I'll Defend You If You'll Defend Me?
6
Summary: Becky Jackson is trying to survive high school the best that she can. While Santana Lopez is struggling to accept herself and be proud of the person she has become. Can these two people become friends and help each other succeed?
Pairings: Santana Lopez and Becky Jackson. Other pairings: Rachel Berry and Santana Lopez. Brittany Pierce and Santana Lopez. Also other characters have small parts.
It's important to note, that I do not have Down syndrome, but I am "different". I know what it feels like to feel unworthy at time and like no matter what I try to do it's useless.
I hope you enjoy!
~ Maribel Lopez ~
I was sitting in the living room when all of a sudden the front door was swung opened and then slammed shut hard.
"Hello?" I asked because I didn't know who was in my house. It might have been an intruder.
"Hi, Mom," Santana said in an angry tone of voice.
"Mija, what's wrong?" I said as I rushed to her.
"Finn asshole Hudson did something beyond horrible to me and Rachel today during the morning announcements…"
"What did he do?" my temper started to boil. No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it.
"Well, yesterday, after my practice Rachel and I sat on a bench talked about anything and everything. I told her how I came out at dinner last night and that you are so supportive of me and of us. She asked some great questions. I thought so and apparently so did Hudson because he videotaped the whole conversation on his freakin' phone. He said he did it cuz he could. He called me and Rachel 'two nothings'!" my daughter said before she broke down in sobs in my arms.
"Sshh! There, there, honey, it'll be alright…What can I do to help?"
"You're doing a lot now. I know we don't really show emotions in this family, but this really hurt me so I needed to cry so thank you," she said honestly through her tears and deep breaths.
"Santana, look at me," I demanded calmly.
She looked up and into my eyes.
"You can always come to me with these types of things, okay? I am your mother and I want you to be happy. Let's talk this through," I said as I led her to the couch. We sat down and I motioned for you to continue.
"So it was during homeroom, for the morning announcements…I'm so glad B was with me. She and Quinn tried to calm me down in the hallways. I couldn't, ya know, I was too upset…I had to find him," my daughter said, but when she said 'him' she said it in a voice I've never heard before. It was dripping with venom and a lot of hate. I was going to say something, but I chose not to, especially now.
"Ok," I said.
She continued, "I yelled at Brittany, which I was sorry for and will apologize to her later. I demanded to know where he was so Brittany told me…I went into the classroom and told him to come into the hallway. He, of course, refused at first, but when he saw Brittany he jolted up and followed me out of the room. Brittany slapped him and ended the relationship. She ended it, Mom, to support me and Rachel!"
"Did you think she wouldn't?"
"Yeah, I did, and I feel bad about that now. Then Quinn and Rachel appeared. Rachel ran to me and tried to comfort and calm me down. You know what," she said and looked totally into my eyes.
"No, what, mija," I answered.
"I'm not concerned about myself. Sure things are gonna be different especially with Coach Sylvester, but my main concern was Rachel! Isn't that odd?"
"No, sweetheart, it isn't odd…" I started and then said, "It's love!"
She smiled brightly. "Rachel punched Finn in the stomach and called him an asshole. Then I kicked him when he was still down on the floor right before the bell rang."
I smiled brightly. "I'm very proud of you, Santana...you didn't let Snixx come out."
"Oh, she did, but she didn't do any major damage," she said and chuckled.
Then she got serious. "Question for you."
"Hmm," I answered.
"Rachel said that 'this changes everything', what do you think she meant by that?"
"Wow, well, I think, that she knows that you're now going out and that everybody knows it," I started, "I think it's a good thing because now you can publicly hold her hand and show her the affection that you otherwise couldn't."
"Do you think that she'll dump me after a while," she asked meekly.
"Santana, why would you ask that?"
"Because I sometimes feel like people get tired of me after a while. They go away without notice and I'm left with all these feelings and questions."
"Oh sweetheart," I said and pulled her in for a hug, "I'm sorry to hear you say that. And I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel that way. You are an amazing woman, Santana. Anyone would be lucky to have you."
"Thanks, Mami…would it be okay if I took a sandwich upstairs and did homework, made some calls, and went to sleep early?" she asked.
"That's fine. You do what you need to. Just know that I'm here if you need someone," I said and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks," she said as she got up and went to the kitchen.
"Santana," I yelled to her.
She turned around.
"I'm very proud of you," I said confidently and smiled brightly.
"I appreciate you saying that!" she said and smiled shyly.
Then she walked away.
~ Brittany ~
I was in my room, tearing up all of the photos of me and Finn and crying not because we broke up, but because of what he did to Santana and Rachel. My cell phone buzzed. I looked at the caller ID and didn't recognize the number. I picked it up anyway.
I said, "Hello?"
"Um, hi Brittany, it's Becky…Becky Jackson. I wanted to talk to you for a minute if that's okay?"
"Sure Becky, what's up?"
"I feel like a horrible friend," Becky said and started to cry over the phone.
"No, no, don't cry, I've done a lot of that already!"
I heard her sniffle and she blew her nose. "I tried with everything I had to get out of my homeroom and find her, but my teacher wouldn't let me. I was pissed," Becky said, "How is she?"
"Well she's okay, I think. She doesn't care what people think about her. She's more concerned about Rachel," I said honestly.
"Are we talking about the same Santana," she asked and chuckled a little.
"Yeah, actually we are. She really likes Rachel so this change might be permanent," I said.
"Um, does she still want to be my friend?" Becky whispered into the phone.
"Of course, Becky. Santana is a very loyal person who loves her friends. Just give her a call and explained what happened…she'll understand, trust me," I said.
"Ok, thanks, Brittany, I gotta go," Becky said.
"Hey Becky," I said, "Hold onto my number and I'll hold onto yours."
"Cool…night. See you tomorrow," she said and then hung up.
I like Becky Jackson!
~ Becky ~
I got enough courage to dial Santana's number and hit send on my cell phone.
Within two rings I heard, "Hey Jackson, what's up?"
"I am so sorry," I said and started to cry again.
"Whoa, whoa, slow down. Was Puck a dork to you?"
"No, no, I'm not calling about him. I wanted to apologize to you…"
"For what?" Santana sounded confused.
"I tried so hard to get out of my homeroom to come find you…" I started.
"Becky, please don't worry about it…I tots get it!"
"I tried," I repeated.
"I know you did, cutie!"
"How are you?" I asked.
"Well, I'm doing…ya know, I'm actually more concerned about Rachel than myself," she said.
"Wow. This is serious!" I said and smiled.
"Yea, it looks like it," she said proudly.
"Well, I got your back especially with Coach…she's putty in my hands!"
She laughed and said, "Thank you. I think I'll definitely need to do that! She's not gonna be thrilled."
"Thrilled, no…understanding and supportive or as supportive as possible, I hope so," I said.
"Me too, but we shall see," she said.
"I gotta go, San. I wanted to make sure you're okay. Again I am sorry," I said.
"Becky Jackson, don't worry about it, we're cool," she said.
"Great! Night!" I said and hung up.
~ Santana ~
I hung up the phone with Becky and immediately called Brittany.
"Hey San, what's up?" she said as soon as she picked up the phone.
"I just wanted to say, 'I'm sorry' and 'thank you'!"
"No problem. I am sorry he did that. He's a jerk. With that one action I realized that he's not 'the one'. No one gets away with hurting my best friend," Brittany said.
"We're okay," I asked.
"Santana, we're great. Don't worry," she said.
"I wanted to call and say that then. I'm gonna call Rachel," I said.
"I love ya," Brittany said.
"Love you too, B, good night," I said and hung up.
Before I dialed Rachel, I remembered the letter that she gave to me. I dug through my book bag and found it on the bottom. I pulled it out and suddenly got so nervous.
I gently unfolded the letter and read aloud.
My Dearest Santana,
In the few days that we have been getting to know each other, I have come to look at you as my protector. I truly believe that you only want to protect me! You really do care about what I think and my feelings. I truly appreciate this.
I love the way you asked me to be your girlfriend. I can still hear you asking me…
"Be my girlfriend?" you asked timidly.
You were so shy and sweet.
I enjoy seeing this side of you so much, Santana. I love your softer side and the way you care about me. This side of you is what is making me want to be with you. You make me feel beyond special!
Am I falling for you? Yes, I believe that I am beginning to. Hope that doesn't frighten you. I'm just being honest with you and with myself.
I want you to know that I'll always care about you. Who couldn't really? You're an amazing woman, Santana. I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together. I will stand by your side through whatever gets thrown in our way. I'll respect you and cheer you on through your successes and, I'll be there for you through your failures.
I can't wait for the future, for our bright future.
I want everything that you want.
I didn't know who I was before you sang that sweet, sweet song to me. I can't wait to sing to you to express how I feel. In fact, I'll be working on that. So be ready! Haha!
Before I bring this letter to a close, I wanted to thank you for wanting to be with me. I know that it took a lot for you and please always know that I know this. I am honored that you asked me despite you know, stuff. I will never allow those things to stand in our way.
I've always thought highly of you, Santana.
I hope that this journey that we're going on lasts for a very long time…maybe even for the rest of our lives.
I want to sing to you forever!
Yours completely,
Rachel
I folded up the letter and placed it on my bed. I felt something wet on my face and brought my hand up to wipe it away, but stopped myself.
When had I started to cry?
I allowed myself for the first time to fully feel my emotions. I didn't before with my Mom because I didn't know how she'd take it. Now I let the tears fall freely.
Once I had composed myself a little, I picked up the phone and dialed her number.
"Hello?"
"Do you still feel the same now?"
"Well, hello to you too, hold on a second. I want to take this call in private, Dad and Daddy. I'll be right back to explain what happened…"
"Rachel, Rachel!" I yelled into the phone.
"Yes, Santana, you don't have to yell," she said and chuckled.
"I'm sorry. Would you mind putting my voice on speaker so that I can talk to you fathers," I asked.
"You want to?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course," I replied.
"Ok, hold on," Rachel said and hit a button, "Okay, you're on speaker with my Dad, Hiram, and my Daddy, Leroy!"
"Hello, Sirs. How are you," I said as politely as possible.
"Hi, Santana," her Daddy, Leroy said invitingly.
"Santana," her Dad, Hiram, said not so invitingly. I'll have to work on that one.
"So, I think your daughter was telling you about…our day," I started, but Rachel interrupted me.
"Um, yes, I was telling them about our afternoon yesterday and was just about to bring up this morning's incident…"
"May I?" I asked.
"Sure, go ahead," Rachel said and then there was dead silence.
"Um, okay, so you two know about our conversation yesterday," I started.
"Yes, congratulations on coming out, Santana," Leroy said.
"Thank you, Mr. Berry," I said, "During the conversation your daughter and I were having we were being filmed…"
"Filmed?" Hiram interrupted.
"Yes, sir. Finn Hudson," I said with malice in my voice, "was filming our conversation with his phone. I'm surprised the idiot knew how to use it!"
I said chuckled roughly.
"Didn't you see him," Leroy cut in.
"Honestly, sir, I was totally in the moment and was concentrating on everything that Rachel was telling me and what I was sharing with her. I didn't see him or even think to look around us. When I'm in your daughter's presence the world fades away and it's just me and her," I said totally honestly.
Rachel was speechless for a few minutes, but then found her voice to say, "Aww, that's sweet! I didn't think to look behind us either. We were pretty much away from the practice field and the locker rooms."
"So anyway, yea, he took the video and put it on a DVD and gave it to our school's 'television studio'. When I saw what they were broadcasting I was immediately enraged and would have gone absolutely insane if it weren't for my best friend, Brittany, who identified the person behind the phone as her ex, Finn," I continued.
"Brittany dumped Finn?" Rachel asked a little surprised.
"Yeah she did."
"Good for her. So during the airing of the piece I was in my homeroom totally in shock. I didn't know what to believe. Then I spotted Quinn Fabray. She motioned to me to come into the hallway so I did. She informed me that she had nothing to do this incident and told me that she should take me to Santana before she went totally nuts," Rachel continued.
"When I saw Rachel coming around the corner I relaxed a little. I still wanted to beat the snot out of Hudson and I still do, but seeing her come around the corner and watching what she did to him made me so proud and satisfied."
"What did you do, honey," Hiram asked as he demeanor was changing as the conversation progressed.
"I punched him in the stomach and called him an asshole," she said matter of fact.
"That's my girl," Leroy said.
"Girls, I don't necessarily condone violence of any nature, I believe…he had it comin' so good job," Hiram said.
I laughed. "That's pretty much the entire incident. It's important for you two to know that I wasn't concerned for my well being. I could care less about what people will think of me. I was more concerned with Rachel's well being, her reputation, and the possibility of her disappointing you both. I also don't want to be the reason she is subjected to more slushy attacks. Now that everyone knows that we are a couple I don't foresee that occurring, but one never knows."
"Santana, if that's my destiny, I'll take one slushy attack after another because I am very proud of you," Rachel said honestly.
"Thank you," I said humbly.
"Santana, Rachel, we both are very proud of the way in which you handled this pickle. We will support you in whatever actions you decide to take against Mr. Hudson and if you feel it's appropriate we can intervene on your behalf," Hiram said.
"Well, while I appreciate the offer, I think, if it's alright with Rachel, we'll see how things play out tomorrow. I don't plan on bumping into Finn unless it's necessary. And when Coach Sylvester and Coach Beiste find out I'm sure that there'll be consequences on their end for him," I said.
"I agree with Santana," Rachel said, "We'll figure this out together as a couple, but we'll keep your generous offer in the back of our heads."
"Ok, we are going to leave you two alone to chat. Santana, it was a pleasure to talk to you, even though it was because of this incident. Hey, why doesn't Rachel invite you over tomorrow evening for dinner," Leroy asked.
"Um, Daddy, we still haven't had our first, official date, but we'll have her over soon," his daughter told him.
"Mr. and Mr. Berry, it was very nice to speak to you both. I hope to meet you really soon!"
"Santana, it's Hiram and Leroy," Hiram said and chuckled.
"Ok, thank you Hiram," I said.
I heard them walk away from the conversation and Rachel took me off of speaker.
"Hold on, I'm going to my room," she said.
Once she closed her door, she exclaimed, "Holy shit!"
I laughed hysterically.
"How did I do using my 'parental speaking voice'?" I asked and cackled.
"Very good…It kinda turned me on a little," she said and laughed.
"Wow! Really? I'll bring it out more often then…so…"
"So," she repeated.
"Do you still mean everything you wrote? Considering today and all," I asked.
"Santana, yes, I do. What we went through doesn't change anything about how I feel about you. If anything it makes the feelings stronger," Rachel said confidently.
"You still want to be with me," I asked timidly and shyly.
"More than you'll ever know," she replied.
I sighed happily.
Second Author's Note: I know I've posted a lot this past week. It flew out of me. I'll be on vacation for a few days so I wanted to leave some good chapters, I think, for you. Please read and review. I love them, good or bad. Thanks.