A/N: Thanks for reviews/follows/favourites.

This chapter is set seven and a half years after chapter 1.


Chapter 2: Meeting Again

"Hey Quinn, how are you?" twenty year old Brittany asks her best friend.

"I'm ok but I am currently in the middle of a dilemma" Quinn answers. "Do you remember that assignment I had for university? The one where I had to pick a theme and create a mini portfolio?" Brittany nods her head, indicating she knows what Quinn is talking about. "Well it turns out it is due this Monday rather than a week on Monday."

"I don't think they are allowed to change it Q" Brittany says confused.

"They aren't, it's against university policies" Quinn clarifies. "I just got my dates mixed up, I've been letting my studies go a little bit lately."

"You certainly have" Brittany says. "No offence Quinn but you thought last week's assignment was due in this week not last, it's not the best for obtaining your photography degree."

"I know" Quinn says shaking her head.

"Is everything ok honey?" Brittany asks sincerely. "You know you can talk to me" Brittany says grabbing Quinn's hand. "If something is bothering you or you are worried about something then I am here for you, you know that."

"Everything is fine Britt" Quinn answers. "To tell you the truth, I have just let my personal life distract me. Life is too good at the moment with me dating and stuff that I haven't been giving my photography degree the attention I should."

"I see, too many dates with the new boyfriend?" Brittany says raising her eyebrow.

"Yeah" Quinn replies with a slight blush on her face. "I think I am going to need to cancel our trip this weekend, I really need to get my portfolio finished."

"So you can ditch the studies for the boyfriend but not for your best friend" Brittany says feigning hurt. "I am hurt Q, really hurt."

"I will make it up to you" Quinn says. She knows that Brittany isn't as hurt as she is acting but she still feels bad for cancelling on Brittany.

"It's ok Q" Brittany says. "I actually came over here to cancel the trip myself."

"Oh really" Quinn says with a curious look. "Has someone finally decided to make their boring love life that little bit brighter and less dull?"

"Hey" Brittany protests. "My love life is not boring, it's just hit a bit of a lull at the moment" Brittany says while frowning at her best friend. "For your information though, my plan to cancel Saturday has nothing to do with my love life."

"Why were you going to cancel then?" Quinn asks.

"Well as you know the cost that comes with being a student is not light by any means" Brittany says to which Quinn nods. "So I have decided to earn some extra cash by doing some babysitting on the side, I've done it before so it shouldn't be too bad."

"Yeah, as long as you don't get landed with another devil child" Quinn says causing both girls to laugh. "You have done a lot of babysitting since that little girl and no one has ever been as bad as her so she must have just been a bad apple."

"Yeah" Brittany says nodding. "I don't really remember much of that night now anyway so it doesn't really affect me now. I am twenty years old now so I am sure I would be able to deal with another little devil a lot better this time."

"I am sure you would" Quinn replies. "Who are you babysitting for? Would I know the family?"

"You may know them" Brittany answers. "Do you remember Ryder Lynn from school?" Brittany asks causing Quinn to nod. "Well I am supposed to be babysitting for his four and six year old brother and sister, Ryder's dad and step mom are going on some business trip for the weekend so I am babysitting the kids until Ryder gets home around 11pm."

"Oh right" Quinn says. "Didn't you used to date Ryder?"

"Briefly but I never met any of his family, we weren't really that serious" Brittany says. "It was more of a casual thing that wasn't really heading anywhere. It was just two friends going on a few dates."

/

"Hi, you must be Brittany" Archie Lynn says greeting Brittany at the door. "I'm Archie, my wife is in the kitchen and the kids are upstairs so if you want to follow me then you can meet them" Archie says to Brittany before leading her into the kitchen. "Honey, Brittany is here" Archie says to his wife who then turns round to face them. As soon as the woman sees Brittany she freezes.

"Hi" Brittany says waving slightly. She's feeling a little nervous because the woman seems to be just staring at her.

"Maria" Archie says in a louder voice than he was using previously.

"Sorry" Maria says before smiling at Brittany nervously. "H-hi."

"Is everything ok?" Brittany asks feeling really confused as to why Archie's wife is acting so weird.

"You don't remember me do you?" the woman, Maria asks Brittany.

"I'm sorry, should I?" Brittany asks, trying not to sound rude. As far as Brittany remembers she only spoke to Archie on the phone when discussing the babysitting details.

"You babysat for me a few years ago" Maria says, confusing Brittany slightly because she doesn't remember ever babysitting for Ryder's family. She's only babysat for a few people but on numerous occasions so she would remember someone if she had babysat their kids. "It was for my oldest daughter, she was seven at the time and…"

"Oh… you're Maria Lopez?" Brittany says realising who the woman was.

"Yes" the woman replies. "You came to babysit my daughter Santana when she was seven and things were a bit of a disaster."

"They were a bit" Brittany says.

"My youngest two kids will not cause you any problems like Santana did but I understand if you don't want to babysit" Maria tells Brittany.

"I don't go back on my word" Brittany says. "What happened with Santana is in the past now and as long as you can assure me that your kids are moderately behaved them I am happy to stay."

"How about we let you meet the kids first and then we can take it from there" Archie says. "They are good kids though, we've never had any problems with any other babysitters."

"Ok" Brittany says before Archie goes to get the kids.

"I am sorry about Santana's behaviour that night" Maria apologises.

"Don't worry about it, I just want to leave it in the past now" Brittany says before two kids come running into the room.

"Are you Britt-nay?" the four year old boy asks Brittany.

"I am indeed" Brittany replies with a smile. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Spiderman but mommy and daddy called me Marc" the boy replies. "That's my sister Emily" Marc then says pointing to the six year old girl next to him. As soon as Brittany sees Emily she can't help but think she looks like Santana when Brittany babysat her which makes a few nerves bubble up inside her.

"Hi Marc and hi Emily" Brittany says politely. Emily just waves nervously at Brittany before hiding behind Maria.

"Emily is a little shy" Maria says before bending down to her daughter's level and whispering in her ear.

"Maria and I won't be home until tomorrow but my oldest son Ryder should be back for eleven tonight" Archie says, clarifying the conversation Brittany and he had on the phone. "The kids have had their dinner and bath so they just need to go to bed at 8pm but it may be sooner if the children want" Archie confirms. "I have left some instructions in the living room but there isn't really much to know, they are pretty straightforward" Archie says before looking at Brittany. "Once the children are in bed feel free to watch TV or use the Wi-Fi or computer and don't be afraid to make yourself something to eat or drink if you want."

"Ok, thanks" Brittany says nodding her head.

"Santana will not be home until tomorrow so you don't need to worry about bumping into her either" Archie says before smiling. "If you have any questions, just ask."

/

"Hey" Ryder says entering the living room.

"Ryder, it's been a while" Brittany says with a smile before they both hug one another.

"It has" Ryder says. "You look well, I hope my brother and sister behaved ok."

"They did, probably the best behaved kids I've ever babysat" Brittany says seriously.

"That's good news" Ryder says. "Sorry you had to stay until 11pm."

"It's ok" Brittany says. "I just done some university work on my laptop so it was a pretty productive night."

"Cool, I will be back in a second. I just need to use the little boy's room" Ryder says before heading out the room while Brittany gathers all her stuff together.

Once Ryder gets out of the bathroom he makes his way back towards the living room but not before he almost gets the fright of his life. "Who's the sexy babysitter?" Santana asks her stepbrother after witnessing Brittany through the glass panel on the living room door.

"None of your business so why don't you go up to your room" Ryder says. "Were you not supposed to be sleeping over at a friend's house tonight anyway?" Ryder asks confused. "Why are you home?"

"I was at a friend's but we had an argument so I left" Santana answers.

"You should've phoned me Santana, you're fifteen years old and it's eleven at night" Ryder says. "I really hope you weren't walking home alone at this time."

"Jessica's brother gave me a lift, it was the least he could do after his sister practically threw me out because I wouldn't kiss her" Santana explains. "I don't even know why I am friends with her when she acts so immature."

"I understand because you are a very mature girl yourself Santana" Ryder states sarcastically.

"Fuck you" Santana says before storming off to the kitchen while Ryder goes back to the living room.

"Have you got all your stuff?" Ryder asks when he sees Brittany packing away her laptop.

"Yes, thanks" Brittany answers with a smile. "Your little brother and sister are so sweet and very well mannered."

"Yeah, they either get their sweetness from the Lynn side or Maria's first born was just a bad apple" Ryder says with a laugh. "Maria has a fifteen year old daughter, making her my stepsister, and she was apparently very different from our half siblings. Apparently she went ape on a babysitter once; bit them, pushed them and even threatened to hit them with a vase." Brittany just nods her head, feeling a little too embarrassed to say she is the babysitter Ryder was talking about. "Her name is Santana."

"I know" Brittany tells Ryder.

"Did you meet her earlier before my dad and Maria left?" Ryder asks causing Brittany to shake her head.

"Maria and Archie told me her name plus that babysitter you were just talking about…" Brittany says producing a nod from Ryder. "Yeah that was me" Brittany finishes. "When I was twelve I looked after Santana and she was a nightmare, I don't want to be cheeky but she seemed very troubled."

"Don't tell me she was the devil child?" Ryder asks with a laugh. If you were amongst Brittany's circle of school friends or you had a mutual friend in common with Brittany then you would have heard of the devil child. "She was wasn't she?" Ryder answers his own question with another question to which Brittany nods at. "Santana actually came home ten minutes ago when you were packing your stuff away but she's in her room so you won't need to see her."

"That's ok, I was just leaving anyway" Brittany says. "Your parents have my number in case my babysitting services are required again."

"Cool" Ryder replies. "Maybe I could get your number too" Ryder says chancing his luck.

"I thought you were too old for a babysitter" Brittany says with a smile. "Unless you have a secret child or something."

"Funny but I meant in case you wanted to… you know…. Go out sometime" Ryder says nervously while fidgeting with his shirt. "We're older now so maybe we could go on a date or something, it could be different from what it was in high school and may…" before Ryder can finish his sentence Santana enters the room.

"Oh… the sitter is still here" Santana says when she notices Brittany. "I just came to ask you something but it can wait" Santana says to Ryder before turning to Brittany. "Hi, I'm Santana. I'm the kids' sister" Santana tells Brittany. "I hope they behaved and weren't being little terrors."

"They were perfect" Brittany answers, managing to actually stay calm despite the fact that someone who used to give her bad dreams is now standing in front of her.

"Even if they were terrors Brittany could manage them" Ryder says. "She's looked after a lot worse and I mean a lot a lot a lot worse."

"Has she?" Santana says giving Ryder a confused and uninterested look. "Good to know, anyways it was nice to meet you Brittany and Ryder… don't try and hit on her in case it scares her away, the kids' have already formed a good opinion of her."

"Listen sis, if for any reason Brittany doesn't come back here then the onus will fall at your shoes" Ryder says with a smug look.

"What the fuck does that mean?" Santana asks confused. "How could it be my fault if she doesn't come back?"

"I babysat you when you were seven" Brittany butts in. "You were a nightmare to look after and very violent too" Brittany says bluntly. "You almost made me hate kids."

"Can you come a little closer?" Santana asks Brittany confusing everyone bar herself this time. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad" Santana says with a genuine smile before Brittany complies and moves closer to Santana. Santana gives Brittany a quick onceover before she slides Brittany's sleeve up and points to her arm just above the wrist. "I bit you here, didn't I?" Santana says pointing to a spot before a very tiny scar is revealed.

"You did" Brittany says. "And you left a scar."

"I really am sorry" Santana tells Brittany sincerely while looking Brittany straight in the eyes. "That night gives me nightmares. I hate that at such a young age I was so cruel to someone" Santana admits. "I know it is no excuse but that wasn't the real me, that was the angry me who was pissed at the world about anything and everything" Santana says. "My dad basically walked out so I didn't get to see him every day and on top of that my mom had to work more so I didn't get to see her as often. I was also a spoiled brat due to me being an only child so when I couldn't get you to bend the rules that got me more frustrated and angry."

"Do you actually remember that day?" Ryder asks, subtly hinting that he doesn't believe Santana.

"Yes I do" Santana answers seriously. "I may not remember much else because I was so young but I will never forget that day, I am sorry… Brittany is it?" Santana asks. "Apologies for being rude but I sorta don't remember your name but I remember everything else."

"It's Brittany, yeah" Brittany answers.

"Ok, well I am really sorry Brittany" Santana says sincerely. "If you do wish to babysit for our parents again then please do not worry about me, chances are that if you are babysitting then I won't be home otherwise I would just look after the kids myself." Santana gives Brittany a gentle smile before she turns to her stepbrother. "I am going to get ready for bed Ryder" Santana says. "Take care Brittany and don't let this one hit on you" Santana says pointing to Ryder. "Unless you want him to of course but if you don't then you should be aware that he isn't very good at communicating with women he finds attractive and it doesn't take a genius to see that you are hot."

"I thought you were going to bed" Ryder says annoyed.

"Oops, I seemed to have touched a nerve" Santana says with a cheeky smile. "Goodnight Brittany" Santana says and then finishes with a departing wave before she leaves the room.

"Is that really the 'devil child'?" Brittany asks causing Ryder to laugh.

"I obviously didn't know Santana until after her mom and my dad got together so I don't really know what she was like early on in her life but the girl you saw tonight is the real her" Ryder explains. "She can come across as a cheeky bitch at times but deep down she's a really loving person towards her family, especially her younger brother and sister." Brittany nods her head, trying to absorb what Ryder just said. "I know she was a real tearaway as a young child, despite not knowing her, I have heard some stories but she isn't like that now."

Brittany nods again before smiling at Ryder. "Mike is waiting for me so I should probably go, it was nice meeting you again Ryder" Brittany says. "You've got my number and so have your parents so maybe I will see you soon" Brittany says with another smile. "Goodnight Ryder."

"Goodnight" Ryder responds before walking Brittany to the door and checking she gets her ride ok. Once Brittany gets into Mike's car and it drives off Ryder comes back inside while shutting the front door.

"You have a crush don't you?" Ryder immediately jumps at Santana's voice, causing the girl to laugh.

"Fuck Santana, are you trying to give me a flaming heart attack?" Ryder asks before taking a deep breath to calm himself down. "You know it is rude to sneak up on people?"

"Technically I didn't sneak up on you, you were just in such a trance staring at Brittany you didn't have any clue about your surrounding environment" Santana answers before walking to the kitchen where Ryder follows her. "I wonder how mom and Archie would feel about asking Brittany to babysit again if they knew you were into her, it could get complicated."

"You are really bugging me now" Ryder huffs. "FYI, I am not 'into her' as you put it. Brittany and I have a little bit of history, we were friends in high school."

"Friends but you wanted more, right?" Santana asks. "Coffee?" Santana says holding up the coffee pot.

"Yes I will have coffee thanks" Ryder replies. "And to answer your previous question, we were friends and we both wanted a little more but it didn't work out" Ryder clarifies before taking a seat on top of the counter next to where Santana is standing. "We went on a couple of low maintenance dates but nothing really progressed from there so we went back to being friends."

"Now that you're older you want to try dating again?" Santana says but it comes out as more of an assumption than a question.

"Yeah, we are both single… I think she is single, I probably should check that out first" Ryder says.

"You probably should" Santana says before giving Ryder his cup of coffee.

"Do you want to talk about your night?" Ryder offers while taking a sip of coffee. "I am all ears if you want to vent or just talk."

"Thanks but I can't be bothered going over the immature fights I had with my best friend" Santana says while tidying up slightly. "I am too tired, we can watch a movie if you want though or we could just talk about your crush on the sexiest babysitter alive." Santana says with a wink. "You are not the only one with a crush on Brittany."

"Oh, do you like her too?" Ryder asks with a smile.

"What… me?" Santana asks before laughing. "I will admit she has one fine looking body and if I was older and looking for someone then she may be a catch but I wasn't talking about me" Santana says which seems to confuse Ryder slightly. "Our four year old brother, Marc. He's took quite a shine to Brittany" Santana says, clearing up Ryder's confusion.

"Does Emily like Brittany?" Ryder asks about their six year old sister.

"She likes her too which I found surprising since Emily rarely ever likes anyone new" Santana says. "I guess if our parents need a babysitter again then Brittany is the right candidate for the job."

"I agree" Ryder says.

"That's only because you want in her pants" Santana says before playfully hitting her brother on the arm.

"You know I am not like that" Ryder defends before smirking. "You, on the other hand, are totally like that."

"No I'm not" Santana says. "I may appreciate how attractive someone is but I think you know I am not like that at all, I've only ever slept with two people."

"Two people too many" Ryder says which earns him a glare from Santana. "I know it is none of my business and it's your life but you're still my sister Santana and I care about you."

"I know" Santana replies with a small smile.


It's been four months since Brittany first babysat Emily and Marc but within that time she has become their permanent babysitter after many successful times. Ryder and Brittany went out on one date but they both decided it was probably better to just remain friends, so that's what they are.

"Emily! come here" Santana shouts to her little sister. "We are in a grocery store not a playground so stop running about and stay by my side please."

"Sorry" Emily apologises. "Where's Marc though, he should be getting a row for running off as well."

"Marc didn't ru… where is your brother" Santana says. "Oh crap, where the heck is Marc?" Santana says with panic in her voice but Emily just shrugs. "This isn't good, we have to find him. Stay with me at all times Emily but keep a look out for your brother, ok." Emily nods at her older sister before following her around the store.

"Santana, he's over there" Emily says pointing to Marc as he stands in the candy aisle chatting to Brittany. "That's Britty, can we go see her." Emily doesn't wait for a reply before she sprints off towards her brother and Brittany.

"You tell them don't run away and what do they do; run away" Santana mutters to herself before reaching her siblings and Brittany.

"Hey Santana" Brittany says.

"Hi" Santana replies with a smile.

"Can we get candy Santana?" Emily asks.

"Of course you can" Santana says. "Every child who disobeys their big sister's instructions should get a piece of candy."

"Really?" Emily says excited.

"Did you do as you were told when I asked you not to run away?" Santana asks the girl who shakes her head.

"That's means no candy then" Emily says downheartedly.

"I'm afraid so" Santana replies.

"You get us candy Britty?" Marc says while gazing up at Brittany with a smile.

"I'm sorry little man, if Santana says no then it's a no, she's the boss" Brittany says.

"Exactly so no candy" Santana says which causes both of the kids to give her their puppy dog eyes. "I am not falling for it guys so there's no need to keep making those faces." The kids don't stop making their cute little faces so Santana eventually gives in. "Jeez. You can have some candy but not a lot" Santana tells Marc and Emily before allowing them to choose something they like.

"They are so cute sometimes" Brittany says smiling.

"Yeah" Santana replies.

"So how's school?" Brittany asks. "Any more arguments with your best friend again?"

"Plenty of arguments but that's the norm for Jessica and I" Santana replies while carefully keeping an eye on her siblings. "How are you getting on at university, my mom mentioned you had an interview or something coming up."

"Yeah I did" Brittany responds. "It was for a placement associated with my university course, which I got."

"Congratulations" Santana says sincerely.

"Thank you" Brittany smiles. "Because I will still be attending university for classes then the placement is sort of flexible to fit in with that but it does mean I will need to give up the babysitting."

"Right" Santana says with a nod.

"I don't want to tell Marc and Emily until I tell your mom and Archie so do you mind keeping it to yourself just now?" Brittany asks.

"Of course" Santana says. "You will be missed though, the kids love you."

"I will miss the kids too, I got quite attached to them" Brittany admits. "I am not going anywhere though so I can still visit them and stuff, I just can't babysit them."

"Good luck anyway Brittany" Santana says.

"Than… uh" Brittany says when Marc crashes into her.

"He stole the chocolate I wanted" Emily complains to Santana while pointing at her brother. "He was naughty, right?"

"Yes" Santana says. "Marc is this true?"

"Sorry" Marc says as he pulls away from Brittany. "I wanted that one too though."

"How about you share that chocolate and another one that way it is equal" Brittany suggests causing the kids to ponder over it before nodding eagerly. "There we go, all sorted."

"Yep, you're definitely going to be missed" Santana says with a smile. "I doubt they would agree to a negotiation I suggest as quickly as they did to yours, thank you for being so good to them, especially after realising who they were related to" Santana says pointing to herself.

"You struggled a little when you were younger but I can tell you are not a bad kid Santana" Brittany says. "What I have witnessed of you these past few months is a completely different child from those years ago, I have forgiven you so let's just leave it in the past."

"Ok" Santana says.

"I better get going, can you tell your mom and Archie that I will see them tomorrow when I come to look after the kids" Brittany asks.

"Sure, see you later" Santana answers.

"Bye Santana, see you two tomorrow" Brittany says before hugging the kids and then leaving.


A/N: Hope the chapter was ok, let me know what you think. There will be one more time jump (around three years) in the fic which will probably occur next chapter and then everything will progress more evenly.