Oh my god. I just pulled an all night writing this haha. My Glee Season 3 DVD just came in so i've been watching a marathon of Glee. So i decided why not update while i'm in a total Glee mood? haha. But this is offically the longest chapter I have written so far. Thankfully my fingers didn't cramp up! ;p I hope you guys enjoy!

-R

Exclaimer: I don't own Glee..

"Nationals" Chapter 23

This was the fifth time Santana woke up from her sleep. She looked over at the clock on the night stand which read 3:00 AM.

"I can't do this," She whispered to herself. She looked over at the empty space beside her, Brittany's spot. Brittany was suppost to be in here, right next to her sleeping. But no, she's in Chelsea and Lilly's room.

She placed her hand on the empty spot beside her, running her fingers along the soft sheets. Does it have to hurt so badly? Everytime Brittany came into her mind it was like another knife cutting her heart in half. She could feel the tears building up again. Soon enough she felt wet tears dripping from her eyes and onto her lap. Her cry came out aswell, not being able to control it.

"Santana?" A sleepy Quinn called for her in the dark.

"I'm okay, Quinn. Don't worry about me," Santana choked out, trying to wipe away the tears raining down on her.

Quinn sat up, "No your not, Santana. This is the fifth time i've been woken up by you crying."

"I'm sorry," Santana apologized in a whisper.

"No, don't be," Quinn pulled the covers off of her and got up, "You got your heart broken. It would be nonhuman to cry your brains out." She walked over and sat on her bedside, "But I really do hate seeing you like this."

"It just," Santana paused trying to catch her breath, "It hurts so bad Quinn! I love her so much! I'd give up anything for her."

Quinn bit her lip, "Would you give up your reputation to be with her?"

Santana furrowed her eyes, "What is that suppost to mean?" Why would Quinn ask her that when she was in this condition.

"What I mean is," She grabbed Santana's hand, "The reason why you didn't tell me is because you thought I would judge you for it, and other reasons but I won't mention those. Also, you didn't want to tell anybody else because you think they'll see you different."

"They will! Did you see what happened to Kurt? That kid practically lives in the dumpster for all the times he's been throw in it. I don't want that to happen to me and I deffinitley don't want it to happen to Brittany!"

Quinn furiously shook her head, "That's because he lets it happen, Santana! He doesn't stick up for himself! He's the type of kid that will only keep to himself. But your not Santana. Your a fighter! Everybody in this school knows that if they lay one hand on you or Brittany they might as well admit themselves in the hospital. You stick up for yourself! That's the reason why you can make it through this. Sure there will be people who won't want a thing to do with you but just remember that I'll be here, coach will be here, and everyone who truly cares about you. For the best part Brittany will be there. Kurt is alone in this, your not. You have Brittany."

Santana gave her a genuine smile, "Quinn, did I ever tell you that you should be the next Oprah? You know, your right! I shouldn't care about what people think. I feel so stupid! This is the second time I had to make myself realize that I'm not alone in this." She pulled Quinn into a tight hug, "Thank you so much Quinn. Your truly are an amazing friend."

"I know," she said, smiling into the hug. "Just promise me you'll fight for your girl back? I can't stand not seeing you two together. Sure you guys could lay low on the PDA but still."

Pulling away, she giggled, "Of course I'm going to fight for her. She's the love of my life Quinn. Someday i'm going to marry that girl."

"Well you have to get her back before you plan on marrying her," Quinn joked.

She playfully punched her shoulder. "You know what? I'm going to ask her out tomorrow, well today. But i'm going to do it at nationals, infront of everyone. I want everyone to know that i'm inlove with Brittany Susan Pierce and that I don't care what they think."

"Are you sure about this, San? Like I totally support you doing this but is nationals the right place?"

"I can't have her away from me for another day Quinn. I want to call her mine again as soon as possible. I'll do it after we win our trophy," She winked.

"You got that right!" She high-fived the latina. "Were going to win that 6th nationals trophy and your going to get your girl back."

"Yeah," Santana smiled to herself. "I'm going to get Brittany back, if it's the last thing I do."

"Today is the day ladies!" Coach Sylvester announced. All of her Cheerio's were sitting cross legged on the ground infront of her in the court yard. "We've spent most of summer and half the school year training for this. Sure, sometimes I want to personally rip all of your heads off but I never lost faith in you guys. Were a team and today were going to perform as one. I want us to let go all of the tension between eachother and focus on us winning that sixth trophy. I'm proud of you girls." All of the Cheerio's hooted and fist pumped after she finished her speech.

"I guess everyones full of speeches today, huh?" Santana joked, nudging Quinn in the rib.

"Shush," Quinn joked.

"Can I say something?" Lexi asked Coach Sylvester as she stood up.

Coach Sylvester nodded, "The floor is yours."

Lexi gave her smile before standing up infront of her fellow Cheerios. "Okay, I first want to apologize to Brittany. It was not my place to out you like that. You trusted me to keep your secret and I just threw it out there. I am so sorry for that."

Everyones eyes directed to Brittany, who was sitting inbetween Chelsea and Lilly. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy as if she had been crying. It personally hurt Santana that she looked like that. Seeing Brittany so broken added another knife into her heart.

"As I was saying," Lexi added, "I just want to say that I support you, we all do. After practice we all talked and agreed that we don't judge you. We love you for who you are and we don't care if your bisexual or full on lesbian. Were a team and we support eachother. Were here for you, at anytime you need us."

Brittany smiled up at her and nodded her head, "That you Lexi. That means alot." She then looked over at Santana. They made eye contract for a second before Brittany dropped her eyes to her hands.

"I'm going through with this at nationals," Santana whispered to Quinn.

"I know," Quinn smiled at her. She was so proud of Santana finally standing up against her fears and fighting for what she wanted.

Cach Sylvester walked over to Lexi, "Thank you Lexi for that support speech to Brittany and letting her know our team fully supports her. Okay ladies, our bus is waiting out front for us." Throwing her hands in the air she yelled, "Okay! Let's win us a trophy!"

Coach Sylvester let the girls check out the place for a couple of minutes because there bus arrived early. Quinn and Santana decided to check out the floor they would be stunting on.

"Oh my god, I can't believe were here!" Quinn squealed, gripping onto Santana's arm.

"Quinn, if you get any more excited I won't have an arm!"

Quinn let go of her arm, "Sorry, I'm just so happy were here! You know there having a celebrity judge? The only clue we have is that it's a girl and she's from Pittsburgh."

Santana's eyes widened, "So i'm going to be outing myself at nationals infront of the whole cheerleading nation and a celebrity?"

Quinn raised her eyebrow, "Your not backing out are you? Please don't. You've gotten so far and.."

"I'm not backing out Quinn!" Santana laughed, "I just got caught off gaurd. I would never back out. Brittany is my other half, I can't loose her."

"Good!" She placed her hand over her chest, "I got so scared for a second."

Santana gave out a dramatic gasp, "You think so low of me!" She then pulled out her cellphone to look at the time, "Well we better get back to the squad. The competition is going to start soon."

All of the teams were seated closest to the floor. The rows were in order from the first team to last. The Cheerio's were in the 7th row which ment they would be performing 7th. There were a total of 25 teams going against eachother.

Before nationals the coaches were asked to make a seating chart so the cheerleaders didn't disrupt anything and jump from seat to seat. Since this chart was made before they left Lima Santana and Brittany had to sit by eachother.

It was awkward at first. Everytime they accidently hit elbows they would quietly apologize to eachother and then go back to being silent. But during the performances Santana would crack a joke about it to Brittany, making her laugh.

Santana leaned over to Brittany, "I swear if that girl smiles any bigger her face is going to explode."

Brittany giggled, "She could pass of as one of those crazy phsychotic killers with that smile too."

"Oh my god, Santana is that you?" A voice asked from behind them.

Both girls turned their heads facing another cheerleader.

Santana opened her mouth slightly, "Vanessa?"

"I didn't even notice you there!" The shark cheerleader smiled at her. "Then I heard your voice and I was like I know that voice!"

Santana glanced over at Brittany. She was fuming. Her face was getting darker by the second and she had a hard glare on the other blonde. At first, Santana thought she could use Vanessa to get Brittany jeoulous for a second but dismissed the idea when she realized the damage it could do. She wasn't stupid enough to take the chance to mess it up with her girl. "Yeah, just waiting until it's our time to go up."

"Well I bet you'll do great. If your body can move like the way I imagine it can then you'll do amazing." Vanessa made sure to add a wink after it.

Brittany finally hit her boiling point, "I thought I told you to back off over that phone chat? She's not interested."

"Hmmm, I'm guessing your the ex girlfriend? Yeah things travel fast in that hotel." Vanessa then turned back to the latina, "So Santana, my team doesn't leave until tomorrow. Thats still enough time to get to know eachother."

Santana smiled over at Brittany, "Like she said, i'm not interested. Sorry, Vanessa."

Brittany smiled back at her.

Vanessa was taken back, "I thought you two broke up? What the hell?"

Brittany looked back at the other blonde, "Were still bestfriends. Nothing will break that."

Vanessa rolled her eyes, "Bestfriending your ex girlfriend? Not wierd at all." She placed her attention back on the latina, "If you do what to give us a try, you have my number."

Santana and Brittany turned back around, facing the floor.

"Sorry about that," Santana whispered to Brittany.

"It's not your fault. I guess the punch in the face didn't knock some sense into her," Brittany whispered back making Santana giggle. "You know I'm really happy were talking. I missed you."

Santana looked down at her hands. Talking about only being friends with Brittany stung.

Brittany could feel the tenison between them. "Santana, i'm sorry. I didn't want to be like those horrible people and break it off through a note. I just didn't know how to tell you without breaking down in the process..."

Santana cut her off, "Brittany, it's okay. I understand."

"Up next is our 5 time national winners William McKinley High School Cheerios!" The announcer said, which was heard throughout the stadium.

Quinn stood up infront of her teammates, "Okay ladies. Lets go out there and kick some ass and make us a 6 time winning squad!"

All of the girls cheered as they stood up, ready to take the floor.

It was finally time. All the work they put in, all the plans the cancelled, and all the blood and sweat was now put to use. The girls walked out on that floor and formed their starting position.

Quinn nodded over to the guy in charge of the music letting him know to start it, "Okay Cheerios! Lets go!"

The music started and the girls went into action. They danced their routine, going up into stunts, and throwing eachother up in the air. Every single smile on each girls face wasn't fake like everybody elses was. Each smile was real because they were accomplishing something no other team has done. You were lucky if you even won one nationals trophy let alone 5.

The only thing going through Santana's mind was Brittany. In her mind she dedicated her performance towards Brittany. She wanted to make it perfect for Brittany. Though, she also wanted to make it perfect for herself.

The routine was coming to the end and the Cheerios finally hit their last position, "Go Cheerios!" They yelled as a union.

The crowd went crazy. Everyone stood up, even all of the judges. The girls all looked at eachother with big smiles, panting from their previous actions.

After all of the teams performed the judges left the room the make their final decisions.

Santana grabbed Quinn's arm, "I'm so nervous!"

Quinn nodded her head, "I know! We need to win!"

The announcer walked back onto the floor, "The judges are back and have made a decision!"

The crowd instantly went silent. You could literally hear a pin drop in that room.

"We will allow our celebrity guest judge to inform you of the exciting news of the winners!" The announcer then walked off of the floor.

Everyone looked around trying to see if they could spot this celebrity judge. All of sudden sounds of screaming filled the room.

"I love you Christina!" A girl yelled from the back of the room.

Quinn jumped onto Santana's back, "Holy shit! Holy shit! It's Christina Aguilera!"

"Oh my god!" Santana was just amazed. She grew up with her music.

"Hey guys!" Christina yelled into the microphone.

A loud roar of screams filled the room again.

"Okay, okay. Calm down," She laughed as she unfolded the evelope. "Now I'm guessing you want to know the place winners?"

A loud "Yes" filled the stadium making Christina give out her signiture laugh again. "Okay guys. I'm going to announce the winners." She unfolded the paper, "And in 3rd place is Jackson High School's Sharks from Columbus, Ohio!"

Santana turned around to face Vanessa's team. Some looked happy and some didn't. Vanessa had a fake smile on her face, you could tell she really wanted to win first. They sent a girl up to claim the trophy from Christina.

"Congradulations!" Christina said handing her the trophy. "And now 2nd place goes to Edge Wood High School's Wolves from Naples, Florida!"

A few rows behind the Cheerios started to fill up with noise. A cheerleader from Edge Wood ran up to the stage, pulling Christina into a hug before she could get out a word.

The girl pulled away and started freaking out, "You are my idol, Christina! I love you so much! I can't believe your right infront of me! Oh my god!"

"Awe thanks!" Christina looked kind of scared of the young girl. "Here's your trophy! Congraduations!"

"No thank you!" She jumped up and down before making her way back to her seat.

"Now for the moment we have all been waiting for! And the 1st place goes to..." She paused looking out into the crowd.

People started screaming out of names of the schools they think should win 1st place. The Cheerios were screamed out alteast 8 times.

"William McKinley High School Cheerios for Lima, Ohio!" Christina screamed out.

Santana, Quinn, and Brittany all jumped and hugged eachother. The whole team was freaking out.

"Quinn do you want to accept the trophy?" Coach Sylvester asked with a big smile.

"Actually," Quinn looked at Santana. "I think Santana can handle this one."

"Okay!" Coach Sylvester nodded her head, "Go ahead Santana! Accept our 6th 1st place National's trophy!"

Santana slid out in the isle and made her way onto the floor. It was time to put her plan into gear.

"Congradulations!" Christina said with a big smile as she handed her the trophy.

"Thanks Christina," She smiled as she took the trophy from her hands. "Do you mind if I can use that microphone? It's for something really important."

Christina smiled and nodded her head, "Well you are the 1st place winning team, it only seems fair." She handed the microphone over to the latina.

"Thanks." Santana smiled at the pop singer. "This is crazy! I'm a freshmen so this is my first time being apart of something so amazing! I have to thank my teammates for coming together as a team to help us get the chance to become a 6 time national winning team!"

The Cheerios in there seats started hooting.

"But mostly I want to thank our coach. Even when she wanted to throw us into walls she still put up with us and had so much faith in us. I couldn't ask for a better coach! But theres more to why i'm up here." She looked into the crowd, right at Brittany. "What I learned from being on this team is that we all accept eachother. When one of us is hurting all of us come together to pick them up. The day before nationals I thought my life was ruined because I thought my team found out I was.." She took a deep breath, "that I was a lesbian."

The crowd instantly went quiet, looking around at eachother.

"But it wasn't me who they found out about. It was the girl I was inlove with, my bestfriend Brittany." Santana looked into the crowd, making eye contact with the blonde. "Brittany I don't care what people think of us. I love you so much, you don't even understand. Your my one and only. Your my soulmate, Britt. I don't care if I have to fight the whole school or the whole world to be with you. Your worth it and i'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. But right here right now i'm going to ask you a question."

She walked into the isle to where the Cheerios were seated, pulling Brittany into the isle with her. "Will you do honor of being my girlfriend? Out and proud?"