AN: Hello readers. This story is about my two favorite characters, Mercedes Jones and Kurt Hummel aka Kurtcedes. I've always loved their friendship and wanted to see where it could have flowed. And I hoped for a double date/friendship between Klaine and Samcedes since Sam and Blaine began their bromance. It would have been so cute and refreshing. But glee missed the opportunity. So, like most fans, I've opted to writing a fanfic about it. And I apologize for any typos, spelling or grammar mistakes. Enjoy.

Temptation Next Door

Chapter One

Mercedes stood at the door to her apartment rummaging through her handbag in search for the key. Not only was she drained and starving, she was extremely irritated. Kurt wasn't there even though he said he would be and with her phone being inactive, she had no way of knowing why. Huffing out an exasperated breath, she kneeled down dumping all her belongings onto the hallway floor, rifling through the organized mess.

"Locked out?"

She didn't brother looking up. She could spot the owner of that annoyingly smooth voice anywhere.

"Been there before. Have you been out here long?"

Mercedes didn't respond in hopes that her neighbor would get the hint and walk away but he leaned against the wall beside her door instead. She could feel his eyes on her every move and it made her anxious.

Finally looking up, she gave him her best 'I'm not in the mood' look then eyed the basket in his hands.

"Did you need something?"

"I was going to ask if you wanted company until your friend gets here."

"No, thank you."

"I'd hate to leave you out here alone with all the creeps in this building."

She had to forcefully stop herself from rolling her eyes.

"I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," Came her short reply followed by a tight-lipped smile.

"Alright."

Pushing himself off the wall and taking a few steps backwards he cocked his head towards his door.

"If you change your mind..."

She released a sigh once the door closed then quickly gathered her scattered necessities, unceremoniously tossing them back into her handbag. She was contemplating going down and waiting for Kurt in the lobby to avoid anymore unwanted encounters when the devil himself came strutting around the corner phone glued to his ear, carrying several plastic bags. Her irritation slackened a bit when she noticed the bags were from the Chinese restaurant down the block. He glanced up as he reached inside his satchel pulling out his key.

"Cedes? What- no not you. Look, I have to go. I'll call you later. Bye."

He ended his conversation and quicken his pace, concern etched into his features.

"Why are you standing out here?"

He glanced at the door, clearly anticipating the worst. Mercedes sighed again.

"Will you please just open the door?"

Kurt's frown deepened then his eyes widened as realization hit him.

"Oh my god, have you been waiting for me this entire time? Why didn't you call?"

He moved forward unlocking the door and stepping aside to let her walk in first.

"Battery died."

"And your key?"

"I thought it was in my bag, but I couldn't find it."

Kurt shook his head as he placed his phone and the bags on the island. He bent over pulling off his gray Alexander McQueen double monk-strap loafers then stood upright removing his satchel and loosening his black and gray striped tie.

"I've told you countless times to keep it around your neck. I bought you a stylish strap and everything."

Mercedes locked the door before opening the coat closet and placing their shoes and bags insides.

"So we're going to ignore the fact that I had to stand outside the door was because you were late?" She snapped.

"You forgot the key, so that's your fault not mine. And I left you a message, obviously you didn't get it, but I did call."

Mercedes watched him through narrowed eyes as he walked around the island to the sink washing his hands.

"Why were you late?"

"Work."

Raising an eyebrow she put her hands on her hips. "If that's the case, how would me calling you have made a difference?"

Shutting off the water and drying his hands, he reached for the bags taking out various boxes.

"Well, I wouldn't have stopped to get food." He paused, giving her a pointed look.

She rolled her eyes turning to marched down the short hallway towards her room stopping briefly to call back:

"It's your day to cook anyways, so don't act like you're doing me any favors."

Then slammed the door closed.

They shared a 910 square feet apartment sat on the corner of 10 Hill Street. It has two bedrooms, two baths, a small storage closet and a connected kitchen, dinning and living room. Rent was $1550 a month not including utilities.

Kurt was working at the Neiman Marcus downtown. He had got the job the day he moved to New York, thanks to his pervious manager's glorifying recommendation, and over the past year worked his way up to a hefty raise. Mercedes on the other hand, didn't have such luck. She was currently juggling two jobs: a barista at the Coffee Bean near campus during the day and a waitress at the local dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Kurt's original plan was to stay on campus but he forfeited his dorm when Mercedes' last minute decision to join him at NYU resulted in no available rooms. She felt obligated to work harder to make sure ends meet because of best friend's generous sacrifice. With work and what they saved in high school, graduation gifts and the occasional money grams from their parents, they were pulling through nicely.

Kurt sat the glasses filled with iced tea on the three piece dinning table glancing up when he heard footsteps. Mercedes was slowly walking towards him clad in purple Minnie Mouse pattern pajama bottoms paired with a plain white t-shirt and fluffy slippers. Her hair, styled in flowing curls earlier, was pulled back into a high pony. She stopped at the edge of the sofa, bowing her head in shame.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I should have known when you didn't call or text me back that something was -"

"No. I should've doubled checked to make sure I had my key before-"

"But still, if I had just came straight-"

Mercedes held up her hands.

"This is going nowhere. Kurt, I was wrong okay? I'm exhausted and hungry and not knowing where you were and realizing I didn't have my key made me agitated. Then that guy-"

"What guy?" Kurt raised an impeccably arched eyebrow.

Mercedes took the remaining steps towards the table and sat down, Kurt following suit. She sensed him watching her sloppy table manners with disdain but didn't care, stuffing the stir fried rice into her awaiting mouth. After swallowing and taking a sip of tea, she addressed her roommates inquiry.

"Next door."

Kurt rolled up the sleeves of his button down dress shirt then picked up his fork.

"The hottie that just moved in?"

She rolled her eyes at his choice of adjective but nodded in affirmation.

"Apparently he had just finished doing laundry."

"How convenient."

She scowled at his cheeky reply. "What's that suppose to mean?"

Kurt stabbed a piece of orange chicken, popping it into his mouth deliberately avoiding his roommate's eyes.

Since he caught their new neighbor ogling her as they walked pass him and his crew of movers Friday morning, he had taken to teasing her whenever the opportunity arose. Of course he only noticed because he was checking the guy out as well, but that bit of information was irrelevant. His best friend had a sexy admirer and he was elated. But she abhorred the idea of being eyeballed saying "A guy like that only wants one thing and I refuse to become someone's scapegoat." But Kurt knew she was secretly faltered.

"Nothing. So, how was work? Any big tippers tonight?"

Although she wanted to give him a piece of her mind, Mercedes allowed the subject to change.

"No. But it was busy. Tiffany called in so I had to bust twice the number of tables than usual."

"Again? What is this, the fourth time now?"

"She has a child."

"And?"

"Babies get sick and babysitters are hard to find let alone trust."

Kurt sat his fork down and reached for his glass. "Four times though?"

Mercedes shrugged. "Things happen."

"Well, you could always come work with me."

She looked down at her food clearly refraining for saying something.

"What?"

"You seriously think that's a good idea?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

She sat her fork down looking directly into his eyes.

"Aside from work we're attached at the hip. We finish each other sentences and thoughts. We spend our spear time hanging out in each other rooms chatting, studying or sleeping. My nosy coworkers staged an intervention because they thought I was unknowingly dating a gay guy, which they only assumed because we're occasionally seen holding hands. And when school starts Monday-"

"Okay, okay. Point taken."

He never gave how other people viewed their friendship much thought, honestly he couldn't care less. But hearing his best friend since middle school stress her concerns...he didn't know how to feel.

Seeing his uneasiness, Mercedes reached across the table grabbing his hand clarifying:

"I'm not complaining, you know I love our relationship. But our time apart is not only healthy, it's mandatory."

Kurt smiled and nodded in agreement. She let go and sat back in her chair.

"So, why were you late?"

"Merchandizing. We got a shit load of new clothing today and the stockmen decided to wait until four o'clock to bring them up. April left at two, so between customers and training the new girl there was no way I was going to clear all the Z racks by six."

"Oh yeah, how's the newbie?"

"Not bad. Her name is Melissa and she just moved here from Texas."

"A student?"

Kurt shook his head. "She's not in college. Her and her boyfriend of three years recently married and spent their honeymoon here. She said that weekend was all it took in deciding New Your was where they were going to start a family."

The two ate in companionable silence for the remainder of their meal. When they finished Mercedes sent Kurt to his room to change into something comfortable while she cleaned and put the leftovers in the fridge. She was sitting on the sofa flipping through channels when her roommate entered the living room wearing flannel bottoms and his stepbrother's worn Buckeyes sweatshirt. He sat beside her putting his feet up on the coffee table.

"Kiya gave me an excused day off tomorrow."

Mercedes gaped at him. "You lucky bastard."

He laid his head back on the couch closing his eyes.

"She said I needed a break before school started. And though I prefer making money, I didn't argue."

"I swear she's in love with you."

"Can you blame her?" He smiled at her laughter.

"I have to work Sunday night so I was gonna sleep in but... do you want to do something?"

"If by something you mean laying around in our pajamas eating pizza while watching sappy romance movies, I'm totally in."

Grinning she laid her head on his shoulder. "You're the best roommate ever."

He dropped his head on top of hers. "I know. Now how about an America's Next Top Model marathon with a side of cheesecake?"

"You really know the way to a woman's heart."

Kurt rolled over blindly fumbling around until he found his phone silencing the alarm. Moving on auto pilot, he tossed the covers back and got out of bed stumbling to his private bathroom. After taking care of his bladder and washing his hands, he exited his room walking into the kitchen in search for coffee. It wasn't until he was pouring the second cup he realized his mistake.

"Damnit."

He looked at the microwave clock which read 6:38 am. and leaned his head against the cabinet. He was wide awake now and though he was tired, he would never get back to sleep. Tiptoeing down the hall, he paused peeking in on his roommate. Her back was facing him but he knew by the slow and even breaths she was still dead to the world.

While brushing his teeth he decided to prepare a gourmet breakfast of blueberry waffles, sausage, Canadian bacon, scrambled eggs and fruit salad. He made his bed then shuffled back to the kitchen taking out all the needed supplies and ingredients.

"Where's the baking power...shoot. Must be out. Well, I'll just have to make a run to the convenient store."

Leaving a note on Mercedes door, he threw on his sneakers making sure he had his wallet and keys then quietly left. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for a nice stroll through a park or a picnic. He almost felt guilty for wanting to spend the entire day inside. Almost.

He reached his destination in record time, by passing the hand baskets and going straight to the third isle finding the baking power.

"Morning Kurt."

"Good morning Mr. Yearby." He sat his items on the counter.

"Milk, eggs, baking powder. Is it someone's birthday?

"No. Why?"

"Looks like you're baking a cake."

Kurt laughed. "No. Not a cake, waffles. I needed baking power but figured we could never have too much milk or too many eggs."

The old man nodded and told him his total. He handed Kurt his change and bag then waved goodbye.

As he rounded the corner he noticed a moving truck parked in front of his building. Well, it was hard to miss. The moving crew were already at work unloading and carrying things inside. When he got closer he spotted the blonde who lived next door chatting away with who he assumed was one of the workers. Ducking his head in an attempt to slide pass unseen, he accidentally bumped into another body dropping his purchases.

"Shit."

"Are you okay?" A panicked voice questioned.

Picking up his bag, Kurt examined the contents. "I'm fine. Can't say the same for my eggs."

"I'm so sorry. I should've been paying attention."

"It's okay really. I..." He looked up and his brain shut down.

Sweet mother of all that is unholy

The beautiful hazel green eyes gazing at him with so much concern rendered him speechless. Greek god, yeah that fits, was wagging his arms as he talked on and on oblivious to Kurt's frozen state. His curly raven hair framed his chiseled sculptured face ideally. He stood, a few inches shorter, dressed in a tight white polo, high water pants and Nautica Fiesta loafers. Perfection

"...replace them."

"What?" Kurt asked dumbly.

Greek god smiled kindly, showing off his sparkling even teeth.

"Your eggs."

"Eggs? Oh right, my eggs. No, no. You don't have to that."

"I don't mind. Besides, it's the least I could do. Do you live in this building?"

"Yep. Right next door to us actually."

The blonde hottie stepped into view draping an arm around Greek god's shoulders.

I really should ask for their names

"Is that so? What are the odds?"

"Hey! Be careful with that!" The blonde hottie rushed towards the men unloading a flat screen television.

"I'm Blaine by the way."

He snapped his head forward accepting the offered hand.

"Kurt."

"And you've already met Sam." He waved a hand in the direction of his friend.

"Not formally. Just in passing."

Blaine nodded. "So, do you live here alone?"

"No. I have a roommate."

"Cool."

They stood there in awkward silence for a moment, watching the busy movers surrounding them.

"Well, I'll let you get back to work. It was nice meeting you."

"You too."

Kurt smiled shyly before hurrying off.

"And I'll be sure to get you those eggs."

He glanced over his shoulder briefly before entering the building.

Leaning against the closed door once he was inside the apartment, he sighed dreamily then immediately reprimanded himself.

"No. I promised I wouldn't do this. Plus, I don't even know if he's gay. And it doesn't matter. Not at all."

Going into the kitchen he discarded the ruined eggs and promptly got to cooking. Just as he was placing the waffles on a platter, Mercedes walked into the room slouching against the island.

"What's all this?"

"A lazy Sunday morning breakfast."

Her eyes roamed the food pleasingly. "You must have gotten up awfully early to fix this spread. I thought you were going to sleep in."

"My alarm went off and out of habit, I got up. After drowning two cups of coffee I knew I wasn't going back to sleep so I decided to slave away in the kitchen."

"Well, when school starts it'll be cold cereal and breakfast bars so I'm going to indulge with no shame."

"That's the plan."

She placed a hand on her chest and spoke with a dramatic flare, "You spoil me so", causing them to erupted in laughter.

"I'm going to go freshen up."

Kurt nodded rinsing the used dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, then he carried the jugs of orange and apple juice to the table. On his trip back to the kitchen there was a knock at the door so he changed paths and looked out the peep hole. Gasping, he quickly ran a hand through his hair and plastered a smile on his face as he opened it.

"Blaine?"

"Your eggs, just like I promised."

Kurt glanced down then back up at his new neighbor. "This is really unnecessary. I wasn't completely innocent in the ordeal."

"Maybe, but it was you who suffered damages."

"It's-"

"Take them. I insist."

Kurt smiled wider and took the carton. "Thank you."

"No problem. I'll see you around, Kurt."

And with that, his neighbor walked away leaving him staring as he did so.

"Who was that?"

He swung around nearly dropping the eggs, again.

"How long have you been standing there?"

Mercedes scrutinized his face and a sly grin slowly engulfed her lips.

"Someone special?"

Kurt ignored her, locking the door and walking into the kitchen to put the carton safely into fridge. Of course she followed, arms behind her back waiting for his response.

"Can you help me take the food to the table, please."

"Sure."

Once everything was in order and they were in their respective seats, Mercedes brought the mysterious stranger up again.

"He's your admirer's roommate."

"There's two of them now? Great."

"They seem nice. At least Blaine is."

"Blaine?" Mercedes' sly grin reappeared causing Kurt to roll his eyes as he reached for the scrambled eggs.

"Yes. I ran into him earlier, literally, and dropped my eggs. He just stopped by to replace them. That's all."

"Mmm. Are they students?"

"How would I know?"

"Well, since you two are on first name bases I just assumed y'all got to know each other."

"Stop."

"What?" Mercedes asked innocently as she cut into her waffles.

"You know exactly what."

"See, now that the shoe is on the other foot it ain't so fun is it?"

Kurt swallowed hard and she smiled proudly.

"Just so you know, the blonde's name is Sam."

"Look Kurt, school starts tomorrow and we have to stay focus. So I vow to keep my distance from our new nieghbors to avoid distractions. Will you do the same?"

"I second that notion."

"Then it's a deal. This is delicious by the way. Thank you so much for forgetting to turn off your alarm."

Kurt held up his glass of orange juice. "To our lazy Sunday indoors."

Mercedes raised her apple juice filled glass. "I second that notion."

They took a sip of their drinks and struck up a debate about which movie they were going to watch first.