Ok, right, so I know little Morri was pretty absent in last chapter and also in this one but I figure puppy sitting and teaching her not to pee on a carpet is not really what you guys want to be reading about. But be assured she is there, in the background, quietly chewing her bear!
Now this is the chapter I have had on my head since I began this fic so I hopes you likes….let me know! :)
Brittany had interviews with various magazines and tv shows planned for the morning and the afternoon. Once they were completed she had a few hours booked in the recording studio. It was going to be a busy and full on day for her but at least she was getting to see Santana again.
As always, Santana was waiting outside the hotel for her ready to take her to her first appointment. Brittany walked upto the car and gave her her usual chirpy morning greeting.
"Good morning Santana, how are you today? Did you have a good day off?"
"Morning Ms Pierce. I'm fine thanks and you?"
Brittany gave her a slightly confused look. She couldn't understand why she had just been called Ms Pierce. "Err….I'm well thank you." She climbed into the backseat as Santana walked to the other side of the car. "Santana, are you ok?" Something felt off.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She replied. "You ready?" She asked with her now all to familiar glance into the rear view mirror.
Brittany just nodded her reply. Something had changed. Over the course of a day or so something had changed and she could not place what it was. Was Santana freaked out about having told her she was gay? Was she upset because her manager ruined their moment? Was she disgusted that they had been that close to kissing? All the scenarios were flying through Brittany's mind so fast that she didn't even notice they had pulled up to their first destination.
"Britt?" She finally shook herself out of her own little world. Santana had turned around in her seat and was staring directly at her. How long had she been looking? How many times had she called her? "Are you ok?"
"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. We're here then? I best get my game face on huh." Brittany gave Santana a shy smile and opened her door.
Santana rushed out of the car and around to Brittany. As Brittany went to close the door, Santana reached out to grab the handle. It was part of Santana's job to let Brittany in and out of the car and she didn't want to be anything other than professional that day. As she reached for the handle her hand closed over Brittany's. They both stopped and looked at the enclosed hands. Lifting their eyes to each other they were soon locked in a glare that neither of them knew how to break.
Your so beautiful. Was all that went through both of their minds.
"Uh, sorry." Was all Santana could say as she snatched her hand away. "You best get going, don't want to keep them waiting."
"I'll see you later then." Brittany replied. Her hand was still on the door handle and, if she didn't know otherwise, she would swear she could still feel Santana's hand upon it. She finally let go of the door and made her way inside.
A big part of Santana's job was sitting around waiting for Brittany to finish at her appointments. She didn't mind at all, usually taking the time to read a book or just quietly think about life. But today dragged, Brittany seemed to be in her interviews for hours and hours.
Eventually she spotted the singer making her way to the car. She hopped out and went to open the door for her. Brittany looked exhausted and didn't say anything to Santana as she climbed into the car, she just gave her a tired smile.
Santana gave her usual 'you ready' question but got no answer. "Britt? You ready?" She asked again.
"No." Santana turned in her seat to look at her. "San, do you know the view point up on West Hill? The one over looking the city?" Santana nodded. "Can you please take me there?"
"OK, sure." She turned back around, started the engine and began to make her way to the new destination. She had no idea why Brittany wanted to go there, she was supposed to be on her way to the recording studio. But she wasn't going to argue. What Brittany wanted Santana would give her, no questions asked. Something was clearly bothering her and Santana didn't want to make it worse.
An hour later they arrived at a gravel car park and pulled into one of the spaces that had the best view of the city. Before Santana had a chance to shut off the engine Brittany had got out off the car and had opened the front passenger door to climb in next to Santana.
She quietly sat there, looking down at her clenched hands in her lap. Santana was so unsure as to what to say or do. Brittany was clearly upset about something but what was the right protocol here? She went for the simplest option.
"Brittany, are you ok?" No answer. "Bri…."
"You know Santana, people think life is so simple for me. They think that because of my job life is great. Yes I have the fame, the popularity and more money than I even knew existed but that doesn't automatically mean life is perfect." She turned to look at Santana and saw brown eyes staring quizzically back at here, urging her to continue. "I go to those interviews all the time and get asked the same damn questions over and over and over. 'So Brittany hows the new album coming?' 'Any film rolls on the horizon for you?' 'The new tour sounds like it's going to be great!' Those questions I can deal with, their easy. But then they change, 'so how's the love life Brittany?' 'Oh we saw you with whats his face, and that guy from that film, oh he's so handsome. You must feel so lucky!' GAHHHH! Why can't they leave me the fuck alone?"
"Britt?"
"I just hate it you know. They assume my life is great and that I'm happy but what if I'm not huh? What is despite appearances life isn't as glorious as they think it is? I just want to be happy San, I want to be happy." Again she was met with questioning brown eyes. "Don't get me wrong I'm not ungrateful and I love what I do, I truly do. I could never imagine doing anything else and am grateful for all the help I got to get here but…..but there's always something missing. God I'm sorry, listen to me all wounded and pathetic. I'm sorry Santana, you don't need this."
"It's fine, whatever you need, it's fine."
"Sometimes I just need to vent."
"Don't we all." Santana glanced at her watch. "Look Britt your going to be late for the studio, we best get going."
Brittany again glanced at her clenched hands in her lap. "I don't want to go." She said in a whisper.
"Oh, ok, well I'll take you back to the hotel then."
"No. I don't want to go there either."
"Ummm, then what do you want to do?" Santana asked.
"Take me somewhere." She risked a look at her driver and was surprised by the stunned look she received. "Somewhere….fun and nice and quiet. Somewhere, somewhere where I can forget about me and who I am and what I do. Can you?"
Santana looked at her wondering what to say or do. This was tricky for her. She wanted so desperately to help Brittany, to make her feel better but could she? Should she? The blue eyes piercing her own was enough to make her mind up. She nodded and turned to start the engine. "Put your seat belt on then Ms Pierce." She said as she turned back to Brittany. She spotted a glint in her eye as she turned to grab the belt.
Once Brittany had clipped it in place she suddenly found Santana's hand holding her own. "You know Britt, if something is not right in your life, not matter what it is, you just have to fix it. If you don't know how just find out, and fix it." Santana looked deep into Brittany's eyes as she said the last two words and gave her hand a squeeze. She saw Brittany gulp as she turned back to the wheel, put the car in gear and drove off.
Some time later Santana pulled into a dimly lit parking lot. She got out the car and went around to open the door for Brittany? "Where are we?" Brittany enquired.
"Somewhere where no one will care who you are or bother you, you can just sit back and enjoy yourself." She held onto Brittany's hand and walked her back out to the street and to the doors of a small club, the sign above them reading 'CEDES. "Come on."
Santana pulled them through the doors and into a dimly lit, foyer. "Hey Sam." She greeted the guy at the desk.
"Santana, great to see you. You'll be glad to hear your usual table is free and empty. You going up tonight?" He asked.
Santana shrugged and smiled at him and continued to lead Brittany through another set of doors into a big open room. Again it was dimly lit. There were a tables randomly scatted around the room, all of which with a small lamp in the middle of them. To the left was a bar lining the whole length of the room and in the far right corner was a stage, upon which sat a few instruments and stools.
"What is this place?" Brittany asked as Santana showed them to their table, which was tucked in the back right corner of the room.
"I told you somewhere where no one will bother you. You want a drink?" Brittany nodding and asked for a vodka and coke. Santana gave her hand one last squeeze and left to go to the bar. Brittany watched her the whole time, noticing how she chatted effortlessly with the girl behind the bar. She was clearly questioning Santana about something and Santana shook her head numerous times before she seemed to give in and nod. I wonder what that's about? Brittany wondered.
She wanted to keep watching the interaction at the bar but got distracted by a strum of a guitar. She noticed the man from the foyer on stage with a guitar in his hand and a microphone stand in front of him. He introduced himself and then started to sing.
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Santana returned with the drinks and sat next to Brittany. She noticed the blonde staring at the stage, watching Sam sing. Brittany was engrossed in the song and Santana wasn't even sure if she had noticed her return with her drink. When the song finished she clapped along with the rest of the clubs visitors and then turned to Santana. "Wow, he was good."
"Sam can hold tune alright."
"So is this like a karaoke club then?"
"Ha!" Santana couldn't help but laugh. "No, no not at all. People come here to sing yes but not a karaoke machine in site, Mercedes would flip. No people come here, get on stage and sing and play music. It's relaxed but fun."
"You come here a lot?" Brittany enquired, shuffling her chair slightly closer to Santana.
"Yeah, well sometimes, you know, occasionally." She flustered noticing Brittany was a bit closer.
"Who was that at the bar?" Again she shuffled closer still.
"Oh that's Mercedes. She owns the club."
"Ah. So Santana." She moved a tiny bit closer and laid her hand on Santana's. "Did you bring me here to get me to sing.."
"What, no, no not at all." Santana quickly interrupted her.
Brittany giggled then carried on with her sentence. "Or are you going to get up there and sing?"
Santana blushed and before she could answer Mercedes had taken the mic on stage.
"Hi everyone. It's great to see you all again, lots of familiar faces and some new ones to, always a pleasure. Now a special surprise and I have to tell you I have missed her dulcet tones. Ladies and gentlemen will you please welcome on stage my good friend, the incredible Miss Santana Lopez."
Brittany stared wide-eyed at Santana as she felt her pull her hand out from underneath her own. Santana gave her a shy smile back and got up from her chair and made her way to the stage. Sam was already there with his guitar and Santana adjusted the mic stand as she sat on the stool.
"Uh, hi everyone. It's been a while so excuse the probably rusty voice but, uh…..here we go."
She glanced at Sam and nodded for him to begin. She shut her eyes listening to the guitar and when she opened them she fixed them directly on Brittany and began to sing.
Well I know that I have only ever held your hand
But just one touch is more than enough to understand
There's a master plan
And although I know I don't believe in destiny
Maybe it found me
Brittany could not believe what she was seeing and what she was hearing. She watched Santana sing the words effortlessly, with the most beautiful voice she had heard.
I can see the sun
And I can feel the rain
I can hear the wind call your name
I can feel your love
But there's one thing I can't do
I can't ever get enough of you
Santana always kept her eyes fixed on Brittany. She didn't want to, she didn't want to been seen singing to her but she couldn't help it. The words, the song it drew her to Brittany and there was no stopping it.
There's a tune that plays
It's a sacred sound
It's a symphony I hear whenever you're around
Now my world is filled
With a whisper of love and a promise of tomorrow
Brittany was in awe, absolute awe and totally smitten. Only hours earlier Santana had told her if there was something wrong in her life she should fix it. She was right, she had to fix and telling Santana how she felt would be the way to do it.
Now my world is filled with so many things
But nothing compares to the touch of your skin
There's a symphony
And a melody that plays whenever you're around
I think I've been found
Was she seriously doing this, was she serenading Brittany? Yes she was and the look on the blondes face was telling Santana that she didn't mind one little bit.
I can see the sun
And I can feel the rain
I can hear the wind call your name
I can feel your love
But there's one thing I can't do
I can't ever get enough of you
The song ended and the room erupted with applause and whistles. Santana stood and gave a small bow and a smile to the audience. She turned to pat Sam on the shoulder to say thanks and climbed off the stage, only to be enveloped in a hug from Mercedes. "Don't leave it so long next time ok San." She said.
"I'll try 'Cedes, I promise."
She made her way back to the table, aware that the whole time Brittany's eyes were fixed on her.
Santana sat back down in her chair and began picking at the table. She knew Brittany as still looking at her but she couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with her. Suddenly she felt nervous and stupid as hell. Why did she sing a song like that? Why did she keep looking at Brittany as she sang it? Idiot. She thought.
Without warning Brittany moved her hand to cover the one Santana was using to pick at the table. She kept looking at her but despite the contact Santana would still not raise her eyes to her.
"Santana?"
"I didn't bring you here so I could do that you know. Mercedes practically begged me when I was at the bar and, I do enjoy getting up to sing and it's been a while so." She finally turned to Brittany and looked at her. "It's just a bit of fun, I hope you…" Brittany pressing her lips to hers cut her sentence short.
The kiss was soft, gentle and simple. As soon as Santana felt lips upon hers she lent forward slightly, taking in the feeling and never wanting it to end. But it would. Brittany pulled away slightly and rested her forehead against Santana's.
"Wow." Brittany breathed. "Santana, you are…amazing."
Santana found it hard to speak, hard to breathe even. Brittany had just kissed her. It was short and delicate kiss but possibly the best kiss she had ever had.
"You never told me you could sing." Brittany put her thumb and forefinger on Santana's chin and raised her head so they could make eye contact.
"It's not something I talk about, no one really knows I come here."
"They should. You have the most amazing voice Santana, stunning even. You have stage presence and…my god, you took my breath away." Before she had even finished the sentence she leaned in again to capture Santana's lips in her own. She scooted her chair closer to Santana and wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her in closer still. She began to gently suck on Santana's lower lip, causing the latter to let a small moan escape from her lips.
This only fuelled Brittany into taking the next step, her tongue slowly seeking permission to fight with Santana's. She didn't argue and soon the kiss deepened.
Santana found herself leaning more and more into Brittany and she placed her hands on Brittany's hips to steady herself. The kiss was intense and she felt like the whole room was spinning. But as soon as Brittany's tongue had met her own the room disappeared. She felt like they were the only two in the room, in the universe. She couldn't hear the others talking, or the new singer on the stage. All she could hear was her own heartbeat and the occasional moan, be it Brittany's or her own.
Brittany gave Santana's bottom lip once last nip and pulled away, again resting their foreheads together. The both had their eyes closed and were breathing heavily. Brittany clasped her hand together and held onto the back of Santana's neck.
"Brittany." Santana wanted to know. "What just happened?"
"You told me to fix it, so I am." She opened her eyes and all she saw was deep brown staring back at her. She moved back, removing her hands from Santana's neck.
"Ok." Santana whispered back.
"Maybe, maybe we should go." Brittany said.
Santana just nodded and got up from her chair. Was Brittany mad? Was that a mistake? Thoughts and panic stared surging through her mind.
The exited the club and walked back to the car in silence and both focused on the pavement. Santana unlocked the car and walked round to open the door for Brittany. She turned to see where she was and was gently pushed back against the car. Brittany held her by her hips and looked deep into her eyes, their lips millimeters apart.
"Santana." She kept looking, like she was searching for something in her eyes. "You told me to fix it, so I am." She repeated what she said minutes earlier. And then kissed her again. I was chaste but said a thousand words. "Take me home."
Santana nodded and let Brittany in the car before moving round to the driver side.
The journey back to the hotel was silent. Santana was unsure as to what was happening. How was Brittany fixing her life? What did she mean? Inner turmoil was bubbling up inside. She had always been fairly confident with women, if she found them attractive and it was mutual then it was fair game. But whatever was transpiring with Brittany, she couldn't get her head around.
Brittany broke her out of her trance by taking her hand in hers and smiling at her. A tender smile with a tinge of…..something. Santana didn't know what but suddenly the inner turmoil went. She didn't want to get her head around what was happening. Brittany was hot, she was sweet and kind and sexy and clearly liked her. Why should she worry, screw Jesse, he would never know. She liked Brittany, cared for her and that's all that mattered right now.
She pulled into the hotel car park and Brittany leapt out. Santana panicked, think she was running away but without warning her door flew open and a hand appeared. "Ms Lopez."
Santana giggled and took the offered hand and was helped to her feet. "Will you walk me to my room?"
"Um….I don't kn.."
"Please?" Brittany's eyes pleaded.
"Ok." Santana replied shyly.
She shut her door and locked the car. Brittany clasped hold of her hand and led them inside.
"Thank you for tonight Santana." Brittany said turning to her when the arrived at her door. She now held both of Santana's hands in her own. "It was such fun and just what I needed."
"Your welcome. I glad you liked the club."
Brittany lent in a whispered in Santana's ear. "I loved it." She pulled back and smiled. "Question is will you take me there again?"
"Sure."
"Will you sing again?"
"Probably."
"Will you sing to me again?"
"Uh…"
Again Brittany leaned forward to whisper. "Will you kiss me again?"
She kissed Santana just below the ear and snaked her arms around her waist. "Will you?"
Santana pulled back slightly to look at Brittany. I can't, I shouldn't, it's to much. "God yes." She said quickly before crashing her lips against Brittany's.
She pushed her back until the door was at her back. She kissed her hard and with as much passion as was bubbling inside her. Suddenly Brittany had flipped them and Santana found herself pressed against the door and Brittany's lips attached to her neck. "Oh god, fuck." She mumbled.
She felt Brittany fumbling behind her and suddenly the door opened. Somehow Brittany must have managed to find out her room card and open the door.
Without breaking contact the stumbled into the room and Brittany kicked the door shut behind them.
Yay!