Brittany was confused. She tried to reach out and feel once more the warm familiarity that was Santana's embrace, but Santana pushed her roughly away. "Get off me!"

Brittany drew back, shocked and bewildered, as Santana fled down the hallway. She closed her locker and leant against it, and wondered why the world suddenly seemed a lot colder, as Santana walked away.

Santana was angry. Angry at Brittany, for choosing Artie. Angry at Artie, for getting there first. But, most of all, angry at herself. For being too late to see – to admit – what was staring her in the face. Tears started to fall again as thoughts whirled through her head – but then a thought struck her. Brittany had said that if ever she and Artie broke up… Santana squared her shoulders. She was on a mission.

Brittany dialled Artie.

"Yo."

"Hey Artie."

"Hey Brit – you okay? What's up?"

"I love you."

"Love you too…"

"Awesome."

The news that Kurt was coming back spread fast. The Glee club was overjoyed, especially Mercedes. However, everyone was surprised by Santana's reaction.

"Really? Kurt's coming back?"

"Why do you even care?" Rachel shot back suspiciously.

"Well, Glee club's just not the same without our token drag queen, is it?" She retorted sarcastically. "It's nice to have someone to push around." She tried to hide the flicker of hope that the news had ignited, but it was hard: here was the possibility of an ally, a partner in crime. And she could really use one of those right now.

But as the week went on and Brittany avoided her constantly, the glimmer of hope that came with having a plan faded. All she could think of were all those missed opportunities; those nights they'd lain together when she could so easily have said those three words. Maybe if she had, everything would be different now. She buried her head in her hands and tried to hold back tears. At the end of Glee club, she raised her hand timidly. "Mr Schue? Can I use the auditorium?"

Mr schue looked surprised. "Sure, Santana."

Santana smiled tiredly.

Brittany needed to find Santana. Santana had been avoiding her gaze all day, and she couldn't take it any more. Why couldn't they just go back to how they had been? Maybe she'd been wrong – maybe it was better without feelings involved. As she passed the door to the auditorium, she heard music. She peered round the door and saw Santana standing in the middle of the stage. Silently, she slipped into a seat as Santana began to sing.

"I can be tough, I can be strong
But with you, it's not like that at all
There's a girl that gives a shit
Behind this wall you just walk through it

And I remember
All those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
Right now I wish you were here

All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here

Damn! Damn! Damn!
What I'd do to have you here, here, here
I wish you were here
Damn! Damn! Damn!
What I'd do to have you near, near, near
I wish you were here.

I love, the way you are
It's who I am, don't have to try hard
We always say, say it like it is
And the truth, is that I really miss

All those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
Right now I wish you were here

All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here

Damn! Damn! Damn!
What I'd do to have you here, here, here
I wish you were here
Damn! Damn! Damn!
What I'd do to have you near, near, near
I wish you were here

No, I don't wanna let go
I just wanna let you know
That I, never wanna let go
Let go, oh
Damn! Damn! Damn!
What I'd do to have you near, near, near

I wish you were here"

She ended the song and made to leave, but Brittany stood up, blocking her way.

"Santana – "

"What? I was just rehearsing." Santana snapped, pushing past her. She stormed off, leaving Brittany standing alone in the auditorium.

Santana pulled her cardigan around her as she walked away, silently cursing herself. Why did she screw up every opportunity that she got? There was just something about Brittany that got under her skin the way nobody else could, and it scared her. Angrily, she dashed away her tears and headed to her car.

On Monday, Kurt pulled into the parking lot. He took a deep breath, checked his reflection in the rear view mirror, and stepped out. He marched into school, head held high. He approached his locker, but the space was already occupied.

"Okay, here's the deal, Kurt." Santana said. "Everyone's got me down as a dyke now, so you and I may as well work together. Help me get Brittany back, and I'll make sure Karofsky never comes near you again."

"Oh? How're you gonna do that?"

"I have my methods."

Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Santana narrowed her eyes.

"Throw in a shopping spree at Bloomingdales and you've got yourself a deal."

Santana sighed. "Fine. See you in Glee club."

Well, Kurt thought as she walked away, things were certainly going to be interesting.

Brittany watched from her locker as Santana strode past, but couldn't work up the courage to call out to her. She was still staring after Santana as Artie approached her.

"Hey Brittany."

"Oh – hey, Artie."

"Wanna come to Breadstix tonight? We haven't been out in a while."

"Sure," Brittany muttered distractedly.

"You okay?" Artie asked, confused.

"I'm fine. Bye, Artie."

Kurt pulled Santana aside as she was going into the choir room. "She's going to the Stix with Artie tomorrow night. You want to split them up, you have to stop her going. Meet me in Bloomingdales after school."

She gave him a sideways look. "You're good. See you, then." And with a sly smile, she slipped into her seat.