Authors Note: HEY GUYS! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! I found some spare time to write up another chapter and I thought I'd give you guys an update as a Christmas present! :L Many thanks the follows and favorites! They're really encouraging! And so... Before we plunged into the drama of the story, I hope you enjoy this quite light hearted chapter (I hope?). I had fun writing this so I hope you guys enjoy it too!

As always... suggestions, comments and criticisms are welcomed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AGAIN!/ HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, GLEE AND HUNGER GAMES ARE NOT MINE.

Two weeks in and not much has change. On Brittany's return she learned about the new sleeping arrangements: Haymitch was to bunk in with Benny and Andre in Andre's room, Anna and Christa were to stay in Benny and Anna's room, which leaves her to share a room with Santana. To say that Brittany wasn't thrilled would be an understatement.

To be more exact, she was pissed.

However, she was mature enough to stop herself from vocalizing her protest and so she merely resulted to acting passive aggressive towards the unprovoking Latina. She casually uses all the hot water for shower, hiding Santana's towel when she was in the washroom, purposely using up all cutleries when it was Santana's turn to wash the dishes and pretending that she didn't hear the brunette when she attempts to engage into a polite conversation with Brittany. Santana on the other hand had been very patient with the blonde which was not her. She surprised herself by how well she had been dealing with Brittany's –for lack of better word, shit. This didn't go unnoticed by Haymitch though; he was amused at the fiery Latina's new found patience. He laughed at how Brittany pushed her right at the edge. The way the teenager would swallow the threatening string of violent words. Forcefully pushing her alter-ego Snix down and settling for a weak smile for every abuse and owning up to the misfortunes that had been unfairly inflicted upon her. He enjoyed her trouble and had decided to refrain himself from calling out Santana on her new persona. He thinks he'll take pleasure from it a little bit longer. It's quite refreshing to see the normally brash Latina regress into a meek little deer.

Going back to the new sleeping arrangements, Brittany decided she'll squeeze herself in the cramp room with Christa and her mother, it was a tight fit. She didn't really get much sleep either because three people on a double bed with a child who rotates in time with the hands of the clock wasn't exactly comfy. Brittany would wake up with various bruise ranging from her cheeks to her thigh, all caused by the flailing limbs of her sister.

There have been a lot of changes lately, long before Santana and Haymitch's arrival, Benny gave Brittany the duty to watch over their cow who her father suspected to be pregnant. Brittany was hesitant at first; she knows how difficult it is to take care of her sassy horse but her dad reassured her that he will attend to their care and will seek for her assistance if he fails. In some aspect it worked to her favour, she no longer needed to wake up at 5:30 in the morning and that gave her enough time to compose herself before she had to tolerate Haymitch and Santana's presence for another day. It also saved her from awkwardly knocking in her own room to get dressed.

After her usual routine in the weekends which was to go to the market to help her mum with shopping in the morning, Brittany decided to spend the whole day taking care of their cow and her newly born calf. That's if you call venting out about a certain brunette to an unknowing mammal nurturing. On the same night she found that for dinner they were having a whole poultry for supper. After hours of complaining and venting Brittany was starving by the time she got back, and upon seeing the golden roasted –of what she assumed to be a pullet, she didn't question how it got there. She took her seat eagerly and let her eyes feast upon the meal, the smell was warm and foreign but she loved the whiff of rosemary and garlic together. It went through her airways and teased her appetite making her stomach rumble in protest to be fed. All members of the household occupied their designated seats around the rectangular table: Benny and Haymitch at both ends with Anna on Benny's right, along with Christa who was on her lap with Santana next to them. Andre was then sat across to Santana and on his right was Brittany. Everyone feasted on the meal, Brittany took a healthy chunk out of the bird. In her plate was the birds' leg, roasted potatoes and other sorts of vegetables and a slice of bread. She placed a firm grip on the birds' leg and bit it, tearing a mouthful of white meat in her mouth. It was juicy, the juice of the meat dripped at the side of Brittany mouth which she hastily wiped. When the flavours danced and whirled with her taste buds, Brittany's eyes rolled in approval. She really couldn't care about manners right now, she loves chicken and always devoured her share when her dad cooked it for dinner on rare occasions; but this was different, it wasn't dry and the meat was generous. It was perfect. Clearly Brittany wasn't the only one who was enjoying the meal as others released a grunt of appreciation, hums of approval and made their cutleries ring enthusiastically. Table conversation grew as they marvelled over the meal.

"This is really good Santana, I think we may have to keep you forever to cook for us." Anna joked as she took a small bite of the meal and chewed slowly, savouring the flavour. While Christa bounced her head in agreement as she held the other bird's leg.

"I ould.. gt... used t... this..." said Benny with a mouthful of food.

Santana chuckled softly at the compliments and placed a tiny slice of meat between her lips into her mouth and chewed it softly.

"Oh so she cooked it, well she can cook I'll give her that..." Brittany thought to herself, she carried on chewing but slowed down her actions not wanting to give Santana the satisfaction that she had impressed her. Although, that's too late as Santana had been watching Brittany from the side and saw how she ravaged her cooking. The Latina felt somehow proud that she had gotten Brittany's approval, not that she cares about what the blonde thought or anything.

"How long did it take you to cook the chicken, love?" Anna inquired.

"Oh" Santana looked up from her plate to Anna"... it's not chicken." She continued "It's actually duck, roasted in rosemary and garlic." Santana mumbled as she chewed on the last bits of her previous mouthful.

Brittany froze.

It's not chicken, it's actually duck...

...It's actually duck.

...Duck.

Fuck.

Anna's eyes momentarily widened and took a quick glance at Brittany, while Benny released a hearty laugh.

"What's wrong?" Santana piped up "Is the inside raw?" she asked alarmingly.

"No, no dear it's perfect! You did a marvellous job!" Anna reassured the young brunette. Santana's eyebrows remained furrowed and she scanned around the table to look at people's reaction towards her cooking, and that's when she spotted Brittany frozen. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks had gone pale.

"Excuse me..." The blonde muttered more to herself than the table as she dropped her cutlery on the plate and abruptly left the dinner table to walk to the acacia tree outside in the garden. Brittany could hear her mother's muffled voice explain to Haymitch and Santana about her impromptu exit. How Brittany was fond of ducks and vowed never to eat them ever since the tragic death of Sir Lancelot, her pet mallard who she lost from a butcher when she was 7. She could hear Haymitch laugh at her mother's story which only aggravated Brittany.

"Hahaha! Well Santana, this should help you make friends!" howled Haymitch as Anna came to the end of her story.

Santana ignored Haymitch's teasing and apologized for her mistake "I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

"Don' b... sil...ly...! Pay no mid ..t... Brittany! She'll get over it!" said Benny who was still busy engulfing his plate.

The older woman smiled apologetically at the brunette who was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Santana can't help but scold herself from reminding the young blonde of a traumatic experience who she had been trying to befriend. It's all too weird for her, she had never been liked much by anyone, and she just didn't care enough to make an effort. Normally people would try to befriend her but after several attempts which she responded to coldly if she ever did do anything, they just gave up and assume she's just a bitch. This is partly true. Yet, Santana finds herself a bit bothered by the blonde's unexplained vendetta towards her, which was not only frustrating but also confused her to no end. Why did she care about what Brittany thought of her? Santana comforted herself with the same thought; that it's because of the warm welcome from Mr and Mrs Pierce, their kind hospitality made her feel obligated to be nice. Santana returned to her dinner after turning the same deliberation over her head a few times but not with the same appetite. While doing so, Haymitch had continued to slyly study the Latina's strange attitude. Taking a sip from his cup, Haymitch tried to recall the last time Santana had said an apology to anyone. He couldn't remember a time she did.

Meanwhile, Brittany was feeling all sorts of emotions. Never had she felt so torn. At one point she feels guilty for consuming a duck but she also feels regretful for not finishing her mouth-watering meal. God damn it, why did ducks have to taste so good. Damn Santana and her duck. If Brittany didn't dislike Santana before, she loathes her now.

The following day after Santana's cooking, Brittany woke up early as she always does to feed the horses as her duty to care for the cows came to an end. After learning about the duck, Brittany went to bed to avoid the temptation of eating the leftovers. In the morning after she had washed herself, only wrapped in her towel stood outside her bedroom door; she realized that all of her clothes were in her bedroom where Santana was staying in. Only the chorus of snores was her company.

"I can't go in there... She's still probably sleeping... But where the hell am I going to get change?! For goodness sake!" Brittany scratched her head out of irritation, her hands briskly rumpling her wet golden locks. Brittany shivered as the cool wind blew into the small gap of their living room window which was left open, goose bumps spread throughout her body and the tiny hairs at her nape went up. She was tempted to almost go back and just borrow her mother's clothes. "Almost. Screw it. It's my room! And it's late! She shouldn't be sleeping in!"

It's was 5:45am. Even the chickens weren't awake and the sun had just waked from its own slumber.

Brittany swallowed her guilt and carelessly flung the door open to get to her wardrobe, she also pressed the light switch in her room which she hardly used because the electricity bills were so expensive. She was expecting a groan or some sort of noise of annoyance but she was surprised when there was no lump of blanket on her and Christa's shared double bed. It was neatly kept; it's as if someone had actually gone so far as ironing the sheets.

"Well that's weird." She thought. The blonde was puzzled by the Latinas absence, and in real Brittany style she actually looked underneath the bed to see if the brunette chose to spend the night there. Don't ask why.

"Well then. I guess I can get change then" she said, vocalizing her thoughts out loud.

After changing into another set of one of her dozen faded jeans and a hand-me-down sweater, she wore her faded pink worn out gillet jacket which she had for years, accompanied by her dark blue wellington boots and made her way to the stables to feed the horses. From their house it was a good 15 minute walk. Brittany loved the morning; she loved how the dew made the grass, leaves and tree's illuminate when the first rays of sunlight shined on them. The miniscule droplets of water reflecting the lights making them glow. She can't imagine anything more beautiful, she believe that no diamond can outshine them. Despite the fact that her life was hard and they were just getting by with what they had, Brittany wouldn't exchange her life for a chance to live in the capitol. Her family is her life. However, another joys of hers is horse riding. She loves Lady and well pretty much all animals. Her horse was a gift from her grandpa before he passed away from emphysema caused by the years he worked at the coal mines before he moved to district 10 for her grandma. He was the one who taught her how to ride ever since she was 6 using Milo. Grandpa Pierce sold his most prized possession for her 13th birthday just to get her the perfect present. Hence why she's protective over Lady, she means the world to her, the last remaining thing which she believed connected her with her late grandfather. The funny thing about horses is that they seem to feel what their riders do and more often they return their owners feelings towards them. Thus, in the same manner Lady is only fond of Brittany alone. In cases when people tried to ride her, the white horse would flare her nostrils, set her jaw and send her hooves flying; even Benny was no exception. So, it came as a surprise when she saw Santana with her hair tied back to a pony tail in her plaid red shirt and jeans stood beside the horse stroking her mane. Lady of course remained loyal and refused to eat but for her not to have kicked Santana on the face was something.

"Have I ever told you that you're as annoying as your owner?" said Santana to the difficult horse. Lady huffed in response. "No? Well you are... Oh for goodness sake look at me, talking to a horse. God this place does the weirdest things to me..." said Santana as she pats Lady's back and drops the carrot in defeat. Brittany remained still behind the tree she was hiding behind in as she watched the Latina tend to her horse from a far. "She's really adorable when she gets frustrated..." Brittany thought to herself, but upon realizing what she had thought the blonde shook her head, and an irrational urge to have a go at the brunette took over her. Brittany emerged from her hiding spot and started advancing towards the unsuspecting brunette who had changed her strategy from feeding Lady a carrot to an apple.

"What are you doing?!" the stroppy blonde said accusingly. Santana snapped her head towards the voice and found stormy blue eyes piercing back to her brown eyes. "I-I was trying to feed your horse... She's been refusing to eat since you've been gone... She had only been drinking water... I'm so-" but before the apology left her lips Santana stopped.

"Christ, Santana are serious?! You're stammering over your words?! What is wrong with you! Get a grip Who does this girl think she is?!" The tanned girl chided herself. She found a new resolved which showed through her assertive eyes which Brittany saw. Santana wasn't backing down this time, she had done nothing wrong.

"Well, leave her alone. Lady doesn't like apples." That's a lie. "And why are you even here? Who gave you the permission to come at MY stable?" Brittany emphasised possession over the location.

However, the Latina refused to be intimidated "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know YOU LIVED HERE." Her voice was rising as her irritation grew. "Well I suppose it is very fitting for someone who has manners like yours!"

"Ok that was a bit mean..." Santana thought. She didn't show her repentant though, instead turned her back to the blonde and forcefully threw the apple back inside the wooden bucket which held all sort of vegetables and fruits for the horses.

"Excuse me. What does that suppose to mean?!" Brittany was taken aback by Santana's counteract and was actually offended. She marched closer to the Latina challengingly. Tension was growing and the day's worth of pent up annoyance was building up in both women and was ready to erupt. Santana's hands were growing cold and her fist was tightly closed into a fist. Brittany on the other hand had her face screwed up into vehemence as she gritted her teeth and as her eyes tried to incinerate her rival.

"Excuse you?!" The brunette turned towards the taller girl violently. "Oh ok. I'm sorry. Sorry for actually doing you a favour trying to stop your pain in the ass of a horse from dying of starvation! Who you by the way have abandoned for you couldn't stand the sight of me for no good reason! I mean I am quite easy on the eyes which may have been a bit too much for your insecurities, but seriously! Grow up!" Santana bellowed her arms flailing as she made her point. Santana blushed as she realized that she made a reference to her physique.

"Well nobody asked you for your god damn help! Oh and you? Doing ME? A FAVOUR?! Please! I'm not the one running around the whole of Panem with my sugar daddy whilst living off other people! Then might I add, act like I'm in some sort of a honeymoon every day cooking ducks!" retorted the blonde.

Santana hardened "What did you say?".

Brittany came into her senses after the wrongful words left her lips. "That was below the belt..."the blonde thought. She was bewildered by what she had said herself. But the wrong words seemed to have kept on coming "You heard me." She replied as she folded her arms and shrugged her shoulders.

Brittany and Santana were engaged into a stand-off, they were both staring at each other's eyes. Both of their face was compressed into some expression of distaste. The air grew stale and it was getting difficult to breathe, even Lady had to turn around as she couldn't take the confrontation anymore.

The out of nowhere a wild hobbit appears.

"Oh hey Brittany! Hey!" echoed the voice.

The two girls remained still.

"Hello!" it echoed again, but this time much louder. Their eyebrows cocked into confusion. Both Brittany and Santana quickly took a side glance to the source of the high pitch mewl and then returned to their showdown.

"Earth to Brittany hello?!" the voice was much closer now, maybe a few feet, Santana contemplated; and when another brunette who was much shorter than she was appeared. Dressed in denim dungarees dress with yellow long sleeves underneath, her offensive posture eased a little and so did Brittany's.

Brittany was the first to turn her head to the disruption, "Hi Rachel..." She sighed.

"Hey!" Rachel said who smiled widely at Brittany, completely oblivious to the conflict.

"I have brought you some excess apples from my yard and I know how much Lady likes them- Oh! You must be Santana Lopez! I have heard so many...things, about you" This made the Latina's eyebrows cocked.

"Yes, I for one had been looking forward to finally meeting you! Oh how rude of me! My name is Rachel Berry, the proud daughter of Hiram Berry and Leroy Berry. Yes, I was raised by a same sex couple and I am not ashamed" words were leaving this dwarfs mouth like a cannon set on automatic fire which unhinged Santana. Rachel had successfully and unaware in doing so that she had diffused the erupting confrontation between Brittany and Santana. Now she was giving them a headache.

"I admit it is a difficult life for an only child to face prejudice for having two dads. Nonetheless, due to the outstanding discipline of my loving fathers and from my supportive friend Brittany here, I have overcome many obstacles in life. Furthermore, I am positive that all of the hardships will bear fruit and will only bring good fortune to me in the future when I make it to the Capitol as a ballad songstress." Rachel continued.

"But anyway enough about my life, though I appreciate your interest in me"

Santana didn't ask.

The poor Latina's face went from rage to dumbfound and was looking at Brittany as though to say "Who the fuck is this?"

Brittany wasn't sure what to do either.

"I would love to learn more about you! We hardly ever have visitors outside the district and I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the outside world. I heard you travel a lot so I am sure that you have plenty of stories to share with us. Oh! I should host a dinner party at my humble abode! Although I must apologize for it is quite small, nevertheless it is home. So how does Thursday evening sounds to you? Ah! Although I must inform you that I am a vegan and so all dishes will be vegan unless you request a dish you would prefer otherwise. But I must warn you, it may not turn out great for I have not tried to cook a non-vegan meal before, so I apologize in advance. So yes, how does Thursday sounds to you? Of course Brittany will also be present to help us avoid any awkward silence and to help make the whole evening run smoothly in general." Rachel finished as she looked at the brunette hopefully with her hands tightly clasped together.

Overwhelmed by the rate of how fast words left Rachel's lips, Santana with her mouth a gap and with confused gawk in her eyes turned her head from left to right, momentarily lost. After remembering where she was the Latina aimlessly walked away from Brittany and Rachel. She didn't know where the direction was taking her but she didn't care, her ears were ringing and she just needed to get away as fast as she could.

She could hear Rachel calling out "Oh ok, maybe some other time then! It was a pleasure meeting you!"

"Oh God make it stop." Santana begged.

"Huh, how rude. She just walked away without even saying goodbye... Perhaps she's only tired...She's quite strange isn't she?" Rachel declared as she watched Satana's retreating figure stagger into the woods. When the Latina disappeared behind the foliage, Rachel turned to Brittany waiting for a reply from her friend.

"Oh Rachel..." Brittany thought.