I don't own Glee ©

I steadily took a step out of the hall that led me out of the airplane. My breathing was steady and calm as I clutch onto my duffle bag. My cameo cap fit snuggly as I felt a strong wind brushing past me. My boots clanked as I continued to follow the crowd to God knows where. I sighed as I looked back at the plane. I had to come to a realization that I'm back home in Lima, Ohio.

Don't get me wrong, Lima is a great place. It's a small town where everyone knows each other. Everyone knew each other from childhood basically. It's nice, just like one big family. I took a deep breath as I head outside the airport. I glanced around looking at a few people running into their friends or loved ones. It almost breaks my heart that no one is here to greet me. Almost.

I look around until I found the bus stop and I waited on the bench with the other people. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw an old couple. The woman had huge glasses along with her husband. Her gray hair was in a messy bun and her floral pattern dress looked cute on her. Her husband was balding, his fake pearls showed as he grinned at me. A thumb was under his belt and his other arm wrapped around his wife.

"Welcome home, soldier." The man said warmly.

I couldn't help but smile, "Thank you sir."

The bus suddenly came and I bid the couple farewell. I sat down by a window seat and watched as the bus began to drive off. I leaned against the window and sighed deeply. Yes, I was in the army. I was discharged after eight years. I served in active duty for a good four years and the rest of the other four years I was "on-call". I stayed with my friends in the army during those four years. Good thing I stayed too, they needed me on the battlefield a few times.

I sat up straight as I saw familiar buildings. I sighed again and stood up as the bus stopped at the bus stop. I nodded at the bus driver, who bid me farewell and watched as I got off the bus and crossed the road. I passed by many buildings where I would hang out when I was a teenager. The burger joint that I would follow Puck in, the mall where Kurt, Mercedes, Tina, Berry, Quinn and I would shop, the Hummel's Garage where Finn and Kurt helped me fix my car when it got destroyed by some stupid low-life, Breadstix where me and Brit-her ate together

My body tensed once I thought about her. I haven't thought about her in years. My chest began to hurt more as I thought more about Brittany. We could have been together, you see. We could have been a…a couple. But when she chose a stupid boy over me, I didn't know what to do. I remember back in High School where I would just brush past her and Artie whenever they were together. I remember the sad looks that Brittany gave me. It hurts too much to even remember that face. I really wanted to run away, I really did, but I couldn't.

But when I finally decided that I had to run away, it was when that God damn commercial aired for some stupid political shit. I was so fucking embarrassed, sure I was planning on coming out of the closet then, but when Finn outted me and that commercial followed after, I knew that I was in deep shit. First off, the student body couldn't look at me the same anymore. I wasn't sure about the Gleeks at the time because I wasn't really paying attention to them, but I think they were freaked out as well. Second, my parents were basically ashamed of me. Before you could jump onto conclusions, I already told them I was gay before all of that happened, but they wanted it to be private, mostly my father. So they weren't happy with that commercial and me.

Lastly, My Abuela. I had to tell her before she turned on the TV and saw that commercial. When I told her, I remember I saw the warmth and love that was in her eyes turned into disappointment and anger. She told me to get out and fix myself. She told me that I wasn't allowed to speak to her. She told me I wasn't allowed to come back. Ever. My body still trembles whenever I replay that whole scene. It was too much.

I decided that I'll listen to my Abuela one last time. I took her words to heart and I ran back home, I left my car at Abuela's house, and I burst through the front door, ignoring that fact that I was alone in the house. I grabbed my duffle bag, clothes, money, cell phone, laptop, anything and I left. Before I could even walk out the door and I had remorseful feeling for not really telling anybody. So I decided to write a quick and short note.

Army.

That was all I wrote on that note, hoping that my parents were smart enough to understand it. I threw the note on the floor and walked off to the nearest bus stop. When I did this, I realized I was running away again. I realized that I wasn't going to finish my senior year in high school, I realized that I'm probably going to never see any of my friends again, I realized that Finn was right and I was being a coward.

I couldn't turn my back though. When the bus finally arrived and opened it's doors I went inside and never looked back.

I jumped from a sudden contact with a small hand. I glanced around quickly, trying to see who it was that broke me from my train of thought. As I looked at my surroundings, I realized that I ended up at the park. I took a deep breath and looked down to see a small blonde girl with hazel green eyes. I furrowed my brows together; she looked very, very familiar.

"Hi." She said in a chipper voice.

I found myself smiling, I couldn't help it she had such an affect. I bent down a bit and ruffled her sandy blonde locks. I kept smiling as she giggled in response. I asked her how old she was and she explained that she was five and was already doing stuff by herself. With that kind of ego she reminded me of Puck. Just a little.

"I like your clothes." She told me.

"Thanks." I replied, "I like your pig-tails. Very cute."

Her face brightened up when I complimented on her hair, "Thanks! My mommy did it for me this morning. Do you live here? Cause I go here all the time but I've never seen you around before."

My breath hitched up a bit when she said this. I chuckled and said, "Just came back from the army. I've lived here before."

"Oh!" The girl exclaimed, "I don't really live here as well 'cause I always come here in the summer time for a few weeks to see Grandma and Grandpa."

I raised a brow, "Oh? Where do you live?"

"In California, with me and my mommy and daddy and my Auntie B and my best friend Elizabeth and Auntie Berry and Uncle Kurtsy and—"

My eyes widened. Holy crap. Did that kid just say Berry and Kurt's name? Auntie B? That must be freakin' Brittany! It clicked. She looked and acted like Quinn and she had an ego like Puck.

"Yo-You must be Quinn's and Puck's kid." I whispered loudly.

Her nose scrunched up a bit and said, "Yeah! How do you know?"

"Uh…I have to go, kid." I said quickly and got up, grabbing my dufflebag in the process.

"Wait!" She shouted.

I turned around and saw her running towards me. I smiled a bit. She looked so much like Quinn. I bent down to her level and forced a smile. I don't want her to see that freaked out look that I was making in the inside.

"What's wrong, kid?" I asked sweetly.

"My name is Beth Puckerman." She said proudly. I can see some Puck in there; I couldn't help but laugh slightly.

"I'm Santana Lopez." I replied, standing back up again, "Don't you forget it."

Beth grinned and gave me a salute. I grinned back and saluted her back. I waved good bye and walked off. As I walked away I could hear Beth's footsteps running towards a womanly voice that was calling her name. I tensed and began to quicken my past. It must be Quinn's voice that was calling out to her daughter.

I really didn't know where I was going right now. I found myself walking towards my house. My home. I looked up at the building and stared at it. It was a bit bigger than the others since my dad is some awesome doctor and my mom is this kick ass lawyer in Lima. I didn't know what to do really. Do I go up to the house and knock? That'd be weird since this use to be my house, or still is. Or do I use the garage code and go through the garage and such like I use too?

I frowned at this troublesome situation. I'm use to deciding when and how I would attack and how to deal with the intruders and stuff on the battlefield, but when it comes to the most simplest stuff? I feel really stupid and awkward.

I took a deep breath and decided to ring the doorbell. It took a few seconds until I saw a figure behind the stained glass door. My body tensed as I recognized the figure to be my mother so I quickly looked down at my boots. The door opened before I could just sprint out of there. I quickly reminded myself that I just came from Afghanistan. I went through hell and back. If I could do that then I could face my parents.

A gasp caused me to look up. My mother aged so much since I left eight years ago. Her black hair seemed to duller, wrinkles were clearly showing, and her sense of style hasn't changed. It always seemed that she was going to work even if she was off that day. Her shocked expressions made me feel uncomfortable and I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck. I was suddenly pulled into an embrace.

"M-Mami?" I stuttered as I just stood there. For some reason, it seemed forever since I received a hug.

"Oh Mija…" She whispered. I tensed even more when my shoulder got a bit damp.

Suddenly she pulled me in the house and I was led into the kitchen where I froze in spot. My father and Abuela were at the table looking at me as if they've seen a ghost. I felt a nervous knot in my stomach, but I remember what my commander told me. Never let the enemy see you weak. I straightened my stance and roughly nodded at the two. My dad looked really...old. Being a doctor must of gave him a lot of gray hairs. As for my Abuela, she looked way older than I remember. How old is she now? As I tried to do math in my head my mother spoke.

"Oh Mija, why don't you sit down." My mother said, breaking the tension, "Do you want anything to drink?"

A cracked a smile came upon my face, "Some coffee would be great."

My boots were the only thing that was making noise. I gingerly sat across from my dad and Abuela and folded my hands on the table. They just stared at me. I couldn't help but feel a bit insulted by this. I don't know why, I just want to shout at them or something. But I didn't. The younger Santana would have, but I just merely raised a perfectly thin brow. My father just grunted while my Abuela turned her head towards my mother.

"Here you go, Mija." She said smiling.

I nodded and blew a bit of stem off. I then took a big sip, I needed the caffeine. The tension was growing again. I glanced back at the three older adults. They were just staring at me, expecting me to beg for forgiveness or something stupid like that. I sighed as I removed the duffle bag off my shoulder and placed it on the floor besides me. I looked up with a hard look and stared back.

"So…" Oh mother, trying to be the glue in the family, I feel sorry for her.

I coughed, causing them to be startled for some reason. I couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. I took off my cap and placed it on the table and folded my hands again. I took a deep breath and asked, "What do you guys want to know?"

"Why are you back?" My Abuela asked calmly.

My father's eyes hardened as he threw her a disbelieving look. He looked back at me and asked, "Where have you been?"

"Why did you go?" My mother threw in.

I rubbed my temples. Typical, they would ask these questions. I closed my eyes and ignored their questions. I began to tell them how much I was struggling with myself and how I was outted and the commercial and such, which they already knew, but I had to retell them that to refresh their memory. I didn't tell them about Brittany and how she basically left me for Artie, that would seem really pathetic. I told them what Abuela told me that day and how I decided to listen and I joined the army.

I didn't open my eyes when I heard no one talking. This is too much for me already. I should have stayed at Sam Evans's house when he offered. He was a comrade of mine in the army, he was from LA and he joined cause his parents were in the navy and he wanted to carry on the military-ness or something like that.

I took a deep breath and decided that I should. I took out my iphone and sent Sam a quick text that I'll be rooming with him. Within a minute he texted back, telling me that it's cool. I turned to look at my family and saw them staring at me still. I shifted to the side to pick up my duffle bag and I stood up. Their eyes still stayed on me.

"Where are you going now?" My father asked.

"LA." I stated.

My mother's face fell and she got up as well, "B-But you just got here, mija." She whispered it sadly.

"Clearly, I'm not welcomed here." I said coldly. I saw her flinch at my tone of voice, but I can see that she maybe deserved it.

I grabbed my cap and put it on. I then glanced at the counter and saw my old car keys. I couldn't believe that they still have that. I pressed my lips together. I need to go to California, but it'll take a while…I probably still have a shit load of money in my college fund that my parents never touched. I should go to an ATM or something to get that.

"I'll be living with a friend." I said and walked out of the door.

Shouts from my parents were behind me. They were either calling my name or fighting about something. I sighed. I shouldn't have showed up. I caused more drama. I look at the palm of my hands and I realized that I grabbed my car keys. I looked in the garage and saw my red Mazda still in tack. I started her up and drove to the bank to get some cash. After I did this I began to drive all the way to LA.

I don't remember if I stopped for anything. I think I just kept on driving. As I stopped at a red light, I took out my phone and saw that it has been three freaking days. My eyes widened. I'm impressed, I went three days without food, but then again I've been drinking water this whole time. I looked at the area and saw a coastline with some palm trees and stuff. I looked at the GPS that I bought and saw that I was ten minutes away from Sam's apartment.

I drove off once the light turned green. I smiled, I could probably get use to living here. Before I knew it, I was in front of an apartment complex. I grabbed my duffle bag and took off my cameo jacket and draped it on my shoulder. I called Sam on my phone and told him I was here. He sounded pretty excited and told me what floor and room number he was in. I nodded and told him I'll see him soon.

I decided to take the stairs, since I need to be in shape. I actually ran up five flights of stairs and power walked to Sam's door. I knocked on it and within seconds I was embraced in a friendlier hug. I hugged him back, hey, I missed the hell out of this kid. Sam and I pulled back and grinned at each other. He took my bag and showed me around his place. It wasn't so bad for a guy's apartment, it was pretty clean.

"Damm Lopez!" He exclaimed happily as he dropped my stuff in my new room, "I can't believe we'll be rooming together now! It'll just be like old times."

I couldn't help but grin, "Yeah except we won't be worrying about life or death."

He laughed and playfully punched my shoulder, in which I punched him back. Soon we found ourselves wrestling. For some reason, Sam was like a brother. He was protective of me whenever a dude would hit on me during our missions and he would always take care of me like an older brother. He was such a nice guy. If I wasn't totally gay, I would date him, maybe, but I prefer him as my older brother any day.

"I win!" I shouted as I sat on his stomach.

Sam rolled his eyes and shoved me off of him, "Whatever, I just let you win."

I couldn't help but grin, "Ha. Yeah right."

He shook his head and stretched, "You need a job, by the way, to help pay for rent and stuff."

I nodded, "Yeah I know. I was thinking of joining the police force or something."

Sam grimaced as he walked to the fridge to get a couple of bottled waters, "The police force, eh? Don't get me wrong, I mean, the police academy is great and all, but it seems to be a step down from an army hero."

I rolled my eyes, he wouldn't let me down for saving him and three other guys from an exploding building back in my second year on active duty. I never really liked praises and stuff because I get embarrassed. I patted the air tauntingly and said, "Whatever, trouty mouth."

He chuckled at the nickname and threw the water bottle at me, and with my amazing cat-like reflexes, I caught it. I stuck my tongue out at him and chugged it down. I never realized that I was so thirsty. Then my stomach rumbled, nor have I realized how hungry I am. I looked up and saw Sam smirking at me. I glared and threw the empty water bottle at him, hitting his chest.

He playfully held his chest and panted, "D-Damn, San! Argh!"

I laughed and stood up, "Let's get something to eat."

Sam shook his head and said, "There's this really good Italian place just a few blocks away. It isn't fancy or anything, it's like a casual place for family and friends."

"Sounds good." I said removing my hair out of its ponytail. I ruffled my hair and looked in the mirror. I then turned back to Sam and said, "I have to change into shorts first. It's freakin hot."

Sam nodded and waited for me on the couch. After a few seconds I came back in. He stood up and smirked down at me. I raised a brow, questioning him and his stupid little trouty smirk.

"We match." He comments.

I look down at what he was wearing. I didn't notice he was wearing his training shirt from the army as well. The shirt was a dark navy green cameo shirt with his last name on the back and on the front by his right chest corner was the logo for the military. He was also wearing a pair of black basketball shorts. I looked at myself and saw I was wearing my training shirt as well and a pair of black running shorts. I stifled a laugh and playfully punched his chest. He laughed and grabbed his shoes as I grabbed my flip-flops.

"Let's eat!" He shouted.

We grabbed a cab and went to this place called Go Roma. It looked pretty good. We got in line and ordered what we wanted. Sam got some sandwich while I got this kick ass chicken alfredo. We got our drinks and found a table by some window. We were talking until the food came. I quickly and hungrily attacked my pasta while Sam calmly ate his sandwich like a human being. Pfft, being normal is for squares.

As I shoved down my pasta, I heard a squeal from some kid and then that same kid squealed out my name. I jerked up from my food and both Sam and I turned our heads to some little girl running towards me. I was confused at first, but then I recognized the girl from the park back in Lima. Suddenly I stopped chewing as Beth hugged my torso. My cheeks were puffed out from the food and I was staring dumbly at Beth.

If Beth is here then…

"Beth Puckerman!" A voice said sternly.

My heart raced a bit faster as I saw three very familiar figures and one small one that I didn't recognized. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What the hell am I going to do—

"Santana?"

Fuuckkk.

A/N: Yup

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