March 25th, 2018.
Britney looked around at the group before her on the training room floor below, from her perch on the balcony.
It has been one week since Rachel left. It was enough time to give Santana and everyone else rest, so tomorrow morning they'd be leaving.
Leroy, Shelby, and younger Britney were escorted around to see how the base had turned out, even though it hadn't been fully finished.
Shelby was shown everything including Quinn's old video's from her own past from the first apocalypse hit, that the team had worked hard to protect and keep intact.
Shelby asked older Britney, Leroy, and Younger Britney if they didn't mind teaching her some things, since they'd be there for a few days.
In the span of a week Shelby showed a lot of promise.
It proved that when she went back to her own time and was trained like the rest of the group, she'd be a valuable asset.
The three passengers who weren't injured took their stay there seriously and used the training room to work out any stress or anxiety.
Leroy and Britney began to teach Shelby some of the stuff Quinn taught them immediately upon her request. Things like fighting and grappling, shooting, knife throwing and exercising to the point of her puking.
They wanted to keep their minds busy as to not dwell too much on the fact that they were still there.
So every moment Leroy and younger Britney put all their focus into Shelby for the week and Shelby could not be more grateful.
They were waiting for Santana to feel a little better before they jumped back in time.
"Come on Shelby! You can do it!" Leroy called from below.
"Yeah Ms. C, you got this!" Britney shouted.
Shelby was currently climbing the rope bare handed. This was her seventh attempt, she could feel the raw burning of her skin and the sweat dripping all over her body.
God she's never felt so alive.
She finally reached her hand out and desperately rung the bell at the top.
Cheers were heard from down below as all the other people using the training room had been watching her the entire time.
Shelby concentrated hard on her movements back down, not wanting her hands to slip and heaven forbid she fall. That would be bad.
When she made it to the bottom she was immediately engulfed in congratulatory hugs.
"You did it!" Leroy cheered.
"You were so awesome!" Britney followed.
Shelby was breathing heavy as she stared up at the top of the rope that she just came down from in disbelief.
"I c... can't." Shelby panted in astonishment. "I can't believe I did it!"
She had been trying that damn thing for four days. It was the last time she was going to try.
"How do feel?" Leroy asked as Britney was beaming at her.
"Like.. Like I can do anything."
"Hell yeah, you can! Now how about we try the throwing knives again!" Britney said eagerly.
The two knowing how angry Shelby had gotten when she tried many times before she completely gave up and started her attempts on rope climbing.
"Let's do it!" Shelby said with determination.
Leroy and Britney whooped and clapped, cheering her on as they heading to the practice area for knife throwing.
Santana had been resting the entire week. It was one am and the rest of the base was down for the night minus the guards.
The brunette has been awake for an hour now, laying upright in her medical bed just thinking. Wondering if she had gone crazy and was now in some loony bin doped up on meds.
"You're awake." Older Britney stated as she entered the room. She had been doing her rounds since it was her turn on duty for the night.
Santana glanced up but immediately diverted her eyes. Older Britney noticed but held in her disappointed sigh. The blonde walked over to the machine that was keeping track of Santana's vitals.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
"Do you have any headache, nausea, or dizziness?" Older Britney asked professionally.
"No." Santana's reply was one of annoyed disinterest.
Britney nodded. "Any pain in your leg?"
"No."
That was bold face lie.
"So do you feel good enough to stand tomorrow?" Britney asked as she wrote on the clipboard in her hands.
Britney then put down her clip board and took out her pen light. She reached to grasp Santana's chin to check her eyes.
The brunette jerked back instantly at her touch. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"Checking your eyes for dilation." The blonde replied.
"Yeah-Well don't! I didn't say you could!"
"Santana, I'm just trying to do my job. I have to make sure th-"
"I don't care about your stupid job! In fact, I didn't even ask you to check on me!"
"I'm going to need you to calm down, San."
"Don't call me that! You know what just lea-"
"I'm already going but just so we're clear, I'm not leaving because you were about to tell me to. I'm leaving because you're acting like the child you are."
Santana's face contorted in anger. "Go then and for the record if there is an-"
"Save your breath Santana. Your words aren't going to hurt me. Have a good night." Britney said calmly.
Santana felt her chest do something indescribable as her stomach bottomed out, watching as the older woman walked away. She felt like she was losing Britney all over again.
It was then her mouth opened without permission and brokenly uttered the question that stabbed her deeply in her core.
"...Why her?"
Older Britney's halted just when her hand grasped the door knob.
The blonde's eyes shut as the phantom ghost of pain from the past, gripped her heart once more.
She had done good over the years in protecting herself from allowing it entrance.
She had been strong when Santana and she sat down as adults to air out all the pain they had caused each other.
She had even put on a show and smiled happily for the brunette when she told her that she and Dani were going to get married, that she'd like Britney to come to her wedding.
She even bit her lip when Santana had confessed that there was a part of her heart and soul that wouldn't release it's grip of wanting and needing Britney.
She had been strong enough then but in this moment, in this future where Dani and future Santana are already dead and gone...
She couldn't be.
The blonde slowly turned around to look at the one person she's ever only wanted.
"Are you sure you're ready to talk? Because I refuse to have this conversation with you if you can't handle what I'm going to say."
Santana stared at her for a good minute before she made the decision within herself to have self control and listen.
Because what she's discovered since her unforgiving fight with Britney is, it's hard living in her darkness without her sunshine.
"Yes, I'm ready to talk."
Britney nodded, the woman released the door handle and walked to the medical bed being sure to grab a chair.
Older Britney sighed tiredly but Santana could hear clear as day the anxiety and emotion beneath the sound.
"So?" Santana said and for the first time really took the older blonde in.
She looked not only older but weighed down in a strong independent way.
Like none of her physical or mental faculties were weak but emotionally she was barely holding on by a thread.
Though one thing is for sure, she looked even more beautiful with time.
God Santana just wanted to kiss her.
"What do you want to know?" Britney asked.
"I just asked you."
"Can you be more specific?"
Britney already knew what Santana meant but she wanted and needed Santana to actually speak about it. She knew Santana's feelings on the matter wouldn't resolve if she didn't.
"I don't understand how you would choose man-ha-" Santana cut herself off when older Britney stood up immediately. "Wait! Where are you going?!"
"I told you if you can't act civil then-"
"I'm sorry okay! Jeez, I'm sorry can you please sit back down down. I won't call her names." Santana said in a pleading manner.
Britney nodded than walked back to the seat and waited patiently with a no none sense look on her face. Santana sighed than licked her lips before speaking again.
"Rachel, I don't understand how you chose Rachel over me. I mean, what does she have that I don't?! What did she do for you that I didn't?! Because I can't come up with anything!" Santana said in hurt filled aggravation.
"I never chose Rachel over you." Britney said calmly.
"Yes, you did! You hung out with her! You ate lunch with her! You had 'sleep overs' with her! You-You went to her house to be with her after we fought!"
"Santana, I also hung out with you. I ate lunch with you. I had 'sleepovers' with you. I didn't choose her over you. I was being her friend and not in the way you and I were being 'friends'. I was being her actual friend. I was being more like a sister to her because that's the type of relationship I wanted with her."
Santana didn't look convinced. "Than how come when I came back from Puerto Rico, you still spent so much time with her? You were spending all your time with her actually. Even the girls on the squad said so. They even told me how you turned down going to Pucks party because you were with her. You even invited her to hang out with us when it was suppose to be our time together."
"That's because by then Q had already filled me in on the future."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Quinn from your past isn't the Quinn from that time. She's from the first apocalypse and she came back to save us. She told me that I was the reason she even made it back to your time. The reason being, I was so desperate to save you, Santana, that I actually created the first time machine that she replicated."
Santana's eyes widened at the news. She stood quiet as she digested the new information.
Her mind thinking about the day Quinn started acting weird. How she eventually left school and practically was none existent in every ones lives.
"S-So What do you mean by save me?" She asked non-committedly. Britney smiled at her trying but failing at hiding her interest.
"Well, how about I start from the beginning and when I'm finish you tell me how you feel about it?"
Santana sat for a moment than slowly nodded her agreement. "...Okay."
LIMA OHIO, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2009.
Rachel's eyes tracked the person walking toward the Italian restaurant on Clemmons Ave. She had been tracking them for a fifteen minutes now.
She watched blonde hair blow in the wind as Hazel eyes sparkled as they took in the life happening around them with a gorgeous smile to match.
Quinn Fabray was Rachel Berry's greatest weakness. She was suppose to be heading out to surveillance Dennis but on her way driving she spotted a fifteen year-old Quinn walking.
The brunette's mission was aborted instantly as she pulled over and crossed to the other side of the street to watch Quinn from afar.
Her heart thudding madly in her chest as she yearned painfully to close the distance between them.
It wasn't until Quinn's steps began to falter that caused her anxiety that Quinn may have noticed she was being followed but no.
What faltered Quinn's steps was the sight of 15 year-old Rachel walking in her direction after leaving a restaurant but she wasn't alone.
Finn had his arm slung over her shoulder as they walked toward his truck. They were walking extremely close and murmuring to each other Rachel was reminded of the memory.
She and Finn were on a weekend lunch date and he brought her to the restaurant completely forgetting she's vegan.
It caused an argument but to onlookers the way he had his arm slung over her would make you think he was keeping her warm.
No, she was actually trying to give him the silent treatment and he was quietly trying to argue his point.
However, she could see it clear as day on Quinn's face, she was assuming otherwise.
God Rachel hadn't even realized she had passed her on the street that day.
She could see Quinn's heart broken face. She really wanted to go to her.
How bad could it be if she just spoke to her? What could possibly go wrong?
MARCH 25TH, 2018.
"-And when I woke up. I had this massive headache and I started looking around for you. So I asked one of the guys to call you but... they all just looked so sad."
"Rachel walked up to me and kneeled in front of me on the floor but she didn't have to say anything. I was told that just from looking at her I could see it. It was in her eyes and the moment my body caught up with my brain, I apparently lost it."
"Quinn told me I cried so hard that I passed out and I wasn't the same after that. In the journals I read from her time period that was written by me, that I wanted to die so I could be with you."
"The more I read through my past thoughts, it became clear to me that the person who got me back on track and focused on actually trying to build my time machine was Rachel. So that's what I did. I died a few months after creating it."
Santana had tears coming down her eyes silently. That was the worst story she had ever had the displeasure of hearing.
"B-But if you died, how are you here?"
"I told you, I'm from the new future."
Santana furrowed her brow. "I don't understand."
"Okay, since Quinn came back to your present. We all are still alive in your time. Since she recruited me and trained me, I was prepared for it and I survived the second time around. So I'm the current Britney in your time."
"So the Britney that's here?"
"Is me when I'm your age in your time."
"So then where's the me from now? I haven't seen her."
At the question, the brunette watched as Britney's face fought to keep it neutral but failed. Santana saw the slight quiver of the blonde's lips.
"What? What is it?"
Britney's eyes watered. "What do you want to know exactly?"
"Everything. I thought that's what we agreed to."
LIMA OHIO, 2009.
Against her own better judgement Rachel had decided not to tell Quinn she was in the new timeline.
After taking the time to think about it, she didn't want to mess with the timeline again after what happened last time.
Which brings her to now and watching just what Dennis Scott was up to and who he was to it with.
She didn't recognize the guy he was talking to but they had the similar features, like they had some form of relation between them.
She needed to get closer and figure out who he is but for now pictures would do.
The brunette continued to take photos from her hidden perch of the two men having lunch.
MARCH 25TH, 2018.
"So we never got back together?"
"No."
"And I married this Dana-"
"Dani."
"Whatever, and you came to my wedding and watched me marry her out of your own free will?"
"Yes."
"But before I married her, I confessed that I was still in love with you?"
"Yes."
"And you still let me marry her?"
"Absolutely."
"Because why exactly?"
"Because you moved on and you were happy?"
"Obviously not! Are you kidding me?!"
"No, I'm not."
"Why the hell would you let me marry Donna-"
"Dani-"
"Whatever Brit! Why would you let me do that! What about us?!"
"What about us? You made your decision about us long before Dani. You made your choice when you were too stubborn and pig headed to deal with Rachel and my friendship. So what exactly did you expect me to do?!"
"I don't know fight for us?! Something! God you just rolled over and let me go like it doesn't matte-"
"Of course it mattered!" Britney yelled standing up abruptly as her emotions finally got the best of her. She having been calm and collected the entire time.
"It doesn't seem like it!" Santana fired back.
"Of course it doesn't! I have struggled long and hard to get to this point Santana! To be able to talk about you-talk to you! Actually look at you without falling to pieces because guess what, it hasn't been easy for me! You chose to end things! You chose to push me away and make my life miserable! You chose to hurt me when all I wanted was for you to accept someone I care about! To show me and the rest of the world that you loved me in pubic instead of hiding all the time!"
Santana watched as the older version Britney began crumbling to pieces from years of built up unreleased pain.
"I had to keep my mouth shut while you alienated me from the squad! I had to pretend it didn't hurt when you purposely talked to Felicia Harris the way you use to talk to me, in front of me on purpose to make me jealous! I had to quit the squad because I no longer had protection! Because you decided I was free reign for the jocks and cheerios to make fun of, since they were too scared to do it to me before because I had you to protect me! I had to act as if I understood and backed off, when during our graduation you refused to take a picture with me in it!"
Santana's tears had already begun falling as she listened to all the ways she had hurt Britney intentionally because of her selfish feelings.
"So yeah I went to your wedding, Santana. I gave you support and I never told anyone other than Rachel about you confessing your love for me. But what I didn't tell her, because it belonged to just you and me, was the fact that you not only kissed me that night.. but you also made love to me." Britney said with trembling lips and bloodshot angry streaming eyes.
Santana's eyes widened in shock.
"You made love to me the way you did in high school, only it was so much better. Because I got to see and feel just how much more you wanted and needed me than her. Than the woman you claimed to love and who you would be marrying the next day."
"It was in the way you looked into my eyes and told me you loved me. When you said you missed me.. When you said you dream of me. " Britney choked out. "It was everything I've ever wanted from you but.. I guess the fog cleared for you by the next morning."
Santana shook her head as her body began to tremble with disgust over her actions.
"Because just like you always did to me in high school, you did it to me again. When I woke up you weren't there."
"It was the morning of your wedding and you didn't miss it. When you saw me in the crowd you looked away but I could see it."
"The shame in your eyes. I could see it when you exchanged your vows.."
"I could see clear as day that though you were marrying her, it was me you wanted up there."
"But once again you made your choice the second you left me in that hotel room alone with nothing but an empty bed to wake up to."
"So don't fucking accuse me of not trying Santana. Because if there's anyone here to blame for us not being together it's you."
"I..." Santana didn't know what to say.
She couldn't believe she caused the blonde that much pain purposely than broke her heart again by sleeping with her the day before she married someone else.
Britney fought to reign in her emotions.
It has been many years since that night and though she hates herself for giving into Santana's charms.
When the brunette made her move, albeit desperately as if she had dreaming and yearning for the chance to be with Britney again.
Britney knew there was no way she could ever not give in because dammit she yearned for Santana too.
She needed her.
She was her own personal drug she could never get clean from.
It was the last memory that she has of Santana looking at her in that way.
The way she use to look at her when she was in love with her.
She got to feel Santana's lips on her that seared her skin to the point that no one else has touched her since.
Because she doesn't want to erase what her body remembers. She wasn't strong enough to replace Santana's kiss or touch.
Because even though Santana had done all those things to her. Britney also saw all the pain and anguish it caused Santana to do it to begin with.
When she watched Santana struggle to say 'I do' as her eyes kept finding Britney's in the crowd and the yearning in those chocolate eyes that were vibrant as they connected with hers, told Britney she didn't want Dani but Britney.
The blonde saw it the moment Santana's grip on Dani loosened and her body made the barely there movement of heading for Britney.
But before Santana could make her off that alter, Britney chose that moment to stand quickly and rush from her seat immediately.
The blonde headed out the door before Santana could ruin the happiness she found with a woman who was madly in love with her.
She chose to leave for the both of them because there was too much damage done to fix at that point.
So... she let her go and that was Britney's choice.
"I'm so sor-"
"No, don't you dare."
"What?"
"I don't want to hear it."
"But Brit-"
"No, if you want to apologize to me do it the right way. Give it to the Britney who deserves to hear it."
"Because she's been waiting and though I've been waiting a lot longer, she's the point in time when all of this started."
"So the next time she comes to see you, give it to her and I hope you do. I hope and pray that one day I won't feel this way about you any more and one day..." Older Britney said as she spoke softly low, cupping the brunette's cheek. "One day none of it will have ever happened."
With that she kissed the brunette with passion, both letting out moans after not tasting each other for so long.
Santana desperately wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck, both getting lost in the kiss as their bodies became alight with want and need for each other.
Santana grappled for her as she laid back against the bed bringing the upper half of Britney on top her.
She'd be lying if she said the strength she feels ripple beneath the clothing of the blonde's frame was not soaking her panties.
Britney was the first to pull away and she smiled at the fact that Santana's eyes were still closed and her lips still pursed as she blindly followed for more, the blonde giggled. "God you're just as cute as I remember."
Santana's eyes flutter as she flushed a pretty hue. The blonde smiled adoringly at her. "Get some rest. I'll be back to check on you in the morning."
The blonde began walking away and Santana felt her heart yearning for her to stay. "..Will you-or she forgive me?"
Britney looked at her and could see the nervous, self conscious girl who told her she was in love with her by her locker.
Britney smiled once more. "Trust me when I say San, you're already forgiven but that doesn't mean I don't deserve the appropriate apology and treatment after, that I deserve. Because I promise you this. You may have left me once but I'm not afraid of losing you. I've gone this long without you and I can do it again, if need be. But I know you baby, I know this time you won't disappointment me."
Britney smiled and Santana nodded her understanding.
The brunette watched the blonde go and was left to think of all the problems she had caused not only to Britney but everyone.
She literally is the reason Mike and Tina never get married and no one gets saved.
She's the reason Britney is so broken now.
The brunette's mind was on over drive, she had to fix this.
She had to change and that change had to not only start with Britney but with Rachel too.