The rest of the week went by, more or less uneventful. Every night Santana would fall asleep on the other side of the bed, and then subconsciously roll over into my waiting arms.

I didn't dare kiss her again – once was enough to last me, at least for now.

By Friday, all the duets were finished, and Mr Schue told us he would have to deliberate over the weekend before he chose a winner.

It was that afternoon that I made a snap decision to speak to Mr Schue.

I approached him at the end of the school day, just as he was packing up.

'Um, Mr Schue?' I asked innocently, walking up to him.

'Hi, Brittany, what's up?'

He spoke a little patronisingly, as he always did when around me.

'I was wondering if I could, um... Borrow the auditorium tonight.'

'Borrow? The auditorium?'

'Uh, yeah, I just wanted to sing someone a song.'

'Right, sure thing,' he said, smiling. 'May I ask who?'

'No,' I said stubbornly.

He rolled his eyes.

'Fine,' he said huffily. 'Well, I suppose I'll see you on Monday, Brittany.'

I nodded and he walked off.

'Mr Schuester?'

He stopped in the doorway and turned around.

'Yeah?'

'Did me and Blaine win?'

He grinned and tapped his nose, then left.

I sighed, and left.

Santana would be waiting for me in the parking lot, I knew. But I had been planning this all week – I had left a message on her car window. Once she got it, she would come to the auditorium.

I was shaking a little as I entered and stood on the stage.

I'd prepared the song but now I felt like it might not be good enough. I wasn't even sure what I was trying to achieve by doing this.

I sat down on the edge of the stage and waited, not knowing how long it would be before Santana arrived.

Finally, after many long silent minutes, I heard the noise of footsteps coming closer, and I looked up.

Santana entered from the back door and came walking down, arms folded across her chest.

'Hi,' I said, smiling, and standing up.

'Why did you tell me to come here, Britt?'

She sounded a little peeved, yet interested.

'I... I wanted to sing you something. A song.'

She frowned at me.

'Please, San... Sit down.'

She rolled her eyes, even though she was smiling, and sat down, crossing her arms protectively.

'This.. I'm trying to tell you something by singing this. I mean... You already know. But I feel like I haven't really got the message across.'

She nodded curtly, and I looked at Brad who was sitting by the piano. He nodded, and began to play.

I can tell
I can tell how much you hate this
And deep down inside you know it's killing me
I can call
Wish you well and try to change this
But nothing I can say would change anything

I looked straight into her eyes as I let the meaning in the words flood through me. Because it was all true.

Where were my senses?
I left them all behind
Why did I turn away?
Away

I silently thought of all the times I'd rejected her. I could understand why she no longer wanted the pain.

I wish I could save you
I wish I could say to you
I'm not going nowhere
I wish I could say to you
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright

She watched me with sad eyes as I told her everything I needed to say through song.

Didn't mean
Didn't mean to leave you stranded
Went away cause I didn't want to face the truth
Reaching out
Reach for me
Empty handed
You don't know if I care
You're trying to find the proof

I closed my eyes as I thought of Jamie. Was she just Santana's experiment, so I could prove to her how much I loved her?

There were times I'd wonder
Could I have eased your pain?
Why did I turn away?
Away

I wish I could save you
I wish I could say to you
I'm not going nowhere
I wish I could say to you
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
Save you
It's gonna be alright
I wish I could say to you

Santana shifted uncomfortably in her seat and I saw her glance towards the door. Was she honestly considering leaving?

We
Can pretend nothing's changed
Pretend it's all the same
And there will be no pain
Tonight
It's gonna be alright

Save you
It's gonna be alright
I wish I could say to you
I'm not going nowhere
I wish I could say to you
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright

As the music finished, I looked down, and then up at Santana. Her eyes met mine and I saw that they were full of tears.

She stood up, but she didn't walk away. She walked towards the stage and climbed up.

'Brittany, that was lovely,' she said, pulling me close.

We stood, hugging for a few seconds, and I breathed in her hair and wished I could stay there forever.

'But?' I said. I knew it was coming.

'But,' began Santana, 'You know this doesn't change anything.'

I smiled sadly, and nodded.

'That's what I meant by the song. Because I'm not going nowhere. I'm here, however you need me. I meant it, Santana. Every word.'

She nodded, and hugged me briefly again.

'Thank you,' she whispered.

'It's okay,' I mumbled, and I smiled into her hair.

And I could honestly say that I was happy.

That night, my parents were going out, so me and Santana were left to babysit Leah.

We sat in the garden most of the time, Santana running around the garden after Leah while I sat and watched, grinning.

Eventually, after they were both severely worn out, we headed back to the house.

'Can't I stay up with you guys?' moaned Leah. 'It's not fair.'

'Oh, believe me,' said Santana, smiling, 'We are no way staying up.'

After she went and got into bed, I headed for our room, but Santana held me back.

'No,' she said, 'I'm not really tired. Shall we watch a movie?'

I smied, and nodded. 'Sure.'

We went back downstairs noiselessly.

'What do you want to watch?' she asked sweetly.

'Lady and the Tramp?' I suggested. It was a film we had watched one too many times during our childhood.

'Not again,' Santana laughed. But she went and got it anyway.

After putting it on, I grabbed an old blanket and we wrapped up in it on the sofa.

We were so close, yet we somehow managed to avoid touching each other. It was horrible to know how afraid we were of the briefest touch.

We were only halfway through the film when Santana dozed off and began snoring.

I couldn't help but giggle as her head drooped sideways and landed on my shoulder.

I rested my head on top of her's, and felt at peace.

Once the film finished, I didn't have the heart to wake Santana up, so instead I lay her down carefully, and climbed in beside her.

It was cramped. But in a good way.

I couldn't bring myself to sleep, though. Not when she was so close beside me. Not when our skin was touching and leaving burns.

So instead, I waited. Waited for the morning to come, and for Santana to wake up from her slumber and realize how close I was.

I knew her reaction wouldn't be good. But that was definitely not top on my list of worries.

A/N: The song is Save You by Kelly Clarkson. It's pretty. This isn't as long as I hoped it would be. I'm hoping to get another chapter done by Friday, but I'm not sure if it'll be possible. And I'm away hiking all weekend so updates will be scarce. But once I'm back it's all Piedras, all the time. Thank you so much if you have reviewed.