Thank you everyone for the reviews, they're all really positive and they keep me very motivated. I think this chapter is a good one, there is less drama, but it's all build up for what's about to happen next. Don't worry I will address the abuse and why it's happening later on, it's not just something out of the blue either. Just a fair warning, after this chapter things might get a little crazy.

Enjoy.

Santana's POV

When I woke up, I had no idea where I was. I thought I was dead actually. I knew I had passed out, but sometimes people just don't wake up from things like that. All I could see was white. I'd seen movies, this is what people saw when they were dead. I guess I had made it to the light, and this was where I would spend eternity. Actually, I would've kept thinking this, but then I turned my head to the side and I saw Rachel. So that's how I knew I wasn't dead, but still it could've been an hallucination, but if I was dreaming I probably wouldn't feel this much pain.

I tried to get out of the bed, but by my first step, I hit the floor. Hard. I thought that I'd lost all use of my legs and I was petrified, but then I realized why I fell. It was because of all the tubes attached to my face and arm. "Santana!" Rachel exclaimed. That was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. It felt magical hearing her voice again; especially when I thought I'd never hear it again.

"Fuck." I said quietly in pain. A few nurses came in and reattached all of the tubes and plugs before leaving Rachel and I alone. She looked at me and I starred at her. "Wait so I'm alive?" I said as I was checking my pulse. Rachel smiled and jumped out of her seat engulfing me in a tight and very painful hug. "Can't breathe." I said and she quickly let me go. "Ow, why did that hurt so much?" I pressed my hand to my ribs and felt the same pain as before.

"Clearly you need some rest, and I don't blame you after the hell that you've been through. Your father beat the holy hell out of you, and you're darn lucky that Che was there to call me. I got the ambulance there as quick as possible and they took you here. Everyone's out there, everyone thought you were gonna die." I looked up at Rachel.

"Everyone?" It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand what I was getting at, and Rachel didn't even think it over.

"No, he's not out there, and if he was there'd be no holding me back. I'll have you know that I may be small but I can put up one heck of a fight-."

"I love you." I said right out of the blue. Rachel's eyes shot right up to mine. I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't even know it was possible for me to say that, but I just did. Did I say it loud enough? Did she hear me? It was practically impossible for me to throw my whole self out there but something about Rachel made it easier. She sat down right next to me on the bed, I didn't know what to do so I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

"I-…what'd you say?" She asked shyly.

"I know you heard me." I said looking away from her for just a second. "I can't put myself out there again like that. I've never said…those words to anyone but Che, ever since my mom died." I told her honestly. "I meant it though, I should've said it sooner, but I was afraid. Now I'm not, I don't have time to be afraid, especially not when stuff like this happens."

"Stuff like that doesn't have to happen." She told me as she gently wrapped both her arms around my waist and nuzzled up close to me. "Can I confess something?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"I was afraid too." I looked at her slightly astonished but mostly curious. "Maybe in a different way, but I was still afraid. I thought that if I said those words, that I love you, then everything would become so real. The truth is, this changes something, well it changes everything. I love you and because of that, I have to protect you. This abuse, the whole situation you're in has to stop." She said just before she kissed me on the cheek.

"It's not that easy-." She cut me off before I could finish.

"It should've been easy for me. I should've said this from the beginning. I can't stand by and watch you get hurt, I won't. We'll figure something out, we have to." Rachel had that look of determination in her eyes. I'd seen it a million times before in Glee club mostly, but when she had that look nothing was going to stop her from getting what she wanted. I smiled even though I felt plenty of pain in my chest and I felt a few cuts on my face.

"So do you know what would make me feel much better?" I asked after a long while of us just lying there cuddled up in one another's arms.

"Hm, what?" Rachel asked.

"A kiss. Just one." I said with a goofy grin. Rachel obliged and before I knew it we were making out. I knew this wasn't exactly the proper method of healing but it seemed to be working for me. The only problem were these stupid cords that kept getting in my way.

A loud cough erupted in the room and Rachel and I shot our heads up just to spot Quinn, Puck, Brittany, Che and Ale coming into the room. Alejandro had his hands over Che's eyes, and Puck was hooting and hollering along with Quinn who seemed to have a more positive outlook on Rachel now. Brittany looked sad and she was rocking back and forth on her heels which was one of her shy habits.

"San, I feel so bad about your ribs. Now what are you gonna eat?" You could've heard the laughter for miles. Everyone had smiles on their faces as every one of my friends and brothers came up to me and wrapped me into tight and painful hugs. I smiled because everyone I loved was there; it wasn't something I was used to. The best part though was that Rachel didn't leave my side. I didn't realize how much I needed her, not until now.

Rachel's POV

I had to let Santana have some alone time with Che. I didn't like leaving her not even for a second, but Che was insisting that he wanted to spend some time with her. I was sitting out in the waiting room with just Puck and Quinn. Alejandro had gone to his aunt's house to see what the arrangements would be this time. Brittany was buying every snack imaginable because she was convinced that vending food was part of a healthy diet.

Puck stood up from where he was seated and took a call for the third time since we'd been at the hospital. He went out the door and I looked over at Quinn curiously. "What's all that about? His pool cleaning business or something?" I questioned. Quinn just shrugged and looked over at Puck again.

"Probably, who knows when it comes to him. I can't believe I slept with that idiot." She said rolling her eyes as an afterthought. I didn't know if she wanted me to comment or she was just getting her thoughts out in the open. "So Che called you? That really means a lot." I looked up at Quinn and shook my head unconvincingly.

"He called from Santana's phone; it was probably the last number she called." I said. "He sounded terrified; just imagine being there and being so young. He thought she was dead, I could hear it in his voice." I explained to her.

"Does anyone want Doritos? I don't eat Mexican food." Brittany said as she walked into the room with at least thirteen bags of chips in her hands. I snatched a bag for myself and one for Quinn. Puck walked into the room behind Brittany with a scowl on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I'm out of here, when my girl Lopez asks tell her I'm out grabbing a bite to eat." He grabbed his coat and began zipping it up.

"Wait where are you going?" Quinn asked grabbing him by the collar.

"Out." Puck snapped. I could tell that he was frustrated but I didn't understand why.

"Out where?" I asked him more calmly then Quinn had. Puck looked around and then sighed loudly.

"I've got a connection. He's a guy I met in juvie…look he says he'll get me a gun." I should've been angry at Puck for going to that level. This was against all my morals, but I think I left those behind a while ago.

"Puck!" Quinn said. "What do you think you're going to do with that? Protect Santana?"

"No I'm gonna kill her dad." Puck said without looking at anyone else.

"But killing is bad." Brittany said in a confused tone.

"Puck you can't. Listen." He tried to turn away from me but I wouldn't let him. "Listen to me. We'll get that bastard but not like this. I promise…don't do anything stupid." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Fine." He said plopping down next to Quinn. "Fine, but you'd better come up with a way, and soon. I have a gut feeling that Sr. Lopez is on his way."