Santana stirred slowly, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of her bedroom. She sniffed groggily, rubbing her eyes and yawning deeply.
She vaguely registered a noise coming from her left, and glanced down to see her wristwatch communicator flashing and vibrating noisily. She huffed agitatedly, glancing over at her digital clock and groaning.
"Who the heck is beeping me at five in the morning?" she muttered, clearing her throat before pressing the 'Receive Transmission' button.
"Santana Lopez here."
"Lopez."
She recognised the gruff tone as belonging to none other than her boss, Blaine Anderson, and coughed once before answering quickly.
"Mr Anderson, sir. What, um, what can I do for you so early in the morning? Is there a problem?"
"Well Santana, as you very well know, I have yet to get those diamonds back. The reason I'm calling you so early is because the police are tapping into communications circuits all over the country, trying to uncover any leads that may take them to the thief, in this case, you. I thought it would be safer to call you at a relatively early hour, to avoid any danger."
Santana breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, I see. For a minute there sir, I thought I was in some kind of trouble." she joked, smiling a little.
"Oh, you are."
The harsh, dangerous tone in Blaine's voice made Santana's blood run cold.
"You see Santana, the police are now aware that the diamond thief is still at large. This means they are digging through any past case studies, looking for any other thefts that may give them a clue as to who is behind this one. As long as the diamonds are out there, with you, they will keep looking. But the minute they are in my possession, I will be able to cover the trail indefinitely, until the police realise that they are getting nowhere and they give up. Alas, I can't do that yet, because you have not got them back to me."
Santana gulped, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end as Blaine continued talking.
"I don't like being kept waiting, Lopez. So, my next request is simple. Get those diamonds back as soon as you next see the girl, or I will have to get them myself from your 'friend' Brittany's house. I already have her address, as I used your communicator to track you when you went to her home yesterday, so I'll have no trouble getting there. And make no mistake; I will not be as, shall I say, courteous as you have been with her, as I don't take kindly to having other people involved in my operations. In other words... I will kill her."
The call ended suddenly with a resounding click, and Santana sat, frozen with fear, her heart racing at the thought of anything happening to Brittany. She knew she had to get those diamonds back, and she had to get them back fast. She began formulating a plan in her mind, and then, she knew what she was going to do.
Friday night, she was going to go to Brittany's, as they had planned. She was going to get those diamonds, and then, she was going to leave Blaine Anderson to do whatever he wanted with them. She didn't care about him, or being part of his criminal gang. There was only one thing she now cared about, and that one thing was Brittany.
Friday night rolled around, and Santana felt herself growing more nervous with each coming day. She thought it was the anticipation of having to get the diamonds back, but she knew there was more to it that that. She was nervous about seeing Brittany again. But... a good kind of nervous. The kind that gave her butterflies whenever she thought about the blonde, and the kind that made her leap around the room singing along to the Lion King soundtrack.
She stood in front of the mirror, frantically combing her hair and putting it in various styles, none of them seeming to be quite right.
'Urgh, come on! Just do something with it, then leave it alone!' she scolded herself, becoming more and more frustrated with each failed 'do.
Her phone then lit up, 'River Deep, Mountain High' blasting through the tinny speakers. She hummed along for a second, before striding over and opening her new text message.
-Hey. Just checking that we're still on for tonight? :) –B.
Santana had to fight to suppress the giant grin that wanted to spread over her face, before she gathered her thoughts and replied.
-Yeah, totally! I'm just getting ready now. Although my hair is just not agreeing with me today! Seriously debating wearing a wig for the night... –S.
She placed her phone back down on the dresser, but as she turned to continue her battle with her rebellious flowing tresses, it rang loudly once again.
-Aw, I'm sure you could have the worse case of bed hair in the world and STILL look amazing. Anyway, can't wait to see you! Also, I have a surprise waiting for you... ;) –B.
Santana's heart skipped a beat as she read the luminous, incredibly sweet words on the screen.
'No point trying to reply to that. The girl's a freakin' poet when it comes to this stuff.' she grumbled, although she couldn't help the smile that stayed on her face for the remainder of her preparation session in front of the mirror.
Santana got a cab over to the nicer part of Lima, but got out a few blocks away from Brittany's, deciding to walk the rest of the way because it was such a beautiful evening. She spent the few extra minutes giving herself a pep talk, in a futile attempt to calm her ever-growing nerves.
She reached Brittany's jaw-dropping garden, which took her breath away once again. She then took a deep breath and walked slowly up the path, feeling her palms grow slightly sweaty.
'Phew. Okay Santana. You can do this. C'mon Lopez, it's not like this is some high-risk mission that you have to carry out under timed conditions. All you're doing is watching a movie with a girl, who just happens to be extremely attractive and oh-so-freakin' adorable. You. Can. Do. This.'
She reached out, hand shaking, and pressed the doorbell, feeling a sense of déjà vu as the door was flung open and out ran Lord Tubbington, streaking over the grass like his fat little life depended on it.
"Santana!"
She was suddenly engulfed by a strong pair of arms, and pulled into a warm embrace. She resisted momentarily for a split second, before succumbing to Brittany's comforting touch, leaning into her and wrapping her own arms around the blonde's waist.
She inhaled, breathing in the delicious scent that was Brittany, and smiled contentedly. She could get used to this. Brittany then pulled back slightly, holding Santana's shoulders at arms length and smiling.
"Hey you." she smiled.
"Hey." Santana breathed.
"Come on in!" Brittany said, her face bright with excitement.
"Don't mind if I do." Santana replied smoothly, winking cheekily at Brittany before she walked gracefully into the hallway.
Brittany walked slowly behind Santana, then she reached out and wrapped her hand around Santana's wrist. The brunette turned, forehead wrinkled in confusion, as she watched Brittany curiously.
The blonde seemed to be enduring some form of inner battle, as she chewed her lip nervously and twiddled a strand of hair in her lithe fingers. She then locked gazes with Santana, breathed in deeply, and spoke.
"I'm really glad you could come tonight." she said sincerely, moving her hand down to brush Santana's hand. Santana felt her heart lurch, then she smiled back at Brittany, lacing their fingers together firmly.
"I'm really glad you invited me Britt."
Brittany then giggled unexpectedly.
"What's so funny?" Santana asked, smiling crookedly as she cocked her head to the side.
"You called me 'Britt'. I've never had a nickname before." Brittany answered shyly.
"Well then, I am honoured to have given you your first." Santana grinned. "Anyway, what's this surprise you have for me?" she exclaimed, racing into the living room eagerly. Brittany followed behind her, hot on her heels and laughing warmly.
"Okay, okay, slow down there San!" she breathed, stopping to flop down on the sofa and catch her breath. Santana plonked herself down next to Brittany, eyes bright and cheeks flushed, as she reached out to capture Brittany's hand in hers once again.
"Alright, I'm calm. Now will you please tell me what my surprise is? Pleeeeeeeease?" Santana pouted adorably, making her eyes wide and innocent.
"Okay, fine." Brittany huffed in mock-agitation, although a wide grin was present on her face. "I remember you saying how much you loved musicals, sooooo... I thought we could watch one tonight! Only if you want to, that is."
Santana clapped enthusiastically, nodding happily.
"Awesome! Okay, so I'm not sure how much you like this move, but it's one of my favourites, so I thought it would be nice if we watched it together. So, without further ado, the movie I selected for us tonight is... the Wizard of Oz!"
Santana froze for a second, before she beamed at Brittany and literally flung herself at the unsuspecting blonde, chattering away joyfully.
"Oh my god Britt, that is one of my all-time favourite movies, I watch it every Christmas! I love it! The music is amazing, and the ending, when Dorothy gets back to Kansas? It's just brilliant!"
She then drew back, holding both of Brittany's hands in her own, smiling warmly.
"Thank you Britt."
"You're welcome San." Brittany smiled, her heart racing as Santana leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her cheek.
Brittany then stood up and strode across the room to enter the kitchen, quickly grabbing a bowl of popcorn and two cans of Coke. She came back into the living room, turning off the light, and then pattered across the room back to Santana, handing her a drink and placing the bowl on the coffee table in front of her. The Latina smiled affectionately at Brittany, and the blonde couldn't help but to giggle, feeling her face become tinged with pink.
Brittany then made her way over to the TV, opening the DVD player and sliding the movie in. She grabbed the remote from its place on top of a stack of magazines, then stood and walked gracefully back over to the sofa, settling down comfortably next to Santana. Brittany pressed Play, and both girls sat awkwardly for a moment, both unsure of what to do.
Santana then shuffled closer to Brittany, resting her head on the blonde's chest. Brittany smiled, before wrapping her arm around Santana's shoulders and drawing her even closer. Santana reached over with her other hand and laced their fingers together, then they both proceeded to watch the movie, happiness radiating from them like heat from a toasty warm radiator.
By the time the movie ended, Brittany found herself lying back on the couch, Santana practically on top of her with her right arm and leg draped over her, holding her tightly. Brittany could feel Santana's hot breath ghosting across her neck, which caused goose bumps to rise up and down her arms, as her breathing became slightly more jarred and shallow.
"Britt? What's up? Are you cold?" Santana asksed, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Brittany thought that this was a less embarrassing explanation for her sudden body change than the actual reason, so nodded timidly, the arm around Santana tightening its grip.
"Aww babe, come here!" Santana exclaimed, before literally wrapping herself around Brittany in a warm embrace, both arms firmly around the blonde's waist, her legs enveloping Brittany's. She then tilted her head up, and both girls suddenly realised how close to one another they had gravitated throughout the duration of the movie.
They gazed easily into each other's eyes, and Santana felt her breathing speed up as Brittany reached up with her left hand and brushed her thumb tenderly across Santana's tan cheek. Santana leaned into her touch, closing her eyes and letting out an almost imperceptible sigh of pleasure. She then stared deeply into Brittany's eyes, her expression a mixture of determination and nervousness. Brittany noticed this and took Santana's hand, rubbing it soothingly.
Santana then proceeded to prop herself up on her elbow, smiling slightly at Brittany's endearingly innocent expression.
Neither of them were prepared for what happened next.
Santana leaned forward suddenly, capturing Brittany's lips in a searing, heated kiss. Both girls let out a moan of pure ecstasy, as Santana ran her tongue along Brittany's lower lip, sucking gently on the soft flesh. Brittany then brought her hands to Santana's hair, tangling them in the soft tendrils and pulling gently, while Santana lifted herself so she was fully on top of Brittany, lying in between the blonde's legs as their kiss deepened and took on an air of something more.
Both girls noticed this, this change in the atmosphere. Santana pulled back gently, peppering Brittany's face and neck with light, gentle kisses. Brittany lay back, smiling blissfully, as Santana grinned down at her, noses almost touching.
"So, San. I've got a big double bed in there, and it's rather lonely in there all by myself. Fancy joining me for the night?" Brittany asked, her voice light yet sincere.
"I would love to Britt." Santana answered, her tone thick with honesty and happiness.
She then clambered off of Brittany, standing up and pulling the blonde to her feet in one swift movement.
"Race you to the bedroom!" Brittany yelled, before she ran to the stairs, Santana following, both girls tripping and stumbling as they attempted to control their laughter. They both barrelled into Brittany's room, and Santana had to take a minute to appreciate the sheer beauty of it.
The large, inviting double bed, with its powder blue cover and its array of stuffed animals and comfy cushions; the magazines and DVD's stacked in a bookcase next to the large window; the closet, with the door half open, filled to the brim with unique and fascinating clothes, all which were so obviously Brittany.
"Do you like it?" Brittany ventured bashfully.
"I love it." Santana breathed, before she walked over to Brittany and took her hand, leading her over to the bed.
Both girls fell into the splendour of the cushions and toys, giggling as they threw all unwanted items onto the floor haphazardly. Brittany then straddled Santana, kissing up and down her jaw, eliciting a groan of approval from the brunette.
Santana tilted her head to the side as Brittany went to work on her pulse point, and noticed something that made her pause for a second. The bag. The bag that Brittany had been holding the day she had lost the diamonds. It was sitting in the corner of the room, obviously untouched by Brittany since she used it the other day. Santana's train of thought was soon interrupted by Brittany running her hands up and down her toned stomach, but before she succumbed entirely to the pleasure coursing through her body, she promised herself one thing.
Tomorrow morning, she would retrieve the diamonds. She would get them to Blaine, and then she would leave him and never look back. Then she would come back here, to Brittany, and stay here with the girl who gave her life a new meaning.
Well, that was the plan anyway.
I am SO sorry for the ridiculously long wait for this chapter, as I said, I have been really busy with revising, and I will be unfortunately until my exams are over in a month's time. On the plus side, you guys got a nice big bunch of fluff in this chapter, which I hope made up for the wait! ^^
I know it seems like things have slowed down a bit in this fic, but that's because I wanted to focus more on the development of the relationship between Santana and Brittany. Now that that's done, there will be more of a focus once again on Santana and her mission. There will also be some angst –as always– but hey, we all need a little angst sometimes, right?
Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed/favourited/alerted this fic so far, especially SGAFirenity, you don't know just how much that means to me. I hope you are all enjoying this fic so far, it's been really fun for me to write! :D And don't be afraid to let me know what you think! :)