Laws of Perfect Gravity

by kpgleek13

AU. Sequel to Laws of Attraction. After graduating from Harvard Law, Brittany and Santana's seemingly happily ever after takes an unexpected turn when they are thrown into a series of misfortunes. Now, three years later, they find themselves in familiar territory again when they are drawn back into each other's lives albeit closer, funnier, and more complicated than ever.

10. Brittany v Santana: Dawn of Justness II

Thank you for the reviews! At 15k words, this is the longest chapter I've ever done and personally, the best I've ever written. I hope it answers all your questions.

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- Santana's POV –

I'm so freaking ready for this shit.

I haven't slept since the mock trial ended yesterday. I researched about every single thing, loopholes, and tried my best to get all bases covered. I think I'm generally ready for anything Brittany will throw my way now. It's unbelievable to think that I'm slaving myself like this over a mock trial. I've never been so worked up in a case before. At least I somehow have the leverage with that surprise counterclaim curveball I pulled off.

Brittany and I haven't talked to each other since yesterday. I'm sure she's done her homework and heavily prepared with Rachel like I did with Grams. Our friends, the freaking jury, have been very supportive in encouraging us to give it our best. Other than that, we don't have any witnesses to present for the basic reason that no one else is available to play any roles. That is, if she's not going to pull a surprise on me like I did on her. Yeah, better be on my toes with Brittany on this one.

We're back in the Courtroom now and the trial just started not more than five minutes ago. It's the same nerve-wracking environment as yesterday. It's still packed, more so now since our trial's the last one for the whole Initiations week. Gergerpal, who I've come to know apparently auditioned to Mami by reciting a Justin Bieber song, is still the bailiff. Kitty, who won her own mock trial and made her opponent cry, retains the same Clerk role as well. Our giddy and excited friends are still the jury and they've been surprisingly impartial by not meddling at all with anything trial-related.

Currently, the trial just went through the usual swearing of the jury and both of our opening statements when I look up to see Mami about to speak.

"The counsel for the plaintiff may call their first witness." Mother motions towards me.

"I call the plaintiff to the stand, Your Honor." I exclaim and briefly, Gergerpal merrily takes Grams to the witness stand.

As I wait for Kitty to swear Grams in, I glance at Brittany taking her seat on my left after delivering her opening statement. She gazes at me for a quick second with the same look of indifference as that of yesterday. Oh boy.

"I am Catherine Spencer, 63, and I am the owner and CEO of Pacific Air." Grams' voice echoes in the Courtroom just as Kitty scurries back to her seat after swearing her in. I nod and walk towards the stand.

"Miss Spencer, how long have you been working for Pacific Air?"

Grams pretends to think about it. "Since I was 18, when my father hired me to help him take care of business when it still wasn't that huge. 45 years, I believe. You do the math."

I do a quick count in my head to affirm her answer. "And when in those 45 years did you assume the CEO position?"

"25 years ago, when my father passed the position to me."

I nod and face the jury. "Miss Spencer, can you tell us exactly what a CEO does in a world-renowned airline company such as Pacific Air?"

"Certainly." She nods. "I advise the board of directors, make executive decisions for the betterment of the company, lead and motivate employees, and most importantly, direct changes within the organization if need be."

"And do these 'changes' include firing employees who have smeared the good name of the company you own and built from the ground up?"

"Objection, Your Honor! Counselor is leading the witness!" Brittany stands up and exclaims behind me.

"Sustained." Mother retorts with a warning. I nod and face Grams again.

"Miss Spencer, as CEO of your company, how are your relationships with your employees?"

"Good. I provide them room to grow, promotions, and help as much as I can to those who deserve it like any other CEO."

"I see. And how was your relationship with the defendant, a long-term employee of your company?"

"Objection! Counsel has no basis for question!" Brittany declares.

"Overruled."

I smirk to myself just as Mother urges Grams to continue speaking. "We had a good relationship. Almost mother and daughter to the point that she's invited to all our family functions such as simple dinners and birthdays, even weddings. She's basically like family."

I squint my eyes at Grams. "I'm confused. How did that come to be when she was only a mere employee?"

"Because I took her in almost a decade ago to become my protégé after years of great work in the Communications department. Therefore, we developed a close relationship."

"And how long has she been your protégé?"

"About 8 years."

"What exactly does being your protégé mean for Jessica James?"

"It meant that she'd receive training personally from me. I taught her everything I know, from the ins and outs of the company and all its secrets, something I did not hesitate even one bit at that. I encouraged her to do well in everything and take every chance she could get to become a better person. You can say that I treated her like my own daughter." Grams replies and from the looks of it, she's also starting to tear up.

"So, it's a relationship built on trust?"

"Absolutely. Like I said, I've treated her as my own daughter."

"Has it always been smooth-sailing, Miss Spencer?"

"Not all the time. We're two different people and of course, we'd have differing opinions on a few matters."

"So, the defendant basically built her career around the premise that she was Miss Spencer's protégé and the fact that the plaintiff helped her achieve everything she desired meant that it really was a tight-knit relationship. Almost unprecedented for a CEO." I exclaim as I face the jury. "Anyone could say that with Catherine Spencer's way of caring for her employees, especially her protégé at that, her kindness could be prone to be taken advantage of."

"Objection!" Brittany exclaims and I turn to see her raising an eyebrow at me. "Is there a question?"

I flash her a knowing grin and shrug innocently. "I'm just laying down the facts of how the plaintiff treats her employees. Unless you'd want to challenge that like everything I'm going to say, of course." I hold off her stare for a few seconds and I know that I'm starting to rile her up with everything I've been doing so far with the way she's seething.

Good, good, good.

"Miss Lopez. Questions, please." Mother utters from the bench with a warning glance at me.

I nod as I glance at Brittany taking her seat and staring hard at me, possibly waiting for anything that might slip me up. "Catherine, have you ever had a falling out during those times you and the defendant didn't meet each other's, what's the term, wavelength as regards to the company?"

"We've only had one falling out, as far as I can recall."

"And when was this exactly?"

"During the time she went away for the job assignment in China."

"Can you divulge to the Court and the jury what specific instance would cause such falling out?"

Grams nods and now more than ever, assumes her full dramatic persona by embracing the character she rehearsed yesterday. "It started when I endorsed her for this three-month stint of heading negotiations with our sister company, Star Airlines, in China. It was only for a short while and since it would help her career greatly, I let her fly there and stay for the remainder of the job all while fulfilling her responsibilities with Pacific Air." She pauses and takes a deep sigh, complete with holding a hand over her heart for effect.

"Then what happened?"

"She fulfilled her responsibilities there but not before telling me halfway into her stay that she won't be coming back to Pacific Air since she had already taken the COO job position Star Airlines offered her."

I squint my eyes at Grams. "So, the defendant never gave you prior notice about her leaving?"

"Objection! Counsel is leading the witness!"

"Overruled, Miss Pierce." Mother replies and motions for Grams to answer the question.

"Not at all. She only told me about it over a phone call, actually."

"And how did you feel about that, Miss Spencer?"

"Oh, it was devastating!" Grams cries out and literally producing tears in the process while shaking her head repeatedly. "It felt like my daughter betrayed me and left me hanging. Almost as if I didn't mean anything to her at all." She adds with a glance at the jury who by the looks of it are sympathizing with her. Well, except Quinn, who's trying hard to hide a smile.

"Why do you feel betrayed by her actions, Miss Spencer?"

"Because I was grooming her for a promotion as VP of Internal Affairs in Pacific Air. I was preparing her to possibly take over the company in a few years' time before I retire as CEO."

"How did you react over her declaration of taking the COO job position in Star Airlines?"

"I told her that she can't take the position just yet since I've no one to replace her as Director of Communications, a job position that is very hard to fill. I told her that she can't take it for the meantime."

"And how did Miss James react?"

"She was furious! We had a huge argument about the whole thing. She went on about how I was preventing her career to grow and how I'm hindering her from the job offer just because I selfishly wanted her to retain in the company!" Grams exclaims with a bit of shock.

I nod and give her a look. "And is Miss James right in assailing that?"

"Of course not! Like I said, I'm all for my employees' growth in their career and as individuals. I would have relented right away were it not for how immediate she expected us to let her go. She didn't even give me any prior notice like I said."

"I see. So, she continued with her responsibilities in Pacific Air even after your dispute with her?"

"Yes."

"And did anything change in her manner of fulfilling her responsibilities since then?"

"Objection! Counsel has no basis for question!" Brittany sneers.

"Overruled."

I cast Brittany a smirk just because I can and by the looks of it, she's pretty infuriated by now. "Nothing changed. She was still diligent in representing Pacific Air up until she conducted those two interviews that smeared the company's good name and mine."

I flash Grams a devilish grin, something she subtly returns with a slight raise of the eyebrow. "What did those two interviews contain, Miss Spencer?"

"Objection!"

"It's a valid line of questioning, Your Honor." I quickly chime in with a shrug before Brittany even gets to say anything.

Mother, who sighs deeply and probably getting a bit stressed now with us, motions for Grams to continue while gesturing for Brittany to take her seat.

"It contained horrifying accusations! She made false statements about Pacific Air and myself under the guise of 'having fun' and by way of sarcastic remarks that would fool no one!" Grams cries out, placing a hand over mouth while doing a fanning motion with the other. I blink a few times with how surprised I am with Grams' performance, something that the jury is mirroring.

"I know this is hard for you, Catherine. But I need you to tell the Court what these accusations and statements are." I say softly.

Grams nods and holds it together for a second before speaking. "S-She told them that Pacific Air was only successful because of everyone's hard work but mine, that I was a 'cancer' within the company. She said that I only worked whenever I felt like it and every issue within the company was solved by her since I didn't care." She trails off and cries heavily again.

I bite my lip and awkwardly watch her in astonishment do this Demi Moore slash Charlize Theron crying thing she'd been practicing with only one eye tearing up. I glance around me to see the jury and Mother sporting the same expression as mine while Kitty looks like she never developed feelings growing up and Gergerpal is visibly crying himself. I hand Grams a handkerchief and peek behind me to see Brittany with her eyebrows raised and wearing a dumbfounded look while Rachel is noticeably affected by Grams' performance and mouthing what looks like 'oh, she's good'.

"W-Well, uh… If you can still continue-" I trail off, unsure at the turn of events that isn't anywhere near with how envisioned it. Grams is certainly dedicated to her character.

"It's o-okay. I have to stand up for what is right." Grams declares and I swear I can see Quinn stifling a laugh from the side.

"Okay, please continue then."

She nods and swallows a lump in her throat. "Jessica told them that I didn't care for her at all. She told them that all I cared about was myself and I was mean and arrogant to the point that I treated her like dirt. She said that I was the worst boss anyone could ever have and all I cared about was money and power."

I nod and sigh deeply. "And what did it mean for you to hear that from her?"

"It left me in ruins!" She says with conviction. "I care deeply for the company and her and to read that in publication was a shock! I take my work very, very seriously and to see it being relegated to dirt or made fun of is something I can't pass up. Being a woman in business is hard enough and to be treated as if I'm nothing after all that hard work leaves me greatly upset, Your Honor and Ladies of the Jury." She adds with the last part directed towards Mother and the women of the jury, a few of them nodding in full acknowledgment of the statement.

"Objection! This is all irrelevant to the case, Your Honor." Brittany huffs once again.

"Well, I think it is seeing that we need to take into consideration how the plaintiff felt about the defendant's betrayal of her trust and understand why Jessica James did just that." I reason out with a hard tone as I face Brittany.

"Now you're just testifying!" She coldly counters.

"I was just answering your objection!" I retort with the same tone.

"Order!" Mother declares and gives us both a sharp look that basically translates to break it off. "Miss Pierce, take your seat! Miss Lopez, stop meddling with my job or you're both in store for a hefty fine!" She adds and I just grit my teeth as I watch Brittany sit down and be talked to by Rachel.

"Yes, Your Honor." I trail off and turn to face Grams again. "Miss Spencer, are Miss James' accusations about you true?"

"No, they aren't."

"Why do you think she made such accusations then?"

"Because I refused to let her go from Pacific Air, it was her way of getting back at me."

"Did you suffer from her damaging statements?"

"Yes. Business was affected and my reputation was damaged by the interviews."

"So, it was a personal attack on you? She acted like a little baby and set out to destroy your reputation by falsely accusing you of such statements and hoping it would damage you enough as revenge."

"Yes, that's true." Grams nods frantically, wiping a stray tear in the process.

"And this is coming from someone who you trusted whole-heartedly with your company and someone you treated like your own child. A person who is now assailing that she's been wrongfully terminated when it fact you had complete and due cause to fire her after you and the business were negatively impacted by those interviews, one that was done 'all in good fun' but fooled no one and the other done in all seriousness and full consciousness that it would damage you all because she wasn't given what she wanted." I narrate with my attention towards the jury.

"Objection! Counselor is testifying!" Brittany angrily exclaims from behind me.

"Sustained." Mother utters. "Miss Lopez, you better have a question somewhere in the next few seconds." She warningly adds.

I nod and face Grams again. "Miss Spencer, does Jessica have any good reason to damage your character and reputation other than the fact that she wasn't able to take the COO job position in Star Airlines?"

"No."

"Were you falsely condemned and criticized by such misleading statements?"

"Yes, I was."

I smirk and turn my attention to Mother. "Thank you. I have no further questions, Your Honor." I glance at Grams to see her slightly smirking and giving me a subtle wink while she's at it.

"Does the defense have any questions?" Mother speaks up just as I walk back to my seat.

"Yes, Your Honor." Brittany, who's beautifully wearing a sleeveless dark heather dress with her hair half up and half down, stands up and walks towards the center of the court. In the brief time we cross each other's path on her way to the center, she gives me a hard stare as if I killed someone. I chuckle inwardly since it's not everyday I get to push her buttons like that.

"Miss Spencer, how would you describe Jessica James as an employee?"

Grams seems to think about it. "She's hard-working, quick to learn, dependable, takes things lightly and not as personal unlike other people."

"How did she do as Pacific Air's Director of Communications?"

"She fulfilled her responsibilities to the best of her abilities. She was fit for the job like no other."

"How about on a personal level? How is she like as your protégé outside the workplace?"

"Objection! Is any of this relevant at all?" I stand up and exclaim with a bored tone while Brittany throws me a look.

"Overruled." Mother retorts and motions for Grams to continue.

"I've come to know Jessica as a cheerful person. She's caring, sweet, and just an all-around easy-going person."

"Well, she certainly sounds like a wonderful person. Are those characteristics the reason why she had become successful?" Brittany asks. I think about whether I should object but ultimately let it go.

Grams squints her eyes, a little fazed. "Yes, I believe so."

"And before she became your protégé, she was already building a career in the Communications department of Pacific Air, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you assailing that it was because of you who caused Jessica's career to skyrocket when she in fact could have climbed the corporate ladder on her own?"

"Objection! Counsel calls for a conclusion!" I chime in.

"Overruled, Miss Lopez."

"Well, I provided her opportunities that would have not been quite possible without my help." Grams continues. Good save.

"Opportunities such as what?" Brittany raises an eyebrow.

"The three-month stint in China for Star Airlines or a quick promotion from AVP of Communications to Director in the span of 4 years, for example."

"So, you're saying that she would have never been promoted at all if it weren't for you, correct?" Brittany slyly smiles. Uh-oh.

"W-Well, no. I was only saying that her promotion arrived faster than most people."

"Because of you?"

"Yes, but-"

"And other people's promotion doesn't come as fast as like hers, correct?"

"Yes, I presume." Grams' forehead creases.

"In short, she only got the Director of Communications position because of you since you had full control of who's going to fill in the job?"

"Objection! Calls for Speculation!"

"Sustained." Mami retorts and turns to Brittany with a look.

Brittany nods. "You said that the reason you couldn't let her go was because you had no one to replace her as Director of Communications in that short span of time, correct?"

"Yes."

"And you've been preparing her to take over the VP of Internal Affairs for how long now?"

"4 years, give or take."

"Miss Spencer, can you say that 4 years is a long time to wait for such a promotion?"

"Well, it was a major role in the company, so-"

"Yes or no, please." Brittany snaps back.

Grams gives me a slightly worried glance before speaking again. "Yes, you can say that."

Brittany squints her eyes and sports a confused expression. "Now, that's contradictory, isn't it? You had no one to replace her in what you say is a 'short time' but you can make her wait 4 years for a promotion that would never seemingly come." Shit.

"Objection! Testifying!" I quickly protest.

"I have questions and I'm trying to make a point, Your Honor." Brittany responds with a side eye towards me.

Mother sighs. "Then make it, Miss Pierce."

Brittany nods and seemingly thinks about something. "Miss Spencer, when exactly were you going to promote Jessica to VP of Internal Affairs?"

Grams tries to recall the answer. "In half a year, maybe less."

"But when an adverse offer comes from Star Airlines, all of a sudden you're now promoting her? That's quite interesting, Miss Spencer. Is there any reason for that?"

I tightly close my fists and calm myself. Goddamn it, I can't let it get to me. "W-Well, the promotion was poised to be given after she comes back from China, not specifically during the time Star Airlines gave her an offer." Grams stutters.

Brittany raises an eyebrow. "I see. You said earlier that you were all for the defendant's growth as a person, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then why did you make her wait 4 years for a promotion? You certainly promoted her for a job faster than most people when she was younger."

"Well, I can't-"

"And if you were really encouraging for her growth then why stop her from getting that significantly higher COO position in Star Airlines?"

"Well, I'm-" Grams tries to reason out but Brittany cuts her off again.

"You see, that's where you contradict yourself, Miss Spencer. You were never supportive of her growth. In fact, you were hindering it. If you were as encouraging as you say, you'd let her go since the COO position is one huge step up from her Director of Communications position. You deliberately thwarted her transfer just because you can. And maybe she was right to call you a selfish power player. You were never defamed in those interviews, Miss Spencer. Maybe you just can't take a joke!"

"Objection! Testifying!" I stand up and angrily exclaim. Mother was just about to say something but Brittany immediately cuts in and continues with her thoughts.

"And by describing the defendant as someone who's cheerful and gives off a fun vibe, it was actually legitimate that she's in fact telling the truth about those interviews being taken out of context. That someone who you've come to treat as your daughter never falsely accused you of anything but rather it was you who took it as an attack by overcompensating by your lack of equality-"

"Badgering, Your Honor!" I voice out as loud as I can while Grams is visibly shaken up with what the hell is happening.

"That you were the one who's unfair when you denied her a promotion and moreover, prevented her from taking a better job by firing her for reasons that are out of her control and certainly, none of her fault. She was only doing her job as the voice of Pacific Air and with a sarcastic comment or joke that you took as an attack on your ego and the company she helped built you with, you're now crying wolf that she deliberately destroyed your reputation when in fact, she only did her job, the job in which she's been stuck in for the past 4 years because of a promotion you so deprived her of, correct?"

"Badgering!" I chime in before anything else happens. If Grams were to answer that with the way she swallows the lump in her throat or how she's staring at her granddaughter with a look that could only be that of fear, then we'd be fucked. Where the fuck did that come from?!

"Sustained, Miss Pierce!" Mother exclaims loudly as she hammers her gavel along with a hard look and a bit of surprise at the blonde's sudden demeanor.

Brittany finally stops and turns to face Mother. "Thank you, Your Honor. I have no further questions." She says in the most nonchalant tone possible.

The whole Courtroom is silent, almost deafening. What you won't miss though is how everyone's sharing a meaningful look. The jury even looks practically impressed and convinced with what occurred just when I thought I had this in the bag. I didn't expect for her to really go all out on Grams! Holy shit. I glance at Rachel on my left and see her looking back at me with raised eyebrows and wide eyes, basically surprised with what the hell just happened before looking away when Brittany takes her seat again. The blonde doesn't even look at me nor talks to Rachel. She blatantly ignores my presence and writes something on her notepad then looks back up at Mother as if nothing happened.

"The witness is excused." Mother exclaims and motions for Gergerpal to take Grams back to her seat.

It takes me at least a few seconds to recover from the ordeal, like Grams beside me who's practically mute as well. I clear my throat and stand up. "Your Honor, we rest our case." I add with a slight hesitation.

Mother shakes her head in amusement then turns back to us. "Let's take a three-minute break before we proceed with the defense." She adds and slams her gavel.

I take a deep breath and get a hold of myself while the Courtroom assumes a relaxed environment. I glance at the jury to see them having a conversation about something, it's only Quinn who seems to catch my stare and returns it with a slight smirk with a knowing look, indicating that I should probably get a move on or I'll lose this freaking trial. Shit. Just when I thought I'd win, she'd come out of nowhere and pull one on me. Grams would have never survived that shit. Brittany's literally turning my own ploy against me like yesterday.

"Do you remember that thing you said about having tricks up your sleeves that would surprise Britty?" Grams whispers beside me. I slowly turn my attention to my right and motion for her to continue. "Well, my dear Selena, now is as good a time as ever to get them out because we're screwed."

---

- Brittany's POV –

I might just win this. No, scratch that. I will win this.

Everyone's been branding me as the underdog and don't get me wrong, I love underdogs but that's just not going to cut with me. I know that taking down an Initiations legend like Santana is a big deal and would practically give me a legendary status by handing her her first loss but that's not the reason why I'm working so hard for this.

I so terribly want this win. I just feel like everything around me is falling into pieces while Santana's on cloud nine. She has the life, the reputation, a wonderful girlfriend in George, and me who's hopelessly pining over her. She knows that I still want to be with her and what do I get? Nothing. I have no life, no darling reputation, certainly no romantic life, and most of all, I don't have Santana. It. Freaking. Sucks.

It's not just a desire to win. I need this win to make myself feel better.

"Hey, Britt." Rachel calls out beside me in a whisper. I look at her a bit absentmindedly and just raise both eyebrows and motion for her to continue. "Are you okay?"

"Uhmm… Y-Yeah. Why won't I be okay?"

"Nothing. I just- I've never seen you so intense." She gives me a calculating look.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just really embracing the whole trial thing." I say with the most convincing tone even if Rachel won't believe a word I'm saying.

Shortly, Maribel comes back to the bench and the whole Courtroom settles down once again. "Is the defense ready with its case?" She looks questioningly at me and I stand up in acknowledgment.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"You may call your first witness, Counselor."

I nod in understanding. "I call the defendant to the stand, Your Honor." I exclaim and briefly, Pal happily takes Rachel to the witness stand. I must say that Gergerpal is probably the happiest role-playing bailiff in the world.

When Rachel's been sworn in by the most apathetic and bored Clerk I've ever seen courtesy of Kitty Wilde, I walk towards the center of the Court and face Rachel. "Miss James, what was the intent behind those two interviews you made about Catherine Spencer and Pacific Air that's being assailed as the basis of the charges against you?"

"I was just trying to lighten up the situation, trying to show my fun side. In fact, it was Catherine Spencer who said that I should try to be a bit informal and show my personality when it comes to interviews and press conferences." Rachel shrugs with a smile.

"So, there was no intent at all to smear Catherine Spencer's reputation or that of Pacific Air's at all?"

"Of course not." She reasons out with conviction. "I loved my job and I respect Catherine Spencer so much not to do anything like that."

"So, why would anyone be given the impression that you would do otherwise?"

"Because it was written media and people evoke different emotions from words and make assumptions by how they see it fit."

"But those were spoken interviews prior to being written, correct?"

"Objection! Counsel is leading the witness!" Santana exclaims behind me.

"Overruled, Miss Lopez." Maribel retorts and turns her attention back on us.

"Yes, they were." Rachel continues.

"Then how would your interviewers evoke different emotions if they were spoken words at first? Surely you conveyed emotions while answering their questions."

"I guess it's just a matter of our respective sense of humor. Some people think you're being serious when you're actually just being sarcastic. Some people can take a joke, others can't." Rachel shrugs and relaxes against her seat.

"Were you aware that maybe they didn't take your words the way you set it to come out?

"No. I thought we were on the same page since they were laughing with me."

"And all along you thought that it was all innocent, that you'd never be taken out of context?" I speak up and glance at Santana behind me. She looks way too confident. I can't help the feelings of frustration in me rising up. She's been deliberately trying to piss me off and get into my head awhile ago with all she's been purposely doing. I hate it. Ugh. Maybe I should give her a dose of her own medicine.

"Yes. I'd never purposely say anything that would damage anyone." Rachel reasons out.

"I see. So, it hadn't cross your mind that maybe your words could damage anyone at all? Or maybe the lack of it?" I say and turn my attention on Santana, giving her a scrutinizing look.

"No, of course. Like I said, it was an informal interview and we were trying to be funny."

"Miss James, have you ever thought of, said, or felt something in particular but acted differently?" I add with a slight smirk on my face. By the looks of it, Santana's about to object but decides against it instead.

"Well, uhmm… I guess. If it's against my better judgment, I suppose." I hear Rachel answer although with an uneasy voice.

"Have you ever told someone a particular statement but it just goes unnoticed?"

"I-I guess." Rachel voices out behind me while my attention is still on a nervous Santana.

"Well, that's what you'd think at first. But then the other person would act otherwise than what they'd make it out to be, making you believe that there is in fact something underneath all that façade. As if you're led on that there's a second chance." I utter rhetorically, squinting my eyes at Santana in the process. Grams slowly glances back and forth at us while the Jury seemingly catches up on what's going on but everyone else in the Courtroom is oblivious.

"Uhmm... I think that-" Rachel stutters but I cut her off again. Slowly, I walk closer towards Santana and see her visibly uncomfortable.

"How ironic is it that you know you're avoiding someone or something over and over again but it's only you who's avoiding yourself-"

"O-Objection! Irrelevant!" Santana exclaims with a bit of a discomfort.

"For you it is." I answer instantly with my eyes sternly trained on her before turning my attention back at Rachel. My eyes glossing over to the jury and Maribel, both parties clearly uneasy. "I was talking about one thing of course: the truth. How everything in the realm of Pacific Air's professional relationship with Miss James had come to a screeching halt, how it all felt apart with spoken words and failure in communication." I pause and flash Rachel a look that we're back in track, something she nods at.

"Miss James, let's talk about the other interview, particularly the serious one. Surely you couldn't have joked around or threw sarcastic comments. How do you explain that?"

"You're right. But like the first interview, I was taken out of context as well. My words were used against me in a manner in which I definitely wasn't aiming for."

"Is there any reason for that to happen?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Yes. It happens more often than not when you give interviews. People may use your words against you and make up an entirely different matter all for effect and controversy. An occupational hazard in the industry, if you may say so."

"So, there was no malice whatsoever in damaging Catherine Spencer and Pacific Air's reputation?"

"Absolutely not."

I nod and look at Maribel. "Thank you. That's all, Your Honor." I add and make my way back to my seat, smirking to myself in the process.

---

- Santana's POV -

Okay. What the hell is going on with Brittany? What the fucking hell just happened back there?! I'm under freaking siege and being bombarded with what seems like her ill feelings about our past. Shit. If she wants to play like that, then she's got it.

"Does the plaintiff have any questions?" Mother calls out from the bench and I stand up in recognition.

"Yes, Your Honor." I reply and walk towards the center of the Court. "Miss James, how would you describe Catherine Spencer as your boss?"

"She's commanding, sure of herself, and knows what she wants and how to get it." Rachel nods.

"Can you say that she's a person who likes to have fun?"

Rachel seems to think about for a second. "Yes, of course."

"Do you think she'd approve of you making fun on her behalf then?"

"Objection! Counsel calls for a conclusion!" Brittany exclaims.

"Sustained. Rephrase your question, Miss Lopez."

I roll my eyes, something that only Rachel catches with the way she's giving me an amused look. "Miss James, can you say that you're careful with your words when it comes to giving interviews and press conferences?"

"Of course, it's part of the job."

"And would you say that you've done a great job of assuming your responsibilities as Director of Communications?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever done any interviews about Catherine Spencer and Pacific Air in the same informal manner?"

"Yes."

"How many would you say?"

Rachel looks up and tries to remember her answer. "More than 10, even 20."

"And you've never been taken out of context prior to those two interviews?"

"No."

"And why is that?"

"Well, maybe it's the fact that they were different interviewers. Two different people and certainly, different ways of interpreting people's words." She says with a grin. I grit my teeth and think about how the hell I'm going to find a hole here. This is probably the hardest wall I've hit so far and it's in a mock trial, no less. Ugh.

"And do you assume that most of time?" I hit back with a mocking tone.

"Objection! Question is vague!" Brittany interjects angrily.

"Sustained. Miss Lopez, rephrase your question." Mother chimes in with a raised eyebrow.

I nod and turn back my attention on Rachel again. "Miss James, you said that people have different ways of interpreting actions and words, correct?"

"Yes, that's what I said." Rachel nods.

"Then surely you could have been more careful in executing an interview regardless of its nature and how long you've been doing your job." I reason out with a shrug and glance at Brittany behind me. "Because let's face it, spoken words are based on emotions and processed thoughts, is it not?"

"Well, I guess-"

"Yes or no, please." I snap back with a raised eyebrow.

Rachel sighs and bites her lip. "Yes."

"And the funny thing about that is your words," I chuckle, training my eyes on Britany. "have an effect on people, be it positive or negative. And they come from deep-seated emotions stemming from deeper feelings of frustration, sadness, or whatever it is that you've decided not to communicate with the other."

"I-I…" Rachel tries to answer behind me but I cut her off instantly with my attention on an uncomfortable Brittany in her seat.

"That maybe the reason why the other is so taken aback by your actions is because you failed to tell them how you really feel, leaving them in the dark and in all honesty, in despair while you seemed to have gone on like nothing's wrong. You weren't taken out of context. You said what you felt and meant what you said!" I pause and walk towards Brittany as I feel myself getting angry.

"That maybe the reason why that person, Catherine Spencer in this instance," I backtrack a little to deviate the attention from me even if everyone who's personally involved in the trial know what I was aiming for already. "is devastated and a little hesitant in repairing your relationship is because she's afraid to be abandoned and left alone again. Because you have no idea what it feels to be jilted! You didn't give her a chance to give her opinion about the matter even with your close relationship with her, no! You decided for yourself and left her all alone, did you not?!" I add, suddenly noticing that I'm not talking to Rachel anymore when I'm clearly facing Brittany almost two feet away from me.

"Objection! Badgering!" Brittany chimes in, trying hard to avoid my gaze.

"Overruled, Miss Pierce." Mother quips turning her attention to a stressed Rachel who's been poorly caught in the crossfire of Brittany and I's Courtroom spat turned personal war.

"Not on a personal level, no." Rachel answers hesitantly. I contemplate whether or not I should push for more since the statement is a little vague but seeing that she's already been the means to vent Brittany and I's frustrations indirectly, I decided not to and clear my throat instead to take a moment to compose myself.

I sigh deeply and look at Mother. "I have no further questions, Your Honor."

"Witness is excused." Mami exclaims.

"The defense rests its case, Your Honor." Brittany chimes in, a little rattled. I glance at her just as she settles and relaxes against her seat, probably thinking that it's all over.

Mother nods and writes something on her notepad just as I settle in my seat. "Selena, what's going to happen now? Are we going to win?" Grams whispers beside me.

"I don't know, Grams. It's a little lopsided. We need something to get the jury to unanimously side with us or we'll get a mistrial." I mumble back with my mind running a thousand thoughts per second.

"I have no idea what that means but if we want to win this, you need to pull out something from your back pocket."

It's true. There's no clear winner yet. This trial has gotten a whole lot more personal since Brittany pulled that bit a while ago to disconcert me which was very successful.

I take a glance on my left to see Brittany with her arms crossed and waiting for Mother to finish talking to the jury, looking a bit flustered as well. Hmm… I think I still have a chance. If what I did threw her off then maybe if I go beyond that, I could ruffle her feathers enough to have the jury see the inconsistencies in their arguments.

I take a deep breath and hastily locate the document I've been keeping as my Plan B if worse comes to worst. I've got one golden card left as a defense. My Hail Mary Pass. If it works out right, I will win this the whole damn way by doing something I've never done in my whole career.

"Since both sides have already rested their cases and there aren't any more witnesses, let's finish this trial by proceeding to the closing statements-"

"Your Honor?" I stand up and call out, surprising everyone in the Courtroom especially Brittany.

"Yes, Miss Lopez?" Mother gives me a quizzical look.

"I do have one more witness I'd like to call." I trail off and Brittany gives me a hard glare before standing up.

"Your Honor, Counsel did not declare any witness other than that of the plaintiff herself." She reasons out with a raised eyebrow and Mother turns her attention on me as if to let me rebut the blonde's statement.

"Well, that's because the witness is a hostile one."

Brittany actually huffs. "Hostile? That's still irrelevant since you've already rested your case after I did."

"That would be so but according to Jarvis versus State of New York, counsel may call on a witness under a 'special nature' even after it has rested its case." I retort and grab the paper in front of me before walking towards the bench to give the document to Mother.

"'Special nature'? And what exactly is that 'special nature'?" Brittany spews out angrily.

"When as provided by United Phosphorus versus Midland Fumigant, the plaintiff's counsel, by way of establishing that the opposing side has personal knowledge such as the one stated in the facts of the case, can call on the defendant's counsel to take the stand." I confidently exclaim for everyone to hear. I slowly turn around and train my eyes on her completely.

"I call Brittany Pierce to the stand, Your Honor."

The whole Courtroom goes silent that you could hear a pin drop. I glance at the jury on my left and see all five of them sporting shocked faces, same goes for Grams and Rachel a few feet in front of me. Brittany, on the other hand, flashes me a hard stare that's bordering on surprise and unwillingness to give in to my demand. I know that she knows she can't do anything about this. It was stated in the facts that Jessica James' counsel was a close confidante of the defendant and working for Pacific Air during the time the events transpired. Solid argument right there.

"Miss Lopez, if you call me to the stand then everything would just fall upon attorney-client privilege since we're dealing with the facts of the case I have personal knowledge of but also coincides with my client's words." She utters begrudgingly with her stare resting on me.

"Try me." I retort almost instantly with a knowing look at her.

"Unless you have anything to rebut this statement then I must ask you to take the stand, Miss Pierce." Mother, who had been absolutely impartial in dealing with our trial, utters and looks a little worried at the idea.

Brittany grits her teeth and looks down for a moment to process the statement or possibly contemplate her options. Within a second or two, she breathes deeply and nods in recognition of Mother's words. She gives Rachel a quick glance before making her way towards the witness stand where Kitty swears her in.

I smirk inwardly and face her as she takes her seat. I think of the appropriate questions I could ask her since if I'm right, she'll just repeatedly assert her right to refuse implicating herself or pleading the fifth as they call it. She tries to act unfazed by this but underneath that cold demeanor she's showing off, I can see that I've somehow shatter her definite expectations of winning not more than a minute ago.

"You look really stunning, Miss Pierce." I tease with an alluring tone as I make the few steps closer to her, letting my obvious gaze wander on her just to piss her off. "Can I call you Brittany?" I add with a smirk. She rolls her eyes at me and just shrugs wordlessly, relaxing against her seat and crossing her legs in the process to act confident. I smile and stop just in front of her, just an arm away to be exact.

"Did Miss James purposely smear Catherine Spencer's reputation by doing those two assailed interviews?"

"I decline to answer in pursuant to my fifth amendment rights." She replies instantly.

"Were you aware of Miss James' plan to tarnish the plaintiff's name by making false accusations of her during the aforementioned interviews?"

"I decline to answer in pursuant to my fifth amendment rights." She counters once again, this time with a slight smirk on her face.

"Were you aware of any possible ill-feelings Jessica James might have against Catherine Spencer?" I voice out and a few seconds pass by without her saying anything, probably thinking again if there's something to object to or if it's within her rights. "What? No answer? May I remind you that you're under threat of perjury here-" I add with a teasing smirk before she cuts me off this time.

"Then hold me in contempt." She spits out with indifference and a cocky little smirk.

I bite my lip and feel myself getting frustrated. I close my fists tightly then turn my back at Brittany for a bit, facing Grams right now who's giving me a curious and nervous look. I can't win this just by the facts. She wanted to make this trial personal, didn't she? Then let's play.

"Have you ever been abandoned, Miss Pierce?" I say with a smirk and approach the stand slowly.

The question catches her off-guard, something that almost everyone in the Courtroom mirrors. "W-What?"

"Well, have you?" I shrug and stop just a few feet in front of her.

She squints her eyes at me and looks hesitant to speak. "No, I haven't."

I nod with a smile, putting on a show as if I'm riding on her words. "Well, have you ever abandoned anyone before?"

She sighs deeply and coolly looks at Mother. "Your Honor, I don't see any reason why this is all relevant."

"It is, Your Honor. I'm just building the foundation of my argument." I counter which seems to appease Mami who motions for me to continue instead, much to Brittany's disappointment. "So, Miss Pierce, have you abandoned anyone before?"

She bites her lip and thinks about it for a moment. Maybe she's catching on to what I'm trying to do now. "No, I don't think I have."

"Are you sure?" I emphasize with a smirk.

"Objection. Speculative." She utters without taking her eyes off of me, probably hoping that I won't see right through her and how she's a little scared of going that road.

"Sustained. Miss Lopez?" Mother chimes in and throws me a warning look. I nod and walk towards the left side of the Courtroom and think of the next question in my head. "Miss Pierce, how long have you worked for Pacific Air?"

"About 5 years." She replies with a bored tone.

"Why did you leave Pacific Air?"

Brittany shrugs. "I've reached my peak in the company. I didn't see myself growing professionally there anymore."

"And what exactly was your job in Pacific Air?"

"I was a Legal Associate for Pacific Air under the Communications Department."

"That's how you came to know Jessica James, I presume?"

"Yes."

"What was your relationship with her?"

"She was my boss." She voices out. "She was AVP during my first year as an Associate and was promoted to Director the year after that."

I nod first and close in on her again. "Did you have a close professional relationship with her?"

"Yes. Since I was working under her department, I closely collaborated with her like the entire legal department was."

"How about on a personal level? Are you friends?"

She raises an eyebrow at me before speaking. "Yes, we're good friends."

"So, has she ever told you anything about quitting Pacific Air before?"

"I decline to answer in-" She tries to go on but I cut her off immediately.

"Yeah, yeah. I know what you're going to say. You can't tell me, I know. You never told me anything anyway." I raise an eyebrow at her and say dismissively with a shrug, catching her off-guard and surprising the nervous jury.

"Anyway, back to you," I trail off and look back at Brittany again. "What was your reaction when you read about Miss James' interviews, particularly the ones used as basis for the present case?"

"W-Well, I…" She stutters for a bit, making me smirk slightly. Now I'm finally getting to her. "I was shocked with the tone of the interview." She adds.

"Why is that?"

"Because I know Jessica and she'd never deliberately do anything like that. She was completely taken out of context."

"I see." I nod for show. "So, this is all based on the fact that you know the defendant on a personal basis, correct?"

"Yes."

"And because you two are friends, you know her personal interests and probably, goals and dreams if we want to be sappy, correct?"

Brittany blinks a few times. "W-Well, I guess."

"So, we can say that you might have known that she had wanted to leave Pacific Air for some time before the offer from Star Airlines came, am I right?"

"U-Uhmm… Jessica and I never really-"

"Yes or no please." I snap back and give her a warning glance.

She sighs deeply first before speaking. "Yes."

"And do you support her leaving Pacific Air as her friend?"

"I-It's her personal decision. I can't-"

"Yes or no, goddamn it." I exclaim a little too loud, surprising her with my tone and earning a warning glance from Mother.

She looks a bit frightened before speaking again. "Y-Yes, you can say that."

"So, you knew all along that she had wanted to leave. And coming from someone who quit because she wasn't moving up the corporate ladder, you enabled it and in a way supported her decision to get another job, a completely better one, correct?"

"N-No, I didn-"

"You knew that Jessica James deliberately said all those things because she was frustrated with her job, a job that millions would kill for." I pause and glare at a disconcerted Brittany.

A hundred thoughts and my pent-up feelings of our history together slowly creep up on me along with the memories of our past. I try to hold back on my anger but as I stare into her eyes, I feel this sudden urge to unload every little repressed thought I've ever had since we fell apart.

"And here's the catch, Jessica never discussed her feelings of discontentment with Catherine or gave her a heads up that she was leaving. She just made an executive decision upon herself and went for it. As if there was never any kind of personal foundation between her and Catherine because, let's be blunt, she was selfish, isn't she?" I trail off with a spiteful tone directed at Brittany who's slowly catching up that I'm not talking about the trial anymore.

"No, that's not t-true-" She counters but I rudely cut her off.

"She never cared that Miss Spencer was willing to work it out regardless of the nature or distance of her work, not at all. Jessica thought she can decide for herself without affecting other people. She thought she knew better than someone who clearly cared for her all those years!" I pronounce and don't give her the chance to answer. "She left her for something better!" I spit out in anger.

"I-I-" Brittany looks completely frazzled and at a loss for words.

"She left her because she was selfish!"

"Wha-"

"She didn't give her a chance before she left her!"

"Santana!" I hear Quinn exclaim just enough for me to hear. I pay her no mind and continue glaring at Brittany.

"What? No answer?! It's true, isn't it? She didn't even discuss anything with her prior to her departure, she made a decision by herself to leave everything behind because she felt she knew better!"

"N-No! That's not true!" Brittany counters, stuttering a little.

"Bullshit!" I declare with disbelief disregarding Mami's glare at me. "She left her without regard for the other's feelings!"

"Objection! Badgering!" Rachel worriedly exclaims behind me.

"You are not counsel in this proceeding, Miss James. Sit down!" Mother angrily retorts and I cut in instantly, not really paying any attention on anyone other than Brittany.

"She left her for no reason other than her own selfish ones! She didn't care about anything but herself!"

"That's not-"

"She left her because she never cared about her!" I slam my hands on the witness stand's door in front of Brittany, making her jump in fear and getting her even dazed.

"N-No-"

"She left her!" I shout much louder this time.

"That's enough!" Grams shouts with a serious tone behind me.

"You. Left. Me!" I exclaim with so much anger.

The Courtroom is incredibly silent. The Jury and Mother are looking at us with shock and worry. Grams and Rachel, who are both on their feet, are staring nervously at us. It's funny that for everyone else, this is just for show or it's part of the trial only. But in reality, it's so much more than that. I look up to face Brittany and see her almost in tears. And only this time do I realize the damage I've inflicted. I broke her in front of everyone just because I wanted to win. I've definitely got it in the bag this time, no questions about that. I broke her enough to actually get the upper hand. All I have to do is go for the kill, break her down just a little more, and the win is all mine. But. I don't understand why am I having second thoughts about it just by looking at Brittany right now.

"I need a second, Your Honor." I mumble just enough for Mother to hear.

I take a deep breath and glance at the floor to get myself together for a second. I turn around and walk back just in front of the table where Grams and I are settled. I massage my temples as I my thoughts inexplicably wander to a certain memory that I've tried so hard to forget.

---

2 years ago

Brittany's in town for a surprise weekend visit. It literally surprised me because she's been quite distant these past few weeks or maybe that's just us getting weird with each other and the fact that we barely get to talk about us anymore. Regardless, I'm always happy to see her and this visit couldn't have come at a perfect time when I have this gut feeling that we're slowly slipping away from each other.

The weekend went by a little too fast for my liking and suddenly, it's Sunday again. Like last night, it was mostly spent in bed, catching up with stories, and sleeping or eating in between. It's 6pm already and she'll be going soon again which honestly makes me really sad. She's already packed her things and is ready to go. The image of her leaving only justifies my want to not see her go away anymore. I want to experience life everyday with the love of my life. Dammit. I don't even know when I'll see her again. I can't bear being away from her anymore.

"So, I had this dinner meeting with Elliot the other day and we were closing off deals for his new fashion line venture, really cool guy that one." I trail off and Brittany slightly nods without looking at me. "Anyway, he's been dying to meet you because apparently, I talk about you constantly. Then he also told me that he's friends with that famous up and coming wedding planner who would be happy to work for us if we start planning ours." I continue happily and give her a look that only falls flat when she doesn't seem to be listening at all.

"Babe?" I call out for her Brittany who's sitting beside me pushing around food in her half-eaten plate. We're almost halfway done with dinner and right now my mind's just basically out there and going a hundred miles per minute.

"Yeah?" She looks up absentmindedly.

"You've being awfully quiet all weekend. What are you thinking about?"

"Just stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" I say innocently as I put a piece of steak in my mouth.

She seems to hesitate for a bit and takes a hefty sip of her wine first before speaking. "There's something I need to tell you."

The alarm bells in my brain goes off for some reason. I put down the cutlery in my hand and push back the uneasiness her words are making me feel by focusing all my attention on her. "You're making me nervous, Britt. What is it?"

She sighs deeply prior to speaking and places a hand on mine that's resting on the table. "I had a talk with Mrs. Jones and the Board the other day and we discovered that the London sector still isn't close to recovering right now. They said that it's going to take more time, maybe a year or two, probably even more to fix things completely and-"

My breath hitches and I bite my lip. "Britt, just say it."

"I don't think I'm moving back here anytime soon, San. Maybe not anymore."

I swallow the lump in my throat and blink a couple of times, absolutely speechless with wide eyes and open mouth. I release her hold on my hand and stand up from my seat to take a breather with my back towards Brittany. Shit, I feel like fainting.

"San, it wasn't official until the other day and-" Brittany utters with a pleading tone behind me.

"You're not coming back." I say with a nonchalant tone, visibly numb and shocked. I glance back at her and see that she looks devastated. "How long have you known?"

"Two weeks." She answers hesitantly.

"And you didn't even care to tell me?!" I exclaim a little angrily this time and put a hand on my forehead. I turn my back on Brittany to let everything sink in for a moment before facing her again, looking like she's on the verge of crying. "We're engaged, Britt! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"We weren't talking much then and I-I didn't know how to tell you. It was just too much-"

"But this is important! I don't care if we've fought or we're not talking to each other or even if we're busy. I know you barely tell me things anymore but you have to tell me shit like this, Britt!"

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Surely there's something we can do about this, right?" I utter desperately. "You've been there for almost a year now maybe you can pass the position on to someone else, like Mrs. Jones. I mean, Pierce Industries is doing wonderful here. The headhunter could get someone to replace you there and you can come home here." I reason out exasperatedly and train my eyes on her. As I do so, I notice that she's trying hard to avoid my gaze. Knowing her, it's as if she's been getting ready for this moment and she's already made up her mind about the situation.

"San…" Brittany trails off. I see how apologetic she looks and I'm almost certain what she's going to say that's going to break my heart into a million pieces. "I think we should break up." She softly adds.

I feel my heart drop and if it's even humanely possible, combust from sadness, confusion, and every little negative emotion in between. My chest physically hurts as if I'm about to have a heart attack. I feel like fainting or possibly dying. "W-What? How can you even say that?" I barely get to whisper.

She walks the few steps towards me and holds me on both sides of my face. "H-Hey. I-I don't want this too, okay? But this is what we need, we both know that."

I place my hands on hers and remove her hold on my face forcefully. "N-No! We're not breaking up, Britt. We can work this out! I'll move there and we'll be fine!"

"No, San. We've been over this countless times." She sighs and I see her eyes water. "I don't want you to end up like me. You have no idea how I feel after I gave up everything here in New York. I don't want you to resent me when the time comes-"

"That won't happen, Britt. I-"

"It will happen, San. You have a wonderful career here and a few years you'll be one of the most-sought after lawyers in New York. You can't give that up for me. I will never, ever let you do that."

I feel the tears welling up in my eyes and looking at her right now, I can see that she's holding back on crying herself. "No, I don't care about that. I-I…" I swallow a painful lump in my throat and stare into her eyes. "All of that doesn't matter, okay? I'm moving there with you. I'll call Mother right now and we'll be on the next plane to London and-" I ramble on. Before I even get to move, she stops me in my tracks and shakes her head.

"Please, San. Don't make it as difficult as it is already." She whispers. "We've been suffering for the past few months and I think we've both known for a while that it's not been working out the way we want to."

"No, please don't." I plead, my tears completely free falling now. "P-Please don't leave me. I need y-you."

"But this is what we need." She retorts in the softest way possible. She tries to gather herself with tears falling on her face right now. "My life is thousands of miles away and you're living yours here. We've sacrificed enough for each other, it's time to face reality. I'm not coming back, Santana."

"B-But- Don't I even get a say in this?! You don't get to decide for me! Britt, we're in this together! I don't want to break up. I can wait for you. I can set up my private practice there and-" I could go on and on but it won't matter now because I know deep in my heart that she's right and once she's made a decision, there's no turning back. I let out a loud sigh and cry my heart out against her embrace.

Brittany kisses me on the forehead and tightens her arms around me. "I-I can't anymore, San. I've made up my mind already. It's just going to cause more pain for us down the road. Let's just do the mature thing here."

I try to stifle my cries and try my hardest to remain in her embrace even if she's motioning to let go already. "N-No! Y-You can't go!"

"I-I have to. I'm sorry, San. Please don't follow me or I won't be able to go." She utters with those eyes showing inscrutable pain and sorrow while trying hard to show that she's completely set on her decision even though I know it's half-hearted. Brittany pries me off of my hold on her and grabs her luggage while I try to prevent her from leaving.

"B-Britt, please! Don't leave me!"

She sighs deeply and closes the gap between us to give me one last kiss. "You know I will always love you the most." She utters with a break in her voice before finally leaving my apartment and seemingly my life.

---

Present day

"Miss Lopez?"

I'm taken off my thoughts and I blink a couple of times as I try to find who's calling out for me.

"Miss Lopez?" Mother voices out and I meet her gaze this time albeit with confusion. I face her with a dumfounded look and she only gives me a worried glance. "Are you alright?"

I try to answer but I suddenly notice that my mouth is just completely dry and I'm unable to let out even the smallest of words. I just nod half-heartedly and swallow the lump in my throat and literally feel a burn as I do so. I focus my stare on Brittany this time and notice how completely downtrodden she is with tears welling in her eyes. I went overboard and I realize now that I've hurt her badly with my words and the impact of bombarding her with all my pent-up emotions. I destroyed her by making it so personal, she didn't even get a chance to defend herself.

"Would you like to continue?" Mother speaks up once again and motions to Brittany on the witness stand.

I glance behind me and see Grams staring back at me with a worried expression. I don't have anything to prove but Brittany does. A lot. I have a reputation to uphold and with just three simple questions, I'm going to win this all the way. Never mind the reputation aspect, this is my freaking job. I've done so much trouble already I just want this to end. I just have to go for the kill. I sigh deeply and push back all the thoughts preventing me to do my job and look back at Mother.

"Y-Yes, Your Honor." I let out with a bit of hesitation. I walk the few steps towards Brittany as I make up the questions I have to say.

Her eyes suddenly focus on me and I see the unfathomable pain behind them. I look back on everything that's happened since she's been back and so much emotions bombard me with the truth. I've done nothing but avoid her and she's done everything to reach out to me just to become a part of my new life now. She told me she wants me back and I know fucking well that I want her back too but what did I do? I run away from reality like I always do and more so, led on a wonderful girl who I don't deserve at all. And now, I just totally destroyed the person I care about the most all because of my frustrations of never having moved on from something we so badly needed then.

I realize now more than ever that she doesn't want to win because she needs to prove something. She wants to win because with everything she's been through since she got back, all that she's been handed is a loss. I can't imagine how hard it is to watch Quinn and I stroll around like we own the place with our wonderfully built reputations on hand while she's just starting just now from the bottom. Or how difficult it has been for her to ease back into her environment as if she's a stranger. And how devastating it must be to see me with someone else when the only thing she wants the most is to be with me.

She needs the win. She needs it so badly.

"M-Miss Pierce, d-do you-" I trail off and find myself with such a shaky voice.

I clear my throat and glance back down before giving out the deepest sigh I could muster. I look back at Brittany and see the confusion on her face. I avoid her gaze and feel myself close to convulsing with all these thoughts rounding my head. I can't go through with this, not with everything's she's been through and what I've done to her. No amount of reputation can replace or equal in the very least what I feel for Brittany. She's more important than anything else and the thought of her hurting her more is beyond words.

I can't. It's just a trial, after all.

I clear my throat and glance back at Mother on my left. "Forgive me, Your Honor. I was mistaken. I have no further questions." I exclaim and walk back to my place beside Grams much to the surprise of everyone personally involved in the trial, knowing full well the consequences of my actions and the impact of it on the trial.

"Are you sure?" Mother reiterates and gives me a questioning look. I look back at Brittany and see her wearing the same anxious expression from a while ago.

"Yes, Your Honor. The plaintiff rests its case." I declare and take my seat with my stare set firmly on the ground even with everyone's gaze on me.

"The Witness is excused." I hear Mami declare and momentarily, I see Brittany settling on her seat in my peripheral vision. A moment of silence ensues with the whole Courtroom waiting for the next thing to happen and at the same time, trying to catch up with everything that had just occurred.

"Well then…" Mother's unsure voice echoes in the room. "It has been a long week and I believe we all deserve a good rest. Thank you for participating once again on a Lopez Hayward tradition." Mother adds and everyone breaks out into an applause. "Seeing that there's a celebratory feast for this successful week waiting for everyone on the 35th floor, I think we can forego with the closing statements since I believe everyone can use a three-minute break and at the same time, the jury can discuss their verdict among themselves. Unless of course there's an objection?" She signals for Brittany and I to answer and we both shake our heads. Mother nods and discusses the law the jury must follow in deciding the case before calling for the three-minute break she had declared a while ago.

I still haven't bulged for the past few minutes and if I'm correct, so has Brittany. I know what's going to happen anyway and I'm only staying for the sake of sportsmanship. Everyone who's not involved in the trial is now in high spirits without having a care in the world and just excited to get on with the party downstairs. The break is almost up and the jury's done discussing by the looks of it when a thought comes up in my mind.

"Why do you want to win so bad, Grams?" I finally speak up without looking at the older woman beside me. It takes a few seconds but she answers anyway.

"I don't. It was Brittany who told me to push you to win." She utters nonchalantly and I look at her questioningly. "She said that you'll hold back on her during the trial which was amazingly right." She pauses and gives me a look. "And that no matter what happens, I should make sure that you won't hesitate or feel alone in this because we're a team and we should give it everything we've got to win. She said something about fairness and common ground, around the lines of beating you at your best if she ever does win."

"W-What?"

"Yeah. She was the one who told me that you still don't have someone to play your witness and no one else is available. I told her I was busy with work but she tried to convince me and hoped that I'd take it. She didn't know I took it anyway until yesterday morning."

"W-Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, she told me not to tell you because you weren't asking for help even though you terribly needed it. She also told me that if I told you about her, you'll just brush me off and go on with your lone wolf thing. You would have probably lost the trial yesterday too since you held back on her. My, Britty knows you too well." She adds with a soft smile.

Huh.

Mother comes back and takes her seat in the judge's bench while everyone goes silent again. "Will the jury foreperson please stand?" She addresses our friends and I see Tina stand up. "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?" Mother adds and waits for her to speak.

"Yes, Your Honor." Tina answers.

Kitty walks over to Tina and grabs the verdict form from the latter and hands it over to Mother who reads it silently at first before looking up once again, possibly reading it herself instead of Kitty doing it.

"The jury finds the defendant not guilty. Court rules in favor of Jessica James." Mother exclaims and slams her gavel. "The jury is thanked and excused. Court is adjourned." She adds.

The declaration elicits a huge round of applause. A few of them stand up to leave the Courtroom while a handful walk towards Brittany to offer their congratulations. I block out everything that could stimulate an emotion and hang my head low while gathering my things as fast as I could. I glance up one last time to see Mother giving me a knowing look while the jury are flashing me that of worry.

"Excuse me." I barely whisper to no one in particular and swiftly move out from my position before anyone, particularly Brittany, can approach me. I walk out of the Courtroom as fast as I could and make my way to the elevators, just in time to stop one of them going up from closing it doors. I punch our office floor two floors up and basically force it to close just so I can get a breather. I have to get away from here as fast as I can.

---

- Brittany's POV -

I won.

A few minutes and the image of people making their way to congratulate me seemed to have let that sink in. But I shouldn't have won at all. Santana was the rightful winner and everyone who's involved in the trial knows it. If she hadn't held back. If only she went full throttle. But no, I only realized what she did when she refused to go for the kill all because of me. She threw the trial because of me. She didn't want to hurt me any more than she already had. She knew that I needed the win not for the purpose of winning per se but for me.

I'm a little overwhelmed by the swarm of people surrounding me right now but I still manage to catch a glimpse of Santana hastily walking out of the Courtroom. I glance at the others and notice that they all caught the scene as well with worried faces. I ignore everyone around me and without hesitation, walk out of the Courtroom as fast as I can to try to catch up with Santana. People are starting to make way for the elevators as well and thankfully, I notice that only one of the elevator cars is making its way up and stops at our office floor based on the digital indication above it.

My mind goes into overdrive as I basically run towards the staircase not too far from the elevators and make my up to our office floor, taking two steps at a time. Since everyone is in the Courtroom and probably making their way down to the prepared feast, our floor is deserted. I take a few deep breaths as soon as I reach the lobby of our floor and soon after, walk quickly towards our office corner. True enough, I see Santana's silhouette in her office facing the window. Without delay, I barge in her office and don't even try to hold back on whatever feelings I've been cooping up inside.

"What the hell was that?!" I huff, stopping just in front of her table. Santana doesn't even flinch at my words. She slowly turns around and looks back at me with so much pain in her eyes.

"It's over, Britt. You won. Just let it go." Santana utters softly.

"I don't care about winning a stupid mock trial, Santana! But why did you have to throw the trial?! And what you just pulled off back there? You've never talked to me about it all this time and you're suddenly going off like that?!"

"I said, let it go." She utters warningly.

"I'm not going to let this go! You've held back way too much on saying what you truly feel about me and now that I'm giving you the chance to air it, you step back?"

"What more do you fucking want?! I've told you everything I've been feeling for the past two years back in that fucking Courtroom!" She shouts angrily. "You started by making it personal, Britt. Don't act like the victim here."

"No one is acting like the victim! If anything, you're a coward for not confronting me like a decent human being with what you've held back on!"

"Oh, so I'm a coward, huh?" Santana huffs with a sarcastic chuckle. "Did you think that it was easy for me back there? To badger you in front of everyone?! I couldn't take it but I had to do that because it's my job!"

"It's not your job to protect my feelings!"

"Well, clearly that was your intent when you left because you thought you knew better than me." She huffs and this time, I just lose it.

"How dare you hold me in contempt for doing the right thing?! You know damn well why we broke up!"

"But it is true!" She scoffs back and settles herself in front of me. "You left me! You abandoned me, Britt! You never gave me a fucking say on the matter, you just went with what you wanted and left me!"

"It was for us and you know it! Do you think our relationship would have survived back then? I only saved what we have left."

"It wasn't for you to make that decision! I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth but you were so busy on looking after what you thought what was best for me when it was only you that I wanted!" She exclaims with so much emotion. I take a moment to calm down and gather all my emotions before I start weeping uncontrollably. I look up again and this time, I see our friends and Grams making their way towards us with anxious faces.

"I-I don't know what you want from me here. Do you want me to say it, is that it?" I trail off. "Fine. I'm still in love with you, Santana. I never stopped loving you. Breaking up with you was the biggest mistake of my life."

"J-Just stop, Britt. Please." She avoids my gaze. "You don't have the right to tell me things like that."

I sigh just as Quinn enter Santana's office with a solemn expression. "Santana, I told you before that I wanted you back and for a minute there I thought you felt the same way but I was mistaken."

"There's nothing left to talk about, Britt. We're already done." She retorts trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't even know why you're still here. You knew from the very start that it wasn't a good idea."

"No, we're not done." I interject after a few seconds. "You and I will always be unfinished business, Santana." I spew out angrily. "If you really don't want me here then this time, I'm gone." I add before turning on my heels and leaving this godforsaken place.

---

- Santana's POV -

I wake up feeling numb inside. Refreshed but unable to shake the heavy feeling in my heart.

After the trial and fighting with Brittany, I decided to abandon any plans that I have with anyone and just sleep it all off. I made sure to lock my bedroom door just in case Quinn or our friends had any plans of barging in, turned off my phone, put the air conditioner on blast, and burrowed myself in the warmth of my comforter. Just anything to block the outside world. I'm not even sure what time or year it is now but I feel invigorated after napping for fuck knows how long. I stretch out my limbs for a bit and glance at the clock to see that it's only around 10pm. Oh well. I purse my lips and reach for the phone on my nightstand.

Upon turning it on, I immediately receive a bunch of messages. I open my inbox and see that they're mostly from my friends urging me to go out and join them for our already planned weekend activities. I scroll down to search for the one name I'm truly hoping to see but nothing. As if she'll talk to me after our spat in my office anyway. Instead, I see one from George sent not more than two hours ago.

From George Dawson: Hey sweetie! I'm still at work. Surgery ran a little late but I'll head home a little before midnight, I guess. How did the trial go? Xx

I breathe deeply and almost hit myself right in the face for almost forgetting about George. Shit. I'm such an awful person. Before I get to overthink about my situation with her, a new message comes in and this time, it's from Quinn.

From Q Fabby: S, I know you're not in the mood to go out tonight but Brittany's about to head home in a while. We miss you out here. Drop by at Cedes' if you can.

I bite my lip and slowly sit up from my bed. I contemplate on whether or not I should go and have fun with them. I'm not really in the mood to socialize though I never really had to when I'm with them. I could just kick back and watch my friends make a fool of themselves and they wouldn't push me to do anything because they know me too well. Yeah, sure. I could use the fun and the alcohol. I just need to do something that I should have done long before.

After taking a quick shower and dressing up in comfortable jeans and sweatshirt to combat the cold air brewing at this time of the year, I drive towards my destination and process the words I need to say once I arrive there. It's not much but she deserves it nonetheless.

I park my car in the nearest spot I could find from the entrance of the building then shortly enter the place where I'm graced by white walls and spotless floors. Momentarily, I find myself settling in the quiet cafeteria and waiting by one of the tables in the middle of the room. I look up just in time to see her walking towards my way with a big smile on her face.

"Hi! I wasn't expecting you at all." George trails off and gives me a quick kiss on the lips that catches me a bit off-guard then takes the seat across from me. "I'm almost done doing paperwork with the other doctors. What are you doing here?"

"I asked for you and they told me you were doing your rounds, so I just asked them to tell you I'll be waiting here."

George chuckles and places her hands on mine. "No, silly. I mean, what are you doing here in the hospital? I thought you had plans with your friends all weekend?"

"O-Oh." I stutter and look down at the table. She must have sensed my dilemma judging by how her smile slowly falters while looking at me.

"Santana, what's wrong?"

I try to avoid her gaze and bite my lip as hard as I can. I need to do this. I take one last deep breath and train my gaze on the blue eyes looking back at me, scrutinizing my every move as if to decode my behavior.

"George, we need to break up." I utter carefully. She doesn't move nor react at all for the first few seconds. Instead, she looks down and slowly retracts her hands from mine then bites her lip.

"I know." She says softly, almost surprising me. "We had this coming for a long time now, don't we?"

"T-This was all my fault. You didn't do anything wrong at all. I'm sorry." I reason out. She doesn't reply and instead looks up once again.

"It's Brittany, isn't it?" She voices out with a sad tone. I feel awful for hurting such a wonderful person but I have only myself to blame for this. The least I could do is be honest because she deserves it after everything that's happened.

"Yes." I confirm with a slight nod.

"Are you still in love with her, Santana?"

"I don't think I ever stopped." I say with honesty. She slightly nods and sighs deeply while she's at it.

"Did you ever-" She trails off and just gives me a knowing look to fill in the blanks myself.

I shake my head confidently as to what she's pertaining. "I could never cheat on you or anyone."

Surprising me even further by how she's seemingly taking things without even crying, a small smile takes over her features. "Brittany is an extremely lucky girl." She voices out and continues with her thoughts. "I just have to ask this. D-Did you ever have genuine feelings for me?"

"Yes, I did. Any person would be lucky to have you, George. It's just that-"

"I'm not the one for you. It's always been Brittany." She finishes my statement. I nod while hanging my head low.

"I-I'm really, really sorry for everything."

"Don't be sorry." George mutters with a bittersweet smile, holding my hands once again. "I told you, I love happy endings. I would never stand in the way of that. You and Brittany have an undying love that only the rest of the world could wish for."

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I've been so unfair to you. And I-"

"You've been nothing but wonderful." She cuts me off and squeezes my hands to reassure me. "Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be just fine."

Once again, I find myself staring at this amazing woman who has been nothing but incredible in every sense of the word even at this time when anyone would usually react differently than she has.

"Thank you for being honest with me." She speaks up again with a sincere tone.

Suddenly, I hear a sound go off and she checks something from her pocket before looking back at me. "Well, duty calls. So…" She trails off and I nod in recognition of her statement. We both stand up from our seats and I take the initiative to pull her in for a hug, something she eagerly returns.

We let go after a few seconds and she motions to walk away but not before giving me one last smile. "Goodbye, Santana."

I return her smile without saying anything else. She turns around then proceeds to walk away from me while I'm left to smile contentedly as I watch her leave.

---

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