This is the calm before several storms. This story will span for probably a decade of craziness and amidst all that, love will bloom. Again enjoy and review if you have questions or comments or are generally confused by my philly dialect haha.

Brittany's POV

"Here bitch, I got you extra bacon, I know you fiend for that shit."

Quinn laughs and flips me the finger, oh how I love how nice we are to each other.

"Mmm. If bacon got me high, I'd totally get clean."

Me, Sam, Mike, and Tina all snap our heads toward her cuz she just said the C word. Now it may not be a big deal to someone who's never been addicted to something but lemme lay it out there for you. When you're an addict the simple word "clean" sparks two different emotions in you. The first one is hope. All of a sudden you start plotting all these plans to start a new life, and not be a slave to a substance any longer. The second is regret. Regretting ever getting into drugs, feeling like shit because of all the time you've wasted chasin' a high. Finally in true addict form, after all our little freak outs, we go the "I don't give a fuck" route and lay out an extra big line or put twice as much in the syringe to counteract the feeling of doom that blanketed the living room.

I can tell Quinn realizes what she did because the same things ran rampant through her head too. The locusts of thought swarming on all of our psyches.

She too, puts down the sandwich, and foregoing the ritual of cutting out a line, she just puts the straw in the ten bag she has and snorts all of it's contents in one sniff. I watch as her pupils turn to pins and her eyes glaze over with contentment. Then I watch Mike preparing a shot for him and his girlfriend, Tina. I swear they're like the Asian version of Sid and Nancy, but without all the punk music and stabbing. Watching the process of an IV user always fascinates me. Like it must be good if they're willing to go through all those damn steps. I look on with interest as Mike sprinkles the dope on a spoon. Then he takes the syringe and sucks up the correct amount of water before pushing the plunger down and joining the water with the drugs. He swirls it around a bit to mix it together before grabbing the lit candle and holding it under the spoon until the mixture bubbles a bit. Finally he places a cotton ball on the spoon with the heated up dope and puts the needle through it and into the liquid. He sucks the liquid heroin through the cotton to filter it and give him the best shot possible. Mike sees me watching with intense interest and quirks an eyebrow at me.

"You wanna try it Britt? You seem like your mad interested."

I see Quinn's eyes bug out of her head and she grabs Mike's ear forcefully.

"You ever give B a needle and I'll personally beat your ass. Actually no, I'll get Lopez here to make you piss your pants again! You of all people should know that once someone goes to the needle, it's a life sentence, and there's no going back to snortin'."

"Ok shit Q, I get it. I was just asking I wasn't holding her down and forcing it into her veins."

I just look on as they argue about me, and Sam, good 'ol Sam, notices my discomfort and decides to change the subject.

"Speaking of Lopez, how's that going Britt?"

Sam has genuine interest in my love life, not only for the mental images I provide for him after my conquests, but because he cares about me. He wants me to be loved just as much as I do.

I blush a little at the mention of the certain Latina and it doesn't go unnoticed.

"It's going great. I haven't seen her for a couple weeks cuz she's working day and night, but we talk on the phone all the time. She's different Sam, she has walls like a damn fortress but she's so caring and genuine. I'm really diggin' her."

Quinn listens with a smile as I swoon over her adoptive sister of sorts. The moment is ruined though when Tina yells because she can't find a vein.

"Fuck. I'm shaking too bad to get the needle in right! UGHH what the fuck!"

"Tina sweetheart, you have abscesses everywhere and collapsed veins, maybe you should do it between your toes."

"No Mike I refuse to be one of those junkies that resorts to that shit, what's next my eyes?"

I get up to see if I can help. I'm used to helping my friends who shoot up find a vein because they start to panic because they can't get their fix. It's like having a line layed out but it's under a pain of glass that won't move and you can't get to it no matter how hard you try. And the harder you try, the more freaked out you get. It's a vicious cycle, really.

Wordlessly I grab Tina's forearms and check the damage. Her arms looks like a mine field filled with track marks and abscess bubbles from missing veins and getting infected. I finally find a spot that looks promising and tell her to hand over the needle. She trusts me, this isn't the first time I've done this for her. She takes the belt and tightens it around her upper arm and holds it in place by biting down on the excess material. I tap the vein that starts to protrude and carefully insert the needle into her skin. I pull the plunger of the syringe out to see if I get blood to flow in, which tells me the vein is tapped. Then, finally, I push the drugs through the needle into her skin. She releases the make shift tunicate and lays back onto the couch as the warm rush flows through her veins.

"Thank you so much B, I don't know how you do it. It's like you're playing Where's Waldo, but with veins."

I laugh at the comparison. I used to love that game when I was little. Me and my sister used to search for Waldo for hours. Enough thinking about her though. I should have appreciated it when I could, but I didn't know my life would be ripped away and games would become a foreign word.

Then, out of the blue my phone rings and the name on the caller ID makes me smile so hard it hurts.

"Hey Tana!"

"Hi Sweets, what's got you in such a good mood?"

"Oh ya know, just this sexy girl with a rockin' ass, and abs that put MMA fighters to shame."

We both laugh, while I get turned on just thinking about her caramel skin and taught stomach that is so damn lickable.

"Damn well, I got some competition then. Lemme go do some more crunches, maybe I can compare better to this mystery chick haha."

"Pshhh. There's no competition and no one could compare, ever."

"Haha that's good B, cuz I was actually calling to see if I could take you on a proper date. Treat you like a lady n shit."

She laughs that beautiful laugh and I can imagine her dimples creasing in her cheeks and her eyes squinting from smiling. How can someone so badass be so damn adorable?

"Hmmm a date huh, I'll have to get back to you, I'm in high demand." I joke.

"Oh really, well I'm just gonna have to kick everyone else's ass so the only one demanding your time is me. I can be very convincing."

"Haha, you're too funny San. When did you wanna go out?"

"I'll pick you up at 7, and wear sneakers, but that's all I'm telling you, so don't even ask where we're going."

I laugh she is too damn cute.

"Alright Tana, I'm excited now, I can't wait!"

"Me too B, me too. See you at 7."

I hang up the phone to see Sam and Quinn giving me the same look.

"What, do I have powder in my nose or something?"

"No you're just smiling like you won the lottery. Tana's takin you out huh?"

"Yes Q, if you must know, I got a date with your fine ass sister."

"Gross. I hope you guys don't wake me up this time calling each other dirty little sluts."

I throw a pillow at her and start a tickle war.

"Say mercy! Say it!"

"Ok! Ok, mercy! Britt you're a god damn tickle monster!"

"Hehe, I know. Now if you would excuse me I'm gonna get ready for my daaateee."

I switch my hips happily and barrel up the steps into the shower. I decide to make San drool even if it is winter, I gotta take my coat off sometime. And just because I'm an addict and a stripper doesn't mean I don't own nice things or like to look pretty. I'm what you call a functioning addict. One who can hold down a job in order to get money for my fix. Mike and Tina are another story. They came from a good family though, unlike the rest of us. They're the youngest at 21. Mike met Tina at a party and they were as hooked on each other as the drugs they were experimenting with. Their grades in school dropped drastically and when their families found out about the partying they were thrown out onto the streets. They moved from the swanky neighborhoods of the Main Line, to Kensington when their dealer offered to give them a cut of the sales if they would post up on his corner and sell for him. Eventually the dealer got arrested and Mike and Tina we're stuck with the house we live in now, with no money to pay the rent. That's when they started stealing cars and getting money from it at the local chop shop to feed their addiction. Not long after, they met Sam, who needed a place to shoot up and decided to room with him to lower rent. Sam had just been released from a Juvenile center where he'd been since he was 11. His parents we're junkies and family services took his brother, 5 at the time, and his sister, 6, to separate foster homes. He hasn't seen them since. Sam picked up his habit in the detention center, after being sent there for wreaking havoc in all the foster homes he frequented, including setting one on fire.

Then Quinn and Sam met at a party and invited her to move in, also. About two years later I met Quinn on my first day at Headliner's and she noticed all the bags I was carrying, giving away the fact that I was homeless, and brought me back to the house for a place to sleep, and the rest is history. 4 years later not much has changed. So, there you have it. The story of our little family. Quinn and I are the only ones with legal jobs though. Mike and Tina still panhandle and boost cars for money, among many other things. Sam works for Hudson, which is dumb I know, but that's his choice. I'm not his mother, but he's my best friend, and I still worry.

I decide to let my hair dry naturally, leaving it in loose waves that flow over my shoulders. I make my makeup natural too, because I wear enough of it at work and that shit's exhausting to keep up with through the night. I pick out my favorite shirt. It's grey and long sleeved with lace cut outs running down the arms of it and the back is much the same way. The deep cut of the shirt is something I know San will appreciate. I pair it with my dark blue skinny jeans and a yellow leather jacket. Finally I slip my sneakers on and check myself out in the mirror. "Lookin' good Pierce." I say to myself while winking in the mirror. I walk over to my little end table and do a couple lines while I wait for Santana. Not long after Quinn knocks on my door and tells me my lady has arrived.

When I get down to the living room the wind is knocked out of me. In front of me is the goddess of sex herself wearing tight leather pants a green, cleavage displaying flowy silk shirt, and her signature leather jacket. Holy shit. This girl wants to take ME on a date?

She smiles at me and holds out a bouquet of sunflowers. My favorite, how did she know?

"Q told me these were your favorite. I got someone on the inside." She laughs

"Thank you so much Tana! Let me go put them in water." I say giving her a kiss.

I go into the kitchen and find an empty bottle of vodka and fill it halfway with water before putting the flowers inside. We don't do vases here. The only thing remotely resembling a vase in this house is the bong we all chipped in to buy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Soon we're in her car holding hands while I listen to her sing along to the radio. Her voice is sick! It's like Amy Winehouse and Adele merged vocal cords and placed them in Santana. Shit she caught me staring.

"Like what you see Sweets?"

"I like what I see AND what I hear. Your voice is on fuckin' point."

"Haha thanks. I used to sing on the art museum steps to make money before I worked at the club." She looks down a little bashful. Can this girl be anymore perfect?

"That's awesome. I used to dance when I was little. I loved it. I use those skills at Headliner's now."

"Why'd you stop dancing if you loved it so much?"

I clam up a little bit. Stupid move Britt now you're gonna ruin the whole date with your awkwardness.

"uh um. That's a story for another time. Let's just have fun tonight."

She looks at me with understanding eyes and squeezes my hand while simultaneously leaning over the car and placing a kiss on my cheek. I see we're approaching the South Street bridge and I get excited. I love walking down South Street, there's hundreds of shops, and bars, and anything else you can imagine. My favorite thing though, is the Magic Garden. It's in an empty lot next to buildings which provide a space for the artist to suspend all types of random things like painted bikes, tiles, artwork, you name it. The floor of the place is covered in colorful tiles and scrap metal sculptures and it's just amazing. Zagar, the artist is the coolest dude you will ever meet, although he's only sociable with certain people. I've only seen him once.

"I figured we could stop at Fat Tuesday's first to get some drinks and food and then walk around for a bit. It's not too cold right now. What do you think?"

"I think this is the best date I've been on already." I smile and grab her hand as we walk down the street to get to the bar.

"What's your favorite animal San?"

She ponders my question for a second before answering.

"I'd have to say…Panthers. They're mysterious and protective. Also, all around badass. You?"

"I could see why you like them, they're just like you San. But your favorite animal would eat mine alive. I like giraffes. They're tall and just go about they're day eating leaves."

"Haha. Of course."

We laugh and then I stop abruptly when I see a familiar man with dark skin and green eyes. I stiffen up and Santana notices but doesn't say anything. Instead she grabs my hand, throws a 50 on the table, and brings me out into the night again. I love how she understands me without having to use words.

"Where to next Tana?"

"My all time favorite spot, The Magic Garden."

"Oh my god that's my favorite too San!"

"Well good cuz Zagar's there and the old man has a surprise for you."

We make our way down the street until we get to the amazingness that is the magic garden.

"Ahhh my favorite girl, Santana, and you must be Brittany. I can't get this one to shut up about you."

"Very funny Zag, now do you have what I asked you for?"

"How could I refuse a favor for my favorite lesbian?"

Damn Santana knows everyone. She's like a fuckin' celebrity in this town, and she's holding MY hand. How did I get so lucky?

Zagar finally comes back over after sifting through countless piles of metal and ceramic tiles. In his hands is a foot wide and about 6 inches long piece of thin glass covered in tiles. He hands it to me and I'm shocked at what I see. On the glass is a mosaic of a sunset with my name running through the middle of the scenery.

"T-this is for me?" Zag then answers me instead of Santana.

"This one here," he says pointing to San "called me up about a week ago for a special request, and I couldn't resist my favorite girl, even though I rarely give away my work. Here's a bag to carry it in. That shit's heavy."

I look over at Santana completely enamored with this girl, and give her the deepest kiss I could muster, until we're broken up by Zagar awkwardly coughing in the background.

"Oh but there's more to that Blondie, something more permanent, made by Santana herself."

Santana then leads me over to a section of the wall that's covered with a white cloth and rips it down. There lays another mosaic. But this time the pattern in the background is different shades of blue tiles and in the middle "S and B" is written out with metal welded letters.

"I know it's cheesy and kind of cliché, but I wanted to do something nice. And I know we've only known each other for about a month, and ughh, why is this so hard?"

I watch her stutter and stammer with an air appreciation towards this girl. No one has ever done something like this for me before, and everyone walking by will be able to see what she made for me. I'm so touched I might just cry.

"Just say what you have to say Tana. You're safe with me."

"O-ok. I-I'm just gonna spit it out. Brittany Pierce would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

She is too damn adorable. I put her out of her misery by jumping on her and wrapping my legs around her waist, kissing her furiously.

"Is that a yes?" She mumbles against my lips.

"That's a hell yes!"

We hang out with Zag for a little bit until it starts to get late and walk back to Santana's car. I think tonight was the best night of my life. No I KNOW it was the best night of my life.

"Hey B? I know we had sex already but, um would you wanna wait til maybe the second date and just sleepover tonight. I wanna cuddle you, but I also wanna treat you like you're more than a warm body."

"San tonight you treated me better than anyone has in my life, thank you so much, for everything. And yes I will come over and cuddle my girrrlfrienddd."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When we walk into San's house the sight we are met with is disturbing, yet hilarious. Puck is on the couch jerking off, watching porn, surrounded by tissues and bottles of lube. San walks over like it's nothing and slaps him on the back of the head.

"What the fuck Puck. You do have a room to do that shit without getting your jizz on my couch. You don't see me rubbin one out down here do you?"

"Oh Fuck! I thought it was still early. Time flies when your having fun." He chuckles and zips up his pants when he notices me.

"Oh shit Brittany you totally just saw my dick. My fault. Did you like San's presents for you? And you better have said yes to her, especially now since you've seen my man parts, we're practically family."

I laugh at him. He's fuckin' ridiculous.

"Yes how could I not say yes, have you met this girl?"

"Now Fuckerman if you don't mind I'm gonna take my girlfriend upstairs and cuddle the shit out of her. Goodnight."

We turn to walk up the steps and as we're ascending Puck calls out to us.

"Can I watch?"

Without stopping or turning to acknowledge him we both yell out at the same time.

"Fuck you!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I enter San's room and immediately flop on the bed, while she's kneeled over by her end table cutting out lines for the both of us. I look down at the bedspread and notice it mirrors that of mine, with burn holes littering the surface.

"You dip off with cigs too? Haha, my sheets look exactly the same."

"Yea it's like one second I'm completely there smoking my cig, and then the next I'm waking up with it half smoked in my fingers and a burn hole to go along with it."

We do the lines and then strip down to just our bras and panties. No need for pajamas here. Being taller I take the position of big spoon, plus I like when San feels so little curled into me, and it makes me feel good to be able to comfort this hard shelled woman. When I notice she's fallen asleep I take a moment to bask in her beauty before my eyelids grow heavy and, I too, am taken to dream land.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Please let me go! Jermaine please! Stop! Pleasseeee!"

I wake up screaming from yet another nightmare with Santana holding me and whispering calming words into my ear. When I finally settle down she looks at me with concern and I know she's gonna ask me something.

"B, you were screaming about some guy named Jermaine. Did he hurt you, Britt who hurt you?"

I turn away from her and whisper.

"Who hasn't?"

I know I'll have to tell her eventually but tonight is not that time. She finally lays down and holds me this time. So much for comforting her, I feel so weak.