A/N: Thanks to everyone who signed up for alerts & those reviewing. Glad to know someone actually reading this. ;-p
Brittany and Santana were left alone and each wasn't sure how to feel. They stayed quiet for a bit and soon both became a bit uncomfortable.
"That was subtle," Santana finally said, as she cradled her drink.
"What?"
"You fishing for information from Sugar," Santana said.
"Can you blame me?" Brittany asked, leaning forward a bit on the table, "I mean, here you are, friends with one of the top reporters in the city."
"True," Santana said, smiling, "Sugar may be my sort of friend but I would never give her case information."
"But you think I would?" Brittany asked.
"Hey I don't know you," Santana said.
"Exactly," Brittany said, "The robberies have been going on for about...what...2 months? 3?"
"That's right," Santana said, forcing herself to keep from smiling. She didn't want Brittany to know she was actually enjoying this conversation.
"Then how the hell do you think I'm leaking information?" Brittany asked, "I mean, I've only been a police officer for about a week."
Santana let out a laugh, "Still a rookie."
"It doesn't make sense," Brittany continued, "I didn't even know these robberies were taking place until this week."
Santana leaned back, just looking at Brittany, "OK. You're right. There is a 99% chance you are not leaking information."
"99%?" Brittany asked with a chuckle.
"Well, nothing is ever 100%," Santana said.
Brittany just looked at Santana for a bit, wondering about this woman.
"Why do you have it in for me?" Brittany asked, "Ever since the first minute you met me, you've been on my case."
"Have I?" Santana asked, feigning innocence.
Brittany raised an eyebrow.
"OK, maybe I have," Santana admitted, "I just want to make sure you're on the up and up."
"Up and up," Brittany repeated, "Look, Santana, I have been wanting to be a cop since I was a teenager and I'm serious about making this my life's work and I'm not going to fuck it up by doing something as dumb as jeopardizing a case."
As Brittany talked, Santana believed every word she said. Brittany was serious about this job, just like Santana. She had encountered many officers, most recently Frakes, who only did this for a paycheck. Santana knew Brittany was not doing this for the money.
"I'm not the leak, and you're not the leak," Santana said, "So let's wipe the slate clean on that then."
Brittany was a bit surprised at Santana's sudden change of attitude, "Clean slate? Just like that?"
"Sure," Santana said, "But you step out of line on the job, then we're back to square one."
"Step out of line?" Brittany asked, incredulous, "What are you? My mother."
"I just like to work with competent officers," Santana said. She had gone and seen many incompetent ones, she was afraid Brittany would be one of them.
"You are quite something," Brittany said, shaking her head.
"Thank you," Santana said, taking it as a compliment.
"Oh brother," Brittany said, rolling her eyes, "Man, your partner must have the patience of a saint to work with you."
"He didn't," Santana said, "And I'm glad to be rid of him."
"So..you don't have a partner?" Brittany asked
"The partner I did have, Frakes, is a fat slob who only cares about lasting long enough to get his pension."
"Sounds like you two get along great," Brittany said, sarcastically.
"We don't," Santana said, taking a sip of her drink, "Anyway, he failed his physical a couple of days ago and I've been going solo."
"The department just let's you go solo?"
"Yes," Santana said, "At least temporarily. I'm waiting for them to assign me another partner."
"Hmmm."
The club was full of people and music, but the women sitting at the far table, paid no attention. Their sole focus was their conversation. Luckily, they were far enough away from the dancers that the music wasn't too loud.
"What?" Santana asked.
"I bet your next partner doesn't live up to your expectation either," Brittany said, shrugging her shoulders.
Santana was both amazed and annoyed that this woman who she had just met, knew her so well already.
"I just want to work with someone who loves this job as much as I do," Santana said.
Although Brittany found Santana arrogant, she was beginning to admire her for her love of the job. These were the kind of officers that Brittany had hoped to work with when she graduated from the academy.
"Well, good luck then," Brittany said, "Hope you get a good one."
Santana just smiled. She looked at Brittany and her gaze travelled from her face down her toned arm to her wrist. Santana admired a silver charm bracelet on Brittany's wrist.
"That's nice," Santana said.
Brittany saw Santana's gaze travel and began to feel a bit uncomfortable. But in a good way.
"Oh," Brittany said, "Thanks. My ex-boyfriend gave it to me."
Santana was struck by how disappointed she felt as hearing the word "boyfriend" or more accurately, "ex-boyfriend."
"Ex, huh?" Santana asked, trying to sound casual, "You must still have some sort of feelings for him if you're wearing the bracelet he gave you."
Brittany gave Santana an odd look, "You know, you're quick to make assumptions," Brittany said.
"Why do you wear it then?" Santana asked, wanting to know the reason.
Brittany let out a chuckle, "What about you? I'm sure you have stuff an old boyfriend gave you?"
"I don't," Santana said, letting out a laugh, "The last ex-boyfriend I had was when I was 16 and he didn't give me anything other than grief."
"16? Oh..," Brittany said, realizing, "Oh!"
Brittany suddenly felt like it was too warm in this club. Santana's gay, Brittany thought.
"Yeah, 'Oh'," Santana said with a smirk, "Your detective skills are failing you again."
"I just met you," Brittany said defensively, "And it's not like you're wearing big lesbian sign."
Santana laughed.
"I did know Kurt was gay though, right off the bat," Brittany added just to say anything.
"A blind person could see that," Santana teased.
"Tina, I'm assuming, is straight."
"Watch out Nancy Drew is back!" Santana joked, "Did her boyfriend tip you off?"
Brittany rolled her eyes.
"Sugar?"
"Sugar, I've only known for a short while, but she's always flirting and crushing on all the male officers," Santana said, "So I'm going to go with her being straight."
Brittany wasn't sure why she kept asking about everyone's sexuality. Honestly, she didn't care. It's probably the alcohol, Brittany thought.
"What about Quinn and Puck?" Santana asked, wanting to know more about the rookie and her friends. Santana was never one to ask about anyone's sexuality and wasn't even sure why she kept this topic alive.
"Well," Brittany said, "Quinn and Puck are both chalk full of heterosexuality."
"I figured," Santana said, now convinced the earlier vibe she got from Quinn and Brittany was all wrong.
"Though Quinn did make out with a few girls in college," Brittany said, "But don't tell her I said that. She swears it was just one, but it wasn't."
Why is it so hot in here, Brittany wondered.
"I won't," Santana said, now back to wondering if Quinn did have a thing for Brittany.
"Puck and I always tease her about it," Brittany said, chuckling
Brittany wasn't sure why she was telling Santana all of this. She looked down at her drink and realized it was all gone. This was already her second drink since arriving and she was feeling a bit buzzed.
Brittany bit her lip and knew she needed to slow down. She always turned into a big blabbermouth when she drank.
As if on cue, a waitress came and delivered two fresh drinks to Brittany and Santana and quickly left.
"Oh boy," Brittany said softly, taking a small sip of her new drink.
"You're not as annoying outside the uniform as you are in it," Santana said also taking a sip of her fresh drink.
Santana noticed that Brittany's cheeks were a bit pink which made her look flustered. Santana smiled.
"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not," Brittany said, pushing her new full glass away from her.
Just then, Quinn and Tina returned. Quinn slid into the booth next to Brittany and gave her a hug from the side, resting her chin on Brittany's shoulder, "Why aren't you dancing?"
"I will," Brittany said.
"Well come on," Quinn said, giving Brittany a kiss on the cheek, "I'll take you out there."
Brittany let Quinn drag her to away from the table and out to the crowd of dancing people.
Santana watched Brittany disappear into the crowd and thought it rude of her to leave in the middle of their conversation.
"Have fun?" Santana asked Tina as she sat down.
"I am! Mike's still out there," Tina said a bit out of breath, "Quinn can dance! She's fun. I don't know why I was scared of her."
"Told you," Santana said even though she herself didn't really like Quinn all that much.
"Puck's cool too," Tina said, "Quinn told me about Brittany's Janet Jackson project. It sounds awesome. We gotta find it online and watch it."
"We should, yeah," Santana said.
"Hey, are Quinn and Puck a thing?" Tina asked.
"No, at least I don't think so," Santana said.
"How about Brittany and Quinn?" Tina asked, her eyes lighting up at the potential gossip, "Maybe now you can have some solidarity with you on the force."
"OK, first," Santana began, "I'm going to pretend you didn't say 'solidarity' and second no, Brittany and Quinn are not a thing."
"They seem very chummy," Tina said, not convinced.
"No," Santana said quickly, "No..I don't think...no. Brittany's straight. Apparently. And so is Quinn. I think."
"You asked her?" Tina asked surprised.
"Brittany mentioned an ex-boyfriend," Santana said, again feeling that twinge of disappointment. What the hell is that, she wondered.
"Pfft," Tina said, waving her hand, "That means nothing."
"Maybe," Santana said softly.
"Why aren't you out there?" Tina asked, "You're a hot piece, lady. I actually heard a couple of ladies ask Kurt who you were."
"Is that right?" Santana asked, interested, "Well, I guess I shouldn't keep those ladies waiting."
Santana grabbed Tina's hand and took her out to dance, "Come on," Santana said, "Be my wing-woman."
The rest of the night, the group spent most of the night on the dance floor. Santana caught herself watching Brittany dance and she couldn't help but be amazed at what a great dancer Brittany actually was. She made a mental note to look up that Janet Jackson project when she got home. Occasionally, Santana would catch the eye of Brittany who ended up dancing with with a couple of men and women.
Santana began to wonder if assuming she was straight was just her jumping to another conclusion.
###
Brittany woke the next morning after the club with a headache. She had had a good time with everyone and was glad she had gone out. After her talk with Santana, she really didn't see her that much the rest of the night. She did get a glimpse of her here and there dancing with some woman. When Brittany and Quinn had met the group again later, only Sugar, Tina, and Mike had shown up.
"Guess Santana, Kurt and Puck got better offers," Sugar had joked.
Brittany hid her disappointment. Brittany herself had gotten a couple of invitations to "continue the party at my place" from a woman and two men. She had declined. She was never one to randomly hook up with anyone. Man or woman.
The phone rang.
"Who is calling so early?" Brittany mumbled from her bed. She turned to see the time. 11:30 a.m..
Not so early I see, she thought.
"Hello," Brittany answered, her voice groggy.
"You still asleep?" Jim asked.
"Oh hey Jim," Brittany said, suddenly feeling more awake, "I'm up."
"Sorry to bother you on your day off," Jim said, "But I needed to tell you something."
"What?" Brittany asked, concerned.
"That case I went to headquarters to discuss with the detective…."
"Yeah?"
"It involved a guy who robbed a liquor store and beat the clerk severely. Well, that guy jumped bail and he killed another store clerk."
"Shit," Brittany said.
"Yeah. Anyway, there's a team back out there searching for this fucker and I was asked if I wanted in…"
"Of course," Brittany said, "We could help…"
"No, Brittany," Jim interrupted, "Just me. You're still in training and need to complete your required hours. And if you deviate from the training program it could take you longer to reach the next phase."
"Oh, umm, ok," Brittany said, wondering where that left her, "So, what happens to me."
"Don't worry," Jim assured, "I'll be back with you as soon as we catch this asshole. Less than a week. I hope."
"Oh good," Brittany said relieved. She really liked Jim and was hoping to stay with him as long as possible.
"I talked to the squad commander and he says he'll have a partner for you while I'm away," Jim said, "Don't worry, I asked him to give you someone good."
"This sucks," Brittany said, "I mean, I understand you wanting to go out there but…it sucks."
"It's only for a week. Tops," Jim assured.
"Well, alright," Brittany said, "Good luck. Keep me posted."
"Thanks," Jim said, "I'll check up on you tomorrow night. See who you got."
"Alright," Brittany said, "I'll see you in a week."
Brittany hung up and began to wonder who she would be stuck with for her night shift rotation.
###
Santana walked into the station after patrolling the morning. While she liked not having Frakes around, she did miss having a partner.
She had gotten up without any trouble despite having gone out the night before. She had seen Brittany now and then, but after a while not even a glimpse.
Santana had met a beautiful woman who had invited her back to her place. Santana walked out with her, but at the exit, she went her separate way.
"Sorry, but as much as I'd love to go home with you," Santana had said, "I've got to work tomorrow."
"Just a couple of hours," the tall redhead had said.
"Maybe next time," Santana said. The girl gave Santana her card and told her to call.
She headed straight to the squad commander to see if they had found someone for her to ride with.
"Hey Lieutenant Rogers," Santana said.
"Officer Lopez," Rogers said, "How's the solo beat?"
"Fun at first," Santana said, "But it'd be nice to have someone to talk to on the road."
"I was hoping you'd say that," Rogers said, with a smile, "I have a partner for you."
"Great!" Santana said, excited, "Who is it?"
"Now, I must warn you," Rogers said, "It's only temporary. Maybe a week or two."
"Who is it?"
"Don't get mad," Rogers warned.
"Who is it?" Santana asked, now worried.
"It's a rookie."
"What!" Santana asked, surprised, "Are you kidding me? I've only been on the force 3 years. Not even three years…2 years and 10 months…"
"Santana," Rogers said, "Relax. Like I said, it's only temporary. Plus it'll look good on your recored."
Fucking great, Santana thought, I really don't want to hold some rookie's hand.
"Who is it?" Santana asked again, "What rookie was tossed back in the pond by their partner?"
"Umm, it's..," Rogers said looking at the file in front of him ,"Brittany S. Pierce. She's partnered…"
"Brittany S. Pierce?" Santana asked, her heart beat suddenly working a bit faster, "But…but I thought she had a partner. Wilder."
"Wilder was called back on another case," Rogers explained, "Temporarily. Pierce needs a partner till he's back."
"Shit," Santana said, letting out a breath. Could she stand ridding with Brittany for eight to 12 hours? Would they end up arguing all the time, she wondered.
"Fine, Santana," Rogers said, "I'll partner her with someone else. You can have…"
"No, no," Santana interrupted "It's fine. I'll take her. I mean it's only for a week right?"
"Great. Alright, in that case, you're on night shifts. Starting tomorrow. Which means, you can have the rest of today off."
Santana should have let Rogers partner her with someone else because she knew this could very well end up being a long week.
"Wait..," Santana said, suddenly realizing what Rogers had said, "Did you say night shifts?"
Rogers just smiled.
-TBC-