Chapter 2: Heaven and Earth

Brittany was awake even before her alarm clock did. She was currently wondering how in the world she was going to get to school with the storm pouring everything it had on the earth. For a while she contemplated on calling Santana and actually begging her to drive her to school. But every time she thought of her bestfriend, she would remember the way her voice cracked when she asked her if she did anything. Brittany sighed. She really did, no, does miss her. Her train of thought was interrupted by her phone ringing. For a minute, she hoped that Santana is calling her.

"Hey, Quinn."

"Hey. Need a lift to school?" How did she know? Is she a psychic?

"Are you in my head?" Quinn chuckled.

"No, Britt. Santana told me you might need a ride to school. Though I'm not supposed to tell you that, okay?" Brittany's breath hitched at her throat. She was torn between feeling happy and feeling sad at the thought that her bestfriend still cares.

"Oh."

"So, I'll be there in thirty?" It's 6:45 and classes start at 7:30.

"Can you be here in twenty? San used to drive by the park before we go to school so I can see the ducks. Really, I miss them. Artie hasn't taken me to them in so long and the only duck I see is the one in his room though he says that it was eagle or something and I— …"

"Okay, Britt. I get it. I'll be there, okay?" Wincing at the thought that Brittany and Artie were in the same room before, Quinn abruptly stopped Brittany's rambling.

"Yay! Thanks Quinn!"

"Anytime."

Thirty-five minutes later, Brittany is in Quinn's car, grinning like she just won a life-size duck. They are on their way to school just after Quinn took her to the park. Her smile was infectious and Quinn found herself grinning and laughing along with her. It is only thanks to the years they spent together that Quinn was able to see the sadness that would flicker in Brittany's bright, blue eyes. Sure enough, just as Quinn was able to park her car, Brittany blurted out the reason for it.

"I wish San was here." Bright, blue eyes dropped and just like that, the bubbly Brittany was replaced by a lost Brittany. Quinn watched her gather her thoughts. She had long since known that it was useless to push Brittany in times like these.

"I – I didn't mean to hurt her, Q. I'm just scared that she'd leave me again the way she did when Rachel said something too confusing for me to understand. And – and if she leaves again, where will I go?"

Quinn's eyes softened. She really did look like a lost puppy right now and she can't help but realize that it was the same way Santana looked at her when Quinn picked her up from the bar. These two were two halves of a whole. Together they brought life. One cannot function fully without the other. They were blue and brown. Heaven and earth. They were perfect for each other. Beside her, Brittany sniffled and it usually meant the start of tears. Quinn laid a hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.

Outside, in the pouring rain, brown, guilt-stricken eyes watched them wishing she too can give the blonde the hug that she knew both of them needs.

Maybe it was wrong for Brittany to make Santana come out of her shell and then shoot her down. Maybe it was wrong for Santana to put her reputation before Brittany. Maybe it was wrong for them to be avoiding each other like the plague. But it's definitely not wrong for the both of them to fix this and find out every reason why they should be together and tell the world about it.

"All wet Santana? Want me to warm you up?" Complete with a mischievous tone and a sly look, Puck greeted a dripping wet Santana as she rounded a corner to get to the Cheerio's locker room. She's not supposed to be there but she didn't give a damn. It's freezing cold.

"Shut up. Why are you even here?"

"Whoa there, babe. Tone down the glare. I saw you at the parking lot." Santana's heart thudded painfully against her chest. It was more than enough that Sam and Quinn knew how weak she can be. But including Puck into the picture is simply out of the question. Not trusting her mouth, she moved past him and grabbed a change of clothes in her locker that she was yet to clean.

It's stupid, she knows. She's running away again. Her brows furrowed and she paused. She realized that Puck was waiting for her to say something. Argh, fuck it. She turned around and faced him. Let them know! Santana Lopez is so done hiding.

"I'm a lesbian, Puckerman." His jaw dropped. "I'm totally gay for Brittany Pierce and if you ever lay a hand on her, I swear to all that's holy, I'm going to rip open your balls." Santana declared with a smirk. Unexpectedly, Puck began to laugh. He took a step closer and patted her head.

"Atta girl! Or guy. Or whatever." Puck was smiling at her. "Besides, you don't have to worry about me hitting on your girl, I have Lauren remember?" Santana had not seen this coming and she was staring completely dumbfounded at the guy she used to have sex with.

"So what are you gonna do?"

"I—wha—what?" God, she sounded stupid.

"Aw, come on Santana! I'm not that blind! The way you stared at Quinn and Brittany was really not the way a bestfriend looks at her bestfriend. I've known since you whispered her name after sex that one time when we were both drunk. Not cool, though." Santana blushed and stepped back from Puck. He smiled kindly at her, understanding.

"Sorry."

"Well, now what?"

"She's with Artie."

"Cut the crap, Santana." Santana sighed. Everybody's telling her the same thing. Fight for her. And she does intend to do that… when she's ready.

"She can't wait forever, ya know." Puck knew that Quinn must have told her what she needs to do. But he knew that more than anything, there was one thing that they didn't tell her. Because if they did, she wouldn't be standing under the rain in the parking lot. "Love her Santana."

Santana turned her back on him and without warning, punched the lockers pouring every bit of bitterness in it.

"I do! I love her. God, I'd give the world to her."

"Then give it to her. What's stopping you? Artie doesn't love her the way you do. He doesn't deserve her." All this, Puck knows that she knows. She just needs someone to tell her. Santana whirled around and there, in her eyes, Puck saw a fire he had not seen in her since she quit Cheerios.

"You're singing with me in Glee tomorrow." Puck smirked. Santana sneered back.

"What do you have in that pretty mind of yours?"

If looks could kill, Artie would have been dead the minute Santana walked in the choir room. He is currently trying unsuccessfully to teach Brittany basic algebra because she failed her recent math test. The way her face clouds up with confusion with a simple x + 2 = 4, makes him wonder how in the world she was able to pass all the other tests. Then again, he was pretty sure Santana had something to do with that. The Santana who's glaring daggers at him every time his hand brushed Brittany's.

Being in a wheelchair meant that he had the luxury of time and energy to observe his surroundings. During the Landslide performance, he watched Santana's eyes try to explain to Brittany how much she loved the girl. Her eyes were shining with tears that for him, were tears of relief. The way she hung on to Brittany after the performance and the way Brittany looked at Santana as if pleading her not to go when Rachel decided to applaud the emotional side of Santana was enough for him. Santana loved Brittany. She loved her so much that it was making Artie question his capability to love. Sure, he loves Brittany But he's not in love with her. And he wasn't about to let her go. He is going to keep Brittany until the time comes when he was sure Santana wouldn't leave her the way she did after the performance.

For now, he is going to try and ignore the burn of her glares. Seriously, she needs to tone it down or else he might spontaneously combust. And how the hell can she glare like that while scribbling something on a paper?

"Okay guys, we have a faculty meeting in a while so I guess you can use this time to relax. I'll see you tomorrow." Mr. Schuester announced in twenty seconds tops and was gone before Rachel can open her mouth and bombard him with her plans for Nationals.

"Perfect." Puck muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Santana to hear. Suddenly he was humming the tune of what they were going to sing tomorrow and Santana closed her eyes and focused on blending with him.

Because of his poor eyesight, Artie's ears made up for that loss. He could barely make up tune they were humming but he knew that they were going to sing tomorrow, Santana especially.

"Wanna take this up to my room?" Puck asked, smirking. Santana rolled her eyes at him. She knew he didn't mean sex but it was so like him to give innuendos. Both of them abruptly stopped their antics when Brittany suddenly stood up from her chair and was out the door leaving Artie to follow her.

"She heard you."

"Oops." Santana hit his arm trying to ignore the feeling of hope that's taking over her chest. "If you're gonna give that to her, maybe you should put it in her bag now while she's with Artie." Puck said, motioning at the paper in Santana's hands. It was her A+ math test paper and she had been drawing ducks on each and every equation knowing that it always helped Brittany understand.

Getting up, Santana tried to hide her blushing face, embarrassed that she was caught in the act. Instead, she focused on getting the damn test paper inside Brittany's bag and looking at Quinn, silently asking her to take Brittany home. Quinn nodded and smiled encouragingly at her upon eavesdropping and finding out what she was up to. Santana offered a small smile in gratitude. She seriously owed Quinn.

She turned around and motioned to Puck that they can go now. Santana knew that she had almost everything she needed. Quinn, Puck, and Sam were there to support her. And yes, she had her perfect voice and the aura to get the club's attention. She also had the way Brittany walked out as an inspiration. But there was one more thing she needed: the courage to sing her heart out.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Again, I don't have time to proofread this or ask anyone to edit it for me so all mistakes are mine. Please, please, please review! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Except my dogs.

Brittana forever,

theangel1710