A/N:This came out a lot longer than I expected so I broke it up into two chapters. There's a lot of time changers so I broke them up by the horizontal line. I hope you guys like it it took me about two weeks and half.
Now that this is complete I am free to work on my other stories, I couldn't do it before because this was stuck in my head, so here we go.
Discalimer: I do not own Glee or the characters of Glee.
It was a spring day when Rachel got the knock at her door, the one that she had waited for for the past two years. It came in the middle of the day when Rachel knew all of her friends were busy; her family in Lima, and her neighbors were the occasional hello as you passed by neighbors; none that would randomly knock on your door. She was cleaning a few dishes she had used from lunch when the two knocks came. Instantly her heart stopped and sped at the same time as her head snapped towards the wood door. Slowly Rachel placed the sponge back in the sink and dried her hands on a rag before making her way to the front door.
Knock, knock. There it was again. It was the knock that could easily destroy her or make her as happy as she once was two years ago. Taking a deep breath, and with a shaky hand Rachel twisted the door handle and pulled open the only thing shielding her from fate.
Immediately tears filled chocolate eyes at the sight in front of Rachel. There she was dressed in her ACU with a cast on her arm and a sling supporting it. Raven colored locks cascaded down her back as she stood tall with a sheepish smile covering her tan features a black beret upon her head.
Rachel felt herself release a sob as relief washed over her body and she pulled the woman in front of her inside, forcing her duffle bag to fall, she wrapped her arms around her soldier's waist. Tears taking over the small body as she buried her face in the pale green uniform that easily soaked up the tears. "I've missed you so much mi estrella." The army officer whispered as she wrapped her good arm around the petite frame pressed against her body her own tears falling freely, the warmth of the woman she loved, being one of many things she had craved in the past two years.
It took a good five minutes for both women's cries to die down long enough for them to pull back just a little so they could speak. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Rachel asked, wiping the last bit of her tears for now.
"I wanted to surprise you," the officer admitted, her eyes boring into the loved filled chocolate ones that she had longed for. It was almost surreal that she was there right at that moment in a place that more often than she would have liked to admit, thought she would ever be again. The only thing keeping her from believing it was all a dream was the fact that every time she squeezed her hand the body didn't disappear. It stayed there, warming every part of her it touched. Clothing for once not working as a barrier.
"Santana-" Rachel was cut off by soft lips upon her own. The kiss wasn't rushed, or even heated, it was tentative rather. Like the first kiss they had shared so long ago. Rachel gripped the front of Santana's jacket and pulled her closer, the soldier's good arm snaking around her waist as the kiss became confident, familiar, and passionate. At some point breathing had become necessary and the two reluctantly pulled away, choosing to rest their foreheads together so that their breaths mixed. "I missed you… so much. You have no idea."
"I think I might," Santana countered leaning in to steal another kiss from the lips that were the very definition of home. Once she pulled away Santana couldn't resist nuzzling her nose in the side of Rachel's neck, as the woman ran her fingers up and down her back in a soothing manner.
"How long have you been awake?" Rachel asked quietly.
"Too long," the soldier mumbled, she whined a little when she felt Rachel pull away, but easily sucked it up when Rachel interlaced her fingers and led her to their shared bedroom. The room was fairly the same as when she had left. They had somehow ended up with a brown accented room; Santana couldn't fully remember how, she wasn't too involved with decorating the apartment. She had left it up to Blain and Rachel, and only requested that they show her everything before they started working on the real deal. It kept everyone happy.
"Sit," Rachel placed Santana in front of their bed before turning and digging in a drawer where she pulled out boxers and a t-shirt. She turned back around, pleased to find Santana sitting as she requested, and started working on getting her undressed and changed.
"Baby," Santana whispered when Rachel knelt in front of her to untie her boots. "Baby," she tried again when Rachel was already taking off her boots. "Hey," she pulled her girlfriend's attention by pulling a little on her arm until she looked up, only to be met with tears streaming down the flawless skin.
"San, I'm trying to-"
"No, hey. Come here." the Latina pulled Rachel into her lap and kissed the top of her head as she cried against her. She shifted the two of them a little bit so that they were lying on the bed with their legs intertwined and Rachel's face buried in the soldier's good shoulder.
"I'm… sorry." Rachel apologized through her sobs.
"You don't need to apologize baby. It's okay. Everything's been just as hard for you as it has been for me. Once everything sets in, I'm sure I'll be crying just as much. Just let it out. I'm not going anywhere." Santana promised with a light kiss to the top of her girl's head.
Rachel cried for about another hour before it all just became too much and she fell asleep. Santana smiled at this and soon followed the small snore that Rachel had missed making her smile.
It had been a week since Santana returned home, and she had yet to call any of friends to alert them of her arrival. She just wanted to remain in her bubble with her beautiful girlfriend for as long as possible. "Quinn and I made plans for today last week." Rachel told Santana as they sat cuddling on the couch. Santana looked over at Rachel, waiting for her to continue. "I can cancel if you want-"
"No," the soldier was quick to swipe the thought from her girlfriend's mind. "I can't hide from them forever. I just wanted to spend as much time with you as possible, just us, you know?" Rachel nodded; she had felt the same way since Santana showed up at their door. "All good things must come to an end though," Santana joked. "What did you guys have planned?"
"Nothing really. Just dinner and a movie."
"That sounds like a date," Santana teased.
"It's not a date. She comes over sometimes and we have a dinner and watch a movie. It's just something we've become accustomed to."
"We'll perhaps I can join?" Santana asked leaning into to ghost her lips over Rachel's.
"Absolutely," Rachel brought her hand to wrap around the back of Santana's neck just before she molded her lips against Santana's. Gently she glided her tongue against the bottom tan lips seeking entrance which she was allowed instantly. Santana's own tongue met Rachel's as she pulled her closer until the shorter girl was straddling her. Rachel made sure to avoid Santana's shoulder since the soldier chose not to wear her sling the majority of the time..
Rachel pulled open their door to her blonde friend and hour later with a smile Quinn hadn't seen since Santana left two years prior. "Hi Quinn."
"Hey Rach," Quinn stepped inside and hugged her friend. "What are you up to?"
"Just waiting for you," Rachel answered as she walked back inside to the living room; Santana had gone to use the bathroom just before Quinn knocked. "I was thinking Tai tonight, what'd you say?"
"Uh," Quinn focus had been pulled by the sound of running water from the guest bathroom. "That sounds good. Rach, who's in the bathroom?" Quinn looked back over at her friend just as Santana emerged from the bathroom.
"Hey Q," Santana greeted the blonde.
Quinn immediately snapped her head around and launched herself at Santana. "S! San, what are you doing here? What happened to your arm? WHEN DID YOU GET BACK?!"
Santana laughed and wrapped her good arm around her friend. "Hi Q, I got back about a week ago."
"A week ago?" Quinn repeated looking at the soldier then turning her gaze to Rachel. "A WEEK AGO!"
Santana nodded before walking over to her girlfriend and wrapping her arm around her waist. "Yeah, a week ago. We've kind of been living in our own little bubble before letting everyone know I was back. When Rachel told me you guys had plans I figured it'd be a good way to break the ice. That is if you don't mind me crashing your movie and dinner."
"No of course not San. How does Tai sound?"
Santana couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face at being home with her best friend and the love of her life. It was just too perfect. "Tai sounds great."
"Awesome. I'll call." Quinn made her way to the kitchen to look through the various take out menus Rachel had acquired since they started their weakly dinner movie nights.
An hour later the three friends were parked on the sofa watching The Avengers, each were digging into their own containers of Tai while staring at the screen, and occasionally digging into their neighbor's container.
Rachel checked her phone for the time before kissing the side of Santana's head and getting up to go to the kitchen. She walked back out a few seconds later with two pills for Santana. "Here you go baby," Rachel whispered in the Latina's ear before handing her the pills. The soldier knocked back the pills and followed them down with a bottle of water that her girlfriend had handed her.
"Thank you."
Rachel smiled and laid her head back down on Santana's good shoulder, subconsciously snuggling closer into the warmth that the army officer provided.
When the movie was over the three friends chose to let a random show play as they spoke. "So do you think you'll come to the barbecue on Friday?" Quinn asked Santana. "It'd be a great way to let everyone know you're back."
Santana turned her head to look at Rachel, whom she was currently laying against. "You didn't tell me there was a barbecue Friday."
"I forgot about it. It's at Mike and Vanessa's. Three, I think." Rachel looked back at Quinn for confirmation.
"Yeah, three. Everyone's going to be there. I think it'd be good for you San. We've all really missed you."
"I know. I've missed you guys too. How's Britt? Are you taking care of her?"
"Of course," Quinn smiled cheekily at the mention of her girlfriend. "She's at the dance studio with Mike right now… You know she's going to be really hurt that you've been here for this long and haven't wanted to see her."
"Come on Quinn. You know it's not like that. I love Brittany, I just. I wanted time with Rachel, just the two of us, and everybody's going to ask questions and want to know how I've been, and I don't know what I'm supposed to tell them. I've spent the last two years of my life killing people, what am I supposed to say?"
"You don't have to say anything," Rachel pointed out. "It's okay for you not to want to talk about it. They're our friends, so they'll respect it Tana." Rachel spoke, running her fingers through Santana's raven locks.
"Your girl's right S. None of us would ever make you talk about something you're not ready for. Chances are they'll ask questions like how are you, and if you're okay. Nothing more. So with that said please call B, and let her know you're here. She cries because she misses you. I can't tell you how many times I've walked in on your girl and mine crying together. It's unbelievable those two." Quinn joked trying to lighten the mood.
Santana smiled and nodded. "Maybe you guys can come over for lunch tomorrow or something."
"Perfect," Quinn checked her watch before turning back to her friends. "I should go. Britt will be home soon. I'll talk to you guys later." Quinn placed a kiss to both of her friend's heads as she stood.
"I'll walk you to the door," Rachel offered about to push Santana up a little so she could move only to be stopped by her blonde friend.
"Don't worry about it Rach. Goodnight guys," Quinn called over her shoulder as she opened the door.
"Let us know you got home safe Q."
"I will." And with that Quinn shut the door behind her and made her way back home to her girlfriend.
Santana shifted so she was further pressed against Rachel's front. "I had fun tonight," The soldier spoke after some time of silence between the two.
"I'm glad," Rachel wrapped her arms around the army officer's waist and squeezed a little. "It was nice to see the two of you back together she's missed you baby; a lot more than she let's on… You have no idea how much I've missed you," Rachel breathed out before leaning down to press her lips against Santana's. Silent tears made their presence known as the shorter girl tried to convey how much love she felt for the soldier through the single kiss. Santana slipped her tongue between her girlfriend's lips. A fight for dominance was unnecessary because Rachel was more than willing to submit to the Latina.
"I want you," Santana breathed against Rachel's lips.
"We can't." Rachel panted. "Your collar bone." Rachel pulled away and rested her forehead against Santana's. "I love you."
"As I love you mi estrella."
Brittany didn't bother knocking the following day after she got the call from Santana; she used her spare key and launched herself at the Latina sitting on the living room sofa. Quinn followed her girlfriend inside closing the door behind her Quinn smiled at the sight of the two friends embracing each other in a tight hug, tears streaming down Brittany's face as the army officer rocked her back and forth whispering things in her ear. Rachel emerged from their bedroom with a rather large comforter wrapped around her small body; she smiled when she saw Brittany and Santana together.
"Hey," she greeted Quinn with a whisper, not wanting to disturb the two friends. "What happened to lunch?"
"Santana called," Quinn answered with a quiet laugh before wrapping her arm around the brunette and pulling her against her side. "Looks like you've got The Unholy Trinity back."
"Oh goodness. This cannot end well."
"Oh whatever. You love it, and you know it."
"I do," Rachel admitted. "I love all of you."
"Q?" Brittany asked looking over at the two girls from her spot now beside Santana. Her eyes were puffy and red evidence that she had been crying, hard.
"Yeah baby?"
"You knew Sannie was back?"
"Not till yesterday when I came over and she was here." Quinn moved to sit beside her girlfriend, Rachel doing the same with her own.
"And you didn't tell me." Brittany accused with a pout.
Quinn felt a pain go through her chest at the sight. Brittany's pout was pretty much her kryptonite. "Baby, I know you. You would've caught a cab and ran over here the minute I told you. It was almost midnight by the time I got home. I didn't want you running out late. Baby please don't be upset." Quinn placed her hands on the side of Brittany's face.
"I'm not mad Quinnie," Brittany leaned in and pecked Quinn's lips. "It's just a lot right now." Quinn nodded. "San?"
"Yeah Britt?"
"How long?"
Santana and Rachel both went still at the question. They both avoided discussing said topic, not wanting to burst the bubble they found themselves in. It was too much for them to even think about, but they knew they had to and it was only a matter of time until it came up. "I'm not sure Britt. I'll have to get a bunch of test ran, and talk to some of my commanding officers before I can say anything." Santana smiled sadly when tears started to reform at Brittany's eyes and her bottom lip tremble. "No hey Britt, come on. I'll be here for at least six months, so let's not talk about now okay. I think we should instead go and grab lunch then take a walk around the city, and end up back here watching a movie. What'd you say?"
Brittany rubbed her eyes and wiped away her tears before nodding and getting up to make her way into the bathroom. The sight caused each of the girls' watching hearts to break. Seeing Brittany cry was by far one of the most heart wrenching things for anyone to see.
"You okay?" Rachel asked running her fingers through her girlfriend's hair.
"Yeah, I just- I hate seeing her like that you know. I hate making her cry."
"She'll be okay S," Quinn rested her hand on her friend's knee comfortingly. "I think everything just needs to sink in. It's just a lot with you being here and all. She's missed you. I'm sure once she steps out of the bathroom she'll be hyper again."
"Okay!" Brittany came bouncing out of the bathroom with her bright blue eyes shining and a smile on her face. "Let's go! I'm starved."
"I freaking love you Britt," Santana stood and pulled her friend into a tight hug. "Let me just get dressed than we can go okay?"
Brittany nodded as Santana pulled away and headed into the bedroom, after a minute the three in the living room heard, "Shit!" a bunch of mumbled words. "Fuck!"
"Yeah," Rachel stood from the sofa. "I should go help her otherwise we'll be here all day with her damn pride. Plus I have to change."
Brittany and Quinn both giggled as they watched their friend disappear into the bedroom. Ten minutes both women emerged from their bedroom. Santana was in a black button down and tight jeans while Rachel was in a simple black dress that had a belt on the waist and a whit blazer thrown over it. "Everyone ready? Oh good grief!" Rachel exclaimed when she saw her two friends in a heavy make out session. "If I have to I will throw water on you."
Santana stifled a laugh as she watched her friends pull apart. "That wasn't cool Rachel. I was soaked last time." Quinn huffed, climbing off of Brittany.
"Hey, don't blame me because you're a top. I would have gladly tossed the water evenly so you were both equally wet, but it was kind of hard with you being on top of Britt."
"Wait, babe. You actually tossed water on them?" Santana asked looking at her girlfriend.
"Yes I did. If I hadn't it they would've had sex in our kitchen. I was in no mood to disinfect the entire cooking area so I threw water on them." Santana couldn't help but laugh, it was just too great.
"Not even right. Come on babe." Quinn took Brittany's hand into her own and helped her off the couch.
"I was dry." Brittany piped in.
"I'm glad babe." Quinn kissed Brittany's cheek. "You guys ready to go?"
Santana and Rachel nodded before leading the way out of their apartment. It was a good day for the four friends, something that they all had missed. By eleven o'clock that night the four were fast asleep, Santana and Rachel taking residence on a large comforter that had been placed on the floor during movie time, and Brittany and Quinn sleeping on the sofa. It was just like old times.
Friday afternoon when Santana and Rachel walked into the Chang residence there was a collective gasp, followed by tears, and many hugs. Rachel chose to step out of the group, leaving Santana to fend on her own, while she joined Brittany off the side.
"Hey Britt where's Quinn?"
"She went to the bathroom," the tall dancer laid her head on Rachel's shoulder and sighed contently. "Do you know what happened out there?" Brittany asked after a few seconds. "If I asked San she would probably just brush it off as nothing or not tell me anything. She thinks I can't handle it."
"I don't think any of us can handle it Britt, but to answer your question, she was blown up and tossed two hundred feet away from where she started. She broke her collar bone and some bones in her arm. She also has a concussion and some broken ribs."
"Hey Rach," Quinn greeted the shorter girl while giving Brittany a quick kiss on the cheek. "Um, did I interrupt something?"
"No you're fine Quinn." Rachel assured. "I'm going to make sure they don't suffocate my girlfriend."
"You okay B?" Quinn asked her girlfriend after a minute of the two of them watching their two best friends.
"Yeah, I'm fine Q. Just really happy to have Sannie back." Brittany smiled when she saw Santana kiss Rachel quickly. It had taken a lot of interventions on her part before she finally convinced Santana to ask Rachel out in high school. The Latina had been hella reluctant for reasons such as she had been a bitch to the diva, Rachel was straight; they weren't compatible, and so on. Brittany had tackled each and every one of Santana's excuses until one day she just shoved Santana in front of Rachel in the middle of the hall, and loud enough for Rachel to hear, told her to ask the brunette out. The two had been together ever since.
"Alright! Enough of this!" Mike shouted over the chatter. "Everyone in the back yard and let's get this barbecue started. There was a collective cheer as everyone headed out of the screen doors and to the back yard. The evening was filled with dancing, stories, singing, swimming, and eating obviously. It was just like those old, rare, times where the Glee club had no drama and everyone was able to get along. It was perfect.
"San, I'm home!" Rachel called as she sauntered inside and into her living room after have taken off her shoes. Santana was sitting on the sofa with her cell in hand and a blank look on her face. It had been six months since she returned home, her collar bone was completely healed, along with her ribs and arm, and the concussion had disappeared within the first two weeks of being back. "Baby what's wrong?" Rachel placed her purse on the coffee table before sitting beside her girlfriend.
"…I'm being deployed…"
Immediately Rachel's lip started to tremble and her eyes filled with tears. "What?"
"I just got the call… their sending me back." the soldier swallowed hard, trying to keep her own tears at bay. She knew this was bound to happen; it was only a matter of time with all of her psych evaluations giving her the go, and each medical test showed that she was completely healthy again. It was only a matter of time before they wanted her back out on the field.
"No, they can't. You just got here," Rachel's voice was broken as the tears ran freely down her face.
"Six months ago Rach. I had my last doctor visit last week, everything's healed, and I more than passed my psych."
"No they can't send you back! Why? Why are you doing this to me again!?"
"Rach?" Santana tried to intervene but Rachel just kept going her emotions getting the best of her.
"Do you have any idea what it was like sitting here and waiting to hear from you so I knew you were alive, or trying to fall asleep the nights I didn't hear your voice or receive a letter!? To sit here crying so hard that my body became exhausted and I fell asleep because I hadn't heard from you in over a month. But the only thing I was met with in my dreams were nightmares, and the images of having to bury you." Rachel stood from her spot beside Santana, her voice cracking with every other word as it rose louder and louder. "I feared every damn knock that came at that door," she pointed at their apartment door. "BECAUSE I KNEW ON THE OTHER SIDE IT COULD BE THE NEWS THAT BROKE MY HEART FOREVER! I CAN'T HANDLE WATCHING YOU GO AGAIN SANTANA; MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT!"
"DO YOU THINK I LIKE BEING THIS FAR AWAY FROM YOU RACHEL!?" Santana had long ago given up on holding back her tears, and now she was standing in front of Rachel with tears that could easily challenge a waterfall and nothing but pain sketched across her face. "DO YOU THINK I ENJOY SLEEPING IN A FUCKING TENT, AND ONLY BEING ABLE TO COUNT THE DAYS UNTIL I SEE YOU?" Her voice dropped to a pain filled whisper, her words coming out in rasp. "Only getting a few minutes on skype to talk to you, and to see your beautiful face. I hate that I'm the reason you cry at night Rachel, I promised a long time ago I would never be the reason for that again, yet here I am making you cry. I fucking love you Rachel, do you even understand that. I- LOVE- YOU! FUCK!" Santana pulled Rachel flush against her and crashed their lips together.
"NO! You don't get to do this to me," Rachel weakly tried pushing Santana away, hating that that this would be one of the last times she got to be this close to the woman in front of her. When Santana pressed her lips against Rachel's for the second time Rachel started to beat on her chest with fist as their tears mixed together. "I fucking hate you." Rachel spoke against her lips.
"That's' too bad because I fucking love you," Santana gripped under the brunette thighs, Rachel unable to control her body, jumped and wrapped her legs around her girlfriend as their kissing became more frantic and needy. They both needed to feel one another, to reassure the other that everything was going to be okay. That they'd be okay.
"You…better… come back… to me." Rachel panted from underneath the soldier who was knuckle deep inside her girlfriend.
"Always," Santana breathed out as she dropped her head to Rachel's shoulder the feeling of Rachel's fingers buried inside her proving to be too much. "Always come back." her teeth latched on to the smooth skin causing the shorter girl to go rigid as her toes curled and her orgasm shot through her. The sight alone was enough to push Santana over the end as she continued to rock her hips against her lover's digits.
"I love you Santana," Rachel whispered.
"As I love you mi amor."
That night was filled with passionate love making, as promises of coming back and always being there to come home to were whispered and shouted. I love yous filled the air as sheens of sweat broke out on tan bodies and screams of complete ecstasy took over the bedroom.
"I'll love you forever," Santana whispered as she lay beside Rachel propped up one elbow. "I'll love you until my last breath leaves my body, until my soul can no longer live."
Rachel cupped the Latina's cheek, silent tears making their way down her cheeks, "I can't lose you."
"You won't mi amor. I will always come home to you," Santana pulled the tiny diva against her chest as she continued to cry. "As long as I have you to come home to, I will always come back." She kissed the top of her girlfriend's head.
"I'll always wait for you Tana," Rachel breathed the words out as the nights activities took their toll on her body and her eyes started to droop.
"Get some sleep mi estrella. We'll talk about everything in the morning." Santana reached down and pulled the comforter over their naked forms. The soldier wrapped protective arms around the girl lying on top of her before she allowed herself to succumb to sleep.
When Brittany and Quinn stepped into her best friends' apartment she knew instantly something was wrong, and it didn't take much to guess what it was. Music wasn't playing, and Rachel's powerful yet playful voice wasm't filling the air. Cautiously the blue eyed girl walked through the apartment, and found Santana sitting alone on the couch with a bottle of Corona. Instantly the two blonde's knew, they knew they once again had to lose their best friend to something that may not return her.
"Where is she?" Quinn asked working to hold back her tears while her girlfriend quietly took her place beside Santana. Santana only pointed behind herself and at the bedroom door.
Quinn nodded and went through the door, knowing very well Santana was going to need Brittany, and Rachel her.
"When do you leave?" Brittany asked after three minutes of silence.
"Two weeks from today." Santana answered water starting to fill her eyes.
Brittany didn't say anything; she simply scooted closer to her Latina friend and pulled her in close her own tears escaped from blue eyes that were once shining with happiness. Five minutes later Quinn and Rachel emerged and joined the two friends on the sofa each of them needing to feel the comfort of the other.
Santana was sitting, back straight, and dressed in her ACU with her duffle bag by her feet when Rachel walked out of their shared bedroom. "Are you ready?" the diva asked running her hand through Santana's long locks placing a soft kiss to the girl's head as she nodded. "Quinn and Brittany are down stairs."
Brittany and Quinn were the only ones that the two girls to be there at the send off. It just would have been too much if everyone was there. That's why they had a small party for everyone else so that they were at least able to say a good bye.
Santana nodded again as if trying to convince herself to leave before standing and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I'm ready." She slipped her hand into Rachel's and laced their fingers before taking one final look at the apartment and walking out the door.
The departure was the worse. For all of them, Brittany was crying extremely hard; to the point that she had the hiccups, and Quinn had silent tears running down her cheeks. "You better come back," the hazel eyed girl whispered in the army officer's ear as she gave her final hug. "I swear San-"
"I will Q," the soldier said as she pulled out of the embrace. "I'll come back. Promise me you'll take care of Rachel."
Quinn nodded, "I promise." She wiped away her tears which were only replaced by others before gently pushing her friend towards the taller blonde.
"You know I love you right B?" Brittany nodded before pulling the soldier into a nearly bone crushing hug.
"I love you too Sannie. I'll write, I promise."
"And I'll write back, I'll try to skype you as often as I can okay?" Brittany nodded before releasing her hold on her best friend and allowing her to move towards her girlfriend.
The army officer pulled her girlfriend close by her waist and rested their foreheads together allowing them to share the same air for would be the last time in three years. She relished in the closeness for as long as she could before pulling Rachel closer and pressing her lips against soft ones. The kiss was slow and passionate as Santana slipped her tongue in between Rachel's lips invading the space for what felt like would be the last time. It was what promised a return as it spoke goodbye, a kiss full of love and commitment. "I love you," Santana whispered against Rachel's lips tears fighting to be shed. "I love you with everything I am baby."
"Come back to me Tana," Rachel spoke with tears spilling. "Just come back."
"I will, I promise." Santana gripped Rachel by the back of her neck and crashed their lips together once again. "I love you Rachel."
"I love you Tana."
"All remaining passengers please board the plane at this time." A woman called over the PA.
"I have to go," Santana whispered. Not moving to step away from Rachel.
"Okay."
"We don't leave for Afghanistan till tomorrow. So I'll call you when we get to Dallas." Rachel nodded before leaning up to press her lips against Santana's one final time.
"Go." Rachel stepped away from her girlfriend reluctantly as she watched her pick up her duffle bag. "I love you soldier."
"I love you too baby," Santana pressed her lips against Rachel's temple before turning around and heading towards the jetway to get on the plane. Santana couldn't bring herself to look at Rachel before she boarded. It would have hurt too much to do so. Rachel buried her head in Quinn's chest unable to watch her girlfriend walk away all over again.
Three years they told themselves. Three years.
"Hey Rach," Quinn walked into her friend's apartment with a bag of Chinese food and a hand full of movies. It had been three weeks since Rachel watched her girlfriend walk board the plane that stole her away. The first week had been the absolute worse, but Quinn and Brittany had been by her side through it all, refusing to let the brunette get anywhere close to sinking into herself again.
"Hey Quinn," Rachel met her friend in the living room. "Where's Britt?"
"Some of her older kids had a competition coming up, and wanted her help with some last minute stuff. She said she'd be about forty-five minutes late."
Rachel nodded before taking the bag from her friend and taking it to the kitchen. "Um, you can choose whatever you want. I'm just going to share out some food for us.
"Rae," Quinn caught her friend's arm and pulled her into a bear hug. "I love you."
Rachel smiled into the embrace and wrapped her own arms around her friend. "I love you too Quinn. I don't know what I'd do without you and Brittany."
"You'd get a cat."
"Oh my gosh Quinn," Rachel pushed her friend back playfully. "I would not get a cat."
"Yes you would," Quinn countered moving to help Rachel with the food. "Because you wouldn't know the dangers of having a cat thanks to Brittany's stories of Lord Tubbington. Therefore you would've gotten a cat."
"Your logic is flawed Lucy Quinn Fabray."
"It is not Rachel Barbra Berry. Now come on," Quinn exclaimed holding up the two plates of food. "Let's eat and watch some lame romantic comedy that we both secretly love."
"Let's do it," Rachel grabbed a bottle of wine out of the fridge and followed her friend into the living room where the blond was already setting up the movie.
Thirty-five minutes later Brittany walked into her friend's apartment to find her girlfriend and best friend lying out on opposite ends of the sofa with their hands hanging off the edge and their eyes glued to Jennifer Aniston on the television, the floor covered in plates and glasses of wine.
"Hey baby," Quinn greeted her girlfriend with a smile from her position on the couch.
"Hey love," Brittany bounced over to Quinn's side of the couch and leaned down to capture her lips right quick before leaning over and kissing the top of Rachel's head. "Food in the kitchen?" Rachel and Quinn nodded causing Brittany to laugh as she dropped her dance bag beside the dining room table and sauntered into the kitchen in order to fix herself a plate.
"Hey baby," Santana looked at screen smiling at her girlfriend's beautiful face.
"Hi," Rachel's hand reached towards to the screen, but she stopped herself before actually touching it.
"I miss you, so much," Santana said through the screen, nothing but truth shining in her eyes.
"I miss you too Tana." A beat of silence passed between the two lovers, each more than content with just looking into the others eyes. Santana was the first to break the spell choosing to ask about the obvious bags under Rachel's eyes.
"You're not sleeping," the soldier pointed out.
Rachel shrugged. "It just kind of depends on the day. It's kind of hard to get any real sleep anyway; I seem to be missing a body pillow."
"You mean a body," Santana teased her girlfriend.
"Yes, a body which serves as my pillow," a sad smiled graced Rachel's features causing the army officer's chest to ache.
"I'll be home soon baby. Then you can sleep on me all you want."
Rachel wasn't sure how to respond to this because no matter how many times and how long she stayed Santana always had to leave again, and each and every time it broke her heart. Instead of voicing her pain Rachel chose to dismiss the negative thoughts and smiled at the soldier, "Promise?"
"Absolutely," Santana flashed her charming Lopez smile. A few muffled words came through from the background and before Rachel knew it her soldier had that apologetic look on her face. "I have to go Rach."
"Okay," Rachel nodded working to fight back her tears until the Latina was gone.
"I love you baby. Tell Quinn and Britt I love them too. Bye." Santana rushed out her goodbye before disconnecting and making Rachel's screen go black. Finally Rachel let her tears fall free as she stared at the blank screen.
Day 178
Dear Rachel,
After this letter I'm afraid you're not going to hear from me for awhile baby. We're going on a… mission, if you will, and it's looking like it's going to take a few weeks, maybe longer. I wish it didn't have to be like this, every night once my eyes finally draw close and mind wanders into the depth of my soul all I ever see is you. Your smiling face and loud laugh, the way your hand fits in mine, and your lips feel against my own. I wish so much that I was with you again able to hold you the way I once did.
It's been so long since I've had your touch that I honestly believe that I'm suffering from withdraw… do you remember our first kiss? I do, sometimes it's all that I think about. I was so nervous; I had no idea what to do. There I was Santana Lopez second in command of McKinley High's Cheerios, one third of The Unholy Trinity, and resident badass, yet I couldn't figure out how to kiss you, or even if you wanted me to kiss you. I was walking you to your door when you stopped, it was just before we had reached your porch, you looked at me and simply said "Sit with me". How could I ever say no to you with the way the moon lit your face, and your eyes shun with unspoken words. So we sat, on the swing bench thing you had there to the side of your porch. There was at least a good foot between our bodies, but only two inches from our thumbs as I debated holding your hand. Finally after ten minutes of us sitting in silence I scooted closer, and started to trace meaningless patterns on your palm, I looked up at you when your hand twitched a little, you looked up at me, and slowly but surely our heads moved closer and closer until my lips hovered over yours. I could feel your breath against mine, the breath that I became all so familiar with over the course of seven years. I leaned in a bit more, and it happened. My lips were against yours in a timid kiss, a kiss that was the beginning of so many more. A kiss that stole my heart instantly and kept it hostage all these years. Still to this day, my heart is not with me, but with you.
I love you so much Rachel, with every fiber in my body with my heart soul and mind I love you. I promise I'll come back. I have to… you have my heart. As soon as I can I'll write or skype, or both. Stay safe mi amor. I'll be home soon.
Love,
Your Soldier
Santana ran, jumped, and caught the football her teammate had tossed her way. "So how's your girl Lopez?" Carter her lesbro asked while he caught the football thrown his way from one of his other teammates.
"She's good. She got a movie offer and she's thinking about taking it, so that'll be going on for awhile. It's filming in New York, so she won't have to travel till it's time for promoting."
"That's dope bro. What's the movie?"
"Uhhh she didn't say much about it except that it's an action film."
"Your girl doing her own stunts?" Another soldier, Johnson, asked.
"Yep," Santana nodded. "I of course didn't like the idea, but then she brought Q and B on, and it simply wasn't up for debate anymore. Trying to tackle the three of them is impossible especially when you're not even on the same continent." Santana explained catching the ball from another soldier. "She seems excited about the role though, and that's what matters to me."
Day 576
Dear Santana,
It's been hell without you here. Brittany and Quinn have been great to me though. They've been the best friends a girl can ask for although sometimes I think they worry about me too much. I appreciate it though; I appreciate everything they've been doing for me. The movie got dropped recently, something about lacking a plot which I can see. It was mainly a lot of killing and wise ass comments. It was funny in my opinion…
I've been thinking about going back to Broadway. Marcus offered me first dibs on a show that may or may not be moved to Broadway. The lead is a young girl searching for who she is within the theatre. It sounds a little cliché but with the right acting I think it can be amazing, and the music is already preparing itself to be memorable. There's something special about this show. I can feel it.
As I lied in bed last night I found my mind wandering back to the day that I saw you, I mean really saw you. When you weren't the Badass Cheerio Santana Lopez. You were just Santana, the girl I fell in love with. It was a Saturday during the summer of senior year. I walked into the random bookstore that sat just between Lima and Columbus (an odd spot to place a bookstore I think). You were sitting there, reading The Great Gatsby, and smiling. A smile I had never seen on your face before that day. You gasped and I knew where you were in the famous novel. Timidly I approached, scared that you might bite my head off, and asked "You know they're in love?" We locked eyes, you smiled, and instantly I knew I was done for. We spent three days every week in that bookstore just talking. About books, about school, friends, glee, all of it. I fell in love with you that summer Santana, you stole my heart from me, and had no idea.
I miss you so much soldier. Hurry back to me baby, I'm not sure how much longer I can handle going without your touch. I love you with everything I am.
Forever yours
Rachel
"Hi Sannie," Brittany smile happily from her spot beside Rachel on the couch.
"Hey B. Wow the both of you at once, I am one luckily soldier." The army officer smiled charmingly. "What are you guys up to?"
Brittany answered. "Mike and I closed the studio today. So I thought I'd come hang out with Rachel. Have some girl time and stuff because Quinn is working." There was a knock at the door, "Food! Yay, I'll get it!" Brittany jumped up and ran to the door in order to retrieve the food the two friends had ordered.
"How's the show going?" Santana asked her girlfriend.
"It's okay," Rachel brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "We're just kind of getting our footing and doing some read throughs. We should be fully up and running in two weeks."
"That's good." Santana said sadly she knew that if Rachel's show started to pick up speed then that meant less chance of them actually being able to talk.
"Hey," Rachel caressed the side of Santana's face against the screen. "They already know that whenever you skype I have to answer. Even if it's only for a minute."
"How did you know?" Santana asked looking down sheepishly.
"Because it was the first thing that popped into my head when they asked me to sign on. I made it clear that my time with you came first."
Bang, bang Rachel's body tensed when she heard the sound of shots. Bang, bang. "Shit! Fuck!"
"San?" Rachel asked tears falling freely. Brittany had emerged from the kitchen when she heard the faint sounds of a gun.
"I'll be fine baby. I love you." and just like that the feed went blank.
"No! Tana! TANA!" Rachel shouted at the blank screen her tears flowing like a waterfall as she felt strong arms wrap around her.
"It's okay Rachie," Brittany whispered trying to keep her own emotions at bay. "Sannie will be okay."
"You don't know that Britt," Rachel forced the words out through her sobs. "You don't know that." Rachel clung to her best friend allowing the tears to soak through the dancer's shirt. Brittany couldn't keep it in any longer and let herself cry as she rocked her and the little brunette back and forth.
Four hours later Rachel was sleeping on the couch sandwiched between her two blonde friends who had been crying just as much her, when her phone went off. Blindly she reached for the device. "Hello?" her voice was horse from sleep and tears.
"Rachel Berry?" the stern voice asked.
"This is she?" Rachel answered sitting up and jostling her friends a little to wake them up.
"This is Major Matthew Clark." Instantly Rachel put the phone on speaker so Quinn and Brittany could hear. "I just received word that your friend Captain Lopez and her team are perfectly safe. She radioed once her entire unit was accounted for, and requested we called you, she said she had been chatting with you when her unit was hit, and wanted you to know she was okay."
A collective sigh of relief filled the room as the three girls held on to each other. "Thank. Thank you so much."
"It was my pleasure Miss Berry. Captain Lopez will contact you as soon as she can."
Day 723
Dear Rachel
It's been too long mi amor. Every part of me yearns for you in every way imaginable. Your touch, your kiss, your long rants. I know it's been awhile since you last heard from me, and I'm so sorry for that. I can't imagine what was going through your mind during that time. I know you've cried and I wish I was there to wipe away your tears, and to kiss away your pout.
Everything I do out here I do for you baby. Each dive, each shot, every turn, every hold, I do thinking about you. Thinking about how it will lead me back to you. Into your arms, into our bed… Do you remember our first time? The nerves that settled over us, as we walked back into the apartment after your showcase. We hadn't talked about it, but somehow we both knew what the other was thinking… was feeling… you allowed me to love you in a way that no other person had ever been able to. I heard noises and phrases come out of you that no one else had ever had the pleasure of hearing. You have no idea how I miss those sounds.
I know its hard mi estrella, but I promise I'll be home soon. I'll always come back to you, no matter what. I'll always return home.
Your soldier
Captain S. Lopez
They came out of nowhere, not a single warning to alert Santana's unit. Immediately the raven haired soldier ducked, pulling the little girl she had been playing soccer with down. "Are you okay?" Santana asked looking into dark brown eyes. When the girl nodded Santana went ahead scoped out her area, trying to; one, find her team, two, find the shooters, and three, look for any other civilians who had been walking around. The soldier kept her gun up as she surveyed the area, the shots had ceased in the mean time and she figured that was because none of them could see her or her unit. When a rock hit the bottom of her foot the army officer looked up and to the side to find Johnson sitting on the inside one of the few buildings that were still up. He pointed to a spot over her head; the soldier took the glance behind her and saw exactly what the corporal had been pointing at. "Stay down," Santana directed the girl beside her, and quickly popped up releasing three shots that took out her target.
Bullets went wising in her direction, but she was already back behind the military vehicle that she had dodged behind in the first place. It was another twenty seconds before the shooting stopped.
"Carter's hit! Carter's hit!" It came over the radio after a minute of silence.
"Where?" Santana yelled back.
"We're in Ralphie," the unit had chosen to nickname each building when they first arrived to keep things easy when they called through the radio. "He took a bullet it to the chest, just above his heart… I don't know it might have hit some part of his heart with the angle. I'm doing everything I can, but it's not much. We have at least five guns on us right now. Stay with me Carter!"
"Dante and I are on our way," Jimenez radioed back through some static.
"No!" Santana stopped her unit from making any further moves. "Everyone stay put!" she released her hold on the radio, so she could think. "Shit! Fuck me!" the army officer knew what she had to do, it was her duty as leader of her unit… she had to get her team out, and alive. Finally Santana pressed on her radio again and informed her team of a plan. "We need to get Carter here; Johnson and I are near the truck. Jimenez, Dante get your asses in the truck. Bryant, keep Carter alive, Johnson and I are on our way! Wait for my mark." she released her hold on the radio and turned to the girl crouching down beside her. "I'm going to put you in the truck okay?" the girl nodded. "Stay down no matter what." Again she nodded. Quickly Santana pulled open the truck's door and did a quick survey of the interior before lifting the girl inside and making sure she kept her head down. Once the door was closed the army officer checked around the truck and underneath it. "Alright there's a girl in the truck, keep her safe… Let's move."
It happened swiftly and only somewhat smoothly. Johnson and Santana made it to Carter and Bryant managing to take out three bodies on the way. Dante and Jimenez were already at the truck and waiting for the rest of the unit. Santana slid to Carter's side to find him breathing but unconscious. "We can't move him." She stated plainly. "Dante! Get that truck over here."
"On it!" A minute later the truck was zooming towards the building as bullets went flying at it.
"Let's go!" Santana shot at the offending shooters while Bryant and Johnson worked to get Carter into the truck with the help of Jimenez. "Let's move!" Santana commanded once she was seated in the truck. At the last minute Santana looked behind her, and saw something… something that could kill them all. In a matter of seconds the army officer made a decision that she never thought she'd have to make. An image of her beautiful girlfriend flashed in her mind and she took a deep breath, "Forgive me mi amor."
The second the words left her lips the army officer pushed open the truck door and rolled out on to the dirt road. Her gun was up and firing instantly taking out the enemy soldier that had the rocket launcher on his shoulder. It was a bullseye shot, right in his head; the launcher was never shot, and by the time one of the other had picked her up her unit was well on her way.
Pop, pop, pop, pop. The Latina fell to the ground as the bullets impacted her vest, and pierced her skin. She didn't give them the satisfaction of hearing her scream out in pain; instead she collapsed, and allowed the darkness to take over.