So I didn't get this up as soon as I had hoped and it was going to be longer but I felt that what was covered was enough for this chapter and that I could save the lighter stuff for the next one :)

I would also like to say rest in peace Cory Monteith. I'm devastated and still can't quite believe that he is gone. My heart goes out to Lea, his family and anybody that is struggling to come to terms with this loss.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

Chapter 7

Brittany was on top of the world. Not only had things been resolved with Santana, their relationship was going great as well. It had been a week since Brittany had woken up in Santana's arms and Brittany knew that she didn't want to wake up any other way…well maybe one other way but she couldn't think about that, she and Santana were taking things slowly.

That morning Brittany had been delighted to find her nose tucked into the crook of Santana's neck and their legs tangled together. It made her even happier when Santana woke up and appeared as content as she was and made absolutely no attempt to pull away from her, if anything, she hugged her closer.

Unfortunately, they had not been able to spend much time together outside the apartment. Brittany had been kept extremely busy at work. They were short-staffed because a couple guys had taken leave and there was a transfer in process and the new guy hadn't been brought in yet. This meant that Brittany was generally overworked and even had to catch up on sleep at the station when she could.

Even though Santana had missed Brittany a lot that week her mood had still been lifted with the recent development in their relationship and she had started writing music again. Santana couldn't remember the last time she had felt the need to write. In the early stages of her career she could hardly put her pen down and she came out with hit after hit after hit. Santana had only ever been with Sylvester Records and in the beginning they had treated her well, then they decided that they wanted a different sound and asked her to write specific kinds of songs. They constantly wanted fast-paced, generic club songs and while Santana always enjoyed a beat she could dance to, she never wanted to be categorised as club music.

The songs she wrote reflected this attitude and eventually Will hired people to write songs for her. Santana hated every minute of it but she was under a pretty air-tight contract that meant she had to stay with them.

Santana was determined to change things though. When she went back to work she would bring what she had written with her and demand that they be the songs she released. Santana knew that she was Sylvester Records' most popular artist and they wouldn't survive without her. Santana couldn't remember why she let them control her so much in the first place but that didn't matter anymore, all she knew was that things were going to change.

….

Brittany was changing into a fresh uniform when she heard Blaine calling her from outside the locker room door. Brittany fixes her t-shirt and slowly makes her way over to the door. Her feet drag a little and she feels the muscles in her neck and back twinge. It had been a long day, she had been on two call outs already and she was really hoping that this wasn't a third. She hadn't heard the alarm but she was pretty sure she had fallen asleep standing up when she was in the shower.

Opening the door she sees Blaine dressed in a fresh uniform also. He flashes her a brilliant smile but all she can manage back is a weary grin.

"What's up?" she yawns out as she leans against the door frame.

"I have somebody to introduce you to!" Blaine says cheerily.

This perks Brittany up a bit because she loves meeting new people.

"Brittany I would like to formally introduce you to…Brody!" Blaine cheers as a tall figure steps into view.

Brody's eyes flash when he sees Brittany. He holds out a strong hand out for her to shake. His grip on Brittany's hand lasts a little longer than perhaps it should but Brittany doesn't really notice because she is intrigued by the playful grin he is wearing. Brittany already thinks this guy will be fun and a great addition to their team.

Blaine just stands there staring adoringly at Brody throughout their exchange.

"It's lovely to meet you, Brody," Brittany states pleasantly.

"Brody here is the transfer that we have been waiting on for the past while," Blaine informs her.

Brittany nods in understanding and relief.

"It's about time you showed up," she jokes.

Brody shrugs his shoulders, "Yeah, there was a hold up with the paperwork. It's a shame, I've clearly been missing out."

Blaine shakes his head dismissively, "It's cool."

Brittany looks at her watch, it's six o'clock.

"Since you're here does this mean I get to go home at a reasonable hour today? As in now?" Brittany asks cheekily.

Blaine nods in confirmation. "Beiste noticed that you looked dead on your feet so she sent me over herewith Brody to let you know that you could go home."

Brody's smile drops a little in disappointment.

"Thank God!" Brittany sighs with relief.

Brittany turns back and grabs her bag off the bench. She dashes back past Brody and Blaine, "I'll catch you guys tomorrow!" she calls back over her shoulder.

Brittany hadn't been able to get home this early all week. Santana had managed to come in to see her once or twice but Brittany had always been called away much sooner than she would have liked.

Brittany parked her car and with a new surge of energy she bounded over to the elevator and rapidly pressed the button over and over again. Once in the elevator she jittered about the place until it brought her to her floor.

Brittany burst through the apartment door and threw her bag on the floor.

Santana jumps up from her place at the picnic table and clutches her chest.

"Dios mio Brittany!" Santana gasps, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Brittany instantly strides over to Santana.

"What are you doing home so early? I thought you were swamped at…" Brittany cuts Santana off with a firm kiss to her lips.

It takes no time at all for Santana to get the message to stop talking and she wraps her arms around Brittany's neck and pulls their bodies together firmly. Brittany's hands glide up Santana's back. Santana wishes that Brittany would do that beneath her t-shirt. After their rather heated kiss in the park Brittany had backed off and could only be what Santana would describe as tame.

She knew it was her own fault, she had been the one not wanting to label what they were and making Brittany feel uncertain but she wanted to show her that it was ok for them to step things up a notch. In Santana's mind it wasn't only ok, she was practically dying for it.

They had been sharing a bed for a week now and she thought she would have at least seen a sneak preview by this point while Brittany was changing but Brittany was always careful never to let Santana see anything. Santana didn't know if it was intentional or just a reflex but Santana knew that she needed to get some action soon.

"Hi," Brittany sighs against her lips. Santana is dragged out of her thoughts and instantly enveloped in Brittany's scent and the growing heat from their bodies.

Brittany lifts Santana up in her arms and Santana wraps her legs around Brittany's waist. Brittany buries her face in Santana's soft hair and hums at the fruity smell.

"What's gotten into you?" Santana asks gently as she runs her fingers through Brittany's hair.

"I've missed you this week," Brittany mumbles into her hair.

"But Britt, I've been right here, we've cuddled in bed every night this week," Santana reminds her.

Brittany pulls her head back and looks up at Santana.

"I know but I've been so out of it because of work that I feel like we haven't really been together," Brittany explains, not really sure if Santana gets what she means. Brittany looks away from Santana but Santana pulls her back by the chin to look at her.

"Hey, I've felt it too, we've been a bit distant but it's just because you've been really busy, not because anything has changed. I wanted to make sure you had rest and space because work was stressing you out."

Brittany looks into Santana's deep brown eyes. She gets lost in them every single time and yet they always feel like home.

"Thank you, Santana." Santana shakes her head, dismissing the gratitude. "And I promise to be around more, the new transfer came in today and Beiste is thinking of hiring a couple new people so I definitely won't be as busy."

"That's great news, Britt!" Santana pecks kisses on both of Brittany's cheeks but Brittany's lips seek out her own and she gladly meets them.

Brittany glides her tongue along Santana's top lip and Santana's reaches out to greet hers. Santana feels a fire ignite in her tummy and she sweeps her tongue into Brittany's mouth and sucks on Brittany's tongue. She nips at Brittany's lips and she moans when Brittany bites down on her lip.

Brittany pulls back, panting heavily, "You ok?"

Santana realises that she must have moaned a lot louder than she intended and Brittany had mistaken it for a moan of pain rather than pleasure.

"Yeah," Santana says flustered, "I just…liked that."

Brittany's eyes darken at Santana's husky and breathless tone. Without another word Brittany captures Santana's lips again and kisses them hungrily.

Santana is surprised when she feels Brittany begin to navigate them to where she assumes is the couch. Santana gets confused when it takes much longer than she thought it would and finds herself being pressed up against a door.

Brittany's hand leaves her waist as she fumbles with the door handle. Brittany moves her kisses down from Santana's lips to her neck and down onto her collarbone. Santana leans her head back against the door and digs her nails into Brittany's shoulders as she relishes the feeling of Brittany's lips on her neck.

Brittany gets the door open and staggers forward into her room, keeping a strong hold on Santana who has started to place her own kisses along Brittany's neck. Brittany bites her lip at the sensation as she crosses the room and lays Santana down on her bed.

Brittany hovers over Santana as she releases her hold from around Brittany's neck and lies back to stare up into Brittany's eyes. Brittany can feel Santana's hot breath on her face as Santana moves her hands to Brittany's hips. Her eyes are a molten brown that seem to be the only thing connecting Brittany to the earth in that moment. Santana bites her lip and tugs at Brittany's hips and Brittany slowly lowers herself down onto Santana.

Brittany knows that they are treading into unchartered territory and while a part of her mind tells her that they aren't ready yet, it feels too damn good to even contemplate stopping. Even feeling Santana's body pressed to hers in this way is different to anything they had ever done together. It kind of reminds Brittany of their dancing at the club. Brittany flushes at the memory of their bodies grinding together. That had been innocent and had made her feel like she was going to melt, what was this going to do to her?

Brittany presses Santana down into the bed as she kisses her deeply and tangles her hands into her hair. Santana moans in response and arches up into Brittany, constantly needing to feel more.

Brittany brings a hand down from Santana's hair and wraps it around her waist. She lifts and drags Santana further up the bed so that they can be more comfortable. Santana rests her head against the pillows unable to believe that they both still have all their clothes on. Santana catches Brittany's eye and slowly begins to take her top off, making sure her taut abs are all that Brittany can see. That is until Brittany catches sight of Santana's rambunctious set of twins concealed in quite possibly the sexiest, lacy, black bra she has ever seen.

Santana quirks an eyebrow as Brittany's eyes roam over her body and can't seem to decide where to settle. Eventually Brittany's eyes find their way back to Santana's eyes and Santana could only describe them as electric. Brittany had never felt so much life in her veins as when she was looking at Santana.

Santana can see in Brittany's eyes that she is about to kiss the life out of her and she closes her eyes as Brittany leans forward. Santana gasps when Brittany's lips don't connect with her own but rather with her abdomen. Santana can hardly take the image of Brittany lying between her legs and peppering her stomach with kisses and drops her head back. Brittany trails her hands up and down Santana's legs, alternating from gentle strokes to dragging her nails along the exposed skin of Santana's thighs until they reach her shorts. Brittany's kisses move upwards and her hands begin to trace the underside of her bra. Santana's chest begins to heave as Brittany traces her tongue through the valley of Santana's breasts.

Normally, Santana never lets anyone top her; it makes her feel pinned down and insecure but with Brittany's arms around her she feels safe and reassured, never mind being way more turned on than she ever has been before.

As their legs tangle together Brittany nudges Santana's knee slightly. Brittany wanted to be careful not to push Santana too far because this was all new for her but she seemed eager enough and Brittany was hoping that Santana needed the same kind of contact that she needed in that moment. Brittany was pleasantly surprised when Santana parted her legs so that Brittany could straddle one of her own.

Santana groaned when she didn't feel Brittany press into her centre immediately. She opened her eyes to see a questioning look from Brittany. Santana could tell from Brittany's lust darkened eyes that she was turned on but she could also see that Brittany wanted Santana to be sure. Brittany paid attention to Santana's feelings every step of the way.

Santana pulled Brittany's face down to meet her lips with a searing kiss before she rocked forward and showed Brittany exactly how ready she was for what Brittany wanted to do.

Brittany gasped against Santana's mouth at the sudden pressure she was applying. Brittany jutted forward, pressing her thigh down between Santana's. She could feel heat between Santana's legs already and she still had two layers of clothing on. They quickly fell into a steady rhythm and Santana was finding it increasingly difficult to focus because Brittany was making her feel everything everywhere.

Santana was trying her best not to moan loudly every time Brittany rocked into her but she really couldn't help it.

Santana could feel herself getting wound up extremely tight. She couldn't believe that she was this close to the edge when they had hardly done anything.

Santana's hips buck sporadically at a particularly firm thrust and her hands that had been placed on Brittany's back instantly clenched and bunched up Brittany's t-shirt. Santana knew that she was close to coming completely undone and she couldn't let that happen without making Brittany feel even a fraction of what she was feeling.

"Mmm…Britt?" Santana mumbled against her lips. Brittany quirked her head back a little but didn't stop her movements.

"This feels…ugh, really, really good," Santana moaned, "but you are wearing way too much clothes. I want to feel you against me." Santana grabs the hem on the bottom of Brittany's t-shirt and went to pull it up.

Brittany's hands shoot back from their hold on Santana and grab Santana's wrists.

"No, Santana don't," Brittany demanded firmly.

Santana's hands freeze in their actions and she looked up at Brittany in confusion.

"Oh…I thought you'd want to since we were…you know…"

"I do want to," Brittany murmurs quietly.

This only confuses Santana more.

"Well…then what's the problem?"

Brittany stares at Santana's wrists in her hands and she begins to stroke them gently with her thumbs.

"I just don't think I'm ready for you to see me like that."

"Brittany, your body is amazing, I mean, you've seen yourself, right? You have nothing you could want to hide."

Brittany scrunches her face up and feels tears prick her eyes. She doesn't want to cry in front of Santana but this is an extremely sensitive issue for her.

"That's where you're wrong." Brittany whispers despondently.

"Britt, look at me. What do you mean?"

Brittany raises her head up and looks at Santana. She's torn, she knew they would get to this eventually but she didn't think it would be so soon. The worst part is that she knows it's her fault because she initiated it.

Brittany lets go of Santana's wrists, shuffles back and turns around to kneel further down the bed.

"Brittany, please don't be like that," Santana begs.

Brittany looks back over her shoulder at Santana.

"Are you sure you want to know?" Brittany asks monotonously.

Santana's eyes widen at the question and Brittany's serious tone.

"Of course Brittany. You can tell me anything."

Santana's eyes search Brittany's as she looks for any kind of sign for what is to come.

Brittany turns her face away from Santana once again. Brittany unclasps her bra through her t-shirt and takes it out through her sleeve. Then Brittany swiftly grabs the bottom of her top and raises it up over her head to be placed somewhere on the ground.

At first Santana doesn't know what she is supposed to be looking at. Brittany's hair cascades down her back and Santana looks up at the back of Brittany's head waiting for her to turn around and give some sort of explanation.

Brittany's hands reach around the back of her neck and brush her hair her right shoulder. Santana watches as the removal of each trestle of hair reveals more of Brittany's back.

Santana covers her mouth in shock automatically. Nearly all of Brittany's back is puckered and pink. As she examines it more she notices s distinct cragginess in the skin from Brittany's right shoulder that ran diagonally to the bottom left hand side of her rib cage. Santana knew that if she were to run her hand over the skin that it would be bumped and raised there. Santana flinches at the thought of the kind of pain Brittany must have gone through.

Brittany stares stonily forward. She knows from the silence that Santana has seen the mutilated flesh and is speechless.

"Brittany…" Santana's voice cracks, "what happened to you?"

The tears Brittany had been trying to hold back spill over when she hears Santana struggle to speak.

"I'm disgusting, I know."

"What?" Santana gasps.

"It's fine. You don't have to pretend that it doesn't repulse you."

Santana's heart breaks a little at the icy tone to Brittany's voice.

How could she think that?

"Brittany it doesn't…"

"Stop. It's why Sugar cheated on me," Brittany states, "We had been seeing each other for a year when it happened. There was a fire out on my parents' farm, in the barn. All the animals were going to die, I had to do something. I went in and started letting them all out but the barn started to crumble around me and one of the rafters fell and crushed me beneath it. I was lucky to live really. It didn't do too much damage to my spine and Sugar and I were relieved to hear that I should have a fast recovery. But when the skin on my back never healed I could begin to feel Sugar pulling away from me. She never touched it and when I was changing she could hardly look at me. Then I came home one day and I caught her having sex with my best friend and she looked at me and I knew, it was in her eyes, she couldn't stand to be with me anymore and rather than just tell me, she cheated. She wanted to get caught so she could have an easy out. So here's your out Santana, I'm offering it to you on a plate."

Brittany waits for Santana to reply and gets no response. She knows that Santana is trying to think of a way to accept her offer without seeming shallow or cruel.

Santana wipes the tears that had been streaming down her face from the beginning of Brittany's story. Santana clears her throat and sits up straight.

"No."

"Santana you don't have to…"

"I don't want it," she states firmly.

Brittany hears Santana move behind her and is expecting her to get up and leave. What she doesn't expect is for Santana to place her hands on her waist. Santana rests her chin on Brittany's left shoulder and turns her face to Brittany's ear.

"The only thing that this shows me is that you're a survivor, Brittany. It makes you ten times more beautiful than I thought you already were and it makes me proud to be your girlfriend."

Brittany takes a shuddering breath in and her shoulders quake as she is wracked with sobs. She had been holding her breath, waiting for Santana to leave her from the moment she has stopped speaking.

Santana wraps her arms around Brittany's small waist, bringing their bodies together, skin on skin. Brittany continues to sob as she is overwhelmed by the intimacy that this moment holds. Brittany hadn't been held like this since before the accident and she honestly never expected to feel it again.

Santana clings to Brittany silently until her sobs begin to subside, now and then pressing kisses to her neck and shoulder.

When Brittany seems to have recovered, Santana moves her kisses lower. At first it's just her shoulder blade but the she begins to ghost her lips along the main ridge across Brittany's back. Santana wants to show Brittany that she loves every part of her body no matter what.

Santana knew this had been coming. The feelings she had for Brittany had been growing rapidly and she had long since tried to stop them. Santana was ready to give Brittany all her love but in that moment she simply tried to convey it through touch. She was afraid that if she voiced it right now Brittany would think it was false.

Brittany could feel it. Santana was bearing her heart and soul to her in the most honest way she knew how. She sighed with pleasure and felt electricity tingle across her back in a way she didn't know was possible.

Santana wordlessly took Brittany's hand and encouraged her to turn around. Santana cupped Brittany's face in her hands and stroked her tear stained cheeks. She leaned her forehead against Brittany's for a moment before getting up and moving behind her.

"Lay on the bed," she ordered calmly.

Brittany went to turn around but Santana stopped her with a slow caress on her lower back.

"On your front," she whispered seductively.

Brittany lay down on her front like Santana ordered with her head propped up on her folded arms. Santana crawled up the bed over Brittany with one arm and one leg on either side of her body.

"What are you doing?" Brittany asks curiously.

"Just relax, this is about you." Santana says soothingly.

Santana begins at the base of Brittany's spine. She massages her back thoroughly, she can feel how tense she is from work and she doesn't stop until it begins to fade away. Once Brittany is relaxed, Santana begins to use her mouth instead, kissing, licking and nipping her way up Brittany's back. Brittany struggles to remain silent as Santana continues to create her own personal heaven. Santana on the other hand does not refrain from eliciting sounds that tell Brittany just how much she is enjoying touching Brittany in this way.

After a while, Santana's kisses get slower and her movements become heavy. The afternoon had been an emotional drain on the both of them and while Brittany's heart rate refused to drop she couldn't deny that she was almost slipping into unconsciousness.

Brittany reaches back and grabs onto Santana's hand that had been gliding up and down her side. She tugs on her wrist and Santana understands that Brittany wants her to move up and lie down beside her.

They lie facing each other, both wearing matching, sleepy grins. Santana lifts her arm up and gestures for Brittany to move over into her arms. Brittany quickly does so and rests her head against Santana's chest. Santana takes in the smell of Brittany's coconut shampoo as she hugs Brittany tightly to her chest.

"Thank you."

It's a simple statement but Brittany hopes that Santana can hear the sincerity behind it.

"I'll never let you go."

"Good because I think you're stuck with me."

Santana smirks into Brittany's hair and shuts her eyes. Santana knows that Brittany shared a part of herself that made her vulnerable and she found it so incredible brave. Santana could only hope that when the time came for her to be brave that she could do it for Brittany and with every touch and kiss they shared she was starting to believe it.

Brittany fell asleep wrapped up in Santana's arms, relieved that Santana had proven her wrong and cared enough about her to stay. If they could overcome this then they could do anything together and Brittany knew that the best was yet to come for them.

…..

Sorry about how short it is but I wanted to get something up because the rest of my week is hectic and I'm going away next Thursday and I don't know if I will be able to post anything before then. I hoped you all enjoyed it anyway and thanks for reading :)

Aisling x