I want to thank pinkpolkadotslippers, ryappy, Cel, redsoxlover34 and everyonone for your comments. I send a shoutout to these people specificlly because I used your comment in the story... I'm d=so sorry it took me a month to update, and I honestly don't have an excuse. This is a part ! of two. This one is kind of happy compared to the second part which is almost depressing... so enjoy, and let me know. :]

The smell of burnt rubber and fresh rain enters young lungs; as the friction between tires and slick concrete resist each other, forcing the car to come to an abrupt stop. Santana's body jerked forward before throwing her back. The seat belt secured across her body, was the only thing that kept her from being thrown from the car. She parked the car, turned, off its lights and grabbed the safety belt that kept her seated, while suffocating her body, and unbuckled it.

Honestly she forgot where she was and where she was going. All she knew was that she was pissed. Irate. Angry. Furious and anything else you can think of. Taking a second to breathe, all of the nights events flooded her brain causing an internal battle to break out. Part of her wanted to find Ethan and go all Lima Heights on his sorry ass, part of her wanted to go tell the local authorities, and the other part wanted to go back and console her girlfriend.

Every thought that entered her mind seemed like the right thing to do, but would have an awful consequence. If she told the cops, she would be betraying Brittany and could lose her. If she unleashed Snixx on Ethan she could be put in jail, and if she went to Brittany she feared that her girlfriend would continue to defend her pedophile father.

Have you ever been so angry, but felt so useless and defenseless? Stuck in a situation where everything thing you want to do isn't an option? Where all you want to do is yell, scream, throw and punch things, but you can't?

Where there is a battle, there is a victor; where there is a flood, there is water, and when there is nothing left to do, there are tears.

Both hands gripped the steering wheel turning knuckles of tan into ghostly white. Her body stiffened as her arms shook with intensity. Eyelids meet in a tight embrace, keeping the tears locked away.

Once the seal is broken, the battle is lost. Santana wasn't accustomed to losing, but she knew how to pick her battles. Fighting until the end, she bows her head, relaxes her limbs, and opens her eyes.

Tears sprinted from her eyes so quickly you couldn't tell one tear from another. They streamed down to her chin, before jumping to the floor mat, where they soaked into the dark fabric to be forgotten. Santana was no stranger to tears, but she didn't cry often. When you haven't cried for a while it hits you hard. Everything that has been bothering you, since the last time until now, is remembered. Every name you were called, every stare you've received, every finger pointed you're direction, becomes another reason to cry.

After her body settled down, and the tears stopped flowing, she fell into a slumber only one who has cried all night could fall into. The force the rain came down with only helped her fall to sleep faster, relaxing her as her body lie still in the driver seat.

Sleep was short lived, as it was interrupted by a loud thump on her window. Stirring, she ignored it thinking it was thunder. Moments later the noise returned. To irritated to be scared, she rolled down her window and yelled. "What!"

Sleep clouded her eyes; blinking to clear them she noticed who stood outside her door. Looking at the shiny metal pinned to his shirt, that read 'Collins', she realized she just yelled at a police officer. The badged man shined his flashlight throughout the car, as Santana confessed her apologies.

The man laughs and turns the light off. "It's fine. So what's got you out here at this time of night?" For the first time he took a look at the teens face and noticed the dried tear tracks. "…and are you okay?" he said with concern.

Santana was drained, too much so to lie. "It's been a long night."

He nods his head sending beads of rain off of his police issued hat. "I understand Miss, I do hope your night gets better, but I can't allow you to sit on the side of the highway." Santana's head nods in understanding. "Do you think you're okay to get yourself home, or do you want to call someone?"

"I think I can manage, but thanks." The officer tips his hat and returns to his vehicle.

Taking a deep breathe Santana tried starting her car only to remember she never turned it off. She looked at her fuel gauge and wanted to cry again. Before she went to pick up Brittany she had a full tank, and now she has a fourth. She only drove for about 30 minute, meaning leaving her car on burned through most of her gas. Annoyed she put the car in drive and drove off, the same way she parked. Pissed, because gas is fuckin' expensive.

-x-

Home didn't seem like the place to be, so Santana drove to the Lima Bean. She had been alone for a few hours now, and needed human interaction. She thought back to the cop's previous question, and thought if she had to call someone who would it be. Digging into her purse she pulled her phone out and called the first person that came to mind.

"Noble! Boy am I glad to see you." no excitement was in her voice, only relief. Making his way over to her he takes off his coat, placing it on the back of his chair.

Santana pushes a cup of coffee toward him as he replies, "Well, you sounded like you needed me, so here I am." He looks at her taking her in. "…and by the looks of it you really need me." Even though no traces of tears were evident, her eyes were still puffy and a light shade of pink. Her hair looked tangled and still had water droplets falling from it.

He smiled as his face scrunched up in confusion, "You look a mess." He stated bluntly, with a short concealed laugh. His hand extended as he reached for her hair. Santana slapped it away.

"I know." She simply stated, unamused.

Noble seemed intrigued by her hair. His eyes were fixed on it as his hand went back in to touch it. "Really, because you look a hot mess, and not the good kind." He doesn't try to hide his laugh as his hand was slapped away once again.

Santana rolls her eyes and shifts in her seat. Noble takes this as a sign and sits down across from the distressed teen.

"Look, I'm sorry." He gives her a genuine smile. Santana smiles silently forgiving him. Nodding he continued, "So what's up." he brought the steaming liquid to his lips and watched the young brunette over the rim. The smile that once graced her features, dissolved. Placing his cup down Noble could tell that this was serious. "What's wrong?"

Santana straightened her body, looked him in the eye, and took a deep breath. "Well…"

-x-

After about 20 minutes of explaining, Santana finally stopped talking, "…and that's what happened." While she spoke Noble sat quite, nodding occasionally, looking shocked when he found out who Brittany really was, and felling disgusted at Ethan's actions.

"So let me get this right, Brittany is the girl from the supermarket?" Santana nods "She's also your girlfriend?" she nods again. "And her father has been molesting her since she was a kid?" nodding once again, Santana confirms. Noble seemed to be taking this all in. "Okay, so what are you going to do?"

"That's just it, I don't know. I wanted to tell the police, but she doesn't want me to." Santana said irritated at the situation. "It's really not my place, but I promised to protect her and so far I've haven't kept that promise." Noble nods taking another sip of his coffee.

"What about her mom, she must know something."

"Yeah, you would think. If it's been going on for as long as it has, something must have made her question it, but I didn't even notice it." She shakes her head at her statement.

"True, but you're not her mother. That's a common problem now-a-days. People notice a change in behavior, but don't questioned it. Whether it be due to fear, or whatever other reason, they only see what they want, until it's too late."

Santana looks at Noble with sad eyes, "So are you saying I'm too late?"

"No, I'm saying you should do something before it is."

"Okay, and what do you suggest?" As soon as the question escaped Santana's lips, the corners of Noble's turned up into a grin. He just sat there looking at her smiling. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze she looked away, but every time she looked back he's still looked at her smiling.

"Damn Santana, can you ask me why I'm looking at you so I can stop smiling like an idiot?" he says with a laugh and a more natural smile. This causes Santana to smile with him.

"Yeah, Nob. Why are you smiling like an idiot?" she laughs out.

Plastering on his sinister smile once again he replied, "I have an idea."

Santana couldn't help but to feel a little uneasy at the thought. Noble was beyond smart, but sometimes his methods were unconventional.

-x-

The next day Noble texted Santana to be ready for him to pick her up at 9:30. All he told her was they were going on a steak out. Santana spent the day getting physically and mentally prepared for the day's events. As if on cue Noble honks the car horn at exactly 9:30. Laughing at how literal Noble could be, she grabbed her back pack and headed out.

Noble was dressed in his usual attire as if he came over on a whim, but not Santana. Once she sat in the car and shut the door, Noble looked over her outfit. "What are you wearing?" he said obviously amused.

She glanced at her clothes before looking at the man in the driver's seat, "What do you mean? You said we're going on a steak out."

Noble take one last look at the teens black shoes, black jeans, and black long sleeved shirt. "Yeah, I said were going to stake out Brittany's house, not rob it." His laughter boomed through the car, ending as Santana playfully punched his arm. "Okay okay, but what's in the bag?"

Reaching for the bag Santana wraps her arms around it, "I don't want to tell you." Noble looks at the younger brunette and smiles.

"I won't laugh. I promise." Narrowing her eyes Santana looks Noble over. Deciding he's telling the truth she opens the bag pulling out, binoculars, a camera, and a tape recorder.

When Santana looked up at the college student she seen him trying to hold back a laugh. She rolled her eyes. "Go ahead, laugh."

Not holding back Noble started laughing just as before. "Hey, you got any duct tape in there?"

Rolling her eyes again, "Whatever let's just go."

Continuing to laugh he starts the car and pulls out if the driveway before stopping. "Oh wait, you forgot something." No trace of a joke was laced in his words causing Santana to honestly look confused.

She checked her pockets for her phone or anything else she could have left. When she couldn't figure it out she looked to Noble. "What'd I forget?"

"Your ski mask." He said before laughing and taking off down the road.

-x-

In no time they pull up across the street from Brittany's house. Noble turns the car off and reaches into the backseat. He reveals a giraffe pillow pet and a mini teddy bear. Santana looks at him curiously. "And you laughed because I brought binoculars?"

"These have a purpose. You're going to give these to Brittany."

Santana really was confused now, "You're kidding, right." The look on Noble's face told her otherwise. "Why would I give her these?"

"Because it's all part of the plan."

"What exactly is the plan?"

"Can't tell you." He said as he grabs a pen and paper out of the center console. "Here." He handed Santana the paper. "Write, Drear Brittany…"

"Wait, why can't you tell me?"

"Santana trust me, just don't question it."

"But yesterday you said that people need to question things."

Noble rolls his eyes, "Look, have I ever taken you in the wrong direction?" Santana shook her head. "Okay then, trust me." She nods and readies herself. "Dear Brittany, I'm sorry I haven't been there for you lately…"Santana eyes Noble but he just points her back to the paper and continues, "…but that's why I'm giving you these. Little teddy is to watch over you in your room, and…" Noble seemed to be thinking.

"And what?

"I need a name for the giraffe."

Santana shrugs her shoulders, "What about Dan?"

"Dan?" Noble looked at the teen in disbelief. "What kind of name is that for a giraffe? Hmm. What about Stuart?"

"Stuart is the name of a mouse, not a giraffe."

Noble stared a Santana for a second, and then continued. "Stuart is to watch over you when I can't. Take him with you everywhere you go, and he will keep you safe. Love Santana."

Once she finished the note Noble instructed Santana to drop the gifts and the note off at Brittany's front door. She was to ring the doorbell and run back to the car without being seen. She successfully completed her task. Out of breath she got back to the car and shut the door as Brittany's opened.

The tall blonde answered the door with confusion written all over her face. She looked to the left then to the right then down. Her eyes spotted the gifts and instantly she reached down picking them up, squeezing them as she jumped with joy.

Santana couldn't help but smile. Brittany was just so adorable.

Brittany looked back at the ground finding the note. She grabbed it, and read each line carefully. Even though Santana was across the street she could still see how Brittany's eyes lit up at the fact that the gifts were from her.

Running back into her house Brittany shuts the door, accepting the gifts and Santana's apology. In her room she sits 'little teddy' on her dresser so he overlooks her entire room. She bends down and whispers into his ear. "Now Santana said you were going to provide me safety in my room, and I trust her so I'll trust you, even though you look suspicious." She walks away slowly and warns the bear that she'll be watching him.

Flopping onto her bed she grabbed Stuart and placed him on her stomach. "Stuart is it? If you want to protect me like Santana does then you'll have big shoes to fill. Only because Santana has big feet for size." Brittany lies there silently petting Stuart when she thought, "Oh, that reminds me. I should thank her for you."

Reaching down into her pocket Brittany grabs her phone and sends her girlfriend a message.

Down in the car Santana and Noble sit silently waiting. On what? Santana didn't know, so she asked. "What are we waiting for?" after the words left her mouth her phone rang.

"That." Santana was confused but didn't question him. Instead she read the text…

Thank you for Stuart and little teddy, they're really cute just like you xxbrittbrittxx

Santana couldn't help but to smile. She typed out a reply and sent it, before Noble took her phone.

"What the hell?"

"I'm taking your phone. You can't talk to Brittany tonight. We need her to be dependent on Stuart and little teddy."

"Did you hear what you just said?" she looked at Noble who didn't seem to be giving in. Shaking her head she continued, "What if I promise not to, then can I have it back?" Before he could answer the phone rang again.

Noble read Santana message then Brittany's…

I'm glad you like them. P.S Stuart's name is really Dan. –sanlopez-

Dan? What kind of name is that for a giraffe? I like Stuart much better. xxbrittbrittxx

Noble handed Santana her phone while laughing. She grabbed it and read Brittany's message. Her eyes bugged out in disbelief. Her loss for words only seemed to fuel Nobles laughter.

Santana tried to reply, but Noble stopped her, "No talking to Brittany." Santana sighed as she turned her phone's screen off and slid it into her pocket.

Before they pulled away Noble grabbed his phone and sent a text to someone. Santana gave him a curious look. Instead of explaining he winked and drove off towards her house.

-x-

Noble pulled up to Santana's around 10 o'clock. She tried to exit but Noble had one last thing for her to do. "Wait, there's just one more thing I need you to do. Text Brittany and tell her that you'll meet her at her house at 11 and not to leave until you get there."

Santana was on board at first, but now she's just confused. "But I thought that went against your plan?"

"It does, but you won't actually be seeing her." This only further confused her.

"So you want me to lie?"

"Well, yeah I guess I am." Noble could see the concerns that hide in Santana's eyes. "Look at it this way; you're lying to save her life."

To save her life? What exactly is he planning on doing? Noble never lead my down the wrong path before, so I won't question it.

Okay, so that's it for this part… Question time.

What do you think Noble is up to? Do you think he has good intentions or bad? Also I tried to use your reviews in the story… did you catch yours…? Did you like it or no.. Okay so ley=t me know what you think. :]