By age eleven, I had become close friends with a boy named Kurt Hummel. Kurt's dad owned one of the most successful auto shops in town, which was where my days of part collecting began. Anytime Kurt mentioned his dad dragging him to the old junk yard on the west side of town to drop off unneeded car parts, I would ask him if I could tag along.

Once I had taken a few trips out there with them, I began making trips by myself and got to know the old couple who owned the yard. Their names were Scott and Margaret, and they were two of the most giving people I have ever come across. After a few years of spending my allowance and the spare cash I would somehow manage to scrounge up, the two decided to give me free range to collect whatever I wanted, free of charge.

I can honestly say that without their generosity, I would have never been able to see the things I saw. Some may view that fact as a double-edged sword, especially after knowing all of the troubles my time traveling has caused me. At the same time, I can't help but to feel grateful for the tools they gave me to help chase my dreams.

I had just settled myself into my chair when I heard a light knock on the open office door. Looking up, I spotted Allie standing there with a knowing smirk as she told me, "Hey, Doc. You have a visitor here to see you."

Just as I was about to ask her what she was talking about, I noticed Santana step into view, causing a giddy grin to spread across my face. To be honest, I wasn't exactly expecting to see her today, especially after suddenly having to cancel our lunch date. We had been dating for the past few months, and this was the first time I couldn't make it, which had really bummed me out. Thankfully, she understood that there was an emergency surgery I had to tend to and accepted my offer to make it up to her later.

As soon as the technician had walked away, I greeted, "Hey, San, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was out grabbing some food and thought I would bring you some since you couldn't meet me for lunch," the woman answered as she stepped into the office, taking a quick look around before settling her gaze back on me. Suddenly, a warm smile overtook her face as she mentioned, "I've never seen you in a scrub top before."

Glancing down at my attire, I replied, "Yeah, I just got out of an exploratory on a Great Dane puppy that was aspiring to be a live piggy bank and ended up eating thirty-seven cents in change."

Her eyes suddenly widened in shock, "Is the dog okay?"

"Oh yeah, he's expected to make a full recovery as long as he takes it easy and steers clear of his owner's coinage." My response seemed to have a calming effect on the lawyer as I watched her body visibly relax.

"Okay, good. Hopefully he'll learn his lesson from all this."

"Yeah, let's hope. I'd really hate to have to repeat the procedure," I joked, but my voice ended up trailing off at the end as I watched Santana's face tense as it took on a quizzical expression. Following her line of site, I looked down to find the tip of a deep scar peeking out from the V-ed collar of my scrub top.

Oops.

"Brittany, what is that?"

Snapping my eyes back up to hers, my mind rushed with the thoughts of how to explain the long, jagged scar I had running the length of my sternum, but nothing came to mind. I just maintained my gaze on the woman as the she continued to stare at the scar as if she were afraid to know what it was and why it was there.

"S-San, I, uh-It's, uh," I fumbled as I tried to get my brain and mouth to somehow work together in delivering an explanation to the brunette standing across from me. Getting up from my desk, I quickly walked over and quietly shut the door, not wanting to draw attention to us or spook Santana. Turning back around to face her, I took the bag of food from her hand and set it down while still trying to form a coherent sentence. "San, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. You see, I kind of had to have open heart surgery back in high school, and-"

"What do you mean you kind of had to have open heart surgery?" she cut in with a sense of urgency I had never seen in her before.

"Well, I started having a few heart problems at the time. At first, I didn't think it was anything to be worried about; just a minor little issue that caused me to become light-headed if I pushed myself too hard." I gave a little pause to gather my thoughts since it was becoming increasingly harder to recount what happened. To be honest, this wasn't exactly my favorite thing to come of my time traveling experience.

Unfortunately, I was already in too far to turn back, so I decided to press on with my explanation of what happened, "But there was one time where I went too far. I ignored all the symptoms that were warning me to stop, and I ended up collapsing. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the hospital and being told that I would need to undergo open heart surgery, which is how I got this," I added while slowly pulling down the scrub top's collar to give her a better look at the scar.

I decided to end my story there for the time being. I could tell that she wasn't ready for any more details nor was I ready to begin explaining how I had had somehow forgot to take into consideration the forces that would be exerted on my body while traveling through a wormhole.

I studied her face to hopefully get an idea of how she was taking the newly divulged information. All I found, however, were a pair of sad, glassy eyes as the girl began to crumble. Rushing forward, I pulled her into a tight embrace and gently pressed my cheek to the top of her head as I assured, "I'm okay now, though. I promise. Please don't cry."

A quiet, muffled sob was the only thing to break the brief silence that passed between us. Running a comforting hand up and down her back, I tried to settle the whimpering woman still wrapped in my arms.

After a few minutes of us standing there, Santana pulled away slightly to look me square in the eyes and inquired, "Are you sure?"

Scrunching my brow in confusion, I asked, "Am I sure of what?"

"Are you sure you're okay now?" she clarified, causing her bottom lip to begin trembling once more.

"Oh, yes, San. I'm sure," I reassured as I pulled her back into me. "I take better care of myself now and try to avoid as much stress as possible. I also have frequent check-ups and tests run to ensure that everything is functioning the way it's supposed to."

"Okay," she sighed out in relief as she buried her face deeper into my chest. "I'm sorry for reacting like this. I guess I've just grown attached to you over the past few months, and I'd really hate for anything bad to happen to you."

"Well, you shouldn't have anything to worry about then because I've grown pretty attached to you, too, and have absolutely no plans of going anywhere any time soon."

"Good, I'm glad," she replied before allowing another moment of silence to pass between us. I was just about to crack a joke about how sappy we had become to lighten the mood when she abruptly spoke up once again. "Come have dinner at my house Saturday night. I'll cook us a huge meal, and you can even bring Layla. We'll just have a quite night in with you, me, and the pups."

Tightening my hold around her, I let a smile break across my face as I replied, "Now, that sounds an absolutely perfect idea."

"Aw, come on, Lay. It's just rain," I cooed as I continued trying to coerce the dog out of my car. Suddenly, a bright flash of lightning and loud roll of thunder sent Layla bolting out of the vehicle and, thankfully, towards Santana's front door. Quickly locking the car, I rushed over to the woman's doorstep so I could grab the leash of the cowering dog and ring the doorbell.

We only had to wait a couple of seconds before Santana managed to open the door, greeting me with a quick, "Hey, Britt-Britt!" before stepping back to welcome us into the house.

"Hey, San, thanks for inviting us over," I responded as I slid off the hood of my raincoat and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. Just as I pulled away, I noticed the brunette look down at the golden retriever at my side with a knitted brow.

"Um, B, is your dog wearing a rain jacket and little dog-sized boots?"

Chuckling at her reaction, I knelt down in front of Layla and began removing the rain-proof accessories while explaining, "Yeah, she really hates the rain, so I have to put all this on her or else she won't even step out the front door. Aside from the fact that she is terrified of thunderstorms, I also think she hates feeling of wet grass on her paws."

The brunette emitted a quiet giggle when a loud beeping noise suddenly caught us by surprise, causing both of our bodies to give a small jolt. "Oh, that must be the food," she guessed, glancing over in the direction of what I assumed to be the kitchen before looking back towards me. "I'm going to go check on that real quick. Feel free to make yourself at home," she informed as she started walking away.

"Will do," I called out behind her as I placed Layla's boots neatly by the door and stood back up to hang her jacket on the coat rack mounted to the wall. After removing all of my rainwear, I walked over to take a seat on the couch while the dogs greeted one another.

After playing around for a few minutes, the pair went over to the other side of the room and curled up on the floor next to each other. Thankfully, the long walk Santana and I had taken them on earlier in the day before all the rain had completely tuckered them out, leaving us with a quiet evening in, just as San had intended.

"They look like they're still getting along," Santana mentioned from the other side of the room as she made her way towards the couch where I sat.

Shifting my gaze towards her, I replied, "Yeah, I'm kind of surprised how quickly they've clicked, especially after just meeting this morning."

San took her seat right beside me, allowing her arm to gently brush against mine in the process. "Well, that sort of thing just kind of happens sometimes, doesn't it?" she asked as she wiggled her hand beneath mine so she could lace our fingers together.

"Yep, I suppose so," I agreed, leaning a bit more into her side. "So, I'm guessing the food wasn't ready?"

"Nope, it'll probably take another twenty minutes or so."

"Good. I just want to sit with you like this for a bit."

"Mm, me too," she hummed out as she rested her head on my shoulder.

Readjusting myself to get a little more comfortable, I let out a quiet sigh in contentment before allowing my eyes to slide shut, enjoying the quiet simplicity of being snuggled up with the girl I had fallen for.

We must have dozed off sometime during the next twenty minutes because before we knew it, the timer started going off in the kitchen once again. As soon as we heard it beeping, Santana shot off the couch, causing me to fall over a bit before managing to catch myself.

Pushing myself back into an upright position, I rubbed my eyes sleepily and let out a yawn. It wasn't long before the alarm sounds ceased, returning the house to it's quiet state. Leaning my head back to rest against the couch cushion, I blinked my eyes up at the ceiling above in an attempt to wake myself. The task proved to be more of a challenge than I had anticipated, especially while listening to the woman quietly move around as she got dinner ready to go. Suddenly, there was a soft shuffling of footsteps before Santana stepped back into the room and apologized for bolting out of the room without warning.

Lolling my head to the side, I allowed her figure to come into view. With a dopey, half-asleep smile, I assured, "No worries. I think we both got caught a little off guard."

"Well, the food is ready to go now, Sleepyhead, so let's get you up before it gets cold," she teased with a wide grin as she made her way towards me, gently sliding her hand into mine so she could help me stand and led me into the dimly lit dinning room. The lights had been turning down, leaving a few candles to provide most of the lighting in the room. Allowing the brunette to help me get seated, I noticed two sets of plates and silverware she had already set catty-corner from one another.

"Wow, San. If I had known it was going to be a candle-lit dinner, I would have dressed for the occasion."

"Which is why I didn't tell you," she said, lightly smoothing my hair with her hand before placing a kiss on the top of my head. "You don't have to dress up for me. You always look perfect."

"I'd be careful what you ask for. I might just show up next time wearing nothing but a bathing suit."

"Please do," Santana joked as she buried another kiss in my hair. "I'm going to go grab the food off the stove. Be right back."

A simple okay was all I managed to get out before she had disappeared from my sight once more. I didn't have to wait long, however, for her to return with a large pot that she quickly set down on a potholder she had somehow managed to throw down.

"One more thing," the woman promised as she darted back out of the room, bringing a plate of garlic bread back with her.

"Oh my gosh, this smells amazing," I commented as I watch her lift the lid off the pot, reveling the meal that had been a secret up until that point. "You made me spaghetti and meatballs?"

"Yeah, it's kind of been a goal of mine to make it for you ever since our first date. I remembered how embarrassed you were that night, and I wanted to make sure you still knew that it was no big deal and that you could always be yourself around me. Just think of this as our official Lady and the Tramp-themed date," she announced with a smile bright enough to light up the dark room, leaving me absolutely speechless as I watched her spoon out equal-sized portions onto our plates while trying to discretely give me more of the meatballs.

Never had anyone gone through so much trouble to help make me feel more at ease, and the brunette was apparently just getting started.

"Okay, so I only had time to practice this a few times, so sorry if I mess up," she warned as she swept all of her hair over to one shoulder and leaned her face down towards the plate. Once she was down low enough to where her face was almost touching the pasta, she tucked her chin in slightly and pushed it back out, pushing one of the meatballs in my direction.

After giving it a another little nudge, Santana leaned back up to look at me with the dorkiest smirk plastered across her face, which was accompanied by a subtle shyness that wondered if what she had just done was okay.

Not even trying to stop the giddy grin that formed on my face, I picked up my fork and popped the meatball into my mouth. Releasing a contented hum, I covered my mouth with my free hand so I could let her know how delicious it was while still trying to chew the food.

"Good. This is my first time using this recipe, and I was afraid it might not turn out well," Santana admitted, grabbing her napkin so she could remove the spaghetti sauce from her nose.

Quickly placing my hand over hers, I waited for her gaze to shift back towards me before saying, "Let me." Taking the napkin I had placed in my lap, I reached over to wipe off the residue and gave the tip of her nose a light peck. "This is perfect, San. All of it. Thank you," I said with all the sincerity my voice to muster.

"Anytime, Britt-Britt. Now, dig in. This food isn't going to eat itself," the woman encouraged as she picked up her fork and began twirling it into the pile of saucy noodles.

Once we were done, we returned to the living room to continue our evening together. Taking my seat back on the couch, I waited for Santana to pop in a movie and make her way back over to the couch before lifting my arm so she could slide under it and curl into my side.

"I can't believe they're still sleeping," the brunette mentioned as she eyed the two dogs who were still snoozing on the other side of the room.

"Me either. We must have warn them out more than we thought."

"I don't know. I'm pretty tired myself."

"Do you want us to go? I know you've been putting in a lot of hours at work and then we went on that long walk this morning, so I'd totally understand," I offered her, but she fervently shook her head.

"No way, especially not in this weather. It's still pouring outside."

Discretely rolling my eyes, I assured, "San, I only live about ten minutes away. I'm pretty sure we can manage."

Of course, the woman just had to be stubborn.

"I said no. If the rain doesn't let up by the time the movie is over, then you can just stay here for the night."

That got my attention. Feeling my cheeks warm, I stuttered out, "W-what?"

"You can stay here. Really, it's not a big deal. In fact, I'd actually prefer it."

"Okay, well we still have a couple of hours in the meantime, so let's just wait and see if anything changes," I reasoned as I shyly shifted my gaze away from her, still managing to catch her nod of approval from the corner of my eye.

Of course, nothing ended up changing over the next couple of hours. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that it had gotten worse. Peaking out the front window, I watched the sky pour down and bright flickers of lightning illuminate the dark street outside.

"Now will you agree to stay?" Santana questioned from behind me, causing me to spin around.

"Well, I guess I don't really have a choice seeing as how I probably wouldn't be able to see anything in front of me if I were to try and drive."

"Good, then it's settled. Let's go get changed so we can hit the sack," she proposed as she turned to lead me down the hall towards what I assumed to be her bedroom. Santana opened the door and ushered me inside before taking off to the dresser located on the other side of the room. Digging through the second drawer, she pulled out a t-shirt and held it up towards me. "Here's a sleep shirt. Now, let me just find you a pair of shorts," she muttered absentmindedly before leaning over to slide open the next drawer down.

"Thanks, San," I replied as I opened the shirt to find a University of Michigan logo plastered to the front, effectively bringing all of my thought processes to an abrupt halt. "Hold up! You are a U-M fan?"

The woman looked back at me briefly over her shoulder before turning her attention back to digging through the clothes that were crammed into the storage space, "Well, that is where I got my both of my degrees and all. It really shouldn't be all that surprising."

"Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't have been if you had told me," I stressed, shaking the article of clothing in her direction.

Finally finding what she had been looking for, she closed the drawer and turned back around towards me. "Hey, you also went to U.C. Davis. Shouldn't that kind of dilute your team rivalry instinct?"

"Heck no! I'm a Buckeye through and through."

"Welp, then it looks like we're going to be a house divided," Santana instantly shot back without thinking. She must have realized what that statement implied because I suddenly noticed a faint blush dust across her cheeks as she stumbled through trying to amend her statement. "Or, I, uh, mean that we're a relationship divided? Crap, that's still suggesting we're something more. Not that I don't want something more. Because I do. Like, a lot. I mean-Shit."

Deciding to spare the brunette any further embarrassment, I closed the distance between us so I could wrap her up in my arms, "I love when you're attempts at teasing go awry."

"Shut up. You know what I was trying to say," Santana grumbled, pressing her forehead into my shoulder.

"Yeah, I do. Now, hand over those shorts so I can go change. I'm ready for sleepy time."

Stepping out of my hold, Santana handed them over with a laugh and gave me a light kick in the rear as soon as I had turned to leave the room.

"Hey, I wouldn't act that way unless you want me to go sleep downstairs."

"Aw, I'm so sorry, Dear. Please hurry back," the woman sarcastically replied.

"Alright, be back in a jiff, Sweetheart," I shot back with a wink.

"I hate this."

"Aw, come on. You look good in maize and blue," Santana teased from the other side of the bed.

"I don't care. I feel gross. I'm also still not convinced you gave me these dumb shorts on accident," I grumbled as reached out my foot to push against one of her legs.

"I told you, B. Just sheer coincidence," she insisted as she shoved my leg back.

"Why the heck do you have a pair of shorts with Wolverines written across the butt, anyways? Don't you think it's kind of tacky?" I playfully jeered.

"Hey, those were a gift from my mom right after I got accepted for my undergrad, Jerk."

"Well, then your mother and I are going to have to have an exchanging of words because seriously."

"Oh yeah, because that would definitely put you in her good graces."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I assured, "Don't worry. I'm sure I'll have no problem convincing her that you are both rooting for the dark side."

"Star Wars, Britt? Really?" Santana snickered.

"Well, if the shoe fits," I teased back, eliciting a laugh from the brunette. Suddenly, I noticed a slight shiver run down Santana's body and dropped the act as soon as I realized that she was probably cold. Scooting across the small space separating us, I took some of my covers and pulled them towards her so that she would have a little more material to help keep her warm. Just as I was about to tuck it around her, I felt a small hand wrap around my wrist and pull me off balance, causing me to plop down on top of the woman.

"Hey, what was that for?" I asked as I propped myself up onto my elbow so that I wouldn't have my entire body weight on her.

"What? I'm cold," she defended with a sly smirk.

"Oh, so you want me to act as your personal warmer?"

"No, I also want to do this," she stated before leaning up and pressing her lips against mine.

My eyes widened in shock before I finally managed to respond to the kiss, marking the exact moment everything hit me.

The butterflies.

The fireworks.

Everything.

It was honestly the most beautifully wonderful kiss of my life, leaving me both breathless and hungry for more as I felt the woman pulling away.

"Wow," I breathed out as we looked deeply into one another's eyes.

"Yeah, I'd say," she replied in the same airy way with a sheepish grin spread across her face. "We should really start doing that more often."

"I'm down if you are," I joked before changing to a more serious tone. "I really want it, too, by the way."

Santana's face took on a confused expression as she inquired, "Want what?"

"Something more with you," I clarified.

"You do?"

"Of course I do."

"Then," she began timidly, giving a slight pause before asking, "can we?"

"Only if you're okay with it."

"Definitely."

"Okay, I guess it's official, then," I responded as if it were the simplest thing in the world, causing her to quirk her brow.

"That easy, huh?"

"Yep, that easy," I reply with a nod before scooting down a little so I could bury my face into the crook of her neck. "Would you rather me make it harder?"

"No," she answered as she skated her fingers through my hair. "Easy is nice."

"Agreed," I mumbled as I allowed my exhaustion to take over and bring me down to a more peaceful state.

A comfortable silence developed between us as we each started making our way toward Dream World. Just before I drifted off to sleep, however, I could have sworn I heard the woman beside me release a calming sigh as she gently whispered, "I love you, Brittany Pierce."

Author's Note:

Thank you once again for taking the time to read my story. Sorry it's been so long. I'd also like to apologize in advance for any mistakes. I'll be continuing to edit and re-edit the chapter as I come across them.

Anyways, I hope to see you all next time!