A/N: Rachel and Mercedes never sang Take Me or Leave Me together.
Santana walked up to Rachel later that day. "Hey Berry." she said. Rachel turned around.
"Santana..." she said cautiously. Santana rolled her eyes.
"Listen, I was thinking... you and I should do a duet together. We'd go... I mean sound good together." Santana said. Rachel raised an eyebrow.
"What song did you have in mind?" Rachel asked.
"Uh... there's one from that musical RENT... Take Me or Leave Me, I think is the name of it." Santana said.
"You are aware that that song is about two women who are in a relationship, right?" Rachel asked. Santana nodded. "Well, okay... I guess they do breakup in the end... when would you like to rehearse?"
"My house. 8." Santana said, walking away.
That night, Rachel approached the door to the Lopez house. She stood there for five minutes before the door swung open. "Get your ass in my house Ber- whoa. You own normal clothes?" Santana asked. Rachel looked down.
"Well, the McKinley High School student body insists on tossing slushies at my daily, so I'd rather my nice clothes not be ruined." Rachel said. Santana nodded. "Are you ready to rehearse?" Rachel asked.
"Uh... yea. My room's upstairs." Rachel walked in.
"Where are you parents?" she asked.
"No idea. They're never really around... always on business conferences. I practically live here by myself." Santana said. Rachel nodded slowly. "Anyway, we're all alone here." Santana said. Rachel walked upstairs and handed Santana some sheet music.
"I highlighted different parts. I thought that since this was your idea, an even split of the lyrics would be good." Rachel said. Santana nodded and looked over the music before singing.
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say
Santana got really close to Rachel before singing the next part.
Baby's so sweet
Rachel stopped her. "Santana, that's my part." she said. Santana looked down at the music.
"My bad. Go ahead." she said.
[Rachel]
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say
Baby's so sweet
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls
I can't help it, baby
Santana watched Rachel in amazement. She wasn't sure about the feeling in her stomach.
[Rachel]
So be kind
And don't lose your mind
Just remember
That I'm your baby
[Santana]
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
Rachel watched Santana before regaining her composure.
[Rachel]
And if you give a damn
[Both]
Take me, baby, or leave me
[Rachel]
Take me, baby, or leave me
[Santana]
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage
Baby, let's have fun
You are the one I choose
Folks would kill to fill your shoes
You love the limelight too, now baby
Rachel wasn't sure what she was feeling, but something about watching Santana sing... turned her on?
Santana could feel Rachel watching her and got more into the song
[Santana]
So be mine
And don't waste my time
Cryin', "Oh Honeybear
Are you still my, my, my baby?"
[Rachel]
Take me for what I am
[Santana]
Who I was meant to be
They got in each other's faces.
[Both]
And if you give a damn
[Santana]
Take me, baby, or leave me
No way, can I be what I'm not
[Rachel]
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
[Santana]
Don't fight, don't lose your head
[Rachel]
'Cause every night, who's in your bed?
[Both]
Who,
[Santana]
Who's in your bed?
[Rachel]
Kiss, pookie
Santana was surprised to find that she was fighting the urge to kiss her.
[Both]
That's it,
[Rachel]
The straw that breaks my back
[Both]
I quit,
[Santana]
Unless you take it back
[Both]
Women,
[Rachel]
What is it about them?
[Both]
Can't live with them or without them
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
(Who I was meant to be)
And if you give a damn
(And if you give a damn, ya better)
Take me, baby, or leave me
(Oh take me, baby, take me or leave me)
Take me, baby
Or leave me
Guess I'm leaving
I'm gone
Rachel moved to turn around, but Santana caught her wrist and before she knew it, she was kissing the other girl. Rachel gave into the kiss for a few seconds before pulling away. "What are you doing?" she asked. Santana shrugged.
"Kissing you."
"I'm with Finn." Rachel said.
"You'd rather be with Gigantor than me?" Santana asked. Rachel raised an eyebrow.
"You don't want me, and we both know that. I have to go." she said before leaving.