Author's note: Hi there. I'm testing my luck with this story, I hope you guys like it... but please review! Several times I've published and when I don't get feedback I think no one's interested... so it would be really cool if you give me your opinion. Don't be shy: if you add me to your alert list, give me some feedback ;)


Chapter I: Countdown


Year 2838, 29th century

It started in the 21th century "the big crisis", as they called it, or that's what elderly people and historians use to say, and they heard it before from other elderlies and historians, thus repeating until going back to the mentioned century. Gigantic enterprises closed, some others emerged and capitalism took domination, for the entire world's horror. Year after year, world economy went downhill… multiple natural disasters caused millionaire losses and natural resources were running out at a devastating pace.

After centuries of constant surviving struggle, humanity could stabilize… although not that much. They felt like floating shipwrecked people, holding on to a piece of wood but with the uncertainty of when they would be finally rescued.

In every place of the globe technologic advances that were presented amongst the years could be observed… and any person born in the 20th or 21th centuries would have been intrigued, because there were even traces of technology that had been considered 'archaic' such as steam machines.

The street was active, full of life. Law agents were sliding here and there through air while steam could be seen throwing into the atmosphere and some different vehicles, both terrestrial and air ones pacing in the street without stopping: solar ones, steam ones, electric… an excellent day for making some business, with no doubt.

The big oak doors opened, letting in sight a splendid palace (there wasn't another word to describe it) emitting blinding reflections. Gold, silver, platinum… you name a metal and surely you will find it. An enormous zeppelin went by flying, covering everything with its gigantic shadow and also the visitor who was about to come in. Without even taking care about the incredible zeppelin's route, he went inside the presumptuous building.

The palace indoors looked like a strange combination of eras: at first sight it appeared to be like an 18th century Versailles palace replica, but while observing also notices the hints of Victorian era. Infinite rooms extended through the length of a hall; some were minimalistic, others were impressionist and some other of abstract concept. It was as if the human being wanted to recycle ages and past tendencies; like ideas were already spent or like he would even want to economize imagination.

Two large rows went at every side of the doors, slightly bowing to receive the distinguished visitor.

A grotesque, thin and pale looking woman arrived to the entrance hall running, adjusting a ridiculous pink colored hat, wearing an outfit of the same color.

"Well, well, you're already here!" said the woman breathing with some difficulties and smiling to him, apologizing. "Excuse me, I beg you, for the delay. You see, we were expecting you in thirty minutes or so and…"

"Oh, don't worry." The man tranquilized her, smiling to her and showing a perfect set of teeth and almost imperceptible dimples in his cheeks, partially occult by a beard that made him look very attractive. "It was my fault for arriving earlier without further notice."

"Oh, you're so gentle, but don't blame yourself, it was my lack of professionalism" she insisted.

"Nonsense, I was willing to wait, but you are an excellent hostess." He replied bowing to kiss the back of her hand, a gesture that had been considered as "old fashioned" but it was regaining popularity in recent years.

The motion caused a giggling and blush of the woman for the unexpected action. Besides, it was impossible not to feel like a maid in such a handsome and distinguished man's presence.

"Well, well." She said with her cheesy voice. "The important thing here is that you are here. We were expecting you with so much excitement! My name is Abigail Swan. Follow me, please."

It was a lie, of course. No one expected "with excitement" that kind of visits, except for her, surely, because if the deal turned successful she would receive a juicy commission for her intermediary works.

They walked across the infinite hall; doors displayed at both sides, some of solid wood and some others were made of crystal. The woman was ranting about something that her companion could not fully understand, and honestly he wasn't really interested.

In the other hand, Abigail seemed to be thrilled and it wasn't strange: you don't get the chance to greet the health secretary of United States of America every day to discuss about these matters; it felt like being in the presence of a celebrity.

"You'll see that you're going to love Brittany, sir" Abigail said boiling with emotion, throwing her hands in the air exaggeratedly.

"Let me tell you a secret," she leaned towards him with a complicity gesture and he did the same, with an amused smile. "A girl like this doesn't even need my services; she could get an excellent deal by herself!"

"You are really lucky, then." The man besides her expressed his opinion.

"Don't even mention it! I was utterly dying with emotion when I got her file and the terms… but you'll see, the Pierces are really formal and serious persons therefore they wanted a professional to take care of her daughter's future, of course."

"I can imagine." The secretary agreed smiling once again to her, this time letting his malice on the surface.

"You look tired, get some breathe, please."

"No, sir, I shouldn't!" Responder her, but she was panting.

"Do not worry, after all it was me the one who wanted to take a walk, do you remember? I also can ask you to take a moment to recover yourself." He offered gently. The doctor loved long walks and it was a way to keep moving in an era where there were electric carriers that took you from the point A to the point B even in your own home, if this was big enough.

"I really appreciate it, you are such a gentleman." Abigail answered and he showed one more time his perfect teeth and lovely dimples. "Alright, let me tell you a little more about her. Brittany is such a gleeful young lady, so innocent…"

The man didn't really pay attention. He already knew everything he wanted to know about Brittany Pierce, those things that were interesting about her.

The young lady was the daughter of a prominent Dutch entrepreneur classified amongst the richest men in Europe and was looking forward to bond intercontinentally. The eyes of every economist in the world were set in that child, the insignificant fourteen years old daughter that will serve as a tribute to impulse her father's success and, why not? It would impulse the success of a nation and even a continent's one.

The secretary had received the insinuation that he could be the perfect candidate to forge the alliance between the government of USA and the European millionaire. Millionaire numbers were transferred to enhance the attractive that he could have to position himself in the favorites of Mister Pierce, this obtained, of course, from the country's taxes.

There were demonstrators in every place, but most part of the population didn't even care, because everyone had to risk if they wanted to win, and that was something they knew… the arranged marriage of Brittany Pierce was an open secret in both nations and it even was the receiver of numerous prayers, begging that it would all turn into an equal gain to the population.

Arranged marriages had been a tradition since a couple centuries ago, at a worldwide level. They were set to gain economic stability between families, because you sometimes could wake up without knowing if the currency value had decreased, or in exchange you had your bank account filled with useless little green papers. Properties, money, actions… any wealth was good to settle a marriage that could be annulled by that thing that never gets old fashioned, that marvelous invention called divorce.

In conclusion, the only thing the man cared about was the monetary value this girl would add to himself, his family and his country.

"Thanks for allowing me to have that breathe!" Abigail said after she regained some stamina and ranting a lot about the Dutch heiress virtues. "Now, let's go on… Brittany must be right there! You're going to love her, and of course your son will be head over heels with her!"

"Oh no," he said with a small giggle. The worker women sighed silently as soon as they saw him, so handsome and elegant. He greeted them with a warm and captivating sight. "It is my daughter I want to marry with her. My son is not old enough to marry the young lady."

"How atrocious, I'm such a fool!" Abigail exclaimed covering her mouth with a hand. "I beg you to forgive my terrible mistake."

"Don't be overwhelmed, please… the Pierces are very succinct, they surely only mentioned that the girl will be my daughter in law but they didn't even mention that detail."

Arranged marriages, however, had evolved and experienced diverse changes, being the most visible the chance of getting a divorce and the fact that homosexual relationships weren't unapproved anymore by society… as long as they perceived some benefit of it. A man could be "voluntarily forced" to getting married either with a woman or man, and the same went for the females. After all, the only thing you needed were two subjects you could "sacrifice" for a greater good. Even the religion had given up and now they allowed religious weddings between same sex couples… thus being the result of multiple political pressures, of course and with the goal of receiving generous "donations" from the newlyweds.

They arrived to a circular room, very large and soberly decorated, which was really a contrast with the entrance hall. The doctor turned to see every side, expecting to see a little woman waiting for him, but he didn't see anyone. Abigail's smile was slowly fading and it went away completely when a maid came with a nervous expression plastered on her face.

"Where is Miss Pierce?" Abigail asked to the maid, who gulped.

"We didn't find her, Miss Swan." It was the response she gave, staring at the ground. "We've already looked in the entire house."

"What do you mean with 'we didn't find her'?" The matchmaker asked and the kind woman the doctor meet vanished, leaving instead an irritable one. "Of course she's somewhere, and you, useless people are unable to find a fourteen year old brat?"

She turned to see where the doctor sat and she regained her sticky tone:

"Brittany had a misfortune, sir, but it won't be long until she comes."

He just made a gesture indicating that it didn't matter.

A boy peeked shyly and whispered:

"We found her!"


A melodic laughter was heard coming from the branches of a tree, where a tall blonde girl was jumping from branch to branch.

"Miss Pierce, please come down, you may get hurt!"

"I am not 'Miss Pierce', I'm Brittany!" The girl yelled from the heights. "And I'm not going down, down there is really boring!"

Brittany thought it was really fun to see almost all servants gathered under the tree where she was. Just for recreation, she jumped to branches forward and laughed when she saw how everyone ran like little ants to follow her.

One of the men folded his tucked his sleeves and began climbing with effort the tree where she was. Brittany watched in her seat and just when he was about to reach her, she laughed again and climbed a very high branch. The man tried to grab her, but he slipped and fell on his butt in the same branch he was, opening his eyes with panic when he saw the ground.

"Help!" he yelled terrified and grasping the branch.

Everyone sighed, exasperated.

"What a jackass." Somebody said.

Fantastic: now they had to make a little girl AND a really tall man, climb down.

"M… Brittany! There's spaghetti and meatballs in the kitchen… why don't you come down and eat?" A cook tried to convince her.

The proposal was too tempting and Brittany nibbled his finger, wondering what to do. To tell the truth, so much jumping made her really hungry and thirsty, besides she loved spaghetti and that was a double encourage. She smiled; the decision was made.

"You better send the food up here, because I am not going down!" She yelled and swung, hearing several screams. She climbed one more time, amused, and then she saw the one who tried to climb to get her still in the branch. She stopped laughing immediately and she eyed him with curiosity.

"Hey, you… yes, you, the one in the tree!"

The tall man turned to see her, keeping his fearful expression.

"Why are you still up here?" She asked with a yell.

"I don't want to go down, this is really high!" He answered screaming as well.

"What a fool!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Why do you climb a tree if you don't know how to go down?"

"I didn't want you to get hurt, Miss! I had to climb and get you." He said with his shaking voice.

She felt ashamed, even more because she had laughed when she saw him there hugging the tree as if his life depended on it.

"What's your name?" She asked from the top.

"Finn… Finn Hudson"

"I'll tell you how to go down, Finn! Do exactly as I say and you'll be down in a moment."

She told him the instructions from the branch she was still at, and at first he hesitated, but at the end he obeyed her. In a couple of minutes he was again in firm land, under the gazes of everyone around him, who were marveled with Miss Pierce's skills to climb trees.

"Please, Brittany." A girl yelled with a trembling voice. "Come down already."

The little Dutch girl saw everyone observing her with worry. It had been enough fun for a day; it was time to climb down. With dexterity she climbed down and fell on the floor with a perfect jump.

A collective relief sigh was heard and Finn began thanking her. Before they could catch her, she went running across the field, laughing again, but she hardly moved four feet when she stepped on someone.

"Uh-oh" she said when she saw who it was.


Abigail pulled and took her to the entrance, grabbing her by the ear.

"Ouch, ouch!" complained the blonde.

"You are such a devilish child!" She screamed. "I should tell your father! I would spank you ten times if it weren't…!"

But Abigail suddenly released her and Brittany rubbed her reddening ear, with teary eyes.

"Se-secretary… I thought you would be in…"

"I heard a commotion and, call me sneaky, but I wanted to see what it was… well, you're quite the climber, huh?" He asked, turning to see Brittany.

The expression of that man was between amused and curious. Brittany hid behind Abigail but she forcefully took her by the arm and pulled to place her in the front.

"Oh my God, sir, such an embarrassment, to present her wearing these rags…!" Abigail was about to cry.

"She's perfect." The doctor stated, marveled, now that she was in front of him and he could see her with scrutiny. "If she looks like this covered in dirt, I can't imagine how beautiful will she look wearing a nice dress."

Abigail blinked several times, unable to believe her good luck.

"Uh… of course you're right!" She added quickly. "With this you can see that your future daughter in law is really beautiful in every situation… just imagine the beautiful grandchildren she will give to you!"

The kid shivered when she heard this.

"I see I see…" the doctor agreed.

Brittany was blonde, very tall and slim. She had gorgeous blue eyes, matching with all her poise. He had observed the grace she had in her movements, as if the trees were an extension of her.

"She's such a happy and lively girl… I know she's not in the age but, your daughter will not have rest with her! If you know what I mean." She covered her mouth with a hand, laughing because of her daring comment.

Now it was the secretary's turn to laugh.

"I don't think so!" He exclaimed thinking about her daughter, who was already initiated in Sapphic pleasures at the age of thirteen and it seemed that she was going to be quite an expert.

"I suppose you've already read everything about her." Abigail commented.

The doctor made a grin. He never was interested at the least in reading something that wasn't her medical file, until the moment he saw her. He was more and more convinced at every second that marriage was destined to concrete.

"Actually, I've been in a rush…" He began to apologize.

"It doesn't matter…" She took out measuring tape and the doctor laughed.

"Is that a measuring tape? And I thought I was old fashioned…"

"I love these things; they're obsolete, but really fun!" She responded with a smile and started measuring Brittany's bust.

"Hey!" The kid protested trying to release herself.

"Stay still, child!" The woman mumbled.

With a pout, she let Abigail star measuring her.

"Interesting" It was all that the doctor said. Even when it was an arranged engagement he was not going to be happy if she had to marry his daughter with a horse-looking girl.

To finalize, Abigail presented like she was in some sort of TV show.

"Brittany Susan Pierce: Dutch ascendency in a hundred percent, she's fourteen years old, with three months and nine days. She speaks Dutch as first language, but as you see she's also fluid in English." She started walking around her and she was very pleased seeing that she had the doctor's attention. "She dances ever since she was three years old, it's in her blood… her height is 5.61'' and she's got a firm body, almost like a stone. I swear to you, this is the result of working out."

She squeezed Brittany's thighs, who laughed like a mad girl because she was ticklish by nature. She couldn't avoid remembering the time when she went to the supermarket with a cook. The cook pinched the meat to check if it was tender and juicy. She felt like that at the moment: like a piece of meat in sale.

"Come on, you must do it yourself. Besides she's got a really soft skin."

The doctor took the offer and pinched Brittany's thighs, making her squirm with laugh again.

"Stop it, stop it!" She yelled.

"She's really tall for being fourteen…" The doctor pointed.

"And she's still growing up." Abigail declared proudly. "It is estimated that she will grow up until reaching a height of 5.67''"

"My daughter will so not like this…" He mumbled arching his brows.

"I assure you that will change as soon as she sees her." She affirmed.

"Am I going to marry a girl?" A shy voice was heard.

They turned to see Brittany, as if they barely remembered she was still there. Abigail got pale; even when there were lots of forced homosexual marriages, it didn't mean the couple would precisely accept it. There wasn't a lack of heterosexuals who were forced to marry someone of their same sex, or vice versa.

"Does it bother you?" The doctor asked, barely looking down to watch her.

Miss Swan swallowed, frightful of hearing Brittany's response because the girl was really sincere, and even when it didn't really matter her opinion, the doctor could have been offended.

Brittany went thoughtful for a moment.

"Girls smell way better than boys, so I guess is okay!" She answered. Abigail sighed with relief and doctor smiled. The girl seemed to be really nice and she didn't protest for having an engagement, not out loud, at least… surely she would be an excellent spouse for her daughter and daughter in law for him.

"I think Miss Pierce here already gave the last word… well, if you excuse I must go. I have to talk with Mister Pierce and set some details, you know."

"I'll go with you, sir."

When they were already leaving, Brittany spoke again.

"Wait!"

"Child, how dare you to talk like that to the secretary? I know you're not from this country, but you travel frequently, so remember this: this is the health secretary, Carlos Santiago Lopez."

"Let her, there is no problem." The doctor excused her. "What is the matter, Miss Pierce?"

"I am not Miss Pierce, I am Brittany." She said, resembling a while ago when she was talking with the ones trying to get her down the tree.

"Manners, Brittany, manners!" Abigail scolded her.

"What about the manners? I am not a man!" She said with a scowl and turned towards the doctor. "If I shall marry your daughter…"

She motioned to him to come closer.

"Yes?"

"I don't have to see Abigail anymore, right? She really frightens me."

"I heard that, Miss Pierce!"

The doctor burst into laughter… Yes, definitely it would be interesting to have Brittany Susan Pierce as a part of his family and not just like an investment.

He just wished, bitterly, that his daughter would be just like her.


Screaming or more like bawling could be heard from the moment he stepped into his home. Everyone ran frantically from side to side, yelling orders to each other and they saw him arriving several servants approached him.

"Mister Secretary…"

"It is good to have you back…"

"You daughter is completely out of control…"

He sighed and rubbed his face with the hands, exasperated.

"She heard, right?"

Everyone gazed down.

"We think so, sir."

"Hell…" He mumbled. Heavily, he headed towards a levitation elevator and gave the order to reach Santana's floor.

If you could hear Santana's yelling in the first floor, now you could hear it amplified by ten times.

"Activate sound-proof mode, in the 7th quadrant." The screams were unheard then, but a crash sounded in a zone that wasn't activated. One of the servants was approaching the elevator, copiously bleeding. "Go to my study and take a jar with some pills, with the label AH-372-1M on it. Put it on the wound and tell everyone who is hurt. I'll go check on you in a while and see how you are doing."

The man nodded and stepped into the elevator.

"Deactivate sound-proof mode." He ordered and Santana's screams were heard once again. More people passed running at his side and a jar flew by near his head.

He kept walking until he saw it.

His carbon copy, wherever you see her: Santana Lopez, her first child.

"FUCK!" The doctor wondered how it was physically possible for someone to scream like that, so strong and prolonging the word; she really had good lungs. "SHIT, SHIT!"

There was nobody in sight already, just him with his hands tucked inside the pockets and her, throwing random stuff, destroying pretty much everything.

"I HATE EVERYONE, I HATE THEM! ALL OF YOU GO TO HELL!"

She seemed to be tired by then, and stopped throwing things, soundly panting.

"Are you done now?" The doctor Lopez asked. Santana gazed up and her face contracted with anger.

"Who is it…? Who is it? What kind of prostitute are you going to make me marry?"

"Who told you? I have to fire that person." He calmly responded while walking around, checking the damages. Glass fragments crunched under his feet.

"Armando told me." She answered.

"Your brother should stop sneaking around to stick his nose where he shouldn't." The doctor said with a smirk. "For being a six year old he's already an excellent spy. And you should stop paying attention to him."

"But it true… you are selling me!" She said with rage.

"Don't be so dramatic, Santana." He responded. "Besides, all your life you've knew this day would come… grow up already, please."

"Who is it? I am going to kill her!" She yelled, temporarily deafening her father. "I'M GOING TO KILL THAT GOD DAMN DUTCH WHORE!"

The doctor slapped her and it echoed in the room. Santana went silent instantly and fisted her hands, containing herself. She didn't even rub her face even though it was horribly aching.

"You shouldn't talk like that about your future wife." His father calmly said. "Don't assume she's a prostitute just because she's from Amsterdam."

"She's a slut." Santana said slowly, daring him.

"She's a really charming and beautiful lady, I must say. I assure you, you'll like her."

"I don't like women." She replied.

"Oh please, don't give me that crap, Santana… I know what Quinn Fabray and you have been doing since you are twelve and 'play' together." he said quoting in the air. "And I also know that you don't go to see me at the job, but you do it to see April, Terri and Holly… tell me, do you take me for an idiot?"

Santana was reddening with embarrassment. She didn't even have the guts to say the contrary, because everything he said was truth, absolutely everything: from the fact that she had a year having sex with Quinn to the fantasies she held with Del Monico, Rhodes and doctor Holiday.

"I hate her." She whispered.

"You don't even know her, Santana." He took her hands in a paternal gesture and his gaze softened. "Think about all the benefits this will bring, my child: exportation, jobs…"

"Why should I care? It's my life! I don't give a damn if everyone else is unemployed!"

"My girl, I gave you everything in life." He said kissing her forehead. "It is time for you to give something in return. Sometimes we have to sacrifice some things we love for a greater good, is only fair."

Unable to stay there for a second, she ran towards the elevator. Before stepping in, she asked without looking at him.

"Why are you sure I will like her?"

"Because she is a blonde girl and she's also totally opposite to you." He answered.


She was nibbling Quinn's body like she wanted to tear it apart… and maybe really wanted to, because her blonde hair reminded her of the Dutch tramp she had to marry now due to his father's impose. Without realizing, she was being really tough with Quinn, digging her fingernails on her and fingering too hard.

"Santana… Santana, please stop doing that!" The blonde pushed her. "What's wrong with you? Are you out of your mind? You were hurting me!"

Santana remained silent, just staring at her with a scowl; being pushed before finishing only made her bad mood go worse.

"I'm engaged." She finally said.

"Are you engaged, so soon?" Quinn asked with surprise. "You're not even fourteen!"

"I know." She said with a shrug. "But the point is I'm engaged."

"Wow! Who are you engaged with?" Quinn really liked the engagement subject.

"I don't even know… I just know I shall marry some little slut from Amsterdam." Santana responded. "But it really doesn't matter; even if I don't know who she is I will marry her."

"It would matter to me." Her friend opined. "For example, my parents are still deciding who shall I marry… they're thinking about Noah Puckerman, who's sixteen and an obnoxious dwarf called Rachel whatever, who's our age."

"Berry." Santana said staring at the ceiling.

"Eh?"

"The girl… her name is Rachel Berry." She repeated still staring at the ceiling and playing with one of her hair locks. "Her fathers are in the energetic industry."

"I don't have any idea…" Quinn replied scowling as well. "But I wish my parents engage me with Noah Puckerman, he's so handsome! And his father is a musician like, really rich."

"I'm leaving." Santana abruptly announced. She didn't want to keep talking about forced marriages. "Good luck with the Puckerman guy."

But she wished everything turned badly for her and that she had to marry Rachel Berry. If Santana had to have a wedding by force, then she wanted everyone else to be unhappy as well.


When she went back to her house, her father was reading the news in a mobile device; he looked at her and smiled.

"Did you have fun playing with Quinn?" He asked jokingly.

The girl growled… she was afraid of killing her father with a bite on his throat.

"Quinn is such a lovely girl." Her mother said, without looking at Santana.

"You know? I think Rachel Berry would be a suitable wife for Quinn." Santana said and for the first time in the day, she smiled, although in a very creepy way.

"Do you think so?" Her father chuckled. "The Fabray had spent a couple months discussing who the best prospect is for her… maybe your opinion will be a decisive factor."

"We have a little matchmaker at home." Mrs. Lopez said, chuckling too.

"As long as she doesn't end up being like Abigail Swan… God, that woman is scary."

"But is thanks to her that little Santana's got a safe future." She reminded him.

"That's true… she's good, I recognize it. I just hope I don't have to see her again; the poor child was frightened in her presence."

Santana wondered if the girl had been frightened because of the matchmaker's presence or the fact that she was being sold to a complete stranger's daughter… she discarded the idea, surely she was one of those stupid girls who were trained to be the perfect wives.

"Ah, Santana, here grab this." Her father said handing to her a deployable metal bar. "This is a reminder."

Santana took it and went to her dorm. When she was alone she unfolded it: it was a holographic calendar. She didn't understand what her father meant with "a reminder". Santana slid her hand to see the months, still not understanding. There was no marked date, not scheduled events, absolutely nothing. The only thing circled was that day: August 19th, 2838. She kept sliding her hand, more and more puzzled until the screen changed the label to 2839 and that went by until reaching 2840. She was almost convinced that her father just wanted to tease her, when she saw November. With attention she observed and saw it: November 18th, 2840 was highlighted in a different color and her father wrote "The big day!" in a corner.

It was then she understood: her wedding would be in that date. One day after of her sixteenth birthday.

She silently sobbed. She cried for several minutes until the pain in her heart was gone. Then, she breathed, took a shower, brushed her hair, her teeth, put on some pajamas and took a seat again in her bed. She was a Lopez and she wasn't going to cry much further.

The girl grabbed the calendar again and activated the option to modify it. With a shaking hand, she crossed the date "August 19th, 2838."

It was a cross for her future Calvary.

According to the calendar, 2 years, 2 moths, 29 days, 2 hours, 5 minutes and 48 seconds were left for her wedding day.

47… 46… 45… 44… 43… 42… 41…