Chapter 11

*Flashback Warning*

Brett's POV

"Going in together" I yelled, "Coming out together" they yelled back. We split up exploring the compound that we thought could be hiding Aazar Ahmadi. This guy has been running from us for years. He was the guy we were after when Drew was killed. I would be lying if I said I didn't want at least some revenge for Drew's death. Our platoon commander decided that going in solo might result better. I tried to argue against it but once that guy has a plan in his head, it was hard changing it. I clutched my AR-15 tightly as I moved throughout the building. I could hear each one of my brothers saying that their buildings were clear through my earpiece. I had volunteered to go through the most central building, the prime location that Aazar would be. Once the ground and top floor were clear, there was only one more place to look.

I made my way down the basement steps moving slowly but efficiently. I rounded the corner entering an empty room. There was a poker table in the middle with a few battery powered lamps scattered about. Someone was here. The cards were dealt, there were snacks and half empty drinks sitting on the table. I reached up to my ear to radio the team, when everything went black.

I felt my head throbbing as I slowly lifted it. My eyes felt so heavy. I didn't think I was going to be able to open them until I heard a voice, "Time to wake up" someone said laughing. I could hear others laughing with him. I opened my eyes, I was fucked and I knew it. Standing there in front of me was our prime target Aazar Ahmadi. I looked around and didn't recognize where I was. I could tell that I was tied to a chair with my hands and feet bound. The walls were made of only dirt which made me think that I was underground somewhere. "Hey, there will be plenty of time to look at your surroundings since you'll be here awhile" Aazar said laughing. "You've been out for over 24 hours, I thought I killed you at first" his buddy said next to him. "Why don't you untie me and we can have a fair battle" I said gritting my teeth. The guy stepped forward but Aazar stopped him. "Leave us alone" he commanded. The guys gave me one finally look before walking out and shutting the door.

"I know alot about you Brett, I have been watching you just as close as you've been watching me" he said. I watched as Aazar grabbed a chair and placed it in front of me taking a seat. "You are going to tell me about Operation Ghost," he said smiling. "Like hell I am, what makes you think I even know anything about that?" I asked. "You see the last guy I tortured to death, told me that I should talk to you, so here I am!" Aazar said laughing.

Operation Ghost, one of the biggest secrets the military has been working on. Something that I have been helping work on. I stayed quiet as Aazar continued to stare at me. "I guess we are going to have to do this the hard way," he said, leaning down to pick up the jumper cables. I watched as he turned on the battery pack and touched the cables to my chest. The electricity coursed through my entire body, "AHHHHHHHHHHH" I screamed out. It felt like eternity until he pulled the cables away again. "Tell me about Operation Ghost and I won't do it again" he said smiling. "Fuck you"I spat at him. He smirked, "and I really thought we could have been friends" Aazar said before attaching the cables to my chest again. I screamed out in pain again, as my screams got louder so did his laughs. "Brett, Brett" I heard Santana say. No no she can't be here, this can't be real. Aazar looked at me, smirking, "Santana is really beautiful, I bet she would make a great wife for me" he said. "IF YOU TOUCH TANA, I WILL KILL YOU" I yelled out. "Brett, Brett" I heard her say again but I couldn't see her. "See you next time you close your eyes" Aazar said smiling.

I shot up, immediately clutching my chest trying to catch my breath. I was profusely sweating, my shirt was drenched. "Brett" Santana whispered. I finally noticed that she was sitting on my bed clutching one of my hands. "Are you okay, did he hurt you?" I asked, remembering my prior thoughts. "I am okay, it was just a nightmare. Noone hurt me" she said, rubbing his hand. I ran my hand through my hair, "It was so real" I whispered. She reached out, making me look at her, "I know I know, but it's okay. I am okay and so are you" Santana said. I nodded slowly, "I am going for a run" I said getting up. Santana grabbed my hand, "No you're not, it's 2 am. You need to go back to bed" she said. "I can't sleep right now, he had you Tana. He could have hurt you!" I screamed. "I won't let anyone hurt you! I can't lose you too!"

Santana grabbed both my hands, "Look at me!" she yelled. I tried steadying my breathing as I made eye contact with her. "He doesn't have me, I am right here with you." she said, wiping the tears that I didn't realize were falling from my eyes. I dropped to my knees letting the tears fall freely. "Shhh baby" I heard Tana whisper as she pulled me into a hug. I don't know how long we sat there but Santana never let go. She just held me as I wept.

I finally pulled my head from my hands, "Come on" she whispered. Santana got up pulling me to my feet again. "You need sleep, I can just go for a run to clear my head." I said as she pulled me toward her room. "You know I won't be able to sleep knowing you are out there, we are going to try something new." she said, pulling me into her room. I watched as Santana shut the door and walked back in front of me. "Lift up your arms" she said which I followed. She pulled my drenched shirt from my body leaving me in just my boxers. "What are we trying?" I was confused. "You said it yourself that your nightmare included someone having me, I heard you screaming that, screaming my name. So you are going to sleep here, with me. That way if you wake up, i'll be right here, you won't be alone" She said pulling me toward the bed. "I can't do this to you, what if I have another nightmare" I said as she got into bed. Santana pulled the covers up moving over to make room for me, "Then i'll be right here to wake you up" she whispered.

I was so tired. I wanted to sleep so bad but my fucked up delusions are forcing me awake. "Please Brett" she begged, reaching out for me. I finally nodded in defeat. I grabbed her hand and laid down in her bed next to her. I pulled up the covers while Santana reached over turning out the bedside lamp. "Can you leave a light on" I whispered. I didn't think she heard me but she quickly got up and turned on a small lamp on her desk before coming back to bed. "Come here" I said, opening my arms. Santana rolled closer to me, resting her head on my chest while I wrapped my arms around her. "Is this okay, am I hurting you?" she asked as her arm gently rested around my waist. "No this is absolutely perfect" I said smiling and giving her head a quick kiss.

Santana's POV

Hearing Brett scream woke me up immediately. As I stood by his bed trying to wake him up, he started screaming about someone touching me. My heart shattered watching one of the strongest people I know completely break in front of me. I held him as he wept on the floor, thank god Quinn isn't here tonight. I don't think she would have handled this well at all. I couldn't think of anything else to help him other than bring him to bed with me. Part of me convinced myself that I did it for him but I think I did it for myself too. I didn't want him to go out running on the streets of the city at 2am. I knew if he did that then I wouldn't be sleeping till I knew he was home.

I am still not asleep, I am just focusing on Brett's heart beat. I find comfort in the sound, thump, thump, thump. I finally noticed how Brett's breathing changed, he was finally back to sleep. I can't just let this go. Brett is different then any guys I've known. Every time he tells me something about his life, my heart breaks just a little more. It makes me like him even more. I am scared, I've never felt this way before. I don't even know what this feeling even is. I want to talk to Quinn about it but I know she is going to get mad about everything that is going on with Brett. I finally managed to fall asleep to the sound of Brett's heart beat; thump, thump, thump, thump.

I felt something tickling my arm, I slowly opened my eyes. My arm was still clutching on Brett's waist, I watched as his finger drew little shapes on my arm. I stretched and groaned, burying my face in his neck. "Good morning, sleeping beauty." he said, pulling me closer. I grunted in response which made him laugh. "You really are not a morning person" he whispered, before planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. I smiled against his neck before pulling away to look into his eyes. I swear, I could get lost in his ocean eyes. "How did you sleep?" I asked. Brett looked at me and smiled wide, "The beginning of the night obviously sucked but after I came in here I didn't even have a nightmare. I think it was the best sleep I've had in years" he explained. "I guess my idea worked" I smirked. "I guess it did, it just sucks that I can't sleep in here every night" he sighed. He wants to sleep in here with me every night, I felt butterflies in my stomach. "I wish you could too but I don't think Quinn would like that very much", Brett turned and looked at the ceiling. "I don't really care what she likes." he said, honestly. "Brett" I started to say before he cut me off. "No Santana, I don't want other people controlling my life anymore" he said. Brett turned to me caressing my cheek, "I like you. I don't know when i'll be deployed again but I don't want to waste anymore time" he whispered. "Quinn told me to stay away from you, she doesn't want us together" I said. "Yeah I know she told me the same thing but I really don't give a shit. If Quinn really cares about me and you then she would let us see where this goes" he said smirking. "Where do you want this to go?" I asked, smiling. "I don't care as long as you're with me" he said before capturing my lips.

I tightened my hold on to Brett as I felt his tongue sweep across my bottom lip. I parted my lips slightly allowing his tongue into my mouth. His tongue massaged mine pushing a moan from my mouth. That must have lit a fire in Brett because he managed to pull me on top of him, never breaking the kiss. Right when my chest pushed against his bare chest, Brett let out a groan. I quickly pulled away, "Omg did I hurt you?" I asked him, remembering the stitches in his chest. I pulled my hands from his neck to try and push myself up but Brett stopped me. "If you don't keep kissing me then i'll be hurt" he said pulling my face toward him. I smiled into the kiss. This time pushing my tongue into his mouth. His hands traveled down my back, making me shiver. I pulled my legs up straddling his waist.

Brett's hands traveled just a bit lowered grabbing my ass. I groaned feeling him squeeze it. I grinded down on him as I deepened the kiss. Tangling my tongue with his, completely lost in his embrace. I pulled back from his lips quickly finding his pulse point on his neck. Brett moved his face to give me better access to his neck. I continued to suck and nip at his neck until I was sure I left a mark. The whole time, Brett's hands moved between sliding up my bare back under my shirt and my ass. He squeezed my ass particularly harder this time causing me to bite down on his neck. "Fuck Tana" I heard him mumble makeing me smile. I lightly kissed the mark that I made. He pulled me back to his lips, grinding back against my hips. "Do you feel what you do to me" he whispered to me, pulling my center into his growing bulge. My eyes widened, he feels huge and I know he isn't even fully hard yet. I smirked at him, bringing my lips to his ear. "You're doing the same thing to me, I am soaking wet" I purred in his ear. He groaned again as I nibbled on his ear lobe. "You're killing me Tana" He mumbled before capturing my lips again.

As we were making out, I heard my phone start going off. "Just leave it" he whispered against my lips. I did just that, feeling his dick press against me. My phone went off again. I rolled off of him, grabbing it off my side table. I felt Brett's lips attach to my neck, making me moan. His dick was pressed up against my hip, grinding into me. I quickly answered the phone hoping to get rid of whoever was on the other side.

"Hello" I answered breathless. Brett was still nibbling on my neck, not caring that I was on the phone. "Finally, San, took you long enough!" Quinn said from the other side of the phone. "What do you want?" I asked, pissed. "I am at the front door, I forgot my key, come open it" she asked. "Shit" I mumbled, pushing Brett off me. "Coming Quinn" I said as Brett looked at me confused. I quickly hung up. "Quinn is at the front door, you need to get rid of that!" I said pointing at the blatant bulge in his pants. Brett quickly got up coving his boner with his discarded shirt. "You gave me a hickey, really" he said pointing at it. I smirked, admiring my work. "I am taking a shower" he said walking into the bathroom. "You might want to make it a cold one" I said laughing as he shut the door.

Quinn was banging at the front door when I finally opened it. "Gosh, could you be anymore annoying" I mumbled. "What the hell took you so long?" she asked. "I was in bed, it is Saturday morning," I said, grabbing a bowl from the cabinet. "Then why do you look flushed and sounded so out of breath on the phone?" she asked, smirking. I looked at her confused as I poured my cereal. "I literally have no idea what you are talking about" "You were masterbating, weren't you" she said laughing. I almost spit out my food, "what, no!" Quinn continued to laugh hysterically. "What are you laughing about?" Brett asked, walking into the kitchen in shorts and a sweatshirt that covered up his hickey. Guess that cold shower worked because his happy little friend is nowhere in sight. "I seemed to have intereputted Santana's alone time" she said, winking at me. "Is that what those moans coming from your room were from" Brett said laughing. My jaw dropped, making Quinn laugh even louder.

"Hopefully you got yourself off" Quinn said laughing before walking out. "Fucking asshole" I said smacking Brett's good shoulder. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity Tana" he said, reaching around my waist. He grabbed my ass again, pulling me toward him, capturing my lips. I bit down lightly on his bottom lip making him hiss. I pulled back, giving him a wink before bringing my cereal to the dining table. Him and Quinn followed shortly after. "Guess what we are doing tonight?" Quinn said, smiling wide. I looked at her confused, "continuing our real housewives marathon". "Nope we are going to the opening of The Top of the Standard lounge and club tonight!" she said smiling. "That is supposed to be the hottest new club like really high class, we are not going to get in" I explained. Quinn continued to smile, "That is where you are wrong, Rachel got a VIP table and invited all of us" she said. "Wow, hobbit actually came through for us" I said laughing. "Be nice," Quinn said, glaring at me. "You guys are going to have fun tonight" Brett said. We both looked at him, "You're obviously coming too" Quinn said.

"I don't know if it is a good idea" Brett said looking embarrassed. "Why?" I asked. "I just don't know how I am going to react with loud music and lights," he said looking down. Both Quinn and I looked at each other. We both knew exactly what he meant. He didn't know if there was going to be loud noises and strobe lights that might trigger his PTSD. "You won't be alone there, we will all be with you" I said reaching out and grabbing his hand. I caught Quinn out the corner of my eye looking at our interlocked hands. I pulled away slowly once he looked up so it didn't look out of the ordinary. "Why don't you think about it, we are leaving here around 9:30 if you want to come," Quinn said, smiling. Brett just nodded then continued on eating his cereal.

"Why don't we go looking for some cute outfits!" Quinn said, smiling wide. "You don't have to convince me to go shopping," I said smirking. Quinn left to go get showered and dressed for our girls day, leaving Brett and I alone. "I want you to come tonight," I said. "Tana" he tried to say but I kept talking, "If anything happens we can leave immediately, I will leave with you" I pleaded. "My fear of PTSD isn't the only reason why I don't want to do it,'' he admitted. Why wouldn't he have admitted that with Quinn there. "What are you talking about". "I don't want to watch you with other guys," he said. He was jealous, I smirked, "Who said I was going to be there with another guy" " I am not saying that you are going to be actively looking for guys but I know that guys are not going to pass up an opportunity to try something with you. I mean look at you" he said checking me out. "I can't control what other guys do but trust me, I will not be looking at anyone else." I said, smiling. "What sucks is that I can't even do anything because of Quinn. We should just tell her" he said. "What would we even tell her, I don't even know what we are doing" I admitted. Brett groaned, "me either" he mumbled. Before I could answer Quinn came out dressed. "Santana, go get dressed; I want to leave," she said. I nodded going to get dressed.

I decided on a white shirt with a hunter green jacket. Black jeans and black booties; with my hair up in a ponytail. I made my way back out into the living only catching the end of their conversation. Quinn said, "Well let me know if you change your mind". Quinn turned and walked toward the door. While her back was turned, Brett gave me a quick kiss to the temple before saying goodbye.

"I really hope Brett changes his mind about coming tonight, I think he needs a nice night to just let loose" Quinn said, looking through the racks. "I agree but do you think he will get triggered?" I asked. "That's the thing, while you were getting dressed I asked him and he is nervous about any loud bangs. I guess loud noises can bring him back" she explained. I nodded, I guess there is one thing Brett tells Quinn over me. "Do you think he is going to come?" I asked. "Puck is going to go over soon and try to talk him into it" she explained. "OMG what do you think of this" she asked, pulling a dress from the racks. I studied it, "It's cute but too pink" I said laughing. Quinn decided to still get it but not for tonight, thank god.

We went to three more stores until Quinn finally found a cute dress to wear for tonight. I was going to get a cute little dress but I always wear that. So I decided to get something else to switch it up. By the time we made it home it was already almost 5 pm. Right when we opened the door, I could hear Puck and Brett's laughter flood the room. Quinn and I both looked at eachother and rolled our eyes. "Are you guys drunk?" she asked, noticing the empty beer cans on the coffee table. "Nope, but definitely on our way" he said cheersing with Brett. "Did you ladies find some outfits for tonight" Brett asked, smirking. "Yes! We are going to look hot, aren't we San?" Quinn said pushing me. "We always look hot but yes we did" I said, laughing. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you two, I ordered pizza for us. Mercedes and Rachel said they were coming over at 7:30 to get ready" Puck said turning back to the tv. "Who the hell invited them to get ready with us?" "I did San and be nice. We wouldn't even have the VIP table without rachel." Quinn explained. I just scoffed.

We all just hung out in the living room and ate pizza when it came. It was kinda nice just hanging out with the four of us. Brett fit right in with the dynamic between us. Sometimes when you've known people for so long it is really hard to be the new person. You would have thought that Brett also went to highschool with us just by the dynamic. Quinn and I also started drinking but we decided on vodka. We were 2 drinks deep by the time Mercedes and Rachel showed up. Rachel and Quinn decided on doing their makeup in Quinn's room. Mercedes and I went to my room since the mirror space was kinda limited. While Puck, Brett and Finn hung out in the living room.

I sat at my vanity while Mercedes stood up standing in front of the mirror above my dresser. "So are you going to be looking for a guy tonight or hanging out with Brett" she asked, smirking. "What are you talking about" "Don't act surprised Satan, I saw the way you two interacted at the dinner party" She said. "We were not interacting any different then we always do" I said, laughing. "We have known each other for a long time which means I know when you are talking out of your ass" Mercedes said, smirking. "Nothing is going on" I lied. "You are such a liar! Brett is so your type and I saw you hold his hand during dinner" she admitted. My mouth dropped, I didn't think anyone noticed since the majority of the table was focused on Aaron. "Listen Mercedes, you can't tell Quinn you saw any of this" I said, turning around. "Only if you tell me the truth" she said.

Normally I would go classic Santana on her and just threaten her. But with what happened this morning and the vodka flowing through my veins nothing came to mind except the truth. "I like him, there happy," I groaned. Mercedes smiled wide knowing she was right. "I knew it!" she yelled. I shushed her, "Quinn can't know because she told me to stay away from him" I explained. "Well that's not shocking, your only real relationship was Bash and let's face it, you were not that into it" she said, eyeing me. I rolled my eyes, so she was right. "Ugh I know but Brett is different. There is just something about him. I don't know how to explain it" I said. Mercedes' mouth dropped and her eyes grey wide, "Santana Lopez, did you sleep with Brett?" "what! No! Well almost but no!" I explained. "But you want to, don't you?" she asked. I just nodded. Mercedes shrugged her shoulders, "I think you should do it, because the sexual tension is through the roof" she said, nonchalantly. I cocked my head, "you do?" "Yeah I saw the way he calmed down just with the touch of your hand at the dinner. Even just a while ago, you guys were smiling and laughing with each other like you guys were the only two in the room." she explained. It made me smile, he made me happy but then I remembered, "What about Quinn?" "Quinn is your best friend, I bet she just wants you guys to be happy. But let me be the first to tell you that if you keep hiding this from her the worse it is going to get" she said. Mercedes is right, but I will never tell her that.

A knock at the door pulled us from our conversation. Brett walked in making me smile, "I need your opinion" he said. Brett held up 2 jackets, "Army jacket or leather jacket" he asked. "Definitely the leather jacket" I said, smirking. "Does this mean you are coming tonight?" I asked, already knowing the answer. He smiled, "Yes it does, someone has to make sure you guys get home safe" "My knight in shining armor" I laughed. "Don't forget it," he said, before leaving. I just shook my head, turning back to the vanity. "Girl you got it bad" Mercedes said laughing.

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