Hello everyone! Oh my God, I don't even know where to begin..you're all amazing, thanks for your comments and made me your favorite story or story alert. I appreciated all of you, you are wonderful. You keep me grounded and motivated :)

An exceptionnal thank you to: krazykay23, EndlessDream91, PurpleLove, jollyrancher-25, ladysnowsu, dorknhime, Gerriv, Alliecattie3, NatashaBryant, QuinnFacrayy, box5angel, Isis Aurora Tomoe, .mae, as well as the two guests. You were my first reviewers and because of you, I made a crazy dance an entire night :)

I want, once again to say a big thank you to my Beta and friend KurlyQ722 , you are the best, as always you made my words more believable and it totally made sense.

Disclaimer: I own nothing because if I did Samcedes would have a spin off...just sayin'


Mercedes POV

I couldn't believe what was happening to me. One minute, I was being thrown away by my best friend and rescued by a stranger. The next minute, everyone leaves me speechless and alone in the hallway, running away from me. I decided to put all of my thoughts behind me and just go on with my day, without thinking about Rachel, Kurt or Sam, my strange savior, even if the small peek that I'd gotten of him had intrigued me. In fact, it intrigued me a lot and I didn't know why. Frustrating!

As I walked into class, I bumped into an arguing Santana, who was fussing over someone. Another poor victim from her long list, no doubt.

"No me gusta! Fat lips just came and sat in my spot without my permission!" she snarled through clenched teeth.

"Calm down, Satan." I replied, eyeing the subject of her disdain and recognizing him from our encounter in the halls. "I think he's new and doesn't know all your rules yet. And, his name is Sam. I think he'd appreciate being called by his name...you know just maybe for the first day..." I muttered.

I made my way towards Sam with smile on my face. For reasons I still didn't fully understand, I wanted to assure a complete stranger that he was welcome and that it was safe here. I wanted to put him at ease.

"Please excuse my friend, she's kinda rude at first. But, once you get to know her, she's the sweetest person ever. Anyway, you are kinda sitting in her spot. I know it doesn't have her name on it or anything, but..."

I was babbling, but he cut me off.

"I don't care, I'll move."

And with that terse answer, he moved to the back of the class without another glance. How rude of him!

I watched his retreating form, thinking to myself that this guy was definitely weird, but I realized that he also seemed kind of lost. And I was a sucker for a desperate case, being one myself. I had my own demons to get rid of, but it was no easy feat, and I didn't know how to handle all the mess around me.

I took my seat next to Santana, but my eyes kept glancing towards Sam, hoping he'd look my way. All he did was take notes and listen our teacher (who even does that? She's boring as hell!) I was so lost in my thoughts, just watching him, that I didn't see the moment his eyes finally met mine, surprised and a little annoyed.

My neck whipped around so fast that I thought I had twisted my neck. Embarrassed, I didn't dare look at him. My eyes were trained to my books until the end of class. When the bell rang, I grabbed my books and ran out of the classroom as fast as my short legs could carry me, without even saying goodbye to Santana. I was so embarrassed that he caught me staring at him, like he was the last damn turkey on the Thanksgiving dinner table!

I didn't want him to have the wrong idea about people at Mckinley, or about me. I wouldn't want him thinking that I was watching him because he was the new guy (even though that was sort of true.) or thinking that I was some sort of creepy stalker. I mean, one small encounter in the hallway, and I was already drooling over him! I needed to talk to him and clear everything up, just so there wasn't any misunderstanding.

I saw him standing alone by his locker. I knew it was my chance, probably my last before he thought that I'd completely lost my mind. I approached him slowly (which I realized, mid stride, looked very stalker-ish) and, like always, wore my brightest smile.

"Hey, Sam! Look, I'm sorry about earlier…."

"Sorry for what?" he snapped. "Sorry for looking at me like I'm some damned alien from Vulcan's planet? Or sorry for pushing me out of your friend's seat, even though I had it first?"

I swallowed hard. This was not the direction I'd wanted the conversation to go. Everything he said was so wrong.

"Vulcan?! What the…? No, Sam, don't be silly. I didn't look at you like you were some kind of alien. You're way cuter." I chuckled "And, for earlier in the classroom, I just wanted to apologize for my friend's behavior. I'm so sorry, Sam" I said all of this in one breath, cursing myself silently for my lack of eloquent words and fearing the worst. But, he said nothing. Nothing came.

I looked him in the eyes, trying to get a glimpse of what he was thinking, but his face was void of emotion and his beautiful green eyes were a shade darker than normal.

"I don't care." Was all he said before shutting his locker, grabbing his bags and heading towards his next class. I mean, I knew that I may not be considered one of the most beautiful girls in Mckinley to most people—nowhere near cheerio status—and perhaps most dismissed me as a nobody, but I was not invisible. I would not shy away and shut up. I was fed up with his attitude and, just like that, I shouted in the middle of the hallway for him to hear me, like I didn't give a damn about all the listening ears around us.

"What the hell are you afraid of, Sam?!"

He stopped dead in his tracks. At least I had his attention now.

When he turned, his smile was dark and menacing. It was scary and sexy at the same time.

"What did you say?"

I didn't back down. I stood my ground and held his gaze. That proved to be my biggest mistake.

"I said..um... I said why are you on the defensive, like this is some war between the two of us. I don't even know you and I already feel the animosity. I mean, I was just trying to be nice and welcoming." I tried to put up a front, but on the inside, I was breaking down. Even a complete stranger couldn't stand me, and it was only the first day. What had I done to deserve such hatred from everyone?


Sam POV

I watched her struggle to find her words, and I swear that it was the most adorable thing I'd ever seen on a girl. She looked like she was ready to take me to the carpet, but at the same time, it was like she was throwing herself on carpet. She had such vulnerability in her eyes, such honesty, that my innate need to protect nearly bubbled to the surface. Just like that, I was ready to hold her and tell her that everything would be alright and that I was just being a selfish, brooding jerk that didn't know how to behave in front of women I thought were beautiful. But, I didn't say anything. My stubbornness wouldn't allow it. I just kept watching her struggle, biting my tongue, until I saw her break down and tears ran down the round apples of her cheeks, like the dew on the petal of a flower.

She was about to turn her face from me, and I couldn't bear the thought. I don't know what came over me, but I just jumped in and took her face in my hands. I was popular, a jock, and all the things that should have made me cold and unapproachable, but making a girl cry was not on my to-do list and I was felt responsible. It wasn't her fault I couldn't be sociable.

"It's me. I'm the sorry one, not you." I told her. I wanted her to look me in the eyes. I didn't give a fuck that we were in the middle of the hallway and that we were already late for our next period. Time had stopped, and we were two beings in a bend of space, sharing the same heartbeat, moving in the same time. It was scary...and delicious. "I'm sorry for being that way with you."

She sniffled a little and looked me in the eyes, wearing the most adorable pout, and the sudden urge to kiss her lips made its way through my mind. I pulled myself away from her before the urge became action. "How can I make it up to you?" I asked with the Evans' lopsided grin, certain I'd win a smile from her.

She smiled a little, and in a small voice, one that I imagined graced much of her childhood, she told me, "No, it's okay. You're new. You must have been stressed out and I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No big deal. I'm used to being the punching bag." she laughed. But, the humor never reached her eyes and I saw it.

As if on cue, Quinn and Tina passed by them, looked quickly at Mercedes without really

seeing her, and gave Sam a more interested gaze. Mercedes tried to smile and wave, but she received nothing but silence and guilty, downcast eyes. She sighed and turned her attention to back to me. I had been silently watching the entire scene.

"Some friends?"

"Used to be..." she sadly replied.

I sighed, for her and for me. "Seems like I'm not the only one struggling."


Life kept running along at its steady pace. After three weeks, Sam and Mercedes had grown closer without even realizing it. They would spend time sitting close to each other during lunch period, perched on the steps outside of Mckinley, pretending that the presence of the other didn't light their hearts a fire. They would sit together in class, acting as if they didn't remember that the other was there. Sam would feel his eyes gradually drift in Mercedes's direction, drawn to her for some unknown, unfamiliar reason, like an invisible tether between them. The new feelings frustrated him. He hated the desire to watch her. But, with her near him, he felt at peace. He loved the feeling more than he hated the attraction. He hadn't felt peace like that in a long time.

So, when someone tried to take his newfound peace away from him, Sam threw a fit. He saw how much Mercedes tried to keep her emotions hidden, but she was more of an open book than she realized. Ever since that day in the hallway, when her guy friend ditched her and left her struggling with her fallen books, he'd notice that she would often glance his way and grow solemn. He never he asked her about that—he didn't want to pry and she was a private person, like him, and he respected her disposition—but he wanted peace and, for whatever reason, her distress prevented that. It bothered him to see her so unhappy.

"Okay, what's the matter?" he finally asked, exasperated.

She was so caught in her thoughts that his sudden question startled her.

"Um...nothing. Why?" she replied, genuinely surprised at his concern.

"Seriously? You're gonna lie like that?! Okay, let's see, why would I be concerned…" he sassed sarcastically, tapping his chin. "Well, maybe it's because you're not acting a hot mess, like always. You're just a sad sack of emotions lately." She threw him a death glare as he chuckled. "You look so down, Mercedes. I know we aren't that close, but what's wrong? You know you can talk to me….I hope you can talk to me."

She scoffed. "That's not what you were saying the other day. You told me that you'd never met a girl who talked so much and said nothing."

"Yeah, I remember... and it's still true." She punched him lightly on the shoulder. "But that's what I like about you... »

She looked at him thoughtfully, as if seriously considering his face for the first time.

After a moment of pondering, she asked, "Why don't you let me in?"

"I beg your pardon ?" He replied, feeling the tables turn on him.

"Why do you always let your guard up? I mean, we hang together at school almost every day for a month now and I barely know anything about you. You could write a freaking Mercedes dictionary with all of the things I told you."

The way she viewed him greatly bothered Sam. Why was the very question. What was he afraid of?

"What do you want to know, Jones?" Sam inquired in his best TV announcer voice. Her cherub face lit up.

"Ok, where's your family from? Do you have any brothers or sisters? How many? Where do you live? Is it a house or an apartment? Do you—"

He cut her off. "Hey, please! One question at a time, Woman! I'm no juke box! You can't just insert a question quarter and make me sing!" She giggled sheepishly and Sam thought that her laugh was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

"So, I come from Kentucky. My parents and I live in a flat with my siblings. I have a brother named Stevie and a sister named Stacy and they're seven year old fraternal twins."

"Aww! Stacy and Stevie and Sam. All S names? That's too cute." she smiled.

"Yeah, yeah." Sam blushed, heating up when she called him cute. "What about you, Miss Jones? Same questions."

"Well, you already know everything about me. I live with my parents as well in a six bedroom home not too far from here. My older brother is away at university, so I'm an only child right now, and after high school, I want to be a star. You know, a big music star, like Whitney or Aretha….." Stars danced and shone in her eyes. "You should come to see me sing in glee club!.. I mean if you want, you don't have to or anything… you know, I'm not demanding, just asking... I mean if you happened to pass by that way... »

Again, she was babbling and fumbling over words, and Sam felt tempted to quiet her faltering with a soft kiss to her plump lips.

"I'll be there. I'll come and hear you sing."


Mercedes POV

There's no way in hell that Sam will ever think I'm normal. I was a complete mess in front of him today and I still don't know why. I felt so flustered and emotional in front of him, but Sam was patient and caring and seemed to enjoy my quirks, even if his laughs were at my expense. Having a friend to chat with completely revived me. Even if I could handle my own battles and be fierce, having someone watch my back was comforting. I didn't feel so lonely anymore. I was slowly letting Sam in, in my mind, in my soul...in my heart. But I had no idea of what he thought about me. I was not the stereotype of the skinny blonde cheerio like Quinn, or as quiet as Tina, or sex-driven as Santana. I was an oversized black girl that didn't hesitate to throw a punch, busted a window, and stand up for herself. That's what people saw. That's the only thing people saw.

I've never really been interested in boys. Once, Kurt tried to hook me up with this guy from our school, Anthony Rashad, but after one date, I knew it never would have worked out.. I think it's because I was so frustrated that Kurt ditched me for Blaine, that I drowned my sorrows in tots. I felt rejected…again. With tots, I could fill the empty holes in my heart with its delicious, fried golden goodness and feel accepted. Dare I say it, loved even….

But that didn't matter and I didn't mind. I had friends who supported me, even if I was an outsider. No matter what, I thought, I still had my glee family.

Oh, how things have changed.

Now, it felt like forever ago since a pregnant Quinn stayed over my house or Tina called me to talk for hours about Mike. I missed them dearly. Of course, I always had Santana and Brittany, but they were a tandem. I didn't want to be the third wheel of the damn carousel! I mean, I've been part of a tandem before, several tandems even, but now I was all by myself...

Well, I was by myself, until I met Sam.

We were a duo that flowed so well, without even knowing or acknowledging each other as a pair. It's strange feeling such a strong connection to someone you hardly know, but in my mind, we were a couple, whether or not our relationship was romantic. I needed him near me because I felt protected and comforted beside him, even if he didn't know it half the time. I'd never tell him that, though, even if he asked me. My biggest fear is that he'll become tired of me and drop me like the others. What's the use getting attached to him? Stirring up feelings that might fade just as quickly as they came?

As Sam and I were walking to our calculus class, Santana rushed towards us. She seemed furious for some reason, which greatly confused me. It was a long time we hadn't spoken heart to heart but I knew it woudn't last long.

"Hey Santana! What's...?

"Save it, Aretha !" she barked. I froze. It had been a long time since she'd used that nickname. She had to be really pissed off if she resurrected a first grade nickname. "I thought you were different."

"Okay, what the hell Santana ?! What is all this about ?"

"Oh, you can pretend all you want wheezy, but I know what I see. You know, I was your biggest supporter when you chose to quit New Directions and form the Troubletones. We were a team, but now you seem to spend all your time with fish lips and you act like you don't know me anymore!"

"That's totally bullshit Santana and you know it. Please don't do this." I pleaded. The last thing I wanted was a scene in front of the school. I already saw a crowd forming. It was super embarrassing. "Can we talk later? Please?" I whispered.

"Why? We're talking just fine right now!" I knew Santana. She was in full out bitch mode, and the only way to get rid of her was to take the train to crazyville and argue with her. But I wouldn't do it; not today and not with her. Especially not with her, one of my few close friends.

I looked down, not knowing what to say. I suppose she took my silence as a confession.

"Quinn was right! You're just like Rachel. The very moment someone listens to you, does what you want, you toss them to the side like old news. Your feelings are the only ones that matter, isn't it?"

I looked up at her, confused and hurt with tears in my eyes. Was I really just like Rachel ? I wanted to shine, to be heard, but at what price?

"That's enough!"

Both of us stared at Sam in surprise. He was fuming.

"Stay out of this, guppy lips. This is between Mercedes and me. It doesn't concern you." growled Santana.

"Well, since you mentioned me, I think it became my concern." His tone was gruff and he discreetly positioned himself in front of me, shielding me with his body. "Leave her alone. I really don't think that now's a good time to talk. If you were smart, you'd back off." His eyes squinted menacingly. "Now."

"Oh, hell no! No me gusta! Don't make me go all Lima Heights Adjacent on your ass, Lisa Rinna!" threatened Santana, stepping to his challenge.

I couldn't take anymore. The constant arguing was too much. When did my life get so confusing? Someone really needed to slap me or dump cold water on my face to wake me up from this nightmare of a life.


Thanks for reading, and don't forget... Reviews please :)