Thank you so much to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. I was really half expecting there to be no interest left in this story and I honestly wouldn't have blamed anyone if there wasn't. Anyway, let's get on with the story!

Chapter 12

Brittany is driving home after a long day at work. There had been a lot of calls that day and luckily yet annoyingly most of them had been false alarms. She knows she should be grateful but sometimes people call when they really aren't needed which can be dangerous since it means they are not available for serious calls that might come in.

As Brittany gets closer to her apartment she wonders how many paparazzi will be gathered there this evening. It had been almost two weeks since Sugar's interview had aired and, like they had promised, they hadn't let it cause problems between them. At first they were able to joke about it easily and when they went out together and the mob of paparazzi bombarded them with questions and photos, they were able to sincerely smile at them and assure them that their relationship was still going strong.

But while their social life was thriving and they had never been more comfortable with each other, Santana still hadn't been able to find a label that would sign her. Brittany could see that Santana was trying not to let it get to her but with every rejection she could see her get more and more frustrated. Santana never took her frustration out on Brittany though, if anything she used their physical relationship to distract herself. Brittany was far from complaining since she was getting so many sweet lady kisses but whenever she tried to talk to Santana about it in order to be supportive, she would eventually find herself being distracted by Santana kissing her neck or nibbling on her ear.

Today though, Brittany is determined to properly talk to Santana about it before it does become a problem between them. As she pulls up to her apartment building the paparazzi part begrudgingly, accepting that they can't actually keep her from getting into her home. They take the usual millions of photos which Brittany thinks is pointless because they get the exact same picture of her going out and coming home in her car every single day.

Brittany closes the garage door behind her and sighs in relief when they are finally out of her sight. Brittany prides herself on her friendliness but they are really pushing her to the edge now.

Brittany prepares herself for the conversation that she is determined to have, reminding herself not to let Santana distract her. But that basically means not letting Santana touch her which was gonna be difficult.

Santana is sitting on the couch, presumably working, on the laptop on the coffee table. She looks up and smiles when she sees Brittany come in. Brittany smiles back as she analyses the exhaustion in Santana's eyes. Brittany can sense that Santana is starting to give up hope which melts her heart. Nobody as talented as Santana should have to go through so much rejection when they have proven that they are skilled and capable at what they do. To have Sue ruin all her hard work is heartbreaking for Brittany to watch.

All of Brittany's previous thoughts of not touching Santana go out the window. She walks up behind the couch, leans over and starts massaging Santana's shoulders. Brittany presses a kiss to the nape of Santana's neck, who then stops typing and reaches up to caress Brittany's face.

"That feels great, babe," Santana sighs. Brittany hums her agreement as she breathes in the scent of Santana's hair.

"Any luck today?" Brittany asks as she rests her head on Santana's shoulder.

Santana's shoulders tense up and Brittany stops her ministrations.

"I don't really want to talk about it, B," Santana says in a cheerful yet strained voice, "how about we open a bottle of wine and just relax?"

Brittany rolls her eyes as Santana gets up and heads towards the kitchen.

"Wine sounds great," Brittany agrees as she follows her, "but how about we relax and talk about it?"

Santana puts the wine and two glasses down on the island.

"What do you want me to say, Britt?" Santana asks with an edge to her voice.

"Have you heard anything promising from anyone?" Brittany asks cautiously.

"Don't you think that I would have told you if I had?" Santana asks sharply as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

"I just wish you would update me, even if it is bad news! I want to help you," Brittany pleads.

"Well, you can't," Santana deadpans, "this is something that I have to do on my own. I will get something eventually. I am good at what I do and someone will see that no matter how much pressure Sue puts on them not to sign me, I am something they can't miss out on."

Santana begins to open the wine with shaky hands and Brittany can see that she is on the brink of tears. She rushes around the counter and takes the wine from her hands. She puts it on the counter and pulls Santana close to her. Santana lets herself be wrapped up in Brittany's strong arms. She breathes deeply to keep the tears at bay.

"I'm sorry," Brittany mumbles in her hair. "I won't ask again. Just please, keep me informed, just a little bit."

Santana nods and hugs Brittany tighter.

"So, shall we open the wine?" Santana asks.

"Actually, I was thinking of going out for dinner in the diner to see my Mum," Brittany suggests.

"That sounds great," Santana agrees. "Am I ok to go like this?"

Santana gestures down at her simple sweater and jeans combo.

"You're perfect," Brittany says smiling before pulling her in for a kiss.

Santana laughs and kisses Brittany back, nipping playfully at her bottom lip.

"You big cheese-ball," Santana jokes before she gives Brittany one last kiss.

They then make their way out of the apartment hand in hand.

…

Brittany politely holds the door of The Jolly Rancher open for Santana to walk in ahead of her.

Brittany quickly surveys the diner and sees that her mom doesn't seem to be working out front.

"Where do you wanna sit?" Santana asks.

"Why don't you pick a booth and I'll go find my mum?" Brittany responds.

"Cool," she replies before turning to her left and walking down the row of booths.

Brittany walks up to the counter and calls over the nearest waiter. She knows a lot of them personally because she is around so much but there are always one or two new faces. The waiter quickly recognises her and comes right over.

"Hey, is my mum in?" Brittany enquires.

"She's up in the office," he informs her. "Do you want me to go get her for you?"

"That's alright, you don't have to, I'll go get her myself."

Brittany trots around the counter and slips into the back where the stairs up to the office are.

Brittany knocks on the office door before opening it and peeping her head around the door.

Her mum is sitting at her desk going over some accounts. She looks up and smiles brightly at Brittany and moves her glasses from her face to rest on top of her head.

"Brittany, honey, you know you don't have to knock!"

"I know, I just think it would be rude to come barging in."

"Well come here and give me a hug," Susan gestures for her to come over from her chair.

Brittany walks around her desk and leans down for a hug.

"What can I do for you, dear?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering if you wanted to take a break and come downstairs for a bite to eat with me and Santana?"

Susan perks up at the mention of Santana's name.

"Santana's with you? Why didn't you bring her up here to get me?" Susan asks questioningly.

"I told her to pick a table for us and I also just wanted to talk to you for a moment before you see her," Brittany says hesitantly.

"What about, dear?"

Brittany sits down on the edge of the desk and runs her hand through her hair.

"Could you maybe not bring up her work? Or what you've seen on tv about us?"

"Of course, my lips are sealed," she reassures her. "Can I ask why?"

"Eh…Santana is having a hard time getting back into the music business. The head of her last label is making things really difficult for her and she won't let me help her either. It's just kind of a sensitive spot right now."

"I won't say a thing," Susan promises. "Now, let's not keep that gorgeous girlfriend of yours waiting any longer."

…..

Santana can't help the brilliant smile that she makes when she sees Susan walking towards her, arms already stretched out for a hug. She steps up out of the booth and warmly accepts the tight hug.

"Santana, love, how are you? You look as beautiful as ever. Brittany needs to bring you around here more often," Susan gushes.

Santana blushes at the motherly affection.

"I'll be sure to visit more often, I promise."

Santana and Brittany sit down side by side and Susan sits across from them.

"So Brittany tells me that you two had a good time out in the countryside?" Susan asks with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"Mom!" Brittany gasps before turning beet red and sending an apologetic grimace Santana's way. Brittany can't help keeping her mom informed about her relationship with Santana and how it is going. It had been so long since she was this happy and she wanted her mom to know all about the woman that was the cause of said happiness.

Santana doesn't quite catch on to what Susan is suggesting at first, but then she sees the embarrassed look on Brittany's face and she realises that she must have told her the nature of the things that they had done in the house. Santana is quick to follow Brittany's lead and blushes as much as her dark complexion will allow.

"Em! You…you have a beautiful home, Susan. Thank you so much for the picnic food as well," Santana stammers out.

Susan laughs heartily.

"It's no problem dear! I'm just glad to hear that it is getting some use! You'll have to come to the next Pierce family get together. We have them once a year and let me tell you, us Pierces know how to throw a party."

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Santana replies weakly.

"Nonsense! The whole family is invited and Brittany has never wanted to bring anyone before, but I think she'll feel differently this time around," Susan says dismissing Santana's previous comment. She looks to Brittany for confirmation.

"I hadn't really gotten around to asking Santana about that yet, Mom. It is still, what, a few months away at least?"

Brittany shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Santana smiles to herself. She knows that Brittany wasn't keeping the event from her, it was that she didn't want to make too many assumptions about their relationship and where they would be in a few months. Santana places her hand on Brittany's thigh reassuringly. Brittany settles immediately and looks over at Santana.

Susan watches the pair interact. She can see that they have a healthy affect on one another. Brittany leans over and places a kiss to Santana's forehead who then shuffles in her seat to be closer to Brittany. Susan hopes that what they have will last because she hasn't seen Brittany be like this since before the accident. If anything, she is better than she was before the accident.

"It's about time we order some grub, don't you think?!" Susan asks cheerfully, tearing the two of them out of their little trance.

They both nod eagerly and pick up their menus to order.

….

Susan waves goodbye to the two girls one delicious meal and countless milkshakes later. She had done as Brittany asked and avoided the topic of Santana's job hunt all evening. It had been at the back of her mind throughout the meal and when she had asked Brittany how her job was going she could see Santana become distant as she was likely thinking of her own situation. It saddened her to see such a talented girl so desperate for work.

Ever since Brittany had said she was having trouble getting signed, there had been an idea gnawing at the back of her mind that she just couldn't shake. It couldn't hurt to try.

Susan retreated back up to her office. She went over to her desk, opened the bottom drawer and took out a pile of old documents and contact books. She quickly flicked through a few, dismissing them quickly, somehow knowing they weren't what she needed. The next one she picked up was a small leather bound address book and she knew that this is what she was looking for. She flipped through it until she laid eyes on a phone number she hadn't seen in years. It didn't have a name beside it but it didn't really need to because when she wrote it down all those years ago she knew she would never forget who it belonged to.

Susan picked up her office phone and stared at the number for what felt like an eternity before eventually dialling. The call picked up on the fourth ring and a woman's voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is Susan Pierce. I'm looking to speak with Judy, is she there?"

"This is she. I'm afraid I don't know a Susan Pierce."

"Well, you might know me better by my maiden name, Susan Lerbinger."

Susan held her breath as she waited for a response.

"…Susie? Is that you?"

…..

When Brittany arrived home from work the next day, she was greeted by a very different Santana. As soon as she opened the door she was ambushed by a bouncy, happy Latina who leapt into her arms and began pressing kisses all over her face.

"What took you so long?" Santana asks excitedly before hopping down from Brittany's arms.

"We had a late call, right before the end of shift," Brittany explains as her eyes try to follow Santana's fidgety movements. "Don't be offended, San, but are you high?"

"Of course not, silly!" Santana scoffs. "I'm happy!"

"Why don't you just tell me what's going on?" Brittany suggests.

"Someone wants to sign me!" Santana cries out happily.

Brittany's jaw drops in shock.

"Babe! That's so great," Brittany exclaims as she picks Santana up and swings her around. "By who?"

"They're called Babydoll Sounds! They were actually one of the first labels that I tried because they have produced some amazing artists but I couldn't manage to book an appointment with them or anything. But they must have kept my name and reconsidered because the director called me this afternoon!"

"San, this is amazing. I am so happy for you! So, what now? What happens next?" Brittany asks excitedly.

"They want me to come in tomorrow for a meeting and a sound check, but they said that's all just formalities and that they've heard my stuff and really want to sign me!"

"Who is this person? I feel like personally giving them a hug myself!" Brittany jokes.

"You'll get to meet her tomorrow hopefully. You have the day off right?" Santana asks as she plays with Brittany's collar and leans into her.

"I'm all yours," Brittany smiles before kissing Santana soundly on the lips.

"I can't wait to actually meet Quinn!" Santana said excitedly. "She sounded so cool over the phone and I told her all about you and it makes absolutely no difference to her who I date. She said it's all about the music."

"Quinn…?" Brittany asks, feeling a memory tugging at the edge of her brain.

"Yeah," Santana nods.

"That's a nice name."

…

Brittany and Santana wait in the spacious lobby of Babydoll Sounds to be told that Quinn is ready to see them. Santana looks sleek and professional in a glamorous tight fitting dress. She exudes confidence but Brittany knows that it's a confidence she has been composing since she managed to calm herself down last night. Brittany knew that Santana wanted to let Quinn know that she was talented but also serious about being successful. It was the gentle squeeze of her hand when they were called that told Brittany that Santana was still extremely nervous. If for some reason this went south, she was back to square one with no leads.

They take the elevator up to the fourth floor and walk down the corridor following the directions they were given to Quinn's office. There her name is engraved in a plaque on the door. Santana knocks twice and they wait barely three seconds before a young blonde woman opens the door and smiles stunningly at the two of them while gesturing for them to come in.

Santana and Brittany step inside.

Quinn turns to them after she closes the door.

"Santana!" Quinn greets, "It's lovely to finally meet you in person. I feel like I've known you for so long since, technically you were competition which meant that I had to keep track of your career. Listening to every song, watching every video."

"It's lovely to meet you too!" Santana replies genuinely as she shakes her hand. "I hope you've liked what you've heard from me."

"We can talk business in a minute," Quinn says as she turns to Brittany. "But first you have to formally introduce to this stunning woman who I presume is your girlfriend, Brittany?"

Santana nods and Quinn steps forward to pull Brittany into a friendly hug.

"I feel like we go way back," Quinn whispers into Brittany's ear.

Brittany maintains a neutral expression but is puzzled by what Quinn has just said. She is almost certain that she has never met this woman before in her life.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Quinn"

"Shall we?" Quinn asks as she gestures to the two chairs in front of her desk.

Quinn waits for them to be seated before she sits down.

"So, Santana, you have caused quite the ripple effect in the music business recently," Quinn states.

"I suppose you could put it like that," she agrees. "Not that it was intentional."

"Oh of course not. Everybody who is anybody knows that Sue is behind what is being said about you."

"What is being said about me?" Santana asks sharply.

"Nothing you want to hear," Quinn simply replies.

"Well if you and everyone in the business knew what Sue was up to, why has it taken until now for me to find anyone interested in me?"

"It's nothing against you personally, Santana," Quinn assures her. "But you have to understand that Sue is top dog and moving against her is a risky political move that most labels wouldn't risk taking."

"It's a move that you wouldn't consider either, until yesterday that is," Santana points out.

Quinn nods in agreement, her eyes flickering to Brittany for a moment.

"I will admit that it was a difficult decision, but not one that was at all based on your talent as a singer. Anybody with ears knows that you can sing. You would be a valuable asset to any agency, it was whether we would be able to survive the fall out from Sue."

Santana nods her understanding.

"What changed your mind?" Brittany cuts in.

Quinn appraises Brittany for a moment, choosing her words delicately.

"I feel that there needs to be a change of scenery, Sue has had her time at the top and she didn't get there without making some bold moves of her own. I think that this could be my bold move. We use what Sue let slip away to overthrow her."

"You're willing to gamble with Santana's career like that?" Brittany asks bitingly.

"The way I see it, this gamble is Santana's only option."

While Brittany isn't happy to hear it, she knows that Quinn is right. `

"So where do we go from here?" Santana asks.

"Why don't we head to the studio? You can try out some old tracks and get a feel for the place."

"Sounds great, let's do this."

….

Quinn and Brittany watch on from behind the glass as Santana gets into a rhythm. Santana's first attempt had been pitchy due to a combination of nerves and not being used to her surroundings. The sound technician also had to accommodate to her sound and once he had made some adjustments, her voice was being received much better.

Santana picked a few of her favourite recordings and sang them from memory. They were mainly from her first album, which was her favourite. It was before Sue had started to change everything and lead her in a different direction.

"She sounds amazing," Brittany says in awe.

"You make it seem like you've never heard her sing," Quinn jokes.

"In truth, I haven't really. She hums a lot or sings under her breath but I've never seen her let go like that before. Her confidence has really taken a knock. You have no idea how much this means to her and to me," Brittany admits.

"Hey it's no problem and I promise that I won't tell Santana why I'm really signing her," Quinn says absently, still watching Santana.

Brittany finally manages to tear her eyes away from Santana.

"What do you mean why you're really signing her?" Brittany asks perplexed.

"Oh come on, you know," Quinn scoffs. "You orchestrated it all."

"Um…no, I didn't. Care to enlighten me?" Brittany demands as she folds her arms in front of her chest and stands her ground.

"You knew that our moms go way back, so you asked if she could pull some strings and get me to sign Santana," Quinn explains like this is all old news to Brittany.

"I didn't ask my mum to do anything," Brittany states firmly. "I don't even know who your mother is."

Quinn's eyes widen when she realises that Brittany is telling the truth.

"Look, all I know is that I got a call from my mum begging me to sign Santana because she owed her girlfriend's mum a huge debt. I couldn't really say no."

"Oh my god, Santana is going to freak," Brittany realises. "She thinks you're signing her because you think she is a good enough investment to even overthrow Sue."

"Hey," Quinn states, grabbing Brittany's attention. "What I said in my office was the truth. I do think that this could be exactly what is needed to shake up this industry. It's just a much bigger risk than I let on. I'm not only gambling with Santana's career, I'm gambling with my own and every other artist that is signed to this label."

"Why would you risk all of this just because your mum asked?" Brittany asks incredulously.

"Because I owe her everything and if it helps her pay off a debt that she owes to your mum, then I'm glad to do it."

"Why did she owe my mum?"

"Now that you will have to ask your mum because mine wouldn't give me one single goddamn detail."

"What am I going to do about Santana?"

"You don't have to do anything," Quinn points out. "This is a legitimate contract. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure she succeeds and I do genuinely think she is talented. What more does she need to know?"

An uneasy feeling settles in Brittany's stomach. She doesn't want to be the one to pull this out from beneath her feet but she knows that Santana won't agree to sign with them if she knows the truth. She would be stubborn enough to go back to trying to find someone to sign her all on her own. But if Brittany doesn't tell her and she finds out she'll feel so betrayed even though Brittany hadn't actually been the one to organise it.

Brittany decides that she needs to talk to her mum before she says anything to Santana. Maybe if she knew the reasoning behind all this she could come clean to Santana and get her mum to apologise for interfering.

Brittany hears the door to the sound booth open and close. She turns towards Santana walking over to them confidently.

"So, am I as good as you'd hoped, Quinn?" Santana smirks, finally getting some of her confidence back.

"Even better," Quinn confirms.

There is a knock on the studio door and a red-headed woman half steps inside.

"Ms. Fabray?"

"Yes, Emma?"

"Um…it's Ms. Berry she's demanding your…well she's just demanding again," Emma explains hesitantly.

Quinn rolls her eyes and moves towards the door. Before she goes she looks back over her shoulder at Santana.

"I'll leave you two now, you can play around with the tracks or you can head on home. Come back some time tomorrow and we'll draw up some contracts. I'm looking forward to working with you."

Just like that she is gone and Santana is squealing and jumping into Brittany's arms.

"How amazing is this, babe?" Santana asks thrilled.

"So, so amazing, San," Brittany says in her most convincingly cheerful voice possible.

Santana hugs Brittany close.

Brittany holds her and strokes the back of her head as she wonders how the hell she is going to approach her mum about this.

…

Hope you all enjoyed! Let me know your thoughts, I really love hearing them :D

Aisling x