AN:Little bit of a shorter chapter, but I hope you enjoy none the less. I am unbetaed, so all mistakes are mine!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, Adele or any other copyrighted material mentioned. Just borrowing.
Santana walks into the studio on the first day of rehearsal for the tour with an unnerving calm about her. After her talk with Brittany, she actually felt really settled about the whole situation and that rattled her. She anticipated being furious that Brittany just popped back up into her life, she wanted to scream at the blonde for leaving her high and dry, she wanted to hate seeing her face. But, she didn't. Plain and simple. It was like all this time Santana was walking the wrong way up an escalator, and all of sudden someone turned her around. She felt peace, and that made her anxious.
Mercedes had texted Santana this morning saying they had a creative team meeting at 8:30 AM and the three dancers, Brittany included, would be coming in at 9 AM to start working with the choreography on retainer. As Santana pushed open the door to one of the conference rooms, she was met with a quite shocking surprise.
"Wheels?" she said in disbelief, "What are you doing here? I must be in some kind of time warp."
The man gives out a chuckle, "It's good to see you too, Santana." Artie wheels himself over to Santana and she bends down to give the guy a hug. Though Santana and Artie had their differences in high school, Santana had always actually really like Artie. "I am just as surprised to be here. Santana called me Saturday and offered to fly me in to consult on your tour."
Santana shook her head, "I am confused, and sorry if this comes off as really rude, but what do you do? Last I heard you were in film school." She takes a seat at the table next to her old team mate. The Latina slides off her Longchamp messenger and pulls out her moleskin.
"Yeah, I graduated this past spring. I actually own a small video production company up in San Francisco. We deal mostly with small guerilla campaigns, trying to take over the viral world." Santana nodded and took a sip of her iced coffee she had brought in as Artie continues to talk, "Mercedes has send me an LP of your album and asked if I had any visions for your potential music videos. I wasn't anticipating coming in until after your tour, but here I am." He shrugs and a quietness settles over the room.
Just as your are about to open your mouth the door flies open and Mercedes walks in with Frankie in here wake. "Oh good! My two favorite people!" She runs over and plants a sloppy kiss on Artie's cheek, "I have missed you my soul brother."
"Miss you too, Cedes." Frankie sets down a tray of bagels and offers to freshen up people's coffee before leaving the room, "So, Santana and I were just catching up and I guess both of us are just a bit confused as to why I was brought in earlier than anticipated."
"Yeah, Areefuh" Santana says through a bite of bagel. The diva rolls her eyes at her friend who promptly swallows, "Sorry, I just didn't think we were going to produce videos until we had more confirmed record sales, like after the promotional tour…"
"Well," the Diva starts while fixing herself a bagel, "That was the plan. Until we storyboarded the album this weekend and the creative team and I didn't think that a traditional tour with tradition tour attributes was what was best to promote your music."
Santana stared at her friend and then looked at Artie, "Did that make sense to you?"
He shook his head.
"What are you taking about, Cedes? English, please."
"Alright, alright," the diva pulled out a few papers from her purse. "We have our three dancers, right? Well, your music doesn't lend itself to big dance numbers, your music lends itself to telling a story and that's where Artie comes in. So, we are going to redirect what we are doing with our dancers."
Every time she said dancers, Brittany's bright blue eyes flashed through Santana's mind.
"Instead of your tour having the tradition song and dance, it will feature you singing obviously, while playing a sequential music video for each of your songs. Instead of one short video for each song, think of it is as one long video for the album. And, on tour, the dancers will be used for your covers, which you will open each show with." Mercedes finished and then looked up at the two of you. "So, we pulled in Artie to consult and hopefully direct the videos for the montage that will be playing behind you during your shows. Basically, a video of the love story you have written."
"So, let me get this straight." Santana begins, "You want to use our dancers in one song a night for 8 weeks? Like three minutes? Doesn't that seem like a waste of their time?"
"Well, um," Mercedes coughs "Only the two back up dancers will just be tour dancers."
Santana feels her blood pressure rise, she knew exactly which dancer probably wasn't considered a back up dancer, "Elaborate Mercedes."
"The lead dancer will be featured as your love interest in the videos" the Diva says non-chalantly.
Before Santana can respond Artie cuts in, "Can I see a picture of the lead dancer. I already have so many ideas running through my head! I think this is a great artistic choice, Mercedes." The bright eyed man looks so excited, until he picks up the photo that Mercedes has slid over to him. "Oh, damn." Artie nervously eyes the two women in the room who seem to be having a silent, but very angry conversation. "I think I am going to wheel away."
The door closes behind the wheelchair and before Mercedes even has a moment to take a breath Santana unleashes,
"You have to be fucking kidding, Mercedes. First, you go behind my back and invite Brittany to try out for my fucking tour. That I can get behind. Kind of. I get maybe you were trying to help me get over her or get her or however your crazy mind works. But this! THIS! Mercedes, this is going too far." Santana takes a deep breath and Mercedes tries to jump in, but Santana again cuts her off
"Santana, listen…" the diva starts.
"No, Mercedes, you listen. Do you have any idea how fucking hard it was for me to write this album. It took years of getting comfortable enough with losing Brittany to even begin talking about it let alone sing about it. I am finally at that place, but now you want me to create a fucking video montage with the girl who was the fuel of my heartbreak. How insane does that sound to you? Isn't it enough that I have to spend the next three months with someone who is the love of my life without her being in my life? Don't you think that is enough for me to handle?" Santana's voice starts to crack and she is no longer yelling, she is almost begging her friend to hear her.
"You said is" Mercedes notes.
Santana sighs, "What? What do you mean I said is?" Santana rolls her eyes.
Mercedes looks at her friend with soft eyes, "You said Brittany is the love of your life, not was the love of your life and that is exactly why I am doing all of this. You are too stubborn to go get what you want and what you deserve, so yeah I am going to meddle the shit out of this situation."
Santana looks to respond, but this time Mercedes cut her off, "Listen, S, I love you. I really do. And I hate that my actions cause you this pain and turmoil, but sometimes you are so against your own happiness it shocks me. You have been this way since high school. You didn't see the way the world stopped when you and Brittany locked eyes the other day, it was like in that one moment nothing at all had changed. Not a single damn thing. It was just like high school when you would go to the ends of the Earth for that girl, and she could do nothing but look at you like you were her personal super hero."
Santana folds her arms over her chest and stares at her friend, waiting for her to continue, "Not only do I think this is a brilliant idea from a career perspective" Mercedes emphasizes the word career, "But, I also think that you and Brittany need a kick in both of your pants. Sure, this process could be really hard, but maybe reliving your relationship will also reignite."
Santana lets out a huff. Deep down she thinks Mercedes might be right, and knows that her relationship with Brittany was also missing one thing – timing. Santana also knows that Mercedes loves her and only wants what is best for her professionally and especially personally. Mercedes gets up, walks behind Santana and drops a kiss on the crown of the Latina's head.
"You're my girl, S. I just want to see you with your girl" Mercedes whispers in her hair, "Take a few minutes and then we need to start dance rehearsals. I'm thinking we go over Nutbush City Limits today, that's a crowd pleaser, for sure."
"What about the video?" Santana asks quietly.
Mercedes cannot help but chuckle lowly, "Did you see Artie? Boy has got ideas. We will have to let Brittany and the other dancers know, and then we need to have them sign new contracts with our lawyer. Let's focus these first few days on our powerhouse dance numbers, and give Artie some time to think and storyboard." The diva leaves the conference room and leaves Santana with her thoughts.
Meanwhile in the dance studio, Brittany was anxiously awaiting not only the arrival of the other dancer's, but Santana. Ever since Santana left her apartment, Brittany had a new feeling of purpose and a stronger feeling of hope about being in Los Angeles. She was trying to make it clear to Santana that she would be in LA even if it weren't for this dancing gig. The job is secondary to rebuilding their relationship, salvaging any last vestige of a storied love.
Brittany finds herself alone in the studio , she did show up 45 minutes early because she was so excited and decides to make use of the time. The blonde plugs her phone into the speaker system and hits shuffle. The opening beats of "Ego" by Beyonce rock the studio and Brittany loses herself in the rhythm. What Brittany loves about Beyonce is her music can allow the dancer to throw out her killer hip hops moves, as well as bust out some of her more controlled modern moves. Brittany has always loved this song, well because it always reminded her of Santana.
Flashback
The blonde sprints her way up familiar stairs and rounds a corner, before coming to an abrupt stop hearing her girlfriends melodious voice bounce of the walls. Brittany peers through a crack in a door way and see's her girl standing in front of her vanity donning Brittany's Snoopie boxers, a cheerios t-shirt and knee high socks. If Brittany wasn't absolutely certain it was Santana, she would have thought she was looking at a mirror of herself. Hair brush in hand, Santana belting out the words to the song coming out her lap top, as well as adding in the emphatic hip thrust and booty pop.
It's too big (big)
It's too wide (wide)
It's too strong (strong)
It won't fit (fit)
It's too much (much)
It's too tough (tough)
She talk like this 'cause she can back it up
She got a big ego
Such a big ego
I love her big ego
It's too much
She walk like this so she can back it up
Brittany can help but beam at the small Latina who has obviously let down all her guards thinking she is alone. Butterflies explode in her stomach knowing that Santana changes the gender pronouns in songs, so she can sing them about Brittany. Brittany lets out a subtle cough from the doorway and Santana nearly jumps out of her shorts before she whips her head around to face the blonde.
"Holy shit, B. You scared the crap out of me" Santana's face is beat red, mostly out embarrassment, but also because of the hard work she was putting into her song. "I thought you weren't going to be here for an hour. Santana slams her laptop shut, throws her hair brush on the bed and throws her hair up into her signature high pony.
"Yeah, well, I got out of dance early and boy am I glad" Brittany takes a few steps toward her girlfriend "Or else I would have missed that amazing performance."
The blonde wraps her arms around the smaller girls waist and pulls the Latina flush against her, " Don't be mean" Santana says shyly into the blonde's chest where she is currently hiding her face.
Brittany can't help but giggle before she peppers a few kisses to Santana's forehead, "So, you love my big ego?"
"Let me show you just how much."
Just like Santana in her memory, Brittany doesn't realize other people have joined her in the dance studio. As the song comes to the end and Brittany turns herself out of her last pirouette, the blonde notices two other dancers have entered the studio. One who stands at about her height and has subtle red hair, fair skin and bright green eyes. The other is a bit shorter than Brittany, with fierce brown eyes and sun kissed skin.
Brittany quickly shuts off the music, "Sorry, I didn't realize anyone else would show up this early." She lets out an awkward giggle, "I'm Brittany by the way, Brittany Pierce."
The two other dancers smile before introducing themselves. "Hi, I am Vanessa, but everyone calls me V" the shorter girl with the fierce eyes responds "and this is Jordan" she gestures to the red head who gives Brittany a tight smile and a wave. "We remember you from auditions, you're the girl that Santana threw a bitch fit at. You know her don't you?"
Brittany was taken aback at how direct V was being, but had to appreciate her honesty, "Well, I actually went to high school with both Santana and Mercedes. But that was a long, long time ago. I actually haven't seen either them in a while. Just here to dance."
"She's leaving something outttt" Jordan sing songs as she stretches on one of the ballet bars. Brittany had forgotten the report that came amongst dancers. There was very little lag time between meeting and becoming friends, or at least gossip buddies.
Brittany sighed and shook her head, "Um we dated. We as in Santana and me. Not we as in me, Santana and Mercedes. Though, that's not a bad idea. Mercedes has that sugar momma vibe that I wouldn't say no too. But Mercedes also dated my ex-boyfriend pretty seriously. Anyways, I am rambling. I do that sometimes when I am nervous." The other girls just stared at the blonde and Brittany was thinking of how to backtrack to when they first walked in, but before she can say anything the door opens and in walks Mercedes.
"Dancers, dancers, dancers!" The diva calls out with her arms open wide "Welcome to Hell to the No! Now get your skinny asses over and give me a hug!"
The three dancers rushed over to Mercedes and soon the diva called attention, "Okay ladies, let me fill you in on the new news and then we will get down to rehearsals."
The dancers listened intently to the new vision for the tour, and all three were pretty on board. To Brittany, it seems like V and Jordan were basically on this tour in between their longer 9 month tours that happen throughout the year, so they were okay only being featured in one dance a night. Mercedes was also letting the girls showcase in various cities they were in throughout the tour, to incentivize them to stay with Santana. Brittany was shocked at the new direction of the dance for the tour, and was a little apprehensive of having her and Santana's love story retold starring her and Santana, but she knows that all this will lead to more time with her favorite person.
Mercedes explains that the first part of the week will be focused on dance routines and the second part will be focused on filming of the music videos, so V and Jordan only had to be at rehearsal Monday through Wednesday for the first three weeks, but the rehearsals would be full length and extensive. "So, today we will start with one of Santana's favorite covers, as soon as she gets here we will get going. Just be all ready and stretched out."
Mercedes goes over to consult the choreography as the studio door cracks open and in walks Santana. Brittany can't help but stare at the brunette who is wearing black running tights, a sheer yoga tank top with a bright pink bra underneath, her hair is up in a flowing pony tail and she has a bandana wrapped around her head. The Latina immediately bee lined for Mercedes and after a few words passed between the girls, Santana wraps Mercedes up in a hug. The Latina giggles and immediately walks over to the other dancers to introduce herself, Brittany can't help but get a twist in her stomach when she watches Jordan run a hand down Santana's arm.
Before she has time to react, Mercedes calls attention, "Alright girls. This is Harry, he is our lead choreo on San's tour. The first number we will be working on will be Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits." Brittany's eyes snap up to find Santana's brown ones boring into hers. Nutbush City Limits was the same song Santana sang when she came back to McKinley when she confronted Brittany about dating Sam. The blonde sighed and tried to focus. Boy, this was going to be a long day.
Santana is beat and sweaty after a long three hours of morning rehearsals. She is really impressed with the dedication of Harry and the whole dance team, they are really buying into the flavor she wants to NBCL. Sure, the song is definitely hard to perform with Brittany when she so vividly remembers performing it at Brittany. Mercedes just called for lunch, and Santana was hanging back in the studio to stretch after the workout. Unlike a trained dancer, the singer wasn't used to the repercussions her body experienced after a work out like that. As the Latina is stretching her thoughts are interrupted,
"It's definitely different performing this song than watching it being performed," Santana's eyes look up to the mirror and see Brittany's bright blue eyes beaming back at her.
Santana looks back down at her legs outstretched in front of her, "Yeah. Well, this song certainly has a special place in my emotional history." The second the snark leaves her mouth she regrets it. She starts to apologize, but Brittany interrupts her.
"No, San" Brittany says "I am glad this song still holds a place in your heart, because it certainly does in mine. I made a huge mistake that day."
Santana looks up to the blonde giving her time to go on. "People probably assume that it was really easy for me to stay with Sam, but really it wasn't. It fucking crushed me. But that wasn't the mistake I made that day. The mistake I made was making you think that I didn't love you the most. Cause I always did. I always will."
Santana just scoffs and rolls here eyes, "You certainly have a strikingly interesting way of showing that Britt. Look, I know I said that I would give us the opportunity to get to know each other again, but we can't just fucking jump in to one of the days you broke my heart…"
"I know, Santana, I know I am sorry, I just really wanted you to know that one thing before we start to get know each other again, which brings me back to my next proposition." The blonde smiles at the Latina through the mirror because the brunette still refused to change and face her, "What do you say that every other day in between rehearsals, you and I go get lunch together, even it's just for an hour? Completely platonic, I will even pay. I just want to spend time with you again."
Santana knew she couldn't look up and be confronted with the puppy dog look Brittany was without a doubt sporting. She continued to stare down at her shoes, as the words Mercedes spoke this morning echoed in her head. Santana has to give herself the opportunity to at least try to be happy today.
"Sure, Britt. Um we can try that, at least on a trial basis."
The blonde squeals with glee, "Alright, well let's go!" The blonde runs in front of Santana and pulls her up on her feet, "We need to boogy if we are going to get lunch before we have to meet with the lawyer before rehearsal." The brunette can't help but smile at the blondes unabashed enthusiasm as she gets pulled out of the room.
An hour later, a blonde and brunette walk back into the offices of Hell to the No.
"Wait, so Lord Tubbington passed away from feline diabetes, but not before he had a whole flock of kittens with a tabby from his gang?" Santana asks.
"I know, crazy right? And, that is where I got Prince Whiskerton or PDubbs for short. Unlike his dad, he is a strict carb controlled diet and is strictly forbidden from strolling the streets at night."
Santana lets out what must be the 100th genuine laugh in the past hour with Brittany. After completely shutting down talk of their past relationship, Santana and Brittany were able to just fill each other in on what had been happening over the past two and half years or so. Santana was surprised, but relieved at how comfortable she felt with the blonde.
"Okay, we actually need to meet Cedes and the new on retainer lawyer about your new contract, B. They should be in the conference room down this way." Santana moves to walk down the hall, but notices the blonde had stopped short.
"What?" Santana calls to her.
"You called me B" Brittany smiles shyly up at the Latina. Santana can't help but return the smile and just nod her head towards the door to get Brittany to follow.
Santana opens the door to the conference room and is shocked to see who occupies the room.
"Quinn?"