A/N: Thank you everyone for all of the wonderful reviews and praise. I'm having fun with this story and I hope you enjoy chapter two. Please give me any suggestions or critiques. I do not own Glee, The Devil Wears Prada, or Love and Other Disasters. Please enjoy the show!

Chapter 2: Glad You Came

Kurt Hummel lived and breathed fashion. Even as a little boy growing up in small town Texas he spent his allowance on fashion magazines his favorite being Deviant. His dream was to work for the fierce and timeless Stephen Tillman the famed head of the Closet at Deviant Magazine. Kurt's larger than life presence and outlandish fashion sense made him the talk of the town on more than one occasion much to the chagrin of his father who was left to raise the boy after his mother passed away. His favorite memory being the time he danced through school reenacting the opening scene from The Sound of Music dressed as Maria. His devil may care attitude hid underlying hurt at being bullied daily. The day he publicly came out to his only friend at school the boys from the football team went as far as to beat him up for being different. Kurt and his father felt he needed to leave as soon as high school was over for his safety and sanity. The day he was accepted into Parson's on a full scholarship Kurt prepared to leave town. He kissed his father and left for New York and never looked back. That was seven years ago.

It took over a year, but the day the opportunity came to interview for a position working under Stephen he took it. Kurt was a mess that day, his normal calm demeanor and smooth speech seemed to fly out of the window. As he sat in front of his idol his hands shook and his voice cracked. After the first year of working with him, Stephen told him he saw something in him that he didn't see in the other candidates. Kurt had a genuine love not just for fashion, but also for life. In Kurt he also saw a fearlessness that only came from hardship and determination.

Kurt liked to think of Stephen as a mentor and second father. He reminded him of a cross between Andre Leon Tally and RuPaul. The man proved to be the opposite of Sue Sylvester and according to the tabloids they were arch enemies but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Stephen chose to nurture his underlings and mentor them instead of instilling fear and control. That's where they butted heads as colleagues. Outside of the walls at Deviant they were best friends and had been for decades, it was a closely guarded secret that Stephen trusted Kurt with after a while. Make no mistake Stephen ran his department with an iron fist, but as long as you followed his simple rules you never incurred his wrath and you would go far. He wanted his team to be the best at what they did. Kurt was already earning a name for himself after only a few short years at the magazine. Thanks to Stephen giving him a chance and letting him shine.

From the time Kurt was allowed to pick his own clothes he'd loved them. His mood could be gauged by the flashiness of his outfit just as much as the pep in his step. As 1st assistant of the famed Deviant closet Kurt had the pleasure of working around some of the rarest and most sought after pieces of clothing. He'd seen everything from vintage Halston to the newest Dior. His passion lay in the shoes though. Don't get him started on shoes. If he could get away with pulling a Johnny Weir or a Derek J from Real Housewives he would wear seven inch stilettos to work daily. He also was in charge of handing out the freebies and retired items from the Closet. Santana, his closest friend of six years and loyal second in command always got the pick of the litter. He distributed the rest based on a complicated formula of how much he liked you that day. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

Kurt wasn't a label whore. He could wear H&M just as easily as Chanel but he loved the look of a well put together ensemble. He believed that clothes said everything about you. Before people spoke to you, they saw you. That was the only philosophy Kurt shared with Sue Sylvester. Kurt also loved a project. Something about giving a makeover gave him a sense of pride. It hadn't been since his first year at Parson's when he met Santana that he met a girl worthy of his fashion expertise. She was his first overhaul. Before he got his hands on the girl she was just another cheap Jenny from the Block imitation with a big mouth, penciled in eyebrows, and no fashion sense. After taking the girl under his wing in no time flat he'd made a silk purse out of a sow's ear. They'd been inseparable ever since.

As he sat in the office café with Santana he saw Mercedes up close for the first time. He'd never seen anyone so adorably out of place. She was a pretty girl but everything she wore was wrong for her shape. Someone with an hour glass figure like hers should accentuate, not hide under unflattering layers. He watched her as she stood at the soup bar ladling a heaping helping of the chef's delicious but fattening clam chowder into a large cup, and plucked a turkey sandwich from the cooler. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as she made her way to the cashier.

Kurt made it his business to know who everyone in the building was and he knew this girl was Sue Sylvester and Rachel Berry's new whipping girl. He wondered how long this one could put up with Satan and Satan Juniors abuse. The last girl had been escorted out of the building in tears. No doubt because of Rachel's underhanded and devious ways. He'd known Rachel Berry long enough to know that once an assistant started to make progress Rachel would go to any length to stay on top. Kurt was holding out hope that this one would be different. Sue and Rachel needed to be put in their place. They needed to learn that treating people like garbage was not a way to earn respect. Rachel needed a lesson more than anyone.

The pint sized bitch had been a thorn in his side from the moment he'd met her in college. Rachel was self righteous, lazy, crass, a braggart, and delusional. She tried so hard to be like Sue that she failed to see that it would be her undoing. It was a closely kept secret that Sue kept Rachel close because she didn't trust the girl. Sue wasn't grooming Rachel for anything she was just giving the little pain in the ass enough rope to hang herself with. Kurt understood why Sue was such a pain in the ass and a bitch. She'd earned her stripes after twenty years of clawing her way to the top. But he felt Sue's cruel to be kind approach and impossible demands were out of line at times. Sue managed to bring many of her assistants down to their knees. It was rumored that she even drove a girl to a nervous breakdown. But Kurt wasn't one to gossip so you'd never hear that from him.

Kurt broke through his thoughts and continued to observe Mercedes with a small smile. He hadn't had a chance to speak to her on her many trips to the closet but he was silently rooting for her success. He knew the way Rachel worked and he only had 20 minutes to talk to her before she sped out of the cafeteria just as she'd done every day for the last three weeks.

He'd never had the chance to talk to her as she scurried down to the Closet to get some menial item for Sue that Kurt or one of the interns could have easily gotten, that was their job. But she did it day in and out without complaint. He knew how Sue worked; she was putting this girl in her place. Kurt had seen it once before in the only woman that had gone any place after Sue was done with her. It was three years ago just after Kurt started. Her name was Anne and she was the only woman that wouldn't bend to Sue's will. She'd kept a stiff upper lip and a steel spine. After her two years of indentured servitude Sue handed over a letter of recommendation and a job offer. Anne took the letter of recommendation and walked out of Deviant, never looking back. That woman is now an editor for one of the biggest newspapers in the known world.

Not to mention anyone at this magazine that had the courage to openly eat the delicious soup the chef prepared from scratch was worthy of many accolades! Kurt had the pleasure of taking some home just after a terrible break up and it was addictive. Just by the simple act of eating in public she'd thumbed her nose at everyone who made fun of her behind her back. No one at Deviant had the courage to eat in public or in general; it was an unspoken rule that lunch at the magazine was more of a social hour. If you weren't a sample size or smaller you better look like Jennifer Lopez, or a Kardashian sister. That was the only "larger" size that was acceptable. Be he loved that Mercedes didn't care, or chose to stay oblivious to the reed thin worker bees who admired her food from afar while talking shit to distract themselves from their jealousy.

Kurt sighed taking in the rest of the ample sized girl. She had an hour glass figure under the cheap, simple, black, polyester shift dress she wore. Her hair extensions were outdated and in need of some TLC. Judging by the new growth at the crown of her head it was time to get them done. Her brown high heeled loafers were only slightly acceptable, and her pantyhose were three shades too light for her beautiful chocolate complexion. Kurt was itching to get his hands on the girl; something about her screamed she needed a friend and a deep conditioning treatment. He watched as Mercedes crossed the cafeteria and sat at a table alone. He only half listened to Santana as she droned on about her latest conquest, a cute little barista named Brittany.

"Santana, I'm going to talk to her." He said openly pointing to the brown skinned girl.

"Why? She's not going to last long with those thunder thighs and spare tire." Santana said rolling her eyes. "Have you been listening to anything I said?"

"Honestly sweet face not really, and have you been listening to anything you've said? That was really mean. Plus I've been too taken with that new charge over there to listen to you drone on. Santana that girl needs a friend, and a deep conditioner. We should invite her over!"

"Kurt have you been in the sauna for too long? We can't invite her over here. Our stock would plummet!" Santana said quoting Clueless.

"Girl, stop quoting Clueless. There is more to life than popularity, and being popular at work is like being popular on a social networking site. But, if I must appeal to your bitchy side think about it: we're already at the top of the food chain. We have two of the most coveted positions at Deviant and I control the freebies from the closet. No one will mess with us. After we're done with her no one will mess with her either. Let's use our power for good for once this girl how things work. She's different 'Tana I can feel it. After all she is Sue's second assistant. She should at least know that means she doesn't have to pay for her lunch!" Kurt rolled his eyes. "Now what's her name again?"

"Mercedes, Rachel said her name was Mercedes." Santana muttered rolling her eyes faking annoyance. Secretly she liked Mercedes even though she'd never formally met her. Santana was observant and it was hard to miss the worst dressed girl running down the halls like a chicken with her head cut off. She saw that Mercedes was quiet, unassuming, and she didn't care what others thought of her. Santana wished she had that kind of confidence. It just seemed like no matter what people said she was unwilling to be anything but herself. Plus any girl that could get under Rachel Berry's reptilian skin had her instant loyalty. There wasn't a day that she wouldn't hear the little Stalin bitch and moan about her presence. Santana knew it was only because Rachel was afraid of the girl. Kurt stood and bounced over to the woman in question who he saw was reading a book.

"Hi there." He said standing in front of the girl.

"Hello." Mercedes said meeting his eyes for a moment before looking back down at the book.

"What are you reading?" Kurt asked, trying to make conversation with the soft spoken girl. He could tell she wasn't used to interacting with too many people.

"Pride and Prejudice." She said dropping her spoon and looking up at Kurt, she gave him a small smile.

"I love that book! Have you seen the movie with Kira Nightly? I think its one of the best movies." The smile that earned him made his trip over to her worth it, she had a dazzling smile.

"Oh, I agree. The man who played Mr. Darcy was..." Mercedes trailed off trying to find words; if he wasn't mistaken he even saw the apples of her cheeks redden. He instantly fell in love with the girl. Something about her made her instantly loveable.

"Sex on a stick?" Kurt said finishing her sentence.

"Absolutely!" Mercedes said laughing softly.

"I'm Kurt Hummel I've seen you run down to the closet quite a few times. I've been meaning to catch you at lunch for weeks. But I know how Sue is and I know she doesn't give you much time. Would you like to join me and my companion for lunch?" Kurt smiled and extended a hand to her. Mercedes took it, giving him a firm shake. Kurt liked her handshake it said she was strong without being overbearing. Kurt had been mistaken, this woman wasn't shy she was just wary of new people. Shy, timid people didn't have a strong handshake like she did.

"I'm Mercedes Jones; it's a pleasure to meet you Kurt Hummel. I would love to join you and your companion. But you're right I don't have much time." Mercedes started to gather her things. And stood up following him to the center table where Santana sat munching on an apple.

"Mercedes, this is my best friend, and second in command Santana Lopez." Kurt gestured towards the girl who waved with a smile that was a little less than predatory.

"Hello Santana, I hope it's alright that I sit with you. I'd hate to take away your time with Kurt." Mercedes stood, waiting to be invited by Santana as well.

"Yeah, sure, sit." Mercedes sat down in the other empty seat, reopening her lunch.

"Is that clam chowder?" Santana asked, her nose wrinkling, her eyes turning dark with an unmistakable lust.

"Yes, would you like some?" Mercedes held the large container out to the duo.

"Hell no, you know what they say a moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips!" Santana said tempted to rip the container away and devour is creamy contents. Just like Kurt she was an oppressed foodie. She'd taken a few pints of the creamy contents before and devoured them in private on a rare weekend when she didn't have plans. Food like that wasn't made for public consumption.

"I just got down to a sample size my dear. No amount of delicious creamy clam chowder goodness is worth that, one pound and the button holding this skirt on will come flying off." Mercedes shook the container one more time, the smell hitting the two. Mercedes giggled as the container was taken from her hands the friends devouring the contents.

"Good isn't it?" Mercedes asked, unwrapping her low fat turkey Panini she took a bite and watched the friends with a giggle.

"I will never forgive you for that." Santana said raising a well manicured eyebrow.

"I can feel my ass getting larger." Kurt said rubbing his stomach. "But that was so good, thank you Mercedes."

"You two are so dramatic, but you're welcome. Its just food, your body needs it to run. Would you like half of my sandwich? It's a low fat turkey Panini." Mercedes smiled handing half to the duo. She was just going to throw it away. The sandwich was too large to eat in one sitting, and storing it was out of the question. Rachel would have a fit if the sandwich came anywhere near one of her crappy vegan snacks. Santana licked her lips and took the crusty delicious sandwich; she took a bite and closed her eyes. She could hear the murmurs now but she didn't care. Sample sizes be damned, she was hungry and diet Coke just wouldn't do it.

"Tell us about you." Kurt said perking up and taking half. It wasn't a question, it was a demand. Mercedes intrigued him. She was different from the women he spoke to. She wasn't vapid, or shallow. She wasn't mean for the hell of it like most women would be upon first meeting them. She wasn't a gossip. She wasn't an ass kisser, trying to get into his good graces for freebies. If he didn't know any better he would say she didn't know who they were, or what they did.

"What would you like to know?" Mercedes asked, averting her eyes and nibbling on a corner of her sandwich. Mercedes was never comfortable talking about herself.

"Give us the basic information and we'll ask questions." Santana said smiling and sitting back.

"I grew up in Lima, Ohio. I moved here for better journalism jobs. I graduated from Ohio State School of Communication last year. I want to be a journalist. I love to read and write. I hope to write the great American novel one day. My parents are lawyers, and my brothers are lawyers. I live with one brother and his wife in Brooklyn but they're rarely home. They're either working or on vacation so it works out in everyone's favor." Mercedes shrugged and went back to her sandwich.

"Boring! We want more juicy tidbits. Do you have some strapping young man at home waiting for you?" Kurt asked leaning in.

"Or some beautiful young woman?" Santana asked, her eyebrow wiggling. Mercedes started to feel as if she was being interrogated. She squirmed in her seat but made sure she didn't break eye contact.

"No I don't have a boyfriend waiting for me at home, and I'm straight." Mercedes said giggling a little.

"Well, if you ever consider playing for the other team let me know." Santana said giving her devilish smirk. "I know a few girls who are into your brand of nerdy."

"Thank you Santana." Mercedes looked down at her watch and took a deep breath, eyes wide. "I'm sorry I have to go I have ten minutes to get back to the office!" Mercedes stood and cleared the table before running to the elevator. Kurt and Santana ran behind her. If Sue came back from her long lunch and saw her gone Mercedes would be fired on the spot. When Sue came back from lunch Mercedes was supposed to be in her desk. Everyone knew that. Santana and Kurt knew Rachel was just mean enough to let the messages pile up while Mercedes took her lunch break. In Rachel's eyes Mercedes should never be allowed to leave her desk. She tapped her toes willing the elevator to move faster.

"Where does Ms. Sylvester go every Tuesday for three hours?" Mercedes asked, looking over her shoulder to Santana and Kurt. She was trying to keep her mind off of the consequences of not being back on time.

"She has lunch with some mystery person." Santana said and rolled her eyes

"No one knows who he is. He hasn't been in the papers at all. I discussed it with Blaine and he seems to think Sue is seeing someone." Kurt said with a smile he loved any excuse he could create to bring Blaine up in conversation. He looked over to Santana who rolled her eyes.

"Who is Blaine?" Mercedes asked as she stepped out of the elevator, she had four minutes to make it back to the office. Kurt and Santana ran beside her their office was just behind Mercedes'.

"Blaine is the guy I've been seeing for a few weeks. He's absolutely yummy." Kurt said smiling. "He's represented by a modeling agency that does a lot of work with the magazine. You may have seen him around he's a model. He's gorgeous." Kurt all but swooned at the thought of Blaine. Over the last few weeks things had been perfect. He was shocked to find that Blaine fit into his life as well as Kurt fit into his. Their friends got along and they even hung out in a large group at least a few times a week.

"Oh he's totally dreamy when he's not wearing those ridiculous bow ties." Santana said her voice full of sarcasm. "I swear he looks like a missing member of the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, and don't even get me started on his name. Who names their child Blaine? That name alone got him stuffed into a few lockers or at least a swirly!" Santana said as she entered the office behind Mercedes. They were shocked to find it empty. This office was never left empty. Sue was infamous for going ballistic when messages were not taken. Santana leaned over Rachel's desk to use her phone to play the messages after listening and saving each one Santana coughed and sneezed on the phone receiver. "Hope that bitch enjoys my spit. I hate that girl!"

Mercedes crashed into her desk checking the remaining messages set to type out each message. Sue didn't like listening to her voicemails; she preferred them on a white clipboard just outside of her office. They were to be updated every twenty minutes. Kurt sat on the edge of Mercedes' desk one leg crossed over the other. Kurt smelled something fishy. Rachel was trying to set Mercedes up. She always started small. But Kurt would make sure this girl stuck around.

"That was one time Santana! I swear one never lives down a fashion faux pas where you are concerned. I mean really, you have no room to talk. You wore harem pants until Sue threatened to fire you." Kurt rolled his eyes and hopped off of the desk. "I think I hear Sue's broom stick approaching. Say hello to the wicked bitch of the west. See you tomorrow Mercedes!" Kurt and Santana disappeared around a corner as Mercedes typed up the last message and put it on the clipboard outside of Sue's office. She sat in her seat quickly and took a deep breath before Sue entered. She threw her large fur coat and purse onto Mercedes' desk barely missing her face and disappeared into her office.

"Get me John." Sue barked as Mercedes picked up the phone dialing the designer. "Ms. Sylvester for John, please?" Mercedes said softly before hanging up the phone. "I have John." Mercedes raised her voice before going back to her work.

"She's in a good mood." Rachel said walking in behind Sue. Mercedes quirked an eyebrow and went back to typing up a memo. She didn't give Rachel a second thought. Her fuckery didn't go unnoticed but Rachel wasn't important enough to spoil her day.

"In my office now." Sue's voice yelled out. Mercedes grabbed a pen and note pad before scurrying into the office. This week Sue had taken to not acknowledging her by name. She stood at the desk and waited for the menial tasks she'd be given. Sue looked her up and down shaking her head.

"You work at one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world and you look like who-done-it-and-ran. Your outfit reeks of failure. Literally I can smell it from here." Sue's words were biting as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sylvester I'll try harder." Mercedes bit out smoothing out the simple shift dress; she'd made an effort to improve her wardrobe and even took an interest in fashion but it seems she was still getting it all wrong. "I'm just having a hard time understanding all of this stuff." Sue nodded her head, her expression barely changing.

"Let me tell you something about this "stuff". This stuff is my life. The tired sack of a shift dress on your back is a poor excuse for an imitation of the famous little black dress. The little black dress was created by Coco Chanel in 1926. It has survived the test of time and is in the closet of every woman in the world in some variation; even your pitiful Dress Barn mistake." Sue stood looking at her. "If you want to keep this job I suggest you start respecting the industry you chose to work in. I know you look down on this publication and see it as nothing more than fluff and drivel, a stepping stone to get to where you want to be. But fashion has been an art form since the beginning of time. Even serious journalists give a shit about their appearance. Before people hear you they see you. Your style says everything about you. It speaks volumes from the top of your frizzy extensions to the tips of your scuffed toes. Your style for instance says you're sloppy, unkempt, and could care less about your appearance. Not what you hoped it would convey: that you are too smart and too important to give a damn about how you look." Mercedes swallowed her anger and nodded. She kept a stiff upper lip, and made a mental note to schedule an appointment with her hairdresser. Sue was right for once.

"I'm sorry Ms. Sylvester. I will do better. What can I do for you?" She asked taking a deep breath to stave off the anger, holding her pen and paper at the ready. She reminded herself that she only had to pay her dues for two more years.

"I need 15 skirts from Dior, and 15 belts from Gucci. Make a reservation at that place I went to three months ago for a guest and myself, tonight. Find the china cabinet I loved in SoHo charge it go my card and have it sent to my home. Fire my maid. Find me a new maid, preferably someone who doesn't mind public humiliation. Pick Bernard up from the vet. Have my car detailed. Go to Hermes and pick up my scarves. Go to Birkin and pick up my bags. When you're finished have everything delivered to my home. That's all." Mercedes stood there scribbling everything down. She looked up to ask a question to find a glaring Sue.

"What are you still doing here? Go now!" Mercedes took a deep breath and walked out. The woman grabbed her jacket and purse whizzing past Rachel calling her a bitch before she disappeared. Rachel's face looked stunned then smug as she stood up to walk over to message clipboard, sure enough it was updated. Rachel stomped her foot and walked back to her desk.

A/N: Comments, suggestions, critiques? Love it? Hate it?