A/N: Thank you all for the feedback on that last chapter, but I can still use more, like way more! There's over 12,000 views and I'm only getting like five reviews per chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! It's intense in the beginning.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or it's characters. I do not condone any illegal activities I may write about.

As she's dusting the formal living room in the Pierce's house, Santana feels her phone vibrating in her pocket. She pulled it out and sees Puck's name across the screen. She rolled her eyes and slipped it back in her pocket. A few seconds later the vibrating continued and she swears she's gonna kick his ass for calling her while she's working.

"What the fuck do you want Puckerman?" Her tone is flat and when he doesn't respond right away, she regrets her greeting.

"Mercedes is in the hospital. You need to get here." Santana knew Puck wasn't one for feelings much, but she could hear the desperation in his voice.

She paused for a slight second. A million different things ran through her mind. What could have happened? She told Santana that she was just gonna chill today. They were supposed to hang out after Santana finished working.

"What happened?" Her voice came out as a whisper. Her feet were moving towards the kitchen without her knowledge and before she knew it she had her backpack and was running out of the front door. She stopped momentarily to finish listening to Puck.

"She was running a load and stepped into Cyprills territory. I'll tell you more when you get here." With that she hung up. Since she didn't have a car, she was going to have to walk. Maybe by the time she got back home, her father or brother would be home and she could take one of their cars.

Just as she reached the end of the driveway, Brittany's car pulled in. The blonde stopped the car just in front of Santana and jumped out. She could see how distressed Santana was. When she approached her Santana's initial reaction was to pull away, but Brittany grabbed her arms and held her in front of her.

"Santana, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Brittany's voice was full of concern and if Santana wasn't in such a mess right now, she would have took a minute to thank her for her concern.

Santana started to pull away again, she shook her head and brushed the tears from under her eyes. But Brittany held her tight and took one of her own hands and brought it up to wipe the tears that were now more freely falling. She had never seen Santana like this, it was hurting her to see the girl cry.

"What happened Santana?" She pulled her chin up and their eyes met. Santana took a deep breathe to avoid falling completely to pieces in front of Brittany.

"Mercedes is on the hospital. I need to go. Tell Fina I'm sorry for ditching." Brittany nodded and let go of Santana. She went back to her car and when she got half way in she called back to Santana who was walking around the car. "Hey…where are you going? Hop in…I'll take you."

Santana was a little hesitant but after thinking about how desperate Puck had sounded, she quickly opened the door to Brittany's BMW and got in.

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As soon as Brittany parked the car and Santana got out and starting running towards the entrance. Brittany followed right behind her. When they reached the nurse's station a woman behind the counter told her where to go and Santana starting running down the halls.

As she rounded the corner, Santana found Sam and Puck sitting in chairs outside of a room. They both stood up and met her half way. Puck embraced her for what seemed like a little too long to Brittany. She knew this wasn't a time to be jealous, but the way Puck was holding her didn't make the two of them look innocent.

Then Sam gave her a brief hug. Both the guys gave Brittany a forced smiled and then turned their attention back to the confused Latina.

"What the hell happened? Is she okay? Can I see her?" Santana started to push towards the door but Puck pushed her back and held her at arm's length.

"Her dad's in there right now. She's got a few cracked ribs, a concussion, and a lot of bruising. They got her bad Santana, but she's lucky we got to her when we did." Sam spoke in a soft voice. Brittany didn't know if they were dating or not but Sam really cared about Mercedes, that much was clear.

The brunette looked to Puck for the answer she really was wanting to know. Puck rubbed the back of his neck "Sid called her up this morning. I was supposed to go with her when I finished my shift, but Sid got impatience and forced her. She was dropping a load and apparently he sent her into Cyprill's territory. When I went to go get her, she wasn't home so I called her, but no answer. Then I saw she was calling me back, and she told me where she was…she was barely conscience. I called Sam to come with me and we picked her up and brought her here….they left her in an alleyway." Puck sat back down and buried his face in his hands.

Santana sighed loudly and sat next to him. Brittany stood awkwardly on the other side of the hall and decided maybe she should go. Sam or Puck would make sure she got home alright. And as if she were talking out loud, Santana looked up at her. Her eyes were blood red. She patted the seat next to her and Brittany smiled lightly. She was glad Santana wasn't pushing her away. Brittany crossed the hallway and sat next to Santana, who grabbed her hand as soon as she was seated.

Brittany looked down at their intertwined fingers and smiled at how perfect they looked and how right it felt. Just as she was about to lean back, a large black man walked out of the room they were all sitting in front of.

They all stood up, Santana gripped Brittany's hand even tighter.

"She's awake now. Her eyes are swelled shut and she's in a lot of pain, but she's conscience. Santana" he vaguely pointed to her "she asked for you." Then he walked down the hall rubbing his forehead.

Santana faced Brittany and grabbed her other hand. The guys had already sat back down and were burying themselves in magazines.

"You should go back home Britt. I'll get a ride from Puck." Brittany nodded. She understood that she didn't need to be here.

"I can stay if you need me?" Santana smiled and looked down at their hands. She brought one of them up and kissed Brittany's hand.

"As much as I want you too, you need to get home. Your father's having another one of those dinner parties." Brittany rolled her eyes. She had actually forgot all about that. "And, you need to pack. We're leaving tomorrow right?"

Brittany nodded. "Okay, but call me if you need me. I hate those parties, so it would be nice to get out of it. I guess I'll see you later then?"

Santana leaned in a placed a brief kiss on her lips. Brittany wanted more than a peck, but this wasn't the time or place and she wasn't complaining since Santana was showing the affection.

"I'll see you later Britt." Then the Latina let go of her hands and walked into the room. She paused at the doorway and gave Brittany a small wave before walking all the way inside.

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Santana wanted Brittany with her for this. She wasn't sure she was ready to see her best friend laying beaten half to death in a hospital bed.

She step farther into the room and saw Mercedes laying barely conscience on the bed. She let out a breathe that was certain to bring tears with it, but she shook her head. She couldn't be weak. She needed to be strong for Mercedes. As she approached the bed she saw Mercedes give her a little wave with a couple of her fingers.

The Latina took a seat in the chair next to her bedside and took her hand. She bowed her head down and Mercedes reached up and ran her fingers through her hair. Santana cried quietly into the bed sheets and Mercedes kept rubbing her head and 'shh'ing her.

When she finally seemed to be out of tears, she looked up and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Mercedes handed her a tissue her the nightstand beside the bed.

Santana took a long breathe in and out and then asked the question she wanted most to know the answer to. "What happened 'Cedes?"

Mercedes laid her head back on her pillow and shook it gently from side to side. "I was running a load for Sid. He called me up and I told him I was waiting on Puck, but you know how he can be…" Her voice was scratchy and it seemed to hurt her to talk. "So when I arrived with the load, the guys invited be inside and the next thing I know they grabbed my backpack and were dragging me into the alleyway, the last thing I remember is a black guy saying, "You stepped on the wrong side." After that they just started pounding on me." She wiped a tear from under her eye and turned away so Santana wouldn't see.

But she did and it broke her heart. She took this brief silence to examine her friend's visible injures. Her face was totally purple and black. One eye was completely swelled shut and her lip was spilt wide open. There were twelve stiches above her right eyebrow closing a bad gash.

"Mercedes…I am so sorry." Santana's voice portrayed nothing but honesty. She thought it should have been her. Mercedes didn't deserve this. She would have done anything to stop this, but not even being able to help her friend made her feel worse.

"Santana it's not your fault. I should have said no and dealt with those consequences. But you should know, I'm done. I can't live this life anymore. I can't take risks like this." Santana took her hand and squeezed. She understood completely and wished she could just do the same, but the money was too good and Sid would have her ass on a silver plate if she ever left.

Suddenly she started to feel angry. She could feel her face get blood red and she stood up. Mercedes knew that look. Santana Lopez was seeing red, she had turned into whom she called Snix.

"Santana calm down. Sid and Carlos have no problem popping a cap in your head if you go around and stir up trouble. You're just a mule to them."

Santana came out of her haze when she felt an arm on her shoulder. She whipped around and pushed the person behind her before she could even register who it was. When she took a second to look, she could she it was a nurse.

"I'm sorry. You just scared me." She was trying not to make a complete fool out of herself.

The nurse shyly nodded, "Visiting hours are over."

Santana nodded and then looked back towards Mercedes. "I'll see you tomorrow Mercedes."

Mercedes shook her head. "No you won't. You're going on that trip with blondie. You haven't shut up about since she asked you, so you're going. But I do except details when you get back."

Santana heart grew warm once again at the mention of Brittany. All bad thoughts of what she could do as revenge and punishment flew right out the window. She smiled softly at her friend and then gave her a brief wave.

"Okay" And then she walked out of the room. Mercedes looked at the nurse and chuckled lightly.

"She's so in love with that girl it's hilarious." The nurse seemed to nod in agreement. Even if Santana thought she was being subtle about her feeling toward the blonde in public, she clearly wasn't.

Okay so sorry for the brief hiatus. Life calls and I have to answer. I should however have another chapter for you tomorrow to make up for it! Once again thanks for all your reviews and follows and favorites!

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Stay tuned for the next chapter, coming soon!