I am officially a high school graduate AND a college student now! It feels so good! I'm just taking my first Monday of summer to give you guys an update on this, and I'll be sure to make it a long one! :) Enjoy you guys and leave me your thoughts!

…

"Are you guys going to drive back tonight?" Sergio asked once the three of them returned to his apartment.

Santana ran a hand through her hair and nodded, "Yeah…I think so. I just…I don't know how much longer I can stay here Serg." She was being honest. It was getting hard for her to be so close to her mother, knowing the condition she was in.

Sergio understood and looked at his sister with sympathetic eyes. "San, I know you're scared for mom…I am too…but…she's ready. As bad as that sounds, she is. She knows that she can't do anything more and that she's led a good life, especially now that she's made amends with you," he assured her.

Santana furrowed her brow, "Sergio, how can anyone ever be okay knowing they're going to die?" She was getting worked up again, and Brittany squeezed her hand, knowing that Santana was just feeling overwhelmed. The Latina felt Brittany's small gesture and sighed.

"Listen…I know this is hard…but we have to just be there for Mami until her last breath, okay? She doesn't have long…and when it happens, we'll be there to celebrate the life she had, okay? That's all we can do," Sergio said quietly.

Santana bit her lip. "How long do you think she has?" Santana asked.

"San…" Brittany's tone was warning. Brittany wasn't sure if knowing how much time there was was a good idea.

"The doctors gave her a couple of weeks when we last went in two days ago," Sergio sighed, finding himself getting choked up.

Santana bit her lip and looked down, "Well um…keep me informed and um…if you guys need me here, just let me know." She was avoiding all eye contact now and she even let go of Brittany's hand, drawing a hurt expression from the blonde. "But it's getting late…we better get going…" Santana walked back to the guest room to pack, not even bothering to take Brittany with her.

Brittany looked at Sergio as if to ask what to do and he put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry…she's just scared…she needs some room to process everything, just like I did…she'll come around," he tried. Brittany gave a sad nod and sat on the couch, wondering if she would be enough for Santana when the Latina's world inevitably came to a screeching halt in a matter of weeks.

…

The drive home was quiet and filled with an unspoken tension. Brittany sat leaning against the passenger side window, occasionally glancing over at her girlfriend, who's eyes remained trained on the road without falter. Her expression was unreadable and she looked lost in thought. It broke Brittany's heart to see her this way, but she knew she needed to just be there for Santana while she worked this out.

Halfway through the drive home, Brittany couldn't stand the silence any more and she spoke up. "San?" Her voice was soft and worried.

"What?" Santana rasped out, eyes still trained on the road as they drove through the night.

Brittany didn't even know what to say after that, she just unbuckled her seatbelt and slid across the seat to kiss Santana on the temple and cuddle into her shoulder. She finally managed to whisper out two small words, "I'm here."

Santana swallowed hard at the gester and leaned her head to rest on top of Brittany's. The movement let Brittany know that Santana appreciated her comfort, which was better than nothing.

…

When they got home it was late and with a small hello to James, who was still up with work, they went upstairs to go to bed. As Santana changed in her room, there was a small tap on the door. She knew it was Brittany.

"Come in," Santana said quietly.

The door quietly clicked open and Brittany stepped inside, closing the door behind her, but she didn't move any farther into the room. "Hey."

Santana studied Brittany's face and she could see the worry written all over her. "Hey," she managed back. Brittany stepped towards her girlfriend and wrapped her in a tight embrace before the shorter girl could protest. Santana sighed into Brittany's shoulder and felt her eyes welling with tears.

"I wish I could help…" Brittany whispered into Santana's hair and the Latina gripped her tighter, feeling her eyes well up.

"You do help…more than you know," Santana said, turning her face into Brittany's neck.

"But I just…I don't know…I care about you so much and I hate seeing you hurt," Brittany admitted.

Santana didn't reply, she just pulled back to look into Brittany's eyes before nodding, "I know…"

"And I just want you to be okay after…you know…" Brittany trailed off.

"It might take time…but if you're with me I think I'll make it," Santana nodded.

"I'll always be here for you San," Brittany cupped the older girl's face and kissed her gently. "Now why don't you get some sleep? It's been a long couple of days."

"Will you sleep in here with me?" Santana asked softly.

Brittany sighed, hugging Santana tightly again, "You know I would if I could…but I don't think my parents would be okay with that…"

Santana gave a sad nod, "I understand. I'll see you in the morning?"

"First thing," Brittany gave a smile and another kiss, "Goodnight, San."

"Night," Santana let go of the blonde and watched her slip out of the room and across the hall to her own room, all while both were thinking the same thing.

I love you.

…

Over the next week, Santana had become somewhat distant. She would wake up early, go out to the garage and work all day or into town for parts or sometimes she would go for runs that lasted longer than what was probably healthy in the heat.

Brittany was worried. She would find Santana exhausting herself with things to distract from her thoughts. Every time she would try to talk to her, Santana would just mutter one word responses and continue with whatever she was doing.

Mr. and Mrs. Pierce noticed the change as well, and they knew why she was acting this way. Even Braden was a little upset that she didn't want to play xbox any more.

The next weekend came around and Brittany had been invited to go to a party with some of her friends. She really wanted Santana to go and try to have a good time.

"San? You in here?" Brittany asked as she wandered into the garage that Friday afternoon, where Santana was, in fact, working away as usual. The Latina looked up to acknowledge her girlfriend.

"Hey," she said, wiping her brow while she worked on putting a new tail pipe on a used quad bike they had recently purchased.

"So listen…I got invited to this party at my friend Quinn's house on the lake…and I'd really like it if you came. I want you to meet my friends," Brittany said, folding her arms and leaning against the doorframe of the garage. Santana didn't look away from the machine in front of her as she thought it over.

"I don't know," she shrugged.

"San," Brittany said firmly.

Santana looked away and into Brittany's eyes, "What?"

"Please come baby," Brittany pleaded. Santana couldn't take her deep blue eyes.

The Latina sighed, "Fine…I'll come. What time do I have to be ready?"

"We'll leave at eight, okay?" Brittany smiled a little, glad that Santana agreed.

"Okay," Santana nodded, turning back to the quad bike. Brittany walked over and leaned down to kiss Santana's cheek.

"Thank you San," Brittany gave her a grin before skipping back into the house, thinking that she finally broke Santana out of her fog.

…

Santana gave herself a once over in the mirror and knew she looked good in her white skinny jeans and off the shoulder black shirt. She nodded, finally satisfied with her appearance and stepped across the hall to see if Brittany was ready.

She gave a light knock, "Britt?"

"Come in!"

Santana swung the door open and couldn't help but check Brittany out from behind as she stood in front of the mirror, looking equally hot in ripped jean shorts and a cute tank top.

"Ready?" Santana asked. Brittany turned around to face her and grinned.

"You look so sexy," Brittany commented, grabbing her purse from her desk and slinging it over her shoulder.

Santana managed an appreciative smile and a kiss on Brittany's cheek. "So do you, especially with that summer tan already!"

Brittany blushed and laced her hand with Santana's. "C'mon, let's go."

The duo took Santana's car. Brittany had insisted on driving, but Santana shot her down on the argument that they would roll up in the sexiest ride ever in the mustang, and the though of rubbing that in all the jocks' faces sounded pretty good, so she let Santana drive while she gave directions from the passenger seat.

The party was already going when they pulled up at the large lake house that was owned by the Fabray family. It was just a summer home and so Quinn always had big parties when her parents would both leave the house for the weekend. They parked a little ways down the road, both glad they didn't wear heels, and walked up to the front door, hands linked.

Brittany knocked and rocked back and forth on her feet, smiling at Santana while they waited. "Thanks for coming with me, San," she smiled, kissing the Latina on the cheek.

"No problem. It's good to get out after a long week."

The huge mahogany door soon swung open and a petite girl with a blonde bob opened the door. Her green eyes lit up at the sight of her best friend.

"Britt! You made it!" She pulled Brittany into a hug.

"Hey Quinn! I promised I wouldn't miss your first party of the summer!" Brittany grinned at the other blonde as she pulled back. Quinn's eyes then darted to Santana curiously and back to Brittany.

Brittany seemed to know what she was wondering before she could ask, "Quinn, this is Santana, my girlfriend and the new mechanic for our motocross team." Brittany beamed at the brunette beside her and Santana gave a small wave. Quinn nodded in return and opened the door to the already in-swing party.

"Well, c'mon in guys. Britt, you know where everything is!" Quinn smiled. Santana walked in first and as Brittany passed Quinn, she was stopped by the green-eyed girl. "Britt, she is seriously hot! Where did she come from?"

Brittany grinned and whispered back, "I'll talk to you about it later, Q!" And with that she caught up to her girlfriend.

"This house is insane," Santana remarked as they worked through the mass numbers of teenagers occupying the foyer and living room. The music was pounding and people danced all about the room, most using the alcohol as an excuse to bump and grind to the beat.

"Brittany! Hey!" Sam called from the entryway to the kitchen. He hurried over and wrapped her in a hug. He waved at Santana, too. "Santana, right?"

"Yeah, we met at Breadstix," Santana nodded over the music.

"Good to see you again!" Sam looked between them and noticed their intertwined hands. "So…is this official?" He gave a wide grin at his blonde friend, who blushed and nodded.

"Yeah, since my first tournament about a week into summer," Brittany nodded.

"Well hey, that's awesome! You guys want a drink?" Sam gestured towards the kitchen.

"San?" Brittany looked to the Latina.

"Lead the way Aerosmith lips!" She teased Sam. He feigned hurt and shook his head.

"Very funny!" He chuckled, "C'mon!"

The two followed him to the kitchen where many were pouring mixed beverages, shots, or just grabbing some cheap beer.

"Hey babe, I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Brittany said into Santana's ear. "I'll be right back." She placed a kiss on Santana's cheek before disappearing towards the bathroom.

"What do you want to drink?" Sam asked, nudging her arm to get her attention.

Her eyes scanned the counter, looking at all the different liquor and beer to choose from. She eventually nodded towards a bottle of tequila. "Gimme a couple shots of that Jose Cuervo."

Sam arched his brow, "Going straght for the strong stuff, huh?" He gave a chuckle and poured her two shots which she downed without hesitation and immediately felt the rush of the liquor burn through her. Suddenly she felt two hands on her waist that were most certainly not Brittany's. Soon after a deep male voice invaded her ear.

"Don't think I've seen you around before, sexy." Santana could smell the alcohol on his breath. She spun around and pushed him back. He only smirked and ran his hand over his mowhawk.

"Who the fuck are you?" She asked sharply.

"Name's Puck," he smirked.

Sam interjected, "Sorry man, Santana's spoken for!"

Puck laughed, "She's your girl, Evans? Yeah, okay, and Hummel isn't gay!"

Sam started to correct him when Brittany approached and slipped her arms around Santana's waist before kissing her full on the lips. "Sorry I took a while baby," Brittany grinned, making sure Puck saw. His jaw hung open.

"Pierce? You're Brittany Pierce's girlfriend? No way!" Puck asked, eyes wide.

Santana shrugged, still in Brittany's arms, "Sorry ferret head, I'm a lady lover."

"You've got to be fucking kidding!" Puck whined.

"Oh shut it, Puck. You can't get any girl you want like you think!" Brittany giggled.

"You're lucky I think you're a badass, Pierce, or else I'd probably try to steal this one!" He pointed to Santana, who furrowed her brow.

"Wait…you two are friends? Britt, you're friends with this pig?" Santana asked.

Brittany nodded and glared at Puck jokingly, "Unfortunately, yes, I am…but Puck, you should know that if you ever so much think about trying to hit on my girlfriend, I'll make sure you never live to have sex ever again. Is that clear?"

"Yeah yeah…but damnit, Pierce, she's so hot!" Puck whined. Santana laughed at him.

"I know, but you better believe it when I say that she's for me only!" Brittany pulled Santana closer.

Puck nodded sadly and put a hand on Brittany's shoulder, "I'm proud of you Pierce. She's a keeper!"

Santana found the relationship between Brittany and Puck odd, but she knew he was being sincere when he said he was proud. Puck then grabbed Sam and went towards the livingroom and Brittany smiled at Santana.

"You know, Britt, it's kind of really hot when you get protective!" Santana grinned.

"Everyone needs to know that you're off limits!" Brittany shrugged.

"Are you gonna have a drink?" Santana asked. Brittany nodded and poured a tall shot of Malibu and downed it, following it quickly with another. Now both girls had a warm feeling of relaxation overcoming them.

"Let's dance!" Brittany pulled her towards the living room where most people were dancing, but before they started dancing, Santana was caught doing a double take at someone.

"Rachel?" Santana asked in disbelief at the tiny brunette who stood before her.

"San…Santana? What are you doing here? Oh my god, I haven't seen you since we were sixteen…what…" Rachel trailed off, looking like she'd just seen a ghost. It was the first time Santana had ever seen the girl at a loss for words.

….

Okay! Decided to leave it at that! Let me know what you think! Sexy times next chapter if I get enough reviews!