A/N: Hi guys! I had a bit of an argument with my laptop when it wiped my hard drive, which is partly why this is so late. Thanks to everyone still reading and thanks so much for the reviews and favourites and alerts :D

So, here we go, the last chapter. It's a little shorter than normal, but I hope it's adequate for everyone and that you enjoy this chapter! Oh also, it changes back into Santana's perspetive, mainly because I wrote that scene first, and trying to change it back into third person didn't work so well, but I hope it's obvious!

This chapter is dedicated to gleeeeeeeek89, she has reviewed every chapter (I believe) and has shared rants with me and given me some very supportive, long, lovely reviews…so thanks. Here's to you :D

Thanks again, and reviews would be much appreciated, as ever!


Brittany bounced on the balls of her feet whilst sitting on the chair in the waiting room. The chair was covered by a scratchy brown cloth that left a pattern on the skin of her palm when she gripped too hard at the seat beneath her knees. Every few seconds she would twist her head from one side of the room to the other. She would see the paintings of non-descript feels with pale flowers and the shadows of people looking out onto sunsets that weren't bright enough to be completely happy. The inoffensive pale paint on the walls and overly enthusiastic motivational posters that reminded Brittany of the pamphlets she and Santana had been given by Miss Pillsbury after Finn opened his big stupid mouth.

She still hadn't forgiven him.

Every time her eyes swept back towards the reception (with the pretty, tall, blonde receptionist that made Santana blush a little when they arrived and Brittany had to smother her laughter, especially when Santana tried to reassure her that she was the only women she wanted) she would stare for several seconds at the certificates and informative posters behind the desk (and the pretty, tall, blonde receptionist that made Santana blush).

Finally she heard the clear click of the door opening and her eyes darted towards it (like those iron flakes in the sealed petri dish Brittany had as a child that she would manipulate by a magnet) and Santana walked through followed by a woman, Amy, with neat dark hair and a dark trouser suit.

She had been crying and Brittany automatically moved towards her, before she stopped herself, freezing awkwardly. Santana still wasn't always comfortable showing affection in front of adults. But Santana moved a second after Brittany did and they were soon tangled together, Santana pressing her nose into Brittany's neck.

"She did really well, Ms Pierce. And it's good to know she has someone there for her." Amy's voice was soothing and confident and she smiled gently at them. "Now, I want you to take a deep breath Santana and go and make the next appointment and I will see you then okay?"

Santana took a deep breath (and Brittany couldn't stop the giggle at the tickling breath against her neck) before she turned around and nodded. "Thanks Amy, I will." She grabbed Brittany's hand before she walked towards the desk (with the pretty, tall, blonde receptionist that made Santana get her phone number wrong and Brittany have to bite her lip to stop embarrassing Santana further).

When they finally got back into the car Brittany couldn't hold in her giggles, which only got worse when Santana tried to explain herself and ended up sulking until Brittany reached forward to kiss and stroke her cheek.

"I'm proud of you Dollface. Now, how about ice cream? Please?"


It was Valentine's day next week.

It was Valentine's day next week and Santana actually had someone she was in love with to spend it with.

It was Valentine's day next week and Santana had no idea what to do or what to get Brittany to have made all the messy conversations and lies and waiting over the past few years' worth it.

No idea at all.

She sighed and slammed her locker closed harder than she meant to, her body immediately jumping and her left hand rushed to her chest where her heart was beating a hundred miles an hour.

"Jesus Wheezy! For someone so big you sure are creepily silent!" Mercedes smiled smugly and hooked her arm through Santana's. "Um, talking is one thing Wheezy, but touching? No." Santana tried to pull her arm away, but Mercedes was surprisingly strong.

"I wanted to ask your opinion on something, something that from what I've seen, you are an expert in."

Santana stopped them, and twirled her body to face Mercedes. "Okay Aretha, you're either being overly flattering in the incorrect hope that I will help you, or you're lulling me into a false sense of security and are about to insult me. Either way, hurry up."

Mercedes sighed, Santana's willingness to say exactly what she was thinking was the main reason she wanted to talk to her, but it did make broaching things harder. "Well, how did you know you loved Brittany? I mean, you're surrounded by pretty girls, in glee and Cheerios, mostly wearing very little clothing," Santana couldn't stop the smirk at this, and Mercedes nudged her shoulder lightly. "Well, how did you know it was Brittany?" Santana was already half way through a biting remark, until Mercedes' voice softened and her eyes flickered with tears as her hands pulled at the hem of her shirt nervously.

"This is about Trouty Mouth and The Wall isn't it?" When Mercedes didn't answer, Santana sighed and pulled Mercedes towards the locker room. "You know all those bullshit romance movies? And all those sappy clichéd romantic gestures like, opening doors and offering to carry your stuff and, and looking at you when they sing love songs?" Mercedes nodded, slowly, not following where Santana was going. "When someone who does all those things makes your heart beat faster and butterflies in your stomach and makes you feel like you are the only two people in the room or that matter, they are the one that you should pick. And, I don't care what anyone says, only one person at a time will make you feel all of those things. Both of them might make you feel some of those things, but not all of them." Santana stopped and held Mercedes gaze, waiting for her words to sink it. When Mercedes nodded and smiled gently, Santana squeezed her arm before turning towards the door. "Oh, and Wheezy, if you tell anyone, and I mean anyone, about this conversation, I don't care how good you sound, I'm never singing with you again. Understand me?"

Mercedes couldn't help the automatic eye roll and laugh that bounced around the empty locker room. "Yeah Satan, I understand, thanks." Santana didn't turn, just snorted and waved her hand in farewell. "And Santana? Brittany will love whatever you get her, however clichéd or sappy. In fact, knowing Brittany she will probably like it more if it's really clichéd and sappy." Santana laughed before she pushed through the door and back into the corridor.


Santana had no idea there were so many different types of stuffed ducks.

Like literally, hundreds.

Ones with sparkles, ones that were so real looking it was creepy, ones that were so un-real that they looked like they were designed by toddles on acid, ones that were so brightly coloured it made her eyes hurt and ones that were so dull she wondered what kid would want one.

She walked up and down the aisles repeatedly, picked up a duck that was perfect, before she found one she thought was more perfect and switched, until she would walk further down and find another one that was even more perfect. She let out a frustrated huff before turning once more and colliding into a solid body.

"Looking for something for Brittany?"

"Sammy." Santana crossed her arms and tried to glare at him, but he continued to smile at her gently and she sighed. "Yes. Who knew that someone above is out to punish me by having a ridiculous amount of stuffed ducks to pick from."

Sam couldn't help smile, and punched her shoulder gently. "Well, which one did you pick up first? You know her best, so your instinctual reaction is the one you want."

"That's idiotic. You have to think about important things like presents. You can't just take the first one your lay your hands on." Santana huffed.

"Santana, which one did you pick up first." She sighed dramatically again before she stormed off down to the end and aggressively grabbing a duck at the back of the bottom shelf, then glared at it before holding it out to Sam.

He laughed before walking down to take the duck. It was small, it could fit easily in the palm of his hand, covered in soft, dark yellow fur and a black too-small top hat tilted on the side of it's head. It was wearing a black dinner jacket and silver tap shoes with pink hearts on the toes. He heard Santana mumble something, then frowned and shook his head to indicate he didn't understand her.

Santana sighed, kicking the bottom of the shelf before she crossed her arms over her chest again. "They…you can get them to…like, stich on your initials on the tap shoes." Sam looked at her surprised she knew that, causing Santana to roll her eyes at him. "It's written on the tag Guppy." He nodded before passing the small duck between his hands a few times.

"She'll love it. But make sure you get the shoes –"

"Tap shoes." Santana interrupted before she could stop herself.

"Sorry, tap shoes initialled with both of your initials. She'll love it Santana." She huffed before she punched him, throwing a muttered 'whatever' over her shoulder before she walked away. Then suddenly she turned and brusquely marched back, gently picked the duck from his hands and walked towards the cash registers, Sam smiling after her.


They were driving back from Santana's second session with Amy, Brittany driving whilst Santana idly played with her free hand. "Brittany?" Santana's voice was soft, hesitant.

"Yeah San?"

"If I…if I wanted, needed, wanted to destroy the…tape would you help me?" Santana's grip tightened and she swallowed audibly. "I mean, without listening to it or anything, just, destroy it, completely get rid of it."

"Of course I would. I would do it for you if I could."

"No, I need to do that myself."

"I know Dollface, I know. But, um, what about if we needed proof?" Santana's jaw snapped closed and Brittany saw the tendons emphasised on her neck. "I mean, like if we tell the police?"

"I'm not doing that Brittany. I can't. There is no point anyway, it's been too long, no one is going to think that I was really…that I was actually, raped." Her free hand was clenched in a tight fist and the fingers between Brittany's own slackened and pulled away slightly.

"That's why we would need the tape. Proof." Brittany was trying not to become frustrated, but her normal tactile reactions were limited whilst in a car that she was driving, and she was finding it difficult to explain without further upsetting Santana. "Like in the movies, they always keep proof, and then they can't be argued with." Santana sighed angrily before she pulled her hand away from Brittany's and folded her hands over her chest.

"I don't want to talk about this Brittany. I'm not going to the police, and I'm going to destroy the tape. If you don't want to help me that's fine. I don't need you to." Santana's voice was thick with unshed tears and she refused to meet Brittany's eyes, staring out of the window instead.

"No, Santana, I want to help you, I will. It's just –" Brittany sighed and scratched her nose before she took a deep breath, carefully thinking through exactly what she wanted to say. "What does Amy think about destroying the tape?"

Santana stayed silent for several seconds before she shrugged. She quickly glanced towards Brittany, before returning to look back out of the window. "She thinks it's a good idea. Cathartic."

"Ew." Brittany wrinkled her nose. "My granddad had to have that in hospital. I can guarantee that won't make you feel better." Brittany's attempt at humour worked, and the tension in the car melted away as Santana giggled softly before she extended her hand back towards where Brittany's still laid.

"Not a catheter Britty, cathartic. Therapeutic. Calming. Zen. She thinks it's a good idea." Brittany took her hand and squeezed gently. "Plus, Amy made a copy at our first session." Santana shrugged nonchalantly with one shoulder before smirking.

Brittany sighed. "Why didn't you tell me that at the beginning when I asked about the police?"

Santana tensed slightly, but didn't take her hand back. "Because it doesn't matter. I really, really don't want to tell them. Okay? Please Britt."

Brittany let the words settle in the car before she bit at her tongue in acceptance. "We could, make a ritual of it?"

Santana's face scrunched and she tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean a ritual?" Brittany smiled and stroked her fingers along the underside of Santana's hand.

"I mean, like, when your mum's great aunt died? And we had like candles and prayers to move on and like a moment of quiet to make sure her soul had left or something? We could do something like that, to…to help you move on and…and…you know, not let it affect Now Santana. Or Soon-To-Be Santana." Brittany was focused on the road, afraid to look at Santana and unsettle her, and so when Santana stayed silent for several seconds, Brittany was worried. She glanced quickly towards Santana and was shocked to see Santana crying. "Oh Santana, I'm sorry, it's too soon. I didn't mean to upset you, it's too soon."

"No, no, Brittany. It's a good idea. A really good idea. Thank you."

"But only when you're ready. There is no point in rushing it. And I don't want you to get upset."

"I'm not upset B, it's just, talking about everything, it's a little, I'm a little overwhelmed. Promise. It's a really good idea." Brittany nodded and smiled before she pulled Santana's hand towards her lips, then settled it into her lap.


Two days later, they were sitting on Santana's floor, legs crossed, knees touching and the small tape in between them. Brittany lit the tall, thin, white candle and placed it on a saucer with a shallow layer of water.

"Fire for purging, water for baptising aaaand," She smiled and wiggled her eyebrows before pulling something from behind her back. "An Almond Joy and a box of Dots 'cos umm…"

"Eucharist. The food for the Eucharist." Santana's voice was scratchy but firm and she couldn't help but smile, even as she gripped Brittany's hand tightly. Brittany smiled back and nodded.

"Right. Are you sure you're ready to do this?" Santana let out a loud shuddering breath, then nodded once firmly. "Okay, purge-y, flame-y candle, baptising, if minimal, water and yummy Eucharist. Whenever you're ready. I'll wait. Although, if you take too long, I'll need to go and find another candle."

Santana nodded, the corners of her mouth pulling into a smile and glanced up towards Brittany's face, then lent forward to kiss her softly, noses bumping before she returned her eyes to the tape.

Brittany had no idea how long they sat there for, but the candle was a least half as small before Santana reached out her hand.

As soon as Santana's fingers closed around the warming plastic, she felt nauseous and a bubble of shame, until Brittany's gentle, encouraging murmurings popped it and she gripped the tape a little tighter.

The candle was now only the height of Brittany's pinkie (which, afterwards, she thought was highly appropriate, given how important they were in their relationship) before Santana pulled her other hand from Brittany's and dug her nail into the small gap at the bottom of the tape to tease out the polymer reel. She started pulling gently at the reel, but she was soon twisting and pulling and gripping so tightly that her knuckles had turned white and her hand muscles spasmed and ached from being so tense. The last of the reel came away with an understated snap, and she held it above the candle (Brittany didn't notice the candle this time, she was looking too hard at Santana) letting the flame catch and lick up the polymer. An acrid smell filled her room and she was suddenly aware of loud, angry sobs, and Brittany's strong, sure fingers stroking away tears from her face. Santana didn't look away from the candle until the flame had reached her fingers, and she dropped the last few millimetres of the reel into the puddle of water and wax in the saucer. She lifted her eyes to Brittany, before she half fell half was dragged into her lap, familiar, long arms encircling her and light kisses pressed to her hair.

Brittany saw the last of the wax melt and the wick reach the water, causing the flame to splutter and die, dimming the room, but all she cared about was the woman curled into her lap and her tears soaking into Brittany's shirt. Slowly, Santana's tears dried and she slowly straightened her body, bringing their faces together and her hand upwards to press and stroke along Brittany's jaw. "Thank you, so much Britt." Brittany nodded softly, making sure her jaw was still pressed against Santana's fingers. "For everything, for being there even when I was trying my best to shut you out, again, and for waiting and listening and standing up for me. For everything."

Brittany let out a surprised laugh, thick with tears, before she pulled Santana closer to her. "Anytime. Anything."


Santana couldn't believe how stupid she had been, thinking that The God Squad would sing a song for Brittany as her girlfriend. Then she couldn't believe how stupid she had been, thinking that The God Squad (who did, after all, apprise of Quinn, Mercedes and Sam) wouldn't sing a song for Brittany as her girlfriend. Until she would get nervous all over again, pull at the bottom of her dress, then pull at the top of her dress and then couldn't believe how stupid she had been, thinking that The God Squad would sing a song for Brittany as her girlfriend. She was still flicking between those two thoughts (her heart pounding, thumping, in her chest as the seconds and minutes ticked by and they still hadn't sung for Brittany whilst Brittany feed her chocolates and was a perfect gentlewoman) when she heard Joe's voice and her heart froze in anticipation.

It wasn't until the music began and Brittany looked at her with such wonder and tenderness that Santana's heart kick-started, beating impossibly fast. She watched Brittany throughout the song, her gaze only pulled away when Quinn and Mercedes came over. She couldn't help but smile at their gentle flirting (Brittany loved to be flirting, innocent or not, she liked making people feel special and it made her feel special in return) and when Brittany dragged her onto the dance floor she didn't argue, and later left herself completely vulnerable, waiting for Brittany to connect the kiss.

The stuffed duck was waiting (with an added pink ribbon and bow around it's neck) on Santana's passenger seat, and Brittany reverently picked it up before she traced her fingers gently over the 'SL' and'BP' in pale purple, silver flecked thread. Santana watched what little she could see of Brittany whilst she pulled at her fingers nervously and kicked the back of her right foot with her left toe.

"So, do you like it?" Her voice was soft and unsure, and Brittany's smile softened, turning towards Santana.

"I thought the rose and the song and the kiss were my presents? More than enough presents?" Santana shrugged, she liked getting things for Brittany, whatever the occasion. "I love it. Does it have a name? Wait, is it a boy or a girl? Or has it not decided yet? What do you think San?" Brittany started to bounce on the balls of her feet, lifting the ducks wings, then lifting each tap shoe covered webbed feet before pressing her finger to it's beak.

"I um…don't know Britt. Have you looked on the tag?" Brittany lifted her eyebrow at Santana's smirk before she tugged gently at the tag so she could read it, twisting it towards the puddle of light from the nearby streetlamp.

"Hi: Mummy B

My name is: Capezio.

Happy Valentine's Day

From: Mami S

I love you so much B and I'm so privileged to have you in my life, let alone as my girlfriend Sanny xoxo"

Brittany's mouth moved as she read over the standard words of the tag, filed in with Santana's familiar script, before she reached the bottom and her jaw slackened in surprise. She glanced between Santana and the tag before pulling her towards her and kissing her again.

"You, Santana Lopez, are such a dork."

Santana giggled and wound her arms around Brittany's waist. "I am not a dork! Why am I dork?" Santana tried to sound indignant, but the feel of Brittany's skin on her own and the exhilaration of being so public intimate made her voice waver and break slightly.

"Mummy B and Mami S?" Brittany raised an eyebrow and scrunched her nose.

"Yeah, well, it's an abandoned baby duck –"

"Duckling Sanny."

"Right, abandoned duckling, and it needed a mum. Or two."

"Hm. What about Capezio then?" Brittany titled her head before pulling Santana closer and pressing her thumbs gently at Santana's hips.

"What? They were your favourite tap shoes, your first proper tap shoes. The baby duck –"

"Duckling."

"Duckling, has tap shoes on." Santana flicked gently at the tap shoe as if to prove her point and pouted slightly. "See, I'm practical, not a dork." Brittany giggled before she pushed at Santana's lip.

"They were only my favourite because I thought they were Spanish speaking, like you when you get mad, and you were pretty, and they made the prettiest sound. Clear and sharp and sure, like when you sang if you thought no one was listening. So. They were my favourite." Brittany shrugged.

"I know. Dork." Brittany opened her mouth to argue, but was stopped when Santana pushed her against the side of the car and kissed her.


It had become routine each week on a Wednesday and Friday to drive to Dayton, singing along to the radio and playing with each other's fingers absentmindedly. The singing would stop once they pulled into their usual parking space (Santana likes routine, even if she wasn't driving Brittany knew how important parking in the same space was) and Santana's grip would tighten slightly before Brittany would detangle their fingers, get out of the car moving around to Santana's side before opening her door and kneeling down.

Every time was the same, Brittany would open the door and kneel down until their faces were level and she would wait.

Silently.

Occasionally pressing a kiss to the side of Santana's cheek or her temple or her shoulder, until Santana would close her eyes and nodding once firmly. Then Brittany would straighten up and hold her hand out to Santana, who would take it gently before getting out of the car and leading Brittany towards the door of the office.

After the first three or four sessions, Brittany had been asked to join Santana. At first she would just sit and observe, holding Santana's hand or resting her hand on her thigh or walking her fingers gently up and down Santana's arms. She liked listening to Santana talking so freely, and being able to touch her so intimately in front of, not only an adult, but an adult that they didn't know, made her heartbeat speed up and her stomach flip excitedly.

Soon Amy started asking Brittany questions, noticing the way Santana never interrupted her, never belittled or patronised her and made herself utterly physically and emotionally vulnerable to Brittany. At first, Brittany's answers were tentative, she didn't want Santana to feel worse about her instinctive behaviour shortly after the attack. But Amy could tell when she wasn't telling everything (Brittany found that a little unnerving) and Santana knew that she wasn't, so she would nudge Brittany's shoulder with her own and tilt her head towards Amy until Brittany would sigh and answer the question again, honestly.

They were nearing the end of the latest session, which had fallen into a comfortable silence, when Amy cleared her throat and put her notes to the side.

"Santana, I want to return to the issue of telling the police. Any I want to know what Brittany thinks about this." Amy looked towards Brittany before she smiled and extended her arm. "So Brittany, can you go first? What do you think about telling the police about Santana's rape?"

Brittany looked nervously towards Santana, before she cleared her throat and looked back at Amy. "I wanted her to tell them." Her voice was small and unsure, but feeling Santana shuffle closer encouraged her. "I thought she should tell them, although I didn't know how to tell her that, and I thought getting her to someone like you was more important. So it wasn't until a bit later that I asked her about it, and we…we got into a fight."

Amy nodded. "Santana told me about that. She also said that you were incredibly understanding about her reason not to go."

Brittany nodded once. "Well, when I almost got raped at Cheer camp, Santana and our friend Quinn tried to get me to tell the police then, but, nobody believed me at school or the camp. And I didn't want to tell some strange guy about it. So I understand why she doesn't, but I still want her to do so."

Amy nodded before she turned and looked at Santana. "And, have you changed your mind about telling the police? Or anyone other than your girlfriend, friends and myself?"

Santana shook her head before she cleared her throat and leant against Brittany. "No. I don't see the point. It's been ages. And I don't exactly have…" She sighed. "Most people think I've slept with loads of guys, even though I haven't, I just let them say I had, and I've never been faithful –"

"Except with me." Brittany couldn't help interrupting, or the corresponding smile that widened and her cheeks heated at Amy's soft look.

"Except with Brittany. And he, sorry, Sebastian, is gay. Like really gay."

Brittany nodded in agreement. "Gayer than you at a golf course." Brittany whispered, not loud enough for Amy to hear clearly, but enough for Santana to hear her and smile.

"Okay, so if the obstacle, of your perceived disbelief, wasn't there, would you tell the police?" Amy's voice was soft and calming, but Santana couldn't hold her gaze.

Santana sighed before she shook her head. "No."


They were curled up in the same scratchy, uncomfortable hospital chair when Quinn's slightly broken voice broke their staring. "Well, that's always nice to wake up to."

Brittany's eyes widened comically, and she leapt from Santana's lap, only to snap her body still before she pulled Quinn into a crushing hug that would hurt her. "Oh Quinn! You're awake! I was so scared. And Santana. And I'm so glad, when the doctors said you would be okay, I couldn't believe them until you were awake. I'm so, so glad." She felt Santana's hand gently press into her back and lean against her, before Brittany pulled Quinn's hand into her own and perching on the edge of the bed.

Santana smiled before linking all their fingers together and squeezed. "I'm happy you're awake Quinn. Brittany would hate it if the Unholy Trinity couldn't graduate together." Quinn laughed lightly before Brittany pulled Santana into her lap and started planning the first Unholy Trinity Hospital Night.


The first time Britt and I had sex, no, the first time Britt and I made love after the attack was…magical. She was perfect. I mean, she always is, but this time was like all those stupid romantic films and every Disney film and every boring mushy love story all rolled into one.

And like ten times more intense.

We had been at the hospital for what felt like forever, where Brittany mostly steered the conversation, before Quinn's doctor came around and shooed us out. She promised we could come back tomorrow, but for now Quinn needed rest. Brittany nodded in understanding, agreeing before I could begin to argue or threaten them with my parents wrath (Brittany had seen both Doctor Lopez's angry and it was one of the scariest moments of her life. Coming second only to seeing Santana break down in the locker room after her rape) and she pulled me out into the quiet corridor.

"Britt?" I sat onto one of the plastic chairs tugging Brittany after me. "I wanted to say how amazing you've been, what with Quinn and everything. And being so patient with me."

"Of course Dollface."

"And thanks for coming to my sessions with Amy, and for, forcing me to go in the first place." Brittany smiled gently and nodded in understanding. "You were right, you know. It has…helped. A lot." Brittany nodded again before she poked at my check gently.

"I'm really glad. I know that we've still got some things to sort out, and get past and discuss, and I can't wait to show you how much I care about you. Not that I'm trying to rush you, 'cos I can wait as long as you need. I just wanted to let you know that I still want you like that, but I don't want to rush you. And I know that just because Amy has helped it doesn't mean that everything is –"

I kissed her gently before bumping our noses together. She was adorable when she rambled, especially when she could feel herself getting lost and tried to further explain. "Thanks B."

Brittany cupped my cheek before smiling bashfully and blushing red. She really was adorable. "Thank God. That completely got away from me. I just meant, that my feelings towards you haven't changed, and won't change. I love you."

"I love you too Britty." Her thumb brushed along my cheek again and I could feel myself relax and loosen. I no longer wanted to be there. "Shall we go?" Brittany nodded enthusiastically before she pulled me up and out of the hospital.


We pulled up outside Brittany's house and she fiddled nervously with the small motorbike key chain and glancing between my face and her lap.

"My parents are away tonight, and my sisters at a sleepover. I thought we could spend tonight together. Only if you want to. No pressure, we can just sleep."

I had already been thinking about asking to stay with her. The shock of the call about Quinn made me further appreciate Brittany and how important she was to me. I nodded slowly before kissing her hand and opening the car door, waiting for her to lead the way.

The room was filled with candles, their flames flickering, dancing, moving with the gentle movements of air in the room. But it didn't make the room seam shadowy and threatening, instead it made everything soft and calming. The whole room was a warm dark purple caress, with bits of pink where the candles highlighted the colour of her curtains.

She turned us, so that we were facing each other, the bed behind me, and moved her hands from my hairline, over my cheeks, to my shoulders then trailed down to my hands.

"You're so beautiful. So very beautiful Santana." It was whispered near my forehead, followed by her lips pressing against the palms of my hands, then a kiss on each finger tip.

The inside of each wrist.

The crook of each elbow.

The freckle on my shoulder.

With each gentle connection between us, I felt safer and calmer and a sigh escaped. She gently pushed at my shoulders, causing me to walk backwards towards the bed while still keeping as much of our bodies connected as possible.

"So beautiful. So important. My Sanny." She kissed all along my hairline in-between whispered words, and my hands moved to hold onto her hips, my eyes slipped closed in contentment. "Tell me if you need me to stop. Anytime, just say okay San?" I nodded slightly with my eyes still closed, I didn't want to look at anything yet, I wanted to smell enough of her scent as possible.

Citrus.

Lavender.

That clean, indescribable soap smell that's always described as 'cotton' even though I've never known cotton to smell like it.

I felt the backs of my legs touch the edge of the bed, but she didn't move me to sit down. She moved her hand upwards to cup my cheek and I leaned towards her, almost snuggling into the support she offered. Gentle pressure on each of my closed eye lids, soft and wet and slightly rough lips.

"Open your eyes Sanny." I still didn't want to. It was so intense to learn about her, one sense at a time. "Santana. Open." Firmer this time, but still gentle, my full name causing my eyelids to lazily lift. "Promise me, if you need me to stop, you will tell me. Please. Promise." I touched my lips to the bottom of her chin.

"I promise Britt." She nodded and pressed her hips into mine until I lowered onto the bed. She smiled slightly and lifted her shirt over her head.

"I love you Santana Lopez." Another kiss to my temple and her hands tugged at the bottom of my tank top. "Can I take this off? Or do you want to keep it on? I don't mind. We can blow some candles out? Whatever you're more comfort-" All her questions came out in a rush. She was nervous and I couldn't help the smile at the corners of my mouth and I placed my hands over hers and pulled them upwards, her finger tips still twisted in the bottom of my tank top.

"Off." I whispered it, voice was already becoming hoarse. The rest of our clothes were removed piece by piece.

Slowly, as Brittany kissed each area of new skin available to her.

"Sanny you're crying again." Her thumb brushed against the tears falling down one cheek whilst her mouth removed the drops on the other cheek. "I can stop if you want. Sanny. I can stop."

"No! No Britt." I could feel more tears falling as I pulled her closer, my face turning to search out her lips. We missed, completely, but that didn't matter. "Happy tears Britt I promise. Don't stop please. I…everything is so…intense. It's overwhelming. But happy tears. Happy." My hips shifted beneath her and she smiled before she brushed the tips of our noses together and kissed me, lips hardly touching before doing it again and her arm began to move again.

She kissed slowly, hot and open mouthed, towards my chest, tongue trailed along the edges of my lace bra. A gentle bite to the top my left breast caused me to gasp and automatically lift my hips towards her. She brushed her nose along my stomach, occasionally pressing her lips against the skin. Her hands shifted up my legs and her fingers hooked into the top of my sweats.

Another kiss at the top of the waistband.

"Are you sure?"

My breath was coming out in heavy pants and, the hand not gripping the sheet, tangled in Brittany's hair. "If you don't Britt I swear I'm gonna have to finish it myself. Please." Brittany laughed breathily before she tugged and pulled off the sweats in one fluid motion, then pushed her own sweats off her hips and wiggled to make them puddle at her feet. She looked down at me, and I could feel my cheeks flushed, and I gripped bottom lip between my teeth in anticipation, chest heaving, fingers and toes curled and couldn't stop her jaw slacken in wonder.

"Wow." The word was whispered, but in the silent room, it was all I could hear. "You are…breath-taking Santana. So very breath-taking." Brittany's voice was hoarse and thick, and I shifted her body back before sitting up and holding out my arm.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you Britt. Nowhere near." Brittany blushed and turned her head before she smiled and took my hand, who tugged her down until our bodies were once more flush together. I pulled my fingers through Brittany's hair before softly tracing her hair line. "No one is as my beautiful as my Brittany."


A/N: That's it guys. I know it didn't perfectly wrap everything up, but life rarely wraps everything up perfectly. Also, I did have a slightly different ending planned, I had done loads of research for it…and then my hard drive wiped itself, and what with preparing for my exams (which start in a fortnight and will determine weather or not I get into university) I couldn't quite bring myself to do aaaall that research again. So I scrapped that idea. It wasn't particularly important, it just brought Sebastian back into the story and had a bit more of the therapy side of things. I may go back after my exams and add it in, but to be honest, it wouldn't add too much, so I probably won't.

Any reviews would be much appreciated as ever!

I hope you all liked this, and thank you so much for staying until the end. I really appreciated all of the reviews and alerts and favourites, and those that just read! :D

If anyone has anything they would like me to write, send me a prompt. Thanks again everyone!