A/N: Again thank you for tuning in and reading. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people reading after my recent update considering my long hiatus.. from so many countries too! Let me know what you think? I'm always glad to hear your thoughts.

shoutout to krazyeyesoitnb for posting a review/comment! I'm guessing you've already watched season 2! As promised a review prompts an update :)

December 15 - Ohio

Courtney was in the living room watching a rom-com movie staring Zac Efron when she heard a faint knocking at the door. She looked at her watch with confusion; she was not expecting anyone, especially at this hour. She tossed her blanket over her shoulders and made her way to the front door. Looking through the peep hole she saw Santana, with tears streaming down her face. Courtney quickly opened the door and instantly opened her arms to receive Santana. Santana melted in her arms, her body dead weight as they both collapsed onto the ground. Courtney rocked Santana quietly as she felt Santana's body tremble as she sobbed.

"Shhhh.. honey, it's okay. I'm here.. it's okay.." was all Courtney could say.

After a few minutes she pulled Santana to her feet and slowly guided her to the couch. She wrapped her in the blanket and quietly told her that she was going to put the kettle on to warm water for hot chocolate. She looked over Santana whose eyes were empty, her body so frail. Her eye lids fluttered until they fell shut and her body slumped into the cushions. Santana had let the scent of familiarity steal her into unconsciousness.

Courtney made her way to the kitchen, grabbed her phone from the counter and dialed Brittany. She was greeted by an anxious voice, Brittany excited about the trip back home. Courtney cut her off..

"Brit, honey…" She drew a deep breath and decided there was no delicate way to continue. "I don't know how to say this. But it's Santana. I called as soon as she walked through the door."

Silence.. and then in an instant Brittany bombarded her with a million questions without taking a single breath. Courtney didn't have answers. She only hoped that things were in fact okay with Santana. Did her parents know where she was? Did Brittany know? What brought her to the Pierce residence? After trying to calm Brittany she promised her that she would take care of Santana and told her have a safe flight home.

Courtney grabbed a mug from the cabinets, mixed chocolate milk powder in the warmed water, and topped it off with whip cream and sprinkles of cinnamon. Courtney entered the living room and felt her heart shatter. She always loved Santana and treated her as if she was her own. To see Santana's resting face filled with worry and sadness was a tough pill to swallow. Santana looked so troubled. She grabbed the remote, lowered the TV volume, placed the mug onto the coffee table, and sat next to Santana. As soon as the cushions dipped, she felt Santana crumble into her lap, her head nestled against Courtney's neck. Courtney pulled her in an embrace and rubbed small circles on her back.

"Rest Santana. When you're ready we can talk. Just rest. You're safe."

She felt Santana's shirt ride up. She moved to pull her shirt down and cover her in the blanket. Tears silently fell down her cheeks when she briefly saw bruises on her lower back. She placed a kiss onto Santana's head and whispered, "You're safe Santana. I won't let anyone hurt you." Like Brittany she had a million questions, but she was willing to wait. More than ever she needed to make sure Santana woke up knowing that she was loved. Worry washed over Courtney as she too fell into slumber.

Courtney peeled her eyes open and blinked away the sleep. Instantly she remembered that she was not alone. She noticed that the mug was empty and guessed Santana had waken to drink it while she was asleep. She subconsciously ran her hands over Santana's arms and realized that she was awake. She will never know how long Santana spent silently crying to herself.

"Santana.. honey, are you awake?" Courtney was testing the waters. She felt a slight nod.

"Honey, I need to know what's going on. Please tell me. Where is your mom and dad? How did you get here?"

Nothing.. just sniffles and shallow breaths as a response.

"Okay, it's okay. I'm here for you. I've been worried sick. Ever since the day I saw you and your family leave.. you've always been in my thoughts. My heart."

Courtney tried again, "Do you want me to fix you some breakfast?"

A weak "please" came from Santana, nothing else. Courtney acknowledged her and softly patted her back before she gently lifted Santana from her lap and rested her against the cushions. She pulled the blankets over Santana.

She padded towards the kitchen trying her best to stifle a sob as the bruising on Santana's back flashed back to memory. She busied herself with breakfast, a slight smile on her face remembering how a 10 year old Santana declared that she could have breakfast as her every meal. Grabbing her phone from her back pocket she was shocked to see so many notifications, a combination of 30something missed calls and text messages from Brittany. She scrolled through Brittany's texts:

What's going on?

Is Santana okay?

Can I talk to her?

MOM? Please tell me what's going on. Why aren't you picking up?

Tell Santana I love her.

Mom? Has she said anything? Has she asked for me?

Tell Santana that I'm keeping my promises.

Courtney took a deep breath. Today was going to be a long, emotional day. She scrolled through her contacts and tried every number associated to the Lopez's. Nothing. All numbers were out of service or passed on to a new cell phone customer. Maribel must be so worried, Courtney thought.

She decided to send Brittany a message not knowing if she still had her phone on or had turned it off at the airport.

Honey, I don't have answers yet. Santana is so tired. She's still asleep. I'll see you soon. I love you.

Courtney put on a pot of coffee as she sliced strawberries and finished making french toast. She set the dining room table for breakfast and checked in on Santana. Santana was sitting up staring at the television, though it didn't look like she was watching.

"Santana, breakfast is ready hun. Would you like to join me?"

Santana nodded and slowly made her way to the table.

Courtney was already seated, slowly sipping her coffee. For the first time since she arrived she looked into Courtney's eyes. Courtney deciphered the hint of appreciation among the dark emotions that clouded Santana's eyes. She signaled for Santana to sit. They ate breakfast in silence. When Santana was done with her cup of coffee she thanked Courtney for breakfast, grabbed their plates and mugs, and brought them over to the kitchen sink. She rolled up her long sleeves and started to wash the dishes. Courtney was instantly by her side pulling Santana's hands from the streaming water.

"Santana honey, it's okay. I'll take care of it." When she looked at Santana's arms she couldn't help but sniffle as she saw more brusing along her wrist and arms. There was maybe a hint of a few scars.

"My goodness. What happened? I have a million questions honey. Please, tell me what's going on. Do your parents know where you're at?"

"Where's Brittany?" was all Santana could muster to say in a hushed, broken voice. Courtney could sense that Santana, who was always so passionate and feisty, was fragile and moments away from breaking down. Courtney couldn't risk pushing too hard.

"She'll be home soon." She then guided Santana upstairs and brought her to the bathroom.

"Bath or shower?"

"Shower."

"Okay. There are extra towels in the cabinet there. I'll leave some cloths on Brittany's bed." Before leaving the bathroom she pulled Santana in for a genuine hug. "I love you Santana. So much. I'm ready to listen when you're ready."

Santana turned on the shower and waited for the steam to build up. She peeled the cloths from her body slowly feeling pains shoot through her in random places. She carefully stepped into the shower. As the water cascaded over her body she felt tears burning down her cheeks. She looked over herself carefully, wincing every time she ran her fingertips over bruises. She closed her eyes, trying to shut the world out, begging for peace. Instead her father's voice echoed in her thoughts - the yelling, arguing, insults, things breaking - like a never ending record.

After the hot water had run out she turned off the shower and pulled a towel around her. She made her way to Brittany's room across the hall. Brittany's room looked the same, a place so familiar. It was their safe haven. She slowly dried herself and put on Brittany's sweats and sweater that Courtney had left for her. Without thinking Santana climbed into Brittany's bed pulling the covers around her body so that she was enveloped in Brittany's scent. Brittany. Santana felt her heart aching.

The last 6 months have been horrible. Her dad forced them to move away to a secluded town somewhere in New Mexico. He held them captive, prisoners. He had complete control of their money, their time, their emotions. He threatened to leave Maribel and Santana without a dime. For the past 18 years Maribel was a housewife and had no income of her own. Nothing was in her name. Some nights were so bad that all Santana and Maribel could do was cry together until they fell asleep. 6 months of hell until they both decided it was enough.

Santana heard a knock on the door.

"Santana, can I come in?" The door creaked open and Courtney stuck her head into the room.. "No, don't get up. It's okay, you can rest." Courtney walked towards the bed and motioned towards to edge to see if Santana was opposed to her sitting next to her. Santana nodded yes.

"Thank you, Mrs. Pierce. For everything. I'm sorry I showed up out of nowhere. I know you have a lot of questions and I'll answer them the best I can. And I'm sorry I haven't contacted Brittany. It was hard. I couldn't because… because of him." Courtney instantly knew she was referring to her dad.

"Honey, it's okay. What matters is that you're here and that you're safe. Believe me, Brittany is so anxious to see you."

Santana looked down, her eyes welling with tears. "What if she doesn't love me anymore? What if she hates me because I didn't see her or call her first?"

"Come now, that's impossible. She loves you and nothing will change that. You came here and I'm glad.. this place has always been a second home to you."

"Where is she?" Santana asked, clearing her throat.

"I have to pick her up from the airport in an hour. She and Quinn are coming back home for the holidays.. just for a few weeks."

Right, Santana thought. How could she be so dumb to think that Brittany would be waiting for her to come back. What if the fears Brittany had about starting college have become her own? Did Brittany make new friends… find a new life… meet someone new?

"I have nowhere to go," Santana whispered.

"You can stay here," Courtney offered unquestioningly, "but, if you don't mind, I would like to know what's going on. You can trust me. I promise to keep you safe."

Santana knew that she was telling the truth. She also knew that she owed some sort of explanation. So she told Courtney the truth..

Flashback, the night Santana left:

Santana took her headphones off. She felt an uneasiness, a negativity so bad the vile made her sick to her stomach. Then she heard a sound of breaking glass and her parents yelling.. or more like her dad yelling. Santana ran towards the kitchen to find her mom sobbing on the floor and her dad yelling awful, berating things about how she was living off his money and how she was good for nothing. With blind fury she charged towards her dad, knocking him off his feet. He stumbled back until he crashed into the dinning room table. Santana ran towards her mom, wanting to shield her from any more pain.

"You can't treat us like this. We're your family. She is your wife and I am your daughter. You're suppose to love us. How could you do and say the things you do to us and still be able to sleep at night?"

"You shut your mouth. I sleep just fine. All your life you've been spoiled. You never had to provide for yourself you stupid girl. You think that you know everything don't you. And you have no business messing with things me and your mom are dealing with. Love? You have no idea." His nose was flared and he was breathing hard. Mario took a step towards them with a raised hand.

"Don't you dare papa. You might be able to overpower us now but I guarantee you that when we call the police you'll be the one who pays for this." Santana's blood was boiling, there would be no censor or holding back tonight.

"Are you threatening me? You're the reason why we're here little girl."

"Why? Because, unlike you, I learned how to love someone?" Instantly she regretted what she said. She looked to her mom with apologetic eyes, tears streaming down her face.

"You fool. You ungrateful bitch. You want to know what it's like to be an adult. Do you want to fight your own battles?"

Mario charged towards his daughter, who was still hunched over her mother. Santana stood up, foolish in her bravery and instant fearlessness. "Don't you touch us."

Maribel spoke up. "I'll leave you, Mario. Me and Santana. You touch our daughter and that's it. We'll walk out of your life. Or we'll call the police. It's your choice."

He puffed. "You've got to be kidding me. This is a joke. You won't be able to make it on your own." He took a step towards Santana and pulled her towards him from the wrist. Santana struggled back, falling off balance and hitting her back hard against the kitchen counter.

"Mario, stop!" Maribel screamed, "I'm not joking. We'll leave, don't test me."

He took a step towards Maribel, drew his hand up and the next thing Santana knew she was throwing her body towards her dad. He easily pushed her away and to add pain to insult, dusted himself off as if it didn't phase him. Santana had landed hard onto kitchen ware that was scattered on the floor. She was pretty sure she was laying on a now flattened cake pan. Silent tears ran down her face.

Mario stalked over her. He pulled out his wallet, thumbed through a few bills, and threw them towards Santana.

"Fine. Leave. You're dead to me now."

Courtney was in shock and was overcome by such sadness. It broke her heart to learn what Maribel and Santana had faced. Santana had turned to destructive behavior - experimenting with cutting and binge drinking. The night Santana and Maribel left Mario they slept in front of a car rental shop until they were woken by the arrival of employees. They rented the cheapest car they could, drove just over 1,500 miles straight to Ohio, and checked into a motel just outside Lima. They had exactly $200 left to their name. As Santana ended her confession she looked a little lighter but worry was still painted across her face.

"For a long time I believed him. Parts of me still does…. So we left, we left everything behind, and never looked back. We have nothing. You're the first person to know." Santana fell back into a violent cry.

Courtney scooted next to Santana so that she could hold her. She was glad that both Santana and Maribel were away from Mario.

"You're wrong Santana. You're SO special.. selfless, strong, a force to be reckoned with. You have a kind heart. Don't let anyone else tell you differently. You might have left everything you own, but you came back home to so much more. I love you, Santana. And so does Brittany. Your mom has been one of my best friends and this can be her home too. You're loved Santana, never forget that. We can figure out the rest later."

Santana was exhausted. She had no more tears to cry. She thanked Courtney again before drifting off into a deep sleep. It was the first time in 6 months she felt and welcomed the little sliver of peace. Courtney kissed Santana's forehead and tucked her in. She looked at her watch and knew it was time to leave for the airport. She quickly grabbed some water from the kitchen and returned to place it on the bedside table along with a short note.

Went to get Brit. We'll be home soon. Remember, you're home.

PS Lord Tubbington is still on a diet.

Another chapter down.. more to come.

The next chapter will focus on Brittany and Santana's reunion.. do you think things will be honkey-dory? or will there be a change in their dynamics? Please review, comment, message me.. Currently writing the chapter and will be holding it hostage in exchange for reviews (no shame, LOL) :P