Passion and Pain

Chapter 1: I Know You

disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

rating: M

"Santana? Santana…. are you okay?"

Brittany looked over at the empty passenger seat beside her and started to panic. She looked all around but she was in such a daze that she couldn't quite make out her blurry surroundings. Her body hurt, she knew that something wasn't right but it didn't matter, she was going to find Santana. She slowly unbuckled her seatbelt. The blond could feel blood running down the side of her face and a horrible pain shot up her right arm. She twisted her body and tried to open the door but as soon as she turned she let out a yell because the pain started taking over her whole body. Somehow she managed to get the door open and stumble out of the car onto the ground. Brittany took a second to look around again before she started moving again. The brunette was no where to be found so Brittany started crawling as best she could towards the side of the road. Shattered glass lined the road and the headlights rushed by reflecting off every piece leaving her disoriented.

In the distance she could see a small figure laying in the road. "Oh no… no…. SANTANA!" Brittany yelled. She had mustered up enough strength to pull herself up to her feet and slowly run to Santana. Every step she took the figure started to become more clear. It was definitely Santana.

Once she reached Santana she dropped to her knees. "Santana… Santana…. wake up! Oh my god. Please baby please just hold on okay. Im sure help will be here soon." Brittany said as she was sobbing.

The brunette was covered in blood and dirt. Her body laid lifeless on the road and Brittany knew this was going to be bad. Santana had been thrown from the SUV when it rolled.

"Are you guys okay?" A man said as he jumped out of his car but as he started approaching the girls he could tell he needed to get help.

"Please call for help, I don't think she's breathing. Please help me!" Brittany shouted as she started to go in to shock. The whole accident was a blur and she couldn't recall anything but sitting there on the road with her lifeless best friend. No, not best friend, the girl she was in love with.

one week earlier

" …And because of that, I think anything is possible."Brittany said.

Brittany and Santana had both had a rough year and they were both just happy that it didn't end on a bad note. They both had feelings for each other, that was undeniable, but for some reason they weren't quite ready yet. The girls walked down the hall for the last time that school year pinky in pinky as they had done so many times before.

" So do you want to hang out tonight? Its been awhile and I miss our girl time." Santana said sweetly to Brittany.

" Ya maybe we could go to the park and feed the ducks? I named all the babies last week and I want to show you them!" the blond said as her eyes lit up.

" Sounds perfect." Santana said with a cute smile. She was so happy to spend time with Brittany that she didn't care what they did. She was starting to see a new side of her best friend. Brittany was throwing words of wisdom her way what seemed to be every day. Maybe she just didn't notice it before but she was amazed by it. When she started dealing with her feelings it was like she opened her eyes for the first time. Brittany was standing right in front of her and she just had to be patient because she knew that one day she would be able to call Britt her girlfriend.

" Awesome, do you just want to come with me after school then?" Brittany asked.

" I'd love to." Santana said.

The bell rang and the girls parted ways and headed to their classes. Santana waited with anticipation all day. She was so excited that Brittany was single but she knew that she had to work out a lot of her own issues before she could get serious with the blond. She still wasn't comfortable with the thought of being bullied, or getting looks from strangers, or possibly being judged by her family. The words Brittany had said to her earlier in the hallway had stung a little bit because when she asked where they stood Brittany left it open-ended. Santana knew she couldn't be mad because she was the one who pushed Brittany away after her and Artie broke up. She couldn't help but feel that she let the opportunity of being with her slip through her hands because she was scared. Brittany wanted to take her to prom and go public but Santana just couldn't do it and it killed her that Brittany, the thing she wanted most, could be gone because of the way she handled things.

The bell rang and Santana quickly gathered her things and rushed towards the front of the school to meet Britt. She was so excited to just spend time with her.

"Hey you ready?" Brittany said as she walked up behind Santana, slightly startling the Brunette.

"Ya." she replied.

The girls got in the car and headed to Fort McAllister park. It was a beautiful little secluded lake just on the outskirts of Lima.

" Hey San… I think we should talk some more if you want to." the blond said.

" About what? Im confused… " Santana said.

" This year, we haven't really had the opportunity to talk about what happened to me taking you to prom… and you blowing me off to be with Dave. Or anything really…"

"What are you talking about Britt? You don't remember talking in that room and telling me I wasn't being myself but you believed in me and all that?" Santana snapped.

" Ok jeez, but me saying those things doesn't mean Im not confused about your feelings for me. I really thought you would be with me after Artie and I broke up. Isn't that what you were waiting for?" Brittany said as they pulled up to the park.

"You know what this was a mistake." Santana said as she got out of the car.

"What, why? Where are you going?" Brittany yelled as she jumped out of the car and followed Santana.

The brunette stopped on the sidewalk and turned around. The way the sun caught Brittany was absolutely breathtaking. What was she doing? Why the hell is she walking away from this girl again. After taking a second to compose herself she said, " You know Britt, I love you. Ive said it a few times now and it gets a little harder every time. I made a mistake okay? I wanted you to break up with Artie so I could have you to myself but as soon as you did I got scared. I am still not okay with who I am yet and thats why I keep running from you. But earlier in the hall when you were giving me that speech I really thought you were going to tell me you wanted me to be your girlfriend. I don't know why I keep waiting for you to do these things because it just hurts more and more as time passes and it doesn't happen. I hope one day.."

Santana hadn't noticed it but Brittany was moving closer to her as she was talking and before she knew it the girl she loved so much was just inches away. Brittany slowly raised her hand and put in on Santana's cheek. She wiped the tears away and then leaned in slowly and pressed her lips against Santana's. She closed the gap between their bodies and Santana put her hands on Brittanys waist. The brunette deepened the kiss, slowly moving her lips, taking her time to feel her way around the girls mouth. It was tender and sweet, yet sultry and passionate.

Brittany pulled away first and took a second to look at the girl before saying, "Santana, I know you. When I said those things earlier its because we were in a crowded hall. I didn't mean for it to hurt but I knew that it wasn't the right moment. I didn't mean to hurt you, and Im sorry I waited but I was trying to be respectful. I love you and I want you to be my girlfriend."

Santana smiled and said, "Wow… I didn't think I could love you anymore, but there you go proving me wrong."

The girls both kissed again on the sidewalk before walking down to feed the ducks that Brittany loved so much.