Santana spends her Sunday sleeping in and having a relaxing day before her first day at work. She isn't exactly worried, but first day jitters are normal for anyone. She decides that she has spent enough time avoiding her friends so after a late afternoon lunch she decides to give them a call and see how they are doing.

She clicks Quinn's contact and waits for her to pick up.

"Hello Santana. It's nice of you to finally call your best friend. I was starting to think you forgot about me." Quinn jokes.

Santana is glad she isn't mad, leaving Quinn behind was hard and she hoped she didn't harbor any bad feelings. "I'm really sorry Quinn. Now that I'm settled I will keep in contact with you more often."

Santana could hear Quinn sigh. "It's okay Santana I understand why you left. What happened couldn't have been easy to deal with."

Santana stiffened that was the last thing she wanted to talk about. "I don't care about that anymore. Believe it or not I'm already happier here than I ever was there."

She heard Quinn scoff. "Thanks. I love you too."

Santana laughed. "You know I didn't mean I wanted to get away from you. Things were just too complicated there. Here it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

"What about being a surgeon, you just can't give it up. You are the best." Quinn argues.

"Quinn, that part of my life is over. I can still be a Doctor and save lives. I just won't be performing complex surgeries on them." She counters.

"But you can't let one mistake define your whole life." Quinn is starting to get annoyed. "You are giving up!"

"Quinn you are starting to overstep. I said that I was done and now I'm trying to move on with my life. Why can't you accept that I might be happier here?" Santana is starting to yell now.

"Are you truly happy?" Quinn ask quietly.

"Truthfully, I wasn't but the more time I spend here the lighter I become." She explains.

"You met someone didn't you?" Quinn's mood shifted drastically.

"Maybe." She says.

"Who is she? What does she look like? What does she do?" Quinn fires off.

Santana laughs. "Slow down! Her name is Brittany, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever set eyes on, and she is the local Sheriff."

"Sheriff? How does she look in her uniform? Does she carry a gun?" Quinn keeps going.

"Jeeze Quinn, you are acting like my mother. She looks smoking in her uniform, and yes she carries a gun and it only increases her hotness level." Santana explains.

Quinn squeals. "Santana is in love! Wait till I tell Kurt he is going to flip out! And what about your mother she is going to be so happy!"

Santana gasps. "I said nothing about love. Mild infatuation maybe, but not love. We just met two days ago, and don't you dare tell my mother anything she questions me enough if you tell her I'm in love she will never leave me alone."

"You can deny it all you want Santana, but I can hear it in your voice. You have never talked about your past girlfriends like this." Says Quinn. "I won't tell your mother now, but you know she will know something is up, she has that sixth sense."

Santana's sigh. "Yeah I know, I'll talk to her later, but nothing is going on with Britt and I we are just friends."

"For now. You have to make a move Santana." Quinn laughs.

"It's not that easy Quinn, she has two kids." Santana explains.

"She's a mother!" Quinn screams. "Why didn't that come up earlier? What happened to the father?"

Santana was stuck. She actually hadn't even thought about that, she was having too much fun yesterday to even question how Emily and Nate came into this world.

The silence on her end gave Quinn the answer to her question. "You haven't asked have you?"

"Well, I didn't think about it till now and what am I supposed to say?" Santana finally says.

"If you are serious about her eventually you are going to have to ask." Quinn points out. "You don't know whether someone is going to come in at any time and screw everything up."

"I think it's too early for that still. We are still getting to know each other. I haven't even asked her out. We hung out at the park yesterday when I ran into them on accident." She says.

"Yeah I guess you are right, but remember that getting involved with someone with kids is complicated. You have to think about their feelings as well." Says Quinn.

"I know but her kids are amazing. I think I'm just as much attached to them as I am to their mother." Santana sighs.

"Everything is going to be alright Santana. I am sorry about pushing you earlier. You really do sound happy." Quinn chuckles. "I am so calling Kurt after this. Expect a phone call from him screaming in a few hours."

"Thanks Q. You'll have to come visit soon with Lady Hummel." She laughs. "You never know you might like it so much you'll never want to leave."

"I seriously doubt that. I love civilization too much." Quinn laughs. "I'll talk to later Santana, take care."

"See ya Quinn. Have fun talking to Kurt about my love life." Says Santana.

"Oh we will." Quinn says before hanging up.

Santana chuckles to herself than clicks the end button. She places her phone on the counter and heads of to her bedroom to straighten out what she is going to wear for her first day at work.

Xxxxxxx

It's about noon on Monday when Santana finally has time to breathe. She has been moving nonstop since eight this morning. Going patient to patient helping people with allergies to those with regular health problems. Nothing has been exciting, but that was the point of moving here to get a vacation from all the commotion.

Unfortunately she might have thought that a little too soon. "Santana we are getting a call in on the emergency radio, they are requesting a physician to be on hand. Apparently a hiker fell down a cliff and they are going in to rescue him now, but they don't know how badly he is injured." Tina looks at Santana apologetically.

"Alright, tell Sue I'm heading out right now and radio them and tell them I'll be there in five." Santana takes of her lab coat and hurries out the door. The adrenaline she is feeling right now is through the roof, she almost forgot the feeling.

Santana pulls her car up beside the other emergency vehicles and climbs out immediately moving over where the EMT's are standing. "Excuse me I'm Dr. Lopez, can anyone tell me what's going on?"

The closest EMT extends his hand. "I'm Randy, Dr. Lopez. We are sure glad you are here. You never know what kinds of injuries are accompanied with these kinds of situations. With the nearest hospital so far a way, it's comforting for these people to get checked out by someone a little more qualified than yours truly." He laughed a little looking towards the site of the accident.

"That's good to know, but can you tell me what is happening?" Santana is starting to get irritated.

"Right. Sure. 38 year old hiker fell down a crevice about fifty feet up that way. No word yet on his injuries." Randy rambles off pointing up ahead.

"I thought it was a cliff he fell off, what is taking so long in retrieving him?" she asks.

"Well it was more like he fell between two cliffs into a small cave. The problem is that the area is small and we only have one trained person who is able to retrieve him."

As Randy was talking Santana spotted Brittany making her way over to them. "Santana can you come with me?" ask Brittany holding up the yellow police tape.

Santana ducked underneath and fell in step with Brittany. "Do you know the condition of the patient?" she asks.

"He was conscience about ten minutes ago, but since we haven't heard anything. We are waiting for the equipment to get here." Brittany is looking around when her eyes fall on to a Sheriff's cruiser speeding down the road. "There they are, we can get started now." She walks over the car and takes off her utility belt and in exchange the officer in the car gives her a harness.

Santana is frozen for a moment. She didn't even think to consider that the person repelling down the side of a cliff wall was going to be Brittany. "What are you doing? Shouldn't someone else be doing that?" she can't keep the slight panic out of her voice.

Brittany scoffs at this. "Believe me Santana I am over qualified for this."

Santana isn't quite sure what to make of that statement, but she doesn't let it phase her. "You don't know what kind of conditions are down there, the whole damn thing could collapse!" she is slightly jogging now to keep up with Brittany's much longer stride. When all of a sudden Brittany turns around and grabs her by the shoulder.

"Listen to me Santana, I will be fine, but if we don't get that hiker out of the cave he will die. I need you to stay up here and keep calm." Brittany is looking in her eyes and nodding her head. "Besides if something were to happen to me I have a renowned Doctor waiting." She says the last part with a small wink.

Santana is surprised at how calmly Brittany is taking all these, she even has the nerve to flirt. Maybe she did underestimate Brittany's capabilities, but it doesn't take her worry away. "Please, just be careful." She makes Brittany look her in the eyes and waits for a response. Brittany surprisingly wraps her in a hug and whispers in her ear. "Always."

With those words Brittany is throwing her legs over the side and quickly disappears from view. Someone hands Santana a walkie talkie and she awaits to the news. The radio crackles and Brittany's voice comes over. "It looks like he is unconscious, he has a pretty big gash in his head." A few moments pass by in silence. "His leg is in pretty bad shape. It's bent at an angle and the bone is protruding."

"Sheriff, we are sending down the equipment to stabilize him, are you able to get him on the backboard." Asks a burly looking officer, Santana assumes it must be Brittany's second-in-command.

"I think so, but we have to hurry the walls in here don't look stable. His fall must have dislodged a support stone. When you lift him up you have to make sure you don't hit the walls, or you could send this whole cave down on me." Brittany replies.

Santana is holding her breath as she watches the back board lowered down. She can hear through the radio Brittany working on placing the hiker on it. "Your all set, but remember to go slow and be careful." She shouts through the radio.

Santana watches as four officers slowly pull the hiker out of the cave. Just when Santana thought they did it, a loud BOOM echoes through the air and the air around them is covered in dust. As it clears away Santana can see where the officers were able to pull the hiker to safety at the last minute, but Brittany was still stuck down there. Santana grabs the radio she dropped in the explosion and screams. "BRITTANY!"

The radio is silent for long moments, for Santana that time felt like a lifetime. Finally she hears the radio click and coughing on the otherside. "Brittany?"

"I'm okay San, there is just a lot a dust down here. I think I hit my head on a rock when I dove out of the way." Brittany says tiredly but clearly. "Did the hiker make it okay?"

Santana is relieved for the moment, but the feeling of hopelessness in her chest isn't going to disappear till she can see Brittany herself. "He's fine I'm going to check him out right now, but you better get your ass out of that whole so I can check on you tool."

"Yes ma'am. I have no thoughts of staying down here longer than necessary. I will see you in a few minutes." The radio clicks and goes silent. Santana hands her radio back to the officer she got it from and then heads over the hiker.

She checks him out and as far as she can see he has no other injuries than the broken leg and most likely a concussion. "Send him up to the hospital in Wilson. He is going to need surgery on his leg and they need to scan his head for any long term damage, but he should be able to make the trip fine. Make sure if he wakes up to give him something for the pain. He is going to be hurting later." Santana pulled off the gloves she had on and walked over to the crevice to wait for Brittany. She didn't have to wait too long when she saw a pale hand thrown over the side. She hurried over and grasped Brittany's hand helping her over and holding her as she caught her breath.

"That didn't go as smoothly as I thought." Brittany joked.

Santana gave her a glare that would normally send most people packing, but just caused Brittany to smile wider. Santana stood in front of the blonde and ran her fingers gently across her forehead where there was a 2 inch gash. "You need to come to the clinic with me you are going to need sutures." She gave Brittany a stern look leaving her no room to argue.

Brittany gave orders to her officers to finish with the scene and get everything cleaned up, including a sign for future hiker's to beware of the dangers ahead. She climbed into Santana's car and they were off to the clinic. The ride over was made in silence. Santana wasn't sure whether she was more mad or relieved at Brittany. She had an uneasy feeling that this wasn't the first nor the last time that the blonde will put herself in danger to save others.

As they entered the clinic they were both assaulted with a barrage of questions from Tina. After reassuring her that Brittany was fine Tina led them to an empty exam room, and left to tell Sue that everyone was all right.

Santana motioned for Brittany to sit on the table while she put on gloves and got the sutures ready. "How badly does your head hurt?" she asks.

"I've had worse." Brittany smiles.

"That is not what I asked." Santana tilts her head.

"It's nothing some Tylenol won't cure." Brittany finally relents.

Santana nods her head hoping that Brittany is telling the truth. She goes and stands in between the blondes legs. She dabs the wound with disinfectant and a numbing agent before quickly fixing her up. "You are going to have to come back in five days to get this removed." Santana looks Brittany in the eye waiting for her conformation. Brittany nods and looks between Santana's eyes and down to her lips. Santana's breath hitches in her throat, she had been too preoccupied by fixing Brittany that she didn't realize just how close the two of them were standing. She could feel Brittany breath hitting her cheek, and she flushed as feel Brittany's legs enclosing her on both sides.

Neither of them said anything, but the electricity surrounding them was dangerous. Santana would just have to move in a few centimeters and she would meet Brittany's lips with her own. Unfortunately they were brought out of their moment when the exam room door opened and Dr. Sylvester barged in, causing Santana to jump from in between Brittany's legs to a respectable distance away. Sue looked between them, but sad nothing instead going over to Brittany and inspecting her head.

"Are you okay? Are you experiencing any dizziness, headaches, blurriness-"Sue rambles off before getting cut off by Brittany. "I'm okay Aunt Sue it's just a small cut, San fixed me up and I'm all set to go." Brittany smiled and grabbed her Aunt's hand to reassure her.

Sue looked skeptical but saw the clarity in Brittany's eyes and nodded. "Good work Santana, why don't you take the rest of the day off and make sure my niece here gets home safe and stays that way." Sue left the room leaving no room for comments.

Santana looks at Brittany and all she can think about is the almost kiss between them, being alone in a room together is a dangerous thing. She clears her throat and motions her head towards the door. "Why don't we get out of here?"

Brittany nods. "Can we pick up the kids on the way, if I'm going to be stuck at home today I might as well have them with me."

"Sure. Where do they usually stay when you work? Do you have family that watches them?" Santana asks as she gathers her belongings. After not receiving an answer she turns and sees Brittany has turned a pale color. She rushes over and grabs her arm. "Brittany are you alright? It looks as though you have seen a ghost."

Brittany shakes her head and closes her eyes when they reopen it looks as if nothing had happened, she smiles and responds. "Just lost in a memory. Don't worry happens all the time." She steps around Santana and walk out the door, leaving a wondering Santana as to the story behind the mysterious blonde Sheriff.

Xxxxxxx

Santana drives following the directions that Brittany had given her. Apparently there is a small daycare that watches the kids during the day.

"One of the reasons I moved back here was so I would be able to spend as much time with the kids while still working. I try to keep normal hours and only work the weekends when I have to." Brittany tells Santana while staring out the window. "Working in a big city, I would never have been able to spend time with them."

Since she mentioned family in the clinic Brittany has been unusually quiet. Even though she has only known the woman a few days she knows that Brittany is usually a cheerful person, but Santana wonders if that persona is just an act for the town and her kids. She really wants to know the person behind the mask, but doesn't want to overstep her bounds. She decides to just let Brittany come to her. "That's very noble of you, I'm sure working in a city would be much more up your alley." She smiles when Brittany looks over at her.

"A few years ago I might have agreed, but now that I am here I doubt I would ever be able to assimilate myself into a big city atmosphere." Brittany goes back to looking out the window.

Santana laughs. "I know what you mean. I have only been here four days and I don't think I ever want to leave."

Brittany's mood lightens drastically when they pull into the drive of what looks like a normal house. They both step out and walk up the front porch. As they enter Santana can see the difference that she wasn't able to see from the outside. Inside the house is crowed with children from infants to thirteen year olds running around having fun. Even through all the commotion though the place looks to be in order.

Santana can spot Emily playing with other girls her age with Barbie's. Nate is on the other side of the room playing with a monster truck. A small looking woman spots Brittany and walks on over. When she opens her mouth Santana is surprised at the high pitch sound that comes out as well as the speed of her talking.

"Brittany! What a surprise! We weren't expecting you for another couple of hours. The kids are having a great time. Wait! What happened to your head? Did you get hurt again? What have I said about the dangers of that job?" the girls stops a second and looks at Santana, "Who is this? Is this your new girlfriend? Why didn't you tell me you met someone? You could double date me Finn and me-"

Brittany interrupts her. "Rachel as much as I would like to chat with you right now I just came to take my kids home early. Also Santana is just my friend, but it she was my girlfriend I would not make her endure a dinner date with you and your husband, as the enforcer of laws that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment." Brittany smiles and walks over to her kids.

Santana laughs at the face that Rachel pulls as she walks over to take care of a kid who just threw a toy. Santana takes a step forward when a small body suddenly collides with her legs. Looking down she is met with the face of little Emily. "Hi Sanny! What are you and Mommy doing here so early?"

Santana leans down and lifts Emily onto her hip. "Your Mommy hit her head today so she has to go home and rest." Emily looks worried for a moment but Santana reassures her. "She's okay Emily she just needs to rest. Do you know what else she needs?" Emily shakes her head and Santana whispers something in her ear. Emily nods her understanding and Santana sets her down before she runs over to her mother. Grabbing onto Brittany's shirt and tugging Brittany leans down and Emily kisses her on the forehead.

Brittany leans back up and smiles while wrapping her daughter in a hug. "What was that for?" she asks.

Emily looks up and says. "Sanny says you had a boo boo and you need a kiss to make it all better. Is it all better now?"

Brittany laughs and nods. "Sanny was right. I'm feeling a lot better now. You must have magical kisses."

Emily smiles back at Santana and gives her a thumbs up. While Brittany, Emily, and Nate make their way over to Santana Nate also runs up and gives her a big hug. "Sanny are you coming to hang out with us?" he asks grabbing her hand as they walk out the door.

Santana looks at Brittany who nods her head. "I would love to. What are we going to do?"

Nate thinks for a moment before answering. "We could build a fort in the living room than watch a movie. We haven't done that in a long time." He looks hopefully at his mother.

Emily instantly agrees and Brittany has no choice but to go along with her two children. "A fort it is!"

Xxxxxxx

Santana follows Brittany's directions and is soon pulling up to a modest looking two story home. The house is the picture of domestically. There is a white picket fence and toys scattered in the front yawn. Nate gets the keys from his mother and the kids run ahead to open the door. Upon entering Santana is surprised at the feelings of home she gets. Usually when she enters someone else's house she feels awkward, but here she feels as though she fits in.

The kids immediately run off and come back with their arms laden with comforters and pillows. They make several trips back and forth till the living room is filled with enough blankets to keep an army warm.

"Hey San, can you help them build the fort and I will go make snacks for everybody." Brittany looks at her awaiting an answer.

Santana smiles. "Of course." She turns to the kids. "I would have you know I am an expert builder."

Twenty minutes later and the fort is built and Brittany enters carry popcorn and juice for all. "Wow! You guys did an awesome job."

Emily laughs. "It was all Sanny. She was right she is an awesome fort builder."

As the kids settle down with their snack Brittany goes to the TV to pick out a movie. She pops into the player, grabs the remote and goes to sit behind her kids on the other side of Santana.

Emily turns around and shakes her head. "You guys can't sit that far apart. You have to sit close enough to cuddle." Nate nods his head in agreement. "Don't say you don't like to cuddle Mom you are always saying you can't watch a movie without cuddling."

Brittany laughs nervously. "Why don't I cuddle with one of you?"

Emily grabs her brother's hand and scoots over. "Nate is my cuddle buddy, which leaves you and Sanny."

The kids turn around to focus on the movie but Santana can hear them giggling. They both keep sneaking glances back at the grownups.

Truthfully Santana loves to secretly cuddle and the kids just made her day by forcing Brittany to cuddle with her.

Emily makes a coughing noise that forces both grownups out of their thinking. Brittany moves over till there is almost no room left between them.

Santana's breathing gets shallow and she can feel the heat that is radiating off of Brittany's body. She drags her focus off of Brittany and to the Disney movie that is playing in front of her, hoping that by the end of the night she doesn't need a cold shower.

Xxxxxxx

By the time that the first movie is over the kids are happily snoring under a blanket as well as Brittany. Somewhere in the middle of the movie Brittany's head fell onto Santana's shoulder and her arm around her waist. Santana could hear the light snoring sounds coming from the blonde and tried to remain absolutely still so to not ruin the moment.

Santana spent the rest of the time ignoring the movie and instead focusing on the beauty beside her. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. The loud ending credits caused Brittany to jump awake and still in Santana's arms.

She leans up and looks at Santana's face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you." She yawns a bit and stretches her arms.

Santana is momentarily distracted when Brittany's shirt rides up and she catches a sliver of perfectly defined abs. Her throat goes dry and her mind goes blank. All she can think about is the feeling of riding that perfectly toned stomach. She realizes that Brittany has been talking to her and snaps out of her daze. "What did you say?"

Brittany laughs. "I asked if you wanted pizza. I was going to order some for dinner."

Santana nods. "Pizza sounds great!"

Brittany gets up and heads to the kitchen. "Would you mind waking up the kids if they sleep now they will be up all night?"

Santana chastises herself at having inappropriate thoughts about Brittany while her children were sitting just a few feet away. She scoots over to the kids and gently shakes them awake. Emily opens her eyes first and looks around. She spots Santana but keeps looking for her mother. "Your Mom went to order pizza." Santana explains.

Emily nods, but then gets up excitedly. "Did you guys kiss?"

Santana is thrown by the comment. "What?"

Emily gets closer to whisper. "That's why we wanted you to cuddle, so you guys can get closer."

Santana keeps goes along with Emily and whispers back. "Why do you want us closer?"

By this time Nate is also awake and he answers. "Because Mom is lonely. All the other kids at daycare and school have two parents, but we only have one. What happens when we get older and Mommy is left all alone? Nobody should be alone."

Santana is flabbergasted usually when kids with only one parent insist on finding someone for their parent it is because the kids want to have a normal family, but the reason behind Nate an Emily's motivation warms Santana's heart. Who would have thought that these two young kids would put so much thought into their mother's future well-being?

Emily looks at Santana. "You do like our Mommy don't you?"

Santana is conflicted. "Of course I do. She is a great friend."

Nate shakes his head. "No. Do you like like our Mom?"

Santana sighs. "Guys it isn't that easy. I don't know whether your mother likes me like that."

Both kids laugh. "We know she does. The day after the park she was acting just like the characters in cartoons. She had this dreamy look on her face. Trust us she likes you." Nate reaffirms.

Santana laughs at their comparison. "Listen I'm not going to lie I do like you Mom, but things like this are complicated."

Emily looks confused. "What is so complicated if you like her and she likes you than you date, than you can get married, and have babies. I really want to be a big sister. So the sooner you start the faster they will get here." Emily gives her head one final nod.

Santana looks between them. "How about this. I will ask your mother on a date, but you guys have to stay out of this okay. If you push us it's just going to push us farther apart. We have to get there on our own."

Emily and Nate both nod agreeing. They all go silent when Brittany enters back in the room carry the recently delivered pizza. She looks between them. "Am I missing something?"

All three shake their heads fervently. Brittany laughs than sets the pizza down in the center and everybody digs in. After the pizza is gone and the sun is starting to set, they decide to watch one more movie before calling it a night. They get in the same positions they started the last one in. Now knowing what she does Santana gets a little bolder and drapes her arm over Brittany's shoulders causing the blonde to snuggle into her side and let out a light sigh. Santana leans her chin on the top of Brittany's head and runs her hand though the blonde locks, content to keep doing this for the rest of the night.

About halfway through the movie the kids are once again passed out. Brittany started rubbing small circles on Santana's stomach and Santana has moved her hand from Brittany's hair to her side rubbing slightly. By this time Santana is so turned on that is getting uncomfortable. She keeps moving trying to quell the feeling's she is having below her pants. Brittany catches on to the movement and looks at Santana's face.

Before Santana can make an excuse for all the moving Brittany's mouth is on hers. Santana is stunned for a moment but kisses right back. She runs her tongue over Brittany's lips begging for entrance, which is immediately granted. Each of them is battling for dominance, but neither can take complete control. Brittany's hand sneaks under Santana's shirt and moves up her stomach. At the feeling Santana's mind clicks into place as to where they are. "Britt..Britt. We have to stop your kids are sitting right there." Santana disengages herself from Brittany and scoots away a little. Brittany is looking flustered and a little ashamed.

"I'm so sorry Santana. I don't know where that came from. I couldn't help myself I have been wanting to do that since we met in the diner." Brittany looks down into her lap.

Santana scoots back over and grabs Brittany's chin. "There is nothing to be sorry about, I was just hoping I could take you on a date before everything got to hot and heavy." She chuckles. "I also pictured us alone." She said looking over at the sleeping children.

Brittany glances their way and nods. "I can't believe I lost control like that. What if they had saw? What would I have told them? I've never been in this kind of situation before."

Santana once again grabs her hand. "Something tells me they would have been fine." She glances around then looks Brittany back in the eyes. "So what do you say about that date?"

Brittany laughs. "I think that I would have to say yes."


Thanks for reading. As I am in school as a Criminal Justice major, I am not going to pretend I know anything about the Medical field. In light of that anything medically written is what i have learned from Grey's Anatomy and I am sorry if it is not wholly correct. I probably won't go into much detail, so if it seems a little vague it's because of my lack of knowledge.

All rights to Glee are belong solely to Fox.