One week.

Santana had been living in Las Vegas for a whole week an she still hadn't left The Dalton property. The hotel was so big it was a city in itself and she had loved getting to know the place and meeting as many employees as possible, but she was starting to get cabin fever.

She was dressed in shorts and a simple T-shirt while she pretty much just walked around her big suite. It was a little past noon and she wasn't due in the security room for another seven hours. She had worked 12 hour days all week and she was close to being burned out but she couldn't take full day off knowing there was no one she trusted to leave in charge. Will was useless. She needed a number two.

Santana sat on the couch and pulled out her phone and dialed. After the third ring, he picked up.

"Blaine! You big queen, how are you?"

"I hate you." Santana heard Blaine sigh and just laughed. "So how is Vegas? Is The Dalton everything they say it is?"

"It's amazing." She shifted on the couch and tucked her legs in. "You should see their security system, it's…it's like FBI and CIA type of shit."

"I bet it is. While we miss you here, we're all really happy for you," Blaine said, "This is your dream job." When Santana didn't answer right away, Blaine spoke again. "It is right? Don't tell me they're picking on the new kid."

Santana scoffed. "Please. They're too afraid to make fun of me. At least not to my face."

"Then what's the problem?"

"This place is huge," Santana said, "And, until I got here, had its security run by idiots. I worked 12 hour days all week and I'm still going into the office later for a couple of hours. I just feel like, if I take my eyes off this place, it'll be a free for all."

"Well, nice to hear you haven't changed one bit in the week you've been gone," Blaine teased, "You take on too much too soon."

"Right, and I don't need the stress, which is why I'm calling." Santana took a beat. "I want to hire you as my number two."

"Excuse me?" Blaine's voice had gotten an octave higher.

"I told you that I'd hook you up if something came up," Santana said, "Something came up."

"Uh..umm, yeah," Blaine stuttered, "When you said that, I figured you'd want to work there for a few months at least. It's a week and you're already hiring people?"

Santana let out a breath. "This place is too big for one person. I need more people I can trust to take over when I'm not here or on my days off."

"Santana Lopez taking days off?" Blaine mocked, "The Vegas sun must have warped you already."

"Look, I need someone I can trust here and I really don't want to have a heart attack before I'm 30 because I'm stressed out. You want this or not?"

"You know I do!" Blaine said, "Will the casino pay for my flight?"

Santana groaned. "Yes, cheap ass, we'll pay. I'll arrange everything and send you all the info later."

There was a short pause before Blaine spoke again. "Listen, all kidding aside, how are you? I mean it has to be tough moving across the country to a city you don't know and where you don't know anyone. Are you making friends?"

Santana automatically thought of Brittany and smiled. She hadn't seen the cab driver since they had had dinner, much to Santana's disappointment. She had even found herself occasionally checking the taxi stand cameras to catch a glimpse of Brittany, but no such luck. After the third day and 10th check, she started to feel a bit stalkerish and stopped. "I'm fine," she told Blaine, "It's a completely different world than New Jersey but it's my new home, so I have to just get used to it."

"And?"

"And what?"

Blaine sighed. "Are you making any friends?"

"Umm.." Santana wasn't sure why she was so reluctant to answer her friend. Technically she and Brittany were acquaintances, but she hoped they could be friends. She just didn't want to jinx this…whatever it was.

"It's not a trick question," Blaine said with a laugh.

"I'm working on it, OK? You know I don't make new friends easily."

"Well, don't worry," Blaine said, "You'll have at least one friend when I come out there."

"I can't wait. I'll have that info sent to you in a few hours and get you over here so you can check out the place."

Blaine filled her in on what was going on back home for awhile before they hung up. Having Blaine here would hopefully make her feel less homesick. She knew she should get out of the hotel for at least a little bit. She hadn't seen the sun in days and was sure she was suffering from a Vitamin D deficiency by now. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

###

Brittany waited for the street lightl to allow her to turn left in to The Dalton's driveway. She was about to start her last shift before her two days off. She had been working so much overtime and extra days lately and she really needed this rest.

She was also looking forward to spending time with her sister tomorrow since Jenny didn't have school. It was rare that Brittany had a weekend off but somehow things had worked out.

As she turned into the hotel and got in place in the taxi line, she got the sinking feeling she was forgetting something. She did have to go grocery shopping, she knew that, and she was sure she paid all the bills for this month, so that wasn't it.

"Oh shit!"

Santana.

Brittany closed her eyes and let out a groan. "Fuck!"

She opened her eyes and saw the line had moved a bit so she drove forward. Tomorrow was Sunday and she had agreed to play tour guide tomorrow and now she'd end up canceling.

Brittany was actually looking forward to driving Santana around and getting to know her better. There was something about her Brittany really liked and made her feel good. She smiled at the memory of the security director but her smile quickly faded when she realized she would have to cancel. Brittany really needed to spend time with her sister and this Sunday was her only real chance to spend a whole day with Jenny.

"Maybe Santana can do another day."

As she inched closer to the head of the line, she spotted Mike and she waved. Then she remembered she had also sort of made plans to hang out with him on her day off too. She really needed to put stuff in her phone calendar.

She finally pulled up to the front and heard her backdoor open and her passenger getting in. She turned on her meter. "Where to?"

"Shit…I don't even know."

Brittany quickly turned around to look at her passenger and couldn't believe who had just gotten in her cab. "Santana?"

Santana looked at the driver and let out a surprised laugh. "Brittany. Hey!"

"Hi. Did, uh, did you know this was my cab?" Brittany couldn't help but chuckle at seeing Santana in her cab again, especially when she had just been thinking about her.

"No, I just got in." Santana couldn't believe her luck. Not less than an hour ago she had been thinking about Brittany and now here she was. "This is pretty funny."

"I was just thinking about you."

"You were?" Santana felt her smile grow bigger and found herself greatly enjoying hearing Brittany's admission.

"I…" A blare of a car horn interrupted her and she turned back to face the front. "Oops, I'm holding up the line." She put the car in drive and drove down the long driveway. "Where are you going?"

Santana had been trying to wrap her mind around how she had somehow gotten into Brittany's cab without planning to. "Oh, uh, I don't know. I was bored in my room and I haven't really been outside at all this week so I just wanted to go out and see the city. I just didn't think of where. I mean, I know that you were going to take me out tomorrow, which I'm totally looking forward to, but I just really needed to get out of that casino. " Santana took a breath, she knew she was rambling.

Brittany turned left at the green light and just drove down the strip. She kinda felt bad at having to cancel on Santana, especially when she sounded like she needed to escape work. "Right, umm..Santana?"

"Yeah?"

"I kinda need to cancel tomorrow." Brittany felt terrible for canceling but even worse when she saw the disappointment in Santana's face through her rearview mirror. "I'm so sorry."

"Oh." Santana slumped in her seat a bit. She felt this weird wave of disappointment wash over her and it wasn't about not getting to see the city. She had told Blaine she was working on making friends and this tour would have given her a chance to get to know Brittany better. "That's fine. If you have to work or have plans, I can just, get in a cab and see where it takes me. Like I am now."

"No, don't do that! I still want to be your Vegas guide but maybe we can do it another day? I'm so sorry. It's just that…."

"Brittany, you don't have to explain yourself," Santana interrupted, "You did mention it was your day off so you should do something fun and not drive some stranger around."

"Driving you around would be fun!" Brittany insisted. She came to another red light and stopped. "I mean, we had a good time at dinner, right? I mean, I know I did."

"I did too," Santana said with a smile. "Honestly, when I asked you about giving me a tour, I…it wasn't meant as a job offer, actually."

"It wasn't?" Brittany heard another honk and realized the light had changed. This wasn't very safe driving and she still wasn't sure where they were going but she kind of didn't care. She hadn't seen Santana all week and she had found herself hoping to see Santana around the taxi stand.

"No," Santana said, now feeling a bit shy. She let out a shaky breath. Why was it so hard to ask this girl to possibly be her friend? God, she felt like such a loser. "I was hoping, that maybe we…I mean, I don't know anyone here and like you said, we had a good time at dinner, so I was hoping that….I mean…"

Brittany tried to keep her eyes on the road but found herself looking through her mirror at Santana's slightly flushed face. Santana looked kind of adorable. "Are you asking me to be your friend?" she asked with a slight giggle.

Santana wanted to jump out of this moving car and disappear into the city. That's how embarrassed she was. Do adults ask others to be friends? Who the hell does that? "I don't even know what I'm saying."

Brittany couldn't contain her her giggle. She hadn't had anyone really ask her to be her friend since like high school. Now, making friends sort of just happened.

Santana groaned. "You're making fun of me. You can just drop me off right h…." Santana had been so caught up with Brittany she had't realized they had apparently left the city limits and while there were some random casinos, they were now out in the middle of the desert. "Ummm…where the hell are we?"

"Duh, Vegas."

"Uh no, we're out in the middle of nowhere. How the hell did you drive out of the city so fast? Where are you taking me?" Santana looked from one side to the other at the mountains and desert land.

Brittany stopped smiling and put on a serious face. "I'm taking you out to the desert to kill you mafia style and bury your body where no one can find you."

Santana scooted back in her seat, feeling maybe a tiny bit scared. "Wha….what?"

The terrified look on Santana's face through her mirror made her laugh. "I'm kidding. Old joke. I'd never hurt you."

Santana let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "The hell Britt? That was…I mean I hardly know you. For all I know you could be a serial killer."

"So you want to be friends with someone you think might actually be a serial killer?" Brittany teased, "You really must be desperate."

"I…" Santana saw the side of Brittany's face and the big smile on her face. She relaxed. "You're making fun of me again."

"I'm sorry," Brittany said still beyond amused, "It's kinda easy. For a security director you're pretty easy to trick."

Santana had no argument, really. She was a tough, no nonsense, observant person. No one messed with her. She didn't play around and everything pretty much annoyed her. This cab driver, Brittany, was messing her up. She felt like a blubbering idiot when she was around her. Santana wasn't sure if she hated it or kind of liked it. "Where are you taking me? And how did we end up in the desert so fast?"

Brittany sped up a bit. "You didn't tell me where you wanted to go so I just drove. We're only a few miles out of the strip so don't worry. If we keep going this way, we'll hit some outlet stores if you feel like shopping. Past that, are more casinos and the California state line. I figured I'd take you to the outlets. I can turn around if you want, take you back to the city."

"Oh, uh no, that's fine," Santana said, "I'm sorry. I just don't know this city at all. I've really only seen pictures of the strip and that's it."

"Wait, so you didn't even, like, fly out here before moving to check it out? You've never been here before?"

"Nope," Santana said, feeling more relaxed now that she knew where they were going, "I was interviewed over Skype and phone and I researched this place from back home and just took the job."

"That's crazy." Brittany saw the outlets just ahead and slowed down to exit the highway. "And kind of amazingly brave. I mean, you just left your family, friends and home to come to a strange city. I'd never have the guts to do that."

"Thank you." She felt oddly proud at hearing Brittany call her brave and there she went feeling a little shy again. So weird. "I'm sure you would do it to, I mean if you found a job you really wanted." Santana caught Brittany's profile and saw the smile that had been on her face disappear.

"It's not that easy," Brittany said softly. She exited the highway and drove to the parking lot of the outlet stores.

Santana felt like she should say something but she already got the feeling she had said something wrong. Brittany's whole demure changed and she seemed a little sad. "I'm sorry, I didn't meant to upset you…if I said.."

"It's nothing," Brittany said quickly. She parked the cab in front of the main entrance to the mall, "Here you go." She turned off the meter.

Santana reached in her purse for her wallet when she realized that Brittany would leave after this. "Umm, do you think you can wait for me? I don't see any other cabs around and I'd rather not get stuck here."

"I can't really do that," Brittany said, "I mean I could, but I'd have to keep the meter running and it could get expensive."

Santana put her purse back in her wallet. She really didn't feel like shopping at all and wanted to spend more time with Brittany. This could be her chance to do that whole friend thing. "In that case, take me back to the hotel. I'd rather just keep riding in the cab. I'm not much of a shopper."

Brittany's smile came back. Spending more time driving Santana around made her happy. She wanted to know more about this woman. "If you say so." She put the cab in drive and took off. "So, uh, where is home for you? I mean before here?"

"New Jersey." Santana wished she could actually see Brittany's face. Being in the backseat seemed a little impersonal or something but it would have to do. "I worked in Atlantic City."

"Cool. I've never been there, but I've seen some Boardwalk Empire episodes and it looks interesting."

Santana let out a laugh. "It's a great place but when the opportunity to work at a big Vegas casino came up, I couldn't pass it up."

"Tell me about Atlantic City." Brittany had only ever been two places in her life, Vegas and San Francisco, where her grandparents lived. She always loved hearing about other cities and hoped that once Jenny was set up in college, she could travel more. She could hear the smile in Santana's voice as she talked about her hometown and Brittany made sure not to drive too fast so she could spend more time with her new friend. Most of her days were spent trying to figure out how to make money, take care of her sister and paying the bills. All that was always in the back of her mind, except now, listening to Santana, her responsibilities didn't feel so consuming. "Oh that sounds so cool."

Santana was never much of a talker but right now, she felt like she could talk forever. Even though she couldn't see her face, Santana knew Brittany was not only listening to every word, but actually enjoying the stories. Maybe it was that Brittany was the first person she had had a real conversation with or maybe it was that she found herself really liking this girl, but Santana didn't think she had ever had such a good time riding in a cab. She continued talking and every time Brittany laughed, Santana made sure to joke around to hear that laugh again. Before she knew it, The Dalton was in view. "Oh wow, we're here already?"

"Yeah," Brittany said, not bothering to hide her disappointment. She was about to turn into the main driveway when she suddenly decided to drop Santana off at the side entrance, where she had dropped her off the first time. She parked her cab and turned off the meter and engine. She took off her sunglasses and turned around. "Here we go."

Before Santana could say anything, Brittany was out of the cab and motioning her to get out. She opened the door and stepped out into the harsh Vegas sun. "Jesus! I swear I'm never getting used to this heat."

"Don't worry, once winter comes it'll get super cold." Brittany went to stand next to her passenger. "You're fun."

Santana blinked in surprise. She wasn't expecting Brittany to say that. "I am?"

"Yeah, and I'd love to be your friend." Brittany saw Santana playfully roll her eyes, and smile. "And I can introduce you to tons of people."

"Can you now?" Santana smiled.

"Yup. If we were in high school, I'd be like the popular girl who knows everyone."

"You know what? You're the fun one," Santana said with a chuckle.

"We're both fun." Brittany was glad she could finally look at Santana and get a clear look at that smile. She liked seeing the security director dressed in more casual clothes. Santana looked cute and a lot younger. Looking at Santana dressed in shorts and a simple shirt, Brittany couldn't imagine her arresting cheaters or drunks for a living. "You don't look so tough, you know?"

Santana was finding keeping up with Brittany amusing. "I'm plenty tough."

Brittany shrugged her shoulder. "I don't know. First, you're like really small and second, you're way too hot and nice to be scary."

Santana tried to speak but only a huff of air came out. She should feel offended that Brittany didn't think she was up to do her job but she couldn't get past at Brittany thinking she was hot. She suddenly felt like maybe they were back in high school and she was some hormonal teen. "That's…people are afraid of me."

"I'm not," Brittany teased. She hadn't had this much fun with someone in such long time and she wished she didn't have to go back to work or that she had to cancel their planned tour.

Santana sighed. This girl was unlike anyone she had ever met before. "I think.." She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence because Brittany's phone went off.

"Sorry," Brittany said. She took out her phone and saw it was her sister. "Hey, what's up?….don't worry I didn't forget. I made the reservations for tomorrow….yeah, it's going to be awesome. OK, sure…I'll be home a little early tonight…yeah…don't forget to take out the trash….alright bye….I love you too."

Santana listened to Brittany's side of the conversation and whatever good mood she had been in was suddenly gone. It seemed Brittany had canceled because she was spending the day with her boyfriend most likely. A boyfriend Brittany apparently lived with and loved. Santana shook her head and tried to ignore the disappointment she felt wash over her. She needed make an effort to make friends in Vegas and not chase after straight girls.

Brittany hung up and turned her attention to Santana whose smile had disappeared. "You ok?"

"Just, the sun," Santana said quickly.

Brittany looked at the time on her phone. "I have to go. I'm supposed to be working."

"Oh right, sure," Santana said as she opened her purse and took out a hundred dollar bill, "Here you go. Thanks for the ride."

Brittany took the bill. "Umm, I don't think I have change for this."

"No change," Santana said, "You keep the rest. A tip for such an entertaining ride. You can use it to buy something nice tomorrow on your day off."

"Thanks." Brittany really didn't want to leave. She considered asking Santana to join her and her sister tomorrow but thought that would be too weird and maybe unfair to her sister too. Jenny had been looking forward to Sister Day, as she called it, for a weeks and if Brittany invited someone she barely knew, it wouldn't be right. "I am sorry about tomorrow, Santana. I have Monday off and the whole morning and most of the afternoon free. We can hang out. I mean if you're not working. And I don't mean as a job thing, I mean hang out as friends."

"Friends?" Santana's smile came back.

"I like you and we have fun together," Brittany said, "I'd love to hang out with you more."

Maybe it was a good thing Brittany was taken because Santana was sure it would be so easy to develop a crush on her new friend. Brittany was beautiful, sweet, funny and honest. She mentally scolded herself for letting her thoughts drift to anything past friendship with her new friend. You need friends not a girlfriend, Santana told herself, Brittany is straight. Brittany is straight. Santana tried to repeat that in her head over and over. "Actually, I do have Monday morning off. So yeah, I'd love to hang out."

In her excitement, Brittany practically lunged at Santana and brought her in for a hug. "Awesome!"

Brittany was hugging her and all Santana could do was stand there frozen. "Uh.."

"Sorry." Brittany pulled back, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I'm kind of a hugger."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm, uh, not a hugger so I wasn't sure what to do."

"Do you not know how to hug?"

"I know how to hug," Santana said, "I'm just, not great at it."

Brittany was starting to really love the shy look Santana got when she teased her. "Come here."

Santana watched in shock as Brittany came closer and put her arms around her waist. "Britt?"

Brittany tightened her hold on Santana's waist and rested her chin on Santana's shoulder. She also didn't ignore the fact that Santana had started calling her Britt. "Now, you put your arms around my neck." Brittany took in a long breath and let the smell of Santana's hair fill her nostrils. She smelled really good.

Santana swallowed trying to get rid of her suddenly dry throat. She slowly lifted her arms and did as instructed. Brittany was a few inches taller and the hug should have felt awkward, but it didn't. In fact, they felt like they fit perfectly. Brittany is straight, Santana thought again, super straight, the straightest of the straight. Santana knew she should pull away, but instead she tightened the hug and closed her eyes when she heard Brittany speak into her ear.

"See, hugging is super easy," Brittany said softly.

"Uh huh." That was all Santana could say.

Brittany knew this hug was lasting longer than it should and she pulled away because she didn't want to make Santana uncomfortable. "Any questions?"

Santana shook her head. That was honestly the best hug she had ever had.

"I should really go." Brittany began walking to the driver's door, "I'll pick you up Monday like at 9? Is that too early?"

Not early enough, Santana thought. "Nope, 9 is perfect."

"Awesome." Brittany opened her door. "That was a good hug, but I think you need more practice."

"I think you're right." Santana was still trying to recover from feeling Brittany's body pressed against hers. "Maybe you can give me more pointers on Monday."

"I can totally do that." Brittany winked at Santana and got in her cab. She didn't mean to, but she realized she was flirting with Santana. The last thing she wanted was to scare Santana away. Her sister was right, it had been ages since she dated anyone and apparently that was causing her to flirt with this poor woman who only wanted to be her friend. Brittany let out a frustrated sigh. Santana was probably straight or had someone back in Atlantic City. "Santana is your friend," she told herself, "You're new friend you are going to scare away if you keep acting like a horny creeper."

Santana watched as Brittany drove away and wished for Monday. "Friend. That's it, just friend." She turned and went inside The Dalton. She needed a drink.

-tbc-

A/N: A million thanks to all you who are reading and for all the reviews!