It was a fairly slow day at the shop. Santana was frosting cupcakes and humming along to the radio when the door burst open, revealing a very flustered Rachel Berry. Santana all but dropped the cupcake in surprise. "Rachel, what-"

"I can't believe this is happening!" Rachel squeaked. Her tone was a mixture of excitement and panic. In her hands, Rachel held a manila folder, which was overflowing with pieces of notebook paper. Rachel put her belongings down at her usual place at the counter and sat on a barstool. "I can't believe they just sprung this on me..."

"Sprung what, Rachel?" Santana asked a little more sternly.

Rachel looked up to Santana with a wide grin. "The composer for the play they're putting on at the theater is going to be out sick for a while, and they have to pitch the show to some investors in only a few short weeks. They knew I had prior experience, so they asked if I could compose some songs for the investors!" By the end of the sentence Rachel was shrieking.

"Oh my god, you're composing the music for the play?" Santana walked around the counter and sat next to Rachel.

Rachel nodded. "Yes, completely from scratch!"

Santana couldn't believe it. She let out a short laugh before practically jumping off of the stool and wrapping Rachel in a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you!" Rachel giggled in Santana's ear, not being able to contain her happiness. Santana couldn't help but feel a little emotional. "I can't believe it was only two months ago when I brought you to my house. Now you're off composing plays."

Rachel pulled back from Santana to look her in the eyes. "Santana, I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me. I would have never been able to remotely put myself back together if it weren't for you there helping me every step of the way." She grabbed Santana's hand and held it in hers. "This is happening because of you."

Santana could feel the tears beginning to sting her eyes. This moment was so intimate. Santana almost felt like she could simply lean over and kiss Rachel smack on the lips, and the timing would be perfect. Santana let her thumb graze over the back of Rachel's hand before sighing. Sure, she was falling in love with Rachel, but she wasn't sure if Rachel felt the same way. There was no need to ruin a beautiful moment with an awkward kiss. "Why don't we celebrate? I'll call Quinn, and we'll go to that one bar, Sherlock's?"

Rachel smiled, her hand still holding Santana's. "That sounds like a fantastic idea, considering starting tomorrow I'm going to be holed up in the apartment writing. Let's have one last night of fun."

0~0~0

"I propose a toast to Miss Rachel Berry!" Rachel, Santana raised their wine glasses to Quinn's request. "Congratulations on your big break, and I hope that it leads down the road of even more success."

They clinked their glasses together and all took a hardy sip of their wine. Rachel gingerly set her glass down onto the high-rise table and began fanning herself. "Aw, Quinn! I'm blushing! Though this wine probably isn't helping." Rachel laughed. "It's been so long since I've had wine that isn't from a box."

"Wine from a box? Really, Berry?" Santana snickered.

"Yes!" Rachel replied before taking another gulp. "When you're a struggling performer who can barely pay rent and looking to get drunk, you'll drink what you can get!"

Santana raised her eyebrows. "Well ladies and gentlemen I present to you the underworld of theatre."

"Shut up!" Rachel giggled as she playfully nudged her roommate. Santana returned the gesture as Quinn watched from behind the brim of her glass. Santana caught Quinn's gaze and narrowed her eyes. She didn't know why Quinn was judging her. She was only playing around with Rachel, not flirting. Santana went ahead and started chugging her remaining wine.

She ignored her friend's stares once she finished. "I'm going to need something a little stronger if I'm going to survive the night." She muttered before excusing herself to the bar.

"Bartender, a Whiskey Sour, please." Now let's let the night truly begin.

0~0~0

One hour later and Santana could feel the alcohol pumping through her veins. Both Quinn and Rachel had moved on to drinks that were a little stronger than wine, but neither of them were on the same level Santana was at. She walked back from the jukebox in the corner and stumbled into Rachel's awaiting arms. Santana gave a throaty laugh as she stood back up, with Rachel attempting to stabilize her. "San, I think it's time we go home." Rachel said softy, glancing over at Quinn who was nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, it's late and you're very drunk." Quinn grinned and she went to grab her purse.

Santana's face dropped. "No! No we can't leave yet, I just put my quarter in for the jukebox!" She looked to Rachel, her face pleading. "Can we please stay until my song get's played?"

Rachel smiled warmly at her before wrapping an arm around her waste. "Of course."

"Well I'm actually going to shove off. I've got clients I have to see tomorrow morning." Quinn walked around the table and gave Santana a quick kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight, sweetie." She then walked over to Rachel. "Make sure you guys get home alright. Be safe." Quinn whispered into Rachel's ear before pulling her in for a hug.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her." Rachel promised.

[for an interactive experience, play this as you read the next part watch?v=gZB4jcPmFGo]

Suddenly a jazzy piano melody filled the bar. Santana jumped and spun to face Rachel and Quinn. "This is my song!" She then started to groove a bit to the beat. "Goddamn this song is so good." Santana reached and grabbed Rachel's hands and pulled her closer to the open floor. "Dance with me."

"Yes ma'am." Rachel beamed as Santana began rocking them back and forth. Rachel nested her head on Santana's shoulder as they swayed. Rachel closed her eyes and let herself go a little bit. "This is really nice, San."

"I know." Santana murmured into Rachel's hair.

Quinn started walking back towards the door, her eyes never leaving her best friend. Quinn hadn't seen Santana this happy and content in a long time, not even when she was this drunk.

Her eyes began to prick with tears as she watched the two slow dance out on the floor. She didn't know if it was the alcohol in her system, or the fact that she was watching two people fall in love, but she felt a single tear run down her cheek. Quinn quickly wiped her face before anyone noticed, and left the bar.

The song ended, but Rachel and Santana ended up waltzing together long after the jukebox had stopped.

0~0~0

Rachel and Santana toppled back into their apartment at an hour that was a little less than acceptable. They were both clinging to each other, giggling like schoolgirls. Rachel walked over and collapsed onto the bed and looked up at Santana, who was shrugging off her jacket and eyeing the kitchen. "I want tacos." Santana turned back to her roommate. "Rach, do you want tacos?"

Rachel propped herself up on her elbows and looked Santana right in the eyes. "No tacos, San." Rachel began unbuttoning her coat and threw it to the floor. She then did the same with her blouse, leaving her in nothing but a thin camisole. Santana felt her heart beginning to race as she watched Rachel undress. They had been roommates for two months, so it's not like Santana hadn't seen Rachel in nothing but her undergarments before. But Rachel had never looked at her like this before. Santana felt as if she didn't have control over her own hands as she removed her dress. She stood before the bed in nothing but her bra and underwear. Santana watched Rachel's eyes run all over her body. She didn't feel exposed to her, though. She felt oddly comfortable.

Rachel leaned up and pulled Santana into the bed. It wasn't overly seductive, but very gentle. They positioned themselves so they were sitting across from each other. Their faces were barely a foot a part; their eyes never leaving the other's.

"San, I've been living here for what feels like forever now…" She paused, leaning in closer. "I see the way you look at me. You think I don't notice."

Santana started to pull away. She didn't think she was being obvious with her infatuation. To find out that Rachel had known the entire time was beyond shame inducing. "Rachel, I'm so sorry-"

"Sh." Rachel cut her off, squeezing Santana's hands. Let me finish." Rachel took a deep breath, and Santana felt a sense of nervousness building in the pit of her stomach. "I have never been with a girl before. I had a sort of off and on boyfriend until about a year and a half ago, then I moved right on to the next guy, and that ended badly too. I never gave myself time to think…"

"What are you saying, Rach?" Santana said in a low whisper.

Rachel bit her lip as she scooted slightly closer to Santana. "What I mean is, I think that I have feelings for you, San. At first I thought it was because you had taken me in and you were so nice to me and that was just how I was reacting to your kindness, but now I'm starting to realize that it's simply because you're amazing, and I just want to be with you." Rachel choked out; tears brimming over and spilling down her cheeks. Santana lifted one of her hands up to cup Rachel's face and brush away her tears. Rachel reached to grasp her hand and began softly rubbing it with her thumb.

"Rachel…" Santana began slowly. "I think I love you."

Rachel didn't answer her verbally. She replied by pulling Santana so close that their noses were touching. And with no more words, Santana leaned forward and kissed rachel deeply.

The kiss was sweet, and gentle. It was everything a sloppy drunk first kiss usually isn't. Rachel pulled Santana even closer, and Santana placed both of her hands on Rachel's back as they kissed. They both laid down onto their sides, leaving no space between them. After a while, they didn't really kiss anymore, but they just held each other until they both feel asleep.