A/N: A cryptic comment to address some people's questions - Santana's not the enemy, Rachel's not the hero, and in that same vein, Brittany's not the victim. Interpret that as you will. Aside from that, the story goes slowly along.

"'Why do you hate Rachel, Santana?'" Santana mocked as she stalked down towards the elephant enclosure, hands clenched into fists in her jacket pockets. "'Why don't you just love her?' Yeah, what a capital idea! Fuckin' capital!"

Ignoring the mother of two young children glaring at her, she momentarily paused when she realized that Rachel was walking towards her, then firmed her expression and continued striding forward. When the smaller girl stopped in front of her, Santana continued past her.

"Santana!" Rachel sighed heavily, hurrying to catch up with her, "I wish to apologize – "

"Get the fuck away from me."

"Santana." Reaching out, Rachel tried to grab her arm, but Santana violently rolled her arm away. "I mean it, Man Hands."

Dropping her hand but continuing to walk next to her, Rachel only deepened her stubborn expression. "Does the non-presence of Brittany mean you and she had a disagreement as well?"

"Okay, seriously." Stopping in her tracks, Santana turned a full glare onto Rachel, curling her lips into a sneer, "How the hell does 'get the fuck away from me' translate in your midget brain as me wanting to talk about something incredibly not your fucking business?"

Rachel calmly met her gaze. Her expression didn't change. "If I am correct about the subject of your fight, then part of it is very much my business."

Raising a hand, Santana sucked in a deep breath. Ready to start yelling at her, telling her exactly what she thought of her, she was brought to a halt when Rachel smoothly shoved a lemon ice into that hand, pushing a spoon into her other. "What?"

Rachel sighed, taking a step back. "I was going to bring that the Brittany, but I think it would do you better."

"Fuck no." Scowling, Santana tried to thrust the food back at her, but Rachel smoothly weaved her way backwards. "Berry, I do not need this! And certainly not as a bribe."

"It's not a bribe." Rachel brushed her hair back from her face, a pained, self annoyed expression sliding across her face. Looking up at Santana, she licked her lips. "You were right. I was over the line. I'll be the first to admit it. That wasn't… I'm just sorry."

Santana shifted the lemon ice into her other hand to rub cool fingertips across her forehead. "Oh god," she muttered, "You can't even let anyone be angry at you for any amount of time, can you? No." She dropped her hand, making sure Rachel could see the extent of her contempt, "It's not that easy, hobbit. No amount of lemon ice – which is pretty fucking pathetic, by the way – will excuse what you said to me."

Rachel closed her eyes, her brow tightening. "The lemon ice was for Brittany," she mumbled.

"What?" Santana snapped, crossing her arms.

"The lemon ice was for you to give to Brittany," Rachel opened her eyes and mimicked Santana's stance. "It wasn't for you."

Santana stared at her, then looked up. "I can't deal with this." Shaking her head, she avoided looking at Rachel altogether and walked away from her. Coming across the first trashcan she found, fifteen paces down the path, and knowing that Rachel's eyes were still on her, Santana dropped the lemon ice and spoon into it. Not bothering to see how Rachel reacted, she continued on her way, head held high.

It had felt like a fist socked her in the gut when Santana had walked up to the trashcan and tossed what Rachel had given her. Though she had known it was a stupid gesture as soon as she'd done it, she'd hoped it would have done… Something.

Opening and closing her hand, willing the leftover stickiness from the frost that had been covering the lemon ice to go away, she sighed and decided that it was time to go find Brittany. From Santana's continued demeanor and unwillingness to answer her questions, it was almost certain the blonde would be upset.

Almost as if reading her mind, her ringtone, My Headband, started playing. Seeing Brittany's smiling face pop up on the screen, she forced a smile on her face and answered, "Hi baby."

"…Is S with you?" Brittany's voice was soft, and it sounded like she was sniffling a little.

Immediately, Rachel stood up straight. "No, she's not." Deciding it wasn't worth it to say she had just seen her, she asked directly, "Where are you?"

"Uhm, outside Batman's secret lair."

Oh, Brittany. She was adorable. Looking around, Rachel realized she was only about five minutes away, and she started power walking. "Okay, you stay there, and I'll be there soon."

It made her smile sincerely when Brittany perked up a little after hearing that. "Okay. I will. Hey, Rachie?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Rachel melted, heart beating wildly. "I love you too, baby," she whispered. And she really, really did. Though she never would have thought she'd fall for the tall blonde even in her wildest dreams, Brittany had been so sweet and determined to at least get to know Rachel that there'd really been no hope of denying her.

Brittany managed a little giggle. "I love the way you say that."

Rachel raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"You always tell me you love me like you can't believe it, but you're still happy." She took a loud breath, "I like it when you guys are happy."

Hearing her voice drop again, Rachel's heart squeezed at her role in making her girlfriend sad. "I know you do. That's actually one of the things I love about you."

"It is?"

Rachel nodded decisively, "It is."

As she kept the conversation going, Rachel realized that it would probably be better if she didn't come empty handed. Thanking the fact that she had brought more than enough money to buy however many lemon ices and churros she would have to if Santana continued throwing them away, she quickly stopped off and bought two lemon ices, balancing them both in one hand and stuffing the spoons into her pockets.

The second she spotted Brittany sitting on a bench near the bat cave, Rachel quickened her pace. Saying a short, "I'm here!" before disconnecting the call, she grinned broadly when Brittany smiled and stood up to greet her with a tight hug. However, when Brittany buried her face into her hair and squeezed her as close to her as she could, Rachel frowned. "Baby?"

Brittany sniffled.

Pulling back, Rachel gently pushed Brittany's chin up. The bottom dropping out of her stomach, she wiped a tear that had trickled down the blonde's cheek. "Brittany, what's wrong?"

Brittany blinked and looked away for a second, then dipped her head. "Rachel…" she started, her sad eyes meeting Rachel's and a small smile trying to cross her lips, "Am I a bad person?"

"What? Of course not!" Rachel's mouth dropped open. She narrowed her eyes. Tugging Brittany over so they could take seats on the bench, she set the ices down and rubbed her palm against her jacket before taking Brittany's bigger hands into hers. "Did Santana – "

"No. No." Brittany shook her head. Studying Rachel's hands wrapped around hers, she shrugged her shoulders. "I just feel… Selfish sometimes." Then, she raised her head and smiled affectionately at Rachel, managing to suddenly look as happy as she normally did with her. Pulling her forward, she slipped a long arm around Rachel's shoulders and kissed her softly.

Still concerned but thrilling from the sensation of Brittany's lips against hers, Rachel kissed her back. "I don't know exactly what you're talking about," she breathed, licking her lips and leaning back to smile shyly at Brittany, "But if you being selfish gives me you, I think it's okay."

Brittany stared at her for a second, then smiled and squeezed her hand. "Lemon ice?" she asked hopefully.