The next day:
After a restless sleep on the couch with her family near and one moment in the middle of the night that had the four of them sitting up because she woke up with a startled scream, Brittany finds herself sitting in Dr Sue Sylvester's office for her first therapy session.
Dr Sue Sylvester leans back in her seat looking at the crying blonde veteran in front of her and smiles sadly. ''Well I am glad you are the second veteran today that I don't have to yell at to open up, I am glad you gave me inside of what happened and what is going on in your head Brittany.'' She starts, she folds her hands in her lap and looks at her. ''I have one more question before we end today's session.''
''Shoot.'' Brittany murmurs her voice cracking.
''Did you see or experience other things that are bothering you?''
Brittany shakes her head and sniffles. ''No nothing remotely as disturbing as this Dr Sylvester.''
Sue nods her head noting it down and reaches for a notebook laying beside her, she holds it out for the blonde and smiles kindly. ''I gave Evans one too, I want you to write down all your nightmares so we can work through this together and I can decide what the best treatment is okay?''
Brittany nods her head taking the notebook from her and sniffles. ''How long will it take to feel like I can get some real rest?'' She asks softly, Sue smiles sadly and locks eyes with her.
''You are open to talk to me that is a good start, you have a few hard months coming but it will get better Brittany.'' She promises softly. ''I can't exactly tell you how long, but keep being this open with me and I will promise you to find the right treatment soon.''
Brittany nods her head and slowly stands up holding out her hand. ''Thank your for your time Dr Sylvester.''
''No need to thank me Brittany.'' Sue tells her shaking her hand with a gentle smile. ''Have a nice day and good luck at your job interview tomorrow, we will see each other on Thursday.''
''Thank you and see you Thursday.'' Brittany mutters letting go of her hand, she turns on her heels walking out of the office and tucks the notebook into the pocket of her leather jacket. She sees Sam jump up the second she walks out and nods her head to the elevator, she walks towards it knowing he will follow and punches the button for the doors to open.
''Feelings?'' Sam asks softly as he stands slightly behind her.
''Hurt, anger, fear, sadness.'' Brittany replies sniffling. ''Damn session tired me out but I can't sleep without reliving every damn thing.''
''Same.'' Sam mutters sadly as they both step into the elevator. ''Opening those almost sealed wounds again hurts like a motherfucker, but she will help us. We will never forget but we will find a way to live with it B.''
Brittany nods her head in agreement pushing the button to go down to the parking lot and pushes the one for the lobby too. ''We will Sam.'' She agrees softly, she turns to look at him and sighs. ''You fit enough to drive alone? I know I told you that we will drive together, but I need a run to clear my head.''
Sam nods his head and pulls her in a hug stepping forward to hold the doors open as soon as they reach the lobby. ''Yeah I will be fine, write me as soon as you get home?''
''Only if you do the same.'' Brittany mutters against his shoulder, Sam nods his head and smiles.
''I will promised.''
Brittany nods her head pulling out of the hug and kisses his cheek. ''See you tomorrow.'' She turns on her heels as the elevator doors close and walks out of the building, she takes out her phone leaning against the wall beside the door and sends out a message in the group with Quinn, Holly and Puck.
To my family: Just finished the session, need a run to clear my head but I am fine will be home later. Love you all.
She slides the phone into the pocket of her sweatpants and takes off her jacket, she wraps it around her waist after taking her earbuds out and waves at Sam as he drives past her honking. She puts her earbuds in closing her eyes as music blasts through them and takes a deep breath closing her eyes, she runs her hands through her hair gathering them up and quickly ties them together.
She opens her eyes watching a couple walk past her and turns on her heels, she takes off into a sprint towards the LA state historic park and breaths through her nose feeling her every feeling filling her body course through her limbs.
She speeds up as soon as she reaches the park deciding to tire herself out to no end and turns the volume of the music already blasting up to the max, her movements falter the second the song switches to what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and frowns in confusion taking her phone out knowing she didn't add that to her playlist.
She taps the song and sniffles as she sees that her aunt just added that to her playlist only seconds ago with the message. I know where your mind is, listen to this song and find the fight within you to kill all bad feelings.
She opens her messenger and quickly sends her a message.
To aunt H: Understood your message loud and clear, love you aunt H.
She rewinds the song knowing not every word fits to her situation but still bops her head to the beat not noticing that she just ran past Santana sitting against a tree painting, she speeds up again feeling sweat trickle down the back of her neck and takes a deep breath enjoying the feeling of the sun hitting her skin and the fresh breeze accompanying it hit her body.
She sprints around the park five times before faltering as she feels her legs protest and slows down to a jog, she frowns in confusion feeling her phone buzz and takes it out raising an eyebrow as she sees that she received a text from an unknown phone number. She taps it and reads it, shaking her head with a smile as she sees who it is.
Hey stranger, you really have no eyes for the beauty of nature huh? - Santana
You mean you? Stalking me now? - Brittany
She bites her lip as she continues to jog knowing her quick reply might have thrown the Latina off and looks around, she laughs softly as she sees her sitting underneath the big oak tree surrounded by canvasses and jogs over to her as she sees her looking at her with an eyebrow raised and a small smile playing on her lips.
Santana smiles slightly and quickly wipes her hands on the towel beside her, she locks eyes with the blonde as she comes to a halt in front of her and she moves her hand to her head and moves them down moving both of her hands facing inward away from her chest pointing at the blonde. Hey how are you?
Brittany takes out her earbuds hanging them around her neck and crouches down slowly allowing her body to regain breath, she shoots the Latina a small smile and sighs holding her left hand flat near her chest and moves her right hand palm facing right over it twice before pointing at Santana. Alright, you?
Alright doesn't sound good, I'm good. Santana replies with a slight frown looking at the blondes sweaty disheveled state, Brittany swallows thickly and shrugs.
Just had the first of I don't know how many therapy sessions, it kinda knocked me off but I will be fine. She tells her honestly.
Therapy? Santana asks curiously, Brittany nods her head and licks her lips.
I can't work through what happened overseas alone, so Sam and I decided to go to therapy to make sure we can somehow work past it.
Santana pouts compassionately as she sees the pain in the blonde's eyes and grabs the canvasses beside her, she places them on her other side and pats the spot beside her while looking at the blonde. Want to sit and talk for a bit? She shakes her head smiling reassuringly as she sees her bite her bottom lip and shrugs. We don't have to talk about your session or what happened at all, we are. She holds up her fists pointer fingers sticking out and turns her hands clasping her fingers around the other twice. Friends and I like your company.
Brittany repeats her and nods her head. Friends yeah and I like your company too. She gives in sitting down beside Santana making sure to face her and leans against the tree with her shoulder and head. Are you She forms two fists one canted up and softly hits her the wrist of her other hand against it. Working?
Santana nods her head and smiles shyly. Yeah this is one of the parks I work at after dropping Diego of at school. She blushes as she sees the blonde glance at the last canvas she was working on and hides behind her hands having completely forgotten that she started painting the blonde the second time she ran past her and captured her attention away from the cat chilling underneath the tree beside her.
Brittany blinks away her shock as she sees a beautiful painting of herself on the canvas surprised Santana managed to make it so realistic and turns to her in shock, she smiles slightly as she sees her hiding her blushing face and gently reaches out grabbing her wrist softly silently coaxing her to look at her.
She smiles as she slowly looks at her, her red cheeks showing her just how embarrassed she is and slowly runs her free hand over her face. It's beautiful, you are really talented Santana. She compliments with a kind grin, she softly poked her red cheek and winks as she forms her thumb and pointer finger in the form of an L and moves it up to her own face. You also look insanely cute when you blush.
Santana drops her face as she feels it heat up even more and groans softly, Brittany smiles in amusement deciding to stop teasing the women beside her and squeezes her wrist softly to make her look at her once again. She drops her hand the second she turns her attention back to her and smiles slightly grazing her bottom lip with her teeth. You invited me to talk and I would love to get to know you, so tell me more about yourself Santana.
Santana smiles slightly slowly feeling her face cool down and shrugs. I don't know what to tell you, I am Santana, twenty-seven years old and am a painter but I think you already know that.
Brittany slowly nods her head and shrugs. Everything beside your age, twenty-seven? Damn you are old! She laughs as Santana gasps hitting her arm in a reflex and shoots her a wink as she sees her eyes widen soon after she realized what she did. I will let that hit go for once seeing you shocked yourself. She teases with a smirk. Next time I will tickle you though.
Santana's eyes widen again and she quickly shakes her head. Nope you will never tickle me!
Brittany just smirks and shrugs. We will see.
Santana tilts her head and raises an eyebrow. You call me old, how old are you?
Brittany smiles slightly and holds up two fingers quickly follows by five, Santana rolls her eyes and chuckles allowing herself to let go around the blonde a bit more shocking herself.
Only two years younger, crazy.
Crazy? Brittany repeats with her eyebrows raised, she tilts her head as Santana just nods her head with a smirk and quickly reaches out poking her side.
Santana jumps with a squeal and quickly shakes her head laughing, she holds her hands near her chest and wriggles her fingers. Don't tickle me!
Brittany smiles lovingly as she hears the Latina's honest laugh and just looks at her, Santana stops as she sees the blonde just looking at her and gulps thickly raising an eyebrow. What?
Brittany just shakes her head and smiles slightly. Nothing just. She tilts her head and shrugs moving her open palms fingers spread to hover over each other and moves them up and down. You have a beautiful laugh
Santana blushes but forces herself to keep looking at the blonde, she slowly points at her and moves both hands fingers spread open palms facing body quickly towards each other before pointing at herself. You scare me She licks her lips as Brittany frowns and sighs softly pointing at her once again. You don't give me the feeling that I have to hide the sounds that want to come out. She continues slowly.
I am glad I don't give you that feeling. Brittany replies smiling slightly. Why does that scare you though?
Santana shrugs her shoulders and closes her eyes. Because you make me feel things I haven't felt in years, that scares the shit out of me besides we just met. Brittany tilts her head seeing the fear on Santana's face after her confession eyes still screwed shut and slowly grabs her hand.
Santana slowly allows her eyes to flutter open as she feels Brittany squeeze her hand and tilts her head in confusion as she tugs on her hand silently telling her to come closer, she scoots closer following the blonde's movement as she moves both of her hands to her neck and blinks slowly as she rests them near her pulse point.
Brittany slowly let's go off her hand so she can sign silently telling Santana to keep her hand there and nervously licks her lips. She moves two fingers between their eyes and points at her neck. Look into my eyes and feel my pulse.
She holds still as Santana does as she says and smiles slightly the second her eyes widen as she feels her fast pulse, she scratches the back of her neck and licks her lips. I know we just met but you have that effect on me ever since we talked privately on the beach. She explains slowly. Look I am not acting on anything until I can think straight or well slightly straight. She cracks a smile as Santana chuckles and shrugs. I have a lot going on at the moment and while I would love seeing where this goes, the situation I am in now is not exactly child friendly.
She leans back allowing Santana to drop her hand and keeps their eyes locks sighing softly. This is in no way a please wait for me talk because I don't know if I ever reach the state of sanity in my life ever again, but I would like to be your friend Santana there are still a lot of questions needed to be answered before I can fully deserve the title friend but I am working towards it, it just needs a bit time.
Santana bites her lip wanting to tell the blonde that she can decide if it's a situation she wants to expose her son to but just slowly nods her head deciding that this talk is better spend alone and not at the park with onlookers. I understand and even though you think you don't deserve the title friend, in my eyes you did the second I saw you interact with my son and saw the happiness in his eyes so I don't care what is going on and what is bothering you to think like this right now but to me you are my, well our friend Brittany.
Brittany slowly nods her head and smiles slightly. Alright then we are friends Santana. She signs carefully noticing her hands trembling, she gulps closing her eyes to find the peacefulness she had only moments before and shakes her head deciding it's time to go before Santana notices something is off. I have to go now my aunt is waiting with dinner, we will hang out soon again okay?
Santana nods her head as she watches her scramble up having noticed the tremble in her hands and smiles sadly, she moves two fingers up to her face and points them at Brittany. See you soon.
Brittany repeats it with a small smile and quickly turns on her heels walking away from the tree and from the Latina, Santana watches her retreating form picking up speed before she takes off in a full blown sprint and frowns sadly. I don't know what is going on in that pretty little mind of yours Britt, but the second you decide to open up I will show you what you have shown me the first day. That not everyone will react like you expect. She promises the blondes retreating form.