Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or its characters. Nor do I own "Ain't No Way" They belong to their respectful owners. I do, however own my slight (okay, huge) obsession of this song whenever Amber Riley sings it. *Swoons* (also I understand that in the original lyrics Aretha sings, "And if you need me like you say you do, then please please please, don't you know that I need you?" and not what I put in my fic, but i'm going off how how Amber sang it in Glee Live. What can I say? I'm an Amber junkie ;))
Mercedes Jones was doing it. She was actually living her dream! The cream rising to the top. She blinked back the blinding lights, and looked over the concert hall that was currently holding thousands of screaming fans. It was all for her!
"This is for one of my biggest idol who inspires me everyday." The crowd went wild. "This one's for Aretha Franklin!"
She then started singing "Ain't No Way." She loved the song, but realized the last time she sang it in front of an audience was on a small stage in a small town. Singing this song, here and now, had her reminiscing. She thought of her old glee family, she thought of the curly haired teacher, but most of all she thought of him. It always reminded her of him. The days down at the lake, hanging out on the swings at the park, holding hands, the guitar playing, the songs, the declarations, and body painting (He was an artist, what could she say?)
She hadn't heard from him in a few years, and nostalgia was setting in. She closed her eyes and gave her all in the next line.
"And if you need me to love ya, say, say you do. Hold me baby, baby, baby, don't you know that I need you? Ohh"
She felt the lyrics and gave one of the best runs of the night. And she felt the crowd go quiet as she continued.
When the song came to an end, she felt a slight weight lift.
"Oh it ain't no way for me to love you," She took a deep breath, letting his handsome features marinating everywhere falling in the cracks of every word, "If you don't let me."
The ending of the song hung. It sounded absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful, she had let him through her thoughts once again
When she was done, she opened her eyes, and notice that there was not a dry eye in the crowd, or at least not from what she could see in the first few rows.
Her fans stood silent for a long beat, and she wiped her eyes. She hadn't noticed she was crying too.
The atmosphere turned intimate, and she gave a small chuckle. Never in her whole life has she ever seen, or felt something like this before.
"Sorry guys, that song just hit home." She stated,
She went to say more when she heard a voice somewhere in the front row yell, "Who's the guy?"
A good portion of the crowd laughed, including her, and she shook her head.
"Nice, try! Why don't we get to the next song?" The crowd roared their disapproval. She simply chuckled, shook her head once more, and motioned the band to start the next song.
"Good job, Mercy oh my gosh! You brought the house down!" Quinn ran up to her best friend and hugged her fiercely. "But you always do, so…" She shrugged, putting her arm around Mercedes' shoulder.
"Thanks Quinny," She smiled wide.
"Blew everyone away with that rendition…" She put her free hand over her heart in sweet reverence. "Everyone from glee was definitely crying, we're so proud of you, hun!"
"Wait, glee club?" Mercedes rose an eyebrow. Quinn just smirked mischievously.
"Come out guys!" Quinn called, and Mercedes had to hold her breath.
A second later, she saw Santana holding Brittany's hand and running in full force from behind the second curtain. Then Rachel and Finn, and then everyone else...
Including him.
He was last to enter from behind the curtain. He was walking a good pace and had his head down with a smile gracing his lips. His hands were shelved in his pockets, and Mercedes froze, she noticed he was the only one not to rush over.
Finally he looked up, and they made immediate eye contact. She watched as he smiled wider and leaned against the wall not too far from the group. The years had been very good to him. He continued with his natural dirty blonde locks, that was cropped short so it wasn't in his eyes, that still held child-like wonder, and he had a gold tee. He was wearing a dark-long sleeved shirt. It stretched tight over his muscles that seemed to have grown over the years.
She took a deep breath, how did he still have the same effect over her after all these years? He chuckled, and was temporarily mesmerized with the slight motion it made to his neck. It was always one her favorite places to kiss.
"Sam…