Trigger warning: Mentions of rape and the aftermath.
For those who can't or don't want to read that topic, I would advice skipping this and next chapter.
Four and a half years later
During their college time, Brittany and Santana both changed majors, Santana deciding that Physical Education is more something for her and Brittany picking exercise science over sport medicine.
Both girls quickly well known in the college soccer world after their first match against Santa Barbra both scoring one beautiful girl and making one assist each, along those four years they gained quite a few fans and caught the attention of quite a few coaches leading professional teams.
Fans who followed each game and even created fan pages, one from both alone but also one of the both of them together after one look at both girls social media showed them that they are together since high school.
Their relationship grew even stronger during college, the both of them decided to decline Stanford's dorm room offer and rented an apartment near campus to make sure they both still spend enough time together even though their schedules were packed, they just made sure that instead of a date night, they studied three times a week and just cuddled up and ordered in after they finished their homework.
They also agreed to take yearly trips back to Lima to visit Brittany's parents during summer and winter break also meeting up with their former teams, Quinn and Amelia both applied to a college in the same city the four of them agreeing to stay together no matter what.
After college they both signed a contract to play for NY/NJ Gotham after a scout approached them during their last college tournament and noticed that they can keep their private and career life separated wonderfully that they decided to keep that up.
On to the story!
''Nice pass Mewis.'' Brittany compliments as she takes the ball on her chest during some one on one training on a Tuesday while Santana is out enjoying a wellness day with Quinn and Amelia
The three of them finally having found a day where it was possible for all three to meet up without a case interrupting Q's relaxation or a dance instructor falling ill and Ames jumping in, San got injured during the last match they played so their coached freed her from this weeks training forcing her to relax.
She passes the ball back and smiles. ''Try it again, just a bit higher and with more strength.'' She nods her head as she immediately kicks the ball back, leaning aside as it flies straight to her head and chuckles hearing it hit the crossbar. ''Now that is what I call a goal chance from far.'' She compliments laughing.
''Did I hit you?'' Kristie Mewis asks with wide eyes.
Brittany shakes her head and laughs. ''Nah I dodged it.''
''That kick was perfect Mewis.'' Their coach compliments after watching the other girls play a friendly match while Brittany did some one on one training, she turns to Brittany and nods her head to her bag. ''Your phone is buzzing continuously since three minutes Pierce, please put it on silent.''
Brittany frowns jogging over to her bag and reaches into the side pocket to take out her phone. ''Coach, can I take this call?'' She asks as she sees the same phone number who called three times before calling again, she steps away walking to the bleachers as she nods her head and answers the call. ''Pierce.''
''Oh thank god.'' Her eyebrow raises in surprise the second she hears the relieved voice and tilts her head as she hears the woman softly clear her throat. ''Hello Ms Pierce, I am Vanessa Knight, ER Doctor of the Saint Michael's…''
''What happened?'' Brittany rushes out sprinting back to the dug outs, she covers her mouth piece after telling the woman to hold that thought and looks at her coach. ''Coach I need to go, something happened to Santana.''
She sprints towards the parking lot as she just nods her head silently telling her to go. ''Sorry I'm back.''
''No problem, I see here that you got listed as next of kin for Santana Lopez, that is why I am calling.''
''She is my girlfriend, again, what happened?''
''Ms Lopez got brought in with police escort badly beaten and..'' Brittany slides into her drivers seat after unlocking her car and immediately drives off, she bites her lip as she hears the woman sigh her insides already churning knowing she won't like what is coming next and gulps thickly pushing back the tears burning in the back of her eyes as she is proven right the second her soft voice filters through the speakers once again. ''And assaulted.''
''How is she?'' Brittany just asks taking a sharp turn as she places her phone between her shoulder and ear, she rolls her eyes as she hears her surprised hum and sighs. ''I mean her injuries, not the mental crap. I am on my way but I rather immediately walk into her room and not waste any time listening to a run down standing outside of the room.''
''I understand, Ms Lopez has a black eye, cut eyebrow and two bruised ribs.''
''Other injuries?'' Brittany asks as she parks her car near the ER, she jumps out she hears her sigh and clenches her jaw in anger. ''Please doctor Knight.''
''Ms Lopez won't allow us near...''
''I will make sure she allows it.'' Brittany mutters over the line as she sprints into the hospital hearing several nurses yell for her to slow down, her cleats clicking harshly against the hard floor.
Dr Knight looks up as she hears someone approaching fast and ends the call as she sees a tall blonde holding her phone. ''Ms Pierce?'' She just asks.
Brittany nods her head shoving her phone into the pocket of the shorts she wears and gulps thickly. ''Where is my girlfriend?''
''Follow me please.''
Brittany just nods her head, following her through the long hallway and nods her head as she points at the only closed door on the only female floor. She walks in after knocking softly and walks over to the bed, swallowing thickly as she sees her girlfriend laying with her back to the door, her body trembling with muffled sobs.
''Baby.'' She whispers her voice cracking, she walks around the bed so Santana can see her. She rushes over as tear filled brown orbs lock on her own and catches Santana as she just tries to move in her arms. ''Easy love.'' She whispers soothingly as she forces her to lay back down.
''Bri..''
Her heart breaks as Santana just cuts herself off with a gut wrenching sob and quickly climbs on top of the bed making sure she won't hurt her ribs, she lays down beside her and just pull her close burying her face in dark locks as Santana grabs onto her shirt with both hands trying to ground herself.
She runs her hand up her trembling back as her sobs die down to a soft sniffle after a few minutes and blinks away her own tears knowing she has to stay strong.
''I want to get out of here, please.'' Santana mutters brokenly.
''Babe..''
''Please Britt-Britt.''
''I will talk to the doctor, but they have to examine you first San.'' She whispers softly, she gulps as Santana immediately shakes her head, choking out sob and pulls back to gently cup her cheek. ''Please baby.'' She whispers. ''They need to.''
''It will hurt even more than it already does.'' Santana just whispers.
Brittany clenches her jaw pushing back the emotions that cause her heart to shatter and leans forward to press her lips against Santana's forehead. ''I will be right by your side San.''
''Promised?''
She reaches up pushing the red button to call in the doctor and nods her head keeping a strong hold on her. ''I promise.'' She whispers right before a knock sounds through the room. ''Come in.'' She calls out still running her hand up Santana's back to keep her calm.
''No word.'' She looks up hearing Dr Knight's soft whisper and tilts her head as she sees her looking at the nurse beside her, she just shoots her a small thankful smile as she realizes that she told the nurse to not remind her of the hospital bed rule and slowly but carefully slides up the bed turning Santana so she is laying between her legs with her back pressed against her front.
''Hello Santana.'' Dr Knight greets softly as she walks up to the bed. ''Could you please swallow this pill before we examine you?''
Brittany just intertwines one of their hands on Santana's stomach, taking the cup with the single pill from Dr Knight and kisses the side of her girlfriends head. ''Open up baby.'' She whispers knowing what the pill is for.
She shoots the nurse a thankful smile as she immediately holds a cup of water out for her and carefully holds it up to Santana's lips so she can take a few sips, she places it on the table beside them as Santana pulls back and feels her tense as Dr Knight warns them that she will attach the stir ups.
''Squeeze as hard as you can baby.'' She whispers soothingly as she grabs both of her hands, she bites her tongue as she sees the blood on her girlfriends knees the second the nurse lifts the gown and turns her head keeping her eyes solely focused on Santana's face as she sees the clear bruise of a hand on her tan thigh.
She gulps as Santana slowly turns her head, dull brown orbs locking on hers and just runs her thumbs over the back of her hands as she feels her flinch and the hold on her hands tighten.
''Almost done.'' Dr Knight mutters soothingly as Santana whimpers.
Brittany just leans their foreheads together, keeping their eyes locked, trying her hardest not to break at the sounds leaving her girlfriend and softly kisses the tip of her nose. ''I love you.'' She whispers so softly that Santana only hears it because she is so close.
Santana just closes her eyes, her aching heart, jumping at the love she sees in her girlfriends eyes and sniffles. ''I want to go home.'' She whispers as Dr Knight tells her that she is all done.
Brittany just nods her head and looks up. ''Dpc, can she go home?''
''I would..''
''I know you would.'' Brittany mutters cutting her off. ''But she wants to.'' She cuts herself off and shakes her head with a sad sigh. ''No she needs to go home, I think it's better for her to be in our own four walls for now.''
Dr Knight sighs and nods her head. ''Alright I will get the discharge papers, one of our nurses will grab a pair of scrubs and a shirt for you Ms Lopez.''
''I have clothes in the car.'' Brittany tells them, she takes out her car keys and holds it out for the nurse knowing she can't leave Santana's side. ''It's the blue Audi with the dragon on the side, could you please grab the bag?''
''Where?'' The nurse just asks as she takes the keys.
''In the trunk.''
She turns to Santana as the nurse leaves the room, Dr Knight following soon after and just holds her close.
''B?'' Santana whispers brokenly.
''Yes baby?'' Brittany replies softly.
''Will you help me shower?''
''Of course I will.'' Brittany whispers kissing the side of her head, she looks up as another knock sounds through the room and slowly pulls herself away from Santana as the nurse walks in with her bag and the discharge papers.
''Thank you.'' She mutters softly taking both things for her.
''You're welcome.'' The nurse replies with a kind smile, she turns to Santana and slowly nods her head. ''Dr Knight wrote you up for an appointment in two days and told you to rest well.''
''I will make sure she does.'' Brittany answers as she sees her still sitting on the bed with her head down, she walks over to her as the nurse nods her head walking out of the room and slowly sits down on the edge of the bed. ''Let's go home love.''
She stands back up as Santana nods her head, slowly moving herself to the edge and places the bag on the bed beside her. She takes out the spare clothes they both keep in her car in case some random match forces them to stay somewhere else and grabs her own shirt and hoodie hoping it will calm her girlfriend down a bit.
She crouches down in front of her, gently untying the robe after helping her put her underwear and sweat pants on with it still on and stands up sliding her hands over her shoulders to her back to clasp her bra, she stops as she feels Santana's head land on her abs, a soft broken sniffle escaping her throat and drops her head immediately hugging her close as she wraps her arms around her waist.
Santana slowly stands up as she feels Brittany grab the shirt and slowly raises her arms wincing as her bruised ribs protest against the movement, she gulps thickly as she feels gentle hands just pull her arms down, the shirt sliding over her arms and exhales shakily as the smell of her girlfriend immediately surrounds her the second Brittany gently slides it over her head.
''No hoodie.'' She whispers as she sees Brittany grab it, she wraps her arms back around her waist as she drops it back in the bag and nuzzles her face in her chest, hot tears immediately soaking through the training shirt Brittany wears.
She closes her eyes tightly as she feels her girlfriends strong arms wrap around her shoulders, the feeling, the complete opposite of what she felt hours before and chokes back a sob. ''Let's g-go.''
Brittany nods her head, shouldering the bag and glances at the clothes her girlfriend wore shaking her head opting to leave them there, she grabs Santana's phone off of the table and leads her out of the room.
She locks eyes with Dr Knight as she walks out, nodding her head to the room still keeping a strong hold around Santana's shoulders with her arm and points to the trashcan with her free hand after she leaned over to look in the room immediately noticing the clothes.
She kisses the top of Santana's head as she nods her head and leads her girlfriend out of the hospital and to her car.
''Ms Pierce!''
She turns around as she hears her name being called right after she closed the door and looks at Dr Knight. ''Dr Knight?''
''I don't think she will talk a lot the next few days but I just wanted to tell you that whoever did this got arrested on scene.'' Dr Knight smiles sadly as the blonde visibly relaxes and reaches out to pat her arm. ''I know you feel like you can't do much.'' She whispers softly. ''But keep up what you are doing now, just hold her, show her love and talk softly, that is the best thing you can do until she voices what she needs.''
Brittany just nods her head and thanks her softly, she walks around the car, sliding into the drivers seat and starts her car. She intertwines her hand with Santana's as she hears her soft sniffles and tightens her hold on the steering wheel with her left hand trying to get rid of a bit anger and hurt.
After driving home in silence, the car only filled with soft sniffles coming from Santana. Brittany follows her up the stairs to their apartment keeping her hand on the small of her back and unlocks their door. ''You want to drink something baby?''
Santana shakes her head and gulps thickly. ''Shower.'' She just whispers, she walks through the hallway into their bedroom as she hears Brittany's soft okay and immediately walks into the bathroom attached to their room wanting to get rid of the disgusting feeling.
Brittany drops her hand from the small of her back to turn on the shower, setting it to the right temperature and turns to look at her girlfriend quickly stepping forward as she sees her struggling with her shirt.
After gently helping her undress, she helps her step under the shower, stepping in right after her as she feels her strong hold on her shirt and just holds her close as sobs wreck through her body once again.
She reaches forward grabbing the her grabbing the body wash and carefully lathers her girlfriends body with it pausing as she feels her tense the second she nears her thighs, she kisses the side of her head as she sees her eyes squeezed shut, her breathing ragged and closes her eyes ignoring the stab in her heart. ''It's okay love.''
She whispers softly keeping her voice gentle not allowing the hurt she feels to fill it knowing her girlfriend can't help the reaction, she gently grabs her hand, placing the bottle in it and just holds her close. ''You do it.''
''Sorry.'' Santana just chokes out hot fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.
Brittany shakes her head pressing her lips against her temple and closes her eyes as she feels the muffled sobs wrack through her body. ''I love you Santana.''
She reaches up grabbing the shower head as she notices that she finished washing herself and gently runs the water stream over her body, she keeps her body pressed against her back as she finished and gently taps her cheek silently telling her to tilt her head back.
She wets her hair as soon as she feels her head lean back against her clothed shoulder, ignoring the way all her clothes stick to her body and grabs Santana's shampoo bottle. She smiles slightly as she hears her soft content hum the second she massages it into her hair and leans back a bit to rinse her hair out watching the bubbles stick on her shirt.
She hangs the shower head back on it's stand and kisses the back of her head as she steps forward to stand completely under the stream. ''Want to be alone for a bit?'' She asks softly, knowing Santana loves to have a moment alone under the water stream.
She just kisses her head again as she slowly nods her head and steps out of the shower closing the door behind her, she quickly takes off her soaked uniform, throwing it over the bathtub to dry and walks out of the room after placing Santana's bathrobe and a towel on the toilet seat.
She harshly wipes away the tears that suddenly stream down her cheeks and grabs her phone off of the desk where she left it, she scrolls through her group contacts, stopping at the chat she has alone with her parents to talk about gifts and types out a message.
To Gift ideas for San, Ames and Q: I need you.
She bites her lip as her phone rings almost immediately and jumps up walking out of the room in only a long shirt as she sees her dad's caller ID. ''Papa.'' She chokes out.
''What happened Britt-Bear?'' She hears both of her parents ask in concern.
''Santana.'' She cuts herself off as her voice cracks and drops on the couch burying her head in her hands.
''B.'' She hears her mothers sooth whisper filled with concerned.
''Someone raped her.'' She chokes out closing her eyes as two gasps echo through the speaker of her phone. ''We need you, please.''
''We will grab the next flight.'' She hears her dad tell her, quick typing on a computer sounding through in the background. ''Are the girls with you?''
''They don't know yet.'' She whispers brokenly. ''We just came back from the hospital.''
''Where is she now sweetheart?'' She hears her mom ask, the tears clear in her voice.
''Shower.'' She mutters sniffling. ''She wanted a moment alone.''
''Go to her baby girl.'' She hears her dad tell her. ''We will be there late tonight, we will pick up the key from the girls apartment and will tell them for you okay?'' She just hums and wipes away her tears.
''We will be there soon sweetheart, we will tell the girls to stay home so San won't feel overwhelmed.'' She hears her mother tell her.
''Okay.'' Brittany just whispers. ''See you tonight.''
''See you tonight sweetheart, love you.''
''Love you too.''
She ends the call, wiping her face with her shirt and walks into the kitchen splashing her face with cold water. She walks out after grabbing two bottles of water, knowing the both of them can't eat right now and walks back towards the bedroom speeding up as she hears broken sobs through the closed door.
She rushes into the bathroom after throwing the bottles on the bed and walks over to the shower stall, her heart breaking as she sees her girlfriend sitting on the floor of the shower with her head buried in her knees.
''Baby.'' She whispers sadly, as she opens the door. She turns off the shower as she feels ice cold water raining down her back and gently hooks her arms under Santana's arm pits to help her up, she staggers back as she feels her lean her full weight against her, quickly regaining her footing and gently picks her up holding her close as her arms come up to wrap tightly around her shoulders.
She walks back into the room still carrying Santana after grabbing her bathrobe and gently places her down beside their bed, she helps her slide on the bathrobe, tying the knot just above her hip and kisses her head as she just hides her face against her shoulder. ''What can I do?'' She asks sadly, feeling quite helpless.
''Just hold me, por favor.'' Santana whispers voice hoarse as she sits down on the bed still keeping one arm wrapped around Brittany's waist.
Brittany nods her head sliding into the bed behind her and turns on her side patting the spot beneath the blanket softly. ''Come here baby.'' She pulls her close as she turns on her left side to face her and lovingly kisses her forehead. ''I love you.'' She whispers against the cold slightly wet skin, not expecting her to answer but still wanting to tell her.
She leans her forehead against the top of her head as she just slides even closer, her face burying in her chest and curls her left arm around her waist, she leans her right arm on the pillow over her head and slowly runs her nails through her dark locks feeling the sniffle more as she hears it.
After ten minutes of just laying in silence, she closes her eyes a soft relieved sigh escaping her throat as she feels Santana relax after muffling her sobs against her chest and kisses the top of her head closing her eyes again as tears fill them silently wishing she could take the pain from her girlfriend.