Shadowcat: A Samcedes/Sancedes/Mikecedes Tale
[The year is 2004. Sam Evans, a young photojournalist ventures to Havana, to cover the opening of the largest art museum in the world. Also in attendance is the mysterious and beautiful Princess of San Carlo. With the most valued art and artifacts known to man, including the Capulet Dagger, all in one place, everyone is on their toes trying to guess if the infamous, lady cat burglar, Shadowcat, will strike. Who is this beautiful thief? Will Sam Evans stop her or will he find true love? Main characters are Sam Evans, Mercedes Jones, Santana Lopez, Tina Cohen-Chang, Noah Puckerman, and Mike Chang who is the main villain.]
When the jet plane landed on the ground, Sam could feel the butterflies lift in his stomach. He had never traveled out of the Midwest let alone overseas, and he knew this would be the trip of a lifetime.
Tina poked Sam in the shoulder.
"Look over there! I can see the capitol building," she said.
Sam looked where his cousin pointed.
"Yeah, it's something," he said, deciding to wait till he got off the plane before he took pictures.
Tina held onto Sam's arm as the two stepped down the stairs leading to the pavement.
A chauffer standing next to a black town car waited to greet them.
"Are you Mr. Evans and company?" the old man asked.
"Er… Si?" Sam replied.
"Very good," the chauffer replied, opening the car door for Sam and Tina. The two got inside.
…
For most of the ride into Havana, Tina stuck her head out the window, taking in all the old architecture surrounding the city. She resisted taking out her sketch book and instead tried to put to memory which buildings she would visit to make decent sketch. She momentarily took her eyes off the road to look at Sam who sat quietly and un-intrigued in the seat next to her.
"How are you not completely overwhelmed by the sight of this place?" Tina asked.
"It is beautiful," he said honestly but without enthusiasm.
Tina rolled her eyes.
"Why spend all that money getting an art degree in photography if you're too lazy to pick up your camera and take a picture?" she said.
"I don't know," Sam said. "I guess…I'm waiting to be inspired."
The car stopped.
"We're here sir," the chauffer said.
Sam and Tina got out of the car while the chauffer held the door open for them.
"Oh my God," Tina said.
She and Sam stood in front of large Neo-Baroque style building.
"SAM! You made it!"
Puck ran down the stone stairway to reach his friend.
Puck picked up Sam, managing to lift his feet from the ground
Sam laughed, pulling Puck off of him.
"How long has it been?" Puck said, looking at Sam and his notably shorter hair.
"Couple years," Sam said, happy to see the years were good to his old college buddy.
Puck's eyes traveled to Tina.
"Damn, Tina, you filled out. How's Artie?" Puck asked.
"He's fine, we broke up," Tina said, hugging Puck.
"Eh, yall two will be back together by New Years," Puck said teasingly.
"I'm just glad you finally shaved off that ridiculous mohawk," Tina said, touching Puck's head.
"Hey, we were art majors, leave me alone. It was my mom's idea to get rid of it – one of the necessary sacrifices I had to make to take over the company."
"So no more partying for you then," Sam said.
"Oh no no. The puckasaurus will always be the life of the party."
"This is where we are staying?" Tina said, looking at the building.
"No, this is the Grand Theatre, where they opera house and ballet theatre are located," Puck explained. "The executive board is renting out half the building for business purposes and for the banquet tomorrow night. You gotta see the ballroom Tina, you're gonna piss yourself."
"Really eloquent, Noah," Tina said sarcastically.
"You wanna have a look?" Puck asked.
"No thanks," said Tina. "I want to have a look around city first."
"Be careful! This ain't the sweet streets of Lima," Puck said.
Tina hurried back down the steps and got back into the car.
Puck put his arm on Sam's shoulder as the two entered the grand theatre.
"Sam, this new art museum is going to put ND Corp on the map like it's never been," Puck told Sam.
"I'm really happy for you Puck. You actually did it," Sam said, looking at the spiraling stairs.
"The artifacts have been arriving all summer. Contracts with the government to build the museum on the Isla de la Juventard are all in order. We've been building all summer. Of course we won't be finished in time for the exhibition which is why it'll be held here in the Grand Theatre for all the world to see."
Sam still looked around at the architecture.
"Aren't you a little worried though? They'll be almost a billion dollars' worth of merchandise in here that a lot of people would kill to have," Sam said.
Puck smirked.
"Have no fear. I've got it covered," he said, leading Sam to the second floor where the company was renting office space.
"Mike! Over here!"
There was a group of business men coming out of a meeting. The youngest, dressed in a completely black suit confidently walked up to Puck and Sam.
"Sam, I want you to meet Michael Chang. He's head of security and first in line to takeover CAI Corp, the greatest art insurance security on the planet," Puck said. "We went to grad school together in Cambridge."
Mike held out his hand to shake Sam's.
Sam tried not to wince when Mike crushed it.
Though Sam knew he and Mike were around the same age, he understood that this guy was far more serious and calculating than any twenty-something should be.
Sam took his hand back.
"I've heard of your family," Sam said. "You guys really are the best security."
"Well, we must make sure all our client's investments remain safe," Mike replied.
"Like the crown of Marie Antoinette?" Sam said.
Mike narrowed his eyes.
Sam smirked.
"Yeah, I heard about how Shadowcat slipped right through your fingers in Paris," Sam said.
Mike smiled politely.
"Yes well, if I'd been the lead on the capture of Shadowcat, I would have shot her while she was flying out the window," Mike said coldly.
"She's rumored to be the most beautiful woman on earth," Puck said. "One look from her and her enemies fall to their knees in love."
"A myth," Mike replied. "It's not the look of love so much as the 900 vault taser to the groin that really brings men to their knees."
"So she really is a woman?" Sam said.
Mike raised his eyebrow.
"What's your interest in Shadowcat?"
Sam shrugged his shoulder coolly.
"Who wouldn't be interested in a lady who has outsmarted the greatest men?" he said.
"She is no lady. She's a thief," Mike said.
"Come on Sam I Am, let's leave Michael to his work," Puck said, leading Sam upstairs.
"That guy's a jerk," Sam said, when he and Puck were away from listening ears.
"Hey, he's under a lot of pressure. His parents are conditioning him to take over the family company," Puck said.
Sam scoffed.
"Did his parents also stick a chopstick up his ass?"
Puck laughed.
"He seems uptight but let me tell ya, that jerk pulls swimsuit models on the daily. Guess who he's dating now," Puck said.
"Mischa Barton or some Tyra Banks wannabe," Sam guessed.
"Nope, the Princess of San Carlo,"
Sam narrowed his eyes. "Bullshit."
"Swear to god dude," said Puck,
"THE Princess of San Carlo. The heir to the last royal South American family Princess of San Carlo?!" Sam said.
Puck laughed.
"Yup, and she's coming tonight to the banquet,"
Sam scratched the back of his head.
"That's crazy," Sam said.
The biggest recent story among art enthusiasts was the lost heir of San Carlo. Almost two decades ago the royal family was massacred and the royal palace was robbed of its treasures. All were thought to be dead, until the youngest Princess turned up last year, reclaiming her throne to the small island of San Carlo. It was a real-life fairytale.
"This is your night dude. All the hottest richest drunk women are going to be here tonight, and you don't even have to chat them up, You can just say 'Hey can I take your picture?' and they'll sleep with you," Puck said eagerly.
Sam shook his head.
"I don't know man. It just seems too soon to get back in the dating game," Sam said.
Puck groaned.
"Come on! You and Quinn have been broken up for like a year!" he exclaimed.
"We were together since high school! How do you expect me to get over her that fast?" Sam said.
"Dude! She cheated on you with Finn, dumb-as-rocks Finn. Obviously the girl ain't as perfect as you thought she was," Puck said harshly.
The conversation reminded Sam why he never went to Puck for relationship advice.
"I don't know man," Sam said.
Puck put his hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Man, forget Quinn. You're in paradise right now. Just focus on having a good time tonight, and maybe a fine-ass heiress will take pity on you and touch your penis," Puck said.
Sam shook his head and smiled.
"There's something wrong with you. Alright, I'll go," Sam said.
β
Tina sketched the base of St. Paul's church as people passed back and forth from it.
When she raised her eyes to the top of the church ruins, her view was blocked the beam of light refracting off of the flag pole.
She backed up a few feet.
It got a little better but still wasn't ideal.
Tina took out her camera from her purse to see if this would offer her a better picture.
Completely taken by her need to get a perfect shot, Tina backed up more and more, entirely unaware just where her feet might be carrying her.
In what seemed like in a two seconds, Tina felt her foot miss a step all the way into the street. Her ears were filled with that of a car ferociously honking it's horn. The car swerved, but not enough to miss Tina completely. Tina could not even catch her balance, let alone move out of the way. Just when the car was no doubt about to strike her, Tina felt herself being yanked forward by an unknown force.
Tina fell into Santana's arms,
"Oh my god! Oh my God!" Tina exclaimed, as Santana let go of her.
"Are you okay?" Santana asked.
Tina looked up at her rescuer.
A gorgeous slender woman with long black hair, copper skin and dark eyes stared down at her. This woman looked like a super model. Her beautiful eyes expressed slight concern but mostly annoyance.
"You…you saved my camera," Tina breathed.
Santana furrowed her brow at the air-headed girl.
"Princess!"
Tina watched as a shorter, but equally pretty, dark skinned woman ran towards her rescuer.
Her wavy hair bounced from side to side as she rushed to Santana.
"Are you alright?" the girl asked Santana.
"Yes, of course. I knew we shouldn't have visited the church. Too many tourists," Santana said, dusting off her dress.
"Princess?" Tina said to herself, as the two ladies talked.
"Are you alright miss? Habla ingles?" Mercedes asked Tina.
Tina, who was in some sort of daze snapped out of it.
"Yes, I'm fine," Tina said.
"You should be more careful next time. Almost got a free facelift from that car," Mercedes said with a smile.
"Yeah I did…" Tina said, blushing.
Tina was taken aback by the two women who seemed to have dropped out of a victoria secret catalog. Both wore four-inch heels and were dressed as if they stepped off of a runway.
"We should go. The banquet starts in a few hours," Santana said, walking away.
"Alright my lady," Mercedes replied.
Mercedes turned around to face Tina. She handed her a business card.
"If your camera doesn't work when you turn it on just call this number and we'll pay for a new one, and by 'we' I mean the Princess," Mercedes said with a wink.
Tina smiled.
She watched Mercedes catch up to Santana who climbed into a Limo with diplomatic flags.
Mercedes got into the limo.
The chauffer closed the door.
"Did you give that girl our number?" Santana asked, checking her makeup in a mirror.
Mercedes' devious smile answered that question.
"I think that could backfire on us. I regret pulling her out of the street already," Santana said coldly.
"Oh come now. She was cute," Mercedes said. "Plus, I thought you liked brunettes."
"I actually prefer blondes," Santana replied with a smirk.
"I'm hurt your grace," Mercedes said playfully as the limo drove off.
β
The party had been going on for half an hour.
Puck did not lie to Sam. There were many beautiful women in the hall, all skinnier than the next, and all severely uptight.
Not in the mood to converse with strangers, Sam stayed on the second floor, taking pictures of the party downstairs. Tina, who was equally shy, stood next to him.
"You don't have to stick with me all night," Sam said. "Go have fun."
"I was having fun till I found out that these ladies' dresses cost more than my student loans," Tina said, sipping her glass of champagne.
Sam chuckled.
"You look great," Sam said, nudging his cousin.
Tina smiled and adjusted her black dress.
The bustle of the crowd got notably slower when the two more guests arrived at the banquet.
Sam took a picture of the woman who stood next to Mike.
"Oh my god that's her!" Tina said, elbowing Sam.
"Who?" Sam asked.
"The woman who just came in! She's the one who saved my life today!" Tina said, starting to fix her hair.
"Your rescuer is the Princess of San Carlo?" Sam said, putting down his camera.
Puck walked up to Santana and Mike. He bowed before kissing her on either cheek. He then kissed the hand of the darker skinned girl standing behind the princess.
Sam looked at this other girl through his camera lens. He hadn't noticed her until then. By the way she was standing behind the princess, she clearly worked for her.
Puck led Santana and Mike up the stairs while the other girl followed.
"Princess, I want you to meet my close friends Sam and Tina. Sam, this is her Royal Highness Princessa Aurora Monica Manuel-Castile. Did I get that right?" Puck asked.
"You can just call me Princess," Santana said, holding out her hand for Sam to shake.
"Oh, it's you," Santana added when she noticed Tina.
"I can't believe we're meeting again; it's like fate," Tina said.
Sam's eyes momentarily traveled to the girl standing behind Santana. Her hair was down unlike most of the women in the room. Her wavy tresses covered one of her dark brown eyes. She wore a long matte black dress that was strapless and shaped her into a dark hour-glass. Her lips were full and oddly perfect like Jessica Rabbit. As she breathed, her breasts slowly rose up and down. Sam was concentrating so hard on the girl he was surprised to see she was staring right at him. Sam quickly averted his eyes, attempting to play off the fact he was ogling the Princess' lady. She smiled, knowing full well that he was checking her out.
"Sam, this is Mercedes, the princess' lady-in-waiting," Puck said.
"Hi," Sam said quickly, still refusing to look again at Mercedes.
"Why were you guys so late?" Puck asked Mike.
"The driver was incompetent," Mike said, who already seemed bored with the evening.
Mercedes softly touched the back of Santana. She whispered something in her ear before going downstairs.
"Princess, may I say you look stunning tonight," Puck said, who seemed instantly smitten by Santana.
"Thank you," Santana said whose eyes were focused on Mercedes who was in the crowd downstairs.
"How long will you be in Cuba, Princess?" Tina asked.
"Until the opening of the museum," Santana said, "My family is donating my late father's crown for the exhibit."
"That's very nice of you," Tina said.
"Princess, would you care to dance?" Puck asked. "You don't mind do you Mike?"
"Knock yourself out," Mike said, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
Santana rolled her eyes.
Puck happily took Santana's hand, leading her downstairs.
Mike's eyes turned to Tina.
"So…what do you do?" Mike asked dully.
"…I'm an artist," Tina said.
"Hm. Unemployed," Mike said.
Mike downed the glass before going downstairs.
"…Have you ever seen someone so fine?" Tina said, leaning on Sam.
"You gotta be kidding me," Sam said, astonished at his cousin.
"I bet he has abs of steel," Tina said.
"I'm not listening to you," Sam said.
"Come on. Let's go downstairs and dance," Tina said.
"What happened to staying up here?" Sam asked.
Tina took Sam's camera from around his neck.
"Don't be silly. Let's go!" Tina said, dragging her cousin downstairs.
Sam reluctantly followed Tina onto the dance floor.
Tina walked up to Mike, who was working on another drink.
Sam looked around for Puck, finding him dancing with Santana.
Everyone around him was paired up.
"Damn," Sam said, wanting to avoid an awkward moment.
Just then he saw Mercedes passing by him.
Sam grabbed her hand.
Mercedes turned around. She wore a surprised yet curious look on her face.
Sam's ears went red.
"I'm sorry." He began. "I didn't mean to grab you like that. I just…you wanna dance?"
"…Okay," Mercedes said.
To Sam's misfortune, the band started playing an upbeat song.
Mercedes smiled, noticing his anxiety.
"Don't look so nervous, the song won't kill you," she said.
Sam noticed Mercedes' lack of an accent.
"You speak English really well," Sam said.
"So do you," Mercedes replied.
This time Sam was the one who smiled.
"Yeah, I didn't mean it like that. You're probably thinking I'm a toolbag right now," Sam said.
Mercedes bit her bottom lip, placing her hand on Sam's shoulder. She took Sam's hand, putting it on her hip.
"A cute toolbag though," Mercedes said, swaying her hips to the music.
Sam relaxed more now that he realized Mercedes was a girl he could approach. She slowly put her arms around his neck.
"So, Tina is your cousin," Mercedes said.
"Yeah, how'd you know? Most people don't pick up on that," Sam said.
"I know family when I see them. Plus I was adopted so I get it," Mercedes said.
Sam felt a weird feeling in his stomach while talking to Mercedes. She had an inner confidence that kind of intimidated him and intrigued him at the same time. Not to mention, Sam was unsure if she had actually ever blinked while they were dancing.
"So, how long have you been working for the princess?" Sam asked.
Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Feels like forever," Mercedes said.
"Is she mean?" Sam asked.
"Mm only when she's hungry," Mercedes replied.
Sam laughed.
"Well, that's royalty for you," Sam said.
The song changed to a slow groove. Mercedes kept her arms around Sam's neck, so Sam took it as a sign that she wanted to continue dancing.
"I saw you checking me out earlier," Mercedes said.
"I-I wasn't checking you out," Sam said.
"Sure you weren't," Mercedes replied with a smirk.
The two slowly swayed in one spot.
"So you're friends with Noah," Mercedes said.
"Yep, he was one of my roommates in college," Sam told her. "I think he's fallen in love with the Princess."
"Well, that tends to happen to all the guys. She's very beautiful," Mercedes said.
"She's not the only beautiful girl in the room," Sam replied with a smirk.
Mercedes smiled.
"I knew you were checking me out. You're kinda charming Ohio," she said.
Sam laughed.
"That's probably what everyone is calling me behind my back. Ohio boy," he said.
"They're actually calling you camera boy, but you didn't hear it from me," Mercedes whispered jokingly.
"So what do you do Sam?" Mercedes asked.
"I'm a photojournalist," Sam said.
"Ah, so you're unemployed," Mercedes said.
"I'd be offended by that statement if it weren't true," Sam admitted. "You bluebloods love talking about occupations."
Mercedes chuckled.
Sam felt his stomach flutter at the sound of her laugh.
"I'm just playing with you," Mercedes said.
"Most people wouldn't consider being maiden a real job you know," Sam said.
"That's because it's not." Mercedes said sarcastically. "I basically sit on my ass all day hemming dresses and brushing my lady's hair."
Sam laughed. He pulled Mercedes closer towards him.
"Be careful now. When the clock strikes twelve, I won't be leaving a shoe behind for you to track me," Mercedes said.
Sam put his mouth to Mercedes' ear. "Who needs a shoe when you've got MySpace?" Sam whispered making Mercedes giggle again.
Mercedes saw out of the corner of her eye that Santana was about to make her speech.
She slowly removed her arms from Sam's neck, as the audience applauded the band.
"Thanks for the dance Ohio," Mercedes said with a wink.
Sam watched her go over to Santana who walked up the stage.
Puck, who seemed a little out of breath, came up to Sam.
"Dude, didn't I tell you she was a ten?" he breathed, staring at the Santana.
"Yeah, she is," Sam said, still watching Mercedes.
"I invited Mike and the Princess to brunch tomorrow at my place. It's about to be on," Puck said.
"Aren't you worried Mike will kill you for going after his girl?" Sam asked.
"Shit, I'd risk death for that," Puck said, looking at Santana.
β
"This is futile," Santana said, taking off her heels.
Mercedes sat on the bed in the penthouse, with her computer on her lap.
"Are you listening to me? Princess, I really think-"
"I told you to never call me that while we're here," Mercedes said, momentarily taking her eyes off her laptop.
"No one will overhear us here us Princ – I mean Mercedes," Santana said, unzipping her dress.
"I'm aware of that Santana. But I need you to keep the mentality of the Princess, not her servant," Mercedes said.
"I'm not sure I can pull this off," Santana said, pulling out her gun from her holster.
"Why not? You were perfect tonight," said Mercedes.
"It's been a month and Chang still has yet to let his guard down. If we don't get the schematics of the vault, how are you supposed to break in?"
Mercedes smirked.
"Two steps ahead of you," Mercedes said, scooting off the bed.
Mercedes picked up her tiara from the dresser.
"Here, Put it on," Mercedes said.
Santana cautiously placed the tiny diamond-encrusted tiara on her head.
Mercedes pressed two keys on her laptop then turned it around so Santana could see.
The laptop showed Mercedes looking at Santana.
"Micro-camera," Mercedes said, watching Santana waving her hand in front of her face to test out the video feed. "Now I see everything you see,"
"Very clever My Lady, but that still doesn't change the issue of my actually convincing Chang to show me the vault," Santana said as she took off the crown.
"We've been concentrating on the wrong guy. Michael is cold and married to the job, but his employer Noah Puckerman is a total playboy. His friend from Ohio let it slip that he has a thing for you. So, all you have to do is rub his ego so he will show you the where the vault is," Mercedes explained.
"Are you sure his ego will be the only thing of his I'll be rubbing?" Santana said, making Mercedes laugh.
"Trust me, it won't take much for this guy. Just make sure you're wearing the tiara when he takes you," Mercedes told her.
"I'm a little worried," Santana said.
"We've been doing this for four years," Mercedes said.
"Yes, but for three of those years, I was your guard. Now you have me in the spotlight, parading around as something I'm not. How am I supposed to protect you?" Santana said.
Mercedes touched Santana's shoulder.
"I need you to do this Santana. This is the biggest hit we've ever done, and your role as the princess gives me the allotted time to work out what I need to do," Mercedes said. "Plus you make great royalty. You've always been a drama queen."
Santana, who rarely smiled, rolled her eyes.
"I'm taking a shower first," Mercedes said.
Mercedes walked to the bathroom. When she opened the shower door, she screamed.
"Mercedes!" Santana said, running to the bathroom.
"Just kidding," Mercedes said as she turned on the shower.
Santana grabbed her heart, placing her gun back in her thigh holster.
"Royalty or not. You do that again and I will shoot you," Santana said, as Mercedes undressed to get in the shower.
"Don't forget tomorrow at brunch that I'm your servant!" Mercedes called, as she stepped into the shower.
"'Oh, I won't forget," Santana said, angrily walking away.
β
It was the next morning.
Sam, who was already dressed for the day, sat in his room, reading last month's issue of National Geographic.
Sam closed the magazine.
On the front cover was the title "WHERE ON EARTH IS SHADOWCAT?"in big lettersacross the shadow in the shape of a woman.
Sam took off his glasses.
"…Who are you," he said to himself.
"Sam! They're here!" Tina called, rushing past Sam's room to meet the princess.
Sam looked out of his window where he saw a black town car with diplomat flags pull up the drive way.
By the time Sam made it downstairs, Puck and Tina were already at the doorway, greeting the princess and Mike.
"Let's head over to the patio," Puck said, leading Santana and Mike to the back of the house that out looked the ocean.
Sam remained where he was, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone else was coming.
He was surprised that he actually felt a little crestfallen when he didn't see Mercedes.
She wasn't really his type, but she intrigued him somehow.
After thirty more seconds of just standing there, Sam decided to join the others.
Before heading outside he passed by the kitchen to get a bottle of wine.
"It's kind of early to drink, don't you think?"
Sam smiled, recognizing the voice. He turned around.
Mercedes stood behind Sam, wearing a yellow summer dress and sandals
"It's never too early in Havana," Sam said.
"I guess I'll follow you then," Mercedes said with a smirk.
Sam led the way outside.
Puck, Tina, Mike and Santana, were already sitting at the patio that overlooked the ocean. The house sat on the cliff that dropped straight down to the beach.
"What a great view," Tina said, already taking out her sketch book.
"There you are!" Puck exclaimed, moving over a seat at the circular table.
"I was just getting the wine. Mercedes was helping me," Sam said, handing Puck the bottle.
"I thought you got lost," Santana said.
"No, my lady. I was merely handling a matter with the driver," Mercedes replied with a slight curtsy.
Mercedes took a seat next to Santana.
Sam sat across from Mercedes. The two made eye contact. Mercedes smiled and then turned her gaze elsewhere.
Sam had been out of the game for a while, but his gut told him that this girl was definitely flirting with him.
Sam turned his attention back to the table conversation.
"Sam is obsessed with her," he heard Tina say.
"Obsessed with whom?" Sam asked.
"Shadowcat. Sam's been following her story for months," Tina continued.
Mercedes and Santana made quick eye contact before looking back at Tina.
"I am not obsessed," Sam said, feeling his ears turning red.
"Good for you," Puck said. "Better a hot thief than your ex."
Sam side-eyed Puck.
"You do realize that Shadowcat is a criminal, not someone to be idolized," Mike said, sipping his scotch.
"Al Capone, Joe Kennedy, Pablo Escobar. Are they not just criminals we idolize as well?" Santana said.
"Shadowcat is not impacting society," Mike told her.
"I think she is," Sam said.
"And what would you know about it?" Mike said.
"More than you," Sam said.
Mike smiled.
"You consider yourself a Shadowcat expert?" Mike asked Sam.
"…I would actually," Sam replied.
"Well then, enlighten us Evans," Mike said.
"Leave him alone Michael," Santana interjected.
"Hey, he's the one who thinks he could do my job," Mike said.
Santana rolled her eyes.
Sam smirked.
Sam: Well, first off. Shadowcat is definitely a woman.
Mike: [sarcastically] Ohhh very perceptive
Sam: She grew up wealthy, but suffered a personal tragedy. She's probably an orphan.
Mike: What would make you believe that?
Sam: There's a notable pattern in what she steals; Vasari's Andromeda. Anastasia's locket. She relates to these women of power and tragedy. Also she has a Robin Hood complex
Puck: A what?
Sam: She steals from the rich and gives it to those less fortunate, including the orphanage in Bosnia that mysteriously received missing gold from Queen Catherine's dowry. Shadowcat is richer than all of you combined. Thievery is a sport for her not a necessity.
Mike: And what does she look like?
Sam: …no doubt she's beautiful. All the portraits she's taken are of beautiful women. These are like her sisters. She is very flexible which gives her the ability to slip through air ducts.
Puck: Sounds like my type of woman.
Sam: …She's also shy.
Santana: She seems brave to me
Sam: Well, maybe that's what she wants you to think
Mercedes: And how would you know that?
Sam turned to look at Mercedes who hadn't uttered a word since the conversation began.
Sam: Shadowcat is as much of a character as is Batman. Behind the mask is someone who is human… and alone. She doesn't know how to love, and she probably doesn't want to because every person she's ever loved is gone.
Everyone remained silent.
"..But hey. It's all just a hunch so," Sam said.
Mercedes continued to look at him.
Puck patted Sam on the back.
"You read way too many comics bro."
Everyone chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess I do," Sam admitted.
"We need more wine," Tina said.
"I'll get it," said Sam.
"I'll help," said Mercedes.
Mercedes followed Sam into the kitchen.
"You're in love with her aren't you," she said.
Sam opened the drawer to get a corkscrew.
"Who?"
"Shadowcat."
Sam shrugged his shoulder.
"What are you going to tease me now too," he said.
Mercedes smiled.
"No, I think it's cute…and sad."
Sam looked at Mercedes.
Mike entered the kitchen.
"I'll take that for you," Mercedes said, bringing the wine to the patio.
Mike watched her as she left.
"For some weird reason, the fact that my father would kill me if I dated her turns me on," Mike said before finishing his drink.
"…Yeah…" Sam replied awkwardly, wishing he had followed Mercedes out.
"You wanna know how I know Shadowcat is a woman?" Mike asked.
Sam didn't reply, almost positive Mike would tell him anyway.
"…She kissed me."
"…She kissed you?" Sam repeated.
Mike smiled.
"I was crawling around in the dark after she knocked out the power on the sixteenth floor. I felt for my gun then heard a click against my head. I never stood so still in my life. That's when she kissed me. Not a second later, she knocked me out."
"…How did it feel?" Sam asked.
The smirk faded from Mike's face.
"…It doesn't matter. I still have to kill her," Mike said.
Mike started walking back to the patio.
"You liked it didn't you," Sam said loud enough for Mike to hear.
Mike turned around, walking all the way up to Sam.
"…I don't care how accurate your profile is on Shadowcat," Mike said, putting his hand in the shape of gun to Sam's skull. "The fact remains if you stood in her way, she would put two in your little fanboy head and not lose a second of sleep over it. Why don't you think about that the next time you kiss her picture at night."
"…So I guess that's a yes," Sam said, not intimidated in the slightest.
Mike smiled, taking a step back from Sam.
"You're funny," he said. "But stay out of my way."
Mike lightly slapped Sam across the face before going back outside.
β
Santana and Mercedes sat in the back of the limo.
"Did you get the camera in Puckerman's office?" Santana asked.
"Please. I knocked that out in under a minute," Mercedes said. "I would have gotten one in the hallway if I hadn't bumped into Sam in the kitchen."
"That kid knows too much," Santana said.
"Wipe that look off your face," Mercedes said.
"What look?" Santana asked.
"That I-think-we-should-kill-him look," Mercedes said.
"I do we think we should kill him," Santana said.
Mercedes laughed.
"It's harder to deal with a dead body than a live one," Mercedes said.
"Speak for yourself," Santana said, taking off her heels.
"I like him," Mercedes said.
"Why?" Santana said, not seeing the appeal.
"Do you know how many women were at that banquet? He stood two feet from the Princess of San Carlo, and yet his eyes fell on me." Mercedes said.
"All the more reason to kill him. You stand out to him for some reason and that's bad for us," Santana said.
"…Are you jealous?" Mercedes asked.
"Of that fool? I could take him with a blindfold and both hands tied behind my back," Santana said.
"That's really freaky," Mercedes said, making Santana laugh.
Mercedes leaned into Santana, kissing her shoulder.
Santana swallowed, resisting the temptation to kiss the Princess.
It wasn't fair. She devoted her life to Mercedes and yet she was the one thing she couldn't have.
"I need you to do something," Mercedes said.
"Please let it be to kill someone," Santana prayed.
Mercedes smiled.
Β
Sam and Puck stood on the balcony overlooking the night sky.
"The Princess is gorgeous," Puck said.
"That she is," Sam said, sipping his drink.
"…Do you think I'm a screw up? Puck asked.
"…Of course not," Sam said.
Puck laughed.
"It would be pretty cool if Shadowcat did make an appearance at the opening of my exhibit, even if my mom does kill me."
"That would be something," Sam said.
"I'm glad you're here man. I don't think I could do this on my own," Puck said.
"…You'll be fine. I'm the one who's got my head up my ass about Shadowcat," said Sam.
"Are you really in love with her?" Puck asked.
Sam shook his head.
"I don't know. I think I'm just looking for something to wake me up."
Puck smiled.
"You seemed pretty awake when you were with Mercedes."
"We're from two different worlds," Sam said.
"Hey, at least she's not a princess. That would be a whole lot of drama," Puck said.
Sam laughed.
"Very true."
β
Mercedes landed on the balcony of Mike's penthouse apartment.
Her dark gray cat suit allowed her to blend into the stone on the wall.
Mercedes took a hair pin from behind her ear, picking the window.
After a few seconds the lock popped open.
Mercedes tilted the window open before cartwheeling in the room.
Mercedes walked over to the wall. She slid her fingers against the wall. She stopped when she felt a difference in the density. She knocked the wall twice, looking for a hollow space.
Mercedes took out a pen laser form her bra.
She slowly waved the laser on the dry wall until she found what she was looking for.
"There you are," Mercedes whispered. She stuck the laser in her mouth so she could use both hands to pry the secret passage open.
Mercedes stopped when she heard a noise.
Mercedes closed the dry wall.
She quickly slid into the large bathroom.
She heard footsteps.
A drunk Mike stumbled into his bedroom.
"Shit," Mercedes mouthed.
Mercedes remained quiet.
Mike slowly dragged his feet to the window.
He locked it.
Mercedes watched quietly in the linen closet as Mike walked in the bathroom.
He turned on the sink and splashed his face with water.
He walked to his glass shower, turning on the hot water.
The room filled with steam.
He undressed.
Mercedes waited patiently, staggering her breaths.
As Mike let the water wash over him, something occurred to him that didn't earlier.
That window shouldn't have been unlocked.
Dripping wet, Mike walked out of the bathroom. He looked around his bedroom, before talking out his gun from under his pillow.
"I know you're there," he said.
Mike went into his walk-in closet.
Mercedes stepped out of the bathroom. Mike turned around, drunkenly shooting. He missed Mercedes narrowly, hitting the light nearby his bed. The room went dark.
"Shit!" Mike said, still holding up his gun.
He couldn't see.
"It's you isn't it," Mike said, taking his finger off the trigger.
Mercedes, who had been grazed by the bullet hid under the bed.
Mike, who was still naked, tip-toed around his room.
"You can't hide from me!" Mike said.
Mike felt an excrutiating shock.
Mike fell to the ground.
Mercedes slid out from under his bed. She put her taser back in her side pocket.
"Tsk, tsk Michael," She said to an incapacitated Mike.
Mercedes kissed him on the cheek
"You will spend your life looking, and you will never find me," she whispered in his ear.
It was against Shadowcat's nature to keep her enemies alive, but she needed Mike for something important.
"Until next time," Mercedes said, escaping through the window.
To be continued...