A/N: This chapter is also from Santana's POV, but I'm thinking of going back to Brittany's. Is there a preference, or do you like seeing both, occasionally? Thanks for the reviews and alerts… they really motivate me, so please keep them coming on this chapter!

The tears were falling so fast that I could barely see where I was going, but I felt my way up the stairs and to my room. I immediately locked the door and pulled out my phone to text Brittany.

*Can u come get me? Like, now?*

I grabbed my Cheerios bag and started throwing other things in there: toothbrush, extra underwear, a few shirts, a pair of jeans, and my phone charger. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I was trying to stifle the tears.

I hate it when people know I'm crying. Just go away!

There was pounding on the door.

**Knock Knock**

"Yeah, like I'm about to let you in here after what you just did to me! Irse, abuela!" I was yelling, and it was making my throat start to hurt. But anything was better than the rest of the pain I was feeling. There was a pause, and then I heard a voice float through the door and the handle started jiggling.

This wasn't grandma.

"Santana, what is going on? What's wrong, honey?"

Mom! Thank God!

I ran to the door and flung it open, wrapping my arms around my mom's waist and burying my tear-stained face into her chest. I felt him return the embrace, and I lost it. I don't ever remember crying this hard before.

"San, it's ok. Whatever it is, it's ok."

"No it's not okay, mi hija! Why don't you ever stand up for anything?"

I peeked around my mom and saw my grandma marching up the stairs. I immediately let go of my mom, and before she could react, I turned back into my room and shut and locked the door behind me. I looked at my phone, and the light was flBritting.

Brittany!

"Madre, what the hell is going on?"

I could hear the confusion in my mother's voice as she turned her attention back to her quarantined daughter, "Santana, what has gotten into you? Come back out here!"

"No, Mom! Not with her out there! I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of actually succeeding at giving me a black eye this time!"

I heard my mother gasp.

"Madre, what did you do?"

I flipped open my phone and read the text.

*Of course. On my way. U ok?*

I typed furiously, ignoring the family outside my door as my grandmother yelled some lies about Brittany messing up my life.

*No. I'm coming to stay w u. that ok?*

Only seconds passed before she responded again.

*def. its ok. ill save u.*

I couldn't help but smile at that. And it hit me, that, no matter how bad everything around me was at that moment, Brittany was still able to make me smile. My attention was averted back to the argument outside.

"Mom, I don't care WHAT Santana does, there is NO EXCUSE for hitting her!"

"Hija, you didn't hear how she was talking to me. You didn't seeher and Brittany and the way they were laying together. I had to do something!"

I blocked them out again for a few moments while I went back over everything I had in my bag. I knew I didn't have to bring a ton of clothes because I could wear Brittany's when I wasn't wearing my Cheerios uniform. Plus, I knew this wouldn't be a permanent solution to anything. I heard the doorbell ring and I wanted to run downstairs and jump into Brittany's arms, but I knew I wouldn't get past my grandma.

"Momma, that's for me. Will you go get it? I don't want to see abuela."

"Santana, don't be ridiculous!" This, from my grandmother.

"Of course, Santana. Whoever it is, I'll bring them right up."

I heard the doorbell ring a few more times before my mom got to it.

Brittany must be really worried about me.

I heard two pairs of footsteps ascending the stairs, but the sound of their feet was soon drowned out by more screaming.

"Oh no no no no no. No en mi casa! Brittany, get out of my house immediately!"

"Uh, okay, Ms. Lopez. I'll do that in just one second. Let me just get Santana first, then I'll be out of your hair."

She spoke in a deadpan voice that usually made everyone else think she was stupid or oblivious, but I knew it was just an act. I laughed a little bit on my side of the door before hearing another outburst.

"Like HELL you'll leave with my granddaughter. Apparently crystal isn't very clear in your world, because here you are! Mija, I can't believe you let her in here! Well, you're DEFINITELY not getting into Santana's room."

"Mom, let her in here!" I had started crying again, afraid of what my grandma might do to Brittany.

"Santana, don't worry! I'm not leaving without you!" This time, Brittany's voice sounded so desperate.

Finally, I heard my mother's voice. Though stern, it was very calm and collected.

"You know, Alma, you're right. I don't stand up for what I believe enough." I knew my mother was mad if she was calling her mother by her first name. I cringed, afraid that my mom was about to throw Brittany out.

"Thank you, mija. Now get her out of here!"

"Gladly. This is no place for her."

With that, I heard my grandmother utter something very confusedly while my mom busted my door open with a strength I didn't know she had. I stood there, somewhat amazed at the sight, and noticed the smile on her face as her hand stretched out towards me. My mom was a petite woman, but she always had a fire in her. It's where I got mine from. It was so good to see it right now. I felt a small smile cross my face, through the tears, and picked up my bag, suddenly realizing what was happening. I grabbed my mother's hand tightly as I let her guide me out of the room and towards Brittany. She stood between me and abuela the entire time.

When I finally reached Brittany, I dropped the bag and pulled her in so tightly, resting my head into the crook of her shoulder, trying to stop crying. I felt her kiss the top of my head and she picked up my bag.

"Come on, baby. Let's go."

As she led me down the stairs and out of the house I turned to give my mom a smile of appreciation. She was standing in front of my grandmother at the top of the stairs, with one arm outstretched behind her; holding my grandma in her place. I tightened my grip on Brittany's palm as we crossed the threshold into the warm day and silently walked to her car. She opened my door and let me in, putting my bag in the back seat. She entered from her side of the car and started it immediately. I think we were both secretly afraid that my grandma would come running at us with rosary beads or something. As we pulled out into the street, I crossed my arms and rested my head on the window, looking out at nothing in particular. I didn't realize it at first, but I was shaking slightly. Brittany must have noticed though, as I felt her soft hand on my upper arm, and it slid down to the inside of my forearm, lightly pulling me closer to her. She went the rest of the way down with her hand, finding mine and intertwining our fingers with our palms pressed impossibly close to each other. We rested our hands on my lap for a while, and then I felt her pulling it up to her. I turned my head to face her, and as she placed a light kiss on the back of my hand, I noticed for the first time that she was crying.

"Britt," I said very quietly, "why are you crying?"

She wiped away her tears with her free hand and spoke even more quietly, "Because, without even knowing what happened back there, I know it was bad. And I know it's not going to get better that easily. And I just hate," she stressed the word 'hate,' "hate to see you cry. To see you hurt."

I put my other hand on top of hers, holding it between mine as I kissed each one of her fingers until I saw her smile.

"I'll explain it later, baby. Today has been an incredibly long day, and it's still the afternoon. Can we just go get in your bed and snuggle?"

A huge smile crossed her face, and I couldn't help but do the same.

It's so good to be with her right now.

Brittany and I rode to her house, both scared and excited at the same time. After a fantastic date with each other, an explosive first kiss, and some totally truthful conversation between the two of us, it felt as though we have been together for years. I couldn't stop staring at her the rest of the way to her place.

I spoke gently, "You have no idea how happy you make me, Brittany." She looked over at me with a quizzical smile on her face.

"Seriously, Britt. Thirty minutes ago, my grandma was slapping me in the car and I could barely see through my tears, but now that I'm with you, I really don't even care..." Brittany cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

"Santana, she hit you? Why didn't you tell me? Oh fuck no." Her eyes had grown wide and her face was fuming red. She kept mumbling as she stopped the car and started to pull a u-turn in the middle of the road.

"What are you doing?"

"Going back there to kick her ass."

I laughed at the blond next to me. "Brittany, you didn't let me finish talking."

"Are you laughing, San?" She was obviously confused.

I sighed. "Pull over."

She obliged and as she put the car into park I reached over and grabbed both of her hands, turning her to face me. I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss that lingered as I reluctantly pulled away.

"Brittany, listen to me. Look at me." I tilted my head to the side and smiled widely. She looked back, still confused.

"Santana, I don't get it. Why are you smiling?"

"Brittany..." I couldn't help myself and reached back to the back of her neck and pulled her into another kiss. This one was more passionate. She kissed me back roughly and I moaned slowly, feeling her bite at my bottom lip. After several minutes of this, we stopped to breath and I could tell she was blushing. I rested my forehead on hers and looked into her eyes, only inches from mine. We whispered to each other.

"Why, Ms. Pierce, are you blushing?" I pulled my lips into a sly smile.

"Yeah, I think I am." She smiled slightly before speaking again. "Santana, I'm so sorry."

I lifted my face a bit farther away from hers and grew concerned.

"For what?"

"For what happened with your family. I knew we were going to have to deal with it sooner or later, but I wanted us to get settled first, I wanted to make sure that things with us were stable before any of that happened."

"You've really been thinking about that kind of stuff, Britt?"

She blushed again, "Yeah… I've been able to only think about you, and us, for a week or so now. I've probably thought about it all."

She sighed, "I still can't believe she hit you, San." She pulled her right hand out of my grasp and placed it on my face, rubbing my jaw line and cheek bone lightly.

"Brittany," I said, "You're being so sweet, and I love, love that you've been thinking so much about us being an 'us,' but you have got to just sit there and be quiet for a minute, ok? You keep interrupting me," I laughed a little, "and you just don't get it right now."

She nodded.

"When we were on my street earlier, and I said that I wanted to 'just go get in your bed and snuggle,' there was a reason for that. I knew it would make me feel better. But it hasn't even taken that. This ten minute drive to your house," I paused and looked around, "well, almost to your house," I corrected, "has been all I've needed to feel better. Just holding your hand, just looking at you. Kissing you. I've never felt like this before. You don't have to be mad at my grandmother for me, because as far as I'm concerned, when I'm with you, she doesn't even exist. It's just you and me."

She finally started smiling and leaned towards me, brushing a light kiss on my forehead, and cheek and lips, so softly.

"I love kissing your cheek," she whispered, almost absentmindedly. We locked eyes again.

"Well, I guess I am glad I finally let you finish talking." She winked at me and started the car back up. In less than two minutes we were getting out of her car and she was leading me into her bedroom. I walked over and laid down on the little couch in the nook on the side of her room. Brittany's family wasn't super rich, but somehow her bedroom was huge, with an entire sitting area on one side, towards the window.

"Find a movie to watch."

"Okay... ummm, what kind of movie are you interested in, San?"

She was riffling through what looked like twelve stories of DVD's and I said, "I don't know, something lighthearted. Maybe a romantic comedy?"

"Of course. You're such a cheese, Santana."

I smiled and looked over her body as she bent down looking at all the titles.

She is so beautiful.

"Oh, I know!" She went running over to her nightstand and whipped out a DVD, waving it around so I could barely tell what it was.

"Oh yeah, good choice, babe! Sweet Valley High used to be our thing, didn't it? I haven't watched that in forever."

"Yeah!"

We both laughed as she put the first DVD in and grabbed the remote, walking over to me.

"Sit up, San."

"Oh c'mon, Britt, I want to lay down."

She smiled at me. "I never said you couldn't! Here, look." She bent down and lifted up my head, slipping onto the couch and grabbing a pillow from off the floor, she laid it in her lap. She patted it and looked at me, expectantly. I understood, and rested my head in her lap. I felt her rest her right hand on the side of my stomach as she messed with the remote, trying to start the movie with her left hand. Finally it came on, and about 20 minutes into the movie, I felt the fingers from her left hand start stroking my hair and running through my scalp.

"Mmmm, baby, that feels good." I looked up at her out of the corner of my eye and I saw a smile cross her face as her gaze met mine. She leaned down and kissed my temple and whispered in my ear.

She leaned down and kissed my temple and whispered in my ear.

"Seriously, San, I don't think you have any idea what hearing you say 'baby' does to me. Because, if you did, you definitely wouldn't moan while saying it when I've got you alone in my bedroom."

I felt a rush through my entire body as I felt her breath on my neck and face. I couldn't believe she had just said that. From the girl that wasn't entirely sure she had feelings for me just a few weeks ago, to now that. Something so, sexual. I suddenly didn't care about the show anymore. I rolled off my side and onto my back so I could look at her more directly. I placed my right hand on hers that was now on my stomach and interlocked our fingers, reaching up to her face with my left, I pulled her down into my lips. This kiss was so slow and sensual, I could feel her pulse through her lips and into mine. Our tongues lightly pressed into each other's.

I felt her hand carefully release itself from mine and begin to roam over my abs and stomach, finding the space of bare skin between my shirt and jeans. I gasped and my entire body tensed up.

She looked at me, concerned, "What is it? Are you okay?"

I smiled weakly, as my entire body felt like jello from that touch. "Yeah, I'm fine. Your hand is just cold, that's all," I paused for a second and felt my eyes light up with a fire in them, "but it felt good, baby." I stressed the last word on purpose and Brittany's face lit up with lust.

"Oh, is that how you want to play, huh?" She smiled and the last part of that sentence was muffled as she pushed her lips back into mine again. Her hand moved back to where it was on my stomach, gently sliding under the material of my shirt and began tracing patterns on my ribs and abs. I couldn't restrain myself as a moan escaped my from lips and into hers. I sat up some, pushing her back into the couch more as I kissed her more deeply than we had before.

"Let's go get under the covers," I said, between kisses.