Santana breathed heavily as she prepared to go on stage. The performances had gone as well as could be expected, given Rachel and Blaine were still the only ones talking to her. She'd begged Mr Schue to be allowed to change dance partners - the irony of the fact that Brittany was dancing with one of her few allies hadn't escaped her - but he had refused, stating apologetically that everyone had become accustomed to dancing with their allocated partner.

The result had been Santana trying her best to ignore Mike's frosty expression - she still wasn't sure how much of that was him and how much was Tina's influence - and instead focus on her choreography, lyrics and, most importantly, Sebastian's smiling face in the audience.

His presence had immediately calmed her as she watched him swaying along, clapping every now and again, mouthing along to the songs as she sang. The smile never leaving his face.

Now, however, no one was smiling as they all returned to the stage, ready to find out who would be continuing on to Nationals. She felt almost guilty when she looked at Sebastian, knowing he wanted to go just as much as she did.

Her heart was in her throat as the results were announced. She couldn't look at Sebastian as it was announced New Directions would be progressing. She left it to Blaine to go shake hands with him, it seemed more symbolic anyway, if they were in a movie the whole scene would have played out in slow motion - dang it, she was turning into Rachel -as she did her best to join in with her choir's celebrations.

"Oi, Lopez!"

She spun on her heel, her skirt spinning out around her (she hadn't bothered to change out of her dress, it was surprisingly comfortable, she'd have to compliment Tina on that. Well, if they ever spoke again). "Sebastian," she smiled, rushing into his arms.

"You were amazing!" His eyes glistened with excitement.

"You're not mad about the results?" She questioned hesitantly, not wanting to ruin his good mood.

"Nah, you guys deserved it. Besides, we raised loads for Born This Way, so it's all good."

She pressed a gentle kiss to his warm cheek. "You looked great up there," she grinned, wiping away the lipstick stain she'd left on his cheek. "But you weren't even close to me."

Sebastian smiled, it seemed, just like her he was remembering their MJ duel all that time ago. "I'll let you have this one. If only because you guys managed to mix Nicki Minaj with R. Kelly and made it sound decent."

"Santana?"

She turned, not letting go of Sebastian to look at Blaine. "What's up, Blaine?"

"You missed Mr Schue's speech."

She rolled her eyes. "He'll give the exact same speech on Monday. I haven't missed much."

Blaine smiled, nodding. "Listen, we were planning on heading to Breadstix to celebrate. Are you coming?"

"I'm not sure I'm invited. Besides-,"Santana looked back at Sebastian who nodded.

"You should go. It might be a good time, everyone's in good spirits."

Santana frowned. It seemed like good logic but she couldn't kick the sick feeling in her stomach at the thought of being with the entire glee club in Breadstix when only two of them were talking to her, if you didn't count Finn copying her work in Spanish class.

"Go on, I'm not going to be much fun anyway. I'm supposed to be going out with the boys, drown our sorrows and all that."

She nodded, resigned to the fact that she was going to be forced into going whether or not she wanted to. "Hey, Blaine. I can sit with you and Kurt, right?"

Blaine smiled, charm oozing off him. "'Course. I'll make sure Kurt's on his best behaviour."

"Send him my regards," Sebastian added, giving her a quick kiss before hurrying off to re-join the dejected looking Warblers.

*•*•*

Santana sat in Breadstix picking at the appetizers that had been left in the centre of table. She was doing her best to drown out Rachel and Finn's sickeningly sweet rendition of some cheesy pop ballad from the 80s.

"Santana?"

She turned her attention from the bread she had all but turned to dust. "What do you want, Puck?"

He grinned impishly at her. "A chat."

She rolled her eyes. "Sit down then," she gestured to the free seats across from her - Kurt and Blaine were busy slow dancing in the middle of the restaurant. "Go on then. Chat."

Puck raised an eyebrow at her. "Someone seems eager."

Santana ground her teeth together. Deep breaths, she told herself, you want them to be your friends again, removing Puckerman's teeth is counterproductive to that goal.

But it would be good fun, another voice argued irritatingly.

"But that's beside the point. I've been thinking. Since you seem to be swinging back to my team, as it were, I was wondering if you'd like to resume our previous relationship."

She snapped back to attention at that. "Excuse me?"

"Come on, Santana. What we had was great, like, the best sex either of us has ever had."

Santana blinked, unable to tell if he was actually being serious. "I have a boyfriend."

"Who's gay."

Santana growled. "Neither of us likes labels. I'm not going to cheat on Sebastian, Puck."

Puck's eye brows pulled together forming deep lines in his forehead. "Cheating has never bothered you before."

"Can I cut in?" A familiar voice asked.

At that moment Santana could've sworn Blaine was actually an angel.

"Absolutely," she smiled, shooting a glare in Puck's direction. He simply winked in response.

"Thank you," she whispered to Blaine as he led her to the dance floor. "I was about ready to snap."

Blaine chuckled. "I'd noticed, it's sort of why I sent Kurt off to Mercedes," he admitted, jutting his chin in the direction of Kurt and Mercedes who were grinding together ridiculously. Santana couldn't help but smile fondly at them.

"I reckon we can do better than that," she grinned at Blaine, dropping her hands to his hips.

"I'll bet," he agreed, tugging her closer so that their hips were touching. They danced together like that for a while, trying to to laugh as Kurt and Mercedes finally noticed, doing their best to outdo them before collapsing in a fit of giggles only Mercedes could have caused.

A sudden vibration from Blaine's pocket made Santana jump, dropping her hands from him quickly. "Is that your phone or are you just super happy to be dancing with me?"

Blaine raised an eyebrow at her, fishing his phone from his pocket. Santana stopped paying attention as he read through his messages, at least until she heard him gasp.

"Blaine?"

She looked at his pale face. "Are you okay?"

He nodded mutely. "Just fine," he whispered, clicking the lock button on his phone harshly.

"Seriously, Blaine, you don't look good."

He shook his head. "I'm fine, really." He held his phone tightly against his chest. As if afraid she would see his messages.

"Then why do you look like someone's just told you Kurt's pregnant?"

He didn't even look at her, rolling his phone between his hands before unlocking it and handing it to her. "I'm sorry."

Santana's heart was thumping in her chest as she took the phone, scrolling through his messages before coming to the top of the list. She frowned as she noticed the preview:

Thought you should see this. He was using her...

She clicked on the message, her hands shaking as she waited for it to load.

Thought you should see this. He was using her. You know who I mean.

Below the text was a blurry picture. Despite the poor quality it didn't take Santana long to figure out that it was Sebastian in the picture. Sebastian kissing some guy in some dodgy looking club. She swallowed against the lump forming in her throat. She wasn't going to cry. Not in front of everyone.

He was just supposed to cause a rift in your club. He took it too far, as always. Do what you like with this information.

A friend.

Santana shoved the phone back at Blaine, not apologizing as she heard it connect with his chest with a loud thump. "Who sent you that?"

Blaine rubbed at his chest, shoving his phone back in his pocket. "Santana -"

"Who. Sent. You. That?!" She screeched, ignoring the startled looks of her friends. "Blaine, please. I deserve to know."

He reached out for her head, flinching when she pulled herself away from his touch. "I don't know, Santana. I'm so sorry."

She shook her head, looking at each person in the circle that had gathered around them. She barely took in their expressions, she didn't want to see the smugness she was sure would be there. A strangled sob escaped her as she darted for the door, collapsing to the ground as the cool evening air hit her face.

"Santana!"

She pulled her knees up to her chest.

"Santana," Brittany sat down next to her. "Are you okay?"

Santana shook her head. "I want to be alone, Brittany. Please?"

Brittany nodded sadly. "I still care about you, you know," she whispered.

Santana nodded, rubbing at her eyes. "I know, Britt. I love you."

They both knew she meant it. Perhaps not the way she used to but just as sincerely as she always had.

Brittany smiled. "I know. Oh, I wanted you to be the first to know. I'm back with Artie."

Santana nodded. "I thought so. I'm happy for you, really."

"Thank you. I want to be happy for you too, I just don't think I'm ready. Not yet."

Santana flinched. "Doesn't look like there's going to be anything to be happy about," she muttered. "Sebastian cheated," she stated, noticing Brittany's confused expression. "Serves me right, huh?"

Brittany wrapped a thin arm around her shoulder. "No. No it doesn't. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I forgave you for that almost immediately, you know. I think I knew, actually. That isn't the part that hurt me."

"Then what?"

"You chose Sebastian over me without even giving me a chance to know I had was competing. Especially against a guy."

Santana sniffled. "I was a pretty terrible girlfriend."

Brittany nodded. "Sometimes," she admitted, pressing a kiss to Santana's temple. "I wouldn't change any of it though."

"Hey, when did you get so smart, Britt?"

"I wanted to impress Artie so I started watching videos on how to be smarter with Lord Tubbington."

There it was. The classic Brittany statement that had always managed to make her feel better. "Artie's lucky to have you. Speaking of Lord Tubbington, I really miss that fat cat. Any chance I can see him soon?"

Brittany grinned. "He misses you too, he started smoking again. If you come see him can you tell him to stop swearing at Artie?"

*•*•*

Santana's phone had been vibrating for five minutes straight. She groaned, finally giving up on getting any sleep and reaching over to grab it.

Hey.

Morning.

Santana…

Wake up.

Santana.

Have I done something wrong?

Speak to me.

Santana, it's been two days. Tell me what I've done wrong.

She shook her head. This wasn't a conversation she wanted to have over text. Then again, she didn't want to see him either. Snixx wasn't so well under control that she believed she'd be able to resist causing actual bodily harm to Sebastian.

I don't want to talk to you.

She wiped at her eyes. This wasn't going to be one of those times she caved and gave in to how much she missed him. She'd thrown his jacket to the bottom of her closet, afraid of the temptation it was bound to cause. She missed him.

I love you.

She sighed.

I love you too. Doesn't change anything. I need some space.

Santana hit send, turning her phone off and rolling away from the nightstand. It was three am. She was not going to call him at three am. She was not going to be weak.

xXxXx

A/N Hehehe…Um…yeah. I told you I wanted to torture them some more. Especially now that we're past Regionals so I have no more canon between them to work with…Can I just point out that I've managed to update THREE DAYS IN A ROW! Also, if you caught the Busted reference I slipped in there, well done you! I would dedicate this chapter to someone but I don't think anyone wants this pain dedicated to them…