A/N: Thanks again for the review, favorites and follows. No songs in this chapter, but this game is real. You will undertstand when you read. I have broken the Poker Run into two parts and this is the first. Hope you enjoy. :)

Chapter 16

The next morning, the marina was busy with boaters gassing up for the day's festivities. When he'd taken Brittany's place at work earlier in the week, Finn had completely forgotten about how busy the marina tended to be on this particular Saturday of ever year. Today was the Poker Run.

Finn had just taken care of two customers when three more arrived. He put a few twenties in the cash register in the gas dock and checked his watch. "Damnit." he muttered to himself. After assisting the new patrons in tying up, he grabbed the walkie talkie from his back pocket and called for Artie.

"Abrams, I need you down here on the dock." Without waiting for an answer to come, he tossed the radio on the counter by the register, looked at his watch again and sighed.

Artie showed up five minutes later. "What's up?"

Finn wiped a few strands of sweat from his forehead. "They won't stop coming! We have to be at the Stix in an hour for the Run and I haven't even gassed up MY boat," Finn began to count on his fingers the issues he was having. "Santana and Brittany are on our team and they're not here yet," He looked out into the water to see yet another two boats pulling in. "and we need to leave in like 20 minutes!"

Artie went into the gas store, grabbed a piece of cardboard and a marker, smirking as he scribbled something down. "You take care of those two." he pointed to the boaters waiting for fuel before walking past Finn out of the store. Artie tacked his small, hand-made sign to the ladder closest to the gas pumps and turned around. "I'm going to bring your boat around," he said as he grabbed Finn's boat key from a hook beside the door. "so that is taken care of too."

He started to make his way down the dock towards Finn's boat but quickly turned around. "And by the way, Brittany and Santana got here 'bout an hour ago. They're on B's boat showering," He smirked and said before he turned around, "And…you owe me twenty bucks."

Finn absent-mindedly took money from the last two boaters and looked down at the sign tacked on the ladder that read: 'Closed for the Poker Run.'

After showering, Santana and Brittany headed towards the gas dock to meet the others for the trip to Breadstix. The morning had found them sleepy, but after taking an early dip in the water and having coffee with Brittany's parents, the two were awake and happily prepared for the long day ahead of them. They walked, hand in hand, down the long dock, past the Dirty Dozen, and to the sunny opening of the gas dock.

"Hey guys."

Puck, Artie and Finn turned around. "Hey Brittany, Santana." The trio quickly greeted the girls.

"You two ready?" Artie asked as he started to untie the boat.

Santana smiled at Brittany before answering. "Of course, though I hope someone's going to fill me in on the rules - I have no idea really what all this Poker Run stuff's about."

The others giggled while Brittany helped Santana onto the boat. "No worries, we'll explain on the way."

With only about three minutes to spare, Finn's boat arrived at Breadstix, where their fellow friends and participants were already moored out in the water and awaiting the start. Artie and Brittany had filled Santana in on the basics she needed for the Run while Finn concentrated his efforts on getting them to the marina on time and, thanks to the water being calm, they had.

Finn guided his watercraft through the mass of boats that were anchored out right in front of the lengthy dock of the marina. Finally making his way to the middle of the crowd, he turned off the engine as Brittany threw the anchor overboard.

From a few boats over, Arizona had noticed the familiar 1932 Chris Craft pull in. "Hey Mercedes - that girl standing next to Brittany, is that Santana?" she nodded her head toward the pair in the distance.

Mercedes peered over Sue's shoulder to take a quick look off the bow. "Yep, that's her."

Arizona nodded. "She's kinda hot."

Sam turned around. "Kinda hot? That's an understate-" was all her could get out before Mercedes playfully slapped him in the shoulder.

An older man walked up to the small and raggedy podium, which was situated unevenly on the end of the dock. After tapping it a few quick times with the tip of his fingers, he cleared his throat. "Ahem, yes. Welcome to the twenty-seventh annual Lima Point Poker Run!" A roar of clapping and verbal applauding followed from the boaters out in the water.

Santana leaned towards Brittany in an effort to talk over the noise. "Who's that man at the podium?"

The blonde dropped her head down to reply in Santana's ear. "That's Sandy, he owns the bar and marina here." Brittany briefly looked back at the spokesman. "His grandfather started the Poker Run years ago. He's a good guy - half of each team's entry fee for today will be donated to the homeless shelter in town. That's where he works when he is not at the bar." Santana nodded her head with an impressed look as 'Sandy' continued on.

"From what I can see, we seem to have an unusually large number of groups for the Run this year." He smiled as he looked out into the water. "I also see a few unfamiliar faces before me, so I guess it's only fair I go over the basics of this peculiar game before we all get started."

Santana smiled at these words. Because Finn had raced over to ensure they arrived on time, the engines had roared so loud the brunette hadn't heard a thing Brittany or Artie had said along the way.

"The Poker Run is a simple, yet strange, variation on the classic poker game - the five-card draw. I trust that everyone here is somewhat familiar with that pastime. If you aren't," the man chuckled. "then you shouldn't be here."

A small hum of laughter came from the crowd that cluttered the water. "However, the Run is not only a game, but a race as well. So if you came here in any other watercraft other than a speed boat, your chances of winning aren't so hot." The swarm of people in the water silently looked around to see if anyone had been thick enough to show up for this contest in a sailboat.

As Sandy continued his oration, Santana, as well as a few other first-timers, began to grasp the basic concept of the game: Each boat has five occupants and there are five destinations along the river, all of which happen to be either a restaurant or a bar. At each stop, one person gets off of the boat and retrieves a card from that particular location. The last card is obtained at the final stop, which is also where the winners are announced and prizes are given. The team with the best poker hand at the end of the race, wins.

From what Santana had gathered so far, she came to the conclusion that she was about to have a lot of fun. She looked at Brittany and smiled before linking her arm with the blonde's as she listened on.

"Now that we have the basics taken care of, it's time for a few rules." Sandy shifted behind the podium before he continued. "Rule number one: Each boat must have five occupants. No more, no less. Rule number two: Each participant must at least 21 years of age. Rule number three: Life jackets must be worn by all participants until they arrive at the last stop. Rule number four: Each player must collect a card; thus, no participant may go more than once." He carried on with a few smaller specifics that many paid no mind to.

"Now, since we have so many participants this year, we are throwing in a few twists. Instead of using two standard 52-card decks, we will be using three. This way everyone will have a fair shot at a decent hand. Also, and listen up folks, as this next amendment to the contest comes with a few new rules." The casual buzz of chatter among the boats ceased as they gave Sandy their attention.

"This year, and the reason for us having to strictly enforce the age-limit on participants, we have added a bit of a change in the event which should prove somewhat…entertaining. Now, in past Runs, players collected their five cards, went to the final stop, and did their draw. Simple as that."

"This year, however, it will be a little different. As you know, all of this year's pit stops are at the local bars and restaurants in town and across the channel."

Finn's head popped up at the word 'bar'. "Oh, there's drinking involved - we're so gonna win this." He said, whispering to his other teammates.

"You don't necessarily know that Finn."

"Come on, Brittany" her brother said with a laugh. "Why else would EVERY stop this year be at a place that serves 'beverages' he said using his fingers on each hand to quote. The team looked back towards Sandy who had already started again.

"...For example, if the first teammate gets their card and it's say, a two, they may opt to drink a beer for another draw to get a better card. You may do this as many times as you'd like but only until a player from the next team arrives. When they do, you must finish the beer you have and the card you draw after that is the one you must keep for that particular stop."

Sandy continued as the boaters on the water listened on.

"Now because we are including this in the rules and also for safety reasons, I am asking that driver of each boat to complete the anchor leg of the Run. In other words, whoever is behind the wheel should go last. There will be lots of fast boats in the same vicinity and I want everyone to be alert and aware of others. Marine Patrol and judges will be located at each pit stop to make sure these rules are both enforced and followed. Also, for the individuals out there that do not drink, there will non-alcoholic beer available for you."

"Please keep in mind that other than these two new adjustments have been made to the Run this year, everything else remains the same. That is to say your lead is still very important. The first team to arrive at the last stop and pull a card will be allowed to take away any other card from any other team after all boats have arrived and drawn."

Sandy checked over a few papers that accompanied him behind the podium and looked up. "I think that is all. Are there any questions?"

When there were none, he folded up his papers and placed them in the front pocket of his shirt. "Alright," he said as he rested both hands out in front of him on the podium. "There are a few people coming around on jet skis to hand out your assigned boat numbers. Please display these on the right side of your watercraft to the left of your registration numbers. Also, when reporting to your pit stops, please refer to this number as well."

As the numbers were passed out, teams began to pull their life jackets on and choose their anchor man/woman.

"I'll take the anchor leg." Brittany said to the rest of her teammates as she snapped the final buckle on her life jacket in place.

Finn looked to the others in the boat. "No, if we can get a good head start, then I can be anchor and get a good last card. I can drink for days."

Artie and Finn smiled alongside Brittany and Santana. Artie spoke up. "We're all drunkies - it really doesn't matter. But if we do get that lead, Finn will do best going last." After a few more minutes of deliberation, they had settled on Finn taking the final leg.

When all of the numbers had been handed out, the teams looked on for the signal to start. Once again, the older man return to the podium. "Alright, here are your stops this year,"

They began to buckles their vests as Sandy began the list.

"Number one, The Dockside."

Finn turned to his sister. "You writing these down?"

She nodded quickly as she hunched over on the seat, listening on.

"Number two, Lime Point Botel Number three, Seaside Bar & Grill."

"Alright, kids. Let's get ready to do this." Artie mumbled playfully as he slid his sunglasses down to cover his eyes.

"Number four, Pier 3."

They all took their seats as Brittany scribbled the last stop of the run on her list.

"And number five, Captain John's."

Brittany and Santana quickly met eyes and smiled at each other sweetly, remembering their first date. It seemed just like yesterday when Santana had taken the blonde to her favorite restaurant across the waters to Cobb Island. Brittany's favorite restaurant, their final stop for today. Memories would come back, both knew that for sure.

Finn had broken them out of their moment. "You guys ready? We're about to start." Brittany gave her girlfriend a quick kiss on the cheek before making her way to the back of her brother's small speed boat to be at the ready.

"Please remember to tip your bartenders." Sandy said, smiling as he pulled out a flare gun from his pocket. There was a loud roar of engines as drivers started their boats.

"Pull up your anchors."

Brittany, at the back of the boat, pulled fast with Artie helping with the rope. The last words from the man behind the podium were simple and would be followed. "Have fun, be safe, and we'll see you in a few hours at Captain John's." A couple of seconds later, a small bang and flare followed, signaling the start of the race.

The pace boat pulled off to the right just after exiting the no-wake zone and the drivers went full-throttle towards their first pit-stop: Dockside Restaurant. Of the thirty or so boats that surrounded them in the water, Brittany and her fellow team only recognized four others and maybe a possible fifth. Blaine, Kurt, Shannon, and a couple of their friends were just behind them while Will's team, which consisted also of Emma, Jacob, Steph and Quinn, were to their left. Santana gave a wave to Steph as they passed them.

To their right were Sue and her friend Cooter, Sam, Mercedes, and Arizona. Will and Emma's boat had been full, but Sue had offered Arizona spot since they were one short. They were in a small, older boat much similar to the one Finn and the others were riding in. Brittany caught sight of her older sister and offered a wide smile of excitement. The blonde yelled over the engines to her brother. "I didn't know Arizona was in town!"

Finn shouted over his shoulder as he steered. "What?!"

Brittany moved a little closer. "I didn't know Arizona was in town!"

"Oh, yeah! She got in last night!"

The blonde brushed some hair out of her face as she shouted back. "What?!"

"She got in last night!"

Finn and his team were in third or fourth place as they rounded the bend toward the first stop. It was hard to tell who was in the lead really, as all of the boats towards the front of the pack were still kind of jumbled together. Finn pushed the throttle a bit further and gained some extra speed to pass the two larger vessels in front of him. As they pulled in the closest slip at the restaurant's dock, Brittany hopped out quickly to tie up. Finn shut the engine off and quickly looked back. "Puck, you go first. Keep whatever card you pick. Artie, you go with him."

Puck swiftly hopped out and onto the dock with Artie following. "But what if I get a three or some-"?

"Just keep it." Finn said. "We need a good lead."

"Right." Puck said before he turned and ran with Artie down the dock.

Not even a minute later, two more boats arrived, then two more.
Santana looked between Brittany and Finn. "This is chaotic!" she directed her eyes on the dozen or so boats making their way towards them.

"Yeah, it gets pretty crazy." Finn said as he looked in the direction of where his teammates had run.

Two slips over, Team Sylvester had docked. Sam, who was apparently retrieving the card for this stop sped up the dock a few seconds later with Mercedes following. Arizona, the fifth occupant of this boat, noticed her brother and sister. She hopped off and ran quickly to their finger pier to say hello. "Brittany!" she yelled excitedly from behind the blonde. Brittany turned around. "Arizona! Hi! When did you get-"

"They're coming!" Finn said, muffling Brittany's question. "Brittany, Santana, untie us." he said.

The two girls hopped off the boat to tend to separate bowlines.

Brittany turned toward her sister. "Arizona, we gotta go. We 'need' a lead." the blonde whispered as she looked at Finn, who was very determined to be leaving the second Artie and Puck set foot on the boat. Brittany threw her line into the boat as Santana did the same.

"By the way, Arizona, Santana. Brittany pointed to her girlfriend as she knelt on the dock, holding the boat close. "Santana, Arizona." The two strangers quickly shook hands and exchanged a couple of 'nice to meet you's before Santana found her seat back on the boat.

Puck and Artie came scampering down the dock and hopped on. "Come on, Brittany!" Finn yelled from behind the wheel. The two sisters hugged briefly before Brittany hopped back in the boat. She looked at her sister as they were pulling out. "I'll see you tonight at the marina, right?" Arizona nodded as Finn backed his boat out of the slip.

They were out first and, because of this, had picked up a small lead on the other boats. It was about a fifteen-minute ride to their next stop. On the way, Finn had taken his eyes off the water in front of him only long enough to turn around to Finn. "What did you pull?!"
Finn held up his card proudly, which showed the others a king of hearts. Finn looked behind him to see the furthest boat being about a water mile away. "We're in good shape so far!" He yelled over the engines. "There's a baggie in the glove box over there, Jacob! Stick the card in there so it won't get wet or lost!"

Finn slowed down as he floated into the closest slip along the bank. "Lima Point Botel's bar is on top of that hill over there." He pointed over the group's shoulders to a large, white building about a mile away. "I'm guessing that's what the bikes are for." The others turned around to see a long row of bikes propped up along the edge of the landing.

Artie spoke first. "I'll do this leg - I bike to work when Britts can't pick me up." With agreement from the group, he hopped onto dry land, grabbed the bike closest to him and peddled away toward the restaurant.

Santana and Brittany leaned back in their seats to relax while they waited. "Wow Finn, I can't believe you didn't give Artie specific directions for picking his card."

Finn threw his sister a sarcastic smile. "This is his fourth year. He knows what he's doing."

"How did they get such a big lead in that dinky little boat of Finn's?" Sue asked as he noticed Finn and his team from a distance.

Arizona smirked. "It's small, old, and wooden, but the thing flies. They've never lost a Run in that boat."

Sue rolled her eyes. "I know." She said as she steered out of the channel and towards their second stop.

A few minutes later, Sue was docking in the slip to the left of Finn's boat just as Artie was returning from the restaurant. Artie threw down the bike he had been traveling on as Brittany and Finn untied their lines.

"How are you guys doing so far?" Arizona inquired from the boat next to them.

"Good." Artie replied nonchalantly as he jumped down into the boat. Once seated, he threw his card into the glove box and then tapped the top of the teak. "Let's go."

"Gotta run, sis." Finn said with a quick smile, halfway looking at her, halfway checking behind him to safely back out of the slip.

Santana and Finn gave a wave to the boat as Brittany yelled. "See you later on!"

On the way back towards the channel and to their third stop, Brittany and the others met the dozens of boats that were heading in the direction they had just been. Artie leaned back in his seat and burped. "Had to drink four beers for that card." he nodded towards the glove box as he patted his chest with his fist and belched again.

Finn crouched down a bit to avoid the wind and the water's splashes. "What did you finally pull?" He asked, confident that Artie has done well.

Artie smiled as he retrieved his card from the bag. He flipped it over with a tipsy smile, showing the others a jack of hearts.

They had arrived at Seaside, which was pit stop number, in no time. Brittany had decided to take this leg of the race. She hopped off the boat as they pulled in and Santana quickly followed. The rules of the Poker Run stated that whoever is drawing a card may opt to have another player tag along in their leg for 'support' - Puck and Artie had done this earlier. Brittany knew she was, more than likely, going to have to chug a few beers to get a good card and decided to enforce this rule knowing she'd most likely need Santana to assist her in walking back to the boat once she was done.

The two girls ran along the dock and made a right towards the small restaurant/bar that sat charmingly on the water. Santana opened the door for Brittany, who rushed in and dashed to the bar. "Poker Run, team number three." the blonde said, a bit out of breath.

The bartender, who had been working on a crossword puzzle, looked up and smiled. She grabbed a stack of cards from behind the bar and spread them out in front of the blonde. "Good luck." she said as she motioned for Brittany to pick a card. The blonde picked up the first card her eyes found. She looked at it, squinched up her face, and frowned. Quickly showing a four of spades to Santana, she set the card aside.

"Another draw?" The barkeep asked.

The blonde nodded as she wrapped her left arm around Santana's waist. "Yeah, Miller Lite, please."

"Sure thing." The small girl behind the bar smiled at the two girls before grabbing a beer and placing it on a napkin in front of Brittany. She quickly drank her beer and drew another card. Eight of diamonds - not much better.

Her third draw was considerably dreadful as well - nine of clubs. A few more beers after that, Brittany was getting pretty tipsy and she still didn't have a decent card. The cards she was drawing, well, sucked. The blonde finished her fourth beer and drew another. It had been a four of something, she couldn't remember. All she knew at that point was that a four of anything wouldn't please her brother.

Brittany pushed her fifth empty bottle away from her as she drew another card. "Shit!" she said, showing Santana a queen of spades.

"What - that's good, Brittany!" Santana said excitedly as she kissed the blonde on her cheek.

"No, no." Brittany said. "I need a heart or a king or a jackkkk."

Santana took the card Brittany had been holding, set it aside and looked at the bartender.

One more." She requested.

As the bartender placed another bottle of beer in front in the blonde, Mercedes walked in. "Shit, Santana, they caught up to us."

"It's okay, this is your last beer," Santana said with a smile. "Drink this, pick a good card, and we are out of here."

Brittany nodded and downed her last beer. She looked at Santana before taking a deep breath. The blonde hesitantly drew her last card from the pile and slowly looked at it. A smile spread across Brittany's face. "Yes!"

Without showing the card to anyone but the bartender, who had to record it, Brittany grabbed Santana's hand, kissed her on the cheek, and led her out of the doors of the Seaside Grill. Once outside and down the stairs of the establishment, the two began trotting back to the boat. Santana noticed Brittany walking a bit slower behind her and stopped. "Need help, sweetie?"

Brittany smiled tipsily and burped. "Piggy back ride."

Santana walked back to her girlfriend, placed a soft kiss on her cheek, turned around and squatted in front of her. The blonde hopped on her back. She wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, still clutching the card she had drawn minutes before in her right hand.

Brittany rested on Santana's back as they made their way back to the boat. "Lookie at what I drew." the blonde said as she brought the card around to Santana's eyes.

"Awesome, sweetie." Santana said as she briefly looked at the card, then focusing her eyes back on the path in front of her, cautiously dodging the other players headed in their direction.

Brittany wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you, Santana." she said a bit matter-of-factly. The Latina smiled as she kept trotting towards the boat. "I love you too, Brittany, but damn, you are heavy!"

A sweat-drenched Santana quickly made her way along the dock and back to the boat, hauling Brittany's weight the entire way. When they arrived to their slip, Brittany was the first on the boat, with Santana following suit. "What took so long, Brittany?" Finn asked as Artie and Puck untied then from the pier.

The blonde found a seat in the back of the boat next to Santana. "Six beers." She said as she rested her head on the brunette's shoulders. "Or seven. I dunno, really. But I got a good card!" She said as she pulled a card out of her pocket. "It's a king of something, diamonds maybe? Mercedes showed up and that was the last one I could get. But it's a good one, yeah?" She asked Finn as he maneuvered through the bulky mass of boats that were arriving.

The next stop was at Pier 3, which was about 9 miles across the river. As Finn manned the wheel, the others took some time to relax. They were still in first place and, for the first time since the race had started, Leo didn't seem overly stressed. For the next thirty minutes, the group took in the day and silently enjoyed each other's company. The sun was piercing, but the swift wind and small splashes of water that touched their faces masked the sweltering, humid air.

Artie and Brittany, who were both tipsy from their respective pit-stops, chatted loudly over the almost-deafening hum of the engines. Santana found a place up front with Finn, who talked 'strategy' with her for most of the way. As Santana caught sight of Pier 3 in the distance, she made her way to the back of the small boat and found a seat next to Brittany. "Hey." she said softly as she sat down.

"Hey yourself." The blonde shifted her body sideways and put her legs in Santana's lap after the brunette sat down.

Brittany pulled her sunglasses onto her head. "You're up next, want me to go with you?"

Santana smiled. "Well that's a silly question, love." She pulled the blonde by the hands to a sitting position and kissed her on the cheek. "Come on, we're almost there."

They pulled up to the large dock of Pier 3 and quickly hopped off as Artie tied them up. Both barefoot and still clad in their bikinis and life vests, Santana and Brittany hurried down the long pier and into the restaurant. Santana scampered across the room and up to the bar with the blonde closely and clumbsily following. "Poker Run, team number three." With those words, the bartender retrieved a stack of cards, just as the others had done at their previous stops, and fanned them in front of Santana.

Meanwhile, back at the boat, Artie, Finn, and Puck decided to cool off in the water while waiting for the girls. The trio swam beside the boat and chatted. "So, what are we doing tonight?" Artie asked.

Finn treaded between him and Puck. "Well I think we're doing something for Santana and Steph - ya know for their 'going-away thingy'." Artie nodded as Finn continued. "Will and I talked a bit about it last night after everyone went to bed."

Santana set her third beer aside as she took another card. "I think, at this point, it is safe to say that I am doing worse than you did at that other place."

Brittany scooted her bar stool closer to the brunette and kissed her on the cheek. "No worries. You have plenty of time."

Just as Puck, Artie, and Finn were fresh out of the water and standing on the back platform of the boat when Sue and Co. pulled up. They docked just in front of Finn as Arizona and Mercedes hopped out of their boat quickly as headed towards the restaurant. After tying up, Sue greeted Finn and the others. "Hot day it is."

Finn wrapped a towel around his waist. "Yeah, it is, how ya guys doing out there?"
The older woman wiped a few strands of sweat away from her face as he sipped on a bottle of water. "Pretty well, water's calm - getting good cards. How about you?"

"Bout the same." Finn replied as he checked his watch. "How far back are the other boats?"

"Oh, I don't know, about twenty minutes or so away. Figgins and his grandson got pulled over coming into the last stop for speeding in a no-wake zone." Sue chucked. "A few others I didn't recognize got hung up with marine patrol."

"Rotten luck." Finn said.

Sue smiled. "Good for us though, eh?"

"I have to go to the bathroom, Santana. I'll be right back." Brittany said, leaving the brunette alone at the bar next to Arizona and Mercedes. Santana was on her fifth and last beer.

"So…" Arizona started as she threw her card aside and grabbed her beer. "I hear you and my sister have had quite a summer."

Santana smiled. "That we have."

"I've never seen her this happy. I don't know you Santana, but I like you." Arizona said as she downed her beer in a quick chug.

Santana widened her eyes at this. "Never seen anyone drink a beer that fast." She said, taking a few large sips of her own.

"Eh, ten years of Poker Running teaches ya I suppose." Arizona drew another card, set it down and asked for another beer. She turned to Santana as she waited. "Don't leave tomorrow."

Taken aback by her bluntness, the brunette finished the rest of her own drink and drew a card without even looking at it. She clasped her hands together and looked down at the bar where her elbows rested. "I don't want to, but I-"

"Had to wait in line forever!" Brittany said as she threw her arm around her girlfriend.

You ready?" She asked.

Arizona exchanged a look with Santana and nodded, silently saying 'we'll finish this conversation later.'

Santana looked at her card. "Yes, let's go." Brittany entwined a hand with the brunette's as they both said goodbye to Arizona. Hand in hand, the two girls walked a bit tipsily out of the restaurant and back down the dock.

"What was that all about?" Mercedes asked Arizona, who was quickly downing her third beer.

Picking another card, the blonde replied. "Just gonna have a little talk with Santana later on."

"About?"

"Duh, Mercedes." She drew another card before raising her two index fingers to quote. "About 'Brittany' stuff."