Brittany sat in the car looking out the window gripping the door handle far tighter than she had to. Her heart was beating fast already and she hadn't even set foot in the building yet.

Suddenly the opportunity to ease herself out was ripped away by Lori, her mother, pulling the car door open, almost dumping her on the ground in the process. The small girl managed to catch herself before she ended up sprawled out on the asphalt and at the sight her mother sighed heavily.

"Brittany you've been sitting in there for ten minutes, you're going to be late," the tall woman said tersely, closing the door and trapping the child outside.

"I don't w-want to go," Brittany chocked out, her distress rising as she realized there was no longer a physical barrier between her and the doors of McKinley Elementary.

Her mother sighed again and rubber her hands over her eyes in exasperation, "Sweetie, you have worked on this routine for a whole month, you're ready. So stop cowering, go out there and own it."

"The whole s-school is going to be watching and I h-have to do it dressed like t-this," she said quietly looking down at her scarecrow costume.

She hated dressing up, it drew even more attention to her than her natural nervousness already did. Looking longingly at the car she desperately wished her mother hadn't locked it; she wanted so badly to scramble back inside.

"Where is your father?" Lori asked no one and looked around for the man.

Brittany's eyes swept the parking lot and spotted him next to Mr. Evans laughing jovially about something.

"Frank!" the older woman barked, her husband turned and, upon seeing her irritation, jogged over.

"You bellowed, sweetness?" he said grinning.

"Don't start, I gave her time like you said and she still won't go," her mother said in a lowered voice that she still heard.

Her dad took a knee next to her, "Come on Britt-Britt you've got this totally rad costume and I know you're ready to strut your stuff in there."

"But I don't want to," her voice was even smaller now. She didn't like letting her dad down but she could already feel her body locking up.

He knelt and lifted her into his arms, usually Brittany didn't like being lifted so high, but she always felt safe in his embrace. She tucked her head and slid her arms around his neck to try and hold on to the only calming thing she had at the moment.

"You dance for us at home all the time," he said, his voice bright to try and coax her out of hiding, "and for Mr. Ryerson."

"That's different," she mumbled.

Usually she was taught separately from the other students in her class with Mr. Ryerson, and the man was always too busy on his phone or writing something to be bothered with her so dancing for him was literally dancing alone. At least she thought so until he began to swear up and down that she was a natural, meaning he must have been looking at some point. And her parents didn't count, she trusted them, they wouldn't laugh at her or call her names like some of the kids at school.

"And you preformed in front of your whole dance class before remember?"

She remembered that performance alright, Mr. Ryerson had insisted she 'Show everyone how it's done'. She had been so nervous she had excused herself to the bathroom and thrown up twice, but her parents had been there and they were so eager to see her dance so she did. Though even then it was only because it took her so long to build up the courage there were only two students still around waiting for their parents, and Sam had just taught her how to pretend there was no one else around. It had worked twice before and it had worked then, but that was with small groups of people, this was the whole student body and their parents. There was no way to block them out, especially not when Mr. Ryerson had set her up to do a solo dance number in the middle of the performance.

"Dad I'm really scared," she pleaded holding him tighter and trying not to think of all those people watching her.

"What's there to be scared of? It's just a play, okay it's a Halloween play, but the audience is supposed to be scared," he laughed.

Brittany just held him tighter and Lori sighed, "Frank she's going to be late. Now that's something to get embarrassed over."

Frank rolled his eyes and pulled his daughter from around his neck even though she tried to prevent it by locking her fingers. He held her easily in front of him and dangling above the ground, free from his comforting warmth, Brittany was extremely uncomfortable.

"You're going to be great kiddo," he said smiling at her before putting her down. "You remember what Ms. Pillsbury said? You need to face your fears, that's why mom put you in the dance program, so you can be brave."

Ms. Pillsbury was the school counselor and Brittany didn't really like her, especially since she was so busy telling people to be brave while she was terrified of invisible bugs on her desk.

"Some trouble with your little star there Frank?"

The trio turned to see Dwight Evans walking towards them, his son Sam jogging beside him to keep up with his father's long strides.

"She's being difficult before we even get inside," Lori complained.

Dwight looked at Brittany in surprise, "But I hear you're quite the dancer."

"She is," her mother said looking down at her, "And everyone would agree if you showed them what you can do."

In response Brittany tried to tuck herself behind her father's leg, but her mother took her hand and began to gently tug her in the direction of the accursed building. When she tried digging her heels into the ground her mother spun around on her.

"Brittany you are seven years old, you aren't a baby, you don't see the other kids freaking out in the parking lot do you?" she said shortly.

"Aw come on Lori, you're never too old for stage fright," Dwight said kindly.

"Hey Britt, if you're that worried, think about after the play. Remember you're going to Sam's house so you guys can go trick or treating, just think about how much fun that'll be," Frank said like it was a brilliant idea.

Brittany nodded because three pairs of eyes were expecting her to, but honestly she would trade trick or treating for not having to dance in front of people any day. The only person who seemed to understand her reluctance was Sam, he watched her carefully and when her mother tried to pull her again he stepped forward.

"Mrs. Pierce I can walk her inside," he offered.

Brittany wasn't keen on the idea of having to go at all, but if she were going to be forced into the building she'd rather it be by someone that understood her.

Lori looked from Sam to her daughter, "If I send you with him will you walk inside like a big girl?"

"Yes ma'am," she said pulling from her mother's iron grip and taking Sam's soft, albeit slightly sticky, hand.

"Okay, were going to find our seats then," she said, "and Brittany, you dance beautifully, do what you do naturally and you will see there is nothing to be scared of."

She nodded again even though all she felt at the moment was the blanketing feeling of complete terror.

Her mother started off, but Frank paused before leaving to give some final words of advice, "I was told a long time ago that to get over stage fright just picture the audience in their underwear, I use that when I get nervous and it works every time," he said before giving her a stout clap on the back and moving quickly to catch up with his wife.

"Lets get to it then shall we?" Dwight said as he began towards the door.

Sam smiled at her as he gently guided her after him, "You're gonna do great," he said softly.

"But I have to dance alone, in front of everyone, d-dressed as a scarecrow."

He frowned, "Yeah, but that's cause Mr. Ryerson is weird, everyone already knows that so you don't need to worry about it."

She couldn't help but smile at that a little, "He is weird."

They walked quietly through the doors and to the auditorium where hundreds of people were already gathered. Brittany had hoped that most of the students and parents wouldn't show up but apparently the promise of free food and candy was enough to get a more than decent turnout.

Dwight led them backstage near the small area where her classmates were already gathered. Brittany knew this was where she parted ways with Sam so when he tried to let go of her hand she held it tighter.

He gave her another small smile, "Do you want me to help you run away? My dad's shown me all the back ways out of here."

That sounded wonderful, it was the answer to her every wish and prayer, but then Dwight stepped in, "Lori would skin both of us if you did," he said with a chuckle. "Britt I know all of this is scary for you right now, but trust me it isn't a big deal. By the time you get your first handful of candy tonight you won't even remember what you were so scared of."

"There you are!" came an overly dramatic voice from behind.

Brittany didn't need to turn to know her dance instructor Mr. Ryerson had found her, but she did and saw the man barreling down on her.

"If you need me I'll be nearby," Sam said before he got too close.

Sam's father worked as a volunteer for events at McKinley and always allowed Sam to shadow him as he worked the lights and backdrops. It was a little comforting to know he would be so close.

She wanted to answer, but was dragged bodily away from the Evans' by Mr. Ryerson as he prattled on about the integrity of his production being compromised by her absence. What all that meant exactly she did not know, however, knowing him like she did, she could assume it was nothing nice.

He released her in the direction of the line forming just offstage hoping she would move into her position, but she stood completely still. At the sound of someone introducing the play over the loud speaker her heart began pounding against her ribcage harder than ever and she could feel her meager lunch threatening to make a reappearance.

"Brittany?" questioned Mr. Ryerson's high worried voice, "Brittany, honey, you need get in position, the show is starting and you're a key player."

"I can't," she choked out, her throat kept closing when she tried to talk making speaking any more clearly an impossibility.

"Why not?" he asked sharply.

She knew it was pointless to plead with this man, but she tried anyway hoping someone would understand, "I'm scared," she whimpered.

"I know you are dear, that's what stage fright is," he said as he began to push towards the long line of costumed students that were waiting for the dancing pumpkins to finish so they could occupy the stage.

Once he put her in the proper position in line he spun her around to face him, "Listen to me Brittany S. Peirce, you are an exceptional dancer and I say that with all the bitter jealously of a man who tried multiple times to join Cirque Du Soleil. You have a gift, a special gift that it is your duty to share with all those people out there. You're it, you are the only thing that ties this play together, these other kids don't have what you have. We are in Ohio and those knuckle dragging cretins could not possibly understand my vision of Sleepy Hollow as an interpretive dance piece but you Brittany, you have something that may get through to them." There was a burning conviction in his eyes as he spoke.

Behind her Rick Nelson snorted, "My dad's out there and he's not a knuckle dragging crouton."

Mr. Ryerson gave Rick a hard stare, "As your teacher I can't respond in the way I'd like, but let's just say that I do not think Mr. Nelson will get the finer points of this performance."

The boy's face turned as red as his rust colored hair, "Only because plays are stupid, and so is dance."

Turning back to Brittany he added, "This from the boy whose mother put him in my class to try and help him become a man of culture while simultaneously letting him come to school with that haircut. As I said, these people are idiots, make them see the light. Go out there and shine!" he said grandly.

It occurred to her that he had meant to be complimentary and helpful with that speech, in actuality it had made everything infinitely worse.

He left to take his place on the opposite side of the stage and Brittany stood rooted to the spot watching him go. In the process her eyes then fell on Rick, she only knew him as the kid with a mullet and a mean streak, and right now he was standing behind her with a sneer on his narrow face, a look intensified by his skeleton costume and face paint.

"You aren't more special than everyone else, he only said all that 'cause he knows you're going to mess up."

It was then that Brittany decided she was going to run, far and fast, as soon as she could get her legs to work, but the pumpkins finished their dance to mild applause and everyone began moving onto the stage. Her eyes widened in panic and she managed to take a step back and was almost able to take another before Rick shoved her violently ahead.

She stumbled out onto the stage and for the second time managed not to fall though she didn't know how. When she straightened she was under the blazing stage lights and the scrutinizing stare of hundreds of strangers.

Frantically she looked around for Sam, but couldn't see him, failing that she searched for her parents and spotted them in the front row. Her mother seemed tense and her father was smiling widely while giving her two thumbs up. Frightened blue eyes fixated on the emergency exit lights that shone dimly from the backstage area and Brittany tried to figure out how to make her body work again so she could run to them.

But she couldn't, not then and not when the slow piano riff that signaled the intro to their first song began. Standing in a row of other students she didn't feel too bad about not even pretending to move her mouth. There were two larger kids in front of her that blocked her view of the audience and, more importantly, their view of her. So during the re-envisioned jazz version of This is Halloween she was allotted time to concentrate on calming down enough to be able to run away in a panic.

Unfortunately before she could do that the song finished and another melody began, one that made her blood run ice cold, it was the opening to her solo dance song. The sound put a fear in her heart like she had never known and when her classmates began to turn and look at her, wondering why she wasn't moving forward, she felt like she couldn't breathe.

Off to her right she could see Mr. Ryerson signaling frantically for her to go, and in the audience her mother had her hand over her mouth in worry while her father was busy mouthing 'underwear' at her.

She was content to stand there and fight the urge to pass out when she was shoved again by Rick, "That's your cue, get out there stupid!" he snapped as he launched her from their lineup and out to the front of the stage.

This time she did fall and when she stood again she could feel a heat radiating off her face that had nothing to do with the spotlight that had fallen on her. She contemplated calling for Sam, but she was pretty sure if she opened her mouth she would vomit.

In the crowd her father was pointing obviously to his lap still mouthing 'underwear' and her mother was shaking her head slowly. A few kids in the audience sniggered and she could feel Mr. Ryerson's glare on the back of her neck, but instead of letting that overwhelm her she closed her eyes and tried to block it all out. To do what Sam had taught her and pretend they weren't there, that she wasn't there, that she was at home with him reading comics, eating their Halloween candy and having a great time.

She would calm herself and run off stage. That was her plan, that was her only goal in life at the moment, and for a second she thought maybe she could do it. Until Rick got bored of waiting, dashed up behind her and yanked her pants down, cheering loudly when the children in the auditorium erupted into laughter.

For a surreal moment Brittany wasn't even sure what had happened, she looked at Rick, then down at her raggedy scarecrow pants pooled at her ankles and finally at her now exposed Mickey Mouse panties.

Mr. Ryerson flew out and hauled Rick backstage leaving Brittany alone, frozen and exposed.

It was like drowning without water, her lungs seemed to have quit and her heart seemed determined to blow itself out. She was dizzy and nauseous, wishing so badly someone, anyone, would help her get out of there.

She saw her father trying to signal her to pull her pants up and her mother was wincing at the whole thing, the worst part was every kid in the audience was doubled over with laughter and even a few adults were chuckling.

Brittany was trapped between the very real feeling that she was going to die and the mortification of being laughed at after having her pants pulled down in front of the whole school. She couldn't think straight or move an inch, the lack of oxygen combined with her racing heart made her chest hurt. She looked at her mother desperate to convey that she needed help, that she was dying while they sat there and watched, but no one came and all she could do was stand there and let it all happen. Gratefully after a few more agonizing seconds it overwhelmed her to the point that she blacked out. There was a calming peace that took over as her eyes closed as she was able to reason that at least when she woke again she would be off the stage.

The girl woke and caught herself before she fell, looking around she saw the auditorium full of people trying to quiet laughing children or muttering to each other. In the front row she saw a solemn looking Lori watching her intently and Frank pointing to his crotch mouthing something, she scowled at that.

The sound of music hit her ears and it occurred to her that she should be dancing, it also occurred to her that she was in her underwear with only a tattered top to cover her chest. But the girl decided it didn't matter, as a matter of fact it was better this way, clothes were constricting, especially when she was trying to move around. So she took her place in the center of the stage and began to go through the steps she remembered, the dance was simple and she went through it flawlessly.

From the first move she made a hush had fallen over the crowd and when the music finally faded everyone was completely silent. The girl, satisfied with her performance, then turned to leave because she had bored of the stage already. Still in only her top and panties she left without offering anyone a second glance.

She was aware that she had left her pants behind, but since she was comfortable she walked calmly to her classroom get her bookbag remembering Brittany left it knowing she would return to the school later in the day.

The room was open and she went straight to the cubbyhole that said 'Brittany', pausing to consider the label above her bag, a deep frown on her features. She wasn't Brittany and had no desire to be called that, but what did she want to be called?

The girl took the bag thinking hard on the subject when she heard fast footsteps coming down the hallway and seconds later. Sam burst through the door, "Britt!" he called when he saw her, making her glower a little; that name didn't suit her at all, even when shortened. "Britt I'm sorry, dad sent me to go get something so I wasn't where I said I'd be."

She smiled, her memories of him weren't her own, but when she searched them she knew she felt the same way Brittany did. Sam was a nice person, she liked him.

"It's okay, I worked it out," she said.

"Uh, you don't want to put your pants back on?" he asked as he noticed she still wasn't wearing much below the waist.

"I'm fine like this."

"O-okay," he said rubbing his neck and looking away. "We should go back, your mom and dad are looking for you."

"I don't care," and she didn't, she was pretty sure she didn't like them.

Sam frowned, "They're worried about you."

She doubted that, if they were worried they would have gotten up on stage and helped Brittany when she obviously needed it.

He only gave her and odd look before taking her hand and leading her back down the hall. The first person they came across was Sam's father who rushed to her side when he saw her, "Are you okay?"

"Where were you?" the girl asked wondering why none of the adults around Brittany even attempted to come to her aid.

Dwight looked a little surprised by the question, but answered anyway, "I was trying to fix one of the counterbalances backstage, I sent Sam off to get my kit that I left in the car like an idiot. I'm sorry Brittany, that Nelson kid is a real piece of work."

"I saw what happened, but only at the end, I was going to go get, her but then she started dancing and I thought she might be okay," Sam told his father.

"Are you alright though?" he asked the girl again.

"I'm okay," she said simply.

"You're sure?"

"Yup," Dwight was nice, she decided she liked him too.

"I'm gonna take your word on it, but here, it's cold outside," he said removing his jacket and zipping her up in it.

It fell past her knees and she didn't like the confinement, but it was nice to know he cared, "Thanks."

"Come on," he said gently, taking her hand and unfortunately leading her back to her parents who were looking for her out at the car.

When Lori spotted her she came over and picked the girl up in a hug, "I'm so proud of you Brittany, you were perfect out there," she said and the girl glared. When she thought back she could see Brittany really liked this woman, but decided she didn't share that opinion.

"Why didn't you help?" the girl asked.

"Because I knew you could do it. Whether it be to walk off that stage or finish your routine you needed to get through it on your own. Though I must admit I never expected you to actually dance after what happened," she said running a hand lovingly through the girls hair.

No. She definitely didn't like this person.

Wriggling she managed to convey that she was ready to be put down, only to find Frank intercepting her decent. He raised her up into his arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek, "Nelson's boy is an idiot and I told him so for you, kid's a ginger with a mullet, you'd think he'd be trying to call less attention to himself," he laughed and the girl smiled slightly. Frank was silly, she liked him a little, "And I told you that underwear trick would work, apparently even if you're in yours… By the by where are your pants?" Frank added seeing her bare legs stick out of the jacket.

He looked at Dwight who shrugged, "It's how I found her, thought you guys had her stuff."

"I'll go get them," Lori said turning to do so.

The girl squirmed out of Frank's arms and moved to Sam's side, "I don't want them, I'm ready to go now," she growled.

Lori looked like she was going to protest, but Dwight cut her off, "It's okay, Brittany's coming home with us anyway and they're just going to change into their outfits when they get back. I can take her now."

"But aren't you still helping with the backstage work?" she asked.

"Got Chris working on it when I went to go find Brittany, Sandy's pretty much shutting the show down now anyway," he said taking out his keys.

"I'm not sending my daughter off without pants," Lori said, but the girl was already walking to the minivan that she knew to belong to the Pierces.

Frank looked to his wife and lowered his voice, "Let her go, she's probably actually really embarrassed about what happened and needs some cool-down time."

Stiffly nodding Lori gave her approval and Dwight clicked the unlock button for the van, the girl climbed inside immediately, followed shortly by Sam, and closed the door. The adults talked for a little bit longer before Dwight joined them in the vehicle, he and Sam waved to Lori and Frank as they walked back into the school, the girl only watched.

Her memory told her they weren't bad people, but she didn't like them. Frank was the only one she could see herself one day changing her mind about.

The car started and they had pulled out of the parking lot when Sam asked, "They were going to have to get her pants anyway, why not wait?"

Dwight looked at the girl through the rear view mirror, "If my instincts are correct Brittany was really ready to leave pants or no right?"

She nodded; it was true for herself and Brittany.

After a short drive they arrived at the Evans' household, the girl leapt out of the vehicle and walked inside enjoying the feeling of seeing all the things in real life that had been sitting in her memory. The house was as warm and inviting as she recalled it would be, and when she entered the kitchen she saw a woman she knew to be Mary Evans checking on something baking in the oven.

The woman was pregnant, Brittany didn't know how far along Mary was so neither did the girl, but she assumed it was pretty far because her belly was enormous.

"Hi Brittany," the woman said kindly, "I'm sorry I missed your play, how did it go?"

"I rocked it," she said simply.

Mary chuckled at her answer, "Good to hear."

The girl was going to ask about the baby when Sam came rushing in and grabbed her by the strap of her bookbag tugging her towards his room, "C'm on we gotta get ready!"

She looked over her shoulder at Mary and before the woman vanished from view she saw Dwight come in and give her a kiss before she asked, "Hon, why is she wearing your coat?"

Sam yanked the door shut and dove under his bed pulling out a red and blue outfit, "Put yours on too!" he said excitedly.

The girl frowned, she couldn't really remember what this was about. It was Halloween and that was clearly his outfit, but was she supposed to have one just like it?

"Am I Spiderman too?" she asked, the name coming as her memory began to unfold a little more.

"What? No, you're Black Cat," he said as he ripped off his shirt and pulled on the red and blue one admiring himself in the mirror immediately after, even though the costume wasn't complete.

The words Black Cat were in her memory, but it was still fresh for Brittany, something she had just learned, so it took a moment for the girl to recall. Sam took her pause as total forgetfulness and dove back under his bed, this time coming out with a handful of comics wrapped in plastic.

He shuffled through them until he came to the one he wanted, pulled it out and flipped through the pages. Suddenly he stopped and turned the book to her, on the page was a woman in a black, skin tight outfit with fur lining, she had a bold and brave face and as the girl looked over the page she remembered reading it before. She remembered Brittany liking this character; the girl like her too, liked her attitude.

Too eager to hold still Sam yanked her bookbag open and pulled out the black and white costume. "You're supposed to be her, here put it on," he said eagerly as he returned to working himself into the rest of his costume.

The girl shrugged removing the coat and working the costume on, it was a modified leotard and fit her skin quite snuggly. She liked it, it was like clothes, but unrestrictive.

Once Sam had pulled on his red and blue pants and gloves he grabbed a plastic mask off his dresser and covered his face, turning to her he spread his arms, "How do I look?"

Like a kid in a costume, but the girl knew Sam didn't want to hear that, "You look like him."

"Uh," he said looking her over, "You aren't going to wear your undershirt?"

Searching her memory she knew that Brittany had been uncomfortable with the low cut of the outfit and had packed a white t-shirt to cover her chest. The girl didn't mind though.

"Nah."

Sam blinked at her for a moment before shrugging, "Okay."

At that moment the door opened and Mary looked them over, "Sam," she sighed, "You know we're having dinner before you go out. You two need to change out of your costumes until after we eat."

"Aww mom we look awesome! Please don't make us change!"

"I don't want you getting upset over food stains on your outfit."

"Wait!" Sam said dashing excitedly to his dresser and pulling out a couple of shirts and shorts.

He quickly threw the shirt on his head and practically jumped into the shorts before throwing the other shirt over the girls head and handing her the shorts. She calmly put her arms into the sleeves as he had cocooned her in it and put the shorts on, not really knowing why he wanted her to, but doing it anyway.

"See? Now we won't stain our clothes."

His mother gave him a look and then her face softened as she let out a light exhalation, "If you say so Sam," she chuckled, "Dinner's ready so come get it."

The girl looked down at the baggy shorts and too large top that had pieces of her costume's fluff poking out of the collar, then to Sam's similar condition.

"We look stupid," she said flatly.

"Nuh-uh! We're in disguise. I'm Peter Parker and you're Felicia Hardy."

The girl would have protested that neither character would ever fail so miserably at creating a disguise, but when he had called her Felicia it had quieted her. She knew that as the name of the Black Cat and when she thought about it she found she rather liked being called that.

As they had failed to follow, Mary called them again and Sam rushed to the door, "Come on Felicia!" he said smiling widely and taking off down the hall.

She returned it because she decided then that she very much liked being called that, "Coming!" she called after him.

Santana observed Felicia carefully, they were now sitting in a bistro, having traveled across the street as the blonde told the tale. With everything that had been told she didn't know what to comment on first.

Felicia was playing with her napkin when Santana asked, "And they never noticed you? Not even Brittany when she realized she had missed Halloween?"

The other woman shook her head, "It was the worst day of her life, when she woke up and realized she had missed chunks of it she was more glad than anything. Mary showed her pictures of her and Sam later, but she didn't think much of it, just that she looked really happy in costume. I'm pretty sure that's what made it easy for Sam to get her to dress up for conventions, she figured if she could smile on the same day that mess happened it had to be pretty awesome."

A cool breeze kicked up in the pressing silence leaving Santana to continue to form her response, finally, after thinking it over again she growled in irritation, "I thought you said it wasn't that bad!"

Startled Felicia frowned, "It wasn't. For me at least, I didn't care about Rick or those stupid pants, but Brittany took it pretty hard."

"It's clear from what you told me that she should have never been forced up on that stage and I wasn't there, but her own parents shoved her out there and sat idly by while some hick bullied her!"

"I'm not defending them by any means, but hindsight is twenty-twenty. Lori can be a bit of a tool, but I'm sure she really thought she was helping by not helping."

"And your teacher I mean he practically sent that kid after you by putting you on the spot like that."

"Putting Brittany on the spot like that, and yes he did."

Leaning back and sighing Santana ran her fingers through her hair, "Felicia that would have been devastating for an average kid who didn't even have stage fright."

"Wasn't for me, but I'm above average," she said with a smirk.

"So after that you, what? Tried to tell her parents and they still didn't listen?"

"I did tell them once, but they thought Brittany was going through a phase. It's like I said, at first I found it easier to just pass as her even it irritated me to do it."

"I don't think I really understand, you sort of popped in and out of her life at random moments after that... to do what exactly?"

Felicia scowled at that, "To do what? To live my own life. Can you imagine wanting to go out and have fun and all you ever get to do all day is watch a timid girl hang out with Sam and his friends reading comics and watching tv? I mean it wasn't all bad, they did do some fun stuff, but I'm not her, I don't want to do what she wants all the time."

Nodding Santana sat back, "Okay you came out to do your own thing. And how did you always keep Brittany from noticing the missing time?"

"I told you it's easiest if she's stressed, tipsy or sleeping. When she was little I only used the third and it's a habit that carried over. I would only come out at night and sneak off to play or something, which is why you only ever saw me at night because that's just when I'm used to coming out. That, and she hardly ever allows herself to drink anymore. And before you ask Brittany wanted to call you to come over today, but lay down to take a nap before which is why I'm here now. When she wakes up she'll think she overslept."

"What would you get up to? I can't imagine there would be much to do in Ohio in the middle of the night."

"More than you'd think. When I was little I would play with Brittany's cat, make my favorite snacks, and watch shows I wanted to. Sometimes I would read or dance in my room, and when I got older I found more entertaining pastimes."

"And when she was little she never felt worn out with you going out at night?"

"I didn't always do it. Only once or twice a week, more if I could manage it."

"So why did you stop?"

That question made Felicia pause, "Well… that's a whole 'nother story."

"I've got time."

"But I don't. Too much longer and Sam will come searching for her and that can get hairy, when people notice inconsistencies in where Brittany thinks she was and where I actually went it sometimes causes her to get migraines if she thinks on it too hard."

"Alright next time then. You will finish telling me right?"

"Yeah, but you still have to hold up your end of the bargain."

"I will I promise," Santana said earnestly.

Felicia smiled and stood waiting for Santana to join her and together they walked back to her car arm in arm.

She thought that knowing the truth would open some sort of path, give some sort of sign for what she should do next, but now all she wanted to do was drive to Ohio and punch Brittany's parents in the face. The only thing she could figure there was left to do was to somehow tell Brittany about her other half, but that was tricky as well. There was the fact that Felicia had warned her how that would go, and moreover the fact that the other woman had warned her at all. Would Felicia allow her to tell Brittany or would she snatch control away before she could get it all out? Could she even do that? Given that the knowledge made Brittany stressed and that was one of the things that made her susceptible to Felicia she reasoned it was totally possible. Likely even.

The best course of action that she could see was to ask for help from the only person besides Felicia who would know what was best. She would have to figure out a way to tell Sam and hope he had a better idea of how to handle it.

A/N: Some more fun facts about this disorder, the way it manifests will differ, for instance:

Not all alters have names. For fictional purposes it is clearer and more interesting if they do, but it isn't a natural part of the process, it simply may or may not be. Some alters come into being and continue their lives under the name of their host, others sprout with a name already. It varies. As do their roles in the lives of their host.

DID does not only happen to children. There are accounts of health happy adults going through an incredibly traumatic time in life and developing the disorder, so the idea that it happens at a certain time or that there is a cutoff age is false. Anything that causes distress past the person's ability to cope can cause the brain to do this (assuming it is capable) at any age.

Honestly I find DID as the highest compliment to one's mind because of the rigid complexity and compartmentalization the brain has to operate with, but that's just me.

In case you didn't catch it Brittany does suffer from a social phobia (social anxiety disorder) which is what pushed a normally stressful situation into the stratosphere of disastrous.

Review if the mood strikes.