AN: Again, I'm so sorry about the wait. As soon as I got internet it crapped out again for like 3 weeks. I really am going to try to update more regularly from now on. Hopefully you all like this new one. We have tears, a little drama, and a lot of sweet moments. And to all of you who reviewed, favorited, or alerted the story, you're awesome. I love hearing what you all think, especially when you like it.

Chapter 4

About an hour passed as Santana sat with Quinn, waiting for her to wake up. Time had never passed so slowly for the young brunette. Tired and stiff from sitting, she got up to stretch her back. As she turned and twisted, her joints cracked, releasing the built up stress. Not wanting to return to her chair, but not willing to leave Quinn alone, she took to pacing slowly across the room. Santana became lost in her thoughts, until a small sound caught her attention. She turned toward the room and saw a small movement on the bed. Quinn's hand moved slightly against the sheets, her fingers drawing inward. In a rush Santana was by her side, taking the blondes hand in hers once again. "Quinn, can you hear me? It's Santana. Come on Q, wake up for me."

Quinn's eyelids fluttered open then closed again. A groan of pain escaped her lips and she tried to open her eyes again, this time successful. She saw her friend hovering over her. "San…" she croaked out, her voice rough and cracked.

"Don't talk yet Quinn. Hold on, I'll get you water." The latina poured a glass of water and gently held it to her lips. "Sip it slowly, don't overdo it." When the water was gone she put the glass back on the table.

"Better," Quinn said. This time her voice sounded more normal. "Where am I San? What happened to me?"

Santana took a breath and prepared herself to explain the situation to her best friend. "You're in the hospital Quinn. You got in an accident on the way to school this morning. Do you remember what happened?"

The blonde's brow furrowed in thought and frustration, "A little. I remember hearing a terrible crunching sound and really sharp smells. Then pain, a lot of pain, and then nothing."

The latina hated hearing first-hand what her friend had gone through. It was difficult to imagine what must have gone through her mind before she blacked out. She was brought back to attention as the blonde struggled to appraise the injuries to her body.

"What all is wrong with me? I still feel a little fuzzy in the head, but I know something is wrong."

Here it goes Santana thought. I have to be the one to tell her. It's how I would want it in her position. She gently held the pale hand in her own. "You got hit really bad Quinn. You dislocated your shoulder and have bruised ribs which will be sore for a while. The glass from the window cut your face up a little, as well as a deep cut on your arm that needed stitches," she paused, afraid to go on and afraid of how Quinn would react.

Quinn spoke up, "You know you can't lie to me Santana. Just say it."

"The accident compressed your spine Q. Your legs don't work right now, and you probably can't feel them," Santana said quietly.

The look on her face said that she finally placed what was wrong. Now that she knew what she was looking for, Quinn automatically placed the problem. Her eyes went wide with shock as she tried to move with no result. As that reality set in she started breathing heavily, ragged. But Santana was there to calm her.

"Quinn, listen to me. You have to stay calm and let me explain. It's not as bad as you think, ok? Now breathe, with me. In and out, nice and slow." The blonde focused in on brown eyes and tried to do as she was told. Her frantic breathing had disturbed her ribs and she knew she was in trouble if she didn't pull it together.

"There you go Quinn," Santana encouraged, "You're doing great. Just keep breathing with me; nice and slow. That's it." Quinn nodded and squeezed the hands holding hers as she started to feel the panic subside. A few deep breaths later and she was back under control.

Santana looked her in the eyes. "Are you ready for me to explain?" The blonde nodded that she was. "Ok then. Papi looked over you; you know he's the best. He is certain that you will get the movement and feeling back in your legs. He says it's going to take a lot of hard work and probably months in physical therapy, but that you will eventually be back to normal. Do you understand? It's not going to be permanent. I know it's going to suck right now, and you'll have to be in a wheelchair for a while, but eventually you'll be good as new."

Quinn looked at Santana, her eyes full of unshed tears, "What am I going to do San?"

The brunette brushed away a tear as it rolled down the bruised cheek. "You're going to let me take care of you Q. I'm going to be right here every step of the way and I'll help you with whatever you need. All you have to do is trust me and just let me be there for you. You aren't in this alone."

Quinn was unable to hold her tears in any longer. Santana slid up onto the bed next to her and gently, carefully, pulled the girl into her side. She couldn't do anything but hold her and tell her it was going to be ok. With her uninjured hand, Quinn clung to the girl like she was a rock in a raging river. At this moment, Santana was the only thing holding her together. And hold her is exactly Santana did until she calmed down and stopped crying.

"I'm sorry," were the first words out of the blonde's mouth when she spoke again. The latina gently turned her chin to face her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Quinn. It's alright to cry and be upset over this. It's normal. You never have to worry about crying on me babe. I've got you."

A small, almost meek smile ghosted across Quinn's features. It didn't go unnoticed. "What," Santana questioned.

"You called me 'babe.' I don't think you've ever called me that before."

Santana made a face at having been caught in her word-slip. "My bad Q…" But she was cut off before she could finish.

"Don't. I kind of like the way it sounded coming from you San. It made me feel special," Quinn confessed quietly.

Now the brunette was the one to smile sheepishly. She didn't really know what to say to that. "We're going to be ok babe. I promise."

They sat smiling at each other until a soft knock on the door grabbed their attention. Santana's father walked in, clipboard in hand. "Quinn, I'm so glad to see you're awake. I guess San has talked to you?" She nodded. "Well I'm here to talk to you about our plan for getting you back to normal."