A/N: Once again, I am in italics, pupofstuff is in bold, each new paragraph is a new text, and the line breaks mean a sudden change in the general subject.

God, how would that conversation go?

Really incredibly awkward. Rachel would be at rehearsal for the rest of the day, and Dani and Santana would be cuddling on the couch. Kurt would sit down in the armchair and not say anything for minutes. He keeps fidgeting and eventually Santana gets fed up and tells him to say what's on his mind or else.

So Kurt would sit them down, and after a few minutes of silence, shakily explain that he thinks Rachel's relationship might becoming too dependent, and might be becoming damaging to her when Dani and Santana need some alone time.

I see Dani's mouth falling open, kind of how she looked when she said, "I'm not a lesbian." I'm not sure how Santana would react.

They would both try to deny it; Rachel is their friend and would never do anything to hurt them. But then Kurt asks them the last time the two of them hung out alone for two hours without Rachel interrupting or showing up. It's been a while, but the scariest thing is, neither can remember ever feeling annoyed by it. And that freaks them out more than anything Kurt is saying.

I see Santana getting her defensive anger up, and she turns the conversation back on him before they get too far into it. Just because Kurt's feeling guilty about not having time for Rachel, it doesn't mean he has to tear down their friendship to make himself feel better. Both Dani and Santana are operating individually, and I think it's more afterwards that either lets themselves think about how they don't mind Rachel hanging with them. Dani, while Kurt's still there, would be one hundred percent behind doing damage control, offering up defensive excuses, "Save money if we three pay for things; they were already in that area." Things like that. She wouldn't allow herself to think about it too deeply at that point. Both girls are firmly in denial, if not just because both don't want to put strain on their relationship.

Mhm… And Kurt doesn't really know where to go from there. He had hoped that saying this aloud would make the pair realize something at the very least, and having them continuously deny it, is making things not go the way he wants.

I think he truly thinks it's just a case of Rachel being pushy and dependent, and if he points it out to Dantana, that they'd automatically realize what was going on. But this reaction, while getting offended and angry himself, throws him for a loop. He doesn't suspect anything, but he doesn't know what to do now.

Do you think Santana would lash out at Rachel after this?

You know, I think she would. With all of her guilt and emotions broiling, I could see her getting inordinately angry after Rachel does something slight. It's after Dani's gone home, and Rachel's late for dinner, maybe, because she'd stayed longer at practice than she said she would, and so Santana takes out her anger at Kurt on her.

And this would be a moment Rachel is waiting for, subconsciously at least. For Santana to lash out at her, for her to finally get fed up with Rachel hanging around when Santana wanted to be alone. So she fights back too, and even if she doesn't mean anything she says, she needs to hurt Santana too.

Kurt, staring at the two, can't believe what's happening, and deep down he knows it's his fault. Even he's horrified at what's coming out of each girl's mouth. Santana's calling Rachel a selfish brat who can't be alone, and who still isn't growing up, and it's like Santana can't trust her anymore, and Rachel's yelling at Santana that she DOES have her own life, and she's SORRY she's living her dream while Santana's still floundering, and doubting that she even wants to be with them, and why not just move in with Dani already if she's so upset and doesn't want to see Rachel anymore.

D: So much angst! I'm going to need some fun established Dantanchel soon to feel good about all this. And at that, Santana storms to her room, throws a bag together and leaves the apartment, leaving a confused and hurt Rachel behind.

When Kurt tentatively admits what he'd done earlier that day, unable to keep back the guilt from knowing he was the reason why this was so hot in Santana's mind, Rachel should feel betrayed and angry and even worse and after a verbal, "How COULD you?" she should head to Quinn's.

She's lucky this is happening on a Friday night, because it means she doesn't have rehearsal for two days. She takes the train up North, and doesn't tell Kurt or Santana where she is heading. Kurt calls Santana freaking out, because he's not thinking clearly and can't realize where Rachel went.

And then Santana is too angry to listen to Kurt when he calls, so she turns her phone off. When she calms down in the morning, she listens to Kurt's voicemail and panics.

I think Kurt ended up calling Dani in the morning, begging her to get Santana to, if not call him back, at least listen to her voicemail

And then Dani would be incredibly disappointed in Santana, but she wouldn't get angry.

Dani would be disappointed in Santana for what? I don't think Santana wouldn't have told her about the fight when she suddenly showed up with her stuff.

Oh, I was thinking Dani would have gotten it out of Santana after she got Kurt's voicemail.

But that doesn't make too much sense, unless all she knew was Santana breaking down on her and refusing to talk. I think Santana would be reticent about divulging what happened, exactly, at first, but I can't see Santana not coming forward about some things, especially since she told Dani she needed to stay at her place for a while, at least. Dani wouldn't allow her to keep all of it back, especially since Santana was raging and sobbing and needing her.

Okay… What about when they both find out Rachel is gone?

I can see Santana not telling her all, so when Kurt gets her on the phone, that's when she finds out the nitty-gritty and get disappointed in Santana. She doesn't know what she would have done, though. Especially since she's been in limbo since the "discussion" with Kurt.

That sounds good. I imagine Quinn would be the one to call Kurt and let him know Rachel is with her?

Once Rachel admits blithely during breakfast that she'd forgotten to. Alright. Wanted Kurt to hurt so she didn't tell him. What did she tell Quinn when she arrived?

Not much, just enough to explain why she left New York in such a hurry and without warning to Quinn. Basically that she fought with both roommates, and couldn't be in the house with either of them.

To jump ahead a bit to a bit more fluffy time, how do you think the trio would spoil each other after a rough day?

One thing they splurged on once they moved out into an apartment big enough for all three of them, was a big bathtub. That would be perfect for leaching the stress out of them. Aside from that, before that time, maybe they have a favorite restaurant?

They totally would. And the restaurant would be a small local place, especially once Rachel starts getting a little more famous.

Exactly. Where they can hang out for hours and not worry about being bothered. Hell, they're practically like family, especially since that one time Santana stepped in to help out in the kitchen when they were short-staffed, and Rachel and Dani helped waitress (because of course Santana's an actually damn good cook).

I think Quinn and Mikayla should eventually meet up and conspire together, but still down the road.

Also, Mikayla should show up again soon, like maybe at Dani's apartment while Rachel's still at Quinn's, and Santana's with Dani.

Oh, that could be hilarious.

I can see Mikayla having been feeling horrible at helping Rachel hook up with Abs (but not entirely because they were good for each other - she just hadn't planned it), and now, she can tell something's up with her friend and girlfriend. She should call Rachel to invite her to hang out again, only to hear that she's at Yale, and manages to make Rachel agree to go out later that week.

Should Rachel drag Quinn back when she goes home, or show up at the apartment alone?

Drag Quinn back. Rachel needs support that isn't someone who lived in NY.

But only for that evening. Quinn does have afternoon classes on Monday, after all.

Of course, Quinn is intent on maintaining her 4.0.

So now it's Kurt, Quinn, and Rachel in the apartment. Santana's still hiding at Dani's because she's still angry and upset to think that anyone would want her back. Besides, she doesn't think she can face Rachel, either. She's hurt and hurt Rachel too much. She's ruined everything, like she always does, and though Dani's wonderful, she starts to wonder if she should just leave her before she ruins them, too. Because how selfish is it to run to the woman she loves because the other woman she can't get out of her head? The one that Dani KNOWS she's in love with, too, and fuck it, Santana can't tell if she's hurting Dani by being there because of that (her), you know? ...This is one of those times she really needs Brittany or Quinn to talk to. Brittany because she'd understand, and Quinn because she'd slap sense into her.

Eventually, after calling Quinn and finding out she's at the apartment, Santana and Dani should make their way over, but, ignoring Rachel and Kurt, Santana tugs Quinn into the bathroom (only shut area, I would think). Sitting outside, Dani smiling awkwardly as Rachel doesn't look at anyone and Kurt's playing a game on his phone it's so uncomfortable. They can hear Santana's voice rising and falling, as well as Quinn's getting more and more fierce, but no one can really make out too many real words.

What would Santana be saying inside?

Quinn would be saying that it's the same old story with Santana, not being satisfied with what she's got, but that's not really it, is it? Because she knows how happy Dani makes her. It's not about how Dani's lacking. It's how Santana's been in love with Rachel for years, and only now, away from Lima and the old people does she feel comfortable letting herself admit it. Like it or not, Santana's going to have to deal with her feelings or give up on Rachel entirely, and right now, she's doing neither. It's not fair to anyone, especially not Rachel or Dani. And Santana's railing that that's fucked up, and she still denies it until Quinn hits a sore point (about needing to tell Dani), and Santana breaks down, saying that Dani DOES know, and she almost lost her because of it. She yells about what she's supposed to DO? Why can't she just have her fucking happily ever after? Because with the Abschel relationship, it's just gotten worse and Santana can't DEAL. SHE CAN'T FUCKING DEAL WITH *ANY* OF THIS. What the fuck's wrong with her? Why can't she just be happy with what she's blessed to already HAVE? She's basically repeating herself, barely able to listen to Quinn, who finally stomps out of the bathroom, points at Dani, and tells her to get the hell into the bathroom NOW and calm down her girlfriend.

Then, while Dantana's in the bathroom, Quinn goes up to Rachel, pulls her to the other side of the room, away from Kurt. No more double talk, she says. No more avoiding. How does Rachel feel about Santana? And Rachel's mind goes blank. Santana? But she's with Dani, she blurts out, blurting out again before Quinn can snap at her, they're together. In my mind. Together…? And Quinn looks at her. So… She starts, stops, and starts again, what do you think about Santana AND Dani?

Basically Quinn's just up to HERE dealing with this triangle.

Oh poor Quinn. And she's getting irritated with Kurt not saying anything, and eventually throws her arms up, and stomps out, but not before yelling that they aren't allowed to come to New Haven until they get their shit together.

Yes. Because Rachel's not answering her, and it seems like she's just shut down, heading into the kitchen to start making herself tea or something, and Quinn's mind's full of Santana saying, "She's always THERE. Rachel's always there, and though it's wonderful, you know, it makes it so hard, but Dani doesn't say anything, etc. etc." that she can't even deal with Rachel ANYWAY. On her way out, she punches, almost slaps Kurt's something, telling him HE needs to make it better. (I'm thinking this is on Monday morning, after Quinn had already spent the night.)

And since she absolutely can't miss this train unless she wants to miss her first class, and she will kill anyone who tries to stop her.

Legit. She will KILL them.

So now it's Dani, Kurt, Rachel, and Santana standing alone in the apartment.

Because Mikayla had already planned spending her weekend with her boyfriend. Kurt's incredibly uncomfortable and still feeling guilty, Rachel's not allowing herself to think about anything, and Dantana's still in the bathroom.

How is the Dantana conversation going?

Santana is on a fast track towards blind panic, her words close to no longer making sense. It's no longer a train of thought, but rather a runaway high powered engine about to speed off the tracks. Dani is new to this; panicky Santana is something she's only heard about. When Santana is forced to stop speaking for a quick minute to catch her breath, Dani doesn't let her start up again. She calmly, though firmly, asks what is wrong. Santana stares for a few seconds, almost hitting a full minute, until she starts to tear up and bawl.

I love you, I love you, I love you, Santana keeps babbling, pretty much the only thing Dani can make out. Starting to get worried that maybe Santana's cheated on her, or maybe Pezberry's actually happened, she finds herself start to tear up too, because honestly, Santana's breaking her heart and she doesn't know what to do. So she wraps her arms around Santana's shaking body, and it's only when Santana realizes that the hot liquid on her neck isn't from herself that she realizes Dani's crying, too. This only cements that she's bad for Dani, and she needs to leave before she hurts her more. Dani, of course, catches up to her at the door to the apartment.

Rachel is trying to shut herself down, knowing deep down that the reason her best friends were fighting was because of her. Then Santana tries to run, and when Dani catches her before she leaves, she tries not to listen. But Dani is yelling now, "Dammit Santana! Please, just tell me what's going on!"

Dani tries to run after her, but Santana was an athlete, and Dani never was. She loses her pretty fast, and then races back to the apartment to grab her phone and start frantically calling Santana. But the second she does, she hears the buzzing of Santana's phone. Dani almost throws her phone against the wall, but catches herself before she chucks it. Rachel quietly approaches Dani, afraid of spooking her, and asks if she can help.

Kurt, meanwhile, is freaking out, almost hyperventilating, because he NEVER expected any of this. Dani's raking her hand through her hair and crying, but more angrily now, and repeating over and over distractedly, "I don't know - is she breaking up with me - I don't… I don't know…" She looks at Rachel. "Shouldn't I know? Rachel. We need to find her!"

Rachel doesn't know how to properly respond without increasing the panic. She's usually the emotional one, not the other way around. But no time like the present to learn. "Of course we need to find her. We just… Need to figure out where she would go." Rachel had a few places in mind, but nothing seemed right.

Sensing Dani needs the determination to keep fueling herself, Rachel shakes her head, pressing her hand against Dani's. Think, she says, where comes to mind first? The restaurant? Central Park? Yeah, like we'd find her in there, Kurt snaps, but Dani's glare shuts him up. Okay, okay, Rachel closes her eyes. Would she walk? Wait! Does she have her subway card? Turns out she doesn't, and not even her wallet on her, just a couple of bills, so it narrows down where she could have gone. (Honestly, I think she should just have made it to the entrance of the apartment before breaking down, having the sense of mind to stay inside.)

Santana makes it two blocks away, before realizing that she has no means of really getting anywhere. So she heads back to the apartment, but doesn't go upstairs, because she can't handle it yet.

YES. But she made it far enough that she got soaked, and had to wait until someone walked in to get back inside, as she also forgot her key. All this just makes everything worse.

About half an hour later, the three in the apartment decide to go look for Santana. When they find her sitting on the stoop, Kurt and Dani help her up while Rachel runs back upstairs to get some water boiling and towels ready to dry the girl off.

Santana's shaking and pale, and it's the worst anyone has ever seen her. Maybe Kurt thought it was her being dramatic, but not now. There's obviously something going on with Santana, and if she won't talk to any of them… He gives her the number of the therapist he'd been seeing in secret to talk about Blaine and his life with.

Santana is incredibly reluctant to go; how on earth is she going to talk to a stranger about this?

Besides, she's an incredibly proud woman, and it's just - she's just not ready yet, okay? And maybe she'll never be ready. Anyway, Santana can't look at anyone. She's still crying, and she wants to be alone, she think, but Rachel's still pushing tea into her hands, Dani's violently rubbing a towel through her hair, and Kurt's fluttering around. Suddenly, Santana husks, "Booze. I need to get drunk."

All three know by now that when Santana wants to get drunk, there isn't much one can do to stop her. Most of the time, it's for fun and Santana is very aware of her limit. And since everyone would much rather this happened at home, instead of some bar where it can be much harder to keep track of someone. So Kurt grabs the glasses and Rachel grabs the liquor, while Dani won't leave Santana's side.

Rachel really doesn't want to have Santana do this. She really doesn't think it's right, but when she slowly brings up her dissent after Santana takes her first sip, Santana snaps at her. She's not an alcoholic, okay? Just, the day's been shit, it'll help warm her up, and fuck, she just needs some fun, kay? Give her that, and she'll get out of their hair, okay? In a burst of weakness, she scrabbles for Dani's hand, give her a moving out party, eh?

Rachel freezes at the moving out line. Santana wasn't actually thinking about moving out, was she? They had promised, two years together no matter what… She wouldn't actually leave, would she?

Of course she's fucking leaving. She's been told to, hasn't she? And it's not like she feels pretty damn comfortable there any more, at least not now, she doesn't. Rachel's only getting more hurt, and Dani can't stop this waterfall. Kurt's just a stuck bystander, but his hands are shaking as he takes his own drink.

And make someone else have all the emotional upheavals.

Yes yes exactly.

I think it should be Dani. She still feels, to some extent, like an outsider, and it's obvious Rachel and Santana feel deeply enough to have this emotional fire between them.

So where can she fit in that?