1990:

'You can do this honey you are strong and you are beautiful!' Michael Pierce encouraged as he tried to loosen the vice grip his wife held on his hand. If she gripped any harder he thought it might fall off from the pressure.

'Sweety I – argh jesussss- sweety I love you but – oh my god – if you don't shut up and squeeze my hand I'm going to grab this IV stand and stick it – '

'OK HUN! I'm squeezing alright do you feel that sweety?' Michael had never seen a look of such a struggle of emotions in his wife's eyes.

'Alright Lilly we have reached ten centremetres now, so what I want you to do for me is push ok can you do that?'

'ARRRGHHHH yes – yes I can do it' Lilly growled and gripped her husband's hand tighter.

'That's right you can do it –'

'SHUT UP MICHAEL!'

*In the next room*

'Uh I-I'm sorry Mrs Lopez I d-don't understand what you're-'

'Sacarlo de mí ahora!'

'Jesus Maribel just speak english for the poor woman.' Mr. Lopez shut his mouth back up when he saw the look of pure rage on his wife's graceful latina features. He quickly recovered and turned to the flushed Midwife. 'She wants you to get it out of her now!' the woman nodded with visible nerves.

'O-ok Mrs. Lopez ready to start pushing?'

'I've been pushing for the last four hours!'

XXXXXXXXXX

'Which one's yours?'

Maribel Lopez would normally stiffen at this woman's close proximity but for some reason unbeknownst to herself she found it rather comforting. Maybe it was because she had just experienced the most beautiful miracle of life and now she was staring down at her glowing baby girl wrapped up in her pink blanket, or perhaps it was because this woman next to her was floating on the high cloud of happiness with her and through this some form of bond was made.

'That's my beautiful little rascal right there.' Maribel answered proudly and tapped on the barrier of glass separating the mothers from their children for the time being. 'Look at her, only a couple of hours old and she's already front and centre, bringing in the crowds. Hasn't stopped screaming since she came out though'

Lilly chuckled. 'She's gorgeous. Mine hasn't stopped screaming either…I tried to feed her but…I just don't know what she wants.' Lilly placed her hand on the glass and watched her daughter scream from the back row of babies.

'Mmm' Maribel hummed knowing the feeling.

At that moment a young nurse walked by and lilly gently placed her hand on the girl's arm to stop her movements. 'Uh I'm sorry to ask this but would you be able to go check on our girl's, they still haven't stopped screaming and – '

'Of course dear' the young nurse answered with a nod. 'Which one's are yours?'

'Brittany.' Lilly answered proudly.

'And Santana.' Maribel added.

'Beautiful names, I'll see what I can do.'

'Oh wait!' the nurse stopped as lilly stepped forward and eyed her name badge. 'Michelle? Thankyou very much.'

'It's my pleasure.'

A few moments later the two women saw Michelle enter the area their babies were held. Michelle could pick quite easily which were Santana and Brittany, she just followed the ear piercing noise. She picked up little Brittany first and was shocked at her crystal blue eyes, the clearest she had seen. Brittany still yelled as she walked over to where Santana was held. As soon as she scooped Santana up into her other arm it was like the world had paused for a moment. Michelle thought perhaps she had finally gone deaf from all the screaming but as she looked down at the small babies in her arms she found them staring at each other in silence. She looked up in wonderment to see Maribel and Lilly in the same confused state.

When she turned her attention back to the blissful babies she found them smiling gently at each other. Little Brittany's hand was resting on the cusp of Santana's blanket and they were just staring.

'Well I'll be damned.' Michelle gasped lightly. 'Don't tell anyone girls, but I think you two were lucky enough to find your soulmate the very first day you were put on this earth.'

A little chuckle sounded from the baby Latina.

2000: 10 years old

'Brittany give me the rest of your dots!'

Brittany was startled as the sun shining above her onto the schoolyard bench was blocked out by an unwelcome figure.

'N-no I'm saving them for San, she'll be back from the bathroom any minute.' She was hoping that by saying Santana would be back any minute that Puck would retreat in fright of the Latina beating him to the ground again..no such luck.

'Well your body guard isn't here so give me the dots! Just give them' Puck tried to pry them from Brittany's hand but she held strong. 'Come on Ditzy Brittany don't be stupid and just let go!'

'HEY!'

Puck spun around at the familiar raspy voice which turned his blood cold instantly. He wasn't ready for the fist which collided with his chubby cheeks.

'Don't ever call Brittany stupid again! She's smarter than you'll ever be!'

Puck was already half way across the playground by the time Santana had finished her rant. She only knew a few Spanish words, but most of which she picked up from her mother in times if stress usually did the trick.

She approached her friend softly who had cowered behind the bench, knowing to relax her body language before entering Brittany's world again.

'You ok Britt?' Brittany nodded with a smile.

'Thanks San, look I saved you some dots!'

2005: 15 years old

'Britt move over a little bit.' Santana huffed.

'I'm already on the edge of the bed San. I told you I could sleep on the floor.'

'And I told you that I'm not going to kick you out of your own bed.'

'But it's ok for you to take up all the room?' Brittany teased. 'Come on we've slept in my single bed together loads of times.'

'Yeah but that was before you decided to sprout up like a bean stalk and take up most of the bed.' Santana turned onto her side figuring that was the only way she was going to be able to lie semi-comfortably.

'Then just climb me like Jack.' Santana could hear the excitement in the blondes tone without having to peer through the darkness to see her smile. Santana couldn't help that her mind went straight to the gutter.

'W-what?'

'San you could just lay on me! That way we would both have enough room.' Before Santana could argue the blonde was dragging her small body on top of her and tightening her arms around her waist.

'Uhh' Santana couldn't quite figure out where to rest her head or put her arms so she held her frozen posture until she heard a giggle from the girl beneath her.

'San relax, it's just me.' She couldn't help but smile and laugh at her own ridiculous behaviour. It was after all only Brittany. The girl she had known since she was born. The girl she had play dates with until they ended up going to the same school together. The girl she was going to start highschool with by her side. The girl she could trust with her life.

Santana loosened her muscles and let her body mould into the blonde beneath her. She rested her head on Brittany's chest and let her arms dangle along the sheets, trusting Brittany to hold her in place.

'Better?' Brittany giggled

'mhmm. Britt?'

'Yeah San?'

Santana spoke into the crook of brittany's neck, her lips ghosting across pale skin which seemed to tense if she got too close. 'Why don't you just get a double bed now?'

'Mom doesn't want me to get one. She thinks it will encourage me to become sexually active because I would be able to fit another person in there. But I think it's silly, I mean we could easily have sex right now, because if you think about it you're already on top so all I would have to do is –'

'Britt!' Santana's head had sprung up to stop her friend saying anymore.

'What?' Brittany had that innocent look in her eye, like she had no idea of the implications of her words.

'Uh, n-nothing, just …yeah don't worry.' Santana sighed and rested her head back to Brittany's chest. 'Have you thought about…you know…doing that?' Santana inwardly cursed herself for even continuing on with this conversation but her curiosity got the better of her. She had been thinking a lot lately about what it would feel like to have sex but she didn't want to bring it up with Brittany in case she thought she was weird. I mean they had never really talked about sex before..

'With you?' Brittany asked evenly, like the question was an everyday occurance. Santana spluttered.

'A-ah no I meant like in general..Like have you thought about doing it with anyone? You seem like you're into Mike.'

Brittany nodded slowly causing Santana's head to slide further into her neck. 'Mike's cool…but I wouldn't have sex with him…not yet anyway.'

'Not ready?' Santana asked, suddenly very interested in this topic.

'No I'm definitely ready, I mean sometimes I get so horny –'

'Britt.'

'Sorry. Anyway I do like Mike but I just don't think he's the right person for my first time. Remember our first kiss?'

Santana nodded against Brittany's neck. How could she forget? They were thirteen when they decided they wanted to kiss someone. Brittany was over at Santana's house afterschool and the two were discussing what they thought it would feel like. After a few hours of giggles and blushes they both agreed they didn't want to kiss someone at school until they were good at it. It was that night in Santana's bed when Brittany leant over to give her a kiss goodnight on the cheek and leant that extra bit further and caught her lips. They stayed still together like that for minutes before Santana worked up the nerve to kiss her back. They still kissed sometimes, but only ever in the dark before they went to sleep.

'Well practicing with each other meant we were really good at it when we kissed boys because we knew what to expect. So maybe we should do that with sex too.' Santana's whole body tensed. Did her best friend just suggest that they have sex?! Surely that's not normal…

'Uh britt…' Santana didn't quite know what to say. She didn't want to hurt Brittany's feelings but at the same time this situation was just ridiculous, and it didn't help that Brittany's body was so goddamn warm and soft. 'Sex is a lot different to kissing…like A LOT, and plus we're GIRLS.' She accentuated to try and get her point across. This was crazy! She couldn't believe she was actually in the situation where she had to argue why she shouldn't sleep with her best friend.

'So shouldn't it be easier if we're both girls? I mean at least we will know what feels good.' This caused a blush from the Latina and she didn't dare lift her head from Brittany's chest to show it. 'Anyway it will still be like we're kissing, the only difference is I might be kissing you in different places.' Brittany shrugged. Santana had turned beetroot red and was too ashamed to admit that Brittany's words sent a jolt of arousal coursing through her whole body until it settled between her legs.

'Uh…Still Britt, girls don't do that with each other.'

'Why?'

'Because it's not normal.' Santana sighed into Brittany's neck and hoped that her friend would just drop the subject, but she knew the blonde and she knew she wouldn't take this for an answer.

'Why?'

'Argh I don't know! It's just not ok?!' Santana felt the blonde flinch beneath her and she cursed herself a million times in her head for raising her voice. Brittany was always extra-sensitive to tone, something Santana had picked up on over the years.

'Ok….' Santana could hear the quiver Brittany was holding back and she squeezed her eyes shut to make it go away but she could still feel Brittany shift uncomfortably from below.

'Britt…I'm sorry' Santana cooed but to no avail, the blonde tilted her head in the opposite direction. She decided to try another tactic, one she would never normally go for. 'um….we can still kiss…I uh m-mean if you w-want?'

Santana was met with silence. She could hardly make out the expression on the blonde's face with the lack of light. She tried again.

'Britt?' she tried to keep her tone as soft as possible, knowing Brittany would be more likely to reply.

'That's the first time you've said that.' Brittany whispered just loud enough for Santana to hear.

'Said what?' she kept her tone light, conscious not to startle her friend again.

'Said anything about us kissing…I was starting to think you had that pen thingy from men in black and you zap yourself to lose your memory after every kiss.'

Santana swallowed deeply. It was true that she usually avoided the mornings after like the plague and she played dumb whenever the blonde tried to bring it up but she also couldn't confront it. If she talked about it then it was real…and she was making out with her best friend…and enjoying it?

Even under the shadow of darkness she still couldn't talk about it, hell she didn't even know what she would say, so she did the next best thing…she kissed her.

Brittany was immediately startled and gasped at the force of soft lips enveloping her own. It started out slow but soon turned into tongue and teeth. Santana was so engrossed in distracting the blonde that she didn't notice the hand sneaking up her stomach. It wasn't until Brittany was massaging her breast that her lips disconnected from soft pink lips.

'B-britt what are you doing?' Santana couldn't deny that it felt damn good, so good she was desperately holding back a moan. Brittany didn't answer and soon she bucked her hips up causing the Latina's legs to fall from her body and land on either side of pale hips. She bucked up again and this time Santana couldn't hold the moan back as it tore through the hot and quiet room like a steam engine.

'Jesus Brittany' she breathed into another kiss. This was fast becoming the hottest thing that's ever happened to her.

'Be my first' Brittany panted into Santana's ear as they started to build up a rhythm of grinding, something neither of them had done before. All of Santana's senses were on over drive and she was having a hard time deciphering if this was real or not. Everything was Brittany, from the hot breath in her ear to the heavy pants sounding through the room, to the hot body grinding from beneath, to the taste of sugary sweet lips..everything was Brittany.

'W-what?' Santana asked breathlessly. Did she hear right?

'Take my virginity San, I want it to be you. Please.'

Santana instantly stopped her hips from grinding and lifted her head from Brittany's neck. She felt like a bucket of nerves had been tipped over her at brittany's sweet words.

'I-I don't know what to do..' she was glad it was so dark that Brittany couldn't see her reddened cheeks. She had never felt so exposed in her life, but at the same time, so completely safe.

'Give me your hand.' Brittany said quietly and took the hand that was resting on the bed to the side of her face. 'You're shaking San.'

'A-Ah yeah I guess I'm a little nervous.' She giggled nervously followed by a loud gulp.

'It's just me remember?'

'Y-Yeah, yeah I know.' Santana felt a small smile grace her lips. Was this happening? She had dreamed about how her first time would be. She wished it would be like in the movies. She certainly never dreamed that it would be with her best friend who was a girl, but somehow in this moment she couldn't imagine it being anyone else. Brittany made her feel safe.

Santana watched as Brittany kissed the tips of her fingers on her shaking hand until she felt herself relax into the touch. Brittany gave a triumphant smile when she felt the Latina's hand still.

'Ready?' Brittany asked quietly. This was scary for her too and she sure as hell didn't know what she was doing but if she acted confident enough, maybe Santana would be able to relax a bit and enjoy it. Santana rested her forehead against Brittany's and gave a weak nod. 'We don't have to do this San.'

'I want to.' Santana pressed a soft kiss to pink lips. 'I do. Show me what to do Britt.'

Brittany felt more nerves bubble to the surface at her words. Santana had never surrendered herself so completely to her before, she didn't want to let her down, she wanted to take care of her.

With a tan hand in her own Brittany guided Santana slowly until their links hands were underneath Brittany's pajama shorts. Santana gasped at the feel of the hot wet heat surrounding her fingers. She couldn't believe she had caused this. 'mmm that feels good.' She heard Brittany moan and she instantly felt wetness pool between her own thighs.

Santana still hadn't done anything and she grew nervous when she felt the blonde remove her hand leaving her by herself.

'Britt I – '

Before she could finish Brittany had sneaked her own hand into Santana underwear. Santana whimpered and bucked her hips at the sensitive touch.

'Just do what I do ok?' the blonde said soothingly and Santana nodded quickly. 'Now kiss me.'

After several minutes of making out and soft caresses through wet heat, Brittany finally gained the courage to dip lower. She stopped when she felt Santana stop kissing.

'Do you trust me San?'

'Y-yeah, yes do it Britt.'

Brittany slowly eased a finger into Santana, burying it deep within. Santana groaned loudly and Brittany thought perhaps she had hurt her friend so she went to pull out but stopped herself when she felt the latina start to move herself up and down on her hand.

'Fuck San.'

'More Britt, please.' She panted.

Brittany instantly entered another finger and was met with a delicious moan. The sound made her heart beat faster and her fingers move quicker. She was so concentrated on the smoking hot girl riding her fingers that she didn't anticipate Santana to enter her with two fingers also.

'Omg San! Don't stop!'

They built up a steady rhythm which gradually became more rapid and frantic. Moans were bouncing off the walls and Brittany thanked god her parents were still at the neighbourhood party. Sweat was mixing together against their bodies, neither knowing which was their own.

'You're so beautiful San.' Brittany confessed after a particularly hard thrust.

'Britt something's happening, I t-think I'm gonna –'

'Let it happen San.' As soon as Santana heard those words she tumbled over the edge into a place she had never felt before, and god it was the best feeling in the world. At the sound of her moans Brittany quickly joined her, her legs shook uncontrollably as Santana collapsed on top of her.

'I love you.' Brittany breathed into Santana's ear and tightened her grip around her waist. A secret tear slid down a tan cheek only to dissolve into the crinkled sheets.

The next day when Brittany asked Santana what this meant for them now. Santana simply replied with: 'It was just sex Brittany, we're still besties for life. By the way I can't come over tonight b, Pucks invited me to the movies then we're gonna hang out with his older brother. How cool is that? You can totally tell he's going to be on the football team next year, and GUESS who will be his popular girlfriend.' She smirked. Brittany forced a happy smile.

2008: 18 years old

'Will Brittany be coming over for dinner tonight dear?' Maribel asked her daughter who was currently peeling potatoes as she leaned over the kitchen bench.

'I don't think so Mami.' The girl sighed.

'Why not? Did you invite her?'

'No…'

'Santana Lopez.' Maribel turned from chopping vegetables and faced her daughter in surprise.

'I wanted to ok! I just…Mami she has to stay here next year, and I'm going to New York…I didn't want her to be reminded of that all night by inviting her to a Lopez farewell dinner.' Santana tossed the peeled potato to her mother who caught it with experienced hands.

'Santana dear you two have been best friends since you came out of –'

'Ew gross!'

' – Of the delivery room.' Maribel gave her daughter a pointed wink. 'That girl will be happy for you no matter what.'

Santana idly picked up another potato and huffed, she knew her mother was right, like always. 'I just don't want her to feel like I'm leaving her behind.'

'She won't sweetheart, you two will find plenty of ways to keep in touch over the year I'm sure. Besides, wouldn't not inviting her to your farewell dinner kind of make her feel a bit left out sweety?'

'Ugh why are you always right?' Santana groaned and abandoned the potatoes in favour of her phone.

'Because I'm your mother.'

XXXXXXXXXX

After dinner Santana and Brittany headed up to Santana's room since Brittany offered to help her finish the last of her packing.

'You didn't have to do this Britt.'

'Yeah I know but I wanted to. Plus I had to make sure you packed Snuffles.' Brittany grinned and pulled out a fluffy blue dinosaur from her bag. It was the teddy she was given by her father the day she was born. She still slept with it on nights she felt lonely, nights Santana didn't sleep over.

'Britt no way I can't take Snuffles!'

Brittany just giggled and placed it in Santana's suitcase. 'Yes you can. I want you to have him, to remind you of me.'

'Like I would ever need reminding Britt.' Santana smiled but let it fall when she saw the sad look on her friend's face. She quickly moved forward and took pale hands in her own. 'B you know I'm never going to forget you right? Best friends for life remember?'

Santana didn't even realise her words were digging a bigger hole in the blondes heart. Brittany had always been in love with the Latina and she thought after they had made love that she would be able to confess her love also, but it seemed Santana had never held those feelings for her. When she had whispered that she had loved Santana that night three years ago Santana had suddenly appeared asleep. Brittany never said those words again for fear of another crack in her broken heart. So instead she watched on with a smile as Santana and Puck walked down the halls hand in hand for the most torturous years of her life. She suffered in silence because she didn't want to lose her best friend, she didn't want to lose Santana.

'Yeah.' Brittany stated abruptly and removed her hands from Santana's grasp. 'So what about Puck? Are you keeping in touch with him?'

Santana frowned. 'We broke up remember, why would I want to keep in contact with him?'

'No I remember, you wanted to ditch puck because of all the hot college guys you will meet. Right sorry forgot.' She hadn't forgotten.

'Britt what's up with you? Are you mad or something? Is this because I'm leaving?'

Brittany couldn't help but roll her eyes. How could she still not have any idea what she was doing to her? How could she still not see how much it pained her when she talked about hooking up with other guys.

'It's not that..' Brittany stated quietly, continuing to fold clothes into little packages.

'Then what is it Britt because you're really starting to freak me out?' Santana had stepped forward and shut her suitcase so the blonde would at least look at her. Brittany sighed and dropped the shirt she was holding onto the bed.

'San.' She took a deep breath. It was now or never. 'Is there anything you want to say to me before you leave? Anything about….us?'

Santana looked slightly confused. 'What do you mean?'

'Is there anything that you wished you had told me? It's not too late.' Brittany's palms were sweating so bad as she watched Santana try and figure out what she was saying. 'Last chance' Brittany whispered and she swore she saw a flash of recognition cross Santana's face. The Latina gulped before she answered.

'U-uh..I…I-I'

Brittany leant forward in hopes not to miss a single syllable.

'I'll miss you Britt-Britt.'

Brittany closed her eyes and willed the tears to go away. She had put on a brave smile for years, she could do this. When she opened her eyes Santana looked almost ashamed but she was still trying to hide it. With much more will power then she had ever used in her life, Brittany smiled and nudged her friend.

'I'll miss you too San. Come on let's get you packed.'

2013: 25 years old

'OMG we have to turn back!'

There was a synchronized eye roll from the two in the drivers and passenger seat of the small eco-friendly car. Kurt and Rachel side glanced at each other, silently telling the other that it was their turn. Eventually Rachel lost.

'What did you forget this time?' Rachel sighed in annoyance. This would be the fourth time they had to turn the car back around because Santana had 'forgotten' something, only for it to be things that she wouldn't need in the first place. They both knew however, the real reason she was making up these excuses. The three of them were on their way to the concert of the one and only Britney Spears. Now on any other occasion Santana would be jumping up and down to go see one of her child hood idols in concert, but tonight was different. Tonight one Brittany S Peirce had invited the three to see her on her tour as a back up dancer for Britney.

'A bottle of water! You know how dehydrated you can get in those mosh pits, I mean I don't want any of us to pass out, we definitely need to go back!' Santana shouted from the backseat.

'They sell water there, now sit down and shut up.' Rachel and Santana both stared in shock at Kurt's less than happy attitude. 'what? We all know why she's doing this Rach.' He whispered but it didn't evade Santana's ears. She did however, decide it wiser not to bite back and just sink back into her seat. She couldn't help how god damn nervous she was.

From what Santana had heard from the blonde over the years, since she left school she has been doing really well for herself in the performing industry. She had been starting to develop a name for herself in the dancing world and this would be her first tour with such an iconic figure.

When Santana had gotten her invitation to the event complete with a backstage pass she just about flipped her lid, she stopped herself however when she noticed two more identical envelops addressed to Rachel and Kurt. She hated herself for thinking it was going to be just like old times. Just Brittany and her.

when she left for New York Santana never thought she wouldn't see her best friend again for seven years. She always tried to go home for holidays, but found the blonde would already be on vacation somewhere else. They still kept in touch though, wrote letters, emails, facebooked each other, had endless phonecalls and late night texts, they even skyped a few times, but it was never the same as lying across Santana's bed after a long cheerio's practice and giggling about Rachel's disturbing outfits while they rubbed each others sore carves. Those were the moments Santana missed. Their communication now, although still friendly and silly, it held less depth.

But Santana was going to change this tonight. She had spent seven years without her best friend by her side and tonight that was going to be fixed. It took her five years after school to come to terms with that fact that she was gay, she guessed being in college helped her become whoever she wanted to be, because no one knew her, and honestly no one really care what she called herself. The years following that were the hardest because she actually had to start telling people. She told Rachel and Kurt first seeing as though they were roommates and they all kind of built a strong bond over the years. They were fine with it so she told some of her friends in her classes and they were nothing but nice and accepting. There was one however, the most important person, who she hadn't confessed to. Brittany. Tonight would be the night though, and she would tell Brittany that she had loved her all her life, and she wanted to be with her for every second of everyday until they had to part.

So yes, she was nervous to say the least.

XXXXXXXXXXX

After the show the three friends were escorted backstage with worried expressions planted on their face. Santana was right on the tail of the security guard. She had never felt a greater pull in her life to be next to the girl she loved.

'Santana slow down. She'll be in good hands.' Kurt tried to calm the racing Latina but to no avail. He only received an over the shoulder glare. The whole performance Santana was absolutely captivated by Brittany's provocative and effortless dance moves, and it seems when the blonde finally found her in the crowd she was so captivated by the Latina that she accidently landed awkwardly after an impressive flip. She immediately stumbled to the ground and as if on cue another dancer came on stage and took her place while the show kept going. Santana's face fell when she saw the evident pain Brittany was in as she was helped off stage. she raced through the crowd with a shocked Kurt and Rachel trailing behind her.

'Kurt you saw her fall! You saw her face!' Santana yelled before she ran into the back of the guard. He glared down at her before he pointed to the door they had stopped at.

'Ms. Peirce is in there.'

At those words everything in Santana slowed down. She gripped the door handle and took a deep breath. She was about to see Brittany for the first time in seven years. Faintly she heard Rachel say that they would give her a moment alone with Brittany and wait outside. She didn't answer before she opened the door and slipped inside.

She was instantly met with a distressed blonde cradling her tear streaked face in her hands. She sat on a red satin couch while her injured ankle was elevated on the small table in front of her with ice packs taped securely around it. She hadn't noticed the Latina's presence yet.

'B-britt?' the name felt so foreign on her tongue but at the same time so right. Brittany instantly lifted her head and brown met teary blue eyes.

'S-san?'

Within a millisecond Santana had gravitated to Brittany's side. She plonked herself down next to the distressed blonde and instantly wrapped her arms around Brittany's shoulders, engulfing her in a hug and bringing her as close to her body as possible. They both sighed in relief at the familiar and missed touch. Brittany did nothing to stop the onslaught of tears which fled freely from her tired eyes. Santana only responded by pulling her impossibly closer and peppering light kisses on her forehead.

'You're going to be alright Britt, everything's going to be fine.' Santana cooed. To be honest she was trying her hardest to stay focused when the smell of Brittany's sweet soft hair was invading her senses and she could feel warm breath coating her neck. 'I'm here now.'

Brittany only cried harder at her words and Santana was racking her brains to find some golden line that would make all of her pain go away but she couldn't, and it was killing her.

'Britt, please help me, what can I do to make it better? I'll do anything.' She pleaded with a kiss to a soft cheek. She noticed that Brittany didn't look like she had aged a day. Sure she had more of a light tan to her pale skin now but that could have easily been a requirement in standing next to the always tanned Britney Spears. Santana further gazing taught her that Brittany now had her belly button pierced with a tiny pink duck. Hot and cute. Brittany was still in her costume so the Latina had full view of her toned tan legs leading up to black short shorts, an even flatter stomach than she remembered, and a bra that pushed Brittany's boobs up so much that they were nearly spilling over the leather material of her corset. But as Brittany turned her face up to answer Santana she realised her most important feature sure as hell hadn't change. Those damn incredible blue eyes.

'There's nothing you can do.' Santana hated how all the life of her bubbly friend had drained in those words. She could feel tears coating her exposed neck and her instinct to defend automatically kicked in.

'No come on there has to be something I can do? Want me to take you to the hospital and get your leg checked out? Maybe we can ask the doctor about ways for a fast recovery, get you back on stage –'

'They kicked me off the tour…I've already been replaced by one of the other girls. They said the injury would take too long to recover.' Santana squeezed her eyes shut and willed the pain in her heart to go away. How could this be happening to the sweetest girl she has ever known? 'I'm done.'

'Hell no Britt you have worked way too hard for this to be taken away from you. Who the fuck calls the shots around here? I'm gonna go introduce them to aunty Snix and then we will see who is being kicked off the – '

Santana had already made it to the door by the time she heard the choked voice calling her name.

'San please don't. I told you there's nothing you can do now. Except…'

'Except?' Santana had turned fully back to the blonde and was making her way over to the couch.

'…Just uh can you like…hold me for a bit? Maybe just tell me some stories, take my mind off it…please.' A small smile graced both their faces when the Latina took her previous spot and Brittany curled back into her arms.

'What do you want to know b?' Santana nuzzled her nose into Brittany's hair to take in her delicious scent and she hoped the blonde didn't notice, if she did she didn't mention it.

'Um I dunno…is anything new with you? I mean I know we tell each other like everything but still is there anything you haven't?'

Santana knew exactly what was 'new' in her life that she was keeping from the blonde but the thought suddenly brought back those nervous butterflies, and they had definitely bred since the last time she thought about the topic. 'Um..'

'Because I have news for you, but uh, it should be an equal trade don't you think? So you need to tell me something first.'

Santana held back a chuckle. 'Ok b that sounds fair. There is uh something I was, I was kinda meaning to tell you…'

'Yeah?' Brittany tilted her head back up to reach brown eyes but they seemed to be avoiding her.

'Yeah' Santana coughed under the blondes gaze. Dammit why did she have to forget everything that she practiced. 'uhh'. Five years she had been thinking about what she would say if this moment came. Five. Years. 'Remember when we were at school and we would have those uh…sleepovers?'

Brittany nodded.

Santana gulped. 'Remember what we would do before we went to sleep?'

Brittany's eyes suddenly went wide but she didn't dare speak. She couldn't miss this. Was this even happening?

'Well I d-didn't really tell you then but, I am now I guess…I liked doing that…a lot.' Santana coughed again. Her palms were so sweaty she was sure they were sliding over Brittany's arms, but once again the blonde didn't mention it.

'Um anyway when I left I really missed you, and I missed doing that…a-and I couldn't bring myself to do that with anyone else…'

She glanced back down to the blonde who still hadn't uttered a word since she started and took a deep breath as she was met with a look of shock mixed with love.

'I guess what I'm trying to say Britt is…I'm gay.' Holy Christ she had finally said it!

She wasn't prepared for the grin the size of Europe to spread across Brittany's face, it made her heart beat even faster.

'San that's amazing! So you're out? You've told everyone?' Brittany couldn't believe the moment she had been waiting for was finally here, Santana had finally come to terms with herself.

'Yeah! Well, I mean not EVERYONE, my parents still don't know..but other than that yes!' she watched as Brittany's face fell. 'Britt?'

'You haven't told your parents yet?'

'Well no but it's a big deal Britt, I don't know how they will react, what if they don't accept –'

'Nothing's changed has it?' Brittany whispered.

Santana was taken aback by the sudden change in tone. Brittany seemed…mad? Exhausted?

'What do you mean?'

Her question wasn't answered before there was a knock at the door.

'Babe can I come in? it's just me.' A strong male voice sounded from the other side of the door. Santana's head whipped from the door to Brittany several times as her mind went into overdrive.

'Babe?' she all but hissed in disbelief. Brittany avoided her glare.

'Guess you know my news now. I've moved on.' Brittany sighed. 'Come in babe!'

A second later the door swung open to reveal a tall dark haired man with an arm full of crutches. Santana wasted no more time on this guy before turning back to Brittany who had already unlatched the latina's arms from her body. Santana felt hurt and betrayed. She did it, she finally did it, and for what? A slap in the face.

'You've moved on? Moved on from what Britt?' she countered. Brittany just rolled her eyes, almost as though she knew what Santana would say before she said it.

'Matt can you help me?' The tall guy instantly went to her side and helped her up from the couch.

'Brittany wait I –'

For the thousandth time in her life, Brittany stopped, and she waited…

'Yes?' she breathed without turning back. Her boyfriend Matt continued to help her with the crutches.

'Britt I – hey Harry Potter? Mind giving us a fucking minute?' Santana snapped at the man still in the room, handling her girl like he owned her or something. Brittany simply sighed and Matt shot Santana a glare.

'I'll see you around San.' Brittany stated quietly as Matt gladly helped her from the room. Santana could feel someone jumping up and down on her heart, threatening to penetrate it.

'Britt wait!'

'I have been.' Brittany took one last look back at the broken girl standing tensely by the couch, her eyes still swam with unsolved problems, and secrets she couldn't share. She still looked scared. 'It's too late.'

And then she left.