I own nothing but the plot and OCs.

I wake up to the songbirds and smile to myself through the haze of sleep. Despite everything, life sometimes threw some funny signs. The sun is shining down, cutting through the trees high above us. I open my eyes slowly and squint against the light. I look at Brittany, still asleep next to me. She looked so innocent, so relaxed during her sleep. I was grateful she wasn't having nightmares about the barn. I shut my eyes as the intruding memory, and take a deep breath. When I breathe out, I open my eyes and notice perfect blue ones looking at me.

Brittany takes my hand in hers and gently kisses each knuckle. "Everythin' okay, sweetheart?" She whispers. She stretches next to me, closing her eyes again letting go of my hand for a moment. I look at her, my eyes tracing her features. She looked so cute, the sleepy haze making her seem even sweeter than normal.

"I'm fine," I smile at her, watching her eyes blink open again. "I was just listenin' to the cardinals singin'. It's beautiful."

She smiles and I fall in love with her again. "I heard a prettier song last night," she starts and I groan quietly, overcome with embarrassment. "Seriously, San," she reaches up and kisses me softly on the cheek. "I'm never going to forget that moment."

I cover my eyes with my other hand and roll away from her. "Stop," I laugh, although I'm secretly proud of how I made her feel. "You're killin' me, Pierce."

I hear her move behind me and suddenly she's half lying on me, reaching around to hold me and kiss my cheek again. "You stop," she laughs and I can't help smiling even bigger. Despite everything, I have her. "It was perfect. You're perfect." She kisses me again and I roll over to face her again. "I can't thank you enough for everything you do for me. And that song last night was the best thing anyone has ever done for me." She smiles down at me. "I love you."

"I love you too, Brittany Pierce." I push myself up gently and kiss her slowly, my eyes fluttering closed as our lips connect. I feel her smile into the kiss before her tongue slides against mine. I pull back, my teeth grazing her bottom lip as we part. "I always want to do better for you."

"You're the best, baby." She rests her forehead against mine. "Don't forget it."

I feel like I'm doing a lot of smiling this morning but I decide not to care. I'm about to reply when we hear Lindsey wake up a little way over from us. "Guys," she starts, her voice raspy from sleep. "You're disgustin'." She sits up slowly, taking a sip from her canteen before shaking her head. "I don't know what's worse, the kissin' or the talkin'." She laughs as I scowl at her and Brittany rolls her eyes, a smile ghosting her lips. "I can't wait to bring a lady of my own back to camp and wake you up like this."

I pretend to puke and she laughs again, crawling over to sock me in the arm. "Good luck with that, Miss MacCallister. I'm lookin' forward to meetin' the lady who can put up with your good self."

Lindsey grins at me and stands up, stretching tall. "Breakfast?" She asks, and Brittany and I nod our approval. "Give me a half hour, ladies, and I'll treat you to somethin' nice." She ties her holster around her waist, and takes another drink of water. "Be safe, and keep outta trouble." She places her hat on her head, tips it quickly and walks off, whistling to herself.

Brittany shakes her head incredulously. "Does she always do that?"

I laugh and watch as Lindsey walks away, taking a rag out to clean her revolver. "Lindsey was always big on independence. She would always tell us where she was goin' though, or at least what she was up to." I shrug. "She's always safe, always careful. She gave me some of the best advice I've heard." Brittany's looking at me, giving me her full attention and I smile at her. "If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. Saved my life a few times."

"Well that makes her one of the best people I know, Santana. I'm grateful to her for that." Brittany kisses my cheek and stands up, rubbing her arms. "Coffee?"

"Yes, ma'am." I stand up with her, taking off my jacket and placing it round her shoulders. "You stay warm, miss. I'll find a few sticks for the fire if you wanna fill the pot?"

She nods and kisses me again, and I'll never stop loving that. "Be careful."

"Ain't goin' far," I buckle my holster just in case, and place my Stetson on my head. "I'll see you soon, keep warm."

She nods and stretches again, putting my jacket on properly. I smile and turn, walking a few paces into the trees that surround us. We'd found a pretty good spot to sleep, a small opening in a copse of trees. We couldn't be seen from the trail, and the wood was small enough that no bigger animals were in here. Just the occasional rabbit and squirrel. I'd told Lindsey yesterday I'd seen a badger in here and she jumped up onto the nearest tree stump with her rifle in her hands within seconds. Brittany and I laughed for at least 5 minutes until Lindsey's colour returned to her face and she hopped off the stump. "Assholes," she'd muttered, but we could see the smirk she tried to hide. I was praying silently now as I pushed through the thicket I wouldn't come across one of the malicious beasts. They were almost as scary as Rachel Berry.

I slowed and smiled sadly to myself. I could almost forget the reason we were here. But somehow, it managed to make its way back into my head. I shook my head, and focused on the task in front of me.

I'd bundled a few together and was carrying them back to our small camp when I heard something to my right. My first thought was an actual badger and I panicked, dropping the sticks to ready my revolver from the direction of my sound.

I click the hammer and wait for the sound again. For a few seconds, nothing. Then, further to my right, another noise. Something heavy enough to break the sticks beneath it. I train my gun higher up, trying to peer through the dense vegetation in front of me.

I hear a rhythmic tapping on the ground and my aim falters for a second. I walk forwards slowly, using my empty hand to push aside the leaves from the bush in front of me. I edge closer slowly, and I think I'm just about to reach through the other side when something pushes through first and my hand touches something soft.

Something smooth, but with a short layer of hair.

Something dark brown, and big, and friendly.

The beauty in front of me whinnies happily and pushes his nose into me again. I push through the thicket quickly, holstering my gun as I get through, the bundle of sticks behind me forgotten for now. In front of me is one of the best things I've seen in a while. I grin at the sight in front of me and scratch him between the ears.

"Mac," I say incredulously. "You beautiful boy."