'How much longer...' The dark haired girl stirred in her father's lap. He gently stroked a strand of hair from her sleepy eyes. He looked to the driver's seat and saw his wife arched over the steering wheel like it would get her there faster. Dr. Lopez knew this route like the back of his hand since he took it every day to work, so he knew, they were close.

'Nearly there sweetheart' Dr. Lopez said to his daughter as a stray tear glistened in the moon light pouring through the car window as it slid down his cheek.

'Santana, can you hear me? Open your eyes for me.'

Santana stirred to life at the sound of her father's voice speaking over her. As she opened her eyes she found herself surrounded by beeping monitors and blinding white walls. She suddenly felt sick in the stomach as she realised where she was.

'What happened?' she asked drowsily

'You're in the hospital , they called me as soon as you were brought in, you had a very serious ventricular arthymia.' Dr. Lopez stated as he continued to monitor the machines she was hooked up to.

'What does that mean?' Santana asked with a worried expression. She was still freaking out about being in a hospital let alone have her father say she had a 'serious' heart problem, not that she didn't secretly already know that. Also she felt it hard to look into her father's eyes as she started to recall what had caused her attack in the first place. He wasn't being overly loving towards her but he wasn't yelling at her to get out and never come back like he had the last time she had spoken with him. She was scared and she was angry and he was so bluntly mad at her. She wondered why he was being so nice to her now, just because she was in hospital, when under any other circumstance she would be dead to him. Maybe this heart thing was more serious than she thought?

'Well we are about to find out, now that you're awake we can start the tests.'

XXXXXXXXXX

After an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, MRI tests and a tissue biopsy are done along with a few other tests Santana is allowed back to her room to await the results. Dr. Lopez had over-rided several appointments and operations so he could get his daughter through all the tests as quickly as possible. Santana not even slightly surprised by her father's authority, he was a Lopez, it was in their blood to be top dogs.

A few days had passed by rather quickly with all the tests that she had to be a part of, but as she finally returned to her room to rest while the results were being processed Santana had an overwhelming feeling that she needed to see Brittany. She hadn't seen Brittany since she helped her out of her mother's car. Santana wanted to hold her and let Brittany take her mind away from the smell of the hospital beds and the needle she can see poking out of her arm. If only she could rip off all these attachments and go find her. Why hadn't she visited yet? Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted when Mrs. Lopez entered her room.

'Hey hun, how are you feeling?'

She didn't sound mad, that was good. Santana let her mother take a seat before she answered.

'Felt better' She said honestly. Maria just nodded, the two had never really had much to talk about, it seemed like everyone in their family kept their distance from each other as much as possible. They fell into a comfortable silence which both had grown used to over the years and just let the machines fill their ears. After a while Santana's mind drifted back to Brittany, she desperately needed to hear from her, maybe she could call her?

'Mama?' She asked quietly, seeing her mother dozing off in the arm chair.

'Yes, dear?'

'Do you know where my phone is?'

Santana could see her mother trying to not make eye contact with her. 'Your father and i decided it would be best if you didn't have any distractions.' She said plainly.

'Is that why i haven't seen Brittany since i've been in here?' Santana asked, anger boiling through her veins at being denied the only thing that could possibly make her feel better right now.

'You need your rest Santana.' Maria said quietly as she got up from her seat and made her way towards the door. Confrontation was never really her thing. It seemed Santana got it all from her father's side of the family. Santana could see a hint of sadness in her eyes and she knew she had to try.

'Mama...please' She pleaded and Maria turned around with tears in her eyes. She looked at her lonely daughter in her hospital bed and she couldn't take it anymore. She pulled out a phone from her handbag and placed it in her daughter's hand.

'Don't let your father see you with this, and she is not to come here ok?' Maria said strongly before leaving.

'Thankyou' Santana smiled as she left. The Latina wasted no time opening up her phone to see she had 21 missed calls, 1 voice mail, and 11 messages. She played the voice mail first and it was from Brittany.

Hey it's Brittany, your dad won't let me see you, whenever he's not running around yelling at people he is at your door like a guard dog or something...I wish there was something i could do for you...I just feel so helpless...please call me when you can i need to hear your sweet voice, i love you.

After listening to the voice mail she went straight to her unopened messages.

FromBrittBritt: Call me when you can babe, i'm so worried about you xx

FromQuinn: Sue found out i was pregga's, i'm kicked off the team. Looks like you might get head cheerio after all.

FromBrittBritt: They told us to go home, Mom keeps calling but they won't tell us anything! I'm scared, please just reply. Xx

FromQuinn: Shit i just spoke with Brittany, hope your ok:)xx

FromQuinn: Ps, i'm sorry for everything with Puck, i hope we can get past it, i miss you Lopez.

FomBrittBritt: San it's been almost two days, a nurse got in contact with us and said you were ok, are you ignoring me?

FromBrittBritt: Are you having second thoughts because your parents don't approve of us? Please talk to me babe. I love you xx

Santana didn't bother checking the rest she had to talk to Brittany and let her know she had nothing to worry about. How could she possibly think that she was having second thoughts?

ToBrittBritt: Babe i am so sorry! They hid my phone! You don't have to worry about anything, i love you more now than ever, please don't forget that xx

She sent it and instantly got a message back.

FromBrittBritt: Oh thank God! I am so glad to hear you are ok, you can't ever do this to me again San. I love you too! So, so much! I wish i could see you:(

ToBrittBritt: I know i wish you were here too, hopefully i will be out soon though, i miss you so much babe, you know how i hate hospitals.

FromBrittBritt: I know, but just think, everything in there is just trying to make you better so don't be afraid of it:) xx

Just as Santana received the last text she could hear her father's voice coming down the hall. She quickly pumped out one more text before he was too close.

ToBrittBritt: Thanks babe:) look i have to go my dad is coming but do me a favour and listen to the song 'The special two' by Missy Higgins. It explains everything i can't say right now. I love you, and please don't worry about anything xx

Santana pressed send and shoved the phone under her covers just as Dr. Lopez entered her room.

'Dad' she said as she saw the stern look on his face, he looked mad put his eyes were all puffy and red.

'Santana the results are back' he said holding up a file and walking over to her bedside.

'And?' she asked with noticeable worry in her tone. She knew it was bad.

'Santana how long has this been going on, these problems with your heart?'

'Um...' she didn't know whether to tell the truth or not but knowing her father, he never really asked a question unless he already knew the answer. 'A while.'

Dr. Lopez just sighed at his daughter. 'Santana your MRI scan showed that you have a poorly functioning right ventricle, this is due to excess amounts of fatty tissue in that ventricle, this is the ventricle that pumps blood to the lungs... Our diagnosis is a very rare heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia or ARVD.'

'Ok?...' Santana said still not sure what this meant. Her father sighed and slowly shook his head.

'Santana...this condition is known to be among the top causes of sudden cardiac death among young athletes.'

Santana sat in shock as the word 'death' bounced off the walls of her skull. The lights in the room suddenly making it hard for her to see, the monitors beeping faster than they were a minute ago.

'How is it treated?' she finally managed to ask.

'That's the hard part...' Dr. Lopez said trying to avoid her teary eyes. 'The condition has gone untreated for so long...and with the addition of the strain cheerio's must have put on it...you need a heart transplant, it's our only option.'

'A heart transplant?' She almost screamed and the beeping of her monitor started getting louder. Dr. Lopez quickly tried to calm her.

'It's the only way sweetheart, I've already put you on the waiting list.'

'There's a waiting list? How long until i can get one?'

'...There's no telling, a heart is the hardest organ to get, because it's not like a kidney, someone can't just give it to you, you have to wait until an organ donor dies...'

'What happens if i don't get one in time?' this stops Dr. Lopez short. How could he tell his daughter she was on the verge of dying if she didn't get a heart soon. Her eyes were questioning and scared, she already knew the answer.

'I'll make sure you get one...now you need to rest, your mother will be back shortly to bring you some clothes.' Dr. Lopez said as he left the room, leaving his weeping daughter behind.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

After receiving the text from Santana, Brittany quickly pulled her laptop on to her bed and typed 'The special two – missy higgins' into youtube. She clicked on the first video and then let herself fall back onto the bed so she could concentrate on the lyrics.

I've hardly been outside my room in days,
'cause I don't feel that I deserve the sunshine's rays.
The darkness helped until the whiskey wore away,
And it's then I realize the conscience never fades.
When you're young you have this image of your life:
That you'll be scrupulous and one day even make a wife.
And you make boundaries you'd never dream to cross,
And if you happen to you wake completely lost.

Brittany started to wonder why Santana had told her to listen to this song. What was she trying to say, that's it too hard to be with her? She thought about turning it off but something inside her told her to wait.

But I will fight for you, be sure that
I will fight until we're the special two once again.

And we will only need each other, we'll bleed together,
Our hands would not be taught to hold another's,
When we were the special two.
And we could only see each other, we'd breathe together,
These arms will not be taught to need another,
'Cause we were the special two.

Brittany let out a big breath she didn't know she was even holding, and she cursed herself for ever doubting the love of her life.

I remember someone old once said to me:
"Lies will lock you up with truth the only key."
But I was comfortable and warm inside my shell,
And couldn't see this place would soon become my hell.
So is it better to tell and hurt or lie to save their face?
Well I guess the answer is don't do it in the first place.
I know I'm not deserving of your trust from you right now,
But if by chance you change your mind you know I will not
Let you down 'cause we were the special two, and will be again.

And we will only need each other, we'll breathe together,
Our hands will not be taught to need another's,
When we're the special two.
And we could only see each other we'll bleed together,
These arms will not be taught to need another...

I step outside my mind's eye's for a minute.
And I look over me like a doctor looking for disease,
Or something that could ease the pain.
But nothing cures the hurt you, you bring on by yourself,
Just remembering, just remembering how we were...

And we will only need each other, we'll bleed together,
Our hands would not be taught to hold another's,
When we were the special two.
And we could only see each other, we'd breathe together,
These arms will not be taught to need another,
'Cause we were the special two.

After the song finished Brittany laid with her eyes still closed as the words 'special two' drifted in and out of her thoughts. We really are the special two. She remembered her phone and quickly typed out a message.

ToSan: we will always be the special two babe, i love you xx

She smiled as she set her phone down and all her worries left her mind and she glided into a peaceful sleep, something she hadn't had for the few nights she was away from Santana.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Santana woke up the next morning in her hospital bed and sighed knowing once again she had to wake without a certain blonde lying next to her. she was about to pull out her phone to text Brittany when there was a light knock on the door and before she could answer a nurse quietly slid into her room carrying a chart.

'How are you feeling this morning Miss Lopez?' She asked while checking her drip and analysing the monitors.

'I feel great!' Santana said excitedly. 'I think i'm ready to go home now' she said sitting up with a wide grin on her face. The nurse just giggled at her.

'Easy there, your rhythm has been back to normal for the past 48 hours without any drastic wavers which is a great sign, and you seem to be recovering well but we will still have to hold you in here at least till the afternoon. I'll be back to check on you in a few hours, in the meantime though, you have visitors.' She said with a smile before filling in the rest of the chart and leaving the room. Visitors? Before she could think of who could be visiting her the door opened again.

'Hey' Quinn said as she entered the room followed by Rachel. Santana groaned as the hope that it was Brittany drained away.

'Did you two come to put me in more pain than i already am, because i can't really think of any other reason you would be here?' Santana asked the two nervous girls.

'Oh come on Santana you're not still mad at me for that whole Puck thing are you?' Quinn asked as she sat down.

'You mean how you told me to go out with him and then you were casually making a baby with him on the side? No why would i be mad' she added sarcastically. Quinn just rolled her eyes.

'Look i can't tell you how sorry i am for that...trust me' she said as she rubbed her growing belly. 'But can you really be mad at me for taking Puck? I mean as far as i can tell you seem pretty damn happy with Brittany.' Quinn smiled knowing this would win her the arguement.

'Yeah...You're right, i love her so much Q.' Santana sighed her thoughts drifting back to the blonde. 'Damn it who am i going to surge all my anger at now...At least there's still Berry' Santana smirked and Rachel looked up nervously. 'By the way, why are you two here, i mean together, Queen bitch isn't losing her touch is she?'

'Oh shut it Lopez, Rachel and i ran into eachother in the waiting room.' Quinn argued and Santana just laughed at how easy it was to get a fight out of her friend. Friend? Well i guess they were back to that now.

'So that raises the question of why you have unfortunately graced me with your presence Berry?' Santana smirked.

'Well i come here often to lend my soothing voice to the wounded and recovering to heal their pain through song, and i thought i would come and try it on you, it really does work you know' Santana had to stop Rachel before she began singing.

'Don't you dare or i will strangle you with this drip!' Santana stated and Quinn let out a nervous giggle. Santana noticed this for the thousandth time since they had come into the room. It wasn't like either of the girls to be nervous. 'Ok who told you?'

'Told us what?' Rachel asked trying not to lock eyes with the Latina.

'You know very well goblin, you two have been jumpy ever since you waltzed in, and i know i don't look that bad so someone must have told you, and i want to know who because i know it wasn't Brittany, i haven't even told her yet.' Santana said, silently cursing herself that Brittany was still in the dark about how serious her condition was, but she wanted to do it in person. She looked back at the girls who were glancing back and forth between each other trying to figure out which one would talk. Finally Quinn spoke up.

'Coach Sylvester told me...and i may have let it slip to Rachel in the waiting room to shut her up' Quinn stated.

'Hey!' Rachel protested.

'How does coach know?' Santana asked confused, she didn't even recall Sue coming to visit her in the hospital.

'Your father called her and filled her in...' Quinn started and then stopped to look at her fiddling hands in her lap. 'Um... she told me to inform you that, um... you will n-not be on the cheerio's for the remainder of the year...I'm so sorry Santana.'

'What? No this can't be happening, i've work too hard for it all to be ripped away like that!'

'Trust me Santana i argued with her until i was blue in the face but at the end of the day it's the right thing to do...You have a serious heart condition, you can't just keep doing what you have been doing.'

Santana sighed at Quinn's words, she knew she was right, she just didn't want to believe it.

'Thankyou...Now can you get Berry out of here before her silent bliss is broken, i'd really like to talk to Brittany.'

Quinn nodded and quickly walked out of the room dragging Rachel behind her.

'Hopefully see you soon Santana' Rachel called as Quinn shut the door behind them.

Once they were gone Santana pulled out her phone which had managed to wedge itself under the small of her back while she slept. She read the message she had missed from last night from Brittany and smiled to herself before writing back.

ToBrittBritt: I love you too baby, and guess what i should be out of here by this afternoon! Can't wait to see your face:)

She pressed send and instantly got a message back.

FromBrittBritt: omg really yay! I've missed you so much and i am going to take such good care of you when you come home:)

Santana read the text and her smile soon faulted. Home? Where was home now? Last thing she could remember she didn't have a home. Her father had kicked her out and then she just ran, to where, she doesn't know, i guess subconsciously her feet were taking her to Brittany's but she couldn't live with Brittany, could she?

ToBrittBritt: Just curious Britt, where is home these days?

Santana could feel her palms getting sweaty as she held the phone in front of her face waiting for the blonde to reply.

FromBrittBritt: HERE SILLY! I've already emptied some of my draws so you can put your stuff in:)

An overwhelming joy spread over Santana as she quickly typed out the next text.

ToBrittBritt: Britt are you sure? What did your parents say? This is really big!

FromBrittBritt: San i am so SO SURE! My parents were all for it, they love you San, but my mom did take a bit of convincing to let you sleep in my room...we had to have a very awkward discussion about that. And i'm sorry but you practically live with me anyway, and now i get to snuggle you whenever i want:)

Santana just smiled at the message.

ToBrittBritt: i love you

FromBrittBritt: I love you too:) Mom and i will be there to pick you up this afternoon, just give me a text when you can go, and i don't care what your dad says, you are coming home with me. xx

XXXXXXXXXXX

'Come in and rest, here let me take your bag.' Brittany said as she fussed over Santana and made her sit on her bed.

'Brittany the doctor didn't mean bed rest he meant don't go running or do any high intensive training rest.' She smiled as the blonde rushed around her bedroom.

'I don't care, now get into bed' Brittany stated forcefully ignoring Santana's smirk.

'You're so hot when you boss me around' Santana said as she made her way up the bed and Brittany carefully tucked her into the covers and placed a light kiss on the Latina's lips. She then pulled away and began unpacking Santana's things and putting them in the drawers she had prepared.

'Brittttt' Santana whined.

'What's wrong?' Brittany asked looking up at the girl's adorable pout.

'I'm coldddd' Santana said, her pout slowly turning into a smirk. Brittany just rolled her eyes playfully and lifted up the covers to get in next to Santana. The Latina instantly draped her arm and leg over the blonde and rested her head on her chest. Brittany wrapped her arms around tighter and began tracing slow soothing patterns along Santana's back. Santana immediately felt calmer in Brittany's arms but she couldn't fully relax and Brittany could feel her muscles were still tense under her touch.

'What's wrong baby?' Brittany asked as she continued up the girl's back.

'Hmm...Britt i need to tell you something...it's, it's about my heart.' Santana could feel Brittany's hand stop on her back and she turned so she could look into those deep blue eyes.

'Yeah?' She asked looking into hesitant brown eyes.

'I need a um...I need a...new heart...' Santana said slowly.

'Ok...well where do we buy those from? i have some money saved up, we should go now because mom wants us home for dinner and – '

'No Britt...You can't just buy a heart, i have to wait until...until someone can give me theirs'

'Well then how long until someone can give you theirs?' she didn't miss the concern in Brittany's voice.

'I don't know, that's what this is for' Santana said pulling off the pager that was attached to her shorts and showing the blonde. 'When it buzzes and this red light here starts flashing, that means there is a heart waiting for me' Santana smiled as the blonde inspected the little device. She couldn't help but grin at how cute the girl looked with her furrowed brow, like she was trying to turn the red light on with her mind. Santana bent down to kiss her girlfriend when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye.

'OMG what is that?' Santana laughed as she reached across Brittany and took a photo frame off the bedside table. Santana gawked over the picture of two young girls with cream all over their faces. The blonde had her head thrown back in laughter while the other dark haired girl had a shocked face as a blob of cream eased down her cheek.

'Haha i found it today while i was cleaning my room, since i couldn't see you i had to fill in my time somehow. Do you remember that day?' Brittany asked as she turned her attention from the pager to the photo.

'Yeah, it was my 10th birthday, you made me a cake, but you couldn't bake so it was just whipped cream in a cake tin' Santana laughed looking at the picture.

'Yeah but it was delicious!' Brittany defended

'Best cake i have ever tasted! That was until you decided it would look better if i wore the cake' Santana said pointing an accusing finger at Brittany and poking her smiling cheek.

'Haha that was so much fun...You know i think we have a can of whipped cream in the fridge, if you ever wanted to wear one of my cakes again.' Brittany smirked and Santana's mouth dropped open in shock.

'Only if you will help me get it off' Santana winked

'Just try and stop me'

Song is 'the special two' by Missy Higgins, but Santana already let you know that:p

also just letting everyone know that i'm not a doctor so sorry if some things might seem a bit dodgy, just try and enjoy the story and don't get too wrapped up in the technical mumbo jumbo.

what did you guys think?