A/N: There's a time jump here and flashbacks. It will all come together I promise… Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 2

Santana POV

I woke up from a restless sleep, on a cot in a tent that far too hot for anyone. I missed my family, normal weather, regular showers and just being able to hangout. If this were 4 years ago you would not hear me complaining but times have certainly changed.

As a Sergeant First Class, I am to lead my group of men and women to the best of my ability. I give orders and they follow them. When rules aren't followed in my line of work people die. I have the utmost respect for everyone under my leadership. Today we are headed out on a mission that is quite dangerous. We're still in Iraq and our mission has been given.

I gather my thoughts and roll out of my cot. I tuck my dog tags into my army green t-shirt, grab my backpack, helmet, vest with all essentials, glasses, and gun, now I'm ready to go. OH one more thing. I slip my favorite picture of Brittany, Keegan and Lily into my left boot and I'm finally on my way. PVC Fabray and Berry follow me out while rounding up the rest of the troops.

After what felt like 15 hours of walking I decide to split up the group and make our way to mission spot 1.

Suddenly gunshots and coming from every which way, it's all I hear before Fabray yells "Sergeant look out!" A grenade had been thrown and suddenly everything goes black.

On our first date I picked up a very nervous blue-eyed beauty. We had been texting all week and when I finally came up with the perfect date I asked her out. I know I had originally asked her to dinner but this girl was special I had to do something better.

Now LA is a beautiful place do not get me wrong and people come from all over to see it, but I wanted to do something quiet, just the two of us.

I hopped out of the car so I could open the door for Brittany. She smiled shyly at me and offered a soft thank you while getting in my beat up pick-up truck. The drive was quiet but comfortable.

I drove up a large dirt hill and I felt the tension from Brittany, she was nervous.

"You okay Britt?" I looked over quickly and she just nodded while continuing to stare out the front windshield. "We're almost there our destination is just at the top of this hill" I took a chance and reached for her hand clasping them tightly assuring her everything was okay. She smiled softly and squeezed my hand back.

I put the car in park when we finally reached the top of the hill. This was my favorite part of LA you could see everything from here.

Blue eyes were glued to the city and she just smiled that beautiful smile. God how did I get so lucky? It's only been a week but this girl is amazing.

"Wow Santana this view is beautiful" she breathed out and without hesitation I responded yes all the while staring at her. She blushed and looked down. I laughed and hopped out of my truck to grab everything we needed. I spread out the blue quilted blanket, a picnic basket full of food, and small blue-tooth radio. I grasped Brittany's hand and led her to sit on the blanket and get comfortable while I unpacked the food.

"I didn't realize how little picnic baskets held until today so I just packed some peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and Yoo-hoos, I hope that's okay" the blonde just looked at me with her crystal blues and smiled. Her silence made me a little uneasy so I quickly tried to backtrack "I'm sorry we can go to a restaurant and do something more fancy, this was stup…" suddenly I was cut off with a soft finger tip.

Blues locked with brown when she suddenly spoke "I love this Santana, so far it's the best date I've ever been on, sorry I was quiet I was just taking it all in. This is really great thank you" I smiled softly while looking down at our clasped hands. This girl turns me into mush.

After eating my fantastic sandwiches Brittany cuddled up against my side to get warm while we stared out over the city. We had been quiet for a while and when she spoke I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"What's your favorite color?" the blonde asked simply

Almost immediately my response came, "red. Although recently blue seems to be a close second." Another shy smile and I laughed while placing a gentle kiss to her head.

I wanted to ask my own questions and decided to keep up with the simple ones. "What's your favorite movie" (standard date questions).

She pondered for a minute while overlooking the city. I wrapped my arms softly around her waste waiting for an answer.

"Dirty Dancing!" I laughed at her answer and she pouted. I can't take the pout. "I'm sorry, it's just that movie is so old Britt." Oh that felt nice off the tongue.

"Well San" she emphasized that nickname obviously noticing mine for her. "My mom and I used the watch that movie when I was younger and I loved to dance. We learned the entire ending routine before I was nine years old" she looked up at me with a smug smile.

"Well that is pretty impressive, I think you'll have to teach me some day" she nodded while snuggling impossibly closer to me. We spent the next two minutes going back and forth with the normal cliché date questions. Although this date was far from a cliché and my feelings for this girl were out of the world.

Music was softly playing in the background when all of a sudden a very familiar song game "Now I've had the time of my life…"

Blue eyes lit up and basically dragged me off the floor. I clearly did not know the routine but I did let Brittany lead me in a very soft slow dance. Butterflies erupted I my chest when she finally looked at me. Such a beautiful girl I can't get over it. We continued to sway slowly when I titled her chin to look into her eyes.

I leaned in slowly waiting for Brittany to meet me halfway. When I heard her breath hitch I took my chance and captured her perfect lips between mine. Brittany wrapped her arms tighter around my neck and pulled me as close as possible. Her tongue flicked my bottom lip asking for permission that was immediately granted. The kiss felt like it lasted forever when we finally broke apart for air.

Brittany and I separated slowly with shy smiled on our faces. God was she perfect.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her closer to me for a few minutes longer. I realized the temperature had dropped when Brittany shivered in my arms.

I checked my watch noticing the time "Ah Cinderella I think it's time we get you home before you turn into a pumpkin."

"Aren't you wonderful my prince" she said we a laugh. We gathered all our belongings and headed to the truck. I helped Britt into the truck and started our drive back home.

I pulled up in front of her mom's house but refused to let go of her hand that was secured in my lap.

"Well my lady it is time to say goodnight" she pouted but I leaned over to kiss that pout away.

"Text me when you get home San, I really had an amazing time tonight, thank you for taking me" her eyes lit up when I nodded and leaned over to kiss her again. She waved and did a slow job into her house. Once the foyer light was off I was on my way with the biggest smile on my face. I promised myself I wouldn't fall for anyone again…

"LOPEZ! LOPEZ can you hear me?!"

"Sarg! Can you hear me, give me something, anything!"

I couldn't see anything but I could damn well feel everything. The pain. I felt the pain. I heard voices but I couldn't quite make them out. My radio is only a few feet away if I can get through all the debris.

More shouting. More pain. Then darkness.

I promised myself…I promised them.

Thoughts?