**I don't own glee. This chapter is a look back chapter*
-a few weeks prior-
Mercedes smiled as she noticed the picture of Rachel appear on her phone. She'd been expecting this call and knew it would come sooner or later.
"Sup Rachel?" She answered getting comfy on her bed on the tour bus. Santana and Brit threw a quizzical look her way as they played a game on Britt's laptop.
"Mercedes, I'm glad I caught you!" Rachel said sounding out of breath. "I need a huge favor from you. I have a lot of people to call but I knew I had to call you first."
"Okayyyyy."
"Well you know after Kurt, you know since he's my best friend and all…"
"Rachel, it's cool. You know Kurt is my best friend too so you don't have to get into it. He called and told me your plans to revive glee."Mercedes stated catching the attention of the two couples on the bus.
"Say what?" Santana asked looking at Mercedes.
"After much convincing, Kurt has persuaded me to come and help you." Mercedes continued ignoring Santana.
"Well I guess I should have expected that!" She paused. "But I really just need you all to help recruit. I've got everything under control as far as glee goes."
"I get it Rachel. I know how important glee is to you."
"When do you think you all can be here. Dealing with Sue and other challenges…"
"Don't worry about it Kurt has told me everything. We should be there next week."
"Speak for yourself!" Santana shouted while Mercedes covered her phone.
"Santana and Brit says hi!"
"No we didn't!" Brit stated looking confused. "Are you communicating telepathically? I hear voices in my head too but I never knew it was Mercedes!"
"Thank you guys! I'm excited to see you all!" They said their goodbyes and hung up.
"Tell me again why we're going back to Ohio again?"
"Rachel needs us!" Mercedes replied rolling her eyes.
"I heard Sam's an assistant coach… have you spoken with him?" Santana asked suspiciously.
"Yes he told me." Mercedes responded. "And I don't know why you're looking at me that way."
"Oh because she thinks you're only going back because of Sam. The voice in my head agrees and since the voice in my head is yours. You just confessed." Brit replied without looking up from her laptop. Mercedes rolled her eyes and smiled internally.
The girls arrived in Ohio and were met up by Rachel and Kurt. Mercedes was happy to be back in Ohio. Especially after having a successful tour, she was living the dream life. She felt bad hearing about Rachel's failed stardom, she wanted all her friends to succeed. She was happy to see Kurt. When he initially called her requesting she came to help she called him crazy. But he slipped in some info about Sam and she was all in. Sam had told her about him coaching with Beiste but she wondered what else he was up to. Their phone conversations were always awkward and all she wanted to know was if he was dating. She never asked and he never told her if he was. Seeing Kurt again was good though and she knew he'd have some information on Sam.
"Mercedes, things are crazy here! She is obviously losing her mind. I'm happy you came because she can't run glee alone and we need to find Rachel a man!" Kurt said once they entered the Lima Bean.
"Calm down Kurt!" Mercedes said laughing."Why in the world would I try to get Rachel a man. Last time I spoke to her about dating she told me she wasn't ready. And news flash, aren't we both single now?" Mercedes said as they bought their coffee and tried to find a table to sit.
"Well we handle being single better than Ms. Berry does." He said as they finally found a seat. "I walked in on her…" Kurt said nervously and looked around.
"Oh hell to the no, Kurt!" Mercedes exclaimed. "Okay this is an emergency then.
"Hey Rachel, you're looking pretty today." Mercedes said walking into the choir room with some sheet music that she'd been working on. The petite brunette turned and smiled. She definitely looked like she was losing her mind. Mercedes realized this must have been what Mr. Shue went thru with them when they started.
"Hi Mercedes! I'm five members short still so I'm not sure what to do. Santana and Brit are with Quinn working on getting some Cheerios but Sue is giving them a hard time…"
"Look mama, breathe! Mercedes is here to help." She said patting Rachel on each shoulder. "Look I what I brought!" She said waving the sheet music.
"Oh! Thanks!" Rachel said looking at it briefly then setting it aside. Mercedes rolled her eyes and have herself an internal speech to not let Rachel's old ways get to her.
"I thought you were getting some members from the football team?"
"Yeah that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Can you see if Sam can help?" Rachel asked. "I asked him earlier and he didn't seem to excited to help."
"Ummm well…"
"Look, I know I was all for you guys taking a break. I was crazy anyone can see that you two are meant to be. We really shouldn't have meddled." Rachel stated. Mercedes heard the same speech from Kurt not to long ago. Though they played a huge part in their break up, they weren't solely to blame. The break up was a mutual decision they made.
"Hey it's alright… I would have suggested the same. Some good came out of it though, right? Sam's doing something he loves!"
"Yeah he's really good at it. You should go check him out on the field." Rachel stated perking up. Mercedes had past by the field on her way there but she didn't see him.
"Nahhh I don't want to disturb him."
"I know he'd be happy to see you." Rachel added as she walked towards the door. "I'll be right back! Stay right there!"
"Ummm okay Rachel. Make it quick Kurt is expecting me later."
"Give me five minutes!" Rachel said holding up her tiny hand. Mercedes smiled and nodded then turned back to the piano. "Just so you know…" Rachel shouted back. "Sam hasn't dated anyone… just in case you were wondering." Rachel said as she walked out the door. Mercedes smiled internally and turned back around.