Finn & Santana | The Truth

Chapter 3: The Duets

It had been a few days since Mr. Schuester gave the assignment, 'Duets 2.0'. It had only been about a month since they did duets, but this time they didn't get to choose and they let the fates speak - Basically they picked their partners out of a hat. 

Finn had been writing down a list of duets he liked and some he googled because he was stuck and didn't want to spend all day thinking about what song they would do. Santana picked his name out of the hat and he'd never sung with her before, except the group numbers and knew that because of recent events, Rachel wasn't too happy about the pairing. 

Walking into study hall, he saw Santana and Brittany talking and made his way over to sit behind the two, both ignoring him and continued to talk to each other. "You're an awesome dancer and you'd kill that song, Britt!"  Santana smiled at her, they were talking about Brittany and Puck's duet and although Brittany's first choice was a TV theme song, Santana was proud at one of her choices, knowing that her bestie would be amazing.

"Hey, Santana..I've wrote a few ideas down." Finn sat on the chair as he began to lean forward with a textbook in his hand. In sync, Santana and Brittany both turned around to face him, Santana's head cocked a little as she looked at the book in his hand, snatching it and flipping through it. "Nope..no..hell no.." she shook her head at his selections before pausing for a moment, taking his pen and circling one of the songs. "Maybe that one..but I wanna see if you can keep up. K?" she placed Finn's book back on the table along with the pen and turned away to face Brittany again. "So Q's really singing that with your boyfriend?" Santana laughed as Brittany nodded her head, an ever so confused look across her face.

Santana and Brittany spent study hall gossiping and Finn left early to use the computers in the library to print out the lyrics to the song Santana had circled in his textbook. He was glad it wasn't a full blown love song, the lyrics talked about no matter what, you can't be kept apart. Finn really didn't think about the similarities of the lyrics to recent events, he was just focused on memorising the lyrics. 

Everyone gathered in the choir room as Rachel and Tina stood in the center, ready for their number. "I picked a duet that not only compliments our voices, but is sung by two amazing and powerful divas who-" Before she could continue, Rachel was cut off by Mr. Schue "OK Rachel..Tina, take it away."  The song was When You Believe by Mariah Care & Whitney Houston. Everyone sat back and watched as the pair belted out, Rachel obviously trying to outshine Tina with the last word of the song. Both hugged and took a bow as everyone stood and clapped, Santana included, she didn't like Berry, but she had to admit that the girl had a lot of talent and so did Tina and their voices worked well together.

Later that day, Finn was in the choir room listening to the original song and figuring out the beats on the drum, he wanted to highlight his other talent and he was a good drummer. Taking out his phone, he sent a text message to Santana. 

Finn: Come to the choir room.

Santana: What do you want??

Finn: To rehearse? The jazz band is waiting.

Santana: Seriously? Fine, gimme a few.

Santana threw her phone into her backpack and made her way from the locker room, school was almost over and she was ready to head home when he texted. She wasn't too pleased as she walked back into the room and dropped her bag, her arms quickly crossing. "I'm missing the Breadstix after school deal for this." she sighed, making her way over to an empty seat beside the drum kit, where Finn was sitting. "I asked the McKinley Jazz Band to help us rehearse." his head turned to the members with a half smile on his face before turning back to the Latina, handing her the sheet with lyrics on them, with a roll of her eye she took the paper and stood up as Finn counted down the beats and the Jazz band started playing, Finn starting to drum as he began.

Finn: Listen baby, ain't no mountain high, Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby.

Santana: If you need me call me no matter where you are

No matter how far..

Finn: Don't worry baby!

Santana: Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry, you don't have to worry..

Santana folded the sheet of paper, she knew the lyrics and didn't need them, she only looked at the words because she hated eye contact when she was singing with someone, but without thinking, she turned to Finn, both of them smiling as they sang the chorus together.

Both: Oh baby there ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you babe.

The first run through was better than everyone imagined, Finn clearly practiced all day with headphones in and using his pens as drumsticks on the table and the Jazz band had played the song before. When they had finished, Finn thanked the band as they left and Santana giving them a smile. 

"So?..How was it?" Finn asked, Santana sitting back down on the chair as Finn took a seat next to her.

"I have to admit, it was awesome." she nodded, Finn looking a little shocked that she made a real compliment and not a backhanded one. 

"Like I was thinking of just playing drums for like half and then the actual drummer can take over and we finish in the middle of the room?" Choreography wasn't Finn's strongest point, so he wanted to showcase her voice, his and drumming and hopefully it would work out. 

Santana listened to him ramble about the number, almost grinning at how into this assignment he was, "Good idea. I guess I'll just improvise a dance, or maybe Britt can help me."  

Finn's eyes widened, "Really? You like my ideas, thanks." his face starting to show a hint of a smile. 

"Wow, I actually have a heart? You may have an IQ lower than your age, but sometimes you actually use that brain instead of thinking about rubbing one off to the librarian." Santana cocked her head sarcastically at him with a smirk. 

His eyebrows furrowed a little, "Why do you do that? You be nice and when someone thanks you or is nice to you, you just tear them down?" his voice getting frustrated with the girl beside him. "You don't have to be a bitch the whole time, y'know?"

Santana sighed, eyes looking down, "Being a bitch is what I do best, and why the hell are you being so nice? I was the reason you and Rachel broke up." her face puzzled.

"True, but underneath that sarcasm and meanness, you're a good person, Santana." Finn began to smile at the girl, her eyes now focused forward, as she felt them start to tear up, she cleared her throat and stood up to get her back. 

"I gotta go.." her voice quivering a little as she tried holding back her emotions. Finn hadn't the chance to say anything before she was gone.