"First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love." - Maya Angelou
As soon as each team member is outfitted with their bulletproof vests and ear pieces, they meet back inside of the conference room with Lt. Beiste and her team.
"According to this schedule, both subjects should be at the theatre for rehearsals," Schue states.
"I just got a call from Detective Hollis," Lt. Beiste begins. "He's got the warrants in hand and will be sending a uniform to meet with you guys at each location."
"Ok... good," Schue replies. "Puckerman, Lopez, and Brittany... check out the theatre and see if we can't grab both of our subjects at once. Hudson and Abrams... you'll take Rose's apartment and Lt. Beiste and I will hit Lynn's place. Everyone clear?"
"Yes sir!" The team replies in unison.
"Alright then... let's get these sick bastards before anyone else gets hurt," Schue says sternly.
"You heard the man... let's move!" Lt. Beiste yells towards her officers.
As each team splits up and head towards their respective SUVs, Puckerman receives a conference call from Fabray.
"Hello my Jewish Adonis... you're on with Schue and Hudson," Quinn says as the profiler answers the phone.
"What've you got?" Schue inquires.
"With the new info our resident Latina was able to provide, I was able to confirm that Marley Rose was indeed terminated from her contract with Interscope Records exactly 3 days ago," the tech analyst begins. "I also confirmed that Miss Rose did graduate from the same school as Mercedes. Apparently they met when Ms. Jones came to visit the Glee club at her old Alma Mater, which Marley was a member of. Based on Marley's social media pages, Mercedes was her idol."
"That only builds a stronger motive for Marley," Brittany states. "We still don't have anything concrete to link Ryder."
"I know my dears... I'm still working on that," Quinn sadly replies. "Anyways, I just wanted to update you guys on that before you go kick some ass. Be safe, my loves."
The call ends as each team gets closer to their final destination.
"Alright, we'll take the inside and try to make contact with our subjects," Santana says to the officers on scene once Puck pulls up in front of the theatre. "You guys cover the perimeter, just in case they try to run."
Once clear on their assignments, Puck, Santana, and Brittany enter the Eugene O'Neil theatre and make their way towards the stage.
"Excuse me, you can't be here..." a man, presumably the director, states as he hears some commotion behind him. "This is a closed rehearsal."
"FBI..." Puckerman states as he flashes his credentials. "Sorry to disrupt your practice, but we need to speak to Marley Rose and Ryder Lynn."
As the director opens his mouth to reply, a loud crash coming from behind the curtain draws the agents' attention. Puckerman then hops onto the stage just in time to see a flash of brown hair disappear further behind backstage.
"Lopez... he's heading your way," Noah quickly says into his radio to alert his partner.
"Dammit to hell," Santana mumbles under her breath.
It was a known fact that the profiler hated to run unless it was absolutely necessary. As she turns around towards the direction she hears movement, she comes face-to-face with a fairly muscular white male with a Justin Bieber-style haircut.
"Shit..." Ryder says as he realizes that the Latina - currently holding a Glock pointed at his chest - is blocking his way out.
"Mr. Lynn... you need to come with us down to the precinct so we can talk to you," Santana tries to reason with the young man. "Don't make this any worse than it already is."
Ryder appears to contemplate his decision for a split second before ultimately deciding to take his chances. As he turns around to run back towards the way he came, he stops in his tracks once again once he sees Agent Puckerman closing in on his location. However, before he's able to formulate another escape route, Ryder is tackled from behind by Agent Lopez.
"Why'd you have to run?" Santana asks rhetorically. "I hate running."
Once the Latina applies the handcuffs to Ryder's wrists, she stands him up so that Noah can pat him down.
"So... you're the infamous Ryder Lynn I've been hearing so much about?" Puck questions as he roughly searches Ryder's person.
"Look... I don't know what you think I've done, but I promise I'm innocent," Ryder pleads.
"Yeah... that's why innocent people always run away from the cops," Puckerman says as he directs the Bieber wannabe towards the exit.
"Marley's not here," Brittany says to Santana, making her presence known. "No one's seen or talked to her today. The director said she's never missed a rehearsal before either."
"Okay... she must've gotten a heads up that we were coming," Santana replies once she catches her breath.
"Either that or she got spooked from our little interviews last night," the liaison suggests. "By the way... nice tackle," she adds in with a wink.
"Um... thanks?" The Latina replies as she tries to process the flirtatious wink she had just received from the object of her affection. "You should let the others know we have Lynn in custody."
"Already on it," Brittany replies as she shoots the profiler another wink while walking away from the brunette.
"Did she just wink at me... twice?" Santana thinks to herself. "Maybe I'm starting to lose my mind..."
Once the trio arrived back at the precinct with the Lynn subject, they place him in an interrogation room while they touch bases with the rest of their team still out in the field.
"Any trace of Marley at her apartment?" Puck inquires as he talks to Hudson and Abrams on speakerphone.
"Nope... looks like she left in a hurry though," the boy genius answers. "There's food on the stove that's probably been sitting here since last night and it looks like she may have packed a bag."
"Alright... keep searching. Maybe there's some clue to where she might've gone."
"How bout you guys?" Santana directs her question towards Schue and Lt. Beiste, whom are on the other line.
"Nothing that definitively links Lynn to any of the other victims besides Ms. Cohen-Chang," Schue responds.
"We did happen to find a very disturbing collage of photos on the ceiling of his bedroom, directly above his bed," Lt. Beiste chimes in.
"Pictures of what?" Brittany ponders.
"Marley Rose..."
"That might be something we can work with," Santana suggests.
"Hopefully Mr. Lynn will be more helpful in person," Schue states. "Keep me updated."
"Will do," Puck says as he ends the call. "Santana... why don't you go in first and try to feel him out."
Santana just nods in understanding as she exits that room and enters the interrogation room.
"Mr. Lynn... are you doing okay? Can I get you some water or something?" Santana politely asks.
"I just wanna go home. I don't understand why I'm here," Ryder replies.
"And I want to get you home as soon as possible, but there are a couple of things we need to clear up," the profiler says in a very understanding tone.
"What kind of things?"
"How well did you know the other two victims?" Santana questions.
"Like I told the other agents last night, I didn't know them at all... personally, that is," Ryder responds.
"Can you account for your whereabouts on the nights of the murders?"
"I was at home... alone."
"Of course you were," Santana states, feeling her patience starting to trickle down. "What's your relationship with Marley Rose?"
"She's my girlfriend. Why?"
"When was the last time you saw or spoke to her?"
"Last night after the show," Ryder replies. "Why are you asking about Marley?"
"Because she's missing and we really need to talk to her," the Latina replies. "Where is she Ryder?"
"I d-don't know."
"He's lying," Noah comments from the other side of the glass.
"How do you know?" Brittany ponders.
"Wait for it..."
"Bullshit!" Santana exclaims as she slams her fist down on the table. Ryder is immediately taken aback. Brittany slightly jumps at the sudden loud noise. "You seriously expect me to believe that you haven't talked to your girlfriend since last night and you have no idea where she is?"
"I'm telling you the truth, I swear!"
"I believe that's my queue," Puck says as he leaves Brittany and makes his way into the interrogation room. "Alright fuck face, I'm tired of dealing with your bullshit," he states, addressing the man.
"What is going on?" Brittany thinks to herself, curious about her co-workers' antics.
"You're gonna be cooperative and tell us what we fucking wanna know or else you're going down for all of this," Puck demands.
"What is this... bad cop, worst cop?" Ryder rhetorically asks.
"You think this is fucking funny?!" Puckerman says as he pounds he fist against the table.
"Look at this..." Santana says as she begins to place photos of all the victims and crime scenes on the table in front of Ryder. "Rachel Berry... Tina Cohen-Chang... Mercedes Jones!"
Ryder squints his eyes in disgust as he turns to look away, but Puck has other plans.
"She said look at it!" Noah yells at the man, grabbing his head and forcing him to look at the photos. "Don't be a pussy! Don't you wanna see your handy work?"
"No! Please, stop!" Ryder begins to sob out. "I didn't do this! I swear, I didn't hurt anyone."
"Well I don't fucking believe you!" Puck yells out in response.
"Did you enjoy watching these girls burn?" Santana questions, getting right in the boy's face. "How bout Mercedes, hmm? Did you enjoy watching her flesh burn while she was still alive?!" The profiler says as she picks up a rather disturbing photo and shoves it right in his face.
"I swear, I didn't hurt her!" Ryder repeats as he turns his head towards the side and starts throwing up.
Brittany watches on with a concerned expression until she sees Santana looking back towards the double-sided mirror. Although she knows the Latina can't see her, she can faintly make out the movement of her lips mouthing 'Brittany'. The liaison is confused at first because she doesn't know why Santana would be asking for her when it appeared that she and Puck had just about broken Ryder to the point where he would talk.
On a whim, she takes a chance and enters the interrogation room.
"Lopez... Puckerman... that's enough!" Brittany says with authority as she addresses her colleagues.
"SSA Pierce... we didn't know you were here," Santana says with a surprised expression, playing along.
"I figured as much since you two have been acting completely unprofessional," Brittany continues. "This man is a vital part to our investigation, yet you treat him like shit; like a criminal?"
"SSA Pierce—," Puck starts to say.
"Save it!" Brittany exclaims. "Both of you... out! Now!"
Without further questioning, both agents scurry out of the room and back to the other to watch how the blonde handles herself.
"I know we're in the middle of trying to catch a sadistic murderer, but would it be totally wrong to say that Brittany just gave me some serious lady wood?" Santana ponders while continuing to look through the two-way mirror at the liaison and their suspect.
"Not at all..." Puck says as he lifts his fist for his partner to bump, in which she does. "Bossy Brittany is totally hot."
"I'm sorry about my agents... are you okay?" Brittany asks sounding genuinely concerned while handing Ryder a towel to wipe his face off with. "Here... drink this," she says while handing him a bottle of water.
"Your agents are crazy," Ryder says as his breathing starts to regulate.
"I know they can be overzealous at times, but they mean well," the liaison states as she begins to collect the horrible pictures off of the table and nestle them back into a folder. "However, what they did to you was unacceptable and I won't stand for it. They'll both be suspended for their ill-conceived tactics."
"Suspended?" Santana and Noah both mouth to each other in curious disbelief. "Your girl is really going all out. It's almost like Schue is in there."
"She's not my girl..." Santana sadly mumbles under her breath.
"Not yet..." Noah cheekily replies as he winks at his partner. She just shakes her head at him.
"Although my agents were wrong about how they approached things, they had their reasons," Brittany picks back up. When Ryder gives her a confused look, she continues. "We're concerned about Marley."
"What do you mean?" Ryder asks.
"These 3 murders that happened... they weren't random," the blonde begins. "These women were killed by someone they knew; someone that didn't want them to be successful anymore."
"I'm not sure I'm following."
"Marley is an up and comer, just like you..." Brittany continues. "How long do you think it will take before someone wants to dim her star that is shining so bright right now?"
"You think Marley's gonna be the next victim?" Ryder asks worriedly.
"We didn't want to alarm you at first, but yes," Brittany confirms. "That's why it's imperative that we find her. Her life is in danger."
"Oh my God!" Ryder exclaims as he stands from the table and starts pacing back and forth. "I thought you guys just wanted to harass her because you thought she did this."
"No, Ryder... we just want to help her," Brittany carefully states, "… before it's too late."
"She's at her grandma's house in Jersey," Ryder finally spits out.
"Thank you, Ryder," Brittany says as she makes her way to exit the room.
"Wait... what about me?" Ryder questions, pointing to the cuffs still securely around his wrists. "When do I get to leave?"
"We still may have some more questions for you later. Plus... running from us earlier didn't really help your case," Brittany replies. Ryder shakes his head in understanding.
As Brittany re-joins her fellow co-workers, she sees Santana on her phone.
"Quinn, can you locate an address for Marley's grandmother?"
"Yep... got it right here," the tech analyst replies back almost instantly.
"Great! Send that to the others in the field."
"Will do, my sexy Latina," Quinn cheekily replies. "Fabray out!"
"That was some impressive bullshitting you did in there," Puck compliments the liaison.
"What can I say... I learned from the best," Brittany replies as she casually bumps her shoulder against Santana's and briefly catches her eye. "So... what now?"
"We wait..." Santana replies. "Once they bring in Marley, we'll see if we can get her to crack."
"But what if she doesn't?" Brittany questions. "I honestly don't think Ryder killed any of these girls; however, I do think he would do anything for Marley. Our case is still purely circumstantial."
"I completely agree with you," the Latina responds. "Without hard evidence, we're most definitely gonna need a confession."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see how far Ryder is willing to go to protect his girl," Noah adds in. "I'm gonna go update Schue," the profiler says as he exits the room.
"You were really great in there," Santana softly states.
"Thanks," Brittany says bashfully as she brushes a piece of imaginary hair out of her face. "I wasn't really sure what you wanted me to do, but I figured he might be more cooperative if I approached him as the 'good' cop and made it seem like I gave a crap about his girlfriend."
"You have great instincts, Britt..." Santana states genuinely. "You should really think about becoming a profiler."
"I don't know... what if I did get certified and the department ends up putting me with a different team?" Brittany worriedly states.
"Sylvester may be bat shit crazy, but I don't think she or anyone else would be stupid enough to break up our team," Santana casually replies. Brittany chuckles at the Latina's use of words. "What?" Santana asks amusedly.
"Nothing, it's just... you always seem to know how to make me smile," the liaison timidly responds.
"I don't like seeing you sad," the profiler nonchalantly replies. "You have a beautiful smile; you shouldn't hide it."
Once again, Brittany finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. She can't seem to stop herself from staring back and forth from Santana's eyes and lips, thus making her intake of air a bit shallow. Santana feels like she's on a string, being pulled closer to Brittany. However, she has the wherewithal to realize that this is not the time nor place to be getting lost in the blonde's cerulean orbs.
"Anyways..." Santana says while clearing her throat, thus breaking the sexual tension that could be cut with a knife. "If anything, Sylvester would probably just have you pulling double duty as liaison and profiler until they could find a replacement."
"As long as I still got to work with the team - mostly you - then I guess that would be okay," Brittany shyly states. "I really love working with you," the blonde says as she takes a step closer to the Latina.
"Yeah?" Santana questions as her breath hitches in her throat. Brittany nods in confirmation. "Me too..."
Brittany loosely crosses her arms over her chest as she takes another step towards Santana. The Latina's hands remain in her pockets as her heart rate elevates. Both women know that even if something were to ever happen between them, it definitely wouldn't take place here in the open for everyone to see. No... something like this deserves a much quieter and private setting where there could be no possibility of interruptions.
But… at this moment, the need to be close to the other woman is outweighing the rational thought of the inappropriate setting they're currently in.
"You're looking at me like that again," Brittany whispers out.
"Sorry... force of habit," Santana replies just as softly, but she doesn't look away like she did earlier.
"Don't be... I, uh..." Brittany stumbles on her words.
"You what?" Santana softly asks as she takes a step forward this time, continuing to stare at the blonde.
"I really like it when you look at me," Brittany confesses. "You look at me like I'm the only person in the room."
"To me..." the profiler begins as she takes another step closer, "... you are."
Santana subconsciously licks her lips as her eyes flicker to Brittany's lips. Once she looks back up, it appears that the liaison's eyes have turned a darker shade of blue. It's becoming increasingly difficult for Santana to not take that final step and remove the little bit of space that separates her from the blonde. Luckily, the sound of Puck's voice snaps her back to reality - a much needed interruption.
Both women casually take a step back from each other as Noah's voice gets closer. "Hey guys... some uniforms in Jersey just picked up our girl," Puck informs as he pops his head into the room, trying his best to ignore the obvious sexual tension between his two female counterparts. "She should be arriving within the hour."
As Puck disappears from sight again, Santana takes this opportunity to get some fresh air. "I'm gonna go set up the other interrogation room and grab some coffee. You want one?"
"Yeah, sure... you know how I like it," Brittany responds, her voice a little grittier than usual.
Santana shoots the blonde a small smile before quickly exiting the room, feeling her face starting to heat up from Brittany's tone. As soon as the liaison finds herself alone again, she quickly pulls out her phone and shoots a text to the all-knowing queen of knowledge.
To Quinn: Is it possible to be so incredibly turned on by someone without them even touching you?
Almost immediately, Brittany receives a reply back.
To Blonde Bombshell: Ooh... this story just keeps getting more interesting ;)
Before Brittany has a chance to respond to the other blonde, she receives another text.
To Blonde Bombshell: Something else happen since this morning?
Brittany takes a minute to type out her response before erasing it completely. She then takes a deep breath and re-types the same exact thing. Giving one last look at her reply, she quickly hits the send button before she has the chance to chicken out.
To Quinn: I think I'm falling for my best friend
"What am I gonna do now?" Brittany whispers to herself.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! Here's another update. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks again for the continued support. I know that some of you are probably dying for something to happen between Brittany and Santana already, but I hope that the progression of the story so far is enough to keep you interested.
Til next time,
- Kris