I've been lousy updating I know, there's just so little time and so much to do. Thank you everyone for your reviews and sticking with this story even though the updates are few and far between. I'll try to do better.
Chapter 15
"What is going on?" It was Mr. She stole my chips again. If he thought he was whispering, well, nothing was discreet with him.
"I can hear you Sikh!" Santana was fed up with the constant disturbing. Brittany was finally telling her the terrible truth behind the horse ranch fiasco and there were just way too many people talking.
"That's racist San," Brittany stopped telling the story.
"Tell that to the doctor who thought I was related to Jennifer Lopez because we're both tanned, have phenomenal asses and share a last name.
"And people think people in America are educated." Someone shouted their agreement.
"I'll give everybody a little education with this baby here if you all don't shut up!" She was quickly approaching the end of her fuse.
"Brittany, tell me again how your 'romantic' get away backfired so bad I wanted to send my benefactor all the way to King Tut's grave,"
"It was supposed to be romantic San, I promise."
Brittany was met with a look of 'I'm not buying it'
"How do you call being flung into horse shit romantic?"
"Well who would have thought you could bitch a horse into distress. Oh right, because of your theory that animals have no feelings."
"If they did, they wouldn't be slaves to the human race."
"I'm sure they would tell someone if they spoke human language, I hear some actress has already heard the plea and has written to the Governor of New York about banning the use of horse drawn carriages in Central Park for human entertainment."
"That is so besides the point Brittany, and that actress happens to be Rachel 'horses are mans best friends' Berry."
"Oh so that's why I couldn't remember, most of the time I don't process what Rachel says."
"So what about the ranch!" Someone shouted. "Hurry, the stop is coming up."
Santana turned to see their 'hostages' sitting down and eager to hear the end of the tale. She cocked an eyebrow at Brittany.
Brittany began, "I thought Santana was getting really stressed about work so I 'accidently' used her card and sent her an email from her company telling her to meet an important client on the Horseshoe Ranch. It also came with an itinerary about what she was supposed to do there if the jockey didn't show up on the first day cause you know, these people have busy schedules practicing and competing around the world."
"Except there was not jockey,"
"No, there wasn't," Brittany frowned at Santana's not amused face.
"And long story short, Santana was supposed to have a wonderful vacation on the ranch. I booked horseback riding, rodeo shows, and refill jugs every night at the Horse-Barn bar, trail blazing trips, all the fun stuff."
"And I'm supposed to believe she loves me?" Santana spoke to the audience for support, except her gun waved in their faces as well and no one dared say a word. Instead, Santana got a crowd of nodders.
"If you had sent me to the beach with tickets to the spa and massage that would be a different story."
"But you've already been to those, and this was something you've never done before. You told me you loved new experiences."
"I said that so you'd go skinny dipping with me on our honey moon,"
"So you lied to me,"
"No," Santana chose her words carefully, "I said what I needed to so you'd come with me."
"But it wasn't the truth."
"It wasn't a lie,"
They both seemed to remain in deadlock over this point.
"This story sucks, there's no happily ever after." A little boy told his mommy who slapped her hand over his mouth hoping the two captors wouldn't hear.
"Why of course there is," Santana turned to the mother and son who looked like they were taking their last breaths, "Chill out, I'm not going to end your miserable lives yet."
"The happy ending as it is," Santana addressed her audience, "is that when I got back after sending plenty of death threats to the person I thought had shipped me to the devils dirty dungeon, I got to put my new found riding skills to good use with my wi…"
"She got promoted." Brittany cut Santana off before it was too late; their sex-capades weren't anybody else's business.
"And you know what the real happily ever after is?" They were approaching the station but the people were hanging on Brittany's words. "Even though our marriage is far from perfect, we're still together and I don't ever plan on leaving her."
The last part Brittany said to Santana, making sure she understood every word clearly.
"I love you too baby, even though I got a stomach ache from the nasty brew there."
"But I nursed you back to health,"
"literally,"
"No one needs to know that," The whispering continued till their lips attached and the real, real happily ever after was witnessed by everyone in the train.
A long 'awwwww' came from the audience along with empathetic clapping.
The Indian man wiped a tear from his eye and hugged the office lady.
At that moment, the doors opened and Brittany pulled Santana towards the door. They didn't have time for sentiments anymore, they were sure the entire NYPD were on their tails.
Their fellow passengers waved them off with 'good luck' and 'god bless'.
Luna Park, Coney Island was filled with people; they couldn't have picked a better day to be hunted down. Well, if they had a choice, they wouldn't have chosen to be hunted at all but given the current situation, they were in a good position.
Santana turned hurriedly, from left to right trying to find a place where they could easily be spotted by Quinn.
She soon found a small clearing near the shooting tent. How fitting, Santana thought, considering that was one of the things that had put them on the path to marriage.
"Britt, stay close so we don't get lost," She couldn't tell if Brittany replied with 'okay' or 'make way' but when she reached the spot she found herself surrounded with unfamiliar faces.
"Britt!" She shouted frantically, trying to see over the heads of the tourists but to no avail. She cursed her height, or lack of it.
Above, a helicopter whirred a phone was dropped in a mini-parachute along with a rope.
Santana punched the receive button, "Quinn, did you see Brittany!"
I'm on the line with her, get up first and then we'll find a place to pick her up
"Where is she?" Santana never stopped her search through the masses for a glimpse of blonde hair and dirty clothes.
Just get on Santana, we'll pick her up somewhere
"No, I have to find her Quinn, we can't leave her." Santana began pushing her way through the crowds, using her gun as a divider.
Santana, you idiot block head, get up now before the police see you. They are scourging the grounds!
"I can't leave Brittany to the wolves Quinn; someone needs to help her if they're on her trail"
Brittany says for you to stop being an asshole to me and listen
"Brittany can save her insults for when we're in bed where I like them most. Right now I need to know where she is."
And I didn't need to hear that Quinn grumbled. She says she's near the carousal.
"Got it, hang in there Quinn. Ten minutes I promise, I'm going to get Brittany and bring her to the clearing."
Santana ran as fast as she could in between lines of people waiting to go on rides. She held tightly to her gun resting over her shoulder with one hand, the other clutched the phone she hadn't hung up.
All the colors blurred into a white haze as she pushed harder in the direction of the carousal using her in built GPS, her memory of when she visited as a kid with her parents. Impatience really was her vise and it always got her into more bad then good.
Her life seemed to go in that general direction when white turned to black and then she was falling. The next time she felt herself was when her butt hit the ground sharply. She looked above her and at first saw only a blanket of sunlight. She blinked once and she saw a shadow, another blink and the haze was a little less. Santana began to make out the large shape of what was certainly a man – a man in black.
Her tired brain made the connection a little faster this time as she sprung up on her heels. What felt like a few hours was only a few seconds. The world wasn't spinning anymore and the hand coming to grab her wasn't in slow motion. She saw it coming nonetheless and dived to the side right into a popcorn stand.
The man behind the stand softened her fall as she got up and half stumbled half ran into the thick crowd. Soon the shouting began.
Santana was sure they were closing in on her now, not that she had anything to go on except her exhausted lungs and dragging feet. The heat was not doing her any favors either.
People were barking at her and yelling for her to get in line or leave them alone. Santana retaliated to none of them; her mission was to lead the trail as far away from Brittany as possible.
"Quinn," Santana's breath was dry and she let out an ugly string of coughs as the dust in her throat had settled. "Get Brittany, I'll keep them away. Please do it for me."
Santana, you two really need to stop this game of trying to save the other person.
"What do you mean Quinn?" Santana wasn't processing anything that didn't have a neon light attached to it.
I mean that Brittany won't leave without you; I can't stay for much longer I can see reinforcements headed out to the island. I have to be gone before they get here.
"Get Brittany," was the only thing Santana could say, it was the only thing she could think about.
And she keeps saying 'get Santana'; I can't with you two…
Santana could almost see the eye roll in the back of her mind but she didn't have time to process it before once again smashing her face into someone and falling on her ass. She swore that this time she was going to die, just let all the people trample over her or hand her in to the police.
Strong hands came from behind and hoisted her back to her feet. She turned hoping that it wasn't the cops about to put her in hand-cuffs.
"Brittany? Thank heavens, I was looking for you." She said but she lost her footing and nearly went down again. Apparently she wasn't heading away from the carousal but towards it.
"San?"
Santana nodded hoping Brittany understood that she was fine. But her head felt heavy and Brittany's shoulder was readily available.
"San, hang on I'm going to get you out of here."
Slowly Brittany lowered them to the ground and let Santana rest her head on her lap while she talked to Quinn. Under the cover of people milling about, they weren't in immediate danger but it was only a matter of time before they were found.
"Hey, get me some water!" Brittany shouted. A young man in khaki shorts and a camera pointed to himself. Brittany scowled as if to say 'of course you' and he scampered off in search of refreshments.
I can't Brittany, I don't know where you are
"I didn't mean you," Brittany said into her phone, "Santana is sort of dehydrated, once she's back on her feet we'll work something out. Don't stick around if you can't."
You know I'd love to stay for you but I'm holding on by the skin of my teeth right now.
"Get a car Quinn, as fast as you can. San and I will keep out of sight until you can pick us up."
Okay, good thinking Britt. I'll be back ASAP, keep me on line.
Brittany dropped the phone into her pocket. She let out a heavy sigh and let her eyes wander around the park grounds.
"Here, you asked for this…I think."
"Took you long enough, did you run into Darth Vader?"
The boy seemed to catch on, "if you mean the Police then yes, but I didn't tell them where you are."
'Were you followed?" Brittany asked, looking past the boy into the crowds with suspicion.
"No, I'm sure," He didn't sound so sure because he looked behind him to check if any men in black were in sight.
"Good,"
Brittany ignored the boy standing awkwardly beside her as she brought the cup of water to Santana's lips.
"Drink baby," She whispered and wiped the sweat off her brow.
Santana may have been delirious but she knew when the rim of the plastic cup pressed against her lips. Between Brittany feeding and Santana drinking, a stream of water slipped off the corners of her mouth and trickled down her chin stopping when it got absorbed into her tank top.
Brittany watched Santana come back to life again. She pressed a kiss to the muddied dark skin of Santana's forehead.
"Feeling better?" She asked. She used the last drops of water pooling at the bottom of the plastic cup to cool Santana's face.
"Much better," Brittany smiled when Santana grinned at her.
"You think you can sit up?"
"I think so," Santana strained to lift her head. Brittany helped her till her back straightened.
Brittany looked at Santana's face for signs of faintness but was met with a scowl.
"Does your back hurt?"
"No," Santana shook her head violently as if to prove the point, "why is that person taking pictures of us."
Brittany whipped her head up to the young boy smiling sheepishly and slowly edging away. He must have just realized that being armed meant Santana could shoot his ass out into the universe.
"Oh, he's a friend," Brittany beamed at the boy, "why are you taking pictures."
"I've just never seen a cosplay, and I don't even know who you guys are supposed to be but your costumes are awesome."
"This is real life, not some charade of parading drama. I am not Rachel Berry, you hear me?"
"I wasn't going to guess Rachel Berry, I swear." The boy shrunk at Santana's glare.
"Good, I don't want to be associated with her more than I already am." Santana seemed to forget all about her weariness. She got up and dusted the part of her jeans that had been collecting dust from the ground.
"I just think you two are a really nice…nice looking couple…even with the uh, dirt and…"
"We don't have time for gay support right now but thanks comrade," Santana's attention was caught up elsewhere.
"Wait," The boy called for Brittany and Santana as they began to slip through the crowds of people again.
"Make it quick Rick," Santana crossed her arms.
"How…how did you know?"
"Please, you learn a thing or two playing I spy in the closet for so long. With that being said, good luck finding your man mate but me and my girl gotta get going."
"Thanks," Brittany hopped quickly to the boy and planted a kiss on his cheek, he blushed. "Oh and by the way you could be bisexual like me so don't worry if you're still confused about things. Like sometimes you might think a boy is cute but then his girlfriend is cute too, it used to happen to me all the time…"
"Yeah Britt," Santana gave the boy an apologetic smile, "Maybe you can teach the kid about sexual fluidity another time, we need to go."
"Sorry," Brittany hugged the boy, "Oh and don't give that photo to any Darth Vaders"
The boy readily nodded and watched Brittany skip off to join hands with Santana.
Santana led Brittany behind one of the storage tents. To Brittany's delight there was a walk in freezer stocked with fruits and many other edibles. On each shelf was a label naming each to its owner.
"Chocolate cake," Brittany bounced from heel to toe. She unwrapped the plastic covering and cut a piece with her pocket knife. "It's so good San, taste it."
It was good, Santana nodded in agreement and then she went on to sample the strawberry, the cheesecake, the tub mocha ice-cream and the rare guavas.
They had their fill of sweets and slumped against the cold metal bars of the shelves.
"How's the day turning out for you baby?" Santana held Brittany's hand to keep her still, all that sugar was making its round in her system and Santana knew right and well what happened when it reached the ends of her limbs.
"You know, we never came here before."
"uhuh," Santana closed her eyes and leaned against Brittany's shoulders. The air-conditioning was making her sleepy.
"We should go on rides; I want to do the rollercoaster."
"I hated that one, threw up when I got down and that was the last time I ever rode a rollercoaster."
"You've been here before?" Brittany's interest was perked.
"Uhuh," Santana snuggled further but was met with the cold, hard floor instead of Brittany's warm, fleshy arm.
She looked up Brittany now dancing, she sighed. The sugar had done its deed.
"Come on San, we can't waste the day!"
"Britt, but the air-con,"
"We can sit in the freezer at home once we get a new home and a new fridge!"
Santana wasn't going to win this one, Brittany was tap dancing, and nothing beat the tap dance.
"Okay, okay, but we still gotta be conspicuous."
"You're being racist again San and I won't allow it especially because it's against yourself."
"I wasn't…"
"I forgive you San, let's go!"
Nothing could dampen Brittany's excitement, not the heat or the nakedness of leaving their weapons behind in the freezer.
So far, there were no police in sight. Santana lead Brittany to the Soar'in Eagle, the one thing Santana couldn't stomach, but what Brittany wants Brittany gets – a lesson Santana learned long ago.
The line was very long and Santana didn't have the patience or energy to be waiting for an hour.
"Britt this way," Santana pulled Brittany out of line. Brittany pouted, the line was just moving and now they'd have to line up behind everyone again.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting us to the front of the line," Santana said as if it were no big deal. "Here, put this on." She grabbed a fancy fur coat right off the arm of a gentleman walking by.
Santana walked up to the ticket collector and turned on her charm.
"Hello there,"
"NO miss, you cannot use the staff bathroom, we're sorry that the visitors' bathroom is so far away."
"Bernie is it? I don't think you want to turn me down."
"I'm on duty sorry, don't want to be fired you know…doing stuff on the job."
Santana rolled her eyes, "now I know you really don't understand what this is about."
"I know exactly what this is Miss, I suggest you wait in line like everybody else." The man said as if it was something he had to say a hundred times a day.
"I'm pretty sure you are not allowed to turn down the future Duchess of the Netherlands, this is…Brianna."
Brittany tried to appear regal all the while staring at Santana in disbelief, only an insane person would believe that.
"You're real dense," Santana continued in rage, "I want to see your manager, I should really have you fired for tardiness and disrespect to her majesty. The bodyguards will hear of this and haul you off to do some terrible, terrible bodily damage…you can't even imagine…"
Santana turned to leave but then grubby, oil stained hand wrapped around her arm.
"Of course, anything for her majesty," 'Bernie' stuttered and nearly bowed to the floor as Brittany swept past head held high.
"Very wise," Santana whispered to him, "I'll need a pass for all the rides if you could just get me one."
"Anything," the man's eyes shifted, "but you'll keep the big fella's away from me won't you?"
"You mean those men in black? Brianna's bodyguards?" Santana emphasized.
The man nodded in fear.
"I'll tell them you cooperated." Santana winked and joined Brittany at the head of the line. They settled in when the previous round ended and a new one began.
As the 'Eagle' ascended into the air, Santana watched her prey scurry off for the main office for a day pass.
"Success," Santana leaned back sure everything would be okay with Bernie.
"I can't believe you did that,"
"Piece of cake baby," Santana leaned in for a kiss but before they could connect with Brittany's the 'Eagle' swooped down.
Brittany thoroughly enjoyed the curves and ups and downs while Santana hung onto her hand till she lost all feeling.
The ride ended and Santana stumbled off, held upright by Brittany.
They were met by a smiling Bernie.
"Your majesty," He bowed and swiped his hat off his bald head. Without looking up or at Brittany, he presented two day pass tickets.
"Thank you, Bernie was it?" Brittany spoke in a soft, melodic voice like royalty should. She let Bernie take her outstretched hand and kiss it.
"Indeed your majesty, Bernie is always at your service"
"And I will call on you if I need any more assistance," Brittany glided away leaving Bernie in a daze.
They were headed right to the Brooklyn flyer when Santana spotted two policemen blocking their immediate path.
"This way," Santana tugged Brittany around a refreshment stall until the coast was clear. The next half hour was spent dodging the police and riding everything Brittany had a fancy for. Santana sat through each one willingly because she didn't want to get separated from Brittany. All the while she held her phone in her pocket, occasionally bringing it to her ear and updating Quinn on what ride they were on.
Quinn was stuck in traffic for a good fifteen minutes but once she was free, she told them to prepare for their great escape.
"Okay, where do you want to meet up?" Quinn spoke with a freaked out Santana who could barely mold coherent words as her stomach flipped over. Oh she really hated the 'Slingshot'.
"There's a storage tent on the west wing," Santana said before screaming her head off, she gained her bearings again. "Sorry but I really hate this ride, see you there in ten." Scream. Santana didn't bother talking after that till they stepped off the flinging thing.
"Never again Britt," Santana caught her breath.
"Not even when we bring our kids?"
Those damn puppy dog eyes and the thought of her and Brittany's children made her give in.
"Fine, when and only when our kids are old enough."
Brittany smiled with so much happiness; Santana stopped walking for a minute to admire it. It was the smile she fell in love with.
"Hey you two!"
"Oh shit!" Santana snapped, "They've found us."
There was no place to run this time, they'd walked to the back where the storage tent was a few meters away but that meant not many people were in the area.
The two burly men closed the distance quickly. In an instant Santana and Brittany were back to back as if they'd been fighting together for years.
"Praying Mantis Britt," Santana steeled herself for the attack.
"Got your back baby," Brittany replied just as the first man struck at her head.
Brittany effectively slapped the fist away with her forearm and delivered a strong punch-push of her own directly into the man's chest. Santana held her assailant at arms distance blocking punch after punch and finally hitting him on the back of the neck with a back kick she didn't know she had in her.
Both men on the ground, Santana and Brittany dashed to the tent and ripped the freezer door open in unison. They scrambled for their weapons chilled and ready to serve.
The men lumbered to the tent knowing that the two women had gone into it. Together they stood in the doorway adjusting their eyes to the darker lighting. Simultaneously, the both found their faces buried in the dirt having been whacked hard across the knees. They wouldn't be walking in a while.
Santana and Brittany ran out of the tent to where Quinn put a borrowed truck in temporary park mode. Once they hopped on the back of the truck Quinn tore away.
By this time the other policemen had arrived on scene. But they came in time only to feel the dust whip the skin of their faces while Quinn, Santana, and Brittany escaped Coney Island.
"You girls owe me big," Quinn said into her phone. On the party line Brittany and Santana ignored her.
She heard Brittany call Santana her hero. "She's not the hero! I just saved your asses!"
When Quinn didn't get a response she glanced into the mirror only to find the two in the back involved in a heavy make-out session.
"Don't you dare do it in the back of Mike's car!" Quinn shouted.
Of course neither Brittany nor Santana heard that.
Story still has a few chapters of life left. Thanks for reading and leave a comment if you feel like it.