Chapter 4: Showdown Part II
Italicized: Santana
Bold: Puck
Bold, Italicized, Underlined: Puck and Santana
"S? San. Santana." Face pale and lifeless and eyes brimming with unshed tears, Santana took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could hardly register Quinn's voice. Artie singing a song to Brittany and Brittany gushing all over him is something she can barely handle.
"Get your shit together, Lopez." Puck's voice is soft and soothing. She could feel pressure on her hand and realized that Quinn is trying her best to comfort her. Santana grasped Quinn's hand tightly forgetting all antagonism and feeling extremely grateful for the support. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Quinn smiled sadly at her. And she reciprocated with a weak one.
"Go, S. Everybody's waiting." She nodded and Santana realized she was right. They were looking expectantly at her with the exception of Brittany and Artie. Brittany looked anywhere but her and Artie watched his girlfriend fidget.
Santana stood up from her chair with Puck hot on her heels. Once she was in front, she stared everyone down and relished in the fact that she could still make Berry cringe. Her expression hardened and emotions could only be seen swirling in her dark eyes.
"Puck."
"Ready when you are." Santana nodded to the band. The piano and drums began and she knew it was time. Puck went and hummed the introduction; his silent way of coaxing her. Santana glared one last time at her glee clubbers before opening her mouth to sing.
I would march across the desert to defeat my enemy
And I would lie here in the trenches with your picture next to me
And when I told you it's forever, then it's how its gonna be
Don't, won't let him just take the place of me (No..)
Puck came in for second voice and he was harmonizing with her making Santana feel more at ease at the idea of actually pouring her heart out in a song. She tore her gaze away from Puck and instead gathered her courage to look directly into Brittany's eyes.
Does he really know you like I know you, all the little things?
Does he really love you, like I love you, how can he compete?
She hoped with everything she had that Brittany understands. Santana knew her bestfriend isn't dumb.
If he makes me fight for you, die for you, would he do the same?
This is turning into way more than a game.
The thought of a dead Santana flashed in Brittany's mind. It isn't the first time she imagined her life without her but right now, looking into brown eyes, she realized that she couldn't even bear to think about it. Santana abruptly broke eye contact with her to glare at Artie with a mixture of pain and anger in her eyes as she sang the chorus.
Now it feels like soldiers in a war and none of us are backing down
And I will show you victory is mine before we leave this battleground
Cause he don't wanna leave, and I don't wanna go
And I know just how this battle goes
He don't wanna leave and I don't wanna fight this kind of war
Up until now, it wasn't clear to Quinn just how hurt Santana is. But by watching her perform, by watching her fight to keep the tears at bay, it hit her and suddenly she couldn't begin to fathom how heartbreaking this must be for her. Quinn had her family, friends, a boyfriend even. Santana had no one constant but Brittany.
You know he's not the man you think he is; he's hiding all his flaws
So tell me what's the point of fighting? Because we'll all end up with scars
Puck entered for the start of the second verse giving Santana time to compose herself. She walked back to his side gripping his shoulder. She seemed intent on concentrating on his words.
But girl if that's what I must go through, then I'm not prepared to lose
Cause I've already bled so much for you (No..)
Santana had her eyes closed as memories of how hard the previous week was for her.
Does he really know you like I know you, all the little things?
Does he really love you, like I love you, how can he compete?
If he makes me fight for you, I die for you, would he do the same?
Baby this is turning into way more than a game..
Baby cause we're soldiers in a war and none of us are backing down
And I will show you victory is mine before we leave this battleground
Cause he don't wanna leave, and I don't wanna go
And I know just how this battle goes
He don't wanna leave and I don't wanna fight this kind of war (No, No..)
Finally, everything clicked into place for Kurt. It made sense. Brittany's sad, unsure eyes, Artie's tense posture, Quinn and Puck's reaction after Artie sung, and most importantly, Santana's song. He smiled comfortingly at Santana who caught his smile and immediately felt grateful for it.
Getting kind of sick of this battle
Wish I could take it back to when I had you
I'm always thinking that I can have you, just let him have you
It's getting kinda hard to convince you
After all the shit that we've been through
What, would you let all this happen?
You gotta try to make it stop
It's already going too far..
Brittany bit her lower lip and looked away from Santana. She's not sure how she should take this performance. Half of her felt like jumping at the thought of being able to proclaim to the world that she owned Santana's heart but half of her keeps on reminding her that Santana hurt her.
Girl we're soldiers in a war and none of us are backing down
And I will show you victory is mine before we leave this battleground
Cause he don't wanna leave, and I don't wanna go
And I know just how this battle goes
He don't wanna leave and I don't wanna fight this kind of war
Cause he don't wanna leave, and I don't wanna go
And I know just how this battle goes
He don't wanna leave and I don't wanna fight this kind of war.
Puck and Santana led the song to a graceful close. Everyone in glee clapped hard for Santana having seen this side of the 'spawn of Satan' once before. Santana was grateful Rachel kept her mouth shut this time and right before she and Puck went back to their respective seats, she gave Brittany a smile – a smile that is laden with a promise.
"Well, that wasn't so hard wasn't it?" Quinn asked as soon as she got her ass settled on the chair. The blonde is smirking at her but there was a proud glint in her eyes that makes Santana feel like she'd just been rewarded a medal and gave it to her mom.
"Shut it, Q." She meant it to be harsh but instead she couldn't stop the smile that was forming on her face as Artie's sour face after the performance flashed in her mind. Beside her, Puck laughed heartily.
"Let's give it up for Santana and Puck!" And suddenly the applause was back again and Santana had no choice but to put on a humble smile on her face. Her eyes searched baby blue ones and was happy to know that they were staring at her with a gaze full of adoration and doubt. Santana ignored the latter knowing that she would have to deal with that doubt later. For now, she wanted to enjoy the look of pure adoration that she'd been missing for way too long.
Glee practice continued and for the most part, Santana drifted off. Before she knew it, glee was over and she's currently in the Cheerios locker room with Quinn who had to get some stuff from her locker.
"Now what?"
Quinn turned to look at her, confused. Santana is leaning on the doorframe, staring off into space with a frown on her forehead. Quinn chuckled. That seemed to break into her little world.
"You know, it's still storming outside."
"I know, Quinn. I'm not deaf." Santana replied unsure to where this conversation was heading. Quinn closed her locker and faced the Latina with a smile. "Stop smiling. You're freaking me out. What's your point, Fabray?"
"I heard Brittany needs to get home as soon as possible. Too bad for her I have to run some errands today."
"Uhm, okay?"
"Oh, for your love of skirts and Brittany in them, you can start by driving her home!" Santana glared at her trying to get her heart under control.
"I can't."
"'Course you can! Artie can't drive her home, San. You know that."
"Not my fault." Though she wouldn't mind even if it was.
"Santana." The brunette sighed and combed her hair with her fingers. She's not sure whether she can handle being under the same roof with Brittany. Then again, she did sing that she was going to fight for her.
"Bitch." Quinn laughed and Santana couldn't help grinning along with her.
Bring it on.
A/N: So. The only reason I decided to update this is because the number of people who put this story on alert sky-rocketed. THANKYOU! :) Still, I would appreciate reviews and I might love you forever so please review!
Brittana is downright awesome,
theangel1710