- Santana's POV –

1 year, 11 months ago

It's been a month since Brittany and I broke up.

It still hasn't completely sunk in yet and the best I could do so far is admit that Brittany broke up with me. I can't recall exactly what happened after she left our apartment a month ago. All I remember is that I tried to stop Brittany from riding the elevators until Quinn and Rachel came out to hold me back as I cried hysterically.

I've been barely functioning since then. I've barely talked to anyone.

At one point, our friends came to visit me with the hope of getting me out of my slump but to no avail. My parents, Grams, and the Pierces themselves sans Brittany have been incessantly trying to reach out to me but I resort to brushing them off too. I know it's wrong and unfounded but a part of me is furious at Quinn and Rachel for holding me back that night. Hence, I've hardly talked to them as well amidst their efforts of connecting with me.

I tried contacting Brittany. Calls, messages, just anything and everything but she's not answering at all. It's the worst fucking feeling ever. I've tried talking to everyone who might help me in reaching her including Grams, but even she's not helping me about that part, presumably under Brittany's instructions. Goddamn it. I just feel so helpless and empty inside. I don't even see the point of waking up in the morning when it's only in my dreams that I get to see and talk to Brittany. I feel so broken. So numb. So devastated. I fucking hate it.

As the days pass by though, I slowly feel myself resenting Brittany. Getting mad at her is so foreign to me that I'm not sure what to feel. The constant thought of her leaving me without giving me any choice or opinion on the matter not only hurt me but affected my life in ways I never thought possible.

It's the same story at work. Probably worse. Since I'm getting little to no sleep at all, I'm basically like a zombie. I've hardly done any work at all. I find myself slacking even on the littlest of things, missing client meetings, and being late to everything which almost never happens. I even find myself not showing up at work every now and then for the past few months.

Ultimately, this brings me to the present scenario. Being called upon by my own mother in her office with Quinn. Since I've not talked to anyone at all for more than two or three sentences, I have no idea what she wants or what's happening in the firm anymore. If I'm going to be honest, I wish she would just fire me right now just to get it done and over with. Maybe then would I be scot-free to follow Brittany to England.

"Mija?" Mother's soft voice calls out for me. I look up from my stare on the ground and stare at her absent-mindedly. She sighs deeply and leans forward. "I want to know how's it coming along with the fashion line deal with Elliot Gilbert and the settlement with Harris Electronics you're handling? Aren't you supposed to close the deal a week ago? You haven't kept me up to speed with anything at all."

I blink a few times, clueless and confused, before shrugging and shaking my head. "I haven't worked on anything."

Mother gives me a disappointed look and sighs deeply again. "Santana, that's been on your desk for a while now. Elliot's waiting for an answer and Harris Electronics' bankruptcy is on the line. I entrusted the latter account to you because you asked for a big shot and-"

"Well, I haven't found the time to work on it." I snap back. Mami immediately zones in on me and I feel a speech coming. Even Quinn knows it with the way she's bowing her head down to prepare for the onslaught.

"It's been a month, Mija. It's time to accept-" She trails off as gently as she can but I cut her off.

"She's coming back. I know she will."

"Santana, I've been so lenient with you but this has got to stop already!" She angrily exclaims and I see Quinn flinch a little. "You're suddenly not showing up to work without any notice whatsoever and when you do come in, you're always late! Your clients are depending on you and what have you been doing?! Quinn and your other co-associates, even me, are helping you by filling in on your shortcomings but it's time to pull your own weight up! This has got to stop!" She shouts furiously.

"Then just fire me!" I scoff, standing up. I feel the rage building up on me and I'm sure that any second now I'll explode of anger. I have to get out of here or I'll risk hurting my Mother with words that I might never get back.

Mami shakes her head incredulously and breathes deeply. "Pull yourself together, Mija. I don't know what to say anymore. We're always here for you but we can't do much if you're just going to continually brush us off."

"Well, you don't know how I feel and frankly, I don't care anymore." I utter nonchalantly and proceed to walk out of her office, not even looking back at all as I do so.

I trudge back to my office cubicle and do the one thing I should have done a long time ago. I book myself the first flight to London and drop everything I have in New York.

Present day

I wake up with the biggest smile on my face.

The bed is absolutely comfortable, I've had at least 8 hours of sleep, it's the right amount of cold in the room, and oh, Brittany and I could not be more okay right now. At least for the meantime. We're joking around again, exchanging flirty quips, and most of all, technically shared a kiss last night with our lips grazing in a tease. I stretch my limbs and check the clock to see that it's only 6am. Even if I've woken up a little earlier than I should, I forego snoozing in and instead, start to prepare for our day today.

It doesn't take me long to get ready. Showered, dressed in a designer black semi-formal dress, and smelling good, I'm sure now more than ever that it's going to be a great day with Brittany. I'm calling it.

As I make my way downstairs, the sudden delicious aroma of food hits my nostrils. It's only when I cross the threshold of the large kitchen in the Pierce's mansion that my grin inexplicably widens at the image in front of me.

Brittany in a white tank top, pink boxer shorts, and untied white satin robe that stops a few inches above her knees. Oh, and this is all while she's cutely singing along to a Taylor Swift song in the background at the top of her lungs and grabbing a pan from the oven.

As it turns out, she really was serious about making breakfast for us. And boy, my morning had just bumped from 'good' to 'better' upon seeing the cute scene.

I chuckle quietly and settle myself on one of the bar stools situated by the large table in the middle of the kitchen, directly across from Brittany who's still busy on checking the food with her back towards me. It takes her a complete minute but when she turns around with a mouthful of bacon, she jumps a little in surprise at the sight of me.

"Good morning." I tease with a wide grin. "You're pretty chirpy even if the sun has yet to rise completely."

Brittany playfully rolls her eyes at me and walk towards my spot while carrying the pan. "I've always been a morning person, San."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I'm not." She adds instantly and we both chuckle. "I see you're ready to go. Got a hot date?"

"Absolutely. Just me and this plate of-" I pause to survey the pan in question. "What is this again?"

"It's breakfast lasagna."

"Breakfast what?" My eyes widen while being motioned by Brittany to get us some plates and the works. "Where did you learn to make that?"

"Breakfast lasagna, San. I followed the recipe from food network. It's nice. Also, I made bacon, freshly squeezed OJ, and complicatedly brewed coffee. Don't ask."

"Huh." I say with a slight nod. "So, how was your 8 hours of sleep without me?"

"Oh, gosh. It's been devastating! I barely caught any sleep in between snoring and dreaming about bacon." She replies with a smirk. "How about you?"

"Same. I only managed to catch some wink when I stopped fantasizing about you."

Brittany heartily laughs at my statement, something I mirror while not-so-subtly checking her out. She manages to catch me looking her up and down but only grins devilishly at me while I brush it off with a wink at her. We eat in silence for the next few minutes and I got to say that Brittany really has moved up in the culinary world because it's really fantastic, I'm-on-my-second-plate kind of fantastic.

"Do I need to ask if it's good?" Brittany jokingly says, taking a sip of her orange juice after.

"Empty and re-filled plates speak louder than words, Britt." I motion to the almost empty plate in front of me. "It's wonderful. Thank you for waking up early to prepare all this. I really appreciate it." I add genuinely with a smile.

"You're welcome." She grins then unconsciously bites her lower lip, her cheeks turning red prior to clearing her throat. "So, anyway, what's our plan for today?"

I look up to think about it for a second. "I believe kicking Terri's ass is first on the itinerary today."

"Yes, I've heard of that." She nods, grinning. "How about after the deposition? You said something about going out?"

"O-Oh." I bite my lip and nod. "Sure. I-I mean, if that's what you want. We could go somewhere. It's your call, really. It's Sunday tomorrow and it's not as if we can fly tonight with the storm and-" I ramble without looking at her but she cuts me off.

"Lopez, stop freaking out." She smiles at me. "You won't get lost in the city with me in tow, if that counts."

"Of course. I was always afraid to be left alone with no parent in sight in the grocery store let alone in the big city of weird, thick pizzas."

"What? Our pizzas are a national treasure, you bitch." She jests with a playful jab on my arm. "But seriously, do you have any suggestions for later? Anything you want to do?"

"I can think of someone." I say suggestively while staring at her.

"Ha ha. Nice try. I was thinking of certain activities that doesn't involve getting naked or anything sexually inclined, perv."

I pretend to think about it before shrugging. "Nope. Nothing. Not a single thing that fits that description."

Brittany sighs and flashes me a look instead. "Fine, we'll discuss it later."

We settle in a comfortable silence again with me reading the paper and Brittany, checking her emails on her phone. It's actually a familiar scene since this is how our mornings usually go. I'm taking a sip of my coffee when I feel her burning stare at me from the side. I look up just in time to see her curiously looking at me, something I raise both eyebrows at as if motioning her to go on.

"U-Uhmm…" Brittany trails off with an unsure tone, avoiding my gaze. "I have a question."

I shrug and put down my coffee, training my attention on the newspaper again. "Alright. Shoot."

"So, you and George are really over? I mean, there's no chance of a possible reunion?" She trails off with a slight insecure tone. I glance at her and notice that she looks like a beaten up puppy. I softly smile and direct all my attention towards her now as I place everything down on the table.

"I think that was established when she and I broke up?" I jest and she only flashes me a worried look. "But yes, it's really over. No chance of a reunion at all."

"Why'd you break up anyway?"

"I think it's because I'm still in love with someone else. I'm not entirely sure who though. You're gonna have to take it up to Court, I guess." I tease with a wide grin.

"Ah. I see." She mumbles, trying to hold back on smiling. "George is nice, that's a shame. I really liked her." She adds with the last part sounding a little too forceful.

"What? Didn't you hate her? I mean, don't exes do that?"

"I didn't hate her!" She rolls her eyes at me. "How can you hate Virgin Mary herself, San? It's like a religious sin of the highest order. It's illegal." She rambles without looking at me. Wait. Is she… Oh, she totally is!

I bite my lip to try and suppress laughing out loud. Someone's jealous and it's just so cute to see her like this again. I raise an eyebrow and try to push it some more just to mess with her. "Well, if you must know, she was neither Virgin nor Mary, if you know what I mean." I jest with a slight nod.

Not so surprisingly, Brittany looks up to meet my eyes with this hard stare that looked like I just killed someone. Oh shit. I must have pushed a little too much. "I-I mean, you know…" I try to come up with something but her angry demeanor throws me off course. "Where did you two meet, by the way? She mentioned something about seeing you again somewhere a-after the wedding?" I say in a haste after clearing my throat.

"Let's see…" She looks up to think about it for a second before staring back at me with a scary glare. "It was in the corner of 'stop-talking-about-her' and 'please-shut-up-about-it'." She snaps with an eye roll.

I chuckle inwardly and just nod frantically, taking the last forkful from my plate. "Mmm… This is really good, Britt. Wait. What is that?" I say out loud while pointing at my plate as she glances curiously at me again. "Is that a hint of jealousy and possessiveness in the lasagna? Hmm… I heard it goes well with make-up sex." I declare with a smirk.

Brittany purses her lips and ultimately shakes her head in disbelief, completely speechless. I take a deep breath and reach out for her hand for a quick squeeze. "I'm sorry, I was just teasing you. It's really over, Britt. I won't ever talk about her again. And a little tip, don't bring her up first next time if you'll just end up getting jealous." I add the last part with a wink.

She gives out a small smile then sighs in contentment, possibly deeming the conversation topic over and done with as it should be. "Alright then. So, how are we going to the deposition? I'm thinking of taking the bus or train. What do you think?"

My forehead creases at the statement as I look at her quizzically. "What do you mean? I thought we'll be driven to and from for the weekend. Where's the house staff? Have they been consumed by the darkness last night?"

"Oh, they left awhile ago. I let them leave early. It's just you and me for the whole weekend."

"I'm tempted to say a dozen dirty things about us being alone for the whole weekend but I'm more concerned about the other thing. So, we're going to use public transportation?"

"Yeah. Unless you're afraid of the big, bad train and evil human-consuming bus then we could reconsider another way to get there. Walking the couple of miles, perhaps?"

I chuckle nervously. "Britt, you do realize that it takes at least three heavily-secured gates, with more security than the last one, just to get in your village? Never mind that it's at least two miles to get from one gate to the other then another five miles at least to reach a bus stop and now you're saying you want to walk? You're kidding, right?"

"Well, don't hold your breath for the punchline." She utters with a chuckle. "I'm not kidding, San. I used to walk that everyday during high school."

"We're old now, Britt! I might pop a hip if I walk that far!"

"Oh my god, Santana! Why are you so afraid to commute? Don't tell me you haven't tried riding the bus or train before."

"I-I have, I think once or twice before. It's just that-" I pause. "It's just that I haven't rode any public transportation since I was 15, I think."

She looks at me with surprise all over her face. "You're kidding, San."

"Why yes, I can see you're dying from laughter." I mutter sarcastically before shaking my head at her. "I rode cabs in Manhattan every now and then, if that counts."

"Uhmm… No. Cabs are not considered as commuting, at least in most people's standards." She counters with a chuckle. "Oh, to be rich and privileged. What a hard life."

I raise an eyebrow. "Well, you're not exactly slumming it, are you?"

"'Slumming it'? Oh gosh, I think you just offended half of the world's population, San."

"Shut up, B." I playfully scoff back while she laughs at me. "Please don't make me take the public transportation, I beg of you."

"Fine, fine. We won't." She rolls her eyes. "Let's just take a car, I'll drive. Or maybe you'd want to fly instead to avoid the traffic?"

My eyes widen and I immediately hold up my hand. "Woah, woah! From one extreme to the other, there's no way I'm going to ride with you on the chopper nor am I letting you drive! You know what? Let's ride the bus and train! The weather's fantastic and I won't complain about getting squished by smelly old farts at this time of the day. Why not? Let's go! I'll take care of these while you get ready. I'm not even going to make a dirty joke about joining you in the shower. So, go get ready or we'll be late in catching Thomas the Train." I ramble on and stand up to start putting away everything.

"What is wrong with you?" Brittany remarks with a laugh.

"Nothing! It's just the last time we used the helicopter, you almost hit a tree because we were fighting about the music then every time you drive, it feels like I'm riding a horse every other half hour when you drive stick." I try to reason out exasperatedly.

"So, that's how it is, huh?" She squints her eyes at me and feigns being offended while putting down her glass of orange juice. "I've decided then. We ride the chopper! Either that or you walk back not only to the deposition later but to Manhattan yourself!" She declares as she walks away while mocking an evil laugh.

And so, my morning has gone from 'good' to 'holy shit' in the best possible way.

- Brittany's POV –

"So, Brittany," Terri Del Monico's screechy voice echoes in the meeting room of what I gather is their Chicago headquarters for her accounting company. "I didn't know that you're a Pierce. I mean, your last name is plastered all over town and even in New York but I never knew that you're one of them. Maybe your family can do some business with my accounting firm." She adds with a fake grin seen through the little screen of the camcorder recording her in front of me.

I stare in disbelief at her, something that Santana picks up when she clears her throat to cut off the moment. "How about we suspend talks of business until we make sure that you don't end up behind bars for at least 10 years?" Santana utters with a smirk before signaling to the court reporter at the end of the long table that we're about to start.

"That's not going to happen." Dave Karofsky scoffs back and gestures for us to start off the deposition.

I nod and read the paper in front of me before looking back at Terri. "Alright then. Could you please state your full name for the record?"

"Terri Del Monico."

"You are aware you are being deposed in the case of embezzling funds from the Helping Hands foundation established by Emma Pilsbury?"

"Yes, I do." She answers with a bored tone.

"Have you ever been deposed before?" I say.

"Yes, I have."

"In your deposition I am going to be asking you questions and you are going to be answering them under oath. Do you understand this?"

"Yes, yes! Let's just get on with the questions, can we?" Terri sneers and waves a hand in disregard. Santana and I share a look, with the brunette subtly telling me that she'll take over.

"It's stated here in the documents Del Monico Accounting handed to us that you've been doing Helping Hands' books for three years now, correct?" Santana trails off.

"Yes." Terri replies with a bored tone.

"And how did that come to happen?"

"Del Monico Accounting is a top firm in New York city, I assume that she got wind of it so she approached us about representing them."

"And we can safely say that your business is doing wonderful? How great is it to be good in numbers, right?" Santana echoes with a sly smile.

"It's just numbers." Terri shrugs with a smirk.

"I see. So, is being one of the top firms in New York an aspect of having an expertise in hiding numbers and cooking up the books?"

"Don't answer that." Dave interjects with a look at Terri.

"Why not?" Santana smirks. "Surely you must be really good enough with numbers that you can manipulate them enough to be in your favor. A little transfer from their funds to your pocket ain't that hard, is it?"

"Now you're testifying, Lopez!" He counters with a glare.

"Oh, god. Don't get your panties in a bunch, Karofsky. I'm just establishing a few facts here and there." She waves a hand in disregard. "So, back to your firm, Terri. How many clients do you have at the moment?"

"I don't keep count. They're too many."

"A ball park, perhaps?" I chime in.

"20 or 25. Around the double digits, I presume."

"I see. And how many of them are still in business?" I continue with a look directed at Santana.

"W-What? What do you mean?" Terri stutters, shooting Dave a look of help.

"Well, you see, I ran a few numbers to make sure that everything added up." I trail off and bring out a pile of at least ten file binders then place it on the table. "I won't name names but there's about eight companies in there and I re-computed everything from the very top then-"

"Wait. You re-did their books? That's impossible! It would take you at least a few months-"

"I guess you're not the only one who's good with numbers then." I grin widely. "Anyway, like I said, I re-did their books, with some help of course, and I noticed a few peculiarities such as missing numbers and disappearing clients."

"You can't have basis for that." Dave seethes, hastily going through the documents from the pile.

"We do, actually. Ironically enough, our basis and evidence is taken directly from your books." I pause and slide the folder in my hand towards them. "I have five more waiting in the wings, if you want to have a look at it."

"Are you kidding me? Some of these companies are foreign and a few of these documents are in another language. You can't possible translate all of that and make up exact numbers to establish your findings." Terri scoffs.

"We don't. But as it turns out and unsurprisingly at that, numbers are a constant thing in every language. We didn't have to translate anything, all we had to do is check your so-called clients to support our assumptions." Santana interjects.

"Yes, and from what we found, these companies," I motion to the pile. "are now under and completely gone. So, in short, not only do you have less than 20 clients than what you actually fronted and possibly set up in your imagination but in reality, you only have four of them, the Foundation included."

"The 'clients' who supposedly hired you are just dummy companies." Santana interposes with a smirk. "You put them up, place the money you embezzled from the Helping Hands in them over the few months leading to Emma Pilsbury's discovery of the missing money, then after a significant amount of time, you cut off these imaginary companies by filing for their dissolution then ta-da! You're in the clear. It's smart, I must say."

"Not only do you get the money you embezzled by having these fake companies hire Del Monico Accounting, an overly expensive firm at that, but you also get off scot-free by not leaving an evidence of any wrongdoing." I throw in.

"W-What are you talking about?" Dave angrily exclaims.

"I believe he said that they don't understand us, Miss Lopez. Must we speak in numbers for them to understand? 0-0-1-0?" I wink at Santana and she grins.

"Why yes, let us translate their bullshit into English for them, Miss Pierce." Santana devilishly grins.

"T-This is all-" Terri tries to cut us off but I beat her into it.

"Let's see, Terri... In a nutshell, this is how it all happened from the top in simple steps: You embezzle a million dollars from Helping Hands, establish a fake company in a fake name, have this fake company hire Del Monico Accounting and represent them for a significant amount of time with the money you embezzled as their source of funds to pay you and said money going to a few off-shore accounts thereafter…" I trail off just as Santana continues the thought for me.

"And when you've complete exhausted all the resources from the fake company, you file for its dissolution stating an excuse like bankruptcy, perhaps? Then as regards to the numbers missing from the Helping Hands Foundation, you replace it by pledges made by various associations from all over the world that never came through. A terrible hole in your evil plans." Santana shakes her head in amusement. "What I'm impressed with though is how you had the nerve to repeat the same procedure over and over again amidst the flaw in your plans. Even with your three other clients that you've also stolen money from. What big balls you must have." Santana adds with a chuckle.

"Yes, so why don't you just settle with us? You stole fifteen million dollars from Emma Pilsbury. She was actually kind enough to say that she only wants the money back and Terri's resignation but that's just too nice." I utter calmly.

"I agree. So, she reconsidered it and she's going to settle with thirty million dollars and Terri's resignation. If you ask me, she's already too lenient after what you did. So take the deal or it's a good ten years for you in prison. Oh, gotta wait for the three other companies you stole from to sue you back and possibly ask for triple digit numbers as compensation too." Santana interposes with a shrug.

"This is a deposition, not a settlement!" Karofsky intervenes.

"Oh, it's a settlement now because I say so." Santana utters coldly. "I don't think Terri has all day anyway since she was very impatient and we figured that it would sting a little less if we just stuck it to you."

"You don't have e-evidence! This is all just a ploy to implicate me for any wrongdoing! You know what, I'm gonna sue the both of you!" Terri furiously declares, even standing up.

Santana and I both relax against our seats, sharing a mocking grin. I speak up for the both of us. "Oh, we have evidence. It's all in your books, like we said. We can bring this to Court and the result is all going to be the same, everyone will see it. We know what you did and how you executed it."

"Here's your evidence, we have tons of copies of that." Santana throws a binder in front of Terri. "Every single thing is laid down in the simplest of words for you to understand. Even the numbers. Even Barney himself can understand that, I tell you."

"You couldn't have possibly figured out everything based on numerical codes. That's preposterous-" Terri tries to counter but I cut her off.

"Why, it's just numbers, isn't it?" I mockingly reply with a slight head tilt.

Santana shakes her head before speaking. "It's ironic though, an accounting firm that doesn't know how to balance and run their own numbers. An accountant who's not good in math. Man, life's going to be pretty hard for you, Terri."

"Just take the deal, really. That's the best thing I could say." I shrug in contention.

Terri sits back down again and glares hard at the both of us. She goes on to whisper something in Dave's ear as they silently discuss among themselves for a minute while we wait for them to finish. Briefly, they face us again with disdain before Dave speaks out for the both of them.

"We'll take the deal." He mutters bitterly.

Santana and I share a triumphant look then go on to have Terri sign a few papers to lock in the agreement.

"We expect the money to be wired not later than 5pm today and your resignation to be effective next week after you've settled responsibilities within your firm." I voice out.

"This is unacceptable! That little piece of shit only wanted money from the beginning!" Terri scoffs while singing the last of the papers.

"You meant you, right? Santana chimes in with a mocking laugh. "Just sign the goddamn papers and you'll never see us again. God, I hope so." She adds with a devilish grin.

"Oh, and Terri," I speak up and Terri looks up with anger plastered all over her face. "There is no way in hell my family's going into business with you, just saying."

"That's Maribel on the phone just now. The money's been wired and our work is done! Emma also said that she wanted to meet us once we get back to New York, probably to thank us in person." I happily exclaim upon getting off the phone.

It's almost 5pm and we've been at the Pierce Manor for almost half an hour now to settle some last minute stuff after a quick ride by using the chopper.

"That's wonderful! We were a great team back there, don't you think so? Quinn would be jealous she's not around for that." Santana replies with a wide grin from the living room area.

"Oh, gosh. She'll go ballistic!" I chime in and we both share a laugh. I settle beside her on the sofa and just take a moment to relax until she speaks up.

"We have to celebrate, Britt! Have you made up your mind where we'll go?"

"I may have an idea." I trail off and purse my lips. "I want to eat pizza. My kind of pizza though."

Santana groans and positions her whole body to face me. "No! There is no way I'm going to eat your deep-dish pizza."

"Why not? They're really amazing contrary to your beliefs, you know."

"Oh, I know." She nods with a raised eyebrow. "They really are good that's why I refuse to eat them."

"Okay, you're losing sense here, San. Why do you refuse to eat the pizza here?"

"Because I lose a little part of me, that's why."

"What?" I look at her quizzically. "What part?"

"My New Yorker part! Those thick pizzas make me question my heritage, Britt. It's disloyal and unacceptable!"

I laugh heartily just as an idea springs into mind. "Well, we're going to eat my pizza. Not only that but we're going to attempt the one-hour challenge."

"Wow. That sentence just completely blew my mind with the details that I'm still blanking on." She utters sarcastically. "What challenge?"

I roll my eyes at her. "Okay. So, we have to eat one whole deep dish pizza of our choice within an hour and if we're successful, we get two free shirts that say we've conquered the challenge! It's exciting, San. Not everyone gets to have that shirt!"

"Britt, you can buy a mansion full of shirts and you want a free one from a pizza place? And are you kidding me? There's no way we could finish that humongous thing! Seriously now."

"Come on, I've always wanted to do that! Plus, I can't pass up the chance for you to wear a shirt that's very Chicago in itself."

"Oh, oh! So, not only are you holding my heritage against me but you're the driving force behind me betraying my hometown? How dare you, Pierce? That's evil!"

"Okay, that's too much now." I smirk and flash her a look. "But now that you said that and while we're at it, we'll get you a free shirt," I pretend to survey her body for a clothing size. "Hmm… Extra, Extra Traitor, perhaps? Or you know what, the Judas of New York size is more apt for you. We'll even take a picture with you in it and send it to the New York Times, if you want."

Santana laughs out loud and shakes her head in amusement. "You are something special, Brittany."

"I've been told time and again." I wink at her and get up from the couch. "Get up and let's get ready then. The challenge waits for no one and we'll go to a Cubs game after." I say with a grin.

"Okay, hold up. There's too much 'loser' in that one sentence. Can you slow down?" She teases. "But honest question, it's Saturday night and we don't have any reservations anywhere plus we don't have tickets whatsoever. How are we going to even get in anywhere?"

"Why, San. You're not the only one who's particularly not slumming it." I wink and hold out my hands for her.

"Oh, how difficult must it be to have billions of dollars in your arsenal. Have you ever thought of becoming a real-life Batman? That would be cool, you know. And you're a woman too. God, the world will crap their pants!"

"Sure. As long as you get to be my sidekick who I get to sleep with constantly. Ooh... That would put a new definition to 'gadgets'." We both laugh and I motion for her to get off the couch. "Now, really, get up. I want to eat already." I add with a pout.

"You can always eat me." Santana teases with raised eyebrows.

"Argh. Please get off your ass. I'm really starving!"

"You always are, Britt." She chuckles and relents to my demand by getting up then heading with me to the rooms upstairs. "Okay, so what are we wearing or looking at you right now, what are we not wearing?" She adds while doing a quick survey of my body.

"I'm still amazed by your flirting ways, San."

"Oh, honey. We still haven't gotten to the part where I bathe you with the precious oils of the Middle East, grant you diamonds from the Hidden Caves of Africa, and hunt a precious Elk as tribute to your parents in exchange for your hand in marriage."

"Oh my, marriage? I must inform the town!" I playfully roll my eyes while she chuckles. "Just keep it casual. We're going to change shirts anyway."

Her eyes widen, even stopping in her tracks. "W-Wait, what?"

"Yes, because since you're a smartass, not only do we do the challenge but we're also going to wear it while watching the baseball game."

Santana grits her teeth and looks like she's about to faint from the looks of it. "Oh my god. What did I do to deserve such cruelty?"

"And we take the chopper again?" I tease with a grin.

"No! I fucking swear, Brittany S. Pierce! I will not go out if you make me ride it with you in that thing again! We almost died an hour ago at one point and I'm pretty sure my heart is still in my throat." She throws her hands in exaggeration and dons a serious face, something I laugh at. "You have dozens of cars in your garage and as civilized people, we'll use one. I will drive and you will sit in the passenger seat. We are not going to walk, take the bus, the train, or even a goddamn horse. I've agreed to your every demand so all I ask if you agree to this one thing. Now, deal?"

I blink a few times and stare in all her serious demeanor. I finally nod after a few seconds and sigh exasperatedly. "Aww… You're no fun, San. I was actually thinking of staying in your room tonight if you agreed to the chopper ride but yeah, okay." I add with a purse of my lips as I start to walk away by walking in a backward manner towards my room. "Darn it. I was actually going to let you do whatever you want to me tonight, however you want it, and wherever or all over the Manor but sure, the car it is. Such a shame, I could use the warm body tonight." I wink at her one last time as I enter my room and presumably leave her gaping by the hallway.

Momentarily, we finish changing our clothes and are now ready for our celebratory night out as we make our way to my father's garage in the lower ground part of the house. The whole lower ground is basically a museum of cars. Dad's a car guy. Hence, the assortment of expensive, antique, high end cars around us. Santana's just about to choose a black sports car when a familiar white car catches my eye from the corner end of the garage. My curiosity gets the best of me and I find myself walking towards it. True enough, my assumptions are correct upon seeing the plate number.

"Uhmm… San?" I voice out with an unsure tone. Santana looks up to see me motioning to the car in front of me, her eyes immediately widening upon the realization that I'm gesturing to her old car back in law school.

The white Audi R8 convertible.

"W-What is it doing here? I thought you got rid of it?" I tread lightly and see her making her way towards me. In all fairness, it still looks the same with the impression that it's properly maintained. Oh, even the slight scar of the dent my bicycle made when we bumped into each other before is still there!

"W-Well, I did. But Grams stopped me before I even got to sell it to someone else." She pauses and bites her lower lip. "She said that she'll buy it instead if I really was that keen to get it off my hands but I refused and just gave it to her without anything in exchange. One way or another, it ended up here. She told me that it would just be here and I could get it anytime if I wanted it back." She sighs deeply.

She was keen to get it off her hands, huh. There are a few questions on my mind right now but seeing that I don't want to ruin the night by sliding into a somber tone, I let it go for the meantime. Instead, I grin widely at her and fetch the key from the electronically locked cupboard.

"Let's take it for a ride, shall we?" I exclaim with a grin that she mirrors beautifully.

- Santana's POV –

"Okay, okay. How about this: Quinn, Berry, and Me. Who would you fuck, marry, and kill?" I utter with a smirk.

Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly depending on who you ask, Brittany and I conquered the one-hour pizza challenge with flying colors. Well, Brittany finished most of it. I really think that there's a hidden person inside that sexy body of hers who eats everything for her. And as much as I won't like to admit it, my face is now in the Hall of Fame for the challenge finishers of the well-known restaurant. Yeah, I'm the one with the deadpan face beside the excited, grinning blonde. New York Pizza is very disappointed in me that I'm probably not allowed to eat it anymore.

True to her words, she did make me wear the black shirt with the proud words of having successfully finished the challenge. And yes, we watched a baseball game in premier seats, I might add. Because as it turns out, Brittany's family owns a part of the team. Did I mention that Brittany knows bat shit about baseball and she spent most of the game cheering for no particular reason at all? Yes, that happened. Overall, it's been a crazy and fun night.

And now, we're in a field or hill somewhere a little outside the city and near the Pierce Manor, completely overlooking Illinois. We're in my old car with the roof down and settling in by enjoying the view and night air with a can of soda and bag of peanuts in our hands just talking the night away with faint, slow music in the background.

"Hmm… That's a hard one." Brittany takes a sip of her soda before speaking up again. "I would probably have sex with Quinn because there's no denying it, who wouldn't?" She trails off and I nod in agreement. "I'd marry Rachel because she's my best friend and I'll kill you, I guess."

"What? Why would you kill me? Am I not at least worth throwing a bone even for one round of sex?"

"Meh." She shrugs and takes a sip again. My eyes widen and mouth opens in a bit of surprise while chuckling.

"Britt, may I remind you that I've given you some of the best nights of your life in the past? I've literally made you orgasm so much and so many that I've lost count. And now you say, 'meh'?"

She contemplates about it for a second before shrugging yet again, throwing a wink while she's at it. I shake my head in disbelief before she speaks up.

"How about you then? Fuck, marry, kill: Me, Rachel, and Quinn."

"Hmm… You're right, it is hard." I place a finger on my chin and subtly think about it. "Okay. So, I'll have sex with Quinn, just for the hell of it. She's hot, so why not?" I say with a grin and she nods in agreement. "I'll kill Berry because she always makes me eat her vegan stuff and somebody has got to put a stop to that madness," I trail off and glance at her. "Then I'll marry you, Britt."

Brittany blushes at the statement and from the looks of it, she's trying hard to hold back on smiling. "Wanna know why?" I speak up again while leaning closer towards her face.

"Why?" She mutters with her stare directed on my lips.

I sigh and smile sweetly at her. "Because I get to have sex with you whenever, however, wherever I want. Unli-fuck, as I put it." I tease and hurriedly grab the bag of peanuts from her, mockingly laughing in her face as I do so.

"Ugh. You're intolerable, San." She playfully rolls her eyes at me, joining in my laughter. I'm just about to speak yet again when my phone rings. I glance at it to see that it's Quinn, probably calling to check up on us or most likely, fish some gossip. I pick up on the third ring and put it on speaker.

"Well, hello, my friend." I greet loudly. "Yes, we won the Foundation case and we did it with grace. Such a shame you weren't there to witness our badassery. Right, Britt?"

"She was mean, Q." Britt throws in before taking a swig of her drink.

"It's always been in her nature as Evil Incarnate, Britt. Congratulations are in order for you both. Bravo!" Quinn's nasally, deep voice echoes. "Anyway, I got Crayola Buddies to settle too."

"Oh, wow. Congratulations! What did you do?" Brittany exclaims.

"Nothing. I kicked their asses in the pre-trial. Also, I might have hired a private investigator after that and found out that they all have mistresses on the side then sent the pictures to their offices with a James Bond kind of note not at all indicating that it's from me. Sam the P.I. pretended to be the Bond-ish guy over the phone." Quinn nonchalantly utters. "I think they were afraid of the fact that they don't have pre-nups at all. Ironic since they're lawyers, don't you think? Stupid but ironic."

Britt and I share a look before howling of laughter. "I just want you to know that you have a special place in hell, Q."

"I know, baby. It's called the Throne. Bow before me bitches." Quinn quips with a chuckle as we join in. "Anywho, I actually just called to check if you guys are doing the deed but since you answered it seems like it's a boring night so far. Or is it not?"

"We were actually just talking about you and Rachel. Well, us." I trail off with a grin. "We're playing fuck, marry, kill and as it turns out, you are the resident whore for tonight. Britt and I both said that we'll have sex with you."

"Aww… That's so sweet!" Quinn laughs on the other line. "Babe! Santana said she and Brittany would have sex with me in a game of fuck, marry, kill!" She adds with the statement directed to Rachel as it seems. "What?" We hear a slight static and a distant murmur from the phone. "Oh, okay. I'll tell them." She adds much clearer this time. "Rachel's talking to Tina about something on the phone but she said that it's very sweet of you two to say that. She also said that I'm married and you're both not allowed to touch me again."

"Well, that escalated quickly." Brittany chimes in with a giggle.

"Nah, she was kidding about that, don't worry. I think."

"Oh, tell Berry the rest! I'd marry Britt and Britt would marry Berry. Britt would kill me and I'll kill Berry. Neat, huh?" I quip.

"Okay, hold on." A bit of a murmur is heard again and after a few seconds, Quinn speaks up. "Rachel said that it was sweet of you to marry her, Britt. But unfortunately, she'd actually prefer to have sex with you instead because you're hot, which I second. Rachel and I will marry each other, of course, and we'll both kill Santana. Rachel's reason is because you're always bullying her vegan lifestyle and my reason is because you're a Grade A bitch."

"What?! Why am I-" I try to protest but Brittany cuts me off.

"Aww… That's so sweet, you guys! Thank you!" Brittany squeals.

"You know what? This phone call is over! Goodnight, my friend. Enjoy the depths of Hell!" I huff.

"By the way, I stole two bottles of wine from your stash! Bye!" Quinn quickly adds before effectively ending the call. Brittany and I share a look before erupting in laughter. We settle in a comfortable silence while listening to some tunes by Corrine Bailey Rae when Brittany speaks up again.

"San?" Her soft voice registers in my ears, the tone in her voice indicating some serious thoughts to follow. I look at her and motion for her to continue. "So, the car… You really wanted to get rid of it so bad?"

I sigh deeply and bite my lower lip. I guess it's time for the serious talk and lay it all down. "Not in the way you were thinking, Britt. I can explain everything and I want you to listen, okay?" I trail off and stare into her blue eyes as she nods. "After we broke up, I was so devastated that I was barely able to function at all. Everything reminded me of you. I didn't even leave bed for days at a time because the sheets still smelled like you and it gave off the illusion that you're still with me and we were still together." I pause. "It took me a few months and countless scolding from everyone around me before I got my shit together. I re-arranged the apartment, changed the sheets, set aside your things in a separate closet, and did everything to get a move on with my life when I realized you were never coming back."

"I was just so hurt back then that I wanted to let go of everything that reminded me of you. The car and our apartment were the last of it. I had to let go of one and I chose the car. I decided to keep the apartment because no matter how hard I've tried, I can't bring myself to let go of it. It was our home, Britt. It was the first thing we bought with our own money and we planned our future together in there. It's actually still in both of our names." I give out a small smile. "But keeping the place meant that I had let go of the Audi. This car is literally the embodiment of our happy moments together back then. We just had so memories in it that my heart broke every time I used it and you're not there in the passenger seat smiling and giving me random kisses just because you can." I breathe deeply and brush off the unwanted memories of that trying time. "Then what I said awhile ago about Grams and this car happened. I knew that if I wanted to move on with my life, I'd have to start fresh which is by far, the hardest thing I've ever done with my life."

"I hated you so much, Britt. I blamed you for all my frustrations and sadness then. I actually went to London once shortly after we broke up because I wanted so badly to be with you that I didn't care about anything else. I only saw you from afar but I realized that you were suffering too and I knew that approaching you would only make things harder that it was already." I chuckle bitterly and she looks sadly at me. "Since then, I directed all my time and attention into work, something that paid off, by the way. I even tried to start dating again but I never really had the heart to do it until I met George. She was nice and she understood but no matter how much I convinced myself, she'll never be you and I wasn't even over you in the slightest. I even invited her to the wedding out of panic that you'd show up again even if you said you wouldn't because I was still in denial. Like I said, I hated you so much that a part of me wanted to show you that I didn't need you. But I was mistaken." I bite my lower lip and stare at the lights in front of us.

"I-I'm sorry if I left you." Brittany interjects in an almost whisper. "I thought I was never coming back-"

"But you did." I cut her off softly. "You've no idea what I feel, Brittany. Every single day that you were gone, I wished that you just buried me six feet under instead because no amount of pain would ever equal to how I felt inside then." I swallow the lump in my throat. "That part you said about you never coming back here resonated deeply with me. I thought that I was doing just fine. So, when I saw you again and they said you were permanently moving back, something inside me just clicked and I'm thrown for a loop."

"There I was, pretending that I'm okay then boom, you came back into my life and suddenly all the hatred I felt for you completely disappeared in an instant then I had this sudden realization that I never really stopped loving you. I know you meant what you said about never coming back but I guess a part of me resented you so much for leaving me that it never really sunk in. I was clueless, Britt. Everyone was suddenly talking me into getting back together with you when I didn't even know how to get my shit together back then." I stare back at her again and notice that her eyes are getting a bit glassy. "I was selfish to think that you left me because we wouldn't have been able to work it out."

"N-No, San. It wasn't selfish for you to think like that. I-It's just that- I just want you to know that it was difficult for me back then to sacrifice my life with you in New York. I wanted to tell you every single thing that happened in London but I didn't want to burden you with the sad details of my life there while you were living the life here. I wanted to protect you in a way because I didn't want you to end up like me if you were to move to England. I didn't want you to be resentful because I was, at least for awhile back then. I didn't break up with you just because I thought we wouldn't have been able to work it out. I broke up with you because I thought that's what we needed then." She sighs deeply. "I'm really, really sorry for hurting you so much, San."

"Don't apologize, Britt. You were looking after me all along and I realized that only back in the Courtroom." I smile softly at her. "I admire you for doing what you did for your family, I really do. It was the right thing to do. I'm sorry for not realizing that much earlier. I didn't understand and get it back then but I do now. I guess we didn't have timing on our side back then. We were young adults establishing our careers in different continents and adding a relationship into that mix didn't fit at that time. You've been more than vocal with your feelings and what you wanted since you came back, Britt. I know that I've brushed them all off but now I think I know the answer." I trail off and watch her hold on to my every word.

"I love you so much, Brittany. I've never really stopped because you're right, we could never recreate what you and I have. You and I will always be unfinished business. I'm really, really sorry for everything that I did that was uncalled for and every little thing that I did to hurt your feelings. I'm deeply sorry. I can't apologize enough." I sigh deeply and hold both of her hands. "I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm begging for you to give us another chance. The flirting and bantering has been amazing but I want something more than that, I want you. I will do everything and anything you want me to if it means that I get to have you back, even if we'd have to take it slow. I want to make it up to you and spend every minute of my life making up for the lost time we had." I add with a hopeful smile.

Brittany sighs deeply and looks down, a few tears falling from her eyes as she does so. I hold her chin up and wipe the tears off her face which somehow elicited a smile from her.

"I would love to, San." Brittany mutters with a grin which I mirror widely. "But maybe you could take me on a date first?" She adds and I chuckle heartily, nodding frantically.

"We'll take it as slow as you want, Britt."

"Not too slow, I hope." She quickly rebuts and we both laugh, our jaws breaking from the wide smiles we're sporting.

"Are you still leaving?" I say a little hesitantly.

"I'm still unsure about the firm part but," Brittany softly trails off while I hold on to her words. "I won't leave you. Never again, San. I'm staying right here with you." She adds and without wasting any more time, pulls me closer towards her and kisses me as deeply as she can while I let her take my breath away like she always does.

I arrive in London after a nonstop 8-hour flight.

I don't really care much for resting or returning the bunch of messages I got from Quinn, Mami, and everyone else. I actually just turned my phone off because like I said, I don't really care about anything else anymore. I just want to see Brittany and talk to her. Instead of going directly to a hotel, I head to the first place I know where she'll be: her office.

It's already 2am here in England and the guard in the lobby only allowed me to go in because he knew me and I was nice during those times I went here to visit Brittany. I make up the words and organize the scrambled thoughts in my head caused by jetlag, lack of sleep, and food in me as I wait for the elevator to arrive on her office floor. I guess what matters is the meaning behind my words, the ultimate thought that I wanted us back together again is what counts.

The elevator reaches the designated floor and I alight from it to notice that it's deserted with only a few faint lights from the corners of the floor to counteract the complete darkness. I wander further and see bright lights shining from a certain glass office in the far corner of the room: Brittany's office. As I walk slowly towards her place, I notice that she's still working hard with countless documents on her table. She's also lost a bit of weight and from afar, I could see that she's stressed and definitely not the usual Brittany I'm used to seeing. At the sight of her like this, I find myself stopping in my tracks as I revel in the darkness a few feet from her office where she wouldn't be able to see me.

It baffles me for an unknown reason. I thought that I was the only one hurting from the break up and she'd be going on her life like nothing happened but I was deeply mistaken. I take a deep breath and look down, feeling the heavy emotions and fatigue slowly building down on me. Suddenly, a sudden movement from her office catches my attention and I notice her resting her back in her seat in a tired manner while looking up at nothing in particular. Brittany's eyes gazes to the left, particularly at a picture frame on her table, and grabs it towards her. She stares at it for a few seconds before leaning forward and placing it in front of her on the table.

My forehead creases at the notion of what she's doing. It's as if she's contemplating life and death staring at the object in question. Within a minute, she places both hands on her face and sighs deeply before pulling out her phone, dialing on it in a haste while gritting her teeth. My curiosity gets the best of me and I take a step forward again to do what I came for when an object in my pocket vibrates. I thought that I've turned my phone off but upon fetching it from my pocket, the sight takes me completely aback.

Brittany's calling me.

My heart beat stops for a complete second. It's only when it vibrates again that I'm taken back into reality. I look up at her and see that she's anxiously waiting for me to pick up and just when she's about to put her phone down, I absent-mindedly accept the call.

"Hello?" I say softly.

Brittany's eyes widen from where I'm looking and she puts the phone on her ears again, seemingly surprised at the turn of events. I feel weird for watching her talking to me like this but I stay in my position the time being.

"H-Hi." She utters, breathlessly.

We stay quiet for a few moments, as if to wait for the other to speak when she breaks the silence.

"I-I… U-Uh-" She seems to hesitate for a second, looking around her table for something. "T-There's this- I-I need your help with something."

I stare at her quizzically from afar as I sigh deeply. "O-Oh. Sure. What is it?"

"It's the c-coffeemaker?" Her voice breaks a little upon lying. "I don't think it really likes me. C-Can you help me?"

I fight the tears brewing at the back of my eyes. I nod at no one in particular and try to maintain my composure. "O-Of course." I pause for a second. "So, have you put water in the carafe and the coffee in it?"

"Yeah. Just enough like you always told me."

"Good." I smile a little to myself, the tears free falling from my eyes now. "So, there's a little button on the side. It's kind of a lock. It's red, can you see it?"

"U-Uhmm… Wait." She pauses and from my view, she covers the phone receiver with her chest while wiping a few tears from her eyes. The image breaks my heart and I find myself crying silently as well. It takes her a few seconds but she puts the phone back to her ear after sighing deeply to keep her cool. "I-I found it, San."

"O-Okay, Britt. Now all you have to do is press t-that and after you do so, press the black button in front so it can start brewing. Tell me if you've got it, okay?"

"Okay. I-I think I've got it." She utters in the softest way possible with her attention on the picture frame. She wipes a few more tears from her eyes before speaking again. "Thank you, San."

"Always." I mutter just enough for her to hear.

"D-Did I wake you?" She mumbles with an unsure tone.

I glance at my watch and realize the time difference she's talking about. "N-No. A-Are you working late again?"

"Yeah." She whispers then bites her lower lip.

"Have you eaten?" I say like reflex.

"N-No."

"Well, you should. You know I hate it when you work too much and don't eat anything." I try to maintain my breathing while trying hard no to sound like I'm crying.

"I-I know." Brittany murmurs, fidgeting with the picture frame on her table while crying heavily.

"O-Okay. Can you go home for me now and eat your late dinner, Britt? Please?"

"Okay, San." She replies after a few seconds. A silence ensues as I watch her struggle with holding it together from my view. It takes me a moment but when I can't take it anymore, I finally speak up.

"I'm glad you called." I smile in a bittersweet manner to myself. "You take care, o-okay, Britt?"

"Y-You too, San."

And with that, she ends the phone call. I'm left reeling by the events that just transpired. I'm tearing up incessantly as I watch her put the phone down slowly and stare at the picture frame which as it turns out, holds her favorite picture of us. She leans forward this time, staring at the engagement ring she's still wearing on her right hand for a while. After a moment, she rests her elbows on her desk while covering her face and finally lets herself go as she cries her heart out.

I feel so physically and emotionally weak that my legs feel like they're about to give in. I realize that this is much harder for her than it is for me. I let the hurtful feeling linger for a couple more seconds before I breathe as deeply as I can and wipe the tears away from my face. I glance at her once last time and decide that maybe this needs to happen for us. Maybe the timing isn't right yet. And with a heavy heart, I walk away from her without doing what I initially came here for. I walk away and let it be. At least for now.

X