.:: With You ::.

Slight AU, set in Season 3 between the aftermath of Quinn's accident and Promasaurus.

Rating: T

Part of Quinntana Week 2014, Day 2: Comfort / Fluff

Friendships: Kurtana and Qurt

Santana sighed and pulled the bathroom door open before ducking inside. The teacher had them reading quietly to themselves and the sound of the clock ticking and occasional turn of a page had been driving her mad.

She didn't even have to go to the bathroom, she just had to be somewhere else where her thoughts weren't the only thing to focus on.

The brunette looked in the mirror, humming to herself softly as she checked on her makeup. Once she was pleased that everything appeared to be in order, she turned for the door. But before she could exit, a small sound from the large handicap stall on the end caught her attention. She shook her head, ready to ignore it when some nagging feeling stopped her in her tracks.

Furrowing her brow, Santana ducked down slightly to get a better look at the mystery girl's shoes. Her eyes widened when she realized that they were actually in a wheelchair and not just using the furthest stall for privacy. There weren't many wheelchair bound students at McKinley.

"Quinn?"

At first a loud sniffling sound was her only response but after a second the door to the stall pushed open."Santana?"

"Hey, are you okay? Why were you crying?" Santana asked worriedly, leaning against the nearest sink as Quinn wheeled herself closer to one of the others.

"It's nothing... Don't worry about it."

"It doesn't look like nothing..." The brunette mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Quinn shot her an unamused look before pulling out her compact to fix the make up that had smudged around her eyes. She resisted the urge to squirm under the weight of Santana's gaze and finally broke after several minutes of silence.

"It's my physical therapy..." Quinn said, almost too quietly for Santana to hear.

The brunette's eyebrows knit together, "What about it?"

Quinn sighed and put her things back in her bag. "It just... It doesn't feel like it's working."

Santana's frown deepened, "You've only been at it a few weeks, Q."

The blonde turned herself and her chair to face her friend, "I know."

"So, why not give it some more time, okay?"

"What if time doesn't change anything?" Quinn asked, pausing on her way to the door.

Santana took a few steps toward the other girl, "Wait... What do you mean?"

Quinn looked to her right and away from the eyes that were seeking hers out. "I-I don't know."

"That's bullshit, Quinn. Talk to me." Santana said, somewhere between begging and a demand. She knelt down next to Quinn and placed her hands on the handle of the blonde's wheelchair.

Quinn moved her teary eyes to meet the brown ones watching her. "It's just... I've been hanging out with Artie and he keeps looking at me like this isn't temporary... Like my doctors are just being optimistic. What if he's right?"

Santana stared at her a second before lifting her hand to cover Quinn's with her own. "Hey, don't you dare let anyone tell you or make you feel like you can't do something, Q. You're amazing, okay? And... I'm sorry that I wasn't always there for you."

Quinn laughed, turning her head away slightly to wipe at her eyes. "Thanks... W-where'd this come from?"

One eyebrow arched above the other as she glanced back toward the brunette and caught her blushing. "I-uh... It's stupid."

Quinn smiled, "Tell me." She insisted, ducking her head to try and catch Santana's eye.

"It was the accident." Santana admitted, a little sheepishly. "I-I thought that I had lost my bestfriend."

Quinn's small smile fell as she realized how serious her friend really was. The two of them were quiet for a moment before the blonde spoke up. "Come here."

Santana blinked in surprise as she was tugged closer into a half hug and the brunette lowered her head to try and hide her deepening blush.

The bell rang and the two broke apart, Santana straightening up quickly. She pulled open the door before stepping to the side so that Quinn could leave first.

"See you at lunch, Q."

Quinn smiled back over her shoulder, "Yep! See you later."

xxx

"So, when's your next appointment?" Santana asked as she walked behind Quinn's chair in the lunch line.

"Tonight, why?" The blonde asked as she grabbed a tray to sit on her lap. Santana grabbed her own before helping to push her friend's wheelchair forward a few steps.

"Just wondering. Keep an open mind, okay?"

Quinn sighed but nodded, "Okay, I'll try."

Santana laughed and handed Quinn a plastic container containing her salad as well as an apple.

xxx

"So, how'd your appointment go?" Santana asked at lunch the next day.

Quinn rolled her eyes, "I don't know..."

"You don't know?" Santana asked, arching a brow.

"It's just... My therapist is so awkward and I just feel so... Distracted."

Santana wrinkled her nose, "Ew, like awkward how? Is he some kind of creep?"

Quinn scrunched up her own features, "Well, he's not that much older and he does seem awfully friendly... But he hasn't tried anything inappropriate."

Santana rolled her eyes, "That's reassuring..." She muttered, stabbing her salad rather violently with her fork.

The blonde laughed and took a bite of her own, completely missing the fact that Santana appeared to be lost in thought.

"I'm going with you."

"What?" Quinn asked, looking up from her food.

"I want to go with you, to your next appointment."

The blonde stared at the other girl for a quiet moment before nodding. "Okay."

xxx

"Ah, Quinn... Hello."

The blonde smiled and held the door for Santana as the brunette wheeled her into the therapist's office. "Hello, Joe."

"And who's this?" Joe asked, surprised to see someone other than Judy along with the teen for her appointment.

"Name's Santana, nice to meet you." The brunette said, forcing a smile for Quinn's sake.

The physical therapist returned the expression, jotting a few notes down before rising from his chair. "Will you be joining us for the session then?"

Santana nodded, "If that's okay?"

Joe smiled, "Of course. Let's get started then, shall we?"

xxx

Santana watched quietly as Joe excused himself to give Quinn a moment of privacy. Dark eyes flicked toward the frustrated girl nearby.

"Hey, Q, it's okay..."

"No, it's not! I'm supposed to be able to feel them by now!"

Santana frowned and placed her hand on Quinn's forearm. Her thumb stroked her friend's skin gently for a moment before she sighed.

"I'll be right back."

Quinn kept her head turned away, a single tear rolling down her cheek as the door shut with a click.

xxx

"How is she doing?" Joe asked, frowning as Santana emerged from the room attached to his small office.

"Not good." The girl said, rather bluntly.

Joe nodded, his frown deepening. "I'm afraid this is not uncommon... Quinn's doubts and frustrations are working against her, unfortunately."

Santana narrowed her eyes, "What do you mean?"

"I've seen progress with her... But in Quinn's mind, it isn't enough. She wants to walk, to have it reinforced that this condition she's in isn't permanent."

"So... It's her fault that she isn't getting better?"

"It is a sort of mental block... Her negative outlook on her recovery is keeping her from making progress."

Santana sighed, "And it's just something that she has to work out herself, we can't help her?"

Joe smiled, "Actually... You may be able to. Quinn was much more calm in this session than she has been in the past."

Santana's brow furrowed thoughtfully, "I do have some training, when it comes to therapy from or cheer squad."

"If you'd be willing, you could take my place on a few sessions... Utilize the available equipment and I'll be close if it doesn't seem to be working."

"I think I can handle that, thanks, Dreads."

xxx

Santana didn't get to help out that day but she and Joe did inform Quinn of their plans for the next few sessions.

The blonde seemed skeptical but also slightly relieved. And she was still feeling those emotions as Santana wheeled her into Joe's office at the next session.

He reminded Santana of the exercises and stretches as well as what order to do them in. Once he'd done that, he excused himself and left them on their own.

Quinn blushed, folding her arms and placing them behind her head.

"What's with that look, Q?" Santana asked stepping closer to where the blonde was laying.

"N-nothing..." Quinn mumbled, lowering her eyes.

Santana rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to feel you up or anything... If that's what you're worried about."

"N-no, that's not it." Quinn said instantly, her eyes raising to meet the brunette's.

"Alright..." Santana said, not sounding too convinced.

Quinn swallowed and watched as Santana put her hands in place to start the blonde's stretches.

She hadn't lied to Santana, she trusted her friend to be appropriate and respectful. It was herself that she was worried about.

Santana had always been beautiful but something had changed when she came out. Quinn couldn't help but see her friend differently after and it definitely hadn't been in a bad way.

Quinn had been confused about her feelings and it was more than obvious that Brittany and Santana cared deeply for one another. Having felt foolish and not wanting to come between her friends, Quinn kept quiet about her feelings.

Swallowing, the blonde raised her eyes again to watch Santana's look of concentration. "How are you and Brittany?"

Santana's eyes shot up before narrowing slightly. "Alright, you know how it is... Always off and on."

Quinn frowned, "How do you put yourself through that?"

The brunette shrugged, focusing more on what she was doing than the current topic of conversation.

"Are you going to prom?"

"Yeah, going stag. You?"

Quinn wanted to know exactly why Santana was going alone but didn't want to push the subject.

"Yeah... I guess, although I don't really see the point."

Santana shot her a look, "The point? It's prom, you love shit like this."

"I used to..." Quinn corrected, glancing down toward her legs.

Santana rolled her eyes, "You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Being so pessimistic. You're going to walk again, you're going to dance again. Hell, your pasty white ass is gonna be dancing at Prom, Fabray."

Quinn couldn't help but laugh before shaking her head. "You really think so?"

"I know so." The brunette said, matter-of-factly. "Now c'mon time to exercise these Thunder Thighs."

xxx

Santana joined Quinn on her next couple of appointments and the blonde became more confident with each session.

"Hey, how'd your appointment go last night?" Santana asked as she caught up to the wheelchair bound girl.

"Alright." Quinn said with a smile.

"Sorry I couldn't make it..." The brunette said, lowering her eyes to her feet.

Quinn glanced toward her, surprised. "It's okay, really. You only had to come to a few, Santana."

"Well, I'll be there for the next one."

"You don't have to..."

Santana slowed to a stop, "Do you not want me to go?"

"No, that's not it... It's just, Mom kind of wants to go to the next couple. To make sure she's getting her money's worth or whatever."

"Oh, alright." Santana said softly before starting to walk again. Quinn frowned and wheeled herself forward quickly to catch up to the other girl.

"Hey, would uh- Would you like to go to prom with me?"

Santana glanced back over her shoulder toward the blonde. "What, like as your date? I thought you weren't really that into that, Q."

"Uh, yeah... Sure. Mom wants to make sure that if I go... That someone is looking out for me. And, I figured that you said you were going stag so..."

"Sure. You know I've got your back. Now c'mon, let's get you to class before you're late." The brunette said with a smile before coming around so that she could push Quinn to class.

xxx

Prom was upon them before the McKinley high students knew it. And although Santana was disappointed that Quinn was still in her wheelchair, she was glad that the blonde seemed to be handling that fact well.

She had just arrived at the other girl's home moments before and was double checking her makeup and overall appearance in the mirror.

Santana frowned as her stomach twisted, she wasn't exactly sure why but she was feeling very nervous. Sighing, the brunette tried not to think about it. Instead she flipped up her visor before exiting her vehicle and made her way up the short walk from the driveway.

The girl hesitated, smoothing down her dress before raising her hand to knock.

It was quiet for a moment before Judy pulled the door open with a warm smile. "Hello, Santana. Don't you look lovely!"

"Thanks, Mrs. Fabray..."

"Now, now... I know it's been a while but please, call me Judy."

Santana nodded and stepped passed the older woman and into the foyer so that she could shut the door.

"Quinn will be out in a few minutes, she's just finishing up her makeup. Thank you, for going with her... It means a lot, to both of us."

Santana smiled, "It's no problem, if anything... Quinn's doing me a favor. I'd almost decided not to go."

Judy frowned, "Why's that, dear?"

"No date, seeing Brittany with someone else." Santana confessed, rather easily. It felt good to get it off of her chest and she didn't want to ruin Quinn's night with her melancholy.

Little did she know, the younger blonde had overheard the tail-end of their conversation. Quinn lingered in the hallway for a second, her teeth teasing her bottom lip before she finally wheeled herself down the rest of the way to the living room.

"Hello."

Santana looked up, surprised and her eyes widened when they fell on Quinn. The blonde looked gorgeous, her hair pinned up neatly on the back of her head in large curls. Her dress was purple with silver straps and jewelry.

The blonde blushed under her close scrutiny and Santana realized that she had been staring. "Hi, uh... Wow Fabray. You look amazing."

Quinn smiled and wheeled herself closer. "So do you."

Judy looked between the two of them, a large smile playing at her lips. "You two should probably get going, don't want you to be late."

The girls looked toward her before glancing toward the clock, "Yeah, you're right."

Santana got up first, smoothing down the front of her dress. "I'll go start the car."

Judy rose from the couch just as she was disappearing back outside and moved toward her daughter. "Relax, Quinnie. You'll be fine."

Quinn nodded and sighed as her Mother wheeled her toward the door, "Do you think she'll be surprised?"

Her Mother laughed, "Yes, honey. She will be."

Quinn nodded again but stayed quiet this time, a blush tinting her cheeks a shade darker as her Mother whispered in her ear. "You should go for it... You'll never know if you don't."

"Mom." Quinn warned as they moved from the walkway and onto the driveway. Her Mother sighed but chuckled just after.

"I know, I know... I'm sorry. I just want you to be happy."

The younger blonde turned her head slightly to look up at her Mother, "I know. Thank you."

Judy wheeled Quinn up to the passenger door and Santana came around to meet them, "I've got her."

The Mother watched with a smile as the brunette carefully helped Quinn from her chair and into the seat, making sure her dress was inside the door completely before shutting it. She then collapsed the wheelchair and popped it into the back before turning back to Judy.

"I'll have her home at a decent time and all that, whatever it is I'm supposed to say." She said, waving her hand with a smirk.

Judy nodded with a laugh, "I trust you. Have fun tonight, love you Quinnie."

Quinn nodded, mouthing the words back and waving from inside the cab as Santana joined her. Judy watched as the vehicle backed out of her driveway and disappeared down the street. Secretly praying for her Daughter's sake that she had the courage to do what she needed to have a chance at happiness.

xxx

"Come on, Q. Let's get some dancing in before we do our duet." Santana urged, tugging on the blonde's hand slightly.

"You really want to dance with me, when I'm like this?"

"Sure, why not? I could try to pick you up and hold you... But I wouldn't want you to fall." Quinn blushed at the idea, ducking her head down to try the evidence. "Besides, do you see all of the glares I'm getting? Even in a wheelchair it looks like there are a lot of suitors wishing they would have asked."

Quinn looked up, she had been completely oblivious to the people watching them until that point. Some of them were curious, some of them seemed jealous and others appeared to think that the two of them looked cute. The blonde glanced toward her friend and her extended hand. Santana did look beautiful and to waste the opportunity would be foolish on her part.

"Okay."

A large smile pulled at Santana's lips and she pushed Quinn toward the dance floor excitedly.

Kurt and Blaine smiled over toward them, the shorter boy bending over slightly to compliment Quinn as they approached. "You look gorgeous!"

"Thank you." The blonde said, blushing slightly as he straightened back up.

"You too, Santana." Blaine added, pulling his boyfriend back into his arms.

"Thanks boys, you look pretty damn good yourselves. Mind if we join you?" Santana asked, flashing them a toothy grin.

"Sure. Aren't you two preforming soon?" Kurt asked, looking between the two girls.

"Yeah, we are. But we've got some time." Santana said, coming around so that she was facing Quinn. "May I have this dance?"

Quinn rolled her eyes but laughed and took Santana's hand in her own. "So proper."

"I try."

xxx

After dancing for a few more songs, it was finally time for Quinn and Santana to take the stage.

Santana wheeled her up to the stage and Quinn tried her best to ignore the way that a hush had fallen over the crowd of students watching them. Once they were centered on the stage, Santana on the right and Quinn the left, Santana handed the other girl her mic. Quinn thanked her quickly, trying to swallow her nerves and prepare herself to belt out Take My Breath Away before the other students.

Quinn started off the song, her voice strong but her hands trembling. She glanced up toward Santana, ignoring the other students dancing before them.

They were halfway through their performance when Quinn finally found the courage to grasp the mic stand firmly and raise herself onto unsteady legs.

Santana did a double take, her eyes widening when she realized what it was that the blonde had just did. She stepped to the left then, sliding a supportive arm around Quinn. Her friend leaned into her, shooting her a smile. She once again ignored her classmates and the collective gasp as they realized why her singing had faltered slightly.

When the song was done and the silver confetti had fallen, Santana glanced toward Quinn. "You're standing." She said, her voice full of pride and a touch of awe.

"I wanted to surprise you... I hope you're not mad." The blonde said, leaning into Santana more heavily as she felt her legs beginning to weaken.

"Mad? Q... This is amazing! I'm so proud of you." Santana said, pulling her into a gentle hug before helping her back into her chair.

"T-thank you... I, uh, do you mind if we head home? I'm exhausted..."

Santana nodded with a small smile, "Of course. Let me get our jackets and I'll take you to the car."

Quinn wheeled herself toward the ramp attached to the stage, she didn't notice Kurt until he was just beside her. "That was pretty impressive. I'm glad to see that your therapy is working."

The blonde shot the boy a smile, "Thank you. It's been difficult... But worth it."

"Most things difficult are." His eyes trailed over to where Santana was grabbing their coats, "So... When are you going to ask her out?"

Quinn's eyes widened and she looked up toward the boy, "What?"

"Oh, you heard me, Fabray. She and Brittany aren't together right now. You and I both know those two are toxic for each other... Sure, they make each other happy sometimes but they hurt each other just as much, if not more."

Quinn's eyes drifted over toward where Brittany was dancing with some Jock, a small frown playing at her lips. "I-I don't know what it is you want me to do about it. I'm not gay."

"Honey, you don't have to be. Regardless of your orientation, you're attracted to her. And I personally, think that you should go for it. She'd be an idiot not to say yes. You're beautiful, intelligent, talented... I'd continue but I wouldn't want to inflate your ego too much." Kurt said his smile softening.

Quinn wanted to respond but Santana was approaching them quickly, one eyebrow arched above the other. "Thanks, Kurt."

"No problem. Good luck." He said, waving goodbye as Santana wheeled her toward the exit.

xxx

"Could I ask you something?" Quinn asked, glancing toward Santana's profile as the brunette drove them home.

"Sure, what's up Q?"

Quinn swallowed, "Would you go to dinner with me?"

Santana's brows furrowed but she kept her eyes trained on the road, her hands flexing over the wheel. "Uh... You're going to have to clarify this for me because as a girl who dates girls... That sounds an awful lot like you asking me out, Fabray."

Quinn barely resisted the urge to sink deeper into her seat and instead did her best to meet Santana's gaze when the brunette glanced toward her. "I am."

She was known for being the girl who took what she wanted, for asking and receiving. But her hands were sweating and her heart was racing. Every second that passed without an answer felt like an excruciating eternity.

Finally, just as they were pulling up outside of Quinn's home, Santana answered. "Okay."

Quinn glanced toward her, surprised. "Really?"

"Uh, have you looked in a mirror lately? I've been wanting to get on that for years..." Santana muttered but it was obvious that she was just as nervous and embarrassed about the situation as the blonde was.

Quinn chuckled at that realization and glanced toward the front of her home, the living room light was on and casting lines through the blinds and over the front yard. "Mom's waiting up, can't keep her." She said, her hand resting on the passenger door.

"Yeah, okay." Santana said quickly, taking out her seat belt before coming around to help the other girl out of the car.

She leaned down once she had the door open to try and help Quinn to her feet but the blonde placed a tentative hand on her forearm. "Santana."

"Yeah?"

The brunette tipped her head upward slightly, her eyes widening as Quinn closed the distance between them. The kiss was chaste but it stole her breath regardless. "Thank you, for tonight. For everything."

"N-no problem, Fabray." Santana said, pulling away feeling a little light headed. She smiled before helping the blonde into the wheelchair and wheeling her to the door.

The brunette smiled as she slowed them to a stop, "Well, here we are..."

Quinn chuckled, "Dinner tomorrow, at eight?"

Santana was grateful for the darkness as her cheeks flushed. "Sure."

Quinn smiled and reached for the door but Santana stopped her. She bent down and caught the girl's attention before pressing their lips firmly together. "See you tomorrow, Q."

Not 100% pleased with the ending but I've had this idea for a while so it was good to get it out. Sorry it was late! :/