A/N: Oh my, this chapter is LONG. I really wanted to split it into two but I'm going away tomorrow for 8 days and won't be able to post till I come back so I figured I'd just give you guys one that's kind of super long instead, hopefully it's not too much. You'll notice time moving forward a bit here and you can keep expecting that to happen a bit after this. One reason I'm kind of glad this is all out in one shot is that I think it really closes out on some of the first half storylines I had planned out so I can move on to some new things.
I'll be without any real internet while I'm away, but I'm going to be writing so hopefully we'll be moving along when I return! I've got the rest of this story pretty much totally outlined and even have a couple of one shots and a shorter sequel I want to tag on so hopefully you guys stick around. Apologies if it's a little choppy at the end at all, I was in a bit of a rush and didn't have a chance to double check it. As always, thanks for all your kind comments and for the alerts/favorites. I hope you enjoy!
"Hey Berry, can we talk?" Santana asked, sitting on the couch before she left for band practice.
"I guess." she said, with a dramatic sigh as she paused the tv.
"Finn came here today." Rachel's eyes widened and she sat up a bit.
"What?" She nodded.
"He didn't have enough stuff I guess so he stopped by to grab a few things."
"He purposely came over when I wasn't around?"
"Well he had the feeling you didn't want him around."
"He said that?"
"Christ Berry, can I tell the story?" she snapped with frustration. Rachel nodded.
"Anyway, he stopped by to pick up a few things and he told me that you hadn't called him at all. He seemed pretty upset about it. He figured you'd have at least reached out by now. So I'm just wondering, what is your problem?" she asked and Rachel scowled.
"Excuse me?"
"Finn loves you." she said bluntly. "He's clearly broken up about it and sorry that he lied but I think he felt like he was stuck. Now, I told you this the other night, but since you'd already inhaled half a handle of tequila by that point I'll say it again in case you forgot. You should put yourself in his shoes for a minute. From what Britt told me, this is what he really wants to do."
"It's just...not how I pictured my life." Rachel said sadly.
"Well boo fucking hoo Rachel." Santana said. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to give you a little tough love here before you sail any further down the river of self pity." Rachel looked up at her with surprise. "Life doesn't always turn out exactly the way everyone planned, so maybe you should take a step back and realize how lucky you are. You're in the city of your dreams, in the school of your dreams and living with the boy of your dreams. And he was so worried about your feelings that he made a dumb mistake and lied to protect them. He's actually showing a passion towards something, which is something you've been moaning about since we got here and it's something that's actually pretty fucking noble. So take your head out of your perfect fantasy and start living in reality. Because honestly, it's not so bad." Rachel swallowed.
"I just..." she said, tearing up. "I don't feel like I can trust him. You wouldn't be happy if Brittany lied to you. And would you want her running into burning buildings to save total strangers while you sat at home wondering if she was okay?" Santana sighed and took a breath.
"Listen," she said in a much gentler tone, "I would absolutely hate it if Brittany lied to me about anything and I'd be pissed. But given the circumstances and the reasoning, I'd like to think I'd realize that she wasn't doing it to be malicious and be able to let it go. And as far as the job choice?" Santana shook her head. "I'd hate it. I'd hate it and I'd probably be upset, but ultimately, I could never stand in the way of what she'd want to do with her career. You have your happiness Rachel, you need to let him have his." Rachel nodded and wiped a tear.
"Why are you trying to help me?" she squeaked. "I mean, you were mean just now but I think ultimately this is you trying to be nice."
"I'm helping you because you helped me. When Brittany and I were fighting you got her to talk to me. And because I can't stand living in this house of misery anymore. You are clearly miserable and it's draining to be in the same room as you. More so than usual." she said with a sigh. "I'm not expecting you to run and talk to Finn right now, but at least think about it because you've been sitting here for 3 days and I don't think you've even started to see the other side of the argument." Rachel nodded.
"Yeah..well, you're right in that I still have some thinking to do about Finn. Thanks Santana."
"Whatever." she shrugged, getting up and walking towards the door. "Oh but Berry?"
"Yes?"
"You should really think about what I said about Brittany the other night." she shrugged on her jacket. "She definitely isn't the enemy here. She was just trying to do right by Finn, and I think you know that." she said, picking up the case of beer at her feet. "See you later."
"Hey." Rachel said, placing her things down on Wednesday afternoon as she saw Brittany typing a paper at the kitchen table.
"Hey." Brittany looked up with a small smile. "How are you?" Rachel just sighed and sat across form her, shaking her head.
"I don't know. My life is just a mess right now." Brittany pouted sympathetically.
"I'm sorry." she said softly.
"No, Brittany, actually I'm sorry. I was taking my anger with Finn out on you." Brittany just smiled and shrugged.
"Don't worry about it Rachel. I get it. Really, I do."
"Santana actually pointed out to me the other night how loyal you are, and I understand that. I took it as an offense against myself, but I know you were just helping Finn."
"I just didn't want to betray his confidence." Brittany assured. "But you're my friend Rachel, I'd never keep anything from you that could really hurt you."
"Thank you." Rachel smiled. "I appreciate that. So we're good?"
"We're good." she smiled and stood to give Rachel a quick hug. "Seriously, I understand and I know you were just emotional and I get how it must have looked. But I'm glad you understand now." Rachel nodded. "How about Finn? Do you forgive him?" she asked cautiously and Rachel sighed heavily.
"I don't know." she said, looking at her hands as she thought. "Santana made some really good points yesterday and I was thinking about it...but I just don't know. I need to give it another day, but I did text him today just to open the door." Brittany looked at her with confusion.
"Were you locked out?" Rachel looked confused, but then realized the implication.
"No, I mean, opened the door metaphorically. The door of communication."
"Oh!" Brittany said with a smile. "Good!"
"I was debating calling him tonight but he has work until 6 and I have the theater group at the same time, so I guess maybe tomorrow. We'll see." she shrugged and Brittany nodded.
"Well for what it's worth he's pretty sad and he's been trying hard to respect your space." she shrugged. "I know it's complicated but he loves you."
"Yeah well, sometimes you have to consider a lot more than love in a relationship." Brittany frowned, fiddling with the paper of her book. "Anyway, I better go get ready for my group. I'll see you later."
"Okay." Brittany said, thinking a few moments about what Rachel had said last before sighing and returning to her paper.
"Hey do you want to like go for drinks tonight?" Santana asked on Friday morning as they got ready. One of Brittany's co-workers had asked to switch Friday for the Sunday night and since he'd helped Brittany last time, she easily agreed. "That chick Lisa from my history class that I got partnered with on that debate works at that place on the corner of MacDougal and she offered a few drinks on the house. I thought maybe we could do a quick happy hour and come home and order food and watch crappy TV." Brittany smiled, placing her toothbrush back in the cabinet.
"That girl you had lunch with the other day?"
"Yeah, she's pretty cool. She seems nice, I mean like I said, she offered me free drinks so." Santana shrugged.
"Sounds perfect. Might as well take advantage of me being off." she smiled, kissing Santana sweetly and resting her hands comfortably on her waist as she leaned back against the sink. "Plus Finn is coming over to talk to Rach tonight."
"Oh yeah?" Santana asked with curiosity, thinking maybe her conversation with Rachel got somewhere. She pulled her arms up around Brittany neck, playing with her ponytail gently.
"Yep! He texted me and told me she called him last night and asked if they could talk. He sent her flowers." Brittany smiled and Santana smirked. "What?"
"I told him to do that."
"You're such a closet romantic." she laughed, tickling her side. "Happy hour is perfect though, because he'll be here at 5:30."
"Ugh," Santana sighed, "this is why sometimes I wish we weren't living with another couple." she shook her head. "Maybe we should find somewhere for dinner too."
"We can just go grab something cheap and easy if you want."
"Yeah, I mean, give them some time to talk and save us from sitting through the agony of any more of that conversation. This whole ordeal is like sitting through a bad movie, except it never ends." Brittany just smiled and leaned in to give her a quick kiss. She shook her head.
"I love you." she said gently and Santana gave her a questioning smile.
"I love you too." she said, reaching up to kiss her. "Not that I mind, but where did that come from?" she asked, softly.
"Nowhere really." Brittany said with a grin. "It sounds silly I'm sure, but sometimes I just get like," she shrugged, "overwhelmed with how happy I am that I'm here, living with you. It just feels like I'm getting everything I ever wanted." Santana shook her head.
"That doesn't sound silly at all." she whispered as she leaned forward to kiss her passionately. Brittany moaned at the contact, her hands sliding to Santana's back where she grabbed a fistful of shirt with one hand and brought the other to rest at the small of her back, pulling her closer.
Santana deepened the kiss, pressing Brittany further against the sink and dropping a hand to run down her side as the other caressed her face. They kissed with abandon for a few minutes until Santana tugged gently at the hem of Brittany's shirt, dropping her other hand so that she could run both up underneath it and slide it off. Brittany's hands naturally fell to fiddle with the button of Santana's jeans.
"Brittany!" Rachel yelled, bursting into the room and they popped apart instantly in surprise.
"Since when don't you knock midget?" Santana asked angrily. "That's always been like the numero uno rule in this house!"
"Since I've been knocking and calling Brittany for 5 minutes and there's no answer!" she looked up at Brittany. "We're going to be late, it's 9:10!"
"No answer means don't barge in!" she growled.
"Sorry, we just got-"
"Caught up in your constantly raging hormones, I can see." Rachel said angrily. "God, get a grip and grow up." she stomped out and Santana scowled, moving to follow her and opening her mouth to say something only to be stopped by Brittany pulling her arm back. Santana looked at her and she just smiled and rubbed her thumb over her hand.
"Don't." she said. "She's just upset about Finn and lashing out. It sucks living around a super happy couple who are all over each other when you're in a relationship crisis. I'm sure you remember being around them when we were fighting." Santana sighed and rolled her eyes. "With any luck it'll be over soon!"
"Fine."
"Brittany!" Rachel yelled. "I'm leaving without you in two minutes!"
"Be right there!" Brittany yelled, pulling Santana by the wrist and kissing her once more. "I'll text you."
"Okay, have a good day. See you tonight." she smiled, as Brittany grabbed her things and headed into the room, apologizing as she went.
At 5:20 Finn walked into the apartment and found Rachel sitting on the couch reading. He gently put his bag down and hung up his coat before walking into the living room further.
"Hi." he said.
"Hi." she said, folding over the page of her book and putting it down.
"I'm sorry I'm a little early."
"Don't be silly, come sit." she said, patting the couch where he sat facing her, unsure if a kiss hello would even be welcome.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I'm good, but I've been busy with the theater group. They're doing a production of Les Miserables." He nodded and smiled.
"That's cool, you must love it."
"I do...how are you?" He shrugged and smiled tightly.
"Eh, I'm...just you know..." he trailed, stretching his arm out along the back of the couch.
"So..."
"So..." he said and she smiled.
"Well first of all, thank you for the flowers, they were very sweet. As was the card."
"I'm glad you liked them." he smiled before turning serious. "I really am sorry Rachel. I honestly wish I could take it back. I shouldn't have kept that from you, especially not for as long as I did." She nodded.
"It really hurt, that you felt you couldn't trust me." she sighed. "But I guess my reaction to your news proved your theories to be exactly right." He just looked down, taking a breath.
"I know it's not something you like Rachel. I know it's not what you envisioned for me or us." he said, looking back up at her. "But it's something that I really want to do. I'm not going to keep pleading my case on why, you've heard it enough. But I think it fits me and I really can see myself happy doing this." She nodded slowly, processing.
"I understand. Well, I mean, part of me doesn't but part of me is starting to." she admitted. "I get that you want to be a hero too. It's just really hard to accept the idea of you running into fires on a regular basis."
"Yeah...I get that. I really do. And I know it's a lot to ask and it's going to be stressful, but I'm asking you to put your faith in me on this one. When I first took the test, I wasn't sure, but now that I actually did well...I can't see myself doing anything else."
"Did you do really well? she asked, with a slight smile and he couldn't contain the grin that spread across his face.
"I actually did. I'll probably be called in the next class."
"When would that be?"
"Not too sure but sometime early next year is the rumor." She frowned a little.
"That's soon."
"Well, there will be 6 months of training, but you get paid for it all. I mean, I'm kind of pumped at the thought of having a full time, real job in a few months to be honest. It gives me some stability."
"True." she said and shook her head with a sigh. "You really have your heart set on this don't you?"
"Yeah...I really do."
"Then I guess I can't stand in your way." he frowned but she smiled and grabbed his hand reassuringly.
"I just mean, I'm not going to stop you. It was silly of me to demand that you not take the job you want." He let out a breath of relief and swallowed hard. "I'll support you in this, like you've been supporting me in getting to where I want to be."
"Thank you." he smiled at her. "I'm so glad to hear you say that. It means everything to me to have you by my side Rach."
"It's going to take some time...for me to fully come around to this, but I'm getting there. I just need to ease into the idea a little."
"I understand."
"Just promise me you'll be as safe as you can be okay?" she asked through unshed tears.
"Of course." He moved closer so he could put an arm around her and kiss her forehead gently. "Of course. I promise. And from now on I promise I won't keep any secrets from you, even if I am scared of how you'll react, okay?" she nodded and leaned her head into his chest.
"Good, because if there's anything these past few days has taught me it's that I don't want to do this all without you."
"Me neither." he said, lifting her chin, and wiping a stray tear before leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. "Shh, don't cry anymore, it'll be okay." she nodded.
"I know, I'm just relieved. With you being gone, everything felt so real."
"Does this mean I can come home now?" he asked. "I mean Jeff's is great and all but his couch is gross." she laughed.
"Of course." she said, as she ran her hand along the back of his neck. "I love you. And I'm really glad your home. I don't think I could have taken another day here without you."
"Me too. I really missed you." he admitted. "And I love you too, so much." he said, leaning forward once more to capture her in a much more passionate kiss.
"Mmmm, I've missed that too." Rachel giggled between kisses as the relaxed back into the couch and continued to get reacquainted.
"Come on, enough waiting, what can I get you?" Lisa asked from behind the bar with a smile. It was 6:25 and Brittany was 25 minutes late. "Anyone who leaves a pretty girl at a bar alone can catch up by themselves."
"Ummmmm, no that's okay. I'm sure she'll be here any minute." Santana said, with a nervous smile, as she glanced down at her phone. Lisa rolled her eyes.
"Okay, let's do a shot. I need one to get a little buzz on for the night." she said, putting out two glasses and picking up a bottle of Patron. "You look like a tequila girl." Santana laughed and sighed.
"You got me." she said. "Okay, I guess one shot."
Brittany made her way into the bar, brushing the rain off her coat as she searched out the bar to find Santana. Her eyes ran down the length of the moderately crowded bar area until her eyes fell on her girlfriend. She slamming down a shot glass and laughing animatedly with the tall, strawberry blonde bartender, who she could only assume was Lisa. Her eyes narrowed as Lisa brought her hand down over Santana's for a second to say something that was clearly amusing by the way Santana was laughing. As Lisa moved to take care of another set of customers who were calling out to her Brittany made her way over to the bar.
"Hey, there you are!" Santana smiled when she turned around and saw a rarely scowling Brittany. "I've been waiting for you."
"Oh yeah? Looks like you've been really bored." she said sarcastically and Santana's smile fell.
"What? I was just talking to Lisa."
"How long have you been drinking?" Santana's eyes widened, a little surprised by Brittany's apparent animosity.
"I just had one shot." she shrugged. "I was waiting for you but she just poured it for me." she said motioning towards Lisa. "I didn't want to be rude since she's kinda buying...I was calling you." she said, tugging Brittany closer by her belt loops and kissing her gently. Brittany couldn't help but relax a little, as Santana nuzzled her nose and smiled.
"I'm sorry I was so late." she said, stepping back and taking off her wet coat so she could put it on the back of the tall chair. "It's raining and there was a problem with the trains and you know, no service so I couldn't call. It was packed and gross and we were stuck in one station for like 15 minutes." Santana frowned.
"I'm sorry baby, come on let's get you a drink." she smiled.
"So, what can I get you? Think you're finally ready to order?" Lisa asked with a smile before turning her attention to Brittany. "You must be Brittany, I've heard so much about you." she said, not without a hint of bitterness.
"Yep, Brittany, Santana's girlfriend. That would be me." Brittany said shortly with her best fake smile.
"I thought maybe you were going to leave Santana hanging tonight and I'd have to take care of her myself." Santana just laughed uncomfortably as Brittany narrowed her eyes. She stifled a laugh.
"Well clearly you don't know me very well because I'd never leave Santana hanging anywhere." Brittany said, intertwining her fingers with Santana's that she had on the bar. "She definitely doesn't need anyone else to take care of her."
"Um, yeah, so Britt, what did you want?" Santana asked trying to ease the tension between the two girls, which she had not expected. She admitted that she had thought Lisa was flirting with her once or twice when they were working together but she brushed it off as playfulness by a clearly straight girl. Tonight, however, she'd certainly turned it up a notch.
"I'll just have a vodka and diet soda." she said.
"I'll take the same."
"Thought you were a tequila girl?" she asked Santana with a smirk. Santana just shrugged.
"I'm a vodka girl too." Brittany scowled as the girl set to work making their drinks and was thankful when she was called down the bar after placing them down.
"What the fuck is up with this girl?" Brittany asked.
"Did you just curse?"
"She's all over you." Brittany said, clearly unamused as she sipped her drink. "This is the girl you've been spending all that time with?"
"What? No. Britt, we worked on the paper like twice at the library." she said.
"And had lunch."
"Oh, right, after the presentation was over we did lunch last Friday." Santana smiled a little. "Britt are you jealous?" she asked.
"Well she's clearly got a crush on you. Like a huge one. Does she just swoon all over you all the time? No wonder you wanted to come here." she said, her voice raising with anger as she sipped hard on her drink once again.
"Whoa, Brittany, no!" she said, looking around to make sure Brittany's rising voice wasn't causing a scene. She grabbed her hand again. "I swear she's never acted like that. She may have made a comment once or twice but I didn't even think about it. I mean, I'm not sure what's up with this." she nodded towards the girl in question. "But she's probably messing around, she's not a lesbian, she just broke up with her boyfriend." Brittany rolled her eyes.
"Bisexual people do exist, you know? I mean, you're dating one." Santana sighed and kissed Brittany's hand.
"I know, I just didn't think she's one of them. But it doesn't matter either way, because I'm only interested in you." she said firmly.
After another hour and a few more subtle jabs traded with Lisa, Brittany was on her way back from the bathroom and she saw Lisa leaning her chin on her hand as she leaned over the bar to talk in a flirty manner. She knew she was probably overreacting, but the conversation felt far too comfortable. She stalked up to the bar to hear them discussing class.
"Yeah, that guy's an asshole." Santana agreed.
"Who's an asshole?" Brittany asked, stepping behind Santana and snaking her long arms around her girlfriend's shoulder's possessively. She looked up at Lisa pointedly as she placed a kiss to Santana's temple.
"Some guy in our class." Santana said as she smirked and turned to give Brittany a peck on the lips.
"Baby, I'm starving, do you want to get out of here?"
"You want to go get something to eat?" Santana asked, turning her head towards Brittany, with a little disappointment. Her third drink was giving her a nice buzz and she was hoping to stay for at least one more.
"We could just go home." she said, shifting her eyes for a split second to catch the jealous gaze Lisa had cast on them. She kissed Santana's jaw. "Finish what we started this morning." Santana swallowed and closed her eyes for a second.
"Okay...yeah, we can...order something." she said, shaking off the haze Brittany had put her in once she pulled back to grab her coat.
"Leaving so soon?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah, I mean. Thanks so much for the drinks, I really appreciate it." she said, slapping a 20 on the bar.
"No problem. Anytime. See you Monday."
"Yep." Santana said with a wave as Brittany quickly led her out of the bar and towards the apartment. "Whoa, Britt, slow down." she said and Brittany turned to face her.
"I'm sorry I just couldn't take it anymore with her." she sighed and Santana smiled and pulled her into a slow kiss. Brittany swallowed when they broke, catching her breath before looking back at her.
"It's okay." Santana shook her head. "She was out of line. I would have killed someone who acted like that around you. Sorry, I had no idea that was going to be like that."
"It's not your fault. She probably invited you here to get you drunk and take advantage of you." Santana laughed.
"Well, I don't need that. I have you to take advantage of me anytime you want. And I can even be sober." she grabbed her hand and they started walking. "We don't have to go back. I like your bar better anyway." Brittany smiled proudly.
"Good."
"But I have to admit, you were pretty hot being all possessive like that." she said, raising her eyebrow as Brittany smirked.
"You're not the only one whose protective over what's theirs Santana." she said and Santana broke into a full grin.
"Come on, let's go pick up Chinese and head home."
The next morning they awoke to a knocking on their door. Santana rolled over and stretched, pulling the blanket back over them.
"Go away." she groaned, but the knocking persisted. "I swear to God Berry, I'm going to strangle you with my own two hands if you don't stop."
"Just open the door and tell us what you want Rach." Brittany said sleepily. The door creaked open and a satisfied smirk appeared over Rachel's face.
"Finn and I thought since it's Saturday you might want to join us for brunch down the block. We haven't done it in a while and we thought it would be nice.
"No." Santana said, slamming a pillow over her head. "I'm asleep." Brittany giggled.
"Well, I should also mention that brunch is on us. We'd like to repay you for being so helpful during our troubles." Santana's head lifted from the pillow as she squinted across the room.
"Free brunch?" Rachel sighed and nodded. "Fine." she said. "Now get out so I can get dressed." she grumbled.
"Gracious as ever Santana. Good to see." she sighed.
"We'll be right out." Brittany said with a smile. Rachel shut the door and she slipped out of bed, finding some casual clothes to throw on to head to brunch. Santana's phone beeped form the dresser indicating a text.
"Ugh, who is texting me now?" Santana asked, lifting her head. "See who it is." she nodded to Brittany who grabbed the phone and scowled.
"This girl is a stalker Santana!"
"What?" Santana said, shooting up and heading to Brittany's side to read over her shoulder.
Lisa (10:04 AM) - Hey, sorry you had to leave so quick yesterday. Let me know if you wanna hang out today or something...free for lunch. ;-)
Santana looked to Brittany who was the definition of unamused. Brittany's eyes flickered over to Santana as if requesting permission to respond which she did and watched Brittany type a response.
Sorry, have a full weekend planned out with Britt. See you in class.
Santana just sighed.
"I'm sorry baby. I didn't realize she liked me...at least not this much." she said twisting her face in confusion. Brittany pouted.
"Do you like her?"
"No," Santana said quickly. "I mean, not like that of course! I guess I just thought thought we could be friends, she seemed pretty cool otherwise." Brittany bit her lip, not one to begrudge Santana a friend, especially since she really hadn't made any of her own so far.
"I don't think she wants to just be your friend San."
"I could talk to her about the flirting thing, but I mean if you're uncomfortable..."
"I don't know." Brittany shrugged and Santana hugged her tightly.
"Don't worry about it. It's not important – at all." she said, reaching up to kiss her forehead.
"I want you to have friends and I'm not trying to shut down the very first one." Brittany said sadly, feeling guilty, but Santana shook her head.
"Please, it's no big deal. I could care less." she said. "If I make friends, I make them. I'm not stressing about it. I'm perfectly happy with the way things are right now. Promise." Brittany didn't look convinced but Santana just laughed and kissed her quickly. "Come on Britt, let's go get free food and hear all the undoubtedly extremely boring details of Finn and Rachel's big reunion." She said rolling her eyes and Brittany giggled.
"You love them." Santana stifled a laugh.
"I tolerate them." she said pushing Brittany towards the door. "The first chance I get to bust out of this place, I'm taking."
The next week passed without much circumstance. School was busy with the holiday approaching and everyone was mostly caught up in their own lives. Rachel and Finn fell easily back into full-on happy couple mode and Santana swore several times that if she walked in on them making out one more time she'd find a way to retaliate.
"Well now you know how we feel. Don't think I don't know what went on in the kitchen last Sunday morning before Brittany went to work." Rachel scowled from the couch. Santana tilted her head in confusion.
"I have no idea what you're talking about hobbit, you're getting delusional in your old age." Rachel narrowed her eyes. Brittany furrowed her brow.
"San, she's talking about when we-" Santana elbowed her in the ribs and glared at her. Her eyebrows raised in understanding "did yoga in the kitchen." she finished slowly and Santana closed her eyes and shook her head in defeat as Rachel smirked.
"Yoga."
"Yeah.." Brittany said like it was obvious.
"In the kitchen?" Brittany moved to speak but Satana held up her hand in silence.
"Whatever, you saw nothing." she looked on in disgust. "And even if you did, Britts and I are hot. But you and Lurch over there...gross."
"Santana!" Finn chastised.
"The double standards you enforce in this house are astounding." Rachel said.
"I put up with your ridiculous vocal exercises every morning. This discussion is over."
Once Saturday evening rolled around Santana and Brittany were getting dressed to go out to a new club with some of Brittany's friends from class. In anticipation of Thanksgiving and most of their friends returning home early in the week, everyone seemed to be planning a big night out on Saturday.
"Are you sure you guys don't want to come to the band party?" Finn asked. "Adam just moved into that new apartment and it's supposed to be really awesome. They're setting up karaoke and everything."
"As entertaining as the idea of listening to your midget belt out tunes all night is, I think I'll pass." Santana laughed, rummaging through her bag to make sure she had everything. Rachel scowled.
"The guys will be disappointed." Finn said.
"Santana, we can totally do that if you want?" Brittany asked, but Santana could tell she was really looking forward to the night out with her friends.
"No, Britt, it's fine. Besides this new club sounds awesome." she turned to Finn. "Why don't you come with us?" Finn chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass. I don't really feel up to dancing at the new gay club in town tonight." he coughed and Santana laughed.
"One day Finn...one day, we're going to get you to one." Santana teased.
"Why don't you stop by later?" Rachel asked. "Do both."
"That's a great idea! We'll text you later and make sure you guys are still there." Brittany said.
After two hours into their evening at the club, Santana and Brittany were having a blast, dancing and chatting with her friends. Even though she rarely warmed to new people, Santana truly enjoyed her friends. They were easygoing, liked to have fun, extremely accepting, and made Brittany super happy.
Taking a break from dancing they all sat around their table on the comfy sofas as Todd rattled on about his awesome spring break plans, showing them pictures on the phone and encouraging them to come to his family's timeshare in Mexico. Just as he was in the middle of a hysterical story about his experience there on spring break last spring the waiter approached with a shot of tequila and placed it in front of Santana. She looked up in confusion from where she sat, leg draped over Brittany's lap as she stroked it soothingly.
"I didn't order that."
"Oh I know, but someone sent it over to you." he winked, turning around and heading to the bar. Santana looked at Brittany, who just shrugged.
"Someone's got a secret admirer." Dan laughed. Brittany and Santana both looked around and Brittany's eyes widened when she caught sight of a strawberry blonde at one of the bars sipping her drink and talking animatedly to two tall guys.
"You've got to be kidding me." Brittany said, instantly feeling heat creep up to her face.
"What?" Santana asked and Brittany nodded in the direction of the girl in question. Santana closed her eyes and released a breath. "Shit."
"How the hell did she end up here?" Brittany asked and Santana raised her hands.
"No idea, I didn't invite her." Santana thought for a moment and raised a hand to her forehead. "Ugh, she was with me when you called and told me about this place."
"What do you mean she was with you?" Brittany scowled.
"I was getting coffee outside class and I ran into her at the cart. We were walking in and she heard me talking to you I guess. When I hung up I told her that we were going out with some of your friends Saturday night. I wasn't even thinking." She frowned. "But I never really imagined she'd just show up."
"It's because I told you she's a stalker!" Brittany said, folding her arms and pouting. Todd smiled and nudged her arm.
"Don't worry about it, you've got back up." she smiled kindly back at him.
"Is this that crazy girl from last week?" Stacey asked form across the table and Brittany nodded.
"Yep."
"I had no idea she was going to become such a psycho." Santana said with a sigh. She grabbed Brittany's hand and squeezed it. "Just ignore her baby." she said, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I'll talk to her Monday, don't let it ruin your night." Brittany nodded smiled half heartedly but turned back to Todd.
"Anyway, sorry Todd, keep going!"
After a few more stories and a fresh round of drinks, they headed back onto the dance floor. Santana as always was mesmerized by dancing with Brittany. She ground her hips into her, hands on Santana's waist as she placed a kiss where her neck met her shoulder.
"I have to use the bathroom. I wanna keep dancing, wait here. I'll be right back." she said, kissing Santana roughly, energized from both the dancing and the alcohol they'd consumed. Santana smiled, feeling pretty buzzed herself and kept moving to the music as she waited for Brittany to return.
A few minutes later she felt hands on her hips from behind as someone danced up on her. She turned around with a smile only to be met with green eyes instead of the blue she was expecting.
"Shit, Lisa what the fuck are you doing?" she said, backing up but knocking into the guys behind her. "Sorry." she yelled over her shoulder as they gave her dirty looks.
"I don't even get a thank you for the shot?" Lisa asked playfully, grabbing her hip.
"I didn't ask for the shot." she said, pushing her off. "What's your problem? What are you doing here?"
"I came with my friends." she motioned back to the bar.
"To the same club I mentioned that I was going to on Wednesday." Santana said unamused. Lisa shrugged her shoulders innocently.
"What a coincidence." Santana rolled her eyes.
"I'm not here to bother you, I just saw you out here all alone and thought maybe I could get one dance in." she smirked and Santana shook her head.
"No, Lisa. I'm not alone, Brittany just went to the bathroom. She'll be back any minute."
"So, what's one dance in between going to hurt? If Brittany cared so much, she wouldn't be leaving you here on your own." she said tugging at belt loops on Santana's jeans with both hands.
"Back off!" Brittany yelled from behind Santana, shoving Lisa back a few steps, before placing her hands possessively around Santana's waist.
"Whoa, calm down Barbie, I just wanted a dance."
"Yeah, well you're not getting one here, so why don't you take your slutty ass back to the bar?" Brittany spat and Santana turned around, eyes wide to make sure it was actually her girlfriend.
"Excuse me?" Lisa asked. "You're just going to let your girlfriend disrespect your friend like that?" she asked Santana.
"You're not her friend." Brittany said. "You're just some psycho stalker who thinks she's going to hook up with her. Well guess what? She's taken and that's not changing anytime soon, so I'd suggest you go look somewhere else." Lisa just laughed and rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you let her speak for herself?"
"You want me to speak?" Santana asked with aggravation. "I'll say it again – get out of here. Back the fuck off and go back to your friends. I'll see you in class." She swallowed and sighed.
"Whatever. You have my number Santana." she said, with a cocky smirk but Santana was whipped around by Brittany who pulled her into her own body with force. Santana met her eyes and saw something she wasn't familiar with, but she was pretty sure was a form of jealous rage. She leaned down an captured her lips fiercely and Santana let out a startled gasp before reciprocating.
Soon they were dancing again, grinding to the beat as Brittany moved with renewed vigor. She pressed impossibly close and nibbled on her neck, causing her to moan into her as her hands roamed over her body. Spinning her around in a fluid motion, Brittany was soon pressed up against her and attacking the back of her neck and through her lust clouded haze Santana could still spot Lisa watching intently from the bar as she sipped her drink. Not wanting to focus on the other girl she turned back around and attacked Brittany's lips.
As the songs shifted Brittany moved over and nuzzled into her neck, still holding her close. She panted trying to regain her breath and Santana placed small, soothing kisses along her jawline. After a few moments Brittany pulled back and searched Santana's eyes as if she was looking for the answer to an unasked question.
"What's up, baby?" Santana asked, bringing a hand up to her cheek and Brittany looked around before letting out a sigh.
"Let's get out of here." Santana furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Britt, we've been having a great time all night. Don't let that crazy bitch ruin your night." But Brittany just shrugged.
"It's been fun, but let's go to the band party. I'm done with this for the night." she said.
"You really want to go?" Santana asked, squeezing her tightly and Brittany just nodded. "Okay, come on, let's go see Berry make a drunken fool of herself." she said kissing Brittany quickly and earning a smile.
Brittany pulled Santana over to say goodbye to her friends, much to their protest. She assured them they had to split their time with the other party and they would hang out once more when they all returned from their respective homes.
"Santana, do you want to date other girls?"
"What?" Santana asked, pulling Brittany's hand and spinning them around instantly as they hit the chilly air. "No, are you crazy?"
"No! But, it's just you've lived in Lima your whole life and you were kind of deeply in the closet for a while. You haven't really had any experience besides me. And now you're in New York and I don't know why I'm so upset to find someone else interested in you because you're really hot and you're the most amazing person I know. But a part of me wonders if you have any curiosity about being with someone else." Santana was shocked.
"Brittany, no." she said immediately and with conviction. She stepped forward and grabbed both of her hands, looking her right in the eyes. "No."
"I don't want to hold you back, Santana. Or keep you from experiencing what you need to in life."
"The only thing I need to experience is you." she said firmly. "I love you so much Britt and I love that you're selfless enough to even come up with something like this, but I swear I don't need anyone else – ever. In fact, I'm lucky because I found you so early. I don't need to hook up with a bunch of women to find what I want because I already have everything I want right here in front of me." Brittany nodded and released a breath.
"Okay."
"I'm so crazy about you. And I always have been. You know that." Santana said with a smile as she moved to put her arms around Brittany's waist. "You have to have noticed how whipped you have me by now, everyone else has." Santana teased gently and Brittany laughed, causing her to do the same.
"True." Brittany said and sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go all crazy on you I just...I'm not used to feeling...threatened." Santana nodded in understanding.
"It's a shitty feeling." she said in agreement. "But you've got zero to be jealous about, because the only person I'm interested in is you." she said, poking her nose as Brittany giggled.
"Promise?"
"I promise." she said, kissing her soft and slowly. "Feel better?"
"I do." Brittany whispered against her lips.
"You're really sexy when you're all jealous and all like...dominant." Santana said into her ear as she trailed kisses down her neck and Brittany laughed.
"I don't know where that came from."
"It was hot." she said, nibbling on her neck gently. "Let's go home." Brittany let out a moan before pulling back and giggling.
"No, come on, silly. We're going to the party." she said, as Santana sighed and allowed herself to be dragged to the corner so they could hail a cab.
Twenty five minutes later they were ringing the bell to Adam's new apartment and they opened the door to the familiar sight of Rachel Berry on a makeshift stage belting out an 80s song. Brittany just laughed and Santana rolled her eyes as Finn came over to greet them and get them drinks.
"Glad you guys made it!" he said.
"My Brittany and Santana!" Rachel yelled through the mic, dropping it off before rushing over and tackling them in a hug, nearly spilling everyone's drinks.
"Whoa, Rachel, take it easy." Finns said as Santana frowned deeply and wiped some spilled drink off her pants.
"Damnit Berry, relax!"
"I'm just so happy you're here." she smiled, hanging onto Brittany's neck.
"Geez Finn how much has she had to drink?" Brittany asked.
"Don't ask." Finn said, shaking his head. "She discovered jello shots today."
"Nice." Rachel smiled brightly in Brittany's face. At this point all sense of personal boundaries had clearly gone out the window.
"How was your guys night?" she slurred.
"It was great, the club was awesome!" Brittany said.
"You guys are here kind of early." Finn commented and Brittany rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Well Santana's stalker decided to show up and kill the mood a little bit, but we just figured we'd split our time." she smiled. Rachel dropped her arms from Brittany and looked at Santana with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"You have a stalker?" she asked dramatically. "Oh my god!" Santana glared at her while Brittany laughed.
"Nah, not a real stalker, just some girl who wants to hook up with her." Rachel giggled uncontrollably and they turned to look at Finn who looked just as confused.
"Don't look at me, no idea."
"Santana, remember when we got drunk two weeks ago and I told you I wanted to kiss a girl and you freaked out?" Brittany and Finn turned to Santana in unison. Santana just closed her eyes and let out a breath, downing her drink. "You were all worried I was hitting on you and stuff." Finn just sighed. "More songs!" She yelled running back towards the mic, Finn following closely and giving them apologetic looks.
"Wow, you just can't keep the ladies off you can you?" Brittany teased.
"Brittany, whoa, she's just insane when she's drunk."
"Calm down, Santana, it's just Rachel." she laughed. "You didn't kiss her, right? Is that why you two were so cuddly?" Brittany asked playfully.
"Ew, oh my god, that's the most disgusting thing you've ever said." she giggled and pressed a kiss to her temple, before making herself another drink.
"You're so easy to tease." she said and Santana sighed.
"Let's have a singalong!" Rachel boomed through the mic. "What does everyone know the words to?"
"Oh god." Finn said, walking in to grab another beer.
"How about American Pie? Everyone can sing that!" she yelled and started belting out the first verse.
An hour or so later and Rachel was trying to play one of the guitars in the corner in an extremely unsuccessful attempt to entertain her audience, in her own words. Santana and Finn sat talking with the guys from the band about additions to the setlist, exchanging a glance at the dissonant sound coming from the corner. Santana's eyes drifted around the room and found Brittany dancing around alone and tugging on the bottom of her shirt.
"Oh shit." said Santana, as she put her drink on the table. "We're a step away from stripping."
"We're not far from disaster over there either." He nodded towards the corner where Rachel was arguing with someone over the song selection as she enthusiastically explained why her ipod should be plugged on her extreme range of Broadway plays alone.
"Yep, it's time to move." she nodded and they both hopped up and moved in the direction of their respective girlfriends, ushering them towards the front of the apartment. They grabbed their coats and made their rounds of goodbyes, before heading down into the cool air to search for a cab.
"It's such a beautiful New York evening. Let's walk!" Rachel said.
"Are you sure someone didn't slip her drugs Hudson? She's on some kind of weird happy high." Santana said and Brittany just giggled, as she'd been doing since they left. He just sighed.
"Rachel, it's too cold to walk and we're like 30 blocks away." he said. "Let's just grab a cab and we can go for a walk tomorrow."
"Nope! I'm want to walk and I will walk." she said storming off in the opposite direction.
"Rachel, we live the other way."
"I knew that. I just wanted to check something." she huffed, pausing and stumbling in the other direction.
"You've got to be kidding me." Santana groaned as she watched Rachel sway from side to side on her way up the block.
"It's too cold to walk." Brittany whined and pouted, snuggling into Santana.
"Crap. Rachel!" Finn called as he ran after her and they followed.
Luckily after 5 blocks Rachel decided she was exhausted and no longer had the energy to walk home. Unfortunately, she also passed on leaning on Finn as they tried to hail a cab. Ten minutes later after finally managing to flag down a taxi and pile Rachel in they were on their way back towards their place. After dragging her out Finn thew her over his shoulder and stopped on the corner.
"Guys can you please just watch her a minute?" He asked.
"What? Why?" Santana questioned.
"I want to go in there and grab some ginger ale and pretzels, she's definitely going to be sick." Santana rolled her eyes and Brittany held out her arms.
"Give me, I can carry her."
"Britt are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm totally fine to carry her Finn, I'm like super strong."
"Okay." he said skeptically, but handed Rachel over to Brittany who grabbed her easily.
"We'll just go inside and meet you up there." Santana said.
"Yeah, it's cold."
"Fine. I'll be there in a couple minutes. Thanks guys." he said with a slight smile as they headed in the direction of the apartment.
"Got her?"
"Yeah, she's like really light." Brittany shrugged. "Oh you know what I forgot to tell you?" she said swinging around quickly, not paying attention as Rachel's head hit s street sign."
"Oh shit." Santana bursted out laughing.
"Ouch, not funny." Rachel grumbled before readjusting and falling back asleep. They both just giggled as they were carefully maneuvered her into the building, cautious of a repeat. After making it safely upstairs Brittany, laid her down on the bed so Finn could take care of her when he got in.
"What did you want to tell me?" Santana asked.
"Huh?"
"When you hit Rachel's head. You were going to tell me something." Brittany scrunched her brow and shrugged.
"I forget. Guess it wasn't important." she giggled. "I can't believe I did that." she said and they both laughed as they heard Finn unlocking the door and made their way back towards their room.
They next morning Finn, Santana, and Brittany sat around the breakfast table and ate quietly, while Rachel slept off the booze. She entered groggily rubbing the top of her head.
"Did I bump my head last night?" she rasped, squinting at the light.
"No!" They both said in unison exchanging glances, while trying to contain their laughter.
"You guys are so weird." Finn said.
"Look who's talking." Santana said, sneaking her hand under the table to slip the cats two small pieces of bacon. Brittany just smiled and pretended not to notice.
"I don't remember anything." Rachel said, furrowing her brow.
"Yeah well you were pretty wasted." Santana snickered.
"That would explain why I feel like I've been run over by a bus. I'm never drinking again."
"Famous last words." Santana said. "Want some bacon?" she asked, shoving it in front of her face.
"Ugh." Rachel said covering her mouth in horror.
"Santana." Finn sighed. "Come on."
"What?"
"You are such a child." Santana just shrugged and popped a piece in her mouth.
"You guys love it." she said, making her way towards the shower, Sebastian trailing behind her. "I just keep it interesting in here."
Once Tuesday afternoon rolled around after much fuss and begging, Santana was eventually guilted into driving Finn and Rachel to the airport for their flight back to Lima for the holiday. After sitting in traffic and cursing their existence she managed to find a spot and do some shopping for her's and Brittany's Thanksgiving dinner and then settle in to study a bit and relax.
Wednesday night rolled around and although she tried to hang out with Brittany at the bar for the early part of the evening, it was just too hectic and loud so Santana eventually headed home early and decided instead to clean up around the place and cook a pie for dessert the next day.
Brittany cuddled into her side a little after 4:30 and she was amazed to find a very energetic version of her girlfriend waking her up a few short hours later because she wanted to go see the parade. Of course by the time they got there, they mostly saw crowds, but Brittany seemed thrilled by the atmosphere alone so she considered it worth it. They made their way home a few hours later and cuddled up on the couch, drinking wine and watching TV, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of their first real holiday on their own.
"I'm glad we spent Thanksgiving together like this, just us." Brittany said, placing a to the top of Santana's head, which lay resting on her chest. "I miss my family and everything but this was really nice."
"Me too." Santana said contentedly. "I like being here with just you. I wish you weren't stuck working all weekend."
"Ugh." Brittany groaned. "Don't remind me. I'm hoping tomorrow's quiet. At least I'm on the early shift."
"Yeay, a whole extra hour of sleeping with you." Santana said.
"Better than an hour less." Brittany smiled. "Did you talk to your mom?"
"No." Santana said.
"Santana."
"What?" she asked with slight exasperation. As if on cue Santana's phone began buzzing from the table. She looked to Brittany suspiciously. "What the hell, did you time that?" Brittany just shrugged.
"Answer it." Santana groaned in protest before picking up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello Santana, you didn't even call to say Happy Thanksgiving?" her father said.
"Daddy." she said surprised.
"You're mother's upset, sweetie." he said. "I know you couldn't make it back, but you really should have called."
"Sorry." she mumbled.
"Did you have a nice holiday?"
"It was great." she smiled. "We cooked our own little dinner and this morning we went to the parade."
"Very nice." he said. "Listen, I have to go entertain your grandmother, but I'm passing you on to your mother. Try and be nice, please." She sighed.
"Fine."
"Hello? Is this my long lost daughter? The one who doesn't even call to wish her family Happy Thanksgiving?" She rolled her eyes. Her mother certainly didn't make it easy.
"Yep, that would be the one."
"Well, it's so nice to speak to you." she said sarcastically. "How was your holiday Santana?"
"It was wonderful. I just told Daddy, we went out to the parade and cooked dinner."
"Much more exciting than being with your family I'm sure."
"Why does it always have to be a fight?" she asked.
"What day are you coming for Christmas?"
"Brittany got off the Sunday before and they're closed on the holiday, so we'll be able to fly in on Saturday morning and leave either the day after Christmas Wednesday or Thursday morning."
"Wow, a whole 5 days in Lima? Amazing." she remarked.
"Yep, can you believe it?"
"Hardly." she replied. "Anyway, call me when you have more details. I get the impression we'll have much to discuss in regards to who is at my table."
"And where I'm staying."
"What's that mean?"
"It means unless you're letting Brittany spend the night, I'll be staying with the Pierces."
"We'll discuss this later."
"Nothing to discuss."
"Santana, take my advice for once and end this conversation here, so we can both enjoy the rest of the evening."
"Fine." she huffed. "Have a good night." she said halfheartedly.
"Goodnight."
"Baby, we can spend some of Christmas apart in Lima if it makes it easier. Maybe you can stay there a night or two?"
"I'm not giving into her Brittany." Santana snapped. "She needs to learn to accept this. To accept you. She did for 17 years and suddenly now that she knows she acts like you're the devil." Brittany sighed sadly. "Listen, I don't want to talk about it now, okay? Let's just forget about my mom and spend the rest of the evening together in this nice quiet apartment." she said, placing a peck on Brittany's lips, which caused her to smile. She nodded.
"Come here." she opened her arms and Santana cuddled back up and they fell into a comfortable silence as the TV continued to flicker. Pushing all thoughts of her mom aside, Santana couldn't help but feel extremely content right where she was.