A/N: This chapter is ridiculously short but I didn't want to leave it out. This chapter is actually the way I initially envisioned the chapters at the beginning of this fic would be, with longer chapters coming near the end with the engagement and wedding.

Obviously, it did not work out that way.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Chapter 6 – Chicago, IL (July 31 – August 6)

After leaving Kansas City, the tour went through St. Louis, Missouri, Springfield and Bloomington Illinois, and finished up with seven days in Chicago, Illinois.

In Chicago, the label again paid for hotel rooms to give them all a bit of a break; they hadn't really had one since Kansas City.

The label backed Santana one hundred percent; she didn't have to worry about Caleb being back on the tour even if he made bail. She'd have to go back to testify (along with Mercedes and Brittany) but, otherwise, that problem was solved.

She was still hunting for the perfect ring. Santana wasn't discouraged but she did wonder if she was being too picky and what if she hadn't found one by the time they got back to Lima? Mercedes reminded her that they still had a lot of places to stop and that Lima actually did have jewelry stores. Plus, they were in Chicago and they'd be passing through a number of big cities; Santana was bound to find the perfect ring before they got back to Lima. Unfortunately, despite being in a large city, they didn't really have a lot of free time without Brittany so they didn't get a chance to really look for jewelry stores. Although, while they were wandering around, Santana did do some surreptitious window shopping; she figured if she saw something, she could ask Mercedes to go back and take a look.

They had shows almost every day while in Chicago but they had August 4th free so they planned to spend the day letting Mike Chang play tour guide.

Mike took them on a whirlwind tour; The Art Institute of Chicago, which caused Santana to geek out about Ferris Bueller's Day Off, much to the amusement of her friends.

"Satan, your bad-ass reputation is seriously declining." Mercedes laughed.

Santana just glared at her causing Mercedes and Mike to laugh harder. Brittany tried to muffle her giggles but, by the look Santana shot her, she failed.

From there they went to The Chicago Cultural Center and marveled at the largest Tiffany stained-glass dome in the world. While they were there, they wandered around looking at some art exhibits; there was a collection of Annie Leibovitz photos that fascinated Brittany. Then they caught a short dance recital and a collection of short films.

They stopped for lunch around one o'clock at a little cafe before moving on to the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. They really enjoyed wandering the city and taking in the sites with Mike; he was a nice guy and they all enjoyed his company.

Since they spent most of the day at the Aquarium and Planetarium, Mike insisted that they have dinner and then finish the day at the Buckingham Fountain when it was all lit up.

They thoroughly enjoyed the day and were a little bummed they had to say goodbye to Mike at the end of it but promised to get together again when they were all back in Lima.