Santana and Quinn walked out to the soccer field, ready to begin another season. Santana and Brittany had joined the team back in sixth grade and had convinced Quinn to join in seventh grade. By their freshman year, the three were on the varsity team. As sophomores, they had been a part of the starting line up. Now, as juniors, Santana and Quinn were co-captains. Neither girl had brought up the fact that there was supposed to have been a third captain that year, and they were hoping that their coach didn't either. They began getting loose, kicking the ball between them, while they waited for the coach and the rest of the team to arrive. Santana was a forward midfielder and Quinn was a defensive midfielder. Brittany had been a forward and together they were a machine. They were totally in sync with one another. They automatically knew where each other would be when passing the ball. Santana was trying not to think about having get used to playing with another forward. "Lopez!" Santana turned when she heard her name being called and saw the coach jogging toward them.
"What's up, Coach?" the Latina asked. The rest of the team filed onto the field.
"I found you guys a new forward. I saw her play and she's really good. She's with the assistant coach right now getting a practice uniform. I want you to go up against her one on one." the coach said. Santana nodded her agreement and (along with Quinn) proceeded to lead the rest of the team in the warm up while they waited for their new teammate to arrive. Just as they had finished their usual two lap warm up run, the coach called them over to her. "Okay guys. As you know, we lost Pierce. But I've found her replacement. Let's welcome our new forward, Rachel Berry." the coach said. Santana looked up from her water bottle in shock. She barely processed the coach motioning her to take her spot for one on one and only moved once Quinn pushed her in the direction. She stood next to Rachel while they waited for the mini field to be set up.
"Why didn't you tell me that you play soccer?" Santana asked as their teammates set up the cones.
"I don't believe you ever asked." Rachel replied, smiling.
"I distinctly remember us talking about the fact that I play." Santana pointed out. Rachel shrugged. Santana grabbed the ball she was being offered and set it on the ground.
"Want me to go easy on you?" Santana asked, looking at Rachel.
"I think I'll be fine." Rachel replied, waiting for the whistle to blow. When it did, Rachel easily won possession and went to tap the ball in the mock goal. She turned around a shot Santana a sweet smile. Rachel beat Santana 5-4.
"Got anything to say Lopez?" the coach asked. Santana jokingly bowed to her girlfriend.
"The girl has game." Santana admitted, earning a wide smile from Rachel. "Welcome to the team, Berry." Santana said. The team went through several agility, running, and ball control drills before spending the last thirty minutes of practice scrimmaging. Santana had to admit that Rachel was good. She was the only one who hadn't missed a single shot when they worked on their shooting. Quinn and Santana had each missed one. The team had no problem adjusting to having Rachel around. When they split into their usual groups for scrimmaging, Rachel was told to go on the team that Santana wasn't on. As it was the first day of practice, the coach was a bit more lenient so when Santana caught Rachel's gaze, she blew her a kiss while leaning down to tie her cleats. Rachel blushed and Santana smirked. Still wanting to mess with her girl, she continued attempting to distract her. As she stood up., Santana flirtatiously waved at Rachel, sending a flirty smile her way. The whistle blew, breaking the spell, and Santana quickly got in the game. She ran up and guarded Rachel, who had the ball.
"You know, you're really sexy when you're working out." Rachel said. Santana stood straight up, forgetting where she was, and Rachel easily went around her. Santana turned around and sprinted after the girl. When she caught up to Rachel, she grabbed the diva by the waist and pulled her way from the ball. "Q, get the ball!" Santana said, laughing as Rachel tried to get out of her grip until a whistle blew. Still holding Rachel in the air, Santana looked over to see her coaches laughing.
"Lopez, set Berry down." her coach said, smiling. Santana grinned and gently put Rachel back on the ground.
"Were you trying to keep the ball?" Santana asked. Rachel rolled her eyes and nodded. "Oh my god. I am so sorry. I hope that I didn't mess you up, Rach." Santana said. Rachel smiled and laughed along with the rest of the team. The coach blew the whistle to allow them to start playing again. Still grinning, Santana gently rested her forehead on Rachel's, quickly kissing the smaller girl before running to help her team out. After practice was over, Rachel collapsed onto one of the benches that was near the field. She instantly smiled when she felt a pair of hands gently massaging her shoulders. She rolled her head back and smiled up at her girlfriend.
"Hi." she said. Santana smiled down at Rachel and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Hi. How's your wrist?" Santana asked, gesturing to the still wrapped wrist. Rachel looked down, before looking up and smiling.
"Better every day." she said Santana nodded.
"I bet its because of who's taking care of you." Santana replied with a smirk.
"Yea. That's it." Rachel said, smirking as grabbed her water bottle and drank from it before offering it to Santana, who declined. Rachel started to speak, but Quinn walked up.
"So S, what'd you think of that new girl?" Quinn asked, smiling at Rachel.
"She was pretty hot. I may have to ask her for something on the side, if you catch my drift." Santana said. Rachel rolled her eyes and chuckled as Quinn fake-gasped.
"But what about Rachel?" Quinn asked. Santana shrugged.
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her." Santana said, winking at Rachel.
"Go ahead. Have your fun. I was going to tell you." Rachel said. Santana laughed as she continued massaging the girl.
"You're lucky that you showed up when you did." Santana said. Rachel raised an eyebrow. "I had recently made it a rule that the new girl gets the opportunity to be carried to the locker room by the hot Latina co-captain." Santana explained. Rachel smiled as Santana removed her hands from Rachel's shoulders and walked to the other side of the bench, lowering herself so that Rachel could get on her back. While the group made it's way to the locker room, Rachel nuzzled her face into the Latina's shoulder. They'd been together a week and Rachel had never been happier. "You know, you're pretty good." Santana said. Rachel smiled, gently pulled the girl's head back by her ponytail and kissed the walking girl.
"Thanks. So are you." Rachel replied. Santana was about to respond when Quinn tapped her arm before pointing out a group headed towards them.
"Who are they?" Rachel asked. Santana sighed.
"Their stars of our rival team. They never know when to shut up." Santana said.
"Except for that one time." Quinn interjected. "What happened?" Rachel asked, resting her chin on Santa's shoulder.
"One time, Brittany had decided that she had enough of them, so when we were filling up the water jugs before a home game against them, she put pickle juice in the jug instead of the lime Gatorade we were supposed to put in there." Santana said. Rachel laughed. "Yea… when Coach asked her about it, she said that she was worried they would cramp up and wanted to be prepared. They didn't really mess with her again." she explained, plastering on a fake smile as they arrived. "Hey Callie…" Santana said, not letting go of Rachel. If she ever needed the diva, it was then. "Lopez. Fabray. Who's the new one?" Callie asked. Santana looked up at Rachel. "Don't worry about it," Santana said, slightly tightening her grip on the diva's legs. Callie shrugged. "Oh hey do you remember my older brother?" Santana asked. Callie nodded slowly. "He said a couple of his friends were looking for cheap entertainment and I immediately thought of you guys." Santana said. Quinn snorted, but Santana continued. "They need to know though… do you guys charge by the hour or by satisfaction?" Santana asked, faking curiosity. Rachel rolled her eyes and hid her smirk in her girlfriend's shoulder. Quinn, however, wasn't able to disguise her laughter.
"Santana! That's so rude!" Quinn fake chastised. Santana shrugged as if to say, And your point? "Besides, it's a stupid question." Quinn continued. Rachel lifted her head from Santana's shoulder and decided to join in.
"Whatever do you mean, Quinn?" Rachel asked, resting her head on Santana's. Santana smirked before squeezing the girl's leg in appreciation. Quinn smiled sweetly up at Rachel.
"Well, Rachel, they have to charge by the hour. If they charged by satisfaction, they'd never get paid." Quinn explained. Rachel didn't even try to hold back her laughter and she soon heard her girlfriend joining in. "And obviously that isn't the case, because you can't buy clothes like that cheap. I'm pretty sure its like a rule that the less fabric used on an article of clothing, the more expensive it is. Those outfits must have cost a fortune." Quinn continued. Santana almost dropped Rachel because she was laughing so hard.
"What are you three doing here anyway?" Santana managed to get out.
"We just came to make sure you guys are ready to get your asses kicked." she said. Santana growled and gently set Rachel down.
"Shut up, Callie." Quinn said as Rachel tried to calm her angry girlfriend down. Callie rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Without Pierce you guys don't stand a chance." Callie said. Quinn rolled her eyes. "I know its going to be extremely hard for you, Lopez. I mean, everyone knew about you and Pierce." Callie continued. Santana growled, pulled from Rachel's soft grip and got in Callie's face. "What are you gonna do, Lopez?" Callie dared. Santana turned around and saw Rachel's face, knowing that the pain on the diva's face was caused by the mention of Santana and Brittany together. Slowly, Santana turned back around to face the visitor.
"Shut up. That new girl? She's my girlfriend. And if you ever cause the smile to leave her face again, I will destroy you." Santana said. Callie smirked.
"Are you threatening me?" she asked.
"No. No, I am promising you." Santana growled. Callie scoffed.
"See you on the field, Lopez. Hope you can protect your girlfriend as well as you think you can." Callie said before walking away. Rachel walked over and put a hand on the taller girl's arm.
"Hey." she whispered. Santana turned around and Rachel brushed some hair out the Latina's eyes. "Are you okay?" Rachel asked. Santana nodded.
"I can't wait until we play them in a week." she said. Rachel nodded and looked down.
"Babe, I am so sorry about that." Santana apologized. Rachel looked up from the ground.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Rachel said. "She brought up Brittany." Santana said. Rachel smiled and took Santana's face in her hands
"But you didn't. I'm okay. Thank you for defending me." Rachel said. Santana nodded.
"I'll always defend you, Rach." Santana promised, before allowing Rachel to return to her spot on the Latina's back and the three continued to the locker room.
"We'll get them back next week, S." Quinn said. Santana nodded. "What do you think she meant by hope you can protect your girlfriend?" Quinn asked. Santana felt Rachel tense and glared at Quinn.
"Q! Really?" Santana yelled. Quinn looked up and saw the look on Rachel's face.
"Sorry, Rach." Quinn said.
"Its okay." Rachel whispered. Santana looked up at Rachel.
"You'll be fine. I'll protect you." Santana said. Rachel nodded.
"I know you will." Rachel said.