AN: I do not own Glee or any copyrighted material mentioned in this fic. Just borrowing!


Santana's POV

Wind whips through your hair as you stood on the shores of your and Brittany's getaway sanctuary found as the two of you would try to escape reality for a few moments of peace and solitude over the past 9 weeks. The past few days had been overwhelming, in the best and worst ways. From perfecting the performance and killing yourself and your teammates in rehearsals, to the performance itself where you laid everything out there, to seeing a ghost from your past, to heart the heart shattering results show. You have never felt so on top of the world, while simultaneously so upset.

Flashback

You feel confetti float down around you, brushing off your exposed arms and some even getting caught in your cleavage.. You feel the arms of your teammates hanging on you, as you all celebrate the moment. You feel relief, you feel joy, you feel vindicated. Every single thing you had sacrificed for this dream, for this moment was so worth it. Going to the finals of the X-Factor was essentially as good as winning. The recording contracts, the tours, the fame, the music was all becoming a reality. Quinn grabs your hand and begins to pull you off stage, and the 7 of you all join hands backstage and take one final deep breath together.

"We did it" Marley says quietly, as if she still doesn't really believe it. You look around at your six teammates and realize that this moment was almost bigger for some of them, than it was for you. Marley was performing in coffee shops and at bad open mics in Chicago, when you and Mercedes found her. Dani was in a grunge cover band that played as the warm up act for a comedian one night. Sugar had no prayer in the world of doing anything musically. Kitty would probably be a bitchy college cheerleader, with a bad attitude trying to claw her way to the top, while getting a degree in communications. Quinn, well Quinn would be just fine. Probably at the Ivy League school of her dreams. Majoring in literature or law. Spending quiet nights in the library, surrounding herself with the even keeled brainy types. Killing it in the classroom and existing in a world that is safe to her. And for you and Mercedes, well this grind was inevitable. This chase was what the two of you were meant to do, but for the rest of them, this was a total deviation from reality. You squeeze Marley's hand in yours, and no other words are said.

You did it.

The seven of you make your way out of the backstage area and head towards the green room. Sugar is distracting you in the hallway, chirping on and on about the performance, but then you see her. Blue eyes and blonde hair, running towards you. It's as if time freezes and you see the mega watt smile on her face and determination in her eyes. If you could look at the face for the rest of your life, you would die happy. As time comes back to full speed, Brittany launches herself into your arms. She buries her face in the crook of your neck and you swear you feel tears hitting your skin.

She pulls away from you, eyes rimmed with red but still with a sparkle. Happy tears. She tries desperately to form words, but nothing seems to fit the moment properly. Instead, she leans her forehead against yours and captures your lips in a soft kiss. The kiss grows rapidly not in physical intensity, but in emotional intensity. As if Brittany is trying to pass on all her love and all her feelings through her lips and into your body through your lips. You do all you can to reciprocate those emotions. Tell her how everything has been for her, for her to feel proud to call you her own. That writing music and putting together melodies and phrases has never been easier or more fulfilling since she has burst incredibly into your life. When the kiss finishes, she pulls away slowly, leaving her forehead against yours and you just breathe each other in.

"I love you, Santana" she whispers against your lips, and that is all the congratulation you need.

The two of you return to the green room, hands linked, and you receive more praise from the other competitors, to which you graciously nod and smile. Answering a few questions about how you developed the piece. Brittany stands giddy by your side with a look of total adoration on her face the entire time.

You feel a tap on your shoulder and turn to see Rachel Berry, "Um, Santana" she begins nervously, "I realize that the two of us have never seen eye to eye, and I suppose that I am to blame for that. I tend to be a bit overbearing, and have a tendency to be overwhelming in social settings. Especially when it comes to music, because, well, I take this very seriously and believe very seriously in my own talent and I have a tendency to overcompensate when I feel threatened." The smaller girl takes a deep breath, "And, to be frank Santana, no one has been more threatening to my own belief in my own talent until I met you. You truly are one of a kind, and though you may not have the classical training I do, you have something that I don't. You take incredible risks, and for that I envy you. You may not be gracing the stages of Broadway anytime soon, but you are certainly meant for this."

You are shocked by the sincerity in the girl's voice, and though you're pretty sure she snuck in a few backhanded compliments you are impressed that she was able to speak that long about someone other than herself. "Thanks, Berry" you respond, "You were really great tonight." You say this with a genuine smile that makes Rachel explode with happiness.

"Well, I have been practicing solos since a very young age in my father's Oscar Room, so it was truly nothing at all." You can't help but laugh, because this is the Rachel Berry you know. "By the way, I know that I wasn't the most supportive of your and Brittany's relationship, but I am really happy for you both. It is clear that you really love each other." You look over at Brittany, who is now chatting animatedly with Mercedes and can't help but smile.

"Yeah, it's hard not to love her." Rachel squeezes your arm before she scurries off to join Finn who was sulking by the door.

You slowly collect your belongings, and quickly hop into the changing room to take off your show clothes. You exit the changing room and notice Brittany waiting by the door, holding both your bags with the same bright smile on her face. She extends her hand towards you and the two of you head towards the vans that are meant to take you back to the compound. No words are exchanged, instead both of you just revel in feelings and as you open the backdoor and head towards the vans you are caught off guard when someone calls your name.

"Santanita?" You and Brittany both turn around, as an older woman steps out of a shadow against the theatre.

"Mami" you breath.

End Flashback

"What are you doing down here, S?" Quinn's voice interrupts your thoughts, "Why aren't you at Brittany's?"

The blonde settles herself shoulder to shoulder with you, and begins to watch the water move waiting for you to answer.

"Watching her pack was too hard, and I figured they wanted to be alone as a team." You shrug. It was devastating watching The New Directions get voted off earlier that evening at the results show.

The Troubletones were set off to the stage left, sitting on a plush couch, waiting to hear what team would be joining them in the finals. The show seemed to drag on with commercial breaks and performances. It was no surprise that Hip Hop Anonymous was voted off first. But when it got down to the New Directions and The Warblers, you felt no sense of confidence. It was almost too close to call. Both teams had been popular all season, but The Warblers consistently got more votes that the New Directions. You remember Brittany mouthing an I love you to you before the host made his announcement.

When the Warblers names were announced, you felt Cedes and Kitty both press themselves against you. The three of you watching your significant others crushed after the announcement, but you know that your two friends were also holding you together. Making sure you didn't fall apart, knowing that this was your last night with Brittany. There was literally nothing you could say or do to make the situation better, but Brittany wore a smile and a genuine one at that. Saying that making it this far was more than enough and having you was more than enough. You tried to agree, but watching her pack, put away all the memories the two of you have made in the past 9 weeks was too much. When Tina came into her room to talk about something, you made your break. Saying you needed some air. But, that was over an hour ago.

"Santana, you know she leaves in less than an hour, right? Have you even checked your phone?" Once again, Quinn's voice of reason pulls you out of your own head.

You shake your head and reach into your back pocket and find your phone, with many messages and missed calls from Brittany.

"Shit" you whisper.

Quinn reaches out and grabs your hand, squeezing it tightly, anchoring you. "Come on, let's go say bye to your girl."

At those words, tears begin to prick at your eyes as you realize the reality of the situation.

You and Quinn make your way up the stairs of the New Directions townhouse, and are met with a bustle of bodies and lots of chatter. Puck and Sam are trying to figure out if they can steal the TV without it being a big deal.

"Dude, this would be an amazing addition to the Puckasaurus' man cave. Let's just try to pass it as a carry on" Puck says and then looks up and gives you a small nod accompanied with a sympathetic smile before saying, "She's been waiting for you."

Quinn still hasn't let go of your hand as she slowly leads you to Brittany, Tina and Rachel's shared room. You are shocked to find the room empty except for Brittany, who is sitting on the bed plucking an invisible frays of a sweatshirt in her hands. Brittany looks up and sees the look on your face, and for the first time all day, her smile shifts into a broken smile and soon a watery smile. You move silently towards her and almost fall to your knees, as you bury your head in her lap.

Her hands immediately run themselves through your hair, and the door closes, leaving the two of you alone for the first time since this morning.

"Baby" she whispers, as she coaxes you up to join her on the bed. Tears stream down your face, as you cannot bring yourself to say words. Tears silently fall down her face as well, as she gives you another watery smile. You both lean forward in a small kiss, and can't help but giggle when it's very wet and not because of your mouths.

"Where did you go?" She asks, "One second you were here and then poof, no more Tana."

You can tell that Brittany is desperately trying to lighten the mood, as she herself struggles against the inevitable time frame.

You take a deep breath before answers, "I am sorry, B. It was all just a little too much for me. I was acting selfish. I went down to the lake and then I realized that I should have just been right here the whole time, I just can't watch you pack it all away."

She runs her hand up and down your spine, "We knew this was going to happen, Sweet T." You nod, because really that was the only suitable response. "At least this way one of us doesn't have to directly beat the other one." You smile and press a kiss to her temple.

"When does the taxi come?" You ask quietly, figuring it was better to not be surprised.

Brittany reaches over to her phone sitting next to her on the bed, and her voice catches, "It should be here any minute."

"Right" you whisper. The two of you meet each other's eyes, before leaning in and finding solace in each other's lips. Her hands wind themselves around your waist and pulls you closer to her, as yours cup her cheeks, as if your hands are trying to memorize the exact contours of her face. The kiss never heats up, as both of you know there is no time for that, but instead you both remain calm just absorbing as much of the other as you can, until there is a knock on the door.

"Britt?" You hear Sam's voice call out, "Um the cabs are here."

"Be right down" Brittany calls back. Her eyes meet yours and gives you a small smile.

The tears overwhelm you and you find yourself gasping for breath, as you clutch onto your girlfriend's shirt.

"I know, baby" she says as she pulls you into her frame, "I know." She's planting kisses on your head. "I need to go, Santana. I don't want to, but I have to go." All you can do is nod, and slowly separate yourself from her and wrap your arms around your middle, trying to remain as calm as possible. Brittany's bags must be downstairs, because the only thing she carries is the sweatshirt. Once again, she reaches out to hold your hand and you lunge for it, trying to remain as connected to her as possible.

The two of you make it all the way outside without saying a word, and you see all the Troubletones are quietly waiting by the cabs, saying goodbye to their new friends. Kitty and Mercedes both have tears on their cheeks, as they say goodbye to their boyfriends. You squeeze Brittany's hand as she makes her way over to the second cab heading to the airport.

"Well, um" she starts as she is trying to press back tears, "I don't know what to say, Tana. Thank you for making this more than just a competition. You've changed my life in the best way possible. You're my whole world, baby." Again, all you can do is nod your head. Words, which are usually your friend, are unspeakable right now. The cab drivers are getting restless and Brittany is the only person not inside the cars. "I'll text you before I take off and I'll call you when I land, okay?" Again, you nod.

Before she gets in the open door, she hands you the sweatshirt in her hands and you realize it was from your national win senior year. The front saying Here Comes Trouble and the back says Lopez. Finally, you do something besides nod and shake your head, pushing the sweatshirt back into her arms.

"Keep it, love" you whisper. You run your hand through her hair one last time, "I am going to miss you much." You lean in for one final kiss.

"We are going to be okay, right Tana?" Brittany asks brokenly.

"Always."

She finally tears her eyes from you and climbs into the cab. As you see the cars finally pull away, your knees buckle, but before you hit the ground you feel multiple pairs of arms around you, committing to holding you together.


Brittany's POV

You've been home for 6 days, and you didn't realize that 6 days could be so miserable. It was amazing seeing Aubrey and your mom again, and sharing in all your accomplishments with them. Having them spoil you and cook your favorite meals. Showing you all the clippings they had saved of you and the ones of Santana, inviting the whole neighborhood over a BBQ and feeling so overwhelmed with their love. But, it wasn't the right kind of love. It wasn't Santana's love. The love you yearned for and ached for every moment.

Saying goodbye to Santana in LA was one of the hardest moments of your life. The second the cab door closed and the gates of the compound were in the rear view, you broke down in a fit of sobs. Tina wrapping her arms around you and Artie giving you tissues. The whole time on the plane, you scrolled through photos of you and Santana on your phone. You listened to every voicemail, voice note and watched every video she left you over the past 9 weeks until your phone died. You called her the second you landed, and you heard her hoarse voice, she told you it was because she was sleeping, but you knew better.

Everything since the performance happened so quickly, and hit you like a running train.

Flashback

You and Santana were about the enter the van when a voice called out to your girlfriend from behind the pair of you.

"Santanita" as you turn around your girlfriend gasps in shocked.

"Mami" you girlfriend says to the older, but still shockingly beautiful Latina woman in front of you.

"Hola, Mija" the woman gives a soft smile. Santana breaks away from your grip, and walks towards the women.

"You came" she says in shock "I can't believe you came." Santana throws herself into the arms of the older woman.

"Oh, Mija, I haven't missed one of your performances. I am so proud of you, mi amor. So, so proud." Santana is in complete disbelief and remains clinging to her mother. The older Latina raises her eyes to yours, "You must be the girl who was smart enough to fall in love with my Santanita."

You step forward as Santana reaches back for you, "Um, yes, Ms. Lopez, I'm Brittany. It's really nice to meet you. I know how happy Santana is that you're here."

Santana beams at you, "Please, call me Maria."

"Just like Santana?"

"Exactly."

Santana steps back in line with you, "Mami, I don't understand. I am sorry, I am just so surprised to see you here. I just assumed...well the worst."

Maria nods her head, "Nita, I owe you a long winded apology and explanation. Can I take you girls out to ice cream?"

The ice cream was both uplifting and depressing. Santana found out a lot about her family history that was untold to her until now. Apparently, Santana's father had a sister who got into "performing" at around the same age as Santana. And this performing turned into a life of alcohol, drugs, and addiction and a downward spiral that eventually lead to her untimely death at the age of 25. Maria showed them a picture of Santana's Aunt Juanita and she looked just like Santana. Young, beautiful, carefree and full of talent. Santana's father couldn't bare to lose his child to the same life, and couldn't bring himself to understand Santana's choices.

Maria vowed that she regretted her choice the second Santana left and there hasn't been a day that Maria hasn't wanted to reach back out to her daughter, but she assumed Santana wanted nothing to do with her. Meeting Maria you realized where Santana gets her stubborn nature. It was amazing to see your girlfriend interact with her mother, and finally see her show a different side to her unwavering exterior. Maria was planning on staying through the finale, and though Santana wasn't ready to completely forgive her mother, she was certainly willing to try.

After that life changing event, you and Santana were both on such a high that the news of the New Directions getting voted off kicked you right off cloud nine. And now, here you were back in Lima, only seeing Santana on FaceTime every morning and every night, and only hearing her voice when she was in between rehearsals and interviews. It was really hard for both of you, but at least she had the distraction of the competition and something to keep her focus. You were tasked with packing for Juilliard, which you left in less than a week.

You sit in the makeshift family room that you and Aubrey share as a bedroom with pictures scattered before you. You are desperately trying to decide which photo of you and Santana you should take with you to school, and are having a tough time choosing as well as having a tough time looking at them.

"Britty?"

"Hey, Bree" you sigh as your younger sister approaches you warily, as if she is afraid you might break. You feel terrible that you haven't been more open and cheerful since you have been back home, but you were trying your best to adjust to life without Santana. Sometimes you forget that Aubrey spent almost her whole summer without her older sister and then the second you get home, you're going to leave again.

"It's almost time" Aubrey says and you glance up at the clock and it reads 7:45. The final results show of the X-Factor airs at 8 PM. You smile thinking of getting to see Santana in just a few minutes. The past two days were incredibly busy for the girl, so conversations were short.

For the final week, the X-Factor chose redemption week as the theme. So, the Troubletones and the Warblers had to pick a song they had already performed in the competition and re-do it, and enhance it. The Warblers did a retake of their song during country week, and put a poppy spin on the lyrics in true Warbler fashion. You thought they played it smart, reminding the voters why they loved the Warblers to begin. Home grown, American boys singing their hearts out.

The Troubletones struggled with what song to re-do. Santana griped on the phone with for almost 30 minutes because Dani was resolute on choosing a song they already won on, but Santana was determined to re-do a "less than" performance.

Of course, your girlfriend won out and the Troubletones ended up doing a haunting version of Circus by Britney Spears. They almost turned it into a slow downed tango, with Marley taking lead vocals and Santana and Kitty killing the lead dance positions. You actually had chills watching the show and voted as many times as you possibly could for your girl.

Aubrey comes and sits down next to your on the couch and notices the pictures in front of you, "You must really miss her, huh Britty?"

"Yeah, I do, Bree" you voice catches "I really love her and it's hard not being with her."

Aubrey puts her arm around you waist and you wrap yours around her shoulders, "Well, it's only for a little while right? I mean after tonight, Santana is done with the show and you guys can be together for real, right?"

You wish it was that easy. You wish Aubrey's simple logic could apply to your relationship with the girl of your dreams and that poof just like that you could be together. You wish the second the winner is announced, Santana could pack her bags and be on your front door step. "It's a little more complicated. If the Troubletones win, Santana has to figure out what kind of contract she is going to take. She will get offered a deal no matter what, but needs to figure out where in the country she is going to be. I would love her to be in New York, but the music scene is much bigger in LA. I am just trying not to think about it." Santana had told you that she was going to meet you in New York and help you move into school, and you already plugged in the countdown on your phone.

You hear the X-Factor credits begin to roll and your stomach starts to flutter. Santana was pretty evasive about what the show would entail, but she did say that the Troubletones would be performing at least one group song. Aubrey is bouncing in her seat next you. Aubrey might be a bigger fan of the X-Factor than you are, and you were a freakin competitor. But, more than the X-Factor she is a huge Santana fan and might like you even more because you are dating the singer. You see the Troubletones standing on the left side of the stage in their classic black and gold ensembles. Santana's hair is blown out, giving it fierce volume and her face is done in a smoky eye and contouring that makes her cheek bones look like they could cut glass. She is wearing black leather pants that may as well not be there, they are so tight. You feel your lower stomach tighten looking at your girl. You have to admit that it has been hard to be away from her for a week emotionally, but sexually as well. She is wearing a gold bandeau with fringe hanging down and a black leather vest. She looks amazing. You can't even concentrate on the words coming out of the hosts mouth because you're so distracted. You pull your phone out and fire off a text.

To Sweet T x3: Um, wow. Can you see me drooling through the camera? You should have warned me about the outfit. I have one hot mama as my girlfriend. XXX

You decided that you would send Santana random texts throughout the show, so that at the end she can know what your play by play reactions were. The screen goes blank as the producers have put together a highlight reel of the competition for both the Troubletones and the Warblers. You hardly pay attention to the Warblers reel, and actually try to find a picture of Santana in that outfit on the Internet. You're sure some crazy fan has already posted one, but then Quinn's voice pulls you to the screen.

"Rehearsals can get pretty intense" says Quinn's voiceover and the image is of Santana staring down at sheet music and counting beats for the singers, and then one of Kitty counting out beats for the dancers continually saying "again, again, again." You can't help but giggle because you know exactly what that life is like.

"And, rehearsals can also be pretty goofy" Quinn continues. The next video is off Sugar trying to break dance in front of the team and winds up spinning on her shoulder. Santana and Mercedes grip each other in laughter in the background, and your heart flutters.

The rest of the montage includes interview with almost each of the girls with their favorite weeks, Dani citing punk week, Marley mash-up, Mercedes reminiscing on the girls singing a tribute to Whitney. You're breath catches when an image of you and Santana fills the screen. The producers asked people to go in the confessional and show their hidden talents, and Santana forced you to do it with.

"So everyone knows that I have a penchant for rapping" Santana's raspy voice begins, "But, what no one knows is that my girl Brittany here can drop some insane beats." The you on the screen blushes as does the you watching the screen. "Ready, B?" Santana looks at you and you nod, before beginning to beat box. Santana raps lightly over the sounds and at the end you both break out in giggles. When the laughter stops Santana looks back at the camera, "See, we are the perfect pair." She then plants a kiss on your cheek.

You immediately grab your phone.

To Sweet T x3: We are the perfect pair, baby. I will be the beats to your lyrics forever and ever.

The montage fades out and the host announces a commercial break. It is only when Aubrey hands you a tissue that you realize tears had been silently falling down your face. Seeing you and Santana together lifted your heart, but also tore it a little bit. You wonder when the next time you would have a moment such as that again would be.

As the show continues, both The Warblers and The Troubletones perform a fan favorite song. The Warblers thrilled with their rendition of Michael Jackson's "Bad" and the Troubletones went all the way back to week one and Broadway with "Out Tonight". Santana's voice was just as chilling as it ever has been, and the end of the performance she tapped her heart three times with a big smile on her face. The tapping of heart was your little secret code. She told you last night that she would make it clear she was thinking of you.

To Sweet T x3: Tap. Tap. Tap x3

Finally the two teams take the stage for the final time. Aubrey has herself twisted into a pretzel trying to cross as many limbs as she can, sending the Troubletones all the luck in the world.

"We have had record breaking numbers all season, and much of that is a credit to all the amazing teams that have been on the show this season" the host beings. On the screen behind him, flashes of performances from the entire season fill the auditorium. You can't help but smile seeing Mash-Up week heavily featuring the New Directions. "But, these two teams in particular have given us ground breaking performances and for that we want you both to know how incredibly proud the X-Factor crew is of both teams." The audience erupts in cheers, "Unfortunately, there can be only one winner." The lights dim and you can only see the two teams standing on stage. You stomach is in your throat waiting for the results. "With the most votes ever received in an X-Factor finale, the team that America has deemed the winner is…" The camera zooms across the waiting faces of the two teams, and you see Santana, standing still on the stage with her eyes closed, gripping Quinn and Mercedes hands, her mouth quickly moving as if she is praying.

"THE TROUBLETONES!"

The auditorium erupts and confetti falls once again on the group of seven girls. It was written in the stars since the beginning of the competition, The Troubletones were the ones to beat and the other teams just fell a little short.

Six of the winners are screaming and jumping across the stage, grabbing onto each other. However, your girl, just takes a deep breath and covers her face, before opening her face and eyes up to the cameras and tapping her heart another three times, and mouthing an I love you. You can't help the tears now, as you watch your girlfriend and her teammates celebrate their victory.

To Sweet T x3: All your dreams came true, Tana. I love you so much and am ridiculously proud of you.


4 Months Later, December

Santana's POV

The holiday season was finally upon, and you were finally getting the opportunity to see Brittany for more than a weekend. Life was a whirlwind after the X-Factor victory. You and your teammates had to decide what the most logical next step was. Columbia records was all in for signing the group onto a contract, but they were also willing to negotiate the terms. After a long discussion, a decision was made. You and Mercedes were signed to individual contracts, while Marley, Kitty, Dani and Sugar were signed together on one of their smaller affiliated labels as a band. The girls didn't feel right keeping the name Troubletones, so they instead went with Apocalypsticks. Quinn was brought under the Columbia fold as talent agent in training. Quinn had always wanted to be more behind the scenes, and Columbia was more than willing to take her under their wings.

For you, signing a recording contract with hopes of being on tour within the year, meant a lot of work. Luckily, you already had books and books and books of material that you had been working on, so the song writing and producing time was cut short, but you spent countless hours in the studio. Countless hours marketing. Countless hours working on your image. All these countless hours, meant less and less time for your relationships. With you friends, the new growing one with your parents, and most important your one with Brittany. On top of all that, Columbia insisted you make Los Angeles your home base. This was a tough conversation to have with Brittany, but she understood. She knew the chances of you being in NYC were slim.

The two of you did your best to not go for a month without seeing each other. Sometimes the visits were insanely short, one of you flying in or out on the red eye to the other's city. Spending the 36 hours you had together, which felt more like 36 minutes. She either had class or you had to be back in the studio. It was definitely putting on a strain on the relationship. Fights over the stupidest things, like how long it would take to answer a text, kept popping up and the time difference even wore you out. You could not wait to land in Ohio and spend an entire week with your girl completely uninterrupted. You told the studio that the only reason for them to contact you was if their was a computer crash and everything you had recorded had been lost and was irretrievable. They could go to your agent for everything else.

So, here you are, walking towards baggage claim in the Dayton airport. You are wearing a Chicago Cubs hat and sunglasses. Though you know it's winter, since the X-Factor and with all the record promotion, you have a tendency to be noticed by fans. As you hit the escalators which will bring you towards the carousels, a sign pops out to in the sea of waiting cab drivers. Standing there, with a bright smile on her face, blonde hair whipped up in a high pony, wearing your Here Comes Trouble hoodie was Brittany holding a sign that read "Rosario Cruz". You burst out in laughter seeing your alias on the sign, and you start to jog down the escalator past other disgruntled travelers.

Brittany sees your movement and shadows it. You meet in the middle and before you can say anything, she presses her lips against yours and hums into them.

"Finally" she whispers.

You reach out and tap her heart three times, before she links your hands and leads you off to baggage claim to retrieve your bags.


5 Months Later, May

Brittany's POV

The past five months have been some of the best and worst in your life. Best in the fact that you have been killing it at Julliard. You were one of the only first years that became a featured company dancer, and you were constantly receiving praise from your professors and critics. Your outstanding performances scored you an amazing summer internship at one of the best dance companies in New York City, and you though you had just finished your first week, you knew that you would do amazing things there.

The past few months had been the worst because things with Santana seemed to get more and more difficult with each passing moment. The week you spent together at Christmas was amazing. It reminded you of every reason you were in love with the incredible woman. It was so easy being with her, she made your heart leap and made you feel safe, warm, comforted and loved. Your mom and Aubrey seemed to fall more in love with her as well.

The weeks following Christmas were okay, both of you feeding off the energy from just seeing each other, but now it was May and the last time you had seen your girlfriend was Valentine's Day, when she flew to New York for a long weekend. Again, it was amazing and made all the hard stuff seem easy, because being with her felt so right. However, now it didn't seem so easy. The missed phone calls, the unanswered texts, the too old, too repeated apologies from the Latina were getting old quickly. You knew that Santana wasn't purposely pushing you away or ignoring you. You realized how busy she was, but having a relationship through a phone that never rang, buzzed or chirp was not what you were looking to invest in.

It all broke down last week when Santana was preparing to fly to New York City to see you for the weekend.

Flashback

Thursday Night 9 PM EST

"Hi baby" you answer the phone sweetly. Santana usually didn't call you until she was out of the studio around 9 PM PST, so this was a nice surprise.

"Hey, bumble" she whispers quietly. Immediately you could tell something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" You ask nervously.

"Britt, baby, I don't think I can make it…" She says softly and you can hear the pain in her voice.

You cut her off, "What do you mean you can't make it, Santana? We have been planning this weekend for months. It's the final Julliard performance, and I start work on Monday. You promised me Santana. You told me the company OKed this."

She sighs, "They did okay it, love and I am all packed to go. But, Reggie came into work today and said that Rihanna invited me to this club opening this weekend and they want me to perform with her. It's just a huge opportunity to get some added promotion before I leave for tour on a month."

That was another huge issue in the relationship. Santana was going on a 3 month summer cross country tour. While she would be in New York for 4 days, she would be working crazy hours and would see and speak to you even less.

You run your hands through your hair trying to understand what she is saying, "So Rihanna invited you to sing with her, but it seems pretty last minute and wouldn't be unreasonable for you to say no…"

"Baby" you can tell in the thickness of her voice that she is pushing back tears, "I can't say no to this. It's too important."

You heart drops, "Oh, I didn't realize that it was TOO important for you to say no to. But, apparently our relationship isn't too important, because you have been saying no to me for months." You finally snap. "This weekend is fucking important to me too, Santana. You haven't seen me performance once this year, and I have been talking all month about how my amazing girlfriend is finally going to make it out to see me. And how IMPORTANT you are to me, and how IMPORTANT this weekend is. But, I am so fucking sorry for thinking that just once you would prioritize me or your career. I guess all that bullshit about your dreams realigning was just that...BULLSHIT."

"Bumble, I am so sorry." Santana breaths, "You know how important you are to me and how much I love you, and how horrible this whole situation has been to me. But, I signed a contract. I need to stay true to that. Baby, please, try to understand. This isn't a choice I wanted to make."

"But you did make it, Santana." You know she hates when you call her Santana.

"Brittany, I can be there next weekend. I'll take Friday and Monday off. I'll fly in Thursday night and catch the red eye back on Monday. We will have four days together. Please, love, let me make this up to you."

"Don't bother, Santana. Stop making promises you can't keep. I am so sick of playing second fiddle."

"Britt, come on, you know you're not second fiddle."

You emotions are getting the best of you and you can't help the words that come next. "I need some time, Santana."

You hear her voice catch, "What? What do you mean, Brittany?"

"Maybe this tour is coming at the perfect time. You know" you voice is thick with tears, "I really so-should be concentrating on the internship and you n-need to focus on your tour. Maybe we should take the next f-few months and figure out what we want...separately."

Santana chokes on a sob, "I know what I want, Brittany. I want you, and I'm so sorry. I w-will c-c-all Rihanna's people right now and say no. I will get on a fl-flight right now. Please, Brittany. D-Don't do this.

"I'm sorry, Tana."

That phone call happened a week ago, and nothing has been more crushing. Everyday you want to call her and take it all back. You want to apologize for being such an idiot, and tell her that you would much rather at her it be difficult being with her than to not be with her at all. You stumble into work and make your way towards the studio your company has been assigned to, but before you make it to the door, one of the assistants catches you.

"Brittany? You are needed in conference room 4."

Before you can ask why, the assistant shuffles away. You make your way towards the conference rooms. The only time ever being in this part of the building was when you signed your summer contract. When you walk into the room, it seems empty, but then the far chair spins around and you gasp.

"You know" a smoky, raspy voice fills the room. "I didn't realize the scope of Columbia records until I did a little research."

You try to think of something to say, but no words come to you heard.

"I didn't realize that they had dance companies under their retainer in all major cities, and it just so happens that this very dance company falls under the umbrella of Columbia records."

Your heart begins to pound incredibly hard.

"It was fortunate that I figured this out, because last week I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I can be incredibly selfish, incredibly self righteous, and incredibly short sighted when it comes to protecting those who mean most to me."

You remain silent, trying to figure out what is going on.

"However, another thing I learned was that I do have my priorities in order. So, last week I marched into my producer's office and told him I needed to relocate to New York City and needed a break or I couldn't keep working for Columbia. You can imagine his reaction. Well, let me tell you, Bumble it wasn't good."

You can't help but break into a smile when she so casually uses your nickname.

"I soon learned that I would owe the company millions of dollars if I were to do that, so I had to find out another way. Which, is when I found out that any dancer under contract with a Columbia subsidiary can be considered for any Columbia tour, which is interesting because one month from now I leave for tour."

"...and I am a Columbia dancer" you finally say.

"Yes, you are." Santana stands up and makes her way towards you. She hesitantly reaches for your hands, "I have been an idiot, Brittany. I am so sorry for making you think that anything other than you and our love was my dream. My dream is you. My future is you. I just really distracted.

You nod your head, as you try to blink back the tears.

"So, what I am asking is, will you go on tour with me? And when we get back to New York in the fall" you gasp and her words and she giggles, "That's right, as soon as the tour is over, I am relocating to NYC and working for Columbia out here. But, let me finish, as soon as we get back to New York in the fall, will you move in with me?"

You surge forward and press your lips against Santana's. Hoping that your response doesn't need words. She slowly lifts her hand between the two of you and taps your heart three times.


AN2: The end! Thank you for everyone who has stuck with this story. I loved writing it. While I do not see a sequel, I might write a few one-shots or a few suggested prompts in this verse, if anyone is interested. All my love.