Santana stood by the taxi area and looked at her watch. Brittany had texted her that she would be off work soon. She was 10 minutes early, but she didn't want Brittany to have to come in the casino looking for her. Now that Santana knew about Brittany's past, the anxiety she saw in Brittany when inside casinos made more sense.

"Hey Santana."

Santana turned around and smiled at Mike. "Hey Mike. How are you?"

"Good. Beyond busy." Mike looked exhausted. "I saw you just standing there and wanted to see if you needed any help?"

"I'm fine. I'm just waiting for Brittany."

"Ah." Mike smiled. "I heard she took you on a scooter ride."

"She told you?"

"Kurt told me."

Santana didn't hide her surprise. "News travels fast around here."

"We'll when you spend long hours with the same people, fresh news is hard to come by," Mike said, "So when the new director goes out with one of our good friends, we all talk about it."

Santana shook her head and let out a nervous chuckle. "We didn't, you know, go out…it, we just hung out."

"Oh, hmm. The way Kurt talked about it, it sounded like a date."

"He's…Kurt's just confused." Santana was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with this conversation. Thinking back to her day with Brittany, it could have been a date. Brittany picked her up, they had a meal, they practically spent the whole day together. So, yeah, Santana could see how maybe that was a date. She smiled.

Mike looked like he wanted to laugh but held it in. "Well, I have to get back to work. I'll leave you in Brittany's hands cause here she comes." Mike gave Brittany a wave and left.

Santana turned around and saw Brittany walking towards her. "Britt."

Brittany thought this day would never end. Throughout her shift she couldn't stop thinking about meeting Santana for dinner and maybe even telling her more about her family. "Hey Santana."

"I was only talking to Mike for like a minute," Santana said, "How did you sneak by?"

"I'm ninja like that," Brittany said with a light laugh. "Were you waiting for me?"

"I was," Santana admitted, "I was thinking we could go the The Elixir for dinner and we could go in through the back."

Brittany was touched at how considerate Santana was being and brought her in for a hug. "Thanks for waiting for me."

Santana felt herself melt into the hug and tightened her arms around Brittany. "You're welcome."

Brittany was sure she was becoming addicted to Santana's hugs. She pulled back to look at her friend and came dangerously close to Santana's lips. "You're really sweet, but we can go through the casino."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Santana said softly. She was well aware she was still in Brittany's embrace and that their lips were only a couple of inches apart.

Brittany felt like she was being pulled into Santana and almost kissed her on her lips but at the last second moved to kiss her on the cheek. "Let's go. I'm hungry."

Santana let out a shaky breath as Brittany let her go. She really thought Brittany was going to kiss her, or maybe that was just wishful thinking. "Are you sure?"

Brittany nodded. "I need to get over this. I mean, it's not really like one of those phobias, you know, the ones where people just start screaming. It's like a panic attack, I guess. All these bad memories just come to my mind."

Santana felt like her heart was breaking listening to Brittany. "If you ever want to talk about this, I'm here, OK?"

Brittany forced a small smile. She wanted to show Santana that it was no big deal, but it was. She never really talked about her past, even to her friends who knew about it. She definitely didn't talk to Jenny about it because Brittany didn't want her sister to take on her burden when Jenny had some of her own. As she looked at the concern and sincerity in Santana's eyes, Brittany felt like telling her everything. Especially now that her father was back. "I want to tell you, but not right now. But I will. I promise."

Santana brought Brittany back in for a hug and held her tight. "When you're ready, I'll be here."

Brittany buried her face in the crook of Santana's neck. "I'm really glad you moved here."

Santana moved back a bit and placed a kiss on Brittany's cheek. "Me too." She stepped back and separated herself from Brittany because Santana was suddenly aware that they were in front of the casino in plain view of all the tourists and Mike. She didn't want more gossip to spread around Brittany's friends. "Come on." She reached for Brittany's hand. "Let's go eat."

Brittany smiled and took Santana's hand. She knew now that she wanted to be more than just Santana's friend. She felt it. Brittany felt different when she was with Santana. It wasn't at all like how she felt when she hung out with any of her other friends. Santana made her feel safe and taken care of which was something she hadn't felt in a very long time. "Thank you."

"For what?"

Brittany shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. For dinner? You're paying, right?"

Santana let out a big laugh. "Actually, the hotel is paying. I get everything for free."

"Wow, you're a cheap date," Brittany joked.

"I promise to take you out to a place where I have to pay," Santana said with a squeeze of Brittany's hand. This conversation was taking a dangerous turn. "Let's go."

Santana led Brittany into The Dalton and through the casino floor. She felt Brittany's grip on her hand tighten and her step quicken. Seeing Brittany's anxiety up close made Santana cures Paul Pierce for ruining Brittany's childhood. "We're almost there."

Brittany kept her eyes focused straight ahead. She was determined to get through here without freaking out and found that having Santana with her was helping a lot. She felt her heart quicken and felt herself sweat more than usual. She took a deep breath and powered though. When she saw the Elixir sign, she felt like a great pressure had been lifted.

Santana stopped in front of the Elixir front doors and turned to Brittany. "We're here. Are you OK?"

Brittany took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She looked back at all that she has walked through and when she turned back to Santana she had a big smile on her face. "That's the the first time I've ever been able to walk that far into a casino. I did it!"

"You did!" Santana felt this big sense of pride at seeing what Brittany had accomplished. "You have nothing to fear, Britt."

"I could have never done that without you Santana." Brittany looked into Santana's eyes. "You make things less scary."

Santana really wished friends kissed each other on the lips because that's what she desperately wanted to do right now. She would do anything to make things less scary for Brittany by any means necessary. "I'll be here for you, Britt."

Brittany had spent the last couple of years being the strong one for her sister and she never let anyone take care of her, even when she needed it. But looking at Santana now, Brittany wanted to be taken care of for once and she wanted Santana to be the one to take care of her. "Thank you, Santana. And I'm sorry my hands are sweaty."

Santana gave Brittany's hand a light squeeze and lead her inside. "It's OK. I kinda like it."

The Elixir didn't turn into a club until 11 pm. Before that, it was just a bar and restaurant and Santana had made reservations. When they entered, Emma, the hostess, greeted them.

"Hello ladies," Emma said, "We've been expecting you."

"Hi Emma," Santana said, "You know Brittany, right?"

"Of course!" Emma said, "How are you Brittany? I haven't seen you in awhile."

"I'm fine. Just working a lot." Brittany really liked Emma and there were times when she reminded Brittany of her mom.

"We'll it's nice to see you in here," Emma said, "Hopefully relaxing."

"I'm all relaxed," Brittany said.

Emma lead them to their table and left two menus with them. "Remember," Santana said, "The hotel is paying, so get whatever you want."

"What if I want 10 lobsters?" Brittany joked.

"OK, almost anything you want," Santana grinned.

The waiter came and took their order, with Brittany only ordering one lobster and some shrimp. Santana opted for the steak. When the waiter was gone, Santana looked at Brittany and was suddenly overcome with how perfect it felt to be here with her.

Santana cleared her throat and took a sip of her water. "So, how was your day?"

"Good," Brittany said, "I made $100 in tips."

"Wow, that's pretty impressive. Is that what you usually make?"

"Not really. I mean, it depends," Brittany explained, "Sometimes I make a lot less sometimes more. The summer is the best cause we get lots of tourists, but in the winter, it's not so great."

Santana couldn't imagine how Brittany did it. Relying on fares and tips to make a living, not only for her but for her sister as well. "I have to say Britt, I think you're amazing."

"You do?" Brittany had never had anyone call her amazing before. "Why?"

"You work really hard to take care of yourself and your sister," Santana said, unable to hide the admiration in her voice, "It's just…hell I couldn't even take care of my pet fish and here you are taking care of another human being. It's just..it's amazing."

Brittany looked down at the utensils in front of her trying to hide the blush she felt on her face. "I'm just doing what I have to do."

"That's just it," Santana went on, "With everything you've been through, many people would just fall apart, but you didn't."

"I did fall apart," Brittany said softly. She looked up at Santana and shrugged. "But I had to take care of my sister, so it didn't last long."

Santana reached across the table and took Brittany's hand. It was a gesture Santana was growing to really like doing. "See? Amazing."

Brittany smiled at Santana, loving her hand on hers. She was getting used to Santana always touching her and hoped it never ended. "I want to tell you. Tell you about my family. I've never really talked to anyone about it. I mean, my friends know, but I don't talk to them about my feelings and stuff."

"I'm all ears." Santana intertwined their fingers. "And if you ever need my help, with anything, just ask. No matter what it is."

Brittany smiled. Santana made her feel like everything was going to be OK and like all the pressure she faced every day wasn't so bad. "I really like you Santana."

Santana felt like her heart had jumped to her throat. There was no denying that she liked Brittany more than a friend and she wanted to tell her that but wasn't sure if it would scare Brittany off. Brittany could just like her as a friend but Santana was almost positive Brittany felt more than that. "I really like you too."

They stayed silent for a while and just as Brittany was about to speak they were joined by some random woman.

"Excuse me?"

Brittany let go of Santana's hand and leaned back. She looked at the woman who had seemed to appear out of nowhere. At first Brittany thought it was a waitress with their food, but this woman had on a business suit like the one Santana was wearing. "Umm, hi."

Santana didn't hide her annoyance at being interrupted. "Can I help you?" The woman took it upon her self to sit down. "I'm sorry but this is a private dinner and unless you have a lobster and steak hidden behind your back, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Santana wasn't usually this rude, well not really, but she and Brittany were having a moment that was now ruined.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I'm Elaine Stevenson. Sue Sylvester's assistant."

Shit, Santana thought.

"The whale Sue?" Brittany asked and immediately wished she hadn't. She was sure rich people didn't like being called that.

Santana gave the assistant her best work smile hoping her annoyance at being interrupted wasn't too obvious. "Of course. Sorry about that, we were just waiting for our food. Sue mentioned you'd be reaching out."

"I actually called your office to make an appointment, but your assistant didn't pick up."

"I don't have an assistant," Santana said, "Not yet."

Brittany wished she was also wearing some sort of business suit just so she wouldn't feel out of place with her jeans and purple shirt. The assistant was smiling a lot and seemed kinda of snobby. Brittany wished she'd leave.

"Is now a bad time to go over some things?" Elaine asked.

Santana could not believe this woman. "Actually, it's not a good time. I'm having dinner with my friend and I'm off the clock. Why don't you stop by my office tomorrow around 3 and we can talk."

"Wonderful." Elaine got up and reached out to shake Santana's hand. "I look forward to working with you."

Brittany was about to extend her own hand, because that was the polite thing to do, but the assistant turned and left without even glancing at Brittany. "Well, bye," she said to no one.

"How fucking rude!" Santana was glad to get rid of the assistant and get back to her dinner with Brittany.

"She seemed very…business-y."

"Who the hell does that?" Santana asked, still annoyed, "I mean, have some damn manners."

"I guess she really wanted to meet you." Brittany took a sip of her water. "If you need to take care of the whale, I don't want to keep you. I mean, isn't she like super rich?"

Santana reached for Brittany's hand again. "I don't care how rich she is, I'm off the clock and I'm having dinner with my really good friend. Sue and her assistant can wait until tomorrow."

Brittany smiled at Santana's answer and squeezed her hand. "Good, cause I really want to spend time with you.'

There was that feeling again. That felling that told Santana that this friendship was something more. A lot more. She was sure Brittany felt it to. Well, maybe 90% sure. "Me too."

The food came and they let go of each other's hands. "This looks so good!" Brittany brought her plate a bit closer and picked up her fork. "It looks so pretty, I almost don't want to eat it."

Santana picked up her fork and knife and cut a piece of steak. "Pretty or not, I'm starving so I'm eating it. If you want to just look at your plate, feel free."

Brittany laughed at Santana chewing her steak through a big smile. She stabbed a shrimp with her fork and ate it. "Mmm."

"Better than just looking at it, right?" Santana swallowed the food in her mouth and reached across the table with her fork and stole one of Brittany's shrimp.

"Hey! That's my shrimp!"

Santana quickly put the breaded piece in her mouth and began to chew. "This really is good."

Brittany playfully narrowed her eyes and reached across the table with her own fork and took a piece of steak Santana had already cut and ate it. "This steak is amazing too."

"You stole my meat!" Santana laughed.

"You started it!" Brittany was laughing just as much as Santana. Who knew dinner could be so much fun. "OK, how about we share?"

Santana cut half of her steak and put it on Brittany's plate. In return, Brittany put some shrimp and lobster on Santana's plate. The whole thing seemed silly but there was something very familiar about sharing food that Brittany really liked.

"Why does it feel like we've known each other for like years?" Brittany asked.

"I don't know," Santana answered, "I guess we just click."

"Click," Brittany repeated softly, "Clicking is good." She couldn't seem to look away from Santana and she really didn't want to. Brittany wanted to look at her all the time. Santana was just so beautiful and she had the cutest crinkle in her eyes when she laughed. Brittany needed to snap out of her thoughts. "So, umm, tell me about your day." She didn't want to talk about her problems during dinner. That would for sure suck all the fun, so she picked a safe topic.

Santana decided right then and there that she would try to figure out a way to ask Brittany out. And not as a friend. Click. It was that simple. She hadn't clicked like this with anyone in a really long time. But this was a different click. A better one.

They spent the dinner mostly talking about their day and Brittany filling Santana in on what the casino was like before she got here. They finished dinner and were finishing up dessert. Brittany thought everything was perfect. The food. The company. Just, everything. "Hey Santana?"

"Yeah?"

"Umm, do you think I…never mind." Brittany shook her head and finished off the ice tea she had also ordered.

"What is it Britt? Do you what another lobster?" Santana asked with a smile. Brittany looked adorably shy.

Brittany's eyes widened. "How did you know that's what I was going to ask?"

"Lucky guess," Santana said with a chuckle, "You want to take one to your sister, right?"

This was getting scary. "Can you read minds?" Brittany asked seriously.

"No. Far from it. You're always taking care of your sister, even when she's not here, so I just figured you'd want her to have a fancy dinner too." Santana got the waiter's attention and ordered the lobster and steak plate to go.

"Won't the hotel get mad you spend so much money on food?" Brittany really didn't want Santana to get in trouble for doing something so sweet for Jenny.

"I told you Britt," Santana smiled, "It's free. One of my requirements for taking this job was that I get some hotel perks and I intend to take full advantage."

"That's so cool." Brittany knew The Dalton treated their employees well, but this was pretty crazy. Though Brittany figured that since Santana had a very important job, they wanted to keep her happy. After all, she was the best.

Santana leaned forward a bit. "You know….the hotel also has a day spa."

"Like those places where you take a bath in mud?"

"Exactly those places. How about we do a spa day soon?"

"Really? I've never been to a spa. I mean, they're like really expensive."

"Don't worry about the money, OK? I told you, this job has a lot of perks and I'd like to share them with you." Santana watched Brittany carefully for her reaction and hoped she wasn't coming off too strong. It was the truth though. Santana had so much right now and no one to really share it with. Sure, now she had Blaine here but it wasn't the same. Sharing something with Brittany wasn't the same as sharing it with her other friends.

Brittany reached for her glass and took a drink but realized she had finished off the last drop. Instead she took a small piece of ice in her mouth in hopes that it would stop the tingling feeling she felt in her chest at Santana's words. Brittany was sure Santana was the sweetest and kindest person she had ever met and she couldn't believe how lucky she was to have met her. At the same time, Brittany didn't want Santana to think she was using their friendship to get free stuff. "You really don't have to, Santana. You worked hard for everything and you should enjoy it."

"You work hard too," Santana said, "And I think I'll enjoy all this more if I had some company." Santana wanted to reach for Brittany's hand but they were too far away. Looking at her dinner date, sitting there looking adorable, Santana knew she was slowly falling for her. Shit, she thought. "Britt…"

"Ladies," Kurt greeted as he took a seat.

Santana jumped a little at the interruption and found herself a bit relieved. "Hey Kurt."

"Kurt!" Brittany got up and crouched down to hug her sitting friend. "I was wondering when you'd come say hi!"

"The tourists are drinking like it's the day before prohibition." Kurt loosened his tie. "Sorry to bother your… date?"

Brittany sat back down. "We're just having dinner."

"A dinner date then," Kurt said.

Santana chimed in. "Something like that."

"I'm on break," Kurt said, "And I just wanted to stop by and say hello and also to make sure you lovely ladies will be attending my birthday party next week."

"You know I'll be there," Brittany said.

"Umm, yeah. I'd love to go," Santana said, thrilled she was now getting invited to, well, anything. "Thanks for inviting me."

Kurt shrugged his shoulders. "The more friends the better."

"We can go together!" Brittany knew she had said that a bit to eagerly and a bit too loudly than she meant to by the amused look on Kurt's face. She looked to Santana who was just smiling. "I mean, since you don't know a lot of people yet and umm…like I could be your party tour guide too."

"I would love to have you as a party tour guide," Santana teased. She was getting good at making Brittany blush.

"A party date then?" Kurt could not hide the amused smile on his face.

Brittany let out a sigh of relief when her to-go order came to the table. She actually did want take Santana to the party as a date but she didn't want Kurt teasing her about it. He had called her the other day asking about her and Santana and the more Brittany tried to sound like being friends with Santana was no big deal, the more Kurt teased her.

"I guess that's my cue to leave." Kurt said getting up. "You two better be at my party."

"Oh hey!" Santana suddenly remembered she was forgetting someone. "Can I invite my friend Blaine? He just moved here to work at the hotel."

"Awesome! Invite away." Kurt slightly bowed. "Ladies, enjoy the rest of your da…evening." With one last wink at Brittany he left.

"Umm, we should probably go too." Brittany placed her order on her lap. It was getting late and she wanted to get home to make sure her sister was alright and to give her the food.

Santana nodded, disappointed her dinner date with Brittany was ending. She signed her name on the bill and got up. "Come on. This place is getting too noisy anyway."

Brittany hugged the brown bag that contained her sister's food to her and followed Santana out of the restaurant. "Thanks again. Next time I'm taking you out to dinner."

Santana turned to Brittany and smiled. "Next time, huh? And where will you take me?

"Well, I can't take you to a place fancy like this." They began walking towards the front of the casino and Brittany tried not to look and listen to the slot machines on either side of her. She felt Santana loop her arm through hers, making it easier for Brittany to ignore everything around her. Everything but Santana. "I would…umm..OH! I know. Next time you have to come to my place and have dinner with me and Jenny."

"That sounds perfect." Santana felt Brittany quicken her pace a bit but she didn't seem to be as anxious as before. "As great as the food is here, I've been dying for a home cooked meal."

"Well I can't cook." Brittany saw the front doors to the casino far in the distance. She knew she could do this. "But Jenny is like Gordon Ramsey but without all the yelling."

"She didn't seem like the yelling type when I met her. She was really nice, even after I woke her up."

"She really wants to get to know you," Brittany said, "And I'm like really sure it's just so she can tell you embarrassing stories about me."

With a laugh, Santana saw the front desk come into view. "That would be amazing! I would love to hear any and all embarrassing Brittany stories."

They stopped when they arrived to the front and Brittany looked back at what she had walked and smiled. Twice now she had walked the casino floor. "I did it again."

"You did," Santana said letting Brittany go and standing in front of her, "Casinos don't have to be scary, Britt."

Brittany nodded. "Maybe you can walk me to other parts of the casino. You know, so I can get over this."

"Sure. This place is like its own city, it's huge. There's so many cool things in here that you should really see."

"I heard there's a big Vegas show opening here soon."

"Next month," Santana said, "Some big musical production which I'm still not really sure what it's about. I heard the lead actress, Rachel something, is driving the crew crazy."

"Rachel Berry."

Santana raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me. You know her."

"Sort of. She went to school with Quinn and Finn and I met her at some party. All I remember is she loves to talk."

"Thanks for the warning," Santana said, "I'll make sure to stay away from that one."

Brittany felt the heat from the bag she was holding and knew she should get it to her sister soon before it got too cold. "Umm, I should get this food to Jenny before it gets cold. I really had a good time Santana."

Santana didn't hide her disappointment. "I guess we should call it a night. I had a good time too Brittany."

"I really wish I could stay longer," Brittany admitted.

Santana was feeling bold. "Then stay longer. I can get a hotel employee to deliver the food to Jenny."

"You can do that?"

"Sure." Santana shrugged her shoulders. "We have people who do deliveries for guests all the time."

Brittany really wanted to take Santana up on her offer but she couldn't. She couldn't because she knew she'd end up kissing Santana at some point. She couldn't because she would probably ruin the good time by talking about her dad. No. This was a perfect time to end their dinner date. "That's OK. I really should go. And you have that appointment with that lady that you probably have to prepare for."

"She's probably going to just read off a list of demands that Sue has," Santana said rolling her eyes, "But you're probably right, we both have work tomorrow and you've got food to deliver. Did you park in the taxi area?"

Brittany nodded. "I have the cab. I take it home the days I work."

Santana looped her arm around Brittany's again. "I'll walk you out."

They walked outside and the fresh night air was a welcome change from the casino air. They arrived at Brittany's cab and Brittany opened the passenger door to put the food down. "I guess I'll see you later," Brittany said turning to face Santana.

"Hopefully soon." Santana went in for a hug. It was funny actually. She was sure she had hugged more these past few weeks than she had her whole adult life.

Brittany closed her eyes and felt her body relax into Santana. "I'm off the day after tomorrow. Maybe we can do something?"

Santana pulled back. "I think I can get that day off too. With Blaine here now, I won't be so busy."

"Awesome." For the third time, Brittany gave Santana a kiss on the cheek.

"Awesome," Santana repeated. She was going to return Brittany's cheek kiss, she really was, but somehow she missed Brittany's cheek completely and softly kissed her lips.

Brittany was not expecting that at all and wasn't sure what to say or do.

Idiot, Santana thought. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm a bad kisser of cheeks."

Brittany shook her head and instead of telling Santana it was OK, she gently kissed Santana on the lips. "I'm not that good of a cheek kisser either."

Santana felt her mouth tug into a grin. "I guess we both suck."

Brittany kissed Santana's lower lip and then let her go. "I should go. I'll call you tomorrow, OK?"

"Uh…umm, yeah." Santana felt like she forgot how to form words. "Tomorrow."

Brittany went to the driver's side and opened the door. "Bye Santana."

"Bye Brittany."

Brittany got in her cab and drove off. She felt that tingle in her body stronger than ever and had to fight the urge to stop the car and go back to Santana to really kiss her.

Santana didn't move from her spot until she saw Brittany disappear down the long driveway and into traffic. She could not stop grinning.

-tbc-

A/N: Hope everyone is doing great! I've been trying to post every other week and next update may be a bit later than that (off on another trip). But hey, at least I left it on a good spot, right? ;)