you're the master but we all know who wears the pants behind closed doors." She purred, leaning in close and smirking in victory when she saw the slight blush tint Santana's cheeks. "Looks like I've already won amante."

If it were possible Santana's blush doubled at the blonde's use of Spanish, causing her to break out into a fit of laughter, much to Santana's unamused glare.

"It's not funny Britt. You know how I get when you say things like that!"

"And why did you think I said it?" She got out in between fits of giggles.

"Fine, whatever." She grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.

Brittany's laughter died down enough for her to lean forwards, placing a kiss to a heated cheek. "Don't worry San. You're cute when you get flustered."

As much as she wanted to protest with the other woman knelt next to her just smiling in her direction Santana couldn't hold it in, letting out a smile as she finally gave in. "Fine! We're just as good as each other!"

Brittany grinned, pulling her in for a hug. "I love you too San!"

Rolling her eyes Santana let a smile of her own grace her lips and grumbled. "Yeah, yeah. You win."

"Oh, there's something else!"

"What?"

Pulling away Brittany sobered up, becoming a little more serious. "Well, do you know how Friday's date night?"

"Yes, I do."

"Well, my mom was kind of hoping that you'd come over for dinner."

"As in, like, really meet them?" Brittany nodded. "She doesn't hate me?"

"No, she doesn't hate you San! In fact, she's actually really looking forward to meeting you! She's kind of bummed that since we got back together I haven't invited you over yet. My dad really wants to meet you too."

"And you're just telling me now?"

"I didn't want to force you into it. It's not easy meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time after everything that happened."

"No, it's not."

"Which is why I waited. Now my mom won't stop bringing it up every time I call her or go over to the house. She's starting to drive me nuts."

The Latina chuckled. "If she's that desperate maybe I can fit it into my busy schedule."

Brittany playfully slapped her. "Hey!"

"Ok, ok, but seriously though, if you wanna skip out on date night this week I'd love to meet your family. What about your sister?"

"Just as annoying as my mom. She won't stop teasing me about you, she really is being a little sister."

Santana let out another loud laugh. "Then it's settled, this Friday we'll have dinner at your parents house. Is there anything else?"

"What? Just like that?"

"Of course, is there anything else you wanna bring up to me whilst the garage is quiet?"

"Nope. Just wanna get back to work."

"Ok then, grab your catalogue. We've got lots of work to do Pierce."

"On it boss lady."

Santana rolled her eyes, grabbing her own catalogue as Brittany giggled. Her girlfriend really was a dork and she didn't want her any other way.

"Well, tough because you're gonna sit here and listen whether you like it or not."

Rachel sighed but relented nonetheless. She knew this would happen sooner or later but she was glad it was finally happening now. She'd rather not have to keep skirting around the issue and avoid the other woman whenever she saw her. She'd just needed a hard headed, stubborn 'sit and listen whether you like it or not'. She just couldn't stop herself from sounding harsh though.

"Fine. Go ahead, say what you have to say."

"As long as you promise to be civil about this Rachel, as I will. You need to lose the attitude."

A part of her, the diva she'd been called out on so many times before by various other member of her crew (including her step-sister) before begged to bite and snap back with just as much fire as her mother, if not more. That residual anger was making itself known again but because she'd moved past it she was able to let it go in favour of actually working things out. It would be beneficial for them both if that's the route she took so she did, letting out a barely audible sigh along with a curt nod of her head signalling for Shelby to continue.

"Thank you. First of all, I'd like to start by saying I'm sorry."

"As am I. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I should have given you the chance to explain."

"Apology accepted. I shouldn't have lied to you in the first place, especially when I knew how much Finn meant to you. At the time I thought I was doing it for the right reasons. I knew that one day they would come back to haunt me but it was a fifty fifty decision. Keep you safe or put you all at risk. At the time you and rest of our crew's safety was the most important thing. I didn't make the decision lightly but I had to make a choice to keep you safe, at least until you were old enough to understand why."

"And now we do."

"Exactly. The truth came out, you know who Cassandra is, you know what she did, and you know what she's done."

"To Santana and Finn."

"Yes."

"But how could you keep this from me? Finn meant everything to me."

"I know he did and I know that he would have wanted you safe rather than worrying all these years and looking over your shoulder whenever you got behind the wheel. Like I said, it was a fifty fifty choice and I couldn't fathom putting you all, my family, at risk."

There was a brief moment of silence as Rachel took in her words before she sighed and turned back to her. "But what if the truth never came out? What if I spent my whole life never knowing what truly happened to him?"

Shelby was momentarily taken aback by this question but she had known from thinking about it beforehand that this offhand thought may have been a question that Rachel could pose to her. How could it not be? Sighing herself she shrugged, not knowing what else she could physically do to express to Rachel what she was thinking other than her audible words. "I don't know. Maybe you wouldn't have known but you would have been safe."

"But am I not now? I know the truth, I know what Cassandra did. She could come for us at any minute. What if she gets to us before Race Wars even happens?"

"Simple. It's not going to."

"What do you mean? How can you be so sure? She's evil personified, she's perfectly capable of coming and putting a bullet in all of our heads and ending her 'problem' whenever she feels like it."

Shelby chuckled. "Rachel, we've all seen that she can't get the job done, why would she now? She shot Santana twice and left her to bleed out in an abandoned warehouse with no one to help her and look, she's still here, alive and breathing as living proof."

Rachel shrugged. "Yeah, but Santana's Santana."

The older brunette continued to chuckle. "She is, but she's all the proof you need. Cassandra's not coming for you, not for any of us. She knows we have Santana and Roz and Letty all working together. We're a force to be reckoned with. She also knows that we know she wouldn't give up the opportunity to go up against Santana again at Race Wars, on the biggest street racer stage this side of the country. You know how it is with us, once a rivalry begins neither racer can settle until you best the other, it's all about pride with her. It doesn't sit right with her that Santana bested her again. She needs it and she won't move against us until the whole world can see."

"But we're gonna win."

"Exactly. I will ask you this though, what makes you so sure of that?"

This time it was Rachel's turn to shrug. "It's us. We have the weapons we need, we're nearly there. We're nearly ready. I haven't seen us this determined in forever. Santana made us strong again, we can't do it without her and she can't do it without us. We're pushing and when we give that final shove at Race Wars we're finally going to put ourselves on top once and for all and prove to Puck and Cassandra and the rest of their sorry crew that we're the worthy ones, not them."

"You're sure about that? How?"

"Because we're us."

Shelby smiled. "You know Finn would be really proud of you don't you?"

Rachel shrugged again. "I'm just doing what's right. Sure, I may be a diva sometimes but there's a deeper version of myself telling me to let it go so I did. I had anger but it's nearly gone and it will be completely – in time. I had confusion and I had venom and I had questions but I let them go. I don't want to be the one that tears apart this crew, not my family. You're all I've got, all of you. Then there's you, you helped me through everything. After my dads died you took me in and raised me when you didn't have to. You held me night after night as I cried myself to sleep after Finn died and I have a respect for you that runs deeper than my petty hate and anger. That's why I knew that I could never go my whole life hating you for what you did. I may not have agreed with the final outcome and it may still hurt but I can't lose you. I can't lose my mom, not when I need her the most. I'm sorry."

By now Shelby had a tear of her own rolling down her cheek and she smiled, letting out an audible sniffle. "You really mean that?"

Rachel nodded, reaching over and placing a hand on top of her mother's. "Of course I do. I needed to say it or I never would have."

"Thank you. I also have something to say." With an encouraging nod from the younger woman Shelby smiled sadly and took a breath in. "I'm sorry for making you feel this way, for putting you through this, especially when it was about Finn. I know how much he meant to you. I saw what it did to you and I can never forgive myself for making that decision all those years ago but I promise to make it up to you every single day for as long as I can. I hurt my daughter and in turn hurt myself because of it."

Seeing her mother crying Rachel reached out and pulled her into a hug, wrapping her arm around her shoulders as she sobbed. "I know, I know, and I can never forgive myself for hurting you either. I'm sorry mom. I do forgive you though."

Pulling away and wiping uselessly at her wet eyes Shelby sniffled. "You do?"

Rachel nodded, tears of her own rolling down her face. "Yes. I forgive you."

In a sudden rush of emotion Shelby pulled Rachel into a tight hug, squeezing as she felt joy overcome her. Rachel hugged back just as tightly and they both knew in that moment that the fighting had finally stopped, that they were ok again. There was just one thing left for Rachel to say.

"Mom?"

"Yes sweetie?" She replied, wiping at Rachel's tears with her thumb.

"I want to make it up to Finn."

"What do you mean?"

"Now that we've made up I want to honour him, all of us, including Santana."

"That's a wonderful idea, what did you have in mind?"

"Well..."

As the sun shone high above them in that coastal parking lot something changed and something came back. The only thing they didn't see was the smile and relief on his face as he looked down upon them with pride.

Santana killed the engine and sat back in her seat, taking a deep audible breath as both hands gripped the steering wheel of her Nissan tightly. When a hand came up to rest on one of her arms she looked over to see Brittany smiling right back at her.

"Hey, what's going on in your head?" She questioned, reaching the hand up to trail it soothingly down the side of Santana's face.

"Nerves, I guess." She shrugged, taking in another deep breath.

"You know they're not gonna kill you right? They're really excited to meet you."

"I'm finding that hard to believe."

"Why?"

"Because I haven't met them at all, even before everything happened between us. I've never met them and I broke their daughters heart and left. They don't know me at all."

"San, is that what you're worried about? Come on, my mom and sister haven't stopped talking about you coming over! Sure, they're bummed about what happened but I think they're glad to be meeting you after all that, kind of like a clean slate. At least this time you wouldn't have been lying to everybody, including me."

Looking over at the blonde Santana shook her head. "I wouldn't have been lying, not to you. Maybe myself but never you. That was all real you know that."

"I do and so do they. They know that what we had was real, that it still is. I mean look, here we are after everything and we're still together. We love each other and we're not letting each other go any time soon. I see that as a win."

Santana let a small smile grace her lips. "I guess it is."

"Good, now that you got your lady balls back do you want to come inside and meet my crazy family?" She grinned, cupping Santana's chin with her hand.

The Latina laughed. "Of course!"

"Ok then, let's go. Just one thing first though..."

Before Santana had time to react she was being pulled in for a soft kiss, feeling Brittany's reassurance washing over her. Smiling against her girlfriend's lips she was still grinning when they pulled away. "What was that for?"

This time it was the other woman's turn to shrug. "Good luck. Come on, I can practically see my mom giddy with excitement watching us from behind the front door."

Santana laughed as she took her keys and got out of the car, closing the door and locking it as she joined Brittany on the sidewalk. Offering her arm the blonde took it and they made their way up to the front door. Brittany gave Santana a reassuring kiss on the cheek and the Latina stepped forward, knocking on the door of her girlfriend's parents house. She took a step back and Brittany smiled at her before the door flung open revealing a rather excited older blonde woman.

"Brittany! Oh, and you must be Santana! Come in, we've been waiting for you to arrive."

Brittany rolled her eyes at her overly joyous mother but Santana just smiled politely. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Pierce."

"It's nice to meet you too, Brittany has told us so much about you!"

Santana smiled at her girlfriend as they entered the foyer of the house still arm in arm. "And she's told me so much about you too Mrs. Pierce."

"Oh please, call me Whitney! Just a second girls." She took a step back with a smile and took a deep breath. "Pierce, Brittany and Santana are here!"

"Now?!"

"Yes, now!"

"But I just beat the hardest level! Five more minutes!"

"No, get your ass down here now!"

They all heard a groan before Whitney looked back at the two women stood in front of her. "Here girls, let me take your coats."

Santana remained quiet but sent the older blonde a smile as she handed her her jacket, Brittany doing the same. Moments later as Whitney was hanging up said jackets a short Asian man trudged down the stairs and joined them in the foyer. Whitney smiled and joined her husbands side. "Pierce this is Santana."

"Santana! Welcome!"

His grin was so wide that it distracted the Latina and before she knew it she was engulfed in a tight hug that possessed a strength that she didn't know the man had in him. Brittany just grinned at her girlfriend and hugged her father when he'd finished before looking at her mother.

"Mom, where's Abby?"

"In the dining room setting the table. Why don't you girls head in there and see her whilst me and your father finish dinner?"

Brittany nodded and just as she was about to take hold of Santana's hand Whitney had pulled Santana into a hug of her own, grinning at the Latina before pulling Pierce away to the kitchen by the hand. Brittany giggled and intertwined their fingers before tugging her in the direction of the dining room. Once there they found a young blonde laying the table with precision, a white headphone wire dangling in front of her indicating that she was listening to music. Not that you needed to see the wire to know that that was what she was doing though, you could hear it from the either side of the room. Brittany wasn't surprised however, and the loudness of her voice made Santana jump a little.

"Abby!"

Brittany was thankful it worked first time, her younger sister looking up and smiling at the two of them before pulling out both headphones and pausing her music.

"Hey Britt! You just be Santana."

"The one and only." She grinned nervously.

Abby smiled and rounded the table, pulling her in for a hug. "Hi, I'm Abby. Brittany's told me so much about you."

"So I hear."

"Enough to know that you're the go-to woman when it comes to cars."

"Well, I don't know about that but I know enough."

The younger Pierce daughter smiled reassuringly at her. "You're selling yourself short. Maybe after dinner I could ask you a few questions?"

Santana glanced over at Brittany who shrugged and turned back to the other woman. "Sure, of course. I don't see why not."

"Great! Brittany hasn't really got around to looking at my Impreza since you guys started getting your own cars ready for Race Wars."

"That's true, it's been really busy around the shop."

"All the more reason to take advantage of all that mechanical knowledge you have, especially now you've got the BRZ for Britt."

"I'm sure I can help you out."

"Great! Oh, and welcome to the Pierce house Santana. It's great to finally meet you." She smiled, pulling the Latina in for another hug.

Before Santana could respond Whitney Pierce was entering the room once again. "Ok who's ready for dinner?!"

"ME! ME! ME!"

Brittany laughed at her dad and leaned in closer to Santana to whisper. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

"So, Santana, where are you from?" Whitney asked after taking her first bite.

"Uh, here originally. I'm from Lima Heights Adjacent."

"I heard that's a rough neighbourhood."

"It is but I was one of the lucky ones who got out before something really bad happened."

"Yes. Brittany told us you left town for a while."

"I did. I moved away for a few years after everything got a little too hot under the collar. Then one day I came back and I've been here ever since."

"It sucks you back in doesn't it?" She smiled.

Santana agreed with a nod. "Yeah, it has a certain way of pulling you back in over and over again. Lima's my home, it always has been. I don't wanna leave again though, I have something too special keeping me here." She smiled softly, Whitney not missing the way Santana looked at a blushing Brittany as she finished her sentence.

Grinning knowingly she turned and nudged her husband to sit up straight before continuing. "So, are you girls getting ready for Race Wars?"

"Uh, yeah, we are. It's busy every single day in the shop."

Noticing the slight confusion on Santana's face that anyone but her would have missed Brittany discreetly placed her hand on Santana's thigh under the table. "Don't worry babe, my mom loves cars just as much as me and my sister do. It's where we get it."

Looking over at the older Pierce Santana raised an eyebrow. "You're into cars?"

Whitney laughed. "I know, I don't look like someone who would be into cars do I? I am though, and I can't help it, I'm a petrol-head mom. It's what makes me unique."

"It's true. When all of the other kids mom's were soccer mom's ours was a petrol head." Abby explained from her place at the end of the table.

Santana shook her head but let out a breathless chuckle. "I'm sorry, I'm just finding it hard to believe."

"Don't worry everybody does at first but you'll get used to it in time. The truth is when Brittany told us how involved with cars you were I was kind of relieved."

"How so?"

"Well, because then I'd be able to talk cars with you! My husband on the other hand who you would think would be the one to talk about engines prefers videogames and cartoons." She turned to him and gave him a nudge.

"What?"

"Join in the conversation."

"Oh, you're a street racer?"

Santana nodded. "Yes, I am sir."

"Is it as dangerous as it is in the films?"

Santana shared a knowing look with Brittany before turning back to him. "Yes, if not more so."

"Are you looking after Brittany?"

"With my life."

"Good because I heard if those Nos tanks in those speedsters of yours catch fire you can just go up right there and then. There's no one to help you you're just gone, like that. Boom, poof-"

He had no ability to finish that ramble of a sentence as Whitney had cupped her hand over his mouth stopping him from talking. Brittany and Abby giggled, used to this, and Santana just continued to stare as Whitney grinned.

"Don't worry about him, he likes to go off on a tangent sometimes, maybe a bit more often than he should. It doesn't matter though, forget what he said, I know you're keeping Brittany safe even if it is dangerous what you do. I trust you Santana."

"Thank you Mrs-Whitney," She quickly corrected herself. "That means a lot to hear you say that."

"Good, now how about you eat up? I know Abby is dying for you to take a look at her car."

Santana lent up against the low garden wall whilst she waited for Brittany to return from inside the house. Not that long later the blonde was returning and offering her a bottle of Corona.

"You have beer?"

"My mom does. She asked if there was anything in particular that you drank and she insisted that she get it before you came over. She's trying to impress you."

"She doesn't have to. I already like her."

Brittany smiled and handed her the cool bottle, wrapping her free arm over the Latina's shoulders. "You really mean that?"

"Of course." Santana smiled, Brittany leaning down to peck her lips.

"Hey, love birds, you ready to finally check my car out?"

"Yes Abs." Brittany sighed, rolling her eyes and earning a laugh from Santana.

"Ok, so what do you want me to take a look at?" Santana inquired, getting up and coming to a stop next to the car.

"I just wanna know if it has potential."

"It's got potential alright. You got the keys?" Abby nodded and threw them to her. "You girls can sit, I'll just take a look around."

Abby looked to Brittany who just shrugged, both girls taking up seats on the low garden wall next to the driveway. Santana, her bottle of Corona in one hand and the Impreza keys in the other, started inspecting the car.

"Ok so it's a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback. The paint's stock Obsidian Black Pearl. Under the hood," She paused, unlocking the car and popping open the hood, propping it up with the provided strut. "Is a flat four cylinder engine, with about three hundred and five horsepower and two hundred and ninety foot pounds of torque. It's also a six speed, all-wheel drive with the perfect opportunity to become a nimble and rally worthy street racer to be reckoned with."

When she was done and took a sip of her beer Abby decided to cut in. "What kind of street racer?"

Santana shrugged, one hand now in her jean pocket. "A scout? Spec it out enough and it would be perfect for getting ahead just long enough to find a route for your team mate."

"Like Tina?"

"Just like Tina."

"Ok, and what would you do to it?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you."

Looking over to Brittany, she just shrugged in response. Looking back at Abby she took another gulp of beer before continuing. "You want a brief?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Ok. Outside I'd install a moderate aero kit, one that's not flashy but isn't so plain Jane enough to not get you noticed. I have one in mind that could fit on this car. I'd also replace the trunk and hood with carbon fibre aftermarket replacements. I'd then install performance suspension that would allow you to jump about a bit, i.e. let you have a little fun on and off the streets if you know what I mean. I'd then install a roll cage too, take out all the two rear seats and install a moderate Nos system, probably a dry shot, nothing as major as direct port, at least not for someone just getting into racing. We wouldn't want you blowing yourself up on your first race by accident now would we?"

Abby laughed. "No, we wouldn't. What about under the hood?"

"Under the hood I'd throw in a few engine goodies to push out a few more horsepower; an upgraded turbo kit, better intake and intercooler. You know, all that good stuff."

"And that's what you would do?"

"Yeah, this car is perfect for track days or being an introductory street racer, why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you and Brittany could help me."

"Upgrade it?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, but it would have to be after Race Wars, we're kind of busy at the moment."

"I know but all I'm asking for is a few minutes with you, Letty, and Burt to talk about possibly doing it as the shops next project."

"I don't see how that would be a problem." Santana said, securing the hood back down and locking up the car once more.

"Really?"

"Of course not. How about me and Britt talk to them about it and then we'll call you to the garage to give you the verdict?"

"That would be great Santana, thank you!"

Yet again for what felt like the hundredth time that evening Santana was being pulled into another hug, this time Abby squeezing her exceptionally tightly. Not that she minded though, she was kind of interested to see where this went. If she was as into cars as Brittany was maybe it was a good idea to help her out.

"Ok enough Abs, I'm gonna steal my girlfriend back now!" Brittany interrupted, pulling Abby away and grabbing Santana's hand.

Abby rolled her eyes as they started to head back to the house. "Whatever, just don't let mom and dad hear you or the open door policy comes back and I'd rather not be denied my own sweet lady kisses with my girlfriend because you and yours couldn't keep it in your pants!"

"Whatever sis!"

"I mean it Britt! Are even listening?!"

"Yes, I am Abby. I'm taking it very seriously. Now I'm not going to go and make out with my girlfriend up in my room."

Abby huffed but let the smile crawl onto her lips nonetheless, already knowing from the short time she'd spent with Santana that she was perfect for her big sister.

"So, here it is." Brittany introduced, allowing Santana to enter her room first.

"Wow."

"I know, it hasn't been decorated since I was in high school."

Santana took a closer look at the floral wallpaper. "It's ok, it's not too bad."

"But it's got nothing on our bedroom back at home."

Santana turned to face her with a smile. "Home, I like the sound of that."

"So do I."

"Not that this isn't your home too but you know..." She trailed off, examining the many Britney Spears posters pinned up on the walls.

"It's not our home."

"Yeah. This is nice though, I like the welcoming feel to it."

"You do?"

"Yeah, it's got a nice touch that I haven't seen in a long time. Being where I've been I've only ever dreamed about these kinds of places."

"What do you mean?" Brittany asked, sitting down on the end of the bed and watching her girlfriend explore her room.

"I don't know. When I was away the images in my head of home were cozy places, places that reminded me of my abuela. I never thought that another place could make me feel like this, like the nineteen year old girl I was before I left."

There was a brief moment of silence between them as Brittany took in her words, processing them, before coming to a response. "It's family."

Santana turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Family?"

Brittany nodded. "Family. Not like the crew 'family' but a different kind, something deeper. I know that's hard to understand but it's the kind of family that you have deep within that you can't let go."

"I understand, it's that bond that goes deeper."

"Yeah, you share it with your abuela and you, hopefully, share it with me."

"You are my family Britt." She replied, sitting down next to her.

"You mean it?"

Reaching up a hand Santana cupped her chin and directed her attention towards her. "Of course I do. You have nothing to be afraid of, I'm not letting you go again, not as long as I'm breathing. We made sure of that that night in my bedroom in my abuela's house. We settled our fears, you have nothing to worry about."

Brittany smiled and lent in, initiating a slow but soft kiss that told Santana that she understood her. As Santana's hand fell from her chin she raised her own and cupped the Latina's jaw, deepening the kiss as things progressed quicker and more intimately. In no time Brittany was swinging herself around and straddling her lap. Arms coming up to rest around her neck as Santana's hands fell to her hips. Breathing becoming heavier she felt said hands slide to the dip in her back, a slight pressure pulling her closer in a need for less space between them.

Brittany smiled against her lips. When the need for air eventually became too much they parted, Brittany groaning as lips found her neck. One of Santana's favourite places, she didn't have the heart to pull her away as she worked her magic. Though, the moment she nipped at the sensitive skin with her teeth she had to make her stop.

"San..."

All she got was a grunt in response.

"San, baby, stop."

The moment she heard stop the Latina pulled away, her breathing heavy as she looked up at the woman she loved. "Did I do something wrong?"

Brittany shook her head as she regained her breath. "No, you could never do anything wrong." She smiled reassuringly, cupping Santana's cheeks at the same time. "It's just that I was reminded of something."

Santana raised an eyebrow. "Whilst we were making out?"

"Hey, it's not like that!" She protested, slapping her shoulder playfully.

"Ok, then what is it like?"

"It's stupid."

"Nothings ever stupid when it comes out of your mouth. Speak cariño."

Taking in a steadying breath Brittany began. "I had a dream."

"Ok..."

"It wasn't just any dream though, it was one of those..."

"As in one of those that leaves you hot and bothered?"

"Yeah but the thing is, it happened long before we got together."

"It did?"

"Yeah, it was before your first race back, before I knew you were back."

"So after shit hit the fan?"

"Yes."

"Ok, so we weren't together. You had a dream."

"Yes and it felt so real."

"Care to explain?" She inquired, lifting her hips up to get settled onto the edge of the bed a little more, Brittany still in her lap.

"You and me were at the motel you stayed in and at first I thought it could have been before you were shot but you had your scars. I touched them and they were so real, I swear I could feel them under my fingertips."

Santana frowned. "Wait, in this dream...did you press a kiss to your fingers and reach down to my scars because you had your legs around my waist?"

This time it was Brittany's turn to frown. "Uh...yes? Santana what are you talking about?"

"I know which dream you're talking about."

"You do?"

"Yeah because I had it too. I remember the way you touched my shoulder scar moments later, the way things were so hot between us."

"But how? How could we have the same dream? San this doesn't make any sense."

"I know, it doesn't to me either but how else can we explain it?. When did you have it?"

"About one in the morning. I woke up all of a sudden just as I was about to, you know, finish."

"I woke up the same time. I could have sworn it was so real too. Britt, whatever it meant back then it happened for a reason."

"Because we were going to get back together?"

"Maybe." She shrugged. "Maybe it was our consciousness' telling us that we'd be together again. Obviously not in a motel but maybe one day. Now look where we are."

"I didn't think I'd ever be able to say this word, at least when it came to falling in love with someone, but do you think it was fate?"

"Maybe. Maybe fate laid a hand because we're here, in love in a much better place with one another, no secrets, no lies, nothing in between us."

There was a brief pause between them as Brittany pulled her head back to get a better look at Santana's face, taking in the Latina's features and the smile that she was sporting. Her own growing across her lips she lent in, pressing their lips together as her thumb rubbed at her jaw. "Maybe fate did lay a hand." She surmised, her thumb still massaging her cheek as she pulled away. "All I know is that I love you and that you're here with me."

"Always. I love you Brittany."

"I love you too Santana."

TBC