Ok so this chapter is now my favourite so far, and also the easiest to write. Also due to my wild imagination and changes to the outline, this story is going past 5 chapters. Thanks again, for reviewing and following. Enjoy this one :)

Chapter 4: Tears and Smiles

Santana's POV

My alarm goes off at 9am, and I hit it violently to silence it. Last night I couldn't sleep. The dinner I had with Brittany gave me so much adrenaline, I could not lay still on my bed. Maybe it was also the coke – Those tend to keep me up late.

It's been a while since I've needed coffee in the morning, but I'm practically dragging my feet to the coffee shop in the courtyard. My hair wasn't even brushed yet, as I down the caffeine, and trudge back to my room.

I see Puck, walking coma-tosed down the hallway. I giggle and open my door.

My phone buzzes when I flop on my bed. I answer it after 5 rings. A familiar voice wakes me up. Looks like I don't need another coffee.

I hear the voice of Holly Holiday, my college professor I had for media studies. Her classes were never boring. She's one of those teachers who doesn't have rules and can easily relate to young people. We kept in contact after I graduated because she's kinda cool.

'So, enjoying London? Meet any hot girls?'

She was the first person I came out to. My family eventually came around, thrilled at the prospect of me not getting accidentally pregnant.

All Holly's question did was create an image of Brittany's face in my head. The past 12 hours, I can't seem to get her out of my head. It's boarderline obsession.

I answer her confidently. 'Yes I have.'

I hear Holly gasp. 'Good for you girl. What's her name?'

Something in my head defends Brittany. 'She's a swimmer. I prefer to keep her identity secret for now.'

'A swimmer? Nice going Lopez. I'm sorta jealous.'

'You're dating that dancer.' And as soon as I said that, Brittany enters my mind again.

'Yeah but he's getting old. I need someone young.'

'I'll see if there's any swimmers on the American team who are single.' I say.

'A girl can dream but thankyou Santana. I must be off. Bye.'

With that, I get dressed and head down to the front of the dorm to meet Brittany.

Neutral POV

The sun beams down on Brittany, who is sitting on one of the Olympic rings. She looks back to the door for the hundredth time for Santana. She wouldn't admit, but she's been here since 7am, eager not to sleep in and miss her.

Santana emerges and Brittany jumps up with a smile like the sun. She runs over and hugs her furiously. 'Sorry, just happy to see you.' Brittany plays down the gesture, hiding her blush.

Santana laughs and loops their arms, walking to the aquatic centre, bags in tow.

Sam and Quinn are sitting in the stands and wave at them. 'Hey guys.' Brittany says hugging them. She turns to the girl next to her. 'This is Santana Lopez.'

The three are trying not to smirk, while Brittany looks between them with a puzzled face.

'I meet them yesterday Britt. I went to see you in your room, but you weren't there, and I meet these two celebrating.'

Brittany frowns then smiles. 'Oh yeah, you two wanted to get drunk.' She says looking at her coaching team.

The LCD screen ticks over 10:05am. 'Time for practice.' Brittany muses.

The first front row seats are taken by Santana's feet as she settles in to watch Brittany start laps.

Water splashes up with every stroke, and soon enough, 4 laps are done. Brittany emerges from the water out of breathe, and looks up at Santana's concerned face. ''I'm fine. Morning swim brushes out the sleep in me.'

2 more laps and she's on to foot work. The commands called out by her coaching team are droned out as Brittany focuses on one thing: impressing Santana.

After a lengthy practice session, Sam and Quinn part for lunch, however Brittany remains in the pool. Santana now comes to the poolside, and watches as Brittany trudges out to the centre of the pool and grins.

'Time for swim dancing!'

Laughter is heard from the poolside as Brittany breaks out the moves, doing a hand stand with amazing footwork in the air. Santana is in awe and amusement. She does twists and body locks, all the while trying not to burst out laughing at her actions.

They retire for lunch 10 minutes later, laughing all the way to the cafeteria.

Brittany's POV

Practice was fun today, something it hasn't been in a while. I reply the moments as I get out my laptop and Skype call my family.

When my mums face appears, I don't know whether to cry or not. She does it for me. 'I'm so proud of you Brittany. The whole family is. I almost fainted when you won. I couldn't stop crying when they gave you the medal.'

I watch as my mum tries to stop crying now. My dad comes to say hi. 'Hey kiddo. Congratulations.'

'Thanks daddy.' I say with a grin.

'Everyone misses you here, even your cat. He hasn't eaten for a while…'

My heart drops. 'Put him on webcam.' I see him retrieve Lord Tubbington, struggling to hold him up.

I reassure my cat that I miss him too and to eat something. He meows at me and I hold back a sob.

My mum recomposes and we have a heart-felt no tears conversation. It left me feeling immensely full of pride. I showed them the medal, giving me another round of applause.

I watch my cat ruffling the rug beneath his feet, looking at me through the webcam. I wish I could hold him.

My dad sits down now, taking out something from a bag. I recognize what is immediately. My flippers. He holds them up. 'Remember these Brit?'

'Yeah dad.'

'You never gave up. You're a true Pierce.' He says sincerely. 'You made any friends?'

I think of Santana and smile. 'Yeah dad.' Maybe more than that.

He nods in approval and waves goodbye.

I remember an arrangement I made with Santana earlier, getting dressed and walk out to her room.

Santana's POV

We walk with linked arms to the local cinema, dusk out.

Today was such a good time that I convinced Brittany to see a movie with me tonight, to take her mind off the relay tomorrow. I look at her now, contently smiling up at the times board. 'Whatcha wanna see?'

My question fazes her, a growing confused look on her face. 'I don't know.' She sighs in frustration. Then see lights up and points to a board displaying an animated movie. 'That one.' I laugh in realization. 'Ice Age 4?'

She gives me a pout. 'I like kid animation movies.'

I smile at her. 'Ok.' I pay the box office lady and get popcorn.

'Wait!' Brittany says pointing at the promotional toys. 'Can I get that?' She says softly to me.

'Sure.' I reply, grabbing the toy and paying.

We bound down the theatre stairs, popcorn in hand, scanning for a good spot. We settle on the 3rd last row from the back, scuffling through the seats to the middle ones.

Music softly plays as Brittany flips through her phone, then brings it up in front of us. 'Photo time.'

I smile as she takes, grinning when I see the picture of us becoming her background.

I eat popcorn, with Brittany quietly protesting. 'I thought you weren't supposed to start eating the popcorn till the movie starts.'

'Screw waiting.' I say flicking a piece to the row in front of us, Brittany grabbing a handful. We eat it in silent, watching people, mainly kids, filing in.

The lights dim, previews displaying on the screen. Brittany watches them while I sneakily take a pic of her. It was one of her side on, watching the screen with a sideway smile – if I didn't know any better, she was smiling at me.

After a while the credits start, and Brittany claps in excitement. I giggle at how cute she is, sipping on coke.

5 minutes in she whispers to me. 'That mammoth really needs a haircut. Hey thanks for taking me out tonight Santana.' 'No problem.' I whisper back, then add, 'And you're right, he does need a haircut.'

Throughout the movie I steal glances at Brittany, seemly engrossed in the movie. The way the light was reflecting off the screen to her face was beautiful. While I was thinking this, I felt something warm hit my hand. I look down at Brittany linking our hands together.

A smile crosses my face and I run my thumb across her palm.

The bad leopard just got stopped, and around me, kids breathe out in relief, much like Brittany does.

When the girl and guy mammoth reunite and link trunks, it was the perfect moment. I took a deep breath and turned to Brittany. She didn't seem fazed as I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. It lasted for about 5 seconds, but it was heaven.

I pull back to a shy smile gracing her face and I squeeze her hand, smiling back,

The movie finished 20 minutes later, the kids rejoicing in Sid dancing to the credits.

We walk out, hand in hand, back to the athlete's village.

That was so much fun to write. I haven't seen Ice Age 4, so I made up what I think would be in the movie. I felt it was the right time to make a move in their relationship development. Hope you liked it. Up next, relay, more kisses and a swimming team party.

ollgg