5.

Brittany rocked up to the main gates to the school on her bicycle. She didn't wear a helmet. Her mother always told her to take one but she insisted she was a professional badass and amateur motocross rider and didn't need a helmet on a push bike. Besides, everyone got out of her way so it wasn't like she was going to have an accident as Stoner Brett demonstrated by diving over a waist height hedge to get out of the path of her unrelenting bike.

The occupants of a large black 4x4 with tinted windows and the license plate P-LZ watched as the sea of students parted in front of Brittany's bicycle as clearly as the parting in Blaine's greasy hair as Brittany free wheeled to the bike racks.

In the passenger seat of the car Sugar let out an impressive sigh.

"Sugar, we've been here seven minutes. Get out of the car."

"No. You cant make me."

"You have to go to school. I cant afford to make any more donations to keep Figgins off our backs."

"Why can't I stay home today?"

"Kids have to go to school, it's in the Constitution."

"It is not."

"If you went to school you'd learn about it and know for sure. I'm pretty sure its the law or no one would go except the teachers and nerds. Anyway, you have enough days off when we're in the middle of big projects so you need to go when you can so no one gets suspicious."

Sugar huffed, glaring at the straps of her bag she had gripped tightly in her hands and made no move to leave the comfortable vehicle.

"If your mother was here she'd say, 'If I had to suffer through school then there's no way you're getting out of it. So suck it up, get your ass in there and show them who'-"

"Yeah well, she's not even here," Sugar interrupted, muttering darkly.

"Then why don't you go in there and work on that and I'll go home and work on that, too."

Sugar scowled at the students through the darkened window entering the school, laughing and joking with each other. "I don't want to see her. It's going to be awkward. And anyway, this all your fault!"

"Whoa now, Sugar bean. If I remember rightly you invited them over."

"You could have said no and not let me invite them over!"

"Aww honey, but you were so excited it was cute. You looked like your Mami and I couldn't say no to that face." Sugar's mother tried to hide a smile at the expression on the girl's face, the familiar pout and the furrowed brow. Sugar scrunched up her nose at the scrutiny.

"See, you're doing it again. All you have to do if questioned is deny everything. Never apologise, never explain. Or make something really confusing up and then people stop asking."

"She'll know I'm lying," Sugar sniffed then let out a suspiciously enthusiastic cough and wheeze. "I'm sick. I should be in bed. I'm dying. Take me home."

"I don't even know who you think you're trying to fool. Wrong parent, sweetie. That doesn't work on me. I know every trick in the book, I rewrote the book, with some help from my super hot co-author."

"This is for real, mom! I've never had to try and lie before. You let me have days off if I'm not feeling it." Sugar initiated the puppy dog eyes manoeuvre.

"Not me, kiddo. Your mother is the sucker. Look, if you go in there without a fuss and don't cry-"

Sugar's bottom lip jutted out and began to tremble.

"No, no, no! Don't you pull that... Sugar," she pleaded as Sugar's lip stuck out and wobbled. "I'll make your favourite for dinner tonight, I promise."

"Without vegetables?"

"Not a cabbitch in sight."

"And don't put cheese on anything?"

"The cheese will be optional."

"Okay," Sugar beamed and happily hopped out of the car. "See you later! Love you, bye. Don't let anyone see you. No, wait!" She tried to move but her mother had grabbed her by her jacket.

"Aww mom, not a kiss. I'm seventeen! Seventeen year olds don't get kissed by their moms or get dropped off by their moms. They have their own cars and a bigger allowance and-"

Sugar took a fatal look back into the car. Her bluster deflated immediately and she leaned in and kissed her mother on the cheek.

"Are you wiping my cheek now? Mo-om, stoppit!" She whined.

"It's got lipgloss on it now, you big baby." They grinned at each other. "Bye Sugar. Have a good day. Slap Marley's ass for me."

"Mom!" Sugar yelped.

"I'll pick you up after glee. I love you!" Sugar's mom yelled as the car door slammed shut. Sugar gave a small wave as her mother drove away and suddenly became very socially aware and hurriedly left the scene of her embarrassment and entered the school.

Next to the bike racks a cheerio uniform clad Brittany watched with interest as the car pulled out from the drop off area, cut off three cars trying to get into the parking lot, drove over the kerb and out onto the main road. Once the vehicle left her sight she strolled into the building and headed straight for her prey.

Sugar made her way cautiously down the halls of McKinley watchful for a tall blonde decked in red, white and cool. Artie and Unique eyed her with curiosity after they had greeted her and all they got in return was a wild eyed grimace.

She stopped at the door to her first class and peered hesitantly round the corner. All clear. With a great breath of relief she took a step into the doorway and then, much to the surprise of everyone already seated in the Advanced Physics class, Sugar suddenly screamed and jumped in the air. She spun around on her heel to face the person who had gently jabbed her in the ribs.

"Morning, Sugar." Brittany said with a bright smile then raised an inquisitive eyebrow as Sugar stared back at her in horrified silence.

"You know, Sugar," Brittany slung her arm around Sugar's shoulder and held her fast so there was no chance of escape. "I have seen many weird things in my life time. Mr Schue's hair, Santana craughing, Rachel Berry; and, if I didn't know you were trying to avoid me, your behaviour walking down the corridor would be seriously worrying. You looked like you were having a seizure. Wait, were you?"

Brittany looked seriously worried for a moment until Sugar shook her head in answer. "Duck and cover, check your corners. I'm not the enemy, you know?"

"I know," Sugar said quietly, feeling quite relieved to have been caught as now she wouldn't have to spend the day worrying about being caught any more.

"I'm just going to come out and say it, okay? Sugar, why did you clone me?"

"I didn't!" Sugar let out a strangled noise somewhere between a laugh and a yelp. "Why would I clone you? Ha ha ha ha, that's ridiculous. I mean, I'm barely scraping a C in Bio so I don't think cloning is viable at this stage of my life."

"I don't know," Brittany mused, tapping her finger against her cheek in thought. "I know I'm awesome but you and I don't have that kind of relationship."

Kitty, who was walking past just as she uttered those words, gave them a piercing look and took a step back giving them a wider berth and hurriedly walked on, speeding up again as she heard the beginning of the next sentence.

"I was in your basement dungeon place... and I saw another me. Just admit it."

"No, no, no. No, you didn't. It was the alcohol and the heat from the nuclear powered hot tub. It made you delirious."

"I wasn't sick. Santana overreacts. A lot."

Brittany paced around and around the younger girl in circles while Sugar anxiously tried to think of a way to escape.

"Why don't the teachers ever get to their classes on time to actually teach?" Sugar squeaked out, absolutely outraged for once in her life that a teacher was late. "Some of us want to learn!"

"I suppose if you wont tell me then maybe my clone will. I'll have to go and see for myself."

"No, you cant do that," Sugar said hurriedly, grabbing ahold of Brittany's arm. "The house is quarantined."

"For what?"

"Radiation... I mean... termites!"

"Riiight," Brittany tried another tactic. "Don't you have to call in with Santana this morning?"

"I'm going to class now," Sugar turned abruptly and entered the class visibly emitting relief as their teacher sauntered in after her and shooed Brittany away.

Sugar peered around furtively from her vantage point on top of the school bleachers where she could see anyone who would dare even dream of attempting to sneak up on her, spy on her or listen in to her conversation. i.e. one Ms Brittany S. Pierce. She held her phone up to her ear and waited for it to connect.

"Couture one to couture control."

"What?"

"What's the password?"

"Not this again, Sugar."

"C'mon, how else am I supposed to know you haven't been compromised?"

"I'm in Kentucky, literally nothing happens here apart from chicken derbys. There's nothing here to be compromised with!"

"What about the weekend? When Brittany took you home. You might told her something."

"I was compromised then all right," Santana chuckled down the line. "Britt definitely took me all the way home."

"Gross. I'm too young and innocent and delicate to be hearing stuff like that. I meant... Did she say anything weird? Oh, and are you feeling better?"

"Um... yes?"

"You don't sound too sure."

"I'm fine, Sug. That was a great party by the way. Apart from the wet wipes from the Glee reserves team being there. But anyway, the weekend got me thinking and I had a moment this morning..." she trailed off. "Keep this quiet but I've got a surprise for Brittany."

Sugar squealed so loud she caught the attention of everyone sitting outside on their lunch break. Santana sighed in resignation at the girl's reaction.

"I didn't even tell you what it is yet. What part of quiet don't you-"

"Oh my god, are you going to propose?" Sugar was babbling away excitedly. "You were so wasted the other night you did that thing where you cry non stop and the tears of truth just come pouring out like Niagara. I swear if you had full control of your faculties you'd still be in my hot tub right now having to be separated from each other by the emergency services with one of those saws they crack open trucks with-"

"Sugar! I'm not proposing, calm down. Take some deep breaths... Are you okay?"

"No. I think I'm having a nervous breakdown," Sugar sniffed, "and I still get sent to school."

"Sug, what's wrong?"

"I wish you were here," Sugar muttered.

Santana was quiet for a moment considering that statement.

"Well listen up, Sugar. This surprise is something I need your help with. And, uh, only you can help me with it. Don't tell Britt but... I'm coming home. Tonight."

"But you were just here."

"Yes, I know. I mean, I'm coming home for good. I quit college," Santana said and listened closely for Sugar's reaction.

"That's... wow." Santana listened as Sugar rambled on seemingly forgetting she had Santana on the end of the phone. "Oh wow. I mean oh my god. I'm so good at this. I should get more credit from certain people. Oh shoot, Britt's coming. Act natural."

Santana shook her head in disbelief. "I'm on the other end of a phone line, she can't even see me!"

"Oh, hi Britt. Just talking to my agent, ya know."

Santana sniggered as she listened to Sugar attempt to throw bloodhound Brittany off the scent.

"Hi, Sugar. Is that Santana on the line?"

"Uh... no?"

"Ask her if she wants kids."

"What? Hello, I'm still here." Santana squeaked, taken by surprise at Brittany's words.

"What? Why would I ask that? I'm supposed to be doing a secret report."

"Just ask."

"Sugar!" Santana called her attention. "You haven't finished your report. You haven't started it really."

"Do you want kids?" Sugar asked, feeling Brittany's eyes bore into the side of her head. She smirked as she leaned closer to listen to the handset.

"Kids. For what?" Santana asked in confusion.

"To like, have. Like babies. With Brittany. Well I presume with Brittany. It is with Brittany right, Santana? It had better be or you and I are going to have a serious falling out..."

Sugar's voice ran cold as Santana felt a shiver run down her back. Sugar peered at her phone as the line went quiet. As she put it back to her ear she could hear Santana clear her throat.

"What's brought this on?"

"Natural curiosity."

"Ask her if she's thought of names?" Brittany nudged her.

"I know she's sitting next to you," said Santana. "I can hear her whispering."

"Answer the question."

"Hi San!" Brittany called and reached out for the phone hopefully. "Can I talk to her?"

"No!" Sugar gripped her phone tightly. "It's my time to talk to her. And I'm mad at you."

"Why? You're the one acting sketchy and cloning people without asking."

Santana bit her lip in concentration as she tried to listen in to the familiar voices squabbling.

"I'm not sketchy!" Sugar glared at Brittany. "That's pffffrt!" Sugar spluttered. "Do you mind? I'm trying to have a private conversation."

Santana smirked as listened to Brittany telling Sugar what to say.

"Tell her I'm looking especially hot today."

"Alright, sheesh. By the way Santana, Britt's looking smoking hot today. She's accessorised her cheerios uniform with a trapper hat and-"

"I know. She sent me a picture this morning, but without the uniform part."

"Eww, what? Don't tell me things like that!"

"Okay, well as fun and completely non informative as this has been, I have to finish my secret packing now."

"Well fine. You know what? This was your idea in the first place and I don't know why you don't just ask Brittany to report in instead when I know she knows I know she knows you asked me to tell you about her and you know she knows and you'd better want kids because I promise you you're in for a heck of a shock otherwise."

And she hung up.

In Kentucky Santana stared at her silent phone, her nose scrunched up in pure bewilderment. She startled as her phone buzzed and a text from Sugar appeared on-screen.

*wt abt sprz? I wntz in*

*your texting is shocking. Bus station at 7. Don't tell anyone S xx*

Sugar tucked her phone in her bag and then side eyed her companion with distrust.

"This is like harassment and I think it's illegal."

"What is?"

"You stalking me like a pedo."

"Sugar!" Even Brittany was shocked by that one.

"What? Oh my god, Aspergers! You're crowding my oxygen and making me uncomfortable," Sugar gathered her belongings in her arms trying to stuff everything in her bag in an attempt to leave.

"That's because you've got a guilty conscience. Santana does it all the time, she gets real fidgety and nervous and then breaks down and tells me everything. Usually in tears. So, here's what's going to happen. I'm going to come over yours after school and meet … wait. Why do you live with my clone?"

Sugar stared off with despair onto the sports field, she was trapped on one side by Brittany and the other side by a metal railing and then a sheer drop of about thirty foot.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I live with my parents."

"Is she a clone? Go on, you can tell me."

When Sugar didn't answer Brittany shook her head sadly and sighed. "I didn't think you were like that like, making clones live in the basement. You could at least let her live in the house."

"Oh my god, She's not a clone or a house elf!"

"Parallel universe?

"No...," Sugar huffed.

"Robot? Did you build an amazing robot?"

Sugar looked over at Brittany, her eyes widened. "You think I could make an amazing robot like that?"

"Of course you could. You built a robot or a clone, either way that's amazing. You take Advanced class in Physics. You have mad design skills and you're like, hiking a trail for fashion and science." Brittany leaned over and flipped aside the front of Sugar's jacket.

"Oh, I kinda thought that said 'couture is here' but actually 'the future is here' is more interesting."

Sugar snapped her jacket closed. "It did say couture. I changed it. As a joke. My mom didn't find it so funny though."

"Oh. Well anyway, you're really sneaky and smart and a great singer."

"Thank you," Sugar muttered getting the feeling she was being buttered up for something.

"Sooo," Brittany attempted to sound innocent. "Evil twin?"

"She's not evil!" Sugar glared at Brittany for such a suggestion with such venom Brittany felt compelled to put her hands up in mock surrender. The effect was lost though as Brittany's eyes gleamed with mischief at the affirmation.

"So, I didn't imagine it. She does exist."

"You cant tell Santana," Sugar grabbed onto Brittany's knees desperately. "She's..." Sugar stared at Brittany who looked back with a kind smile. Sugar sighed in defeat. "She's from the future."

Brittany sat back straight and took a deep breath. She gripped hold of Sugar's hands and squeezed them tightly. "Sugar," she began. Sugar watched for her response with wide eyes.

"Duh. Of course we cant tell Santana. She'd never believe anything as incredible as that."

Sugar scrunched her nose up. "That's... uh... so you believe me?"

"I do. I could get Santana to believe it too if I had to, you know. I mean there was one time I was sure I got her to believe that Lord Tubbington had been rummaging through her lingerie collection. Sure, she was suspicious for a while, some might say paranoid, but in the end she couldn't prove a thing."

"That and she'd think we're crazy."

"Truth. Or she'd freak out worse than Rachel did when Quinn told her Barbra had died in sophomore year." Brittany stared off into the distance and shuddered. "The screams still haunt me to this very day."

"She cant suspect a thing."

"Don't worry about that. I'm super good at distracting her. It only takes about five seconds and a flash of-"

"Brittany!"

"Sorry." She cleared her throat. "Not sorry. We need to talk about this. Properly."

"You're taking this rather well."

"I'm cool like that. But all this... It still doesn't explain you, Sugar."

"Me?" Sugar squeaked.

"Yes, you. What do you and from the future me have in common? Why do you live with her/me? And if you do live with your parents, what do they think of me being there?"

"Is that the time? Those are all very important questions but I'm late for double algebra and I cant be late for it because, you know, equations and stuff but yeah. You should totally ask future Brittany all those awkward questions and I'll go um, balance some pi letters or yeah. So bye."

Brittany watched with a frown as Sugar climbed over her to escape the questions she clearly wasn't ready for and scurried away as fast as possible.

"The future, huh. Lord Tubbington is not going to believe this."

A/N In an unexpected attack of inspiration I finally figured out how this story is going to end because, lets be honest, up until now I didn't have clue. It'll be one more chapter (probably) and I bet you cant guess what's going to happen :P