When Quinn strolled up the Lopez's driveway the next morning, Santana could only roll her eyes. She knew Brittany wouldn't be able to help herself now that both sets of parents knew about them. She had been sitting on the bench outside her front door, her knees pulled to her chest. Ever since the word lesbian left her mouth the night prior, she couldn't shake the vulnerable feeling from her body.

"Morning," Quinn said quietly, her timid tone testing the waters with her friend. Things had been rocky between the two over the past few months. Quinn was dealing with issues of her own, and she and Santana had begun to drift apart.

Santana offered a polite nod, gesturing with her eyes for Quinn to have a seat. She swallowed hard, running her tongue over her top teeth.

"So Brittany called late last night," Quinn started after she took a seat next to Santana. She was never one to hold her opinions in, even as a child. With religious parents, she was encouraged to speak her mind (or as Santana would say her parent's mind).

Santana rolled her eyes. "I figured as much. Look Fabray just because me and Britt have come to terms with each other doesn't mean I'm ready to scream it to the world," she said with more than a hint of bitterness in her tone. She still felt defensive.

"I think it's great Santana," she offered, knowing Santana hid her insecurities with bitchiness. Even though her parents would never accept the fact that her two best friends were into each other, she didn't see the harm. After joining Mr. Pierce's glee club, a lot of the things she grew up believing were changing.

"What?" Santana asked with disbelief. Admitting to herself she was a lesbian was hard enough, but to have both Brittany and her parents be so nonchalant of the news, and now Quinn, she couldn't help but think she was going to eventually wake up from a very good dream.

Quinn laughed. "I've pretty much known about you two probably before both you and Brittany," she said with a confident nod of her head. "At sleepovers you two slept way too close for comfort," she joked.

Santana narrowed her eyes. "I don't get it," she whispered.

"Get what?" Quinn asked.

Santana bit her lip, staring across the lawn at Brittany's house with contemplation. "I've been a bitch my whole life Q, I mean you can attest to that," she started.

"Um yeah, definitely," Quinn agreed, smirking at the slap to her leg from Santana.

"I've never showed my feelings to anyone but Brittany. And now everyone tells me I've been a lovesick puppy for Brittany this whole time. If everyone saw it or sees it," she paused before continuing "why didn't anyone tell me it was okay. Why did I have to drag these feelings with me this whole time? Telling myself it was wrong, that I would go to hell for the way I looked at her," she said, lifting a hand to wipe under her eyes.

Quinn's smirk turned sour. "San," she whispered, reaching up to help collect the tears falling from her friend's eyes.

Santana shook her head, trying to get back to her usual hard exterior. "No, you know what. It's fine. Everything is working out in our favor and why should I question it. Why should I be anything but happy?" she asked, more to reassure herself than Quinn.

Quinn's eyes widened at her admittance. She never thought her friend was carrying around that type of baggage, basically hating herself for who she was. "What did your parents say when you told them?" she asked.

Santana laughed. "They didn't even have a reaction I can explain. It was like I told them I won the Nobel peace prize or something. My mother jumped up and hugged Brittany, not even me, whispering in her ear how happy she was," Santana smiled. "Then when she got to me, she grabbed my cheeks and kissed me on the forehead."

"Your mom always was one to make a scene," Quinn laughed.

"Yeah I know," Santana agreed. "When we got home she wouldn't leave me alone, asking about all the details of me and Britt. I almost wish I never said anything," she said.

"What about your dad. I mean I know Mr. Pierce is cool because of all the gayness of Glee Club," she said, then added, "And Holly is such a free spirit like Britt."

Santana nodded. "I mean he wasn't jumping for joy like my mother, but when we got home he came in my room and told me he was proud that I came out to them. And he was happy that I chose Brittany for a partner because she's already like another daughter to him," she said.

"Well that's good," Quinn said.

"Yeah. He did admit that it was something he'd have to get used to. He said he was in no way a homophobic, but he did always picture walking me down the aisle one day, you know," Santana explained.

"Well he still can," Quinn argued.

"I know, and he knows too. I get it though. It's the same thing with Kurt's dad. He always wanted a son to go to football games with and look how that turned out. He doesn't love him any less, he just had to adjust to who Kurt was, not who Burt wanted him to be," Santana said.

"Jeez San, I never see you like this," Quinn said. She thought this was going to be one of the most awkward conversations ever, but it was turning out surprisingly different.

"Like what?" Santana asked, her insecurities slowly creeping back. She didn't want Quinn to see her differently.

"So open and mature. I kinda like it," Quinn admitted happily.

Santana's face distressed at the compliment. "Well hey, don't get used to it Fabray. It's not something I'll be expressing on a regular basis. When we go back to school, I have to be on top of my game. Otherwise, me and Britt are gonna get pummeled. I can't let that happen," she said fiercely, knowing that with the exception of their close friends, she and Brittany were heading down a hard road.

Quinn frowned. "Well maybe if you showed this side of you, people would be more accepting because they won't be afraid of your loose cannon persona," she encouraged.

Santana scoffed. "You live in a dream world Q. I have to be even more of a badass now if I want to survive high school. You have no idea how scared I am to walk into school now Quinn, no idea," she admitted carefully. She didn't want Brittany or their parents knowing that, but she almost felt like running away from it all. But it was out now and she couldn't believe she was the only one who was still not okay with it.

"You know I never told you, but I've always looked up to you Santana," Quinn confessed softly, knowing this would probably be the only appropriate conversation to admit it.

Santana held up her hand. "Quinn, I appreciate it, but you don't need to lie to make me feel better," she said.

Quinn grabbed her hand. "I mean it," she said, intertwining their fingers together. "I wish I was half the person you were," she mumbled.

Santana's eyebrows lifted. "Quinn you can't be serious. You spend the majority of the time scolding me for everything I do," she said, her voice raising an octave higher.

Quinn shook her head with a smile. "Only because I'm jealous," she said.

Santana was speechless. Before she had the chance to respond, their attention was turned to Brittany's front door slamming shut. Both looked across the lawn, watching Brittany excitedly run towards them.

"Today is like the best day ever," she said while squeezing her way between Santana and Quinn.

Quinn laughed. "Yeah and why's that B?" she asked with affection.

Santana couldn't help but consume Brittany's energy. Smiling, she wrapped an arm around her shoulder before kissing her nose.

Brittany beamed. "Well before yesterday, you would never catch San doing that in front of you," she smiled, leaning in to kiss Santana's cheek.

Santana winced. The smallest things made Brittany happy and if she hadn't been stubborn all these years she could have kept that happiness glowing inside Brittany instead of making the girl land in the hospital. They haven't talked about Brittany's panic attack since they've been home and the guilt Santana felt was almost unbearable.

Quinn shot Santana an understanding smile before standing up. "Well I'm gonna head home. If you guys wanna go to Lima Bean later I'll be around," she said.

Brittany's eyes lit up. "Sweet," she said before adding, "But no coffee for me."

Quinn laughed. "Trust me I will never make that mistake again," she remembered. The first time their parents let them walk to Lima Bean to hang out they wanted to feel like adults and order coffee. Mr. Pierce warned both Quinn and Santana not to let Brittany get anything caffeinated. When they walked in, Quinn immediately fell head over heels for the guy behind the counter and begged Santana and Brittany to let her order their coffees on her own. In a babbling mess, she ordered them all a double espresso shot in each of their coffees. Needless to say, she was in big trouble with the Pierce's that night.

"We'll call you later Q," Santana said and stood up from the bench.

"Bye guys," Quinn said.

"What are you doing San?" Brittany asked, reaching her hand out to grab Santana's arm and pull her back down.

Santana smiled, pulling her arm away. "Let's go inside, I'm getting cold," she said, gesturing with her head to go inside.

Brittany jumped up. "Well I know how we can warm you up," Brittany suggested, raising her eyebrows up and down.

Santana bit her lip with a moan. "I think we should really talk first Britt," she said, trying to stop images of a naked Brittany flashing in her mind.

Brittany's face crinkled with confusion. "Well we can still talk San. We'll just bring the hot chocolate up to your room instead," she compromised and grabbed Santana's hand to pull inside.

Santana's eyebrows lifted as she made the connection. "Not what I had in mind Britt," she groaned as she was dragged into her house.

Brittany smiled in front of her knowingly.

"Girls, door stays open."

Santana glared at her mother as she passed through the hallway with a smile after opening her door back up. She and Brittany had just gotten comfortable on her bed, ready to have serious discussion when her mother opened the door without knocking. It took her fifteen minutes to get Brittany to focus on her and not the mess around her room.

"San I never seen that sweater before," Brittany said, pointing to the multicolored knitted sweater hanging out of her dresser drawer. She got up from the bed to take it out.

Santana sighed. So much for focus. "Britt sit back down, we need to talk babe," she said, startling both Brittany and her own attention. She had rarely called Brittany anything other than some formation of her name.

Brittany smiled adoringly and made her way back to Santana's bed. She stood in front of the Latina and gently placed both her hands on the sides of her cheeks.

Santana stared up into the pools of blue. "I want to talk Britt," she whispered while trying not to get distracted.

Brittany leaned down and kissed her forehead, the heat radiating from her hands was almost soothing to Santana's cheeks. She took a seat on the bed and lightly bounced around until she was situated like before.

Santana watched with a small smile playing on her lips. When she felt she had Brittany's full attention, she gently grabbed Brittany's hands and pulled them into her lap.

"Britt, I want to talk about the other night," she said softly, watching Brittany's reaction with careful eyes.

Brittany bit her lip, her glowing aura immediately dissipating. She tried pulling her hands from Santana's grip, but Santana only held tighter. She knew the handhold wasn't just for comfort; it was to keep her from escaping. "San why can't we just be happy?" she asked, desperately trying to avoid the conversation.

Santana's eyes narrowed in painful rage. Did Brittany really expect her to just forget? Just forget the pain she saw in her best friend's eyes as she told her she was practically raped. Forget that she blamed Santana for all the people she slept with in the past year. Forget that she held in so much hatred for herself because she was different.

Santana shook her head. "No Britt, I can't be happy yet," she answered, trying to keep her voice calm.

Brittany gnawed at her top lip while forcing herself to meet Santana's eyes. She saw nothing but love in those caramel orbs. But she also saw pain and fear. "Why not?" she found herself asking, even though she knew. When it came to Santana, she always knew.

"You need to tell your parents Britt," she started, closing her eyes for the rest, "I need you to talk to someone," she said. She waited for Brittany to try and yank her hands away again, but all she heard was a sniffle. Opening her eyes, she tugged Brittany's hands forward, welcoming the girl in a strong embrace.

Brittany tucked her head into Santana's neck while curling her fists against her chest. She tried to sit still, but her body wouldn't haven't, making them rock back and forth on the bed. Santana tried whispering words of comfort to her, but all she could focus on were her parent's words back in the hospital, that she would have to talk with a therapist.

"Britt, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, we can wait a while if you want," Santana said. She didn't think her words would cause Brittany to have another meltdown.

Brittany shook her head while trying to control her breathing. "I'll tell them," she said, her words breathless and defeated. "I want to," she added.

"You told me you didn't think you were good enough for me Britt," Santana whispered into her hair, still replaying their afternoon at the park in her head. "I just think if you talk to them, maybe they'll have a way to get you to see how amazing you really are," she said.

Brittany winced at her words. She didn't think she was amazing and she doubted anyone would get her to see that, even Santana. But now that Santana finally was hers to call her own, she would do anything to keep it that way.

"They want me to see a therapist, get off my medicine for a little while," she admitted softly, slowly lifting her head from Santana's chest to see her reaction.

Santana's eyes widened at the information. She didn't know how Brittany would want her to react. Sighing, she reached up to wipe the tear marks from her girlfriend's eyes. "Maybe that's a good thing Britt," she said, raising her eyes to meet Brittany's.

Brittany watched Santana's pupils, how they stared deeply into her own trying to gauge what she was thinking. After moments of unsuccessful telepathy, she gave a noncommittal shrug before getting up from the bed.

Santana remained seated, her lip bit in contemplation while watching Brittany pace her bedroom floor. She knew Brittany skipped doses of her medication over the years, it was never said but she saw the signs. Weekend sleepovers would consist of a droopy almost lethargic Brittany that was content with watching movies and snuggling in bed, or jumpy, motor mouth, energizer bunny Brittany that wanted to talk for hours and give each other makeovers. At school, when Brittany was on her medication, she would forget how to get to her classes, have delayed responses to questions asked in class, and give her lunch to Puck because she was too nauseous to eat. When she would forget or purposely not take her medicine, she would buzz around the hallways greeting their friends and the teachers she liked. She couldn't sit still in class or focus, but if the teacher called on her she at least had a funny response to make up for not paying attention. When lunch came, she would still give the one her mom made to Puck, but her love for sweets never went unnoticed when she came to the table with cookies, brownies, and candy bars from the cafeteria line. Honestly, Santana didn't know whether Brittany being on or off the medicine was a good idea. Both had different negative and positive aspects about it. She's guessing that's what's been the problem all along for the Pierce's. And from the way Brittany's been acting, she's guessing she hasn't taken her medication since the hospital.

Brittany wiggled her middle fingers back and forth between her hands as she dodged the random clothing articles splayed across Santana's floor. In her mind, telling her parents Matt raped her wasn't going to change anything. She didn't even really consider it rape. Yes, she didn't want to have sex with him, but it's not like she was a virgin. And most of the people she slept with throughout the year were just to distract her from Santana. Did they rape her too? The thoughts in her head began to jumble, making it even harder to concentrate on one thought. Sighing, she stopped mid step and grabbed the sides of her head.

Santana was shaken from her thoughts at Brittany's standstill. She jumped up from her bed and grabbed Brittany into a hug, gently rocking them side to side in a soothing motion. Eventually, Brittany released her hands, replacing them around Santana's back. Pulling back, only slightly, Santana meant Brittany's eyes. "We'll figure it out together okay," she whispered gently.

Brittany smiled, just staring into the eyes that made her feel safe and loved before nodding. Santana smiled too, leaning into a kiss to seal the deal.

On Monday morning, the Pierce's minus Tommy and Jessica were sitting in the waiting room of Dr. Maria Salsazard. Mr. and Mrs. Lopez agreed to let Santana stay home from school as well, so she didn't have to face their classmates alone. Will had taken off, grateful that they were able to get Brittany in on such short notice. Both Will and Holly decided it would be easier for Brittany to open up to a woman. Brittany sat nervously between her parents, fidgeting in her seat while accidently kicking both Will and Holly once or twice with her swinging legs.

Will tried to read the sports magazine he had picked up but couldn't help but peeking his eyes over the top to look at his daughter. He didn't know if therapy was the best way to go. When it came to any of his kids he was protective, but especially Brittany and he didn't want her having to bare her soul to a complete stranger when he wasn't there to monitor it.

Holly had her arm wrapped around Brittany, her other hand occasionally reaching up to brush hair from Brittany's face. When the doctor suggested therapy she had been a little weary. From her experience, they always try to blame everything on the mother. But knowing what Brittany had been going through, especially after their talk the other night, she was willing to try anything to make her daughter happy.

"Brittany Pierce."

All three looked up to the receptionist standing outside the waiting room door, smiling politely and knowingly. She nodded her head to Brittany to come in.

Brittany sighed. She didn't want to do this, but she promised to give it a fair shot to both her parents and Santana.

"We'll be here if you need us Britt," Will whispered encouragingly, bopping her on the nose lovingly like he has since she was a baby.

She smiled and turned to her mother.

"Just give it a chance, okay baby," she said, squeezing the hand resting on Brittany's shoulder.

Brittany nodded and stood up, looking back at her parents one last time before following the receptionist.

Holly scooted towards Will once the door closed. "Do you think we're doing the right thing?" she asked before resting her head across his chest.

Will set the magazine down and wrapped his arm around his wife. "I think this will be good for her Hol, especially after what she admitted the other night," he said, then continued "But I still want to press charges against that kid. She's too young to make a decision like that," he said, trying to keep his voice calm, when really he wanted to lash out like he did when he found out, calling Principal Figgins and demanding he give him Matt Rutherford's address. But that was both unhelpful and maybe even a little traumatizing to Brittany so he had to stay cool.

Holly quickly raised her head from his chest. "Will, she said she didn't want to press charges. Let's see what the therapist thinks and go from there okay," she asked almost pleadingly. Her eyes started to tear up again from Brittany's confession and as hard as she tried she couldn't hold back the tears.

Will's heart clenched at the pain displayed across his wife's face. He pulled her into a bear hug, burying his face into her hair. "It'll be okay Hol, we'll get through this," he repeated in between kisses to her head.

Brittany hesitantly stepped inside Dr. Salsazard's office, giving it a once over before she felt safe enough to enter. She noticed how clean the office was. Books were neatly placed on the book shelf in size order, a black leather couch resting on plush mahogany flooring, and diploma's framing the far wall. She quickly noticed it also had a homey feel. Soft carpet rested underneath Dr. Salsazard's desk and chairs, and picture frames of who she guessed family and friend's littered her desk, leaving little room for a computer and paperwork. She had a small counter space that held a coffeemaker and snacks which made Brittany immediately wonder if the woman had any hot chocolate and cookies. Next to counter, a pretty bird cage sat atop an expensive looking end table that held a brightly colored parrot, its eye staring Brittany down. The air was light and fresh, a soft breeze making its way into the office from the slightly opened window behind the Dr.'s desk.

"Well hello miss Brittany," a voice interrupted, pulling Brittany from her dream like trance. She turned her head, watching who she guessed was her therapist walk in behind her. She smiled politely at the petite woman, still hanging by the door while the woman situated herself.

Dr. Salsazard grabbed her glasses from her desk, placing them atop her auburn head and headed towards the couches waving her hand for Brittany to follow. "Please, Please take a seat my dear," she said while sitting on the cozy recliner across from the couch.

Brittany quickly noted her quirky behavior and almost felt as if she were watching herself later in life. She observed the woman questioningly while walking towards the couch. Standing in front of it, it looked as if it were waiting to swallow her whole.

Dr. Salsazard watched with a slight amusement. "Is there a problem Brittany?" she asked.

Brittany turned towards Dr. Salsazard. "Do I sit or lay down?" she asked, her head tilted in confusion. Every show she's ever seen with psychiatrists, the patient was lying down.

Dr. Salsazard smiled. "Whichever you feel comfortable," she said. If it were up to her, she would have her chair reclined back but it didn't come off as professional so she waited until her patients would leave.

Brittany looked back at the couch, taking a few more moments before deciding to sit down. She bounced her head up and down, continuing to scan the room like she had been before she was interrupted.

"Alight well let's get started. I'm Dr. Maria Salsazard, but feel free to call me Maria," she said.

Brittany's turned her head towards the woman, looking at her thoughtfully before replying, "Can I call you Dr. Salsa? Salsa is one of my all time favorite dips," she said excitedly.

Dr. Salsazard squinted her eyes at the comment, never have heard such a request. Smiling, she nodded. "Sure Brittany, whatever you want," she said and couldn't help but think Brittany's adorableness got her a lot of what she wanted.

"Sweet," Brittany said, nodding her head in a continuous motion while catching sight of the counter. "You wouldn't happen to have any in that cabinet would you? I could totally go for some now," she asked with bright eyes.

Dr. Salsazard shook her head. "I don't, I'm sorry."

Brittany scrunched her lips to the side. "That's okay. Maybe my parents will take me to Chilli's on the way home," she said.

"Brittany maybe we should get started," Dr. Salsazard said, noting the way Brittany was easily distracted. "I've read through the file the hospital faxed over and the one from regular Dr. that handles your prescription for Adderal. I think we should start by maybe setting some goals together that we can accomplish with our time together," she said.

Brittany watched the woman curiously. She knew she was supposed to confess her deepest and darkest secrets but she didn't know if she wanted to. Weren't they hers to keep?

"I understand the hospital suggested going off your medicine for a while to see if it helps lessen the panic attacks you've seem to be getting. How do you feel about that Brittany? Do you think it's something you would want to try?" she asked gently.

"I don't know," Brittany answered quietly. She never really had a choice when it came to dealing with her ADHD, her parents made those decisions.

"Well your parents said you haven't taken the medication since being out of the hospital. Let's start by how you feel right now. Do you think you feel differently then when you are taking the medication?" she asked.

Brittany sighed, turning her head towards the parrot in the cage. "What's your parrot's name?" she asked, her attention still on the bird.

Dr. Salsazard smiled. "His name is Bob," she said, waiting for Brittany to continue.

Brittany smiled. "That's a nice name. How long have you had him?" she asked.

"A long time actually. He's almost as old as you," she answered.

Brittany's eyes widened. "Wow. So does he ever get to come out of the cage?" she asked.

Dr. Salsazard frowned. "Not really. Last time we let him out he went a little crazy, tried to run away," she said.

Brittany nodded. "Sounds like we have a lot in common," she whispered, bowing her head.

Dr. Salsazard smiled. She loved when misunderstood patients like Brittany would come in because really they were smarter than the norm. At first, she thought Brittany had been distracted once again by the bird, but she hadn't been. Brittany was using the bird to help her understand how Brittany was feeling.

"Brittany, do your parents give you a lot of freedom?" she asked.

Brittany looked up. "I don't know," she answered. She knew they didn't but she didn't want to make her parents seem bad. She had the best parents in the world and they only did what they thought was best.

Dr. Salsazard nodded. "Okay let's take a step back. Why don't you tell me about your family or the people closest to you," she asked.

Brittany smiled. "Alright, well there's my dad. He's like the best dad ever and he teaches at my high school. Everybody loves him. He and I get along really well and I love when we do things together without the rest of my family. My mom used to be a substitute teacher, but once she had us kids she's stayed at home. She gives the best hugs ever, and usually once a month we have a movie night together," she started while beginning to kick her legs out in excitement.

"That's great Brittany. Any siblings?" she asked.

Brittany nodded. "Two actually. I have a younger brother Tommy and younger sister Jessica. Jessica is still little so she's a sweetie but Tommy and I are pretty close in age. He can be a real jerk sometimes. But I love them. For as much as they don't understand me, I know they love me too," she said.

Dr. Salsazard smiled. "Anyone else?" she asked.

"Yes," Brittany said cheerily. "My girlfriend Santana. Her parents are like my second parents and she and I are the closest out of anyone I just said. We grew up together and fell in love and now, finally we're out to our families," she said happily.

Dr. Salsazard's eyed widened. "I see. Well, that is great Brittany. And how do your families feel about this news?" she asked.

"Both sets of families said they've always known. I wish they would have said so though because it would have made things ten times easier," she admitted.

"In what way dear?" she asked, even though she knew. She had a briefing from Brittany's father on the phone when he had made the appointment. She knew of the rape and Brittany's need to sleep with other men because she felt unworthy of herself and her feelings towards Santana. But part of the process was getting Brittany to talk about it on her own.

Brittany sighed. This was what she didn't want to talk about, her secrets.

Dr. Salsazard noticed her demeanor change quickly at the subject so she decided to approach it differently. "Brittany let me ask you this. How long have you and Santana known about each other's feelings?" she tried.

Brittany bit her lip. "Well I kissed her when we were 14. I said it was to practice for the boys we liked, to see if we were good kissers, but really I just had always wanted to kiss San. So for a while, we would use that excuse, just to practice. But for me it was so much more. Then we started doing other things. But every time I tried to say my feelings out loud, Santana would shut me down," she said shakily, not realizing she was starting to cry until a few tears fell to her clasped hands.

Dr. Salsazard nodded comfortingly. "And how did her not acknowledging your feelings make you feel?" she asked.

"It hurt. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough for her. I still don't think I am," she admitted softly.

"Well I think we've found our first goal Brittany," she said with an upbeat tone.

Brittany wiped a few tears from her eyes. "What?" she asked.

"Self worth. We are going to get you to stop doubting yourself, stop hating yourself. Because from what I've heard, you're not really your biggest fan are you?" she asked.

Brittany looked at the woman across from her, eyes wide, soul bare and couldn't help but think that maybe she could help her. Shakily, she managed to nod before bursting into a fit of tears.

Dr. Salsazard smiled. "Alright kiddo, I think we've accomplished a lot this session. Let's make an appointment for Wednesday," she said before getting up from her chair to sit next to Brittany. She wrapped her arm around the crying girl and gave a comforting squeeze. "You did good," she encouraged.