Brittany walked off the plane, fixing her collar in the process. The flight to Lima was full of anxiousness and excitement. Santana had no idea that Brittany was flying in. The last she told her was that she was on CQ duty in the product room where she couldn't have her phone. So her not having service and not texting back didn't seem too suspicious.

The thing was, there was no such thing as CQ duty in the product room. The reality was, Brittany was now sitting in Sugar's car on her way to the Marriot where her best friend was working.

Sugar was a mutual friend of theirs from high school. Not as athletic as the Unholy Trinity, but she always tried her best.

"Isn't traveling in your uniform like, super uncomfortable?" She asked as she made the turn into the Marriot.

Brittany could barely hear her friend over the sound of her heart beating in her ears. She was so excited.

"Britt? You okay?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry Sug. I'm just like, really excited to see San. It's been a hot minute." She said smiling. "You said she works at the front desk?"

"Yeah, one of the girls in my sorority had switched positions with her tonight just for this."

The valet worker took care of the car as the girls walked into the lobby.

There she was. Santana was refilling the Lima Gazette stand with new issues so her back was turned towards them. Brittany ran up behind her, giving her a gentle tap on the shoulder. Before she turned Brittany moved out the way to make it look like no one was there.

"Look dude. I'm not in the fucking mood tonight. If you need help, don't be a prick-"

But before she could finish her sentence, her eyes locked with Brittany's. "Is that how you talk to all your guests?"

Santana jumped on her best friend, wrapping her arms around her neck. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"My second half of my leave got approved. I figured I'd surprise you."

When Santana finally let go of Brittany, she took a couple steps back. "The uniform looks good on you, Specialist (SPC) Pierce."

Brittany blushed a bit, turning away to look towards Sugar.

"Where are you staying tonight?" Santana asked. "My mom would love to see you. I think Sasha is at the house too."

"My parents won't be back until the 30th, I was honestly gonna just stay at the house alone." Brittany answered.

"Fuck that. You're coming home with me. Sug? You coming too?"

"Nah, I just got a text that I gotta go into work in about an hour. I'm on call. I'll let you guys have your fun. Britt, come grab your bag from my car."

"I'm gonna go clock out. I'll be back."

Brittany and Sugar walk back out of the lobby with Santana running up behind them. Brittany starts to grab her things from the trunk when Santana feels a hand on her arm.

"You're welcome." Sugar tells her.

"You don't work tonight, do you." Santana says.

"Nah. But I think you two need this time together." Sugar says as the valet worker hands her keys to her. "And hey. Tell her. Don't fuck it up."

Before Santana could say anything, Sugar winks and gets into her car.

"You ready to go?" Brittany says, duffle bag in hand.

"Hell yeah. Let's go."

On the car ride to Santana's house, the girls were talking up a storm. It had been so long since the two of them had spent actual time together so a lot of it was catching up on things that they didn't necessarily talk about on the phone.

Once at Santana's house, Santana walked in first followed by Brittany. Her mom had just started setting the table for dinner, something she did a little later on days where Santana worked night shifts. It was sweet of her. And Santana knew that since she went away to college, her mom had been a little lonely in the house.

"Hey mami." Santana said as she walked into the dining room. "Three places? We might need one more."

"One more, mija?" She said. When she looked up and saw Brittany she screamed. "Brittany! Oh my goodness look at you!"

Brittany hugged Gloria. It was warm and welcoming, just as she remembered. "How have you been?"

"Oh you know, the same. Now come let me get a good look at you." She dusted Brittany's shoulders and stepped back. "You look so good in your uniform. It's nothing like the pictures Santana has shown me."

"Pictures?"

"Oh mami stop it, it's nothing." Santana said frantically. "Here. Let me grab the extra dinner set from the kitchen."

Santana walked through the door and into the kitchen where Sasha was just about to bring out the extra set. "You finally gonna say something to her tonight? Or you gonna bitch out."

"Shut the hell up Sash. Before she fucking hears you."

"Please you make like no one fucking knows, San. Even mom has told me she's been waiting."

"It can't be that obvious." Santana said quietly.

"It kinda is. Especially since Brittany joined the Army. All you talk about is either softball or her."

"I'm proud of her, okay? Damn."

"Mhmm." Her sister said while handing her the extra plate and silverware. "Proud. Sure."

Sasha walked through the door to greet Brittany.

After dinner, the girls decided to go and sit in the Jacuzzi in the backyard.

"You know, I haven't been back here since I got home."

"Are you serious? This was your spot. Where I'd always find you if you weren't answering my phone calls or texts." Brittany said as they stepped into the backyard. "Not even once?"

"Not even once." Santana answered.

"Are you okay San?" Brittany looked over at her friend. She was taking her shirt off and shrugging out of her shorts. "Sasha was saying inside that you were really sad when you first came home."

Santana looked over at Brittany who had her bathing suit top on and some surf shorts. Her body was much more toned out now. Her shoulders were defined, her stomach accented by the dim light that was shining from the back porch.

"San?" Brittany said again, snapping her from her thoughts.

"Sorry. I was just-" Santana sat inside the hot tub now. Slowly adjusting to the heat, allowing to engulf her body. "When I came home B, yeah. I was sad. It just felt so empty here without you, you know?"

"I know. That's how I felt after you guys left off to college." A silence fell on them. "I'm sorry San, I-"

"No, I get it B. You don't have to apologize. Honest."

Brittany scooted closer to Santana and put her arm around her. "I'm here now though."

Santana's face immediately began to heat up the moment Brittany's arm went around her. Slowly, the courage was starting to build. It was just them two. Sasha had gone back to her dad's house while her mom had gone into work after a five car pile-up on the interstate. It was all hands on deck.

"How have you really been though?"

Santana pondered for a moment, before take a sip from the crown in her cup. "I've been okay. School and softball has just been so much, you know?"

"I imagine. I know you were pissed at your coach about last season. How has it been other than that? The team?"

"They're great! It's no Titans team, but it'll do." Santana laughed. "What about you?"

"You know, the Army, it's great. Early mornings were never my thing, and you know that all too well. But, it's starting to grow on me." Brittany said proudly. "Plus, I'm going to BLC in a few months."

"What's that?" Curiosity was coated Santana's words. "I have no idea what any of this Army stuff is."

"BLC, its Basic Leader Course. A class you have to attend before getting promoted to Sergeant (SGT)." Brittany explained.

"Okay, I see you! Doing big things in the Army huh?" Santana splashed some water on her friend.

"You know, I'm just doing what I can. Just trying to make you guys proud."

"And you are, B. Trust me. Very proud." Santana readjusted herself in the Jacuzzi. "There's something about you and the Army. It's brought out this confidence in you, it's new. I like it."

It was now Brittany's turn to turn away before the shade of pink on her cheeks became too apparent to her friend. "Thanks San. It's really helping me get out of my shell more. I don't have you guys to hide behind anymore. Not that it was a bad thing. Whenever things come up that make me feel a little uncomfortable, I just think about what you guys would do. Especially you."

"Why me though?"

"Do you remember freshman year, the semi-finals for basketball? We were in line at the concession stand and that girl bumped into me and had the nerve to say that it was my fault?" Santana nodded, but didn't say anything. She knew exactly what she was talking about. "She turned, and started to mouth off to me. And I know that you gave me a chance to say something, but you ended up stepping in front of me and telling her to fuck off. I mean it like that. Standing up for things you care about."

"Britt it wasn't your fault that's why."

"I know. And I knew it then too but I couldn't find the words to say that to her. If it were me now? Yeah fuck that." She started to laugh. "I know you have your, reservations about me joining."

Brittany turned to her friend, grabbing her hands before continuing. "And I'm not invalidating your feelings. But believe me when I say, San. I can handle myself."

Santana was taken aback a little, the Army really did something to her best friend. And in such a good way. The shine in her eyes, the smile on her face. "I believe you, B. I do."

"You have something on your mind San. I know that face." Nothing came out. She had so much to say, but nothing was coming out. "You can't hide it from me."

"It's nothing, B. Trust me."

Santana wanted to say it. She had it at the tip of her tongue. But Brittany was doing so fantastic. She was finding her footing, and finding who she was without her and Quinn. The last thing she wanted to do was come clean about her feelings, and that sets her back somehow. Brittany was out doing this new life, and having new experiences and she didn't want to hold her back. Santana wasn't this, nervous wreck. She was the outgoing, not scared of anything badass. So why was this so hard?

Brittany started talking about something that she was doing at work, the smile on her face was all she could concentrate on.

Now isn't the right time, Santana. She told herself before downing the rest of her crown.

But when would it be the time?

The girls spent about twenty more minutes in the Jacuzzi before heading inside to wash up. Brittany went to shower first, she was getting pretty tired from the long plane ride home. Santana used that time to tidy up her room a little. She had uniform shirts and crap scattered around her room. She wasn't really prepared for Brittany to be coming over.

"Your room really hasn't changed huh? Still messy, as always." Brittany said as she placed her bag down.

"Is that, a bag for your toiletries?" Santana bit back, playfully. "The Army really out here changing my girl huh."

Santana turned to face her dresser, pretending to look through her drawer for literally anything.

Brittany was silently panicking herself, the words my girl really making her feel a certain type of way.

"I'm-" Santana bumped into her open drawer, she closed it before continuing. "I'm going to go shower."

She hustled out of the room and into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Brittany laid on the bed, on the side she's claimed since they were little. There was something about being home, being with Santana, that made her so happy. She stretched, before pulling out her phone and posting a picture of them on Instagram.

The caption read, "Reunited with the best friend."

She looked the picture over once more before posting it. It was perfect.

Brittany got under the covers before turning on the TV.

Santana's room really hadn't changed, she was never necessarily the tidiest person. Brittany would frequently clean up whenever she came over and she never really paid it any mind. On the wall, was a picture she hadn't seen before. Brittany got up and walked over to see that it was a random picture Santana had of the Unholy Trinity. It seemed like a candid moment, Brittany had lifted the water jug above Santana's head while Quinn was holding her in place. Their last home game of their senior year. Brittany smiled, taking a picture of it before laying back down on the bed. And before long, she had drifted to sleep.

When Santana came back from the bathroom, Brittany was already fast asleep- snoring softly. Santana placed her dirty clothes in her basket before turning back towards her bed. Santana watches Brittany for a few seconds, before laying down next to her, her heart basically beating out of her chest. It's hard to breathe, why is she so nervous? It's just Brittany.

17 Years Ago, June 2006

Brittany and Santana were at Brittany's parents' house near the coast. It was a summer tradition they had since they became friends. And this summer was that much more special, they were about to start high school. They had heard stories about McKinley, and how kids step foot on that campus and forget the friends they had walked in with. It was life, and they were sure that it wasn't just tied to McKinley. But they were determined, to not make that their destiny.

It was a nice summer day, the sun was out and the girls had split most of the day between swimming in the water and tanning on the beach.

"Hey San?" Brittany says as they lay back down on their towels.

Santana was putting on her sunglasses, "Yeah?"

"So, there's something that I wanted to tell you. And I don't know how you're going to take it."

Santana flips over onto her stomach to look at Brittany. "You know you can tell me anything right? No judgement."

"No I know, and that's why I wanted to tell you now. We're about to start high school, and I know that McKinley can be a harsh place. But-" Brittany paused for a brief moment, gathering her thoughts and every bit of courage she had. "I think, I like girls."

The statement didn't really surprise Santana, she had a feeling for a few weeks now with some of the things Brittany had been saying and how hard she was arguing with her parents about a lesbian couple they had saw on the boardwalk.

"Britt, you know that isn't going to change anything right?"

"I was scared it was. I mean, you hear of stories all the time about friends falling out because of stuff like this."

"Yeah Britt. But we aren't like other people you know?" Santana grabbed onto the necklace she was wearing. "You see this?"

The necklace was a black half heart with the letters ST with END under it.

Brittany looked down at hers, a blue half heart with BE with FRI under it.

"This necklace B, I mean this. You're my best friend. And nothing is going to change that. I know it's scary that we're going to high school and this, this is big. And thank you, for sharing that with me. I know it must've been pretty hard."

Brittany didn't say anything.

"But-" Santana continued. "We are going to high school. Maybe, we should just feel out freshman year and see what the vibe is like before you completely come out. It's not that I don't want you to, but I don't want anyone fucking with you."

"I know you don't San. And, I think that is a good idea. The only person I really cared about telling was you."

Santana smiled, knowing that the trust their friendship had was so strong.

After the long beach day, the girls found themselves in bed looking for a movie to watch.

"Again, B? Scream II? The first one is better." Santana said as she handed her friend the bowl of popcorn they made before retiring into the room. It was late, Brittany's parents had gone over to their friend's house for a party so that left the girls alone. "Anything you want though. It is your turn to choose the movie."

Ghostface was Brittany's favorite horror character of all time. Hell, she had been him for Halloween 3 years in a row. The only differences between the years was the length of the robe because of Brittany's growth spurt. By the eighth grade, she had grown two inches and now the robe hovered just above her ankles compared to two years prior where it was dragging on the ground.

Santana snakes her arm around Brittany, pulling her closer. "Don't cover your eyes this time."

Brittany looks at her friend in disbelief. "I do not do that."

Santana laughed hard, knowing that her friend was absolutely lying. "You do that every single time, B. I just don't know why you love these movies so much if you're so scared of them."

"Okay just because you're like, immune to them because Jason and Sasha have horror movie marathons at home doesn't count." Brittany said, poking fun at her. "I know you're a little scaredy cat too or else you wouldn't be sitting this close to me."

The movie starts, and the girls enjoy most of it until a scene makes Brittany jump and cover her eyes.

"See!"

"Look San." Brittany said. "It's fun watching these movies. Don't judge me just because I cover my eyes." She turns towards Santana, her blue eyes peeping through her fingers. "See. I'm still watching."

Santana always got lost in Brittany's eyes, and all she could do was smile and shake her head to prevent the blush from becoming too obvious.

"Plus I'm watching with you so I won't be too scared later tonight"

That's when Santana snakes her arm around Brittany again and goes, "You got that B. I'm always going to be here."

Later that night, Brittany had fallen asleep and Santana had gone out into the kitchen to put the popcorn in the sink to wash in the morning.

When she came back, Brittany was still in the same position as she was when she had left.

She lays down, facing towards Brittany. Whispering, "I like girls too B. And I like you."

Brittany didn't stir, didn't move. And Santana thanked any God that was listening, because she wasn't ready to reveal that to her best friend just yet.

Santana lays on the bed, her heart calming down when all of a sudden there's a shift in the bed and Brittany turns towards her. Propped up on her elbow.

"Whatsup, S? You okay?" A sleepy Brittany said.

"Yeah, B. I'm okay. Go back to sleep."

Brittany layed back down, moving Santana's arm so she can lay in the spot that was always reserved for her.

Why can't I just fucking tell her.