Brittany was teaching her kindergarten dance class when her phone rang. She immediately recognized the ringtone as Santana's and let the class of squealing six year olds relax while she answered it.

"Hi San, whats up?"

"Britt, I know you have a class now, but we need to talk. Big News. Meet me at the café in a half hour, okay?

Brittany nodded.

"I can't see you nod 'ya know know"

Brittany giggled. "Oops, okay, I'll see you then"

A half hour later Brittany walked into Sunny's, a small café that had become a staple for Brittany and Santana. The formica counters and regulars reminded them a little of Lima. Even though they were happy to be out of the small town, a little taste of home was nice. Brittany spotted Santana right away. The brunette was sitting in their favourite corner booth, her long dark hair pulled into a braid, head bent low as she scribbled notes down on a legal pad, ear pressed tight to her cell phone.

"Hi" Brittany chirped as she pecked Santana on the cheek and slid into the seat across from her. Santana's amber eyes flicked to her, and she flashed Brittany an apologetic smile. Brittany ordered a BLT with lemonade while Santana finished her call.

"Sorry" Santana sighed as she tucked her phone in her purse. "This case is gonna kick my well-toned ass"

Brittany rolled her eyes "Nobody can kick YOUR ass Santana. Duh"

Santana laughed. "That's right, don't you forget it." She punched Brittany's tan arm playfully across the table. Leaning back in the vinyl booth, Santana surveyed her friend. She looked good. Her hair was almost down to the small of her back. Since graduating 6 years ago, Brittany never wore her hair down anymore. Santana liked it loose. Yes, Brittany looked good, she always did. Santana was pulled from her thoughts by a squeal. She blinked and watched as Brittany happily clapped her hands.

"I solved the maze on the kids menu! On my first try!" Brittany beamed. Santana grinned back.

"We'll get scissors from the waiter. You have to put this on your fridge." Brittany nodded, exclaiming to the waiter about her good news as he brought her food over.

15 minutes and one BLT later Brittany finally remembered why she came here in the first place. "Santana!" She said, "What did you want to tell me?"

The smile that was on Santana's face fell, and her gaze suddenly was everywhere but the blonde across from her. "Well…" she said. Brittany nudged her. Santana squared her shoulders. "Mike proposed."

Brittany gaped, shocked, at Santana. "W-w-what?" She whispered, "when?"

Santana took Brittany's hand, and tried soothing her. "Last night at dinner. Come on Britt, we knew it was bound to happen, we've been together for 2 years now. He's a good guy, and he loves me, and…" She trailed off, noticing the blank look on her best friend's face.

"We've been together for 8 years San, we've been best friends for…" She paused, trying to count.

"B, come on, that's not the same thing."

"You're right, " she said stubbornly, "it was better"

Santana shook her head. "Stop it B, you're fighting a losing battle. You and I were never dating, and I can't marry you, you know that"

Brittany tore her hand out of the Latina's. "That's right" she spat, bitterly, "I forgot, sex isn't dating."

Santana groaned. This was one of the only times she's ever seen Brittany upset, and she hated that she was causing it. "B! No, sex isn't dating, and we haven't…you know…for like a year now anyways. It's time we both move on."

Brittany slammed a twenty on the table and glared at the woman across from her. "No!" She shouted and ran out of the restaurant. Santana ran after her, grabbing the purse the blonde forgot on her way out. She caught Brittany leaning against her yellow bug, crying. She reached out, cupping the girls cheek in her hand and brushing away her tears.

"I'm so sorry B. It's just, we're not kids anymore. We have to grow up"

Brittany shook her head slowly and whispered, "I thought that's why we moved away from Lima. So we could be together, for real."

"We're in Cleveland, not San Francisco or New York. We couldn't be together, not for real anyway. Nobody would understand. Think about what your students would think."

"I don't care what they think." She grumbled, but the strength in her voice was fading. Santana's argument was winning, it always did.

"I just," Brittany murmured, "I love you San."

Santana leaned forward, letting her forehead touch Brittany's and her hands settled into their familiar place on her hips.

"Oh Britt," Santana breathed, "I love you too." She slowly traced a path from Brittany's temple to the corner of her mouth, imprinting the satin skin to memory. Ever so softly, she kissed the pink lips she knew so well. She could taste the salt from Brittany's tears. She swallowed her sadness, and, while Brittany's eyes were still closed, quietly walked away.