Okay this took awhile longer than I thought it would but this is by far the longest chapter yet so hope that makes up for the wait! Not sure how I feel about the end result of this chapter since my head always has an idea of where the story is going but by the time I finished the chapter it didn't end up where I thought it would be but I'm happy with the result and hope you all are as well! Reviews are always welcome I want to hear your thoughts! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 8

Santana made her way to her dorm in a tornado of emotion. Lucky for her her roommate was no where to be seen because she was not in the right state to be civilized with anyone at this point. She slammed the door to her room closed and paced the room as her mind repeated everything that had just happened that day. She finally got to kiss Brittany, more than once, and got her to finally start to let down her guard just in time for Artie to come back and screw up everything.

"Ugh..that son of a bitch." Santana says to herself in the empty dorm, as she paces the small room trying to think of some way to get Brittany to see her, to choose her. "I can't believe she agreed to a date with that...asshole!" She all but screams and kicks her desk only to retract her foot quickly in pain. "Owww... Fuck!" she yells out in pain and goes over to sit on her bed before she actually breaks something. She lays back against her headboard and closes her eyes, trying to relax so she can think clearly. As soon as she closes her eyes all she can see are those mesmerizing crystal blue eyes, her smile, and her laugh rings through her thoughts.

Suddenly she snaps her eyes back open with an idea and jumps off the bed back over to her desk to get her laptop. She searches through her Facebook and begins to scan her friends list. "I just have to get to her to see what she's missing out on. I'll show up with..." she says as she searches down the list of girls that will definitely get Brittany's attention. "..her." She comes across one and types out a message to a girl in her psychology class, Sierra, she's noticed checking her out a few times in class and thinks will definitely get Brittany's attention when she sees them together. The girl was gorgeous, long brown hair, piercing green eyes, toned body with legs that went on forever. Someone Santana would've definitely already been with before Brittany but the girl did seem to come off a bit strong, and right now that's exactly what she was hoping for. When the girl replies she sends a message back to get the girl's number to call her tomorrow with the details.

She closes her laptop feeling confident in her plan she calls Blaine to give him a quick explanation of what happened and asking him to do some intel for her to find out where Artie and Brittany will be tomorrow night. He reluctantly agrees after hearing the situation, part of him knowing that trying to make Brittany jealous may backfire but doesn't want to give Santana any negative thoughts that she'll probably rip his head off for stating.

Brittany didn't know what to do once Santana had left. Her last words just repeated in her head over and over. "He can never give you what I can." Santana had said before she stormed out of her apartment for the second time that day. Brittany was completely unsure of what to do. Torn between her first real love and whatever force that kept pulling her towards Santana. Her player facade had seemed to have faded and she seemed honest towards her but how can she be sure? She sat on her couch and hugged her pillow as her crying calmed down from Santana's words from earlier. She knew she should believe her about Artie but how could when she doesn't know him? She doesn't know everything that they had been through over the years. She did feel that he really did love her but he had also been the same person to destroy her. The one person she had loved with everything she had and trusted with her life, and her heart. It's not something that she could just move on from easily, if at all.

Santana truly scared her. She scared her of everything that she made her feel. Feeling how easily they had clicked once she gave her a chance to even just try and be her friend. She couldn't help the butterflies she got in her stomach whenever Santana smiled at her sweetly or said something that made her feel like she was the only person in the world. It scared her to even think about letting herself feel something towards someone again, especially so soon. It was just...that kiss. How that kiss had completely blown her away and made her feel so many things in one kiss than she thought possible. She wasn't sure if when she had kissed Artie if it had felt the same. After everything that happened she had already second guessed everything he had done to her. Sure he had made his mistakes but maybe he really did realize what he had once he had lost it.

Brittany's mind raced with these thoughts as she sat on her couch staring blankly at the TV screen. 'Maybe it would just be easier to give Artie another chance.' she thought. He had seemed genuine and the least she could do was go to dinner and see if she could find out if he really was being sincere or trying to play her again like Santana had said. Even if she found out he was just lying again maybe she could at least get some answers she had been wanting since she found out the truth. She had to figure out her feelings from her past before she knew she'd be able to consider everything that had been happening with Santana. At the same time she was afraid of losing whatever her and Santana had before it even had a chance to really start.

After what felt like hours she finally got up off the couch and made her way to bed. Not before taking a shower in an attempt to wash away her thoughts before putting her headphones in to get lost within her music and relax enough to try to get some sleep even though with everything going through her head she knew was a very slim chance. Any rest at all she knew she was gonna need it to get through her "date" with Artie.

The following day Blaine did as he was instructed and went to the cafe to find out about Brittany's date. However when he got there he noticed a vital asset to his plan was missing, Brittany was no where to be seen.

"Of course." He says to himself as he does a double take on the shop to make sure he didn't miss her. "This would be her one day off." he sighs knowing his mission just became a bit harder than expected. He knew she lived above the shop after asking the cashier who had helped him if she had seen the blonde Blaine decided to wait and see if she showed. He figured waiting it out was safer than delivering bad news to Santana.

He waited about twenty minutes before Brittany entered the shop from the back hall. He went to approach her when he saw her stop and talk to a guy he didn't recognize at a table close by where he had been sitting. Noticing the guy was in a wheelchair he quickly realized that it was Artie. Blaine tried to watch casually without looking like he was blatantly staring. After a couple minutes he couldn't help but notice that Artie didn't seem like a threatening person. From what he could tell he looks as if he would be quite a nice guy, a bit nerdy actually. "He really doesn't look like much of a threat." he said to himself as he got up to walk towards the counter so he was a bit closer to the other table, hoping they were discussing their plans for the night. His movement towards the table however didn't go unnoticed by the blonde.

"Blaine?" he heard just as he had passed the table on his way to eavesdrop by the counter. 'Well maybe this will be a bit easier.' He thought as he turned around to face Brittany who was smiling up at him from her seat.

"Hey Brittany. How are you?"

"Alright I suppose. I haven't seen you in awhile how are you? And how's Kurt?"

"We're both really good." He says with a smile before looking to the guy sitting across from Brittany who seems to be glaring at him. "Oh hi, I'm sorry." He says reaching out his free hand, "I'm Blaine."

Artie takes his hand in a firm grip, "Nice to meet you, I'm Artie." the boy says before letting go.

"Do you go to school here as well?" Blaine asks in an attempt to see if he really is as bad as Santana made him out to be.

"No I'm just visiting my girl." He says nicely but Blaine can definitely catch the underlying tone in his voice.

"I'm not your girl Artie. Not anymore. You really need to get that in your head." Brittany says with a huff as she stands up. "I'm going to get a drink. Anyone want anything?" She asks kindly.

"Yeah a medium dark roast, sweet with a bit of cream. Oh and get a bagel with cream cheese." Artie said with an annoyed tone.

"Right, of course." she responds slightly annoyed at his rudeness. "Blaine care for a refill?" Brittany asks pointing down to his cup.

"Why don't I come along and help you bring everything back?" Blaine offers nicely.

"That would be great, thank you." Brittany says as they walk up to the counter and Brittany has one of her coworkers fill the order.

"Have you talked to Santana?" Brittany asked turning to Blaine after placing their orders.

"Uh-" Blaine stuttered not sure how to answer his friend.

"Sorry that's not my business and I don't know what she told you but-" Brittany began looking down to her hands as she nervously picked at her cuticles. "Is she.. is she okay?" Brittany asked looking back up to Blaine with a worried expression.

"I'm honestly not sure Brittany. She's never really acted like this before so this is all new territory for all us with her. I do know she likes you, a lot. You have a complicated situation but when it all comes down to it you're the only one that knows what you need Brittany. I think part of Santana understands that but she's not use to putting herself out there like she has with you and now she just feels rejected again."

"I didn't mean to make-" Brittany begins to explain but Blaine quickly puts his hands on her shoulder reassuringly.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know your ex was going to show up out of nowhere. I think Santana understands that somewhere deep down. I think you need to figure out your own feelings before you make any decisions based on everyone else's feelings. This has to be what is going make you happy not anyone else."

"Yeah I guess you're right. It's just I don't what to do with Artie or my feelings and I don't know. Just the thought of him hurting me again hurts but if I choose Santana then who's to say she won't do the same? It's hard for me to let people in and I just don't want to end up having my worst fears become another reality. I don't think I can take going through something like that again when I'm not even over from the first time." She says deflated.

"Well Brittany let me ask you this then, do you like Santana?" Brittany nods. "Have you been given any reason to not trust her." Brittany shakes her head.

"No but I never had any reason to not trust Artie either. We were together for years and I had no idea that he had been lying to me."

"And yet you're still going to dinner with him?"

"I well-" She sighs knowing she shouldn't be giving him the chance she has. "I just need answers Blaine. It's just Breadsticks it's not something fancy and romantic, it's just dinner. I just..I need answers." She said sternly as took a quick look back to Artie.

"Brittany do you mind if I ask something a bit personal." She shakes her head in response. "Do you still have feelings for Artie?"

Santana texted her date telling her she was on her way, but not before giving herself another once over in the mirror. 'Everything has to be perfect. Perfect outfit to make her jaw hit the floor? Check. Hot girl as my "date"? Check. Throw in the some Lopez charm and she won't stand a chance.' She says to herself in the mirror.

"How do I look?" She turns around to ask her roommate.

"Damn Lopez I think you won't have an issue making anyone jealous of your date tonight. Hell I'm jealous and I'm straight." She chuckles as her eyes scan the Latina. From her high heels to her tight, short, red dress and all the way up to her face. She nods in approval of her light semi smokey make up as her hair falls in perfect waves framing her face beautifully. "Yup you're gonna kill." Her roommate finally says after a long minute before turning her attention back to her book.

"Perfect." Santana replied with a smirk as she grabs her keys, phone and clutch making her way out of her room.

She arrived at the girl's dorm a few minutes later. Her date Sierra of course wasn't ready when she got there but she did clean up very nice even if she did resemble a hooker in Santana's mind. 'Well I know this will get Brittany's attention.' She thought as she looked at the girl's attire. Her dress was black and fit tight like a corset showing off even cleavage. Her hair was pulled back with her side bangs lightly falling off to the side of her face and make up was surprisingly light but it just seemed to bring more attention to her emerald green eyes, that couldn't be torn from checking out Santana's outfit. Santana was pretty sure if they stood there longer drool would actually fall for the girls wide open mouth. She escorted her out of the building as they walked the semi short distance down a couple block to the restaurant.

They arrived at Breadsticks and Santana escorted her date inside while doing a quick scan of the place hoping to spot Brittany and her asshole of an ex. She spotted them off towards one of the back tables of the building and Santana was pretty sure her heart stopped when she saw her. Her hair was slightly pulled back away from her face but her blonde hair fell in curls down her back. She was wearing a low cut turquoise dress that made her eyes all but sparkle like the Caribbean Seas in the dim romantic light. Once she was able to catch her breath she had the waiter seat them close to her table. Restraining herself along the way as the sight of her alone made it hard for Santana to not just go straight to the blonde's table take her in her arms and never let go. 'This better work.' she thought taking a deep breath and pulling out a chair out for her date to sit and saying a 'you're welcome' when Sierra had thanked her. 'Time to turn on the Lopez charm.' she thought when she locked with blue eyes from a few tables away. Those blue eyes that looked back in shock when they darted to the girl in front of her before looking back up to meet Santana's gaze once again. Santana could already see the hurt expression coming across Brittany's face as she quickly looked away and took her own seat.

Brittany had decided to start off casual with her conversation with Artie once she had arrived at Breadsticks. She asked about things back home, friends and their families as she tried to keep the discussion light for the time being. After a few minutes of talking with Artie, her Artie. The guy that she had been friends with for so long, she realized how much she had missed having a friend here. Not that Quinn hadn't been amazing. They had quickly and easily just clicked with each other but it was nice to have someone familiar. Someone who's known her for so long and even with out their romantic relationship had always been an incredible friend to her throw thick and thin. Seeing Artie being the guy she knew, not the guy he portrayed to everyone else. The tough guy attitude and rude remarks she had always known were just a cover but never gave him up to anyone. He was always the guy she had loved when it was just them and she was getting caught up in that again. 'But do I still love him?' she asked herself over and over.

Just as their appetizers were served Brittany turned to the server to thank him but her attention was immediately drawn somewhere else. The familiar voice that had been haunting her since last night. She looked past the waiter and her breath visibly hitched at the sight. Santana looking absolutely stunning not twenty feet away from her. She caught her gaze for a moment before she realized who it was she had spoken to as she brought her attention the beautiful girl at the table with her. Realization hitting her like a freight train she quickly turned her attention back to her own table and took a drink of water to calm her nerves of what she'd just seen.

'Santana's...here. On a—a..date.' she thought to herself gripping her glass a little tighter when felt her chest clench at the thought of it. 'No maybe it's a not date.' she thought trying to convince her mind of what she had just seen. 'They could be friends or maybe she has family in town or something... anything. Please anything but a date.' she thought but was taken out of her spiraling thoughts quickly.

"Is there something wrong with your food?" Artie asked as he reached across the table to take Brittany's free hand that wasn't gripped to her drink. "You okay?" he asked with a worried look when she finally looked up to meet his eyes.

'You're thinking too much. Santana wouldn't do that, she just wouldn't.'

"Yes I'm sorry, everything is fine." She said with her best convincing smile and continued with her meal.

She managed to keep her cool through the appetizer and her entree but finally deciding she couldn't take not looking any longer she chanced a slight glance to the brunette's table. Her heart dropped. Santana was leaning towards the other girl and seemed to be whispering something into her ear. Brittany let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding when she saw brown eyes open for a moment and look directly towards her before looking away just as quickly. A moment later Santana pulled away with a knowing grin and took the girl's hand over the table, lightly playing with her fingers as the girl blushed and laughed lightly at her in return. Brittany once again noticing Santana's slight glances towards her but not meeting her gaze.

The girl took a sip of her drink with her free hand as if to cool down her now crimson face from Brittany could only assume to be the smooth words the Latina had said to her. 'It can't be...no.' Brittany thought as she continued to nod and agree to whatever it was the Artie had moved the conversation onto but her real attention was on the other table now. She looked at them, holding hands, laughing and cute quiet whispers of one only knows. Her eyes dropped to the bottom of the table when she noticed the girl trying to play footsie with Santana. 'That could've been me.' she thought as she looked back up at Santana's date. 'She's perfect. They're perfect together. She said she liked me though. I'm ridiculous..so stupid.' she reprimanded herself. 'To think I could have a chance with her. I don't blame her for moving on like this not after yesterday. She didn't deserve to be put through that.. but to- To act like this when she knows I'm right here-I thought she was different but I guess I was wrong.'

"Brittany!" Artie all but yelled and her attention snapped back to his impatient and frustrated face.

"Sorry. I thought.. I thought I saw someone I knew but... I guess.. I was wrong." she said bringing her full attention back to Artie avoiding how her heart dropped at her own words.

"It's okay Brittany. I was just saying how I think things have gone very well tonight and I think that.. Well I really think that you and I belong together. I was so stupid Brittany and there's nothing I could ever say that would take back what I've done or what I've put you through. It's just that being away from you has made me realize a lot. Treating you the way that I did.. I didn't just lose the love of my life but I lost my best friend. I don't expect you to forgive me Brittany" he continued as he reached over the table to take her hand in his. "No words can express how truly sorry I am but Brittany I know you and I belong together. I love you Brittany, I always have and always will and all I'm asking for is another chance. I swear to that I will not mess it up this time. Please give me another chance Brittany, no one could ever love you like I do." he said stroking the back her hand with his thumb.

Brittany sat for a minute taking in his words and her mind went back to the same question that she had been asking herself since she saw Artie in the hallway outside of her apartment. 'Do I still love him?' she asked herself and that's when the realization hit her. 'No, I don't. Not after everything. It wasn't just the guy that he pretended to be to the world that put you through all of this pain. It was the all of him the fake tough guy but mostly your best friend.' She felt as if the entire restaurant was staring at her, as if they could overhear the entire conversation.

She looked up to the scan the tables around her and noticed as she looked around that no one was watching. Everyone was busy in their own worlds except one of other person. Her eyes met Santana's as the girl looked at her with so much emotion like she had just heard every word Artie had said and was also waiting for her response but her attention was forced away by her date calling for her attention. Brittany couldn't help but notice one emotion that she saw in her chocolate orbs before they had been pulled away from her own. Hope. 'Jealousy' Brittany realized 'she's just trying to make me jealous that must be it. Why else would she keep looking towards me and look at me with such kind and honest eyes. She's trying to get back at me.' That look alone was all she needed to see. She looked down to her lap before looking to met Artie's waiting eyes.

"No." was she said as he searched her eyes waiting for her to continue. "I don't love you anymore Artie. After everything you put me through, you were suppose to be my friend. You were, you were my best friend and I let myself get caught up in that. When I found out everything that you had done I didn't just lose someone I loved but I lost my best friend too. There is no chance that we will ever be like we were but I don't like holding grudges. I don't like walking around feeling like this anymore. There will never be an us. The only thing I can offer you is my forgiveness. We both know you don't even deserve that." She took a breath and stood up from the table. "I think it's best if you leave Artie, I don't want to see you ever again. If there's one thing you can do for me that's it. Just leave me in peace and don't ever bother me ever again. Goodbye" She said grabbing her purse and making her way out of the restaurant.

She made her way to Santana's table with a new found confidence. Finally letting go of her past and as she looked towards Santana's table something inside her knew that this could be her future. That even if she was scared something about the look that Santana had given her and all the words she had said were true. Maybe, just maybe, everything could be okay after all.

All of her her hopes however were lost when she looked over at the table she was approaching hoping to see Santana's hopeful gaze back at her but only seeing the girl pulling her in closer to her. Before she knew it they were kissing and every emotion just washed over her as she watched until the tears in her eyes clouded her vision and for once she couldn't be more thankful for it.

Santana immediately broke from the kiss and pushed the girl away only to see a girl in her turquoise dress rush past the table with tears streaming down her face. "Brittany?" she said weakly. Unsure if she had seen what had just happened or if her tears were caused by Artie she looked towards the table she had retreated from only to see Artie still sitting there at the table.

"Nice job. Guess neither of us get her now. I broke her heart and pretty sure you just crushed it again. Good job Santana." He said loudly enough for her to hear shaking his head at her actions.

Santana quickly jumped from her seat and ran outside after her.

"Brittany! Please!" she yelled as she saw the girl now walking down the road her sobs filling the crisp night air. "Britt stop! It's not what it looks like! Please let me explain! Just ughh please stop!" she continued to yell in an effort to get the girl to stop or at least slow down enough to catch up to her. However her words only seemed to encourage the blonde to walk that much faster away from her.

When she realized there was no chance of catching up to Brittany this way Santana turned around and quickly headed to her dorm doing the only thing she could think to do. She ran to her dorm, as fast as you can run in heels, and quickly shot to her nightstand grabbing a folder and laying it on the bed. Her roommate who was still in shock from her sudden burst into the room went to say something but Santana held up her hand quickly to silence the girl from speaking. Santana looked at the folder repeatedly before grabbing it and throwing it back on the bed a few times. Suddenly she made her way to her closet and changed her clothes before grabbing the folder again and rushing back out the door leaving her roommate in complete confusion.

A while later Santana approaches the door with the folder in hand and hesitates for a minute before taking another deep breath and finally knocking. The door almost immediately swings open and but neither of them say anything. They just look at each other for a moment before the silence is finally broken.

"It's me." Santana says as she pushes past her into the room.

"What are you talking about?" she asks in complete confusion.

"I need you to trust me. Can you do that?" she asks and receives a nod in response. "And I need to know I can trust you before I show you anything. Can I? Can I trust you?" she asks gripping the folder in her hand tightly.

"Of course you can trust me. Santana what's going on? What do you mean it's you? What's you?"

"I-" she takes another breath as she slightly opens the folder in her hands and pulls out a piece of paper and hands it over. "I'm the one who wrote all the letters." she finally says watching the blonde expectantly as she reads the paper in her hand before taking the rest of the folder from where Santana had placed it on the bed and looking through the other papers inside.

"It's-It's you? You wrote all those letters? You're... you're the secret admirer?" She eyes her in confusion and shock.

"Yes and I... wow I'm not good at this. I... I need your help Q." Santana breathes out and walks over to the girls bed. "I- I fucked everything up and I don't know what to do. Will you help me?" Santana asks and Quinn and hear how upset she is.

"Santana what happened?"

"I screwed up. I went to the restaurant where Brittany was having dinner with Artie and I, I brought a date to make Brittany jealous. To make her realize that it's me she really wanted to be with. It was stupid and I don't know what I was thinking she took it completely the wrong way. I was only doing it to make her jealous and make her realize that she has feelings for me not that asshole ex of hers. I could see she was getting jealous but then.. then that stupid chick I had with me kissed me and all hell broke loose." She says looking down to her feet and shaking her head at the memory. "I tried to get her jealous but I did worse. I made her think I was just like, just like him." she sighs defeated.

"You really are an idiot you know that? Did you explain to her what happened?" Quinn asks taking a seat on the edge of her bed facing the upset girl.

"I didn't get the chance! The girl kissed me just as Brittany was walking out on that asshole and... damn it! The look on her face Q. That look she gave me after it happened... she's never gonna talk to me again. I can't—I can't handle that. I tried going after her but she wouldn't listen to me and she left."

"Left? What do you mean she left? Where?" Quinn asks quickly.

"Her apartment I'm assuming. I was gonna go there but I've already made things bad I know going there would just make it even worse. I just.. I don't know how to fix it after all this."

"Okay let's brainstorm. We'll figure this out Santana, we can get her!" Quinn says determined and they start brainstorming plans.