so someone requested me to write a fic about how the God Squad started. It started with a drabble and ended in a full blown fic. Maybe I'll add two more chapters to this. let me know what you think? this is supposed to take place after The Spanish Teacher and Before Heart…enjoy!
Ever since Sam's return to Lima he found himself in the same church, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. St. Margaret's church. This church was not close to the Hummel-Hudson home but it was the church where the girl he loved sang in the choir. Mercedes Jones had introduced Sam to her church during the summer they were together. He enjoyed this part of their relationship very much. They would bond over their faith and their ideals and it cemented his feelings for her. Seeing her sing at church was a whole other experience for him too. It filled him with the utmost joy and he knew that every time he closed his eyes, he could just imagine her singing and it would mend any hurt he felt. It only seemed fit for him to go see her perform every Sunday, the way he used to. He had noticed that Shane Tinsley missed every 10:30 mass, which he wasn't torn up about but he knew it must have bothered his non-girlfriend. This Sunday was like no other. He sat in the front row, watching his Mercedes belt out notes singing to God and the people at church. He always flashed his million dollar smile anytime their eyes met. When the homily came around the priest came to the middle of the room and started speaking about how February was the month of love and friendship. Sam listened carefully but not without shooting glances at Mercedes whenever he got a chance. She was listening intently to the priest and smiling. He loved her so much.
"It has come to my attention that we need to help rebuild our community and why not start with the parish? Religion and faith can move mountains. So today, I ask of you, people of God to brainstorm ideas to help out within your communities. You're never too old or too young. Maybe you can put together a fundraiser, volunteer at a hospital, if you're in school then maybe you can get a club together to raise awareness on different topics…" The priest kept speaking but Sam's mind started trailing off.
His mind worked a million miles per hour and he started thinking to himself:
"Why didn't I think of that before? Mercedes and I can get a club together. We can walk through the halls of McKinley, helping people out. We'd be like the power couple!" Sam smiled at the thought.
Mass had ended and as always, Sam waited for Mercedes to leave so he can speak to her.
"Hey Sam" Mercedes said flashing him a smile that easily broke and mended his heart in one shot.
"Hey beautiful" Sam responded.
Mercedes smiled at him. She had grown passed the awkward stage with Sam. She felt there was no point fighting him anymore and she was slowly becoming putty in his hands.
"Thanks for coming to mass, Sam. It's nice to see a familiar face" Mercedes smiled.
"Well, father Wilson is great and I love seeing you perform. Umm, I couldn't help but realize that Shane doesn't come to mass…does he go to a different church?" Sam knew he was prying but he really couldn't care less at this point. He was determined to make Mercedes see he was the right guy for her, not Shane Tinsely.
"Sam, don't start…" Mercedes said trying not to smile at Sam's adorable jealousy. It wasn't supposed to be adorable.
"Well, I figured, he'd be here, that's all" Sam said trying not to sound too jealous but jealous enough to get his point across.
"If you must know, Shane has football practice on Sundays" She said to Sam. She was pretty alright with this arrangement but she wasn't about to make that known to Sam.
"Football? On Sundays? I don't remember having practice on Sundays at McKinley" Sam said this time not caring how he sounded.
Mercedes rolled her eyes "He practices with his dad. That's why I never see him outside of school. His father has him practicing every night and every weekend. And it's not like he cares, anyway. That's why he wasn't even at sectionals to watch us perform. It's alright though, I'm over it." She said bitterly
Sam was satisfied with himself. He knew he had accomplished making Mercedes see…even for that one minute, that Shane wasn't the right choice for her. Missing her first performance with the Troubletones was one thing but missing her do what she loved most on Sundays, was another. She needed someone who could share that with her. She needed him.
"Oh. Well, it's okay, I'm here and I thought you were great. Everytime you sing at church, it's like you remind me why I'm a Christian, you know?" Sam said honestly
Mercedes surveyed Sam's face for any signs of him just trying to lay his swag on her but she realized he was being genuine.
"Thanks, Sam. I have to get going though, my parents and I are going to that fundraiser father Wilson was talking about…." Mercedes paused and her eyes opened widely "why don't you come with me…you can be my da.." she stopped herself from continuing.
"your…date?" Sam said smirking.
"yes, my date. But don't get any ideas Sam Evans, this is for God." Mercedes said laughing.
Sam laughed too and was relieved he had asked her. Frankly, he didn't even know what fundraiser she was referring to since he had completely lost track during the homily. He was just happy to be spending the rest of his Sunday with her.
Mercedes smiled at him "Sam? Earth to Sam?" She said waving her hands in front of him.
"Sorry, it's just I get like that when the prettiest girl in the world talks to me" Sam laughed goofily
"Aww shucks. Sam Evans, you're a big flirt, you know that?" Mercedes smiled
"I swear only you do this to me" he smiled.
Their flirty banter continued as they walked to the car. Sometimes, that happened. The two would forget the present time and they would act as if it was still June and they were together, teasing eachother, cracking jokes, and it would all end when one of them really got into it and would hold the other's hand. This was their problem. It happened when he asked her to duet with him during Human Nature. They had completely forgotten all their issues and their lips had locked. They both felt insanely guilty but at the same time, extremely fulfilled.
Sam and Mercedes were having the time of their lives at the hospital fundraiser. They chose to volunteer in the geriatrics department. Sam made all the ladies swoon for him by playing guitar for them. Mercedes danced with the gentleman who thought she was lovely and Sam couldn't blame them. They played music with them, danced with them, sang with them and even put on a small comedy sketch called the "Mercedes and Sam show". It was all improvised but hilarious. Mr. and Mrs. Jones took a break to come watch their daughter and her friend in action. They stood at the door listening to their comedy show.
"Look how happy she looks" Mrs. Jones said to the love of her life.
"Yeah. She's our little girl, all grown up. Remember when I used to look at you like that?" Mr. Jones teased his wife, acknowledging Sam's intensity in his glance.
"Sam Evans. That boy never stopped loving her" Mrs. Jones said almost sadly.
"Hey, don't worry. She's a grown girl. She knows what she's doing" Mr. Jones reassured his wife.
"Fate has a funny way of messing with your heart. When I met that boy I knew God had sent him to our little girl. They were so happy together. Then, the Evans had to pick everything up and leave. I just feel like we should have helped them more" Ms. Jones said sadly.
"Honey, we tried but you know Sam's father really wanted to try out this new job. I don't blame him. He wants to provide for his family and he hated seeing Sam working three jobs. He just wanted him to have a normal teenage life. Imagine if that were us. Nothing in the world would have convinced me to stay here in Lima. He got a wonderful opportunity." Mr. Jones said to his wife.
"Yeah, I just keep thinking of August. Mercedes didn't take it well. You don't know the half of it. I had to sit with her to dry up those tears. Her friends were God knows where. It was a terrible time. Then Shane came into her life and he wanted to be this super hero and "fix" her. I know Mercedes is 18 and free to make her own choices. But she didn't need fixing; she needed to mend her heart first. I just think she started seeing Shane as a placeholder for Sam." Ms. Jones said looking on to the pair who were laughing hysterically with the patients.
"Just give it time. Our girl is a smart girl. She's got a good head on her shoulders. I'm just glad to see that smile on her face again" Mr. Jones said waving at Sam and Mercedes.
"We should invite him over for dinner" Mrs. Jones said enthusiastically
"Not if it makes Mercedes uncomfortable" Mr. Jones replied. "In no time, those two will be singing at church together again and all will be well." He added.
Sam and Mercedes started to pack their stuff.
"my parents are looking at us" Mercedes said almost in a whisper and giggling
"Well, we're a class act. We should take our show all the way to the Apollo theatre!" Sam laughed
"you have big dreams Evans" Mercedes laughed.
"I do. And you're a part of a huge chunk of it" Sam said naturally.
Mercedes blushed and a strange silence poured over them.
"So listen, Father Wilson really had me thinking. You know, about spreading the message of love. I was wondering, maybe you and I can start at McKinley. We can get a club together" Sam said proudly
"Well, there's the celibacy club and that's practically non-existant. And Maybe I can get Quinn to come back" Mercedes said happily.
Sam frowned. He liked Quinn. They were friends afterall. But…he wanted to brainstorm ideas with Mercedes and only Mercedes before inviting any new members.
"That's a good idea. But first, why don't we come up with ideas" Sam said persuasively, smiling.
Mercedes couldn't resist his smile.
"suu…Sure Sam" Mercedes said ashamed at how she melted when it came to Sam.
"Great! So, tomorrow? We'll start? We can talk to Principal Figgins and stay after school?" He said excited at these possibilities. He would see Mercedes every day after school, No shane to interrupt, just the two of them.
"Okay. I like that idea." Mercedes said
The two walked towards Mercedes parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Jones!" Sam said hugging the two of them. It was second nature to act this comfortable around them.
"Well, if it isn't QB Sam Evans!" Mr. Jones laughed pretending to throw a football and Sam pretended to catch it.
Mercedes noticed immediately the difference between the times she brought Shane around and the times Sam was around her parents. Shane played football too but her father was less enthused around him. It made her sad but at the same time she understood them. Sam made an effort to win over her family last summer. He would come over every Sunday, help her mom set the table, goof around with her brothers, and he never showed signs of boredom. He didn't do it because he had to, he did it because he wanted to and he cared about her. Something Shane didn't understand. He never made the time to connect with her family or friends and it was enough to make her feel like she was just with a friend and not a boyfriend.
"Mercedes?" Sam said trying to get her attention.
"huh?" Mercedes said breaking her thoughts.
"I was just telling your mom I can't stay for dinner. I promised Burt and Carol I'd help them move in the new furniture to the basement. They were nice enough to get me a bed" Sam said happily.
That's what she lov…liked…liked about Sam Evans. He was humble and appreciative of everything. He never for a minute blamed anyone for his misfortune. He was one of the strongest people she knew.
"oh." Was all she was able to get out. She was completely enamored by him.
Her mother giggled and winked at her daughter.
"Well Sam, don't bring lunch to school tomorrow, I'll pack some leftovers for you. I know how much you like my mac and cheese!" She said to Sam
Sam's eyes widened. He really did love the famous Mac and Cheese. He missed the Jones' .
"Great!" He said.
He hugged them again and he came over to Mercedes and kissed her left cheek.
"Can't wait until tomorrow" Sam said with a glimmer in his eyes only Mercedes could put there.
"Me neither" Mercedes said honestly.
He smiled at her again and left.
Her parents stood in back of her watching her watch Sam leave and she turned around with the biggest smiled on her face. She caught her parents looking at her.
"What?" she said comically
"Oh nothing" Mr. Jones said.
"tell me!" Mercedes said already knowing what they were thinking.
"you're a big girl now, baby, you know what we're thinking" Ms. Jones said laughing.
Her husband joined in the teasing of their daughter.
Mercedes laughed too and didn't say anything else. They made their way back home and the whole night, she thought about Sam.
"we could be like the power couple" She said to herself.
"Don't be stupid, Mercedes. You would have to be dating to be a couple and last time I checked, you're with Shane, now" She continued the rambling in her head.
She laid back on her bed and kept thinking of the possibility of getting a club together. A light bulb flashed in her head and she jumped up excitedly. She dialed Sam's number and waited for him to pick up.
"hey beautiful!" Sam said way too excited but definitely in no hurry to tone it down.
"Hey yourself" she said. "so, I thought up of a great name for our club" She said to Sam
"I'm listening" he said
She could hear Kurt in the background asking him if it was her on the phone and she laughed.
"He's so nosy!" Mercedes teased
"well, it's not everyday Mercedes Jones calls ME" Sam teased back "so this name?"
"The God Squad" She said followed by a shriek "Isn't it genius!" she was so excited.
Sam laughed at how amazing and adorable she was.
"I absolutely love it" Sam said just as excited.
"great! I knew you would. Sounds like a super hero league, right?" Mercedes laughed
"All we need is costumes!" Sam added
"And a slogan!" Mercedes replied
"Teenagers by day, Christian crusaders by night" Sam said laughing at his own dorky comment
"no one will mess with us!" Mercedes laughed, teasing Sam
"I love it, Mercedes" Sam said delighted
"I love it too" She said
The two paused.
"So I guess, tomorrow, we can meet before school starts. We'll talk to Figgins…." She said
Sam smiled.
"sounds perfect. 8 a.m.?" He asked
"great!" Mercedes replied. "well, I'll see you then Sam"
"okay. Sweet dreams Mercedes" Sam said
"sweet dreams, Sam"
The two hung up. Mercedes couldn't wait to brainstorm ideas with Sam. She was really looking forward to help people …and most importantly, spending time with her…friend.