Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or the concept for the X-factor or any other copyrighted material mentioned.


Santana's POV

Your hands leave the keys, and you take a deep breath. You look over at your teammates who anxiously look at the crowd. The silence is almost eerie. Fuck, you think, we blew it. You know you took a risk eliminating the dance element from Broadway week, but you wanted to be different. You needed to be remembered – when the TV audience picks up their phone at the end of the night, you needed to give them a reason to vote for you.

You had to distinguish yourselves. The entire week, the group battled back and forth about what approach to take. You actually perfected two different selections. Last night you filmed both and watched them back before deciding which one to make your showpiece. The first selection was a play on Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now from Hairspray. This number showcased the fun, flirty nature of your group, while also allowing more members to show off their vocal prowess. You pushed the group to try something riskier, you pushed for the stripped version Out Tonight from Rent because you know no one else would think of it. Most of the group was leaning towards the Hairspray number going for spectacle, but after watching the play back, there was no question which number was better. At this moment you are thinking you made a huge mistake. Before the thought leaves your brain, the crowd erupts in cheers. You look up from the black and white keys and see all four judges are on their feet. The first standing ovation of the night and of the competition.

You jump up and rush to meet your teammates. As the crowd settles down, and the judges take their seats they finally give you feedback. It is nothing but glowing. Commending your vocal harmonies, your arrangement and specifically your piano skills. Finally, it's the fourth judges' turn to comment. You hand starts to shake in Kitty's and she squeezes your hand tighter to try to calm your nerves.

"You took one of the most provocative, sexualized songs in Broadway history, and made it emotional. You took a song that is supposed to be about going out on the town, and made it almost a love story, like you were begging a lover to be with you. The raw emotion on your faces while singing showed your passion for the piece. You took a risk. Broadway was a softball for a group competition like this – an easy way to showcase singing, dancing and stage presence. Well, you took that softball and changed the entire game. You set the bar very high, please don't stop surprising us."

Quinn, acting as team captain for this round, replies "Thank you, thank you so much. We are certainly full of surprises. This is just the beginning." She hands the mic back to the host as the group starts to make their way off stage.

"Oh, and Santana Lopez" the judge speaks up again, the group slows down as you turn to face him, "You're a force to be reckoned with."

When you make it back stage, the 7 of you look at each other before squealing in delight! A standing ovation on week one was almost unheard of you. Quinn wraps you up in a hug and squeezes you tightly. Mercedes and Sugar are pop and locking in celebration, while Kitty, Marley and Dani dance around in a circle. "It's time to celebrate!" shouts Dani "Watch out Los Angeles, because HERE COMES TROUBLE!"

The rest of the group joins in her shouting, and rushes out of the backstage area. Quinn sticks around and looks you in the eye "This is why you're a good leader, S. You didn't let us settle, you pushed us to be better. Without you, we would have played it safe. You may flirt with danger, but this time it certainly paid off."

You grin at your best friend, she knows you have been questioning your leadership skills and have been worried all week that the team would think that you were more concerned with Brittany than the competition. You were especially careful to never see Brittany right before and right after rehearsal, so you were not rushing in or rushing out. You and Brittany had come to understand that you both had to be dedicated to your teams, while also growing together. It certainly sucked that time with the blonde was limited, but at least you were in the same place now. "Looks like you have someone waiting for you" she whispers. "Hi, Brittany! You guys were great tonight. S wasn't joking when she said you could dance. I hope you join us for a little debauchery later." Quinn gives your hand one last squeeze and she walks away.

You slowly turn to find Brittany staring at you, she's not smiling but there is a glint in her eyes. "So, what did you think?" You ask, "I told you it was surprising."

She doesn't say anything, instead closes the gap between the two of you and pulls you into her by your neck, closing her mouth on yours. Your hands shoot up into her blonde hair as she runs her hands to rest of your hips. She runs her tongue across your lip, which causes you to shudder and grip her hair harder. Her tongue begs for entrance, and you allow it willingly. You kiss fiercely, tongues battling for dominance and as soon as the kiss really heats up, Brittany wisely begins to slow down. She eases the pressure, while still maintaining and contact, and soon just has your bottom lip between her two. She pulls away and peppers your entire face with kisses, until she finally looks at you, still holding onto your waist.

"You were incredible, Santana."

You rest your forehead against hers, and slowly reach up and kiss her nose. "I was singing for you" you husk.

She blushes, and looks down to the ground, and before that moment you had never seen anything more endearing. "Come on" you grab her hand, "Let's get this ridiculous stage make up off, change out of these costumes and relax. I want you to get to know the TTs." The two of you make your way out of the backstage area, and separate only to head back to your team rooms to change.

Five minutes later, you're waiting outside The New Directions team room waiting for Brittany, her costume was a little more complex, so she was taking a little longer. You were checking Twitter to see what America thought of the performance #Troubletones and #herecomesTrouble were already trending, and so far no other group had that type of following. You smile down at your screen and revel in the attention for a moment. You know you can't let it get to your head, and all this means is that next week you need to be even better.

"Excuse me" you turn and see that two of Brittany's teammates ,the boy in the wheel chair and the other blonde, approaching you "you're Santana, right?"

"Mmhmm" you state, "Santana Lopez". You glance over them suspiciously. The last thing you need are Brittany's teammates stepping to you.

"Hi!" The boy in the wheelchair says, "My name is Artie Abrams, and this is Sam Evans, we were the ones that helped you a while back getting Brittany food and stuff?" He says in question, clearly nervous to be talking to you.

"Oh, right, right!" You say with a little more genuine enthusiasm, "Sorry, I am just a little distracted after the performance. Thank you guys again for setting that up for me, it is really nice to meet you in person."

Artie beams up at as he shakes your hand. Sam doesn't make eye contact and you see him roll his eyes at you, "We have never seen Brittany this happy. Not sure what you are doing, but keep it up. Definitely helps her dance better and that helps us" Artie laughs.

Sam scoffs and mutters under his breath something that sounded like "It has nothing to do with her." Your eyes flash up to the blond boy, and you all but fly off the handle.

"Look, Trouty," you snap "You clearly have an issue with me and that's fine. I get you have the whole big brother, kindred spirit going on with B, and that's fine I respect it. I am glad she has other people looking out for her. But, you don't know me and you certainly don't know my relationship with Brittany. I really care about her, and why don't you give me the opportunity to mess up before you assume I have. Don't I deserve at least that?" Your cold brown eyes bear into his blue ones. A pretty blue, but not Brittany blue. He was truly testing your patience

"I just don't want Brittany getting hurt. She needs this for a lot of reasons. She doesn't need someone coming in and screwing it up for her" he replies coldly.

Your eyes narrow on him, "Then we agree on something. She's with me now, and there is already enough stress with this competition. It would be nice if her friends could support her." You emphasize the word her, making it clear that by taking issue with you, Sam was not supporting Brittany. You look over at the dressing room door and see Brittany standing there, her eyes wide.

"What's going on out here?" she asks looking back and forth between the two parties.

"Nothing, Bumble. Just officially meeting wheels and guppy face, here. Let's go" you say as you reach out and lace your fingers with her. She looks at her friends with a dark stare, but once her fingers lace with yours her eyes lighten and she grins at you.

You turn back to see Artie hitting Sam on the arm, and gesturing towards you and Brittany. You see Sam shrug him off and sulk back into the team room. You weren't going to worry about her friends. Right now you were just worried about having fun with your team and your girlfr…well, with Brittany.


Brittany's POV

You had never been inside the Troubletones townhouse, only having dropped Santana off a few times last week when you would get a late night frozen yogurt, or sneak out and see each other at night. Walking in, you realized Santana was not kidding when she said Sugar's dad was rich. It was as if the show remodeled the entire inside of the townhouse to meet the needs of the group. The kitchen had an open concept with a big marble island in the middle and a hanging bar above. You walk in to find Kitty, Dani, Sugar and Marley mixing drinks and listening to music.

Santana grips your hand a little tighter when you make your way into the kitchen together. "Lopez" Dani shouts as she runs up to Santana, "open your mouth, babe. It's shots times."

You see red when you see Dani getting so close to Santana. All you want to do is knock the shot out of her hand, and shove her against the nearest wall. You are so against violence, but something about this girl makes your blood boil.

"Slow your roll, Harper" Santana swiftly avoids the girl, while keeping your fingers laced "The night is young and besides I want to officially introduce you guys to someone." Santana pulls your hand and moves you forward so you're standing a little in front of her. She unlaces your fingers and puts her hand on your lower back, and starts rubbing small circles. It amazes you that she already knows that this situation might make you nervous, and she is trying to provide some comfort. "Dani, Kitty, Marley and Sugar, this is Brittany she is on the New Directions, Britt this is the rest of the Troubletones."

"It's really nice to meet all of you," you say to the group of girls "You were all really amazing tonight."

The TTs all thank her, as they pull out a stool and offer the two of you seats around the island.

"So, Brittany, where are you from?" Marley asks while handing you and Santana margaritas.

" Born and raised in Lima, Ohio. Which actually isn't too far from Chicago" you reply and thank her for the drink. "The music and art scene isn't too big in Lima, I did glee club in high school, but we didn't have the budget to focus a lot of energy on it. My whole team is pretty amazed by all the production that goes on here. We made it to Nationals our senior year." You realize that Marley had simply asked where you were from, but when you get nervous you tend to give people more than they ask for. Santana squeezes your leg under the island and gives you a small smile.

"Wait, so are you like poor or something, why didn't your Daddy just pay for all the glee club's expenses" Sugar asks incredulously.

"What the fuck, Sugar!" Santana snaps at her friend. Sugar's eyes dilate in fear.

"Sorry, aspergers!" Sugar replies.

"That's okay," you say quietly "Well, Lima isn't all that big, so there isn't a ton of wealthy families in the area. But, yes, I guess you could say I am poor" you shrug. You have never been ashamed of who you are and your family background.

Santana puts a secure arm around your waist, "Brittany got a full scholarship to Julliard. Pretty soon every singer is going to want this girl on tour with her" she brags to her friends.

"That's incredible" Kitty asserts, " I love dancing, I would kill to go to Julliard. Was the audition crazy?"

The conversation flows lightly from there. Santana certainly helps you navigate the Troubletone waters, while still giving you the opportunity to assert yourself. Soon, Mercedes and Quinn join you all in the kitchen. You notice that Dani is relatively quiet, and keeps glancing over and you and Santana, her eyes hardening whenever Santana makes physical contact with you. You will have to ask Santana about this later.

"The playback of the show is about to start" Mercedes inserts, "you think we should analyze it now, S, before the drinks really start to flow, and we can't tell which way is up, let alone figure out the other groups trends."

"Right on, Weezy. Hold on, let me run up and grab my stuff." Santana hops off the stool, plants a kiss on your cheek and runs out of the room. You and the rest of the TTs grab your drinks and head into the media room waiting for Santana to return.

Santana comes back in with a folder and notepad. She plops herself onto your lap, and you instinctively wrap your arms around her waist. What you liked about your relationship with Santana is that you didn't have to think about it. You notice that on the front page of the notepad each team is listed to the far left with three other columns – strengths, weakness, it-factor.

All the Troubletones settle in, as Quinn turns on the TV. "Okay, let's remember this was week 1. Each group was probably nervous, wasn't ready for the demand of coming up for a number in 1 week. The judges also haven't found their footing, so we can't let their comments weight too heavily into our analysis. We have to expect that every week they will get better." Quinn says simply, "Kitty, Sugar and I will look at overall group dancing, Mercedes, Dani and Marley evaluate their singing abilities both as individuals and as a group. S, use that eagle eye to determine their it-factor. Of course, each one will be up for discussion at the end. Remember, we are also evaluating ourselves."

"We aren't really going to do this right now are we?" Dani asks.

"Why wouldn't we do it now?" Quinn retorts. "We need to be ahead of the game, we know we will move on, the judges almost guaranteed that. The second we walk into rehearsal on Thursday, we need to be ready to get better."

"That's not what I mean" Dani scoffs, "I mean we really shouldn't be doing this with a spy in the room." Her hazel eyes narrow in on yours.

"Watch it, Dani" Santana begins, and you can tell by how her muscles tense that she is going to go off, but Mercedes cuts her off.

"S trusts, Brittany. So inherently, we trust Brittany. Besides, anyone could do this. It is what the group does with the information that matters. It's not like Brittany is going to be at our rehearsals putting anything into play. Calm down, Dani. This gives her no advantage." Mercedes says matter-of-factly.

Just as Mercedes finishes, your phone chimes.

Tina: Get back to our townhouse now. We need to watch the playback together. Rachel is about to go look for you. We told her you were at the main house, but you better hurry back.

You still had yet to tell Rachel about Santana. The last thing you needed was Rachel going full Berry on Santana or any of the Troubletones.

"Um, actually, I should get going. We are going to watch the play back together as a team. Thanks for letting me hang out, it was really nice to getting to know all of you. Santana really down plays how nice you are" you smile at the group. You tap Santana's thighs so she knows to get up.

"I'll walk you out" Santana asserts.

"Don't be silly, you guys are in total film breakdown mode. I'll text you later, okay?" You lean down and plant a quick kiss on her lips. She has other ideas, and grabs your face and holds the kiss longer than expected.

"I'll miss you" she breaths into your lips so only you can hear her.

You squeeze her hand and make your wait out of the media room and out of the town house. You can't wipe the smile off your face after that kiss with Santana. This girl drives you crazy in all the right ways.


AN: Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter. It just fit better in the flow of the story. I would love to hear your thoughts!