A/N: Here's a quick update. The formatting of the last chapter ended up being a bit messed up, but I hope it didn't make it too hard to read. Now, here's a Pezberry reunion. I really do love me some Santana. This is a shorter chapter but I like where it ended, so I left it at that. Thanks for the follows and faves and the reviews (I have just learned how to see the reviews, can you believe that? *facepalms*). Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Friends and Secrets

"Watch where you're going!" Santana yelled after a guy who just bumped into her and didn't even apologize. "Fucking asshole." One could say that the girl had changed a lot during the last two years, had grown even, but it was undeniable that Santana ha managed to preserve all the charming treats she had, including her fierce personality and colorful vocabulary.

Today, the ex-cheerleader and the star-in-the-making/waitress was nervous because she was already running late to her meeting with one Rachel Berry. And if anyone knew anything about Rachel Berry it was that she was never late. Never. Santana smiled to herself, and then shook her head to rid herself from her own smile. I did not just think of the midget fondly. That's it. I'm going softer as I get older. She swiftly made her way across the street, dodging cars and praying to God that she did not die on her way to see Rachel. I swear to God, if I die trying to meet Berry I will come back to haunt the hell out of her, she thought, proud of herself. Maybe I'm not losing my edge after all.

Five minutes later Santana was pushing open the door to the coffee house Rachel had offered to meet at earlier. The place was small and cozy, and smelled like a caffeinated heaven. "Santana, hey!" she saw the diva stand up and wave towards her. With a few fast steps, she made her way to Rachel's table and was soon attacked by Rachel with a bone-crushing hug. Kill me and I haunt you. I dare you midget. "Berry." Santana managed to at least get Rachel to release her hold on her so she could breathe. "If you wanted to strangle me, you should have said so. I would have come prepared."

"Nice to see you're still your own cheerful self Santana. Come on, sit. This place has lattes that are to die for." Without giving the Latina any chance to respond, the brunette placed an order for her. "Now, tell me all about your new job. How are you liking New York? Isn't it everything you ever wanted and dreamed of? Do you get to sing a lot? How are the ti-"

"Breathe, Berry." Santana couldn't help but find the brunette's usual behavior comforting. True, the city was amazing and Santana was glad that she was finally out of Lima. The was a city girl, she needed her space, she needed to be able to go out and do whatever she felt like doing at any time she wanted to. New York had a lot to offer, but it was also probably the most relentless and competitive place she had ever been in. The other waitresses at the bar she was working at would kill her in a heartbeat if it meant that they could take her place on stage singing and get away with it. Santana looked at the brunette and the genuine look of curiosity on her face. Rachel Berry was the most competitive and ambitious person she had ever met. But she was a friend. More importantly, she could be an ally in this city. Someone that she could trust.

She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Life in the city has been good so far, and the job pays well, with the tips and whatnot. But it is so different from Lima, you know. I mean you're still in school and shit but I'm out there in the real world and it is hard out there." She hesitated for a second, but decided to go through with what she had to say. "I sometimes find myself a little overwhelmed by it all, if you know what I mean. It's not like there is a guideline to follow to become famous overnight." She ended with a sigh.

Rachel was about to say something when a waiter brought Santana her latte. Instead of speaking, she nodded and took a deep sip from her own cup.

"What, no insights about that, midget?" Even though it would kill her to admit it out loud, Santana really did want Rachel to say something reassuring. The diva knew talent when she saw it, hell she is talent personified, and despite her competitive edge, she could appreciate others.

"I don't know what you want me to say Santana. I would be lying if I said I knew how it was out there. I don't know how this works either. I'm just trying to survive school and hoping that I get cast into a play before I graduate so I don't lose much time before I go on to win my EGOT." The brunette answered in one breath.

"Your what?"

"My EGOT, Santana. Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. The four great awards that every performer dreams of receiving." Santana involuntarily rolled her eyes at this.

"How do you stay so optimistic about this Berry? You always talk about stuff like this as if they are set in stone."

"What else can I do? Sit and mope around all day because one day my dreams might not come true? I just have to do my best, and the rest will follow. I have to believe in that." She does have a point. When Rachel looked up and faced Santana again, she saw the hint of something in the Latina's eyes, something strangely similar to respect. "So, I would like to apologize again that I didn't call sooner. But you know how life here can get, I've been trying to do everything I guess, classes, extra practices, sightseeing, socializing…"

"Yeah yeah, I know. It's fine Berry. Not like I tried to reach you earlier, either." Rachel looked at her, with surprise evident on her face. They both knew that this was as close as they would get to an apology. "So, what's this talk about Q? Did you really talk to her?" Santana asked, raising an eyebrow. She had always been a little confused about the relationship between her best friend and the diva. It does make sense, she thought, they were both kinda lonely during highschool. Both are over-achievers, obviously. But there was still something between the two girls that was eluding her.

Santana was lost in thought as Rachel kept on telling the other brunette about her weekend with Quinn. "…and I got to see all the amazing places around the campus. Then Quinn took me to a karaoke bar." Wait, what? Now, I did not see that coming. Santana nodded, a knowing smirk forming on her face. She made a mental note to call the blonde and check in sometime soon. It apparently had been way too long.

"So are you two like best friends now?" She asked, raising her eyebrows. It was her best Quinn imitation, one that she was proud of.

"No… I mean, maybe in the future. Not that I don't want to be her best friend. It's just that we haven't been friends for long. I mean who wouldn't want to be that close to Quinn? Not that being best friends would entail a close physical proximity." Rachel blurted out. Her cheeks were slightly pink, she was blushing. Now that is interesting. Santana just nodded, waiting for the brunette to dig her own grave. "I guess what I'm trying to say is Quinn is someone I am lucky to have as a friend. But your spot as her best friend is safe Santana. You have nothing to worry about." Rachel finished her words, mentally congratulating herself for making sense in the end.

"Oh, trust me, I am not the one to worry." Santana said with a devilish smile on her lips. Rachel could see the beginnings of an evil plot forming in the other brunette's mind. That certainly made the diva nervous. Oh-oh, I know that look. That look is trouble. What did I say? What is she going to do? What if she tells Quinn that I don't want to be her friend? That was not what I meant at all, without even realizing, she huffed.

"Relax Berry, your secret is safe with me." Santana said, and stood up. Rachel was clearly confused.

"What secret?" She inquired, getting up after the Latina. "Santana?"

"Oh this is gonna be so much fun." Santana muttered under her breath. "Thanks for the coffee, midget. We should do this again." And with that, she left, leaving a very confused and distraught Rachel Berry behind.

What is she up to? That was the only thing Rachel could think about. Suddenly, all the good feelings remaining from her visit to the blonde were replaced by the anxiety caused by Santana. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to tell Santana about this at all, she thought. What if Quinn wanted to keep the visit a secret? What if she didn't want her other friends to know about our relationship? No. That sounds wrong. Our friendship. I guess friendships are a kind of relationship though. A relationship of the friendly kind. Yes. That sounds right. She dropped some bills on the table and hastily left the coffe shop. As she made her way back to her dorm, only one question remained in her mind: What secret?

Coming up in the following chapters: Santana decides to see things for herself and crashes Quinn's visit to NY. Rachel and Quinn dance around the friend zone some more. Frustration. Frustration. Frustration. Santana being Santana. A well-kept secret comes out.