Chapter 5: Not the girl next door

Everything after Santana's fight with Brittany and Leslie came around quickly.

Brittany was ready the next day to leave the hospital. Her tour manager came and took her from the hospital and drove her to the airport. The plane crew helped Brittany to settle in Dion's private plane for the long flight. Brittany had spoken to her parents and their waiting in Colombus. She was nervous. She didn't know how it would be to be back. She got used to her loneliness. "I need to come up with a plan", she was thinking. "I'm not the girl next door anymore! Ow! Where did that come from? It rings bell but…". She was trying really hard to remember what that phrase she just said, reminded her. "Oh yes, that song! The song Kurt sang in his audition way back then. Yes… how it went? Mmmm oh right!" She started singing quietly.

Brittany: Comin' home used to feel so good
I'm a stranger now in my neighborhood
I've seen the world at a faster pace
And I'm comin' now from a diff'rent place
Though I may look the same way to you
Underneath there is somebody new…

"Cool. I have to listen to this song again… It feels so right!" The remembrance of that song brought her some peace. The flight was about 10 hours. The cabin crew was very friendly and helpful and she actually had some great time with them.

In NY Santana after leaving her apartment following her fight with her fiancée, she spent the night at Rachel's. The next day she went to work. She exchanged a few words strictly for work with Leslie and they returned to their home.

Leslie was making dinner when Santana showed up with a suitcase in the kitchen. Leslie's eyes went frantic on the suitcase.

Santana: (She was cold and distant) I'm going to Lima for the weekend to see Brittany. Are you coming?

Leslie: Yes.

Santana left the room and Leslie left the breath she was holding.

The next day while Brittany was flying back to USA, Santana and Leslie were on the train to Lima. They hadn't spoken properly since their fight. Santana hated the mood between them but she couldn't accept what Leslie thought and said about Brittany. However, Santana was feeling slightly guilty because since Brittany's accident, she wasn't sure about this wedding. She certainly couldn't find the connection between the two, the wedding and the accident. All she knew was that she was thinking Brittany even more than she used to. And she was already thinking about her a lot.

Santana: (She took a deep breath and sighed) Listen…

Leslie turned to face her.

Santana: I don't want us to fight. But… Brittany… Brittany is important to me.

Leslie: (She was cold) More important than me?

Santana: (She got frustrated again) Why do you have to compare? She's my friend.

Leslie: Exactly. She is just your friend. So who comes first? Me and our wedding or her?

Santana: You are already here with me. You don't have to fight for anything, can't you see it?

Leslie: All I'm seeing is that I actually have to fight for you.

Santana: (She said with low voice, unsure) No, you don't.

Santana didn't add anything else and turned to watch outside the window.

Leslie: So, who's more important?

Santana turned and looked at her with a sad face.

Santana: Sometimes she's more important…

They didn't say anything else until they reached Lima.

Brittany landed on USA ground finally and her father was waiting for her at the airport. Flight attendants got her down with a wheel chair and her father had already brought a wheelchair with him.

Brittany: Wow you got me wheels! Thanks, dad.

Brittany was happy to see her dad. He hugged her tightly and hid his tears as he rolled her inside the airport. His daughter was always a very strong person and seeing her now in that position was too much for him. On the other hand he was happy he got her back so he could take care of her. They reached their car. Her father lifted her in his arms and put her on the passenger seat. He then loaded the chair and took his seat.

Brittany: (She looked down slightly embarrassed) Sorry that I'm so useless…

Mr. Pierce: (he smiled) Sorry I'm in a such i-have-my-little-girl-back mood. I think I would have lifted you even if you weren't hurt.

They both laughed and Brittany started to feel relaxed.

Brittany: Thanks, dad. I will be ok soon, promise.

Mr. Pierce: Take your time. We are here to help you. This is your home, honey. You don't have to run away all the time.

He then started the car and drove back to Lima. That old song was playing all the time in Brittany's head.

Once they reached their home Brittany spent the evening with her family. Her parents had replaced her old bed with a medical one so she could have her leg lifted and be more comfortable.

The next morning her mother served her breakfast in bed and her sister spent some time with her. Her family was very sweet and careful around her. They respected her personal space and from the first minutes of her return they'd been trying to get used again to living all together.

She spent the whole day in her room lying there thinking mostly Santana, the old Santana, the high school Santana, her own Santana. Sometime around 6 pm her she heard someone knocking her bedroom door and that pulled her out of her thoughts.

Brittany: Yes?

The door opened slowly and Brittany saw a bunch of people smiling at her and screaming "surprise". She first recognized Santana but then she noticed Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Sam, Puck, Finn, Kurt and Blaine and of course Leslie. She gave them a big smile and clapped her hands.

Brittany: Oh my god! What are all of you doing here?

Everyone ran to hug her but Santana beat them and fell into Brittany's arms. Brittany hugged her tightly and hid her face in Santana's neck giving her small kisses. Santana was whispering in her ear really quietly.

Santana: I've missed you! I've missed you! I've missed you.

In the meantime everyone else reached the bed. Brittany let herself only two seconds to be lost in Santana's feeling and then she raised her eyes and looked at them. She was now pretty emotional. Santana in her arms grabbing her tightly made her dizzy. She tried to hide it though. She opened her arms to the others but Santana wasn't letting her.

Mercedes: Get off, Satan. It's our turn.

Quinn: Someone just pull her.

Everyone laughed.

Brittany: (She stroked Santana's hair while she was still hidden in Brittany's neck) Ah leave my little homegirl alone. Come, come! I'll hug you with my other arm.

Santana scooted a little on the one side of Brittany and rested her head in Brittany's shoulder. Everyone took turns and greeted Brittany. Leslie came last and when Santana saw her she left Brittany's embrace. Brittany hugged her and noticed her cloudy face. She took a mental note to find out what's going on.

Brittany: How come and all of you came at the same time? Was it planned?

Kurt: Certainly not!

Rachel: Have you just met, Santana? She's always acting on her own. The rest of us planned it though.

Santana: (She rolled her eyes) See, I knew you were going to get on the way.

Brittany: Thank you guys, for coming.

Quinn: (She sat beside Brittany and took her hand) Sweetie we are very sorry…

Brittany: Oh come on! Don't be sad. I'll be ok.

She looked each and every one of them and they all had a sad smile on their face. Santana's eyes were also full of tears. Brittany extended her hand for Santana to take it and she squeezed Santana's hand.

Brittany: People I don't want to see you like that. You came here to make me feel worse?

Blaine: Of course not. Gather yourself, guys. Let's have a funny evening.

Brittany: Ok. So it's little crowded in here. Let's move to the living room.

Everyone started to fuzz around.

Santana: How are you gonna move?

Brittany: Mmmmm I guess I need some help.

Finn: Britt, let me carry you.

Brittany: Oh ok!

Santana: Careful, Finn.

Finn lifted Brittany carefully in his arms. The others ran into the living room to create a comfy place for Brittany to sit. After a while everyone was seated. Santana was beside Brittany and couldn't take her eyes from her. She was uncharacteristically quiet. Leslie was strange also. Brittany was now sure that something was wrong between them.

They all spent three hours of chatting, laughing even singing a little. Brittany was trying to give them her best self but this feeling of how she wasn't used anymore to be around so many close friends for so much time, wouldn't leave her. She started to feel suffocated.

Brittany: Guys! (Everyone looked at her) Mmmm I'm so very glad that you came to see me. But… now… I need to retreat to me loneliness again.

Tina: Brittany…

Brittany: No, listen. You are all so nice and please come again tomorrow but now you overwhelming me and I'm used to be alone for the best part of my time. So… I'd like to return to my room.

Santana: (She was alert)What's wrong?

Brittany: (She smiled) Nothing. I just want to be by myself now.

Puck: It's ok! We understand. You have a lot going on.

Brittany: Thanks, guys.

Sam: See you tomorrow, Britt.

Brittany: Ok.

Finn brought Brittany back to her room and everyone left except from Santana and Leslie and Quinn. Quinn was about to say goodbye when Brittany stopped her.

Brittany: Hey, Quinnie could you stay for a bit to help me take a bath? My mom has her back pains and I'm already giving her hard time.

Santana: Umm Brittany?

Brittany: Yes?

Santana: You don't want me to help you shower.

Brittany: Are you crazy now?

She looked the others and forced them to laugh.

Santana: (She was angry) Fine.

Brittany: (She was teasing her) Come on. Be a good homegirl and make me that awesome tea of yours.

Santana: Ok. (She left the room)

Quinn: I'll go prepare the bath. (She left too)

Brittany: Thanks.

Leslie was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.

Brittany: Les, come sit by me. What's wrong?

Leslie took a seat next to Brittany.

Leslie: Nothing is wrong.

Brittany: Come on now. I know Santana very well. She's not okay and you are not too.

Leslie: (She wasn't looking at Brittany) She's just worried about you.

Brittany: (She took Leslie's hand) Les, you can trust me. Tell me what's wrong.

Leslie: We had a big fight a few days ago.

Brittany: Over?

Leslie: You… mostly.

Brittany: (She nodded) I see.

Leslie: Since you got hurt she acts weird, she doesn't want to have the wedding until you are properly healed. That's what she's saying. Cause if you ask me, she doesn't want to have the wedding at all.

Brittany: (She shook her head) I don't believe that.

Leslie: (She was harsh) You don't? Why? You are clearly still in love with each other. And I've been putting up with this shit too many years now. And I was thinking that I was safe 'cause you were never here. But now you are back. Well… you can have her I guess.

Brittany: (She took a deep breath. She was feeling sad) Leslie, listen to me. I won't have her. She's yours and that's what she wants, what chose. If she wanted me, she wouldn't break up with me. And if I wanted her, I would have come back for her. (She paused) We love each other dearly that's true, but we can't be together because we can't give each other what we need. Stop worrying. She's just worried and sad. She loves me, Les, that's true. I come with the package. If you love her, you have to accept me too. But you also have to know that Santana and I are friends. You are her partner and I'm her friend.

Leslie was now crying but she was feeling more relieved.

Leslie: What about the wedding?

Brittany: When do you want to have it?

Leslie: Don't get me wrong. I'm very sad about what happened to you. And I want you back on your feet…

Brittany: I'll be able to walk properly in four months. What do you say? Are you okay with that?

Leslie: Yes.

Brittany: (She smiled at her) Okay then. Set the date. Alright?

Leslie: What about Santana?

Brittany: I'll talk to her. Send her tomorrow here alone. Ok?

Leslie: Thank you very much, Brittany.

Leslie hugged Brittany. However, Brittany felt suddenly so exhausted. Santana entered and looked at them raising her eyebrow.

Santana: Hey! Here's your tea.

Brittany: (She forced another smile.) Best homegirl ever. Come give me a kiss goodnight.

Santana kissed her on the cheek.

Santana: Let us stay a little bit more, please.

Brittany: No. Go. See you tomorrow.

Leslie: Santana, I'm going to grab our coats.

When Leslie went out, Santana rushed to Brittany's arms.

Santana: You got me so scared. And I've missed you so much.

Brittany: I've missed you too.

Quinn entered and they pulled apart.

Quinn: Britt, bath's ready.

Santana: Bitch!

Quinn: What?

Brittany: She's joking. Go now. Stop by tomorrow I wanna talk to you.

Santana: Fine.

Santana left them room sad and frustrated.

Quinn: Come on, sweetie. You can cry while you are taking a bath.

Brittany: I'm not gonna cry.

Quinn: Yeah sure!

Brittany: I've missed you too, Quinn.

Quinn helped Brittany to get to the bathroom.