'Yeah.' Brittany breathed. 'You hate hospitals San.'

Santana felt her heart beat pick up before her brain had even registered Brittany's words. She hadn't even realised she was smiling so big until she caught her reflection in crystal blue eyes. Brittany remembered. She remembered her.

Santana found herself chuckling in relief and disbelief. For the first time since she could remember, she was smiling without any inkling thought in the back of her mind telling her to stop. She was finally free from all those negative thoughts holding her back, telling her she couldn't be happy without Brittany, because now Brittany was with her again. She was free.

'You're crying.' She heard Brittany breathe and the sound of her sweet voice quickly brought Santana back from the euphoria her brain seemed to be experiencing.

Santana wiped under her eyes to find she was in fact crying.

'I've been doing that a lot lately.' Santana smiled and wiped away another tear. She brought Brittany's weak hand to her lips and pressed a gentle warm kiss to the back of her knuckles. Was this actually real? Was Brittany really talking to her right now?

'I don't like seeing you cry.' Brittany whispered sweetly.

'I know, I just.' Santana stopped and looked into the caring sweet eyes staring back at her. The eyes she never thought she could ever get lost in again, and she sighed. 'I thought I had lost you.'

Santana was torn between shutting her eyes and hiding from the sad look Brittany was giving her, and keeping her eyes trained on the features she had been deprived of for longer than she could stand. She settled for leaning forward and resting her forehead against Brittany's so she could still feel close to her without having to see the pain in her eyes.

'Britt, why did you do it? Or plan to do it?' She choked. 'Just the thought of what you have been through and would have been through, I –'

Santana squeezed her eyes shut at the thoughts racing through her mind. 'I just can't take it.'

She opened her eyes hesitantly a few moments later when Brittany had still yet to reply. She was met with glossy blue eyes staring back at her.

'I was losing you San.' Brittany breathed like it was the most simple answer in all the world. Maybe it was.

Santana shook her head slowly, careful not to let their foreheads disconnect for a second. 'You could never lose me Britt.'

'Are you mad at me, for what I did?' Brittany asked. It was only now that Santana realised her forehead was furrowed against Brittany's, but it wasn't from being mad, it was from trying not to cry. She took a deep shaky breath before consciously relaxing her forehead and shaking her head.

'I could never be mad at you.' She replied confidently and finally felt strong enough to look back into those blue eyes. Brittany still looked so fragile but she had the tiniest hint of a smile playing on her lips. That was enough to quell her fears and smile back.

'Plus I've had a good year to get over it.' She joked lightly.

By the look Brittany gave back to her. It might have been too soon.

'What?' Brittany whispered so gently Santana was sure she only heard it because they were so close to each other. 'A y-year?'

Shit. She didn't know that.

'Uh, yeah.' Santana gulped and brought her head back slightly so she could see the expression on Brittany's face. She was scared.

'Brittany you've been in here for over a year.' She stated honestly. If there was one thing she had learnt from all this. It was to not keep the truth from the people you love.

Brittany's face went from shocked, to scared, to confused, to curious, and then finally realisation. Realisation that a whole year of her life had passed and she didn't have one memory to show for it. She had missed a whole year. A year of laughs, a year of firsts, a year of friends, a year of family, a year of school, and a year of love. She'd missed out on so much. Santana couldn't even imagine how she would feel if she woke up and a year had gone by without her knowing.

'I'm so sorry baby.' She breathed as tears welled up in her eyes. Brittany brought a hand up to cup her cheek gently.

'What happened?' Brittany asked curiously, and she looked so damn adorable with her tilted head and worried eyes that Santana had to fight to pay attention. 'How are we both here?'

'Uh..' Well that was a long story. Luckily Brittany was quick to notice her expression.

'Magic?' She suggested with twinkling eyes and a big smile. Santana couldn't help but smile just as wide back, not only because Brittany was being super adorable, but because she had missed this. She had spent a year around people who all thought in the same way with the same ideas and point of views, everything had to make sense and people were constantly trying to fix her like she was broken. But she didn't need to be fixed she just needed to be understood. She needed Brittany, the only person who could take something as serious as being in a coma for a year and brush it off as a story to tell on a rainy day, all because of a look. A look that said Santana was in no way ready to relive everything she had been through that year. That's how Brittany understands her….god she had missed her.

'Yeah.' She smiled. 'Something like that.'

Brittany's smile widened knowingly.

'How are you feeling, maybe I should go get a doctor or nurse.' Santana said quickly. Suddenly coming back to the present and realising that would probably be the wise thing to do after someone just woke up from a year-long coma.

She was about to get up from the bed and call for a nurse when Brittany ghosted her fingers over Santana's hand, only stopping when their fingers were finally intertwined.

'No, no I don't want you to go anywhere.' She begged quietly. 'Please, just stay with me.'

Santana nodded with a small smile. She didn't want to leave anyway. 'Of course, whatever you want.'

Brittany shuffled along the small bed until there was enough room for Santana's small frame to squeeze in beside her. Santana just smiled and held in her chuckle because Brittany didn't know that she had slept beside her many times in this bed, and never once did she have to move her.

Brittany looked so damn cute fluffing the pillow for her and pulling back the blanket so she could cuddle into her.

For a few moments, they just held each other. Santana revelled in the feel of having Brittany finally return her touch, finally having those long slender arms wrap around her and hold her close.

She was so captured in the embrace that she was slightly caught off guard when Brittany whispered in her ear. 'I'm so sorry Santana.'

'Britt.' She sighed. 'You have nothing to be sorry about, you were just trying to help me and I will always love you for that.'

Santana tilted her head slightly so she could press a sweet kiss to Brittany's cheek but she pulled back when she felt the blonde shaking her head slowly from underneath her lips.

'No, I'm sorry because you had to go through a whole year without me, and in my mind I never left you for a moment. Hell I thought that it was just yesterday I was singing to you while you laid in one of these white beds. You lost me for a whole year but I never once lost you, how is that fair?' Brittany shook her head harder in disbelief. 'I can't believe I would put you through that.'

'Hey, see this here?' Santana quickly stilled the blondes movements by softly cupping her cheek and bringing their eyes back together. She waited until she had Brittany's attention before she looked down her body and lifted up her top to reveal her 'Brittany' tattoo. Still as beautiful as the day she got it. 'This means that you come with me wherever I go, and same goes for you.' She smiled, tapping Brittany's hip where her 'Santana' tattoo laid. 'How bout we stop the sorry's and the guilt, and skip to the I love you's huh?'

She watched with a dopey smile as the twinkle in those blue eyes slowly came back to life. Brittany was smiling so hard her cheeks were pushing up into her squinted eyes. She looked fucking adorable. Santana couldn't help herself when she leant in again and pressed a firm kiss to her cheek.

'I love you so very much Santana Lopez.' Brittany giggled as Santana began pressing quick kisses all over her cheeks and jaw.

'And I love you to the moon and back Miss Brittany S Pierce.' Santana smiled into her kisses. God she had missed this. To hear her laugh again? Just…wow, and to hear her say 'I love you'? no words. She was in heaven.

Santana stopped her light kisses down Brittany's neck when she felt her still her laughs and gulp nervously.

'What?' Santana asked quietly. Had she done something wrong? Was she moving too fast? It wasn't meant to be a sexual kiss but if Brittany took it like that and didn't like it –

'Nothing.' Brittany interrupted her thoughts thankfully. 'I just…For a second I imagined you saying something else.'

Santana tilted her head in thought. 'Like what?'

She watched as Brittany nervously bit her bottom lip. 'No, it's stupid.'

'Hey.' She quickly squeezed the hand that was still intertwined with hers. Brittany seemed to understand her message without even looking at her. She had missed that too, their silent conversations.

'Sorry.' Brittany whispered.

'Baby I've waited far too long to hear what goes on inside that pretty little head of yours. I think you kind of owe it to me.' Santana joked and nudged her nose with Brittany's, earning another little giggle.

'Fineee.' Brittany teased with a smile. 'I imagined you saying Mrs Brittany S Lopez…' She finally admitted.

Santana could tell by Brittany's facial expression as she watched her that she wasn't portraying much through her face. Brittany looked like she had just revealed to her mother how old she was when she lost her virginity. Needless to say she definitely looked like she regretted her words.

'It's silly.' Brittany snuck her head into the crook of Santana's neck to hide her face. It didn't matter though because Santana knew it would be turning a delightful red right about now. So damn cute.

'Britt…' Santana sighed and Brittany pulled her face back at the sound of her name. 'You don't want the Lopez name. If anything you should keep your name and I should take yours. I wouldn't want our kids growing up as a Lopez, they should be raised as Pierce's.' She rambled, only stopping when she noticed Brittany's lopsided grin. 'What?'

'I practically just mentioned marriage and the only comment you had was that it should be you who takes my name, and then you started talking about us having kids.' Brittany giggled. 'Santana two years ago would have run for the hills after what I just said.'

'Santana two years ago didn't know what it was like to lose you.' She quickly answered and placed a loving kiss to a soft temple. She'd never get sick of kissing Brittany. Never.

They stayed like that for a while, exchanging loving kisses and soft touches. Santana's skin burned wherever Brittany touched her and she was sure the blonde felt the same because the light blanket covering them both was slowly being discarded as time went by.

'Lopez-Pierce.' Brittany eventually mumbled into Santana's neck.

'Huh?' Santana hummed. She just liked the feel of having Brittany so close, she wasn't really paying attention to what was said.

'I love everything about you Santana, that means your family too.'

Santana finally registered back into the conversation.

'Brittany it's just a name –'

'Exactly. Being a Lopez doesn't define who you are Santana.' Brittany pulled back again to look into her eyes. 'I fell in love with Santana Lopez, I would hate if I was the reason for that to change.'

Santana felt her chest swell with pride. God Brittany had done it again. How did she do that? How did she make everything so simple?

Santana suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to do what she had been waiting to do for over a year. Her whole body was begging for her to kiss Brittany, and like right now. Sure she had kissed her on the cheek a few times since she woke up but that wasn't enough right now. If Brittany was talking about getting married surely she still wanted Santana in every way possible.

Without a seconds thought Santana leaned in and captured Brittany's lips within her own. Mumbling a 'God I've missed you' against them. She felt Brittany gasp into the kiss which soon turned into a deep moan of approval. Hot breaths were exchanged carelessly and limbs were fighting to bring their bodies closer.

Santana moaned when she felt Brittany's hands moving through her hair. They trailed from the base of her neck, down her shoulder blades, then down her spine until they looped around the ends of her hair.

'Your hair's longer.' Brittany smiled into the kiss.

Santana pulled back with a giggle and gently tugged on Brittany's blonde locks. 'So is yours.'

Brittany scrunched her brow until she herself got a hold of her own hair and travelled its length. Santana laughed as Brittany's face grew more shocked the further her hand went. 'It is!' Brittany squeaked. 'Wait how's my nose?'

Santana smiled and pecked a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. 'Cute and kissable.'

'So it's not big like Rachel's?'

Santana chuckled. 'No why would it be?'

'I read that your nose and ears never stop growing, so if a year passed then maybe they had grown, like, really big you know?'

The blonde stated seriously and Santana only smiled and tilted her head to the side.

'Why didn't you ask about your ears then?'

Brittany rolled her eyes playfully and flicked her hair.

'Because, now I can just cover them with my long hair.' She said simply.

'Shear genius.' Santana muttered proudly.

She was about to lean in and kiss Brittany again when suddenly the door creaked open.

Crap. She had forgotten there was a world outside.

'Alright Miss Lopez I'm afraid visiting hours are almost over and –' The nurse stopped dead when she saw Brittany sit up in her bed with a smile and give her a little wave. 'Sweet Jesus…Dr Miller!'

XXXXXXXXX

Santana fidgeted in the damn uncomfortable hospitals chairs which were seated out in the corridor near Brittany's room. She had been waiting for about an hour since Dr. Miller made her leave the room and take a seat outside so they could run some tests on Brittany. She was very reluctant to leave but apparently this Dr Miller guy wasn't opposed to calling security. Whatever.

To her left sat Kurt and Rachel. They had come back to check on Santana when they saw her sitting in the corridor, so Santana let them in on the turn of events. To her right sat James, and her mother and father were further down. Mr. Pierce had called Sharon and she was on the first flight here.

Now there was just one more person who Santana could really use sitting next to her.

She slipped out her phone from her front pocket and quickly skipped through her contacts until she found 'Fabitch' (She really needed to change that now).

'Hey Santana.' Quinn answered cheerily.

'Q you're on a flight tonight to New York at six thirty.' Santana rattled off quickly. 'I sent you an email with details.'

'Uh what? Santana is everything ok?' Quinn chuckled worriedly. ' I was kind of planning on studying for finals tonight and –'

'Quinn you're already into Yale.' Santana deadpanned.

'I know but –'

Santana couldn't take this anymore. She didn't have time for arguing, she just needed Quinn here right now!

'She's awake Q.'

There was a moment's pause. 'S-She's awake?'

'Yeah.' Santana breathed like she couldn't really believe what she was saying either. 'As of about an hour ago.'

It was another thirty seconds until she finally answered. 'H-How is she?'

'Guess you'll have to come and find out.' She smirked.

'You're an ass, you know that?' Quinn scoffed and Santana could just picture the eye roll she was getting, it only made her smile more though. 'How are you then?'

'Wouldn't that be giving it away?' Santana quipped.

'Santana.' Quinn sighed.

Santana rolled her eyes to herself playfully and bit down on her smiling lip before answering. 'I can't stop smiling.'

She had to pull back the phone when Quinn squeaked through the line.

'I'll get Puck to drive me to the airport.'

XXXXXXXXXX

Apparently when Quinn hung up the phone she must have called the whole fucking Calvary because a few hours later, and a whole lot of coffee, Quinn and Puck strolled through the hospital doors followed by the rest of the glee club.

Santana did her best to look pissed off but deep down she knew she was excited that they were there, Britt would be happy to see them.

'Why are you all out here?' Quinn asked when she approached Santana. Santana stood up and gave her a tight hug.

'They're doing tests on her or some shit. It's been hours.' She groaned and gestured to take the seat she was occupying next to Sharon, who had arrived an hour earlier. She needed to stretch her legs anyway.

'Alright.' Santana's head snapped up when she heard Brittany's door swing open and Dr Miller come out. 'Mr and Mrs Pierce, would you like to come in and I'll explain the results to you and your daughter?'

Sharon and James just about bolted out of their seats and towards the door Dr Miller was holding open for them.

Santana slumped against the wall. She just wanted to see Brittany again. It had already been way too long since she had seen that happy face.

Sharon threw an apologetic look in her direction just as she was walking into Brittany's room and Santana shrugged with a smile. It was their time to see their daughter. She could handle a few more minutes without Britt…maybe.

It was close to an hour later when Sharon, James and Dr Miller finally came out of Brittany's room with proud smiles on their faces. Santana took this as a good sign and she smiled even though she had been sitting there for an hour contemplating stealing a nurses outfit just so she could walk in there and see Britt.

Sharon announced that she would be back later and sent Santana a wink before leaving.

'Ok Miss Pierce is now welcoming visitors.' Dr Miller exclaimed before walking with James back to his office.

'Can we all go in?' Tina asked excitedly as just about the whole glee club stood from their chairs.

'What do you think Santana?' Quinn said and nudged her side.

'I think we should ask Britt that.' She replied. 'I'll go in first.'

She probably should have just said one go in at a time, but whatever, she wanted to see Brittany.

Santana could feel her heart beat pick up at just the thought of seeing Brittany again. Seeing her smile again. Ugh heaven.

She opened Brittany's door slowly so she didn't startle her and poked her head around the side of the door. Brittany was too busy tracing around the edges of the photo frame of Santana to notice her presence.

'I'm back.' Santana announced with a smirk. Brittany quickly snapped her head back to the door.

'Thank god.' She breathed in relief.

Santana smiled hard and raced over to her side, quickly leaning down to give her a deep kiss. 'How'd it go?'

'Hmm ok.' the blonde mumbled against her lips until Santana pulled back. 'They mostly just asked me a lot of questions and put me in some chamber thing for a while to scan my brain or whatever.'

'You're braver than I was with all this stuff.' Santana took a seat in the chair closest to Brittany and began fiddling with the blondes hands. 'What did the doctor say?'

'He said I still have to be in here for a while so they can monitor me, but other than that he said I had recovered quite well from the accident.' Brittany gasped. 'Oh yeah he told me about the accident too.'

Santana winced slightly, unsure of how Brittany would take the news that she got hit by an ambulance. Strangely enough she seemed to be a bit excited about it all.

Either way Santana chose not to dwell on the subject.

'Everyone's waiting outside to see you.' She said and nodded her head towards the door.

'Oooh bring them in!' Brittany chirped.

'You sure you're up to it, it won't be too much?'

'Are you staying with me?'

'Of course.' Santana stated simply.

'Then it will be great!'

'Alright I'll go get them.' She smiled as she watched the blonde sit herself up in her bed and fluff a pillow behind her back so she could sit up straight.

Santana reluctantly walked to the door. She kind of liked the idea of just being alone with Brittany for a few more hours, or forever, either way she wasn't too keen on the mob that was about to bombard them.

'Guys come in.' She announced quietly. Maybe if she talked quietly they wouldn't talk so loud at Brittany. At her words everyone quickly raced out of their seats. Kurt and Rachel were leading the pack with giant smiles.

'Couldn't of worn something that didn't make you look like a hobo Puckerman?' Santana quipped when Quinn and Puck passed her.

'Hey Quinn basically dragged me out of bed at fuck knows what hour to drive her to the airport, this is all I could grab.' He said and gestured down to his cargo shorts and ripped singlet.

'It was five in the afternoon.' Quinn rolled her eyes and shoved him further into the room. 'You shouldn't have been sleeping.'

'Alright just get in. Oh and puck?' Santana waited until Puck turned around to face her. 'Watch the language, Britt doesn't like swearing.'

'See, I told you girls don't like that.' Quinn muttered.

'Then why do they scream it when –'

Santana chose to block that conversation from her head and fast. She quickly shut the door and when she turned back around to face the room she found it was oddly quiet.

It was like Brittany was some animal at the zoo who was too cute for words but everyone was just staring at her like she wasn't real. Rachel had her hand clutched to her chest dramatically and the other clutched to Kurt's hand. Tina was silently sobbing into Mikes chest. Finn was doing that weird half smile he does sometimes. Puck was leaning against the windowsill and stroking his hand up and down Quinn's back soothingly. Even Mercedes and Artie were lost for words as they stared opened mouthed at Brittany.

Brittany.

Santana glanced back to the girl of her dreams to find she was already staring back at her with worried eyes. Santana sent her a reassuring smile and wink. That seemed to do the trick because the next minute Brittany's giggle was filling up the room.

'Are we playing musical statues without music? Because that's not how you play guys.' Brittany stated.

Finally the statues of the room managed to lighten up a bit. Quinn was the first to reach out and greet Brittany.

'Brittany…' She breathed in awe. 'We've missed you so much!'

'I missed you too Quinnie!'

Santana watched with a goofy smile on her face as one by one each of the glee members came up and greeted Brittany with a hug and a kiss. Every so often Brittany would glance back to her and Santana would send her another wink only to make the blonde blush and duck her head back into the conversation she was having.

Lucky last was Sam.

'Brittany, how are you feeling?' He smiled and gave her a little hug.

'Who are you?' Brittany questioned with a confused look on her face.

Santana's laugh erupted through the room as everyone else stood still with worried expressions. Sam looked absolutely horrified. She had to give it to her, the girl could keep a straight face.

'Just kidding Sammy.' Brittany chuckled and poked Sam in the stomach. Sam still stood in shock and confusion as he patted down his shirt.

Santana was still laughing when she decided she had had enough of watching Brittany without being able to touch her and kiss her.

'Take a seat Trouty.' She said and shooed him out of the way so she could take the seat close to Brittany's side. Brittany instantly held out her hand for Santana to take, which she took gladly.

Santana watched Brittany engage with all her friends again for what had to be over an hour. She threw in a couple of words when it was needed or if someone asked her a question but most of the attention was on Britt, and she was perfectly happy to sit back and quietly listen to the sound of Brittany's voice and watch the smile she got when she found out who had dated who during her year away.

Every so often she would feel Brittany squeeze her hand just to let her know that she hadn't forgotten about her. Santana would always get a ridiculously big smile on her face whenever she did that. It was a simple gesture, but it meant the world to her. To think that Brittany could be in a room full of her friends with thousands of stories to tell her, and she still took the time to make Santana feel noticed and appreciated, even if it was something as small as squeezing her hand. She was kind of crazy about this girl.

Just as Finn was about to catch her up on the clubs Nationals win, that nurse from before popped back into the room with an apologetic smile. Santana inwardly groaned. She had seen this chick enough over the last few months to know why she was here.

'I'm afraid you must all leave now, Miss Pierce needs her rest.' The nurse announced before focusing in on her. 'That means you too Santana.'

'A few more minutes?' Santana begged. Usually she lost this battle but when she looked sideways and saw Brittany was giving the nurse her best puppy dog eyes she knew the contest was over. They had already won. Even Nurse Satan couldn't say no to those eyes.

'I'll be back in five.' She warned before stomping back out of the room.

Santana looked at Brittany in victory and smiled when she saw her cheeky grin.

'I love you.' She stated simply and revelled in the blush which covered pale cheeks. She leant forward to kiss it away.

'Ok, well I think that's our cue to leave you two love birds alone for a while.' Quinn said loudly and tugged Puck in the direction of the door. 'We'll come back tomorrow ok Britt.'

Brittany just hummed as she stared into Santana's eyes.

'Rrright, let's all go shall we?' Santana briefly heard Kurt say and it wasn't until the room was practically empty , with Rachel and Kurt walking towards the exit, that she finally pulled her gaze away from Brittany's captivating eyes.

'Oh Rachel here.' She stepped towards Kurt and Rachel and handed her thirty dollars. It wasn't much, but it should cover it. Rachel just looked at her strangely. 'For the cab back.' She clarified and Rachel smiled in shock before taking the money. 'How did accommodation hunting go?'

'Kurt and I found some exquisite places really close to NYADA which were fitting with the vintage colour scheme we were searching for but they were a tad out of our price range.'

'Wayyy out of our price range.' Kurt chimed in.

'Uh, anyway we're still looking around..' Rachel spluttered.

'Well I'm sure you guys will find a way.' Santana smiled. For once actually finding it quite easy to talk to these guys, maybe Brittany's presence was just calming her. Or maybe she just didn't have anything left to be mad at. She had everything she ever wanted again, and it felt damn good. 'Hey, um, thanks for coming with me today, your annoying bickering actually calmed me down a bit so…yeah.'

'It was our pleasure Santana.' Kurt winked as he looped Rachel's arm around his. 'Bye Britt, love you.'

'Bye guys!' Brittany yelled back and did a cute little wave. 'Thanks for coming to see me!'

'Text me when you get home ok?' Santana asked lamely. So she wanted to make sure they got home safe, what of it? New York can be a scary place!

'Will do!' Kurt threw over his shoulder as they walked from the room.

Santana shook her head and was about to make some comment about them looking like they just stepped out of the Wizard of Oz, until she saw Brittany's face. Brittany's brow was quirked in question and she had a tiny little smirk playing on her lips.

'What?' Santana asked curiously. What happened?

'I'm proud of you.' Brittany smiled.

Santana took a moment to try and think of what for but she couldn't really come up with anything.

'For what?' She asked and walked slowly back to Brittany's bedside.

'I don't think I've ever heard the word Rachel come from your mouth, and you didn't even say anything about Kurt's snake skin boots.' Brittany said proudly. 'I've certainly never heard you thank them.'

'Yeah well…' Santana blushed. 'They're alright I guess.'

'Come here.' Brittany beaconed with her finger. Santana gladly closed the gap between them and took Brittany's lips within her own. Strawberries.

Santana moaned at the taste and couldn't stop herself from poking out her tongue and running it slowly across Brittany's pink lips, moaning even deeper when Brittany opened her mouth to let Santana's tongue slip in.

'Mmm I've missed you so much Britt.'

'Alright.' Nurse Satan announced. They hadn't even heard her come in. Santana registered somewhere in her mind that she should probably stop making out with Brittany in front of her Nurse, but on the other hand Brittany's fingers were playing at the base of her neck and pulling her in closer so, yeah she didn't really give a fuck. 'Times up.'

'Five more minutes.' Santana mumbled against Brittany's smiling lips.

Ok I'm back!

Sorry I didn't have internet for a while there and I've been very busy but hopefully this chapter will make up for it:/

Anyway not long to go for this story, I'm thinking one or two more chapters. Next chapter sorry good things for the girls are going to happen:)

Love you xx