Lima 2007

The snowy weather had broken and it was finally spring time, at least everyone in Lima had hoped. It was Ohio after all. Spring break was officially starting tomorrow and after Cheerios practice ended, Brittany had hurried home to change her clothes before quickly rushing right back out of the door, headed toward her preplanned destination.

Brittany laid in the grass of the field behind her old elementary school. She was staring up at the sky and watching old clouds form into new shapes. Any cloud shaped like an animal got a name.

"Roger!" She exclaimed while pointing at the sky.

"Who's Roger?" She heard the rasp of a familiar voice and adjusted her head a little to the right to see who the voice belonged to. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw her small brown eyed friend approaching. Squinting her eyes and using her hand as a visor she attempted to get a better look. Santana looked simply adorable. She was wearing overall shorts with a red and white striped tank top. Her hair was mostly down with the top clipped back slightly. Santana smiled as she approached and plopped down next to her best friend.

"The cloud thats shaped like a dinosaur, right there." She squinted and pointed to the figure in question while poking her tongue through the corner of her lips.

Santana's forehead crinkled as she looked up. "Hmm, Roger the dinosaur huh?"

"Yep, he probably won't stay for long." Brittany pouted.

"What do you mean B?" Santana looked over at the blonde.

"They keep changing, he'll probably be shaped like a puppy soon."

"Puppies are cute." Santana Shrugged and looked back up at the sky.

They both laid there for awhile in silence staring up at the clouds. Each one lost in their own thoughts.

"Finn tried to kiss me today." Brittany blurted out.

There was a long silence before the brunette let a short hum.

"Behind the field house at school, after Cheerios." Brittany continued; turning a little on her side to face Santana.

The brunette furrowed her brow a bit; opening her mouth to say something but then quickly shutting it. Opting to stay silent.

"What?" Brittany questioned.

Santana shrugged but refused to look in Brittany's direction.

"Dont do that." Brittany pouted while reaching for Santana's hand.

"Do what?" Santana played dumb.

"Don't act like that." Brittany huffed. "You acted the same way when Matt tried to kiss me at Sugar's birthday party.

"Yeah well.." Santana trailed off.

"Yeah well what?" Brittany poked her upper arm. "You didn't speak to me for the rest of the party San, you didn't even come back to stay the night at my house."

"I was busy." Santana reasoned.

"Busy, moping." Brittany chuckled.

Santana huffed and sat up quickly, pulling her legs to her chest.

Ever since the first day of Junior High and they joined the Junior Cheerio's, boys had been paying a lot more attention to the two best friends. They were always the first to be invited to parties and group outings. A few months ago in particular they were invited to go to their friend Sugar Motta's birthday party. Sugar was very wealthy and her house was gigantic, so to nobodies surprise her humungous basement, where the party was held, was secluded. Which meant of course, games. And what type of games did teenage boys with raging hormones, and teenage girls just trying to impress said boys, want to play? Spin the bottle, truth or dare, and the always famous.. seven minutes in heaven.

"I wasn't moping." The brunette rolled her eyes. Clearly annoyed.

"Oh okay, you weren't moping." Brittany gave up.

"Thank you." Santana hummed.

"But you're totally moping now." Brittany teased and poked Santana's side.

"Stop it." Santana whined, while Brittany continued to poke. "That tickles!" She cried.

"Oh does it?" Brittany played dumb and began to dig her fingers into Santana's side a bit. "I had no idea you were ticklish here." Brittany lied with a devilish smirk.

"Britt, please!" Santana gasped for air.

"Only if you stop being grumpy!" Brittany bargained.

"Mm, Okay!" Santana nodded furiously. "Okay, I'll stop!"

Brittany slowed her movements and giggled, rolling back on her back to stare back up at the sky. Santana continued to sit up and stare forward.

"Did you kiss back?" Santana rasped.

"Hm?" Brittany hummed.

"You said Finn tried to kiss you.." She paused. "Did you kiss back?" Santana didn't look back at Brittany one time.

Brittany stretched her arm out and lazily traced circles in Santana's back.

"Britt?" Santana said, her voice just above a whisper.

Brittany sat up and crossed her legs. She stared at the side of the Latina's face who was clearly trying to avoid eye contact with her. She leaned in and pecked the brunettes cheek and quickly pulled back. When Santana turned her face in shock she was quickly met by the blondes lips attaching firmly to hers. Brittany cupped both sides of the Latina's face and they both hummed at the contact. Brittany pulled back a little and stared deeply into the chocolate orbs.

"What do you think?" The blonde said softly.

Santana breathed out a sigh of relief and allowed herself to smile. Brittany smirked back and Santana looked down at her hands. Brittany noticed the brunettes look of worry return.

"Hey," Brittany said in a hushed tone; rubbing the pad of her thumb over the top of her best friends hand. "whats wrong?"

"I can't stop boy's from kissing you forever." Santana pouted.

"You're not stopping them at all." Brittany chuckled. "I'm just choosing not to kiss them back."

"But for how long?" Santana began to pick at a blade of grass.

Brittany smiled and looked at the helpless looking brunette.

"Look," She sighed; grabbing the Latina's hands and holding them in her lap. She quirked an eyebrow while she watched her thumb trace circles into the back of Santana's hands. "one day you're going to realize that it's okay to be yourself. And that no matter what you doing in life, everyone who loves you now, will still love you then." She looked up at Santana and smirked. "And when that day comes.."

"Britt.." Santana fidgeted.

"No stop it silly, I just want you to know that when that day comes, I'll be waiting for you." Brittany chanced a look at the brunette. When she looked up she saw Santana staring back at her, biting her lip. Santana scrunched up her nose when she caught Brittany staring at her lips and smiled.

"What?" Brittany blushed.

"It's just that.." Santana sighed. "You're my best friend B."

Brittany smirked and breathed out a chuckle. She knew the hidden message behind Santana's choice of words and nodded.

"Yeah San, you're mine too."

Lima Ohio 2015

"If you still want me."

The room was quiet for a moment and Brittany stared at Santana in disbelief.

"That's not fair." Brittany shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair.

"What isn't?" Santana's brow furrowed.

"You know I'm always going to want you." Brittany sighed.

"Well then wha-" Santana started.

"I wasn't finished." Brittany interrupted firmly. "Something happened in the past few days that I didn't even think was possible."

Santana stared up at Brittany and waited in silence for her to continue.

"I've lost a lot of trust in you San." Brittany stared back at her sadly and dropped her hands against her side in defeat. "You don't know what you want."

"I want you." Santana blurted out.

"We'll see." Brittany shrugged.

"What does that even mean?" The brunette said exasperated.

"We need to trust each other as friends again." Brittany sat on the edge of her bed. "We should hang out more." She cleared her throat and continued. "You know, with out taking our clothes off."

Santana looked up at Brittany and smirked. She began to wipe her eyes.

"What?" Brittany raised an eyebrow.

"You wanna be friends again?" Santana was fully smiling now. Though slightly disappointed something was oddly fulfilling about what the blonde was suggesting.

"Mhm." The blonde hummed and nodded.

"Like hanging out together, venting to each other, gossiping, the whole shebang?" Santana sounded almost giddy.

"The whole deal." Brittany smirked. "Just like old times."

"So can we call off this whole leaving early nonsense?" Santana said hopefully. "I'm not ready to return back to reality yet."

"I don't know San.." Brittany teased. "my dad's already loaded up the car with most of my things.." Brittany trailed off.

"I'll go get them!" Santana shouted and turned toward the door.

Brittany chuckled. "You're such a goob." She started after her.

"Furious 7!" Santana exclaimed.

"No way, we've gotta see Home!" Brittany argued.

"We'll be the only adults in that movie without a child." Santana whined.

"But J-Lo is in it!" Brittany reasoned.

"Yeah but theres is a Paul Walker tribute in Furious 7 Britt." The brunette pouted.

"Yes, which will make me cry." Brittany shook her head. "And I've done enough of that this week."

Santana slumped her shoulders in defeat.

"I'm sorry," Brittany chuckled. "I'm done using that one against you."

"Thank you." Santana smiled.

"Right after this." Brittany turned toward the box office. "Two tickets for Home at 5:30."

Santana's smile faded.

"Oh stop that pouting." Brittany said turning to Santana and holding out her ticket. Santana excepted it and Brittany clapped wildly. "Yay! I'm so excited right now."

Santana rolled her eyes and Brittany lunged at her giving her a giant hug. "Come on grumpy, I'll buy you some popcorn."

Back in LA

Stella and a group of friends lounged around the pool at her friend Jax's house.

"God I'm so pale right now." Stella's best friend Mel complained.

"Yeah, it hurts just to look at you to be honest." Kacy joked. Also another close friend of Stella's. "You're so bright."

"Can I slap her?" Mel turned toward Stella.

"But she's right though Melly, I'm a ginger and I have more color then you." Stella chuckled.

"When do I have time to get sun, huh?" Mel huffed. "Between school and dealing with you bitches and your problems, theres just no spare time."

"What about when you're out partying?" Kacy giggled.

"I party at night smart ass." Mel bit. "There is no sun then."

Stella rolled her eyes and stood up to walk toward the edge of the pool.

"God damn Stell's." Jax cleared his throat from behind her walking out with a tray of drinks. "Are you sure you're a lesbian?" He said while placing the tray down on the small poolside table.

"Last time I checked, yes." She chuckled and put her hands on her hips. "Why?"

"He's curious because your body is banging in that bikini girl." Kacy chirped. "I mean seriously.. God clearly favored you when he created your body."

Stella looked down at herself and blushed.

"Don't be ashamed Stell's, you're hot as hell." Mel sat up and reached for a drink. "Ask Santana, she can't keep her hands off of you. She'll vouch for that."

Stella scoffed and sat on the edge of the pool, dipping her legs in.

"What?" Mel said. "Why'd you do that?"

"Oh she can keep her hands off of me, trust me." The redhead shrugged her shoulders. "She can barely even text me." The demeanor around the pool instantly changed.

"Oh yeah," Jax snapped his fingers. "Santana Lopez.." He tried to say in an obnoxious spanish accent. "How is she doing anyways? She's so freaking hot."

Stella shook her head and stared at her legs as she kicked them back and forth in the water.

"Where has she been?" Mel questioned. "I feel like she hasn't been around in awhile."

"She's back home in Ohio." The redhead shrugged.

"Ohio?" Kacy groaned. "How awful."

"Oh yeah." Jax said while grabbing a drink of his own. "I just saw something about that." He mentioned nonchalantly.

"What?" Stella head snapped up.

"Oh yeah, on Perez's blog." He said unfazed. "Something about being back home with an old.." Realization washed over his face. "Oh."

"An old what?" Stella demanded. "Oh what?'

Both Kacy and Mel were glaring at Jax waiting on a response. Jax simply just pulled out his cellphone and searched for the blog.

"Here." He walked over to the redhead and handed her the phone.

SOMEONE IS CRAVING A HOME COOKED MEAL AND SHE WANTS IT HOT! SANTANA LOPEZ GETTING SPICY WITH AN OLD FLING! Read the headline. BUT WHERE IS HER REDHEADED BEAUTY?

Stella furrowed her brow and glared at the picture of her girlfriend hugging a blonde woman outside of a movie theater that certainly wasn't in LA. This picture must have been taken recently while in Ohio.

"This doesn't even make sense." Stella breathed. "Who is that?"

"She looks oddly familiar." Mel pointed out. "Is it her friend Quinn?"

"No." Stella paused. "Quinn is blonde. But thats defiantly not her." Stella said matter of factly.

"An old fling though?" Kacy questioned. "Did she used to date this girl back home?"

"I honestly don't know." Stella slumped her shoulders. "We've never talked about any of her ex's I guess. Just that it's a big reason why she didn't want to move in with me yet."

"Why is she even in Ohio?" Jax asked.

"She was supposed to be visiting a family friend who was in an accident." The redhead said; sounding very confused.

"I'm sure theres nothing to worry about Stell's. This is a gossip blog after all. It's probably just taken out of context." Jax reasoned.

"But Stella even said, she hasn't been texting her much lately." Mel piped in. "Has she even texted at all?"

"She texts me a few times a day." Stella sighed. "They're short and disconnected though."

"Maybe you should go and talk to Quinn." Mel suggested. "She was Santana's friend back in high school right? Maybe she'd know who this is."

Stella walked up to LA records and sighed. It was just about 6 pm PST and she was about to confront her girlfriends best friend. She mustered up all the courage she had and beelined for the door. Right before she approached the entrance she bumped into someone; causing them to drop their bag.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She quickly apologized and reached for the bag. She looked up at the man who was gripping his arm. "Kurt?"

"Stella!" He greeted warmly, pulling her into a hug. "How are you?" He released her from his embrace but held her at arms length. "More importantly, how is your door man?"

She chuckled. "He's uh, he's good."

"I think he and I really hit it off at Quinn's." Kurt's baby face twisted into a smile.

Stella suddenly remembered why she was here.

"Speaking of Quinn, is she in her office?" She asked smoothly.

"Quinn? Oh no. She went back home to Ohio." Kurt waved off. "Though I'm not sure why, that place is dreadful."

"Of course she did." Stella said under her breath. "Wait, what do you mean dreadful?"

"Look, I know I'm a native of the Buckeye State but between you and I, I like to pretend I'm California made. It fits me a little more, what do you think?"

"Oh!" Stella shouted suddenly remembering, causing Kurt to jump.

"What?" He placed his hand over his heart dramatically.

"That's right, you grew up with them." Stella dug through her purse to find her phone. "Could you help me for a second?"

"Uhm, sure." Kurt said, very confused. "What with?"

"Who is this?" Stella said holding out her phone with the photo of Santana and the mysterious blonde pulled up. "An old friend that you guys went to high school with or what?"

Kurt chuckled. "Who Brittany? Yeah I guess you could say an old friend from high school."

"What do you mean?" Stella fake laughed like she got the joke.

"If you wanted to pass Santana's first love as just an old friend then sure." Kurt shrugged.

"Santana's first love?" Stella's brow furrowed.

"Yeah of course," Kurt said almost confused. "Well certainly you've heard of Brittany."

When Stella didn't say anything Kurt spoke again.

"Santana's told you about Brittany hasn't she?" Kurt snapped his fingers and laughed. "Oh who am I kidding of course she has, you've met her. She's Santana's new choreographer!"

When Stella didn't seem as amused his laugh turned to nervous chuckles.

"You didn't know that did you.." It became apparent to him the hole he just dug.

It suddenly hit Stella that if Kurt knew how badly he had just messed up that he would go and tell Santana the mistake he'd just made. Giving the Latina an opportunity to make up an excuse. But the redhead couldn't have that. She needed to know the truth. And it needed to come from Santana herself.

"Oh Brittany!" Stella slapped her thigh and chuckled. "I thought she looked familiar, yes." She forced a smile. "It was driving me crazy." She chirped. "I couldn't place the name."

Satisfied that he hadn't just let some huge secret slip, Kurt spoke again.

"Yeah, Brittany's mom just got into a horrible accident.. so all the girls went back home to visit." The man began to adjust his bag strap.

"Right, right." Stella nodded. "Well anyway, I'll let you get going."

"Okay lovely lady!" Kurt pulled her in for another hug. "We need to get together again, you know.. with your doorman." He laughed.

"Alright, I'll let him know you said hi." She smiled and they waved their goodbyes.

There was so many things running though Stella's mind. Lies she thought all lies. She felt like she didn't even know who the woman was that she was dating. She knew the reasoning behind Santana and her not taking the first step and moving in together was because of Santana's first and only heartbreak. But her girlfriend refused to talk any more about it. Now everything started to come together. Santana left out that the girl responsible for her heartbreak was actually living in LA. Not only was she in LA but they were working together? And where they still close? They had to have been if Santana traveled all the way back home, which she hadn't done in years. All to visit Brittany's family? Her ex-girlfriends family? It all began to hit the redhead at once. How close must she had been to Brittany's family to have taken the quickest flight back to Ohio to check on them. Stella's face fell. Her girlfriend also failed to mention that she was traveling with someone. And now that she know's who that someone was, she know's why.

Lima Ohio

The girls trip had finally come to an end. Quinn left a few hours earlier this morning and now it was time for the two girls to say goodbye to everyone. Laurie's hospital room was crowded with family and friends. Both of Santana's parents where in the room in their scrubs chatting with George and Laurie. Dominic was in the corner texting on his phone while Hannah and Talon ran around the small space in the room. Santana was on a phone call for work and Brittany was writing a reminder of how much she loved her mother on the white board hanging on the wall.

"Must you go?" Laurie Pierce piped up. The room grew silent and Santana ended her phone call.

"Unfortunately we have jobs to get back to." Brittany capped the marker and pouted.

"We're gonna miss you two so much. The week went too fast." Claudia sighed.

"Not fast enough." Dominic joked and Santana glared him before cracking into a fit of laughter when Brittany chucked the marker at him. "Ouch!" He yelped.

"Oh, you big baby." Brittany giggled.

"It bounced off my head!" He whined.

Santana watched the exchange and smiled fondly.

"Well come on, let's say our goodbyes before your mother starts to get emotional." Manuel smirked.

"Are you sure you don't mean before you start to get emotional?" Claudia pointed out.

"Whatever, come here." He said reaching out for his daughter. She happily fell into his embrace and hugged him tightly.

They each took turns hugging every family member. Santana finished hugging both Hannah and Talon before turning to her brother.

"Welp, I'm gonna miss you Short Stack." He mumbled.

"You know, when you make fun of my height it's only doing damage to your rep." She smirked. "Seeing as I can kick your ass."

"Forget you, give me a hug." He picked her up and spun her around like she weighed five pounds.

When he set her down she turned around and watched the exchange between Brittany and Mrs. Pierce. It looked emotional but it still made Santana smile. She was so thankful that Brittany was talking to her mother in the hospital as opposed to something much worse. When Brittany stood up from hugging and kissing her mother she turned to her father while wiping her eyes. Laurie looked up at Santana and held out her arms. Santana smiled and walked toward the older woman.

"Hey Mrs. P." She smiled warmly.

"Come here Tana." She motioned for Santana to come give her a hug. The Latina leaned down and hugged Laurie the best she could around the casts. When she went to pull away Mrs. Pierce pulled her in even closer and whispered in her ear. "Fight for her."

Santana pulled back and winked at the woman. "Always." She whispered back with a smile.

Mrs. Pierce beamed.

"You look goofy with that hat on." Brittany teased and tugged on it a little.

"It's not like Ohio B. The paparazzi is crazy here." She explained while adjusting her oversize hat. "I've found that with a big hat and a great pair of sunnies, you attract less attention."

"Said every celebrity that ever lived." Brittany giggled. "And yet their pictures are still on the front of every tabloid."

"Attention ladies and gentleman, the seatbelt sign is now off. Feel free to unbuckle your seat belts and gather your belongings. And of course, thank you for flying Blue Link Airlines." A voice came over the loud speaker.

"Grab your carry on, we'll head straight to the car from there." Santana instructed.

"What about our luggage." Brittany questioned.

"Taylor will have everything in the car already."

"Oh yeah, time for you to go back to having a driver." Brittany smirked.

Brittany and Santana shuffled out of the plane and beelined down the hallways of the airport locating the front entrance.

"I just want to go to a pool." Brittany whined. "A nice relaxing pool."

"Oh is that right?" Santana lightly chuckled. "I have a pool at my place." She shrugged walking out of the first set of sliding doors.

"Well I'd invite myself over but I wouldn't want to be rude." Brittany hinted. "Plus I don't think you could handle yourself with me in my swimsuit." She teased poking Santana's side as they walked out of the second set of double sliding doors.

"Who me?" Santana scoffed before giggling. "Psh, I've got this all under control." She winked. "Come over, and I'll show you." She looked back at a very wide eyed Brittany who was staring forward. "What?" She chuckled nervously. Brittany didn't respond. "Britt what?"

Her eyes followed Brittany's gaze and found what the blonde was staring at. Her face dropped.

"Stella?"

The redhead leaned against the black SUV that Santana's driver Taylor is usually driving. She had her sunglasses propped up on top of her head and her arms crossed as she leaned back. She quirked and eyebrow when Santana said her name.

"Is that the hello I get after a week?" She said seductively as she stalked toward Santana. The brunette stood frozen.

"I'm just shocked to see you here. Where's tay-" She started.

"I told Taylor that I wanted to pick you up to surprise you." Stella interrupted. "So.. surprise." She smiled approaching the Latina now. When Stella had reached her destination and was standing right in front of the brunette, her gaze became intense. Santana gulped. "Hey you." The redhead said; biting her lip.

Stella placed her hand on Santana's hip and slid it behind her back pulling the Latina impossibly close. Before Santana could say anything the redhead's lips where attached to her in a heated kiss. Stella kissed Santana like she needed that feeling more then she need air. Santana pulled back wide-eyed.

"What's wrong baby?" Stella asked, leaning down for another kiss. The brunette froze. "What, did you not miss me or something?" Stella forced out a chuckle and looked up. Making eye contact with Brittany for the first time. She shot a glare at the blonde who had been awkwardly taking in the scene before her.

Santana looked back at Brittany as well, not knowing how to react to either situation. She honestly couldn't form words right now even if she tried.

Brittany looked at a very pissed off looking redhead holding her very conflicted looking girlfriend. She decided to attempt to ease the tension as much as possible.

"Hi!" The blonde chirped. "I'm Brittany," She held out her hand. "and you must be Stella. We've never formally met." Stella eyed her hand and loosened her hold on Santana just a little to shake Brittany's. "I'm an old friend of Santana's."

Stella just quirked an eyebrow.

"She talks about you all the time." The blonde beamed at Santana's girlfriend. "She keeps begging me to make some time to come meet you."

Santana stared at the blonde; wide eyed.

"But you know, the studio keeps my so damn busy."

"Really?" Stella asked loosening her grip a bit more on her girlfriend and letting her guard down. "That sounds awful."

"Tell me about it." The blonde chuckled.

A/N: Uh oh, Stella's trying to mark her territory and Santana doesn't know what the hell to do about that. And how about Brittany? She's quick on her feet huh? I pulled and overnighter to get this chapter done so if it seemed choppy at points or if there is any spelling issues.. sorry. I'm sleepy.

Anyway, what did you think? Let me know :)