Nightcrawler (A Slimecicle FF)

FOURTEEN

"I'm back," Schlatt's voice rang out in Charlie's apartment, and Charlie looked away from the TV. It had been a week after the hospital, and he'd told all of the guys what happened. They were surprisingly more understanding than he thought they'd be. "And I brought the balloons or whatever that you asked for."

"Thanks," Charlie leaned back on the couch and met Schlatt's eyes. "Ted on his way yet?"

"Should be here in a few minutes," He responded, sitting down on the chair next to him. "What's this all about, anyway?"

"It's a surprise," Charlie chuckled. "I want everyone to be here. Since Travis and Cooper and Noah went back home, I figured you and Ted would be plenty of company."

"But what's the occasion?" Schlatt asked, annoyed. "And where's Santana? She's still around, right?"

Charlie smiled and nodded. Thankfully, Santana had agreed to stay. Once they let her out of the hospital, she'd officially made herself at home. He'd done it. He convinced her to stay.

"She had to take care of something real quick," Charlie told him. Santana had one condition that Charlie was hesitant to follow, and it was that she could come and go as she pleased without question. Charlie had no clue where she was at the moment, but he trusted that she'd be back within the hour. She was always back before 9 PM.

Schlatt sighed. "Well, I'd like an idea of what this surprise party thing is about—"

The door swung open, and Ted barged in with a grin on his face. "I got drinks!"

"Let's go!" Charlie matched Ted's energy. "Now that you both are here, I'll tell you what this is about. Basically, I've asked around town, and you all know Santana's been looking around for a job."

At least, that's what she said she was doing.

"Yeah, we know," Ted shrugged, setting the drinks onto the counter. "She told me nobody would even let her apply since she doesn't have a resume or any references."

"That's the thing," Charlie smirked. He was glad her and Ted got along, but part of him wondered if she liked Ted more than she liked him. "I found a diner a few blocks away from here. They have this program, where they offer jobs to unemployed people that don't have experience anywhere else. It's sort of like an internship, but they go through training and eventually...I think she might be able to become a waitress there."

"Really?"

That voice wasn't Ted or Schlatt, so Charlie gasped and whirled around to face the door. Santana quietly closed it behind her and looked around.

"No!" Charlie groaned. "You weren't supposed to be back yet."

"Is it true?" She pocketed her keys and set a bag down on the ground. "Did you find me a job?"

"It was supposed to be a surprise," Charlie grinned, coming over to her and helping her take her jacket off. She still insisted on wearing dark clothes when she went out, but Charlie didn't complain.

"It is a surprise, considering I've been searching since the minute I got my voice back," She hummed, nodding at Ted and Schlatt. "Hi guys."

Ted waved back, and Schlatt smirked.

"Hi, Santana," He sang, winking at Charlie and making Charlie send a glare his way. He seriously regretted telling Schlatt his feelings about Santana. "How are things in Charlie's humble abode?"

"He's loud when he's streaming and recording," She teased, nudging Charlie. "I guess he can tell you I'm not here often, though."

"I really want to know what you're off doing," Charlie stated, meeting her gaze.

"Honestly?" She shrugged. "I have an acquaintance that's helping me get all of my stuff out. I've almost packed it all up."

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "You still don't call them your friends?"

"She isn't," Santana sighed. "It's hard to consider her a friend when she's Razor's sister, you know."

"Is that the guy that beat the shit out of you and Charlie?" Ted asked. Santana shot him a glare, though.

"He didn't do that much damage to me," She scoffed. "I can take care of myself."

"Why is Razor's sister helping you?" Schlatt asked her.

Santana shrugged again, going into the kitchen. "Beats me. All I know is once I get this last batch out of the club, I won't see them ever again. Especially if what Charlie says is true, and I might have a job. I'm hoping to get my own place, not too far from here."

"This is great," Charlie grinned. "I love seeing you like this. You're really trying to start a normal life, and that's amazing."

"Can you save all of the lovey-dovey stuff for when we're not here?" Schlatt groaned, a teasing grin on his face. He knew what he was doing.

"Yeah, come on," Ted joined in, making Charlie sigh and look down at his feet.

"Shut up, guys," Charlie glared at them both before turning to Santana. "Don't mind them, they're just giving me a hard time."

She smirked, winking at Charlie. "I don't mind. Clearly, they're just jealous that I like you more than I like them."

Charlie widened his eyes when she winked, blushing and turning away from her. He cleared his throat and awkwardly made his way to the kitchen. "Anyway, we got some of your favorite drinks for when I broke the news to you. I wanted to treat you to dinner, but the guys said that wasn't a good idea."

Santana popped open a bottle, giggled, and made her way to the living room with Schlatt. "We'll save it for date night, babe."

Charlie knew she was teasing, but he couldn't help but freeze at what she said. The way it was so casual, as if she'd been calling him that for weeks. He could get used to that.