A/N: Sorry for the long wait, the Breakup episode really devastased me for some time. I still have hope all couples will reunite someday. Also sometimes real life gets in the way of story creation.

A/N 2: For all previous chapters I changed the character ages to 12. It seemed silly for 10 year olds to date and be kissing already haha. Now all non adult characters are 14 years old, or some 1-2 years younger like on Glee.

2 years later

Great Khan Armory Store
Red Rock Canyon Entrance
Some kilometers west of the Las Vegas strip entrance

As the morning sun climbed up the cloud streaked horizon Finn and Rachel entered through the cellar door and walked down the short flight of stairs, reaching the front counter after a few more steps. He placed his fully loaded duffel bag on the flat cracked surface, nodding at the Asian and blonde girl behind the counter. In the back storeroom another adult Asian lady was doing an inventory of some shelves, checking things off on a clipboard. She glanced briefly at the newcomers then went back to her work, walking around a corner and out of sight.

The four now teenaged people stared silently at each other for a few seconds then Tina lifted up a hinged part of the counter and walked to the other side. She had a big smile and held her arms out in welcome.

"It's about time you guys visited us again."

Finn and Brittany watched as Rachel and Tina hugged each other warmly, all of them were still kind of surprised the two girls had gotten their friendship this far after that big misunderstanding and fight had broke out during their first meeting. Finn and Tina shared a quick hug as Brittany gave Rachel an excited embrace then she and Finn exchanged a high five greeting with their hands held overhead and all four shared a laugh.

Finn unzipped his bag and started laying out all the stuff he wanted to sell. There was scrap metal, wonder glue, duct tape, tobacco cartons, wine bottles, certain medical drugs, a medical brace and surgical tubing. Rachel stepped to his side and put her arm around his waist. The Khan girls went back to their side and watched as more new items appeared out of the bag.

"Hey Finn, thanks so much for bringing us all this cool stuff! I see you're finally taller than Rachel, so how does it feel?"

"Doing good Brittany, Rachel always makes me feel like my head's in the clouds."

The three girls shared a look then Rachel kissed Finn on the cheek.

"Sweet thought partner, but someone's got to keep you grounded too. It's a full time job."

"Thanks for accepting the position, I really appreciate it."

Finn brushed his lips over Rachel's forehead as the Khan girls giggled.

"Get a room already; this is a place of business."

"C'mon Tina, we do some of that fun stuff too. You haven't complained yet."

"But Brittany, not in public. That's kinda too much info for others to know anyway."

"I know you want me, give me a kiss."

"Yes, but later. Mama Khan is in the next room and we have customers."

Brittany laughed then looked at her friends then back at Tina.

"I'll make sure you pay up soon."

Tina and Finn's faces were blushing red with embarrassment but Rachel smiled then rapped her fist on the counter to stop the conversation.

"Tina's right, too much info. You two are cute but let's make a deal already. We have scavenged for many months so we could buy some quality gear. Give them the list Finn."

Brittany and Tina scanned the contents, their eyes opening wide as they read the printed items. There were pistols, submachine guns, assault rifles, various ammo, melee weapons, armor and protective outdoor clothing, more weapons and ammo. The Khan girls looked at each other then back at Finn and Rachel. Tina spoke up first.

"Are you going to invade someone? Where's your army that gets all this stuff?"

Finn smiled at Rachel but shook his head in the negative.

"It's all for Rachel and myself. No invasions, just like to be prepared for anything."

Brittany found her voice again.

"Can I get you two a grenade rifle and a minigun at a discounted price?"

The two partners spoke in unison.

"Don't tempt us."

Two hours later

Remote Mojave House
Some Distance north of the Las Vegas wall perimeter
West of Nellis Air Force Base

Quinn and Sam stood by the front exit door and took one last look at the messy interior of their secret home grown maize (corn) operation. There were plants everywhere; the floors of the previous abandoned house had been torn up with rich soil planted and hydroponics light fixtures installed in various places throughout the one story structure. The only open areas were a fridge with a small amount of food inside, a bathroom and 1 mattress in the small bedroom. Every other free space was filled with growing green stalks. The two Goodsprings teens had started this to supplement their income and have a separate project from their Far Go Traders barter business with their other friends. Their current trade pack animals had been loaded with as much maize as it could carry as the popular vegetable brought quite a fair sale value. They only sold so much at one time to avoid letting other groups know how much they had in stock, it also kept the sale price at a good level.

"Well Sam, I guess that's it. You want to wait outside for the others to get here?"

The blond teen boy gave his female companion a shy grin and gently took her hand in his.

"I like it here just fine; it's too bright out there. You look good in this lighting."

Quinn's breath caught in her throat and her skin pleasantly burned where Sam rubbed his thumb over the smooth skin of her hand. Her forehead suddenly felt sweaty and her body trembled in excitement. The flustered girl tried to form words as Sam leaned forward towards her.

"Quit playing around Sam. We need to get going, I know you're always kidding. Please let go of me and besides, I look gross and dirty. We've been in here working for hours."

"Maybe I like you better this way. We've earned a break, come closer."

Quick shook her head no and quickly tried to think of a way out of this awkward situation. She tried to ignore how her body seemed to be on fire now.

"I know you don't mean anything by this-"

Whatever else Quinn intended to say was lost as she let Sam ease her into the door frame while their lips lightly touched against each other. The amazed blond girl decided to forget any of her previous worries and enjoyed the sensation of finally kissing Sam as their lips pressed together a little harder and he put his other hand up to cup her face. The two teens pulled apart as all the air from their lungs rushed out and their entire bodies felt new powerful emotions forming within them.

"I've wanted to do that for so long Quinn. I needed to tell you just how much you mean to me."

"Oh Sam, you mean the world to me too, I couldn't get through the day without you. I was scared to hope that you felt anything more than friendship for me. Can we do that again?"

"Now you're talking."

The two teens lost themselves in their feelings. They kissed with tenderness and some urgency while Sam put his arms around Quinn's waist. He moved his lips to her throat as she started to breathe more strongly. She gripped his arms with all her strength when suddenly there was a loud knock on the door.

"You guys ready to head out? Rachel and I are all loaded up and ready to protect the shipment."

Sam and Quinn broke apart and took a moment to calm their breathing. The male teen calmed himself down so he could answer the question.

"We'll be right out Finn."

The Goodsprings teens shared a quiet laugh then Sam opened the door and they walked outside. They did a double take when the two blond teens noticed their friends' outfits. Finn wore a dark black police style flak jacket with 4 ammo pouches on the front chest, there were two more ammo holders on a belt around his waist. He also wore a long unfastened duster jacket and a Kevlar helmet on his head but it looked part motorcycle headgear. Finn's eyes were hidden by a pair of black authority style shades. Desert camouflage pants and black steel toed boots completed his clothing attire. A pair of binoculars was in a carry case on the left side of his utility belt. Hanging by a strap over his right arm and head was a Gobi scout sniper rifle; the barrel was face down and attached to his belt by a Velcro strap. His left hip sported a harness style holster for a combat shotgun, and a long knife was in a carry strap attached to his right calf. Finn carried an assault carbine in both hands; the weapon featured a 30 round clip of 5mm bullets, also with .308 bullets for the sniper rifle and 12 gauge shells for the shotgun inside the various chest and belt pouches.

Rachel wore advanced combat armor but it looked like ordinary black leather clothing, her Kevlar plate padding was all concealed inside her zipped up jacket, with some black leather pants and high top black tennis shoes to add to her unique biker chick vibe. She also wore black sunglasses and a smaller Kevlar helmet. Finn had given his 10mm pistol to his girlfriend, which Rachel wore in a holster attached to a belt worn on her right hip. The brunette girl also carried the familiar baseball bat on her back using a shoulder sling, its maple wood polished to a high gloss and the melee weapon had an improved cork core and several sharply pointed nails embedded in the thick part of the bat's hitting surface. To simplify ammo selection Rachel also carried a 10mm submachine gun strapped around her neck and shoulders on a long leather harness rig. The weapon was a comforting weight in the middle of her back, the muzzle pointing down. Her police baton was secured to her left hip, and she wore her bladed gauntlet glove on her left hand.

Rachel glanced over at Finn, wondering why their friends were staring at them without speaking. He took off his sunglasses and squinted at Quinn and Sam.

"What? Glad to see you both. Ready to move out?"

"Yeah dude, I guess. Quinn and I were in the middle of something."

"Sam! It's fine so let's go."

The blond girl's face blushed red which Rachel noticed right away. She hid her smile as the brunette girl took off her shades, covering her mouth with her right hand as the two guys exchanged high fives.

"It's just a short distance to the Triple C Finn. Are we going on some hunting safari too?"

"No Sam, but Burt told me some stuff that came through official NCR channels. There are rogue groups attacking caravans, also random kidnappings occasionally. As your guards Rachel and I take this job seriously. Your load is important, but if anything happened to our friends we would never forgive ourselves."

Thanks dude. Hey take a look at this."

Sam led Finn over to the two animal freight convoy and checked their load out and gear tie downs one last time. Rachel walked over to a flustered looking blond girl.

"Hi Quinn, is something wrong? Can I hug you now?"

The blond girl composed herself and laughed at her friend's assortment of lethal weapons. She held her arms out.

"Let's be careful, please don't stab or shoot me by accident."

Quinn stood still as Rachel eased her arms around the blonde's waist for a friendly hug. The brunette girl winked at her slightly taller gal pal.

"Someone's looking very happy, and I can guess why."

Quinn's face morphed into a goofy smile. Her entire body seemed to radiate new energy.

"When this supply run is over we have to talk. If I don't tell someone I'm going to combust."

"I don't want you to go crazy, just give me the short version now. Is it about you and Sam?"

"Yes, he finally kissed me, and it was wonderful. Sorry, I'm rambling on."

"You go girl, but it's about time Sam stepped up his game. I was worried you would end up a lonely spinster."

"Cut it out Rachel, don't make fun. Please be nice to me, I'm still kinda light headed."

"Qunnie is all starry-eyed, got herself a kissing buddy."

"Please stop, you're embarrassing me now. We'll talk details later."

"Fair enough, Finn and I will get into position and we can head out."

With Rachel walking out front on point and main lookout Sam followed next as he walked in front of the two pack mules while holding their guide straps in both hands. Quinn took up a position a few paces to the left rear while Finn followed behind, taking the right rear position. He slung his assault rifle over his back and started scanning the distant horizon with his binoculars.

Several hours later, late afternoon

Southern Nevada Wind Farm
A few kilometers east of the Gibson Scrap Yard

Santana and Claire stood facing each other amid the rusting clusters of long abandoned and mostly non functional windmills. A few slowly turned as the breeze filtered through the nearby mountains and blew across the desert plains towards the two people. When the two girls had arrived they went inside the nearby maintenance shack to have some needed water, a light snack of fruits and the Latina's ever present protein power bars. Now that their meal was digested they were ready to continue. As far as Claire was concerned all her melee, weapon and survival training was just Santana looking out for her as a close friend and personal companion, which only made the black haired Hudson sibling fall even harder for the beautiful Latin girl. Her still developing teen body now featured much defined and toned arms, back and abs of firm muscle. She looked over at Santana and let herself enjoy a brief daydream of their previous times together.

"Claire Hudson, what are you thinking about? I'm teaching here. You've been a great student but never lose your focus when outside of safe areas. Am I boring you?"

Claire gave her Latina friend her most winning smile and brushed back a few stray strands of dark hair from her face.

"Of course not San. You're a great teacher and friend, it's just I ate too much, not on top of my game today."

"Why didn't you say something before? Let me check you out."

Claire held her left hand over her stomach and bent over slightly as Santana moved close to make her guess as to what the problem was. When the Latina girl moved just so and turned her body to the perfect position Claire made her move, putting on a burst of speed. Claire bent at the waist, grabbing Santana's arm and flipping her over the injury faking girl's head to land in a tangled heap on the ground. Santana's face showed total surprise as the other girl backed away while letting out a series of joyful laughs.

"You should see your face, San. That was totally worth it."

"Oh Claire honey, you are going to get it now."

Santana seemed to leap to her feet and slowly edged closer to Claire's grinning face and location, both girls changing their bodies posture into a combat stance. Claire used her leading hand to wave Santana closer to her.

"Make your move then, I love it when you talk dirty to me San."

The Latina did a martial arts yell as she launched a series of hand chop attacks and side kicks, trying to knock her opponent's legs out so Claire would fall down. Her initial attempts were easily blocked or thwarted, but as Santana calmed down she assessed the situation and changed tactics. She feinted a series of arm strikes to Claire's shoulders and followed with a back spinning roundhouse kick that was easily ducked. The Latina dropped her arms to her side and shook her head.

"Damn girl, I give up. I can't teach you anymore, it seems I am the student now. Congrats Claire, you've graduated. Give me a hug."

Claire screamed with joy and launched herself into Santana's arms, surprising both of them with the intense feelings that were stirred up inside their bodies. As the girls separated Santana spun Claire around and grabbed her by the waist with both hands, pulling them both to the ground. The Latina sat on the other girl's legs and tickled her stomach relentlessly, causing Claire to laugh uncontrollably. Santana leaned forward and pinned Claire's arms to the ground while the Latina's face hovered just a few inches above the dark haired girl with the red highlights. Both girls processed with a distant corner of their minds just how intimate their current position was but chose to ignore that fact for the moment. The two teen girls were breathing hard now as Santana blew out an excited breath.

"A good teacher never tells their students everything. You have to find some things out for yourself."

"Like what? Show me San."

"You want me too? How much?"

"Please San, I need it."

Santana looked at Claire's pleading face, heard her yearning tone of voice and her mind and body was engulfed in fire. The Latina leaned down and captured Claire's lips with her own, two years worth of pent up feelings and desire compressed into a twenty second frantic kissing make out session. Santana's body coursed with new intense explosions of pleasure but her tiny fragment of sanity forced its way into her mind and she realized just what she was doing and doubted for a second if it was right or wrong. The girls broke apart with twin gasps of expelled air as the Latina flung herself sideways off her best friend and rolled over on her back. They both panted for fresh gulps of air as sweat beads broke out on their foreheads and bodies.

"I'm so sorry Claire; I don't know what came over me. Please forgive my actions."

"No, don't do this Santana, I wanted you to kiss me, I've wanted that for so long, I didn't know how to tell you. You're my best friend but I'm in love with you as well."

"Say what? Of course you love me; I love you back, best friends forever."

Claire moved closer but stopped short of physically touching the shaken Latina girl.

"You heard me right. Of course I love you as a friend and person but I'm in love with you, like romantically. This is all new to me too, but all I can think about is kissing you, making you happy."

Santana rolled away and got to her feet.

"This is too much to handle, I can't take it, got to think."

Claire noticed Santana's terrified expression as the Latina teen started sprinting away from her, heading to the southwest towards the ruins of Interstate 95.

"Wait! Talk to me, don't leave!"

Claire pushed herself to her feet as the feelings inside her body shifted between total rejection and hurt to barely suppressed hopeful emotions of unbounded love and affection. She wanted to give Santana time to process everything but she would not be abandoned like a spare piece of equipment. She ran after the fleeing form of her love but she had already turned the corner of the main building and the interval between them was increasing.

Some distance away but not too far Santana heard Claire yelling at her to stop running but she raced onwards, her only thoughts were complete confusion and terror. She did not know who she was supposed to be anymore, everything was alien and turned upside down. While all this was happening and Santana pumped her adrenaline filled legs towards the west full twilight was creeping upon the desert, the sun's last rays were starting to disappear over the horizon. There was maybe 10 minutes of light left. A few minutes later Santana braked to a stop, gasping for air. She quickly turned and looked back the way she was running from then a terrified scream pierced the still airwaves. The Latina's excellent vision detected Claire backing away slowly as a pack of mutant feral coyotes started to box her in from all sides and close in for the kill. A strong dose of pure fear and overpowering feelings of love and desire to protect this girl rose up in Santana's heart. She pulled her laser pistol from her belt holster and ran towards the developing tragedy that was unfolding.

"Claire, hang on, I'm here!"

Older characters mean more intense and adult feelings/situations. All those raging teen hormones are out of control haha. Thanks for reading and please let me know your thoughts with a review.