a/n - Well I think I've set an all time new record for updating for me. I wanted to be able to get this chapter up before the weekend was over. I like how it came out. I hope you do too. All mistakes are mine, sorry if there are any typos or other mistakes, I don't have a beta. Just a friend that looks it over quickly before I post. Anyway, enjoy.

a/n 2 - Thanks again for all the views and faves. It seriously means alot.

Disclaimer - I don't own GLEE, and I really don't think anyone wants to at the moment!

Part 5

Brittany POV

"Hey, what do you want for lunch? I can order take-out, delivery or we can just go somewhere." I could tell Kurt was hungry, he never offers to call for take out.

He always wants to go somewhere. I also knew we were trying to get a lot of work accomplished in a short amount of time. The more we got done today, the less time we would have to spend in the office on Saturday.

"You know what. Let's take the laptops with us and go have a nice lunch." I suggested.

"Okay, sounds good to me. Where do you want to go?" he asked again.

"How about we try that new Italian place down the street so we don't have to drive?" I said, wanting to walk and get some well needed fresh air.

"The Rotten Tomato Grille?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I've heard that it is really good and that the sandwiches are delicious." I smiled.

"But, I'm sure they don't have breadsticks like the ones at Breadstix!" we laughed,
knowing that I'm kind of addicted to them. No one else here would be as strange as me to have breadsticks considered as a food group!

"Sounds good to me. When do you want to leave?" he asked impatiently. I could tell the unfed beast was about to burst from his chest.

"I have to finish this last item, log off and we can go." I answered back to him.

It was a beautiful sunny day in downtown NYC. 80 degrees and a slight breeze. Perfect for a nice walk and lunch. We arrived at the Grille and went inside.

"Good afternoon, Two for lunch today?" the host greeted.

"Yes, thank you." Kurt said back, as I caught his leering.

"Would you like a booth or a table?" The host asked and looked at Kurt. I think he was flirting. I had to smile. This time, it was me that gave Kurt an elbow to the rib.

"A booth please." I replied, giving Kurt a shame on you look.

"Right this way." as the host motioned for us to follow. "Here we are. Dawn will be your waitress today and she'll be right with you."

We sat down at our booth towards the middle of the Grille and I had my back to the front of the eatery. I ordered an Iced Tea, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella toasted sandwich and a small Cobb salad. Kurt ordered the same thing except he had Pepsi to drink instead.
We were in the middle of our meal when I felt someone being seated behind me. Kurt hadn't noticed, his attention was on the host that had seated us and flirted with him. I nudged him with my foot under the table.

"Kurt! What are you doing?" I scolded him.

"I'm allowed to look at the menu. I just can't order!" he laughed.

"Relax, hon, I love Blaine and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. I'm just having fun." He laughed back.

"Okay, you better not. I don't like to see my friends hurt and upset. Or doing something they shouldn't." I scolded.

"Speaking of, have you talked to your family yet?" he asked.

"Yes. I talked to Jody this morning while you were in the shower. I am leaving on the 11:30am flight Sunday and have tentatively booked my return flight for 2 weeks from then. I would return Saturday evening around 8:00pm. This way my aunt should be out of the woods from her brain trauma and her knee surgery. Dr. T. has talked to everyone and said things are starting to look better and that her vitals and signs are coming up to normal." I said thankfully.

"Thank God! I think he is definitely looking out for your aunt. Are you done? I think we should go now, or we'll never get anything done and be here all day tomorrow." Kurt said as he looked at his watch.

"You're right. We should go. Lunch is on me. Thank you for everything Kurt, you've been a huge help." I said paying the check.

"Ahhhh, that's what little ole teddy bear's like me are for." as he stood up and gave me a hug. As he gave me a hug, he whispered in my ear.

"Guess who was sitting behind you?" he smirked.

I turned and looked. Again our eyes met. There Santana was with 2 other of her co-workers, Quinn and Puck.

"I see we have the same good taste in food?" she stated and smiled at me.

"I guess we do." I said back quickly. I nodded my head and turned to leave.

"Have a good trip, and I hope your aunt recovers quickly." she said, genuinely concerned.
"Thank you. I will. I haven't been to visit in over a year. I just wish it wasn't over these circumstances. But it will be nice to see everyone. Have a nice weekend." I wished her.

We smiled at each other a little longer than usual, then I turned back to Kurt and we left. As I walked out the door and around the front windows, Santana was still watching me. I waved to her. She smiled and waved back. I could see her friends smiling at her and, from what it looked like to me, giving her a hard time about me, because they kept looking my way as Kurt and I passed them in the window.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" as I was again poked in the ribs.

"You keep doing that, and I'll have one less rib on that side thanks to you." I joked back to him.

"Well, I wouldn't have to keep nudging that same rib if you would just pull your head out of said ass, get your lady balls in action and ask that hot piece of Latina ass out on a date!" he chuckled.

"Okay, Okay, I'll work faster on my lady balls." I laughed back.

We took our time walking back to the building as it was such a beautiful afternoon. We stopped at an Italian Ice vendor and ordered 2 ices and sat down at one of the benches at the park. We talked about our projects and how well they were coming along. We discussed current events, my dance classes, if I was going to quit teaching or continue next semester at the college and my upcoming trip tomorrow.

"I think we should head back to the office now, or we'll accomplish nothing else today." Kurt regrettably suggested.

"Yes, you are right. I suppose we should go." We put our garbage in the can next to our bench and headed back to the Landon Bldg.

When we got to the elevators I was busy texting my brother of my arrivals times for tomorrow afternoon.

"Owww!" I exclaimed as I received yet another nudge in the rib from Kurt.

"Shhh!" "Look who's waiting at the elevator already." He said quietly.
"Aw, shit!" I blurted. I just sent an incomplete text to Jody.

"Why do I get so nervous around her, Kurt?" I said in his ear.

Kurt just laughed and pushed me forward. "So, are you following us?" he asked Santana and her friend Puck.

"No, I just think we like going to the same places." Santana laughed back.

"Yeah, if you enjoy working on Saturdays!" Puck retorted back sarcastically, almost glaring at Santana.

Just before I was about to make comment, the elevator doors opened and we all stepped inside. Kurt hit the 8 and 9 buttons for our respective floors.

"Thank you, I see you remembered." smiled Santana to Kurt.

"Hard not to, we're in here every day together. Some things tend to wear off." he said as he chuckled and gave me a little shoulder nudge.

All of a sudden the elevator came to a jerking halt! I lost my balance for a moment and came right into the back of Santana. Out of reflex I grabbed hold of her wrist very tightly with one hand, while the other was squeezing her shoulder since I had pretty much slammed into her back. She turned and looked at me quizzically then concerned.

"What the fuckin' hell was that?" Puck cursed.

"I'm not sure, I think the elevator just jammed!" Kurt said.

I stood there in a gaze. I couldn't move. Finally, I said,

"Ja…j. !?" "Shit!", I swore, this was not going to be good.

"Why, what's wrong?" Kurt asked me, then very concerned he asked again, "Britt! Brittany! Britt, honey, what's wrong, you look pale and your turning green. Are you going to get sick or pass out?"

"N..n…no...n. 's wrong." I said back to him a little quicker than I had anticipated.

"Britt, I can tell something is wrong. What is it?" he asked again, this time with more intensity in his voice.

"I need to get out. I need air! Kurt, I'm severely claustrophobic!" I whimpered, starting to get breathless as panic began to set in.

I start to pace in a small circle, my heart is racing and it's getting really HOT in here. Why is it so damn HOT in here! I'm starting to panic even more as the minutes pass by. I am constantly rubbing my hands together and talking to myself. SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!
Just then, the in-elevator phone rang. Puck answered it immediately, as they all stared at me with concern.

"Ok. Just one. She's extremely claustrophobic….Ok, we'll try. Damn! That long. All right, we'll do what we can. Thanks." as Puck hung up the phone, we could all tell that the news wasn't going to be good.

"The lobby security guard is aware of the situation and has contacted a technician. But it is still going to be at least 3 hours before anyone even gets here." he then looked at me.

"Sorry, Brittany. They know the situation and are doing the best they can. It is Saturday and only one Tech is on call."

"Maybe if you tried putting your mind on something else, it won't be so bad." Kurt suggested.

"Maybe we can get out the Laptops and work on our stuff some more." he added.

"Ok, I'll try. Does anyone have any water or gum?" I asked. Still trying to get my breathing under control. Santana looked into her handbag and pulled out some gum and a small bottle of water.

"Here, I hope these help." she looked at me with empathy.

"Thanks, so do I." I said back softly. God! Why did this have to happen when SHE is in here.

"Just try and concentrate on the program, Britt." Kurt encouraged.

"I can't. I tried, but it's just not working Kurt." I looked at him pleadingly.

"Geez, Britt, you're drenched. What can I do to help?" He looked at me even more concerned than before.

"I don't know. I'm having a hard time breathing and getting my heart back in my chest." I said to him in a daze.

"I've never seen you like this. I didn't even know you were claustrophobic." he said back to me.

"When the elevator is full and we are talking or I'm concentrating on my iPhone, I can usually keep it under control. I know everything is ok. As long as we don't stop too long in between." I tried to explain.

"Well, while were all in here, I'm Noah. Noah Puckerman. But you can call me Puck." he said.

"What? I just figured since we see each other every day, maybe we should formally introduce ourselves. We might be in here a bit." he said earning a kick from Santana.

"Uh, yeah, I'm Santana. Santana Lopez." She softly said, avoiding my gaze.

"I'm Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, and best friend to one Brittany S. Pierce. Not Britney Spears, because Britt here, is so much better." he said motioning to me, chuckling, then shaking everyone's hand.

"Well, that leaves me, I'm Quinn Fabray and her best friend." Quinn said poking Santana in the shoulder.

"Oww. Hey!" the brunette said laughing.

"Now that we all know each other so well…." Puck started.

Just as he started, I grunted and put my head between my knees again.

"Britt, you're not looking very well. Is there anything I can do?" Kurt asked even more concern in his voice than normal.

"It's not usually this bad if I know we're getting out soon, but we just finished eating. Normally, I can keep from panicking, but I don't have anything to occupy me, plus we're already stuck." I tried to rationalize.

"That's probably why I haven't seen this before then, I'm sorry. I didn't know." he said apologetically.

"Don't be, I ….oh shit, I-I f-feel so nauseous." I closed the laptop, closed my eyes and leaned forward.

"Drink some water. Maybe that will help. By the way, what's the S. for?" Puck suggested, then asked as he picked up my bottle and handed it to me.

"Thanks again. It stands for Susan, after my mother." I barely got out as I started to tear up and lose my breath more.

I closed my eyes and the tears wouldn't stop. Then I felt 2 hands, one on each side of my face. They pulled my head up to make sure we had eye contact.

"Hey, don't cry. You're not alone in here. We are all here with you. We will help you through this ok." Santana said to me as she stared intently into my eyes.

"Thanks again, It's just all so embarrassing and frustrating. I just wish they would hurry and get us out of here. It's getting worse." I said as the tears let loose and streamed down my cheeks.

"None of that. We are all here right next to you. Just breathe easy and close your eyes if it helps." she said as she sat down next to me and pulled my closer so that I could put my head on her shoulder and held me. God, she felt good. Smelled good. Maybe if I concentrate on that, I'll calm down. I hope.

Just then Kurt grabbed my free hand. "That's right. I'm here for you too, hon. Whatever you need. It's yours."

"A window and some air would be nice." I said, trying to make light of my own situation.

"See, a little comedy makes for a bit of levity." Santana said as she pulled me in to her closer. "Now just close your eyes and relax. If you feel tired, then go ahead and let it go." She said to me as she stared into my eyes with concern.

"I do feel exhausted. Maybe I will." as I let my head sink into her shoulder and chest.

Just before I closed my eyes, I notice a huge smile on Kurt's face, which in turn brought a slight smile to mine before I finally dozed off.

I felt a jerk. Then a sudden feeling like I was flying. Then I realized the elevator was falling. My worst fears were coming to light. Being claustrophobic and dying in a falling elevator. What could be worse? I started to scream for help, but no one was hearing me. I just started to cry.

"I don't want to die. Not here. Not now! Help! Someone please, help!"

"Hey, wake up….Britt, wake up! It's ok. Britt!" I felt a hand on my cheek and another hand on my shoulder." I looked into the wide startled big brown eyes of Santana and Kurt.

"You were dreaming. Or should I say, having a daytime nightmare! Are you alright?" Kurt asked in unison with Santana.

I wiped my eyes and realized my surroundings and where I was. Still trapped in that damn elevator, in between floors and not moving. I started to hyperventilate again.

"Shhh. Don't start again. It's okay. The Tech got here about 20 minutes ago. He called and said about an hour maybe 2 at the most." Kurt said.

"Maybe if you put your head back down, you'll relax again." "It seemed to help before." Santana suggested.

"Maybe. How long was I asleep before?" I asked.

"An hour maybe. You seemed more relaxed sleeping until your dream." Kurt replied.

I tried to relax again and go back to sleep, but it just wasn't working. I kept my eyes closed so the others wouldn't worry so much about me. My thoughts started to wander back to the woman's shoulder that I was pressed against and that was so lovingly taking care of me. I didn't even know her all that well, but I wanted to. I felt so comfortable without even trying, this was the perfect opportunity. I stayed still and lay there in the arms of a woman I barely knew, but was slowly becoming very fond of.

As I lay there with my eyes clenched closed trying to fall back asleep to calm down, the other occupants of the elevator started conversations and getting to know one another better.

"How long have you known Brittany?" I heard Santana and Puck ask Kurt.

"Only since she started working here. But we became friends very fast." Kurt continued.

"She's been here almost a month, but I feel like we've been friends forever. She's a great, caring, sweet, happy and fun person. She's like the frikkin energizer bunny in the mornings. She's so awake and upbeat, it's almost sickening." he laughs. "It kills me, that I never noticed this before." he said upset with himself.

"Maybe she didn't want you to know or be burdened." Quinn interjected.

"True. But now that I look back, every time we did something, it always had to be in open spaces. Nothing closed in. She won't even rent an apartment. She actually owns a house here already!" He explained in amazement.

"Well, there you go." interrupted Puck. "there are clues everywhere. It's just a matter of piecing them together."

"Puck, when did you get so smart?" Santana chuckled sarcastically.

"Yeah, I suppose. And I overlooked all of them." Kurt said sadly.

"No, how were you supposed to figure that out." Quinn asked knowingly. Trying to ease Kurt's mind.

"I don't know. I just wish I would have caught on much sooner." Kurt said as he admonished himself.

"Don't beat yourself up over it. We are all here together and we'll get her through this. And we'll all be a lot closer too. It's always nice to have new friends." Santana said smiling at Kurt.

"Ehhrrr, uhm, small question. I mean, I know it's none of my business, and I only see you two here, but do you know if Brittany is seeing anyone?" I heard Santana ask hesitantly.

"Well, as far as I know, No. We talked about relationships and she didn't mention anyone. She did say her last date date was almost 2 yrs ago."

"Wow! That long. That would be an eternity for me." Puck announced, as I heard them all laugh.

"Not to sound to presumptuous, but Kurt, are you gay? I don't mean to offend. I'm sorry you don't have to answer, but I've seen you around for about a year and it just kind of clicked with me." Quinn asked.

"No, that's ok. Yes. I've been happily married to Blaine for 5 yrs now. And No, you are not offending me." He said as he chuckled.

"Okay, next question…." Santana hesitated. "What about Brittany?" "Do I have a chance. I mean, is she gay? Shit! Not very subtle, sorry. Now, I sound like a teenager. It's just that ever since that 1st meeting in the elevator after my blind date, I've noticed little glances from her. And for some reason, she is always on my mind and I enjoy all the little moments I get to see her on the elevator." Santana says practically in a full on blush now.

"Well, she'll probably kick me as soon as she finds out, but what the heck!" he continued.

"Yeah, she's gay. She had a very bad, heart wrenching break-up a few years ago and she's been slow to get back on the saddle. But I will tell you, she is definitely interested in you." he said, sounding proud of himself.

Santanas eyes widened and a big grin went about her face.

"Really! How do you know this?" she asked.

"Well, after that morning in the elevator about the blind date, she constantly talks about you and if she would even have a chance with you. Also, every time we leave the elevator when you are on it, she is on Cloud 9!" he chuckled to himself.

"I know she is leaving tomorrow. If we ever get out of here." she said sarcastically.

"When is she planning on returning? I'm usually not so nervous, but would you put in a word for me. Maybe we can get together for a drink or lunch when she gets back?" She asked Kurt hopefully.

"I think I can do that. But I must tell you, I don't think you're going to have a problem with that. I am pretty sure she will jump at the chance." Kurt said as he laughed at the thought.

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Yes, I was eavesdropping. Yes, my heart was thumping. Yes, I wanted to jump over rainbows and dance. As soon as I heard Kurt's voice, but I decided to keep my eyes closed. Creeper, yeah, I know. She actually wants to go out with me. My heart is beating like crazy now. I hope she doesn't notice. Maybe she'll just think it's the claustrophobia. What luck. We are stuck in an elevator, I'm lying here in her arms being comforted and she's talking to my best friend about asking me out and my plane leaves tomorrow afternoon! Now I have 2 weeks to stew on until I come back from Pittsburgh. Damn!