It was a surprise, when I woke up on Saturday morning, that my phone was buzzing.

Considering how early it was, and considering that no one phoned me except Santana. And obviously she wasn't speaking to me.

Which is why I was so shocked when, after finally deciding to move, I saw the name that popped up on my phone screen.

Santana.

My hand jumped for the phone so fast I almost knocked my lamp off my bedside table. I hurriedly pressed the green button and put the phone to my ear.

'Hello?' I said, my voice shaking a little.

'Brittany,' said Santana. It was barely more than a whisper.

'San, are you okay? You sound ill.'

'I'm... I'm fine,' she tried, but her voice cracked and she started sobbing into the phone.

'Santana! Don't cry, do you want me to come over? I'll put on some clothes and run, I'll be there in –'

'No, Brittany, it's okay,' she said, giving an unconvincing sniff. 'I just... needed to speak to someone.'

'What's up?' I asked, concerned.

'It's my mom,' she cried. 'She... She found out about Jamie.'

My heart felt heavy.

'Oh,' I said. 'Oh.'

'She... She's been shouting at me for the last half an hour, she went through my bag and found a – a photo...'

I sighed deeply. I didn't want to help her – but I knew I would, in the end. I would do anything for her.

'Do you need somewhere to stay? Just for a few nights. I'm sure my mom would be cool with it, you're like family to her after all.'

I could hear Santana sobbing, but she didn't answer.

'San?' I pressed. No answer.

'San, if you don't reply, I'm coming over right now.'

'No, Brittany,' she said. 'It's fine. Are you sure you're okay with this? Jamie can't take me, because her mom doesn't know about me and wouldn't understand.'

'It's fine, Santana,' I encouraged. 'You're my best friend. I'm here for you no matter what.'

And I love you.

'Thank you, Brittany. I honestly can't express how grateful I am.'

'Just come over, okay,' I said, before hanging up.

The phone fell from my hand and hit the floor. I faceplanted my pillow and stayed there, wondering if I could just sink into the mattress and be forgotten.

But this? This I didn't mind. Being friends with Santana would be hard, because I wanted more – but not being friends with her? That was harder. And that hurt more than the thought of her being with someone else ever would, because I needed her close to me.

I hurriedly pulled on shorts and a tshirt, and headed for the kitchen to explain the situation to my mom.

'Mom, can Santana stay here for a couple of days? It's just her parents are really angry with her.'

My mom frowned.

'I thought you two were fighting?'

'No, not anymore,' I said, smiling.

She chuckled. 'Knew it wouldn't last long.'

I took that as a yes, and headed for the front door, to wait.

Santana arrived five minutes later, having just ran from her house. She had a small backpack on, and I raised my eyebrows.

'You really fit all your clothes in there?'

She smiled. 'Only a few things. If I run out... Can I just borrow stuff from you?'

'Sure,' I smiled.

She smiled back, and for a second I was lost in her amazing dark eyes.

'Santana.' My mum had come through from the hall, grinning. 'Haven't seen you here in a while.'

'Sorry, Mrs Pierce,' she said, hugging her.

'Well, it's great to see you again, anyhow.'

The three of us stood awkwardly in the hall for a few seconds. I cleared my throat.

'Um, Santana, should we go upstairs, or...?'

'Sure,' she said, practically bounding up the stairs. I couldn't help but giggle.

When I reached my room, she was already lying on my bed, completely at home.

I awkwardly perched on the edge, and she sat up, suddenly sincere.

'Brittany..'

I turned to her.

'I... I'm so grateful. God, you should be so angry with me. But you're here when no one else is. So, thank you for that.'

'Santana, the fact you're... dating Jamie... It doesn't change the fact that I will always be here if you need me. I can deal with just being your friend, if that's the way you want it to be. This is your decision... Not mine.'

She looked pained.

'But,' I added, curious, 'I have to ask. Why did you choose her... over me?'

She looked down at her knees.

'Brittany... When I was away on holiday... Things changed. My parents weren't fighting. I was getting along with them. I wanted a new start, sort of. It felt great to just... forget, for a second. I just wanted to forget about everything that was happening here. Because it was hurting me so badly.'

I nodded.

'And... I suppose, after spending a whole month with this girl, I just... Wanted to be with her. I couldn't just forget. I'm sorry.'

I looked up at her, putting on my best smile.

'It's okay,' I said. She looked sceptical. 'No, really. It's okay. I want you to be happy. And if that's outside of me, for now, fine.'

For now.

She smiled sadly.

'I can't thank you enough,' she said earnestly.

'You can thank me by taking me out and buying me ice cream...?' I suggested.

'Deal,' she grinned, jumping off the bed, and I followed her out the door.

Twenty minutes later, we had found an ice cream parlour on the edge of town and I was anxiously awaiting my turn to order.

'Ooh, so many choices,' I said, bouncing on my heels. 'I can't decide.'

Santana chuckled.

'I'll order for you. It's a surprise, so you'll have to go and stand outside.'

I nodded, and left the shop.

My legs were a little sore from all the walking, so I went and sat on a bench and waited.

Santana emerged soon after, clutching two ice creams.

My eyes lit up as I took mine, and eagerly started.

'Strawberry?' I said, smiling.

'Of course. It's your favourite.'

'Thanks, San,' I said, grinning. 'You saved me from all those scary looking ones, like... pistachio. What even is that?'

'A type of nut,' she said, laughing. 'It's actually quite nice.'

'You should have got it,' I said.

'Nah, I like this flavour better.'

I smiled at her, then looked at the ground.

Don't get too attached, I told myself firmly. She doesn't like you like that anymore.

And even though I knew this wasn't totally true, it was easier just to believe it.

'This is nice,' Santana mused.

'Yeah,' I agreed, 'It's like old times.'

'I miss those days,' said San, turning to me. 'So much has changed.'

'Well, yeah,' I said, 'Everything's changed. You realised you're Lebanese, I dated Artie, we lost Nationals because of Finn and Rachel...'

She looked suddenly angry.

'I was so annoyed after that.'

'I kind of noticed, due to all the swearing in Spanish.'

'You understood that?'

'San, you used to swear at Rachel under your breath every time she spoke in Glee club.'

'Yeah, well, Man Hands is no fun.'

I giggled.

'This is a really nice ice cream,' I said, smiling.

'So's mine, want to try?'

I looked at her suspiciously, and she rolled her eyes.

'I know you want to. It's cool, B.'

We swapped and I licked it happily.

'Mmm, this is nice,' I said, grinning.

'Innuendo much,' she laughed. 'Seriously Britt. You need to watch what you say sometimes.'

'Do you like mine?'

'Yeah, it's nice.'

I smiled, and we swapped back.

It really is like old times, I thought happily. Those summer days when nothing seemed to matter but her.

I sighed deeply, and she turned.

'Something wrong?'

'Nope,' I lied. 'Nothing.'

'Okay,' she said meekly.

'Come on,' I said once we'd both finished. 'Home?'

'Yeah,' she said.

And then she did something unexpected.

She reached out her hand, and offered me her pinky.

It was our non-verbal way of saying, we're joined by this friendship, or whatever it is. We are one.

And I smiled, and linked our pinkies together.

That evening, we ate out on the porch, chatting with my family. Santana played hide and seek with my sister – she always had a way with children.

'Come on, Brittany,' she grinned. 'Come join us.'

I sighed, and got up. 'Fine.'

It was Santana's turn to count, and we hurriedly ran off. I managed to jump onto the shed roof and hide there, out of Santana's range of sight.

She found Leah in no time – she had only hidden behind a shrub and Santana dragged her out, carrying her back to the house.

Then she began to look for me. I watched her, grinning, from above, as she searched everywhere, but to no avail.

'Alright, Britt, I give up. Where the hell are you?'

I giggled, and she looked up.

'Jesus, B! How did you get up there?'

'Climbed,' I said simply. 'You should come up.'

She tried to get a foothold but she wasn't tall enough.

'Here,' I said, offering her my hand, which she took nervously.

I hoisted her up and she nearly faceplanted, but managed to regain her balance, and climbed tentatively into the center of the shed roof.

'You're not afraid of heights, are you San?'

'No, I'm not,' she said. 'I'm from Lima Heights Adjacent. We're fearless.'

'Yeah, sure you are,' I said, smirking. She shoved me playfully.

'It's nice up here,' I said.

'Yeah,' Santana agreed.

And then she did something which shocked me.

She put her arm around me, and leant her head on my shoulder.

I stiffened, then rested my head on top of her's.

She doesn't mean it like you want her to, said a wise voice in my mind. But it was slowly fading. She doesn't mean it...

I don't care, I replied. Maybe she does. How would you know?

You're falling into the trap, said the voice.

You're wrong, I answered inside my head. You're wrong.

I closed my eyes, and it was like I could stay there forever.

Then Leah came running down from the kitchen, and we jerked apart hurriedly.

'Guys, mom says you have to go to bed now,' she said, running off.

I avoided Santana's eyes as I helped her down, regretting our momentary closeness. She seemed to be regretting it too, as she didn't speak to me while we walked back to the house.

I hurriedly picked up my pyjamas and went to the bathroom to get changed, which was unusual – because back in the day we would get changed together, unafraid.

When I returned, Santana was already changed and in bed.

I climbed into the other side and turned away.

It wasn't like it used to be. We used to sleep holding hands, or cuddling, sometimes kissing before we fell asleep. But now? Now there was this barrier between us. It was something that couldn't go away.

I sighed, closing my eyes, but I was in no way ready to sleep.

'Night, B,' Santana whispered.

'Night.'

I waited until I knew she was asleep – she snored softly most of the time – and then I turned to her, unable to stop myself.

I touched her hair softly, but her breathing remained even and I knew she was fast asleep.

'San...' I whispered.

Slowly, I bent down and pressed my lips to her hair.

She muttered dreamily and turned over. 'Sthereproblem..?'

'No,' I whispered, knowing she wouldn't remember in the morning. 'Sleep, San.'

She turned back over and resumed snoring.

I cuddled up against her back, draping my arm over her stomach, and breathing in the smell that was so... Santana. So familiar. It was home.

It didn't take me long to fall asleep, as I breathed in her scent and pulled her close.

It never did.

A/N: I would just like to thank all of you who have reviewed/favorited this story. It means so much and I love you all. Sorry there was no Faberry/Klaine/any other couples. Just felt I needed to focus on Brittana for this part. Keep reviewing, it makes me want to update faster. Seriously, you guys work like a charm.