Authors Note: HEY BRO'S AND BROTETTE'S! RIGHT OK SO I DIDN'T PLAN ON UPLOADING ANYTHING UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY BUT MY FEELS OMG. HOW GREAT WILL THE 100TH EPISODE BE?! I just have so many emotions.

Thus, in celebration of... Naya's Birthday, Brittana/Heya Riots and for the uni offers I got (people actually want me?!)

HERE IS A LONG-A** CHAPTER.

I'M SORRY IF THE ENDING IS A BIT RUSHED AND ALSO I DUNNO HOW YOU GUYS WILL TAKE IT OR WHAT BUT BLUERGGHGHGHGHGSLJGSLFGJKFDLGDFGGLKHYJASDFGHJKLQWERTYUIOP

Hope you enjoy! Heavy Brittana I think- or heavy Brittany or whatever.

Suggestions on length, characterisation and whatever else is greatly appreciated as always peeps!

I'm going to bed...

DISCLAIMER: GLEE OF THE HUNGER GAMES ARE NOT MINE


"Hey kid, are you alright?" Haymitch asked Santana as he leaned on the door frame of the Dr Leroy Berry's makeshift clinic. The man entered the vicinity and closed the door after him. He was dressed in a gray polo shirt with a dark brown vest made of silk which gleamed from the florescent light, partnered up with his dark grey corduroy trousers and black leather patent shoes.

"Achy and sore... How long was I out for?" moaned Santana as she squinted against the brash light, she brought her left arm to cover her eyes but found that it was attached to all sorts of tubes for dextrose, she had a breathing tube which irritated her nostrils and electrodes on her chest attached to a heart monitor which beeped tediously.

The Latina stared surprised at the massive clunk of metal stood beside the bed. The door to the the room opened again, Santana followed the movement of the rectangular wood which unveiled a tired and very downhearted blonde dressed in tattered jeans and an oversized hoodie which Santana remember wearing at one point. Brittany looked up and met Santana's eyes. The brunettes lips pulled into a wide smile.


Brittany excused herself from the clinic after watching Santana's eyes close from the sedating gas. She followed Leroy's order to have something to eat. She figured she should rest and feed herself before the relentless interrogation from her parents and Haymitch. The blonde girl walked through the familiar corridor, down the stairs to the lobby and into the door on her left which took her to the sophisticated kitchen merged with the dining area. She found Hiram by the long table which was at the further end of the room, opposite the long rows of glassed window and glassed door to the garden. Hiram carefully laid out the table, five plates parallel to one another and another two plates on the two further end of the dark fumed oak table. It was all intricately set up, wine glass with white napkins resting in them and fine silver cutleries on the side of the plate with their small embedded vines decorating the handles.

"I do love it when you come and visit Brittany; it gives me an excuse to use all of this fancy tableware- Which might I add, Leroy insisted on having. We should have a gathering more often, don't you agree?" Hiram proposed as he heard Brittany's light footsteps pat on the cool tiles. He was stood at the upper side of the table, his back against the long curtains of the glass windows. Hiram looked up from the table to Brittany waiting for her response.

Brittany smiled politely at Hiram's relaxed and casual attitude regardless of all the stress she had just thrown upon them. It's not the Hiram doesn't care, he just balances Leroy out. While his counterpart is the diligent and focused medic who is serious but also calm when doing his craft. He is good at making welcomed distraction whether it be cooking or gardening. He's just excellent at making everything feel, normal and well.

"Can I help you with anything Uncle 'Ram?" Brittany asked as she leaned over the back rest of one of the chairs

"No, no I'm quite alright my dear girl. As always, do make yourself feel comfortable. I suspect Rachel and your family will be well on their way by now." Said Hiram as he fiddles with the cutleries to make sure they were perfectly aligned with one another.

"Oh yes, I asked Rachel if she could take Christa and Andre home-" Brittany starts explaining why the absence of Rachel. Hiram during her furious explanation goes around the table and put his arms on Brittany's shoulders.

"Calm down Brittany. It's ok. You don't need to explain anything just yet. You can tell us all about it when everyone's here; I don't want you tiring yourself out from repeating the same story over and over again. Also don't worry about explaining where Rachel is, that kind boy Matt Rutherford came around earlier and told me that Rachel returned his horse at his house- the one your friend borrowed. Then Rachel asked him if he could relay the message to me that she is safe and had gone to your household." Hiram informed Brittany.

"Now, come!" The tall skinny man placed his right arm on Brittany's right shoulder and ushered her to one of the kitchen counter and poured a generous glass of wine out for Brittany and himself. The petite blonde took the glass graciously and took a sip of the rose coloured liquid which warmed her throat soothingly as it slid down.

"Thank you Uncle 'Ram, I really have no idea what I would have done with Santana if I didn't have you guys..." Brittany mumbled as she looked down at the glass of wine shyly.

"Santana?" Hiram inquired as if to make sure he had heard Brittany correctly.

"Yea, Santana. That's the name of my friend." The young girl responded as she looked up to Hiram. The older man's face was unreadable and was silenced for a moment.

"Why yes. Yes of course! Your friend, Santana." Hiram stammered out as he returned from his momentary stupor. He brought the glass to his lips and took a generous gulp and set the glass down back on the counter, he was not blind to the way Brittany scrutinized him after his interjection. Brittany watched Hiram's actions and wondered why he acted quite surprised when he heard Santana's name. However, all of her contemplation whether he knows Santana went out the window when Hiram clarified himself.

"I just thought the name sounded familiar and then I remembered Rachel mentioning her name in one of her many monologues." Hiram explained as he refilled his empty cup, pouring more alcohol and offering some more to Brittany which the girl kindly declined.

"Oh right typical Rachel." Brittany chuckled which Hiram chortled to in agreement. Their conversation took a turn to Hiram's business and how well it was all going .They ended up moving to the tastefully decorated living room where they sat converse as they waited for the rest of their companions. As always, the generous man asked Brittany whether she would be interested in going back to school. Hiram offered to give her a loan, he knew that Brittany was a very dignified person and refused all charities and so he did the best way he knew how to well. Offer the highly potential girl with opportunities instead of presenting them as gifts. As always, Brittany declined the offer but promised to think about it. She knows that once she accepts Hiram's proposition that he will then insist that she forgets about her debt. This Berry's had helped her and her family so much; she can't possibly accept his offer.

Half an hour had passed and Hiram excused himself. "Well Brittany, won't you excuse me for a moment? I promised to wire a business associate about a possible branch opening in one of the areas in the Capitol." Hiram sets his glass down on the solid surface of the dark matte coffee table. " I won't be long" he reassures "Rachel and the Pierce clan should be here any moment." He smiled towards Brittany and patted her knee affectionately and rose from the white fabric sofa. The blonde girl nodded in agreement and watched the tall figure retreat into the lobby heading his way up the stairs.

"Feel free to look through the book case or use the television or sound system!" Brittany hears Hiram bellow as he climbed up the stairs, making her smile.

Leroy had finished cleaning Santana's wounds a while ago and was cleaning his instruments thoroughly. He still couldn't quite believe he was in the same room as her. The curly haired man hears muffled knocks on the door and waits for it to open. When the door creaked he found his equivalent holding on the doorknob with his eyes trained towards the resting girl on the single bed. Leroy patted his hands dry on a towel and walked peacefully out of the room past his partner. He stands a few feet beside the bed frame waiting for Hiram to finish his observations of the young Latina. Not long after, Hiram exits the room and turns to Leroy who was stood idly in the corridor.

"Are we not going to talk about whom that is in your little clinic?" Hiram questions in a hushed whisper.

"Dads! We're here!" Rachel's voice echoed as it bounces from the ceiling.

Leroy looked up to Hiram indifferently then glanced back to the brunette and closed the door.

"We'll talk about this later." Leroy replied as he walked down the corridor to meet his daughter and their friends with Hiram following him closely behind.

Brittany heard Rachel unlock the door. When Hiram left her to make a call she busied herself by looking through their bookshelf. She thought about watching the television but found that it was pretty pointless considering she couldn't care about the news and she didn't want to see adverts romanticizing the Hunger games either. Besides, as a child, she enjoyed reading and this interest of hers had been passed on to Christa. Brittany read various texts but she would never get tired of reading fairy tales, she would read them to Christa when she was young; enjoying them just as much as her baby sister did.

"'Tana! Britty!" yelled Christa as she ran into the kitchen, to the dining room and the living room. Brittany could hear her mother scolding the youngest member of the family for being so loud and would demand her to behave. Regardless, the little blonde still ran around the spacious house as though it was her own.

"Britty!" Christa exclaimed as she spotted her older sister sat on the sofa reading an antique copy of an encyclopaedia. The older blonde closed the book and placed it on the coffee table to welcome her mini-me into her arms.

"Hey Chris" Brittany greets her sister. Footsteps made their way to the living room, stood by the door frame was the rest of their family. Anna's face which was filled with anxiety lightened in relief when she saw her eldest daughter unharmed, with Andre's hand in hers she pulled him along as she made her way to hug her daughters. Tears of relief welled from Anna's eyes and the anger and anguish she felt when she heard the abuse against her children surfaced and dissipated as she cried them out. Benny remained stood by the door frame unmoving, he watched how the love of his life kissed the forehead of their children and celebrated their reunion. Even though their family had been through much worst, every time his wife cried in distress; a sense of failure slaps him across his face. It drowns him with guilt as regardless of his efforts to take care of his family, it seems never enough. Whenever he feels they have found security, something comes and blows it down leaving them vulnerable to their misers. People who were turned into heartless beings by the oppression and had surrendered themselves to the notion of "Survival of the fittest.".

Surviving not living

Parents, who had their own children torn away from their hearts, watched their family starve to death. Children who were made to abandon their humanity as they fought for a chance to win the games. Fighting to win a life in hell as each soul they took was equivalent to an eternity in damnation.

A new year is on its way and Benny can't help but imagine one of his children being called in the reaping.

"Benny! We're so glad to see you! Where is the wife and children?" Benny turned to greet Leroy and Hiram as they descended from the stairs. They spoke casually about the finance, business and what not until the rest of the Pierce clan came out of the living room to join them in the lobby.

"Should we head our way to the dining room for supper?" Hiram beckoned them. "I've prepared roast lamb for us tonight and tofu lasagne for Rachel..." He announced as he started to make his way to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

"Ah yes, that would be great but we've actually brought one more person with us and he's just fixing the horses... He's the guardian of Brittany's friend. I'm sorry for the impromptu notice..." Benny awkwardly informed the couple.

"No problem at all! The more the merrier! What is this gentleman's name?" Hiram inquired.

There was a firm knock on the glass tinted chestnut door. The latch clang as the outsider turned the doorknob to enter, his blonde hair disarrayed and his clothes damp from the light rain.

"Haymitch Abernathy"

After Haymitch's entrance, he was welcomed warmly by the Berry's and afterwards they made their way to the dining room where they seated themselves down. Only nine out of twelve seats were occupied. Leroy sat on the head of the table with Hiram on his right with Rachel, Christa and Anna. On the opposite side starting from Leroy's left was Benny, Haymitch, Andre and Brittany. The adults have decided to finish supper before requesting a recap about the events from that afternoon. Everyone ate enthusiastically apart from Brittany, her mind was focused on Santana and she was worried about how Haymitch will react upon learning what happened. She noticed how the usually confident and laid back man carried an air of formality, he spoke and conversed politely but Brittany can tell that Haymitch was not in a chatty mood and was patiently waiting for her account of the events. Her lack of appetite didn't go unnoticed by her mother and Leroy and so when the company rested for deserts; the room fell into a semi awkward silence. There was tension in the air which was causing unease in Brittany who just wanted to get the whole thing over and done with. Leroy decided to address the giant elephant in the room to end Brittany's agitation.

"So Brittany, shall we talk about what happened?" Leroy suggested, breaking the apprehension amongst all who were uncomplainingly waiting.

Brittany, who was playing with the leftovers- which was actually still a whole meal, looked up from her carrots to Leroy when her attention was called for. Her eyes shifted from the head of the table to mother, to Hiram and to Rachel who was giving her an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, Brittany started from her confrontation with Santana up to the action in the market. Everyone was listening intensely to her, it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Brittany was expecting disapproving looks from her mother for involving Santana and disappointed eyes from her father. She wasn't really worried about her parents to be honest; it was Haymitch's reaction she was dreading for.

Throughout her narrative she could feel Haymitch's steel eyes fixed on her, daring her to look at him. Brittany saw how her mother held Christa and how her father places his hands around the shoulder of his little boy protectively when she told them about the head injury on Andre's temple which Leroy promised to look at. She saw the way Rachel and Hiram's face twisted in disgust when she told them about Crelda's audacity, asking for more money. All the while she avoided looking at Haymitch's direction until the unexpected happened.

"So, I was there holding on to Andre. I heard the whip pulling in the air and I waited for it to hit me but it never came. I was so confused, I heard it snap but I didn't feel it… It wasn't until I saw Santana stood in front of Sam-" Brittany stopped when she heard Haymitch give out a warm laugh and turned to see his face.

"That girl… Always has to be the hero…" Haymitch says shaking his head in amusement. "She always scolds me for bringing so much attention on us, especially during my not so sober evenings… Yet, she's always the one who gets into trouble." Haymitch looked at Brittany his eyes were shining in utter bliss, he wasn't furious as Brittany thought he would be. He just laughed at the familiarity of the Latina's antics. His laugh was infectious which caused Brittany to smile widely and the next thing they knew everyone was smiling. Brittany carried on with her story with Christa including her interjections at how Santana was like their knight in shining armor or like Brittany's prince, since she saved her from the evil Samuel. But a girl and so Christa concluded that Santana must be a princess too! "Princess Santana and "Princess Brittany will live happily ever after!" The little girl declared proudly, she continued to explain that only girls with kind hearts are princesses; like her and Brittany because Santana said so.

During her baby sister's chatter, Brittany blushed furiously. She knew her cheeks were red when Christa suggested the concept of Santana being her knight and shining armor. She knew she probably looked like a tomato when her sister exclaimed that she'll have her happy ending with her "Princess Santana". Finally, she knew that she would have swooned like a little girl if someone told her in private that Santana thought she was a princess. But all the while as her sister boasted about Santana's heroic display, she smiled shyly and kept her silence. She let herself day dream about Princess Santana and Princess Brittany… Just the two princesses who were frenemies but became really good friends… who may or may not have hidden affection for one another… And Princess Brittany may or may not want something more… who knows?

The rest of the company smiled at the youngest Pierce as she babbled on. While Andre was having one of his tantrums, Benny cooed his son into calming down as his son acted under his age. After the little one had run out of steam, desert was served. Hiram served everyone a dark chocolate soufflé, its crème patisserie was light and fluffy filled with the indulgent melt-in the mouth ganache. The outside was a golden shade of brown; the fine crumbs fell and powdered around the dome. On top, was a whirl of cream with a single strawberry for decoration. For Christa and Andre, Hiram added a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle zigzagging across. The children's eyes lit up in delight and were absolutely absorbed at the delicious treat while Leroy took over the conversation and explained Santana's injury.

"The lacerations are quite deep; but honestly I don't know how no nerves were damaged. However, the excessive bleeding was caused by a cut radial artery. I managed to salvage the damaged artery but she lost quite an amount of blood, so she will need blood transfusion immediately. I was wondering if you know what her blood type is, Haymitch?" Leroy asked after taking a gulp of water.

"She's an O-" Haymitch replied as he took a spoonful off his desert.

"I see, well she really is quite a difficult one" Leroy mused.

Haymitch chuckled in response "Don't I know it, I'm an AB. I don't think that she can use mine can she?" the blonde man asked Leroy for confirmation.

Brittany was about to offer her blood but the medic's explanation silenced her.

"No, unfortunately O- is a rare type blood. It's the universal donor but it's only compatible with another O. So since Hiram and Rachel are both A, I'm an AB too and I don't think any of the Pierces are an O; we're going to need to look for a donor…" Leroy explained.

"Why does she have to be so difficult…" Brittany thought to herself.

" I see…" Haymitch contemplated. "I'll look for a donor, how soon does she need it?"

"Although it's not advisable, it can be delayed a couple of days. However, she will be a lot weaker than usual so I suggest she stays here with us to rest. Moving her will just tire her out which is never good for anyone. Also, if she stays here I can keep an eye on the healing of her cuts." Leroy said as he conversed with Haymitch across the table. Everyone around was only listening to the two men's discussion.

"That's very kind of you, but you have done more than enough. You have been so generous; I can't possibly abuse your hospitality." Haymitch declared, declining politely as he knows this will not settle well with the Latina. The fiery brunette much as she denies it, she loves to help but hates being the one at the receiving end.

"None sense! "A friend in need, is a friend indeed", letting the young girl rest will not be overstaying her welcome. Besides, I think everyone is happy with this, yes?" Leroy asked the table and showed their support. Hiram and Rachel smiled towards Haymitch in agreement.

Haymitch remained quiet thinking about Leroy's offer. Anna decided to help him make a decision by reassuring him that Santana will be taken cared of "Santana will be just fine, Haymitch. Hiram, Leroy and Rachel had been a part of our family for as long as we've had Brittany. They'll take good care of her."

"Besides" Leroy interjected "As a medic, it is my duty to care for those who are poorly. So if we look at it from a professional point of view; I have an obligation to finish. You can all visit Santana anytime anyway." Leroy said as he tries to sway Haymitch's decision.

While everyone else was trying to make Haymitch have Santana stay, Brittany was quite saddened by the idea that Latina won't be staying with them for a while. Granted, whenever the brunette tried to talk to her she would always bite back or ignore the poor girl but Brittany did like the little dance they do. Santana tries to woo Brittany into talking while she Brittany does her part and ignore Santana. It was all harmless until yesterday… Brittany just really wanted to take care of the Latina to show her sorry and gratitude.

"Alright. Yes, it would be better for Santana to stay here so she'll have the medical attention she needs. Thank you." Haymitch nodded to Leroy and Hiram in gratitude, which the couple smiled welcomingly to.

When Santana's guardian gave his final answer, Anna noticed the way her eldest daughters face fell a bit. Anna figured that Brittany wanted to stay with Santana and take care of her; she smiled sympathetically at the girl.

The hosts and their company moved to the living after their desert. Another hour of chatting and talking about whatever the conversation shifted to and Christa was sprawled asleep on the sofa with her head on her mother's lap.

The digital clock mounted on the wall blinked 10:00pm.

"Well, we really should be going. Thank you for the supper Hiram, Leroy and Rachel. As you can see the youngest member of the clan had made herself comfortable and had passed out on your sofa." Benny chuckled as he picked up his youngest daughter up in his arms.

Anna also rose up from her seat to follow her husband; she beckoned her son who was sat lethargically on the armchair by the book case to follow her. Brittany also reluctantly followed the crowd that started to pile out into the lobby, followed by Rachel who was sat next to her.

"Alright well, it's always a pleasure to have you around. Like I always say, you should all stop by more often!" Hiram said as he took Anna into a huge hug.

Everyone hugged and pecked each other's cheeks as they said their goodbyes. Haymitch shook Leroy and Hiram's hand and walked out to get the horses and the borrowed wagon from the Pierces neighbor Mrs. Moretta.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow Brittany. I'll get you as soon Santana wakes up?" Rachel offered as she released Brittany from their hug.

"Yea, thanks Rach." Brittany said dejectedly. Hiram picked up on Brittany's low mood and so he made proposition, one which she knows the blonde won't refuse.

As Brittany walked out the door Hiram called her name.

"Brittany" he said "Why don't you stay around until Santana get's better? She'll probably be confused when she finds herself in a completely new place and so a familiar face may do her well."

Brittany turned to her parents for approval, her mother smiled and her father nodded to the blonde. Brittany's face broke into a wide smile which caused Rachel to squeal excitedly.

"Oh my god! This is so cool! It's like having a big sleepover!" Rachel ran into Brittany and pulled her back inside the house.

The Berry couple and Pierce briefly discussed Brittany's stay and after Benny was satisfied that it was fine for Brittany to live with them he called her eldest daughter to talk to her. The father and daughter haven't had the opportunity to talk in private about the turn of events today. So, Leroy and Hiram walked Anna and Christa to the wagon while Rachel eagerly ran up to her room to find Brittany's clothes which she had left from the previous times she had stayed at the Berry household. Brittany and Benny were left in the lobby in private.

Benny took her eldest daughter into an embrace and kissed her forehead affectionately. "You did well today finding your brother in time. It's really difficult when we just don't know when he's lucid… I'm glad that you're not hurt and I'm in debt to Santana for what she did. You'll be good ok? You promise me you'll be nicer to her from now on, yes?" the aged man mocked his daughter but with a hint of a disciplining tone.

"Yes Dad, I'll be good and I'm always nice!" Brittany replied defensively as he hugged her father tighter. She heard his chest rumble from his amusement and eventually they parted.

"Alright, I'll see you soon. I'll take care of the horses while you're here." Benny said before leaving the Berry household.

That evening, Leroy and Hiram bid Rachel and Brittany good night and retired to their bedroom. The two girls stayed up to watch a musical starring the song-stress Shelby Cocoran and her partner in crime April Rhodes; as Rachel insisted. Eventually Rachel called it a night when she realized she slept through her favorite duet of the two "For Good". Brittany was glad when Rachel and her went up the stairs where they went their separate ways: Rachel heading to her room on the right wing of the house opposite to the masters bedroom and Brittany turning left to her second bedroom which is the Berry's Guest room.

She laid in best restlessly; Brittany wasn't sure why she couldn't sleep. Well that's a lie. She knew why she couldn't fall asleep, after debating with herself whether she should leave her bed she finally gave in to her desire. Brittany sneaked into the room opposite hers to see Santana in the clinic.

The blonde girl carefully twisted the doorknob which squeaked momentarily causing her to halt her actions. Her eyes clenched closed as she hoped that no one heard her. After a minute of still she was satisfied that the tiniest noise didn't really sound like a trumpeting elephant, she pulled the door wider and gently pushed the wood with her palm to close it after her entrance. Her foot softly padded on the cool floor as she walked towards Santana. She observed the dressed cut on the girl's right arm and just watched her sleep. The crystal blue eyes lingered on Santana's perfect sun kissed skin, her cute little nose and down to the inviting warm lips. She found her hand moving the strands of hair obscuring the beautiful face. "Better…" she thought, Brittany enjoyed and leisured over the sight before her: a gorgeous girl who had possessed admirable bravery, she was thoughtful, patient with the crap Brittany put her through, kind hearted towards Christa and if that wasn't enough; she also had killer smile.

"Oh Santana… You're making it very difficult for me to hate you…" Brittany sighed.

Reality caught on to the daydreaming blonde, she snatched her hand abruptly from Santana when the brunette shifted in her sleep, and realized how intimate her action was. If she was watching anyone else or found out someone was watching her as she rested, Brittany admits that she would have freaked the hell out. Brittany would have probably sprinted out of her bed, got a pan in their kitchen and slapped that creeper on the face with it. However, she justified her semi-creepy and semi-affectionate actions by saying the she was just waiting for sleep to take over her and she was just looking out for the tanned girl.

Brittany moved back and turned to the window curtains opposite the bed. She thought about hiding behind them but found them too short. So, to look less of a freak, Brittany decided to casually pretend to busy herself by inspecting the fabric of the curtain at 2:36am as if it was a norm. When she didn't hear further movements from Santana, she carefully turned to face the resting figure of the brunette.

The tall girl walked towards the girl on the bed and leaned down to get a closer look of the Latina, to the point that she actually looked cross-eyed. "Hey" She whispered to Santana who remained asleep. Brittany stood tall and walked around the clinic "I'm just checking up on you because Dad said to be nicer… To be honest I have no clue what he's on about…" Brittany said to no one in particular seeing as the only other person in the room was sedated.

"Anyway, I'm only here because I promised I'd look out for you…" She said defensively. Brittany could imagine the Latina's pouty lips curve into a smirk if she was awake. The same one she pulled when she was mocking Haymitch or when she knows she managed to get even with Brittany in one of their many play fights. "So don't you get any ideas!" she exclaimed.

The blonde girl who remained awake sat on the armchair which was against the wall of the room facing the foot of the bed. It had a small round coffee table next to it where Brittany found a book on the surface called "Pride and Prejudice", she decided she'll read to Santana for a while to help her go to sleep, plus she really misses reading.

"She's tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me"

"This Darcy guy is a total ass. What a conceited douche bag!" Brittany said towards Santana who was still resting peacefully as she read the first four chapters of the book. " He better not end up with Elizabeth…" Brittany muttered.

By the time she was in chapter 8 however, she thought: "Maybe Darcy's not so bad…" and that's when sleep switched her off like a lamp.

In the morning Leroy made his way to the clinic to check on Santana's wounds. He found that the door was open, it wasn't fully close and there was a tiny gap between the door and the frame. "How odd" he thought. Leroy approached the door quietly and took a peek. Inside the room was Brittany curled into the armchair facing Santana's direction with the book on her lap. Leroy smiled knowingly at Brittany "Ah, the teenage years…" he mumbled to himself. Leroy figured that Brittany snuck into the clinic and didn't want to be found so he closed the door firmly and let the mechanics in the door ring out to wake Brittany up.

The clang of the door jolted Brittany awake; her eyes quickly darted towards the doorway to see if there was any intruder who found her with Santana. She then looked at Santana's direction and found the Latina in the same position as she was last night. When there was no one, she figured that the noise came from the other bedrooms and that other people were starting to wake up; meaning it's her cue to leave. It's silly really, she had no reason to act so wary but she was anyway. Once she returned the borrowed book back on the coffee table, the blonde quickly glided out of the room like a ghost undetected; little did she know that Leroy had already spotted her.

When Brittany got into her room the bed remained untouched and the sheet and pillows were pristine and showed no signs that they were slept on. Thus, to satisfy the growing paranoia in her, and because she felt the need to; Brittany jumped and rolled and shimmied like a puppy discovering the bouncy and soft goodness that is, a bed. Still feeling that she needed to sell her role, Brittany fixed the organize mess of hair and made it hung and stick out all over the place. By the end of her preparation, it looked like she went to Neverland in the evening and got lost…got electrocuted as she touched the telephone lines and got back into bed. Never had Brittany tried to look so… good?

The haphazard girl left the guestroom which was quite identical to their chicken coop considering the amount of feathers floating in the room as she tried to make it look as if things happened on the bed. Wanky.

She followed the smell of food.

Bacon.

"Well Rachel's not going to be happy…" Brittany thought out loud as she slid down the stair banisters to get to the lobby. Every time Brittany stayed and despite their old child's protest, Hiram and Leroy always cooked Brittany bacon seeing as it was the only non-vegan breakfast they could think of making. Brittany doesn't know why they feel the need to cook a non-vegan meal especially for her, but she's not complaining. She finds it cute. She finds it sweet how Hiram would also make two dishes if her family was coming over: Vegan and Non-vegan. The couples weren't really bothered with what to eat, it was Rachel's idea to adapt the vegan diet and so they were kind of just pulled along. Brittany thinks that Rachel's Dad's secretly misses meat and are glad when any of the Pierces are around as it gives them an excuse to eat something with flavor.

"Good morning!" Brittany grumbled to Leroy, trying to make herself seem like she had just gotten fresh out of the bed.

Leroy smiled as he recognized Brittany's attempt on trying to cover up her minicamp out at the clinic with Santana. The fake grumpy voice gave it away, Brittany is a morning person. Hell, she's such a morning person that the birds would actually beg her to go back to sleep so they can rest longer.

The curly haired man who was dressed in black striped pajama trousers with white round neck shirt sat the bacon on the plate. He then turned to Brittany while holding the pan in one hand and the spatula on the other. Leroy was caught off guard by Brittany's appearance and a little panic rose up his chest, he was about to spew various questions when he remembered that her disarrayed appearance must be part of the play.

"Well… good morning to you too…did you sleep well?" Leroy responded to Brittany and returned to cooking the bacon and eggs.

Brittany walked to the coffee machine and made a cup for herself and took a sip. After swallowing the warm liquid she replied "Yea, it was good." That's a lie. Brittany's back was aching from her position on the chair last night.

"That's good, well eat up!" Leroy placed the food on the dining table; bacon, eggs, fresh orange juice, fruits, various bread and pastries.

Brittany smiled gratefully and joined Leroy who was sat at the head of the table reading the news from the capitol on this glass gadget. The pair ate and not long after Hiram and Rachel joined them. Rachel gasped when she saw Brittany's nest of a hair and demanded to know who attacked her, after Leroy had calmed his daughter down from her melodramatic reaction, they resumed peacefully to their meal. Rachel was sat opposite Brittany and Hiram was sat on Rachel's left. The four laughed and chatted and discussed about their plans for the day. Brittany tore a piece off her warm croissant and wiped the egg yolk off her plate and chucked it in her mouth. Cutleries softly rang as the trio cut and sliced their food. Brittany was enjoying breakfast and was about take another helping of eggs and bacon when she noticed Hiram stopped eating. His hands which held the knife and fork hung in the air while his head was directed somewhere behind Brittany towards the kitchen while his face was of pure surprise. Rachel looked at her dad and followed his line of vision and she too was taken aback by what she saw. Confused, Leroy and Brittany made and eye contact and followed what the other pair was looking at.

There stood in the middle of the kitchen was Santana looking bewildered and confused.

Brittany approached Santana and Leroy rushed beside them and introduced himself and his family. The tanned man promised to explain everything but suggested that for now the brown eyed girl should eat. They guided Santana to the table and the confused girl sat beside Brittany. The blonde was nervous and excited, she had butterflies flying in her stomach; she had been looking forward to the moment where she could talk to Santana about the market incident and Santana was finally awake. Brittany watched Santana from her peripheral view and noticed how Santana was quiet and was only taking tiny sips of OJ. The taller girl was determined to be in good terms with Santana and was eager to eager to repay her kindness and so Brittany took Santana's plate and filled it with various foods, all the while the other girl just watched her. After the plate was half full, Brittany figured that the weak girl beside her didn't have much of an appetite; she placed the plate back in front of the indolent girl and urged her to eat.

"Come on and eat San, you haven't had anything since yesterday." Brittany encouraged, she noticed the nickname slip which made her bite her lips in jumpiness.

"'San'? Really Brittany? Is it because she's tanned? Is it because she looks like she came from a hot country? She's from Panem for goodness sake… Besides I'm pretty sure it's like racist to refer to someone by their skin colour…" Brittany said in debate with herself in her head. The effects Santana had on Brittany was ridiculous.

Santana was slow with her movements but obeyed Brittany's actions. Even though the brunette was silent and showed no full acknowledgement of Brittany's presence, the blue eyed girl was still glad and figured that the dark haired girl was just tired. After breakfast, Rachel and Hiram left for school and trade which left Brittany, Santana and Leroy. The doctor explained Santana why she was at Berry's household and bout her wound, throughout the conversation Santana lips was unmoving and she just nodded to show she understood. After the discussion, the trio went up the clinic and went to treat Santana's cuts. Leroy undressed the wound which revealed the injury, five coils of the whip can be traced on the butchered up arm, you can see how they all merged and concentrated on a specific part of the limb which mangled up the fresh thoroughly. Brittany was no squeamish but she had to look away after a short glance at the injury, although she was Santana's reaction throughout the treatment and even though Leroy applied a generous amount of ointment which Brittany knew stung; Santana remained emotionless. Leroy explained how half of her arm is now growing skin thanks to the gel from the Capitol which encouraged rapid skin repair. He explained that he needed the skin before he could close up the whole injury which will be good for the healing of her radial artery. However, since liniment was only showing signs of effect now; it will take a full 24 hours until they get to the desired stage where he could seal the arm. So for now, he gave Santana painkillers and cleaned and redressed the wound.

For the rest of the day Brittany and Santana were left together as Leroy tended to his errands. They were encouraged by Leroy to make the most out of everything in the house, the living room, and kitchen and even in the entertainment area in the converted basement. The bold and charismatic Latina was still uncharacteristically quiet and told Brittany that she simply just wanted to stay at one room and was not bothered where; and so Brittany took Santana to the living room where the blonde spent the whole day reading and while Santana was just sat on the sofa idly.

At lunch or whenever she got the chance, Brittany would pamper Santana. The blonde cooked for the brunette enthusiastically. She made them salmon with tarragon Hollandaise, the fish was fresh as delivered by the Berry's family friend who was a fish monger and the vegetable was crisp and sweet which was balanced by the creamy Hollandaise sauce. The hard working girl even decorated the meal extravagantly to impress the tanned girl. During their meal the two girls ate in silence, just chewing on their food quietly. The blue eyed girl watched Santana discreetly which she had been doing a lot. She saw how Santana was struggling to move her wronged arm. The bothered girl offered to help her cut the food but Santana declined and assured her that she could do it by herself. Brittany returned to her meal and ate; she was saddened by the Latina's sudden reclusiveness but told herself to be patient and understanding.

In the afternoon when Rachel came back from school, Santana excused herself and reasoned that she was tired. Rachel and Brittany let her be and spent the evening watching endless of musicals as requested by Rachel as always. Brittany didn't really mind, her thoughts were on the shorter girl who was in her solitude. She was worried about her but she comforted herself with the thought that Santana was just hurting from her arm.

In the evening the couple and the three young ladies all ate supper together; Santana hardly ate anything and again excused herself to go to bed early. Hiram and Leroy didn't mind and Rachel found it discourteous but understood the unease the injured hero must be. She expressed her disappointment by the turn of events as she had high expectations of the three of them "Bonding", but assured everyone that she's fine and that she will wait until the third member is better. While Brittany lastly, motivated herself to try harder to make Santana feel welcome and more comfortable the next day. She will be more active and encouraging of the uncannily introverted brunette.

When everyone made their way to their own separate room later in the evening, Brittany for a moment hesitated in going to her room. Eventually she forced herself into her room after lingering outside the door to the clinic for a good 10 minutes, as Hiram and Leroy timed.

The next day, it was the same routine: breakfast, wound, living room and so forth. Although when Leroy checked on Santana's arm again in the morning, he wasn't happy with the result. The supposedly growing skin was flaky and some parts were sticky and revoltingly soggy; the arms skin was not forming properly.

"How much longer will I need to rest, Doc?" Santana asked. She didn't like the inquisitive and confused look on Leroy's face and she knew it was a dumb question to ask, but she did anyway. The wound was repulsive; it was splotchy on the edges and some frays of the skin were flakey brown due to the bits and pieces of scab which were desperately trying to cover the exposed flesh. Soft tissues swelled in various places and were discolored. Patches of angry red, rotting tinge of orange and pale pink were stapled together and littered with yellow puss in different sizes, some grew on top of one another in clumps and several split open into yellowish substance plaguing and oozing the cut. Its appearance was as foul as it smelled. It's quite difficult to describe rotting flesh, it smelled well… like a rotten flesh. It was something which is unforgettable; the smell is so distinct that when it clouds your airway, the disgusting odor seems to linger in your lungs despite exhaling and inhaling frantically for fresh air. The experience stays in your mind and no oxygen can clean your lungs nor can perfume overpower or hide the stench.

Brittany instead of looking at the coarse meat, focused on Santana's face. It was the only thing which was stopping her from flying to the door. She fiddled with the sleeves of her oversized jumper and sat on the armchair she slept on the night before. Her right leg was folded on top of her left which bobbed restlessly up and down.

"A lot longer I'm afraid." Leroy got up to his working table and fetched various bottles and pills. "Your wound is infected which is not surprising considering how filthy that instrument must have been. But, I don't think that it's severe. The yellow pusses are normal. Although, this is not what worries me; I'll be giving you antibiotics and some anti-inflammatory meds- painkillers." Leroy explained as he made his way back to Santana who was sat on the bed listening intently. "What is very peculiar is that the ointment designed to encourage epidermis growth is not working. We may have to result to skin graft since it's proving to be ineffective." The medic proceeded cleaning the wound and redressing it, the process caused Santana to hiss in pain which Leroy responded with an apology. Leroy noticed the beads of sweat on Santana's forehead, the way her eyes sunk and the heat radiating of the Latina.

"I'll be keeping a close eye on you temperature Santana. Like yesterday I just want you to take it easy." Leroy announced as he gave the girl a firm look.

Much like the day before, Brittany carried on pampering Santana. However the brunette was snappy and easily irritated unlike the apathetic version of herself yesterday. In the afternoon, Santana barked at Rachel when the shorter brunette insisted that house heating should be lowered, that she was having immense perspirations which made her uncomfortable. In attempt to diffuse the conflict, Brittany took Santana to the entertainment room in the Berry household's basement where the heating was independent from the rest of the house. Despite the way Santana was sweating, she was also shivering and demanding how it was too cold. The blonde set the temperature on high in hopes that it will stop the other girl's constant shiver. The basement was a wide rectangular room with dark walls, lit up by small dimmed spotlight like lamps, attached on the ceiling. It was furnished with a navy blue sofa-bed-futon like furniture which stretched for the entire length of the wall. There was the interactive screen in which television and filmatography can be viewed. The room was silent; Santana was curled into an unmoving fetal position, showing no interest for her surrounding whatsoever wrapped in a blanket. Brittany decided to put something on just to fill in the silence and to have something to busy herself with. She figured Santana wouldn't be up for a chat and so she left the drained girl in peace and tried focus on the film.

Halfway through the film, Brittany checked on Santana's motionless body, It was time for supper and Santana had not eaten anything apart from the small portion of loaf from breakfast. Brittany was sat on the extended futon with her back wresting on one of the pillows and her legs outstretched, she was the nearest to the exit while Santana had her back facing the blonde. The taller girl scooched closer to the hushed brunette so she could have Santana's attention.

"Santana?" Brittany whispered.

No response.

"Santana?" She tried again, but when the other girl made no sign of acknowledgement, Brittany grew worried and so she stretched her right arm towards the tanned girl and tentatively shook her. Brittany gasped when her palm made contact with Santana's skin. She was burning up badly.

"Santana" The alarmed blonde called out for the Latina more firmly and shook her with a bit more force. The shorter girl moaned in response. Brittany shifted her position and was now kneeling in front the sick girl. She leaned over the sleeping figure and placed her right arm underneath Santana's left shoulder to roll her over. When she had successfully flipped Santana on her back, the brunette grunted but she conscious. Brittany surveyed Santana's hollow countenance which was only lighted by the warm sunset glow from the dimmed lights. She noticed how the girl's cheekbones were more prominent and how the dying coal looked right back at her concerned eyes.

"You lose weight really fast…" Brittany mumbled as she placed her palm on Santana's forehead. Brittany was caught off guard by the soaring heat which radiated from the tanned skin; she withdrew her hand quickly when her receptors experienced the unanticipated temperature.

"Christ! Santana! You're really burning up!" The blondes action were frantic, she pulled the blanket away from the shivering body and jumped off the couch on her way to alarm Leroy about the sudden heighten of Santana's temperature when she heard a weak voice call out for her. The hoarse tone stopped Brittany's hasty movements and forced her to return gently beside the evidently ill girl.

"Don't get Leroy please…" Santana whined.

"Santana, you're temperature is way too high! I have to get Leroy." Brittany said firmly as she rested her back on the wall while she strokes Santana's dampen hair from the fever.

"Please Britt? I'm fine I promise… I just really don't like the smell of the clinic, it burns my nose…" Santana offered lamely, her eyes begged Brittany and with the way the Latina was looking at her with so much hope and plead, the blonde grew torn. She didn't know how she could help Santana and they had a perfectly qualified medic in the other room who can help and knew what is the best for the feeble girl. Although as Santana continued to look up her with those gorgeous but weak brown orbs- which may Brittany add, can do the most adorable puppy dog eyes- the blonde girl sighed in defeat and conformed to the other girls request regardless her gut feeling raging inside her, telling her this is a bad idea.

"Alright…" The fair girl huffed "but, I will get us something to eat and you will eat." Brittany ordered firmly, she saw the way the brunette was about to protest and so she cut her off with a threat "or I will get Leroy." This caused Santana's gaped mouth to snap shut and nod weakly in agreement. The taller girl smiled in triumph and shift off the futon to make her way in the kitchen. "I'll be right back… I'll get you some painkillers too and a change of clothes…" Brittany's voice bounced in the small corridor as she climbed the stairs back up to the surface.

When the blonde girl entered the kitchen to fetch her and the Latina something to eat, she saw the Berry's sat in the dining room eating together. Hiram asked if everything was alright to which Brittany replied with a cheerful voice and a plastered smile, she reassured the Berry's that everything was alright but that Santana had wanted to just stay on the elongated mattress in the basement for she disliked the smell of the clinic. This was not a lie. Hiram and Leroy were relaxed on the matter and encouraged Brittany to stock up on food and bring dinner to Santana, they even suggested that the blonde girl should accompany her friend for the night. This made the girl embarrassed and flushed her cheeks; she ducked her head down and busied herself with putting a fresh hot chicken soup in a bowl for Santana and another one for her. She just nodded in agreement to the two adults' suggestion which made Hiram and Leroy smile knowingly at one another, left with Rachel staring at her Dad's and Brittany in confusion. The leggy blonde placed the bowls on a tray with another bowl filled with garlic bread; she left the food briefly as she changed into her pajamas and fetched clean clothes for Santana which was a tracksuit bottom and her cozy puffy hoodie and vest top. Afterwards, she sneaked into the clinic to take some painkillers for Santana then made her way back into the kitchen to return back to the waiting brunette. She hurried around the kitchen as she picked up a spare plastic bag to temporarily stuff the clothes in so she would only make one trip. Hiram and Leroy watched Brittany in amusement, Hiram's lips in crooked smile with his left eyebrows cocked; an identical look could be found in Leroy as well who quietly sipped on his coffee. The blonde girl placed her hand through the bag carrier and allowed it to dangle from her wrist, she stilled herself and picked up the tray calmly and bid the Berry's good night. As Brittany descended from the stairs to the dimmed room, she heard Hiram yell "Have fun!" followed by an "Ow! That hurt!" the leggy blonde shook her head out of awkwardness from what Hiram was suggesting. She focused herself on the task at hand and carefully placed her feet on the steps.

When Brittany returned to the basement she found Santana back into a fetal position again. She placed the tray of food on the futon and softly climbed on it to wake Santana up. Like the last time, Brittany nudged Santana into her back. However this time she placed her hand on the brunette's waist to help her pull herself up into a sitting position against the wall panel.

"Thanks…" Santana mumbled as she tried to rouse herself.

"No problem…" Brittany replied. "I- er… brought you some clothes… to change to, you know… pj's…" Brittany's voice was trembling and her speech came out in a gawking unintelligible manner. Upon the blubbering mess of a blonde's suggestion for Santana to change; Brittany's head started to show her… erm… erotic fantasies of the Latina. Brittany awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck as she tried to desperately she off the inappropriate thoughts in her head. How soft Santana's skin is under her gentle fingertips… how sweet her skin would taste… and how addictive the tanned girl's lips would be… How she would take the plumped lower lips between hers and massage them sensuously with her eager and yearning lips… She imagines she would moan in appreciation as teasing and hot kisses of the brunette would travel from her lips… to her chin… down to her neck…to her chest… around her ni-

"WOAH THERE." Brittany shook her head wildly, and suddenly the room felt really warm like, really warm.

Throughout Brittany's… pondering, Santana had been watching the blonde have the inner battle with herself. She smiled at the other girls odd and out of character actions, she patiently waited for the blonde to return her attention on her and notice how the brunette was watching her curiously. When she does look up, she saw Santana smile at her in confusion and the way her orbs glinted teasingly as if to ask "What are you thinking about?"

"I- you... You should change…" Brittany tried again but she notice how the brunette was wearing one of her oversized shirt which revealed a generous patch of the tanned chest. Santana followed Brittany's line of vision and was flustered for a moment until she realized how much fun she could have.

"Well… aren't you forward?" Santana teased.

"No! Not here! I meant in the bathroom! There's a bathroom just through that door there! The blue eyes widened at how Santana may have taken the wrong impression.

Santana laughed jovially for the first time, although it was weak she was still laughing with her head thrown back in delight. "It's ok Britt, I'm only joking. I'll be right back…" Santana shuffled off the futon and took the plastic bag of clothes and walked slowly towards the door on the right side of the room to go to the bathroom. She swayed her hips in a sensualistic manner, drawing Brittany's eyes into a hypnotic state. Santana turned the doorknob and entered the bathroom but stopping just after the door frame. She threw a quick glance back at Brittany who she caught was leering at her rear; this caused Santana to smirk in mischief.

"Don't start without me…" she purred to Brittany whose head snapped up and whose face turned into such a dark obvious shade of red due to her fair skin. Santana threw a wink at the blonde and closed the door abruptly behind with a thud, her back resting on top of it. Santana released an embarrass laugh at her antics and at reminiscing Brittany's bewildered face.

On the other side of the room Brittany just stared at the door dazed. She wasn't quite sure what just happened. "Was Santana flirting with me?" she asked herself. "She's so hot… literally" Brittany thought, which reminded her that Santana was still ill and was probably hallucinating when she was toying with the blue eyed girl.

Santana's illness soon quickly caught up with her and the adrenaline in her bloodstreams from her excitement produced by the banter with Brittany dissipated, sending her body crashing. When Santana returned to the room in her change of clothes, Brittany noticed the change of demeanor in the tanned girl and patted the space beside her. Santana crawled on the futon and sat herself next to Brittany, her breath was shallow and erratic. The blonde who had the tray of food on her lap repositioned herself so she was facing Santana; slender fingers took a piece of the garlic bread and placed in tanned hands. Then Brittany took one of the bowls of chicken soup and supported it with her left hand. She took a spoonful and soup and carried it towards Santana's lips. The Latina stared at her in disbelief at how domestic and caring Brittany was being. Her brown eyes darted between the steam emitting broth to the kind blue eyes.

"What is she doing… what am I doing… I shouldn't be doing this…" was chanting over and over the dark haired girls mind. However, the way Brittany smiled shyly at her made Santana's heart melt. The reluctant girl ignored the protests in her head as she parted her lips and welcomed the lovely broth.

That night Brittany fed and took care of Santana, she made her drink the painkillers and slept beside one another. In the night there was a reasonable distance between the pair, but by the time the thin sunlight lit up District 10, the two bodies laid together. Brittany spooned Santana's smaller frame and both slept peacefully.

Did Brittany mention that she's a hugger?

Brittany woke up from the intense heat, when she realized the position she was in; it came to her that Santana was the one causing such intense temperature. The Latina's body was shaking uncontrollably which alarmed Brittany greatly, she touched Santana's forehead which confirmed her suspicion. Santana was having a febrile convulsion.

The blonde rushed up and knocked frantically at Leroy and Hiram's bedroom door, Leroy emerged from the bedroom with his hair disarrayed and eyes clouded with sleep. When Brittany explained her impulsive actions, words leaving her lips 100mph. Leroy ran down to the basement and carried the limp girl in his arms to the clinic. Brittany followed closely by him throughout. Hiram by this time was fully alert of what was happening and had gathered a cool bucket of water and towels. Leroy asked Brittany to help him strip the Latina to help her bring down the temperature.

Brittany was stunned. She heard Leroy talking to her but everything was spinning and muffled, all she could think about was how she should have called Leroy last night. How she should have told him about Santana's spiking fever despite the brunettes protest.

"Brittany, help." Leroy repeated, but Brittany was still frozen. Her head was screaming for her body to move but her body was unmoving.

"I've got it Daddy…" Out of nowhere Brittany saw Rachel zoom in past her and felt the shorted girl grab her hand pulling her inside the clinic. Together they undressed Santana out of the enormous hoodie and vest top. Hiram soaked cool towels and squeezed them thorough to get rid of excess water. The trio stood by Santana's left side busily wiping and compressing cool towels against Santana's skin, desperately trying to lower the limp body's temperature. Leroy on the other hand attached a strap fasted by a Velcro around Santana's arm, which was connected to a rectangular device. It squeezed around the thin limbs and various numbers showed up on its screen.

"She has really low blood pressure and judging from the rate the way her chest is inflating and deflating, her lungs is struggling breathe. Hiram, I need you to get the mechanical ventilation." The taller man left the room and went inside the guest bed room to fetch the machinery hidden in its hidden storage room.

"Brittany and Rachel I need you two to leave, thank you. You've done enough. I can take it from here."

"But Leroy-" the fair skinned girl protested.

"I need you two to leave, the room is too small. Rachel, get Brittany out of here." Leroy's voice was strong and authoritative; the two girls can hear the foreign strain in the usually calm man's voice. Rachel pushed Brittany out of the clinic despite the blonde girl's reluctance.

The blonde stole one more glance of the unconscious girl on the bed before the door to the makeshift emergency room slammed shut. In no time Hiram emerged from the guests' bedroom with a heavy apparatus with several of chords and tubes sticking out of it. The slender man smiled apologetically at Brittany who still lingered by the clinics door. He ordered Rachel and Brittany to go downstairs and wait for Haymitch's arrival who promised to be present to deliver the donated blood for Santana. Brittany eventually walked away from the clinic and followed Rachel down stairs. Rachel poured orange juice in two separate glasses and the pair situated themselves on top of the kitchen counter in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

An hour later and Brittany was going insane. Rachel had tried to do everything to distract Brittany, the little brunette suggested they bake but Brittany said no. Rachel suggested they watch another musical with Shelby and April, again Brittany said no… And admitted tactlessly that she was sick of their voices and pointed how Shelby and Rachel had the same nose and how April Rhodes was a presumptuous diva who knows she's good and is not shy to brag about it. Also that she wouldn't be surprised if Rachel was the love child of the two songstresses. Needless to say, Rachel dropped the subject the moment she heard the word "nose". Thus, the two just stayed anxiously in the kitchen. With Brittany worried sick about Santana and Rachel worried sick about Brittany possibly burning the house down as she paced up and down the kitchen, the friction between her feet and the tiles leaving dark marks of her trail.

Just when Brittany had decided that she will make a sprint back up in the clinic the house bell rang and the long anticipated arrival of Haymitch had arrived. Brittany dashed to the door without waiting for Rachel to stand up, the blonde could hear Rachel's frustrated voice from the kitchen but ignored as she threw the door open. There stood on the other side of the walnut doors was Haymitch with his hair uncharacteristically combed to one side, neatly shaved supporting a violet themed outfit with his purple yam colored suit with checkered waistcoat of fine lines of criss-crossed magenta and fuschia and a white dress shirt. He stood by the door with his back straight while holding a steel chrome briefcase.

"Well someone's oddly excited to see me?" Haymitch joked surprised by Brittany's undomesticated actions.

"Good morning Haymitch, please come on in." Rachel said ushering Haymitch in "and might I say your outfit is most handsome, the color of your suit compliments your skin tone." Rachel added.

Sometimes Brittany has to remind herself that Rachel is a dear friend of hers and that violence is never the answer

"Thanks, I tried." The man replied with his lips curling upward proud. "So where's princess Santana?" Haymitch asked mockingly as he turned his head to look at Brittany teasingly.

Rachel who stopped walking and had turned towards Brittany and Haymitch said "Actually about that-"

"Haymitch. Welcome, Leroy and I have to talk to you." Hiram interrupted as he stalked towards the trio, Brittany and Rachel were looking at Hiram expectantly waiting for him to continue. "Privately." The tall man finished, his glasses glaring from the stroke of sunlight piercing through the long windows beside the door. Brittany's face fell upon hearing Hiram's firm request, the man's face was stoic and left with Haymitch in tow. Heavy thuds of their footsteps were all that was left for Brittany and Rachel to listen to.

"We know this not what you want to hear… Especially with your current situation… We know that regardless of your connections that it will be… difficult, to get some medical assistance for her…" The medic started.

"But, from the tests I have run, my diagnosis says that Santana had a septic shock. It's the result of a severe infection. I'm sorry; I failed to intercept this... "Leroy lowered his head apologetically as the three adults stood around Santana's monitored body. "The various tubes and dextrose are for the antibiotics and IV drips I've also put her on ventilation and dialysis. The blood you've brought in will help her liver, but it can only do so for a limited time…"

"What do you mean?" Haymitch asked as he stared at the various tubes and wires attached to Santana's body. There was a breathing tube lodged in the Latina's mouth and different liquids dripped down through the thin rubbery pipes which disappeared into the wrists. In the background a dull beeping noise can be heard counting every faint heartbeat.

Leroy took a deep breath preparing himself to deliver the news to a man who was staring at the only other person he considered as family."She's in a coma. Septic shock can cause many complications. Unfortunately for Santana, she's having some respiratory problems and her kidney had gone through immense harm. Then there is also the hypotension which is why the heart monitor is beeping so weakly."

Hiram hung his head low, his temple was in right hand looking completely troubled and disheartened.

"Haymitch, Santana's going to need surgery." Leroy explains. "She's going to need a new kidney. Even then, there is no guarantee that her body will be compatible with the kidney. If she's lucky, it will just about work but not without constant complications." He ended.

The room was silent. Haymitch's eyes remained set on the frail girl resting on the bed. After an extended moment of silence, Haymitch spoke.

"I'll get you the kidney." He said.

"Haymitch-"

"I will get you the kidney. How long can she stay like this for?" Haymitch asked as he turned his head towards Leroy.

"I- two days? Maybe three? It's not ideal to keep her any longer…"

"What happens if any later?" the blonde haired man questioned

"The organs will completely shut down."

"So you're saying she'll die?" Haymitch asked bluntly but not aggressively, but more of a in-fact tone.

The doctor sighed "Yes. That is most certainly "

"She won't. That kid had gone through more shit than I have. That little rascal has been through hell and back to the point that she had actually made friends with that three headed mutt that guards hell. She's not going to die from some weak ass infection." Haymitch said vindictively, his voice did not waver and he showed no doubt about the young girl at all.

"Okay" Leroy replied smiling softly Haymitch.

"Can you carry out the surgery?"

"Yes. I can."

"Is there anything you can't do Doc?" Haymitch smirked, impressed by Leroy's skills.

That day Haymitch left right after learning about Santana's condition. He didn't blame anyone or showed any anger, frustration or anything. He simply absorbed all the information he needed. Santana needs a kidney. The blonde man left without saying another word to anyone and simply promised Leroy that he will be back in time. The Berry's offered to go through the black market to see if they can find anything but Haymitch reassured them that it was not necessary for he will be back. Hiram and Leroy respected the guardians decision and nodded in agreement that no procedure will be held without Haymitch's approval. During the next three days after Abernathy's visit, tension was growing in the Berry household. Brittany and Rachel listened in to the conversation between the trio using the brunette's present from when she was 16 aspiring to be a vet. Her parents got her a modern set of stethoscope which picked up high frequency noise and was extremely sensitive. It wasn't really an idealistic toy but Brittany's glad that Rachel was spoiled rotten; it meant weird and wacky things that will somehow be useful to them. As they eavesdropped in to the conversation, various questions filled the blonde's head. Why was it difficult to get medical attention for Santana when Haymitch has got connection from the Capitol? What did he mean when the girl in coma had been through hell and back? Just who is Santana? As this mysteries circled in her brain, her heart was sinking simultaneously as guilt pulled on her conscience.

The Pierces visited everyday during the wait for Haymitch's return. While after a long debate whether Brittany should be allowed in the clinic, Leroy eventually gave in to Brittany's pestering. The first time she saw Santana was the following day after the convulsion. Brittany was allowed in the clinic. She imagined the worst kinds of scenario, Santana poked and stabbed with needles with spaghetti of tubes running everywhere but no matter what she imagined; her mind could not create a scene harsh enough to justify the appearance of the comatose body.

Santana looked so small on the bed, her skin was a strange colour of brown, it was absent of its glow and trace of disease could be seen by the way there was a hint of yellow in the pigments. The air tubes looked rough and unnatural sticking out of the Latina's soft lips. Brittany doesn't understand how a pipe wedged in someone's throat could help them breathe. As the blonde girl approached the bed closer, she noticed how the previously toned and strong limbs flailed from the drastic lost of weight and how the adorable cheeks of Santana's had sunken deep. Underneath the shut eyes was a pair of dark crescent moons which emphasised the strain the poor body was.

Brittany cried.

The overwhelming guilt took over her whole being, it ran through her veins, poisoning her blood, threatening her mind, paralyzing her tongue preventing apologies and pressed on her chest suffocating her. An insane desire to care for the Latina and to just somehow be close to her to let her know that Brittany was there beset the blonde.

Throughout the days Brittany refused to leave the clinic and spent most of her time reading "Pride and Prejudice". After finishing it for the first time, Brittany looked up to Santana and felt a strange fondness towards the brunette. She ignored the feeling. For the second time she read about Darcy and Elizabeth's kiss, Brittany could not help but ask herself if Santana had kissed anyone before. A biting jealousy made her feel uncomfortable thinking about Santana with someone else. For the second time she read about the characters wedding, Brittany allowed her to fantasize about kissing Santana and warm feeling soothed the guilt in her chest. When she finished the book for the third time; to the point the spine of the book was folded and wrinkled and to the extent that Rachel threatened to ask her dad to reserve a room for an asylum for her. Also to the point that Brittany could not get Santana off her mind no matter how hard she tried, she knew she wanted more than a kiss from Santana.

On the third day Haymitch didn't arrive.

On the fourth day there was still no sign of Haymitch. The Pierce took Brittany home for the amount of nuisance Benny felt she was causing on Leroy as Brittany insisted they find new kidney themselves. Despite Brittany's protest, she was taken home.

On the fifth day, there was no news. Her parents refused to talk and insisted she gets some sleep. Brittany was distressed.

On the sixth day the blonde disappeared from the household, gone for the whole day. She rushed around the market, went through dingy alleyways and talked to dirty men who looked at her hungrily. She tried to find a kidney for Santana but only got strange and judging looks from various people instead. As the rooster cockled ending another day, she returned back to the Berry household defeated with a heavy heart, her body hunched in disappointment. Brittany's body trudged through the familiar house, her memory taking her body to the clinic to sit down on her self-claimed armchair to read her self-claimed book. She knew she shouldn't be there but she went anyway. Upon opening the door, blue orbs were greeted by chocolate brown eyes which seemed to sparkle brighter only for her.