Hello Reader,

I know where I want to go with this story just trying to figure out how to get there. As always thank you for reading and as in the words as boringsiot "Martinez to cover…dun dun DUN."

If you feel like it review…

Enjoy.

-Mouser

Chapter 10

"Are we there yet?"

"Serious Martinez, what are we ten?" Santana replied. She had about enough of him, ever since they left camp all he did was complain, and it was getting on her nerves. Unfortunately she had to sit beside him and hear him as he chewed his gum…if it popped one more time; Lima to the tenth degree was going to be unleashed.

"Hey Abrams, at the next embankment go left. It'll cut about an hour off of our trip and I'm tired of sitting back here. I need to stretch my legs."

"No. It's not part of our route, and how do you know it'll cut an hour off of our time?" Abrams replied as he looked through the rear view mirror. Even though it was pitch black dark and he never made this drive before he was completely focused on the makeshift road.

"Let's just say sometimes, I have to come this way to relieve some stress."

"So this where you go when you should be patrolling our base at night? What's out here that is so important that you can't stand guard?" Chang asked, speaking for the first time in almost three hours. He silently wondered who would kill Martinez first, Lopez or him. He saw the way Martinez looked down on the three of them. Knowing that Martinez finally acknowledged the fact that he left his post might be enough to bring it up to a superior. He knew Martinez was not a good soldier. Abrams and Lopez were good soldiers. He came from a long line of service men. He learned from his father about honor and from his grandfather he learned courage. He knew at one time many did not want his kind in the service, even if they were first generation American. But he was proud to wear the uniform of the Marines, and really hated it when others disrespected it. Sure, Martinez played the soldier act up, but in truth he was just a twenty two year old playing with a gun like he was six. He really hoped if they had to make trips back and forth between the camps nothing bad would happen. He had the feeling Martinez would be all about Martinez and not about the team.

"It's none of your fucking business Chang, but since I'm feeling talkative I'll tell you. I meet one of the village girls out here and it's the perfect place 'cause no one can hear her scream my name. In fact Lopez you should try it. I know they're not blond like your piece of ass but still…" before he could finish that statement Santana had cocked her right fist back and swung with all her might. Yeah it was not her dominant hand but she could still do some damage. "Bastard, don't you ever talk about my girlfriend."

"Bitch, I think you broke my nose." He yelled through the watery eyes and dripping blood.

"Lucky that's all I broke." During all the commotion in the back seat Abrams stopped the vehicle to try to bring some order to the two. He really liked Santana and hated Martinez. And if all hell was going to break out he wanted to have Santana's back.

"Red Fox come in," came through the static filled speakers of their radio. "Repeat come in."

"This is Red Fox," Chang replied as Martinez and Lopez just looked at each other trying to decide if their fight was going to involve more punches. "You're a go."

"Red Fox be aware that we have picked up activity by where you guys are driving. You need to divert your route. We believe you'll run into a heavily armed group from one of the neighboring villages. You'll be outnumbered. I repeat divert your route. Copy?"

"Copy. Red Fox is changing course, using alternate route 5. I repeat using alternate route 5," Chang said over the mike but could only hear static. "Fuck. I think we lost them and I don't think they received our message."

"Alright, Abrams change course as directed. Lopez be on the lookout for any activity and don't think I forgot that you broke my nose. I will get you back later. Chang, try to get Base Camp back on line. They'll need to know where we are at if this shit goes bad." All three replied "Yes Sir," as they checked their weapons for ammunition.

Rachel was into her last half hour of running on the treadmill, as she stared out the window at the rain pouring on the poor people below. She had a shitty day and that was putting it mildly. First she was late because she forgot to plug in her phone, which controlled the only alarm she had. Yes, she was known for her precise scheduling but after an intense round of lovemaking with Finn she fell into an intense slumber and forgot. She was human after all even though popular consensus said otherwise. This meant that she could not get in her morning workout, her morning vocal warm up and her skin care regiment because she had to get to the theater. She would never be late to the theater if she could help it. She believed it set a bad precedence, and as the lead actor she always had to be in top form. She would not allow some Showgirl wanna be to take her place.

When she arrived at the theater she walked into her dressing room only to quickly walk out. Inside her sanctuary was Henry boning her naïve understudy. She decided to walk to the stage and rehearse her lines there and contemplate how she would clean her couch. Sure, she and Finn broke that couch in on their own, along with her makeup chair, and other various places but still it was her dressing room and as Henry was the director he should know better.

The day seemed to drag on because everyone was missing their mark except of course her, and was thankful when Henry finally called it a day. Maybe, it was because every time he had to correct someone he would try to avoid Rachel as he walked on stage. In fact the one time he had to get next to Rachel, he couldn't look her in the eye. He knew he had fucked up, but what can you expect from an unhappily married man. He tried to put the moves on Rachel, but he was quickly shot down, and when he thought he'd give it a second try he was introduced to her boyfriend and a seriously murderous looking friend who happened to be a Marine. That was enough to know he'd have to settle for second best, hence boning Mandy in Rachel's dressing room. But he would contemplate the damage he'd done another time.

After rehearsal Rachel tried to meet up with Finn for a late lunch, but only found Puck in his office. Finn had meetings all day and would not be able to leave, as she texted Quinn to see if she was available, Puck started asking questions, "So Babe, do you think Quinn would go to lunch with me?"

"As in a date?" she asked as she raised her eyebrow at him. "You know she has a…"

"No, of course not as a friend. I bet she gets lonely and such. You and Finn could come too." He gave her what she called his boy school smile meant to charm the ladies. But at the moment t was kind of creeping her out.

"I'll ask her and see what she says."

"Awesome, I'll let Finn know you were here."

"Thank you, Noah," she replied as she exited Finn's office. By the time she made it down the ten floors to the lobby her phone beeped informing her of an incoming message. It was Quinn saying she was shooting at a building for a local magazine. Deciding that she would have no luck with any one she decided to just go home.

As she finished her run she sat at her table looking at two letters, one addressed to her and the other addressed to Quinn, both in Santana's familiar script. One was a letter to a friend more than likely asking her how her play was going, and how Finn was. The other was probably a letter saying she was sorry that she didn't make it home, and that the love she had for her would last beyond the grave. How she hoped she would never have to give that letter to Quinn. Finally, after a moment of silent prayer she tore open her letter and read Santana's words to her.

Hey Tiny Stick of Dynamite,

How's the theater treating you? And yes I am saying theater in a British accent. Just kidding. I hope it's going well. I hope I'll be able to see the next one you're in. You know how much I enjoy your performances. It's amazing to be able to say, "You see that woman up there - with the big powerful voice I knew her back when she was just a girl with a dream, and now here she is a woman who's a star." I'm hoping ol' married man is keeping his hands to himself, if not let me know when I get back I've learned a new trick or two. I'm sure he'd like to be my test dummy.

Is Finn doing well at the firm? Everyone treating him well there? I know he was hesitant at first but like I said he's a dang fine architect with great ideas. I think he's found his calling. I know he thought football was his calling but this route isn't bad. Instead of Sport Illustrated it'll be Architect Digest. Tell him I said Hi and to keep up the good work. Maybe one day he could build my future home. See, I do trust him (just not with future kids).

TSoD, I need you to do me a favor. Quinn's birthday is coming up and I'm asking if you and Finn would help me make it special. I know I won't be able to do this in person so I'm counting on my wingmen to help me pull it off. Take her to dinner at that fancy restaurant you two like. Make her get dressed up and have some fun for the night. After, I want you to go to the following address (9305 Archer Avenue) and see a woman named Sara Reed. She'll know what to do from there. Don't worry you guys won't get kidnapped or anything like that. I'd tell you what the surprise is but knowing you, you'd tell. You can't keep a secret. It would bubble out of your tiny frame the minute you finished reading this letter. Don't get hurt with me you know I'm speaking the truth. Plus if I really didn't trust you I would have never given you my other letter and box for safe keeping. I promise the gift will only bring tears of happiness. I have enclosed money for the dinner and drinks. It's my last gift to her and I want her friends to be there to see if it paid off. Mainly I want to hear if I am an awesome girlfriend.

Thank you for all your help and holding my confidence. Rachel, you and Finn are the second and third best thing to come out of my relationship with Quinn. I am so thankful I meet you guys in high school. Being the new kid is never easy and your little trio welcomed me with opened arms. Just don't go tell Finn that, I don't want him to think I love him or something (J/K).

TSoD, take care and I'll see you soon. Oh, and if you're wondering what the first best thing to come out of my relationship with Quinn is it has to do with my 10 o'clock rule. Think hard enough and you'll figure it out.

Love ya my friend.

-Santana

P.S. I'll try to write more…

Rachel just shook her head even in a letter to her Santana still managed to work in sex with Quinn into the conversation. She couldn't wait to see what the final gift was. Now she just had to think about how she was going to convince Quinn to go out when the time came.