Hey guys! I'm back with a new story and I'm really excited about it. I know I shouldn't begin another story but the episode with Mercedes centric gave me so much life that I couldn't let the opportunity pass.

Samcedes will forever be my OTP with Sam season 2/3...This Sam who's actually on screen, talks like Sam, looks like Sam but he's not him...he is a clone lol. That's why I needed to reinvent history and with Mikecedes chemistry I felt like I could tell something whether it's friendship or more.

So please take the time to discover this story if you want based on episode 21 but with so much more Samcedes interaction...I don't want to spoil anymore things just know that Samcedes is my OTP :)

Alright, let's move to the story, it's a work of love, please be gentle, any suggestions or comments bad or good will be well received, but wickedness and hate are not even considered. Things will not be rushed, I want this to stay true and heartfelt.

Thanks for all the readers and happy reading :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing, well I just own my ticket straight to Los Angeles to kick RM ass but it's personal :)

Chapter One : One step at time

I was happy to be back, it felt good to set foot in McKinley High again and to be able to see my friends. The last time I was in Lima, it was for Mr. Schue's on and off wedding. Things were weird and I didn't feel like I was a part of a group anymore and seeing him...so happy made me happy for him because he totally deserved it, but me? What did I deserve? I think I deserved more than what happened and how it ended between us. But things were awkward and it was our both faults. It was his fault for willing to try so hard when we both knew it was the end and it was my fault for not trying hard enough. So, it was my fault.

I felt the tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't let myself get emotional, at least not today. Today was about celebrating a return, a rebirth, a music video and a freaking album that I had been wanting for so long, I was finally getting my big break!

Everything was going to be okay, I was finally going to be the star I dreamed of being since I began to walk and talk. I was confident, fierce and single like all my idols when they were at their zenith. I was going to make it, with or without him...even if it hurt like hell to see him with her, of all people.

When Sam and I broke things off, it was tense and heartbreaking. I knew we needed time to sort things out and that there will be a long time before either of us could be with someone else. He was always telling me that he was in love with me and that what we have was forever. I believed him, hell I still believe him to this day, that's why it's so hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that he acted as if I didn't exist or was just a figment of his imagination.

We were good for each other and to each other, I've never been happier with anyone other than Sam and I think that I made him happy too. Well that's what I thought until he jumped in a relationship with Brittany!

"It's the forever kind of love we share Mercedes, we're unbreakable, we can't part ways, it will be too difficult."

He was right at that moment and I was naive enough to believe him with all my heart and now I was a prisoner in my own golden prison; built with our dreams and beliefs, our doubts and fears, but most importantly our love - the love that only I felt! Fuck!

I didn't have time to continue the pitying party I was throwing myself. I was here to help the Glee club and to announce my big break to my friends and to Sam, without him none of these things wouldn't be happening. I spotted Kurt walking down the hallway looking good as ever and Mike who was walking next to me was smiling like crazy. We surprised Kurt and the three of us hugged like old times.

I've had really missed Kurt and I hugged him with all my might, with me living in Los Angeles and him in New York; we didn't talk much any more, in fact, it was like we were strangers. I used to talk about my lost friendship with Kurt to Sam, and he used to tell me that people change, but friends, true friends would never let me down. That sometimes there would be bumps in the road, but we would eventually find our way back to each other.

That's what I believed was happening between me and Kurt, each time we were in each other's presence, this was getting easier.

Could Sam be talking about an old romance too?

"Hey Mercedes, Mike, how are you guys?" Kurt asked.

"I'm good, we're good ain't that right Mike?" I asked cheerfully, as nostalgy hit me like a ton of bricks.

"We're really good and we're about to kick some ass!" Mike replied, touching my back.

Mike was so fun to hang out with, returning to help the Glee club, had given us the chance to strengthen our friendship; we were like brother and sister now.

I was making a music video for my first single from my album and had asked Mike to be the choreographer as well as a the dancer, with his swift moves and my voice I knew we could do something amazing, now all I needed was to find another dancer for my video to be perfect.

"What are you up to diva?" Kurt asked, looking at me suspiciously.

I laughed and linked my arm with his, as the three of us walked towards the choir room, I was feeling so bad ass. "You'll see love, you'll see."

As we enter the class, the first thing I spotted was a Cheerio standing in front of everyone preparing for a performance. Kurt, Mike and I were greeted by our old friends as well as the new glee club members, but we didn't have time to speak because the show was about to begin, but it left me enough time to steal a quick glance at Sam who gave me a little smile before redirecting his attention towards the Cheerio.

The performance was nice and Kitty wasn't bad but there wasn't much soul in the song it was something out of the blue to impress my boo Artie, technically we weren't together, but we had each other backs and I knew this little girl loved running her mouth a little too much for my taste, she wasn't good enough for Artie.

"That was good, but not good enough for a competition. If you want to win, you have to try a little harder honey..." I said with a smirk, this little chick wasn't going to rule this class with her little flip and flop.

She side eyed me while making fun of me, talking shit about my record deal and making fun of my runs. I was about to choke the blonde Cheerio, but Kurt stepped in and shut her down. From the corner of my eyes I saw Sam clenching and unclenching his jaw in anger and wondered was it directed at me or Kitty? My answer came soon enough.

"You don't have to be mean Kitty, Mercedes worked hard for her record deal, and making fun of it when you don't even know where you'll be next year is a little insensitive." Sam spoke up.

It shocked the hell out of me and Kitty too judging by her surprised expression.

"She's here to help us to be the best we can be and I'm grateful to have this soon to be star among us. We should be all happy to have old glee members who succeeded here to help us win Regional's." he continued.

"Great speech Sam, it was a leader speech if I might add." replied Mr. Schue.

I was lost for words and gawk at Sam trying to figure out if it was a figment of my imagination or if he just defended me like I meant something to him.

"Close your mouth girl you're drooling and I'm afraid that the hole you're burning in his head might hurt him" Kurt whispered.

I shut my mouth and smiled sheepishly, he knew me all to well.

"I'm here to do a music video and I need dancers, that's why I'm here, to help you get through Regional's and to make a music video." I explained to the class.

"Really? That's great Mercedes; I knew you would make it." Sam said, smiling broadly.

Okay, that was a little too much even for him. Why was he so nice and acknowledging me all of a sudden? I mean the last time I checked we weren't even friends and he barely spoke two words to me the last time we were in the same room.

Flashback

I was standing near the altar with Mr. Schue waiting for Miss Pillsbury to march down the aisle so I can finally sing my song. I was sitting in front of everyone in a beautiful pinky dress that hugged my curves. I thought I was hot but what made me cold was seeing Sam with Brittany, sitting next to each other, enjoying each other company without a care in a world. Each time she touched his arm, I felt my anger rising and each time he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a little piece of my heart was eaten away by jealousy and sadness. But most all each time, he looked at her, I was literally dying inside.

When I finished the song I took my place next to Mike, they were sitting behind us, I felt sick; this wasn't how things were supposed to be.

Sam looked at me and gave me a little smile and he said and I quote: "You were good up there Mercedes; I know it must have been difficult hitting those high notes…but you were great." Then he returned his undivided attention back to Brittany who kissed his cheek.

He didn't give me time to reply, I would have said "You don't know me because you would have known that those high notes weren't difficult to reach. I've already reach higher notes with you in long, sweaty love making sessions!" I wanted to yell he didn't know me at all, because he would have known that I was still in love with him and that the kind of forever love was just as real as yesterday. I wanted to tell him something, anything, but I stared at him until Mike pulled my hand and made me sit down. I was so screwed up and unhappy, I decided to jet, leaving Sam and his new found happiness. I was going to be star and didn't have time for silly games and stupid love.

End of Flashback

"Mercedes, are you okay? Mercedes?" I heard someone calling my name. I snapped back in reality, realizing that I was still in the choir room, everyone was gone except for Sam and me. Gee, thanks Kurt and Mike for your support.

"Sorry, you were saying?" I said politely.

"Oh nothing, I noticed that you were deep in thought and decided to hang back, hoping to talk to you, but when I realized that something must be going on inside your pretty little head, I wanted to know if you were okay." he smiled shyly, but I didn't return it.

"Stop that." I said, gathering my stuff as I prepare to leave.

Sam looked genuinely confused and cocked his head a little, looking me with concern. "Stop what Mercedes?"

"Stop being so nice and giving me compliments, just stop it, Sam."

He smiled a little and took a step towards me. "That's what friends do, they asked if you're okay and congratulate you when something big happens…"

"Thing is, we're not friends Sam." I said, cutting him off. I almost regretted it when I saw the pained expression on his beautiful face, but he had it coming. I mean come on; he ignored me all this fucking time and now he wants to talk to me?

"Listen Sam, I'm really happy to be back and to see everyone and yeah big things are going to happen to me but I think you should concentrate on Regionals and me on my music video and helping you guys." I turned to walk away, but before I could leave, Sam grabbed my hand and looked at me with his piercing green eyes.

"Don't tell me on what to concentrate on, or what I should or shouldn't say. You were my friend before you were my girlfriend. I know I screwed up big time, but I really hope that we can have a real friendship..."

Friendship my ass! I thought. I pulled my hand from his and straightened my clothes before replying. "It's too late Sam, there's nothing left between us. I think you were right when you said that you always had been into Brittany, because the Sam I knew wouldn't have treated me like that."

Sam stepped back as if I've slapped him. I left without looking back, silent hot tears streaming down my face. Of course I wanted friendship, anything to keep me linked to the love of my life, but all these emotions were too raw, I'd reacted the way I knew the best; hiding and building solid walls around my heart to protect myself.

"One day you'll be a big star and you'll shine so bright I'll have to wear sunglasses like Cyclopes."

I laughed and kiss the nose of my nerdy boyfriend. "You're such a nerd Sam, stop flattering me, I might believe it and fall harder when I fail..."

"You know I'd never lied to you Mercedes. I never have and never will. You have the potential and talent and I believe in you. So stop trying so hard to not believe me and kiss me for being a damn good boyfriend."

I laughed; he was so funny and so passionate. I kissed him hard showing how much his words meant to me.

"I love you my Sam, always have and always will but you're just too much." I smiled ruffling though his hair, staring lovingly in his eyes. We were sitting on my bed, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, talking about our future. It was my favorite thing to do with him besides making love. Sam was always there by my side, realizing his own dreams, we were like kick ass super heroes. He had rubbed off on me, don't judge me.

"I'm enough for you woman and that's all I need to be. I love you too, Cedes." he gave me a peck on my lips twice for good measure and we stayed there talking and kissing; enjoying the little moments we had left.

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Thanks until next time ...