Hey guys! Ok I know I was supposed to update the other day but work decided to slam me with a couple of double shifts, so basically when I wasn't working I was sleeping haha. Anyway this chapter was actually really hard to write and I don't want to give it away but,...shit goes down.

Ok so the song is 'Can't help falling in love with you' by Ingrid Michaelson and I strongly suggest you listen to it before reading this chapter because it will really set the mood!

Also I tried to address some of the issues people raised to me in reviews so thankyou! :)

Dr. Lopez came back into the operating theatre after thoroughly scrubbing up to his elbows and dressing in his scrubs. He tightly fitted gloves onto his hands and proceeded to the operating tables where the blue curtain between the two patients had now been removed. He stood silently between the two tables while nurses hurried around him placing equipment on the appropriate stations.

First he looked at his daughter as a nurse was spreading a blue sheet over her body with a section exposed over her heart where the surgery was to take place. She looked so peaceful lying there with her eyes gently closed shut. The pain in his stomach subsided slightly at the thought that she was going to live, if everything went well, she would live, he would have his daughter again.

He almost smiled to himself before remembering the body to his other side. He turned nervously to see a body completely covered by the blue sheet but again with a cut out around the heart for surgery. The knot in his stomach doubled as he came closer and was met with pale skin. He tried to convince himself that most people had pale skin, and it could still be anyone in the world lying before him.

'Ready to begin?' asked from the other side of the table, yielding a scalpel and staring down his glasses at .

'Yes, let's get started.' He replied firmly, he had spent years building up a stern exterior to gain respect in his profession and he wasn't going to let emotions ruin that.

Just as he too reached for a scalpel he noticed a long strand of blonde hair had escaped from the confinement of the blue sheet, he stared in shock and swallowed the lump in his throat that had catapulted upwards. What had he done..

'Do you want me to wait for you Brittany?' Quinn asked quietly when they had reached the ward Santana was in. Brittany turned and gave Quinn a greatful smile.

'No Quinn, that's alright, I won't be going back to school today with Santana like this, you go ahead.'

'Alright, well call me if you need anything, I mean it, anything at all Britt.'

Brittany nodded and before Quinn could turn away she latched onto her arm. Quinn quirked her signature brow just in time for Brittany to come crashing into her body. 'Wow Britt you alright?'

'Yes.' Brittany answered into her shoulder. She smiled to herself when she felt Quinn's arms wrap around her back. 'Thankyou Quinn.'

'Well I couldn't just leave you running around in the rain, could i?' Quinn joked.

'No, not just for that, for everything. You really are a good friend. I'm really going to miss you –' Brittany almost choked when the last words left her mouth. Shit. Not again.

'Brittany, about that, we still didn't talk about –'

Brittany quickly detached herself from the hug. 'I don't want to talk about that right now Quinn, I need to see San.'

'Yeah, no of course. We can talk later yeah?'

Brittany stared blankly at her friend. Later. Would there be a later? What if there wasn't? what if this was the last time she was going to see Quinn?!

With that in mind she hurled herself back into Quinn and hugged her tight. 'I love you Quinnie.'

Hesitant arms wrapped securely around her again. 'I love you too Brittany. Now go see your girl.' When Brittany pulled back she twisted towards the door quickly so Quinn wouldn't see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

'Goodbye Quinn.'

'Talk to you later Britt.'

Brittany waited until she could no longer hear Quinn's footsteps down the hall. She steadied herself against the door leading to Santana's room and mentally prepared herself for what she was about to see. You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, deep breaths…

Brittany wiped the bottom of her eyes before grasping the door knob and turning it slowly. She tucked a few stray strands of wet hair behind her ear and attempted to flatten out her cheerios skirt. Although Santana had seen her at her worst she still wanted to look kind of nice for her, even if she is soaking wet and all her makeup has run off her face…

The first thing she saw when she opened the door was a young pale girl curled up in a hospital bed. Her blanket was tucked right up to her chin. She looked so cold, but Brittany was soaking wet and she didn't have any goosebumps on her arms, the hospitals heaters seemed pretty good. This girl looked hardly like Santana at all. She looked so much smaller with the blanket covering her body.

Brittany took a step closer, ignoring the two other figures in the room which appeared to be staring at her. They may have been talking too but all she heard was the insistent beeping coming from some machine off to the side. One thing she did notice however, was the breaths coming from the small Latina. They were no longer deep and laboured, now they appeared soft and drawn out, like she had the smallest lungs in the world and all she needed was little baby breaths to keep her alive, either that or it was all she could manage...

'San?' She chocked. She hadn't realised she was crying again. Brittany watched as the fragile girl slowly shifted onto her back, keeping the blankets tight to her chest, and opened those beautiful brown eyes for her to see. Brittany breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes were still the same. She's still her Santana.

'Britt.' Santana breathed sleepily.

'Come on Maria Let's get some coffee.' One of the figures announced. Brittany turned her head at the unexpected noise to see Mr and Mrs Lopez carefully easing towards the door. She caught Dr. Lopez's eye and he nodded at her before slipping out of the room.

Once they were gone she turned back to Santana. What happened to her? Last night yes she was still weak and breathy but Brittany had never seen her like this before. She didn't even know Santana's skin could get that pale.

'Hey don't look at me like that alright?'

Brittany traced her saddened eyes back up to meet with worried brown ones.

'Sorry.' She said and wiped away a few stray tears.

Santana's face softened. 'don't be sorry, now come here beautiful.' Santana said as she attempted to push the flimsy blanket down her body to make room. She seemed to be struggling under the weight of the light blanket and before Brittany's heart could break anymore she quickly ran to her side and helped her. Once there was enough room Brittany slid carefully into the bed and snuggled into her. She wanted to pull Santana close and give her all her body warmth but at the same time she didn't want to crush her, and at the moment she looked like any pressure would crumble her to pieces. 'Are you okay?' Santana asked once she was settled.

Brittany sighed through a smile. 'Shouldn't I be asking you that?' she whispered. Santana was talking so quietly she felt like she should be too.

'I'm fine, how are you?' Santana breathed.

Brittany held her breath before speaking. '…You scared me.' She admitted. She waited through a few shaky breaths before Santana spoke again.

'Honestly I scared me too.'

Brittany shuffled slightly closer and shivered a little at the icy feel of the Latina's skin.

'I don't want you coming to school for me anymore.' She stated quietly. She heard Santana let out what she assumed was a huff, it was a weak attempt at one if so.

'Ugh you've been talking to my dad haven't you?'

'No. but he's right. You need to rest.'

'Since when have you two been best buds?'

Brittany felt around the top of the blanket until she found one of Santana's hands clasped close to her shivering chest. She wrapped her own hand around it and laced her skin with soothing strokes of her thumb. 'San..'

'I'll rest Britt.'

Brittany smiled victoriously. 'Promise?' She felt Santana ease her fingers from her own to adjust the position.

'Pinky promise.' Santana exhaled and wrapped her pinky loosely around Brittany's. Brittany sighed and brought their conjoined pinkies to her lips, placing a sweet kiss over each. She rested them back under the blanket and close to her chest so they wouldn't get cold.

Beep….beep….beep…

That damn monitor. Brittany stared at it from her position on the bed, wishing that it wasn't a constant reminder of their situation, a consistent signal to say don't get too comfortable. A simple reminder of how at any moment that machine could just…stop, and that would be it.

Brittany flickered her eyes further down, she didn't want to think about that monitor anymore. The next thing her eyes landed on however, wasn't much better, Santana's transplant pager. It sat quietly on the food tray. Still. Quiet. Blank, almost as though it held no significance within the mix of all the other machines and gadgets flashing lights and making loud noises to make themselves known. The most important item in the room waited motionless in silence next to a half eaten bowl of jelly.

Brittany squinted her eyes and furrowed her brow. She stared at the pager and with all her mite she tried to turn that red light flashing. She sent every possible prayer and thought she could think of to get that pager to make its presence known. She had no luck.

'Britt not that I don't love you cuddling up to me like this, but why are you all wet sweety?' She heard Santana whisper. Brittany immediately shifted further away so her wet clothes weren't touching Santana's skin. Santana huffed again and tried to pull her back to her body.

'Went for a little run.' Brittany mumbled. She was about to turn her attention back to that damn pager but suddenly she remembered something. ' Oh shit!'

'What is it?' Santana asked.

Brittany used her hand that wasn't joined with Santana's to push under the blanket and attempt to push down her cheerio's skirt a little bit. God, he was going to kill her, the amount of times he reminded her this morning not to get it wet and then BOOM she's running through the rain getting it drenched. 'Ugh he said I couldn't get it wet for a while. I hope it's not ruined.'

'Get what wet? And who are we talking about?' She sounded panicked and Brittany instantly heard her heart monitor pick up a few extra beats. Shit, good one Brittany, stop stressing her out!

Brittany sat up a little in the bed so she had better access to show Santana her present. 'I uh, I got you something this morning.' She smiled shyly.

'Yeah?' Santana did her best at casting a suspicious look but she still looked so tired she could fall asleep at any second. Brittany nodded her head and sat further up in the bed so she didn't have to move the blanket off Santana. She lifted up the hem of her cheerio's shirt and pulled slightly down on her skirt. She shifted again so Santana could see clearly without having to move.

Santana let out what she thought was a gasp when her eyes set on the 'Santana' tattoo she had gotten today. It was in the same cursive writing with the same simple love heart at the end like the one Santana had gotten. The only difference was Brittany's was still quite red and tender and it was covered with some clear tape. Hopefully that would have stopped it from getting too wet…

'Oh Britt…' Santana breathed out in awe. She gently brought a weak hand up to Brittany's hip bone and traced slowly along the letters of her name, careful not to actually touch the skin so she wouldn't hurt her. Brittany was watching her so closely she swore she could almost feel her touch anyway, and it still gave her goosebumps. 'you didn't have to.' Santana smiled.

'I wanted to.' Brittany said firmly and looked into those deep brown eyes she loved so much. They were filled with such love and warmth it was hard to imagine they were the eyes of the freezing cold and pale girl lying next to her. Brittany shifted closer again and wrapped an arm around Santana's shoulder to bring her closer to her body. Santana smiled in success and lifted her head ever so slightly to rest it upon Brittany's lap. ' I want everyone to know that I will only ever belong to you. always.'

Brittany watched as Santana tilted her head slowly to press a gentle kiss against her new tattoo before resting her head back down again. She felt her chest swell with love for this girl. It was only further confirmation that what she was doing would be worth it. Santana deserved the world, and the world deserved Santana Lopez.

'I love you.' Santana breathed against the skin of her hip. Even her breath lacked warmth. Brittany stroked one arm slowly up and down the Latina's back while her other hand ran gently through her raven locks. She dipped her head pressed her lips tightly to Santana's forehead, she left them there for seconds before she heard Santana hum peacefully into the embrace.

'I love you too.' Brittany whispered. Santana turned her head to look back at her with a smile and she dipped again to catch those plump lips. As Brittany closed her eyes a thought occurred to her that she could be kissing these lips for the last time. Without a seconds pause she pushed her lips harder into Santana and heard the girl stumble to catch her breath into the kiss. Brittany instantly pulled back. She had forgotten how fragile she is now. Brittany pressed her lips one last time back onto Santana's, gently…softly. She conveyed all her love into that one kiss, and when she pulled back Santana was looking at her through heavy lids, with a lazy smile pulling at her lips. Brittany smiled back. 'Are you tired?'

'mmm little bit, we can keep talking.' Santana mumbled back into her skin. Brittany sat back against the bed post and resumed stroking slowly through her hair.

'No, babe close your eyes' She soothed. ' I'll sing to you.'

She felt Santana smile. 'Okay.'

Brittany didn't really have any idea what song to sing. Every time she had asked Santana to sing to her words would automatically start flowing out of her mouth like she had the song in her mind the whole time and she was just waiting for a time to start singing. Now it was her turn, and she didn't want to disappoint. Brittany cleared her throat and looked down to the small girl curled into her lap. She pulled the blanket so it covered most of Santana's body, and before she knew it she was singing…

"Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you"

She heard a gentle sigh leave plump lips and a smile broaden against her hip.

" Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?"

Brittany could still feel small droplets of water running down her face from her wet hair. It took a moment for her to realise they weren't coming from her hair at all. When had she even started crying? Was it when she started singing? Or was it before she had even opened the door?

" If I can't help falling in love with you"

Santana's hair was so soft as she ran her fingers through it. She tilted her head back slightly so her tears wouldn't fall into dark locks and awaken the girl. Instead they trailed slowly down her neck until they reached the collar of her cheerio's shirt.

"Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be"

Brittany reached back under the blanket with the hand that was stroking her back and searched for Santana's hand until she found it clutching tightly to the pleats of her own cheerio's skirt. Brittany seeked out her pinkie and linked them together once again.

" So take my hand, and take my whole life too

Cause I can't help falling in love with you"

Brittany choked back a silent sob, and took a deep breath before continuing. She knew Santana was already asleep. The lips pressed against her skin were no longer lifted in a smile and the pinkie around hers was held slack.

"Like a river flows so surely to the sea

Oh my darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be

So won't you please take my hand, and take my whole life too"

She whispered the 'please' so quietly she wasn't even sure if the word had left her mouth.

"Cause I can't help falling in love, in love with you

Cause I can't help falling in love, falling in love,

I keep falling in love with you."

Brittany was sure that if she had any more mascara left on her face from her run through the rain that it would be streaked down her neck by now. She didn't really care though. Not when she was about to say goodbye to the love of her life…

Brittany slipped quietly from underneath Santana, the tan finger wrapped around her own tightened slightly on reflex when she went to retract her hand, before slackening a moment later.

Brittany breathed a sigh of relief and knelt down next to her hospital bed. She pulled the blankets tight to Santana's chest and made sure her hands were kept tucked underneath the material. Once all the leads were out of the way and the blanket was tucked in, there wasn't much left to do…but say goodbye.

Brittany leaned in and pressed the gentlest of kisses to a cool cheek.

'I love you so much baby. So so much. I'm doing this for you San. I love you.'

And with that. She left.

She didn't look back.

She couldn't.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brittany shut the door to Santana's room quietly before continuing her way past the busy nurses crowded hallways.

'Brittany wait!'

She stopped in her tracks. She didn't need to turn back, she knew who that strong voice belonged to, and to be honest she knew she wouldn't of been able to leave without speaking to him.

'Dr. Lopez.' She sighed. A moment later a strong hand was placed on her shoulder.

'Can you please come into my office?'

Brittany nodded and followed Dr. Lopez to his office. They walked in silence. Brittany didn't bother wiping her eyes. She didn't care what he thought of her anymore, she only cared about Santana.

When they reached his office Brittany took the same seat she had sat down in months earlier. When this whole thing had started. When she had decided to save Santana herself.

Dr. Lopez took his seat behind his desk and knelt forward on his elbows, rubbing his hands slowly over his tired eyes. As she looked around Brittany noticed a few frames which were not there on her last visit. She smiled as she saw some of his plaques had been replaced with family portraits. Guess it's never too late.

The silence in the room went on for several minutes before Brittany began to speak, seeing as though she didn't think he would ever start.

'She's gotten worse.' Brittany stated.

'Yes.'

There was another pause as a rush of footsteps sounded through the hallway.

'It's time isn't it?' Brittany asked quietly. She watched as Dr. Lopez nodded slowly into his hands.

'Yes.'

Brittany nodded firmly and stood from her chair. It was time. It was time for Santana to get better.

'wait.' She heard a tired man mutter quietly. She stopped to see Santana's father get out of his chair and walk around his desk until her was standing in front of her. A moment later strong arms were encompassing her body. Brittany was so shocked she could barely move. This is the man who she had never even seen hug his own daughter, who didn't have a nurturing bone in his body and he was hugging her for all he was worth.

'I would've been proud to call you my daughter in law one day. What you're doing, I just –' She heard him sniffle into the hug. Did he just sniffle?! He pulled back and held Brittany's shoulders at arms length so he could look directly into her eyes. Brittany was shocked again to see the tears glazing his eyes. 'I've never met someone so brave. I was wrong to ever judge you, Brittany you are smart, you are loving, you are beyond loyal, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.'

Brittany felt the air catch in her throat. Her heart pounded louder in her chest, she hadn't realised how much she yearned for his approval, to be accepted into his family. It was a nice feeling. 'Thank you sir.'

'Brittany you have already done so much for my daughter and our family, but I ask of you one more thing.'

'Y-Yes?'

'Don't do this.' He shook his head tightly and even shook Brittany's shoulders gently.

Brittany took a deep breath. She needed to stay in control. 'If I don't do this she dies.'

'Do you think she will be able to live without you?' Dr. lopez quirked his brow, it reminded her of Santana.

'She's done it before, when I broke up with her. We had no contact for months, and she survived, it got easier for her.' Brittany reasoned. It was true. Sure Santana was a mess in the beginning, but over time it got easier for her. Maybe if enough time passed, it wouldn't hurt at all, and she might be able to smile at the memory of her.

'She'll never forgive herself for letting this happen…and you know that.' He stated firmly.

Yes. She did know that. Santana was always so hard on herself. But that didn't mean she wasn't strong.

'With all do respect Sir if the roles were reversed and I was lying in that hospital bed, she would be in here with you having the exact same conversation we are…and I know she would win this argument, so I'm not going to let you change my mind. I will do everything in my power to save and protect her…and she knows that.'

Brittany saw the fight crumble slightly inside the man infront of her and she knew she had him. Brittany walked over to his desk and picked up his pen and notepad to write down a message. When she finished she ripped it off the pad and placed the folded note into a pair of strong shaky hands.

'Can you please give this to San, I'm sure there will be a right time to give it to her.'

He nodded in defeat. Brittany nodded back before turning towards the door.

'Where are you going?' he called after her. He sounded so broken and when she looked over her shoulder there were tears already falling from his eyes.

'I have a hotel room to book. Goodbye Dr. Lopez.'

XXXXXXXXXXXX

'Honey are these cords bothering you?' Maria asked as she lingered around her daughters bed. They had managed to bring Santana home. Dr. Lopez digging into his bank account to have Santana monitored with all the appropriate machines. They had the choice to take her home or keep her in the hospital. Dr. Lopez knew why they had that option but he wasn't about to tell his daughter it was so she had a choice where she died. Santana of course chose to go home, she hated the hospital.

'No Mama it's fine.' She mumbled quietly.

'Maria stop fussing with the leads. I'm going to call my mother.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brittany's hands trembled as she placed two handwritten letters on her parents pillows. She took a deep breath before returning to her room. She picked up the backpack she had packed when she got home and then placed the last letter into Lord Tubbingtons litter box. She hoped he wouldn't find it before she left and dob her in.

Brittany shut the door to her room for the last time and skipped down the stairs like it was just another day. In fact she didn't think about much until she got to the bus station. It wasn't until she was standing in the lobby of The Heiress Hotel that her nerves started to kick in. She cursed herself for forgetting to pack the notepad she had written all of Dr. Lopez's orders on. So stupid. She had to get this right.

She walked to her hotel room which was gladly on the first floor, just like they had discussed. She opened the room to see a nicely laid out double bed with an on suite to the right of the bed. It would have been nice to stay a night…

No. stay focused.

Brittany dropped her backpack on the bed and retracted her phone from the front pocket. She had to remember the plan. Right ok, text Kurt.

ToKurt: Hi Kurt! I wanted to tell you that I've been called up to Bernards dance academy, a spot finally opened up! Anyway I have to leave right away, haven't really had a chance to say goodbye to anyone, tell everyone I love them! I'm gonna miss you Kurtie :( xx

Ok done. That wasn't so bad. Now Santana…

ToSan3: Santana I'm so sorry but I have to go. I love you more than the world. My heart will always lie with you. I love you xx

Brittany quickly dialled the next number before she would let herself cry. She needed to do this. Santana was always so strong for her.

She heard the phone pick up. No one answered, but she knew he was there, she could hear his deep breaths sound through the phone.

'…Are you with her?' she asked steadily. There was a moment's silence and she begged he wasn't backing out of this, because she needed him to be in this with her.

'….Yes.' he answered and Brittany quickly hung up the phone before the sobs wracked through her chest.

She threw her phone onto the floor and stormed into the bathroom with her bag before she lost her nerve. She could do this. Just like ripping off a bandaid…

She spotted the bath and silently slipped in. something was wrong…fuck, the ice!

Brittany jumped back out of the bath, grabbed the little money she brought with her and raced back out of her room to the lobby.

'Hi.' She said as she approached the young boy dressed in the hotel's black and gold uniform. 'Can you tell me where the ice machine is please?'

The boy dropped the suitcase he was carrying with a sigh and pointed to the exit of the hotel. 'Sorry the ice machine isn't working tonight. You can get some from the store across the street though.' He dropped his arm and lifted the suitcase back over his shoulder.

Crap.

Brittany raced to the exit and was instantly hit with a gust of cold wind when she opened the door. It was freezing. The rain was still pouring down from earlier and she really wasn't prepared to get all wet again. Then again she would be sitting in bath of ice later…

'Ugh, it's for San.' She muttered to herself and urged her legs to take off through the rain. She crossed the hotels entrance as the rain hit every inch of her body. It was even heavier than before and she could barely even squint through the large drops falling to the ground and searching out for her eyes. The only indication that she was near the road was the constant striking flashes of light rushing past her. Cars were spraying water all over her as she paced along the side of the road. She needed to cross here to get to the store across the street. Shit. Here it goes.

Brittany took one last look before racing across the road. The rain was pouring into her eyes, she could only determine she was still on the road because of the smooth slippery surface under her feet. She looked up to the blue neon signs of a small store not far from the hospital. She smiled to herself and kept her legs moving. Nearly there.

She could hear sirens approaching, probably heading to the hospital she figured. But they were getting even louder. Brittany chanced a glance to her right just in time to see the flashing ambulance lights before she was hit…

Whatttt?! So I completely changed how I ended this chapter because I'm currently fighting myself as to which storyline I want to choose. I know pretty much everyone doesn't want Brittany to be the donor but I thought it would be really beautiful to see that happen and see how Santana reacted and how it all was uncovered…having said that I've been having some thoughts, and well let's just say that may not be the case. I think I have a better idea that might make you all a bit happier:) let me know what you think!